An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax

which they belong have been sufficiently set forth in the preceding chapters. Further,
we do not deal with the differences between strong (triradical) verbs and weak verbs,
except where a phenomenon historically obscured in the strong verbs is still apparent
in the weak verbs. 17 After analyzing the subsystems pertaining to the essential
morphemes of the true verb, we address ourselves to its conjunctive prefixes and the
special role of waw and stress in syntax. We treat the verbal hybrids last. The dense
interactions of morphology both with individual roots and with basic syntactic
phenomena concern us throughout. Despite the ties of verbal morphology to other
parts of grammar, however, the morphology is in itself systematic, and, as with any
linguistic system, the meaning of one element is relative to those of others.
[Page 351] 21 The System of Verbal Stems
21.1 Terminology
21.2 The System
2.1 The Problem
2.2 Toward a Solution
2.3 Minor Features
21.1 Terminology
a The central phenomenon of Hebrew verbal derivational morphology is the
modification of the root 1 or consonantal skeleton by various vocalic and consonantal
affixes. The latter include prefixed n and h, infixed t, and lengthening or doubling of
the middle radical of the root. Grammarians label these patterns of affixation in
various ways; the major patterns themselves are called Qal, Niphal, Piel, Pual,
Hithpael, Hiphil, and Hophal. The early Hebrew grammarians called these verbal
patterns םינינבּ binyanim ‘formatives’ (lit., ‘buildings’), and in the earliest grammars
presented with Hebrew and Latin en face the Latin term conjugatio appears opposite
Hebrew binyan. The term “conjugation” for these patterns is still used. 2 However,
misgivings have long been expressed about this term because it means something
17
There are several systems of terms for the weak verbs, more or less traditional. In
one system a roman numeral is used to indicate the position in the root of the
“weakness”: I-nun (or Prima-nun) verbs are those with the first radical nun, II-weak
or II-w/y those with medial w or y (also called Hollow), III-˒ those with a final radical
˒aleph, and so on; in this system geminates are called II/III or II=III. In another
system, the template verb p˓l ‘to make’ is used, and so we have Pe-nun, Ayinwaw/yod,
Lamed-aleph, Ayin-Ayin (for geminates), and so on. For good surveys of
weak-verb morphology, see A. Ungnad, Hebräische Grammatik (Tübingen: J. C. B.
Mohr, 1912) 130–85; and H. S. Nyberg, Hebreisk Grammatik (Uppsala: Geber, 1952)
64–65, 91–147.
1
In calling the consonantal skeleton of the verbs a root, we follow the practice of the
early Jewish grammarians, who used the term šōreš. Many moderns prefer the term
“stem” (e.g., GKC §31 / p. 103).
2
E.g., GKC §§39–39 / pp. 114–16; Joüon §§51–59 / pp. 113–28; T. O. Lambdin,
Introduction to Biblical Hebrew (New York: Scribner, 1971) 175.