An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax

Lev 16:23
More frequently, Hebrew formally contrasts comparable differences by using the
verbal root in both Qal and either Piel or Hiphil.
d Some verbs with differentiation appear to have lost one of the potential meanings.
For example, ברֵ ק ָ originally means ‘to be near,’ at least to judge from the alternate
form ברַ ק ָ and Arabic cognates, but in Hebrew both forms have a fientive meaning.
7a. ׃ה ָבר ֫ ֵק
ָ אֹ ל הי ָ הלֹ ֶ֫
א־ל ֱ א ֶ She does not draw near to God.
7b. ברַ קָ
אֹ ל ךְ ֶל ֶמי ֫ בִ אֲ וַ
הי ָ ל֑ ֶ֫
א ֵ
Zeph 3:2
Now Abimelek had not gone near to her.
Gen 20:4
e Some scholars think the stative forms of these pairs are older than fientive forms. For
example, G. R. Driver proposed that in verbs where an intransitive suffix conjugation
can take either i or a in the final syllable, the qātēl form represents an older layer in
the language than the qātal form (cf. 22.3fv). 13 T. L. Fenton argues the opposite,
contending that where both exist the Qal fientive is older than the Qal stative. 14 It is
clear, at any rate, that the number of Qal fientive/stative pairs is small, and their
differentiation is of only marginal synchronic importance.
22.3 Morphology
a All the West Semitic languages provide evidence of a three-way split in the Qal
suffix conjugation, a fact that suggests that this split is basic to the languages. 15 The
suffix pattern *C1aC2aC3a (prefix *yaC1C2uC3u) was used for fientives, *C1aC2iC3a
(prefix *yaC1C2aC3u) for statives designating a temporary state, and *C1aC2uC3a
(prefix *yaC1C2u/aC3u) for statives designating a lasting state. Thus we have these
Arabic forms. 16
[Page 368] naẓara ~ yanẓuru to look at, see
salima ~ yaslamu to be safe, well
ḥasuna ~ yaḥsunu to be beautiful
13
G. R. Driver, Problems of the Hebrew Verbal System (Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark,
1936) 48.
14
Fenton, “Hebrew ‘Tenses,’ ” 36.
15
Cf. n. 9; Brockelmann, Grundriss. 1. 504–8.
C consonant / construct term
16
Classical Arabic sometimes uses one root in two classes; there is one (and only one)
root attested for all three cases: baṭana ‘to hide,’ baṭina ‘to be full,’ baṭuna ‘to be
paunchy.’ We owe this example to Ernest N. McCarus. On these matters, see Driver,
Hebrew Verbal System, in general.
~ approximately equal to