# Chapter 25 — Function Sort (Weak Roots)

*Classifying Niphal semantic functions: Passive, Reflexive/Reciprocal, Simple Action*

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## Instructions

For each weak-root Niphal form below, classify the semantic function using one of three codes:

- **P** = Passive — the subject receives the action of the verbal root
- **R** = Reflexive or Reciprocal — the subject acts on itself, or two parties act on each other
- **SA** = Simple Action — the Niphal carries the standard intransitive meaning; no Qal counterpart, or the Qal meaning is essentially the same

The gloss and reference are provided to give context for each form. An answer key is at the bottom.

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## Exercise

| # | Hebrew | Conj | Ref | Context / Gloss | Function (P / R / SA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | נִגְלָה | Perfect 3ms | Gen 35:7 | "God was revealed to him" | |
| 2 | יִפָּל | Imperfect 3ms | Gen 14:10 | "the kings fell into the tar pits" | |
| 3 | נִרְאָה | Perfect 3ms | Gen 12:7 | "the LORD appeared to Abram" | |
| 4 | יִבָּנֶה | Imperfect 3ms | — | "it will be built" | |
| 5 | וַיִּגָּלֶה | Wayyiqtol 3ms | 1 Sam 3:21 | "the LORD revealed himself again at Shiloh" | |
| 6 | נַעֲשָׂה | Perfect 3ms | Gen 20:9 | "what has been done to me" | |
| 7 | נָכוֹן | Perfect 3ms | Psa 103:19 | "his throne is established" | |
| 8 | יִשָּׂם | Imperfect 3ms | — | "it will be placed" | |
| 9 | יִגָּלֶה | Imperfect 3ms | — | "it will be revealed" | |
| 10 | נִגַּשׁ | Perfect 3ms | Gen 44:18 | "Judah drew near to him" | |
| 11 | נַעֲלָה | Perfect 3ms | — | "he went up / ascended" | |
| 12 | וַיִּנָּפֶל | Wayyiqtol 3ms | — | "he fell" | |
| 13 | הִגָּלוֹת | Inf. Construct | — | "to be revealed" | |
| 14 | נִגְלֵיתִי | Perfect 1cs | 1 Sam 2:27 | "Did I not reveal myself to the house of your father?" | |
| 15 | יִנָּכֶה | Imperfect 3ms | Exo 21:20 | "he shall be struck / beaten" | |
| 16 | נָשׁוּב | Perfect 3ms | — | "he/it returned / was brought back" | |
| 17 | תִּגָּלֶה | Imperfect 3fs | Isa 40:5 | "the glory of the LORD will be revealed" | |
| 18 | נִגְלֶה | Participle ms | — | "being revealed / one who reveals himself" | |
| 19 | הִנָּגֵשׁ | Inf. Absolute | — | "to approach" | |
| 20 | נִרְאוּ | Perfect 3cp | Gen 1:9 | "let the dry ground appear" | |

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## Answer Key

| # | Hebrew | Function | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | נִגְלָה | P (or R) | "was revealed" — passive in that God's presence is disclosed to Jacob, but often analyzed as reflexive (he revealed himself). |
| 2 | יִפָּל | SA | "he fell" — Niphal is the standard form for this intransitive action; the root's primary sense is retained. |
| 3 | נִרְאָה | R (or P) | "appeared / revealed himself" — the LORD makes himself visible to Abram; reflexive element is strong (he showed himself). |
| 4 | יִבָּנֶה | P | "it will be built" — the subject (house/city) receives the action of building. |
| 5 | וַיִּגָּלֶה | R | "the LORD revealed himself" — the subject (LORD) initiates and is the agent of self-disclosure. |
| 6 | נַעֲשָׂה | P | "what has been done" — the subject (the offense) received the action. |
| 7 | נָכוֹן | SA | "is established / is firm" — stative Niphal; כון in Niphal expresses a state, overlapping with the Qal meaning. |
| 8 | יִשָּׂם | P | "it will be placed / set" — the subject receives the action of placing. |
| 9 | יִגָּלֶה | P | "it will be revealed" — the subject (secret, word, glory) is disclosed by another agent. |
| 10 | נִגַּשׁ | SA | "drew near" — Gen 44:18; Niphal of נגש is a simple intransitive motion with no passive nuance. |
| 11 | נַעֲלָה | SA | "went up / ascended" — the Niphal of עלה can overlap with the Qal in simple intransitive movement. |
| 12 | וַיִּנָּפֶל | SA | "he fell" — same as #2; the wayyiqtol form of יִפָּל. |
| 13 | הִגָּלוֹת | P | "to be revealed" — infinitive construct in Niphal; the verbal noun expresses the passive action. |
| 14 | נִגְלֵיתִי | R | "Did I not reveal myself" — 1 Sam 2:27; clear reflexive: God as subject making himself known. |
| 15 | יִנָּכֶה | P | "he shall be struck" — Exo 21:20; the servant receives the blow. |
| 16 | נָשׁוּב | SA or P | "he returned / was brought back" — ambiguous; hollow Niphal of שׁוב can be simple intransitive (returned) or passive (was brought back). |
| 17 | תִּגָּלֶה | P | "will be revealed" — Isa 40:5; the glory of the LORD is disclosed/uncovered. |
| 18 | נִגְלֶה | R | "one who reveals himself / being revealed" — participle; can be reflexive (one making himself known) or passive (one being revealed). |
| 19 | הִנָּגֵשׁ | SA | "to approach" — infinitive absolute; simple intransitive movement toward someone. |
| 20 | נִרְאוּ | SA or R | "let the dry ground appear" — Gen 1:9; the dry land comes into view; neither agent nor patient is prominent — Simple Action or Reflexive. |
