# Chapter 26 — Qal–Hiphil Contrast Drill

*BBH Chapter 26 · Hiphil Strong Verbs*

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## Instructions

Each item below gives you a root with its **Qal meaning** and an attested **Hiphil form** from the OT. For each item:

1. **Translate** the Hiphil form into English.
2. **Name the semantic function** (Causative / Declarative / Factitive / Simple Action).
3. **Explain in one sentence** *why* the Hiphil meaning follows from the Qal meaning (or why it doesn't — some Hiphil verbs have no Qal counterpart).

The answer key is at the bottom.

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## Part A — Motion Verbs (Causative)

These roots describe motion in the Qal. The Hiphil makes someone *else* do the moving.

| # | Root | Qal Meaning | Hiphil Form | Ref | Translation | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | בּוֹא | to go in, come | יָּבֵא (Wayyiqtol 3ms) | Gen 2:19 | | |
| 2 | יָצָא | to go out | תּוֹצֵא (Wayyiqtol 3fs) | Gen 1:12 | | |
| 3 | שׁוּב | to return | הֵשִׁיב (Weqatal 3ms) | Gen 14:16 | | |
| 4 | עָלָה | to go up | הַעֲלֵה (Imperative 2ms) | Gen 22:2 | | |
| 5 | יָרַד | to go down | תּוֹרֶד (Wayyiqtol 3fs) | Gen 24:18 | | |
| 6 | מוּת | to die | הָמִית (Inf. Construct) | Gen 18:25 | | |
| 7 | יָלַד | to give birth | יּוֹלֶד (Wayyiqtol 3ms) | Gen 5:3 | | |
| 8 | שָׁקָה | to drink | הִשְׁקָה (Perfect 3ms) | Gen 2:6 | | |

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## Part B — Stative Verbs (Factitive and Declarative)

These roots describe a *state* in the Qal. The Hiphil either **causes** that state (Factitive) or **declares** something to be in that state (Declarative).

| # | Root | Qal Meaning | Hiphil Form | Ref | Translation | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9  | כָּבֵד | to be heavy, honored | יַּכְבֵּד (Wayyiqtol 3ms) | Exo 8:28 | | |
| 10 | גָּדַל | to be great | תַּגְדֵּל (Wayyiqtol 2ms) | Gen 19:19 | | |
| 11 | רָשָׁע | to be wicked | הִרְשִׁיעוּ (Perfect 3cp) | Deu 25:1 | | |

> **Note — Factitive vs. Declarative:** Both apply to stative roots.
> - **Factitive** — the Hiphil *causes* the state: כָּבֵד Qal "be heavy" → Hiphil "make heavy"
> - **Declarative** — the Hiphil *declares/treats* someone as being in that state: רָשָׁע Qal "be wicked" → Hiphil "declare/condemn as guilty"
> The same root can sometimes be used both ways depending on context.

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## Part C — Verbs with No Common Qal

Some roots are attested almost exclusively in the Hiphil. The Hiphil is their "base" form in terms of usage.

| # | Root | Qal Meaning | Hiphil Form | Ref | Translation | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | נָכָה | (no Qal in BH) | הַכּוֹת (Inf. Construct) | Gen 4:15 | | |
| 13 | שָׁמַד | (no Qal in BH) | הִשְׁמַדְתִּי (Perfect 1cs) | Lev 26:30 | | |
| 14 | נָגַד | (rare Qal) | יַּגֵּד (Wayyiqtol 3ms) | Gen 9:22 | | |

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## Discussion Questions

1. For the motion verbs in Part A, describe the pattern in one sentence: what does the Hiphil consistently *do* to the Qal meaning?
2. Which of Part B's three verbs is Factitive and which is Declarative? How did you decide?
3. Does the lack of a Qal counterpart (Part C) affect how you translate the Hiphil? Why or why not?

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## Answer Key

### Part A

| # | Root | Hiphil Meaning | Function | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | בּוֹא | he brought (them) | Causative | God brought the animals *to* Adam — caused them to come |
| 2 | יָצָא | it brought forth | Causative | Earth causes plants to come out |
| 3 | שׁוּב | he brought back | Causative | Abraham caused people/goods to return |
| 4 | עָלָה | offer up! | Causative | Isaac commanded to be brought up as offering |
| 5 | יָרַד | she lowered (the jar) | Causative | Rebekah caused the jar to go down |
| 6 | מוּת | to put to death | Causative | Causing death; strongest causative |
| 7 | יָלַד | he fathered / begat | Causative | Adam caused a son to be born |
| 8 | שָׁקָה | it watered | Causative | Stream caused the ground to drink; note: Qal = "to drink" |

### Part B

| # | Root | Hiphil Meaning | Function | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9  | כָּבֵד | he hardened (Pharaoh's heart) | Factitive | Caused the state of heaviness/stubbornness |
| 10 | גָּדַל | you made great | Factitive | Caused greatness; context = God's mercy |
| 11 | רָשָׁע | they condemned as guilty | Declarative | Legal verdict: declaring the guilty party as guilty (Deu 25:1) |

### Part C

| # | Root | Hiphil Meaning | Function | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | נָכָה | to strike, smite | Simple Action | Hiphil is the normal form; no semantic "extra layer" from a Qal |
| 13 | שָׁמַד | to destroy | Simple Action | Hiphil = primary usage; the Niphal means "to be destroyed" |
| 14 | נָגַד | he told, reported | Simple Action | From root meaning "to be in front of"; reporting = placing before someone |
