# Chapter 25 — Function Sort (Weak Roots)

BBH Chapter 25 · Niphal Weak Verbs

For each weak-root Niphal form, classify the semantic function using one code:

P = Passive — the subject receives the action
R = Reflexive / Reciprocal — the subject acts on itself, or two parties act on each other
SA = Simple Action — standard intransitive meaning; the Niphal is the normal form for this root

# | Hebrew Form | Conj | Ref | Context / Gloss | Function |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
1 | נִגְלָה | Perf. 3ms | Gen 35:7 | "God was revealed to him" |  |
P (or R) — "was revealed." Passive in that God's presence is disclosed to Jacob; also analyzed as reflexive (he revealed himself). Both are acceptable.
2 | יִפָּל | Imperf. 3ms | Gen 14:10 | "the kings fell into the tar pits" |  |
SA — "he fell." The Niphal is the standard intransitive form of נפל; no passive sense (falling is not done to someone).
3 | נִרְאָה | Perf. 3ms | Gen 12:7 | "the LORD appeared to Abram" |  |
R (or P) — "appeared / revealed himself." The LORD makes himself visible; reflexive element is strong (he showed himself), though "was seen" (passive) is also grammatically valid.
4 | יִבָּנֶה | Imperf. 3ms | — | "it will be built" |  |
P — "it will be built." The subject (house/city) receives the action. Niphal imperfect of בנה with ֶה ending (III-ה).
5 | וַיִּגָּלֶה | Wayyiqtol 3ms | 1 Sam 3:21 | "the LORD revealed himself again at Shiloh" |  |
R — "revealed himself." The LORD is both subject and agent of disclosure; classic reflexive Niphal in theophany contexts.
6 | נַעֲשָׂה | Perf. 3ms | Gen 20:9 | "what has been done to me" |  |
P — "what has been done." The subject (the offense/deed) was performed on the speaker by another agent. Guttural ע takes composite shewa.
7 | נָכוֹן | Perf. 3ms | Psa 103:19 | "his throne is established" |  |
SA — Stative Niphal. The Niphal of כון expresses a state of being firm, ready, or established — the standard meaning of this root in Niphal.
8 | יִשָּׂם | Imperf. 3ms | — | "it will be placed" |  |
P — "it will be placed / set." Subject receives the action of placing. Note dagesh forte in שּׂ.
9 | יִגָּלֶה | Imperf. 3ms | — | "it will be revealed" |  |
P — "it will be revealed." A secret, sin, or matter is uncovered by an external agent.
10 | נִגַּשׁ | Perf. 3ms | Gen 44:18 | "Judah drew near to him" |  |
SA — "drew near." Niphal of נגש is a simple intransitive motion toward someone; no passive nuance. Gen 44:18 records Judah approaching Joseph.
11 | נַעֲלָה | Perf. 3ms | — | "he went up / ascended" |  |
SA — "went up." The Niphal of עלה overlaps with the Qal in simple intransitive movement. Guttural ע + III-ה combination gives the distinctive chateph-patach pattern.
12 | וַיִּנָּפֶל | Wayyiqtol 3ms | — | "he fell" |  |
SA — "he fell." Wayyiqtol form of יִפָּל; same analysis as #2. The Niphal is the standard form for נפל.
13 | הִגָּלוֹת | Inf. Construct | — | "to be revealed" |  |
P — "to be revealed." Niphal infinitive construct; the verbal noun expresses the action of disclosure received by a subject.
14 | נִגְלֵיתִי | Perf. 1cs | 1 Sam 2:27 | "Did I not reveal myself to the house of your father?" |  |
R — "Did I not reveal myself?" God (1cs) is both subject and object of the self-disclosure; unambiguously reflexive.
15 | יִנָּכֶה | Imperf. 3ms | Exo 21:20 | "he shall be struck / beaten" |  |
P — "he shall be struck." Exo 21:20 legal text; the servant receives the blow from the master. I-נ Niphal with dagesh forte in כּ.
16 | נָשׁוּב | Perf. 3ms | — | "he/it returned / was brought back" |  |
SA or P — Ambiguous: hollow Niphal of שׁוב can be simple intransitive (returned on its own) or passive (was brought back). Context determines which applies.
17 | תִּגָּלֶה | Imperf. 3fs | Isa 40:5 | "the glory of the LORD will be revealed" |  |
P — "will be revealed." Isa 40:5; the glory of the LORD is disclosed/uncovered to all flesh. Feminine prefix תּ + ֶה ending.
18 | נִגְלֶה | Participle ms | — | "being revealed / one who reveals himself" |  |
R (or P) — Participle can be reflexive (one making himself known) or passive (one being revealed). The III-ה Niphal participle ends in ֶה.
19 | הִנָּגֵשׁ | Inf. Absolute | — | "to approach" |  |
SA — "to approach." Niphal infinitive absolute of נגש; simple intransitive movement. הִ prefix + dagesh forte in נּ (assimilated root nun).
20 | נִרְאוּ | Perf. 3cp | Gen 1:9 | "let the dry ground appear" |  |
SA or R — Gen 1:9; "let the dry ground appear / show itself." The land comes into view; neither a clear external agent (not purely passive) nor a deliberate reflexive action. Simple Action or Reflexive are both defensible.