# Qal Imperfect Paradigm

Full inflection tables for the Qal Imperfect (yiqtol) — strong (קָטַל) root.
All attested forms drawn from MACULA Hebrew WLC unless marked †.

## Imperfect — A-Class (Holem theme vowel)

BBH §15.3 — Most action verbs. Theme vowel: holem (ō) under R2: יִקְטֹל.

Person | Form (שָׁמַר → יִשְׁמֹר) | Prefix | Suffix | Notes
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
3ms | יִשְׁמֹר | יִ | — | Base form; accent usually on ultima
3fs | תִּשְׁמֹר | תִּ | — | Same as 2ms — context distinguishes
2ms | תִּשְׁמֹר | תִּ | — | Same as 3fs
2fs | תִּשְׁמְרִי | תִּ | ִי- | Hireq-yod suffix
1cs | אֶשְׁמֹר | אֶ | — | Patach under prefix (not hireq)
3mp | יִשְׁמְרוּ | יִ | וּ- | Shureq suffix; accent on suffix
3fp | תִּשְׁמֹרְנָה | תִּ | ְנָה- | Nah-ending
2mp | תִּשְׁמְרוּ | תִּ | וּ- | Shureq suffix
2fp | תִּשְׁמֹרְנָה | תִּ | ְנָה- | Same as 3fp
1cp | נִשְׁמֹר | נִ | — | Nun prefix

> Key: The prefix letter + hireq vowel under it (except 1cs which has patach) is the
> defining feature of the Imperfect. The holem under R2 is the most common theme vowel.

## Imperfect — B-Class (Patach theme vowel)

Some transitive and stative verbs use patach under R2 in the Imperfect.

Person | Form (שָׁמַע → יִשְׁמַע) | Form (כָּתַב → יִכְתֹּב or יִכְתֹב)
--- | --- | ---
3ms | יִשְׁמַע | יִכְתֹּב
3fs | תִּשְׁמַע | תִּכְתֹּב
2ms | תִּשְׁמַע | תִּכְתֹּב
2fs | תִּשְׁמְעִי | תִּכְתְּבִי
1cs | אֶשְׁמַע | אֶכְתֹּב
3mp | יִשְׁמְעוּ | יִכְתְּבוּ
3fp | תִּשְׁמַ֫עְנָה | תִּכְתֹּ֫בְנָה
2mp | תִּשְׁמְעוּ | תִּכְתְּבוּ
2fp | תִּשְׁמַ֫עְנָה | תִּכְתֹּ֫בְנָה
1cp | נִשְׁמַע | נִכְתֹּב

> Key: Whether a verb takes A-class (holem) or B-class (patach) in the Imperfect
> is a lexical property — not predictable from the Perfect. Always check the lexicon.

## Imperfect — Stative Verbs (Patach under R2)

Stative roots often use patach in the Imperfect regardless of Perfect vowel class.

Person | Form (כָּבֵד → יִכְבַּד) | Form (גָּדֵל → יִגְדַּל)
--- | --- | ---
3ms | יִכְבַּד | יִגְדַּל
3fs | תִּכְבַּד | תִּגְדַּל
2ms | תִּכְבַּד | תִּגְדַּל
1cs | אֶכְבַּד | אֶגְדַּל
3mp | יִכְבְּדוּ | יִגְדְּלוּ
1cp | נִכְבַּד | נִגְדַּל

## Jussive Forms

The Jussive is a shortened form of the Imperfect, used for 3rd-person wishes/commands.
For most strong verbs, the Jussive = Imperfect (no distinction). Differences appear in
III-ה and some other weak verbs (covered in Ch16).

Form | Jussive 3ms | Jussive 3fs | Notes
--- | --- | --- | ---
Strong | יִשְׁמֹר | תִּשְׁמֹר | No distinction from regular Imperfect
III-ה (יִהְיֶה) | יְהִי | תְּהִי | Final ה drops in Jussive

## Cohortative Forms

The Cohortative adds ָה- to the 1cs or 1cp Imperfect, expressing a volitional "let me/us."

Person | Imperfect | Cohortative | Notes
--- | --- | --- | ---
1cs | אֶשְׁמֹר | אֶשְׁמְרָה | Qamets-he suffix added
1cp | נִשְׁמֹר | נִשְׁמְרָה | Same suffix

## Summary — Qal Imperfect at a Glance

Feature | Value
--- | ---
Prefix | Required: יִ/תִּ/אֶ/נִ
Prefix vowel | Hireq under prefix (except 1cs: patach)
A-class theme | Holem under R2: יִקְטֹל
B-class theme | Patach under R2: יִשְׁמַע
Stative theme | Patach under R2: יִכְבַּד
3ms/3fs | Both תִּ prefix — identical form
3mp/2mp | Both תִּ/יִ + shureq suffix
Quick ID | Prefix consonant before root → Imperfect