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 |