"Semantic Function Sorting" — Exercise

Chapter 26 — Hiphil Strong

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A 27-item classification exercise drawn entirely from Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Students read a Hiphil form with its reference and contextual gloss, then classify it as Causative (C), Factitive (F), Declarative (D), Simple Action (SA), or Denominative (DN). Roots span all five function types and include several ambiguous cases (e.g. זָכַר Hiphil as Causative rather than Simple Action) that reward careful reasoning. Four discussion questions connect specific items to the broader grammar.

Sample Questions

Q1. 1 וַיָּבֵא Wayyiqtol 3ms Gen 2:19 "he brought them to the man" C F D SA DN

A: C — Causative — God caused the animals to come to Adam

Q2. 2 וַתּוֹצֵא Wayyiqtol 3fs Gen 1:12 "the earth brought forth vegetation" C F D SA DN

A: C — Causative — Earth caused vegetation to come out

Q3. 3 וַיָּשֶׁב Wayyiqtol 3ms Gen 14:16 "he brought back his brother Lot" C F D SA DN

A: C — Causative — Abraham caused people/goods to come back