The Hebrew Verb (Past Tense)
In Hebrew, the past tense is used to describe actions that have already happened. Unlike English, Hebrew verbs in the
Biblical Hebrew Examples: The Hebrew Verb (Past Tense)
In Biblical Hebrew, the past tense verb – known as the perfect form – is the backbone of biblical narrative.
“Binyan Pi’el” Past Tense
Pi’el is an expressive and active binyan. In the past tense, it continues to convey intensive, repetitive, or causative actions.
“Binyan Hif’il” Past Tense
Hif’il is the causative binyan in Hebrew. In the past tense, it describes actions that the subject caused to happen
“Binyan Hitpa’el” Past Tense
Hitpa’el is the reflexive binyan in Hebrew. In the past tense, it describes actions that the subject performed on itself,
“Binyan Nif’al” Past Tense
Nif’al is the passive counterpart of Pa’al. In the past tense, it describes actions that happened to the subject- either
“Binyan Pa’al/Qal” Past Tense
Pa’al is the most basic and common binyan in Hebrew. In the past tense, it expresses direct, active actions performed
“Binyan Pu’al” Past Tense
Pu’al is the passive counterpart of Pi’el. In the past tense, it describes actions that were done to the subject
“Binyan Huf’al” Past Tense
Huf’al is the passive counterpart of Hif’il. In the past tense, it describes actions that were caused to happen to
“To be” – Past Tense
In Hebrew, the verb “to be” is expressed using forms of the verb הָיָה (hayah), meaning “was.” Unlike English, Hebrew
Binyan Hif’il: Past Tense – “Peh-Nun”
Peh‑Nun Roots in the Past Tense In the Hif’il binyan, roots that begin with nun (נ) behave differently in the
Binyan Nif’al: Past Tense – “Peh-Nun”
In the Nif’al binyan, roots that begin with nun (נ) undergo assimilation in the past tense just as they do
Binyan Huf’al: Past Tense – “Peh-Nun”
In the Huf’al binyan, roots that begin with nun (נ) undergo assimilation in the past tense. The nun disappears, and
