Binyan Pu’al is the passive counterpart of Binyan Pi’el. It expresses actions that were done to the subject, often with an intensive or deliberate tone. While Pi’el shows someone actively doing something with force or emphasis, Pu’al shows that the subject received that kind of action.
What Does Pu’al Do?
This binyan describes situations where the subject was affected by an intense or repeated action – without initiating it. For example:
- From the root ש־ב־ר (“to break”), the Pi’el form שִׁבֵּר means “he smashed.”
In Pu’al, שֻׁבַּר means “he was smashed” or “he was broken intensely.” - From the root ב־ר־ך (“to bless”), the Pi’el form בֵּרֵךְ means “he blessed.”
In Pu’al, בֹּרַךְ means “he was blessed.” - From the root כ־ת־ב (“to write”), the Pi’el form כִּתֵּב means “he copied” or “he inscribed.”
In Pu’al, כֻּתַּב means “it was copied” or “it was inscribed.”
Pu’al verbs usually include a u-vowel in the first syllable and a doubled middle root letter (marked by a dagesh). These features help identify the binyan and distinguish it from others.
Why It Matters
Pu’al allows speakers to express passive actions with intensity or emphasis. It appears frequently in Biblical Hebrew and occasionally in formal Modern Hebrew. Recognizing Pu’al helps learners understand when the subject is being acted upon – especially in poetic, legal, or narrative contexts.