14.7 Qal Perfect 3ה

3ה verbs are in a unique class and are extremely common

  • \(R_3\) is not a consonant; in fact, there is no \(R_3\) consonant107
  • 3ה verbs only have two root consonants, \(R_1\) and \(R_2\) - the final slot is taken up by the vowel \(\hat A\) (Qamats+Hei)
  • \(V_2\) of 3ה verbs follow a unique pattern:
    • If there is no sufformative, THEN add the vowel \(\hat A\) in the Perfect
    • If the sufformative starts with a vowel, THEN the vowel of the sufformative is \(V_2\)
    • If the sufformative starts with a consonant, THEN \(V_2\) is (vowel)+Yod
      • The specific (vowel) depends on the conjugation
      • For the Perfect, \(V_2 = \hat I\) (Hireq+Yod)
  • Additionally, to avoid ambiguity with the P3ms, the P3fs sufformative becomes תָה
  • With all these changes, the \(V_1 = \bar A\) (unless reduced in 2mp/2fp) diagnostic of the QP does not change
  • 3ה Verbs are frequent, so we will want to memorize these rules and endings108
  • Good news! They are consistent throughout all stems; e.g., P3ms 3ה verbs end in \(\hat A\) (Qamets+Hei) in all seven stems

Below is a summary table showing the verb בָנָה in the Qal Perfect. Note \(\hat I\) in all 2nd/1st person perfect forms.

3-Hei Qal Perfect

Figure 14.2: 3-Hei Qal Perfect

  • Historically, third ה verbs used to be 3-י. In some conjugations, the Yod “reappears.”
  • In the Qal Perfect, the diagnostic \(V_S = \hat I\) can help you to identify the 3-ה class of verbs

Update the 3ה P3ms cell of your Stem Comparison Worksheet now!

  1. This is per Dr. Beckman’s lessons. Other scholars, including Basics of Biblical Hebrew, view the ה as \(R_3\). Beckman’s approach turns out to be easier to grasp.↩︎

  2. See also Dr. Beckman’s 3ה study sheet in Lesson Extras↩︎