Chapter

5
Hollow Verbs
also known as monosyllable verbs

5.1
The Base form of the Hollow verbs: The Qal Infinitive

A Hollow verb is a single-syllable verb, of which the vowel [‫)יוֹד( ]י‬,

[ּ‫ )שׁוּ֫רֶק( ]ו‬or [ֹ‫ )חוֹלָם מָלֵא( ]ו‬is used in the Infinitive Construct in the
Qal binyan. For Hollow verbs, the Qal infinitive construct is given in a
standard lexicon as the base form of the root, unlike other verbs where
the third person masculine singular of the Perfect Tense is used.

5.2
Included under Hollow verbs are biconsonantal verbs, II-yodh verbs and
II-wav verbs or ‫ו‬/‫ ע"י‬verbs, as these verbs are known in some Hebrew
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.

grammar textbooks. In the ‫תנ"ך‬, there are some geminate verbs exhibit
features similar to the Hollow verbs and these verbs may come under
the purview of Hollow verbs.

5.3
Originally, the vowel in the Hollow verbs is not part of the two-
‫ברוך בשם‬

consonantal root, for example: ‫ שִׂים‬to place, to put; ‫ מוּת‬to die, ‫ קוּם‬to
rise, as the abaft consonant actually closes the syllable and turns it into
2 Hebrew Verbal System

a single, close syllable word.

5.4
The default vowels in Qal Infinitive Construct of Hollow verbs
By default, all Hollow verbs are given in the Qal Infinitive Construct in
the lexicon or dictionary. Hollow verbs are known by the sole vowel:
[‫)יוֹד( ]י‬, [ּ‫ )שׁוּ֫רֶק( ]ו‬or [ֹ‫ )חוֹלָם מָלֵא( ]ו‬in each root, and classified
as weak verb as
The default vowels in Qal Hollow Infinitives well as treated
Vowel types ּ‫ו‬ ‫י‬ ‫ו‬
ֹ as stative verb
Infinitive Absolute ‫)לָ(קוֹם‬ ‫)לָ(שֹוׂם‬ ‫ )לָ(אֹוּב‬in inflection,
as far as the
stem vowel is
concern.
5.5
There are a few ‫ל"ה‬ ‫ ל”ה‬of Hollow Verbs
verbs that have [‫]ו‬
‫ היה‬to be used as verb to be or link
(‫ )וָו‬or [‫ )יוד( ]י‬as the verb
middle consonant of ‫ צוה‬to command
the root, which would ‫ גוע‬to be expired; to die
remain constant during ‫ קוח‬to refresh
inflection. Few examples
of these verbs are given
in the Table:

5.6
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.

The vowel scheme in Qal Hollow Imperative Mood

The Qal Imperative of Hollow verbs, as the case in the strong,
regular verbs, employ the vowel format in the infinitive Construct
as the base form to
Vowel pattern of Hollow Qal Imperative
install the pronominal
Vowel types ּ‫ו‬ ‫י‬ ֹ‫ו‬ ‫מי‬ preformatives. In the
2ms ‫קוּם‬ ‫שִׂים‬ ‫בּוֹא‬ ‫אַתָּה‬ case of Imperative,
‫ברוך בשם‬

2fs ‫שִׂ֫ימִי ק֫וּמִי‬ ‫בּ֫וֹאִי‬ ְּ‫אַת‬ only the second person:

2mp ּ‫שִׂ֫ימוּ ק֫וּמו‬ ּ‫בּ֫וֹאו‬ ‫אַתֶּם‬ singular and plural,
2fp ‫קֹ֫מְנָה‬ ‫ אַתֵּ֫נָה‬both genders would be
 CHAPTER FIVE: Hollow Verbs 3

applicable. Not many examples of the Qal Hollow Imperative verbs are
found in use in the ‫תנ"ך‬.

5.7
What must be mentioned is that unlike the wav consecutive in other
stems, the accent falls on the [‫ )יְוֹד( ]י‬in wav consecutive of Hollow
verbs for the simple reason that the addition of [‫ )וַו( ]ו‬before the [‫]י‬
(‫ )יוד‬in the Qal Hollow Jussive: ‫ יָ֫קֹם‬let him rise, the whole makeup
of the verb turns the verbal root into a second, closed syllable, leaving
the prosthesis ‫ יו‬hanging as an accented open syllable, example: ָ‫וַיָּ֫ק‬
and he (will) stand (rose) up to; ‫ וַיֹ֫אמֶר‬and he (will) say.

5.8
The default vowel scheme in Qal Hollow Imperfect Tense
The function and meaning of the Qal Hollow Imperfect Tense would be
similar to those in the strong, regular verbs.

5.9
To set up the Qal Hollow Imperfect Tense, the vowels in the Qal
Hollow Infinitive Construct for each class of vowel type would be used
as the base. These forms of the Hollow verb are distributed along three
vowel types: [ּ‫)שורוק( ]ו‬, [‫ )מלא היריק( ]�ִי‬and [ֹ‫)חולם מלא( ]ו‬.
Pronominal preformatives or the personal pronoun prefixes and suffixes
for the Imperfect Tense, namely, the ‫ אֵיתָן‬and ‫ יוּ"נה‬would be affixed
to the verbal root in a way similar to the conjugations in the strong,
regular verbs, covering consonantal sufformative, vocalic sufformative
and zero vowel sufformative conjugations.
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.

5.10
Conjugation of Qal Hollow Imperfect Tense
i. To configure the Qal Hollow Imperfect Tense, the sole default
vowel used in the Qal Hollow Infinitive Construct would be utilized.
Generally speaking, as in case of Qal Imperfect Tense, only verbs
coming with one or more weak or guttural consonants in anyone
‫ברוך בשם‬

position of the root would there be requirement to make adjustment

to receive or reject the [ְ�] (‫)שווא נע‬, which is suppose to come
underneath the each such consonant. When making accommodation
to the presence of compositi shewa under such circumstances, the
4 Hebrew Verbal System

Default vowel scheme of Qal Hollow Imperfect Tense

Vowel
types (ֹ‫)ו‬ (‫)�ִי‬ (ּ‫)ו‬ Strong ‫מי‬
3ms ‫יָבוֹא‬ ‫יָשִׂים‬ ‫יָקוּם‬ ‫יִקְטֹל‬ ‫הוּא‬
3fs ‫תָּבוֹא‬ ‫תָּשִׂים‬ ‫תָּקוּם‬ ‫תִּקְטֹל‬ ‫הִיא‬
2ms ‫תָּבוֹא‬ ‫תָּשִׂים‬ ‫תָּקוּם‬ ‫תִּקְטֹל‬ ‫אַתָּה‬
2fs ‫תָּב֫וֹאִי‬ ‫תָּשִׂ֫ימִי‬ ‫תָּק֫וּמִי‬ ‫תִּקְטְלִי‬ ְּ‫אַת‬
1cs ‫אָב֫וֹא‬ ‫אָשִׂים‬ ‫אָקוּם‬ ‫אֶקְטֹל‬ ‫אֲנִי‬
3mp ‫יָב֫וֹא ּו‬ ּ‫יָשִׂ֫ימו‬ ּ‫יָק֫וּמו‬ ּ‫יִקְטְלו‬ ‫הֵם‬
3fp ‫תְּשִׂימֶ֫ינָה תָּב֫וֹאנָה‬ ‫תִּקְטֹ֫לְנָה תְּקוּמֶ֫ינָה‬ ‫הֵן‬
2mp ‫תָּב֫וֹא ּו‬ ּ‫תָּשִׂ֫ימו‬ ּ‫תָּק֫וּמו‬ ּ‫תִּקְטְלו‬ ‫אַתֶּם‬
2fp ‫תְּשִׂימֶ֫ינָה תָּב֫וֹאנָה‬ ‫קטֹ֫לְנָה תְּקוּמֶ֫ינָה‬ְ ִּ‫ת‬ ‫אַתֵּ֫נָה‬
1cp ‫נָבוֹא‬ ‫נָשִׂים‬ ‫נָקוּם‬ ‫קטֹל‬ ְ ִ‫נ‬ ּ‫אֲנַחְנו‬

preceding vowel would reflect such changes by the adoption of

one [ְ�] (‫ )שווא‬of the same class as that of the composite shewa.
Thankfully, there are not many of these Hollow verbs which carried
a guttural or weak consonant in the root. The default vowel for the
Qal Hollow Imperfect—sole vowel, thus there would be no default
pillion vowel—would be either [ּ‫)שורוק( ]ו‬, [‫ )היריק מלא( ]�ִי‬or
[ֹ‫)חולם מלא( ]ו‬. Unlike the Perfect Tense, there are two sets of
pronominal affixes would be used in the synthesis of the Imperfect
Tense: (i) the preformatives the ‫ ;אֵיתָן‬and (ii) the sufformative the
‫ יוּ"נה‬for whatever binyan in Imperfect Tense.
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.

ii. To install the Qal Hollow Imperfect Tense, a helping vowel

[‫ )סֶגֹול מָלֵא( ]�ֶי‬would be required in the [ּ‫)שורוק( ]ו‬, [‫מלא( ]�ִי‬
‫ )היריק‬vowel class before adding to the verbal root the consonantal
sufformatives for feminine plural second and third person (you
ladies; those ladies) to the root.
‫ברוך בשם‬

iii. The helping vowel is not accented, and it does not always cause
the removal of ‫ דָגֵשׁ קַל‬and the ‫( שווא נח‬silent shewa).
 CHAPTER FIVE: Hollow Verbs 5

5.11
The default vowels in Qal Hollow Participles

i. The meaning and usage of the Participles of the Hollow verbs would
be the same as the regular, strong verbs.
The vowel scheme of Qal Hollow Participles
Vowel types ּ‫ו‬ ‫י‬ ֹ‫ו‬ ‫מי‬
Active 2ms ‫קָם‬ ‫שָׂם‬ ‫בָּא‬ ‫אַתָּה‬
2fs ‫בָּאָה שָׂמָה קָמָה‬ ְּ‫אַת‬
2mp ‫בָּאִים שָֹמִים קָמים‬ ‫אַתֶּם‬
2fp ‫בָּאוֹת שָׂמוֹת קָמוֹת‬ ‫אַתֵּ֫נָה‬
Passive ms ‫קוּם‬ ‫בּוֹא שִׂים‬

ii. Rules of declension and pluralization of nouns would be applicable

in the configuration of the Participles in Hebrew.

5.12
As these are single syllable verbs, the default sole vowel for the Hollow
verbs, other than the Infinitives or the derivatives of the Infinitives,
would be [ָ�] (‫)קָמֶץ‬, which is also the key vowel in the Qal Passive
Participle of Hollow verbs. In the case of Qal Hollow Passive
Participle, not many of them though, would utilize the vowel pattern in
the Qal Hollow Infinitive Construct; whereas for the Qal Hollow Active
Participle, the only default [ָ�] (‫ )קמץ‬would be used, as the vowel in
‫ קָם‬he rises, ‫ שָׁב‬he returns, ‫ גָּר‬he dwells, ‫ שָׁר‬he sings, ‫ רָץ‬he runs,
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.

‫ שָׂם‬he puts, ‫ בָּא‬he comes, he enters; ‫ רָצִים‬they run, ‫ בָּאִים‬they come,

‫ גָּרִים‬they dwell.

5.13
The default vowels in Qal Hollow Perfect Tense
The Function and meaning of the Qal Hollow Perfect Tense would be
‫ברוך בשם‬

the same as that of the Strong, main verbs.

6 Hebrew Verbal System

5.14

Vowel Scheme in Qal Hollow Perfect Tense

Vowel types (ּ‫)ו‬ (‫)�ִי‬ (ֹ‫)ו‬ Strong
3ms ‫קָם‬ ‫שָׂם‬ ‫בָּא‬ ‫קָטַל‬ ‫הוּא‬
3fs ‫קָ֫מָה‬ ‫שָׂ֫מָה‬ ‫בָּ֫אָה‬ ‫קָטְלָה‬ ‫הִיא‬
2ms ָּ‫קַמְת‬ ָּ‫שַׂ֫מְת‬ ָ‫בָּ֫את‬ ָּ‫קָטַ֫לְת‬ ‫אַתָּה‬
2fs ְּ‫קַמְת‬ ְּ‫שַׂמְת‬ ‫בָּאת‬ ְּ‫קָטַלְת‬ ְּ‫אַת‬
1cs ‫קַ֫מְתִּי‬ ‫שַׂ֫מְתִּי‬ ‫בָּ֫אתִי‬ ‫קָטַלְתִּי‬ ‫אֲנִי‬
3cp ּ‫קָ֫מו‬ ּ‫שָׂ֫מו‬ ּ‫בָּ֫או‬ ּ‫קָטְלו‬ ‫הֵן‬/‫הֵם‬
2mp ‫קְטַלְתֶּם בָּאתֶם שַׂמְתֶּם קַמְתֶּם‬ ‫אַתֶּם‬
2fp ‫מתֶּן קַמְתֶּן‬ְ ַׂ‫לתֶּן בָּאתֶן ש‬ְ ַ‫קְט‬ ‫אַתֵּ֫נָה‬
1cp ּ‫קַ֫מְנו‬ ּ‫שַׂ֫מְנו‬ ּ‫בָּ֫אנו‬ ּ‫קָטַ֫לְנו‬ ּ‫אֲנַחְנו‬

Conjugation of Qal Hollow Perfect Tense

i. In the formation of Qal Hollow Perfect Tense, regardless the default
vowel type in the Qal Hollow Infinitive Construct featuring class
distinction, the main vowel would take on [ָ�] (‫)קמץ‬, as this vowel
is the standard head vowel for the Perfect Tense in Hebrew in the
Qal binyan, Hollow verb or not, thus turning the monosyllabic root
into a mixed, closed syllable with [ָ�] (‫ )קמץ‬as the sole vowel, as
in the sample word: ‫ קָם‬he got up (he rose up); ּ‫ קָ֫מו‬they got up,

Sample of Qal Hollow Perfec Tense

or Bicontonantal or ‫ו‬/‫( ע"י‬Stative) Verb
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.

Holem Tsere Pathach

Strong Qal
Stative Stative Stative
3ms ‫קָטֹן‬ ‫כָּבֵד‬ ‫גָּדַל‬ ‫קָטַל‬ ‫הוּא‬
3fs ‫ָה‬ ‫נ‬ ‫ט‬
ְ ‫ק‬
ִ ‫ָה‬ ‫ד‬ ‫ב‬
ְ ‫כ‬
ּ ‫גּדְלָה‬ ‫ָה‬ ‫ל‬ ‫ט‬
ְ ‫ק‬
ָ ‫הִיא‬
2ms ָּ‫כָּבַדְתָּ קָטֹנְת‬ ָּ‫גָּדַלְת‬ ָּ‫קָטַ֫לְת‬ ‫אַתָּה‬
2fs ְּ‫כָּבַדְתְּ קָטֹנְת‬ ְּ‫גָּדַלְת‬ ְּ‫הֵן קָטַלְת‬/‫הֵם‬
1cs ‫כָּבַדְתִּי קָטֹנְתִּי‬ ‫קָטַלְתִּי גָּדַלְתִּי‬ ְּ‫אַת‬
3cp ּ‫קִטְנו‬ ּ‫כּבְדו‬ ּ‫גּדְלו‬ ּ‫קָטְלו‬ ‫אֲנִי‬
‫ברוך בשם‬

2mp ‫אַתֶּם קְטַלְתֶּם גְּדַלְתֶּם כְּבַדְתֶּם קְטָנְתֶּם‬

2fp ‫כְּבַדְתֶּן קְטָנְתֶּן‬ ‫אַתֵּ֫נָה קְטַלְתֶּן גְּדַלְתֶּן‬
1cp ּ‫כָּבַדְנוּ קָטֹנּו‬ ּ‫אֲנַחְנוּ קָטַ֫לְנוּ גָּדַלְנו‬
 CHAPTER FIVE: Hollow Verbs 7

without having to display the middle consonant.

ii. When adding consonantal pronominal sufformatives (personal
pronoun suffixes) to the verbal root to configure the Qal Hollow
Perfect Tense, the rules of Propretonic Reduction of the head
vowel in pluralization shall apply. In the case of Hollow verbs,
the standard vowel [ָ�] (‫ )קמץ‬for Hebrew Perfect Tense would be
used as the head vowel, which would be replaced by [ַ�] (‫)פַּ֫תַּח‬
in vowel reduction under the effect of accent shift. The process
of abdication of the rear consonant would take place in vocalic
sufformative conjugation; no propretonic reduction of head vowel is
required when adding vocalic (vowel) pronominal sufformatives to
the verbal root, however. As a rule, monosyllable word, verbs as
well as nouns, is immune to vowel reduction in vocalic inflection.

iii. Also applicable are Rules for Quiescent Consonants for ‫ל"א‬
(‫ )למד־אלף‬or III-‫ א‬position which rejects ‫דגש‬.

5.15
Default vowel scheme of Niphal Hollow Infinitives

i. The Meaning and function Niphal Hollow verbs would be the same
as the main Niphal binyan.

ii.Not commonly found in currency in the ‫תנ"ך‬, the inflection or

conjugation of Hollow verbs in the Niphal binyan operates along the
same logic as in the main Niphal binyan.
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.

iii. As in the main derived stem, the Niphal binyan idiosyncratically

adopts double prosthesis: the [‫ )הֵה( ]ה‬and the [‫ )נון( ]נ‬in each verbal
form, where the prosthesis [‫ )נון( ]נ‬would be assimilated into the
head consonant of the root, which is expressed by a ‫דגש‬, leaving
visible the [‫ )הֵה( ]ה‬playing the role of key prosthesis. As there are
two [ְ�ְ�] (‫ )שוואים‬in a row (contagious shewa), the [ְ�ְ�] (‫)שווא‬
‫ברוך בשם‬

under the prosthesis [‫ )הֵה( ]ה‬would be reduced to [‫)היריק( ]�ִי‬.

Thus the default vowels for Niphal Infinitive Absolute of Hollow
verb would be as in the samples: (i) ‫הִקּוֹם‬, (ii) ‫נָקוֹם‬. A sample
8 Hebrew Verbal System

of the Niphal Infinitive Construct (generally, most of the passive

stems would have similar form of the Infinitive, that is construct
and absolute share the same form) in Hollow verb for the root ‫כוּן‬:
‫ הִכּוֹן‬to be established or to be firm.

5.16
The vowel scheme in Niphal Hollow Imperative Mood would use
the same form as that of the Nipha Hollow Infinitve Absolute, and
pronominals would be added to the verbal root to configure verbs for
the Niphal Hollow Imperative Mood, as the vowels in the sample:
‫ הִקּוֹם‬you would be raised.

5.17
Vowel Scheme of Niphal Hollow
Imperfect Tense Vowel scheme of
Niphal Hollow Imperfect Tense
i. The vowel scheme in Niphal
Hollow Imperfect Tense, root ‫כוּן‬ ‫מי‬
just like the Niphal strong, 3ms ‫יִכּוֹן‬ ‫הוּא‬
regular verbs, where one of 3fs ‫תִּכּוֹן‬ ‫הִיא‬
2ms ‫תִּכּוֹן‬ ‫אַתָּה‬
the double prosthesis [‫)הֵה( ]ה‬
2fs ‫תִּכּ֫וֹנִי‬ ְּ‫אַת‬
is relinquished while the [‫]נ‬ 1cs ‫אֶכּוֹן‬ ‫אֲנִי‬
(‫ )נון‬remained assimilated and 3mp ּ‫יִכּ֫וֹנו‬ ‫הֵם‬
expressed by a ‫ דגש‬in the 3fp ‫תִּכּ֫וֹנָּה‬ ‫הֵן‬
head consonant of the root, the 2mp ּ‫תִּכּ֫וֹנו‬ ‫אַתֶּם‬
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.

pronominal preformatives the 2fp ‫תִּכּ֫וֹנָּה‬ ‫אַתֵּ֫נָה‬

‫ איתן‬would be prefixed to the 1cp ‫נִכּוֹן‬ ּ‫אֲנַחְנו‬
root, assuming the head position
vacated by the prosthesis [‫]ה‬
(‫)הֵה‬.

ii. Conjugations would be similar to that of the strong, regular

‫ברוך בשם‬

verbs, covering vocalic sufformative, consonantal sufformative

and zero vowel sufformative inflections by using the same sets of
pronominal prefixes the ‫ איתן‬and the suffixes ‫יו”נה‬.
 CHAPTER FIVE: Hollow Verbs 9

5.18
The vowel scheme in Niphal Hollow
Niphal Hollow Participle
(Passive) Participle
Hollow Strong
i. As Niphal is a passive binyan, hence
ms ‫נָכוֹן‬ ‫נִקְטָל‬
there would be no active participle
fs ‫נְכוֹנָה‬ ‫נִקְטָלָה‬
for the Niphal derived stem. The ‫נִכוֹנִים‬ ‫נִקְטָלִים‬
mp
vowels used in the base unit of ‫נִכוֹנוֹת‬ ‫נִקְטָלוֹת‬
fp
Niphal Hollow Infinitive Absolute,
which is a combination of [ֹ‫ו‬+ָ�]
(‫הולם מלא‬+‫ )קמץ‬would be used to configure the Niphal Hollow
(passive) Participle, as expressed in the Table.

ii. Declension for pluralization for both gender, singular as well as

plural, would be identical with the Niphal Participle in the strong,
regular verbs.

5.19
The default vowels of Niphal
Vowel scheme of
Hollow Perfect Tense Niphal Hollow Perfect Tense
i. Conjugation for the Niphal Hollow Strong ‫ימ‬
Hollow Perfect Tense would 3ms ‫נָכוֹן‬ ‫נִקְטַל‬ ‫הוּא‬
be similar to that in the 3fs ‫נָכוֹנָה‬ ‫נִקְטְלָה‬ ‫הִיא‬
strong, regular verb. 2ms ָ‫נְכוּנ֫וֹת‬ ‫ת‬
ּ ָ ‫ל‬
ְ ‫ט‬
ַ ֫ ‫ק‬
ְ ‫נ‬
ִ ‫ָה‬ ּ‫אַת‬
2fs ‫נְכוּנוֹת‬ ְּ‫הֵן נִקְטַלְת‬/‫הֵם‬
‫נִקְטַ֫לְתִּי נְכוּנ֫וֹתִי‬ ְּ‫אַת‬
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.

ii. A helping vowel [ֹ‫]ו‬ 1cs

3cp ּ‫נָכוּנו‬ ּ‫נִקְטְלו‬ ‫אֲנִי‬
(‫)הוֹלָם מָלֶא‬, which could
2mp ‫אַתֶּם נִקְטַלְתֶּם נְכוּנוּתֶם‬
be written as [ֹ�] (‫הסר‬ 2fp ‫אַתֵּ֫נָה נִקְטַלְתֶּן נְכוּנוֹתֶן‬
‫)חולם‬, would be required in 1cp ּ‫אֲנַחְנוּ נִקְטַ֫לְנוּ נְכוּנ֫וֹנו‬
the Niph’al Hollow Perfect
Tense in the conjugation of
the consonantal sufformative conjugation. Inflection for the vocalic
‫ברוך בשם‬

sufformative and the zero vowel sufformative would be similar to

the pattern resembles that in the strong, regular verbs.
10 Hebrew Verbal System

5.20
The Intensive Hollow Verbs: The Background to Polel, Polal,
Hithpolel
i. As a general rule, there are three members in the Intensive Stems:
the Pi’el, Pu’al and the Hithpa’el. The Hithpa’el correctly should
come under the Reflexive Stem; for reason of practical purpose
and convenience, it is placed under the Intensive stem in this
study.

ii. The Intensive Stems of Hollow verbs will undergo a different

mechanism of vowel utilization.

iii. For reasons that Hollow verbs are single and closed syllable
(CVC) verbs; further more the middle and only vowel in the
syllable could not be doubled or utter twice in speech, therefore
the rules for the Intensive Stems requiring the doubling of the
second, middle consonant (which now serves the role of a vowel)
in speech and to mark out the presence of ‫ דגש‬in the middle
consonant in writing would not make sense in the Hollow verbs.

iv. In compensation, the vowel [ֹ‫)הולם מלא( ]ו‬, which in effect

is the default vowel for the Infinitive Absolute of Hollow verb,
is being assigned the role of prosthetic head vowel along with
reduplication (repeated) of the abaft consonant of the root in the
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.
Hollow verb instead, making it appears some what like a geminate
verb; thus giving rise to three new formats: the Polel (Pi’el), Polal
(Pu’al) and Hithpolel (Hithpa’el).

v. Again, nomenclature is a source of nightmare. For instance, the

Polel, essentially the same as the Pi’el, apparently is known as
the Pilel in Gesenius and BDB; but it is not mentioned in other
‫ברוך בשם‬

grammar textbooks. Whereas Polal, which in effect is the same as

Pu’al, which in turn is the passive intensive of Pi’el, appears to
be the same as what is called Pulal in New Englishman’s Hebrew
concordance.
 CHAPTER FIVE: Hollow Verbs 11

vi. These three stems, sometimes known as minor stems, would

have the same function and meaning as the three main Intensive
Stems.
vii. Nevertheless, a choice is available for the Intensive Stem of a
Hollow verb to be inflected in the same vowel pattern as the Pi’el
and Hithpa’el binyanim where the double middle consonant is
implanted by an epenthesis [‫)יוד( ]י‬, which is written with a ‫דגש‬,
and it would be inflected just like a Pi’el or Hithpa’el verbs. In so
doing, it must be aware that this format resembles the Hiphil with
its own default epenthesis [‫)היריק מלא( ]�ִי‬: The differences
would be ‫ דגש‬or no ‫דגש‬.

viii. Or the hind consonant of the syllable would be unfolded

by replication (written twice) to express the presence of ‫דגש‬
instead.
Minor Stems Infinitive Construct
5.21 Polel Stem ‫קוֹמֵם‬
Default vowel schemes of Polel Polal Stem
‫קוֹמַם‬
Infinitive Construct (Active,
Hithpolel ‫הִתְקוֹמֵם‬
Intensive Hollow verb)
i. As the vowel [ֹ‫)הולם מלא( ]ו‬
is assigned as the vowel in the
first but open syllable, the vowel [ֵ�] (‫)צֵ֫רֵי‬, indicative of an active
binyan, occupies the second syllable created by reduplication of the
last consonant of the root, thus forming the pair of default vowels
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.

for the Infinitive Construct of Hollow verbs in the Intensive Stems,

example: ‫ קוֹמֵם‬to raise up.

ii. There are two sets of these: (i) one set for the active forms;
(ii) another set for the passive forms. The vowels for the Intensive
Hollow Infinitive Construct of all the Hollow verbs (or three minor
stems) are shown in the Table.
‫ברוך בשם‬

iii. NOTE must be taken that the pair of default vowels in the Polel
stem is rather similar to pair of default vowels used in the Qal
12 Hebrew Verbal System

Default Vowel Pattern for active participle. Students

Polel (Active Intensive) stem should not let themselves
e.g. Polel Stem be confused by this
‫קוֹמֵם‬ Infin Construct feature.
2ms ‫קֹמֵם‬ Imperative
‫מְקוֹמֵם‬ Participle 5.22
3ms ‫יְקוֹמֵם‬ Imperfect The active binyanim are
Polel, and Hithpolel.
3ms ‫קוֹמֵם‬ ‫ הוּא‬Perfect The pair of default
3fs ‫קוֹמְמָה‬ ‫הִיא‬
vowel would be [ֵ�+ֹ‫]ו‬
2ms ָּ‫קוֹמַמְת‬ ‫אַתָּה‬
2fs ְּ‫קוֹמַמְת‬ ‫הֵן‬/‫הֵם‬ (ֵ‫צֵ֫ר‬+‫ )חוֹלָם מָלֵא‬but,
1cs ‫קוֹמַ֫מְתִּי‬ ְּ‫אַת‬ unlike the counterpart of
3cp ּ‫קוֹמְמו‬ ‫אֲנִי‬ each of these in the main
2mp ‫קוֹמַמְתֶּם‬ ‫אַתֶּם‬ intensive stem, no ‫דגש‬
2fp ‫קוֹמַמְתֶּן‬ ‫אַתֵּ֫נָה‬ is needed in the middle
1cp ּ‫קוֹמַ֫מְנו‬ ּ‫אֲנַחְנו‬ consonant, as these verbs
would have two similar
consonants at the end of
the root instead of ‫דגש‬.
Default vowel pattern of
the reflexive Hihpolel Stem This is the most important
feature of the Hollow
e.g. Hithpolel verbs. By virtue of this,
‫הִתְקוֹמֵם‬ Infin Construct some of the biconsonantal
‫הִתְקֹמֵם‬ Imperative verbs would appear to be
ms ‫מִתְקוֹמֵם‬ Participle like geminate verbs, vice
3ms ‫יִתְקוֹמֵם‬ Imperfect versa.
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.

3ms ‫הִתְקוֹמֵם‬ ‫ הוּא‬Perfect

3fs ‫הִתְקוֹמְמָה‬ ‫הִיא‬ 5.23
2ms ָּ‫הִתְקוֹמַמְת‬ ‫אַתָּה‬ Hollow verbs in the
2fs ְּ‫הֵן הִתְקוֹמַמְת‬/‫הֵם‬ intensive stems, active as
1cs ‫הִתְקוֹמַ֫מְתִּי‬ ְ ַ‫א‬
ּ‫ת‬ well as passive, together
3cp ּ‫הִתְקוֹמְמו‬ ‫אֲנִי‬ with the reflexive stem,
2mp ‫הִתְקוֹמַמְתֶּם‬ ‫אתֶּם‬ַ
‫ברוך בשם‬

would assume the vowel

2fp ‫אַתֵּ֫נָה הִתְקוֹמַמְתֶּן‬ pattern of Minor Stems:
1cp ּ‫אֲנַחְנוּ הִתְקוֹמַ֫מְנו‬ Polel, Polal, Hithpolel.
 CHAPTER FIVE: Hollow Verbs 13

Some geminate verbs may

also assume these patterns, as Default vowel scheme of
geminate verbs are by nature Polal (Passive) Stem
monosyllable verbs. e.g. Polal Stem
5.24 ‫קוֹמַם‬ Infin Construct
In conjugation, that is when Imperative
ms
personal pronoun suffixes and 3ms ‫מְקוֹמָם‬ Participle
3ms
prefixes are being added to ‫קוֹמַם‬ Imperfect
the verb, there would be an ‫יְקוֹמַם‬ Perfect
abdication of the stem vowel 2ms ָּ‫קֹמַמְת‬
in the Polel stem resulting into
[ַ�] (‫)פתח‬, appearing identical
as Polal, in cases where vocalic (vowel) suffixes conjugation would be
required.

5.25
In cases where consonantal sufformative conjugation would be
used, shortening of the stem syllable into [ְ�] (‫)שוא נע‬, a peculiar
manipulation in Hebrew conjugation, is necessary.

5.26
Take note that having a [ּ‫ )שׁוּרֶק( ]ו‬in the middle consonant of a verb
would not necessary must be a Hollow verb.
5.27
These formats of the minor stems would function in meaning and usages
in the same manner as the binyanim of Pi’el, Pu’al and Hithpa’el in the
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.

main intensive stems.

5.28
The Causative Binyanim of
Vowel scheme of
Hollow Verbs Causative Hollow Infinitives
i. Most of the monosyllable, Hollow Qal
Hollow verbs in the verb Hollow
‫הָקִים‬
‫ברוך בשם‬

‫ ך”נת‬are expressed in Root type ּ‫ו‬

the Causative stem. Absolute ‫הָקֵם‬ ‫)לָ(קוֹם‬
Construct ‫קום‬ ‫)לָ(קוּם‬
In the case of the
14 Hebrew Verbal System

Hiphil strong, regular verbs, the head prosthesis assumed a

combination of [ַ‫ ]ה‬with the vowel [ֵ�] (‫)צרי‬, indicative of
active binyan, in the pillion as stem vowel for Hiphil Infinitive
Absolute, and the vowel [‫ )מלא היריק( ]�ִי‬for the role of
default epenthesis in the Hiphil Infinitive Construct, while the
Hiphil Hollow verbs take on [ָ‫ ]ה‬formation as the default head
prosthesis with the same sets of vowels for role of the stem
vowel Hiphil Hollow Infinitive Absolute and Hiphil Hollow
Infinitive Construct respectively.

5.29

Vowel scheme of
Hiphil Hollow Imperative
Hollow Strong ‫מי‬
2ms ‫הָקֵם‬ ‫הַקְטֵל‬ ‫אַתָּה‬
2fs ‫הָקִ֫ימִי‬ ‫הַקְטִ֫ילִי‬ ְּ‫אַת‬
2mp ּ‫הָקִ֫ימו‬ ּ‫הַקְטִ֫ילו‬ ‫אַתֶּם‬
2fp ‫הָקֵ֫מְנָה‬ ‫הַקְטֵ֫לְנָה‬ ‫אַתֵּ֫נָה‬

The default vowel scheme of the Hiphil Hollow Imperative Mood

i. The base unit for vowel format in Hiphil Hollow Imperative Mood
is identical with that of the Hiphil Hollow Infinitive Absolute.

ii. Onto this base unit, suitable pronominal affixes would be added
to the verbal root to configure various Hiphil Hollow Imperative
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.

verbs, while the default head prosthesis would be immutable.

5.30
The default vowel scheme of Hiphil Hollow Imperfect Tense
i. Conjugation of the Hiphil Hollow Imperfect Tense would be
similar to that in the Hiphil strong, regular verbs, by using the
identical set of pronominal preformatives and affixes the ‫איתן‬
‫ברוך בשם‬

and ‫יו”נה‬. Rules for abdication of the hind consonant in vocalic

sufformative conjugation would not be applicable, as the default
epenthesis [‫ )היריק מלא( ]�ִי‬is immutable so is the head vowel
 CHAPTER FIVE: Hollow Verbs 15

[ָ�] (‫)קמץ‬, atop which sits Vowel scheme

the pronominal preformative, Hiphil Hollow Imperfect Tense
occupying the position vacated
Hollow Strong ‫מי‬
by the default [‫)הֵא( ]ה‬.
3ms ‫יָקִים‬ ‫יַקְטִיל‬ ‫הוּא‬
ii. In consonantal sufformative 3fs ‫תָּקִים‬ ‫תַּקְטִיל‬ ‫הִיא‬
conjugation, a helping 2ms ‫תָּקִים‬ ‫אַתָּה תַּקְטִיל‬
vowel [‫ )סֶגוֹל מָלֶא( ]�ֶי‬is 2fs ‫תָּקִ֫ימִי‬ ‫תַּקְטִ֫ילִי‬ ְּ‫אַת‬
inserted before consonantal 1cs ‫אָקִים‬ ‫אַקְטִיל‬ ‫אֲנִי‬
sufformatives in the Hiphil
3mp ּ‫יָקִ֫ימו‬ ּ‫יַקְטִ֫ילו‬ ‫הֵם‬
Hollow Imperfect verb.
3fp ‫תְּקִימֶ֫ינָה‬ ‫תַּקְטֵ֫לְנָה‬ ‫הֵן‬
Propretonic reduction of head
2mp ּ‫תָּקִ֫ימו‬ ּ‫אַתֶּם תַּקְטִ֫ילו‬
2fp ‫תְּקִימֶ֫ינָה‬ ‫אַתֵּ֫נָה תַּקְטֵ֫לְנָה‬
vowel would not take place,
1cp ‫נָקִים‬ ‫אֲנַחְנוּ נַקְטִיל‬
as there is no shift of accent
involved in this case.

iii. Zero vowel sufformative conjugation would be similar to that in

the Hiphil strong, regular verbs.

5.31
The default vowel scheme of Hiphil Hollow Active Participle

i. Hebrew participles outside the Simple stems would be given a

signatory prosthesis [‫ )מֵם( ]מ‬as the head syllable.
ii. As Hiphil is an active binyan, there would be passive participle
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.

for the Hiphil stem.

iii. In zero vowel Vowel scheme in

sufformative Hiphil Hollow Participle
conjugation, the base
Hollow Strong Participle
unit is given the
vowel [ֵ�] (‫ )צרי‬in 2ms ‫מְקִימוֹת‬ ‫מַקְטִיל‬ ‫אַתָּה‬
‫ברוך בשם‬

the head leading the 2fs ‫מְקִימִים‬ ‫מַקְטֶ֫לֶת‬ ְּ‫אַת‬

default epenthesis, 2mp ‫מְקִימָה‬ ‫מַקְטִילִים‬ ‫אַתֶּם‬
which is immutable. 2fp ‫מֵקִים‬ ‫מַקְטִילוֹת‬ ‫אַתֵּ֫נָה‬
16 Hebrew Verbal System

iv. Declension of the feminine singular, which is vocalic sufformative

conjugation, follows the passive [ָ�] (‫ )קמץ‬ending pattern, while
declension of the feminine plural and masculine plural would
be the same pattern in the regular, feminine nouns. Rules for
propretonic reduction of head vowel would be applicable in
vocalic sufformative declension.

Vowel scheme of
Hiphil Hollow Perfect Tense 5.32
The default vowel
Hollow Strong ‫מי‬ scheme of Hiphil
3ms ‫הֵקִים‬ ‫הִקְטִיל‬ ‫הוּא‬ Hollow Perfect Tense
3fs ‫הֵקִ֫ימָה‬ ‫הִקְטִ֫ילָה‬ ‫הִיא‬ i. Conjugation for
2ms ָ‫הֲקִימ֫וֹת‬ ָּ‫הִקְטַ֫לְת‬ ‫אַתָּה‬ the Hiphil Hollow
2fs ‫הֲקִימוֹת‬ ְּ‫הִקְטַלְת‬ ְּ‫אַת‬ Perfect Tense would
1cs ‫הֲקִימ֫וֹתִי‬ ‫הִקְטַ֫לְתִּי‬ ‫אֲנִי‬ be similar to that in
3cp ּ‫הֵקִ֫ימו‬ ּ‫הִקְטִ֫ילו‬ ‫הֵן‬/‫הֵם‬ the Hiphil strong,
2mp ‫הֲקִימוֹתֶם‬ ‫הִקְטַלְתֶּם‬ ‫אַתֶּם‬ regular, stretching
2fp ‫הֲקִימוֹתֶן‬ ‫הִקְטַלְתֶּן‬ ‫אַתֵּ֫נָה‬
the three forms of
1cp ּ‫הֲקִימ֫וֹנו‬ ּ‫הִקְטַ֫לְנו‬ ּ‫אֲנַחְנו‬
sufformatives: the zero
vowel sufformatve
conjugation, the vocalic sufformative conjugation where the rules
of abdication of the hind consonant and shortening of the stem,
pillion vowle would not be applicable to the Hiphil binyan as the
default [‫ )היריק מלא( ]�ִי‬used in the Hiphil binyan is immutable,
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.

and finally, the consonantal sufformative conjugation.

ii. A helping vowel [ֹ‫)הוֹלָם מָלֶא( ]ו‬, which could be written as [ֹ�]
(‫)חולם הסר‬, is inserted before consonant sufformatives to set up
the Hiphil Hollow Perfect Tense.

5.33
‫ברוך בשם‬

The default vowel scheme of Hophal Hollow Infinitive Construct

As far as Hophal verb is concern, while the head prosthesis would
assume a combination of ּ‫הו‬, Hollow verbs are treated as stative verbs
 CHAPTER FIVE: Hollow Verbs 17

Vowel scheme of
Hophal Hollow Infinitives
Hollow Strong
Infinitive Absolute ‫הוּקַם‬ ‫הָקְטֵל‬
Infinitive Construct ‫הוּקֵם‬ ‫הָקְטַל‬
in the stem vowel, thus its pillion vowel would be [ֵ�] (‫)צרי‬.

5.34
The default vowel scheme of Hophal Hollow Imperative verb
Interestingly, there is so far no record of Hophal Hollow Imperative
Mood has been known.

5.35
The default vowel scheme Hophal Hollow Imperfect Tense
of Hophal Hollow
Strong Strong
Imperfect Tense Hollow ‫מי‬
(2) (1)
3ms ‫יוּקַם‬ ‫יָקְטַל‬ ‫יֻקְטַל‬ ‫הוּא‬
i. The consonant ‫ה‬
3fs ‫תּוּקַם‬ ‫תָּקְטַל‬ ‫תֻּקְטַל‬ ‫הִיא‬
(‫ )הֵה‬in the prosthesis 2ms ‫תּוּקַם‬ ‫תָּקְטַל‬ ‫תֻּקְטַל‬ ‫אַתָּה‬
ּ‫ הו‬of Hophal Hollow ‫תָּקְטְלִי‬ ‫תֻּקְטְלִי‬ ְּ‫אַת‬
2fs ‫תּוּקְמִי‬
verb would exchange 1cs ‫אוּקַם‬ ‫אָקְטַל‬ ‫אֻקְטַל‬ ‫אֲנִי‬
with one of these: 3mp ּ‫יוּקְמו‬ ּ‫יָקְטְלו‬ ּ‫יֻקְטְלו‬ ‫הֵם‬
‫איתן‬, the pronominal 3fp ‫תֻּקְטַ֫לְנָה תָּקְטַ֫לְנָה תּוּקַ֫מְנָה‬ ‫הֵן‬
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.

preformatives of 2mp ּ‫תּוּקְמו‬ ּ‫תָּקְטְלו‬ ּ‫תֻּקְטְלו‬ ‫אַתֶּם‬

Hebrew Imperfect 2fp ‫תּוּקַ֫מְנָה‬ ‫ָה‬ ‫נ‬ ‫ל‬
ְ ‫ט‬
ַ ֫ ‫ק‬
ְ ‫ת‬
ּ ָ ‫ָה‬ ‫טַלְנ‬
֫ ְ‫תֻּק‬ ‫אַתֵּ֫נָה‬
Tense. 1cp ‫נוּקַם‬ ‫נָקְטַל‬ ‫קטַל‬ ְ ֻ‫נ‬ ּ‫אֲנַחְנו‬

ii. Apart from the need

to prefix pronominal preformatives the ‫איתן‬, the stem vowel would
response to the affixing of pronominal sufformatives in compliance
‫ברוך בשם‬

with the rule of abdication of abaft consonant of the root, mostly

involving vocalic sufformative conjugation while shortening of stem
vowel would take place in cases where a shift of accent takes place
during consonantal sufformative conjugation. In cases of zero vowel
18 Hebrew Verbal System

sufformative conjugation, the relevant pronominal preformative the

‫ איתן‬would be employed.

5.36
The default vowel
scheme of Hophal
Vowel scheme of
Hollow Participle Hophal Hollow Participle
Strong Strong
i. As Hollow Hollow Participle
(2) (1)
verbs are
2ms ‫מוּקָם‬ ‫מָקְטָל‬ ‫מֻקְטָל‬ ‫אַתָּה‬
monosyllable
verbs, the rule 2fs ‫מֻקְטֶ֫לֶת מָקְטֶ֫לֶת מוּקֶ֫מֶת‬ ְּ‫אַת‬
of propretonic 2mp ‫מֻקְטָלִים מָקְטָלִים מוּקָמִים‬ ‫אַתֶּם‬
reduction is not 2fp ‫מֻקְטָלוֹת מָקְטָלוֹת מוּקָמוֹת‬ ‫אַתֵּ֫נָה‬
applicable.

ii. Declensions in the Hophal Hollow participle, which is a passive

binyan, but follow that of the Qal Active Participle in the
respective format.

iii. The signatory [‫ )םֵמ( ]מ‬for participles outside the simple stems
replaced the [‫ )הֵא( ]ה‬in the default base unit in the zero vowel
sufformative declesion and to be used for declension of other
Hophal Hollow participles.
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.

5.37
The default vowel scheme of Hophal Hollow Perfect Tense
i. The Meaning and function of Hophal Hollow verbs would be the
same as the main Hophal binyan.

ii.The observable part of differences between strong Hophal and Hollow

Hophal lies in the prosthesis, which is expressed as ּ‫ הו‬in Hollow
‫ברוך בשם‬

Hophal, but it is depicted by ָ‫ ה‬or ֻ‫ ה‬in the strong, regular Hophal

verbs, whereas the stem vowel remains constant, compliance to the
rules of abdication of hind consonant of the root in vocalic sufformative
 CHAPTER FIVE: Hollow Verbs 19

conjugation while the prosthesis, as a general rule applicable to all

binyanim, is immune to inflection; and reduction of stem vowel
in cases of consonantal surfformatives would take place with or
without a shift of accent during inflection. Zero vowel sufformative
conjugation
Vowel scheme in
would be
Hophal Hollow Perfect Tense
confined to the
third person Hollow Strong (2) Strong (1) ‫מי‬
m a s c u l i n e 3ms ‫הוּקַם‬ ‫הָקְטַל‬ ‫הֻקְטַל‬ ‫הוּא‬
singular as in 3fs ‫הוּקְמָה‬ ‫הָקְטְלָה‬ ‫הֻקְטְלָה‬ ‫הִיא‬
the case of 2ms ָּ‫הוּקַ֫מְת‬ ָּ‫הָקְטַ֑לְת‬ ָּ‫הֻקְטַ֫לְת‬ ‫אַתָּה‬
inflection of the 2fs ְּ‫הוּקַמְת‬ ְּ‫הָקְטַלְת‬ ְּ‫הֻקְטַלְת‬ ְּ‫אַת‬
Perfect Tense. 1cs ‫הָקְטַ֫לְתִּי הוּקַ֫מְתִּי‬ ‫הֻקְטַ֫לְתִּי‬ ‫אֲנִי‬
G e n e r a l l y 3cp ּ‫הוּקְמו‬ ּ‫הָקְטְלו‬ ּ‫הֻקְטְלו‬ ‫הֵן‬/‫הֵם‬
speaking, except 2mp ‫הֻקְטַלְתֶּם הָקְטַלְתֶּם הוּקַמְתֶּם‬ ‫אַתֶּם‬
for the presence 2fp ‫הָקְטַלְתֶּן הוּקַמְתֶּן‬ ‫הֻקְטַלְתֶּן‬ ‫אַתֵּ֫נָה‬
of a different 1cp ּ‫הוּקַ֫מְנו‬ ּ‫הָקְטַ֫לְנו‬ ּ‫הֻקְטַ֫לְנו‬ ּ‫אֲנַחְנו‬
prosthesis, the
conjugation of Hollow Perfect Tense would be the same as the
strong, regular Hophal verbs.
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.
‫ברוך בשם‬
 20
Hebrew Verbal System

‫ברוך בשם‬
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.
‫ברוך בשם‬
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.
CHAPTER FIVE: Hollow Verbs
21
 22
Hebrew Verbal System

‫ברוך בשם‬
Steffen Han January 2011 revised.