Unit 26

Translating Yiqtol, Con't

Unit Description:
In this unit we will continue with the questions concerning the meaning and the translation of the
Yiqtol form. We will discover how this form performs in different sentences and how Hebrew is
different from English in this point.

New Words in this Unit

15

Total New Words

390

Unit 26
391

Vocabulary
Category

Nouns

Proper
Nouns

Numbers

Verbs

m. = masculine

Hebrew

Transliteration Pronunciation

English

ht

ahot

sister (f.s.)

bmh

bama

high place (f.s.)

bal

bal

zra

zra

abbt

shabat

sabbath (b.s.)

ahb

ahav

Ahab

liyyh

eliyhu

Elijah

elisha

Elisha

bal

bal

Baal

erm

esrim

twenty

lm

shloshim

thirty

bhar

bahar

he chose

hlh

halah

krat

karat

he cut (off/down)*

rap

saraf

he burned

f. = feminine

b. = both m. and f.

owner, lord,
husband (m.s.)
arm, shoulder,
strength (f.s.)

he was weak,
he was sick

s. = singular

* The expression he cut a covenant means he made a covenant.

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Slides from the Unit

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Grammatical Remarks
In this unit we continue our study of the Yiqtol verb (the prefix conjugation) by examining the
common ways in which this verb might be translated in various contexts.

Translating Yiqtol
As discussed previously, the Yiqtol form (like other Hebrew verbs) does not have an exact
parallel tense in English. In part because Hebrew has fewer verb forms than English, the single
Hebrew verb form Yiqtol covers the uses of several different English forms. Remember also that
Hebrew uses a relative verbal system in which each verb form takes its meaning from its
relationship to other verbs in its context. The uses of the Yiqtol verb in biblical Hebrew come
under two main categories:
1. Posterior Action The Yiqtol verb expresses what we call a posterior relationship, i.e.
it speaks of an action that occurs after (or in the future relative to) something else in its
context. We must look at the context to see which verb or event the Yiqtol verb is
posterior to (i.e. which verb or event it occurs after), and understand the meaning of the
verb accordingly. As discussed in Unit 25, this often means that we can translate a Yiqtol
verb, especially in direct speech, with the simple future tense or as a conditional.
However, when the Yiqtol form appears in the context of a past tense narrative, the
translation is more difficult. Different contexts may require this verb to be translated
could do, would do, was to do, should do, might do, etc. The point is that the
Yiqtol action happens after something else.
2. Habitual / Repeated Action Yiqtol is also used for any habitual or repeated action.
This includes the language of the law (Unit 25), commands meant to be continually
followed.

General Truth, Habitual Present Habitual present is used for an action that is
repeated over a period of time, beginning in the past and extending into the future,
e.g. He reads the newspaper every morning. Likewise, a general truth is true not
only in the present, but also at any point in the past or in the future. It is often seen
in proverbial phrases such as, A bribe blinds those who see (Exodus 23:8). In
both cases, the Yiqtol verb may be translated in English with the simple present.

Past Iterative The Yiqtol form may also be used in the context of a past tense
narrative for repeated or continued action in the past (English: he used to do or
he would do). This is very similar to the habitual present; the only difference
between them is that with the past iterative, the action occurs and is repeated only
in the past.

Unit 26
400

Homework
1. Using the Unit 26 vocabulary list, fill in the crossword puzzle below with the
correct Hebrew words. Each square will hold one consonant or vowel letter
(mater lectionis); disregard the vowel pointing.
1.

3.

2.

4.

6.

5.

7.

Across:
2. Elisha
5. owner
6. arm
7. sabbath
Down:
1. Ahab
2. sister
3. twenty
4. thirty

2. Translate the following phrases from Hebrew into English.

after these things, the son of

the woman became sick

(1 Kgs. 17:17)

( 2 Kgs. 10:19)
( Deut. 16:2)
( 2 Sam. 3:13)
( 1 Kgs. 19:1)

( 1 Kgs. 3:4)

(Josh. 6:24)

Unit 26
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3. Write the appropriate form of the Yiqtol verb for each subject in the
sentences below, then translate.

( Isa. 6:8)
Whom shall I send?

Whom shall the LORD send?

Unit 26
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4. Write the number of the correct translation after each phrase, paying attention
to how the Yiqtol form is translated in each context.

( Jdg. 13:18)
( 1 Sam. 2:25)

( 2 Chr. 19:6)
...
( Jdg. 12:1)
( Deut. 16:20)

( 2 Chr. 1:10)

( Num. 18:22)

( Hos. 2:20)
1. But they would not listen.
2. For you do not judge for man.
3. Why do you ask for my name?
4. Justice, justice you shall pursue.
5. We will burn your house with fire.
6. And bow and sword and war I will break.
7. For who can govern this great people of yours?
8. The Israelites shall not come near the tent of meeting again.

Unit 26
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Homework Answers
1. Using the Unit 26 vocabulary list, fill in the crossword puzzle below with the
correct Hebrew words. Each square will hold one consonant or vowel letter
(mater lectionis); disregard the vowel pointing.
1.

3.

2.

6.

4.

5.

7.

Across:
2. Elisha
5. owner
6. arm
7. sabbath
Down:
1. Ahab
2. sister
3. twenty
4. thirty

2. Translate the following phrases from Hebrew into English.

(1 Kgs. 17:17)

after these things, the son of the

woman became sick

( 2 Kgs. 10:19)

all the prophets of Baal

( Deut. 16:2)

in the place that the LORD will choose

( 2 Sam. 3:13)

I will make a covenant with you

( 1 Kgs. 19:1)

everything that Elijah did

( 1 Kgs. 3:4)

for it was the great high place

and they burned the city and

everything that was in it

(Josh. 6:24)

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3. Write the appropriate form of the Yiqtol verb for each subject in the
sentences below, then translate.

Whom shall the LORD send?

Whom shall you (m.s.) send?

Whom shall the kings send?

Whom shall we send?
Whom shall you (f.s.) send?

Whom shall the queens send?

Whom shall you (m.p.) send?

Whom shall Naomi send?

Whom shall you (f.p.) send?

4. Write the number of the correct translation after each phrase, paying attention
to how the Yiqtol form is translated in each context.

( Jdg. 13:18)
( 1 Sam. 2:25)

( 2 Chr. 19:6)
...
( Jdg. 12:1)
( Deut. 16:20)

3
1
2
5
4

( 2 Chr. 1:10)

( Num. 18:22)

( Hos. 2:20)

Unit 26
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