Lesson 4 | Stems in the Imperfect
[1] Stem Paradigm
This step contains the only paradigm you will need to memorize for the imperfect form as it pertains to stems.
First, let’s examine an example word from each of the seven stems in the imperfect form. As before, we have utilized commonly used words and chosen the same root for each active-passive pair to make it easy to compare.
3ms imperfect form
active & passive
| qal / niphal | יִמְצָא | יִמָּצֵא | he will find / be found |
| piel / pual | יְכַפֵּר | יְכֻפַּר | he will atone / be atoned for |
| hiphil / hophal | יָבִיא | יוּבָא | he will bring / be brought |
| hithpael | יִתְהַלֵּךְ | he will walk about |
The information in this paradigm will prove to be enough to identify the stem of most all imperfect verbs. Take the time now to say these words aloud, thinking about what you are saying as you do, until you have them memorized.
