Hebrew Verb ParticiplesIn the previous verb lesson, we identified that Hebrew verbs are used in either the perfect or imperfect tense. The use of a verb participle in Hebrew effectively creates a third verb tense which helps to identify the specific action associated with that verb. As an example, the sentence קוצר יעקב (qotser ya'aqov) features the verb qatsar used as a participle. The translation of this would be 'Jacob is cutting' meaning that the verb highlights the action. As a general rule, in this participle form, the verb will be translated in the present tense although you should bear in mind that Hebrew verbs relate to action rather than time. An alternative usage of the participle is to identify the person or subject who takes the action, rather than the action itself. For example, when the verb רעה (to feed) is used as a masculine singular participle, it is changed to רועה (ro'eh). This can be used to refer to the action of 'feeding' or the one who is doing the feeding. When a verb is used as a participle, it identifies the number and gender of the usage, but has no relationship to the person - first, second or third - when it is used. Introduction to Reading Hebrew The first basics The Hebrew AlephBet The Letters of the AlephBet Aleph Bet (Beyt) Gimmel Dalet Hey Vav Zayin Chet Tet Yod Kaf Lamed Mem Nun Samekh Ayin Pey (Fey) Tsade (Tsadik) Qof Resh Shin Tav The Significance of the Alephbet The Basics of Hebrew Verbs The Hebrew Verb Subject The Hebrew Verb Object Hebrew Verb Tenses Hebrew Verb Voices and Moods Hebrew Verb Participles The Infinite Verb Version Hebrew Nouns Hebrew Noun Constructs Using Prefixes With Nouns Hebrew Pronouns Hebrew Plural Nouns Hebrew Adjectives Identifying Hebrew Questions Adverbs, Prepositions and Conjunctions Hebrew Reading Conclusion |