12.19 Weak Verb Classes

We classify weak verbs by their problem letter

• 3נ, “third Nun,” means that \(R_3\) is נ, as in זקן
• 3ת, “third Tav,” means that \(R_3\) is ת, as in ברת
• 1G, “first guttural,” means that \(R_1\) is a guttural, as in אמר
• 2G, “second guttural,” means that \(R_2\) is a guttural, as in בחר
• We can’t simply say “3G” for any \(R_3\) guttural because it turns out that א and ה each behave differently
  • Early in the course, we mentioned ר is our “sometimes” guttural because it rejects the Dagesh Forte but accepts Vocal Sheva
  • Verbs with \(R_1\) or \(R_2\) of ר will be included in 1G or 2G weak verbs when that Stem requires a Dagesh Forte
• 3עח, “third Chet/Ayin,” means that \(R_3\) is ע or ח, as in מנע לקח
• 3א, “third Aleph,” means that \(R_3\) is א, as in מצא
• 3ה, “third Hei,” means that \(R_3\) is the vowel Qamets+Hei, as in בנה
• Geminate - \(R_2\) = \(R_3\) סבב
• Biconsonantal (also called Hollow) - \(R_2\) is a vowel letter בוֹא שִֹים קוּם
  • Biconsonantal verbs are the exception to Lexical form = QP3ms
• Doubly Weak is any combination of two (or three) weak letters, as in עַלָה, which is a combination of 1G and 3ה
  • It is possible for all three root consonants to be weak, but we still call this class “Doubly Weak” (not “triply weak”)