[d] In more than half the number of verbs פ״ו the original Wāw in the above-mentioned forms gives place to Yôdh, which, unless it suffers aphaeresis (see f), appears:—
in the imperatives יְצֹק, יְרַשׁ and infinitives יְסֹד, יְרֹא, as a strong consonant, but
in the imperfect יִירַשׁ, properly yiyrăš, merges with the preceding ĭ into î.
In the second syllable imperfects of this form regularly have ă.
[e] (a) That the latter forms are derived from verbs with an original Wāw (not Yôdh) is shown partly by the inflexion of these verbs in Niphʿal, Hiphʿîl, and Hophʿal (where the original Wāw reappears throughout), and partly by the Arabic, in which verbs פ״ו likewise exhibit a twofold formation; cf. wălădă, imperf. yălĭdu, with elision of the Wāw, and wăǵĭlă, yauǵalu, with retention of the Wāw.
[f] (b) Sometimes both forms, the weaker and the stronger, occur in the same verb; cf. צַק 2 K 4 and יְצֹק pour, Ez 24 (cf. יִֽצְקוּ 1 K 18 and the infin. צֶ֫קֶת Ex 38); רֵשׁ take possession, Dt 1, 1 K 21 (but cf. s), רָשׁ (in pause for רַשׁ) Dt 2; plur. רְשׁוּ Dt 1, 9, but also, with ־ָה paragogic, יְרָ֫שָׁה Dt 33. In the imperfect יִיקַד Dt 32 and יֵקַד Is 10 it shall be kindled; וַיִּיקַר it was precious, 1 S 18 and יֵקַר ψ 49 (cf. יֵיקַר ψ 72).—The form וַֽיֱּחֶמוּ Gn 30, for וַיֵּֽחֲמוּ, beside וַיֵּחַ֫מְנָה verse 38, is remarkable; cf. § 47 k.
[g] (c) On רַד Ju 19 for י֖רַד and שׁוֹב Jer 42 for the infinitive absolute יָשׁוֹב, cf. § 19 i.—But יְרַד Ju 5 (twice) is not intended by the Masora either as perfect (for יָרַד, which really should be restored) or as imperative of יָרַד, but as an apocopated imperfect Piʿēl from רָדָה (=יְרַדֶּה) to have dominion.
[h] (d) The eight verbs,[1] of which the initial consonant in the above-mentioned forms always suffers elision or aphaeresis, are יָלַד to bring forth, יָצָא to go forth, יָשַׁב to sit, to dwell, יָרַד to descend, also הָלַךְ to go (cf. below, x); and with ă in the second syllable of the imperfect, יָדַע to know, יָחַד to be united, יָקַע to be dislocated. Examples of the other formation (יִיוַשׁ, &c.) are יָעֵף to be wearied, יָעַץ to counsel, יָשֵׁן to sleep, יָרֵא (imperfect יִירָא, imperative יְרָא) to fear.
[i] 2. The original Wāw is retained as a firm consonant: (a) in the infinitive, imperative, and imperfect Niphʿal, being protected by the strengthening, e.g. הִוָּשֵׁב, יִוָּשֵׁב, which are consequently strong forms like הִקָּטֵל, יִקָּטֵל; (b) in the Hithpaʿel of some verbs, e.g. הִתְוַדַּע from יָדַע, הִתְוַכַּח from יָכַח, הִתְוַדָּה from יָדָה; otherwise a radical Wāw at the beginning of a word is now found only in a few nouns, e.g. וָלָד off spring from יָלַד to bear. At the end of a syllable Wāw with the homogeneous
- ↑ A ninth יָסַף to add, is also to be included. In the Mêšaʿ-inscription, l. 21, the infinitive is written לספת (cf. יספתי, l. 29); hence read in Is 30 (Nu 32, Dt 29) סֶ֫פֶת for סְפוֹת. The 2nd plur. masc. imperative סְפוּ Is 29, Jer 7 corresponds to שְׁבוּ; thus in proof of a supposed סָפָה addere, there remains only אַסְפֶּה Dt 32, for which, according to 2 S 12, read אֹסִ֫פָה.
