Imperative forms in Biblical Hebrew embody command through binyan-driven nuance—Qal offers straightforward action (שְׁמַע, “Hear!”), Piel intensifies (דַּבֵּר, “Speak!”), Hiphil externalizes causation (הַשְׁלַח, “Send!”), and Hitpael invokes reflexivity (הִתְקַדֵּשׁ, “Sanctify yourself!”). Binyanim like Pual and Hophal, being passive, do not form imperatives. These constructions reflect the theological texture of command: divine authority, relational urgency, and transformational invitation. Attentive use of binyan and form reveals not only who speaks—but how they envision obedience.
The Imperative and Its Binyanic Identity
In Biblical Hebrew, the imperative expresses direct commands primarily in the second person. Each of the seven major binyanim (verbal stems) contributes its unique semantic layer to these command forms. While Qal conveys a simple action, derived stems like Piel, Hiphil, and Hitpael express intensity, causation, or reflexivity. Some binyanim, like Pual and Hophal, do not produce imperatives due to their passive nature.
Imperatives Across the Seven Binyanim
The table below presents 2nd person masculine singular imperative forms across the seven binyanim. All forms are fully pointed and based on regular strong roots.
| Binyan | Hebrew Form | Root | Meaning | Semantic Force |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qal | שְׁמַע | ש־מ־ע | Hear! | Simple action |
| Niphal | הִלָּחֵם | ל־ח־ם | Engage in battle! | Reflexive / reciprocal |
| Piel | דַּבֵּר | ד־ב־ר | Speak! | Intensive or iterative |
| Pual | — | — | Not applicable | Passive — no imperative form |
| Hiphil | הַקְטֵ֔ל | ק־ט־ל | Cause to kill! | Causative |
| Hophal | — | — | Not applicable | Passive — no imperative form |
| Hitpael | הִתְקַדֵּשׁ | ק־ד־שׁ | Sanctify yourself! | Reflexive / intensive |
Suffix and Feminine/Plural Forms
The imperative also appears in the 2nd person feminine singular and 2nd person plural (both masculine and feminine) forms. These are formed by appending suffixes to the base command, while preserving the binyan’s internal structure.
| Person | Qal (כ־ת־ב) | Piel (ד־ב־ר) | Hiphil (ש־ל־ח) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2ms | כְּתֹב | דַּבֵּר | הַשְׁלַח |
| 2fs | כִּתְבִי | דַּבְּרִי | הַשְׁלִיחִי |
| 2mp | כִּתְבוּ | דַּבְּרוּ | הַשְׁלִיחוּ |
| 2fp* | כְּתֹבְנָה | דַּבֵּרְנָה | הַשְׁלַחְנָה |
*2fp forms are attested rarely in the Hebrew Bible and often remain theoretical in practical usage.
Theological and Literary Resonance
Imperatives are not merely grammatical constructs but vessels of authority, urgency, and relationship. Divine imperatives such as שׁוּבוּ (“Return!”) or זָכֹור (“Remember!”) shape covenantal theology and prophetic discourse. The choice of binyan affects not only the verbal nuance but also the rhetorical weight and theological implications of the command. For instance, a command in the Hitpael stem can imply personal engagement or transformation, such as הִתְקַדֵּשׁ (“Sanctify yourselves!”).
