Introduction
This Biblical Hebrew grammar lesson focuses on the Qal Perfect verb form as seen in Genesis 1:1. The Qal Perfect is often used to express completed actions and is one of the foundational verb stems in Biblical Hebrew.
Verse in Focus: Genesis 1:1
בְּרֵאשִׁית בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ
Translation: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
Grammar Topic: The Qal Perfect Verb Form
The verb בָּרָא (bara) is in the Qal Perfect form. The Qal stem is the basic or simple form of the verb, and the Perfect aspect usually indicates a completed action in the past.
Root: ב־ר־א (b-r-ʾ)
Form: Qal Perfect 3rd Person Masculine Singular
Meaning: “he created”
Morphology Analysis
- בָּרָא (bara) – Root: ב־ר־א; Form: Qal Perfect 3ms; Translation: “he created”
- אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) – Root: א־ל־ה; Form: Plural noun (used with singular verb); Translation: “God”
- הַשָּׁמַיִם (ha-shamayim) – Root: שׁ־מ־י; Form: Dual noun with definite article; Translation: “the heavens”
- הָאָרֶץ (ha-aretz) – Root: א־ר־ץ; Form: Feminine singular noun with definite article; Translation: “the earth”
Syntax Notes
The verb בָּרָא precedes the subject אֱלֹהִים, which is typical of Biblical Hebrew VSO (Verb–Subject–Object) word order. Though אֱלֹהִים is morphologically plural, it takes a singular verb here, indicating its use as a singular proper name for God.
Additional Examples of Qal Perfect
- וַיֹּאמֶר (vayomer) – “and he said” (Genesis 1:3)
- בָּנָה (banah) – “he built” (Genesis 2:22)
- שָׁמַר (shamar) – “he kept” (Genesis 2:15)
Practice Exercises
- Identify the Qal Perfect verbs in Genesis 1:2–1:5.
- Conjugate the root ב־ר־א (b-r-ʾ) in the Qal Perfect for all persons and numbers.
- Translate this sentence into Hebrew: “In the beginning, he created a house.”
