In Biblical Hebrew, the principal tone (accent) typically falls on the final syllable of a word, though it may shift to the penultimate syllable under specific phonological conditions—especially when the final syllable is open or when certain suffixes are added. Closed penultimate syllables can bear the tone if the ultima is open (e.g., קָטַ֫לְתָּ), while closed ultimas usually retain the tone unless preceded by an open penult. A secondary accent, often marked by Metheg, may appear when words are closely connected, though it can be lost with Maqqeph. Tone shifts frequently occur due to suffixation or conjugational changes, causing the accent to descend (e.g., דָּבָ֫ר → דְּבָרִ֫ים). Conversely, in forms with Wāw-consecutive, especially in the Imperfect, the tone may ascend to the penult (e.g., יֹאמַ֫ר → וַיֹּ֫אמֶר). These tonal dynamics not only affect pronunciation but also influence vowel quantity and syllable structure, contributing to the rhythmic and grammatical texture of the Masoretic text.
1. The Normal Position of the Tone
The principal tone (accent) in Biblical Hebrew generally falls on the final syllable of a word, according to Masoretic accentuation (cf. §15c). Examples:
קָטַ֫ל, דָּבָ֫ר, דְּבָר֫וֹ, דְּבָרִ֫ים, קְטַלְתֶּ֫ם, קָֽטְלוּ֫, קִדְר֫וֹן. In many of these, the tone rests on a formative addition to the stem.Sometimes the tone is on the penultimate syllable, e.g.: לַ֫יְלָה (“night”), קָטַ֫לְתָּ, קַ֫לּוּ, קָ֫מוּ.
However, rules govern this:
A closed penultimate syllable may carry the tone only if the ultima is open, e.g. קָטַ֫לְתָּ, לֵ֫כְנָה.
A closed ultima typically retains the tone unless the penult is open, e.g. וַיָּ֫קֶם, וַיָּ֫קָם (see also below §29e).
2. Metheg and Secondary Tone
A secondary accent or counter-tone is often marked by Metheg (cf. §16c). When words are joined closely by Maqqeph (cf. §16a), only a secondary tone can remain, and sometimes even that is lost.
3. Tone Shift Due to Suffixes and Conjugations
The original tone of a word often shifts due to changes in word form or its connection to other words. When syllables are added to the end of a word, the tone shifts forward (descends), depending on the addition’s length:
- דָּבָ֫ר → דְּבָרִ֫ים
- דִּבְרֵיכֶ֫ם (“your words”)
- קֹ֫דֶשׁ → קָֽדָשִׁ֫ים
- קָטַ֫לְתָּ → קְטַלְתָּ֫הוּ (with suffix)
- וְקָֽטַלְתָּ֫ (with Wāw consecutive)
For vowel changes resulting from these shifts, see §27d, i–m.
4. Ascending Tone Shift with Wāw-Consecutive
The tone sometimes shifts from the final syllable to the penultimate (ascends):
- Especially in the Imperfect with prefixed Wāw-consecutive:
- יֹאמַ֫ר (“he will say”) → וַיֹּ֫אמֶר (“and he said”)
- יֵלֵ֫ךְ (“he will go”) → וַיֵּ֫לֶךְ (“and he went”)
See also:
- §51n on the Imperfect Niphʿal
- §65g (end) on the Imperfect Piʿel
- Cases in pause where the Wāw-consecutive does not shift the tone (to be discussed in §29hff)
