The Hebrew verb אָכַל (ʾakhal) means “to eat,” but it also extends metaphorically to mean “to consume,” “to devour,” or even “to destroy.” It is one of the most common verbs in the Bible and is used in both literal and figurative contexts — such as people eating food, or fire consuming offerings, or judgment consuming the wicked.
Below is a complete conjugation of אָכַל in the Qal stem, covering all major tenses and persons. All Hebrew forms are bolded for clarity.
Past Tense (Perfect) — Qal
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Person | אָכַלְתִּי | אָכַלְנוּ |
| 2nd Person | אָכַלְתָּ (m) אָכַלְתְּ (f) |
אָכַלְתֶּם (m) אָכַלְתֶּן (f) |
| 3rd Person | אָכַל (m) אָכְלָה (f) |
אָכְלוּ |
Present Tense (Participle) — Qal
| Gender | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | אֹכֵל | אֹכְלִים |
| Feminine | אֹכֶלֶת | אֹכְלוֹת |
Future Tense (Imperfect) — Qal
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Person | אֹכַל | נֹאכַל |
| 2nd Person | תֹּאכַל (m) תֹּאכְלִי (f) |
תֹּאכְלוּ (m) תֹּאכַלְנָה (f) |
| 3rd Person | יֹאכַל (m) תֹּאכַל (f) |
יֹאכְלוּ (m) תֹּאכַלְנָה (f) |
Imperative Mood — Qal
| Gender | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | אֱכֹל | אִכְלוּ |
| Feminine | אִכְלִי | אֱכֹלְנָה |
Usage in the Hebrew Bible
The verb אָכַל is one of the first verbs used in the Torah. For example, in Genesis 2:16:
“וַיְצַו יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים עַל-הָאָדָם לֵאמֹר מִכֹּל עֵץ-הַגָּן אָכֹל תֹּאכֵל”
“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, From every tree of the garden you may surely eat.”
In many prophetic passages, the verb is used metaphorically — fire eats or consumes (e.g., Amos 1:4, “And I will send fire… and it shall devour”). This consuming aspect connects the verb also with destruction and judgment.
Key Insights
אָכַל is not just a physical action — it’s also a theological and poetic concept. It speaks of nourishment and destruction, blessing and judgment. From divine provision to fiery judgment, the verb plays a rich role in shaping the language and themes of the Hebrew Bible.
Additional Conjugations of אָכַל — Niphal, Piel, Hiphil
The verb אָכַל appears not only in the Qal stem, but also in Niphal (passive), Piel (intensive), and Hiphil (causative) forms in the Hebrew Bible. Each stem contributes different nuances to the meaning of the verb — being consumed, devouring thoroughly, or causing to consume.
Niphal — “to be eaten” / “to be consumed”
Past Tense (Perfect)
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Person | נֶאֱכַלְתִּי | נֶאֱכַלְנוּ |
| 2nd Person | נֶאֱכַלְתָּ (m) נֶאֱכַלְתְּ (f) |
נֶאֱכַלְתֶּם (m) נֶאֱכַלְתֶּן (f) |
| 3rd Person | נֶאֱכַל (m) נֶאֱכְלָה (f) |
נֶאֱכְלוּ |
Present Tense (Participle)
| Gender | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | נֶאֱכָל | נֶאֱכָלִים |
| Feminine | נֶאֱכֶלֶת | נֶאֱכָלוֹת |
Future Tense (Imperfect)
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Person | אֵאָכֵל | נֵאָכֵל |
| 2nd Person | תֵּאָכֵל (m) תֵּאָכְלִי (f) |
תֵּאָכְלוּ (m) תֵּאָכַלְנָה (f) |
| 3rd Person | יֵאָכֵל (m) תֵּאָכֵל (f) |
יֵאָכְלוּ (m) תֵּאָכַלְנָה (f) |
Piel — “to consume thoroughly” / “devour”
Past Tense (Perfect)
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Person | אִכֵּלְתִּי | אִכֵּלְנוּ |
| 2nd Person | אִכֵּלְתָּ (m) אִכֵּלְתְּ (f) |
אִכֵּלְתֶּם (m) אִכֵּלְתֶּן (f) |
| 3rd Person | אִכֵּל (m) אִכְּלָה (f) |
אִכְּלוּ |
Present Tense (Participle)
| Gender | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | מְאכֵּל | מְאכְּלִים |
| Feminine | מְאכֶּלֶת | מְאכְּלוֹת |
Future Tense (Imperfect)
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Person | אֲאכֵּל | נְאכֵּל |
| 2nd Person | תְּאכֵּל (m) תְּאכְּלִי (f) |
תְּאכְּלוּ (m) תְּאכֵּלְנָה (f) |
| 3rd Person | יְאכֵּל (m) תְּאכֵּל (f) |
יְאכְּלוּ (m) תְּאכֵּלְנָה (f) |
Imperative Mood
| Gender | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | אֲכֵּל | אֲכְּלוּ |
| Feminine | אֲכְּלִי | אֲכֵּלְנָה |
Hiphil — “to cause to eat” / “to feed”
Past Tense (Perfect)
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Person | הֶאֱכַלְתִּי | הֶאֱכַלְנוּ |
| 2nd Person | הֶאֱכַלְתָּ (m) הֶאֱכַלְתְּ (f) |
הֶאֱכַלְתֶּם (m) הֶאֱכַלְתֶּן (f) |
| 3rd Person | הֶאֱכִיל (m) הֶאֱכִילָה (f) |
הֶאֱכִילוּ |
Present Tense (Participle)
| Gender | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | מַאֲכִיל | מַאֲכִילִים |
| Feminine | מַאֲכֶלֶת | מַאֲכִילוֹת |
Future Tense (Imperfect)
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Person | אַאֲכִיל | נַאֲכִיל |
| 2nd Person | תַּאֲכִיל (m) תַּאֲכִילִי (f) |
תַּאֲכִילוּ (m) תַּאֲכֵֽלְנָה (f) |
| 3rd Person | יַאֲכִיל (m) תַּאֲכִיל (f) |
יַאֲכִילוּ (m) תַּאֲכֵֽלְנָה (f) |
Imperative Mood
| Gender | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | הַאֲכֵל | הַאֲכִילוּ |
| Feminine | הַאֲכִילִי | הַאֲכֵֽלְנָה |
Summary
The verb אָכַל is among the most dynamic and theologically rich verbs in the Hebrew Bible. Its various stems add meaning: Qal for basic eating, Niphal for passive consumption, Piel for intensified devouring, and Hiphil for causing others to eat (feeding). Understanding these conjugations deepens one’s appreciation of narrative, law, and prophecy in Scripture.
