Yiqtol (the Imperfect) — Full Paradigm
יִשְׁמֹר “he will keep” in all persons: prefixes AND suffixes, and the two meaning ranges.
Yiqtol (יִקְטֹל) is the prefix conjugation in Biblical Hebrew. It usually describes incomplete action — future, present, habitual, or volitional. This article gives the full paradigm of יִשְׁמֹר (yishmor, "he will keep / guard"), from the root שׁ.מ.ר.
The basic pattern
Yiqtol is built with prefixes and, in some persons, suffixes. The base pattern for a strong verb is יִקְטֹל (yiqṭōl).
For the root שׁ.מ.ר:
- 3rd m. sg.: יִשְׁמֹר (yishmor) — he will keep
Full Yiqtol paradigm of יִשְׁמֹר
| Person / Gender | Hebrew | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st sg. | אֶשְׁמֹר | ʾeshmor | I will keep |
| 2nd m. sg. | תִּשְׁמֹר | tishmor | you (m.) will keep |
| 2nd f. sg. | תִּשְׁמְרִי | tishmĕrî | you (f.) will keep |
| 3rd m. sg. | יִשְׁמֹר | yishmor | he will keep |
| 3rd f. sg. | תִּשְׁמֹר | tishmor | she will keep |
| 1st pl. | נִשְׁמֹר | nishmor | we will keep |
| 2nd m. pl. | תִּשְׁמְרוּ | tishmĕrû | you (m.) will keep |
| 2nd f. pl. | תִּשְׁמֹרְנָה | tishmōrnāh | you (f.) will keep |
| 3rd m. pl. | יִשְׁמְרוּ | yishmĕrû | they (m.) will keep |
| 3rd f. pl. | תִּשְׁמֹרְנָה | tishmōrnāh | they (f.) will keep |
The prefixes
| Prefix | Person | Example |
|---|---|---|
| אֲ... / אֶ... | 1st sg. (I) | אֶשְׁמֹר |
| תִּ... | 2nd sg. m. / 3rd f. sg. / 2nd pl. / 3rd f. pl. | תִּשְׁמֹר |
| יִ... | 3rd sg. m. / 3rd pl. m. | יִשְׁמֹר |
| נִ... | 1st pl. (we) | נִשְׁמֹר |
💡 Memory trick: א = I, נ = we, י = he/they-m, ת = you/she/they-f.
The suffixes
- 2nd f. sg. adds ־ִי (-î): תִּשְׁמְרִי
- 2nd / 3rd m. pl. add ־וּ (-û): תִּשְׁמְרוּ, יִשְׁמְרוּ
- 2nd / 3rd f. pl. add ־ְנָה (-nāh): תִּשְׁמֹרְנָה
Yiqtol meanings
Yiqtol is not just future. Depending on context, it can mean:
| Use | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Future | יִשְׁמֹר יְהוָה אֶתְכֶם | YHWH will keep you. |
| Habitual present | כֹּל הַיּוֹם הוּא יִלְמַד | Every day he studies. |
| Imperative / request | הֲלֹא תִשְׁמֹר? | Will you not keep? |
| Subjunctive / purpose | לְמַעַן יִשְׁמֹר | so that he may keep |
The "energic" nun
Some Yiqtol forms add a final נּ (energic nun) for emphasis, especially in poetry. You may see forms like יִקְטֹלֻן or יִקְטְלֻנְנָה. These are advanced; don't worry about them at beginner level.
Negative Yiqtol
Future/imperfect is negated with לֹא:
| Hebrew | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| לֹא אֶשְׁמֹר | lōʾ ʾeshmor | I will not keep |
| לֹא יִלְכּוֹד | lōʾ yilkōd | he will not capture |
✅ Key takeaways
- Yiqtol = prefix conjugation, usually incomplete/future action.
- Prefixes: א (I), נ (we), י (he/they-m), ת (you/she/they-f).
- Suffixes: ־ִי for 2nd f. sg., ־וּ for m. pl., ־ְנָה for f. pl.
- Yiqtol can also mean habitual present, subjunctive, or question.
- Negate with לֹא.
✏️ Practice
- What is the 3rd m. sg. Yiqtol of שׁ.מ.ר?
- Conjugate "we will keep" in Yiqtol.
- Which prefix means "I"?
- What is the feminine plural suffix in Yiqtol?
- Translate: יִשְׁמְרוּ אֶת־הַתּוֹרָה.
Answers
- יִשְׁמֹר (yishmor).
- נִשְׁמֹר (nishmor).
- א (ʾ): אֶשְׁמֹר.
- ־ְנָה (-nāh): תִּשְׁמֹרְנָה.
- "They will keep the Torah."