The Seven Binyanim
Every Hebrew verb is built on a three-letter root. The binyanim are the seven shapes that root can take — and they answer two questions: who is acting, and how intensely or causatively. One hub, three passives, two amplified actives, one reflexive.
The hub
Qalקַל
The plain, active voice. The root bare and unadorned — every other stem is a variation on this one.“He marked.”
Three passives
Niphalנִפְעַל
Passive or reflexive of Qal.“It was marked / he marked himself.”
Pualפֻּעַל
Passive of Piel.“It was thoroughly marked.”
Hophalהָפְעַל
Passive of Hiphil.“It was caused to be marked.”
Two amplified actives
Pielפִּעֵל
Intensive active.“He marked thoroughly, repeatedly.”
Hiphilהִפְעִיל
Causative active — a deliberate, made sign rather than a spontaneous one.“He caused a mark to be made.”
One reflexive
Hitpaelהִתְפַּעֵל
Reflexive and self-directed, often intensive.“He marked it out for himself.”
The example runs through one idea — marking — so the seven shapes can be compared directly. Numbers 34:10 uses the Hitpael of this very root: “And you shall mark out your line for the eastern border.” Israel marking its own boundary.