Most Hebrew roots have three root radicals, but there are a few words that appear to have four. It has been suggested that these words are loanwords from other languages which may be correct. Examples: Tri-radical roots: Quadri-radical Roots: כָּתַב “to write” כרסם “to eat away” (Ps. 80:14) שָׁמַר “to guard, keep” שׁחוה “to bow down” (170x—Gen. 18:2) אָכַל “to eat” יפיף “to become beautiful” (Ps. 45:3 [possibly dittography]) Often foreign names are merely carried