Stem Hishtaphel

Summary

The Hishtaphel is an extremely rare stem formation that is similar to the Hiphil and expresses causative action in active voice.

Article

The Hishtaphel is a rare stem formation that is unrelated to any other stem. Many scholars believe this stem is derived from Ugaritic and is similar to the Hiphil, expressing causative action in active voice. However, In Biblical Hebrew this stem is used almost exclusively with the common verb חוי / חוה, meaning “to prostrate oneself” (simple action with reflexive voice) or “to worship” (simple action with active voice).

Form

Paradigm

Hishtaphel Paradigm

Conjugation	Parsing	Hebrew	Transliteration	Gloss
Perfect	masculine singular third person	הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה	hishtahawah	he worshipped
Imperfect	masculine singular third person	יִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה	yishtahaweh	he will worship
Sequential Imperfect	masculine singular third person	וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ	wayyishtahu	(and) he worshipped
Imperative	masculine singular	הִשְׁתַּחֲוִי	hishtahawi	you must worship
Infinitive Construct	—	הִשְׁתַּחֲוֹת	hishtahawoth	worship
Participle	masculine singular absolute	מִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה	mishtahaweh	worshipping

Examples

Example: RUT 2:10

וַתִּפֹּל֙ עַל־פָּנֶ֔יהָ וַתִּשְׁתַּ֖חוּ אָ֑רְצָה

wattippol ‘al-paneyha wattishtahu ‘artsah

and-she-fell-down on_her-face bowing-down to-ground.

she knelt before him, with her face touching the ground.