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.