BBA Chapter 20 — The Hithpaal and Ithpaal Stems

Basics of Biblical Aramaic, Van Pelt
Chapter 20: The Hithpaal and Ithpaal Stems

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1. Introduction — The Hithpaal as the Dt Stem

Chapter 19 introduced the Pael — the D stem (doubling stem) of Biblical Aramaic. The Pael intensifies, makes causative, or otherwise modifies the basic action of the Peal. Chapter 20 now introduces the reflexive and passive counterpart of the Pael: the Hithpaal (also spelled Ithpaal), which comparative Semitists call the Dt stem (the "t-infixed D stem," or "reflexive D stem").

The logic of the stem system is now fully visible:

The Hithpaal is formed by combining the reflexive taw prefix (the same taw that creates the Ithpeel) with the D-stem doubling (the same dagesh forte in R2 that marks the Pael). The result is a stem that:

1. Reflexively: expresses an action done by the subject to or for itself (Pael action turned inward)
2. Reciprocally: expresses mutual action among participants
3. Passively: expresses the subject receiving the action of the corresponding Pael verb

Students who know Hebrew will recognize this stem immediately — it is the direct Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew Hitpael.

2. Two Name Forms: Hithpaal and Ithpaal

This stem has two name variants in scholarly and pedagogical literature:

2.1 "Hithpaal" — הִתְ- Prefix Form

The name Hithpaal reflects the spelling in which the prefix uses הִתְ- (heh + hireq + taw + shewa). This is the older or more "classical" Aramaic spelling and parallels the Hebrew Hitpael most closely:

Model 3ms perfect: הִתְקַטַּל

2.2 "Ithpaal" — אִתְ- Prefix Form

The name Ithpaal reflects the spelling in which the prefix uses אִתְ- (aleph + hireq + taw + shewa). This is the more common spelling in Biblical Aramaic texts (Daniel and Ezra), where the initial heh has been dropped or weakened to aleph:

Model 3ms perfect: אִתְקַטַּל

2.3 The א/ה Alternation

The alternation between הִתְ- and אִתְ- is a well-known phenomenon in Aramaic phonological history. The initial guttural of the prefix weakened:

• Hebrew Hitpael retains הִתְ- throughout
• Imperial Aramaic (the language of Daniel and Ezra) consistently uses אִתְ- in most forms, though הִתְ- appears in some contexts

The two spellings are not different stems — they are spelling variants of the same Dt stem. In this chapter we will use Hithpaal as the stem name but recognize אִתְ- as the dominant spelling in the Biblical text. When reading Daniel or Ezra, expect to see אִתְ- forms far more often than הִתְ- forms.

2.4 Stem System Placement

3. Diagnostic Features — Recognizing the Hithpaal

Two features together identify every Hithpaal form:

1. הִתְ-/אִתְ- prefix before R1 (in the perfect, this appears directly before the root; in the imperfect, it follows the prefix letter; in the participle, it follows מְ-)
2. Dagesh forte in R2 (the D-stem doubling, just as in the Pael)

The combination — reflexive taw prefix plus D-stem doubling — is the hallmark of the Dt stem. No other Aramaic stem has both features simultaneously:

Comparison: Ithpeel vs. Hithpaal

Students sometimes confuse the Ithpeel (Ch18) and the Hithpaal (this chapter) because both use the אִתְ-/הִתְ- prefix. The decisive distinguishing marker is R2:

Always check R2 after identifying the prefix.

4. Hithpaal Perfect Paradigm

4.1 Model Root: קטל

The full 10-form Hithpaal perfect paradigm, using the model root קטל (to kill):

Notes on the paradigm:
- The 3ms (אִתְקַטַּל) is the dictionary/base form: אִתְ- prefix + patach under R1 + R2 with dagesh forte + patach under R2 (note: patach under R2, not tsere as in Pael perfect — this double-patach vowel pattern is the Dt-stem perfect signature)
- The 3fs shows the pattern with -ַת suffix; R2 retains dagesh but shifts to shewa before the suffix
- The 3mp (אִתְקַטַּלוּ) adds -וּ suffix after the stem
- The 1cs uses the -ֵת suffix (tsere + taw) as in the Pael
- The 1cp uses the -נָא suffix

4.2 Vowel Pattern in the Perfect

Compare the Pael and Hithpaal perfect 3ms:

The key difference in the perfect: Pael has tsere under R2; Hithpaal has patach under R2. Both have dagesh forte in R2. This double-patach (patach + dagesh-patach) in the Hithpaal perfect is the vowel signature of the Dt stem.

5. Hithpaal Imperfect Paradigm

5.1 Pattern: יִתְקַטַּל

The Hithpaal imperfect uses יִתְ- as the prefix before R1. The pattern across the paradigm:

Notes:
- The יִתְ- prefix (yod + hireq + taw + shewa) is the unmistakable Hithpaal imperfect marker
- The תִּתְ- prefix (taw + hireq + taw + shewa) for 3fs/2ms imperfect
- The אֶתְ- prefix (aleph + segol + taw + shewa) for 1cs — note the aleph takes segol here
- The נִתְ- prefix (nun + hireq + taw + shewa) for 1cp
- R2 retains dagesh forte throughout; before vocalic suffixes R2 shifts to shewa + dagesh

5.2 Distinguishing Hithpaal from Ithpeel Imperfect

Both stems use the taw as part of the prefix in the imperfect. The R2 dagesh is again the decisive marker:

6. Hithpaal Imperative, Infinitive, and Participle

6.1 Imperative

The Hithpaal imperative is formed by removing the imperfect prefix, leaving the stem beginning with הִתְ-/אִתְ-:

6.2 Infinitive

The Hithpaal infinitive follows the same pattern as the Pael infinitive — a lamed prefix and -ָה suffix — but with the reflexive prefix inserted before the root:

לְהִתְקַטָּלָה / לְאִתְקַטָּלָה ("to be killed / to kill oneself")

The features: לְ- prefix + הִתְ-/אִתְ- prefix + patach under R1 + dagesh forte + qamets under R2 + -ָה suffix.

6.3 Participle

The Hithpaal active participle follows the derived-stem pattern with the מִתְ- prefix:

The מִתְ- prefix (mem + hireq + taw + shewa) is the Hithpaal participle marker — compare מְ- for the Pael participle and מִתְ- for the Ithpeel participle. Again, R2 has dagesh forte in the Hithpaal; the Ithpeel participle does not.

7. Metathesis Rule

7.1 When the Root Begins with a Sibilant

The same metathesis rule that applies to the Ithpeel (Ch18) also applies to the Hithpaal: when the first root consonant (R1) is a sibilant (שׁ, שׂ, ס, צ, ז), the taw of the prefix and R1 switch positions (metathesis), and the taw often assimilates or undergoes further change.

The sibilants in Biblical Aramaic that trigger metathesis:

7.2 The Metathesis Result

The underlying order for a root beginning with שׁ would be:

הִתְ + שׁ → הִשְׁתְּ (the taw and shin metahesize, then the taw can aspirate/spirantize)

The result prefix is הִשְׁתַּ- or אִשְׁתַּ- rather than the expected הִתְשׁ- or אִתְשׁ-.

7.3 Examples from Daniel

הִשְׁתַּכַּח (from שׁכח, "to find" → Hithpaal: "to be found"):
- Expected prefix: הִתְשׁ- → actual: הִשְׁתְּ- (metathesis)
- Dan. 5:11, 14: הִשְׁתַּכַּח ("there was found in him…")
- Dan. 5:12: מִשְׁתַּכַּח (Hithpaal participle: "being found / was found")
- Dan. 6:5: הִשְׁתַּכַּחוּ (perfect 3mp: "they were found")

הִשְׁתַּוִּי (from שׁוה, "to be like/equal" → Hithpaal: "to be made equal / to become like"):
- Root שׁוה is III-he; Hithpaal + metathesis + III-he endings
- Dan. 5:21: הֲוָה דָּמֵה לְחֵיוָתָא — the concept of "being made like" uses related forms

אִשְׁתַּדַּר (from שׁדר, "to send" → Ithpaal "was sent"):
- The אִ- form with metathesis: אִשְׁתְּ-

7.4 Non-Sibilant Roots: No Metathesis

When R1 is not a sibilant, the Hithpaal prefix appears normally:
- אִתְחַשַּׁב (from חשׁב — shin is R2, not R1, so no metathesis of the prefix; the root חשׁב has ח as R1)
- אִתְנַדַּב (from נדב — no sibilant R1)
- אִתְכְּנִישׁ (from כנשׁ — כ is R1, not a sibilant)

8. Semantic Functions

8.1 Reflexive of the Pael

The primary semantic function is reflexive: the subject performs the Pael action on or for itself. Where the Pael has an intensive or causative nuance, the Hithpaal makes that action reflexive.

Pael of נדב (to give willingly) → Hithpaal: הִתְנַדַּב = "to volunteer oneself / give oneself freely"
(Ezra 7:16: freewill offering / those who give themselves freely)

Pael of רמם/רום (to make high, exalt) → Hithpaal: יִתְרוֹמַם = "to exalt oneself / lift oneself up"
(Dan. 11:36: the king "will exalt himself")

8.2 Reciprocal Action

When the subject is plural, the Hithpaal can express reciprocal action — members of the group performing the action on each other:

"They gathered (together)" — mutual gathering

8.3 Passive of the Pael

The Hithpaal also functions as the passive of the Pael, expressing that the subject receives the action that the Pael describes:

Pael of חשׁב (to reckon, count, consider) → Hithpaal אִתְחַשַּׁב = "it was reckoned / counted"
Pael of חבל (to destroy, ruin) → Hithpaal יִתְחַבַּל = "it will be destroyed"

8.4 Summary

9. Comparison Table: Pael → Hithpaal

The relationship between the Pael (active D) and the Hithpaal (reflexive/passive D):

Note on אִתְכְּנִישׁ: this form can be analyzed as either Ithpeel (of כנשׁ) or Ithpaal, depending on whether R2 (נ) shows doubling. The context and vocalization distinguish them; in Daniel the Ithpeel reading is standard for this verb.

10. Comparison to Hebrew Hitpael

Students who know Biblical Hebrew will immediately recognize the Hithpaal as the Aramaic cognate of the Hebrew Hitpael (D-stem reflexive). The parallel is nearly exact:

10.1 Structural Comparison

10.2 Key Differences

1. Perfect R2 vowel: Hebrew Hitpael has tsere under R2 (הִתְקַטֵּל); Aramaic Hithpaal has patach under R2 (אִתְקַטַּל). This is the same patach-vs-tsere shift that distinguishes Hebrew Piel from Aramaic Pael.

2. Prefix spelling: Hebrew always writes הִתְ-; Biblical Aramaic predominantly uses אִתְ- (the heh weakened to aleph in the Aramaic phonological environment).

3. Imperfect prefix vowel: Hebrew Hitpael uses יִתְקַטֵּל (tsere in stem); Aramaic uses יִתְקַטַּל (patach in stem).

10.3 Metathesis: Hebrew and Aramaic Parallel

The metathesis rule is identical in Hebrew Hitpael and Aramaic Hithpaal. When R1 is a sibilant, the taw swaps with R1:

Students who already know Hebrew metathesis in the Hitpael need only transfer the same rule to Aramaic — the phonological environment and result are identical.

11. Biblical Examples from Daniel and Ezra

הִשְׁתַּכַּח — Hithpaal Perfect 3ms of שׁכח (to find)

Daniel 5:11:

הִשְׁתַּכַּח בֵּהּ רוּחַ יַתִּירָה

"An extraordinary spirit was found in him."

• הִשְׁתַּכַּח — Hithpaal perfect 3ms of שׁכח ("was found")
• Metathesis: שׁ + תִ → שְׁתַּ; prefix הִשְׁתַּ-
• R2 = כ with dagesh forte (D-stem marker); patach under כ (Dt perfect pattern)
• Hithpaal passive function: the spirit "was found" in him

הִשְׁתַּכַּחוּ — Hithpaal Perfect 3mp of שׁכח

Daniel 6:5 (Aram.):

לָא הִשְׁתַּכַּחוּ כָּל־עִלָּה

"They found no accusation at all." (lit. "No accusation was found at all")

• הִשְׁתַּכַּחוּ — Hithpaal perfect 3mp of שׁכח
• Same metathesis prefix הִשְׁתַּ-; 3mp suffix -וּ

מִשְׁתַּכַּח — Hithpaal Participle ms of שׁכח

Daniel 5:12:

דִּי רוּחַ יַתִּירָה … מִשְׁתַּכַּח בֵּהּ

"…in whom an extraordinary spirit was being found / was found."

• מִשְׁתַּכַּח — Hithpaal participle ms of שׁכח
• Participle prefix מִ- + metathesis שְׁתַּ- = מִשְׁתַּ-
• Dagesh forte in כ (R2)

הִתְנַדַּב / אִתְנַדַּב — Hithpaal Perfect 3ms of נדב (to give willingly)

Ezra 7:16:

כָּל־כֶּסֶף וּזְהָב דִּי תְהַשְׁכַּח … עִם נִדְבַת עַמָּא וְכָהֲנַיָּא הַמִּתְנַדְּבִין

"All the silver and gold that you find … with the freewill offerings of the people and priests who volunteer themselves."

• הַמִּתְנַדְּבִין — Hithpaal participle mp of נדב (with article): "those who volunteer"
• Prefix מִתְנַ- (no metathesis: נ is not a sibilant); dagesh forte in ד (R2)
• Hithpaal reflexive function: "giving themselves willingly / volunteering"

אִתְחַשַּׁב — Hithpaal Perfect 3ms of חשׁב (to reckon, think)

(Reconstructed from Aramaic verbal usage; cf. the pattern in Dan. 4:35)

Dan. 4:32 (context):

וְכָל־דָּיְרֵי אַרְעָא כְּלָה חֲשִׁיבִין

"All inhabitants of the earth are considered / reckoned as nothing."

• The Hithpaal of חשׁב would yield אִתְחַשַּׁב = "it was reckoned / considered"
• אִתְ- prefix (no metathesis: ח is a guttural, not sibilant); dagesh forte in שׁ (R2)
• Note: when R2 is שׁ, there is no metathesis — metathesis only occurs when R1 is a sibilant; here ח is R1

יִתְחַבַּל — Hithpaal Imperfect 3ms of חבל (to destroy)

Daniel 6:23:

וְלָא הִשְׁתְּכַח בֵּהּ כָּל צְלוּ דִּי יִתְחַבַּל

"…and no harm/wound was found on him that would destroy."

• יִתְחַבַּל — Hithpaal imperfect 3ms of חבל
• Prefix יִתְ- (standard imperfect prefix); patach under R1 + dagesh forte in ב (R2) + patach
• Hithpaal passive function: "will be destroyed / harmed"

הִתְנַדְּבִי / מִתְנַדְּבִין — Hithpaal Participle of נדב

Already cited above (Ezra 7:16). The participle מִתְנַדְּבִין shows:
- מִתְ- (Hithpaal participle prefix)
- נַ (R1 with patach)
- דְּ (R2 with shewa + dagesh forte — before vocalic suffix)
- בִין (3mp participle ending)

יִתְרוֹמַם — Hithpaal Imperfect 3ms of רמם/רום (to be high / exalt)

Daniel 11:36:

וְהִתְרוֹמֵם וְהִתְגַּדֵּל עַל כָּל אֵל

"And he will exalt himself and magnify himself above every god." (Note: Hebrew text; the Aramaic parallel construction is similar)

The Aramaic Hithpaal imperfect: יִתְרוֹמַם ("he will exalt himself")
- Root רמם (to be high); Hithpaal D-stem reflexive: to exalt oneself
- Hollow/geminate root: the middle waw contracts under the Hithpaal pattern → רוֹ-
- יִתְ- prefix + רוֹמַ + dagesh forte in final מ (R3 of geminate/R2 in hollow analysis) + final מ

אִתְמְלִּי — Hithpaal Perfect 3ms of מלא/מלי (to fill)

Daniel 3:19:

אֱדַיִן נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר הִתְמְלִּי חֵמָא

"Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with fury."

• הִתְמְלִּי — Hithpaal perfect 3ms of מלא/מלי ("was filled")
• III-he/III-aleph root: R3 weakens; the Hithpaal shows מְלִּי
• הִתְ- prefix + מְ (R1 shewa) + לִּ (R2 with dagesh forte + hireq) + י (III-he suffix)
• Hithpaal passive function: "was filled" (with rage)

12. Summary Paradigm Table

Hithpaal — Complete Paradigm Summary (Model Root: קטל)

13. Practice

Identification Drill

Use these two diagnostics together: (1) אִתְ-/הִתְ- prefix and (2) dagesh forte in R2.

1. Parse אִתְחַשַּׁב — Identify stem and conjugation. What feature distinguishes this from an Ithpeel form?
2. Parse יִתְחַבַּל — What prefix indicates Hithpaal imperfect? What does the dagesh in ב indicate?
3. Parse מִשְׁתַּכַּח — Identify the prefix (note metathesis). What root? What conjugation?
4. Parse הִתְמְלִּי — What stem? What root class? How does the III-he/III-aleph root affect the form?
5. Compare: אִתְקְטִל (Ithpeel) vs. אִתְקַטַּל (Hithpaal). Write out the two forms and describe precisely what makes them different.

Translation Practice

Translate the following Hithpaal forms:

1. הִשְׁתַּכַּח בֵּהּ רוּחַ יַתִּירָה (Dan. 5:11)
2. לָא הִשְׁתַּכַּחוּ כָּל־עִלָּה (Dan. 6:5)
3. הִתְמְלִּי חֵמָא (Dan. 3:19)
4. הַמִּתְנַדְּבִין (Ezra 7:16)
5. יִתְחַבַּל

Quick Reference — Stem Identification Chart