Chapter 20 — Hithpaal Semantic Function Sorting

Basics of Biblical Aramaic, Van Pelt — Ch20: Reflexive, Reciprocal, Iterative, and Estimative Uses

Instructions

For each numbered Hithpaal/Ithpaal form from Daniel or Ezra, classify its semantic Function (RF / RC / IT / ES), then parse fully (Conjugation, PGN, Root) and translate. Click ▶ Answer to reveal the answer row.

CodeNameDefinition
RFReflexiveSubject acts on itself
RCReciprocalPlural subject acts on each other
ITIterative / FrequentativeAction repeated or ongoing
ESEstimative / TolerativeSubject reckoned as something, or permits an action
Hithpaal Perfect: הִתְ‑ prefix (metathesis with sibilant R1: הִשְׁתַּ‑).    Hithpaal Imperfect: יִתְ‑ prefix (sibilant: יִשְׁתַּ‑).    Hithpaal Participle: מִתְ‑ prefix.
# Form Function (RF/RC/IT/ES) Conjugation PGN Root Translation
1
הִשְׁתַּחֲוִי
RF (Reflexive) Perfect 3ms שׁחה he bowed himself down (metathesis: הִתְ + שׁ → הִשְׁתַּ‑)
2
יִשְׁתַּחֲווּן
RF (Reflexive) Imperfect 3mp שׁחה they will bow themselves down (metathesis: יִתְ + שׁ → יִשְׁתַּ‑; ‑וּן = 3mp)
3
מִתְכַּנְּשִׁין
IT (Iterative) Participle mp כנשׁ gathering repeatedly / assembling (ongoing; מִתְ‑ = Hithpaal ptcp)
4
הִתְחַשַּׁב
ES (Estimative) Perfect 3ms חשׁב he was reckoned / he counted himself as (הִתְ‑ prefix; dagesh in shin)
5
יִתְחַבַּר
RF (Reflexive) Imperfect 3ms חבר he will join himself / ally himself (יִתְ‑ Hithpaal Impf)
6
מִתְנַדְּבִין
IT (Iterative) Participle mp נדב volunteering (repeatedly / continually; מִתְ‑ ptcp; ‑ִין = mp)
7
אִשְׁתַּדַּל
RF (Reflexive) Perfect 3ms שׁדל he exerted himself (metathesis: אִתְ + שׁ → אִשְׁתַּ‑)
8
הִתְגְּזֵרַת
RF (Reflexive) Perfect 3fs גזר it was decreed (reflexive: the decree issued of itself; ‑ַת = 3fs)
9
יִתְרָחֵץ
RF (Reflexive) Imperfect 3ms רחץ he will wash himself (יִתְ‑ Hithpaal Impf; guttural ח)
10
מִתְבַּהֲלִין
IT (Iterative) Participle mp בהל being terrified (repeatedly / continually; מִתְ‑ ptcp; guttural ה in R2)
11
הִתְקְטַל
RF (Reflexive) Perfect 3ms קטל he was slain (reflexive-passive use of Hithpaal)
12
יִשְׁתַּנּוּן
RF (Reflexive) Imperfect 3mp שׁנה they will change themselves (metathesis; III-he root; dagesh in nun)
13
מִתְנַסּוֹ
IT (Iterative) Participle ms נסה testing repeatedly / being tested continually (מִתְ‑ ptcp; III-he root)
14
אִתְחַשַּׁב
ES (Estimative) Perfect 3ms חשׁב it was reckoned as / counted (variant prefix אִתְ‑ instead of הִתְ‑)
15
הִתְבַּהֲלוּ
RF (Reflexive) Perfect 3mp בהל they were terrified (reflexive: terror seized them; ‑וּ = 3mp Perf)
16
מִתְכַּנְּשִׁין
IT (Iterative) Participle mp כנשׁ repeatedly assembling / coming together (ongoing participle)
17
יִשְׁתַּחֲוֵה
RF (Reflexive) Imperfect 3ms שׁחה he will bow himself down (metathesis; III-he ending ‑ēh)
18
הִשְׁתַּכַּח
RF (Reflexive-passive) Perfect 3ms שׁכח he was found (metathesis: הִתְ + שׁ → הִשְׁתַּ‑)
19
מִתְחַזֵּא
RF (Reflexive) Participle ms חזה appearing / seeming (מִתְ‑ ptcp; III-he: final ‑ēʾ)
20
יִתְכַּנְּשׁוּן
IT (Iterative) Imperfect 3mp כנשׁ they will assemble (repeatedly / as a process; ‑וּן = 3mp Impf)

Discussion Questions

  1. Biblical Aramaic Hithpaal (הִתְ‑ prefix) corresponds to Hebrew Hithpael. Does Aramaic preserve the sibilant metathesis when R1 = שׁ? Examine items 1, 2, 7, and 17. What do you observe?
  2. Items 18 (הִשְׁתַּכַּח = "was found") and 4 (הִתְחַשַּׁב = "was reckoned") function like passives in translation. How is the Hithpaal being used passively here, and how does this differ from the Peil (true passive)?
  3. The IT (Iterative) items (3, 6, 10, 13, 16, 20) are all participles. Is this a coincidence, or does the iterative function especially suit the Aramaic participle tense-aspect? Explain.