Chapter 34 — Hithpael Semantic Function Sorting

BBH Chapter 34 · Hithpael Strong Verbs

Classify each Hithpael verb as IR (Intensive-Reflexive), RC (Reciprocal), IT (Iterative), or SA (Simple Action) — the four Hithpael functions from §34.2. Type your answer in the Function column, then click ▶ Answer to check.

CodeFunctionDiagnostic question
IRIntensive-ReflexiveIs the subject doing the action to or for itself? (Subject = object) — the most common Hithpael function.
RCReciprocalAre multiple subjects acting on one another mutually?
ITIterativeIs the action repeated or habitual?
SASimple ActionIs the Hithpael translated like a plain Qal simple action, with no reflexive or reciprocal force?
Tip: Subject acts on itself → Intensive-Reflexive. Subjects act on one another → Reciprocal. Action repeated/habitual → Iterative. No reflexive/reciprocal/repetitive force — reads like a Qal → Simple Action.
#HebrewConjugationRootRefGlossFunction
1 מִתְהַלֵּךְ Participle ms הָלַךְ Gen 3:8 "walking about"
IT — Iterative — Same verb and pattern as BBH's own Iterative example (§34.2.3); “walking about” marks extended, repeated motion, not a single reflexive act
2 וַיִּתְחַבֵּא Wayyiqtol 3ms חָבָא Gen 3:8 "he hid himself"
IR — Intensive-Reflexive — Same root as BBH's own Intensive-Reflexive example (הִתְחַבְּאוּ, §34.2.1); the subject hides HIMSELF
3 וַיִּתְהַלֵּךְ Wayyiqtol 3ms הָלַךְ Gen 5:22 "he walked about"
IT — Iterative — Same root/pattern as item 1 — repeated walking about, matching BBH's paradigm example
4 וַיִּתְעַצֵּב Wayyiqtol 3ms עָצַב Gen 6:6 "he was grieved"
IR — Intensive-Reflexive — Reflexive of emotion — the subject grieves himself internally (subject = object of the grief)
5 וַיִּתְגַּל Wayyiqtol 3ms גָּלָה Gen 9:21 "he uncovered himself"
IR — Intensive-Reflexive — “uncovered HIMSELF” — explicit reflexive object in the gloss
6 הִתְהַלֵּךְ Imperative 2ms הָלַךְ Gen 13:17 "walk about!"
IT — Iterative — Same root/pattern as items 1 and 3 — repeated walking about
7 הִתְעַנִּי Imperative 2fs עָנָה Gen 16:9 "humble yourself!"
IR — Intensive-Reflexive — “humble YOURSELF” — explicit reflexive object in the gloss
8 הִתְהַלֵּךְ Imperative 2ms הָלַךְ Gen 17:1 "walk about before me"
IT — Iterative — Same root/pattern as items 1, 3, and 6 — repeated walking about
9 וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ Wayyiqtol 3ms שָׁחָה Gen 18:2 "he bowed down"
IR — Intensive-Reflexive — Bowing down is a reflexive posture — the subject bows HIMSELF down
10 וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ Wayyiqtol 3ms שָׁחָה Gen 19:1 "he bowed down"
IR — Intensive-Reflexive — Same verb/sense as item 9 — reflexive posture of bowing
11 וַיִּתְפַּלֵּל Wayyiqtol 3ms פָּלַל Gen 20:17 "he prayed"
SA — Simple Action — Matches BBH's own Simple Action example (הִתְפַּלֵל, §34.2.4); “pray” has no separate reflexive or reciprocal force
12 הִתְבָּרֲכוּ Weqatal 3cp בָּרַךְ Gen 22:18 "they will bless themselves"
IR — Intensive-Reflexive — “bless THEMSELVES” — explicit reflexive object in the gloss
13 הִתְהַלַּכְתִּי Qatal 1cs הָלַךְ Gen 24:40 "I have walked about"
IT — Iterative — Same root/pattern as items 1, 3, 6, and 8 — repeated walking about
14 וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ Wayyiqtol 3ms שָׁחָה Gen 24:26 "he bowed down"
IR — Intensive-Reflexive — Same verb/sense as items 9–10 — reflexive posture of bowing
15 הִתְעַשְּׂקוּ Qatal 3cp עָשַׂק Gen 26:20 "they quarreled"
RC — Reciprocal — “They quarreled” — mutual conflict between the parties in Gen 26:20 (contrast item 17)
16 מִתְנַחֵם Participle ms נָחַם Gen 27:42 "is comforting himself"
IR — Intensive-Reflexive — “is comforting HIMSELF” — explicit reflexive object in the gloss
17 וַיִּתְנַכְּלוּ Wayyiqtol 3mp נָכַל Gen 37:18 "they plotted against"
IR — Intensive-Reflexive — The brothers act collectively/for themselves against Joseph, not mutually on one another — not Reciprocal like item 15 (contrast: Gen 26:20 vs. Gen 37:18)
18 וַיִּתְאַבֵּל Wayyiqtol 3ms אָבַל Gen 37:34 "he mourned"
IR — Intensive-Reflexive — Mourning rites (tearing garments, etc.) are self-directed practice — the subject makes himself a mourner
19 וַתִּתְכַּסֶּה Wayyiqtol 3fs כָּסָה Gen 24:65 "she covered herself"
IR — Intensive-Reflexive — “she covered HERSELF” — explicit reflexive object in the gloss
20 וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲווּ Wayyiqtol 3mp שָׁחָה Gen 33:7 "they bowed down"
IR — Intensive-Reflexive — Same verb/sense as items 9–10 and 14 — reflexive posture of bowing
21 אֶתְנַהֲלָה Cohortative 1cs נָהַל Gen 33:14 "I will journey on slowly"
IT — Iterative — “I will journey on slowly” — gradual, extended movement at a measured pace, paralleling the הָלַךְ Iterative cluster (items 1, 3, 6, 8, 13)
22 הִתְקַדְּשׁוּ Imperative 2mp קָדַשׁ Exo 19:22 "consecrate yourselves!"
IR — Intensive-Reflexive — Same root as BBH's own Intensive-Reflexive example (הִתְקַדֵּשׁ, §34.2.1); “consecrate YOURSELVES”
23 וַיִּתְחַזֵּק Wayyiqtol 3ms חָזַק Exo 7:13 "and his heart was strengthened"
IR — Intensive-Reflexive — “his heart was strengthened” — the heart strengthens ITSELF (reflexive)
24 יִתְהַלְּלוּ Imperfect 3mp הָלַל Ps 97:7 "they glory in idols"
IR — Intensive-Reflexive — Reflexive self-glorification/boasting — the subject praises/exalts ITSELF in idols
25 הִתְחַזְּקוּ Imperative 2mp חָזַק Jos 1:6 "be strong!"
IR — Intensive-Reflexive — Same root as item 23 — “strengthen YOURSELVES”, explicit reflexive object

Discussion Questions

  1. The Hithpael of הָלַךְ appears five times (items 1, 3, 6, 8, 13). Why is this classified as Iterative rather than Intensive-Reflexive? What does the "walking about" context add that a single walk would not?
  2. Item 12 (הִתְבָּרֲכוּ, Gen 22:18): this form can be translated "bless themselves" (Intensive-Reflexive) or "be blessed" (passive-like). The same tension appears in Gen 12:3. What grammatical evidence would help decide between these interpretations?
  3. Items 15 (הִתְעַשְּׂקוּ, quarreled) and 17 (וַיִּתְנַכְּלוּ, plotted): both involve conflict between parties. What makes one Reciprocal and the other Intensive-Reflexive rather than Reciprocal? Does the context of Gen 26:20 (mutual quarrel between two herdsmen) vs. Gen 37:18 (the brothers acting together against Joseph, not against one another) help?
  4. Items 23 and 25 both come from חָזַק, and item 24 from הָלַל. In what way does the Hithpael's reflexive coloring ("strengthen YOURSELF," "praise/exalt ONESELF") add nuance beyond a plain Qal or Piel form of the same root? Why might Joshua 1:6 reach for the Hithpael imperative rather than a simple command?