The Hebrew verb הָפַךְ (root: ה־פ־ךְ) means “to turn,” “to overturn,” “to change,” or “to transform.” It is used in both literal and figurative senses: physically turning something over (like a city, an object), or transforming a condition, heart, or outcome. The verb is highly flexible, expressing divine judgment, reversal of fortune, inner change, and more.
In the Qal stem, it typically means “to turn” or “to overturn.” The Niphal (passive/reflexive) often means “to be overturned” or “to be changed,” and the Hiphil (causative) can mean “to cause to overturn” or “to turn into.”
Qal Binyan Conjugation of הָפַךְ (“to turn, overturn”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | הָפַכְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | הָפַכְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | הָפַכְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | הָפַךְ |
| 3rd person feminine singular | הָפְכָה |
| 1st person plural | הָפַכְנוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | הֲפַכְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | הֲפַכְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | הָפְכוּ |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | הוֹפֵךְ |
| Feminine singular | הוֹפֶכֶת |
| Masculine plural | הוֹפְכִים |
| Feminine plural | הוֹפְכוֹת |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אֶהְפֹּךְ |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תַּהְפֹּךְ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תַּהְפְּכִי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יַהְפֹּךְ |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תַּהְפֹּךְ |
| 1st person plural | נַהְפֹּךְ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תַּהְפְּכוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תַּהְפֹּכְנָה |
| 3rd person plural | יַהְפְּכוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | הָפֵךְ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | הֲפִכִי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | הֲפִכוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | הָפֵכְנָה |
Usage in Scripture
- Genesis 19:25 – וַיַּהֲפֹךְ אֶת־הֶעָרִים הָאֵל
“And He overturned those cities…” — describing God’s destruction of Sedom and ʿAmorah. - Exodus 7:17 – הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי מַכֶּה בַמַּטֶּה… וְנֶהֶפְכוּ לְדָם
“I will strike the water… and it shall be turned to blood.” — transformation in judgment. - Esther 9:1 – וְנַהֲפוֹךְ הוּא
“But the opposite happened…” — reversal of fate, from destruction to deliverance.
Summary
The verb הָפַךְ expresses turning, overturning, or radical change. It is used in contexts of physical destruction, spiritual transformation, and narrative reversal. Whether God is overturning a city, turning hearts, or reversing destinies, this verb emphasizes change—sometimes violent, sometimes redemptive.
