Exodus 14:4 in Hebrew
וְחִזַּקְתִּ֣י אֶת־לֵב־פַּרְעֹה֮ וְרָדַ֣ף אַחֲרֵיהֶם֒ וְאִכָּבְדָ֤ה בְּפַרְעֹה֙ וּבְכָל־חֵילֹ֔ו וְיָדְע֥וּ מִצְרַ֖יִם כִּֽי־אֲנִ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־כֵֽן׃
Introduction to the Hithpael Stem
In Exodus 14:4, we find the verb וְאִכָּבְדָ֤ה (wəʾikkābədāh), derived from the root כבד (kbd), meaning “to be heavy,” “to be honored,” or “to be glorified.” This verb appears in the Hithpael stem, a binyan that often conveys reflexive or intensive passive meanings in Biblical Hebrew.
The Hithpael Form of כבד
The verb וְאִכָּבְדָ֤ה in Exodus 14:4 follows a distinct pattern characteristic of the Hithpael stem:
– The prefix וְ (wə-) marks it as a consecutive imperfect or cohortative form, meaning “I will be glorified” or “let me be glorified.”
– The Hithpael prefix הִתְ has assimilated into the form, resulting in the Hithpael imperfect first-person singular form.
– The root כבד (kbd) typically means “to be heavy,” but in this form, it takes on the meaning of “to be honored” or “to be glorified.”
Meaning of וְאִכָּבְדָ֤ה in Context
In this verse, YHWH states:
וְאִכָּבְדָ֤ה בְּפַרְעֹה֙ וּבְכָל־חֵילֹ֔ו
“And I will be glorified through Pharaoh and through all his army.”
This usage of the Hithpael suggests that God’s glory will be revealed through Pharaoh’s downfall, showing that the action results in an enhanced perception of YHWH’s power.
The Hithpael in Reflexive and Passive Forms
The Hithpael stem generally carries three primary meanings:
1. Reflexive – The subject performs the action upon itself (e.g., הִתְקַדֵּשׁ – “he sanctified himself”).
2. Reciprocal – The action is performed mutually (e.g., הִתְנַשֵּׂא – “they exalted themselves”).
3. Passive of the Piel – The verb conveys a passive meaning relative to the intensive action of Piel (e.g., וְאִכָּבְדָ֤ה here, meaning “I will be glorified”).
In Exodus 14:4, the Hithpael is acting in a passive sense, meaning that God will be glorified as a result of what happens to Pharaoh and his army.
Other Biblical Examples of the Hithpael Stem
– Genesis 3:8 – וַיִּתְחַבֵּ֖א הָאָדָ֑ם (wayyiṯḥabbēʾ hāʾādām) – “And the man hid himself.” (Reflexive)
– Leviticus 20:3 – וְנִקְדַּשְׁתִּ֖י (wəniqdaštī) – “And I will be sanctified.” (Passive meaning)
Understanding וְאִכָּבְדָ֤ה in Exodus 14:4
The Hithpael form of כבד in Exodus 14:4 provides insight into how Biblical Hebrew expresses passive glorification. YHWH is not actively seeking honor in a direct way; rather, He will be glorified through the events that unfold—Pharaoh’s pursuit of Israel and his ultimate defeat.
This construction emphasizes the theological theme of divine sovereignty: Pharaoh’s downfall will serve as a testimony to YHWH’s power and glory. The passive nature of the Hithpael in this verse highlights that God’s honor will become evident to all, not because He demands it, but because His acts will naturally bring about recognition of His greatness.
