The Hophal stem in Biblical Hebrew stands out as a powerful yet subtle tool for conveying passive causation. As the passive counterpart to the Hiphil, the Hophal highlights actions where the subject is acted upon, often emphasizing divine sovereignty or the inevitability of certain outcomes. Though its usage is relatively rare compared to other stems, the Hophal carries significant theological and literary weight in the Tanakh. From prophetic declarations to poetic imagery, the Hophal brings depth to the text, showcasing God’s control over events and the profound impact of His actions on creation. Understanding this stem is essential for students who want to grasp the nuanced interplay between action and passivity in Biblical Hebrew, unlocking layers of meaning that are both beautiful and profound.
Characteristics of the Hophal Stem
1. Passive Causation
The Hophal expresses passive causative action, indicating that the subject is the recipient of an action caused by another entity.
Example:
- Genesis 2:23 – “This one shall be called Woman.”תִּקָּרֵא (tiqqare, “shall be called”) demonstrates a passive action where the subject (Woman) is named.
2. Morphological Features
Hophal verbs are identifiable by their distinct prefixes and vowel patterns:
- Prefix vowels are often u or o (e.g., הוּ-, הָ-, יֻ-).
- Vowel patterns help distinguish the Hophal from other stems.
Functions of the Hophal Stem
Passive of Causative Actions
The Hophal conveys the idea that an action is being caused, but the subject is not the initiator.
Example:
- Exodus 12:16 – “No work shall be done on them.”יֵעָשֶׂה (ye’aseh, “shall be done”) reflects a passive causative action.
Expressing Destiny or Obligation
The Hophal can indicate that something is destined to occur or required by external factors.
Example:
- Isaiah 56:7 – “For My house shall be called a house of prayer.”יִקָּרֵא (yiqqare, “shall be called”) denotes a destined naming.
Divine Actions
In many cases, the Hophal is used to describe actions performed by God, emphasizing His sovereign role.
Example:
- Psalm 72:17 – “May His name endure forever.”יִהְיֶה (yihyeh, “shall be caused to be”) shows God’s authority in ensuring the action.
Reflexive Nuances in Context
Occasionally, the Hophal may carry reflexive nuances, where the subject indirectly experiences the results of the action.
Example:
- Numbers 21:27 – “Come to Heshbon; let it be built.”תִּבָּנֶה (tibbaneh, “let it be built”) reflects a passive action with a reflexive implication.
Examples from the Tanakh
- Jeremiah 7:31 – “Which I did not command, nor did it come into My mind.”לֹא הוּעֲלְתָה (lo hu’aletah, “was not brought up”) emphasizes a passive action forbidden by God.
- Genesis 17:5 – “Your name shall no longer be Abram.”יִקָּרֵא (yiqqare, “shall be called”) demonstrates God’s causative action in changing names.
- Exodus 13:16 – “For with a strong hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt.”הוּצָאנוּ (hutsanu, “we were brought out”) highlights the Israelites as recipients of divine action.
- 2 Chronicles 3:1 – “Then Solomon began to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah.”נוֹדַע (noda, “was made known”) describes the passive revelation of the location.
Expanded Insights on the Hophal
Rare Usage
The Hophal is significantly less frequent than other stems, and its forms often overlap with those of the Niphal in terms of passive meaning.
Root-Specific Usage
Not all roots in Hebrew appear in the Hophal. Some roots are more commonly associated with the active causative (Hiphil) and do not form Hophal verbs.
Contextual Clarity
Due to the overlap between the Niphal and Hophal stems, context is essential for identifying whether the action is passive causative (Hophal) or simply passive (Niphal).
Passive Causation and Divine Sovereignty
The Hophal stem, though less common, plays an integral role in Biblical Hebrew by expressing passive causative actions. Its presence highlights the recipient’s experience of an action, often under divine orchestration. By studying its forms and examples, students of Hebrew can better understand its function and appreciate the depth it adds to the language.
Unique Features of the Hophal Stem
Limited Usage:
The Hophal is one of the least frequently used verbal stems in Biblical Hebrew, occurring mainly in specific contexts like commands or divine actions. This rarity often means that some roots do not form Hophal verbs, and its functions might overlap with the Niphal.
Semantics of the Hophal:
The Hophal emphasizes the outcome of causative actions. While the Hiphil shows the subject causing an action, the Hophal highlights the recipient as passively undergoing the effect. It often conveys a sense of inevitability or necessity, especially in prophetic texts.
Connection to the Hiphil:
As the passive counterpart of the Hiphil, understanding the Hophal requires familiarity with the active forms of the Hiphil stem. For example:
– Hiphil: הוֹצִיא (hotsi, “He brought out”)
– Hophal: הוּצָא (hutsa, “was brought out”)
Variant Prefixes and Vocalization:
While most Hophal verbs use יֻ or הוּ prefixes, some forms may use וּ or תֻ, depending on grammatical and phonological contexts.
Theological Implications:
The Hophal is often associated with God’s sovereign actions in the Tanakh, emphasizing His control over events and outcomes. For example:
– הֻשָּׂם (hussam, “was placed”) in Exodus 16:34 highlights God’s directive power.
Hophal in Poetry vs. Prose:
The Hophal is slightly more common in poetic texts, where its nuanced meaning can add depth to imagery and expression.
Additional Examples
- Exodus 29:37 – “Whatever touches the altar shall be consecrated.”יֻקְדָּשׁ (yuqdash, “shall be made holy”) emphasizes the passive sanctification process.
- Leviticus 13:46 – “He shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.”יוּשַׁב (yushav, “shall be caused to live”) highlights passive causation.
- Isaiah 14:19 – “You are cast out of your grave like an abominable branch.”הוּשְׁלַךְ (hushlach, “was cast out”) underscores the passive causative nature of divine judgment.
- Jeremiah 22:19 – “He shall be buried with the burial of a donkey.”יִקָּבֵר (yiqqaver, “shall be buried”) reflects a passive yet inevitable action.
