What is the Piel Stem?
The Piel stem is one of the most expressive and nuanced verb forms in Biblical Hebrew. It is often associated with intensive, factitive, or causative actions, making it a critical component for understanding the depth and richness of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh).
Basic Morphological Features
- Doubling of the second radical: This is the hallmark of the Piel stem, indicated by a dagesh (dot) in the middle consonant of the root.
- Characteristic vowels: Typically, the vowels under the first and second root letters are chirik (ִ) and patach (ַ), respectively.
Piel vs. Other Stems
The Piel often contrasts with the Qal, Hiphil, and other stems in how it expresses an action:
- Qal: Describes a simple or basic action (e.g., “to break”).
- Piel: Describes an intensive or causative version of the same action (e.g., “to shatter”).
- Hiphil: Describes causation but typically in a straightforward sense (e.g., “to cause to break”).
Example:
- Qal: שָׁבַר (shavar, “he broke”) – Judges 7:19.
- Piel: שִׁבֵּר (shibber, “he shattered”) – 2 Kings 23:14.
- Hiphil: הִשְׁבִּיר (hishbir, “he caused to break”) – Psalm 105:16.
Common Functions of the Piel Stem
Intensification of Action
The Piel expresses actions performed with emphasis or thoroughness.
Example: גָּדַל (gadal) – “he grew” (Qal) vs. גִּדֵּל (giddel) – “he made great” or “he exalted” (Piel).
Verse: Genesis 19:13 – וַהֲשַׁחְתָּנוּ (v’hashchatanu, “we are about to destroy”).
Factitive Action
The Piel often makes the subject responsible for causing a state or quality.
Example: קָדַשׁ (qadash, “he was holy” – Qal) vs. קִדֵּשׁ (qiddesh, “he sanctified” – Piel).
Verse: Exodus 20:11 – “And the Lord sanctified (קִדֵּשׁ) the Sabbath day.”
Iterative or Repetitive Action
The Piel can describe actions performed repeatedly or habitually.
Example: דִּבֵּר (dibber, “he spoke often”).
Verse: Jeremiah 7:13 – “I spoke to you again and again (דִּבַּרְתִּי).”
Declarative or Judicial Function
The Piel can indicate declaring or assigning a particular state.
Example: צִדֵּק (tziddek, “he declared righteous”).
Verse: Deuteronomy 25:1 – “They justified the righteous (וְהִצְדִּיקוּ).”
Expression of Violence or Intensity
The Piel is frequently used for actions involving destruction or violence.
Example: שִׁחֵת (shichet, “he destroyed”).
Verse: Genesis 6:13 – “For all flesh has corrupted (שִׁחֵתָה) their way upon the earth.”
Piel Participles
The Piel participle often functions adjectivally or as a noun. It describes someone performing an intensive or causative action.
Example: מְקַדֵּשׁ (mekaddesh, “sanctifier”).
Verse: Exodus 31:13 – “The LORD who sanctifies (מְקַדִּשׁ) you.”
Infinitive Forms in the Piel
The infinitive construct and absolute forms in the Piel are also distinctive, often used to emphasize or explain actions.
Example: דַּבֵּר דִּבּוּר (dabbair dibbur, “to speak a word”).
Examples of Piel Verbs in Context
Blessing or Consecration
Example: בֵּרַךְ (berakh, “he blessed”).
Verse: Genesis 12:2 – “I will bless you (אֲבָרֶכְךָ).”
Instruction or Teaching
Example: לִמֵּד (limmed, “he taught”).
Verse: Deuteronomy 4:1 – “And I taught you (לִמַּדְתִּי) decrees and laws.”
Naming or Assigning
Example: קָרָא (qara, “he called” – Qal) vs. קִרֵּא (qirra, “he proclaimed” – Piel).
Verse: Genesis 1:5 – “And God called (קָרָא) the light Day.”
Destruction or Harm
Example: הִשְׁחִית (hishchit, “he ruined”).
Verse: Isaiah 54:16 – “Behold, I have created the destroyer (מַשְׁחִית).”
Summary Table of Piel Uses
| Function | Qal Example | Piel Example | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intensification | שָׁבַר (shavar) | שִׁבֵּר (shibber) | 2 Kings 23:14 |
| Factitive | קָדַשׁ (qadash) | קִדֵּשׁ (qiddesh) | Exodus 20:11 |
| Iterative | דָּבַר (dabar) | דִּבֵּר (dibber) | Jeremiah 7:13 |
| Declarative | צָדַק (tzadak) | צִדֵּק (tziddek) | Deuteronomy 25:1 |
| Destruction | שָׁחַת (shachat) | שִׁחֵת (shichet) | Genesis 6:13 |
Tips for Recognizing and Understanding the Piel
- Look for the dagesh: A dagesh in the second root letter is a clear marker of the Piel stem.
- Observe the context: The Piel often carries a more intense or causative meaning compared to the Qal.
- Compare with other stems: If a verb appears in multiple stems, understanding its function in each stem (Qal, Piel, Hiphil, etc.) can provide insights into its nuanced meaning.
Reciprocal Action in Piel
The Piel stem occasionally expresses reciprocal action, where the subject and object interact with each other in a mutual relationship.
- Example: דִּבֵּר (dibber, “he spoke”)
- Usage: This can sometimes indicate a conversation or mutual exchange.
- Verse: Exodus 33:11 – “The LORD would speak (דִּבֵּר) to Moses face to face.”
Idiomatic Uses in Piel
Some verbs in the Piel acquire idiomatic or specialized meanings that go beyond their basic root meaning.
- Example: בָּקַשׁ (baqash) in the Piel means “to seek” rather than intensifying the simple action “to request.”
- Verse: Isaiah 55:6 – “Seek (דִּרְשׁוּ) the LORD while He may be found.”
Frequent Use in Theological Contexts
The Piel stem is used extensively in theological contexts to express divine actions or commands that carry a deeper or intensified sense of importance.
- Example: קִדֵּשׁ (qiddesh, “to sanctify”).
- Verse: Leviticus 20:8 – “I am the LORD who sanctifies (מְקַדִּשׁ) you.”
Piel Imperatives for Commands
The Piel form is frequently used in imperative constructions to convey commands or exhortations, often with an intensive or urgent tone.
- Example: זַכֵּה (zakkeh, “make clean”).
- Verse: Psalm 51:4 – “Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse (טַהֲרֵנִי) me from my sin.”
Unique Meanings in Piel Only
Some Hebrew roots only appear in the Piel stem and carry meanings that cannot be derived directly from the Qal or other stems.
- Example: לִמֵּד (limmed, “to teach”).
- Verse: Deuteronomy 4:1 – “And I taught (לִמַּדְתִּי) you decrees and laws.”
Expression of Ritual Actions
The Piel is often used for ritual actions or processes that emphasize thoroughness or divine involvement.
- Example: זִבֵּחַ (zibbach, “to sacrifice”).
- Verse: Leviticus 9:4 – “Sacrifice (זִבְחֵי) peace offerings before the LORD.”
Piel with Abstract Nouns
In the Piel, verbs are often paired with abstract nouns to express an action that brings about a state or quality.
- Example: חִזֵּק (chizzeq, “to strengthen”).
- Verse: Isaiah 41:10 – “I will strengthen (חִזַּקְתִּיךָ) you.”
Usage in Poetic Literature
The Piel stem is highly frequent in Hebrew poetry, where its intensive nature adds dramatic and emotional emphasis.
- Example: שִׁיר (shir, “to sing”).
- Verse: Psalm 96:1 – “Sing (שִׁירוּ) to the LORD a new song.”
Passive Piel – Pual Stem Connection
While the Piel is active, its counterpart, the Pual stem, conveys the passive voice. Understanding this relationship is crucial for comprehensive study.
- Piel: כִּבֵּס (kibbes, “to wash”).
- Pual: כֻּבַּס (kubbas, “to be washed”).
- Verse: Ezekiel 36:25 – “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean.”
Concluding Remarks on the Piel Stem
The Piel stem is an indispensable tool in Biblical Hebrew, enriching the language by providing a means to express nuance, intensity, causation, and iterative actions. Its broad range of applications—from blessing and teaching to destruction and sanctification—demonstrates its central role in conveying the richness of Hebrew thought. Mastering the Piel is essential for interpreting the Tanakh with greater depth and precision, offering students a deeper appreciation for the complexities of the Hebrew language and its literary beauty.
