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The Function and Semantics of the Hitpa‘el Stem in Ezra 10:1
Introduction to Ezra 10:1
Ezra 10:1 describes Ezra’s public prayer and confession, which deeply moves the people of Israel, leading them to a communal act of repentance. This verse contains multiple hitpa‘el (התפעל) verbs, a Hebrew verb stem that typically expresses reflexive, reciprocal, or iterative action.
The verse consists of:
Two hitpa‘el verbs describing Ezra’s actions (וּכְהִתְפַּלֵּ֤ל, “as he was praying”; וּכְ֨הִתְוַדֹּתֹ֔ו, “as he was confessing”).
A series of participles describing his emotional state (בֹּכֶה, “weeping”; וּמִתְנַפֵּ֔ל, “prostrating himself”).
The reaction of the people, showing the emotional and social impact of Ezra’s actions.… Learn Hebrew