Hophal הָפְעַל hof‘al
The Hophal is one of the seven stems of the Hebrew verb: the passive of the Hiphil. If the Hiphil says “they brought him down,” the Hophal says “he was brought down.” It has two marks: the vowel ָ (o) or ֻ (u) at the front, and the vowel ַ (a) before the last root letter. The Hophal is rare, and most of its biblical words are verbs with weak letters. This page shows its shapes, one by one, in words actually used in the Bible.
the model verb פָּעַל in this stem — “be caused to do”
Colour key blue = added at the front · orange = added at the end · purple = a mark inside (dot · doubled letter · changed vowel) · underline = the word this page is about
1What the Hophal is
A Hebrew verb builds kinds of meaning by changing the letters and vowels around a three-letter root. Each kind is a stem (Hebrew בִּנְיָן binyan, “building”). The Hophal is the rarest of the seven main stems: counted from the OSHB morphology, Hophal words occur 409 times in the Old Testament (the Hiphil 9,489).
The Hophal does one thing: it tells the Hiphil action from the side that receives it. The Hiphil הוֹרִדֻהוּ (they had brought him down) and the Hophal הוּרַד (he was brought down) stand together in Gen 39:1. The focus is on the one to whom it was done, not on who did it.
2Where the name comes from — הָפְעַל hof‘al
Stem names take the verb פָּעַל (pa‘al, “do, make”) as a model and use the sound of that verb in the stem as the name.
פָּעַל in the Hophal is הָפְעַל (hof‘al): ה in front as in the Hiphil, but with the vowel ָ (o), and ַ (a) under the second root letter. That sound became “Hophal.”
Here ָ is read “o,” not “a.” This vowel sign is usually “a” (qamets), but in an unstressed closed syllable it is a short “o” (qamets ḥatuf). So הָפְעַל is “hof‘al,” not “haf‘al.” It is sometimes also spelled הֻפְעַל (huf‘al).
3At a glance — three marks of the Hophal
- A first vowel “o” or “u”The perfect begins הָ (ho) · הֻ (hu) · הוּ (hu); the imperfect יָ (yo) · יֻ (yu) · יוּ (yu); the participle מָ (mo) · מֻ (mu) · מוּ (mu) — הָפְקַד (Lev 5:23), מֻקְטָר (Mal 1:11).
- A last vowel “a”Before the last root letter stands ַ (a) — ָ (a) in the participle. There is no Hiphil ִי (i).
- Always paired with a HiphilAlmost every verb used in the Hophal is also used in the Hiphil. If the Hiphil is “cause to do,” the Hophal is “be caused to do.”
4The perfect — הָ (ho) in front
The Hophal perfect of the model verb קטל (kill): “… was caused to die.” The הִ of the Hiphil הִקְטִיל (hiqtil) becomes הָ (ho), and the last vowel ִי becomes ַ. “Who” is shown at the end, as in the Qal.
| Who | Hophal perfect | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| he (3ms) | הָקְטַל | hoqtal | he was caused to die |
| she (3fs) | הָקְטְלָה | hoqtelah | she was caused to die |
| you (2ms) | הָקְטַלְתָּ | hoqtalta | you (m) … |
| you (2fs) | הָקְטַלְתְּ | hoqtalt | you (f) … |
| I (1cs) | הָקְטַלְתִּי | hoqtalti | I … |
| they (3cp) | הָקְטְלוּ | hoqtelu | they … |
| you (2mp) | הָקְטַלְתֶּם | hoqtaltem | you (m pl) … |
| you (2fp) | הָקְטַלְתֶּן | hoqtalten | you (f pl) … |
| we (1cp) | הָקְטַלְנוּ | hoqtalnu | we … |
The endings (ָה she · תָּ you · תִּי I · וּ they · נוּ we …) are exactly those of the Qal perfect. In “she · they” the ַ before the ending reduces to a sheva. The הָ in front is always read “ho.”
5The perfect — real examples from the Bible
The Hophal of strong verbs (verbs with no weak letter) is rare, so the first two examples come from outside Genesis. Look for the “ho · hu” at the front.
hofqad — was deposited (entrusted)
הָ (the Hophal mark — read “ho”) + the root פ-ק-ד (entrust, appoint) + קַ (a) before the last root letter. The Hiphil הִפְקִיד is “entrust”; the Hophal is “be entrusted.” It speaks of a thing deposited with someone.
YLVthen it shall be, when he sins and becomes guilty, that he shall return the robbed thing which he robbed, or the oppression which he oppressed, or the deposit which was deposited with him, or the lost thing which he found,
homlakh — was made king
הָ + the root מ-ל-ך (be king) + לַ. Qal מָלַךְ “be king,” Hiphil הִמְלִיךְ “make king,” Hophal “be made king.” This verb shows the three stems in a row.
YLVIn the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, who was made king over the kingdom of the Chaldeans —
hurad — he was brought down
I-Yod verb י-ר-ד (go down): the original first letter ו becomes a “u” sound, so it begins הוּ (hu). At the end of the same verse comes the Hiphil הוֹרִדֻהוּ (they had brought him down). The Hiphil speaks of those who took him, the Hophal of Joseph who was taken.
YLVAnd Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the chief of the guard, an Egyptian man (ish), bought him from the hand of the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there.
huḥal — it was begun
Geminate verb ח-ל-ל (Hiphil “begin”): a root with a doubled letter, so the front becomes הוּ (hu). The passive of the Hiphil הֵחֵל (he began, 6:1): “it was begun.” It does not say who began; only that calling on the name of YHWH “was begun.”
YLVAnd to Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then it was begun to call upon the name of YHWH.
huv’u — they were brought (in)
Hollow verb ב-ו-א (come): the middle ו disappears and the front becomes הוּ (hu). The ending אוּ is the last root letter א + וּ (they). The passive of the Hiphil הֵבִיא (he brought, 4:4). The same verse also has the participle מוּבָאִים (we are being brought in).
YLVAnd the men (ish) were afraid because they were brought into Joseph's house, and they said, "It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks at the beginning that we are being brought in, that he may roll himself upon us and fall upon us, and take us for servants, and our donkeys."
6The imperfect — ָ (o) under the prefix
The Hophal imperfect of קטל (“… will be caused to die”). The prefix (י ת א נ) has ָ (o), and ַ (a) stands before the last root letter.
| Who | Hophal imperfect | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| he | יָקְטַל | yoqtal |
| she · you (m) | תָּקְטַל | toqtal |
| you (f) | תָּקְטְלִי | toqteli |
| I | אָקְטַל | ’oqtal |
| they (m) | יָקְטְלוּ | yoqtelu |
| they (f) · you (f pl) | תָּקְטַלְנָה | toqtalnah |
| you (m pl) | תָּקְטְלוּ | toqtelu |
| we | נָקְטַל | noqtal |
The prefix ָ is always read “o.” It is often written ֻ (u) instead — יֻשְׁלָכוּ (Isa 34:3). Compared with the Hiphil imperfect יַקְטִיל (yaqtil), the Hophal changes the first vowel “a → o” and the last “i → a.”
7Imperfect · wayyiqtol — real examples from the Bible
Look for the “u · o” under the prefix. In I-Nun verbs the next letter also has a dot (the merged נ).
yushlakhu — (they) shall be cast out
יֻ (prefix with ֻ “u”) + the root שׁ-ל-ך (throw) + לָ (ַ lengthened to ָ before the ending) + the ending כוּ (ך written as כ, plus וּ they). The passive of the Hiphil הִשְׁלִיךְ (throw): “be thrown.”
YLVAnd their slain shall be cast out, and their carcasses—their stench shall come up; and the mountains shall be melted with their blood.
yuqqam — (it) shall be avenged
I-Nun verb נ-ק-ם (avenge): יֻ (prefix with “u”) + קָּ (the first letter נ merged and remains as a dot in ק) + ם. It appears again in 4:24 as יֻקַּם. It does not say who avenges; only that vengeance “shall be taken.”
YLVAnd YHWH said to him, "Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken sevenfold." And YHWH set a sign (ot) for Cain, lest anyone finding him should strike him.
vayyuggad — and it was told
Wayyiqtol: וַיֻּ (and + ֻ under the prefix י) + גַּ (the dot of the merged first letter נ) + ד. The passive of the Hiphil הִגִּיד (told, 3:11) of the root נ-ג-ד: “be told, be reported.” This form occurs five times in Genesis.
YLVAnd it came to pass after these things, that it was told to Abraham, saying, "Behold, Milcah, she also has borne children to Nahor your brother:
yumat — (he) shall be put to death
Hollow verb מ-ו-ת (die): it begins יוּ (yu). Qal מוּת “die,” Hiphil הֵמִית “cause to die, kill,” Hophal “be put to death.” Paired with the preceding מוֹת (a Qal infinitive absolute), it gives emphasis: “shall surely be put to death.”
YLVAnd Abimelech commanded (tzivvah) all the people, saying, "He that touches this man (ish) or his wife (ishah) shall surely be put to death."
8Infinitives · participle (the imperative is very rare)
The participle puts מָ (mo) or מֻ (mu) in front, with ָ (a) as its last vowel. The infinitives put הָ (ho) in front. A command “be caused to …” is odd in meaning, so the imperative is very rare in the Old Testament (a few places such as Jer 49:8 הָפְנוּ).
| Form | Model קטל | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| infinitive construct | הָקְטַל | hoqtal | being caused to die |
| infinitive absolute | הָקְטֵל | hoqtel | (emphatic) being caused to die |
| participle (ms) | מָקְטָל | moqtal | (one) caused to die |
| participle (fs) | מָקְטֶלֶת | moqtelet | (she / it) caused to die |
| participle (mp) | מָקְטָלִים | moqtalim | (those) caused to die |
9Participle · infinitive — real examples from the Bible
muqtar — offered as incense (made to smoke)
Participle: מֻ (the participle prefix with “u”) + the root ק-ט-ר (smoke, incense) + טָ (the participle ָ). The passive participle of the Hiphil הִקְטִיר (burn incense): “being made to smoke.” A clean model of a Hophal participle in a strong verb.
YLVFor from the rising of the sun even to its setting my name is great among the nations, and in every place incense is offered, presented to my name, and a pure offering; for my name is great among the nations, says YHWH of hosts (tzevaot).
mutsav — set up
Participle: מֻ + צָּ (the dot of the merged first letter נ) + ב. The passive of the Hiphil הִצִּיב (set up) of the root נ-צ-ב: “set up.” A ladder “set up” on the earth.
YLVAnd he dreamed, and behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and its top reaching to the heavens; and behold, the messengers of God ascending and descending on it.
mutset — (she) was being brought out
Feminine singular participle: מוּ (מוּ because it is an I-Yod verb) + צֵ + the ending את (the root’s א + feminine ת). The passive of the Hiphil הוֹצִיא (bring out) of י-צ-א: “be brought out.” As a participle, “was being brought out.”
YLVShe was being brought out, and she sent to her father-in-law, saying, "By the man (ish) to whom these belong, I am with child"; and she said, "Discern, now, whose are these — the signet, and the cords, and the staff."
hammushav — that was returned
The article הַ (the) + the participle מוּשָׁב (returned). The Hophal of the hollow verb שׁ-ו-ב (return). The same verse has the Hiphil תָּשִׁיבוּ (you shall take back) — Hiphil “bring back,” Hophal “be brought back.”
YLVAnd take double money in your hand, and the money that was returned in the mouth of your sacks carry back in your hand; perhaps it was an oversight.
hulledet — being born (birthday)
Infinitive construct: the Hophal of י-ל-ד (bear), “be caused to be born → being born.” “The day of Pharaoh’s being born,” that is, his birthday. This word has a dot in ל and a ת at the end — an unusual shape, unlike the ordinary I-Yod Hophal that begins with הוּ.
YLVAnd it came to pass on the third day, the day of Pharaoh's birth, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief of the cupbearers and the head of the chief of the bakers among his servants.
10Why the Hophal has “o · u” and “a”
- 1. It starts from the HiphilThe Hophal is the passive of the Hiphil, so its frame is the Hiphil’s: ה in front (a prefix in the imperfect, מ in the participle) — Hiphil הִקְטִיל · יַקְטִיל · מַקְטִיל.
- 2. Passives take “u · o” as the first vowelHebrew passive stems change the first vowel to “u · o,” just as the passive of the Piel קִטֵּל is the Pual קֻטַּל (qutal). So the Hiphil’s “hi · ya · ma” become “ho · yo · mo” (or “hu · yu · mu”) in the Hophal.
- 3. The last vowel is “a”Passive stems also make the vowel before the last root letter “a” (ַ) — the Pual קֻטַּל too. So the Hiphil ִי (i) becomes ַ: הִקְטִיל → הָקְטַל.
- 4. Why ָ is read “o”In an unstressed syllable closed by a consonant with sheva, as in הָקְ, ָ is a short “o” (qamets ḥatuf). That is why the same sound is also written ֻ (u) — הָפְקַד (Lev 5:23) · יֻשְׁלָכוּ (Isa 34:3).
11Verbs with weak letters — most biblical Hophals look like this
Strong-verb Hophals are rare: all 19 Hophal words in Genesis are verbs with weak letters (one, הֻלֶּדֶת in 40:20, has an unusual shape). There are three groups.
- I-Yod and hollow verbsThe front becomes הוּ · יוּ · מוּ (hu · yu · mu) — הוּרַד (39:1) · יוּמָת (26:11) · מוּצֵאת (38:25) · הוּבְאוּ (43:18).
- I-Nun verbsThe front has ֻ (u), and a dot marks where the נ merged — יֻקָּם (4:15) · וַיֻּגַּד (22:20) · מֻצָּב (28:12).
- Geminate verbsThe front becomes הוּ — הוּחַל (4:26).
12What the Hophal does — the receiving side of the Hiphil
The meaning of a Hophal always comes from the Hiphil of the same root. If the Hiphil is “cause to do,” the Hophal is “be caused to do.”
Hiphil הוֹרִיד (bring down) → Hophal הוּרַד (be brought down, 39:1) · Hiphil הֵבִיא (bring) → Hophal הוּבְאוּ (were brought, 43:18) · Hiphil הִגִּיד (tell) → Hophal וַיֻּגַּד (it was told, 22:20) · Hiphil הֵשִׁיב (bring back) → Hophal הַמּוּשָׁב (that was returned, 43:12).
So when you meet a Hophal, first find what the Hiphil of that root means, then read the subject as the one who received the action. The doer is usually not named.
13Easy to confuse
Hophal and Pual: both are passives with “u · o” and “a.” The Pual has a dot in the middle letter and no ה in front (קֻטַּל). The Hophal has ה in front (perfect) and no dot in the middle letter (הָקְטַל). In I-Nun Hophals (יֻקָּם) the dot stands in the place of the first root letter.
Hophal, Hiphil and Niphal: a Hophal beginning הוּ (הוּרַד) and a Hiphil beginning הוֹ (הוֹלִיד 11:27) differ by one sound, “u” against “o.” The Niphal imperfect יִקָּרֵא has ִ (i) under the prefix; the Hophal יֻקָּם has ֻ (u).
Do not read ָ as “a” here. הָפְקַד is “hofqad,” not “hafqad.” When the next letter has a sheva and the syllable is unstressed, ָ is “o.”