BBA Chapter 22 — The Aphel, Shaphel, and Hophal Stems

Basics of Biblical Aramaic, Van Pelt
Chapter 22: The Aphel, Shaphel, and Hophal Stems

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1. Introduction — Completing the Aramaic Stem System

Chapter 21 introduced the Haphel, the primary causative stem of Biblical Aramaic. Chapter 22 completes the survey of the stem system by examining three remaining stems that are closely related to the Haphel:

1. The Aphel — an alternate causative that uses אַ- as the causative prefix instead of הַ-
2. The Shaphel — another causative that uses שַׁ- as the causative prefix; lexically restricted but includes the very important verb to deliver/rescue
3. The Hophal — the passive of the Haphel; uses the הֻ- prefix (short u-vowel); directly analogous to the Hebrew Hophal

All three stems are rare in comparison to the Haphel, but they appear at important moments in Daniel and Ezra and must be recognized. Together with all the stems already learned in Chapters 13–21, these three complete the full picture of the Aramaic verbal system.

The student who masters this chapter has now studied the entire Biblical Aramaic grammatical curriculum.

2. The Aphel Stem

2.1 Definition and Function

The Aphel (also called the Aph'el) is an alternate causative stem. It performs the same function as the Haphel — expressing causation — but uses אַ- (aleph + patach) as the prefix rather than הַ- (heh + patach). In comparative Semitic grammar, the Aphel is another instantiation of the H stem, with the causative consonant being aleph rather than heh.

In Biblical Aramaic, most verbs that can be expressed causatively use the Haphel. A smaller number appear only in the Aphel, or appear in both with the same meaning. The two stems are in complementary distribution for most roots: a given verb will use one or the other, but not both.

2.2 The Aphel Perfect Paradigm

The model form is the 3ms perfect: אַקְטֵל

Pattern: The Aphel perfect is structurally identical to the Haphel perfect except that אַ- replaces הַ-:

Both have tsere under R2, no dagesh in R2. The only diagnostic difference is the prefix consonant.

2.3 The Aphel Imperfect and Other Conjugations

The Aphel imperfect follows the same structure as the Haphel imperfect:

The Aphel infinitive ends in -ָה as expected: לְאַקְטָלָה

The Aphel participle uses the מְ- derived-stem prefix: מְאַקְטֵל

2.4 Key Aphel Verbs in Daniel

The most important Aphel verb in Biblical Aramaic is:

אַחֲוִי (from root חזה, "to see") — Aphel causative = "to show / to declare / to make [something] visible"

• אַחֲוֵה (Aphel perfect 1cs of חזה) — "I will show / I will declare"
• Dan. 2:4: עַבְדָיךְ חֶלְמָא אַחֲוֵה — "your servants, I will declare the dream"

• The aleph of the Aphel prefix absorbs into or merges near the guttural חזה root; the patach under aleph is clear

• אַחֲוִי (Aphel perfect 3ms of חזה + forms) — "he showed / he declared"

• Dan. 5:12: מְפַשַּׁר אַחֲוִי — "he interpreted [and] made declarations"

• Dan. 7:16: מְפַשֵּׁר כֹּלָּא יְהוֹדְעִנַּנִי — related declarative function

• אַסְגִּי (Aphel perfect 3ms of סגה/סגא, "to be great/many") — Aphel = "to make great / to increase / to multiply"

• The Aphel of סגא/סגה = causative "to make great, to magnify"
• Dan. 4:34 (Aram. 4:31): contexts where God's greatness is extolled

Another Aphel verb:

• אַחְוָה / אַחֲוִי — root חוה/חזה; this root's causative appears only in the Aphel, not in the Haphel; one of the clearest examples of complementary distribution between Haphel and Aphel

2.5 Memory Rule

Haphel הַ- → Aphel אַ-
Same function; same vowel pattern; same conjugation structure; only the prefix consonant changes.
When you see אַ- before a verb with tsere in R2 and no R2 dagesh, you are looking at an Aphel form.

3. The Shaphel Stem

3.1 Definition and Function

The Shaphel (or Shaph'el) uses שַׁ- (shin + patach) as the causative prefix. Like the Haphel and Aphel, the Shaphel is a causative stem — it means "to cause [someone/something] to do X." The Shaphel is lexically restricted: only certain roots form their causative in the Shaphel rather than the Haphel, and most of those roots are relatively rare. However, one Shaphel verb occurs multiple times at theologically crucial moments in Daniel, making it essential vocabulary.

3.2 The Shaphel Perfect Paradigm

The model 3ms form: שַׁקְטֵל

Pattern: Structurally identical to the Haphel and Aphel perfect paradigms with שַׁ- as the prefix.

3.3 Shaphel vs. Haphel vs. Aphel — Comparison

All three have the same R2 vowel (tsere) and no R2 dagesh. The prefix consonant (ה / א / שׁ) is the decisive diagnostic.

3.4 The Key Shaphel Verb: שֵׁיזִב

The most important Shaphel verb in all of Biblical Aramaic — and the only Shaphel verb a student is likely to encounter repeatedly — is:

שֵׁיזִב — from root יזב/נזב — Shaphel causative = "to deliver / to rescue / to save"

The verb appears eight times across Daniel 3–6 at moments of supreme dramatic and theological importance:

Morphological analysis of שֵׁיזִב:
- שֵׁ- = Shaphel causative prefix (shin + tsere; the patach lengthens to tsere in this root due to the I-yod/I-nun weakness)
- יזב root = I-yod/I-nun root; the yod is present in the שֵׁי- sequence
- ז + ב = R2 and R3 of the root
- Perfect 3ms ending: no suffix
- The tsere under שׁ results from phonological interaction with the I-yod weak root (compare: Haphel of I-yod roots uses הוֹ-)

Schematized forms:
- Shaphel perfect 3ms: שֵׁיזִב
- Shaphel imperfect 3ms: יְשֵׁיזִב
- Shaphel infinitive: לְשֵׁיזָבָה
- Shaphel perfect 3ms + 2ms suffix: שֵׁיזְבָךְ
- Shaphel imperfect 3ms + 1cp suffix: יְשֵׁיזְבִנַּנָּא

3.5 The Theological Importance of שֵׁיזִב

In Daniel 3 (the fiery furnace), the word שֵׁיזִב is the heart of the drama. Nebuchadnezzar's taunt — "What god will be able to deliver you from my hand?" (Dan. 3:15) — uses the Shaphel imperfect יְשֵׁיזִב. The answer to that taunt comes in Dan. 3:28: the Most High God שֵׁיזִב his servants who trusted in him.

In Daniel 6 (the lions' den), the same verb recurs: Darius himself hopes that Daniel's God might deliver him (Dan. 6:15: לְשֵׁיזָבָה). When Daniel survives, the king asks: "Has your God been able to deliver you?" (Dan. 6:21: שֵׁיזְבָךְ).

This single Shaphel verb encapsulates a major theological theme of the Aramaic portions of Daniel: the power of Israel's God to deliver his servants from the hand of pagan powers.

4. The Ithpa'al / Ishtaph'al (Reflexive-Shaphel)

A brief note: some grammars recognize a reflexive/passive form of the Shaphel called the Ishtaph'al or Ithhaph'al, formed with אִשְׁתַּ- as a prefix sequence (corresponding to the אִתְ-/הִתְ- reflexive prefix added to the Shaphel stem). This form is theoretically possible and grammatically systematic, but it is extremely rare in Biblical Aramaic. Students will not encounter it in Daniel or Ezra. It is included here for completeness of the paradigm system.

5. The Hophal Stem

5.1 Definition and Function

The Hophal is the passive of the Haphel. Just as the Hebrew Hophal is the passive of the Hiphil, the Aramaic Hophal is the passive of the Haphel. The Hophal does not add causative meaning — rather, it expresses that the causative action is received passively:

Haphel הַקְטֵל = "he caused [someone] to kill"
Hophal הֻקְטַל = "he was caused to kill / he was made to kill"

In practice, Hophal forms in Biblical Aramaic most often mean "was brought," "was cast," "was carried," or similar passive-causative ideas derived from the Haphel vocabulary.

5.2 The Diagnostic Marker: הֻ- Prefix

The Hophal is identified by the הֻ- prefix — heh with a short u-vowel (qibbuts):

הֻקְטַל = the model Hophal perfect 3ms

This is directly parallel to the Hebrew Hophal, which also uses a short u-vowel: הֻקְטַל (Hophal perfect 3ms) in Hebrew.

Summary: הַ- vs. הֻ-

The single vowel difference (patach vs. qibbuts under the heh) is the decisive marker.

5.3 Hophal Perfect Paradigm

Note: The stem vowel in the Hophal is patach under R2 (הֻקְטַל), contrasting with the tsere under R2 in the Haphel (הַקְטֵל). This vowel shift reflects the passive formation.

5.4 Hophal Imperfect

The same imperfect prefix letters (יְ-, תְּ-, אֲ-, נְ-) appear before the הֻ- Hophal stem.

5.5 Hophal in Biblical Aramaic: Attested Forms

The Hophal is rare in Biblical Aramaic. The most clearly attested forms come from Daniel:

הֻרְמִי (from root רמה, "to throw / cast") — Hophal = "he was cast / was thrown"
- Dan. 3:21: הֻשְׁלִכוּ בְּגוֹבָא — related to casting/throwing (note: some translations use the Haphel passive interpretation)
- Hophal of רמה: the causative passive "was caused to be cast"

הֻבַּל (from root יבל/נבל, "to carry/bring") — Hophal = "was brought / was carried"
- Related forms in the Aramaic portions reflect the passive carrying/bringing that the Haphel of יבל/נבל expresses actively

הֻנְעַל (from root עלל, "to enter/bring in") — Hophal = "was brought in"
- Dan. 5:13: דָּנִיֵּאל הֻנְעַל — "Daniel was brought in"
- הֻ- prefix + נ (assimilated) + עַל (root consonants) + no suffix = 3ms
- This is one of the clearest Hophal examples in Daniel

הֻשְׁלְכוּ — passive of הַשְׁלַח/שׁלח related root, "were thrown" (Dan. 3:21 context)

5.6 The Hophal and Hebrew Comparison

The Hebrew and Aramaic Hophal forms are nearly identical in appearance. A student who knows Hebrew Hophal will recognize the Aramaic Hophal immediately.

6. The Complete Causative Stem Family

The following table summarizes all five members of the causative family in Biblical Aramaic:

7. Capstone Summary: All Nine Aramaic Stems

Having completed the full BBA curriculum, the student now knows all nine major stem types in Biblical Aramaic. The following table provides a comprehensive reference:

7.1 The Diagnostic Hierarchy

When you encounter an unknown verb form, apply this diagnostic hierarchy:

Step 1 — Identify the prefix:
- Begins with הַ- + no R2 dagesh → Haphel (causative)
- Begins with הֻ- (u-vowel under heh) → Hophal (causative passive)
- Begins with אַ- + no R2 dagesh → Aphel (causative)
- Begins with שַׁ- or שֵׁ- before root consonants → Shaphel (causative)
- Begins with אִתְ- / הִתְ- + no R2 dagesh → Ithpeel (reflexive/passive of Peal)
- Begins with אִתְ- / הִתְ- + R2 dagesh → Ithpaal (reflexive/passive of Pael)
- Begins with מְ- (participle contexts): look inside the stem for הַ / אַ / שַׁ (derived-stem participle prefix; the stem type appears after מְ-)

Step 2 — Check R2:
- R2 dagesh forte (without הַ/הֻ/אַ/שַׁ prefix) → Pael (D stem)

Step 3 — Check the vowel pattern:
- qəṭīl pattern (i-vowel under R2 or R3) with no prefix and no dagesh → Peil (passive G stem)
- Standard root with no prefix and no dagesh → Peal (G stem)

Step 4 — Participle marker:
- מְ- prefix marks the derived-stem participle in ALL stems except Peal
- Look for the stem-diagnostic element after the מְ-: מְהַ- = Haphel; מְאַ- = Aphel; מְשַׁ- = Shaphel; מְהֻ- = Hophal; מִתְ- (Ithpeel/Ithpaal)

8. שֵׁיזִב in Detail — A Close Reading

Since שֵׁיזִב is by far the most important Shaphel verb in Biblical Aramaic, and since it appears at theologically decisive moments in Daniel, a closer analysis of its attested forms is warranted.

8.1 Root and Stem Analysis

Root: יזב (possibly also cited as נזב; the I-yod/I-nun character of R1 explains the vowel behavior)

The root יזב does not appear in the Peal in Biblical Aramaic — the Shaphel is the primary attested form. This verb exists in Aramaic as a causative-only form: you always "deliver" (cause to escape/go free), never just "go free" in the Peal in this corpus.

8.2 Forms Attested in Daniel

Dan. 3:15 — יְשֵׁיזִב

מַן הוּא אֱלָהּ דִּי יְשֵׁיזְבִנְּכוֹן מִן יְדַי

"Who is the god who will deliver you from my hand?"

• יְשֵׁיזְבִנְּכוֹן — Shaphel imperfect 3ms + 2mp suffix ("will deliver you [plural]")
• יְ- (imperfect prefix) + שֵׁי- (Shaphel prefix + I-yod) + זְבִן (root + suffix junction) + כוֹן (2mp)
• The patach of שַׁ- has lengthened to tsere under the influence of the I-yod root (שַׁ + יְ → שֵׁי-)

Dan. 3:17 — יְשֵׁיזְבִנַּנָּא

הֵן אִיתַי אֱלָהַנָּא דִּי אֲנַחְנָא פָלְחִין יָכִל לְשֵׁיזָבוּתַנָּא מִן אַתּוּן נוּרָא יָקִדְתָּא

"If it is so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire."

• יְשֵׁיזְבִנַּנָּא (or לְשֵׁיזָבוּתַנָּא in some text traditions) — Shaphel forms of שֵׁיזִב
• Note the emphasis: the three young men affirm God's power to deliver before expressing willingness to suffer if he does not

Dan. 3:28 — שֵׁיזִב (perfect 3ms)

בְּרִיךְ אֱלָהֲהוֹן דִּי שַׁדְרַךְ מֵישַׁךְ וַעֲבֵד נְגוֹ דִּי שְׁלַח מַלְאֲכֵהּ וְשֵׁיזִב לְעַבְדוֹהִי

"Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who sent his angel and delivered his servants."

• שֵׁיזִב — Shaphel perfect 3ms of יזב — "he delivered"
• This is the theological climax of Daniel 3: God has delivered

Dan. 6:15 — לְשֵׁיזָבָה

דַּעֲדַיִן מַלְכָּא שַׂגִּיא בְּאֵשׁ שַׂם עַל דָּנִיֵּאל וְעַד מַעֲרַב שִׁמְשָׁא הֲוָה מִשְׁתַּדַּר לְשֵׁיזָבָה

"The king was greatly distressed, and set his mind to rescue Daniel; even until sunset he tried to deliver him."

• לְשֵׁיזָבָה — Shaphel infinitive of יזב + לְ- prefix
• לְ- + שֵׁי- (Shaphel + I-yod) + זָ (R2 with qamets = infinitive lengthening) + בָה (R3 + infinitive ending)
• Structure parallels Haphel infinitive: prefix + stem with lengthened R2 vowel + -ָה ending

Dan. 6:21 — שֵׁיזְבָךְ

אֱלָהָךְ דִּי אַנְתְּ פָּלַח לֵהּ בִּתְדִירָא הוּא שֵׁיזְבָךְ

"Your God, whom you serve continually — he has delivered you!"

• שֵׁיזְבָךְ — Shaphel perfect 3ms + 2ms object suffix ("he delivered you")
• שֵׁיזְבָ + ךְ (2ms suffix)
• The king's exclamation is an act of recognition: Israel's God is the true deliverer

9. Biblical Examples from Daniel and Ezra

אַחֲוִי / אַחֲוֵה — Aphel of חזה (to see → to show/declare)

Daniel 2:4:

מַלְכָּא לְעָלְמִין חֱיִי אֱמַר חֶלְמָא לְעַבְדָיךְ וּפִשְׁרָא נְחַוֵּה

"O king, live forever! Tell the dream to your servants and we will declare the interpretation."

Aphel forms of חזה appear throughout Daniel 2 and 7 in the sense of "to show / to make visible / to declare":
- אֲחַוֵּה (Aphel imperfect 1cs) — "I will show / I will declare"
- אַחֲוִי — Aphel perfect 3ms
- Causative function: "to cause to see" = "to show / to reveal"

הֻנְעַל — Hophal of עלל (to enter → to bring in)

Daniel 5:13:

בֵּאדַיִן דָּנִיֵּאל הֻנְעַל קֳדָם מַלְכָּא

"Then Daniel was brought in before the king."

• הֻנְעַל — Hophal perfect 3ms of עלל ("was brought in")
• הֻ- (Hophal prefix with u-vowel) + נ (assimilation of nun R1) + עַל (R1/R2/R3 with assimilation) + no suffix (3ms)
• The Hophal passive: Daniel was caused to enter = "was brought in"
• Contrast: Haphel of עלל = הַעֵל ("he brought in / caused to enter")

Dan. 2:25 — הֵיתִי — Haphel (review)

בֵּאדַיִן אַרְיוֹךְ בְּהִתְבְּהָלָה הֵיתִי לְדָנִיֵּאל קֳדָם מַלְכָּא

"Then Arioch brought Daniel quickly before the king."

(Review: Haphel of יתי/אתה = "to bring"; Haphel perfect 3ms = הֵיתִי)

10. Summary Paradigm Tables

Causative Stem Family — Perfect 3ms Comparison (Strong Root: קטל)

All Nine Stems — Quick Reference (Strong Root: קטל)

11. Reading Strategy for Biblical Aramaic

With all nine stems learned, here is the complete diagnostic approach:

Step 1 — Check the first letter(s) of the form

Step 2 — Check R2 for dagesh forte

• R2 dagesh present (without Haphel/Hophal/Aphel/Shaphel prefix) → Pael (D stem)
• No R2 dagesh → proceed to Step 3

Step 3 — Check the vowel pattern

• qəṭīl pattern (typically i-vowel sequence) → Peil (passive G)
• Standard root vowels (typically a-class vowel under R1) → Peal (G)

Step 4 — Identify conjugation within the stem

Having identified the stem, determine conjugation using:
- Prefix letter present? → imperfect (or Haphel/Aphel/Shaphel if prefix is the stem marker)
- מְ- prefix present? → participle
- Ends in -ָה (with לְ-)? → infinitive
- Suffix letters (personal endings)? → perfect

12. Practice

Parsing Practice

Parse the following forms (give stem, conjugation, root, PGN where applicable, translation):

1. שֵׁיזִב (Dan. 3:28)
2. הֻנְעַל (Dan. 5:13)
3. אַחֲוִי (Dan. 5:12)
4. יְשֵׁיזְבִנְּכוֹן (Dan. 3:15)
5. לְשֵׁיזָבָה (Dan. 6:15)
6. שֵׁיזְבָךְ (Dan. 6:21)
7. הֻקְטַל (model Hophal form)
8. אַקְטֵל (model Aphel form)

Stem Identification Drill

For each of the following prefix/marker sequences, name the stem:

1. הַ- before root, no R2 dagesh
2. הֻ- before root
3. אַ- before root, no R2 dagesh, tsere in R2
4. שַׁ- / שֵׁ- before root consonants
5. אִתְ- prefix, no R2 dagesh
6. אִתְ- prefix, R2 dagesh forte
7. מְ- participle prefix, followed by הַ inside stem
8. No prefix, R2 dagesh forte (in perfect forms)

Translation Passage — Daniel 3:17, 28

Dan. 3:17:

הֵן אִיתַי אֱלָהַנָּא דִּי אֲנַחְנָא פָלְחִין יָכִל לְשֵׁיזָבוּתַנָּא מִן אַתּוּן נוּרָא יָקִדְתָּא וּמִן יְדָךְ מַלְכָּא יְשֵׁיזְבִנַּנָּא

Key vocabulary: הֵן ("if"); אִיתַי ("there is / it is so"); פָלַח ("to serve"); יָכִל ("to be able"); אַתּוּן ("furnace"); נוּרָא ("fire"); יָקֵד ("burning"); יַד ("hand")

Dan. 3:28:

בְּרִיךְ אֱלָהֲהוֹן דִּי שַׁדְרַךְ מֵישַׁךְ וַעֲבֵד נְגוֹ דִּי שְׁלַח מַלְאֲכֵהּ וְשֵׁיזִב לְעַבְדוֹהִי

Key vocabulary: בְּרִיךְ ("blessed"); שְׁלַח ("to send"); מַלְאַךְ ("angel, messenger"); עֶבֶד ("servant")

13. Conclusion — Completing the Grammar of Biblical Aramaic

You have now studied all the major grammatical features of Biblical Aramaic as presented in Van Pelt's Basics of Biblical Aramaic. From the alphabet (Chapter 1) through the phonology (Chapters 2–3), the full nominal system (Chapters 4–11), and the complete verbal system across all nine major stem types (Chapters 12–22), you have acquired the grammatical tools needed to read the Aramaic portions of the Hebrew Bible — Daniel 2:4b–7:28 and Ezra 4:8–6:18; 7:12–26 — with confidence.

The Aramaic sections of Daniel in particular now stand open to you: the visions, the throne-room scenes, the stories of the furnace and the lions' den, and the grand theological declarations that run through them. The three Hebrew young men can cry out their trust in God's power to שֵׁיזִב them; Daniel's God removes and establishes kings (מְהַעְדֵּה מַלְכִין וּמְהָקֵם מַלְכִין); and the secrets of heaven are הוֹדַעed to those who seek wisdom.

Read well.