how to say “to faint” in Hebrew
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The Modern-Hebrew word for to faint is לְהִתְעַלֵּף
, a reflexive-intensive הִתְפַּעֵל verb of the root ע.ל.פ (a.l.p).
For example:
– an active-intensive פִּעֵל verb of the same root – means to shock (not to be confused with to train an animal)
Yet in the Biblical Hebrew of the Torah portion to be read this week by Jews around the world, להתעלף means to disguise oneself:
(בְּרֵאשִׁית ל”ח: י”ד)
And she removed her widow’s clothing from upon her, and she covered (herself) with the scarf and she disguised herself… (Genesis 33:14)

Is there a relationship between להתעלף to faint and להתעלף to disguise oneself? If so, what is it?
I believe there is a relationship, partly because there’s another Biblical Hebrew root – almost identical to that of להתעלף – that means both to cover oneself and to grow faint/weak: ע.ט.פ (a.t.p): in Biblical Hebrew, לְהִתְעַטֵּף
– a reflexive-intensive הִתְפַּעֵל verb – means to faint, while לַעֲטוֹף
– an active-simple intensive הִתְפַּעֵל verb – means to cover or to wrap, as well as to faint or grow weak.

Here’s an example of לַעֲטוֹף, made familiar to many through this song:


