ha.phakh describes turning something around, changing it into another state, or bringing it down in an overturning.

The verb most often marks a turn or reversal of direction, as people, hands, winds, or a flashing sword change course. It also describes a change into a different condition, the overthrow of cities, kingdoms, and physical features, and reversals involving hearts, justice, sorrow, or power.

1. Turning or changing course · dominant

   In 1 Kings 22:34 the imperative addresses the charioteer after the king is wounded, and the APB renders the request, "Turn your hand and take me out of the camp." Qal forms also occur when David's men turn back in 1 Samuel 25:12, a sea wind changes direction in Exodus 10:19, and Israel's pursuers reverse course in Joshua 8:20.

   1 Kings 22:341 Samuel 25:12Exodus 10:19Joshua 8:20Judges 20:41Genesis 3:24
2. Changing into another condition · common

   Niphal forms describe a result in which something becomes otherwise: Saul is "turned into another man" in 1 Samuel 10:6, Nile water is turned to blood in Exodus 7:17, and the month is changed from sorrow into joy in Esther 9:22. In Amos 8:10, the first-person Qal form introduces feasts becoming mourning and songs lamentation.

   1 Samuel 10:6Exodus 7:17Exodus 7:20Esther 9:22Amos 8:10Isaiah 34:9
3. Overthrowing and bringing down · common

   The Qal infinitives in 2 Samuel 10:3 and 1 Chronicles 19:3 occur in the rulers' suspicion that David's servants came to search and overthrow a city or land. The APB renders the first-person forms in Haggai 2:22 as "I will overturn" a throne of kingdoms and chariots; Jonah 3:4 announces that Nineveh will be overturned.

   2 Samuel 10:31 Chronicles 19:3Amos 4:11Haggai 2:22Jonah 3:4Job 28:9
4. Reversal of disposition or order · occasional

   In Exodus 14:5, Pharaoh's heart and his servants' hearts turn against the people; in Hosea 11:8, the APB renders the clause, "My heart is turned within me." Active participles in Amos 5:7 and Amos 6:12 describe justice and righteousness being turned into harmful outcomes, while Esther 9:1 depicts an expected domination reversed.

   Exodus 14:5Hosea 11:8Amos 5:7Amos 6:12Esther 9:1Jeremiah 2:21

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously renders the clauses with "turned," "changed," and "overturned," including directional movement, changed states, and destruction. Because its English is a whole-verse translation, these renderings indicate the clauses' overall presentation rather than fixed English equivalents.