The hifil stem represents causative action in the active voice (as opposed to the hofal which is causative, passive voice). A hifil verb is generally recognized by a hiriq-yod infix and (in the prefix forms) a patah under the prefix. See more here or this video.
The meaning of Hifil is primarily, and even more frequently than in Piel, causative of Qal. Under the causative is also included the declarative sense, e.g. הִצְדִּיק to pronounce just. (Gesenius §53)
- the causative use of the hifil
- the inner causative (or “intransitive”) use of the hifil
- the denominative use of the hifil
- the declarative use of the hifil
- other uses of the hifil