This denominative Hithpael verb describes the act of identifying oneself as a Jew or converting to Judaism. It appears in Esther during the reversal of Haman's plot, when fear of the Jews fell upon many peoples and they 'became Jews' or 'declared themselves Jews.' The context suggests both genuine conversion and pragmatic identification with the ascendant Jewish community for protection. This is the only biblical occurrence of this verb form, reflecting the unique diaspora setting where Jewish identity could be adopted or claimed.