1
בָּעֵ֨ת הַהִ֜וא אָמַ֧ר יְהוָ֣ה אֵלַ֗י פְּסָל לְךָ֞ שְׁנֵֽי לֻוחֹ֤ת אֲבָנִים֙ כָּרִ֣אשֹׁנִ֔ים וַעֲלֵ֥ה אֵלַ֖י הָהָ֑רָה וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ לְּךָ֖ אֲר֥וֹן עֵֽץ
At that time YHWH said to me, 'Hew for yourself two tablets of stone like the first, and come up to me on the mountain, and make yourself an ark of wood.'
בָּעֵת הַהִוא ('at that time') reopens, in flashback, the account interrupted by chapter 9's intercession narrative; YHWH's direct-speech command to Moses launches the report of the covenant's material renewal.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
בָּעֵ֨תat the timeprep בְּ + art + N c/b sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Temporal prepositional phrase (fronted setting)עֵת (H6256) 'time, season'; idiomatic בָּעֵת הַהִוא 'at that time' marks the flashback frame reopening the second-tablets narrative (cf. 1:9,16; 3:4).
הַהִ֜ואthatart + demonstrative pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying עֵתהוּא/הִיא (H1931) distal demonstrative/pronoun; with the article, attributive 'that (time)', feminine to agree with עֵת.
אָמַ֧רsaidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive utterance introducing direct speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces YHWH's direct command to Moses to prepare replacement tablets.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of אָמַריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from the root היה 'to be'; traditionally read אֲדֹנָי and rendered LORD.
אֵלַ֗יto meprep אֶל + suff 1cs · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (recipient of speech)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward' with 1cs suffix; marks Moses as addressee of YHWH's command.
פְּסָלhew for yourselfQal impv 2ms · פָּסַל (H6458)Predicate verb (imperative, direct quotation)→ Volitional: a direct divine commandפָּסַל (H6458) 'to hew, cut (stone)'; used elsewhere of carving idols, here redirected to the licit act of shaping replacement covenant tablets.
לְךָ֞for yourselfprep לְ + suff 2ms · לְ (H3807)Dative of interest (reflexive)לְ + 2ms suffix; reflexive/benefactive dative — Moses himself must do the hewing this time (contrast 9:10, tablets 'written by the finger of God').
שְׁנֵֽיtwonumeral m dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Numeral head of construct chain governing לֻחֹתשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; construct form governing לֻחֹת, specifying the pair of tablets.
לֻוחֹ֤תtablets ofN m pl constr · לוּחַ (H3871)Direct object of פְּסָל (construct chain)לוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet, board'; the stone tablets of the covenant, replacing those Moses shattered in ch. 9.
אֲבָנִים֙of stoneN f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Genitival qualifier of material in construct chainאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; specifies the tablets' material, matching the first set (Exod 24:12).
כָּרִ֣אשֹׁנִ֔יםlike the first (ones)prep כְּ + art + Adj m pl abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Comparative prepositional phrase modifying לֻחֹתרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first, former', from רֹאשׁ 'head'; the new tablets must match the first pair — a full replacement, not a diminished one.
וַעֲלֵ֥הand go upconj וְ + Qal impv 2ms · עָלָה (H5927)Coordinate imperative (main clause sequence)→ Volitional: sequential commandעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; the second imperative, directing Moses back up the mountain.
אֵלַ֖יto meprep אֶל + suff 1cs · אֶל (H413)Adverbial goal complement of וַעֲלֵהאֶל (H413) 'to, toward' with 1cs suffix; Moses is to ascend back into YHWH's presence on the mountain.
הָהָ֑רָהto the mountainart + N m sg abs + directional ה · הַר (H2022)Adverbial accusative of direction (locative he)הַר (H2022) 'mountain', with article and directional ־ָה, 'to the mountain' — Horeb/Sinai, the site of covenant-making.
וְעָשִׂ֥יתָand you shall makeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Weqatal continuing the imperative sequence→ Weqatal: volitional continuation, a further consequential commandעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do'; introduces the added task of constructing the wooden ark.
לְּךָ֖for yourselfprep לְ + suff 2ms · לְ (H3807)Dative of interest (reflexive)לְ + 2ms suffix; again marks Moses as the one personally undertaking the task.
אֲר֥וֹןan ark ofN c sg constr · אָרוֹן (H727)Direct object of וְעָשִׂיתָ (construct chain head)אָרוֹן (H727) 'ark, chest'; the wooden container Moses makes to hold the tablets — Deuteronomy's simpler account of a container Moses himself builds, prior to and distinct from the gold-clad ark of Exod 25/37.
עֵֽץof woodN m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Genitival qualifier of material in construct chainעֵץ (H6086) 'tree, wood'; specifies the ark's material — the golden overlay of Exodus is not mentioned here.
2
וְאֶכְתֹּב֙ עַל הַלֻּחֹ֔ת אֶת הַדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֛וּ עַל הַלֻּחֹ֥ת הָרִאשֹׁנִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר שִׁבַּ֑רְתָּ וְשַׂמְתָּ֖ם בָּאָרֽוֹן
And I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets that you broke, and you shall put them in the ark.
YHWH's first-person promise to inscribe the new tablets himself continues his speech from v.1, candidly naming Moses' own earlier act of breaking them (שִׁבַּרְתָּ).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְאֶכְתֹּב֙and I will writeconj וְ + Qal impf 1cs · כָּתַב (H3789)Yiqtol continuing YHWH's speech→ Yiqtol: future/volitive — YHWH's stated intentionכָּתַב (H3789) 'to write'; YHWH himself, not Moses, will inscribe the new tablets with the identical words (v.4).
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; marks the surface receiving the writing.
הַלֻּחֹ֔תthe tabletsart + N m pl abs · לוּחַ (H3871)Object of preposition עַללוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet'; the new tablets just commanded in v.1.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַדְּבָרִים as the definite object of וְאֶכְתֹּב; untranslated in English.
הַדְּבָרִ֔יםthe wordsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of וְאֶכְתֹּבדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; here the Ten Words (cf. v.4's עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים).
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relativizer introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) invariable relative particle; introduces the clause identifying which words — those on the first tablets.
הָי֛וּwereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed past stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; states that these very words had previously been on the first tablets.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; locates the words on the first, now-broken tablets.
הַלֻּחֹ֥תthe tabletsart + N m pl abs · לוּחַ (H3871)Object of preposition עַללוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet'; here specifically the first, shattered tablets (cf. 9:17).
הָרִאשֹׁנִ֖יםthe first (ones)art + Adj m pl abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Attributive adjective modifying הַלֻּחֹתרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first, former'; identifies these as the original tablets broken at the golden calf (9:17).
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relativizer introducing second relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the clause recalling Moses' own act of breaking the tablets.
שִׁבַּ֑רְתָּyou brokePiel perf 2ms · שָׁבַר (H7665)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective, Piel intensive: a decisive, forceful shatteringשָׁבַר (H7665) 'to break, shatter'; Piel intensifies the action — Moses' own smashing of the tablets (9:17), candidly named here as 'you broke.'
וְשַׂמְתָּ֖םand you shall put themconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms + suff 3mp · שִׂים (H7760)Weqatal continuing the command sequence→ Weqatal: volitional continuation — a further instructionשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place'; Moses is commanded to deposit the new tablets in the ark he must build.
בָּאָרֽוֹןin the arkprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אָרוֹן (H727)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)אָרוֹן (H727) 'ark, chest'; the wooden ark Moses is to construct (v.1), destination of the new tablets.
3
וָאַ֤עַשׂ אֲרוֹן֙ עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֔ים וָאֶפְסֹ֛ל שְׁנֵי לֻחֹ֥ת אֲבָנִ֖ים כָּרִאשֹׁנִ֑ים וָאַ֣עַל הָהָ֔רָה וּשְׁנֵ֥י הַלֻּחֹ֖ת בְּיָדִֽי
So I made an ark of acacia wood, and hewed two tablets of stone like the first, and went up on the mountain with the two tablets in my hand.
Three wayyiqtol verbs (made, hewed, went up) report Moses' precise fulfillment of YHWH's three commands in v.1, closing with a vivid physical detail — the tablets in his own hand.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וָאַ֤עַשׂand I madeconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Moses' compliant actionעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do'; Moses now narrates his own obedience, opening the report of compliance with vv.1-2.
אֲרוֹן֙an ark ofN c sg constr · אָרוֹן (H727)Direct object of וָאַעַשׂ (construct chain head)אָרוֹן (H727) 'ark, chest'; Moses reports building the ark exactly as commanded (v.1).
עֲצֵ֣יtrees/wood ofN m pl constr · עֵץ (H6086)Genitival qualifier of material in construct chainעֵץ (H6086) 'tree, wood'; plural construct here specifying the timber (acacia) used.
שִׁטִּ֔יםacaciaN f pl abs · שִׁטָּה (H7848)Genitival qualifier of species in construct chainשִׁטָּה (H7848) 'acacia'; the durable desert wood also used for the tabernacle furnishings (Exod 25:10).
וָאֶפְסֹ֛לand I hewedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · פָּסַל (H6458)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּסַל (H6458) 'to hew, cut'; Moses' compliance with the command of v.1, in the same verb.
שְׁנֵיtwonumeral m dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Numeral head of construct chain governing לֻחֹתשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; the pair of tablets Moses hewed.
לֻחֹ֥תtablets ofN m pl constr · לוּחַ (H3871)Direct object of וָאֶפְסֹל (construct chain head)לוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet, board'.
אֲבָנִ֖יםof stoneN f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Genitival qualifier of material in construct chainאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; matching the first set.
כָּרִאשֹׁנִ֑יםlike the first (ones)prep כְּ + art + Adj m pl abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Comparative prepositional phrase modifying לֻחֹתרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first, former'; Moses' report confirms exact conformity to the command of v.1.
וָאַ֣עַלand I went upconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · עָלָה (H5927)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; Moses' compliance with the second imperative of v.1.
הָהָ֔רָהto the mountainart + N m sg abs + directional ה · הַר (H2022)Adverbial accusative of direction (locative he)הַר (H2022) 'mountain'; Moses' ascent completes the divine instruction.
וּשְׁנֵ֥יand the twoconj וְ + numeral m dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Numeral head of construct chain, casus pendens resumed by object suffix on next clauseשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; fronted for emphasis before its verb ('and the two tablets were in my hand').
הַלֻּחֹ֖תthe tabletsart + N m pl abs · לוּחַ (H3871)Subject (fronted, resumed nominal clause)לוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet'; subject of the implied 'were' with בְּיָדִי.
בְּיָדִֽיin my handprep בְּ + N c sg constr + suff 1cs · יָד (H3027)Predicate (locative nominal clause)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; the tablets Moses now personally carries up, in contrast to the divinely-made first set.
4
וַיִּכְתֹּ֨ב עַֽל הַלֻּחֹ֜ת כַּמִּכְתָּ֣ב הָרִאשׁ֗וֹן אֵ֚ת עֲשֶׂ֣רֶת הַדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּר֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֲלֵיכֶ֥ם בָּהָ֛ר מִתּ֥וֹךְ הָאֵ֖שׁ בְּי֣וֹם הַקָּהָ֑ל וַיִּתְּנֵ֥ם יְהוָ֖ה אֵלָֽי
And he wrote on the tablets, as at the first writing, the ten words that YHWH spoke to you on the mountain out of the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly, and YHWH gave them to me.
The subject silently shifts to YHWH ('he wrote'), fulfilling v.2's promise; the verse closes the tablets-and-ark unit with YHWH personally handing the finished tablets to Moses.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיִּכְתֹּ֨בand he wroteconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · כָּתַב (H3789)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceכָּתַב (H3789) 'to write'; subject is YHWH — fulfilling the promise of v.2, he himself inscribes the new tablets.
עַֽלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; the surface written on.
הַלֻּחֹ֜תthe tabletsart + N m pl abs · לוּחַ (H3871)Object of preposition עַללוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet'; the tablets Moses hewed in v.3.
כַּמִּכְתָּ֣בlike the writingprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִכְתָּב (H4385)Comparative prepositional phrase (manner)מִכְתָּב (H4385) 'writing, inscription', from כָּתַב; the new tablets replicate the first writing exactly.
הָרִאשׁ֗וֹןthe first (one)art + Adj m sg abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Attributive adjective modifying מִכְתָּברִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first, former'; the new inscription matches the original writing (Exod 32:16).
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים as the definite object of וַיִּכְתֹּב; untranslated in English.
עֲשֶׂ֣רֶתten (of)numeral m sg constr · עֶשֶׂר (H6235)Numeral head of construct chain governing הַדְּבָרִיםעֶשֶׂר (H6235) 'ten'; construct with הַדְּבָרִים forms 'the Ten Words' (עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים), i.e., the Decalogue.
הַדְּבָרִ֔יםthe wordsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of וַיִּכְתֹּב (construct chain)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; the Ten Commandments, here explicitly named 'the ten words.'
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relativizer introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the clause recalling the original theophany at Horeb.
דִּבֶּר֩spokePiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective, Piel: a completed, weighty act of speechדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; recalls YHWH's direct oral proclamation of the Decalogue at Sinai (5:4, 22).
יְהוָ֨הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
אֲלֵיכֶ֥םto you (pl.)prep אֶל + suff 2mp · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (recipient of speech)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward' with 2mp suffix; addressed to all Israel assembled at the mountain.
בָּהָ֛רon the mountainprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phraseהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; Horeb, the site of the theophany.
מִתּ֥וֹךְout of the midst ofprep מִן + N c sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phrase (source)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; with מִן, 'from the midst of the fire' — the theophanic fire of Horeb (cf. 4:12,15,33,36).
הָאֵ֖שׁthe fireart + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Object of preposition מִתּוֹךְאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the theophanic fire from which YHWH spoke at Horeb (5:4, 22-26).
בְּי֣וֹםon the day ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase (construct chain head)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; construct with הַקָּהָל, 'the day of the assembly.'
הַקָּהָ֑לthe assemblyart + N m sg abs · קָהָל (H6951)Genitival qualifier in construct chainקָהָל (H6951) 'assembly, congregation'; 'the day of the assembly' names Israel's gathering at Horeb to receive the covenant (9:10; 18:16).
וַיִּתְּנֵ֥םand he gave themconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms + suff 3mp · נָתַן (H5414)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; YHWH hands the completed tablets over to Moses, closing the report of vv.1-4.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיִּתְּנֵםיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
אֵלָֽיto meprep אֶל + suff 1cs · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (recipient)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward' with 1cs suffix; Moses receives the tablets directly.
5
וָאֵ֗פֶן וָֽאֵרֵד֙ מִן הָהָ֔ר וָֽאָשִׂם֙ אֶת הַלֻּחֹ֔ת בָּאָר֖וֹן אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֑יתִי וַיִּ֣הְיוּ שָׁ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוַּ֖נִי יְהוָֽה
Then I turned and came down from the mountain and put the tablets in the ark that I had made, and there they have remained, as YHWH commanded me.
The wayyiqtol chain concludes the episode; וַיִּהְיוּ שָׁם ('and there they are/remained') is a scribal aside asserting the tablets' continued presence at the time of writing, framed by the closing compliance formula 'as YHWH commanded me.'
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וָאֵ֗פֶןand I turnedconj וָ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · פָּנָה (H6437)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּנָה (H6437) 'to turn'; Moses resumes his own narrative of descent from the mountain.
וָֽאֵרֵד֙and I went downconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · יָרַד (H3381)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down, descend'; Moses' descent from Horeb with the completed tablets.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source)מִן (H4480) 'from'; marks the point of departure, the mountain.
הָהָ֔רthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Object of preposition מִןהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; Horeb.
וָֽאָשִׂם֙and I putconj וָ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · שִׂים (H7760)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place'; Moses reports his own compliance with the instruction of v.2.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַלֻּחֹת as the definite object of וָאָשִׂם; untranslated in English.
הַלֻּחֹ֔תthe tabletsart + N m pl abs · לוּחַ (H3871)Direct object of וָאָשִׂםלוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet'; the new tablets, now inscribed by YHWH.
בָּאָר֖וֹןin the arkprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אָרוֹן (H727)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)אָרוֹן (H727) 'ark, chest'; the ark Moses built, per v.3.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relativizer introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the clause identifying the ark as the one Moses himself made.
עָשִׂ֑יתִיI had madeQal perf 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act, referring back to v.3עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make'; closes the loop with the ark-construction of v.3.
וַיִּ֣הְיוּand they were/remainedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, resultativeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the archival aside — 'and there they are/remained' — asserting the tablets' continued presence in the ark.
שָׁ֔םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbial predicateשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; the archival note anchors the tablets' location — 'and there they are/remained' — as of the time of writing.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רas/just asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative subordinating conjunction introducing final clauseכַּאֲשֶׁר (כְּ + אֲשֶׁר, H834) 'just as, according as'; introduces the closing note of divine command fulfilled.
צִוַּ֖נִיhe commanded mePiel perf 3ms + suff 1cs · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective, Piel: a completed authoritative commandצָוָה (H6680) 'to command'; the whole tablets-and-ark episode is framed as strict compliance with YHWH's command.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוַּנִייְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
6
וּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל נָֽסְע֛וּ מִבְּאֵרֹ֥ת בְּנֵי יַעֲקָ֖ן מוֹסֵרָ֑ה שָׁ֣ם מֵ֤ת אַהֲרֹן֙ וַיִּקָּבֵ֣ר שָׁ֔ם וַיְכַהֵ֛ן אֶלְעָזָ֥ר בְּנ֖וֹ תַּחְתָּֽיו
(And the people of Israel journeyed from Beeroth Bene-jaakan to Moserah. There Aaron died, and there he was buried, and Eleazar his son ministered as priest in his place.)
A third-person travel notice breaks into Moses' first-person account, reporting Aaron's death and Eleazar's immediate priestly succession — information not strictly required by the tablets narrative but theologically load-bearing for what follows (Levi's status, vv.8-9).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וּבְנֵ֣יand the sons ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (construct chain head, resumed narrative)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; opens the itinerary parenthesis (vv.6-9), a note interrupting Moses' first-person narrative with third-person travel notices.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitival qualifier in construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the covenant people, subject of the itinerary that follows.
נָֽסְע֛וּjourneyed/set outQal perf 3cp · נָסַע (H5265)Predicate verb (main clause of itinerary note)→ Perfective: a completed act of departureנָסַע (H5265) 'to pull up (tent pegs), journey, set out'; standard itinerary verb (cf. Numbers 33).
מִבְּאֵרֹ֥תfrom Beerothprep מִן + proper noun · בְּאֵרֹת בְּנֵי־יַעֲקָן (H885)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source, place name)בְּאֵרוֹת בְּנֵי־יַעֲקָן (H885) 'wells of the sons of Jaakan', a wilderness station also listed in Num 33:31-32 (there בְּנֵי יַעֲקָן).
בְּנֵיsons ofproper noun (construct use) · בְּנֵי (H885)Continuation of the place-name construct chainPart of the compound place name בְּאֵרוֹת בְּנֵי יַעֲקָן 'wells of the sons of Jaakan.'
יַעֲקָ֖ןJaakanproper noun · יַעֲקָן (H3292)Final member of the place-name construct chainיַעֲקָן, ancestor/clan name completing 'Beeroth Bene-Jaakan' (cf. 1 Chr 1:42 עַקָּן).
מוֹסֵרָ֑הto Moserahproper noun (directional/accusative of goal) · מוֹסֵרָה (H4149)Adverbial accusative of direction (place name)מוֹסֵרָה/מֹסֵרוֹת (H4149) 'Moserah', a station where, per this verse, Aaron died — Num 33:30-31 places his death at nearby Mosera(h)/Mount Hor.
שָׁ֣םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbial (fronted, resumptive)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; fronted for emphasis, anchoring Aaron's death at Moserah.
מֵ֤תdiedQal perf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, final eventמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the itinerary parenthesis's central notice — Aaron's death, elsewhere placed in the fortieth year at Mount Hor (Num 20:22-29; 33:38).
אַהֲרֹן֙Aaronproper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Subject of מֵתאַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' brother and Israel's first high priest; his death here is stated flatly, without eulogy.
וַיִּקָּבֵ֣רand he was buriedconj וַ + Niphal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָבַר (H6912)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (passive)→ Wayyiqtol, Niphal passive: foregrounded narrative advance, undergone actionקָבַר (H6912) 'to bury'; Niphal passive — Aaron 'was buried' there, at Moserah/Mount Hor.
שָׁ֔םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbial predicateשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; repeats the location, emphasizing Aaron's burial site.
וַיְכַהֵ֛ןand he served as priestconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · כָּהַן (H3547)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol, Piel: foregrounded narrative advance — immediate successionכָּהַן (H3547) 'to act/serve as priest', denominative from כֹּהֵן; Eleazar's priestly succession follows Aaron's death without a gap.
אֶלְעָזָ֥רEleazarproper noun · אֶלְעָזָר (H499)Subject of וַיְכַהֵןאֶלְעָזָר (H499) 'God has helped'; Aaron's son, who succeeds him as high priest (Num 20:25-28).
בְּנ֖וֹhis sonN m sg constr + suff 3ms · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition to אֶלְעָזָרבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; identifies Eleazar as Aaron's son, underscoring hereditary priestly succession.
תַּחְתָּֽיוin his placeprep תַּחַת + suff 3ms · תַּחַת (H8478)Adverbial prepositional phrase (succession)תַּחַת (H8478) 'under, instead of'; standard succession formula, 'in his stead.'
7
מִשָּׁ֥ם נָסְע֖וּ הַגֻּדְגֹּ֑דָה וּמִן הַגֻּדְגֹּ֣דָה יָטְבָ֔תָה אֶ֖רֶץ נַ֥חֲלֵי מָֽיִם
From there they journeyed to Gudgodah, and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of streams of water.
The travel notice continues, ending on a note of relief — a well-watered land — after the harsh associations of Aaron's death.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
מִשָּׁ֥םfrom thereprep מִן + adverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source)שָׁם (H8033) 'there' with מִן; continues the itinerary from Moserah.
נָסְע֖וּthey journeyedQal perf 3cp · נָסַע (H5265)Predicate verb (main clause of itinerary note)→ Perfective: a completed act of departureנָסַע (H5265) 'to journey, set out'; continues the itinerary formula of v.6.
הַגֻּדְגֹּ֑דָהto Gudgodahart + proper noun + directional ה · גֻּדְגֹּד (H1412)Adverbial accusative of direction (place name)גֻּדְגֹּדָה (H1412) 'Gudgodah', a wilderness station equated with חֹר הַגִּדְגָּד of Num 33:32-33.
וּמִןand fromconj וְ + prep · מִן (H4480)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source)מִן (H4480) 'from'; continues the itinerary chain.
הַגֻּדְגֹּ֣דָהGudgodahart + proper noun + directional ה · גֻּדְגֹּד (H1412)Object of preposition מִןגֻּדְגֹּדָה (H1412); repeats the station name as the point of departure for the next leg.
יָטְבָ֔תָהto Jotbathahproper noun (directional/accusative of goal) · יָטְבָתָה (H3193)Adverbial accusative of direction (place name)יָטְבָתָה, 'Jotbathah', from יטב 'be good'; a wilderness station also in Num 33:33-34, described next as a well-watered land.
אֶ֖רֶץa land ofN c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Apposition to יָטְבָתָה (construct chain head)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; in apposition, describing Jotbathah's character.
נַ֥חֲלֵיof streams ofN m pl constr · נַחַל (H5158)Genitival qualifier in construct chainנַחַל (H5158) 'wadi, streambed'; here plural, 'streams', qualifying the land as well-watered.
מָֽיִםwaterN m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Genitival qualifier completing the construct chainמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; completes 'a land of streams of water' — a note of relief after the harsh wilderness stations.
8
בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֗וא הִבְדִּ֤יל יְהוָה֙ אֶת שֵׁ֣בֶט הַלֵּוִ֔י לָשֵׂ֖את אֶת אֲר֣וֹן בְּרִית יְהוָ֑ה לַעֲמֹד֩ לִפְנֵ֨י יְהוָ֤ה לְשָֽׁרְתוֹ֙ וּלְבָרֵ֣ךְ בִּשְׁמ֔וֹ עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה
At that time YHWH set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of YHWH, to stand before YHWH to minister to him and to bless in his name, to this day.
The same temporal formula that opened v.1 now reframes the itinerary aside to explain Levi's unique status, defined by a fourfold infinitival purpose (carry, stand, minister, bless).
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
בָּעֵ֣תat the timeprep בְּ + art + N c/b sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Temporal prepositional phrase (fronted setting)עֵת (H6256) 'time, season'; the same formula as v.1, now reframing the itinerary parenthesis to introduce Levi's consecration.
הַהִ֗ואthatart + demonstrative pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying עֵתהוּא/הִיא (H1931); with the article, attributive 'that (time)'.
הִבְדִּ֤ילset apartHiphil perf 3ms · בָּדַל (H914)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective, Hiphil causative: a decisive act of separationבָּדַל (H914) 'to divide, separate', Hiphil causative 'set apart'; YHWH's designation of Levi for exclusive cultic service.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הִבְדִּיליְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking שֵׁבֶט הַלֵּוִי as the definite object of הִבְדִּיל; untranslated in English.
שֵׁ֣בֶטthe tribe ofN m sg constr · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Direct object of הִבְדִּיל (construct chain head)שֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'tribe, staff'; construct with הַלֵּוִי, 'the tribe of Levi.'
הַלֵּוִ֔יthe Levite/Leviart + gentilic N m sg abs · לֵוִי (H3878)Genitival qualifier in construct chainלֵוִי (H3878), gentilic 'Levite' used as tribal name; Levi, set apart from ordinary landed inheritance for sacred duty (see v.9).
לָשֵׂ֖אתto carryprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָשָׂא (H5375)Infinitive of purpose (result of הִבְדִּיל)→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result — the intended function of Levi's separationנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry'; the first of three infinitival purposes defining Levi's role — bearing the ark.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking אֲרוֹן בְּרִית יְהוָה as the object of לָשֵׂאת; untranslated in English.
אֲר֣וֹןthe ark ofN c sg constr · אָרוֹן (H727)Direct object of לָשֵׂאת (construct chain head)אָרוֹן (H727) 'ark, chest'; here the ark now called by its full title, 'ark of YHWH's covenant.'
בְּרִיתthe covenant ofN f sg constr · בְּרִית (H1285)Genitival qualifier in construct chainבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; the ark's full designation names it as the covenant's ark, container of the tablets.
יְהוָ֑הof YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitival qualifier completing the construct chainיְהוָה (H3068); completes 'the ark of the covenant of YHWH.'
לַעֲמֹד֩to standprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָמַד (H5975)Infinitive of purpose (coordinate with לָשֵׂאת)→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result — the intended function of Levi's separationעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; second infinitival purpose — cultic attendance before YHWH.
לִפְנֵ֨יbeforeprep לִפְנֵי (לְ + פָּנִים constr) · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase modifying לַעֲמֹדפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of' — cultic attendance in YHWH's presence.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of preposition לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
לְשָֽׁרְתוֹ֙to serve himprep לְ + Piel inf constr + suff 3ms · שָׁרַת (H8334)Infinitive of purpose (coordinate)→ Infinitive construct, Piel: purpose/result — the intended function of Levi's separationשָׁרַת (H8334) 'to minister, serve'; third infinitival purpose — cultic ministry to YHWH.
וּלְבָרֵ֣ךְand to blessconj וְ + prep לְ + Piel inf constr · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Infinitive of purpose (coordinate, final in the series)→ Infinitive construct, Piel: purpose/result — the intended function of Levi's separationבָּרַךְ (H1288) 'to bless'; fourth and climactic infinitival purpose — pronouncing YHWH's blessing (cf. priestly benediction, Num 6:22-27).
בִּשְׁמ֔וֹin his nameprep בְּ + N m sg constr + suff 3ms · שֵׁם (H8034)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner/authority)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; blessing pronounced in YHWH's name and authority.
עַ֖דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phraseעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; marks the continuing validity of Levi's status.
הַיּ֥וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Object of preposition עַדיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'this day' — the narrator's/speaker's present, indicating an ongoing arrangement.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַיּוֹםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; 'to this day' — a formula asserting continuity into the speaker's own time (cf. v.15).
9
עַל כֵּ֞ן לֹֽא הָיָ֧ה לְלֵוִ֛י חֵ֥לֶק וְנַחֲלָ֖ה עִם אֶחָ֑יו יְהוָה֙ ה֣וּא נַחֲלָת֔וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֶּ֛ר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לֽוֹ
Therefore Levi has no portion or inheritance with his brothers; YHWH is his inheritance, as YHWH your God said to him.
עַל כֵּן draws the theological consequence: Levi's landlessness is reinterpreted as its own reward — 'YHWH is his inheritance,' the chapter's most quoted line, closing the itinerary parenthesis.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
עַלon/thereforeprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase forming causal conjunction with כֵּןעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; with כֵּן forms עַל כֵּן 'therefore', drawing the inference from Levi's separation just narrated.
כֵּ֞ןso/thusadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Completes causal conjunction עַל כֵּן ('therefore')כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; עַל־כֵּן 'therefore' introduces the consequence: Levi's landlessness.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates הָיָהלֹא (H3808) standard negative particle; negates the existence of a landed portion for Levi.
הָיָ֧הthere wasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential main clause)→ Perfective: a stated, settled factהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, exist'; existential — 'Levi has no portion.'
לְלֵוִ֛יfor/to Leviprep לְ + proper noun · לֵוִי (H3878)Dative of possessionלֵוִי (H3878); dative marks Levi as the (non-)possessor — 'Levi has no portion.'
חֵ֥לֶקportionN m sg abs · חֵלֶק (H2506)Subject of הָיָהחֵלֶק (H2506) 'portion, share'; used of allotted tribal territory — Levi receives none (18:1-2).
וְנַחֲלָ֖הand inheritanceconj וְ + N f sg abs · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Coordinate subject of הָיָהנַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, hereditary property'; paired with חֵלֶק, doubly denies Levi a landed inheritance — its true 'inheritance' is named in the next clause.
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Comparative prepositional phraseעִם (H5973) 'with'; 'along with his brothers' — the other tribes.
אֶחָ֑יוhis brothersN m pl constr + suff 3ms · אָח (H251)Object of preposition עִםאָח (H251) 'brother'; the other Israelite tribes, who do receive a territorial share.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject/predicate of nominal clause (fronted for emphasis)יְהוָה (H3068); fronted before הוּא for climactic emphasis — 'YHWH — he is his inheritance.'
ה֣וּאheindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive copula pronoun (nominal clause)הוּא (H1931) resumptive 'he/it is'; links יְהוָה to the predicate נַחֲלָתוֹ, the chapter's most quoted line about Levi.
נַחֲלָת֔וֹhis inheritanceN f sg constr + suff 3ms · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Predicate nominativeנַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance'; the theological reversal — Levi's true 'inheritance' (v.9a denied) is YHWH himself (cf. Num 18:20; Ps 16:5).
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative subordinating conjunctionכַּאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'just as'; introduces the confirming clause that this arrangement was itself divinely spoken.
דִּבֶּ֛רspokePiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective, Piel: a completed, authoritative statementדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; grounds Levi's unique status in explicit divine promise (cf. Num 18:20).
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + suff 2ms · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; plural of majesty with singular referent, in apposition to יְהוָה.
לֽוֹto/concerning himprep לְ + suff 3ms · לְAdverbial complement of דִּבֶּרלְ + 3ms suffix; 'spoke to/concerning him (Levi)', closing the aside on Levi's special status.
10
וְאָנֹכִ֞י עָמַ֣דְתִּי בָהָ֗ר כַּיָּמִים֙ הָרִ֣אשֹׁנִ֔ים אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם וְאַרְבָּעִ֖ים לָ֑יְלָה וַיִּשְׁמַ֨ע יְהוָ֜ה אֵלַ֗י גַּ֚ם בַּפַּ֣עַם הַהִ֔וא לֹא אָבָ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה הַשְׁחִיתֶֽךָ
As for me, I stayed on the mountain, as at the first time, forty days and forty nights, and YHWH listened to me that time also; YHWH was not willing to destroy you.
אָנֹכִי, fronted and contrastive, resumes the tablets narrative broken off after v.5, recapping the extended intercession of chapter 9 and confirming its favorable outcome.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְאָנֹכִ֞יand Iconj וְ + independent pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (fronted for contrast, resuming Moses' first-person narrative)אָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; the itinerary/Levi parenthesis (vv.6-9) closes and the first-person narrative from v.5 resumes and continues.
עָמַ֣דְתִּיstood/stayedQal perf 1cs · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, extended stateעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; here 'remained, stayed' on the mountain, recapping the forty-day/night sojourn of 9:18,25.
בָהָ֗רon the mountainprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phraseהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; Horeb, site of the extended intercession of ch. 9.
כַּיָּמִים֙like the daysprep כְּ + art + N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Comparative prepositional phrase (temporal)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'like the former days' — the duration matches the first forty-day stay (9:9,11).
הָרִ֣אשֹׁנִ֔יםthe first (ones)art + Adj m pl abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Attributive adjective modifying הַיָּמִיםרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first, former'; the earlier forty-day period on the mountain (9:9-18).
אַרְבָּעִ֣יםfortynumeral c pl abs · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Numeral modifying יוֹםאַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; the recurring number for periods of testing/preparation in Deuteronomy (9:9,11,18,25).
י֔וֹםday(s)N m sg abs (distributive) · יוֹם (H3117)Object/measure noun with אַרְבָּעִיםיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; singular used distributively with the numeral, 'forty days.'
וְאַרְבָּעִ֖יםand fortyconj וְ + numeral c pl abs · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Numeral modifying לָיְלָהאַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; completes 'forty days and forty nights.'
לָ֑יְלָהnight(s)N m sg abs (distributive) · לַיְלָה (H3915)Object/measure noun with אַרְבָּעִיםלַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; the full forty-day, forty-night duration underscores Moses' extended, unbroken intercession (9:18,25).
וַיִּשְׁמַ֨עand he listenedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a favorable divine responseשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen'; YHWH's positive answer to Moses' extended intercession — 'YHWH listened to me also at that time.'
יְהוָ֜הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיִּשְׁמַעיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
אֵלַ֗יto meprep אֶל + suff 1cs · אֶל (H413)Indirect object of וַיִּשְׁמַעאֶל (H413) 'to, toward' with 1cs suffix; YHWH's favorable hearing directed toward Moses.
גַּ֚םalsoadverb · גַּם (H1571)Adverbial emphatic particleגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; emphasizes that this second intercession, like the first, was heard.
בַּפַּ֣עַםat the timeprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · פַּעַם (H6471)Temporal prepositional phraseפַּעַם (H6471) 'time, occasion, foot-beat'; 'at that occasion/time also' — matches בָּעֵת הַהִוא, tying this hearing to the same extended intercession period.
הַהִ֔ואthatart + demonstrative pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying בַּפַּעַםהוּא/הִיא (H1931); with the article, attributive 'that (occasion)'.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates אָבָהלֹא (H3808); negates YHWH's willingness — 'was not willing.'
אָבָ֥הwas willingQal perf 3ms · אָבָה (H14)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a settled disposition/decisionאָבָה (H14) 'to be willing, consent'; 'YHWH was not willing to destroy you' — the pivotal statement of averted judgment.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of אָבָהיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
הַשְׁחִיתֶֽךָto destroy youHiphil inf constr + suff 2ms · שָׁחַת (H7843)Infinitive complement of אָבָה→ Infinitive construct, Hiphil: the withheld action, an averted catastropheשָׁחַת (H7843) 'to ruin, destroy', Hiphil causative; the annihilation threatened after the golden calf (9:14,19,25), which YHWH declined to carry out.
11
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֵלַ֔י ק֛וּם לֵ֥ךְ לְמַסַּ֖ע לִפְנֵ֣י הָעָ֑ם וְיָבֹ֨אוּ֙ וְיִֽרְשׁ֣וּ אֶת הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי לַאֲבֹתָ֖ם לָתֵ֥ת לָהֶֽם
And YHWH said to me, 'Arise, go on your journey at the head of the people, so that they may go in and possess the land that I swore to their fathers to give to them.'
With judgment averted (v.10), YHWH issues a fresh command to resume the journey toward the land, grounding it in the unconditional patriarchal oath.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand he saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces YHWH's renewed command to resume the journey, after the intercession crisis is resolved.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
אֵלַ֔יto meprep אֶל + suff 1cs · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (recipient of speech)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward' with 1cs suffix.
ק֛וּםariseQal impv 2ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (imperative, direct quotation)→ Volitional: an urgent command to resume the missionקוּם (H6965) 'to arise, stand up'; paired with לֵךְ, a standard idiom launching renewed action.
לֵ֥ךְgoQal impv 2ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Coordinate imperative (asyndetic)→ Volitional: direct commandהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; second imperative, directing Moses to lead the people onward.
לְמַסַּ֖עfor a journeyprep לְ + N m sg abs · מַסַּע (H4550)Adverbial prepositional phrase (purpose)מַסַּע (H4550) 'journey, setting out', from נָסַע; resumes the itinerary language of vv.6-7.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לִפְנֵי (לְ + פָּנִים constr) · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase modifying לֵךְפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי 'before, ahead of' — Moses is to lead the people, not merely accompany them.
הָעָ֑םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Object of preposition לִפְנֵיעַם (H5971) 'people'; Israel, whom Moses is to lead onward toward the land.
וְיָבֹ֨אוּ֙and let them go inconj וְ + Qal jussive 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Jussive continuing the imperative sequence (purpose/result)→ Jussive: volitional third-person continuation — the intended goal of the commandבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; states the goal of the renewed journey — entry into the land.
וְיִֽרְשׁ֣וּand let them possessconj וְ + Qal jussive 3mp · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Jussive continuing the sequence (purpose/result)→ Jussive: volitional third-person continuationיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to take possession of, dispossess'; the goal now explicit — possession of the land.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָאָרֶץ as the object of וְיִרְשׁוּ; untranslated in English.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of וְיִרְשׁוּאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the promised land, object of the journey and possession.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relativizer introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the clause grounding the land-gift in the patriarchal oath.
נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּיI sworeNiphal perf 1cs · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective, Niphal (reflexive/passive of the oath-verb): a binding, irrevocable divine oathשָׁבַע (H7650) 'to swear'; YHWH's own oath to the patriarchs, the unconditional ground of the land-gift (cf. Gen 15, 22).
לַאֲבֹתָ֖םto their fathersprep לְ + N m pl constr + suff 3mp · אָב (H1)Indirect object of נִשְׁבַּעְתִּיאָב (H1) 'father'; Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, recipients of the original oath.
לָתֵ֥תto giveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָתַן (H5414)Infinitive of purpose/content (specifying the oath)→ Infinitive construct: the specific content of the oathנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; states the content of the oath sworn to the fathers — the gift of the land.
לָהֶֽםto themprep לְ + suff 3mp · לְIndirect object of לָתֵתלְ + 3mp suffix; the fathers (or their descendants) as beneficiaries of the land-gift.
12
וְעַתָּה֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מָ֚ה יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ שֹׁאֵ֖ל מֵעִמָּ֑ךְ כִּ֣י אִם לְ֠יִרְאָה אֶת יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ לָלֶ֤כֶת בְּכָל דְּרָכָיו֙ וּלְאַהֲבָ֣ה אֹת֔וֹ וְלַֽעֲבֹד֙ אֶת יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בְּכָל לְבָבְךָ֖ וּבְכָל נַפְשֶֽׁךָ
And now, Israel, what does YHWH your God ask of you, but to fear YHWH your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, and to serve YHWH your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
וְעַתָּה marks the chapter's rhetorical summit — the historical narrative of vv.1-11 becomes the ground for a direct appeal, echoed at Micah 6:8, unfolding a fivefold demand across vv.12-13 (fear, walk, love, serve, keep).
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
וְעַתָּה֙and nowconj וְ + adverb · עַתָּה (H6258)Discourse marker introducing the chapter's summit exhortationעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; marks the pivot from historical recital (vv.1-11) to direct exhortation — Deuteronomy's Micah-6:8-like summation.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelproper noun (vocative) · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Vocative addressיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); direct address to the whole covenant people, opening the exhortation.
מָ֚הwhatinterrogative pron · מָה (H4100)Direct object of שֹׁאֵל (fronted, interrogative)מָה (H4100) 'what'; opens the famous rhetorical question, echoed at Micah 6:8.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of שֹׁאֵליְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + suff 2ms · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God', plural of majesty; in apposition, 'YHWH your God.'
שֹׁאֵ֖לaskingQal ptc ms abs · שָׁאַל (H7592)Predicate verb (participial main clause)→ Participle: durative, characterizing what YHWH continually requiresשָׁאַל (H7592) 'to ask, request'; frames the entire covenant demand as reasonable — not burdensome but for Israel's good (v.13).
מֵעִמָּ֑ךְfrom with youprep מִן + prep עִם + suff 2ms · עִם (H5973)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source)מֵעִם (H5973) 'from with, from beside'; 'what does YHWH ask of you' — the demand issues from the relationship itself.
כִּ֣יexcept/butconj · כִּי (H3588)Forms restrictive conjunction כִּי אִם with following אִםכִּי (H3588); with אִם forms כִּי אִם 'except, only' — sharply restricts the answer to the five items following.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Completes restrictive conjunction כִּי אִםאִם (H518); with כִּי, כִּי אִם 'except, only' — introduces the fivefold answer: fear, walk, love, serve, keep.
לְ֠יִרְאָהto fearprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָרֵא (H3372)Infinitive complement, first of the fivefold demand→ Infinitive construct: the covenant's core disposition, reverent aweיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear, revere'; first of the five verbs (fear-walk-love-serve-keep) defining covenant response, echoed at Micah 6:8.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ as the object of לְיִרְאָה; untranslated in English.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of לְיִרְאָהיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God — the object of fear, love, and service.
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָyour GodN m pl constr + suff 2ms · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; in apposition, 'YHWH your God.'
לָלֶ֤כֶתto walkprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָלַךְ (H3212)Infinitive complement, second of the fivefold demand→ Infinitive construct: the covenant's core disposition, sustained conductהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to walk, go'; second verb of the pentad — habitual conduct in YHWH's ways.
בְּכָלin allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying לָלֶכֶת (construct chain head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct with דְּרָכָיו, 'in all his ways.'
דְּרָכָיו֙his waysN c pl constr + suff 3ms · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Genitival qualifier completing the construct chainדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; figuratively YHWH's conduct/character as the pattern for Israel's own walk.
וּלְאַהֲבָ֣הand to loveconj וְ + prep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָהַב (H157)Infinitive complement, third of the fivefold demand→ Infinitive construct: the covenant's core disposition, affective devotionאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; third verb — covenant love, both dispositional and demonstrated in loyal action (cf. 6:5).
אֹת֔וֹ[obj] himobj marker + suff 3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (pronominal, definite object)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, 'him' (YHWH), object of וּלְאַהֲבָה; untranslated as a separate word in English.
וְלַֽעֲבֹד֙and to serveconj וְ + prep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָבַד (H5647)Infinitive complement, fourth of the fivefold demand→ Infinitive construct: the covenant's core disposition, exclusive serviceעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, work'; fourth verb — cultic and existential service due to YHWH alone.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ as the object of וְלַעֲבֹד; untranslated in English.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of וְלַעֲבֹדיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + suff 2ms · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; in apposition, 'YHWH your God.'
בְּכָלwith allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner (construct chain head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with לְבָבְךָ, 'with all your heart' — totality of devotion.
לְבָבְךָ֖your heartN m sg constr + suff 2ms · לֵבָב (H3824)Genitival qualifier completing the construct chainלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart', seat of will, intellect, and emotion; the standard pairing with נֶפֶשׁ for total devotion (6:5).
וּבְכָלand with allconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner (construct chain head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with נַפְשֶׁךָ, completing 'with all your heart and with all your soul.'
נַפְשֶֽׁךָyour soulN c sg constr + suff 2ms · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Genitival qualifier completing the construct chainנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, self'; with לֵבָב, the classic pair for wholehearted devotion (6:5; 30:6).
13
לִשְׁמֹ֞ר אֶת מִצְוֺ֤ת יְהוָה֙ וְאֶת חֻקֹּתָ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֛ר אָנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּ֑וֹם לְט֖וֹב לָֽךְ
to keep the commandments of YHWH and his statutes, which I am commanding you today, for your good.
The fifth infinitive (keep) grounds the abstract dispositions of v.12 in concrete commandments, closing with the assurance that the demand serves Israel's own good, not divine self-interest.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
לִשְׁמֹ֞רto keepprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַר (H8104)Infinitive complement, fifth of the fivefold demand→ Infinitive construct: the covenant's core disposition, faithful observanceשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; fifth and climactic verb of the pentad — concrete obedience to the commandments.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking מִצְוֺת יְהוָה as the object of לִשְׁמֹר; untranslated in English.
מִצְוֺ֤תthe commandments ofN f pl constr · מִצְוָה (H4687)Direct object of לִשְׁמֹר (construct chain head)מִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; the concrete specification of what 'keeping' entails.
יְהוָה֙of YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitival qualifier completing the construct chainיְהוָה (H3068); completes 'the commandments of YHWH.'
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ joins the second object; אֵת marks חֻקֹּתָיו as a second definite object of לִשְׁמֹר.
חֻקֹּתָ֔יוhis statutesN c pl constr + suff 3ms · חֻקָּה (H2708)Second direct object of לִשְׁמֹרחֻקָּה (H2708) 'statute, enactment'; paired with מִצְוֹת for the fullness of covenant law.
אֲשֶׁ֛רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relativizer introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the clause naming Moses as the immediate mediator of command.
אָנֹכִ֥יIindependent pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of מְצַוְּךָ (emphatic, resumed by verbal suffix)אָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; Moses, present mediator of the commands he is now transmitting.
מְצַוְּךָ֖commanding youPiel ptc ms constr + suff 2ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb of relative clause (participial)→ Participle, Piel: durative — Moses' ongoing act of instruction, happening in the present moment of addressצָוָה (H6680) 'to command'; participle stresses that Moses is commanding 'today', in real time, not merely reporting past law.
הַיּ֑וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; הַיּוֹם 'today' — Deuteronomy's recurring stress on the immediacy of the covenant address to this generation.
לְט֖וֹבfor goodprep לְ + Adj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Adverbial prepositional phrase of purpose/benefitטוֹב (H2896) 'good'; the commandments are for Israel's own benefit, not arbitrary imposition.
לָֽךְfor youprep לְ + suff 2fs (archaic/collective 'you') · לְAdverbial complement completing לְטוֹב לָךְלְ + 2fs suffix (an old form addressing Israel collectively, cf. 4:25); 'for your good' names the commandments' aim as Israel's own benefit, not divine self-interest.
14
הֵ֚ן לַיהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וּשְׁמֵ֣י הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם הָאָ֖רֶץ וְכָל אֲשֶׁר בָּֽהּ
Behold, to YHWH your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth and all that is in it.
The presentative הֵן introduces a universalizing claim — YHWH's ownership of the entire cosmos — which sets up the surprising particularity of v.15's election of the fathers.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
הֵ֚ןbeholdpresentative particle · הֵן (H2005)Presentative particle introducing the cosmic-scope motive clauseהֵן (H2005) 'behold, lo'; introduces the grounding motive for the pentad of v.12-13 — YHWH's universal ownership.
לַיהוָ֣הto/belonging to YHWHprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate of possession (nominal clause)יְהוָה (H3068) with לְ of possession; 'the heavens... belong to YHWH your God.'
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + suff 2ms · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; in apposition, 'YHWH your God.'
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Subject of the nominal clauseשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; the whole created cosmos belongs to YHWH — grounding the exclusive claim of v.12-13.
וּשְׁמֵ֣יand the heaven ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Coordinate subject (construct chain head)שָׁמַיִם (H8064); construct with הַשָּׁמָיִם forms 'the heaven of heavens' — superlative expression for the totality/highest heavens (cf. 1 Kgs 8:27).
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitival qualifier completing the construct chainשָׁמַיִם (H8064); completes the superlative 'heaven of heavens,' i.e., the entirety of the sky/cosmos, however conceived.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe earthart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Coordinate subject of the nominal clauseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land'; with the heavens, the whole cosmos belongs to YHWH — heaven and earth merism.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate subject (construct chain head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, everything'; construct with the relative clause, 'all that is in it.'
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relativizer introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the clause 'that is in it' (the earth).
בָּֽהּin itprep בְּ + suff 3fs · בְּPredicate of relative clauseבְּ + 3fs suffix, referring to הָאָרֶץ; 'all that is in it' — closing the totalizing cosmic claim that grounds vv.12-13.
15
רַ֧ק בַּאֲבֹתֶ֛יךָ חָשַׁ֥ק יְהוָ֖ה לְאַהֲבָ֣ה אוֹתָ֑ם וַיִּבְחַ֞ר בְּזַרְעָ֣ם אַחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם בָּכֶ֛ם מִכָּל הָעַמִּ֖ים כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּה
Yet YHWH set his heart in love on your fathers, and he chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day.
רַק sharply contrasts the cosmic scope of v.14 with YHWH's free, particular election of the patriarchs and their descendants — the ground of the fivefold demand and, implicitly, of the following call to circumcise the heart.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
רַ֧קonly/yetrestrictive adverb · רַק (H7535)Restrictive/adversative adverbial particle (discourse marker)רַק (H7535) 'only, surely'; sharpens the contrast — despite owning the whole cosmos (v.14), YHWH's love singled out the fathers specifically.
בַּאֲבֹתֶ֛יךָin/on your fathersprep בְּ + N m pl constr + suff 2ms · אָב (H1)Adverbial prepositional phrase (object of affection, fronted)אָב (H1) 'father'; Abraham, Isaac, Jacob — the object of YHWH's חָשַׁק, fronted for emphasis.
חָשַׁ֥קset his love/desiredQal perf 3ms · חָשַׁק (H2836)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of electionחָשַׁק (H2836) 'to desire, be attached to, set love upon'; a strong, almost physical verb of attachment — rare and intimate, used of YHWH's free choice of the patriarchs (cf. 7:7).
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of חָשַׁקיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God — the cosmic owner of v.14 who nonetheless singles out the fathers.
לְאַהֲבָ֣הto loveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָהַב (H157)Infinitive of result/epexegetical complement of חָשַׁק→ Infinitive construct: the outworking of divine electionאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; explicates חָשַׁק — the elective attachment expressed as ongoing love.
אוֹתָ֑ם[obj] themobj marker + suff 3mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (pronominal, definite object)אֵת (H853) with 3mp suffix, 'them' (the fathers), object of לְאַהֲבָה.
וַיִּבְחַ֞רand he choseconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the historical outworking of electionבָּחַר (H977) 'to choose, select'; the election extends from the fathers to their offspring, i.e., the present generation.
בְּזַרְעָ֣םin their seed/offspringprep בְּ + N m sg constr + suff 3mp · זֶרַע (H2233)Adverbial prepositional phrase (object of election)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; the fathers' descendants — the present audience of Moses' address.
אַחֲרֵיהֶ֗םafter themprep אַחַר + suff 3mp · אַחַר (H310)Adverbial prepositional phrase (succession)אַחַר (H310) 'after'; marks the generational succession from the fathers to this people.
בָּכֶ֛םyou (pl.)prep בְּ + suff 2mp · בְּApposition/specification of בְּזַרְעָם (identifying the present audience)בְּ + 2mp suffix; identifies the addressed generation with the chosen 'seed' — 'in their seed, you.'
מִכָּלfrom allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (comparative source, construct chain head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with הָעַמִּים, 'more than/from all the peoples' — the election is comparative, not merely additive.
הָעַמִּ֖יםthe peoplesart + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Genitival qualifier completing the construct chainעַם (H5971) 'people'; all other nations, from among whom Israel alone was chosen (7:7).
כַּיּ֥וֹםas this dayprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Comparative prepositional phrase (temporal)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'as it is this day' — the present unbroken continuation of the election, still visible to Moses' hearers.
הַזֶּהthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַיּוֹםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; 'this very day' — closing note of continuing election, matching v.8's formula.
16
וּמַלְתֶּ֕ם אֵ֖ת עָרְלַ֣ת לְבַבְכֶ֑ם וְעָ֨רְפְּכֶ֔ם לֹ֥א תַקְשׁ֖וּ עֽוֹד
Circumcise, then, the foreskin of your heart, and no longer stiffen your neck.
The startling metaphor transfers the physical rite of covenant membership inward, to the seat of will — the chapter's central image, echoed and deepened at 30:6, where God himself performs the circumcising.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וּמַלְתֶּ֕םand you shall circumciseconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · מוּל (H4135)Weqatal (imperatival force, main clause)→ Weqatal functioning as command: an urgent, decisive inward act required nowמוּל (H4135) 'to circumcise'; here transferred from the literal rite to the heart — the chapter's central interiorizing image, echoed and deepened at 30:6 where God himself performs the circumcising.
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking עָרְלַת לְבַבְכֶם as the object of וּמַלְתֶּם; untranslated in English.
עָרְלַ֣תthe foreskin ofN f sg constr · עָרְלָה (H6190)Direct object of וּמַלְתֶּם (construct chain head)עָרְלָה (H6190) 'foreskin'; construct with לְבַבְכֶם, 'the foreskin of your heart' — a startling metaphor transferring the physical rite of ch. 10 inward, to the seat of will.
לְבַבְכֶ֑םyour heartN m sg constr + suff 2mp · לֵבָב (H3824)Genitival qualifier completing the construct chainלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart'; the seat of will and disposition — the true site of covenant loyalty (cf. Jer 4:4, quoting this image).
וְעָ֨רְפְּכֶ֔םand your neckconj וְ + N m sg constr + suff 2mp · עֹרֶף (H6203)Subject/object of the negated command (fronted, casus pendens)עֹרֶף (H6203) 'neck, back of neck'; idiom of stubbornness — 'stiffen the neck' pictures a beast refusing the yoke (9:6,13).
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תַקְשׁוּלֹא (H3808); negates the verb of stiffening — a prohibition.
תַקְשׁ֖וּstiffen/hardenHiphil impf (prohibitive) 2mp · קָשָׁה (H7185)Predicate verb (negated main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol/prohibitive, Hiphil: an ongoing disposition forbidden going forwardקָשָׁה (H7185) 'to be hard, stiff', Hiphil causative; 'stiffen the neck no longer' — direct rebuke of the rebellious posture displayed at the golden calf (9:6,13,27).
עֽוֹדagain/stilladverb · עוֹד (H5750)Adverbial modifier of תַקְשׁוּעוֹד (H5750) 'again, still, yet'; 'no longer/anymore' — implicitly acknowledges the people's past stubbornness while demanding change now.
17
כִּ֚י יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם ה֚וּא אֱלֹהֵ֣י הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔ים וַאֲדֹנֵ֖י הָאֲדֹנִ֑ים הָאֵ֨ל הַגָּדֹ֤ל הַגִּבֹּר֙ וְהַנּוֹרָ֔א אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹא יִשָּׂ֣א פָנִ֔ים וְלֹ֥א יִקַּ֖ח שֹֽׁחַד
For YHWH your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe,
A string of superlative titles (God of gods, Lord of lords, great-mighty-awesome) culminates in an ethical claim — YHWH's own impartiality and incorruptibility become the paradigm for Israel's ethics toward the vulnerable (vv.18-19).
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
כִּ֚יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground clauseכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the grounds for the demand of vv.12-16 — YHWH's supreme, impartial character.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of nominal clauseיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔םyour GodN m pl constr + suff 2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2mp suffix, 'your God'; plural of majesty with singular referent.
ה֚וּאheindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive copula pronoun (nominal clause)הוּא (H1931) resumptive copula; links the subject יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם to the predicate אֱלֹהֵי הָאֱלֹהִים.
אֱלֹהֵ֣יGod ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate nominative (construct chain head)אֱלֹהִים (H430) construct, 'God of'; opens the superlative title 'God of gods.'
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֔יםthe godsart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitival qualifier completing the construct chain (superlative)אֱלֹהִים (H430) with article; אֱלֹהֵי הָאֱלֹהִים 'God of gods' — a Hebrew superlative idiom asserting YHWH's supremacy over every so-called god.
וַאֲדֹנֵ֖יand Lord ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · אֲדֹנָי (H136)Coordinate predicate (construct chain head)אֲדֹנָי (H136), the sacral title 'Lord'; here in construct as part of the parallel superlative 'Lord of lords,' pointed distinctly from the ordinary noun אָדוֹן (H113) that follows.
הָאֲדֹנִ֑יםthe lordsart + N m pl abs · אָדוֹן (H113)Genitival qualifier completing the construct chainאָדוֹן (H113) 'lord, master', plural with article; 'Lord of lords' — the second of the paired superlative titles for YHWH's absolute sovereignty.
הָאֵ֨לthe Godart + N m sg abs · אֵל (H410)Predicate nominative (apposition, continuing the string of titles)אֵל (H410) 'God, mighty one'; introduces a further string of epithets — 'the great, mighty, and awesome God.'
הַגָּדֹ֤לthe greatart + Adj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying הָאֵלגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, mighty'; first of three attributive epithets for God.
הַגִּבֹּר֙the mightyart + Adj m sg abs · גִּבּוֹר (H1368)Attributive adjective modifying הָאֵלגִּבּוֹר (H1368) 'mighty, valiant'; second epithet, divine power/warrior imagery.
וְהַנּוֹרָ֔אand the awesomeconj וְ + art + Niphal ptc ms abs · יָרֵא (H3372)Attributive participle modifying הָאֵל (coordinate, final in the series)→ Participle, Niphal: durative — inherently inspiring awe/fearיָרֵא (H3372) Niphal participle 'to be feared, awesome'; third epithet, completing the triad great-mighty-awesome (cf. Neh 9:32; Dan 9:4).
אֲשֶׁר֙whorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relativizer introducing the impartiality/no-bribe clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the two-fold description of divine impartial justice.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יִשָּׂאלֹא (H3808) standard negative particle.
יִשָּׂ֣אlifts/showsQal impf 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (negated relative clause)→ Yiqtol: habitual/characteristic negation — describes YHWH's unchanging characterנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry'; idiom נָשָׂא פָנִים 'to lift the face' = 'show partiality'; negated here, 'shows no partiality.'
פָנִ֔יםthe face/partialityN c/b pl abs · פָּנִים (H6440)Direct object completing the idiom נָשָׂא פָנִיםפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatic direct object with נָשָׂא, together meaning 'show partiality, be partial' (cf. Lev 19:15).
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יִקַּח (coordinate)לֹא (H3808) with conjunction; continues the negation, 'and takes no.'
יִקַּ֖חtakesQal impf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (negated coordinate clause)→ Yiqtol: habitual/characteristic negationלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, receive'; negated, 'takes no bribe' — completing the picture of YHWH's incorruptible justice.
שֹֽׁחַדbribeN m sg abs · שֹׁחַד (H7810)Direct object of יִקַּחשֹׁחַד (H7810) 'bribe, gift (to pervert justice)'; the negated object completing 'takes no bribe' — grounding vv.18-19's demand to love the sojourner in God's own impartial character.
18
עֹשֶׂ֛ה מִשְׁפַּ֥ט יָת֖וֹם וְאַלְמָנָ֑ה וְאֹהֵ֣ב גֵּ֔ר לָ֥תֶת ל֖וֹ לֶ֥חֶם וְשִׂמְלָֽה
who executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.
YHWH's impartial justice (v.17) is specified concretely: care for orphan, widow, and sojourner — the triad of Deuteronomy's vulnerable classes — grounding the imperative that follows in v.19.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
עֹשֶׂ֛הexecuting/doingQal ptc ms abs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (participial, continuing the description of YHWH from v.17)→ Participle: durative, characterizing YHWH's ongoing just actionעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; here 'executes' — the participle continues the string of divine characterizations begun in v.17 (he who does justice for orphan and widow).
מִשְׁפַּ֥טjustice ofN m sg constr · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Direct object of עֹשֶׂה (construct chain head)מִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'justice, judgment'; construct with יָתוֹם וְאַלְמָנָה, 'justice for the orphan and widow.'
יָת֖וֹםorphanN m sg abs · יָתוֹם (H3490)Genitival qualifier in construct chainיָתוֹם (H3490) 'orphan, fatherless'; paired with widow as the paradigmatic vulnerable persons under YHWH's special protection.
וְאַלְמָנָ֑הand widowconj וְ + N f sg abs · אַלְמָנָה (H490)Coordinate genitival qualifier completing construct chainאַלְמָנָה (H490) 'widow'; completes the pair 'orphan and widow', standard biblical shorthand for the socially defenseless (cf. 24:17,19-21).
וְאֹהֵ֣בand lovingconj וְ + Qal ptc ms abs · אָהַב (H157)Coordinate predicate (participial), continuing the description→ Participle: durative, characterizing YHWH's ongoing loveאָהַב (H157) 'to love', participle; YHWH's love extends specifically to the גֵּר, the resident alien — grounding the imperative of v.19.
גֵּ֔רthe sojournerN m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Direct object of וְאֹהֵבגֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner, resident alien'; a non-Israelite living among Israel without full land rights, an object of God's own love and of Israel's obligatory love (v.19).
לָ֥תֶתgivingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָתַן (H5414)Infinitive of means/epexegesis, explicating the sojourner's provision (coordinate with וְאֹהֵב)→ Infinitive construct: epexegetical — how YHWH's love for the sojourner is expressed concretelyנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; specifies the practical content of divine love for the גֵּר — provision of the two essentials, food and clothing.
ל֖וֹto himprep לְ + suff 3ms · לְIndirect object of לָתֵתלְ + 3ms suffix, referring to הַגֵּר; the recipient of God's provision.
לֶ֥חֶםbread/foodN c/b sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Direct object of לָתֵתלֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; first of the pair naming basic sustenance provided.
וְשִׂמְלָֽהand clothingconj וְ + N f sg abs · שִׂמְלָה (H8071)Coordinate direct object of לָתֵתשִׂמְלָה (H8071) 'garment, clothing'; completes 'food and clothing' — the basic necessities of life, a merism for full provision (cf. Gen 28:20).
19
וַאֲהַבְתֶּ֖ם אֶת הַגֵּ֑ר כִּֽי גֵרִ֥ים הֱיִיתֶ֖ם בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם
You also shall love the sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
The command to love the גֵּר directly imitates YHWH's own love (v.18) and is grounded in Israel's remembered experience as sojourners in Egypt — imitatio Dei fused with historical memory.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַאֲהַבְתֶּ֖םand you shall loveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · אָהַב (H157)Weqatal continuing the imperatival sequence (apodosis of the exhortation)→ Weqatal: volitional — the command grounded in vv.17-18's portrait of Godאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; the imperative response to divine example — directly imitates God's own love for the גֵּר named in v.18.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַגֵּר as the object of וַאֲהַבְתֶּם; untranslated in English.
הַגֵּ֑רthe sojournerart + N m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Direct object of וַאֲהַבְתֶּםגֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner, resident alien'; the object of Israel's commanded love, mirroring YHWH's own (v.18).
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the motive clauseכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; grounds the command in Israel's own historical experience.
גֵרִ֥יםsojournersN m pl abs · גֵּר (H1616)Predicate nominativeגֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner'; Israel's own former status in Egypt, the experiential basis for empathetic love (cf. Exod 22:20; 23:9).
הֱיִיתֶ֖םyou wereQal perf 2mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause of motive clause)→ Perfective: a completed past state, remembered as grounds for present obligationהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; 'you were sojourners' — Israel's own remembered vulnerability motivates its ethic toward the גֵּר.
בְּאֶ֥רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N c/b sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase (construct chain head)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct with מִצְרַיִם, 'in the land of Egypt.'
מִצְרָֽיִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitival qualifier completing construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the site of Israel's own sojourner experience, grounding the ethic of v.19.
20
אֶת יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ תִּירָ֖א אֹת֣וֹ תַעֲבֹ֑ד וּב֣וֹ תִדְבָּ֔ק וּבִשְׁמ֖וֹ תִּשָּׁבֵֽעַ
YHWH your God you shall fear; him you shall serve, and to him you shall cling, and by his name you shall swear.
Four verbs (fear, serve, cling, swear) — each with YHWH as sole, fronted object — recapitulate and intensify v.12's demand, reserving allegiance, service, attachment, and oath-swearing exclusively for YHWH.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (fronted, definite object of תִּירָא)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, fronted for emphasis as object of תִּירָא; untranslated in English.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of תִּירָא (fronted for emphasis)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָyour GodN m pl constr + suff 2ms · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God.'
תִּירָ֖אyou shall fearQal impf 2ms · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb (main clause, first of four verbs of covenant loyalty)→ Yiqtol: durative/obligatory — an ongoing required dispositionיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear, revere'; first of four verbs (fear-serve-cling-swear) climaxing the chapter's exhortation, echoing v.12's fear-love-serve.
אֹת֣וֹ[obj] himobj marker + suff 3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (pronominal, fronted, object of תַעֲבֹד)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, 'him' (YHWH), fronted object of תַעֲבֹד.
תַעֲבֹ֑דyou shall serveQal impf 2ms · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb (second of four verbs)→ Yiqtol: durative/obligatoryעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve'; second verb, exclusive cultic and existential service.
וּב֣וֹand to himconj וְ + prep בְּ + suff 3ms · בְּAdverbial prepositional phrase (fronted, object of תִדְבָּק)בְּ + 3ms suffix, referring to YHWH; fronted complement of תִדְבָּק.
תִדְבָּ֔קyou shall clingQal impf 2ms · דָּבַק (H1692)Predicate verb (third of four verbs)→ Yiqtol: durative/obligatory — intimate, tenacious attachmentדָּבַק (H1692) 'to cling, cleave, stay close'; third verb, imaging covenant loyalty as physical adherence (cf. Ruth's דבק to Naomi; Gen 2:24).
וּבִשְׁמ֖וֹand by his nameconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr + suff 3ms · שֵׁם (H8034)Adverbial prepositional phrase (fronted, instrumental, object of תִּשָּׁבֵעַ)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; swearing 'by his name' invokes YHWH exclusively as guarantor of oaths, excluding other gods.
תִּשָּׁבֵֽעַyou shall swearNiphal impf 2ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb (fourth of four verbs, Niphal)→ Yiqtol, Niphal: durative/obligatory — the culminating verb of exclusive allegianceשָׁבַע (H7650) Niphal 'to swear (an oath)'; fourth and final verb, completing fear-serve-cling-swear as YHWH's exclusive prerogatives.
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ה֥וּא תְהִלָּתְךָ֖ וְה֣וּא אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂ֣ה אִתְּךָ֗ אֶת הַגְּדֹלֹ֤ת וְאֶת הַנּֽוֹרָאֹת֙ הָאֵ֔לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֥ר רָא֖וּ עֵינֶֽיךָ
He is your praise, and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things that your eyes have seen.
Two brief nominal clauses (he is your praise / he is your God) ground the entire exhortation in eyewitnessed history — the great and awesome deeds this generation has itself seen.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ה֥וּאheindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject/copula pronoun (nominal clause, fronted for emphasis)הוּא (H1931) fronted subject-pronoun; opens the closing nominal clause naming YHWH as Israel's תְּהִלָּה.
תְהִלָּתְךָ֖your praiseN f sg constr + suff 2ms · תְּהִלָּה (H8416)Predicate nominativeתְּהִלָּה (H8416) 'praise, object of praise, glory', from הָלַל; YHWH himself — not any achievement — is the sole ground and object of Israel's praise.
וְה֣וּאand heconj וְ + independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Coordinate subject/copula pronoun (second nominal clause)הוּא (H1931) with conjunction; resumes the subject for the second predication, 'and he is your God.'
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָyour GodN m pl constr + suff 2ms · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate nominativeאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix; the second, foundational predication closing the exhortation begun in v.12.
אֲשֶׁרwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relativizer introducing the clause recounting YHWH's mighty actsאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the motive clause naming the exodus/wilderness wonders as grounds for praise.
עָשָׂ֣הdid/has doneQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: completed acts now appealed to as grounds for loyaltyעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the mighty acts YHWH performed for Israel, recently witnessed by this generation (cf. 11:2-7).
אִתְּךָ֗with/for youprep אֵת + suff 2ms · אִתְּ (H854)Adverbial complement of עָשָׂהאֵת/אִתְּ (H854) 'with'; marks Israel as the beneficiary of YHWH's mighty acts.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַגְּדֹלֹת as the object of עָשָׂה; untranslated in English.
הַגְּדֹלֹ֤תthe great thingsart + Adj f pl abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Direct object of עָשָׂה (substantival adjective)גָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great', fem. pl. substantival, 'the great things'; the exodus and wilderness wonders.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ joins the second object; אֵת marks הַנּוֹרָאֹת as a second definite object of עָשָׂה.
הַנּֽוֹרָאֹת֙the awesome thingsart + Niphal ptc f pl abs · יָרֵא (H3372)Coordinate direct object of עָשָׂה (participle used substantivally)→ Participle, Niphal: substantivized — 'the awesome things,' a fixed nominal useיָרֵא (H3372) Niphal participle pl., substantivized 'awesome/fearful things'; paired with הַגְּדֹלֹת for the totality of YHWH's mighty acts.
הָאֵ֔לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַגְּדֹלֹת/הַנּוֹרָאֹתאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; demonstrative closing the phrase 'these great and awesome things.'
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relativizer introducing final clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the clause of eyewitness confirmation.
רָא֖וּsawQal perf 3cp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of witnessing, grounding present obligation in personal experienceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; 'your own eyes have seen' — Deuteronomy's recurring appeal to the present generation's eyewitness experience (cf. 4:3,9,34; 11:7).
עֵינֶֽיךָyour eyesN c/b dual constr + suff 2ms · עַיִן (H5869)Subject of רָאוּעַיִן (H5869) 'eye', dual; subject of רָאוּ — direct personal witness as the ground of covenant obligation.
22
בְּשִׁבְעִ֣ים נֶ֔פֶשׁ יָרְד֥וּ אֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ מִצְרָ֑יְמָהּ וְעַתָּ֗ה שָֽׂמְךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ כְּכוֹכְבֵ֥י הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם לָרֹֽב
Your fathers went down to Egypt seventy persons, and now YHWH your God has made you as the stars of heaven for multitude.
The chapter closes by contrasting the tiny founding company (seventy persons) with the present multitude, fulfilling the patriarchal promise of Genesis and forming an inclusio with v.14's cosmic 'heavens' language and v.12's own וְעַתָּה.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
בְּשִׁבְעִ֣יםwith seventyprep בְּ + numeral c/b pl abs · שִׁבְעִים (H7657)Adverbial prepositional phrase of number modifying יָרְדוּשִׁבְעִים (H7657) 'seventy'; the traditional number of Jacob's household descending to Egypt (Gen 46:27; Exod 1:5).
נֶ֔פֶשׁpersons/soulsN c/b sg abs (distributive) · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Distributive noun with שִׁבְעִים (accusative of specification)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, person'; singular used distributively, 'seventy persons/souls.'
יָרְד֥וּwent downQal perf 3cp · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed historical eventיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down, descend'; the patriarchal migration to Egypt (cf. Gen 46).
אֲבֹתֶ֖יךָyour fathersN m pl constr + suff 2ms · אָב (H1)Subject of יָרְדוּאָב (H1) 'father'; Jacob and his household, ancestors of the present generation.
מִצְרָ֑יְמָהּto Egyptproper noun + directional ה · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Adverbial accusative of direction (directional he, place name)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt' with directional ־ָה, 'to Egypt'; the terminus of the fathers' descent.
וְעַתָּ֗הand nowconj וְ + adverb · עַתָּה (H6258)Discourse marker introducing the closing contrast (present result)עַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; marks the climactic contrast between the tiny founding group (seventy) and its present multitude, echoing v.12's וְעַתָּה.
שָֽׂמְךָ֙has made youQal perf 3ms + suff 2ms · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed transformation, now visibly realizedשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, make, set'; YHWH's fulfillment of the patriarchal promise of innumerable offspring (Gen 15:5; 22:17).
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of שָׂמְךָיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + suff 2ms · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God.'
כְּכוֹכְבֵ֥יlike the stars ofprep כְּ + N m pl constr · כּוֹכָב (H3556)Comparative prepositional phrase (construct chain head)כּוֹכָב (H3556) 'star'; construct with הַשָּׁמַיִם, the classic image of innumerable increase (Gen 15:5; 22:17; 26:4).
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitival qualifier completing construct chainשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens'; completes 'like the stars of the heavens,' echoing the patriarchal promise and forming an inclusio with v.14's cosmic scope.
לָרֹֽבin multitude/abundanceprep לְ + N c/b sg abs · רֹב (H7230)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner/resultרֹב (H7230) 'multitude, abundance'; 'for multitude' — closes the chapter on the fulfilled promise of numberless offspring, framing vv.12-22 within salvation history.