1
מִקֵּ֥ץ שֶֽׁבַע שָׁנִ֖ים תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה שְׁמִטָּֽה
At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release.
Asyndetic topic sentence: the temporal marker 'at the end of seven years' is fronted before the verb, announcing the institution of shemittah that the following verses will define, motivate, and extend to persons (vv. 12-18).
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
מִקֵּ֥ץAt the end ofprep מִ + N m sg constr · קֵץ (H7093)Temporal prepositional phrase (fronted, governs the seven-year genitive)קֵץ (H7093) 'end, extremity'; מִקֵּץ plus a time period is a standing idiom 'at the end of, after the completion of' (cf. Gen 8:6; Deut 14:28).
שֶֽׁבַעsevennumeral f sg abs · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Numeral modifying שָׁנִים (construct with מִקֵּץ)שֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; feminine numeral agreeing with the feminine noun שָׁנִים 'years' in the phrase מִקֵּץ שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים.
שָׁנִ֖יםyearsN f pl abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive complement completing the construct chain מִקֵּץ שֶׁבַע שָׁנִיםשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; plural counted by שֶׁבַע, forming the temporal phrase that governs the whole seven-year cycle of release.
תַּעֲשֶׂ֥הyou shall grantQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, instructional imperfect)→ Yiqtol: instructional imperfect — a standing legal obligation, 'you shall do/observe'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, perform'; with שְׁמִטָּה as object, idiomatic 'to grant/observe a release' — the verb of covenant obligation throughout the legal corpus.
שְׁמִטָּֽהa releaseN f sg abs · שְׁמִטָּה (H8059)Direct object of תַּעֲשֶׂהשְׁמִטָּה (H8059) 'release, remission,' from שָׁמַט 'to let drop, release'; the technical term for the septennial cancellation of debts (and by extension slavery and land) legislated in this chapter.
2
וְזֶה֮ דְּבַ֣ר הַשְּׁמִטָּה֒ שָׁמ֗וֹט כָּל בַּ֨עַל֙ מַשֵּׁ֣ה יָד֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יַשֶּׁ֖ה בְּרֵעֵ֑הוּ לֹֽא יִגֹּ֤שׂ אֶת רֵעֵ֨הוּ֙ וְאֶת אָחִ֔יו כִּֽי קָרָ֥א שְׁמִטָּ֖ה לַֽיהוָֽה
And this is the manner of the release: every creditor shall release what he has lent to his neighbor; he shall not exact it of his neighbor and his brother, because YHWH's release has been proclaimed.
The vav-initial deictic 'and this is' formally defines the term just introduced, expanding shemittah into its concrete legal content: complete cancellation of a loan, marked by the emphatic infinitive absolute shamot and reinforced by the closing causal clause invoking YHWH's proclamation.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וְזֶה֮and thisconj וְ + demonstr pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Casus pendens / subject of the definition clauseזֶה (H2088) demonstrative 'this'; subject of an equational clause, 'this is the manner of the release.'
דְּבַ֣רthe manner ofN m sg constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Predicate noun (construct head of the definition)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter, thing'; construct here, 'the matter/manner of the release,' introducing the legal definition that follows.
הַשְּׁמִטָּה֒the releaseart + N f sg abs · שְׁמִטָּה (H8059)Genitive complement of דְּבַר (construct chain)שְׁמִטָּה (H8059), see v. 1; the article makes this the definite institution just named.
שָׁמ֗וֹטshall releaseQal inf abs · שָׁמַט (H8058)Predicate verb (infinitive absolute used for emphatic legal injunction, functioning as the main verb)→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic legislative force — 'shall surely release'שָׁמַט (H8058) 'to let drop, release, let lie fallow'; the infinitive absolute standing alone as the main verb intensifies the obligation — every creditor SHALL release.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head of the subject phrase כָּל בַּעַל מַשֵּׁה יָדוֹכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; in construct, 'every one of...' introducing the class of creditor in view.
בַּ֨עַל֙possessorN m sg abs · בַּעַל (H1167)Genitive complement of כָּל, construct head of מַשֵּׁה יָדוֹבַּעַל (H1167) 'owner, master, possessor'; בַּעַל מַשֵּׁה יָדוֹ idiomatically denotes 'the creditor/holder of a loan.'
מַשֵּׁ֣הthe loan ofN m sg constr · מַשֶּׁה (H4874)Construct complement of בַּעַל, governing יָדוֹמַשֶּׁה (H4874) 'loan, debt,' from נשׁה 'to lend/exact'; 'a loan of his hand' = whatever he has personally extended.
יָד֔וֹhis handN c sg constr + 3ms sfx · יָד (H3027)Genitive complement completing the construct chain (idiom for personal extension of a loan)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; מַשֵּׁה יָדוֹ 'the loan of his hand' idiomatically means what he personally has lent.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) invariable relative particle 'who, which, that'; introduces the relative clause modifying the loan just described.
יַשֶּׁ֖הhe has lentHiphil impf 3ms · נָשָׁה (H5383)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: habitual/customary action — whatever he customarily lendsנָשָׁה (H5383) Hiphil 'to lend, extend a loan (on pledge)'; causative — to cause a loan to be outstanding to another.
בְּרֵעֵ֑הוּto his neighborprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms sfx · רֵעַ (H7453)Indirect object of יַשֶּׁהרֵעַ (H7453) 'neighbor, companion, fellow'; the covenant-community member whose debt must be released.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יִגֹּשׂלֹא (H3808) the standard Hebrew negative, negating the following finite verb absolutely.
יִגֹּ֤שׂhe shall exactQal impf 3ms · נָגַשׂ (H5065)Predicate verb (negated imperfect, prohibition)→ Yiqtol negated: prohibition — a standing legal ban on exacting the debtנָגַשׂ (H5065) 'to press, exact, drive (a debt)'; a creditor's coercive demand for repayment, here categorically forbidden.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite direct object רֵעֵהוּ.
רֵעֵ֨הוּ֙his neighborN m sg constr + 3ms sfx · רֵעַ (H7453)Direct object of יִגֹּשׂרֵעַ (H7453), see above; the object of the forbidden exaction.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ joins the second object; אֵת marks אָחִיו as the second definite direct object.
אָחִ֔יוhis brotherN m sg constr + 3ms sfx · אָח (H251)Second direct object of יִגֹּשׂ (parallel to רֵעֵהוּ)אָח (H251) 'brother'; paired with רֵעַ to stress the fellow-Israelite bond that overrides ordinary debt-collection.
כִּֽיbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground clauseכִּי (H3588) here causal, 'because'; grounds the prohibition in YHWH's proclamation of a release.
קָרָ֥אhas been proclaimedQal perf 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (main clause, impersonal/passive-equivalent Qal)→ Perfective: a completed, formal proclamationקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, proclaim'; used impersonally here ('a release of YHWH has been proclaimed') to give the institution formal, quasi-liturgical authority.
שְׁמִטָּ֖הa releaseN f sg abs · שְׁמִטָּה (H8059)Subject of קָרָא (postposed subject of the impersonal proclamation)שְׁמִטָּה (H8059), see v. 1; here in apposition with לַיהוָה, 'a release belonging to/proclaimed for YHWH.'
לַֽיהוָֽהfor YHWHprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Prepositional phrase modifying שְׁמִטָּה (dative of interest)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; לַיהוָה marks the release as YHWH's own institution, hence its binding, sacral character.
3
אֶת הַנָּכְרִ֖י תִּגֹּ֑שׂ וַאֲשֶׁ֨ר יִהְיֶ֥ה לְךָ֛ אֶת אָחִ֖יךָ תַּשְׁמֵ֥ט יָדֶֽךָ
Of the foreigner you may exact it, but whatever of yours is with your brother your hand shall release.
An asyndetic contrastive clause carves out the one exception to v. 2's blanket release: the foreigner (nokri) lies outside the covenant-brotherhood in view, so a debt owed by a foreigner may still be collected, while the fellow Israelite's debt must be released.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (fronted, marking הַנָּכְרִי as object of תִּגֹּשׂ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; fronted before its verb here to sharpen the contrast with the previous verse's prohibition.
הַנָּכְרִ֖יthe foreignerart + adj m sg abs · נָכְרִי (H5237)Direct object of תִּגֹּשׂ (fronted for contrastive emphasis)נָכְרִי (H5237) 'foreign, foreigner'; substantival adjective for one outside Israel's covenant-brotherhood, exempted from the release.
תִּגֹּ֑שׂyou may exactQal impf 2ms · נָגַשׂ (H5065)Predicate verb (permissive imperfect, contrastive to v. 2's prohibition)→ Yiqtol: permissive — what remains lawfully allowedנָגַשׂ (H5065), see v. 2; here permitted rather than forbidden, since the foreigner lies outside the release.
וַאֲשֶׁ֨רbut whateverconj וְ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Conjunction + relative particle introducing the contrastive clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), see v. 2; here functioning as an indefinite relative, 'whatever is yours with your brother.'
יִהְיֶ֥הisQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: general/durative — whatever continues to be outstandingהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; existential here, 'whatever is (owed) to you.'
לְךָ֛to youprep לְ + 2ms sfxPrepositional phrase of possession (predicate of יִהְיֶה)לְ plus suffix expresses possession, 'whatever is yours' — i.e., outstanding to your credit.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase marking possession ('with your brother')אֵת (H854) preposition 'with, together with' (distinct from the object-marker אֵת H853); locates the debt as held 'with' the brother.
אָחִ֖יךָyour brotherN m sg constr + 2ms sfx · אָח (H251)Object of the preposition אֵת ('with your brother')אָח (H251), see v. 2; the fellow Israelite protected by the release law.
תַּשְׁמֵ֥טshall releaseHiphil impf(jussive) 3fs · שָׁמַט (H8058)Predicate verb (main clause, agreeing with subject יָדֶךָ)→ Yiqtol/jussive: instructional — 'your hand shall release'שָׁמַט (H8058) Hiphil, causative 'release,' see v. 2; the feminine form agrees with the grammatical subject יָדְךָ 'your hand.'
יָדֶֽךָyour handN c sg constr + 2ms sfx · יָד (H3027)Subject of תַּשְׁמֵטיָד (H3027), see v. 2; here the subject performing the release — 'your hand' as metonymy for personal action.
4
אֶ֕פֶס כִּ֛י לֹ֥א יִֽהְיֶה בְּךָ֖ אֶבְי֑וֹן כִּֽי בָרֵ֤ךְ יְבָֽרֶכְךָ֙ יְהוָ֔ה בָּאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹֽתֵן לְךָ֥ נַחֲלָ֖ה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ
However, there will be no poor among you — for YHWH will surely bless you in the land that YHWH your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess —
efes ki introduces a strong adversative/qualifying clause: against the ordinary expectation that lending and need will continue, the ideal is asserted that there will be no poor at all, grounded in a causal clause promising YHWH's blessing in the land. This utopian claim stands in creative tension with v. 11's realist admission that the poor will never cease.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
אֶ֕פֶסhoweveradv (from N m sg abs) · אֶפֶס (H657)Adversative sentence adverb introducing the qualifying promiseאֶפֶס (H657) 'end, nought'; used adverbially here as 'however, only' — a strong adversative marking the ideal promise that follows.
כִּ֛יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Conjunction completing the idiom אֶפֶס כִּי ('however, that...')כִּי (H3588); paired with אֶפֶס to form the idiomatic adversative 'however, that...'
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יִהְיֶהלֹא (H3808), see v. 2; negates the existence of poverty.
יִֽהְיֶהthere will beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential clause, negated)→ Yiqtol: future/durative — the promised, ongoing state of the landהָיָה (H1961), see v. 3; existential 'to be, exist' — negated here to assert the ideal absence of poverty.
בְּךָ֖among youprep בְּ + 2ms sfxLocative prepositional phrase, complement of יִהְיֶהבְּ 'in, among' plus suffix; locates the promised absence of poverty within the community addressed.
אֶבְי֑וֹןpooradj/noun m sg abs · אֶבְיוֹן (H34)Subject of יִהְיֶהאֶבְיוֹן (H34) 'poor, needy, destitute'; the term for the economically vulnerable, key vocabulary of this chapter (cf. vv. 7, 9, 11).
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground clause (YHWH's blessing)כִּי (H3588), see v. 2; causal here, grounding the 'no poor' promise in YHWH's blessing.
בָרֵ֤ךְsurely (bless)Piel inf abs · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Infinitive absolute intensifying יְבָרֶכְךָ (emphatic construction)→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic certainty — 'will surely bless'בָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel 'to bless'; the infinitive absolute paired with the following finite verb of the same root intensifies the certainty of the blessing.
יְבָֽרֶכְךָ֙will bless youPiel impf 3ms + 2ms sfx · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb (main clause, paired with the preceding infinitive absolute)→ Yiqtol intensified by inf. abs.: certain future blessingבָּרַךְ (H1288), see above; YHWH as subject, Israel as object of the blessing.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יְבָרֶכְךָיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; subject of the blessing promised.
בָּאָ֕רֶץin the landprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase modifying יְבָרֶכְךָאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the promised land as the locus of the blessing.
אֲשֶׁר֙thatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834), see v. 2; introduces the relative clause describing the land as YHWH's gift.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068), see above.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָה (divine epithet)אֱלֹהִים (H430), plural of majesty; 'your God' the recurring covenant epithet throughout Deuteronomy.
נֹֽתֵןis givingQal ptc ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle (durative gift) of the relative clause→ Participle: durative present — the land as an ongoing divine giftנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the participle frames the land-gift as YHWH's continuing act, not a one-time past event.
לְךָ֥to youprep לְ + 2ms sfxIndirect object of נֹתֵןלְ plus suffix marks the recipient of the gift.
נַחֲלָ֖הas an inheritanceN f sg abs · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Adverbial accusative (of state/purpose) modifying נֹתֵןנַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, possession'; the land given not as a loan but as Israel's permanent heritage.
לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּto possess itprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3fs sfx · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Purpose infinitive clause (goal of the gift)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — 'in order to possess it'יָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit, dispossess'; the purpose-infinitive names Israel's intended relation to the land — taking possession of it.
5
רַ֚ק אִם שָׁמ֣וֹעַ תִּשְׁמַ֔ע בְּק֖וֹל יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֤ר לַעֲשׂוֹת֙ אֶת כָּל הַמִּצְוָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את אֲשֶׁ֛ר אָנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּֽוֹם
if only you diligently obey the voice of YHWH your God, to observe carefully all this commandment that I am commanding you today.
raq im restricts the promise of v. 4 to a strict condition of obedience, using an infinitive-doubled verb (shamoa tishma) for emphasis; the chain of purpose infinitives (to observe, to do) piles up the demand for careful practice of 'all this commandment.'
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
רַ֚קonlyadv · רַק (H7535)Restrictive adverb, paired with אִם to form 'only if'רַק (H7535) 'only, surely'; restrictive particle limiting the promise strictly to the following condition.
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction introducing the protasisאִם (H518) conditional 'if'; joins with רַק for the emphatic 'only if' construction.
שָׁמ֣וֹעַdiligentlyQal inf abs · שָׁמַע (H8085)Infinitive absolute intensifying תִּשְׁמַע (emphatic construction)→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — 'diligently, attentively obey'שָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; the doubled infinitive-plus-finite-verb construction stresses wholehearted obedience as the sole condition of blessing.
תִּשְׁמַ֔עyou obeyQal impf 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb of the conditional clause (paired with the preceding infinitive absolute)→ Yiqtol: conditional/future obedience, intensified by the infinitive absoluteשָׁמַע (H8085), see above; the finite verb completing the emphatic doubled construction.
בְּק֖וֹלthe voice ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Prepositional phrase, object of תִּשְׁמַעקוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; שָׁמַע בְּקוֹל idiomatically means 'to obey, heed.'
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of קוֹל (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068), see above.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430), see v. 4.
לִשְׁמֹ֤רto observeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַר (H8104)Purpose infinitive clause (goal of obedience)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — 'in order to keep/observe'שָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; purpose infinitive paired with לַעֲשׂוֹת, stressing careful practice of the commandment.
לַעֲשׂוֹת֙to doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Purpose infinitive clause, paired with לִשְׁמֹר→ Infinitive construct: purpose — 'in order to do/perform'עָשָׂה (H6213), see v. 1; paired with שָׁמַר in the standard Deuteronomic hendiadys 'observe to do' — careful practical obedience.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַמִּצְוָה as the definite object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head modifying הַמִּצְוָהכֹּל (H3605), see v. 2; 'all of' intensifying the scope of the commandment.
הַמִּצְוָ֣הthe commandmentart + N f sg abs · מִצְוָה (H4687)Direct object of לִשְׁמֹר/לַעֲשׂוֹתמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment,' from צוה 'to command'; the singular collective term for the whole body of instruction Moses is giving.
הַזֹּ֔אתthisart + demonstr pron fs · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַמִּצְוָהזֹאת (H2063) 'this' (fs); points to the immediate legal instruction just delivered.
אֲשֶׁ֛רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הַמִּצְוָהאֲשֶׁר (H834), see v. 2.
אָנֹכִ֥יIindependent pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (independent pronoun, emphatic) of מְצַוְּךָאָנֹכִי (H595), first-person independent pronoun; emphasizes Moses as the divinely authorized speaker of the commandment.
מְצַוְּךָ֖am commanding youPiel ptc ms + 2ms sfx · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate participle (present, ongoing act of command)→ Participle: present/durative — the act of commanding as a continuing, personal addressצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command, charge'; the participle frames Moses's instruction as an ongoing, living address to Israel, not a past decree.
הַיּֽוֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with the article functioning adverbially, 'today' — the recurring Deuteronomic marker of covenantal immediacy.
6
כִּֽי יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ בֵּֽרַכְךָ֔ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּר לָ֑ךְ וְהַֽעֲבַטְתָּ֞ גּוֹיִ֣ם רַבִּ֗ים וְאַתָּה֙ לֹ֣א תַעֲבֹ֔ט וּמָֽשַׁלְתָּ֙ בְּגוֹיִ֣ם רַבִּ֔ים וּבְךָ֖ לֹ֥א יִמְשֹֽׁלוּ
For YHWH your God will bless you just as he promised you, and you will lend to many nations but you will not borrow, and you will rule over many nations but they will not rule over you.
ki supplies the causal ground for vv. 4-5: YHWH's promised blessing will make Israel a nation of lenders and rulers rather than borrowers and subjects, using the same root avat 'pledge-lend' that will recur, poignantly reversed, for the poor brother in vv. 7-8.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
כִּֽיForconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction opening the verseכִּי (H3588), see v. 2; causal, grounding vv. 4-5 in YHWH's promised blessing.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of בֵּרַכְךָיְהוָה (H3068), see above.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr + 2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430), see v. 4.
בֵּֽרַכְךָ֔has blessed youPiel perf 3ms + 2ms sfx · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act of blessing already accomplishedבָּרַךְ (H1288), see v. 4; perfect tense (rather than v. 4's imperfect) treats the blessing as already realized/certain.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֖רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing the comparison clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), see v. 2; with כְּ, 'just as, according as' — comparing the fulfillment to the prior promise.
דִּבֶּרhe promisedPiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Perfective: a prior, completed act of speechדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; here 'promised, spoke (a word)' referring back to earlier divine promises to the patriarchs and at Horeb.
לָ֑ךְto youprep לְ + 2ms sfx (archaic orthography)Indirect object of דִּבֶּרלְ plus suffix; the archaic ־ָךְ spelling (elsewhere pointed 2fs) is a known orthographic fossil in the Torah, not a shift in addressee — Israel is addressed throughout as masculine singular.
וְהַֽעֲבַטְתָּ֞and you shall lendconj וְ + Hiphil perf(weqatal) 2ms · עָבַט (H5670)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the main line, result clause)→ Weqatal: consequential future — the result of YHWH's blessingעָבַט (H5670) Hiphil 'to cause to borrow, lend (on pledge)'; the same root used of the poor man's need in vv. 6-8, here reversed — Israel as lender to the nations.
גּוֹיִ֣םnationsN m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Direct object of וְהַעֲבַטְתָּגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; the foreign nations to whom Israel will lend, a mark of covenant blessing and superiority.
רַבִּ֗יםmanyadj m pl abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying גּוֹיִםרַב (H7227) 'much, many, great'; intensifies the scope of the promised dominance.
וְאַתָּה֙but youconj וְ + independent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (emphatic, contrastive independent pronoun) of תַעֲבֹטאַתָּה (H859), 2ms independent pronoun; fronted for emphatic contrast — 'but as for you...'
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תַעֲבֹטלֹא (H3808), see v. 2.
תַעֲבֹ֔טwill borrowQal impf 2ms · עָבַט (H5670)Predicate verb (negated imperfect)→ Yiqtol negated: future negation — Israel will not need to borrowעָבַט (H5670) Qal 'to borrow, take a pledge'; negated here — the flip side of Israel's promised lending status.
וּמָֽשַׁלְתָּ֙and you shall ruleconj וְ + Qal perf(weqatal) 2ms · מָשַׁל (H4910)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the result clause)→ Weqatal: consequential future — continuing the promised dominanceמָשַׁל (H4910) 'to rule, have dominion'; parallels וְהַעֲבַטְתָּ, pairing economic and political supremacy as marks of blessing.
בְּגוֹיִ֣םover nationsprep בְּ + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Prepositional phrase, complement of וּמָשַׁלְתָּגּוֹי (H1471), see above; בְּ plus מָשַׁל idiomatically 'to rule over.'
רַבִּ֔יםmanyadj m pl abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying גּוֹיִםרַב (H7227), see above.
וּבְךָ֖but over youconj וְ + prep בְּ + 2ms sfxPrepositional phrase, fronted contrastive complement of יִמְשֹׁלוּוְ plus בְּ plus suffix; fronted for contrast, 'but over you (they will not rule).'
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יִמְשֹׁלוּלֹא (H3808), see v. 2.
יִמְשֹֽׁלוּwill they ruleQal impf 3mp · מָשַׁל (H4910)Predicate verb (negated imperfect, subject the many nations)→ Yiqtol negated: future negation — the nations will not dominate Israelמָשַׁל (H4910), see above; negated, completing the chiastic reversal — Israel rules, is not ruled.
7
כִּֽי יִהְיֶה֩ בְךָ֨ אֶבְי֜וֹן מֵאַחַ֤ד אַחֶ֨יךָ֙ בְּאַחַ֣ד שְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ בְּאַ֨רְצְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֣ן לָ֑ךְ לֹ֧א תְאַמֵּ֣ץ אֶת לְבָבְךָ֗ וְלֹ֤א תִקְפֹּץ֙ אֶת יָ֣דְךָ֔ מֵאָחִ֖יךָ הָאֶבְיֽוֹן
If there is among you a poor man, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in the land that YHWH your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother.
ki shifts from the general ideal to a concrete case: the presence of an actual poor brother. The paired prohibitions — do not harden your heart, do not shut your hand — use body-part idioms to forbid both the internal and the external refusal of aid.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
כִּֽיIfconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional/causal conjunction opening the new caseכִּי (H3588), see v. 2; conditional here, 'if there is a poor man.'
יִהְיֶה֩there isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential, conditional clause)→ Yiqtol: conditional/existential — the hypothetical presence of a poor manהָיָה (H1961), see v. 3.
בְךָ֨among youprep בְּ + 2ms sfxLocative prepositional phrase, complement of יִהְיֶהבְּ 'in, among' plus suffix, see v. 4.
אֶבְי֜וֹןa poor manadj/noun m sg abs · אֶבְיוֹן (H34)Subject of יִהְיֶהאֶבְיוֹן (H34), see v. 4; the concrete case answering the ideal of v. 4.
מֵאַחַ֤דone ofprep מִן + numeral m sg constr · אֶחָד (H259)Prepositional phrase in apposition to אֶבְיוֹןאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; מֵאַחַד אַחֶיךָ 'one of your brothers' specifies the poor man's covenant kinship.
אַחֶ֨יךָ֙your brothersN m pl constr + 2ms sfx · אָח (H251)Genitive complement of מֵאַחַדאָח (H251), see v. 2.
בְּאַחַ֣דin any ofprep בְּ + numeral m sg constr · אֶחָד (H259)Locative prepositional phrase modifying the poor man's locationאֶחָד (H259), see above; 'in one/any of your towns.'
שְׁעָרֶ֔יךָyour townsN m pl constr + 2ms sfx · שַׁעַר (H8179)Genitive complement of בְּאַחַדשַׁעַר (H8179) 'gate'; by metonymy 'town, settlement' — the local jurisdiction where the poor brother resides.
בְּאַ֨רְצְךָ֔in your landprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 2ms sfx · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase, further specifying locationאֶרֶץ (H776), see v. 4.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying אַרְצְךָאֲשֶׁר (H834), see v. 2.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068), see above.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430), see v. 4.
נֹתֵ֣ןis givingQal ptc ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle of the relative clause→ Participle: durative present — the ongoing gift of the landנָתַן (H5414), see v. 4.
לָ֑ךְto youprep לְ + 2ms sfx (archaic orthography)Indirect object of נֹתֵןלְ plus suffix, see v. 6 on the archaic spelling.
לֹ֧אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תְאַמֵּץלֹא (H3808), see v. 2.
תְאַמֵּ֣ץyou shall hardenPiel impf 2ms · אָמַץ (H553)Predicate verb (negated imperfect, prohibition)→ Yiqtol negated: prohibition — forbidding an internal dispositionאָמַץ (H553) Piel 'to make firm, harden, strengthen'; here of a hardened, unyielding heart toward the poor — the internal counterpart to the external 'shut hand.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking לְבָבְךָ as the direct object.
לְבָבְךָ֗your heartN m sg constr + 2ms sfx · לֵבָב (H3824)Direct object of תְאַמֵּץלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; seat of will and disposition — hardening it is the internal refusal of compassion.
וְלֹ֤אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the parallel verb תִקְפֹּץלֹא (H3808), see v. 2; joined by וְ to the parallel prohibition.
תִקְפֹּץ֙shutQal impf 2ms · קָפַץ (H7092)Predicate verb (negated imperfect, prohibition, parallel to תְאַמֵּץ)→ Yiqtol negated: prohibition — forbidding the external act of refusalקָפַץ (H7092) 'to shut, close'; the external counterpart to the hardened heart — refusing material aid.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking יָדְךָ as the direct object.
יָ֣דְךָ֔your handN c sg constr + 2ms sfx · יָד (H3027)Direct object of תִקְפֹּץיָד (H3027), see v. 2; the hand that must remain open, not shut, toward the poor.
מֵאָחִ֖יךָfrom your brotherprep מִן + N m sg constr + 2ms sfx · אָח (H251)Prepositional phrase, complement of תִקְפֹּץ (source withheld from)אָח (H251), see v. 2.
הָאֶבְיֽוֹןthe poor oneart + adj/noun m sg abs · אֶבְיוֹן (H34)Attributive apposition to אָחִיךָ ('your brother, the poor one')אֶבְיוֹן (H34), see v. 4; the article marks him as the specific poor brother just introduced.
8
כִּֽי פָתֹ֧חַ תִּפְתַּ֛ח אֶת יָדְךָ֖ ל֑וֹ וְהַעֲבֵט֙ תַּעֲבִיטֶ֔נּוּ דֵּ֚י מַחְסֹר֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֶחְסַ֖ר לֽוֹ
Rather you shall surely open your hand to him, and generously lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.
ki here functions adversatively ('but rather'), pivoting from prohibition to positive command: the doubled infinitive patoach tiftach presses the demand to open the hand, and haavet taavitenu (also doubled) commands lending sufficient for whatever the poor man's need actually is.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
כִּֽיForconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative conjunction ('but rather')כִּי (H3588), see v. 2; adversative here, pivoting from the prohibition of v. 7 to the positive command.
פָתֹ֧חַsurely (open)Qal inf abs · פָּתַח (H6605)Infinitive absolute intensifying תִּפְתַּח→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — 'you shall surely open'פָּתַח (H6605) 'to open'; the doubled construction stresses the wholehearted, unhesitating opening of the hand.
תִּפְתַּ֛חyou shall openQal impf 2ms · פָּתַח (H6605)Predicate verb (main clause, positive command)→ Yiqtol intensified by inf. abs.: emphatic obligationפָּתַח (H6605), see above; the finite verb completing the emphatic construction.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking יָדְךָ as the direct object.
יָדְךָ֖your handN c sg constr + 2ms sfx · יָד (H3027)Direct object of תִּפְתַּחיָד (H3027), see v. 2.
ל֑וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms sfxIndirect object of תִּפְתַּחלְ plus suffix; the poor brother as recipient.
וְהַעֲבֵט֙and generously lendconj וְ + Hiphil inf abs · עָבַט (H5670)Infinitive absolute intensifying תַּעֲבִיטֶנּוּ→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — 'you shall surely lend'עָבַט (H5670), see v. 6; Hiphil, causative 'cause to borrow, extend a loan' — here of generous lending to the needy brother.
תַּעֲבִיטֶ֔נּוּyou shall lend himHiphil impf 2ms + 3ms sfx · עָבַט (H5670)Predicate verb (main clause, paired with the preceding infinitive absolute)→ Yiqtol intensified by inf. abs.: emphatic obligation to lendעָבַט (H5670), see above; the finite verb completing the doubled construction; the object suffix refers to the poor man.
דֵּ֚יsufficient forN m sg constr · דַּי (H1767)Construct head governing מַחְסֹרוֹ (adverbial accusative of measure)דַּי (H1767) 'sufficiency, enough'; דֵּי מַחְסֹרוֹ 'enough for his need' sets the standard of the loan — proportioned to actual want.
מַחְסֹר֔וֹhis needN m sg constr + 3ms sfx · מַחְסוֹר (H4270)Genitive complement of דֵּימַחְסוֹר (H4270) 'lack, need, want,' from חסר 'to lack'; names the poor man's actual deficiency, the measure of the required loan.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhateverrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying מַחְסֹרוֹאֲשֶׁר (H834), see v. 2.
יֶחְסַ֖רhe lacksQal impf 3ms · חָסֵר (H2637)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: durative/general — whatever he continues to lackחָסֵר (H2637) 'to lack, be without'; the verbal root underlying מַחְסוֹר, specifying the open-ended scope of the required provision.
לֽוֹto himprep לְ + 3ms sfxComplement of יֶחְסַר (dative of disadvantage)לְ plus suffix; marks the person experiencing the lack.
9
הִשָּׁ֣מֶר לְךָ֡ פֶּן יִהְיֶ֣ה דָבָר֩ עִם לְבָבְךָ֨ בְלִיַּ֜עַל לֵאמֹ֗ר קָֽרְבָ֣ה שְׁנַֽת הַשֶּׁבַע֮ שְׁנַ֣ת הַשְּׁמִטָּה֒ וְרָעָ֣ה עֵֽינְךָ֗ בְּאָחִ֨יךָ֙ הָֽאֶבְי֔וֹן וְלֹ֥א תִתֵּ֖ן ל֑וֹ וְקָרָ֤א עָלֶ֨יךָ֙ אֶל יְהוָ֔ה וְהָיָ֥ה בְךָ֖ חֵֽטְא
Take heed to yourself that there be no base thought in your heart, saying, 'The seventh year, the year of release, is near,' and your eye be evil toward your poor brother and you give him nothing, and he cry out to YHWH against you, and it be sin in you.
An unmarked warning clause (hishamer lecha pen) guards against the 'base thought' (devar beliyaal) of refusing loans as the seventh year nears; the clause chains consequences — evil eye, withheld gift, the poor man's cry to YHWH, imputed sin — making the internal disposition itself culpable, not merely the external act.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
הִשָּׁ֣מֶרTake heedNiphal impv 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause warning)→ Volitional: urgent imperative warningשָׁמַר (H8104) Niphal 'to guard oneself, take heed'; reflexive-passive nuance — be on guard against the following danger.
לְךָ֡to yourselfprep לְ + 2ms sfxReflexive dative complementing הִשָּׁמֶר (ethical dative)לְ plus suffix, reflexive/ethical dative reinforcing the imperative 'take heed to yourself.'
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunction introducing the feared clauseפֶּן (H6435) 'lest, so that not'; introduces the outcome to be guarded against.
יִהְיֶ֣הthere beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the פֶּן-clause (existential)→ Yiqtol: potential/apprehensive — the feared possibilityהָיָה (H1961), see v. 3.
דָבָר֩a thing/thoughtN m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of יִהְיֶהדָּבָר (H1697), see v. 2; here 'a thing, matter' — with בְלִיַּעַל forming the idiom 'a base thought.'
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase, locative complement of יִהְיֶהעִם (H5973) 'with, together with'; locates the base thought 'with your heart' — i.e., in your mind.
לְבָבְךָ֨your heartN m sg constr + 2ms sfx · לֵבָב (H3824)Object of the preposition עִםלֵבָב (H3824), see v. 7.
בְלִיַּ֜עַלbase/worthlessN m sg abs (construct-like qualifier) · בְּלִיַּעַל (H1100)Qualifier of דָבָר ('a thought of בְּלִיַּעַל')בְּלִיַּעַל (H1100) 'worthlessness, wickedness'; traditionally parsed בְּלִי plus יַעַל 'without benefit'; qualifies דָבָר as a base, destructive thought — the refusal of aid as the year of release nears.
לֵאמֹ֗רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct introducing direct speech (quotative frame)→ Infinitive construct: quotative — introduces the content of the base thoughtאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the standing formula introducing quoted speech/thought.
קָֽרְבָ֣הis nearQal perf 3fs · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb of the quoted thought (main clause of direct speech)→ Perfective (stative sense): a present state of nearnessקָרַב (H7126) 'to draw near, approach'; perfect used statively, 'is near/approaching' — the seventh year's imminence.
שְׁנַֽתthe year ofN f sg constr · שָׁנָה (H8141)Subject of קָרְבָה (construct head)שָׁנָה (H8141), see v. 1.
הַשֶּׁבַע֮the seventhart + numeral f sg abs · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Genitive complement of שְׁנַת, in apposition to the following construct phraseשֶׁבַע (H7651), see v. 1; 'the seventh (year),' in apposition with the following שְׁנַת הַשְּׁמִטָּה.
שְׁנַ֣תthe year ofN f sg constr · שָׁנָה (H8141)Appositional restatement of שְׁנַת הַשֶּׁבַע, subject of קָרְבָהשָׁנָה (H8141), see v. 1; repeated in apposition for emphasis, 'the year, the year of release.'
הַשְּׁמִטָּה֒the releaseart + N f sg abs · שְׁמִטָּה (H8059)Genitive complement completing the appositional phraseשְׁמִטָּה (H8059), see v. 1.
וְרָעָ֣הand be evilconj וְ + Qal perf(weqatal) 3fs · רָעַע (H7489)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the feared sequence of consequences)→ Weqatal: sequential consequence — the next link in the chain of feared outcomesרָעַע (H7489) 'to be evil, bad'; here of a hostile, grudging 'evil eye' toward the poor brother.
עֵֽינְךָ֗your eyeN c sg constr + 2ms sfx · עַיִן (H5869)Subject of וְרָעָהעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiom for disposition — a grudging, ungenerous attitude toward the needy.
בְּאָחִ֨יךָ֙toward your brotherprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms sfx · אָח (H251)Prepositional phrase, complement of וְרָעָהאָח (H251), see v. 2.
הָֽאֶבְי֔וֹןthe poor oneart + adj/noun m sg abs · אֶבְיוֹן (H34)Attributive apposition to אָחִיךָאֶבְיוֹן (H34), see v. 4.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תִתֵּן (continuing the feared sequence)לֹא (H3808), see v. 2.
תִתֵּ֖ןyou giveQal impf 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (negated imperfect, within the feared sequence)→ Yiqtol negated: the feared refusal to giveנָתַן (H5414), see v. 4; of giving to the poor, negated as the culpable failure.
ל֑וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms sfxIndirect object of תִתֵּןלְ plus suffix; the poor brother as intended recipient.
וְקָרָ֤אand he cries outconj וְ + Qal perf(weqatal) 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the feared sequence)→ Weqatal: sequential consequence — the poor man's appeal to YHWHקָרָא (H7121), see v. 2; here 'to cry out, call for help' — an appeal for divine redress.
עָלֶ֨יךָ֙against youprep עַל + 2ms sfxPrepositional phrase, complement of וְקָרָאעַל (H5921) 'upon, against'; marks the master as the target of the cry's complaint.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, complement of וְקָרָא (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directs the cry to YHWH as its recipient.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of the preposition אֶליְהוָה (H3068), see above.
וְהָיָ֥הand it will beconj וְ + Qal perf(weqatal) 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal concluding the feared sequence)→ Weqatal: sequential consequence — the final, culminating resultהָיָה (H1961), see v. 3.
בְךָ֖in youprep בְּ + 2ms sfxPrepositional phrase, complement of וְהָיָהבְּ plus suffix; locates the guilt as imputed to the withholding master himself.
חֵֽטְאsinN m sg abs · חֵטְא (H2399)Predicate noun of וְהָיָהחֵטְא (H2399) 'sin, guilt'; the internal disposition and its external refusal together constitute culpable sin before YHWH.
10
נָת֤וֹן תִּתֵּן֙ ל֔וֹ וְלֹא יֵרַ֥ע לְבָבְךָ֖ בְּתִתְּךָ֣ ל֑וֹ כִּ֞י בִּגְלַ֣ל הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֗ה יְבָרֶכְךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בְּכָֽל מַעֲשֶׂ֔ךָ וּבְכֹ֖ל מִשְׁלַ֥ח יָדֶֽךָ
You shall surely give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing YHWH your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake.
Resuming the positive command with the same doubled-infinitive pattern (naton titten) as v. 8, this verse answers v. 9's warning point for point: give without a grieved heart, because YHWH will bless every undertaking on account of it — motive following command in classic Deuteronomic style.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
נָת֤וֹןsurely (give)Qal inf abs · נָתַן (H5414)Infinitive absolute intensifying תִּתֵּן→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — 'you shall surely give'נָתַן (H5414), see v. 4; the doubled construction resumes v. 8's emphatic command to give.
תִּתֵּן֙you shall giveQal impf 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, paired with the preceding infinitive absolute)→ Yiqtol intensified by inf. abs.: emphatic obligationנָתַן (H5414), see above.
ל֔וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms sfxIndirect object of תִּתֵּןלְ plus suffix; the poor brother as recipient.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יֵרַעלֹא (H3808), see v. 2.
יֵרַ֥עshall be grievedQal impf 3ms · רָעַע (H7489)Predicate verb (negated imperfect)→ Yiqtol negated: prohibition on an internal attitude — the heart must not be grievedרָעַע (H7489), see v. 9; here of the heart's inward reluctance at giving — negated to demand cheerful generosity.
לְבָבְךָ֖your heartN m sg constr + 2ms sfx · לֵבָב (H3824)Subject of יֵרַעלֵבָב (H3824), see v. 7.
בְּתִתְּךָ֣when you giveprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 2ms sfx · נָתַן (H5414)Temporal infinitive clause modifying יֵרַע→ Infinitive construct: temporal — 'in your giving, when you give'נָתַן (H5414), see v. 4; the infinitive construct with בְּ marks simultaneity — the heart must not grieve in the very act of giving.
ל֑וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms sfxIndirect object of the infinitive בְּתִתְּךָלְ plus suffix; the poor brother as recipient.
כִּ֞יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the motive clauseכִּי (H3588), see v. 2; causal, grounding the command in YHWH's promised blessing.
בִּגְלַ֣לon account ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · גָּלָל (H1558)Causal prepositional phrase, complement of כִּיגָּלָל (H1558) 'rolling, cause'; בִּגְלַל 'because of, on account of' — the giving itself as the ground of blessing.
הַדָּבָ֣רthe thingart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive complement of בִּגְלַלדָּבָר (H1697), see v. 2; 'this thing' referring back to the act of generous giving just commanded.
הַזֶּ֗הthisart + demonstr pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדָּבָרזֶה (H2088), see v. 2.
יְבָרֶכְךָ֙will bless youPiel impf 3ms + 2ms sfx · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb (main clause, result of obedience)→ Yiqtol: future/certain blessing consequent on obedienceבָּרַךְ (H1288), see v. 4.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יְבָרֶכְךָיְהוָה (H3068), see above.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430), see v. 4.
בְּכָֽלin allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase, complement of יְבָרֶכְךָכֹּל (H3605), see v. 2.
מַעֲשֶׂ֔ךָyour workN m sg constr + 2ms sfx · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Genitive complement of בְּכָלמַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'work, deed, undertaking,' from עשׂה 'to do'; the totality of the addressee's labor and enterprise.
וּבְכֹ֖לand in allconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase, coordinate with בְּכָלכֹּל (H3605), see above.
מִשְׁלַ֥חthe undertaking ofN m sg constr · מִשְׁלָח (H4916)Genitive complement of וּבְכֹלמִשְׁלָח (H4916) 'undertaking, enterprise,' from שלח 'to send'; מִשְׁלַח יָדֶךָ idiomatically 'all that you put your hand to.'
יָדֶֽךָyour handN c sg constr + 2ms sfx · יָד (H3027)Genitive complement completing the construct chainיָד (H3027), see v. 2.
11
כִּ֛י לֹא יֶחְדַּ֥ל אֶבְי֖וֹן מִקֶּ֣רֶב הָאָ֑רֶץ עַל כֵּ֞ן אָנֹכִ֤י מְצַוְּךָ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר פָּ֠תֹחַ תִּפְתַּ֨ח אֶת יָדְךָ֜ לְאָחִ֧יךָ לַעֲנִיֶּ֛ךָ וּלְאֶבְיֹנְךָ֖ בְּאַרְצֶֽךָ
For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land.'
ki grounds the entire unit's exhortation in the sober, realist observation that poverty will never disappear from the land — the very thing v. 4 hoped against — and al ken draws the practical conclusion: the repeated command 'open wide your hand' summarizes the whole pericope. Utopian promise and realist admission together generate the ethic.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
כִּ֛יForconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction opening the ground clauseכִּי (H3588), see v. 2; causal, grounding the summarizing command in the persistence of poverty.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יֶחְדַּללֹא (H3808), see v. 2.
יֶחְדַּ֥לwill ceaseQal impf 3ms · חָדַל (H2308)Predicate verb (negated imperfect, main clause)→ Yiqtol negated: a permanent, unceasing future realityחָדַל (H2308) 'to cease, stop'; negated here for the sober, realist claim that poverty will never disappear — the counterpoint to v. 4's ideal.
אֶבְי֖וֹןthe pooradj/noun m sg abs · אֶבְיוֹן (H34)Subject of יֶחְדַּלאֶבְיוֹן (H34), see v. 4.
מִקֶּ֣רֶבfrom the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Prepositional phrase, complement of יֶחְדַּלקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; מִקֶּרֶב 'from the midst of' — poverty will never vanish from within the land.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of מִקֶּרֶבאֶרֶץ (H776), see v. 4.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase, part of the idiom עַל כֵּןעַל (H5921), see v. 9; here forming עַל כֵּן 'therefore.'
כֵּ֞ןthereforeadv · כֵּן (H3651)Completes the idiom עַל כֵּן, introducing the concluding commandכֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; עַל כֵּן 'therefore' draws the practical conclusion from the preceding ground clause.
אָנֹכִ֤יIindependent pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (emphatic, independent pronoun) of מְצַוְּךָאָנֹכִי (H595), see v. 5.
מְצַוְּךָ֙command youPiel ptc ms + 2ms sfx · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate participle (present, ongoing act of command)→ Participle: present/durative — Moses's ongoing addressצָוָה (H6680), see v. 5.
לֵאמֹ֔רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct introducing direct speech (quotative frame)→ Infinitive construct: quotativeאָמַר (H559), see v. 9.
פָּ֠תֹחַsurely (open)Qal inf abs · פָּתַח (H6605)Infinitive absolute intensifying תִּפְתַּח→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — 'you shall surely open'פָּתַח (H6605), see v. 8.
תִּפְתַּ֨חyou shall openQal impf 2ms · פָּתַח (H6605)Predicate verb (main clause, quoted command, paired with the preceding infinitive absolute)→ Yiqtol intensified by inf. abs.: emphatic obligationפָּתַח (H6605), see v. 8.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking יָדְךָ as the direct object.
יָדְךָ֜your handN c sg constr + 2ms sfx · יָד (H3027)Direct object of תִּפְתַּחיָד (H3027), see v. 2.
לְאָחִ֧יךָto your brotherprep לְ + N m sg constr + 2ms sfx · אָח (H251)Indirect object of תִּפְתַּחאָח (H251), see v. 2.
לַעֲנִיֶּ֛ךָto your afflictedprep לְ + adj m sg constr + 2ms sfx · עָנִי (H6041)Indirect object, coordinate with לְאָחִיךָעָנִי (H6041) 'afflicted, poor, humble'; a near-synonym of אֶבְיוֹן, stressing the oppressed condition of the needy.
וּלְאֶבְיֹנְךָ֖and to your poorconj וְ + prep לְ + adj m sg constr + 2ms sfx · אֶבְיוֹן (H34)Indirect object, coordinate with the preceding twoאֶבְיוֹן (H34), see v. 4; the third synonym in the triad אָח / עָנִי / אֶבְיוֹן intensifying the summons to generosity.
בְּאַרְצֶֽךָin your landprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 2ms sfx · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase modifying the whole commandאֶרֶץ (H776), see v. 4.
12
כִּֽי יִמָּכֵ֨ר לְךָ֜ אָחִ֣יךָ הָֽעִבְרִ֗י א֚וֹ הָֽעִבְרִיָּ֔ה וַעֲבָֽדְךָ֖ שֵׁ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֑ים וּבַשָּׁנָה֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔ת תְּשַׁלְּחֶ֥נּוּ חָפְשִׁ֖י מֵעִמָּֽךְ
If your brother, a Hebrew man or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you, he shall serve you six years, and in the seventh year you shall send him away from you free.
ki marks a new legal topic, moving from lending to persons: the Hebrew slave, whether male or female, sold for debt, serves six years and is released in the seventh — the same septennial rhythm as the land's release, now applied to bonded persons.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
כִּֽיIfconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional conjunction opening the new legal topicכִּי (H3588), see v. 2; conditional, introducing the law of the Hebrew slave.
יִמָּכֵ֨רis soldNiphal impf 3ms · מָכַר (H4376)Predicate verb (passive, conditional protasis)→ Yiqtol (passive): the hypothetical event of being soldמָכַר (H4376) Niphal 'to be sold'; passive of the active 'to sell,' referring to self-sale or sale by a family member to cover debt.
לְךָ֜to youprep לְ + 2ms sfxComplement of יִמָּכֵר (indicating the buyer)לְ plus suffix; marks the addressee as the purchasing master.
אָחִ֣יךָyour brotherN m sg constr + 2ms sfx · אָח (H251)Subject of יִמָּכֵראָח (H251), see v. 2; here the fellow Israelite sold into debt-bondage.
הָֽעִבְרִ֗יthe Hebrew (man)art + gentilic m sg abs · עִבְרִי (H5680)Attributive apposition to אָחִיךָעִבְרִי (H5680) 'Hebrew'; the gentilic designation, here specifying the ethnic-covenant identity of the enslaved brother.
א֚וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction joining the two possible subjectsאוֹ (H176) 'or'; joins masculine and feminine cases, extending the law equally to a Hebrew woman.
הָֽעִבְרִיָּ֔הthe Hebrew (woman)art + gentilic f sg abs · עִבְרִיָּה (H5680)Coordinate subject with הָעִבְרִיעִבְרִי (H5680), feminine form; the law applies equally regardless of the slave's sex.
וַעֲבָֽדְךָ֖he shall serve youconj וְ + Qal perf(weqatal) 3ms + 2ms sfx · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the main line, apodosis)→ Weqatal: consequential future — the term of service that followsעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, work'; names the six-year term of bonded service that follows the sale.
שֵׁ֣שׁsixnumeral f sg abs · שֵׁשׁ (H8337)Numeral modifying שָׁנִים (adverbial accusative of duration)שֵׁשׁ (H8337) 'six'; sets the term of service, one year short of the septennial cycle.
שָׁנִ֑יםyearsN f pl abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Adverbial accusative of duration, complement of וַעֲבָדְךָשָׁנָה (H8141), see v. 1.
וּבַשָּׁנָה֙and in the yearconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Temporal prepositional phrase introducing the release clauseשָׁנָה (H8141), see v. 1.
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔תthe seventhart + ordinal f sg abs · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Attributive ordinal modifying הַשָּׁנָהשְׁבִיעִי (H7637) 'seventh'; marks the release year, the same septennial marker governing debts (v. 1) now applied to persons.
תְּשַׁלְּחֶ֥נּוּyou shall send him awayPiel impf 2ms + 3ms sfx · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis of the temporal clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional — the standing obligation to releaseשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send away, release, set free'; the technical verb for manumission throughout this unit.
חָפְשִׁ֖יfreeadj m sg abs · חָפְשִׁי (H2670)Predicate adjective / adverbial complement of תְּשַׁלְּחֶנּוּחָפְשִׁי (H2670) 'free, liberated'; the status conferred by manumission — no longer bound to service.
מֵעִמָּֽךְfrom youprep מִן + prep עִם + 2ms sfx (archaic orthography)Prepositional phrase, complement of תְּשַׁלְּחֶנּוּעִם (H5973), see v. 9; מֵעִם 'away from with' — release from the master's household and service.
13
וְכִֽי תְשַׁלְּחֶ֥נּוּ חָפְשִׁ֖י מֵֽעִמָּ֑ךְ לֹ֥א תְשַׁלְּחֶ֖נּוּ רֵיקָֽם
And when you send him away free from you, you shall not send him away empty-handed.
The vav-conjunctive 'and when' resumes and specifies the manner of the release just introduced: the master must not simply let the slave go, but must do so intentionally and not empty-handed — setting up the positive command of v. 14.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְכִֽיAnd whenconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conjunction resuming and specifying the release just introducedכִּי (H3588), see v. 2; here temporal, 'and when.'
תְשַׁלְּחֶ֥נּוּyou send him awayPiel impf 2ms + 3ms sfx · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb of the temporal/conditional clause→ Yiqtol: conditional/temporal — the anticipated act of releaseשָׁלַח (H7971), see v. 12.
חָפְשִׁ֖יfreeadj m sg abs · חָפְשִׁי (H2670)Predicate adjective / adverbial complement of תְשַׁלְּחֶנּוּחָפְשִׁי (H2670), see v. 12.
מֵֽעִמָּ֑ךְfrom youprep מִן + prep עִם + 2ms sfx (archaic orthography)Prepositional phrase, complement of תְשַׁלְּחֶנּוּעִם (H5973), see v. 9.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the second תְשַׁלְּחֶנּוּלֹא (H3808), see v. 2.
תְשַׁלְּחֶ֖נּוּyou shall send him awayPiel impf 2ms + 3ms sfx · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (negated imperfect, main clause command)→ Yiqtol negated: prohibition — forbidding empty-handed releaseשָׁלַח (H7971), see v. 12; the resumed finite verb, now negated with the manner adverb רֵיקָם.
רֵיקָֽםempty-handedadverb · רֵיקָם (H7387)Adverbial complement of תְשַׁלְּחֶנּוּ (manner)רֵיקָם (H7387) 'empty, with nothing'; specifies the forbidden manner of release — sets up the positive command of v. 14 to furnish generously.
14
הַעֲנֵ֤יק תַּעֲנִיק֙ ל֔וֹ מִצֹּ֣אנְךָ֔ וּמִֽגָּרְנְךָ֖ וּמִיִּקְבֶ֑ךָ אֲשֶׁ֧ר בֵּרַכְךָ֛ יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ תִּתֶּן לֽוֹ
You shall furnish him liberally from your flock, from your threshing floor, and from your winepress; as YHWH your God has blessed you, you shall give to him.
An asyndetic doubled-infinitive command (haaneiq taaniq, from the 'necklace' root anaq) demands lavish provision from herd, threshing floor, and winepress — the three staples of agrarian life — proportioned to how YHWH has already blessed the master.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
הַעֲנֵ֤יקsurely (furnish)Hiphil inf abs · עָנַק (H6059)Infinitive absolute intensifying תַּעֲנִיק→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — 'you shall surely furnish liberally'עָנַק (H6059) Hiphil 'to furnish, load with gifts,' from עֲנָק 'necklace'; the vivid image of hanging gifts on the departing slave like an ornament.
תַּעֲנִיק֙you shall furnishHiphil impf 2ms · עָנַק (H6059)Predicate verb (main clause, paired with the preceding infinitive absolute)→ Yiqtol intensified by inf. abs.: emphatic obligationעָנַק (H6059), see above; the finite verb completing the doubled construction — lavish, not grudging, provision.
ל֔וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms sfxIndirect object of תַּעֲנִיקלְ plus suffix; the departing slave as recipient.
מִצֹּ֣אנְךָ֔from your flockprep מִן + N c sg constr + 2ms sfx · צֹאן (H6629)Prepositional phrase, source complement of תַּעֲנִיקצֹאן (H6629) 'flock (sheep/goats)'; the first of three agrarian staples named as the material of the parting gift.
וּמִֽגָּרְנְךָ֖and from your threshing floorconj וְ + prep מִן + N c sg constr + 2ms sfx · גֹּרֶן (H1637)Prepositional phrase, coordinate source complementגֹּרֶן (H1637) 'threshing floor'; by metonymy the grain harvest — the second staple of the gift.
וּמִיִּקְבֶ֑ךָand from your winepressconj וְ + prep מִן + N m sg constr + 2ms sfx · יֶקֶב (H3342)Prepositional phrase, coordinate source complementיֶקֶב (H3342) 'winepress, wine vat'; by metonymy the wine harvest — the third staple, completing the triad of agrarian abundance.
אֲשֶׁ֧רasrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative/comparative particle introducing the proportioning clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), see v. 2; here comparative, 'according as, in proportion to.'
בֵּרַכְךָ֛has blessed youPiel perf 3ms + 2ms sfx · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb of the relative/comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed, already-realized blessingבָּרַךְ (H1288), see v. 4; the gift is proportioned to the master's own prior blessing from YHWH.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of בֵּרַכְךָיְהוָה (H3068), see above.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430), see v. 4.
תִּתֶּןyou shall giveQal impf 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, resuming and concluding the command)→ Yiqtol: instructional — the standing obligation to giveנָתַן (H5414), see v. 4; restates the command in simple form after the elaborated triad of sources.
לֽוֹto himprep לְ + 3ms sfxIndirect object of תִּתֶּןלְ plus suffix; the departing slave as recipient.
15
וְזָכַרְתָּ֗ כִּ֣י עֶ֤בֶד הָיִ֨יתָ֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם וַֽיִּפְדְּךָ֖ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ עַל כֵּ֞ן אָנֹכִ֧י מְצַוְּךָ֛ אֶת הַדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּ֖ה הַיּֽוֹם
And you shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and YHWH your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this thing today.
The motive clause 'and you shall remember... YHWH redeemed you' grounds the command in Israel's own experience of slavery and divine deliverance from Egypt; 'therefore I command you this thing today' echoes the same formula used for the release-of-debts law, tying the two institutions together as expressions of the same redemption memory.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְזָכַרְתָּ֗And you shall rememberconj וְ + Qal perf(weqatal) 2ms · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (weqatal, main clause command)→ Weqatal: instructional — a standing command to rememberזָכַר (H2142) 'to remember, call to mind'; the recurring Deuteronomic imperative of covenant memory, here grounding the command in Israel's own history.
כִּ֣יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Conjunction introducing the object clause of וְזָכַרְתָּכִּי (H3588), see v. 2; introduces indirect discourse, 'that you were a slave.'
עֶ֤בֶדa slaveN m sg abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Predicate noun of הָיִיתָעֶבֶד (H5650) 'slave, servant'; Israel's own former status in Egypt, the ground of empathetic law for its own slaves.
הָיִ֨יתָ֙you wereQal perf 2ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the כִּי-clause→ Perfective: a completed past stateהָיָה (H1961), see v. 3.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase modifying הָיִיתָאֶרֶץ (H776), see v. 4.
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of בְּאֶרֶץמִצְרַיִם (H4714), the land of Israel's bondage — the recurring ground of Deuteronomic covenant ethics.
וַֽיִּפְדְּךָ֖and redeemed youconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms + 2ms sfx · פָּדָה (H6299)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol, narrative sequence continuing the remembered history)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive act of redemptionפָּדָה (H6299) 'to redeem, ransom'; the exodus as an act of purchase/liberation from slavery, the theological basis of Israel's own manumission laws.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיִּפְדְּךָיְהוָה (H3068), see above.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430), see v. 4.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase, part of the idiom עַל כֵּןעַל (H5921), see v. 9.
כֵּ֞ןthereforeadv · כֵּן (H3651)Completes the idiom עַל כֵּן, introducing the concluding commandכֵּן (H3651), see v. 11.
אָנֹכִ֧יIindependent pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (emphatic, independent pronoun) of מְצַוְּךָאָנֹכִי (H595), see v. 5.
מְצַוְּךָ֛command youPiel ptc ms + 2ms sfx · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate participle (present, ongoing act of command)→ Participle: present/durative — Moses's ongoing addressצָוָה (H6680), see v. 5.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַדָּבָר as the direct object.
הַדָּבָ֥רthis thingart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of מְצַוְּךָדָּבָר (H1697), see v. 2.
הַזֶּ֖הthisart + demonstr pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַדָּבָרזֶה (H2088), see v. 2.
הַיּֽוֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117), see v. 5.
16
וְהָיָה֙ כִּֽי יֹאמַ֣ר אֵלֶ֔יךָ לֹ֥א אֵצֵ֖א מֵעִמָּ֑ךְ כִּ֤י אֲהֵֽבְךָ֙ וְאֶת בֵּיתֶ֔ךָ כִּי ט֥וֹב ל֖וֹ עִמָּֽךְ
And if he says to you, 'I will not go out from you,' because he loves you and your house, since he fares well with you,
A conditional clause (vehaya ki yomar) anticipates the slave's own refusal of freedom out of love for the master and his household and because he fares well there — the exceptional case the awl ceremony of v. 17 will address.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְהָיָה֙And if it beconj וְ + Qal perf(weqatal) 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal introducing the conditional clause)→ Weqatal: conditional — introducing a hypothetical scenarioהָיָה (H1961), see v. 3; here the standing formula וְהָיָה כִּי introducing a conditional case.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Completes the idiom וְהָיָה כִּי ('and if it be that')כִּי (H3588), see v. 2; joined to וְהָיָה to form the conditional formula.
יֹאמַ֣רhe saysQal impf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb of the conditional clause→ Yiqtol: conditional/potential — the slave's hypothetical statementאָמַר (H559), see v. 9.
אֵלֶ֔יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms sfxIndirect object of יֹאמַראֶל (H413), see v. 9.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates אֵצֵאלֹא (H3808), see v. 2.
אֵצֵ֖אI will go outQal impf 1cs · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the quoted speech (negated)→ Yiqtol negated: the slave's refusal of departureיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out, depart'; the slave's refusal to leave upon manumission — the case the awl ceremony will address.
מֵעִמָּ֑ךְfrom youprep מִן + prep עִם + 2ms sfx (archaic orthography)Prepositional phrase, complement of אֵצֵאעִם (H5973), see v. 9.
כִּ֤יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the slave's motiveכִּי (H3588), see v. 2; causal, giving the slave's reason for refusing freedom.
אֲהֵֽבְךָ֙he loves youQal perf 3ms + 2ms sfx · אָהַב (H157)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective (stative): an abiding state of affectionאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; here of the bonded servant's genuine attachment to master and household.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)אֵת (H853), marking בֵּיתֶךָ as the second definite direct object of אֲהֵבְךָ.
בֵּיתֶ֔ךָyour houseN m sg constr + 2ms sfx · בַּיִת (H1004)Second direct object of אֲהֵבְךָבַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; the slave's love extends beyond the master to the whole household.
כִּיbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the second motive clauseכִּי (H3588), see v. 2; a second causal clause reinforcing the slave's reason.
ט֥וֹבit is wellQal perf 3ms (stative) · טוֹב (H2895)Predicate verb (stative) of the causal clause→ Perfective (stative): a present, ongoing state of well-beingטוֹב (H2895) 'to be good, pleasant'; stative verb describing the slave's contented condition in the master's household.
ל֖וֹfor himprep לְ + 3ms sfxComplement of טוֹב (experiencer)לְ plus suffix; marks the slave as the one experiencing well-being.
עִמָּֽךְwith youprep עִם + 2ms sfx (archaic orthography)Prepositional phrase, complement of טוֹבעִם (H5973), see v. 9; locates the slave's well-being specifically in the master's household.
17
וְלָקַחְתָּ֣ אֶת הַמַּרְצֵ֗עַ וְנָתַתָּ֤ה בְאָזְנוֹ֙ וּבַדֶּ֔לֶת וְהָיָ֥ה לְךָ֖ עֶ֣בֶד עוֹלָ֑ם וְאַ֥ף לַאֲמָתְךָ֖ תַּעֲשֶׂה כֵּֽן
then you shall take the awl and put it through his ear and into the door, and he shall be your slave forever; and to your female servant you shall do likewise.
The apodosis to v. 16's condition: the master takes an awl (martzea), pierces the slave's ear against the door, marking him a permanent bondservant — with the closing clause extending the same provision equally to a female slave (amah).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְלָקַחְתָּ֣And you shall takeconj וְ + Qal perf(weqatal) 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (weqatal, apodosis of v. 16's condition)→ Weqatal: consequential — the required response to the slave's refusalלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; opens the awl ceremony formalizing perpetual servitude.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַמַּרְצֵעַ as the direct object.
הַמַּרְצֵ֗עַthe awlart + N m sg abs · מַרְצֵעַ (H4836)Direct object of וְלָקַחְתָּמַרְצֵעַ (H4836) 'awl'; the sharp instrument used to pierce the ear in the ceremony of perpetual bondservice (cf. Exod 21:6).
וְנָתַתָּ֤הand put itconj וְ + Qal perf(weqatal) 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the main line)→ Weqatal: consequential — the next act in the ceremonyנָתַן (H5414), see v. 4; here 'to put, place (the awl)' through the ear.
בְאָזְנוֹ֙through his earprep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3ms sfx · אֹזֶן (H241)Prepositional phrase, complement of וְנָתַתָּהאֹזֶן (H241) 'ear'; the site of the ceremonial piercing marking permanent attachment to the household.
וּבַדֶּ֔לֶתand into the doorconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · דֶּלֶת (H1817)Prepositional phrase, coordinate complement of וְנָתַתָּהדֶּלֶת (H1817) 'door, doorpost'; the awl pins the ear against the door, a vivid, physical symbol of belonging to the house.
וְהָיָ֥הand he shall beconj וְ + Qal perf(weqatal) 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal, resultative)→ Weqatal: consequential — the resulting permanent statusהָיָה (H1961), see v. 3.
לְךָ֖to youprep לְ + 2ms sfxComplement of וְהָיָה (possession)לְ plus suffix; marks the master as permanent possessor of the now-bonded servant.
עֶ֣בֶדa slave ofN m sg constr · עֶבֶד (H5650)Predicate noun of וְהָיָהעֶבֶד (H5650), see v. 15.
עוֹלָ֑םperpetuityN m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Genitive complement of עֶבֶד ('a perpetual slave')עוֹלָם (H5769) 'long duration, perpetuity, forever'; עֶבֶד עוֹלָם 'a permanent bondservant' — service for the remainder of his life, by his own choice.
וְאַ֥ףand alsoconj וְ + adv · אַף (H637)Coordinating/intensifying adverb introducing the extension to the female slaveאַף (H637) 'also, even, moreover'; extends the same provision to a female servant.
לַאֲמָתְךָ֖to your female servantprep לְ + N f sg constr + 2ms sfx · אָמָה (H519)Indirect object of תַּעֲשֶׂהאָמָה (H519) 'female slave, maidservant'; the law is applied equally by sex, as already noted in v. 12.
תַּעֲשֶׂהyou shall doQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, instructional imperfect)→ Yiqtol: instructional — the standing obligation of equal treatmentעָשָׂה (H6213), see v. 1.
כֵּֽןlikewiseadv · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial complement of תַּעֲשֶׂה ('do so, likewise')כֵּן (H3651), see v. 11; here 'thus, likewise' — closing the extension of the law to the female servant.
18
לֹא יִקְשֶׁ֣ה בְעֵינֶ֗ךָ בְּשַׁלֵּֽחֲךָ֙ אֹת֤וֹ חָפְשִׁי֙ מֵֽעִמָּ֔ךְ כִּ֗י מִשְׁנֶה֙ שְׂכַ֣ר שָׂכִ֔יר עֲבָֽדְךָ֖ שֵׁ֣שׁ שָׁנִ֑ים וּבֵֽרַכְךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בְּכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעֲשֶֽׂה
It shall not seem hard to you when you send him away free from you, for he has been worth double a hired servant to you in serving you six years; and YHWH your God will bless you in all that you do.
A concluding motive clause forbids the master from regarding the release as a hardship, quantifying the slave's value as double a hired hand's (mishneh sekhar sakhir) across six years, and promising YHWH's blessing on all the master's undertakings as further incentive to comply.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יִקְשֶׁהלֹא (H3808), see v. 2.
יִקְשֶׁ֣הshall it seem hardQal impf 3ms · קָשָׁה (H7185)Predicate verb (negated imperfect, main clause)→ Yiqtol negated: prohibition on an attitude — forbidding resentment at the releaseקָשָׁה (H7185) 'to be hard, difficult, harsh'; here of a grudging, resentful reaction to the slave's manumission.
בְעֵינֶ֗ךָin your eyesprep בְּ + N c dual constr + 2ms sfx · עַיִן (H5869)Prepositional phrase, complement of יִקְשֶׁה (idiom of perception/opinion)עַיִן (H5869), see v. 9; בְּעֵינֶיךָ idiomatically 'in your estimation, opinion.'
בְּשַׁלֵּֽחֲךָ֙when you send him awayprep בְּ + Piel inf constr + 2ms sfx · שָׁלַח (H7971)Temporal infinitive clause modifying יִקְשֶׁה→ Infinitive construct: temporal — 'in your sending away'שָׁלַח (H7971), see v. 12.
אֹת֤וֹ[obj] himobj marker + 3ms sfx · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with pronominal suffix (object of the infinitive)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi with pronominal suffix, marking the freed slave as object.
חָפְשִׁי֙freeadj m sg abs · חָפְשִׁי (H2670)Predicate adjective / adverbial complement of בְּשַׁלֵּחֲךָחָפְשִׁי (H2670), see v. 12.
מֵֽעִמָּ֔ךְfrom youprep מִן + prep עִם + 2ms sfx (archaic orthography)Prepositional phrase, complement of בְּשַׁלֵּחֲךָעִם (H5973), see v. 9.
כִּ֗יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the motive clauseכִּי (H3588), see v. 2; causal, quantifying the slave's value as the ground for not resenting the release.
מִשְׁנֶה֙doubleN m sg abs · מִשְׁנֶה (H4932)Predicate noun (construct head governing שְׂכַר שָׂכִיר)מִשְׁנֶה (H4932) 'double portion, second,' from שנה 'to repeat'; quantifies the slave's economic value at twice that of a hired hand.
שְׂכַ֣רthe wage ofN m sg constr · שָׂכָר (H7939)Genitive complement of מִשְׁנֶהשָׂכָר (H7939) 'wage, hire'; the standard payment for hired labor, the baseline against which the slave's value is doubled.
שָׂכִ֔ירa hired servantadj/noun m sg abs · שָׂכִיר (H7916)Genitive complement of שְׂכַרשָׂכִיר (H7916) 'hired laborer'; a free wage worker, contrasted with the six-year bondservant whose value now exceeds his.
עֲבָֽדְךָ֖he served youQal perf 3ms + 2ms sfx · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective: a completed period of serviceעָבַד (H5647), see v. 12; summarizes the six-year term just completed.
שֵׁ֣שׁsixnumeral f sg abs · שֵׁשׁ (H8337)Numeral modifying שָׁנִים (adverbial accusative of duration)שֵׁשׁ (H8337), see v. 12.
שָׁנִ֑יםyearsN f pl abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Adverbial accusative of duration, complement of עֲבָדְךָשָׁנָה (H8141), see v. 1.
וּבֵֽרַכְךָ֙and will bless youconj וְ + Piel perf(weqatal) 3ms + 2ms sfx · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb (weqatal, promissory result clause)→ Weqatal: consequential future blessing — further incentive to complianceבָּרַךְ (H1288), see v. 4.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וּבֵרַכְךָיְהוָה (H3068), see above.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430), see v. 4.
בְּכֹ֖לin allprep בְּ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase, complement of וּבֵרַכְךָכֹּל (H3605), see v. 2.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying בְּכֹלאֲשֶׁר (H834), see v. 2.
תַּעֲשֶֽׂהyou doQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: general/durative — whatever you continue to undertakeעָשָׂה (H6213), see v. 1.
19
כָּֽל הַבְּכ֡וֹר אֲשֶׁר֩ יִוָּלֵ֨ד בִּבְקָרְךָ֤ וּבְצֹֽאנְךָ֙ הַזָּכָ֔ר תַּקְדִּ֖ישׁ לַיהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ לֹ֤א תַעֲבֹד֙ בִּבְכֹ֣ר שׁוֹרֶ֔ךָ וְלֹ֥א תָגֹ֖ז בְּכ֥וֹר צֹאנֶֽךָ
Every firstborn male that is born of your herd and your flock you shall consecrate to YHWH your God; you shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock.
An asyndetic new topic opens the chapter's final unit: every firstborn male of herd and flock (bekhor) is consecrated to YHWH from birth, barred from ordinary labor or shearing — paralleling the septennial and personal releases with a further category set apart to God.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
כָּֽלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head of the subject phrase כָּל הַבְּכוֹרכֹּל (H3605), see v. 2.
הַבְּכ֡וֹרthe firstbornart + N m sg abs · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Genitive complement of כָּל, subject of the whole clauseבְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; the firstborn male of herd and flock, consecrated to YHWH as a category of holiness.
אֲשֶׁר֩thatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הַבְּכוֹראֲשֶׁר (H834), see v. 2.
יִוָּלֵ֨דis bornNiphal impf 3ms · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (passive) of the relative clause→ Yiqtol (passive): the general, recurring event of birthיָלַד (H3205) Niphal 'to be born'; passive of the active 'to bear,' marking the animal's birth-status as firstborn.
בִּבְקָרְךָ֤in your herdprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 2ms sfx · בָּקָר (H1241)Locative prepositional phrase, complement of יִוָּלֵדבָּקָר (H1241) 'cattle, herd'; the large-livestock category, paired with צֹאן.
וּבְצֹֽאנְךָ֙and in your flockconj וְ + prep בְּ + N c sg constr + 2ms sfx · צֹאן (H6629)Locative prepositional phrase, coordinate with בִּבְקָרְךָצֹאן (H6629), see v. 14; the small-livestock category, paired with בָּקָר.
הַזָּכָ֔רthe maleart + N m sg abs · זָכָר (H2145)Attributive apposition to הַבְּכוֹר, restricting the law to malesזָכָר (H2145) 'male'; restricts the consecration law specifically to male firstborn animals.
תַּקְדִּ֖ישׁyou shall consecrateHiphil impf 2ms · קָדַשׁ (H6942)Predicate verb (main clause command)→ Yiqtol: instructional — the standing obligation of consecrationקָדַשׁ (H6942) Hiphil 'to consecrate, set apart as holy'; every male firstling belongs categorically to YHWH from birth.
לַיהוָ֣הto YHWHprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Indirect object of תַּקְדִּישׁיְהוָה (H3068), see above.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430), see v. 4.
לֹ֤אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תַעֲבֹדלֹא (H3808), see v. 2.
תַעֲבֹד֙shall you workQal impf 2ms · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb (negated imperfect, prohibition)→ Yiqtol negated: prohibition — no ordinary labor may be exacted from the consecrated animalעָבַד (H5647), see v. 12; here 'to work (an animal),' forbidden with the sacred firstling.
בִּבְכֹ֣רwith the firstborn ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Prepositional phrase, complement of תַעֲבֹדבְּכוֹר (H1060), see above.
שׁוֹרֶ֔ךָyour oxN m sg constr + 2ms sfx · שׁוֹר (H7794)Genitive complement of בִּבְכֹרשׁוֹר (H7794) 'ox, bull'; the working animal of the herd, whose firstborn may not be put to labor.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תָגֹזלֹא (H3808), see v. 2.
תָגֹ֖זshall you shearQal impf 2ms · גָּזַז (H1494)Predicate verb (negated imperfect, prohibition, parallel to תַעֲבֹד)→ Yiqtol negated: prohibition — no shearing of the consecrated animal's woolגָּזַז (H1494) 'to shear'; forbidden with the sacred firstling's wool, paralleling the ban on labor.
בְּכ֥וֹרthe firstborn ofN m sg constr · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Direct object of תָגֹז (construct head)בְּכוֹר (H1060), see above.
צֹאנֶֽךָyour flockN c sg constr + 2ms sfx · צֹאן (H6629)Genitive complement of בְּכוֹרצֹאן (H6629), see v. 14.
20
לִפְנֵי֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֤יךָ תֹאכֲלֶ֨נּוּ֙ שָׁנָ֣ה בְשָׁנָ֔ה בַּמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה אַתָּ֖ה וּבֵיתֶֽךָ
You shall eat it before YHWH your God year by year in the place that YHWH will choose, you and your household.
Continuing without a connective, the verse specifies where and how the firstling is consumed: 'before YHWH' at the chosen central sanctuary, year by year, by the householder and his family — an act of worship, not ordinary meat consumption.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
לִפְנֵי֩beforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase, complement of תֹאכֲלֶנּוּפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of' — the standing idiom for cultic presence at the sanctuary.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068), see above.
אֱלֹהֶ֤יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430), see v. 4.
תֹאכֲלֶ֨נּוּ֙you shall eat itQal impf 2ms + 3ms sfx · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause command)→ Yiqtol: instructional — the standing obligation to eat the firstling rituallyאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the sacred meal consuming the consecrated firstling at the chosen sanctuary.
שָׁנָ֣הyearN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Adverbial accusative, first element of the distributive idiom שָׁנָה בְשָׁנָהשָׁנָה (H8141), see v. 1.
בְשָׁנָ֔הby yearprep בְּ + N f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Completes the distributive idiom 'year by year'שָׁנָה (H8141), see v. 1; שָׁנָה בְשָׁנָה 'year by year, annually' — the recurring cycle of the pilgrimage meal.
בַּמָּק֖וֹםin the placeprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Locative prepositional phrase, complement of תֹאכֲלֶנּוּמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; the Deuteronomic technical term for the single chosen sanctuary site.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הַמָּקוֹםאֲשֶׁר (H834), see v. 2.
יִבְחַ֣רhe will chooseQal impf 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: future/durative — YHWH's ongoing choice of the sanctuary siteבָּחַר (H977) 'to choose, select'; the recurring Deuteronomic formula for the divinely selected central sanctuary (later Jerusalem).
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יִבְחַריְהוָה (H3068), see above.
אַתָּ֖הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (emphatic, independent pronoun), coordinate with וּבֵיתֶךָ, resuming the subject of תֹאכֲלֶנּוּאַתָּה (H859), see v. 6; specifies the householder as celebrant of the meal.
וּבֵיתֶֽךָand your householdconj וְ + N m sg constr + 2ms sfx · בַּיִת (H1004)Coordinate subject with אַתָּהבַּיִת (H1004), see v. 16; the whole household shares in the sacred meal.
21
וְכִֽי יִהְיֶ֨ה ב֜וֹ מ֗וּם פִּסֵּ֨חַ֙ א֣וֹ עִוֵּ֔ר כֹּ֖ל מ֣וּם רָ֑ע לֹ֣א תִזְבָּחֶ֔נּוּ לַיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ
But if there is a blemish in it, lame or blind, any serious blemish, you shall not sacrifice it to YHWH your God.
vekhi introduces the necessary qualifying exception: an animal with a serious blemish (lameness, blindness, or any mum ra) is disqualified from sacrificial use altogether, since only unblemished animals may be offered to YHWH.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְכִֽיBut ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional conjunction introducing the exception clauseכִּי (H3588), see v. 2; conditional, introducing the disqualifying-blemish exception.
יִהְיֶ֨הthere isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential, conditional clause)→ Yiqtol: conditional/existential — the hypothetical presence of a blemishהָיָה (H1961), see v. 3.
ב֜וֹin itprep בְּ + 3ms sfxLocative prepositional phrase, complement of יִהְיֶהבְּ plus suffix; locates the blemish in the animal.
מ֗וּםa blemishN m sg abs · מוּם (H3971)Subject of יִהְיֶהמוּם (H3971) 'blemish, defect'; disqualifies the animal from sacrificial use per the general law of unblemished offerings.
פִּסֵּ֨חַ֙lameadj m sg abs · פִּסֵּחַ (H6455)Attributive apposition to מוּם, specifying one typeפִּסֵּחַ (H6455) 'lame'; the first example of a disqualifying physical defect.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction joining the two examplesאוֹ (H176), see v. 12.
עִוֵּ֔רblindadj m sg abs · עִוֵּר (H5787)Coordinate apposition to מוּם, second exampleעִוֵּר (H5787) 'blind'; the second example of a disqualifying physical defect.
כֹּ֖לanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head generalizing beyond the two named examplesכֹּל (H3605), see v. 2; broadens the two examples to a general category.
מ֣וּםblemishN m sg abs · מוּם (H3971)Genitive complement of כֹּלמוּם (H3971), see above; restated for the general class.
רָ֑עseriousadj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Attributive adjective modifying כֹּל מוּםרַע (H7451) 'bad, evil'; here 'serious, grave' — qualifying any blemish severe enough to disqualify.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תִזְבָּחֶנּוּלֹא (H3808), see v. 2.
תִזְבָּחֶ֔נּוּyou shall sacrifice itQal impf 2ms + 3ms sfx · זָבַח (H2076)Predicate verb (negated imperfect, prohibition)→ Yiqtol negated: prohibition — no blemished animal may be sacrificedזָבַח (H2076) 'to sacrifice, slaughter (for sacrifice)'; the technical cultic verb, here forbidden for the blemished firstling.
לַיהוָ֖הto YHWHprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Indirect object of תִזְבָּחֶנּוּיְהוָה (H3068), see above.
אֱלֹהֶֽיךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sfx · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430), see v. 4.
22
בִּשְׁעָרֶ֖יךָ תֹּאכֲלֶ֑נּוּ הַטָּמֵ֤א וְהַטָּהוֹר֙ יַחְדָּ֔ו כַּצְּבִ֖י וְכָאַיָּֽל
You shall eat it within your towns, the unclean and the clean alike, as the gazelle and as the deer.
Continuing asyndetically, the blemished firstling is not wasted but eaten locally ('within your gates'), by clean and unclean persons alike, under the same rules as ordinary game (gazelle, deer) rather than as sacrificial meat.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
בִּשְׁעָרֶ֖יךָwithin your townsprep בְּ + N m pl constr + 2ms sfx · שַׁעַר (H8179)Locative prepositional phrase, complement of תֹּאכֲלֶנּוּשַׁעַר (H8179), see v. 7; 'in your gates/towns' — ordinary, local (non-sanctuary) consumption.
תֹּאכֲלֶ֑נּוּyou shall eat itQal impf 2ms + 3ms sfx · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause command)→ Yiqtol: instructional — permission/command for local, non-sacral eatingאָכַל (H398), see v. 20; here of ordinary local consumption rather than the sanctuary meal.
הַטָּמֵ֤אthe uncleanart + adj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Subject in apposition, first of the paired categories permitted to eatטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean, impure'; ritually unclean persons, who could not eat sacrificial meat, may eat this local meat.
וְהַטָּהוֹר֙and the cleanconj וְ + art + adj m sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Coordinate subject, second of the paired categoriesטָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean, pure'; paired with טָמֵא to stress that ritual status is irrelevant for this non-sacral meal.
יַחְדָּ֔וtogether, alikeadverb · יַחְדָּו (H3162)Adverbial complement summarizing the preceding pairיַחְדָּו (H3162) 'together, alike'; underscores that both ritually clean and unclean persons may share the meal equally.
כַּצְּבִ֖יlike the gazelleprep כְּ + art + N c sg abs · צְבִי (H6643)Comparative prepositional phrase, complement of תֹּאכֲלֶנּוּצְבִי (H6643) 'gazelle'; a non-sacrificial wild game animal, the standard of comparison for ordinary (non-cultic) meat.
וְכָאַיָּֽלand like the deerconj וְ + prep כְּ + art + N c sg abs · אַיָּל (H354)Coordinate comparative prepositional phraseאַיָּל (H354) 'deer, stag'; paired with צְבִי as the standard wild-game comparison for common, non-sacrificial meat.
23
רַ֥ק אֶת דָּמ֖וֹ לֹ֣א תֹאכֵ֑ל עַל הָאָ֥רֶץ תִּשְׁפְּכֶ֖נּוּ כַּמָּֽיִם
Only its blood you shall not eat; you shall pour it out on the ground like water.
raq isolates the one absolute restriction that survives even this concession: the blood may never be eaten, but must be poured out on the ground like water — the blood-prohibition of Lev 17 and Deut 12 reasserted at the chapter's close.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
רַ֥קonlyadv · רַק (H7535)Restrictive adverb introducing the sole remaining exceptionרַק (H7535), see v. 5; isolates the one absolute restriction surviving the concession of v. 22.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking דָּמוֹ as the direct object.
דָּמ֖וֹits bloodN m sg constr + 3ms sfx · דָּם (H1818)Direct object of תֹאכֵלדָּם (H1818) 'blood'; the substance categorically forbidden as food throughout the Torah, since it represents the life (cf. Lev 17:11; Deut 12:23).
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates תֹאכֵללֹא (H3808), see v. 2.
תֹאכֵ֑לyou shall eatQal impf 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (negated imperfect, prohibition)→ Yiqtol negated: absolute prohibition — the blood ban admits no exceptionאָכַל (H398), see v. 20; here absolutely forbidden with reference to blood.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase, complement of תִּשְׁפְּכֶנּוּעַל (H5921), see v. 9.
הָאָ֥רֶץthe groundart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of עַלאֶרֶץ (H776), see v. 4; here 'ground, earth' as the surface for the poured-out blood.
תִּשְׁפְּכֶ֖נּוּyou shall pour it outQal impf 2ms + 3ms sfx · שָׁפַךְ (H8210)Predicate verb (main clause command)→ Yiqtol: instructional — the standing obligation of proper blood disposalשָׁפַךְ (H8210) 'to pour out'; the prescribed disposal of blood, honoring its sanctity without consuming it.
כַּמָּֽיִםlike waterprep כְּ + art + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Comparative prepositional phrase, complement of תִּשְׁפְּכֶנּוּמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; the point of comparison — blood is to be treated as ordinary as water once poured out, with no sacral use beyond the ban itself.