1
שָׁמוֹר֙ אֶת חֹ֣דֶשׁ הָאָבִ֔יב וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ פֶּ֔סַח לַיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ כִּ֞י בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָֽאָבִ֗יב הוֹצִ֨יאֲךָ֜ יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם לָֽיְלָה
Observe the month of Abib and keep the Passover to YHWH your God, for in the month of Abib YHWH your God brought you out of Egypt by night.
The chapter opens asyndetically with a bare imperative (infinitive absolute), immediately followed by a causal clause grounding the command in the exodus event; this pattern -- command, then motive clause anchored in historical memory -- structures the whole Passover unit (vv.1-8).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
שָׁמוֹר֙ObserveQal inf abs (impv force) · שָׁמוֹר (H8104)Predicate verb (main clause, infinitive absolute for imperative)→ Volitional: infinitive absolute functioning as a solemn imperativeשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, observe, guard'; the infinitive absolute opens the chapter with an unmodulated command register.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking חֹדֶשׁ הָאָבִיב as the definite object; untranslated.
חֹ֣דֶשׁthe month ofN m sg constr · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Direct object (construct head)חֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month, new moon', from חָדָשׁ 'new'; construct with הָאָבִיב names the specific month.
הָאָבִ֔יבthe Abibart + N m sg abs · אָבִיב (H24)Genitive complement of construct chainאָבִיב (H24) 'young ears of grain, springtime'; the old agricultural name of the first month (later Nisan), tied to the barley's ripening -- an agricultural, not merely calendrical, marker.
וְעָשִׂ֣יתָand you shall keepconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Weqatal: continuing instructional force, a standing legal obligationעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, perform'; with פֶּסַח as object, the idiom 'to keep/perform the Passover.'
פֶּ֔סַחthe PassoverN m sg abs · פֶּסַח (H6453)Direct objectפֶּסַח (H6453) 'Passover, paschal sacrifice', from פָּסַח 'to pass over, spare'; denotes both the festival and its lamb.
לַיהוָ֖הto YHWHprep לְ + Np · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative complement (recipient of the offering)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the Passover is offered specifically to him.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God', plural of majesty; with 2ms suffix, the covenant-relational epithet 'your God' recurring throughout Deuteronomy.
כִּ֞יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing subordinate clauseכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the historical ground/motive clause for the command.
בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁin the month ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Temporal prepositional phraseחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month'; repeats the calendrical marker of the opening clause to ground the command in history.
הָֽאָבִ֗יבthe Abibart + N m sg abs · אָבִיב (H24)Genitive complement of construct chainאָבִיב (H24); the same month named in v.1, now identified as the time of the exodus itself.
הוֹצִ֨יאֲךָ֜he brought you outHiphil perf 3ms + 2ms suff · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (subordinate causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of deliveranceיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Hiphil 'to bring out' -- the standard exodus verb, here with pronominal object 'you' (Israel collectively).
יְהוָ֧הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the deliverance from Egypt.
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָה (subject)אֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1 -- the covenant epithet reasserted as subject of the exodus act.
מִמִּצְרַ֖יִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + Np · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Source/ablative prepositional phraseמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the place of bondage from which YHWH extracted Israel.
לָֽיְלָהby nightN m sg abs (adverbial) · לַיְלָה (H3915)Adverbial accusative of timeלַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; adverbial accusative -- the exodus departure is emphatically located at night, a note this chapter revisits in the evening/morning timing of vv.4,6-7 (in some tension with the daytime departure implied at Num 33:3).
2
וְזָבַ֥חְתָּ פֶּ֛סַח לַיהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ צֹ֣אן וּבָקָ֑ר בַּמָּקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה לְשַׁכֵּ֥ן שְׁמ֖וֹ שָֽׁם
And you shall sacrifice the Passover to YHWH your God, from the flock and the herd, in the place that YHWH will choose to make his name dwell there.
Weqatal continues the main instructional line from v.1, now specifying the victim (flock and herd, broader than Exodus 12's lamb) and introducing for the first time the chapter's controlling spatial category: the place YHWH will choose to make his name dwell there, the centralization formula that structures every festival law in this chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְזָבַ֥חְתָּand you shall sacrificeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · זָבַח (H2076)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Weqatal: continuing instructional force, a standing legal obligationזָבַח (H2076) 'to slaughter, sacrifice'; the specific sacrificial verb for the Passover victim.
פֶּ֛סַחthe Passover [offering]N m sg abs · פֶּסַח (H6453)Direct objectפֶּסַח (H6453); see v.1 -- here denoting the animal victim itself.
לַיהוָ֥הto YHWHprep לְ + Np · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative complement (recipient of the sacrifice)יְהוָה (H3068); recipient of the sacrifice.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
צֹ֣אןflockN comm sg abs · צֹאן (H6629)Source/material of the sacrifice (asyndetic accusative)צֹאן (H6629) 'flock, small livestock' (sheep/goats); paired with בָּקָר, this verse broadens the Passover victim beyond Exodus 12's lamb-only prescription to include herd animals -- a Deuteronomic expansion tied to the single chosen place.
וּבָקָ֑רand herdconj וְ + N comm sg abs · בָּקָר (H1241)Coordinate source/material of the sacrificeבָּקָר (H1241) 'cattle, herd'; the flock-and-herd pairing marks a broadened victim pool relative to the original Egypt Passover lamb.
בַּמָּקוֹם֙in the placeprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Locative prepositional phraseמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; Deuteronomy's technical term for the single sanctuary site YHWH will designate -- the chapter's controlling spatial category (centralization).
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the place-clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle 'who, which, that'; opens the recurring centralization formula 'the place that YHWH will choose.'
יִבְחַ֣רhe will chooseQal impf 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: future/modal -- YHWH's still-future act of choosing the siteבָּחַר (H977) 'to choose, select'; the verb of divine election underlying the Deuteronomic centralization formula 'the place YHWH will choose.'
יְהוָ֔הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the choosing.
לְשַׁכֵּ֥ןto make dwellprep לְ + Piel inf constr · שָׁכַן (H7931)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitival purpose: the goal of YHWH's choosing the placeשָׁכַן (H7931) 'to dwell, settle'; causative nuance here, 'to cause to dwell, establish' -- the Deuteronomic Name-theology, where YHWH's Name (not his full presence) dwells at the site.
שְׁמ֖וֹhis nameN m sg constr + 3ms suff · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object of לְשַׁכֵּןשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; object of the dwelling formula, central to Deuteronomy's theology of divine presence mediated through the Name.
שָֽׁםthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial complement (locative, resumptive)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; resumptive adverb pointing back to בַּמָּקוֹם, closing the relative clause.
3
לֹא תֹאכַ֤ל עָלָיו֙ חָמֵ֔ץ שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִ֛ים תֹּֽאכַל עָלָ֥יו מַצּ֖וֹת לֶ֣חֶם עֹ֑נִי כִּ֣י בְחִפָּז֗וֹן יָצָ֨אתָ֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם לְמַ֣עַן תִּזְכֹּר֔ אֶת י֤וֹם צֵֽאתְךָ֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֥י חַיֶּֽיךָ
You shall not eat leaven with it; seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, bread of affliction -- for you came out of Egypt in haste -- so that you may remember the day of your going out from the land of Egypt, all the days of your life.
The verse pairs a negative command (no leaven eaten with the sacrifice) with a positive one (eat unleavened bread, 'bread of affliction,' for seven days), grounds both in the historical haste of the departure, then pivots with the purpose particle לְמַעַן to state the pedagogical goal: that Israel should remember the exodus every day of its life.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle.
תֹאכַ֤לyou shall eatQal impf 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibitive imperfect)→ Yiqtol: prohibitive/durative -- a standing negative obligationאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; with לֹא, a durative prohibition against eating leaven with the Passover sacrifice.
עָלָיו֙with itprep עַל + 3ms suff · עַל (H5921)Prepositional complement (accompaniment)עַל (H5921) 'upon, with'; idiomatic 'along with it,' referring back to הַפֶּסַח, the Passover sacrifice.
חָמֵ֔ץleavenN m sg abs · חָמֵץ (H2557)Direct objectחָמֵץ (H2557) 'leavened bread, leaven', from a root meaning 'to be sour, fermented'; forbidden throughout the seven festival days.
שִׁבְעַ֥תsevennumeral m sg constr · שִׁבְעָה (H7651)Adverbial accusative of duration (construct head)שֶׁבַע/שִׁבְעָה (H7651) 'seven'; construct with יָמִים, marking the festival's fixed seven-day span.
יָמִ֛יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural, completing the seven-day count for unleavened bread.
תֹּֽאכַלyou shall eatQal impf 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause, positive counterpart)→ Yiqtol: instructional -- the positive complement to the preceding prohibitionאָכַל (H398); now positive -- what must be eaten (unleavened bread) across the same seven days.
עָלָ֥יוwith itprep עַל + 3ms suff · עַל (H5921)Prepositional complement (accompaniment)עַל (H5921); repeats the idiom -- unleavened bread eaten along with the Passover sacrifice.
מַצּ֖וֹתunleavened breadN f pl abs · מַצָּה (H4682)Direct objectמַצָּה (H4682) 'unleavened bread'; the festival's namesake food, prepared without ferment.
לֶ֣חֶםbread ofN comm sg constr · לֶחֶם (H3899)Apposition to מַצּוֹת (construct head)לֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread'; construct with עֹנִי, forming the famous phrase 'bread of affliction.'
עֹ֑נִיafflictionN m sg abs · עֳנִי (H6040)Genitive complement of construct chainעֳנִי (H6040) 'affliction, poverty'; לֶחֶם עֹנִי 'bread of affliction' recalls the hardship of slavery and the haste of departure -- this chapter's own commentary on the Exodus מַצּוֹת command.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing parenthetical clauseכִּי (H3588); introduces the historical rationale for the 'bread of affliction,' parenthetical within the command.
בְחִפָּז֗וֹןin hasteprep בְּ + N m sg abs · חִפָּזוֹן (H2649)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)חִפָּזוֹן (H2649) 'haste, panic flight'; a rare noun (cf. Exod 12:11) describing the hurried nature of the departure.
יָצָ֨אתָ֙you went outQal perf 2ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive historical eventיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; the exodus verb, 2ms addressing Israel as if personally present at the departure.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N comm sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Source/ablative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; construct with מִצְרַיִם.
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the land of bondage.
לְמַ֣עַןso thatprep/conj · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose clause conjunctionלְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order that, so that'; introduces the purpose of the whole unleavened-bread observance -- memory.
תִּזְכֹּר֔you may rememberQal impf 2ms · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (purpose clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/purposive -- the intended result of the whole commandזָכַר (H2142) 'to remember'; this chapter's key verb of covenantal memory -- ritual practice as a mnemonic for the exodus.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יוֹם as the definite object of תִּזְכֹּר.
י֤וֹםthe day ofN m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Direct object (construct head)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; construct with צֵאתְךָ, 'the day of your going out.'
צֵֽאתְךָ֙your going outQal inf constr + 2ms suff · יָצָא (H3318)Genitive complement of construct chain (verbal noun)→ Infinitival: nominalized action, 'your going out'יָצָא (H3318); infinitive construct used substantivally, 'your exodus/departure.'
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N comm sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Source/ablative prepositional phrase (resumed)אֶרֶץ (H776); repeats the phrase, reinforcing the geography of departure.
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714); see above.
כֹּ֖לallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial accusative (construct head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, whole'; construct with יְמֵי חַיֶּיךָ, 'all the days of your life.'
יְמֵ֥יthe days ofN m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement of construct chainיוֹם (H3117); plural construct, 'days of.'
חַיֶּֽיךָyour lifeN m pl constr + 2ms suff · חַיִּים (H2416)Genitive complement of construct chainחַיִּים (H2416) 'life, lifetime' (plural form); with 2ms suffix, 'your life' -- the command extends its memorial force across the worshiper's entire lifespan.
4
וְלֹֽא יֵרָאֶ֨ה לְךָ֥ שְׂאֹ֛ר בְּכָל גְּבֻלְךָ֖ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים וְלֹא יָלִ֣ין מִן הַבָּשָׂ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּזְבַּ֥ח בָּעֶ֛רֶב בַּיּ֥וֹם הָרִאשׁ֖וֹן לַבֹּֽקֶר
No leaven shall be seen with you in all your territory for seven days, and none of the meat that you sacrifice in the evening on the first day shall remain until morning.
Two parallel prohibitions, each opening with 'and not,' extend the purity requirements spatially (no leaven visible anywhere in the territory, not merely in the household) and temporally (no sacrificial meat surviving past the night of slaughter into morning) -- both safeguards reinforcing the single-night, single-place character of the Passover.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808) with וְ; continues the prohibition series from v.3.
יֵרָאֶ֨הshall be seenNiphal impf 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, passive prohibition)→ Yiqtol: durative prohibition (passive) -- a standing negative obligationרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Niphal 'be seen, appear' -- leaven must be nowhere visible, a stronger claim than merely 'not eaten.'
לְךָ֥to/with youprep לְ + 2ms suff · לְDative of interest/possessionלְ preposition with 2ms suffix; 'with you, in your possession' -- reinforcing the totality of the leaven ban.
שְׂאֹ֛רleavenN m sg abs · שְׂאֹר (H7603)Subjectשְׂאֹר (H7603) 'leaven, sourdough starter'; near-synonym of חָמֵץ, subject of the passive verb.
בְּכָלin allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Locative prepositional phrase (construct head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with גְּבֻלְךָ, 'in all your territory.'
גְּבֻלְךָ֖your territoryN m sg constr + 2ms suff · גְּבוּל (H1366)Genitive complement of construct chainגְּבוּל (H1366) 'border, territory'; the ban on visible leaven extends to the whole national land, not just the household.
שִׁבְעַ֣תsevennumeral m sg constr · שִׁבְעָה (H7651)Adverbial accusative of duration (construct head)שִׁבְעָה (H7651); see v.3 -- the recurring seven-day span.
יָמִ֑יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117); completes the seven-day count.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808); introduces a second, distinct prohibition concerning the sacrificial meat.
יָלִ֣יןshall remainQal impf 3ms · לוּן (H3885)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: durative prohibition -- a standing negative obligationלוּן/לִין (H3885) 'to lodge, remain overnight'; the Passover meat may not survive till morning -- it must be wholly consumed the same night.
מִןfrom/ofprep · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) 'from, of'; partitive, 'any of the meat.'
הַבָּשָׂ֗רthe meatart + N m sg abs · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Object of מִן (partitive)בָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, meat'; here the Passover sacrificial meat.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הַבָּשָׂראֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.2.
תִּזְבַּ֥חyou sacrificeQal impf 2ms · זָבַח (H2076)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: habitual/instructional -- describes the standing practiceזָבַח (H2076); see v.2 -- the sacrificing action defining which meat is in view.
בָּעֶ֛רֶבin the eveningprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Temporal prepositional phraseעֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'; the sacrificial timing, echoing v.6's 'at sunset.'
בַּיּ֥וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117); specifies which day -- the first.
הָרִאשׁ֖וֹןthe firstart + adj m sg abs (ordinal) · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Attributive adjective modifying יוֹםרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first', from רֹאשׁ 'head'; the opening day of the seven, the day of the Passover sacrifice itself.
לַבֹּֽקֶרuntil morningprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Temporal prepositional phrase (terminus)בֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; the terminus by which the meat must be gone -- consumed by dawn.
5
לֹ֥א תוּכַ֖ל לִזְבֹּ֣חַ אֶת הַפָּ֑סַח בְּאַחַ֣ד שְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ אֲשֶׁר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לָֽךְ
You may not sacrifice the Passover within any of your towns that YHWH your God is giving you,
A sharp negative restatement -- 'you are not permitted to sacrifice the Passover in any of your towns' -- clears the ground before v.6 positively names the single legitimate site; the modal verb 'you may/are able' used for emphatic prohibition recurs nowhere else in the chapter, underscoring how non-negotiable centralization is for this feast.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808); prohibits offering the Passover locally.
תוּכַ֖לyou mayQal impf 2ms · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (modal, governs infinitive)→ Yiqtol: modal of ability/permission -- negated, 'you are not permitted/able'יָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; with לֹא and the following infinitive, 'you are not permitted to.'
לִזְבֹּ֣חַto sacrificeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · זָבַח (H2076)Complementary infinitive (object of תוּכַל)→ Infinitival: the prohibited action itselfזָבַח (H2076); the Passover offering, whose location is now restricted.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַפֶּסַח as the definite object of לִזְבֹּחַ.
הַפָּ֑סַחthe Passoverart + N m sg abs · פֶּסַח (H6453)Direct objectפֶּסַח (H6453); see v.1.
בְּאַחַ֣דwithin anyprep בְּ + numeral m sg constr · אֶחָד (H259)Locative prepositional phrase (construct head)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; idiomatic 'within any one of' -- ruling out local sanctuaries.
שְׁעָרֶ֔יךָyour townsN m pl constr + 2ms suff · שַׁעַר (H8179)Genitive complement of construct chainשַׁעַר (H8179) 'gate'; metonymy for the town itself -- any local settlement, as opposed to the one chosen place.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying שְׁעָרֶיךָאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.2.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the giving.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
נֹתֵ֥ןis givingQal ptc m sg abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (participial, relative clause)→ Participle: ongoing/durative -- the land-gift as YHWH's continuing actנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; participle expresses the land grant as an ongoing divine act, not a one-time past event.
לָֽךְto youprep לְ + 2ms suff · לְDative complement (recipient)לְ preposition with 2ms suffix; recipient of the land-gift.
6
כִּ֠י אִֽם אֶל הַמָּק֞וֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַ֨ר יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ לְשַׁכֵּ֣ן שְׁמ֔וֹ שָׁ֛ם תִּזְבַּ֥ח אֶת הַפֶּ֖סַח בָּעָ֑רֶב כְּב֣וֹא הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ מוֹעֵ֖ד צֵֽאתְךָ֥ מִמִּצְרָֽיִם
But at the place that YHWH your God will choose to make his name dwell, there you shall sacrifice the Passover in the evening, at sunset, the appointed time of your departure from Egypt.
The strong adversative כִּי אִם overturns v.5's blanket prohibition, restating the centralization formula in full and adding the precise hour: sunset, tied explicitly to the historical moment of the exodus departure -- ritual time made to coincide with the anniversary of the event it commemorates.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
כִּ֠יbutconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative conjunction (paired with אִם)כִּי (H3588); paired with אִם as כִּי אִם, 'but rather, except,' overturning the just-stated prohibition to name the sole legitimate alternative.
אִֽם[if/rather]conj · אִם (H518)Adversative conjunction (paired with כִּי)אִם (H518); with כִּי forms the strong adversative idiom כִּי אִם, 'but only, except.'
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; introduces the destination -- the chosen place.
הַמָּק֞וֹםthe placeart + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Object of אֶלמָקוֹם (H4725); see v.2 -- the single sanctuary site.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הַמָּקוֹםאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.2.
יִבְחַ֨רhe will chooseQal impf 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: future/modal -- YHWH's still-future act of choosing the siteבָּחַר (H977); see v.2.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the choosing.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
לְשַׁכֵּ֣ןto make dwellprep לְ + Piel inf constr · שָׁכַן (H7931)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitival purpose: the goal of YHWH's choosing the placeשָׁכַן (H7931); see v.2 -- the Name-theology formula.
שְׁמ֔וֹhis nameN m sg constr + 3ms suff · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object of לְשַׁכֵּןשֵׁם (H8034); see v.2.
שָׁ֛םthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial complement (locative, resumptive)שָׁם (H8033); resumptive, pointing back to הַמָּקוֹם.
תִּזְבַּ֥חyou shall sacrificeQal impf 2ms · זָבַח (H2076)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional -- the positive counterpart to v.5's prohibitionזָבַח (H2076); now positively commanded, at the one chosen place.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַפֶּסַח as the definite object of תִּזְבַּח.
הַפֶּ֖סַחthe Passoverart + N m sg abs · פֶּסַח (H6453)Direct objectפֶּסַח (H6453); see v.1.
בָּעָ֑רֶבin the eveningprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Temporal prepositional phraseעֶרֶב (H6153); see v.4 -- the recurring evening timing.
כְּב֣וֹאas ... comes inprep כְּ + Qal inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Temporal infinitive clause→ Infinitival: temporal simultaneity, 'at the time of'בּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go in'; here of the sun's setting -- כְּבוֹא הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ 'at sunset,' the precise moment for the sacrifice.
הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁthe sunart + N comm sg abs · שֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121)Subject of בּוֹאשֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121) 'sun'; subject of the infinitive, fixing the sacrifice precisely at sunset.
מוֹעֵ֖דthe appointed time ofN m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Apposition/temporal noun in construct senseמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time, fixed season'; construct with צֵאתְךָ, 'the appointed time of your departure' -- sunset is fixed as the anniversary hour of the exodus.
צֵֽאתְךָ֥your going outQal inf constr + 2ms suff · יָצָא (H3318)Genitive complement of construct chain (verbal noun)→ Infinitival: nominalized action, 'your going out'יָצָא (H3318); see v.3 -- the exodus event, now used to fix the daily sacrificial hour.
מִמִּצְרָֽיִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + Np · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Source/ablative prepositional phraseמִצְרַיִם (H4714); see v.1.
7
וּבִשַּׁלְתָּ֙ וְאָ֣כַלְתָּ֔ בַּמָּק֕וֹם אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִבְחַ֛ר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ בּ֑וֹ וּפָנִ֣יתָ בַבֹּ֔קֶר וְהָלַכְתָּ֖ לְאֹהָלֶֽיךָ
And you shall cook and eat it at the place that YHWH your God will choose; then in the morning you shall turn and go to your tents.
A chain of weqatal verbs (cook, eat, turn, go) traces the complete ritual sequence at the chosen place through the following morning's departure; בִּשֵּׁל 'boil/cook' here stands in tension with Exodus 12:9's insistence on roasting, one of the chapter's noted textual cruxes.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וּבִשַּׁלְתָּ֙and you shall boil/cookconj וְ + Piel weqatal 2ms · בָּשַׁל (H1310)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Weqatal: continuing instructional force, standing obligationבָּשַׁל (H1310) Piel 'to boil, cook'; a famous crux -- Exodus 12:9 forbids boiling and demands the lamb be roasted (צָלִי אֵשׁ) whereas Deuteronomy here commands בִּשֵּׁל, a general cooking term that includes boiling. Harmonizers note בָּשַׁל can denote cooking generally (cf. 2 Chr 35:13, which pointedly 'roasts the Passover... and boils the [other] holy offerings' to reconcile the two texts), but the tension between the sources remains a classic point of critical discussion.
וְאָ֣כַלְתָּ֔and you shall eatconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Weqatal: continuing instructional force, standing obligationאָכַל (H398); see v.3.
בַּמָּק֕וֹםin the placeprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Locative prepositional phraseמָקוֹם (H4725); see v.2.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הַמָּקוֹםאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.2.
יִבְחַ֛רhe will chooseQal impf 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: future/modal -- YHWH's still-future act of choosing the siteבָּחַר (H977); see v.2.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the choosing.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
בּ֑וֹin itprep בְּ + 3ms suff · בְּLocative prepositional phrase (resumptive)בְּ preposition with 3ms suffix; resumptive, 'in it' (the chosen place).
וּפָנִ֣יתָand you shall turnconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · פָּנָה (H6437)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Weqatal: continuing instructional force, sequentialפָּנָה (H6437) 'to turn, face'; idiomatic for setting off homeward -- 'you shall turn (and go).'
בַבֹּ֔קֶרin the morningprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Temporal prepositional phraseבֹּקֶר (H1242); see v.4 -- after the required overnight consumption of the sacrifice, departure is timed for the following morning.
וְהָלַכְתָּ֖and you shall goconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Weqatal: continuing instructional force, sequentialהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk, go'; the homeward departure completing the festival's ritual sequence.
לְאֹהָלֶֽיךָto your tentsprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֹהֶל (H168)Directional prepositional phraseאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; idiomatic for 'home' (cf. Josh 22:4, Jdg 20:8) -- the pilgrim's return to ordinary domestic life after the festival.
8
שֵׁ֥שֶׁת יָמִ֖ים תֹּאכַ֣ל מַצּ֑וֹת וּבַיּ֣וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י עֲצֶ֨רֶת֙ לַיהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לֹ֥א תַעֲשֶׂ֖ה מְלָאכָֽה
Six days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a solemn assembly to YHWH your God; you shall do no work.
The count shifts from seven eating-days (v.3) to six, because the seventh is reclassified as a solemn assembly, closing the Passover/Unleavened Bread complex with the same cessation-from-labor pattern that marks sabbath and (as v.15 will show) the closing day of Booths.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
שֵׁ֥שֶׁתsixnumeral f sg constr · שֵׁשׁ (H8337)Adverbial accusative of duration (construct head)שֵׁשׁ (H8337) 'six'; construct with יָמִים -- unlike v.3's seven days of eating unleavened bread, only six are commanded here for eating, since the seventh is marked instead by the closing assembly.
יָמִ֖יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117); completes the six-day count.
תֹּאכַ֣לyou shall eatQal impf 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional -- a standing obligationאָכַל (H398); see v.3.
מַצּ֑וֹתunleavened breadN f pl abs · מַצָּה (H4682)Direct objectמַצָּה (H4682); see v.3.
וּבַיּ֣וֹםand on the dayconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117); introduces the climactic seventh day.
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗יthe seventhart + adj m sg abs (ordinal) · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Attributive adjective modifying יוֹםשְׁבִיעִי (H7637) 'seventh'; marks the closing day of the festival week as distinct and climactic.
עֲצֶ֨רֶת֙a solemn assemblyN f sg abs · עֲצֶרֶת (H6116)Subject (predicate nominal clause)עֲצֶרֶת (H6116) 'solemn assembly, closing festival', from a root meaning 'to restrain, hold back'; a cessation-gathering marking festival closure (cf. the eighth-day עֲצֶרֶת of Booths, Lev 23:36).
לַיהוָ֣הto YHWHprep לְ + Np · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative complementיְהוָה (H3068); the assembly is dedicated to him.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808); prohibits labor on this closing day.
תַעֲשֶׂ֖הyou shall doQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: durative prohibition -- a standing negative obligationעָשָׂה (H6213); see v.1 -- here negated, forbidding labor.
מְלָאכָֽהworkN f sg abs · מְלָאכָה (H4399)Direct objectמְלָאכָה (H4399) 'work, occupation, labor'; the standard term for prohibited labor on sacred days, as in sabbath legislation.
9
שִׁבְעָ֥ה שָׁבֻעֹ֖ת תִּסְפָּר לָ֑ךְ מֵהָחֵ֤ל חֶרְמֵשׁ֙ בַּקָּמָ֔ה תָּחֵ֣ל לִסְפֹּ֔ר שִׁבְעָ֖ה שָׁבֻעֽוֹת
You shall count seven weeks for yourself; from the time the sickle is first put to the standing grain you shall begin to count seven weeks.
The chapter turns from the fixed-calendar Passover feast to one dated by agricultural process rather than a set day -- the count begins at the sickle's first cut, making the festival mobile within the solar year and tying it directly to the grain harvest.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
שִׁבְעָ֥הsevennumeral m sg abs · שִׁבְעָה (H7651)Direct object (construct head sense with שָׁבֻעֹת)שִׁבְעָה (H7651) 'seven'; modifies שָׁבֻעֹת, giving the feast's structure: seven full weeks counted from the harvest's start.
שָׁבֻעֹ֖תweeksN m pl abs · שָׁבוּעַ (H7620)Direct objectשָׁבוּעַ (H7620) 'week', from שֶׁבַע 'seven'; gives this festival its name, שָׁבֻעוֹת, the Feast of Weeks.
תִּסְפָּרyou shall countQal impf 2ms · סָפַר (H5608)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional -- a standing procedural obligationסָפַר (H5608) 'to count, number'; the counted interval (unlike the fixed calendar dates of Passover/Booths) ties this feast to the agricultural calendar rather than a set day.
לָ֑ךְfor yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suff · לְDative of interestלְ preposition with 2ms suffix; 'for yourself,' each Israelite personally keeping the count.
מֵהָחֵ֤לfrom the beginning ofprep מִן + Hiphil inf constr · חָלַל (H2490)Temporal infinitive clause (source)→ Infinitival: marks the starting point of the countחָלַל (H2490) Hiphil 'to begin'; מֵהָחֵל, 'from the beginning of,' fixes the starting point of the seven-week count to the sickle's first use.
חֶרְמֵשׁ֙the sickleN m sg abs · חֶרְמֵשׁ (H2770)Object of the infinitive מֵהָחֵלחֶרְמֵשׁ (H2770) 'sickle'; metonymy for the beginning of grain harvest -- a purely agricultural marker, no fixed calendar date.
בַּקָּמָ֔הin the standing grainprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · קָמָה (H7054)Locative prepositional phraseקָמָה (H7054) 'standing grain'; specifies the harvest is grain still standing in the field, the moment the sickle is first put to it.
תָּחֵ֣לyou shall beginHiphil impf 2ms · חָלַל (H2490)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional -- restates and reinforces the starting pointחָלַל (H2490) Hiphil 'to begin'; resumptive verb picking up the infinitive מֵהָחֵל, emphasizing the sickle's first stroke as the count's start.
לִסְפֹּ֔רto countprep לְ + Qal inf constr · סָפַר (H5608)Complementary infinitive (object of תָּחֵל)→ Infinitival: the counting action itselfסָפַר (H5608); see above -- the counted action beginning at the sickle.
שִׁבְעָ֖הsevennumeral m sg abs · שִׁבְעָה (H7651)Direct object (with שָׁבֻעוֹת)שִׁבְעָה (H7651); repeats the count, closing the frame opened at the start of the verse.
שָׁבֻעֽוֹתweeksN m pl abs · שָׁבוּעַ (H7620)Direct objectשָׁבוּעַ (H7620); see above -- the completed seven-week count.
10
וְעָשִׂ֜יתָ חַ֤ג שָׁבֻעוֹת֙ לַיהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ מִסַּ֛ת נִדְבַ֥ת יָדְךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּתֵּ֑ן כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר יְבָרֶכְךָ֖ יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ
And you shall keep the Feast of Weeks to YHWH your God with a tribute of a freewill offering from your hand, which you shall give just as YHWH your God blesses you.
Unlike Passover's fixed sacrificial prescription, Weeks is marked by a freewill offering scaled to the individual's own blessing -- 'just as YHWH your God blesses you' -- making generosity itself, rather than quantity, the measure of proper worship.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְעָשִׂ֜יתָand you shall keepconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Weqatal: continuing instructional force, standing obligationעָשָׂה (H6213); see v.1 -- 'to keep/perform' a festival.
חַ֤גthe feast ofN m sg constr · חַג (H2282)Direct object (construct head)חַג (H2282) 'feast, festival', from חָגַג 'to make a pilgrimage, celebrate'; construct with שָׁבֻעוֹת.
שָׁבֻעוֹת֙of WeeksN m pl abs · שָׁבוּעַ (H7620)Genitive complement of construct chainשָׁבוּעַ (H7620); the festival's name, from the seven-week count of v.9.
לַיהוָ֣הto YHWHprep לְ + Np · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative complementיְהוָה (H3068); the feast is kept to him.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
מִסַּ֛תa tribute/measure ofN f sg constr · מַסָּה (H4530)Adverbial accusative (construct head)מַסָּה (H4530) 'sufficiency, tribute, measure'; construct with נִדְבַת יָדְךָ, defining the offering's amount as proportional, not fixed.
נִדְבַ֥תthe freewill offering ofN f sg constr · נְדָבָה (H5071)Genitive complement of construct chainנְדָבָה (H5071) 'freewill offering, voluntary gift'; unlike Passover's fixed sacrifice, Weeks is marked by a self-determined, generosity-proportional gift.
יָדְךָ֖your handN comm sg constr + 2ms suff · יָד (H3027)Genitive complement of construct chainיָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom 'the gift your hand gives' -- personal, proportionate generosity, echoed again in v.17.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying יָדְךָאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.2.
תִּתֵּ֑ןyou shall giveQal impf 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional -- describes the standing practice of givingנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the worshiper's own act of giving, in proportion to blessing received.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative clause conjunctionכַּאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'just as, according as'; makes the gift's size proportional to divine blessing, not a fixed sum.
יְבָרֶכְךָ֖he blesses youPiel impf 3ms + 2ms suff · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb (comparative clause)→ Yiqtol: durative/ongoing -- YHWH's continuing blessing as the measure of the giftבָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel 'to bless'; the standard of giving is YHWH's own generosity to the worshiper, not a priestly quota.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the blessing.
אֱלֹהֶֽיךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
11
וְשָׂמַחְתָּ֞ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ אַתָּ֨ה וּבִנְךָ֣ וּבִתֶּךָ֮ וְעַבְדְּךָ֣ וַאֲמָתֶךָ֒ וְהַלֵּוִי֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ וְהַגֵּ֛ר וְהַיָּת֥וֹם וְהָאַלְמָנָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּקִרְבֶּ֑ךָ בַּמָּק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִבְחַר֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לְשַׁכֵּ֥ן שְׁמ֖וֹ שָֽׁם
And you shall rejoice before YHWH your God -- you, your son and your daughter, your male slave and your female slave, the Levite within your towns, the sojourner, the orphan, and the widow among you -- at the place that YHWH your God will choose to make his name dwell.
The rejoicing command widens outward in a single unbroken list -- self, children, slaves, the landless Levite, and the classic vulnerable triad of sojourner, orphan, and widow -- making festival joy a covenantal right extended to every person within Israel's gates, not a privilege of the free male householder alone.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וְשָׂמַחְתָּ֞and you shall rejoiceconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · שָׂמַח (H8055)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: instructional -- rejoicing itself is commanded, not merely permittedשָׂמַח (H8055) 'to rejoice'; the festival's central affective command, extended immediately to the whole household and the vulnerable (vv.11,14).
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לִפְנֵי (constr of פָּנִים) · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of' -- rejoicing takes place specifically in YHWH's presence at the sanctuary.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068); in whose presence the rejoicing occurs.
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
אַתָּ֨הyouindependent pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (resumptive, opens the inclusive list)אַתָּה (H859) 'you'; opens the household joy-list -- the addressed male head, then extended through son, daughter, slaves, Levite, sojourner, orphan, widow.
וּבִנְךָ֣and your sonconj וְ + N m sg constr + 2ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate subjectבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; second member of the joy-list.
וּבִתֶּךָ֮and your daughterconj וְ + N f sg constr + 2ms suff · בַּת (H1323)Coordinate subjectבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; the list is explicitly gender-inclusive within the household.
וְעַבְדְּךָ֣and your male slaveconj וְ + N m sg constr + 2ms suff · עֶבֶד (H5650)Coordinate subjectעֶבֶד (H5650) 'slave, servant'; the household's bond-servants are included in the mandated joy, not excluded from it.
וַאֲמָתֶךָ֒and your female slaveconj וְ + N f sg constr + 2ms suff · אָמָה (H519)Coordinate subjectאָמָה (H519) 'female slave'; completing the household's bond-servants, male and female alike.
וְהַלֵּוִי֙and the Leviteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · לֵוִי (H3881)Coordinate subjectלֵוִי (H3881); the landless Levite, dependent on local hospitality and tithes -- named alongside the household's own dependents.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הַלֵּוִיאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.2.
בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָis within your townsprep בְּ + N m pl constr + 2ms suff · שַׁעַר (H8179)Predicate locative (relative clause)שַׁעַר (H8179); see v.5 -- the Levite's local, landless residence.
וְהַגֵּ֛רand the sojournerconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Coordinate subjectגֵּר (H1616) 'resident alien, sojourner'; the non-Israelite dwelling among the people -- one of the recurring triad with the orphan and widow.
וְהַיָּת֥וֹםand the orphanconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · יָתוֹם (H3490)Coordinate subjectיָתוֹם (H3490) 'orphan, fatherless'; the socially vulnerable, drawn into the covenant feast's obligatory joy.
וְהָאַלְמָנָ֖הand the widowconj וְ + art + N f sg abs · אַלְמָנָה (H490)Coordinate subjectאַלְמָנָה (H490) 'widow'; completes the sojourner-orphan-widow triad of the socially vulnerable, standard in Deuteronomic ethics.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying the preceding triadאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.2.
בְּקִרְבֶּ֑ךָis in your midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suff · קֶרֶב (H7130)Predicate locative (relative clause)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, interior'; the vulnerable dwell within the community, not at its margins -- the phrase grounds their inclusion in shared life.
בַּמָּק֗וֹםin the placeprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Locative prepositional phraseמָקוֹם (H4725); see v.2 -- the joy-list is realized specifically at the one sanctuary site.
אֲשֶׁ֤רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הַמָּקוֹםאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.2.
יִבְחַר֙he will chooseQal impf 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: future/modal -- YHWH's still-future act of choosing the siteבָּחַר (H977); see v.2.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the choosing.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
לְשַׁכֵּ֥ןto make dwellprep לְ + Piel inf constr · שָׁכַן (H7931)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitival purpose: the goal of YHWH's choosing the placeשָׁכַן (H7931); see v.2.
שְׁמ֖וֹhis nameN m sg constr + 3ms suff · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object of לְשַׁכֵּןשֵׁם (H8034); see v.2.
שָֽׁםthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial complement (locative, resumptive)שָׁם (H8033); resumptive, pointing back to הַמָּקוֹם.
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וְזָ֣כַרְתָּ֔ כִּי עֶ֥בֶד הָיִ֖יתָ בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם וְשָׁמַרְתָּ֣ וְעָשִׂ֔יתָ אֶת הַֽחֻקִּ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה
And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall keep and do these statutes.
The verse closes the Passover-to-Weeks unit with the same memory formula that runs through the chapter ('you were a slave in Egypt') and the same verb-pair that opened it (שָׁמַר/עָשָׂה), forming an inclusio; the inclusive joy-list of vv.11,14 is here given its rationale -- Israel's own remembered slavery is what obligates it to include the slave, the sojourner, and the poor in its worship.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְזָ֣כַרְתָּ֔and you shall rememberconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: instructional -- standing obligation of memoryזָכַר (H2142); see v.3 -- memory of slavery grounds the ethical practice commanded here.
כִּיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer introducing the content of rememberingכִּי (H3588); introduces what is to be remembered -- the fact of former slavery.
עֶ֥בֶדa slaveN m sg abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Predicate nominalעֶבֶד (H5650); see v.11 -- Israel's own former status, now the ethical basis for including slaves and the vulnerable in festival joy.
הָיִ֖יתָyou wereQal perf 2ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (content clause)→ Perfective: a completed past stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; states Israel's former condition as a settled historical fact.
בְּמִצְרָ֑יִםin Egyptprep בְּ + Np · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative prepositional phraseמִצְרַיִם (H4714); see v.1 -- the place of the former bondage now being remembered.
וְשָׁמַרְתָּ֣and you shall keepconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Weqatal: continuing instructional force, standing obligationשָׁמַר (H8104); see v.1 -- the same verb that opened the chapter now closes this sub-unit, forming an inclusio around the festival laws thus far.
וְעָשִׂ֔יתָand you shall doconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Weqatal: continuing instructional force, standing obligationעָשָׂה (H6213); see v.1 -- paired with שָׁמַר, the standard verb-pair for covenantal obedience.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַחֻקִּים הָאֵלֶּה as the definite object.
הַֽחֻקִּ֖יםthe statutesart + N m pl abs · חֹק (H2706)Direct objectחֹק (H2706) 'statute, decree'; summarizing term for the preceding festival legislation.
הָאֵֽלֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pronoun comm pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַחֻקִּיםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; closes the Passover/Weeks unit by pointing back to all the statutes just given.
13
חַ֧ג הַסֻּכֹּ֛ת תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה לְךָ֖ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֑ים בְּאָ֨סְפְּךָ֔ מִֽגָּרְנְךָ֖ וּמִיִּקְבֶֽךָ
You shall keep the Feast of Booths for seven days, when you gather in from your threshing floor and your winepress.
The third and final feast opens without connective, paralleling the asyndetic openings of vv.1 and 9; like Weeks, its timing is agricultural (the autumn ingathering) rather than a fixed calendar date, and its name derives from the temporary shelters used during the harvest labor.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
חַ֧גthe feast ofN m sg constr · חַג (H2282)Direct object (construct head)חַג (H2282); see v.10 -- construct with הַסֻּכֹּת.
הַסֻּכֹּ֛תof Boothsart + N f pl abs · סֻכָּה (H5521)Genitive complement of construct chainסֻכָּה (H5521) 'booth, hut'; the temporary shelters giving this harvest-festival its name, later associated (Lev 23:43) with the wilderness sojourn.
תַּעֲשֶׂ֥הyou shall keepQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional -- standing obligationעָשָׂה (H6213); see v.1.
לְךָ֖for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suff · לְDative of interestלְ preposition with 2ms suffix; 'for yourself.'
שִׁבְעַ֣תsevennumeral m sg constr · שִׁבְעָה (H7651)Adverbial accusative of duration (construct head)שִׁבְעָה (H7651); see v.3 -- the third feast's own seven-day span.
יָמִ֑יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117); completes the seven-day count.
בְּאָ֨סְפְּךָ֔when you gather inprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 2ms suff · אָסַף (H622)Temporal infinitive clause→ Infinitival: temporal simultaneity, 'at the time when you gather in'אָסַף (H622) 'to gather'; fixes the festival's timing at the ingathering of the year's produce, in autumn -- an agricultural rather than fixed calendrical marker, like Weeks.
מִֽגָּרְנְךָ֖from your threshing floorprep מִן + N comm sg constr + 2ms suff · גֹּרֶן (H1637)Source/ablative prepositional phraseגֹּרֶן (H1637) 'threshing floor'; source of the grain harvest -- paired with the winepress for the complete autumn ingathering.
וּמִיִּקְבֶֽךָand from your winepressconj וְ + prep מִן + N m sg constr + 2ms suff · יֶקֶב (H3342)Coordinate source/ablative prepositional phraseיֶקֶב (H3342) 'winepress, wine vat'; source of the grape/wine harvest, completing the threshing-floor-and-winepress pair that names Booths as the harvest-closing festival.
14
וְשָׂמַחְתָּ֖ בְּחַגֶּ֑ךָ אַתָּ֨ה וּבִנְךָ֤ וּבִתֶּ֨ךָ֙ וְעַבְדְּךָ֣ וַאֲמָתֶ֔ךָ וְהַלֵּוִ֗י וְהַגֵּ֛ר וְהַיָּת֥וֹם וְהָאַלְמָנָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר בִּשְׁעָרֶֽיךָ
And you shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male slave and your female slave, the Levite, the sojourner, the orphan, and the widow who are within your towns.
The identical inclusive list of v.11 recurs verbatim for Booths, confirming that the mandated, shared joy of the pilgrimage feasts -- extended to every dependent and vulnerable person -- is not incidental to one feast but a structural principle of Israelite worship as such.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְשָׂמַחְתָּ֖and you shall rejoiceconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · שָׂמַח (H8055)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: instructional -- rejoicing itself is commandedשָׂמַח (H8055); see v.11 -- the same rejoicing command and inclusive list repeated for Booths, the chapter's most emphatically joyful feast (cf. v.15's 'only joyful').
בְּחַגֶּ֑ךָin your feastprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suff · חַג (H2282)Locative/temporal prepositional phraseחַג (H2282); see v.10 -- 'your feast,' the celebration belonging to the worshiper.
אַתָּ֨הyouindependent pronoun 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (resumptive, opens the inclusive list)אַתָּה (H859); see v.11 -- reopens the identical joy-list for Booths.
וּבִנְךָ֤and your sonconj וְ + N m sg constr + 2ms suff · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinate subjectבֵּן (H1121); see v.11.
וּבִתֶּ֨ךָ֙and your daughterconj וְ + N f sg constr + 2ms suff · בַּת (H1323)Coordinate subjectבַּת (H1323); see v.11.
וְעַבְדְּךָ֣and your male slaveconj וְ + N m sg constr + 2ms suff · עֶבֶד (H5650)Coordinate subjectעֶבֶד (H5650); see v.11.
וַאֲמָתֶ֔ךָand your female slaveconj וְ + N f sg constr + 2ms suff · אָמָה (H519)Coordinate subjectאָמָה (H519); see v.11.
וְהַלֵּוִ֗יand the Leviteconj וְ + art + gentilic N m sg abs · לֵוִי (H3881)Coordinate subjectלֵוִי (H3881); see v.11.
וְהַגֵּ֛רand the sojournerconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Coordinate subjectגֵּר (H1616); see v.11.
וְהַיָּת֥וֹםand the orphanconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · יָתוֹם (H3490)Coordinate subjectיָתוֹם (H3490); see v.11.
וְהָאַלְמָנָ֖הand the widowconj וְ + art + N f sg abs · אַלְמָנָה (H490)Coordinate subjectאַלְמָנָה (H490); see v.11.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying the preceding triadאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.2.
בִּשְׁעָרֶֽיךָis within your townsprep בְּ + N m pl constr + 2ms suff · שַׁעַר (H8179)Predicate locative (relative clause)שַׁעַר (H8179); see v.5.
15
שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֗ים תָּחֹג֙ לַיהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בַּמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה כִּ֣י יְבָרֶכְךָ֞ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ בְּכֹ֤ל תְּבוּאָֽתְךָ֙ וּבְכֹל֙ מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יָדֶ֔יךָ וְהָיִ֖יתָ אַ֥ךְ שָׂמֵֽחַ
You shall celebrate seven days to YHWH your God at the place that YHWH will choose, because YHWH your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, and you shall be only joyful.
The causal clause grounds the command to rejoice in YHWH's own blessing on produce and labor -- the classic harvest merism -- before landing on the chapter's most emphatic phrase, 'only joyful,' a restrictive superlative found nowhere else in this form in the festival legislation.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
שִׁבְעַ֣תsevennumeral m sg constr · שִׁבְעָה (H7651)Adverbial accusative of duration (construct head)שִׁבְעָה (H7651); see v.3 -- the closing summary of Booths' seven-day span.
יָמִ֗יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117); completes the seven-day count.
תָּחֹג֙you shall celebrateQal impf 2ms · חָגַג (H2287)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional -- standing obligationחָגַג (H2287) 'to make pilgrimage, celebrate a feast'; the verbal root underlying חַג, naming the pilgrimage act itself.
לַיהוָ֣הto YHWHprep לְ + Np · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative complementיְהוָה (H3068); the celebration is directed to him.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
בַּמָּק֖וֹםin the placeprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Locative prepositional phraseמָקוֹם (H4725); see v.2.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הַמָּקוֹםאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.2.
יִבְחַ֣רhe will chooseQal impf 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: future/modal -- YHWH's still-future act of choosing the siteבָּחַר (H977); see v.2.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the choosing.
כִּ֣יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing rationaleכִּי (H3588); grounds the command in the promised blessing that will accompany obedience.
יְבָרֶכְךָ֞he will bless youPiel impf 3ms + 2ms suff · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Yiqtol: future/promissory -- the blessing that motivates joyful celebrationבָּרַךְ (H1288); see v.10 -- here the ground for unqualified joy: material blessing already in hand or assured.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the blessing.
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
בְּכֹ֤לin allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Locative prepositional phrase (construct head)כֹּל (H3605); construct with תְּבוּאָתְךָ, 'in all your produce.'
תְּבוּאָֽתְךָ֙your produceN f sg constr + 2ms suff · תְּבוּאָה (H8393)Genitive complement of construct chainתְּבוּאָה (H8393) 'produce, yield, income'; the harvest blessing that grounds the command to rejoice unreservedly.
וּבְכֹל֙and in allconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate locative prepositional phrase (construct head)כֹּל (H3605); construct with מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶיךָ, the second half of a standard blessing-merism (produce and handiwork).
מַעֲשֵׂ֣הthe work ofN m sg constr · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Genitive complement of construct chain (head)מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'work, deed'; construct with יָדֶיךָ.
יָדֶ֔יךָyour handsN comm dual constr + 2ms suff · יָד (H3027)Genitive complement of construct chainיָד (H3027); dual form -- 'the work of your (two) hands,' completing the produce-and-labor blessing merism.
וְהָיִ֖יתָand you shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: instructional -- a standing resultant state commandedהָיָה (H1961); see v.12 -- here the copula for the closing command, 'and you shall be only joyful.'
אַ֥ךְonlyrestrictive particle · אַךְ (H389)Restrictive adverb modifying שָׂמֵחַאַךְ (H389) 'only, surely'; restrictive particle producing the chapter's most memorable phrase, אַךְ שָׂמֵחַ 'only joyful' -- unmixed, undivided rejoicing.
שָׂמֵֽחַjoyfuladj m sg abs · שָׂמֵחַ (H8056)Predicate adjectiveשָׂמֵחַ (H8056) 'joyful, glad'; predicate of הָיִיתָ -- the climactic command of the whole festival calendar, echoed in the chapter's thematic emphasis on unqualified joy at Booths.
16
שָׁל֣וֹשׁ פְּעָמִ֣ים בַּשָּׁנָ֡ה יֵרָאֶ֨ה כָל זְכוּרְךָ֜ אֶת פְּנֵ֣י יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ בַּמָּקוֹם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִבְחָ֔ר בְּחַ֧ג הַמַּצּ֛וֹת וּבְחַ֥ג הַשָּׁבֻע֖וֹת וּבְחַ֣ג הַסֻּכּ֑וֹת וְלֹ֧א יֵרָאֶ֛ה אֶת פְּנֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה רֵיקָֽם
Three times a year all your males shall appear before YHWH your God at the place that he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Booths; and they shall not appear before YHWH empty-handed.
The verse steps back from the individual feast-laws to state their common structural requirement -- three annual pilgrimages, each demanding an appearance before YHWH -- and closes with the rule that will govern v.17: no one comes empty-handed, every appearance carries a gift.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
שָׁל֣וֹשׁthreenumeral f sg abs · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Adverbial accusative (construct sense with פְּעָמִים)שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) 'three'; opens the summary law tallying the pilgrimage feasts just legislated.
פְּעָמִ֣יםtimesN f pl abs · פַּעַם (H6471)Adverbial accusative of frequencyפַּעַם (H6471) 'foot-fall, occurrence, time'; 'three times' -- summarizing Passover, Weeks, and Booths as one triad of obligatory appearance.
בַּשָּׁנָ֡הin the yearprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Temporal prepositional phraseשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; sets the frequency -- three pilgrimages annually.
יֵרָאֶ֨הshall appearNiphal impf 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: durative/instructional -- a standing requirementרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Niphal 'appear, be seen, present oneself' -- the technical term for the pilgrimage obligation, echoing v.4's usage.
כָלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct head)כֹּל (H3605); construct with זְכוּרְךָ, 'every male of yours.'
זְכוּרְךָ֜your maleN m sg constr + 2ms suff · זָכוּר (H2138)Subjectזָכוּר (H2138) 'male'; the pilgrimage obligation falls specifically on males, unlike the inclusive rejoicing commands of vv.11,14.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking the accusative of the theophanic idiom)אֵת (H853), marking פְּנֵי יְהוָה as the definite object of the idiom 'to see/appear before the face of YHWH.'
פְּנֵ֣יthe face ofN comm pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Direct object (idiomatic, construct head)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; פְּנֵי יְהוָה, 'the face of YHWH,' the standard idiom for cultic presence at the sanctuary.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of construct chainיְהוָה (H3068); whose 'face' is to be sought at the sanctuary.
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
בַּמָּקוֹם֙in the placeprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Locative prepositional phraseמָקוֹם (H4725); see v.2.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הַמָּקוֹםאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.2.
יִבְחָ֔רhe will chooseQal impf 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: future/modal -- YHWH's still-future act of choosing the siteבָּחַר (H977); see v.2.
בְּחַ֧גat the feast ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · חַג (H2282)Temporal prepositional phrase (construct head)חַג (H2282); see v.10 -- introduces the summarizing list of all three feasts.
הַמַּצּ֛וֹתUnleavened Breadart + N f pl abs · מַצָּה (H4682)Genitive complement of construct chainמַצָּה (H4682); see v.3 -- here as the feast's proper name, first of the triad.
וּבְחַ֥גand at the feast ofconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · חַג (H2282)Coordinate temporal prepositional phrase (construct head)חַג (H2282); second member of the triad.
הַשָּׁבֻע֖וֹתWeeksart + N m pl abs · שָׁבוּעַ (H7620)Genitive complement of construct chainשָׁבוּעַ (H7620); see v.9-10 -- second of the triad.
וּבְחַ֣גand at the feast ofconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · חַג (H2282)Coordinate temporal prepositional phrase (construct head)חַג (H2282); third member of the triad.
הַסֻּכּ֑וֹתBoothsart + N f pl abs · סֻכָּה (H5521)Genitive complement of construct chainסֻכָּה (H5521); see v.13 -- third and last of the triad, completing the summary.
וְלֹ֧אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808); introduces the closing prohibition against empty-handed appearance.
יֵרָאֶ֛הshall appearNiphal impf 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: durative prohibition -- a standing negative obligationרָאָה (H7200); see above -- now negated with the qualifier רֵיקָם, 'not empty-handed.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking the accusative of the theophanic idiom)אֵת (H853), marking פְּנֵי יְהוָה as the definite object, repeating the idiom of the verse's opening.
פְּנֵ֥יthe face ofN comm pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Direct object (idiomatic, construct head)פָּנִים (H6440); see above.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of construct chainיְהוָה (H3068); see above.
רֵיקָֽםempty-handedadverb · רֵיקָם (H7387)Adverbial complement (manner)רֵיקָם (H7387) 'emptily, empty-handed', from רֵיק 'empty'; every worshiper must bring some gift -- picked up and specified in v.17.
17
אִ֖ישׁ כְּמַתְּנַ֣ת יָד֑וֹ כְּבִרְכַּ֛ת יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָֽתַן לָֽךְ
Each man shall give according to the gift of his hand, according to the blessing of YHWH your God that he has given you.
The summary law closes not with a fixed amount but a principle -- give as you have been given -- doubling the language of v.10's freewill offering into a general rule for all three pilgrimage feasts, before the chapter pivots from festival calendar to civic justice.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
אִ֖ישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (distributive apposition to the collective of v.16)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; distributive -- each individual pilgrim gives according to his own means.
כְּמַתְּנַ֣תaccording to the gift ofprep כְּ + N f sg constr · מַתָּנָה (H4979)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner/measure, construct head)מַתָּנָה (H4979) 'gift'; construct with יָדוֹ, echoing v.10's נִדְבַת יָדְךָ -- the offering scaled to personal capacity, not a fixed levy.
יָד֑וֹhis handN comm sg constr + 3ms suff · יָד (H3027)Genitive complement of construct chainיָד (H3027); see v.10 -- 'the gift of his hand,' personal and proportionate.
כְּבִרְכַּ֛תaccording to the blessing ofprep כְּ + N f sg constr · בְּרָכָה (H1293)Adverbial prepositional phrase (measure, construct head)בְּרָכָה (H1293) 'blessing'; the measure of giving is fixed by divine blessing received, not by a mandated quota.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of construct chainיְהוָה (H3068); source of the blessing that measures the gift.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying יְהוָהאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.2.
נָֽתַןhe has givenQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed act of giving already receivedנָתַן (H5414); see v.5 -- here of the blessing already granted, the basis for the proportionate gift.
לָֽךְto youprep לְ + 2ms suff · לְDative complement (recipient)לְ preposition with 2ms suffix; recipient of the blessing.
18
שֹׁפְטִ֣ים וְשֹֽׁטְרִ֗ים תִּֽתֶּן לְךָ֙ בְּכָל שְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ לִשְׁבָטֶ֑יךָ וְשָׁפְט֥וּ אֶת הָעָ֖ם מִשְׁפַּט צֶֽדֶק
You shall appoint judges and officers for yourself in all your towns that YHWH your God is giving you, tribe by tribe, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.
The chapter turns abruptly from cultic calendar to civic institution, without connective -- a new major section on the administration of justice, decentralized to every town and tribe, in contrast to the single chosen place required for sacrifice.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
שֹׁפְטִ֣יםjudgesQal ptc m pl abs (substantival) · שָׁפַט (H8199)Direct object (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival -- names an office, 'those who judge'שָׁפַט (H8199) 'to judge'; substantival participle naming the judicial office, opening the chapter's second major unit -- civic justice.
וְשֹֽׁטְרִ֗יםand officersconj וְ + Qal ptc m pl abs (substantival) · שָׁטַר (H7860)Coordinate direct object (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival -- names an office, 'those who record/enforce'שָׁטַר (H7860) 'to write, record'; the officer/scribe who enforces judicial decisions, paired with judges throughout Deuteronomy's administrative texts.
תִּֽתֶּןyou shall appointQal impf 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional -- standing institutional obligationנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; here idiomatic 'to appoint, install' judicial officers.
לְךָ֙for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suff · לְDative of interestלְ preposition with 2ms suffix; 'for yourself.'
בְּכָלin allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Locative prepositional phrase (construct head)כֹּל (H3605); construct with שְׁעָרֶיךָ.
שְׁעָרֶ֔יךָyour townsN m pl constr + 2ms suff · שַׁעַר (H8179)Genitive complement of construct chainשַׁעַר (H8179); see v.5 -- justice, unlike sacrifice, is decentralized to every local town.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying שְׁעָרֶיךָאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.2.
יְהוָ֧הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the giving.
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
נֹתֵ֥ןis givingQal ptc m sg abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (participial, relative clause)→ Participle: ongoing/durative -- the land-gift as YHWH's continuing actנָתַן (H5414); see v.5 -- the land-gift, within which local justice must now be established.
לְךָ֖to youprep לְ + 2ms suff · לְDative complement (recipient)לְ preposition with 2ms suffix; recipient of the land-gift.
לִשְׁבָטֶ֑יךָfor your tribesprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2ms suff · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Distributive prepositional phraseשֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'tribe, staff'; justice is organized tribally, town by town -- the decentralized counterpart to the centralized cult of vv.1-17.
וְשָׁפְט֥וּand they shall judgeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · שָׁפַט (H8199)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Weqatal: instructional -- the office's ongoing functionשָׁפַט (H8199); finite form corresponding to the participial title of the verse's opening word -- the judges must actually judge.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הָעָם as the definite object of וְשָׁפְטוּ.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct objectעַם (H5971) 'people'; the object of judicial adjudication -- Israel as a whole community under local courts.
מִשְׁפַּטwith righteous judgmentN m sg constr · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Adverbial accusative (construct head)מִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, justice'; construct with צֶדֶק, forming the emphatic phrase מִשְׁפַּט צֶדֶק, 'righteous judgment' -- the standard by which the judges must judge.
צֶֽדֶקrighteousN m sg abs · צֶדֶק (H6664)Genitive complement of construct chainצֶדֶק (H6664) 'righteousness, justice'; here as genitive qualifier, foreshadowing the doubled צֶדֶק צֶדֶק of v.20.
19
לֹא תַטֶּ֣ה מִשְׁפָּ֔ט לֹ֥א תַכִּ֖יר פָּנִ֑ים וְלֹא תִקַּ֣ח שֹׁ֔חַד כִּ֣י הַשֹּׁ֗חַד יְעַוֵּר֙ עֵינֵ֣י חֲכָמִ֔ים וִֽיסַלֵּ֖ף דִּבְרֵ֥י צַדִּיקִֽם
You shall not bend judgment; you shall not show partiality; and you shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and perverts the words of the righteous.
Three parallel negative commands escalate from procedural bias to outright bribery, closing with a gnomic maxim -- bribery blinds even the wise and subverts even the righteous -- that grounds the prohibitions in a universal claim about corruption's power, not merely a rule for judges.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808); opens the first of three parallel judicial prohibitions.
תַטֶּ֣הyou shall bend/twistHiphil impf 2ms · נָטָה (H5186)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: durative prohibition -- a standing negative obligationנָטָה (H5186) 'to stretch, incline'; Hiphil 'to bend, distort' -- the first prohibited judicial abuse, perverting the verdict.
מִשְׁפָּ֔טjudgmentN m sg abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Direct objectמִשְׁפָּט (H4941); see v.18 -- the object of the first prohibition, 'you shall not bend judgment.'
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808); opens the second prohibition.
תַכִּ֖ירyou shall recognize/show partialityHiphil impf 2ms · נָכַר (H5234)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: durative prohibition -- a standing negative obligationנָכַר (H5234) 'to recognize, regard'; Hiphil idiom הִכִּיר פָּנִים 'to show partiality, respect persons' -- the second prohibited abuse, favoritism based on identity or status.
פָּנִ֑יםfacesN comm pl abs · פָּנִים (H6440)Direct object (idiomatic)פָּנִים (H6440); idiomatic object of הִכִּיר, 'faces' meaning persons/status -- 'you shall not show partiality.'
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808); opens the third and climactic prohibition.
תִקַּ֣חyou shall takeQal impf 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: durative prohibition -- a standing negative obligationלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the third prohibition -- taking a bribe -- introduced with its own explanatory clause (v.19b).
שֹׁ֔חַדa bribeN m sg abs · שֹׁחַד (H7810)Direct objectשֹׁחַד (H7810) 'bribe, gift (corrupting)'; the third and most concrete judicial abuse, immediately explained in the following clause.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the rationaleכִּי (H3588); introduces the maxim explaining why bribery is forbidden.
הַשֹּׁ֗חַדthe bribeart + N m sg abs · שֹׁחַד (H7810)Subjectשֹׁחַד (H7810); subject of the maxim's main clause.
יְעַוֵּר֙blindsPiel impf 3ms · עִוֵּר (H5786)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Yiqtol: gnomic -- a timeless, universal truthעִוֵּר (H5786) Piel 'to blind'; the maxim's central verb, stating bribery's corrupting effect as a general truth, not merely a rule.
עֵינֵ֣יthe eyes ofN comm dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Direct object (construct head)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual, construct with חֲכָמִים -- 'the eyes of the wise,' the discernment that bribery destroys.
חֲכָמִ֔יםthe wiseadj m pl abs (substantival) · חָכָם (H2450)Genitive complement of construct chainחָכָם (H2450) 'wise'; substantival -- even the judicially competent and discerning are corruptible by bribery, the maxim's sharpest point.
וִֽיסַלֵּ֖ףand pervertsconj וְ + Piel impf 3ms · סָלַף (H5557)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Yiqtol: gnomic -- continues the timeless maximסָלַף (H5557) Piel 'to twist, subvert, pervert'; second effect of the bribe, parallel to blinding -- distortion of just verdicts.
דִּבְרֵ֥יthe words ofN m pl constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object (construct head)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter, case'; construct with צַדִּיקִם -- 'the words/cases of the righteous,' i.e. their just legal claims.
צַדִּיקִֽםthe righteousadj m pl abs (substantival) · צַדִּיק (H6662)Genitive complement of construct chainצַדִּיק (H6662) 'righteous'; substantival -- even those in the right can have their case overturned by a bribe, closing the maxim on a note of injustice against the innocent.
20
צֶ֥דֶק צֶ֖דֶק תִּרְדֹּ֑ף לְמַ֤עַן תִּֽחְיֶה֙ וְיָרַשְׁתָּ֣ אֶת הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לָֽךְ
Justice, justice you shall pursue, so that you may live and possess the land that YHWH your God is giving you.
The doubled צֶדֶק, fronted before its verb, is the chapter's rhetorical high point -- an emphatic, unforgettable command whose observance is tied directly to Israel's continued life and land-tenure, elevating justice to the same covenantal weight as cultic fidelity.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
צֶ֥דֶקjustice,N m sg abs · צֶדֶק (H6664)Direct object (fronted, first of doubled emphatic pair)צֶדֶק (H6664) 'righteousness, justice'; doubled for emphasis, צֶדֶק צֶדֶק -- the chapter's most famous line, 'justice, justice you shall pursue.'
צֶ֖דֶקjusticeN m sg abs · צֶדֶק (H6664)Direct object (repeated for emphasis)צֶדֶק (H6664); the repetition is emphatic, not two different objects -- Hebrew's normal device for total, unqualified insistence.
תִּרְדֹּ֑ףyou shall pursueQal impf 2ms · רָדַף (H7291)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional -- standing, urgent obligationרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue, chase'; an active, effortful verb -- justice is not merely upheld but actively sought out and run after.
לְמַ֤עַןso thatprep/conj · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose clause conjunctionלְמַעַן (H4616); see v.3 -- introduces the purpose/result of pursuing justice: life and land.
תִּֽחְיֶה֙you may liveQal impf 2ms · חָיָה (H2421)Predicate verb (purpose clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/purposive -- the promised outcome of pursuing justiceחָיָה (H2421) 'to live'; life in the land is made contingent on the community's commitment to justice, not ritual alone.
וְיָרַשְׁתָּ֣and possessconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (coordinate purpose clause)→ Weqatal: continuing purposive force -- the second promised outcomeיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit, dispossess'; coordinate with חיה -- life and land-tenure are bound together as the reward of justice.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הָאָרֶץ as the definite object of וְיָרַשְׁתָּ.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N comm sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct objectאֶרֶץ (H776); the promised land, whose secure possession is tied here explicitly to just courts.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.2.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the giving.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
נֹתֵ֥ןis givingQal ptc m sg abs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (participial, relative clause)→ Participle: ongoing/durative -- the land-gift as YHWH's continuing actנָתַן (H5414); see v.5.
לָֽךְto youprep לְ + 2ms suff · לְDative complement (recipient)לְ preposition with 2ms suffix; recipient of the land-gift.
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לֹֽא תִטַּ֥ע לְךָ֛ אֲשֵׁרָ֖ה כָּל עֵ֑ץ אֵ֗צֶל מִזְבַּ֛ח יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעֲשֶׂה לָּֽךְ
You shall not plant for yourself an asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of YHWH your God that you shall make for yourself.
The chapter's final movement shifts once more, without connective, from civic justice to a brief cultic appendix guarding the altar itself against syncretism -- structurally a coda balancing the opening festival calendar's concern for right worship.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808); opens the closing appendix on cultic purity at the altar.
תִטַּ֥עyou shall plantQal impf 2ms · נָטַע (H5193)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: durative prohibition -- a standing negative obligationנָטַע (H5193) 'to plant'; the asherah was apparently a wooden cult-object/pole, hence 'planted' rather than 'erected.'
לְךָ֛for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suff · לְDative of interestלְ preposition with 2ms suffix; 'for yourself.'
אֲשֵׁרָ֖הan asherahN f sg abs (used as common noun) · אֲשֵׁרָה (H842)Direct objectאֲשֵׁרָה (H842) a sacred wooden pole/tree symbol associated with the Canaanite goddess Asherah and with fertility cults; forbidden beside YHWH's altar as an act of syncretism.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adjectival modifier (construct head, 'any tree')כֹּל (H3605); construct with עֵץ, 'any tree' -- ruling out any wooden cult-object whatsoever, not just a formally named asherah.
עֵ֑ץtreeN m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)In apposition to אֲשֵׁרָה (specifying its material)עֵץ (H6086) 'tree, wood'; clarifies that the asherah in view is any wooden cult-object planted near the altar.
אֵ֗צֶלbesideprep · אֵצֶל (H681)Locative prepositional phraseאֵצֶל (H681) 'beside, near'; the prohibition is specifically about proximity to YHWH's altar, not asherahs anywhere in the land.
מִזְבַּ֛חthe altar ofN m sg constr · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Object of אֵצֶל (construct head)מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar'; construct with יְהוָה -- the sacred space that must remain unmixed with Canaanite cult symbols.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of construct chainיְהוָה (H3068); whose altar must remain free of syncretistic symbols.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying מִזְבַּח יְהוָהאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.2 -- introduces 'the altar of YHWH your God that you shall make for yourself.'
תַּעֲשֶׂהyou shall makeQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: instructional -- describes the standing altar-building practiceעָשָׂה (H6213); see v.1 -- 'the altar... that you shall make,' i.e. any altar you build for YHWH.
לָּֽךְfor yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suff · לְDative of interestלְ preposition with 2ms suffix; 'for yourself.'
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וְלֹֽא תָקִ֥ים לְךָ֖ מַצֵּבָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר שָׂנֵ֖א יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ
And you shall not set up for yourself a pillar, which YHWH your God hates.
The chapter ends on the same note it began -- guarding the purity and singularity of worship -- but now stated in the starkest possible terms: not merely forbidden but the object of YHWH's own hatred, sealing the connection this chapter has drawn throughout between right ritual, right justice, and right allegiance.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808); opens the chapter's final prohibition.
תָקִ֥יםyou shall set upHiphil impf 2ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: durative prohibition -- a standing negative obligationקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, stand'; Hiphil 'to set up, erect' -- unlike the planted asherah, the pillar is erected stone, a second distinct cult-object forbidden.
לְךָ֖for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suff · לְDative of interestלְ preposition with 2ms suffix; 'for yourself.'
מַצֵּבָ֑הa pillarN f sg abs · מַצֵּבָה (H4676)Direct objectמַצֵּבָה (H4676) 'standing stone, pillar', from נָצַב 'to stand'; a stone cult-marker associated with Canaanite worship, banned alongside the asherah.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying מַצֵּבָהאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v.2.
שָׂנֵ֖אhe hatesQal perf 3ms · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective (stative): a settled, characteristic dispositionשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate'; a strikingly strong verb for the chapter's closing note -- not merely 'forbidden' but an object of YHWH's own revulsion, matching Deuteronomy's language elsewhere for idolatrous practice (cf. 12:31).
יְהוָ֥הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the hating -- the chapter's final word on the character of true worship.
אֱלֹהֶֽיךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suff · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v.1 -- the chapter's closing recurrence of its most frequent epithet.