Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 22דברים 22

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Neighborliness toward a brother's stray ox or lost cloak; boundaries of kind in dress, field, plow-team, and weave, with the bird's-nest law bearing the same long-life promise as honoring parents; then the marriage laws — the bride's tokens before the elders, adultery's purge, the field's presumption of innocence, and the seized virgin's irrevocable marriage.

Translation & textual notes

Deuteronomy 22 is textually stable in the Masoretic tradition, but it is unusually rich in orthographic and lexical cruxes. Its most conspicuous feature is the recurring ketiv הנער, 'the girl,' spelled with the consonants of the masculine na'ar ('boy') rather than the expected feminine na'arah — an archaic, pre-standardized spelling the Masoretes correct with the qere הַנַּעֲרָה at nine separate occurrences across vv.15-29, one of the densest concentrations of this famous ketiv/qere pair in the Torah; the Samaritan Pentateuch and LXX both read unambiguously feminine throughout, confirming the qere. Two rare or loanword terms deserve note: שַׁעַטְנֵז (v.11, mixed wool-and-linen), of disputed and possibly Egyptian etymology, occurs in the Hebrew Bible only here and at its parallel, Lev 19:19; and מַעֲקֶה (v.8, 'parapet'), built on an otherwise unattested root. כִּלְאַיִם (v.9, 'two kinds') is the dual-form technical term for forbidden mixtures, again paralleling Lev 19:19. The verb עָנָה in vv.24 and 29 is the specialized homonym 'to violate sexually,' distinct from the common 'to answer'; LXX's ταπεινόω tracks this sense. The thrice-repeated purge formula, 'so you shall purge the evil from your midst' (vv.21, 22, 24), binds the three capital marriage-cases into a single legal unit before the closing remedies of vv.25-29. Versification follows the MT; the incest prohibition following the marriage laws falls at 23:1 in MT numbering, outside this chapter.

1

לֹֽא תִרְאֶה֩ אֶת שׁ֨וֹר אָחִ֜יךָ א֤וֹ אֶת שֵׂיוֹ֙ נִדָּחִ֔ים וְהִתְעַלַּמְתָּ֖ מֵהֶ֑ם הָשֵׁ֥ב תְּשִׁיבֵ֖ם לְאָחִֽיךָ

You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep straying and hide yourself from them; you shall surely return them to your brother.

Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the main verb (standing prohibition)לֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle; with the imperfect it forms an absolute prohibition (apodictic law).
תִרְאֶה֩you shall seeQal impf 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: durative/modal — a standing prohibition against ever seeing-and-ignoringרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; here idiomatically 'to see and disregard' — the seeing is the occasion for the following הִתְעַלַּמְתָּ.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks שׁוֹר as object of תִרְאֶה)
שׁ֨וֹרthe ox ofN m sg constr · שׁוֹר (H7794)Direct object (head of construct chain)שׁוֹר (H7794) 'ox, bull'; in construct with אָחִיךָ, 'your brother's ox'.
אָחִ֜יךָyour brotherN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · אָח (H251)Genitive (construct chain, possessor)אָח (H251) 'brother'; here a fellow Israelite generally, not merely a sibling — the law's covenant-community scope.
א֤וֹorconjunction · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating disjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or', disjunctive conjunction joining alternative cases (ox / sheep).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (second object)
שֵׂיוֹ֙his sheepN c sg constr + 3ms suffix · שֶׂה (H7716)Direct object (second alternative)שֶׂה (H7716) 'sheep/goat, one of the flock'; 3ms suffix refers back to אָחִיךָ, 'his (the brother's) sheep'.
נִדָּחִ֔יםstrayingNiphal ptc m pl abs · נָדַח (H5080)Attributive participle modifying both שׁוֹר and שֵׂיוֹ→ Attributive participle: characterizes an ongoing state — the animals currently in the condition of wandering offנָדַח (H5080) 'to be driven away, banished, go astray'; Niphal passive/reflexive, 'being driven off, straying'.
וְהִתְעַלַּמְתָּ֖and you hide yourselfconjunction וְ + Hitpael weqatal 2ms · עָלַם (H5956)Weqatal continuing the prohibition (coordinate with the preceding verb)→ Weqatal: continues the modal/prohibitive force of the preceding yiqtol — 'and you must not hide yourself'עָלַם (H5956) 'to hide, conceal'; Hitpael 'to hide oneself, pretend not to see, feign ignorance' — the law's crux verb: willful non-involvement, not mere failure to notice.
מֵהֶ֑םfrom themprep מִן + 3mp suffix · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (object of הִתְעַלַּמְתָּ)מִן (H4480) 'from'; with הִתְעַלַּמְתָּ, 'hide yourself from them' i.e. the straying animals.
הָשֵׁ֥בsurelyHiphil inf abs · שׁוּב (H7725)Infinitive absolute reinforcing the following finite verb (emphatic construction)→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic certainty/obligation — 'you shall surely return'שׁוּב (H7725) 'to return, turn back'; Hiphil 'to bring back, restore'; paired with the finite verb for rhetorical emphasis, a hallmark of apodictic legal style.
תְּשִׁיבֵ֖םyou shall return themHiphil impf 2ms + 3mp suffix · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (main clause), reinforced by preceding infinitive absolute→ Yiqtol of obligation: the required remedy — restoration to the ownerשׁוּב (H7725) Hiphil 'to restore, bring back'; suffix 3mp refers to the animals (שׁוֹר/שֵׂה collectively).
לְאָחִֽיךָto your brotherprep לְ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · אָח (H251)Indirect object (recipient of restoration)אָח (H251) 'brother'; the phrase closes the verse ring-composition-style, echoing אָחִיךָ from the opening.
2

וְאִם לֹ֨א קָר֥וֹב אָחִ֛יךָ אֵלֶ֖יךָ וְלֹ֣א יְדַעְתּ֑וֹ וַאֲסַפְתּוֹ֙ אֶל תּ֣וֹךְ בֵּיתֶ֔ךָ וְהָיָ֣ה עִמְּךָ֗ עַ֣ד דְּרֹ֤שׁ אָחִ֨יךָ֙ אֹת֔וֹ וַהֲשֵׁבֹת֖וֹ לֽוֹ

But if your brother is not near you, or you do not know him, then you shall bring it into your house, and it shall remain with you until your brother seeks it, and you shall return it to him.

Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְאִםand ifconjunction וְ + conditional particle · אִם (H518)Conditional protasis markerאִם (H518) 'if', introducing a conditional clause extending the preceding case law to a sub-case.
לֹ֨אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the predicate adjective קָרוֹבלֹא (H3808), standard negator.
קָר֥וֹבnearadjective m sg abs · קָרוֹב (H7138)Predicate adjective (verbless clause: 'your brother is not near')קָרוֹב (H7138) 'near, close'; predicate of a verbless clause describing spatial/relational proximity.
אָחִ֛יךָyour brotherN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · אָח (H251)Subject of verbless clauseאָח (H251) 'brother', fellow Israelite; subject of the conditional protasis.
אֵלֶ֖יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase complementing קָרוֹבאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with קָרוֹב, 'near to you'.
וְלֹ֣אand notconjunction וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negation of second alternative clauseלֹא (H3808) with conjunction, negating יְדַעְתּוֹ, the second disjunct of the condition.
יְדַעְתּ֑וֹyou know himQal perf 2ms + 3ms suffix · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb of second alternative clause in protasis→ Perfective (stative): a settled state of knowledge/acquaintance — 'you do not know who he is'יָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; here 'to know him' i.e. to recognize/identify the owner.
וַאֲסַפְתּוֹ֙then you shall gather itconjunction וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms + 3ms suffix · אָסַף (H622)Predicate verb, apodosis of the conditional (weqatal continuing the command)→ Weqatal: apodosis/consequence — the required action given the conditionאָסַף (H622) 'to gather, take in, bring in'; here of taking the stray animal into one's own keeping.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of destinationאֶל (H413) 'to, into'.
תּ֣וֹךְthe midst ofN m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Construct head (locative phrase)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; אֶל תּוֹךְ בֵּיתֶךָ idiomatically 'into your house'.
בֵּיתֶ֔ךָyour houseN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · בַּיִת (H1004)Genitive (construct chain, completing locative phrase)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house, household'; the place of temporary safekeeping.
וְהָיָ֣הand it shall beconjunction וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb continuing the apodosis sequence→ Weqatal: sequential consequence — the animal's ongoing status while awaiting its ownerהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; here 'shall remain, stay'.
עִמְּךָ֗with youprep עִם + 2ms suffix · עִם (H5973)Predicate complementעִם (H5973) 'with'; indicates the animal remains in the finder's custody.
עַ֣דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase markerעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; introduces the temporal limit on custody.
דְּרֹ֤שׁseekingQal inf constr · דָּרַשׁ (H1875)Infinitive construct as object of עַד (temporal clause)→ Infinitive construct: expresses the temporal terminus — 'until (the time of) your brother's seeking'דָּרַשׁ (H1875) 'to seek, inquire after, search for'; here of the owner actively looking for his lost animal.
אָחִ֨יךָ֙your brotherN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · אָח (H251)Subject of the infinitive construct דְּרֹשׁאָח (H251) 'brother'; subject of the seeking.
אֹת֔וֹitobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of דְּרֹשׁ)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, referring back to the lost animal.
וַהֲשֵׁבֹת֖וֹthen you shall return itconjunction וְ + Hiphil weqatal 2ms + 3ms suffix · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb, final consequence of the apodosis→ Weqatal: culminating consequence — the required act of restorationשׁוּב (H7725) Hiphil 'to restore, give back'; echoes תְּשִׁיבֵם of v.1, completing the process begun there.
לֽוֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְ (H3807 l-)Indirect object (recipient of restoration)לְ 'to, for'; marks the brother as recipient.
3

וְכֵ֧ן תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה לַחֲמֹר֗וֹ וְכֵ֣ן תַּעֲשֶׂה֮ לְשִׂמְלָתוֹ֒ וְכֵ֣ן תַּעֲשֶׂ֜ה לְכָל אֲבֵדַ֥ת אָחִ֛יךָ אֲשֶׁר תֹּאבַ֥ד מִמֶּ֖נּוּ וּמְצָאתָ֑הּ לֹ֥א תוּכַ֖ל לְהִתְעַלֵּֽם

So you shall do with his donkey, and so you shall do with his garment, and so you shall do with every lost thing of your brother's which is lost from him and you find — you may not hide yourself.

Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְכֵ֧ןand soconj וְ + adv · כֵּן (H3651)Coordinating conjunction + adverb of manner (introduces first extension of the law)כֵּן (H3651) 'thus, so'; with וְ, 'and so/likewise' — extends the restoration law of vv.1-2 by analogy to the donkey.
תַּעֲשֶׂ֣הyou shall doQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, applying the analogy)→ Yiqtol: deontic — the extended obligation carries the same binding force as vv.1-2עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; repeated three times in this verse (וְכֵן תַּעֲשֶׂה) to extend the restoration law to each new case.
לַחֲמֹר֗וֹwith his donkeyprep לְ + N common sg constr + 3ms suffix · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Prepositional phrase (dative, object of the analogy)חֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey'; 3ms suffix refers to the owner-brother of v.1 — first extension of the restoration law from ox/sheep to donkey.
וְכֵ֣ןand soconj וְ + adv · כֵּן (H3651)Coordinating conjunction + adverb of manner (introduces second extension of the law)כֵּן (H3651) 'thus, so'; second occurrence, extending the rule now to a lost garment.
תַּעֲשֶׂה֮you shall doQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, second extension)→ Yiqtol: deontic — repeated obligationעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; second of the threefold repetition structuring the verse.
לְשִׂמְלָתוֹ֒with his garmentprep לְ + N f sg constr + 3ms suffix · שִׂמְלָה (H8071)Prepositional phrase (dative, object of the analogy)שִׂמְלָה (H8071) 'garment, cloak'; second extension — a lost garment, not only a lost animal, must be restored.
וְכֵ֣ןand soconj וְ + adv · כֵּן (H3651)Coordinating conjunction + adverb of manner (introduces the generalizing third extension)כֵּן (H3651) 'thus, so'; third occurrence, now generalizing the rule to any lost item whatsoever.
תַּעֲשֶׂ֜הyou shall doQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, generalizing third extension)→ Yiqtol: deontic — the general obligation now covers every lost itemעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; third and final repetition, generalizing from named items (ox, sheep, donkey, garment) to any lost property.
לְכָלwith everyprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival), governs אֲבֵדַת אָחִיךָכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct form generalizing the law to any lost item of the brother's.
אֲבֵדַ֥תthe lost thing ofN f sg constr · אֲבֵדָה (H9)Construct chain (genitival), head noun; object of לְכָלאֲבֵדָה (H9) 'lost thing, that which is lost', from אָבַד 'to perish, be lost'; the general legal category covering any lost property, not just animals.
אָחִ֛יךָyour brotherN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · אָח (H251)Genitive (construct chain, possessor)אָח (H251) 'brother'; the fellow Israelite, as throughout vv.1-2.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces relative clause modifying אֲבֵדַת אָחִיךָ)אֲשֶׁר (H834), the invariable relative particle 'which, that'.
תֹּאבַ֥דis lostQal impf 3fs · אָבַד (H6)Predicate verb (relative clause; subject is the fem. אֲבֵדָה)→ Yiqtol: durative/generic — the hypothetical circumstance of the item going missingאָבַד (H6) 'to perish, be lost'; intransitive Qal, agreeing with the feminine אֲבֵדָה, 'which is lost'.
מִמֶּ֖נּוּfrom himprep מִן + 3ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (source, referring to the brother)מִן (H4480) 'from'; the consonantal form מִמֶּנּוּ is identical for 1cp and 3ms suffixes (the OSHB tag reads 1cp), but context — 'lost from your brother' — requires the 3ms sense, 'from him'.
וּמְצָאתָ֑הּand you find itconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms + 3fs suffix · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (relative clause, continues the protasis)→ Weqatal: sequential — the finder's discovery, following on the item's being lostמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; 3fs suffix refers to the lost item (אֲבֵדָה); the act triggering the restoration obligation of vv.1-2.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the modal verb תוּכַל (closing prohibition)לֹא (H3808), standard negative; closes the unit with an explicit modal prohibition against disregard.
תוּכַ֖לyou mayQal impf 2ms · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (main clause, modal auxiliary)→ Yiqtol (negated modal): 'you are not permitted' — durative prohibitionיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; negated, 'you are not permitted to'; governs the following infinitive construct.
לְהִתְעַלֵּֽםto hide yourselfprep לְ + Hitpael inf constr · עָלַם (H5956)Infinitive construct (complement of תוּכַל)→ Infinitival: names the forbidden act of willed disregard, echoing v.1's וְהִתְעַלַּמְתָּעָלַם (H5956) Hitpael 'to hide oneself, feign ignorance'; the same crux verb as v.1, now closing the unit as an explicit modal prohibition, 'you are not permitted to disregard.'
4

לֹא תִרְאֶה֩ אֶת חֲמ֨וֹר אָחִ֜יךָ א֤וֹ שׁוֹרוֹ֙ נֹפְלִ֣ים בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ וְהִתְעַלַּמְתָּ֖ מֵהֶ֑ם הָקֵ֥ם תָּקִ֖ים עִמּֽוֹ

You shall not see your brother's donkey or his ox fallen on the way and hide yourself from them; you shall surely raise it up with him.

Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the main verb (standing prohibition)לֹא (H3808), standard negative; forms an apodictic prohibition, echoing v.1's opening.
תִרְאֶה֩you shall seeQal impf 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: durative/modal — a standing prohibition against seeing-and-ignoringרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; idiomatically 'to see and disregard', as in v.1, now applied to a fallen rather than straying animal.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks חֲמוֹר as object of תִרְאֶה)
חֲמ֨וֹרthe donkey ofN common sg constr · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Direct object (head of construct chain)חֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey'; in construct with אָחִיךָ, 'your brother's donkey' — introduced first here, reversing v.1's ox-then-sheep order.
אָחִ֜יךָyour brotherN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · אָח (H251)Genitive (construct chain, possessor)אָח (H251) 'brother'; the fellow Israelite, as throughout vv.1-3.
א֤וֹorconjunction · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating disjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or', disjunctive conjunction joining the alternative case (ox) to the donkey.
שׁוֹרוֹ֙his oxN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · שׁוֹר (H7794)Direct object (second alternative)שׁוֹר (H7794) 'ox, bull'; 3ms suffix refers back to אָחִיךָ, 'his (the brother's) ox' — the pairing mirrors v.1 in reverse order.
נֹפְלִ֣יםfallenQal ptc m pl abs · נָפַל (H5307)Attributive participle modifying both חֲמוֹר and שׁוֹרוֹ→ Attributive participle: characterizes an ongoing state — the animals currently down on the roadנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; a pack animal collapsed under its load or from exhaustion — the physical counterpart to v.1's נִדָּחִים, 'straying'.
בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְon the wayprep בְּ + art + N common sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Locative prepositional phrase (modifies נֹפְלִים)דֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; locates the fallen animals on the open road, distinct from the domestic scene of vv.1-3.
וְהִתְעַלַּמְתָּ֖and you hide yourselfconj וְ + Hitpael weqatal 2ms · עָלַם (H5956)Weqatal continuing the prohibition (coordinate with the preceding verb)→ Weqatal: continues the modal/prohibitive force — 'and you must not hide yourself'עָלַם (H5956) Hitpael 'to hide oneself, feign ignorance'; verbatim repetition of v.1's crux verb, now applied to the fallen-animal case.
מֵהֶ֑םfrom themprep מִן + 3mp suffix · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (object of הִתְעַלַּמְתָּ)מִן (H4480) 'from'; with הִתְעַלַּמְתָּ, 'hide yourself from them', referring to the fallen animals.
הָקֵ֥םsurelyHiphil inf abs · קוּם (H6965)Infinitive absolute reinforcing the following finite verb (emphatic construction)→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic certainty/obligation — 'you shall surely raise up'קוּם (H6965) 'to rise, stand'; Hiphil 'to raise up, set upright'; paired with the finite verb for emphasis, mirroring הָשֵׁב תְּשִׁיבֵם of v.1.
תָּקִ֖יםyou shall raise it upHiphil impf 2ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (main clause), reinforced by preceding infinitive absolute→ Yiqtol of obligation: the required remedy — physically raising the fallen animalקוּם (H6965) Hiphil 'to raise up'; the physically demanding counterpart to v.1's תְּשִׁיבֵם, 'return them', requiring joint labor, not mere custody.
עִמּֽוֹwith himprep עִם + 3ms suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase (comitative, modifies תָּקִים)עִם (H5973) 'with'; the help is rendered alongside the owner — a shared physical task, not merely the return of lost property.
5

לֹא יִהְיֶ֤ה כְלִי גֶ֨בֶר֙ עַל אִשָּׁ֔ה וְלֹא יִלְבַּ֥שׁ גֶּ֖בֶר שִׂמְלַ֣ת אִשָּׁ֑ה כִּ֧י תוֹעֲבַ֛ת יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ כָּל עֹ֥שֵׂה אֵֽלֶּה

A woman's article shall not be on a man, nor shall a man wear a woman's garment, for whoever does these things is an abomination to YHWH your God.

Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
לֹאshall notnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the main verb (apodictic prohibition)לֹא (H3808), standard negative; opens an unconditional apodictic prohibition, unlike the casuistic כִּי-clauses of vv.1-4,8-9.
יִהְיֶ֤הshall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: durative/timeless — a standing, categorical prohibitionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; here 'shall be [worn/used]', governing the following noun כְלִי as its subject.
כְלִיan article ofN m sg constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Subject of יִהְיֶה (construct head)כְּלִי (H3627) 'article, implement, vessel'; here broadly 'gear, apparel' — construct with גֶּבֶר, 'a man's article/gear'.
גֶ֨בֶר֙a manN m sg abs · גֶּבֶר (H1397)Genitive (construct chain, 'article OF a man')גֶּבֶר (H1397) 'man, warrior', from גבר 'to be strong'; a more marked term than אִישׁ, foregrounding masculine identity.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (locative, governs אִשָּׁה)עַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; marks the forbidden bearer of a man's gear.
אִשָּׁ֔הa womanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Object of preposition עַלאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; indefinite, the general case — no woman is to wear a man's gear.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negation (second, chiastic prohibition)לֹא (H3808) with conjunction; introduces the mirror-image second half of the chiasm.
יִלְבַּ֥שׁshall wearQal impf 3ms · לָבַשׁ (H3847)Predicate verb (main clause, second prohibition)→ Yiqtol: durative/timeless — a standing prohibitionלָבַשׁ (H3847) 'to wear, put on (clothing)'; the same verb recurs in v.11's sha'atnez law, linking the two boundary prohibitions verbally.
גֶּ֖בֶרa manN m sg abs · גֶּבֶר (H1397)Subject of יִלְבַּשׁגֶּבֶר (H1397) 'man'; the same term as the verse's opening, closing the chiastic frame (man's-gear/woman // woman's-garment/man).
שִׂמְלַ֣תthe garment ofN f sg constr · שִׂמְלָה (H8071)Direct object (construct head)שִׂמְלָה (H8071) 'garment, cloak'; the same noun as v.3's לְשִׂמְלָתוֹ, here specifically feminine attire.
אִשָּׁ֑הa womanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Genitive (construct chain, 'garment OF a woman')אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; indefinite, completing the construct chain.
כִּ֧יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (introduces the rationale clause)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the theological rationale closing the law.
תוֹעֲבַ֛תan abomination ofN f sg constr · תּוֹעֵבָה (H8441)Predicate nominative (construct head of the verbless clause)תּוֹעֵבָה (H8441) 'abomination, detestable thing'; Deuteronomy's strongest formula of prohibition, recurring at boundary/purity laws throughout the book.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain, 'abomination OF YHWH')יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; the offense is defined relationally, as an affront to YHWH himself.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional/genitive phrase modifying יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; plural of majesty with 2ms suffix, the standard Deuteronomic epithet 'YHWH your God'.
כָּלeveryone whoN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival), subject of the nominal clauseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct with the participle עֹשֵׂה, 'everyone who does'.
עֹ֥שֵׂהdoesQal ptc m sg constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Substantival participle (construct, governs אֵלֶּה); subject of the implied verbless clause→ Participle: characterizing — designates a class of person, 'whoever does'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; substantival participle, 'the one doing/whoever does', subject of the abomination-formula.
אֵֽלֶּהthese thingsdemonstrative pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Direct object of עֹשֵׂהאֵלֶּה (H428) common plural demonstrative 'these'; refers back to both cross-dressing prohibitions just stated.
6

כִּ֣י יִקָּרֵ֣א קַן צִפּ֣וֹר לְפָנֶ֡יךָ בַּדֶּ֜רֶךְ בְּכָל עֵ֣ץ א֣וֹ עַל הָאָ֗רֶץ אֶפְרֹחִים֙ א֣וֹ בֵיצִ֔ים וְהָאֵ֤ם רֹבֶ֨צֶת֙ עַל הָֽאֶפְרֹחִ֔ים א֖וֹ עַל הַבֵּיצִ֑ים לֹא תִקַּ֥ח הָאֵ֖ם עַל הַבָּנִֽים

If a bird's nest happens to be before you on the way, in any tree or on the ground, with fledglings or eggs, and the mother is sitting on the fledglings or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother together with the young.

Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
כִּ֣יifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional/temporal protasis marker (new casuistic case)כִּי (H3588) 'if, when'; introduces a new casuistic law, as in vv.8,9,13.
יִקָּרֵ֣אhappens to beNiphal impf 3ms · קָרָא (H7122)Predicate verb (protasis, main clause)→ Yiqtol (Niphal, passive/reflexive): modal — a chance encounter envisioned by the lawקָרָא (H7122) 'to encounter, meet, happen upon'; Niphal 'to be encountered, happen to be found' — a chance, unplanned discovery of the nest.
קַןa nest ofN m sg constr · קֵן (H7064)Subject of יִקָּרֵא (construct head)קֵן (H7064) 'nest'; construct with צִפּוֹר, 'a bird's nest'.
צִפּ֣וֹרa birdN common sg abs · צִפּוֹר (H6833)Genitive (construct chain, 'nest OF a bird')צִפּוֹר (H6833) 'bird, sparrow'; a generic term for small birds.
לְפָנֶ֡יךָbefore youprep לְ + N common pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (locative)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; compound preposition לִפְנֵי 'before, in front of', placing the chance encounter directly in the traveler's path.
בַּדֶּ֜רֶךְon the wayprep בְּ + art + N common sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Locative prepositional phraseדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; the same travel-setting as v.4's fallen animal — these minor laws address the ordinary Israelite in transit.
בְּכָלin anyprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival), locative phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct, 'in any [tree]'.
עֵ֣ץtreeN m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Genitive complement of כָּל (construct chain)עֵץ (H6086) 'tree, wood'; one of the two possible nest-locations named.
א֣וֹorconjunction · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating disjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; joins the ground as the alternative nesting site to the tree.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (locative, alternative site)עַל (H5921) 'on, upon'.
הָאָ֗רֶץthe groundart + N common sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition עַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land, ground'; the alternative low nesting site.
אֶפְרֹחִים֙fledglingsN m pl abs · אֶפְרֹחַ (H667)Adverbial accusative (specifying nest contents)אֶפְרֹחַ (H667) 'young bird, fledgling'; one of the two possible nest-contents named.
א֣וֹorconjunction · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating disjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; joins eggs as the alternative content.
בֵיצִ֔יםeggsN f pl abs · בֵּיצָה (H1000)Coordinate adverbial accusative (specifying nest contents)בֵּיצָה (H1000) 'egg'; the alternative content — whether hatched young or unhatched eggs, the law applies equally.
וְהָאֵ֤םand the motherconj וְ + art + N f sg abs · אֵם (H517)Subject of circumstantial clause ('and the mother is...')אֵם (H517) 'mother'; introduces the pivotal circumstance — the mother bird brooding over her young or eggs.
רֹבֶ֨צֶת֙is sittingQal ptc f sg abs · רָבַץ (H7257)Predicate participle (circumstantial clause describing the mother's posture)→ Participle: durative — the ongoing state of brooding/sittingרָבַץ (H7257) 'to crouch, lie down, brood'; of a bird sitting on her nest — the picture of maternal care the law protects.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (locative, object of רֹבֶצֶת)עַל (H5921) 'on, upon'.
הָֽאֶפְרֹחִ֔יםthe fledglingsart + N m pl abs · אֶפְרֹחַ (H667)Object of preposition עַלאֶפְרֹחַ (H667) 'young bird, fledgling'; now definite, referring back to the earlier clause of this verse.
א֖וֹorconjunction · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating disjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (locative, alternative object)עַל (H5921) 'on, upon'.
הַבֵּיצִ֑יםthe eggsart + N f pl abs · בֵּיצָה (H1000)Object of preposition עַלבֵּיצָה (H1000) 'egg'; definite, referring back to the earlier clause of this verse.
לֹאyou shall notnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the main verb (apodosis, the actual prohibition)לֹא (H3808), standard negative; the elaborately staged protasis of v.6 finally yields to this terse prohibition.
תִקַּ֥חtakeQal impf 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Yiqtol (negated): durative prohibition — the law's actual command, delayed to the verse's end for rhetorical effectלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the single forbidden act, after an unusually long protasis describing the scene.
הָאֵ֖םthe motherart + N f sg abs · אֵם (H517)Direct object of תִקַּחאֵם (H517) 'mother'; the specific object of the prohibition — only the mother bird is protected, not the young (cf. v.7).
עַלtogether withprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (comitative/accompaniment)עַל (H5921) here idiomatic 'along with, together with', not simple locative 'on' as elsewhere in this verse.
הַבָּנִֽיםthe youngart + N m pl abs · בֵּן (H1121)Object of preposition עַלבֵּן (H1121) 'son, child'; here generically 'the young (ones)', switching from the ornithological אֶפְרֹחִים to the more familial בָּנִים — subtly humanizing the mother-and-young bond the law protects.
7

שַׁלֵּ֤חַ תְּשַׁלַּח֙ אֶת הָאֵ֔ם וְאֶת הַבָּנִ֖ים תִּֽקַּֽח לָ֑ךְ לְמַ֨עַן֙ יִ֣יטַב לָ֔ךְ וְהַאֲרַכְתָּ֖ יָמִֽים

You shall surely send away the mother, and the young you may take for yourself, that it may go well with you and you may prolong your days.

Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
שַׁלֵּ֤חַsurelyPiel inf abs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Infinitive absolute reinforcing the following finite verb (emphatic construction)→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic obligation — 'you shall surely send away'שָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Piel 'to send away, release, let go'; paired with the finite verb for emphasis, as in vv.1,4.
תְּשַׁלַּח֙you shall send awayPiel impf 2ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (main clause), reinforced by preceding infinitive absolute→ Yiqtol of obligation: the required act — releasing the mother birdשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send away, release'; the positive command completing the protasis of v.6.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks הָאֵם as object of תְּשַׁלַּח)
הָאֵ֔םthe motherart + N f sg abs · אֵם (H517)Direct object of תְּשַׁלַּחאֵם (H517) 'mother'; the mother bird spared, as commanded in v.6.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second, fronted object)וְ joins the second clause; אֵת marks הַבָּנִים as the definite, fronted direct object of תִּקַּח.
הַבָּנִ֖יםthe youngart + N m pl abs · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of תִּקַּח (fronted for contrast with הָאֵם)בֵּן (H1121) 'son, child'; fronted before its verb, contrasting sharply with the mother who must be sent away — the young alone may be taken.
תִּֽקַּֽחyou may takeQal impf 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause, permission)→ Yiqtol: permissive — contrasts with the prohibition of v.6, now explicitly allowing the young to be takenלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here permissive, unlike the prohibited taking of the mother in v.6.
לָ֑ךְfor yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְ (l-)Prepositional phrase (dative of advantage)לְ + 2ms suffix, 'for yourself'; the ־ָךְ spelling is Deuteronomy's characteristic form of the 2ms suffix (as in v.12), not a shift to feminine address; the young become the finder's own possession.
לְמַ֨עַן֙so thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Subordinating conjunction (introduces purpose/result clause)לְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order that, so that'; introduces the motive clause, identical in form to the reward attached to honoring parents (Deut 5:16).
יִ֣יטַבit may go wellQal impf 3ms · יָטַב (H3190)Predicate verb (purpose clause)→ Yiqtol: volitive/purposive — the intended benefit of obedienceיָטַב (H3190) 'to be good, go well'; the identical verb of the Decalogue's parental-honor reward (Deut 5:16), applied here to the bird's-nest law.
לָ֔ךְfor youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְ (l-)Prepositional phrase (dative of advantage)לְ + 2ms suffix, 'for you'; the beneficiary of the reward formula.
וְהַאֲרַכְתָּ֖and you may prolongconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 2ms · אָרַךְ (H748)Predicate verb (continues the purpose/result clause)→ Weqatal: consequential — the reward's second element, continuing the purposive sense of לְמַעַןאָרַךְ (H748) 'to be long'; Hiphil 'to prolong, lengthen'; paired with יָמִים, again matching the Decalogue's parental-honor promise verbatim.
יָמִֽיםyour daysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Direct object of וְהַאֲרַכְתָּיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural 'days' = lifespan; completes the famous reward formula, 'that you may prolong your days.'
8

כִּ֤י תִבְנֶה֙ בַּ֣יִת חָדָ֔שׁ וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ מַעֲקֶ֖ה לְגַגֶּ֑ךָ וְלֹֽא תָשִׂ֤ים דָּמִים֙ בְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָ כִּֽי יִפֹּ֥ל הַנֹּפֵ֖ל מִמֶּֽנּוּ

When you build a new house, you shall make a parapet for your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt upon your house, should the one who falls fall from it.

Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
כִּ֤יwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (conditional/temporal protasis)כִּי (H3588) 'when, if, that, because'; here introduces a casuistic conditional protasis, 'when you build a new house...'
תִבְנֶה֙you buildQal impf 2ms · בָּנָה (H1129)Predicate verb (protasis, main clause of conditional)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — a hypothetical/future act envisioned by the lawבָּנָה (H1129) 'to build'; Qal imperfect 2ms, the generic 'you' addressed throughout the law code.
בַּ֣יִתa houseN m sg abs · בַּיִת (H1004)Direct object of תִבְנֶהבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; the ordinary dwelling, whose flat roof was used as living/working space, hence the safety law of v.8b.
חָדָ֔שׁnewAdj m sg abs · חָדָשׁ (H2319)Attributive adjective (modifies בַּיִת)חָדָשׁ (H2319) 'new', from חדשׁ 'to renew'; specifies a newly built house not yet fitted with a parapet.
וְעָשִׂ֥יתָand you shall makeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (apodosis, weqatal continuing the command)→ Weqatal: sequential/consequential — the obligatory result following the protasisעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; weqatal continuing the imperative-strength instruction begun by the כִּי-protasis.
מַעֲקֶ֖הa parapetN m sg abs · מַעֲקֶה (H4624)Direct object of וְעָשִׂיתָמַעֲקֶה (H4624), a rare noun (near-hapax) probably from a root עקה 'to enclose, restrain'; a railing or parapet built around the edge of a flat roof to prevent falls.
לְגַגֶּ֑ךָfor your roofprep לְ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · גָּג (H1406)Prepositional phrase (dative of purpose)גָּג (H1406) 'roof'; flat roofs in Israelite houses served as living and working space, hence the safety requirement.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negative particle (negates following verb)לֹא (H3808), simple negative; וְ links this purpose/result clause to the preceding command.
תָשִׂ֤יםyou putQal impf 2ms · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb (negated purpose/result clause)→ Yiqtol (negated): modal — a prohibited result to be avertedשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place, set'; here idiomatic 'bring bloodguilt upon.'
דָּמִים֙bloodguiltN m pl abs · דָּם (H1818)Direct object of תָשִׂיםדָּם (H1818) 'blood'; the plural דָּמִים is a plural of intensity meaning 'bloodshed, bloodguilt' — the household's legal culpability for a death, not literal 'bloods.'
בְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָin your houseprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · בַּיִת (H1004)Prepositional phrase (locative)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; locates the bloodguilt within the householder's own domain.
כִּֽיshouldconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing an embedded conditional clauseכִּי (H3588) here introduces a nested condition naming the very circumstance the law prevents: 'should someone fall from it.'
יִפֹּ֥לfallsQal impf 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (embedded conditional clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/potential — a hypothetical future eventנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; the finite verb is paired with the substantival participle הַנֹּפֵל on the same root, a figura etymologica underscoring accidental (not intentional) falling.
הַנֹּפֵ֖לthe one who fallsart + Qal ptc act m sg · נָפַל (H5307)Subject of יִפֹּל (substantival participle)→ Participle: durative/characterizing — designates 'whoever falls' as a class of person, not one specific individualנָפַל (H5307), Qal active participle with article, used substantivally 'the falling one/whoever falls'; the paronomasia with יִפֹּל (finite verb, same root) highlights that the law addresses genuine accident.
מִמֶּֽנּוּfrom itprep מִן + 3ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (source, referring back to the roof/house)מִן (H4480) 'from'; the suffix refers back to the roof/house, i.e., falling from it.
9

לֹא תִזְרַ֥ע כַּרְמְךָ֖ כִּלְאָ֑יִם פֶּן תִּקְדַּ֗שׁ הַֽמְלֵאָ֤ה הַזֶּ֨רַע֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּזְרָ֔ע וּתְבוּאַ֖ת הַכָּֽרֶם

You shall not sow your vineyard with two kinds of seed, lest the whole yield be forfeited — the seed that you have sown and the produce of the vineyard.

Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
לֹאyou shall notneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negates finite verb)לֹא (H3808), standard negative marking a durative prohibition, 'you shall not.'
תִזְרַ֥עsowQal impf 2ms · זָרַע (H2232)Predicate verb (prohibition, main clause)→ Yiqtol (negated): durative prohibition — an ongoing practice permanently forbiddenזָרַע (H2232) 'to sow'; agricultural verb governing the object כַּרְמְךָ.
כַּרְמְךָ֖your vineyardN constr + 2ms suffix · כֶּרֶם (H3754)Direct object of תִזְרַעכֶּרֶם (H3754) 'vineyard.'
כִּלְאָ֑יִםwith two kindsN m dual abs · כִּלְאַיִם (H3610)Adverbial accusative (accusative of manner/means)כִּלְאַיִם (H3610), dual-form noun 'two kinds, diverse things'; the technical term for forbidden mixtures (cf. Lev 19:19); the dual underscores 'two [different] kinds' sown together.
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose/result clause markerפֶּן (H6435) 'lest, so that not'; introduces a negative result clause naming the sanction for the prohibited act.
תִּקְדַּ֗שׁbe forfeitedQal impf 3fs · קָדַשׁ (H6942)Predicate verb (negative purpose clause); subject is the following fem. noun הַמְלֵאָה (verb precedes subject)→ Yiqtol: modal — a potential consequence to be avertedקָדַשׁ (H6942) 'to be holy, become consecrated'; here a specialized legal sense, 'become forfeit to the sanctuary' — the entire mixed yield is rendered off-limits for ordinary use. The 3fs prefix-form is identical to 2ms in Hebrew; context and the following fem. subject הַמְלֵאָה confirm the 3fs reading.
הַֽמְלֵאָ֤הthe full yieldart + N f sg abs · מְלֵאָה (H4395)Subject of תִּקְדַּשׁ (fem., following the verb)מְלֵאָה (H4395) 'fullness, full yield', from מָלֵא 'to be full'; substantival here, 'the whole produce' — explained in apposition by the two following phrases.
הַזֶּ֨רַע֙the seedart + N m sg abs · זֶרַע (H2233)Appositional noun (specifies הַמְלֵאָה)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; the sown grain crop, in apposition explaining what 'the full yield' comprises.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces relative clause modifying הַזֶּרַע)אֲשֶׁר (H834), the invariable relative particle 'which, that.'
תִּזְרָ֔עyou have sownQal impf 2ms · זָרַע (H2232)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: durative/customary — the seed regularly sown by the farmerזָרַע (H2232) 'to sow'; same verb repeated from the verse's opening, referring back to the planting act.
וּתְבוּאַ֖תand the produce ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · תְּבוּאָה (H8393)Coordinate appositional noun, construct (second item explaining הַמְלֵאָה)תְּבוּאָה (H8393) 'produce, yield, income', from בוא 'to come in'; here the vineyard's fruit crop, paired with the grain as the second forfeited item.
הַכָּֽרֶםthe vineyardart + N common sg abs · כֶּרֶם (H3754)Genitive (construct with תְּבוּאַת)כֶּרֶם (H3754) 'vineyard'; the same noun as כַּרְמְךָ earlier, now with the article referring back to the vineyard just mentioned.
10

לֹֽא תַחֲרֹ֥שׁ בְּשׁוֹר וּבַחֲמֹ֖ר יַחְדָּֽו

You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together.

Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
לֹֽאyou shall notneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negates finite verb)לֹא (H3808), standard negative marking a durative prohibition.
תַחֲרֹ֥שׁplowQal impf 2ms · חָרַשׁ (H2790)Predicate verb (prohibition, main clause)→ Yiqtol (negated): durative prohibition — a permanently forbidden agricultural practiceחָרַשׁ (H2790) 'to plow, engrave'; here of plowing a field.
בְּשׁוֹרwith an oxprep בְּ + N common sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Prepositional phrase (instrumental, first yoked animal)שׁוֹר (H7794) 'ox, bull'; the stronger of the mismatched draft-animal pair.
וּבַחֲמֹ֖רand with a donkeyconj וְ + prep בְּ + N common sg abs · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Prepositional phrase (instrumental, second yoked animal, coordinated)חֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey'; paired with שׁוֹר as an unevenly matched team — the traditional rationale is unequal strength/gait causing suffering to the weaker animal.
יַחְדָּֽוtogetheradv · יַחְדָּו (H3162)Adverb (manner, modifies תַחֲרֹשׁ)יַחְדָּו (H3162) 'together, jointly', from יחד; marks the forbidden joint use, echoing the mixture-boundary language of vv.9 and 11.
11

לֹ֤א תִלְבַּשׁ֙ שַֽׁעַטְנֵ֔ז צֶ֥מֶר וּפִשְׁתִּ֖ים יַחְדָּֽו

You shall not wear sha'atnez — wool and linen together.

Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
לֹ֤אyou shall notneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (negates finite verb)לֹא (H3808), standard negative marking a durative prohibition.
תִלְבַּשׁ֙wearQal impf 2ms · לָבַשׁ (H3847)Predicate verb (prohibition, main clause)→ Yiqtol (negated): durative prohibition — forbids habitually donning the forbidden fabricלָבַשׁ (H3847) 'to wear, put on (clothing).'
שַֽׁעַטְנֵ֔זsha'atnez (mixed fabric)N m sg abs · שַׁעַטְנֵז (H8162)Direct object of תִלְבַּשׁשַׁעַטְנֵז (H8162) — a famous lexical/etymological crux, likely a loanword of Egyptian or otherwise unknown foreign origin; it occurs only here and its parallel Lev 19:19, and the word itself is opaque in Hebrew, defined only by the appositional phrase that follows: 'wool and linen together.'
צֶ֥מֶרwoolN m sg abs · צֶמֶר (H6785)Appositive noun (defines שַׁעַטְנֵז)צֶמֶר (H6785) 'wool', animal fiber; paired with פִּשְׁתִּים to define the forbidden mixture.
וּפִשְׁתִּ֖יםand linenconj וְ + N m pl abs · פִּשְׁתִּים (H6593)Appositive noun, coordinated (second member defining שַׁעַטְנֵז)פִּשְׁתִּים (H6593) 'flax, linen', plant fiber; the wool-linen combination is the specific referent of the crux term שַׁעַטְנֵז.
יַחְדָּֽוtogetheradv · יַחְדָּו (H3162)Adverb (manner, modifies the implied combining of צֶמֶר וּפִשְׁתִּים)יַחְדָּו (H3162) 'together'; reiterates the 'joined-kinds' language of vv.9-10, marking wool and linen woven/worn as one fabric.
12

גְּדִלִ֖ים תַּעֲשֶׂה לָּ֑ךְ עַל אַרְבַּ֛ע כַּנְפ֥וֹת כְּסוּתְךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֥ר תְּכַסֶּה בָּֽהּ

You shall make tassels for yourself on the four corners of your covering-garment with which you cover yourself.

Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
גְּדִלִ֖יםtasselsN m pl abs · גְּדִלִים (H1434)Direct object of תַּעֲשֶׂה (fronted for emphasis)גְּדִלִים (H1434) 'twisted cords, tassels', from גדל 'to twist, braid'; the fringes of Num 15:37-41 (tzitzit), fronted before the verb for topical emphasis.
תַּעֲשֶׂהyou shall makeQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, positive command)→ Yiqtol: deontic/injunctive — a positive obligationעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make.'
לָּ֑ךְfor yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְ (H l-)Prepositional phrase (dative of advantage/reflexive)לְ + suffix, 'for yourself' (reflexive benefit); the ־ָךְ suffix is Deuteronomy's characteristic spelling of the 2ms pronoun (identical in form to a 2fs suffix), not a shift to feminine address.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (locative, governs אַרְבַּע כַּנְפוֹת)עַל (H5921) 'on, upon.'
אַרְבַּ֛עfournumeral f sg abs · אַרְבַּע (H702)Numeral, construct with כַּנְפוֹתאַרְבַּע (H702) 'four'; feminine numeral agreeing with the feminine noun כָּנָף.
כַּנְפ֥וֹתcorners ofN f pl constr · כָּנָף (H3671)Construct noun (governs כְּסוּתְךָ)כָּנָף (H3671) 'wing, extremity, corner (of a garment)'; here the four corners/hems of the cloak.
כְּסוּתְךָ֖your covering-garmentN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · כְּסוּת (H3682)Genitive (construct chain, object of עַל)כְּסוּת (H3682) 'covering, garment', from כסה 'to cover'; the outer wrap/cloak on which the tassels are affixed.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwith whichrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces relative clause modifying כְּסוּתְךָ)אֲשֶׁר (H834), the invariable relative particle 'which, that.'
תְּכַסֶּהyou cover yourselfPiel impf 2ms · כָּסָה (H3680)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: durative/habitual — the customary act of wrapping oneselfכָּסָה (H3680) 'to cover'; Piel here with reflexive nuance, 'cover oneself (with)', governing the following prepositional phrase בָּהּ.
בָּֽהּwith itprep בְּ + 3fs suffix · בְּ (H b-)Prepositional phrase (instrumental, referring back to כְּסוּתְךָ)בְּ (instrumental) + 3fs suffix referring back to the feminine noun כְּסוּת, 'with it.'
13

כִּֽי יִקַּ֥ח אִ֖ישׁ אִשָּׁ֑ה וּבָ֥א אֵלֶ֖יהָ וּשְׂנֵאָֽהּ

When a man takes a wife and goes in to her and then hates her,

Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
כִּֽיWhenconj כִּי (conditional) · כִּי (H3588)Conditional protasis marker (subordinating conjunction)כִּי (H3588) conditional/temporal 'when, if'; introduces a new casuistic legal protasis (cf. vv.8,9).
יִקַּ֥חtakesQal impf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (protasis, main verb)→ Yiqtol: generic/customary future — the hypothetical case envisioned by the lawלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here idiomatic for 'take in marriage' (cf. Gen 24:67).
אִ֖ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subjectאִישׁ (H376) 'man, husband'; subject of the casuistic law — the prospective/new husband.
אִשָּׁ֑הa wifeN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct objectאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; indefinite direct object of יִקַּח, 'takes [a] wife' = marries.
וּבָ֥אand comes/goes inconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Weqatal continuing the protasis (sequential)→ Weqatal: sequential continuation of the hypothetical circumstanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go in'; euphemism for sexual consummation of the marriage (so also Gen 29:23; 38:8).
אֵלֶ֖יהָto herprep אֶל + 3fs suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional complement of וּבָאאֶל (H413) 'to, toward' + 3fs suffix; completes the euphemistic idiom בוא אל 'go in to (a woman)'.
וּשְׂנֵאָֽהּand hates herconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms + 3fs suffix · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Weqatal continuing the protasis (climactic/pivotal)→ Weqatal: the pivotal turn of the scenario — subsequent, decisive rejection following consummationשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate, reject, repudiate'; here marital repudiation/aversion, the legal trigger for the false accusation of vv.14ff.
14

וְשָׂ֥ם לָהּ֙ עֲלִילֹ֣ת דְּבָרִ֔ים וְהוֹצִ֥יא עָלֶ֖יהָ שֵׁ֣ם רָ֑ע וְאָמַ֗ר אֶת הָאִשָּׁ֤ה הַזֹּאת֙ לָקַ֔חְתִּי וָאֶקְרַ֣ב אֵלֶ֔יהָ וְלֹא מָצָ֥אתִי לָ֖הּ בְּתוּלִֽים

and lays against her occasions for talk and brings out a bad name against her, and says, 'I took this woman, and when I approached her I did not find in her the tokens of virginity' —

Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְשָׂ֥םand laysconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · שִׂים (H7760)Weqatal continuing narrative sequence (apodosis-like continuation)→ Weqatal: continued sequential action — the husband's next actשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place, set'; idiom שׂים עֲלִילֹת 'to lay/impute pretexts (against someone)'.
לָהּ֙against herprep ל + 3fs suffix · ל (H3807)Prepositional complement (adversative 'against')ל preposition + 3fs suffix; adversative 'against her' rather than benefactive, governed by שׂים.
עֲלִילֹ֣תoccasions/pretexts ofN f pl constr · עֲלִילָה (H5949)Construct chain (genitival), head nounעֲלִילָה (H5949) 'deed, action'; plural construct here denotes trumped-up 'pretexts, occasions [for accusation]' — a legal-rhetorical term for fabricated grounds.
דְּבָרִ֔יםwords/chargesN m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Construct chain (genitival), dependent nounדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter, thing'; עֲלִילֹת דְּבָרִים is a set phrase for fabricated legal accusations (repeated verbatim v.17).
וְהוֹצִ֥יאand brings outconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Weqatal continuing narrative sequence→ Weqatal: continued sequential action, causative — the act of public defamationיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out, cause to go out'; idiom הוֹצִיא שֵׁם רָע 'to bring out/spread a bad name' = defame publicly (repeated v.19).
עָלֶ֖יהָagainst herprep עַל + 3fs suffix · עַל (H5921)Prepositional complement (adversative)עַל (H5921) + 3fs suffix, adversative 'against her'.
שֵׁ֣םa nameN m sg abs · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct objectשֵׁם (H8034) 'name, reputation'; here 'reputation' as object of הוֹצִיא.
רָ֑עbadAdj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Attributive adjective modifying שֵׁםרַע (H7451) 'bad, evil'; modifies שֵׁם — 'bad name/reputation', i.e. slander of unchastity.
וְאָמַ֗רand saysconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Weqatal introducing direct speech (quotative)→ Weqatal: sequential — introduces the husband's direct accusationאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the quoted accusation verbatim (direct-speech marker).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), marks הָאִשָּׁה הַזֹּאת as the definite direct object of לָקַחְתִּי; untranslated in English.
הָאִשָּׁ֤הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object (head noun)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; with article and the following demonstrative הַזֹּאת = 'this woman', the object of לָקַחְתִּי quoted within the husband's speech.
הַזֹּאת֙thisart + demonstrative pron fs · זֹאת (H2063)Demonstrative adjective modifying הָאִשָּׁהזֹאת (H2063) fs demonstrative 'this'; modifies הָאִשָּׁה, deictic within the husband's quoted speech.
לָקַ֔חְתִּיI tookQal perf 1cs · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (direct speech, main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the husband recounts his own past actionלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here 'I took [in marriage]', echoing the same verb of v.13.
וָאֶקְרַ֣בand I approachedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · קָרַב (H7126)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (within quoted speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the next event in the husband's recounted sequenceקָרַב (H7126) 'to approach, come near'; a further euphemism for sexual approach, paralleling וּבָא אֵלֶיהָ of v.13.
אֵלֶ֔יהָto herprep אֶל + 3fs suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional complement of וָאֶקְרַבאֶל (H413) + 3fs suffix; same euphemistic pattern as v.13's אֵלֶיהָ.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808) negative particle negating מָצָאתִי.
מָצָ֥אתִיI foundQal perf 1cs · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (direct speech, main clause, negated)→ Perfective, negated: a completed (non-)finding — the husband's central factual claimמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; the husband's claim of not finding בְּתוּלִים is the legal crux the parents must rebut.
לָ֖הּin herprep ל + 3fs suffix · ל (H3807)Prepositional complement (locative) of מָצָאתִיל preposition + 3fs suffix, marking the person 'in whom' the tokens were (not) found.
בְּתוּלִֽיםtokens of virginityN c pl abs · בְּתוּלִים (H1331)Direct objectבְּתוּלִים (H1331), plural of intensity/abstraction denoting the physical/evidentiary 'signs of virginity' — almost certainly the blood-stained cloth described in vv.15,17, not an anatomical membrane per se.
15

וְלָקַ֛ח אֲבִ֥י הנער הַֽנַּעֲרָ֖ה וְאִמָּ֑הּ וְהוֹצִ֜יאוּ אֶת בְּתוּלֵ֧י הנער הַֽנַּעֲרָ֛ה אֶל זִקְנֵ֥י הָעִ֖יר הַשָּֽׁעְרָה

then the girl's father and her mother shall take and bring out the tokens of the girl's virginity to the elders of the city, at the gate.

Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְלָקַ֛חand shall takeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Weqatal introducing the apodosis (legal remedy)→ Weqatal: apodictic — the prescribed legal response now shifts to the parents' required actionלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here 'shall take up, procure [the evidence]'.
אֲבִ֥יthe father ofN m sg constr · אָב (H1)Construct chain (genitival), head noun; subject of וְלָקַחאָב (H1) 'father'; construct form heading the compound subject 'the girl's father and her mother'.
הנערthe girlart + N f sg abs (ketiv) · הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291)Genitive complement of אֲבִי (construct chain; ketiv)הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291) 'the girl, young woman'; written defectively here as the consonantal ketiv הנער (looks like masc. 'the boy') but parsed/read as fem. — one of the Torah's classic ketiv/qere pairs (cf. vv.16,20 etc.), an archaic spelling convention, not a separate word or error.
הַֽנַּעֲרָ֖הthe girlart + N f sg abs (qere) · הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291)Genitive complement of אֲבִי (construct chain; full/qere spelling)הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291) 'the girl, young woman'; full (qere) spelling of the same word as the preceding ketiv הנער — together the two entries represent one Hebrew word read once as 'the girl'.
וְאִמָּ֑הּand her motherconj וְ + N f sg constr + 3fs suffix · אֵם (H517)Coordinate noun (second element of compound subject)אֵם (H517) 'mother' + 3fs suffix; coordinate with אֲבִי הנער/הנערה as compound subject of the apodosis's verbs.
וְהוֹצִ֜יאוּand shall bring outconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3cp · יָצָא (H3318)Weqatal continuing the apodosis (parents' required action)→ Weqatal: apodictic continuation — the parents' evidentiary productionיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out, produce'; here producing physical evidence (the cloth), contrasting with the husband's הוֹצִיא שֵׁם רָע ('bringing out' a bad name) in v.14.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
בְּתוּלֵ֧יthe tokens of virginity ofN c pl constr · בְּתוּלִים (H1331)Construct chain (genitival), head noun; direct objectבְּתוּלִים/בְּתוּלֵי (H1331) construct plural 'tokens of virginity of'; the same evidentiary term as v.14, now the object the parents must produce.
הנערthe girlart + N f sg abs (ketiv) · הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291)Genitive complement of בְּתוּלֵי (construct chain; ketiv)הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291); again the ketiv/qere pair (consonantal הנער read as fem. הַנַּעֲרָה) — see note at the first occurrence above.
הַֽנַּעֲרָ֛הthe girlart + N f sg abs (qere) · הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291)Genitive complement of בְּתוּלֵי (construct chain; full/qere spelling)הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291); full qere spelling paired with the preceding ketiv הנער, both read as one word 'the girl'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking destinationאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the destination of the evidentiary presentation.
זִקְנֵ֥יthe elders ofAdj (substantival) m pl constr · זָקֵן (H2205)Construct chain (genitival), head noun (substantival adjective)זָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elder'; substantival plural construct 'elders of', the recognized local judicial body (cf. v.18).
הָעִ֖ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of זִקְנֵי (construct chain)עִיר (H5892) 'city, town'; the local town of residence whose elders adjudicate the case.
הַשָּֽׁעְרָהto the gateart + N m sg abs + directional ה · שַׁעַר (H8179)Adverbial accusative of direction (directional ה)שַׁעַר (H8179) 'gate' + directional ה suffix ('-ah', locative 'to/at'); the city gate was the customary site of local legal proceedings and public adjudication in ancient Israel (cf. Ruth 4:1; Amos 5:15).
16

וְאָמַ֛ר אֲבִ֥י הנער הַֽנַּעַרָ֖ה אֶל הַזְּקֵנִ֑ים אֶת בִּתִּ֗י נָתַ֜תִּי לָאִ֥ישׁ הַזֶּ֛ה לְאִשָּׁ֖ה וַיִּשְׂנָאֶֽהָ

And the girl's father shall say to the elders, 'I gave my daughter to this man as wife, and he hated her;

Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְאָמַ֛רand shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Weqatal introducing direct speech (quotative)→ Weqatal: apodictic continuation — introduces the father's rebuttal speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the father's formal defense, quoted through v.17.
אֲבִ֥יthe father ofN m sg constr · אָב (H1)Construct chain (genitival), head noun; subjectאָב (H1) 'father'; as in v.15, heading the compound title 'the girl's father'.
הנערthe girlart + N f sg abs (ketiv) · הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291)Genitive complement of אֲבִי (construct chain; ketiv)הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291); the recurring ketiv (הנער, looks masc.) / qere (fem., 'the girl') pair — see note at v.15.
הַֽנַּעַרָ֖הthe girlart + N f sg abs (qere) · הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291)Genitive complement of אֲבִי (construct chain; full/qere spelling)הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291); full qere spelling completing the ketiv/qere pair with the preceding הנער.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the elders as addressee of the father's speech.
הַזְּקֵנִ֑יםthe eldersart + Adj (substantival) m pl abs · זָקֵן (H2205)Object of preposition אֶל (addressee)זָקֵן (H2205) 'elder'; with article, 'the elders' as the addressed court.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
בִּתִּ֗יmy daughterN f sg constr + 1cs suffix · בַּת (H1323)Direct object (within quoted speech)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter' + 1cs suffix; the father's own designation for the girl, emphasizing his paternal standing to testify.
נָתַ֜תִּיI gaveQal perf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (direct speech, main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the father recounts giving his daughter in marriageנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; idiom נָתַן לְאִשָּׁה 'to give [a daughter] as wife' = give in marriage.
לָאִ֥ישׁto this manprep ל + art + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Indirect object of נָתַתִּיאִישׁ (H376) 'man' with prep+article; the husband, referred to deictically before the court.
הַזֶּ֛הthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative adjective modifying אִישׁזֶה (H2088) ms demonstrative 'this'; identifies the accusing husband present before the court.
לְאִשָּׁ֖הas a wifeprep ל + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Adverbial/predicate complement of נָתַתִּי (result)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife' with prep ל, completing the idiom נתן לאשה 'give in marriage'.
וַיִּשְׂנָאֶֽהָbut he hated herconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3fs suffix · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, adversative (within quoted speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the father's report of the husband's subsequent rejection, deliberately echoing v.13's וּשְׂנֵאָהּשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate, reject'; verbal echo of v.13 — the father's speech pointedly repeats the husband's own verb back at him.
17

וְהִנֵּה ה֡וּא שָׂם֩ עֲלִילֹ֨ת דְּבָרִ֜ים לֵאמֹ֗ר לֹֽא מָצָ֤אתִי לְבִתְּךָ֙ בְּתוּלִ֔ים וְאֵ֖לֶּה בְּתוּלֵ֣י בִתִּ֑י וּפָֽרְשׂוּ֙ הַשִּׂמְלָ֔ה לִפְנֵ֖י זִקְנֵ֥י הָעִֽיר

and behold, he has laid occasions for talk, saying, "I did not find in your daughter the tokens of virginity" — but here are the tokens of my daughter's virginity!' And they shall spread out the cloth before the elders of the city.

Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְהִנֵּהand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Discourse deictic particle (attention-focusing)הִנֵּה (H2009) presentative particle 'behold, look'; here rhetorical, marking the father's indignant transition to direct rebuttal — 'and now, look —'.
ה֡וּאheindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Emphatic resumptive subject pronounהוּא (H1931) 3ms independent pronoun; emphatic/contrastive, 'HE [is the one who]...', pointing back at the accusing husband.
שָׂם֩laid/putQal perf 3ms · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb (direct speech, main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the father states as fact what the husband didשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place'; same idiom as v.14, שׂים עֲלִילֹת 'to lay pretexts/charges'.
עֲלִילֹ֨תpretexts/occasions ofN f pl constr · עֲלִילָה (H5949)Construct chain (genitival), head noun; direct objectעֲלִילָה (H5949) 'deed, pretext'; verbatim repetition of v.14's term, now thrown back at the husband as the father's charge of false accusation.
דְּבָרִ֜יםwords/chargesN m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Construct chain (genitival), dependent nounדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter'; same phrase עֲלִילֹת דְּבָרִים as v.14, a verbatim echo underscoring the father's rebuttal.
לֵאמֹ֗רsayingprep ל + Qal inf construct · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct introducing direct speech (quotative)→ Infinitival: introduces the exact words of the husband's accusation being quoted/refutedאָמַר (H559) inf constr with ל, the standard Hebrew quotative frame 'saying'.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of מָצָאתִי
מָצָ֤אתִיI foundQal perf 1cs · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (quoted accusation, embedded)→ Perfective, negated: the husband's original (disputed) claim, now quoted back by the fatherמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; the father quotes the husband's own claim verbatim before refuting it.
לְבִתְּךָ֙in your daughterprep ל + N f sg constr + 2ms suffix · בַּת (H1323)Prepositional complement of מָצָאתִי (locative 'in')בַּת (H1323) 'daughter' + 2ms suffix + ל; the accusation is quoted as originally addressed to the father ('your daughter'), reproducing the husband's own words to him.
בְּתוּלִ֔יםtokens of virginityN c pl abs · בְּתוּלִים (H1331)Direct object (within quoted accusation)בְּתוּלִים (H1331); same evidentiary term as vv.14-15, quoted here within the husband's original accusation.
וְאֵ֖לֶּהbut here are / and these areconj וְ + demonstrative pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Casus pendens / resumptive demonstrative subject (father's counter-assertion)אֵלֶּה (H428) common plural demonstrative 'these'; the father's emphatic counter-statement introducing the physical evidence.
בְּתוּלֵ֣יthe tokens of virginity ofN c pl constr · בְּתוּלִים (H1331)Construct chain (genitival), predicate nominativeבְּתוּלִים/בְּתוּלֵי (H1331) construct plural; the father's rebutting counter-evidence, 'the tokens of my daughter's virginity'.
בִתִּ֑יmy daughterN f sg constr + 1cs suffix · בַּת (H1323)Genitive complement of בְּתוּלֵי (construct chain)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter' + 1cs suffix.
וּפָֽרְשׂוּ֙and they shall spread outconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · פָּרַשׂ (H6566)Weqatal continuing the apodosis (evidentiary act)→ Weqatal: apodictic — the concluding, decisive act of the parents' defenseפָּרַשׂ (H6566) 'to spread out'; the formal legal display of the token-cloth as physical evidence before the court.
הַשִּׂמְלָ֔הthe garment/clothart + N f sg abs · שִׂמְלָה (H8071)Direct objectשִׂמְלָה (H8071) 'garment, cloth, wrapper'; here the blood-stained cloth/sheet from the wedding night, the physical token of virginity referenced abstractly as בְּתוּלִים above.
לִפְנֵ֖יbeforecompound prep (פָּנִים constr) · לִפְנֵי (H6440)Prepositional phrase (spatial, 'before/in the presence of')לִפְנֵי (from פָּנִים 'face', H6440) compound preposition 'before, in the presence of'.
זִקְנֵ֥יthe elders ofAdj (substantival) m pl constr · זָקֵן (H2205)Construct chain (genitival), head noun; object of prepositionזָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elder'; the town's judicial elders, as in vv.15,18.
הָעִֽירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of זִקְנֵי (construct chain)עִיר (H5892) 'city, town'.
18

וְלָֽקְח֛וּ זִקְנֵ֥י הָֽעִיר הַהִ֖וא אֶת הָאִ֑ישׁ וְיִסְּר֖וּ אֹתֽוֹ

Then the elders of that city shall take the man and discipline him,

Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְלָֽקְח֛וּthen they shall takeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb introducing the apodosis (elders' verdict)→ Weqatal: apodictic — the required judicial actionלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here 'take into custody, take in hand', opening the sentencing sequence.
זִקְנֵ֥יthe elders ofAdj (substantival) m pl constr · זָקֵן (H2205)Subject (construct chain, genitival head)זָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elder'; substantival plural construct, the judicial body of v.15.
הָֽעִירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of זִקְנֵי (construct chain)עִיר (H5892) 'city, town'; the same local court as v.15.
הַהִ֖ואthatart + demonstrative pron 3fs · הוּא (H1931)Demonstrative adjective modifying הָעִירהוּא (H1931) 3fs demonstrative used adjectivally, 'that (city)'; anaphoric back-reference to v.15's הָעִיר.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks הָאִישׁ as object of וְלָקְחוּ)
הָאִ֑ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct objectאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the slandering husband of vv.13-14, now the defendant.
וְיִסְּר֖וּand shall disciplineconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3cp · יָסַר (H3256)Predicate verb continuing the apodosis→ Weqatal: apodictic — the corporal sentenceיָסַר (H3256) 'to discipline, chastise'; Piel of corporal punishment (flogging), the lesser penalty reserved for slander, distinct from the death sentences of vv.21,22,24.
אֹתֽוֹhimobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וְיִסְּרוּ)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, referring to the guilty husband.
19

וְעָנְשׁ֨וּ אֹת֜וֹ מֵ֣אָה כֶ֗סֶף וְנָתְנוּ֙ לַאֲבִ֣י הַֽנַּעֲרָ֔ה כִּ֤י הוֹצִיא֙ שֵׁ֣ם רָ֔ע עַ֖ל בְּתוּלַ֣ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְלֽוֹ תִהְיֶ֣ה לְאִשָּׁ֔ה לֹא יוּכַ֥ל לְשַּׁלְּחָ֖הּ כָּל יָמָֽיו

and they shall fine him a hundred shekels of silver and give it to the girl's father, because he brought out a bad name against a virgin of Israel; and she shall remain his wife — he may not divorce her all his days.

Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְעָנְשׁ֨וּand they shall fineconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · עָנַשׁ (H6064)Predicate verb continuing the apodosis (sentencing sequence)→ Weqatal: apodictic — the second element of the sentenceעָנַשׁ (H6064) 'to fine, penalize'; the monetary component of the sentence, alongside the corporal punishment of v.18.
אֹת֜וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וְעָנְשׁוּ)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, referring to the guilty husband.
מֵ֣אָהa hundrednumeral common sg abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Adverbial accusative (quantifying the fine)מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; double the fifty-shekel sum of vv.28-29, reflecting the aggravated offense of public slander against a married woman.
כֶ֗סֶףshekels of silverN m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Genitive of measure (apposition to מֵאָה)כֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; the standard medium of legal fines and payments.
וְנָתְנוּ֙and they shall give itconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb continuing the apodosis→ Weqatal: apodictic — payment of the fineנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the fine is paid to the wronged father, not the state or sanctuary.
לַאֲבִ֣יto the father ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · אָב (H1)Indirect object (construct head)אָב (H1) 'father'; recipient of the fine — the father whose household's honor was slandered.
הַֽנַּעֲרָ֔הthe girlart + N f sg abs · נַעֲרָה (H5291)Genitive complement of לַאֲבִי (construct chain)נַעֲרָה (H5291) 'girl, young woman'; written in full here, unlike the ketiv/qere split spelling of vv.15,20 etc.
כִּ֤יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (introduces causal clause)כִּי (H3588) 'because'; grounds the sentence in the husband's proven defamation.
הוֹצִיא֙he brought outHiphil perf 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the husband's proven offenseיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; the same idiom as vv.14,17, now stated as established fact rather than mere accusation.
שֵׁ֣םa nameN m sg abs · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct objectשֵׁם (H8034) 'name, reputation'.
רָ֔עbadAdj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Attributive adjective modifying שֵׁםרַע (H7451) 'bad, evil'; completes the set phrase שֵׁם רָע, 'bad name/reputation'.
עַ֖לagainstprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (adversative)עַל (H5921) 'against'; marks the victim of the defamation.
בְּתוּלַ֣תa virgin ofN f sg constr · בְּתוּלָה (H1330)Object of preposition עַל (construct head)בְּתוּלָה (H1330) 'virgin'; in construct, 'a virgin of Israel' — her status as a wronged, previously-chaste Israelite daughter is emphasized.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain, 'virgin OF Israel')יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the offense is framed as against the covenant community, not merely one family.
וְלֽוֹand to himconj וְ + prep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְ (l-)Prepositional phrase (dative, fronted for emphasis)לְ + 3ms suffix; fronted to emphasize that she remains HIS wife, despite his attempt to be rid of her.
תִהְיֶ֣הshe shall remainQal impf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: durative/permanent — a standing, irrevocable statusהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; here 'she shall remain/continue to be', a binding legal status.
לְאִשָּׁ֔הas a wifeprep לְ + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Predicate complement of תִהְיֶהאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; completes the idiom הָיָה לְאִשָּׁה, 'become/remain [someone's] wife'.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the modal verb יוּכַללֹא (H3808), standard negative.
יוּכַ֥לhe mayQal impf 3ms · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (modal auxiliary, negated)→ Yiqtol (negated modal): 'he is not permitted' — a permanent legal disabilityיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; negated, 'he is not permitted to'; governs the following infinitive.
לְשַּׁלְּחָ֖הּto divorce herprep לְ + Piel inf constr + 3fs suffix · שָׁלַח (H7971)Infinitive construct (complement of יוּכַל)→ Infinitival: names the forbidden act — the husband forfeits forever the ordinary right of divorce (cf. Deut 24:1)שָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send away'; the technical legal term for divorce, the same root used positively of releasing the mother bird in v.7 — here permanently withheld as punishment.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival), adverbial accusative of durationכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct with יָמָיו, 'all his days'.
יָמָֽיוhis daysN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement of כָּל (adverbial accusative of duration)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the closing formula 'all his days' makes the marriage bond and the ban on divorce lifelong.
20

וְאִם אֱמֶ֣ת הָיָ֔ה הַדָּבָ֖ר הַזֶּ֑ה לֹא נִמְצְא֥וּ בְתוּלִ֖ים לנער לַֽנַּעֲרָֽה

But if this thing is true — the tokens of virginity were not found for the girl —

Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְאִםbut ifconj וְ + conditional particle · אִם (H518)Conditional protasis marker (contrary case to v.19)אִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the reverse condition — the accusation proving true rather than false.
אֱמֶ֣תtrueN f sg abs · אֱמֶת (H571)Predicate nominative (verbless/copular clause with הָיָה)אֱמֶת (H571) 'truth, faithfulness'; predicate of the clause, 'this thing was truth' = 'this thing was true'.
הָיָ֔הwasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (copular, protasis)→ Perfective: states the fact as an accomplished reality to be reckoned withהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; copular verb linking הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה to its predicate אֱמֶת.
הַדָּבָ֖רthingart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of הָיָהדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter, thing'; refers back to the husband's accusation of vv.14,17.
הַזֶּ֑הthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative adjective modifying הַדָּבָרזֶה (H2088) ms demonstrative 'this'; specifies the accusation just examined.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the main verb (apodosis)לֹא (H3808), standard negative.
נִמְצְא֥וּwere foundNiphal perf 3cp · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Perfective (Niphal, passive): a completed state — the evidentiary search yielded nothingמָצָא (H4672) Niphal (passive) 'to be found'; the tokens of virginity were sought, as in v.17's cloth-display, but not found — confirming the husband's charge.
בְתוּלִ֖יםtokens of virginityN c pl abs · בְּתוּלִים (H1331)Subject of נִמְצְאוּבְּתוּלִים (H1331); the same evidentiary term as vv.14,15,17, now confirmed absent.
לנערfor the girlprep לְ + art + N f sg abs (ketiv) · נַעֲרָה (H5291)Prepositional phrase (possessor/beneficiary; ketiv)נַעֲרָה (H5291) 'girl'; ketiv/qere pair as at v.15 — consonantal הנער (looks masc.) read as fem. הַנַּעֲרָה, here in the prepositional form.
לַֽנַּעֲרָֽהthe girlprep לְ + art + N f sg abs (qere) · נַעֲרָה (H5291)Prepositional phrase (possessor/beneficiary; qere)נַעֲרָה (H5291); full qere spelling completing the ketiv/qere pair with the preceding לנער.
21

וְהוֹצִ֨יאוּ אֶת הנער הַֽנַּעֲרָ֜ה אֶל פֶּ֣תַח בֵּית אָבִ֗יהָ וּסְקָלוּהָ֩ אַנְשֵׁ֨י עִירָ֤הּ בָּאֲבָנִים֙ וָמֵ֔תָה כִּֽי עָשְׂתָ֤ה נְבָלָה֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לִזְנ֖וֹת בֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יהָ וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥ הָרָ֖ע מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָ

then they shall bring the girl out to the entrance of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she has done an outrageous thing in Israel, playing the harlot in her father's house; so you shall purge the evil from your midst.

Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וְהוֹצִ֨יאוּthen they shall bring outconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3cp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb introducing the apodosis (execution procedure)→ Weqatal: apodictic — the required judicial actionיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; the same verb used for evidentiary display in vv.14,15,17,19, now for bringing the condemned woman out to her execution.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks הַנַּעֲרָה as object of וְהוֹצִיאוּ)
הנערthe girlart + N f sg abs (ketiv) · הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291)Direct object (ketiv)הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291); the recurring ketiv (הנער, looks masc.) / qere (fem.) pair — see note at v.15.
הַֽנַּעֲרָ֜הthe girlart + N f sg abs (qere) · הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291)Direct object (qere)הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291); full qere spelling completing the ketiv/qere pair.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (destination)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
פֶּ֣תַחthe entrance ofN m sg constr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Object of preposition אֶל (construct head)פֶּתַח (H6607) 'opening, entrance, doorway'; the site of execution — deliberately the same threshold where the family's honor was contested in vv.13-17.
בֵּיתthe house ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Genitive complement of פֶּתַח (construct chain)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'.
אָבִ֗יהָher fatherN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive (construct chain, possessor)אָב (H1) 'father'; the execution takes place at her own father's doorstep, a location freighted with shame.
וּסְקָלוּהָ֩and they shall stone herconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp + 3fs suffix · סָקַל (H5619)Predicate verb continuing the apodosis→ Weqatal: apodictic — the mode of executionסָקַל (H5619) 'to stone'; the community-administered death penalty, requiring collective participation rather than a single executioner.
אַנְשֵׁ֨יthe men ofN m pl constr · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (construct chain, genitival head)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; plural construct, 'the men of', the executing community.
עִירָ֤הּher cityN f sg constr + 3fs suffix · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of אַנְשֵׁי (construct chain)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; her own townsmen carry out the sentence, distinct from the elders who judge (vv.15,18).
בָּאֲבָנִים֙with stonesprep בְּ + art + N f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Prepositional phrase (instrumental)אֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; instrument of the capital sentence.
וָמֵ֔תָהand she shall dieconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3fs · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb continuing the apodosis (result)→ Weqatal: apodictic — the outcome of the stoningמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; states the sentence's fatal result explicitly.
כִּֽיbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (introduces causal/rationale clause)כִּי (H3588) 'because'; grounds the capital sentence in the offense.
עָשְׂתָ֤הshe has doneQal perf 3fs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the established offenseעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; here of committing a disgraceful act.
נְבָלָה֙an outrageous thingN f sg abs · נְבָלָה (H5039)Direct object of עָשְׂתָהנְבָלָה (H5039) 'disgraceful/outrageous folly'; a fixed legal-narrative term for grave sexual sin recurring at Gen 34:7, Judg 19:23-24, 2 Sam 13:12.
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔לin Israelprep בְּ + proper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Prepositional phrase (locative, modifies נְבָלָה)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the offense is against the whole covenant community, echoing v.19's בְּתוּלַת יִשְׂרָאֵל.
לִזְנ֖וֹתby playing the harlotprep לְ + Qal inf constr · זָנָה (H2181)Infinitival complement explaining נְבָלָה (epexegetical)→ Infinitival: explanatory — specifies the nature of the נְבָלָה just namedזָנָה (H2181) 'to be a harlot, act promiscuously'; explains the נְבָלָה as sexual unchastity, committed while still living, unmarried, in her father's house.
בֵּ֣יתin the house ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Locative construct chain (modifies לִזְנוֹת)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; locates the offense within her father's domestic sphere.
אָבִ֑יהָher fatherN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive complement of בֵּית (construct chain)אָב (H1) 'father'; her offense compounds the dishonor to her own household.
וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥so you shall purgeconj וְ + Piel weqatal 2ms · בָּעַר (H1197)Predicate verb (closing formula, main clause)→ Weqatal: apodictic — the community's collective obligation to remove wrongdoingבָּעַר (H1197) Piel 'to burn, consume, remove'; idiom בִּעֵר הָרָע מִקֶּרֶב, 'purge the evil from the midst' — the first of the chapter's three occurrences of this formula (cf. vv.22,24), binding the marriage-law capital cases into one legal unit.
הָרָ֖עthe evilart + Adj (substantival) m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Direct object of וּבִעַרְתָּרַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; substantival, 'the evil (thing/person)' — the wrongdoer and the wrongdoing together.
מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָfrom your midstprep מִן + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Prepositional phrase (source, completes the purge formula)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; the fixed formula locates the evil within the covenant community itself, which must be purged of it.
22

כִּֽי יִמָּצֵ֨א אִ֜ישׁ שֹׁכֵ֣ב עִם אִשָּׁ֣ה בְעֻֽלַת בַּ֗עַל וּמֵ֨תוּ֙ גַּם שְׁנֵיהֶ֔ם הָאִ֛ישׁ הַשֹּׁכֵ֥ב עִם הָאִשָּׁ֖ה וְהָאִשָּׁ֑ה וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥ הָרָ֖ע מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל

If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband, both of them shall die — the man who lay with the woman, and the woman; so you shall purge the evil from Israel.

Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
כִּֽיifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional protasis marker (new casuistic case)כִּי (H3588) 'if'; introduces the adultery law, parallel to v.6's bird's-nest and v.13's marriage cases.
יִמָּצֵ֨אis foundNiphal impf 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (protasis, main clause)→ Yiqtol (Niphal, passive): modal — the hypothetical circumstance of being caughtמָצָא (H4672) Niphal 'to be found'; the act must be discovered/witnessed, not merely alleged.
אִ֜ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יִמָּצֵאאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; indefinite, the general case.
שֹׁכֵ֣בlyingQal ptc m sg abs · שָׁכַב (H7901)Attributive/predicate participle describing the man's act→ Participle: characterizes the ongoing act discovered in progressשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down'; euphemism for sexual intercourse, as throughout this unit (cf. vv.23,25,28,29).
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase (comitative, object of שֹׁכֵב)עִם (H5973) 'with'.
אִשָּׁ֣הa womanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Object of preposition עִםאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; here specified as married by the following participle.
בְעֻֽלַתmarried toQal pass ptc f sg constr · בָּעַל (H1166)Attributive participle (construct, modifies אִשָּׁה)→ Passive participle: designates an established status — legally married, not merely betrothed (contrast v.23's מְאֹרָשָׂה)בָּעַל (H1166) 'to marry, be master/husband of'; passive participle construct, 'possessed-by-a-husband-of' = 'married to'; distinguishes full marriage from the betrothal cases of vv.23-27.
בַּ֗עַלa husbandN m sg abs · בַּעַל (H1167)Genitive complement of בְעֻלַת (construct chain)בַּעַל (H1167) 'lord, husband, owner'; same root as the preceding participle, 'married to a husband/owner'.
וּמֵ֨תוּ֙then they shall dieconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: apodictic — the capital sentence for both partiesמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; plural, applying to both the man and the woman equally.
גַּםevenadverb · גַּם (H1571)Emphatic adverb (intensifies שְׁנֵיהֶם)גַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; emphasizes that BOTH parties, without exception, are put to death.
שְׁנֵיהֶ֔םthe two of themnumeral m dual constr + 3mp suffix · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Subject of וּמֵתוּ (in apposition)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; dual with 3mp suffix, 'the two of them', restated in apposition to underscore equal culpability.
הָאִ֛ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Appositional restatement of שְׁנֵיהֶם (first element)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; now definite, resuming the man of the protasis for explicit restatement.
הַשֹּׁכֵ֥בwho layart + Qal ptc m sg abs · שָׁכַב (H7901)Attributive participle modifying הָאִישׁ→ Participle: identifies the man by his actשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down'; substantival/attributive, 'the one lying [with]'.
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase (comitative, object of הַשֹּׁכֵב)עִם (H5973) 'with'.
הָאִשָּׁ֖הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Object of preposition עִםאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; now definite, resuming the woman of the protasis.
וְהָאִשָּׁ֑הand the womanconj וְ + art + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositional restatement of שְׁנֵיהֶם (second element)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; the second half of the appositional restatement, completing 'the man ... and the woman' — chiastic symmetry underscoring equal guilt and equal penalty.
וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥so you shall purgeconj וְ + Piel weqatal 2ms · בָּעַר (H1197)Predicate verb (closing formula, main clause)→ Weqatal: apodictic — the community's obligationבָּעַר (H1197) Piel 'to burn, remove'; second occurrence of the purge formula (cf. v.21,24).
הָרָ֖עthe evilart + Adj (substantival) m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Direct object of וּבִעַרְתָּרַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; substantival, as in v.21.
מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽלfrom Israelprep מִן + proper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Prepositional phrase (source, completes the purge formula)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); here the formula reads מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, 'from Israel', varying v.21's מִקִּרְבֶּךָ, 'from your midst' — the same purge concept, nationally rather than personally addressed.
23

כִּ֤י יִהְיֶה֙ נער נַעֲרָ֣ה בְתוּלָ֔ה מְאֹרָשָׂ֖ה לְאִ֑ישׁ וּמְצָאָ֥הּ אִ֛ישׁ בָּעִ֖יר וְשָׁכַ֥ב עִמָּֽהּ

If there is a virgin girl betrothed to a man, and another man finds her in the city and lies with her,

Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
כִּ֤יifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional protasis marker (new casuistic case)כִּי (H3588) 'if'; introduces the betrothed-virgin case, the third scenario in the marriage-laws unit.
יִהְיֶה֙there isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential, protasis)→ Yiqtol: existential/modal — introduces a hypothetical individualהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; existential use, 'there is/happens to be [a girl]'.
נערa girlN f sg abs (ketiv) · נַעֲרָה (H5291)Subject of יִהְיֶה (ketiv)נַעֲרָה (H5291) 'girl'; ketiv/qere pair — here both spellings (נער then נַעֲרָה) appear side by side as separate entries, as at v.15.
נַעֲרָ֣הa girlN f sg abs (qere) · נַעֲרָה (H5291)Subject of יִהְיֶה (qere)נַעֲרָה (H5291); full qere spelling completing the ketiv/qere pair.
בְתוּלָ֔הa virginN f sg abs · בְּתוּלָה (H1330)Appositional noun modifying נַעֲרָהבְּתוּלָה (H1330) 'virgin'; specifies her status, as in v.19's בְּתוּלַת יִשְׂרָאֵל.
מְאֹרָשָׂ֖הbetrothedPual ptc f sg abs · אָרַשׂ (H781)Attributive participle modifying נַעֲרָה→ Passive participle: a legally established status — engaged but not yet marriedאָרַשׂ (H781) 'to betroth'; Pual passive participle, 'betrothed'; betrothal created a binding legal tie treated as marriage for purposes of fidelity, though cohabitation had not begun.
לְאִ֑ישׁto a manprep לְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Prepositional phrase (dative, complement of מְאֹרָשָׂה)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; her betrothed husband-to-be.
וּמְצָאָ֥הּand finds herconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms + 3fs suffix · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (protasis continues)→ Perfective (in a conditional protasis, prospective sense): the chance encounterמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; here of a man other than her betrothed encountering her.
אִ֛ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וּמְצָאָהּאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; a second, different man from her betrothed — the potential offender.
בָּעִ֖ירin the cityprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Locative prepositional phrase (crucial for the verdict of v.24)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; the location is the legal crux distinguishing this case (v.24, both die) from the field-case of v.25 (only the man dies).
וְשָׁכַ֥בand liesconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate verb (protasis continues)→ Perfective: the act itself, completing the hypothetical scenarioשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down'; euphemism for intercourse, as in v.22.
עִמָּֽהּwith herprep עִם + 3fs suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase (comitative, object of וְשָׁכַב)עִם (H5973) 'with'; completes the protasis whose apodosis (verdict) follows in v.24.
24

וְהוֹצֵאתֶ֨ם אֶת שְׁנֵיהֶ֜ם אֶל שַׁ֣עַר הָעִ֣יר הַהִ֗וא וּסְקַלְתֶּ֨ם אֹתָ֥ם בָּאֲבָנִים֮ וָמֵתוּ֒ אֶת הנער הַֽנַּעֲרָ֗ה עַל דְּבַר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא צָעֲקָ֣ה בָעִ֔יר וְאֶ֨ת הָאִ֔ישׁ עַל דְּבַ֥ר אֲשֶׁר עִנָּ֖ה אֶת אֵ֣שֶׁת רֵעֵ֑הוּ וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥ הָרָ֖ע מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָ

then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city and stone them to death with stones — the girl, because she did not cry out in the city, and the man, because he violated his neighbor's wife; so you shall purge the evil from your midst.

Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
וְהוֹצֵאתֶ֨םthen you shall bring outconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 2mp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb introducing the apodosis (execution procedure)→ Weqatal: apodictic — the required judicial action, now addressed to the community (2mp)יָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; 2mp, addressed to the community/court collectively, unlike the 3cp of v.21's parallel.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks שְׁנֵיהֶם as object of וְהוֹצֵאתֶם)
שְׁנֵיהֶ֜םthe two of themnumeral m dual constr + 3mp suffix · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Direct objectשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; both the girl and the man are brought out together, as in v.22.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (destination)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
שַׁ֣עַרthe gate ofN m sg constr · שַׁעַר (H8179)Object of preposition אֶל (construct head)שַׁעַר (H8179) 'gate'; the site of execution here, distinct from v.21's doorway — the public city gate, the customary place of judgment (cf. v.15).
הָעִ֣ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of שַׁעַר (construct chain)עִיר (H5892) 'city'.
הַהִ֗ואthatart + demonstrative pron 3fs · הוּא (H1931)Demonstrative adjective modifying הָעִירהוּא (H1931) 3fs demonstrative used adjectivally, 'that (city)'; the city named in v.23.
וּסְקַלְתֶּ֨םand you shall stoneconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · סָקַל (H5619)Predicate verb continuing the apodosis→ Weqatal: apodictic — the mode of execution, 2mpסָקַל (H5619) 'to stone'; the community-administered penalty, as in v.21.
אֹתָ֥םthemobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וּסְקַלְתֶּם)אֵת (H853) with 3mp suffix, referring to both parties.
בָּאֲבָנִים֮with stonesprep בְּ + art + N f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Prepositional phrase (instrumental)אֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; instrument of the sentence, as in v.21.
וָמֵתוּ֒and they shall dieconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb continuing the apodosis (result)→ Weqatal: apodictic — the outcomeמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; plural, both parties, as in v.22's parallel.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (resumes/specifies הנער for the rationale that follows)אֵת (H853) here reintroduces הַנַּעֲרָה as the topic of the first rationale-clause, functioning almost as a casus-pendens marker ('as for the girl...').
הנערthe girlart + N f sg abs (ketiv) · הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291)Topic/resumed object (ketiv)הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291); ketiv/qere pair — see note at v.15.
הַֽנַּעֲרָ֗הthe girlart + N f sg abs (qere) · הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291)Topic/resumed object (qere)הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291); full qere spelling completing the ketiv/qere pair.
עַלbecause ofprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (causal, introduces rationale)עַל (H5921) here causal, 'on account of, because of'.
דְּבַר֙the matter thatN m sg constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Object of preposition עַל (construct head)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter'; construct governing the following relative clause, 'the matter that...'.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces relative clause modifying דְּבַר)אֲשֶׁר (H834), the invariable relative particle.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard negative.
צָעֲקָ֣הshe cried outQal perf 3fs · צָעַק (H6817)Predicate verb (relative clause, the girl's rationale)→ Perfective (negated): the establishing fact — her failure to cry for helpצָעַק (H6817) 'to cry out, call for help'; her silence, within earshot of the city, is read as consent — the crux distinguishing this verse's verdict from v.25's field-case.
בָעִ֔ירin the cityprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Locative prepositional phrase (modifies צָעֲקָה)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; the setting that makes her silence legally significant — cries would have been heard.
וְאֶ֨תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (introduces the second rationale, for the man)וְ joins the second topic; אֵת reintroduces הָאִישׁ, structurally parallel to the girl's clause.
הָאִ֔ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Topic/resumed objectאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the offender, now given his own parallel rationale-clause.
עַלbecause ofprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (causal, introduces second rationale)עַל (H5921) causal, parallel to the first occurrence above.
דְּבַ֥רthe matter thatN m sg constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Object of preposition עַל (construct head)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter'; construct, parallel to the girl's clause.
אֲשֶׁרthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces relative clause modifying דְּבַר)אֲשֶׁר (H834), the invariable relative particle.
עִנָּ֖הhe violatedPiel perf 3ms · עָנָה (H6031)Predicate verb (relative clause, the man's rationale)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the establishing offenseעָנָה II (H6031) Piel 'to violate, humble sexually'; the specialized homonym distinct from the common 'to answer', naming forced/illicit sexual violation; recurs at v.29 for the unbetrothed case.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks אֵשֶׁת רֵעֵהוּ as object of עִנָּה)
אֵ֣שֶׁתthe wife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object (construct head)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife, woman'; construct, 'wife of' — she is legally termed the 'wife' of her betrothed even before marriage, since betrothal was binding.
רֵעֵ֑הוּhis neighborN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · רֵעַ (H7453)Genitive complement of אֵשֶׁת (construct chain)רֵעַ (H7453) 'neighbor, companion'; her betrothed is termed the offender's 'neighbor' — the violation is framed as a wrong against a fellow Israelite, not merely a sexual sin.
וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥so you shall purgeconj וְ + Piel weqatal 2ms · בָּעַר (H1197)Predicate verb (closing formula, main clause)→ Weqatal: apodictic — the community's obligationבָּעַר (H1197) Piel 'to burn, remove'; third occurrence of the purge formula (cf. vv.21,22), completing the triad.
הָרָ֖עthe evilart + Adj (substantival) m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Direct object of וּבִעַרְתָּרַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; substantival, as in vv.21-22.
מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָfrom your midstprep מִן + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Prepositional phrase (source, completes the purge formula)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst'; the formula returns to the personal מִקִּרְבֶּךָ of v.21, framing this final purge-formula occurrence.
25

וְֽאִם בַּשָּׂדֶ֞ה יִמְצָ֣א הָאִ֗ישׁ אֶת הנער הַֽנַּעֲרָה֙ הַמְאֹ֣רָשָׂ֔ה וְהֶחֱזִֽיק בָּ֥הּ הָאִ֖ישׁ וְשָׁכַ֣ב עִמָּ֑הּ וּמֵ֗ת הָאִ֛ישׁ אֲשֶׁר שָׁכַ֥ב עִמָּ֖הּ לְבַדּֽוֹ

But if the man finds the betrothed girl in the open field, and the man seizes her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die.

Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְֽאִםbut ifconj וְ + conditional particle · אִם (H518)Conditional protasis marker (contrary case to v.23-24)אִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the field-scenario, structurally paired with v.23's city-scenario.
בַּשָּׂדֶ֞הin the open fieldprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Locative prepositional phrase (fronted for contrast with v.23's בָּעִיר)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open country'; fronted for emphasis, deliberately contrasting with v.23's בָּעִיר — the location is the entire legal crux of this case.
יִמְצָ֣אfindsQal impf 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (protasis, main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/hypothetical — the chance encounter, as in v.23מָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; the same verb as v.23's וּמְצָאָהּ, now in the yiqtol form.
הָאִ֗ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יִמְצָאאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the offender, as in v.23.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marks הַנַּעֲרָה as object of יִמְצָא)
הנערthe girlart + N f sg abs (ketiv) · הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291)Direct object (ketiv)הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291); ketiv/qere pair — see note at v.15.
הַֽנַּעֲרָה֙the girlart + N f sg abs (qere) · הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291)Direct object (qere)הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291); full qere spelling completing the ketiv/qere pair.
הַמְאֹ֣רָשָׂ֔הthe betrothedart + Pual ptc f sg abs · אָרַשׂ (H781)Attributive participle modifying הַנַּעֲרָה→ Passive participle: her established legal status, unchanged from v.23אָרַשׂ (H781) Pual 'betrothed'; the same status-marker as v.23, confirming this is the identical case relocated to the field.
וְהֶחֱזִֽיקand he seizesconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms · חָזַק (H2388)Predicate verb (protasis continues) — the element distinguishing this case from v.23→ Weqatal: apodictic-continuing — signals force/compulsion, absent from v.23's parallel wordingחָזַק (H2388) 'to be strong'; Hiphil 'to seize, overpower, take hold of' — this verb, absent in v.23, signals coercion and grounds the presumption of innocence developed in v.26.
בָּ֥הּherprep בְּ + 3fs suffix · בְּ (b-)Prepositional phrase (object of וְהֶחֱזִיק)בְּ + 3fs suffix, object of 'seize hold of'.
הָאִ֖ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (resumed/restated)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; subject restated for clarity after the intervening phrase.
וְשָׁכַ֣בand liesconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate verb (protasis continues)→ Perfective: the act itselfשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down'; euphemism for intercourse, as in v.23.
עִמָּ֑הּwith herprep עִם + 3fs suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase (comitative, object of וְשָׁכַב)עִם (H5973) 'with'; completes the protasis.
וּמֵ֗תthen shall dieconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: apodictic — the sentence, now singular unlike v.24's pluralמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; singular, marking the sharp reversal from v.24's plural verdict — only one party is condemned here.
הָאִ֛ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וּמֵתאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the sole party condemned.
אֲשֶׁרwhorel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces relative clause modifying הָאִישׁ)אֲשֶׁר (H834), the invariable relative particle.
שָׁכַ֥בlayQal perf 3ms · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: the completed act identifying the guilty partyשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down'; identifies the man by his act, restricting the death sentence to him alone.
עִמָּ֖הּwith herprep עִם + 3fs suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase (comitative, object of שָׁכַב)עִם (H5973) 'with'.
לְבַדּֽוֹaloneprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · בַּד (H905)Adverbial phrase (emphasizes exclusivity of the man's culpability)בַּד (H905) 'separation, alone'; idiom לְבַדּוֹ, 'by himself, alone' — the verse's climactic word, isolating the man's sole guilt and, by implication, the woman's complete innocence.
26

ולנער וְלַֽנַּעֲרָה֙ לֹא תַעֲשֶׂ֣ה דָבָ֔ר אֵ֥ין לנער לַֽנַּעֲרָ֖ה חֵ֣טְא מָ֑וֶת כִּ֡י כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ יָק֨וּם אִ֤ישׁ עַל רֵעֵ֨הוּ֙ וּרְצָח֣וֹ נֶ֔פֶשׁ כֵּ֖ן הַדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה

But to the girl you shall do nothing; the girl has committed no sin worthy of death. For just as a man rises against his neighbor and murders him, so is this matter.

Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ולנערand to the girlconj וְ + prep לְ + art + N f sg abs (ketiv) · נַעֲרָה (H5291)Prepositional phrase (dative, fronted topic; ketiv)נַעֲרָה (H5291) 'girl'; ketiv/qere pair — an unusual doubled entry with the conjunction attached to both spellings; see following entry.
וְלַֽנַּעֲרָה֙and to the girlconj וְ + prep לְ + art + N f sg abs (qere) · נַעֲרָה (H5291)Prepositional phrase (dative, fronted topic; qere)נַעֲרָה (H5291); full qere spelling completing the ketiv/qere pair with the preceding ולנער.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the main verb (apodictic prohibition)לֹא (H3808), standard negative.
תַעֲשֶׂ֣הyou shall doQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol (negated): durative prohibition — no penalty whatsoever is to be inflicted on herעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; here 'do [anything to her]', a blanket prohibition against punishing the girl.
דָבָ֔רanythingN m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of תַעֲשֶׂהדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; indefinite here, 'anything' — the negated verb plus this object yields 'you shall do nothing [to her]'.
אֵ֥יןthere is noexistential negative particle · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of existential negation (verbless clause)אַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; negates the existence of any culpable sin.
לנערfor the girlprep לְ + art + N f sg abs (ketiv) · נַעֲרָה (H5291)Prepositional phrase (possessor; ketiv)נַעֲרָה (H5291); ketiv/qere pair — see note at v.15.
לַֽנַּעֲרָ֖הthe girlprep לְ + art + N f sg abs (qere) · נַעֲרָה (H5291)Prepositional phrase (possessor; qere)נַעֲרָה (H5291); full qere spelling completing the ketiv/qere pair.
חֵ֣טְאsin ofN m sg constr · חֵטְא (H2399)Subject of the existential clause (construct head)חֵטְא (H2399) 'sin, offense'; construct with מָוֶת, 'a sin of death' = a capital offense.
מָ֑וֶתdeathN m sg abs · מָוֶת (H4194)Genitive complement of חֵטְא (construct chain)מָוֶת (H4194) 'death'; the phrase חֵטְא מָוֶת, 'a capital sin', echoes the idiom used elsewhere for offenses warranting execution (cf. Deut 21:22).
כִּ֡יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (introduces the rationale/analogy)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the chapter's most explicit piece of legal-analogical reasoning.
כַּאֲשֶׁר֩just asprep כְּ + rel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction (introduces the analogy clause)כְּ + אֲשֶׁר, 'just as, according as'; sets up the direct comparison to homicide that follows.
יָק֨וּםrisesQal impf 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (comparative clause)→ Yiqtol: generic/gnomic — describes a general, timeless caseקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, stand'; here idiomatic 'to rise up against' = to attack.
אִ֤ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יָקוּםאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the hypothetical assailant in the comparison, deliberately generic.
עַלagainstprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (adversative, object of יָקוּם)עַל (H5921) 'against'; idiom קָם עַל, 'to rise up against, attack'.
רֵעֵ֨הוּ֙his neighborN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · רֵעַ (H7453)Object of preposition עַלרֵעַ (H7453) 'neighbor, companion'; the victim in the analogy, framed as a fellow member of the community, as in v.24.
וּרְצָח֣וֹand murders himconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms + 3ms suffix · רָצַח (H7523)Predicate verb (comparative clause, continues the analogy)→ Perfective (gnomic): the completed, decisive act of homicide within the analogyרָצַח (H7523) 'to murder, kill unlawfully'; the specific verb for illegitimate killing, chosen precisely because it names an act with an unambiguously innocent victim — the analogy's entire force depends on this.
נֶ֔פֶשׁa lifeN common sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Adverbial accusative (specifies the object/nature of the killing)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, person'; adverbial accusative reinforcing the fatal nature of the act — literally 'murders him [as to] a life'.
כֵּ֖ןsoadv · כֵּן (H3651)Comparative correlative (resumes/completes כַּאֲשֶׁר)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; correlates with כַּאֲשֶׁר to complete the comparison — 'just as X, so Y'.
הַדָּבָ֥רis the matterart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of the verbless comparative clauseדָּבָר (H1697) 'matter, case'; refers to the field-assault case of v.25, now explicitly likened to murder.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative adjective modifying הַדָּבָרזֶה (H2088) ms demonstrative 'this'; closes the analogy, 'so is this matter [that we have been discussing]'.
27

כִּ֥י בַשָּׂדֶ֖ה מְצָאָ֑הּ צָעֲקָ֗ה הנער הַֽנַּעֲרָה֙ הַמְאֹ֣רָשָׂ֔ה וְאֵ֥ין מוֹשִׁ֖יעַ לָֽהּ

For he found her in the open field; the betrothed girl cried out, but there was no one to save her.

Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (introduces supporting rationale)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; grounds v.26's ruling in the concrete facts of the scene.
בַשָּׂדֶ֖הin the open fieldprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Locative prepositional phraseשָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field'; restates the setting of v.25, the crux of the case.
מְצָאָ֑הּhe found herQal perf 3ms + 3fs suffix · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive event — the encounter that precipitated the assaultמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; the same verb as v.25, restating the chance encounter.
צָעֲקָ֗הshe cried outQal perf 3fs · צָעַק (H6817)Predicate verb (new clause, restating the scene)→ Perfective: a completed act — she did cry, unlike the city-case where her silence was the issueצָעַק (H6817) 'to cry out'; unlike v.24's negated צָעֲקָה, here she is affirmed to have cried out, but to no avail — the point is not her silence but the absence of a rescuer.
הנערthe girlart + N f sg abs (ketiv) · הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291)Subject of צָעֲקָה (ketiv)הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291); ketiv/qere pair — see note at v.15.
הַֽנַּעֲרָה֙the girlart + N f sg abs (qere) · הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291)Subject of צָעֲקָה (qere)הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291); full qere spelling completing the ketiv/qere pair.
הַמְאֹ֣רָשָׂ֔הthe betrothedart + Pual ptc f sg abs · אָרַשׂ (H781)Attributive participle modifying הַנַּעֲרָה→ Passive participle: her unchanged legal statusאָרַשׂ (H781) Pual 'betrothed'; reaffirms her status, tying this verse back to vv.23,25.
וְאֵ֥יןbut there was noconj וְ + existential negative particle · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of existential negation (adversative clause)אַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; states the decisive fact — no rescuer existed, regardless of her cry.
מוֹשִׁ֖יעַone to saveHiphil ptc m sg abs · יָשַׁע (H3467)Subject of the existential negation (substantival participle)→ Participle: substantival — 'a savior/rescuer', a general category, none of which existedיָשַׁע (H3467) Hiphil 'to save, deliver'; substantival participle, 'one who saves/rescues' — the field's isolation made rescue impossible.
לָֽהּherprep לְ + 3fs suffix · לְ (l-)Prepositional phrase (dative, object of מוֹשִׁיעַ)לְ + 3fs suffix, 'for her'; completes the verse's final, decisive statement of her helplessness.
28

כִּֽי יִמְצָ֣א אִ֗ישׁ נער נַעֲרָ֤ה בְתוּלָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹא אֹרָ֔שָׂה וּתְפָשָׂ֖הּ וְשָׁכַ֣ב עִמָּ֑הּ וְנִמְצָֽאוּ

If a man finds an unbetrothed virgin girl and seizes her and lies with her, and they are found,

Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
כִּֽיifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional protasis marker (new casuistic case)כִּי (H3588) 'if'; introduces the chapter's final marriage-law scenario.
יִמְצָ֣אfindsQal impf 3ms · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (protasis, main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/hypothetical — the chance encounter, as in vv.23,25מָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; the same verb pattern as the preceding betrothed-virgin cases.
אִ֗ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יִמְצָאאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the offender.
נערa girlN f sg abs (ketiv) · נַעֲרָה (H5291)Direct object of יִמְצָא (ketiv)נַעֲרָה (H5291); ketiv/qere pair, as in v.23 — see note at v.15.
נַעֲרָ֤הa girlN f sg abs (qere) · נַעֲרָה (H5291)Direct object of יִמְצָא (qere)נַעֲרָה (H5291); full qere spelling completing the ketiv/qere pair.
בְתוּלָה֙a virginN f sg abs · בְּתוּלָה (H1330)Appositional noun modifying נַעֲרָהבְּתוּלָה (H1330) 'virgin'; as in v.23, but crucially unqualified by betrothal here.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introduces relative clause modifying נַעֲרָה)אֲשֶׁר (H834), the invariable relative particle.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the following verbלֹא (H3808), standard negative.
אֹרָ֔שָׂהis betrothedPual perf 3fs · אָרַשׂ (H781)Predicate verb (relative clause, negated)→ Perfective (Pual, negated): a settled state that does NOT hold — the crucial legal distinction from vv.23-27אָרַשׂ (H781) Pual 'to be betrothed'; negated here — the girl has no prior legal tie, which is precisely what removes this case from the adultery/betrothal framework of vv.23-27.
וּתְפָשָׂ֖הּand seizes herconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms + 3fs suffix · תָּפַשׂ (H8610)Predicate verb (protasis continues)→ Perfective: the decisive act of forceful captureתָּפַשׂ (H8610) 'to seize, grasp, capture'; elsewhere used of arresting fugitives or catching animals — as forceful as v.25's הֶחֱזִיק, signaling this is not a consensual encounter.
וְשָׁכַ֣בand liesconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate verb (protasis continues)→ Perfective: the act itselfשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down'; euphemism for intercourse, as throughout this unit.
עִמָּ֑הּwith herprep עִם + 3fs suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase (comitative, object of וְשָׁכַב)עִם (H5973) 'with'.
וְנִמְצָֽאוּand they are foundconj וְ + Niphal perf 3cp · מָצָא (H4672)Predicate verb (protasis concludes; passive)→ Perfective (Niphal, passive): the act is discovered — the triggering condition for the remedy of v.29מָצָא (H4672) Niphal 'to be found, be discovered'; unlike the betrothed cases, here discovery — not a location or a cry — triggers the legal remedy of v.29.
29

וְ֠נָתַן הָאִ֨ישׁ הַשֹּׁכֵ֥ב עִמָּ֛הּ לַאֲבִ֥י הנער הַֽנַּעֲרָ֖ה חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים כָּ֑סֶף וְלֽוֹ תִהְיֶ֣ה לְאִשָּׁ֗ה תַּ֚חַת אֲשֶׁ֣ר עִנָּ֔הּ לֹא יוּכַ֥ל שַׁלְּחָ֖ה כָּל יָמָֽיו

then the man who lay with her shall give the girl's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife because he violated her; he may not divorce her all his days.

Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְ֠נָתַןthen shall giveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: apodictic — the required paymentנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the fine paid to the father, echoing v.19's fine-structure, though here the wrong is against an unbetrothed girl.
הָאִ֨ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וְנָתַןאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the offender, identified by his act in the following participle.
הַשֹּׁכֵ֥בwho layart + Qal ptc m sg abs · שָׁכַב (H7901)Attributive participle modifying הָאִישׁ→ Participle: identifies the man by his actשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down'; substantival/attributive, as in v.22's parallel structure.
עִמָּ֛הּwith herprep עִם + 3fs suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase (comitative, object of הַשֹּׁכֵב)עִם (H5973) 'with'.
לַאֲבִ֥יto the father ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · אָב (H1)Indirect object (construct head)אָב (H1) 'father'; recipient of the payment, as in v.19.
הנערthe girlart + N f sg abs (ketiv) · הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291)Genitive complement of לַאֲבִי (construct chain; ketiv)הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291); ketiv/qere pair — see note at v.15.
הַֽנַּעֲרָ֖הthe girlart + N f sg abs (qere) · הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291)Genitive complement of לַאֲבִי (construct chain; qere)הַנַּעֲרָה (H5291); full qere spelling completing the ketiv/qere pair — the ninth and final occurrence of this pair in the chapter.
חֲמִשִּׁ֣יםfiftynumeral common pl abs · חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572)Adverbial accusative (quantifying the payment)חֲמִשִּׁים (H2572) 'fifty'; half the hundred-shekel fine of v.19 — here compensation to the father rather than a punitive fine for slander.
כָּ֑סֶףshekels of silverN m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Genitive of measure (apposition to חֲמִשִּׁים)כֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; the standard payment medium, as in v.19.
וְלֽוֹand to himconj וְ + prep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְ (l-)Prepositional phrase (dative, fronted)לְ + 3ms suffix; fronted, verbatim matching v.19's construction, 'and to him she shall be...'.
תִהְיֶ֣הshe shall beQal impf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: durative/permanent — a mandatory, binding statusהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; here mandating marriage, not merely permitting it — the legal remedy's most difficult feature to modern readers.
לְאִשָּׁ֗הas a wifeprep לְ + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Predicate complement of תִהְיֶהאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; completes the idiom הָיָה לְאִשָּׁה, as in v.19.
תַּ֚חַתbecauseprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Subordinating conjunction (causal, introduces rationale)תַּחַת (H8478) 'under, instead of'; here causal, 'because, in consequence of' — grounding the mandatory marriage in the preceding violation.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (completes the causal phrase תַּחַת אֲשֶׁר)אֲשֶׁר (H834), the invariable relative particle; תַּחַת אֲשֶׁר together function as a compound causal conjunction, 'because'.
עִנָּ֔הּhe violated herPiel perf 3ms + 3fs suffix · עָנָה (H6031)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the established violationעָנָה II (H6031) Piel 'to violate, humble sexually'; the same specialized verb as v.24, its second and final occurrence, closing the marriage-laws unit on this term.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the modal verb יוּכַללֹא (H3808), standard negative.
יוּכַ֥לhe mayQal impf 3ms · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (modal auxiliary, negated)→ Yiqtol (negated modal): 'he is not permitted' — a permanent legal disability, verbatim matching v.19יָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; negated, governs the following infinitive, exactly as in v.19.
שַׁלְּחָ֖הto divorce herPiel inf constr + 3fs suffix · שָׁלַח (H7971)Infinitive construct (complement of יוּכַל)→ Infinitival: names the permanently forbidden actשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send away'; the technical term for divorce, as in v.19 — here the same never-divorce clause used to punish a slanderer in v.19 instead binds an assault victim to her assailant for life.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival), adverbial accusative of durationכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct with יָמָיו, as in v.19.
יָמָֽיוhis daysN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive complement of כָּל (adverbial accusative of duration)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the chapter's closing words — 'all his days' — sealing the marriage-laws unit, and the chapter, on its hardest and most unresolved case.