1
לֹא יִקַּ֥ח אִ֖ישׁ אֶת אֵ֣שֶׁת אָבִ֑יו וְלֹ֥א יְגַלֶּ֖ה כְּנַ֥ף אָבִֽיו
A man shall not take his father's wife, and shall not uncover his father's skirt.
This verse closes out the sexual-purity material begun in ch. 22 (the stepmother ban, cf. Lev 18:8) before the chapter turns, from v. 2, to an entirely new topic — who may belong to Israel's worshiping assembly. It functions as a hinge verse.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808) the standard Hebrew negative particle, negating finite verbs (as opposed to אַל for volitives).
יִקַּ֥חhe shall takeQal impf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibitive use of yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — negated imperfect expressing categorical prohibitionלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; with אִשָּׁה the idiom 'to take a wife' = to marry.
אִ֖ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subjectאִישׁ (H376) 'man, husband'; here the subject of the prohibition, any Israelite male.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the definite direct object אֵשֶׁת אָבִיו; untranslated.
אֵ֣שֶׁתthe wife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object (construct head)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; construct form אֵשֶׁת governs the following genitive אָבִיו.
אָבִ֑יוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suff · אָב (H1)Genitive (construct chain, possessor)אָב (H1) 'father'; with 3ms suffix, 'his father' — the wife in view is a stepmother, not the man's own mother (cf. Lev 18:8).
וְלֹ֥אand shall notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negationוְ joins the second clause; לֹא (H3808) negates the following verb.
יְגַלֶּ֖הhe shall uncoverPiel impf 3ms · גָּלָה (H1540)Predicate verb (second prohibition)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — categorical prohibitionגָּלָה (H1540) 'to uncover, expose'; in Piel here a euphemism for sexual relations, paralleling עֶרְוָה גִּלָּה elsewhere.
כְּנַ֥ףthe skirt ofN f sg constr · כָּנָף (H3671)Direct object (construct head, euphemistic idiom)כָּנָף (H3671) 'wing, skirt/corner of a garment'; 'uncover the skirt' is an idiom for claiming the sexual privileges over one's father's wife (cf. Ruth 3:9).
אָבִֽיוhis fatherN m sg constr + 3ms suff · אָב (H1)Genitive (construct chain, possessor)אָב (H1) 'father'; the garment-skirt belongs to the father, standing for his marital right over the woman.
2
לֹֽא יָבֹ֧א פְצֽוּעַ דַּכָּ֛א וּכְר֥וּת שָׁפְכָ֖ה בִּקְהַ֥ל יְהוָֽה
One whose testicles are crushed or whose member is cut off shall not enter the assembly of YHWH.
Asyndetic opening of a new legal unit (vv. 2–9): the boundaries of the qahal, YHWH's worshiping assembly. The case moves from the father's-wife prohibition of v. 1 to a catalogue of who may and may not be admitted.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verb (prohibitive clause)לֹא (H3808) the standard Hebrew negative particle, negating the finite verb יָבֹא; opens the first exclusion in the assembly-admission list.
יָבֹ֧אshall enterQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibitive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — categorical exclusionבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; here of admission into the קָהָל, the assembled worshiping community of Israel.
פְצֽוּעַone crushed ofQal passive ptc ms constr · פָּצַע (H6481)Subject (substantival participle, construct head of idiom)→ Passive participle: a resulting state from injuryפָּצַע (H6481) 'to wound, bruise, crush'; in construct with דַּכָּא it denotes a man whose testicles have been crushed — violent emasculation.
דַּכָּ֛אthe crushed memberN m sg abs · דַּכָּא (H1795)Genitive complement completing the construct idiomדַּכָּא (H1795), a rare noun 'crushed, bruised (part)' (hapax legomenon), euphemistic for the testicle; פְּצוּעַ־דַּכָּא = 'one with crushed testicles'.
וּכְר֥וּתand one cut ofconj וְ + Qal passive ptc ms constr · כָּרַת (H3772)Coordinate subject (second substantival participle)→ Passive participle: a resulting state from mutilationכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut off'; in construct with שָׁפְכָה, 'one whose member is severed' — the second class of emasculated men barred.
שָׁפְכָ֖הthe memberN f sg abs · שָׁפְכָה (H8212)Genitive complement completing the construct idiomשָׁפְכָה (H8212), literally 'a pouring' (hapax legomenon), from שָׁפַךְ 'to pour' — a euphemism for the male member as the organ of urination.
בִּקְהַ֥לinto the assembly ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קָהָל (H6951)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)קָהָל (H6951) 'assembly, congregation'; קְהַל יְהוָה is the covenant community gathered for worship — the term at stake through v. 9.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain, possessor)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; the assembly belongs to him, so admission is a theological, not merely social, boundary.
3
לֹא יָבֹ֥א מַמְזֵ֖ר בִּקְהַ֣ל יְהוָ֑ה גַּ֚ם דּ֣וֹר עֲשִׂירִ֔י לֹא יָ֥בֹא ל֖וֹ בִּקְהַ֥ל יְהוָֽה
A mamzer shall not enter the assembly of YHWH; even to the tenth generation none of his shall enter the assembly of YHWH.
The מַמְזֵר (traditionally 'bastard,' though the term's precise referent — perhaps a child of incest or of a forbidden union — is disputed in Jewish and Christian exegesis) is barred for ten generations, i.e. effectively forever; the repetition of 'assembly of YHWH' brackets the verse.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verb (prohibitive clause)לֹא (H3808), negating יָבֹא; opens the second case in the assembly-admission catalogue.
יָבֹ֥אshall enterQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibitive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — categorical exclusionבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; of admission into the assembly of YHWH.
מַמְזֵ֖רa mamzerN m sg abs · מַמְזֵר (H4464)Subjectמַמְזֵר (H4464), of uncertain etymology and referent (only here and Zech 9:6); rabbinic tradition restricts it to offspring of specifically forbidden unions rather than illegitimacy generally — 'bastard' overtranslates.
בִּקְהַ֣לinto the assembly ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קָהָל (H6951)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)קָהָל (H6951) 'assembly'; the mamzer's exclusion parallels that of the emasculated man in v. 2.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain, possessor)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; first occurrence of the phrase repeated to close the verse.
גַּ֚םevenadverb · גַּם (H1571)Focus/additive adverb modifying the following phraseגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; intensifies the extent of exclusion — not merely the mamzer himself but his descendants for ten generations.
דּ֣וֹרgenerationN m sg abs · דּוֹר (H1755)Adverbial accusative of extent (temporal)דּוֹר (H1755) 'generation, age'; forms the idiom 'tenth generation' marking a durationally extreme, effectively permanent, exclusion.
עֲשִׂירִ֔יtenthordinal adj m sg abs · עֲשִׂירִי (H6224)Attributive adjective modifying דּוֹרעֲשִׂירִי (H6224) 'tenth', from עֶשֶׂר 'ten'; the round number functions idiomatically for 'forever', not a literal countdown.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), negating the resumed verb יָבֹא — a second, emphatic prohibition closing the ring structure of the verse.
יָ֥בֹאshall enterQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (resumptive, main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — categorical exclusionבּוֹא (H935); the repetition of the verb from earlier in the verse reinforces the totality of the ban across generations.
ל֖וֹof hisprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְ (H3807)Dative of possession/reference ('none belonging to him')לְ + suffix marks the mamzer's descendants ('to/of him') as likewise excluded from the assembly.
בִּקְהַ֥לinto the assembly ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קָהָל (H6951)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)קָהָל (H6951); the phrase's second occurrence in the verse forms an inclusio around the tenth-generation clause.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain, possessor)יְהוָה (H3068); closes the verse with the divine name repeated for emphasis.
4
לֹֽא יָבֹ֧א עַמּוֹנִ֛י וּמוֹאָבִ֖י בִּקְהַ֣ל יְהוָ֑ה גַּ֚ם דּ֣וֹר עֲשִׂירִ֔י לֹא יָבֹ֥א לָהֶ֛ם בִּקְהַ֥ל יְהוָ֖ה עַד עוֹלָֽם
An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter the assembly of YHWH; even to the tenth generation none of theirs shall ever enter the assembly of YHWH, forever.
Ammon and Moab receive the harshest formula in the list: 'forever' (עַד עוֹלָם) is added to the tenth-generation idiom. The reason follows immediately in vv. 5–6, making this the most heavily justified exclusion of the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), opening the third and harshest case of the assembly-admission catalogue.
יָבֹ֧אshall enterQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibitive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — categorical exclusionבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; of admission into the assembly of YHWH.
עַמּוֹנִ֛יan Ammonitegentilic adj m sg abs · עַמּוֹנִי (H5984)Subjectעַמּוֹנִי (H5984) 'Ammonite', gentilic of עַמּוֹן; descendant of Lot through his younger daughter (Gen 19:38), Israel's kin-turned-adversary east of the Jordan.
וּמוֹאָבִ֖יor a Moabiteconj וְ + gentilic adj m sg abs · מוֹאָבִי (H4125)Coordinate subjectמוֹאָבִי (H4125) 'Moabite', gentilic of מוֹאָב; descendant of Lot through his elder daughter (Gen 19:37), paired with Ammon throughout this indictment.
בִּקְהַ֣לinto the assembly ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קָהָל (H6951)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)קָהָל (H6951); the third invocation of the phrase, now attached to a national rather than individual exclusion.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain, possessor)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
גַּ֚םevenadverb · גַּם (H1571)Focus/additive adverb modifying the following phraseגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; intensifies the extent of exclusion to Ammon/Moab's descendants.
דּ֣וֹרgenerationN m sg abs · דּוֹר (H1755)Adverbial accusative of extent (temporal)דּוֹר (H1755) 'generation'; forms the same 'tenth generation' idiom used for the mamzer in v. 3.
עֲשִׂירִ֔יtenthordinal adj m sg abs · עֲשִׂירִי (H6224)Attributive adjective modifying דּוֹרעֲשִׂירִי (H6224) 'tenth'; idiomatic for permanence, reinforced further by עַד עוֹלָם at the verse's end.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), negating the resumed verb יָבֹא in the emphatic restatement.
יָבֹ֥אshall enterQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (resumptive, main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — categorical exclusionבּוֹא (H935); repeated for emphasis, as in v. 3.
לָהֶ֛םof theirsprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְ (H3807)Dative of possession/reference ('none belonging to them')לְ + suffix marks Ammonite/Moabite descendants as likewise excluded, generation after generation.
בִּקְהַ֥לinto the assembly ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קָהָל (H6951)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)קָהָל (H6951); the fourth and final occurrence in this verse, driving home the ban's totality.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain, possessor)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, repeated for the second time in this verse.
עַדuntoprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase of temporal extent, governing עוֹלָםעַד (H5704) 'until, unto'; with עוֹלָם forms the idiom 'forever' — a superlative escalation beyond the already-permanent 'tenth generation'.
עוֹלָֽםforeverN m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Object of preposition עַד, completing the idiomעוֹלָם (H5769) 'long duration, eternity'; עַד עוֹלָם, 'forever', is unique to this verse in the chapter — the harshest sentence in the assembly law.
5
עַל דְּבַ֞ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹא קִדְּמ֤וּ אֶתְכֶם֙ בַּלֶּ֣חֶם וּבַמַּ֔יִם בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ בְּצֵאתְכֶ֣ם מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם וַאֲשֶׁר֩ שָׂכַ֨ר עָלֶ֜יךָ אֶת בִּלְעָ֣ם בֶּן בְּע֗וֹר מִפְּת֛וֹר אֲרַ֥ם נַהֲרַ֖יִם לְקַֽלְלֶֽךָּ
because they did not meet you with bread and water on the road when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam son of Beor from Pethor of Aram-naharaim, to curse you.
'Because' introduces the historical rationale for v. 4's exclusion: covenant hospitality refused on the wilderness road, and covert aggression through hired divination (cf. Num 22–24).
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
עַלbecause ofprep · עַל (H5921)Causal prepositional phrase governing the following relative clauseעַל (H5921) 'upon, because of'; with דְּבַר אֲשֶׁר forms the fixed causal idiom 'because', introducing the historical grounds for Ammon/Moab's exclusion.
דְּבַ֞רthe matter thatN m sg constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Object of preposition עַל, governing the relative clauseדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter, thing'; עַל־דְּבַר אֲשֶׁר is a fixed causal idiom, 'because'.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the causal clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), the all-purpose Hebrew relative; completes the causal idiom עַל־דְּבַר אֲשֶׁר, 'because'.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), negating קִדְּמוּ; the accusation is one of omission — failure to extend customary hospitality.
קִדְּמ֤וּthey metPiel perf 3cp · קָדַם (H6923)Predicate verb (subordinate causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed historical failureקָדַם (H6923) 'to be in front, meet, confront'; in Piel, 'to meet/greet' — here the customary provision of bread and water to travelers, which Ammon and Moab withheld.
אֶתְכֶם֙[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + pronoun (object of קִדְּמוּ)אֵת (H853) + 2mp suffix marks 'you' (Israel) as the definite direct object whom Ammon and Moab failed to meet with provisions.
בַּלֶּ֣חֶםwith the breadprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Adverbial prepositional phrase (means)לֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; paired with מַיִם as the minimal travelers' hospitality (cf. Gen 18, 24).
וּבַמַּ֔יִםand with the waterconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Coordinate adverbial prepositional phraseמַיִם (H4325) 'water', plural in form; 'bread and water' is the stock phrase for basic sustenance offered to travelers.
בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְon the wayprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location)דֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; specifies where the hospitality should have occurred — during Israel's wilderness journey.
בְּצֵאתְכֶ֣םwhen you went outprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 2mp suffix · יָצָא (H3318)Temporal infinitival clause ('when you came out')→ Infinitive construct: a temporal circumstantial clauseיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; the temporal clause dates the offense to the exodus journey itself.
מִמִּצְרָ֑יִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source)מִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; completes the temporal clause, dating the grievance precisely to the exodus era.
וַאֲשֶׁר֩and becauseconj וְ + relative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Coordinating conjunction introducing the second causal clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) with וְ adds the second grievance — hiring Balaam — alongside the first.
שָׂכַ֨רhe hiredQal perf 3ms · שָׂכַר (H7936)Predicate verb (second causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed, deliberate act of aggressionשָׂכַר (H7936) 'to hire'; the (unnamed) subject is Balak king of Moab (Num 22:2-6), acting on behalf of both nations.
עָלֶ֜יךָagainst youprep עַל + 2ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (opposition)עַל (H5921) + suffix, 'against you'; marks Balaam's hire as hostile action directed at Israel.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of שָׂכַר)אֵת (H853), marking בִּלְעָם as the definite direct object; untranslated.
בִּלְעָ֣םBalaamproper noun · בִּלְעָם (H1109)Direct objectבִּלְעָם (H1109), the Mesopotamian diviner hired by Balak to curse Israel (Num 22-24); his oracles turned to blessing despite his intent (v. 6).
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition (patronymic identifying Balaam)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct opening the patronymic 'son of Beor' (cf. Num 22:5).
בְּע֗וֹרBeorproper noun · בְּעוֹר (H1160)Genitive (construct chain, patronymic)בְּעוֹר (H1160), Balaam's father, per Num 22:5.
מִפְּת֛וֹרfrom Pethorprep מִן + proper noun · פְּתוֹר (H6604)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source, apposition to בִּלְעָם)פְּתוֹר (H6604), Balaam's home city on the Euphrates (Num 22:5), likely Pitru near Carchemish.
אֲרַ֥םAramproper noun · אֲרַם (H763)Apposition, first element of the place-nameאֲרַם (H763) 'Aram'; first half of the compound place-name Aram-naharaim.
נַהֲרַ֖יִםNaharaimproper noun · נַהֲרַיִם (H763)Apposition, second element of the place-nameנַהֲרַיִם, dual of נָהָר 'river', 'two rivers'; אֲרַם נַהֲרַיִם, 'Aram of the two rivers', denotes upper Mesopotamia.
לְקַֽלְלֶֽךָּto curse youprep לְ + Piel inf constr + 2ms suffix · קָלַל (H7043)Purpose infinitival clause (goal of שָׂכַר)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the intended goal of the hireקָלַל (H7043) 'to be light, curse'; in Piel, 'to curse' — the stated purpose of Balak's hire, thwarted by YHWH in v. 6.
6
וְלֹֽא אָבָ֞ה יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ לִשְׁמֹ֣עַ אֶל בִּלְעָ֔ם וַיַּהֲפֹךְ֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֧יךָ לְּךָ֛ אֶת הַקְּלָלָ֖ה לִבְרָכָ֑ה כִּ֥י אֲהֵֽבְךָ֖ יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ
But YHWH your God was not willing to listen to Balaam, and YHWH your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because YHWH your God loved you.
The chapter's theological high point: divine love overturns Balaam's hire. The threefold repetition of 'YHWH your God' underscores that Israel's protection was entirely his sovereign initiative, not merit — grace embedded inside a law of exclusion.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְלֹֽאbut notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Adversative conjunction + negation of the following verbוְלֹא introduces the grace-note reversal: despite Balak's hire, YHWH refused to cooperate.
אָבָ֞הhe was willingQal perf 3ms · אָבָה (H14)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a settled, decisive refusalאָבָה (H14) 'to be willing, consent'; negated, 'was not willing' — YHWH's sovereign refusal to let Balaam curse Israel.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); the first of three occurrences of 'YHWH your God' in this verse, emphasizing divine initiative.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God'; the title binds YHWH's action to his covenant relationship with Israel.
לִשְׁמֹ֣עַto listenprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַע (H8085)Complementary infinitive completing אָבָה→ Infinitive construct: the content of the refused actשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; here of heeding Balak's commission to curse — refused.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase governing בִּלְעָםאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Balaam as the one YHWH refused to heed.
בִּלְעָ֔םBalaamproper noun · בִּלְעָם (H1109)Object of preposition אֶלבִּלְעָם (H1109); the diviner whose hired curse YHWH refused to authorize.
וַיַּהֲפֹךְ֩and he turnedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָפַךְ (H2015)Predicate verb (narrative main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive divine reversalהָפַךְ (H2015) 'to turn, overturn'; the chapter's grace-note verb — God actively converts the intended curse into blessing.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); the second occurrence of 'YHWH your God' in the verse.
אֱלֹהֶ֧יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
לְּךָ֛for youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְ (H3807)Adverbial prepositional phrase (advantage, dativus commodi)לְ + suffix, 'for you/on your behalf' — the reversal of the curse was for Israel's benefit.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of וַיַּהֲפֹךְ)אֵת (H853), marking הַקְּלָלָה as the definite direct object; untranslated.
הַקְּלָלָ֖הthe curseart + N f sg abs · קְלָלָה (H7045)Direct objectקְלָלָה (H7045) 'curse', from קָלַל; the intended curse Balaam was hired to pronounce (v. 5).
לִבְרָכָ֑הinto a blessingprep לְ + N f sg abs · בְּרָכָה (H1293)Predicate complement of result (object complement of the double-object idiom הָפַךְ ... לְ)בְּרָכָה (H1293) 'blessing', from בָּרַךְ; the result of YHWH's reversal — grace embedded within a chapter of exclusion.
כִּ֥יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the final groundכִּי (H3588) 'because'; the ultimate reason for the reversal — not Israel's merit but YHWH's love.
אֲהֵֽבְךָ֖he loved youQal perf 3ms + 2ms suffix · אָהֵב (H157)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a settled, prior disposition — the ground of the reversalאָהֵב (H157) 'to love'; the chapter's grace-note climax — YHWH's love, not Israel's righteousness, is the reason for the blessing.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); the third and final occurrence of 'YHWH your God' in this verse.
אֱלֹהֶֽיךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָה, closing the verseאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix; the threefold repetition of the divine title across the verse frames it as a confession of covenant grace.
7
לֹא תִדְרֹ֥שׁ שְׁלֹמָ֖ם וְטֹבָתָ֑ם כָּל יָמֶ֖יךָ לְעוֹלָֽם
You shall not seek their peace or their welfare, all your days, forever.
The formula 'all your days, forever' matches the permanence of the exclusion itself; unlike Edom and Egypt (v. 8), no future softening is envisioned toward Ammon and Moab.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), negating תִדְרֹשׁ; applies the ban of vv. 3-6 to ongoing diplomatic relations.
תִדְרֹ֥שׁyou shall seekQal impf 2ms · דָּרַשׁ (H1875)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibitive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — an ongoing stance to be maintainedדָּרַשׁ (H1875) 'to seek, inquire, pursue'; here of actively pursuing diplomatic or covenantal goodwill toward Ammon/Moab.
שְׁלֹמָ֖םtheir peaceN m sg constr + 3mp suffix · שָׁלוֹם (H7965)Direct objectשָׁלוֹם (H7965) 'peace, welfare'; a formal diplomatic term for treaty-friendship, here forbidden toward Ammon/Moab.
וְטֹבָתָ֑םor their welfareconj וְ + adj f sg constr + 3mp suffix · טוֹבָה (H2896)Coordinate direct objectטוֹבָה (H2896) 'good, welfare, prosperity'; paired with שָׁלוֹם as a hendiadys for 'any good relations whatsoever'.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial accusative of extent, governing יָמֶיךָכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct opening the temporal phrase 'all your days'.
יָמֶ֖יךָyour daysN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive completing the construct chain כָּל יָמֶיךָיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'all your days' plus לְעוֹלָם doubles down on the permanence of the exclusion.
לְעוֹלָֽםforeverprep לְ + N m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Adverbial prepositional phrase of durationעוֹלָם (H5769) 'long duration'; לְעוֹלָם, 'forever', closing the verse and echoing the עַד עוֹלָם of v. 4.
8
לֹֽא תְתַעֵ֣ב אֲדֹמִ֔י כִּ֥י אָחִ֖יךָ ה֑וּא לֹא תְתַעֵ֣ב מִצְרִ֔י כִּי גֵ֖ר הָיִ֥יתָ בְאַרְצֽוֹ
You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother; you shall not abhor an Egyptian, for you were a sojourner in his land.
A deliberate counterweight to vv. 4–7: kinship (Edom, Esau's line, Gen 36) and hospitality once received (Egypt, Gen 47) outweigh historical grievance. Both motive clauses appeal to relationship rather than merit.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), opening a deliberate contrast to vv. 4-7: two nations that are NOT to be excluded.
תְתַעֵ֣בyou shall abhorPiel impf 2ms · תָּעַב (H8581)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibitive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — an ongoing attitude to be avoidedתָּעַב (H8581) 'to abhor, detest'; in Piel, an intensive rejection — the same root behind תּוֹעֵבָה 'abomination' used elsewhere in this chapter (v. 19).
אֲדֹמִ֔יan Edomitegentilic adj m sg abs · אֲדֹמִי (H130)Direct objectאֲדֹמִי (H130) 'Edomite', gentilic of אֱדוֹם; descendant of Esau, Jacob's twin — kinship grounds the prohibition that follows.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the motive clauseכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; grounds the prohibition in kinship rather than treaty or merit.
אָחִ֖יךָyour brotherN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · אָח (H251)Predicate nominativeאָח (H251) 'brother'; used literally of kinship (Esau/Jacob), unlike its extended covenant-solidarity sense elsewhere in the chapter (vv. 20-21).
ה֑וּאhepersonal pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (copular clause with אָחִיךָ as predicate)הוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun functioning as copula, 'he is'; completes the nominal clause 'for he is your brother'.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), opening the parallel second prohibition regarding Egypt.
תְתַעֵ֣בyou shall abhorPiel impf 2ms · תָּעַב (H8581)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibitive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — an ongoing attitude to be avoidedתָּעַב (H8581); repeated verbatim from the Edom clause, structuring the verse as a matched pair.
מִצְרִ֔יan Egyptiangentilic adj m sg abs · מִצְרִי (H4713)Direct objectמִצְרִי (H4713) 'Egyptian', gentilic of מִצְרַיִם; the nation of Israel's bondage, yet admitted on grounds of past hospitality received.
כִּיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the motive clauseכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; grounds the prohibition in Israel's own history of dependence in Egypt.
גֵ֖רa sojournerN m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Predicate nominativeגֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner, resident alien'; the same status-word Deuteronomy repeatedly commands Israel to protect for others (e.g. 10:19), here applied reflexively to Israel's own past.
הָיִ֥יתָyou wereQal perf 2ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (copular, motive clause)→ Perfective: a completed past stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; recalls Israel's own sojourn in Egypt (Gen 46-Ex 12) as grounds for gratitude rather than grudge.
בְאַרְצֽוֹin his landprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 3ms suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; 'his land' refers to Egypt, closing the motive clause.
9
בָּנִ֛ים אֲשֶׁר יִוָּלְד֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם דּ֣וֹר שְׁלִישִׁ֑י יָבֹ֥א לָהֶ֖ם בִּקְהַ֥ל יְהוָֽה
Children who are born to them in the third generation may enter the assembly of YHWH.
Where Ammon/Moab face permanent exclusion, Edom and Egypt face only a limited waiting period (three generations), closing the assembly-admission unit (vv. 2–9) on a note of eventual inclusion.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
בָּנִ֛יםchildrenN m pl abs · בֵּן (H1121)Subjectבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; plural 'sons/children' resumes the descendants of Edom and Egypt introduced in v. 8.
אֲשֶׁרwhorelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying בָּנִיםאֲשֶׁר (H834), the Hebrew relative, introducing the qualifying clause on 'children'.
יִוָּלְד֥וּare bornNiphal impf 3mp · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — an iterative, ongoing process across generationsיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, beget'; Niphal (passive), 'to be born' — marks generational succession within the excluded nations.
לָהֶ֖םto themprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְ (H3807)Adverbial prepositional phrase (dative, 'born to them')לְ + suffix marks the Edomite/Egyptian parents to whom the third-generation children belong.
דּ֣וֹרgenerationN m sg abs · דּוֹר (H1755)Adverbial accusative of extent (temporal)דּוֹר (H1755) 'generation'; here 'third generation' — a far shorter waiting period than the mamzer's or Ammon/Moab's.
שְׁלִישִׁ֑יthirdordinal adj m sg abs · שְׁלִישִׁי (H7992)Attributive adjective modifying דּוֹרשְׁלִישִׁי (H7992) 'third', from שָׁלֹשׁ 'three'; sets the waiting period for Edomite/Egyptian descendants.
יָבֹ֥אmay enterQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, permissive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/permissive — admission granted, in contrast to the prohibitions of vv. 2-4בּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; unlike its every other occurrence in this unit, here unnegated — the positive resolution closing the assembly-admission law.
לָהֶ֖םto themprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְ (H3807)Dative of advantage ('open to them')לְ + suffix, 'to/for them'; the third-generation children themselves are now the referent.
בִּקְהַ֥לinto the assembly ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קָהָל (H6951)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)קָהָל (H6951); its final occurrence in the unit, now attached to admission rather than exclusion.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain, possessor)יְהוָה (H3068), closing the assembly-admission unit (vv. 2-9) on a note of eventual inclusion.
10
כִּֽי תֵצֵ֥א מַחֲנֶ֖ה עַל אֹיְבֶ֑יךָ וְנִ֨שְׁמַרְתָּ֔ מִכֹּ֖ל דָּבָ֥ר רָֽע
When you go out as a camp against your enemies, you shall keep yourself from every evil thing.
כִּי introduces the chapter's second major unit: military-camp purity. 'Every evil thing' is a broad heading that the following verses specify (nocturnal emission, latrine practice).
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Temporal/conditional conjunction introducing the new unitכִּי (H3588) 'when, if'; opens the second major unit of the chapter, the camp's holiness (vv. 10-15).
תֵצֵ֥אyou go outQal impf 2ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (temporal protasis)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a recurring military scenarioיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; here of mustering for a military campaign, with מַחֲנֶה as an adverbial accusative, 'as a camp/army'.
מַחֲנֶ֖הas a campN c sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Adverbial accusative of mannerמַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp, army'; the key word of vv. 10-15, whose holiness this unit safeguards.
עַלagainstprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase governing אֹיְבֶיךָעַל (H5921) 'upon, against'; marks the military target of the campaign.
אֹיְבֶ֑יךָyour enemiesQal active ptc m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Object of preposition עַל (substantival participle)→ Active participle: those characterized by ongoing hostilityאֹיֵב (H341), from אָיַב 'to be hostile'; the participle functions as a noun, 'enemies' — the standing military threat that occasions the purity law.
וְנִ֨שְׁמַרְתָּ֔and you shall keep yourselfconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential instruction following the temporal protasisשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, watch'; in Niphal (reflexive/passive), 'guard oneself' — the governing command of the whole camp-holiness unit.
מִכֹּ֖לfrom everyprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source/separation)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; מִכֹּל דָּבָר, 'from every thing', the broad heading the following verses specify.
דָּבָ֥רthingN m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive completing the construct chain, head noun modified by רָעדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; the same noun reappears in the phrase עֶרְוַת דָּבָר, 'nakedness of a thing', in v. 15.
רָֽעeviladj m sg abs · רַע (H7451)Attributive adjective modifying דָּבָררַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; a broad category the following case-laws (nocturnal emission, latrine practice) exemplify.
11
כִּֽי יִהְיֶ֤ה בְךָ֙ אִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹא יִהְיֶ֥ה טָה֖וֹר מִקְּרֵה לָ֑יְלָה וְיָצָא֙ אֶל מִח֣וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה לֹ֥א יָבֹ֖א אֶל תּ֥וֹךְ הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה
If there is among you a man who is not clean because of a nocturnal emission, he shall go out to outside the camp; he shall not come into the midst of the camp.
Ritual (not moral) impurity from a seminal emission (cf. Lev 15:16) requires temporary exclusion — an ordinary bodily process treated with the same gravity as the camp's other purity concerns, because the camp is YHWH's dwelling-space (v. 15).
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
כִּֽיifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional conjunction introducing the caseכִּי (H3588) 'if, when'; introduces the first specific case under the general 'evil thing' heading of v. 10.
יִהְיֶ֤הthere isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential clause, protasis)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a hypothetical recurring caseהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, exist'; existential use, 'if there is/should be'.
בְךָ֙among youprep בְּ + 2ms suffix · בְּ (H9003)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location)בְּ + suffix, 'among/within you'; situates the case within the collective camp addressed throughout the unit.
אִ֔ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subjectאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the individual case whose ritual state affects the collective holiness of the camp (v. 15).
אֲשֶׁ֛רwhorelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying אִישׁאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the qualifying clause specifying the man's impure condition.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), negating the second יִהְיֶה, 'is not clean'.
יִהְיֶ֥הisQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (copular, relative clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — describing an ongoing ritual stateהָיָה (H1961), copular 'to be'; here predicating ritual impurity of the man.
טָה֖וֹרcleanadj m sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Predicate adjectiveטָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean, pure' (ritual sense); negated here, describing the temporary impurity from nocturnal emission (cf. Lev 15:16).
מִקְּרֵהbecause of an occurrence ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · מִקְרֶה (H7137)Causal prepositional phrase, governing לָיְלָהמִקְרֶה (H7137) 'chance occurrence, happening'; with לַיְלָה, a euphemism for nocturnal seminal emission.
לָ֑יְלָהnightN m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Genitive completing the construct chain מִקְּרֵה לָיְלָהלַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; the euphemism's second element, completing 'a nocturnal happening'.
וְיָצָא֙and he shall go outconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential instruction following the conditional protasisיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; the required response to the man's impure state.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase governing מִחוּץאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directs the man outside the camp's bounds.
מִח֣וּץoutsideprep מִן + N m sg abs · חוּץ (H2351)Object of preposition אֶל, forming the compound 'to outside'חוּץ (H2351) 'outside, exterior'; אֶל־מִחוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה, 'to outside the camp' — the appointed zone beyond camp bounds.
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔הthe campprep לְ + art + N c sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Genitive completing the idiom 'outside the camp'מַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'; מִחוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה, 'outside the camp', the boundary this whole unit polices.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), negating יָבֹא; states the exclusion positively stated as a prohibition on re-entry.
יָבֹ֖אhe shall comeQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibitive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — temporary exclusion until purificationבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the same verb used throughout the assembly-admission law (vv. 2-9), here of re-entry into camp.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase governing תּוֹךְאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; forms the phrase 'into the midst of the camp'.
תּ֥וֹךְthe midst ofN m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Object of preposition אֶל, construct headתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; the same word describes YHWH's own presence 'in the midst of' the camp in v. 15 — this man is barred from the space YHWH occupies.
הַֽמַּחֲנֶֽהthe campart + N c sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Genitive completing the construct chainמַחֲנֶה (H4264); closes the verse on the camp whose center this impure man may not (yet) approach.
12
וְהָיָ֥ה לִפְנֽוֹת עֶ֖רֶב יִרְחַ֣ץ בַּמָּ֑יִם וּכְבֹ֣א הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ יָבֹ֖א אֶל תּ֥וֹךְ הַֽמַּחֲנֶה
And when evening approaches, he shall bathe in water, and when the sun sets he may come into the midst of the camp.
Continues the case begun in v. 11: washing plus sundown restores the man to full camp fellowship, matching the standard purification pattern of Lev 15.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְהָיָ֥הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (temporal main clause)→ Weqatal: sequential instruction continuing the caseהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; formulaic 'and it shall be [that]' introducing the temporal marker for restoration.
לִפְנֽוֹתat the turning ofprep לְ + Qal inf constr · פָּנָה (H6437)Temporal infinitival clause governing עֶרֶב→ Infinitive construct: a temporal markerפָּנָה (H6437) 'to turn'; לִפְנוֹת עֶרֶב, 'at the turning/approach of evening' — the moment the man's purification period ends.
עֶ֖רֶבeveningN m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Object of the infinitive לִפְנוֹתעֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'; the standard boundary marker for the end of a day's ritual impurity (cf. Lev 15:16).
יִרְחַ֣ץhe shall washQal impf 3ms · רָחַץ (H7364)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/prescriptive — the required act of purificationרָחַץ (H7364) 'to wash, bathe'; the standard ritual-purification act paired with waiting for evening throughout Levitical law.
בַּמָּ֑יִםin the waterprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Adverbial prepositional phrase (means)מַיִם (H4325) 'water'; the medium of ritual washing, recurring from v. 5's 'bread and water'.
וּכְבֹ֣אand when...comesconj וְ + prep כְּ + Qal inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Temporal infinitival clause ('as/when the sun sets')→ Infinitive construct: a temporal marker of exact timingבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; here of the sun 'coming in', i.e. setting — the precise moment restoration takes effect.
הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁthe sunart + N c sg abs · שֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121)Subject of the infinitival clauseשֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121) 'sun'; its setting marks the completion of the day's ritual impurity.
יָבֹ֖אhe may comeQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, permissive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/permissive — restoration is now grantedבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the same verb negated in v. 11 is here affirmed — full resolution of the case.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase governing תּוֹךְאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; forms the phrase 'into the midst of the camp'.
תּ֥וֹךְthe midst ofN m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Object of preposition אֶל, construct headתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst'; full restoration to the camp's center, echoing and resolving v. 11's exclusion.
הַֽמַּחֲנֶהthe campart + N c sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Genitive completing the construct chainמַחֲנֶה (H4264); closes the first case (nocturnal impurity) of the camp-holiness unit.
13
וְיָד֙ תִּהְיֶ֣ה לְךָ֔ מִח֖וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה וְיָצָ֥אתָ שָׁ֖מָּה חֽוּץ
You shall have a designated place outside the camp, and you shall go out there, outside.
יָד ('hand,' here 'a marker, a designated place') sets aside a specific area beyond camp bounds for relieving oneself — practical sanitation legislated as sacred discipline.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְיָד֙and a designated placeconj וְ + N c sg abs · יָד (H3027)Subjectיָד (H3027), literally 'hand', here idiomatically 'a marker, a designated place/side' — the second case of camp holiness, latrine provision.
תִּהְיֶ֣הshall beQal impf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/prescriptive — a standing requirementהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; agrees with the feminine subject יָד, 'a designated place shall belong to you'.
לְךָ֔for youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְ (H3807)Dative of possessionלְ + suffix, 'belonging to you'; each Israelite is to have his own designated place.
מִח֖וּץoutsideprep מִן + N m sg abs · חוּץ (H2351)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location), forming 'outside the camp'חוּץ (H2351) 'outside'; locates the designated latrine area beyond camp bounds.
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑הthe campprep לְ + art + N c sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Genitive completing the idiom 'outside the camp'מַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'; the boundary the whole unit (vv. 10-15) protects.
וְיָצָ֥אתָand you shall go outconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (sequential main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential instructionיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; the individual command corresponding to the designated place just established.
שָׁ֖מָּהthereadverb + directional suffix · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial phrase of direction/goalשָׁם (H8033) 'there', with directional הָ‑ suffix, 'thither, to there' — pointing to the designated יָד of the verse's opening.
חֽוּץoutsideN m sg abs · חוּץ (H2351)Adverbial accusative reinforcing שָׁמָּהחוּץ (H2351) 'outside'; repeated for emphasis, closing the verse on the theme of exteriority to the camp.
14
וְיָתֵ֛ד תִּהְיֶ֥ה לְךָ֖ עַל אֲזֵנֶ֑ךָ וְהָיָה֙ בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ֣ ח֔וּץ וְחָפַרְתָּ֣ה בָ֔הּ וְשַׁבְתָּ֖ וְכִסִּ֥יתָ אֶת צֵאָתֶֽךָ
And you shall have a peg among your gear, and when you sit down outside, you shall dig with it, and turn back and cover your excrement.
אֲזֵנֶךָ ('your gear/equipment') plus יָתֵד ('peg,' a small digging implement) show the law's granular practicality — even latrine hygiene in camp is regulated, preparing for the theological climax of v. 15.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְיָתֵ֛דand a pegconj וְ + N f sg abs · יָתֵד (H3489)Subjectיָתֵד (H3489) 'peg, pin' (elsewhere a tent-peg); here a small digging tool carried among one's equipment.
תִּהְיֶ֥הshall beQal impf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/prescriptive — a standing requirementהָיָה (H1961), agreeing with feminine יָתֵד; 'a peg shall belong to you [among your gear]'.
לְךָ֖for youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְ (H3807)Dative of possessionלְ + suffix, 'belonging to you'.
עַלamongprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase governing אֲזֵנֶךָעַל (H5921) 'upon, among'; specifies the peg is kept together with one's equipment/weapons.
אֲזֵנֶ֑ךָyour gearN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · אָזֵן (H240)Object of preposition עַלאָזֵן (H240), a rare noun (hapax legomenon) related to 'weapon/equipment', possibly the belt or gear-strap on which tools were carried.
וְהָיָה֙and it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (temporal main clause)→ Weqatal: sequential instructionהָיָה (H1961); formulaic 'and it shall be [that]', introducing the procedural sequence.
בְּשִׁבְתְּךָ֣when you sit downprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 2ms suffix · יָשַׁב (H3427)Temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive construct: a temporal circumstantial clauseיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; euphemistic here for squatting to relieve oneself.
ח֔וּץoutsideN m sg abs · חוּץ (H2351)Adverbial accusative of locationחוּץ (H2351) 'outside'; specifies the location required, consistent with v. 13.
וְחָפַרְתָּ֣הand you shall digconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · חָפַר (H2658)Predicate verb (sequential main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential instructionחָפַר (H2658) 'to dig'; the practical use of the יָתֵד peg from earlier in the verse.
בָ֔הּwith itprep בְּ + 3fs suffix · בְּ (H9003)Adverbial prepositional phrase (instrument)בְּ + 3fs suffix, referring back to יָתֵד, 'with it [the peg]'.
וְשַׁבְתָּ֖and you shall turn backconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (sequential main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential instructionשׁוּב (H7725) 'to turn back, return'; here of turning to cover the excrement after relieving oneself.
וְכִסִּ֥יתָand you shall coverconj וְ + Piel weqatal 2ms · כָּסָה (H3680)Predicate verb (sequential main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential instruction, the culminating act of the sequenceכָּסָה (H3680) 'to cover'; in Piel, intensive covering — the sanitary and reverent conclusion of the act.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of וְכִסִּיתָ)אֵת (H853), marking צֵאָתֶךָ as the definite direct object; untranslated.
צֵאָתֶֽךָyour excrementN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · צֵאָה (H6627)Direct objectצֵאָה (H6627), from יָצָא 'to go out', 'that which goes out, excrement'; the frank, unembarrassed vocabulary of the whole latrine law.
15
כִּי֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ מִתְהַלֵּ֣ךְ בְּקֶ֣רֶב מַחֲנֶ֗ךָ לְהַצִּֽילְךָ֙ וְלָתֵ֤ת אֹיְבֶ֨יךָ֙ לְפָנֶ֔יךָ וְהָיָ֥ה מַחֲנֶ֖יךָ קָד֑וֹשׁ וְלֹֽא יִרְאֶ֤ה בְךָ֙ עֶרְוַ֣ת דָּבָ֔ר וְשָׁ֖ב מֵאַחֲרֶֽיךָ
For YHWH your God walks about in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and to give up your enemies before you; therefore your camp must be holy, so that he may see no nakedness of a thing among you and turn away from following you.
The chapter's theological center: YHWH's personal, ambulatory presence in camp (מִתְהַלֵּךְ, the verb used of Eden, Gen 3:8) is the reason latrine discipline matters — the mundane becomes sacred because the Holy One is present. 'Nakedness of a thing' echoes almost verbatim in the divorce law of 24:1.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
כִּי֩forconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the theological ground for the whole unitכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the chapter's theological center — YHWH's presence in camp as the reason for holiness.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name — the personal, present subject of the following verb.
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God'; the covenant relationship grounds the presence-theology of this verse.
מִתְהַלֵּ֣ךְwalks aboutHitpael ptc m sg abs · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Participle (Hitpael, iterative): an ongoing, reflexive movement — continual presenceהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk, go'; in Hitpael, 'to walk about, move to and fro' — the same verb of YHWH's presence in Eden (Gen 3:8) and later the tabernacle (Lev 26:12).
בְּקֶ֣רֶבin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phraseקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; YHWH's presence is not distant but internal to the camp's own space.
מַחֲנֶ֗ךָyour campN c sg constr + 2ms suffix · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Genitive completing the construct chainמַחֲנֶה (H4264); the sixth of seven occurrences in this unit, the site of YHWH's own walking presence.
לְהַצִּֽילְךָ֙to deliver youprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr + 2ms suffix · נָצַל (H5337)Purpose infinitival clause (goal of YHWH's presence)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the protective aim of the presenceנָצַל (H5337) 'to snatch away, deliver'; in Hiphil, causative 'to rescue' — the same verb used of the escaped slave in v. 16.
וְלָתֵ֤תand to giveconj וְ + prep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָתַן (H5414)Coordinate purpose infinitival clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the military aim of the presenceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; here idiomatically 'to hand over, deliver up' one's enemies to defeat.
אֹיְבֶ֨יךָ֙your enemiesQal active ptc m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Direct object of לָתֵת (substantival participle)→ Active participle: those characterized by ongoing hostilityאֹיֵב (H341); the same word as v. 10, now the object YHWH hands over in battle.
לְפָנֶ֔יךָbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location, idiom 'before/in front of')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי idiom, 'before, in the presence of' — the enemies delivered into Israel's path.
וְהָיָ֥הtherefore shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (consequential main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential instruction following the causal groundהָיָה (H1961); introduces the practical consequence — 'therefore your camp must be holy'.
מַחֲנֶ֖יךָyour campN c pl constr + 2ms suffix · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Subjectמַחֲנֶה (H4264); the seventh and final occurrence in this unit, now the subject of the holiness requirement itself.
קָד֑וֹשׁholyadj m sg abs · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Predicate adjectiveקָדוֹשׁ (H6918) 'holy, set apart'; the chapter's theological climax — the mundane camp becomes sacred space because YHWH occupies it.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negation of the following verbוְלֹא introduces the purpose/result clause explaining why the camp must be holy.
יִרְאֶ֤הhe shall seeQal impf 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (negative purpose clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/purposive — the negated goal of the camp's holinessרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the subject is YHWH — his gaze must find no shameful exposure in the camp.
בְךָ֙in youprep בְּ + 2ms suffix · בְּ (H9003)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location)בְּ + suffix, 'in/among you'; the camp as a collective is addressed as a single body under YHWH's watch.
עֶרְוַ֣תthe nakedness ofN f sg constr · עֶרְוָה (H6172)Direct object (construct head)עֶרְוָה (H6172) 'nakedness, shame, indecency'; in construct with דָּבָר, 'nakedness of a thing' — an indecent or shameful exposure, whether latrine filth or moral offense.
דָּבָ֔רa thingN m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive completing the construct idiom עֶרְוַת דָּבָרדָּבָר (H1697) 'thing, matter'; the same phrase עֶרְוַת דָּבָר reappears almost verbatim in the divorce law of 24:1, linking the two texts.
וְשָׁ֖בand turn awayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (coordinate result clause)→ Weqatal: consequential — the sobering alternative outcomeשׁוּב (H7725) 'to turn, return'; here of YHWH withdrawing his protective presence — the reverse of מִתְהַלֵּךְ at the verse's start.
מֵאַחֲרֶֽיךָfrom following youprep מִן + prep אַחַר + 2ms suffix · אַחַר (H310)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source/separation)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; מֵאַחֲרֶיךָ, 'from behind you' — YHWH ceasing to accompany and protect Israel, the grave consequence of camp defilement.
16
לֹא תַסְגִּ֥יר עֶ֖בֶד אֶל אֲדֹנָ֑יו אֲשֶׁר יִנָּצֵ֥ל אֵלֶ֖יךָ מֵעִ֥ם אֲדֹנָֽיו
You shall not hand over to his master a slave who has escaped to you from his master.
A striking reversal of standard ancient Near Eastern practice (extradition clauses in Hittite and Assyrian treaties; Hammurabi §16 prescribes death for harboring a fugitive slave). Deuteronomy instead grants the escaped slave asylum.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), opening the humane miscellany's first case — asylum for the escaped slave.
תַסְגִּ֥ירyou shall hand overHiphil impf 2ms · סָגַר (H5462)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibitive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — categorical prohibitionסָגַר (H5462) 'to shut, close'; in Hiphil, 'to hand over, extradite' — the very act ancient Near Eastern treaties typically required and this law forbids.
עֶ֖בֶדa slaveN m sg abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Direct objectעֶבֶד (H5650) 'slave, servant'; the context (v. 17) implies a foreign slave fleeing to Israel, not an Israelite bondservant.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase governing אֲדֹנָיואֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the master to whom extradition is forbidden.
אֲדֹנָ֑יוhis masterN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · אָדוֹן (H113)Object of preposition אֶלאָדוֹן (H113) 'lord, master', plural of majesty with singular sense; the slave's former owner.
אֲשֶׁרwhorelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying עֶבֶדאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause identifying the slave as one who has escaped.
יִנָּצֵ֥לescapesNiphal impf 3ms · נָצַל (H5337)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — a hypothetical recurring caseנָצַל (H5337) 'to snatch away'; in Niphal (passive/reflexive), 'to be delivered, escape' — the same root used of YHWH's deliverance of Israel in v. 15.
אֵלֶ֖יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Adverbial prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) + suffix, 'to you'; Israel is the destination of the slave's flight to asylum.
מֵעִ֥םfrom withprep מִן + prep עִם · עִם (H5973)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source/separation)עִם (H5973) 'with'; מֵעִם, 'from with, away from' — the point of departure, his master's household.
אֲדֹנָֽיוhis masterN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · אָדוֹן (H113)Object of preposition מֵעִםאָדוֹן (H113); repeated to close the verse, framing the slave's status change from bondage to protected refugee.
17
עִמְּךָ֞ יֵשֵׁ֣ב בְּקִרְבְּךָ֗ בַּמָּק֧וֹם אֲשֶׁר יִבְחַ֛ר בְּאַחַ֥ד שְׁעָרֶ֖יךָ בַּטּ֣וֹב ל֑וֹ לֹ֖א תּוֹנֶֽנּוּ
He shall dwell with you, in your midst, in the place that he chooses within one of your towns, wherever suits him; you shall not oppress him.
The freedom granted is substantive, not token: he chooses his own town and dwelling, and oppression of him is expressly forbidden — a full reversal of his prior servile status.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
עִמְּךָ֞with youprep עִם + 2ms suffix · עִם (H5973)Adverbial prepositional phrase (fronted for emphasis)עִם (H5973) 'with'; fronted for emphasis — the escaped slave belongs 'with you', among the people, not as an outsider.
יֵשֵׁ֣בhe shall dwellQal impf 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/prescriptive — a granted, settled rightיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; grants the escaped slave ongoing residence, not mere temporary refuge.
בְּקִרְבְּךָ֗in your midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst'; the same word used of YHWH's presence 'in the midst of' the camp in v. 15 — the freed slave, too, belongs at the community's center.
בַּמָּק֧וֹםin the placeprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location)מָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; the slave, not his former master, determines where he will live.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying מָקוֹםאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause of the slave's own choice of dwelling-place.
יִבְחַ֛רhe choosesQal impf 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: modal — the slave's own free choiceבָּחַר (H977) 'to choose'; strikingly the same verb Deuteronomy reserves for YHWH's choice of the cult-site — here democratized to the freed slave's own decision.
בְּאַחַ֥דwithin one ofprep בְּ + cardinal num m sg constr · אֶחָד (H259)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location)אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; 'within one of your towns' — any town in Israel is open to him, no restriction to a special settlement.
שְׁעָרֶ֖יךָyour townsN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · שַׁעַר (H8179)Genitive completing the construct chainשַׁעַר (H8179) 'gate'; by metonymy, 'town, settlement' — Deuteronomy's regular term for local jurisdiction.
בַּטּ֣וֹבwherever goodprep בְּ + art + adj m sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Adverbial prepositional phrase, restating the manner of his choiceטוֹב (H2896) 'good'; בַּטּוֹב לוֹ, 'in what is good/pleasing to him' — reinforcing that the choice of residence is entirely his own.
ל֑וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְ (H3807)Adverbial prepositional phrase (reference)לְ + suffix, 'to/for him'; completes the idiom 'wherever suits him'.
לֹ֖אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), negating תּוֹנֶנּוּ; the closing safeguard on the freed slave's status.
תּוֹנֶֽנּוּyou shall oppress himHiphil impf 2ms + 3ms suffix · יָנָה (H3238)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibitive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — categorical protectionיָנָה (H3238) 'to oppress, mistreat'; in Hiphil, causative — the same verb used elsewhere in Torah to protect the sojourner and the vulnerable (e.g. Exod 22:21).
18
לֹא תִהְיֶ֥ה קְדֵשָׁ֖ה מִבְּנ֣וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְלֹֽא יִהְיֶ֥ה קָדֵ֖שׁ מִבְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵל
There shall be no cult prostitute among the daughters of Israel, and there shall be no cult prostitute among the sons of Israel.
קְדֵשָׁה/קָדֵשׁ ('holy woman/man,' i.e. sacred or temple prostitute in the pagan fertility cults) are forbidden to both sexes — a rejection of Canaanite cult practice from the community entirely, not merely from the sanctuary.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), opening a new case — the ban on cultic prostitution (vv. 18-19).
תִהְיֶ֥הthere shall beQal impf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — a standing banהָיָה (H1961), existential 'there shall be'; negated, prohibits the institution outright rather than merely one act.
קְדֵשָׁ֖הa cult prostituteadj f sg abs · קְדֵשָׁה (H6948)Subjectקְדֵשָׁה (H6948), literally 'holy/consecrated woman', from קדשׁ 'holy' — a sacred or temple prostitute in Canaanite fertility cults; the term's root irony (holy vs. defiling) is deliberate.
מִבְּנ֣וֹתamong the daughters ofprep מִן + N f pl constr · בַּת (H1323)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source/partitive)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; מִבְּנוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל, 'from among the daughters of Israel' — the practice is banned from Israelite women entirely.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant nation, whose daughters are protected from cultic exploitation.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negation of the following verbוְלֹא introduces the matching prohibition for men, structuring the verse as a balanced pair.
יִהְיֶ֥הthere shall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — a standing banהָיָה (H1961), agreeing with masculine קָדֵשׁ; repeats the ban for the male counterpart.
קָדֵ֖שׁa cult prostituteadj m sg abs · קָדֵשׁ (H6945)Subjectקָדֵשׁ (H6945), masculine counterpart to קְדֵשָׁה, 'holy/consecrated man' — a male cult prostitute; the ban applies to both sexes equally.
מִבְּנֵ֥יamong the sons ofprep מִן + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source/partitive)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, mirroring the women's clause exactly.
יִשְׂרָאֵלIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain), closing the verseיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the symmetrical repetition underscores that Canaanite fertility-cult practice has no place at all in Israel.
19
לֹא תָבִיא֩ אֶתְנַ֨ן זוֹנָ֜ה וּמְחִ֣יר כֶּ֗לֶב בֵּ֛ית יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לְכָל נֶ֑דֶר כִּ֧י תוֹעֲבַ֛ת יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ גַּם שְׁנֵיהֶֽם
You shall not bring the hire of a prostitute or the price of a dog into the house of YHWH your God for any vow, for both of these are an abomination to YHWH your God.
'Price of a dog' likely denotes the wages of a male cult prostitute (a slur, possibly also literal); the money's origin, not its use, taints it — even offered as a pious vow-gift it remains תּוֹעֵבָה, an abomination.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), continuing the ban on cultic prostitution into its financial dimension.
תָבִיא֩you shall bringHiphil impf 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibitive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — categorical prohibitionבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; in Hiphil, causative 'to bring'; the same root that structures the assembly-admission law (vv. 2-9), now applied to tainted offerings.
אֶתְנַ֨ןthe hire ofN m sg constr · אֶתְנָן (H868)Direct object (construct head)אֶתְנָן (H868) 'hire, payment (for prostitution)', from נָתַן 'to give'; specifically the fee paid to a prostitute.
זוֹנָ֜הa prostituteQal active ptc f sg abs · זָנָה (H2181)Genitive completing the construct chain (substantival participle)→ Active participle: one characterized by the practiceזָנָה (H2181) 'to be a prostitute, act promiscuously'; the ordinary term for prostitution, distinct from the cultic קְדֵשָׁה of v. 18, though the versions sometimes blur the two.
וּמְחִ֣ירor the price ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · מְחִיר (H4242)Coordinate direct object (construct head)מְחִיר (H4242) 'price, wages'; parallel to אֶתְנָן, forming a matched pair of tainted earnings.
כֶּ֗לֶבa dogN m sg abs · כֶּלֶב (H3611)Genitive completing the construct chainכֶּלֶב (H3611) 'dog'; likely a derogatory term for a male cult prostitute (paralleling קָדֵשׁ in v. 18), though some read it more literally.
בֵּ֛יתthe house ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial accusative of location (goal)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; here the sanctuary, YHWH's dwelling — the place such tainted money must never reach, even as a vow-offering.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain, possessor)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
לְכָלfor anyprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (purpose), governing נֶדֶרכֹּל (H3605) 'all, any'; closes every loophole — not even offered as any kind of vow-payment is such money acceptable.
נֶ֑דֶרvowN m sg abs · נֶדֶר (H5088)Genitive completing the construct chainנֶדֶר (H5088) 'vow'; anticipates the vow law of vv. 22-24 — even pious motives cannot launder tainted money.
כִּ֧יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the motive clauseכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; grounds the prohibition in the money's inherently defiled origin.
תוֹעֲבַ֛תan abomination ofN f sg constr · תּוֹעֵבָה (H8441)Predicate nominative (construct head)תּוֹעֵבָה (H8441) 'abomination', from the same root as תָּעַב 'to abhor' in v. 8; Deuteronomy's strongest term of cultic-moral repudiation.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain, possessor)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, repeated to close the verse.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
גַּםbothadverb · גַּם (H1571)Focus/additive adverb modifying שְׁנֵיהֶםגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; here 'even/both' — emphasizing that neither payment, from either sex's prostitution, is acceptable.
שְׁנֵיהֶֽםthe two of themcardinal num m dual constr + 3mp suffix · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Subject complement, resuming אֶתְנַן זוֹנָה and מְחִיר כֶּלֶבשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two', dual form; 'both of them' refers back to the prostitute's hire and the dog's price alike.
20
לֹא תַשִּׁ֣יךְ לְאָחִ֔יךָ נֶ֥שֶׁךְ כֶּ֖סֶף נֶ֣שֶׁךְ אֹ֑כֶל נֶ֕שֶׁךְ כָּל דָּבָ֖ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִשָּֽׁךְ
You shall not charge your brother interest — interest on money, interest on food, interest on anything that is lent at interest.
נֶשֶׁךְ ('bite,' from the verb 'to bite') vividly names interest as a predatory act; the threefold repetition (money, food, anything) closes every loophole for lending to a fellow Israelite.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), opening the new case on interest (vv. 20-21).
תַשִּׁ֣יךְyou shall charge interestHiphil impf 2ms · נָשַׁךְ (H5391)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibitive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — categorical prohibitionנָשַׁךְ (H5391) 'to bite'; in Hiphil, 'to lend at interest, exact usury' — the verb's underlying image of biting/predation shapes the whole law.
לְאָחִ֔יךָto your brotherprep לְ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · אָח (H251)Indirect objectאָח (H251) 'brother'; here in its extended sense of covenant fellow-Israelite, the boundary that defines and limits the ban (v. 21).
נֶ֥שֶׁךְinterest ofN m sg constr · נֶשֶׁךְ (H5392)Direct object (construct head, first of three)נֶשֶׁךְ (H5392) 'interest, usury', from the same root as תַשִּׁיךְ — literally 'a bite'; the noun form vividly names interest as predation.
כֶּ֖סֶףmoneyN m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Genitive completing the construct chainכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver, money'; the first of three loan categories covered by the ban.
נֶ֣שֶׁךְinterest ofN m sg constr · נֶשֶׁךְ (H5392)Direct object (construct head, second of three)נֶשֶׁךְ (H5392); repeated for each loan category — a rhetorical hammer closing every loophole.
אֹ֑כֶלfoodN m sg abs · אֹכֶל (H400)Genitive completing the construct chainאֹכֶל (H400) 'food'; the second loan category — interest on grain or provisions loaned to a needy neighbor.
נֶ֕שֶׁךְinterest ofN m sg constr · נֶשֶׁךְ (H5392)Direct object (construct head, third and generalizing)נֶשֶׁךְ (H5392); the third instance introduces the catch-all category that follows.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Genitive completing the construct chain, governing דָּבָרכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; opens the generalizing catch-all clause, 'anything that is lent'.
דָּבָ֖רthingN m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive completing the construct chain, head of the relative clauseדָּבָר (H1697) 'thing'; the catch-all noun closing every possible loophole beyond money and food.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying דָּבָראֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause specifying anything lent at interest.
יִשָּֽׁךְis lent at interestQal impf 3ms · נָשַׁךְ (H5391)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a general, recurring categoryנָשַׁךְ (H5391) 'to bite'; in Qal, of the thing itself 'being subject to interest' — closes the verse's catch-all with the same predatory root that began it.
21
לַנָּכְרִ֣י תַשִּׁ֔יךְ וּלְאָחִ֖יךָ לֹ֣א תַשִּׁ֑יךְ לְמַ֨עַן יְבָרֶכְךָ֜ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ בְּכֹל֙ מִשְׁלַ֣ח יָדֶ֔ךָ עַל הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַתָּ֥ה בָא שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ
You may charge a foreigner interest, but you shall not charge your brother interest, so that YHWH your God may bless you in all your undertakings in the land that you are entering to possess.
The interest ban is bounded by covenant kinship, not framed as a universal ethic; the motive clause ties economic solidarity within Israel directly to YHWH's blessing on the land.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
לַנָּכְרִ֣יto the foreignerprep לְ + art + adj m sg abs · נָכְרִי (H5237)Indirect object (fronted for contrast)נָכְרִי (H5237) 'foreign, foreigner'; fronted for emphasis, contrasted immediately with אָחִיךָ — the interest ban is bounded by covenant kinship, not universal.
תַשִּׁ֔יךְyou may charge interestHiphil impf 2ms · נָשַׁךְ (H5391)Predicate verb (main clause, permissive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/permissive — allowance rather than prohibitionנָשַׁךְ (H5391) 'to bite'; in Hiphil, unnegated here — interest toward foreigners falls outside the covenant-solidarity obligation.
וּלְאָחִ֖יךָbut to your brotherconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · אָח (H251)Indirect object (fronted, adversative)אָח (H251) 'brother'; the contrastive counterpart to נָכְרִי, defining the scope of covenant economic solidarity.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), negating the second תַשִּׁיךְ — restating the ban of v. 20 with the foreigner/brother contrast now explicit.
תַשִּׁ֑יךְyou shall charge interestHiphil impf 2ms · נָשַׁךְ (H5391)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibitive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — categorical prohibitionנָשַׁךְ (H5391); repeated from earlier in the verse, now negated to close the contrast.
לְמַ֨עַןso thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose conjunction introducing the motive clauseלְמַעַן (H4616) 'for the sake of, so that'; ties the interest ban directly to YHWH's blessing on the land.
יְבָרֶכְךָ֜he may bless youPiel impf 3ms + 2ms suffix · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb (purpose clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/purposive — the intended blessing-outcomeבָּרַךְ (H1288) 'to bless'; in Piel, the covenant-blessing motive that recurs across Deuteronomy's economic laws — obedience issues in tangible prosperity.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name — the source of the promised blessing.
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
בְּכֹל֙in allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (extent), governing מִשְׁלַחכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; 'in all the undertaking' — the blessing extends comprehensively.
מִשְׁלַ֣חthe undertaking ofN m sg constr · מִשְׁלָח (H4916)Genitive completing the construct chain, head governed by בְּכֹלמִשְׁלָח (H4916), from שָׁלַח 'to send', 'undertaking, venture'; 'the undertaking of your hand' idiomatically means 'all your labor/enterprises'.
יָדֶ֔ךָyour handN c sg constr + 2ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Genitive completing the construct chainיָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom for personal labor and enterprise — the same noun used idiomatically for 'a designated place' in v. 13.
עַלinprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase governing הָאָרֶץעַל (H5921) 'upon, in'; locates the promised blessing specifically in the land of inheritance.
הָאָ֕רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition עַלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the promised land, the arena where covenant obedience and blessing are worked out.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause identifying the land as the object of entry and possession.
אַתָּ֥הyoupersonal pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (emphatic, resuming the addressee)אַתָּה (H859) 'you'; independent pronoun emphasizing the addressee's own entry into the land.
בָאare enteringQal active ptc m sg abs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (participial clause, present/imminent)→ Active participle: an event in progress or imminentבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the participle presents the conquest as imminent — the same verb that structures the assembly-admission law (vv. 2-9), now of Israel's own entry into the land.
שָׁ֖מָּהthereadverb + directional suffix · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial phrase of direction/goalשָׁם (H8033) 'there', with directional הָ‑, 'thither' — pointing to the land as the destination of entry.
לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּto possess itprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3fs suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Purpose infinitival clause (goal of בָא)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the aim of entering the landיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to take possession, inherit'; closes the verse on the land-inheritance theme central to Deuteronomy's covenant vision.
22
כִּֽי תִדֹּ֥ר נֶ֨דֶר֙ לַיהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לֹ֥א תְאַחֵ֖ר לְשַׁלְּמ֑וֹ כִּֽי דָּרֹ֨שׁ יִדְרְשֶׁ֜נּוּ יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ מֵֽעִמָּ֔ךְ וְהָיָ֥ה בְךָ֖ חֵֽטְא
When you vow a vow to YHWH your God, you shall not delay to pay it, for YHWH your God will surely require it of you, and it will be sin in you.
דָּרֹשׁ יִדְרְשֶׁנּוּ (infinitive absolute + finite verb) intensifies certainty: YHWH will 'surely require' payment; delay itself, not merely non-payment, already incurs guilt.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Temporal/conditional conjunction introducing the new unitכִּי (H3588) 'when'; opens the vow law (vv. 22-24).
תִדֹּ֥רyou vowQal impf 2ms · נָדַר (H5087)Predicate verb (temporal protasis)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a hypothetical recurring caseנָדַר (H5087) 'to vow'; a voluntary spoken commitment to YHWH, never commanded but binding once made (v. 23).
נֶ֨דֶר֙a vowN m sg abs · נֶדֶר (H5088)Cognate direct object (internal accusative)נֶדֶר (H5088) 'vow'; cognate accusative with תִדֹּר, intensifying the act of vowing itself.
לַיהוָ֣הto YHWHprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Indirect objectיְהוָה (H3068); the vow is directed to YHWH personally, which is why its violation constitutes sin against him (v. 22b).
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), negating תְאַחֵר; the chapter's core instruction on vows.
תְאַחֵ֖רyou shall delayPiel impf 2ms · אָחַר (H309)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibitive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — categorical prohibitionאָחַר (H309) 'to be behind, delay'; in Piel, 'to postpone' — a spoken vow creates an immediate, non-deferrable obligation.
לְשַׁלְּמ֑וֹto pay itprep לְ + Piel inf constr + 3ms suffix · שָׁלַם (H7999)Complementary infinitival clause completing תְאַחֵר→ Infinitive construct: the delayed act itselfשָׁלַם (H7999) 'to be complete, whole'; in Piel, 'to pay, fulfill' — the vow's completion is treated as a debt owed to YHWH.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the motive clauseכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; grounds the prohibition in YHWH's certain enforcement.
דָּרֹ֨שׁsurelyQal inf abs · דָּרַשׁ (H1875)Intensifying infinitive absolute paired with the finite verb יִדְרְשֶׁנּוּ→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic certaintyדָּרַשׁ (H1875) 'to seek, require'; the infinitive-absolute-plus-finite-verb construction (דָּרֹשׁ יִדְרְשֶׁנּוּ) intensifies certainty — 'he will surely require it'.
יִדְרְשֶׁ֜נּוּhe will require itQal impf 3ms + 3ms suffix · דָּרַשׁ (H1875)Predicate verb (main clause, intensified by the preceding infinitive absolute)→ Yiqtol intensified by infinitive absolute: emphatic certainty of future demandדָּרַשׁ (H1875) 'to seek, require, hold accountable'; the finite half of the emphatic construction — YHWH will exact the unpaid vow.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name — the one to whom the vow was made and who will hold the vower accountable.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
מֵֽעִמָּ֔ךְfrom youprep מִן + prep עִם + 2fs suffix · עִם (H5973)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source)עִם (H5973) 'with'; מֵעִמָּךְ, 'from you' — the source from which YHWH will exact the debt (the 2fs suffix here is anomalous/archaic, addressed generically).
וְהָיָ֥הand it will beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (consequential main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential — the sobering result of delayהָיָה (H1961); introduces the final consequence, 'and it will be sin in you'.
בְךָ֖in youprep בְּ + 2ms suffix · בְּ (H9003)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location)בְּ + suffix, 'in you'; the guilt of an unpaid vow adheres to the person, not merely the transaction.
חֵֽטְאsinN m sg abs · חֵטְא (H2399)Predicate nominativeחֵטְא (H2399) 'sin, guilt'; closes the verse — delay in paying a vow is not a mere social lapse but sin against YHWH.
23
וְכִ֥י תֶחְדַּ֖ל לִנְדֹּ֑ר לֹֽא יִהְיֶ֥ה בְךָ֖ חֵֽטְא
But if you refrain from vowing, there will be no sin in you.
Vowing itself is entirely voluntary and never obligatory; the sin lies only in a vow made and not kept, not in abstaining from vows altogether (cf. Eccl 5:4–5).
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְכִ֥יbut ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative/conditional conjunction introducing the contrast clauseוְכִי 'but if'; introduces the escape clause balancing v. 22 — abstaining from vows carries no penalty.
תֶחְדַּ֖לyou refrainQal impf 2ms · חָדַל (H2308)Predicate verb (conditional protasis)→ Yiqtol: modal — a hypothetical alternative caseחָדַל (H2308) 'to cease, refrain'; here 'refrain from vowing at all' — the deliberately permitted alternative to vowing.
לִנְדֹּ֑רfrom vowingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָדַר (H5087)Complementary infinitival clause completing תֶחְדַּל→ Infinitive construct: the act refrained fromנָדַר (H5087) 'to vow'; the same verb as v. 22, now in its negative counterpart — not vowing at all.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), negating יִהְיֶה; states the escape clause's outcome — no guilt at all.
יִהְיֶ֥הthere will beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential clause, apodosis)→ Yiqtol: modal — a stated non-consequenceהָיָה (H1961), existential; negated, 'there will be no sin' — abstaining from a vow is entirely without penalty.
בְךָ֖in youprep בְּ + 2ms suffix · בְּ (H9003)Adverbial prepositional phrase (location)בְּ + suffix, 'in you'; deliberately mirrors v. 22's phrasing to show the contrast is exact.
חֵֽטְאsinN m sg abs · חֵטְא (H2399)Predicate nominativeחֵטְא (H2399) 'sin, guilt'; closes the verse — the same word as v. 22, now negated to show vowing is entirely optional.
24
מוֹצָ֥א שְׂפָתֶ֖יךָ תִּשְׁמֹ֣ר וְעָשִׂ֑יתָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר נָדַ֜רְתָּ לַיהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ נְדָבָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּ֖רְתָּ בְּפִֽיךָ
What goes out of your lips you shall keep and do, just as you have vowed to YHWH your God as a freewill offering, which you promised with your own mouth.
The maxim 'what goes out of your lips you shall keep' universalizes the point: speech to God is binding the instant it is uttered, regardless of formal ritual.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
מוֹצָ֥אthe utterance ofN m sg constr · מוֹצָא (H4161)Direct object (construct head, fronted)מוֹצָא (H4161), from יָצָא 'to go out', 'that which goes out, utterance'; the summary maxim fronted for emphasis — speech itself is binding.
שְׂפָתֶ֖יךָyour lipsN f dual constr + 2ms suffix · שָׂפָה (H8193)Genitive completing the construct chainשָׂפָה (H8193) 'lip', dual form for the pair; 'the utterance of your lips' — whatever is spoken aloud.
תִּשְׁמֹ֣רyou shall keepQal impf 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/prescriptive — an absolute obligationשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard'; the same verb governing the whole camp-holiness unit (v. 10) is now applied to keeping one's word.
וְעָשִׂ֑יתָand doconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (coordinate main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential — action must follow speechעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, perform'; paired with שָׁמַר, moving from verbal fidelity to actual performance of the vow.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨רjust asprep כְּ + relative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative subordinating conjunction introducing the clause of mannerכַּאֲשֶׁר 'just as'; ties the performance exactly to the terms originally vowed.
נָדַ֜רְתָּyou vowedQal perf 2ms · נָדַר (H5087)Predicate verb (comparative clause)→ Perfective: a completed prior actנָדַר (H5087) 'to vow'; the earlier speech-act that now demands matching action.
לַיהוָ֤הto YHWHprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Indirect objectיְהוָה (H3068); the recipient of the vow, as in v. 22.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
נְדָבָ֔הa freewill offeringN f sg abs · נְדָבָה (H5071)Direct object, in apposition to the vow just describedנְדָבָה (H5071) 'freewill offering, voluntary gift', from the root 'to be willing'; underscores that vows begin as free acts even though, once made, they bind.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying נְדָבָהאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the final clause naming the act of spoken promise.
דִּבַּ֖רְתָּyou promisedPiel perf 2ms · דִּבֵּר (H1696)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed act of speechדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; in Piel, the ordinary verb 'to speak' — its use here for a vow shows that ordinary speech, not just formal ritual, creates binding obligation to YHWH.
בְּפִֽיךָwith your mouthprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · פֶּה (H6310)Adverbial prepositional phrase (means)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; closes the verse by returning to the organ of speech, framing the maxim of v. 24a — 'the utterance of your lips ... with your own mouth'.
25
כִּ֤י תָבֹא֙ בְּכֶ֣רֶם רֵעֶ֔ךָ וְאָכַלְתָּ֧ עֲנָבִ֛ים כְּנַפְשְׁךָ֖ שָׂבְעֶ֑ךָ וְאֶֽל כֶּלְיְךָ֖ לֹ֥א תִתֵּֽן
When you come into your neighbor's vineyard, you may eat grapes until you are satisfied, as you desire, but you shall not put any in your container.
A carefully balanced allowance: generous on-the-spot eating is permitted (a customary right of the hungry traveler), but harvesting for later use or profit crosses into theft — the line between hospitality and taking.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
כִּ֤יwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Temporal/conditional conjunction introducing the new unitכִּי (H3588) 'when'; opens the closing pair of case-laws on eating from a neighbor's field (vv. 25-26).
תָבֹא֙you comeQal impf 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (temporal protasis)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a recurring, ordinary scenarioבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; here of simply walking through another's vineyard — an everyday occurrence this law regulates.
בְּכֶ֣רֶםinto the vineyard ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · כֶּרֶם (H3754)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)כֶּרֶם (H3754) 'vineyard'; the setting of the first of the two closing cases.
רֵעֶ֔ךָyour neighborN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · רֵעַ (H7453)Genitive completing the construct chainרֵעַ (H7453) 'neighbor, friend, fellow'; presumes the everyday closeness of Israelite village life, where crossing a neighbor's field was routine.
וְאָכַלְתָּ֧and you shall eatconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause, permissive)→ Weqatal: permissive instruction — a granted allowanceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; grants on-the-spot eating as a customary right, not theft.
עֲנָבִ֛יםgrapesN m pl abs · עֵנָב (H6025)Direct objectעֵנָב (H6025) 'grape'; the specific produce of the כֶּרֶם just entered.
כְּנַפְשְׁךָ֖according to your desireprep כְּ + N c sg constr + 2ms suffix · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner/degree)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, appetite, desire'; כְּנַפְשְׁךָ, 'according to your appetite' — generous, unrestricted eating is explicitly sanctioned.
שָׂבְעֶ֑ךָyour fillN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · שֹׂבַע (H7648)Adverbial accusative in apposition, intensifying כְּנַפְשְׁךָשֹׂבַע (H7648) 'satisfaction, fill'; reinforces the generosity of the allowance — eat until full, not merely a taste.
וְאֶֽלbut intoconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Adversative conjunction + prepositional phrase (goal), fronted for contrastאֶל (H413) 'to, into'; fronted to mark the sharp contrast — eating is unlimited, but taking is forbidden.
כֶּלְיְךָ֖your vesselN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · כְּלִי (H3627)Object of preposition אֶלכְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, container'; the marker of the line between eating on the spot and harvesting for later use or sale.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), negating תִתֵּן; states the boundary of the allowance.
תִתֵּֽןyou shall putQal impf 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibitive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — categorical limitנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put'; here 'to place [in a container]' — the act that would convert customary eating into taking for profit.
26
כִּ֤י תָבֹא֙ בְּקָמַ֣ת רֵעֶ֔ךָ וְקָטַפְתָּ֥ מְלִילֹ֖ת בְּיָדֶ֑ךָ וְחֶרְמֵשׁ֙ לֹ֣א תָנִ֔יף עַ֖ל קָמַ֥ת רֵעֶֽךָ
When you come into your neighbor's standing grain, you may pluck ears with your hand, but you shall not swing a sickle over your neighbor's standing grain.
The same logic as v. 25 applied to grain: hand-plucking for immediate need is allowed, but a sickle turns permitted gleaning into harvesting another's crop. This is the very law the disciples exercise in Matt 12:1//Mark 2:23//Luke 6:1, walking through a grainfield and plucking heads of grain — read by the Pharisees as a Sabbath violation of labor, not as theft.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
כִּ֤יwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Temporal/conditional conjunction introducing the parallel caseכִּי (H3588) 'when'; introduces the grain-field parallel to the vineyard case of v. 25, closing the chapter.
תָבֹא֙you comeQal impf 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (temporal protasis)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a recurring, ordinary scenarioבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the same opening as v. 25, applied now to a grainfield rather than a vineyard.
בְּקָמַ֣תinto the standing grain ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · קָמָה (H7054)Locative prepositional phrase (goal)קָמָה (H7054) 'standing grain', from קוּם 'to stand'; the crop still rooted in the field, not yet harvested.
רֵעֶ֔ךָyour neighborN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · רֵעַ (H7453)Genitive completing the construct chainרֵעַ (H7453) 'neighbor'; the same term as v. 25, again presuming close village proximity.
וְקָטַפְתָּ֥and you shall pluckconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · קָטַף (H6998)Predicate verb (main clause, permissive)→ Weqatal: permissive instruction — a granted allowanceקָטַף (H6998) 'to pluck, pick off'; a light, hand-only action — this is the very verb-sense behind the disciples' grainfield plucking in Matt 12:1//Mark 2:23//Luke 6:1.
מְלִילֹ֖תears of grainN f pl abs · מְלִילָה (H4425)Direct objectמְלִילָה (H4425), a rare noun (hapax legomenon) for 'ear of grain'; the specific object of hand-plucking permitted here.
בְּיָדֶ֑ךָwith your handprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 2ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (means)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; specifies the permitted method — hand-plucking, as opposed to the tool named next.
וְחֶרְמֵשׁ֙but a sickleconj וְ + N m sg abs · חֶרְמֵשׁ (H2770)Direct object (fronted for contrast)חֶרְמֵשׁ (H2770) 'sickle'; fronted for emphasis — the tool of actual harvest, sharply distinguished from hand-plucking.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following verbלֹא (H3808), negating תָנִיף; marks the boundary between customary gleaning and harvesting another's crop.
תָנִ֔יףyou shall swingHiphil impf 2ms · נוּף (H5130)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibitive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — categorical prohibitionנוּף (H5130) 'to wave, swing'; in Hiphil, causative 'to wield' — using the sickle would convert incidental eating into unauthorized harvesting.
עַ֖לoverprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase governing קָמַת רֵעֶךָעַל (H5921) 'upon, over'; specifies exactly whose standing grain the sickle may not touch.
קָמַ֥תthe standing grain ofN f sg constr · קָמָה (H7054)Object of preposition עַל (construct head)קָמָה (H7054); repeats the verse's opening noun, forming an inclusio around the whole case.
רֵעֶֽךָyour neighborN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · רֵעַ (H7453)Genitive completing the construct chain, closing the chapterרֵעַ (H7453); the chapter's final word — its last laws, like several before them, protect the neighbor's rightful property even while extending him generosity.