1
וַיִּקְרָ֥א מֹשֶׁ֛ה אֶל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֑ם אַתֶּ֣ם רְאִיתֶ֗ם אֵ֣ת כָּל אֲשֶׁר֩ עָשָׂ֨ה יְהוָ֤ה לְעֵֽינֵיכֶם֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם לְפַרְעֹ֥ה וּלְכָל עֲבָדָ֖יו וּלְכָל אַרְצֽוֹ
Moses summoned all Israel and said to them: You have seen everything that YHWH did before your eyes in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, to all his servants, and to all his land.
The wayyiqtol pair (he summoned...he said) is pure narrative frame; the retrospective address proper begins with the emphatic fronted 'you' in the next clause, launching the historical review of vv.1-8.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיִּקְרָ֥אand he calledQal wayyiqtol 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main narrative verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, summon, proclaim'; introduces Moses' formal, solemn address to the assembled nation.
מֹשֶׁ֛הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיִּקְרָאמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the lawgiver and mediator; subject of the summons opening this final Moab discourse.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; introduces the recipients of the summons.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing 'Israel'כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every, whole'; construct form governing the following genitive.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of כָּל, object of אֶליִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant nation, addressed here corporately and comprehensively.
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (introduces direct speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; standard verb introducing the direct discourse that follows.
אֲלֵהֶ֑םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, indirect object of 'said'אֶל (H413) with 3mp suffix, resuming 'all Israel' as addressee.
אַתֶּ֣םyouindependent pronoun 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Emphatic fronted subjectאַתֶּם (H859), emphatic independent pronoun; fronted for emphasis before the verb, 'you yourselves.'
רְאִיתֶ֗םyou have seenQal perf 2mp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act now recounted as shared national experienceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; opens the historical retrospect that grounds the covenant appeal.
אֵ֣ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marks the definite direct-object clause introduced by אֲשֶׁר.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct, head of the following relative clauseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; governs the relative clause naming what Israel saw.
אֲשֶׁר֩thatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), the invariable relative particle; introduces the content of 'all.'
עָשָׂ֨הhe didQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; God's decisive historical acts of judgment in Egypt.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of עָשָׂהיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; subject of 'did.'
לְעֵֽינֵיכֶם֙before your eyesprep לְ + N dual constr + 2mp suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial phrase of witnessed mannerעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; the idiom 'before your eyes' stresses direct, personal, firsthand witness.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; construct with Egypt naming the site of the signs.
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complementמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt, the land of bondage where YHWH's wonders were first displayed.
לְפַרְעֹ֥הto Pharaohprep לְ + proper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Prepositional phrase, further object of 'did'פַּרְעֹה (H6547), the Egyptian royal title; the trials fell on him personally.
וּלְכָלand to allconj וְ + prep לְ + N constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinated prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; extends the list of those who witnessed/suffered the signs.
עֲבָדָ֖יוhis servantsN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · עֶבֶד (H5650)Genitive complementעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, slave'; Pharaoh's officials and court.
וּלְכָלand to allconj וְ + prep לְ + N constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinated prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605); extends the list a second time, building toward the climactic 'his land.'
אַרְצֽוֹhis landN constr + 3ms suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement, climactic final itemאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; Pharaoh's whole realm, closing the merism of persons (servants) and territory.
2
הַמַּסּוֹת֙ הַגְּדֹלֹ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר רָא֖וּ עֵינֶ֑יךָ הָאֹתֹ֧ת וְהַמֹּפְתִ֛ים הַגְּדֹלִ֖ים הָהֵֽם
the great trials that your eyes saw, those signs and those great wonders.
An appositional expansion of v.1's 'all that YHWH did,' specifying the trials/signs/wonders as direct objects still governed by 'you have seen' — vv.1-2 MT form a single long sentence.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
הַמַּסּוֹת֙the trialsart + N f pl abs · מַסָּה (H4531)Apposition to 'all that YHWH did' (v.1), first itemמַסָּה (H4531) 'trial, test'; from נָסָה 'to test'; the plagues and wilderness ordeals viewed as tests of/for Israel.
הַגְּדֹלֹ֔תthe greatart + Adj f pl abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying 'trials'גָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; emphasizes the scale of the plagues.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the clause describing what the eyes saw.
רָא֖וּsawQal perf 3cp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of witnessingרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; here with 'eyes' as subject, an idiom emphasizing direct visual witness.
עֵינֶ֑יךָyour eyesN dual constr + 2ms suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Subject of רָאוּעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; subject of the seeing, singular 'you' shifting from the plural frame of vv.1-2.
הָאֹתֹ֧תthe signsart + N c pl abs · אוֹת (H226)Apposition, second item in the list begun with 'trials'אוֹת (H226) 'sign'; a marker of divine action pointing beyond itself.
וְהַמֹּפְתִ֛יםand the wondersconj וְ + art + N m pl abs · מוֹפֵת (H4159)Coordinated apposition, third itemמוֹפֵת (H4159) 'wonder, portent'; paired with אוֹת as the standard exodus word-pair for the plagues.
הַגְּדֹלִ֖יםthe greatart + Adj m pl abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying 'signs and wonders'גָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; repeats the emphasis on scale from earlier in the verse.
הָהֵֽםthoseart + demonstrative pronoun 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Attributive demonstrative, closes the listהֵם (H1992) used demonstratively, 'those'; anchors the appositional list back to the specific historical events.
3
וְלֹֽא נָתַן֩ יְהוָ֨ה לָכֶ֥ם לֵב֙ לָדַ֔עַת וְעֵינַ֥יִם לִרְא֖וֹת וְאָזְנַ֣יִם לִשְׁמֹ֑עַ עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה
But YHWH has not given you a heart to know, eyes to see, or ears to hear, to this day.
The pivotal adversative: physical sight (vv.1-2) has not produced spiritual comprehension. 'To this day' marks the wound as still open at the moment of speaking, awaiting the circumcised heart of 30:6.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְלֹֽאbut notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Adversative conjunction + negation, negates the verbלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle; negates 'has given,' introducing the chapter's central deficiency.
נָתַן֩he has givenQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective (negated): a state that has persisted, not a single denied actנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; God withholding the capacity for spiritual perception, an enduring condition rather than a single refusal.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the negated 'has given.'
לָכֶ֥םto youprep לְ + 2mp suffixIndirect objectלְ preposition with 2mp suffix, marking the recipient (not) given a heart.
לֵב֙a heartN m sg abs · לֵב (H3820)Direct object of נָתַןלֵב (H3820) 'heart, mind'; the seat of understanding and will — its withholding is the chapter's central diagnosis, reversed only in 30:6's circumcised heart.
לָדַ֔עַתto knowprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָדַע (H3045)Epexegetical infinitive specifying the heart's intended function→ Infinitive of purpose/result: the capacity the heart would have enabledיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; covenantal, experiential knowledge, not mere information.
וְעֵינַ֥יִםand eyesconj וְ + N dual abs · עַיִן (H5869)Coordinated direct object (elliptical verb 'given')עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; second organ of perception withheld, parallel to 'heart.'
לִרְא֖וֹתto seeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · רָאָה (H7200)Epexegetical infinitive specifying the eyes' function→ Infinitive of purpose/resultרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; here of spiritual perception, contrasting with the physical seeing of vv.1-2.
וְאָזְנַ֣יִםand earsconj וְ + N dual abs · אֹזֶן (H241)Coordinated direct objectאֹזֶן (H241) 'ear'; third organ withheld, completing the triad heart/eyes/ears.
לִשְׁמֹ֑עַto hearprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַע (H8085)Epexegetical infinitive specifying the ears' function→ Infinitive of purpose/resultשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; often implying obedient response, not mere auditory reception.
עַ֖דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phraseעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; marks the ongoing, unresolved present of the deficiency.
הַיּ֥וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Object of עַד, temporal phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with הַזֶּה forms the idiom 'to this day.'
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'day'זֶה (H2088) 'this'; 'to this day' marks the deficiency as still unresolved at the moment of speaking.
4
וָאוֹלֵ֥ךְ אֶתְכֶ֛ם אַרְבָּעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר לֹֽא בָל֤וּ שַׂלְמֹֽתֵיכֶם֙ מֵעֲלֵיכֶ֔ם וְנַֽעַלְךָ֥ לֹֽא בָלְתָ֖ה מֵעַ֥ל רַגְלֶֽךָ
I led you forty years in the wilderness; your clothes did not wear out on you, and your sandal did not wear out on your foot.
YHWH's own sustaining care (voiced through Moses) is offered as further evidence Israel should have perceived, extending the retrospect begun in v.1.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וָאוֹלֵ֥ךְand I ledconj וְ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 1cs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (YHWH speaking in first person)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) in Hiphil 'to cause to walk, lead'; YHWH's first-person recollection of guiding Israel through the wilderness.
אֶתְכֶ֛ם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of 'led'אֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix; marks Israel as the direct object of the leading.
אַרְבָּעִ֥יםfortycardinal number, common pl · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Adverbial accusative of duration, modifying 'years'אַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; the standard biblical figure for a generation's wilderness sojourn.
שָׁנָ֖הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Accusative of duration (distributive singular with numeral)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; singular form used distributively after the numeral, per Hebrew idiom.
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑רin the wildernessprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phraseמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, desert'; the site of the forty years' testing and provision.
לֹֽאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the verb 'wore out'לֹא (H3808); negates בָלוּ.
בָל֤וּwore outQal perf 3cp · בָּלָה (H1086)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective (negated): a non-event spanning the whole forty yearsבָּלָה (H1086) 'to wear out, become old'; the negated verb testifies to God's sustaining, non-natural provision.
שַׂלְמֹֽתֵיכֶם֙your clothesN f pl constr + 2mp suffix · שַׂלְמָה (H8008)Subject of בָלוּשַׂלְמָה (H8008) 'garment, cloak'; miraculously durable through forty years.
מֵעֲלֵיכֶ֔םfrom upon youprep מִן + prep עַל + 2mp suffix · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase completing 'wore out'עַל (H5921) with מִן, 'off of you'; idiom for garments wearing away from the body.
וְנַֽעַלְךָ֥and your sandalconj וְ + N f sg constr + 2ms suffix · נַעַל (H5275)Subject of the parallel clauseנַעַל (H5275) 'sandal'; the second item preserved, paired with 'clothes' as the totality of Israel's covering.
לֹֽאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the second verb 'wore out'לֹא (H3808); negates בָלְתָה.
בָלְתָ֖הwore outQal perf 3fs · בָּלָה (H1086)Predicate verb, second clause→ Perfective (negated): parallel non-eventבָּלָה (H1086); feminine form agreeing with 'sandal.'
מֵעַ֥לfrom uponprep מִן + prep עַל · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase completing 'wore out'עַל (H5921) with מִן, 'off of'; parallel idiom to the first clause.
רַגְלֶֽךָyour footN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · רֶגֶל (H7272)Object of the prepositional phraseרֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot'; the sandal's resting place, completing the image of miraculous preservation.
5
לֶ֚חֶם לֹ֣א אֲכַלְתֶּ֔ם וְיַ֥יִן וְשֵׁכָ֖ר לֹ֣א שְׁתִיתֶ֑ם לְמַ֨עַן֙ תֵּֽדְע֔וּ כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם
You ate no bread and drank no wine or strong drink, so that you might know that I am YHWH your God.
The לְמַעַן purpose clause states explicitly what the wilderness provision was for — knowledge of YHWH — directly answering the deficiency named in v.3.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
לֶ֚חֶםbreadN common sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Direct object of 'ate' (fronted for emphasis)לֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; fronted to emphasize what was not needed, unlike ordinary journeys.
לֹ֣אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates 'you ate'לֹא (H3808); negates אֲכַלְתֶּם.
אֲכַלְתֶּ֔םyou ateQal perf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective (negated): the whole forty years summarized as non-needאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; Israel needed no ordinary provisions, having been fed miraculously (cf. 8:3).
וְיַ֥יִןand wineconj וְ + N m sg abs · יַיִן (H3196)Coordinated direct objectיַיִן (H3196) 'wine'; paired with שֵׁכָר as the ordinary beverages of settled life.
וְשֵׁכָ֖רand strong drinkconj וְ + N m sg abs · שֵׁכָר (H7941)Coordinated direct objectשֵׁכָר (H7941) 'strong drink, intoxicant'; completes the merism of ordinary food and drink Israel did without.
לֹ֣אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates 'you drank'לֹא (H3808); negates שְׁתִיתֶם.
שְׁתִיתֶ֑םyou drankQal perf 2mp · שָׁתָה (H8354)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective (negated)שָׁתָה (H8354) 'to drink'; parallel to 'you ate,' completing the description of miraculous sufficiency.
לְמַ֨עַן֙so thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Introduces purpose clauseלְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order that'; states the theological purpose of the wilderness provisions.
תֵּֽדְע֔וּyou might knowQal impf 2mp · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb of purpose clause→ Yiqtol (volitive/purposive): the intended, hoped-for resultיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; the purpose-goal of the entire retrospect (vv.1-8), directly countering v.3's deficiency.
כִּ֛יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Introduces content clause of 'know'כִּי (H3588), here introducing a content clause: 'that I am YHWH.'
אֲנִ֥יIindependent pronoun 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the nominal clauseאֲנִי (H589), first-person pronoun; forms the self-identification formula אֲנִי יְהוָה.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominativeיְהוָה (H3068); the covenant name, predicated of 'I' in the self-identification formula.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽםyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָה, completing the covenant formulaאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; with 2mp suffix, completes the recognition formula 'I am YHWH your God.'
6
וַתָּבֹ֖אוּ אֶל הַמָּק֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה וַיֵּצֵ֣א סִיחֹ֣ן מֶֽלֶךְ חֶ֠שְׁבּוֹן וְע֨וֹג מֶֽלֶךְ הַבָּשָׁ֧ן לִקְרָאתֵ֛נוּ לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה וַנַּכֵּֽם
And you came to this place; Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan came out against us to battle, and we struck them down.
Shifts from wilderness provision to the recent military victories east of the Jordan, extending the catalogue of witnessed divine acts.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַתָּבֹ֖אוּand you cameconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; marks arrival at the Transjordan, transitioning to the Sihon/Og narrative.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of destinationאֶל (H413) 'to'; introduces the destination reached.
הַמָּק֣וֹםthe placeart + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Object of אֶלמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; a general term here referring to the Transjordan region.
הַזֶּ֑הthisart + demonstrative · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'place'זֶה (H2088) 'this'; specifies the immediate location of the covenant assembly.
וַיֵּצֵ֣אand he came outconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; of Sihon marching out to battle, recalling Numbers 21 and Deut 2.
סִיחֹ֣ןSihonproper noun · סִיחֹן (H5511)Subject of וַיֵּצֵאסִיחֹן (H5511), the Amorite king of Heshbon defeated in Deut 2.
מֶֽלֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Construct, apposition to Sihonמֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct title identifying Sihon's realm.
חֶ֠שְׁבּוֹןHeshbonproper noun · חֶשְׁבּוֹן (H2809)Genitive complementחֶשְׁבּוֹן (H2809), Sihon's Amorite capital city.
וְע֨וֹגand Ogconj וְ + proper noun · עוֹג (H5747)Coordinated subject of וַיֵּצֵאעוֹג (H5747), the king of Bashan, also defeated in Deut 3, remembered elsewhere for his great size.
מֶֽלֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Construct, apposition to Ogמֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct title identifying Og's realm.
הַבָּשָׁ֧ןBashanart + proper noun · בָּשָׁן (H1316)Genitive complementבָּשָׁן (H1316), the fertile region east of the Jordan ruled by Og.
לִקְרָאתֵ֛נוּto meet usprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 1cp suffix · קָרָא (H7125)Infinitive of purpose, modifying 'came out'→ Infinitive of purpose: the hostile intent of the marchקרא II (H7125) 'to meet, encounter'; here of hostile confrontation, 'to meet us in battle.'
לַמִּלְחָמָ֖הfor battleprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Prepositional phrase specifying purposeמִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'battle, war'; names the hostile purpose of the kings' advance.
וַנַּכֵּֽםand we struck themconj וְ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 1cp + 3mp suffix · נָכָה (H5221)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, climactic result→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, decisive victoryנָכָה (H5221) in Hiphil 'to strike, defeat'; the decisive Israelite victory over both kings.
7
וַנִּקַּח֙ אֶת אַרְצָ֔ם וַנִּתְּנָ֣הּ לְנַחֲלָ֔ה לָרֽאוּבֵנִ֖י וְלַגָּדִ֑י וְלַחֲצִ֖י שֵׁ֥בֶט הַֽמְנַשִּֽׁי
We took their land and gave it as an inheritance to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of the Manassites.
Closes the historical retrospect with the concrete, present result of conquest — land already inherited by two and a half tribes.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַנִּקַּח֙and we tookconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cp · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Israel's seizure of the conquered Transjordanian territory.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marks 'their land' as the definite direct object.
אַרְצָ֔םtheir landN constr + 3mp suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of 'took'אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the territory of the defeated Sihon and Og.
וַנִּתְּנָ֣הּand we gave itconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cp + 3fs suffix · נָתַן (H5414)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the land's distribution as tribal inheritance.
לְנַחֲלָ֔הas an inheritanceprep לְ + N f sg abs · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Predicate complement of 'gave' (double accusative)נַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, possession'; the permanent, hereditary land-grant to the two and a half tribes.
לָרֽאוּבֵנִ֖יto the Reubeniteprep לְ + art + gentilic sg · רְאוּבֵנִי (H7206)Indirect object (collective singular)רְאוּבֵנִי (H7206), gentilic 'Reubenite,' used collectively for the tribe of Reuben.
וְלַגָּדִ֑יand to the Gaditeconj וְ + prep לְ + art + gentilic sg · גָּדִי (H1425)Coordinated indirect objectגָּדִי (H1425), gentilic 'Gadite,' collectively the tribe of Gad.
וְלַחֲצִ֖יand to half ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · חֲצִי (H2677)Coordinated indirect object, constructחֲצִי (H2677) 'half'; governs 'the tribe of the Manassite.'
שֵׁ֥בֶטthe tribe ofN m sg constr · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Construct, genitive complement of חֲצִישֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'tribe, staff'; construct with the gentilic Manassite.
הַֽמְנַשִּֽׁיthe Manassiteart + gentilic sg · מְנַשִּׁי (H4520)Genitive complementמְנַשִּׁי (H4520), gentilic 'Manassite'; the eastern half-tribe settled in Bashan.
8
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֗ם אֶת דִּבְרֵי֙ הַבְּרִ֣ית הַזֹּ֔את וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם לְמַ֣עַן תַּשְׂכִּ֔ילוּ אֵ֖ת כָּל אֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעֲשֽׂוּן
So keep the words of this covenant and do them, so that you may prosper in all that you do.
The retrospect issues in exhortation: the weqatal forms 'keep' and 'do' draw the practical consequence from vv.1-7, with תַּשְׂכִּילוּ echoing the wisdom vocabulary of covenant success.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֗םso keepconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Weqatal continuing the exhortation (result/consequence of vv.1-7)→ Weqatal: consequential/injunctive, continuing the main line as commandשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; standard Deuteronomic verb for covenant fidelity.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marks 'the words of this covenant' as direct object.
דִּבְרֵי֙the words ofN m pl constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object, constructדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter'; construct with 'covenant,' i.e. its stipulations.
הַבְּרִ֣יתthe covenantart + N f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Genitive complementבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; the Moab covenant currently being enacted.
הַזֹּ֔אתthisart + demonstrative fs · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'covenant'זֹאת (H2063) 'this' (fs); specifies the present covenant as distinct from, yet additional to, Horeb's.
וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖םand doconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Weqatal continuing the exhortation→ Weqatal: consequential/injunctiveעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, perform'; paired with 'keep' as the standard verb-pair for covenant obedience.
אֹתָ֑ם[obj] themobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of 'do', resuming 'the words'אֵת (H853) with 3mp suffix, resuming 'the words of this covenant.'
לְמַ֣עַןso thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Introduces purpose clauseלְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order that'; states the practical goal of obedience.
תַּשְׂכִּ֔ילוּyou may prosperHiphil impf 2mp · שָׂכַל (H7919)Predicate verb of purpose clause→ Yiqtol (volitive/purposive): the intended prosperous outcomeשָׂכַל (H7919) in Hiphil 'to be prudent, prosper, succeed'; wisdom vocabulary linking covenant obedience to flourishing.
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marks the following relative clause as direct object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct, head of relative clauseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; governs the relative clause naming the scope of obedience.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces 'that you do.'
תַּעֲשֽׂוּןyou doQal impf 2mp (paragogic nun) · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Yiqtol: habitual/durative, ongoing conductעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; the paragogic nun (an archaic/emphatic ending) marks vivid, weighty style.
9
אַתֶּ֨ם נִצָּבִ֤ים הַיּוֹם֙ כֻּלְּכֶ֔ם לִפְנֵ֖י יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑ם רָאשֵׁיכֶ֣ם שִׁבְטֵיכֶ֗ם זִקְנֵיכֶם֙ וְשֹׁ֣טְרֵיכֶ֔ם כֹּ֖ל אִ֥ישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
You are standing today, all of you, before YHWH your God — your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers, all the men of Israel.
Opens the covenant-ratification scene (vv.9-14) with a participial clause ('standing') stressing the present, comprehensive assembly of the whole nation by rank.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
אַתֶּ֨םyouindependent pronoun 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject (fronted)אַתֶּם (H859); fronted subject opening the covenant-assembly scene.
נִצָּבִ֤יםare standingNiphal ptc mpl abs · נָצַב (H5324)Predicate participle (main clause)→ Participle: durative present, describing the assembly's current postureנָצַב (H5324) in Niphal 'to stand, take one's stand, be stationed'; describes formal, ceremonial standing before YHWH for covenant ratification.
הַיּוֹם֙todayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; used adverbially, 'today' — the recurring temporal marker of urgency throughout the chapter.
כֻּלְּכֶ֔םall of youN m sg constr + 2mp suffix · כֹּל (H3605)Apposition to the subject 'you'כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; with 2mp suffix stresses the totality of the assembly before the list of ranks begins.
לִפְנֵ֖יbeforeprep · לִפְנֵי (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; construct prep 'before, in the presence of.'
יְהוָ֣הYHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068); the divine presence before whom Israel stands.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑םyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); completes the covenant title 'YHWH your God.'
רָאשֵׁיכֶ֣םyour headsN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · רֹאשׁ (H7218)Apposition, first item of the census-like listרֹאשׁ (H7218) 'head'; here of tribal/clan heads, the topmost rank of leadership.
שִׁבְטֵיכֶ֗םyour tribesN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Apposition, second itemשֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'tribe'; the major kinship divisions of Israel.
זִקְנֵיכֶם֙your eldersAdj m pl constr + 2mp suffix · זָקֵן (H2205)Apposition, third itemזָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elder'; substantivized, the recognized senior leadership.
וְשֹׁ֣טְרֵיכֶ֔םand your officersconj וְ + Qal ptc mpl constr + 2mp suffix · שֹׁטֵר (H7860)Coordinated apposition, fourth itemשֹׁטֵר (H7860), substantivized participle 'officer, official'; the administrative class, completing the leadership roster.
כֹּ֖לeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct, resumptive summaryכֹּל (H3605) 'every'; resumes and generalizes after the specific ranks, summing up with 'every man of Israel.'
אִ֥ישׁman ofN m sg constr · אִישׁ (H376)Construct, genitive complement of כֹּלאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; construct with Israel, i.e. every male member of the nation.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complementיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); closes the list of those standing, before v.10 extends it further to those not usually named.
10
טַפְּכֶ֣ם נְשֵׁיכֶ֔ם וְגֵ֣רְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּקֶ֣רֶב מַחֲנֶ֑יךָ מֵחֹטֵ֣ב עֵצֶ֔יךָ עַ֖ד שֹׁאֵ֥ב מֵימֶֽיךָ
your little ones, your wives, and the sojourner within your camp, from your woodcutter to your water-drawer —
The list descends from national leaders (v.9) to the most vulnerable and menial — children, wives, resident aliens, and the lowest laborers — making the covenant's scope total, excluding no one present.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
טַפְּכֶ֣םyour little onesN m sg constr + 2mp suffix · טַף (H2945)Apposition continuing the list from v.9טַף (H2945) 'little ones, children'; a collective term for the most vulnerable dependents.
נְשֵׁיכֶ֔םyour wivesN f pl constr + 2mp suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Apposition, second itemאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; the covenant assembly explicitly includes women.
וְגֵ֣רְךָ֔and your sojournerconj וְ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · גֵּר (H1616)Coordinated apposition, third itemגֵּר (H1616) 'resident alien, sojourner'; the non-Israelite living within the camp, likewise bound by the covenant.
אֲשֶׁ֖רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the location of the sojourner.
בְּקֶ֣רֶבin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phraseקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, interior'; standard idiom for full inclusion within the community.
מַחֲנֶ֑יךָyour campN constr + 2ms suffix · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Genitive complementמַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'; the wilderness/covenant community as a whole.
מֵחֹטֵ֣בfrom your woodcutterprep מִן + Qal ptc msc · חָטַב (H2404)Prepositional phrase marking the lower boundary of a merism→ Substantival participle: the class of laborer, not a single eventחָטַב (H2404) 'to cut/gather wood'; a menial trade forming the lower pole of the merism completing the list of vv.9-10.
עֵצֶ֔יךָyour woodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · עֵץ (H6086)Object of the participle 'woodcutter'עֵץ (H6086) 'tree, wood'; the material the woodcutter gathers.
עַ֖דtoprep · עַד (H5704)Marks the upper boundary of the merismעַד (H5704) 'as far as, to'; pairs with מִן to bracket the whole social range.
שֹׁאֵ֥בyour water-drawerQal ptc msc · שָׁאַב (H7579)Substantival participle, upper term of the merism→ Substantival participle: the class of laborer, not a single eventשָׁאַב (H7579) 'to draw (water)'; paired with 'woodcutter' as proverbial for the lowest menial labor — the merism makes the covenant's scope total.
מֵימֶֽיךָyour waterN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · מַיִם (H4325)Object of the participle 'water-drawer'מַיִם (H4325) 'water'; the substance drawn, completing the idiom.
11
לְעָבְרְךָ֗ בִּבְרִ֛ית יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ וּבְאָלָת֑וֹ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ כֹּרֵ֥ת עִמְּךָ֖ הַיּֽוֹם
to enter into the covenant of YHWH your God, and into his oath-curse, which YHWH your God is cutting with you today,
States the purpose of the assembly named in v.9: entry into covenant and its sworn oath-curse (אָלָה), described with the present participle כֹּרֵת — the covenant-cutting is happening in this very moment.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
לְעָבְרְךָ֗for you to enterprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 2ms suffix · עָבַר (H5674)Infinitive of purpose, governing the whole assembly of v.9→ Infinitive of purpose: states the goal of the standing described in v.9עָבַר (H5674) 'to pass over/through'; here idiomatic of entering covenant, 'to pass into' its bond.
בִּבְרִ֛יתinto the covenant ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · בְּרִית (H1285)Object of the infinitive לְעָבְרְךָבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; the object entered, construct with the divine name.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complementיְהוָה (H3068); the covenant's divine author.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); completes the divine title.
וּבְאָלָת֑וֹand into his oath-curseconj וְ + prep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אָלָה (H423)Coordinated object of the infinitiveאָלָה (H423) 'oath, curse-oath'; the sworn sanction attached to the covenant, binding its participants under threat of curse for breach — a key term of the chapter.
אֲשֶׁר֙whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the clause describing the covenant's present ratification.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of כֹּרֵתיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the participial clause.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); completes the subject's title.
כֹּרֵ֥תis cuttingQal ptc msa · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate participle (relative clause)→ Participle: vivid present, the covenant-cutting as a live act at this momentכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut'; idiom כָּרַת בְּרִית 'to cut a covenant,' from the ritual cutting of sacrificial animals in ratification.
עִמְּךָ֖with youprep עִם + 2ms suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase, complement of כֹּרֵתעִם (H5973) 'with'; identifies Israel as covenant partner in this present cutting.
הַיּֽוֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day', 'today'; stresses the covenant's ratification as a present, living event, not a mere memory of Horeb.
12
לְמַ֣עַן הָקִֽים אֹתְךָ֩ הַיּ֨וֹם ל֜וֹ לְעָ֗ם וְה֤וּא יִֽהְיֶה לְּךָ֙ לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּר לָ֑ךְ וְכַאֲשֶׁ֤ר נִשְׁבַּע֙ לַאֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ לְאַבְרָהָ֥ם לְיִצְחָ֖ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹֽב
in order to establish you today as his people, and that he may be your God, as he spoke to you and as he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
Grounds the Moab covenant in the patriarchal promise: the covenant formula 'his people / your God' is here renewed as fulfillment of the ancient oath to the three patriarchs.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
לְמַ֣עַןin order thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Introduces purpose clause continuing v.11לְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order that'; states the ultimate purpose of the covenant-cutting.
הָקִֽיםhe may establishHiphil inf constr · קוּם (H6965)Infinitive of purpose→ Infinitive of purpose: the covenant's intended effectקוּם (H6965) in Hiphil 'to raise up, establish, confirm'; here of formally constituting Israel as YHWH's people.
אֹתְךָ֩[obj] youobj marker + 2ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of 'establish'אֵת (H853) with 2ms suffix, Israel (addressed collectively in singular) as the object established.
הַיּ֨וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'today'; the covenant's establishment is a present, dated event.
ל֜וֹfor himselfprep לְ + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase, benefactiveלְ with 3ms suffix, 'for himself'; YHWH constitutes Israel as his own possession.
לְעָ֗םas a peopleprep לְ + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Predicate complement of 'establish'עַם (H5971) 'people'; the first half of the covenant formula, 'his people.'
וְה֤וּאand heconj וְ + independent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Emphatic fronted subject of the second clauseהוּא (H1931), emphatic pronoun; fronted subject balancing the formula's second half.
יִֽהְיֶהwill beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future/durative stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the covenant formula's second half, 'he will be your God.'
לְּךָ֙to youprep לְ + 2ms suffixPrepositional phrase, complement of 'will be'לְ with 2ms suffix, marking Israel as the recipient of the divine relationship.
לֵֽאלֹהִ֔יםas Godprep לְ + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate complement of יִהְיֶהאֱלֹהִים (H430); completes the reciprocal covenant formula 'he will be your God.'
כַּאֲשֶׁ֖רasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative clause markerכַּאֲשֶׁר (H834+כְּ) 'just as'; introduces the grounding of the covenant in prior divine speech.
דִּבֶּרhe spokePiel perf 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed prior speech-actדָּבַר (H1696) in Piel 'to speak'; refers to YHWH's earlier promises to the patriarchs and at Horeb.
לָ֑ךְto youprep לְ + 2fs suffixIndirect object of 'spoke'לְ with 2fs suffix (collective form addressing Israel); recipient of the prior divine word.
וְכַאֲשֶׁ֤רand asconj וְ + prep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Coordinated comparative clause markerכַּאֲשֶׁר (H834+כְּ); introduces the second ground, the patriarchal oath.
נִשְׁבַּע֙he sworeNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb of comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed, binding prior oathשָׁבַע (H7650) in Niphal 'to swear (an oath)'; the ancient patriarchal promise now being fulfilled.
לַאֲבֹתֶ֔יךָto your fathersprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Indirect object of 'swore'אָב (H1) 'father'; the patriarchs, recipients of the ancient oath.
לְאַבְרָהָ֥םto Abrahamprep לְ + proper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Apposition specifying 'your fathers'אַבְרָהָם (H85), the first patriarch, recipient of the founding covenant promise (Gen 12, 15, 17).
לְיִצְחָ֖קto Isaacprep לְ + proper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Coordinated appositionיִצְחָק (H3327), the second patriarch, heir of the promise.
וּֽלְיַעֲקֹֽבand to Jacobconj וְ + prep לְ + proper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Coordinated apposition, final itemיַעֲקֹב (H3290), the third patriarch, father of the twelve tribes; closes the patriarchal triad.
13
וְלֹ֥א אִתְּכֶ֖ם לְבַדְּכֶ֑ם אָנֹכִ֗י כֹּרֵת֙ אֶת הַבְּרִ֣ית הַזֹּ֔את וְאֶת הָאָלָ֖ה הַזֹּֽאת
And it is not with you alone that I am cutting this covenant and this oath-curse,
The first half of the chapter's central theological claim: covenant partnership is deliberately not confined to those physically present, setting up v.14's extension to the unborn.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Adversative conjunction + negation, restrictiveלֹא (H3808); negates 'with you alone,' the first half of the chapter's central claim.
אִתְּכֶ֖םwith youprep אֵת + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase, restrictive complementאֵת (H854, comitative 'with') with 2mp suffix; the present assembly, restricted by 'alone.'
לְבַדְּכֶ֑םaloneprep לְ + N m sg constr + 2mp suffix · בַּד (H905)Adverbial phrase intensifying 'with you'בַּד (H905) 'separation, isolation'; idiom לְבַד 'alone, by itself' — restricts covenant partnership from being confined to the visible assembly.
אָנֹכִ֗יIindependent pronoun 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Emphatic fronted subjectאָנֹכִי (H595), emphatic first-person pronoun (YHWH speaking); stresses the divine initiative in cutting the covenant.
כֹּרֵת֙am cuttingQal ptc msa · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate participle (main clause)→ Participle: vivid present, the covenant-cutting as a live actכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut'; repeats the covenant-ratification idiom from v.11.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marks 'this covenant' as direct object.
הַבְּרִ֣יתthe covenantart + N f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct objectבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; the Moab covenant, object of 'cutting.'
הַזֹּ֔אתthisart + demonstrative fs · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'covenant'זֹאת (H2063) 'this'; specifies the present covenant.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)אֵת (H853) marks 'this oath-curse' as the second, coordinate object.
הָאָלָ֖הthe oath-curseart + N f sg abs · אָלָה (H423)Second direct objectאָלָה (H423) 'oath, curse-oath'; the sanction accompanying the covenant, named alongside it as a distinct but bound object of the same cutting.
הַזֹּֽאתthisart + demonstrative fs · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'oath-curse'זֹאת (H2063) 'this'; specifies the present oath-curse.
14
כִּי֩ אֶת אֲשֶׁ֨ר יֶשְׁנ֜וֹ פֹּ֗ה עִמָּ֨נוּ֙ עֹמֵ֣ד הַיּ֔וֹם לִפְנֵ֖י יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ וְאֵ֨ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֵינֶ֛נּוּ פֹּ֖ה עִמָּ֥נוּ הַיּֽוֹם
but with whoever stands here with us today before YHWH our God, and with whoever is not here with us today.
The covenant's most radical claim: it binds not only the present assembly but those 'not here today' — read by the rabbis as embracing all future generations of Israel as present in some sense at this covenant.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
כִּי֩forconj · כִּי (H3588)Explanatory conjunction, continuing v.13כִּי (H3588); explains/expands the restriction of v.13, introducing the positive counterpart.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Comitative prepositional phraseאֵת (H854) 'with'; introduces the party with whom the covenant is cut, resuming v.13's אִתְּכֶם.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhoeverrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun, indefinite ('whoever')אֲשֶׁר (H834); here functioning indefinitely, 'whoever.'
יֶשְׁנ֜וֹis hereexistential particle + 3ms suffix · יֵשׁ (H3426)Predicate of existence in the relative clauseיֵשׁ (H3426) 'there is/exists'; with pronominal suffix, 'he exists/is present,' asserting the reality of those currently standing.
פֹּ֗הhereadverb · פֹּה (H6311)Adverb of placeפֹּה (H6311) 'here'; locates the covenant partners at this very assembly.
עִמָּ֨נוּ֙with usprep עִם + 1cp suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase, comitativeעִם (H5973) 'with'; Moses includes himself among those present.
עֹמֵ֣דstandingQal ptc msa · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate participle describing the present party→ Participle: durative present postureעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; describes the assembly's ongoing posture before YHWH.
הַיּ֔וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'today'; repeats the chapter's insistent temporal marker.
לִפְנֵ֖יbeforeprep · לִפְנֵי (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440); construct prep 'before, in the presence of.'
יְהוָ֣הYHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068); the divine presence before whom the assembly stands.
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּour GodN m pl constr + 1cp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 1cp suffix; Moses speaks inclusively as part of the covenant people.
וְאֵ֨תand withconj וְ + prep · אֵת (H854)Coordinated comitative prepositional phraseאֵת (H854) 'with'; introduces the second, contrasting party — those not present.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhoeverrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun, indefiniteאֲשֶׁר (H834); 'whoever,' paired with v.14a's first relative clause.
אֵינֶ֛נּוּis notneg existential particle + 3ms suffix · אַיִן (H369)Predicate of non-existence/negated presenceאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; with suffix, the negated counterpart to יֶשְׁנוֹ — those not yet existing/present, the chapter's boldest theological claim.
פֹּ֖הhereadverb · פֹּה (H6311)Adverb of placeפֹּה (H6311) 'here'; repeats, now negated, the locative of v.14a.
עִמָּ֥נוּwith usprep עִם + 1cp suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase, comitativeעִם (H5973) 'with'; parallel to v.14a, now of the absent party.
הַיּֽוֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'today'; closes the verse's radical claim that the covenant embraces those not present at this today.
15
כִּֽי אַתֶּ֣ם יְדַעְתֶּ֔ם אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר יָשַׁ֖בְנוּ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וְאֵ֧ת אֲשֶׁר עָבַ֛רְנוּ בְּקֶ֥רֶב הַגּוֹיִ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר עֲבַרְתֶּֽם
For you yourselves know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we passed through the midst of the nations through which you passed.
כִּי here grounds the covenant appeal in shared experiential knowledge, transitioning from the assembly scene back toward the warning against apostasy that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588); grounds the covenant appeal in shared experiential knowledge.
אַתֶּ֣םyouindependent pronoun 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Emphatic fronted subjectאַתֶּם (H859); fronted for emphasis, 'you yourselves know.'
יְדַעְתֶּ֔םknowQal perf 2mp · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a settled, possessed knowledge from lived experienceיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; here experiential, first-hand knowledge, contrasting with v.3's withheld heart-knowledge.
אֵ֥ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marks the first relative clause as direct object.
אֲשֶׁרhowrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the manner of dwelling in Egypt.
יָשַׁ֖בְנוּwe livedQal perf 1cp · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, extended period of dwellingיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; recalls Israel's long sojourn in Egypt.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct with Egypt.
מִצְרָ֑יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complementמִצְרַיִם (H4714), the land of the sojourn and bondage.
וְאֵ֧תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)אֵת (H853) marks the second relative clause as coordinate direct object.
אֲשֶׁרhowrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the manner of passing through the nations.
עָבַ֛רְנוּwe passedQal perf 1cp · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed journeyעָבַר (H5674) 'to pass through'; recalls the wilderness itinerary through hostile territory.
בְּקֶ֥רֶבthrough the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phraseקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst'; describes passing directly through, not around, foreign nations.
הַגּוֹיִ֖םthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Object of בְּקֶרֶבגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the foreign peoples encountered en route, whose idols are described in v.16.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthrough whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the final relative clause specifying the nations passed through.
עֲבַרְתֶּֽםyou passedQal perf 2mp · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed journeyעָבַר (H5674) 'to pass through'; shifts to 2mp, addressing the assembly directly about their own experience.
16
וַתִּרְאוּ֙ אֶת שִׁקּ֣וּצֵיהֶ֔ם וְאֵ֖ת גִּלֻּלֵיהֶ֑ם עֵ֣ץ וָאֶ֔בֶן כֶּ֥סֶף וְזָהָ֖ב אֲשֶׁ֥ר עִמָּהֶֽם
You saw their detestable things and their idols of wood and stone, silver and gold, which were with them.
The nations' idols, seen firsthand during the wilderness journey, become the concrete referent for the temptation warned against in v.17.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַתִּרְאוּ֙and you sawconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 2mp · רָאָה (H7200)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; resumes the retrospect's motif of firsthand witness, now of the nations' idols.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marks 'their detestable things' as direct object.
שִׁקּ֣וּצֵיהֶ֔םtheir detestable thingsN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · שִׁקּוּץ (H8251)Direct objectשִׁקּוּץ (H8251) 'detestable thing, abomination'; strong pejorative term for idols, from a root meaning 'to detest.'
וְאֵ֖תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)אֵת (H853) marks 'their idols' as the coordinate second object.
גִּלֻּלֵיהֶ֑םtheir idolsN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · גִּלּוּל (H1544)Second direct objectגִּלּוּל (H1544) 'idol, dung-pellet(-like thing)'; a deliberately contemptuous term for idols, possibly related to גָּלָל 'dung.'
עֵ֣ץwoodN m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Apposition specifying the idols' materialעֵץ (H6086) 'wood'; the material of carved idols, first of a merism with 'stone.'
וָאֶ֔בֶןand stoneconj וְ + N f sg abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Coordinated appositionאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; second of the wood/stone merism for crafted idols.
כֶּ֥סֶףsilverN m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Apposition specifying the idols' materialכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver'; the precious-metal overlay of the idols, first of a second merism.
וְזָהָ֖בand goldconj וְ + N m sg abs · זָהָב (H2091)Coordinated appositionזָהָב (H2091) 'gold'; completes the silver/gold merism, emphasizing the material seductiveness of foreign idols.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the location of the idols.
עִמָּהֶֽםwere with themprep עִם + 3mp suffix · עִם (H5973)Predicate of the relative clauseעִם (H5973) 'with'; the nations kept these idols in their own possession.
17
פֶּן יֵ֣שׁ בָּ֠כֶם אִ֣ישׁ אוֹ אִשָּׁ֞ה א֧וֹ מִשְׁפָּחָ֣ה אוֹ שֵׁ֗בֶט אֲשֶׁר֩ לְבָב֨וֹ פֹנֶ֤ה הַיּוֹם֙ מֵעִם֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ לָלֶ֣כֶת לַעֲבֹ֔ד אֶת אֱלֹהֵ֖י הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָהֵ֑ם פֶּן יֵ֣שׁ בָּכֶ֗ם שֹׁ֛רֶשׁ פֹּרֶ֥ה רֹ֖אשׁ וְלַעֲנָֽה
lest there be among you a man or woman, or clan or tribe, whose heart turns away today from YHWH our God, to go and serve the gods of those nations; lest there be among you a root bearing poison and wormwood —
The pivotal warning of the chapter: an individual's private apostasy is imaged as a root producing רֹאשׁ וְלַעֲנָה, poison and wormwood — a toxic growth threatening the whole community from within.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunction, introduces the warningפֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; introduces the chapter's pivotal warning against hidden apostasy.
יֵ֣שׁthere isexistential particle · יֵשׁ (H3426)Predicate of existenceיֵשׁ (H3426) 'there is'; asserts the possibility of a hidden apostate within the community.
בָּ֠כֶםamong youprep בְּ + 2mp suffixPrepositional phrase, locativeבְּ with 2mp suffix, 'among you'; locates the danger within the covenant community itself.
אִ֣ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יֵשׁ, first item in a list of possible apostatesאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the individual, as opposed to the corporate assembly of vv.9-14.
אוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; links the list of possible sources of apostasy.
אִשָּׁ֞הa womanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Coordinated subject, second itemאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; the warning applies equally to women, as the assembly of vv.10-11 included them.
א֧וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; continues the list.
מִשְׁפָּחָ֣הa clanN f sg abs · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Coordinated subject, third itemמִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan, family'; a kinship unit larger than the individual but smaller than the tribe.
אוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; final link in the list.
שֵׁ֗בֶטa tribeN m sg abs · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Coordinated subject, fourth itemשֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'tribe'; the warning scales from the individual up to the entire tribe — no level of society is exempt.
אֲשֶׁר֩whoserelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the description of the apostate's inner disposition.
לְבָב֨וֹheartN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Subject of פֹנֶהלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; the seat of hidden loyalty — echoing v.3's withheld heart, now imagined as actively turning away.
פֹנֶ֤הturnsQal ptc msa · פָּנָה (H6437)Predicate participle (relative clause)→ Participle: an ongoing, present inward turning, undetectable from outsideפָּנָה (H6437) 'to turn'; the secret, internal apostasy that outward covenant assembly cannot prevent or detect.
הַיּוֹם֙todayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'today'; even at this very moment of covenant-making, hidden apostasy is possible.
מֵעִם֙away fromprep מִן + prep עִם · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase completing 'turns'עִם (H5973) with מִן, 'away from'; marks the direction of the heart's defection.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of מֵעִםיְהוָה (H3068); the one being secretly abandoned.
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּour GodN m pl constr + 1cp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 1cp suffix; Moses again speaks inclusively.
לָלֶ֣כֶתto goprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָלַךְ (H3212)Infinitive of purpose, modifying the heart's turning→ Infinitive of purpose: the intended (idolatrous) destinationהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; paired with 'serve,' the standard idiom for pursuing other gods.
לַעֲבֹ֔דto serveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָבַד (H5647)Infinitive of purpose, coordinated with 'to go'→ Infinitive of purposeעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; names the apostate act — cultic service of foreign gods.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marks 'the gods of those nations' as direct object of 'serve.'
אֱלֹהֵ֖יthe gods ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Direct object, constructאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'gods'; construct with 'the nations,' the foreign deities encountered en route (cf. v.16).
הַגּוֹיִ֣םthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Genitive complementגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the same nations whose idols were seen in v.16.
הָהֵ֑םthoseart + demonstrative pronoun 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'nations'הֵם (H1992) used demonstratively; specifies the particular nations already described.
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunction, repeated for a second warningפֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; the repetition intensifies the warning with its own vivid image.
יֵ֣שׁthere isexistential particle · יֵשׁ (H3426)Predicate of existenceיֵשׁ (H3426) 'there is'; repeats the existential formula, now for the root-metaphor.
בָּכֶ֗םamong youprep בְּ + 2mp suffixPrepositional phrase, locativeבְּ with 2mp suffix, 'among you'; again locates the danger within the community.
שֹׁ֛רֶשׁa rootN m sg abs · שֹׁרֶשׁ (H8328)Subject of יֵשׁשֹׁרֶשׁ (H8328) 'root'; images secret apostasy as a hidden, growing root — invisible until it bears fruit.
פֹּרֶ֥הbearingQal ptc msa · פָּרָה (H6509)Attributive participle modifying 'root'→ Participle: the root's characteristic, ongoing productivityפָּרָה (H6509) 'to bear fruit, be fruitful'; here of the root producing its toxic yield.
רֹ֖אשׁpoisonN m sg abs · רֹאשׁ (H7219)Direct object of the participle 'bearing'רֹאשׁ (H7219) 'poison, venom' (a homonym of רֹאשׁ 'head'); the bitter, toxic fruit of secret apostasy.
וְלַעֲנָֽהand wormwoodconj וְ + N f sg abs · לַעֲנָה (H3939)Coordinated direct objectלַעֲנָה (H3939) 'wormwood'; a bitter plant, paired with רֹאשׁ as the proverbial idiom for the bitter fruit of covenant betrayal (cf. Amos 6:12).
18
וְהָיָ֡ה בְּשָׁמְעוֹ֩ אֶת דִּבְרֵ֨י הָֽאָלָ֜ה הַזֹּ֗את וְהִתְבָּרֵ֨ךְ בִּלְבָב֤וֹ לֵאמֹר֙ שָׁל֣וֹם יִֽהְיֶה לִּ֔י כִּ֛י בִּשְׁרִר֥וּת לִבִּ֖י אֵלֵ֑ךְ לְמַ֛עַן סְפ֥וֹת הָרָוָ֖ה אֶת הַצְּמֵאָֽה
and when he hears the words of this oath-curse, he blesses himself in his heart, saying, 'I will have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart' — so as to sweep away the watered with the dry.
The self-blessing in שְׁרִירוּת לֵב ('stubbornness of heart') is the paradigm of presumptuous sin; the closing idiom סְפוֹת הָרָוָה אֶת הַצְּמֵאָה ('sweep away the watered with the dry') is famously obscure — likely meaning one sinner's presumption drags down the innocent with the guilty, though the precise image is debated.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וְהָיָ֡הand it will beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal introducing a conditional/temporal scenario→ Weqatal: sets up a hypothetical future scenarioהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; idiomatic opening of a conditional clause, 'and it will happen that...'
בְּשָׁמְעוֹ֩when he hearsprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 3ms suffix · שָׁמַע (H8085)Temporal infinitive clause ('when/upon his hearing')→ Infinitive of time: the triggering circumstanceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; the apostate hears the covenant curses read aloud yet remains unmoved.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marks 'the words of this oath-curse' as the object heard.
דִּבְרֵ֨יthe words ofN m pl constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object, constructדָּבָר (H1697) 'word'; construct with 'oath-curse,' i.e. its recited terms and sanctions.
הָֽאָלָ֜הthe oath-curseart + N f sg abs · אָלָה (H423)Genitive complementאָלָה (H423) 'oath-curse'; the sworn sanction of vv.11-14, now recited aloud.
הַזֹּ֗אתthisart + demonstrative fs · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'oath-curse'זֹאת (H2063) 'this'; specifies the present covenant's oath-curse.
וְהִתְבָּרֵ֨ךְand he blesses himselfconj וְ + Hitpael weqatal 3ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Weqatal, main clause continuing the scenario→ Weqatal (Hitpael, reflexive): a presumptuous act of self-congratulationבָּרַךְ (H1288) in Hitpael 'to bless oneself'; ironic — invoking blessing-language while secretly rejecting the covenant.
בִּלְבָב֤וֹin his heartprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Locative/manner prepositional phraseלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart'; the self-blessing is silent and internal, matching the hidden apostasy of v.17.
לֵאמֹר֙sayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive introducing direct quotation→ Infinitive of manner/complement: introduces reported speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; standard formula introducing the apostate's inner monologue.
שָׁל֣וֹםpeaceN m sg abs · שָׁלוֹם (H7965)Predicate nominative of the quoted clauseשָׁלוֹם (H7965) 'peace, well-being'; the false security the apostate presumes despite covenant betrayal.
יִֽהְיֶהwill beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the quoted clause→ Yiqtol: presumed future stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; the apostate's presumptuous assurance of untroubled well-being.
לִּ֔יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffixPrepositional phrase, complement of יִהְיֶהלְ with 1cs suffix; the self-centered focus of the presumptuous claim.
כִּ֛יthoughconj · כִּי (H3588)Concessive conjunctionכִּי (H3588), here concessive, 'even though'; introduces the flagrant admission of willful sin.
בִּשְׁרִר֥וּתin the stubbornness ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · שְׁרִירוּת (H8307)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying 'I walk'שְׁרִירוּת (H8307) 'stubbornness, firmness'; a distinctively Deuteronomic-Jeremianic idiom for willful self-direction against God.
לִבִּ֖יmy heartN m sg constr + 1cs suffix · לֵב (H3820)Genitive complementלֵב (H3820) 'heart'; the seat of the willful, self-directed defiance named here.
אֵלֵ֑ךְI walkQal impf 1cs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb of the concessive clause→ Yiqtol: habitual, ongoing self-directed conductהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to walk'; idiom for a chosen way of life, here explicitly against covenant instruction.
לְמַ֛עַןso asprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Introduces a result/purpose clause (the crux idiom)לְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order that, so as to'; introduces the famously obscure idiom of v.18b.
סְפ֥וֹתto sweep awayQal inf constr · סָפָה (H5595)Infinitive completing לְמַעַן→ Infinitive of result: the outcome of the presumptuous self-blessingסָפָה (H5595) 'to sweep away, destroy'; the crux verb of the chapter's most disputed idiom — see text_note; likely the guilty presumption 'sweeping away' the innocent along with itself.
הָרָוָ֖הthe wateredart + Adj f sg abs · רָוֶה (H7302)Direct object of the infinitive, substantival adjectiveרָוֶה (H7302) 'saturated, watered, satisfied'; substantivized, 'the watered (one/ground)' — traditionally read of the innocent caught up with the guilty.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Comitative prepositional phrase, second objectאֵת (H854) 'with, together with'; joins 'the dry' to 'the watered' in the disputed idiom.
הַצְּמֵאָֽהthe dry/thirstyart + Adj f sg abs · צָמֵא (H6771)Object of the comitative prepositionצָמֵא (H6771) 'thirsty, dry'; substantivized, 'the dry (one/ground)' — paired with 'watered' in an image of indiscriminate ruin, traditionally the innocent swept away with the guilty.
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לֹא יֹאבֶ֣ה יְהוָה֮ סְלֹ֣חַֽ לוֹ֒ כִּ֣י אָ֠ז יֶעְשַׁ֨ן אַף יְהוָ֤ה וְקִנְאָתוֹ֙ בָּאִ֣ישׁ הַה֔וּא וְרָ֤בְצָה בּוֹ֙ כָּל הָ֣אָלָ֔ה הַכְּתוּבָ֖ה בַּסֵּ֣פֶר הַזֶּ֑ה וּמָחָ֤ה יְהוָה֙ אֶת שְׁמ֔וֹ מִתַּ֖חַת הַשָּׁמָֽיִם
YHWH will not be willing to forgive him; rather, YHWH's anger and jealousy will smoke against that man, and every curse written in this book will crouch upon him, and YHWH will blot out his name from under heaven.
The severest sentence in the chapter: total exclusion from pardon, the full weight of every curse of chs.27-28 falling on the individual, and erasure of memory itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates 'will be willing'לֹא (H3808); negates יֹאבֶה, the strongest possible denial of pardon.
יֹאבֶ֣הwill be willingQal impf 3ms · אָבָה (H14)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol (negated): a firm, settled future refusalאָבָה (H14) 'to be willing, consent'; YHWH's categorical refusal to forgive the secret apostate.
יְהוָה֮YHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the negated 'will be willing.'
סְלֹ֣חַֽto forgiveQal inf constr · סָלַח (H5545)Infinitive completing יֹאבֶה→ Infinitive: the withheld actסָלַח (H5545) 'to forgive, pardon'; used exclusively of divine forgiveness in the Hebrew Bible — here categorically withheld.
לוֹ֒himprep לְ + 3ms suffixIndirect object of 'forgive'לְ with 3ms suffix; the secret apostate of vv.17-18, object of the withheld pardon.
כִּ֣יfor/ratherconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative/explanatory conjunctionכִּי (H3588); introduces the positive alternative to forgiveness — divine wrath.
אָ֠זthenadverb · אָז (H227)Temporal adverbאָז (H227) 'then'; marks the certain consequence following the refusal to forgive.
יֶעְשַׁ֨ןwill smokeQal impf 3ms · עָשַׁן (H6225)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: a vivid, certain future manifestation of wrathעָשַׁן (H6225) 'to smoke'; anthropomorphic image of divine anger as smoke rising, cf. Ps 18:9.
אַףangerN m sg abs · אַף (H639)Subject of יֶעְשַׁןאַף (H639) 'nose, anger'; the idiom of anger 'smoking,' from the nostrils flaring in wrath.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complementיְהוָה (H3068); whose anger burns against the apostate.
וְקִנְאָתוֹ֙and his jealousyconj וְ + N f sg constr + 3ms suffix · קִנְאָה (H7068)Coordinated subject of יֶעְשַׁןקִנְאָה (H7068) 'jealousy, zeal'; God's exclusive claim on covenant loyalty, provoked by secret idolatry.
בָּאִ֣ישׁagainst the manprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Prepositional phrase, object of the wrathאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the specific apostate individual of vv.17-18, now target of divine anger.
הַה֔וּאthatart + demonstrative 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'man'הוּא (H1931) 'that'; specifies the particular apostate just described.
וְרָ֤בְצָהand will crouchconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3fs · רָבַץ (H7257)Weqatal continuing the main line of consequence→ Weqatal: certain future consequenceרָבַץ (H7257) 'to crouch, lie down'; a menacing image of the curse lying in wait like an animal, ready to pounce.
בּוֹ֙on himprep בְּ + 3ms suffixPrepositional phrase, complement of וְרָבְצָהבְּ with 3ms suffix; the curse settles specifically on this individual.
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct, subject of וְרָבְצָהכֹּל (H3605) 'every'; construct with 'the curse,' totalizing the sanctions of the book.
הָ֣אָלָ֔הthe curseart + N f sg abs · אָלָה (H423)Genitive complementאָלָה (H423) 'oath-curse'; here the full sanction-content of the book's curses (chs.27-28), not merely the Moab oath.
הַכְּתוּבָ֖הwrittenart + Qal pass ptc fsa · כָּתַב (H3789)Attributive passive participle modifying 'the curse'→ Passive participle: the fixed, textual permanence of the sanctionכָּתַב (H3789) 'to write'; the curse's written form gives it fixed, citable authority.
בַּסֵּ֣פֶרin the scrollprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · סֵפֶר (H5612)Locative prepositional phraseסֵפֶר (H5612) 'scroll, book'; refers to the written Deuteronomic covenant document itself.
הַזֶּ֑הthisart + demonstrative · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'scroll'זֶה (H2088) 'this'; the very scroll being read/enacted.
וּמָחָ֤הand will wipe outconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · מָחָה (H4229)Weqatal continuing the main line of consequence→ Weqatal: certain future consequenceמָחָה (H4229) 'to wipe out, blot out, erase'; the ultimate covenant curse — erasure of name and memory.
יְהוָה֙YHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וּמָחָהיְהוָה (H3068); the one who erases the apostate's name.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marks 'his name' as direct object.
שְׁמ֔וֹhis nameN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct objectשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; erasure of the name is erasure of remembrance and posterity — total covenant excision.
מִתַּ֖חַתfrom underprep מִן + N · תַּחַת (H8478)Locative prepositional phrase completing 'blot out'תַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'; idiom 'from under heaven,' i.e. from the entire cosmos, total erasure.
הַשָּׁמָֽיִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Object of מִתַּחַתשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; completes the idiom of total, cosmic erasure of memory.
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וְהִבְדִּיל֤וֹ יְהוָה֙ לְרָעָ֔ה מִכֹּ֖ל שִׁבְטֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כְּכֹל֙ אָל֣וֹת הַבְּרִ֔ית הַכְּתוּבָ֕ה בְּסֵ֥פֶר הַתּוֹרָ֖ה הַזֶּֽה
And YHWH will set him apart for harm from all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant written in this book of the torah.
'Set apart for harm' (וְהִבְדִּילוֹ...לְרָעָה) ironically inverts Israel's usual election-language of being set apart for blessing.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְהִבְדִּיל֤וֹand will set apartconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms + 3ms suffix · בָּדַל (H914)Weqatal continuing the consequence from v.19→ Weqatal: certain future consequenceבָּדַל (H914) in Hiphil 'to separate, set apart'; ironically inverts election-language — set apart not for blessing but for disaster.
יְהוָה֙YHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the setting-apart.
לְרָעָ֔הfor harmprep לְ + N f sg abs · רָעָה (H7451)Predicate complement of 'set apart'רָעָה (H7451) 'evil, harm, disaster'; the negative destiny to which the apostate is singled out.
מִכֹּ֖לfrom allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase, source of separationכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; the apostate is isolated from the rest of the covenant community.
שִׁבְטֵ֣יthe tribes ofN m pl constr · שֵׁבֶט (H7626)Genitive complementשֵׁבֶט (H7626) 'tribe'; construct with Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complementיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the community from which the apostate is singled out for disaster.
כְּכֹל֙according to allprep כְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Comparative prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; introduces the standard/measure of the curses applied.
אָל֣וֹתthe curses ofN f pl constr · אָלָה (H423)Genitive complementאָלָה (H423) 'oath-curse'; plural, the full set of covenant sanctions.
הַבְּרִ֔יתthe covenantart + N f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Genitive complementבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; the curses belong specifically to the covenant document.
הַכְּתוּבָ֕הwrittenart + Qal pass ptc fsa · כָּתַב (H3789)Attributive passive participle modifying 'the covenant'→ Passive participle: fixed textual authorityכָּתַב (H3789) 'to write'; the covenant's curses have permanent, written form.
בְּסֵ֥פֶרin the scroll ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · סֵפֶר (H5612)Locative prepositional phraseסֵפֶר (H5612) 'scroll'; the physical document containing the torah.
הַתּוֹרָ֖הthe torahart + N f sg abs · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Genitive complementתּוֹרָה (H8451) 'instruction, law'; identifies the scroll as containing the whole Deuteronomic torah.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'torah'זֶה (H2088) 'this'; specifies the present scroll/document.
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וְאָמַ֞ר הַדּ֣וֹר הָֽאַחֲר֗וֹן בְּנֵיכֶם֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר יָק֨וּמוּ֙ מֵאַ֣חֲרֵיכֶ֔ם וְהַ֨נָּכְרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָבֹ֖א מֵאֶ֣רֶץ רְחוֹקָ֑ה וְ֠רָאוּ אֶת מַכּ֞וֹת הָאָ֤רֶץ הַהִוא֙ וְאֶת תַּ֣חֲלֻאֶ֔יהָ אֲשֶׁר חִלָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה בָּֽהּ
And the later generation — your children who rise after you, and the foreigner who comes from a distant land — will see the plagues of that land and its sicknesses, which YHWH has inflicted on it,
Shifts to a future vantage point: descendants and foreign travelers alike will witness the devastated land, setting up the nations' question of vv.23-24.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וְאָמַ֞רand will sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Weqatal introducing the nations' future speech→ Weqatal: certain future eventאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the future generation's verdict on the devastated land.
הַדּ֣וֹרthe generationart + N m sg abs · דּוֹר (H1755)Subject of וְאָמַרדּוֹר (H1755) 'generation'; the future audience who will witness the land's ruin.
הָֽאַחֲר֗וֹןlater, latterart + Adj m sg abs · אַחֲרוֹן (H314)Attributive adjective modifying 'generation'אַחֲרוֹן (H314) 'later, last, future'; specifies a generation yet to come.
בְּנֵיכֶם֙your sonsN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition to 'the later generation'בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; identifies the future generation as Israel's own descendants.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the description of this future generation.
יָק֨וּמוּ֙will ariseQal impf 3mp · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Yiqtol: future successionקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, arise'; of a generation succeeding the present one.
מֵאַ֣חֲרֵיכֶ֔םafter youprep מִן + prep אַחַר + 2mp suffix · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase of successionאַחַר (H310) 'after'; marks the temporal succession of generations.
וְהַ֨נָּכְרִ֔יand the foreignerconj וְ + art + Adj m sg abs · נָכְרִי (H5237)Coordinated subject of וְאָמַרנָכְרִי (H5237) 'foreign, foreigner'; the outside observer, alongside Israel's own descendants, who will witness the devastation.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the description of the foreigner.
יָבֹ֖אcomesQal impf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Yiqtol: future/habitual arrivalבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; of the foreign traveler arriving to witness the land.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom a landprep מִן + N constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the foreigner's place of origin.
רְחוֹקָ֑הdistantAdj f sg abs · רָחוֹק (H7350)Attributive adjective modifying 'land'רָחוֹק (H7350) 'far, distant'; emphasizes that the devastation will be internationally notorious.
וְ֠רָאוּand will seeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · רָאָה (H7200)Weqatal, main verb of the sentence→ Weqatal: certain future witnessingרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the future generation and foreigner alike will witness the land's ruin.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marks 'the plagues of the land' as direct object.
מַכּ֞וֹתthe plagues ofN f pl constr · מַכָּה (H4347)Direct object, constructמַכָּה (H4347) 'blow, wound, plague'; the visible scars of divine judgment on the land.
הָאָ֤רֶץthe landart + N constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complementאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the devastated territory of Israel.
הַהִוא֙thatart + demonstrative 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'land'הִיא (H1931) 'that'; specifies the particular land in view.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)אֵת (H853) marks 'its sicknesses' as the coordinate second object.
תַּ֣חֲלֻאֶ֔יהָits sicknessesN m pl constr + 3fs suffix · תַּחֲלוּא (H8463)Second direct objectתַּחֲלוּא (H8463) 'sickness, disease'; the land personified as diseased/afflicted.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the agent of the affliction.
חִלָּ֥הinflictedPiel perf 3ms · חָלָה (H2470)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of judgmentחָלָה (H2470) in Piel 'to make sick, inflict illness'; God as the direct agent behind the land's affliction.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of חִלָּהיְהוָה (H3068); the one who inflicted the sicknesses.
בָּֽהּon itprep בְּ + 3fs suffixPrepositional phrase, complement of חִלָּהבְּ with 3fs suffix, referring to 'the land'; the object of the affliction.
22
גָּפְרִ֣ית וָמֶלַח֮ שְׂרֵפָ֣ה כָל אַרְצָהּ֒ לֹ֤א תִזָּרַע֙ וְלֹ֣א תַצְמִ֔חַ וְלֹֽא יַעֲלֶ֥ה בָ֖הּ כָּל עֵ֑שֶׂב כְּֽמַהְפֵּכַ֞ת סְדֹ֤ם וַעֲמֹרָה֙ אַדְמָ֣ה וצביים וּצְבוֹיִ֔ם אֲשֶׁר֙ הָפַ֣ךְ יְהוָ֔ה בְּאַפּ֖וֹ וּבַחֲמָתֽוֹ
sulfur and salt, its whole land burned, unsown and unsprouting, with no grass growing in it, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which YHWH overthrew in his anger and in his wrath —
The Sodom/Gomorrah/Admah/Zeboiim comparison casts the land's future desolation as a re-enactment of Genesis 19; the Ketiv-Qere doublet at 'Zeboiim' (וצביים / וּצְבוֹיִם) is a rare transmitted scribal correction.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
גָּפְרִ֣יתsulfurN f sg abs · גָּפְרִית (H1614)Subject of an implied verb (nominal clause continuing v.21's description)גָּפְרִית (H1614) 'sulfur, brimstone'; recalls the fire-and-brimstone judgment of Sodom (Gen 19:24).
וָמֶלַח֮and saltconj וְ + N m sg abs · מֶלַח (H4417)Coordinated subjectמֶלַח (H4417) 'salt'; paired with sulfur, the twin marks of a land rendered permanently barren.
שְׂרֵפָ֣הburningN f sg abs · שְׂרֵפָה (H8316)Apposition/predicate describing the land's conditionשְׂרֵפָה (H8316) 'burning, conflagration'; describes the scorched state of the whole territory.
כָלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct, subject of 'burning'כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with 'its land,' totalizing the devastation.
אַרְצָהּ֒its landN constr + 3fs suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complementאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the whole territory, referring back to 'that land' of v.21.
לֹ֤אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates 'will be sown'לֹא (H3808); negates תִזָּרַע, the first of three negated verbs of infertility.
תִזָּרַע֙will be sownNiphal impf 3fs · זָרַע (H2232)Predicate verb (main clause, negated, passive)→ Yiqtol (passive, negated): permanent future infertilityזָרַע (H2232) in Niphal, passive 'to be sown'; agricultural death — the land can no longer support planting.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinated negationלֹא (H3808); negates תַצְמִחַ.
תַצְמִ֔חַwill sproutHiphil impf 3fs · צָמַח (H6779)Predicate verb, coordinated (negated)→ Yiqtol (negated): permanent future infertilityצָמַח (H6779) in Hiphil 'to cause to sprout, produce growth'; the land cannot even spontaneously vegetate.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinated negationלֹא (H3808); negates יַעֲלֶה.
יַעֲלֶ֥הwill come upQal impf 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb, coordinated (negated)→ Yiqtol (negated): permanent future infertilityעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, come up'; the last of three negated verbs, completing the picture of total sterility.
בָ֖הּon itprep בְּ + 3fs suffixLocative prepositional phrase completing 'come up'בְּ with 3fs suffix, referring to 'its land'; locates the absence of growth.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct, subject of יַעֲלֶהכֹּל (H3605) 'any, all'; construct with 'grass,' totalizing the negation.
עֵ֑שֶׂבgrassN m sg abs · עֵשֶׂב (H6212)Genitive complementעֵשֶׂב (H6212) 'grass, vegetation'; even the most basic plant life is absent.
כְּֽמַהְפֵּכַ֞תlike the overthrow ofprep כְּ + N f sg constr · מַהְפֵּכָה (H4114)Comparative prepositional phraseמַהְפֵּכָה (H4114) 'overthrow, upheaval'; the technical term for the cataclysmic destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19), applied here to Israel's own future land.
סְדֹ֤םSodomproper noun · סְדֹם (H5467)Genitive complementסְדֹם (H5467), the proverbial city destroyed for wickedness (Gen 19).
וַעֲמֹרָה֙and Gomorrahconj וְ + proper noun · עֲמֹרָה (H6017)Coordinated genitive complementעֲמֹרָה (H6017), paired with Sodom as the paradigmatic destroyed cities.
אַדְמָ֣הAdmahproper noun · אַדְמָה (H126)Coordinated genitive complementאַדְמָה (H126), one of the five cities of the plain destroyed with Sodom (Gen 14:2; Hos 11:8).
וצבייםand Zeboiimconj וְ + proper noun (Ketiv, unpointed) · צְבֹיִים (H6636)Coordinated genitive complement (Ketiv form)צְבֹיִים/צְבוֹיִם (H6636), the fifth city of the plain; this Ketiv spelling is corrected by the following Qere וּצְבוֹיִם — a rare doubled reading preserved in the received text.
וּצְבוֹיִ֔םand Zeboiimconj וְ + proper noun (Qere) · צְבוֹיִם (H6636)Coordinated genitive complement (Qere form)צְבוֹיִם (H6636); the vocalized Qere correcting the preceding Ketiv, both preserved side by side in this verse.
אֲשֶׁר֙whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the description of YHWH's act of overthrow.
הָפַ֣ךְoverthrewQal perf 3ms · הָפַךְ (H2015)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of destructionהָפַךְ (H2015) 'to overturn, overthrow'; the verb underlying מַהְפֵּכָה, describing YHWH's direct destructive action against the cities of the plain.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הָפַךְיְהוָה (H3068); the direct agent of the ancient overthrow, and (by implication) of Israel's future devastation.
בְּאַפּ֖וֹin his angerprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · אַף (H639)Adverbial prepositional phrase of mannerאַף (H639) 'nose, anger'; the emotional intensity behind the act of overthrow.
וּבַחֲמָתֽוֹand in his wrathconj וְ + prep בְּ + N f sg constr + 3ms suffix · חֵמָה (H2534)Coordinated adverbial prepositional phraseחֵמָה (H2534) 'heat, wrath'; paired with 'anger' to intensify the depiction of divine fury.
23
וְאָֽמְרוּ֙ כָּל הַגּוֹיִ֔ם עַל מֶ֨ה עָשָׂ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה כָּ֖כָה לָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֑את מֶ֥ה חֳרִ֛י הָאַ֥ף הַגָּד֖וֹל הַזֶּֽה
then all the nations will say, 'Why has YHWH done thus to this land? What is the heat of this great anger?'
The onlooking nations voice the very question the whole passage has been building toward, answered immediately in v.24.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְאָֽמְרוּ֙and will sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · אָמַר (H559)Weqatal, main verb introducing the nations' question→ Weqatal: certain future speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the nations voice the question the whole passage builds toward.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct, subject of וְאָמְרוּכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with 'the nations,' totalizing international recognition of the judgment.
הַגּוֹיִ֔םthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Genitive complementגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the international audience witnessing and interpreting Israel's fate.
עַלconcerningprep · עַל (H5921)Introduces the content of the questionעַל (H5921) 'on, concerning'; here introducing the interrogative 'why.'
מֶ֨הwhat/whyinterrogative pronoun · מָה (H4100)Interrogative, object of עַלמָה (H4100) 'what'; idiom עַל מֶה 'concerning what, why.'
עָשָׂ֧הhas doneQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the quoted question→ Perfective: a completed act now being questionedעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; the nations ask about YHWH's completed action against the land.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of עָשָׂהיְהוָה (H3068); even the nations recognize YHWH, not chance, as the land's devastator.
כָּ֖כָהthusadverb · כָּכָה (H3602)Adverb of manner modifying עָשָׂהכָּכָה (H3602) 'thus, in this way'; points to the visible devastation just described.
לָאָ֣רֶץto the landprep לְ + art + N constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Indirect object of עָשָׂהאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the object of YHWH's judgment, the focus of the nations' bewilderment.
הַזֹּ֑אתthisart + demonstrative fs · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'land'זֹאת (H2063) 'this'; specifies the devastated land just described.
מֶ֥הwhatinterrogative pronoun · מָה (H4100)Interrogative, subject of a nominal clauseמָה (H4100) 'what'; introduces a second, parallel question intensifying the first.
חֳרִ֛יthe heat ofN m sg constr · חֳרִי (H2750)Construct, predicate of the nominal clauseחֳרִי (H2750) 'heat, burning'; construct with 'anger,' an intensified idiom for wrath.
הָאַ֥ףthe angerart + N m sg abs · אַף (H639)Genitive complementאַף (H639) 'nose, anger'; the divine wrath whose intensity provokes the nations' astonishment.
הַגָּד֖וֹלgreatart + Adj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying 'anger'גָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; emphasizes the unprecedented scale of the wrath displayed.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'anger'זֶה (H2088) 'this'; specifies the particular outburst of wrath just witnessed.
24
וְאָ֣מְר֔וּ עַ֚ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָֽזְב֔וּ אֶת בְּרִ֥ית יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֹתָ֑ם אֲשֶׁר֙ כָּרַ֣ת עִמָּ֔ם בְּהוֹצִיא֥וֹ אֹתָ֖ם מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם
And they will say, 'Because they forsook the covenant of YHWH, the God of their fathers, which he cut with them when he brought them out of the land of Egypt,
The nations themselves supply the theological verdict — covenant abandonment — confirming that Israel's exile will be legible even to outsiders as covenant curse, not mere misfortune.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְאָ֣מְר֔וּand they will sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · אָמַר (H559)Weqatal, main verb introducing the nations' answer→ Weqatal: certain future speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the nations' own answer to the question of v.23.
עַ֚לbecauseprep · עַל (H5921)Introduces the causal clause of the answerעַל (H5921) 'on account of'; introduces the reason for the devastation.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle (causal) · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative/causal conjunction after עַלאֲשֶׁר (H834); with עַל forms 'because,' introducing the covenant-breach explanation.
עָֽזְב֔וּthey forsookQal perf 3cp · עָזַב (H5800)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive abandonmentעָזַב (H5800) 'to forsake, abandon'; the nations' own diagnosis — covenant abandonment, matching YHWH's own verdict.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marks 'the covenant of YHWH' as direct object.
בְּרִ֥יתthe covenant ofN f sg constr · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object, constructבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; the object forsaken, construct with the divine name.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complementיְהוָה (H3068); the covenant's divine author, now abandoned.
אֱלֹהֵ֣יthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); further identifies YHWH as the ancestral God.
אֲבֹתָ֑םtheir fathersN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive complementאָב (H1) 'father'; the patriarchal ancestors with whom the covenant originated (cf. v.12).
אֲשֶׁר֙whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the description of the covenant's origin.
כָּרַ֣תhe cutQal perf 3ms · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, foundational actכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut'; the original covenant-ratification, contrasted now with its being forsaken.
עִמָּ֔םwith themprep עִם + 3mp suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase, complement of כָּרַתעִם (H5973) 'with'; the patriarchs/ancestors as covenant partners.
בְּהוֹצִיא֥וֹwhen he brought them outprep בְּ + Hiphil inf constr + 3ms suffix · יָצָא (H3318)Temporal infinitive clause→ Infinitive of time: the founding historical momentיָצָא (H3318) in Hiphil 'to bring out'; the exodus, the founding redemptive act underlying the covenant.
אֹתָ֖ם[obj] themobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of the infinitiveאֵת (H853) with 3mp suffix, referring to the ancestors brought out of Egypt.
מֵאֶ֥רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct with Egypt, the place of departure.
מִצְרָֽיִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complementמִצְרַיִם (H4714); Egypt, closing the causal explanation with the founding redemptive memory now betrayed.
25
וַיֵּלְכ֗וּ וַיַּֽעַבְדוּ֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֖וּ לָהֶ֑ם אֱלֹהִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא יְדָע֔וּם וְלֹ֥א חָלַ֖ק לָהֶֽם
and they went and served other gods and bowed down to them, gods that they had not known and that he had not allotted to them.
'Gods he had not allotted to them' plays on Deut 4:19 and 32:8's theme that YHWH assigned the nations their gods but reserved Israel for himself alone.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיֵּלְכ֗וּand they wentconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; the first of three verbs describing the ancestors' apostasy, matching the idiom of v.17.
וַיַּֽעַבְדוּ֙and they servedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָבַד (H5647)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; the concrete cultic act of idolatry.
אֱלֹהִ֣יםgodsN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Direct object of 'served'אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'gods'; the foreign deities served instead of YHWH.
אֲחֵרִ֔יםotherAdj m pl abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying 'gods'אַחֵר (H312) 'other'; the standard Deuteronomic idiom 'other gods' for idolatrous rivals to YHWH.
וַיִּֽשְׁתַּחֲוּ֖וּand they bowed downconj וְ + Hishtaphel wayyiqtol 3mp · חָוָה (H7812)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָוָה (H7812) 'to bow down, worship'; completes the triad of apostate acts: going, serving, bowing.
לָהֶ֑םto themprep לְ + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, complement of 'bowed down'לְ with 3mp suffix, referring to the 'other gods'; object of the worship.
אֱלֹהִים֙godsN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition, resuming 'other gods'אֱלֹהִים (H430); repeated in apposition to specify further.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the description disqualifying these gods.
לֹֽאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates 'they had known'לֹא (H3808); negates יְדָעוּם.
יְדָע֔וּםthey had knownQal perf 3cp + 3mp suffix · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb of relative clause (negated)→ Perfective (negated): a state of prior non-relationshipיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; these gods were utterly unfamiliar, outside Israel's covenant relationship — echoing v.3's withheld heart-knowledge in ironic reversal.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinated negationלֹא (H3808); negates חָלַק.
חָלַ֖קhe had allottedQal perf 3ms · חָלַק (H2505)Predicate verb, coordinated (negated)→ Perfective (negated): a state contrary to YHWH's ordained allotmentחָלַק (H2505) 'to divide, allot'; echoes Deut 4:19 and 32:8's theme that YHWH assigned the nations their gods but reserved Israel — these gods were never allotted to Israel at all.
לָהֶֽםto themprep לְ + 3mp suffixPrepositional phrase, complement of 'allotted'לְ with 3mp suffix, referring to Israel's ancestors; these gods were never YHWH's assignment to them.
26
וַיִּֽחַר אַ֥ף יְהוָ֖ה בָּאָ֣רֶץ הַהִ֑וא לְהָבִ֤יא עָלֶ֨יהָ֙ אֶת כָּל הַקְּלָלָ֔ה הַכְּתוּבָ֖ה בַּסֵּ֥פֶר הַזֶּֽה
So YHWH's anger burned against that land, bringing upon it every curse written in this book,
Returns from the nations' quoted speech to the narrator's own voice, confirming their verdict as simple historical fact.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיִּֽחַרand burnedconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · חָרָה (H2734)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָרָה (H2734) 'to burn, be kindled'; standard idiom for the outbreak of divine anger.
אַ֥ףthe anger ofN m sg constr · אַף (H639)Subject of וַיִּחַראַף (H639) 'nose, anger'; construct with YHWH, the subject that 'burned.'
יְהוָ֖הYHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complementיְהוָה (H3068); whose anger burns against the land.
בָּאָ֣רֶץagainst the landprep בְּ + art + N constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Prepositional phrase, object of the angerאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the territory that bore the consequences of its inhabitants' apostasy.
הַהִ֑ואthatart + demonstrative 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'land'הִיא (H1931) 'that'; specifies the particular land in view.
לְהָבִ֤יאbringingprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Infinitive of result/purpose→ Infinitive of result: the concrete outworking of the burning angerבּוֹא (H935) in Hiphil 'to bring'; the anger's practical effect — the actual application of the written curses.
עָלֶ֨יהָ֙upon itprep עַל + 3fs suffixPrepositional phrase, complement of the infinitiveעַל (H5921) with 3fs suffix, referring to 'the land'; the target of the curses brought.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marks 'all the curse' as direct object of 'bringing.'
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct, direct objectכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; totalizes the curse content applied.
הַקְּלָלָ֔הthe curseart + N f sg abs · קְלָלָה (H7045)Genitive complementקְלָלָה (H7045) 'curse'; the full sanction-content of the covenant document.
הַכְּתוּבָ֖הwrittenart + Qal pass ptc fsa · כָּתַב (H3789)Attributive passive participle modifying 'the curse'→ Passive participle: fixed, textual authorityכָּתַב (H3789) 'to write'; the curse's permanence in the written covenant document.
בַּסֵּ֥פֶרin the scrollprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · סֵפֶר (H5612)Locative prepositional phraseסֵפֶר (H5612) 'scroll'; the physical covenant document.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'scroll'זֶה (H2088) 'this'; the very scroll being enacted.
27
וַיִּתְּשֵׁ֤ם יְהוָה֙ מֵעַ֣ל אַדְמָתָ֔ם בְּאַ֥ף וּבְחֵמָ֖ה וּבְקֶ֣צֶף גָּד֑וֹל וַיַּשְׁלִכֵ֛ם אֶל אֶ֥רֶץ אַחֶ֖רֶת כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה
and YHWH uprooted them from their soil in anger, fury, and great wrath, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.
וַיִּתְּשֵׁם ('uprooted them') and וַיַּשְׁלִכֵם ('cast them') are violent, forceful verbs; 'as at this day' anchors the exile as an already-realized present fact for the text's implied audience.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיִּתְּשֵׁ֤םand uprooted themconj וְ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3mp suffix · נָתַשׁ (H5428)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, climactic actionנָתַשׁ (H5428) 'to uproot, pluck up'; a violent horticultural image — Israel torn from its soil like an unwanted plant.
יְהוָה֙YHWHdivine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיִּתְּשֵׁםיְהוָה (H3068); the direct agent of the exile.
מֵעַ֣לfrom uponprep מִן + prep עַל · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase, source of removalעַל (H5921) with מִן, 'off of'; marks the point of forcible removal.
אַדְמָתָ֔םtheir soilN f sg constr + 3mp suffix · אֲדָמָה (H127)Object of the prepositional phraseאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil'; Israel's own native land, from which they are uprooted.
בְּאַ֥ףin angerprep בְּ + N m sg abs · אַף (H639)Adverbial prepositional phrase of mannerאַף (H639) 'nose, anger'; first of a triad of wrath-terms intensifying the judgment.
וּבְחֵמָ֖הand in furyconj וְ + prep בְּ + N f sg abs · חֵמָה (H2534)Coordinated adverbial prepositional phraseחֵמָה (H2534) 'heat, fury'; second term of the wrath-triad.
וּבְקֶ֣צֶףand in wrathconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg abs · קֶצֶף (H7110)Coordinated adverbial prepositional phraseקֶצֶף (H7110) 'wrath, rage'; third term, completing the intensified triad of divine fury.
גָּד֑וֹלgreatAdj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying 'wrath'גָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; emphasizes the magnitude of the final term in the triad.
וַיַּשְׁלִכֵ֛םand cast themconj וְ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms + 3mp suffix · שָׁלַךְ (H7993)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, climactic result→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, decisive expulsionשָׁלַךְ (H7993) in Hiphil 'to throw, cast, fling'; a forceful, contemptuous image of violent expulsion into exile.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of destinationאֶל (H413) 'to, into'; introduces the destination of exile.
אֶ֥רֶץa landN constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of אֶלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the foreign territory of exile.
אַחֶ֖רֶתotherAdj f sg abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying 'land'אַחֵר (H312) 'other'; a foreign, unnamed land — exile as displacement into anonymity.
כַּיּ֥וֹםas the dayprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Comparative adverbial phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; idiom 'as at this day,' anchoring the exile as an already-realized present fact.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'day'זֶה (H2088) 'this'; closes the verse with the chapter's characteristic 'this day' marker, now applied to exile already underway for the text's audience.
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הַ֨נִּסְתָּרֹ֔ת לַיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ וְהַנִּגְלֹ֞ת לָ֤ׄנׄוּׄ וּׄלְׄבָׄנֵׄ֨יׄנׄוּׄ֙ עַד עוֹלָ֔ם לַעֲשׂ֕וֹת אֶת כָּל דִּבְרֵ֖י הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּֽאת
The hidden things belong to YHWH our God, but the revealed things belong to us and to our children forever, to do all the words of this torah.
The chapter's most-discussed verse: a proverb-like closure distinguishing what God alone knows from what he has disclosed for obedience. The Masoretic puncta extraordinaria over 'to us and to our children' flag ancient scribal comment on the verse's scope — later read as teaching that hidden individual sin incurs no corporate liability until it becomes known (b. Sanhedrin 43b).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
הַ֨נִּסְתָּרֹ֔תthe hidden thingsart + Niphal ptc fpa · סָתַר (H5641)Subject of a nominal clause (predicate: 'belong to YHWH')→ Substantival participle: a class of things by nature concealedסָתַר (H5641) in Niphal 'to be hidden, concealed'; substantivized, 'the hidden things' — the chapter's summit distinction between what only God knows and what he discloses.
לַיהוָ֖הbelong to YHWHprep לְ + divine name · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate of the nominal clauseיְהוָה (H3068); the possessor of the hidden things — matters reserved to divine knowledge alone.
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּour GodN m pl constr + 1cp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 1cp suffix; the covenant community's own confession, 'our God.'
וְהַנִּגְלֹ֞תbut the revealed thingsconj וְ + art + Niphal ptc fpa · גָּלָה (H1540)Subject of a second, contrasted nominal clause→ Substantival participle: a class of things by nature disclosedגָּלָה (H1540) in Niphal 'to be revealed, uncovered'; substantivized, 'the revealed things' — contrasted with the hidden, these belong to human responsibility.
לָ֤ׄנׄוּׄbelong to usprep לְ + 1cp suffixPredicate of the second nominal clauseלְ with 1cp suffix; marked in the MT with puncta extraordinaria (dots over each letter), an ancient scribal flag on this word and the next, of disputed meaning.
וּׄלְׄבָׄנֵׄ֨יׄנׄוּׄ֙and to our childrenconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl constr + 1cp suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Coordinated predicateבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; also marked with puncta extraordinaria — the rabbis read the dotted phrase as qualifying the extent of communal responsibility for hidden sin (b. Sanhedrin 43b).
עַדforprep · עַד (H5704)Introduces a temporal phrase of durationעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; with עוֹלָם forms the idiom 'forever.'
עוֹלָ֔םeverN m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Object of עַד, adverbial phrase of durationעוֹלָם (H5769) 'long duration, eternity'; idiom עַד עוֹלָם 'forever,' the perpetual scope of Israel's obligation to the revealed torah.
לַעֲשׂ֕וֹתto doprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Infinitive of purpose, governing the revealed things→ Infinitive of purpose: the practical goal of disclosureעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; the revealed things exist precisely so that Israel may obey them.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marks 'all the words of this torah' as direct object of 'to do.'
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct, direct objectכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; totalizes the scope of obedience required.
דִּבְרֵ֖יthe words ofN m pl constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive complementדָּבָר (H1697) 'word'; construct with torah, its individual stipulations.
הַתּוֹרָ֥הthe torahart + N f sg abs · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Genitive complementתּוֹרָה (H8451) 'instruction, law'; the whole revealed Deuteronomic teaching, the chapter's — and the book's — closing charge.
הַזֹּֽאתthisart + demonstrative fs · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying 'torah'זֹאת (H2063) 'this'; the final word of the chapter, anchoring the whole in the concrete, present scroll and its demand for obedience.