Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Deuteronomy, Chapter 7דברים 7

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

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

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

Theme

Moses commands total war against Canaan's seven nations — no covenant, no intermarriage, every altar and idol destroyed — then grounds the ban not in Israel's strength, which had none, but in YHWH's prior love and oath-keeping. Election flows into blessing: fertility, health, and victory, won gradually so wild land is never left to beasts.

Translation & textual notes

Deuteronomy 7 states the Hebrew Bible's starkest form of the ban (חֵרֶם) against the seven Canaanite nations, and translation should render its violence honestly rather than soften the doubled infinitives of v.2 (הַחֲרֵם תַּחֲרִים, 'you must utterly destroy') and v.26 (שַׁקֵּץ תְּשַׁקְּצֶנּוּ / וְתַעֵב תְּתַעֲבֶנּוּ, 'utterly detest... utterly abhor'). The chapter states its own rationale plainly: not ethnic animus but apostasy-prevention — v.4 supplies the mechanism (intermarriage turning a son from YHWH to foreign gods), and vv.5,16,25-26 extend the same logic to cult objects, since even captured idol-silver is a מוֹקֵשׁ, 'snare.' The text also qualifies its own totalizing rhetoric: v.7 denies that election rests on numbers, and vv.22-24 insist dispossession must proceed 'little by little' (מְעַט מְעָט) so that depopulated land is not overrun by wild beasts (cf. Exod 23:29-30) — a practical caveat modern readers should not overlook. Textually, v.9 preserves a ketiv-qere (consonantal מצותו corrected to the pointed מִצְוֺתָיו, 'his commandments'); v.22's הָאֵל is simply an archaic variant of הָאֵלֶּה, 'these.' The sevenfold nation-list of v.1 is a fixed traditional catalogue paralleled at Gen 15:19-21, the number functioning symbolically (totality) more than as a strict census. Versification follows the MT.

1

כִּ֤י יְבִֽיאֲךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ אֶל הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר אַתָּ֥ה בָא שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ וְנָשַׁ֣ל גּֽוֹיִם רַבִּ֣ים מִפָּנֶ֡יךָ הַֽחִתִּי֩ וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֨י וְהָאֱמֹרִ֜י וְהַכְּנַעֲנִ֣י וְהַפְּרִזִּ֗י וְהַֽחִוִּי֙ וְהַיְבוּסִ֔י שִׁבְעָ֣ה גוֹיִ֔ם רַבִּ֥ים וַעֲצוּמִ֖ים מִמֶּֽךָּ

When the LORD your God brings you into the land that you are entering to possess, and he clears away many nations before you -- the Hittite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, seven nations greater and mightier than you --

Temporal/conditional protasis opening the chapterki
The long opening sentence (vv.1-2) sets the temporal/conditional frame for the whole chapter: entry into the land triggers the ban command. The sevenfold nation-list is a fixed traditional catalogue (cf. Gen 15:19-21) that inflates the apparent scale of the task the election theology of vv.6-8 will answer.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
כִּ֤יwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (temporal 'when', opening the chapter's protasis)כִּי (H3588) multivalent conjunction: temporal 'when', causal 'because', or asseverative 'that/surely'; here introducing the temporal protasis of the chapter's opening sentence.
יְבִֽיאֲךָ֙brings youHiphil impf 3ms + 2ms sf · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (temporal clause)→ Yiqtol/Hiphil imperfect: durative/future — the anticipated act of divine bringing-inבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go'; Hiphil 'to bring, cause to enter' — YHWH as the effective agent bringing Israel into the land.
יְהוָ֣הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God, from הָיָה 'to be' — the self-existent One who keeps covenant.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sf · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָה (construct with 2ms suffix)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; here construct + 2ms suffix, 'your God' — the covenant relational epithet repeated some 20x in this chapter.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal, directional)אֶל (H413) 'to, into'; marks the land as the goal of the motion verb.
הָאָ֕רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition אֶלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; here the promised land, object of entry.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הָאָרֶץ)אֲשֶׁר (H834) invariable relative particle 'who, which, that'.
אַתָּ֥הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (resumed in relative clause)אַתָּה (H859) 2ms independent pronoun, emphatic subject of the participial clause בָא שָׁמָּה.
בָאare enteringQal ptc ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate participle (relative clause, present-durative)→ Participle: durative/imminent action — 'you are (in the process of) going'בּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go, enter'; participle marks the near-future entry as already underway from the narrative vantage.
שָׁ֖מָּהthereadv + directional ה · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial complement of direction (with בָא)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; with directional ה־ suffix, 'thither, to there' — completes the motion of בָא.
לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּto possess itprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3fs sf · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Purpose infinitive construct (with 3fs suffix referring to הָאָרֶץ)→ Infinitive construct with לְ: purpose/result — 'in order to possess it'יָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to take possession of, inherit, dispossess'; the verb central to the conquest theology of Deuteronomy.
וְנָשַׁ֣לand he will clear awayconj וְ + Qal perf(weqatal) 3ms · נָשַׁל (H5394)Weqatal continuing the main line (future consequence)→ Weqatal: perfective-consecutive — continues the future/modal sequence begun by יְבִיאֲךָנָשַׁל (H5394) 'to draw off, clear away, dispossess' — used of forcibly removing nations before Israel (cf. 7:22).
גּֽוֹיִםnationsN m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Direct object of וְנָשַׁלגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; here the Canaanite peoples to be dispossessed.
רַבִּ֣יםmanyadj m pl abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying גּוֹיִםרַב (H7227) 'much, many, great'; qualifies the nations as numerous — heightening the enormity of the coming victory.
מִפָּנֶ֡יךָfrom before youprep מִן + N c pl constr + 2ms sf · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source/separation)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; with מִן, idiomatic 'from before, out of the presence of' — the nations are cleared from Israel's path.
הַֽחִתִּי֩the Hittiteart + gentilic N ms · חִתִּי (H2850)Apposition (first of the seven nations, in apposition to גּוֹיִם)חִתִּי (H2850) 'Hittite', gentilic from חֵת; one of the seven Canaanite peoples of the traditional list.
וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֨יand the Girgashiteconj + art + gentilic N ms · גִּרְגָּשִׁי (H1622)Apposition (second nation, conjoined)גִּרְגָּשִׁי (H1622) 'Girgashite', a lesser-known Canaanite clan; appears in most versions of this stock list of seven.
וְהָאֱמֹרִ֜יand the Amoriteconj + art + gentilic N ms · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Apposition (third nation)אֱמֹרִי (H567) 'Amorite'; a major highland Canaanite people, often standing for Canaanites generally.
וְהַכְּנַעֲנִ֣יand the Canaaniteconj + art + gentilic N ms · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Apposition (fourth nation)כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669) 'Canaanite'; the general ethnonym for the land's inhabitants, here one item among seven.
וְהַפְּרִזִּ֗יand the Perizziteconj + art + gentilic N ms · פְּרִזִּי (H6522)Apposition (fifth nation)פְּרִזִּי (H6522) 'Perizzite', perhaps 'villager, rural dweller'; a Canaanite group of uncertain precise location.
וְהַֽחִוִּי֙and the Hiviteconj + art + gentilic N ms · חִוִּי (H2340)Apposition (sixth nation)חִוִּי (H2340) 'Hivite'; associated elsewhere with Gibeon and Shechem.
וְהַיְבוּסִ֔יand the Jebusiteconj + art + gentilic N ms · יְבוּסִי (H2983)Apposition (seventh nation)יְבוּסִי (H2983) 'Jebusite'; inhabitants of pre-Israelite Jerusalem (Jebus).
שִׁבְעָ֣הsevencardinal numeral m · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Numeral in apposition, summarizing the listשֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; the round, symbolically complete number totaling the preceding list of nations.
גוֹיִ֔םnationsN m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Noun in apposition to שִׁבְעָה (numbered noun)גּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; resumed after the numeral to total the list as 'seven nations'.
רַבִּ֥יםmanyadj m pl abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective (first of pair modifying גוֹיִם)רַב (H7227) 'many'; repeated from v.1a, now paired with עֲצוּמִים.
וַעֲצוּמִ֖יםand mightyconj + adj m pl abs · עָצוּם (H6099)Attributive adjective (second, conjoined)עָצוּם (H6099) 'mighty, numerous, vast'; from עָצַם 'to be strong'; pairs with רַבִּים to stress Canaan's military superiority over Israel.
מִמֶּֽךָּthan youprep מִן + 2ms sf · מִן (H4480)Comparative prepositional phrase (than-complement)מִן (H4480) comparative 'than'; sets up the rhetorical contrast basic to the chapter: Israel is outnumbered yet chosen.
2

וּנְתָנָ֞ם יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ לְפָנֶ֖יךָ וְהִכִּיתָ֑ם הַחֲרֵ֤ם תַּחֲרִים֙ אֹתָ֔ם לֹא תִכְרֹ֥ת לָהֶ֛ם בְּרִ֖ית וְלֹ֥א תְחָנֵּֽם

and the LORD your God gives them over to you and you strike them down, then you must utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show them no mercy.

The apodosis: the ban commanded — total destruction, no treaty, no mercywe
Completes the long opening sentence begun in v.1: once victory is given, Israel's response must be חֵרֶם. The doubled infinitive absolute הַחֲרֵם תַּחֲרִים sets the total, non-negotiable character of the command that the rest of the chapter both intensifies (vv.5,16,25-26) and qualifies (vv.22-24's gradualism).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וּנְתָנָ֞םand gives themconj וְ + Qal perf(weqatal) 3ms + 3mp sf · נָתַן (H5414)Weqatal continuing the temporal/conditional sequence→ Weqatal: perfective-consecutive, future 'and he will give'נָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; here 'give over, deliver into (your) hand' — a stock verb of divine deliverance in conquest narrative.
יְהוָ֧הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sf · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct + 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
לְפָנֶ֖יךָbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr + 2ms sf · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative, 'into your presence/power')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לְפָנֶיךָ idiom 'before you, into your power' complementing נָתַן.
וְהִכִּיתָ֑םand you strike themconj וְ + Hiphil perf(weqatal) 2ms + 3mp sf · נָכָה (H5221)Weqatal continuing main line→ Weqatal: perfective-consecutive future — the decisive military strikeנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike, smite'; Hiphil the standard verb for defeating in battle.
הַחֲרֵ֤םutterly destroyHiphil inf abs · חָרַם (H2763)Infinitive absolute intensifying the following finite verb (tautological/emphatic construction)→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic certainty/obligation — 'you must utterly devote to destruction'חָרַם (H2763) 'to ban, devote to destruction, exterminate'; root of חֵרֶם, the total, irrevocable consecration of persons/things to YHWH via destruction — here doubled for maximal emphasis on the ban's totality.
תַּחֲרִים֙you shall utterly destroyHiphil impf 2ms · חָרַם (H2763)Finite verb completing the infinitive-absolute construction (main predicate)→ Yiqtol/Hiphil imperfect with volitional-obligatory force, reinforced by preceding inf. absolute: an unconditional commandחָרַם (H2763) see above; the finite form issuing the actual command: totally ban/destroy them, no exceptions.
אֹתָ֔ם[obj] themobj marker + 3mp sf · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + 3mp suffix (object of תַּחֲרִים)אֵת (H853) direct-object marker with pronominal suffix; marks 'them' (the seven nations) as the object of the ban.
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of following verbלֹא (H3808) standard negative particle for absolute negation of the indicative/injunctive verb.
תִכְרֹ֥תyou shall cutQal impf 2ms · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (prohibition, yiqtol as negative command)→ Yiqtol used as prohibitive/negative command: 'you shall not cut'כָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut'; idiom כָּרַת בְּרִית 'to cut a covenant' (from the covenant-ratifying rite of cutting animals).
לָהֶ֛םto themprep + 3mp sf · לְIndirect object (with whom the covenant would be cut)לְ preposition here marking the covenant partner, 'with them'.
בְּרִ֖יתa covenantN f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of תִכְרֹתבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant, treaty'; here the political/religious treaty forbidden with the doomed nations — no coexistence pact.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj + neg particle · וְלֹא (H3808)Coordinated negation (second prohibition)וְ + לֹא, continuing the negative command series.
תְחָנֵּֽםshow them favorQal impf 2ms + 3mp sf · חָנַן (H2603)Predicate verb (second prohibition, parallel to תִכְרֹת)→ Yiqtol as negative command: 'you shall not show them favor'חָנַן (H2603) 'to be gracious, show favor/mercy'; here forbidding any grant of clemency or treaty-grace to the banned nations.
3

וְלֹ֥א תִתְחַתֵּ֖ן בָּ֑ם בִּתְּךָ֙ לֹא תִתֵּ֣ן לִבְנ֔וֹ וּבִתּ֖וֹ לֹא תִקַּ֥ח לִבְנֶֽךָ

You shall not intermarry with them: you shall not give your daughter to his son, nor take his daughter for your son,

Second ban: no intermarriageasyndeton
The chiastic pairing (your daughter to his son / his daughter to your son) closes off both directions of marriage alliance, anticipating v.4's rationale: intermarriage is forbidden not from ethnic exclusivism but because it leads to apostasy.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating negation opening the intermarriage banלֹא (H3808) standard negative particle; וְ links this new prohibition to the covenant-and-mercy bans of v.2.
תִתְחַתֵּ֖ןyou shall intermarryHitpael impf 2ms · חָתַן (H2859)Predicate verb (prohibition, negated yiqtol)→ Yiqtol as negative command; Hitpael reciprocal: 'you shall not make marriage alliances'חָתַן (H2859) Hitpael 'to become related by marriage, intermarry'; denominative from חָתָן 'son-in-law, bridegroom' — bars reciprocal marriage ties with the banned nations.
בָּ֑םwith themprep בְּ + 3mp sf · בְּAdverbial prepositional phrase (association, object of תִתְחַתֵּן)בְּ preposition 'with, among'; marks the forbidden marriage partners, the seven nations of vv.1-2.
בִּתְּךָ֙your daughterN f sg constr + 2ms sf · בַּת (H1323)Subject (fronted, resumed as object of תִתֵּן)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; fronted for emphasis — first of the chiastic pair (your daughter to his son / his daughter to your son).
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of תִתֵּןלֹא (H3808) standard negative particle for absolute negation of the indicative/injunctive verb.
תִתֵּ֣ןyou shall giveQal impf 2ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (prohibition, negated yiqtol)→ Yiqtol as negative command: 'you shall not give'נָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; idiomatic here 'give (a daughter) in marriage'.
לִבְנ֔וֹto his sonprep לְ + N m sg constr + 3ms sf · בֵּן (H1121)Indirect object of תִתֵּןבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; with לְ, the marriage recipient — the foreign nation's son.
וּבִתּ֖וֹand his daughterconj וְ + N f sg constr + 3ms sf · בַּת (H1323)Subject (second, reciprocal half of the chiastic prohibition)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; 'his daughter' — the foreign nation's daughter, closing the reciprocal ring of the marriage ban.
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of תִקַּחלֹא (H3808) standard negative particle for absolute negation.
תִקַּ֥חyou shall takeQal impf 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (prohibition, negated yiqtol)→ Yiqtol as negative command: 'you shall not take'לָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; idiomatic 'take (a wife) in marriage' — reciprocal half of the intermarriage ban.
לִבְנֶֽךָfor your sonprep לְ + N m sg constr + 2ms sf · בֵּן (H1121)Indirect object of תִקַּח (beneficiary)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 'for your son' — completes the reciprocal ban whose rationale v.4 supplies.
4

כִּֽי יָסִ֤יר אֶת בִּנְךָ֙ מֵֽאַחֲרַ֔י וְעָבְד֖וּ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֑ים וְחָרָ֤ה אַף יְהוָה֙ בָּכֶ֔ם וְהִשְׁמִידְךָ֖ מַהֵֽר

For he would turn your son away from following me, so that they would serve other gods; then the anger of the LORD would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly.

Causal ground for the intermarriage ban (v.3)ki
Explains the marriage prohibition theologically rather than ethnically: the danger is the son's seduction into idolatry (a rare first-person 'from following me' in YHWH's own voice), which would provoke covenant wrath and swift national destruction — the same שמד threatened against the nations in v.24 now boomerangs onto Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (grounds the intermarriage ban of v.3)כִּי (H3588) here causal 'for, because' — supplies the rationale: the danger is apostasy, not ethnic exclusivism.
יָסִ֤ירhe will turn awayHiphil impf 3ms · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb (main clause; subject implied: the foreign spouse)→ Yiqtol/Hiphil imperfect: future-durative — the causative effect of intermarriageסוּר (H5493) 'to turn aside'; Hiphil 'cause to turn away, seduce away' — the foreign spouse draws the son from YHWH.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking בִּנְךָ as the definite direct object; untranslated in English.
בִּנְךָ֙your sonN m sg constr + 2ms sf · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of יָסִירבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; the offspring of the forbidden marriage — the point of the ban's danger.
מֵֽאַחֲרַ֔יfrom following meprep מִן + prep אַחַר + 1cs sf · אַחַר (H310)Adverbial prepositional phrase (separation, complement of יָסִיר)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; idiom 'turn away from following' — a rare first-person divine voice ('me' = YHWH) embedded directly in Moses' address.
וְעָבְד֖וּand they will serveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · עָבַד (H5647)Weqatal continuing the consequence sequence→ Weqatal: perfective-consecutive, future — the resulting apostasyעָבַד (H5647) 'to work, serve'; here cultic service — the seduced offspring will serve foreign gods.
אֱלֹהִ֣יםgodsN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Direct object of וְעָבְדוּאֱלֹהִים (H430) here plural 'gods' (not Israel's God) — the foreign deities of the intermarried household.
אֲחֵרִ֑יםotheradj m pl abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective modifying אֱלֹהִיםאַחֵר (H312) 'other'; אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים, Deuteronomy's standing formula for apostasy.
וְחָרָ֤הand it will burnconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · חָרָה (H2734)Weqatal continuing the consequence sequence (main predicate)→ Weqatal: perfective-consecutive, future — the certain divine responseחָרָה (H2734) 'to burn, be kindled'; idiom חָרָה אַף 'anger burns' — anthropomorphic idiom for divine wrath.
אַףthe angerN m sg abs · אַף (H639)Subject of וְחָרָהאַף (H639) 'nose, nostril', hence 'anger' (the flaring nostril of rage); subject of the idiom 'YHWH's anger will burn'.
יְהוָה֙of the LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (possessor of אַף)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the one whose anger is provoked by apostasy.
בָּכֶ֔םagainst youprep בְּ + 2mp sf · בְּAdverbial prepositional phrase (object of divine anger)בְּ preposition 'against'; marks Israel corporately (not only the intermarried individual) as liable to the wrath.
וְהִשְׁמִידְךָ֖and he will destroy youconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms + 2ms sf · שָׁמַד (H8045)Weqatal continuing the consequence sequence (climactic predicate)→ Weqatal: perfective-consecutive, future — the climactic, decisive judgmentשָׁמַד (H8045) Hiphil 'to destroy, exterminate'; the same root used of the nations' fate (v.24) now threatened against Israel itself should it apostatize.
מַהֵֽרquicklyPiel inf abs (adverbial) · מָהַר (H4118)Adverbial infinitive absolute modifying וְהִשְׁמִידְךָ (manner/speed)→ Infinitive absolute used adverbially: intensifies the swiftness of the threatened destructionמָהַר (H4118) Piel 'to hurry, hasten'; functions adverbially, 'swiftly' — the danger of assimilation is near, its penalty nearer.
5

כִּֽי אִם כֹּ֤ה תַעֲשׂוּ֙ לָהֶ֔ם מִזְבְּחֹתֵיהֶ֣ם תִּתֹּ֔צוּ וּמַצֵּבֹתָ֖ם תְּשַׁבֵּ֑רוּ וַאֲשֵֽׁירֵהֶם֙ תְּגַדֵּע֔וּן וּפְסִילֵיהֶ֖ם תִּשְׂרְפ֥וּן בָּאֵֽשׁ

But thus you shall do to them: you shall tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their carved images in fire.

Positive counter-command: total iconoclasm replaces treaty, mercy, and marriageki im
The adversative כִּי אִם pivots from prohibition to prescription: four verbs (tear down, smash, cut down, burn) target four categories of Canaanite cult apparatus (altars, pillars, Asherim, idols) in a totalizing sweep that mirrors the totality of the ban itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
כִּֽיbutconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative conjunction (paired with אִם)כִּי אִם (H3588 + H518) adversative pair 'but rather'; introduces the positive counter-command after the negative prohibitions of vv.2-3.
אִםratherconj · אִם (H518)Adversative conjunction (with כִּי, 'but rather')אִם (H518) 'if'; joined with כִּי to form the adversative idiom 'but rather, on the contrary'.
כֹּ֤הthusadv · כֹּה (H3541)Adverbial complement of manner (fronted, anticipates the fourfold list)כֹּה (H3541) 'thus, so'; points forward to the four destructive actions that follow.
תַעֲשׂוּ֙you shall doQal impf 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (positive command, yiqtol as imperative)→ Yiqtol as volitional command: 'thus you shall do'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; general verb of action introducing the specific iconoclastic measures.
לָהֶ֔םto themprep לְ + 3mp sf · לְIndirect object / reference (regarding the nations' cult objects)לְ preposition; 'to/regarding them' — referring back to the seven nations of v.1.
מִזְבְּחֹתֵיהֶ֣םtheir altarsN m pl constr + 3mp sf · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Direct object of תִּתֹּצוּ (fronted for emphasis)מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar', from זָבַח 'to sacrifice'; first of four categories of Canaanite cult objects to be destroyed.
תִּתֹּ֔צוּyou shall tear downQal impf 2mp · נָתַץ (H5422)Predicate verb (first of the fourfold command list)→ Yiqtol as command: 'you shall tear down'נָתַץ (H5422) 'to tear down, demolish'; used elsewhere of destroying idolatrous structures (e.g. Judg 6:25).
וּמַצֵּבֹתָ֖םand their pillarsconj וְ + N f pl constr + 3mp sf · מַצֵּבָה (H4676)Direct object of תְּשַׁבֵּרוּ (fronted)מַצֵּבָה (H4676) 'standing stone, pillar', from נָצַב 'to stand'; sacred stones marking Canaanite cult sites, forbidden as objects of worship.
תְּשַׁבֵּ֑רוּyou shall smashPiel impf 2mp · שָׁבַר (H7665)Predicate verb (second command)→ Yiqtol/Piel as command: intensive 'you shall smash to pieces'שָׁבַר (H7665) 'to break'; Piel intensifies to 'shatter utterly' — no restoration of the pillars is possible.
וַאֲשֵֽׁירֵהֶם֙and their Asherimconj וְ + N pl constr + 3mp sf · אֲשֵׁרָה (H842)Direct object of תְּגַדֵּעוּן (fronted)אֲשֵׁרָה (H842) sacred wooden pole or tree symbolizing the Canaanite goddess Asherah.
תְּגַדֵּע֔וּןyou shall cut downPiel impf 2mp (paragogic נ) · גָּדַע (H1438)Predicate verb (third command)→ Yiqtol/Piel as command, paragogic nun for emphasis: 'you shall cut down'גָּדַע (H1438) 'to cut down, hew off'; Piel intensive, used of felling sacred trees/poles.
וּפְסִילֵיהֶ֖םand their idolsconj וְ + N m pl constr + 3mp sf · פָּסִיל (H6456)Direct object of תִּשְׂרְפוּן (fronted)פָּסִיל (H6456) 'carved image, idol', from פָּסַל 'to hew, carve'; the fourth and climactic category — the graven images themselves.
תִּשְׂרְפ֥וּןyou shall burnQal impf 2mp (paragogic נ) · שָׂרַף (H8313)Predicate verb (fourth command)→ Yiqtol as command, paragogic nun: 'you shall burn'שָׂרַף (H8313) 'to burn'; fire as the total means of destroying idols, leaving nothing to recover (cf. v.25's added ban on keeping their silver/gold).
בָּאֵֽשׁin fireprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Adverbial prepositional phrase (instrument of תִּשְׂרְפוּן)אֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the instrument of total destruction, completing the fourfold iconoclasm.
6

כִּ֣י עַ֤ם קָדוֹשׁ֙ אַתָּ֔ה לַיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ בְּךָ֞ בָּחַ֣ר יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ לִהְי֥וֹת לוֹ֙ לְעַ֣ם סְגֻלָּ֔ה מִכֹּל֙ הָֽעַמִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל פְּנֵ֥י הָאֲדָמָֽה

For you are a holy people to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his own treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

The election logic begins: identity claim and its groundki
The chapter's theological center opens: Israel's holiness is relational status (belonging to YHWH), and its ground is YHWH's own prior, sovereign act of choosing (בָּחַר) — the same verb the classic election theology of vv.7-8 will immediately qualify by denying any merit in Israel's size.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction opening the election rationaleכִּי (H3588) causal 'for' — grounds Israel's separatist calling in an identity claim (holiness), not in merit.
עַ֤םa peopleN m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Predicate nominative (with קָדוֹשׁ, nominal clause)עַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; predicated of Israel as a corporate identity now defined by holiness.
קָדוֹשׁ֙holyadj m sg abs · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Attributive adjective modifying עַם (predicate complex)קָדוֹשׁ (H6918) 'holy, set apart', from קדשׁ; Israel's consecrated status is the ground (כִּי) for the separatist demands of vv.1-5.
אַתָּ֔הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of the nominal clause עַם קָדוֹשׁ אַתָּהאַתָּה (H859) 2ms pronoun, emphatic subject: 'YOU are a holy people' — addressed directly to Israel.
לַיהוָ֖הto the LORDprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Prepositional phrase (dative of relation, 'belonging to')יְהוָה (H3068); לְ marks relational belonging — holy in relation to, set apart for, YHWH.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sf · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct + 2ms suffix, 'your God' — the covenant epithet.
בְּךָ֞youprep בְּ + 2ms sf · בְּPrepositional phrase, fronted (object of בָּחַר, 'in/among you')בְּ preposition governing the object of בָּחַר ('choose among'); fronted for emphasis — 'YOU, YHWH has chosen'.
בָּחַ֣רhe has chosenQal perf 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Predicate verb (main clause; the chapter's theological center)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — YHWH's election is an accomplished fact, not a hopeבָּחַר (H977) 'to choose, select'; the chapter's key theological verb, denoting YHWH's free sovereign election of Israel (resumed in v.7).
יְהוָ֣הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of בָּחַריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the election-verb.
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sf · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; 'your God', in apposition to יְהוָה.
לִהְי֥וֹתto beprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָיָה (H1961)Purpose infinitive construct (purpose/result of בָּחַר)→ Infinitive construct with לְ: purpose — 'in order to be'הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the purpose clause explaining why YHWH chose Israel — to become his treasured possession.
לוֹ֙for himselfprep לְ + 3ms sf · לְDative complement of לִהְיוֹת (possessor)לְ preposition marking possession — 'to/for him(self)', i.e. YHWH.
לְעַ֣םas a peopleprep לְ + N m sg constr · עַם (H5971)Predicate complement of לִהְיוֹת (result: what Israel becomes)עַם (H5971) 'people'; construct with סְגֻלָּה following, 'a people of special possession'.
סְגֻלָּ֔הof treasured possessionN f sg abs · סְגֻלָּה (H5459)Genitive noun completing the construct עַם סְגֻלָּהסְגֻלָּה (H5459) 'valued personal property, treasured possession' — a king's private treasure (cf. Eccl 2:8); Israel as YHWH's own special treasure among the nations (cf. Exod 19:5).
מִכֹּל֙out of allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (partitive/comparative, 'out of all')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; מִן partitive, 'from among all' — sets Israel's election against the backdrop of every nation.
הָֽעַמִּ֔יםthe peoplesart + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of the construct מִכֹּלעַם (H5971) 'people'; plural 'the peoples' — the full range of nations from which Israel is singled out.
אֲשֶׁ֖רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הָעַמִּים)אֲשֶׁר (H834) invariable relative particle 'who, which'.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (locative, within the relative clause)עַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; with פְּנֵי the idiom 'upon the face of'.
פְּנֵ֥יthe face ofN c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Construct governing הָאֲדָמָה (idiom 'face of the earth')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom עַל־פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה 'upon the face of the ground' = 'on earth, everywhere'.
הָאֲדָמָֽהthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Genitive complement of the construct פְּנֵיאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, earth, soil'; the idiom denotes the whole inhabited world — Israel chosen from literally all humanity.
7

לֹ֣א מֵֽרֻבְּכֶ֞ם מִכָּל הָֽעַמִּ֗ים חָשַׁ֧ק יְהוָ֛ה בָּכֶ֖ם וַיִּבְחַ֣ר בָּכֶ֑ם כִּֽי אַתֶּ֥ם הַמְעַ֖ט מִכָּל הָעַמִּֽים

It was not because you were more numerous than all the peoples that the LORD set his heart on you and chose you — for you were the fewest of all peoples.

Denial of a meritorious cause for electionlo
The verse pointedly denies the natural inference from v.1's talk of seven greater, mightier nations: Israel's election is not despite its weakness by accident but explicitly BECAUSE it was the least — the theological heart of Deuteronomic election-theology (echoed at 9:4-6), heightening the gratuitousness of divine love against any claim of national merit.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
לֹ֣אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation opening the denied-cause clauseלֹא (H3808) negative particle; negates the FALSE reason for election before the true reason is given in v.8.
מֵֽרֻבְּכֶ֞םthan your abundanceprep מִן + Qal inf constr (substantival) + 2mp sf · רֹב (H7230)Comparative prepositional phrase (negated cause of election)→ Infinitive construct used substantivally: 'your being-many, your multitude'רֹב (H7230), infinitive construct of רבב 'to be many/much' used as a noun, 'abundance, multitude' — the false reason for election, denied here before v.8 supplies the true one.
מִכָּלthan allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (comparative, continuing מֵרֻבְּכֶם)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; comparative מִן, 'more than all the peoples' — the numerical claim being denied.
הָֽעַמִּ֗יםthe peoplesart + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of the construct כָּלעַם (H5971) 'people'; plural, the nations against which Israel's (non-)numerical claim is measured.
חָשַׁ֧קhe set his heartQal perf 3ms · חָשַׁק (H2836)Predicate verb (main clause; the chapter's second election-verb)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of divine affectionחָשַׁק (H2836) 'to be attached to, delight in, love ardently'; a stronger, more affective term than בָּחַר — divine desire, not calculation, underlies the choice.
יְהוָ֛הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of חָשַׁקיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of both love-verbs in this verse.
בָּכֶ֖םon youprep בְּ + 2mp sf · בְּObject of חָשַׁק (idiom, 'set heart on')בְּ preposition governing חָשַׁק, 'be attached to' — Israel as the object of YHWH's ardent love.
וַיִּבְחַ֣רand he choseconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Wayyiqtol continuing the theological main line→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded, sequential act — restates and reinforces בָּחַר from v.6בָּחַר (H977) 'to choose'; repeated from v.6, now paired with חָשַׁק to double-underline the non-meritorious basis of election.
בָּכֶ֑םyouprep בְּ + 2mp sf · בְּObject of וַיִּבְחַרבְּ preposition governing בָּחַר, 'choose among/in' — Israel as the object of election.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal/explanatory conjunction (restates the denied-numbers rationale)כִּי (H3588) 'for'; introduces the explicit confirmation of Israel's smallness.
אַתֶּ֥םyouindependent pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of the nominal clause אַתֶּם הַמְעַטאַתֶּם (H859) 2mp pronoun, subject — emphatic 'you (yourselves) were the fewest'.
הַמְעַ֖טthe fewestart + N/adj m sg abs (superlative use) · מְעַט (H4592)Predicate nominative (with אַתֶּם, 'you were the fewest')מְעַט (H4592) 'few, little'; with article functions as a superlative substantive, 'the least/fewest' — the polar opposite of numerical greatness, explicitly denied as election's ground.
מִכָּלof allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (partitive, 'of/among all')כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; partitive מִן, 'of all the peoples' — Israel's smallness measured against every nation.
הָעַמִּֽיםthe peoplesart + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of the construct כָּלעַם (H5971) 'people'; plural, closing the verse's ring with the same term that opened its numerical comparison.
8

כִּי֩ מֵֽאַהֲבַ֨ת יְהוָ֜ה אֶתְכֶ֗ם וּמִשָּׁמְר֤וּ אֶת הַשְּׁבֻעָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נִשְׁבַּע֙ לַאֲבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם הוֹצִ֧יא יְהוָ֛ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּיָ֣ד חֲזָקָ֑ה וַֽיִּפְדְּךָ֙ מִבֵּ֣ית עֲבָדִ֔ים מִיַּ֖ד פַּרְעֹ֥ה מֶֽלֶךְ מִצְרָֽיִם

But because the LORD loves you, and because he is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slaves, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

The true grounds of election and deliverance: love and oath-fidelityki
Directly answers v.7's negation: not size but love (אַהֲבָה) and covenant faithfulness (שָׁמַר הַשְּׁבֻעָה) anchor both election and the historical exodus, tying the patriarchal promise to the redemption from Egypt as a single unified act — setting up v.9's naming of YHWH as הָאֵל הַנֶּאֱמָן, the faithful God.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
כִּי֩becauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction answering v.7's denial with the true groundsכִּי (H3588) causal 'because'; introduces the twin true causes (love, oath) after v.7 denied the false one (numbers).
מֵֽאַהֲבַ֨תout of the love ofprep מִן + Qal inf constr (substantival) · אַהֲבָה (H160)Causal prepositional phrase (first ground of election/deliverance)→ Infinitive construct functioning as a verbal noun: an ongoing, characterizing love, not a past feelingאָהֵב/אַהֲבָה (H160) 'to love / love'; construct 'the love of YHWH (for) you' — the true reason for both election (v.7) and the exodus deliverance, paired with oath-keeping.
יְהוָ֜הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (subject of the love, construct with אַהֲבַת)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the one whose love is the true ground of election.
אֶתְכֶ֗ם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp sf · אֵת (H853)Object complement of אַהֲבַת (objective genitive via אֵת + suffix)אֵת (H853) here marks the OBJECT of the verbal noun אַהֲבַת — 'YHWH's love for you', an unusual but attested construction.
וּמִשָּׁמְר֤וּand because he keepsconj וְ + prep מִן + Qal inf constr + 3ms sf · שָׁמַר (H8104)Causal prepositional phrase (second, parallel ground of deliverance)→ Infinitive construct functioning as a verbal noun: 'his keeping' — continuing, characterizing faithfulnessשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, watch, guard'; 'his keeping of the oath' — paired with אַהֲבָה as the twin grounds of the exodus and of Israel's whole existence.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of the infinitive מִשָּׁמְרוֹ)אֵת (H853) marks הַשְּׁבֻעָה as the definite object of 'keeping'.
הַשְּׁבֻעָה֙the oathart + N f sg abs · שְׁבוּעָה (H7621)Direct object of מִשָּׁמְרוֹשְׁבוּעָה (H7621) 'oath', from שָׁבַע 'to swear'; the patriarchal oath (Gen 15, 22, 26, 28), the legal-covenantal basis for the land-promise and the exodus.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הַשְּׁבֻעָה)אֲשֶׁר (H834) invariable relative particle 'which'.
נִשְׁבַּע֙he sworeNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb (relative clause modifying הַשְּׁבֻעָה)→ Perfective: a completed, past act with abiding legal force — the ancestral oathשָׁבַע (H7650) Niphal 'to swear (an oath)', the standard stem for this verb; root shared with שֶׁבַע 'seven', evoking completeness of commitment.
לַאֲבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔םto your fathersprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2mp sf · אָב (H1)Indirect object of נִשְׁבַּעאָב (H1) 'father'; the patriarchs — Abraham, Isaac, Jacob — recipients of the oath now being kept.
הוֹצִ֧יאhe brought outHiphil perf 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause, resuming after the causal clauses)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the exodus as accomplished historical factיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Hiphil 'bring out, lead out' — the standard exodus verb (cf. the Decalogue's preamble).
יְהוָ֛הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הוֹצִיאיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the exodus-bringing-out.
אֶתְכֶ֖ם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp sf · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (object of הוֹצִיא)אֵת (H853) marks 'you' as the object brought out — Israel as recipient of the exodus deliverance.
בְּיָ֣דwith a handprep בְּ + N c sg abs · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (instrument/manner of הוֹצִיא)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom בְּיָד חֲזָקָה 'with a strong hand' — a fixed exodus formula for YHWH's power (cf. 4:34; 5:15; 26:8).
חֲזָקָ֑הmightyadj f sg abs · חָזָק (H2389)Attributive adjective modifying יָדחָזָק (H2389) 'strong, mighty'; יָד חֲזָקָה, the standing formula for the exodus deliverance.
וַֽיִּפְדְּךָ֙and he redeemed youconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms + 2ms sf · פָּדָה (H6299)Wayyiqtol continuing the narrative main line→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive act of ransomפָּדָה (H6299) 'to redeem, ransom'; commercial/legal metaphor of buying back from bondage — Israel as YHWH's ransomed possession, echoing סְגֻלָּה of v.6.
מִבֵּ֣יתfrom the house ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source, complement of פָּדָה)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; construct with עֲבָדִים, 'house of slaves' — the fixed Deuteronomic epithet for Egypt (cf. 5:6; 6:12).
עֲבָדִ֔יםof slavesN m pl abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Genitive noun completing the construct בֵּיתעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, slave'; 'house of slaves' names Egypt by Israel's condition there, reinforcing the redemption theme.
מִיַּ֖דfrom the hand ofprep מִן + N c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source, parallel to מִבֵּית)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; construct with פַּרְעֹה, 'from the hand of Pharaoh' — reversing the earlier בְּיָד חֲזָקָה of YHWH.
פַּרְעֹ֥הPharaohproper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Genitive complement of the construct יַדפַּרְעֹה (H6547), the Egyptian royal title used as a proper name; Israel's former overlord, in apposition with 'king of Egypt'.
מֶֽלֶךְking ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Apposition to פַּרְעֹה (title)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct with מִצְרַיִם, formally naming Pharaoh's dominion.
מִצְרָֽיִםof Egyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of the construct מֶלֶךְמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the land of bondage from which YHWH's love and oath-keeping delivered Israel.
9

וְיָ֣דַעְתָּ֔ כִּֽי יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ ה֣וּא הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים הָאֵל֙ הַֽנֶּאֱמָ֔ן שֹׁמֵ֧ר הַבְּרִ֣ית וְהַחֶ֗סֶד לְאֹהֲבָ֛יו וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י מצותו מִצְוֺתָ֖יו לְאֶ֥לֶף דּֽוֹר

Know therefore that the LORD your God, he is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love to a thousand generations with those who love him and keep his commandments,

The theological confession: YHWH named as the faithful Godwe
One of Deuteronomy's most quoted lines (echoed at Dan 9:4; Neh 1:5; 9:32), summarizing the character just narrated in vv.7-8: election and exodus flow from a God who is himself נֶאֱמָן, reliably faithful. The reciprocal clause ('to those who love him and keep his commandments') quietly reintroduces covenant conditionality even within this hymn to unconditional חֶסֶד. The verse also preserves a ketiv-qere (מצותו / מִצְוֺתָיו).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְיָ֣דַעְתָּ֔and you shall knowconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · יָדַע (H3045)Weqatal introducing an exhortation (consequence of vv.6-8)→ Weqatal: consequential/injunctive — 'therefore know'יָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; experiential, covenantal knowledge — recognize and act on the truth about YHWH.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer introducing the content clause of וְיָדַעְתָּכִּי (H3588) here introduces a content clause, 'that...'.
יְהוָ֥הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the nominal identity clauseיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the confession 'YHWH your God, he is God'.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sf · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct + 2ms suffix, 'your God' — the covenant epithet.
ה֣וּאheindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copula/resumptive pronoun (identifying predicate)הוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun functioning as copula in a nominal identity clause: 'YHWH your God, HE is God'.
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑יםthe Godart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate nominative (definite identity claim)אֱלֹהִים (H430) with article, 'THE God' — an exclusive identity claim echoing the Shema's confession (6:4).
הָאֵל֙the Godart + N m sg abs · אֵל (H410)Apposition (title, resumes הָאֱלֹהִים with a synonym)אֵל (H410) generic Semitic word for 'God, deity'; here in apposition, introducing the key title 'the faithful God'.
הַֽנֶּאֱמָ֔ןthe faithfulart + Niphal ptc ms · אָמַן (H539)Attributive participle modifying הָאֵל (substantized)→ Participle: durative/characteristic — an abiding trait, not a momentary actאָמַן (H539) Niphal 'to be firm, faithful, trustworthy' (root of אָמֵן); הָאֵל הַנֶּאֱמָן, 'the faithful God', praising YHWH's steadfast reliability in keeping covenant across generations.
שֹׁמֵ֧רwho keepsQal ptc ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Attributive participle modifying הָאֵל (in series with הַנֶּאֱמָן)→ Participle: durative/characteristic — ongoing covenant faithfulnessשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard'; participle 'keeper of' — the God who keeps covenant, contrasted with Israel's own liability to break it.
הַבְּרִ֣יתthe covenantart + N f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of שֹׁמֵרבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; first of the paired objects YHWH keeps (with חֶסֶד).
וְהַחֶ֗סֶדand the steadfast loveconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · חֶסֶד (H2617)Direct object of שֹׁמֵר (second, paired object)חֶסֶד (H2617) 'steadfast love, covenant loyalty, mercy'; paired with בְּרִית as the twin content of YHWH's faithfulness — the theological center of the verse.
לְאֹהֲבָ֛יוto those who love himprep לְ + Qal ptc m pl constr + 3ms sf · אָהֵב (H157)Indirect object of שֹׁמֵר (beneficiaries of the covenant-keeping)→ Participle (substantized): those characterized by ongoing love for YHWHאָהֵב (H157) 'to love'; participle substantized 'those who love him' — reciprocates the divine אַהֲבָה of v.8.
וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥יand to those who keepconj וְ + prep לְ + Qal ptc m pl constr · שָׁמַר (H8104)Indirect object of שֹׁמֵר, parallel to לְאֹהֲבָיו→ Participle (substantized): those characterized by ongoing obedienceשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep'; the same root used of God's own faithfulness above, now required reciprocally of Israel — 'those who keep his commandments'.
מצותוhis commandments (Ketiv)N f pl constr + 3ms sf, unpointed Ketiv · מִצְוָה (H4687)Ketiv (written form) preceding its Qere; object of לְשֹׁמְרֵימִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; the consonantal Ketiv מצותו, corrected in reading by the Qere מִצְוֺתָיו immediately following — a standard Masoretic ketiv-qere note, not a translation variant.
מִצְוֺתָ֖יוhis commandmentsN f pl constr + 3ms sf (Qere) · מִצְוָה (H4687)Direct object of לְשֹׁמְרֵי (the form read aloud)מִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment', from צוה 'to command'; the Qere reading — what those who 'keep' in this verse observe.
לְאֶ֥לֶףto a thousandprep לְ + cardinal numeral c sg abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Adverbial prepositional phrase (temporal extent, modifying שֹׁמֵר)אֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; hyperbolic round number for covenantal permanence (cf. 5:10).
דּֽוֹרgenerationsN m sg abs (distributive) · דּוֹר (H1755)Genitive complement of the numeral phrase לְאֶלֶףדּוֹר (H1755) 'generation'; singular used distributively, 'a thousand generations' — the temporal horizon of YHWH's חֶסֶד.
10

וּמְשַׁלֵּ֧ם לְשֹׂנְאָ֛יו אֶל פָּנָ֖יו לְהַאֲבִיד֑וֹ לֹ֤א יְאַחֵר֙ לְשֹׂ֣נְא֔וֹ אֶל פָּנָ֖יו יְשַׁלֶּם לֽוֹ

and who repays to their face those who hate him, to destroy them; he will not delay with him who hates him — to his face he will repay him.

The severe corollary: YHWH also repays those who hate himasyndeton
Balances v.9's חֶסֶד with its necessary obverse — the faithful God is not merely indulgent; he requites hatred directly and without delay ('to his face'), in pointed contrast to the extended, multigenerational scope of his covenant love. This asymmetry supplies the theological warrant for the urgent, total measures commanded in vv.1-5.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וּמְשַׁלֵּ֧םand who repaysconj וְ + Piel ptc ms · שָׁלַם (H7999)Attributive participle continuing the chain from v.9 (further characterizing YHWH)→ Participle: durative/characteristic — YHWH's consistent practice of repaymentשָׁלַם (H7999) Piel 'to repay, requite, recompense'; the flip side of חֶסֶד in v.9 — the faithful God who keeps covenant also settles accounts with those who reject him.
לְשֹׂנְאָ֛יוto those who hate himprep לְ + Qal ptc m pl constr + 3ms sf · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Indirect object of וּמְשַׁלֵּם (recipients of repayment)→ Participle (substantized): those characterized by ongoing hatred/rejection of YHWHשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate'; participle substantized 'haters (of him)' — the polar opposite of לְאֹהֲבָיו in v.9.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal, idiom אֶל פָּנָיו)אֶל (H413) 'to'; with פָּנָיו idiom 'to his face' — direct, immediate retribution, not delayed or hidden.
פָּנָ֖יוhis faceN c pl constr + 3ms sf · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of the preposition אֶל (idiom)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; 'to his face' — direct, personal repayment, contrasting the deferred, multigenerational scope of חֶסֶד in v.9.
לְהַאֲבִיד֑וֹto destroy himprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr + 3ms sf · אָבַד (H6)Purpose infinitive construct (result of the repayment)→ Infinitive construct with לְ: purpose/result — 'so as to destroy him'אָבַד (H6) 'to perish'; Hiphil 'cause to perish, destroy' — the concrete outcome of divine repayment against the one who hates him.
לֹ֤אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of יְאַחֵרלֹא (H3808) negative particle; negates delay, not repayment itself.
יְאַחֵר֙he will delayPiel impf 3ms · אָחַר (H309)Predicate verb (negated, main clause)→ Yiqtol/Piel imperfect, negated: durative denial — 'he does not delay'אָחַר (H309) Piel 'to delay, tarry, be behind'; YHWH's justice is not deferred or forgotten.
לְשֹׂ֣נְא֔וֹwith him who hates himprep לְ + Qal ptc m sg constr + 3ms sf · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Indirect object of יְאַחֵר (idiom, 'delay toward')→ Participle (substantized): the one characterized by hatred, singularשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate'; singular here (contrast the plural above), individualizing the warning to any one who hates YHWH.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal, idiom repeated)אֶל (H413) 'to'; the idiom אֶל פָּנָיו repeated, bracketing the verse.
פָּנָ֖יוhis faceN c pl constr + 3ms sf · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of the preposition אֶלפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; the idiom's second occurrence, closing the inclusio and stressing directness of retribution.
יְשַׁלֶּםhe will repayPiel impf 3ms · שָׁלַם (H7999)Predicate verb (main clause, resuming/restating וּמְשַׁלֵּם)→ Yiqtol/Piel imperfect: durative-future certainty — the guaranteed recompenseשָׁלַם (H7999) Piel 'to repay, requite'; restates the opening participle as a finite verb, closing the unit with emphatic certainty.
לֽוֹto himprep לְ + 3ms sf · לְIndirect object of יְשַׁלֶּםלְ preposition marking the recipient of repayment — the one who hates YHWH.
11

וְשָׁמַרְתָּ֨ אֶת הַמִּצְוָ֜ה וְאֶת הַֽחֻקִּ֣ים וְאֶת הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֧י מְצַוְּךָ֛ הַיּ֖וֹם לַעֲשׂוֹתָֽם

You shall therefore keep the commandment, the statutes, and the ordinances that I am commanding you today, to do them.

Transition from confession to commandwe
Pivots from what YHWH is (vv.9-10) to what Israel must do: the triad מִצְוָה/חֻקִּים/מִשְׁפָּטִים is Deuteronomy's standard shorthand for the whole law, and 'today' (הַיּוֹם) stresses the address's ongoing contemporaneity for every hearing generation.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְשָׁמַרְתָּ֨and you shall keepconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Weqatal introducing the exhortation to obedience (result of vv.6-10)→ Weqatal: consequential/injunctive — 'therefore you shall keep'שָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, observe'; the same verb predicated of YHWH's fidelity in v.9 is now required of Israel.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (first of three parallel objects)אֵת (H853) marks הַמִּצְוָה as the first of three definite direct objects.
הַמִּצְוָ֜הthe commandmentart + N f sg abs · מִצְוָה (H4687)Direct object of וְשָׁמַרְתָּ (first of the triad)מִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; singular collective, first of the triad מִצְוָה/חֻקִּים/מִשְׁפָּטִים summarizing the whole body of law (cf. 6:1).
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ joins the second object; אֵת marks הַחֻקִּים as definite.
הַֽחֻקִּ֣יםthe statutesart + N m pl abs · חֹק (H2706)Direct object of וְשָׁמַרְתָּ (second of the triad)חֹק (H2706) 'statute, prescribed limit', from חָקַק 'to inscribe, decree'; second member of the standard Deuteronomic law-triad.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third object)וְ joins the third object; אֵת marks הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים as definite.
הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֗יםthe ordinancesart + N m pl abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Direct object of וְשָׁמַרְתָּ (third of the triad)מִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, ordinance', from שָׁפַט 'to judge'; third member of the triad, completing the summary designation of Torah.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying the triad)אֲשֶׁר (H834) invariable relative particle 'which'.
אָנֹכִ֧יIindependent pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of מְצַוְּךָ (emphatic)אָנֹכִי (H595) 1cs pronoun, emphatic 'I' — Moses, as YHWH's spokesman, underscores the immediacy of the command given 'today'.
מְצַוְּךָ֛am commanding youPiel ptc m sg constr + 2ms sf · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate participle (relative clause modifying the triad, present-durative)→ Participle: present-durative — the command is being issued in this very moment of addressצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; root of מִצְוָה — Moses' present act of commanding grounds the noun used three words earlier.
הַיּ֖וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs (adverbial) · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of time modifying מְצַוְּךָיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; הַיּוֹם 'today', Deuteronomy's characteristic marker of the urgency and presentness of the covenant address.
לַעֲשׂוֹתָֽםto do themprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3mp sf · עָשָׂה (H6213)Purpose infinitive construct (purpose of the whole verse)→ Infinitive construct with לְ: purpose — 'in order to do/perform them'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, perform'; the goal of 'keeping' is not custody of the law but its practical enactment.
12

וְהָיָ֣ה עֵ֣קֶב תִּשְׁמְע֗וּן אֵ֤ת הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים֙ הָאֵ֔לֶּה וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם וְשָׁמַר֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ לְךָ֗ אֶֽת הַבְּרִית֙ וְאֶת הַחֶ֔סֶד אֲשֶׁ֥ר נִשְׁבַּ֖ע לַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ

And because you listen to these ordinances and keep and do them, the LORD your God will keep with you the covenant and the steadfast love that he swore to your fathers.

Conditional structure: reciprocal covenant-keepingwe
The chapter's central conditional: Israel's obedience (hear/keep/do) triggers YHWH's continued covenant-keeping and חֶסֶד — the very terms of v.9 now framed as contingent blessing, holding grace (vv.6-10) and responsibility (vv.11ff) together without contradiction, in classic Deuteronomic fashion.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְהָיָ֣הand it will beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal introducing a conditional protasis→ Weqatal: consequential — standard formulaic opening for a conditional clauseהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; idiomatic וְהָיָה עֵקֶב 'and it shall be, because/as a result of' — introduces the reciprocal condition for YHWH's covenant-keeping.
עֵ֣קֶבbecauseN m sg constr (used conjunctionally) · עֵקֶב (H6118)Causal/conditional conjunction (with וְהָיָה, 'and it shall be that...')עֵקֶב (H6118) lit. 'heel, consequence'; used adverbially 'on account of, as a result of' — the same root gives the Hebrew title of the עֵקֶב parashah (Deut 7-11).
תִּשְׁמְע֗וּןyou listen/obeyQal impf 2mp (paragogic נ) · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (protasis, conditional 'if/when you obey')→ Yiqtol, conditional/durative: ongoing obedience as the condition for blessingשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; hearing that issues in compliance — the root sense behind the Shema (6:4).
אֵ֤ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of תִּשְׁמְעוּן)אֵת (H853) marks הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים הָאֵלֶּה as the definite object of obedience.
הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים֙the ordinancesart + N m pl abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Direct object of תִּשְׁמְעוּןמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'ordinance, judgment'; representative of the whole law-code summarized in v.11.
הָאֵ֔לֶּהtheseart + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַמִּשְׁפָּטִיםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; points to the immediately preceding legal corpus, making the condition concrete.
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥םand keepconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Weqatal continuing the protasis (second verb of obedience)→ Weqatal: consequential/continuing — durative guarding/observanceשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard'; paired with וַעֲשִׂיתֶם, the standard hendiadys 'keep and do' — disposition and performance together.
וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖םand doconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Weqatal continuing the protasis (third verb of obedience)→ Weqatal: consequential/continuing — concrete performanceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, perform'; completes the triad שָׁמַע/שָׁמַר/עָשָׂה — hear, keep, do.
אֹתָ֑םthemobj marker + 3mp sf · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (shared object of שְׁמַרְתֶּם and עֲשִׂיתֶם)אֵת (H853) + suffix, resuming 'the ordinances' as the shared object of the two preceding verbs.
וְשָׁמַר֩then he will keepconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Weqatal introducing the apodosis (YHWH's reciprocal response)→ Weqatal: consequential — the guaranteed divine response to Israel's obedienceשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep'; the same verb required of Israel above, now predicated again of YHWH — mutual covenant-keeping.
יְהוָ֨הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וְשָׁמַריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the apodosis.
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sf · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct + 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
לְךָ֗with youprep לְ + 2ms sf · לְIndirect object of וְשָׁמַר (beneficiary)לְ preposition; 'for/with you' — the covenant-keeping benefits Israel.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (first object of וְשָׁמַר)אֵת (H853) marks הַבְּרִית as the definite object.
הַבְּרִית֙the covenantart + N f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of וְשָׁמַר (first of the pair)בְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; repeats the pairing of v.9, now as YHWH's promised response to obedience.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ joins the second object; אֵת marks הַחֶסֶד as definite.
הַחֶ֔סֶדthe steadfast loveart + N m sg abs · חֶסֶד (H2617)Direct object of וְשָׁמַר (second of the pair)חֶסֶד (H2617) 'steadfast love, covenant loyalty'; paired with בְּרִית as in v.9, here as the substance of the oath being kept.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הַבְּרִית וְהַחֶסֶד)אֲשֶׁר (H834) invariable relative particle 'that, which'.
נִשְׁבַּ֖עhe sworeNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb (relative clause modifying הַבְּרִית וְהַחֶסֶד)→ Perfective: a completed, past act with abiding legal forceשָׁבַע (H7650) Niphal 'to swear'; the same patriarchal oath named in v.8, its terms now formally in view as what YHWH will 'keep'.
לַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָto your fathersprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2ms sf · אָב (H1)Indirect object of נִשְׁבַּעאָב (H1) 'father'; the patriarchs, recipients of the original oath (cf. v.8).
13

וַאֲהֵ֣בְךָ֔ וּבֵרַכְךָ֖ וְהִרְבֶּ֑ךָ וּבֵרַ֣ךְ פְּרִֽי בִטְנְךָ֣ וּפְרִֽי אַ֠דְמָתֶךָ דְּגָ֨נְךָ֜ וְתִֽירֹשְׁךָ֣ וְיִצְהָרֶ֗ךָ שְׁגַר אֲלָפֶ֨יךָ֙ וְעַשְׁתְּרֹ֣ת צֹאנֶ֔ךָ עַ֚ל הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר נִשְׁבַּ֥ע לַאֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ לָ֥תֶת לָֽךְ

He will love you, bless you, and multiply you; he will bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain, your new wine, and your oil, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock, in the land that he swore to your fathers to give you.

The blessing catalogue: love, increase, and comprehensive abundancewa
Elaborates the 'covenant and steadfast love' of v.12 in concrete terms: love, numeric increase (reversing v.7's 'you were the fewest'), and blessing across every domain of agrarian life — womb, field, herd, flock. The comprehensiveness of the list mirrors the comprehensiveness of the ban in vv.1-5: blessing and destruction are structured as two totalizing sides of the same covenant.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַאֲהֵ֣בְךָ֔and he will love youconj וַ + Qal weqatal 3ms + 2ms sf · אָהֵב (H157)Weqatal continuing the apodosis (first blessing verb)→ Weqatal: consequential-future — the guaranteed continuation of divine loveאָהֵב (H157) 'to love'; resumes the love-language of vv.7-8, now as an ongoing consequence of covenant faithfulness.
וּבֵרַכְךָ֖and he will bless youconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3ms + 2ms sf · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Weqatal continuing the apodosis (second blessing verb)→ Weqatal: consequential-future — guaranteed blessingבָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel 'to bless'; introduces the blessing catalogue elaborated across the rest of the verse.
וְהִרְבֶּ֑ךָand he will multiply youconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms + 2ms sf · רָבָה (H7235)Weqatal continuing the apodosis (third blessing verb)→ Weqatal: consequential-future — guaranteed increaseרָבָה (H7235) Hiphil 'to make many, multiply'; directly reverses v.7's 'you were the fewest' — smallness now yields to promised increase.
וּבֵרַ֣ךְand he will blessconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Weqatal resuming the blessing (introduces the concrete catalogue)→ Weqatal: consequential-futureבָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel 'to bless'; repeated to introduce the specific list of blessed domains that follows.
פְּרִֽיthe fruit ofN m sg constr · פְּרִי (H6529)Direct object of וּבֵרַךְ (first item of the catalogue)פְּרִי (H6529) 'fruit'; construct with בִטְנְךָ, 'fruit of your womb' — offspring, the first blessed domain.
בִטְנְךָ֣your wombN f sg constr + 2ms sf · בֶּטֶן (H990)Genitive complement of the construct פְּרִיבֶּטֶן (H990) 'belly, womb'; 'fruit of the womb' = children, answering the fear of barrenness (v.14).
וּפְרִֽיand the fruit ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · פְּרִי (H6529)Direct object of וּבֵרַךְ (second item)פְּרִי (H6529) 'fruit'; construct with אַדְמָתֶךָ, 'fruit of your ground' — agricultural produce, the second blessed domain.
אַ֠דְמָתֶךָyour groundN f sg constr + 2ms sf · אֲדָמָה (H127)Genitive complement of the construct פְּרִיאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil'; the land's yield, specified by the grain/wine/oil triad that follows.
דְּגָ֨נְךָ֜your grainN m sg constr + 2ms sf · דָּגָן (H1715)Direct object of וּבֵרַךְ, specifying פְּרִי אַדְמָתֶךָ (first of the grain/wine/oil triad)דָּגָן (H1715) 'grain, corn'; first of the standard triad grain/wine/oil (cf. 11:14; 12:17).
וְתִֽירֹשְׁךָ֣and your new wineconj וְ + N m sg constr + 2ms sf · תִּירוֹשׁ (H8492)Direct object of וּבֵרַךְ (second of the triad)תִּירוֹשׁ (H8492) 'new wine, must'; second of the grain/wine/oil triad, the produce of the vine.
וְיִצְהָרֶ֗ךָand your oilconj וְ + N m sg constr + 2ms sf · יִצְהָר (H3323)Direct object of וּבֵרַךְ (third of the triad)יִצְהָר (H3323) 'fresh oil'; third of the triad — grain, wine, and oil together summarize agricultural blessing.
שְׁגַרthe increase ofN m sg constr · שֶׁגֶר (H7698)Direct object of וּבֵרַךְ (fourth item)שֶׁגֶר (H7698) 'offspring, young (of animals)'; construct with אֲלָפֶיךָ, 'the young of your herds'.
אֲלָפֶ֨יךָ֙your cattleN m pl constr + 2ms sf · אֶלֶף (H504)Genitive complement of the construct שְׁגַראֶלֶף (H504) 'herd, cattle' (distinct lexeme from אֶלֶף 'thousand', H505); 'the young of your herds'.
וְעַשְׁתְּרֹ֣תand the young ofconj וְ + N f pl constr · עַשְׁתְּרֹת (H6251)Direct object of וּבֵרַךְ (fifth item, parallel to שְׁגַר)עַשְׁתְּרֹת (H6251) 'young, offspring (of flock)', paralleling שֶׁגֶר; the term shares its consonants with the fertility-goddess name Ashtoreth, reflecting a fixed idiom of fecundity applied here to livestock.
צֹאנֶ֔ךָyour flockN c sg constr + 2ms sf · צֹאן (H6629)Genitive complement of the construct עַשְׁתְּרֹתצֹאן (H6629) 'flock, sheep and goats'; completes the livestock-blessing pair with אֲלָפֶיךָ.
עַ֚לonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (locative, setting for the whole blessing catalogue)עַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; locates the entire blessing catalogue within the promised land.
הָֽאֲדָמָ֔הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Object of the preposition עַלאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, land'; here the promised land, referent of the relative clause that follows.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הָאֲדָמָה)אֲשֶׁר (H834) invariable relative particle 'that, which'.
נִשְׁבַּ֥עhe sworeNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb (relative clause modifying הָאֲדָמָה)→ Perfective: a completed, past act with abiding legal forceשָׁבַע (H7650) Niphal 'to swear'; the patriarchal land-oath, invoked a third time in this chapter (cf. vv.8,12).
לַאֲבֹתֶ֖יךָto your fathersprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2ms sf · אָב (H1)Indirect object of נִשְׁבַּעאָב (H1) 'father'; the patriarchs, recipients of the land-oath.
לָ֥תֶתto giveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָתַן (H5414)Purpose infinitive construct (purpose of the oath)→ Infinitive construct with לְ: purpose — 'in order to give'נָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the promised land as gift, the content of the patriarchal oath.
לָֽךְto youprep לְ + 2fs sf · לְIndirect object of לָתֶת (recipient of the gift)לְ preposition + 2fs suffix (Deuteronomy occasionally personifies Israel with a feminine singular pronoun); 'to you' — the land as YHWH's gift.
14

בָּר֥וּךְ תִּֽהְיֶ֖ה מִכָּל הָעַמִּ֑ים לֹא יִהְיֶ֥ה בְךָ֛ עָקָ֥ר וַֽעֲקָרָ֖ה וּבִבְהֶמְתֶּֽךָ

You shall be blessed above all peoples; there shall not be a barren man or a barren woman among you, or among your livestock.

Superlative blessing and universal fertilityasyndeton
Climaxes the blessing sequence: Israel's standing among the nations is inverted from smallest (v.7) to most blessed (v.14), and the abundance of v.13 is guaranteed against its greatest natural threat — barrenness, extended even to livestock.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
בָּר֥וּךְblessedQal passive ptc ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate adjective/participle (nominal clause with תִּהְיֶה)→ Passive participle: a resultant, abiding state — 'blessed' as settled conditionבָּרַךְ (H1288) Qal passive participle 'blessed'; the fixed liturgical form (as in בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה) applied here to Israel's superlative status among the nations.
תִּֽהְיֶ֖הyou shall beQal impf 2ms · הָיָה (H1961)Copular verb completing the predicate nominal clause→ Yiqtol: future/durative — an ongoing state of blessednessהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; copula linking Israel to the predicate בָּרוּךְ.
מִכָּלabove allprep מִן + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Comparative prepositional phrase modifying the predicateכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; comparative מִן, 'more blessed than all peoples' — reversing the disparity of vv.1,7.
הָעַמִּ֑יםthe peoplesart + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of the construct כָּלעַם (H5971) 'people'; the nations against whom Israel's blessedness, not merely its smallness, is now measured.
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of יִהְיֶהלֹא (H3808) standard negative particle.
יִהְיֶ֥הthere shall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (existential clause, negated)→ Yiqtol, negated: durative denial — 'there will not be'הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, exist'; existential usage, 'there shall not be (any) barren one'.
בְךָ֛among youprep בְּ + 2ms sf · בְּAdverbial prepositional phrase (locative, sphere of the negated existence)בְּ preposition 'among, in'; locates the freedom from barrenness within the community itself.
עָקָ֥רa barren manadj m sg abs (substantized) · עָקָר (H6135)Subject of יִהְיֶה (existential clause)עָקָר (H6135) 'barren, sterile'; infertility elsewhere counted a covenant curse (cf. Exod 23:26), here promised absent.
וַֽעֲקָרָ֖הor a barren womanconj וְ + adj f sg abs (substantized) · עָקָר (H6135)Subject of יִהְיֶה, paired with עָקָרעָקָר (H6135) feminine form; completes the male/female merism — no barrenness of either sex.
וּבִבְהֶמְתֶּֽךָor among your livestockconj וְ + prep בְּ + N f sg constr + 2ms sf · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Adverbial prepositional phrase, coordinate with בְךָ (extends the promise to animals)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'animal, livestock'; extends the fertility-blessing beyond the human population, completing the promise of v.13.
15

וְהֵסִ֧יר יְהוָ֛ה מִמְּךָ֖ כָּל חֹ֑לִי וְכָל מַדְוֵי֩ מִצְרַ֨יִם הָרָעִ֜ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָדַ֗עְתָּ לֹ֤א יְשִׂימָם֙ בָּ֔ךְ וּנְתָנָ֖ם בְּכָל שֹׂנְאֶֽיךָ

And the LORD will remove from you all sickness; he will not inflict on you any of the evil diseases of Egypt that you knew, but he will lay them on all who hate you.

Health blessing: exemption from Egypt's plagues, redirected onto enemieswe
Continues the blessing catalogue with a retributive twist echoing v.10: what is withheld from Israel is not annihilated but redirected onto its enemies. The 'evil diseases of Egypt' vocabulary recurs verbatim in the curse section (28:27,60), making this blessing the deliberate positive mirror of that later warning.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְהֵסִ֧ירand he will removeconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms · סוּר (H5493)Weqatal continuing the blessing sequence (main predicate)→ Weqatal: consequential-future — guaranteed removalסוּר (H5493) 'to turn aside'; Hiphil 'cause to depart, remove' — the same root used negatively of apostasy in v.4, here positively of removing sickness.
יְהוָ֛הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וְהֵסִיריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the health-blessing.
מִמְּךָ֖from youprep מִן + 2ms sf · מִן (H4480)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source, complement of וְהֵסִיר)מִן (H4480) 'from'; marks the point of removal — sickness taken away from Israel's midst.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing חֹלִי (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct with חֹלִי, 'all sickness' — a comprehensive promise.
חֹ֑לִיsicknessN m sg abs · חֳלִי (H2483)Direct object of וְהֵסִיר (genitive complement of כָּל)חֳלִי (H2483) 'sickness, disease'; the general term, specified below as 'the evil diseases of Egypt'.
וְכָלand none ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing מַדְוֵי (quantifier, negated by לֹא later in the verse)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with מַדְוֵי, negated by the later לֹא יְשִׂימָם — 'and none of the evil diseases'.
מַדְוֵי֩the diseases ofN m pl constr · מַדְוֶה (H4064)Genitive complement of the construct כָּלמַדְוֶה (H4064) 'sickness, disease', from דָּוָה 'to be ill'; construct with מִצְרַיִם, specifying Egypt's plagues.
מִצְרַ֨יִםof Egyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of the construct מַדְוֵימִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the plagues Israel witnessed/experienced there (cf. Exod 7-12; 15:26).
הָרָעִ֜יםthe evilart + adj m pl abs · רַע (H7451)Attributive adjective modifying מַדְוֵירַע (H7451) 'bad, evil'; qualifies the Egyptian diseases as uniquely terrible (cf. the dread of 28:27,60).
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying מַדְוֵי מִצְרַיִם הָרָעִים)אֲשֶׁר (H834) invariable relative particle 'which'.
יָדַ֗עְתָּyou knewQal perf 2ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed past experience — firsthand knowledge from the exodus generationיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; experiential knowledge — Israel witnessed/suffered these diseases directly in Egypt.
לֹ֤אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of יְשִׂימָםלֹא (H3808) standard negative particle.
יְשִׂימָם֙he will inflictQal impf 3ms + 3mp sf · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb (negated by לֹא, main clause)→ Yiqtol, negated: durative-future denial — 'he will not put/inflict (them)'שִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place'; idiomatic 'inflict (disease) upon' — negated, promising exemption from Egypt's plagues.
בָּ֔ךְon youprep בְּ + 2fs sf · בְּAdverbial prepositional phrase (goal, complement of יְשִׂימָם)בְּ preposition 'on, upon'; the negated goal of the diseases — Israel exempted.
וּנְתָנָ֖םbut he will lay themconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms + 3mp sf · נָתַן (H5414)Weqatal continuing the sequence (contrastive: onto the enemies instead)→ Weqatal: consequential-future — the diseases redirected rather than eliminatedנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put'; here 'lay upon, inflict' — the diseases spared from Israel are redirected onto its enemies.
בְּכָלon allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (goal of וּנְתָנָם)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with שֹׂנְאֶיךָ, 'on all who hate you' — the redirection is total.
שֹׂנְאֶֽיךָthose who hate youQal ptc m pl constr + 2ms sf · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Genitive complement of the construct כָּל (substantized participle)→ Participle (substantized): those characterized by hostility to Israelשָׂנֵא (H8130) 'to hate'; participle 'haters' — Israel's national enemies, echoing the same root applied to YHWH's own enemies in v.10.
16

וְאָכַלְתָּ֣ אֶת כָּל הָֽעַמִּ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ נֹתֵ֣ן לָ֔ךְ לֹא תָחֹ֥ס עֵֽינְךָ֖ עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וְלֹ֤א תַעֲבֹד֙ אֶת אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם כִּֽי מוֹקֵ֥שׁ ה֖וּא לָֽךְ

And you shall devour all the peoples that the LORD your God is giving over to you; your eye shall not pity them, and you shall not serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you.

The command resumes: pitiless conquest and the danger of idolatrywe
After the blessing catalogue (vv.13-15), the chapter returns to the conquest command, reprising v.2's נָתַן and adding the pity-idiom (חוּס עַיִן) known from Deuteronomy's other 'no mercy' laws. מוֹקֵשׁ ('snare') supplies the chapter's controlling metaphor for why total measures are necessary: idolatry is not merely wrong but a trap.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וְאָכַלְתָּ֣and you shall devourconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Weqatal returning to the conquest command (main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential-injunctive — the command resumes after the blessing catalogueאָכַל (H398) 'to eat, consume'; metaphorical of total military destruction — 'devour' the nations, resuming the ban of vv.1-2.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וְאָכַלְתָּ)אֵת (H853) marks כָּל הָעַמִּים as the definite object of consumption.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct governing הָעַמִּים (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with הָעַמִּים, totalizing the ban's scope, resuming vv.1-2.
הָֽעַמִּ֗יםthe peoplesart + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of וְאָכַלְתָּ (genitive complement of כָּל)עַם (H5971) 'people'; the seven nations of vv.1-2, object of the ban resumed here.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הָעַמִּים)אֲשֶׁר (H834) invariable relative particle 'that, which'.
יְהוָ֤הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the ongoing 'giving' of the nations.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr + 2ms sf · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct + 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
נֹתֵ֣ןis givingQal ptc ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle (relative clause, present-durative)→ Participle: present-durative — the ongoing divine act of handing overנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; participle 'is giving/handing over' — the nations as YHWH's present gift, echoing v.2's נְתָנָם.
לָ֔ךְto youprep לְ + 2fs sf · לְIndirect object of נֹתֵןלְ preposition + 2fs suffix; 'to you' — the nations handed over to Israel.
לֹאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of תָחֹסלֹא (H3808) standard negative particle.
תָחֹ֥סshall pityQal impf 3fs · חוּס (H2347)Predicate verb (negated, subject עֵינְךָ)→ Yiqtol, negated: durative denial — 'your eye shall not pity'חוּס (H2347) 'to pity, look with compassion'; idiom 'the eye pities/spares' — a recurring Deuteronomic formula for withholding mercy (cf. 13:9; 19:13,21; 25:12).
עֵֽינְךָ֖your eyeN c sg constr + 2ms sf · עַיִן (H5869)Subject of תָחֹסעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiom for compassion — 'let not your eye pity them'.
עֲלֵיהֶ֑םon themprep עַל + 3mp sf · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (object of תָחֹס)עַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; complement of the pity-idiom.
וְלֹ֤אand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinated negation (second prohibition)וְ + לֹא, continuing the negative command series.
תַעֲבֹד֙shall you serveQal impf 2ms · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb (negated, second prohibition)→ Yiqtol, negated: durative denial — 'you shall not serve'עָבַד (H5647) 'to work, serve'; cultic service, forbidden toward the conquered nations' deities.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of תַעֲבֹד)אֵת (H853) marks אֱלֹהֵיהֶם as the definite object.
אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔םtheir godsN m pl constr + 3mp sf · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Direct object of תַעֲבֹדאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'gods'; the conquered nations' deities — the very temptation the chapter's measures aim to forestall.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (grounds the prohibition)כִּי (H3588) causal 'for'; introduces the reason — idolatry's inherent danger.
מוֹקֵ֥שׁa snareN m sg abs · מוֹקֵשׁ (H4170)Predicate nominative (with הוּא, 'that is a snare')מוֹקֵשׁ (H4170) 'snare, trap', from יָקַשׁ 'to lay a trap'; idolatry as a hidden, deadly device — the same image applied to the idols of v.25.
ה֖וּאthatindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copula/resumptive pronoun in the nominal clauseהוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun functioning as copula, resuming the act of idol-service as subject: 'that [would be] a snare'.
לָֽךְto youprep לְ + 2fs sf · לְIndirect object completing the predicate (dative of disadvantage)לְ preposition; 'to you' — the snare's danger is aimed directly at Israel.
17

כִּ֤י תֹאמַר֙ בִּלְבָ֣בְךָ֔ רַבִּ֛ים הַגּוֹיִ֥ם הָאֵ֖לֶּה מִמֶּ֑נִּי אֵיכָ֥ה אוּכַ֖ל לְהוֹרִישָֽׁם

If you say in your heart, 'These nations are more numerous than I; how can I dispossess them?' —

Anticipated objection: fear of the nations' numerical strengthki
Voices the natural fear the chapter has been building toward, which Moses now answers (v.18): the psychological realism of Deuteronomy's rhetoric acknowledges the objection before refuting it with historical memory of the exodus.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
כִּ֤יifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional conjunction introducing a hypothetical objectionכִּי (H3588) here conditional 'if', introducing an anticipated objection Moses answers in v.18.
תֹאמַר֙you sayQal impf 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (protasis of the conditional)→ Yiqtol, conditional: hypothetical/potential — 'if you should say'אָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces direct discourse voicing Israel's anticipated fear.
בִּלְבָ֣בְךָ֔in your heartprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms sf · לֵבָב (H3824)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative, idiom of internal thought)לֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; idiom 'say in one's heart' = think privately, an inner doubt not yet spoken.
רַבִּ֛יםmore numerousadj m pl abs · רַב (H7227)Predicate adjective (nominal clause of the quoted speech)רַב (H7227) 'many, numerous'; the feared imbalance, echoing v.1's description of the seven nations.
הַגּוֹיִ֥םthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Subject of the quoted nominal clauseגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; subject of Israel's imagined objection, resuming the language of v.1.
הָאֵ֖לֶּהtheseart + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַגּוֹיִםאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; concretizes the feared nations as the specific ones just named.
מִמֶּ֑נִּיthan Iprep מִן + 1cs sf · מִן (H4480)Comparative prepositional phrase completing רַבִּיםמִן (H4480) comparative 'than'; voices Israel's fear in the first person, mirroring v.7's third-person denial.
אֵיכָ֥הhowinterrogative adv · אֵיכָה (H349)Interrogative adverb introducing the rhetorical questionאֵיכָה (H349) 'how'; introduces the despairing rhetorical question completing Israel's imagined objection.
אוּכַ֖לcan IQal impf 1cs · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (rhetorical question, quoted speech)→ Yiqtol: modal/potential — 'am I able?'יָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; expresses Israel's imagined despair at the scale of the task.
לְהוֹרִישָֽׁםto dispossess themprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr + 3mp sf · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Complementary infinitive construct completing אוּכַל→ Infinitive construct with לְ: complementary — completes the modal verb of abilityיָרַשׁ (H3423) Hiphil 'to dispossess, drive out'; the same root as לְרִשְׁתָּהּ in v.1, now voicing doubt about accomplishing what YHWH commanded.
18

לֹ֥א תִירָ֖א מֵהֶ֑ם זָכֹ֣ר תִּזְכֹּ֗ר אֵ֤ת אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לְפַרְעֹ֖ה וּלְכָל מִצְרָֽיִם

you shall not be afraid of them; you shall surely remember what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt,

The answer to fear: remember the exodusasyndeton
Moses' direct rebuttal to v.17's imagined objection: not abstract reassurance but a doubled, emphatic command to actively recall (זָכֹר תִּזְכֹּר) YHWH's proven power against Pharaoh — a paradigm case vv.19-24 will apply directly to the coming conquest.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
לֹ֥אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of תִירָאלֹא (H3808) standard negative particle.
תִירָ֖אyou shall fearQal impf 2ms · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb (negated, direct answer to v.17's objection)→ Yiqtol, negated: durative-injunctive denial — 'you shall not fear'יָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear'; direct answer to the imagined objection of v.17 — the command not to fear, grounded in historical memory.
מֵהֶ֑םof themprep מִן + 3mp sf · מִןAdverbial prepositional phrase (object of fear, complement of תִירָא)מִן preposition marking the object of fear — 'of them', the nations of v.17.
זָכֹ֣רsurelyQal inf abs · זָכַר (H2142)Infinitive absolute intensifying the following finite verb (emphatic construction)→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic certainty/obligation — 'you must surely remember'זָכַר (H2142) 'to remember'; doubled with the finite verb for maximal emphasis — memory as the antidote to fear.
תִּזְכֹּ֗רyou shall rememberQal impf 2ms · זָכַר (H2142)Finite verb completing the infinitive-absolute construction (main predicate)→ Yiqtol with volitional-emphatic force, reinforced by the preceding inf. absolute: an urgent commandזָכַר (H2142) see above; the finite form issuing the command to actively recall the exodus.
אֵ֤ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of תִּזְכֹּר)אֵת (H853) marks the relative clause אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה... as the object of remembering.
אֲשֶׁרwhatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (headless relative, object of תִּזְכֹּר)אֲשֶׁר (H834) invariable relative particle 'that which, what' — introduces the content to be remembered.
עָשָׂה֙he didQal perf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (relative clause, object of תִּזְכֹּר)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive past act — the exodus plagues as historical fact to be recalledעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; YHWH's mighty acts against Pharaoh, the content of the required remembering.
יְהוָ֣הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of עָשָׂהיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the historic exodus acts.
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sf · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct + 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
לְפַרְעֹ֖הto Pharaohprep לְ + proper noun · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Adverbial prepositional phrase (indirect object of עָשָׂה)פַּרְעֹה (H6547); the same figure named in v.8, recalled here as proof of YHWH's power over the mightiest king Israel knew.
וּלְכָלand to allconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase, coordinate with לְפַרְעֹהכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with מִצְרָיִם, extending the historical proof beyond Pharaoh to the whole Egyptian nation.
מִצְרָֽיִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive complement of the construct כָּלמִצְרַיִם (H4714) 'Egypt'; the scene of YHWH's decisive historical intervention, offered as grounds for present confidence.
19

הַמַּסֹּ֨ת הַגְּדֹלֹ֜ת אֲשֶׁר רָא֣וּ עֵינֶ֗יךָ וְהָאֹתֹ֤ת וְהַמֹּֽפְתִים֙ וְהַיָּ֤ד הַחֲזָקָה֙ וְהַזְּרֹ֣עַ הַנְּטוּיָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר הוֹצִֽאֲךָ֖ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ כֵּֽן יַעֲשֶׂ֞ה יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ לְכָל הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁר אַתָּ֥ה יָרֵ֖א מִפְּנֵיהֶֽם

the great trials that your eyes saw, and the signs and the wonders, and the mighty hand and the outstretched arm by which the LORD your God brought you out — so will the LORD your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.

The exodus catalogue as paradigm for the conquestasyndeton
Piles up fixed exodus vocabulary (מַסּוֹת, אֹתוֹת, מוֹפְתִים, יָד חֲזָקָה, זְרוֹעַ נְטוּיָה) as the content of v.18's command to remember, then draws the explicit analogy (כֵּן, 'so') that resolves v.17's fear: the same power exercised against Pharaoh will be exercised against every remaining nation.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
הַמַּסֹּ֨תthe trialsart + N f pl abs · מַסָּה (H4531)Direct object continuing v.18's object clause (in apposition)מַסָּה (H4531) 'trial, test'; the plagues as demonstrations of divine power witnessed by Israel.
הַגְּדֹלֹ֜תthe greatart + adj f pl abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying הַמַּסֹּתגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; qualifies the trials as the great, memorable exodus plagues.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הַמַּסֹּת)אֲשֶׁר (H834) invariable relative particle 'that, which'.
רָא֣וּsawQal perf 3cp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (relative clause modifying הַמַּסֹּת)→ Perfective: a completed, past act — eyewitness testimonyרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; direct eyewitness experience grounds the appeal to memory, not hearsay.
עֵינֶ֗יךָyour eyesN c dual constr + 2ms sf · עַיִן (H5869)Subject of רָאוּעַיִן (H5869) 'eye', dual 'eyes'; the personal, visual eyewitness quality of the memory invoked.
וְהָאֹתֹ֤תand the signsconj וְ + art + N c pl abs · אוֹת (H226)Direct object continuing the series (apposition to הַמַּסֹּת)אוֹת (H226) 'sign'; the exodus wonders as divine signs, a fixed pairing with מוֹפְתִים (cf. Exod 7:3).
וְהַמֹּֽפְתִים֙and the wondersconj וְ + art + N m pl abs · מוֹפֵת (H4159)Direct object continuing the seriesמוֹפֵת (H4159) 'wonder, portent'; paired with אֹתֹת, the standard formula for the plagues and exodus miracles.
וְהַיָּ֤דand the handconj וְ + art + N c sg abs · יָד (H3027)Direct object continuing the seriesיָד (H3027) 'hand'; with חֲזָקָה, the fixed exodus phrase 'the mighty hand' (cf. v.8).
הַחֲזָקָה֙the mightyart + adj f sg abs · חָזָק (H2389)Attributive adjective modifying הַיָּדחָזָק (H2389) 'strong, mighty'; qualifies יָד in the fixed exodus formula.
וְהַזְּרֹ֣עַand the armconj וְ + art + N c sg abs · זְרוֹעַ (H2220)Direct object continuing the seriesזְרוֹעַ (H2220) 'arm'; paired with יָד חֲזָקָה as a standard image of divine power (cf. 4:34; 26:8).
הַנְּטוּיָ֔הthe outstretchedart + Qal passive ptc fs · נָטָה (H5186)Attributive participle modifying הַזְּרֹעַ→ Passive participle: a fixed, characterizing image — the arm depicted as extended in actionנָטָה (H5186) 'to stretch out'; passive participle 'outstretched', the fixed exodus formula זְרוֹעַ נְטוּיָה.
אֲשֶׁ֥רby whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying the whole preceding catalogue)אֲשֶׁר (H834) invariable relative particle 'by which, whereby'.
הוֹצִֽאֲךָ֖he brought you outHiphil perf 3ms + 2ms sf · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (relative clause modifying the whole preceding catalogue)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the exodus as accomplished factיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Hiphil 'bring out' — the same verb as v.8, now with 2ms suffix directly addressing the individual Israelite.
יְהוָ֣הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הוֹצִאֲךָיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the exodus-bringing-out.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sf · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct + 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
כֵּֽןsoadv · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial complement of manner (correlative, 'thus/so')כֵּן (H3651) 'thus, so'; correlates the past exodus with the future conquest — 'as YHWH did then, so he will do now'.
יַעֲשֶׂ֞הhe will doQal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis of the analogy)→ Yiqtol: future certainty — the guaranteed repetition of exodus-scale powerעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; the same verb as v.18's עָשָׂה, now projected onto the future conquest of Canaan.
יְהוָ֤הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יַעֲשֶׂהיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the promised future action.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr + 2ms sf · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct + 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
לְכָלto allprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (goal of יַעֲשֶׂה)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct with הָעַמִּים, universalizing the promise across every remaining nation.
הָ֣עַמִּ֔יםthe peoplesart + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of the construct כָּלעַם (H5971) 'people'; the Canaanite nations still to be conquered.
אֲשֶׁרof whomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הָעַמִּים)אֲשֶׁר (H834) invariable relative particle 'of whom, which'.
אַתָּ֥הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of the nominal clause (predicate adjective יָרֵא)אַתָּה (H859) 2ms pronoun, subject — directly addresses the fear voiced hypothetically in v.17.
יָרֵ֖אafraidadj m sg abs · יָרֵא (H3373)Predicate adjective (nominal clause with אַתָּה)יָרֵא (H3373) 'fearful, afraid'; names the very fear the whole unit (vv.17-19) sets out to dispel.
מִפְּנֵיהֶֽםof themprep מִן + N c pl constr + 3mp sf · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (object of יָרֵא, idiom 'from before them')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom 'from before them' = 'of them' — completes the fear-clause resolved by the analogy just drawn.
20

וְגַם֙ אֶת הַצִּרְעָ֔ה יְשַׁלַּ֛ח יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ בָּ֑ם עַד אֲבֹ֗ד הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֛ים וְהַנִּסְתָּרִ֖ים מִפָּנֶֽיךָ

Moreover, the LORD your God will send the hornet among them, until those who remain and hide themselves from you have perished.

The hornet: a supplementary weapon completing the conquestwe-gam
Adds the enigmatic צִרְעָה (hornet, or terror/panic) as insurance beyond the initial campaign, echoing Exod 23:28 and Josh 24:12 — ensuring total completion even for those who flee or hide, consistent with the chapter's totalizing rhetoric.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְגַם֙and moreoverconj וְ + adv · גַּם (H1571)Adverbial conjunction (adds a further, intensifying measure)גַּם (H1571) 'also, even, moreover'; introduces an additional divine weapon beyond the conquest already promised.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of יְשַׁלַּח)אֵת (H853) marks הַצִּרְעָה as the definite object.
הַצִּרְעָ֔הthe hornetart + N f sg abs · צִרְעָה (H6880)Direct object of יְשַׁלַּחצִרְעָה (H6880) 'hornet'; a puzzling image read either literally (insect plague) or as terror/panic sent ahead of Israel (cf. Exod 23:28; Josh 24:12).
יְשַׁלַּ֛חhe will sendPiel impf 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol/Piel imperfect: future certainty — an intensified, deliberate act of sendingשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send, dispatch'; YHWH as the active agent deploying this additional weapon.
יְהוָ֥הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יְשַׁלַּחיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the hornet's dispatch.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sf · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct + 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
בָּ֑םamong themprep בְּ + 3mp sf · בְּAdverbial prepositional phrase (goal of יְשַׁלַּח)בְּ preposition 'among, against'; the hornet directed at the remaining Canaanite population.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase introducing the infinitive clause of extentעַד (H5704) 'until, up to'; marks the temporal limit of the hornet's work — complete destruction.
אֲבֹ֗דhave perishedQal inf constr · אָבַד (H6)Infinitive construct completing עַד (temporal extent)→ Infinitive construct with עַד: marks the terminus of the action — 'until (they) perish'אָבַד (H6) 'to perish'; the ultimate fate of even those who initially escape or hide.
הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֛יםthose who remainart + Niphal ptc mp · שָׁאַר (H7604)Subject of אֲבֹד (substantized participle)→ Participle (substantized): those characterized by having survived the initial conquestשָׁאַר (H7604) Niphal 'to remain, be left over'; those who escape the direct conquest, still targeted by the hornet.
וְהַנִּסְתָּרִ֖יםand those who hideconj וְ + art + Niphal ptc mp · סָתַר (H5641)Subject of אֲבֹד, coordinate with הַנִּשְׁאָרִים→ Participle (substantized): those characterized by concealmentסָתַר (H5641) Niphal 'to hide oneself'; even those who go into hiding from Israel's advance will not escape.
מִפָּנֶֽיךָfrom before youprep מִן + N c pl constr + 2ms sf · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source, complement of הַנִּסְתָּרִים)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom 'from before you' — hiding from Israel's approach.
21

לֹ֥א תַעֲרֹ֖ץ מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑ם כִּֽי יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ בְּקִרְבֶּ֔ךָ אֵ֥ל גָּד֖וֹל וְנוֹרָֽא

You shall not dread them, for the LORD your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God.

The ground of fearlessness: YHWH's presence and greatnesski
Closes the fear-motif of vv.17-21 with the ultimate warrant: not military parity but YHWH's presence 'in your midst' as 'a great and awesome God' — the root יָרֵא reused both negatively (Israel need not fear) and positively (YHWH alone is 'awesome').
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
לֹ֥אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of תַעֲרֹץלֹא (H3808) standard negative particle.
תַעֲרֹ֖ץshall you dreadQal impf 2ms · עָרַץ (H6206)Predicate verb (negated, main clause)→ Yiqtol, negated: durative-injunctive denial — 'you shall not dread'עָרַץ (H6206) 'to tremble, be in dread of'; a synonym of יָרֵא (v.18), reinforcing the command against fear.
מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑םof themprep מִן + N c pl constr + 3mp sf · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (idiom, object of תַעֲרֹץ)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom 'from before them' = 'of them', the object of dread here forbidden.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (grounds the fearlessness command)כִּי (H3588) causal 'for'; introduces the reason — YHWH's presence and greatness.
יְהוָ֤הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the nominal clauseיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the confession of presence.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr + 2ms sf · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct + 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
בְּקִרְבֶּ֔ךָin your midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2ms sf · קֶרֶב (H7130)Predicate locative (nominal clause, 'YHWH...is in your midst')קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; YHWH's real presence among Israel is the ground for fearlessness, not military calculation.
אֵ֥לa GodN m sg abs · אֵל (H410)Predicate nominative in apposition to יְהוָהאֵל (H410) generic 'God, deity'; in apposition, introducing the qualifying epithets גָּדוֹל וְנוֹרָא.
גָּד֖וֹלgreatadj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying אֵלגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; the first of the paired epithets describing YHWH's incomparable stature.
וְנוֹרָֽאand awesomeconj וְ + Niphal ptc ms · יָרֵא (H3372)Attributive participle modifying אֵל, paired with גָּדוֹל→ Participle: characteristic, abiding quality — inspiring reverent aweיָרֵא (H3372) Niphal 'to be feared, awesome'; the same root negated of Israel's fear in v.18 — the fear misplaced onto nations belongs properly to YHWH alone.
22

וְנָשַׁל֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ אֶת הַגּוֹיִ֥ם הָאֵ֛ל מִפָּנֶ֖יךָ מְעַ֣ט מְעָ֑ט לֹ֤א תוּכַל֙ כַּלֹּתָ֣ם מַהֵ֔ר פֶּן תִּרְבֶּ֥ה עָלֶ֖יךָ חַיַּ֥ת הַשָּׂדֶֽה

And the LORD your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to finish them off quickly, lest the wild beasts of the field multiply against you.

The pace of conquest: gradual, for ecological reasonswe
A striking practical qualification to the chapter's totalizing rhetoric: the conquest must be gradual, not because YHWH's power is limited but because rapid depopulation would let wild animals overrun the land — a rationale paralleled at Exod 23:29-30.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְנָשַׁל֩and he will clear awayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · נָשַׁל (H5394)Weqatal resuming the conquest promise (main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential-future — the guaranteed, gradual clearingנָשַׁל (H5394) 'to draw off, clear away'; the same verb as v.1, now specified as a gradual ('little by little') process.
יְהוָ֨הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וְנָשַׁליְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the gradual clearing.
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sf · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct + 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וְנָשַׁל)אֵת (H853) marks הַגּוֹיִם הָאֵל as the definite object.
הַגּוֹיִ֥םthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Direct object of וְנָשַׁלגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; resumes the seven nations of v.1, now the object of gradual dispossession.
הָאֵ֛לtheseart + demonstr pron cp (archaic form) · הָאֵל (H411)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַגּוֹיִםהָאֵל (H411), an older/dialectal demonstrative equivalent to הָאֵלֶּה 'these'; points to the nations named in v.1.
מִפָּנֶ֖יךָfrom before youprep מִן + N c pl constr + 2ms sf · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (source, complement of וְנָשַׁל)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom 'from before you', repeating v.1's phrase for the clearing of nations.
מְעַ֣טlittleadv · מְעַט (H4592)Adverbial complement of manner (doubled, 'little by little')מְעַט (H4592) 'little, few'; doubled with the following מְעָט for a distributive idiom, 'little by little, gradually'.
מְעָ֑טby littleadv (doubled) · מְעַט (H4592)Adverbial complement of manner, second element of the doubled idiomמְעַט (H4592) repeated for the distributive idiom מְעַט מְעָט 'little by little' — gradual, not instantaneous, conquest.
לֹ֤אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of תוּכַללֹא (H3808) standard negative particle.
תוּכַל֙you shall be ableQal impf 2ms · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (negated, main clause)→ Yiqtol, negated: modal denial — 'you will not be able'יָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; explains the reason for gradual rather than instant conquest — a limitation, not a failure.
כַּלֹּתָ֣םto finish them offPiel inf constr + 3mp sf · כָּלָה (H3615)Complementary infinitive construct completing תוּכַל→ Infinitive construct (complementary): completes the modal verb of abilityכָּלָה (H3615) Piel 'to finish, complete, exterminate'; the sudden, total conquest that must NOT happen all at once.
מַהֵ֔רquicklyPiel inf abs (adverbial) · מָהַר (H4118)Adverbial infinitive absolute modifying כַּלֹּתָם (manner/speed)→ Infinitive absolute used adverbially: 'swiftly' — qualifies the forbidden pace of conquestמָהַר (H4118) Piel 'to hurry, hasten'; same word as v.4, there describing the swiftness of judgment, here the forbidden swiftness of total conquest.
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunction introducing the rationale for gradual conquestפֶּן (H6435) 'lest, so that not'; introduces the practical reason for the 'little by little' pace.
תִּרְבֶּ֥הthey multiplyQal impf 3fs · רָבָה (H7235)Predicate verb (purpose clause introduced by פֶּן)→ Yiqtol: potential/feared future — the ecological danger of rapid depopulationרָבָה (H7235) 'to be many, increase'; here of wild animals overrunning depopulated land — a striking, practical rationale.
עָלֶ֖יךָagainst youprep עַל + 2ms sf · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (disadvantage, complement of תִּרְבֶּה)עַל (H5921) 'against, upon'; marks Israel as disadvantaged by the beasts' increase.
חַיַּ֥תthe beasts ofN f sg constr · חַיָּה (H2416)Subject of תִּרְבֶּהחַיָּה (H2416) 'living thing, animal'; construct with הַשָּׂדֶה, 'the wild beasts (of the field)'.
הַשָּׂדֶֽהthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Genitive complement of the construct חַיַּתשָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open country'; 'beasts of the field' = wild animals that would multiply in a depopulated land — echoed in Exod 23:29-30's parallel rationale.
23

וּנְתָנָ֛ם יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לְפָנֶ֑יךָ וְהָמָם֙ מְהוּמָ֣ה גְדֹלָ֔ה עַ֖ד הִשָּׁמְדָֽם

And the LORD your God will give them over to you and throw them into great confusion, until they are destroyed.

Divine panic as the mechanism of victorywe
Echoes the exodus-sea and conquest paradigm of YHWH inducing panic (הָמַם) in the enemy (cf. Exod 14:24; Josh 10:10) — victory secured by divine intervention in the enemy's own morale, not Israelite arms alone.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וּנְתָנָ֛םand he will give themconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms + 3mp sf · נָתַן (H5414)Weqatal continuing the conquest promise (main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential-future — the guaranteed handing-overנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; 'give over, deliver into (your) hand' — the same verb and promise as v.2, resumed here.
יְהוָ֥הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וּנְתָנָםיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; subject of the handing-over.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sf · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct + 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
לְפָנֶ֑יךָbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr + 2ms sf · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (idiom, 'into your power', complement of וּנְתָנָם)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom לְפָנֶיךָ 'before you, into your power', same as v.2.
וְהָמָם֙and he will throw them into confusionconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms + 3mp sf · הָמַם (H2000)Weqatal continuing the conquest promise→ Weqatal: consequential-future — the guaranteed panic/rout of the enemyהָמַם (H2000) 'to confuse, throw into panic, discomfit'; used elsewhere of YHWH's direct intervention in battle (cf. Exod 14:24; Josh 10:10).
מְהוּמָ֣הconfusionN f sg abs (cognate accusative) · מְהוּמָה (H4103)Adverbial accusative (cognate object intensifying הָמָם)מְהוּמָה (H4103) 'confusion, panic, tumult', cognate with הָמַם; the cognate-accusative construction intensifies the verb — total, chaotic rout.
גְדֹלָ֔הgreatadj f sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying מְהוּמָהגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; intensifies the scale of the promised panic.
עַ֖דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase introducing the infinitive of extentעַד (H5704) 'until'; marks the terminus of the panic — total destruction.
הִשָּׁמְדָֽםthey are destroyedNiphal inf constr + 3mp sf · שָׁמַד (H8045)Infinitive construct completing עַד (temporal extent)→ Infinitive construct, Niphal passive sense, with עַד: marks the terminus — 'until they are destroyed'שָׁמַד (H8045) Niphal 'to be destroyed, exterminated'; the same root threatened against Israel itself in v.4, now the fate of the conquered nations.
24

וְנָתַ֤ן מַלְכֵיהֶם֙ בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ וְהַאֲבַדְתָּ֣ אֶת שְׁמָ֔ם מִתַּ֖חַת הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם לֹֽא יִתְיַצֵּ֥ב אִישׁ֙ בְּפָנֶ֔יךָ עַ֥ד הִשְׁמִֽדְךָ֖ אֹתָֽם

And he will give their kings into your hand, and you shall make their name perish from under heaven; no one shall be able to stand against you, until you have destroyed them.

Total victory: kings defeated, name erased, resistance impossiblewe
Escalates from nations (v.23) to their kings specifically, then to the erasure of their very 'name' — memory and legacy, not merely bodies — the chapter's most totalizing language yet, framing the conquest as unopposable and complete.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְנָתַ֤ןand he will giveconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Weqatal continuing the conquest promise (main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential-future — guaranteed handing-overנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; delivering the kings themselves, escalating the promise beyond the nations generally (v.23) to their rulers specifically.
מַלְכֵיהֶם֙their kingsN m pl constr + 3mp sf · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Direct object of וְנָתַןמֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; the Canaanite city-state rulers, symbolically the seat of each nation's power.
בְּיָדֶ֔ךָinto your handprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 2ms sf · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (goal, complement of וְנָתַן)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom 'into your hand' = into your power/control.
וְהַאֲבַדְתָּ֣and you shall make perishconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 2ms · אָבַד (H6)Weqatal continuing the sequence (Israel's own required action)→ Weqatal: consequential-future — the human action required alongside divine deliveranceאָבַד (H6) Hiphil 'to destroy, cause to perish'; here of erasing memory itself, not merely persons.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וְהַאֲבַדְתָּ)אֵת (H853) marks שְׁמָם as the definite object.
שְׁמָ֔םtheir nameN m sg constr + 3mp sf · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object of וְהַאֲבַדְתָּשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; erasing a name = eliminating all memory/legacy — the most total form of destruction, beyond mere physical defeat.
מִתַּ֖חַתfrom underprep מִן + prep תַּחַת · תַּחַת (H8478)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative, complement of וְהַאֲבַדְתָּ)תַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'; idiom 'from under heaven' = from anywhere in the world, totalizing the erasure.
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Object of the compound preposition מִתַּחַתשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; idiom 'under heaven' = throughout the whole world.
לֹֽאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of יִתְיַצֵּבלֹא (H3808) standard negative particle.
יִתְיַצֵּ֥בshall standHitpael impf 3ms · יָצַב (H3320)Predicate verb (negated, main clause)→ Yiqtol/Hitpael, negated: durative-future denial — 'no one shall be able to take a stand'יָצַב (H3320) Hitpael 'to station oneself, take a stand'; military idiom for offering effective resistance.
אִישׁ֙anyoneN m sg abs (indefinite) · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יִתְיַצֵּבאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; indefinite here, 'no one/anyone' — total denial of effective resistance.
בְּפָנֶ֔יךָbefore youprep בְּ + N c pl constr + 2ms sf · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (opposition, complement of יִתְיַצֵּב)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom 'before you' = in opposition/resistance to you.
עַ֥דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase introducing the infinitive of extentעַד (H5704) 'until'; marks the terminus of resistance.
הִשְׁמִֽדְךָ֖you have destroyedHiphil inf constr + 2ms sf · שָׁמַד (H8045)Infinitive construct completing עַד (temporal extent)→ Infinitive construct with עַד: marks the terminus — 'until you destroy'שָׁמַד (H8045) Hiphil 'to destroy'; Israel now the agent of the same root threatened against it in v.4.
אֹתָֽםthemobj marker + 3mp sf · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (object of הִשְׁמִידְךָ)אֵת (H853) + suffix, 'them' — the kings and nations, object of the completed destruction.
25

פְּסִילֵ֥י אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖ם תִּשְׂרְפ֣וּן בָּאֵ֑שׁ לֹֽא תַחְמֹד֩ כֶּ֨סֶף וְזָהָ֤ב עֲלֵיהֶם֙ וְלָקַחְתָּ֣ לָ֔ךְ פֶּ֚ן תִּוָּקֵ֣שׁ בּ֔וֹ כִּ֧י תוֹעֲבַ֛ת יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ הֽוּא

The carved images of their gods you shall burn with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, or take it for yourself, lest you be ensnared by it, for it is an abomination to the LORD your God.

The danger of idol-plunder: coveting leads to entrapmentasyndeton
Anticipates the failure mode Joshua 7 will narrate (Achan taking forbidden חֵרֶם silver/gold, bringing disaster), reusing v.16's snare-vocabulary (מוֹקֵשׁ / תִּוָּקֵשׁ) and the Decalogue's חָמַד prohibition (5:21) in a concrete test case: the ban's total destruction covers even valuable plunder.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
פְּסִילֵ֥יthe carved images ofN m pl constr · פָּסִיל (H6456)Direct object of תִּשְׂרְפוּן (fronted)פָּסִיל (H6456) 'carved image, idol'; resumes v.5's command, now specifically addressing the precious-metal idols and their temptation.
אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֖םof their godsN m pl constr + 3mp sf · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitive complement of the construct פְּסִילֵיאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'gods'; the Canaanite deities whose images are to be burned.
תִּשְׂרְפ֣וּןyou shall burnQal impf 2mp (paragogic נ) · שָׂרַף (H8313)Predicate verb (main clause, resuming v.5)→ Yiqtol as command, paragogic nun: 'you shall burn'שָׂרַף (H8313) 'to burn'; the same verb as v.5, resumed to address the specific danger of retaining the idols' precious metal.
בָּאֵ֑שׁwith fireprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Adverbial prepositional phrase (instrument of תִּשְׂרְפוּן)אֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the instrument ensuring total destruction, including any precious-metal plating.
לֹֽאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of תַחְמֹדלֹא (H3808) standard negative particle.
תַחְמֹד֩shall you covetQal impf 2ms · חָמַד (H2530)Predicate verb (negated, second prohibition)→ Yiqtol, negated: durative-injunctive denial — 'you shall not covet'חָמַד (H2530) 'to desire, covet'; the same verb as the Decalogue's tenth command (5:21), applied here to a specific test case.
כֶּ֨סֶףsilverN m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Direct object of תַחְמֹדכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver'; the precious-metal overlay on the idols, the concrete temptation to retain forbidden objects.
וְזָהָ֤בor goldconj וְ + N m sg abs · זָהָב (H2091)Direct object of תַחְמֹד (second, conjoined)זָהָב (H2091) 'gold'; paired with כֶּסֶף, the plating that made idols valuable apart from their religious function.
עֲלֵיהֶם֙on themprep עַל + 3mp sf · עַל (H5921)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative, modifying כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב)עַל (H5921) 'on'; specifies the silver/gold as the metal overlay on the idols, not treasure generally.
וְלָקַחְתָּ֣or take itconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Weqatal continuing the prohibition (parallel to תַחְמֹד)→ Weqatal, continuing the negation of תַחְמֹד: 'nor shall you take'לָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; moves from internal desire (חָמַד) to the external act of appropriation — both forbidden.
לָ֔ךְfor yourselfprep לְ + 2fs sf · לְIndirect object of וְלָקַחְתָּ (benefactive)לְ preposition + 2fs suffix; 'for yourself' — private appropriation of the forbidden metal.
פֶּ֚ןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunction introducing the rationaleפֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; introduces the danger of retaining the idols' precious metal.
תִּוָּקֵ֣שׁyou be ensnaredNiphal impf 2ms · יָקֹשׁ (H3369)Predicate verb (purpose clause introduced by פֶּן)→ Yiqtol/Niphal passive: potential/feared future — the danger of being trapped by the retained objectיָקֹשׁ (H3369) Niphal 'to be snared, trapped'; same root as מוֹקֵשׁ 'snare' in v.16 — the idol's metal remains dangerous even detached from worship.
בּ֔וֹby itprep בְּ + 3ms sf · בְּAdverbial prepositional phrase (instrument/means, complement of תִּוָּקֵשׁ)בְּ preposition; 'by/through it' — the retained silver or gold as the snare's mechanism.
כִּ֧יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (grounds the prohibition)כִּי (H3588) causal 'for'; introduces the reason — the idol-metal's inherent abomination.
תוֹעֲבַ֛תan abominationN f sg constr · תּוֹעֵבָה (H8441)Predicate nominative (construct, with הוּא, 'it is an abomination of YHWH')תּוֹעֵבָה (H8441) 'abomination, detestable thing'; the chapter's strongest term of religious revulsion, here of retaining idol-metal.
יְהוָ֥הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct with תוֹעֲבַת)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the one to whom this metal is abhorrent.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms sf · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct + 2ms suffix, 'your God'.
הֽוּאitindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copula/resumptive pronoun (nominal clause)הוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun functioning as copula, resuming כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב as subject: 'it is an abomination'.
26

וְלֹא תָבִ֤יא תֽוֹעֵבָה֙ אֶל בֵּיתֶ֔ךָ וְהָיִ֥יתָ חֵ֖רֶם כָּמֹ֑הוּ שַׁקֵּ֧ץ תְּשַׁקְּצֶ֛נּוּ וְתַעֵ֥ב תְּֽתַעֲבֶ֖נּוּ כִּי חֵ֥רֶם הֽוּא

And you shall not bring an abomination into your house and become devoted to destruction like it; you shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is devoted to destruction.

The chapter's closing ring: total revulsion toward the banned objectwe
Closes the chapter by bracketing back to v.2's doubled הַחֲרֵם תַּחֲרִים with its own doubled pair (שַׁקֵּץ תְּשַׁקְּצֶנּוּ / וְתַעֵב תְּתַעֲבֶנּוּ), warning that mere possession of a חֵרֶם object transfers its doomed status to the possessor — the theological logic behind Achan's fate in Joshua 7 and the whole chapter's uncompromising totality.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating negation opening the chapter's closing prohibitionלֹא (H3808) negative particle; וְ links this final command to the preceding warning about idol-metal.
תָבִ֤יאyou shall bringHiphil impf 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (negated, main clause)→ Yiqtol/Hiphil, negated: durative-injunctive denial — 'you shall not bring'בּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go'; Hiphil 'bring, cause to enter' — the same verb as v.1's יְבִיאֲךָ, now of a forbidden object entering the house.
תֽוֹעֵבָה֙an abominationN f sg abs · תּוֹעֵבָה (H8441)Direct object of תָבִיאתּוֹעֵבָה (H8441) 'abomination'; resumes v.25's term, generalizing from idol-metal to any such detestable object.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal, complement of תָבִיא)אֶל (H413) 'to, into'; marks the house as the forbidden destination.
בֵּיתֶ֔ךָyour houseN m sg constr + 2ms sf · בַּיִת (H1004)Object of the preposition אֶלבַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; the domestic sphere, extending the ban's reach from battlefield/sanctuary into private life.
וְהָיִ֥יתָand you shall becomeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · הָיָה (H1961)Weqatal continuing the prohibition (consequence of disobedience)→ Weqatal: consequential — the contagious consequence of bringing in the objectהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; warns that contact with the banned object transfers its doomed status to the one who takes it.
חֵ֖רֶםdevoted to destructionN m sg abs (predicate) · חֵרֶם (H2764)Predicate nominative (with וְהָיִיתָ, 'you shall become חֵרֶם')חֵרֶם (H2764) 'devoted thing, banned object'; the chapter's key term (cf. v.2), applied reflexively — Israel itself becomes liable to the ban by contact with a banned object.
כָּמֹ֑הוּlike itprep כְּמוֹ + 3ms sf · כְּמוֹ (H3644)Comparative prepositional phrase modifying חֵרֶםכְּמוֹ (H3644) 'like, as'; equates the guilty Israelite's fate with that of the doomed object itself.
שַׁקֵּ֧ץutterlyPiel inf abs · שִׁקֵּץ (H8262)Infinitive absolute intensifying the following finite verb (emphatic construction)→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic obligation — 'you must utterly detest'שִׁקֵּץ (H8262) Piel 'to detest, regard as abhorrent'; doubled with the finite verb for maximal emphasis, paralleling v.2's הַחֲרֵם תַּחֲרִים construction.
תְּשַׁקְּצֶ֛נּוּyou shall detest itPiel impf 2ms + 3ms sf · שִׁקֵּץ (H8262)Finite verb completing the infinitive-absolute construction (main predicate)→ Yiqtol with volitional-emphatic force, reinforced by the preceding inf. absolute: an urgent commandשִׁקֵּץ (H8262) see above; the finite form issuing the command of total revulsion toward the banned object.
וְתַעֵ֥בand utterlyconj וְ + Piel inf abs · תָּעַב (H8581)Infinitive absolute intensifying the following finite verb (second, parallel emphatic construction)→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic obligation — 'you must utterly abhor'תָּעַב (H8581) Piel 'to abhor, treat as abomination', root of תּוֹעֵבָה; doubled with the finite verb, paired with שַׁקֵּץ תְּשַׁקְּצֶנּוּ for maximal rhetorical intensity.
תְּֽתַעֲבֶ֖נּוּyou shall abhor itPiel impf 2ms + 3ms sf · תָּעַב (H8581)Finite verb completing the second infinitive-absolute construction (main predicate)→ Yiqtol with volitional-emphatic force, reinforced by the preceding inf. absolute: an urgent commandתָּעַב (H8581) see above; closes the chapter with a doubled pair of doubled commands — the ban (v.2) and the detestation (v.26) bracket the whole unit.
כִּיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (grounds the double prohibition)כִּי (H3588) causal 'for'; introduces the chapter's final, closing rationale.
חֵ֥רֶםdevoted to destructionN m sg abs (predicate) · חֵרֶם (H2764)Predicate nominative (with הוּא, closing nominal clause)חֵרֶם (H2764) 'devoted thing, banned object'; the chapter's final word on its own key term — the reason for the total revulsion just commanded.
הֽוּאitindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copula/resumptive pronoun (nominal clause closing the chapter)הוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun functioning as copula, resuming תּוֹעֵבָה as subject: 'it is חֵרֶם' — the chapter's final, emphatic word.