1
שְׁמַ֣ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אַתָּ֨ה עֹבֵ֤ר הַיּוֹם֙ אֶת הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן לָבֹא֙ לָרֶ֣שֶׁת גּוֹיִ֔ם גְּדֹלִ֥ים וַעֲצֻמִ֖ים מִמֶּ֑ךָּ עָרִ֛ים גְּדֹלֹ֥ת וּבְצֻרֹ֖ת בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם
Hear, O Israel: you are crossing the Jordan today to go in and dispossess nations greater and mightier than you, cities great and fortified up to the heavens,
The imperative 'Hear' arrests attention and launches the chapter's central disclaimer-argument; the emphatic 'today' presses the moment of crossing, and the escalating description of the nations (great, mighty, fortified to heaven) sets up the Anakim crux of v. 2.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
שְׁמַ֣עHearQal impv 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause, imperative address)→ Volitional: urgent imperative commandשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; the foundational verb of covenant attention (cf. the Shema, Deut 6:4), here launching the chapter's central address.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Vocative (direct address)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant name of Jacob and his descendants; addressed here as a collective vocative.
אַתָּ֨הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject (independent pronoun, emphatic)אַתָּה (H859), second masculine singular independent pronoun; emphatic subject preceding the participle עֹבֵר.
עֹבֵ֤רcrossingQal ptc ms · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate participle (present/imminent action)→ Participle: vivid present/imminent action — the crossing is underwayעָבַר (H5674) 'to cross over, pass through'; the participle expresses the imminence of the Jordan crossing, reinforced by הַיּוֹם.
הַיּוֹם֙todayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with the article functioning adverbially, 'today' — stressing the immediacy of the crossing.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite direct object הַיַּרְדֵּן; untranslated in English.
הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ןthe Jordanart + proper noun · יַרְדֵּן (H3383)Direct object of עֹבֵריַרְדֵּן (H3383), the Jordan river, the last natural barrier before the land; the object of the crossing.
לָבֹא֙to go inprep לְ + Qal inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitive: purpose — the goal of the crossingבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go in, enter'; with לְ expressing purpose, 'in order to go in'.
לָרֶ֣שֶׁתto possessprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Purpose infinitive, coordinate with לָבֹא→ Infinitive: purpose — dispossession as the goal of entryיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit, dispossess'; a double sense (Israel possesses as the nations are dispossessed) central to Deuteronomy's conquest theology.
גּוֹיִ֔םnationsN m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Direct object of לָרֶשֶׁתגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; here the Canaanite nations to be dispossessed, described by the following adjectives.
גְּדֹלִ֥יםgreatadj m pl abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying גּוֹיִםגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; first of the escalating descriptors of the nations' formidability.
וַעֲצֻמִ֖יםand mightyconj וְ + adj m pl abs · עָצוּם (H6099)Coordinate attributive adjectiveעָצוּם (H6099) 'mighty, numerous, powerful'; paired with גָּדוֹל to stress the apparent military hopelessness of the task, answered by v. 3.
מִמֶּ֑ךָּthan youprep מִן + 2ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Comparative complementמִן (H4480) here in its comparative sense, 'than'; completes 'greater and mightier than you'.
עָרִ֛יםcitiesN f pl abs · עִיר (H5892)Appositional noun further describing the nationsעִיר (H5892) 'city'; introduces the second description of the formidable land — walled urban centers.
גְּדֹלֹ֥תgreatadj f pl abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying עָרִיםגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; feminine plural agreeing with עָרִים.
וּבְצֻרֹ֖תand fortifiedconj וְ + adj f pl abs · בָּצוּר (H1219)Coordinate attributive adjectiveבָּצוּר (H1219) 'fortified, inaccessible', from בָּצַר 'to cut off, fortify'; describes walled cities that appear humanly impregnable.
בַּשָּׁמָֽיִםup to the heavensprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Prepositional phrase of degree/hyperbole modifying בְּצֻרֹתשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; hyperbolic idiom for walls 'fortified to the sky' (cf. Deut 1:28), overturned by v. 3.
2
עַֽם גָּד֥וֹל וָרָ֖ם בְּנֵ֣י עֲנָקִ֑ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר אַתָּ֤ה יָדַ֨עְתָּ֙ וְאַתָּ֣ה שָׁמַ֔עְתָּ מִ֣י יִתְיַצֵּ֔ב לִפְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י עֲנָֽק
a people great and tall, the sons of the Anakim, whom you know, and of whom you have heard it said, 'Who can stand before the sons of Anak?'
The proverbial question 'Who can stand before the sons of Anak?' quotes the people's own fearful refrain (cf. Num 13:28-33; Deut 1:28), heightening the apparent impossibility of the conquest before v. 3 answers it with YHWH's own crossing before them.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
עַֽםa peopleN m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Predicate noun (nominal clause continuing v. 1's description)עַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; opens the description of the Anakim as a formidable ethnic group.
גָּד֥וֹלgreatadj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying עַםגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; describing the Anakim's size and power.
וָרָ֖םand tallconj וְ + Qal ptc ms · רוּם (H7311)Coordinate participle functioning attributively→ Participle: an ongoing, characteristic quality — their tallnessרוּם (H7311) 'to be high, exalted'; here the participle describes towering physical stature, the trait behind the Anakim's legendary fearsomeness (cf. Num 13:32-33).
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct head governing עֲנָקִיםבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural forming the idiom 'sons of Anak' for the Anakite clan.
עֲנָקִ֑יםthe AnakimN m pl abs (gentilic) · עֲנָק (H6062)Genitive completing the construct chain בְּנֵי עֲנָקִיםעֲנָק (H6062), the legendary giant clan of Canaan/Hebron, proverbial in Israel's memory for size and terror (Num 13:33; Deut 1:28; Josh 11:21-22).
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause of vv. 2bאֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle 'who, which, that', here introducing the people's own knowledge of the Anakim's fame.
אַתָּ֤הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Emphatic subject of יָדַעְתָּאַתָּה (H859), emphatic independent pronoun stressing Israel's own firsthand knowledge of the Anakim's reputation.
יָדַ֨עְתָּ֙you knowQal perf 2ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: an established, settled state of knowledgeיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; Israel's knowledge of the Anakim is presented as already firm, making the disclaimer of vv. 4-6 more pointed.
וְאַתָּ֣הand youconj וְ + independent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Emphatic subject of שָׁמַעְתָּ, coordinate with the previous clauseאַתָּה (H859), repeated emphatic pronoun pairing hearsay (שָׁמַעְתָּ) with direct knowledge (יָדַעְתָּ).
שָׁמַ֔עְתָּyou have heardQal perf 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb, coordinate with יָדַעְתָּ→ Perfective: a completed act of hearing, with continuing relevanceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; the same root that opened the chapter (v. 1), now describing the report Israel has received about the Anakim's proverbial invincibility.
מִ֣יwhointerrogative pron · מִי (H4310)Interrogative subject introducing the quoted rhetorical questionמִי (H4310) 'who?'; opens the proverbial, rhetorical question the people ask about the Anakim's invincibility.
יִתְיַצֵּ֔בcan standHitpael impf 3ms · יָצַב (H3320)Predicate verb of the rhetorical question→ Yiqtol: modal/potential — 'can/could stand'יָצַב (H3320) Hitpael 'to station oneself, stand firm'; the rhetorical question implies the answer 'no one' — the proverbial terror the Anakim inspire.
לִפְנֵ֖יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase governing בְּנֵי עֲנָקפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; the construct with לִפְנֵי forms the preposition 'before, in the presence of'.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct head governing עֲנָקבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural repeating the idiom 'sons of Anak', now within the people's quoted proverb.
עֲנָֽקAnakproper noun · עֲנָק (H6061)Genitive completing the construct chain בְּנֵי עֲנָקעֲנָק (H6061), eponymous ancestor of the giant Anakite clan; the personal-name form closes the chiastic repetition of the phrase begun earlier in the verse.
3
וְיָדַעְתָּ֣ הַיּ֗וֹם כִּי֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ הֽוּא הָעֹבֵ֤ר לְפָנֶ֨יךָ֙ אֵ֣שׁ אֹֽכְלָ֔ה ה֧וּא יַשְׁמִידֵ֛ם וְה֥וּא יַכְנִיעֵ֖ם לְפָנֶ֑יךָ וְהֽוֹרַשְׁתָּ֤ם וְהַֽאַבַדְתָּם֙ מַהֵ֔ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה לָֽךְ
Know therefore today that it is YHWH your God who crosses over before you as a consuming fire; he will destroy them and he will subdue them before you, so you shall dispossess them and destroy them quickly, as YHWH has spoken to you.
The chapter's theological answer to the Anakim problem: it is not Israel's strength but YHWH's own crossing, as 'a consuming fire,' that decides the outcome. The threefold He-destroys/He-subdues/you-dispossess sequence subordinates Israel's action to divine initiative, priming the disclaimer of v. 4.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְיָדַעְתָּ֣know thenconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause, weqatal continuing v. 1's force)→ Weqatal: continuation of the preceding command — a further charge to recognizeיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; the weqatal form carries forward the force of the opening imperative, urging recognition of who truly crosses before them.
הַיּ֗וֹםtodayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; repeats v. 1's emphatic 'today', reinforcing the immediacy of the crossing.
כִּי֩thatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing the content of what is to be knownכִּי (H3588) 'that, because, for'; introduces the object clause of יָדַעְתָּ.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of the nominal clauseיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name (Tetragrammaton) of Israel's God; subject of the emphatic identification clause.
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָyour GodN m pl constr/2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional noun with pronominal suffix, in apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; with 2ms suffix, 'your God' — plural of majesty for Israel's one God, in apposition to the divine name.
הֽוּאheindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive copula pronoun in the nominal clauseהוּא (H1931), third masculine singular pronoun functioning as copula 'is' in the emphatic identification 'YHWH your God — HE is the one who crosses'.
הָעֹבֵ֤רthe one who crossesart + Qal ptc ms · עָבַר (H5674)Substantival participle, predicate of the nominal clause→ Participle: characterizing, ongoing action — YHWH as the one who crossesעָבַר (H5674) 'to cross over'; the articular participle functions substantivally, 'the one crossing' — YHWH, not Israel's own strength, is the true agent of the crossing (contrast v. 1).
לְפָנֶ֨יךָ֙before youprep לְ + N c pl constr/2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase modifying הָעֹבֵרפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; with לְ + suffix, 'before you' — YHWH goes ahead of, not merely alongside, Israel.
אֵ֣שׁa fireN c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Predicate noun in apposition to הוּא/יְהוָהאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; metaphor for YHWH's consuming, purifying, and destructive presence (cf. Deut 4:24).
אֹֽכְלָ֔הconsumingQal ptc fs · אָכַל (H398)Attributive participle modifying אֵשׁ→ Participle: characterizing, ongoing quality — a fire that consumesאָכַל (H398) 'to eat, consume'; the participle 'consuming' describes fire's devouring nature, applied to YHWH's fearsome accompanying presence.
ה֧וּאheindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Emphatic resumptive subject pronounהוּא (H1931), repeated emphatic pronoun resuming the subject (YHWH) for the following verb יַשְׁמִידֵם.
יַשְׁמִידֵ֛םhe will destroy themHiphil impf 3ms/3mp suffix · שָׁמַד (H8045)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future/modal — a decisive future act of destructionשָׁמַד (H8045) Hiphil 'to destroy, annihilate'; describes YHWH's action against the nations, not Israel's own military might.
וְה֥וּאand heconj וְ + independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Coordinate emphatic subject pronounהוּא (H1931), repeated a third time for rhetorical emphasis across the verse's three clauses (he crosses / he destroys / he subdues).
יַכְנִיעֵ֖םhe will subdue themHiphil impf 3ms/3mp suffix · כָּנַע (H3665)Predicate verb, coordinate with יַשְׁמִידֵם→ Yiqtol: future/modal — a decisive future act of subjugationכָּנַע (H3665) Hiphil 'to subdue, humble, bring low'; paired with שָׁמַד to describe complete divine victory over the nations.
לְפָנֶ֑יךָbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr/2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase modifying יַכְנִיעֵםפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; repeats the phrase from earlier in the verse, stressing again that the action unfolds before Israel, not by Israel's own hand.
וְהֽוֹרַשְׁתָּ֤םand you shall dispossess themconj וְ + Hiphil perf (weqatal) 2ms/3mp suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (weqatal, result clause)→ Weqatal: consequent action following YHWH's prior victoryיָרַשׁ (H3423) Hiphil 'to dispossess, drive out'; Israel's own action here is explicitly the RESULT of, not the cause of, YHWH's prior destruction of the nations.
וְהַֽאַבַדְתָּם֙and you shall destroy themconj וְ + Hiphil perf (weqatal) 2ms/3mp suffix · אָבַד (H6)Predicate verb, coordinate with וְהוֹרַשְׁתָּם→ Weqatal: consequent action, paired with the preceding verbאָבַד (H6) Hiphil 'to destroy, cause to perish'; reinforces יָרַשׁ with a stronger verb of annihilation, completing the promise of total conquest.
מַהֵ֔רquicklyPiel inf abs · מָהַר (H4118)Adverbial infinitive absolute modifying the preceding verbs→ Infinitive absolute used adverbially: intensifying speed/promptnessמָהַר (H4118) Piel 'to hurry, be quick'; the infinitive absolute functions adverbially, 'swiftly' — the conquest will be rapid, not protracted.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Subordinating conjunction of comparisonכַּאֲשֶׁר, compound of כְּ 'as, like' + אֲשֶׁר; a comparative conjunction, 'just as, according as' — confirming the outcome matches YHWH's prior word.
דִּבֶּ֥רhas spokenPiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior speech-act now being fulfilledדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; YHWH's prior promise (e.g. Deut 1:8, 21; 7:1-2) is here presented as reliably fulfilled.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the verb of prior speech, closing the verse with the divine name as it opened.
לָֽךְto youprep לְ + 2fs suffix · לְIndirect-object complement of דִּבֶּרלְ, the preposition 'to, for'; here with an archaic/dialectal 2fs-pointed suffix (an occasional MT form addressing a masculine referent), completing 'as YHWH has spoken to you'.
4
אַל תֹּאמַ֣ר בִּלְבָבְךָ֗ בַּהֲדֹ֣ף יְהוָה֩ אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ אֹתָ֥ם מִלְּפָנֶיךָ֮ לֵאמֹר֒ בְּצִדְקָתִי֙ הֱבִיאַ֣נִי יְהוָ֔ה לָרֶ֖שֶׁת אֶת הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֑את וּבְרִשְׁעַת֙ הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָאֵ֔לֶּה יְהוָ֖ה מוֹרִישָׁ֥ם מִפָּנֶֽיךָ
Do not say in your heart, when YHWH your God has thrust them out from before you, 'Because of my righteousness YHWH has brought me in to possess this land' — for it is because of the wickedness of these nations that YHWH is driving them out from before you.
The chapter's programmatic disclaimer begins here: a quoted (forbidden) inner speech attributing the conquest to Israel's own צְדָקָה is immediately corrected by כִּי — the nations' רִשְׁעָה, not Israel's merit, is the operative cause. This verse supplies the negative half of the double disclaimer completed in v. 5.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
אַלdo notnegative particle · אַל (H408)Negates the jussive תֹּאמַראַל (H408), the negative particle used with jussive/volitional verbs (prohibition), distinct from the plain indicative negative לֹא.
תֹּאמַ֣רsayQal jussive 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (prohibition, main clause)→ Volitional (negated jussive): a firm prohibition against a specific inner claimאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the jussive with אַל forbids the specific self-congratulatory thought quoted in the rest of the verse.
בִּלְבָבְךָ֗in your heartprep בְּ + N m sg constr/2ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Prepositional phrase modifying תֹּאמַרלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; 'to say in one's heart' is the Hebrew idiom for silent, inner thought or self-congratulation.
בַּהֲדֹ֣ףwhen... thrusts outprep בְּ + Qal inf constr · הָדַף (H1920)Temporal infinitive clause ('when YHWH thrusts them out')→ Infinitive: temporal — marks the moment of the nations' expulsionהָדַף (H1920) 'to thrust, push, drive out'; the temporal infinitive clause sets the scene in which the forbidden inner speech might arise — the very moment of victory.
יְהוָה֩YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of בַּהֲדֹףיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the thrusting-out, again crediting the victory to God, not Israel.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָyour GodN m pl constr/2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional noun in apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; 'your God' in apposition to the divine name, as throughout the chapter.
אֹתָ֥ם[obj] themobj marker/3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with pronominal suffix (the nations)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi with 3mp suffix marking 'them' (the nations) as direct object of בַּהֲדֹף; untranslated in English.
מִלְּפָנֶיךָ֮from before youprep מִן + prep לְ + N c pl constr/2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase modifying בַּהֲדֹףפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; the doubled preposition מִלְּפָנֶיךָ 'from before you' intensifies the sense of removal/expulsion from Israel's path.
לֵאמֹר֒sayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive introducing the quoted (forbidden) inner speech→ Infinitive: introduces direct quotation — 'saying'אָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the לֵאמֹר formula introduces the exact forbidden words of self-congratulation that follow.
בְּצִדְקָתִי֙because of my righteousnessprep בְּ + N f sg constr/1cs suffix · צְדָקָה (H6666)Prepositional phrase, predicate cause within the quoted speechצְדָקָה (H6666) 'righteousness'; the key term of the chapter's disclaimer, here voiced as the forbidden (false) claim that Israel's own merit earned the land — corrected in vv. 4-6.
הֱבִיאַ֣נִיhe has brought me inHiphil perf 3ms/1cs suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of the quoted (forbidden) speech→ Perfective: a completed act, claimed (falsely) as grounded in meritבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring in'; the forbidden claim asserts that YHWH's bringing Israel in was a REWARD for righteousness — precisely the inference the chapter exists to refute.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הֱבִיאַנִייְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the (forbidden) claimed act of bringing in.
לָרֶ֖שֶׁתto possessprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitive: purpose — the stated goal of the (forbidden) claimed entryיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess'; completes the forbidden inner speech, 'to possess this land'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָאָרֶץ הַזֹּאת as the definite direct object of לָרֶשֶׁת.
הָאָ֣רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of לָרֶשֶׁתאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the land of promise, object of the (forbidden) claimed possession.
הַזֹּ֑אתthisart + demonstrative pron fs · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָאָרֶץזֹאת (H2063), feminine demonstrative 'this', agreeing with the feminine noun אֶרֶץ.
וּבְרִשְׁעַת֙but because of the wickedness ofconj וְ + prep בְּ + N f sg constr · רִשְׁעָה (H7564)Prepositional phrase giving the true cause, contrasting v. 4's false claimרִשְׁעָה (H7564) 'wickedness'; the direct antonym-pairing with צְדָקָה that structures the chapter's central disclaimer — not Israel's righteousness but the nations' wickedness is the true cause.
הַגּוֹיִ֣םthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Genitive completing the construct chain רִשְׁעַת הַגּוֹיִםגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the Canaanite nations whose wickedness, not Israel's merit, occasions their dispossession.
הָאֵ֔לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pron pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַגּוֹיִםאֵלֶּה (H428), plural demonstrative 'these', specifying the Canaanite nations under discussion.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of מוֹרִישָׁםיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the true cause of dispossession stated in this half of the verse.
מוֹרִישָׁ֥םis dispossessing themHiphil ptc ms constr/3mp suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate participle (main clause, ongoing divine action)→ Participle: durative present action — the ongoing process of dispossessionיָרַשׁ (H3423) Hiphil 'to dispossess, drive out'; the participle presents the expulsion as YHWH's ongoing action, not Israel's achievement.
מִפָּנֶֽיךָfrom before youprep מִן + N c pl constr/2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase modifying מוֹרִישָׁםפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; 'from before you' completes the picture of YHWH actively clearing the land ahead of Israel.
5
לֹ֣א בְצִדְקָתְךָ֗ וּבְיֹ֨שֶׁר֙ לְבָ֣בְךָ֔ אַתָּ֥ה בָ֖א לָרֶ֣שֶׁת אֶת אַרְצָ֑ם כִּ֞י בְּרִשְׁעַ֣ת הַגּוֹיִ֣ם הָאֵ֗לֶּה יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙ מוֹרִישָׁ֣ם מִפָּנֶ֔יךָ וּלְמַ֜עַן הָקִ֣ים אֶת הַדָּבָ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר נִשְׁבַּ֤ע יְהוָה֙ לַאֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ לְאַבְרָהָ֥ם לְיִצְחָ֖ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹֽב
Not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart are you going in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations YHWH your God is driving them out from before you, and in order to fulfill the word that YHWH swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
לֹא...וּבְיֹשֶׁר repeats and doubles the negative (righteousness AND uprightness of heart denied), then כִּי again gives the nations' wickedness as cause, and a second כִּי/וּלְמַעַן clause adds the patriarchal oath as the positive ground — triangulating three causes (not merit, but their sin and the oath) that will be unpacked further in the following narrative.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the whole nominal clause of vv. 5לֹא (H3808), the standard indicative negative; here doubly negating both 'righteousness' and 'uprightness of heart' as grounds for the conquest.
בְצִדְקָתְךָ֗on account of your righteousnessprep בְּ + N f sg constr/2ms suffix · צְדָקָה (H6666)Prepositional phrase, first negated causeצְדָקָה (H6666) 'righteousness'; the key term of the chapter's disclaimer, now denied as the ground of possession.
וּבְיֹ֨שֶׁר֙or the uprightness ofconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · יֹשֶׁר (H3476)Prepositional phrase, second negated cause, coordinate with צִדְקָתְךָיֹשֶׁר (H3476) 'uprightness, straightness'; paired with צְדָקָה to doubly deny any moral merit as the cause of the conquest.
לְבָ֣בְךָ֔your heartN m sg constr/2ms suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Genitive completing the construct chain יֹשֶׁר לְבָבְךָלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; 'uprightness of heart' denotes inner moral integrity, denied here as the conquest's cause.
אַתָּ֥הyouindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of בָאאַתָּה (H859), independent pronoun, subject of the participial clause 'you are going in'.
בָ֖אare going inQal ptc ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate participle (main clause, present/imminent)→ Participle: imminent present action — the entry is underwayבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the participle restates the imminent entry of v. 1, now explicitly denying that righteousness is its cause.
לָרֶ֣שֶׁתto possessprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Purpose infinitive clause modifying בָא→ Infinitive: purpose — the goal of the entryיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess'; repeats the chapter's key verb of conquest, its true cause about to be stated (v. 5b).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking אַרְצָם as the definite direct object of לָרֶשֶׁת.
אַרְצָ֑םtheir landN c sg constr/3mp suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of לָרֶשֶׁתאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; 'their land' referring to the nations of v. 4, the object of possession.
כִּ֞יbutconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative/causal conjunction introducing the true causeכִּי (H3588) 'for, because, but'; here contrasts the true cause (the nations' wickedness) with the false claim just denied.
בְּרִשְׁעַ֣תbecause of the wickedness ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · רִשְׁעָה (H7564)Prepositional phrase stating the true causeרִשְׁעָה (H7564) 'wickedness'; the positive counterpart to the denied צְדָקָה — the true, stated cause of the nations' dispossession.
הַגּוֹיִ֣םthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Genitive completing the construct chainגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the Canaanite nations whose wickedness is the stated cause.
הָאֵ֗לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pron pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַגּוֹיִםאֵלֶּה (H428), plural demonstrative 'these', specifying the nations under discussion.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of מוֹרִישָׁםיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the true, stated cause of dispossession.
אֱלֹהֶ֨יךָ֙your GodN m pl constr/2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional noun in apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; 'your God' in apposition to the divine name.
מוֹרִישָׁ֣םis dispossessing themHiphil ptc ms constr/3mp suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate participle (main clause, ongoing divine action)→ Participle: durative present action — the ongoing process of dispossessionיָרַשׁ (H3423) Hiphil 'to dispossess'; the participle again presents the expulsion as YHWH's continuing action.
מִפָּנֶ֔יךָfrom before youprep מִן + N c pl constr/2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase modifying מוֹרִישָׁםפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; 'from before you', repeating the picture of YHWH clearing the land ahead of Israel.
וּלְמַ֜עַןand in order thatconj וְ + prep לְמַעַן · מַעַן (H4616)Purpose conjunction introducing a second, positive causeלְמַעַן 'for the sake of, in order that'; introduces the second stated purpose behind the conquest — fulfillment of the patriarchal oath, alongside the nations' wickedness.
הָקִ֣יםhe might establishHiphil inf constr · קוּם (H6965)Purpose infinitive clause governed by לְמַעַן→ Infinitive: purpose — fulfilling a prior commitmentקוּם (H6965) Hiphil 'to raise up, establish, fulfill'; used of confirming/fulfilling a sworn word, here the patriarchal oath.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הַדָּבָר as the definite direct object of הָקִים.
הַדָּבָ֗רthe wordart + N m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object of הָקִיםדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; here the sworn promise of the land to the patriarchs, about to be specified.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הַדָּבָראֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle 'which', introducing the description of the sworn word.
נִשְׁבַּ֤עhe sworeNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, binding oathשָׁבַע (H7650) Niphal 'to swear'; the Niphal (reflexive/passive in form, active in force) is the standard stem for divine and human oath-taking; here the patriarchal oath grounds the conquest.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נִשְׁבַּעיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the sworn oath to the patriarchs.
לַאֲבֹתֶ֔יךָto your fathersprep לְ + N m pl constr/2ms suffix · אָב (H1)Indirect-object complement of נִשְׁבַּעאָב (H1) 'father'; 'your fathers' names the beneficiaries of the oath, specified by name in what follows.
לְאַבְרָהָ֥םto Abrahamprep לְ + proper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Appositional complement specifying 'your fathers'אַבְרָהָם (H85), first of the three patriarchs to whom the land-oath was sworn (Gen 15:18; 17:8).
לְיִצְחָ֖קto Isaacprep לְ + proper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Appositional complement, coordinate with לְאַבְרָהָםיִצְחָק (H3327), the second patriarch, heir of the same land-oath (Gen 26:3-4).
וּֽלְיַעֲקֹֽבand to Jacobconj וְ + prep לְ + proper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Appositional complement, closing the patriarchal triadיַעֲקֹב (H3290), the third patriarch; the triad Abraham-Isaac-Jacob recurs as the standard formula for the land promise, echoed again in Moses' prayer (v. 27).
6
וְיָדַעְתָּ֗ כִּ֠י לֹ֤א בְצִדְקָֽתְךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱ֠לֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵ֨ן לְךָ֜ אֶת הָאָ֧רֶץ הַטּוֹבָ֛ה הַזֹּ֖את לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ כִּ֥י עַם קְשֵׁה עֹ֖רֶף אָֽתָּה
Know, therefore, that it is not because of your righteousness that YHWH your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people.
וְיָדַעְתָּ frames an inclusio with the chapter's opening theme (cf. v. 4's 'do not say'), and the closing כִּי clause delivers the verdict that will govern the rest of the chapter: 'a stiff-necked people' (עַם קְשֵׁה עֹרֶף) becomes the thesis the golden-calf narrative (vv. 7-21) exists to prove.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְיָדַעְתָּ֗and you shall knowconj וְ + Qal perf (weqatal) 2ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause, weqatal)→ Weqatal: summary conclusion drawn from vv. 4-5יָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; introduces the chapter's summary verdict, echoing v. 3's opening 'know' to bracket the disclaimer section.
כִּ֠יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing the object clause of יָדַעְתָּכִּי (H3588) 'that'; introduces the content of what Israel is to know.
לֹ֤אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the causal prepositional phraseלֹא (H3808), the standard indicative negative, denying righteousness as the cause a final time.
בְצִדְקָֽתְךָ֙on account of your righteousnessprep בְּ + N f sg constr/2ms suffix · צְדָקָה (H6666)Prepositional phrase, negated causeצְדָקָה (H6666) 'righteousness'; the chapter's key term, denied here for the third and final time in the disclaimer (vv. 4, 5, 6).
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נֹתֵןיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the verb of giving.
אֱ֠לֹהֶיךָyour GodN m pl constr/2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional noun in apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; 'your God' in apposition to the divine name.
נֹתֵ֨ןis givingQal ptc ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle (main clause, present/ongoing action)→ Participle: durative present action — the giving is ongoing/imminentנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the participle presents the land-grant as YHWH's own continuing act, not Israel's earned acquisition.
לְךָ֜to youprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְIndirect-object complement of נֹתֵןלְ, the preposition 'to, for'; marks Israel as recipient of the land YHWH is giving.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָאָרֶץ as the definite direct object of נֹתֵן.
הָאָ֧רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of נֹתֵןאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the land of promise, described by the following adjective and demonstrative.
הַטּוֹבָ֛הgoodart + adj f sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Attributive adjective modifying הָאָרֶץטוֹב (H2896) 'good'; the land's fertility and desirability, a recurring Deuteronomic epithet (cf. Deut 8:7-10) heightening the tragedy of possible loss.
הַזֹּ֖אתthisart + demonstrative pron fs · זֹאת (H2063)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָאָרֶץזֹאת (H2063), feminine demonstrative 'this', agreeing with אֶרֶץ.
לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּto possess itprep לְ + Qal inf constr/3fs suffix · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Purpose infinitive clause modifying נֹתֵן→ Infinitive: purpose — the goal of the givingיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess'; the chapter's key verb once more, its object 'it' (the land) resumed by the 3fs suffix.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the closing verdictכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the summary verdict that closes the disclaimer section, 'for you are a stiff-necked people'.
עַםa peopleN m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Predicate noun in the closing nominal clauseעַם (H5971) 'people'; head noun of the chapter's thesis-phrase 'a stiff-necked people'.
קְשֵׁהstiff/hard ofadj m sg constr · קָשֶׁה (H7186)Construct adjective governing עֹרֶףקָשֶׁה (H7186) 'hard, stiff, obstinate'; in construct with עֹרֶף forms the idiom 'stiff-necked' — stubborn, unyielding to correction — the chapter's central verdict on Israel (cf. Exod 32:9; 33:3, 5).
עֹ֖רֶףneckN m sg abs · עֹרֶף (H6203)Genitive completing the construct chain עַם קְשֵׁה עֹרֶףעֹרֶף (H6203) 'neck, back of the neck'; the image of a beast refusing the yoke or turning its back rather than its face — Israel's characteristic resistance to YHWH.
אָֽתָּהyou (are)independent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of the closing nominal clauseאַתָּה (H859), the emphatic pronoun closing the sentence, driving home the verdict directly at Israel: 'YOU are a stiff-necked people'.
7
זְכֹר֙ אַל תִּשְׁכַּ֔ח אֵ֧ת אֲשֶׁר הִקְצַ֛פְתָּ אֶת יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר לְמִן הַיּ֞וֹם אֲשֶׁר יָצָ֣אתָ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֗יִם עַד בֹּֽאֲכֶם֙ עַד הַמָּק֣וֹם הַזֶּ֔ה מַמְרִ֥ים הֱיִיתֶ֖ם עִם יְהוָֽה
Remember, do not forget, how you provoked YHWH your God to wrath in the wilderness; from the day you went out of the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against YHWH.
The paired imperatives זְכֹר / אַל תִּשְׁכַּח open the long historical retrospective (vv. 7-24) that substantiates 'stiff-necked'; the merism 'from the day you went out... until you came to this place' spans the whole wilderness period under a single verdict, מַמְרִים הֱיִיתֶם, before the Horeb incident is narrated as the paradigm case.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
זְכֹר֙RememberQal impv 2ms · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (main clause, opening imperative)→ Volitional: urgent imperative commandזָכַר (H2142) 'to remember, call to mind'; the paired imperatives זְכֹר / אַל תִּשְׁכַּח (remember / do not forget) doubly stress the moral obligation to retain this history.
אַלdo notnegative particle · אַל (H408)Negates the jussive תִּשְׁכַּחאַל (H408), the negative particle for prohibitions/jussives, paired with the imperative זְכֹר for emphatic double insistence.
תִּשְׁכַּ֔חforgetQal jussive 2ms · שָׁכַח (H7911)Predicate verb (prohibition, coordinate with זְכֹר)→ Volitional (negated jussive): a firm prohibition against forgettingשָׁכַח (H7911) 'to forget'; negated here to reinforce זְכֹר — the memory command is stated both positively and negatively.
אֵ֧ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker introducing the object clauseאֵת (H853), nota accusativi here marking the following אֲשֶׁר-clause as the object remembered; untranslated in English.
אֲשֶׁרhowrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Complementizer introducing the noun clause (object of זְכֹר / אֵת)אֲשֶׁר (H834), invariable relative particle; here used as a complementizer, 'how, that', introducing the clause describing what is to be remembered.
הִקְצַ֛פְתָּyou provoked to wrathHiphil perf 2ms · קָצַף (H7107)Predicate verb of the object clause→ Perfective: a completed act, viewed as a settled historical factקָצַף (H7107) Hiphil 'to provoke to anger, make wrathful'; causative stem — Israel is the one causing YHWH's anger, the root recurring throughout the chapter (vv. 8, 22).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object, YHWH)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יְהוָה as the definite object of הִקְצַפְתָּ; untranslated.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of הִקְצַפְתָּיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; direct object of the verb of provocation.
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָyour GodN m pl constr/2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional noun in apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; 'your God' in apposition to the divine name, as throughout the chapter.
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑רin the wildernessprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phrase modifying הִקְצַפְתָּמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, desert'; the setting of the entire forty-year rebellion narrative that follows.
לְמִןfromprep לְ + prep מִן · מִן (H4480)Compound preposition introducing the temporal starting pointלְמִן, compound preposition 'from, since'; introduces the temporal span 'from the day... until you came'.
הַיּ֞וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Object of לְמִן, head of the following relative clauseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; anchors the temporal merism spanning the whole wilderness period.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הַיּוֹםאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle 'that, when', introducing the clause specifying which day — the day of the exodus.
יָצָ֣אתָyou went outQal perf 2ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, datable historical actיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; the exodus departure, marking the beginning of the temporal span under review.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Prepositional phrase modifying יָצָאתָאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct with the following place-name, 'the land of Egypt'.
מִצְרַ֗יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive completing the construct chain מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִםמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt, the land of bondage from which YHWH brought Israel out — the starting point of the wilderness indictment.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Preposition introducing the temporal endpointעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; marks the terminus of the merism begun by לְמִן.
בֹּֽאֲכֶם֙your comingQal inf constr/2mp suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Infinitive construct as object of עַד ('until you came')→ Infinitive: temporal endpoint of the spanבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; the infinitive with pronominal subject, 'your coming', names the endpoint — arrival at 'this place'.
עַדeven toprep · עַד (H5704)Preposition, repeated for the second temporal boundaryעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; repeated to introduce the specific place-name, intensifying the merism's reach.
הַמָּק֣וֹםthe placeart + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Object of עַדמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; here Moab, the site of Moses' final address, contrasted with Egypt as the other temporal/geographic pole.
הַזֶּ֔הthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַמָּקוֹםזֶה (H2088), masculine demonstrative 'this', specifying the present location of Moses' speech.
מַמְרִ֥יםrebelliousHiphil ptc mp · מָרָה (H4784)Predicate participle in the closing nominal clause→ Participle: a settled, characterizing state — habitual rebellionמָרָה (H4784) Hiphil 'to be rebellious, defiant'; the participle characterizes Israel's whole wilderness conduct as ongoing insubordination, the verdict this history-review substantiates.
הֱיִיתֶ֖םyou have beenQal perf 2mp · הָיָה (H1961)Copular verb completing the participial predicate מַמְרִים→ Perfective: a state persisting across the whole period in viewהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; here the auxiliary supplying tense to the participle מַמְרִים, 'you have been rebellious'.
עִםagainstprep · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase of opposition modifying מַמְרִים הֱיִיתֶםעִם (H5973) 'with'; here in the adversative sense 'against', as frequently with verbs of rebellion (cf. Ps 78:17).
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of עִםיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; object of the preposition, closing the verse's indictment: rebellion 'against YHWH'.
8
וּבְחֹרֵ֥ב הִקְצַפְתֶּ֖ם אֶת יְהוָ֑ה וַיִּתְאַנַּ֧ף יְהוָ֛ה בָּכֶ֖ם לְהַשְׁמִ֥יד אֶתְכֶֽם
Even at Horeb you provoked YHWH to wrath, and YHWH was angry enough with you to destroy you.
בְּחֹרֵב names the paradigm case that will occupy vv. 9-21: the golden calf. The verb הִתְאַנַּף (intensive Hitpael, 'worked himself into anger') together with the purpose clause לְהַשְׁמִיד אֶתְכֶם states the gravity up front, before Moses' flashback explains the circumstances that provoked it.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וּבְחֹרֵ֥בand at Horebconj וְ + prep בְּ + proper noun · חֹרֵב (H2722)Locative prepositional phrase, fronted for emphasisחֹרֵב (H2722), the mountain of covenant-giving (= Sinai in Deuteronomy's naming); fronted here to introduce the paradigm case of provocation, the golden calf.
הִקְצַפְתֶּ֖םyou provoked to wrathHiphil perf 2mp · קָצַף (H7107)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of provocationקָצַף (H7107) Hiphil 'to provoke to anger'; repeats v. 7's verb, now naming Horeb specifically as its paradigm instance.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יְהוָה as the object of הִקְצַפְתֶּם.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of הִקְצַפְתֶּםיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; object of the people's provocation.
וַיִּתְאַנַּ֧ףand was angryconj וַ + Hitpael wayyiqtol 3ms · אָנַף (H599)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — an intensified, reflexive angerאָנַף (H599) Hitpael 'to be(come) very angry'; the Hitpael intensifies the root אַף ('nose/anger'), portraying YHWH working himself into wrath — used again of Aaron in v. 20.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיִּתְאַנַּףיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the verb of anger.
בָּכֶ֖םagainst youprep בְּ + 2mp suffix · בְּPrepositional phrase of opposition modifying וַיִּתְאַנַּףבְּ 'against, with'; marks Israel as the object of YHWH's anger.
לְהַשְׁמִ֥ידto destroyprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · שָׁמַד (H8045)Purpose infinitive clause modifying וַיִּתְאַנַּף→ Infinitive: purpose — the intended outcome of the wrathשָׁמַד (H8045) Hiphil 'to destroy, annihilate'; states how close the anger came to total destruction, foreshadowing the intercession about to be narrated.
אֶתְכֶֽם[obj] youobj marker/2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with suffix, object of לְהַשְׁמִידאֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix, 'you' as direct object of the intended destruction; untranslated element, suffix carries the sense.
9
בַּעֲלֹתִ֣י הָהָ֗רָה לָקַ֜חַת לוּחֹ֤ת הָֽאֲבָנִים֙ לוּחֹ֣ת הַבְּרִ֔ית אֲשֶׁר כָּרַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה עִמָּכֶ֑ם וָאֵשֵׁ֣ב בָּהָ֗ר אַרְבָּעִ֥ים יוֹם֙ וְאַרְבָּעִ֣ים לַ֔יְלָה לֶ֚חֶם לֹ֣א אָכַ֔לְתִּי וּמַ֖יִם לֹ֥א שָׁתִֽיתִי
When I went up the mountain to receive the tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant that YHWH made with you, I remained on the mountain forty days and forty nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water.
The infinitive clause בַּעֲלֹתִי begins Moses' first-person retrospective; the extraordinary fast (no bread, no water, forty days) marks the reception of the covenant tablets as a uniquely charged, liminal encounter, setting up the shock of discovering the calf while Moses is still on the mountain (v. 12).
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
בַּעֲלֹתִ֣יwhen I went upprep בְּ + Qal inf constr/1cs suffix · עָלָה (H5927)Temporal infinitive clause opening the flashback→ Infinitive: temporal — marks the moment of ascentעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; the infinitive with 1cs subject opens Moses' first-person retrospective narrative of the Horeb events.
הָהָ֗רָהto the mountainart + N m sg abs + directional ה · הַר (H2022)Adverbial accusative of direction (goal of motion) with בַּעֲלֹתִיהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; the directional ה-suffix marks motion toward, 'to the mountain' — Horeb/Sinai.
לָקַ֜חַתto receiveprep לְ + Qal inf constr · לָקַח (H3947)Purpose infinitive clause modifying בַּעֲלֹתִי→ Infinitive: purpose — the goal of the ascentלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, receive'; states the purpose of Moses' ascent — to receive the stone tablets.
לוּחֹ֤תthe tablets ofN m pl constr · לוּחַ (H3871)Direct object of לָקַחַת, construct headלוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet, slab'; construct with הָאֲבָנִים, 'tablets of stone', the physical medium of the covenant text.
הָֽאֲבָנִים֙of stoneart + N f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Genitive completing the construct chain לוּחֹת הָאֲבָנִיםאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; the material of the tablets, contrasted implicitly with the man-made metal calf of v. 16.
לוּחֹ֣תthe tablets ofN m pl constr · לוּחַ (H3871)Appositional restatement, construct head governing הַבְּרִיתלוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet'; repeated in apposition, now specified as 'tablets of the covenant'.
הַבְּרִ֔יתthe covenantart + N f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Genitive completing the construct chain לוּחֹת הַבְּרִיתבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; identifies the tablets' content as the covenant terms/document, not merely inscribed stone.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הַבְּרִיתאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle introducing the clause identifying the covenant YHWH made with Israel.
כָּרַ֥תhe cutQal perf 3ms · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, foundational covenant-making actכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut'; idiomatic with בְּרִית, 'to cut/make a covenant' (from the ancient rite of cutting animals in covenant ratification).
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of כָּרַתיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the covenant-making.
עִמָּכֶ֑םwith youprep עִם + 2mp suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase modifying כָּרַתעִם (H5973) 'with'; names Israel as covenant partner, completing 'the covenant that YHWH made with you'.
וָאֵשֵׁ֣בand I remainedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Moses' extended stay beginsיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, remain'; here of Moses' prolonged stay on the mountain during the forty days.
בָּהָ֗רon the mountainprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phrase modifying וָאֵשֵׁבהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; the site of Moses' forty-day stay, Horeb.
אַרְבָּעִ֥יםfortynumeral · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Adverbial accusative of duration modifying יוֹםאַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; the paradigmatic period of testing/preparation in the Pentateuch (cf. the flood, the spies, Elijah).
יוֹם֙daysN m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; singular form used distributively with the numeral, 'forty days'.
וְאַרְבָּעִ֣יםand fortyconj וְ + numeral · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Coordinate adverbial accusative of duration modifying לַיְלָהאַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; paired with the previous count to give the full extent of day-and-night duration.
לַ֔יְלָהnightsN m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Adverbial accusative of duration, coordinate with יוֹםלַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; completes the merism 'forty days and forty nights' for the total unbroken fast.
לֶ֚חֶםbreadN c sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Fronted direct object of אָכַלְתִּי (negated)לֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; fronted for emphasis before the negated verb, stressing total abstention.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates אָכַלְתִּילֹא (H3808), the standard indicative negative, denying that Moses ate any bread.
אָכַ֔לְתִּיI ateQal perf 1cs · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (negated, main clause)→ Perfective: a completed (negated) act — total abstention across the whole periodאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; negated here to stress the miraculous, total fast during the forty days.
וּמַ֖יִםand waterconj וְ + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Fronted direct object of שָׁתִיתִי (negated), coordinate with לֶחֶםמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; paired with לֶחֶם for the complete merism of sustenance, both denied.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates שָׁתִיתִילֹא (H3808), repeated negative completing the double denial: neither bread nor water.
שָׁתִֽיתִיI drankQal perf 1cs · שָׁתָה (H8354)Predicate verb (negated, main clause)→ Perfective: a completed (negated) act, paired with אָכַלְתִּישָׁתָה (H8354) 'to drink'; completes the extraordinary fast description — the extreme intensity of this Horeb encounter.
10
וַיִּתֵּ֨ן יְהוָ֜ה אֵלַ֗י אֶת שְׁנֵי֙ לוּחֹ֣ת הָֽאֲבָנִ֔ים כְּתֻבִ֖ים בְּאֶצְבַּ֣ע אֱלֹהִ֑ים וַעֲלֵיהֶ֗ם כְּֽכָל הַדְּבָרִ֡ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבֶּר֩ יְהוָ֨ה עִמָּכֶ֥ם בָּהָ֛ר מִתּ֥וֹךְ הָאֵ֖שׁ בְּי֥וֹם הַקָּהָֽל
And YHWH gave me the two tablets of stone, written with the finger of God, and on them were all the words that YHWH had spoken with you on the mountain out of the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly.
'Written with the finger of God' underscores the tablets' direct divine authorship (contrast the human-made calf of v. 16); the phrase 'the day of the assembly' recalls the Horeb theophany of Deut 4-5, anchoring the tablets in the same fire-encounter the people themselves witnessed.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיִּתֵּ֨ןand gaveconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; narrates YHWH's act of handing over the completed tablets.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיִּתֵּןיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the giving.
אֵלַ֗יto meprep אֶל + 1cs suffix · אֶל (H413)Indirect-object complement of וַיִּתֵּןאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Moses as recipient of the tablets.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking שְׁנֵי לוּחֹת הָאֲבָנִים as the definite object of וַיִּתֵּן.
שְׁנֵי֙the twonumeral dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Construct numeral governing לוּחֹתשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; construct dual specifying the pair of tablets.
לוּחֹ֣תtablets ofN m pl constr · לוּחַ (H3871)Genitive completing שְׁנֵי, construct head governing הָאֲבָנִיםלוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet'; the physical stone tablets received on the mountain.
הָֽאֲבָנִ֔יםof stoneart + N f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Genitive completing the construct chainאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; material of the tablets.
כְּתֻבִ֖יםwrittenQal passive ptc mp · כָּתַב (H3789)Attributive/predicative participle modifying לוּחֹת הָאֲבָנִים→ Participle (passive): a completed state — already inscribedכָּתַב (H3789) Qal passive ptc 'written'; emphasizes the tablets arrived already inscribed, not blank.
בְּאֶצְבַּ֣עwith the finger ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · אֶצְבַּע (H676)Prepositional phrase of instrument/agency modifying כְּתֻבִיםאֶצְבַּע (H676) 'finger'; construct with אֱלֹהִים, the vivid anthropomorphic idiom for direct divine authorship (cf. Exod 31:18).
אֱלֹהִ֑יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitive completing the construct chain בְּאֶצְבַּע אֱלֹהִיםאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; identifies the writer as God himself, contrasting the divinely-inscribed tablets with the humanly-made calf.
וַעֲלֵיהֶ֗םand on themconj וְ + prep עַל + 3mp suffix · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase introducing the content clauseעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; introduces what was written on the tablets — 'all the words'.
כְּֽכָלaccording to allprep כְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase modifying the implicit predicate ('were')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; with כְּ, 'according to all' — an emphatic totalizing expression matching the full extent of the spoken words.
הַדְּבָרִ֡יםthe wordsart + N m pl abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive completing the construct chain כְּכָל הַדְּבָרִיםדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; the Ten Words/Commandments spoken at Horeb (Deut 4:13; 5:22), now inscribed.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הַדְּבָרִיםאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the description of the words as those YHWH had spoken.
דִּבֶּר֩he spokePiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior speech-actדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; recalls the oral proclamation of the Decalogue that the tablets now fix in permanent written form.
יְהוָ֨הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the prior spoken word.
עִמָּכֶ֥םwith youprep עִם + 2mp suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase modifying דִּבֶּרעִם (H5973) 'with'; Israel as addressee of the direct divine speech at Horeb.
בָּהָ֛רon the mountainprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phrase modifying דִּבֶּרהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; the site of the theophanic proclamation, Horeb.
מִתּ֥וֹךְout of the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Prepositional phrase modifying דִּבֶּרתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; with מִן, 'out of the midst of' — the fire out of which YHWH's voice came (Deut 4:12, 15, 33).
הָאֵ֖שׁthe fireart + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Genitive completing the construct chain מִתּוֹךְ הָאֵשׁאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the visible medium of the Horeb theophany (cf. v. 3's 'consuming fire'), from which the words were spoken.
בְּי֥וֹםon the day ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase modifying דִּבֶּריוֹם (H3117) 'day'; construct with הַקָּהָל, dating the speech to the specific day of national assembly.
הַקָּהָֽלthe assemblyart + N m sg abs · קָהָל (H6951)Genitive completing the construct chain בְּיוֹם הַקָּהָלקָהָל (H6951) 'assembly, congregation'; 'the day of the assembly' names the gathered-nation theophany at Horeb (cf. Deut 4:10; 18:16).
11
וַיְהִ֗י מִקֵּץ֙ אַרְבָּעִ֣ים י֔וֹם וְאַרְבָּעִ֖ים לָ֑יְלָה נָתַ֨ן יְהוָ֜ה אֵלַ֗י אֶת שְׁנֵ֛י לֻחֹ֥ת הָאֲבָנִ֖ים לֻח֥וֹת הַבְּרִֽית
And at the end of forty days and forty nights, YHWH gave me the two tablets of stone, the tablets of the covenant.
מִקֵּץ ('at the end of') brackets the forty-day period begun in v. 9, forming a narrative frame around vv. 9-11 before the abrupt divine interruption of v. 12 breaks in with news of the calf.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיְהִ֗יand it happenedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol — narrative formula)→ Wayyiqtol: temporal-narrative formula introducing a new sceneהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; the standard narrative formula 'and it came to pass', marking the end of the forty-day period.
מִקֵּץ֙at the end ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · קֵץ (H7093)Temporal prepositional phrase modifying וַיְהִיקֵץ (H7093) 'end'; with מִן, 'at the end of' — brackets the forty-day period opened in v. 9.
אַרְבָּעִ֣יםfortynumeral · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Adverbial accusative of duration modifying י֔וֹםאַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; repeats the count of vv. 9-10, closing the frame.
י֔וֹםdaysN m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; completing 'forty days'.
וְאַרְבָּעִ֖יםand fortyconj וְ + numeral · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Coordinate adverbial accusative modifying לָיְלָהאַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; paired count for the nights.
לָ֑יְלָהnightsN m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Adverbial accusative of duration, coordinate with יוֹםלַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; completes the forty-day-and-night frame.
נָתַ֨ןgaveQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act, resuming the narrative after the temporal clauseנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the main verb resumed after the temporal clause, restating v. 10's gift of the tablets.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נָתַןיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the giving.
אֵלַ֗יto meprep אֶל + 1cs suffix · אֶל (H413)Indirect-object complement of נָתַןאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks Moses as recipient.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking שְׁנֵי לֻחֹת הָאֲבָנִים as object of נָתַן.
שְׁנֵ֛יthe twonumeral dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Construct numeral governing לֻחֹתשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; specifies the pair of tablets, as in v. 10.
לֻחֹ֥תtablets ofN m pl constr · לוּחַ (H3871)Genitive completing שְׁנֵי, construct head governing הָאֲבָנִיםלוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet'; the stone tablets, restated to close the forty-day frame.
הָאֲבָנִ֖יםof stoneart + N f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Genitive completing the construct chainאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; material of the tablets.
לֻח֥וֹתthe tablets ofN m pl constr · לוּחַ (H3871)Appositional restatement, construct head governing הַבְּרִיתלוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet'; repeated in apposition, 'tablets of the covenant', as in v. 9.
הַבְּרִֽיתthe covenantart + N f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Genitive completing the construct chain לֻחוֹת הַבְּרִיתבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; identifies the tablets' content, closing the narrative frame begun in v. 9.
12
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֵלַ֗י ק֣וּם רֵ֤ד מַהֵר֙ מִזֶּ֔ה כִּ֚י שִׁחֵ֣ת עַמְּךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הוֹצֵ֖אתָ מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם סָ֣רוּ מַהֵ֗ר מִן הַדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוִּיתִ֔ם עָשׂ֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם מַסֵּכָֽה
Then YHWH said to me, 'Arise, go down quickly from here, for your people whom you brought out of Egypt have acted corruptly; they have turned aside quickly from the way that I commanded them; they have made themselves a cast image.'
YHWH's urgent imperatives קוּם רֵד מַהֵר break into the forty-day frame; the pointed 'your people' (not 'my people') already signals divine disowning, and the threefold verdict (corrupted / turned aside quickly / made a cast image) escalates toward the shocking sight of v. 16.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol) introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces YHWH's urgent speech interrupting the flashback.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the speech.
אֵלַ֗יto meprep אֶל + 1cs suffix · אֶל (H413)Indirect-object complement of וַיֹּאמֶראֶל (H413) 'to'; marks Moses as addressee.
ק֣וּםAriseQal impv 2ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (imperative, first of a rapid-fire command series)→ Volitional: urgent imperative commandקוּם (H6965) 'to arise, stand up'; paired with רֵד in an idiomatic urgent-command pattern ('up! go down!').
רֵ֤דgo downQal impv 2ms · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (imperative), coordinate with קוּם→ Volitional: urgent imperative commandיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down, descend'; the command to leave the mountain immediately, given the crisis below.
מַהֵר֙quicklyPiel inf abs (adverbial) · מָהַר (H4118)Adverbial infinitive absolute intensifying רֵד→ Infinitive absolute used adverbially: intensifying urgency/speedמָהַר (H4118) Piel 'to hurry'; the infinitive absolute functions adverbially, 'quickly' — stressing the emergency.
מִזֶּ֔הfrom hereprep מִן + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Prepositional phrase modifying רֵדזֶה (H2088) 'this'; with מִן, 'from here' — from the mountain, down to the camp.
כִּ֚יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the reason for the urgent commandכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; gives the reason for the urgent descent — the people's corruption.
שִׁחֵ֣תhas acted corruptlyPiel perf 3ms · שָׁחַת (H7843)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of corruptionשָׁחַת (H7843) Piel 'to ruin, corrupt, act corruptly'; the same verb used of the pre-flood world (Gen 6:11-12), signaling total moral collapse.
עַמְּךָ֔your peopleN m sg constr/2ms suffix · עַם (H5971)Subject of שִׁחֵתעַם (H5971) 'people'; pointedly 'YOUR people' (Moses'), not 'my people' — YHWH's own rhetorical distancing from the guilty nation (cf. Exod 32:7).
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying עַמְּךָאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause identifying the people as those Moses brought out of Egypt.
הוֹצֵ֖אתָyou brought outHiphil perf 2ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of deliveranceיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; here attributed to Moses' agency ('you brought out'), continuing YHWH's rhetorical distancing.
מִמִּצְרָ֑יִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Prepositional phrase modifying הוֹצֵאתָמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt; the place of departure, as in v. 7.
סָ֣רוּthey have turned asideQal perf 3cp · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb (main clause, resuming the indictment)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of deviationסוּר (H5493) 'to turn aside, depart'; describes the people's swift abandonment of the covenant path.
מַהֵ֗רquicklyPiel inf abs (adverbial) · מָהַר (H4118)Adverbial infinitive absolute intensifying סָרוּ→ Infinitive absolute used adverbially: intensifying speedמָהַר (H4118) Piel 'to hurry'; 'quickly' — how soon after the covenant proclamation the apostasy occurred.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase modifying סָרוּמִן (H4480) 'from'; introduces the way/path abandoned.
הַדֶּ֨רֶךְ֙the wayart + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Object of מִןדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, path'; metaphor for the covenant conduct commanded at Horeb.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הַדֶּרֶךְאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause specifying the commanded way.
צִוִּיתִ֔םI commanded themPiel perf 1cs/3mp suffix · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of divine commandצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; here 1cs, YHWH's own voice recalling the command just given at Horeb — abandoned almost immediately.
עָשׂ֥וּthey madeQal perf 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause), climax of the indictment→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of idol-makingעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do'; the climactic verb naming the concrete act of apostasy.
לָהֶ֖םfor themselvesprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְReflexive/benefactive complement of עָשׂוּלְ 'for, to'; reflexive dative, 'for themselves' — self-directed idol-making.
מַסֵּכָֽהa cast imageN f sg abs · מַסֵּכָה (H4541)Direct object of עָשׂוּמַסֵּכָה (H4541) 'cast/molten image', from נָסַךְ 'to pour out, cast metal'; here identified as the golden calf, made by casting molten metal.
13
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֵלַ֣י לֵאמֹ֑ר רָאִ֨יתִי֙ אֶת הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה וְהִנֵּ֥ה עַם קְשֵׁה עֹ֖רֶף הֽוּא
Furthermore YHWH said to me, 'I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people.'
YHWH's own verdict, 'a stiff-necked people,' echoes verbatim the thesis Moses stated as narrator in v. 6 — the narrator's charge and the divine charge converge, closing off any possibility that this is merely Moses' own harsh assessment.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; continues YHWH's speech, resumed with a second introductory formula.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the speech.
אֵלַ֣יto meprep אֶל + 1cs suffix · אֶל (H413)Indirect-object complement of וַיֹּאמֶראֶל (H413) 'to'; Moses as addressee.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive introducing the quoted divine speech→ Infinitive: introduces direct quotationאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the לֵאמֹר formula marks the transition into YHWH's verbatim words.
רָאִ֨יתִי֙I have seenQal perf 1cs · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb of the quoted speech→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of perception/judgmentרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; YHWH's own verdict, based on direct observation, not report — the same root used of Moses' own eyewitness sight in v. 16.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָעָם הַזֶּה as the definite object of רָאִיתִי.
הָעָ֣םthis peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of רָאִיתִיעַם (H5971) 'people'; the object of divine scrutiny, described immediately by the following demonstrative and verdict.
הַזֶּ֔הthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָעָםזֶה (H2088), masculine demonstrative 'this', specifying the people in view.
וְהִנֵּ֥הand beholdconj וְ + interjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing the vivid verdictהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; the presentative particle heightens the immediacy of the divine assessment that follows.
עַםa peopleN m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Predicate noun of the nominal clauseעַם (H5971) 'people'; head noun of the verdict-phrase 'a stiff-necked people', repeating v. 6's thesis verbatim in YHWH's own words.
קְשֵׁהstiff ofadj m sg constr · קָשֶׁה (H7186)Construct adjective governing עֹרֶףקָשֶׁה (H7186) 'hard, stiff'; construct with עֹרֶף forming the idiom 'stiff-necked', now spoken by YHWH himself.
עֹ֖רֶףneckN m sg abs · עֹרֶף (H6203)Genitive completing the construct chain עַם קְשֵׁה עֹרֶףעֹרֶף (H6203) 'neck'; the image of stubborn resistance, YHWH's verdict matching the narrator's own in v. 6.
הֽוּאit (is)independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copula pronoun, subject-resumptive of the nominal clauseהוּא (H1931), third masculine singular pronoun functioning as copula, closing the verdict: 'a stiff-necked people IT IS'.
14
הֶ֤רֶף מִמֶּ֨נִּי֙ וְאַשְׁמִידֵ֔ם וְאֶמְחֶ֣ה אֶת שְׁמָ֔ם מִתַּ֖חַת הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂה֙ אֽוֹתְךָ֔ לְגוֹי עָצ֥וּם וָרָ֖ב מִמֶּֽנּוּ
Let me alone, that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven, and I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they.
The imperative הֶרֶף ('let me alone') paradoxically invites Moses' intercession even while announcing judgment; the offer to remake the covenant nation through Moses alone echoes Exod 32:10 and sets up the great intercessory prayer that structures the rest of the chapter (vv. 18-20, 25-29).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
הֶ֤רֶףLet aloneHiphil impv 2ms · רָפָה (H7503)Predicate verb (imperative, opening the divine proposal)→ Volitional: urgent imperative — a request to be released from restraintרָפָה (H7503) Hiphil 'to let go, desist, leave alone'; the imperative paradoxically invites Moses' intercession even as it announces judgment (cf. Exod 32:10).
מִמֶּ֨נִּי֙from meprep מִן + 1cs suffix · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase modifying הֶרֶףמִן (H4480) 'from'; completes 'let me alone', implying Moses' presence/intercession is currently restraining YHWH's hand.
וְאַשְׁמִידֵ֔םthat I may destroy themconj וְ + Hiphil cohortative 1cs/3mp suffix · שָׁמַד (H8045)Cohortative of purpose/result, coordinate with הֶרֶף→ Cohortative: volitional purpose — the intended consequence of being let aloneשָׁמַד (H8045) Hiphil 'to destroy'; the cohortative expresses YHWH's proposed self-willed action, contingent on Moses stepping back.
וְאֶמְחֶ֣הand I will blot outconj וְ + Qal cohortative 1cs · מָחָה (H4229)Cohortative, coordinate with וְאַשְׁמִידֵם→ Cohortative: volitional intention — total erasureמָחָה (H4229) 'to wipe, blot out'; intensifies the destruction to include erasure of Israel's very name/memory.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking שְׁמָם as the object of וְאֶמְחֶה.
שְׁמָ֔םtheir nameN m sg constr/3mp suffix · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object of וְאֶמְחֶהשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; blotting out the name means total removal from memory and existence, the gravest form of judgment.
מִתַּ֖חַתfrom underprep מִן + prep תַּחַת · תַּחַת (H8478)Prepositional phrase modifying וְאֶמְחֶהתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath'; with מִן, 'from under the heavens' — a merism for complete, universal erasure.
הַשָּׁמָ֑יִםthe heavensart + N m pl abs · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Genitive completing the construct chain מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמָיִםשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens'; completes the idiom for total, universal obliteration of Israel's memory.
וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂה֙and I will makeconj וְ + Qal cohortative/impf 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Cohortative of proposal, coordinate with the preceding verbs→ Cohortative: volitional proposal — YHWH's offer to Mosesעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make'; introduces YHWH's counter-offer — a new nation made from Moses alone.
אֽוֹתְךָ֔[obj] youobj marker/2ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with suffix, object of וְאֶעֱשֶׂהאֵת (H853) with 2ms suffix, 'you' (Moses) as the one to be made into a nation.
לְגוֹיinto a nationprep לְ + N m sg abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Predicate complement of וְאֶעֱשֶׂה ('make X into Y')גּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the proposed replacement people, echoing the same offer in Exod 32:10 and Num 14:12.
עָצ֥וּםmightyadj m sg abs · עָצוּם (H6099)Attributive adjective modifying גוֹיעָצוּם (H6099) 'mighty, numerous'; echoes v. 1's description of the Canaanite nations, now ironically applied to Moses' proposed replacement people.
וָרָ֖בand greatconj וְ + adj m sg abs · רַב (H7227)Coordinate attributive adjectiveרַב (H7227) 'many, great'; paired with עָצוּם for emphatic superiority over the present nation.
מִמֶּֽנּוּthan itprep מִן + 3ms/3mp suffix · מִן (H4480)Comparative complement of עָצוּם וָרָבמִן (H4480) here comparative, 'than'; completes 'mightier and greater than they' (the current nation).
15
וָאֵ֗פֶן וָֽאֵרֵד֙ מִן הָהָ֔ר וְהָהָ֖ר בֹּעֵ֣ר בָּאֵ֑שׁ וּשְׁנֵי֙ לֻחֹ֣ת הַבְּרִ֔ית עַ֖ל שְׁתֵּ֥י יָדָֽי
So I turned and went down from the mountain, and the mountain was burning with fire, and the two tablets of the covenant were in my two hands.
The scene shifts from divine speech back to first-person narrative action; the mountain still 'burning with fire' recalls the Horeb theophany of v. 10, while the tablets carried in Moses' two hands set up the dramatic destruction of v. 17.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וָאֵ֗פֶןand I turnedconj וָ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · פָּנָה (H6437)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּנָה (H6437) 'to turn'; Moses' narrative resumes after the divine speech, marking his physical turn to descend.
וָֽאֵרֵד֙and I went downconj וָ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol), coordinate with וָאֵפֶן→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; Moses obeys YHWH's command (רֵד) of v. 12 immediately.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase modifying וָאֵרֵדמִן (H4480) 'from'; marks the mountain as the point of departure.
הָהָ֔רthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Object of מִןהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; Horeb, the site just left.
וְהָהָ֖רand the mountainconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Subject of the circumstantial clause בֹּעֵר בָּאֵשׁהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; subject of a circumstantial clause describing its ongoing state as Moses descends.
בֹּעֵ֣רburningQal ptc ms · בָּעַר (H1197)Predicate participle of the circumstantial clause→ Participle: ongoing descriptive state — the fire still burningבָּעַר (H1197) 'to burn'; recalls the theophanic fire of v. 10, still visibly ablaze during the descent.
בָּאֵ֑שׁwith fireprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Prepositional phrase modifying בֹּעֵראֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; specifies the burning, the theophanic medium of Horeb.
וּשְׁנֵי֙and the twoconj וְ + numeral dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Subject of a second circumstantial nominal clauseשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; introduces the tablets Moses is carrying during the descent.
לֻחֹ֣תtablets ofN m pl constr · לוּחַ (H3871)Genitive completing שְׁנֵי, construct head governing הַבְּרִיתלוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet'; the stone tablets Moses carries down.
הַבְּרִ֔יתof the covenantart + N f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Genitive completing the construct chainבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; the tablets' identity, about to be shattered in v. 17.
עַ֖לinprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase modifying the implicit predicate (were)עַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; here 'in/on my two hands', describing the tablets' location as Moses descends.
שְׁתֵּ֥יthe two (fs)numeral fem dual constr · שְׁתַּיִם (H8147)Construct numeral governing יָדָישְׁתַּיִם (H8147) fem. form of 'two'; agreeing with the feminine dual noun יָדַיִם.
יָדָֽיmy handsN c dual constr/1cs suffix · יָד (H3027)Genitive completing the construct chain שְׁתֵּי יָדָייָד (H3027) 'hand'; dual form with 1cs suffix, 'my two hands' — physically carrying the tablets, soon to shatter them (v. 17).
16
וָאֵ֗רֶא וְהִנֵּ֤ה חֲטָאתֶם֙ לַיהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם עֲשִׂיתֶ֣ם לָכֶ֔ם עֵ֖גֶל מַסֵּכָ֑ה סַרְתֶּ֣ם מַהֵ֔ר מִן הַדֶּ֕רֶךְ אֲשֶׁר צִוָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה אֶתְכֶֽם
And I looked, and behold, you had sinned against YHWH your God; you had made yourselves a calf of cast metal; you had turned aside quickly from the way that YHWH had commanded you.
וָאֵרֶא וְהִנֵּה ('and I looked, and behold') marks the moment Moses himself becomes an eyewitness, converting YHWH's report in v. 12 into confirmed first-hand sight; the doubled charge (sinned / made a calf / turned aside quickly) matches v. 12's wording almost exactly, underlining the truth of the divine indictment.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וָאֵ֗רֶאAnd I lookedconj וָ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the moment of eyewitness discoveryרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Moses becomes an eyewitness, converting YHWH's prior report (v. 12) into confirmed sight, matching YHWH's own רָאִיתִי in v. 13.
וְהִנֵּ֤הand beholdconj וְ + interjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle heightening the vividness of the discoveryהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; marks the dramatic, sudden realization of what Moses sees.
חֲטָאתֶם֙you had sinnedQal perf 2mp · חָטָא (H2398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of sinחָטָא (H2398) 'to sin, miss the mark'; the general verb of transgression, now specified by the following details.
לַיהוָ֣הagainst YHWHprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Prepositional phrase modifying חֲטָאתֶםיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; with לְ, marks YHWH as the one sinned against.
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔םyour GodN m pl constr/2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional noun in apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; 'your God' in apposition, intensifying the betrayal — sin against their own covenant God.
עֲשִׂיתֶ֣םyou had madeQal perf 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb, coordinate with חֲטָאתֶם→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make'; names the specific sinful act — fashioning the calf.
לָכֶ֔םfor yourselvesprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְReflexive/benefactive complement of עֲשִׂיתֶםלְ 'for'; reflexive dative, 'for yourselves' — self-directed idolatry.
עֵ֖גֶלa calf ofN m sg constr · עֵגֶל (H5695)Direct object of עֲשִׂיתֶם, construct head governing מַסֵּכָהעֵגֶל (H5695) 'calf'; the notorious idol, likely evoking Egyptian/Canaanite bull-imagery of divine strength and fertility.
מַסֵּכָ֑הcast metalN f sg abs · מַסֵּכָה (H4541)Genitive completing the construct chain עֵגֶל מַסֵּכָהמַסֵּכָה (H4541) 'cast/molten image'; specifies the calf's manufacture by metal-casting.
סַרְתֶּ֣םyou had turned asideQal perf 2mp · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb, coordinate with the preceding verbs→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of deviationסוּר (H5493) 'to turn aside'; repeats v. 12's charge almost verbatim, now as Moses' own confirmed eyewitness report.
מַהֵ֔רquicklyPiel inf abs (adverbial) · מָהַר (H4118)Adverbial infinitive absolute intensifying סַרְתֶּם→ Infinitive absolute used adverbially: intensifying speedמָהַר (H4118) Piel 'to hurry'; 'quickly', matching v. 12's wording exactly.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase modifying סַרְתֶּםמִן (H4480) 'from'; introduces the abandoned way.
הַדֶּ֕רֶךְthe wayart + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Object of מִןדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way'; the covenant path just proclaimed at Horeb.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הַדֶּרֶךְאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause naming who commanded the way.
צִוָּ֥הhad commandedPiel perf 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of commandצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; here 3ms, YHWH as narrated subject (contrast v. 12's 1cs, in YHWH's own speech) — Moses' retelling shifts to third person.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the prior command.
אֶתְכֶֽם[obj] youobj marker/2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with suffix, object of צִוָּהאֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix, 'you' as the ones commanded; untranslated element.
17
וָאֶתְפֹּשׂ֙ בִּשְׁנֵ֣י הַלֻּחֹ֔ת וָֽאַשְׁלִכֵ֔ם מֵעַ֖ל שְׁתֵּ֣י יָדָ֑י וָאֲשַׁבְּרֵ֖ם לְעֵינֵיכֶֽם
So I took hold of the two tablets and threw them from my two hands and broke them before your eyes.
The three rapid-fire wayyiqtols (took hold / threw / broke) enact in Moses' own hands the covenant's rupture that the calf had already effected in the people's hearts; 'before your eyes' makes the breaking a public, witnessed sign-act, not a private outburst.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וָאֶתְפֹּשׂ֙And I took hold ofconj וָ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · תָּפַשׂ (H8610)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceתָּפַשׂ (H8610) 'to seize, grasp, take hold of'; the first of a rapid three-verb sequence enacting the tablets' destruction.
בִּשְׁנֵ֣יof the twoprep בְּ + numeral dual constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Prepositional phrase, object complement of וָאֶתְפֹּשׂשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; specifies both tablets seized together.
הַלֻּחֹ֔תthe tabletsart + N m pl abs · לוּחַ (H3871)Genitive completing the construct-like phrase בִּשְׁנֵי הַלֻּחֹתלוּחַ (H3871) 'tablet'; the stone tablets of the covenant, now grasped for what follows.
וָֽאַשְׁלִכֵ֔םand I threw themconj וָ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 1cs/3mp suffix · שָׁלַךְ (H7993)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol), coordinate with וָאֶתְפֹּשׂ→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a sudden, violent actionשָׁלַךְ (H7993) Hiphil 'to throw, cast'; the deliberate, forceful hurling of the tablets from Moses' hands.
מֵעַ֖לfrom uponprep מִן + prep עַל · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase modifying וָאַשְׁלִכֵםעַל (H5921) 'upon'; with מִן, 'from upon/off of' — the tablets thrown from Moses' hands.
שְׁתֵּ֣יthe two (fs)numeral fem dual constr · שְׁתַּיִם (H8147)Construct numeral governing יָדָישְׁתַּיִם (H8147) fem. 'two'; agreeing with יָדַיִם.
יָדָ֑יmy handsN c dual constr/1cs suffix · יָד (H3027)Genitive completing the construct chain שְׁתֵּי יָדָייָד (H3027) 'hand'; dual with 1cs suffix, repeating v. 15's phrase — the same hands that carried now release the tablets.
וָאֲשַׁבְּרֵ֖םand I broke themconj וָ + Piel wayyiqtol 1cs/3mp suffix · שָׁבַר (H7665)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol), climactic third verb→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive, climactic actשָׁבַר (H7665) Piel 'to shatter, break in pieces'; the intensive stem underscores total destruction — the covenant document physically ruptured, mirroring the people's covenant-breaking.
לְעֵינֵיכֶֽםbefore your eyesprep לְ + N c dual constr/2mp suffix · עַיִן (H5869)Prepositional phrase of manner modifying וָאֲשַׁבְּרֵםעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual with 2mp suffix, 'before your eyes' — a public, witnessed sign-act, not a private outburst.
18
וָֽאֶתְנַפַּל֩ לִפְנֵ֨י יְהוָ֜ה כָּרִאשֹׁנָ֗ה אַרְבָּעִ֥ים יוֹם֙ וְאַרְבָּעִ֣ים לַ֔יְלָה לֶ֚חֶם לֹ֣א אָכַ֔לְתִּי וּמַ֖יִם לֹ֣א שָׁתִ֑יתִי עַ֤ל כָּל חַטַּאתְכֶם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר חֲטָאתֶ֔ם לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת הָרַ֛ע בְּעֵינֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה לְהַכְעִיסֽוֹ
Then I fell down before YHWH, as at the first, forty days and forty nights; I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all your sin that you had committed in doing what was evil in the sight of YHWH, to provoke him to anger.
'As at the first' explicitly parallels this second forty-day fast (vv. 18-20) to the first (v. 9), but now the purpose is intercessory prostration rather than receiving tablets; the phrase 'to provoke him to anger' (לְהַכְעִיסוֹ) reprises the root used for the golden calf across the chapter, tying the fast directly to the sin it addresses.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וָֽאֶתְנַפַּל֩Then I fell downconj וָ + Hitpael wayyiqtol 1cs · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a deliberate act of prostrationנָפַל (H5307) Hitpael 'to throw oneself down, prostrate oneself'; the reflexive stem marks a deliberate posture of intercessory supplication, not accidental falling.
לִפְנֵ֨יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase modifying וָאֶתְנַפַּלפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; with לִפְנֵי, 'before, in the presence of' — the posture of intercession.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; before whom Moses prostrates himself.
כָּרִאשֹׁנָ֗הas at the firstprep כְּ + art + adj f sg abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Adverbial prepositional phrase of comparison modifying וָאֶתְנַפַּלרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first, former'; explicitly parallels this second forty-day fast to the first (v. 9), though now for intercession rather than receiving tablets.
אַרְבָּעִ֥יםfortynumeral · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Adverbial accusative of duration modifying יוֹםאַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; repeats the fast's length, matching v. 9.
יוֹם֙daysN m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; completing 'forty days'.
וְאַרְבָּעִ֣יםand fortyconj וְ + numeral · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Coordinate adverbial accusative modifying לַיְלָהאַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; paired count for the nights.
לַ֔יְלָהnightsN m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Adverbial accusative of duration, coordinate with יוֹםלַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; completes the second forty-day-and-night fast.
לֶ֚חֶםbreadN c sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Fronted direct object of אָכַלְתִּי (negated)לֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread'; fronted for emphasis, repeating the fast description of v. 9.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates אָכַלְתִּילֹא (H3808), the standard negative, denying that Moses ate during this second fast.
אָכַ֔לְתִּיI ateQal perf 1cs · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (negated, main clause)→ Perfective: a completed (negated) act — total abstentionאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; negated, repeating v. 9's abstention for this second intercessory fast.
וּמַ֖יִםand waterconj וְ + N m pl abs · מַיִם (H4325)Fronted direct object of שָׁתִיתִי (negated)מַיִם (H4325) 'water'; paired with לֶחֶם for the complete double denial.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates שָׁתִיתִילֹא (H3808), repeated negative completing the double denial.
שָׁתִ֑יתִיI drankQal perf 1cs · שָׁתָה (H8354)Predicate verb (negated, main clause)→ Perfective: a completed (negated) actשָׁתָה (H8354) 'to drink'; completes the fast description, identical to v. 9's language.
עַ֤לbecause ofprep · עַל (H5921)Causal prepositional phrase modifying the whole intercessory actעַל (H5921) 'on account of, because of'; introduces the reason for the extended fast — Israel's sin.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head governing חַטַּאתְכֶםכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; totalizing, 'all your sin'.
חַטַּאתְכֶם֙your sinN f sg constr/2mp suffix · חַטָּאת (H2403)Genitive completing the construct chain כָּל חַטַּאתְכֶםחַטָּאת (H2403) 'sin'; sums up the whole calf episode under a single collective term.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying חַטַּאתְכֶםאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause specifying the nature of the sin.
חֲטָאתֶ֔םyou had committedQal perf 2mp · חָטָא (H2398)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of sinחָטָא (H2398) 'to sin'; cognate with the preceding noun חַטַּאתְכֶם, an emphatic figura etymologica.
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹתin doingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Infinitive clause explaining the manner/content of the sin→ Infinitive: epexegetical — specifies in what the sin consistedעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the infinitive specifies the sin as the doing of evil, i.e., making the calf.
הָרַ֛עthe evilart + adj m sg abs (substantival) · רַע (H7451)Direct object of לַעֲשׂוֹתרַע (H7451) 'evil, bad'; substantival, 'what was evil' — the calf-making evaluated in YHWH's own moral terms.
בְּעֵינֵ֥יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N c dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Prepositional phrase modifying הָרַע... לַעֲשׂוֹת (idiom 'evil in the sight of')עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; the idiom 'in the eyes of' expresses YHWH's own evaluative judgment (cf. Deut 4:25; 12:25).
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing the construct chain בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָהיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; whose evaluative 'eyes' judge the act as evil.
לְהַכְעִיסֽוֹto provoke him to angerprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr/3ms suffix · כָּעַס (H3707)Purpose/result infinitive clause closing the verse→ Infinitive: result — the effect the sin had, provoking divine angerכָּעַס (H3707) Hiphil 'to provoke to anger, vex'; a synonym of קָצַף used throughout the chapter, tying the fast directly to the anger it was meant to avert.
19
כִּ֣י יָגֹ֗רְתִּי מִפְּנֵ֤י הָאַף֙ וְהַ֣חֵמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר קָצַ֧ף יְהוָ֛ה עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם לְהַשְׁמִ֣יד אֶתְכֶ֑ם וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע יְהוָה֙ אֵלַ֔י גַּ֖ם בַּפַּ֥עַם הַהִֽוא
For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure with which YHWH was wrathful against you, to destroy you; but YHWH listened to me that time also.
Moses names his own fear as motive for the intercession, then reports YHWH's favorable response ('listened to me that time also') — the phrase 'that time also' (גַּם בַּפַּעַם הַהִוא) anticipates the SECOND, distinct intercession over Aaron narrated in v. 20.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the motive for the fast of v. 18כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; explains Moses' motive — fear of YHWH's wrath.
יָגֹ֗רְתִּיI was afraidQal perf 1cs · יָגֹר (H3025)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, settled state of fearיָגֹר (H3025) 'to be afraid, dread'; names Moses' own emotional motive for the extended intercession.
מִפְּנֵ֤יbecause ofprep מִן + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Causal prepositional phrase modifying יָגֹרְתִּיפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiomatically 'because of, on account of' with מִן, introducing the object of fear.
הָאַף֙the angerart + N m sg abs · אַף (H639)Object of מִפְּנֵיאַף (H639) 'nose, anger'; the somatic idiom for anger (flared nostrils), the first of a pair of terms for wrath.
וְהַ֣חֵמָ֔הand the hot displeasureconj וְ + art + N f sg abs · חֵמָה (H2534)Coordinate object of מִפְּנֵיחֵמָה (H2534) 'heat, rage'; paired with אַף for an intensified double expression of divine wrath.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwith whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הָאַף וְהַחֵמָהאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause describing the intensity of YHWH's anger.
קָצַ֧ףwas wrathfulQal perf 3ms · קָצַף (H7107)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, decisive state of wrathקָצַף (H7107) Qal 'to be wrathful, angry'; the same root used causatively (Hiphil) throughout the chapter, here in the simple stem describing YHWH's own state.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of קָצַףיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the wrath.
עֲלֵיכֶ֖םagainst youprep עַל + 2mp suffix · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase modifying קָצַףעַל (H5921) 'against, upon'; marks Israel as the object of the wrath.
לְהַשְׁמִ֣ידto destroyprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · שָׁמַד (H8045)Purpose infinitive clause modifying קָצַף→ Infinitive: purpose — the intended outcome of the angerשָׁמַד (H8045) Hiphil 'to destroy'; names how close the wrath came to total annihilation, as in v. 8.
אֶתְכֶ֑ם[obj] youobj marker/2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker, object of לְהַשְׁמִידאֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix, 'you' as the intended object of destruction.
וַיִּשְׁמַ֤עbut... listenedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol, resolution)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the favorable turning pointשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, heed'; the same root that opened the chapter (v. 1), now marking YHWH's gracious response to Moses' intercession.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיִּשְׁמַעיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the favorable hearing.
אֵלַ֔יto meprep אֶל + 1cs suffix · אֶל (H413)Indirect-object complement of וַיִּשְׁמַעאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks Moses as the one heard.
גַּ֖םalsoadverb · גַּם (H1571)Adverb of addition modifying the temporal phraseגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; anticipates the SECOND, distinct intercession over Aaron narrated in v. 20.
בַּפַּ֥עַםat the timeprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · פַּעַם (H6471)Temporal prepositional phrase modifying וַיִּשְׁמַעפַּעַם (H6471) 'time, occasion, instance'; marks this favorable hearing as one particular occasion among others.
הַהִֽואthatart + demonstrative/independent pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying בַּפַּעַםהִוא (H1931) fem. demonstrative 'that', agreeing with the feminine noun פַּעַם, 'that time'.
20
וּֽבְאַהֲרֹ֗ן הִתְאַנַּ֧ף יְהוָ֛ה מְאֹ֖ד לְהַשְׁמִיד֑וֹ וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֛ל גַּם בְּעַ֥ד אַהֲרֹ֖ן בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִֽוא
And YHWH was very angry with Aaron, enough to destroy him, and I prayed for Aaron also at that time.
This verse (unique to Deuteronomy's retelling; not in Exodus 32) singles out Aaron's culpability for making the calf and adds a distinct intercession on his behalf, broadening the chapter's intercessory theme from the people generally to their compromised priestly leader specifically.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וּֽבְאַהֲרֹ֗ןAnd with Aaronconj וְ + prep בְּ + proper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Prepositional phrase, fronted for emphasisאַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' brother and high priest; fronted here to single out his specific culpability, unique to Deuteronomy's retelling (not in Exod 32).
הִתְאַנַּ֧ףwas very angryHitpael perf 3ms · אָנַף (H599)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, intensified state of angerאָנַף (H599) Hitpael 'to be very angry'; repeats v. 8's verb, now directed specifically at Aaron for his role in making the calf (cf. Exod 32:2-6).
יְהוָ֛הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of הִתְאַנַּףיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the anger against Aaron.
מְאֹ֖דvery muchadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverbial intensifier modifying הִתְאַנַּףמְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; intensifies the anger, matching the gravity of Aaron's leadership failure.
לְהַשְׁמִיד֑וֹto destroy himprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr/3ms suffix · שָׁמַד (H8045)Purpose infinitive clause modifying הִתְאַנַּף→ Infinitive: purpose — the intended, personal consequence for Aaronשָׁמַד (H8045) Hiphil 'to destroy'; the same verb of judgment applied throughout the chapter, here aimed specifically at Aaron alone.
וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֛לand I prayedconj וָ + Hitpael wayyiqtol 1cs · פָּלַל (H6419)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּלַל (H6419) Hitpael 'to pray, intercede'; a distinct intercession specifically on Aaron's behalf, broadening Moses' mediatorial role beyond the people generally.
גַּםalsoadverb · גַּם (H1571)Adverb of addition modifying וָאֶתְפַּלֵּלגַּם (H1571) 'also'; marks this as an additional, distinct act of intercession alongside that for the people.
בְּעַ֥דon behalf ofprep · בְּעַד (H1157)Prepositional phrase modifying וָאֶתְפַּלֵּלבְּעַד (H1157) 'behind, on behalf of'; the preposition of intercessory advocacy, 'for/on behalf of Aaron'.
אַהֲרֹ֖ןAaronproper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Object of בְּעַדאַהֲרֹן (H175), Moses' brother; the specific beneficiary of this second intercession.
בָּעֵ֥תat the timeprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · עֵת (H6256)Temporal prepositional phrase modifying וָאֶתְפַּלֵּלעֵת (H6256) 'time'; dates the intercession to the same period as the fast just described.
הַהִֽואthatart + demonstrative pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying בָּעֵתהִוא (H1931) fem. demonstrative 'that', agreeing with עֵת, closing the verse's temporal frame.
21
וְֽאֶת חַטַּאתְכֶ֞ם אֲשֶׁר עֲשִׂיתֶ֣ם אֶת הָעֵ֗גֶל לָקַחְתִּי֮ וָאֶשְׂרֹ֣ף אֹת֣וֹ בָּאֵשׁ֒ וָאֶכֹּ֨ת אֹת֤וֹ טָחוֹן֙ הֵיטֵ֔ב עַ֥ד אֲשֶׁר דַּ֖ק לְעָפָ֑ר וָֽאַשְׁלִךְ֙ אֶת עֲפָר֔וֹ אֶל הַנַּ֖חַל הַיֹּרֵ֥ד מִן הָהָֽר
Then I took your sinful thing, the calf that you had made, and burned it with fire and crushed it, grinding it very small, until it was as fine as dust; and I threw its dust into the brook that came down from the mountain.
The relentless verb chain (took / burned / crushed / ground / threw) enacts total annihilation of the idol — fire, grinding to dust, and dispersal into the mountain stream leave nothing recoverable, a decisive negation of the calf's claim to divinity before the narrative moves to the further wilderness rebellions of v. 22.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
וְֽאֶתAnd [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker, fronted before its object for emphasisאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking חַטַּאתְכֶם as the fronted direct object of לָקַחְתִּי, resumed later in the verse.
חַטַּאתְכֶ֞םyour sinful thingN f sg constr/2mp suffix · חַטָּאת (H2403)Fronted direct object of לָקַחְתִּיחַטָּאת (H2403) 'sin'; here concretely 'the sinful thing' — i.e., the calf itself, identified with the sin it embodies.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying חַטַּאתְכֶםאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause identifying the sinful thing as the calf they had made.
עֲשִׂיתֶ֣םyou had madeQal perf 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed actעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make'; repeats the charge of vv. 12, 16 — the people's own manufacture of the idol.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָעֵגֶל in apposition, clarifying what חַטַּאתְכֶם refers to.
הָעֵ֗גֶלthe calfart + N m sg abs · עֵגֶל (H5695)Appositional direct object clarifying חַטַּאתְכֶםעֵגֶל (H5695) 'calf'; explicitly identifies the 'sinful thing' as the golden calf itself.
לָקַחְתִּי֮I tookQal perf 1cs · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause), resuming the fronted object of v. 21a→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the first of five rapid verbs enacting the calf's total destruction.
וָאֶשְׂרֹ֣ףand I burnedconj וָ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · שָׂרַף (H8313)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol), coordinate with לָקַחְתִּי→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׂרַף (H8313) 'to burn'; the idol is subjected to fire, as in Exod 32:20, negating any claim to divine power.
אֹת֣וֹ[obj] itobj marker/3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with suffix, object of וָאֶשְׂרֹףאֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, 'it' (the calf) as the object burned.
בָּאֵשׁ֒with fireprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Prepositional phrase of instrument modifying וָאֶשְׂרֹףאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the same element that marked YHWH's own theophanic presence (vv. 3, 10, 15), now consuming the idol that mimicked divine power.
וָאֶכֹּ֨תand I crushedconj וָ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · כָּתַת (H3807)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceכָּתַת (H3807) 'to crush, pound, beat to pieces'; continues the escalating destruction after burning.
אֹת֤וֹ[obj] itobj marker/3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with suffix, object of וָאֶכֹּתאֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, 'it', object of the crushing.
טָחוֹן֙grindingQal inf abs (adverbial) · טָחַן (H2912)Adverbial infinitive absolute intensifying/specifying the manner of destruction→ Infinitive absolute used adverbially: specifying manner — thorough grindingטָחַן (H2912) 'to grind'; the infinitive absolute describes the method of pulverizing the metal to powder.
הֵיטֵ֔בwellHiphil inf abs (adverbial) · יָטַב (H3190)Adverbial infinitive absolute modifying טָחוֹן→ Infinitive absolute used adverbially: intensifying thoroughnessיָטַב (H3190) Hiphil 'to do well/thoroughly'; paired with טָחוֹן to stress exhaustive, complete grinding — nothing recognizable remains.
עַ֥דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Preposition introducing the result clauseעַד (H5704) 'until'; introduces the resulting fineness of the ground powder.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative/subordinating particle with עַד, forming 'until'אֲשֶׁר (H834), combining with עַד to form the compound conjunction 'until [it was]'.
דַּ֖קit was fineQal perf 3ms · דָּקַק (H1854)Predicate verb of the result clause→ Perfective: a completed resulting state — reduced to fine powderדָּקַק (H1854) 'to be crushed fine, pulverized'; describes the calf's final state — reduced to dust, utterly annihilated.
לְעָפָ֑רas dustprep לְ + N m sg abs · עָפָר (H6083)Predicate complement of דַּק ('fine as/into dust')עָפָר (H6083) 'dust'; the idol reduced to the most insignificant, valueless substance — total negation of its claimed divinity.
וָֽאַשְׁלִךְ֙and I threwconj וָ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 1cs · שָׁלַךְ (H7993)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol), final verb of the destruction sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the final act of disposalשָׁלַךְ (H7993) Hiphil 'to throw, cast'; the same verb used of casting away the shattered tablets in v. 17, now disposing of the idol's remains.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking עֲפָרוֹ as the object of וָאַשְׁלִךְ.
עֲפָר֔וֹits dustN m sg constr/3ms suffix · עָפָר (H6083)Direct object of וָאַשְׁלִךְעָפָר (H6083) 'dust'; with 3ms suffix, 'its dust' — the pulverized remains of the calf.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase modifying וָאַשְׁלִךְאֶל (H413) 'to, into'; marks the destination of the dust's disposal.
הַנַּ֖חַלthe brookart + N m sg abs · נַחַל (H5158)Object of אֶלנַחַל (H5158) 'wadi, brook, stream'; the running water carries the dust away, final and irreversible dispersal (cf. Exod 32:20's parallel detail of Israel drinking the water).
הַיֹּרֵ֥דthat came downart + Qal ptc ms · יָרַד (H3381)Attributive participle modifying הַנַּחַל→ Participle: characterizing, ongoing description — the stream's continual descentיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down, descend'; describes the brook's flow down the mountainside, carrying the idol's remains away from the sacred site.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase modifying הַיֹּרֵדמִן (H4480) 'from'; marks the mountain as the stream's source.
הָהָֽרthe mountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Object of מִןהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; Horeb, from which the stream descends, carrying away the last trace of the calf.
22
וּבְתַבְעֵרָה֙ וּבְמַסָּ֔ה וּבְקִבְרֹ֖ת הַֽתַּאֲוָ֑ה מַקְצִפִ֥ים הֱיִיתֶ֖ם אֶת יְהוָֽה
At Taberah also, and at Massah, and at Kibroth-hattaavah, you provoked YHWH to wrath.
A rapid roll-call of place-names (Taberah, Num 11:1-3; Massah, Exod 17:1-7; Kibroth-hattaavah, Num 11:31-34) generalizes the 'stiff-necked' verdict beyond the single Horeb episode, showing the golden calf as paradigm rather than aberration before Kadesh-barnea is singled out in v. 23 as the gravest case.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וּבְתַבְעֵרָה֙And at Taberahconj וְ + prep בְּ + proper noun · תַּבְעֵרָה (H8404)Locative prepositional phrase, first of a roll-call listתַּבְעֵרָה (H8404), 'burning', a wilderness site where fire consumed the camp's edge after complaint (Num 11:1-3); named from the root בָּעַר 'to burn'.
וּבְמַסָּ֔הand at Massahconj וְ + prep בְּ + proper noun · מַסָּה (H4532)Coordinate locative prepositional phraseמַסָּה (H4532), 'testing', the site of the water-crisis and testing of YHWH at Rephidim (Exod 17:1-7).
וּבְקִבְרֹ֖תand at Kibroth-conj וְ + prep בְּ + proper noun (construct) · קִבְרוֹת (H6914)Coordinate locative prepositional phrase, construct head governing הַתַּאֲוָהקִבְרוֹת (H6914) 'graves of', construct form beginning the place-name Kibroth-hattaavah.
הַֽתַּאֲוָ֑ה-hattaavahproper noun (second element) · תַּאֲוָה (H6914)Genitive completing the place-name קִבְרֹת הַתַּאֲוָהקִבְרוֹת הַתַּאֲוָה 'graves of craving', the site where those who craved meat were struck down and buried (Num 11:31-34).
מַקְצִפִ֥יםprovoking to wrathHiphil ptc mp · קָצַף (H7107)Predicate participle in the closing summary clause→ Participle: characterizing, repeated pattern of provocationקָצַף (H7107) Hiphil 'to provoke to anger'; the same root threaded through the whole chapter (vv. 7, 8, 19), here summarizing the roll-call of rebellion sites.
הֱיִיתֶ֖םyou have beenQal perf 2mp · הָיָה (H1961)Copular verb completing the participial predicate→ Perfective: a state persisting across all the named locationsהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; auxiliary supplying tense to the participle, 'you have been provoking'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking יְהוָה as the object of provocation.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of מַקְצִפִים הֱיִיתֶםיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; object of the repeated provocations across the wilderness sites.
23
וּבִשְׁלֹ֨חַ יְהוָ֜ה אֶתְכֶ֗ם מִקָּדֵ֤שׁ בַּרְנֵ֨עַ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר עֲלוּ֙ וּרְשׁ֣וּ אֶת הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תִּי לָכֶ֑ם וַתַּמְר֗וּ אֶת פִּ֤י יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔ם וְלֹ֤א הֶֽאֱמַנְתֶּם֙ ל֔וֹ וְלֹ֥א שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖ם בְּקֹלֽוֹ
And when YHWH sent you from Kadesh-barnea, saying, 'Go up and possess the land that I have given you,' you rebelled against the command of YHWH your God, and you did not believe him or listen to his voice.
Kadesh-barnea (Num 13-14) is singled out as the paradigmatic failure — not merely disobedience but a failure of belief itself (וְלֹא הֶאֱמַנְתֶּם), directly reversing the positive command 'go up and possess' with which the chapter opened in v. 1, and explaining why that generation did not enter the land.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וּבִשְׁלֹ֨חַAnd when... sentconj וְ + prep בְּ + Qal inf constr · שָׁלַח (H7971)Temporal infinitive clause opening the verse→ Infinitive: temporal — marks the moment of dispatchשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; the infinitive introduces the Kadesh-barnea episode (Num 13), YHWH's dispatch of the spies/people toward the land.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of בִּשְׁלֹחַיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the sending.
אֶתְכֶ֗ם[obj] youobj marker/2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker, object of בִּשְׁלֹחַאֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix, 'you', object of the sending.
מִקָּדֵ֤שׁfrom Kadeshprep מִן + proper noun · קָדֵשׁ (H6947)Prepositional phrase modifying בִּשְׁלֹחַקָדֵשׁ (H6947), Kadesh(-barnea), the staging point for the ill-fated attempt to enter the land (Num 13:26).
בַּרְנֵ֨עַ֙Barneaproper noun (second element) · בַּרְנֵעַ (H6947)Genitive completing the place-name קָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַבַּרְנֵעַ, completing the compound place-name Kadesh-barnea, site of the spies' report and the people's fatal refusal to advance.
לֵאמֹ֔רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive introducing the quoted divine command→ Infinitive: introduces direct quotationאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the לֵאמֹר formula introduces YHWH's original command to advance and possess the land.
עֲלוּ֙Go upQal impv 2mp · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (imperative, quoted command)→ Volitional: urgent imperative commandעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; the original divine command, directly reversing the disobedience about to be narrated.
וּרְשׁ֣וּand possessconj וְ + Qal impv 2mp · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (imperative), coordinate with עֲלוּ→ Volitional: urgent imperative commandיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess'; the chapter's key verb of conquest, here in the original positive command that the people would fail to obey.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָאָרֶץ as object of וּרְשׁוּ.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of וּרְשׁוּאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the promised land, object of the original command to possess.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause naming YHWH as the land's giver.
נָתַ֖תִּיI have givenQal perf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, already-decided act of giftנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; YHWH's own first-person declaration, treating the land-gift as already settled fact, not contingent on conquest.
לָכֶ֑םto youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְIndirect-object complement of נָתַתִּילְ 'to, for'; marks Israel as the recipient of the land-gift.
וַתַּמְר֗וּbut you rebelledconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 2mp · מָרָה (H4784)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the pivotal act of defianceמָרָה (H4784) Hiphil 'to rebel, be defiant'; the same root as מַמְרִים (v. 7, 24), naming the Kadesh-barnea refusal as paradigmatic rebellion.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking פִּי יְהוָה as object of וַתַּמְרוּ.
פִּ֤יthe mouth ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Direct object of וַתַּמְרוּ, construct headפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; idiom 'the mouth of YHWH' for his spoken command, rebelled against.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing the construct chain פִּי יְהוָהיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; possessor of the 'mouth'/command rebelled against.
אֱלֹ֣הֵיכֶ֔םyour GodN m pl constr/2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional noun in apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; 'your God' in apposition, intensifying the betrayal of the covenant relationship.
וְלֹ֤אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates הֶאֱמַנְתֶּםלֹא (H3808), the standard negative; introduces the deeper charge beneath the rebellion — lack of faith.
הֶֽאֱמַנְתֶּם֙you believedHiphil perf 2mp · אָמַן (H539)Predicate verb (negated, main clause)→ Perfective: a completed (negated) act — faith withheldאָמַן (H539) Hiphil 'to believe, trust, have faith in'; the root behind 'amen' — the gravest charge of the chapter, a failure of trust itself, not merely disobedience.
ל֔וֹin himprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְComplement of הֶאֱמַנְתֶּםלְ 'to, in'; marks YHWH as the object of the withheld trust.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates שְׁמַעְתֶּםלֹא (H3808), repeated negative introducing the final charge of the verse.
שְׁמַעְתֶּ֖םyou listenedQal perf 2mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (negated, main clause)→ Perfective: a completed (negated) act — refusal to heedשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; the chapter's opening verb (v. 1) now negated — the ultimate failure to heed YHWH's voice.
בְּקֹלֽוֹhis voiceprep בְּ + N m sg constr/3ms suffix · קוֹל (H6963)Prepositional phrase, object complement of שְׁמַעְתֶּםקוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; the object of the refused hearing/obedience, closing the verse's indictment.
24
מַמְרִ֥ים הֱיִיתֶ֖ם עִם יְהוָ֑ה מִיּ֖וֹם דַּעְתִּ֥י אֶתְכֶֽם
You have been rebellious against YHWH from the day that I knew you.
This terse summary verse closes the ring begun in v. 7 ('from the day you went out of Egypt... you have been rebellious'), now compressed to a single sweeping indictment covering the ENTIRE span of Moses' acquaintance with the people, before the chapter pivots back to the intercession scene in v. 25.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
מַמְרִ֥יםrebelliousHiphil ptc mp · מָרָה (H4784)Predicate participle in the closing summary clause→ Participle: a settled, characterizing state — habitual rebellionמָרָה (H4784) Hiphil 'to be rebellious'; repeats v. 7's verdict verbatim, now closing the entire historical retrospective (vv. 7-24) with the same charge it opened with.
הֱיִיתֶ֖םyou have beenQal perf 2mp · הָיָה (H1961)Copular verb completing the participial predicate מַמְרִים→ Perfective: a state persisting across the whole span of acquaintanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; auxiliary supplying tense, 'you have been rebellious', repeating v. 7's phrasing exactly.
עִםagainstprep · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase of opposition modifying מַמְרִים הֱיִיתֶםעִם (H5973) 'with'; adversative sense 'against', as in v. 7.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of עִםיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; object of the summarizing charge of rebellion.
מִיּ֖וֹםfrom the dayprep מִן + N m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase modifying the whole clauseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; construct with the following infinitive, marking the starting point of the whole span in view.
דַּעְתִּ֥יmy knowingQal inf constr/1cs suffix · יָדַע (H3045)Infinitive construct as object of מִיּוֹם ('from the day I knew you')→ Infinitive: temporal starting pointיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; the infinitive with 1cs subject dates the rebellion to the entirety of Moses' acquaintance/leadership of the people.
אֶתְכֶֽם[obj] youobj marker/2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker, object of דַּעְתִּיאֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix, 'you', object of Moses' knowing.
25
וָֽאֶתְנַפַּ֞ל לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֗ה אֵ֣ת אַרְבָּעִ֥ים הַיּ֛וֹם וְאֶת אַרְבָּעִ֥ים הַלַּ֖יְלָה אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִתְנַפָּ֑לְתִּי כִּֽי אָמַ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה לְהַשְׁמִ֥יד אֶתְכֶֽם
So I fell down before YHWH for forty days and forty nights, as I had done at the first, because YHWH had said he would destroy you.
Having broadened the indictment across the whole wilderness period (vv. 22-24), the narrative now returns to the Horeb intercession scene of vv. 18-20, reprising it as introduction to the actual content of Moses' prayer, which follows verbatim in vv. 26-29.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וָֽאֶתְנַפַּ֞לSo I fell downconj וָ + Hitpael wayyiqtol 1cs · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol), resuming the intercession narrative→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָפַל (H5307) Hitpael 'to prostrate oneself'; repeats v. 18's verb, resuming the intercession scene after the historical digression of vv. 22-24.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase modifying וָאֶתְנַפַּלפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; with לִפְנֵי, 'before' — the posture of intercession, as in v. 18.
יְהוָ֗הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; before whom Moses again prostrates himself.
אֵ֣ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking a following adverbial accusative of duration)אֵת (H853), here marking the duration phrase אַרְבָּעִים הַיּוֹם as an adverbial accusative, an unusual but attested use of the object marker.
אַרְבָּעִ֥יםfortynumeral · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Adverbial accusative of duration modifying הַיּוֹםאַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; the fast's length, repeating vv. 9, 18.
הַיּ֛וֹםthe daysart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; here articular, referring back to the specific forty days already narrated.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker, coordinate with אֵת אַרְבָּעִים הַיּוֹםאֵת (H853), marking the parallel duration phrase for the nights.
אַרְבָּעִ֥יםfortynumeral · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Adverbial accusative of duration modifying הַלַּיְלָהאַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; paired count for the nights.
הַלַּ֖יְלָהthe nightsart + N m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Adverbial accusative of duration, coordinate with הַיּוֹםלַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; articular, referring back to the same already-narrated period.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying the forty-day/night periodאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause identifying this period as the one already described (vv. 18-20).
הִתְנַפָּ֑לְתִּיI had prostrated myselfHitpael perf 1cs · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior act, explicitly cross-referencedנָפַל (H5307) Hitpael 'to prostrate oneself'; explicitly links this summary statement back to the fast already narrated in vv. 18-20.
כִּֽיbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the reason for the fastכִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; gives the reason for the second intercession — YHWH's stated intent to destroy.
אָמַ֥רhad saidQal perf 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior speech-actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; recalls YHWH's declared intention in v. 14.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of אָמַריְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the prior threat.
לְהַשְׁמִ֥ידhe would destroyprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · שָׁמַד (H8045)Complement infinitive clause of אָמַר→ Infinitive: complementary — the content of what YHWH had saidשָׁמַד (H8045) Hiphil 'to destroy'; the same threatened outcome named throughout the chapter (vv. 8, 14, 19), the motive for Moses' repeated intercession.
אֶתְכֶֽם[obj] youobj marker/2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker, object of לְהַשְׁמִידאֵת (H853) with 2mp suffix, 'you', the object of the threatened destruction.
26
וָאֶתְפַּלֵּ֣ל אֶל יְהוָה֮ וָאֹמַר֒ אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֗ה אַל תַּשְׁחֵ֤ת עַמְּךָ֙ וְנַחֲלָ֣תְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֥ר פָּדִ֖יתָ בְּגָדְלֶ֑ךָ אֲשֶׁר הוֹצֵ֥אתָ מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם בְּיָ֥ד חֲזָקָֽה
And I prayed to YHWH and said, 'O Lord YHWH, do not destroy your people and your inheritance, whom you redeemed through your greatness, whom you brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand.'
The prayer opens with the double appeal 'your people, your inheritance' (עַמְּךָ וְנַחֲלָתְךָ) — pressing YHWH's own prior claim of ownership and redemption against his stated intention to destroy them; 'whom you redeemed... with a mighty hand' grounds the appeal in YHWH's own past redemptive acts, not Israel's merit.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וָאֶתְפַּלֵּ֣לAnd I prayedconj וָ + Hitpael wayyiqtol 1cs · פָּלַל (H6419)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol), introducing the direct-quoted prayer→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּלַל (H6419) Hitpael 'to pray, intercede'; introduces the prayer's actual content, quoted verbatim through v. 29.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase modifying וָאֶתְפַּלֵּלאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks YHWH as the addressee of the prayer.
יְהוָה֮YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of אֶליְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; addressee of the intercessory prayer.
וָאֹמַר֒and saidconj וָ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol), introducing the direct quotation→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the standard formula introducing the verbatim words of the prayer.
אֲדֹנָ֣יO LordN m pl constr/1cs suffix (divine title) · אָדוֹן (H136)Vocative, opening address of the prayerאָדוֹן (H136) 'lord, master'; plural of majesty with 1cs suffix, the reverent title of address opening the prayer.
יְהוִ֗הYHWHproper noun (pointed as Elohim) · יְהוִה (H3069)Vocative, in apposition to אֲדֹנָייְהוִה (H3069), the Tetragrammaton pointed with the vowels of אֱלֹהִים (to avoid repeating אֲדֹנָי's own vowels); the combination 'Lord YHWH' is a solemn form of address.
אַלdo notnegative particle · אַל (H408)Negates the jussive תַּשְׁחֵתאַל (H408), the negative particle for prohibitions/jussives, opening the prayer's central petition.
תַּשְׁחֵ֤תdestroyHiphil jussive 2ms · שָׁחַת (H7843)Predicate verb (prohibition, main petition of the prayer)→ Volitional (negated jussive): the prayer's central, urgent petitionשָׁחַת (H7843) Hiphil 'to destroy, ruin'; the same root used of Israel's own corruption in v. 12 (שִׁחֵת), now the verb of the destruction Moses begs YHWH not to carry out.
עַמְּךָ֙your peopleN m sg constr/2ms suffix · עַם (H5971)Direct object of תַּשְׁחֵתעַם (H5971) 'people'; pointedly 'YOUR people' — reversing YHWH's own distancing language of v. 12 ('your people' addressed to Moses), now pressed back as YHWH's own possession.
וְנַחֲלָ֣תְךָ֔and your inheritanceconj וְ + N f sg constr/2ms suffix · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Coordinate direct object of תַּשְׁחֵתנַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance, possession'; Israel as YHWH's own inherited possession, a key covenant term doubling the appeal alongside עַמְּךָ.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying עַמְּךָ וְנַחֲלָתְךָאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause grounding the appeal in YHWH's own prior redemptive act.
פָּדִ֖יתָyou redeemedQal perf 2ms · פָּדָה (H6299)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, foundational redemptive actפָּדָה (H6299) 'to redeem, ransom'; recalls the exodus as an act of costly divine redemption, grounding the appeal in YHWH's own prior investment.
בְּגָדְלֶ֑ךָthrough your greatnessprep בְּ + N m sg constr/2ms suffix · גֹּדֶל (H1433)Prepositional phrase of means modifying פָּדִיתָגֹּדֶל (H1433) 'greatness'; the means/instrument of the redemption — YHWH's own great power, not Israel's merit.
אֲשֶׁרwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a second clause, coordinate with the firstאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing a second descriptive clause, again grounding the appeal in the exodus deliverance.
הוֹצֵ֥אתָyou brought outHiphil perf 2ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of deliveranceיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; the exodus, here attributed directly to YHWH (contrast v. 12's ironic attribution to Moses).
מִמִּצְרַ֖יִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Prepositional phrase modifying הוֹצֵאתָמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt; the place of bondage from which YHWH delivered Israel.
בְּיָ֥דwith a handprep בְּ + N c sg abs · יָד (H3027)Prepositional phrase of means modifying הוֹצֵאתָיָד (H3027) 'hand'; construct-like phrase 'with a mighty hand', the classic exodus formula (Deut 4:34; 5:15; 26:8).
חֲזָקָֽהmightyadj f sg abs · חָזָק (H2389)Attributive adjective modifying יָדחָזָק (H2389) 'strong, mighty'; completing the standard exodus idiom 'a mighty hand', emphasizing YHWH's own power as the ground of appeal.
27
זְכֹר֙ לַעֲבָדֶ֔יךָ לְאַבְרָהָ֥ם לְיִצְחָ֖ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹ֑ב אַל תֵּ֗פֶן אֶל קְשִׁי֙ הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה וְאֶל רִשְׁע֖וֹ וְאֶל חַטָּאתֽוֹ
Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; do not look at the stubbornness of this people, or at their wickedness, or at their sin,
זְכֹר here echoes the same imperative used of Israel's own duty to remember in v. 7, now redirected as a plea for YHWH to remember the patriarchs instead of the present generation's failures; the triple negative object (stubbornness / wickedness / sin) asks YHWH to look past the very charges the chapter has just spent 24 verses proving.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
זְכֹר֙RememberQal impv 2ms · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (imperative, second petition of the prayer)→ Volitional: urgent imperative petitionזָכַר (H2142) 'to remember'; echoes the same imperative Israel was commanded in v. 7, now redirected as a plea for YHWH to remember the patriarchs instead of the present generation's sins.
לַעֲבָדֶ֔יךָyour servantsprep לְ + N m pl constr/2ms suffix · עֶבֶד (H5650)Prepositional phrase, object of זְכֹרעֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; with לְ, the object remembered — the patriarchs as YHWH's own faithful servants, named individually next.
לְאַבְרָהָ֥םAbrahamprep לְ + proper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Appositional complement specifying עֲבָדֶיךָאַבְרָהָם (H85), first of the three patriarchs, recipient of the original land-oath (Gen 15:18).
לְיִצְחָ֖קIsaacprep לְ + proper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Appositional complement, coordinate with לְאַבְרָהָםיִצְחָק (H3327), the second patriarch, heir of the same covenant promise.
וּֽלְיַעֲקֹ֑בand Jacobconj וְ + prep לְ + proper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Appositional complement, closing the patriarchal triadיַעֲקֹב (H3290), the third patriarch; the triad recurs from v. 5, now as the ground of the intercessory appeal rather than the land-conquest.
אַלdo notnegative particle · אַל (H408)Negates the jussive תֵּפֶןאַל (H408), the negative particle for prohibitions/jussives, opening the second petition.
תֵּ֗פֶןlookQal jussive 2ms · פָּנָה (H6437)Predicate verb (prohibition, main petition)→ Volitional (negated jussive): a plea to overlook the people's sinפָּנָה (H6437) 'to turn, face, look'; negated jussive, 'do not turn/look toward' — a plea for YHWH to disregard rather than scrutinize the people's failures.
אֶלatprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, object of תֵּפֶןאֶל (H413) 'to, at'; introduces the first of three objects Moses asks YHWH to overlook.
קְשִׁי֙the stubbornness ofN m sg constr · קְשִׁי (H7190)Object of אֶל, construct head governing הָעָםקְשִׁי (H7190) 'stubbornness, hardness'; cognate with קָשֶׁה of v. 6/13 ('stiff-necked'), the first of the triple charge Moses asks YHWH to overlook.
הָעָ֣םthis peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive completing the construct chain קְשִׁי הָעָםעַם (H5971) 'people'; the people whose stubbornness Moses begs YHWH not to regard.
הַזֶּ֔הthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָעָםזֶה (H2088), masculine demonstrative 'this', specifying the people under discussion.
וְאֶלor atconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinate prepositional phrase, second object of תֵּפֶןאֶל (H413) 'to, at'; introduces the second of three things Moses asks YHWH to overlook.
רִשְׁע֖וֹtheir wickednessN m sg constr/3ms suffix · רֶשַׁע (H7562)Object of the second וְאֶלרֶשַׁע (H7562) 'wickedness'; cognate with רִשְׁעָה used throughout vv. 4-5 of the nations, now applied — startlingly — to Israel's own conduct.
וְאֶלor atconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinate prepositional phrase, third object of תֵּפֶןאֶל (H413) 'to, at'; introduces the third and final item of the triple petition.
חַטָּאתֽוֹtheir sinN f sg constr/3ms suffix · חַטָּאת (H2403)Object of the third וְאֶלחַטָּאת (H2403) 'sin'; closes the triple negative object (stubbornness / wickedness / sin), asking YHWH to overlook the very charges the chapter has spent 24 verses proving.
28
פֶּן יֹאמְר֗וּ הָאָרֶץ֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר הוֹצֵאתָ֣נוּ מִשָּׁם֒ מִבְּלִי֙ יְכֹ֣לֶת יְהוָ֔ה לַהֲבִיאָ֕ם אֶל הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּ֣ר לָהֶ֑ם וּמִשִּׂנְאָת֣וֹ אוֹתָ֔ם הוֹצִיאָ֖ם לַהֲמִתָ֥ם בַּמִּדְבָּֽר
lest the land from which you brought us out say, 'Because YHWH was not able to bring them into the land that he promised them, and because he hated them, he has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.'
פֶּן ('lest') introduces the prayer's rhetorical masterstroke: a hypothetical taunt attributed to the nations (or the land personified), which would read Israel's destruction as either divine incapacity ('not able') or malice ('hated them') — an argument aimed squarely at YHWH's honor rather than Israel's worth, paralleling Moses' intercession in Exod 32:12 and Num 14:15-16.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative-purpose conjunction introducing the feared consequenceפֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; introduces the prayer's rhetorical masterstroke — a hypothetical taunt aimed at YHWH's own reputation.
יֹאמְר֗וּthey might sayQal impf 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb of the פֶּן-clause→ Yiqtol: modal — a feared potential future statementאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the hypothetical taunt to be quoted, attributed to the land (or its former inhabitants/the nations).
הָאָרֶץ֮the landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of יֹאמְרוּ (personified)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; personified as a rhetorical subject giving voice to public opinion — the land from which Israel came, i.e. Egypt (per the relative clause following).
אֲשֶׁ֣רfrom whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause identifying the land as the one out of which YHWH brought Israel — i.e., Egypt.
הוֹצֵאתָ֣נוּyou brought us outHiphil perf 2ms/1cp suffix · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of deliveranceיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; identifies הָאָרֶץ as Egypt, the land of the exodus.
מִשָּׁם֒from thereprep מִן + adverb · שָׁם (H8033)Prepositional phrase modifying הוֹצֵאתָנוּשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; with מִן, 'from there' — resuming/confirming the place just named.
מִבְּלִי֙because of the inability ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · בְּלִי (H1097)Causal prepositional phrase introducing the taunt's first clauseבְּלִי (H1097) 'without, lack, failure'; with מִן, forms the idiom 'because of the inability/failure of' — the taunt's central accusation.
יְכֹ֣לֶתthe abilityQal inf constr (used substantivally) · יָכֹל (H3201)Infinitive construct functioning as a noun, object of מִבְּלִי→ Infinitive (substantival use): the capacity/ability in questionיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; here nominalized, 'ability, power' — negated by the phrase, the taunt claims YHWH LACKED the power to fulfill his promise.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject/genitive of יְכֹלֶתיְהוָה (H3068), the Tetragrammaton; subject of the (denied) ability — the taunt strikes directly at YHWH's reputation for power.
לַהֲבִיאָ֕םto bring them inprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr/3mp suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Purpose infinitive clause completing יְכֹלֶת→ Infinitive: complement — the ability/action in questionבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring in'; specifies what YHWH allegedly lacked the power to do — bring Israel into the land.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase modifying לַהֲבִיאָםאֶל (H413) 'to, into'; marks the destination of the (denied) bringing-in.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of אֶלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; here the promised land, contrasted with the first הָאָרֶץ (Egypt) earlier in the verse.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying הָאָרֶץאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the clause identifying the land as the one promised.
דִּבֶּ֣רhe promisedPiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior promiseדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; here 'promised', the same verb used of the land-oath throughout the chapter (v. 3).
לָהֶ֑םto themprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְIndirect-object complement of דִּבֶּרלְ 'to, for'; marks Israel as the recipients of the promise allegedly unfulfilled.
וּמִשִּׂנְאָת֣וֹand because of his hatredconj וְ + prep מִן + N f sg constr/3ms suffix · שִׂנְאָה (H8135)Coordinate causal prepositional phrase, second alleged motiveשִׂנְאָה (H8135) 'hatred'; the taunt's second, alternate accusation — not incapacity but malice, an equally damaging charge against YHWH's character.
אוֹתָ֔ם[obj] themobj marker/3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with suffix, resumptive object of הוֹצִיאָםאֵת (H853) with 3mp suffix, 'them', anticipating the object of the verb that follows.
הוֹצִיאָ֖םhe brought them outHiphil perf 3ms/3mp suffix · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the taunt's second clause→ Perfective: a completed act, reinterpreted maliciously by the tauntיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; the same exodus-verb used positively throughout the chapter, here twisted by the taunt into a malicious act — bringing them out only to kill them.
לַהֲמִתָ֥םto kill themprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr/3mp suffix · מוּת (H4191)Purpose infinitive clause modifying הוֹצִיאָם→ Infinitive: purpose — the taunt's alleged malicious intentמוּת (H4191) Hiphil 'to kill, put to death'; the taunt's damning conclusion — the exodus reinterpreted as a death sentence, not deliverance.
בַּמִּדְבָּֽרin the wildernessprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phrase modifying לַהֲמִתָםמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness'; the site of the alleged malicious killing — the same wilderness that has framed the chapter's whole historical retrospective.
29
וְהֵ֥ם עַמְּךָ֖ וְנַחֲלָתֶ֑ךָ אֲשֶׁ֤ר הוֹצֵ֨אתָ֙ בְּכֹחֲךָ֣ הַגָּדֹ֔ל וּבִֽזְרֹעֲךָ֖ הַנְּטוּיָֽה
For they are your people and your inheritance, whom you brought out by your great power and by your outstretched arm.
The prayer closes exactly as it opened — 'your people and your inheritance' — bracketing the whole intercession (vv. 26-29) with the same possessive appeal; 'your great power... your outstretched arm' recalls the exodus formula (cf. Deut 4:34; 5:15) and leaves the chapter's disclaimer-argument resting entirely on YHWH's own prior commitment rather than on anything Israel has done.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְהֵ֥םfor they (are)conj וְ + independent pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject of the closing nominal clause, resumptiveהֵם (H1992), third masculine plural pronoun; resumes 'they' (Israel), closing the prayer with a final, emphatic ground of appeal.
עַמְּךָ֖your peopleN m sg constr/2ms suffix · עַם (H5971)Predicate noun of the nominal clauseעַם (H5971) 'people'; repeats the appeal of v. 26, forming an inclusio bracketing the whole prayer.
וְנַחֲלָתֶ֑ךָand your inheritanceconj וְ + N f sg constr/2ms suffix · נַחֲלָה (H5159)Coordinate predicate nounנַחֲלָה (H5159) 'inheritance'; repeats v. 26's term, closing the inclusio with the prayer's opening appeal.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause modifying עַמְּךָ וְנַחֲלָתֶךָאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the final grounding clause of the prayer, again the exodus deliverance.
הוֹצֵ֨אתָ֙you brought outHiphil perf 2ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act of deliveranceיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; the exodus, closing the prayer as it was invoked in its opening (v. 26).
בְּכֹחֲךָ֣by your powerprep בְּ + N m sg constr/2ms suffix · כֹּחַ (H3581)Prepositional phrase of means modifying הוֹצֵאתָכֹּחַ (H3581) 'strength, power'; the means of deliverance, echoing the exodus formula alongside 'mighty hand' and 'outstretched arm'.
הַגָּדֹ֔לgreatart + adj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying כֹּחֲךָגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great'; intensifies כֹּחַ, 'your great power', the standard exodus vocabulary (cf. Deut 4:37; 26:8).
וּבִֽזְרֹעֲךָ֖and by your armconj וְ + prep בְּ + N c sg constr/2ms suffix · זְרוֹעַ (H2220)Coordinate prepositional phrase of meansזְרוֹעַ (H2220) 'arm'; paired with כֹּחַ in the classic exodus formula 'mighty hand and outstretched arm' (Deut 4:34; 5:15; 26:8).
הַנְּטוּיָֽהoutstretchedart + Qal passive ptc fs · נָטָה (H5186)Attributive participle modifying זְרֹעֲךָ→ Participle (passive): a vivid, characterizing image — the arm extended in decisive actionנָטָה (H5186) Qal passive ptc 'stretched out, extended'; completes the classic exodus formula, an image of divine power actively, visibly exerted on Israel's behalf.