Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Exodus, Chapter 23שמות 23

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

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

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

Theme

Courtroom integrity — no false witness, no bribery, no partiality toward rich, poor, or enemy — opens, followed by sacred time: the sabbatical year, weekly sabbath, and three pilgrimage feasts. It closes on promise: an Angel bearing YHWH's name will lead Israel into Canaan, driving out its nations by degrees, on uncompromising loyalty.

Translation & textual notes

Exodus 23 closes the 'Book of the Covenant' (Exod 20:22-23:33) begun after the Decalogue, moving from case law on judicial integrity (vv.1-9) through the sacred calendar — sabbatical year, Sabbath, and three pilgrimage feasts (vv.10-19) — to a promissory epilogue built around the enigmatic Angel of the Presence, in whom God's own name resides (vv.20-33). The Masoretic Text is well preserved throughout; the Samaritan Pentateuch and LXX show only minor harmonizing variants (e.g. slightly different festival terminology and a straightforward ἄγγελος for מַלְאָךְ without added interpretive gloss). The most debated exegetical crux is the identity and status of the מַלְאָךְ that bears the divine שֵׁם (v.21) — patristic and later Christian tradition frequently read this as a christophany or hypostasis, while Jewish exegesis (e.g. Rashi) treats it as a fully commissioned angelic agent invested with, but not identical to, divine authority. A second celebrated crux is the prohibition on boiling a kid in its mother's milk (v.19b), repeated verbatim at 34:26 and Deut 14:21, whose original rationale (a polemic against a Canaanite/Ugaritic fertility rite, on one line of scholarship, versus a broader ethical-symbolic separation of life and death, on another) remains debated, though it became foundational for later halakhic kashrut.

1

לֹ֥א תִשָּׂ֖א שֵׁ֣מַע שָׁ֑וְא אַל תָּ֤שֶׁת יָֽדְךָ֙ עִם רָשָׁ֔ע לִהְיֹ֖ת עֵ֥ד חָמָֽס

You shall not spread a false report; do not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.

New topical unit (opening prohibition)asyndeton
Opens a new block of covenant-code case law on judicial integrity, moving from social/cultic law (chs. 21-22) to courtroom ethics; the asyndetic opening signals a fresh topic.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
לֹ֥אnotNeg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (verbal negation)לֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle; negates the following finite verb (a durative prohibition).
תִשָּׂ֖אyou shall utter/raiseQal impf 2ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: modal prohibition — negated imperfect functioning as a durative commandנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, raise'; here idiomatic 'utter, spread' (a report).
שֵׁ֣מַעa report ofN m sg constr · שֵׁמַע (H8088)Direct object (construct)שֵׁמַע (H8088) 'report, rumor, hearsay', from שָׁמַע 'to hear'; construct before שָׁוְא.
שָׁ֑וְאfalsehoodN m sg abs · שָׁוְא (H7723)Genitive modifier (construct chain: 'a report of falsehood')שָׁוְא (H7723) 'emptiness, falsehood, vanity'; qualifies שֵׁמַע as a false, malicious report.
אַלdo notNeg particle (volitional) · אַל (H408)Negative particle (volitional negation)אַל (H408) negates volitional forms (jussive/imperative), introducing a fresh prohibition distinct from לֹא + yiqtol.
תָּ֤שֶׁתputQal jussive 2ms · שִׁית (H7896)Predicate verb (jussive prohibition)→ Jussive: volitional negation — 'do not put'שִׁית (H7896) 'to put, set, place'; idiom שִׁית יָד עִם, 'to join hands with, side with.'
יָֽדְךָ֙your handN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Direct objectיָד (H3027) 'hand'; with עִם forms the idiom 'to side with, support.'
עִםwithprep · עִם (H5973)Prepositional complementעִם (H5973) 'with, together with.'
רָשָׁ֔עa wicked manAdj m sg abs (subst.) · רָשָׁע (H7563)Object of prepositionרָשָׁע (H7563) 'wicked, guilty (one)'; substantival adjective, the guilty party in a legal dispute.
לִהְיֹ֖תto beprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָיָה (H1961)Purpose infinitive construct clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result — 'so as to be'הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; with לְ expresses the purpose/result of the collusion.
עֵ֥דa witness ofN m sg constr · עֵד (H5707)Predicate nominative (complement of לִהְיֹת, construct)עֵד (H5707) 'witness'; construct before חָמָס.
חָמָֽסviolenceN m sg abs · חָמָס (H2555)Genitive modifier (construct: 'a witness of violence')חָמָס (H2555) 'violence, wrong, malicious injustice'; a witness whose testimony perpetrates injustice.
2

לֹֽא תִהְיֶ֥ה אַחֲרֵֽי רַבִּ֖ים לְרָעֹ֑ת וְלֹא תַעֲנֶ֣ה עַל רִ֗ב לִנְטֹ֛ת אַחֲרֵ֥י רַבִּ֖ים לְהַטֹּֽת

You shall not follow a majority to do evil, and you shall not testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after the majority to pervert justice.

Continuation (topical, asyndetic)asyndeton
Extends the judicial-integrity topic from personal collusion (v.1) to social conformity — pressure of the majority is equally illegitimate grounds for testimony.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
לֹֽאnotNeg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle (verbal negation)
תִהְיֶ֥הyou shall be/followQal impf 2ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: modal prohibitionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; idiom הָיָה אַחֲרֵי 'to be after/follow, side with.'
אַחֲרֵֽיafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase (following)אַחַר/אַחֲרֵי (H310) 'after, behind'; here 'following, siding with.'
רַבִּ֖יםthe majorityAdj m pl abs (subst.) · רַב (H7227)Object of prepositionרַב (H7227) 'many, great'; substantival plural 'the majority, the crowd.'
לְרָעֹ֑תto do evilprep לְ + N f pl abs · רָעָה (H7451)Purpose prepositional phrase (result: '...to evil')רָעָה (H7451) 'evil, wickedness'; plural 'evil deeds', object of לְ purpose.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + Neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating negative particleconjunction וְ + לֹא (H3808), continuing the prohibition series.
תַעֲנֶ֣הyou shall testifyQal impf 2ms · עָנָה (H6030)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: modal prohibitionעָנָה (H6030) 'to answer, testify, respond' (legal sense: to testify in a case).
עַלconcerningprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (legal case)עַל (H5921) 'upon, concerning'; marks the legal dispute testified about.
רִ֗בa disputeN c sg abs · רִיב (H7379)Object of prepositionרִיב (H7379) 'strife, dispute, lawsuit'; the legal case in view.
לִנְטֹ֛תso as to turn asideprep לְ + Qal inf constr · נָטָה (H5186)Purpose infinitive construct clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result — perverting testimonyנָטָה (H5186) 'to stretch out, turn aside'; here 'to skew, distort (justice).'
אַחֲרֵ֥יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase (resuming crowd-following motif)אַחַר (H310), repeated: 'after, following.'
רַבִּ֖יםthe majorityAdj m pl abs (subst.) · רַב (H7227)Object of prepositionרַב (H7227), second occurrence; 'the majority.'
לְהַטֹּֽתso as to pervertprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · נָטָה (H5186)Purpose infinitive construct clause (Hiphil, result)→ Infinitive construct (Hiphil): purpose/result — decisive perversion of justiceנָטָה (H5186) Hiphil הִטָּה 'to cause to turn aside, pervert, twist'; final clause naming the outcome: perverted justice.
3

וְדָ֕ל לֹ֥א תֶהְדַּ֖ר בְּרִיבֽוֹ

And you shall not show favoritism to a poor man in his dispute.

Coordinate continuation, balancing counter-caseוְ
Balances vv.1-2's warning against harming the guilty/powerful with a matching warning against misplaced pity for the poor — justice must be truly impartial.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
וְדָ֕לand the poorconj וְ + Adj m sg abs (subst.) · דַּל (H1800)Casus pendens: fronted topic (resumed by suffix in בְּרִיבוֹ)דַּל (H1800) 'poor, low, weak'; the vulnerable party opposite the רָשָׁע/רַבִּים of vv.1-2 — justice must not bend toward pity either.
לֹ֥אnotNeg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
תֶהְדַּ֖רyou shall favorQal impf 2ms · הָדַר (H1921)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: modal prohibition — do not show partialityהָדַר (H1921) 'to honor, favor, be partial to'; judicial favoritism toward the poor is as forbidden as siding with the great.
בְּרִיבֽוֹin his disputeprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 3ms suffix · רִיב (H7379)Locative/adverbial prepositional phraseרִיב (H7379) 'dispute, lawsuit' + 3ms suffix; same term as v.2, closing the inclusio on impartial justice.
4

כִּ֣י תִפְגַּ֞ע שׁ֧וֹר אֹֽיִבְךָ֛ א֥וֹ חֲמֹר֖וֹ תֹּעֶ֑ה הָשֵׁ֥ב תְּשִׁיבֶ֖נּוּ לֽוֹ

If you come upon your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you must return it to him.

New casuistic case (protasis-apodosis)asyndeton
Introduces a fresh case-law unit (כִּי + yiqtol protasis) shifting from courtroom ethics to interpersonal ethics toward a personal enemy — the moral floor is set higher than partisan feeling.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
כִּ֣יifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional/causal conjunction (introduces case law)כִּי (H3588) here casuistic 'if, when' introducing a case-law protasis.
תִפְגַּ֞עyou meetQal impf 2ms · פָּגַע (H6293)Predicate verb (protasis, conditional)→ Yiqtol: conditional/future — the hypothetical caseפָּגַע (H6293) 'to meet, encounter, come upon'; a chance encounter, not intentional seeking.
שׁ֧וֹרan ox ofN m sg constr · שׁוֹר (H7794)Direct objectשׁוֹר (H7794) 'ox, bull'; construct before אֹיִבְךָ.
אֹֽיִבְךָ֛your enemyQal ptc m sg constr + 2ms suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Genitive modifier (construct chain: 'ox of your enemy')אֹיֵב (H341), Qal participle of אָיַב 'to be hostile'; substantival 'enemy' — a personal foe, not just a legal opponent.
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or', joining alternative objects.
חֲמֹר֖וֹhis donkeyN c sg constr + 3ms suffix · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Coordinate direct objectחֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey, ass'; paired with שׁוֹר as common draft/pack animals.
תֹּעֶ֑הwanderingQal ptc m sg abs · תָּעָה (H8582)Attributive participle (modifying שׁוֹר...חֲמֹרוֹ)→ Participle: durative state — ongoing strayingתָּעָה (H8582) 'to wander, go astray'; describes the animal's lost condition triggering the duty of return.
הָשֵׁ֥בsurelyHiphil inf abs · שׁוּב (H7725)Infinitive absolute intensifying the finite verb (emphatic construction)→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — reinforces the obligation as certain, not optionalשׁוּב (H7725) Hiphil 'to bring back, restore'; infinitive absolute + finite verb = emphatic 'you must surely return.'
תְּשִׁיבֶ֖נּוּyou shall return itHiphil impf 2ms + 3ms suffix · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (apodosis, emphatic)→ Yiqtol (Hiphil): emphatic obligation, reinforced by preceding infinitive absoluteשׁוּב (H7725), completing the emphatic construction with הָשֵׁב.
לֽוֹto himprep + 3ms suffix · לְ (H3807)Indirect object (dative of recipient)
5

כִּֽי תִרְאֶ֞ה חֲמ֣וֹר שֹׂנַאֲךָ֗ רֹבֵץ֙ תַּ֣חַת מַשָּׂא֔וֹ וְחָדַלְתָּ֖ מֵעֲזֹ֣ב ל֑וֹ עָזֹ֥ב תַּעֲזֹ֖ב עִמּֽוֹ

If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying helpless under its load, and would refrain from helping it, you must help him with it.

Coordinate/parallel case (extending v.4)asyndeton
A parallel case to v.4, intensifying the point: not merely returning lost property but actively helping an enemy in distress, overriding the natural impulse (וְחָדַלְתָּ) to abandon him.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
כִּֽיifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional conjunction
תִרְאֶ֞הyou seeQal impf 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (protasis)→ Yiqtol: conditional/futureרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; introduces the hypothetical scenario.
חֲמ֣וֹרa donkey ofN c sg constr · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Direct objectחֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey'; construct before שֹׂנַאֲךָ.
שֹׂנַאֲךָ֗the one hating youQal ptc m sg constr + 2ms suffix · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Genitive modifier (construct: 'donkey of the one hating you')שָׂנֵא (H8130) Qal participle 'to hate'; substantival 'your enemy/hater' — the same duty of care applies even toward a personal foe.
רֹבֵץ֙crouchingQal ptc m sg abs · רָבַץ (H7257)Attributive participle (modifying חֲמוֹר)→ Participle: durative stateרָבַץ (H7257) 'to crouch, lie down'; the animal collapsed under its load.
תַּ֣חַתunderprep · תַּחַת (H8478)Locative prepositional phraseתַּחַת (H8478) 'under, beneath.'
מַשָּׂא֔וֹits burdenN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · מַשָּׂא (H4853)Object of prepositionמַשָּׂא (H4853) 'burden, load', from נָשָׂא 'to carry.'
וְחָדַלְתָּ֖and you would refrainconj וְ + Qal perf 2ms · חָדַל (H2308)Predicate verb (apodosis-initial, sequential perfect)→ Weqatal: continuing the conditional sequence — hypothetical inclination to abandonחָדַל (H2308) 'to cease, refrain, forbear'; names the natural temptation to walk away from an enemy's plight.
מֵעֲזֹ֣בfrom helpingprep מִן + Qal inf constr · עָזַב (H5800)Complementary infinitive construct (object of חָדַלְתָּ)→ Infinitive construct: the forborne actionעָזַב (H5800) here in the specialized sense 'to help unload/release (a burdened animal)', not the usual 'abandon' — a well-attested nuance.
ל֑וֹhimprep + 3ms suffix · לְ (H3807)Indirect object
עָזֹ֥בsurelyQal inf abs · עָזַב (H5800)Infinitive absolute intensifying the finite verb→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — overturns the natural inclination named in v.5aעָזַב (H5800), same verb/nuance as above ('help, release'); infinitive absolute + finite verb yields emphatic 'you must surely help.'
תַּעֲזֹ֖בyou shall helpQal impf 2ms · עָזַב (H5800)Predicate verb (apodosis, emphatic)→ Yiqtol: emphatic obligationעָזַב (H5800), completing the emphatic pair; the command overrides personal animosity toward the owner.
עִמּֽוֹwith himprep + 3ms suffix · עִם (H5973)Adverbial prepositional phrase (accompaniment: 'together with him')עִם (H5973) 'with'; you must help the enemy himself unload the animal, not merely observe.
6

לֹ֥א תַטֶּ֛ה מִשְׁפַּ֥ט אֶבְיֹנְךָ֖ בְּרִיבֽוֹ

You shall not pervert the justice due your needy in his dispute.

Return to courtroom-ethics topic (framing inclusio)asyndeton
Resumes and closes the judicial-integrity theme opened in vv.1-3, now naming the אֶבְיוֹן specifically, forming a ring structure around the interpersonal cases of vv.4-5.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
לֹ֥אnotNeg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
תַטֶּ֛הyou shall pervertHiphil impf 2ms · נָטָה (H5186)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol (Hiphil): modal prohibition — do not skewנָטָה (H5186) Hiphil 'to turn aside, incline, pervert'; here of distorting legal judgment.
מִשְׁפַּ֥טthe justice ofN m sg constr · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Direct objectמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, justice, legal right', from שָׁפַט 'to judge'; construct before אֶבְיֹנְךָ.
אֶבְיֹנְךָ֖your needyAdj m sg constr + 2ms suffix (subst.) · אֶבְיוֹן (H34)Genitive modifier (construct: 'the justice of your needy one')אֶבְיוֹן (H34) 'needy, poor, destitute'; the economically vulnerable litigant, complementing דַּל in v.3.
בְּרִיבֽוֹin his disputeprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 3ms suffix · רִיב (H7379)Locative prepositional phraseרִיב (H7379) 'dispute, lawsuit'; third occurrence, framing vv.1-8 as unified instructions on courtroom integrity.
7

מִדְּבַר שֶׁ֖קֶר תִּרְחָ֑ק וְנָקִ֤י וְצַדִּיק֙ אַֽל תַּהֲרֹ֔ג כִּ֥י לֹא אַצְדִּ֖יק רָשָֽׁע

Keep far from a false charge, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked.

Intensifying continuation (grounds the whole unit)asyndeton
Escalates from procedural fairness to the gravest outcome — judicial murder — and grounds the whole section in God's own character as one who will not acquit the guilty.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
מִדְּבַרfrom a matter ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Object of preposition (fronted for emphasis)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, matter, thing'; construct before שֶׁקֶר, 'a false matter' — a lying charge.
שֶׁ֖קֶרfalsehoodN m sg abs · שֶׁקֶר (H8267)Genitive modifier (construct: 'a matter of falsehood')שֶׁקֶר (H8267) 'deception, lie, falsehood'; qualifies דְּבַר as a fabricated legal claim.
תִּרְחָ֑קyou shall keep farQal impf 2ms · רָחַק (H7368)Predicate verb (main clause, imperative-force command)→ Yiqtol: imperative-force command — 'you shall keep far away'רָחַק (H7368) 'to be/keep far, distant'; a positive command of avoidance, not a bare prohibition.
וְנָקִ֤יand the innocentconj וְ + Adj m sg abs (subst.) · נָקִי (H5355)Direct object (compound, fronted)נָקִי (H5355) 'innocent, clean, free of guilt'; substantival adjective naming the potential victim of judicial murder.
וְצַדִּיק֙and the righteousconj וְ + Adj m sg abs (subst.) · צַדִּיק (H6662)Coordinate direct objectצַדִּיק (H6662) 'righteous, just'; paired with נָקִי as synonymous protection of the innocent party.
אַֽלdo notNeg particle (volitional) · אַל (H408)Negative particle (volitional)
תַּהֲרֹ֔גkillQal jussive 2ms · הָרַג (H2026)Predicate verb (jussive prohibition)→ Jussive: volitional negation — an absolute ban on judicial murderהָרַג (H2026) 'to kill, slay'; here of executing an innocent party through corrupt process.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (grounds for the prohibition)
לֹאnotNeg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
אַצְדִּ֖יקI will acquitHiphil impf 1cs · צָדַק (H6663)Predicate verb (main clause, divine self-disclosure)→ Yiqtol (Hiphil): durative/gnomic — God's ongoing refusal to acquitצָדַק (H6663) Hiphil 'to declare righteous, acquit, justify' (forensic); God as guarantor that the guilty will not go free — undergirds the human court's duty.
רָשָֽׁעthe wickedAdj m sg abs (subst.) · רָשָׁע (H7563)Direct objectרָשָׁע (H7563) 'wicked, guilty'; same term as v.1, forming an inclusio on judicial corruption.
8

וְשֹׁ֖חַד לֹ֣א תִקָּ֑ח כִּ֤י הַשֹּׁ֨חַד֙ יְעַוֵּ֣ר פִּקְחִ֔ים וִֽיסַלֵּ֖ף דִּבְרֵ֥י צַדִּיקִֽים

You shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the righteous.

Coordinate continuation (mechanism of corruption)asyndeton
Names the specific corrupting mechanism — bribery — that produces the miscarriages of justice warned against throughout vv.1-7.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְשֹׁ֖חַדand a bribeconj וְ + N m sg abs · שֹׁחַד (H7810)Direct object (fronted for emphasis)שֹׁחַד (H7810) 'bribe, gift (to pervert justice)'; fronted as the topic of prohibition.
לֹ֣אnotNeg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
תִקָּ֑חyou shall takeQal impf 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: modal prohibitionלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, receive'; here specifically accepting a bribe.
כִּ֤יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction
הַשֹּׁ֨חַד֙the bribeart + N m sg abs · שֹׁחַד (H7810)Subjectשֹׁחַד (H7810), repeated with the article as the generic subject of the following gnomic statement.
יְעַוֵּ֣רblindsPiel impf 3ms · עִוֵּר (H5786)Predicate verb (main clause, gnomic)→ Yiqtol (Piel): gnomic/habitual — a universal, timeless effectעִוֵּר (H5786) Piel 'to blind'; bribery corrupts perception of truth.
פִּקְחִ֔יםthe clear-sightedAdj m pl abs (subst.) · פִּקֵּחַ (H6493)Direct objectפִּקֵּחַ (H6493) 'seeing, clear-sighted, discerning'; even the perceptive judge is corrupted by bribery.
וִֽיסַלֵּ֖ףand pervertsconj וְ + Piel impf 3ms · סִלֵּף (H5557)Coordinate predicate verb (gnomic)→ Yiqtol (Piel): gnomic — parallel ongoing effectסִלֵּף (H5557) Piel 'to twist, subvert, pervert'; of distorting testimony/argument.
דִּבְרֵ֥יthe words ofN m pl constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Direct object (construct)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word'; construct plural, 'the cause' of the righteous — their just claims.
צַדִּיקִֽיםthe righteousAdj m pl abs (subst.) · צַדִּיק (H6662)Genitive modifierצַדִּיק (H6662) 'righteous'; echoing v.7 — even a righteous claimant's case can be subverted by bribery.
9

וְגֵ֖ר לֹ֣א תִלְחָ֑ץ וְאַתֶּ֗ם יְדַעְתֶּם֙ אֶת נֶ֣פֶשׁ הַגֵּ֔ר כִּֽי גֵרִ֥ים הֱיִיתֶ֖ם בְּאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם

You shall not oppress a sojourner, for you know the feelings of the sojourner, since you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.

Closing summary case (inclusio with judicial-ethics series)asyndeton
Closes the judicial-ethics unit (vv.1-9) with the ger, grounding the command in Israel's own experiential memory of Egypt — the same rationale as Exod 22:20, forming a thematic bracket.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְגֵ֖רand a sojournerconj וְ + N m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Direct object (fronted)גֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner, resident alien'; a non-citizen dependent on the community's goodwill.
לֹ֣אnotNeg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
תִלְחָ֑ץyou shall oppressQal impf 2ms · לָחַץ (H3905)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: modal prohibitionלָחַץ (H3905) 'to oppress, press, squeeze'; economic/social exploitation of the vulnerable.
וְאַתֶּ֗םand youconj וְ + Pron indep 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject (emphatic, fronted pronoun)אַתֶּם (H859) independent 2mp pronoun; emphatic subject grounding the motive clause in Israel's own experience.
יְדַעְתֶּם֙you knowQal perf 2mp · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (motive clause)→ Perfective (qatal): a settled, experiential knowledgeיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; experiential, empathetic knowledge, not mere information.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
נֶ֣פֶשׁthe soul ofN c sg constr · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Direct objectנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, self, feelings'; here the inner experience — 'what it feels like' to be a sojourner.
הַגֵּ֔רthe sojournerart + N m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Genitive modifierגֵּר (H1616), repeated with article, the object of empathetic knowledge.
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction
גֵרִ֥יםsojournersN m pl abs · גֵּר (H1616)Predicate nominativeגֵּר (H1616), plural; Israel's own former status in Egypt is the ground of the law.
הֱיִיתֶ֖םyou wereQal perf 2mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (motive clause)→ Perfective (qatal): completed past stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; 'you were' — historical grounding of the ethic.
בְּאֶ֥רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct before מִצְרָיִם.
מִצְרָֽיִםEgyptProper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive modifier (proper noun, place name)מִצְרַיִם (H4714), proper name of Egypt (dual form); the site of Israel's own bondage and prototype for the ger's vulnerability.
10

וְשֵׁ֥שׁ שָׁנִ֖ים תִּזְרַ֣ע אֶת אַרְצֶ֑ךָ וְאָסַפְתָּ֖ אֶת תְּבוּאָתָֽהּ

Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce,

New topical unit (calendar law begins)וְ
Shifts from judicial ethics to sacred time — the sabbatical-year law, paralleling the six-day/seventh-day pattern of v.12 and the Decalogue Sabbath.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְשֵׁ֥שׁand sixconj וְ + Num f sg abs · שֵׁשׁ (H8337)Adverbial accusative of time (fronted)שֵׁשׁ (H8337) numeral 'six'; fronted temporal expression governing the agricultural cycle.
שָׁנִ֖יםyearsN f pl abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Head noun of temporal accusative phraseשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; plural, completing the numeral phrase 'six years.'
תִּזְרַ֣עyou shall sowQal impf 2ms · זָרַע (H2232)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: durative/habitual — the ongoing normal practiceזָרַע (H2232) 'to sow'; the ordinary agricultural labor of the six working years.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
אַרְצֶ֑ךָyour landN c sg constr + 2ms suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct objectאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; here the tenant/owner's field.
וְאָסַפְתָּ֖and you shall gatherconj וְ + Qal perf(seq) 2ms · אָסַף (H622)Coordinate predicate verb (sequential)→ Weqatal: continuing the main-line instruction — sequential to sowingאָסַף (H622) 'to gather, harvest, ingather'; completes the agricultural cycle begun with sowing.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
תְּבוּאָתָֽהּits produceN f sg constr + 3fs suffix · תְּבוּאָה (H8393)Direct objectתְּבוּאָה (H8393) 'produce, yield, income', from בּוֹא 'to come in'; the land's yield over the six years.
11

וְהַשְּׁבִיעִ֞ת תִּשְׁמְטֶ֣נָּה וּנְטַשְׁתָּ֗הּ וְאָֽכְלוּ֙ אֶבְיֹנֵ֣י עַמֶּ֔ךָ וְיִתְרָ֕ם תֹּאכַ֖ל חַיַּ֣ת הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה כֵּֽן תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה לְכַרְמְךָ֖ לְזֵיתֶֽךָ

but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the needy of your people may eat; and what they leave the wild animals shall eat. You shall do likewise with your vineyard and your olive grove.

Contrastive continuation (apodosis to v.10's six years)וְ
The counterpart to v.10: the seventh-year release, motivated by provision for the poor and even wild animals — extended by כֵּן to perennial crops.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְהַשְּׁבִיעִ֞תbut the seventhconj וְ + art + Adj f sg abs (ordinal) · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Adverbial accusative of time (fronted, contrastive)שְׁבִיעִי (H7637) ordinal 'seventh'; fem. form referring elliptically to הַשָּׁנָה 'the year' — the sabbatical year.
תִּשְׁמְטֶ֣נָּהyou shall let it restQal impf 2ms + 3fs suffix · שָׁמַט (H8058)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescribed future obligationשָׁמַט (H8058) 'to release, let drop, let lie fallow'; source of שְׁמִטָּה, the sabbatical-year release of the land.
וּנְטַשְׁתָּ֗הּand let it lie fallowconj וְ + Qal perf(seq) 2ms + 3fs suffix · נָטַשׁ (H5203)Coordinate predicate verb (sequential)→ Weqatal: continuing instructionנָטַשׁ (H5203) 'to leave, abandon, let alone'; synonymous reinforcement of שָׁמַט — the land lies untended.
וְאָֽכְלוּ֙and they shall eatconj וְ + Qal perf(seq) 3cp · אָכַל (H398)Coordinate predicate verb (purpose result)→ Weqatal: resultant purpose — the fallow year's beneficiariesאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the volunteer growth becomes food for the needy.
אֶבְיֹנֵ֣יthe needy ofAdj m pl constr (subst.) · אֶבְיוֹן (H34)Subject (construct)אֶבְיוֹן (H34) 'needy'; construct plural, same term as v.6.
עַמֶּ֔ךָyour peopleN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · עַם (H5971)Genitive modifierעַם (H5971) 'people, kin-group'; the needy within Israel's own community.
וְיִתְרָ֕םand their remainderconj וְ + N m sg constr + 3mp suffix · יֶתֶר (H3499)Direct object (fronted)יֶתֶר (H3499) 'remainder, what is left', from יָתַר 'to remain'; the leftover growth after the poor have gleaned.
תֹּאכַ֖לshall eatQal impf 3fs · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescribed futureאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; subject is the following חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה.
חַיַּ֣תbeast ofN f sg constr · חַיָּה (H2416)Subject (construct)חַיָּה (H2416) 'living thing, animal, beast'; construct before הַשָּׂדֶה.
הַשָּׂדֶ֑הthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Genitive modifierשָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open country'; wild animals share in the fallow-year produce.
כֵּֽןthusAdv · כֵּן (H3651)Comparative adverb (introducing the extension of the law)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus, likewise'; extends the sabbatical principle from field crops to orchards.
תַּעֲשֶׂ֥הyou shall doQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescribed future obligationעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; the general verb of legal compliance.
לְכַרְמְךָ֖for your vineyardprep לְ + N c sg constr + 2ms suffix · כֶּרֶם (H3754)Adverbial prepositional phrase (respect: 'with regard to')כֶּרֶם (H3754) 'vineyard.'
לְזֵיתֶֽךָfor your olive treeprep לְ + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · זַיִת (H2132)Coordinate adverbial prepositional phraseזַיִת (H2132) 'olive tree'; paired with כֶּרֶם, extending the sabbatical-fallow principle to perennial crops.
12

שֵׁ֤שֶׁת יָמִים֙ תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה מַעֲשֶׂ֔יךָ וּבַיּ֥וֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖י תִּשְׁבֹּ֑ת לְמַ֣עַן יָנ֗וּחַ שֽׁוֹרְךָ֙ וַחֲמֹרֶ֔ךָ וְיִנָּפֵ֥שׁ בֶּן אֲמָתְךָ֖ וְהַגֵּֽר

Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease, so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your maidservant and the sojourner may be refreshed.

Parallel calendar law (weekly Sabbath, echoing vv.10-11's yearly pattern)asyndeton
Applies the same six/seventh rhythm to the weekly Sabbath, with explicit humanitarian purpose (לְמַעַן) — rest extends to work animals, slaves, and the sojourner alike.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
שֵׁ֤שֶׁתsix ofNum m sg constr · שֵׁשׁ (H8337)Adverbial accusative of time (construct, fronted)שֵׁשׁ (H8337) numeral 'six'; construct before יָמִים.
יָמִים֙daysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Head noun of temporal accusativeיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; completes 'six days.'
תַּעֲשֶׂ֣הyou shall doQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: durative/habitual — the weekly normעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make.'
מַעֲשֶׂ֔יךָyour workN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Direct objectמַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'work, deed', from עָשָׂה; one's ordinary labor/business.
וּבַיּ֥וֹםand on the dayconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase (fronted, contrastive)יוֹם (H3117) 'day', with article and preposition; contrastive with the six days.
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖יthe seventhart + Adj m sg abs (ordinal) · שְׁבִיעִי (H7637)Attributive adjective (modifying הַיּוֹם)שְׁבִיעִי (H7637) ordinal 'seventh'; the Sabbath day.
תִּשְׁבֹּ֑תyou shall ceaseQal impf 2ms · שָׁבַת (H7673)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescribed future obligationשָׁבַת (H7673) 'to cease, rest'; root of שַׁבָּת, the foundational rest-command.
לְמַ֣עַןin order thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Purpose conjunctionלְמַעַן (H4616) 'in order that, for the purpose of'; introduces the humanitarian rationale for Sabbath rest.
יָנ֗וּחַmay restQal impf 3ms · נוּחַ (H5117)Predicate verb (purpose clause)→ Yiqtol: volitive/purpose — the intended result of Sabbath observanceנוּחַ (H5117) 'to rest, settle down'; here of the animals' relief from labor.
שֽׁוֹרְךָ֙your oxN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · שׁוֹר (H7794)Subjectשׁוֹר (H7794) 'ox'; same term as v.4, now the beneficiary rather than the potential lost animal.
וַחֲמֹרֶ֔ךָand your donkeyconj וְ + N c sg constr + 2ms suffix · חֲמוֹר (H2543)Coordinate subjectחֲמוֹר (H2543) 'donkey'; paired with שׁוֹר as the household's working animals.
וְיִנָּפֵ֥שׁand may be refreshedconj וְ + Niphal impf 3ms · נָפַשׁ (H5314)Coordinate predicate verb (purpose clause, Niphal)→ Yiqtol (Niphal): volitive/purpose — passive of being refreshedנָפַשׁ (H5314) Niphal 'to be refreshed, take breath'; cognate with נֶפֶשׁ, 'catch one's breath.'
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (construct)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct before אֲמָתְךָ, denoting a member of the household by birth-status.
אֲמָתְךָ֖your maidservantN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · אָמָה (H519)Genitive modifierאָמָה (H519) 'female servant, maidservant'; her son, likely a household slave, is guaranteed Sabbath rest.
וְהַגֵּֽרand the sojournerconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Coordinate subjectגֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner'; the resident alien is likewise guaranteed weekly rest — social inclusion echoing v.9.
13

וּבְכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר אָמַ֥רְתִּי אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם תִּשָּׁמֵ֑רוּ וְשֵׁ֨ם אֱלֹהִ֤ים אֲחֵרִים֙ לֹ֣א תַזְכִּ֔ירוּ לֹ֥א יִשָּׁמַ֖ע עַל פִּֽיךָ

Take heed to do all that I have said to you; do not invoke the name of other gods — let it not be heard on your lips.

Summarizing transition + new prohibition (idolatry)וְ
A hinge verse: 'in all that I have said' looks back over vv.1-12, while the prohibition on naming other gods pivots forward to the festival/cultic laws and anticipates the exclusive-loyalty theme of vv.20-33.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וּבְכֹ֛לand in allconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial prepositional phrase (fronted)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, everything'; introduces a summarizing charge over the whole preceding legal section.
אֲשֶׁרthatRel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introducing relative clause)
אָמַ֥רְתִּיI have saidQal perf 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective (qatal): completed divine speech-actאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; God's own prior legislation in this chapter (and the Decalogue).
אֲלֵיכֶ֖םto youprep + 2mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional complement (recipient)
תִּשָּׁמֵ֑רוּyou shall keep watchNiphal impf 2mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (main clause, imperative force)→ Yiqtol (Niphal): imperative-force command — 'be on your guard, keep watch'שָׁמַר (H8104) Niphal 'to keep oneself, be on guard, take heed'; comprehensive obedience to everything commanded.
וְשֵׁ֨םand the name ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object (fronted, construct)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; construct before אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים.
אֱלֹהִ֤יםgodsN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitive modifierאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'god(s)'; here plural referring to pagan deities, qualified by אֲחֵרִים.
אֲחֵרִים֙otherAdj m pl abs · אַחֵר (H312)Attributive adjective (modifying אֱלֹהִים)אַחֵר (H312) 'other, another'; standard idiom for foreign deities, אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים.
לֹ֣אnotNeg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
תַזְכִּ֔ירוּyou shall mentionHiphil impf 2mp · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol (Hiphil): modal prohibitionזָכַר (H2142) Hiphil 'to mention, invoke, cause to be remembered'; forbids even verbal invocation of other gods.
לֹ֥אnotNeg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
יִשָּׁמַ֖עshall it be heardNiphal impf 3ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause, passive)→ Yiqtol (Niphal): modal prohibition, passive voice — 'it shall not be heard'שָׁמַע (H8085) Niphal 'to be heard'; total ban restated passively for emphasis.
עַלuponprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon'; idiom עַל פִּיךָ, 'from your mouth.'
פִּֽיךָyour mouthN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · פֶּה (H6310)Object of prepositionפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; completes the idiom for speech.
14

שָׁלֹ֣שׁ רְגָלִ֔ים תָּחֹ֥ג לִ֖י בַּשָּׁנָֽה

Three times in the year you shall keep a pilgrim-feast to me.

New topical unit (festival calendar)asyndeton
Opens the festival-calendar section with a summary statement (three pilgrimage feasts), detailed in vv.15-17.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
שָׁלֹ֣שׁthreeNum f sg abs · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Adverbial accusative (fronted, numeral head)שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) numeral 'three'; introduces the count of annual pilgrimage feasts.
רְגָלִ֔יםtimesN f pl abs · רֶגֶל (H7272)Head noun of accusative phraseרֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot'; idiomatic plural 'times, occasions' (lit. 'foot-times'), source of the term רֶגֶל 'pilgrimage feast.'
תָּחֹ֥גyou shall keep a pilgrim-feastQal impf 2ms · חָגַג (H2287)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescribed future obligationחָגַג (H2287) 'to celebrate a feast, make pilgrimage'; source of חַג 'festival.'
לִ֖יto meprep + 1cs suffix · לְ (H3807)Indirect object (dative, divine recipient)לְ + 1cs suffix marks the LORD as the one for whom the feasts are kept.
בַּשָּׁנָֽהin the yearprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Temporal prepositional phraseשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; frames the three feasts as an annual cycle.
15

אֶת חַ֣ג הַמַּצּוֹת֮ תִּשְׁמֹר֒ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִים֩ תֹּאכַ֨ל מַצּ֜וֹת כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוִּיתִ֗ךָ לְמוֹעֵד֙ חֹ֣דֶשׁ הָֽאָבִ֔יב כִּי ב֖וֹ יָצָ֣אתָ מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם וְלֹא יֵרָא֥וּ פָנַ֖י רֵיקָֽם

You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread: seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the appointed time in the month of Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt; and none shall appear before me empty-handed.

First specific festival (detailing v.14)asyndeton
Details the first of the three feasts, anchoring it in the Exodus event and requiring an offering — no pilgrim comes 'empty' before God.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
חַ֣גthe feast ofN m sg constr · חַג (H2282)Direct object (construct, fronted)חַג (H2282) 'feast, festival pilgrimage', from חָגַג; construct before הַמַּצּוֹת.
הַמַּצּוֹת֮unleavened breadart + N f pl abs · מַצָּה (H4682)Genitive modifierמַצָּה (H4682) 'unleavened bread'; plural with article, the festival's namesake food, commemorating the hurried exodus.
תִּשְׁמֹר֒you shall keepQal impf 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescribed future obligationשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, observe, guard'; of ritual/calendrical observance.
שִׁבְעַ֣תseven ofNum m sg constr · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Adverbial accusative (construct, fronted)שֶׁבַע (H7651) numeral 'seven'; construct before יָמִים.
יָמִים֩daysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Head noun of accusative phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; completes 'seven days,' the festival's duration.
תֹּאכַ֨לyou shall eatQal impf 2ms · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescribed future obligationאָכַל (H398) 'to eat.'
מַצּ֜וֹתunleavened breadN f pl abs · מַצָּה (H4682)Direct objectמַצָּה (H4682), repeated without article as the generic food eaten.
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣רjust asprep כְּ + Rel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction (manner: 'just as')
צִוִּיתִ֗ךָI commanded youPiel perf 1cs + 2ms suffix · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (comparative clause)→ Perfective (qatal, Piel): completed prior divine commandצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; refers back to the original Passover/Unleavened-Bread instructions (Exod 12-13).
לְמוֹעֵד֙at the appointed time ofprep לְ + N m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Temporal prepositional phrase (construct)מוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time, fixed season'; construct before חֹדֶשׁ, the festival's calendrical anchor.
חֹ֣דֶשׁthe month ofN m sg constr · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Genitive modifier (construct)חֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month, new moon'; construct before הָאָבִיב.
הָֽאָבִ֔יבthe Abibart + N m sg abs · אָבִיב (H24)Genitive modifierאָבִיב (H24) 'young ear (of grain), springtime'; the first month, later called Nisan, when barley ripens.
כִּיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction
ב֖וֹin itprep + 3ms suffix · בְּ (H3807)Temporal prepositional phrase
יָצָ֣אתָyou came outQal perf 2ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective (qatal): a completed, decisive historical eventיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out, come forth'; the Exodus event itself, the ground for the festival's timing.
מִמִּצְרָ֑יִםfrom Egyptprep מִן + Proper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Locative prepositional phrase (source)מִצְרַיִם (H4714), place name Egypt; same term as v.9.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + Neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating negative particle
יֵרָא֥וּshall they appearNiphal impf 3mp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, passive)→ Yiqtol (Niphal): modal prohibition, passive — 'shall not appear/be seen'רָאָה (H7200) Niphal 'to appear, be seen'; the technical verb for pilgrimage attendance at the sanctuary.
פָנַ֖יmy faceN c pl constr + 1cs suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Subject (idiomatic: 'my presence')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; plural of majesty + 1cs suffix, God's own presence at the sanctuary — idiom for cultic appearance before him.
רֵיקָֽםempty(-handed)Adv · רֵיקָם (H7387)Adverbial modifier (manner)רֵיקָם (H7387) adverb 'empty, empty-handed'; pilgrims must bring an offering, not come with nothing.
16

וְחַ֤ג הַקָּצִיר֙ בִּכּוּרֵ֣י מַעֲשֶׂ֔יךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּזְרַ֖ע בַּשָּׂדֶ֑ה וְחַ֤ג הָֽאָסִף֙ בְּצֵ֣את הַשָּׁנָ֔ה בְּאָסְפְּךָ֥ אֶֽת מַעֲשֶׂ֖יךָ מִן הַשָּׂדֶֽה

And the Feast of Harvest, of the firstfruits of your labors that you sow in the field; and the Feast of Ingathering at the end of the year, when you gather in your labors from the field.

Second and third festivals (continuing v.14's list)וְ
Completes the list of three pilgrimage feasts, both tied to agricultural milestones — spring firstfruits and autumn ingathering.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְחַ֤גand the feast ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · חַג (H2282)Coordinate direct object (construct, fronted; governed by תִּשְׁמֹר of v.15/תָּחֹג of v.14)חַג (H2282), second festival named.
הַקָּצִיר֙the harvestart + N m sg abs · קָצִיר (H7105)Genitive modifierקָצִיר (H7105) 'harvest, harvest-time', from קָצַר 'to reap'; the Feast of Harvest (later Shavuot/Weeks).
בִּכּוּרֵ֣יfirstfruits ofN c pl constr · בִּכּוּרִים (H1061)Appositional genitive (specifying the offering)בִּכּוּרִים (H1061) 'firstfruits', from בְּכוֹר 'firstborn'; the earliest yield presented to God.
מַעֲשֶׂ֔יךָyour laborsN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Genitive modifierמַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'work, deed'; here concretely 'produce, yield of labor,' same term as v.12.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichRel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun
תִּזְרַ֖עyou sowQal impf 2ms · זָרַע (H2232)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: durative/habitualזָרַע (H2232) 'to sow'; same verb as v.10, closing the agricultural-year frame.
בַּשָּׂדֶ֑הin the fieldprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Locative prepositional phraseשָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field'; same term as v.11.
וְחַ֤גand the feast ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · חַג (H2282)Coordinate direct objectחַג (H2282), third festival named.
הָֽאָסִף֙the ingatheringart + N m sg abs · אָסִיף (H614)Genitive modifierאָסִיף (H614) 'ingathering', from אָסַף 'to gather'; the autumn harvest festival, later called Sukkot/Booths.
בְּצֵ֣אתat the going out ofprep בְּ + Qal inf constr · יָצָא (H3318)Temporal infinitive construct clause→ Infinitive construct: temporal — marks the point in the yearיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; idiomatic of the year's turning/close, 'at the end of the year.'
הַשָּׁנָ֔הthe yearart + N f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Subject of infinitive clauseשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year.'
בְּאָסְפְּךָ֥in your gatheringprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 2ms suffix · אָסַף (H622)Temporal infinitive construct clause→ Infinitive construct: temporal — specifies the harvest activityאָסַף (H622) 'to gather, ingather'; same verb underlying אָסִיף.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
מַעֲשֶׂ֖יךָyour laborsN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Direct objectמַעֲשֶׂה (H4639), repeated, 'your produce.'
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (source)מִן (H4480) 'from.'
הַשָּׂדֶֽהthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Object of prepositionשָׂדֶה (H7704), repeated, closing the agrarian frame of the three feasts.
17

שָׁלֹ֥שׁ פְּעָמִ֖ים בַּשָּׁנָ֑ה יֵרָאֶה֙ כָּל זְכ֣וּרְךָ֔ אֶל פְּנֵ֖י הָאָדֹ֥ן יְהוָֽה

Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord GOD.

Summary closure (inclusio with v.14)asyndeton
Closes the festival-calendar unit with a summarizing restatement of v.14, specifying that the obligation falls on all adult males and naming whose presence is sought — 'the Lord GOD.'
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
שָׁלֹ֥שׁthreeNum f sg abs · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Adverbial accusative (fronted, numeral head)שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969) numeral 'three'; summarizing refrain closing the festival-calendar unit (cf. v.14).
פְּעָמִ֖יםtimesN f pl abs · פַּעַם (H6471)Head noun of accusative phraseפַּעַם (H6471) 'time, occasion, foot-fall'; synonym of רֶגֶל in v.14, 'three times.'
בַּשָּׁנָ֑הin the yearprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Temporal prepositional phraseשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year.'
יֵרָאֶה֙shall appearNiphal impf 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, passive)→ Yiqtol (Niphal): prescribed future, passive — 'shall appear/be seen'רָאָה (H7200) Niphal 'to appear'; same technical cultic verb as v.15.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct, quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before זְכוּרְךָ, 'all your males.'
זְכ֣וּרְךָ֔your malesN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · זָכוּר (H2138)Genitive modifierזָכוּר (H2138) 'male', from זָכָר; collective, every adult male Israelite is obligated to the pilgrimage.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward.'
פְּנֵ֖יthe face ofN c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of preposition (construct, idiom: 'before')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; construct idiom פְּנֵי, 'the presence/before.'
הָאָדֹ֥ןthe Lordart + N m sg abs · אָדוֹן (H113)Appositional title (in apposition to יְהוָה)אָדוֹן (H113) 'lord, master'; with the article, a divine title stressing the LORD's sovereign ownership — the only occurrence of הָאָדֹן absolute in the Pentateuch.
יְהוָֽהthe LORDProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Proper noun (in apposition, divine name)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; paired with הָאָדֹן, stressing pilgrimage is owed to Israel's sovereign covenant Lord.
18

לֹֽא תִזְבַּ֥ח עַל חָמֵ֖ץ דַּם זִבְחִ֑י וְלֹֽא יָלִ֥ין חֵֽלֶב חַגִּ֖י עַד בֹּֽקֶר

You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with anything leavened; nor shall the fat of my feast remain until morning.

New topical unit (sacrificial law)asyndeton
Shifts from the festival calendar (vv.14-17) to specific sacrificial regulations attached to those feasts — purity of the offering (no leaven with blood) and promptness in burning the fat.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
לֹֽאnotNeg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
תִזְבַּ֥חyou shall sacrificeQal impf 2ms · זָבַח (H2076)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: modal prohibitionזָבַח (H2076) 'to slaughter, sacrifice'; the technical verb for offering a sacrifice.
עַלwithprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (concomitant: 'together with')עַל (H5921) here 'along with, in addition to'; idiom for accompanying sacrificial blood with leavened bread, forbidden.
חָמֵ֖ץleavened breadN m sg abs · חָמֵץ (H2557)Object of prepositionחָמֵץ (H2557) 'that which is leavened, sourdough'; leaven is symbolically excluded from sacrificial blood, as at Passover.
דַּםthe blood ofN m sg constr · דָּם (H1818)Direct object (construct, fronted)דָּם (H1818) 'blood'; the sacrificial blood poured/dashed at the altar.
זִבְחִ֑יmy sacrificeN m sg constr + 1cs suffix · זֶבַח (H2077)Genitive modifierזֶבַח (H2077) 'sacrifice, slaughtered offering', from זָבַח; 'my sacrifice' — God speaking of offerings made to him.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + Neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating negative particle
יָלִ֥יןshall remain overnightQal impf 3ms · לוּן (H3885)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: modal prohibitionלוּן (H3885) 'to lodge, remain overnight'; the sacrificial fat must be burned promptly, not left to spoil.
חֵֽלֶבthe fat ofN m sg constr · חֵלֶב (H2459)Subject (construct, fronted)חֵלֶב (H2459) 'fat'; the choice sacrificial portion burned on the altar for the LORD.
חַגִּ֖יmy feastN m sg constr + 1cs suffix · חַג (H2282)Genitive modifierחַג (H2282) 'feast, festival'; here of the festival sacrifice, same term as vv.14-16, 18.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phraseעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as.'
בֹּֽקֶרmorningN m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Object of prepositionבֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; sets the ritual time-limit for consuming/burning the offering.
19

רֵאשִׁ֗ית בִּכּוּרֵי֙ אַדְמָ֣תְךָ֔ תָּבִ֕יא בֵּ֖ית יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ לֹֽא תְבַשֵּׁ֥ל גְּדִ֖י בַּחֲלֵ֥ב אִמּֽוֹ

The best of the firstfruits of your land you shall bring to the house of the LORD your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk.

Coordinate continuation (closing cultic-law unit)asyndeton
Closes the cultic-law unit (vv.14-19) with the firstfruits offering and the enigmatic kid-in-milk prohibition, likely rejecting a Canaanite ritual practice and later foundational for the kashrut meat-milk separation.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
רֵאשִׁ֗יתthe first/best ofN f sg constr · רֵאשִׁית (H7225)Direct object (construct, fronted)רֵאשִׁית (H7225) 'beginning, first, best', from רֹאשׁ 'head'; the choicest portion (cf. Gen 1:1).
בִּכּוּרֵי֙firstfruits ofN c pl constr · בִּכּוּרִים (H1061)Genitive modifier (construct)בִּכּוּרִים (H1061) 'firstfruits'; same term as v.16, specifying what is brought.
אַדְמָ֣תְךָ֔your landN f sg constr + 2ms suffix · אֲדָמָה (H127)Genitive modifierאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, soil, land', from אָדָם; the tilled earth as source of produce.
תָּבִ֕יאyou shall bringHiphil impf 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol (Hiphil): prescribed future obligationבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring, cause to come'; the pilgrim's offering obligation, tying vv.14-17 to v.19.
בֵּ֖יתthe house ofN m sg constr · בַּיִת (H1004)Locative phrase (construct, goal)בַּיִת (H1004) 'house'; construct before יְהוָה, the sanctuary as God's dwelling.
יְהוָ֣הthe LORDProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive modifier (divine name)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָyour GodN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional genitive modifier (in apposition to יְהוָה)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; plural of majesty + suffix, in apposition to יְהוָה — 'the LORD your God.'
לֹֽאnotNeg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
תְבַשֵּׁ֥לyou shall boilPiel impf 2ms · בִּשֵּׁל (H1310)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol (Piel): modal prohibitionבִּשֵּׁל (H1310) Piel 'to boil, cook'; the technical term for cooking meat in liquid.
גְּדִ֖יa young goatN m sg abs · גְּדִי (H1423)Direct objectגְּדִי (H1423) 'kid, young goat'; the specific animal named in this famously debated ritual prohibition.
בַּחֲלֵ֥בin the milk ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · חָלָב (H2461)Locative/instrumental prepositional phraseחָלָב (H2461) 'milk'; construct before אִמּוֹ.
אִמּֽוֹits motherN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · אֵם (H517)Genitive modifierאֵם (H517) 'mother'; the prohibition — perhaps polemicizing against a Canaanite fertility rite, or a broader ethic against conflating life-giving milk with slaughtered young — became the scriptural basis for kashrut's meat-milk separation.
20

הִנֵּ֨ה אָנֹכִ֜י שֹׁלֵ֤חַ מַלְאָךְ֙ לְפָנֶ֔יךָ לִשְׁמָרְךָ֖ בַּדָּ֑רֶךְ וְלַהֲבִ֣יאֲךָ֔ אֶל הַמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֲכִנֹֽתִי

Behold, I am sending an angel before you, to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared.

New major unit (epilogue: the Angel of the Presence)asyndeton
A major structural turn: the covenant code's legal instructions give way to a promissory epilogue (vv.20-33) centered on the Angel who bears God's name and will lead Israel into Canaan.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
הִנֵּ֨הbeholdInterjection/particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (introducing emphatic declaration)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; draws attention to the following divine announcement — the pivotal Angel-of-the-Presence oracle.
אָנֹכִ֜יIPron indep 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (emphatic, independent pronoun with participle)אָנֹכִי (H595) independent 1cs pronoun; emphatic subject of the participial clause, stressing divine initiative.
שֹׁלֵ֤חַsendingQal ptc m sg abs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate participle (imminent future, main clause)→ Participle: imminent/durative — an act now underwayשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; participle expresses vivid immediacy — 'I am (about to be) sending.'
מַלְאָךְ֙an angel/messengerN m sg abs · מַלְאָךְ (H4397)Direct objectמַלְאָךְ (H4397) 'messenger, angel', from לָאַךְ 'to send'; a divinely commissioned agent later identified as carrying God's own name (v.21) — the 'Angel of the Presence.'
לְפָנֶ֔יךָbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (idiom: 'ahead of you')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom לִפְנֵי 'before, in front of' — the Angel goes as vanguard.
לִשְׁמָרְךָ֖to guard youprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 2ms suffix · שָׁמַר (H8104)Purpose infinitive construct clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the Angel's protective missionשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, protect'; same root as the repeated 'watch yourselves' commands (vv.13, 21).
בַּדָּ֑רֶךְon the wayprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Locative prepositional phraseדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, journey'; the wilderness journey to Canaan.
וְלַהֲבִ֣יאֲךָ֔and to bring youconj וְ + prep לְ + Hiphil inf constr + 2ms suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Coordinate purpose infinitive construct clause→ Infinitive construct (Hiphil): purpose — the Angel's second mission, arrivalבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring, lead in'; same verb as v.19, now of the Angel's guidance into the land.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward.'
הַמָּק֖וֹםthe placeart + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Object of prepositionמָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; here anticipatorily the promised land/sanctuary site.
אֲשֶׁ֥רthatRel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (introducing relative clause)
הֲכִנֹֽתִיI have preparedHiphil perf 1cs · כּוּן (H3559)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective (qatal, Hiphil): a completed, settled divine preparationכּוּן (H3559) Hiphil 'to establish, prepare, make ready'; God's prior determination of the destination.
21

הִשָּׁ֧מֶר מִפָּנָ֛יו וּשְׁמַ֥ע בְּקֹל֖וֹ אַל תַּמֵּ֣ר בּ֑וֹ כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יִשָּׂא֙ לְפִשְׁעֲכֶ֔ם כִּ֥י שְׁמִ֖י בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ

Be attentive to him and obey his voice; do not rebel against him, for he will not pardon your transgression, since my name is in him.

Continuation (grounds obedience to the Angel)asyndeton
States the theological crux of the epilogue: the Angel carries the divine Name itself, so rebellion against him is rebellion against God, and he holds God's own prerogative to forgive or not forgive.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
הִשָּׁ֧מֶרbe on your guardNiphal impv 2ms · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (main clause, imperative)→ Imperative (Niphal): volitional command — heed the Angelשָׁמַר (H8104) Niphal imperative 'guard yourself, take heed'; same root as vv.13, 20 — vigilant attention to the Angel's authority.
מִפָּנָ֛יוbefore himprep מִן + N c pl constr + 3ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (deference/awe)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom מִפְּנֵי, 'because of, in the presence of' — attentive deference to the Angel.
וּשְׁמַ֥עand obeyconj וְ + Qal impv 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Coordinate predicate verb (imperative)→ Imperative: volitional command — heed his voiceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; obedience to the Angel's voice as to God's own.
בְּקֹל֖וֹhis voiceprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · קוֹל (H6963)Object of prepositionקוֹל (H6963) 'voice, sound'; idiom שָׁמַע בְּקוֹל, 'to obey.'
אַלdo notNeg particle (volitional) · אַל (H408)Negative particle (volitional negation)
תַּמֵּ֣רrebelHiphil jussive 2ms · מָרָה (H4784)Predicate verb (jussive prohibition)→ Jussive: volitional negation — an absolute ban on defianceמָרָה (H4784, root-family of H4843) Hiphil 'to rebel, be defiant, embitter'; the gravest possible response to the Angel's guidance.
בּ֑וֹagainst himprep + 3ms suffix · בְּ (H3807)Object of preposition
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction
לֹ֤אnotNeg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
יִשָּׂא֙he will forgive/bearQal impf 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future/gnomic — the Angel's standing prerogativeנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear (away)'; idiom נָשָׂא פֶּשַׁע, 'to forgive/pardon transgression' — a divine prerogative here vested in the Angel.
לְפִשְׁעֲכֶ֔םyour transgressionprep לְ + N m sg constr + 2mp suffix · פֶּשַׁע (H6588)Object of preposition (complement of יִשָּׂא)פֶּשַׁע (H6588) 'transgression, rebellion, willful sin'; the gravest category of sin — deliberate revolt.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (grounds the Angel's authority)
שְׁמִ֖יmy nameN m sg constr + 1cs suffix · שֵׁם (H8034)Subjectשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; God's own name/authority/presence resident in the Angel — the theological crux of the chapter, explaining why disobeying him is tantamount to disobeying God.
בְּקִרְבּֽוֹin his midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Predicate locative (complement of שְׁמִי)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; the divine Name dwells within the Angel, vesting him with God's own authority and identity.
22

כִּ֣י אִם שָׁמֹ֤עַ תִּשְׁמַע֙ בְּקֹל֔וֹ וְעָשִׂ֕יתָ כֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֲדַבֵּ֑ר וְאָֽיַבְתִּי֙ אֶת אֹ֣יְבֶ֔יךָ וְצַרְתִּ֖י אֶת צֹרְרֶֽיךָ

But if you will indeed obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.

Conditional counterpart (promise for obedience)asyndeton
Balances v.21's warning with a positive conditional promise: wholehearted obedience secures God's own hostility toward Israel's enemies.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
כִּ֣יbutconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative/conditional conjunction (paired with אִם)כִּי אִם (H3588 + H518) together mark a strong conditional/adversative, 'but if indeed.'
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunctionאִם (H518) 'if'; conditional protasis marker completing כִּי אִם.
שָׁמֹ֤עַindeedQal inf abs · שָׁמַע (H8085)Infinitive absolute intensifying the finite verb→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — genuine, wholehearted obedienceשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'; infinitive absolute + finite verb intensifies, 'if you will truly obey.'
תִּשְׁמַע֙you obeyQal impf 2ms · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (protasis, emphatic)→ Yiqtol: conditional/future, reinforced by preceding infinitive absoluteשָׁמַע (H8085), completing the emphatic construction.
בְּקֹל֔וֹhis voiceprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · קוֹל (H6963)Object of prepositionקוֹל (H6963) 'voice'; same idiom as v.21.
וְעָשִׂ֕יתָand doconj וְ + Qal perf(seq) 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Coordinate predicate verb (protasis, sequential)→ Weqatal: continuing the conditional sequenceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; general verb of obedient action.
כֹּ֖לallN m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Direct objectכֹּל (H3605) 'all, everything.'
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatRel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun
אֲדַבֵּ֑רI speakPiel impf 1cs · דִּבֵּר (H1696)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol (Piel): durative/gnomic — God's ongoing speech through the Angelדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; God's commands mediated through the Angel of vv.20-21.
וְאָֽיַבְתִּי֙then I will be an enemyconj וְ + Qal perf(seq) 1cs · אָיַב (H340)Predicate verb (apodosis)→ Weqatal: apodosis of the conditional — God's committed future responseאָיַב (H340) 'to be hostile, be an enemy'; denominative from אֹיֵב — God takes on Israel's enemies as his own.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
אֹ֣יְבֶ֔יךָyour enemiesQal ptc m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Direct objectאֹיֵב (H341), Qal participle 'enemy'; same term as v.4, now Israel's national foes.
וְצַרְתִּ֖יand I will be an adversaryconj וְ + Qal perf(seq) 1cs · צָרַר (H6887)Coordinate predicate verb (apodosis)→ Weqatal: continuing the apodosisצָרַר (H6887) 'to bind, be hostile to, afflict'; parallel to אָיַב, intensifying divine solidarity against Israel's foes.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
צֹרְרֶֽיךָyour adversariesQal ptc m pl constr + 2ms suffix · צָרַר (H6887)Direct objectצָרַר (H6887), Qal participle 'adversary, foe'; a paronomasia with the verb וְצַרְתִּי — 'I will be-a-foe to your foes.'
23

כִּֽי יֵלֵ֣ךְ מַלְאָכִי֮ לְפָנֶיךָ֒ וֶהֱבִֽיאֲךָ֗ אֶל הָֽאֱמֹרִי֙ וְהַ֣חִתִּ֔י וְהַפְּרִזִּי֙ וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י הַחִוִּ֖י וְהַיְבוּסִ֑י וְהִכְחַדְתִּֽיו

For my angel will go before you and bring you to the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Canaanite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, and I will annihilate them.

Grounding continuation (fulfillment of the promise)asyndeton
Grounds v.22's promise concretely: the Angel's guidance culminates in the defeat of the six-nation list (a standard covenant-formula catalogue), with God himself pledging their annihilation.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction
יֵלֵ֣ךְwill goQal impf 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future — the Angel's ongoing mission (resuming v.20)הָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; the Angel's continued vanguard role.
מַלְאָכִי֮my angel/messengerN m sg constr + 1cs suffix · מַלְאָךְ (H4397)Subjectמַלְאָךְ (H4397) 'messenger, angel'; same term as v.20, now explicitly 'my angel,' reaffirming the divine commission.
לְפָנֶיךָ֒before youprep לְ + N c pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440), same idiom as v.20.
וֶהֱבִֽיאֲךָ֗and will bring youconj וְ + Hiphil perf(seq) 3ms + 2ms suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Coordinate predicate verb (sequential)→ Weqatal (Hiphil): continuing future actionבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring'; same verb as vv.19-20, now fulfilled by the Angel.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)
הָֽאֱמֹרִי֙the Amoriteart + Gentilic n m sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Object of preposition (first of six nations)אֱמֹרִי (H567), gentilic 'Amorite'; one of the peoples of Canaan, first in the traditional list of nations.
וְהַ֣חִתִּ֔יand the Hittiteconj וְ + art + Gentilic n m sg abs · חִתִּי (H2850)Coordinate object of prepositionחִתִּי (H2850), gentilic 'Hittite', descendants of חֵת.
וְהַפְּרִזִּי֙and the Perizziteconj וְ + art + Gentilic n m sg abs · פְּרִזִּי (H6522)Coordinate object of prepositionפְּרִזִּי (H6522), gentilic 'Perizzite'; possibly 'villagers, rural dwellers' rather than a strict ethnonym.
וְהַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔יand the Canaaniteconj וְ + art + Gentilic n m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Coordinate object of prepositionכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669), gentilic 'Canaanite'; the broad name for the land's inhabitants, from כְּנַעַן.
הַחִוִּ֖יthe Hiviteart + Gentilic n m sg abs · חִוִּי (H2340)Coordinate object of prepositionחִוִּי (H2340), gentilic 'Hivite.'
וְהַיְבוּסִ֑יand the Jebusiteconj וְ + art + Gentilic n m sg abs · יְבוּסִי (H2983)Coordinate object of preposition (final of six nations)יְבוּסִי (H2983), gentilic 'Jebusite'; inhabitants of Jerusalem (Jebus) prior to David's conquest.
וְהִכְחַדְתִּֽיוand I will annihilate itconj וְ + Hiphil perf(seq) 1cs + 3ms suffix · כָּחַד (H3582)Predicate verb (main clause, sequential)→ Weqatal (Hiphil): decisive future divine actionכָּחַד (H3582) Hiphil 'to hide, destroy, annihilate, exterminate'; God's own pledge to wipe out the collective (singular suffix referring to the nations as a unit).
24

לֹֽא תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֤ה לֵאלֹֽהֵיהֶם֙ וְלֹ֣א תָֽעָבְדֵ֔ם וְלֹ֥א תַעֲשֶׂ֖ה כְּמַֽעֲשֵׂיהֶ֑ם כִּ֤י הָרֵס֙ תְּהָ֣רְסֵ֔ם וְשַׁבֵּ֥ר תְּשַׁבֵּ֖ר מַצֵּבֹתֵיהֶֽם

You shall not bow down to their gods nor serve them, nor act according to their practices, but you shall utterly demolish them and utterly break their sacred pillars.

Coordinate continuation (response required of Israel)asyndeton
Turns from divine promise to human obligation: total religious non-conformity and active destruction of Canaanite cult objects, resuming the idolatry concern first raised in v.13.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
לֹֽאnotNeg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֤הyou shall bow downHishtaphel impf 2ms · שָׁחָה (H7812)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol (Hishtaphel): modal prohibitionשָׁחָה (H7812) Hishtaphel (reflexive-causative) 'to bow down, prostrate oneself, worship'; the primary verb for cultic homage.
לֵאלֹֽהֵיהֶם֙to their godsprep לְ + N m pl constr + 3mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of prepositionאֱלֹהִים (H430) 'god(s)'; the deities of the nations named in v.23.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj וְ + Neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating negative particle
תָֽעָבְדֵ֔םnor serve themQal impf 2ms + 3mp suffix · עָבַד (H5647)Coordinate predicate verb (prohibition)→ Yiqtol: modal prohibitionעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, work, worship'; cultic service alongside the physical gesture of v.24a.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + Neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating negative particle
תַעֲשֶׂ֖הnor shall you doQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Coordinate predicate verb (prohibition)→ Yiqtol: modal prohibitionעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; forbids imitating pagan cultic practice generally.
כְּמַֽעֲשֵׂיהֶ֑םaccording to their deedsprep כְּ + N m pl constr + 3mp suffix · מַעֲשֶׂה (H4639)Comparative prepositional phraseמַעֲשֶׂה (H4639) 'deed, work'; their cultic practices/customs, same term as vv.12/16, now in a negative sense.
כִּ֤יbutconj · כִּי (H3588)Adversative conjunction (contrastive: prohibition vs. mandated action)
הָרֵס֙utterlyPiel inf abs · הָרַס (H2040)Infinitive absolute intensifying the finite verb→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — total demolition requiredהָרַס (H2040) 'to tear down, demolish'; infinitive absolute + finite verb, 'you must utterly demolish.'
תְּהָ֣רְסֵ֔םyou shall demolish themPiel impf 2ms + 3mp suffix · הָרַס (H2040)Predicate verb (main clause, emphatic)→ Yiqtol (Piel): emphatic obligationהָרַס (H2040), completing the emphatic construction — the pagan altars/cult objects.
וְשַׁבֵּ֥רand utterlyconj וְ + Piel inf abs · שָׁבַר (H7665)Coordinate infinitive absolute intensifying the finite verb→ Infinitive absolute: emphatic — total breakage requiredשָׁבַר (H7665) Piel 'to shatter, break in pieces'; second emphatic pair, parallel to הָרֵס.
תְּשַׁבֵּ֖רyou shall breakPiel impf 2ms · שָׁבַר (H7665)Predicate verb (main clause, emphatic)→ Yiqtol (Piel): emphatic obligationשָׁבַר (H7665), completing the emphatic construction.
מַצֵּבֹתֵיהֶֽםtheir (sacred) pillarsN f pl constr + 3mp suffix · מַצֵּבָה (H4676)Direct objectמַצֵּבָה (H4676) 'standing stone, sacred pillar', from נָצַב 'to stand'; cultic stone monuments of Canaanite worship, to be smashed.
25

וַעֲבַדְתֶּ֗ם אֵ֚ת יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם וּבֵרַ֥ךְ אֶֽת לַחְמְךָ֖ וְאֶת מֵימֶ֑יךָ וַהֲסִרֹתִ֥י מַחֲלָ֖ה מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָ

You shall serve the LORD your God, and he will bless your bread and your water, and I will remove sickness from your midst.

Positive counterpart (exclusive service, rewarded)וְ
The positive complement to v.24: exclusive service of the LORD (echoing v.24's forbidden עבד) brings material blessing and health, paralleling the plagues motif in reverse.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַעֲבַדְתֶּ֗םyou shall serveconj וְ + Qal perf(seq) 2mp · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: prescribed future obligation, positive counterpart to v.24עָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; same root as v.24's prohibition, now positively directed toward the LORD.
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
יְהוָ֣הthe LORDProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct objectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; the sole legitimate object of service, in contrast to v.24's forbidden gods.
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔םyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Appositional genitive modifierאֱלֹהִים (H430), in apposition to יְהוָה — 'the LORD your God.'
וּבֵרַ֥ךְand he will blessconj וְ + Piel perf(seq) 3ms · בֵּרַךְ (H1288)Predicate verb (apodosis, sequential)→ Weqatal (Piel): promised future consequenceבָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel 'to bless'; the covenant blessing that follows exclusive worship.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
לַחְמְךָ֖your breadN c sg constr + 2ms suffix · לֶחֶם (H3899)Direct objectלֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; staple provision, blessed as reward for covenant fidelity.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinate direct-object marker
מֵימֶ֑יךָyour waterN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · מַיִם (H4325)Coordinate direct objectמַיִם (H4325) 'water'; paired with לֶחֶם as the basic necessities of life, both blessed.
וַהֲסִרֹתִ֥יand I will removeconj וְ + Hiphil perf(seq) 1cs · סוּר (H5493)Coordinate predicate verb (apodosis)→ Weqatal (Hiphil): promised future divine actionסוּר (H5493) Hiphil 'to turn aside, remove, take away'; God's active protection from disease.
מַחֲלָ֖הsicknessN f sg abs · מַחֲלָה (H4245)Direct objectמַחֲלָה (H4245) 'sickness, disease', from חָלָה 'to be sick'; contrasts with the plagues visited on Egypt — covenant loyalty brings health.
מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָfrom your midstprep מִן + N m sg constr + 2ms suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phraseקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; same term as v.21 (שְׁמִי בְּקִרְבּוֹ) — God's name within the Angel corresponds to God's protective presence within Israel.
26

לֹ֥א תִהְיֶ֛ה מְשַׁכֵּלָ֥ה וַעֲקָרָ֖ה בְּאַרְצֶ֑ךָ אֶת מִסְפַּ֥ר יָמֶ֖יךָ אֲמַלֵּֽא

None shall miscarry or be barren in your land; I will fulfill the number of your days.

Coordinate continuation (further blessings)asyndeton
Extends the blessing catalogue of v.25 to fertility and full lifespan — the reversal of the infant-mortality threats of the exodus narrative and a mark of covenant favor.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
לֹ֥אnotNeg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
תִהְיֶ֛הthere shall beQal impf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: promised future/prohibition — a guaranteed absenceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; existential 'there shall not be.'
מְשַׁכֵּלָ֥הone who miscarriesPiel ptc f sg abs · שָׁכַל (H7921)Predicate nominative (complement of תִּהְיֶה)→ Participle: substantival state — a class of person/conditionשָׁכַל (H7921) Piel 'to miscarry, be bereaved of children'; participle used substantivally, 'a miscarrying woman.'
וַעֲקָרָ֖הor a barren womanconj וְ + Adj f sg abs (subst.) · עָקָר (H6135)Coordinate predicate nominativeעָקָר (H6135) 'barren'; paired with מְשַׁכֵּלָה, promising full fertility and safe childbirth as a covenant blessing.
בְּאַרְצֶ֑ךָin your landprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 2ms suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the promised land as the sphere of this blessing.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
מִסְפַּ֥רthe number ofN m sg constr · מִסְפָּר (H4557)Direct object (construct)מִסְפָּר (H4557) 'number, count', from סָפַר 'to count'; construct before יָמֶיךָ.
יָמֶ֖יךָyour daysN m pl constr + 2ms suffix · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive modifierיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; here of lifespan — a full, unshortened life.
אֲמַלֵּֽאI will fulfillPiel impf 1cs · מָלֵא (H4390)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol (Piel): promised future — God's guaranteeמָלֵא (H4390) Piel 'to fill, fulfill, complete'; God pledges full lifespans as a further covenant blessing.
27

אֶת אֵֽימָתִי֙ אֲשַׁלַּ֣ח לְפָנֶ֔יךָ וְהַמֹּתִי֙ אֶת כָּל הָעָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר תָּבֹ֖א בָּהֶ֑ם וְנָתַתִּ֧י אֶת כָּל אֹיְבֶ֛יךָ אֵלֶ֖יךָ עֹֽרֶף

I will send my terror before you, and will throw into confusion all the people among whom you come, and I will make all your enemies turn their backs to you.

Return to conquest theme (resuming v.23)asyndeton
Resumes the conquest-promise thread from v.23, now detailing the psychological/military mechanism — divinely sent terror and battlefield rout — that will secure victory.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
אֵֽימָתִי֙my terrorN f sg constr + 1cs suffix · אֵימָה (H367)Direct object (fronted)אֵימָה (H367) 'terror, dread'; a divinely sent panic preceding Israel, cf. the 'hornet' of v.28 and Josh 2:9-11's report of Canaanite dread.
אֲשַׁלַּ֣חI will sendPiel impf 1cs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol (Piel): promised future — decisive divine actionשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send, dispatch'; same verb as the Angel's sending in v.20, now sending terror.
לְפָנֶ֔יךָbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440), same idiom as vv.20, 23 — the terror now leads as vanguard alongside the Angel.
וְהַמֹּתִי֙and I will throw into confusionconj וְ + Qal perf(seq) 1cs · הָמַם (H2000)Coordinate predicate verb→ Weqatal: promised future — continuing divine actionהָמַם (H2000) 'to confuse, throw into panic/rout'; a term for divinely-caused battlefield confusion (cf. Exod 14:24).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (construct, quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before הָעָם.
הָעָ֔םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive modifierעַם (H5971) 'people'; here the collective populations of Canaan encountered on the way.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhomRel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun
תָּבֹ֖אyou comeQal impf 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: future — the encounter yet to comeבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; Israel's advance into hostile territory.
בָּהֶ֑םamong themprep + 3mp suffix · בְּ (H3807)Locative prepositional phrase
וְנָתַתִּ֧יand I will give/makeconj וְ + Qal perf(seq) 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Coordinate predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: promised future — decisive divine actionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put, make'; here causative, 'I will cause/make.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (construct, quantifier)כֹּל (H3605), same as above; construct before אֹיְבֶיךָ.
אֹיְבֶ֛יךָyour enemiesQal ptc m pl constr + 2ms suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Genitive modifierאֹיֵב (H341), same term as vv.4, 22 — 'enemy.'
אֵלֶ֖יךָto youprep אֶל + 2ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Indirect object (dative, recipient)
עֹֽרֶףthe neck/backN m sg abs · עֹרֶף (H6203)Direct objectעֹרֶף (H6203) 'neck, back of the neck'; idiom נָתַן עֹרֶף, 'to give the back/neck' — to cause enemies to flee, turning their backs in retreat.
28

וְשָׁלַחְתִּ֥י אֶת הַצִּרְעָ֖ה לְפָנֶ֑יךָ וְגֵרְשָׁ֗ה אֶת הַחִוִּ֧י אֶת הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֛י וְאֶת הַחִתִּ֖י מִלְּפָנֶֽיךָ

And I will send the hornet before you, which shall drive out the Hivite, the Canaanite, and the Hittite from before you.

Coordinate continuation (further agent of conquest)וְ
Adds a further, semi-mythic agent of dispossession (the hornet) to the terror of v.27, continuing the theme of divinely-orchestrated, not merely military, conquest.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְשָׁלַחְתִּ֥יand I will sendconj וְ + Qal perf(seq) 1cs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: promised future — decisive divine actionשָׁלַח (H7971), same verb as vv.20, 27; the sending of a supernatural agent of conquest.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַצִּרְעָ֖הthe hornetart + N f sg abs · צִרְעָה (H6880)Direct objectצִרְעָה (H6880) 'hornet'; interpreted literally (a stinging insect) or figuratively (panic/plague, perhaps an Egyptian symbol of conquest) sent to rout the Canaanites (cf. Josh 24:12).
לְפָנֶ֑יךָbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440), same recurring vanguard idiom.
וְגֵרְשָׁ֗הand it shall drive outconj וְ + Piel perf(seq) 3fs · גָּרַשׁ (H1644)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal (Piel): promised future, 3fs agreeing with the feminine צִרְעָהגָּרַשׁ (H1644) Piel 'to drive out, expel'; the recurring verb of dispossession in vv.29-31.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַחִוִּ֧יthe Hiviteart + Gentilic n m sg abs · חִוִּי (H2340)Direct objectחִוִּי (H2340), gentilic 'Hivite'; same term as v.23.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֛יthe Canaaniteart + Gentilic n m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Coordinate direct objectכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669), gentilic 'Canaanite'; same term as v.23.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinate direct-object marker
הַחִתִּ֖יthe Hittiteart + Gentilic n m sg abs · חִתִּי (H2850)Coordinate direct objectחִתִּי (H2850), gentilic 'Hittite'; same term as v.23 — only three of the six nations named here.
מִלְּפָנֶֽיךָfrom before youprep מִן + prep לְ + N c pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (source)פָּנִים (H6440); double preposition מִלִּפְנֵי, 'away from before you' — complete removal.
29

לֹ֧א אֲגָרְשֶׁ֛נּוּ מִפָּנֶ֖יךָ בְּשָׁנָ֣ה אֶחָ֑ת פֶּן תִּהְיֶ֤ה הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ שְׁמָמָ֔ה וְרַבָּ֥ה עָלֶ֖יךָ חַיַּ֥ת הַשָּׂדֶֽה

I will not drive them out from before you in a single year, lest the land become desolate and the wild animals multiply against you.

Qualifying continuation (pace of conquest)asyndeton
Qualifies the conquest promise with an ecological rationale for gradualism — a striking realism tempering the totalizing rhetoric of vv.27-28.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
לֹ֧אnotNeg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
אֲגָרְשֶׁ֛נּוּI will drive it/them outPiel impf 1cs + 3ms suffix · גָּרַשׁ (H1644)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol (Piel): promised future — measured pace of conquestגָּרַשׁ (H1644), same verb as v.28, now with God as explicit subject qualifying the pace of dispossession.
מִפָּנֶ֖יךָfrom before youprep מִן + N c pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (source)פָּנִים (H6440), recurring idiom.
בְּשָׁנָ֣הin a yearprep בְּ + N f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Temporal prepositional phraseשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year.'
אֶחָ֑תoneNum f sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral (modifying שָׁנָה)אֶחָד (H259) numeral 'one'; qualifies שָׁנָה — the conquest will not be completed in a single year.
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunctionפֶּן (H6435) 'lest'; introduces the rationale for gradual, not immediate, conquest.
תִּהְיֶ֤הbecomeQal impf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (negative purpose clause)→ Yiqtol: potential/purpose — an undesired outcome to avoidהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become.'
הָאָ֨רֶץ֙the landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subjectאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the promised land, at risk of depopulation-desolation if conquest is too swift.
שְׁמָמָ֔הa desolationN f sg abs · שְׁמָמָה (H8077)Predicate nominativeשְׁמָמָה (H8077) 'desolation, waste', from שָׁמֵם 'to be desolate'; the ecological/agricultural danger of depopulated land reverting to wilderness.
וְרַבָּ֥הand multiplyconj וְ + Qal perf(seq) 3fs · רָבַב (H7231)Coordinate predicate verb→ Weqatal: continuing potential/purpose resultרָבַב (H7231) 'to be(come) many, multiply'; the wild-animal population would overrun an under-populated land.
עָלֶ֖יךָagainst youprep עַל + 2ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (disadvantage)עַל (H5921) 'upon, against'; the animals become a threat to Israel rather than a benefit.
חַיַּ֥תthe beast ofN f sg constr · חַיָּה (H2416)Subject (construct)חַיָּה (H2416), same term as v.11; here a danger rather than a beneficiary.
הַשָּׂדֶֽהthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Genitive modifierשָׂדֶה (H7704), same term as vv.11, 16.
30

מְעַ֥ט מְעַ֛ט אֲגָרְשֶׁ֖נּוּ מִפָּנֶ֑יךָ עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּפְרֶ֔ה וְנָחַלְתָּ֖ אֶת הָאָֽרֶץ

Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you increase and take possession of the land.

Continuation (restates and specifies v.29's qualification)asyndeton
Restates v.29's gradualism with the memorable formula 'little by little,' tying the conquest's pace to Israel's own demographic growth.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
מְעַ֥טlittleN m sg abs (adverbial) · מְעַט (H4592)Adverbial modifier (manner, first of reduplicated pair)מְעַט (H4592) 'a little, few'; reduplicated מְעַט מְעַט, 'little by little' — the chapter's clearest statement of gradual conquest.
מְעַ֛טlittleN m sg abs (adverbial) · מְעַט (H4592)Adverbial modifier (manner, second of reduplicated pair)מְעַט (H4592), repetition intensifying the gradual, incremental sense — 'bit by bit.'
אֲגָרְשֶׁ֖נּוּI will drive it/them outPiel impf 1cs + 3ms suffix · גָּרַשׁ (H1644)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol (Piel): promised future — restating v.29's paceגָּרַשׁ (H1644), repeated verb from vv.28-29, now qualified explicitly by 'little by little.'
מִפָּנֶ֑יךָfrom before youprep מִן + N c pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440), recurring idiom.
עַ֚דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (introducing the terminus of gradual conquest)עַד (H5704) 'until, as far as.'
אֲשֶׁ֣רthat/whenRel pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun (temporal complement of עַד)
תִּפְרֶ֔הyou are fruitful/increaseQal impf 2ms · פָּרָה (H6509)Predicate verb (temporal clause)→ Yiqtol: future — Israel's population growth as the marker of readinessפָּרָה (H6509) 'to be fruitful, increase'; the demographic condition for completing the conquest — enough Israelites to fill the land.
וְנָחַלְתָּ֖and possessconj וְ + Qal perf(seq) 2ms · נָחַל (H5157)Coordinate predicate verb (temporal clause)→ Weqatal: continuing future — the intended outcomeנָחַל (H5157) 'to take possession of, inherit'; source of נַחֲלָה 'inheritance' — the land as Israel's covenant inheritance.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
הָאָֽרֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct objectאֶרֶץ (H776), same term throughout the chapter — the promised inheritance.
31

וְשַׁתִּ֣י אֶת גְּבֻלְךָ֗ מִיַּם סוּף֙ וְעַד יָ֣ם פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וּמִמִּדְבָּ֖ר עַד הַנָּהָ֑ר כִּ֣י אֶתֵּ֣ן בְּיֶדְכֶ֗ם אֵ֚ת יֹשְׁבֵ֣י הָאָ֔רֶץ וְגֵרַשְׁתָּ֖מוֹ מִפָּנֶֽיךָ

And I will set your border from the Sea of Reeds to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness to the River; for I will give the inhabitants of the land into your hand, and you shall drive them out from before you.

Continuation (territorial promise, culminating conquest instruction)וְ
Specifies the maximal territorial extent of the promise (echoing the Abrahamic land-grant of Gen 15:18) and shifts the verb of dispossession to Israel itself as the acting agent.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְשַׁתִּ֣יand I will setconj וְ + Qal perf(seq) 1cs · שִׁית (H7896)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Weqatal: promised future — decisive divine actionשִׁית (H7896) 'to put, set, place'; same verb as v.1, now of establishing territorial boundaries.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
גְּבֻלְךָ֗your borderN m sg constr + 2ms suffix · גְּבוּל (H1366)Direct objectגְּבוּל (H1366) 'border, territory, boundary'; the promised extent of the land.
מִיַּםfrom the sea ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · יָם (H3220)Locative prepositional phrase (source, construct)יָם (H3220) 'sea'; construct before סוּף.
סוּף֙ReedsN m sg abs · סוּף (H5488)Genitive modifierסוּף (H5488) 'reed(s), rush'; יַם סוּף, the 'Sea of Reeds' — traditionally the Red Sea/Gulf of Suez, the southern boundary.
וְעַדand toconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Coordinate locative prepositional phrase (terminus)עַד (H5704) 'until, up to'; marks the boundary's other end.
יָ֣םthe sea ofN m sg constr · יָם (H3220)Object of preposition (construct)יָם (H3220), repeated; construct before פְּלִשְׁתִּים.
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔יםthe PhilistinesGentilic n m pl abs · פְּלִשְׁתִּי (H6430)Genitive modifierפְּלִשְׁתִּי (H6430), gentilic 'Philistine'; יָם פְּלִשְׁתִּים, the Mediterranean coast — the western boundary.
וּמִמִּדְבָּ֖רand from the wildernessconj וְ + prep מִן + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Coordinate locative prepositional phrase (source)מִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, desert'; the southeastern boundary, likely the Syro-Arabian desert.
עַדtoprep · עַד (H5704)Locative prepositional phrase (terminus)עַד (H5704), repeated.
הַנָּהָ֑רthe Riverart + N m sg abs · נָהָר (H5104)Object of prepositionנָהָר (H5104) 'river'; with the article, the standard designation for the Euphrates — the ideal, maximal northeastern boundary (cf. Gen 15:18).
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction
אֶתֵּ֣ןI will giveQal impf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: promised future — decisive divine actionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; God's pledge to hand the land's population over to Israel.
בְּיֶדְכֶ֗םinto your handprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 2mp suffix · יָד (H3027)Locative prepositional phrase (recipient)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom נָתַן בְּיַד, 'to deliver/hand over into the power of.'
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
יֹשְׁבֵ֣יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc m pl constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Direct object (construct)→ Participle: substantival — a class of people ('dwellers')יָשַׁב (H3427) Qal participle 'to sit, dwell'; substantival 'inhabitants,' construct before הָאָרֶץ.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive modifierאֶרֶץ (H776), recurring term for the promised land.
וְגֵרַשְׁתָּ֖מוֹand you shall drive them outconj וְ + Piel perf(seq) 2ms + 3mp suffix · גָּרַשׁ (H1644)Predicate verb (main clause, sequential)→ Weqatal (Piel): promised future obligation — now Israel is the agentגָּרַשׁ (H1644), same recurring verb of dispossession (vv.28-30), now with Israel as subject rather than God/hornet.
מִפָּנֶֽיךָfrom before youprep מִן + N c pl constr + 2ms suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440), recurring idiom, closing the conquest unit.
32

לֹֽא תִכְרֹ֥ת לָהֶ֛ם וְלֵאלֹֽהֵיהֶ֖ם בְּרִֽית

You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods.

Culminating prohibition (no treaty with Canaan)asyndeton
The chapter's decisive prohibition against political/religious alliance, closing off any middle path between conquest and coexistence.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
לֹֽאnotNeg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
תִכְרֹ֥תyou shall make/cutQal impf 2ms · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: modal prohibitionכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut'; idiom כָּרַת בְּרִית, 'to cut/make a covenant' (from the ritual of cutting animals in covenant ceremonies).
לָהֶ֛םwith themprep + 3mp suffix · לְ (H3807)Object of preposition
וְלֵאלֹֽהֵיהֶ֖םor with their godsconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl constr + 3mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Coordinate object of prepositionאֱלֹהִים (H430), same term as vv.13, 24 — no treaty relations with either the nations or their deities.
בְּרִֽיתa covenantN f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct objectבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant, treaty'; the theological climax — Israel's exclusive covenant with the LORD (v.25) forbids any parallel treaty with Canaan's peoples or gods.
33

לֹ֤א יֵשְׁבוּ֙ בְּאַרְצְךָ֔ פֶּן יַחֲטִ֥יאוּ אֹתְךָ֖ לִ֑י כִּ֤י תַעֲבֹד֙ אֶת אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם כִּֽי יִהְיֶ֥ה לְךָ֖ לְמוֹקֵֽשׁ

They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely become a snare to you.

Closing summary (final rationale, chapter conclusion)asyndeton
Closes both the epilogue and the whole chapter with the starkest statement yet — no coexistence at all — grounded in the fear of religious contamination; 'a snare' (מוֹקֵשׁ) becomes a key term in later Deuteronomistic warnings (cf. Judg 2:3, Deut 7:16).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
לֹ֤אnotNeg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle
יֵשְׁבוּ֙they shall dwellQal impf 3mp · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (main clause, prohibition)→ Yiqtol: modal prohibitionיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, settle'; the concluding prohibition against allowing the nations to remain — same root as יֹשְׁבֵי in v.31.
בְּאַרְצְךָ֔in your landprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 2ms suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776), the recurring term for the promised land, now explicitly 'your land.'
פֶּןlestconj · פֶּן (H6435)Negative purpose conjunctionפֶּן (H6435), same conjunction as v.29, now motivating total exclusion rather than gradual pace.
יַחֲטִ֥יאוּthey cause to sinHiphil impf 3mp · חָטָא (H2398)Predicate verb (purpose clause)→ Yiqtol (Hiphil): potential/purpose — the feared outcomeחָטָא (H2398) Hiphil 'to cause to sin, lead astray'; the danger of religious contamination through coexistence.
אֹתְךָ֖youobj marker + 2ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object
לִ֑יagainst meprep + 1cs suffix · לְ (H3807)Prepositional complement (idiom: sin 'against/toward' God)
כִּ֤יfor/ifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional/causal conjunction
תַעֲבֹד֙you serveQal impf 2ms · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb (conditional clause)→ Yiqtol: conditional/future — the hypothesized lapseעָבַד (H5647), same verb as vv.24-25, now specifying the feared apostasy.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker
אֱלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔םtheir godsN m pl constr + 3mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Direct objectאֱלֹהִים (H430), recurring term, closing the chapter's warnings against foreign cult.
כִּֽיsurely/thatconj · כִּי (H3588)Emphatic/result conjunction
יִהְיֶ֥הit will beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: gnomic/future — the certain consequenceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become.'
לְךָ֖to youprep + 2ms suffix · לְ (H3807)Indirect object (dative)
לְמוֹקֵֽשׁa snareprep לְ + N m sg abs · מוֹקֵשׁ (H4170)Predicate complement (result: 'as a snare')מוֹקֵשׁ (H4170) 'snare, trap', from יָקַשׁ 'to lay a snare'; the chapter's final, climactic warning — closes the covenant code with the theological rationale for total separation from Canaanite religion.