1
וּמֹשֶׁ֗ה הָיָ֥ה רֹעֶ֛ה אֶת צֹ֛אן יִתְר֥וֹ חֹתְנ֖וֹ כֹּהֵ֣ן מִדְיָ֑ן וַיִּנְהַ֤ג אֶת הַצֹּאן֙ אַחַ֣ר הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר וַיָּבֹ֛א אֶל הַ֥ר הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים חֹרֵֽבָה
Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.
The chapter opens not with a wayyiqtol but with a fronted-subject disjunctive clause, signalling a shift from the closing summary of ch.2 (God's seeing/knowing) to background scene-setting for the theophany; the narrative proper resumes with the wayyiqtol chain in v.1b.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וּמֹשֶׁ֗הNow Mosesconj וְ + N proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject, fronted (disjunctive construction marking a new, background scene)מֹשֶׁה (H4872) 'Moses'; vav + subject (rather than wayyiqtol) is disjunctive, marking scene-setting rather than sequential action.
הָיָ֥הwasQal perf 3ms (stative) · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the disjunctive clause→ Perfective (stative): describes Moses' settled situation prior to the theophanyהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; stative use describing an ongoing occupation.
רֹעֶ֛הshepherdingQal ptc ms abs · רָעָה (H7462)Predicate complement (participle functioning with הָיָה as a periphrastic durative)→ Participle: durative/customary actionרָעָה (H7462) 'to pasture, shepherd'; the same verb later describes Moses shepherding Israel and God shepherding his flock (Ps 77:20).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking צֹאן)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; untranslated.
צֹ֛אןthe flock ofN (c) sg constr · צֹאן (H6629)Direct object of רֹעֶה, head of construct chainצֹאן (H6629) 'flock' (sheep and goats collectively); construct with יִתְרוֹ.
יִתְר֥וֹJethroN proper · יִתְרוֹ (H3503)Genitive, completing the construct chainיִתְרוֹ (H3503) 'Jethro', Moses' father-in-law, priest of Midian; called רְעוּאֵל in 2:18 and חֹבָב in Judg 4:11 — a long-recognized identity crux, most plausibly resolved by treating one name as a clan title.
חֹתְנ֖וֹhis father-in-lawQal ptc ms constr/Sp3ms · חָתַן (H2859)Apposition to יִתְרוֹחָתַן (H2859) 'to be related by marriage'; participle used substantivally, 'father-in-law'.
כֹּהֵ֣ןpriest ofN m sg constr · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Apposition to יִתְרוֹ, head of a second construct chainכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; Jethro's priestly office (cf. 18:11-12) frames Horeb as already sacred territory before the bush appears.
מִדְיָ֑ןMidianN proper · מִדְיָן (H4080)Genitive, completing the construct chainמִדְיָן (H4080), the region east of the Gulf of Aqaba where Moses took refuge (2:15).
וַיִּנְהַ֤גand he ledwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · נָהַג (H5090)Predicate verb (narrative line resumes)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָהַג (H5090) 'to drive, lead' (livestock).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking הַצֹּאן)אֵת (H853), untranslated.
הַצֹּאן֙the flockart + N (c) sg abs · צֹאן (H6629)Direct object of וַיִּנְהַגצֹאן (H6629); anaphoric, resuming the flock of v.1a.
אַחַ֣רto the far side ofprep · אַחַר (H310)Adverbial prepositional phrase of placeאַחַר (H310) 'behind, after'; spatial here — deep pastureland away from settlement.
הַמִּדְבָּ֔רthe wildernessart + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Object of preposition אַחַרמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, pasture-land'; the same wilderness Israel will later traverse.
וַיָּבֹ֛אand he camewayyiqtol Qal 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (narrative line)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, arriving at the story's settingבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal/direction
הַ֥רthe mountain ofN m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Object of preposition אֶל, head of construct chainהַר (H2022) 'mountain, hill country'.
הָאֱלֹהִ֖יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Genitive, completing the construct chain ('mountain of God')אֱלֹהִים (H430); the epithet 'mountain of God' for Horeb/Sinai is proleptic, anticipating the revelation and covenant to come.
חֹרֵֽבָהto HorebN proper + directional ה · חֹרֵב (H2722)Adverbial accusative of direction (he-locale)חֹרֵב (H2722) 'Horeb', the alternate name for Sinai; the directional heh marks motion toward.
2
וַ֠יֵּרָא מַלְאַ֨ךְ יְהֹוָ֥ה אֵלָ֛יו בְּלַבַּת אֵ֖שׁ מִתּ֣וֹךְ הַסְּנֶ֑ה וַיַּ֗רְא וְהִנֵּ֤ה הַסְּנֶה֙ בֹּעֵ֣ר בָּאֵ֔שׁ וְהַסְּנֶ֖ה אֵינֶ֥נּוּ אֻכָּֽל
And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed.
The verse pairs two 'seeing' verbs: God's messenger appearing (Niphal רָאָה) and Moses' own act of looking (Qal רָאָה), pivoting into a vivid, present-tense-feeling הִנֵּה clause that lets the reader see the paradox — fire without consumption — through Moses' eyes.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַ֠יֵּרָאappearedwayyiqtol Niphal 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative advance)→ Wayyiqtol (Niphal): foregrounded narrative advance — the theophany bursts into the sceneרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Niphal 'appear, show oneself', the standard verb for theophanic self-disclosure.
מַלְאַ֨ךְthe angel/messenger ofN m sg constr · מַלְאָךְ (H4397)Subject of וַיֵּרָא, head of construct chainמַלְאָךְ (H4397) 'messenger, angel'; 'the angel of the LORD' functions here as a mode of divine presence, virtually identified with YHWH himself (God speaks directly in v.4).
יְהֹוָ֥הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive, completing the construct chainיְהוָה (H3068), the tetragrammaton, Israel's covenant name for God, whose meaning is expounded in vv.14-15.
אֵלָ֛יוto himprep אֶל + Sp3ms · אֶל (H413)Prepositional object of וַיֵּרָא
בְּלַבַּתin a flame ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · לַבָּה (H3827)Prepositional phrase of mannerלַבָּה (H3827) 'flame'; construct with אֵשׁ, an intensified expression for a blazing fire.
אֵ֖שׁfireN (c) sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Genitive, completing the construct chainאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; fire regularly accompanies theophany in the Pentateuch (cf. 19:18; 24:17).
מִתּ֣וֹךְfrom the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Prepositional phrase of source/locationתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; the fire burns from inside the bush, not merely around it.
הַסְּנֶ֑הthe bushart + N m sg abs · סְנֶה (H5572)Object of preposition מִתּוֹךְסְנֶה (H5572) 'bush, bramble', a rare word (elsewhere only Deut 33:16), perhaps chosen for its wordplay with סִינַי 'Sinai'.
וַיַּ֗רְאand he lookedwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative advance)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — Moses' own act of lookingרָאָה (H7200); Qal here of Moses' ordinary sight, contrasting the Niphal theophanic 'appeared' that opens the verse.
וְהִנֵּ֤הand beholdconj וְ + presentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative marking a shift into Moses' viewpoint (free indirect perception)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; signals that the reader now sees what Moses sees, heightening vividness.
הַסְּנֶה֙the bushart + N m sg abs · סְנֶה (H5572)Subject of the participial clauseסְנֶה (H5572); anaphoric repetition keeps focus on the one visual anomaly.
בֹּעֵ֣רburningQal ptc ms abs · בָּעַר (H1197)Predicate (participle in a verbless clause): 'the bush [was] burning'→ Participle: vivid, ongoing durative actionבָּעַר (H1197) 'to burn'; the participle expresses the continuous blaze Moses witnesses.
בָּאֵ֔שׁwith fireprep בְּ + art + N (c) sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Prepositional phrase of means/instrument
וְהַסְּנֶ֖הyet the bushconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · סְנֶה (H5572)Subject of the adversative clause ('and yet the bush...')The vav is adversative here, 'and yet' — the paradox of non-consumption is the whole point of the verse.
אֵינֶ֥נּוּit was notnegative existential + Sp3ms · אַיִן (H369)Negated predicate (existential negator with pronominal subject)אַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; with suffix, 'it is not', negating the passive participle that follows.
אֻכָּֽלconsumedQal passive ptc ms abs · אָכַל (H398)Predicate complement completing the negated clause→ Passive participle: a resulting state — the bush is simply not being consumedאָכַל (H398) 'to eat, consume'; passive, of fire 'consuming' wood — the miracle is precisely the fire's non-destructive burning.
3
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֔ה אָסֻֽרָה נָּ֣א וְאֶרְאֶ֔ה אֶת הַמַּרְאֶ֥ה הַגָּדֹ֖ל הַזֶּ֑ה מַדּ֖וּעַ לֹא יִבְעַ֥ר הַסְּנֶֽה
And Moses said, "Let me turn aside now and see this great sight, why the bush is not burned up."
Moses' self-exhortation (two cohortatives) makes his curiosity the human hinge of the theophany: God does not simply appear to a passive observer but waits for Moses' own decision to investigate before calling out to him (v.4).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand saidwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, introduces direct speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; standard speech-formula introducing quoted discourse.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶר
אָסֻֽרָהlet me turn asidecohortative Qal 1cs · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb (self-exhortation, main clause of Moses' speech)→ Cohortative: volitional self-encouragement, expressing determined resolveסוּר (H5493) 'to turn aside, depart from the path'; Moses' curiosity-driven detour becomes the occasion of revelation.
נָּ֣אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Enclitic particle reinforcing the cohortativeנָא (H4994), a particle of entreaty/logical sequence, 'please, now'.
וְאֶרְאֶ֔הand let me seecohortative (waw-conjunctive) Qal 1cs · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb, second cohortative in the series→ Cohortative: volitional purpose, continuing Moses' resolveרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; states the purpose/result of turning aside.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking הַמַּרְאֶה)אֵת (H853), untranslated.
הַמַּרְאֶ֥הthe sightart + N m sg abs · מַרְאֶה (H4758)Direct object of וְאֶרְאֶהמַרְאֶה (H4758) 'sight, appearance', from רָאָה; a phenomenon extraordinary enough to warrant investigation.
הַגָּדֹ֖לgreatart + Adj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying הַמַּרְאֶהגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; of visual/phenomenal magnitude, foreshadowing the significance of what follows.
הַזֶּ֑הthisart + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַמַּרְאֶהזֶה (H2088) 'this'; deictic, pointing to the phenomenon just described.
מַדּ֖וּעַwhyinterrogative adv · מַדּוּעַ (H4069)Interrogative adverb introducing an indirect question (epexegetical to הַמַּרְאֶה הַגָּדֹל)מַדּוּעַ (H4069) 'why'; introduces the content of the 'great sight' — the bush's non-consumption.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יִבְעַרלֹא (H3808), the standard indicative verbal negator.
יִבְעַ֥רburns upQal impf (yiqtol) 3ms · בָּעַר (H1197)Predicate verb of the indirect question→ Yiqtol: imperfective — the ongoing, expected-but-defied process of burningבָּעַר (H1197) 'to burn'; same root as בֹּעֵר (v.2), now negated — 'why does the bush not burn up?'
הַסְּנֶֽהthe bushart + N m sg abs · סְנֶה (H5572)Subject of יִבְעַר
4
וַיַּ֥רְא יְהוָ֖ה כִּ֣י סָ֣ר לִרְא֑וֹת וַיִּקְרָא֩ אֵלָ֨יו אֱלֹהִ֜ים מִתּ֣וֹךְ הַסְּנֶ֗ה וַיֹּ֛אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֥ה מֹשֶׁ֖ה וַיֹּ֥אמֶר הִנֵּֽנִי
When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him out of the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am."
The verse pivots from Moses' curiosity to God's initiative: seeing that Moses had turned aside, God (now named both יְהוָה and אֱלֹהִים) calls him by name twice — the doubled vocative marking urgency and intimacy — and Moses answers with the idiom of ready availability, הִנֵּנִי.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיַּ֥רְאand sawwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceרָאָה (H7200); God's seeing here initiates the direct call that follows.
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיַּרְאיְהוָה (H3068); the narrator alternates 'the angel of the LORD' (v.2), 'the LORD' (here), and 'God' (below) for the same speaker, stressing that YHWH and Elohim are one and the same actor in this scene.
כִּ֣יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing the object clause of וַיַּרְאכִּי (H3588) 'that, because, for'; here introduces a content clause.
סָ֣רhe turned asideQal perf 3ms · סוּר (H5493)Predicate verb of the subordinate clause→ Perfective: a completed act reported as fact within the כִּי-clauseסוּר (H5493); resumes the verb of v.3, now viewed from God's perspective.
לִרְא֑וֹתto lookprep לְ + Qal inf constr · רָאָה (H7200)Infinitival purpose clause modifying סָר→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result — 'in order to look'רָאָה (H7200); Moses turned aside specifically to investigate.
וַיִּקְרָא֩and he calledwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative advance)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the direct divine address beginsקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, summon'.
אֵלָ֨יוto himprep אֶל + Sp3ms · אֶל (H413)Prepositional object of וַיִּקְרָא
אֱלֹהִ֜יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of וַיִּקְרָאאֱלֹהִים (H430); here without article, functioning as a proper name for Israel's God, interchangeable in this pericope with יְהוָה.
מִתּ֣וֹךְfrom the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Prepositional phrase of source
הַסְּנֶ֗הthe bushart + N m sg abs · סְנֶה (H5572)Genitive, completing the construct chain
וַיֹּ֛אמֶרand saidwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, introduces direct speech)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Vocative, direct address (first occurrence)The doubled vocative 'Moses, Moses' parallels other urgent divine summonses (Gen 22:11; 46:2; 1 Sam 3:10) — intimate, arresting address.
מֹשֶׁ֖הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Vocative, direct address (repeated for emphasis/urgency)
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand he saidwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance
הִנֵּֽנִיhere I ampresentative particle + Sp1cs · הִנֵּה (H2009)Predicate of the verbless response clause (Moses' reply)הִנֵּה (H2009) + 1cs suffix, a fixed idiom of ready, attentive response (cf. Abraham, Gen 22:1; Samuel, 1 Sam 3:4) — signalling submission and availability, not mere location.
5
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אַל תִּקְרַ֣ב הֲלֹ֑ם שַׁל נְעָלֶ֨יךָ֙ מֵעַ֣ל רַגְלֶ֔יךָ כִּ֣י הַמָּק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֤ר אַתָּה֙ עוֹמֵ֣ד עָלָ֔יו אַדְמַת קֹ֖דֶשׁ הֽוּא
Then he said, "Do not come near; take off your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground."
Before any word of commission, God first establishes the boundary and etiquette of sacred space: a prohibition (do not approach), a command (remove sandals), and the ground clause explaining both — this is holy ground. The chapter's theology of divine presence begins with reverence, not mission.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיֹּ֖אמֶרand he saidwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance
אַלdo notnegative particle (volitive) · אַל (H408)Negates the jussive תִּקְרַבאַל (H408), the negative used with jussive/short prefix forms for prohibitions, distinct from indicative לֹא.
תִּקְרַ֣בdraw nearjussive (neg. volitive) Qal 2ms · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb, prohibition→ Jussive/volitive negated: an urgent prohibition — 'you must not draw near'קָרַב (H7126) 'to approach, draw near'; the prohibition establishes the boundary of sacred space before any instruction is given.
הֲלֹ֑םhereadverb · הֲלֹם (H1988)Adverbial modifier of place with תִּקְרַבהֲלֹם (H1988) 'here, hither', a rare adverb (elsewhere e.g. Judg 18:3).
שַׁלremove!impv Qal 2ms (apocopated) · נָשַׁל (H5394)Predicate verb, second imperative command→ Imperative: direct volitional commandנָשַׁל (H5394) 'to draw off, slip off'; שַׁל is a shortened/apocopated imperative form.
נְעָלֶ֨יךָ֙your sandalsN f pl constr/Sp2ms · נַעַל (H5275)Direct object of שַׁלנַעַל (H5275) 'sandal'; removing footwear is a gesture of humility/reverence before the sacred, still attested later (Josh 5:15).
מֵעַ֣לfrom offcompound prep מִן + עַל · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of separation
רַגְלֶ֔יךָyour feetN f dual constr/Sp2ms · רֶגֶל (H7272)Object of preposition מֵעַלרֶגֶל (H7272) 'foot'; dual form for the natural pair.
כִּ֣יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction, introducing the ground for the commandכִּי (H3588) here causal, 'for, because'.
הַמָּק֗וֹםthe placeart + N m sg abs · מָקוֹם (H4725)Subject of the verbless clause (predicate אַדְמַת קֹדֶשׁ הוּא)מָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; this specific ground, not the wilderness generally, is designated holy.
אֲשֶׁ֤רon whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הַמָּקוֹםאֲשֶׁר (H834), the invariable Hebrew relative particle.
אַתָּה֙youindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject of the relative clause (with עוֹמֵד)
עוֹמֵ֣דstandingQal ptc ms abs · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate (participle) of the relative clause→ Participle: durative — Moses' present, ongoing postureעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'.
עָלָ֔יוon itprep עַל + Sp3ms · עַל (H5921)Prepositional object of עוֹמֵד
אַדְמַתground ofN f sg constr · אֲדָמָה (H127)Predicate nominative, head of construct chain (verbless clause)אֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, earth, soil'; construct with קֹדֶשׁ — the substance of the earth is not changed, but its status is.
קֹ֖דֶשׁholinessN m sg abs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Genitive, completing the construct chain (attributive genitive: 'ground of holiness' = holy ground)קֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holiness, sacredness'; the first explicit designation of consecrated space in the Torah's narrative.
הֽוּאit [is]independent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Copula completing the verbless predicate clauseהוּא (H1931) functions here as the copula 'is' in a nominal clause, confirming the predicate.
6
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אָנֹכִי֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י אָבִ֔יךָ אֱלֹהֵ֧י אַבְרָהָ֛ם אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִצְחָ֖ק וֵאלֹהֵ֣י יַעֲקֹ֑ב וַיַּסְתֵּ֤ר מֹשֶׁה֙ פָּנָ֔יו כִּ֣י יָרֵ֔א מֵהַבִּ֖יט אֶל הָאֱלֹהִֽים
And he said, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
God's self-identification anchors the theophany in covenant history — this is no new deity but the God already bound to the patriarchs. Moses' instinctive fear-response (hiding his face) both validates the holiness just declared (v.5) and sets up the assurance God will need to give in the verses that follow.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand he saidwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance
אָנֹכִי֙Iindependent pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject/predicate of the verbless self-identification clause ('I [am] the God of...')אָנֹכִי (H595), the emphatic first-person pronoun, the solemn form God uses for self-identification (cf. the Decalogue's incipit, 20:2).
אֱלֹהֵ֣יthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate nominative, head of construct chainאֱלֹהִים (H430) construct, 'God of'; the repeated construct-plus-name pattern here recites the patriarchal succession individually before v.15 summarizes it — deliberate solemnity.
אָבִ֔יךָyour fatherN m sg constr/Sp2ms · אָב (H1)Genitive, completing the construct chainאָב (H1) 'father'; the singular 'your father' likely functions as a summary term for the ancestors named individually next (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob).
אֱלֹהֵ֧יthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate nominative (in apposition), head of construct chain
אַבְרָהָ֛םAbrahamN proper · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Genitive, completing the construct chainאַבְרָהָם (H85), the first patriarch, recipient of the covenant promises (Gen 12, 15, 17) that this revelation now moves to fulfill.
אֱלֹהֵ֥יthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate nominative (in apposition), head of construct chain
יִצְחָ֖קIsaacN proper · יִצְחָק (H3327)Genitive, completing the construct chainיִצְחָק (H3327), son of Abraham and Sarah, the second patriarch.
וֵאלֹהֵ֣יand the God ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate nominative (in apposition), head of construct chain
יַעֲקֹ֑בJacobN proper · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Genitive, completing the construct chainיַעֲקֹב (H3290), grandson of Abraham, later renamed Israel (Gen 32:28), father of the twelve tribes.
וַיַּסְתֵּ֤רand he hidwayyiqtol Hifil 3ms · סָתַר (H5641)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative advance)→ Wayyiqtol (Hifil): foregrounded narrative advance — Moses' immediate, instinctive reactionסָתַר (H5641) 'to hide'; Hifil causative, 'he hid/covered his face'.
מֹשֶׁה֙MosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיַּסְתֵּר
פָּנָ֔יוhis faceN (c) pl constr/Sp3ms · פָּנִים (H6440)Direct object of וַיַּסְתֵּרפָּנִים (H6440) 'face' (plural form, singular sense); hiding the face expresses reverent fear before the divine presence (cf. Elijah, 1 Kgs 19:13).
כִּ֣יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction, giving the reason for hiding his face
יָרֵ֔אhe was afraidQal perf 3ms (stative) · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective (stative): a settled state of fear/reverent aweיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear'; here the reverent fear/awe proper before God, not mere terror.
מֵהַבִּ֖יטfrom lookingprep מִן + Hifil inf constr · נָבַט (H5027)Infinitival complement of יָרֵא, object of the fear→ Infinitive construct: the specific act feared and avoidedנָבַט (H5027) 'to look, gaze'; Hifil, 'to gaze intently at' — Moses avoids a direct, fixed look at God (cf. the later principle of 33:20).
אֶלatprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, object of מֵהַבִּיט
הָאֱלֹהִֽיםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of preposition אֶל
7
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה רָאֹ֥ה רָאִ֛יתִי אֶת עֳנִ֥י עַמִּ֖י אֲשֶׁ֣ר בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם וְאֶת צַעֲקָתָ֤ם שָׁמַ֨עְתִּי֙ מִפְּנֵ֣י נֹֽגְשָׂ֔יו כִּ֥י יָדַ֖עְתִּי אֶת מַכְאֹבָֽיו
Then the LORD said, "I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sufferings.
God's speech opens with the same seeing/hearing/knowing vocabulary as the narrator's summary in 2:23-25, but now voiced directly by God in the first person — the divine compassion already reported becomes here divine testimony, grounding the commission that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand saidwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance
יְהוָ֔הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶר
רָאֹ֥הsurelyQal inf abs · רָאָה (H7200)Infinitive absolute intensifying the finite verb רָאִיתִי→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic certainty — 'I have surely seen'רָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; the paired infinitive absolute + perfect is the classic Hebrew idiom of emphasis.
רָאִ֛יתִיI have seenQal perf 1cs · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause of God's speech), reinforced by the preceding infinitive absolute→ Perfective: a completed, certain act of divine attentionרָאָה (H7200); this verb, with שָׁמַע and יָדַע below, echoes the same quartet as 2:24-25 (שָׁמַע, זָכַר, רָאָה, יָדַע), now voiced directly by God.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking עֳנִי)
עֳנִ֥יthe affliction ofN m sg constr · עֳנִי (H6040)Direct object of רָאִיתִי, head of construct chainעֳנִי (H6040) 'affliction, misery'; from the same root as the verb describing Egypt's oppression of Israel (1:11-12).
עַמִּ֖יmy peopleN m sg constr/Sp1cs · עַם (H5971)Genitive, completing the construct chainעַם (H5971) 'people'; the possessive suffix marks the decisive claim of covenant ownership driving the whole exodus narrative.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying עַמִּי
בְּמִצְרָ֑יִםare in Egyptprep בְּ + N proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Predicate of the verbless relative clauseמִצְרַיִם (H4714), the dual-form place name for Egypt (perhaps reflecting Upper and Lower Egypt).
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)
צַעֲקָתָ֤םtheir cryN f sg constr/Sp3mp · צְעָקָה (H6818)Direct object of שָׁמַעְתִּיצְעָקָה (H6818) 'cry, outcry'; picks up the same root used of Israel's groaning reaching God in 2:23-24.
שָׁמַ֨עְתִּי֙I have heardQal perf 1cs · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of divine attentionשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; God's hearing is not passive — it moves directly to action (v.8, 'I have come down').
מִפְּנֵ֣יbecause ofprep מִן + N (c) pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Causal prepositional phrase modifying שָׁמַעְתִּימִפְּנֵי, literally 'from the face of', idiomatic for 'because of, on account of'.
נֹֽגְשָׂ֔יוtheir taskmastersQal ptc m pl constr/Sp3ms · נָגַשׂ (H5065)Object of preposition מִפְּנֵינָגַשׂ (H5065) 'to drive, oppress'; substantival participle 'oppressors/taskmasters', the same root as 1:11's title for Egypt's slave-masters, with an odd 3ms suffix ('his taskmasters', i.e. Pharaoh's).
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction, introducing the ground clause
יָדַ֖עְתִּיI knowQal perf 1cs · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective (stative/experiential): a settled, intimate knowledge, not mere informationיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; connotes intimate, experiential, covenantal care, not detached awareness (cf. Amos 3:2).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking מַכְאֹבָיו)
מַכְאֹבָֽיוtheir sufferingsN m pl constr/Sp3ms · מַכְאוֹב (H4341)Direct object of יָדַעְתִּימַכְאוֹב (H4341) 'pain, suffering'; the 3ms suffix ('his pains') resumes the collective/distributive reference to the people as a singular entity, matching English 'their'.
8
וָאֵרֵ֞ד לְהַצִּיל֣וֹ מִיַּ֣ד מִצְרַ֗יִם וּֽלְהַעֲלֹתוֹ֮ מִן הָאָ֣רֶץ הַהִוא֒ אֶל אֶ֤רֶץ טוֹבָה֙ וּרְחָבָ֔ה אֶל אֶ֛רֶץ זָבַ֥ת חָלָ֖ב וּדְבָ֑שׁ אֶל מְק֤וֹם הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ וְהַ֣חִתִּ֔י וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙ וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י וְהַחִוִּ֖י וְהַיְבוּסִֽי
And I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite.
The verse moves from divine awareness (v.7) to divine action: 'coming down' language is anthropomorphic shorthand for decisive intervention (cf. Gen 11:5; 18:21). The land is described first by quality (good, spacious, flowing with milk and honey) and then by its inhabitants — the fixed six-nation formula recurring throughout the Pentateuch.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
וָאֵרֵ֞דand I have come downwayyiqtol Qal 1cs · יָרַד (H3381)Predicate verb (main clause, continuing God's speech in narrative-perfect style)→ Wayyiqtol (1cs): foregrounded advance — God's decisive movement to actיָרַד (H3381) 'to go down'; anthropomorphic language of divine descent/intervention (cf. Gen 11:5; 18:21).
לְהַצִּיל֣וֹto deliver themprep לְ + Hifil inf constr/Sp3ms · נָצַל (H5337)Infinitival purpose clause modifying וָאֵרֵד→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the aim of the descentנָצַל (H5337) 'to snatch away, deliver, rescue'; Hifil causative; the suffix refers collectively to 'my people' (v.7).
מִיַּ֣דfrom the hand ofprep מִן + N (c) sg constr · יָד (H3027)Prepositional phrase of source, modifying לְהַצִּילוֹיָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom for power/control.
מִצְרַ֗יִםEgyptN proper (gentilic sense) · מִצְרַיִם (H4713)Genitive, completing the construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4713); metonymic here for the Egyptians as agents of oppression.
וּֽלְהַעֲלֹתוֹ֮and to bring them upconj וְ + prep לְ + Hifil inf constr/Sp3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Infinitival purpose clause, coordinate with לְהַצִּילוֹ→ Infinitive construct: purpose, second in a coordinate pairעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; Hifil, 'to bring up' — deliverance is not mere escape but movement toward the promised land.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase of source, modifying לְהַעֲלֹתוֹ
הָאָ֣רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition מִןאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; Egypt, about to be contrasted with the good land.
הַהִוא֒thatart + independent pron 3fs (demonstrative use) · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָאָרֶץהִוא (H1931) with the article functions demonstratively, 'that (land)'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal, modifying לְהַעֲלֹתוֹ
אֶ֤רֶץa landN (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition אֶל
טוֹבָה֙goodAdj f sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Attributive adjective modifying אֶרֶץטוֹב (H2896) 'good'; the land's goodness anticipates covenant blessing, fulfilled in Canaan.
וּרְחָבָ֔הand spaciousconj וְ + Adj f sg abs · רָחָב (H7342)Attributive adjective, coordinate with טוֹבָהרָחָב (H7342) 'wide, spacious, broad'; paired with טוֹב as a fixed idiom for the promised land's abundance (cf. Deut 8:7-9).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, resumptive (restating the goal)
אֶ֛רֶץa landN (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition אֶל, resumptive
זָבַ֥תflowing withQal ptc f sg constr · זוּב (H2100)Attributive participle modifying אֶרֶץ, head of construct chain→ Participle: durative — a land characteristically, continuously overflowingזוּב (H2100) 'to flow, gush'; the iconic idiom 'flowing with milk and honey' recurs some twenty times in the Pentateuch as shorthand for the land's fertility.
חָלָ֖בmilkN m sg abs · חָלָב (H2461)Genitive/accusative completing the construct idiomחָלָב (H2461) 'milk'; signifies abundant pastureland and livestock.
וּדְבָ֑שׁand honeyconj וְ + N m sg abs · דְּבַשׁ (H1706)Coordinate with חָלָבדְּבַשׁ (H1706) 'honey' (likely date/fruit syrup as much as bee-honey); signifies the fruitfulness of orchards.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, resumptive (introducing the inhabitants' identity)
מְק֤וֹםthe place ofN m sg constr · מָקוֹם (H4725)Object of preposition אֶל, head of construct chain
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙the Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Genitive, first of six nations completing the construct chainכְּנַעֲנִי (H3669), gentilic of כְּנַעַן; the six-nation list is a fixed Pentateuchal formula for the land's inhabitants (cf. Gen 15:19-21; Deut 7:1).
וְהַ֣חִתִּ֔יand the Hittiteconj + art + gentilic N m sg abs · חִתִּי (H2850)Genitive, coordinate second nationחִתִּי (H2850), gentilic of חֵת; descendants of one of Canaan's sons (Gen 10:15).
וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙and the Amoriteconj + art + gentilic N m sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Genitive, coordinate third nationאֱמֹרִי (H567); a major highland people-group, sometimes used generically for all of Canaan's pre-Israelite population.
וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔יand the Perizziteconj + art + gentilic N m sg abs · פְּרִזִּי (H6522)Genitive, coordinate fourth nationפְּרִזִּי (H6522), of uncertain etymology, perhaps 'villagers, rural dwellers'.
וְהַחִוִּ֖יand the Hiviteconj + art + gentilic N m sg abs · חִוִּי (H2340)Genitive, coordinate fifth nationחִוִּי (H2340), a people later associated with Gibeon (Josh 9:7) and Shechem (Gen 34:2).
וְהַיְבוּסִֽיand the Jebusiteconj + art + gentilic N m sg abs · יְבוּסִי (H2983)Genitive, coordinate sixth and final nationיְבוּסִי (H2983), inhabitants of Jebus/Jerusalem before David's conquest (2 Sam 5:6-7).
9
וְעַתָּ֕ה הִנֵּ֛ה צַעֲקַ֥ת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בָּ֣אָה אֵלָ֑י וְגַם רָאִ֨יתִי֙ אֶת הַלַּ֔חַץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר מִצְרַ֖יִם לֹחֲצִ֥ים אֹתָֽם
And now, behold, the cry of the sons of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them.
The verse forms an inclusio with vv.7-8, restating the cry (v.7) and the seeing (v.7-8) as a summary confirmation before the commission proper begins in v.10; עַתָּה marks the hinge from background to imminent action.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְעַתָּ֕הand nowconj וְ + adv · עַתָּה (H6258)Discourse marker shifting from report to appeal/imperativeעַתָּה (H6258) 'now'; marks the transition from the divine speech's rationale (vv.7-8) to its present, urgent upshot (echoed again in v.10).
הִנֵּ֛הbeholdpresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative, drawing attention to the following clauseהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; heightens the immediacy of the report.
צַעֲקַ֥תthe cry ofN f sg constr · צְעָקָה (H6818)Subject of בָּאָה, head of construct chainצְעָקָה (H6818); resumes v.7's צַעֲקָתָם and 2:23's groaning-motif.
בְּנֵיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive, completing the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; 'sons of Israel' = the Israelites collectively.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, completing the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Jacob's covenant name (Gen 32:28), here designating his descendants as a people.
בָּ֣אָהhas comeQal perf 3fs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act with present relevance — the cry has already reached Godבּוֹא (H935) 'to come'; agrees in gender (3fs) with its feminine subject צַעֲקַת.
אֵלָ֑יto meprep אֶל + Sp1cs · אֶל (H413)Prepositional object of בָּאָה
וְגַםand alsoconj וְ + focus particle · גַּם (H1571)Focus/additive particle introducing a second, parallel confirmationגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; adds the visual confirmation (רָאִיתִי) to the auditory report just given.
רָאִ֨יתִי֙I have seenQal perf 1cs · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, certain act of divine observationרָאָה (H7200); echoes v.7's opening verb, forming an inclusio around the divine speech of vv.7-9.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking הַלַּחַץ)
הַלַּ֔חַץthe oppressionart + N m sg abs · לַחַץ (H3906)Direct object of רָאִיתִילַחַץ (H3906) 'oppression, pressure'; a rare noun (elsewhere only Num 22:25) sharing the root of the participle לֹחֲצִים below.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwith whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying הַלַּחַץ
מִצְרַ֖יִםthe EgyptiansN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4713)Subject of the relative clause (with לֹחֲצִים)
לֹחֲצִ֥יםoppressQal ptc m pl abs · לָחַץ (H3905)Predicate (participle) of the relative clause→ Participle: durative — the ongoing, present oppressionלָחַץ (H3905) 'to press, oppress'; the same root as הַלַּחַץ, an emphatic figura-etymologica-like pairing.
אֹתָֽםthemobj marker + Sp3mp · אֵת (H853)Direct object of לֹחֲצִים
10
וְעַתָּ֣ה לְכָ֔ה וְאֶֽשְׁלָחֲךָ֖ אֶל פַּרְעֹ֑ה וְהוֹצֵ֛א אֶת עַמִּ֥י בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מִמִּצְרָֽיִם
Come now, and I will send you to Pharaoh, that you may bring my people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt."
This is the actual commissioning utterance the whole chapter has been building toward: an urgent imperative ('go!') followed by purpose clauses naming both the destination (Pharaoh) and the goal (bringing Israel out) — the twin verbs שָׁלַח and יָצָא that structure the rest of the book.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְעַתָּ֣הand nowconj וְ + adv · עַתָּה (H6258)Discourse marker introducing the commission properעַתָּה (H6258); marks transition from rationale to command, echoing v.9.
לְכָ֔הcomeimpv Qal 2ms + paragogic ה · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb, imperative introducing the commission→ Imperative (with paragogic he): urgent, energetic command — 'go!'הָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'; the paragogic he intensifies the imperative, common in urgent divine commands.
וְאֶֽשְׁלָחֲךָ֖and I will send youconj וְ (purpose) + Qal impf (yiqtol) 1cs/Sp2ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb, purpose/result continuing the imperative→ Yiqtol (purposive): volitional — 'so that I may send you'שָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; the key commissioning verb of the chapter, echoed repeatedly (vv.12-15) as Moses' authorization.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal, modifying וְאֶשְׁלָחֲךָ
פַּרְעֹ֑הPharaohN proper (title) · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Object of preposition אֶלפַּרְעֹה (H6547), the Egyptian royal title ('great house') used as a name for the reigning king.
וְהוֹצֵ֛אand bring outconj וְ + Hifil impv 2ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb, coordinate imperative (purpose of the sending)→ Imperative (Hifil): direct command specifying the mission's goalיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Hifil causative 'to bring out' — the programmatic verb of the whole exodus (cf. 12:51; 20:2).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking עַמִּי)
עַמִּ֥יmy peopleN m sg constr/Sp1cs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of וְהוֹצֵא, head of appositionעַם (H5971) + 1cs suffix; God's ownership-claim again (cf. v.7), now the basis of the command.
בְנֵֽיthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Apposition to עַמִּי, head of construct chain
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, completing the construct chain
מִמִּצְרָֽיִםout of Egyptprep מִן + N proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Prepositional phrase of source/separation modifying וְהוֹצֵא
11
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶל הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים מִ֣י אָנֹ֔כִי כִּ֥י אֵלֵ֖ךְ אֶל פַּרְעֹ֑ה וְכִ֥י אוֹצִ֛יא אֶת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מִמִּצְרָֽיִם
But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?"
Moses' reply opens the chapter's dialogue of objections (the first of five, extending into ch.4); rather than answering the substance, God will respond in v.12 not with reassurance about Moses' competence but with a promise of his own presence — the pattern for every subsequent objection.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand saidwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance
מֹשֶׁה֙MosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶר
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal
הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of preposition אֶל
מִ֣יwhointerrogative pron · מִי (H4310)Predicate of the verbless question (with אָנֹכִי)מִי (H4310) 'who?'; Moses' first objection, questioning his own qualification/worthiness.
אָנֹ֔כִיIindependent pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of the verbless question
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction, epexegetical (unpacking the content of the question)כִּי (H3588) here epexegetical/result, 'that' — unpacking what Moses finds implausible about himself.
אֵלֵ֖ךְI should goimpf (yiqtol, modal) Qal 1cs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb of the כִּי-clause→ Yiqtol (modal): deliberative/potential — 'that I should go'הָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal, modifying אֵלֵךְ
פַּרְעֹ֑הPharaohN proper (title) · פַּרְעֹה (H6547)Object of preposition אֶל
וְכִ֥יand thatconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Coordinate subordinating conjunction, second clause of the objection
אוֹצִ֛יאI should bring outimpf (yiqtol, modal) Hifil 1cs · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the second כִּי-clause→ Yiqtol (modal, Hifil): deliberative/potential — the larger half of the daunting taskיָצָא (H3318); Hifil, echoes God's own imperative וְהוֹצֵא in v.10, now voiced back by Moses as the crux of his self-doubt.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל)
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object of אוֹצִיא, head of construct chain
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, completing the construct chain
מִמִּצְרָֽיִםout of Egyptprep מִן + N proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Prepositional phrase of source, modifying אוֹצִיא
12
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙ כִּֽי אֶֽהְיֶ֣ה עִמָּ֔ךְ וְזֶה לְּךָ֣ הָא֔וֹת כִּ֥י אָנֹכִ֖י שְׁלַחְתִּ֑יךָ בְּהוֹצִֽיאֲךָ֤ אֶת הָעָם֙ מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם תַּֽעַבְדוּן֙ אֶת הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔ים עַ֖ל הָהָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה
And he said, "I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain."
God does not answer 'who are you?' with reassurance about Moses' qualifications, but with the promise of his own presence — the pattern that will recur through every subsequent objection (ch.4). The sign given (worship at this mountain) is unusual in being retrospective: it can only be verified after Moses has already obeyed.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר֙and he saidwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance
כִּֽיsurelyparticle · כִּי (H3588)Asseverative/emphatic particle introducing God's replyכִּי (H3588) here asseverative, 'surely, indeed' (sometimes left untranslated as 'that'), reinforcing the promise that follows.
אֶֽהְיֶ֣הI will beimpf (yiqtol) Qal 1cs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, main clause of God's reply→ Yiqtol: future/durative — a promise of ongoing presenceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the same verb that supplies the divine name in v.14 — God answers Moses' 'who am I?' not with reassurance about Moses but with the promise 'I will be.'
עִמָּ֔ךְwith youprep עִם + Sp2ms · עִם (H5973)Prepositional object of אֶהְיֶהעִם (H5973) 'with'; the MT pointing עִמָּךְ resembles a 2fs form though addressed to Moses (2ms), a recognized suffix-pointing peculiarity (cf. GKC §103).
וְזֶהand thisconj וְ + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject of the verbless clause (predicate הָאוֹת)
לְּךָ֣for youprep לְ + Sp2ms · לPrepositional phrase (dative of reference) modifying הָאוֹת
הָא֔וֹתthe signart + N (c) sg abs · אוֹת (H226)Predicate nominative of the verbless clauseאוֹת (H226) 'sign'; unusually retrospective — Israel's worship at this very mountain (fulfilled ch.19) confirms the mission only after Moses has already obeyed, rather than validating his authority in advance.
כִּ֥יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction, epexegetical to הָאוֹת
אָנֹכִ֖יIindependent pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject (emphatic), resumed for emphasis
שְׁלַחְתִּ֑יךָhave sent youQal perf 1cs/Sp2ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb of the כִּי-clause (direct object suffix: 'you')→ Perfective: a completed, certain act — the sending is already decidedשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; object suffix attached directly to the perfect verb without אֵת.
בְּהוֹצִֽיאֲךָ֤when you bring outprep בְּ + Hifil inf constr/Sp2ms · יָצָא (H3318)Temporal infinitival clause modifying the coming verb תַּעַבְדוּן→ Infinitive construct: temporal — the future circumstance under which the sign is fulfilledיָצָא (H3318); Hifil infinitive with subject suffix, lit. 'in your bringing out' = 'when you bring out.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking הָעָם)
הָעָם֙the peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of בְּהוֹצִיאֲךָ
מִמִּצְרַ֔יִםout of Egyptprep מִן + N proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Prepositional phrase of source modifying בְּהוֹצִיאֲךָ
תַּֽעַבְדוּן֙you shall serveimpf (yiqtol) Qal 2mp + paragogic nun · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb, main clause of the sign (future apodosis)→ Yiqtol (paragogic nun): emphatic future — a certain, solemn promiseעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, worship'; the paragogic nun lends solemn emphasis — worship 'on this mountain' is itself the promised sign confirming the whole mission.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking הָאֱלֹהִים)
הָ֣אֱלֹהִ֔יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Direct object of תַּעַבְדוּן
עַ֖לonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of location modifying תַּעַבְדוּן
הָהָ֥רmountainart + N m sg abs · הַר (H2022)Object of preposition עַלהַר (H2022); this very mountain, Horeb/Sinai, where Israel will indeed worship (chs.19-24) — the sign's fulfillment closes the loop opened in v.1.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָהָר
13
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֶל הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗ים הִנֵּ֨ה אָנֹכִ֣י בָא֮ אֶל בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ וְאָמַרְתִּ֣י לָהֶ֔ם אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֖ם שְׁלָחַ֣נִי אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם וְאָֽמְרוּ לִ֣י מַה שְּׁמ֔וֹ מָ֥ה אֹמַ֖ר אֲלֵהֶֽם
Then Moses said to God, "Behold, when I come to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?"
Moses anticipates a concrete, practical challenge to his message: Israel will want to know the name of the God who sent him. The verse's chain of participle-then-weqatal forms narrates an entire imagined future dialogue before Moses even poses his actual question.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand saidwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance
מֹשֶׁ֜הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶר
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal
הָֽאֱלֹהִ֗יםGodart + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Object of preposition אֶל
הִנֵּ֨הbeholdpresentative particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative introducing Moses' hypothetical scenarioהִנֵּה (H2009); introduces the future scene Moses envisions playing out.
אָנֹכִ֣יIindependent pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of the participial clause (with בָא)
בָא֮am comingQal ptc ms abs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate (participle, imminent-future sense) of the verbless clause→ Participle: imminent future — 'I am about to come'בּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go'; participle expressing near-future intention.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Object of preposition אֶל, head of construct chain
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒IsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, completing the construct chain
וְאָמַרְתִּ֣יand I sayweqatal (waw-consecutive perfect) Qal 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb, continuing the envisioned future sequence→ Weqatal: sequential future, continuing the participle's modal senseאָמַר (H559); weqatal continues the future/modal sense of the preceding participle.
לָהֶ֔םto themprep לְ + Sp3mp · לPrepositional object of וְאָמַרְתִּי
אֱלֹהֵ֥יthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate nominative of the quoted speech, head of construct chain
אֲבוֹתֵיכֶ֖םyour fathersN m pl constr/Sp2mp · אָב (H1)Genitive, completing the construct chainאָב (H1) plural 'fathers' = the ancestors/patriarchs collectively.
שְׁלָחַ֣נִיhas sent meQal perf 3ms/Sp1cs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb of the quoted speech (object suffix: 'me')→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative act of commissioningשָׁלַח (H7971); object suffix attached directly to the perfect verb.
אֲלֵיכֶ֑םto youprep אֶל + Sp2mp · אֶל (H413)Prepositional object of שְׁלָחַנִי
וְאָֽמְרוּand they will sayweqatal Qal 3cp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb, continuing the envisioned sequence (Israel's anticipated reply)→ Weqatal: sequential future — the next link in the imagined dialogue
לִ֣יto meprep לְ + Sp1cs · לPrepositional object of וְאָמְרוּ
מַהwhatinterrogative pron · מָה (H4100)Predicate of the embedded question (with שְׁמוֹ)מָה (H4100) 'what?'; the pivotal question the chapter goes on to answer in v.14.
שְּׁמ֔וֹhis nameN m sg constr/Sp3ms · שֵׁם (H8034)Subject of the embedded questionשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; in the ancient world a name discloses character and identity — Israel's anticipated question is a demand for God's self-disclosure, not idle curiosity.
מָ֥הwhatinterrogative pron · מָה (H4100)Predicate of Moses' own question to God
אֹמַ֖רshall I sayimpf (yiqtol, deliberative) Qal 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb, deliberative question→ Yiqtol (deliberative): 'what am I to say?' — seeking authorization/content
אֲלֵהֶֽםto themprep אֶל + Sp3mp · אֶל (H413)Prepositional object of אֹמַר
14
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֶֽהְיֶ֑ה וַיֹּ֗אמֶר כֹּ֤ה תֹאמַר֙ לִבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶֽהְיֶ֖ה שְׁלָחַ֥נִי אֲלֵיכֶֽם
God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And he said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
This is the chapter's theological center: God answers Moses' request for a name not with a static label but with a self-defining declaration built on the verb 'to be'. The idem-per-idem construction (repeating the same verb) refuses to hand Moses a manipulable name while still supplying one — אֶהְיֶה, shortened for Israel's use, and expanded to the third-person יהוה in v.15 (see text_note).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרsaidwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance
אֱלֹהִים֙GodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶר
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶל
אֶֽהְיֶ֖הI AMimpf (yiqtol) Qal 1cs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb of the divine self-naming formula (first occurrence)→ Yiqtol: dynamic, open-ended 'being/becoming' — active presence rather than static existenceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; not abstract ontological being but active, dynamic presence — 'I will be/am (whoever/whatever I will be).' THE central crux of the chapter (see text_note): LXX renders ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ὤν, but the Hebrew idiom more plausibly conveys a promise of dynamic, self-determined presence with Israel rather than a philosophical statement of existence.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle linking the two identical verb forms (idem per idem construction)אֲשֶׁר (H834); the 'idem per idem' pattern (repeating the same verb) expresses an unlimited, self-defining category, cf. 'I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious' (33:19).
אֶֽהְיֶ֑הI AMimpf (yiqtol) Qal 1cs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, second occurrence completing the idem-per-idem formula→ Yiqtol: dynamic, self-defining presence — God will be present/active as he himself determinesהָיָה (H1961); the phrase אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה, 'I AM WHO I AM' / 'I will be what I will be,' is immediately followed (v.14b-15) by the shortened name אֶהְיֶה and then the third-person form יהוה — the tetragrammaton is widely understood to be grammatically related to this verb.
וַיֹּ֗אמֶרand he saidwayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance
כֹּ֤הthusadv · כֹּה (H3541)Adverb introducing direct/reported speech ('thus you shall say')כֹּה (H3541) 'thus, so'; the standard formula introducing a messenger's exact words.
תֹאמַר֙you shall sayimpf (yiqtol, directive) Qal 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb, instruction to Moses→ Yiqtol (directive): a solemn instruction for future action
לִבְנֵ֣יto the sons ofprep לְ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Prepositional object of תֹאמַר, head of construct chain
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, completing the construct chain
אֶֽהְיֶ֖הI AMimpf (yiqtol) Qal 1cs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate of the quoted name (functioning substantivally as a title)→ Yiqtol: the verb form now functions as God's self-designation/nameהָיָה (H1961); shortened to the single form אֶהְיֶה as the name Israel is to be given — 'I AM has sent me to you.'
שְׁלָחַ֥נִיhas sent meQal perf 3ms/Sp1cs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb of the quoted commissioning formula→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative act
אֲלֵיכֶֽםto youprep אֶל + Sp2mp · אֶל (H413)Prepositional object of שְׁלָחַנִי
15
וַיֹּאמֶר֩ ע֨וֹד אֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶל מֹשֶׁ֗ה כֹּֽה תֹאמַר֮ אֶל בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ יְהוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֗ם אֱלֹהֵ֨י אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִצְחָ֛ק וֵאלֹהֵ֥י יַעֲקֹ֖ב שְׁלָחַ֣נִי אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם זֶה שְּׁמִ֣י לְעֹלָ֔ם וְזֶ֥ה זִכְרִ֖י לְדֹ֥ר דֹּֽר
God also said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and this is my memorial from generation to generation."
Having given the self-defining name in v.14, God now supplies the covenant name proper, יְהוָה, in explicit apposition to the patriarchal titles of v.6 — binding the new revelation permanently to the old promises, and declaring the name's perpetuity across all generations.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֩said, alsowayyiqtol Qal 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, continuing the same speech-event
ע֨וֹדagainadv · עוֹד (H5750)Adverb modifying וַיֹּאמֶר ('said further/also')עוֹד (H5750) 'still, again, further'; marks this as a continuation of the same speech-act, not a new episode.
אֱלֹהִ֜יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶר
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal
מֹשֶׁ֗הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶל
כֹּֽהthusadv · כֹּה (H3541)Adverb introducing direct/reported speech
תֹאמַר֮you shall sayimpf (yiqtol, directive) Qal 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb, instruction to Moses→ Yiqtol (directive): a solemn instruction for future action
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Object of preposition אֶל, head of construct chain
יִשְׂרָאֵל֒IsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, completing the construct chain
יְהוָ֞הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominative of the quoted formula, in apposition to the titles that followיְהוָה (H3068); the personal name stands first, in apposition to and identified with 'the God of your fathers' — the new name grafted onto the old, familiar identity.
אֱלֹהֵ֣יthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition, head of construct chain
אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֗םyour fathersN m pl constr/Sp2mp · אָב (H1)Genitive, completing the construct chain
אֱלֹהֵ֨יthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition, head of construct chain
אַבְרָהָ֜םAbrahamN proper · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Genitive, completing the construct chain
אֱלֹהֵ֥יthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition, head of construct chain
יִצְחָ֛קIsaacN proper · יִצְחָק (H3327)Genitive, completing the construct chain
וֵאלֹהֵ֥יand the God ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition, head of construct chain
יַעֲקֹ֖בJacobN proper · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Genitive, completing the construct chain
שְׁלָחַ֣נִיhas sent meQal perf 3ms/Sp1cs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb of the quoted commissioning formula→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative act
אֲלֵיכֶ֑םto youprep אֶל + Sp2mp · אֶל (H413)Prepositional object of שְׁלָחַנִי
זֶהthisdemonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject of the verbless clause (predicate שְׁמִי לְעֹלָם)זֶה (H2088) 'this'; deictic, referring back to the name יְהוָה just declared.
שְּׁמִ֣יmy nameN m sg constr/Sp1cs · שֵׁם (H8034)Predicate nominative of the verbless clauseשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; God's own commentary confirming the permanence of the name just revealed.
לְעֹלָ֔םforeverprep לְ + N m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Adverbial prepositional phrase modifying the predicateעוֹלָם (H5769) 'long duration, perpetuity'; the name's permanence contrasts with the more fluid patriarchal designations ('God of your father').
וְזֶ֥הand thisconj וְ + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Subject of the second, parallel verbless clause
זִכְרִ֖יmy memorialN m sg constr/Sp1cs · זֵכֶר (H2143)Predicate nominative of the second verbless clauseזֵכֶר (H2143) 'memorial, remembrance'; parallel to שֵׁם, the name by which God is to be invoked in worship across generations.
לְדֹ֥רto generationprep לְ + N m sg abs · דּוֹר (H1755)Adverbial prepositional phrase, head of the idiom 'generation to generation'דּוֹר (H1755) 'generation, age'.
דֹּֽרgenerationN m sg abs · דּוֹר (H1755)Second element completing the idiom לְדֹר דֹּר, 'from generation to generation'
16
לֵ֣ךְ וְאָֽסַפְתָּ֞ אֶת זִקְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֤ אֲלֵהֶם֙ יְהוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶם֙ נִרְאָ֣ה אֵלַ֔י אֱלֹהֵ֧י אַבְרָהָ֛ם יִצְחָ֥ק וְיַעֲקֹ֖ב לֵאמֹ֑ר פָּקֹ֤ד פָּקַ֨דְתִּי֙ אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְאֶת הֶעָשׂ֥וּי לָכֶ֖ם בְּמִצְרָֽיִם
Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, "I have surely visited you and seen what is done to you in Egypt."'
Having disclosed his name, God now gives Moses concrete marching orders: gather the elders first (the recognized leadership), report the theophany using the same verb רָאָה of v.2, and use the covenantal visitation-language (פָּקַד) that deliberately echoes Joseph's dying promise (Gen 50:24-25).
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
לֵ֣ךְgo!impv Qal 2ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb, imperative opening the new instruction→ Imperative: direct commandהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go'.
וְאָֽסַפְתָּ֞and gatherweqatal Qal 2ms · אָסַף (H622)Predicate verb, coordinate imperatival weqatal→ Weqatal: continuing the imperative sequence — 'and you shall gather'אָסַף (H622) 'to gather'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking זִקְנֵי)
זִקְנֵ֣יthe elders ofAdj m pl constr (substantival) · זָקֵן (H2205)Direct object of וְאָסַפְתָּ, head of construct chainזָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elder'; substantival, 'the elders' — Israel's recognized leadership, addressed here for the first time in Exodus.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, completing the construct chain
וְאָמַרְתָּ֤and sayweqatal Qal 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb, continuing the imperative sequence→ Weqatal: continuing command
אֲלֵהֶם֙to themprep אֶל + Sp3mp · אֶל (H413)Prepositional object of וְאָמַרְתָּ
יְהוָ֞הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominative of the quoted formula
אֱלֹהֵ֤יthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition, head of construct chain
אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶם֙your fathersN m pl constr/Sp2mp · אָב (H1)Genitive, completing the construct chain
נִרְאָ֣הhas appearedNiphal perf 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb of the quoted formula→ Perfective (Niphal): a completed act of theophanic self-disclosure — echoing v.2's וַיֵּרָארָאָה (H7200); Niphal, the same verb-stem as v.2, now reported by Moses to the elders as testimony.
אֵלַ֔יto meprep אֶל + Sp1cs · אֶל (H413)Prepositional object of נִרְאָה
אֱלֹהֵ֧יthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition, resuming the divine title, head of a further construct chain
אַבְרָהָ֛םAbrahamN proper · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Genitive, completing the construct chain
יִצְחָ֥קIsaacN proper · יִצְחָק (H3327)Genitive, coordinate (asyndetic) with אַבְרָהָם
וְיַעֲקֹ֖בand Jacobconj וְ + N proper · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Genitive, coordinate
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct introducing direct quotation (quotative frame)→ Infinitive construct: quotative, introduces the following direct speechאָמַר (H559); לֵאמֹר is the standard quotation-frame idiom, 'saying.'
פָּקֹ֤דsurelyQal inf abs · פָּקַד (H6485)Infinitive absolute intensifying פָּקַדְתִּי→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic certaintyפָּקַד (H6485) 'to visit, attend to, take note of'; the paired construction intensifies: 'I have surely visited/attended to you.'
פָּקַ֨דְתִּי֙I have visitedQal perf 1cs · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb, reinforced by the preceding infinitive absolute→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of divine attention/interventionפָּקַד (H6485); a rich verb of divine visitation, echoing Joseph's dying words (Gen 50:24-25) that God would 'surely visit' Israel — this is that promise's fulfillment.
אֶתְכֶ֔םyouobj marker + Sp2mp · אֵת (H853)Direct object of פָּקַדְתִּי
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)
הֶעָשׂ֥וּיthat which is doneart + Qal passive ptc ms abs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Direct object (substantival passive participle) of פָּקַדְתִּי→ Passive participle: a resultant state — what has been done to themעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; passive participle substantivally, 'that which has been done (to you)' — a euphemistic summary of Egypt's abuse.
לָכֶ֖םto youprep לְ + Sp2mp · לPrepositional phrase modifying הֶעָשׂוּי
בְּמִצְרָֽיִםin Egyptprep בְּ + N proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Prepositional phrase of location modifying הֶעָשׂוּי
17
וָאֹמַ֗ר אַעֲלֶ֣ה אֶתְכֶם֮ מֵעֳנִ֣י מִצְרַיִם֒ אֶל אֶ֤רֶץ הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ וְהַ֣חִתִּ֔י וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙ וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔י וְהַחִוִּ֖י וְהַיְבוּסִ֑י אֶל אֶ֛רֶץ זָבַ֥ת חָלָ֖ב וּדְבָֽשׁ
"And I have said, 'I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, to a land flowing with milk and honey.'"
The verse restates v.8's promise of the good land almost verbatim, functioning as the content Moses is to rehearse to the elders; the repetition is deliberate (a fixed, memorable formula), not a doublet requiring source-critical explanation (see text_note).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וָאֹמַ֗רand I saidwayyiqtol Qal 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (narrative-style continuation of God's speech, reporting his own prior resolve)→ Wayyiqtol: narrated advance — God recounts his own determinationאָמַר (H559); the wayyiqtol here is unusual within direct divine speech, giving a narrative flavor to God's self-report of his resolve, paralleling v.8's decision.
אַעֲלֶ֣הI will bring upimpf (yiqtol) Hifil 1cs · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb of the quoted resolve→ Yiqtol: future/volitional — the resolved intentionעָלָה (H5927); Hifil, the same verb as v.8's לְהַעֲלֹתוֹ, now restated in first-person finite form.
אֶתְכֶם֮youobj marker + Sp2mp · אֵת (H853)Direct object of אַעֲלֶה
מֵעֳנִ֣יfrom the affliction ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · עֳנִי (H6040)Prepositional phrase of source, head of construct chainעֳנִי (H6040); the same noun as v.7, now the point of departure rather than the object seen.
מִצְרַיִם֒EgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive, completing the construct chain
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal
אֶ֤רֶץthe land ofN (c) sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition אֶל, head of construct chain
הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙the Canaaniteart + gentilic N m sg abs · כְּנַעֲנִי (H3669)Genitive, first of six nations completing the construct chain
וְהַ֣חִתִּ֔יand the Hittiteconj + art + gentilic N m sg abs · חִתִּי (H2850)Genitive, coordinate second nation
וְהָֽאֱמֹרִי֙and the Amoriteconj + art + gentilic N m sg abs · אֱמֹרִי (H567)Genitive, coordinate third nation
וְהַפְּרִזִּ֔יand the Perizziteconj + art + gentilic N m sg abs · פְּרִזִּי (H6522)Genitive, coordinate fourth nation
וְהַחִוִּ֖יand the Hiviteconj + art + gentilic N m sg abs · חִוִּי (H2340)Genitive, coordinate fifth nation
וְהַיְבוּסִ֑יand the Jebusiteconj + art + gentilic N m sg abs · יְבוּסִי (H2983)Genitive, coordinate sixth and final nationthe same fixed six-nation formula as v.8, repeated here as Moses rehearses God's words to the elders — deliberate repetition, not corruption (see text_note).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, resumptive (introducing the land's fertility)
אֶ֛רֶץa landN (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition אֶל
זָבַ֥תflowing withQal ptc f sg constr · זוּב (H2100)Attributive participle modifying אֶרֶץ, head of construct chain→ Participle: durative — a land characteristically overflowingזוּב (H2100) 'to flow, gush.'
חָלָ֖בmilkN m sg abs · חָלָב (H2461)Genitive/accusative completing the construct idiom
וּדְבָֽשׁand honeyconj וְ + N m sg abs · דְּבַשׁ (H1706)Coordinate with חָלָב
18
וְשָׁמְע֖וּ לְקֹלֶ֑ךָ וּבָאתָ֡ אַתָּה֩ וְזִקְנֵ֨י יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל אֶל מֶ֣לֶךְ מִצְרַ֗יִם וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֤ם אֵלָיו֙ יְהוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י הָֽעִבְרִיִּים֙ נִקְרָ֣ה עָלֵ֔ינוּ וְעַתָּ֗ה נֵֽלֲכָה נָּ֞א דֶּ֣רֶךְ שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת יָמִים֙ בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר וְנִזְבְּחָ֖ה לַֽיהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ
And they will listen to your voice, and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and you shall say to him, 'The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days' journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.'
The verse moves from the elders (v.16) to Pharaoh himself, prescribing both the deferential vocabulary to use ('the Hebrews', 'has met with us' rather than the fuller theophanic language of vv.2-6) and a deliberately modest initial request — a three-day sacrificial journey — the opening move in what will become an extended negotiation (chs.5-12).
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
וְשָׁמְע֖וּand they will listenweqatal Qal 3cp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb, opening the prediction/instruction of vv.18-20→ Weqatal: sequential future — the elders' expected responseשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; here of the elders heeding Moses.
לְקֹלֶ֑ךָto your voiceprep לְ + N m sg constr/Sp2ms · קוֹל (H6963)Prepositional object of וְשָׁמְעוּקוֹל (H6963) 'voice'; idiom for heeding/obeying.
וּבָאתָ֡and you shall comeweqatal Qal 2ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, continuing the instruction sequence→ Weqatal: sequential future/command
אַתָּה֩youindependent pron 2ms · אַתָּה (H859)Subject, emphatic/resumptive (independent pronoun reinforcing the verb's subject)
וְזִקְנֵ֨יand the elders ofconj וְ + Adj m pl constr (substantival) · זָקֵן (H2205)Coordinate subject with אַתָּה, head of construct chain
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive, completing the construct chain
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goal
מֶ֣לֶךְthe king ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Object of preposition אֶל, head of construct chain
מִצְרַ֗יִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive, completing the construct chain
וַאֲמַרְתֶּ֤םand you shall sayweqatal Qal 2mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb, continuing the instruction sequence→ Weqatal: sequential command
אֵלָיו֙to himprep אֶל + Sp3ms · אֶל (H413)Prepositional object of וַאֲמַרְתֶּם
יְהוָ֞הthe LORDN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominative of the quoted formula
אֱלֹהֵ֤יthe God ofN m pl constr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition, head of construct chain
הָֽעִבְרִיִּים֙the Hebrewsart + gentilic N m pl abs · עִבְרִי (H5680)Genitive, completing the construct chainעִבְרִי (H5680) 'Hebrew'; the term outsiders use for Israel (cf. 1:15-16; 2:6) — a strategically external self-designation appropriate for addressing Pharaoh.
נִקְרָ֣הhas metNiphal perf 3ms · קָרָה (H7136)Predicate verb of the quoted speech→ Perfective (Niphal): a completed act — a providential encounterקָרָה (H7136) 'to meet, encounter, happen'; Niphal, a diplomatically softer verb than 'appeared' (רָאָה) for Egyptian ears — 'has met with us,' downplaying the fuller theophany.
עָלֵ֔ינוּwith usprep עַל + Sp1cp · עַל (H5921)Prepositional object of נִקְרָה
וְעַתָּ֗הand nowconj וְ + adv · עַתָּה (H6258)Discourse marker introducing the request
נֵֽלֲכָהlet us gocohortative Qal 1cp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb, volitional request within the quoted speech to Pharaoh→ Cohortative: polite volitional request — 'let us go, please'הָלַךְ (H3212); cohortative softens the request addressed to Pharaoh.
נָּ֞אpleaseparticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Enclitic particle of entreaty reinforcing the cohortative
דֶּ֣רֶךְa journey ofN (c) sg constr · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Adverbial accusative of extent, head of construct chainדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, journey, distance'; accusative of extent, 'a three-days' journey.'
שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁתthreenumeral m sg constr · שָׁלוֹשׁ (H7969)Genitive, completing the construct chain (numeral + noun)
יָמִים֙days'N m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive, completing the numeral construct chain
בַּמִּדְבָּ֔רinto the wildernessprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Prepositional phrase of goal/location modifying נֵלֲכָה
וְנִזְבְּחָ֖הthat we may sacrificecohortative Qal 1cp · זָבַח (H2076)Predicate verb, purpose/result continuing the cohortative request→ Cohortative: volitional purpose — the stated aim of the journeyזָבַח (H2076) 'to slaughter, sacrifice'; the stated purpose is deliberately modest, the first stage of a larger demand (cf. 5:1-3).
לַֽיהוָ֥הto the LORDprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Prepositional object of וְנִזְבְּחָה
אֱלֹהֵֽינוּour GodN m pl constr/Sp1cp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָה
19
וַאֲנִ֣י יָדַ֔עְתִּי כִּ֠י לֹֽא יִתֵּ֥ן אֶתְכֶ֛ם מֶ֥לֶךְ מִצְרַ֖יִם לַהֲלֹ֑ךְ וְלֹ֖א בְּיָ֥ד חֲזָקָֽה
But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go, not even by a mighty hand.
After outlining the request to be made (v.18), God candidly forecasts its failure — Pharaoh will not comply even under duress — which sets up the necessity of the wonders announced in v.20; the realism here prepares Moses (and the reader) for a long confrontation rather than an easy release.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וַאֲנִ֣יbut Iconj וְ + independent pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject, fronted/emphatic (disjunctive waw + pronoun)אֲנִי (H589); the fronted independent pronoun with disjunctive vav signals a contrastive turn — after the hopeful instruction of vv.16-18, God now candidly forecasts resistance.
יָדַ֔עְתִּיI knowQal perf 1cs · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective (stative): settled, certain foreknowledgeיָדַע (H3045); God's realistic foreknowledge of Pharaoh's resistance, setting up the necessity of the wonders in v.20.
כִּ֠יthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing the content clause of יָדַעְתִּי
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates יִתֵּן
יִתֵּ֥ןwill let goimpf (yiqtol) Qal 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of the content clause→ Yiqtol: future — a confident predictionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; idiomatic with an infinitive, 'to permit, allow' (lit. 'will not give you to go').
אֶתְכֶ֛םyouobj marker + Sp2mp · אֵת (H853)Direct object of יִתֵּן
מֶ֥לֶךְthe king ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Subject of יִתֵּן, head of construct chain
מִצְרַ֖יִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive, completing the construct chain
לַהֲלֹ֑ךְto goprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָלַךְ (H1980)Infinitival complement of יִתֵּן ('to give [you] to go' = 'permit you to go')→ Infinitive construct: complement expressing the permitted/denied actionהָלַךְ (H1980), a byform of הָלַךְ 'to go', used here as the infinitive construct.
וְלֹ֖אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinate negation, emphatic ('not even')
בְּיָ֥דby a handprep בְּ + N (c) sg abs · יָד (H3027)Prepositional phrase of means/agency, emphatic additionיָד (H3027) 'hand'; idiom for power/might.
חֲזָקָֽהmightyAdj f sg abs · חָזָק (H2389)Attributive adjective modifying יָדחָזָק (H2389) 'strong, mighty'; 'a mighty hand' elsewhere describes God's own power in the exodus (6:1) — Pharaoh will not yield even to a show of force, until God's own mighty hand compels him (v.20).
20
וְשָׁלַחְתִּ֤י אֶת יָדִי֙ וְהִכֵּיתִ֣י אֶת מִצְרַ֔יִם בְּכֹל֙ נִפְלְאֹתַ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֖ה בְּקִרְבּ֑וֹ וְאַחֲרֵי כֵ֖ן יְשַׁלַּ֥ח אֶתְכֶֽם
So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all my wonders that I will do in the midst of it; and after that he will let you go.
The verse pivots from prediction (v.19) to resolve: God himself will act with 'wonders' (נִפְלָאוֹת, the term that becomes standard for the plague-cycle) until Pharaoh relents — the necessary escalation the rest of the book narrates.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְשָׁלַחְתִּ֤יso I will stretch outweqatal Qal 1cs · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb, resuming the main narrative-future line→ Weqatal: sequential future — the decisive divine response to Pharaoh's refusalשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; idiomatic with יָד, 'stretch out (the) hand' — a distinct sense of the same root used for 'sending' Moses (vv.10, 12-15), now of striking.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking יָדִי)
יָדִי֙my handN (c) sg constr/Sp1cs · יָד (H3027)Direct object of וְשָׁלַחְתִּי
וְהִכֵּיתִ֣יand I will strikeweqatal Hifil 1cs · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb, continuing the sequence→ Weqatal (Hifil): sequential future — decisive causative actionנָכָה (H5221) 'to strike, smite'; Hifil, the verb of the plagues (cf. 7:17; 9:15).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking מִצְרַיִם)
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4713)Direct object of וְהִכֵּיתִי
בְּכֹל֙with allprep בְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase of means, head of construct chainכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every.'
נִפְלְאֹתַ֔יmy wondersNiphal ptc f pl constr/Sp1cs (substantival) · פָּלָא (H6381)Genitive, completing the construct chainפָּלָא (H6381) 'to be extraordinary, wonderful'; the substantival Niphal participle 'wonders/marvels' becomes the standard term for the plagues (cf. 34:10).
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the clause modifying נִפְלְאֹתַי
אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֖הI will doimpf (yiqtol) Qal 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Yiqtol: future — the wonders yet to comeעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make.'
בְּקִרְבּ֑וֹin its midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr/Sp3ms · קֶרֶב (H7130)Prepositional phrase of location modifying אֶעֱשֶׂהקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; the 3ms suffix refers back to מִצְרַיִם treated as a singular collective.
וְאַחֲרֵיand afterconj וְ + prep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase of time
כֵ֖ןthatadv · כֵּן (H3651)Object of preposition אַחֲרֵי, forming the idiom 'after that/afterward'כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; אַחֲרֵי־כֵן, a fixed temporal idiom, 'afterward.'
יְשַׁלַּ֥חhe will let goimpf (yiqtol) Piel 3ms · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb, apodosis of the temporal clause→ Yiqtol (Piel): future, resultative — 'he will send/let go' only after the wondersשָׁלַח (H7971); Piel here intensive/resultative, 'let go, release,' distinct from the Qal 'send' of vv.10, 12-15, 20a.
אֶתְכֶֽםyouobj marker + Sp2mp · אֵת (H853)Direct object of יְשַׁלַּח
21
וְנָתַתִּ֛י אֶת חֵ֥ן הָֽעָם הַזֶּ֖ה בְּעֵינֵ֣י מִצְרָ֑יִם וְהָיָה֙ כִּ֣י תֵֽלֵכ֔וּן לֹ֥א תֵלְכ֖וּ רֵיקָֽם
And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, and it shall be that when you go, you shall not go empty.
God pivots from the coming conflict (vv.19-20) to its aftermath, promising to dispose Egyptian hearts favorably toward Israel and guaranteeing they will not depart destitute — the setup for the plunder detailed in v.22.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְנָתַתִּ֛יand I will giveweqatal Qal 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb, continuing the future sequence→ Weqatal: sequential future — a further gracious provisionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking חֵן)
חֵ֥ןfavorN m sg constr · חֵן (H2580)Direct object of וְנָתַתִּי, head of construct chainחֵן (H2580) 'favor, grace'; God sovereignly disposes Egyptian hearts favorably toward Israel despite the coming conflict.
הָֽעָםthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive, completing the construct chain
הַזֶּ֖הthisart + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָעָם
בְּעֵינֵ֣יin the eyes ofprep בְּ + N (c) dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Prepositional phrase of perspective, head of construct chainעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; idiom 'in the eyes of' = 'in the sight/estimation of.'
מִצְרָ֑יִםthe EgyptiansN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4713)Genitive, completing the construct chain
וְהָיָה֙and it will beweqatal Qal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb introducing an apodictic future clause→ Weqatal: sequential future, the formulaic 'and it shall come to pass'הָיָה (H1961); the classic formula introducing a future contingency/result clause.
כִּ֣יwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Temporal/conditional conjunction introducing the protasis
תֵֽלֵכ֔וּןyou goimpf (yiqtol) Qal 2mp + paragogic nun · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol (paragogic nun): emphatic future — solemn certaintyהָלַךְ (H3212); the paragogic nun lends solemn emphasis, matching the assurance being given.
לֹ֥אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the apodosis verb תֵלְכוּ
תֵלְכ֖וּyou shall goimpf (yiqtol) Qal 2mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb of the apodosis→ Yiqtol: future — a firm negative assuranceהָלַךְ (H3212); repeats the verb of the protasis, now negated.
רֵיקָֽםempty-handedadverb · רֵיקָם (H7387)Adverbial modifier of תֵלְכוּ ('you shall not go empty')רֵיקָם (H7387) 'empty, empty-handed'; anticipates the plunder of vv.21-22 and 12:35-36 — Israel will leave enriched, not destitute.
22
וְשָׁאֲלָ֨ה אִשָּׁ֤ה מִשְּׁכֶנְתָּהּ֙ וּמִגָּרַ֣ת בֵּיתָ֔הּ כְּלֵי כֶ֛סֶף וּכְלֵ֥י זָהָ֖ב וּשְׂמָלֹ֑ת וְשַׂמְתֶּ֗ם עַל בְּנֵיכֶם֙ וְעַל בְּנֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם וְנִצַּלְתֶּ֖ם אֶת מִצְרָֽיִם
Every woman shall ask of her neighbor and of her who sojourns in her house, articles of silver and articles of gold and clothing, and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters, so you shall plunder the Egyptians.
The chapter closes with the concrete mechanism of the promised favor (v.21): Israelite women will request valuables from their Egyptian neighbors and household guests; the same verb (שָׁאַל) later describes the actual event (12:35-36), and the closing verb 'plunder' deliberately reverses the vocabulary of Egyptian oppression — Egypt, which stripped Israel of freedom, will itself be stripped of wealth.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְשָׁאֲלָ֨הshall askweqatal Qal 3fs · שָׁאַל (H7592)Predicate verb, resuming the future instruction sequence→ Weqatal: sequential future — a distributive command/predictionשָׁאַל (H7592) 'to ask, request'; the same verb later describes Israel's actual 'asking'/despoiling in 12:35-36.
אִשָּׁ֤הevery womanN f sg abs (indefinite/distributive) · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject of וְשָׁאֲלָה (distributive/generic use of the indefinite singular)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; indefinite singular used distributively, 'each/every woman.'
מִשְּׁכֶנְתָּהּ֙from her neighborprep מִן + N f sg constr/Sp3fs (substantival adj) · שָׁכֵן (H7934)Prepositional phrase, source of the object requestedשָׁכֵן (H7934) 'neighbor, dweller'; feminine form, 'her (female) neighbor.'
וּמִגָּרַ֣תand from her who sojourns inconj וְ + prep מִן + Qal ptc f sg constr · גּוּר (H1481)Coordinate prepositional phrase, second source, head of construct chain→ Participle: substantival, 'sojourner'גּוּר (H1481) 'to sojourn, dwell as an alien'; substantival participle, 'the one who sojourns (in her house)' — a temporary female guest/resident.
בֵּיתָ֔הּher houseN m sg constr/Sp3fs · בַּיִת (H1004)Genitive, completing the construct chain
כְּלֵיarticles ofN m pl constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Direct object of שָׁאֲלָה, head of construct chainכְּלִי (H3627) 'vessel, article, implement.'
כֶ֛סֶףsilverN m sg abs · כֶּסֶף (H3701)Genitive, completing the construct chainכֶּסֶף (H3701) 'silver.'
וּכְלֵ֥יand articles ofconj וְ + N m pl constr · כְּלִי (H3627)Coordinate direct object, head of second construct chain
זָהָ֖בgoldN m sg abs · זָהָב (H2091)Genitive, completing the construct chainזָהָב (H2091) 'gold.'
וּשְׂמָלֹ֑תand clothingconj וְ + N f pl abs · שִׂמְלָה (H8071)Coordinate direct object of שָׁאֲלָהשִׂמְלָה (H8071) 'garment, clothing.'
וְשַׂמְתֶּ֗םand you shall put themweqatal Qal 2mp · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb, continuing the instruction sequence→ Weqatal: sequential command/futureשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place.'
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of location
בְּנֵיכֶם֙your sonsN m pl constr/Sp2mp · בֵּן (H1121)Object of preposition עַל
וְעַלand onconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of location, coordinate
בְּנֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔םyour daughtersN f pl constr/Sp2mp · בַּת (H1323)Object of preposition וְעַל
וְנִצַּלְתֶּ֖םso you shall plunderweqatal Piel 2mp · נָצַל (H5337)Predicate verb, concluding the instruction sequence→ Weqatal (Piel): sequential result — the culminating actionנָצַל (H5337); Piel here in a privative/resultative sense, 'strip, plunder' (distinct from the Hifil 'deliver' of v.8) — Israel will strip Egypt of its wealth as Egypt is stripped of its slaves.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (marking מִצְרָיִם)
מִצְרָֽיִםthe EgyptiansN proper (metonymic) · מִצְרַיִם (H4713)Direct object of וְנִצַּלְתֶּם