1
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר
And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying,
The standard messenger formula opens a new legal unit; everything through v. 27 is direct divine speech that Moses is to relay to Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֥רand he spokePiel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel is the stem regularly used for the verb of speech. The formula וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר opens most legal units in Leviticus.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיְדַבֵּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; the speaker of the legislation that follows.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Moses as recipient of the divine word.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of the preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872), mediator of the Sinai legislation; the standard addressee of priestly law.
לֵּאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Adverbial infinitive introducing direct speech→ Infinitive: introduces the following quoted speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר regularly opens direct discourse after a verb of speaking.
2
וְאֶל בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֘ל תֹּאמַר֒ אִ֣ישׁ אִישׁ֩ מִבְּנֵ֨י יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל וּמִן הַגֵּ֣ר הַגָּ֣ר בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִתֵּ֧ן מִזַּרְע֛וֹ לַמֹּ֖לֶךְ מ֣וֹת יוּמָ֑ת עַ֥ם הָאָ֖רֶץ יִרְגְּמֻ֥הוּ בָאָֽבֶן
And to the sons of Israel you shall say: Any man from the sons of Israel, or from the sojourner who sojourns in Israel, who gives any of his offspring to Molech shall surely be put to death; the people of the land shall stone him with stones.
תֹּאמַר shifts to legal register. The doubled אִישׁ אִישׁ...וּמִן הַגֵּר casts the widest possible net over native Israelite and resident alien alike; the case is stated in classic casuistic form (relative-clause protasis + מוֹת יוּמָת apodosis) and specifies communal stoning as the mode of execution.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְאֶלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase (resumes addressee)אֶל (H413) with proclitic וְ; resumes the addressee of v. 1, now specifying the content for Israel.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival) — headבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural in the standard phrase בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, 'sons/children of Israel'.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֘לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people, the primary audience of the following law.
תֹּאמַר֒you shall sayQal impf 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, addressed to Moses)→ Yiqtol: directive — the command to relay the lawאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; 2ms addressed to Moses, who transmits the following law to the people.
אִ֣ישׁany manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (first of doubled distributive idiom)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; doubled אִישׁ אִישׁ is a distributive idiom, 'any man whatsoever' (cf. 17:3, 8, 10; 22:18).
אִישׁ֩manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (second of doubled distributive idiom)Repetition of אִישׁ intensifies the distributive force: 'each and every man', casting the widest net over potential offenders.
מִבְּנֵ֨יfrom the sons ofprep מִן + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Partitive prepositional phrase (source)מִן + בְּנֵי, partitive 'from among the sons of'; specifies native-born Israelite offenders.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainSee v. 2 above; here defining the native-born category of offender.
וּמִןor fromconj וְ + prep · מִן (H4480)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase (second source)מִן (H4480) 'from'; introduces the second class of potential offender, the resident alien.
הַגֵּ֣רthe sojournerart + N m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Subject (second class, coordinate with אִישׁ אִישׁ)גֵּר (H1616) 'resident alien, sojourner', root גור 'to sojourn'; the law binds the non-Israelite resident equally with the native (cf. 17:8, 18:26).
הַגָּ֣רwho sojournsart + Qal ptc msa · גּוּר (H1481)Attributive participle modifying הַגֵּר→ Participle: durative — ongoing resident statusגּוּר (H1481) 'to sojourn, dwell as an alien'; the participle underscores settled residence rather than mere passage.
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֗לin Israelprep בְּ + proper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Locative prepositional phraseLocates the alien's residence within the covenant land/people.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the casuistic protasisאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relativizer; introduces the conditional clause defining the offense.
יִתֵּ֧ןgivesQal impf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (relative/conditional clause)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — the hypothetical act defining the caseנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; technical here for cultic surrender of a child to Molech, using the very verb of legitimate offerings — a grim irony.
מִזַּרְע֛וֹfrom his offspringprep מִן + N m sg constr/Sp3ms · זֶרַע (H2233)Partitive direct object (object of יִתֵּן)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, offspring'; מִן is partitive, 'any of his offspring' — a single child is enough to incur guilt.
לַמֹּ֖לֶךְto Molechprep לְ + proper noun · מֹלֶךְ (H4432)Indirect object / recipientמֹלֶךְ (H4432), the deity (or the immolation rite itself) to whom children were sacrificed, associated with Ammon (1 Kgs 11:7) and the Hinnom valley (2 Kgs 23:10); the vocalization may echo בֹּשֶׁת pointing as scribal polemic.
מ֣וֹתsurelyQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive absolute intensifying יוּמָת→ Infinitive absolute: reinforces certainty of the sentenceמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; the infinitive absolute before the finite verb of the same root is the standard formula for a mandatory capital sentence, repeated throughout the chapter.
יוּמָ֑תhe shall be put to deathHophal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis)→ Yiqtol (passive, Hophal): prescriptive — the mandated penaltyמוּת (H4191) in Hophal, passive-causative 'be caused to die'; מוֹת יוּמָת is the chapter's recurring death-penalty formula (vv. 9-16, 27).
עַ֥םthe people ofN m sg constr · עַם (H5971)Subject (construct chain, head)עַם (H5971) 'people'; construct with הָאָרֶץ designates the assembled local community responsible for executing the sentence.
הָאָ֖רֶץthe landart + N common sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of the construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776); עַם הָאָרֶץ 'the people of the land' — the local citizenry who carry out communal justice, distinct from priesthood or crown.
יִרְגְּמֻ֥הוּshall stone himQal impf 3mp/Sp3ms · רָגַם (H7275)Predicate verb (main clause, specifying the mode of execution)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — mandated method of executionרָגַם (H7275) 'to stone'; stoning is the standard mode of communal execution for offenses that defile the whole camp (cf. 24:14; Deut 13:11).
בָאָֽבֶןwith stonesprep בְּ + N f sg abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Instrumental prepositional phraseאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; collective singular — the community itself, not a single executioner, carries out the sentence.
3
וַאֲנִ֞י אֶתֵּ֤ן אֶת פָּנַי֙ בָּאִ֣ישׁ הַה֔וּא וְהִכְרַתִּ֥י אֹת֖וֹ מִקֶּ֣רֶב עַמּ֑וֹ כִּ֤י מִזַּרְעוֹ֙ נָתַ֣ן לַמֹּ֔לֶךְ לְמַ֗עַן טַמֵּא֙ אֶת מִקְדָּשִׁ֔י וּלְחַלֵּ֖ל אֶת שֵׁ֥ם קָדְשִֽׁי
And I myself will set my face against that man, and I will cut him off from among his people, because he has given his offspring to Molech, to defile my sanctuary and to profane my holy name.
YHWH speaks in the first person, adding his own sanction (face-setting + karet) atop the community's death sentence — the offense is not only a capital crime but a personal affront to God, since it defiles his sanctuary and profanes his name even when the human court fails to act (cf. v. 4).
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַאֲנִ֞יand I myselfconj וְ + pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Emphatic subject (fronted, resumed by verb)אֲנִי (H589) 'I'; fronted before the verb for emphasis — YHWH himself, not merely the human court, acts against the offender.
אֶתֵּ֤ןI will setQal impf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: volitional/declarative — YHWH's own resolve announcedנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, set, place'; idiomatic with פָּנִים, 'to set one's face against' — a fixed formula of divine hostility (cf. Lev 17:10; 26:17).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
פָּנַי֙my faceN common pl constr/Sp1cs · פָּנִים (H6440)Direct object of אֶתֵּןפָּנִים (H6440) 'face' (plural form, singular sense); שׂוּם/נָתַן פָּנִים בְּ is the idiom of active divine opposition, YHWH's personal hostile attention turned on the offender.
בָּאִ֣ישׁagainst the manprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Prepositional phrase, object of the idiom נָתַן פָּנִים בְּאִישׁ (H376); בְּ marks the target of the hostile 'face'.
הַה֔וּאthatart + pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative ('that man')הוּא (H1931) with article functions as a demonstrative, 'that (very) man' — resumes the offender of v. 2.
וְהִכְרַתִּ֥יand I will cut offconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 1cs · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (main clause, sequential to אֶתֵּן)→ Weqatal: continues the volitional sequence — YHWH's future decisive actionכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut'; Hiphil here is causative-declarative, YHWH himself severing the offender from the community — the karet penalty operates alongside, not instead of, the human death sentence.
אֹת֖וֹhimobj marker/Sp3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object)
מִקֶּ֣רֶבfrom the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Prepositional phrase of separationקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inner part'; מִקֶּרֶב עַמּוֹ 'from among his people' is the standing formula for the karet penalty's social exclusion.
עַמּ֑וֹhis peopleN m sg constr/Sp3ms · עַם (H5971)Genitive of the construct chainעַם (H5971) 'people'; the offender's own kin-community, from which he is severed.
כִּ֤יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing the causal clauseכִּי (H3588) causal 'because, for'; grounds the divine sanction in the specific act just named.
מִזַּרְעוֹ֙his offspringprep מִן + N m sg constr/Sp3ms · זֶרַע (H2233)Partitive direct object (object of נָתַן)זֶרַע (H2233); partitive מִן as in v. 2 — 'some of his offspring'.
נָתַ֣ןhe has givenQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed act grounding the sanctionנָתַן (H5414); perfect aspect states the offense as an accomplished fact underlying the judgment.
לַמֹּ֔לֶךְto Molechprep לְ + proper noun · מֹלֶךְ (H4432)Indirect object / recipientמֹלֶךְ (H4432); see v. 2.
לְמַ֗עַןin order toprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Subordinating conjunction introducing purpose/result clauseלְמַעַן (H4616) 'for the sake of, in order to'; here marking the resulting profanation as, effectively, the practical upshot of Molech-worship even if not the worshiper's conscious motive.
טַמֵּא֙to defilePiel inf constr · טִמֵּא (H2930)Infinitival complement of לְמַעַן→ Infinitive: purpose/resultטָמֵא (H2930) 'to be unclean'; Piel is factitive, 'to make unclean, defile'. The Molech rite, performed presumably in or near Israel's territory, contaminates the sanctuary by association.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
מִקְדָּשִׁ֔יmy sanctuaryN m sg constr/Sp1cs · מִקְדָּשׁ (H4720)Direct object of טַמֵּאמִקְדָּשׁ (H4720) 'sanctuary', from קדשׁ 'holy'; the Molech worshiper defiles not merely himself but YHWH's own sacred space by extension.
וּלְחַלֵּ֖לand to profaneconj וְ + prep לְ + Piel inf constr · חִלֵּל (H2490)Second infinitival complement of לְמַעַן, coordinate with טַמֵּא→ Infinitive: purpose/resultחָלַל (H2490) II 'to profane, treat as common'; Piel factitive, the opposite of consecration — coordinated with טמא to name the twin effect of the offense.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
שֵׁ֥םthe name ofN m sg constr · שֵׁם (H8034)Construct chain (genitival) — head, direct object of חַלֵּלשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the divine name embodies YHWH's presence and reputation, hence profaning it is a grave offense in its own right (cf. 19:12; 22:32).
קָדְשִֽׁיmy holinessN m sg constr/Sp1cs · קֹדֶשׁ (H6944)Genitive of the construct chain ('my holy name')קֹדֶשׁ (H6944) 'holiness'; שֵׁם קָדְשִׁי 'my holy name' — the name that bears and communicates YHWH's own set-apartness.
4
וְאִ֡ם הַעְלֵ֣ם יַעְלִימֽוּ֩ עַ֨ם הָאָ֜רֶץ אֶת עֵֽינֵיהֶם֙ מִן הָאִ֣ישׁ הַה֔וּא בְּתִתּ֥וֹ מִזַּרְע֖וֹ לַמֹּ֑לֶךְ לְבִלְתִּ֖י הָמִ֥ית אֹתֽוֹ
And if the people of the land indeed hide their eyes from that man, when he gives his offspring to Molech, and do not put him to death,
The protasis of a new conditional (vv. 4-5) envisions the community shirking its duty under v. 2 — the infinitive-absolute-reinforced הַעְלֵם יַעְלִימוּ ('should they indeed hide') makes willful collusion, not mere oversight, the scenario in view.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְאִ֡םand ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction introducing the protasisאִם (H518) 'if'; opens a new hypothetical case, extending the Molech law to cover communal complicity.
הַעְלֵ֣םindeedHiphil inf abs · עָלַם (H5956)Infinitive absolute intensifying יַעְלִימוּ→ Infinitive absolute: reinforces the certainty/deliberateness of the actעָלַם (H5956) 'to hide, conceal'; the infinitive absolute before the finite verb marks this as willful, deliberate concealment, not accidental oversight.
יַעְלִימֽוּ֩they hideHiphil impf 3mp · עָלַם (H5956)Predicate verb (protasis)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — the hypothetical failure defining the caseעָלַם (H5956) Hiphil 'to hide, close (the eyes)'; the idiom הֶעְלִים עַיִן, 'to shut one's eyes to', denotes deliberate willful blindness to wrongdoing.
עַ֨םthe people ofN m sg constr · עַם (H5971)Subject (construct chain, head)עַם (H5971); see v. 2 — the same community now cast as potential accomplice rather than executioner.
הָאָ֜רֶץthe landart + N common sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of the construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776); see v. 2.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
עֵֽינֵיהֶם֙their eyesN common dual constr/Sp3mp · עַיִן (H5869)Direct object of יַעְלִימוּעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; dual form; object of the idiom 'to hide the eyes from' — willful non-seeing.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (object of concealment)מִן (H4480) 'from'; marks the offender as the one being ignored.
הָאִ֣ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Object of the preposition מִןאִישׁ (H376); the Molech-offering man of vv. 2-3.
הַה֔וּאthatart + pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative ('that man')הוּא (H1931); see v. 3.
בְּתִתּ֥וֹwhen he givesprep בְּ + Qal inf constr/Sp3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive: temporal — concurrent circumstanceנָתַן (H5414); בְּ + infinitive construct marks simultaneity, 'while/when he gives'.
מִזַּרְע֖וֹhis offspringprep מִן + N m sg constr/Sp3ms · זֶרַע (H2233)Partitive direct object (object of נָתַן)זֶרַע (H2233); see v. 2.
לַמֹּ֑לֶךְto Molechprep לְ + proper noun · מֹלֶךְ (H4432)Indirect object / recipientמֹלֶךְ (H4432); see v. 2.
לְבִלְתִּ֖יso as not toprep לְ + negative particle · בִּלְתִּי (H1115)Negative purpose/result particle governing the infinitiveבִּלְתִּי (H1115) 'not, so as not'; לְבִלְתִּי + infinitive is the standard construction for negative purpose/result, 'so as not to'.
הָמִ֥יתto put to deathHiphil inf constr · מוּת (H4191)Infinitival complement of לְבִלְתִּי→ Infinitive: negated purpose/resultמוּת (H4191) Hiphil, causative 'to kill, put to death'; the community's failure to execute is now the offense in view.
אֹתֽוֹhimobj marker/Sp3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object)
5
וְשַׂמְתִּ֨י אֲנִ֧י אֶת פָּנַ֛י בָּאִ֥ישׁ הַה֖וּא וּבְמִשְׁפַּחְתּ֑וֹ וְהִכְרַתִּ֨י אֹת֜וֹ וְאֵ֣ת כָּל הַזֹּנִ֣ים אַחֲרָ֗יו לִזְנ֛וֹת אַחֲרֵ֥י הַמֹּ֖לֶךְ מִקֶּ֥רֶב עַמָּֽם
then I myself will set my face against that man and against his family, and I will cut him off, and all who whore after him, whoring after Molech, from among their people.
The apodosis matches v. 3's sanction but widens it: not only the offender but his family, and not only him but all who 'whore after' Molech with him, fall under YHWH's own karet — collusion extends guilt beyond the individual and beyond the human court's reach.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְשַׂמְתִּ֨יthen I will setconj וְ + Qal weqatal 1cs · שָׂם (H7760)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: apodosis of the conditional — YHWH's resultant actionשִׂים/שׂוּם (H7760) 'to set, place'; synonymous with נָתַן in v. 3 for the idiom 'set the face against'.
אֲנִ֧יI myselfpron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Emphatic subject, resuming the verb's suffixאֲנִי (H589); emphatic, as in v. 3 — YHWH's own direct action, not merely a legal consequence.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
פָּנַ֛יmy faceN common pl constr/Sp1cs · פָּנִים (H6440)Direct object of וְשַׂמְתִּיפָּנִים (H6440); see v. 3.
בָּאִ֥ישׁagainst the manprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Prepositional phrase, object of the idiomאִישׁ (H376); the offender's father/head-of-family who colludes with the deed.
הַה֖וּאthatart + pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrativeהוּא (H1931); see v. 3.
וּבְמִשְׁפַּחְתּ֑וֹand against his familyconj וְ + prep בְּ + N f sg constr/Sp3ms · מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940)Prepositional phrase coordinate with בָּאִישׁ (widened target)מִשְׁפָּחָה (H4940) 'clan, family'; the divine face is set not only against the offender but his kin-group, widening the sanction beyond v. 3.
וְהִכְרַתִּ֨יand I will cut offconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 1cs · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: continues the apodosis sequenceכָּרַת (H3772); see v. 3.
אֹת֜וֹhimobj marker/Sp3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object)
וְאֵ֣תand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ joins the second object; אֵת marks כָּל־הַזֹּנִים as a further definite object of וְהִכְרַתִּי.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival) — headכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; כָּל הַזֹּנִים 'all who whore' — an open, unrestricted class of accomplices.
הַזֹּנִ֣יםwho whoreart + Qal ptc mpa · זָנָה (H2181)Substantival participle, genitive of the construct chain→ Participle: characterizing — habitual religious infidelityזָנָה (H2181) 'to be a harlot, whore'; used metaphorically throughout Scripture for cultic infidelity to YHWH — following Molech is figured as sexual betrayal of the covenant relationship.
אַחֲרָ֗יוafter himprep + Sp3ms · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase completing the idiom זָנָה אַחֲרֵיאַחַר (H310) 'after'; זָנָה אַחֲרֵי is the fixed idiom for apostate cultic following (cf. Exod 34:15-16; Hos 1-3).
לִזְנ֛וֹתwhoringprep לְ + Qal inf constr · זָנָה (H2181)Epexegetical infinitive clarifying הַזֹּנִים→ Infinitive: explicative — restates and specifies the participle's actionזָנָה (H2181); the infinitive restates the participle to specify its object, אַחֲרֵי הַמֹּלֶךְ.
אַחֲרֵ֥יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase completing לִזְנוֹתאַחַר (H310); see above — now naming the specific idol, Molech.
הַמֹּ֖לֶךְMolechart + proper noun · מֹלֶךְ (H4432)Object of the preposition אַחֲרֵימֹלֶךְ (H4432); see v. 2.
מִקֶּ֥רֶבfrom the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Prepositional phrase of separationקֶרֶב (H7130); see v. 3.
עַמָּֽםtheir peopleN m sg constr/Sp3mp · עַם (H5971)Genitive of the construct chainעַם (H5971); the plural suffix now covers offender, family, and all who joined him.
6
וְהַנֶּ֗פֶשׁ אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּפְנֶ֤ה אֶל הָֽאֹבֹת֙ וְאֶל הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֔ים לִזְנ֖וֹת אַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם וְנָתַתִּ֤י אֶת פָּנַי֙ בַּנֶּ֣פֶשׁ הַהִ֔וא וְהִכְרַתִּ֥י אֹת֖וֹ מִקֶּ֥רֶב עַמּֽוֹ
And the person who turns to mediums and to necromancers, whoring after them, I will set my face against that person and cut him off from among his people.
The chapter's second offense begins its own bracket, completed only in v. 27. Here the sanction falls on the נֶפֶשׁ who 'turns to' (תִּפְנֶה) such practitioners; the same זָנָה vocabulary used of Molech (v. 5) recasts necromancy too as covenant infidelity, and the penalty is exclusively divine karet, with no human execution specified for the client.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְהַנֶּ֗פֶשׁand the personconj וְ + art + N common sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Subject (fronted, resumed by verb)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, person, self'; the chapter's most inclusive term for a human individual, used for whichever man or woman commits the act.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the defining clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2.
תִּפְנֶ֤הturnsQal impf 3fs · פָּנָה (H6437)Predicate verb (relative clause; agrees with feminine נֶפֶשׁ)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — the hypothetical act defining the caseפָּנָה (H6437) 'to turn'; here 'to turn to' in the sense of seeking out, consulting.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, object of תִּפְנֶהאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the object sought out.
הָֽאֹבֹת֙the mediumsart + N m pl abs · אוֹב (H178)Object of the preposition אֶלאוֹב (H178) 'ancestral/necromantic spirit, medium'; a spirit consulted for oracles from the dead, or the practitioner who channels one — the referent shifts between spirit and medium across the OT (cf. 1 Sam 28:7).
וְאֶלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase (second object)אֶל (H413) with proclitic וְ; coordinate second class of practitioner.
הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֔יםthe necromancersart + N m pl abs · יִדְּעֹנִי (H3049)Object of the preposition אֶליִדְּעֹנִי (H3049) 'knowing one, necromancer', from יָדַע 'to know' — a practitioner claiming secret/occult knowledge; almost always paired with אוֹב as a fixed word-pair (also v. 27; 19:31; Deut 18:11).
לִזְנ֖וֹתwhoringprep לְ + Qal inf constr · זָנָה (H2181)Epexegetical infinitive clarifying תִּפְנֶה→ Infinitive: explicative — restates and characterizes the offenseזָנָה (H2181); as in v. 5, casts necromantic consultation as cultic infidelity to YHWH.
אַחֲרֵיהֶ֑םafter themprep + Sp3mp · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase completing לִזְנוֹתאַחַר (H310); the plural suffix refers back to the mediums and necromancers just named.
וְנָתַתִּ֤יand I will setconj וְ + Qal weqatal 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: apodosis — YHWH's resultant actionנָתַן (H5414); see v. 3 — the same 'set the face against' idiom applied here to necromancy.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
פָּנַי֙my faceN common pl constr/Sp1cs · פָּנִים (H6440)Direct object of וְנָתַתִּיפָּנִים (H6440); see v. 3.
בַּנֶּ֣פֶשׁagainst the personprep בְּ + art + N common sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Prepositional phrase, object of the idiomנֶפֶשׁ (H5315); resumes the subject of v. 6a.
הַהִ֔ואthatart + pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative (feminine, agreeing with נֶפֶשׁ)הִיא (H1931); feminine form agreeing with the grammatically feminine נֶפֶשׁ.
וְהִכְרַתִּ֥יand I will cut offconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 1cs · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: continues the apodosis sequenceכָּרַת (H3772); see v. 3 — the karet penalty falling on the client of mediums/necromancers.
אֹת֖וֹhimobj marker/Sp3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object)
מִקֶּ֥רֶבfrom the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Prepositional phrase of separationקֶרֶב (H7130); see v. 3.
עַמּֽוֹhis peopleN m sg constr/Sp3ms · עַם (H5971)Genitive of the construct chainעַם (H5971); see v. 3.
7
וְהִ֨תְקַדִּשְׁתֶּ֔ם וִהְיִיתֶ֖ם קְדֹשִׁ֑ים כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם
Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am YHWH your God.
A double imperative-like weqatal couplet (וְהִתְקַדִּשְׁתֶּם / וִהְיִיתֶם קְדֹשִׁים) pivots from case law to summons: Israel's holiness is both a demanded response and, per the כִּי clause, grounded in the prior fact of YHWH's own identity as their God — the same pairing that will close the chapter in v. 26.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְהִ֨תְקַדִּשְׁתֶּ֔םand consecrate yourselvesconj וְ + Hitpael weqatal 2mp · קָדַשׁ (H6942)Predicate verb (main clause, hortatory)→ Weqatal used with imperatival force: a binding summons following the case lawקָדַשׁ (H6942) 'to be holy'; Hitpael reflexive-reciprocal, 'set/consecrate yourselves' — Israel's active response, not merely a passive state conferred.
וִהְיִיתֶ֖םand beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, hortatory)→ Weqatal used with imperatival force: coordinate summonsהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; weqatal continuing the imperatival sequence.
קְדֹשִׁ֑יםholyadj m pl abs · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Predicate adjectiveקָדוֹשׁ (H6918) 'holy, set apart'; predicate complement of וִהְיִיתֶם, the goal-state of consecration.
כִּ֛יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing the grounding clauseכִּי (H3588) causal 'for, because'; grounds the summons to holiness in YHWH's own character/relation.
אֲנִ֥יIpron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the verbless clauseאֲנִי (H589); introduces the self-identification formula.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominativeיְהוָה (H3068); the recognition formula אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם grounds law in covenant relationship.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽםyour GodN m pl constr/Sp2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition/predicate nominative continuing יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); plural form, singular referent — completes the covenant self-identification, the ground clause for the summons to holiness.
8
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֙ אֶת חֻקֹּתַ֔י וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם אֲנִ֥י יְהוָ֖ה מְקַדִּשְׁכֶֽם
And you shall keep my statutes and do them; I am YHWH who sanctifies you.
The couplet 'keep... do' (שָׁמַר / עָשָׂה) is the standard call to obedience; the closing self-identification shifts from אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (v. 7) to the participle מְקַדִּשְׁכֶם, 'who sanctifies you' — holiness is now named as YHWH's own ongoing action toward Israel, not only their obligation.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֙and you shall keepconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (main clause, hortatory)→ Weqatal used with imperatival force: binding obligationשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; the standard verb for covenant fidelity to statutes.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
חֻקֹּתַ֔יmy statutesN common pl constr/Sp1cs · חֻקָּה (H2708)Direct object of וּשְׁמַרְתֶּםחֻקָּה (H2708) 'statute, prescribed rule', from חָקַק 'to engrave'; the fixed legal enactments encompassing the whole preceding penal code.
וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖םand doconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, coordinate)→ Weqatal used with imperatival force: coordinate obligationעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, perform'; שָׁמַר...עָשָׂה is the standard hendiadic pair for full covenant obedience — attentive observance plus concrete performance.
אֹתָ֑םthemobj marker/Sp3mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object)
אֲנִ֥יIpron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the verbless clauseאֲנִי (H589); see v. 7.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominativeיְהוָה (H3068); see v. 7.
מְקַדִּשְׁכֶֽםwho sanctifies youPiel ptc msc/Sp2mp · קָדַשׁ (H6942)Substantival participle, predicate continuing יְהוָה→ Participle: durative — an ongoing divine actionקָדַשׁ (H6942) Piel factitive 'to make holy, sanctify'; the participle casts holiness as YHWH's continuous work in Israel, complementing v. 7's imperative to Israel's own action.
9
כִּֽי אִ֣ישׁ אִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְקַלֵּ֧ל אֶת אָבִ֛יו וְאֶת אִמּ֖וֹ מ֣וֹת יוּמָ֑ת אָבִ֧יו וְאִמּ֛וֹ קִלֵּ֖ל דָּמָ֥יו בּֽוֹ
For any man who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death; he has cursed his father or his mother; his blood is upon him.
Introduced by כִּי rather than the following units' וְאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר, this case stands slightly apart, perhaps still governed by the summons of vv. 7-8. It is the chapter's first use of דָּמָיו בּוֹ, 'his blood is upon him' — the formula that will mark lawful, bloodguilt-free execution throughout the sexual-offense list that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
כִּֽיforconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating/introductory conjunction opening the caseכִּי (H3588); here introduces a new casuistic unit rather than a strictly causal clause, 'now, as for...'.
אִ֣ישׁany manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (first of doubled distributive idiom)אִישׁ (H376); doubled distributive as in v. 2.
אִ֗ישׁmanN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (second of doubled distributive idiom)Repetition intensifies the distributive force, 'each and every man'; see v. 2.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the casuistic protasisאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2.
יְקַלֵּ֧לcursesPiel impf 3ms · קָלַל (H7043)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — the hypothetical act defining the caseקָלַל (H7043) 'to be light, trifling'; Piel factitive 'to curse, treat with contempt' — the opposite of honoring (כִּבֵּד) parents commanded in the Decalogue (Exod 20:12).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
אָבִ֛יוhis fatherN m sg constr/Sp3ms · אָב (H1)Direct object of יְקַלֵּלאָב (H1) 'father'; parental authority is grounded in the fifth commandment, hence its violation by cursing draws the severest sanction.
וְאֶתor [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ here functions disjunctively ('or'), matching the second half of v. 9b; אֵת marks אִמּוֹ as the second definite object.
אִמּ֖וֹhis motherN f sg constr/Sp3ms · אֵם (H517)Direct object of יְקַלֵּל (coordinate)אֵם (H517) 'mother'; paired with אָב, the mother's authority carries equal legal weight.
מ֣וֹתsurelyQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive absolute intensifying יוּמָת→ Infinitive absolute: reinforces certainty of the sentenceמוּת (H4191); see v. 2.
יוּמָ֑תhe shall be put to deathHophal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis)→ Yiqtol (passive, Hophal): prescriptive — the mandated penaltyמוּת (H4191); the death-penalty formula, see v. 2.
אָבִ֧יוhis fatherN m sg constr/Sp3ms · אָב (H1)Subject/topic of the restating clauseאָב (H1); restated as the offense is recapitulated to ground the blood-formula that follows.
וְאִמּ֛וֹor his motherconj וְ + N f sg constr/Sp3ms · אֵם (H517)Coordinate subject/topicאֵם (H517); coordinate with אָבִיו.
קִלֵּ֖לhe has cursedPiel perf 3ms · קָלַל (H7043)Predicate verb (restating clause, grounding the sentence)→ Perfective: a completed act grounding the sentence just declaredקָלַל (H7043); the offense restated in the perfect, as accomplished fact justifying the penalty.
דָּמָ֥יוhis bloodN m pl constr/Sp3ms · דָּם (H1818)Subject of the verbless clauseדָּם (H1818) 'blood' (plural form, 'bloodshed/bloodguilt'); דָּמָיו בּוֹ, 'his blood is upon him' — the formula declaring the executed offender solely responsible for his own death, with no bloodguilt accruing to the executioners.
בּֽוֹupon himprep בְּ + Sp3msPredicate prepositional phrase of the verbless clauseבְּ 'in, upon'; completes the formula fixing bloodguilt on the offender himself.
10
וְאִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִנְאַף֙ אֶת אֵ֣שֶׁת אִ֔ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִנְאַ֖ף אֶת אֵ֣שֶׁת רֵעֵ֑הוּ מֽוֹת יוּמַ֥ת הַנֹּאֵ֖ף וְהַנֹּאָֽפֶת
And a man who commits adultery with the wife of a man, who commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
The first of twelve casuistic units running in the order of ch. 18's prohibitions, now with sanctions attached. The double relative clause (יִנְאַף...יִנְאַף) restates the offense before naming both parties — הַנֹּאֵף וְהַנֹּאָפֶת — as jointly liable, unlike some ANE law codes that penalized only the woman.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְאִ֗ישׁand a manconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (fronted, resumed by verb)אִישׁ (H376); opens the recurring וְאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר casuistic pattern that structures vv. 10-21.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the casuistic protasisאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2.
יִנְאַף֙commits adulteryQal impf 3ms · נָאַף (H5003)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — the hypothetical act defining the caseנָאַף (H5003) 'to commit adultery'; specifically sex with another man's wife, distinct from other illicit unions in the chapter.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase, object of יִנְאַףאֵת/אֶת (H854) 'with' (distinct from the object marker H853, though written identically); marks the woman as the adulterous partner, not a grammatical direct object.
אֵ֣שֶׁתthe wife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Construct chain (genitival) — headאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; construct with אִישׁ names her by her marital bond.
אִ֔ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Genitive of the construct chainאִישׁ (H376); the wronged husband.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle, restating the protasisאֲשֶׁר (H834); the clause is restated with the more specific רֵעֵהוּ, 'his neighbor', pinning down the social relationship violated.
יִנְאַ֖ףcommits adulteryQal impf 3ms · נָאַף (H5003)Predicate verb (relative clause, restated)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — restating the hypothetical actנָאַף (H5003); see above.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase, object of יִנְאַףאֵת/אֶת (H854) 'with'; see above.
אֵ֣שֶׁתthe wife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Construct chain (genitival) — headאִשָּׁה (H802); see above.
רֵעֵ֑הוּhis neighborN m sg constr/Sp3ms · רֵעַ (H7453)Genitive of the construct chainרֵעַ (H7453) 'companion, neighbor, fellow'; specifies a fellow Israelite, echoing the Decalogue's 'you shall not covet your neighbor's wife' (Exod 20:17).
מֽוֹתsurelyQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive absolute intensifying יוּמַת→ Infinitive absolute: reinforces certainty of the sentenceמוּת (H4191); see v. 2.
יוּמַ֥תhe shall be put to deathHophal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis)→ Yiqtol (passive, Hophal): prescriptive — the mandated penaltyמוּת (H4191); death-penalty formula, see v. 2; the singular verb governs the compound subject that follows.
הַנֹּאֵ֖ףthe adultererart + Qal ptc msa · נָאַף (H5003)Subject of יוּמַת (compound, first member)→ Participle: substantival — designates the offender by his actנָאַף (H5003); the participle used substantivally, 'the one who commits adultery'.
וְהַנֹּאָֽפֶתand the adulteressconj וְ + art + Qal ptc fsa · נָאַף (H5003)Subject of יוּמַת (compound, second member)→ Participle: substantival — designates the offender by her actנָאַף (H5003), feminine participle; both parties named and held equally liable, unlike some ANE codes that penalize only the woman.
11
וְאִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִשְׁכַּב֙ אֶת אֵ֣שֶׁת אָבִ֔יו עֶרְוַ֥ת אָבִ֖יו גִּלָּ֑ה מֽוֹת יוּמְת֥וּ שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם דְּמֵיהֶ֥ם בָּֽם
And a man who lies with his father's wife has uncovered his father's nakedness; both of them shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.
The offense is stated twice — יִשְׁכַּב אֶת... and עֶרְוַת אָבִיו גִּלָּה — reusing the 'uncovering nakedness' idiom from ch. 18, then attaches the death sentence and the blood-formula, now in its plural form (דְּמֵיהֶם בָּם) since both parties are executed.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְאִ֗ישׁand a manconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (fronted, resumed by verb)אִישׁ (H376); see v. 10.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the casuistic protasisאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2.
יִשְׁכַּב֙liesQal impf 3ms · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — the hypothetical act defining the caseשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down'; euphemistic for sexual intercourse, the standard verb across the chapter's incest and adultery cases.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase, object of יִשְׁכַּבאֵת/אֶת (H854) 'with'; see v. 10.
אֵ֣שֶׁתthe wife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Construct chain (genitival) — headאִשָּׁה (H802); see v. 10.
אָבִ֔יוhis fatherN m sg constr/Sp3ms · אָב (H1)Genitive of the construct chainאָב (H1); this is presumably a stepmother, not the man's biological mother (cf. 18:8).
עֶרְוַ֥תthe nakedness ofN f sg constr · עֶרְוָה (H6172)Direct object of גִּלָּה (fronted)עֶרְוָה (H6172) 'nakedness'; עֶרְוַת X גִּלָּה, 'has uncovered the nakedness of X', is the standard idiom for illicit sexual exposure used throughout ch. 18.
אָבִ֖יוhis fatherN m sg constr/Sp3ms · אָב (H1)Genitive of the construct chainאָב (H1); the wife's nakedness is legally the husband's — hence the father's, not merely the woman's, exposure.
גִּלָּ֑הhe has uncoveredPiel perf 3ms · גָּלָה (H1540)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act naming the offenseגָּלָה (H1540) 'to uncover, expose'; Piel factitive, the technical verb of ch. 18's incest prohibitions, here restated to name the crime before the sentence.
מֽוֹתsurelyQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive absolute intensifying יוּמְתוּ→ Infinitive absolute: reinforces certainty of the sentenceמוּת (H4191); see v. 2.
יוּמְת֥וּthey shall be put to deathHophal impf 3mp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis)→ Yiqtol (passive, Hophal): prescriptive — the mandated penaltyמוּת (H4191); plural, since both parties are liable — the first of the chapter's 'both of them' sentences.
שְׁנֵיהֶ֖םboth of themnumeral m dual constr/Sp3mp · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Subject of יוּמְתוּשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; שְׁנֵיהֶם 'the two of them' names man and woman as jointly, equally liable.
דְּמֵיהֶ֥םtheir bloodN m pl constr/Sp3mp · דָּם (H1818)Subject of the verbless clauseדָּם (H1818); plural form of the bloodguilt formula, see v. 9 — 'their blood is upon them', absolving the executioners.
בָּֽםupon themprep בְּ + Sp3mpPredicate prepositional phrase of the verbless clauseבְּ 'in, upon'; completes the recurring blood-formula, see v. 9.
12
וְאִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִשְׁכַּב֙ אֶת כַּלָּת֔וֹ מ֥וֹת יוּמְת֖וּ שְׁנֵיהֶ֑ם תֶּ֥בֶל עָשׂ֖וּ דְּמֵיהֶ֥ם בָּֽם
And a man who lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death; they have committed a perversion; their blood is upon them.
Unlike v. 11's עֶרְוָה idiom, this case names the offense with the rare noun תֶּבֶל, 'perversion, confusion' — a term used almost exclusively of this specific incest (cf. Lev 18:23), marking it as a violation of the created order of kinship categories.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְאִ֗ישׁand a manconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (fronted, resumed by verb)אִישׁ (H376); see v. 10.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the casuistic protasisאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2.
יִשְׁכַּב֙liesQal impf 3ms · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — the hypothetical act defining the caseשָׁכַב (H7901); see v. 11.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase, object of יִשְׁכַּבאֵת/אֶת (H854) 'with'; see v. 10.
כַּלָּת֔וֹhis daughter-in-lawN f sg constr/Sp3ms · כַּלָּה (H3618)Object of the preposition אֶתכַּלָּה (H3618) 'daughter-in-law, bride'; the son's wife, prohibited to the father-in-law (cf. 18:15).
מ֥וֹתsurelyQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive absolute intensifying יוּמְתוּ→ Infinitive absolute: reinforces certainty of the sentenceמוּת (H4191); see v. 2.
יוּמְת֖וּthey shall be put to deathHophal impf 3mp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis)→ Yiqtol (passive, Hophal): prescriptive — the mandated penaltyמוּת (H4191); plural, both parties liable.
שְׁנֵיהֶ֑םboth of themnumeral m dual constr/Sp3mp · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Subject of יוּמְתוּשְׁנַיִם (H8147); see v. 11.
תֶּ֥בֶלa perversionN m sg abs · תֶּבֶל (H8397)Direct object of עָשׂוּ (fronted)תֶּבֶל (H8397) 'confusion, perversion', from בָּלַל 'to mix, confuse'; a rare, forceful term used almost solely for this incest (cf. 18:23) — a mixing of kinship categories that should remain distinct.
עָשׂ֖וּthey have committedQal perf 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act naming the offenseעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; with תֶּבֶל, 'they have committed perversion' — a summary characterization following the sentence, as in v. 13's תּוֹעֵבָה.
דְּמֵיהֶ֥םtheir bloodN m pl constr/Sp3mp · דָּם (H1818)Subject of the verbless clauseדָּם (H1818); see v. 9, 11.
בָּֽםupon themprep בְּ + Sp3mpPredicate prepositional phrase of the verbless clauseבְּ 'in, upon'; completes the recurring blood-formula.
13
וְאִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִשְׁכַּ֤ב אֶת זָכָר֙ מִשְׁכְּבֵ֣י אִשָּׁ֔ה תּוֹעֵבָ֥ה עָשׂ֖וּ שְׁנֵיהֶ֑ם מ֥וֹת יוּמָ֖תוּ דְּמֵיהֶ֥ם בָּֽם
And a man who lies with a male as one lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.
The offense is named תּוֹעֵבָה, 'abomination' — the same term used at 18:22 — before the death sentence and blood-formula are attached; unusually, the two words of the compound predicate (עָשׂוּ שְׁנֵיהֶם, 'both of them have committed') are inverted relative to the surrounding cases' תֶּבֶל/עָשׂוּ order, giving תּוֹעֵבָה initial emphasis.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְאִ֗ישׁand a manconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (fronted, resumed by verb)אִישׁ (H376); see v. 10.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the casuistic protasisאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2.
יִשְׁכַּ֤בliesQal impf 3ms · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — the hypothetical act defining the caseשָׁכַב (H7901); see v. 11.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase, object of יִשְׁכַּבאֵת/אֶת (H854) 'with'; see v. 10.
זָכָר֙a maleadj m sg abs (substantival) · זָכָר (H2145)Object of the preposition אֶתזָכָר (H2145) 'male'; used substantivally, matching the wording of 18:22.
מִשְׁכְּבֵ֣יthe lyings ofN m pl constr · מִשְׁכָּב (H4904)Adverbial accusative (construct chain, head)מִשְׁכָּב (H4904) 'lying, bed', from שָׁכַב; מִשְׁכְּבֵי אִשָּׁה, 'as one lies with a woman', is the precise idiom repeated from 18:22 defining the prohibited act.
אִשָּׁ֔הa womanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Genitive of the construct chainאִשָּׁה (H802); see above.
תּוֹעֵבָ֥הan abominationN f sg abs · תּוֹעֵבָה (H8441)Direct object of עָשׂוּ (fronted)תּוֹעֵבָה (H8441) 'abomination, detestable thing'; the same term used at 18:22 to name this act — a category-word for what is ritually and morally repugnant to YHWH.
עָשׂ֖וּthey have committedQal perf 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act naming the offenseעָשָׂה (H6213); see v. 12.
שְׁנֵיהֶ֑םboth of themnumeral m dual constr/Sp3mp · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Subject of עָשׂוּשְׁנַיִם (H8147); see v. 11.
מ֥וֹתsurelyQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive absolute intensifying יוּמָתוּ→ Infinitive absolute: reinforces certainty of the sentenceמוּת (H4191); see v. 2.
יוּמָ֖תוּthey shall be put to deathHophal impf 3mp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis)→ Yiqtol (passive, Hophal): prescriptive — the mandated penaltyמוּת (H4191); plural, both parties liable.
דְּמֵיהֶ֥םtheir bloodN m pl constr/Sp3mp · דָּם (H1818)Subject of the verbless clauseדָּם (H1818); see v. 9, 11.
בָּֽםupon themprep בְּ + Sp3mpPredicate prepositional phrase of the verbless clauseבְּ 'in, upon'; completes the recurring blood-formula.
14
וְאִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִקַּ֧ח אֶת אִשָּׁ֛ה וְאֶת אִמָּ֖הּ זִמָּ֣ה הִ֑וא בָּאֵ֞שׁ יִשְׂרְפ֤וּ אֹתוֹ֙ וְאֶתְהֶ֔ן וְלֹא תִהְיֶ֥ה זִמָּ֖ה בְּתוֹכְכֶֽם
And a man who takes a wife and her mother, it is depravity; they shall burn him and them with fire, so that there will be no depravity among you.
The chapter's only case sanctioned by burning rather than the standard stoning/execution formula, and its only case naming three parties liable (all three burned together). The noun זִמָּה, 'depravity, wicked scheme', frames the offense at both ends of the verse (inclusio), and the closing purpose clause ('so that there will be no depravity among you') makes the deterrent, community-protective function of the penalty explicit.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְאִ֗ישׁand a manconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (fronted, resumed by verb)אִישׁ (H376); see v. 10.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the casuistic protasisאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2.
יִקַּ֧חtakesQal impf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — the hypothetical act defining the caseלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; the standard verb for taking a wife in marriage — here compounded with her mother, a bigamous incest.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
אִשָּׁ֛הa wifeN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object of יִקַּחאִשָּׁה (H802); here 'a wife', the first of two women taken.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ joins the second object; אֵת marks אִמָּהּ as the second definite object.
אִמָּ֖הּher motherN f sg constr/Sp3fs · אֵם (H517)Direct object of יִקַּח (coordinate)אֵם (H517); the wife's mother, i.e. the man's mother-in-law — this specific combination is the chapter's only three-party death case.
זִמָּ֣הdepravityN f sg abs · זִמָּה (H2154)Predicate nominative of the verbless clauseזִמָּה (H2154) 'plan, scheme', pejoratively 'depravity, wickedness'; a term of moral revulsion applied especially to sexual crimes (cf. 18:17; 19:29).
הִ֑ואit (is)pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject of the verbless clauseהִיא (H1931); serves as copula-like subject of the nominal clause, referring back to the described act.
בָּאֵ֞שׁwith fireprep בְּ + art + N common sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Instrumental prepositional phrase (fronted)אֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; burning, not stoning, is uniquely mandated here — elsewhere in the Torah reserved for especially aggravated cases (cf. 21:9).
יִשְׂרְפ֤וּthey shall burnQal impf 3mp · שָׂרַף (H8313)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the mandated method of executionשָׂרַף (H8313) 'to burn'; the community's mode of execution for this uniquely aggravated offense.
אֹתוֹ֙himobj marker/Sp3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (first of three objects)
וְאֶתְהֶ֔ןand themconj וְ + obj marker/Sp3fp · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker + suffix (second/third objects)Plural feminine suffix covers both the wife and her mother — all three parties are burned together.
וְלֹאso that notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle introducing the purpose clauseלֹא (H3808) 'not'; introduces the closing purpose statement — the deterrent rationale for the extreme penalty.
תִהְיֶ֥הthere will beQal impf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (negative purpose clause)→ Yiqtol: purpose/result — the intended future stateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; the community's holiness is protected by removing depravity through the sentence.
זִמָּ֖הdepravityN f sg abs · זִמָּה (H2154)Subject of תִהְיֶהזִמָּה (H2154); repeats the term from earlier in the verse, forming an inclusio around the sentence.
בְּתוֹכְכֶֽםamong youprep בְּ + N m sg constr/Sp2mp · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phraseתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst'; בְּתוֹךְ 'in the midst of' — the whole community, not merely the individuals, is the protected party.
15
וְאִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִתֵּ֧ן שְׁכָבְתּ֛וֹ בִּבְהֵמָ֖ה מ֣וֹת יוּמָ֑ת וְאֶת הַבְּהֵמָ֖ה תַּהֲרֹֽגוּ
And a man who gives his lying (emission) to an animal shall surely be put to death, and you shall kill the animal.
Shifting from third-person passive (תַּהֲרֹגוּ, 'you shall kill') for the man to a direct second-person imperative-force command regarding the animal, the verse extends the death penalty to the animal itself — its involvement, however involuntary, is treated as making it unfit to remain among the people (cf. Exod 21:28-29 for a related logic).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְאִ֗ישׁand a manconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (fronted, resumed by verb)אִישׁ (H376); see v. 10.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the casuistic protasisאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2.
יִתֵּ֧ןgivesQal impf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — the hypothetical act defining the caseנָתַן (H5414); euphemistic idiom נָתַן שְׁכָבְתּוֹ בְּ, 'to give his emission to' — a discreet way of naming bestial intercourse (cf. 18:23).
שְׁכָבְתּ֛וֹhis lyingN f sg constr/Sp3ms · שְׁכָבָה (H7903)Direct object of יִתֵּןשְׁכָבָה (H7903) 'lying, copulation, seminal emission', from שָׁכַב; euphemistic completion of the idiom naming the offense discreetly.
בִּבְהֵמָ֖הto an animalprep בְּ + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Prepositional phrase, indirect objectבְּהֵמָה (H929) 'animal, beast'; the general term for a domestic quadruped.
מ֣וֹתsurelyQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive absolute intensifying יוּמָת→ Infinitive absolute: reinforces certainty of the sentenceמוּת (H4191); see v. 2.
יוּמָ֑תhe shall be put to deathHophal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis)→ Yiqtol (passive, Hophal): prescriptive — the mandated penaltyמוּת (H4191); see v. 2.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerאֵת marks הַבְּהֵמָה as a definite object of the following command.
הַבְּהֵמָ֖הthe animalart + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Direct object of תַּהֲרֹגוּ (fronted)בְּהֵמָה (H929); the animal, though not a moral agent, is likewise put to death — cultic contamination attaches to the act itself.
תַּהֲרֹֽגוּyou shall killQal impf 2mp · הָרַג (H2026)Predicate verb (main clause, direct command)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — a direct command to the communityהָרַג (H2026) 'to kill'; here directly commanding the community, in contrast to the passive יוּמָת used of the human offender.
16
וְאִשָּׁ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר תִּקְרַ֤ב אֶל כָּל בְּהֵמָה֙ לְרִבְעָ֣ה אֹתָ֔הּ וְהָרַגְתָּ֥ אֶת הָאִשָּׁ֖ה וְאֶת הַבְּהֵמָ֑ה מ֥וֹת יוּמָ֖תוּ דְּמֵיהֶ֥ם בָּֽם
And a woman who approaches any animal to mate with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.
The female counterpart of v. 15, this case alone among the chapter's bestiality/male-female pairs adds the full מוֹת יוּמָתוּ...דְּמֵיהֶם בָּם formula to both woman and animal, making explicit what v. 15 left implicit for the animal's fate.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְאִשָּׁ֗הand a womanconj וְ + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject (fronted, resumed by verb)אִשָּׁה (H802); the female counterpart to אִישׁ in the preceding cases.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the casuistic protasisאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2.
תִּקְרַ֤בapproachesQal impf 3fs · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — the hypothetical act defining the caseקָרַב (H7126) 'to draw near, approach'; a euphemism for the woman's sexual initiative, paralleling נָתַן שְׁכָבְתּוֹ for the man in v. 15.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase, object of תִּקְרַבאֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the animal as the object approached.
כָּלanyN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival) — headכֹּל (H3605); 'any animal whatsoever', a wide, unqualified prohibition.
בְּהֵמָה֙animalN f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Genitive of the construct chainבְּהֵמָה (H929); see v. 15.
לְרִבְעָ֣הto mate withprep לְ + Qal inf constr · רָבַע (H7250)Infinitival complement of purpose→ Infinitive: purpose — the intent of the approachרָבַע (H7250) 'to lie with, mate' (a technical term for animal breeding, applied here to human-animal union); makes explicit the sexual purpose of תִּקְרַב.
אֹתָ֔הּwith itprep + Sp3fs · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase completing לְרִבְעָהאֵת/אֶת (H854) 'with'; the animal, referenced by feminine suffix agreeing with בְּהֵמָה.
וְהָרַגְתָּ֥and you shall killconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · הָרַג (H2026)Predicate verb (main clause, direct command)→ Weqatal used with imperatival force: direct commandהָרַג (H2026); see v. 15, here singular address to the executing party.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
הָאִשָּׁ֖הthe womanart + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object of וְהָרַגְתָּ (first of two)אִשָּׁה (H802); the offender named in v. 16a.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)אֵת marks הַבְּהֵמָה as the second definite object.
הַבְּהֵמָ֑הthe animalart + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Direct object of וְהָרַגְתָּ (second of two)בְּהֵמָה (H929); see v. 15.
מ֥וֹתsurelyQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive absolute intensifying יוּמָתוּ→ Infinitive absolute: reinforces certainty of the sentenceמוּת (H4191); see v. 2.
יוּמָ֖תוּthey shall be put to deathHophal impf 3mp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause, summarizing apodosis)→ Yiqtol (passive, Hophal): prescriptive — the mandated penalty, restatedמוּת (H4191); the formula restates and confirms the command just given.
דְּמֵיהֶ֥םtheir bloodN m pl constr/Sp3mp · דָּם (H1818)Subject of the verbless clauseדָּם (H1818); see v. 9, 11 — here covering woman and animal alike.
בָּֽםupon themprep בְּ + Sp3mpPredicate prepositional phrase of the verbless clauseבְּ 'in, upon'; completes the recurring blood-formula.
17
וְאִ֣ישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִקַּ֣ח אֶת אֲחֹת֡וֹ בַּת אָבִ֣יו א֣וֹ בַת אִ֠מּוֹ וְרָאָ֨ה אֶת עֶרְוָתָ֜הּ וְהִֽיא תִרְאֶ֤ה אֶת עֶרְוָתוֹ֙ חֶ֣סֶד ה֔וּא וְנִ֨כְרְת֔וּ לְעֵינֵ֖י בְּנֵ֣י עַמָּ֑ם עֶרְוַ֧ת אֲחֹת֛וֹ גִּלָּ֖ה עֲוֺנ֥וֹ יִשָּֽׂא
And a man who takes his sister, his father's daughter or his mother's daughter, and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace; they shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people; he has uncovered his sister's nakedness; he shall bear his iniquity.
The chapter's first shift from מוֹת יוּמָת to the Niphal כרת formula: sibling incest is sanctioned by cutting-off 'in the sight of the children of their people' — public disgrace and divine excision rather than human execution. חֶסֶד (H2617), normally 'kindness, loyalty', bears its rare inverted sense 'disgrace, shame' here, a crux noted since antiquity (cf. Prov 14:34 for a comparable ironic usage).
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
וְאִ֣ישׁand a manconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (fronted, resumed by verb)אִישׁ (H376); see v. 10.
אֲשֶׁרwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the casuistic protasisאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2.
יִקַּ֣חtakesQal impf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — the hypothetical act defining the caseלָקַח (H3947); see v. 14 — 'to take' in marriage.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
אֲחֹת֡וֹhis sisterN f sg constr/Sp3ms · אָחוֹת (H269)Direct object of יִקַּחאָחוֹת (H269) 'sister'; sanctioned by karet, distinct from the closer incests punished by execution.
בַּתthe daughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Apposition to אֲחֹתוֹ (construct chain, head)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; specifies the sister as either a full or half-sibling.
אָבִ֣יוhis fatherN m sg constr/Sp3ms · אָב (H1)Genitive of the construct chainאָב (H1); a paternal half-sister.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; joins the two alternative kinds of sister.
בַתthe daughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Apposition to אֲחֹתוֹ (construct chain, head)בַּת (H1323); see above, second alternative.
אִ֠מּוֹhis motherN f sg constr/Sp3ms · אֵם (H517)Genitive of the construct chainאֵם (H517); a maternal half-sister — together the phrase covers both types of half-sibling, and by extension full siblings.
וְרָאָ֨הand seesconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (relative clause, coordinate)→ Weqatal: continues the casuistic protasisרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; sexual seeing/exposure, coordinate with the marriage-taking already described.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
עֶרְוָתָ֜הּher nakednessN f sg constr/Sp3fs · עֶרְוָה (H6172)Direct object of וְרָאָהעֶרְוָה (H6172); see v. 11 — here 'sees' rather than 'uncovers', naming mutual sexual exposure.
וְהִֽיאand sheconj וְ + pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Emphatic subject (fronted, resumed by verb)הִיא (H1931); fronted for emphasis, making the sister's mutual complicity explicit — both bear responsibility.
תִרְאֶ֤הseesQal impf 3fs · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (relative clause, coordinate)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — continuing the hypothetical scenarioרָאָה (H7200); see above, reciprocated by the sister.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
עֶרְוָתוֹ֙his nakednessN f sg constr/Sp3ms · עֶרְוָה (H6172)Direct object of תִרְאֶהעֶרְוָה (H6172); the mutuality of exposure is unique to this case among the chapter's incest laws.
חֶ֣סֶדa disgraceN m sg abs · חֶסֶד (H2617)Predicate nominative of the verbless clauseחֶסֶד (H2617) ordinarily 'kindness, covenant loyalty'; here it bears its rare inverted sense 'disgrace, shame' (cf. Prov 14:34) — a genuine lexical crux, perhaps an intentional ironic reversal of the word's usual positive force.
ה֔וּאit (is)pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of the verbless clauseהוּא (H1931); see v. 14.
וְנִ֨כְרְת֔וּand they shall be cut offconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 3cp · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis)→ Weqatal (passive, Niphal): prescriptive — the karet penaltyכָּרַת (H3772); Niphal passive, distinct from the Hiphil כרת of vv. 3, 5, 6 where YHWH is explicit subject — here the passive leaves the agent unstated, the standard form of the karet formula elsewhere in the Torah.
לְעֵינֵ֖יin the sight ofprep לְ + N common dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner/locus)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; לְעֵינֵי, 'before the eyes of' — the excision is public, a matter of communal shame.
בְּנֵ֣יthe children ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival) — headבֵּן (H1121); construct with עַמָּם, 'the members of their people'.
עַמָּ֑םtheir peopleN m sg constr/Sp3mp · עַם (H5971)Genitive of the construct chainעַם (H5971); see v. 3 — the shared community from whose sight, and eventually presence, the pair is excised.
עֶרְוַ֧תthe nakedness ofN f sg constr · עֶרְוָה (H6172)Direct object of גִּלָּה (fronted)עֶרְוָה (H6172); the offense is now summarized, restating the standard ch. 18 idiom.
אֲחֹת֛וֹhis sisterN f sg constr/Sp3ms · אָחוֹת (H269)Genitive of the construct chainאָחוֹת (H269); see above.
גִּלָּ֖הhe has uncoveredPiel perf 3ms · גָּלָה (H1540)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act summarizing the offenseגָּלָה (H1540); see v. 11 — the technical verb of ch. 18's incest prohibitions, restated in summary.
עֲוֺנ֥וֹhis iniquityN common sg constr/Sp3ms · עָוֺן (H5771)Direct object of יִשָּׂא (fronted)עָוֺן (H5771) 'iniquity, guilt'; נָשָׂא עָוֺן, 'to bear one's iniquity', names ongoing personal liability distinct from, and in addition to, the karet sentence just pronounced.
יִשָּֽׂאhe shall bearQal impf 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the ongoing consequence of guiltנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; נָשָׂא עָוֺן is a fixed idiom for bearing the consequences of one's own guilt (cf. v. 19; 5:1, 17).
18
וְ֠אִישׁ אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁכַּ֨ב אֶת אִשָּׁ֜ה דָּוָ֗ה וְגִלָּ֤ה אֶת עֶרְוָתָהּ֙ אֶת מְקֹרָ֣הּ הֶֽעֱרָ֔ה וְהִ֕יא גִּלְּתָ֖ה אֶת מְק֣וֹר דָּמֶ֑יהָ וְנִכְרְת֥וּ שְׁנֵיהֶ֖ם מִקֶּ֥רֶב עַמָּֽם
And a man who lies with a woman in her menstrual impurity and uncovers her nakedness, has laid bare her flow, and she has uncovered the flow of her blood; both of them shall be cut off from among their people.
Like sister-incest (v. 17), this case draws the Niphal karet formula rather than execution. The verse piles up terms for exposure — גִּלָּה, הֶעֱרָה — and both partners' mutual agency is again noted (וְהִיא גִּלְּתָה), before the standard מִקֶּרֶב עַמָּם phrase closes the sentence.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וְ֠אִישׁand a manconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (fronted, resumed by verb)אִישׁ (H376); see v. 10.
אֲשֶׁרwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the casuistic protasisאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2.
יִשְׁכַּ֨בliesQal impf 3ms · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — the hypothetical act defining the caseשָׁכַב (H7901); see v. 11.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase, object of יִשְׁכַּבאֵת/אֶת (H854) 'with'; see v. 10.
אִשָּׁ֜הa womanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Object of the preposition אֵתאִשָּׁה (H802); see v. 10.
דָּוָ֗הin menstrual impurityadj f sg abs · דָּוָה (H1739)Attributive adjective modifying אִשָּׁהדָּוָה (H1739) 'menstruous, unwell'; the same category of impurity regulated in 15:19-24 and 18:19, treated here as a bodily state incompatible with intercourse.
וְגִלָּ֤הand uncoversconj וְ + Piel perf 3ms · גָּלָה (H1540)Predicate verb (relative clause, coordinate)→ Perfective (with waw-consecutive force in this legal register): continues the casuistic protasisגָּלָה (H1540); see v. 11.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
עֶרְוָתָהּ֙her nakednessN f sg constr/Sp3fs · עֶרְוָה (H6172)Direct object of וְגִלָּהעֶרְוָה (H6172); see v. 11.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
מְקֹרָ֣הּher flowN m sg constr/Sp3fs · מָקוֹר (H4726)Direct object of הֶעֱרָהמָקוֹר (H4726) 'spring, source'; euphemistic here for the menstrual flow/genital source — a second, more graphic term for the exposure just named.
הֶֽעֱרָ֔הhe has laid bareHiphil perf 3ms · עָרָה (H6168)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act intensifying the preceding descriptionעָרָה (H6168) 'to be bare'; Hiphil causative 'to lay bare, expose' — reinforces גִּלָּה with a second, still more explicit verb of exposure.
וְהִ֕יאand sheconj וְ + pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Emphatic subject (fronted, resumed by verb)הִיא (H1931); fronted for emphasis, as in v. 17 — her mutual complicity is noted.
גִּלְּתָ֖הshe has uncoveredPiel perf 3fs · גָּלָה (H1540)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act naming her reciprocal actionגָּלָה (H1540); the woman is grammatical subject, uncovering her own flow, underscoring joint responsibility.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
מְק֣וֹרthe flow ofN m sg constr · מָקוֹר (H4726)Construct chain (genitival) — head, direct object of גִּלְּתָהמָקוֹר (H4726); see above.
דָּמֶ֑יהָher bloodN m pl constr/Sp3fs · דָּם (H1818)Genitive of the construct chainדָּם (H1818); here concretely denoting menstrual blood, not the bloodguilt formula seen elsewhere in the chapter.
וְנִכְרְת֥וּand they shall be cut offconj וְ + Niphal perf 3cp · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis)→ Perfective with future/prescriptive force: the karet penaltyכָּרַת (H3772) Niphal passive; see v. 17 — the karet formula applied to this offense as well.
שְׁנֵיהֶ֖םboth of themnumeral m dual constr/Sp3mp · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Subject of וְנִכְרְתוּשְׁנַיִם (H8147); see v. 11.
מִקֶּ֥רֶבfrom the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Prepositional phrase of separationקֶרֶב (H7130); see v. 3.
עַמָּֽםtheir peopleN m sg constr/Sp3mp · עַם (H5971)Genitive of the construct chainעַם (H5971); see v. 3.
19
וְעֶרְוַ֨ת אֲח֧וֹת אִמְּךָ֛ וַאֲח֥וֹת אָבִ֖יךָ לֹ֣א תְגַלֵּ֑ה כִּ֧י אֶת שְׁאֵר֛וֹ הֶעֱרָ֖ה עֲוֺנָ֥ם יִשָּֽׂאוּ
And you shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother's sister or your father's sister, for he has laid bare his own flesh; they shall bear their iniquity.
Uniquely among vv. 10-21, this case reverts to direct second-person apodictic address ('you shall not') rather than third-person casuistic form, and its sanction is neither execution nor karet but the milder נָשָׂא עָוֺן, 'bear their iniquity' — the same formula closing v. 17, but here standing alone as the entire penalty.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְעֶרְוַ֨תand the nakedness ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · עֶרְוָה (H6172)Direct object of תְגַלֵּה (fronted)עֶרְוָה (H6172); see v. 11, here fronted before the negated verb for emphasis.
אֲח֧וֹתthe sister ofN f sg constr · אָחוֹת (H269)Construct chain (genitival) — headאָחוֹת (H269); see v. 17.
אִמְּךָ֛your motherN f sg constr/Sp2ms · אֵם (H517)Genitive of the construct chainאֵם (H517); a maternal aunt — the case addressed here.
וַאֲח֥וֹתor the sister ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · אָחוֹת (H269)Coordinate direct object (construct chain, head)אָחוֹת (H269); second alternative, coordinate with the first.
אָבִ֖יךָyour fatherN m sg constr/Sp2ms · אָב (H1)Genitive of the construct chainאָב (H1); a paternal aunt, coordinate with the maternal aunt above.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תְגַלֵּהלֹא (H3808) 'not'; with the yiqtol, forms the apodictic prohibition characteristic of ch. 18's own style, distinct from this chapter's usual casuistic form.
תְגַלֵּ֑הyou shall uncoverPiel impf 2ms · גָּלָה (H1540)Predicate verb (main clause, apodictic prohibition)→ Yiqtol (negated): prohibitive — a direct, binding commandגָּלָה (H1540); see v. 11 — here in direct second-person address, echoing 18:12-13's style rather than the third-person casuistic form of the surrounding verses.
כִּ֧יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing the grounding clauseכִּי (H3588); grounds the prohibition in the kinship-logic that follows.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
שְׁאֵר֛וֹhis own fleshN m sg constr/Sp3ms · שְׁאֵר (H7607)Direct object of הֶעֱרָהשְׁאֵר (H7607) 'flesh, kin, blood-relative'; the aunt is 'his own flesh' by the man's own blood-kinship, closer even than an affinal relation — the ground for the prohibition.
הֶעֱרָ֖הhe has laid bareHiphil perf 3ms · עָרָה (H6168)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed act grounding the prohibitionעָרָה (H6168); see v. 18 — used again for the graphic force of the exposure.
עֲוֺנָ֥םtheir iniquityN common sg constr/Sp3mp · עָוֺן (H5771)Direct object of יִשָּׂאוּ (fronted)עָוֺן (H5771); see v. 17 — here the sole named penalty, milder than execution or karet.
יִשָּֽׂאוּthey shall bearQal impf 3mp · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the ongoing consequence of guiltנָשָׂא (H5375); see v. 17.
20
וְאִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִשְׁכַּב֙ אֶת דֹּ֣דָת֔וֹ עֶרְוַ֥ת דֹּד֖וֹ גִּלָּ֑ה חֶטְאָ֥ם יִשָּׂ֖אוּ עֲרִירִ֥ים יָמֻֽתוּ
And a man who lies with his aunt has uncovered his uncle's nakedness; they shall bear their sin; they shall die childless.
Returns to third-person casuistic form and introduces the chapter's third distinct sanction: not execution, not karet, but עֲרִירִים יָמֻתוּ, 'they shall die childless' — a penalty that fits the crime, since the couple has usurped the uncle's line and so forfeits descendants of their own.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְאִ֗ישׁand a manconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (fronted, resumed by verb)אִישׁ (H376); see v. 10.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the casuistic protasisאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2.
יִשְׁכַּב֙liesQal impf 3ms · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — the hypothetical act defining the caseשָׁכַב (H7901); see v. 11.
אֶתwithprep · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase, object of יִשְׁכַּבאֵת/אֶת (H854) 'with'; see v. 10.
דֹּ֣דָת֔וֹhis auntN f sg constr/Sp3ms · דּוֹדָה (H1733)Object of the preposition אֵתדּוֹדָה (H1733) 'aunt', feminine of דּוֹד; the father's brother's wife (cf. 18:14).
עֶרְוַ֥תthe nakedness ofN f sg constr · עֶרְוָה (H6172)Direct object of גִּלָּה (fronted)עֶרְוָה (H6172); see v. 11 — legally the uncle's, as the husband's nakedness is his wife's.
דֹּד֖וֹhis uncleN m sg constr/Sp3ms · דּוֹד (H1730)Genitive of the construct chainדּוֹד (H1730) 'uncle, beloved'; the father's brother whose marital rights are violated.
גִּלָּ֑הhe has uncoveredPiel perf 3ms · גָּלָה (H1540)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act naming the offenseגָּלָה (H1540); see v. 11.
חֶטְאָ֥םtheir sinN m sg constr/Sp3mp · חֵטְא (H2399)Direct object of יִשָּׂאוּ (fronted)חֵטְא (H2399) 'sin, offense'; parallel to עָוֺן in vv. 17, 19 — נָשָׂא חֵטְא, 'to bear one's sin', the same liability-idiom with a synonymous noun.
יִשָּׂ֖אוּthey shall bearQal impf 3mp · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the ongoing consequence of guiltנָשָׂא (H5375); see v. 17, 19.
עֲרִירִ֥יםchildlessadj m pl abs · עֲרִירִי (H6185)Predicate adjective / adverbial complement of יָמֻתוּעֲרִירִי (H6185) 'childless, stripped bare'; a distinct third sanction in the chapter — the line simply ends, whether by natural or divinely-imposed sterility/early death (cf. v. 21; Gen 15:2).
יָמֻֽתוּthey shall dieQal impf 3mp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the mandated (natural, not judicial) fateמוּת (H4191) Qal, not the Hophal death-penalty formula of vv. 2, 9-16 — 'they shall die (in due course) without offspring', a lesser sanction than judicial execution.
21
וְאִ֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יִקַּ֛ח אֶת אֵ֥שֶׁת אָחִ֖יו נִדָּ֣ה הִ֑וא עֶרְוַ֥ת אָחִ֛יו גִּלָּ֖ה עֲרִירִ֥ים יִהְיֽוּ
And a man who takes his brother's wife, it is impurity; he has uncovered his brother's nakedness; they shall be childless.
Closes the sexual-offense catalog with the same עֲרִירִים sanction as v. 20; the noun נִדָּה, 'impurity, filth' (elsewhere the technical term for menstrual impurity, 15:19-33), here characterizes the marital violation itself as ritually polluting, paralleling תֶּבֶל and תּוֹעֵבָה earlier in the list.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְאִ֗ישׁand a manconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (fronted, resumed by verb)אִישׁ (H376); see v. 10 — the twelfth and last of this pattern in the chapter.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the casuistic protasisאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2.
יִקַּ֛חtakesQal impf 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — the hypothetical act defining the caseלָקַח (H3947); see v. 14, 17.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
אֵ֥שֶׁתthe wife ofN f sg constr · אִשָּׁה (H802)Construct chain (genitival) — head, direct object of יִקַּחאִשָּׁה (H802); see v. 10.
אָחִ֖יוhis brotherN m sg constr/Sp3ms · אָח (H251)Genitive of the construct chainאָח (H251) 'brother'; contrast levirate marriage (Deut 25:5-10), permitted only when the brother has died without an heir — this case presumes the brother still living or the marriage otherwise illegitimate.
נִדָּ֣הimpurityN f sg abs · נִדָּה (H5079)Predicate nominative of the verbless clauseנִדָּה (H5079) 'impurity, menstrual filth'; elsewhere the technical term for menstrual uncleanness (15:19-33), applied metaphorically here to characterize the marital violation as ritually defiling.
הִ֑ואit (is)pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject of the verbless clauseהִיא (H1931); see v. 14.
עֶרְוַ֥תthe nakedness ofN f sg constr · עֶרְוָה (H6172)Direct object of גִּלָּה (fronted)עֶרְוָה (H6172); see v. 11.
אָחִ֛יוhis brotherN m sg constr/Sp3ms · אָח (H251)Genitive of the construct chainאָח (H251); see above.
גִּלָּ֖הhe has uncoveredPiel perf 3ms · גָּלָה (H1540)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act naming the offenseגָּלָה (H1540); see v. 11.
עֲרִירִ֥יםchildlessadj m pl abs · עֲרִירִי (H6185)Predicate adjective / adverbial complement of יִהְיוּעֲרִירִי (H6185); see v. 20 — closing the sexual-offense catalog with its mildest sanction.
יִהְיֽוּthey shall beQal impf 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the mandated (natural, not judicial) fateהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; here 'they shall be/remain childless', a milder verb than v. 20's מוּת, though the practical outcome — no descendants — is the same.
22
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֤ם אֶת כָּל חֻקֹּתַי֙ וְאֶת כָּל מִשְׁפָּטַ֔י וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם וְלֹא תָקִ֤יא אֶתְכֶם֙ הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר אֲנִ֜י מֵבִ֥יא אֶתְכֶ֛ם שָׁ֖מָּה לָשֶׁ֥בֶת בָּֽהּ
And you shall keep all my statutes and all my judgments, and do them, so that the land where I am bringing you to dwell will not vomit you out.
The legal catalog ends and hortatory address resumes (cf. vv. 7-8), now grounding obedience in the land itself: the vivid verb תָקִיא, 'vomit out', personifies the land as intolerant of the very defilements just catalogued, directly echoing 18:24-28's warning about the nations dispossessed for these same acts.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֤םand you shall keepconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (main clause, hortatory)→ Weqatal used with imperatival force: binding obligationשָׁמַר (H8104); see v. 8, resuming the hortatory frame after the case-list.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival) — headכֹּל (H3605); comprehensive scope, 'all my statutes'.
חֻקֹּתַי֙my statutesN common pl constr/Sp1cs · חֻקָּה (H2708)Genitive of the construct chainחֻקָּה (H2708); see v. 8.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)אֵת marks כָּל מִשְׁפָּטַי as the second definite object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival) — headכֹּל (H3605); see above.
מִשְׁפָּטַ֔יmy judgmentsN m pl constr/Sp1cs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Genitive of the construct chainמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, ordinance', from שָׁפַט 'to judge'; paired with חֻקָּה as the two standard terms for YHWH's legislation, together covering both cultic statutes and case law like ch. 20 itself.
וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖םand doconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, coordinate)→ Weqatal used with imperatival force: coordinate obligationעָשָׂה (H6213); see v. 8.
אֹתָ֑םthemobj marker/Sp3mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object)
וְלֹאso that notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle introducing the purpose clauseלֹא (H3808); introduces the deterrent rationale, as in v. 14.
תָקִ֤יאwill vomit outHiphil impf 3fs · קִיא (H6958)Predicate verb (negative purpose clause)→ Yiqtol: purpose/result — the feared consequenceקוּא/קִיא (H6958) 'to vomit'; Hiphil causative, the land personified as physically rejecting what defiles it — the same verb used of the Canaanites' expulsion in 18:25, 28.
אֶתְכֶם֙youobj marker/Sp2mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object)
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N common sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of תָקִיאאֶרֶץ (H776); see v. 2 — now the acting subject, personified.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhererel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the locative relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2 — here with locative sense, 'where'.
אֲנִ֜יIpron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of מֵבִיא (relative clause)אֲנִי (H589); YHWH as the active agent bringing Israel into the land.
מֵבִ֥יאam bringingHiphil ptc msa · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate participle (relative clause)→ Participle: durative — the ongoing/imminent divine actionבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go'; Hiphil causative 'to bring'; the participle frames the land-gift as presently in motion.
אֶתְכֶ֛םyouobj marker/Sp2mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object)
שָׁ֖מָּהthereadverb · שָׁם (H8033) + directional הLocative adverbשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; with directional הּ, 'to there' — resumes the land as goal of the journey.
לָשֶׁ֥בֶתto dwellprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Infinitival complement of purpose→ Infinitive: purposeיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell'; names the purpose of the journey — settled residence, which the sentence warns could be forfeited.
בָּֽהּin itprep בְּ + Sp3fsPrepositional phrase completing לָשֶׁבֶתבְּ 'in'; the land, feminine referent.
23
וְלֹ֤א תֵֽלְכוּ֙ בְּחֻקֹּ֣ת הַגּ֔וֹי אֲשֶׁר אֲנִ֥י מְשַׁלֵּ֖חַ מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑ם כִּ֤י אֶת כָּל אֵ֨לֶּה֙ עָשׂ֔וּ וָאָקֻ֖ץ בָּֽם
And you shall not walk in the customs of the nation that I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and I loathed them.
The precedent from v. 22 is spelled out: the previous inhabitants practiced 'all these things' (the very offenses of vv. 2-21) and were expelled because YHWH loathed them (וָאָקֻץ) — Israel's holiness code is thus framed not as arbitrary restriction but as the condition of remaining in a land that has already once vomited out its occupants.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְלֹ֤אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תֵלְכוּלֹא (H3808); apodictic prohibition, as in v. 19.
תֵֽלְכוּ֙you shall walkQal impf 2mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Predicate verb (main clause, apodictic prohibition)→ Yiqtol (negated): prohibitive — a direct, binding commandהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to walk, go'; idiomatic for conduct — 'to walk in the customs of' means to adopt them as a way of life.
בְּחֻקֹּ֣תin the customs ofprep בְּ + N common pl constr · חֻקָּה (H2708)Prepositional phrase, object of תֵלְכוּחֻקָּה (H2708); here of the nations' own practices, the same word used positively for YHWH's statutes in vv. 8, 22 — a deliberate contrast of two rival חֻקּוֹת.
הַגּ֔וֹיthe nationart + N m sg abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Genitive of the construct chainגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; singular collective for the Canaanite peoples generally.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2.
אֲנִ֥יIpron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of מְשַׁלֵּחַ (relative clause)אֲנִי (H589); YHWH as agent of the nations' expulsion.
מְשַׁלֵּ֖חַam driving outPiel ptc msa · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate participle (relative clause)→ Participle: durative — the ongoing/imminent divine actionשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Piel intensive 'to drive out, expel'; the participle presents the dispossession as presently underway, parallel to מֵבִיא in v. 22.
מִפְּנֵיכֶ֑םfrom before youprep מִן + N common pl constr/Sp2mp · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase of separationפָּנִים (H6440) with מִן, 'from before'; Israel's advance into the land is the occasion of the nations' expulsion.
כִּ֤יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing the grounding clauseכִּי (H3588) causal; grounds the prohibition in the nations' own precedent.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival) — headכֹּל (H3605); comprehensive, 'all these things'.
אֵ֨לֶּה֙thesedemonstrative pron common pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Genitive of the construct chainאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; refers back to the whole catalog of offenses in vv. 2-21.
עָשׂ֔וּthey didQal perf 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (causal clause)→ Perfective: a completed act grounding the warningעָשָׂה (H6213); see v. 8, 12, 13 — the nations' historical practice named as fact.
וָאָקֻ֖ץand I loathedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · קוּץ (H6973)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative-style within legal discourse)→ Wayyiqtol: narrates YHWH's own decisive responseקוּץ (H6973) 'to loathe, feel disgust/dread'; a strong verb of visceral revulsion, YHWH's own emotional response to the nations' practices, grounding their expulsion.
בָּֽםthemprep בְּ + Sp3mpPrepositional phrase completing וָאָקֻץבְּ 'with, at'; קוּץ בְּ is the fixed idiom, 'to loathe/dread'.
24
וָאֹמַ֣ר לָכֶ֗ם אַתֶּם֮ תִּֽירְשׁ֣וּ אֶת אַדְמָתָם֒ וַאֲנִ֞י אֶתְּנֶ֤נָּה לָכֶם֙ לָרֶ֣שֶׁת אֹתָ֔הּ אֶ֛רֶץ זָבַ֥ת חָלָ֖ב וּדְבָ֑שׁ אֲנִי֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁר הִבְדַּ֥לְתִּי אֶתְכֶ֖ם מִן הָֽעַמִּֽים
And I said to you, You shall possess their land, and I myself will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am YHWH your God, who has separated you from the peoples.
The land promise (echoing the patriarchal and exodus traditions' 'flowing with milk and honey') is now explicitly tied to YHWH's prior act of separating Israel from the peoples — the theological premise that the ritual separations of vv. 25-26 will enact concretely.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וָאֹמַ֣רand I saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrates YHWH's own prior declarationאָמַר (H559); see v. 2 — here YHWH recalls his own earlier promise.
לָכֶ֗םto youprep לְ + Sp2mpPrepositional phrase, indirect object of וָאֹמַרלְ 'to'; addressee of the recalled promise.
אַתֶּם֮youpron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Emphatic subject of תִּירְשׁוּאַתֶּם (H859) 'you' (pl.); fronted for emphasis — you, in contrast to the dispossessed nations, will possess this land.
תִּֽירְשׁ֣וּyou shall possessQal impf 2mp · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (quoted speech, main clause)→ Yiqtol: promissory/prescriptive — the granted futureיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to take possession of, inherit, dispossess'; the standard verb of Israel's conquest and settlement of the land.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
אַדְמָתָם֒their landN f sg constr/Sp3mp · אֲדָמָה (H127)Direct object of תִּירְשׁוּאֲדָמָה (H127) 'ground, land'; 'their' referring to the expelled nations of v. 23 — Israel inherits what the dispossessed once held.
וַאֲנִ֞יand I myselfconj וְ + pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Emphatic subject (fronted, resumed by verb)אֲנִי (H589); fronted for emphasis, as in vv. 3, 5 — YHWH's own direct role in the gift.
אֶתְּנֶ֤נָּהI will give itQal impf 1cs/Sp3fs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (quoted speech, main clause)→ Yiqtol: promissory — YHWH's own committed future actנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the standard verb of the land-grant tradition (cf. Gen 15:18).
לָכֶם֙to youprep לְ + Sp2mpPrepositional phrase, indirect object of אֶתְּנֶנָּהלְ 'to'; the recipients of the gift.
לָרֶ֣שֶׁתto possessprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Infinitival complement of purpose→ Infinitive: purposeיָרַשׁ (H3423); see above — names the intended outcome of the gift.
אֹתָ֔הּitobj marker/Sp3fs · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object)
אֶ֛רֶץa landN common sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Apposition to the land just describedאֶרֶץ (H776); see v. 2 — introduces the fixed formula for the land's fertility.
זָבַ֥תflowing withQal ptc fsc · זוּב (H2100)Attributive participle modifying אֶרֶץ→ Participle: characterizing — the land's defining qualityזוּב (H2100) 'to flow, gush'; זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ, 'flowing with milk and honey', the classic Torah formula for the land's abundance (cf. Exod 3:8, 17).
חָלָ֖בmilkN m sg abs · חָלָב (H2461)Direct object of זָבַתחָלָב (H2461) 'milk'; a staple of pastoral abundance.
וּדְבָ֑שׁand honeyconj וְ + N m sg abs · דְּבַשׁ (H1706)Coordinate direct object of זָבַתדְּבַשׁ (H1706) 'honey'; paired with חָלָב to complete the fixed idiom of agricultural bounty.
אֲנִי֙Ipron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the verbless clauseאֲנִי (H589); returns to the self-identification formula of vv. 7-8, now closing the land unit.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominativeיְהוָה (H3068); see v. 7.
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔םyour GodN m pl constr/Sp2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition/predicate nominative continuing יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430); see v. 7.
אֲשֶׁרwhorel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2.
הִבְדַּ֥לְתִּיI have separatedHiphil perf 1cs · בָּדַל (H914)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, foundational divine actבָּדַל (H914) 'to divide, separate'; Hiphil causative, YHWH's own prior act of setting Israel apart — the theological ground for the ritual separations (clean/unclean) commanded next in v. 25.
אֶתְכֶ֖םyouobj marker/Sp2mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object)
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase of separationמִן (H4480); marks the point of separation.
הָֽעַמִּֽיםthe peoplesart + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Object of the preposition מִןעַם (H5971) plural; the other nations from whom Israel is set apart, resumed in vv. 26.
25
וְהִבְדַּלְתֶּ֞ם בֵּֽין הַבְּהֵמָ֤ה הַטְּהֹרָה֙ לַטְּמֵאָ֔ה וּבֵין הָע֥וֹף הַטָּמֵ֖א לַטָּהֹ֑ר וְלֹֽא תְשַׁקְּצ֨וּ אֶת נַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֜ם בַּבְּהֵמָ֣ה וּבָע֗וֹף וּבְכֹל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּרְמֹ֣שׂ הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר הִבְדַּ֥לְתִּי לָכֶ֖ם לְטַמֵּֽא
And you shall separate between the clean animal and the unclean, and between the unclean bird and the clean, and you shall not make yourselves detestable by animal or by bird or by anything that crawls on the ground, which I have separated for you as unclean.
The dietary separations of ch. 11 are invoked here as the everyday, embodied enactment of the theological separation just declared: the same root בדל used of YHWH's separating Israel from the peoples (v. 24, 26) governs Israel's own separating of clean from unclean creatures — imitatio Dei extended into the kitchen and the field.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וְהִבְדַּלְתֶּ֞םand you shall separateconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 2mp · בָּדַל (H914)Predicate verb (main clause, hortatory)→ Weqatal used with imperatival force: binding obligationבָּדַל (H914) Hiphil; see v. 24 — the same verb of YHWH's own separating act now commanded of Israel.
בֵּֽיןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)Prepositional phrase, first term of the comparisonבֵּין (H996) 'between'; introduces the first of two paired distinctions.
הַבְּהֵמָ֤הthe animalart + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Object of the preposition בֵּיןבְּהֵמָה (H929); see v. 15; here in its dietary-law sense of ch. 11.
הַטְּהֹרָה֙the cleanart + adj f sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Attributive adjective modifying הַבְּהֵמָהטָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean, pure'; the dietary category defined in detail in ch. 11.
לַטְּמֵאָ֔הand the uncleanprep לְ + art + adj f sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Second term of the בֵּין...לְ comparisonטָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean, impure'; opposite of טָהוֹר; the idiom בֵּין X לְ Y expresses the distinguishing act itself.
וּבֵיןand betweenconj וְ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Prepositional phrase, first term of the second comparisonבֵּין (H996); introduces the second, parallel pair — birds instead of land animals.
הָע֥וֹףthe birdart + N m sg abs · עוֹף (H5775)Object of the preposition בֵּיןעוֹף (H5775) 'flying creature, bird'; the second dietary category from ch. 11.
הַטָּמֵ֖אthe uncleanart + adj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Attributive adjective modifying הָעוֹףטָמֵא (H2931); here the order is reversed — unclean named first, then clean — perhaps for stylistic variation.
לַטָּהֹ֑רand the cleanprep לְ + art + adj m sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Second term of the בֵּין...לְ comparisonטָהוֹר (H2889); completes the second distinguishing pair.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תְשַׁקְּצוּלֹא (H3808); apodictic prohibition, as in vv. 19, 23.
תְשַׁקְּצ֨וּyou shall make detestablePiel impf 2mp · שָׁקַץ (H8262)Predicate verb (main clause, apodictic prohibition)→ Yiqtol (negated): prohibitive — a direct, binding commandשָׁקַץ (H8262) 'to be detestable'; Piel factitive-reflexive, 'to make oneself detestable' — eating unclean creatures contaminates the eater, not merely the food.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)
נַפְשֹֽׁתֵיכֶ֜םyourselvesN common pl constr/Sp2mp · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Direct object of תְשַׁקְּצוּנֶפֶשׁ (H5315); see v. 6 — plural 'your selves/persons', the reflexive object of the defiling act.
בַּבְּהֵמָ֣הby animalprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Instrumental prepositional phraseבְּהֵמָה (H929); the means by which one could become detestable, i.e., by eating an unclean one.
וּבָע֗וֹףor by birdconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עוֹף (H5775)Coordinate instrumental prepositional phraseעוֹף (H5775); coordinate second means.
וּבְכֹל֙or by anythingconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate instrumental prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605); introduces the third, open-ended category, specified by the following relative clause.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the defining clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2.
תִּרְמֹ֣שׂcrawlsQal impf 3fs · רָמַשׂ (H7430)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: habitual/characterizing — the creature's typical mode of movementרָמַשׂ (H7430) 'to creep, crawl'; the third dietary category of ch. 11, covering small ground-dwelling creatures.
הָֽאֲדָמָ֔הthe groundart + N f sg abs · אֲדָמָה (H127)Subject of תִּרְמֹשׂאֲדָמָה (H127); see v. 24 — the surface on which the creature moves, not the object crawled upon in a locative sense but the grammatical subject-domain of the verb.
אֲשֶׁרwhichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing a second relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); see v. 2 — refers back to the whole class of creatures just described.
הִבְדַּ֥לְתִּיI have separatedHiphil perf 1cs · בָּדַל (H914)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, foundational divine actבָּדַל (H914); see v. 24 — YHWH's own prior determination of what is unclean, the ground for Israel's practice.
לָכֶ֖םfor youprep לְ + Sp2mpPrepositional phrase, indirect object of הִבְדַּלְתִּילְ 'for, to'; the beneficiary/addressee of YHWH's classificatory act.
לְטַמֵּֽאas uncleanprep לְ + Piel inf constr · טִמֵּא (H2930)Infinitival complement specifying the result of הִבְדַּלְתִּי→ Infinitive: result — the status assigned by the separationטָמֵא (H2930); see v. 3 — here 'to designate as unclean', naming the outcome of YHWH's classificatory act.
26
וִהְיִ֤יתֶם לִי֙ קְדֹשִׁ֔ים כִּ֥י קָד֖וֹשׁ אֲנִ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וָאַבְדִּ֥ל אֶתְכֶ֛ם מִן הָֽעַמִּ֖ים לִהְי֥וֹת לִֽי
And you shall be holy to me, for I YHWH am holy, and have separated you from the peoples to be mine.
The chapter's summit verse, resuming and completing v. 7's summons — now לִי, 'to/for me', makes explicit that Israel's holiness is possessive, belonging to YHWH; the closing purpose clause לִהְיוֹת לִי, 'to be mine', names election's goal as relationship, not merely separation for its own sake.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וִהְיִ֤יתֶםand you shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, hortatory)→ Weqatal used with imperatival force: the chapter's climactic summonsהָיָה (H1961); see v. 7 — resumes and completes the earlier call to holiness.
לִי֙to meprep לְ + Sp1csPrepositional phrase, complement of וִהְיִיתֶםלְ 'to, for'; possessive/relational, 'holy to me' — Israel's holiness is defined by belonging to YHWH.
קְדֹשִׁ֔יםholyadj m pl abs · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Predicate adjectiveקָדוֹשׁ (H6918); see v. 7 — the goal-state of consecration, restated at the chapter's climax.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing the grounding clauseכִּי (H3588); see v. 7 — grounds Israel's holiness in YHWH's own.
קָד֖וֹשׁholyadj m sg abs · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Predicate adjectiveקָדוֹשׁ (H6918); singular, describing YHWH himself — the theological ground of the whole chapter's demand.
אֲנִ֣יIpron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the verbless clauseאֲנִי (H589); see v. 7.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Apposition to אֲנִייְהוָה (H3068); see v. 7 — the recognition formula grounding the whole chapter's demand, here in its shortest form.
וָאַבְדִּ֥לand I have separatedconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 1cs · בָּדַל (H914)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: narrates YHWH's own decisive prior actבָּדַל (H914); see v. 24 — repeated here to close the chapter's separation theme with an inclusio.
אֶתְכֶ֛םyouobj marker/Sp2mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object)
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase of separationמִן (H4480); see v. 24.
הָֽעַמִּ֖יםthe peoplesart + N m pl abs · עַם (H5971)Object of the preposition מִןעַם (H5971); see v. 24 — the inclusio around vv. 24-26 is complete.
לִהְי֥וֹתto beprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָיָה (H1961)Infinitival complement of purpose→ Infinitive: purpose — the goal of the separationהָיָה (H1961); names the purpose of election as belonging, not mere isolation.
לִֽיmineprep לְ + Sp1csPrepositional phrase completing לִהְיוֹתלְ 'to, for'; echoes לִי at the verse's opening, framing the whole verse — Israel is YHWH's own possession.
27
וְאִ֣ישׁ אֽוֹ אִשָּׁ֗ה כִּֽי יִהְיֶ֨ה בָהֶ֥ם א֛וֹב א֥וֹ יִדְּעֹנִ֖י מ֣וֹת יוּמָ֑תוּ בָּאֶ֛בֶן יִרְגְּמ֥וּ אֹתָ֖ם דְּמֵיהֶ֥ם בָּֽם
And a man or a woman in whom there is a mediumistic or necromantic spirit shall surely be put to death; they shall stone them with stones; their blood is upon them.
The chapter closes by returning to the אֹב/יִדְּעֹנִי pair of v. 6, but shifts from the client's karet to the practitioner's own execution by stoning — the same penalty and formula (מוֹת יוּמָתוּ...דְּמֵיהֶם בָּם) that opened the chapter in v. 2, giving the whole unit a ring structure: Molech and necromancy each governed by a divine-then-human sanction pair.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְאִ֣ישׁand a manconj וְ + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (fronted, resumed by verb, first of pair)אִישׁ (H376); see v. 10; here paired with אִשָּׁה rather than continuing the vv. 10-21 pattern alone.
אֽוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176); see v. 17 — joins man and woman as equally liable.
אִשָּׁ֗הa womanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Coordinate subject (second of pair)אִשָּׁה (H802); see v. 10 — necromancy, unlike most of the chapter's cases, explicitly names female as well as male practitioners (cf. 1 Sam 28's medium of Endor).
כִּֽיwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing the casuistic protasisכִּי (H3588); here with conditional/temporal force, 'when, if'.
יִהְיֶ֨הthere isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (protasis)→ Yiqtol: casuistic — the hypothetical state defining the caseהָיָה (H1961); existential 'there is/exists' — describes the possession or presence of the spirit, not an action performed.
בָהֶ֥םin themprep בְּ + Sp3mpLocative prepositional phrase, complement of יִהְיֶהבְּ 'in'; the spirit is conceived as residing within the practitioner, distinguishing the possessor from the mere consulter of v. 6.
א֛וֹבa mediumistic spiritN m sg abs · אוֹב (H178)Subject of יִהְיֶהאוֹב (H178); see v. 6 — here the object possessed, i.e., the practitioner has such a spirit 'in' them.
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176); see above — joins the two forms of the practice.
יִדְּעֹנִ֖יa necromantic spiritN m sg abs · יִדְּעֹנִי (H3049)Coordinate subject of יִהְיֶהיִדְּעֹנִי (H3049); see v. 6 — closes the fixed word-pair that bracketed the chapter (v. 6, v. 27).
מ֣וֹתsurelyQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive absolute intensifying יוּמָתוּ→ Infinitive absolute: reinforces certainty of the sentenceמוּת (H4191); see v. 2 — the death formula closing the chapter as it opened it.
יוּמָ֑תוּthey shall be put to deathHophal impf 3mp · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause, apodosis)→ Yiqtol (passive, Hophal): prescriptive — the mandated penaltyמוּת (H4191); see v. 2.
בָּאֶ֛בֶןwith stonesprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Instrumental prepositional phrase (fronted)אֶבֶן (H68); see v. 2 — the same method of execution used for Molech worship, closing the chapter's ring structure.
יִרְגְּמ֥וּthey shall stoneQal impf 3mp · רָגַם (H7275)Predicate verb (main clause, specifying the mode of execution)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — mandated method of executionרָגַם (H7275); see v. 2.
אֹתָ֖םthemobj marker/Sp3mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (definite object)
דְּמֵיהֶ֥םtheir bloodN m pl constr/Sp3mp · דָּם (H1818)Subject of the verbless clauseדָּם (H1818); see v. 9, 11 — the bloodguilt formula closes the chapter as it closed several of the sexual-offense cases.
בָּֽםupon themprep בְּ + Sp3mpPredicate prepositional phrase of the verbless clauseבְּ 'in, upon'; completes the recurring blood-formula and closes the chapter.