Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Leviticus, Chapter 26ויקרא 26

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

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

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

Theme

The Holiness Code's covenant epilogue: obedience brings rain, peace, fruitfulness, and above all YHWH's own presence walking among his people, while defiance triggers five escalating sevenfold curses — disease, drought, wild beasts, siege and famine, exile — yet even at the nadir, confession and YHWH's own remembering promise restoration.

Translation & textual notes

Leviticus 26 is the covenant epilogue proper — blessings (vv. 3-13) and curses (the תּוֹכֵחָה, 'reproof', vv. 14-39) sealing the Holiness Code, structurally parallel to Deuteronomy 28 and to extrabiblical ancient Near Eastern treaty-curse lists (e.g. the Sefire and Esarhaddon vassal treaties), though Leviticus's curses are shorter, more agrarian, and end in restoration rather than Deuteronomy's unrelieved horror. The MT is textually stable; the Samaritan Pentateuch and LXX show only minor variants (e.g. v. 1's מַשְׂכִּית, v. 18's שֶׁבַע). The chapter's great crux is קֶרִי (vv. 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 40, 41), occurring in the Hebrew Bible only here — traditionally derived from קָרָה 'to happen, meet' and rendered 'hostility, contrariness, [treating things as mere] happenstance', but the root is genuinely uncertain (LXX renders variously πλάγιος, 'obliquely/perversely'). Whatever its etymology, the term functions as the refrain binding the five escalating curse-waves, each intensified 'sevenfold for your sins' (שֶׁבַע עַל/כְּ־חַטֹּאתֵיכֶם). Other key vocabulary: הֵקִים בְּרִית 'establish a covenant' (v. 9) answered by זָכַר בְּרִית 'remember a covenant' (v. 42, 45) after breach; שַׁמָּה 'desolation', the fate of land and sanctuaries alike (vv. 31-33); and the sabbath-of-the-land theme (vv. 34-35), later read as literally fulfilled in the seventy-year exile (2 Chr 36:21). The turn from curse to restoration (vv. 40-45) hinges on confession (הִתְוַדּוּ) of iniquity and the humbling of the 'uncircumcised heart' — remarkably, covenant memory is grounded not in Israel's repentance earning restoration but in YHWH's own remembering, and the covenant with the patriarchs is never said to be annulled even at the nadir of exile (v. 44). Versification follows the MT.

1

לֹֽא תַעֲשׂ֨וּ לָכֶ֜ם אֱלִילִ֗ם וּפֶ֤סֶל וּמַצֵּבָה֙ לֹֽא תָקִ֣ימוּ לָכֶ֔ם וְאֶ֣בֶן מַשְׂכִּ֗ית לֹ֤א תִתְּנוּ֙ בְּאַרְצְכֶ֔ם לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֖ת עָלֶ֑יהָ כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם

You shall not make idols for yourselves, and you shall not set up for yourselves a carved image or a pillar, and you shall not place a figured stone in your land to bow down before it; for I am YHWH your God.

Opening prohibition, prefacing the blessings/cursesasyndeton
The chapter opens with a triple prohibition of cultic images (idol, carved image, figured pillar-stone) before turning to the sabbaths and sanctuary in v. 2. Together vv. 1-2 form the double condition — exclusive worship of YHWH plus observance of his sabbaths and sanctuary — that the blessings of vv. 3-13 presuppose and whose violation the curses of vv. 14-39 punish. The self-identification formula אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם closes the unit, as it will recur at the seams of the chapter (vv. 13, 44-45).
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
לֹֽאnotadv neg · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תַעֲשׂוּלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative particle; with the yiqtol it forms a durative prohibition, 'you shall not (ever) make'.
תַעֲשׂ֨וּyou shall makeQal impf 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main prohibition)→ Yiqtol (prohibitive): negated imperfect functioning as a standing, durative prohibitionעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to make, do'; the general verb of manufacture, here of cultic images.
לָכֶ֜םfor yourselvesprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of (dis)advantageלְ 'to/for' + 2mp suffix; the idols would be Israel's own self-made possession, ironically underscoring their impotence.
אֱלִילִ֗םidolsN m pl abs · אֱלִיל (H457)Direct object of תַעֲשׂוּאֱלִיל (H457) 'worthless thing, nonentity, idol'; a diminutive, mocking coinage possibly echoing אֵל 'god' — 'godlets', paltry non-gods.
וּפֶ֤סֶלand a carved imageconj וְ + N m sg abs · פֶּסֶל (H6459)Direct object, second item in the list (coordinate with אֱלִילִם)פֶּסֶל (H6459) 'carved/hewn image', from פָּסַל 'to hew, cut'; an idol shaped from wood or stone.
וּמַצֵּבָה֙or a pillarconj וְ + N f sg abs · מַצֵּבָה (H4676)Direct object, third item in the listמַצֵּבָה (H4676) 'standing stone, pillar', from נצב 'to stand'; a cultic stone marker elsewhere condemned as Canaanite practice (Deut 16:22).
לֹֽאnotadv neg · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תָקִימוּלֹא (H3808); negates the second prohibition, 'you shall not erect'.
תָקִ֣ימוּyou shall set upHiphil impf 2mp · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (main prohibition)→ Yiqtol (prohibitive): negated imperfect, durative prohibitionקוּם (H6965) Hiphil 'to cause to stand, erect'; here of raising a cultic pillar.
לָכֶ֔םfor yourselvesprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of (dis)advantageלְ + 2mp suffix, repeating the phrase from earlier in the verse.
וְאֶ֣בֶןand a stone ofconj וְ + N f sg constr · אֶבֶן (H68)Direct object, head of a construct chain (coordinate with the prior objects)אֶבֶן (H68) 'stone', in construct with מַשְׂכִּית — 'a figured stone'.
מַשְׂכִּ֗יתfigured, carvedN f sg abs · מַשְׂכִּית (H4906)Genitive of the construct chain, defining אֶבֶןמַשְׂכִּית (H4906) 'figure, image, carved design', from שָׂכָה/שׂכה 'to see, picture'; a stone bearing a carved image, forbidden as an object of prostration.
לֹ֤אnotadv neg · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תִתְּנוּלֹא (H3808); negates the third prohibition, 'you shall not place'.
תִתְּנוּ֙you shall placeQal impf 2mp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main prohibition)→ Yiqtol (prohibitive): negated imperfect, durative prohibitionנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, place, set'; here 'to install' a cultic stone in the land.
בְּאַרְצְכֶ֔םin your landprep בְּ + N c sg constr/2mp suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth' + 2mp suffix; the land Israel will possess is to be kept clear of such images.
לְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֺ֖תto bow downprep לְ + Hitpael inf constr · שָׁחָה (H7812)Purpose infinitive-construct clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result of erecting the stoneשָׁחָה (H7812) Hitpael (historically Hishtaphel) 'to bow down, prostrate oneself'; the gesture of worship the stone would invite — hence its prohibition.
עָלֶ֑יהָbefore itprep עַל + 3fs suffix · עַל (H5921)Prepositional complement of לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺתעַל (H5921) 'upon, before' + 3fs suffix referring back to מַשְׂכִּית.
כִּ֛יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground clauseכִּי (H3588), causal conjunction; grounds the prohibitions in YHWH's own identity as Israel's God.
אֲנִ֥יI (am)indep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the verbless self-identification formulaאֲנִי (H589), independent 1cs pronoun; opens the recurring formula אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם that seals major units of the Holiness Code.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominative (divine name)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God (the Tetragrammaton).
אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽםyour GodN m pl constr/2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate nominative, apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2mp suffix, 'your God'; closes the self-identification formula that recurs at vv. 13, 44-45.
2

אֶת שַׁבְּתֹתַ֣י תִּשְׁמֹ֔רוּ וּמִקְדָּשִׁ֖י תִּירָ֑אוּ אֲנִ֖י יְהוָֽה

You shall keep my sabbaths and revere my sanctuary; I am YHWH.

Asyndetic companion command to v. 1asyndeton
Verbatim repetition of 19:30, here relocated to open the epilogue. Sabbath-keeping and sanctuary-reverence complete the double condition begun with the idol prohibitions of v. 1: right worship (v. 1) and right observance (v. 2) together set the terms for the blessings that follow in v. 3.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking a definite direct object; untranslated in English.
שַׁבְּתֹתַ֣יmy sabbathsN c pl constr/1cs suffix · שַׁבָּת (H7676)Direct object of תִּשְׁמֹרוּשַׁבָּת (H7676) 'sabbath, rest', from שָׁבַת 'to cease, rest'; plural 'my sabbaths' (weekly and, by extension in this chapter, the land's sabbatical years, vv. 34-35).
תִּשְׁמֹ֔רוּyou shall keepQal impf 2mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (main clause, positive command)→ Yiqtol (jussive/injunctive): a standing, durative obligationשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; the standard verb for cultic/legal observance.
וּמִקְדָּשִׁ֖יand my sanctuaryconj וְ + N m sg constr/1cs suffix · מִקְדָּשׁ (H4720)Direct object of תִּירָאוּמִקְדָּשׁ (H4720) 'sanctuary, holy place', from קדשׁ 'to be holy'; the tabernacle/temple as sacred space, paired here with the sabbath as twin loci of reverence.
תִּירָ֑אוּyou shall revereQal impf 2mp · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb (main clause, positive command)→ Yiqtol (jussive/injunctive): a standing, durative obligationיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear, revere'; here awe/reverence toward sacred space, not terror — cultic respect for the sanctuary's holiness.
אֲנִ֖יI (am)indep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the verbless self-identification formulaאֲנִי (H589), independent 1cs pronoun; repeats the closing formula of v. 1 in miniature.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominative (divine name)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; the shortened formula אֲנִי יְהוָה (without 'your God') still closes the unit.
3

אִם בְּחֻקֹּתַ֖י תֵּלֵ֑כוּ וְאֶת מִצְוֺתַ֣י תִּשְׁמְר֔וּ וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָֽם

If you walk in my statutes and keep my commandments and do them,

Protasis of the conditional period governing the blessingsאִם
The three-fold protasis (walk / keep / do) is deliberately full: disposition, cognizance, and enactment. It governs the long weqatal apodosis chain of vv. 4-13 (וְנָתַתִּי... and so on), each 'and I will give' hanging on this single 'if'.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
אִםifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction opening the protasisאִם (H518), conditional particle 'if'; opens the long conditional period whose apodosis (the blessings) begins in v. 4.
בְּחֻקֹּתַ֖יin my statutesprep בְּ + N c pl constr/1cs suffix · חֻקָּה (H2708)Locative/instrumental prepositional phrase governing תֵּלֵכוּחֻקָּה (H2708) 'statute, prescribed limit', from חָקַק 'to inscribe, decree'; YHWH's enacted rules, walked-in as a way of life (idiom הָלַךְ בְּ).
תֵּלֵ֑כוּyou walkQal impf 2mp · הָלַךְ (H3212, ילך root)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol: conditional/modal, 'if you should walk' — a habitual way of life, not a single actהָלַךְ (H1980, here the יל״ך form) 'to walk, go'; idiomatic for conduct — 'to walk in' statutes means to live by them habitually.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ joins the second clause; אֵת marks מִצְוֺתַי as the definite direct object of תִּשְׁמְרוּ.
מִצְוֺתַ֣יmy commandmentsN f pl constr/1cs suffix · מִצְוָה (H4687)Direct object of תִּשְׁמְרוּמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment', from צוה 'to command'; paired with חֻקָּה, the two together summarize the whole covenant torah.
תִּשְׁמְר֔וּyou keepQal impf 2mp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb of the protasis, second in the pair→ Yiqtol: conditional/modal, parallel to תֵּלֵכוּשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, guard, observe'; here 'to keep' the commandments as a body.
וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖םand doconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the protasis, climactic third member→ Weqatal continuing the conditional yiqtol chain: 'and shall do'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, perform'; the protasis moves from disposition (walk) to knowledge (keep) to concrete performance (do) — full covenant fidelity.
אֹתָֽםthemobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וַעֲשִׂיתֶם, resuming מִצְוֺתַיאֵת (H853) + 3mp suffix, resumptively referring back to the commandments — 'do them'.
4

וְנָתַתִּ֥י גִשְׁמֵיכֶ֖ם בְּעִתָּ֑ם וְנָתְנָ֤ה הָאָ֨רֶץ֙ יְבוּלָ֔הּ וְעֵ֥ץ הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה יִתֵּ֥ן פִּרְיֽוֹ

then I will give your rains in their season, and the land shall give its produce, and the tree of the field shall give its fruit.

Apodosis: first blessing — agricultural abundanceוְ
The apodosis opens with a chain of weqatal/yiqtol verbs (וְנָתַתִּי... וְנָתְנָה... יִתֵּן) cascading from YHWH to the land to the tree — divine gift becomes the land's own fertility. This first blessing (rain, yield, fruit) answers point-for-point the first curse-wave's iron sky and barren land (vv. 19-20).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְנָתַתִּ֥יand I will giveconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause of the blessing series)→ Weqatal: future-consequential, opening the promised results of obedienceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; opens the first weqatal in the long apodosis chain (vv. 4-13), each promise hanging on the protasis of v. 3.
גִשְׁמֵיכֶ֖םyour rainsN m pl constr/2mp suffix · גֶּשֶׁם (H1653)Direct object of וְנָתַתִּיגֶּשֶׁם (H1653) 'rain, rainfall' (as opposed to מָטָר, rain in general); plural for the recurring seasonal rains (early/latter) on which dry-farming Israel depended.
בְּעִתָּ֑םin their seasonprep בְּ + N c sg constr/3mp suffix · עֵת (H6256)Temporal prepositional phrase modifying גִשְׁמֵיכֶםעֵת (H6256) 'time, season' + 3mp suffix; timely rain, neither withheld nor destructively excessive.
וְנָתְנָ֤הand shall giveconj וְ + Qal perf 3fs (weqatal) · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb, second in the blessing series→ Weqatal continuing the future-consequential chainנָתַן (H5414); the subject shifts from YHWH to הָאָרֶץ — the land itself, animated, responds to the timely rain.
הָאָ֨רֶץ֙the landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of וְנָתְנָהאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; the land of Israel personified as the covenant partner whose fruitfulness responds to Israel's fidelity.
יְבוּלָ֔הּits produceN m sg constr/3fs suffix · יְבוּל (H2981)Direct object of וְנָתְנָהיְבוּל (H2981) 'produce, yield', from יָבַל 'to bring, carry'; the land's agricultural output as a whole.
וְעֵ֥ץand the tree ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · עֵץ (H6086)Subject, head of construct chain (coordinate with הָאָרֶץ as agent of the third giving)עֵץ (H6086) 'tree', in construct with הַשָּׂדֶה — 'the tree of the field', orchard/wild trees generally.
הַשָּׂדֶ֖הthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Genitive of construct chain, defining עֵץשָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open country'; the cultivated or uncultivated land where trees grow.
יִתֵּ֥ןshall giveQal impf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb, third in the blessing series→ Yiqtol continuing the promise, future/durativeנָתַן (H5414); the shift to yiqtol here (after two weqatal) may simply vary the narrative rhythm, still within the promised future.
פִּרְיֽוֹits fruitN m sg constr/3ms suffix · פְּרִי (H6529)Direct object of יִתֵּןפְּרִי (H6529) 'fruit'; closes the triad rain→land-yield→tree-fruit, a complete picture of agricultural blessing.
5

וְהִשִּׂ֨יג לָכֶ֥ם דַּ֨יִשׁ֙ אֶת בָּצִ֔יר וּבָצִ֖יר יַשִּׂ֣יג אֶת זָ֑רַע וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֤ם לַחְמְכֶם֙ לָשֹׂ֔בַע וִֽישַׁבְתֶּ֥ם לָבֶ֖טַח בְּאַרְצְכֶֽם

And your threshing shall overtake the vintage, and the vintage shall overtake the sowing; you shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell securely in your land.

Apodosis continues: overlapping abundanceוְ
A hyperbolic image of harvests running into one another without pause — threshing (spring) still underway when the vintage (autumn) begins, vintage still underway when sowing resumes. Uninterrupted work yields food to satiety and settled security, the social and agricultural core of the blessing.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְהִשִּׂ֨יגand shall overtakeconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3ms (weqatal) · נָשַׂג (H5381)Predicate verb (apodosis, continuing the blessing series)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialנָשַׂג (H5381) Hiphil 'to reach, overtake'; the harvests run so long and so richly that threshing time still finds the vintage underway.
לָכֶ֥םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of advantageלְ + 2mp suffix, marking Israel as beneficiary of the overlapping harvests.
דַּ֨יִשׁ֙the threshingN m sg abs · דַּיִשׁ (H1786)Subject of וְהִשִּׂיגדַּיִשׁ (H1786) 'threshing (time)', from דּוּשׁ 'to thresh'; the grain-threshing season (roughly spring).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking בָּצִיר as the definite object of וְהִשִּׂיג.
בָּצִ֔ירthe vintageN m sg abs · בָּצִיר (H1210)Direct object of וְהִשִּׂיגבָּצִיר (H1210) 'grape harvest, vintage', from בָּצַר 'to cut off, gather grapes'; the autumn grape-gathering season.
וּבָצִ֖ירand the vintageconj וְ + N m sg abs · בָּצִיר (H1210)Subject of יַשִּׂיגבָּצִיר (H1210), resumed as subject of the second overtaking clause — the harvests chain into each other without a gap.
יַשִּׂ֣יגshall overtakeHiphil impf 3ms · נָשַׂג (H5381)Predicate verb, second overtaking clause→ Yiqtol continuing the promise, future/durativeנָשַׂג (H5381) Hiphil 'to reach, overtake'; the vintage runs so late it meets the autumn sowing.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), marking זֶרַע as the definite object of יַשִּׂיג.
זָ֑רַעthe sowingN m sg abs · זֶרַע (H2233)Direct object of יַשִּׂיגזֶרַע (H2233) 'seed, sowing', from זָרַע 'to sow'; here the autumn sowing-time, which the extended vintage meets — an image of unbroken agricultural bounty.
וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֤םand you shall eatconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (apodosis, new clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the promised outcome of the overlapping harvests — abundant food.
לַחְמְכֶם֙your breadN c sg constr/2mp suffix · לֶחֶם (H3899)Direct object of וַאֲכַלְתֶּםלֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; stands metonymically for sustenance generally.
לָשֹׂ֔בַעto the fullprep לְ + N m sg abs · שֹׂבַע (H7648)Adverbial prepositional phrase of manner/resultשֹׂבַע (H7648) 'satiety, fullness', from שָׂבַע 'to be satisfied'; the antithesis of the curse's 'eat and not be satisfied' (v. 26).
וִֽישַׁבְתֶּ֥םand you shall dwellconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · יָשַׁב (H3427)Predicate verb (apodosis, final clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, settle'; abundance issues in settled security, not merely survival.
לָבֶ֖טַחsecurelyprep לְ + N m sg abs · בֶּטַח (H983)Adverbial prepositional phrase of mannerבֶּטַח (H983) 'security, safety', from בָּטַח 'to trust'; life free from fear of raid or famine — the social counterpart to agricultural abundance.
בְּאַרְצְכֶֽםin your landprep בְּ + N c sg constr/2mp suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) + 2mp suffix, 'in your land'; the land promised now enjoyed in peace.
6

וְנָתַתִּ֤י שָׁלוֹם֙ בָּאָ֔רֶץ וּשְׁכַבְתֶּ֖ם וְאֵ֣ין מַחֲרִ֑יד וְהִשְׁבַּתִּ֞י חַיָּ֤ה רָעָה֙ מִן הָאָ֔רֶץ וְחֶ֖רֶב לֹא תַעֲבֹ֥ר בְּאַרְצְכֶֽם

And I will grant peace in the land, and you shall lie down with none to terrify you; and I will remove harmful beasts from the land, and the sword shall not pass through your land.

Apodosis continues: peace and securityוְ
Three threats named and negated in turn — human terror, dangerous wildlife, invading sword — reversing precisely the curses of vv. 6, 22, and 25 (beasts, sword). Untroubled sleep (וּשְׁכַבְתֶּם וְאֵין מַחֲרִיד) becomes a recurring biblical idiom for covenant security (cf. Job 11:19; Mic 4:4).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְנָתַתִּ֤יand I will grantconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (apodosis, new clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, grant'; the blessing series turns from food to peace and safety.
שָׁלוֹם֙peaceN m sg abs · שָׁלוֹם (H7965)Direct object of וְנָתַתִּישָׁלוֹם (H7965) 'peace, wholeness, well-being', from שָׁלֵם 'to be complete'; more than absence of war — comprehensive social and material soundness.
בָּאָ֔רֶץin the landprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the locus of the promised peace.
וּשְׁכַבְתֶּ֖םand you shall lie downconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · שָׁכַב (H7901)Predicate verb (apodosis, continuing)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialשָׁכַב (H7901) 'to lie down (to sleep)'; the image of untroubled rest, made explicit by the next clause's 'none to terrify'.
וְאֵ֣יןand there is noconj וְ + particle of non-existence · אַיִן (H369)Negative existential particle, predicate of the following participleאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; negates existence, here of any who might terrify.
מַחֲרִ֑ידone who terrifiesHiphil ptc m sg abs · חָרַד (H2729)Subject-complement participle completing וְאֵין→ Participle: characterizing, 'anyone who would cause terror'חָרַד (H2729) Hiphil 'to cause to tremble, terrify'; echoes Deut 28:26 / the covenant curse's opposite — no external threat disturbs Israel's rest.
וְהִשְׁבַּתִּ֞יand I will removeconj וְ + Hiphil perf 1cs (weqatal) · שָׁבַת (H7673)Predicate verb (apodosis, new clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialשָׁבַת (H7673) Hiphil 'to cause to cease, remove, eliminate'; the same root as 'sabbath' — YHWH makes dangerous animals 'cease' from the land.
חַיָּ֤הbeastN f sg abs · חַיָּה (H2416)Direct object of וְהִשְׁבַּתִּיחַיָּה (H2416) 'living thing, wild animal', from חָיָה 'to live'; here specifically dangerous wildlife (cf. its return as a curse in v. 22).
רָעָה֙harmfuladj f sg abs · רַע (H7451)Attributive adjective modifying חַיָּהרַע (H7451) 'evil, harmful, dangerous'; qualifies חַיָּה as predatory/dangerous wildlife, not animals generally.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase of separation governing הָאָרֶץמִן (H4480) 'from'; marks removal/separation — the beasts eliminated FROM the land.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of the preposition מִןאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; repeats the term anchoring the whole promise-cluster to the physical territory.
וְחֶ֖רֶבand swordconj וְ + N f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Subject of תַעֲבֹרחֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; metonymy for war/military violence, the third threat (after human raiders implied by 'terrify' and wild beasts) removed by the blessing.
לֹאnotadv neg · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תַעֲבֹרלֹא (H3808); negates the passage of the sword through the land.
תַעֲבֹ֥רshall pass throughQal impf 3fs · עָבַר (H5674)Predicate verb (negated main clause)→ Yiqtol (negated): durative, 'shall not go through'עָבַר (H5674) 'to pass over, through'; no invading army will cross the land — reversed exactly as curse in v. 25's 'sword avenging the covenant'.
בְּאַרְצְכֶֽםin your landprep בְּ + N c sg constr/2mp suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phraseאֶרֶץ (H776) + 2mp suffix, closing the verse's triad of removed threats: terror, beast, sword.
7

וּרְדַפְתֶּ֖ם אֶת אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑ם וְנָפְל֥וּ לִפְנֵיכֶ֖ם לֶחָֽרֶב

You shall pursue your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword.

Apodosis continues: victory over enemiesוְ
The blessing turns from environmental peace (v. 6) to military supremacy: Israel becomes the pursuer, not the pursued, precisely inverting the curse of v. 17 ('you shall flee though none pursues').
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וּרְדַפְתֶּ֖םand you shall pursueconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · רָדַף (H7291)Predicate verb (apodosis, new clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue, chase'; military dominance — Israel takes the offensive rather than merely repelling attack.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), marking אֹיְבֵיכֶם as the definite object of וּרְדַפְתֶּם.
אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑םyour enemiesQal ptc m pl constr/2mp suffix · אָיַב (H341)Direct object of וּרְדַפְתֶּם (substantival participle)אָיַב (H341) Qal participle 'enemy, one who is hostile'; used substantivally throughout the chapter for Israel's foes.
וְנָפְל֥וּand they shall fallconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp (weqatal) · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (apodosis, new clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; standard idiom for death in battle.
לִפְנֵיכֶ֖םbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr/2mp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; the idiom לִפְנֵי 'before, in front of' — the enemy falls in Israel's very sight.
לֶחָֽרֶבby the swordprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Prepositional phrase of instrument/meansחֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; the same weapon that will not cross Israel's own land (v. 6) fells her enemies.
8

וְרָדְפ֨וּ מִכֶּ֤ם חֲמִשָּׁה֙ מֵאָ֔ה וּמֵאָ֥ה מִכֶּ֖ם רְבָבָ֣ה יִרְדֹּ֑פוּ וְנָפְל֧וּ אֹיְבֵיכֶ֛ם לִפְנֵיכֶ֖ם לֶחָֽרֶב

Five of you shall pursue a hundred, and a hundred of you shall pursue ten thousand, and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.

Hyperbolic escalation of v. 7's victoryוְ
The ratio escalates disproportionately (5:100 = 1:20; 100:10,000 = 1:100), a deliberate hyperbole: covenant blessing multiplies military effectiveness far beyond arithmetic expectation, not merely repeating but compounding.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְרָדְפ֨וּand shall pursueconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp (weqatal) · רָדַף (H7291)Predicate verb (apodosis, new clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue'; resumes the verb of v. 7 with an escalating ratio of pursuers to pursued.
מִכֶּ֤םof youprep מִן + 2mp suffix · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) partitive 'of, from among'; 'five from among you'.
חֲמִשָּׁה֙fivenumeral m sg abs · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Subject of וְרָדְפוּחָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five'; opens a hyperbolic ratio (5→100, 100→10,000) expressing overwhelming, disproportionate military success.
מֵאָ֔הa hundrednumeral c sg abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Direct object of וְרָדְפוּמֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; the first ratio, 5:100 (1:20).
וּמֵאָ֥הand a hundredconj וְ + numeral c sg abs · מֵאָה (H3967)Subject of יִרְדֹּפוּמֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred', now as subject of the second pursuit clause — the ratio compounds rather than merely repeats.
מִכֶּ֖םof youprep מִן + 2mp suffix · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositional phraseמִן (H4480) partitive, repeating the construction — 'a hundred from among you'.
רְבָבָ֣הten thousandN f sg abs · רְבָבָה (H7233)Direct object of יִרְדֹּפוּרְבָבָה (H7233) 'myriad, ten thousand'; the ratio escalates from 1:20 to 1:100 — victory grows disproportionately with covenant fidelity.
יִרְדֹּ֑פוּshall pursueQal impf 3mp · רָדַף (H7291)Predicate verb, second pursuit clause→ Yiqtol continuing the promise, future/durativeרָדַף (H7291); the 'hundred' now itself pursues, showing the compounding rather than merely additive nature of the blessing.
וְנָפְל֧וּand shall fallconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp (weqatal) · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (apodosis, new clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; repeats v. 7's verb, closing the escalated ratio with the same certain outcome.
אֹיְבֵיכֶ֛םyour enemiesQal ptc m pl constr/2mp suffix · אָיַב (H341)Subject of וְנָפְלוּאָיַב (H341) substantival participle 'enemy'; the grammatical subject finally named after two verses of pronoun-only pursuit.
לִפְנֵיכֶ֖םbefore youprep לְ + N c pl constr/2mp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440); repeats the idiom of v. 7, 'in your very sight'.
לֶחָֽרֶבby the swordprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Prepositional phrase of instrument/meansחֶרֶב (H2719); closes the verse with the same refrain as v. 7.
9

וּפָנִ֣יתִי אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם וְהִפְרֵיתִ֣י אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְהִרְבֵּיתִ֖י אֶתְכֶ֑ם וַהֲקִימֹתִ֥י אֶת בְּרִיתִ֖י אִתְּכֶֽם

And I will turn to you, and make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will establish my covenant with you.

Apodosis climax: divine favor and covenant confirmationוְ
The blessing series turns from things given to relationship itself: YHWH's face turned toward Israel, the creation-mandate language of Gen 1:28 (be fruitful, multiply) applied to covenant fidelity, and finally בְּרִית established — the same verb (הֵקִים) used of covenant-making with Noah (Gen 9:9) and Abraham (Gen 17:7).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וּפָנִ֣יתִיand I will turnconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · פָּנָה (H6437)Predicate verb (apodosis, new clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialפָּנָה (H6437) 'to turn (one's face)'; a gesture of favorable attention — YHWH's personal regard, moving beyond material blessings to relationship.
אֲלֵיכֶ֔םto youprep אֶל + 2mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional complement of וּפָנִיתִיאֶל (H413) 'to, toward' + 2mp suffix, completing the idiom 'turn toward'.
וְהִפְרֵיתִ֣יand I will make fruitfulconj וְ + Hiphil perf 1cs (weqatal) · פָּרָה (H6509)Predicate verb (apodosis, new clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialפָּרָה (H6509) Hiphil 'to make fruitful'; echoes the creation blessing of Gen 1:28, פְּרוּ וּרְבוּ, applied covenantally.
אֶתְכֶ֔םyouobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וְהִפְרֵיתִיאֵת (H853) + 2mp suffix, marking the direct object 'you'.
וְהִרְבֵּיתִ֖יand I will multiplyconj וְ + Hiphil perf 1cs (weqatal) · רָבָה (H7235)Predicate verb (apodosis, new clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialרָבָה (H7235) Hiphil 'to make many, multiply'; paired with פָּרָה, completing the creation-blessing formula.
אֶתְכֶ֑םyouobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וְהִרְבֵּיתִיאֵת (H853) + 2mp suffix, marking the direct object 'you'.
וַהֲקִימֹתִ֥יand I will establishconj וְ + Hiphil perf 1cs (weqatal) · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (apodosis, climactic clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialקוּם (H6965) Hiphil 'to cause to stand, establish, confirm'; the blessing series culminates in covenant confirmation, not merely material gift.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), marking בְּרִיתִי as the definite object of וַהֲקִימֹתִי.
בְּרִיתִ֖יmy covenantN f sg constr/1cs suffix · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of וַהֲקִימֹתִיבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; הֵקִים בְּרִית 'to establish/confirm a covenant' is technical language reused at the reconciliation of v. 42 (זָכַרְתִּי אֶת בְּרִיתִי).
אִתְּכֶֽםwith youprep אֵת (companion) + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H854)Prepositional complement of וַהֲקִימֹתִיאֵת (H854, distinct from the homographic object marker H853) 'with, together with'; marks Israel as covenant partner.
10

וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֥ם יָשָׁ֖ן נוֹשָׁ֑ן וְיָשָׁ֕ן מִפְּנֵ֥י חָדָ֖שׁ תּוֹצִֽיאוּ

You shall eat old store long kept, and you shall clear out the old to make way for the new.

Apodosis continues: superabundant surplusוְ
A homely, vivid touch closing the material blessings: granaries so full of aging surplus that room must be made for the incoming harvest — abundance as a practical inconvenience, the opposite of the coming famine's single oven for ten households (v. 26).
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֥םand you shall eatconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (apodosis, new clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the surplus from previous harvests is still being consumed.
יָשָׁ֖ןold (store)adj m sg abs · יָשָׁן (H3465)Direct object of וַאֲכַלְתֶּם (substantival adjective)יָשָׁן (H3465) 'old'; substantivized, 'the old (grain)' — surplus so vast it is still being used up.
נוֹשָׁ֑ןlong keptNiphal ptc m sg abs · יָשַׁן (H3462)Attributive participle modifying יָשָׁן→ Participle: stative/resultative, 'grown old (in storage)'יָשַׁן (H3462) Niphal 'to become old, aged'; reinforces יָשָׁן — grain stored so long it has aged further still.
וְיָשָׁ֕ןand (the) oldconj וְ + adj m sg abs · יָשָׁן (H3465)Direct object of תּוֹצִיאוּ (substantival adjective)יָשָׁן (H3465), resumed as the object cleared out to make room for the new harvest.
מִפְּנֵ֥יbecause of, to make way forcompound prep מִפְּנֵי · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase of cause/purposeמִפְּנֵי (lit. 'from the face of', H6440) 'because of, on account of'; idiomatic — clearing the old 'before/for' the new.
חָדָ֖שׁnewadj m sg abs · חָדָשׁ (H2319)Object of the compound preposition מִפְּנֵי (substantival adjective)חָדָשׁ (H2319) 'new'; the new harvest arrives before the old is even used up.
תּוֹצִֽיאוּyou shall bring outHiphil impf 2mp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future/durative, describing recurring necessityיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out, remove'; storehouses must be emptied of old grain simply to make room for the new — a vivid image of superabundance.
11

וְנָתַתִּ֥י מִשְׁכָּנִ֖י בְּתוֹכְכֶ֑ם וְלֹֽא תִגְעַ֥ל נַפְשִׁ֖י אֶתְכֶֽם

And I will place my dwelling in your midst, and my soul will not abhor you.

Continuation of the weqatal blessing sequenceוְ
The promise of blessing crests here: not just fertility and security (vv. 4-10) but God's own dwelling set in Israel's midst, with the negated verb גָּעַל ('abhor') deliberately foreshadowing its reuse for Israel's future rejection of the covenant (v. 15) and God's refusal, even then, to finally abhor them (v. 44).
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְנָתַתִּ֥יand I will placeconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the blessing sequence)→ Weqatal: perfect-with-waw continuing the future promise begun in vv. 4-10נָתַן (H5414) 'to give, place, set'; here 'to place/establish' God's dwelling among Israel.
מִשְׁכָּנִ֖יmy dwelling placeN m sg constr/1cs suffix · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Direct object of וְנָתַתִּימִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place, tabernacle', from שָׁכַן 'to dwell'; God's own sanctuary-presence set in Israel's midst, the pinnacle of covenant blessing.
בְּתוֹכְכֶ֑םin your midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr/2mp suffix · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phraseתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, among'; God's presence located in the very center of the camp.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + adv neg · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תִגְעַללֹא (H3808), simple negative.
תִגְעַ֥לwill abhorQal impf 3fs · גָּעַל (H1602)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future — my soul will not (come to) abhor youגָּעַל (H1602) 'to abhor, loathe, reject with revulsion'; the same verb recurs of Israel's rejection of God's statutes in vv. 15, 43.
נַפְשִׁ֖יmy soulN c sg constr/1cs suffix · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Subject of תִגְעַלנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, self, life'; here 'my very self/being' — an anthropomorphic idiom for God's own personal disposition.
אֶתְכֶֽםyouobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) + 2mp suffix marks 'you' as the object of the soul's (non-)rejection.
12

וְהִתְהַלַּכְתִּי֙ בְּת֣וֹכְכֶ֔ם וְהָיִ֥יתִי לָכֶ֖ם לֵֽאלֹהִ֑ים וְאַתֶּ֖ם תִּהְיוּ לִ֥י לְעָֽם

And I will walk about in your midst, and I will be your God, and you will be my people.

Climax of the blessing sequence — the covenant formulaוְ
Verses 11-12 crest the blessing section (vv. 3-13) with the deepest promise: not merely provision and security but God's own presence dwelling and 'walking' among Israel, sealed by the reciprocal covenant formula that is the theological center of the Sinai relationship.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְהִתְהַלַּכְתִּי֙and I will walk aboutconj וְ + Hitpael perf 1cs (weqatal) · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing sequence)→ Weqatal (Hitpael): iterative — habitual divine presence moving among themהָלַךְ (H1980) Hitpael 'to walk about, move to and fro'; used of God's presence in Eden (Gen 3:8) and now the camp — intimate, ongoing fellowship, not a one-time visitation.
בְּת֣וֹכְכֶ֔םin your midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr/2mp suffix · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phraseתָּוֶךְ (H8432), repeating v. 11's phrase — God present and active among his people.
וְהָיִ֥יתִיand I will beconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal, copula)→ Weqatal: durative future state — the ongoing covenant identityהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; here forming the covenant formula 'I will be your God'.
לָכֶ֖םto/for youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative complement of וְהָיִיתִילְ + 2mp suffix, marking the relational 'to you' of the covenant formula.
לֵֽאלֹהִ֑יםas Godprep לְ + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate complement (לְ of essence)אֱלֹהִים (H430) with לְ of identity/essence — 'as God, to be God' — the classic covenant-formula predicate.
וְאַתֶּ֖םand youconj וְ + indep pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject of תִּהְיוּ (fronted for contrast/emphasis)אַתֶּם (H859), independent 2mp pronoun, fronted to balance the 'I' of the first half — the mutuality of the covenant bond.
תִּהְיוּyou will beQal impf 2mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: durative future state, the reciprocal half of the covenant formulaהָיָה (H1961), completing the mutual formula 'you will be my people'.
לִ֥יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לְDative complement of תִּהְיוּלְ + 1cs suffix.
לְעָֽםas a peopleprep לְ + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Predicate complement (לְ of essence)עַם (H5971) 'people, nation' with לְ of identity; completes the covenant formula echoed at v. 45 and throughout the prophets (e.g. Jer 31:33; Ezek 37:27).
13

אֲנִ֞י יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצֵ֤אתִי אֶתְכֶם֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם מִֽהְיֹ֥ת לָהֶ֖ם עֲבָדִ֑ים וָאֶשְׁבֹּר֙ מֹטֹ֣ת עֻלְּכֶ֔ם וָאוֹלֵ֥ךְ אֶתְכֶ֖ם קֽוֹמְמִיּֽוּת

I am YHWH your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, from being their slaves; and I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk upright.

Grounds/self-identification closing the blessing unitasyndeton
Verse 13 closes vv. 1-13 with the self-identification formula grounded in the exodus, recalling the historical act (breaking the yoke-bars, leading Israel out upright) that makes the blessings promised in vv. 3-13 fitting and obligatory. The 'upright' image directly answers the bent posture of slavery and anticipates its grim reversal in the curses' language of being bowed under enemies (vv. 17, 36-37).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
אֲנִ֞יI (am)indep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the verbless self-identification formulaאֲנִי (H589), the closing recurrence of the formula that opened the chapter's legal core in v. 1.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominative (divine name)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God.
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗םyour GodN m pl constr/2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate nominative, apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 2mp suffix.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing a relative clause modifying יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶםאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative pronoun/particle.
הוֹצֵ֤אתִיbrought outHiphil perf 1cs · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: the completed, foundational act of the exodusיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; the exodus verb par excellence, grounding YHWH's claim on Israel's covenant loyalty.
אֶתְכֶם֙youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of הוֹצֵאתִי)אֵת + 2mp suffix.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Source prepositional phrase (construct head)אֶרֶץ (H776) in construct, 'land of'.
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive of the construct chainמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt.
מִֽהְיֹ֥תfrom beingprep מִן + Qal inf constr · הָיָה (H1961)Adverbial infinitive-construct clause of source, in apposition to מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם→ Infinitive construct: specifies the condition escaped — 'from being slaves'הָיָה (H1961), here in an infinitive clause defining the servitude Israel was delivered from.
לָהֶ֖םto themprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְDative complement within the infinitive clause (referring to the Egyptians)לְ + 3mp suffix, referring to the Egyptians as slave-owners.
עֲבָדִ֑יםslavesN m pl abs · עֶבֶד (H5650)Predicate complement of מִהְיֹתעֶבֶד (H5650) 'slave, servant', pl.; the condition of Egyptian bondage from which the exodus delivered Israel.
וָאֶשְׁבֹּר֙and I brokeconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 1cs · שָׁבַר (H7665)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, a second decisive exodus actשָׁבַר (H7665) 'to break, shatter'; here of breaking the wooden bars of the slave-yoke.
מֹטֹ֣תthe bars ofN f pl constr · מוֹטָה (H4133)Direct object of וָאֶשְׁבֹּר, head of construct chainמוֹטָה (H4133) 'bar, yoke-bar'; the wooden crosspiece of a yoke.
עֻלְּכֶ֔םyour yokeN m sg constr/2mp suffix · עֹל (H5923)Genitive of the construct chainעֹל (H5923) 'yoke' + 2mp suffix; a standing metaphor for slavery's burden.
וָאוֹלֵ֥ךְand I made walkconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 1cs · הָלַךְ (H1980, form יָלַךְ H3212)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol, narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol (Hiphil): causative narrative advance — God himself led Israel outהָלַךְ/יָלַךְ (H1980/H3212) Hiphil 'to cause to walk, lead'; God as the one who personally led Israel out of bondage.
אֶתְכֶ֖םyouobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of וָאוֹלֵךְ)אֵת + 2mp suffix.
קֽוֹמְמִיּֽוּתuprightadverb · קוֹמְמִיּוּת (H6968)Adverbial accusative of mannerקוֹמְמִיּוּת (H6968) 'uprightly, erect'; a rare adverb from קוּם 'to stand', picturing liberated Israel walking with head held high, yoke-free — the very opposite of stooped slave-labor.
14

וְאִם לֹ֥א תִשְׁמְע֖וּ לִ֑י וְלֹ֣א תַעֲשׂ֔וּ אֵ֥ת כָּל הַמִּצְוֺ֖ת הָאֵֽלֶּה

But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments,

Adversative/conditional pivot opening the curse sectionוְ
Verse 14 is the hinge of the chapter: the double protasis (not listening / not doing) launches the long, escalating series of covenant curses (vv. 14-39) that mirror and invert the blessings of vv. 3-13. Grammatically it is a subordinate protasis awaiting its apodosis, which begins in v. 16.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְאִםbut ifconj וְ + conditional particle · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction opening the curse section (contrastive with the blessing conditions)אִם (H518) 'if', conditional particle; with וְ marks the pivot from blessing (vv. 3-13) to curse (vv. 14-39).
לֹ֥אnotadv neg · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תִשְׁמְעוּלֹא (H3808).
תִשְׁמְע֖וּyou listen/obeyQal impf 2mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol (conditional): hypothetical failure to obeyשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; with לְ 'obey' — covenantal hearing that issues in action.
לִ֑יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לְDative complement of תִשְׁמְעוּלְ + 1cs suffix.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj וְ + adv neg · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תַעֲשׂוּ (coordinate with the first negation)וְ + לֹא, second limb of the double protasis.
תַעֲשׂ֔וּyou doQal impf 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol (conditional): hypothetical failure to performעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, perform'; obedience conceived as concrete action, not mere hearing.
אֵ֥ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַמִּצְוֺת הָאֵלֶּה as definite object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct modifier, head of the construct chain with הַמִּצְוֺתכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every', in construct — 'all of'.
הַמִּצְוֺ֖תthe commandmentsart + N f pl abs · מִצְוָה (H4687)Genitive of the construct chain, direct object of תַעֲשׂוּמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment', pl. with article; the totality of YHWH's covenant stipulations.
הָאֵֽלֶּהtheseart + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַמִּצְוֺתאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these', demonstrative pronoun with article agreeing with הַמִּצְוֺת.
15

וְאִם בְּחֻקֹּתַ֣י תִּמְאָ֔סוּ וְאִ֥ם אֶת מִשְׁפָּטַ֖י תִּגְעַ֣ל נַפְשְׁכֶ֑ם לְבִלְתִּ֤י עֲשׂוֹת֙ אֶת כָּל מִצְוֺתַ֔י לְהַפְרְכֶ֖ם אֶת בְּרִיתִֽי

and if you reject my statutes, and if your soul abhors my ordinances, so as not to do all my commandments, so as to break my covenant,

Escalating restatement of the protasis (climactic list)וְ
V. 15 intensifies v. 14's simple failure to obey into a fourfold crescendo — reject statutes, abhor ordinances, fail to do commandments, break the covenant — each term stronger than the last, culminating in the covenant-technical verb פרר 'to annul'. The protasis is still incomplete; the apodosis (the curses proper) begins only at v. 16.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conditional particle · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction, resuming/intensifying the protasis of v. 14אִם (H518), restating the condition with mounting specificity — from generic disobedience (v. 14) to active rejection.
בְּחֻקֹּתַ֣יmy statutesprep בְּ + N c pl constr/1cs suffix · חֻקָּה (H2708)Direct object (with בְּ marking the object of rejection)חֻקָּה (H2708) 'statute, prescribed limit', from חָקַק 'to inscribe'; God's fixed decrees.
תִּמְאָ֔סוּyou rejectQal impf 2mp · מָאַס (H3988)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol (conditional): hypothetical, escalated — active contempt, not mere neglectמָאַס (H3988) 'to reject, despise, spurn'; stronger than 'not obey' — a positive repudiation of the covenant's terms.
וְאִ֥םand ifconj וְ + conditional particle · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction, third limb of the escalating protasisאִם (H518), repeated for rhetorical intensification.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking מִשְׁפָּטַי as definite object.
מִשְׁפָּטַ֖יmy ordinancesN m pl constr/1cs suffix · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Direct object of תִגְעַלמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, ordinance, rule'; the case-law counterpart to חֻקָּה.
תִּגְעַ֣לabhorsQal impf 3fs · גָּעַל (H1602)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol (conditional): hypothetical, the strongest term yet — visceral revulsionגָּעַל (H1602) 'to abhor, loathe'; the same verb God used positively of himself in v. 11 ('my soul will not abhor you') — now Israel's soul turns it back on God's own laws.
נַפְשְׁכֶ֑םyour soulN c sg constr/2mp suffix · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Subject of תִגְעַלנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, self'; the seat of visceral aversion — a deliberate ironic echo of v. 11.
לְבִלְתִּ֤יso as notprep לְ + particle · בִּלְתִּי (H1115)Negative purpose particle introducing the infinitive clauseבִּלְתִּי (H1115) 'not, so as not'; with an infinitive construct expresses negative purpose or result.
עֲשׂוֹת֙to doQal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Purpose/result infinitive clause dependent on the preceding verbs→ Infinitive construct: the resulting failure of covenant obedienceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, perform'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking כָּל מִצְוֺתַי as definite object.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct modifier, head of the construct chainכֹּל (H3605) 'all', in construct.
מִצְוֺתַ֔יmy commandmentsN f pl constr/1cs suffix · מִצְוָה (H4687)Genitive of the construct chain, direct object of עֲשׂוֹתמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment', pl.; the third of the chapter's stacked terms for covenant law (statutes, ordinances, commandments).
לְהַפְרְכֶ֖םso as to breakprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr/2mp suffix · פָּרַר (H6565)Purpose/result infinitive clause, climactic final term→ Infinitive construct: the ultimate consequence — covenant-breakingפָּרַר (H6565) Hiphil 'to break, annul, frustrate'; the covenant-technical term for nullifying a treaty.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking בְּרִיתִי as definite object.
בְּרִיתִֽיmy covenantN f sg constr/1cs suffix · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of לְהַפְרְכֶםבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant, treaty'; the Sinai covenant whose stipulations have just been rejected in escalating stages — the sin named explicitly at last.
16

אַף אֲנִ֞י אֶֽעֱשֶׂה זֹּ֣את לָכֶ֗ם וְהִפְקַדְתִּ֨י עֲלֵיכֶ֤ם בֶּֽהָלָה֙ אֶת הַשַּׁחֶ֣פֶת וְאֶת הַקַּדַּ֔חַת מְכַלּ֥וֹת עֵינַ֖יִם וּמְדִיבֹ֣ת נָ֑פֶשׁ וּזְרַעְתֶּ֤ם לָרִיק֙ זַרְעֲכֶ֔ם וַאֲכָלֻ֖הוּ אֹיְבֵיכֶֽם

I in turn will do this to you: I will appoint sudden terror over you — the wasting disease and the burning fever that consume the eyes and cause the life to languish; and you will sow your seed in vain, for your enemies will eat it.

Apodosis opens — first stage of covenant curseasyndeton
The apodosis finally lands: God's response mirrors Israel's rejection verb-for-verb (אֲנִי ... אֶעֱשֶׂה answering their מָאַס/גָּעַל). Stage one of the curses combines wasting disease and agricultural futility — labor without benefit, since enemies consume the harvest Israel sows, a pattern that intensifies through the seven-stage sequence marked by שֶׁבַע 'sevenfold' (vv. 18, 21, 24, 28).
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
אַףalsoadv · אַף (H637)Emphatic particle intensifying אֲנִיאַף (H637) 'also, indeed, moreover'; adds emphasis to the pronoun that follows — 'I, for my part'.
אֲנִ֞יIindep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of אֶעֱשֶׂה (emphatic, matching Israel's rejecting subject in v. 15)אֲנִי (H589), fronted and reinforced by אַף — God's answering action mirrors Israel's.
אֶֽעֱשֶׂהwill doQal impf 1cs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb, apodosis opens (main clause)→ Yiqtol: emphatic future — the decisive divine responseעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; deliberately the same verb Israel refused to perform (v. 15) — now turned back on them.
זֹּ֣אתthisdemonstr pron fs · זֹאת (H2063)Direct object of אֶעֱשֶׂהזֹאת (H2063) 'this', pointing forward to the catalogue of curses that follows.
לָכֶ֗םto youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative complement of אֶעֱשֶׂהלְ + 2mp suffix.
וְהִפְקַדְתִּ֨יand I will appointconj וְ + Hiphil perf 1cs (weqatal) · פָּקַד (H6485)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: durative future consequence — the curse now specifiedפָּקַד (H6485) Hiphil 'to appoint, visit upon, bring upon'; used of judicial visitation — God actively 'assigns' calamity.
עֲלֵיכֶ֤םagainst youprep עַל + 2mp suffix · עַל (H5921)Prepositional complement of וְהִפְקַדְתִּי (adversative)עַל (H5921) 'upon, against' + 2mp suffix.
בֶּֽהָלָה֙sudden terrorN f sg abs · בֶּהָלָה (H928)Direct object of וְהִפְקַדְתִּיבֶּהָלָה (H928) 'terror, sudden calamity, panic', from בָּהַל 'to be dismayed'; a summary term for the disasters catalogued in the rest of the verse.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַשַּׁחֶפֶת as a definite appositional object specifying בֶּהָלָה.
הַשַּׁחֶ֣פֶתthe wasting diseaseart + N f sg abs · שַׁחֶפֶת (H7829)Direct object, in apposition to בֶּהָלָהשַׁחֶפֶת (H7829) 'consumption, wasting disease', from a root meaning 'to be lean, emaciated'; a chronic illness causing bodily decay.
וְאֶתand the feverconj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinate direct-object marker (second appositive)וְ + אֵת, coordinating a second named affliction.
הַקַּדַּ֔חַתthe burning feverart + N f sg abs · קַדַּחַת (H6920)Direct object, second appositiveקַדַּחַת (H6920) 'fever, inflammation', from קָדַח 'to burn, kindle'; a feverish illness paired with שַׁחֶפֶת.
מְכַלּ֥וֹתconsumingPiel ptc fp abs · כָּלָה (H3615)Attributive participle modifying the two diseases→ Participle: characterizing, ongoing ravaging actionכָּלָה (H3615) Piel ptc 'consuming, causing to waste away'; describes the diseases' effect.
עֵינַ֖יִםthe eyesN c dual abs · עַיִן (H5869)Direct object of מְכַלּוֹתעַיִן (H5869) 'eye', dual; the diseases 'consume the eyes' — probably feverish wasting that dims the sight.
וּמְדִיבֹ֣תand causing to languishconj וְ + Hiphil ptc fp abs · דָּאַב (H1727)Attributive participle, coordinate with מְכַלּוֹת→ Participle: characterizing, ongoing debilitating actionדָּאַב (H1727) Hiphil ptc 'causing to pine away, languish'; paired with כָּלָה for the diseases' draining effect on the body.
נָ֑פֶשׁthe soul/lifeN c sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Direct object of מְדִיבֹתנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, life, vitality'; the diseases sap not just the eyes but the whole life-force.
וּזְרַעְתֶּ֤םand you will sowconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · זָרַע (H2232)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: future consequence, shifting from disease to agricultural futilityזָרַע (H2232) 'to sow'; the first of the covenant curses on the harvest.
לָרִיק֙in vainprep לְ + N m sg abs · רִיק (H7385)Adverbial prepositional phrase of mannerרִיק (H7385) 'emptiness, vanity'; with לְ, 'in vain, to no purpose' — the sowing yields nothing.
זַרְעֲכֶ֔םyour seedN m sg constr/2mp suffix · זֶרַע (H2233)Direct object of וּזְרַעְתֶּם (cognate accusative)זֶרַע (H2233) 'seed'; cognate object of זָרַע, emphasizing the futility of the very act of planting.
וַאֲכָלֻ֖הוּand will eat itconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp (weqatal)/3ms suffix · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: future consequence — the crop's fateאָכַל (H398) 'to eat, consume'; the enemy, not Israel, will eat the harvest — a curse of lost labor.
אֹיְבֵיכֶֽםyour enemiesQal ptc mp constr/2mp suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Subject of וַאֲכָלֻהוּאֹיֵב (H341), participle of איב 'to be hostile' used substantivally, 'enemy'; the recurring antagonist of the curse section.
17

וְנָתַתִּ֤י פָנַי֙ בָּכֶ֔ם וְנִגַּפְתֶּ֖ם לִפְנֵ֣י אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑ם וְרָד֤וּ בָכֶם֙ שֹֽׂנְאֵיכֶ֔ם וְנַסְתֶּ֖ם וְאֵין רֹדֵ֥ף אֶתְכֶֽם

And I will set my face against you, and you will be struck down before your enemies; those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee though no one pursues you.

Continuation of the apodosis — military defeatוְ
Stage one's curses widen from disease and crop-loss to military catastrophe: divine hostility ('set my face against you'), defeat, subjugation to haters, and finally causeless panic flight — a proverbial image of terror so total that pursuit is superfluous (cf. Prov 28:1). This is the reversal of the 'upright' liberated walk of v. 13.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְנָתַתִּ֤יand I will setconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: future consequence, an idiom of hostile confrontationנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, set'; idiomatic with פָּנִים, 'to set the face against' — deliberate divine opposition.
פָנַי֙my faceN c pl constr/1cs suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Direct object of וְנָתַתִּי (idiom: 'set the face against')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face', plural in form; the idiom נָתַן פָּנִים בְּ means 'to turn hostile attention/opposition against'.
בָּכֶ֔םagainst youprep בְּ + 2mp suffix · בְּPrepositional complement of the idiom (adversative)בְּ + 2mp suffix, marking the object of God's hostile 'face'.
וְנִגַּפְתֶּ֖םand you will be struck downconj וְ + Niphal perf 2mp (weqatal) · נָגַף (H5062)Predicate verb (weqatal, passive consequence)→ Weqatal (Niphal, passive): future defeat inflicted by an unnamed agent (implicitly God/enemies)נָגַף (H5062) Niphal 'to be struck, defeated, smitten'; military defeat as direct covenant consequence.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לִפְנֵי · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phraseלִפְנֵי (from פָּנִים, H6440) 'before, in front of'; here 'before (i.e. in retreat from) your enemies'.
אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑םyour enemiesQal ptc mp constr/2mp suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Object of the preposition לִפְנֵיאֹיֵב (H341), substantival participle 'enemy'.
וְרָד֤וּand will ruleconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp (weqatal) · רָדָה (H7287)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: future consequence — domination by hatersרָדָה (H7287) 'to rule, dominate, tread down'; those who hate Israel will hold mastery over them, a total reversal of Israel's intended role.
בָכֶם֙over youprep בְּ + 2mp suffix · בְּPrepositional complement of וְרָדוּבְּ + 2mp suffix.
שֹֽׂנְאֵיכֶ֔םthose who hate youQal ptc mp constr/2mp suffix · שָׂנֵא (H8130)Subject of וְרָדוּשָׂנֵא (H8130), substantival participle 'hater, one who hates'; parallel to אֹיֵב.
וְנַסְתֶּ֖םand you will fleeconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · נוּס (H5127)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: future consequence — panic flightנוּס (H5127) 'to flee'; the terrified rout of a defeated army.
וְאֵיןyet there is no oneconj וְ + particle of non-existence · אַיִן (H369)Negative existential clause, concessiveאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; the bitter irony — they flee even when unpursued, gripped by unreasoning fear.
רֹדֵ֥ףpursuingQal ptc ms abs · רָדַף (H7291)Predicate participle of the existential clause→ Participle: describes the (non-existent) pursuer — heightening the picture of causeless panicרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue'; the participle, negated by אֵין, produces the proverbial curse-formula 'fleeing though none pursues' (cf. Prov 28:1).
אֶתְכֶֽםyouobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of the implied pursuit)אֵת + 2mp suffix.
18

וְאִ֨ם עַד אֵ֔לֶּה לֹ֥א תִשְׁמְע֖וּ לִ֑י וְיָסַפְתִּי֙ לְיַסְּרָ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֔ם שֶׁ֖בַע עַל חַטֹּאתֵיכֶֽם

And if, despite this, you will not listen to me, then I will continue to discipline you sevenfold for your sins.

Second protasis-apodosis cycle — first 'sevenfold' escalationוְ
V. 18 introduces the chapter's structuring refrain: continued defiance brings discipline 'sevenfold' — a formula repeated at the head of each subsequent stage (vv. 21, 24, 28), producing four escalating cycles rather than a single undifferentiated curse-list. יַסְּרָה 'discipline' frames the ordeal as corrective, aimed at the confession of v. 40.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְאִ֨םand ifconj וְ + conditional particle · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction reopening the protasis for stage twoאִם (H518), reintroducing the condition for escalation.
עַדeven afterprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal/extent prepositional phraseעַד (H5704) 'up to, even after'; marks the persistence of disobedience despite the first stage of discipline.
אֵ֔לֶּהthese (things)demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Object of the preposition עַדאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these', referring back to the curses of vv. 16-17.
לֹ֥אnotadv neg · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תִשְׁמְעוּלֹא (H3808).
תִשְׁמְע֖וּyou listen/obeyQal impf 2mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol (conditional): renewed hypothetical failure, despite prior disciplineשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey', repeating v. 14's verb — the disobedience persists unchanged even under discipline.
לִ֑יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לְDative complement of תִשְׁמְעוּלְ + 1cs suffix.
וְיָסַפְתִּי֙then I will continueconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb, apodosis opens (main clause)→ Weqatal: future — repeated/intensified divine actionיָסַף (H3254) Hiphil-sense 'to add, continue, do again'; introduces the escalation formula that structures the whole curse section.
לְיַסְּרָ֣הto disciplineprep לְ + Piel inf constr · יָסַר (H3256)Complementary infinitive of יָסַפְתִּי→ Infinitive construct: purpose/complement — what God will 'continue' to doיָסַר (H3256) Piel 'to discipline, chastise, correct'; frames the curses pedagogically, as corrective punishment aimed at repentance, not mere retribution.
אֶתְכֶ֔םyouobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of לְיַסְּרָה)אֵת + 2mp suffix.
שֶׁ֖בַעsevenfoldcardinal numeral fs abs · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Adverbial accusative of degree/measureשֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; used adverbially, 'seven times (more)' — the refrain marking each escalating stage (vv. 18, 21, 24, 28).
עַלforprep · עַל (H5921)Causal prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, on account of'; here causal, 'because of'.
חַטֹּאתֵיכֶֽםyour sinsN f pl constr/2mp suffix · חַטָּאת (H2403)Object of the preposition עַלחַטָּאת (H2403) 'sin, offense'; the ground of the sevenfold intensification.
19

וְשָׁבַרְתִּ֖י אֶת גְּא֣וֹן עֻזְּכֶ֑ם וְנָתַתִּ֤י אֶת שְׁמֵיכֶם֙ כַּבַּרְזֶ֔ל וְאֶֽת אַרְצְכֶ֖ם כַּנְּחֻשָֽׁה

And I will break your proud might, and I will make your sky like iron and your land like bronze.

Continuation of the apodosis — drought imageryוְ
Stage two turns from military defeat to ecological catastrophe: national pride ('the pride of your strength') is broken, and the sky-and-land pair — the two halves of the agricultural order — become as unyielding as metal, a vivid ancient Near Eastern drought curse (cf. Deut 28:23).
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְשָׁבַרְתִּ֖יand I will breakconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · שָׁבַר (H7665)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: future consequence — a second use of 'break', now of Israel's pride rather than the yokeשָׁבַר (H7665) 'to break, shatter', deliberately reusing v. 13's verb — there God broke the yoke-bars to free Israel; now he breaks their pride.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking גְּאוֹן עֻזְּכֶם as definite object.
גְּא֣וֹןthe pride ofN m sg constr · גָּאוֹן (H1347)Direct object, head of construct chainגָּאוֹן (H1347) 'pride, exaltation, majesty', from גָּאָה 'to rise up, be exalted'.
עֻזְּכֶ֑םyour strengthN m sg constr/2mp suffix · עֹז (H5797)Genitive of the construct chainעֹז (H5797) 'strength, might'; 'the pride of your strength' — national self-confidence in military/agricultural power.
וְנָתַתִּ֤יand I will makeconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: future consequenceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, make, render'; here with a predicate complement, 'to make (something) like (something)'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking שְׁמֵיכֶם as definite object.
שְׁמֵיכֶם֙your skyN m pl constr/2mp suffix · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Direct object of וְנָתַתִּישָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; here the visible sky over the land, source of rain.
כַּבַּרְזֶ֔לlike ironprep כְּ + N m sg abs · בַּרְזֶל (H1270)Predicate complement of comparisonבַּרְזֶל (H1270) 'iron'; an unyielding sky that withholds rain — hard, closed, unresponsive.
וְאֶֽתandconj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Coordinate direct-object marker (second object)וְ + אֵת, coordinating the second half of the pair.
אַרְצְכֶ֖םyour landN c sg constr/2mp suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object, second item, coordinate with שְׁמֵיכֶםאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; paired with שָׁמַיִם, the whole agricultural system (sky above, soil below) turned hostile.
כַּנְּחֻשָֽׁהlike bronzeprep כְּ + N f sg abs · נְחוּשָׁה (H5154)Predicate complement of comparisonנְחוּשָׁה (H5154) 'bronze, copper'; a hard, baked, unproductive ground — the counterpart image to the iron sky, together picturing total drought.
20

וְתַ֥ם לָרִ֖יק כֹּחֲכֶ֑ם וְלֹֽא תִתֵּ֤ן אַרְצְכֶם֙ אֶת יְבוּלָ֔הּ וְעֵ֣ץ הָאָ֔רֶץ לֹ֥א יִתֵּ֖ן פִּרְיֽוֹ

Your strength will be spent in vain, for your land will not yield its produce, and the trees of the land will not yield their fruit.

Continuation/result — total crop failureוְ
The drought of v. 19 works itself out concretely: exhausting, fruitless labor, barren fields, and barren orchards — the reversal of the blessing of v. 4 ('the land will give its produce, the trees their fruit'), stated there in almost identical words.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְתַ֥םand will be spentconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · תָּמַם (H8552)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: future consequence — futile exhaustionתָּמַם (H8552) 'to be complete, come to an end, be finished/spent'; here of strength used up to no effect.
לָרִ֖יקin vainprep לְ + N m sg abs · רִיק (H7385)Adverbial prepositional phrase of mannerרִיק (H7385) 'emptiness, vanity', repeating v. 16's term — labor with no yield.
כֹּחֲכֶ֑םyour strengthN m sg constr/2mp suffix · כֹּחַ (H3581)Subject of וְתַםכֹּחַ (H3581) 'strength, power'; here physical labor-power exhausted by fruitless toil.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + adv neg · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תִתֵּןלֹא (H3808).
תִתֵּ֤ןwill giveQal impf 3fs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future consequence — the land's failure to produceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the land personified as withholding its produce.
אַרְצְכֶם֙your landN c sg constr/2mp suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of תִתֵּןאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land', now the grammatical subject — personified as refusing to yield.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking יְבוּלָהּ as definite object.
יְבוּלָ֔הּits produceN m sg constr/3fs suffix · יְבוּל (H2981)Direct object of תִתֵּןיְבוּל (H2981) 'produce, yield, increase'; the harvest the parched land withholds.
וְעֵ֣ץand the tree ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · עֵץ (H6086)Subject of יִתֵּן, coordinate with הָאָרֶץעֵץ (H6086) 'tree', in construct — 'the tree(s) of the land'.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive of the construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776), completing 'the tree of the land' — orchard and forest trees alike.
לֹ֥אnotadv neg · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating יִתֵּןלֹא (H3808).
יִתֵּ֖ןwill giveQal impf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future consequence, parallel to תִתֵּןנָתַן (H5414) 'to give', repeated for the second failed subject (trees).
פִּרְיֽוֹits fruitN m sg constr/3ms suffix · פְּרִי (H6529)Direct object of יִתֵּןפְּרִי (H6529) 'fruit'; total agricultural failure — grain-fields and orchards both barren.
21

וְאִם תֵּֽלְכ֤וּ עִמִּי֙ קֶ֔רִי וְלֹ֥א תֹאב֖וּ לִשְׁמֹ֣עַֽ לִ֑י וְיָסַפְתִּ֤י עֲלֵיכֶם֙ מַכָּ֔ה שֶׁ֖בַע כְּחַטֹּאתֵיכֶֽם

And if you walk in hostility with me and are not willing to listen to me, then I will continue to strike you sevenfold, according to your sins.

Third protasis-apodosis cycle — second 'sevenfold' escalationוְ
The key word קֶרִי ('hostility, contrariness') enters here and becomes the leitmotif of the remaining cycles — Israel's posture is no longer passive neglect but active opposition, met in kind by God's own קֶרִי in v. 24, 28. The escalation formula יָסַפְתִּי ... שֶׁבַע recurs for the second time.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conditional particle · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction reopening the protasis for stage threeאִם (H518), the third cycle's opening condition.
תֵּֽלְכ֤וּyou walkQal impf 2mp · הָלַךְ (H1980, form יָלַךְ H3212)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol (conditional): continued hypothetical defianceהָלַךְ/יָלַךְ (H1980/H3212) 'to walk'; the metaphor of covenant 'walking' recurs from v. 3 (walking in the statutes) and v. 12 (God walking among them), now perverted.
עִמִּי֙with meprep עִם + 1cs suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional complement of תֵּלְכוּעִם (H5973) 'with' + 1cs suffix.
קֶ֔רִיin hostilityN m sg abs · קֶרִי (H7147)Adverbial accusative of mannerקֶרִי (H7147) 'contrariness, hostility, opposition'; a rare word (only here in this chapter, 7x) denoting deliberate, obstinate opposition — the refrain of stage three-and-four (vv. 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 40, 41).
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + adv neg · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תֹאבוּלֹא (H3808).
תֹאב֖וּare willingQal impf 2mp · אָבָה (H14)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol (conditional): continued hypothetical unwillingnessאָבָה (H14) 'to be willing, consent'; obstinate refusal, stronger than mere non-hearing.
לִשְׁמֹ֣עַֽto listenprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁמַע (H8085)Complementary infinitive of תֹאבוּ→ Infinitive construct: complement — what they refuse to doשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, obey'.
לִ֑יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לְDative complement of לִשְׁמֹעַלְ + 1cs suffix.
וְיָסַפְתִּ֤יthen I will continueconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · יָסַף (H3254)Predicate verb, apodosis opens (main clause)→ Weqatal: future — repeated action, second use of the escalation formulaיָסַף (H3254) 'to add, continue', repeating v. 18's formula for the second escalation cycle.
עֲלֵיכֶם֙against youprep עַל + 2mp suffix · עַל (H5921)Prepositional complement of וְיָסַפְתִּיעַל (H5921) 'upon, against' + 2mp suffix.
מַכָּ֔הa blowN f sg abs · מַכָּה (H4347)Direct object (of an implied verb of striking, governed by the idiom)מַכָּה (H4347) 'blow, plague, wound', from נָכָה 'to strike'; a general term for calamitous affliction.
שֶׁ֖בַעsevenfoldcardinal numeral fs abs · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Adverbial accusative of degree/measureשֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven', repeating the refrain of v. 18 — stage three's intensifier.
כְּחַטֹּאתֵיכֶֽםaccording to your sinsprep כְּ + N f pl constr/2mp suffix · חַטָּאת (H2403)Prepositional phrase of proportion/standardחַטָּאת (H2403) 'sin' with כְּ, 'in proportion to' — the punishment calibrated, not arbitrary.
22

וְהִשְׁלַחְתִּ֨י בָכֶ֜ם אֶת חַיַּ֤ת הַשָּׂדֶה֙ וְשִׁכְּלָ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֔ם וְהִכְרִ֨יתָה֙ אֶת בְּהֶמְתְּכֶ֔ם וְהִמְעִ֖יטָה אֶתְכֶ֑ם וְנָשַׁ֖מּוּ דַּרְכֵיכֶֽם

And I will send the wild beasts against you, and they will bereave you of your children and destroy your livestock and reduce your numbers, so that your roads will become deserted.

Continuation of the apodosis — wild-animal plagueוְ
Stage three's curse names the concrete calamity behind the 'blow' of v. 21: predatory beasts attack both children and livestock, and the resulting depopulation leaves roads deserted — an image of a land unraveling that anticipates the fuller devastation of vv. 31-33.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְהִשְׁלַחְתִּ֨יand I will sendconj וְ + Hiphil perf 1cs (weqatal) · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: future consequence — first item of stage threeשָׁלַח (H7971) Hiphil 'to send, let loose'; here of unleashing wild beasts as covenant curse (cf. Deut 32:24).
בָכֶ֜םagainst youprep בְּ + 2mp suffix · בְּPrepositional complement of וְהִשְׁלַחְתִּיבְּ + 2mp suffix.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה as definite object.
חַיַּ֤תthe beast(s) ofN f sg constr · חַיָּה (H2416)Direct object, head of construct chainחַיָּה (H2416) 'living thing, animal, beast', from חָיָה 'to live'; construct with הַשָּׂדֶה, 'wild animal(s)'.
הַשָּׂדֶה֙the fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Genitive of the construct chainשָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open country'; 'beast of the field' = wild, undomesticated animals, a stock threat in covenant-curse lists.
וְשִׁכְּלָ֣הand it will bereaveconj וְ + Piel perf 3fs (weqatal) · שָׁכַל (H7921)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: future consequenceשָׁכַל (H7921) Piel 'to bereave (of children), make childless'; wild animals killing Israel's children.
אֶתְכֶ֔םyouobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וְשִׁכְּלָה)אֵת + 2mp suffix.
וְהִכְרִ֨יתָה֙and will cut offconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3fs (weqatal) · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: future consequenceכָּרַת (H3772) Hiphil 'to cut off, exterminate'; here of destroying livestock.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking בְּהֶמְתְּכֶם as definite object.
בְּהֶמְתְּכֶ֔םyour livestockN f sg constr/2mp suffix · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Direct object of וְהִכְרִיתָהבְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beast, cattle, livestock'; domesticated animals, the economic complement to the wild beasts just named.
וְהִמְעִ֖יטָהand will make fewconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3fs (weqatal) · מָעַט (H4591)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: future consequenceמָעַט (H4591) Hiphil 'to make few, diminish'; population decline through the beasts' predation.
אֶתְכֶ֑םyouobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וְהִמְעִיטָה)אֵת + 2mp suffix.
וְנָשַׁ֖מּוּand will be made desolateconj וְ + Niphal perf 3cp (weqatal) · שָׁמֵם (H8074)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal (Niphal, passive): future consequence — depopulation of the roadsשָׁמֵם (H8074) Niphal 'to be desolate, deserted'; the roads emptied of travelers as population and traffic collapse.
דַּרְכֵיכֶֽםyour roadsN c pl constr/2mp suffix · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Subject of וְנָשַׁמּוּדֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road'; deserted highways as a picture of a land emptied by predation and depopulation.
23

וְאִ֨ם בְּאֵ֔לֶּה לֹ֥א תִוָּסְר֖וּ לִ֑י וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֥ם עִמִּ֖י קֶֽרִי

And if by these things you are not corrected by me, but walk with me in hostility,

Fourth protasis — introduces stage fourוְ
V. 23 pointedly asks whether the discipline of stage three has achieved its pedagogical purpose (תִוָּסְרוּ, 'be corrected', answering יַסְּרָה of v. 18); the negative answer sets up the sharpest reversal yet — God himself now adopts Israel's own קֶרִי in v. 24.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְאִ֨םand ifconj וְ + conditional particle · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction reopening the protasis for stage fourאִם (H518), the fourth cycle's opening condition.
בְּאֵ֔לֶּהby these (things)prep בְּ + demonstr pron cp · אֵלֶּה (H428)Prepositional phrase of means/instrumentאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these', referring to the disciplines of stage three (vv. 21-22); 'by these' = through this discipline.
לֹ֥אnotadv neg · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תִוָּסְרוּלֹא (H3808).
תִוָּסְר֖וּyou take correctionNiphal impf 2mp · יָסַר (H3256)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol (conditional, Niphal passive/reflexive): hypothetical failure to be correctedיָסַר (H3256) Niphal 'to be disciplined, take correction, learn a lesson'; the passive counterpart to the Piel of v. 18 — will the discipline actually teach them?
לִ֑יby/from meprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לְDative/agency complement of תִוָּסְרוּלְ + 1cs suffix, marking God as the source of the intended correction.
וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֥םthen you will walkconj וַ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb, apodosis-protasis blend introducing stage four's condition→ Weqatal: consequential future — persistence in defianceהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk', repeating the covenant-walking metaphor a final time before the curse intensifies again.
עִמִּ֖יwith meprep עִם + 1cs suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional complement of וַהֲלַכְתֶּםעִם (H5973) 'with' + 1cs suffix.
קֶֽרִיin hostilityN m sg abs · קֶרִי (H7147)Adverbial accusative of mannerקֶרִי (H7147) 'hostility, contrariness', repeating v. 21's key term — the persistence of Israel's rebellious stance.
24

וְהָלַכְתִּ֧י אַף אֲנִ֛י עִמָּכֶ֖ם בְּקֶ֑רִי וְהִכֵּיתִ֤י אֶתְכֶם֙ גַּם אָ֔נִי שֶׁ֖בַע עַל חַטֹּאתֵיכֶֽם

then I in turn will walk with you in hostility, and I myself will strike you sevenfold for your sins.

Apodosis of stage four — divine קֶרִי, third 'sevenfold'וְ
The theological center of the curse section: God matches Israel's קֶרִי with his own קֶרִי, doubly emphasized (אַף אֲנִי ... גַּם אָנִי) and expressed with the unmediated verb נָכָה 'strike' rather than 'send'. The lex talionis logic — measure for measure — governs the whole chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְהָלַכְתִּ֧יthen I will walkconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb, apodosis opens (main clause)→ Weqatal: emphatic future — God's answering postureהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk', turned back on God himself — the same verb and the same קֶרִי that Israel chose in v. 23 now describe God's own response.
אַףalsoadv · אַף (H637)Emphatic particle intensifying אֲנִיאַף (H637) 'also, indeed'; emphasizes the divine 'I', mirroring Israel's own stance back at them (cf. v. 16).
אֲנִ֛יIindep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of וְהָלַכְתִּי (emphatic)אֲנִי (H589), fronted and reinforced by אַף.
עִמָּכֶ֖םwith youprep עִם + 2mp suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional complement of וְהָלַכְתִּיעִם (H5973) 'with' + 2mp suffix.
בְּקֶ֑רִיin hostilityprep בְּ + N m sg abs · קֶרִי (H7147)Adverbial prepositional phrase of mannerקֶרִי (H7147) 'hostility'; the pivotal reversal — God adopts Israel's own posture of opposition toward them.
וְהִכֵּיתִ֤יand I will strikeconj וְ + Hiphil perf 1cs (weqatal) · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: future consequence — direct divine blowנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike, smite'; more direct and personal than the 'sending' verbs of stage three — God himself now strikes.
אֶתְכֶם֙youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of וְהִכֵּיתִי)אֵת + 2mp suffix.
גַּםevenadv · גַּם (H1571)Emphatic particle intensifying אָנִיגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; a second emphatic particle (with אַף) doubling down on the divine 'I'.
אָ֔נִיIindep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of וְהִכֵּיתִי, repeated in apposition for emphasisאֲנִי (H589), repeated and doubly emphasized (אַף ... גַּם אָנִי) — the personal directness of this fourth-stage judgment.
שֶׁ֖בַעsevenfoldcardinal numeral fs abs · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Adverbial accusative of degree/measureשֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven', the third occurrence of the escalation refrain.
עַלforprep · עַל (H5921)Causal prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on account of'.
חַטֹּאתֵיכֶֽםyour sinsN f pl constr/2mp suffix · חַטָּאת (H2403)Object of the preposition עַלחַטָּאת (H2403) 'sin'.
25

וְהֵבֵאתִ֨י עֲלֵיכֶ֜ם חֶ֗רֶב נֹקֶ֨מֶת֙ נְקַם בְּרִ֔ית וְנֶאֱסַפְתֶּ֖ם אֶל עָרֵיכֶ֑ם וְשִׁלַּ֤חְתִּי דֶ֨בֶר֙ בְּת֣וֹכְכֶ֔ם וְנִתַּתֶּ֖ם בְּיַד אוֹיֵֽב

And I will bring a sword against you, avenging the breach of covenant; and you will be gathered into your cities, and I will send pestilence among you, and you will be given into the hand of an enemy.

Continuation of the apodosis — siege, plague, defeatוְ
The classic ancient Near Eastern triad of covenant curse — sword, siege (implicit in 'gathered into cities'), and pestilence — appears explicitly, with the sword named as covenant-vengeance (נְקַם בְּרִית), directly answering the covenant-breaking of v. 15.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְהֵבֵאתִ֨יand I will bringconj וְ + Hiphil perf 1cs (weqatal) · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: future consequence — first specific curse of stage fourבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring, cause to come'; here of bringing military invasion.
עֲלֵיכֶ֜םagainst youprep עַל + 2mp suffix · עַל (H5921)Prepositional complement of וְהֵבֵאתִיעַל (H5921) 'upon, against' + 2mp suffix.
חֶ֗רֶבa swordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Direct object of וְהֵבֵאתִיחֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; standing metonym for invading enemy armies.
נֹקֶ֨מֶת֙avengingQal ptc fs abs · נָקַם (H5358)Attributive participle modifying חֶרֶב→ Participle: characterizing the sword's functionנָקַם (H5358) 'to avenge'; participle describing the sword as an agent of retribution.
נְקַםthe vengeance ofN m sg constr · נָקָם (H5359)Direct object of the participle נֹקֶמֶת (cognate construction)נָקָם (H5359) 'vengeance, retribution', cognate to נֹקֶמֶת; construct with בְּרִית — 'vengeance for the covenant'.
בְּרִ֔יתthe covenantN f sg abs · בְּרִית (H1285)Genitive of the construct chainבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; the sword avenges the covenant Israel has broken (v. 15) — a rare, precise phrase, 'covenant-vengeance'.
וְנֶאֱסַפְתֶּ֖םand you will be gatheredconj וְ + Niphal perf 2mp (weqatal) · אָסַף (H622)Predicate verb (weqatal, passive consequence)→ Weqatal (Niphal, passive): future consequence — forced retreat into besieged citiesאָסַף (H622) Niphal 'to be gathered'; here of the population fleeing the open country for the (illusory) safety of walled cities under invasion.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, into'.
עָרֵיכֶ֑םyour citiesN f pl constr/2mp suffix · עִיר (H5892)Object of the preposition אֶלעִיר (H5892) 'city'; the fortified towns to which the terrified population retreats.
וְשִׁלַּ֤חְתִּיand I will sendconj וְ + Piel perf 1cs (weqatal) · שָׁלַח (H7971)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: future consequence — a second, compounding disasterשָׁלַח (H7971) Piel 'to send, let loose'; here of sending pestilence into the now-crowded, besieged cities.
דֶ֨בֶר֙pestilenceN m sg abs · דֶּבֶר (H1698)Direct object of וְשִׁלַּחְתִּידֶּבֶר (H1698) 'pestilence, plague'; disease that would spread rapidly among refugees packed into besieged cities.
בְּת֣וֹכְכֶ֔םin your midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr/2mp suffix · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phraseתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst', the same word used positively of God's own dwelling in v. 11-12 — now the site of plague rather than presence.
וְנִתַּתֶּ֖םand you will be givenconj וְ + Niphal perf 2mp (weqatal) · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (weqatal, passive consequence)→ Weqatal (Niphal, passive): future consequence — final surrenderנָתַן (H5414) Niphal 'to be given, handed over'; the outcome of siege and plague — capitulation.
בְּיַדinto the hand ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Locative/agency prepositional phraseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; construct, 'into the hand/power of'.
אוֹיֵֽבan enemyQal ptc ms abs · אֹיֵב (H341)Object of the preposition בְּיַדאֹיֵב (H341), substantival participle 'enemy'; final capitulation to hostile power.
26

בְּשִׁבְרִ֣י לָכֶם֮ מַטֵּה לֶחֶם֒ וְ֠אָפוּ עֶ֣שֶׂר נָשִׁ֤ים לַחְמְכֶם֙ בְּתַנּ֣וּר אֶחָ֔ד וְהֵשִׁ֥יבוּ לַחְמְכֶ֖ם בַּמִּשְׁקָ֑ל וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֖ם וְלֹ֥א תִשְׂבָּֽעוּ

When I break your staff of bread, ten women will bake your bread in a single oven and dole it out by weight, and you will eat but not be satisfied.

Continuation/result — famine rationing within stage fourasyndeton
V. 26 supplies the domestic, day-to-day face of the siege-famine just described: households pooling a single oven and weighing out crumbs, directly inverting the blessing of v. 5 ('you will eat your bread to the full'). The image of chronic, unsatisfied hunger becomes proverbial (cf. Hos 4:10; Mic 6:14).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
בְּשִׁבְרִ֣יwhen I breakprep בְּ + Qal inf constr/1cs suffix · שָׁבַר (H7665)Temporal infinitive-construct clause→ Infinitive construct: temporal — 'when/in my breaking'שָׁבַר (H7665) 'to break', a third use of this verb in the chapter (cf. vv. 13, 19) — here of breaking the food supply itself.
לָכֶם֮for youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative complement of בְּשִׁבְרִילְ + 2mp suffix.
מַטֵּהthe staff ofN m sg constr · מַטֶּה (H4294)Direct object of בְּשִׁבְרִי, head of construct chainמַטֶּה (H4294) 'staff, rod, support'; idiomatic 'staff of bread' = the sustaining supply of food (cf. Ezek 4:16; 5:16).
לֶחֶם֒breadN c sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Genitive of the construct chainלֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; 'staff/support of bread' — the idiom for food security now broken.
וְ֠אָפוּthen they will bakeconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp (weqatal) · אָפָה (H644)Predicate verb, apodosis opens (main clause)→ Weqatal: future consequence — extreme fuel/food scarcityאָפָה (H644) 'to bake'; the picture of scarcity so severe that many households must share one oven.
עֶ֣שֶׂרtencardinal numeral fs abs · עֶשֶׂר (H6235)Subject modifier (numeral quantifying נָשִׁים)עֶשֶׂר (H6235) 'ten', a round number for 'many households'.
נָשִׁ֤יםwomenN f pl abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject of וְאָפוּאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman', pl.; the household bakers, representing ten separate families now forced to pool resources.
לַחְמְכֶם֙your breadN c sg constr/2mp suffix · לֶחֶם (H3899)Direct object of וְאָפוּלֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread', repeated — the same scarce commodity.
בְּתַנּ֣וּרin one ovenprep בְּ + N m sg abs · תַּנּוּר (H8574)Locative/instrumental prepositional phraseתַּנּוּר (H8574) 'oven'; ten households needing only a single oven pictures the collapse of grain supply — normally each family would need its own.
אֶחָ֔דonecardinal numeral ms abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive modifier of תַנּוּראֶחָד (H259) 'one', emphasizing the meagerness — a single oven suffices for ten families' worth of dough.
וְהֵשִׁ֥יבוּand they will dole outconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3cp (weqatal) · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal (Hiphil): future consequence — bread rationed, not freely givenשׁוּב (H7725) Hiphil 'to bring back, return'; idiomatically 'to dole out, ration' — the bakers must carefully measure out the scant bread rather than distribute freely.
לַחְמְכֶ֖םyour breadN c sg constr/2mp suffix · לֶחֶם (H3899)Direct object of וְהֵשִׁיבוּלֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread', a third repetition — the word hammers home the scarcity.
בַּמִּשְׁקָ֑לby weightprep בְּ + N m sg abs · מִשְׁקָל (H4948)Adverbial prepositional phrase of mannerמִשְׁקָל (H4948) 'weight'; bread carefully weighed out portion by portion — famine rationing.
וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֖םand you will eatconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the apodosis)→ Weqatal: future consequenceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'.
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + adv neg · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תִשְׂבָּעוּלֹא (H3808).
תִשְׂבָּֽעוּbe satisfiedQal impf 2mp · שָׂבַע (H7646)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future consequence — chronic hunger despite eatingשָׂבַע (H7646) 'to be satisfied, full'; the bitter outcome — food is eaten but never satisfies, the direct inversion of the blessing 'you will eat your bread to the full' (v. 5).
27

וְאִ֨ם בְּזֹ֔את לֹ֥א תִשְׁמְע֖וּ לִ֑י וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֥ם עִמִּ֖י בְּקֶֽרִי

But if, in spite of this, you do not listen to me but walk with me in hostility,

Protasis introducing the fifth and final curse-waveוְ
The refrain protasis recurs a fifth time, again picking up קֶרִי from vv. 21, 23-24 — persistent hostility toward YHWH, not mere accident. This introduces the harshest apodosis of the chapter (vv. 28-39).
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְאִ֨םand ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction introducing the fifth protasisאִם (H518), conditional particle; the fifth and final iteration of the protasis pattern (cf. vv. 14, 18, 21, 23), escalating toward the harshest curse-wave.
בְּזֹ֔אתin spite of thisprep בְּ + demonstrative pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Prepositional phrase, concessive ('in spite of this')זֹאת (H2063), fs demonstrative 'this'; concessive here — despite the four prior curse-waves already inflicted (vv. 14-26).
לֹ֥אnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תִשְׁמְעוּלֹא (H3808), the ordinary negative particle.
תִשְׁמְע֖וּyou listenQal impf 2mp · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb of the protasis→ Yiqtol (negated): conditional/modal — continued refusal to heedשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear, listen, obey'; negated yiqtol expressing ongoing refusal.
לִ֑יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffix · לְIndirect object of תִשְׁמְעוּלְ + 1cs suffix, 'to me' — YHWH as the one still not heeded.
וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֥םand you walkconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb, second clause of the protasis→ Weqatal continuing the conditional chainהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk'; idiomatic for conduct, now qualified by קֶרִי — conduct marked by hostility toward YHWH.
עִמִּ֖יwith meprep עִם + 1cs suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase complementing וַהֲלַכְתֶּםעִם (H5973) 'with' + 1cs suffix; the hostility is directed at YHWH personally, not merely at his statutes.
בְּקֶֽרִיin hostilityprep בְּ + N m sg abs · קֶרִי (H7147)Adverbial prepositional phrase of mannerקֶרִי (H7147) 'hostility, contrariness' (occurring only in this chapter: vv. 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 40, 41); traditionally from קָרָה 'to happen, meet', denoting a stance of defiant contrariness toward YHWH — the refrain-word binding the curse-waves.
28

וְהָלַכְתִּ֥י עִמָּכֶ֖ם בַּחֲמַת קֶ֑רִי וְיִסַּרְתִּ֤י אֶתְכֶם֙ אַף אָ֔נִי שֶׁ֖בַע עַל חַטֹּאתֵיכֶם

then I too will walk with you in hostile fury, and I myself will discipline you sevenfold for your sins.

Apodosis of the fifth wave: YHWH's own hostile 'walking'וְ
YHWH mirrors Israel's קֶרִי back at them (v. 27) with his own בַּחֲמַת קֶרִי, 'hostile fury' — poetic talionic reciprocity. The sevenfold-for-your-sins formula (cf. vv. 18, 21, 24) recurs for the final time, marking this as the last and harshest escalation before the horrors of vv. 29-39.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְהָלַכְתִּ֥יand I will walkconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequential, opening YHWH's own hostile responseהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk'; now with YHWH as subject — mirroring Israel's own קֶרִי-walking (v. 27) back at them.
עִמָּכֶ֖םwith youprep עִם + 2mp suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase complementing וְהָלַכְתִּיעִם (H5973) 'with' + 2mp suffix; YHWH's own hostile 'walking' now directed at Israel.
בַּחֲמַתin the fury ofprep בְּ + N f sg constr · חֵמָה (H2534)Adverbial prepositional phrase, head of construct chain with קֶרִיחֵמָה (H2534) 'heat, rage, fury', from יחם 'to be hot'; construct with קֶרִי — 'hostile fury', an intensified form of divine anger.
קֶ֑רִיhostilityN m sg abs · קֶרִי (H7147)Genitive of the construct chain, defining בַּחֲמַתקֶרִי (H7147); see v. 27 note — here YHWH's own hostility answers Israel's.
וְיִסַּרְתִּ֤יand I will disciplineconj וְ + Piel perf 1cs (weqatal) · יָסַר (H3256)Predicate verb, second clause of the apodosis→ Weqatal continuing the future-consequential chainיָסַר (H3256) Piel 'to discipline, chastise, correct'; the root of מוּסָר 'discipline, instruction'.
אֶתְכֶם֙youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וְיִסַּרְתִּיאֵת (H853) + 2mp suffix, marking Israel as the direct object of the discipline.
אַףeven, indeedadv · אַף (H637)Emphatic adverb modifying אָנִיאַף (H637) 'also, even, indeed'; emphatic particle intensifying the following pronoun.
אָ֔נִיI myselfindep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Emphatic subject, resuming the subject of וְיִסַּרְתִּיאֲנִי (H589), 1cs independent pronoun; emphatic resumption stressing YHWH's own direct agency in the discipline.
שֶׁ֖בַעsevenfoldcardinal num f sg abs · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Adverbial accusative of degree modifying וְיִסַּרְתִּישֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; here adverbial, 'seven times' — the refrain-number of complete, intensified punishment (cf. vv. 18, 21, 24).
עַלfor, because ofprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of cause governing חַטֹּאתֵיכֶםעַל (H5921) 'upon, because of'; here causal, 'on account of'.
חַטֹּאתֵיכֶםyour sinsN f pl constr/2mp suffix · חַטָּאת (H2403)Object of the preposition עַלחַטָּאת (H2403) 'sin, sin-offering', from חָטָא 'to miss the mark, sin'; the ground of the sevenfold discipline, closing the refrain formula that recurs at vv. 18, 21, 24, 28.
29

וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֖ם בְּשַׂ֣ר בְּנֵיכֶ֑ם וּבְשַׂ֥ר בְּנֹתֵיכֶ֖ם תֹּאכֵֽלוּ

You shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters you shall eat.

Apodosis continues: the horror of cannibalism (siege famine)וְ
The chapter's most extreme image — a documented ancient siege-curse topos (cf. Deut 28:53-57; 2 Kgs 6:28-29; Lam 4:10) — marks the nadir of the fifth wave's famine, the direct outcome of the broken staff of bread already threatened in v. 26.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַאֲכַלְתֶּ֖םand you shall eatconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequential, the climax of the fifth wave's famineאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; here forced cannibalism — the ultimate horror answering the broken staff of bread (v. 26).
בְּשַׂ֣רthe flesh ofN m sg constr · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Direct object, head of construct chainבָּשָׂר (H1320) 'flesh, meat'; construct with בְּנֵיכֶם — the unthinkable object of the coming famine.
בְּנֵיכֶ֑םyour sonsN m pl constr/2mp suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive of the construct chain, defining בְּשַׂרבֵּן (H1121) 'son' + 2mp suffix; a documented siege-curse topos (cf. Deut 28:53-57; 2 Kgs 6:28-29).
וּבְשַׂ֥רand the flesh ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · בָּשָׂר (H1320)Direct object, second item, head of construct chainבָּשָׂר (H1320), resumed for the second, parallel clause.
בְּנֹתֵיכֶ֖םyour daughtersN f pl constr/2mp suffix · בַּת (H1323)Genitive of the construct chain, defining וּבְשַׂרבַּת (H1323) 'daughter' + 2mp suffix; completing the merism sons/daughters — no child spared the horror.
תֹּאכֵֽלוּyou shall eatQal impf 2mp · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb, second clause (chiastic resumption)→ Yiqtol: future, continuing the promise/threatאָכַל (H398); the verb frames the verse chiastically (eat...flesh...flesh...eat), emphasizing totality.
30

וְהִשְׁמַדְתִּ֞י אֶת בָּמֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם וְהִכְרַתִּי֙ אֶת חַמָּ֣נֵיכֶ֔ם וְנָֽתַתִּי֙ אֶת פִּגְרֵיכֶ֔ם עַל פִּגְרֵ֖י גִּלּוּלֵיכֶ֑ם וְגָעֲלָ֥ה נַפְשִׁ֖י אֶתְכֶֽם

And I will destroy your high places and cut down your incense altars, and I will heap your corpses on the corpses of your idols, and my soul will abhor you.

Apodosis continues: destruction of illicit cult and corpse-defilementוְ
The very high places Israel should never have built (implicitly violating v. 1) are destroyed; corpses heaped on the corpses of the idols underscore that the idols could not save even their own worshippers. גָּעֲלָה נַפְשִׁי, 'my soul will abhor you', anticipates the identical verb applied in reverse to Israel's own future confession (cf. v. 43's גָּעֲלָה נַפְשָׁם, and v. 44's divine promise not to do so even then).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְהִשְׁמַדְתִּ֞יand I will destroyconj וְ + Hiphil perf 1cs (weqatal) · שָׁמַד (H8045)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialשָׁמַד (H8045) Hiphil 'to destroy, annihilate'; a strong verb of total destruction, elsewhere used of the Canaanite nations (Deut 7:24), now turned on Israel's own illicit shrines.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking בָּמֹתֵיכֶם as the definite object.
בָּמֹֽתֵיכֶ֗םyour high placesN f pl constr/2mp suffix · בָּמָה (H1116)Direct object of וְהִשְׁמַדְתִּיבָּמָה (H1116) 'high place'; illicit open-air cult sites, implicitly condemned already by v. 1's prohibition of images.
וְהִכְרַתִּי֙and I will cut downconj וְ + Hiphil perf 1cs (weqatal) · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb, second clause→ Weqatal continuing the destruction sequenceכָּרַת (H3772) Hiphil 'to cut off, cut down'; here of demolishing cultic installations, elsewhere the verb of covenant-cutting (כָּרַת בְּרִית) — an ironic echo given the chapter's covenant theme.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking חַמָּנֵיכֶם as the definite object.
חַמָּ֣נֵיכֶ֔םyour incense altarsN m pl constr/2mp suffix · חַמָּן (H2553)Direct object of וְהִכְרַתִּיחַמָּן (H2553) 'incense altar, sun-pillar' (etymology disputed, perhaps from חַמָּה 'sun'); a cultic installation associated with high places (cf. 2 Chr 14:4).
וְנָֽתַתִּי֙and I will putconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb, third clause→ Weqatal continuing the sequenceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, put, place'; here grimly of stacking corpses.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking פִּגְרֵיכֶם as the definite object.
פִּגְרֵיכֶ֔םyour corpsesN m pl constr/2mp suffix · פֶּגֶר (H6297)Direct object of וְנָתַתִּיפֶּגֶר (H6297) 'corpse, carcass'; the human dead, heaped with the ruined idols in a single scene of desecration.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phrase governing פִּגְרֵיעַל (H5921) 'upon'; locative here.
פִּגְרֵ֖יthe corpses ofN m pl constr · פֶּגֶר (H6297)Object of the preposition עַל, head of construct chainפֶּגֶר (H6297), resumed in construct with גִּלּוּלֵיכֶם — the idols too are pictured as 'corpses', dead things.
גִּלּוּלֵיכֶ֑םyour idolsN m pl constr/2mp suffix · גִּלּוּל (H1544)Genitive of the construct chain, defining פִּגְרֵיגִּלּוּל (H1544) 'idol, dung-pellet' (a deliberately contemptuous coinage, perhaps from גָּלָל 'dung'); a favorite term of scorn for idols, especially in Ezekiel.
וְגָעֲלָ֥הand shall abhorconj וְ + Qal perf 3fs (weqatal) · גָּעַל (H1602)Predicate verb, final clause→ Weqatal continuing the sequenceגָּעַל (H1602) 'to abhor, loathe, reject with disgust'; the crux verb that recurs of Israel's own rejection in v. 43 and of YHWH's refusal to reciprocate it even then in v. 44.
נַפְשִׁ֖יmy soulN c sg constr/1cs suffix · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Subject of וְגָעֲלָהנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, self, life'; here a periphrasis for the divine self — 'my soul will abhor you' means 'I myself will abhor you'.
אֶתְכֶֽםyouobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וְגָעֲלָהאֵת (H853) + 2mp suffix; Israel becomes the object of the very abhorrence they showed toward YHWH's statutes (cf. v. 15, 43).
31

וְנָתַתִּ֤י אֶת עָֽרֵיכֶם֙ חָרְבָּ֔ה וַהֲשִׁמּוֹתִ֖י אֶת מִקְדְּשֵׁיכֶ֑ם וְלֹ֣א אָרִ֔יחַ בְּרֵ֖יחַ נִיחֹֽחֲכֶֽם

And I will lay your cities waste and desolate your sanctuaries, and I will not smell your pleasing aroma.

Apodosis continues: cities and sanctuaries desolated, sacrifice refusedוְ
The refusal to smell the 'pleasing aroma' (רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ, the standard sacrificial-acceptance formula throughout Leviticus, e.g. 1:9, 13, 17) signals that the cult itself, even if attempted, will no longer be received — worship is severed along with the sanctuary's destruction.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְנָתַתִּ֤יand I will makeconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, make, render'; here with a double accusative (עָרֵיכֶם...חָרְבָּה), 'render your cities a ruin'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking עָרֵיכֶם as the definite direct object.
עָֽרֵיכֶם֙your citiesN f pl constr/2mp suffix · עִיר (H5892)Direct object of וְנָתַתִּיעִיר (H5892) 'city' + 2mp suffix.
חָרְבָּ֔הa ruinN f sg abs · חָרְבָּה (H2723)Second accusative (predicate complement) of וְנָתַתִּיחָרְבָּה (H2723) 'ruin, waste', from חָרֵב 'to be dry, desolate'; the same root that gives חֶרֶב 'sword' — dryness/devastation.
וַהֲשִׁמּוֹתִ֖יand I will desolateconj וְ + Hiphil perf 1cs (weqatal) · שָׁמֵם (H8074)Predicate verb, second clause→ Weqatal continuing the sequenceשָׁמֵם (H8074) Hiphil 'to make desolate, appall'; the root behind שַׁמָּה 'desolation', the chapter's recurring fate for both land and sanctuary.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking מִקְדְּשֵׁיכֶם as the definite object.
מִקְדְּשֵׁיכֶ֑םyour sanctuariesN m pl constr/2mp suffix · מִקְדָּשׁ (H4720)Direct object of וַהֲשִׁמּוֹתִימִקְדָּשׁ (H4720) 'sanctuary'; plural here — perhaps generalizing beyond the single central sanctuary, or emphatic/comprehensive.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating אָרִיחַלֹא (H3808), negating the following verb.
אָרִ֔יחַI will smellHiphil impf 1cs · רוּחַ (H7306)Predicate verb (negated), third clause→ Yiqtol (negated): continuing the future sequenceרוּחַ (H7306) Hiphil 'to smell, perceive by scent'; the technical verb for divine acceptance of sacrifice, here negated — total rejection of the cult.
בְּרֵ֖יחַthe aroma ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · רֵיחַ (H7381)Prepositional phrase complementing אָרִיחַ, head of construct chainרֵיחַ (H7381) 'scent, aroma'; construct with נִיחֹחֲכֶם.
נִיחֹֽחֲכֶֽםyour pleasing [offering]N m sg constr/2mp suffix · נִיחוֹחַ (H5207)Genitive of the construct chain, defining בְּרֵיחַנִיחוֹחַ (H5207) 'soothing, pleasing (aroma)', from נוּחַ 'to rest'; רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ is the standard formula of sacrificial acceptance throughout Leviticus (1:9 etc.), here negated for the first time in the book.
32

וַהֲשִׁמֹּתִ֥י אֲנִ֖י אֶת הָאָ֑רֶץ וְשָֽׁמְמ֤וּ עָלֶ֨יהָ֙ אֹֽיְבֵיכֶ֔ם הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים בָּֽהּ

And I myself will desolate the land, so that your enemies who settle in it shall be appalled at it.

Apodosis continues: the land itself desolatedוְ
The emphatic אֲנִי ('I myself') stresses YHWH's direct agency. Remarkably, even the enemies who occupy the depopulated land will be appalled at what they find — the desolation is total, not merely a transfer of possession.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַהֲשִׁמֹּתִ֥יand I will desolateconj וְ + Hiphil perf 1cs (weqatal) · שָׁמֵם (H8074)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialשָׁמֵם (H8074) Hiphil 'to make desolate'; the land itself now the object, distinct from v. 31's cities/sanctuaries.
אֲנִ֖יI myselfindep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Emphatic subject, resuming the subject of וַהֲשִׁמֹּתִיאֲנִי (H589), emphatic resumption stressing YHWH's own direct agency, echoing v. 28's אַף אָנִי.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הָאָרֶץ as the definite object.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of וַהֲשִׁמֹּתִיאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; the land personified throughout the chapter now itself devastated.
וְשָֽׁמְמ֤וּand shall be appalledconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp (weqatal) · שָׁמֵם (H8074)Predicate verb, second clause→ Weqatal continuing the sequenceשָׁמֵם (H8074) Qal 'to be desolate, appalled'; here of the enemies' reaction, echoing the Hiphil of the same root just used of YHWH's action.
עָלֶ֨יהָ֙at itprep עַל + 3fs suffix · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase complementing וְשָׁמְמוּעַל (H5921) + 3fs suffix, referring back to הָאָרֶץ.
אֹֽיְבֵיכֶ֔םyour enemiesQal act ptc m pl constr/2mp suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Subject of וְשָׁמְמוּאֹיֵב (H341), Qal active participle of אָיַב 'to be hostile', substantivized 'enemy'; + 2mp suffix.
הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖יםwho settleart + Qal act ptc m pl abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Attributive participle modifying אֹיְבֵיכֶם→ Participle: characterizing, ongoing occupationיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, settle'; even those who take possession of the land will find it appalling.
בָּֽהּin itprep בְּ + 3fs suffix · בְּPrepositional phrase complementing הַיֹּשְׁבִיםבְּ + 3fs suffix, referring back to הָאָרֶץ.
33

וְאֶתְכֶם֙ אֱזָרֶ֣ה בַגּוֹיִ֔ם וַהֲרִיקֹתִ֥י אַחֲרֵיכֶ֖ם חָ֑רֶב וְהָיְתָ֤ה אַרְצְכֶם֙ שְׁמָמָ֔ה וְעָרֵיכֶ֖ם יִהְי֥וּ חָרְבָּֽה

And you I will scatter among the nations, and I will draw out the sword after you; your land shall become a desolation, and your cities shall become a ruin.

Apodosis continues: exile and the drawn swordוְ
Exile itself is now named explicitly for the first time (אֱזָרֶה, 'I will scatter/winnow'), with the sword no longer merely invading (v. 25) but pursuing the scattered people abroad. Land and cities together become שְׁמָמָה/חָרְבָּה — the desolation vocabulary that structures vv. 34-35's sabbath-of-the-land motif.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְאֶתְכֶם֙and youconj וְ + obj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker, fronted for emphasisאֵת (H853) + 2mp suffix; fronted before the verb for emphasis — 'and YOU I will scatter'.
אֱזָרֶ֣הI will scatterPiel impf 1cs · זָרָה (H2219)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Yiqtol: future, continuing the promise/threatזָרָה (H2219) Piel 'to scatter, winnow'; agricultural metaphor (winnowing chaff) applied to exile among the nations.
בַגּוֹיִ֔םamong the nationsprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Locative prepositional phraseגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; the scattering destination — dispersion among foreign nations.
וַהֲרִיקֹתִ֥יand I will draw outconj וְ + Hiphil perf 1cs (weqatal) · רִיק (H7324)Predicate verb, second clause→ Weqatal continuing the sequenceרִיק (H7324) Hiphil 'to empty out, draw (a sword)'; idiom for unsheathing a weapon.
אַחֲרֵיכֶ֖םafter youprep אַחַר + 2mp suffix · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase of pursuit modifying וַהֲרִיקֹתִיאַחַר (H310) 'after, behind' + 2mp suffix; the sword now pursues the scattered exiles, not merely invades the land (contrast v. 25).
חָ֑רֶבthe swordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Direct object of וַהֲרִיקֹתִיחֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; unsheathed and sent in pursuit.
וְהָיְתָ֤הand shall becomeconj וְ + Qal perf 3fs (weqatal) · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, third clause→ Weqatal continuing the sequenceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; introduces the resulting state of the land.
אַרְצְכֶם֙your landN c sg constr/2mp suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of וְהָיְתָהאֶרֶץ (H776) + 2mp suffix.
שְׁמָמָ֔הa desolationN f sg abs · שְׁמָמָה (H8077)Predicate complement of וְהָיְתָהשְׁמָמָה (H8077) 'desolation, waste', from שָׁמֵם; cognate of שַׁמָּה, the chapter's recurring term for the land's fate.
וְעָרֵיכֶ֖םand your citiesconj וְ + N f pl constr/2mp suffix · עִיר (H5892)Subject of יִהְיוּעִיר (H5892) + 2mp suffix, paired with אַרְצְכֶם.
יִהְי֥וּshall becomeQal impf 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb, fourth clause→ Yiqtol continuing the future sequenceהָיָה (H1961), parallel to וְהָיְתָה above, now with cities as subject.
חָרְבָּֽהa ruinN f sg abs · חָרְבָּה (H2723)Predicate complement of יִהְיוּחָרְבָּה (H2723), see v. 31; land and cities together become שְׁמָמָה/חָרְבָּה, the twin desolation terms structuring vv. 34-35.
34

אָז֩ תִּרְצֶ֨ה הָאָ֜רֶץ אֶת שַׁבְּתֹתֶ֗יהָ כֹּ֚ל יְמֵ֣י הֳשַׁמָּ֔ה וְאַתֶּ֖ם בְּאֶ֣רֶץ אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑ם אָ֚ז תִּשְׁבַּ֣ת הָאָ֔רֶץ וְהִרְצָ֖ת אֶת שַׁבְּתֹתֶֽיהָ

Then the land shall enjoy its sabbaths all the days that it lies desolate, while you are in the land of your enemies; then the land shall rest and enjoy its sabbaths.

Turn: the land's compensated sabbathsasyndeton
The land, personified throughout the chapter, finally receives what Israel withheld from it (the sabbatical fallow years, cf. 25:1-7) — but only in Israel's absence. תִּרְצֶה ('shall enjoy/pay off', from רָצָה) frames the desolation as the land settling its own debt, later read by the Chronicler as literally fulfilled in the seventy-year exile (2 Chr 36:21).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
אָז֩thenadv · אָז (H227)Temporal adverb opening the clauseאָז (H227) 'then, at that time'; marks the turn to the land's compensated rest.
תִּרְצֶ֨הshall enjoy, pay offQal impf 3fs · רָצָה (H7521)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future, the land's response finally realizedרָצָה (H7521) 'to be pleased with, accept, pay off (a debt)'; here of the land 'enjoying/settling' its withheld sabbaths — the same verb recurs of Israel's own accepted punishment in v. 41, 43.
הָאָ֜רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of תִּרְצֶהאֶרֶץ (H776), personified subject, resuming the land-theme of vv. 32-33.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking שַׁבְּתֹתֶיהָ as the definite object.
שַׁבְּתֹתֶ֗יהָits sabbathsN c pl constr/3fs suffix · שַׁבָּת (H7676)Direct object of תִּרְצֶהשַׁבָּת (H7676) 'sabbath' + 3fs suffix, referring to the land's sabbatical years (cf. 25:1-7).
כֹּ֚לallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial accusative, head of construct chain (duration)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every', in construct with יְמֵי — 'all the days of'.
יְמֵ֣יthe days ofN m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive of the construct chain, defining כֹּליוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the duration formula 'all the days of its desolation'.
הֳשַׁמָּ֔הits being desolateHophal inf constr/3fs suffix · שָׁמֵם (H8074)Object of the construct chain, genitive of יְמֵי→ Infinitive construct: nominalized stateשָׁמֵם (H8074) Hophal infinitive 'to be made desolate' + 3fs suffix; the passive state of desolation, duration of the compensated rest.
וְאַתֶּ֖םwhile youconj וְ + indep pron 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Circumstantial clause subject, contrastiveאַתֶּם (H859) 2mp independent pronoun; circumstantial 'while you [are]', contrasting Israel's absence with the land's rest.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase, head of construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776), construct with אֹיְבֵיכֶם.
אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑םyour enemiesQal act ptc m pl constr/2mp suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Genitive of the construct chain, defining בְּאֶרֶץאֹיֵב (H341) + 2mp suffix; the place of Israel's exile.
אָ֚זthenadv · אָז (H227)Temporal adverb, resumptiveאָז (H227), repeated to resume and restate the main clause after the circumstantial aside.
תִּשְׁבַּ֣תshall restQal impf 3fs · שָׁבַת (H7673)Predicate verb, resumed main clause→ Yiqtol: futureשָׁבַת (H7673) 'to rest, cease'; the verbal root of שַׁבָּת, restating the land's rest in different vocabulary.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of תִּשְׁבַּתאֶרֶץ (H776), subject resumed.
וְהִרְצָ֖תand shall enjoyconj וְ + Hiphil perf 3fs (weqatal) · רָצָה (H7521)Predicate verb, final clause→ Weqatal continuing the sequenceרָצָה (H7521) Hiphil (causative-reflexive nuance) 'to pay off, enjoy fully'; restates תִּרְצֶה of the verse's opening, forming an inclusio.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking שַׁבְּתֹתֶיהָ as the definite object.
שַׁבְּתֹתֶֽיהָits sabbathsN c pl constr/3fs suffix · שַׁבָּת (H7676)Direct object of וְהִרְצָתשַׁבָּת (H7676) + 3fs suffix, closing the inclusio begun at the verse's opening clause.
35

כָּל יְמֵ֥י הָשַּׁמָּ֖ה תִּשְׁבֹּ֑ת אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹֽא שָׁבְתָ֛ה בְּשַׁבְּתֹתֵיכֶ֖ם בְּשִׁבְתְּכֶ֥ם עָלֶֽיהָ

All the days of its desolation it shall rest, for the rest it did not have during your sabbaths when you dwelt on it.

Turn continues: explanatory restatementasyndeton
Explicative continuation of v. 34, driving home the poetic justice: the very years of rest denied to the land while Israel dwelt on it are precisely repaid during the exile — a wordplay chain on שָׁבַת ('to rest/cease') and יָשַׁב ('to dwell') binding the land's fate to Israel's prior neglect.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Adverbial accusative, head of construct chain (duration)כֹּל (H3605), repeating v. 34's duration formula.
יְמֵ֥יthe days ofN m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive of the construct chain, defining כָּליוֹם (H3117), continuing the duration phrase.
הָשַּׁמָּ֖הits being desolateHophal inf constr/3fs suffix · שָׁמֵם (H8074)Object of the construct chain, genitive of יְמֵי→ Infinitive construct: nominalized stateשָׁמֵם (H8074) Hophal infinitive + 3fs suffix, resuming v. 34's phrase (with the article assimilated: הָשַּׁמָּה for הַהֳשַׁמָּה).
תִּשְׁבֹּ֑תit shall restQal impf 3fs · שָׁבַת (H7673)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: futureשָׁבַת (H7673) 'to rest, cease'; restates v. 34's rest.
אֵ֣ת[the rest]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Marks the following relative clause as an accusative of respect/referenceאֵת (H853); here anticipatorily marking אֲשֶׁר לֹא שָׁבְתָה, 'the [rest] that it did not have' — an unusual but attested use marking the relative clause's content as accusative.
אֲשֶׁ֧רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
לֹֽאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating שָׁבְתָהלֹא (H3808), standard negative.
שָׁבְתָ֛הit restedQal perf 3fs · שָׁבַת (H7673)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed (non-)state in past time — the rest it did not haveשָׁבַת (H7673), same root, now in the perfect describing the land's past deprivation of rest.
בְּשַׁבְּתֹתֵיכֶ֖םduring your sabbathsprep בְּ + N c pl constr/2mp suffix · שַׁבָּת (H7676)Temporal prepositional phraseשַׁבָּת (H7676) + 2mp suffix; the sabbatical years Israel should have observed but did not.
בְּשִׁבְתְּכֶ֥םwhen you dweltprep בְּ + Qal inf constr/2mp suffix · יָשַׁב (H3427)Temporal prepositional/infinitival phrase→ Infinitive construct: temporal, 'while you were dwelling'יָשַׁב (H3427) 'to dwell, settle'; the very presence in the land that prevented the land from resting.
עָלֶֽיהָon itprep עַל + 3fs suffix · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase complementing בְּשִׁבְתְּכֶםעַל (H5921) + 3fs suffix, referring to הָאָרֶץ.
36

וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִ֣ים בָּכֶ֔ם וְהֵבֵ֤אתִי מֹ֨רֶךְ֙ בִּלְבָבָ֔ם בְּאַרְצֹ֖ת אֹיְבֵיהֶ֑ם וְרָדַ֣ף אֹתָ֗ם ק֚וֹל עָלֶ֣ה נִדָּ֔ף וְנָס֧וּ מְנֻֽסַת חֶ֛רֶב וְנָפְל֖וּ וְאֵ֥ין רֹדֵֽף

And as for those of you who are left, I will bring faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; the sound of a driven leaf shall pursue them, and they shall flee as one flees the sword, and they shall fall with none pursuing.

Apodosis continues: psychological terror of the survivorsוְ
The famous image of paranoid flight from 'the sound of a driven leaf' (קוֹל עָלֶה נִדָּף) is the precise inversion of the blessing's untroubled sleep with 'none to terrify' (v. 6) — here it is 'none pursuing' (וְאֵין רֹדֵף) yet flight and collapse happen anyway, terror having become entirely internalized.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִ֣יםand those who remainconj וְ + art + Niphal ptc m pl abs · שָׁאַר (H7604)Subject (casus pendens), resumed by בָּכֶם→ Participle: substantivized, 'the ones remaining'שָׁאַר (H7604) Niphal 'to be left, remain'; substantivized participle — the survivors of the prior curse-waves.
בָּכֶ֔םamong youprep בְּ + 2mp suffix · בְּPrepositional phrase resuming/specifying the casus pendens subjectבְּ + 2mp suffix, specifying 'those who remain' as a subset of the addressees.
וְהֵבֵ֤אתִיand I will bringconj וְ + Hiphil perf 1cs (weqatal) · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring, cause to come'; here of instilling an inner state rather than a physical object.
מֹ֨רֶךְ֙faintnessN m sg abs · מֹרֶךְ (H4816)Direct object of וְהֵבֵאתִימֹרֶךְ (H4816) 'faintness, softness, timidity' (hapax legomenon); a psychological, not physical, affliction.
בִּלְבָבָ֔םin their heartprep בְּ + N m sg constr/3mp suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Locative prepositional phraseלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind'; the seat of courage, now filled with dread instead.
בְּאַרְצֹ֖תin the lands ofprep בְּ + N c pl constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase, head of construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776), plural 'lands', construct with אֹיְבֵיהֶם.
אֹיְבֵיהֶ֑םtheir enemiesQal act ptc m pl constr/3mp suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Genitive of the construct chain, defining בְּאַרְצֹתאֹיֵב (H341) + 3mp suffix.
וְרָדַ֣ףand shall pursueconj וְ + Qal perf 3ms (weqatal) · רָדַף (H7291)Predicate verb, second clause→ Weqatal continuing the sequenceרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue, chase'; the subject is not an enemy but a mere sound — the terror is self-generated.
אֹתָ֗םthemobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וְרָדַףאֵת (H853) + 3mp suffix.
ק֚וֹלthe sound ofN m sg constr · קוֹל (H6963)Subject of וְרָדַף, head of construct chainקוֹל (H6963) 'sound, voice'; construct with עָלֶה נִדָּף — the famously trivial cause of terror.
עָלֶ֣הa leafN m sg abs · עָלֶה (H5929)Genitive of the construct chain, defining קוֹלעָלֶה (H5929) 'leaf, foliage', from עָלָה 'to go up'; the most minimal, innocuous of objects.
נִדָּ֔ףdrivenNiphal ptc m sg abs · נָדַף (H5086)Attributive participle modifying עָלֶה→ Participle: characterizing, passive — blown by the windנָדַף (H5086) Niphal 'to be driven, blown about' (by wind); the rustling of a wind-blown leaf becomes an object of terror.
וְנָס֧וּand they shall fleeconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp (weqatal) · נוּס (H5127)Predicate verb, third clause→ Weqatal continuing the sequenceנוּס (H5127) 'to flee'.
מְנֻֽסַתthe flight ofN f sg constr · מְנוּסָה (H4499)Adverbial accusative of manner, head of construct chainמְנוּסָה (H4499) 'flight, fleeing'; cognate-accusative-like construction with נוּס, intensifying the verb: 'flee [with the] fleeing of the sword' i.e. flee as if from the sword.
חֶ֛רֶבthe swordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Genitive of the construct chain, defining מְנֻסַתחֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; the comparison object — fleeing as though a literal sword pursued, though none does.
וְנָפְל֖וּand they shall fallconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp (weqatal) · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb, fourth clause→ Weqatal continuing the sequenceנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; collapse in the panicked flight.
וְאֵ֥יןwith noneconj וְ + particle of non-existence · אַיִן (H369)Negative existential particle, circumstantialאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; circumstantial clause — collapse with no actual pursuer.
רֹדֵֽףpursuingQal act ptc m sg abs · רָדַף (H7291)Subject-complement participle completing וְאֵין→ Participle: characterizingרָדַף (H7291), same root as the verb earlier in the verse, now participial — the terror is proven baseless: none pursues, yet they fall.
37

וְכָשְׁל֧וּ אִישׁ בְּאָחִ֛יו כְּמִפְּנֵי חֶ֖רֶב וְרֹדֵ֣ף אָ֑יִן וְלֹא תִֽהְיֶ֤ה לָכֶם֙ תְּקוּמָ֔ה לִפְנֵ֖י אֹֽיְבֵיכֶֽם

And they shall stumble over one another as if before the sword, though no one pursues; and you shall have no power to stand before your enemies.

Apodosis continues: mutual collapse and defeatוְ
The panic image intensifies further: brothers stumble over each other in a rout with no actual attacker, and the military strength promised in vv. 7-8 (pursuing and felling enemies) is now utterly reversed — Israel cannot even stand, let alone prevail.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְכָשְׁל֧וּand they shall stumbleconj וְ + Qal perf 3cp (weqatal) · כָּשַׁל (H3782)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialכָּשַׁל (H3782) 'to stumble, stagger'; continuing the panic of v. 36.
אִישׁeach manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וְכָשְׁלוּ, distributiveאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; distributive use, 'each one', paired with בְּאָחִיו for a reciprocal sense.
בְּאָחִ֛יוover his brotherprep בְּ + N m sg constr/3ms suffix · אָח (H251)Prepositional phrase completing the reciprocal construction with אִישׁאָח (H251) 'brother' + 3ms suffix; the אִישׁ...בְּאָחִיו idiom expresses reciprocity — 'one over another'.
כְּמִפְּנֵיas from beforeprep כְּ + prep מִן + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Comparative prepositional phrase modifying וְכָשְׁלוּפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; here in the double-prepositional idiom 'as from before', comparative — 'as if fleeing from the sword'.
חֶ֖רֶבthe swordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Object of the comparative phrase כְּמִפְּנֵיחֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; the imagined, not actual, threat — cf. v. 36.
וְרֹדֵ֣ףand a pursuerconj וְ + Qal act ptc m sg abs · רָדַף (H7291)Subject of the negative existential clause→ Participle: substantivized, 'one pursuing'רָדַף (H7291), participle, subject of אָיִן — restating v. 36's assertion of terror without a pursuer.
אָ֑יִןthere is noneparticle of non-existence · אַיִן (H369)Negative existential predicateאַיִן (H369) 'there is not'; predicate of the clause, emphatically confirming no actual pursuer exists.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תִהְיֶהלֹא (H3808), negating the following verb.
תִֽהְיֶ֤הshall beQal impf 3fs · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (negated main clause)→ Yiqtol (negated): futureהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; negated existential, 'there will not be'.
לָכֶם֙for youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְDative of possessionלְ + 2mp suffix; possessive/dative construction, 'you will have no...'.
תְּקוּמָ֔הpower to standN f sg abs · תְּקוּמָה (H8617)Subject of תִהְיֶהתְּקוּמָה (H8617) 'standing, ability to rise/resist' (hapax legomenon), from קוּם 'to stand, rise'; military impotence, the inversion of v. 7's promised victory.
לִפְנֵ֖יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase governing אֹיְבֵיכֶםפָּנִים (H6440) 'face', idiomatically 'before, in the presence of'.
אֹֽיְבֵיכֶֽםyour enemiesQal act ptc m pl constr/2mp suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Object of the preposition לִפְנֵיאֹיֵב (H341) + 2mp suffix; closes the verse's reversal of the blessing's promised military dominance (vv. 7-8).
38

וַאֲבַדְתֶּ֖ם בַּגּוֹיִ֑ם וְאָכְלָ֣ה אֶתְכֶ֔ם אֶ֖רֶץ אֹיְבֵיכֶֽם

And you shall perish among the nations, and the land of your enemies shall devour you.

Apodosis continues: destruction among the nationsוְ
אֶרֶץ אֹיְבֵיכֶם, 'the land of your enemies', is personified as devouring — a grim echo of the blessing's fruitful land that gives its yield (v. 4); the land motif, positive throughout the blessings, turns predatory in the curses.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַאֲבַדְתֶּ֖םand you shall perishconj וְ + Qal perf 2mp (weqatal) · אָבַד (H6)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialאָבַד (H6) 'to perish, be destroyed'; the outcome of the terror and collapse of vv. 36-37.
בַּגּוֹיִ֑םamong the nationsprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Locative prepositional phraseגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the setting of the perishing — scattered exile, cf. v. 33.
וְאָכְלָ֣הand shall devourconj וְ + Qal perf 3fs (weqatal) · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb, second clause→ Weqatal continuing the sequenceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat, devour'; here metaphorically of the hostile land 'consuming' its exiled inhabitants.
אֶתְכֶ֔םyouobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וְאָכְלָהאֵת (H853) + 2mp suffix.
אֶ֖רֶץthe land ofN c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of וְאָכְלָה, head of construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776), construct with אֹיְבֵיכֶם; the land motif turns predatory, the inversion of the blessing's fruitful land (v. 4).
אֹיְבֵיכֶֽםyour enemiesQal act ptc m pl constr/2mp suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Genitive of the construct chain, defining אֶרֶץאֹיֵב (H341) + 2mp suffix.
39

וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִ֣ים בָּכֶ֗ם יִמַּ֨קּוּ֙ בַּֽעֲוֺנָ֔ם בְּאַרְצֹ֖ת אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑ם וְאַ֛ף בַּעֲוֺנֹ֥ת אֲבֹתָ֖ם אִתָּ֥ם יִמָּֽקּוּ

And those of you who are left shall rot away in their iniquity in the lands of their enemies; and also in the iniquities of their fathers, with them, they shall rot away.

Apodosis concludes the fifth wave: the remnant's slow decayוְ
יִמַּקּוּ ('rot away, fester') closes the fifth curse-wave not with a sudden death but a lingering wasting, compounded across generations (the fathers' iniquity borne together with their own) — setting up the joint confession of one's own and the fathers' iniquity that begins the turn in v. 40.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִ֣יםand those who remainconj וְ + art + Niphal ptc m pl abs · שָׁאַר (H7604)Subject (casus pendens), resumed by בָּכֶם→ Participle: substantivized, 'the ones remaining'שָׁאַר (H7604) Niphal 'to be left, remain'; repeats v. 36's opening, marking the fifth wave's final movement.
בָּכֶ֗םamong youprep בְּ + 2mp suffix · בְּPrepositional phrase resuming/specifying the casus pendens subjectבְּ + 2mp suffix, as in v. 36.
יִמַּ֨קּוּ֙shall rot awayNiphal impf 3mp · מָקַק (H4743)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: future, durative decayמָקַק (H4743) Niphal 'to rot, fester, waste away'; not a sudden death but a lingering decay.
בַּֽעֲוֺנָ֔םin their iniquityprep בְּ + N c sg constr/3mp suffix · עָוֺן (H5771)Prepositional phrase of cause/manner modifying יִמַּקּוּעָוֺן (H5771) 'iniquity, guilt'; the cause of the wasting decay.
בְּאַרְצֹ֖תin the lands ofprep בְּ + N c pl constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase, head of construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776), plural, construct with אֹיְבֵיכֶם.
אֹיְבֵיכֶ֑םyour enemiesQal act ptc m pl constr/2mp suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Genitive of the construct chain, defining בְּאַרְצֹתאֹיֵב (H341) + 2mp suffix.
וְאַ֛ףand alsoconj וְ + adv · אַף (H637)Emphatic conjunction introducing an additional clauseאַף (H637) 'also, even'; adds the fathers' iniquity to the equation.
בַּעֲוֺנֹ֥תin the iniquities ofprep בְּ + N c pl constr · עָוֺן (H5771)Prepositional phrase of cause, head of construct chainעָוֺן (H5771), plural, construct with אֲבֹתָם.
אֲבֹתָ֖םtheir fathersN m pl constr/3mp suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive of the construct chain, defining בַּעֲוֺנֹתאָב (H1) 'father' + 3mp suffix; generational solidarity in guilt, resumed positively in v. 40's joint confession.
אִתָּ֥םwith themprep אֵת + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase of accompaniment modifying יִמָּקּוּאֵת (H854) 'with' + 3mp suffix; the fathers' guilt borne together with the sons'.
יִמָּֽקּוּthey shall rot awayNiphal impf 3mp · מָקַק (H4743)Predicate verb, resumptive (repeats the verse's opening verb)→ Yiqtol: future, durative decayמָקַק (H4743), repeated from the verse's opening, forming an inclusio and closing the fifth curse-wave.
40

וְהִתְוַדּ֤וּ אֶת עֲוֺנָם֙ וְאֶת עֲוֺ֣ן אֲבֹתָ֔ם בְּמַעֲלָ֖ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר מָֽעֲלוּ בִ֑י וְאַ֕ף אֲשֶׁר הָֽלְכ֥וּ עִמִּ֖י בְּקֶֽרִי

But if they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, in their treachery that they committed against me, and also that they walked with me in hostility,

Protasis of the restoration: confessionוְ
The great turn begins. הִתְוַדּוּ ('confess', Hitpael of ידה) requires acknowledging both personal and ancestral guilt together — continuing the generational solidarity of v. 39, but now redemptively: the very inherited pattern that compounded the curse becomes the substance of the confession that unlocks restoration. קֶרִי recurs a sixth time, now as the confessed sin rather than the ongoing stance.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְהִתְוַדּ֤וּbut if they confessconj וְ + Hitpael perf 3cp (weqatal) · יָדָה (H3034)Predicate verb (protasis of restoration)→ Weqatal functioning as a fresh conditional: 'but if they confess'יָדָה (H3034) Hitpael 'to confess, acknowledge'; the pivotal verb opening the turn from curse to restoration.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking עֲוֺנָם as the definite object.
עֲוֺנָם֙their iniquityN c sg constr/3mp suffix · עָוֺן (H5771)Direct object of וְהִתְוַדּוּעָוֺן (H5771) 'iniquity' + 3mp suffix; their own guilt, first named.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker, second objectאֵת (H853), marking עֲוֺן אֲבֹתָם as the second definite object.
עֲוֺ֣ןthe iniquity ofN c sg constr · עָוֺן (H5771)Direct object, head of construct chainעָוֺן (H5771), construct with אֲבֹתָם — the fathers' guilt added, as in v. 39.
אֲבֹתָ֔םtheir fathersN m pl constr/3mp suffix · אָב (H1)Genitive of the construct chain, defining עֲוֺןאָב (H1) 'father' + 3mp suffix.
בְּמַעֲלָ֖םin their treacheryprep בְּ + N m sg constr/3mp suffix · מַעַל (H4604)Prepositional phrase of specification/mannerמַעַל (H4604) 'treachery, unfaithfulness', from מָעַל 'to act unfaithfully'; the confession's specific content.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
מָֽעֲלוּthey committed treacheryQal perf 3cp · מָעַל (H4603)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act, the substance of the confessionמָעַל (H4603) 'to act unfaithfully, commit treachery'; the verbal root cognate with מַעַל above.
בִ֑יagainst meprep בְּ + 1cs suffix · בְּPrepositional phrase complementing מָעֲלוּבְּ + 1cs suffix; the treachery was committed against YHWH personally.
וְאַ֕ףand alsoconj וְ + adv · אַף (H637)Emphatic conjunction introducing a second confessed offenseאַף (H637) 'also, even'; adds the קֶרִי-stance as a second confessed sin.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the second subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, resumed.
הָֽלְכ֥וּthey walkedQal perf 3cp · הָלַךְ (H1980)Predicate verb of the second relative clause→ Perfective: a completed actהָלַךְ (H1980) 'to walk'; resuming the idiom of vv. 27-28, now confessed rather than defiantly maintained.
עִמִּ֖יwith meprep עִם + 1cs suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase complementing הָלְכוּעִם (H5973) + 1cs suffix.
בְּקֶֽרִיin hostilityprep בְּ + N m sg abs · קֶרִי (H7147)Adverbial prepositional phrase of mannerקֶרִי (H7147); its sixth occurrence, now as the confessed content rather than the ongoing stance — the crux term's climactic turn.
41

אַף אֲנִ֗י אֵלֵ֤ךְ עִמָּם֙ בְּקֶ֔רִי וְהֵבֵאתִ֣י אֹתָ֔ם בְּאֶ֖רֶץ אֹיְבֵיהֶ֑ם אוֹ אָ֣ז יִכָּנַ֗ע לְבָבָם֙ הֶֽעָרֵ֔ל וְאָ֖ז יִרְצ֥וּ אֶת עֲוֺנָֽם

so that I also walked with them in hostility and brought them into the land of their enemies — if then their uncircumcised heart is humbled and they accept the punishment of their iniquity,

Protasis continues: acknowledgment of divine justice and the humbled heartasyndeton
Israel must own not only their sin but its just consequence: that YHWH's own קֶרִי (v. 28) and the exile itself were deserved. הֶעָרֵל ('the uncircumcised [heart]') recalls circumcision as the sign of covenant belonging (Gen 17) — an inward version required when the outward sign proved insufficient; the language anticipates Deut 30:6 and Jer 4:4. יִרְצוּ אֶת עֲוֺנָם ('accept/pay off the punishment of their iniquity') echoes the same verb רָצָה used of the land's compensated sabbaths in v. 34.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
אַףsoadv · אַף (H637)Emphatic adverb, resumptive with אֲנִיאַף (H637) 'also, so'; picking up v. 40's confession with YHWH's own corresponding admission.
אֲנִ֗יIindep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Emphatic subject of אֵלֵךְאֲנִי (H589), emphatic — 'I too', matching Israel's confessed walking with YHWH's own acknowledged walking.
אֵלֵ֤ךְwalkedQal impf 1cs · הָלַךְ (H3212, ילך root)Predicate verb (main clause, retrospective)→ Yiqtol used with past/consequential nuance in this context: 'I walked/had walked'הָלַךְ (H1980, יל״ך form) 'to walk'; recalling v. 28's YHWH-initiated hostility, now acknowledged as the consequence of Israel's own קֶרִי.
עִמָּם֙with themprep עִם + 3mp suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase complementing אֵלֵךְעִם (H5973) + 3mp suffix.
בְּקֶ֔רִיin hostilityprep בְּ + N m sg abs · קֶרִי (H7147)Adverbial prepositional phrase of mannerקֶרִי (H7147); its seventh and final occurrence, closing the crux term's use across the chapter.
וְהֵבֵאתִ֣יand broughtconj וְ + Hiphil perf 1cs (weqatal) · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb, second clause→ Weqatal continuing the retrospective sequenceבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring'; recalls the exile itself as YHWH's own action, cf. v. 33.
אֹתָ֔םthemobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of וְהֵבֵאתִיאֵת (H853) + 3mp suffix.
בְּאֶ֖רֶץinto the land ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase, head of construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776), construct with אֹיְבֵיהֶם.
אֹיְבֵיהֶ֑םtheir enemiesQal act ptc m pl constr/3mp suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Genitive of the construct chain, defining בְּאֶרֶץאֹיֵב (H341) + 3mp suffix.
אוֹif, or ifconj · אוֹ (H176)Conjunction introducing a further conditionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; here with conditional/hypothetical force, 'if then' — introducing the condition for restoration.
אָ֣זthenadv · אָז (H227)Temporal adverbאָז (H227) 'then'; marking the pivotal moment of the heart's humbling.
יִכָּנַ֗עis humbledNiphal impf 3ms · כָּנַע (H3665)Predicate verb (conditional main clause)→ Yiqtol (Niphal, passive/reflexive): conditional, ongoingכָּנַע (H3665) Niphal 'to be humbled, subdued'; the inner posture required for restoration.
לְבָבָם֙their heartN m sg constr/3mp suffix · לֵבָב (H3824)Subject of יִכָּנַעלֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind' + 3mp suffix.
הֶֽעָרֵ֔לthe uncircumcisedart + adj m sg abs · עָרֵל (H6189)Attributive adjective modifying לְבָבָםעָרֵל (H6189) 'uncircumcised'; applied metaphorically to the heart — an inward circumcision required when the outward sign proved insufficient (cf. Deut 30:6; Jer 4:4).
וְאָ֖זand thenconj וְ + adv · אָז (H227)Temporal adverb, second clauseאָז (H227), repeated for the second half of the condition.
יִרְצ֥וּthey acceptQal impf 3mp · רָצָה (H7521)Predicate verb (conditional main clause)→ Yiqtol: conditional, ongoingרָצָה (H7521) 'to accept, pay off (a debt)'; same verb as vv. 34, 43 of the land's compensated rest — now Israel accepts its own punishment as just.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking עֲוֺנָם as the definite object.
עֲוֺנָֽםtheir punishmentN c sg constr/3mp suffix · עָוֺן (H5771)Direct object of יִרְצוּעָוֺן (H5771) 'iniquity, punishment for iniquity' + 3mp suffix; here the consequence/penalty sense of the word, accepted as deserved.
42

וְזָכַרְתִּ֖י אֶת בְּרִיתִ֣י יַעֲק֑וֹב וְאַף֩ אֶת בְּרִיתִ֨י יִצְחָ֜ק וְאַ֨ף אֶת בְּרִיתִ֧י אַבְרָהָ֛ם אֶזְכֹּ֖ר וְהָאָ֥רֶץ אֶזְכֹּֽר

then I will remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham I will remember, and I will remember the land.

Apodosis of restoration: YHWH remembers the patriarchal covenantוְ
The apodosis at last answers vv. 40-41's protasis. Naming the patriarchs in reverse chronological order (Jacob, Isaac, Abraham) — the order of Israel's own memory working backward toward its origin — deliberately answers הֵקִים בְּרִית of v. 9: what Israel broke, YHWH now remembers unbroken. The land itself, personified throughout the chapter, is remembered as a fourth covenant partner.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְזָכַרְתִּ֖יthen I will rememberconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (apodosis of restoration, main clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequential, answering vv. 40-41's protasisזָכַר (H2142) 'to remember'; not mere mental recall but covenantal action — answers הֵקִים בְּרִית of v. 9.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking בְּרִיתִי as the definite object.
בְּרִיתִ֣יmy covenant withN f sg constr/1cs suffix · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of וְזָכַרְתִּי, head of construct-like phraseבְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant' + 1cs suffix; the first of three patriarchal covenants named.
יַעֲק֑וֹבJacobproper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Apposition/genitive specifying בְּרִיתִייַעֲקֹב (H3290), the patriarch; named first, in reverse chronological order from Israel's own perspective looking backward.
וְאַף֩and alsoconj וְ + adv · אַף (H637)Emphatic conjunction introducing the second covenantאַף (H637) 'also'; each patriarch introduced with emphatic addition.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking the second בְּרִיתִי as object.
בְּרִיתִ֨יmy covenant withN f sg constr/1cs suffix · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object, second instanceבְּרִית (H1285) + 1cs suffix, repeated for Isaac.
יִצְחָ֜קIsaacproper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Apposition/genitive specifying בְּרִיתִייִצְחָק (H3327), the second patriarch named.
וְאַ֨ףand alsoconj וְ + adv · אַף (H637)Emphatic conjunction introducing the third covenantאַף (H637), repeated for the third time.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking the third בְּרִיתִי as object.
בְּרִיתִ֧יmy covenant withN f sg constr/1cs suffix · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object, third instanceבְּרִית (H1285) + 1cs suffix, repeated for Abraham.
אַבְרָהָ֛םAbrahamproper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Apposition/genitive specifying בְּרִיתִיאַבְרָהָם (H85), the founding patriarch, named last — the order moves backward through Israel's ancestral memory to its origin.
אֶזְכֹּ֖רI will rememberQal impf 1cs · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb, resuming/completing the long object list→ Yiqtol: future, resumptive of the opening verbזָכַר (H2142), repeated to close the extended triple-object clause begun at the verse's opening.
וְהָאָ֥רֶץand the landconj וְ + art + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object of the second אֶזְכֹּראֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; a fourth covenant partner, personified throughout the chapter, now itself remembered.
אֶזְכֹּֽרI will rememberQal impf 1cs · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb, final clause→ Yiqtol: futureזָכַר (H2142), the verb's third occurrence in the verse, closing the emphatic remembering of covenant and land together.
43

וְהָאָרֶץ֩ תֵּעָזֵ֨ב מֵהֶ֜ם וְתִ֣רֶץ אֶת שַׁבְּתֹתֶ֗יהָ בָּהְשַׁמָּה֙ מֵהֶ֔ם וְהֵ֖ם יִרְצ֣וּ אֶת עֲוֺנָ֑ם יַ֣עַן וּבְיַ֔עַן בְּמִשְׁפָּטַ֣י מָאָ֔סוּ וְאֶת חֻקֹּתַ֖י גָּעֲלָ֥ה נַפְשָֽׁם

For the land shall be abandoned by them, and shall enjoy its sabbaths while it lies desolate without them, and they shall accept the punishment of their iniquity, because they spurned my ordinances and their soul abhorred my statutes.

Grounding clause: recapitulation of land-sabbath and the reason for judgmentוְ
A summary recapitulation binding vv. 34-35's land-sabbath theme to vv. 14-39's grounds for judgment (מָאָסוּ, 'spurned' — cf. v. 15's rejection-language) using the same verb גָּעֲלָה ('abhorred') that described YHWH's own abhorrence in v. 30, now turned back reflexively on Israel's own rejection of the statutes — foil for YHWH's refusal to reciprocate that abhorrence in v. 44.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְהָאָרֶץ֩for the landconj וְ + art + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Subject of תֵּעָזֵב, grounding clauseאֶרֶץ (H776); the land, subject of this recapitulating grounding clause.
תֵּעָזֵ֨בshall be abandonedNiphal impf 3fs · עָזַב (H5800)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol (Niphal, passive): futureעָזַב (H5800) Niphal 'to be abandoned, left'; the land left empty by the exiled population.
מֵהֶ֜םby themprep מִן + 3mp suffix · מִןPrepositional phrase of agency/separationמִן + 3mp suffix, marking separation — the land left by its people.
וְתִ֣רֶץand shall enjoyconj וְ + Qal impf 3fs · רָצָה (H7521)Predicate verb, second clause→ Yiqtol: future, continuing the sequenceרָצָה (H7521); same verb as vv. 34, 41 — the land's compensated rest, recapitulated here.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking שַׁבְּתֹתֶיהָ as the definite object.
שַׁבְּתֹתֶ֗יהָits sabbathsN c pl constr/3fs suffix · שַׁבָּת (H7676)Direct object of וְתִרֶץשַׁבָּת (H7676) + 3fs suffix, resuming vv. 34-35's theme.
בָּהְשַׁמָּה֙in its being desolateprep בְּ + Hophal inf constr/3fs suffix · שָׁמֵם (H8074)Temporal prepositional/infinitival phrase→ Infinitive construct: temporal, nominalized stateשָׁמֵם (H8074) Hophal infinitive + 3fs suffix, resuming v. 34's phrase.
מֵהֶ֔םwithout themprep מִן + 3mp suffix · מִןPrepositional phrase of separation, resumptiveמִן + 3mp suffix, repeated for emphasis — the desolation specifically in their absence.
וְהֵ֖םand theyconj וְ + indep pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject, contrastive/resumptiveהֵם (H1992), 3mp independent pronoun; shifts focus from the land back to the exiled people.
יִרְצ֣וּshall acceptQal impf 3mp · רָצָה (H7521)Predicate verb, third clause→ Yiqtol: futureרָצָה (H7521), same verb applied now to the people's acceptance of their punishment, echoing v. 41.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking עֲוֺנָם as the definite object.
עֲוֺנָ֑םtheir punishmentN c sg constr/3mp suffix · עָוֺן (H5771)Direct object of יִרְצוּעָוֺן (H5771) + 3mp suffix; see v. 41.
יַ֣עַןbecauseconj · יַעַן (H3282)Causal conjunction introducing the grounding clauseיַעַן (H3282) 'because, on account of'; introduces the reason for the whole judgment.
וּבְיַ֔עַןand becauseconj וְ + prep בְּ + conj · יַעַן (H3282)Causal conjunction, emphatic doublingיַעַן (H3282), doubled with prefixed בְּ for emphasis — 'precisely because'.
בְּמִשְׁפָּטַ֣יmy ordinancesprep בְּ + N m pl constr/1cs suffix · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Prepositional phrase, direct object equivalent of מָאָסוּמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'ordinance, judgment' + 1cs suffix; the object of Israel's rejection.
מָאָ֔סוּthey spurnedQal perf 3cp · מָאַס (H3988)Predicate verb of the causal clause→ Perfective: a completed rejectionמָאַס (H3988) 'to spurn, reject'; echoes v. 15's fourfold covenant rejection at the chapter's outset.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker, second objectאֵת (H853), marking חֻקֹּתַי as the second object of the rejection.
חֻקֹּתַ֖יmy statutesN c pl constr/1cs suffix · חֻקָּה (H2708)Direct object of גָּעֲלָהחֻקָּה (H2708) 'statute' + 1cs suffix; paired with מִשְׁפָּטַי, summarizing the whole covenant torah, as in v. 3.
גָּעֲלָ֥הabhorredQal perf 3fs · גָּעַל (H1602)Predicate verb of the causal clause, second clause→ Perfective: a completed abhorrenceגָּעַל (H1602); the same verb used of YHWH's abhorrence in v. 30, now turned back reflexively on Israel — a foil for YHWH's refusal to reciprocate it even now (v. 44).
נַפְשָֽׁםtheir soulN c sg constr/3mp suffix · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Subject of גָּעֲלָהנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) + 3mp suffix; periphrasis for the self, mirroring v. 30's נַפְשִׁי — Israel's own abhorrence answering YHWH's.
44

וְאַף גַּם זֹ֠את בִּֽהְיוֹתָ֞ם בְּאֶ֣רֶץ אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֗ם לֹֽא מְאַסְתִּ֤ים וְלֹֽא גְעַלְתִּים֙ לְכַלֹּתָ֔ם לְהָפֵ֥ר בְּרִיתִ֖י אִתָּ֑ם כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם

Yet in spite of all this, while they are in the land of their enemies, I will not spurn them nor abhor them so as to destroy them utterly and break my covenant with them; for I am YHWH their God.

Climactic assurance: covenant not annulled even at the nadirוְ
The chapter's theological center of gravity: even at the absolute low point of exile, YHWH refuses to mirror back the very verbs (מָאַס, גָּעַל) just used of Israel's own rejection (v. 43) and earlier of his own hostility (v. 30) — covenant loyalty here is grounded not in Israel's merit but in YHWH's self-consistency, sealed by the closing self-identification formula.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְאַףand yetconj וְ + adv · אַף (H637)Emphatic/concessive conjunction opening the verseאַף (H637) 'also, yet'; concessive here, 'and yet, even so'.
גַּםevenadv · גַּם (H1571)Emphatic adverb intensifying אַףגַּם (H1571) 'also, even'; doubled with אַף for maximal emphasis — 'yet even'.
זֹ֠אתthisdemonstrative pron f sg · זֹאת (H2063)Adverbial accusative, object of the emphatic phraseזֹאת (H2063) 'this'; refers forward to the following circumstantial clause — 'even this, [namely] that...'.
בִּֽהְיוֹתָ֞םwhile they areprep בְּ + Qal inf constr/3mp suffix · הָיָה (H1961)Temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive construct: temporal, 'while they are/were'הָיָה (H1961) 'to be' + 3mp suffix; sets the scene at the absolute nadir — during, not after, the exile.
בְּאֶ֣רֶץin the land ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase, head of construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776), construct with אֹיְבֵיהֶם.
אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֗םtheir enemiesQal act ptc m pl constr/3mp suffix · אֹיֵב (H341)Genitive of the construct chain, defining בְּאֶרֶץאֹיֵב (H341) + 3mp suffix.
לֹֽאnotneg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating מְאַסְתִּיםלֹא (H3808), negating the first verb of YHWH's refusal.
מְאַסְתִּ֤יםI spurned themQal perf 1cs/3mp suffix · מָאַס (H3988)Predicate verb (negated main clause)→ Perfective (negated): a decisive, completed non-actionמָאַס (H3988) 'to spurn, reject'; the same verb as v. 43's מָאָסוּ, now negated of YHWH — he refuses to mirror Israel's own rejection.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + neg particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating גְעַלְתִּיםלֹא (H3808), negating the second verb.
גְעַלְתִּים֙did I abhor themQal perf 1cs/3mp suffix · גָּעַל (H1602)Predicate verb (negated main clause), second clause→ Perfective (negated): a decisive, completed non-actionגָּעַל (H1602); the same verb as vv. 30, 43, now negated — YHWH's climactic refusal to abhor Israel even at the nadir of exile.
לְכַלֹּתָ֔םto destroy them utterlyprep לְ + Piel inf constr/3mp suffix · כָּלָה (H3615)Purpose/result infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result, negated by the preceding clauseכָּלָה (H3615) Piel 'to finish, destroy completely, annihilate'; the outcome YHWH refuses to bring about.
לְהָפֵ֥רto breakprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · פָּרַר (H6565)Purpose/result infinitive clause, coordinate with לְכַלֹּתָם→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result, negatedפָּרַר (H6565) Hiphil 'to break, annul, frustrate'; the covenant itself is at stake — but not broken.
בְּרִיתִ֖יmy covenantN f sg constr/1cs suffix · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of לְהָפֵרבְּרִית (H1285) + 1cs suffix; the covenant that, remarkably, is never annulled even at exile's depth.
אִתָּ֑םwith themprep אֵת + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase complementing בְּרִיתִיאֵת (H854) 'with' + 3mp suffix.
כִּ֛יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground clauseכִּי (H3588), causal; grounds YHWH's refusal to annul the covenant in his own self-identification.
אֲנִ֥יI (am)indep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the verbless self-identification formulaאֲנִי (H589), opening the formula that closes the theological center of the chapter.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominative (divine name)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name.
אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽםtheir GodN m pl constr/3mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate nominative, apposition to יְהוָהאֱלֹהִים (H430) + 3mp suffix; even in exile, still 'their' God — the relationship holds even at its lowest point.
45

וְזָכַרְתִּ֥י לָהֶ֖ם בְּרִ֣ית רִאשֹׁנִ֑ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר הוֹצֵֽאתִי אֹתָם֩ מֵאֶ֨רֶץ מִצְרַ֜יִם לְעֵינֵ֣י הַגּוֹיִ֗ם לִהְיֹ֥ת לָהֶ֛ם לֵאלֹהִ֖ים אֲנִ֥י יְהוָֽה

But I will remember for them the covenant with the ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, to be their God; I am YHWH.

Apodosis concludes: the exodus covenant rememberedוְ
בְּרִית רִאשֹׁנִים ('covenant of the ancestors/former ones') grounds the whole restoration explicitly in the exodus — the same event whose formula opened the blessings (implicit in v. 13) and whose public character 'in the sight of the nations' makes YHWH's fidelity a matter of his own reputation, not merely Israel's desert. The closing אֲנִי יְהוָה, without 'your God', echoes the shorter form of v. 2.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְזָכַרְתִּ֥יbut I will rememberconj וְ + Qal perf 1cs (weqatal) · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: future-consequentialזָכַר (H2142), resuming the remembering of v. 42, now specifically the exodus covenant.
לָהֶ֖םfor themprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְDative of advantageלְ + 3mp suffix; the remembering is for Israel's benefit.
בְּרִ֣יתthe covenant ofN f sg constr · בְּרִית (H1285)Direct object of וְזָכַרְתִּי, head of construct chainבְּרִית (H1285), construct with רִאשֹׁנִים.
רִאשֹׁנִ֑יםthe ancestors, the former onesadj m pl abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Genitive-like modifier of בְּרִית (substantivized)רִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first, former', substantivized 'the former ones/ancestors'; בְּרִית רִאשֹׁנִים grounds restoration in the patriarchal/exodus covenant already named in v. 42.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhomrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
הוֹצֵֽאתִיI brought outHiphil perf 1cs · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, foundational actיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; the exodus verb, YHWH's founding act of deliverance.
אֹתָם֩themobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object of הוֹצֵאתִיאֵת (H853) + 3mp suffix.
מֵאֶ֨רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Locative prepositional phrase of source, head of construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776), construct with מִצְרַיִם.
מִצְרַ֜יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive of the construct chain, defining מֵאֶרֶץמִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt; the site of the founding deliverance.
לְעֵינֵ֣יin the sight ofprep לְ + N c dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Prepositional phrase of manner/witnessעַיִן (H5869) 'eye', dual construct idiom 'in the eyes of' = in full view of, publicly.
הַגּוֹיִ֗םthe nationsart + N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Object of the preposition לְעֵינֵיגּוֹי (H1471) 'nation'; the exodus as a public, witnessed act — YHWH's fidelity is a matter of his reputation among the nations.
לִהְיֹ֥תto beprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָיָה (H1961)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct: purpose, 'in order to be'הָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; introduces the purpose of the exodus — the covenant relationship itself.
לָהֶ֛םfor themprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְDative complement of לִהְיֹתלְ + 3mp suffix.
לֵאלֹהִ֖יםas Godprep לְ + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate complement of לִהְיֹתאֱלֹהִים (H430); the covenant formula's essential content — the exodus was for the sake of this relationship.
אֲנִ֥יI (am)indep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of the verbless self-identification formulaאֲנִי (H589), closing the chapter's main body with the recognition formula.
יְהוָֽהYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominative (divine name)יְהוָה (H3068); the shortened formula, without 'your/their God', echoing v. 2's closing.
46

אֵ֠לֶּה הַֽחֻקִּ֣ים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים֮ וְהַתּוֹרֹת֒ אֲשֶׁר֙ נָתַ֣ן יְהוָ֔ה בֵּינ֕וֹ וּבֵ֖ין בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל בְּהַ֥ר סִינַ֖י בְּיַד מֹשֶֽׁה

These are the statutes and the ordinances and the torot that YHWH gave between himself and the people of Israel, at Mount Sinai, by the hand of Moses.

Colophon closing chapter 26 and the whole Holiness Codeasyndeton
The threefold summary term — חֻקִּים ('statutes'), מִשְׁפָּטִים ('ordinances'), תוֹרֹת ('instructions', plural) — closes not merely this chapter but the entire Holiness Code (chs. 17-26), echoing the colophon of 7:37-38 that closed the earlier sacrificial manual. בֵּינוֹ וּבֵין בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, 'between himself and the people of Israel', frames the whole code as covenant stipulation, given בְּיַד מֹשֶׁה, 'by the hand of Moses', the mediator throughout.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
אֵ֠לֶּהthesedemonstrative pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of the verbless colophon clauseאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; opens the closing summary formula, as at 7:37.
הַֽחֻקִּ֣יםthe statutesart + N m pl abs · חֹק (H2706)Predicate nominative, first item in the triadחֹק (H2706) 'statute, decree', from חָקַק 'to inscribe'; first of the threefold summary term.
וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִים֮and the ordinancesconj וְ + art + N m pl abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Predicate nominative, second item in the triadמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'ordinance, judgment'; second of the threefold term, paired with חֻקִּים as in v. 3 and v. 43.
וְהַתּוֹרֹת֒and the instructionsconj וְ + art + N f pl abs · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Predicate nominative, third item in the triadתּוֹרָה (H8451) 'instruction, law', plural תוֹרֹת; the plural is notable — not a single Torah but the body of individual instructions given, closing the Holiness Code's summary.
אֲשֶׁר֙thatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
נָתַ֣ןgaveQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb of the relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, foundational act of givingנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the verb of the whole Sinai legislation's transmission.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of נָתַןיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, subject of the giving.
בֵּינ֕וֹbetween himselfprep בֵּין + 3ms suffix · בֵּין (H996)Prepositional phrase, first half of the reciprocal constructionבֵּין (H996) 'between' + 3ms suffix, referring to YHWH; the code as covenant stipulation between two parties.
וּבֵ֖יןand betweenconj וְ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Prepositional phrase, second half of the reciprocal constructionבֵּין (H996), repeated for the second party.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Object of the second בֵּין, head of construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son', construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל — 'the sons/children of Israel'.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chain, defining בְּנֵייִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people, the second party to the stipulation.
בְּהַ֥רat Mountprep בְּ + N m sg constr · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phrase, head of construct chainהַר (H2022) 'mountain', construct with סִינַי — the location of the giving.
סִינַ֖יSinaiproper noun · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive of the construct chain, defining בְּהַרסִינַי (H5514), the mountain of revelation, framing the whole Holiness Code's authority.
בְּיַדby the hand ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Prepositional phrase of agency/mediation, head of construct chainיָד (H3027) 'hand', idiomatic construct 'by the hand of' = through the agency of; construct with מֹשֶׁה.
מֹשֶֽׁהMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive of the construct chain, defining בְּיַדמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the mediator of the law throughout Leviticus, named in the closing colophon as at 7:38.