Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Numbers, Chapter 15במדבר 15

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

Laws for life in the land: grain and wine offerings graded to the sacrifice, one statute for native and sojourner; the first dough lifted as challah. Inadvertent sin is atoned, but the high-handed sinner is cut off, and a sabbath-breaker is stoned outside the camp. Then tassels of blue, worn on every corner, to remember all YHWH's commandments.

Translation & textual notes

Numbers 15 is textually stable in the MT, but its placement is the chapter's real crux: it interrupts the wilderness narrative directly after the failed conquest of ch. 14 with priestly-style laws that presuppose Israel's future life 'in the land' (אֶרֶץ מוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶם, v. 2). Source critics widely assign vv. 1-31 to P, while the wood-gatherer episode (vv. 32-36) and the tassels command (vv. 37-41) are read as independent traditions appended as a coda to the rebellion cycle. The recurring refrain 'one law/statute' (חֻקָּה אַחַת, תּוֹרָה אַחַת; vv. 15-16, 29) extends a uniform, graded cultic order to sojourner and native alike. The chapter's sharpest legal distinction falls between sin done בִּשְׁגָגָה, 'in error' (vv. 22-29), atoned by sacrifice, and sin done בְּיָד רָמָה, 'with a high hand' (v. 30) — open defiance rather than mere magnitude — which incurs karet for 'reviling YHWH' and breaking his command. The wood-gatherer narrative supplies the case law Exod 31:14 lacked: death is mandated but its manner unspecified, so Moses holds the man 'because it was not declared' until YHWH specifies stoning outside the camp. Verses 37-41 close with the צִיצִת command — later Judaism's third paragraph of the Shema — whose blue cord (תְּכֵלֶת) turns ordinary dress into a perpetual reminder of the commandments and the exodus. Versification follows the MT.

1

וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר

And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying:

Narrative frame: introduces a new divine speechוַ
The standard messenger-formula opening a new unit of legislation; it has no content of its own but signals a fresh divine speech distinct from ch. 14's judgment oracle.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֥רand he spokePiel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause), wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the recurring formula opening a divine speechדִּבֶּר (H1696), Piel of דבר 'to speak'; the standard formula introducing divine legislation (cf. Lev 1:1, Num 1:1).
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיְדַבֵּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; traditionally read אֲדֹנָי, 'the LORD'.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; introduces the recipient of divine speech.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶל (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), Israel's mediator and lawgiver; the standard addressee of priestly legislation.
לֵּאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive of speech introducing direct discourse (quotative frame)→ Infinitival: marks the transition into direct quotationאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the inf. constr. לֵאמֹר is the standard formula opening quoted divine speech.
2

דַּבֵּר֙ אֶל בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ אֲלֵהֶ֑ם כִּ֣י תָבֹ֗אוּ אֶל אֶ֨רֶץ֙ מוֹשְׁבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנִ֖י נֹתֵ֥ן לָכֶֽם

Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you come into the land of your dwellings that I am giving you,

Command frame opening the divine speech's contentasyndeton
The command formula דַּבֵּר...וְאָמַרְתָּ launches the quoted legislation; the temporal clause כִּי תָבֹאוּ sets the whole unit (vv. 2-16) in Israel's future in the land, not the wilderness present.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
דַּבֵּר֙speakPiel impv 2ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Volitional: direct commandדִּבֶּר (H1696), Piel of דבר 'to speak'; imperative opening the commissioned speech to Israel.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (indirect object of דַּבֵּר)אֶל (H413) 'to'; marks the addressee of the command.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (head), object of אֶלבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, the standard designation for the Israelite community.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Jacob's covenant name; here the eponym of the nation.
וְאָמַרְתָּ֖and you shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the imperative)→ Weqatal: continuation of the preceding command, sequential instructionאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the weqatal form carries on the force of the imperative דַּבֵּר.
אֲלֵהֶ֑םto themprep אֶל + suff 3mp · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (indirect object of וְאָמַרְתָּ)אֶל (H413) with 3mp suffix, 'to them'; refers back to בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל.
כִּ֣יwhenconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing a temporal/conditional protasisכִּי (H3588), multivalent particle; here temporal-conditional 'when', introducing the case that governs vv. 2-16.
תָבֹ֗אוּyou comeQal impf 2mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb of the protasis (subordinate, level 1)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a future, not-yet-realized entry into the landבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the standard verb for Israel's future entry into Canaan.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phrase (goal of תָבֹאוּ)אֶל (H413) 'to, into'; marks the goal of motion.
אֶ֨רֶץ֙the land ofN common sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Construct chain (head), object of אֶלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; construct with מוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶם, 'the land of your dwellings.'
מוֹשְׁבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔םyour dwellingsN m pl constr/suff 2mp · מוֹשָׁב (H4186)Genitive of the construct chainמוֹשָׁב (H4186) 'dwelling, settlement', from יָשַׁב 'to dwell'; anticipates settled life in Canaan, unlike the wilderness camp.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrel particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing a relative clause modifying אֶרֶץ מוֹשְׁבֹתֵיכֶםאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative particle 'that, which, who'.
אֲנִ֖יIindep pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of נֹתֵן (fronted for emphasis)אֲנִי (H589), 1cs independent pronoun; emphatic subject before the participle, stressing YHWH as the land's giver.
נֹתֵ֥ןam givingQal act ptc ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate participle (main verb of the relative clause)→ Participle: ongoing/imminent action — the land-gift as a standing divine actנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; the participle expresses YHWH's continuous resolve to give the land, a leitmotif of the Pentateuch.
לָכֶֽםto youprep לְ + suff 2mp · לְPrepositional phrase (indirect object of נֹתֵן)לְ with 2mp suffix, 'to you (pl.)'; the recipients of the land-gift.
3

וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֨ם אִשֶּׁ֤ה לַֽיהוָה֙ עֹלָ֣ה אוֹ זֶ֔בַח לְפַלֵּא נֶ֨דֶר֙ א֣וֹ בִנְדָבָ֔ה א֖וֹ בְּמֹעֲדֵיכֶ֑ם לַעֲשׂ֞וֹת רֵ֤יחַ נִיחֹ֨חַ֙ לַֽיהוָ֔ה מִן הַבָּקָ֖ר א֥וֹ מִן הַצֹּֽאן

and you offer a fire offering to YHWH — a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering or at your appointed feasts — to make a pleasing aroma to YHWH, from the herd or from the flock,

Apodosis of the protasis begun in v. 2 (main legislative clause)וְ
The verse enumerates the occasions (vow, freewill, festival) and sources (herd, flock) covered by the coming rule; the string of אוֹ's signals that the accompanying-offering law applies across the whole range of animal sacrifices, not one type only.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֨םand you makeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (weqatal, apodosis of the temporal clause)→ Weqatal: the offering obligation triggered once Israel enters the landעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; here technical, 'to offer/perform' a sacrifice.
אִשֶּׁ֤הa fire offeringN common sg abs · אִשֶּׁה (H801)Direct object of וַעֲשִׂיתֶםאִשֶּׁה (H801) 'offering by fire', from אֵשׁ 'fire'; the general term for a sacrifice consumed on the altar.
לַֽיהוָה֙to YHWHprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Prepositional phrase (indirect object/recipient)יְהוָה (H3068) with לְ, 'to/for YHWH'; marks the offering's recipient.
עֹלָ֣הa burnt offeringN f sg abs · עֹלָה (H5930)Appositional specification of אִשֶּׁהעֹלָה (H5930) 'that which goes up', from עלה 'to ascend'; the offering wholly consumed on the altar.
אוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; sets עֹלָה and זֶבַח as alternatives.
זֶ֔בַחa sacrificeN m sg abs · זֶבַח (H2077)Second alternative in apposition to אִשֶּׁהזֶבַח (H2077) 'sacrifice, slaughter-offering', from זבח 'to slaughter'; typically a שְׁלָמִים-type offering shared in a meal.
לְפַלֵּאto fulfillprep לְ + Piel inf constr · פָּלָא (H6381)Purpose infinitive modifying the offering occasion→ Infinitival: specifies purpose — discharging a vowפָּלָא (H6381) Piel 'to fulfill, perform (a vow)'; the root elsewhere means 'to be extraordinary,' but with נֶדֶר denotes carrying out a vowed sacrifice.
נֶ֨דֶר֙a vowN m sg abs · נֶדֶר (H5088)Object of the infinitive לְפַלֵּאנֶדֶר (H5088) 'vow', from נדר 'to vow'; a voluntary promise-offering.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; introduces the second occasion, נְדָבָה.
בִנְדָבָ֔הas a freewill offeringprep בְּ + N f sg abs · נְדָבָה (H5071)Prepositional phrase specifying the occasion of the offeringנְדָבָה (H5071) 'freewill offering, voluntary gift', from נדב 'to volunteer'; unprompted by vow or obligation.
א֖וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; introduces the third occasion, the appointed feasts.
בְּמֹעֲדֵיכֶ֑םat your appointed feastsprep בְּ + N m pl constr/suff 2mp · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Prepositional phrase specifying the occasion of the offeringמוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time, festival', from יעד 'to appoint'; the fixed calendrical feasts (cf. Lev 23).
לַעֲשׂ֞וֹתto makeprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Purpose infinitive (result/purpose of the offering)→ Infinitival: purpose — producing a pleasing aromaעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; here 'to produce' the pleasing aroma.
רֵ֤יחַan aroma ofN m sg constr · רֵיחַ (H7381)Construct chain (head), object of לַעֲשׂוֹתרֵיחַ (H7381) 'scent, aroma'; construct with נִיחֹחַ in the fixed cultic phrase.
נִיחֹ֨חַ֙pleasingN m sg abs · נִיחוֹחַ (H5207)Genitive of the construct chainנִיחוֹחַ (H5207) 'soothing, pleasing', from נוח 'to rest'; רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ, 'a pleasing aroma,' the standard cultic idiom for an accepted offering.
לַֽיהוָ֔הto YHWHprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Prepositional phrase (recipient of the aroma)יְהוָה (H3068) with לְ; the offering's aroma rises specifically to YHWH.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase of source (partitive)מִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; introduces the animal source, herd or flock.
הַבָּקָ֖רthe herdart + N common sg abs · בָּקָר (H1241)Object of preposition מִןבָּקָר (H1241) 'cattle, herd'; collective for bovines.
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; sets הַבָּקָר and הַצֹּאן as alternative sources.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase of source (partitive)מִן (H4480) 'from'; parallel to the preceding מִן הַבָּקָר.
הַצֹּֽאןthe flockart + N common sg abs · צֹאן (H6629)Object of preposition מִןצֹאן (H6629) 'flock', collective for sheep and goats.
4

וְהִקְרִ֛יב הַמַּקְרִ֥יב קָרְבָּנ֖וֹ לַֽיהוָ֑ה מִנְחָה֙ סֹ֣לֶת עִשָּׂר֔וֹן בָּל֕וּל בִּרְבִעִ֥ית הַהִ֖ין שָֽׁמֶן

then he who presents his offering shall present to YHWH a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with a quarter of a hin of oil,

Continuation of the apodosis: specifies the accompanying grain offeringוְ
Introduces the graduated table of accompanying offerings that runs through v. 12 — for a single lamb here, a tenth-ephah of flour and a quarter-hin of oil; larger animals in vv. 6, 9 require proportionally more.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְהִקְרִ֛יבthen he shall presentconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (weqatal, main clause specifying the grain offering)→ Weqatal: sequential legal instruction continuing v. 3's offeringקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil 'to bring near, present'; the technical verb for presenting an offering at the altar.
הַמַּקְרִ֥יבthe one presentingart + Hiphil ptc ms · קָרַב (H7126)Subject of וְהִקְרִיב (substantival participle)→ Participle: identifies the offerer by his ongoing role/actקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil participle with article, 'the one who presents'; substantival use naming the offerer generically.
קָרְבָּנ֖וֹhis offeringN m sg constr/suff 3ms · קָרְבָּן (H7133)Direct object of וְהִקְרִיבקָרְבָּן (H7133) 'offering, that which is brought near', from the same root as הִקְרִיב; the general cultic term for a sacrifice.
לַֽיהוָ֑הto YHWHprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Prepositional phrase (recipient)יְהוָה (H3068) with לְ; the offering's recipient.
מִנְחָה֙a grain offeringN f sg abs · מִנְחָה (H4503)Direct object in apposition, specifying the accompanying giftמִנְחָה (H4503) 'gift, tribute, grain offering'; the cereal offering that accompanies animal sacrifices.
סֹ֣לֶתfine flourN f sg abs · סֹלֶת (H5560)Appositional specification of מִנְחָהסֹלֶת (H5560) 'fine flour, semolina'; the choicest, sifted grain used in cultic offerings.
עִשָּׂר֔וֹןa tenthN m sg abs · עִשָּׂרוֹן (H6241)Quantifying noun in apposition (measure of the flour)עִשָּׂרוֹן (H6241) 'a tenth part' (of an ephah, c. 2.2 liters), from עֶשֶׂר 'ten'; the base unit of grain-offering measure, scaled up for larger animals.
בָּל֕וּלmixedQal pass ptc ms · בָּלַל (H1101)Attributive participle modifying סֹלֶת→ Passive participle: the flour's prepared, mixed stateבָּלַל (H1101) 'to mix, mingle'; Qal passive describes the flour mixed with oil before presentation.
בִּרְבִעִ֥יתwith a fourth ofprep בְּ + ordinal f sg abs · רְבִיעִית (H7243)Prepositional phrase (measure of oil)רְבִיעִית (H7243) 'a fourth part', from אַרְבַּע 'four'; here a quarter-hin of oil.
הַהִ֖יןthe hinart + N m sg abs · הִין (H1969)Genitive completing the measure phraseהִין (H1969), a liquid measure of Egyptian origin, roughly 3.7-4 liters; used for oil and wine allotments.
שָֽׁמֶןof oilN m sg abs · שֶׁמֶן (H8081)Appositional genitive specifying the liquid measuredשֶׁמֶן (H8081) 'oil', typically olive oil; mixed into the grain offering (cf. בָּלוּל, this verse).
5

וְיַ֤יִן לַנֶּ֨סֶךְ֙ רְבִיעִ֣ית הַהִ֔ין תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה עַל הָעֹלָ֖ה א֣וֹ לַזָּ֑בַח לַכֶּ֖בֶשׂ הָאֶחָֽד

and wine for the drink offering, a quarter of a hin, you shall prepare with the burnt offering or the sacrifice, for each lamb.

Continuation of the offering-table: specifies the wine libation for the lambוְ
Completes the smallest unit of the table (v. 4's flour/oil plus this verse's wine); the fronted וְיַיִן ties the libation to the whole preceding grain-offering unit as one complete presentation.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וְיַ֤יִןand wineconj וְ + N m sg abs · יַיִן (H3196)Subject/topic, fronted before its verb תַּעֲשֶׂהיַיִן (H3196) 'wine'; the libation accompanying the offering, fronted here for topical emphasis.
לַנֶּ֨סֶךְ֙for the drink offeringprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · נֶסֶךְ (H5262)Prepositional phrase specifying the wine's cultic functionנֶסֶךְ (H5262) 'libation, drink offering', from נָסַךְ 'to pour out'; wine poured out at the altar alongside the grain offering.
רְבִיעִ֣יתa fourth ofordinal f sg abs · רְבִיעִית (H7243)Quantifying noun (measure of the wine)רְבִיעִית (H7243) 'a fourth part'; the same quarter-hin measure fixed for the oil in v. 4, now applied to wine.
הַהִ֔יןthe hinart + N m sg abs · הִין (H1969)Genitive completing the measure phraseהִין (H1969), the standard liquid measure for oil and wine allotments.
תַּעֲשֶׂ֥הyou shall prepareQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, distributive instruction)→ Yiqtol: a standing obligation applying to every future instanceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; here 'to prepare/offer' the libation.
עַלwithprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase of accompanimentעַל (H5921) 'upon, with, in addition to'; marks the libation as accompanying the burnt offering or sacrifice.
הָעֹלָ֖הthe burnt offeringart + N f sg abs · עֹלָה (H5930)Object of preposition עַלעֹלָה (H5930), the wholly-consumed offering, resumed from v. 3.
א֣וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive coordinating conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; sets the burnt offering and the sacrifice as alternatives.
לַזָּ֑בַחthe sacrificeprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · זֶבַח (H2077)Second object parallel to הָעֹלָהזֶבַח (H2077), the slaughter-offering resumed from v. 3.
לַכֶּ֖בֶשׂfor the lambprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · כֶּבֶשׂ (H3532)Prepositional phrase specifying the animal this measure applies toכֶּבֶשׂ (H3532) 'lamb, young ram'; the smallest animal in the table, requiring the smallest measures (vv. 4-5).
הָאֶחָֽדthe oneart + numeral m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral modifying כֶּבֶשׂ ('each single lamb')אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; with the article, distributive — 'for each single lamb,' fixing the measure per animal.
6

א֤וֹ לָאַ֨יִל֙ תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה מִנְחָ֔ה סֹ֖לֶת שְׁנֵ֣י עֶשְׂרֹנִ֑ים בְּלוּלָ֥ה בַשֶּׁ֖מֶן שְׁלִשִׁ֥ית הַהִֽין

Or for the ram you shall prepare a grain offering of two-tenths [of an ephah] of fine flour mixed with a third of a hin of oil.

Disjunctive alternative (second case in the graduated table)אוֹ
Opens the ram-tier of the graduated offering scale; the disjunctive אוֹ signals a new case rather than a continuation, moving the law from the smallest animal to the middling one.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
א֤וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating conjunction (disjunctive, introducing a new case)אוֹ (H176) disjunctive 'or', introducing the ram-offering as an alternative animal-case within the graduated table.
לָאַ֨יִל֙for the ramprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · אַיִל (H352)Indirect/benefactive object (for the ram)אַיִל (H352) 'ram'; the mid-tier animal in the graduated series (lamb < ram < bull).
תַּעֲשֶׂ֣הyou shall prepareQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, 2ms address to the offerer)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — ongoing or future obligationעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, prepare'; the recurring verb of the chapter's cultic-procedure sections.
מִנְחָ֔הa grain offeringN f sg abs · מִנְחָה (H4503)Direct objectמִנְחָה (H4503) 'grain offering, tribute offering'; the cereal offering accompanying the animal sacrifice.
סֹ֖לֶתfine flourN f sg abs · סֹלֶת (H5560)Apposition to מִנְחָה, specifying materialסֹלֶת (H5560) 'fine flour, semolina'; the choicest wheat flour used in cultic offerings.
שְׁנֵ֣יtwonum m du constr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Numeral in construct governing עֶשְׂרֹנִיםשְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; construct dual introducing the measured quantity of flour.
עֶשְׂרֹנִ֑יםtenthsN m pl abs · עִשָּׂרוֹן (H6241)Complement of the numeral (measure)עִשָּׂרוֹן (H6241) 'a tenth [of an ephah]'; the standard dry-measure unit for grain offerings, here doubled for the ram.
בְּלוּלָ֥הmixedQal pass ptc f sg abs · בָּלַל (H1101)Attributive participle modifying סֹלֶת→ Passive participle: stative resultant condition — already-mixed stateבָּלַל (H1101) 'to mix, mingle'; Qal passive participle describing the flour as already blended with oil.
בַשֶּׁ֖מֶןwith oilprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שֶׁמֶן (H8081)Prepositional phrase of means/materialשֶׁמֶן (H8081) 'oil' (olive oil); the liquid mixed into the flour.
שְׁלִשִׁ֥יתa thirdadj ord f sg abs · שְׁלִישִׁית (H7992)Measure phrase modifying הַהִין (fractional quantity of oil)שְׁלִישִׁית (H7992) 'a third [part]'; ordinal used substantivally for the fractional measure of oil.
הַהִֽיןof the hinart + N m sg abs · הִין (H1969)Genitive of measure (the hin-unit)הִין (H1969), a liquid measure (roughly 3.6 liters); here defines the fraction of oil.
7

וְיַ֥יִן לַנֶּ֖סֶךְ שְׁלִשִׁ֣ית הַהִ֑ין תַּקְרִ֥יב רֵֽיחַ נִיחֹ֖חַ לַיהוָֽה

And as the drink offering you shall present a third of a hin of wine — a pleasing aroma to YHWH.

Continuation, same case (ram) — wine libation added to oil/flour of v.6וְ
Completes the ram's offering by adding its wine libation, closing with the standard 'pleasing aroma to YHWH' formula that seals each tier of the graduated table.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וְיַ֥יִןand wineconj וְ + N m sg abs · יַיִן (H3196)Direct object, fronted for emphasis (casus pendens resumed by תַּקְרִיב)יַיִן (H3196) 'wine'; the libation liquid for the drink offering, fronted before its verb for topical emphasis.
לַנֶּ֖סֶךְfor the drink offeringprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · נֶסֶךְ (H5262)Prepositional phrase of purpose (as the drink offering)נֶסֶךְ (H5262) 'drink offering, libation', from נָסַךְ 'to pour out'; the wine is poured out, likely at the altar's base.
שְׁלִשִׁ֣יתa thirdadj ord f sg abs · שְׁלִישִׁית (H7992)Measure phrase modifying יַיִן (quantity)שְׁלִישִׁית (H7992) 'a third'; the ram's wine ration, matching the oil ratio of v.6.
הַהִ֑יןof the hinart + N m sg abs · הִין (H1969)Genitive of measure (the hin-unit)הִין (H1969), liquid measure; see v.6.
תַּקְרִ֥יבyou shall presentHiphil impf 2ms · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (main clause, 2ms)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — the offerer's ongoing procedural dutyקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil 'to bring near, present, offer'; the technical verb for presenting an offering at the altar.
רֵֽיחַaroma ofN m sg constr · רֵיחַ (H7381)Adverbial accusative in construct chain, result/purposeרֵיחַ (H7381) 'scent, aroma'; construct with נִיחֹחַ forms the fixed cultic idiom of divine acceptance.
נִיחֹ֖חַpleasingN m sg abs · נִיחוֹחַ (H5207)Genitive complement completing the fixed cultic phrase 'pleasing aroma'נִיחוֹחַ (H5207) 'soothing, pleasing', from נוּחַ 'to rest'; the offering brings God 'rest' — cultic-acceptance language, not literal smell.
לַיהוָֽהto YHWHprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Prepositional phrase, indirect object/recipientיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name; recipient of the offering.
8

וְכִֽי תַעֲשֶׂ֥ה בֶן בָּקָ֖ר עֹלָ֣ה אוֹ זָ֑בַח לְפַלֵּא נֶ֥דֶר אֽוֹ שְׁלָמִ֖ים לַֽיהוָֽה

And when you prepare a bull as a burnt offering or a sacrifice, to fulfill a vow, or as a peace offering to YHWH,

New case (bull-tier), subordinate conditional clause opening the third rung of the graduated tableוְ
Shifts from the ram (vv.6-7) to the bull, the largest and final animal in the graduated series; the וְכִי protasis broadens the triggering occasions to burnt offering, sacrifice, vow-fulfillment, or peace offering, anticipating the summary in v.11.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְכִֽיand whenconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing conditional/temporal protasis (new case)כִּי (H3588) conditional/temporal 'when, if'; introduces the bull-tier as the chapter's third and largest offering case.
תַעֲשֶׂ֥הyou prepareQal impf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal, conditional protasis — hypothetical future caseעָשָׂה (H6213); see v.6.
בֶןa young ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct noun, head of construct chain (young of...)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; in construct with בָּקָר forms 'young bull/ox' — the largest sacrificial animal in the series.
בָּקָ֖רthe herdN c sg abs · בָּקָר (H1241)Genitive, construct chain (of the herd)בָּקָר (H1241) 'cattle, herd'; collective for bovines.
עֹלָ֣הa burnt offeringN f sg abs · עֹלָה (H5930)Object complement specifying offering typeעֹלָה (H5930) 'burnt offering', from עָלָה 'to go up'; wholly consumed on the altar, ascending as smoke.
אוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating conjunction (disjunctive)אוֹ (H176) 'or'; disjunctive listing occasions for the offering.
זָ֑בַחa sacrificeN m sg abs · זֶבַח (H2077)Object complement, alternative offering typeזֶבַח (H2077) 'sacrifice, slaughtered offering'; general term for a sacrifice whose meat is (partly) eaten.
לְפַלֵּאto fulfillprep לְ + Piel inf constr · פָּלָא (H6381)Adverbial infinitive of purpose→ Infinitive construct expressing purpose: 'in order to fulfill'פָּלָא (H6381) Piel 'to make distinct, fulfill (a vow)'; lit. 'to do something extraordinary' — idiomatic for solemnly discharging a vow.
נֶ֥דֶרa vowN m sg abs · נֶדֶר (H5088)Direct object of infinitiveנֶדֶר (H5088) 'vow'; a voluntary pledge to YHWH, one of the occasions triggering this offering law.
אֽוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating conjunction (disjunctive)אוֹ (H176) 'or'; see above.
שְׁלָמִ֖יםpeace offeringsN m pl abs · שֶׁלֶם (H8002)Object complement, alternative offering typeשֶׁלֶם (H8002) 'peace offering, fellowship offering', from שָׁלוֹם 'peace, wellbeing'; a shared meal-sacrifice.
לַֽיהוָֽהto YHWHprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Prepositional phrase, recipientיְהוָה (H3068); recipient of the offering.
9

וְהִקְרִ֤יב עַל בֶּן הַבָּקָר֙ מִנְחָ֔ה סֹ֖לֶת שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה עֶשְׂרֹנִ֑ים בָּל֥וּל בַּשֶּׁ֖מֶן חֲצִ֥י הַהִֽין

then he shall present, with the bull, a grain offering of three-tenths [of an ephah] of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil.

Apodosis to v.8's protasis; consequence of the conditionalוְ
Delivers the required response to v.8's 'when/if' clause: the grain offering accompanying the bull, scaled up again (three-tenths flour, half-hin oil) — the largest allotment in the table.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְהִקְרִ֤יבthen he shall presentconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3ms · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb, weqatal apodosis continuing the conditional of v.8→ Weqatal: apodosis of the conditional, expressing consequent/future obligation following the protasis of v.8קָרַב (H7126) Hiphil 'to bring near, present'; weqatal continuing v.8's conditional as its apodosis — 'then he shall present.'
עַלwithprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase marking accompaniment ('together with')עַל (H5921) 'upon, in addition to'; here 'along with' the bull, marking the grain offering as an accompaniment.
בֶּןthe young ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct noun, head of construct chainבֵּן (H1121); see v.8.
הַבָּקָר֙the herdart + N c sg abs · בָּקָר (H1241)Genitive, resumptive definite reference to the bull of v.8בָּקָר (H1241), now definite, resuming 'the bull' introduced in v.8.
מִנְחָ֔הa grain offeringN f sg abs · מִנְחָה (H4503)Direct objectמִנְחָה (H4503); see v.6.
סֹ֖לֶתfine flourN f sg abs · סֹלֶת (H5560)Apposition to מִנְחָה specifying materialסֹלֶת (H5560); see v.6.
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣הthreenum m sg abs · שְׁלֹשָׁה (H7969)Numeral governing עֶשְׂרֹנִים (cardinal, absolute construction)שְׁלֹשָׁה (H7969) 'three'; the bull's flour ratio, one and a half times the ram's two-tenths (v.6).
עֶשְׂרֹנִ֑יםtenthsN m pl abs · עִשָּׂרוֹן (H6241)Complement of the numeral (measure)עִשָּׂרוֹן (H6241); see v.6 — three-tenths of an ephah for the bull, the largest allotment.
בָּל֥וּלmixedQal pass ptc m sg abs · בָּלַל (H1101)Attributive participle modifying סֹלֶת (gender discordant, a known MT feature)→ Passive participle: stative resultant conditionבָּלַל (H1101) Qal passive participle 'mixed'; here in the masculine though modifying feminine סֹלֶת, a minor grammatical incongruity typical of the chapter's measure-formula style.
בַּשֶּׁ֖מֶןwith oilprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שֶׁמֶן (H8081)Prepositional phrase of means/materialשֶׁמֶן (H8081); see v.6.
חֲצִ֥יhalf ofN m sg constr · חֲצִי (H2677)Construct noun heading a measure phraseחֲצִי (H2677) 'half'; the bull's oil ratio, greater than the ram's third (v.6).
הַהִֽיןof the hinart + N m sg abs · הִין (H1969)Genitive of measureהִין (H1969); see v.6.
10

וְיַ֛יִן תַּקְרִ֥יב לַנֶּ֖סֶךְ חֲצִ֣י הַהִ֑ין אִשֵּׁ֥ה רֵֽיחַ נִיחֹ֖חַ לַיהוָֽה

And as the drink offering you shall present half a hin of wine — a fire offering, a pleasing aroma to YHWH.

Continuation, same case (bull) — wine libation completing the grain offering of v.9וְ
Closes the bull's offering with its wine libation and the repeated 'fire offering, pleasing aroma to YHWH' formula, completing the third rung of the graduated table before the summary refrain of v.11.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְיַ֛יִןand wineconj וְ + N m sg abs · יַיִן (H3196)Direct object, fronted for emphasis (casus pendens, as in v.7)יַיִן (H3196); see v.7 — the bull's wine ration, fronted for topical emphasis.
תַּקְרִ֥יבyou shall presentHiphil impf 2ms · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (main clause, 2ms)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — ongoing procedural obligationקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil; see v.7.
לַנֶּ֖סֶךְfor the drink offeringprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · נֶסֶךְ (H5262)Prepositional phrase of purposeנֶסֶךְ (H5262); see v.7.
חֲצִ֣יhalf ofN m sg constr · חֲצִי (H2677)Construct noun heading measure phraseחֲצִי (H2677); see v.9 — half a hin, matching the bull's oil ratio.
הַהִ֑יןof the hinart + N m sg abs · הִין (H1969)Genitive of measureהִין (H1969); see v.6.
אִשֵּׁ֥הa fire offering ofN m sg constr · אִשֶּׁה (H801)Apposition/adverbial accusative describing the whole offering as a fire offeringאִשֶּׁה (H801) 'fire offering', from אֵשׁ 'fire'; a technical term for offerings burned on the altar, here summarizing the whole bull-and-accompaniments complex.
רֵֽיחַaroma ofN m sg constr · רֵיחַ (H7381)Construct chain, result/purpose ('pleasing aroma')רֵיחַ (H7381); see v.7.
נִיחֹ֖חַpleasingN m sg abs · נִיחוֹחַ (H5207)Genitive complement of רֵיחַנִיחוֹחַ (H5207); see v.7 — the fixed acceptance formula, here climaxing the bull-tier as it did the ram-tier.
לַיהוָֽהto YHWHprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Prepositional phrase, recipientיְהוָה (H3068); recipient.
11

כָּ֣כָה יֵעָשֶׂ֗ה לַשּׁוֹר֙ הָֽאֶחָ֔ד א֖וֹ לָאַ֣יִל הָאֶחָ֑ד אֽוֹ לַשֶּׂ֥ה בַכְּבָשִׂ֖ים א֥וֹ בָעִזִּֽים

Thus it shall be done for each ox, or for each ram, or for each lamb among the sheep, or among the goats.

Summary/generalization closing the case series of vv.6-10 (and implicitly vv.1-5)asyndeton
The fronted adverb כָּכָה and passive יֵעָשֶׂה pull the three preceding graduated cases (lamb, ram, bull) into a single generalized rule, functioning as a discourse hinge before the further generalization of v.12.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
כָּ֣כָהthusadv · כָּכָה (H3602)Adverb of manner, fronted (resumptive, summarizing vv.6-10)כָּכָה (H3602) 'thus, in this manner'; summarizing adverb pulling the three preceding cases (vv.6-10) into one general rule.
יֵעָשֶׂ֗הit shall be doneNiphal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb, passive (main clause)→ Niphal (passive) yiqtol: imperfective/modal — the standing, generalized rule for every future instanceעָשָׂה (H6213) Niphal 'it shall be done'; the passive summarizes without naming an agent, generalizing the procedure.
לַשּׁוֹר֙for the oxprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · שׁוֹר (H7794)Prepositional phrase, dative of reference (first item in distributive list)שׁוֹר (H7794) 'ox, bull'; restates the bull-case of vv.8-10 under its common term.
הָֽאֶחָ֔דeach oneart + num m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Distributive apposition ('each one') to לַשּׁוֹראֶחָד (H259) 'one'; with the article functions distributively, 'each single one' — precision language anticipating v.12's per-head accounting.
א֖וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating conjunction (disjunctive)אוֹ (H176); disjunctive listing the three animal categories.
לָאַ֣יִלfor the ramprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · אַיִל (H352)Prepositional phrase, dative of reference (second item)אַיִל (H352); restates the ram-case of vv.6-7.
הָאֶחָ֑דeach oneart + num m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Distributive apposition ('each one') to לָאַיִלאֶחָד (H259); see above.
אֽוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating conjunction (disjunctive)אוֹ (H176); see above.
לַשֶּׂ֥הfor the lambprep לְ + art + N c sg abs · שֶׂה (H7716)Prepositional phrase, dative of reference (third item)שֶׂה (H7716) 'lamb, kid, member of the flock'; the smallest-animal category (implicitly covering vv.1-5's lamb offering).
בַכְּבָשִׂ֖יםamong the sheepprep בְּ + art + N m pl abs · כֶּבֶשׂ (H3532)Prepositional phrase specifying category (among the sheep)כֶּבֶשׂ (H3532) 'sheep, lamb'; specifies which flock-animal is meant.
א֥וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating conjunction (disjunctive)אוֹ (H176); see above.
בָעִזִּֽיםamong the goatsprep בְּ + art + N f pl abs · עֵז (H5795)Prepositional phrase specifying category (among the goats)עֵז (H5795) 'goat'; the alternative small-flock animal, completing the merism of the graduated table.
12

כַּמִּסְפָּ֖ר אֲשֶׁ֣ר תַּעֲשׂ֑וּ כָּ֛כָה תַּעֲשׂ֥וּ לָאֶחָ֖ד כְּמִסְפָּרָֽם

According to the number that you offer, so you shall do for each one, according to their number.

Further generalization, correlative construction extending v.11's summary to multiple animalsasyndeton
A correlative 'according to the number... so you shall do... according to their number' construction that closes the ring on the whole grain/drink-offering table (vv.1-11) by stipulating that the offering multiplies exactly with the number of animals — no single fixed allotment covers a herd.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
כַּמִּסְפָּ֖רaccording to the numberprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִסְפָּר (H4557)Prepositional phrase of standard/norm, fronted (comparative 'according to')מִסְפָּר (H4557) 'number, count'; introduces the principle of exact per-head accounting for multiple animals.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing relative clause modifying מִסְפָּראֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative particle 'that, which'; here indefinite-relative, 'however many.'
תַּעֲשׂ֑וּyou offerQal impf 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — the offerer's habitual/repeated actionעָשָׂה (H6213); see v.6, now 2mp addressing the worshiping community.
כָּ֛כָהsoadv · כָּכָה (H3602)Adverb of manner, resuming כַּמִּסְפָּר (correlative 'so')כָּכָה (H3602); correlative adverb resuming כַּמִּסְפָּר, forming a 'according to X... so Y' construction.
תַּעֲשׂ֥וּyou shall doQal impf 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb, main clause→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal, apodosis of the correlative construction — the resulting standing obligationעָשָׂה (H6213); repeated verb of the apodosis.
לָאֶחָ֖דfor each oneprep לְ + art + num m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Prepositional phrase, distributive ('for each one')אֶחָד (H259) 'one'; distributive, 'for each single animal' — the offering scales precisely with the count of victims.
כְּמִסְפָּרָֽםaccording to their numberprep כְּ + N m sg constr + 3mp suffix · מִסְפָּר (H4557)Prepositional phrase of standard/norm, restating the opening clause (inclusio)מִסְפָּר (H4557) with 3mp suffix, 'according to their number'; closes the verse with an inclusio restating the opening phrase, underscoring precision.
13

כָּל הָאֶזְרָ֥ח יַעֲשֶׂה כָּ֖כָה אֶת אֵ֑לֶּה לְהַקְרִ֛יב אִשֵּׁ֥ה רֵֽיחַ נִיחֹ֖חַ לַֽיהוָֽה

Every native-born shall do these things thus, in presenting a fire offering, a pleasing aroma to YHWH.

Application to the native-born; transition from procedural detail (vv.1-12) to legal universality (vv.13-16)asyndeton
Pivots from the graduated offering table to the question of who is bound by it, opening the chapter's equality unit: every native Israelite (אֶזְרָח) must follow 'these' procedures, setting up the parallel extension to the sojourner in v.14.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
כָּלeveryN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun, head of construct chain (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; universalizing quantifier opening the equality clause that runs through v.16.
הָאֶזְרָ֥חthe native-bornart + N m sg abs · אֶזְרָח (H249)Genitive/subject, construct chain completing כָּל ('every native')אֶזְרָח (H249) 'native, home-born'; a legal term for the full citizen-Israelite, set up as the counterpart to גֵּר 'sojourner' in v.14.
יַעֲשֶׂהhe shall doQal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, 3ms distributive subject)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — standing obligation binding on every native Israeliteעָשָׂה (H6213); the governing verb of the equality principle.
כָּ֖כָהthusadv · כָּכָה (H3602)Adverb of mannerכָּכָה (H3602); resumes the manner established by the preceding regulations.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking אֵלֶּה as the definite direct object.
אֵ֑לֶּהthese thingsdemonstr pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Direct object (demonstrative, referring back to the preceding offering regulations)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; demonstrative referring back to the whole offering procedure of vv.1-12.
לְהַקְרִ֛יבin presentingprep לְ + Hiphil inf constr · קָרַב (H7126)Adverbial infinitive of means/circumstance→ Infinitive construct expressing attendant circumstance/means: 'in the presenting of'קָרַב (H7126) Hiphil infinitive construct 'to bring near, present'; specifies the act by which the native fulfills the command.
אִשֵּׁ֥הa fire offering ofN m sg constr · אִשֶּׁה (H801)Adverbial accusative/apposition describing the offeringאִשֶּׁה (H801); see v.10.
רֵֽיחַaroma ofN m sg constr · רֵיחַ (H7381)Construct chain, result/purposeרֵיחַ (H7381); see v.7.
נִיחֹ֖חַpleasingN m sg abs · נִיחוֹחַ (H5207)Genitive complement of רֵיחַנִיחוֹחַ (H5207); see v.7 — the acceptance formula recurs, now attached to the general law rather than a specific animal.
לַֽיהוָֽהto YHWHprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Prepositional phrase, recipientיְהוָה (H3068); recipient.
14

וְכִֽי יָגוּר֩ אִתְּכֶ֨ם גֵּ֜ר א֤וֹ אֲשֶֽׁר בְּתֽוֹכְכֶם֙ לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם וְעָשָׂ֛ה אִשֵּׁ֥ה רֵֽיחַ נִיחֹ֖חַ לַיהוָ֑ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר תַּעֲשׂ֖וּ כֵּ֥ן יַעֲשֶֽׂה

And if a sojourner dwells with you, or whoever is among you throughout your generations, and he presents a fire offering, a pleasing aroma to YHWH — as you do, so he shall do.

New conditional case extending the law to the sojourner (גֵּר), parallel and complementary to v.13's native-born clauseוְ
Mirrors v.13's structure for the אֶזְרָח but now for the גֵּר, culminating in the explicit correlative 'as you do, so he shall do' — the verse that most directly states the chapter's equality principle.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְכִֽיand ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing a new conditional protasis, parallel to v.8 (extending the law to the sojourner)כִּי (H3588) conditional 'if'; opens the sojourner-case, structurally parallel to the bull-case protasis of v.8, extending the chapter's legal logic to a new class of person.
יָגוּר֩he sojournsQal impf 3ms · גּוּר (H1481)Predicate verb of protasis→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal, conditional protasis — hypothetical future circumstanceגּוּר (H1481) 'to sojourn, reside as a resident alien'; the verb from which גֵּר derives, defining the legal status at stake.
אִתְּכֶ֨םwith youprep אֵת + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase, adjunct of accompanimentאֵת (H854) 'with'; marks the sojourner's residence as alongside, not separate from, the Israelite community.
גֵּ֜רa sojournerN m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Subject of יָגוּרגֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner, resident alien', from גּוּר; a non-Israelite resident among Israel, without inherited land but with certain legal protections.
א֤וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Coordinating conjunction (disjunctive, broadening the subject)אוֹ (H176); broadens 'sojourner' to any such resident, present or future.
אֲשֶֽׁרwhoeverrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing an indefinite relative clause ('whoever')אֲשֶׁר (H834), here indefinite-relative 'whoever'; widens the class beyond the named גֵּר to any non-native present in Israel's midst.
בְּתֽוֹכְכֶם֙in your midstprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 2mp suffix · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Predicate of the relative clause (locative, existential 'is among you')תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; 'in your midst' — spatial inclusion within the community.
לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔םthroughout your generationsprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2mp suffix · דּוֹר (H1755)Adverbial prepositional phrase of duration ('throughout your generations')דּוֹר (H1755) 'generation'; marks the law as perpetual, not a one-time provision — the same phrase used of the chapter's other statutes.
וְעָשָׂ֛הand he presentsconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb, weqatal continuing the protasis→ Weqatal: continuation of the conditional protasis, sequential with יָגוּרעָשָׂה (H6213); the sojourner performs the same offering-act required of the native.
אִשֵּׁ֥הa fire offeringN m sg constr · אִשֶּׁה (H801)Adverbial accusative describing the offeringאִשֶּׁה (H801); see v.10.
רֵֽיחַaromaN m sg constr · רֵיחַ (H7381)Construct chain, result/purposeרֵיחַ (H7381); see v.7.
נִיחֹ֖חַpleasingN m sg abs · נִיחוֹחַ (H5207)Genitive complement of רֵיחַנִיחוֹחַ (H5207); see v.7 — the acceptance formula applied without distinction to the sojourner's offering.
לַיהוָ֑הto YHWHprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Prepositional phrase, recipientיְהוָה (H3068); recipient, identical for native and sojourner.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥רasprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing the correlative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) with כְּ, 'just as'; introduces the explicit equality formula that is the theological center of this unit.
תַּעֲשׂ֖וּyou doQal impf 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of the comparative clause→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — the community's standing practice, the normעָשָׂה (H6213), 2mp addressing native Israel — the standard by which the sojourner's practice is measured.
כֵּ֥ןsoadv · כֵּן (H3651)Adverb of manner, correlative resumption ('so')כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; correlative adverb completing the 'as...so' equality formula.
יַעֲשֶֽׂהhe shall doQal jussive 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb, apodosis of the correlative construction→ Jussive/Yiqtol: volitional-modal — the sojourner's obligated conformity to the normעָשָׂה (H6213); the sojourner's matching action — cultic parity stated explicitly for the first time in the chapter.
15

הַקָּהָ֕ל חֻקָּ֥ה אַחַ֛ת לָכֶ֖ם וְלַגֵּ֣ר הַגָּ֑ר חֻקַּ֤ת עוֹלָם֙ לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם כָּכֶ֛ם כַּגֵּ֥ר יִהְיֶ֖ה לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה

For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the sojourner who resides [with you] — a perpetual statute throughout your generations; as you are, so shall the sojourner be, before YHWH.

Climactic statement of principle: the 'one statute' refrain summarizing and grounding vv.13-14asyndeton
The theological payoff of the whole unit: a terse nominal clause asserts that assembly, native, and sojourner share a single, perpetual statute; the paired כָּכֶם כַּגֵּר formula is the chapter's most explicit statement of cultic equality, closing with 'before YHWH' to root that equality in the divine presence itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
הַקָּהָ֕לthe assemblyart + N m sg abs · קָהָל (H6951)Casus pendens / topic, resumed by the following predicate nominal clauseקָהָל (H6951) 'assembly, congregation'; the whole worshiping community, the scope within which the equality statute applies.
חֻקָּ֥הa statuteN c sg abs · חֻקָּה (H2708)Predicate nominativeחֻקָּה (H2708) 'statute, prescribed law', from חָקַק 'to inscribe, decree'; a fixed, unalterable cultic regulation.
אַחַ֛תonenum f sg abs · אַחַת (H259)Attributive adjective (numeral) modifying חֻקָּהאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; emphasizes the singularity/uniformity of the law — no separate statute for insiders and outsiders.
לָכֶ֖םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְPrepositional phrase, dative of possession/referenceלְ with 2mp suffix, 'for you'; native Israel as one party to the single statute.
וְלַגֵּ֣רand for the sojournerconj וְ + prep לְ + art + N m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Prepositional phrase, coordinated dative of referenceגֵּר (H1616); see v.14 — the sojourner named as the second party, joined by the conjunction to native Israel under the same statute.
הַגָּ֑רwho sojournsart + Qal act ptc m sg abs · גּוּר (H1481)Attributive participle modifying גֵּר ('who sojourns')→ Participle: durative/characterizing — describes the sojourner by his ongoing state of residingגּוּר (H1481) Qal active participle 'the one who sojourns'; attributive, specifying which sojourner — one actually resident, not hypothetical.
חֻקַּ֤תa statute ofN c sg constr · חֻקָּה (H2708)Construct noun in apposition to חֻקָּה אַחַת, head of construct chainחֻקָּה (H2708), construct form; resumes 'statute' in apposition, now qualified as perpetual.
עוֹלָם֙of perpetuityN m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Genitive, construct chain ('statute of perpetuity')עוֹלָם (H5769) 'long duration, eternity, perpetuity'; חֻקַּת עוֹלָם is the chapter's formula for an unending cultic ordinance.
לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔םthroughout your generationsprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2mp suffix · דּוֹר (H1755)Adverbial prepositional phrase of durationדּוֹר (H1755); see v.14 — reinforcing perpetuity across generations.
כָּכֶ֛םas youprep כְּ + 2mp suffix · כְּPrepositional phrase, comparative ('as you')כְּ with 2mp suffix, 'like you, as you are'; opens the explicit comparative equation.
כַּגֵּ֥רso the sojournerprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Prepositional phrase, comparative, coordinated ('so the sojourner')כְּ + גֵּר, 'so the sojourner'; completes the comparative equation, the terse legal formula of parity.
יִהְיֶ֖הhe shall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, equative 'shall be')→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a standing, timeless equative statementהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the copular verb stating the sojourner's status as simply equivalent to the native's.
לִפְנֵ֥יbeforeprep לִ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase, locative ('before, in the presence of')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; construct 'before, in the presence of' — locates the equality specifically in the cultic sphere, before YHWH at the altar.
יְהוָֽהYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of preposition לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068); the equality is grounded in relation to God himself, not merely social convention.
16

תּוֹרָ֥ה אַחַ֛ת וּמִשְׁפָּ֥ט אֶחָ֖ד יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֑ם וְלַגֵּ֖ר הַגָּ֥ר אִתְּכֶֽם

One law and one rule shall there be for you and for the sojourner who resides with you.

Final restatement/climax of the 'one law' refrain, closing Movement I (15:1-16)asyndeton
A second, terser doublet of the v.15 refrain — תּוֹרָה אַחַת וּמִשְׁפָּט אֶחָד replacing חֻקָּה אַחַת / חֻקַּת עוֹלָם — functions as the closing bracket of the whole unit begun in v.1, sealing the equal-status principle as the movement's final word before the chapter turns to the חַלָּה offering in v.17.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
תּוֹרָ֥הa lawN f sg abs · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Subject nominal (casus pendens/topic, first of compound subject)תּוֹרָה (H8451) 'instruction, law', from יָרָה 'to teach, direct'; broader than a single statute — the whole body of authoritative teaching.
אַחַ֛תonenum f sg abs · אַחַת (H259)Attributive adjective (numeral) modifying תּוֹרָהאֶחָד (H259); see v.15 — 'one', stressing uniformity.
וּמִשְׁפָּ֥טand a ruleconj וְ + N m sg abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Coordinated subject nominal, second of compound subjectמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, rule, ordinance', from שָׁפַט 'to judge'; paired with תּוֹרָה as a doublet for the whole legal order.
אֶחָ֖דonenum m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive adjective (numeral) modifying מִשְׁפָּטאֶחָד (H259); masculine form matching מִשְׁפָּט, completing the doubled 'one...one' emphasis.
יִהְיֶ֣הshall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, equative 'shall be'), agreeing with the compound subject as 3ms→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — a standing, timeless equative statement, the chapter's final legal formulaהָיָה (H1961); see v.15 — copular 'shall be', stating the final legal conclusion of the unit.
לָכֶ֑םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְPrepositional phrase, dative of possession/referenceלְ with 2mp suffix, 'for you'.
וְלַגֵּ֖רand for the sojournerconj וְ + prep לְ + art + N m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Prepositional phrase, coordinated dative of referenceגֵּר (H1616); see v.14-15.
הַגָּ֥רwho residesart + Qal act ptc m sg abs · גּוּר (H1481)Attributive participle modifying גֵּר→ Participle: durative/characterizing — the sojourner defined by ongoing residenceגּוּר (H1481); see v.15, attributive participle.
אִתְּכֶֽםwith youprep אֵת + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase, adjunct of accompaniment, modifying הַגָּראֵת (H854) 'with'; see v.14 — closes the chapter's equality unit by returning to the image of the sojourner living alongside Israel.
17

וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר

And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying:

New speech-unit (wayyiqtol narrative frame)וַ
This wayyiqtol formula, verbatim identical to 15:1, signals a fresh divine-speech unit and opens the chapter's second major movement, the חַלָּה regulation.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֥רand he spokePiel wayyiqtol 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, opening a new divine-speech unitדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel wayyiqtol formula introducing divine speech to Moses, verbatim repetition of the opening of 15:1 — marking a fresh legislative unit.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subjectיְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; subject of the speech-formula.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Moses as the recipient of the divine word.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the mediator through whom YHWH's law is transmitted to Israel.
לֵּאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Complementary infinitive introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: marks the onset of quoted discourseאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the formulaic לֵאמֹר regularly introduces the content of divine speech that follows.
18

דַּבֵּר֙ אֶל בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ אֲלֵהֶ֑ם בְּבֹֽאֲכֶם֙ אֶל הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנִ֛י מֵבִ֥יא אֶתְכֶ֖ם שָֽׁמָּה

Speak to the Israelites and say to them: When you come into the land into which I am bringing you,

Command formula opening the חַלָּה lawasyndeton
The imperative דַּבֵּר...וְאָמַרְתָּ commissions Moses to relay the law verbatim; the temporal בְּבֹאֲכֶם clause frames the whole חַלָּה regulation (vv.18-21) as applying only once Israel is settled in the land, i.e. it presupposes agriculture and baking, not the wilderness diet of manna.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
דַּבֵּר֙speakPiel impv 2ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Volitional: a direct command to Mosesדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel imperative opening the commission formula (cf. 15:2).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to'; introduces the addressee of the command.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct noun (genitival chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural in the fixed idiom בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל 'children/sons of Israel.'
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of בְּנֵייִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant people's eponym; completes the construct chain 'sons of Israel.'
וְאָמַרְתָּ֖and you shall sayconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the imperative)→ Weqatal: continuation of the volitional command — 'and say'אָמַר (H559) 'to say'; weqatal form continuing the force of the preceding imperative דַּבֵּר.
אֲלֵהֶ֑םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) with pronominal suffix, resuming בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל as the addressee of the quoted speech.
בְּבֹֽאֲכֶם֙when you comeprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 2mp suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Temporal prepositional phrase (fronted subordinate clause)→ Infinitive construct with temporal בְּ: introduces a future/general temporal settingבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; the temporal clause בְּ + infinitive construct sets the scene as future entry into the land, framing the law as prospective, for settled agricultural life.
אֶלintoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase of goalאֶל (H413) 'to, into'; marks the goal of the verb of motion בְּבֹאֲכֶם.
הָאָ֔רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of preposition אֶלאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; here specifically the promised land of Canaan.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הָאָרֶץ)אֲשֶׁר (H834), the invariable relative particle, introducing a clause describing 'the land.'
אֲנִ֛יIindependent pron 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject of מֵבִיאאֲנִי (H589), the independent 1cs pronoun, emphasizing YHWH as the personal agent bringing Israel into the land.
מֵבִ֥יאam bringingHiphil ptc m sg abs · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate participle (relative clause, present/durative)→ Participle: ongoing, durative action — YHWH's continuing act of bringing Israel inבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter'; Hiphil 'to bring, cause to enter' — YHWH as the causative agent of Israel's entry into the land.
אֶתְכֶ֖ם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of מֵבִיא)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi with pronominal suffix, marking 'you [Israel]' as the object being brought in.
שָֽׁמָּהthereadverb + directive ה · שָׁם (H8033)Adverbial (locative, resumptive of הָאָרֶץ)שָׁם (H8033) 'there', with directive ה 'to there' (locative he); resumes 'the land' as the goal of entry.
19

וְהָיָ֕ה בַּאֲכָלְכֶ֖ם מִלֶּ֣חֶם הָאָ֑רֶץ תָּרִ֥ימוּ תְרוּמָ֖ה לַיהוָֽה

And it shall be, when you eat from the bread of the land, you shall lift up a contribution to YHWH.

Apodosis / consequence of the temporal clause in v.18וְ
וְהָיָה formally resumes and continues the temporal frame of v.18 (בְּבֹאֲכֶם...), introducing the substantive command: once settled and eating the land's bread, a תְּרוּמָה must be lifted to YHWH — the general principle that v.20 will make concrete as the חַלָּה-cake.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וְהָיָ֕הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal, apodosis-introducing formula)→ Weqatal: consequential/future formula, 'and it shall come about'הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; the formulaic וְהָיָה introduces the consequence clause following the temporal setting of v.18.
בַּאֲכָלְכֶ֖םwhen you eatprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 2mp suffix · אָכַל (H398)Temporal prepositional phrase (subordinate)→ Infinitive construct with temporal בְּ: 'when/while you eat'אָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; temporal clause specifying the trigger for the תְּרוּמָה obligation — the point of consuming the land's produce.
מִלֶּ֣חֶםfrom the bread ofprep מִן + N (c) sg constr · לֶחֶם (H3899)Partitive prepositional phrase, object of אֲכָלְכֶםלֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; with partitive מִן, 'some of the bread/food' — grain products, the base of settled diet.
הָאָ֑רֶץthe landart + N (c) sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive complement of לֶחֶם (construct chain)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; 'the bread of the land' — produce grown in Canaan, contrasted implicitly with wilderness manna.
תָּרִ֥ימוּyou shall lift upHiphil impf 2mp · רוּם (H7311)Predicate verb (main clause, modal/obligatory yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: modal/obligatory — a standing future dutyרוּם (H7311) 'to be high, rise'; Hiphil 'to lift up, raise, contribute' — the technical verb for setting aside a sacred portion.
תְרוּמָ֖הa contributionN f sg abs · תְּרוּמָה (H8641)Direct object (cognate object of תָּרִימוּ)תְּרוּמָה (H8641) 'contribution, heave-offering', from רוּם 'to be high'; a portion lifted out and set apart for God/priests, here of dough rather than agricultural yield generally.
לַיהוָֽהto YHWHprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Indirect object (recipient of the contribution)יְהוָה (H3068); the offering is directed to YHWH, though practically received by the priesthood as his representatives.
20

רֵאשִׁית֙ עֲרִסֹ֣תֵכֶ֔ם חַלָּ֖ה תָּרִ֣ימוּ תְרוּמָ֑ה כִּתְרוּמַ֣ת גֹּ֔רֶן כֵּ֖ן תָּרִ֥ימוּ אֹתָֽהּ

The first of your coarse meal/dough — you shall lift up a cake as a contribution; like the contribution of the threshing floor, so shall you lift it up.

Specification/application of the general תְּרוּמָה principle of v.19asyndeton
The casus pendens רֵאשִׁית עֲרִסֹתֵכֶם fronts the offering's object for emphasis, then the כְּ...כֵּן comparison to the threshing-floor offering (cf. Num 18:27) legitimates the new dough-offering by analogy to an already-established one.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
רֵאשִׁית֙the first ofN f sg constr · רֵאשִׁית (H7225)Construct noun, fronted for topicalization (casus pendens)רֵאשִׁית (H7225) 'beginning, first, choicest part', from רֹאשׁ 'head'; fronted to topicalize the offering's object — the initial/best portion of the dough.
עֲרִסֹ֣תֵכֶ֔םyour coarse meal/doughN f pl constr + 2mp suffix · עֲרִסָה (H6182)Genitive complement of רֵאשִׁית (construct chain)עֲרִסָה (H6182) 'coarse meal, dough' (rare term, occurring mainly here and Ezek/Neh); the raw ground grain/dough before or as it is baked.
חַלָּ֖הa cakeN f sg abs · חַלָּה (H2471)Direct object (in apposition/predicate to the fronted רֵאשִׁית)חַלָּה (H2471) 'cake, round loaf'; the specific baked portion to be offered, giving this pericope its traditional name (the חַלָּה offering).
תָּרִ֣ימוּyou shall lift upHiphil impf 2mp · רוּם (H7311)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/obligatory dutyרוּם (H7311) Hiphil 'to lift up, contribute'; repeated from v.19, now specifying the exact object — a חַלָּה cake.
תְרוּמָ֑הas a contributionN f sg abs · תְּרוּמָה (H8641)Adverbial accusative (accusative of manner/result)תְּרוּמָה (H8641) 'contribution'; here in apposition to חַלָּה, classifying the cake's cultic status.
כִּתְרוּמַ֣תlike the contribution ofprep כְּ + N f sg constr · תְּרוּמָה (H8641)Comparative prepositional phrase, construct chainתְּרוּמָה (H8641) in construct with כְּ 'like/as'; draws an analogy to the better-known grain-harvest offering.
גֹּ֔רֶןthe threshing floorN (c) sg abs · גֹּרֶן (H1637)Genitive complement of כִּתְרוּמַתגֹּרֶן (H1637) 'threshing floor'; refers to the תְּרוּמָה offered from the grain harvest (cf. Num 18:27, 30), the established analogy for the new dough-offering.
כֵּ֖ןsoadverb · כֵּן (H3651)Adverb of comparison (correlative to כִּתְרוּמַת...)כֵּן (H3651) 'thus, so'; correlative adverb completing the כְּ...כֵּן comparison — 'as..., so...'.
תָּרִ֥ימוּyou shall lift upHiphil impf 2mp · רוּם (H7311)Predicate verb (main clause, resumptive)→ Yiqtol: modal/obligatory duty, resuming and closing the comparisonרוּם (H7311) Hiphil, repeated a third time in this verse — rhetorical emphasis underscoring the offering's obligatory, parallel status to the threshing-floor תְּרוּמָה.
אֹתָֽהּ[obj] itobj marker + 3fs suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (resuming חַלָּה)אֵת (H853) with 3fs suffix, referring back to חַלָּה (feminine) — 'it', the cake.
21

מֵרֵאשִׁית֙ עֲרִסֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם תִּתְּנ֥וּ לַיהוָ֖ה תְּרוּמָ֑ה לְדֹרֹ֖תֵיכֶֽם

From the first of your dough you shall give a contribution to YHWH, throughout your generations.

Summary restatement / perpetuity clause closing the חַלָּה unitasyndeton
This verse restates vv.19-20 in compressed form and appends the standard לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם formula, marking closure of Movement II (the חַלָּה law) before the chapter pivots to the sin/atonement unit in v.22.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
מֵרֵאשִׁית֙from the first ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · רֵאשִׁית (H7225)Partitive prepositional phrase, frontedרֵאשִׁית (H7225) 'first, choicest part'; with partitive מִן, resuming the offering-object from v.20 to restate the obligation as a permanent statute.
עֲרִסֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔םyour coarse meal/doughN f pl constr + 2mp suffix · עֲרִסָה (H6182)Genitive complement of רֵאשִׁיתעֲרִסָה (H6182), as in v.20; repetition of the term secures the identification of this offering with the חַלָּה just described.
תִּתְּנ֥וּyou shall giveQal impf 2mp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/obligatory — a standing dutyנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; here a synonym for the more technical תָּרִימוּ/הרים used in vv.19-20, varying the verb of offering.
לַיהוָ֖הto YHWHprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Indirect objectיְהוָה (H3068); the ultimate recipient of the offering, as in v.19.
תְּרוּמָ֑הa contributionN f sg abs · תְּרוּמָה (H8641)Direct objectתְּרוּמָה (H8641) 'contribution'; direct object of תִּתְּנוּ, closing the inclusio with תְּרוּמָה in v.19.
לְדֹרֹ֖תֵיכֶֽםthroughout your generationsprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2mp suffix · דּוֹר (H1755)Adverbial prepositional phrase (temporal, perpetuity clause)דּוֹר (H1755) 'generation'; the standard formula לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם marks the law as a perpetual statute, closing the חַלָּה unit (vv.18-21) and echoing the perpetuity language of vv.14-15.
22

וְכִ֣י תִשְׁגּ֔וּ וְלֹ֣א תַעֲשׂ֔וּ אֵ֥ת כָּל הַמִּצְוֺ֖ת הָאֵ֑לֶּה אֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶֽׁה

And when you err and do not do all these commandments that YHWH spoke to Moses,

New conditional protasis opening Movement III (atonement for inadvertent sin)וְ
וְכִי תִשְׁגּוּ pivots the chapter from the חַלָּה statute to a new legal case — communal failure to keep the commandments. The verb שָׁגָה establishes from the outset that the scenario in view is unintentional error, setting up the contrast with the 'high hand' sinner of v.30.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְכִ֣יand when/ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing conditional/temporal protasisכִּי (H3588) 'when, if, that, because'; here conditional/temporal, opening the new legal case of inadvertent communal sin.
תִשְׁגּ֔וּyou errQal impf 2mp · שָׁגָה (H7686)Predicate verb (protasis, conditional yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: contingent/hypothetical — an unintended future occurrenceשָׁגָה (H7686) 'to err, go astray, sin unintentionally'; the root behind שְׁגָגָה 'inadvertence' that dominates vv.24-29 — genuine mistake, not defiance.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating תַעֲשׂוּלֹא (H3808), the standard negative; negates the following verb, restating the erring as a failure 'not to do' the commandments.
תַעֲשׂ֔וּyou doQal impf 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (protasis, conditional yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: contingent/hypothetical, continuing the protasisעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; here 'to perform/keep' the commandments — its non-performance defines the inadvertent offense.
אֵ֥ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of תַעֲשׂוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite direct object 'all these commandments.'
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct governing הַמִּצְוֺת, totalizing the scope of the commandments in view.
הַמִּצְוֺ֖תthe commandmentsart + N f pl abs · מִצְוָה (H4687)Genitive complement of כָּל / direct objectמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment', from צוה 'to command'; the totality of YHWH's legislated commands, given specificity by the relative clause that follows.
הָאֵ֑לֶּהtheseart + demonstrative pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַמִּצְוֺתאֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; demonstrative pointing to the body of Torah legislation already given, further specified as 'that YHWH spoke to Moses.'
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הַמִּצְוֺת הָאֵלֶּה)אֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the relative clause identifying the commandments as those YHWH spoke through Moses.
דִּבֶּ֥רspokePiel perf 3ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed act of divine speech, grounding the commandments' authorityדָּבַר (H1696) 'to speak'; Piel perfect, echoing the chapter's recurring speech-formula and tying the commandments' authority directly to YHWH's own words.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of דִּבֶּריְהוָה (H3068); the divine author of the commandments.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to'; introduces Moses as the recipient/mediator of the spoken commandments.
מֹשֶֽׁהMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872); the human mediator, as throughout the chapter.
23

אֵת֩ כָּל אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה אֲלֵיכֶ֖ם בְּיַד מֹשֶׁ֑ה מִן הַיּ֞וֹם אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֧ה יְהוָ֛ה וָהָ֖לְאָה לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶֽם

all that YHWH commanded you through Moses, from the day YHWH commanded and onward, throughout your generations —

Apposition specifying הַמִּצְוֺת הָאֵלֶּה of v.22asyndeton
This verse is a long appositional expansion still dependent on the protasis of v.22, insisting that 'all these commandments' means the entire body of Torah from Sinai onward and for every generation — closing off any attempt to limit the scope of what inadvertent failure could cover.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
אֵת֩[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (resuming הַמִּצְוֺת הָאֵלֶּה from v.22)אֵת (H853), continuing the object construction from v.22, marking 'all that YHWH commanded' as further definition of the commandments.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun (quantifier), head of relative clauseכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; governs the following relative clause, totalizing the scope of YHWH's commands.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause markerאֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the relative clause specifying what YHWH commanded.
צִוָּ֧הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed act of divine commandצָוָה (H6680) 'to command'; Piel, the standard verb for divine legislative commissioning, repeated twice in this verse for emphasis.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068); the commanding subject.
אֲלֵיכֶ֖םto youprep אֶל + 2mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Indirect object of צִוָּהאֶל (H413) with suffix, marking Israel as the addressee of the command.
בְּיַדby the hand ofprep בְּ + N (c) sg constr · יָד (H3027)Prepositional phrase of agency/meansיָד (H3027) 'hand'; the idiom בְּיַד 'by the hand of' marks Moses as the mediating agent through whom the command was delivered.
מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive complement of בְּיַדמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the mediator, as throughout.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase, temporal starting-pointמִן (H4480) 'from'; marks the temporal starting point of the law's ongoing validity.
הַיּ֞וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Object of preposition מִןיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the reference point 'the day' is further specified by the following relative clause.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthat/whenrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הַיּוֹם)אֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the relative clause 'that YHWH commanded' modifying 'the day.'
צִוָּ֧הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed act, marking the historical inception of the lawצָוָה (H6680), repeated from earlier in the verse, now anchoring the perpetuity clause to a fixed historical starting point.
יְהוָ֛הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068); subject, as above.
וָהָ֖לְאָהand onwardconj וְ + adverb · הָלְאָה (H1973)Adverbial phrase (temporal extension)הָלְאָה (H1973) 'onward, further'; paired with מִן הַיּוֹם, forming the idiom 'from the day...and onward' — unbroken continuity from the law's origin.
לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶֽםthroughout your generationsprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2mp suffix · דּוֹר (H1755)Adverbial prepositional phrase (perpetuity clause)דּוֹר (H1755) 'generation'; the recurring perpetuity formula, reinforcing that the commandments' binding force spans all generations, not just the wilderness generation.
24

וְהָיָ֗ה אִ֣ם מֵעֵינֵ֣י הָעֵדָה֮ נֶעֶשְׂתָ֣ה לִשְׁגָגָה֒ וְעָשׂ֣וּ כָל הָעֵדָ֡ה פַּ֣ר בֶּן בָּקָר֩ אֶחָ֨ד לְעֹלָ֜ה לְרֵ֤יחַ נִיחֹ֨חַ֙ לַֽיהוָ֔ה וּמִנְחָת֥וֹ וְנִסְכּ֖וֹ כַּמִּשְׁפָּ֑ט וּשְׂעִיר עִזִּ֥ים אֶחָ֖ד לְחַטָּֽת

then it shall be, if it was done in error, hidden from the eyes of the congregation, then the whole congregation shall offer one young bull as a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma to YHWH, with its grain offering and its drink offering, according to the rule, and one male goat as a sin offering.

Apodosis: ruling for the case introduced in v.22 (corporate inadvertent sin)וְ
This verse specifies the remedy: the burnt offering (bull + grain + drink offering, 'according to the rule' laid down in vv.1-16) restores the pleasing-aroma relationship, while the separate goat חַטָּאת addresses the sin itself — two offerings for two dimensions of the breach.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וְהָיָ֗הand it shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal, apodosis-introducing formula)→ Weqatal: consequential formula introducing the ruling for the described caseהָיָה (H1961); the same formulaic 'and it shall be' as v.19, here launching the ruling for corporate inadvertent sin.
אִ֣םifconj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunctionאִם (H518) 'if'; introduces the conditional clause specifying the circumstances of the error.
מֵעֵינֵ֣יfrom the eyes ofprep מִן + N (c) dual constr · עַיִן (H5869)Prepositional phrase (idiom of concealment)עַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; the idiom מֵעֵינֵי 'hidden from the eyes of' expresses that the error escaped the congregation's own notice — a true, unrecognized mistake.
הָעֵדָה֮the congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Genitive complement of עֵינֵיעֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation, assembly'; the corporate body of Israel, whose collective unawareness defines this case as truly inadvertent.
נֶעֶשְׂתָ֣הit was doneNiphal perf 3fs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (protasis, passive)→ Perfective (passive): a completed act viewed from the result — the deed 'was done' without agency being highlightedעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; Niphal passive shifts focus from the doer to the deed itself, matching the anonymity implied by 'hidden from the eyes.'
לִשְׁגָגָה֒in errorprep לְ + N f sg abs · שְׁגָגָה (H7684)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)שְׁגָגָה (H7684) 'error, inadvertence', from שָׁגָה; the key term of this whole unit (vv.22-29), denoting unintentional sin as opposed to the 'high hand' of v.30.
וְעָשׂ֣וּthen they shall offerconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential/obligatory — the required responseעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; here 'to offer/perform (a sacrifice)', the technical cultic sense — the congregation's remedial action.
כָלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; governs הָעֵדָה, emphasizing that the whole community bears the offering, not select representatives.
הָעֵדָ֡הthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Subject of וְעָשׂוּעֵדָה (H5712), repeated from earlier in the verse; the corporate subject responsible for offering the sacrifice.
פַּ֣רa bullN m sg abs · פַּר (H6499)Direct object of וְעָשׂוּפַּר (H6499) 'bull, young bull'; the animal for the burnt offering, the largest and costliest sacrificial animal — fitting the scale of a corporate offense.
בֶּןson ofN m sg constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct noun in apposition to פַּרבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; idiomatic construct בֶּן בָּקָר 'a young one of the herd', specifying the bull's youth.
בָּקָר֩the herdN (c) sg abs · בָּקָר (H1241)Genitive complement of בֶּןבָּקָר (H1241) 'cattle, herd'; completes the idiom for a young bull from the cattle herd.
אֶחָ֨דonenumeral m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral modifying פַּראֶחָד (H259) 'one'; specifies a single bull is required.
לְעֹלָ֜הas a burnt offeringprep לְ + N f sg abs · עֹלָה (H5930)Adverbial prepositional phrase (purpose/classification)עֹלָה (H5930) 'burnt offering', from עָלָה 'to go up' (wholly consumed on the altar, ascending in smoke); classifies the bull's cultic function.
לְרֵ֤יחַfor a soothing aroma ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · רֵיחַ (H7381)Adverbial prepositional phrase (purpose), construct chainרֵיחַ (H7381) 'aroma, scent'; construct with נִיחֹחַ, forming the standard sacrificial formula describing the offering's acceptability to YHWH.
נִיחֹ֨חַ֙pleasing / soothingN m sg abs · נִיחוֹחַ (H5207)Genitive complement of רֵיחַנִיחוֹחַ (H5207) 'soothing, pleasing', from נוח 'to rest'; the fixed cultic phrase רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ 'a pleasing aroma', signaling YHWH's acceptance of the offering.
לַֽיהוָ֔הto YHWHprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Indirect object/recipientיְהוָה (H3068); the recipient for whom the offering's aroma is pleasing.
וּמִנְחָת֥וֹand its grain offeringconj וְ + N f sg constr + 3ms suffix · מִנְחָה (H4503)Coordinate direct object (accompanying offering)מִנְחָה (H4503) 'grain offering, gift'; the accompanying cereal offering required with the burnt offering, per the fixed proportions of Num 15:1-16.
וְנִסְכּ֖וֹand its drink offeringconj וְ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · נֶסֶךְ (H5262)Coordinate direct object (accompanying offering)נֶסֶךְ (H5262) 'drink offering, libation', from נָסַךְ 'to pour out'; the wine libation accompanying the burnt offering, as legislated earlier in the chapter.
כַּמִּשְׁפָּ֑טaccording to the ruleprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner/standard)מִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'rule, ordinance, judgment'; refers back to the fixed proportions of grain/oil/wine per animal legislated in vv.1-16 — the corporate offering must follow that same prescribed formula.
וּשְׂעִירand a male goat ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · שָׂעִיר (H8163)Coordinate direct object, construct chainשָׂעִיר (H8163) 'male goat'; the animal designated for the accompanying sin offering, distinct from the burnt-offering bull.
עִזִּ֥יםgoatsN f pl abs · עֵז (H5795)Genitive complement of שְׂעִירעֵז (H5795) 'goat'; completes the phrase 'male of the goats' i.e. a he-goat.
אֶחָ֖דonenumeral m sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral modifying שְׂעִיראֶחָד (H259) 'one'; a single goat is designated for the חַטָּאת.
לְחַטָּֽתas a sin offeringprep לְ + N f sg abs (constr form) · חַטָּאת (H2403)Adverbial prepositional phrase (purpose/classification)חַטָּאת (H2403) 'sin offering, purification offering', from חָטָא 'to sin, miss the mark'; distinct from the burnt offering — specifically addresses the purification needed after inadvertent communal sin.
25

וְכִפֶּ֣ר הַכֹּהֵ֗ן עַֽל כָּל עֲדַ֛ת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וְנִסְלַ֣ח לָהֶ֑ם כִּֽי שְׁגָגָ֣ה הִ֔וא וְהֵם֩ הֵבִ֨יאוּ אֶת קָרְבָּנָ֜ם אִשֶּׁ֣ה לַֽיהוָ֗ה וְחַטָּאתָ֛ם לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָ֖ה עַל שִׁגְגָתָֽם

And the priest shall make atonement for the whole congregation of the Israelites, and they shall be forgiven, for it was an error, and they have brought their offering, a fire offering to YHWH, and their sin offering before YHWH, for their error.

Result: priestly atonement and its ground (motive clause)וְ
כִּפֶּר...וְנִסְלַח states the ritual mechanism (atonement leading to forgiveness), and the כִּי clause supplies its warrant: real error, evidenced by the congregation's compliant offering-bringing. This causal logic is precisely what will be denied the 'high hand' sinner in v.30, who acts with open intent rather than error.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וְכִפֶּ֣רand he shall make atonementconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3ms · כָּפַר (H3722)Predicate verb (main clause, weqatal)→ Weqatal: obligatory consequential act — the priest's ritual dutyכָּפַר (H3722) 'to atone, cover, purge'; Piel, the technical priestly verb of atonement — here performed on behalf of the whole congregation.
הַכֹּהֵ֗ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְכִפֶּרכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; the officiant who alone effects atonement on the congregation's behalf.
עַֽלon behalf ofprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (beneficiary of atonement)עַל (H5921) 'on, upon, for'; here marks the party for whom atonement is made.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605); governs עֲדַת, totalizing 'the whole congregation.'
עֲדַ֛תthe congregation ofN f sg constr · עֵדָה (H5712)Construct noun (genitival chain)עֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation'; construct with בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, the full covenant community.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct noun (genitival chain)בֵּן (H1121); construct plural, completing 'the congregation of the sons of Israel.'
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of בְּנֵייִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the covenant people, subject of the atonement and forgiveness.
וְנִסְלַ֣חand it shall be forgivenconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 3ms · סָלַח (H5545)Predicate verb (main clause, passive)→ Weqatal (passive): the assured consequence of the priest's atonement — divine forgivenessסָלַח (H5545) 'to forgive, pardon' — used only of God as subject/agent (implicit here in the Niphal passive); the theological goal toward which כִּפֶּר moves.
לָהֶ֑םto themprep לְ + 3mp suffix · לְIndirect object of וְנִסְלַחלְ with 3mp suffix, 'to/for them' — the congregation as beneficiaries of forgiveness.
כִּֽיfor/becauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces the ground/reason for the forgiveness — the offense was error, not defiance.
שְׁגָגָ֣הan errorN f sg abs · שְׁגָגָה (H7684)Predicate nominativeשְׁגָגָה (H7684) 'error, inadvertence'; predicate noun stating the essential nature of the offense — the ground for forgivability.
הִ֔ואit (was)independent pron 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Subject/copula of the nominal clauseהִיא (H1931), resumptive pronoun functioning as copula in the nominal clause 'it was an error.'
וְהֵם֩and theyconj וְ + independent pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Subject of הֵבִיאוּ (emphatic fronting)הֵם (H1992), independent pronoun fronted for emphasis, highlighting the congregation's own compliance in bringing the offering.
הֵבִ֨יאוּthey have broughtHiphil perf 3cp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act — the offering has already been presentedבּוֹא (H935) Hiphil 'to bring'; the congregation's completed act of presenting the required offerings, the precondition for atonement/forgiveness.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking קָרְבָּנָם as the definite direct object.
קָרְבָּנָ֜םtheir offeringN m sg constr + 3mp suffix · קָרְבָּן (H7133)Direct object of הֵבִיאוּקָרְבָּן (H7133) 'offering', from קָרַב 'to draw near'; general term for the sacrifice(s) just prescribed in v.24.
אִשֶּׁ֣הa fire offeringN m sg abs (in apposition) · אִשֶּׁה (H801)Apposition to קָרְבָּנָםאִשֶּׁה (H801) 'offering by fire', related to אֵשׁ 'fire'; classifies the burnt offering as consumed by fire on the altar.
לַֽיהוָ֗הto YHWHprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Indirect objectיְהוָה (H3068); recipient of the fire offering.
וְחַטָּאתָ֛םand their sin offeringconj וְ + N f sg constr + 3mp suffix · חַטָּאת (H2403)Coordinate direct object of הֵבִיאוּחַטָּאת (H2403) 'sin offering'; the goat offering from v.24, brought alongside the burnt offering.
לִפְנֵ֥יbeforeprep לְ + N (c) pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; the idiom לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of' locates the sin offering at the sanctuary, YHWH's presence.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068).
עַלfor/because ofprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (cause)עַל (H5921) 'on account of'; states the cause/occasion of the sin offering.
שִׁגְגָתָֽםtheir errorN f sg constr + 3mp suffix · שְׁגָגָה (H7684)Genitive complement of עַלשְׁגָגָה (H7684); closes the verse by naming again the inadvertence that occasions the whole ritual — the term bookends the verse (שְׁגָגָה...שִׁגְגָתָם).
26

וְנִסְלַ֗ח לְכָל עֲדַת֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְלַגֵּ֖ר הַגָּ֣ר בְּתוֹכָ֑ם כִּ֥י לְכָל הָעָ֖ם בִּשְׁגָגָֽה

And the whole congregation of the Israelites shall be forgiven, and the sojourner who sojourns among them, for it happened to all the people in error.

Extension: forgiveness explicitly includes the sojourner (גֵּר)וְ
This verse extends v.25's forgiveness to the גֵּר living among Israel, grounding the extension in the same כִּי clause logic — the error was universal ('to all the people'), so the remedy must be too. This anticipates the equal-law principle stated explicitly for both native and sojourner in v.29.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְנִסְלַ֗חand it shall be forgivenconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 3ms · סָלַח (H5545)Predicate verb (main clause, passive)→ Weqatal (passive): the assured result of atonement, restated and extendedסָלַח (H5545), as in v.25; the forgiveness formula is now extended explicitly to include the sojourner alongside native Israel.
לְכָלto allprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Indirect object of וְנִסְלַחכֹּל (H3605); governs עֲדַת, marking the recipients of forgiveness.
עֲדַת֙the congregation ofN f sg constr · עֵדָה (H5712)Construct noun (genitival chain)עֵדָה (H5712), as before.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct noun (genitival chain)בֵּן (H1121).
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of בְּנֵייִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478).
וְלַגֵּ֖רand to the sojournerconj וְ + prep לְ + art + N m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Coordinate indirect object of וְנִסְלַחגֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner, resident alien'; the non-Israelite resident is explicitly included in the same forgiveness as native Israel — a striking inclusivity for the atonement law.
הַגָּ֣רwho residesart + Qal ptc m sg abs · גּוּר (H1481)Attributive participle modifying הַגֵּר→ Participle: durative, characterizing ongoing residenceגּוּר (H1481) 'to sojourn, dwell as an alien'; participial wordplay with גֵּר, defining the sojourner as one who dwells among Israel.
בְּתוֹכָ֑םamong themprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3mp suffix · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst'; locates the sojourner physically within the Israelite community.
כִּ֥יfor/becauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588); introduces the ground for the extended forgiveness — the error was shared by the entire people.
לְכָלto allprep לְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (dative of respect)כֹּל (H3605); governs הָעָם, indicating the error was universal, touching the entire people.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of לְכָלעַם (H5971) 'people'; here a synonym for עֵדָה, embracing native and sojourner alike as one people before the law.
בִּשְׁגָגָֽהwas in errorprep בְּ + N f sg abs · שְׁגָגָה (H7684)Predicate prepositional phrase (nominal clause)שְׁגָגָה (H7684); closes the verse restating that the entire people's failure was genuinely inadvertent — grounds for corporate and universal forgiveness.
27

וְאִם נֶ֥פֶשׁ אַחַ֖ת תֶּחֱטָ֣א בִשְׁגָגָ֑ה וְהִקְרִ֛יבָה עֵ֥ז בַּת שְׁנָתָ֖הּ לְחַטָּֽאת

And if a single person sins in error, she shall offer a yearling female goat as a sin offering.

New sub-case: individual inadvertent sin (parallel to vv.22-26)וְ
וְאִם נֶפֶשׁ אַחַת shifts the legislation from the corporate to the individual case, using the same שְׁגָגָה vocabulary but a scaled-down offering — one female goat instead of a bull-plus-goat pair, proportionate to a single person's guilt.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְאִםand ifconj וְ + conj · אִם (H518)Conditional conjunction opening a new caseאִם (H518) 'if'; shifts from the corporate case (vv.22-26) to the individual case, marked by וְ as a parallel sub-case within the same שְׁגָגָה topic.
נֶ֥פֶשׁa personN (c) sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Subject of תֶּחֱטָאנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, person, living being'; here simply 'a person', shifting the legal subject from the collective עֵדָה to the individual.
אַחַ֖תone/singlenumeral f sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral modifying נֶפֶשׁאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; feminine agreeing with נֶפֶשׁ, emphasizing a single individual as distinct from the whole congregation.
תֶּחֱטָ֣אsinsQal impf 3fs · חָטָא (H2398)Predicate verb (protasis, conditional yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: contingent/hypothetical — a future possible occurrenceחָטָא (H2398) 'to sin, miss the mark'; the general verb for sin, here specified as inadvertent by the following prepositional phrase.
בִשְׁגָגָ֑הin errorprep בְּ + N f sg abs · שְׁגָגָה (H7684)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)שְׁגָגָה (H7684); qualifies the individual's sin as unintentional, matching the corporate case's terminology.
וְהִקְרִ֛יבָהthen she shall offerconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 3fs · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: obligatory consequence — the required offeringקָרַב (H7126) 'to come near'; Hiphil 'to bring near, present (an offering)' — the standard verb for presenting sacrifice, agreeing grammatically with the feminine נֶפֶשׁ.
עֵ֥זa goatN f sg abs · עֵז (H5795)Direct object of וְהִקְרִיבָהעֵז (H5795) 'goat'; the individual's offering is scaled down from the bull of v.24 to a single female goat, appropriate to a single person's error.
בַּתa daughter ofN f sg constr · בַּת (H1323)Construct noun specifying ageבַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; idiomatic construct בַּת שְׁנָתָהּ 'in her (first) year' specifying the animal's age.
שְׁנָתָ֖הּher yearN f sg constr + 3fs suffix · שָׁנָה (H8141)Genitive complement of בַּתשָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; completes the idiom for a yearling goat.
לְחַטָּֽאתas a sin offeringprep לְ + N f sg abs · חַטָּאת (H2403)Adverbial prepositional phrase (purpose/classification)חַטָּאת (H2403) 'sin offering'; classifies the goat's function, paralleling the goat חַטָּאת of the corporate case in v.24.
28

וְכִפֶּ֣ר הַכֹּהֵ֗ן עַל הַנֶּ֧פֶשׁ הַשֹּׁגֶ֛גֶת בְּחֶטְאָ֥ה בִשְׁגָגָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה לְכַפֵּ֥ר עָלָ֖יו וְנִסְלַ֥ח לֽוֹ

And the priest shall make atonement for the person who errs, when he sins in error, before YHWH, to make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven.

Result: priestly atonement for the individual case, paralleling v.25וְ
This verse mirrors v.25's structure almost exactly but for an individual rather than the congregation — the emphatic doubling כִּפֶּר...לְכַפֵּר underscores that atonement, properly performed, reliably issues in forgiveness for genuine שְׁגָגָה.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְכִפֶּ֣רand he shall make atonementconj וְ + Piel weqatal 3ms · כָּפַר (H3722)Predicate verb (main clause, weqatal)→ Weqatal: obligatory consequential act, paralleling v.25 for the individual caseכָּפַר (H3722), as in v.25, now applied to the individual sinner rather than the whole congregation.
הַכֹּהֵ֗ןthe priestart + N m sg abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Subject of וְכִפֶּרכֹּהֵן (H3548).
עַלforprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (beneficiary of atonement)עַל (H5921); marks the individual on whose behalf atonement is made.
הַנֶּ֧פֶשׁthe personart + N (c) sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Object of preposition עַלנֶפֶשׁ (H5315), resuming the individual introduced in v.27, now defined by the following participle.
הַשֹּׁגֶ֛גֶתwho errsart + Qal ptc f sg abs · שָׁגָה (H7684 root שגג)Attributive participle modifying הַנֶּפֶשׁ→ Participle: characterizes the person by the ongoing/general quality of erring, not defianceשָׁגָה/שגג (root behind H7684) 'to err'; participle designates the person's condition as one who errs — a characterization, not an accusation of willfulness.
בְּחֶטְאָ֥הin her sinningprep בְּ + N f sg abs + 3fs suffix (infinitival noun) · חֵטְא (H2398 root חטא)Temporal/circumstantial prepositional phrase→ Infinitival/nominal form: describes the circumstance of the sin's occurrenceחטא (H2398) 'to sin'; here a verbal noun/infinitive with suffix, 'in her sinning' — restates the offense circumstantially.
בִשְׁגָגָ֖הin errorprep בְּ + N f sg abs · שְׁגָגָה (H7683/H7684)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)שְׁגָגָה (H7684); reiterated a third time in as many verses, hammering home that this entire unit addresses only unintentional wrongdoing.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N (c) pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative)פָּנִים (H6440); locates the atonement act at the sanctuary, in YHWH's presence.
יְהוָ֑הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of לִפְנֵייְהוָה (H3068).
לְכַפֵּ֥רto make atonementprep לְ + Piel inf constr · כָּפַר (H3722)Purpose infinitive clause→ Infinitive construct with לְ: purpose — restating the priest's atoning actכָּפַר (H3722); the infinitive restates and reinforces the finite verb כִּפֶּר earlier in the verse — emphatic repetition of the atoning purpose.
עָלָ֖יוfor himprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (beneficiary)עַל (H5921) with suffix, 'for him', resuming הַנֶּפֶשׁ as the beneficiary of atonement.
וְנִסְלַ֥חand he shall be forgivenconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 3ms · סָלַח (H5545)Predicate verb (main clause, passive)→ Weqatal (passive): the assured result of atonement — divine forgivenessסָלַח (H5545), as in vv.25-26, now the outcome for the individual sinner, completing the parallel structure between the corporate and individual cases.
לֽוֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְIndirect object of וְנִסְלַחלְ with suffix, 'to him' — the individual as recipient of forgiveness.
29

הָֽאֶזְרָח֙ בִּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְלַגֵּ֖ר הַגָּ֣ר בְּתוֹכָ֑ם תּוֹרָ֤ה אַחַת֙ יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם לָעֹשֶׂ֖ה בִּשְׁגָגָֽה

For the native-born among the Israelites and for the sojourner who resides among them — there shall be one law for you, for the one who acts in error.

Summary principle closing the שְׁגָגָה sub-unit (vv.22-29)asyndeton
This verse generalizes the equal treatment of native and sojourner already implicit in v.26 into an explicit legal principle — 'one law' — and by naming its scope precisely as לָעֹשֶׂה בִּשְׁגָגָה, sets up the sharp antithesis that v.30 will draw: a different law of consequence applies to one who acts NOT in error but 'with a high hand.'
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
הָֽאֶזְרָח֙the native-bornart + N m sg abs · אֶזְרָח (H249)Subject (fronted, casus pendens)אֶזְרָח (H249) 'native, home-born'; fronted for topicalization, paired with גֵּר to embrace the whole community regardless of origin.
בִּבְנֵ֣יamong the sons ofprep בְּ + N m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Prepositional phrase specifying הָאֶזְרָח's contextבֵּן (H1121); locates the native-born specifically within Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive complement of בְּנֵייִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478).
וְלַגֵּ֖רand for the sojournerconj וְ + prep לְ + art + N m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Coordinate subject/topic (fronted)גֵּר (H1616), paired with הָאֶזְרָח to state the law's equal application to both classes of resident.
הַגָּ֣רwho residesart + Qal ptc m sg abs · גּוּר (H1481)Attributive participle modifying הַגֵּר→ Participle: durative, characterizing ongoing residenceגּוּר (H1481), as in v.26.
בְּתוֹכָ֑םamong themprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3mp suffix · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative)תָּוֶךְ (H8432), as in v.26.
תּוֹרָ֤הone law/instructionN f sg abs · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Predicate nominative (subject of יִהְיֶה)תּוֹרָה (H8451) 'instruction, law', from ירה 'to teach, direct'; here 'a single law' applying without distinction to native and sojourner — a programmatic statement of legal equality.
אַחַת֙single/onenumeral f sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral modifying תּוֹרָהאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; emphasizes there is no separate legal standard for the sojourner — a single תּוֹרָה governs both.
יִהְיֶ֣הshall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: standing/permanent statement of legal factהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; states the enduring equality of the law as an ongoing reality, not a one-time event.
לָכֶ֔םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְPrepositional phrase (dative of possession/reference)לְ with suffix, addressing Israel directly — 'for you [all]', embracing both native and sojourner within the community addressed.
לָעֹשֶׂ֖הfor the one who actsprep לְ + art + Qal ptc m sg abs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Substantival participle, object of preposition לְ→ Participle: characterizes a class of person by habitual/general actionעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, act'; substantival participle 'the one who acts', specified by the following adverbial phrase as acting 'in error.'
בִּשְׁגָגָֽהin errorprep בְּ + N f sg abs · שְׁגָגָה (H7684)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner) modifying לָעֹשֶׂהשְׁגָגָה (H7684); closes the unit's positive legislation on inadvertent sin (vv.22-29) before the sharp pivot to the 'high hand' offender in v.30.
30

וְהַנֶּ֜פֶשׁ אֲשֶֽׁר תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה בְּיָ֣ד רָמָ֗ה מִן הָֽאֶזְרָח֙ וּמִן הַגֵּ֔ר אֶת יְהוָ֖ה ה֣וּא מְגַדֵּ֑ף וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ הַהִ֖וא מִקֶּ֥רֶב עַמָּֽהּ

But the person who acts with a high hand — whether native-born or sojourner — reviles YHWH, and that person shall be cut off from the midst of his people.

Sharp antithesis: the defiant ('high-handed') sinner, contrasted with the erring sinner of vv.22-29וְ
This is the chapter's theological hinge. The adversative וְ and the fronted, heavily modified הַנֶּפֶשׁ אֲשֶׁר... construction mark a deliberate structural break from the preceding שְׁגָגָה unit. בְּיָד רָמָה names not a worse degree of the SAME offense but a different KIND of offense — conscious, contemptuous defiance rather than mistake — and the text draws the theological conclusion directly: such defiance IS reviling (מְגַדֵּף) YHWH himself, and therefore lies outside the reach of the sacrificial atonement just prescribed. Only the כרת penalty — expulsion from the covenant community — fits an offense that is, at root, personal affront to God rather than a correctable procedural lapse.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְהַנֶּ֜פֶשׁbut the personconj וְ + art + N (c) sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Subject (fronted, casus pendens — adversative)נֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'person'; the וְ here is adversative ('but'), sharply pivoting from the erring person of v.29 to a person of a different, defiant kind.
אֲשֶֽׁרwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause marker (modifying הַנֶּפֶשׁ)אֲשֶׁר (H834), introducing the defining relative clause 'who acts with a high hand.'
תַּעֲשֶׂ֣הactsQal impf 3fs · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: characterizing/habitual — defines the class of offender by manner of actingעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, act'; the same verb used throughout for both inadvertent (עֹשֶׂה בִּשְׁגָגָה) and defiant action — the contrast lies entirely in the following phrase, not the verb itself.
בְּיָ֣דwith a handprep בְּ + N (c) sg abs · יָד (H3027)Adverbial prepositional phrase (manner)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; with רָמָה forms the idiom 'with a high/upraised hand' — defiant, deliberate action, the polar opposite of שְׁגָגָה.
רָמָ֗הraised/highQal ptc f sg abs (attributive) · רוּם (H7411)Attributive participle modifying יָד→ Participle: describes a state — the hand held defiantly highרוּם (H7411; cf. also רָמָה 'to be high') 'to be high, exalted'; the idiom בְּיָד רָמָה 'with a high hand' pictures open, brazen defiance — the same posture as a victorious army marching out unafraid (cf. Exod 14:8) — here turned against YHWH himself. This is not a bigger sin than שְׁגָגָה but a different KIND of sin: conscious, contemptuous rebellion rather than mistake.
מִןfrom/whetherprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (partitive, distributive)מִן (H4480) 'from'; distributive use, 'whether from...or from...', covering both classes of person.
הָֽאֶזְרָח֙the native-bornart + N m sg abs · אֶזְרָח (H249)Object of preposition מִןאֶזְרָח (H249); the high-handed sin law, like the inadvertent-sin law, applies without distinction of origin.
וּמִןand fromconj וְ + prep · מִן (H4480)Coordinate prepositional phraseמִן (H4480), coordinated with the preceding, continuing the distributive 'whether...or.'
הַגֵּ֔רthe sojournerart + N m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Object of preposition מִןגֵּר (H1616); the sojourner is equally liable to the severe penalty for defiant sin — no exemption by status.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (object of מְגַדֵּף)אֵת (H853), marking יְהוָה as the definite direct object of the participle מְגַדֵּף — YHWH himself is the target of the reviling.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of מְגַדֵּףיְהוָה (H3068); the object of the reviling — this is precisely what makes the high-handed sin categorically different: it is direct affront to God's person, not merely violation of a rule.
ה֣וּאheindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Resumptive subject pronoun (casus pendens resolution)הוּא (H1931), resuming הַנֶּפֶשׁ as subject after the long fronted relative clause and object — emphatic, 'that one, he...'.
מְגַדֵּ֑ףrevilesPiel ptc m sg abs · גָּדַף (H1442)Predicate participle (main clause, nominal/verbless clause)→ Participle: characterizes the ongoing/essential nature of the act — not a momentary lapse but a settled posture of contemptגָּדַף (H1442) 'to revile, blaspheme, scorn'; Piel participle. Acting 'with a high hand' against YHWH's commandments IS, definitionally, reviling him — the text names the act blasphemy regardless of whether words were spoken, because defiant violation itself insults God's authority.
וְנִכְרְתָ֛הand shall be cut offconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 3fs · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (main clause, weqatal, passive)→ Weqatal (passive): the certain, severe consequence — excision from the community, contrasted with the forgiveness (נִסְלַח) granted for שְׁגָגָהכָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut off'; Niphal, the כרת/karet penalty — severance from the covenant community (traditionally understood as involving premature death and/or loss of posterity), the standard consequence for sins that cannot be atoned by ordinary sacrifice.
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁthe personart + N (c) sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Subject of וְנִכְרְתָהנֶפֶשׁ (H5315), resuming the subject for the penalty clause.
הַהִ֖ואthatart + independent pron 3fs (demonstrative use) · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַנֶּפֶשׁהִיא (H1931) with article functioning demonstratively, 'that person' — the fixed formula marking the person under the כרת sentence.
מִקֶּ֥רֶבfrom the midst ofprep מִן + N m sg constr · קֶרֶב (H7130)Adverbial prepositional phrase (separation)קֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; 'from the midst of' specifies the cutting-off as expulsion from the community's midst.
עַמָּֽהּher peopleN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · עַם (H5971)Genitive complement of מִקֶּרֶבעַם (H5971) 'people'; with 3fs suffix (agreeing with נֶפֶשׁ), the standard כרת formula 'cut off from among her/his people' — total severance from covenant community.
31

כִּ֤י דְבַר יְהוָה֙ בָּזָ֔ה וְאֶת מִצְוָת֖וֹ הֵפַ֑ר הִכָּרֵ֧ת תִּכָּרֵ֛ת הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ הַהִ֖וא עֲוֺנָ֥ה בָֽהּ

Because he has despised the word of YHWH and broken his commandment, that person shall surely be cut off; his iniquity is upon him.

Causal ground + emphatic restatement of the karet sentence from v.30כִּי
The כִּי clause supplies the reason for v.30's penalty in two synonymous parallel verbs (despised...broken), naming attitude and action together. The infinitive-absolute-plus-finite-verb construction הִכָּרֵת תִּכָּרֵת is the strongest grammatical intensifier Hebrew has, marking the certainty of the sentence — deliberately answering the emphatic, doubled certainty of forgiveness (וְנִסְלַח) that closed the שְׁגָגָה unit (vv.25,26,28) with an equally emphatic, doubled certainty of judgment. The closing עֲוֺנָה בָהּ ('her guilt is upon her') is the structural opposite of 'and it shall be forgiven' — guilt that sacrifice cannot remove, because the offense was never a mistake to begin with.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
כִּ֤יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; introduces the grounds for the כרת sentence just pronounced in v.30.
דְבַרthe word ofN m sg constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Construct noun, direct object of בָּזָה (fronted for emphasis)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; construct with יְהוָה, fronted before the verb for emphasis — it is YHWH's very word that has been treated with contempt.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive complement of דְבַריְהוָה (H3068).
בָּזָ֔הhe has despisedQal perf 3ms · בָּזָה (H959)Predicate verb (main clause, causal)→ Perfective: a completed act of contempt underlying the penaltyבָּזָה (H959) 'to despise, treat with contempt'; names precisely the inner disposition behind 'the high hand' — willful scorn for what YHWH has spoken, not ignorance of it.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ joins a second object; אֵת marks מִצְוָתוֹ as the definite direct object of הֵפַר.
מִצְוָת֖וֹhis commandmentN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · מִצְוָה (H4687)Direct object of הֵפַרמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; parallel to דְבַר יְהוָה, the specific, concrete command that was broken.
הֵפַ֑רhe has brokenHiphil perf 3ms · פָּרַר (H6565)Predicate verb (main clause, causal, parallel to בָּזָה)→ Perfective: a completed act — the deliberate breaking/nullifying of the commandפָּרַר (H6565) 'to break, annul, frustrate'; Hiphil, paired with בָּזָה in synonymous parallelism — contempt for the word (attitude) and breaking of the command (action) together constitute the 'high hand' offense.
הִכָּרֵ֧תutterly / surelyNiphal inf abs · כָּרַת (H3772)Infinitive absolute intensifying the following finite verb→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb of the same root: emphatic construction, 'shall SURELY be cut off'כָּרַת (H3772) 'to cut off'; the infinitive absolute paired with the following finite verb (Hebrew's classic emphatic construction) intensifies the certainty and totality of the karet penalty — there is no room for leniency or partial atonement for this offense.
תִּכָּרֵ֛תshall be cut offNiphal impf 3fs · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (main clause, passive), completing the infinitive-absolute construction→ Yiqtol (passive), paired with preceding inf abs for emphasis: an unconditional future certainty — 'shall surely/utterly be cut off'כָּרַת (H3772), finite form completing הִכָּרֵת תִּכָּרֵת 'shall surely be cut off' — the strongest possible statement of the karet penalty, doubling the verb precisely because the offense (despising YHWH's word, v.31a) admits no sacrificial remedy, unlike the שְׁגָגָה cases of vv.22-29.
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁthe personart + N (c) sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Subject of הִכָּרֵת תִּכָּרֵתנֶפֶשׁ (H5315), resuming the subject from v.30 for the final, emphatic restatement of the sentence.
הַהִ֖ואthatart + independent pron 3fs (demonstrative use) · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַנֶּפֶשׁהִיא (H1931) with article, demonstrative 'that person', repeating the formula of v.30.
עֲוֺנָ֥הher guiltN (c) sg constr + 3fs suffix · עָוֺן (H5771)Subject of the final nominal clauseעָוֺן (H5771) 'iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity'; the closing formula 'her iniquity is upon her' declares that the guilt remains fully attached to the offender — no atonement has intervened to remove it, in stark contrast to the שְׁגָגָה cases where atonement removes the guilt entirely.
בָֽהּis upon herprep בְּ + 3fs suffix · בְּPredicate prepositional phrase (nominal clause: 'her guilt [is] in/upon her')בְּ with suffix, 'in/upon her'; completes the verseless closing formula, sealing the guilt permanently to the offender since no sacrifice has been offered or accepted for this offense.
32

וַיִּהְי֥וּ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר וַֽיִּמְצְא֗וּ אִ֛ישׁ מְקֹשֵׁ֥שׁ עֵצִ֖ים בְּי֥וֹם הַשַּׁבָּֽת

And the Israelites were in the wilderness, and they found a man gathering wood on the sabbath day.

Narrative onset — new episodeוְ
Opens a new narrative unit within the legal chapter, shifting from divine legislation to a concrete case; the disjunctive scene-setting clause (Israelites in the wilderness) sets up the sabbath-violation that will require an oracle to resolve, paralleling the case-law pattern of 9:6-14 and 27:1-11.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיִּהְי֥וּand wereQal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (scene-setting)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance, opening a new episodeהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; here the narrative existence-verb opening a new scene, 'and the Israelites were...'
בְנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival, subject)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct plural בְּנֵי with יִשְׂרָאֵל forms the standing idiom 'the sons/children of Israel', i.e. the Israelites.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (nomen rectum in construct chain)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the patriarch Jacob's covenant name, here the national/collective referent completing בְּנֵי in construct.
בַּמִּדְבָּ֑רin the wildernessprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phraseמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, desert'; the setting of the whole post-Sinai wandering narrative, here anchoring the scene where the offense occurs.
וַֽיִּמְצְא֗וּand they foundQal wayyiqtol 3mp · מָצָא (H4672)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the discovery that triggers the episodeמָצָא (H4672) 'to find'; the narrative pivot — the sabbath violation is discovered in the act.
אִ֛ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object of וַיִּמְצְאוּאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; indefinite — an unnamed individual, functioning as a test case for unresolved law.
מְקֹשֵׁ֥שׁgatheringPoel ptc ms abs · קָשַׁשׁ (H7197)Participle in apposition to אִישׁ (attributive/circumstantial)→ Participle: durative, describing the man caught in the actקָשַׁשׁ (H7197) Poel 'to gather (sticks/stubble)'; the participle characterizes the man by his ongoing action — caught in flagrante.
עֵצִ֖יםwoodN m pl abs · עֵץ (H6086)Direct object of מְקֹשֵׁשׁעֵץ (H6086) 'tree, wood, stick'; plural 'sticks/wood', the object gathered — an act forbidden as sabbath labor.
בְּי֥וֹםon the day ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Construct chain (temporal, governs הַשַּׁבָּת)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; construct with הַשַּׁבָּת, 'on the day of the sabbath' = 'on the sabbath day'.
הַשַּׁבָּֽתthe sabbathart + N c sg abs · שַׁבָּת (H7676)Genitive (nomen rectum), completing the temporal constructשַׁבָּת (H7676) 'sabbath, rest-day'; the day whose sanctity the man's act violates, echoing Exod 31:14-15; 35:2-3.
33

וַיַּקְרִ֣יבוּ אֹת֔וֹ הַמֹּצְאִ֥ים אֹת֖וֹ מְקֹשֵׁ֣שׁ עֵצִ֑ים אֶל מֹשֶׁה֙ וְאֶֽל אַהֲרֹ֔ן וְאֶ֖ל כָּל הָעֵדָֽה

And those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and to Aaron and to the whole congregation.

Narrative sequence — formal accusationוְ
Continues the wayyiqtol chain, narrating the procedural step of bringing the offender before the full judicial triad (Moses, Aaron, congregation) established elsewhere in the Torah (cf. Lev 24:11-12) — the case is properly constituted but its verdict is not yet known.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיַּקְרִ֣יבוּand they broughtHiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · קָרַב (H7126)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — formal presentation of the offenderקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil 'to bring near, present'; the technical verb for bringing a case/offering before authority, also used for presenting offerings and legal cases (cf. 27:5).
אֹת֔וֹhimobj marker + suffix 3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (direct object)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, marking the man as the definite object brought.
הַמֹּצְאִ֥יםthose who foundart + Qal ptc mp abs · מָצָא (H4672)Substantival participle, subject of וַיַּקְרִיבוּ→ Participle: substantivized, 'the ones who found/discovered'מָצָא (H4672) Qal active participle with article, functioning as a noun 'the finders' — the eyewitnesses become the accusers.
אֹת֖וֹhimobj marker + suffix 3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (object of the embedded participle)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, resuming 'him' as object of מְקֹשֵׁשׁ — 'him, gathering wood'.
מְקֹשֵׁ֣שׁgatheringPoel ptc ms abs · קָשַׁשׁ (H7197)Participle in apposition (circumstantial, describing the man's action when found)→ Participle: durative, repeating the earlier description to specify the chargeקָשַׁשׁ (H7197) Poel ptc, repeated from v.32 to specify precisely what he was doing when apprehended — establishing the factual basis of the case.
עֵצִ֑יםwoodN m pl abs · עֵץ (H6086)Direct object of מְקֹשֵׁשׁעֵץ (H6086); repeated from v.32, the material evidence of the violation.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal, first of three)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the destination of the formal presentation.
מֹשֶׁה֙Mosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872), Israel's mediator, first-named recipient of the case.
וְאֶֽלand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase (second goal)וְ + אֶל, coordinating the second addressee.
אַהֲרֹ֔ןAaronproper noun · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Object of preposition אֶלאַהֲרֹן (H175), the high priest, named alongside Moses as joint judicial recipient.
וְאֶ֖לand toconj וְ + prep · אֶל (H413)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase (third goal)וְ + אֶל, coordinating the third addressee, the assembled congregation.
כָּלall/the wholeN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier governing הָעֵדָה)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; construct with הָעֵדָה, 'the whole congregation' — communal witness/participation, as in ch. 14.
הָעֵדָֽהthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Genitive (nomen rectum), object of preposition אֶלעֵדָה (H5712) 'congregation, assembly'; the same term for the rebellious community of ch. 14, here reconvened as witness/judicial body for this test case.
34

וַיַּנִּ֥יחוּ אֹת֖וֹ בַּמִּשְׁמָ֑ר כִּ֚י לֹ֣א פֹרַ֔שׁ מַה יֵּעָשֶׂ֖ה לֽוֹ

And they put him in custody, because it had not been declared what should be done to him.

Narrative result + causal explanationוְ
The narrative pauses the action to explain the detention with an embedded causal clause (כִּי לֹא פֹרַשׁ...): the law of Exod 31:14-15/35:2 mandates death for sabbath violation but never specifies the mode of execution, so the congregation cannot yet act — the gap that YHWH's oracle in v.35 will close.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיַּנִּ֥יחוּand they placedHiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · יָנַח/נוּחַ (H3240)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advanceיָנַח/נוּחַ (H3240) Hiphil 'to set, place, deposit'; here 'they placed him' — remanding him pending judgment.
אֹת֖וֹhimobj marker + suffix 3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffixאֵת with 3ms suffix, marking the man as object of custody.
בַּמִּשְׁמָ֑רin custodyprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִשְׁמָר (H4929)Locative prepositional phraseמִשְׁמָר (H4929) 'guard, watch, custody, prison'; from שָׁמַר 'to keep/guard' — the same procedural holding used for the blasphemer in Lev 24:12, a standing legal precedent-pattern for unresolved capital cases.
כִּ֚יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction (causal)כִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; introduces the reason for the detention.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating פֹרַשׁלֹא (H3808), standard negative particle.
פֹרַ֔שׁit had been specifiedPual perf 3ms · פָּרַשׁ (H6567)Predicate verb (main clause of causal clause)→ Pual perfect: passive, stative — a state of unresolved specificationפָּרַשׁ (H6567) Pual 'to be made distinct, specified, declared clearly'; the root behind later rabbinic terminology for explicit legal specification — here what is lacking is precisely a clear ruling on the death-penalty's execution.
מַהwhatinterrogative particle · מָה (H4100)Interrogative pronoun, complement of embedded questionמָה (H4100) interrogative 'what'; introduces the embedded indirect question specifying the content of the missing specification.
יֵּעָשֶׂ֖הshould be doneNiphal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb of embedded clause (modal/deliberative)→ Niphal imperfect: passive, modal — deliberative 'what is to be done'עָשָׂה (H6213) Niphal 'to be done, made'; passive voice leaves the agent unspecified, awaiting the oracle.
לֽוֹto himprep לְ + suffix 3ms · לְPrepositional phrase (dative, indirect object)לְ with 3ms suffix, 'to/for him' — the offender, subject of the pending sentence.
35

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל מֹשֶׁ֔ה מ֥וֹת יוּמַ֖ת הָאִ֑ישׁ רָג֨וֹם אֹת֤וֹ בָֽאֲבָנִים֙ כָּל הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה מִח֖וּץ לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽה

And YHWH said to Moses: The man shall surely be put to death; the whole congregation shall stone him with stones, outside the camp.

Divine oracle resolving the legal impasseוְ
YHWH's direct oracle answers precisely the gap identified in v.34: death is confirmed (repeating Exod 31:14-15's sentence) and the previously unspecified mode — stoning by the whole congregation, outside the camp — is now supplied, turning this narrative into the case-law precedent for 'high-handed' sabbath violation anticipated by 15:30-31.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֹּ֤אמֶרand...saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing direct speech→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — the oracle formulaאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the standard formula introducing direct divine speech, resolving the impasse of v.34.
יְהוָה֙YHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; the oracle comes directly, without priestly mediation, matching the gravity of the case.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413), directing the speech to Moses as sole addressee (contrast v.33's threefold audience).
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872), recipient of the oracular ruling.
מ֥וֹתsurelyQal inf abs · מוּת (H4191)Infinitive absolute intensifying יוּמַת→ Infinitive absolute + finite verb: emphatic certainty — 'shall surely be put to death'מוּת (H4191) 'to die'; infinitive absolute paired with the finite verb of the same root for emphasis, the classic biblical death-sentence formula (cf. Exod 21:12, 31:14-15).
יוּמַ֖תhe shall be put to deathHophal impf 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Predicate verb (main clause, emphatic construction with מוֹת)→ Hophal imperfect: passive, jussive/modal force — the mandated penaltyמוּת (H4191) Hophal 'to be caused to die, be put to death'; passive, leaving the executing agent to be specified in the next clause.
הָאִ֑ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יוּמַתאִישׁ (H376) with article, resuming the offender first introduced in v.32 — now formally identified as the condemned.
רָג֨וֹםsurely stoneQal inf abs · רָגַם (H7275)Infinitive absolute specifying manner/mode of execution→ Infinitive absolute specifying the mode of execution — the answer to v.34's questionרָגַם (H7275) 'to stone'; the infinitive absolute functions almost as an injunction specifying HOW the death sentence is carried out — this is the very specification that was lacking.
אֹת֤וֹhimobj marker + suffix 3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix, object of רָגוֹםאֵת with 3ms suffix, marking the man as object of the stoning.
בָֽאֲבָנִים֙with stonesprep בְּ + art + N f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Instrumental prepositional phraseאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; instrument of execution, the standard method for capital offenses committed openly before the community (cf. Lev 24:14, Deut 13:11).
כָּלall/the wholeN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier governing הָעֵדָה), subject of רָגוֹםכֹּל (H3605), 'the whole congregation' — communal execution makes the whole people complicit in enforcing the sabbath's sanctity.
הָ֣עֵדָ֔הthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Genitive (nomen rectum); subject of the infinitive-absolute clauseעֵדָה (H5712), the same body that witnessed the rebellion of ch.14 now executes the sentence — collective responsibility for covenant fidelity.
מִח֖וּץoutsideprep מִן + N m sg abs · חוּץ (H2351)Locative prepositional phraseחוּץ (H2351) 'outside, street'; with מִן, 'from outside (of)' — the execution site is removed from the sacred camp, echoing the fate of the unclean/condemned (cf. Lev 24:14, ch. 14's fallen generation dying outside the land).
לַֽמַּחֲנֶֽהthe campprep לְ + art + N c sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Genitive object completing the locative phraseמַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'; the sanctified space of Israel's wilderness dwelling — the execution outside it removes the death-defilement from the community's midst.
36

וַיֹּצִ֨יאוּ אֹת֜וֹ כָּל הָעֵדָ֗ה אֶל מִחוּץ֙ לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה וַיִּרְגְּמ֥וּ אֹת֛וֹ בָּאֲבָנִ֖ים וַיָּמֹ֑ת כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה אֶת מֹשֶֽׁה

And the whole congregation brought him outside the camp and stoned him with stones, and he died, just as YHWH commanded Moses.

Narrative resolution — exact complianceוְ
Closes the sabbath-breaker episode with a tightly matched compliance report: every element of YHWH's command in v.35 (outside the camp, stoning, the whole congregation) is repeated as fulfilled, and the closing כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה clause formally certifies the community's obedience, resolving the legal gap the chapter opened.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיֹּצִ֨יאוּand they brought outHiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — compliance beginsיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; the congregation executes the oracle's instructions precisely, beginning with removal from the camp.
אֹת֜וֹhimobj marker + suffix 3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffixאֵת with 3ms suffix, the condemned man as object.
כָּלall/the wholeN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier), subject of וַיֹּצִיאוּכֹּל (H3605), 'the whole congregation' as executing subject, matching the oracle's specification.
הָעֵדָ֗הthe congregationart + N f sg abs · עֵדָה (H5712)Genitive (nomen rectum); subjectעֵדָה (H5712), repeated for the third time in this episode (vv.33,35,36), emphasizing corporate, not individual, execution of the sentence.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413), governing the compound locative מִחוּץ לַמַּחֲנֶה.
מִחוּץ֙outsideprep מִן + N m sg abs · חוּץ (H2351)Locative prepositional phraseחוּץ (H2351) 'outside'; repeated from v.35, confirming exact compliance with the oracle.
לַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔הthe campprep לְ + art + N c sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Genitive object completing the locative phraseמַחֲנֶה (H4264), the camp left behind for the execution.
וַיִּרְגְּמ֥וּand they stonedQal wayyiqtol 3mp · רָגַם (H7275)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — the execution itselfרָגַם (H7275) Qal 'to stone'; the finite fulfillment of the infinitive absolute רָגוֹם commanded in v.35.
אֹת֛וֹhimobj marker + suffix 3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffixאֵת with 3ms suffix, object of the stoning.
בָּאֲבָנִ֖יםwith stonesprep בְּ + art + N f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Instrumental prepositional phraseאֶבֶן (H68), repeated from v.35, the instrument matching the command exactly.
וַיָּמֹ֑תand he diedQal wayyiqtol 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (result)→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — the outcomeמוּת (H4191) Qal 'to die'; the simple report of death, confirming the sentence of v.35 (מוֹת יוּמַת) has been carried out.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֛רjust asprep כְּ + relative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Subordinating conjunction (comparative), introducing compliance clauseכְּ + אֲשֶׁר (H834), 'according to what/just as'; a standard formula affirming exact obedience to a divine command (cf. Exod 39-40).
צִוָּ֥הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Predicate verb of subordinate clause→ Piel perfect: completed, authoritative actצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; frames the whole episode as covenant obedience — the community does exactly, and only, what YHWH ordered.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068), the divine commander whose oracle in v.35 is here fulfilled to the letter.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking מֹשֶׁה as the definite object of צִוָּה.
מֹשֶֽׁהMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Direct object of צִוָּהמֹשֶׁה (H4872), the mediator through whom the oracle was delivered and now, by extension, obeyed.
37

וַיֹּ֥אמֶר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר

And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying:

New speech unit — formulaic transitionוְ
Introduces the chapter's third and final divine-speech unit (identical formula to vv.1, 17), moving from the sabbath-breaker narrative to the closing legislation on tassels — a fresh oracle, structurally marking Movement V.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand...spokeQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, introducing new divine speech→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance — the standard oracle-introduction formulaאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; opens a new speech-unit, identical formula to vv.1 and 17, marking the transition to the tassels legislation.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068), the divine speaker.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413), directing the speech to Moses.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition אֶלמֹשֶׁה (H4872), recipient of the new legislation.
לֵּאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct, marking direct speech to follow→ Infinitive construct: quotative, introducing the content of the speechאָמַר (H559) Qal inf constr with לְ, the standard quotative formula 'saying' opening direct discourse.
38

דַּבֵּ֞ר אֶל בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְאָמַרְתָּ֣ אֲלֵהֶ֔ם וְעָשׂ֨וּ לָהֶ֥ם צִיצִ֛ת עַל כַּנְפֵ֥י בִגְדֵיהֶ֖ם לְדֹרֹתָ֑ם וְנָֽתְנ֛וּ עַל צִיצִ֥ת הַכָּנָ֖ף פְּתִ֥יל תְּכֵֽלֶת

Speak to the Israelites and say to them: they shall make for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments, throughout their generations, and they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue.

New legislative unit — command formulaasyndeton
Opens Movement V with the standard Speak-and-say commissioning formula (paralleling v.2), then states the tassels statute in a weqatal chain (וְעָשׂוּ...וְנָתְנוּ) that specifies both the tassel itself and its distinctive blue cord — the concrete, wearable sign the rest of the unit will interpret.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
דַּבֵּ֞רspeakPiel impv 2ms · דָּבַר (H1696)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Piel imperative: direct volitional commandדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the standard imperative opening Mosaic legislation, identical to v.2's formula.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413), directing the speech-command to the Israelites.
בְּנֵ֤יthe children ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (genitival)בֵּן (H1121) construct plural, 'sons/children of', forming the standing idiom for the nation.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙Israelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (nomen rectum)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), completing 'the children of Israel', the addressees of the new law.
וְאָמַרְתָּ֣and sayQal weqatal 2ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the imperative chain)→ Weqatal: continuation of volitional/imperatival force from דַּבֵּראָמַר (H559) Qal weqatal 2ms, 'and you shall say'; the standard relay-formula instructing Moses to transmit the following words verbatim.
אֲלֵהֶ֔םto themprep + suffix 3mp · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal)אֶל (H413) with 3mp suffix, 'to them', the Israelites as ultimate addressees.
וְעָשׂ֨וּand they shall makeQal weqatal 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (weqatal, main legislative clause)→ Weqatal: continuing modal/injunctive force — a binding future obligationעָשָׂה (H6213) Qal weqatal 3cp, 'and they shall make'; the operative command of the new statute.
לָהֶ֥םfor themselvesprep לְ + suffix 3mp · לְPrepositional phrase (dative of advantage/reflexive)לְ with 3mp suffix, 'for themselves' — reflexive benefit, each Israelite provides his own tassels.
צִיצִ֛תtasselsN f sg abs · צִיצִת (H6734)Direct object of וְעָשׂוּצִיצִת (H6734) 'tassel, fringe'; from a root meaning 'to blossom/sprout' or a lock of hair, a corner-tassel that becomes the physical sign of this command; cf. Deut 22:12's parallel גְּדִלִים.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; specifies where the tassels are placed.
כַּנְפֵ֥יthe corners ofN f pl constr · כָּנָף (H3671)Construct chain (genitival, locative)כָּנָף (H3671) 'wing, edge, corner (of a garment)'; construct plural, 'the corners/edges of' — the four-cornered outer garment's extremities.
בִגְדֵיהֶ֖םtheir garmentsN m pl constr + suffix 3mp · בֶּגֶד (H899)Genitive (nomen rectum) with suffixבֶּגֶד (H899) 'garment, clothing'; with 3mp suffix, completing the construct — the tassels attach to the outer wrap each man wears.
לְדֹרֹתָ֑םthroughout their generationsprep לְ + N m pl constr + suffix 3mp · דּוֹר (H1755)Temporal/distributive prepositional phraseדּוֹר (H1755) 'generation'; with לְ + suffix, the standing formula for perpetual, trans-generational obligation, marking this as a permanent institution.
וְנָֽתְנ֛וּand they shall putQal weqatal 3cp · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (weqatal, continuing legislative chain)→ Weqatal: continuing injunctive force, specifying a further detail of the commandנָתַן (H5414) Qal weqatal 3cp, 'and they shall put/give'; specifies the additional element of blue cord added to the tassel.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921), repeated, specifying placement of the cord.
צִיצִ֥תthe tassel ofN f sg constr · צִיצִת (H6734)Construct chain (genitival, locative)צִיצִת (H6734) construct, 'the tassel of [each corner]'.
הַכָּנָ֖ףthe cornerart + N f sg abs · כָּנָף (H3671)Genitive (nomen rectum), distributive singularכָּנָף (H3671) with article, singular/distributive 'each corner' — the generic corner-tassel now receiving its cord.
פְּתִ֥ילa cord ofN m sg constr · פָּתִיל (H6616)Direct object of וְנָתְנוּ (construct chain)פָּתִיל (H6616) 'cord, thread, twisted string'; construct with תְּכֵלֶת, 'a cord of blue'.
תְּכֵֽלֶתblueN f sg abs · תְּכֵלֶת (H8504)Genitive (nomen rectum)תְּכֵלֶת (H8504) 'blue-purple (dye/wool)', the costly dye also used in the tabernacle's veil and priestly garments (Exod 26:31, 28:5-6) — its presence on every Israelite's tassel extends priestly-sanctuary symbolism to the whole nation.
39

וְהָיָ֣ה לָכֶם֮ לְצִיצִת֒ וּרְאִיתֶ֣ם אֹת֗וֹ וּזְכַרְתֶּם֙ אֶת כָּל מִצְוֺ֣ת יְהוָ֔ה וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם וְלֹֽא תָתֻ֜רוּ אַחֲרֵ֤י לְבַבְכֶם֙ וְאַחֲרֵ֣י עֵֽינֵיכֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁר אַתֶּ֥ם זֹנִ֖ים אַחֲרֵיהֶֽם

And it shall be a tassel for you, that you may see it and remember all the commandments of YHWH and do them, and not go about after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you used to whore.

Purpose clause + prohibitive counter-purposeוְ
States the tassel's rationale in a see-remember-do weqatal chain culminating in a sharp prohibition: תָתֻרוּ ('scout/seek out') deliberately echoes the spies' תּוּר of chs.13-14, and זֹנִים ('whoring') brands the unchecked pursuit of 'your own heart and eyes' as covenant infidelity — the tassel is a daily antidote to exactly the defiant self-will the chapter has been diagnosing since the high-handed sin of vv.30-31 and the sabbath-breaker narrative.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וְהָיָ֣הand it shall beQal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal, continuing legislative chain)→ Weqatal: continuing injunctive/purpose force — stating the tassel's functionהָיָה (H1961) Qal weqatal 3ms, 'and it shall be'; introduces the purpose-clause explaining why the tassel is commanded.
לָכֶם֮for youprep לְ + suffix 2mp · לְPrepositional phrase (dative of advantage)לְ with 2mp suffix, 'for you' — the tassel's benefit accrues to the wearer.
לְצִיצִת֒as a tasselprep לְ + N f sg abs · צִיצִת (H6734)Predicate complement (essive, with הָיָה)צִיצִת (H6734) with לְ of essence/predication, 'to be a tassel [for you]' — idiomatic 'it shall serve you as a tassel'.
וּרְאִיתֶ֣םand you shall seeQal weqatal 2mp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (weqatal, purpose chain)→ Weqatal: continuing purpose/result force — first link in the see-remember-do chainרָאָה (H7200) Qal weqatal 2mp, 'and you shall see'; the tassel's function begins with the physical, visual cue.
אֹת֗וֹitobj marker + suffix 3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix, object of וּרְאִיתֶםאֵת with 3ms suffix, referring back to the tassel.
וּזְכַרְתֶּם֙and you shall rememberQal weqatal 2mp · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (weqatal, purpose chain)→ Weqatal: continuing purpose force — the seeing issues in rememberingזָכַר (H2142) Qal weqatal 2mp, 'and you shall remember'; the tassel functions as a mnemonic device linking sight to covenant memory.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking the object of remembering.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605), 'all of' — totality of the commandments, none to be selectively forgotten.
מִצְוֺ֣תthe commandments ofN f pl constr · מִצְוָה (H4687)Genitive (nomen rectum), construct with יְהוָהמִצְוָה (H4687) 'commandment'; plural construct, the whole body of YHWH's law which the tassel exists to recall.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing the construct chainיְהוָה (H3068), source and authority of the commandments remembered.
וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖םand you shall doQal weqatal 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (weqatal, purpose chain — climax)→ Weqatal: continuing purpose force — the chain's telos, obedient actionעָשָׂה (H6213) Qal weqatal 2mp, 'and you shall do them'; sight and memory culminate in practice — the tassel's ultimate aim is obedience, not mere sentiment.
אֹתָ֑םthemobj marker + suffix 3mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix, object of וַעֲשִׂיתֶםאֵת with 3mp suffix, referring to the commandments.
וְלֹֽאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Coordinating conjunction + negative particle, negating תָתֻרוּוְ + לֹא (H3808), turning from positive purpose to a prohibitive counter-purpose.
תָתֻ֜רוּyou shall go aboutQal impf 2mp · תּוּר (H8446)Predicate verb (yiqtol, prohibitive/negated purpose)→ Yiqtol: modal/prohibitive — an ongoing behavior to be foreclosedתּוּר (H8446) Qal 'to seek out, spy out, explore'; the same verb used for the spies' reconnaissance in ch.13 (תּוּר אֶת הָאָרֶץ) — the tassel guards against the very faculty of unchecked 'scouting'/desire that produced the rebellion of chs. 13-14.
אַחֲרֵ֤יafterprep · אַחֲרֵי (H310)Prepositional phrase (governing לְבַבְכֶם)אַחַר/אַחֲרֵי (H310) 'after, behind'; marks the object of illicit pursuit.
לְבַבְכֶם֙your heartN m sg constr + suffix 2mp · לֵבָב (H3824)Object of preposition אַחֲרֵילֵבָב (H3824) 'heart, mind, will'; the seat of desire and intention — 'your own heart' names autonomous inner impulse as the danger to be checked.
וְאַחֲרֵ֣יand afterconj וְ + prep · אַחֲרֵי (H310)Coordinating conjunction + prepositional phrase (second object)וְ + אַחֲרֵי (H310), coordinating the second illicit pursuit-object, the eyes.
עֵֽינֵיכֶ֔םyour eyesN c dual constr + suffix 2mp · עַיִן (H5869)Object of preposition אַחֲרֵיעַיִן (H5869) 'eye'; paired with לֵבָב, 'heart and eyes' names both the inner desire and the outward perception that triggers it — the same pairing implicated in the spies' report (13:33) and the golden-calf tradition (Exod 32).
אֲשֶׁרafter whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle, introducing relative clause modifying עֵינֵיכֶם/לְבַבְכֶםאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle introducing the clause describing the Israelites' past pattern of infidelity.
אַתֶּ֥םyouindependent pronoun 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject (independent pronoun, emphatic) of זֹנִיםאַתֶּם (H859), independent 2mp pronoun, emphatic — underscoring that this pattern belongs distinctly to 'you', the addressed generation.
זֹנִ֖יםused to whoreQal ptc mp abs · זָנָה (H2181)Predicate verb (participle, durative/habitual)→ Participle: durative/habitual — a characteristic, repeated pattern of unfaithfulnessזָנָה (H2181) Qal 'to be a harlot, act unfaithfully'; here metaphorical for covenant infidelity — casting the pursuit of autonomous heart-and-eye desire as a form of spiritual/marital betrayal of YHWH.
אַחֲרֵיהֶֽםafter themprep + suffix 3mp · אַחֲרֵי (H310)Prepositional phrase, resuming אַחֲרֵי with 3mp suffix referring back to heart/eyesאַחַר (H310) with 3mp suffix, resumptive — 'after them (heart and eyes)', closing the relative clause and driving home the diagnosis of the nation's characteristic sin.
40

לְמַ֣עַן תִּזְכְּר֔וּ וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֶת כָּל מִצְוֺתָ֑י וִהְיִיתֶ֥ם קְדֹשִׁ֖ים לֵֽאלֹהֵיכֶֽם

so that you may remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your God.

Purpose clause — summary and climaxasyndeton
Tightens v.39's rationale into a compact remember-do-be sequence, moving from action (remembering, doing) to identity (being holy) — the tassel's ultimate aim is not merely correct behavior but conformity to YHWH's own holiness, setting up the closing self-identification formula of v.41.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
לְמַ֣עַןso thatprep · לְמַעַן (H4616)Subordinating conjunction (purpose)לְמַעַן (H4616) 'for the sake of, in order that'; introduces the final purpose-clause summarizing the tassel's aim, reiterating and sealing v.39's rationale.
תִּזְכְּר֔וּyou may rememberQal impf 2mp · זָכַר (H2142)Predicate verb (yiqtol, purpose clause)→ Yiqtol: modal/purposive — the intended result of the tasselזָכַר (H2142) Qal imperfect 2mp, 'you may/will remember'; recapitulates וּזְכַרְתֶּם of v.39, tightening the purpose to its essential core.
וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖םand doQal weqatal 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (weqatal, continuing purpose)→ Weqatal: continuing purposive force — remembering issues in doingעָשָׂה (H6213) Qal weqatal 2mp, 'and do'; remembering and doing remain paired, as in v.39, memory without practice being insufficient.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking the object of doing.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (quantifier)כֹּל (H3605), 'all of' — totality, echoing v.39.
מִצְוֺתָ֑יmy commandmentsN f pl constr + suffix 1cs · מִצְוָה (H4687)Genitive (nomen rectum) with 1cs suffixמִצְוָה (H4687) with 1cs suffix, 'my commandments' — first-person divine speech, YHWH speaking directly rather than in third person as in v.39's מִצְוֺת יְהוָה, heightening intimacy and authority.
וִהְיִיתֶ֥םand beQal weqatal 2mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal, purpose clause — climax)→ Weqatal: continuing purposive force, the ultimate telos — status, not just actionהָיָה (H1961) Qal weqatal 2mp, 'and you shall be'; the chain's climax moves beyond doing to being — a transformed state of holiness.
קְדֹשִׁ֖יםholyAdj m pl abs · קָדוֹשׁ (H6918)Predicate adjective (complement of וִהְיִיתֶם)קָדוֹשׁ (H6918) 'holy, set apart'; the tassel's ultimate purpose is not mere reminder but conformity to YHWH's own holiness (cf. Lev 19:2), closing the loop from a wood-gatherer's profanation of sacred time (vv.32-36) to the call to be holy.
לֵֽאלֹהֵיכֶֽםto your Godprep לְ + N m pl constr + suffix 2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Dative complement specifying relational holinessאֱלֹהִים (H430) with לְ + 2mp suffix, 'to/for your God'; holiness is relational, oriented toward and defined by covenant belonging to YHWH.
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אֲנִ֞י יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצֵ֤אתִי אֶתְכֶם֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם לִהְי֥וֹת לָכֶ֖ם לֵאלֹהִ֑ים אֲנִ֖י יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם

I am YHWH your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am YHWH your God.

Chapter-closing self-identification formula (inclusio)asyndeton
The chapter closes not with further legislation but with YHWH's self-naming, repeated twice, grounding the tassels-command (and by extension every law in the chapter, from the land-entry offerings to the sabbath-breaker's sentence) in the founding exodus-redemption; the doubled 'I am YHWH your God' functions as an emphatic seal, later crystallized as the third paragraph of the Shema.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
אֲנִ֞יIindependent pronoun 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject (independent pronoun), predicate nominative constructionאֲנִי (H589), independent 1cs pronoun; opens the self-identification formula, the same 'I am YHWH' that frames the Decalogue and Holiness Code (Lev 18-26).
יְהוָ֣הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominative (in apposition to אֲנִי)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name, here in the self-identification formula that grounds the whole tassels-command in YHWH's own character and prior redemptive act.
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֗םyour GodN m pl constr + suffix 2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate nominative (in apposition), completing the formulaאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2mp suffix, 'your God'; asserts the covenant relationship as the ground of obedience — cf. the Decalogue's identical formula (Exod 20:2).
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle, introducing relative clause modifying יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶםאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle introducing the historical warrant for YHWH's claim — the exodus.
הוֹצֵ֤אתִיI brought outHiphil perf 1cs · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Hiphil perfect 1cs: completed, definitive redemptive actיָצָא (H3318) Hiphil 'to bring out'; the exodus-verb, YHWH's signature redemptive act and the ultimate ground for covenant obligation, including the tassels.
אֶתְכֶם֙youobj marker + suffix 2mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix, object of הוֹצֵאתִיאֵת with 2mp suffix, marking Israel as the object of the exodus deliverance.
מֵאֶ֣רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Source prepositional phrase (construct)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; construct with מִצְרַיִם, source of the deliverance.
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptproper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive (nomen rectum)מִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt, the land of bondage from which YHWH delivered Israel — the historical anchor of covenant identity.
לִהְי֥וֹתto beprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָיָה (H1961)Infinitive construct (purpose), complement of הוֹצֵאתִי→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the goal of the exodusהָיָה (H1961) Qal inf constr with לְ, 'to be'; states the purpose of the exodus itself — not merely liberation from Egypt but covenant belonging.
לָכֶ֖םfor youprep לְ + suffix 2mp · לְPrepositional phrase (dative of advantage)לְ with 2mp suffix, 'for you' — the relational goal of the exodus, benefiting Israel.
לֵאלֹהִ֑יםas Godprep לְ + N m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate complement (essive, with לִהְיוֹת)אֱלֹהִים (H430) with לְ of essence, 'to be God [to you]' — completing the purpose clause: the exodus was for the sake of this relationship.
אֲנִ֖יIindependent pronoun 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject (independent pronoun), predicate nominative construction (formula repeated)אֲנִי (H589), repeating the opening formula verbatim — the emphatic double bracketing that later Jewish tradition (the third paragraph of the Shema) reads as the climactic seal of the whole passage.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Predicate nominative (in apposition)יְהוָה (H3068), repeated for closural emphasis, framing the entire tassels-unit (and the chapter) with YHWH's covenant name.
אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽםyour GodN m pl constr + suffix 2mp · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Predicate nominative (in apposition), completing the formulaאֱלֹהִים (H430) with 2mp suffix, repeated to close the chapter — the everyday tassel is thus anchored in the foundational exodus-identity formula, the same 'I am YHWH your God who brought you out' that undergirds the whole Sinai covenant.