1
וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוָ֣ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֣ה בְמִדְבַּר סִ֠ינַי בַּשָּׁנָ֨ה הַשֵּׁנִ֜ית לְצֵאתָ֨ם מֵאֶ֧רֶץ מִצְרַ֛יִם בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁ֖וֹן לֵאמֹֽר
And YHWH spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the second year of their going out from the land of Egypt, in the first month, saying,
The chapter opens with the standard prophetic-word formula, dated precisely: the second year, first month — a full month before the muster of ch. 1 (second year, second month) but chronologically the earliest event in the book, signaling that Numbers' opening census is not strictly sequential with this Passover instruction.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֣רspokeconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, opening the speech-formulaדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the standard formula introducing divine speech to Moses.
יְהוָ֣הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיְדַבֵּריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; subject of the recurring speech-formula.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Moses as recipient of the divine word.
מֹשֶׁ֣הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of the preposition אֶל (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), Moses, mediator of the divine word to Israel.
בְמִדְבַּרin the wilderness ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phraseמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, steppe'; construct with סִינַי locating the speech-event at Sinai.
סִ֠ינַיSinaiN proper · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive of the construct chain (place name)סִינַי (H5514), the covenant mountain; here designating the wilderness where Israel is still encamped a year after the exodus.
בַּשָּׁנָ֨הin the yearprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Temporal prepositional phrase (fronted setting)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; dates the Passover instruction to the second year after the exodus.
הַשֵּׁנִ֜יתthe secondart + ordinal adj f sg abs · שֵׁנִית (H8145)Attributive adjective modifying שָׁנָהשֵׁנִי (H8145) 'second', from שָׁנָה 'to repeat'; fixes the date one year after the exodus (cf. Exod 40:17; Num 1:1).
לְצֵאתָ֨םof their going outprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 3mp suffix · יָצָא (H3318)Temporal infinitival clause (genitive of time, subj. suffix)→ Infinitive construct: temporal — dates the year relative to the exodus eventיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; the infinitive with לְ and pronominal subject dates the second year to Israel's departure from Egypt.
מֵאֶ֧רֶץfrom the land ofprep מִן + N c sg constr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Source prepositional phrase (complement of the infinitive)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, earth'; construct with מִצְרַיִם, the source of the exodus.
מִצְרַ֛יִםEgyptN proper · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive of the construct chain (place name)מִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt, the land of bondage from which Israel departed.
בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁin the monthprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Temporal prepositional phraseחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month, new moon'; further pins the date within the second year.
הָרִאשׁ֖וֹןthe firstart + ordinal adj m sg abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Attributive adjective modifying חֹדֶשׁרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first', from רֹאשׁ 'head'; the first month, later called Nisan/Abib, the month of the exodus and the Passover (Exod 12:2).
לֵאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Quotative infinitive introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: formulaic, introduces the following direct discourseאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; לֵאמֹר is the standard formula opening a divine-speech quotation.
2
וְיַעֲשׂ֧וּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל אֶת הַפָּ֖סַח בְּמוֹעֲדֽוֹ
Let the sons of Israel keep the Passover at its appointed time.
The yiqtol form יַעֲשׂוּ functions as a jussive/injunctive; the verse states the bare requirement before v. 3 supplies its precise date and manner.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וְיַעֲשׂ֧וּlet them keepconj וְ + Qal jussive/impf 3mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (jussive, main clause)→ Yiqtol: volitional/jussive — the injunction opening the chapter's Passover commandעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; with פֶּסַח idiomatically 'to keep, observe' the Passover (cf. Exod 12:48).
בְנֵיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject (construct chain, first element)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל, the standard designation for the Israelite community.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chain (subject)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Israel; here the covenant nation as subject of the command.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking the definite direct object הַפָּסַח.
הַפָּ֖סַחthe Passoverart + N m sg abs · פֶּסַח (H6453)Direct object of וְיַעֲשׂוּפֶּסַח (H6453) 'Passover', from פָּסַח 'to pass over, protect' (Exod 12:13, 23, 27); both the festival and its sacrificial victim.
בְּמוֹעֲדֽוֹat its appointed timeprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Temporal prepositional phrase (adverbial)מוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time, fixed season', from יָעַד 'to appoint'; the Passover's fixed calendar date, a keyword recurring throughout the chapter (vv. 2, 3, 7, 13).
3
בְּאַרְבָּעָ֣ה עָשָֽׂר י֠וֹם בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֜ה בֵּ֧ין הָֽעֲרְבַּ֛יִם תַּעֲשׂ֥וּ אֹת֖וֹ בְּמוֹעֲד֑וֹ כְּכָל חֻקֹּתָ֥יו וּכְכָל מִשְׁפָּטָ֖יו תַּעֲשׂ֥וּ אֹתֽוֹ
On the fourteenth day of this month, between the evenings, you shall keep it at its appointed time; according to all its statutes and according to all its ordinances you shall keep it.
The verb תַּעֲשׂוּ 'you shall keep' brackets the verse, first governing the date/time and then the statutes/ordinances, underscoring exact conformity to the Exodus 12 precedent — nothing left to local improvisation.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
בְּאַרְבָּעָ֣הfourprep בְּ + cardinal num m sg abs · אַרְבָּעָה (H702)Numeral forming 'fourteen' with עָשָׂר (temporal phrase)אַרְבָּעָה (H702) 'four'; combined with עָשָׂר 'ten' forms the compound numeral 'fourteen', the fixed Passover date (cf. Exod 12:6).
עָשָֽׂר-teencardinal num m sg abs · עָשָׂר (H6240)Second element of the compound numeral 'fourteen'עָשָׂר (H6240) 'ten' (teens-suffix element); אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר = 'fourteen'.
י֠וֹםdayN m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Head noun of the temporal phrase (adverbial accusative)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; specifies the fourteenth DAY of the month as the Passover date.
בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁin the monthprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Temporal prepositional phraseחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month'; 'this month' resumes 'the first month' of v. 1.
הַזֶּ֜הthisart + demonstrative pron m sg · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying חֹדֶשׁזֶה (H2088) 'this'; anaphoric, pointing back to 'the first month' named in v. 1.
בֵּ֧יןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)Prepositional phrase (paired with the dual הָעַרְבַּיִם)בֵּין (H996) 'between'; with the dual הָעַרְבַּיִם forms the idiom 'between the two evenings', i.e. twilight/dusk.
הָֽעֲרְבַּ֛יִםthe two eveningsart + N m dual abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Object of the preposition בֵּין (idiom for twilight)עֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'; the dual הָעַרְבַּיִם is the technical Passover-slaughter time, traditionally late afternoon/dusk (cf. Exod 12:6).
תַּעֲשׂ֥וּyou shall keepQal impf 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, prescriptive)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — binding legal requirementעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; idiomatic 'to keep/observe' with פֶּסַח as object (here resumed by the pronoun אֹתוֹ).
אֹת֖וֹ[obj] itobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with pronominal suffix (resumes הַפֶּסַח)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, resuming 'the Passover' as the object of תַּעֲשׂוּ.
בְּמוֹעֲד֑וֹat its appointed timeprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Temporal prepositional phrase (adverbial)מוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time'; repeats the keyword of v. 2, reinforcing the fixed date.
כְּכָלaccording to allprep כְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (normative standard)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; כְּכָל 'according to all' introduces the comprehensive standard of conformity.
חֻקֹּתָ֥יוits statutesN c pl constr + 3ms suffix · חֻקָּה (H2708)Genitive completing כְּכָלחֻקָּה (H2708) 'statute, prescribed rule', from חָקַק 'to inscribe, decree'; the fixed ritual regulations of the Passover.
וּכְכָלand according to allconj וְ + prep כְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinated prepositional phraseכֹּל (H3605); parallel to the previous phrase, pairing חֻקּוֹת with מִשְׁפָּטִים.
מִשְׁפָּטָ֖יוits ordinancesN m pl constr + 3ms suffix · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Genitive completing וּכְכָלמִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'judgment, ordinance', from שָׁפַט 'to judge'; paired with חֻקָּה as a hendiadys for the whole body of Passover regulation.
תַּעֲשׂ֥וּyou shall keepQal impf 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, resumed for emphasis)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — repetition frames both temporal and legal dimensions of complianceעָשָׂה (H6213); the verb's repetition forms an inclusio with the verse's opening תַּעֲשׂוּ.
אֹתֽוֹ[obj] itobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with pronominal suffix (resumes הַפֶּסַח)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, again resuming 'the Passover' as object.
4
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר מֹשֶׁ֛ה אֶל בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לַעֲשֹׂ֥ת הַפָּֽסַח
So Moses spoke to the sons of Israel to keep the Passover.
The narrative resumes with Moses as subject (contrast v. 1's YHWH), reporting the transmission rather than repeating YHWH's exact words — standard priestly narrative compression.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֥רspokeconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; here Moses, not YHWH, is subject — the transmission of the command.
מֹשֶׁ֛הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872), Moses; subject of the transmission-formula, distinct from v. 1's YHWH.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Object of preposition אֶל (construct chain, first element)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Israel; addressees of Moses' transmitted command.
לַעֲשֹׂ֥תto keepprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Purpose/complementary infinitive (content of the speech)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — the content of Moses' instructionעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; infinitival complement expressing the purpose/content of Moses' speech.
הַפָּֽסַחthe Passoverart + N m sg abs · פֶּסַח (H6453)Direct object of the infinitive לַעֲשֹׂתפֶּסַח (H6453) 'Passover'; object of the infinitive, repeating the keyword of vv. 2-3.
5
וַיַּעֲשׂ֣וּ אֶת הַפֶּ֡סַח בָּרִאשׁ֡וֹן בְּאַרְבָּעָה֩ עָשָׂ֨ר י֥וֹם לַחֹ֛דֶשׁ בֵּ֥ין הָעַרְבַּ֖יִם בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר סִינָ֑י כְּ֠כֹל אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ אֶת מֹשֶׁ֔ה כֵּ֥ן עָשׂ֖וּ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
And they kept the Passover in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, between the evenings, in the wilderness of Sinai; according to all that YHWH commanded Moses, so the sons of Israel did.
The chapter's first fulfillment notice: the כֵּן עָשׂוּ 'so they did' formula (cf. Exod 12:28, 39:32, 43) affirms exact compliance and closes the opening panel (vv. 1-5) before the crisis of vv. 6-14 complicates it.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
וַיַּעֲשׂ֣וּand they keptconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative fulfillment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — fulfillment of the commandעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; idiomatic 'they kept/observed' the Passover, reporting compliance.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַפֶּסַח as definite direct object.
הַפֶּ֡סַחthe Passoverart + N m sg abs · פֶּסַח (H6453)Direct object of וַיַּעֲשׂוּפֶּסַח (H6453) 'Passover'; object of the fulfillment notice.
בָּרִאשׁ֡וֹןin the first (month)prep בְּ + art + ordinal adj m sg abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Temporal prepositional phrase (elliptical for 'month')רִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first'; elliptically 'in the first (month)', resuming v. 1's date.
בְּאַרְבָּעָה֩fourprep בְּ + cardinal num m sg abs · אַרְבָּעָה (H702)Numeral forming 'fourteenth' with עָשָׂר (temporal phrase)אַרְבָּעָה (H702) 'four'; part of the compound numeral 'fourteen'.
עָשָׂ֨ר-teencardinal num m sg abs · עָשָׂר (H6240)Second element of the compound numeralעָשָׂר (H6240) 'ten' (teens element); with אַרְבָּעָה = 'fourteen'.
י֥וֹםdayN m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Head noun of the temporal phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the fourteenth day, exactly as commanded in v. 3.
לַחֹ֛דֶשׁof the monthprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Temporal prepositional phrase (genitival)חֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month'; לַחֹדֶשׁ specifies the fourteenth day belongs to the first month.
בֵּ֥יןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)Prepositional phrase (paired with the dual הָעַרְבַּיִם)בֵּין (H996) 'between'; forms 'between the two evenings' with הָעַרְבַּיִם.
הָעַרְבַּ֖יִםthe two eveningsart + N m dual abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Object of the preposition בֵּין (idiom for twilight)עֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'; the dual for the twilight slaughter-time.
בְּמִדְבַּ֣רin the wilderness ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phraseמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness'; construct with סִינָי, resuming the setting of v. 1.
סִינָ֑יSinaiN proper · סִינַי (H5514)Genitive of the construct chainסִינַי (H5514), Sinai; the location of this first, prototype Passover observance.
כְּ֠כֹלaccording to allprep כְּ + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (comparative standard)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; introduces the relative clause of exact compliance.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the object clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), indeclinable relative particle, 'that, which'.
צִוָּ֤הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of commandצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command, charge'; the standard verb for divine legislative instruction.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of צִוָּהיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the command referenced by the relative clause.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking מֹשֶׁה as the (personal) direct object of צִוָּה.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Direct object of צִוָּהמֹשֶׁה (H4872), Moses; recipient of YHWH's command (cf. v. 4).
כֵּ֥ןsoadv · כֵּן (H3651)Adverb of manner (correlative with כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; correlative with the preceding כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר clause — 'just as ... so'.
עָשׂ֖וּdidQal perf 3cp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, summary)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act of complianceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; the summary fulfillment formula כֵּן עָשׂוּ (cf. Exod 12:28, 50).
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subjectבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chain (subject)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Israel; subject of the fulfillment formula, closing the opening panel (vv. 1-5).
6
וַיְהִ֣י אֲנָשִׁ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר הָי֤וּ טְמֵאִים֙ לְנֶ֣פֶשׁ אָדָ֔ם וְלֹא יָכְל֥וּ לַעֲשֹׂת הַפֶּ֖סַח בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֑וּא וַֽיִּקְרְב֞וּ לִפְנֵ֥י מֹשֶׁ֛ה וְלִפְנֵ֥י אַהֲרֹ֖ן בַּיּ֥וֹם הַהֽוּא
But there were men who were unclean by the corpse of a person, and they could not keep the Passover on that day; and they came near before Moses and before Aaron on that day.
וַיְהִי אֲנָשִׁים introduces the concrete test case that generates new legislation, a pattern typical of priestly law (cf. Lev 24:10-23; Num 27:1-11): the general command of vv. 1-5 meets a circumstance it did not anticipate, and the men themselves initiate the process by approaching Moses and Aaron.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיְהִ֣יand there wereconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative — existential)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, existential 'there came to be'הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; existential wayyiqtol introducing a new narrative circumstance (cf. Gen 1:3).
אֲנָשִׁ֗יםmenN m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of וַיְהִיאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; plural אֲנָשִׁים, the unnamed men whose case generates the Second Passover law.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the descriptive clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'who'.
הָי֤וּwereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a settled state — uncleanness already incurredהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; states the men's condition prior to the narrative moment.
טְמֵאִים֙uncleanadj m pl abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective (complement of הָיוּ)טָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean, impure'; the cultic-purity category barring participation in sancta until purified.
לְנֶ֣פֶשׁby the corpse ofprep לְ + N c sg constr · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Prepositional phrase specifying the source of uncleannessנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, person'; here idiomatically 'a dead body' (cf. Lev 21:11; Num 6:6) — corpse-contact defilement.
אָדָ֔םa personN m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Genitive completing the construct נֶפֶשׁ אָדָםאָדָם (H120) 'man, humankind'; נֶפֶשׁ אָדָם 'the corpse of a person', the specific defilement of Num 19.
וְלֹאand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle governing the verbלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle.
יָכְל֥וּthey were ableQal perf 3cp · יָכֹל (H3201)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a settled incapacity, stated as factיָכֹל (H3201) 'to be able'; negated, states their real incapacity, not unwillingness.
לַעֲשֹׂתto keepprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Complementary infinitive (object of יָכְלוּ)→ Infinitive construct: complement of the modal verb 'to be able'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; infinitival complement, 'to keep' the Passover.
הַפֶּ֖סַחthe Passoverart + N m sg abs · פֶּסַח (H6453)Direct object of the infinitiveפֶּסַח (H6453) 'Passover'.
בַּיּ֣וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; 'that day' = the fourteenth of the first month.
הַה֑וּאthatart + independent pron 3ms (demonstrative use) · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying יוֹםהוּא (H1931) with article functions demonstratively, 'that (day)'.
וַֽיִּקְרְב֞וּand they came nearconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרַב (H7126) 'to come near, approach'; here formally approaching the leadership to present a legal case.
לִפְנֵ֥יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (locative, 'in the presence of')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of', idiom for formal approach to authority.
מֹשֶׁ֛הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition לִפְנֵימֹשֶׁה (H4872), Moses.
וְלִפְנֵ֥יand beforeconj וְ + prep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Coordinated prepositional phraseפָּנִים (H6440); coordinated with the previous phrase, adding Aaron as co-addressee.
אַהֲרֹ֖ןAaronN proper · אַהֲרֹן (H175)Object of preposition לִפְנֵיאַהֲרֹן (H175), Aaron, the high priest — appropriately included since the case concerns cultic purity.
בַּיּ֥וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase (repeated for emphasis)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the repetition forms an inclusio with the verse's earlier בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא, framing the men's swift, same-day response.
הַהֽוּאthatart + independent pron 3ms (demonstrative use) · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying יוֹםהוּא (H1931), demonstrative 'that (day)', closing the verse's temporal frame.
7
וַ֠יֹּאמְרוּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֤ים הָהֵ֨מָּה֙ אֵלָ֔יו אֲנַ֥חְנוּ טְמֵאִ֖ים לְנֶ֣פֶשׁ אָדָ֑ם לָ֣מָּה נִגָּרַ֗ע לְבִלְתִּ֨י הַקְרִ֜ב אֶת קָרְבַּ֤ן יְהוָה֙ בְּמֹ֣עֲד֔וֹ בְּת֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
And those men said to him, 'We are unclean by the corpse of a person; why should we be kept back from bringing the offering of YHWH at its appointed time among the sons of Israel?'
The men's rhetorical question (לָמָּה נִגָּרַע, a Niphal 'why should we be diminished/withheld') presses a genuine legal gap: they did nothing wrong (corpse-uncleanness from proper burial duty is itself commanded, cf. Num 19), yet stand to lose covenant participation — the case that provokes Moses to seek a fresh oracle rather than rule unilaterally.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַ֠יֹּאמְרוּand they saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance introducing direct speechאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the men's petition verbatim.
הָאֲנָשִׁ֤יםthe menart + N m pl abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (resumes אֲנָשִׁים of v. 6)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the article marks definite reference back to v. 6's men.
הָהֵ֨מָּה֙thoseart + independent pron 3mp (demonstrative use) · הֵם (H1992)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָאֲנָשִׁיםהֵם (H1992) with article, demonstrative 'those (men)', emphatic resumption.
אֵלָ֔יוto himprep אֶל + 3ms suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addressee (Moses)אֶל (H413) 'to'; with 3ms suffix, 'to him' = to Moses.
אֲנַ֥חְנוּweindependent pron 1cp · אֲנַחְנוּ (H587)Subject of the verbless clause (emphatic)אֲנַחְנוּ (H587), independent 1cp pronoun, emphatically fronted subject.
טְמֵאִ֖יםuncleanadj m pl abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective (verbless clause)טָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean'; the men restate their condition as the premise of their complaint.
לְנֶ֣פֶשׁby the corpse ofprep לְ + N c sg constr · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Prepositional phrase specifying the source of uncleannessנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul'; idiom for a corpse, as in v. 6.
אָדָ֑םa personN m sg abs · אָדָם (H120)Genitive completing the constructאָדָם (H120) 'man'; completes נֶפֶשׁ אָדָם.
לָ֣מָּהwhyprep לְ + interrogative pron · מָה (H4100)Interrogative adverb opening the rhetorical questionמָה (H4100) 'what'; לָמָּה 'why, for what reason', the men's pointed challenge.
נִגָּרַ֗עshould we be kept backNiphal impf 1cp · גָּרַע (H1639)Predicate verb (rhetorical question, passive)→ Yiqtol: deliberative/modal — 'why should we...'גָּרַע (H1639) Niphal 'to be diminished, withheld, excluded'; the men protest exclusion from covenant participation through no fault of their own.
לְבִלְתִּ֨יso as not toprep לְ + negative conj · בִּלְתִּי (H1115)Negative purpose particle governing the infinitiveבִּלְתִּי (H1115) 'not, except'; with לְ forms a negative infinitival clause, 'from not bringing'.
הַקְרִ֜בbringingHiphil inf constr · קָרַב (H7126)Infinitive construct (complement of לְבִלְתִּי)→ Infinitive construct: negated purpose — the specific act being withheldקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil 'to bring near, present (an offering)'; technical sacrificial-presentation verb.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking קָרְבַּן יְהוָה as definite direct object.
קָרְבַּ֤ןthe offering ofN m sg constr · קָרְבָּן (H7133)Direct object of הַקְרִב (construct chain)קָרְבָּן (H7133) 'offering', from קָרַב 'to bring near'; here the Passover victim conceived as an offering to YHWH.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive of the construct chainיְהוָה (H3068); recipient of the offering.
בְּמֹ֣עֲד֔וֹat its appointed timeprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Temporal prepositional phrase (adverbial)מוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time'; the keyword recurs, underscoring what the men stand to lose — timely participation.
בְּת֖וֹךְin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Locative prepositional phraseתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; בְּתוֹךְ 'among', locating their exclusion within the larger community.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Genitive completing the construct chainבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Israel; the community from which the men fear exclusion.
8
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֖ם מֹשֶׁ֑ה עִמְד֣וּ וְאֶשְׁמְעָ֔ה מַה יְצַוֶּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה לָכֶֽם
And Moses said to them, 'Stand, and let me hear what YHWH will command concerning you.'
Moses' answer models the proper procedure for unresolved cases (cf. Lev 24:12; Num 15:34; 27:5): he neither invents a ruling nor dismisses the petition, but suspends judgment pending a direct word from YHWH — the cohortative וְאֶשְׁמְעָה marks his own resolve to inquire.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרand saidconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces Moses' reply.
אֲלֵהֶ֖םto themprep אֶל + 3mp suffix · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseesאֶל (H413) 'to'; with 3mp suffix, 'to them' = to the petitioning men.
מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subjectמֹשֶׁה (H4872), Moses.
עִמְד֣וּstandQal impv 2mp · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate verb (direct imperative, main clause)→ Volitional: imperative — instructs the men to waitעָמַד (H5975) 'to stand'; here 'wait, stand by' pending the oracle.
וְאֶשְׁמְעָ֔הand let me hearconj וְ + Qal cohortative 1cs · שָׁמַע (H8085)Predicate verb (cohortative, coordinated with the imperative)→ Volitional: cohortative — Moses' resolve to inquire of YHWHשָׁמַע (H8085) 'to hear'; the cohortative marks Moses' determination to seek and receive the divine answer.
מַהwhatinterrogative pron · מָה (H4100)Interrogative pronoun introducing the indirect questionמָה (H4100) 'what'; opens the content clause of what Moses will hear.
יְצַוֶּ֥הwill commandPiel impf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (indirect question)→ Yiqtol: future/modal — the yet-unknown divine rulingצָוָה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; future-oriented, the content Moses awaits.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of יְצַוֶּהיְהוָה (H3068); subject of the anticipated command.
לָכֶֽםconcerning youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְPrepositional phrase (dative of reference, 'concerning you')לְ, dative of reference/concern here, 'about, concerning' the petitioners' case.
9
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר
And YHWH spoke to Moses, saying,
The repeated speech-formula marks the divine answer to Moses' inquiry of v. 8; what follows (vv. 10-14) is new legislation generated precisely by the case just raised — torah expanding through casuistic precedent.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
וַיְדַבֵּ֥רspokeconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; the second use of the formula in the chapter, introducing YHWH's answer to Moses' inquiry of v. 8.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיְדַבֵּריְהוָה (H3068); subject of the oracular response.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
מֹשֶׁ֥הMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of the preposition אֶל (addressee)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), Moses; recipient of the oracle he requested.
לֵּאמֹֽרsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Quotative infinitive introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: formulaic, introduces the following direct discourseאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the casuistic legislation of vv. 10-14.
10
דַּבֵּ֛ר אֶל בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר אִ֣ישׁ אִ֣ישׁ כִּי יִהְיֶֽה טָמֵ֣א לָנֶ֡פֶשׁ אוֹ֩ בְדֶ֨רֶךְ רְחֹקָ֜הׄ לָכֶ֗ם א֚וֹ לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם וְעָ֥שָׂה פֶ֖סַח לַיהוָֽה
Speak to the sons of Israel, saying: If any man among you or your generations is unclean by a corpse, or is on a distant journey, he shall still keep the Passover to YHWH.
The distributive אִישׁ אִישׁ ('any man whatsoever') plus כִּי introduces classic casuistic law; the ruling generalizes beyond the immediate petitioners of vv. 6-7 to cover both corpse-uncleanness and distant travel, and extends across generations (לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם) — the Second Passover becomes permanent Torah, not an ad hoc exception.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
דַּבֵּ֛רspeakPiel impv 2ms · דִּבֶּר (H1696)Predicate verb (direct imperative, main clause)→ Volitional: imperative — the divine command to transmit legislationדָּבַר (H1696) Piel 'to speak'; imperative opening the oracle's content (contrast the narrative wayyiqtol of v. 9).
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Object of preposition אֶל (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chainיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Israel; addressees of the new legislation.
לֵאמֹ֑רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Quotative infinitive introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: formulaicאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; introduces the casuistic ruling verbatim.
אִ֣ישׁany manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (distributive, first element of doubling)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the doubled אִישׁ אִישׁ is a distributive idiom, 'any man whatsoever' (cf. Lev 17:3, 8, 10).
אִ֣ישׁwhatsoeverN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (distributive, second element of doubling)אִישׁ (H376); repetition intensifies the universality of the casuistic 'any man' opening.
כִּיifconj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional conjunction introducing the protasisכִּי (H3588) 'if, when, that'; introduces the casuistic condition.
יִהְיֶֽהhe isQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (protasis of the casuistic law)→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic — describes any instance of the caseהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; states the hypothetical condition of uncleanness.
טָמֵ֣אuncleanadj m sg abs · טָמֵא (H2931)Predicate adjective (complement of יִהְיֶה)טָמֵא (H2931) 'unclean'; the generalized casuistic condition, now singular (any individual man).
לָנֶ֡פֶשׁby a corpseprep לְ + N c sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Prepositional phrase specifying the source of uncleannessנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul'; here indefinite, 'a dead body' — generalizing beyond the specific case of vv. 6-7.
אוֹ֩orconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction introducing the second alternativeאוֹ (H176) 'or'; introduces the second grounds for exemption, distant travel.
בְדֶ֨רֶךְon a journeyprep בְּ + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Prepositional phrase (circumstantial)דֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, journey'; here literal travel away from the sanctuary.
רְחֹקָ֜הׄdistantadj f sg abs · רָחוֹק (H7350)Attributive adjective modifying דֶּרֶךְרָחוֹק (H7350) 'far, distant'; qualifies the journey as far enough to preclude return in time for the Passover.
לָכֶ֗םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְPrepositional phrase (dative of reference)לְ with 2mp suffix, 'for/among you', addressing the present generation.
א֚וֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction introducing the temporal extensionאוֹ (H176) 'or'; pivoting from the present generation to future ones.
לְדֹרֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔םfor your generationsprep לְ + N m pl constr + 2mp suffix · דּוֹר (H1755)Prepositional phrase (dative, temporal scope)דּוֹר (H1755) 'generation'; extends the ruling's validity permanently, 'throughout your generations'.
וְעָ֥שָׂהhe shall still keepconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (apodosis of the casuistic law)→ Weqatal: consequential/prescriptive — the ruling that follows from the stated conditionעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; the apodosis verb — he still shall keep the Passover, just later.
פֶ֖סַחa PassoverN m sg abs · פֶּסַח (H6453)Direct object of וְעָשָׂהפֶּסַח (H6453) 'Passover'; here anarthrous, generic reference to the rite.
לַיהוָֽהto YHWHprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Prepositional phrase (dative, recipient of the offering)יְהוָה (H3068); לַיהוָה 'to/for YHWH' marks the Passover as offered to him.
11
בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִ֜י בְּאַרְבָּעָ֨ה עָשָׂ֥ר י֛וֹם בֵּ֥ין הָעַרְבַּ֖יִם יַעֲשׂ֣וּ אֹת֑וֹ עַל מַצּ֥וֹת וּמְרֹרִ֖ים יֹאכְלֻֽהוּ
In the second month, on the fourteenth day, between the evenings, they shall keep it; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it.
The Second Passover replicates the first month's fourteenth-day, twilight timing exactly, one month later, and requires the same accompaniments (מַצּוֹת, מְרֹרִים; cf. Exod 12:8) — full ritual parity, not a diminished substitute.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁin the monthprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Temporal prepositional phraseחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month'.
הַשֵּׁנִ֜יthe secondart + ordinal adj m sg abs · שֵׁנִי (H8145)Attributive adjective modifying חֹדֶשׁשֵׁנִי (H8145) 'second'; the Second Passover's defining date, one month after the first (v. 3).
בְּאַרְבָּעָ֨הfourprep בְּ + cardinal num m sg abs · אַרְבָּעָה (H702)Numeral forming 'fourteenth'אַרְבָּעָה (H702) 'four'; part of the compound numeral 'fourteen'.
עָשָׂ֥ר-teencardinal num m sg abs · עָשָׂר (H6240)Second element of the compound numeralעָשָׂר (H6240) 'ten' (teens element).
י֛וֹםdayN m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Head noun of the temporal phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; the fourteenth day of the SECOND month — one month after the original date.
בֵּ֥יןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)Prepositional phrase (paired with the dual הָעַרְבַּיִם)בֵּין (H996) 'between'; forms the idiom with הָעַרְבַּיִם.
הָעַרְבַּ֖יִםthe two eveningsart + N m dual abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Object of the preposition בֵּין (idiom for twilight)עֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'; same twilight timing as the first Passover — full ritual parity.
יַעֲשׂ֣וּthey shall keepQal impf 3mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, prescriptive)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — binding legal requirementעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; idiomatic 'to keep' the Passover.
אֹת֑וֹ[obj] itobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with pronominal suffix (resumes the Passover)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, resuming the (implicit) Passover as object.
עַלwithprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (accompaniment)עַל (H5921) 'upon, with'; here marking accompaniment, 'along with'.
מַצּ֥וֹתunleavened breadN f pl abs · מַצָּה (H4682)Object of preposition עַלמַצָּה (H4682) 'unleavened bread'; the accompaniment mandated already at the first Passover (Exod 12:8).
וּמְרֹרִ֖יםand bitter herbsconj וְ + N m pl abs · מְרוֹר (H4844)Coordinated object of preposition עַלמְרוֹר (H4844) 'bitter herbs'; paired with מַצָּה, both required accompaniments (Exod 12:8).
יֹאכְלֻֽהוּthey shall eat itQal impf 3mp + 3ms suffix · אָכַל (H398)Predicate verb — the manner of eating the second Passover→ Yiqtol: imperfective/injunctive — the prescribed manner of eatingאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; the Passover meal, resumed by the 3ms suffix referring to the victim.
12
לֹֽא יַשְׁאִ֤ירוּ מִמֶּ֨נּוּ֙ עַד בֹּ֔קֶר וְעֶ֖צֶם לֹ֣א יִשְׁבְּרוּ ב֑וֹ כְּכָל חֻקַּ֥ת הַפֶּ֖סַח יַעֲשׂ֥וּ אֹתֽוֹ
They shall not leave any of it until morning, nor break a bone of it; according to all the statute of the Passover they shall keep it.
The two prohibitions (no leftovers, no broken bone) repeat Exod 12:10, 46 in substance, and the closing formula כְּכָל חֻקַּת הַפֶּסַח explicitly binds the Second Passover to the SAME statute as the first — this is not a lesser observance.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle governing the verbלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle.
יַשְׁאִ֤ירוּthey shall leaveHiphil impf 3mp · שָׁאַר (H7604)Predicate verb (main clause, prescriptive, negated)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — prohibitionשָׁאַר (H7604) Hiphil 'to leave over, leave remaining'; repeats the Exod 12:10 prohibition against leftover Passover flesh.
מִמֶּ֨נּוּ֙from itprep מִן + 3ms suffix · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (partitive, referring to the Passover)מִן (H4480) 'from'; מִמֶּנּוּ here 'from it' (the Passover victim), a form identical in spelling to the 1cp suffix but contextually 3ms (cf. Exod 12:10).
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase (temporal terminus)עַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'.
בֹּ֔קֶרmorningN m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Object of preposition עַד (temporal terminus)בֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; the Passover flesh may not survive past dawn (cf. Exod 12:10).
וְעֶ֖צֶםand a boneconj וְ + N f sg abs · עֶצֶם (H6106)Fronted direct object (casus pendens) of יִשְׁבְּרוּעֶצֶם (H6106) 'bone'; the prohibition against breaking a bone of the Passover victim (cf. Exod 12:46).
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle governing the verbלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle.
יִשְׁבְּרוּthey shall breakQal impf 3mp · שָׁבַר (H7665)Predicate verb (main clause, prescriptive, negated)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — prohibitionשָׁבַר (H7665) 'to break'; the second of the two paired prohibitions echoing Exod 12:46.
ב֑וֹin itprep בְּ + 3ms suffix · בְּPrepositional phrase (locative, referring back to עֶצֶם)בְּ with 3ms suffix, 'in it/of it', resuming עֶצֶם as the object of the prohibition.
כְּכָלaccording to allprep כְּ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Prepositional phrase (normative standard)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; introduces the closing comprehensive standard.
חֻקַּ֥תthe statute ofN c sg constr · חֻקָּה (H2708)Genitive completing כְּכָלחֻקָּה (H2708) 'statute'; here singular, the whole body of Passover regulation summarized as one חֻקָּה.
הַפֶּ֖סַחthe Passoverart + N m sg abs · פֶּסַח (H6453)Genitive completing the construct chainפֶּסַח (H6453) 'Passover'.
יַעֲשׂ֥וּthey shall keepQal impf 3mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, prescriptive)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — binding legal requirementעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; closing verb of the Second Passover unit's manner-clause.
אֹתֽוֹ[obj] itobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with pronominal suffix (resumes the Passover)אֵת (H853) with 3ms suffix, resuming the Passover as object.
13
וְהָאִישׁ֩ אֲשֶׁר ה֨וּא טָה֜וֹר וּבְדֶ֣רֶךְ לֹא הָיָ֗ה וְחָדַל֙ לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת הַפֶּ֔סַח וְנִכְרְתָ֛ה הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁ הַהִ֖וא מֵֽעַמֶּ֑יהָ כִּ֣י קָרְבַּ֣ן יְהוָ֗ה לֹ֤א הִקְרִיב֙ בְּמֹ֣עֲד֔וֹ חֶטְא֥וֹ יִשָּׂ֖א הָאִ֥ישׁ הַהֽוּא
But the man who is clean and is not on a journey, and refrains from keeping the Passover, that person shall be cut off from his people, because he did not bring the offering of YHWH at its appointed time; that man shall bear his sin.
The mirror-image case: a man with no valid exemption (clean, not traveling) who simply neglects (וְחָדַל, willful refusal) the Passover faces כָּרֵת, 'cutting off' — the severest covenantal sanction. The Second Passover is thus not a loophole for laxity but a genuine accommodation strictly bounded by real incapacity.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
וְהָאִישׁ֩but the manconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Fronted subject (casus pendens, contrastive)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; the fronted, articulated subject sets up the antithetical case, contrasting the exempted men of vv. 6-14.
אֲשֶׁרwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the descriptive clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
ה֨וּאheindependent pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (resumptive, of the verbless clause)הוּא (H1931), resumptive pronoun, subject of the predicate טָהוֹר.
טָה֜וֹרcleanadj m sg abs · טָהוֹר (H2889)Predicate adjective (verbless clause)טָהוֹר (H2889) 'clean, pure'; the antithesis of טָמֵא, establishing that this man has no valid exemption.
וּבְדֶ֣רֶךְand on a journeyconj וְ + prep בְּ + N c sg abs · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Coordinated prepositional phrase (circumstantial, negated)דֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, journey'; second condition, also negated — he is not traveling either.
לֹאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle governing הָיָהלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle.
הָיָ֗הwasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a settled state — negates the travel exemptionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; states he was not on a journey, closing off the second possible exemption.
וְחָדַל֙and refrainsconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · חָדַל (H2308)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential — describes the resulting willful neglectחָדַל (H2308) 'to cease, refrain, forbear'; denotes willful neglect, not incapacity — the crucial distinction from vv. 6-13's exempted men.
לַעֲשׂ֣וֹתfrom keepingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָשָׂה (H6213)Complementary infinitive (object of חָדַל)→ Infinitive construct: complement of 'to cease/refrain'עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; infinitival complement, 'from keeping' the Passover.
הַפֶּ֔סַחthe Passoverart + N m sg abs · פֶּסַח (H6453)Direct object of the infinitiveפֶּסַח (H6453) 'Passover'.
וְנִכְרְתָ֛הshall be cut offconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 3fs · כָּרַת (H3772)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause, passive)→ Weqatal: consequential/prescriptive — the karet sanctionכָּרַת (H3772) Niphal 'to be cut off'; the severe covenantal penalty of excision from the community (cf. Gen 17:14; Exod 12:15).
הַנֶּ֥פֶשׁthat personart + N c sg abs · נֶפֶשׁ (H5315)Subject of וְנִכְרְתָהנֶפֶשׁ (H5315) 'soul, person'; here the subject of the karet formula, 'that person/soul'.
הַהִ֖ואthatart + independent pron 3fs (demonstrative use) · הִיא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַנֶּפֶשׁ (fem. agreement)הִיא (H1931) with article, demonstrative 'that (soul)'; fem. agreement with נֶפֶשׁ.
מֵֽעַמֶּ֑יהָfrom her peopleprep מִן + N m pl constr + 3fs suffix · עַם (H5971)Prepositional phrase (source, 'from')עַם (H5971) 'people, kin'; plural עַמֶּיהָ 'her kinfolk', the community/clan from which the offender is severed.
כִּ֣יbecauseconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground clauseכִּי (H3588) 'because, for'; gives the reason for the karet sentence.
קָרְבַּ֣ןthe offering ofN m sg constr · קָרְבָּן (H7133)Direct object of הִקְרִיב (fronted, construct chain)קָרְבָּן (H7133) 'offering'; the Passover conceived as an offering, as in v. 7.
יְהוָ֗הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive of the construct chainיְהוָה (H3068); recipient of the offering.
לֹ֤אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle governing הִקְרִיבלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle.
הִקְרִיב֙he broughtHiphil perf 3ms · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (causal clause, negated)→ Perfective: a completed (non-)act — failure to bring the offeringקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil 'to bring near, present'; the same technical verb as v. 7, here negated of a man with no excuse.
בְּמֹ֣עֲד֔וֹat its appointed timeprep בְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Temporal prepositional phrase (adverbial)מוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time'; the keyword's final occurrence in the Passover unit, marking exactly what was violated.
חֶטְא֥וֹhis sinN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · חֵטְא (H2399)Direct object of יִשָּׂאחֵטְא (H2399) 'sin, guilt', from חָטָא 'to miss, sin'; the consequence he must personally bear.
יִשָּׂ֖אshall bearQal impf 3ms · נָשָׂא (H5375)Predicate verb (main clause, prescriptive)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — the abiding consequence of willful neglectנָשָׂא (H5375) 'to lift, carry, bear'; idiom 'to bear one's sin/guilt', full personal responsibility (cf. Lev 5:1, 17).
הָאִ֥ישׁthe manart + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of יִשָּׂא (resumptive)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; resumes the subject of v. 13a after the intervening clauses.
הַהֽוּאthatart + independent pron 3ms (demonstrative use) · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying הָאִישׁהוּא (H1931), demonstrative 'that (man)', closing the verse by naming the guilty party a final time.
14
וְכִֽי יָג֨וּר אִתְּכֶ֜ם גֵּ֗ר וְעָ֤שָֽׂה פֶ֨סַח֙ לַֽיהוָ֔ה כְּחֻקַּ֥ת הַפֶּ֛סַח וּכְמִשְׁפָּט֖וֹ כֵּ֣ן יַעֲשֶׂ֑ה חֻקָּ֤ה אַחַת֙ יִהְיֶ֣ה לָכֶ֔ם וְלַגֵּ֖ר וּלְאֶזְרַ֥ח הָאָֽרֶץ
And if a sojourner sojourns among you and keeps the Passover to YHWH, according to the statute of the Passover and according to its ordinance so shall he do; one statute shall be for you, both for the sojourner and for the native of the land.
The unit closes by widening the Passover's scope one step further: the גֵּר who chooses to keep it does so under the identical statute as the native — חֻקָּה אַחַת echoes Exod 12:49, closing the Passover legislation on a note of covenantal inclusion.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וְכִֽיand ifconj וְ + conj · כִּי (H3588)Conditional conjunction opening a new casuistic clauseכִּי (H3588) 'if, when'; doubled conjunction (וְ + כִּי) opens the sojourner case.
יָג֨וּרsojournsQal impf 3ms · גּוּר (H1481)Predicate verb (protasis of the casuistic law)→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic — describes any instance of the caseגּוּר (H1481) 'to sojourn, dwell as a resident alien'; the technical verb for the גֵּר's status.
אִתְּכֶ֜םamong youprep + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H854)Prepositional phrase (locative, 'with/among you')אֵת (H854) 'with'; distinct from the object-marker אֵת (H853) despite similar spelling — here the comitative preposition.
גֵּ֗רa sojournerN m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Subject of יָגוּרגֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner, resident alien', from גּוּר 'to sojourn'; a non-Israelite resident among Israel.
וְעָ֤שָֽׂהand keepsconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential — the sojourner's choice to keep the Passoverעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; idiomatic 'to keep' the Passover, here of the sojourner's voluntary participation.
פֶ֨סַח֙a PassoverN m sg abs · פֶּסַח (H6453)Direct object of וְעָשָׂהפֶּסַח (H6453) 'Passover'; anarthrous, generic.
לַֽיהוָ֔הto YHWHprep לְ + N proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Prepositional phrase (dative, recipient)יְהוָה (H3068); לַיהוָה marks the Passover as offered to him, as in v. 10.
כְּחֻקַּ֥תaccording to the statute ofprep כְּ + N c sg constr · חֻקָּה (H2708)Prepositional phrase (normative standard)חֻקָּה (H2708) 'statute'; the sojourner is bound by the same statute as the native.
הַפֶּ֛סַחthe Passoverart + N m sg abs · פֶּסַח (H6453)Genitive completing the construct chainפֶּסַח (H6453) 'Passover'.
וּכְמִשְׁפָּט֖וֹand according to its ordinanceconj וְ + prep כְּ + N m sg constr + 3ms suffix · מִשְׁפָּט (H4941)Coordinated prepositional phrase (normative standard)מִשְׁפָּט (H4941) 'ordinance'; paired with חֻקָּה as in v. 3, the full body of Passover law.
כֵּ֣ןsoadv · כֵּן (H3651)Adverb of manner (correlative with כְּחֻקַּת ... וּכְמִשְׁפָּטוֹ)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; correlative — 'according to ... so shall he do'.
יַעֲשֶׂ֑הhe shall doQal impf 3ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, prescriptive)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — binding requirement, matching the native's obligationעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; the sojourner's observance must match native practice exactly.
חֻקָּ֤הone statuteN c sg abs · חֻקָּה (H2708)Subject of יִהְיֶהחֻקָּה (H2708) 'statute'; here the subject of the closing equality-formula.
אַחַת֙onecardinal num f sg abs · אֶחָד (H259)Attributive numeral modifying חֻקָּהאֶחָד (H259) 'one'; חֻקָּה אַחַת 'one statute' — legal parity between native and sojourner (cf. Exod 12:49).
יִהְיֶ֣הshall beQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, prescriptive)→ Yiqtol: prescriptive — a standing legal principleהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; states the principle as abiding law.
לָכֶ֔םfor youprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְPrepositional phrase (dative of reference)לְ with 2mp suffix, 'for you' (the native Israelites).
וְלַגֵּ֖רand for the sojournerconj וְ + prep לְ + art + N m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Coordinated prepositional phrase (dative)גֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner'; explicitly included in the single-statute principle.
וּלְאֶזְרַ֥חand for the native ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · אֶזְרָח (H249)Coordinated prepositional phrase (dative, construct chain)אֶזְרָח (H249) 'native, native-born'; the counterpart to גֵּר, together spanning the whole covenant community.
הָאָֽרֶץof the landart + N c sg abs · אֶרֶץ (H776)Genitive completing the construct chainאֶרֶץ (H776) 'land'; אֶזְרַח הָאָרֶץ 'native of the land', closing the Passover legislation on the note of one law for all residents.
15
וּבְיוֹם֙ הָקִ֣ים אֶת הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן כִּסָּ֤ה הֶֽעָנָן֙ אֶת הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן לְאֹ֖הֶל הָעֵדֻ֑ת וּבָעֶ֜רֶב יִהְיֶ֧ה עַֽל הַמִּשְׁכָּ֛ן כְּמַרְאֵה אֵ֖שׁ עַד בֹּֽקֶר
And on the day the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, the tent of the testimony; and in the evening it was over the tabernacle like the appearance of fire, until morning.
The chapter pivots from Passover casuistry to the cloud that has covered the tabernacle since its erection (cf. Exod 40:34-38, to which this is a direct sequel); day appearance and night appearance (fire) are distinguished, establishing the visual sign that will govern Israel's marches in vv. 17-23.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וּבְיוֹם֙and on the dayconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phrase (fronted setting, new topic)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; construct with the infinitive הָקִים, 'on the day of the setting up'.
הָקִ֣יםthe setting up (of)Hiphil inf constr · קוּם (H6965)Infinitival complement completing the construct chain (temporal clause)→ Infinitive construct: temporal, dates the following narrativeקוּם (H6965) Hiphil 'to raise up, erect'; refers to the tabernacle's erection (cf. Exod 40:17-18).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַמִּשְׁכָּן as the direct object of the infinitive.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Direct object of the infinitive הָקִיםמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place', from שָׁכַן 'to dwell'; the tabernacle, God's portable sanctuary.
כִּסָּ֤הcoveredPiel perf 3ms · כִּסָּה (H3680)Predicate verb (main clause, narrative)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive act — the cloud's covering from the outsetכָּסָה (H3680) Piel 'to cover'; the cloud's covering began at the very moment of erection and, per v. 16, never ceased.
הֶֽעָנָן֙the cloudart + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Subject of כִּסָּהעָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'; the visible sign of YHWH's presence, resuming Exod 40:34-38.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking הַמִּשְׁכָּן as the direct object of כִּסָּה.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Direct object of כִּסָּהמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place'; repeated for emphasis, resumed in apposition by the next phrase.
לְאֹ֖הֶלthe tent ofprep לְ + N m sg constr · אֹהֶל (H168)Appositional phrase further identifying הַמִּשְׁכָּןאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; אֹהֶל הָעֵדֻת 'the tent of the testimony', an alternate name for the tabernacle, referencing the ark's tablets within.
הָעֵדֻ֑תthe testimonyart + N f sg abs · עֵדוּת (H5715)Genitive completing the construct chainעֵדוּת (H5715) 'testimony, witness', from עוּד 'to testify'; the covenant tablets housed in the ark, the tabernacle's central content.
וּבָעֶ֜רֶבand in the eveningconj וְ + prep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Temporal prepositional phraseעֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'; marks the transition to the night appearance of the sign.
יִהְיֶ֧הit wasQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, describing a recurring state)→ Yiqtol: habitual/durative — the nightly recurrence of the signהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; here describing the standing nightly phenomenon.
עַֽלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over'.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֛ןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Object of preposition עַלמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place'.
כְּמַרְאֵהlike the appearance ofprep כְּ + N m sg constr · מַרְאֶה (H4758)Prepositional phrase of comparisonמַרְאֶה (H4758) 'appearance, sight', from רָאָה 'to see'; the cloud's nocturnal appearance is compared to fire, not identified with it.
אֵ֖שׁfireN c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Genitive completing the construct chainאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the luminous night-form of the guiding cloud (cf. Exod 13:21-22).
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase (temporal terminus)עַד (H5704) 'until'.
בֹּֽקֶרmorningN m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Object of preposition עַד (temporal terminus)בֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; the fire-appearance lasted the whole night.
16
כֵּ֚ן יִהְיֶ֣ה תָמִ֔יד הֶעָנָ֖ן יְכַסֶּ֑נּוּ וּמַרְאֵה אֵ֖שׁ לָֽיְלָה
So it was continually: the cloud covered it, and the appearance of fire by night.
כֵּן ... תָמִיד converts the single description of v. 15 into a standing, repeated fact — the cloud/fire alternation was the tabernacle's constant condition throughout the wilderness sojourn, not a one-time inaugural sign.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
כֵּ֚ןsoadv · כֵּן (H3651)Adverb of manner opening the summary generalizationכֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; resumes/generalizes the description of v. 15.
יִהְיֶ֣הit wasQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, habitual)→ Yiqtol: habitual/durative — a standing, repeated factהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; states the pattern as constant, not a one-time occurrence.
תָמִ֔ידcontinuallyN m sg abs (adverbial use) · תָּמִיד (H8548)Adverbial accusative modifying יִהְיֶהתָּמִיד (H8548) 'continually, always'; converts v. 15's single description into a standing fact throughout the wilderness sojourn.
הֶעָנָ֖ןthe cloudart + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Subject of יְכַסֶּנּוּעָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'.
יְכַסֶּ֑נּוּwould cover itPiel impf 3ms + 3ms suffix · כָּסָה (H3680)Predicate verb of habitual/iterative action→ Yiqtol: durative/iterative — the cloud habitually covering the tentכָּסָה (H3680) Piel 'to cover'; the 3ms suffix refers back to הַמִּשְׁכָּן, the tabernacle.
וּמַרְאֵהand the appearance ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · מַרְאֶה (H4758)Coordinated subject (of an elided verb 'was')מַרְאֶה (H4758) 'appearance'; construct chain resuming v. 15's fire-appearance.
אֵ֖שׁfireN c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Genitive completing the construct chainאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'.
לָֽיְלָהby nightN m sg abs (adverbial use) · לַיְלָה (H3915)Adverbial accusative of timeלַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; adverbial, 'at night', matching v. 15's night/day distinction.
17
וּלְפִ֞י הֵעָלֹ֤ת הֶֽעָנָן֙ מֵעַ֣ל הָאֹ֔הֶל וְאַ֣חֲרֵי כֵ֔ן יִסְע֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וּבִמְק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֤ר יִשְׁכָּן שָׁם֙ הֶֽעָנָ֔ן שָׁ֥ם יַחֲנ֖וּ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
And whenever the cloud was lifted up from over the tent, then afterward the sons of Israel would journey; and in the place where the cloud settled, there the sons of Israel would camp.
The verse states the controlling principle that vv. 18-23 will elaborate from every angle: Israel's entire itinerary is dictated not by human planning but by the cloud's movement — repeated key terms (וְאַחֲרֵי כֵן, שָׁם) frame journey and rest as strictly correlative to it.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וּלְפִ֞יand at the command ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Temporal/causal prepositional phrase (fronted, general rule)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; לְפִי idiom 'according to, at the command of' — anticipates the עַל פִּי יְהוָה refrain of vv. 18-23.
הֵעָלֹ֤תthe lifting up (of)Niphal inf constr · עָלָה (H5927)Infinitival complement completing the construct chain (temporal clause)→ Infinitive construct: temporal, dates the following main clauseעָלָה (H5927) Niphal 'to be lifted up, raised'; the cloud's rising signals departure.
הֶֽעָנָן֙the cloudart + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Subject of the infinitive הֵעָלֹתעָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'.
מֵעַ֣לfrom overprep מִן + prep עַל · מֵעַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (compound, source)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; מֵעַל 'from upon, from over', the cloud's departure point.
הָאֹ֔הֶלthe tentart + N m sg abs · אֹהֶל (H168)Object of the compound preposition מֵעַלאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; here shorthand for the tabernacle.
וְאַ֣חֲרֵיand afterconj וְ + prep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prepositional phraseאַחַר (H310) 'after'; אַחֲרֵי כֵן 'after that, thereupon', marking sequence.
כֵ֔ןthatadv · כֵּן (H3651)Adverb completing the idiom אַחֲרֵי כֵןכֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; with אַחֲרֵי forms the temporal idiom 'thereupon, after that'.
יִסְע֖וּthey would journeyQal impf 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Predicate verb (main clause, habitual/iterative)→ Yiqtol: habitual/iterative — the repeated pattern of departureנָסַע (H5265) 'to pull up (tent pegs), set out, journey'; the technical verb for breaking camp, repeated throughout vv. 17-23.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subjectבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chain (subject)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Israel.
וּבִמְק֗וֹםand in the placeconj וְ + prep בְּ + N m sg constr · מָקוֹם (H4725)Locative prepositional phrase (fronted setting)מָקוֹם (H4725) 'place', from קוּם 'to stand'; construct with the relative clause, the site chosen by the cloud.
אֲשֶׁ֤רwhererelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing a locative relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834); after מָקוֹם equivalent to 'where'.
יִשְׁכָּןit settledQal impf 3ms · שָׁכַן (H7931)Predicate verb (relative clause, habitual)→ Yiqtol: habitual/iterative — the recurring pattern of settlingשָׁכַן (H7931) 'to settle, dwell, abide'; the cloud's resting, the counterpart to its rising (הֵעָלֹת).
שָׁם֙thereadv · שָׁם (H8033)Adverb of place (resumptive within the relative clause)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; resumptively marks the location within the relative clause.
הֶֽעָנָ֔ןthe cloudart + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Subject of יִשְׁכָּןעָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'.
שָׁ֥םthereadv · שָׁם (H8033)Adverb of place (main clause, correlative with the preceding שָׁם)שָׁם (H8033) 'there'; the correlative pair 'where ... there' ties encampment strictly to the cloud's location.
יַחֲנ֖וּthey would campQal impf 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Predicate verb (main clause, habitual/iterative)→ Yiqtol: habitual/iterative — the repeated pattern of encampmentחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp, pitch camp'; paired with נָסַע as the two poles of Israel's wilderness rhythm.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subjectבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chain (subject)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Israel; the verse's controlling principle for all that follows.
18
עַל פִּ֣י יְהוָ֗ה יִסְעוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְעַל פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה יַחֲנ֑וּ כָּל יְמֵ֗י אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִשְׁכֹּ֧ן הֶעָנָ֛ן עַל הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן יַחֲנֽוּ
At the command of YHWH the sons of Israel journeyed, and at the command of YHWH they camped; all the days that the cloud stayed over the tabernacle they remained camped.
This is the refrain-verse: עַל פִּי יְהוָה ('at the mouth/command of YHWH'), repeated twice here and again in vv. 20 and 23, reinterprets the cloud's physical movement as YHWH's direct utterance — visual sign and verbal command collapse into one another. The refrain recurs seven times across vv. 18-23, structuring the whole unit.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
עַלatprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (idiom 'at the command of')עַל (H5921) 'upon'; with פִּי forms the idiom עַל פִּי יְהוָה 'at the command of YHWH' — the chapter's refrain, occurring seven times in vv. 18-23.
פִּ֣יthe mouth ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Object of preposition עַל (idiom)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; עַל פִּי idiomatically 'according to the command of', treating the cloud's movement as YHWH's own utterance.
יְהוָ֗הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing the idiomיְהוָה (H3068).
יִסְעוּ֙journeyedQal impf 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Predicate verb (main clause, iterative)→ Yiqtol: habitual/iterative — the recurring pattern of departureנָסַע (H5265) 'to set out, journey'; resumes the verb of v. 17, now explicitly theologized as obedience to YHWH's command.
בְּנֵ֣יsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subjectבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chain (subject)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Israel.
וְעַלand atconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Coordinated prepositional phrase (idiom)עַל (H5921); the refrain's second half, coordinated with the first.
פִּ֥יthe mouth ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Object of preposition עַל (idiom)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; second occurrence of the refrain within the verse.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing the idiomיְהוָה (H3068).
יַחֲנ֑וּthey campedQal impf 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Predicate verb (main clause, iterative)→ Yiqtol: habitual/iterative — the recurring pattern of encampmentחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; the second pole of the נָסַע/חָנָה pair, now under the עַל פִּי יְהוָה refrain.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Head of the construct chain (temporal, 'all the days')כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; כָּל יְמֵי 'all the days of', introducing a comprehensive temporal clause.
יְמֵ֗יthe days ofN m pl constr · יוֹם (H3117)Genitive completing כָּל (construct chain)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural construct, 'the days that...'.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing the temporal relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle.
יִשְׁכֹּ֧ןstayedQal impf 3ms · שָׁכַן (H7931)Predicate verb (relative clause, habitual)→ Yiqtol: habitual/durative — the cloud's continuing presenceשָׁכַן (H7931) 'to settle, abide, dwell'; describes the cloud's ongoing residence over the tabernacle, of whatever duration.
הֶעָנָ֛ןthe cloudart + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Subject of יִשְׁכֹּןעָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over'.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Object of preposition עַלמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place'.
יַחֲנֽוּthey remained campedQal impf 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Predicate verb (main clause, summarizing the temporal clause)→ Yiqtol: habitual/durative — encampment lasting exactly as long as the cloud remainedחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; the verse's closing verb, restating that duration of encampment is wholly determined by the cloud.
19
וּבְהַאֲרִ֧יךְ הֶֽעָנָ֛ן עַל הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים וְשָׁמְר֧וּ בְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל אֶת מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶת יְהוָ֖ה וְלֹ֥א יִסָּֽעוּ
And when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle many days, the sons of Israel kept the charge of YHWH and did not journey.
The verse opens a systematic run-through of every possible duration (many days here; a few days, v. 20; overnight, v. 21; two days/a month/a year, v. 22): however long the cloud remained, Israel's discipline never wavered — שָׁמְרוּ ... מִשְׁמֶרֶת יְהוָה frames sustained encampment itself as an act of obedience, not passivity.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וּבְהַאֲרִ֧יךְand when...lingeredconj וְ + prep בְּ + Hiphil inf constr · אָרַךְ (H748)Temporal infinitival clause (fronted setting)→ Infinitive construct: temporal, introduces the durative scenarioאָרַךְ (H748) Hiphil 'to prolong, make long'; the first of the chapter's systematic duration-variations.
הֶֽעָנָ֛ןthe cloudart + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Subject of the infinitiveעָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over'.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Object of preposition עַלמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place'.
יָמִ֣יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural, duration expression.
רַבִּ֑יםmanyadj m pl abs · רַב (H7227)Attributive adjective modifying יָמִיםרַב (H7227) 'much, many, great'; the first, longest case in the duration-survey.
וְשָׁמְר֧וּand keptconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (main clause, consequential)→ Weqatal: consequential — the community's ongoing obedient responseשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, watch, observe'; frames sustained encampment itself as active obedience, not mere passivity.
בְנֵיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subjectבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chain (subject)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Israel.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking מִשְׁמֶרֶת as definite direct object.
מִשְׁמֶ֥רֶתthe charge ofN f sg constr · מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931)Direct object of וְשָׁמְרוּמִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931) 'charge, obligation, watch', from שָׁמַר 'to keep'; Israel's obligation to obey YHWH's guidance via the cloud.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing the construct chainיְהוָה (H3068).
וְלֹ֥אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle governing the verbלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle.
יִסָּֽעוּthey journeyedQal impf 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol: habitual/iterative, negated — restraint from departureנָסַע (H5265) 'to journey'; negated, closing the verse on disciplined immobility.
20
וְיֵ֞שׁ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִהְיֶ֧ה הֶֽעָנָ֛ן יָמִ֥ים מִסְפָּ֖ר עַל הַמִּשְׁכָּ֑ן עַל פִּ֤י יְהוָה֙ יַחֲנ֔וּ וְעַל פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה יִסָּֽעוּ
And sometimes the cloud was a few days over the tabernacle; according to the command of YHWH they camped, and according to the command of YHWH they journeyed.
וְיֵשׁ אֲשֶׁר ('and there were times when') introduces the distributive survey of durations; the עַל פִּי יְהוָה refrain recurs, reasserting that brevity of stay changes nothing about the principle of obedience to the sign.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וְיֵ֞שׁand sometimesconj וְ + existential particle · יֵשׁ (H3426)Existential particle opening a distributive clauseיֵשׁ (H3426) 'there is'; וְיֵשׁ אֲשֶׁר idiomatically 'and there were times when', introducing the distributive survey of durations.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhenrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle completing the idiom וְיֵשׁ אֲשֶׁראֲשֶׁר (H834); with יֵשׁ forms 'there were (cases) when'.
יִהְיֶ֧הwasQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic — describes any instance of the caseהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; states the duration-case.
הֶֽעָנָ֛ןthe cloudart + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Subject of יִהְיֶהעָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'.
יָמִ֥יםdaysN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Adverbial accusative of durationיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural, duration expression.
מִסְפָּ֖רa fewN m sg abs · מִסְפָּר (H4557)Attributive noun modifying יָמִים ('countable, few')מִסְפָּר (H4557) 'number, count', from סָפַר 'to count'; יָמִים מִסְפָּר idiomatically 'a few days' — the second, shorter case in the duration-survey.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over'.
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֑ןthe tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Object of preposition עַלמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place'.
עַלatprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (idiom 'at the command of')עַל (H5921); the עַל פִּי יְהוָה refrain resumes.
פִּ֤יthe mouth ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Object of preposition עַל (idiom)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing the idiomיְהוָה (H3068).
יַחֲנ֔וּthey campedQal impf 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Predicate verb (main clause, iterative)→ Yiqtol: habitual/iterative — the recurring pattern of encampmentחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'.
וְעַלand atconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Coordinated prepositional phrase (idiom)עַל (H5921); second half of the refrain.
פִּ֥יthe mouth ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Object of preposition עַל (idiom)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing the idiomיְהוָה (H3068).
יִסָּֽעוּthey journeyedQal impf 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Predicate verb (main clause, iterative)→ Yiqtol: habitual/iterative — the recurring pattern of departureנָסַע (H5265) 'to journey'; closing verb — the brief-stay case is still fully governed by the refrain.
21
וְיֵ֞שׁ אֲשֶׁר יִהְיֶ֤ה הֶֽעָנָן֙ מֵעֶ֣רֶב עַד בֹּ֔קֶר וְנַעֲלָ֧ה הֶֽעָנָ֛ן בַּבֹּ֖קֶר וְנָסָ֑עוּ א֚וֹ יוֹמָ֣ם וָלַ֔יְלָה וְנַעֲלָ֥ה הֶעָנָ֖ן וְנָסָֽעוּ
And sometimes the cloud was there from evening until morning; and when the cloud was lifted up in the morning, they journeyed. Whether by day or by night, when the cloud was lifted up, they journeyed.
The most extreme case — a single-night stay, or the cloud rising at an unpredictable hour, day or night — shows the community's responsiveness had no threshold of inconvenience: whenever the sign lifted, they moved, immediately (וְנָסָעוּ repeated twice).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְיֵ֞שׁand sometimesconj וְ + existential particle · יֵשׁ (H3426)Existential particle opening a distributive clauseיֵשׁ (H3426) 'there is'; introduces the third duration-case.
אֲשֶׁרwhenrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle completing the idiom וְיֵשׁ אֲשֶׁראֲשֶׁר (H834).
יִהְיֶ֤הwasQal impf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Yiqtol: conditional/generic — describes any instance of the caseהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'.
הֶֽעָנָן֙the cloudart + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Subject of יִהְיֶהעָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'.
מֵעֶ֣רֶבfrom eveningprep מִן + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Prepositional phrase (temporal starting point)עֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening'; the shortest case — a single overnight stay.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Prepositional phrase (temporal terminus)עַד (H5704) 'until'.
בֹּ֔קֶרmorningN m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Object of preposition עַד (temporal terminus)בֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; מֵעֶרֶב עַד בֹּקֶר 'from evening until morning', a single night.
וְנַעֲלָ֧הand was liftedconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential — the cloud's rising after the brief stayעָלָה (H5927) Niphal 'to be lifted up'; echoes הֵעָלֹת of v. 17, now in finite form.
הֶֽעָנָ֛ןthe cloudart + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Subject of וְנַעֲלָהעָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'.
בַּבֹּ֖קֶרin the morningprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Temporal prepositional phraseבֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; specifies exactly when the cloud lifted after the single-night stay.
וְנָסָ֑עוּand they journeyedconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · נָסַע (H5265)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause)→ Weqatal: consequential — immediate departure upon the signנָסַע (H5265) 'to journey'; the community's instant response, no matter how brief the prior stay.
א֚וֹwhetherconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction introducing a further alternativeאוֹ (H176) 'or'; here 'whether ... or', broadening the case to any time of day.
יוֹמָ֣םby dayadv · יוֹמָם (H3119)Adverbial accusative of timeיוֹמָם (H3119) 'by day, daytime'; adverbial.
וָלַ֔יְלָהor by nightconj וְ + N m sg abs (adverbial use) · לַיְלָה (H3915)Coordinated adverbial accusative of timeלַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; יוֹמָם וָלַיְלָה 'day or night', total unpredictability of the cloud's timing.
וְנַעֲלָ֥הand was liftedconj וְ + Niphal weqatal 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause, repeated)→ Weqatal: consequential — restates the rising for the day/night caseעָלָה (H5927) Niphal 'to be lifted up'; the verb repeats to cover the day-or-night scenario.
הֶעָנָ֖ןthe cloudart + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Subject of וְנַעֲלָהעָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'.
וְנָסָֽעוּand they journeyedconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · נָסַע (H5265)Predicate verb (apodosis, main clause, repeated)→ Weqatal: consequential — closes the verse restating instant obedienceנָסַע (H5265) 'to journey'; the verse's closing verb, doubling the pattern of immediate response regardless of hour.
22
אֽוֹ יֹמַ֜יִם אוֹ חֹ֣דֶשׁ אוֹ יָמִ֗ים בְּהַאֲרִ֨יךְ הֶעָנָ֤ן עַל הַמִּשְׁכָּן֙ לִשְׁכֹּ֣ן עָלָ֔יו יַחֲנ֥וּ בְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל וְלֹ֣א יִסָּ֑עוּ וּבְהֵעָלֹת֖וֹ יִסָּֽעוּ
Whether it was two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud lingered over the tabernacle, remaining upon it, the sons of Israel remained camped and did not journey; but when it was lifted up, they journeyed.
The list (two days / a month / a year — יָמִים here idiomatic for a longer span, cf. Lev 25:29) totalizes the preceding specific cases into an exhaustive statement: no duration, however long, altered the rule; only the cloud's own lifting triggered movement.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
אֽוֹwhetherconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunction opening the final duration-surveyאוֹ (H176) 'or'; opens the summary list of durations.
יֹמַ֜יִםtwo daysN m dual abs · יוֹם (H3117)First item in the disjunctive duration-listיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; dual form, 'two days'.
אוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'.
חֹ֣דֶשׁa monthN m sg abs · חֹדֶשׁ (H2320)Second item in the disjunctive duration-listחֹדֶשׁ (H2320) 'month'.
אוֹorconj · אוֹ (H176)Disjunctive conjunctionאוֹ (H176) 'or'.
יָמִ֗יםa yearN m pl abs · יוֹם (H3117)Third item in the disjunctive duration-listיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; plural יָמִים here idiomatic for a full year or extended span (cf. Lev 25:29; Judg 17:10).
בְּהַאֲרִ֨יךְin...lingeringprep בְּ + Hiphil inf constr · אָרַךְ (H748)Temporal infinitival clause→ Infinitive construct: temporal, summarizes the duration-casesאָרַךְ (H748) Hiphil 'to prolong'; repeats the verb of v. 19, now summing up every case.
הֶעָנָ֤ןthe cloudart + N m sg abs · עָנָן (H6051)Subject of the infinitiveעָנָן (H6051) 'cloud'.
עַלoverprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'upon, over'.
הַמִּשְׁכָּן֙the tabernacleart + N m sg abs · מִשְׁכָּן (H4908)Object of preposition עַלמִשְׁכָּן (H4908) 'dwelling place'.
לִשְׁכֹּ֣ןremainingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · שָׁכַן (H7931)Infinitival complement (purpose/result, 'so as to remain')→ Infinitive construct: complementary, reinforcing the duration of the cloud's stayשָׁכַן (H7931) 'to settle, abide'; intensifies בְּהַאֲרִיךְ — 'lingering ... remaining upon it'.
עָלָ֔יוupon itprep עַל + 3ms suffix · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (locative, referring to the tabernacle)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; with 3ms suffix, referring back to הַמִּשְׁכָּן.
יַחֲנ֥וּremained campedQal impf 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Predicate verb (main clause, summary)→ Yiqtol: habitual/durative — summarizing every duration-caseחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'; the summary verb closing the whole duration-survey (vv. 19-22).
בְנֵֽיsons ofN m pl constr · בֵּן (H1121)Subjectבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct with יִשְׂרָאֵל.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelN proper · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive of the construct chain (subject)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), Israel.
וְלֹ֣אand notconj וְ + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle governing the verbלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle.
יִסָּ֑עוּthey journeyedQal impf 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Yiqtol: habitual/durative, negated — restraint for however long the cloud stayedנָסַע (H5265) 'to journey'; negated, reiterating the discipline of vv. 19-21.
וּבְהֵעָלֹת֖וֹbut when it was liftedconj וְ + prep בְּ + Niphal inf constr + 3ms suffix · עָלָה (H5927)Temporal infinitival clause (adversative, 'but when')→ Infinitive construct: temporal, marks the decisive turning pointעָלָה (H5927) Niphal 'to be lifted up'; the infinitive with suffix, 'its being lifted', pivots the verse from restraint to action.
יִסָּֽעוּthey journeyedQal impf 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Yiqtol: habitual/iterative — immediate departure upon the signנָסַע (H5265) 'to journey'; the verse's climactic closing verb — however long the wait, the response is immediate.
23
עַל פִּ֤י יְהוָה֙ יַחֲנ֔וּ וְעַל פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה יִסָּ֑עוּ אֶת מִשְׁמֶ֤רֶת יְהוָה֙ שָׁמָ֔רוּ עַל פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה בְּיַד מֹשֶֽׁה
At the command of YHWH they camped, and at the command of YHWH they journeyed; they kept the charge of YHWH, at the command of YHWH by the hand of Moses.
The chapter closes exactly where the cloud-unit began (v. 18), with עַל פִּי יְהוָה now sounding a third time in this verse alone (seven occurrences total across vv. 18-23), and adds בְּיַד מֹשֶׁה — Moses as the human mediator through whom the cloud's silent 'command' was administered, tying the theophany back to the covenant leadership that opened the chapter (v. 1).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
עַלatprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (idiom 'at the command of')עַל (H5921) 'upon'; with פִּי forms the idiom עַל פִּי יְהוָה 'at the command of YHWH' — the chapter's refrain, occurring seven times in vv. 18-23.
פִּ֤יthe mouth ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Object of preposition עַל (idiom)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing the idiomיְהוָה (H3068).
יַחֲנ֔וּthey campedQal impf 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Predicate verb (main clause, summary)→ Yiqtol: habitual/summary — the closing restatement of the whole unitחָנָה (H2583) 'to encamp'.
וְעַלand atconj וְ + prep · עַל (H5921)Coordinated prepositional phrase (idiom)עַל (H5921); second half of the refrain.
פִּ֥יthe mouth ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Object of preposition עַל (idiom)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing the idiomיְהוָה (H3068).
יִסָּ֑עוּthey journeyedQal impf 3mp · נָסַע (H5265)Predicate verb (main clause, summary)→ Yiqtol: habitual/summary — the closing restatement of the whole unitנָסַע (H5265) 'to journey'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking מִשְׁמֶרֶת as definite direct object.
מִשְׁמֶ֤רֶתthe charge ofN f sg constr · מִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931)Direct object of שָׁמָרוּמִשְׁמֶרֶת (H4931) 'charge, obligation'; resumes v. 19's language, now as the chapter's final summary.
יְהוָה֙YHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing the construct chainיְהוָה (H3068).
שָׁמָ֔רוּthey keptQal perf 3cp · שָׁמַר (H8104)Predicate verb (main clause, summary)→ Perfective: a completed, summary act — the whole wilderness period viewed as accomplished obedienceשָׁמַר (H8104) 'to keep, watch, observe'; the perfect here summarizes the entire preceding pattern as a completed record of faithfulness.
עַלatprep · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (idiom, appositional restatement)עַל (H5921); the refrain's third occurrence in this verse, and seventh in the unit (vv. 18-23).
פִּ֥יthe mouth ofN m sg constr · פֶּה (H6310)Object of preposition עַל (idiom)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'.
יְהוָ֖הYHWHN proper · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive completing the idiomיְהוָה (H3068).
בְּיַדby the hand ofprep בְּ + N c sg constr · יָד (H3027)Prepositional phrase (instrumental/agentive)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; בְּיַד idiom 'by the hand of', marking the human agent through whom the divine command was mediated and administered.
מֹשֶֽׁהMosesN proper · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Object of preposition בְּיַד (agent)מֹשֶׁה (H4872), Moses; the chapter's final word names him as the mediating leader, closing on the same note it opened (v. 1).