וּשְׁנֵ֧ים עָשָׂ֣ר אֲרָיִ֗ים עֹמְדִ֥ים שָׁ֛ם עַל־שֵׁ֥שׁ הַֽמַּעֲלֹ֖ות מִזֶּ֣ה וּמִזֶּ֑ה לֹֽא־נַעֲשָׂ֥ה כֵ֖ן לְכָל־מַמְלָכֹֽות׃
And twelve lions were standing there on the six steps, on this side and on that side; nothing like it had been made in all the kingdoms.
Morphology
- וּשְׁנֵ֧ים (u-shenaym) – Root: שנים (sh.n.y.m); Form: Conjunction + dual numeral; Translation: “and two”; Notes: Forms part of the number twelve.
- עָשָׂ֣ר (asar) – Root: עשר (ʿ.sh.r); Form: Numeral, masculine singular; Translation: “ten”; Notes: Completes the compound numeral “twelve.”
- אֲרָיִ֗ים (arayim) – Root: ארי (ʾ.r.y); Form: Noun, masculine plural (irregular); Translation: “lions”; Notes: Decorative or symbolic animals placed near the throne.
- עֹמְדִ֥ים (ʿomdim) – Root: עמד (ʿ.m.d); Form: Qal participle, masculine plural; Translation: “standing”; Notes: Describes the posture of the lions.
- שָׁ֛ם (sham) – Root: –; Form: Adverb of place; Translation: “there”; Notes: Locates the lions on the steps.
- עַל־שֵׁ֥שׁ (ʿal-shesh) – Root: ששׁ (sh.sh); Form: Preposition + numeral, feminine singular; Translation: “on six”; Notes: Refers to the six steps of the throne.
- הַֽמַּעֲלֹ֖ות (ha-maʿalot) – Root: עלה (ʿ.l.h); Form: Definite noun, feminine plural; Translation: “the steps”; Notes: Staircase structure leading to the throne.
- מִזֶּ֣ה (mizzeh) – Root: זה (z.h); Form: Preposition + demonstrative pronoun; Translation: “from this side”; Notes: Indicates symmetrical placement.
- וּמִזֶּ֑ה (u-mizzeh) – Root: זה (z.h); Form: Conjunction + preposition + demonstrative pronoun; Translation: “and from that side”; Notes: Indicates the opposite side—total symmetry.
- לֹֽא־נַעֲשָׂ֥ה (lo-naʿasah) – Root: עשׂה (ʿ.sh.h); Form: Negative particle + Niphal perfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “was not made”; Notes: Passive construction expressing uniqueness.
- כֵ֖ן (ken) – Root: –; Form: Adverb; Translation: “like it”; Notes: Indicates comparison with the unique construction.
- לְכָל־מַמְלָכֹֽות (le-khol-mamlakhot) – Root: מלך (m.l.k); Form: Preposition + noun “all” + plural noun, feminine; Translation: “in all the kingdoms”; Notes: Emphasizes the unparalleled nature of Shelomoh’s throne.