לִמְד֥וּ הֵיטֵ֛ב דִּרְשׁ֥וּ מִשְׁפָּ֖ט אַשְּׁר֣וּ חָמֹ֑וץ שִׁפְט֣וּ יָתֹ֔ום רִ֖יבוּ אַלְמָנָֽה׃ ס
Learn to do good, seek justice, correct the oppressor, judge the orphan, plead for the widow.”
Morphology
- לִמְדוּ (limdu) – Root: למד; Form: Qal imperative masculine plural; Translation: “learn”; Notes: Command to adopt righteous conduct through instruction.
- הֵיטֵב (heitev) – Root: יטב; Form: Hifil infinitive absolute; Translation: “to do good”; Notes: Adverbial usage strengthening the verb “learn.”
- דִּרְשׁוּ (dirshu) – Root: דרשׁ; Form: Qal imperative masculine plural; Translation: “seek”; Notes: Often used for actively pursuing justice or truth.
- מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat) – Root: שׁפט; Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “justice”; Notes: Refers to legal fairness and righteousness.
- אַשְּׁרוּ (ashru) – Root: אשר; Form: Piel imperative masculine plural; Translation: “correct” or “make right”; Notes: Possibly also “lead uprightly” or “treat justly.”
- חָמוֹץ (ḥamotz) – Root: חמץ; Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “oppressor”; Notes: Refers to one acting violently or unjustly.
- שִׁפְטוּ (shifetu) – Root: שׁפט; Form: Qal imperative masculine plural; Translation: “judge”; Notes: Act of rendering justice on behalf of the vulnerable.
- יָתוֹם (yatom) – Root: יתם; Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “orphan”; Notes: Represents the defenseless in society.
- רִיבוּ (rivu) – Root: ריב; Form: Qal imperative masculine plural; Translation: “plead” or “contend”; Notes: Legal term meaning to argue a case or advocate for.
- אַלְמָנָה (almanah) – Root: אלמן; Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “widow”; Notes: Symbol of societal vulnerability; subject of justice and care.