וְשִֽׁעֲשַׁ֥ע יֹונֵ֖ק עַל־חֻ֣ר פָּ֑תֶן וְעַל֙ מְאוּרַ֣ת צִפְעֹונִ֔י גָּמ֖וּל יָדֹ֥ו הָדָֽה׃
And the nursing infant shall play over the hole of the viper, and upon the den of the adder the weaned child shall stretch out his hand.
Morphology
- וְשִׁעֲשַׁע (ve-shiʿashaʿ) – Root: שׁעשׁע (shaʿshaʿ); Form: Piel imperfect 3rd person masculine singular with conjunctive vav; Translation: “and shall play”; Notes: Denotes joyous or carefree activity, especially of children.
- יֹונֵק (yoneq) – Root: ינק (yanaq); Form: Qal participle masculine singular; Translation: “nursing infant”; Notes: A baby still suckling—symbol of innocence and vulnerability.
- עַל־חֻר (ʿal-ḥur) – Root: חור (ḥur); Form: Preposition + noun masculine singular; Translation: “over the hole”; Notes: Refers to the opening of a snake’s burrow.
- פָּתֶן (paten) – Root: פתן (paten); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “viper”; Notes: A venomous serpent—used here to emphasize safety amid danger.
- וְעַל (ve-ʿal) – Root: על (ʿal); Form: Conjunction + preposition; Translation: “and upon”; Notes: Introduces the parallel phrase to the first clause.
- מְאוּרַת (meʾurat) – Root: אור (ʾur); Form: Noun feminine singular construct; Translation: “den of”; Notes: Dwelling place or lair, often for serpents.
- צִפְעֹונִי (tsifʿoni) – Root: צפע (tsafaʿ); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “adder”; Notes: Another venomous snake, synonymous with danger.
- גָּמוּל (gamul) – Root: גמל (gamal); Form: Qal passive participle masculine singular; Translation: “weaned child”; Notes: A toddler—older than a nursing infant but still young.
- יָדֹו (yado) – Root: יד (yad); Form: Noun feminine singular with 3rd person masculine singular suffix; Translation: “his hand”; Notes: The child’s action is emphasized in relation to the snake’s lair.
- הָדָה (hadah) – Root: הדה (hadah); Form: Hiphil perfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “shall stretch”; Notes: Rare verb, meaning to reach out or thrust forth confidently.