שָׁמַ֥עְנוּ אֶת־שָׁמְעֹ֖ו רָפ֣וּ יָדֵ֑ינוּ צָרָה֙ הֶחֱזִיקַ֔תְנוּ חִ֖יל כַּיֹּולֵדָֽה׃
We have heard his report; our hands have grown weak. Distress has seized us, anguish like one giving birth.
Morphology
- שָׁמַ֥עְנוּ (shamaʿnu) – Root: שמע; Form: Qal perfect 1st person common plural; Translation: “we have heard”; Notes: Simple past, collective subject.
- אֶת־שָׁמְעֹ֖ו (ʾet-shamʿo) – Root: שמע; Form: Direct object marker + noun masculine singular construct with 3rd masculine singular suffix; Translation: “his report / news”; Notes: Refers to tidings of an enemy or calamity.
- רָפ֣וּ (rafu) – Root: רפה; Form: Qal perfect 3rd person common plural; Translation: “have grown weak”; Notes: Describes loss of strength or morale.
- יָדֵ֑ינוּ (yadenu) – Root: יד; Form: Noun feminine dual with 1st person common plural suffix; Translation: “our hands”; Notes: Symbol of strength or action.
- צָרָה֙ (tsarah) – Root: צרר; Form: Noun feminine singular absolute; Translation: “distress”; Notes: Refers to intense trouble or anguish.
- הֶחֱזִיקַ֔תְנוּ (heḥezikatnu) – Root: חזק; Form: Hifil perfect 3rd person feminine singular + 1st person common plural suffix; Translation: “has seized us”; Notes: Causative force, distress as the agent.
- חִ֖יל (ḥil) – Root: חול; Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “anguish / trembling”; Notes: Often refers to labor pains or terror.
- כַּיֹּולֵדָֽה (ka-yoleidah) – Root: ילד; Form: Preposition + Qal participle feminine singular; Translation: “like one giving birth”; Notes: Simile for intense physical and emotional agony.