חֵ֥ץ שֶׂוחט לְשֹׁונָ֖ם מִרְמָ֣ה דִבֵּ֑ר בְּפִ֗יו שָׁלֹ֤ום אֶת־רֵעֵ֨הוּ֙ יְדַבֵּ֔ר וּבְקִרְבֹּ֖ו יָשִׂ֥ים אָרְבֹּֽו׃
A sharpened arrow is their tongue, deceit they speak; with his mouth peace to his fellow he speaks, but inwardly he sets an ambush for him.
Morphology
- חֵ֥ץ (ḥets) – Root: חץ; Form: Noun masculine singular absolute; Translation: “arrow”; Notes: Often used metaphorically for speech or judgment.
- שֶׂוחט (shoḥet) – Root: שׁחט; Form: Qal participle masculine singular; Translation: “sharpening” or “slaughtering”; Notes: Poetic apposition to “arrow,” intensifying its danger.
- לְשֹׁונָ֖ם (leshonam) – Root: לשון; Form: Noun feminine singular construct + 3rd masculine plural suffix; Translation: “their tongue”; Notes: Metonymy for speech or communication.
- מִרְמָ֣ה (mirmah) – Root: רמה; Form: Noun feminine singular absolute; Translation: “deceit”; Notes: Describes the content or nature of their speech.
- דִבֵּ֑ר (dibber) – Root: דבר; Form: Piel perfect 3rd masculine singular; Translation: “he spoke”; Notes: Emphatic or intensive speech.
- בְּפִ֗יו (be-fiv) – Root: פה; Form: Noun masculine singular construct + 3rd masculine singular suffix; Translation: “with his mouth”; Notes: Indicates external appearance.
- שָׁלֹ֤ום (shalom) – Root: שלם; Form: Noun masculine singular absolute; Translation: “peace”; Notes: Represents goodwill or friendly intent.
- אֶת־רֵעֵ֨הוּ֙ (et-reʿehu) – Root: רֵעַ; Form: Noun masculine singular construct + 3rd masculine singular suffix; Translation: “his fellow”; Notes: Direct object of the verb “speaks.”
- יְדַבֵּ֔ר (yedabber) – Root: דבר; Form: Piel imperfect 3rd masculine singular; Translation: “he speaks”; Notes: Denotes ongoing or habitual action.
- וּבְקִרְבֹּ֖ו (u-viqirbo) – Root: קרב; Form: Preposition + noun masculine singular construct + 3rd masculine singular suffix; Translation: “and in his inward part”; Notes: Contrasts with the outward speech.
- יָשִׂ֥ים (yasim) – Root: שׂים; Form: Qal imperfect 3rd masculine singular; Translation: “he sets”; Notes: Volitional nuance of intentional action.
- אָרְבֹּֽו (orbo) – Root: ארב; Form: Noun masculine singular + 3rd masculine singular suffix; Translation: “his ambush”; Notes: Symbolizes deceitful intent or betrayal.