Jeremiah 20:12

וַיהוָ֤ה צְבָאֹות֙ בֹּחֵ֣ן צַדִּ֔יק רֹאֶ֥ה כְלָיֹ֖ות וָלֵ֑ב אֶרְאֶ֤ה נִקְמָֽתְךָ֙ מֵהֶ֔ם כִּ֥י אֵלֶ֖יךָ גִּלִּ֥יתִי אֶת־רִיבִֽי׃ ס

But YHWH of Hosts examines the righteous; He sees kidneys and heart. Let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have laid open my cause.

Morphology

1. וַיהוָ֤ה (va-YHWH) – Root: היה; Form: Conjunction + proper noun; Translation: “But YHWH”; Notes: The conjunction introduces a contrast or continuation; the Tetragrammaton denotes the covenant name of God.
2. צְבָאֹות֙ (tsevaʾot) – Root: צבא; Form: Noun, plural feminine construct; Translation: “of armies”; Notes: Construct form, modifying “YHWH,” expressing sovereignty over heavenly and earthly hosts.
3. בֹּחֵ֣ן (boḥen) – Root: בחן; Form: Qal participle masculine singular; Translation: “examines,” “tests”; Notes: Describes YHWH’s ongoing action of discerning hearts.
4. צַדִּ֔יק (tsaddiq) – Root: צדק; Form: Adjective, masculine singular; Translation: “righteous”; Notes: Refers to the moral integrity of the one tested.
5. רֹאֶ֥ה (ro’eh) – Root: ראה; Form: Qal participle masculine singular; Translation: “sees”; Notes: Active participle; denotes continuous perception.
6. כְלָיֹ֖ות (kelayot) – Root: כליה; Form: Noun, feminine plural; Translation: “kidneys”; Notes: Symbolic seat of emotions or conscience in Hebrew thought.
7. וָלֵ֑ב (va-lev) – Root: לבב; Form: Conjunction + noun, masculine singular; Translation: “and heart”; Notes: The heart represents will, intellect, and inner being.
8. אֶרְאֶ֤ה (er’eh) – Root: ראה; Form: Qal imperfect 1st person singular; Translation: “Let me see”; Notes: Expresses a plea or desire.
9. נִקְמָֽתְךָ֙ (niqmatkha) – Root: נקם; Form: Noun, feminine singular construct + 2nd person masculine singular suffix; Translation: “Your vengeance”; Notes: Refers to divine retributive justice.
10. מֵהֶ֔ם (mehem) – Root: מן; Form: Preposition + 3rd person masculine plural suffix; Translation: “from them”; Notes: Indicates source or object of vengeance.
11. כִּ֥י (ki) – Root: כי; Form: Conjunction; Translation: “for”; Notes: Introduces a reason or explanation.
12. אֵלֶ֖יךָ (eilekha) – Root: אל; Form: Preposition + 2nd person masculine singular suffix; Translation: “to You”; Notes: Expresses direction of action or appeal.
13. גִּלִּ֥יתִי (gilliti) – Root: גלה; Form: Piel perfect 1st person singular; Translation: “I have laid bare,” “I have disclosed”; Notes: Piel indicates intensive action—intentional revealing or opening.
14. אֶת־רִיבִֽי (et-rivi) – Root: ריב; Form: Direct object marker + noun masculine singular + 1st person singular suffix; Translation: “my cause,” “my dispute”; Notes: The legal or personal contention Jeremiah brings before YHWH.