הָבֵ֣רוּ הַחִצִּים֮ מִלְא֣וּ הַשְּׁלָטִים֒ הֵעִ֣יר יְהוָ֗ה אֶת־ר֨וּחַ֙ מַלְכֵ֣י מָדַ֔י כִּֽי־עַל־בָּבֶ֥ל מְזִמָּתֹ֖ו לְהַשְׁחִיתָ֑הּ כִּֽי־נִקְמַ֤ת יְהוָה֙ הִ֔יא נִקְמַ֖ת הֵיכָלֹֽו׃
Sharpen the arrows, fill the shields. YHWH has aroused the spirit of the kings of Maday, for against Bavel is His plan to destroy her, for it is the vengeance of YHWH, the vengeance of His temple.
Morphology
- הָבֵרוּ (haveru) – Root: ברר; Form: Piel imperative 2nd masculine plural; Translation: “sharpen”; Notes: Command to prepare weapons for battle.
- הַחִצִּים (ha-ḥitzim) – Root: חץ; Form: Definite noun masculine plural; Translation: “the arrows”; Notes: Weapons prepared for divine judgment.
- מִלְאוּ (mileʾu) – Root: מלא; Form: Qal imperative 2nd masculine plural; Translation: “fill”; Notes: Urges readiness and full supply of defenses.
- הַשְּׁלָטִים (ha-shelatim) – Root: שׁלט; Form: Definite noun masculine plural; Translation: “the shields”; Notes: Defensive weapons, part of military preparation.
- הֵעִיר (heʿir) – Root: עור; Form: Hifil perfect 3rd masculine singular; Translation: “has aroused/stirred up”; Notes: Describes God’s action of stirring the enemy nations.
- יְהוָה (YHWH) – Root: —; Form: Proper noun divine name; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: The one initiating the destruction of Bavel.
- אֶת־רוּחַ (et-ruaḥ) – Root: רוח; Form: Direct object marker + noun feminine singular absolute; Translation: “the spirit”; Notes: Refers to will, resolve, or disposition.
- מַלְכֵי (malkei) – Root: מלך; Form: Noun masculine plural construct; Translation: “kings of”; Notes: Refers to multiple rulers.
- מָדַי (Maday) – Root: —; Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Maday/Media”; Notes: Historical nation used by God as an instrument of judgment.
- כִּי (ki) – Root: —; Form: Conjunction; Translation: “for”; Notes: Provides reason.
- עַל־בָּבֶל (ʿal-Bavel) – Root: בבל; Form: Preposition + proper noun; Translation: “against Bavel”; Notes: Babylon is the object of the divine plan.
- מְזִמָּתוֹ (mezimmato) – Root: זמם; Form: Noun feminine singular construct + 3rd masculine singular suffix; Translation: “His plan/purpose”; Notes: Refers to YHWH’s deliberate counsel.
- לְהַשְׁחִיתָהּ (le-hashḥitah) – Root: שׁחת; Form: Hifil infinitive construct + 3rd feminine singular suffix; Translation: “to destroy her”; Notes: Purpose clause explaining Babylon’s end.
- כִּי (ki) – Root: —; Form: Conjunction; Translation: “for”; Notes: Introduces reason for vengeance.
- נִקְמַת (niqmat) – Root: נקם; Form: Noun feminine singular construct; Translation: “vengeance of”; Notes: Refers to retribution or just punishment.
- יְהוָה (YHWH) – Root: —; Form: Proper noun divine name; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: The divine agent of vengeance.
- הִיא (hi) – Root: —; Form: Independent pronoun feminine singular; Translation: “it is”; Notes: Stresses certainty.
- נִקְמַת (niqmat) – Root: נקם; Form: Noun feminine singular construct; Translation: “vengeance of”; Notes: Repetition reinforces theme.
- הֵיכָלוֹ (heikholo) – Root: היכל; Form: Noun masculine singular + 3rd masculine singular suffix; Translation: “His temple”; Notes: Refers to the desecrated temple of YHWH in Tsiyon, the cause for divine vengeance.