יָוָ֤ן תֻּבַל֙ וָמֶ֔שֶׁךְ הֵ֖מָּה רֹֽכְלָ֑יִךְ בְּנֶ֤פֶשׁ אָדָם֙ וּכְלֵ֣י נְחֹ֔שֶׁת נָתְנ֖וּ מַעֲרָבֵֽךְ׃
Yawan, Tubal, and Meshekh, they were your merchants; with human lives and vessels of bronze they gave your merchandise.
Morphology
- יָוָן (Yawan) – Root: יון (Yawan); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Yawan”; Notes: Refers to the Ionian Greeks, symbolizing maritime traders from the Aegean region.
- תֻּבַל (Tuval) – Root: תבל (Tuval); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Tubal”; Notes: A people located in Asia Minor, known for metalwork and trade with ancient Near Eastern powers.
- וָמֶשֶׁךְ (va-Meshekh) – Root: משׁך (Meshekh); Form: Conjunction וְ + proper noun; Translation: “and Meshekh”; Notes: Another Anatolian group often associated with Tubal; also noted for metal trade.
- הֵמָּה (hemah) – Root: —; Form: Independent pronoun masculine plural; Translation: “they”; Notes: Emphasizes the subject, identifying these nations as Tyre’s merchants.
- רֹכְלָיִךְ (rokh’layikh) – Root: רכל (rakhal); Form: Noun masculine plural + suffix 2nd person feminine singular; Translation: “your merchants”; Notes: Denotes commercial partners of Tyre engaged in international trade.
- בְּנֶפֶשׁ (be-nefesh) – Root: נפשׁ (nefesh); Form: Preposition בְּ + noun feminine singular; Translation: “with human lives”; Notes: Refers to the trade of slaves, indicating the grim realities of ancient commerce.
- אָדָם (adam) – Root: אדם (adam); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “humans / men”; Notes: Completes the phrase “human lives,” referring to persons sold or traded as commodities.
- וּכְלֵי (u-khlei) – Root: כלי (kli); Form: Conjunction וְ + noun masculine plural construct; Translation: “and vessels of”; Notes: Introduces the next item in the trade list, metal goods or utensils.
- נְחֹשֶׁת (neḥoshet) – Root: נחשת (neḥoshet); Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “bronze / copper”; Notes: Represents metalware and tools, a major export of the Anatolian regions.
- נָתְנוּ (natnu) – Root: נתן (natan); Form: Qal perfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “they gave”; Notes: Indicates payment or trade exchange rendered to Tyre.
- מַעֲרָבֵךְ (maʿaravekh) – Root: ערב (ʿerev); Form: Noun masculine singular construct + suffix 2nd person feminine singular; Translation: “your merchandise / trade goods”; Notes: Refers to the commodities Tyre received through barter and exchange from her trading partners.