הִנֵּ֨ה אַשּׁ֜וּר אֶ֣רֶז בַּלְּבָנֹ֗ון יְפֵ֥ה עָנָ֛ף וְחֹ֥רֶשׁ מֵצַ֖ל וּגְבַ֣הּ קֹומָ֑ה וּבֵ֣ין עֲבֹתִ֔ים הָיְתָ֖ה צַמַּרְתֹּֽו׃
Behold, Ashshur was a cedar in Levanon, beautiful in branch, and with a shadowing forest, and of high stature, and its top was among the thick boughs.
Morphology
- הִנֵּה (hinneh) – Root: הנה (hinneh); Form: Interjection; Translation: “Behold”; Notes: Introduces a vivid prophetic comparison or illustration, calling the reader’s attention to Ashshur’s grandeur.
- אַשּׁוּר (Ashshur) – Root: —; Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Ashshur (Assyria)”; Notes: Represents the Assyrian empire, here portrayed metaphorically as a towering cedar of Levanon.
- אֶרֶז (ʾerez) – Root: ארז (ʾerez); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “a cedar”; Notes: The cedar symbolizes majesty, strength, and prosperity—commonly associated with kings or empires.
- בַּלְּבָנֹון (ba-Levanon) – Root: לבנון (Levanon); Form: Preposition בְּ + proper noun definite; Translation: “in Levanon”; Notes: The famous region known for its cedars; symbolizes exalted position and natural splendor.
- יְפֵה (yefe) – Root: יפה (yafeh); Form: Adjective masculine singular; Translation: “beautiful”; Notes: Describes aesthetic perfection or magnificence, attributing beauty to the cedar’s form.
- עָנָף (ʿanaf) – Root: ענף (ʿanaf); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “branch”; Notes: Symbol of outward growth or expansion—often associated with influence or prosperity.
- וְחֹרֶשׁ (ve-ḥores) – Root: חרשׁ (ḥarash); Form: Conjunction וְ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “and forest”; Notes: Refers to dense foliage or thicket—depicting protective shade and life-giving abundance.
- מֵצַ֖ל (me-tsal) – Root: צל (tsal); Form: Preposition מִן (min) + noun masculine singular; Translation: “with shade” or “from shadow”; Notes: Suggests cool shelter—metaphorically implying protection and influence.
- וּגְבַהּ (u-gevah) – Root: גבה (gavah); Form: Conjunction וְ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “and height”; Notes: Denotes exaltation or lofty stature, a metaphor for pride or power.
- קֹומָה (qomah) – Root: קום (qum); Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “stature”; Notes: Complements “height,” describing majestic or imposing physical form.
- וּבֵין (u-ven) – Root: בין (bein); Form: Conjunction וְ + preposition בֵּין; Translation: “and among”; Notes: Introduces spatial relationship—between other trees or in the midst of thickets.
- עֲבֹתִים (ʿavotim) – Root: עבת (ʿavat); Form: Noun masculine plural; Translation: “thick boughs”; Notes: Refers to interwoven branches; imagery of complexity, strength, and grandeur.
- הָיְתָה (hayetah) – Root: היה (hayah); Form: Qal perfect 3rd person feminine singular; Translation: “was”; Notes: Links the preceding imagery to the subject—the tree’s top as part of its distinguished structure.
- צַמַּרְתּוֹ (tsammarto) – Root: צמרת (tsammeret); Form: Noun feminine singular + suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “its top” or “its treetop”; Notes: Symbol of supremacy and prominence—represents the pinnacle of Assyria’s greatness among nations.