עַל־כֵּן֙ גָּבְהָ֣א קֹמָתֹ֔ו מִכֹּ֖ל עֲצֵ֣י הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה וַתִּרְבֶּ֨ינָה סַֽרְעַפֹּתָ֜יו וַתֶּאֱרַ֧כְנָה פָּֽארֹתָ֛יו מִמַּ֥יִם רַבִּ֖ים בְּשַׁלְּחֹֽו׃
Therefore his stature was exalted above all the trees of the field, and his branches multiplied, and his boughs extended because of many waters when it sent them out.
Morphology
- עַל־כֵּן (ʿal-ken) – Root: —; Form: Preposition + adverb; Translation: “Therefore”; Notes: Introduces the consequence of prior divine nurture—Assyria’s exaltation results from abundant divine provision.
- גָּבְהָא (govhaʾ) – Root: גבה (gavah); Form: Qal perfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “was exalted,” “grew tall”; Notes: Indicates pride or physical loftiness; the cedar (Assyria) stands above others.
- קֹמָתוֹ (qomato) – Root: קום (qum); Form: Noun feminine singular + suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “his stature”; Notes: Refers metaphorically to grandeur, might, or imperial strength.
- מִכֹּל (mi-kol) – Root: —; Form: Preposition מִן + adjective “all”; Translation: “above all”; Notes: Indicates comparison—surpassing all others.
- עֲצֵי (ʿatsei) – Root: עץ (ʿets); Form: Noun masculine plural construct; Translation: “trees of”; Notes: Represents surrounding nations or kingdoms in the prophetic metaphor.
- הַשָּׂדֶה (ha-sadeh) – Root: שׂדה (sadeh); Form: Definite noun masculine singular; Translation: “the field”; Notes: Symbolic for the world of nations under divine observation.
- וַתִּרְבֶּינָה (vattirbenah) – Root: רבה (rabah); Form: Qal wayyiqtol 3rd person feminine plural (past narrative form); Translation: “and they multiplied”; Notes: Refers to the expansion of branches—growth and influence increasing under prosperity.
- סַרְעַפֹּתָיו (sarʿapotav) – Root: סרעף (sarʿaf); Form: Noun feminine plural + suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “his branches”; Notes: Symbolic of extensions of dominion or influence, such as subject nations.
- וַתֶּאֱרַכְנָה (vattʾerakhna) – Root: ארך (ʾarakh); Form: Qal wayyiqtol 3rd person feminine plural; Translation: “and they extended”; Notes: Describes the spreading reach of the cedar’s boughs—growth signifying widespread power.
- פָּארֹתָיו (paʾrotav) – Root: פאר (paʾar); Form: Noun feminine plural + suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “his boughs”; Notes: “Boughs” symbolize splendor and external magnificence; derived from the same root as “beauty” or “glory.”
- מִמַּיִם (mi-mayim) – Root: מים (mayim); Form: Preposition מִן + noun masculine plural; Translation: “because of waters”; Notes: The preposition expresses cause or source—prosperity derived from abundant waters, i.e., divine blessing.
- רַבִּים (rabbim) – Root: רבב (ravav); Form: Adjective masculine plural; Translation: “many”; Notes: Describes the vast supply of sustaining waters—symbolizing plentiful resources.
- בְּשַׁלְּחוֹ (be-shalcho) – Root: שלח (shalach); Form: Preposition בְּ + infinitive construct + suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “when it sent them out”; Notes: Refers back to the rivers or waters; depicts continual irrigation ensuring the cedar’s flourishing, an image of divine providence and expansive blessing.