בִּסְעַפֹּתָ֤יו קִֽנְנוּ֙ כָּל־עֹ֣וף הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וְתַ֤חַת פֹּֽארֹתָיו֙ יָֽלְד֔וּ כֹּ֖ל חַיַּ֣ת הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה וּבְצִלֹּו֙ יֵֽשְׁב֔וּ כֹּ֖ל גֹּויִ֥ם רַבִּֽים׃
In its branches all the birds of the heavens made their nests, and under its boughs every beast of the field gave birth, and in its shade dwelt all great nations.
Morphology
- בִּסְעַפֹּתָיו (bisʿappotav) – Root: סעף (saʿaf); Form: Preposition בְּ + noun feminine plural + suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “in its branches”; Notes: Denotes the upper divisions of the cedar—symbolizing the reach or influence of the Assyrian empire where others find habitation.
- קִנְנוּ (qinnenu) – Root: קן (qan); Form: Qal perfect 3rd person common plural; Translation: “made nests”; Notes: Describes settled dwelling; metaphor for dependent nations or peoples who sought security under Assyria’s power.
- כָּל־עֹוף (kol-ʿof) – Root: עוף (ʿuf); Form: Noun masculine singular construct with כָּל (“all”); Translation: “all the birds”; Notes: “Birds of the heavens” often symbolize nations or rulers; here, smaller kingdoms benefiting from Assyria’s protection.
- הַשָּׁמַיִם (ha-shamayim) – Root: שׁמים (shamayim); Form: Definite noun masculine plural (dual in sense); Translation: “the heavens”; Notes: Represents the upper realm or sky; together with “birds,” forms a poetic image of high habitation and safety.
- וְתַחַת (ve-taḥat) – Root: תחת (taḥat); Form: Conjunction וְ + preposition; Translation: “and under”; Notes: Marks location beneath the cedar’s protection—physical and symbolic shelter.
- פֹּארֹתָיו (paʾrotav) – Root: פאר (paʾar); Form: Noun feminine plural + suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “its boughs”; Notes: Related to “beauty” or “splendor”; represents the majestic and far-reaching limbs of the cedar, extending protection to many.
- יָלְדוּ (yaledu) – Root: ילד (yalad); Form: Qal perfect 3rd person common plural; Translation: “gave birth”; Notes: Indicates flourishing life and prosperity; metaphorically, nations thrived under Assyria’s shade.
- כֹּל (kol) – Root: —; Form: Noun meaning “all” or “every”; Translation: “every”; Notes: Emphasizes inclusiveness of the metaphor—none excluded from the cedar’s benefit.
- חַיַּת (ḥayyat) – Root: חיה (ḥayah); Form: Noun feminine singular construct; Translation: “beast of”; Notes: Refers to animals of the field, symbolic of earthly nations or peoples living under imperial power.
- הַשָּׂדֶה (ha-sadeh) – Root: שׂדה (sadeh); Form: Definite noun masculine singular; Translation: “the field”; Notes: Represents the world of nations or inhabited earth under Assyria’s shadow.
- וּבְצִלֹּו (u-vertsillo) – Root: צלל (tsalal); Form: Conjunction וְ + preposition בְּ + noun masculine singular + suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “and in its shade”; Notes: “Shade” symbolizes protection, rest, and influence—nations finding security beneath Assyria’s dominion.
- יֵשְׁבוּ (yeshvu) – Root: ישׁב (yashav); Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “they dwelt”; Notes: Describes habitual or continuous residence—peaceful habitation in prosperity.
- כֹּל (kol) – Root: —; Form: Noun meaning “all”; Translation: “all”; Notes: Reinforces the inclusivity—many peoples shared in the benefits of the cedar’s reach.
- גֹּויִם (goyim) – Root: גוי (goy); Form: Noun masculine plural; Translation: “nations”; Notes: Refers to foreign nations or peoples under the metaphorical protection of the great cedar (Assyria).
- רַבִּים (rabbim) – Root: רבב (ravav); Form: Adjective masculine plural; Translation: “many”; Notes: Emphasizes the magnitude and breadth of Assyria’s empire—its influence extended to many nations.