אֶת־הַחֵ֤לֶב תֹּאכֵ֨לוּ֙ וְאֶת־הַצֶּ֣מֶר תִּלְבָּ֔שׁוּ הַבְּרִיאָ֖ה תִּזְבָּ֑חוּ הַצֹּ֖אן לֹ֥א תִרְעֽוּ׃
You eat the fat and you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fatlings, but the flock you do not feed.
Morphology
- אֶת־הַחֵלֶב (ʾet-ha-ḥelev) – Root: חלב (ḥelev); Form: Direct object marker + definite noun masculine singular; Translation: “the fat”; Notes: Refers to the richest part, symbolizing indulgence of the corrupt shepherds.
- תֹּאכֵלוּ (toʾkhelu) – Root: אכל (ʾakhal); Form: Qal imperfect 2nd person masculine plural; Translation: “you eat”; Notes: Denotes habitual action—consuming what belongs to others.
- וְאֶת־הַצֶּמֶר (ve-ʾet-ha-tsemer) – Root: צמר (tsemer); Form: Conjunction וְ + direct object marker + definite noun masculine singular; Translation: “and the wool”; Notes: Indicates taking benefit from the flock for personal luxury.
- תִּלְבָּשׁוּ (tilbashu) – Root: לבש (lavash); Form: Qal imperfect 2nd person masculine plural; Translation: “you clothe yourselves”; Notes: Continues the description of selfish use of the flock’s resources.
- הַבְּרִיאָה (ha-beriʾah) – Root: ברא (baraʾ); Form: Definite noun feminine singular; Translation: “the fatling” or “the healthy one”; Notes: Refers to the well-fed animals selected for slaughter by the unjust shepherds.
- תִּזְבָּחוּ (tizbaḥu) – Root: זבח (zavaḥ); Form: Qal imperfect 2nd person masculine plural; Translation: “you slaughter”; Notes: Indicates exploitation and destruction of the strong for personal gain.
- הַצֹּאן (ha-tson) – Root: צאן (tson); Form: Definite noun common collective feminine singular; Translation: “the flock”; Notes: Represents the people of Yisraʾel under the negligent care of their leaders.
- לֹא (lo) – Root: לא (lo); Form: Negative particle; Translation: “not”; Notes: Denies expected responsibility of the shepherds.
- תִרְעוּ (tirʿu) – Root: רעָה (raʿah); Form: Qal imperfect 2nd person masculine plural; Translation: “you feed”; Notes: Expresses the neglected duty—failing to care for or tend the flock.