בְּמִרְעֶה־טֹּוב֙ אֶרְעֶ֣ה אֹתָ֔ם וּבְהָרֵ֥י מְרֹֽום־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל יִהְיֶ֣ה נְוֵהֶ֑ם שָׁ֤ם תִּרְבַּ֨צְנָה֙ בְּנָ֣וֶה טֹּ֔וב וּמִרְעֶ֥ה שָׁמֵ֛ן תִּרְעֶ֖ינָה אֶל־הָרֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
In good pasture I will feed them, and on the high mountains of Yisraʾel shall be their dwelling; there they shall lie down in a good dwelling and feed in rich pasture upon the mountains of Yisraʾel.
Morphology
- בְּמִרְעֶה־טֹּוב (be-mirʿeh-tov) – Root: רעָה (raʿah); Form: Preposition בְּ + noun masculine singular construct + adjective masculine singular; Translation: “in good pasture”; Notes: Describes abundant and nourishing spiritual and physical provision.
- אֶרְעֶה (erʿeh) – Root: רעָה (raʿah); Form: Qal imperfect 1st person singular; Translation: “I will feed”; Notes: YHWH speaks as the true Shepherd caring for His flock.
- אֹתָם (ʾotam) – Root: את (ʾet); Form: Direct object marker + suffix 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “them”; Notes: Refers to the restored people of Yisraʾel.
- וּבְהָרֵי (u-ve-harei) – Root: הר (har); Form: Conjunction וּ + preposition בְּ + noun masculine plural construct; Translation: “and on the mountains of”; Notes: Connects the location of divine provision with the covenant land.
- מְרֹום־יִשְׂרָאֵל (merom-Yisraʾel) – Root: רום (rum); Form: Noun masculine singular construct + proper noun; Translation: “the high places of Yisraʾel”; Notes: Refers to elevated and fertile areas symbolizing abundance and blessing.
- יִהְיֶה (yihyeh) – Root: היה (hayah); Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “shall be”; Notes: Describes the location appointed as their resting place.
- נְוֵהֶם (nevehem) – Root: נוה (navah); Form: Noun masculine singular + suffix 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “their dwelling”; Notes: Refers to a peaceful, secure habitation provided by YHWH.
- שָׁם (sham) – Root: שם (sham); Form: Adverb of place; Translation: “there”; Notes: Indicates the designated place of rest and safety.
- תִּרְבַּצְנָה (tirbatznah) – Root: רבץ (ravat͏s); Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person feminine plural; Translation: “they shall lie down”; Notes: Symbol of security and peace, contrasting previous wandering and fear.
- בְּנָוֶה־טֹּוב (be-naweh-tov) – Root: נוה (navah); Form: Preposition בְּ + noun masculine singular construct + adjective masculine singular; Translation: “in a good dwelling”; Notes: Describes the comfort and prosperity of their renewed habitation.
- וּמִרְעֶה (u-mirʿeh) – Root: רעָה (raʿah); Form: Conjunction וּ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “and pasture”; Notes: Continues the shepherd imagery—YHWH providing abundant sustenance.
- שָׁמֵן (shamen) – Root: שׁמן (shaman); Form: Adjective masculine singular; Translation: “rich” or “fat”; Notes: Conveys fertility, abundance, and spiritual prosperity.
- תִּרְעֶינָה (tirʿenah) – Root: רעָה (raʿah); Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person feminine plural; Translation: “they shall feed”; Notes: Denotes contented feeding under divine provision and safety.
- אֶל־הָרֵי (ʾel-harei) – Root: הר (har); Form: Preposition אֶל + noun masculine plural construct; Translation: “upon the mountains of”; Notes: Indicates the location of their feeding—on the heights blessed by YHWH.
- יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisraʾel) – Root: ישראל (Yisraʾel); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Yisraʾel”; Notes: Refers to the nation as YHWH’s covenant flock, restored to peace and prosperity.