Ezekiel 34:24

וַאֲנִ֣י יְהוָ֗ה אֶהְיֶ֤ה לָהֶם֙ לֵֽאלֹהִ֔ים וְעַבְדִּ֥י דָוִ֖ד נָשִׂ֣יא בְתֹוכָ֑ם אֲנִ֥י יְהוָ֖ה דִּבַּֽרְתִּי׃

And I, YHWH, will be their God, and My servant Dawid shall be prince among them; I, YHWH, have spoken.

Morphology

1. וַאֲנִי (va-ʾani) – Root: אני (ʾani); Form: Conjunction וַ + independent pronoun 1st person singular; Translation: “and I”; Notes: Emphatic repetition highlights YHWH’s personal declaration and involvement in the covenant relationship.
2. יְהוָה (YHWH) – Root: היה (hayah); Form: Proper divine name; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: The covenantal name of the God of Yisraʾel, expressing His self-existence and faithfulness.
3. אֶהְיֶה (ʾehyeh) – Root: היה (hayah); Form: Qal imperfect 1st person singular; Translation: “I will be”; Notes: YHWH declares His ongoing commitment to be God for His people, echoing covenant formulas such as “I will be their God.”
4. לָהֶם (la-hem) – Root: ל (lamed); Form: Preposition לְ + suffix 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “for them”; Notes: Indicates relational belonging—YHWH’s divine role is on behalf of His people.
5. לֵאלֹהִים (le-ʾelohim) – Root: אלה (ʾalah); Form: Preposition לְ + noun masculine plural; Translation: “as God”; Notes: Denotes YHWH’s covenantal identity as the sole deity for His people, contrasting with false gods of the nations.
6. וְעַבְדִּי (ve-ʿavdi) – Root: עבד (ʿavad); Form: Conjunction וְ + noun masculine singular construct + suffix 1st person singular; Translation: “and My servant”; Notes: Refers again to Dawid, highlighting his subordinate yet honored position under YHWH’s rule.
7. דָוִד (Dawid) – Root: דוד (Dawid); Form: Proper noun, masculine singular; Translation: “Dawid”; Notes: Represents the ideal or messianic king from Dawid’s line—servant-leadership under divine authority.
8. נָשִׂיא (nasiʾ) – Root: נשא (nasaʾ); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “prince”; Notes: Title of leadership, distinct from “king,” emphasizing stewardship and divinely delegated authority rather than absolute monarchy.
9. בְתֹוכָם (be-tokham) – Root: תוך (tokh); Form: Preposition בְ + noun masculine singular + suffix 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “among them”; Notes: Signifies presence within the community—Dawid’s reign is characterized by nearness and identification with the people.
10. אֲנִי (ʾani) – Root: אני (ʾani); Form: Independent pronoun 1st person singular; Translation: “I”; Notes: Repetition underscores YHWH’s direct authorship and authority over the statement that follows.
11. יְהוָה (YHWH) – Root: היה (hayah); Form: Proper divine name; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: Serves as a signature of divine affirmation—identifying the speaker as the covenant God of Yisraʾel.
12. דִּבַּרְתִּי (dibarti) – Root: דבר (dabar); Form: Piel perfect 1st person singular; Translation: “I have spoken”; Notes: Piel form conveys the solemn and emphatic nature of divine speech—YHWH’s word is final and irrevocable.