Ezekiel 34:25

וְכָרַתִּ֤י לָהֶם֙ בְּרִ֣ית שָׁלֹ֔ום וְהִשְׁבַּתִּ֥י חַיָּֽה־רָעָ֖ה מִן־הָאָ֑רֶץ וְיָשְׁב֤וּ בַמִּדְבָּר֙ לָבֶ֔טַח וְיָשְׁנ֖וּ בַּיְּעָרִֽים׃

“And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and I will cause the evil beast to cease from the land, and they shall dwell securely in the wilderness and sleep in the forests.

Morphology

1. וְכָרַתִּי (ve-kharatti) – Root: כרת (karat); Form: Conjunction וְ + Qal perfect 1st person singular; Translation: “and I will make”; Notes: Literally “to cut” a covenant—idiomatic for establishing a binding agreement; expresses YHWH’s initiative in peace restoration.
2. לָהֶם (la-hem) – Root: ל (lamed); Form: Preposition לְ + suffix 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “with them” or “for them”; Notes: Indicates the beneficiaries of the covenant—YHWH’s people.
3. בְּרִית (berit) – Root: ברית (berit); Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “covenant”; Notes: Refers to a formal, enduring relationship initiated by YHWH, guaranteeing peace and protection.
4. שָׁלֹום (shalom) – Root: שלם (shalem); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “peace”; Notes: Connotes wholeness, harmony, and security—not merely absence of conflict but full covenantal well-being.
5. וְהִשְׁבַּתִּי (ve-hishbatti) – Root: שׁבת (shavat); Form: Conjunction וְ + Hiphil perfect 1st person singular; Translation: “and I will cause to cease”; Notes: Hiphil expresses causation—YHWH removes threats to peace by eliminating hostile beasts.
6. חַיָּה־רָעָה (ḥayyah-raʿah) – Root: חי (ḥay) / רע (raʿ); Form: Noun feminine singular + adjective feminine singular; Translation: “evil beast”; Notes: May denote both literal wild animals and metaphorical enemies; symbolizes danger or chaos.
7. מִן־הָאָ֑רֶץ (min-ha-ʾaretz) – Root: ארץ (ʾerets); Form: Preposition מִן + definite noun feminine singular; Translation: “from the land”; Notes: Indicates complete removal of harm from the inhabited region—symbolic of total safety.
8. וְיָשְׁבוּ (ve-yashvu) – Root: ישׁב (yashav); Form: Conjunction וְ + Qal perfect 3rd person plural; Translation: “and they shall dwell”; Notes: Describes peaceful habitation as a result of divine intervention.
9. בַמִּדְבָּר (ba-midbar) – Root: מדבר (midbar); Form: Preposition בְּ + definite noun masculine singular; Translation: “in the wilderness”; Notes: The once-dangerous wilderness becomes a place of security under YHWH’s protection.
10. לָבֶטַח (la-vetach) – Root: בטח (bataḥ); Form: Preposition לְ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “securely” or “in safety”; Notes: Expresses confidence and peace of mind—living without fear of attack.
11. וְיָשְׁנוּ (ve-yashnu) – Root: ישׁן (yashan); Form: Conjunction וְ + Qal perfect 3rd person plural; Translation: “and they shall sleep”; Notes: Symbol of complete rest—YHWH’s flock enjoys undisturbed peace.
12. בַּיְּעָרִים (ba-yeʿarim) – Root: יער (yaʿar); Form: Preposition בְּ + definite noun masculine plural; Translation: “in the forests”; Notes: Even in once-perilous places, YHWH’s people rest in safety, illustrating total transformation of creation under His covenant of peace.