זְנ֛וּת וְיַ֥יִן וְתִירֹ֖ושׁ יִֽקַּֽח־לֵֽב׃
Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.
Morphology
- זְנוּת (zenut) – Root: זנה (z-n-h); Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “whoredom” or “harlotry”; Notes: Refers both to literal sexual immorality and metaphorical idolatry. In Hosea, it symbolizes faithless devotion — unrestrained desire that corrupts covenantal loyalty.
- וְיַיִן (ve-yayin) – Root: יין (y-y-n); Form: Conjunction וְ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “and wine”; Notes: Represents sensual indulgence and intoxication — often paired with moral decline or idolatrous feasts. The parallel with “whoredom” intensifies the sense of moral stupor.
- וְתִירֹושׁ (ve-tirosh) – Root: תירושׁ (t-y-r-š); Form: Conjunction וְ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “and new wine”; Notes: Denotes freshly pressed grape juice or sweet wine. Together with “wine,” it covers the entire spectrum of intoxicating pleasure — a symbol of self-indulgence leading to spiritual dullness.
- יִקַּח (yiqqaḥ) – Root: לקח (l-q-ḥ); Form: Qal imperfect 3ms; Translation: “takes away” or “captures”; Notes: The verb vividly portrays seduction — the mind or heart being seized or led astray by corrupt influences. Here it implies moral and spiritual enslavement to lust and pleasure.
- לֵב (lev) – Root: לב (l-b); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “heart”; Notes: In Hebrew anthropology, the “heart” represents intellect, will, and moral discernment. The phrase “takes away the heart” means “robs one of understanding” — moral sense is clouded by indulgence.