Hosea 6:3

וְנֵדְעָ֣ה נִרְדְּפָ֗ה לָדַ֨עַת֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֔ה כְּשַׁ֖חַר נָכֹ֣ון מֹֽוצָאֹ֑ו וְיָבֹ֤וא כַגֶּ֨שֶׁם֙ לָ֔נוּ כְּמַלְקֹ֖ושׁ יֹ֥ורֶה אָֽרֶץ׃

And let us know, let us pursue to know YHWH; His going forth is prepared as the dawn, and He shall come to us as the rain, as the latter rain that waters the earth.”

Morphology

1. וְנֵדְעָה (ve-nedʿah) – Root: ידע (yadaʿ); Form: Conjunction וְ + Qal cohortative 1st person common plural; Translation: “and let us know”; Notes: A collective call to seek experiential knowledge of YHWH, expressing determination and unity of purpose.
2. נִרְדְּפָה (nirdəfah) – Root: רדף (radaf); Form: Nifal cohortative 1st person common plural; Translation: “let us pursue”; Notes: Indicates deliberate persistence—chasing after the knowledge of YHWH with intensity.
3. לָדַעַת (la-daʿat) – Root: ידע (yadaʿ); Form: Preposition לְ + infinitive construct; Translation: “to know”; Notes: Expresses purpose or goal—pursuit aimed at intimate understanding of YHWH.
4. אֶת־ (ʾet) – Root: את (ʾet); Form: Direct object marker; Translation: (no direct translation); Notes: Introduces the definite direct object, here “YHWH.”
5. יְהוָה (YHWH) – Root: יהוה (YHWH); Form: Proper noun (divine name); Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: The covenant name of God, central to Israel’s knowledge and relationship with Him.
6. כְּשַׁחַר (ke-shaḥar) – Root: שׁחר (shaḥar); Form: Preposition כְּ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “as the dawn”; Notes: Symbol of renewal, illumination, and certainty—His coming is as sure as the morning light.
7. נָכֹון (nakhon) – Root: כון (kun); Form: Niphal participle masculine singular; Translation: “is prepared”; Notes: Expresses something firmly established or certain, here describing YHWH’s coming as fixed and dependable.
8. מֹוצָאוֹ (motsaʾo) – Root: יצא (yatsaʾ); Form: Noun masculine singular + suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “His going forth”; Notes: Refers to YHWH’s manifestation or actions among His people.
9. וְיָבֹוא (ve-yavo) – Root: בוא (boʾ); Form: Conjunction וְ + Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “and He shall come”; Notes: Describes the future divine intervention bringing blessing and renewal.
10. כַגֶּשֶׁם (ka-geshem) – Root: גשׁם (geshem); Form: Preposition כְּ + definite noun masculine singular; Translation: “as the rain”; Notes: Symbol of life-giving refreshment; rain often represents divine favor and revival.
11. לָנוּ (la-nu) – Root: אנחנו (anakhnu); Form: Preposition לְ + suffix 1st person common plural; Translation: “to us”; Notes: Expresses personal application—the divine renewal will come to the people themselves.
12. כְּמַלְקֹושׁ (ke-malqosh) – Root: מלקושׁ (malqosh); Form: Preposition כְּ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “as the latter rain”; Notes: The “malqosh” refers to the spring rain that ensures harvest, symbolizing final blessing and fruitfulness.
13. יֹורֶה (yoreh) – Root: ירה (yarah); Form: Hifil participle masculine singular; Translation: “that waters” or “that falls”; Notes: From the root meaning “to cast” or “to pour,” it refers to the early rain which nourishes the earth for growth.
14. אָרֶץ (ʾaretz) – Root: ארץ (ʾaretz); Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “the earth”; Notes: Represents the land of Yisraʾel receiving divine sustenance—metaphor for spiritual renewal.