אֶפְרַ֕יִם מַה־לִּ֥י עֹ֖וד לָֽעֲצַבִּ֑ים אֲנִ֧י עָנִ֣יתִי וַאֲשׁוּרֶ֗נּוּ אֲנִ֙י֙ כִּבְרֹ֣ושׁ רַֽעֲנָ֔ן מִמֶּ֖נִּי פֶּרְיְךָ֥ נִמְצָֽא׃
Efrayim, what have I still to do with idols? I have answered and looked after him; I am like a green cypress; your fruit is found from Me.
Morphology
- אֶפְרַיִם (Ephrayim) – Root: אֶפְרַיִם; Form: Proper noun masculine singular; Translation: “Ephrayim”; Notes: Represents the northern kingdom of Yisraʾel, often used symbolically for the whole nation. The divine address to Ephrayim marks reconciliation after discipline.
- מַה־לִּי (mah-li) – Root: —; Form: Interrogative מַה + preposition לְ + pronoun 1cs; Translation: “what [is] to Me”; Notes: An idiomatic expression meaning “What have I to do with…?” signifying the end of YHWH’s association with Ephrayim’s idolatry.
- עוֹד (ʿod) – Root: עוֹד; Form: Adverb; Translation: “still” or “any longer”; Notes: Denotes cessation—YHWH declares no further patience or tolerance for idols.
- לָעֲצַבִּים (laʿatsabbim) – Root: עָצָב (ʿatsab); Form: Preposition לְ + noun masculine plural; Translation: “with idols”; Notes: Refers to man-made idols or images. The word carries a connotation of grief or sorrow, indicating false worship that brings spiritual pain.
- אֲנִי (ʾani) – Root: —; Form: Independent pronoun 1cs; Translation: “I”; Notes: Marks divine self-reference, emphasizing YHWH’s active role as the Redeemer and Sustainer.
- עָנִיתִי (ʿaniti) – Root: עָנָה (ʿanah); Form: Qal perfect 1st person singular; Translation: “I have answered”; Notes: Expresses divine responsiveness—YHWH has heard and responded to Ephrayim’s repentance.
- וַאֲשׁוּרֶנּוּ (vaʾashurennu) – Root: שׁוּר (shur); Form: Conjunction וְ + Qal imperfect 1st person singular + suffix 3ms; Translation: “and I will look after him”; Notes: Implies careful watching or protection; YHWH promises ongoing care for the restored nation.
- אֲנִי (ʾani) – Root: —; Form: Independent pronoun 1cs (repetition); Translation: “I”; Notes: The repetition underscores divine initiative—YHWH alone provides sustenance and restoration.
- כִּבְרֹשׁ (kivrosh) – Root: בְּרוֹשׁ (brosh); Form: Preposition כְּ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “like a cypress”; Notes: The green cypress symbolizes enduring vitality and constant renewal—contrasting the lifelessness of idols.
- רַעֲנָן (raʿanan) – Root: רָעַן (raʿan); Form: Adjective masculine singular; Translation: “green” or “ever-fresh”; Notes: Indicates perpetual flourishing—YHWH presents Himself as the source of life and fertility.
- מִמֶּנִּי (mimmennī) – Root: —; Form: Preposition מִן + suffix 1cs; Translation: “from Me”; Notes: Emphasizes divine origin—every blessing and fruitfulness comes from YHWH alone, not idols.
- פֶּרְיְךָ (peryekha) – Root: פְּרִי (peri); Form: Noun masculine singular + suffix 2ms; Translation: “your fruit”; Notes: Symbolizes both material prosperity and moral fruitfulness—the outcome of divine favor.
- נִמְצָא (nimtsa) – Root: מָצָא (matsa); Form: Nifal perfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “is found”; Notes: Passive construction expressing that Israel’s fruitfulness is discovered or manifested as coming directly from YHWH, the true source of life.