כְּקֹ֣ול מַרְכָּבֹ֗ות עַל־רָאשֵׁ֤י הֶֽהָרִים֙ יְרַקֵּד֔וּן כְּקֹול֙ לַ֣הַב אֵ֔שׁ אֹכְלָ֖ה קָ֑שׁ כְּעַ֣ם עָצ֔וּם עֱר֖וּךְ מִלְחָמָֽה׃
Like the sound of chariots on the tops of the mountains they leap, like the sound of a flame of fire devouring stubble, like a mighty people arranged for battle.
Morphology
- כְּקֹ֣ול (ke-qol) – Root: קול (qol); Form: Preposition כְּ + noun masculine singular construct; Translation: “like the sound of”; Notes: Introduces a simile describing auditory imagery of the army’s movement.
- מַרְכָּבֹ֗ות (markavot) – Root: רכב (rakhav); Form: Noun feminine plural; Translation: “chariots”; Notes: Suggests thunderous noise and military imagery, symbolizing speed and power.
- עַל־רָאשֵׁ֤י (ʿal-roshei) – Root: ראשׁ (rosh); Form: Preposition עַל + noun masculine plural construct; Translation: “on the tops of”; Notes: Indicates elevated terrain where the noise resounds.
- הֶֽהָרִים֙ (he-harim) – Root: הר (har); Form: Definite noun masculine plural; Translation: “the mountains”; Notes: Refers to the high places echoing with the sound of the advancing host.
- יְרַקֵּד֔וּן (yerakkedun) – Root: רקד (rakad); Form: Piel imperfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “they leap”; Notes: Conveys rapid, rhythmic motion, akin to dancing or jumping.
- כְּקֹול֙ (ke-qol) – Root: קול (qol); Form: Preposition כְּ + noun masculine singular construct; Translation: “like the sound of”; Notes: Repeats the comparison for emphasis, now relating to the sound of fire.
- לַ֣הַב (la-lahav) – Root: להב (lahav); Form: Preposition לְ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “of a flame”; Notes: Describes the fiery aspect of the destructive force.
- אֵ֔שׁ (ʾesh) – Root: אשׁ (ʾesh); Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “fire”; Notes: Represents consuming power and unstoppable destruction.
- אֹכְלָ֖ה (ʾokhlah) – Root: אכל (ʾakhal); Form: Qal participle feminine singular; Translation: “devouring”; Notes: Describes continuous action, as fire actively consumes stubble.
- קָ֑שׁ (qash) – Root: קשׁ (qash); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “stubble”; Notes: A metaphor for fragility and perishability of what is consumed.
- כְּעַ֣ם (ke-ʿam) – Root: עם (ʿam); Form: Preposition כְּ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “like a people”; Notes: Introduces another simile, shifting from sound to comparison of order and strength.
- עָצ֔וּם (ʿatsum) – Root: עצם (ʿatsam); Form: Adjective masculine singular; Translation: “mighty”; Notes: Emphasizes strength and vastness of the army.
- עֱר֖וּךְ (ʿerukh) – Root: ערך (ʿarakh); Form: Qal passive participle masculine singular; Translation: “arranged”; Notes: Conveys military discipline and organization.
- מִלְחָמָֽה (milḥamah) – Root: לחם (laḥam); Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “battle”; Notes: The context depicts the readiness and coordination for combat.