בָּעִ֣יר יָשֹׁ֗קּוּ בַּֽחֹומָה֙ יְרֻצ֔וּן בַּבָּתִּ֖ים יַעֲל֑וּ בְּעַ֧ד הַחַלֹּונִ֛ים יָבֹ֖אוּ כַּגַּנָּֽב׃
In the city they rush, on the wall they run, into the houses they go up, through the windows they come in like a thief.
Morphology
- בָּעִ֣יר (ba-ʿir) – Root: עיר (ʿir); Form: Preposition בְּ + definite noun feminine singular; Translation: “in the city”; Notes: Describes the setting of the locust-like invasion within urban areas.
- יָשֹׁ֗קּוּ (yashoqqu) – Root: שׁוק (shuq) / possible שׁקק (shaqaq); Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “they rush”; Notes: Indicates violent motion or rapid charging, similar to storming.
- בַּֽחֹומָה֙ (ba-ḥomah) – Root: חמה (ḥomah); Form: Preposition בְּ + definite noun feminine singular; Translation: “on the wall”; Notes: Suggests scaling or moving swiftly along fortified structures.
- יְרֻצ֔וּן (yerutsun) – Root: רוץ (ruts); Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “they run”; Notes: Expresses quick, determined movement, emphasizing relentless advance.
- בַּבָּתִּ֖ים (ba-battim) – Root: בית (bayit); Form: Preposition בְּ + definite noun masculine plural; Translation: “into the houses”; Notes: Portrays invasion into private dwellings, showing total infiltration.
- יַעֲל֑וּ (yaʿalu) – Root: עלה (ʿalah); Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “they go up”; Notes: Describes scaling walls or entering through elevated openings.
- בְּעַ֧ד (be-ʿad) – Root: עד (ʿad); Form: Preposition בְּעַד; Translation: “through”; Notes: Expresses motion through an opening or barrier.
- הַחַלֹּונִ֛ים (ha-ḥallonim) – Root: חלון (ḥallon); Form: Definite noun masculine plural; Translation: “the windows”; Notes: Refers to points of entry, symbolizing stealth or total penetration.
- יָבֹ֖אוּ (yavoʾu) – Root: בוא (boʾ); Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “they come in”; Notes: Indicates entry or invasion, often used for approaching forces.
- כַּגַּנָּֽב (ka-gannav) – Root: גנב (ganav); Form: Preposition כְּ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “like a thief”; Notes: Introduces a simile emphasizing stealth, surprise, and inevitability of the attackers’ intrusion.