וְהִכְרַתִּ֥י שֹׁופֵ֖ט מִקִּרְבָּ֑הּ וְכָל־שָׂרֶ֛יהָ אֶהֱרֹ֥וג עִמֹּ֖ו אָמַ֥ר יְהוָֽה׃ פ
And I will cut off the judge from her midst, and all her princes I will slay with him,” says YHWH.
Morphology
- וְהִכְרַתִּ֥י (ve-hikhratti) – Root: כרת (karat); Form: Conjunction + Hiphil perfect 1st person singular; Translation: “And I will cut off”; Notes: A decisive verb often used for removing authority, presence, or life — here denoting divine eradication of leadership.
- שֹׁופֵ֖ט (shofet) – Root: שׁפט (shafat); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “judge”; Notes: Refers to a ruler or magistrate; symbolizes the judicial and administrative authority of Moʾav.
- מִקִּרְבָּ֑הּ (mi-qirbah) – Root: קרב (qerev); Form: Preposition מִן + noun masculine singular with 3fs suffix; Translation: “from her midst”; Notes: The feminine suffix refers to Moʾav (a feminine noun in Hebrew), portraying the removal of internal leadership.
- וְכָל־שָׂרֶ֛יהָ (ve-khol-sareha) – Root: שר (sar); Form: Conjunction + noun masculine plural construct + suffix 3fs; Translation: “and all her princes”; Notes: Indicates that the entire governing class will be destroyed alongside the judge, emphasizing total judgment.
- אֶהֱרֹ֥וג (ʾeherog) – Root: הרג (harag); Form: Qal imperfect 1st person singular; Translation: “I will slay”; Notes: A direct divine action underscoring YHWH’s personal involvement in executing justice.
- עִמֹּ֖ו (ʿimmo) – Root: עם (ʿim); Form: Preposition + suffix 3ms; Translation: “with him”; Notes: Refers to the collective downfall — the princes fall together with the judge or ruler of Moʾav.
- אָמַ֥ר (ʾamar) – Root: אמר (ʾamar); Form: Qal perfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “has said”; Notes: Introduces the prophetic conclusion, affirming the divine decree.
- יְהוָֽה׃ (YHWH) – Root: יהוה (YHWH); Form: Proper noun, Tetragrammaton; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: The covenant name of the God of Yisraʾel, whose judgment is authoritative and irrevocable.