Amos 3:2

רַ֚ק אֶתְכֶ֣ם יָדַ֔עְתִּי מִכֹּ֖ל מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ות הָאֲדָמָ֑ה עַל־כֵּן֙ אֶפְקֹ֣ד עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם אֵ֖ת כָּל־עֲוֹנֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃

“Only you have I known of all the families of the earth; therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.”

Morphology

1. רַ֚ק (raq) – Root: —; Form: Adverb; Translation: “only”; Notes: Restrictive particle emphasizing exclusivity—Israel’s unique covenant relationship with YHWH.
2. אֶתְכֶ֣ם (ʾetkhem) – Root: —; Form: Particle of direct object אֶת + suffix 2nd person masculine plural; Translation: “you”; Notes: The object of the verb “I have known,” referring to Yisraʾel.
3. יָדַ֔עְתִּי (yadaʿti) – Root: ידע (yadaʿ); Form: Qal perfect 1st person common singular; Translation: “I have known”; Notes: In Hebrew idiom, implies intimate covenantal knowledge and chosen relationship rather than mere awareness.
4. מִכֹּ֖ל (mi-kol) – Root: כל (kol); Form: Preposition מִן + noun masculine singular; Translation: “from all”; Notes: Indicates separation or distinction—Israel singled out among all nations.
5. מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ות (mishpeḥot) – Root: שׁפח (shaphach); Form: Noun feminine plural construct; Translation: “families of”; Notes: Refers to clans or nations; here represents all peoples of the earth.
6. הָאֲדָמָ֑ה (ha-adamah) – Root: אדם (ʾadam); Form: Definite noun feminine singular; Translation: “the earth”; Notes: Often denotes the inhabited land or humankind’s dwelling place.
7. עַל־כֵּן֙ (ʿal-ken) – Root: —; Form: Preposition עַל + adverb; Translation: “therefore”; Notes: Introduces the logical result of the previous statement—privilege brings responsibility.
8. אֶפְקֹ֣ד (ʾefqod) – Root: פקד (paqad); Form: Qal imperfect 1st person common singular; Translation: “I will punish”; Notes: The verb can mean “visit” or “attend to,” here in the sense of divine retribution.
9. עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם (ʿalekhem) – Root: על (ʿal); Form: Preposition עַל + suffix 2nd person masculine plural; Translation: “upon you”; Notes: Marks the recipients of divine judgment.
10. אֵ֖ת (ʾet) – Root: —; Form: Particle of direct object; Translation: “(the)”; Notes: Introduces the specific object of divine punishment.
11. כָּל־ (kol) – Root: כל (kol); Form: Noun masculine singular construct; Translation: “all”; Notes: Intensifies the scope—every single transgression without exception.
12. עֲוֹנֹֽתֵיכֶֽם׃ (ʿavonoteikhem) – Root: עון (ʿavon); Form: Noun masculine plural + suffix 2nd person masculine plural; Translation: “your iniquities”; Notes: Refers to moral corruption or guilt—violations of covenant obligations that invoke YHWH’s justice.