Amos 3:11

לָכֵ֗ן כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֔ה צַ֖ר וּסְבִ֣יב הָאָ֑רֶץ וְהֹורִ֤ד מִמֵּךְ֙ עֻזֵּ֔ךְ וְנָבֹ֖זּוּ אַרְמְנֹותָֽיִךְ׃

Therefore thus says the Lord YHWH: “An adversary shall surround the land, and he shall bring down from you your strength, and your palaces shall be plundered.”

Morphology

1. לָכֵ֗ן (lakhen) – Root: —; Form: Adverb; Translation: “Therefore”; Notes: Introduces the divine judgment that follows as a consequence of Israel’s sin and injustice.
2. כֹּ֤ה (koh) – Root: —; Form: Demonstrative adverb; Translation: “Thus”; Notes: Prophetic formula introducing the words of YHWH, emphasizing direct divine speech.
3. אָמַר֙ (ʾamar) – Root: אמר (ʾamar); Form: Qal perfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “has said”; Notes: A standard prophetic declaration introducing the authority of the divine message.
4. אֲדֹנָ֣י (Adonai) – Root: אדן (ʾadon); Form: Noun masculine plural with singular meaning; Translation: “the Lord”; Notes: A title denoting mastery and authority, paired with YHWH to emphasize His sovereignty.
5. יְהוִ֔ה (YHWH) – Root: הוה (havah); Form: Proper noun, divine name; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: The covenantal name of Israel’s God; underscores the certainty of the declared judgment.
6. צַ֖ר (tsar) – Root: צרר (tsarar); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “adversary” or “enemy”; Notes: Refers to an invading force or hostile power appointed by YHWH to execute judgment.
7. וּסְבִ֣יב (u-seviv) – Root: סביב (saviv); Form: Conjunction וְ + noun/adverb; Translation: “and around”; Notes: Indicates encirclement, emphasizing total siege of the land.
8. הָאָ֑רֶץ (ha-aretz) – Root: ארץ (ʾerets); Form: Definite noun feminine singular; Translation: “the land”; Notes: Refers to the territory of Yisraʾel; denotes the total scope of judgment.
9. וְהֹורִ֤ד (ve-horid) – Root: ירד (yarad); Form: Conjunction וְ + Hiphil imperfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “and he shall bring down”; Notes: Causative form indicating deliberate humiliation or loss of power; often used for divine retribution.
10. מִמֵּךְ֙ (mi-mekh) – Root: —; Form: Preposition מִן + suffix 2nd person feminine singular; Translation: “from you”; Notes: Refers to Yisraʾel (personified as feminine), from whom strength will be removed.
11. עֻזֵּ֔ךְ (ʿuzzekh) – Root: עזז (ʿazaz); Form: Noun masculine singular + suffix 2nd person feminine singular; Translation: “your strength”; Notes: Symbolizes military might, wealth, or security; all will be stripped away by divine decree.
12. וְנָבֹ֖זּוּ (ve-navozzu) – Root: בזז (bazaz); Form: Conjunction וְ + Niphal perfect 3rd person common plural; Translation: “and they shall be plundered”; Notes: The passive form conveys inevitability—Shomeron’s wealth will fall into enemy hands.
13. אַרְמְנֹותָֽיִךְ׃ (armnotayikh) – Root: ארמן (ʾarman); Form: Noun feminine plural + suffix 2nd person feminine singular; Translation: “your palaces”; Notes: Represents centers of luxury and corruption; the destruction of these symbolizes the collapse of Israel’s pride and injustice.