וְהִכֵּיתִ֥י בֵית־הַחֹ֖רֶף עַל־בֵּ֣ית הַקָּ֑יִץ וְאָבְד֞וּ בָּתֵּ֣י הַשֵּׁ֗ן וְסָפ֛וּ בָּתִּ֥ים רַבִּ֖ים נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה׃ ס
And I will strike the winter house upon the summer house, and the houses of ivory shall perish, and many houses shall come to an end,” declares YHWH.
Morphology
- וְהִכֵּיתִ֥י (ve-hikkēti) – Root: נכה (nakah); Form: Conjunction וְ + Hiphil perfect 1st person common singular; Translation: “and I will strike”; Notes: Causative stem denotes decisive divine action—YHWH bringing destruction upon luxurious dwellings.
- בֵית־הַחֹ֖רֶף (beit-ha-ḥoref) – Root: חורף (ḥoref); Form: Noun masculine singular construct + definite article הַ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “the winter house”; Notes: Refers to a warm seasonal residence, symbolizing wealth and indulgence.
- עַל־ (ʿal) – Root: —; Form: Preposition; Translation: “upon”; Notes: Indicates impact or collapse—one house falling upon another, emphasizing total ruin.
- בֵּ֣ית הַקָּ֑יִץ (beit-ha-qayits) – Root: קיץ (qayits); Form: Noun masculine singular construct + definite article הַ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “the summer house”; Notes: A cooler residence used during summer—paired with the winter house to portray luxury and dual estates of the rich.
- וְאָבְד֞וּ (ve-avdu) – Root: אבד (avad); Form: Conjunction וְ + Qal perfect 3rd person common plural; Translation: “and they shall perish”; Notes: Expresses the total destruction of opulent structures.
- בָּתֵּ֣י (battei) – Root: בית (bayit); Form: Noun masculine plural construct; Translation: “houses of”; Notes: Construct form linking to “ivory”—designating elaborately decorated mansions.
- הַשֵּׁ֗ן (ha-shen) – Root: שׁן (shen); Form: Definite article הַ + noun feminine singular; Translation: “ivory”; Notes: Symbol of excessive luxury and corruption; indicates inlaid or ornamented palaces of the elite.
- וְסָפ֛וּ (ve-safu) – Root: ספה (safah); Form: Conjunction וְ + Qal perfect 3rd person common plural; Translation: “and they shall come to an end”; Notes: Denotes complete consumption or eradication—no trace of the grand homes will remain.
- בָּתִּ֥ים (batim) – Root: בית (bayit); Form: Noun masculine plural; Translation: “houses”; Notes: Refers broadly to all residential structures, emphasizing the totality of divine judgment.
- רַבִּ֖ים (rabbim) – Root: רבב (ravav); Form: Adjective masculine plural; Translation: “many”; Notes: Stresses the vast scope of destruction affecting numerous dwellings.
- נְאֻם־ (neʾum) – Root: נאם (naʾam); Form: Noun masculine singular (prophetic formula); Translation: “declares”; Notes: Marks the close of a divine oracle—affirming the certainty of YHWH’s word.
- יְהוָֽה׃ (YHWH) – Root: הוה (havah); Form: Proper noun, divine name; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: The covenant name of God, underscoring His authority as judge and destroyer of the proud.