Amos 6:6

הַשֹּׁתִ֤ים בְּמִזְרְקֵי֙ יַ֔יִן וְרֵאשִׁ֥ית שְׁמָנִ֖ים יִמְשָׁ֑חוּ וְלֹ֥א נֶחְל֖וּ עַל־שֵׁ֥בֶר יוֹסֵֽף׃

Those who drink wine from bowls and anoint themselves with the finest oils, but they are not grieved for the ruin of Yosef.

Morphology

1. הַשֹּׁתִים (ha-shotim) – Root: שתה (shatah); Form: Definite participle masculine plural Qal; Translation: “those who drink”; Notes: Describes habitual indulgence—those continually engaged in drinking and feasting.
2. בְּמִזְרְקֵי (be-mizreqei) – Root: מזרק (mizraq); Form: Preposition בְּ + noun masculine plural construct; Translation: “from bowls of”; Notes: Refers to large ceremonial or sacrificial bowls—used here for lavish wine consumption instead of holy purposes.
3. יַיִן (yayin) – Root: יין (yayin); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “wine”; Notes: Symbol of pleasure and celebration; here representing excess and luxury.
4. וְרֵאשִׁית (ve-reʾshit) – Root: ראשׁ (roʾsh); Form: Conjunction וְ + noun feminine singular construct; Translation: “and the finest of”; Notes: Literally “the first” or “best portion,” emphasizing their use of the most valuable oils.
5. שְׁמָנִים (shemanim) – Root: שׁמן (shemen); Form: Noun masculine plural; Translation: “oils”; Notes: Refers to perfumed or anointing oils used for luxury and grooming, not for sacred consecration.
6. יִמְשָׁחוּ (yimshachu) – Root: משׁח (mashach); Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “they anoint themselves”; Notes: Denotes self-anointing for pleasure—depicts opulent self-indulgence instead of mourning or service.
7. וְלֹא (ve-lo) – Root: לא (lo); Form: Conjunction וְ + negative particle; Translation: “and not”; Notes: Connects a contrasting clause, emphasizing their apathy despite national collapse.
8. נֶחְלוּ (neḥlu) – Root: חלה (ḥalah); Form: Nifal perfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “they were grieved”; Notes: Literally “they became sick” or “they felt pain”—refers to emotional anguish which they lack.
9. עַל־שֵׁבֶר (ʿal-shever) – Root: שׁבר (shever); Form: Preposition עַל + noun masculine singular; Translation: “for the ruin of”; Notes: Expresses sorrow or concern that ought to have been shown regarding national calamity.
10. יוֹסֵף (Yosef) – Root: יסף (yasaf); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Yosef”; Notes: Represents the northern kingdom of Yisraʾel, descended from the tribes of Yosep (Efrayim and Menasheh); symbolizes the moral and social collapse of the nation.