Jonah 1:1

וַֽיְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה אֶל־יֹונָ֥ה בֶן־אֲמִתַּ֖י לֵאמֹֽר׃

And the word of YHWH came to Yona son of Amittay, saying,

Morphology

1. וַֽיְהִי֙ (va-yehi) – Root: היה (h-y-h); Form: Conjunction וַ + Qal wayyiqtol (narrative past) 3ms; Translation: “And it came to be”; Notes: Standard formula introducing prophetic revelation.
2. דְּבַר (devar) – Root: דבר (d-b-r); Form: Noun masculine singular construct; Translation: “the word of”; Notes: Often used for divine communication.
3. יְהוָ֔ה (YHWH) – Root: יהוה (YHWH); Form: Proper divine name; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: The covenant name of Israel’s God.
4. אֶל־ (el) – Root: אל (ʾ-l); Form: Preposition אֶל; Translation: “to”; Notes: Marks the recipient of the divine word.
5. יֹונָ֥ה (Yonah) – Root: יונה (y-w-n-h); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Yonah”; Notes: Prophet of the northern kingdom.
6. בֶן־ (ben) – Root: בן (b-n); Form: Noun masculine singular construct; Translation: “son of”; Notes: Introduces lineage.
7. אֲמִתַּ֖י (Amitay) – Root: אמת (ʾ-m-t); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Amitay”; Notes: Name meaning “truthful” or “reliable.”
8. לֵאמֹֽר (lemor) – Root: אמר (ʾ-m-r); Form: Preposition לְ + infinitive construct; Translation: “saying”; Notes: Introduces direct speech in prophetic formulas.