שָׁמַ֣עְתִּי וַתִּרְגַּ֣ז בִּטְנִ֗י לְקֹול֙ צָלֲל֣וּ שְׂפָתַ֔י יָבֹ֥וא רָקָ֛ב בַּעֲצָמַ֖י וְתַחְתַּ֣י אֶרְגָּ֑ז אֲשֶׁ֤ר אָנ֨וּחַ֙ לְיֹ֣ום צָרָ֔ה לַעֲלֹ֖ות לְעַ֥ם יְגוּדֶֽנּוּ׃
I heard, and my inward parts trembled; at the sound my lips quivered. Decay comes into my bones, and under me I shake, that I might rest for the day of trouble when it comes up against the people who will invade us.
Morphology
- שָׁמַעְתִּי (shamaʿti) – Root: שמע (shamaʿ); Form: Qal perfect 1cs; Translation: “I heard”; Notes: The prophet’s response begins with hearing YHWH’s revelation.
- וַתִּרְגַּז (va-tirgaz) – Root: רגז (ragaz); Form: Qal wayyiqtol (narrative past) 3fs; Translation: “and it trembled”; Notes: The subject is “my inward parts,” feminine in Hebrew.
- בִּטְנִי (bitni) – Root: בטן (beten); Form: Preposition בְּ + noun feminine singular + suffix 1cs; Translation: “my inward parts”; Notes: Represents the deepest physical/emotional reaction.
- לְקֹול (le-qol) – Root: קול (qol); Form: Preposition לְ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “at the sound”; Notes: The sound of YHWH’s coming produces fear.
- צָלֲלוּ (tsalalu) – Root: צלל (tsalal); Form: Qal perfect 3cp; Translation: “quivered”; Notes: Describes involuntary shaking of the lips.
- שְׂפָתַי (sefatay) – Root: שפה (safah); Form: Noun feminine dual + suffix 1cs; Translation: “my lips”; Notes: The prophet’s speech organs tremble in fear.
- יָבֹוא (yavo) – Root: בוא (boʾ); Form: Qal imperfect 3ms; Translation: “comes”; Notes: Refers to something approaching: decay.
- רָקָב (raqav) – Root: רקב (raqav); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “decay”; Notes: A vivid expression of physical collapse.
- בַּעֲצָמַי (ba-ʿatsamai) – Root: עצם (etsem); Form: Preposition בְּ + noun feminine plural + suffix 1cs; Translation: “in my bones”; Notes: Represents the deepest physical structure weakening.
- וְתַחְתַּי (ve-taḥtay) – Root: תחת (taḥat); Form: Conjunction + noun masculine plural + suffix 1cs; Translation: “and under me”; Notes: Suggests loss of stability or strength.
- אֶרְגָּז (ergaz) – Root: רגז (ragaz); Form: Qal imperfect 1cs; Translation: “I shake”; Notes: Continues the theme of bodily trembling.
- אֲשֶׁר (asher) – Root: אשר (asher); Form: Relative particle; Translation: “that”; Notes: Introduces the purpose clause.
- אָנֻחַ (anuach) – Root: נוח (nuach); Form: Qal imperfect/cohortative 1cs; Translation: “I might rest”; Notes: Expresses desire for calm or waiting.
- לְיֹום (le-yom) – Root: יום (yom); Form: Preposition לְ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “for the day”; Notes: Refers to an appointed time of trouble.
- צָרָה (tsarah) – Root: צרר (tsarar); Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “trouble”; Notes: A time of distress or calamity.
- לַעֲלֹות (laʿalot) – Root: עלה (ʿalah); Form: Preposition לְ + Qal infinitive construct; Translation: “when it comes up”; Notes: Refers to the invading force rising up.
- לְעַם (le-ʿam) – Root: עם (ʿam); Form: Preposition לְ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “against the people”; Notes: Describes the object of the invasion.
- יְגוּדֶנּוּ (yegudennu) – Root: גדד (gadad); Form: Qal imperfect 3mp + suffix 3ms; Translation: “who will invade him/us”; Notes: A verb of raiding or attacking.