עַל־אָ֥וֶן פַּלֶּט־לָ֑מֹו בְּ֝אַ֗ף עַמִּ֤ים הֹורֵ֬ד אֱלֹהִֽים׃
Upon iniquity, shall there be escape for them; in anger bring down peoples, God.
| # | Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal Gloss | Morph Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | עַל־אָוֶן | ʿal-ʾaven | “upon iniquity” | Prep עַל + N(ms) |
| 2 | פַּלֶּט־לָמוֹ | pallet-lamo | “escape for them” | N(ms) + Prep לְ + suff 3mp |
| 3 | בְּאַף | be-ʾaf | “in anger” | Prep בְּ + N(ms) |
| 4 | עַמִּים | ʿammim | “peoples” | N(mp) |
| 5 | הֹורֵד | hored | “bring down” | Hiphil imperative ms |
| 6 | אֱלֹהִים | ʾelohim | “God” | N(mp) |
Morphology
- עַל־אָוֶן (ʿal-ʾaven) – Root: און (ʾ-w-n); Root Type: I-Guttural (א) (weak); Form: Preposition עַל + noun masculine singular; Translation: “upon iniquity”; Notes: Refers to wrongdoing as the basis of judgment.
- פַּלֶּט־לָמוֹ (pallet-lamo) – Root: פלט (p-l-ṭ); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun masculine singular + preposition לְ + suffix 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “escape for them”; Notes: Refers to deliverance or escape, here questioned or denied. The word פַּלֶּט is the most difficult element of the verse, functioning either as a Piel imperative (“deliver/save”) or, more likely here, as an infinitive or noun used rhetorically. By framing it as a question—“shall there be escape…”—the rendering respects the omitted interrogative particle and preserves the tension of the Hebrew. The sense is not a neutral inquiry but a plea for justice: “On account of their iniquity, should they have escape?” The grammar sharpens the appeal, denying the possibility of their flight and demanding that judgment prevent it.
- בְּאַף (be-ʾaf) – Root: אף (ʾ-p̄); Root Type: I-Guttural (א) (weak); Form: Preposition בְּ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “in anger”; Notes: Indicates the manner of divine action. The word אַף literally means “nose” or “nostril,” which is the Hebrew idiom for “anger” (due to the “flaring” of nostrils). “In anger” is the standard and correct literal equivalent, maintaining the visceral, physical nature of divine judgment.
- עַמִּים (ʿammim) – Root: עם (ʿ-m); Root Type: I-Guttural (ע) (weak); Form: Noun masculine plural; Translation: “peoples”; Notes: Refers to groups or nations subject to judgment.
- הֹורֵד (hored) – Root: ירד (y-r-d); Root Type: I-Yod (weak); Binyan: Hiphil; Form: Hiphil imperative 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “bring down”; Notes: A direct plea for divine action against the enemies. הֹורֵד is a Hiphil imperative 2ms from the root ירד, meaning “cause to go down” or “cast down.” The force of the Hiphil intensifies the action, turning descent into deliberate overthrow. Rendered as “bring down,” the command creates a sharp contrast with the “height” (מָרֹום) mentioned earlier: enemies who fought from on high are now summoned to be hurled to the ground. The grammar itself enacts reversal, shifting the imagery from lofty advantage to humbled defeat.
- אֱלֹהִים (ʾelohim) – Root: אלה (ʾ-l-h); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun masculine plural (used as singular proper noun); Translation: “God”; Notes: The one addressed in petition. Placing אֱלֹהִים (“God”) at the end of the sentence follows the Hebrew word order and creates a striking vocative effect. The plea culminates by naming the Judge directly, so the final word is the one being invoked to act. This positioning intensifies the appeal: the request builds through its clauses and then lands with the direct address, making God not only the subject of the petition but its climactic focus. The grammar itself turns the sentence into a prayer that ends by calling upon the One who must respond.