שִׁמְע֥וּ וְהָעִ֖ידוּ בְּבֵ֣ית יַֽעֲקֹ֑ב נְאֻם־אֲדֹנָ֥י יְהוִ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י הַצְּבָאֹֽות׃
Hear and testify in the house of Yaʿaqov,” declares the Lord YHWH, the God of Hosts.
Morphology
- שִׁמְע֥וּ (shimʿu) – Root: שׁמע (shamaʿ); Form: Qal imperative 2nd person masculine plural; Translation: “Hear”; Notes: A direct command to listen attentively—introduces the prophetic summons to witness and declaration.
- וְהָעִ֖ידוּ (ve-haʿidu) – Root: עוד (ʿud); Form: Conjunction וְ + Hiphil imperative 2nd person masculine plural; Translation: “and testify”; Notes: Causative form meaning “bear witness” or “give warning”; emphasizes proclaiming YHWH’s case against His people.
- בְּבֵ֣ית (be-beit) – Root: בית (bayit); Form: Preposition בְּ + noun masculine singular construct; Translation: “in the house of”; Notes: Refers to the household or nation descended from Yaʿaqov (Israel).
- יַֽעֲקֹ֑ב (Yaʿaqov) – Root: יעקב (Yaʿaqov); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Yaʿaqov”; Notes: Represents the nation of Yisraʾel as descended from the patriarch Jacob, often used symbolically in prophetic rebuke.
- נְאֻם־ (neʾum) – Root: נאם (naʾam); Form: Noun masculine singular (prophetic formula); Translation: “declares”; Notes: A formal prophetic expression signifying divine authority—“the declaration of.”
- אֲדֹנָ֥י (Adonai) – Root: אדן (ʾadon); Form: Noun masculine plural with singular meaning; Translation: “the Lord”; Notes: Denotes sovereignty and mastery, paired with YHWH for emphasis on divine power and authority.
- יְהוִ֖ה (YHWH) – Root: הוה (havah); Form: Proper noun, divine name; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: The personal covenant name of the God of Yisraʾel, underscoring divine authorship of the message.
- אֱלֹהֵ֥י (ʾelohei) – Root: אלה (ʾeloh); Form: Noun masculine plural construct; Translation: “God of”; Notes: Construct form linking with the following word “hosts,” expressing YHWH’s cosmic dominion.
- הַצְּבָאֹֽות׃ (ha-tsevaʾot) – Root: צבא (tsavaʾ); Form: Definite article הַ + noun masculine plural; Translation: “the hosts”; Notes: Refers to heavenly armies or celestial forces under YHWH’s command—emphasizing His universal sovereignty and military might.