נִחַ֥ם יְהוָ֖ה עַל־זֹ֑את גַּם־הִיא֙ לֹ֣א תִֽהְיֶ֔ה אָמַ֖ר אֲדֹנָ֥י יְהוִֽה׃ ס
YHWH relented concerning this: “This also shall not be,” said Lord YHWH.
Morphology
- נִחַם (niḥam) – Root: נחם (naḥam); Form: Nifal perfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “relented”; Notes: Expresses YHWH’s change of disposition in response to intercession—His mercy restrains the impending judgment.
- יְהוָה (YHWH) – Root: הוה (hvh); Form: Proper noun, divine name; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: The covenantal name of God; indicates the divine subject exercising compassionate restraint.
- עַל־זֹאת (ʿal-zot) – Root: על (ʿal) + זֶה (zeh); Form: Preposition עַל + demonstrative feminine singular; Translation: “concerning this”; Notes: Refers to the vision of destruction by fire previously shown to Amos.
- גַּם־הִיא (gam-hi) – Root: —; Form: Adverb + pronoun feminine singular; Translation: “this also”; Notes: Indicates that not only the earlier vision but this second one, too, will be withheld.
- לֹא (lo) – Root: לא (lo); Form: Negative particle; Translation: “not”; Notes: Expresses absolute negation—YHWH firmly annuls the threatened act.
- תִהְיֶה (tihyeh) – Root: היה (hayah); Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person feminine singular; Translation: “shall be”; Notes: Feminine singular form refers back to the feminine demonstrative *zot* (“this”).
- אָמַר (ʾamar) – Root: אמר (ʾamar); Form: Qal perfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “said”; Notes: Marks the formal divine pronouncement ending the vision sequence.
- אֲדֹנָי (Adonai) – Root: אדן (ʾadon); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Lord”; Notes: Stresses YHWH’s sovereign rule in issuing this decision.
- יְהוִה (YHWH) – Root: הוה (hvh); Form: Proper noun, divine name; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: Completes the compound title “Lord YHWH,” reinforcing both authority and covenant faithfulness in judgment and mercy.