וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אֶל־עַמֹּ֑ו הִנֵּ֗ה עַ֚ם בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל רַ֥ב וְעָצ֖וּם מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃
And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Bnei Yisrael are more numerous and mightier than we.
Morphology
- וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (Va-yomer) – Root: אמר (ʾ-m-r); Form: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, 3ms with vav consecutive; Translation: “And he said”; Notes: Indicates the king addressing his people.
- אֶל־עַמֹּ֑ו (ʾel-ʿammo) – Root: עם (ʿ-m-m); Form: Preposition + noun, ms with 3ms suffix; Translation: “To his people”; Notes: Refers to the Egyptian populace.
- הִנֵּ֗ה (Hinneh) – Root: N/A; Form: Interjection; Translation: “Behold”; Notes: Draws attention to the statement.
- עַ֚ם (ʿam) – Root: עם (ʿ-m-m); Form: Noun, ms; Translation: “People”; Notes: Refers to the Israelites as a distinct group.
- בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (Bnei Yisrael) – Root: בן (b-n) + ישראל (Yisrael); Form: Construct chain, mp; Translation: “Sons of Yisrael”; Notes: Refers to the descendants of Yaʿaqov (Israel).
- רַ֥ב (rav) – Root: רבב (r-b-b); Form: Adjective, ms; Translation: “Numerous”; Notes: Describes the population size of the Israelites.
- וְעָצ֖וּם (ve-ʿatsum) – Root: עצם (ʿ-ṣ-m); Form: Adjective, ms; Translation: “Mightier”; Notes: Highlights their strength or influence.
- מִמֶּֽנּוּ (mimmennu) – Root: מן (m-n); Form: Preposition + 1cp suffix; Translation: “Than us”; Notes: Expresses comparison, suggesting fear or concern.