וּמִמַּ֗עַל לָרָקִ֨יעַ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־רֹאשָׁ֔ם כְּמַרְאֵ֥ה אֶֽבֶן־סַפִּ֖יר דְּמ֣וּת כִּסֵּ֑א וְעַל֙ דְּמ֣וּת הַכִּסֵּ֔א דְּמ֞וּת כְּמַרְאֵ֥ה אָדָ֛ם עָלָ֖יו מִלְמָֽעְלָה׃
And from above the expanse that was over their heads was like the appearance of a sapphire stone, the likeness of a throne, and upon the likeness of the throne was a likeness like the appearance of a man upon it above.
Morphology
- וּמִמַּעַל (u-mimmaʿal) – Root: מעל; Form: Conjunction ו + preposition מִן + noun; Translation: “And from above”; Notes: Indicates spatial origin, introducing what is seen above the expanse.
- לָרָקִיעַ (la-raqiaʿ) – Root: רקע; Form: Preposition ל + definite noun masculine singular; Translation: “to the expanse”; Notes: Refers to the firmament-like structure in Ezekiel’s vision.
- אֲשֶׁר (ʾasher) – Root: —; Form: Relative pronoun; Translation: “that/which”; Notes: Introduces a relative clause.
- עַל־ (ʿal) – Root: על; Form: Preposition; Translation: “over”; Notes: Expresses position above or upon.
- רֹאשָׁם (rosham) – Root: ראשׁ; Form: Noun masculine singular construct + 3rd person masculine plural suffix; Translation: “their heads”; Notes: Refers to the heads of the living creatures.
- כְּמַרְאֵה (ke-marʾeh) – Root: ראה; Form: Preposition כְּ + noun masculine singular construct; Translation: “like the appearance of”; Notes: Introduces a visionary simile.
- אֶבֶן־סַפִּיר (ʾeven-sappir) – Root: אבן / ספּיר; Form: Noun feminine singular construct + noun masculine singular absolute; Translation: “a sapphire stone”; Notes: Precious stone imagery emphasizing brilliance.
- דְּמוּת (demut) – Root: דמה; Form: Noun feminine singular absolute; Translation: “the likeness”; Notes: Indicates resemblance, not identity.
- כִּסֵּא (kisseʾ) – Root: כסה; Form: Noun masculine singular absolute; Translation: “a throne”; Notes: Symbol of kingship and divine authority.
- וְעַל (ve-ʿal) – Root: על; Form: Conjunction ו + preposition; Translation: “and upon”; Notes: Adds further description of what rests on the throne.
- דְּמוּת (demut) – Root: דמה; Form: Noun feminine singular absolute; Translation: “the likeness of”; Notes: Repeated to emphasize visionary resemblance.
- הַכִּסֵּא (ha-kisseʾ) – Root: כסה; Form: Definite noun masculine singular; Translation: “the throne”; Notes: Specific throne of the vision.
- דְּמוּת (demut) – Root: דמה; Form: Noun feminine singular absolute; Translation: “a likeness”; Notes: Introduces the description of the figure upon the throne.
- כְּמַרְאֵה (ke-marʾeh) – Root: ראה; Form: Preposition כְּ + noun masculine singular construct; Translation: “like the appearance of”; Notes: Marks another simile in visionary description.
- אָדָם (ʾadam) – Root: אדם; Form: Noun masculine singular absolute; Translation: “a man”; Notes: Human-like figure seated on the throne.
- עָלָיו (ʿalav) – Root: על; Form: Preposition עַל + third person masculine singular suffix; Translation: “upon it”; Notes: Refers back to the throne as the object being occupied.
- מִלְמָעְלָה (milmaʿlah) – Root: מעל; Form: Adverb from preposition מִן + noun; Translation: “above”; Notes: Final directional note, stressing position above all.