בְּשׁוּב־צַדִּ֥יק מִצִּדְקָתֹ֖ו וְעָ֣שָׂה עָ֑וֶל וּמֵ֖ת בָּהֶֽם׃
When a righteous man turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and dies in them.
Morphology
- בְּשׁוּב־ (be-shuv) – Root: שׁוב (shuv); Form: Preposition בְּ + infinitive construct; Translation: “when turning / in turning”; Notes: Temporal clause marker—indicates the time of the righteous person’s moral reversal.
- צַדִּיק (tsaddiq) – Root: צדק (tsadaq); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “a righteous man”; Notes: Describes one formerly upright in moral or covenantal behavior.
- מִצִּדְקָתֹו (mi-tsidqato) – Root: צדק (tsadaq); Form: Preposition מִן + noun feminine singular construct + suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “from his righteousness”; Notes: Indicates departure from previous upright conduct—spiritual or ethical decline.
- וְעָשָׂה (ve-ʿasah) – Root: עשה (ʿasah); Form: Conjunction וְ + Qal perfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “and he has done”; Notes: Follows the narrative sequence of moral action—transition from righteousness to sin.
- עָוֶל (ʿawel) – Root: עול (ʿawal); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “iniquity / injustice”; Notes: Represents wrongdoing or moral corruption, opposite of righteousness.
- וּמֵת (u-met) – Root: מות (mut); Form: Conjunction וְ + Qal perfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “and he died”; Notes: Indicates the ultimate result or judgment of moral deviation—death as consequence.
- בָּהֶם (bahem) – Root: ב; Form: Preposition בְּ + suffix 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “in them”; Notes: Refers back to the acts of iniquity or sinful behaviors that caused his death.