וְקָרַ֨ב אֹתָ֜ם אֶחָ֧ד אֶל־אֶחָ֛ד לְךָ֖ לְעֵ֣ץ אֶחָ֑ד וְהָי֥וּ לַאֲחָדִ֖ים בְּיָדֶֽךָ׃
And bring them near, one to another for yourself, into one stick, and they shall become united in your hand.
Morphology
- וְקָרַב (ve-qarav) – Root: קרב (qarav); Form: Conjunction וְ + Qal imperative masculine singular; Translation: “and bring near”; Notes: Command to Ezekiel to physically join the two symbolic sticks—representing unity.
- אֹתָם (ʾotam) – Root: —; Form: Direct object marker אֵת + suffix 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “them”; Notes: Refers to the two sticks of Yehudah and Yosef representing the divided kingdoms.
- אֶחָד (ʾeḥad) – Root: אחד (ʾaḥad); Form: Adjective masculine singular; Translation: “one”; Notes: Indicates the first of the two being brought together.
- אֶל־אֶחָד (ʾel-ʾeḥad) – Root: אחד (ʾaḥad); Form: Preposition אֶל + adjective masculine singular; Translation: “to another”; Notes: Denotes physical proximity and symbolic reconciliation between Yehudah and Yosef.
- לְךָ (lekha) – Root: —; Form: Preposition לְ + suffix 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “for yourself”; Notes: The prophet personally performs this sign as YHWH’s representative.
- לְעֵץ (le-ʿets) – Root: עץ (ʿets); Form: Preposition לְ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “into one stick”; Notes: Symbolic object representing unity of both kingdoms.
- אֶחָד (ʾeḥad) – Root: אחד (ʾaḥad); Form: Adjective masculine singular; Translation: “one”; Notes: Further emphasizes singularity—prophetic image of restored national identity.
- וְהָיוּ (ve-hayu) – Root: היה (hayah); Form: Conjunction וְ + Qal perfect 3rd person plural; Translation: “and they shall become”; Notes: Indicates transformation—separate pieces become one entity in YHWH’s plan.
- לַאֲחָדִים (la-aḥadim) – Root: אחד (ʾaḥad); Form: Preposition לְ + noun masculine plural; Translation: “as one”; Notes: Plural form conveys completeness—many elements united as one people.
- בְּיָדֶךָ (be-yadekha) – Root: יד (yad); Form: Preposition בְּ + noun feminine singular with suffix 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “in your hand”; Notes: The prophet holds the joined sticks, symbolizing divine authority and unity under YHWH’s direction.