וְאֶפְרַ֜יִם עֶגְלָ֤ה מְלֻמָּדָה֙ אֹהַ֣בְתִּי לָד֔וּשׁ וַאֲנִ֣י עָבַ֔רְתִּי עַל־ט֖וּב צַוָּארָ֑הּ אַרְכִּ֤יב אֶפְרַ֨יִם֙ יַחֲרֹ֣ושׁ יְהוּדָ֔ה יְשַׂדֶּד־לֹ֖ו יַעֲקֹֽב׃
And Efrayim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh; but I passed over upon the beauty of her neck. I will make Ephrayim ride, Yehuda shall plow, Yaʿaqov shall break his clods for him.
Morphology
- וְאֶפְרַיִם (ve-Efrayim) – Root: אפרים (Efrayim); Form: Conjunction וְ + proper noun; Translation: “And Ephrayim”; Notes: Refers to the northern kingdom of Yisraʾel, often personified as an ox or heifer in prophetic imagery.
- עֶגְלָה (ʿeglah) – Root: עגל (ʿagal); Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “heifer”; Notes: Symbolizes prosperity and ease; Ephrayim is likened to a domesticated animal accustomed to light labor.
- מְלֻמָּדָה (melummadah) – Root: למד (lamad); Form: Pual participle feminine singular; Translation: “trained”; Notes: Describes Ephrayim as well-trained for threshing—implying comfort in her familiar role and reluctance for heavier tasks.
- אֹהַבְתִּי (ʾohavti) – Root: אהב (ʾahav); Form: Qal perfect 1cs; Translation: “I loved”; Notes: Expresses YHWH’s initial favor toward Ephrayim, showing divine affection turned to disappointment.
- לָדוּשׁ (la-dush) – Root: דושׁ (dush); Form: Preposition לְ + infinitive construct; Translation: “to thresh”; Notes: Threshing was considered light work; the image underscores Ephrayim’s preference for ease rather than the labor of obedience.
- וַאֲנִי (va-ʾani) – Root: אני (ʾani); Form: Conjunction וַ + independent pronoun 1cs; Translation: “but I”; Notes: Introduces divine contrast—YHWH acts contrary to Ephrayim’s self-indulgent nature.
- עָבַרְתִּי (ʿavarti) – Root: עבר (ʿavar); Form: Qal perfect 1cs; Translation: “I passed over”; Notes: Metaphorically denotes inspection, restraint, or disciplinary oversight by YHWH.
- עַל־טוּב (ʿal-tuv) – Root: טוב (tov); Form: Preposition עַל + noun masculine singular; Translation: “upon the beauty”; Notes: Refers to the strength or adornment of Ephrayim’s neck—symbol of vigor now subjected to divine yoke.
- צַוָּארָהּ (tsavvarah) – Root: צואר (tsavar); Form: Noun masculine singular + suffix 3fs; Translation: “her neck”; Notes: Represents pride and self-reliance of Ephrayim, which YHWH restrains through judgment.
- אַרְכִּיב (ʾarkiv) – Root: רכב (rakhav); Form: Hiphil imperfect 1cs; Translation: “I will make to ride”; Notes: Indicates YHWH’s imposition of a yoke, placing Ephrayim under servitude or control.
- אֶפְרַיִם (Efrayim) – Root: אפרים (Efrayim); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Ephrayim”; Notes: Repetition underscores focus—Ephrayim’s transition from beloved to disciplined servant.
- יַחֲרֹשׁ (yaḥarosh) – Root: חרשׁ (ḥarash); Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “shall plow”; Notes: Yehudah is called to heavier labor—symbol of responsibility and obedience to divine will.
- יְהוּדָה (Yehudah) – Root: יהודה (Yehudah); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Yehudah”; Notes: Represents the southern kingdom, faithful yet still subject to divine direction.
- יְשַׂדֶּד־לֹו (yesadded-lo) – Root: שׂדד (sadad); Form: Piel imperfect 3rd person masculine singular + preposition לְ + suffix 3ms; Translation: “shall break clods for him”; Notes: Yaʿaqov (Yisraʾel) is portrayed as aiding Yehudah’s labor—metaphor for cooperation in divine discipline.
- יַעֲקֹב (Yaʿaqov) – Root: יעקב (Yaʿaqov); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Yaʿaqov”; Notes: Collective name for the nation; the verse ends by uniting both kingdoms—Ephrayim and Yehudah—under divine chastisement and eventual restoration.