יֶחֶרְד֤וּ כְצִפֹּור֙ מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם וּכְיֹונָ֖ה מֵאֶ֣רֶץ אַשּׁ֑וּר וְהֹושַׁבְתִּ֥ים עַל־בָּתֵּיהֶ֖ם נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה׃ ס
They shall tremble like a bird out of Mitsrayim, and like a dove from the land of Ashshur; and I will cause them to dwell in their houses,” declares YHWH.
Morphology
- יֶחֶרְדוּ (yeḥerdu) – Root: חרד (ḥarad); Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “they shall tremble”; Notes: Expresses movement mixed with fear and eagerness—Yisraʾel’s trembling return at YHWH’s call, evoking reverence and awe.
- כְצִפֹּור (ke-tsippor) – Root: צפור (tsippor); Form: Preposition כְ + noun feminine singular; Translation: “like a bird”; Notes: Simile of lightness and swiftness—depicts their rapid return to the land when summoned by YHWH.
- מִמִּצְרַיִם (mi-Mitsrayim) – Root: מצרים (Mitsrayim); Form: Preposition מִן + proper noun; Translation: “from Mitsrayim”; Notes: Refers to Egypt, representing past bondage—YHWH’s restoration reverses their historical exile.
- וּכְיֹונָה (u-ke-yonah) – Root: יונה (yonah); Form: Conjunction וְ + preposition כְ + noun feminine singular; Translation: “and like a dove”; Notes: The dove conveys innocence, peace, and homing instinct—symbolizing the people’s yearning to return home.
- מֵאֶרֶץ (me-erets) – Root: ארץ (ʾerets); Form: Preposition מִן + noun feminine singular; Translation: “from the land of”; Notes: Introduces the origin of exile—Assyria as the point of dispersion.
- אַשּׁוּר (Ashshur) – Root: אשור (Ashshur); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Ashshur (Assyria)”; Notes: Symbolizes foreign oppression; the verse contrasts Egypt and Assyria as places of captivity now left behind.
- וְהֹושַׁבְתִּים (ve-hoshavtim) – Root: ישׁב (yashav); Form: Conjunction וְ + Hiphil perfect 1cs + suffix 3mp; Translation: “and I will cause them to dwell”; Notes: Indicates restoration and settlement—YHWH actively reestablishes His people in peace and security.
- עַל־בָּתֵּיהֶם (ʿal-batteihem) – Root: בית (bayit); Form: Preposition עַל + noun masculine plural construct + suffix 3mp; Translation: “in their houses”; Notes: Represents stability and homecoming after exile—a reversal of displacement.
- נְאֻם־יְהוָה (neʾum-YHWH) – Root: נאם (naʾam); Form: Noun masculine singular construct + proper noun; Translation: “declares YHWH”; Notes: A prophetic formula confirming divine authority and certainty—underscoring that this promise of restoration is YHWH’s own decree.