Hosea 11:4

בְּחַבְלֵ֨י אָדָ֤ם אֶמְשְׁכֵם֙ בַּעֲבֹתֹ֣ות אַהֲבָ֔ה וָאֶהְיֶ֥ה לָהֶ֛ם כִּמְרִ֥ימֵי עֹ֖ל עַ֣ל לְחֵיהֶ֑ם וְאַ֥ט אֵלָ֖יו אֹוכִֽיל׃

With cords of a man I drew them, with bands of love; and I was to them as those who lift the yoke upon their jaws, and I gently fed him.

Morphology

1. בְּחַבְלֵי (be-ḥavlei) – Root: חבל (ḥaval); Form: Preposition בְּ + noun masculine plural construct; Translation: “With cords of”; Notes: Figuratively describes the gentle yet binding ties YHWH used to draw Yisraʾel into covenant relationship, emphasizing discipline through love rather than coercion.
2. אָדָם (adam) – Root: אדם (adam); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “a man”; Notes: The expression “cords of a man” contrasts divine gentleness with brute force, showing YHWH’s compassion through humanlike tenderness.
3. אֶמְשְׁכֵם (ʾemshkhem) – Root: משך (mashakh); Form: Qal imperfect 1cs + suffix 3mp; Translation: “I drew them”; Notes: Portrays YHWH’s initiative in leading His people, like a shepherd drawing his flock with patient care.
4. בַּעֲבֹתֹות (baʿavotot) – Root: עבת (ʿavat); Form: Preposition בְּ + noun masculine plural; Translation: “with bands”; Notes: Indicates cords or bands symbolizing loving guidance—restraint for protection, not punishment.
5. אַהֲבָה (ahavah) – Root: אהב (ʾahav); Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “love”; Notes: Central theme of the verse—YHWH’s love motivates His actions, binding His people with affection rather than domination.
6. וָאֶהְיֶה (vaʾehyeh) – Root: היה (hayah); Form: Conjunction וְ + Qal imperfect 1cs (converted by vav consecutive); Translation: “and I was”; Notes: Reflects YHWH’s continuing relational posture toward Yisraʾel as caregiver and sustainer.
7. לָהֶם (lahem) – Root: ל; Form: Preposition לְ + suffix 3mp; Translation: “to them”; Notes: Refers to the people of Yisraʾel as the recipients of YHWH’s kindness.
8. כִּמְרִימֵי (kimrimei) – Root: רים (rum); Form: Preposition כְּ + participle masculine plural construct (Hiphil); Translation: “as those who lift up”; Notes: Describes those who lift or remove a yoke from an animal—symbolizing YHWH relieving His people’s burdens.
9. עֹל (ʿol) – Root: עלל (ʿol); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “yoke”; Notes: Represents servitude or oppression; here YHWH’s action transforms bondage into relief and care.
10. עַל־לְחֵיהֶם (ʿal-leḥeihem) – Root: לחי (laḥi); Form: Preposition עַל + noun feminine dual + suffix 3mp; Translation: “upon their jaws”; Notes: Metaphorically portrays YHWH’s tender removal of the yoke from His people’s faces, indicating mercy and gentleness.
11. וְאַט (ve-ʾaṭ) – Root: אט (ʾaṭ); Form: Conjunction וְ + adverb/verb (Qal imperfect 1cs); Translation: “and I gently”; Notes: Signifies gentle movement or compassionate action—YHWH’s tenderness in sustaining His people.
12. אֵלָיו (ʾelav) – Root: אל (ʾel); Form: Preposition אֶל + suffix 3ms; Translation: “toward him”; Notes: Denotes personal attention—YHWH’s direction of care and mercy toward His covenant partner.
13. אֹוכִיל (ʾokhil) – Root: אכל (ʾakhal); Form: Hiphil imperfect 1cs; Translation: “I fed”; Notes: In the causative sense, “I made to eat”—depicts YHWH’s nurturing provision, sustaining Yisraʾel like a parent or shepherd feeding a beloved child.