וְאַתָּ֖ה בֵּאלֹהֶ֣יךָ תָשׁ֑וּב חֶ֤סֶד וּמִשְׁפָּט֙ שְׁמֹ֔ר וְקַוֵּ֥ה אֶל־אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ תָּמִֽיד׃
But you, by your God, return; keep mercy and justice, and wait continually for your God.
Morphology
- וְאַתָּה (ve-ʾattah) – Root: אתה (ʾattah); Form: Conjunction וְ + independent pronoun masculine singular; Translation: “But you”; Notes: Marks a contrast—addressing Yisraʾel directly and personally to call for repentance.
- בֵּאלֹהֶיךָ (be-Elohekha) – Root: אלהים (Elohim); Form: Preposition בְּ + noun masculine plural construct + suffix 2ms; Translation: “by your God” or “in your God”; Notes: Expresses reliance upon or return through relationship with Elohim—underscoring personal covenant connection.
- תָשׁוּב (tashuv) – Root: שוב (shuv); Form: Qal imperfect 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “you shall return”; Notes: Central theological verb for repentance; indicates not merely turning back physically, but relational restoration with YHWH.
- חֶסֶד (ḥesed) – Root: חסד (ḥesed); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “mercy” or “steadfast love”; Notes: Denotes covenantal loyalty—an ethical quality reflecting YHWH’s own faithful love.
- וּמִשְׁפָּט (u-mishpat) – Root: שפט (shafat); Form: Conjunction וְ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “and justice”; Notes: Paired with ḥesed, represents the moral balance of compassion and righteousness expected in covenant life.
- שְׁמֹר (shemor) – Root: שמר (shamar); Form: Qal imperative 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “keep” or “observe”; Notes: Command to actively maintain these virtues—calls for consistent moral vigilance and faithfulness.
- וְקַוֵּה (ve-qavveh) – Root: קוה (qavah); Form: Conjunction וְ + Qal imperative 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “and wait”; Notes: Implies hopeful endurance—trusting patiently in YHWH’s timing and deliverance.
- אֶל־אֱלֹהֶיךָ (ʾel-Elohekha) – Root: אלהים (Elohim); Form: Preposition אֶל + noun masculine plural construct + suffix 2ms; Translation: “for your God” or “toward your God”; Notes: Indicates directed devotion—maintaining relational orientation toward YHWH.
- תָּמִיד (tamid) – Root: תמיד (tamid); Form: Adverb; Translation: “continually”; Notes: Expresses constancy and perseverance in spiritual devotion—faithfulness without interruption.