Hosea 13:1

כְּדַבֵּ֤ר אֶפְרַ֨יִם֙ רְתֵ֔ת נָשָׂ֥א ה֖וּא בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיֶּאְשַׁ֥ם בַּבַּ֖עַל וַיָּמֹֽת׃

When Efrayim spoke, there was trembling; he was exalted in Yisraʾel, but he became guilty through Baʿal and died.

Morphology

1. כְּדַבֵּר (ke-dabber) – Root: דבר (davar); Form: Preposition כְּ + infinitive construct Qal; Translation: “when he spoke” or “as he spoke”; Notes: Introduces a temporal clause—describes Efrayim’s earlier period of authority and reverence when his words held weight in Yisraʾel.
2. אֶפְרַיִם (Efrayim) – Root: אפרים (Efrayim); Form: Proper noun masculine singular; Translation: “Efrayim”; Notes: Symbolic of the northern kingdom; represents both political and religious leadership that once commanded respect but later fell into idolatry.
3. רְתֵת (retet) – Root: רתת (retet); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “trembling” or “fear”; Notes: Conveys awe and dread—Efrayim’s words once evoked fear, showing his former power and prestige among the tribes of Yisraʾel.
4. נָשָׂא (nasa) – Root: נשא (nasaʾ); Form: Qal perfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “he was exalted” or “he lifted up”; Notes: Indicates Efrayim’s elevated status within the nation before moral decline; reflects divine favor once enjoyed.
5. הוּא (hu) – Root: —; Form: Independent pronoun 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “he”; Notes: Serves as the subject referring to Efrayim—emphasizing contrast between past greatness and later downfall.
6. בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל (be-Yisraʾel) – Root: ישראל (Yisraʾel); Form: Preposition בְּ + proper noun; Translation: “in Yisraʾel”; Notes: Marks the sphere of Efrayim’s influence—his prominence and authority were national within Yisraʾel.
7. וַיֶּאְשַׁם (vayyeʾsham) – Root: אשם (ʾasham); Form: Qal wayyiqtol (narrative past) 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “and he became guilty”; Notes: Indicates moral corruption and covenant violation; Efrayim incurred guilt through idolatry.
8. בַּבַּעַל (ba-Baʿal) – Root: בעל (Baʿal); Form: Preposition בְּ + proper noun; Translation: “through Baʿal” or “by Baʿal”; Notes: Denotes idolatrous worship—Efrayim’s fall is attributed to embracing Baʿal, a symbol of pagan influence and spiritual adultery.
9. וַיָּמֹת (vayyamot) – Root: מות (mut); Form: Qal wayyiqtol (narrative past) 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “and he died”; Notes: Can signify physical destruction or spiritual death—marks the culmination of apostasy and divine judgment upon Efrayim.