שׁ֚וּבָה יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל עַ֖ד יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ כִּ֥י כָשַׁ֖לְתָּ בַּעֲוֹנֶֽךָ׃
Return, O Yisraʾel, to YHWH your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.
Morphology
- שׁוּבָה (shuvah) – Root: שׁוּב (shuv); Form: Qal imperative 2nd person masculine singular with paragogic ה; Translation: “Return”; Notes: A direct call to repentance, urging Yisraʾel to turn back fully to YHWH. The paragogic ending adds emotional intensity and solemnity to the command.
- יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisraʾel) – Root: שׂרה (sarah); Form: Proper noun masculine singular; Translation: “Yisraʾel”; Notes: Represents the covenant people as a whole. The use of the nation’s name personalizes the appeal, recalling the patriarch Jacob’s divine encounter and transformation.
- עַד (ʿad) – Root: —; Form: Preposition; Translation: “to” or “as far as”; Notes: Expresses direction and relational movement—Yisraʾel is summoned not just to repent in words but to return all the way “to YHWH,” indicating full restoration of covenant fellowship.
- יְהוָה (YHWH) – Root: —; Form: Proper noun; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: The covenant name of God, emphasizing divine mercy and faithfulness even after judgment. The verse begins Hosea’s closing appeal for repentance and renewal under YHWH’s compassion.
- אֱלֹהֶיךָ (ʾelohekha) – Root: אלֹהִים (ʾelohim); Form: Noun masculine plural construct + suffix 2ms; Translation: “your God”; Notes: Reaffirms the personal covenant relationship—YHWH remains “your God” despite Yisraʾel’s unfaithfulness, signaling possible reconciliation.
- כִּי (ki) – Root: —; Form: Conjunction; Translation: “for” or “because”; Notes: Introduces the reason for the command: repentance is needed due to moral and spiritual failure.
- כָשַׁלְתָּ (kashalta) – Root: כָּשַׁל (kashal); Form: Qal perfect 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “you have stumbled”; Notes: Suggests moral collapse or downfall, often used metaphorically for sin’s consequence. Indicates both guilt and weakness.
- בַּעֲוֹנֶךָ (baʿavonekha) – Root: עָוֹן (ʿavon); Form: Preposition בְּ + noun masculine singular + suffix 2ms; Translation: “because of your iniquity”; Notes: The phrase reveals that the cause of Yisraʾel’s downfall is not external enemies but internal sin—rebellion against YHWH’s covenant.