Hosea 2:21 (Hosea 2:19)

וְאֵרַשְׂתִּ֥יךְ לִ֖י לְעֹולָ֑ם וְאֵרַשְׂתִּ֥יךְ לִי֙ בְּצֶ֣דֶק וּבְמִשְׁפָּ֔ט וּבְחֶ֖סֶד וּֽבְרַחֲמִֽים׃

And I will betroth you to Me forever, and I will betroth you to Me in righteousness and in justice and in lovingkindness and in compassion.

Morphology

1. וְאֵרַשְׂתִּיךְ (ve-ʾeras’tikh) – Root: ארשׂ (ʾ-r-ś); Form: Qal perfect 1cs + 2fs suffix with conjunction וְ; Translation: “and I will betroth you”; Notes: Denotes covenant renewal in marital imagery. The verb *ʾaras* signifies formal betrothal, implying lasting covenantal union between YHWH and Yisraʾel.
2. לִי (li) – Root: —; Form: Preposition לְ + first cs suffix; Translation: “to Me”; Notes: Expresses exclusive belonging — a declaration of relational possession and intimacy.
3. לְעֹולָם (le-ʿolam) – Root: עולם (ʿ-w-l-m); Form: Preposition לְ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “forever”; Notes: Implies permanence and divine commitment transcending temporal bounds.
4. וְאֵרַשְׂתִּיךְ (ve-ʾeras’tikh) – Root: ארשׂ (ʾ-r-ś); Form: Qal perfect 1cs + 2fs suffix (repeated); Translation: “and I will betroth you”; Notes: The repetition emphasizes certainty and covenantal devotion, with different attributes listed to describe the manner of this betrothal.
5. לִי (li) – Root: —; Form: Preposition לְ + first cs suffix; Translation: “to Me”; Notes: Repetition reinforces exclusive covenant allegiance — YHWH as sole divine spouse.
6. בְּצֶדֶק (be-tzedek) – Root: צדק (ṣ-d-q); Form: Preposition בְּ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “in righteousness”; Notes: Refers to moral integrity and faithfulness in the covenant relationship.
7. וּבְמִשְׁפָּט (u-ve-mishpat) – Root: שׁפט (š-p-ṭ); Form: Conjunction וְ + preposition בְּ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “and in justice”; Notes: Highlights divine order and fairness — the covenant will rest on equitable principles.
8. וּבְחֶסֶד (u-ve-ḥesed) – Root: חסד (ḥ-s-d); Form: Conjunction וְ + preposition בְּ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “and in lovingkindness”; Notes: Represents YHWH’s covenantal loyalty (*ḥesed*), central to divine mercy and relational steadfastness.
9. וּבְרַחֲמִים (u-ve-raḥamim) – Root: רחם (r-ḥ-m); Form: Conjunction וְ + preposition בְּ + plural noun masculine; Translation: “and in compassion”; Notes: Derived from a root related to the womb, symbolizing tender mercy and nurturing care in divine relationship.