רֵ֖עַ וּמְנָאָ֑פֶת כְּאַהֲבַ֤ת יְהוָה֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְהֵ֗ם פֹּנִים֙ אֶל־אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וְאֹהֲבֵ֖י אֲשִׁישֵׁ֥י עֲנָבִֽים׃
A companion and an adulteress, according to the love of YHWH toward the sons of Yisraʾel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes.
Morphology
- רֵעַ (reaʿ) – Root: רעע (r-ʿ-ʿ); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “a companion”; Notes: Refers to a friend, partner, or associate — here likely describing the adulterous woman’s companion in symbolic reference to Israel’s unfaithfulness.
- וּמְנָאָפֶת (u-menʾafet) – Root: נאף (n-ʾ-p); Form: Conjunction וּ + Piel participle feminine singular; Translation: “and an adulteress”; Notes: Represents spiritual adultery, a metaphor for Yisraʾel’s idolatry and covenantal unfaithfulness toward YHWH.
- כְּאַהֲבַת (ke-ʾahavat) – Root: אהב (ʾ-h-b); Form: Preposition כְּ + noun feminine singular construct; Translation: “according to the love of”; Notes: Introduces a comparison illustrating YHWH’s steadfast love despite Yisraʾel’s betrayal.
- יְהוָה (YHWH) – Root: הוה (h-w-h); Form: Proper divine name; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: The covenantal God of Yisraʾel, whose enduring love surpasses His people’s unfaithfulness.
- אֶת־ (ʾet) – Root: —; Form: Direct object marker; Translation: “(marks the direct object)”; Notes: Introduces the object of divine love — the sons of Yisraʾel.
- בְּנֵי (bene) – Root: בן (b-n); Form: Noun masculine plural construct; Translation: “sons of”; Notes: Indicates descent or belonging; here used collectively for the people of Yisraʾel.
- יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisraʾel) – Root: שרָה (ś-r-h); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Yisraʾel”; Notes: Refers to the covenant people of God who are being depicted as unfaithful in their relationship with YHWH.
- וְהֵם (ve-hem) – Root: —; Form: Conjunction וְ + independent pronoun 3mp; Translation: “and they”; Notes: Introduces a contrasting clause — the behavior of Yisraʾel in contrast to YHWH’s love.
- פֹּנִים (ponim) – Root: פנה (p-n-h); Form: Qal participle masculine plural; Translation: “turning”; Notes: Describes the continuous or habitual act of turning — symbolic of turning away from YHWH toward idols.
- אֶל־ (ʾel) – Root: —; Form: Preposition; Translation: “to”; Notes: Indicates direction — turning *to* false deities.
- אֱלֹהִים (ʾelohim) – Root: אל (ʾ-l); Form: Noun masculine plural; Translation: “gods”; Notes: Refers to idols or false gods worshiped by the people of Yisraʾel.
- אֲחֵרִים (aḥerim) – Root: אחר (ʾ-ḥ-r); Form: Adjective masculine plural; Translation: “other”; Notes: Describes the illegitimate nature of the deities — “other gods,” a frequent phrase in prophetic rebukes.
- וְאֹהֲבֵי (ve-ʾohave) – Root: אהב (ʾ-h-b); Form: Conjunction וְ + Qal participle masculine plural construct; Translation: “and lovers of”; Notes: Continues the theme of misplaced affection — “they love” things other than YHWH.
- אֲשִׁישֵׁי (ʾashishe) – Root: אשׁשׁ (ʾ-š-š); Form: Noun masculine plural construct; Translation: “cakes of”; Notes: Refers to sweet pressed cakes made of raisins or dried fruit, often used in pagan rituals.
- עֲנָבִים (ʿanavim) – Root: ענב (ʿ-n-b); Form: Noun masculine plural; Translation: “grapes”; Notes: Symbolic of sensual pleasure and indulgence; “raisin cakes” here evoke Israel’s participation in Canaanite fertility rites.