Hosea 3:4

כִּ֣י יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֗ים יֵֽשְׁבוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֵ֥ין מֶ֨לֶךְ֙ וְאֵ֣ין שָׂ֔ר וְאֵ֥ין זֶ֖בַח וְאֵ֣ין מַצֵּבָ֑ה וְאֵ֥ין אֵפֹ֖וד וּתְרָפִֽים׃

For the sons of Yisraʾel shall dwell many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without a pillar, and without an ephod and terafim.

Morphology

1. כִּי (ki) – Root: —; Form: Conjunction; Translation: “for” or “because”; Notes: Introduces an explanation or prophetic reason — describing the consequence of Yisraʾel’s estrangement from YHWH.
2. יָמִים (yamim) – Root: יום (y-w-m); Form: Noun masculine plural; Translation: “days”; Notes: Refers to a prolonged period — representing the long exile or separation of Yisraʾel from divine favor and national identity.
3. רַבִּים (rabbim) – Root: רבב (r-b-b); Form: Adjective masculine plural; Translation: “many”; Notes: Describes the indefinite duration of exile — a long, uncertain period without restoration.
4. יֵשְׁבוּ (yeshvu) – Root: ישׁב (y-š-b); Form: Qal imperfect 3mp; Translation: “they shall dwell”; Notes: Indicates continued existence in a passive state — not dwelling in prosperity but in waiting, exile, or spiritual dormancy.
5. בְּנֵי (bene) – Root: בן (b-n); Form: Noun masculine plural construct; Translation: “sons of”; Notes: Common Hebrew construct pattern denoting belonging or lineage — refers to the collective people of Yisraʾel.
6. יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisraʾel) – Root: שרָה (ś-r-h); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Yisraʾel”; Notes: Represents the covenant people who, due to unfaithfulness, will live without leadership or divine mediation for a time.
7. אֵין (ʾen) – Root: —; Form: Negative existential particle; Translation: “there is no” / “without”; Notes: Repeated for rhetorical emphasis to list what Yisraʾel will lack in exile.
8. מֶלֶךְ (melekh) – Root: מלך (m-l-k); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “king”; Notes: Refers to the absence of political sovereignty — prophetic of Yisraʾel’s loss of monarchy.
9. וְאֵין (veʾen) – Root: —; Form: Conjunction וְ + negative existential; Translation: “and without”; Notes: Continues the list of things from which Yisraʾel will be deprived.
10. שָׂר (sar) – Root: שרר (ś-r-r); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “prince” or “ruler”; Notes: Denotes administrative or military leadership — pointing to a total collapse of governance.
11. וְאֵין (veʾen) – Root: —; Form: Conjunction וְ + negative existential; Translation: “and without”; Notes: Maintains the rhythm of deprivation — the nation lacks religious functions as well.
12. זֶבַח (zevaḥ) – Root: זבח (z-b-ḥ); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “sacrifice”; Notes: Refers to cultic worship — no sacrificial system means no active temple worship or atonement rituals.
13. וְאֵין (veʾen) – Root: —; Form: Conjunction וְ + negative existential; Translation: “and without”; Notes: Continuation of deprivation formula.
14. מַצֵּבָה (matzevah) – Root: נצב (n-ṣ-b); Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “pillar” or “sacred stone”; Notes: Could refer to legitimate memorial pillars or idolatrous standing stones — the loss implies total dismantling of religious structures.
15. וְאֵין (veʾen) – Root: —; Form: Conjunction וְ + negative existential; Translation: “and without”; Notes: Continues the listing rhythm, highlighting comprehensive deprivation.
16. אֵפֹד (ʾefod) – Root: —; Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “ephod”; Notes: A priestly garment or object associated with divine consultation — absence indicates lack of priestly mediation.
17. וּתְרָפִים (u-terafim) – Root: תרף (t-r-p); Form: Conjunction וּ + noun masculine plural; Translation: “and teraphim”; Notes: Household idols or oracular objects — their absence marks the end of both true and false systems of mediation. The verse depicts Yisraʾel in a suspended state — leaderless, templeless, and spiritually stripped, awaiting renewal.