אַחַ֗ר יָשֻׁ֨בוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וּבִקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֔ם וְאֵ֖ת דָּוִ֣ד מַלְכָּ֑ם וּפָחֲד֧וּ אֶל־יְהוָ֛ה וְאֶל־טוּבֹ֖ו בְּאַחֲרִ֥ית הַיָּמִֽים׃ פ
Afterward the sons of Yisraʾel shall return and seek YHWH their God and Dawid their king, and they shall tremble toward YHWH and toward His goodness in the latter days.
Morphology
- אַחַר (aḥar) – Root: אחר (ʾ-ḥ-r); Form: Preposition; Translation: “after” or “afterward”; Notes: Marks the transition from exile to restoration — temporal sequence introducing the hope of renewal following judgment.
- יָשֻׁבוּ (yashuvu) – Root: שׁוב (š-w-b); Form: Qal imperfect 3mp; Translation: “they shall return”; Notes: Signifies repentance and restoration — both physical (return from exile) and spiritual (turning back to YHWH).
- בְּנֵי (bene) – Root: בן (b-n); Form: Noun masculine plural construct; Translation: “sons of”; Notes: Construct form links with “Yisraʾel” — the covenantal descendants who will experience national revival.
- יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisraʾel) – Root: שרָה (ś-r-h); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Yisraʾel”; Notes: Refers to the whole nation, including both northern and southern tribes, anticipating eschatological reunification.
- וּבִקְשׁוּ (u-viqshu) – Root: בקשׁ (b-q-š); Form: Conjunction וּ + Piel perfect 3mp; Translation: “and they shall seek”; Notes: Piel intensifies the act — earnest pursuit of divine relationship rather than passive acknowledgment.
- אֶת־יְהוָה (et-YHWH) – Root: —; Form: Direct object marker אֶת + proper noun; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: Marks the object of devotion — Yisraʾel seeks direct covenantal communion with YHWH.
- אֱלֹהֵיהֶם (ʾelohehem) – Root: אלה (ʾ-l-h); Form: Noun masculine plural construct + suffix 3mp; Translation: “their God”; Notes: Personal possessive form — reaffirms restored relationship: YHWH again becomes “their God.”
- וְאֵת (veʾet) – Root: —; Form: Conjunction וְ + direct object marker; Translation: “and (also)”; Notes: Introduces a second object of seeking alongside YHWH — their rightful Davidic ruler.
- דָּוִד (Dawid) – Root: דוד (d-w-d); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Dawid”; Notes: Refers to the idealized or messianic Davidic king, the eschatological restorer of divine rule.
- מַלְכָּם (malkam) – Root: מלך (m-l-k); Form: Noun masculine singular construct + suffix 3mp; Translation: “their king”; Notes: Expresses political and spiritual submission — anticipating the messianic kingdom.
- וּפָחֲדוּ (u-faḥadu) – Root: פחד (p-ḥ-d); Form: Conjunction וּ + Qal perfect 3mp; Translation: “and they shall tremble”; Notes: Indicates reverent awe rather than terror — the fear of YHWH that accompanies true repentance.
- אֶל־יְהוָה (el-YHWH) – Root: אל (ʾ-l); Form: Preposition אֶל + proper noun; Translation: “toward YHWH”; Notes: Directional preposition — conveys movement toward divine presence and favor.
- וְאֶל־טוּבוֹ (veʾel-tuvo) – Root: טוב (ṭ-w-b); Form: Conjunction וְ + preposition אֶל + noun masculine singular + suffix 3ms; Translation: “and toward His goodness”; Notes: Expresses longing for divine benevolence — renewal of covenant blessings, mercy, and prosperity.
- בְּאַחֲרִית (beʾaḥarit) – Root: אחר (ʾ-ḥ-r); Form: Preposition בְּ + noun feminine singular construct; Translation: “in the latter (part)”; Notes: Temporal phrase introducing the eschatological period — the “latter days.”
- הַיָּמִים (hayyamim) – Root: יום (y-w-m); Form: Definite noun masculine plural; Translation: “the days”; Notes: Together with בְּאַחֲרִית, denotes the prophetic future — a time of messianic fulfillment and divine restoration.