חֲב֧וּר עֲצַבִּ֛ים אֶפְרָ֖יִם הַֽנַּֽח־לֹֽו׃
Efrayim is joined to idols; leave him alone.
Morphology
- חֲב֧וּר (ḥavur) – Root: חבר (ḥ-b-r); Form: Qal passive participle masculine singular; Translation: “joined” or “bound”; Notes: Describes Ephrayim’s deep attachment—like being ‘tied’ or ‘fused’—to idols. The passive form emphasizes bondage rather than voluntary association.
- עֲצַבִּים (ʿatsabbim) – Root: עצב (ʿ-ts-b); Form: Noun masculine plural; Translation: “idols”; Notes: Derived from the root meaning “to fashion” or “to carve,” often used for man-made gods; carries a tone of mockery against powerless deities.
- אֶפְרָיִם (Ephrayim) – Root: פרה (p-r-h); Form: Proper noun masculine singular; Translation: “Ephrayim”; Notes: Represents the leading northern tribe, symbolizing the entire northern kingdom of Yisraʾel; notorious for its idolatry centered in Bethel.
- הַנַּח (hannaḥ) – Root: נוח (n-w-ḥ); Form: Hiphil imperative masculine singular; Translation: “leave” or “let alone”; Notes: Command to cease striving for his correction—YHWH instructs to abandon intervention, implying judgment through divine withdrawal.
- לֹו (lo) – Root: —; Form: Preposition לְ + pronominal suffix 3ms; Translation: “him”; Notes: Refers to Ephrayim collectively; the phrase “leave him alone” signals spiritual abandonment—the most severe form of judgment.