חַטַּ֥את עַמִּ֖י יֹאכֵ֑לוּ וְאֶל־עֲוֹנָ֖ם יִשְׂא֥וּ נַפְשֹֽׁו׃
They eat the sin of My people, and toward their iniquity they lift up their soul.
Morphology
- חַטַּאת (ḥaṭṭat) – Root: חטא (ḥ-ṭ-ʾ); Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “sin” or “sin offering”; Notes: Can denote both the act of sin and the sin offering itself. Here it likely carries a double meaning — both the sins of the people and the offerings eaten by corrupt priests.
- עַמִּי (ʿammi) – Root: עם (ʿ-m); Form: Noun masculine singular construct + 1cs suffix; Translation: “My people”; Notes: Covenant term expressing YHWH’s relationship with Israel, highlighting betrayal by those who should mediate holiness.
- יֹאכֵלוּ (yoʾkhelu) – Root: אכל (ʾ-k-l); Form: Qal imperfect 3mp; Translation: “they eat”; Notes: Depicts continual or habitual action — priests greedily consume sin offerings brought by the people, symbolizing moral corruption.
- וְאֶל־עֲוֹנָם (ve-ʾel-ʿavonam) – Root: עון (ʿ-w-n); Form: Conjunction וְ + preposition אֶל + noun masculine singular + 3mp suffix; Translation: “and toward their iniquity”; Notes: The preposition אֶל conveys inclination or direction — their hearts and desires are oriented toward sin rather than away from it.
- יִשְׂאוּ (yisʾu) – Root: נשא (n-ś-ʾ); Form: Qal imperfect 3mp; Translation: “they lift up” or “they set their hearts on”; Notes: Idiomatic expression meaning to “long for” or “desire.” Indicates that the priests profit from sin, seeking its increase for personal gain.
- נַפְשֹׁו (nafsho) – Root: נפשׁ (n-p-š); Form: Noun feminine singular + 3ms suffix; Translation: “his soul” or “his life”; Notes: Collective singular referring to each priest. Their “soul” — i.e., desire or appetite — yearns for iniquity. A sharp critique of the priesthood’s moral decay.