גַּ֛ם כִּֽי־יִתְנ֥וּ בַגֹּויִ֖ם עַתָּ֣ה אֲקַבְּצֵ֑ם וַיָּחֵ֣לּוּ מְּעָ֔ט מִמַּשָּׂ֖א מֶ֥לֶךְ שָׂרִֽים׃
Even though they hire among the nations, now I will gather them; and they will begin to diminish because of the burden of the king and princes.
Morphology
- גַּם (gam) – Root: גם (gam); Form: Adverb; Translation: “even” or “also”; Notes: Adds emphasis, showing persistence in sinful behavior despite consequences.
- כִּי (ki) – Root: כי (ki); Form: Conjunction; Translation: “though” or “because”; Notes: Introduces a concessive clause — despite their actions, divine judgment follows.
- יִתְנוּ (yitnu) – Root: תנה (tanah); Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “they hire” or “they give payment”; Notes: Refers to Yisraʾel’s political tribute or bribery to foreign nations.
- בַגֹּויִם (ba-goyim) – Root: גוי (goy); Form: Preposition בְּ + definite noun masculine plural; Translation: “among the nations”; Notes: Indicates alliances or dealings with foreign powers contrary to YHWH’s will.
- עַתָּה (ʿattah) – Root: עתה (ʿattah); Form: Adverb; Translation: “now”; Notes: Marks the turning point — divine intervention and judgment are imminent.
- אֲקַבְּצֵם (ʾaqabbetsēm) – Root: קבץ (qavats); Form: Piel imperfect 1st person common singular + suffix 3mp; Translation: “I will gather them”; Notes: YHWH speaks — possibly a gathering for judgment or exile, not restoration.
- וַיָּחֵלוּ (va-yachelū) – Root: חול (ḥul); Form: Qal wayyiqtol (narrative past) 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “and they began”; Notes: Marks the start of their decline or suffering.
- מְּעָט (meʿat) – Root: מעט (maʿat); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “a little” or “few”; Notes: Refers to reduction — possibly in number, strength, or prosperity.
- מִמַּשָּׂא (mi-massa) – Root: משׂא (massaʾ); Form: Preposition מִן + noun masculine singular; Translation: “from the burden”; Notes: Refers to the heavy tribute or taxation imposed by foreign rulers.
- מֶלֶךְ (melekh) – Root: מלך (melekh); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “king”; Notes: Refers to foreign monarchs exacting tribute — perhaps the Assyrian king.
- שָׂרִים (sarim) – Root: שר (sar); Form: Noun masculine plural; Translation: “princes”; Notes: Refers to rulers or officials under the king; emphasizes the oppressive hierarchy contributing to Yisraʾel’s decline.