Hosea 8:9

כִּֽי־הֵ֨מָּה֙ עָל֣וּ אַשּׁ֔וּר פֶּ֖רֶא בֹּודֵ֣ד לֹ֑ו אֶפְרַ֖יִם הִתְנ֥וּ אֲהָבִֽים׃

For they have gone up to Ashshur, a wild donkey alone by itself; Efrayim has hired lovers.

Morphology

1. כִּי (ki) – Root: כי (ki); Form: Conjunction; Translation: “for”; Notes: Introduces the reason for Yisraʾel’s downfall — their misplaced trust in foreign powers.
2. הֵמָּה (hemmah) – Root: הם (hem); Form: Independent pronoun masculine plural; Translation: “they”; Notes: Refers to Yisraʾel collectively, emphasizing their deliberate action.
3. עָלוּ (ʿalu) – Root: עלה (ʿalah); Form: Qal perfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “have gone up”; Notes: Describes Yisraʾel’s journey or appeal to Ashshur (Assyria) for political help.
4. אַשּׁוּר (Ashshur) – Root: אשׁור (Ashshur); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Ashshur”; Notes: Refers to Assyria — symbol of foreign reliance and misplaced faith.
5. פֶּרֶא (pereʾ) – Root: פרא (pereʾ); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “wild donkey”; Notes: Metaphor for stubborn independence and uncontrolled behavior.
6. בֹּודֵד (boded) – Root: בדד (badad); Form: Qal participle masculine singular; Translation: “alone”; Notes: Expresses isolation — Yisraʾel stands apart from divine protection while seeking human aid.
7. לֹו (lo) – Root: ל (lamed); Form: Preposition לְ + suffix 3ms; Translation: “by itself” or “for itself”; Notes: Refers to self-serving behavior, emphasizing separation from YHWH.
8. אֶפְרַיִם (Ephrayim) – Root: אפרים (Ephrayim); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Ephrayim”; Notes: Represents the northern kingdom of Yisraʾel, used symbolically for the whole nation.
9. הִתְנוּ (hitnu) – Root: תנה (tanah); Form: Hifil perfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “have hired” or “have paid”; Notes: Expresses an act of seeking favor through payment — political alliances purchased with tribute.
10. אֲהָבִים (ʾahavim) – Root: אהב (ʾahav); Form: Noun masculine plural; Translation: “lovers”; Notes: Metaphor for foreign nations or political allies — expresses Yisraʾel’s unfaithfulness to YHWH through illicit alliances.