Hosea 13:7

וָאֱהִ֥י לָהֶ֖ם כְּמֹו־שָׁ֑חַל כְּנָמֵ֖ר עַל־דֶּ֥רֶךְ אָשֽׁוּר׃

So I became to them like a lion, like a leopard on the way of Ashur.

Morphology

1. וָאֱהִי (vaʾehi) – Root: היה (hayah); Form: Qal wayyiqtol (narrative past) 1st person singular; Translation: “So I became”; Notes: YHWH speaks metaphorically of assuming a predatory stance toward Yisraʾel in judgment.
2. לָהֶם (lahem) – Root: —; Form: Preposition לְ + suffix 3mp; Translation: “to them”; Notes: Indicates direction or relation—YHWH’s hostile action is directed against His own people because of their rebellion.
3. כְּמֹו־שָׁחַל (ke-mo-shaḥal) – Root: שׁחל (shaḥal); Form: Preposition כְּ + comparative particle מֹו + noun masculine singular; Translation: “like a lion”; Notes: The lion symbolizes fierce, destructive power—YHWH’s judgment is portrayed as unstoppable strength.
4. כְּנָמֵר (ke-namer) – Root: נמר (namer); Form: Preposition כְּ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “like a leopard”; Notes: The leopard symbolizes stealth and sudden attack—YHWH’s vengeance will be swift and unexpected.
5. עַל־דֶּרֶךְ (ʿal-derekh) – Root: דרך (derekh); Form: Preposition עַל + noun masculine singular; Translation: “on the way”; Notes: Depicts ambush imagery—YHWH waiting like a predator along the path of His people’s return or flight.
6. אָשׁוּר (Ashur) – Root: אשׁר (ʾashur); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Ashur”; Notes: Refers to Assyria; often a place of exile or punishment—here possibly the route toward foreign alliances rather than trust in YHWH.