Isaiah 25:4

כִּֽי־הָיִ֨יתָ מָעֹ֥וז לַדָּ֛ל מָעֹ֥וז לָאֶבְיֹ֖ון בַּצַּר־לֹ֑ו מַחְסֶ֤ה מִזֶּ֨רֶם֙ צֵ֣ל מֵחֹ֔רֶב כִּ֛י ר֥וּחַ עָרִיצִ֖ים כְּזֶ֥רֶם קִֽיר׃

For You have been a stronghold for the poor, a stronghold for the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm, a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall.

Morphology

1. כִּֽי־הָיִ֨יתָ (ki-hayita) – Root: היה; Form: Qal perfect 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “For You have been”; Notes: Introduces reason or explanation of praise to YHWH.
2. מָעֹ֥וז (maʿoz) – Root: עוז; Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “a stronghold”; Notes: Denotes a place of refuge or strength.
3. לַדָּ֛ל (la-dal) – Root: דל; Form: Preposition + noun masculine singular definite; Translation: “for the poor”; Notes: Refers to the vulnerable or lowly individual.
4. מָעֹ֥וז (maʿoz) – Root: עוז; Form: Noun masculine singular (repeated); Translation: “a stronghold”; Notes: Parallel to the previous use, reinforcing emphasis.
5. לָאֶבְיֹ֖ון (la-ʾevyon) – Root: אבי; Form: Preposition + noun masculine singular definite; Translation: “for the needy”; Notes: Emphasizes destitution or neediness.
6. בַּצַּר־לֹ֑ו (ba-tsar-lo) – Root: צר; Form: Preposition + noun masculine singular + 3rd person masculine singular pronominal suffix; Translation: “in his distress”; Notes: Indicates the time or condition of affliction.
7. מַחְסֶ֤ה (maḥseh) – Root: חסה; Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “a shelter”; Notes: Implies protective cover or refuge.
8. מִזֶּ֨רֶם֙ (mi-zérem) – Root: זרם; Form: Preposition + noun masculine singular; Translation: “from the storm”; Notes: Figurative for dangerous or overwhelming forces.
9. צֵ֣ל (tsel) – Root: צלל; Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “a shade”; Notes: Symbolizes protection or relief.
10. מֵחֹ֔רֶב (me-ḥórev) – Root: חרב; Form: Preposition + noun masculine singular; Translation: “from the heat”; Notes: Heat here implies oppressive or dangerous conditions.
11. כִּ֛י (ki) – Root: כי; Form: Conjunction; Translation: “for”; Notes: Introduces the reason for YHWH’s protective role.
12. ר֥וּחַ (ruaḥ) – Root: רוח; Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “breath” or “wind”; Notes: Metaphorically refers to violent force or aggression.
13. עָרִיצִ֖ים (ʿaritsim) – Root: ערץ; Form: Adjective masculine plural; Translation: “of the ruthless”; Notes: Refers to violent or tyrannical people.
14. כְּזֶ֥רֶם (ke-zérem) – Root: זרם; Form: Preposition + noun masculine singular; Translation: “like a storm”; Notes: Simile comparing ruthlessness to destructive force.
15. קִֽיר (qir) – Root: קיר; Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “a wall”; Notes: The storm metaphor is completed with a wall struck by the wind.