עַמִּי֙ נֹגְשָׂ֣יו מְעֹולֵ֔ל וְנָשִׁ֖ים מָ֣שְׁלוּ בֹ֑ו עַמִּי֙ מְאַשְּׁרֶ֣יךָ מַתְעִ֔ים וְדֶ֥רֶךְ אֹֽרְחֹתֶ֖יךָ בִּלֵּֽעוּ׃ ס
My people—its oppressors are children, and women rule over it. My people, your guides lead you astray, and the way of your paths they have swallowed up.
Morphology
- עַמִּי (ʿammi) – Root: עם; Form: Noun masculine singular with 1st person singular suffix; Translation: “My people”; Notes: A lamentation directed toward YHWH’s covenant people.
- נֹגְשָׂיו (nogesav) – Root: נגשׂ; Form: Qal participle masculine plural with 3rd person masculine singular suffix; Translation: “his oppressors”; Notes: Refers to those exerting harsh control or tyranny.
- מְעֹולֵל (meʿolel) – Root: עול; Form: Piel participle masculine singular; Translation: “a child” or “an infant”; Notes: Indicates immaturity or weakness in leadership.
- וְנָשִׁים (ve-nashim) – Root: אשה; Form: Conjunction + noun feminine plural; Translation: “and women”; Notes: Suggests abnormal or shameful social order in this context.
- מָשְׁלוּ (mashlu) – Root: משׁל; Form: Qal perfect 3rd person plural; Translation: “have ruled”; Notes: Describes inversion of expected power structures.
- בּוֹ (bo) – Root: ב; Form: Preposition + 3rd person masculine singular suffix; Translation: “over it”; Notes: Refers to the people or nation.
- מְאַשְּׁרֶיךָ (meʾashrekha) – Root: אשר; Form: Piel participle masculine plural with 2nd person masculine singular suffix; Translation: “your guides” or “those who lead you”; Notes: Can also imply “those who declare you blessed.”
- מַתְעִים (matʿim) – Root: תעה; Form: Hifil participle masculine plural; Translation: “causing to err” or “leading astray”; Notes: Indicates deception and misleading leadership.
- וְדֶרֶךְ (ve-derekh) – Root: דרך; Form: Conjunction + noun masculine singular; Translation: “and the way”; Notes: Introduces the second clause about corrupted paths.
- אֹרְחֹתֶיךָ (ʾorḥotekha) – Root: ארח; Form: Noun feminine plural with 2nd person masculine singular suffix; Translation: “your paths”; Notes: Refers metaphorically to conduct or direction in life.
- בִּלֵּעוּ (billeʿu) – Root: בלע; Form: Piel perfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “they have swallowed up”; Notes: Symbolizes destruction, confusion, or obliteration of proper ways.