הַקָּטֹן֙ יִֽהְיֶ֣ה לָאֶ֔לֶף וְהַצָּעִ֖יר לְגֹ֣וי עָצ֑וּם אֲנִ֥י יְהוָ֖ה בְּעִתָּ֥הּ אֲחִישֶֽׁנָּה׃ ס
The least shall become a thousand, and the smallest a mighty nation; I am YHWH; at its time I will hasten it.
Morphology
- הַקָּטֹן (ha-qaṭon) – Root: קטן; Form: Adjective masculine singular with definite article; Translation: “the least”; Notes: Refers to one of insignificant size or status.
- יִֽהְיֶה (yihyeh) – Root: היה; Form: Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “shall be”; Notes: Indicates future transformation.
- לָאֶלֶף (laʾelef) – Root: אלף; Form: Preposition + noun masculine singular; Translation: “into a thousand”; Notes: Symbolizes increase or multiplication.
- וְהַצָּעִיר (ve-ha-tsaʿir) – Root: צעיר; Form: Adjective masculine singular with conjunction and definite article; Translation: “and the smallest”; Notes: Parallel with “the least,” connoting insignificance.
- לְגֹוי (le-goy) – Root: גוי; Form: Preposition + noun masculine singular; Translation: “into a nation”; Notes: Often refers to a people or ethnic group.
- עָצוּם (ʿatsum) – Root: עצם; Form: Adjective masculine singular; Translation: “mighty”; Notes: Denotes great strength or magnitude.
- אֲנִי (ʾani) – Root: אני; Form: Independent pronoun; Translation: “I”; Notes: Emphatic declaration by the speaker, YHWH.
- יְהוָה (YHWH) – Root: Divine Name; Form: Proper noun; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: The one who will fulfill the promise.
- בְּעִתָּהּ (be-ʿittah) – Root: עת; Form: Preposition + noun feminine singular with 3rd person feminine singular suffix; Translation: “at its time”; Notes: Refers to the appointed or proper time.
- אֲחִישֶׁנָּה (ʾaḥishennah) – Root: חושׁ; Form: Hifil imperfect 1st person singular + 3rd person feminine singular suffix; Translation: “I will hasten it”; Notes: Expresses divine action to accelerate fulfillment.