Joel 2:18

וַיְקַנֵּ֥א יְהוָ֖ה לְאַרְצֹ֑ו וַיַּחְמֹ֖ל עַל־עַמֹּֽו׃

Then YHWH was zealous for His land and had compassion on His people.

Morphology

1. וַיְקַנֵּ֥א (va-yeqanne) – Root: קנא (qanaʾ); Form: Piel wayyiqtol (narrative past) 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “Then He was zealous”; Notes: Describes YHWH’s passionate concern and protective jealousy for His land and covenant people.
2. יְהוָ֖ה (YHWH) – Root: יהוה (YHWH); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: The covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal and redemptive involvement.
3. לְאַרְצֹ֑ו (le-artzo) – Root: ארץ (ʾerets); Form: Preposition לְ + noun feminine singular + suffix 3ms; Translation: “for His land”; Notes: Expresses YHWH’s zealous love and protective care for His own territory—His inheritance.
4. וַיַּחְמֹ֖ל (va-yaḥmol) – Root: חמל (ḥamal); Form: Qal wayyiqtol (narrative past) 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “and He had compassion”; Notes: Indicates merciful pity, showing YHWH’s willingness to withhold further judgment.
5. עַל־ (ʿal) – Root: על (ʿal); Form: Preposition; Translation: “upon” or “for”; Notes: Marks the object of YHWH’s compassion—His people.
6. עַמֹּֽו (ammo) – Root: עם (ʿam); Form: Noun masculine singular + suffix 3ms; Translation: “His people”; Notes: Refers to Yisraʾel as YHWH’s covenant nation, the recipient of divine mercy.