Joel 4:15 (Joel 3:15)

שֶׁ֥מֶשׁ וְיָרֵ֖חַ קָדָ֑רוּ וְכֹוכָבִ֖ים אָסְפ֥וּ נָגְהָֽם׃

The sun and the moon grew dark, and the stars withdrew their brightness.

Morphology

1. שֶׁ֥מֶשׁ (shemesh) – Root: שׁמשׁ (shemesh); Form: Noun common masculine singular; Translation: “the sun”; Notes: Represents celestial power or light; frequently used in prophetic imagery for cosmic disturbance.
2. וְיָרֵ֖חַ (ve-yareach) – Root: ירח (yareach); Form: Conjunction וְ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “and the moon”; Notes: Paired with “sun” to symbolize the totality of heavenly light sources affected by divine action.
3. קָדָ֑רוּ (kadaru) – Root: קדר (kadar); Form: Qal perfect 3rd person common plural; Translation: “grew dark”; Notes: Describes the darkening of celestial bodies, a common motif for divine judgment or cosmic upheaval.
4. וְכֹוכָבִ֖ים (ve-kokhavim) – Root: כּוכָב (kokhav); Form: Conjunction וְ + noun masculine plural; Translation: “and the stars”; Notes: Represents the heavenly hosts or lesser lights, signifying the universe’s response to divine power.
5. אָסְפ֥וּ (asfu) – Root: אסף (asaf); Form: Qal perfect 3rd person common plural; Translation: “withdrew”; Notes: Literally “gathered in,” expressing the disappearance or concealment of starlight.
6. נָגְהָֽם׃ (nogham) – Root: נגה (nogah); Form: Noun masculine singular + suffix 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “their brightness”; Notes: Refers to radiant light or brilliance; signifies the fading of cosmic illumination under divine command.