וְאֶת־בִּלְעָ֥ם בֶּן־בְּעֹ֖ור הַקֹּוסֵ֑ם הָרְג֧וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל בַּחֶ֖רֶב אֶל־חַלְלֵיהֶֽם׃
And Bilʿam son of Beʿor, the diviner, the sons of Yisraʾel killed with the sword among their slain.
Morphology
- וְאֶת־ (ve-et) – Root: את (ʾt); Form: Direct object marker with conjunction; Translation: “And (the sign of the direct object)”; Notes: Introduces the direct object Bilʿam.
- בִּלְעָ֥ם (Bilʿam) – Root: בלעם (Bilʿam); Form: Proper noun, singular; Translation: “Bilʿam”; Notes: Refers to Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet.
- בֶּן־ (ben) – Root: בן (bn); Form: Noun, masculine singular construct; Translation: “son of”; Notes: Indicates lineage.
- בְּעֹ֖ור (Beʿor) – Root: בעור (Beʿor); Form: Proper noun, singular; Translation: “Beʿor”; Notes: The father of Bilʿam.
- הַקֹּוסֵ֑ם (ha-qosem) – Root: קסם (qsm); Form: Participle, Qal masculine singular with definite article; Translation: “the diviner”; Notes: Refers to one who practices divination or sorcery.
- הָרְג֧וּ (hargu) – Root: הרג (hrg); Form: Verb, Qal perfect 3rd person plural; Translation: “they killed”; Notes: Indicates a completed action.
- בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל (bene-Yisraʾel) – Root: בן (bn) + ישראל (Yisraʾel); Form: Noun, masculine plural construct + proper noun; Translation: “the sons of Yisraʾel”; Notes: Refers to the people of Israel.
- בַּחֶ֖רֶב (ba-ḥerev) – Root: חרב (ḥrb); Form: Noun, feminine singular absolute with preposition; Translation: “with the sword”; Notes: Instrumental usage.
- אֶל־ (el) – Root: אל (ʾl); Form: Preposition; Translation: “among”; Notes: Indicates movement or placement.
- חַלְלֵיהֶֽם (ḥalalehem) – Root: חלל (ḥll); Form: Noun, masculine plural construct with 3rd person plural suffix; Translation: “their slain”; Notes: Refers to those killed in battle.
Syntax Analysis
The subject of the sentence is “the sons of Yisraʾel,” while the verb “they killed” governs the direct object “Bilʿam.” The phrase “with the sword” describes the means of execution, and “among their slain” situates Bilʿam’s death within the broader context of the battle casualties.
Grammatical Analysis
The verb הָרְג֧וּ is in the Qal perfect, indicating a past completed action. The participle הַקֹּוסֵם functions as a noun, describing Bilʿam’s profession. The construct state חַלְלֵיהֶֽם links “the slain” with “them,” showing possession.
Lexical Semantics
- קֹוסֵם (qosem) – “diviner”: A practitioner of forbidden occult arts (Deuteronomy 18:10).
- חַלָל (ḥalal) – “slain”: Refers to those killed in war or battle.
Word Study
- Bilʿam (בִּלְעָ֥ם): A non-Israelite prophet hired by Balak to curse Israel (Numbers 22–24). His death signifies divine justice.
- Divination (קֹוסֵם): A practice condemned in the Torah (Leviticus 19:26, Deuteronomy 18:10-14), showing Bilʿam’s negative legacy.
Textual Criticism
The Masoretic Text aligns with the Septuagint and Dead Sea Scrolls, with minor differences in spelling in some manuscripts but no significant variations in meaning.