עַמִּ֗י זְכָר־נָא֙ מַה־יָּעַ֗ץ בָּלָק֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ מֹואָ֔ב וּמֶה־עָנָ֥ה אֹתֹ֖ו בִּלְעָ֣ם בֶּן־בְּעֹ֑ור מִן־הַשִּׁטִּים֙ עַד־הַגִּלְגָּ֔ל לְמַ֕עַן דַּ֖עַת צִדְקֹ֥ות יְהוָֽה׃
My people, remember now what Balaq king of Moʾav counseled, and what Bilʿam son of Beʿor answered him, from the Shittim to the Gilgal, in order to know the righteousnesses of YHWH.
Morphology
- עַמִּי (ʿammi) — Root: עם (ʿam); Form: Noun masculine singular + suffix 1cs; Translation: “My people”; Notes: YHWH’s covenant address to His nation.
- זְכָר (zekhor) — Root: זכר (zakhar); Form: Qal imperative 2ms; Translation: “remember”; Notes: A summons to recall YHWH’s past deeds.
- נָא (na) — Root: נא (na); Form: Particle of entreaty; Translation: “now / please”; Notes: Softens the command.
- מַה (mah) — Root: מה (mah); Form: Interrogative pronoun; Translation: “what”; Notes: Introduces the first historical reflection.
- יָּעַץ (yaʿats) — Root: יעץ (yaʿats); Form: Qal perfect 3ms; Translation: “counseled”; Notes: Refers to Balaq’s hostile plan.
- בָּלָק (Balaq) — Root: בלק (Balaq); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Balaq”; Notes: King of Moʾav who sought to curse Yisraʾel.
- מֶלֶךְ (melekh) — Root: מלך (melekh); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “king”; Notes: Title of Balaq.
- מֹואָב (Moʾav) — Root: מואב (Moʾav); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Moʾav”; Notes: Nation east of the Yarden.
- וּמֶה (u-mah) — Root: מה (mah); Form: Conjunction וְ + interrogative pronoun; Translation: “and what”; Notes: Introduces the second historical incident.
- עָנָה (ʿanah) — Root: ענה (ʿanah); Form: Qal perfect 3ms; Translation: “answered”; Notes: Refers to Bilʿam’s response to Balaq.
- אֹתֹו (oto) — Root: את (’et); Form: Direct object marker + suffix 3ms; Translation: “him”; Notes: Refers back to Balaq.
- בִּלְעָם (Bilʿam) — Root: בלעם (Bilʿam); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Bilʿam”; Notes: A prophet hired to curse Yisraʾel.
- בֶּן (ben) — Root: בן (ben); Form: Noun masculine singular construct; Translation: “son of”; Notes: Marks lineage.
- בְּעֹור (Beʿor) — Root: בעור (Beʿor); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Beʿor”; Notes: Father of Bilʿam.
- מִן (min) — Root: מן (min); Form: Preposition; Translation: “from”; Notes: Indicates the starting point of Yisraʾel’s journey.
- הַשִּׁטִּים (ha-shittim) — Root: שׁטים (shittim); Form: Definite article הַ + proper place name; Translation: “the Shittim”; Notes: Site where Yisraʾel encamped before crossing the Yarden.
- עַד (ʿad) — Root: עד (ʿad); Form: Preposition; Translation: “to / until”; Notes: Indicates the end point of the journey referenced.
- הַגִּלְגָּל (ha-Gilgal) — Root: גלגל (Gilgal); Form: Definite article הַ + proper noun; Translation: “the Gilgal”; Notes: The first encampment after entering the land.
- לְמַעַן (lemaʿan) — Root: מען (maʿan); Form: Preposition; Translation: “in order that”; Notes: Introduces purpose.
- דַּעַת (daʿat) — Root: ידע (yadaʿ); Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “to know”; Notes: Expresses cognitive recognition of YHWH’s deeds.
- צִדְקֹות (tsidqot) — Root: צדק (tsadaq); Form: Noun feminine plural; Translation: “righteousnesses”; Notes: Refers to YHWH’s just and faithful actions.
- יְהוָה (YHWH) — Root: הוה (havah); Form: Proper divine name; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: Covenant name emphasizing His faithfulness.