כִּֽי־יֹודֵ֣עַ יְ֭הוָה דֶּ֣רֶךְ צַדִּיקִ֑ים וְדֶ֖רֶךְ רְשָׁעִ֣ים תֹּאבֵֽד׃
For YHWH knows the way of righteous ones, and the way of wicked ones shall perish.
| # | Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal Gloss | Morph Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | כִּי | ki | “for” | Conjunction |
| 2 | יֹודֵעַ | yodeaʿ | “knowing” | Binyan: Qal; Active participle ms |
| 3 | יְהוָה | YHWH | “YHWH” | Proper N(ms) |
| 4 | דֶּרֶךְ | derekh | “way of” | N(fs const.) |
| 5 | צַדִּיקִים | tsaddiqim | “righteous ones” | N(mp) |
| 6 | וְדֶרֶךְ | ve-derekh | “and way of” | Conj וְ + N(fs const.) |
| 7 | רְשָׁעִים | reshaʿim | “wicked ones” | N(mp) |
| 8 | תֹּאבֵד | toved | “she shall perish” | Binyan: Qal; Imperfect 3fs |
Morphology
- כִּי (ki) – Root: כי (k-y); Root Type: Strong; Form: Conjunction; Translation: “For”; Notes: Provides the theological reason for the preceding contrast.
- יֹודֵעַ (yodeaʿ) – Root: ידע (y-d-ʿ); Root Type: I-Yod (weak); Binyan: Qal; Form: Active participle masculine singular; Translation: “knowing” or “knows”; Notes: Participial form expresses ongoing, intimate knowledge.
- יְהוָה (YHWH) – Root: traditionally associated with הוה/היה (h-w-h / h-y-h); Root Type: Hollow (II-Waw); Form: Proper noun masculine singular; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: The covenant Name, subject of the participle.
- דֶּרֶךְ (derekh) – Root: דרך (d-r-kh); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun feminine singular construct (state: construct); Translation: “way of”; Notes: In construct with צַדִּיקִים, denoting life-pattern or moral path.
- צַדִּיקִים (tsaddiqim) – Root: צדק (ṣ-d-q); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun masculine plural absolute; Translation: “righteous ones”; Notes: Those aligned with covenantal justice.
- וְדֶרֶךְ (ve-derekh) – Root: דרך (d-r-kh); Root Type: Strong; Form: Conjunction וְ + noun feminine singular construct (state: construct); Translation: “and way of”; Notes: Parallel structure heightens contrast.
- רְשָׁעִים (reshaʿim) – Root: רשע (r-š-ʿ); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun masculine plural absolute; Translation: “wicked ones”; Notes: Opposite moral category to צַדִּיקִים.
- תֹּאבֵד (toved) – Root: אבד (ʾ-b-d); Root Type: I-Guttural (א) (weak); Binyan: Qal; Form: Imperfect 3rd person feminine singular; Translation: “she shall perish”; Notes: Feminine verb agrees with דֶּרֶךְ, indicating the path itself comes to ruin.