Psalm 17:12

דִּמְיֹנֹ֗ו כְּ֭אַרְיֵה יִכְסֹ֣וף לִטְרֹ֑וף וְ֝כִכְפִ֗יר יֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּמִסְתָּרִֽים׃

His likeness is like a lion that longs to tear, and like a young lion sitting in hiding places.

 

# Hebrew Transliteration Literal Gloss Morph Tag
1 דִּמְיֹנוֹ dimyono “his likeness” Noun ms + suffix 3ms
2 כְּאַרְיֵה ke-aryeh “like a lion” Prep כְּ + noun ms
3 יִכְסֹף yikhsoph “he longs” Qal imperfect 3ms
4 לִטְרֹף litroph “to tear” Prep לְ + Qal infinitive construct
5 וְכִכְפִיר ve-kikhfir “and like a young lion” Conjunction וְ + prep כְּ + noun ms
6 יֹשֵׁב yoshev “sitting” Qal participle ms
7 בְּמִסְתָּרִים be-mistarim “in hiding places” Prep בְּ + noun mp

 

Morphology

  1. דִּמְיֹנוֹ (dimyono) – Root: דמה (d-m-h); Root Type: III-He; Form: Noun masculine singular + suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “his likeness”; Notes: Refers to his appearance, resemblance, or likeness in comparison to a lion.
  2. כְּאַרְיֵה (ke-aryeh) – Root: אריה (ʾ-r-y-h); Root Type: I-Guttural; Form: Preposition כְּ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “like a lion”; Notes: Introduces the simile of a predatory lion to depict fierce hostility.
  3. יִכְסֹף (yikhsoph) – Root: כסף (k-s-p); Root Type: Strong; Binyan: Qal; Form: Imperfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “he longs”; Notes: Expresses eager desire or intense craving, here for violent prey.
  4. לִטְרֹף (litroph) – Root: טרף (ṭ-r-p); Root Type: Strong; Binyan: Qal; Form: Preposition לְ + infinitive construct; Translation: “to tear”; Notes: The infinitive gives the goal or object of the lion’s longing, namely to rend prey.
  5. וְכִכְפִיר (ve-kikhfir) – Root: כפר (k-p-r) in the noun כְּפִיר; Root Type: Strong; Form: Conjunction וְ + preposition כְּ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “and like a young lion”; Notes: Adds a second leonine image, focusing on youthful strength and ambush.
  6. יֹשֵׁב (yoshev) – Root: ישׁב (y-š-b); Root Type: I-Yod; Binyan: Qal; Form: Participle masculine singular; Translation: “sitting”; Notes: The participle portrays a continuing posture, suggesting patient lurking in wait.
  7. בְּמִסְתָּרִים (be-mistarim) – Root: סתר (s-t-r); Root Type: Strong; Form: Preposition בְּ + noun masculine plural; Translation: “in hiding places”; Notes: Denotes concealed places of ambush, completing the predatory imagery of the verse.

 

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