הַֽנֶּחֱמָדִ֗ים מִ֭זָּהָב וּמִפַּ֣ז רָ֑ב וּמְתוּקִ֥ים מִ֝דְּבַ֗שׁ וְנֹ֣פֶת צוּפִֽים׃
They are more desirable than gold, even than much fine gold, and sweeter than honey and the dripping of honeycombs.
| # | Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal Gloss | Morph Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | הַנֶּחֱמָדִים | ha-neḥemadim | “the desirable ones” | Def. art. הַ + Niphal participle mp |
| 2 | מִזָּהָב | mi-zahav | “than gold” | Prep מִן + N(ms) |
| 3 | וּמִפַּז | u-mi-paz | “and than fine gold” | Conj וְ + Prep מִן + N(ms) |
| 4 | רָב | rav | “much” | Adj(ms) |
| 5 | וּמְתוּקִים | u-metukim | “and sweeter” | Conj וְ + Adj(mp) |
| 6 | מִדְּבַשׁ | mi-devash | “than honey” | Prep מִן + N(ms) |
| 7 | וְנֹפֶת | ve-nofet | “and dripping honey” | Conj וְ + N(fs) |
| 8 | צוּפִים | tsufim | “honeycombs” | N(mp) |
Morphology
- הַנֶּחֱמָדִים (ha-neḥemadim) – Root: חמד (ḥamad); Root Type: Strong; Binyan: Niphal; Form: Definite article הַ + passive participle masculine plural; Translation: “the desirable ones”; Notes: Refers to the divine ordinances previously mentioned, described as objects of desire.
- מִזָּהָב (mi-zahav) – Root: זהב (zahav); Root Type: Strong; Form: Preposition מִן + noun masculine singular; Translation: “than gold”; Notes: Introduces comparison of value.
- וּמִפַּז (u-mi-paz) – Root: פז (paz); Root Type: Strong; Form: Conjunction וְ + Preposition מִן + noun masculine singular; Translation: “and than fine gold”; Notes: פַּז denotes refined or pure gold.
- רָב (rav) – Root: רבב (ravav); Root Type: Geminate; Form: Adjective masculine singular; Translation: “much”; Notes: Intensifies the comparison with abundant fine gold.
- וּמְתוּקִים (u-metukim) – Root: מתק (mataq); Root Type: Strong; Form: Conjunction וְ + adjective masculine plural; Translation: “and sweeter”; Notes: Shifts from value imagery to taste imagery.
- מִדְּבַשׁ (mi-devash) – Root: דבש (devash); Root Type: Strong; Form: Preposition מִן + noun masculine singular; Translation: “than honey”; Notes: Honey was a primary symbol of sweetness and delight.
- וְנֹפֶת (ve-nofet) – Root: נוף (nuf); Root Type: Hollow; Form: Conjunction וְ + noun feminine singular; Translation: “and dripping honey”; Notes: Refers to honey flowing from the comb.
- צוּפִים (tsufim) – Root: צוף (tsuf); Root Type: Hollow; Form: Noun masculine plural; Translation: “honeycombs”; Notes: Indicates honey flowing from the comb, emphasizing natural sweetness.