הֲלֹ֣א אֱ֭לֹהִים יַֽחֲקָר־זֹ֑את כִּֽי־ה֥וּא יֹ֝דֵ֗עַ תַּעֲלֻמֹ֥ות לֵֽב׃
would not God search this? For He knows the hidden things of the heart.
| # | Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal Gloss | Morph Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | הֲלֹא | halo | “would not?” | Interrogative particle |
| 2 | אֱלֹהִים | ʾElohim | “God” | N(mp) |
| 3 | יַחֲקָר־ | yaḥaqar | “would He search” | Qal imperfect 3ms |
| 4 | זֹאת | zot | “this” | Demonstrative pronoun fs |
| 5 | כִּי־ | ki | “for” | Conjunction |
| 6 | הוּא | hu | “He” | Pronoun ms |
| 7 | יֹדֵעַ | yodeaʿ | “knows” | Qal participle ms |
| 8 | תַּעֲלֻמוֹת | taʿalumot | “hidden things” | N(fp) |
| 9 | לֵב | lev | “heart” | N(ms) |
Morphology
- הֲלֹא (halo) – Root: —; Root Type: Particle (Strong); Form: Interrogative particle; Translation: “would not?”; Notes: Introduces a rhetorical question expecting affirmation. The Hebrew Ha-lo is a standard way of saying “Is it not the case that…” or “Does not…” It implies a “Yes” answer. Using “would not” is perfectly acceptable and adds a nice touch of contemplative weight.
- אֱלֹהִים (ʾElohim) – Root: אלה (ʾ-l-h); Root Type: I-Guttural (א); Form: Noun masculine plural (intensive singular meaning); Translation: “God”; Notes: Refers to the one true God.
- יַחֲקָר־ (yaḥaqar) – Root: חקר (ḥ-q-r); Root Type: I-Guttural (ח); Binyan: Qal; Form: Imperfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “would He search”; Notes: Expresses God’s ability to examine thoroughly. The root ḥ-q-r refers to a deep investigation, a searching out of secrets, or a judicial inquiry. In English, “search” can sometimes imply God is looking for something He hasn’t found yet. In the context of the verse (Psalm 44:21/22), the point is that God is the ultimate investigator who probes the depths of a person. “Search” is fine, but “discover,” “fathom,” or “examine” are common alternatives that highlight His ability to bring things to light.
- זֹאת (zot) – Root: זה (z-h); Root Type: III-He; Form: Demonstrative pronoun feminine singular; Translation: “this”; Notes: Refers to the hypothetical unfaithfulness.
- כִּי־ (ki) – Root: —; Root Type: Particle (Strong); Form: Conjunction; Translation: “for”; Notes: Introduces explanation or reason.
- הוּא (hu) – Root: —; Root Type: Particle (Strong); Form: Personal pronoun 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “He”; Notes: Emphasizes the subject, God.
- יֹדֵעַ (yodeaʿ) – Root: ידע (y-d-ʿ); Root Type: III-Guttural (ע); Binyan: Qal; Form: Participle masculine singular; Translation: “knows”; Notes: Indicates ongoing, inherent knowledge.
- תַּעֲלֻמוֹת (taʿalumot) – Root: עלם (ʿ-l-m); Root Type: I-Guttural (ע); Form: Noun feminine plural; Translation: “hidden things”; Notes: Refers to concealed thoughts or secrets. Some translations use “secrets of the heart,” but “hidden things” feels more mysterious and accurate to the root ‘-l-m (to hide/conceal).
- לֵב (lev) – Root: לבב (l-b-b); Root Type: Geminate; Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “heart”; Notes: Represents the inner being, thoughts, and intentions.