אָהַבְתָּ צֶּדֶק וַתִּשְׂנָא רֶשַׁע עַל־כֵּן מְשָׁחֲךָ אֱלֹהִים אֱלֹהֶיךָ שֶׁמֶן שָׂשֹׂון מֵחֲבֵרֶיךָ׃
You have loved righteousness and you have hated wickedness, therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy more than your companions.
| # | Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal Gloss | Morph Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | אָהַבְתָּ | ʾahavta | “You have loved” | Qal perfect 2ms |
| 2 | צֶּדֶק | tsedeq | “righteousness” | N(ms) |
| 3 | וַתִּשְׂנָא | va-tisnaʾ | “and you have hated” | Qal wayyiqtol 2ms |
| 4 | רֶשַׁע | reshaʿ | “wickedness” | N(ms) |
| 5 | עַל־כֵּן | ʿal-ken | “therefore” | Prep עַל + particle |
| 6 | מְשָׁחֲךָ | meshaḥakha | “He has anointed you” | Qal perfect 3ms + suff 2ms |
| 7 | אֱלֹהִים | ʾelohim | “God” | N(mp) |
| 8 | אֱלֹהֶיךָ | ʾelohekha | “your God” | N(mp) + suff 2ms |
| 9 | שֶׁמֶן | shemen | “oil” | N(ms) |
| 10 | שָׂשֹׂון | sasōn | “joy” | N(ms) |
| 11 | מֵחֲבֵרֶיךָ | me-ḥaverekha | “more than your companions” | Prep מִן + N(mp) + suff 2ms |
Morphology
- אָהַבְתָּ (ʾahavta) – Root: אהב (ʾ-h-b); Root Type: I-Guttural (א) (weak); Binyan: Qal; Form: Perfect 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “You have loved”; Notes: Expresses completed action emphasizing devotion to righteousness.
- צֶּדֶק (tsedeq) – Root: צדק (ṣ-d-q); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “righteousness”; Notes: Represents moral correctness and justice.
- וַתִּשְׂנָא (va-tisnaʾ) – Root: שׂנא (ś-n-ʾ); Root Type: III-Aleph (weak); Binyan: Qal; Form: Conjunction וַ + wayyiqtol 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “and you have hated”; Notes: Narrative sequence highlighting opposition to wickedness.
- רֶשַׁע (reshaʿ) – Root: רשע (r-sh-ʿ); Root Type: III-Guttural (ע) (weak); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “wickedness”; Notes: Moral evil contrasted with righteousness.
- עַל־כֵּן (ʿal-ken) – Root: —; Root Type: Particle (Strong); Form: Preposition עַל + particle; Translation: “therefore”; Notes: Introduces the consequence of the preceding actions.
- מְשָׁחֲךָ (meshaḥakha) – Root: משׁח (m-sh-ḥ); Root Type: Strong; Binyan: Qal; Form: Perfect 3rd person masculine singular + suffix 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “He has anointed you”; Notes: Refers to ceremonial anointing, symbolizing divine appointment. The Hebrew מְשָׁחֲךָ comes from the root m-sh-ch (to smear or anoint). This is the exact root from which we get the word Messiah (Mashiach – “the anointed one”). In the ancient Near East, kings were anointed with oil upon taking the throne, but fragrant oil was also poured on guests of honor at joyous banquets and weddings. The phrasing, “anointed you with the oil of joy,” beautifully captures both the royal coronation and the festive wedding imagery happening simultaneously.
- אֱלֹהִים (ʾelohim) – Root: אלה (ʾ-l-h); Root Type: I-Guttural (א) (weak); Form: Noun masculine plural (plural of majesty); Translation: “God”; Notes: Subject performing the anointing.
- אֱלֹהֶיךָ (ʾelohekha) – Root: אלה (ʾ-l-h); Root Type: I-Guttural (א) (weak); Form: Noun masculine plural + suffix 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “your God”; Notes: Indicates relational possession, emphasizing divine connection.
- שֶׁמֶן (shemen) – Root: שׁמן (sh-m-n); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “oil”; Notes: Medium of anointing in ritual contexts.
- שָׂשֹׂון (sasōn) – Root: שׂושׂ (ś-w-ś); Root Type: Hollow (weak); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “joy”; Notes: Expresses gladness associated with divine favor.
- מֵחֲבֵרֶיךָ (me-ḥaverekha) – Root: חבר (ḥ-b-r); Root Type: Strong; Form: Preposition מִן + noun masculine plural + suffix 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “more than your companions”; Notes: The Comparative “Min” (מֵחֲבֵרֶיךָ) indicates comparative superiority in blessing. The base word is chaverim (companions/fellows). The prefix mem (the letter מ) is attached to the front. Usually, the prefix mem means “from” (e.g., “from your companions”). However, in Hebrew grammar, when mem follows an adjective or a descriptive verb, it acts as a comparative. Translating it as “more than your companions” rather than “from your companions” is exactly how the grammar dictates it should be read.