אִם־רָאִ֣יתָ גַ֭נָּב וַתִּ֣רֶץ עִמֹּ֑ו וְעִ֖ם מְנָאֲפִ֣ים חֶלְקֶֽךָ׃
If you saw a thief, and you ran with him, and with adulterers is your portion.
| # | Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal Gloss | Morph Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | אִם | ʾim | “if” | Conj |
| 2 | רָאִיתָ | raʾita | “you saw” | Qal perfect 2ms |
| 3 | גַנָּב | gannav | “thief” | N(ms) |
| 4 | וַתִּרֶץ | va-tirets | “and you ran” | Qal wayyiqtol 2ms |
| 5 | עִמֹּו | ʿimmo | “with him” | Prep עִם + suff 3ms |
| 6 | וְעִם | ve-ʿim | “and with” | Conj וְ + Prep עִם |
| 7 | מְנָאֲפִים | menaʾafim | “adulterers” | Piel participle mp |
| 8 | חֶלְקֶךָ | ḥelqekha | “your portion” | N(ms) + suff 2ms |
Morphology
- אִם (ʾim) – Root: אם (ʾim); Root Type: Particle (Strong); Form: Conjunction; Translation: “If”; Notes: Introduces a conditional clause.
- רָאִיתָ (raʾita) – Root: ראה (r-ʾ-h); Root Type: III-He; Binyan: Qal; Form: Perfect 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “you saw”; Notes: Describes completed observation. This describes someone who doesn’t necessarily steal themselves but witnesses a crime. In the Hebrew context, “seeing” and then not acting or reporting is the first step toward complicity.
- גַנָּב (gannav) – Root: גנב (g-n-b); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “thief”; Notes: A person who steals.
- וַתִּרֶץ (va-tirets) – Root: רוץ (r-w-ts); Root Type: Hollow; Binyan: Qal; Form: Conjunction וַ + wayyiqtol 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “and you ran”; Notes: Indicates active participation or agreement. Running with” implies more than just walking alongside; it suggests eagerness and partnership. You aren’t just a bystander anymore; you’ve joined the getaway team. You’ve “accepted” or “pleased” yourself with the thief’s actions.
- עִמֹּו (ʿimmo) – Root: עם (ʿ-m); Root Type: I-Guttural (ע); Form: Preposition עִם + suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “with him”; Notes: Indicates association or companionship.
- וְעִם (ve-ʿim) – Root: עם (ʿ-m); Root Type: I-Guttural (ע); Form: Conjunction וְ + preposition עִם; Translation: “and with”; Notes: Adds an additional association.
- מְנָאֲפִים (menaʾafim) – Root: נאף (n-ʾ-f); Root Type: I-Nun; Binyan: Piel; Form: Participle masculine plural; Translation: “adulterers”; Notes: Those who commit adultery, used here as a moral category. This moves the charge from property crime (theft) to relational/covenant crime (adultery).
- חֶלְקֶךָ (ḥelqekha) – Root: חלק (ḥ-l-q); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun masculine singular + suffix 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “your portion”; Notes: Indicates one’s share, lot, or association. In Hebrew, a ḥeleq is a plot of land or an inheritance. By saying “your portion” is with them, God is saying: “Your destiny and your identity are now legally tied to the unfaithful.” You share in their ‘lot’ and their eventual judgment.