הֵן־֭אֱמֶת חָפַ֣צְתָּ בַטֻּחֹ֑ות וּ֝בְסָתֻ֗ם חָכְמָ֥ה תֹודִיעֵֽנִי׃
Behold, truth you have desired in the inward parts, and in the hidden part wisdom you make known to me.
| # | Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal Gloss | Morph Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | הֵן | hen | “behold” | Particle |
| 2 | אֱמֶת | ʾemet | “truth” | Noun fs |
| 3 | חָפַצְתָּ | ḥafatzta | “you have desired” | Qal perfect 2ms |
| 4 | בַטֻּחֹות | vaṭṭuḥot | “in the inward parts” | Prep בְּ + Def. N(fp) |
| 5 | וּבְסָתֻם | u-ve-satum | “and in the hidden part” | Conj וְ + Prep בְּ + N(ms) |
| 6 | חָכְמָה | ḥokhmah | “wisdom” | Noun fs |
| 7 | תֹודִיעֵנִי | todiʿeni | “you make known to me” | Hiphil imperfect 2ms + suff 1cs |
Morphology
- הֵן (hen) – Root: הן (hen); Root Type: Particle (Strong); Form: Particle; Translation: “Behold”; Notes: Introduces an emphatic assertion. In this context, the interjection הֵן acts as a pivot point—moving from the speaker’s admission of sin in the previous verses to a realization of what God actually requires.
- אֱמֶת (ʾemet) – Root: אמן (ʾ-m-n); Root Type: I-Guttural (א) (weak); Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “truth”; Notes: Denotes faithfulness, reliability, and inner integrity.
- חָפַצְתָּ (ḥafatzta) – Root: חפץ (ḥ-p-ṣ); Root Type: Strong; Binyan: Qal; Form: Perfect 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “you have desired”; Notes: Expresses divine delight or will.
- בַטֻּחֹות (vaṭṭuḥot) – Root: טוח (ṭ-w-ḥ); Root Type: Hollow; Form: Preposition בְּ + definite article הַ + noun feminine plural; Translation: “in the inward parts”; Notes: Refers metaphorically to the inner being. The word טֻּחֹות is rare (appearing only here and in Job 38:36).
- Etymology: It is likely derived from the root טוח (to plaster or overlay), referring to the organs covered or “overlaid” by fat (specifically the kidneys).
- Literalism: By using “inward parts,” the anatomical metaphor of the Hebrew is maintained. While some modern versions say “inmost being,” “inward parts” preserves the sense of the deep, physical interiority of the human body.
- וּבְסָתֻם (u-ve-satum) – Root: סתם (s-t-m); Root Type: Strong; Form: Conjunction וְ + preposition בְּ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “and in the hidden part”; Notes: Indicates the concealed or secret inner dimension. It suggests the secret, unreachable corners of the heart.
- חָכְמָה (ḥokhmah) – Root: חכם (ḥ-k-m); Root Type: Strong; Form: Noun feminine singular; Translation: “wisdom”; Notes: Represents divine insight and understanding.
- תֹודִיעֵנִי (todiʿeni) – Root: ידע (y-d-ʿ); Root Type: III-Guttural (ע) (weak); Binyan: Hiphil; Form: Imperfect 2nd person masculine singular + suffix 1st person common singular; Translation: “you make known to me”; Notes: Expresses divine action of imparting understanding.