שָׁלַ֣ח יָ֭דָיו בִּשְׁלֹמָ֗יו חִלֵּ֥ל בְּרִיתֹֽו׃
He has sent out his hands against those at peace with him, he has profaned his covenant.
| # | Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal Gloss | Morph Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | שָׁלַח | shalaḥ | “he has sent” | Qal perfect 3ms |
| 2 | יָדָיו | yadav | “his hands” | N(fd) + suff 3ms |
| 3 | בִּשְׁלֹמָיו | bi-shlomav | “against those at peace with him” | Prep בְּ + N(mp) + suff 3ms |
| 4 | חִלֵּל | ḥillel | “he has profaned” | Piel perfect 3ms |
| 5 | בְּרִיתֹו | berito | “his covenant” | N(fs) + suff 3ms |
Morphology
- שָׁלַח (shalaḥ) – Root: שלח (š-l-ḥ); Root Type: III-Guttural (ח) (weak); Binyan: Qal; Form: Qal perfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “He has sent”; Notes: Indicates an intentional action directed outward.
- יָדָיו (yadav) – Root: יד (y-d); Root Type: II-Weak; Form: Noun feminine dual + suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “his hands”; Notes: Dual form referring to both hands as instruments of action. In Hebrew, the hand (יָד, yad) is the seat of power and action. By using the dual (יָ֭דָיו, yadav), the text depicts a person whose pair of hands, his entire physical agency, has been turned toward violence against his own associates.
- בִּשְׁלֹמָיו (bi-shlomav) – Root: שלם (š-l-m); Root Type: Strong; Form: Preposition בְּ + noun masculine plural + suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “against those at peace with him”; Notes: Refers to those who were in a state of peace or alliance with him. The phrase בִּשְׁלֹמָיו (“against those at peace with him”) highlights the betrayal’s depth. The victim’s peace itself becomes the point of exploitation. The image of “sending out hands” is made more sinister: a hand extended as if in greeting, only to strike.
- חִלֵּל (ḥillel) – Root: חלל (ḥ-l-l); Root Type: Geminate; Binyan: Piel; Form: Piel perfect 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “he has profaned”; Notes: Indicates violation or desecration. The use of חִלֵּל (profaned) for a human agreement is quite powerful. While usually used for holy things (Sabbath, Sanctuary, Name of God), applying it to a human בְּרִית (covenant) suggests that the Psalmist views a man’s word or a friendship pact as a sacred bond. Breaking it isn’t just a breach of contract; it’s a “defilement” of the man’s own honor.
- בְּרִיתֹו (berito) – Root: ברית (b-r-y-t); Root Type: III-He (weak); Form: Noun feminine singular + suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “his covenant”; Notes: Refers to a binding agreement that has been violated.