חֲמַת־לָ֗מֹו כִּדְמ֥וּת חֲמַת־נָחָ֑שׁ כְּמֹו־פֶ֥תֶן חֵ֝רֵ֗שׁ יַאְטֵ֥ם אָזְנֹֽו׃
Their venom is like the likeness of the venom of a serpent; like a deaf adder that stops its ear,
| # | Hebrew | Transliteration | Literal Gloss | Morph Tag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | חֲמַת־לָמוֹ | ḥamat-lamo | “their venom” | N(fs) construct + suff 3mp |
| 2 | כִּדְמוּת | ki-demut | “like the likeness of” | Prep כְּ + N(fs) construct |
| 3 | חֲמַת־נָחָשׁ | ḥamat-naḥash | “the venom of a serpent” | N(fs) construct + N(ms) |
| 4 | כְּמוֹ־פֶתֶן | ke-mo-peten | “like an adder” | Prep כְּמוֹ + N(ms) |
| 5 | חֵרֵשׁ | ḥeresh | “deaf” | Adj(ms) |
| 6 | יַאְטֵם | yaʾtem | “that stops” | Qal yiqtol 3ms |
| 7 | אָזְנוֹ | ozno | “his ear” | N(fs) + suff 3ms |
Morphology
- חֲמַת־לָמוֹ (ḥamat-lamo) – Root: חמה (ḥ-m-h); Root Type: III-He (weak); Form: Noun feminine singular construct (state: construct) + suffix 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “Their venom”; Notes: Refers metaphorically to their wrath or harmful nature.
- כִּדְמוּת (ki-demut) – Root: דמה (d-m-h); Root Type: III-He (weak); Form: Preposition כְּ + noun feminine singular construct (state: construct); Translation: “Like the likeness of”; Notes: Introduces a comparison emphasizing similarity. The construction combines the Kaph preposition (“like”) with דְּמוּת (“likeness”), producing a doubled comparison: “like the likeness.” This intensifies the image beyond a mere resemblance. It suggests a terrifyingly precise imitation—the enemies are not simply “sort of” like serpents, but they carry the exact form and image of a serpent’s lethality. The repetition heightens the realism, portraying their danger as an authentic embodiment of venomous threat rather than a loose metaphor.
- חֲמַת־נָחָשׁ (ḥamat-naḥash) – Root: חמה (ḥ-m-h); Root Type: III-He (weak); Form: Noun feminine singular construct (state: construct) + noun masculine singular; Translation: “The venom of a serpent”; Notes: A construct chain intensifying the imagery of danger. The noun חֵמָה literally means “heat” or “burning,” and in Hebrew usage it denotes both burning anger and the burning sensation of venom from a snake’s bite. The repetition of חֲמַת (“venom… venom”) intensifies the image, reflecting the Hebrew’s emphasis. The enemies are not merely hostile; their very rage is biologically likened to poison. The metaphor fuses emotional fury with physical toxicity, portraying their anger as a lethal substance coursing through their words and actions.
- כְּמוֹ־פֶתֶן (ke-mo-peten) – Root: פתן (p-t-n); Root Type: Strong; Form: Preposition כְּמוֹ + noun masculine singular; Translation: “Like an adder”; Notes: Refers to a venomous snake, enhancing the metaphor. The term פֶתֶן designates a venomous snake, often identified as the Egyptian cobra or a desert adder.
- חֵרֵשׁ (ḥeresh) – Root: חרשׁ (ḥ-r-sh); Root Type: III-Sibilant; Form: Adjective masculine singular; Translation: “Deaf”; Notes: Describes the snake as unresponsive to external influence. חֵרֵשׁ means “deaf.” In the ancient world, snake‑charming was a known practice, but a “deaf” snake is one that cannot be charmed, reasoned with, or distracted. The image is chilling: such a serpent becomes implacable in its intent, immune to human attempts at control. Translating it as “deaf adder” preserves this sense of unreachable, cold‑blooded resolve, emphasizing the enemies’ relentless and unyielding danger.
- יַאְטֵם (yaʾtem) – Root: אטם (ʾ-ṭ-m); Root Type: I-Aleph / I-Guttural; Binyan: Hifʿil; Form: Hifʿil imperfect (yiqtol) 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “he shuts” or “he stops up”; Notes: The vowel pattern identifies the form as Hifʿil, though in this poetic context it functions close to the simple meaning “to shut” or “to stop up.” The nuance is not passive deafness but active refusal—the snake shuts its own ear. This choice of form intensifies the metaphor: the creature is not simply incapable of hearing but consciously resists, closing itself off against any sound, charm, or appeal. The rendering “stops its ear” preserves this deliberate closure, underscoring the image of willful defiance and hostile intent.
- אָזְנוֹ (ozno) – Root: אוזן (ʾ-w-z-n); Root Type: I-Guttural (א); Form: Noun feminine singular + suffix 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “His ear”; Notes: Completes the image of deliberate deafness.