Zephaniah 2:10

זֹ֥את לָהֶ֖ם תַּ֣חַת גְּאֹונָ֑ם כִּ֤י חֵֽרְפוּ֙ וַיַּגְדִּ֔לוּ עַל־עַ֖ם יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֹֽות׃

This is for them instead of their pride, for they reproached and magnified themselves against the people of YHWH of Hosts.

Morphology

1. זֹאת (zoʾt) – Root: זה (zeh); Form: Demonstrative pronoun feminine singular; Translation: “This”; Notes: Refers to the punishment decreed upon the nations.
2. לָהֶם (lahem) – Root: ל־ + הם (l- + hem); Form: Preposition לְ + suffix 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “for them”; Notes: Marks the recipients of the retribution.
3. תַּחַת (taḥat) – Root: תחת (taḥat); Form: Preposition; Translation: “instead of”; Notes: Indicates exchange—punishment in place of pride.
4. גְּאֹונָם (geʾonam) – Root: גאון (geʾon); Form: Noun masculine singular + suffix 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “their pride”; Notes: Refers to the arrogance displayed by the nations.
5. כִּי (ki) – Root: כי (ki); Form: Conjunction; Translation: “for”; Notes: Introduces the reason for the judgment.
6. חֵרְפוּ (ḥerfu) – Root: חרף (ḥaraf); Form: Qal perfect 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “they reproached”; Notes: Describes verbal dishonor directed at YHWH’s people.
7. וַיַּגְדִּלוּ (va-yaggidlu) – Root: גדל (gadal); Form: Conjunction וַ + Hifil wayyiqtol (narrative past) 3rd person masculine plural; Translation: “and they magnified themselves”; Notes: Hifil intensifies the sense of self-exaltation.
8. עַל (ʿal) – Root: על (ʿal); Form: Preposition עַל; Translation: “against”; Notes: Indicates hostile direction toward the object that follows.
9. עַם (ʿam) – Root: עם (ʿam); Form: Noun masculine singular; Translation: “people”; Notes: Refers to YHWH’s covenant people.
10. יְהוָה (YHWH) – Root: הוה (havah); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “YHWH”; Notes: The divine name, in construct relation with “hosts.”
11. צְבָאֹות (tsevaʾot) – Root: צבא (tsavaʾ); Form: Noun masculine plural; Translation: “of hosts”; Notes: Military title emphasizing YHWH’s authority and power.