לָכֵ֗ן כֹּֽה־אָמַ֞ר אֲדֹנָ֤י יְהוִה֙ צְבָאֹ֔ות אַל־תִּירָ֥א עַמִּ֛י יֹשֵׁ֥ב צִיֹּ֖ון מֵֽאַשּׁ֑וּר בַּשֵּׁ֣בֶט יַכֶּ֔כָּה וּמַטֵּ֥הוּ יִשָּֽׂא־עָלֶ֖יךָ בְּדֶ֥רֶךְ מִצְרָֽיִם׃
(Isaiah 10:24)
Therefore thus says the Lord YHWH of Hosts: “Do not fear, My people, dweller of Tsiyyon, from Asshur; with a rod he will strike you, and his staff he will lift against you in the way of Mitsrayim.”
This verse combines prophecy, comfort, and warning. It contains a formal prophetic introduction, a direct command, and a vivid image of discipline. Let’s walk through it slowly and clearly so you can see how Biblical Hebrew builds meaning.
Big Picture Structure
This verse has three parts:
1. A prophetic formula: “Therefore thus says the Lord YHWH of Hosts”
2. A command: “Do not fear”
3. An explanation: Asshur will strike, but only in a limited way
Hebrew stacks these pieces in a powerful sequence.
Word-by-Word Walkthrough
| Hebrew Word | Meaning | Type | Grammar Clues | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| לָכֵן | therefore | Adverb | Logical connector | Links to previous context |
| כֹּה־אָמַר | thus says | Verb phrase | אָמַר = Qal perfect 3ms (“he said”) Used in prophetic speech formulas |
Introduces divine speech |
| אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה צְבָאֹות | Lord YHWH of Hosts | Noun phrase | Stacked divine titles | Speaker identified |
| אַל־תִּירָא | do not fear | Negative command | אַל + imperfect 2ms of י־ר־א Standard prohibition form |
Main command |
| עַמִּי | My people | Noun + suffix | -י = “my” | Direct address |
| יֹשֵׁב צִיֹּון | dweller of Tsiyyon | Participle + noun | יֹשֵׁב = Qal participle 3ms (“dwelling”) Functions like a description |
Specifies the audience |
| מֵאַשּׁוּר | from Asshur | Preposition + noun | מִן (“from”) + Asshur | Object of fear |
| בַּשֵּׁבֶט | with the rod | Preposition + noun | בְּ = “with/by” + definite noun | Instrument of striking |
| יַכֶּכָּה | he will strike you | Verb | Root נ־כ־ה (“to strike”) Imperfect 3ms + suffix -ךָ (“you”) |
Describes Asshur’s action |
| וּמַטֵּהוּ | and his staff | Noun + suffix | -וּ = “his” | Second instrument |
| יִשָּׂא־עָלֶיךָ | he will lift against you | Verb + preposition | Root נ־שׂ־א (“to lift”) Imperfect 3ms + preposition עַל + suffix |
Continued threat |
| בְּדֶרֶךְ מִצְרַיִם | in the way of Mitsrayim | Prepositional phrase | בְּ = “in/by” Suggests comparison or manner |
Explains how the action resembles Egypt |
Important Grammar Concepts
- Prophetic Formula: “כֹּה אָמַר” is a fixed expression meaning “Thus says.” It uses a past tense verb but functions as a formal introduction.
- Negative Command: “אַל + imperfect” is how Hebrew says “Do not…”
- Participles Describe Identity: “יֹשֵׁב צִיֹּון” literally means “the one dwelling in Tsiyyon.”
- Instrumental בְּ: “בַּשֵּׁבֶט” shows the tool used for striking.
- Imperfect Verbs Show Future/Threat: “יַכֶּכָּה” and “יִשָּׂא” describe expected actions.
Why the Verb Comes First
Notice how both main actions—יַכֶּכָּה and יִשָּׂא—come before their objects. Hebrew often prefers verb-first order in narrative and prophecy. This keeps the focus on action.
What We Learned from This Verse
This verse teaches us how Hebrew:
- Introduces prophecy formally
- Uses participles to describe people
- Builds commands with “אַל”
- Shows instruments with “בְּ”
- Uses vivid imagery (rod and staff) to express discipline
Even when describing threat, the central command is “Do not fear.”
Hebrew grammar here balances warning and reassurance in one tightly woven sentence.
You are beginning to see how every prefix, suffix, and word order choice carries meaning. Keep reading slowly, and the structure will become clearer with each verse.
