1 Chronicles 4:23
הֵ֚מָּה הַיֹּ֣וצְרִ֔ים וְיֹשְׁבֵ֥י נְטָעִ֖ים וּגְדֵרָ֑ה עִם־הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ בִּמְלַאכְתֹּ֖ו יָ֥שְׁבוּ שָֽׁם׃ ס
Subject Pronoun and Identity: הֵ֚מָּה
הֵמָּה (“they”) is a third-person plural independent pronoun, often used to emphasize the subject. Here, it introduces a descriptive summary of a specific group of people, identifying them with vocational and geographical associations.
Participles in Apposition: הַיֹּ֣וצְרִ֔ים וְיֹשְׁבֵ֥י
הַיֹּ֣וצְרִים is a Qal participle masculine plural from the root י־צ־ר (“to form, shape”), meaning “the potters.” Participles in Hebrew function adjectivally and nominally. The following phrase וְיֹשְׁבֵ֥י נְטָעִים וּגְדֵרָ֑ה adds further description: יֹשְׁבֵי is the Qal participle mp construct from י־שׁ־ב (“to dwell”), modifying the compound noun phrase “inhabitants of Netaim and Gederah.” These participles describe not only the profession but also the residence of the people.
Compound Place Names: נְטָעִים וּגְדֵרָה
These are two town names where these artisans resided. נְטָעִים may relate to planting or gardens, while גְדֵרָה is a known town in the territory of Judah. The structure יֹשְׁבֵי נְטָעִים וּגְדֵרָה places the locations in apposition and implies settlement and function.
Royal Service Phrase: עִם־הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ בִּמְלַאכְתֹּ֖ו
This phrase reveals their societal role. עִם־הַמֶּ֥לֶךְ (“with the king”) uses the preposition עִם to express association or service under royal authority. בִּמְלַאכְתֹּ֖ו (“in his work”) uses the preposition בְּ with the noun מְלָאכָה (“work”) and the suffix ־וֹ (“his”) to express function — they worked for or under the king’s labor system.
Perfect Verb of Settlement: יָ֥שְׁבוּ
יָ֥שְׁבוּ is a Qal perfect 3mp verb from י־שׁ־ב (“to dwell, sit”), meaning “they dwelt.” It finalizes the verse by affirming their settled and enduring presence. The adverb שָׁם (“there”) reinforces spatial conclusion, wrapping the identity, location, and service into a unified statement.
Parsing Table: Key Forms in 1 Chronicles 4:23
| Hebrew Word | Root | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| הַיֹּ֣וצְרִים | י־צ־ר | Qal participle (mp) | “The potters” — profession identifier |
| יֹשְׁבֵי | י־שׁ־ב | Qal participle construct (mp) | “Inhabitants of” — construct with place names |
| בִּמְלַאכְתּוֹ | מ־ל־א | Preposition + noun + suffix | “In his work” — belonging to the king |
| יָשְׁבוּ | י־שׁ־ב | Qal perfect (3mp) | “They dwelt” — finalized location and identity |
The Grammar of Identity and Labor
This brief verse encapsulates profession, place, and royal affiliation through elegant grammar. Participles convey ongoing identity, construct chains ground that identity in space, and prepositional phrases tie it to kingship and labor. Through participial structure and perfect verbs, the verse anchors a community’s value — not in genealogy, but in what they did and where they served.
