Tag Archives: Amos 3:9

The Nifal Imperative הֵאָסְפוּ in Amos 3:9

Posted on March 9, 2019 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Amos 3:9 Amos 3:9 records a divine summons to the nations, calling them to assemble and witness the injustice occurring in Shomron (Samaria). The verb הֵאָסְפוּ (heʾasəfū) appears in the Nifal imperative form, which is significant because it conveys a command to gather while also implying a passive or reflexive nuance. This analysis will explore its morphological structure, syntactic role, and semantic implications within Biblical Hebrew grammar. הַשְׁמִ֨יעוּ֙ עַל־אַרְמְנֹ֣ות בְּאַשְׁדֹּ֔וד וְעַֽל־אַרְמְנֹ֖ות בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וְאִמְר֗וּ הֵאָֽסְפוּ֙ עַל־הָרֵ֣י שֹׁמְרֹ֔ון וּרְא֞וּ מְהוּמֹ֤ת רַבֹּות֙ בְּתֹוכָ֔הּ וַעֲשׁוּקִ֖ים בְּקִרְבָּֽהּ׃ Analysis of Key Words/Phrases The Nifal imperative הֵאָסְפוּ (heʾasəfū) appears in the phrase: וְאִמְר֗וּ הֵאָֽסְפוּ֙ עַל־הָרֵ֣י שֹׁמְרֹ֔ון This phrase consists of: וְאִמְר֗וּ (vəʾimrū) – “And say” (Qal imperative, second-person masculine plural).… Learn Hebrew
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Calling Witnesses to Injustice: Imperatives, Construct Chains, and Geopolitical Irony in Amos 3:9

Posted on September 3, 2012 by Biblical Hebrew
Amos 3:9 הַשְׁמִ֨יעוּ֙ עַל־אַרְמְנֹ֣ות בְּאַשְׁדֹּ֔וד וְעַל־אַרְמְנֹ֖ות בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרָ֑יִם וְאִמְר֗וּ הֵאָֽסְפוּ֙ עַל־הָרֵ֣י שֹׁמְרֹ֔ון וּרְא֞וּ מְהוּמֹ֤ת רַבֹּות֙ בְּתֹוכָ֔הּ וַעֲשׁוּקִ֖ים בְּקִרְבָּֽהּ׃ Proclamation to Foreign Palaces: הַשְׁמִיעוּ עַל־אַרְמְנֹות בְּאַשְׁדּוֹד הַשְׁמִיעוּ — Hifil imperative 2mp of שׁ־מ־ע, “to cause to hear, proclaim.” This command sets a prophetic tone: “Proclaim!” or “Cause to be heard!” — addressed to unspecified messengers (possibly angelic or symbolic witnesses). עַל־אַרְמְנֹות בְּאַשְׁדּוֹד — “upon the palaces of Ashdod” אַרְמְנֹות — “palaces, fortresses” (plural of אַרְמוֹן) בְּאַשְׁדּוֹד — “in Ashdod,” a major Philistine city The grammar and geography combine to create ironic witnesses: foreign nations are called to observe Israel’s crimes.… Learn Hebrew
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