Introduction to Isaiah 5:1
Isaiah 5:1 introduces the famous “Song of the Vineyard,” a poetic allegory describing YHWH’s relationship with Israel through the imagery of a vineyard. The opening verb אָשִׁירָה (ʾāšîrāh) is in the cohortative form, a grammatical structure often used to express intention, resolve, or exhortation in Biblical Hebrew. This analysis will explore the morphology, syntactic role, and semantic significance of אָשִׁירָה in its literary and prophetic context.
אָשִׁ֤ירָה נָּא֙ לִֽידִידִ֔י שִׁירַ֥ת דֹּודִ֖י לְכַרְמֹ֑ו כֶּ֛רֶם הָיָ֥ה לִֽידִידִ֖י בְּקֶ֥רֶן בֶּן־שָֽׁמֶן׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
The Cohortative verb אָשִׁירָה (ʾāšîrāh) appears at the beginning of the verse:
אָשִׁ֤ירָה נָּא֙ לִֽידִידִ֔י
This phrase consists of:
- אָשִׁירָה (ʾāšîrāh) – “Let me sing” (Cohortative verb).
- נָּא (nā) – “Please” or “Now” (particle of entreaty or emphasis).
- לִֽידִידִ֔י (lîdîdî) – “For my beloved” (prepositional phrase, indicating the recipient).
The verb אָשִׁירָה is the focus of our grammatical analysis.
Explanation of Grammatical Function
Morphological Analysis of אָשִׁירָה
The verb אָשִׁירָה is derived from the root שִׁיר (š-y-r), meaning “to sing.” It appears in the Cohortative form, which is a specialized volitional form of the first-person imperfect.
Parsing Details
- Root: שִׁיר (š-y-r)
- Form: Cohortative, 1st-person Singular
- Translation: “Let me sing” or “I will sing.”
The Function of the Cohortative Form
The Cohortative is a volitional form of the first-person imperfect in Biblical Hebrew. It is used to express:
- Intention: “I will sing.”
- Desire or Resolve: “Let me sing.”
- Exhortation or Encouragement: “I shall now sing.”
In Isaiah 5:1, אָשִׁירָה expresses a deliberate decision to sing a song of lament or reflection regarding YHWH’s vineyard (Israel).
The Role of נָּא in Modifying the Cohortative
The particle נָּא (nā) is often used in imperative and cohortative constructions to add emphasis, politeness, or immediacy. In this context, אָשִׁירָה נָּא can be translated as:
- “Let me sing now” (emphasizing immediacy).
- “I will indeed sing” (reinforcing the speaker’s resolve).
- “I shall sing, please” (politeness or entreaty).
Lexical and Semantic Nuances
The root שִׁיר (š-y-r) is used frequently in the Hebrew Bible for expressions of joy, worship, and lament:
- Exodus 15:1 – אָשִׁירָה לַיהוָה כִּי גָאֹה גָּאָה (ʾāšîrāh la-YHWH kî gāʾōh gāʾāh), “Let me sing to YHWH, for He has triumphed gloriously.”
- Psalm 13:6 – אָשִׁירָה לַיהוָה כִּי גָמַל עָלָי (ʾāšîrāh la-YHWH kî gāmāl ʿālay), “I will sing to YHWH, for He has dealt bountifully with me.”
In Isaiah 5:1, the use of אָשִׁירָה introduces a prophetic song of lament, setting the tone for YHWH’s indictment against Israel.
Word Order and Syntax
The phrase אָשִׁירָה נָּא לִידִידִי follows a verb-particle-object structure:
- אָשִׁירָה – “Let me sing” (Cohortative verb).
- נָּא – “Now / Please” (particle, adding emphasis).
- לִידִידִי – “For my beloved” (prepositional phrase, identifying the recipient of the song).
This word order emphasizes the act of singing, while the beloved (YHWH) is the primary recipient.
The Role of אָשִׁירָה in Isaiah 5:1
The Cohortative verb אָשִׁירָה in Isaiah 5:1 is crucial for establishing the poetic and prophetic tone of the passage. It signals the prophet’s resolve to deliver a message, blending elements of lament, reflection, and divine justice.
By using the Cohortative form, Isaiah introduces the “Song of the Vineyard” as both a personal expression and a divine pronouncement, inviting the audience to engage with the metaphor of Israel as YHWH’s vineyard and the impending consequences of its failure to bear fruit.
