וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה דַּבֵּר֮ אֶל־אַהֲרֹ֣ן אָחִיךָ֒ וְאַל־יָבֹ֤א בְכָל־עֵת֙ אֶל־הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ מִבֵּ֖ית לַפָּרֹ֑כֶת אֶל־פְּנֵ֨י הַכַּפֹּ֜רֶת אֲשֶׁ֤ר עַל־הָאָרֹן֙ וְלֹ֣א יָמ֔וּת כִּ֚י בֶּֽעָנָ֔ן אֵרָאֶ֖ה עַל־הַכַּפֹּֽרֶת׃
(Leviticus 16:2)
This verse offers a powerful combination of divine command, warning, and sacred instruction. It’s full of useful Hebrew grammar, including verbs in imperative and imperfect forms, negative commands, prepositional phrases, and subordinate clauses. Let’s carefully explore how it all fits together.
English Translation (Plain and Faithful)
And the LORD said to Moshe, “Speak to Aharon your brother, that he not come at all times into the sanctuary behind the curtain, before the atonement-cover that is on the ark, so that he not die—for in a cloud I will appear upon the atonement-cover.”
How the Hebrew Sentence Is Built
This is a complex command sentence made of smaller pieces. Here’s how the structure flows:
- YHWH speaks to Moshe → וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה
- He commands Moshe to speak to Aharon → דַּבֵּר אֶל־אַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ
- He gives a prohibition: “Do not enter…” → וְאַל־יָבֹא בְכָל־עֵת
- Followed by where not to go, and why → מִבֵּית לַפָּרֹכֶת … כִּי בֶּעָנָן אֵרָאֶה
The rhythm is clear: instruction → command → warning → reason. Each verb and phrase plays a distinct role in unfolding this sacred law.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
| Hebrew Word | Meaning | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| וַיֹּאמֶר | and He said | Past tense (wayyiqtol) verb from אָמַר, third person masculine singular. The prefix וַ means “and.” |
| יְהוָה | LORD (YHWH) | The subject of the sentence—He is the one speaking to Moshe. |
| אֶל־מֹשֶׁה | to Moshe | Prepositional phrase. אֶל = “to.” Moshe is the recipient of the command. |
| דַּבֵּר | Speak | Imperative verb (command) from דָבַר. 2nd person masculine singular—Moshe is being told to speak. |
| אֶל־אַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ | to Aharon your brother | Preposition אֶל + proper noun אַהֲרֹן. אָחִיךָ = “your brother” (construct form of “brother” + 2nd person masc. sing. suffix). |
| וְאַל־יָבֹא | and let him not come | This is a negative command. אַל introduces a prohibition. יָבֹא is an imperfect verb from בּוֹא (to come). |
| בְכָל־עֵת | at all times | בְ = “at/in,” כָל = “all,” עֵת = “time.” Together: “at any time.” |
| אֶל־הַקֹּדֶשׁ | into the sanctuary | Again אֶל = “to/into,” and הַקֹּדֶשׁ is “the sanctuary” or “holy place.” |
| מִבֵּית לַפָּרֹכֶת | from inside the veil | Compound phrase: מִבֵּית = “from inside,” לַפָּרֹכֶת = “the curtain” (used for the veil separating holy areas). |
| אֶל־פְּנֵי הַכַּפֹּרֶת | before the atonement-cover | פְּנֵי = “face” or “presence of.” הַכַּפֹּרֶת is the cover of the Ark of the Covenant. |
| אֲשֶׁר עַל־הָאָרֹן | which is on the Ark | Relative clause: אֲשֶׁר = “which.” עַל = “on.” הָאָרֹן = “the ark.” |
| וְלֹא יָמוּת | so that he not die | Another negative imperfect verb. יָמוּת = “he will die” from מוּת. The וְלֹא expresses the purpose of the prohibition. |
| כִּי בֶּעָנָן אֵרָאֶה | for in a cloud I will appear | כִּי = “because.” בֶּעָנָן = “in a cloud.” אֵרָאֶה is a passive/reflexive imperfect verb (Niphal stem) meaning “I will appear.” |
| עַל־הַכַּפֹּרֶת | upon the atonement-cover | Same phrase as before—describes the location of God’s appearance. |
Prohibition in Hebrew: A Quick Chart
| Form | Prefix | Verb Form | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Negative command (jussive) | אַל | Imperfect | אַל־יָבֹא — let him not enter |
| Warning purpose clause | וְלֹא | Imperfect | וְלֹא יָמוּת — and he not die |
Unfolding the Pattern
- This verse taught us how Hebrew issues commands and prohibitions using דַּבֵּר and אַל־יָבֹא.
- We learned how prepositional phrases like מִבֵּית לַפָּרֹכֶת and עַל־הַכַּפֹּרֶת set the scene and location.
- We saw how Hebrew explains purpose and warning using the כִּי … אֵרָאֶה clause.
This verse carries both authority and reverence. It reminds us that in Hebrew, even a prohibition is structured beautifully—with action, timing, condition, and sacred space all woven together. You’re learning how holiness and grammar walk hand-in-hand.
