מִ֤י ה֣וּא זֶה֮ מֶ֤לֶךְ הַכָּ֫בֹ֥וד יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֹ֑ות ה֤וּא מֶ֖לֶךְ הַכָּבֹ֣וד סֶֽלָה׃
Contextual Introduction
Psalm 24 is a liturgical poem celebrating YHWH’s entry into His sanctuary. Verse 10 concludes a call-and-response section likely used in temple worship, where a procession approaches the gates and is challenged with a rhetorical question: “Who is this King of Glory?” The verse uses interrogative pronouns, emphatic pronoun repetition, and climactic parallelism to magnify YHWH’s supreme identity. Syntax here is dramatic, almost theatrical, suited to public declaration.
Grammatical Focus: Interrogative Pronouns, Emphatic Copulas, and Appositional Identifiers
1. מִ֤י ה֣וּא זֶה֮ – Interrogative Structure with Emphatic Pronoun
– מִ֤י (“who”) introduces a rhetorical question.
– ה֣וּא (“he”) is an emphatic third person masculine singular pronoun.
– זֶה֮ (“this”) functions demonstratively, enhancing the sense of immediacy and presence.
Together: “Who is He, this…?”
2. מֶ֤לֶךְ הַכָּ֫בֹ֥וד – Appositional Title in Construct Chain
– מֶ֤לֶךְ (“king”) in construct with הַכָּ֫בֹ֥וד (“the glory”) = “King of Glory.”
– The article הַ attached only to כָּבֹד marks the entire phrase as definite.
3. יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֹ֑ות – Divine Name with Military Apposition
– יְהוָ֥ה (YHWH) is the Tetragrammaton.
– צְבָאֹ֑ות (“of hosts”) is a genitive construction indicating heavenly armies—emphasizing divine power and authority.
4. ה֤וּא מֶ֖לֶךְ הַכָּבֹ֣וד – Repetition with Emphatic Climax
– ה֤וּא (“He”) restates the subject for emphasis.
– The repetition of מֶ֖לֶךְ הַכָּבֹ֣וד (“King of Glory”) is climactic and liturgical—confirming the answer to the opening question.
5. סֶֽלָה – Liturgical Pause
– סֶֽלָה is a musical or liturgical marker, possibly indicating pause or crescendo.
Theological and Literary Implications
The grammatical construction of the verse amplifies the mystery and majesty of YHWH. The rhetorical question followed by emphatic identification reflects Israel’s view of YHWH as both transcendent and immanent. The phrase יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֹ֑ות links kingship to divine might, contrasting with human rulers.
Repetition functions not merely poetically but doctrinally: it teaches, affirms, and calls for response. In the temple setting, this structure draws worshipers into an interactive declaration of faith.
Versions and Comparative Observations
The Septuagint reads: Τίς ἐστιν οὗτος ὁ βασιλεὺς τῆς δόξης; Κύριος τῶν δυνάμεων, αὐτὸς βασιλεὺς τῆς δόξης. Διάψαλμα—retaining interrogative drama and liturgical function.
The Vulgate: Quis est iste Rex gloriae? Dominus virtutum ipse est Rex gloriae. Diapsalma—similar in its elevated tone.
Later Jewish liturgy echoes this psalm in processions and high holy days, especially in references to divine kingship and the coming of the Shekhinah.
Who Enters the Gates? Syntax of the Glorious King
Psalm 24:10 crafts majesty from question and answer. The interrogative syntax challenges the listener; the emphatic repetition answers with awe. Through grammar, theology is proclaimed: not just any king, but YHWH of hosts—He is the King of Glory. Selah.
