דָּם־נָקִֽי׃

Alphabet Analysis

The word

1. word🔊 דָּם־נָקִֽי׃

   DAM-na-KI

   innocent blood
2. phraseyour reading level🔊 שֹׁפְכ֥וֹת דָּם־נָקִֽי׃

   shof-KHOT DAM-na-KI

   shedding or pouring out innocent blood
3. clause🔊 וְ֝יָדַ֗יִם שֹׁפְכ֥וֹת דָּם־נָקִֽי׃

   ve-ya-DA-yim shof-KHOT DAM-na-KI

   and hands shedding or pouring out innocent blood
4. sentence🔊 עֵינַ֣יִם רָ֭מוֹת לְשׁ֣וֹן שָׁ֑קֶר וְ֝יָדַ֗יִם שֹׁפְכ֥וֹת דָּם־נָקִֽי׃

   e-NA-yim ra-MOT le-SHON SHA-ker ve-ya-DA-yim shof-KHOT DAM-na-KI

   eyes high or haughty a tongue of lie or falsehood and hands shedding or pouring out innocent blood

Exegesis

The verse lists three parallel nominal phrases introduced without a finite verb to heighten impact: einayim ramot {עֵינַיִם רָמוֹת | ʾê-nă-yim rā-mōt} ‘lofty eyes’, leshon sheqer {לְשׁוֹן שָׁקֶר | lə-šōn šā-qer} ‘lying tongue’, and yadayim shofechot dam-naki {יָדַיִם שֹׁפְכוֹת דָּם־נָקִי | yă-da-yim šof-fe-chōt dām-nā-qî} ‘hands shedding innocent blood’. The adjective ramot modifies the dual noun einayim to denote arrogance. Leshon sheqer is a construct chain that links speech with falsehood, intensifying the deceit. The participle shofechot agrees with the dual yadayim, indicating habitual violent action. The construct dam-naki specifies the blood’s innocence, underscoring the gravity of the offense. The coordinating vav before yadayim closes the series, emphasizing the culminating sin. English translation employs parallel structure and article insertion for clarity while preserving Hebrew rhythm.

Root and etymology

n-q-y🔊 nun–qof–yod

“clean, guiltless”

• 🔊 נַקִּיָּהnakiyahcleansingPsalms 51:2