הֶן־עָם כְּלָבִי יָקוּם וְכַאֲרִי יִתְנַשָּׂא לֹא יִשְׁכַּב עַד־יֹאכַל טֶרֶף וְדַם חֲלָלִים
עָם (am)
A people / nation / community
Not just individuals, but a collective with shared identity and destiny. Here referring to Israel.
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כְּלָבִי (kelavi)
Like a lioness
From levi (lioness). The image is of feminine power, fierce in protecting and hunting. The sages sometimes see this as symbolizing Israel’s hidden strength—quiet but unstoppable when aroused.
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יָקוּם (yakum)
Rises / will rise
This is not just standing up, but a rising to purpose, awakening from stillness to action.
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וְכַאֲרִי (veka’ari)
And like a lion
Now masculine force. Together, the lioness and lion evoke complete might: protective, nurturing, dominant, sovereign.
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יִתְנַשָּׂא (yitnasa)
Lifts itself up / exalts itself
From nasa (to lift, raise, exalt). A spiritual as well as physical rising, indicating readiness and dignity.
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לֹא יִשְׁכַּב (lo yishkav)
It will not lie down / rest
No return to passivity or slumber until its purpose is fulfilled.
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עַד (ad)
Until
A marker of determination—persistence to the end.
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יֹאכַל טֶרֶף (yochal teref)
It devours prey
Teref is the torn piece, the portion seized. Symbol of victory over adversaries.
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וְדַם חֲלָלִים יִשְׁתֶּה (vedam chalalim yishteh)
And the blood of the slain it will drink
A stark image of completeness in conquest, often read metaphorically in rabbinic and mystical traditions—not glorifying violence, but signifying triumph over forces that would destroy holiness.
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