OET interlinear NEH 9:29

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

וַ⁠תָּ֨עַד בָּ⁠הֶ֜ם

and,you_warned (is)_in=them

Yahweh did not personally tell the Israelites all the wrong things they were doing. Rather, as [9:26](../09/26.md) explains by using the same expression, Yahweh sent prophets to do this. The Levites are describing the prophets by association with Yahweh, whose message they were bringing. Alternate translation: [you sent prophets to warn the Israelites about all the wrong things they were doing]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

לַ⁠הֲשִׁיבָ֣⁠ם אֶל־תּוֹרָתֶ֗⁠ךָ

to,bring,them_back to/towards law_of,your

The prophets were actually trying to make the people loyal to Yahweh himself once again by calling them to obey Yahweh’s law. The Levites are describing Yahweh by reference to something associated with him, his law. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: [to make them loyal to you once again]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

וְ⁠לֹא־שָׁמְע֤וּ לְ⁠מִצְוֺתֶ֨י⁠ךָ֙

and=not obey to,your(pl)_of,commandments

As in [9:16](../09/16.md), listen in this context is an idiom that means not just to hear a command, but to obey it. If your language has a word for “listen” that also means “obey,” you could use it here. Alternate translation: [did not heed your commands]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

וּ⁠בְ⁠מִשְׁפָּטֶ֣י⁠ךָ חָֽטְאוּ־בָ֔⁠ם

and,in,your(pl)_of,judgments sinned in,them

The people were actually sinning against Yahweh himself. The Levites are describing Yahweh by reference to something associated with him, his “judgments,” meaning the instructions in his law. If it would be helpful in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: [they sinned against you by disobeying your instructions]

וּ⁠בְ⁠מִשְׁפָּטֶ֣י⁠ךָ

and,in,your(pl)_of,judgments

As in [9:13](../09/13.md), this term refers to Yahweh giving the Israelites instructions in the law. It may or may not include a sense of Yahweh passing sentence as a judge. Alternate translation: [And concerning your instructions]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אָדָ֖ם וְ⁠חָיָ֣ה בָ⁠הֶ֑ם

which/who he/it_made/did humankind and,he_will_live in/among=them

Live here does not mean physically live or die. Rather, “live” means to be spiritually alive in relationship with God and to be happy and blessed as a result. The difference between being alive in this way and being separated from God is like the difference between being alive and being dead. Alternate translation: [If a person follows your law, then he is spiritually alive and happy and blessed]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וַ⁠יִּתְּנ֤וּ כָתֵף֙ סוֹרֶ֔רֶת וְ⁠עָרְפָּ֥⁠ם הִקְשׁ֖וּ

and,they_gave shoulder stubborn and,their_of,neck stiffened

These are images of an ox refusing to allow its owner to put a yoke on its shoulders. Here they are a metaphor that represents the people being stubborn. Alternate translation: [They became stubborn]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

וְ⁠לֹ֥א שָׁמֵֽעוּ

and=not listen

Like listen earlier in this verse, “hear” in this context is an idiom that means not just to hear a command, but to obey it. If your language has a word for “hear” that also means “obey,” you could use it here. Alternate translation: [did not heed]