יִמְעָ֑טוּ

𐤉𐤌𐤏𐤈𐤅

mâʻaṭ

will be few

To become or make small, few, or diminished; to reduce or be reduced in number, size, importance, or effectiveness. The verb is used both transitively ('to cause to diminish, to lessen') and intransitively ('to be diminished, dwindle, become few or small'). The term can refer to physical size, numerical quantity, or metaphorically the reduction of status, power, or influence.

H4591

Isaiah 21:17 · Word #7

Lexicon H4591

Lemmaמָעַט
Lemma (Paleo)𐤌𐤏𐤈
Transliterationmâʻaṭ
Strong'sH4591
DefinitionTo become or make small, few, or diminished; to reduce or be reduced in number, size, importance, or effectiveness. The verb is used both transitively ('to cause to diminish, to lessen') and intransitively ('to be diminished, dwindle, become few or small'). The term can refer to physical size, numerical quantity, or metaphorically the reduction of status, power, or influence.

Morphology HVqi3mp All morphology codes

Part of Speech V — Verb — An action or state
Binyan q — Qal — Simple active
Conjugation i — Imperfect — Incomplete or ongoing action
Person 3 — 3rd person — Third person ("he/she/they")
Gender m — Masculine — Masculine
Number p — Plural — Plural

Common Translation

Phrasewill be few

SIBI-P1 Translation H4591-15

they will become few

Morphological NotesVerb, Qal stem, imperfect (yiqtol), 3rd person masculine plural; intransitive sense "to become few/diminish."
Rendering RationaleThe Qal stem carries the simple intransitive sense "to become small/few" or "to diminish." The imperfect 3rd masculine plural form is rendered "they will become few," preserving both the future aspect and plural masculine subject.

View full lexicon entry for H4591 →

SILEX v2

SIBI-P2 (Context-Aware)

they will become few

Same as P1Yes
RationaleP1 is accurate. The verb is best rendered as 'they will become few' in this hostile reduction context.