| 12. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with vav-prefixed verb vayyira {וַיִּירָא | vay-yirā’} indicating a successive narrative action and establishing David’s emotional response. The particle et {אֶת | ʾet} marks the direct object ha’elohim {הָאֱלֹהִים | hā-ʾĕ-lō-hîm}, highlighting the specific object of fear. The temporal expression bayom hahu {בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא | ba-yōm ha-hū’} situates the event concretely “on that day,” while lemor {לֵאמֹר | lē-ʾmōr} introduces David’s speech. The interrogative structure heikh avi elai {הֵיךְ אָבִיא אֵלַי | hēyikh ʾā-vî ʾē-lay} combines how with first-person imperfect to pose a rhetorical question of bringing the ark. The construct et aron ha’elohim {אֵת אֲרוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים | ʾet ʾărōn hā-ʾĕ-lō-hîm} underscores the ark’s sacred identity. English SVO order clarifies the question while preserving the deferential tone toward the divine presence. |