| 2. Linguistic Exegesis The temporal adverb az {אָז | ʾāz} ‘then’ sets the narrative moment, followed by amar {אָמַר | ʾāmar} introducing David’s command. The negation lo {לֹא | lōʾ} preceding the infinitive laset {לָשֵׂאת | lāśēt} imposes prohibition. The direct object marker et {אֶת | ʾet} introduces et-aron haelohim {אֶת־אֲרֹן הָאֱלֹהִים | ʾet-ʾārōn hāʾĕlōhîm} ‘the ark of God.’ An exception clause im-haleviim {אִם־הַלְוִיִּים | ʾim-haləwiyyîm} ‘except the Levites’ establishes exclusivity. The conjunction ki {כִּי | kî} ‘for’ signals divine rationale, with bam {בָּם | bām} ‘in them’ and bachar {בָּחַר | bāḥar} ‘he chose’ highlighting election. Two coordinated infinitives—laset {לָשֵׂאת | lāśēt} ‘to carry’ and ule-sarto {וּלְשָׁרְת֖וֹ | û-lə-šā-rə-tô} ‘to minister’—outline the Levites’ duties, while ad-olam {עַד־עוֹלָם | ʿad-ʿôlām} ‘forever’ defines perpetual service. English infinitival structures mirror the Hebrew to preserve the focus on exclusive, divinely appointed ministry. |