| 20. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with a paratactic list introduced by the conjunction vav {וְ | wə} “and” prefixed to each personal name, a common Hebrew enumeration structure. The phrase binvalim {בִּנְבָלִים | bin-vā-lîm} “with harps” combines the preposition be {בְּ | bə} “with” and nevelim {נֶבֶלִים | nevelim} “harps” in its plural form, indicating the musical medium. The clause al-alamoth {עַל־עֲלָמֹת | ʿal-ʿă-lā-mōṯ} “on the alamoth register” combines the preposition al {עַל | ʿal} “on, according to” with alamoth {עֲלָמוֹת | ʿă-lā-mōṯ}, a technical term for a high-pitched or soprano musical style. |