| 22. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the negative imperative particle al {אַל | ʾal} ‘do not’, initiating a double prohibition. It frames two coordinated verbs: tiggəʾû {תִּגְּעוּ | tiggəʾû} ‘touch’ (Qal imperfect 2nd person masculine plural) and ṭārēʿû {תָּרֵעוּ | ṭārēʿû} ‘cause harm’ (Hiphil imperfect 2nd person masculine plural). Each verb is linked to a prepositional phrase—bimšīḥāy {בִּמְשִׁיחָי | bimšīḥāy} ‘in my anointed ones’ and ūbənəḇîʾāy {וּבִנְבִיאַי | ūbənəḇîʾāy} ‘and in my prophets’—where the nouns in construct state with a first person singular suffix underscore divine possession. The vav-conjunction ū- plus preposition marks the parallel second object, stressing that both groups share equal protection. The English maintains the Hebrew word order and parallel negation to preserve the force of God’s safeguarding. |