| 11. Linguistic Exegesis The opening vehayah {וְהָיָ֗ה | wə-hā-yāh} introduces the prophetic formula for what will occur. The temporal clause ki-mal'u yamekha {כִּֽי־מָלְא֤וּ יָמֶ֙יךָ֙ | kî-mā-lə-’û yā-me-ḵā} uses a Qal perfect to denote the completion of David’s lifespan. The infinitive lalechet im-avotekha {לָלֶכֶת עִם־אֲבֹתֶיךָ | lā-le-ḵeṯ ʿim-’a-vo-te-ḵā} functions idiomatically as “to go to the ancestors,” a euphemism for death. Divine initiative is marked by the Hiphil perfect verbs vahakimoti {וַהֲקִֽימוֹתִ֤י | wa-ha-qī-mō-ṯî} and vahachinoti {וַהֲכִינוֹתִ֖י | wa-ha-ḥi-nō-ṯî}, emphasizing God’s causative action. The relative clause asher yihyeh mibanekha {אֲשֶׁר יִהְיֶ֖ה מִבָּנֶ֑יךָ | ’a-šer yi-hyê-hā min-bā-ne-ḵā} restricts the promised seed to David’s direct offspring, underscoring dynastic continuity. |