| 27. Linguistic Exegesis The verse comprises two sequential clauses introduced by the vav-consecutive verb way-yō-mer {וַיֹּאמֶר | way-yō-mer}, which initiates a divine speech act addressing la-mal-ʾākh {לַמַּלְאָךְ | la-mal-ʾākh} as the indirect object. The second vav-consecutive verb way-yā-šev {וַיָּשֶׁב | way-yā-šev} describes the angel’s responsive action. The noun ḥar-bō {חַרְבּוֹ | ḥar-bō} carries a third person masculine singular pronominal suffix denoting possession, and the phrase ʾel-nə-dā-nāh {אֶל־נְדָנָהּ | ʾel-nə-dā-nāh} functions as a directional expression indicating motion into the sheath. The VSO word order in both clauses underscores the immediate compliance of the angel following the LORD’s command. |