| 3. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative shifts into direct speech with vayomer {וַיֹּ֣אמֶר | va-yō-mer}, the vav consecutive prefix marking reported speech. The jussive yō-sêp̄ {יוֹסֵף֩ | yō-sêp̄} conveys a prayerful wish “may He add,” reinforced by the comparative clause kā-hēm mē-ʼāh pə-ʿam-mîm {כָּהֵם מֵאָה פְּעָמִים | kā-hēm mē-ʼāh pə-ʿam-mîm} “like them one hundred times,” emphasizing divine multiplication. The pronominal suffix in ʿal-ʿam-mō {עַל־עַמּוֹ | ʿal-ʿam-mō} binds the covenant LORD to His people. The interrogatives hă-lōʾ {הֲלֹא | hă-lōʾ} and lā-māh {לָמָּה | lā-māh} structure a rhetorical objection, first noting servant status in ʼă-ḏō-nî ham-mé-lekh kul-lām la-ʼă-ḏō-nî la-ʿă-ḇā-ḏîm {אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ כֻּלָּם לַאֲדֹנִי לַעֲבָדִים} and then warning in yiḥ-yēh lə-ʼaš-māh {יִהְיֶה לְאַשְׁמָה} “should it be for guilt.” The progression from blessing to caution mirrors the Hebrew clause order, preserving rhetorical drive and thematic contrast. |