| 10. Linguistic Exegesis The Hebrew text presents the numeral phrase ve-arbaim ve-achat shanah before the verb in keeping with the cardinal construction. Malakh {מָלַךְ | mālaḵ} serves as a Qal perfect verb indicating a completed action of reign. The locative bi-yerushalayim {בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑יִם | bîrûšālāyim} identifies the geographic scope of the reign. The coordinated clause ve-shem immo maakah introduces the queen mother, and the construct chain bat-avishalom uses the maqqef to bind ‘daughter’ to ‘Abishalom.’ In English, the formal combines these elements into one flowing sentence, while the dynamic separates the reign and maternal statement for clarity, preserving genealogical and dynastic emphasis. |