| 4. Linguistic Exegesis The causal conjunction ki {כִּי | kî} ‘for, because’ with the preposition lema‘an {לְמַעַן | lə-ma-‘an} ‘for the sake of’ introduces a causal clause explaining divine motivation. The perfect verb natan {נָתַן | nā-ṯān} ‘gave’ predicates the action of Yahweh {יְהוָה | yə-hō-wāh} with possessor Elohav {אֱלֹהָיו | ʾĕ-lō-hā-ḇāw} ‘his God.’ The noun nir {נִיר | nîr} ‘lamp’ functions metaphorically for dynastic continuity, placed birushalayim {בִּירוּשָׁלִָם | bi-rû-ša-lā-yim} ‘in Jerusalem.’ Two Hiphil infinitives, le-hakim {לְהָקִים | lə-hā-qîm} ‘to raise up’ and u-le-hamid {וּלְהַעֲמִיד | ū-lə-ḥa-‘ā-mîḏ} ‘and to establish,’ form complementary purpose clauses indicating succession (beno acharav {בְּנוֹ אַחֲרָיו | bə-nō ’a-ḥa-rāw} ‘his son after him’) and urban foundation. The structure underscores divine provision for maintaining both royal lineage and the stability of the city. |