| 1. Linguistic Exegesis The opening vav-consecutive verb vayehi {וַיְהִ֤י | wə-yhî} “and it happened” sets the narrative framework for a prophetic pronouncement. The construct phrase devar-yəhōwāh {דְבַר־יְהוָה֙ | də-ḇār-yəhōwāh} “word of Yahweh” functions as the subject of a nominal clause. The prepositional phrase el-yehu ben-hanani {אֶל־יֵה֣וּא בֶן־חֲנָ֔נִי | ʾel-yēhûʾ ben-ḥănānî} identifies the recipient of the oracle. The preposition al-baʿšāʾ {עַל־בַּעְשָׁ֖א | ʿal-baʿšāʾ} carries an adversative sense (“against Baasha”) typical of judgment oracles. The infinitive leemor {לֵאמֹֽר | lē-ʾǎmôr} introduces the forthcoming direct speech. The sequence VSO + two prepositional phrases + infinitive is characteristic of prophetic formulae, emphasizing divine initiative and authority. |