| 2. Linguistic Exegesis The causal conjunction yaʻan {יַעַן | yaʻan} “because” with the relative ’ăšer {אֲשֶׁר | ăšer} “which/that” introduces the reason clause. The phrase harîmōṯîṯîḵā min-hĕ‘āphār {הֲרִימֹתִיךָ מִן־הֶעָפָר | harîmōṯîṯîḵā min-hĕ‘āphār} expresses divine elevation from lowliness. The vav-consecutive verbs wā’ĕtenkā {וָאֶתֶּנְךָ | wā’ĕtenəḵā} and wāṯēleḵ {וַתֵּלֶךְ | wāṯēleḵ} maintain narrative sequence. The construct ’et-’ammî yisrā’él {אֶת־עַמִּי יִשְׂרָאֵל | ’et-’ammî yisrā’él} marks the direct object with emphasis on corporate identity. The prepositional phrase bəderēḵ yārāḇō‘ām {בְּדֶרֶךְ יָרָבְעָם | bə-derēḥ yārāḇō‘ām} denotes following Jeroboam’s example. The infinitive lə-hakkī‘ēṯênî {לְהַכְעִיסֵנִי | lə-hakkī‘ēṯênî} indicates purpose or result. The hiphil imperfect wātaḥăṭṭē’ bĕḥaṭṭōṯām {וַתַּחֲטִא בְּחַטֹּאותָם | wātaḥăṭṭē’ bĕ-ḥaṭṭōṯām} conveys causing sin through their sins. The English rendering preserves Hebrew verb order and narrative vav-consecutive flow, foregrounding divine agency before human disobedience. |