| 18. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the vav-consecutive verb vatomer {וַתֹּאמֶר | vat·tō·mer}, introducing direct speech to the prophet Eliyahu {אֵלִיָּהוּ | ʾĒ·lî·yyā·hû}. The idiom mah-li va-lakh {מַה־לִּי וָלָךְ | māh·lî wā·lāḵ} functions as an adversarial challenge. The designation ish ha-Elohim {אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים | ʾîš hā·ʾĕ·lō·hîm} serves as a prophetic title. The Hiphil infinitives le-hazkir {לְהַזְכִּיר | lə·haz·kîr} and u-le-hamit {וּלְהָמִית | wə·lə·hā·mîṯ} form purpose clauses that heighten the accusation by linking the reminder of sin to the threat against her son. The object marker et {אֶת־ | ʾet} is omitted in the English translation but marks definite objects in Hebrew. This tight clause structure underscores the woman’s confrontation with Elijah. |