| 16. Linguistic Exegesis The verse uses two parallel vav-consecutive sequences to convey narrative continuity. The first sequence (vayelekh Ovadyahu likrat Akhav) employs the infinitive construct likrat {לִקְרַ֥את | liqrāʾt} ‘to meet’ to express purpose and directional intent, while vayagged-lo {וַיַּגֶּד־ל֑וֹ | wayyaggēd lō} ‘and he told him’ introduces the content of the encounter. The second sequence repeats vayelekh with Akhav as the subject, indicating Ahab’s responsive movement toward the same goal. The parallelism of these constructions underscores the symmetry between the envoy’s mission and the king’s action, framing Elijah as the focal point of both visits. |