| 30. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with af {אַף | ʾap̄} ‘indeed’ as an adversative intensifier. The conjunction ki {כִּי | kî} introduces a justification clause, and the particle lu {לוּא | lûʾ} marks an unattainable wish. The infinitive absolute akhol {אָכֹל | ʾā-ḵōl} plus the perfect akhal {אָכַל | ʾā-ḵāl} forms a Hebraic idiom for emphatic desire. The construct phrase mishlal oyvav signals “from the plunder of his enemies.” The relative clause asher matsa ‘which he found’ specifies the available spoils. A second ki introduces the result clause where ravtah ‘has increased’ functions as a perfect verb indicating extent, and makkah marks the substantive result. The prepositional phrase ba-pelishtim ‘in the Philistines’ identifies the target. English adds “if only” and “then” to reflect the Hebrew hypothetical and result structure. |