| 25. Linguistic Exegesis The discourse shift is signaled by the adverbial ve’atta {וְעַתָּה | wə-ʿattâ} ‘and now’, introducing an urgent appeal. The Qal imperative sa {שָׂא | să’} ‘lift up/forgive’ is tempered by the entreaty particle na {נָא | nā’} for polite request. The particle et {אֶת | ’et} marks the direct object ḥaṭṭātî {חַטָּאתִי | ḥaṭ-ṭā-’ṯî} ‘my sin’. The conjunction wə-šûḇ {וְשׁוּב | wə-šûḇ} ‘and return’ extends the appeal, followed by the cohortative Hithpael wə-’eštahăvēh {וְאֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶה | wə-’eštahă-vêh} ‘and let me bow down’, expressing intended worship. The preposition lā- before Yahweh {יְהוָה | Yahweh} ‘to the LORD’ designates the addressee. The series of vav+imperatives underscores the threefold petition: pardon, reconciliation, and worship. |