| 11. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative unfolds through three direct address sequences introduced by wayyōmer {וַיֹּ֨אמֶר | wayyōmer} ‘and he said’, creating a progression from inquiry to response to command. The interrogative hattammū hanəʿārîm {הֲתַמּוּ הַנְּעָרִים | hattammū hanəʿārîm} uses a Qal perfect to ask about completion. The adverbial pair ʿōḏ šāʾar {עוֹד שָׁאַ֣ר | ʿōḏ šāʾar} emphasizes continued status. The participial clause wəhinnēh rōʿēh baṣṣōʾn {וְהִנֵּה רֹעֶה בַּצֹּאן | wəhinnēh rōʿēh baṣṣōʾn} shifts into narrative description. The imperatives šilḥāh wəqāḥennû {שִׁלְחָה וְקָחֶ֔נּוּ | šilḥāh wəqāḥennû} convey urgent parallel commands, and the negative imperfect lōʾ nāsōḇ ʿad-bōʾô pōh {לֹא־נָסֹב עַד־בֹּא֥וֹ פֹֽה | lōʾ nāsōḇ ʿad-bōʾô pōh} expresses a formal vow not to move until arrival. These structures are preserved in translation by clear clause boundaries and retention of Hebrew emphasis. |