| 16. Linguistic Exegesis The clause begins with the vav-consecutive verb vayyiggash {וַיִּגַּ֥שׁ | va-yyig-gaš} ‘and he drew near’, propelling the narrative. The definite noun hapelisti {הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֖י | hap̄elištî} functions as the subject. The infinitive absolutes haskem {הַשְׁכֵּ֣ם | haš-kem} ‘morning’ and lehaarev?
The infinitive absolutes haskem {הַשְׁכֵּ֣ם | haš-kem} ‘morning’ and vehaarev {וְהַעֲרֵ֑ב | və-ha-ʿă-rev} ‘evening’ serve adverbially to indicate repeated timing. The Hitpael verb vayyityatstsev {וַיִּתְיַצֵּ֖ב | va-yyi-ṭa-ṣēv} ‘and he took his stand’ emphasizes resolute posture. The construct arbaim yom {אַרְבָּעִ֥ים יוֹם | arba-ʿîm yōm} denotes the precise duration of forty days. The English reconstructions mirror this repetition and firmness through parallel structures. |