| 23. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the conjunction vehu {וְהוּא | wə-hûʾ} linking to the prior narrative and the Piel participle medabber {מְדַבֵּר | mə-ḏab-bêr} ‘speaking,’ indicating ongoing dialogue. The shift introduced by vehineh {וְהִנֵּה | wə-hinnēh} ‘and behold’ spotlights ish habbenayim {אִישׁ הַבֵּנַיִם | ʾîš hab-bē-na-yim}, designating the duel combatant. The Qal participle oleh {עוֹלֶה | ʿō-lēh} ‘ascending’ conveys movement from the Philistine lines, detailed by the locatives migat {מִגַּת | mi-gat} ‘from Gath,’ mimmamarot {מממערות | mim-ma-mar-ō-wṯ} ‘from caves,’ and mimmaarkhot pelishtim {מִמַּעַרְכֹּת פְּלִשְׁתִּים | mim-ma-ʿar-kōṯ pə-liš-ṭîm} ‘from the ranks of the Philistines.’ The vav-consecutive Piel vayedabber {וַיְדַבֵּר | way-ya-ḏḏēr} ‘and he spoke’ resumes the action, and the comparative phrase kaddevarim haeleh {כַּדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה | kaḏ-də-ḇā-rîm hā-’el-leh} ‘the same words’ indicates repetition of his taunt. The narrative climaxes with the vav-consecutive Qal vayishma {וַיִּשְׁמַע | way-yiš-ma‘} ‘and he heard,’ highlighting David’s perception of Goliath’s challenge. |