| 42. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with a sequential narrative framework using vayyabet {וַיַּבֵּ֧ט | va-yyabbēṭ} ‘and he looked’ immediately followed by vayireh {וַיִּרְאֶ֥ה | va-yiriʾēh} ‘and he saw’, highlighting the Philistine’s focused observation. The subject haplishti {הַפְּלִשְׁתִּ֛י | ha-pəlîštî} ‘the Philistine’ precedes these verbs, centering his perspective. The direct object marker et {אֶת־ | ʾet} introduces David {דָּוִ֖ד | dāwîḏ} into view. A causal clause led by ki {כִּֽי־ | kî} ‘for’ links to hayah {הָיָ֣ה | hāyâ} ‘he was’ with na'ar {נַ֔עַר | naʿār} ‘youth’ as complement. The descriptive chain veadmoni {וְאַדְמֹנִ֖י | wə-ʾadmōnî} ‘ruddy’ and im yefeh mareh {עִם־יְפֵ֥ה מַרְאֶֽה | ʿim yəp̄ê marʾēh} ‘with handsome appearance’ builds David’s visual portrayal. The structure transitions from action to characterization, employing coordination and nominal clauses to shape the Philistine’s contemptuous response. |