| 16. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the vav-consecutive imperfect vayavo’u {וַיָּבֹאוּ | wayyāḇō’ū} signaling sequential narrative action by ha-malaḵim {הַמַּלְאָכִים | hammālāḵīm}. The particle ve-hinnēh {וְהִנֵּה | wə-hinnēh} introduces sudden visual revelation. The definite noun ha-terappîm {הַתְּרָפִים | hattərāp̄îm} is located el-hamittāh {אֶל־הַמִּטָּה | ʾel-hammittāh}, forming a locative phrase. The construct u-kebîr ha-‘īzzîm mérā’āšôtāw {וּכְבִיר הָעִזִּים מְרַאֲשֹׁתָיו | û-ḵᵉḇîr hā-‘īzzīm mĕrā’ăšōṯāw} uses kebîr as a single pillow of goats’ hair, emphasizing the intimate domestic context and the unexpected presence of idols in an everyday setting. |