| 7. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the vav-adverbial ve-atta {וְעַתָּ֕ה | wə-ʿattāh} introducing an urgent exhortation. The Qal jussive yehi {יְהִ֥י | yəhî} pairs with the noun pachad {פַּֽחַד | paḥaḏ} to form a call for reverential fear of Yahweh {יְהוָ֖ה | Yəhōwāh}, followed by the prepositional phrase alei-khem {עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם | ʿălêḵem}. The imperatives shimru {שִׁמְרוּ | šimrû} and va-asu {וַעֲשׂ֔וּ | wa-ʿăśû} create a parallel structure urging obedience in both preservation and action. The causal conjunction ki {כִּֽי | kî} introduces a negative existential clause with ein {אֵ֞ין | ʾên} prefaced by im {עִם־ | ʿim}, specifying that with Yahweh Eloheinu {אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ | ʾĕlōhênû} there is no avlah {עַוְלָ֛ה | ʿāwālāh}, massa panim {מַשֹּׂא פָנִים | masśāʾ pānîm}, or mikach shochad {מִקַּח־שֹׁחַד | məqqāḥ šōḥaḏ}, an enumerative parallelism that underscores divine justice and impartiality. |