| 22. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the vav-consecutive Qal imperfect verb vayishkav {וַיִּשְׁכַּב | wayyiškav} ‘and he lay down,’ a set phrase denoting death. This is followed by the prepositional phrase im avotav {עִם־אֲבֹתָיו | ʿim–ʾavōtāw} ‘with his fathers,’ marking the subject’s passing in relation to ancestors. The narrative then employs another vav-consecutive Qal imperfect verb vayimlokh {וַיִּמְלֹךְ | wayyimlōḵ} ‘and he reigned,’ introducing the accession of Pekahyah. The construct beno {בְּנוֹ | bə-nô} ‘his son’ combined with the prepositional noun takhtav {תַּחְתָּיו | taḥtāw} ‘in his place’ forms a phrase specifying the successor’s identity and office. The compact sequence of vav-consecutives and nominal phrases underscores the seamless transition in royal succession. |