| 1. Linguistic Exegesis The temporal construct bishnat {בִּשְׁנַת | biš-nāṯ} ‘in the year of’ combines a preposition with a construct noun to introduce a regnal date. The compound numeral shva-‘esreh shanah links the cardinal number in construct form with the noun ‘year.’ The prepositional phrase le-Pekach ben-Remalyahu specifies the reigning authority for dating. The verb malakh {מָלַךְ | mā-lak} ‘he reigned’ in Qal perfect precedes its subject Achaz, emphasizing the action of accession. The patronymic ben-Yotam follows Achaz, and the appositional title melek Yehudah {מֶלֶךְ יְהוּדָה | me-lekh ye-hu-dā(h)} identifies his kingdom. English order shifts to subject-verb after the temporal clause to meet target language norms while preserving the emphasis on dating and sovereignty. |