| 11. Linguistic Exegesis The verse is a single coordinated clause structured by vav-consecutive Hiphil sequences. The initial vav-consecutive imperfect vayyegelel {וַיֶּגֶל | vayyegelel} ‘and he exiled’ governs melek-’Ashur {מֶלֶךְ-אַשּׁוּר | melek-’Ashur} ‘the king of Assyria’ with et marking yisra’el {יִשְׂרָאֵל | yisra’el} ‘Israel’ as object. The directional suffix in Ashurah {אַשּׁוּרָה | Ashurah} indicates movement into Assyria. A second vav-consecutive Hiphil imperfect vayyanchēm {וַיַּנְחֵ֞ם | vayyanchēm} ‘and he settled them’ introduces a chain of locative phrases—ba-ḥalah {בַּחְלַ֧ח | ba-ḥalah} ‘in Halah’, uve-ḥabor {וּבְחָבּוֹר | uve-ḥabor} ‘and in Habor’, nehar Gozan {נְהַר גּוֹזָן | nehar Gozan} ‘the Gozan River’, ve-’arei Madai {וְעָרֵי מָדָֽי | ve-’arei Madai} ‘and the cities of Media’. The coordination of causative verbs and directional forms creates a flowing narrative that emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Israel’s forced migration and systematic resettlement. |