| 13. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the interrogative particle aiyo {אַיּוֹ | ʾayyō} ‘where?’ introducing a rhetorical question. It then enumerates a series of nominal phrases joined by the copulative conjunction u {וּ | ū} ‘and.’ Each phrase pairs the head noun melekh {מֶֽלֶךְ | me-leḵ} ‘king’ with its geographic designation—khamat {חֲמָת | ḥa-māṯ} ‘Hamath,’ arpad {אַרְפָּד | ʾar-pāḏ} ‘Arpad,’ and the construct la’ir sefarvayim {לָעִיר סְפַרְוָיִם | lā-ʾîr sə-phar-vā-yīm} ‘the city of Sepharvaim.’ A final coordinate listing attaches hena {הֵנַע | hē-nāʿ} ‘Hena’ and ivvah {עִוָּה | ʿiw-wāh} ‘Ivvah.’ The repeated melekh ‘king’ and coordinated structure create a cumulative effect that underscores the complete subjugation of these rulers. |