| 2. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the vav-consecutive clause introduced by wayyaas {וַיַּעַשׂ | wayyaʿaś} “and he did,” continuing the narrative. The direct object hāraʿ {הָרַע | hāraʿ} “the evil” is framed by the prepositional phrase be’einei Yahweh {בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה | bə·‘ē·nê Yəhōwāh} “in the eyes of the LORD,” indicating divine evaluation. The simile ketôavot hagoyim {כְּתֽוֹעֲבֹת הַגּוֹיִם | kə·tô·‘ă·wō·ṯ ha·gô·yim} “like the abominations of the nations” intensifies the moral condemnation. The relative clause asher horish Yahweh {אֲשֶׁר הוֹרִישׁ יְהוָה | ’ă·šer hô·rîš Yəhōwāh} “which the LORD drove out” attributes Israel’s inheritance to divine agency. The phrase mipnei bnei Yisraʼel {מִפְּנֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל | mippənê bə·nê yiṣrā’ēl} “from before the sons of Israel” highlights covenantal territory. The juxtaposition of idolatrous imitation with divine scrutiny underscores the king’s moral failure under God’s standard. |