| 15. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative opens with the vav consecutive vatomer {וַתֹּאמֶר | vəṯːōˈmer} ‘and she said’, marking sequential discourse. The prepositional phrase aleihem {אֲלֵיהֶם | ă-lê-hem} ‘to them’ identifies the hearers. The oracle formula koh-amar {כֹּה־אָמַר | kô-hā-ˈmār} ‘thus says’ introduces divine speech. The compound name Yahweh Elohei Yisrael {יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל | Yə-hō-wāh ʾĕ-lō-ˈhê yis-rā-ˈʾel} ‘LORD God of Israel’ asserts authority. The imperative imru {אִמְרוּ | ˈim-rû} ‘say’ directs the messenger, and the phrase laish asher-shalach etkhem elai {לָאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר־שָׁלַח אֶתְכֶם אֵלָי | lā-ˈʾîš ă-šer-ˈsha-laḥ ˌet-ˈkhem ʾê-ˈlāy} ‘to the man who sent you to me’ specifies the addressee chain. The English preserves Hebrew word order and the formal oracular tone. |