| 25. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the vav-consecutive verb vayomer {וַיֹּאמֶר | wā-yō-mer} introducing direct discourse by the king to Absalom. The paired negative-entreaty particles al ... na {אַל ... נָא | ʾal ... nāʾ} soften a refusal in affectionate tone. The Qal imperfect neilekh {נֵלֵךְ | nē-lē-ḵ} inclusive first person plural with kulanu {כֻּלָּנוּ | kul-lānū} expresses group involvement. The Niphal perfect nichbad {נִכְבַּד | nikh-bāḏ} functions as a stative passive “be burdensome.” The concessive sequence vayipratsbo ... velo avah {וַיִּפְרָץ־בּוֹ ... וְלֹא אָבָה | wā-yip-pə-raṣ-bō ... wə-lōʾ ʾā-vāh} contrasts Absalom’s pressing with the king’s refusal. Finally, the vav-consecutive Piel imperfect vayevarekhehu {וַיְבָרֲכֵהוּ | vā-ye-vā-rə-ḵē-hū} completes the exchange with a blessing. The repetition of vav particles binds each clause, highlighting the emotional tension between appeal and refusal. |