| 7. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative opens with the vav-consecutive verb wayyišlāḥ {וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח | wayyišlāḥ} ‘and he sent’, marking sequential action. The direct object tāmār {תָּמָ֖ר | tāmār} names the recipient, with habbāytā {הַבַּ֣יְתָה | habbāytā} indicating her location via the directive he suffix. The infinitive construct lēʾmōr {לֵאמֹ֑ר | lēʾmōr} introduces the message content. A female imperative pair ləḵî nāʾ {לְכִי נָא | ləḵî nāʾ} combines a Qal imperative with a particle of entreaty for politeness. The construct bêt ʾam-nôn ʾaḥîḵā {בֵּית אַמְנוֹן אָחִיךְ | bêt ʾam-nôn ʾaḥîḵā} specifies familial relation in the construct state. The consecutive imperative waʿăsîlō {וַעֲשִׂי־לוֹ | waʿăsîlō} ‘and prepare for him’ is followed by the rare noun biryāh {הַבִּרְיָֽה | biryah} ‘food’, denoting a prepared dish. The sequence of imperatives reflects polite commands within a royal context. |