| 30. Linguistic Exegesis The Hebrew text uses a chain of participles to depict ongoing communal sorrow. The participle ‘ō-lēh {עֹלֶה | ‘ō-lēh} ‘ascending’ establishes continuous movement, while bə-ma‘ă-lêh {בְּמַעֲלֵה | bə-ma‘ă-lêh} ‘on the ascent’ locates it. Its repetition with ū-bō-kê {וּבוֹכֶה | ū-bō-kê} ‘weeping’ parallels David’s and his followers’ grief. The phrase wə-rōš lō ḥā-pû-y {וְרֹאשׁ לוֹ חָפוּי | wə-rōš lō ḥā-pû-y} uses a construct chain and a passive participle to emphasize the ritual covering of heads in mourning. The infinitives ‘ā-lōh {עָלֹה | ‘ā-lōh} and ū-ḇā-kô {וּבָכֹה | ū-ḇā-kô} mark the procession-like ascent. The relative clause ’ă-šer ’it-tô {אֲשֶׁר אִתּוֹ | ’ă-šer ’it-tô} ‘who were with him’ integrates the group into this act of lament. English rendering condenses these participial phrases into flowing narrative while preserving the layered expressions of motion and emotion. |