| 32. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative marker vav consecutive vayehi {וַיְהִ֤י | wayhî} signals a new sequence. David’s motion is denoted by the Qal perfect bāʾ {בָּ֣א | bāʾ} “came.” The locative clause ad-ha-rōš ʾăšer yištaḥăwê šām lēʾĕlōhîm {עַד־הָרֹאשׁ אֲשֶׁר־יִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה שָׁם לֵאלֹהִ֑ים} combines a prepositional phrase with a relative clause to establish purpose. The Hishtaphel imperfect yištaḥăwê {יִשְׁתַּחֲוֶה | yištaḥăwê} “worship” conveys formal devotion. The interjection wə·hinnēh {וְהִנֵּ֤ה | wə-hinnēh} “behold” introduces narrative surprise. Liqrāṯō {לִקְרָאתוֹ֙ | liqrāṯō} “to meet him” expresses intentional encounter. The participle qārûaʿ {קָר֙וּעַ֙ | qārûaʿ} “torn” and noun wa·ă·ḏā·māh {וַאֲדָמָ֖ה | wa-ă-dā-māh} “dust” evoke lamentation customs, while the prepositional phrase ʿal-rōšō {עַל־רֹאשֽׁוֹ | ʿal-rōšō} “upon his head” indicates posture. The English structure shifts relative clauses for clarity but preserves the Hebrew sequence. |