| 5. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the narrative marker vehayah {וְהָיָה֙ | wə-hā-yāh} introducing a situational narrative “and it happened.” The temporal clause bikrav ish {בִּקְרָב־אִישׁ | bi-krāb-ʾîš} uses the infinitive construct to signal “when a man approached.” The purpose infinitive lehishtachavot {לְהִשְׁתַּחֲוֺת | lə-his̆-taccā-woṯ} conveys “to bow down.” A sequence of three waw-consecutive perfect verbs—veshalach {וְשָׁלַח | wə-šā-lāḥ}, wehechezik {וְהֶחֱזִ֥יק | wə-he-che-ziq}, and venashaq {וְנָשַׁק | wə-nā-šāq}—establishes a habitual pattern of greeting. The direct object marker et {אֶת־ | ʾet} introduces yado {יָד֛וֹ | yā-ḏô}, “his hand,” emphasizing the physical gesture. The hiphil wehechezik imparts a causative sense rendered “take hold,” while the Qal venashaq conveys the simple action “kiss.” In English the iterative nature of the Hebrew perfects with waw is preserved by “he would,” reflecting Absalom’s ongoing ritual of welcoming visitors. |