| 22. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative uses sequential actions marked by the vav-consecutive/Qal imperfect vayattu {וַיַּטּ֧וּ | va-yyā-ṭû} ‘and they pitched’ followed by the vav-consecutive/Qal imperfect vayavo {וַיָּבֹא | va-yā-ḇōʼ} ‘and he came’. The location is specified by the prepositional phrase al-haggag {עַל־הַגָּג | ʻal-haggāg} ‘on the roof’. The construct chain el-pilagshei aviv {אֶל־פִּֽלַגְשֵׁ֣י אָבִ֔יו | ’el-pilag-šê ’ā-ḇî-w} ‘to the concubines of his father’ establishes relational possession. The idiom le-einei kol-yisrael {לְעֵינֵי כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל | lə’e-inê kol-יś-rāʼēl} ‘before the eyes of all Israel’ emphasizes the public exposure and shame inherent in the act. |