| 4. Linguistic Exegesis The vav-consecutive verb wayyiššar {וַיִּישַׁ֥ר | wayyiššar} marks sequential approval of the proposal. The noun hadāwār {הַדָּבָ֖ר | hadāwār} with the definite article specifies the counsel under discussion. The construct phrase bə-ʿêynē {בְּעֵינֵ֣י | bə-ʿêynē} ‘in the eyes of’ functions idiomatically to indicate approval and is echoed in ū-bə-ʿêynē kol ziqnē yiśrāʼēl {וּבְעֵינֵ֖י כָּל־זִקְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל | ū-bə-ʿêynē kol ziqnē yiśrāʼēl}, emphasizing collective assent. English renders “pleasing in the eyes of” as “thought…was a good idea” to convey judgment naturally while preserving unanimity and sequence. |