| 12. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the vav-consecutive verb vayomer {וַיֹּאמֶר | vā-yō-mər} ‘and he said’, introducing the direct speech. The concessive conjunction ve-lu {וְלוּ | we-lû} ‘and even if’ frames a hypothetical scenario involving a substantial sum. The phrase al kappay {עַל־כַּפַּי | ʿal kappāy} ‘upon my palms’ underscores personal measure. The negated imperfect lo eshlakh yadi {לֹא אֶשְׁלַח יָדִי | lōʼ ʾĕšlāḥ yādî} ‘I would not send my hand’ emphasizes refusal. The causal ki {כִּי | kî} ‘for’ combined with be-ozneinu {בְּאָזְנֵינוּ | bə-ʾōz-nê-nû} ‘in our ears’ provides the basis for the command. Finally, the imperative shimru {שִׁמְרוּ | šim-rû} ‘guard’ governs mi-yeled {מִיַּלֶּד | mî-yal-lēḏ} ‘the young man’ with al {עַל | ʿal}, creating a purpose clause centered on Absalom’s protection. |