| 24. Linguistic Exegesis The Aramaic result-marker kol-qovel-denāh {כָּל־קֳבֵ֣ל דְּנָ֗ה | kôl·qō·ḇēl-də-nāh} introduces a circumstantial clause indicating causality. The verb ʿal {עַ֣ל | ʿal} in Peal perfect verb form functions idiomatically as “go in,” taking al-ʾaryōḵ {עַל־אַרְי֔וֹךְ | ʿal ʾar·yōḵ} as its object. The relative particle dī {דִּי | dī} connects Arioch to mannī {מַנִּי | mannî}, a Peal perfect verb denoting royal appointment. The infinitive construct lə-hō-ḇāḏā {לְהוֹבָדָה | lə·hō·ḇā·ḏā} expresses purpose (“to destroy”) with the object lə-ḥaḵ·kî·mê Bāvel {לְחַכִּימֵי בָבֶל | lə·ḥaḵ·kî·mê Bāvel} (“the wise men of Babylon”). The conjunction wə-kēn {וְכֵן | wə·ḵēn} signals continuation into reported speech. The imperative ha-ʿêl·nî {הַעֵלְנִי | ha·ʿêl·nî} “bring me in” precedes the cohortative ʾăḥav·wēʾ {אֲחַוֵּא | ʾă·ḥav·wēʾ} “I will show,” forming a result clause. The English translation divides the passage into two sentences to maintain clarity while preserving the original logical sequence. |