| 12. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the conditional marker ki {כִּי | kî} introducing a protasis clause. The verb tishma {תִשְׁמַע | tišmaʿ} (Qal imperfect, second person masculine singular) “you will hear” is followed by the prepositional phrase be achat ʿareykha {בְּאַחַת עָרֶיךָ | bə-ʾā-ḥat ʿā-rê-ḵā} “in one of your towns,” a construct chain indicating possession. The relative clause asher Yahweh eloheikha noten lekha {אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לְךָ} uses the active participle noten {נוֹתֵן | nō-tēn} to convey ongoing divine bestowal. The infinitive construct lashevet {לָשֶׁבֶת | lā-šē-ḇet} marks purpose “to dwell,” with sham {שָׁם | šām} “there,” and the infinitive leʾemor {לֵאמֹר | lē-ʾō-mar} signals reported speech. English renders the protasis and purpose infinitive to maintain the legal nuance while ensuring clarity in the sequence of hearing, divine giving, and dwelling. |