| 12. Linguistic Exegesis The verse unfolds as a chain of vav-consecutive perfect verbs introduced by the prefix vav {וְ | wə} ‘and’ to mark sequential actions. The explicit subject “elders of his city” anchors the first clause, while subsequent clauses carry the implied subject forward. The prepositional phrase misham {מִשָּׁם | mi-šām} ‘from there’ specifies removal from the city. The idiom beyad gōʾēl hadam {בְּיַד גֹּאֵל הַדָּם | bə-yaḏ gō-ʾēl ha-ḏam} ‘into the hand of the blood avenger’ conveys legal transfer of custody. The final vav-consecutive perfect vamet {וָמֵת | wā-mêṯ} serves as a result clause indicating execution. English rendering preserves narrative sequence with “shall” and “must” to reflect the Hebrew perfect aspect and legal imperative. |