| 7. Linguistic Exegesis The command begins with the object matsot {מַצּוֹת | maṣṣōṯ} ‘unleavened breads’ introduced by the direct object marker et {אֵת | ʾēt}. The verb yeakhel {יֵאָכֵל | yēʾāḵēl} in the Niphal imperfect indicates a prescribed practice. The construct phrase shivʿat hayamim {שִׁבְעַת הַיָּמִים | šivʿat ha-yāmîm} sets a temporal frame of seven days. Two parallel prohibitions employ velo yeraeh {וְלֹא יֵרָאֶה | wə-lōʾ yērāʾeh} ‘and not shall be seen,’ each followed by chamets {חָמֵץ | ḥāmēṣ} ‘leaven’ and seor {שְׂאֹר | śəʾōr} ‘sourdough.’ The final prepositional phrase bekhol gevulekha {בְּכָל גְּבֻלֶךָ | bə-ḵōl gəvūleḵā} extends the restriction to the entire inheritance area. This chiastic prohibition structure underscores a total exclusion of fermentation. |