| 5. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with wayyomer {וַיֹּאמֶר | wayyōʾmer} marking the vav-consecutive that introduces divine speech. The subject Yahweh {יְהוָה | Yə-hō-wāh} precedes the address to Moses. Inside the quotation, the coordinated imperatives avor {עֲבֹר | ʿăvōr} “go on ahead” and ve-qakh {וְקַח | wə-qāḥ} “take” direct the sequence of actions, with lifnei ha-am {לִפְנֵי הָעָם | lîpnê hā-ʿām} specifying position before the assembly. The partitive miziqnei Yisrael {מִזִּקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל | mīzzqnê yiś-rāʾēl} indicates selection of representative elders. The noun matteh {מַטֶּה | maṭṭēh} is linked by the relative clause asher hikkita bo {אֲשֶׁר הִכִּיתָ בּוֹ | ăšer hikkîtā bô}, recalling the prior miracle at the Nile and emphasizing the staff’s role. The second kakh {קַח | qāḥ} directs Moses to grasp the staff, and ve-halakhta {וְהָלָכְתָּ | wə-hā-lākhtā} conveys the ensuing movement. This structure highlights divine initiative, representative leadership, and the staff as an instrument of God’s power. |