| 15. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the narrative verb vayomer {וַיֹּ֥אמֶר | way-yō-mer} ‘and he said’, a Qal wayyiqtol form with vav consecutive that advances the storyline. The verb–subject order (vayomer Mosheh {מֹשֶׁ֖ה | mō-šeh}) foregrounds Moses’ declaration, while the indirect object lechotno {לְחֹתְנ֑וֹ | lə-ḥoṯ-nō} specifies the addressee. The conjunction ki {כִּֽי־ | kî} introduces a causal clause explaining Moses’ conduct. In this subordinate clause the imperfect yavo {יָבֹ֥א | yā-ḇōʾ} ‘comes’ precedes the prepositional phrase elai {אֵלַ֛י | ʾē-lay} ‘to me’ and the subject haam {הָעָ֖ם | hā-ʿām}, emphasizing approach toward Moses. The infinitive construct lidrosh {לִדְרֹשׁ | liḏ-rōš} expresses purpose, with Elohim {אֱלֹהִֽים | ʾĕ-lō-hîm} as its direct object, marking God as the sought source of guidance. English renders the causal clause with “because” and adjusts to standard subject–verb–object order for clarity while preserving the Hebrew purpose construction and its theological emphasis on divine consultation. |