| 14. Linguistic Exegesis The verse is a single independent clause composed of the negative particle lo {לֹ֣֖א | lōʾ} ‘not’ immediately preceding the Qal imperfect second person masculine singular verb tinʾaf {תִּֿנְאָ֑͏ֽף | tin-ʾāf} ‘you will commit adultery’. In biblical Hebrew legal style the sequence lo + imperfect functions as a categorical prohibition, expressing a timeless binding command rather than a narrative prediction. The second person masculine singular address individualizes responsibility while representing the entire covenant community. Within the Decalogue this prohibition aligns with other concise negative commands, creating a rhythmic structure of absolute ethical boundaries. The formal rendering “You shall not commit adultery” mirrors Hebrew word order and preserves legal register by using “shall not” to convey obligatory force. The dynamic translation “Never be unfaithful in marriage” uses contemporary idiom to make explicit the marital context implicit in tinʾaf while maintaining the command’s absolute character. |