| 16. Linguistic Exegesis The direct prohibition is formed by lo-taaneh {לֹֽא־תַעֲנֶ֥ה | lōʾ-ta-ʿă-neh}, a fused negative particle plus imperfect second person masculine singular verb that issues a command. The prepositional phrase bereakha {בְרֵעֲךָ֖ | bə-rē-ʿă-kā} indicates the action’s target, “against your neighbor.” The noun ed {עֵ֥ד | ʿēd} “witness” is in construct with sheqer {שָֽׁקֶר׃ | šā-qer} “falsehood,” illustrating Hebrew noun-noun juxtaposition to qualify the witness as false. The sequence negative + verb + prepositional phrase + qualified noun emphasizes the forbidden act before specifying its direction and legal character. |