| 21. Linguistic Exegesis The Hebrew Piel verb vayirkesu {וַיִּרְכְּס֣וּ | va-yir-kə-su} forms a vav-consecutive clause indicating a deliberate binding action. The construct chain mitabotav {מִטַּבְּעֹתָיו | mi-ṭab-ʿō-tā-v} “from its rings” plus el tabot {אֶל־טַבְּעֹת | ʾel ṭa-bə-ʿōt} “to the rings” precisely links the breastpiece and ephod. The prepositional phrase biftil tekelet {בִּפְתִיל תְּכֵלֶת | bif-ṭîl tə-ḵê-let} “with a cord of blue” highlights the ritual color symbolism. The infinitive liheyot {לִהְיוֹת | li-hə-yō-ṯ} “to be” expresses purpose with al cheshev haefod {עַל־חֵשֶׁב הָאֵפֹד | ʿal ḥê-šev hā-ʾê-pōd} “on the band of the ephod” marking functional placement. The negative velo yizach {וְלֹא־יִזַּח | wə-lō yi-z-zaḥ} “and not it would slip” emphasizes secure attachment. The final relational clause kaasher tsivah Yahweh et Moshe {כַּאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה יְהוָה אֶת־מֹשֶׁה | ka-ʾa-šer ṣîw-wāh yə-hō-wāh ʾet mō-šē} “as the LORD commanded Moses” confirms adherence to divine instruction. |