| 1. Linguistic Exegesis This verse opens with the vav consecutive prefixed to the imperfect form vayhi {וַיְהִי | way-yiḥî} ‘and it came to pass’, marking the start of a prophetic oracle. The noun devar {דְבַר־ | də-ḇar} in construct with Yahweh {יְהוָה | Yəhôwāh} forms a possessive construct phrase ‘the word of the LORD’. The prepositional phrase elai {אֵלַי | ʾê-lay} indicates the recipient as Ezekiel. The verse concludes with leʾmor {לֵאמֹר | lē-ʾmōr}, an infinitive construct introducing direct speech. The Hebrew syntax moves from narrative formula to divine speech introduction, preserving the prophetic voice and authority of the LORD. |