| 22. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with yaʿan {יַעַן | ya‘an}, a causal conjunction introducing a reason clause. The Hiphil infinitive construct haḵ’ot {הַכְא֤וֹת | ha-ḵā-’ōṯ} “causing pain” governs the construct chain lēv ṣaddîq {לֵב־צַדִּיק | lēv ṣaḏ-dîq} “heart of the righteous,” with šēqer {שֶׁ֔קֶר | šē-qer} specifying the source of sorrow. The coordinated clause va-’anî lō’ hiḵ’ăḇtîw {וַאֲנִי לֹא הִכְאַבְתִּיו | va-‘ănî lō’ hiq-’ăḇ-tîw} contrasts human deceit with divine restraint. The conjunction u-le-ḥazzēq {וּלְחַזֵּק | u-le-ḥazzēq} introduces a Piel infinitive “to strengthen,” modifying yeḏê rāšā‘ {יְדֵי רָשָׁע | ye-ḏê rāšā‘} “hands of the wicked.” The negative purpose clause le-vil-tî-šûv {לְבִלְתִּי־שׁוּב | lə-vi-lṯî-šûḇ} with a Qal infinitive marks the aim of non-repentance, linked to the construct mid-dar-kô hā-rā‘ {מִדַּרְכּ֥וֹ הָרָע | mid-dar-ḵô hā-rā‘} “from his evil way.” Finally, the Hiphil infinitive lə-ha-ḥay-yō-tô {לְהַחֲיֹתֽוֹ | lə-ha-ḥay-yō-tô} “to cause him to live” highlights the outcome of continued existence. English renders infinitives as purpose clauses and integrates coordinated elements for clarity. |