| 3. Linguistic Exegesis The verse features two parallel interrogative clauses introduced by the Hofal imperfect hayyuqqach {הֲיֻקַּ֤ח | ha-yuqqaḥ} ‘shall be taken’ and the conditional im־yiqqehu {אִם־יִקְח֤וּ | ʾim-yiq-ḥū} ‘if they will take.’ The infinitive laʿasot {לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת | la-ʿăśōt} indicates purpose “to do/make,” complemented by limelakhah {לִמְלָאכָ֑ה | li-mə-lāʾ-khā} specifying “for work.” The second clause shifts scale from general wood to a small yated {יָתֵ֔ד | yā-tēḏ} “peg,” using litlot {לִתְל֥וֹת | lit-lōt} to express “to hang,” and kol-keli {כָּל־כֶּֽלִי | kol-kéli} to denote “any vessel.” The structure underscores the futility of extracting either substantial timber or minor stakes from this source, highlighting its inherent worthlessness. |