| 35. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the causal particle laken {לָכֵן | lā-ḵēn} ‘therefore,’ linking this command to prior charges. The vocative noun zonah {זוֹנָה | zō-nāh} ‘harlot/prostitute’ directly confronts the addressee. The feminine singular imperative shim‘i {שִׁמְעִי | šim-‘î} ‘hear/listen’ signals a direct summons. The construct chain devar–Yahweh {דְּבַר־יְהוָה | də-ḇār Yə-hō-wāh} ‘word of the LORD’ pairs message and divine name to assert authoritative origin. English rendering preserves the urgent vocative and imperative force to reflect the prophetic indictment. |