| 2. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with ve’amarta {וְאָמַרְתָּ֗ | wə-ʾā-mar-tā}, a Qal perfect verb introducing prophetic speech, followed by the interrogative mah {מָ֤ה | mā}, which frames a rhetorical question. The construct immekha leviya {אִמְּךָ֙ לְבִיָּא | ʼim-mə-ḵā lə-ḇî-yā} links “your mother” as the subject with “a lioness,” creating an extended metaphor. The prepositional clause bein arayot {בֵּ֥ין אֲרָיוֹת֖ | bêyn ʼă-rā-yōṯ} sets the scene “among lions,” preceding the Qal perfect ravatsa {רָבָצָ֑ה | rā-ḇā-ṣā(h)} “she lay down,” which conveys her posture. A second spatial phrase betokh kefirim {בְּת֥וֹךְ כְּפִרִ֖ים | bə-ṯōḵ kə-p̄i-rîm} “in the midst of young lions” intensifies proximity before the Piel perfect ribbetah {רִבְּתָ֥ה | rib-bə-ṯā(h)} “she reared,” marking an intensive action toward the object gureha {גּוּרֶֽיהָ | gū-rê-hā} “her cubs.” The alternating spatial settings and parallel verb aspects highlight the lioness’s protective authority and nurturing care within a dangerous environment. |