| 23. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the vav-consecutive vehayah {וְהָיָה | wə-hā-yāh} ‘and it shall be’, marking a prophetic outcome. The comparative phrase kekesem–shav {כְּקֶסֶם־שָׁוְא | kə-ke-sem–šāv} ‘like a false divination’ conveys deceptive appearance. The locative be’eineihem {בְּעֵינֵיהֶם | bə-ʿê-nê-hem} ‘in their eyes’ sets the perceptual frame. The construct chain shevuei shevuot {שְׁבֻעֵי שְׁבֻעוֹת | šə-vu-ʾê šə-vu-ʾôt} ‘those who have sworn oaths’ emphasizes the binding pledges. The contrastive clause vehu mazkir avon {וְהוּא מַזְכִּיר עָוֹן | wə-hūʾ maz-kîr ʿā-vōn} ‘but He recalling iniquity’ highlights divine judgment, and the purpose clause lehitafes {לְהִתָּפֵשׂ | lə-hî-tā-pēs} ‘to be seized’ completes the judicial action. |