| 9. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the vocative ben adam {בֶּן־אָדָם | ben-ʾā-dām} ‘son of man’, highlighting Ezekiel’s role as God’s human messenger. The imperative hin-nā-vēʾ {הִנָּבֵא | hin-nā-vēʾ} ‘prophesy’ initiates the oracle, immediately followed by the cohortative perfect wə-ʾā-mar-tā {וְאָמַרְתָּ | wə-ʾā-mar-tā} ‘and you shall say’, establishing the prophet’s speaking role. The formula kō ʾā-mar {כֹּה אָמַר | kō ʾā-mar} ‘thus says’ introduces the declaration of Adonai Yahweh {אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה | ʾă-dō-nāy yə-hō-wāh}, signaling divine authority. The repetition cherev cherev {חֶרֶב חֶרֶב | ḥe-reḇ ḥe-reḇ} ‘sword, sword’ intensifies the focus on imminent judgment, while the successive Puʿal perfects hû-ḥad-dāh {הוּחַדָּה | hû-ḥad-dāh} ‘is sharpened’ and mə-rō-ṭāh {מְרוֹטָה | mə-rō-ṭāh} ‘is polished’ describe the sword’s readiness in both functional and visual dimensions. The vav-consecutive on the second verb adds a cumulative effect, conveying both preparation and display. |