| 17. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with vayhi {וַיְהִי | way-yi-hî} ‘and it came to pass,’ a vav-consecutive Qal wayyiqtol verb marking narrative progression. The genitive construct devar-Yahweh {דְבַר־יְהוָה | də-var Yə-hō-wāh} ‘word of the LORD’ indicates divine revelation directed toward the prophet. The prepositional phrase elai {אֵלַי | ʾê-lay} ‘to me’ assigns Ezekiel as recipient. Finally, leʾemor {לֵאמֹר | lē-ʾe-mōr} ‘saying’ (Qal infinitive construct) introduces the ensuing prophetic address. The English renderings preserve the prophetic introduction while enhancing clarity. |