| 12. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with vehu {וְה֤וּא | wə-hûʾ} linking to the preceding prophecy and emphasizing the subject. The Qal imperfect yihyeh {יִהְיֶה֙ | yih-yĕh} introduces a predictive nominal clause with the compound predicate pere adam {פֶּ֣רֶא אָדָ֔ם | pĕ-reʾ ˀā-dām}, portraying an unbridled human. The paired clauses yado bakol {יָד֣וֹ בַכֹּ֔ל | yā-dô ba-kkōl} and veyad kol bo {וְיַ֥ד כֹּ֖ל בּ֑וֹ | wə-yad kōl bō} use “hand” metonymically for hostile agency, coordinated to show reciprocal aggression. The final clause veʿal-penei kol echav yishkon {וְעַל־פְּנֵ֥י כָל־אֶחָ֖יו יִשְׁכֹּֽן | wə-ʿal-pə-nê kāl-ʾe-ḥāw yiš-kōn} employs ʿal-penei to convey direct opposition “over against,” and yishkon indicates continued dwelling. This structure underscores his combative stance, mutual strife, and sustained nearness to kin. |