| 22. Linguistic Exegesis The verse consists of two sequential wayyiqtol clauses. It begins with vayekhal {וַיְכַ֖ל | wa-yə-ḵal} “and He finished,” a Qal imperfect form with prefixed vav consecutive that marks the completion of the prior discourse. This governs the infinitive construct ledabber {לְדַבֵּ֣ר | lə-dab-bēr} “to speak,” forming a verbal complex that conveys “finished speaking.” The prepositional phrase itto {אִתּ֑וֹ | ʾit-tô} “with him” identifies Abraham as the interlocutor. The second wayyiqtol, vaya'al {וַיַּ֣עַל | wa-yya-ʿal} “and He went up,” introduces divine movement. Here Elohim {אֱלֹהִ֔ים | ʾĕ-lō-hîm} appears explicitly as the subject of ascent, clarifying the same divine Speaker now departs. The preposition me'al {מֵעַ֖ל | mē-ʿal} “from upon” followed by Avraham {אַבְרָהָֽם | ʾaḇ-rā-hām} depicts God’s withdrawal from an elevated posture above Abraham. The structure moves from completed speech to spatial departure, underlining that the divine revelation has concluded. |