| 3. Linguistic Exegesis The verse consists of two coordinated wayyiqtol clauses marking narrative sequence. The first clause opens with vayipol {וַיִּפֹּל | way-yip-pōl} ‘and he fell’, with the subject Avram {אַבְרָם | ʾaḇ-rām} following the verb in typical Biblical Hebrew verb–subject order. The prepositional phrase al panav {עַל־פָּנָיו | ʿal-pā-nāw} ‘upon his face’ conveys Abram’s posture of submission. The second clause begins with vayedabber {וַיְדַבֵּר | way-də-bēr} ‘and He spoke’, with the prepositional phrase itto {אִתּוֹ | ʾit-tô} ‘with him’ preceding the subject Elohim {אֱלֹהִים | ʾĕ-lō-hîm} to emphasize relational closeness. The infinitive lemor {לֵאמֹר | lē-mōr} functions as a quotative, introducing the forthcoming divine address. In English, the clauses are rendered with a natural subject–verb order while preserving sequential linkage and the sense of humble posture followed by intimate divine communication. |