| 3. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative advances with vayomar {וַיֹּאמַ֑ר | way-yō-mar} introducing direct speech in the wayyiqtol sequence, the standard Hebrew past narrative form. The vocative Adonai {אֲדֹנָי | ʾă-ḏō-nāy} establishes deference. The protasis is formed by im-na {אִם־נָא | ʾim-nāʾ} + matsati {מָצָאתִי | mā-ṣā-ʾtî} + chen {חֵן | ḥēn} + be-eineikha {בְּעֵינֶיךָ | bə-ʿê-nê-kā} (“if I have found favor in your eyes”). The apodosis uses the polite plea al-na taavor {אַל־נָא תַעֲבֹר | ʾal-nāʾ ta-ʿă-ḇōr} (“please do not pass by”), with taavor carrying a modal nuance of desired non-occurrence. The phrase me-al avdeka {מֵעַל עַבְדֶּךָ | mē-ʿal ʿaḇ-de-kā} “from upon your servant” emphasizes Abraham’s humility. The translation preserves the protasis–apodosis structure and layered entreaty by rendering na with “please.” |