| 12. Linguistic Exegesis The verse employs a nominal clause initiated by the participle tsarur {צָרוּר | ṣārûr} ‘is bound up’, portraying an accomplished and enduring state. The noun avon {עָווֹן | ʿāwōn} ‘iniquity’ stands in construct relationship with Ephrayim {אֶפְרָיִם | ʾephrayim}, signifying possession. The second clause parallels the first through the participle tsefunah {צְפוּנָה | tsefûnāh} ‘is hidden’, derived from the root ts-p-n {צ־פ־ן} and connoting reserved concealment, with chattato {חַטָּאתוֹ | ḥaṭṭāʾtô} ‘his sin’ as its object. Hebrew’s verbless structure underscores the permanence of guilt, while English translation supplies the verb “is” to render the participial aspect. The parallel syntax highlights both the entrapment and concealment of Ephraim’s offense, reinforcing the theme of inescapable accountability. |