| 24. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the Niphal perfect verb nishba {נִשְׁבַּ֛ע | niš-ba‘} ‘he swore’, framing a solemn prophetic pledge. The divine designation Yahweh Tsevaot {יְהוָ֥ה צְבָא֖וֹת | Yə-hō-wāh ṣə-vā’ōt} emphasizes sovereign command over cosmic hosts. The infinitive construct leemor {לֵאמֹ֑ר | lē-’ā-môr} introduces the quoted oath. The particle im-lo {אִם־לֹ֞א | ʾim-lō}, rendered “Surely” in formal, carries emphatic certainty. The paired comparatives kaasher and vekaasher {כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר | ka-’a-šer; וְכַאֲשֶׁ֥ר} establish parallel clauses of divine intent. The first perfect sequence dimiti…hayatah {דִּמִּיתִי֙ | di-mī-ṯî; הָיָ֔תָה} links divine thought to realized outcome, while the perfect-imperfect pair yaatsTi…takum {יָעַ֖צְתִּי | yā-‘aṣ-tî; תָקֽוּם} underscores the assured enactment of God’s counsel. Together they communicate both fulfilled purpose and ongoing establishment of divine plans. |