| 32. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the waw-interrogative particle u-ma {וּמַה | ū-māh} ‘and what’, introducing a rhetorical question. The imperfect verb yaʿănēh {יַעֲנֶה | yaʿănēh} expresses the anticipated reply. The construct chain malʾăkhê-gôy {מַלְאֲכֵי־גֹּוי | malʾăkhê-gôy} links “messengers” to “nation” in a diplomatic context. The conjunction kî {כִּי | kî} introduces the justification clause, with VSO order emphasizing divine agency. The perfect yissād {יִסַּד | yissād} denotes completed action on Ṣîyyôn {צִּיּוֹן | ṣîyyôn}. The coordinate phrase ū-vāh {וּבָהּ | ū-vāh} ‘and in her’ plus the imperfect yeḥəsû {יֶחֱסוּ | yeḥəsû} conveys assured future refuge. The beneficiary construct ‘aniyyê ammô {עֲנִיֵּי עַמּוֹ | ‘aniyyê ammô} identifies the afflicted of His people. This movement from question to declaration underscores Zion’s establishment as the divinely appointed sanctuary. |