| 1. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the prophetic marker masa {מַשָּׂא | mas.sa} ‘burden’, introducing an oracle against Moab. The proper name mo'av {מוֹאָב | mō-ʾāv} identifies the object of judgment. The conjunction ki {כִּי | kî} ‘for’ signals causation, and the temporal phrase be-leil {בְּלֵיל | bə-lêl} ‘in night’ establishes sudden timing. The verb shuddad {שֻׁדַּד | šud-dāḏ} in Pual perfect conveys intensive passive destruction. The place name Ar {עָר | ʿār} is specified, followed by nidmah {נִדְמָה | nid-māh} in Nifal perfect to emphasize cessation. The parallel clause repeats ki be-leil shuddad … nidmah with kir-mo'av {קִיר־מוֹאָב | qîr-mō-ʾāv}, creating a chiastic structure that intensifies the sense of abrupt ruin and enforced silence across Moab’s cities. |