| 2. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the vav-consecutive verb vehayah {וְהָיָ֥ה | wə-hā-yāh} introducing a prophetic announcement, followed by the simile keof-noded {כְעוֹף־נוֹדֵ֖ד | kə-ʿôp-nō-ḏēd} “like a wandering bird.” The noun phrase ken meshullach {קֵן מְשֻׁלָּ֑ח | kēn mə-šul-lā-ḥ} “nest driven out” intensifies the image of expulsion. The verb tihyeynah {תִּֽהְיֶ֙ינָה֙ | tī-hyē-nāh} aligns the fate of benoth Moav {בְּנ֣וֹת מוֹאָ֔ב | bᵊ-nōṯ mō-ʾāḇ} with the simile. The genitive construct benoth Moav denotes national identity. The final clause maavarot learnon {מַעְבָּרֹ֖ת לְאַרְנֽוֹן | ma-ʿā-ḇā-rōṯ lᵊ-ʾar-nōn} “fords of Arnon” specifies a geographic boundary. The parallel structure of simile and reality emphasizes vulnerability and forced displacement. |