| 8. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the causal conjunction ki {כִּי | kî} linking the statement to the preceding oracle; the construct chain shadmot {שַׁדְמוֹת | šaḏ-môṯ} of Heshbon {חֶשְׁבּוֹן | ḥeš-bôṯ} serves as subject of the perfect predicate umlal {אֻמְלָּל | ’ûm-lāl}, indicating desiccation. The parallel subject gefen {גֶּפֶן | ge-phen} of Sibmah {שִׂבְמָה | sib-māh} forms a second predication with a stative sense. A sequence of Qal perfects—halmu {הָלְמוּ | hāl-mū}, nagu {נָגָעוּ | nā-gā-‘ū}, tau {תָּעוּ | tâ-‘ū}—depicts actions of striking, reaching, and wandering, emphasizing progressive devastation. The noun sheluchoteha {שְׁלֻחוֹתֶיהָ | she-lu-ḏho-tê-hā} with the Niphal perfect nitteshu {נִטְּשׁוּ | nit-tə-šū} conveys abandonment, leading to avru {עָבְרוּ | ’ā-var-ū} plus yam {יָם | yām} that underscores the geographic extent “over the sea.” The paratactic rhythm and construct chains highlight relentless judgment across regions. |