| 17. Linguistic Exegesis The conjunction ushə’ar {וּשְׁאָר | ū-šə-ʾār} introduces the dependent subject “the remnant.” The construct phrase mispar-qeshet {מִסְפַּר־קֶשֶׁת | mîs-p̄ār̆ qeš-sheṯ} functions metonymically for “archers,” and gibborê venei Qedar {גִּבּוֹרֵי בְנֵי־קֵדָר | gib-bôrê bə-nê Qê-dār} is a double construct indicating possession. The Qal imperfect yimʿatu {יִמְעָטוּ | yi-mə-ʿā-tû} marks future diminution, and kî {כִּי | kî} introduces the causal clause. The appositional phrase LORD, the God of Israel {Yahweh Elohei Yiśrāʾēl | Yə-hō-wāh ʾĕ-lō-ḥê Yiś-rā-ʾēl} underscores divine authority, and the Piel perfect dibber {דִּבֵּר | dib-bēr} asserts the prophecy’s definitive pronouncement. |