| 15. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with two parallel imperatives, shim‘u {שִׁמְעוּ | šim-‘u} ‘hear’ and veha’azinu {וְהַאֲזִינוּ | wə-ha-’a-zi-nu} ‘give ear’, intensifying the summons. The prohibition al-tigbahu {אַל־תִּגְבָּהוּ | al-tig-bā-hu} combines the negative particle with a Qal imperfect to express “do not be proud.” The conjunction ki {כִּי | kî} introduces the causal clause whose subject is the divine name Yahweh {יְהוָה | Yə-hō-wāh} and verb is the Piel perfect, diber {דִּבֵּר | di-ber}, indicating authoritative speech. The structure shifts from urgent address to theological rationale, underscoring humility before divine authority. |