| 19. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with lakhen {לָכֵ֞ן | lā-ḵēn} “therefore,” forming a causal link, followed by the prophetic introduction koh amar Yahweh {כֹּֽה־אָמַר יְהוָ֗ה | kō-ʾā-mar Yə-hō-wāh} “thus says the LORD,” establishing divine authority. Two conditional protases, im tashuv {אִם־תָּשׁ֤וּב | ʾim tā-šuḇ} “if you return” and ve-im totzi {וְאִם־תּוֹצִ֥יא | wə-ʾim tō-ṣîʾ} “and if you bring out,” each paired with its apodosis, outline God’s promise of restoration and the prophet’s discernment role. The causative Hiphil va-ashivkha {וַאֲשִֽׁיבְךָ֙ | va-ʾă-šîḇ-ḵā} “and I will restore you” emphasizes divine initiative in reestablishing the prophet’s standing before God (lefanai taamod {לְפָנַ֣י תַּֽעֲמֹ֔ד | lə-fā-nai ta-ʿă-mōḏ}). The idiom totzi yakar mizolel {תּוֹצִ֥יא יָקָ֛ר מִזּוֹלֵ֖ל | tō-ṣîʾ yā-qār mi-zō-lēl} “bring out the precious from the worthless” conveys discerning true value, and the simile kefi tihyeh {כְּפִי תִֽהְיֶה | kə-pî tih-yeh} “as my mouth” depicts prophetic speech. Finally, the contrast between yashuvu hemmah elekha {יָשֻׁבוּ הֵמָּה אֵלֶיךָ | yā-šū-ḇû hēm-māh ʾê-le-kha} “they will return to you” and ve-attah lo-tashuv aleihem {וְאַתָּה לֹא־תָשֻׁב אֲלֵיהֶם | wə-ʾat-tā lō-ta-šū-ḇ ʾă-lê-hem} “and you shall not return to them” underscores the prophet’s separation and authority. |