| 20. Linguistic Exegesis This verse opens with the interrogative prefix ha- {הֲ | ha-} attached to the Qal imperfect verb yaʿăśeh {יַעֲשֶׂה | ya-ʿa-seh} ‘shall make’, forming a rhetorical question. The pronominal suffix lō {לּ֥וֹ | lō} ‘for himself’ indicates the beneficiary. The noun ʾāḏām {אָדָ֖ם | ʾā-ḏām} ‘a man’ generalizes the subject. Elōhîm {אֱלֹהִ֑ים | ʾĕ-lō-hîm} ‘gods’ serves as the object of human fabrication with a qualitative plural nuance. The coordinating conjunction wə- {וְ | wə-} plus hēmmah {הֵ֖מָּה | hē-máh} ‘and they’ introduces the contrast clause. The negative particle lōʾ {לֹ֥א | lōʾ} ‘not’ with elōhîm {אֱלֹהִֽים | ʾĕ-lō-hîm} ‘gods’ asserts their lack of divine status. The verb-first word order emphasizes human agency, while the subsequent nominal clause underscores the absence of genuine divinity, intensifying the polemic against idolatry. |