| 16. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the infinitive lasum {לָשׂ֥וּם | lā-šūm} ‘to make’, signaling the outcome of judgment. The result phrase artzam leshamah {אַרְצָ֛ם לְשַׁמָּ֖ה | ʾar-ṣām lə-šammāh} establishes the land’s transformation into desolation. The noun sherikot {שְׁרִיק֣וֹת | šərîqōṯ} paired with olam {עוֹלָ֑ם | ʿō-lām} conveys enduring contempt through perpetual hissing. The participle kol ōvêr {כֹּל עוֹבֵ֣ר | kōl ʿō-ḇêr} ‘everyone passing by’ introduces the witnesses, followed by the imperfects yishom {יִשֹּׁ֖ם | yiš-šōm} ‘be appalled’ and veyanid {וְיָנִ֥יד | wə-yā-nîḏ} ‘wag’, with berosho {בְּרֹאשֽׁוֹ | bə-rō-šô} specifying the head as the locus of the gesture. This structure underscores the public and perpetual nature of the disgrace. |