| 10. Linguistic Exegesis The command uses the vav-consecutive of the verb ve-shavarta {וְשָׁבַרְתָּ | wə-šā-ḇar-tā} ‘and you shall break’ to present a sequential prophetic sign. The phrase le-einei ha-anashim {לְעֵינֵי הָֽאֲנָשִׁים | lə-ʿê-nê hā-ʾă-nā-šîm} ‘before the eyes of the men’ functions as an idiom for public demonstration. The relative clause ha-holekhim otakh {הַהֹלְכִים אוֹתָךְ | ha-hō-lə-ḵîm ʾō-ṯāḵ} ‘who are walking with you’ clarifies the companions witnessing the act. This structure emphasizes the visibility of the sign and Jeremiah’s clear agency in performing the judgment enactment. |