| 20. Linguistic Exegesis The sentence opens with the restrictive adverbial phrase ʾaḵ-šəttáyim {אַךְ־שְׁ֭תַּיִם | ʾaḵ-šəttáyim} ‘only two,’ setting a narrow scope. The jussive prohibition ʾal-taʿaś {אַל־תַּ֣עַשׂ | ʾal-taʿaś} ‘do not do’ is followed by the relational phrase ʿimmādî {עִמָּדִ֑י | ʿimmādî} ‘with me.’ The adversative adverb ʾāz {אָ֥ז | ʾāz} ‘then’ introduces the result clause, marked by the spatial-metaphorical expression mippānêkā {מִ֝פָּנֶ֗יךָ | mippānêkā} ‘from before you.’ The negated Niphal imperfect lōʾ ʾessātēr {לֹ֣א אֶסָּתֵֽר | lōʾ ʾessātēr} ‘I will not hide myself’ completes the conditional structure, contrasting concealment with openness. |