| 21. Linguistic Exegesis The verse is a direct second-person address framed as two coordinated pleas. The first clause foregrounds the object כַּפְּךָ {כַּפְּךָ | kappəḵā} ‘your hand’ before the imperative הַרְחַק {הַרְחַק | harḥaq} ‘put far, withdraw,’ producing an object-first order that heightens urgency: what must change is the divine “hand” pressing on the speaker. The prepositional phrase מֵעָלַי {מֵעָלַי | mē-ʿālay} ‘from upon me’ specifies removal from a burdensome, overlying position, sharpening the image of oppressive proximity. The second clause is joined with וְ {וְ | wə-} and sets a parallel request: וְאֵמָתְךָ {וְאֵמָתְךָ | wə-ʾêmāṯəḵā} ‘and your terror’ stands as the subject, while the prohibitive אַל־תְּבַעֲתַנִּי {אַל־תְּבַעֲתַנִּי | ʾal-təḇaʿăṯannî} ‘do not terrify me’ expresses a negative command. This parallelism binds physical relief (“hand” withdrawn) to psychological relief (“terror” restrained), portraying suffering as both external affliction and inward dread. |