| 8. Linguistic Exegesis The verse is formed as a pair of rhetorical questions that challenge an opponent’s claim to special insight. The opening prepositional phrase habesod {הַבְס֣וֹד | habəsôḏ} sets the sphere of access, and its construct relationship with eloah {אֱל֣וֹהַ | ʾĕlôah} presents a uniquely divine deliberative setting rather than ordinary human consultation. The imperfect forms tishma {תִּשְׁמָ֑ע | tišmaʿ} and vetigra {וְתִגְרַ֖ע | wə-tigraʿ} function modally in questions, implying “do you really have the right or ability to do this?” The vav on vetigra {וְתִגְרַ֖ע | wə-tigraʿ} links a second, parallel accusation: not only presumed access to divine counsel, but also a self-centered hoarding of insight. The prepositional phrase elekha {אֵלֶ֣יךָ | ʾēleḵā} marks wisdom as directed “to you alone,” sharpening the critique of exclusivity. In English, the two questions are retained to preserve the verse’s poetic parallelism and its confrontational tone. |