| 13. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with two coordinated Piel imperfect verbs: yavelu {יבלו | yə-vā-lû} ‘they spend’ and yekhallu {יְכַלּוּ | yə-kal-lû} ‘they complete,’ framing the duration of life. The prepositional phrase batov yemeihem {בַטּוֹב יְמֵיהֶם | ba-tōv yə-mê-hēm} functions as a temporal circumstance indicating sustained well-being. The conjunction ū in uveregha {וּבְרֶגַע | ū-və-re-ʿă} introduces a sharp temporal contrast, followed by sheol {שְׁא֣וֹל | še-ʾōl} as the locative goal of descent. The Niphal imperfect yehatu {יֵחָֽתּוּ | ye-ḥā-tū} conveys an intransitive descent. This progression from prolonged ease to sudden descent underscores the irony of fleeting human prosperity. |