| 7. Linguistic Exegesis The interrogative maddua {מַדּוּעַ | maddûaʿ} ‘why’ initiates a rhetorical challenge. The subject reshaim {רְשָׁעִ֣ים | rešaʿîm} ‘wicked’ precedes the imperfect yikhyu {יִחְי֑וּ | yiḥyû} ‘live,’ indicating continuous existence. The perfect atku {עָ֝תְקוּ | ʿāṯqû} ‘grow old’ and the perfect gaveru {גָּ֥בְרוּ | gāḇərû} ‘prevail’ form a parallel clause linked by gam {גַּם | gam} ‘also, even,’ underscoring accumulating advantage. The clause concludes with khayil {חָֽיִל | ḥāyil} ‘strength,’ conveying both power and capacity. The sequence moves from ongoing action to completed triumph, heightening the tension over unjust prosperity. |