| 12. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative opens with the vav-consecutive verb vayomeru {וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ | wā-yō-’ă-mer-û} marking sequential dialogue. The infinitive constructs le’esar-kha {לֶאֱסָרְךָ֣ | le-’ĕ-sār-kha} and le-tittekha {לְתִתְּךָ֖ | lə-tiṯ-te-kha} frame the intention to restrain and transfer Samson, while the construct chain bə-yad-pelištim {בְּיַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֑ים | bə-yaḏ-p̄e-liš-tîm} indicates placement into enemy custody. Samson’s demand uses the Niphal imperative hishavu {הִשָּׁבְע֣וּ | hi-šā-v‘û} to elicit an oath with a protective clause introduced by pen {פֶּן־ | pen}, linking tifge’un {תִּפְגְּע֥וּן | tif-ge-‘ûn} and the preposition bi {בִּ֖י | bî} to form a conditional prohibition against personal attack. The shifts in verb forms highlight both the Judean leaders’ resolve and Samson’s concern for personal safety. |