| 13. Linguistic Exegesis The opening verb wayyōmer {וַיֹּאמֶר | wayyōmer} marks a vav consecutive + qal imperfect sequence introducing direct speech by mîkhā {מִיכָה | mîkhā}. The adverb ‘attāh {עַתָּה | ‘attāh} functions as a temporal marker signaling immediacy. Yā·da‘·tî {יָדַעְתִּי | yā·da‘·tî}, a perfect verb, conveys completed certainty in Micah’s perspective. The conjunction kî {כִּי | kî} introduces a cause clause yē·ṯî·ḇ {יֵיטִיב | yē·ṯî·ḇ} in the hiphil imperfect, emphasizing the LORD’s intentional action for lî {לִי | lî}. A second kî links to the result clause hā·yāh·lî {הָיָה־לִי | hā·yāh·lî}, another perfect with pronominal suffix marking the accomplished status transfer. Hā·lē·wî {הַלֵּוִי | hā·lē·wî} is further specified by the role phrase lə·ḵō·hēn {לְכֹהֵן | lə·ḵō·hēn}, indicating purpose. The Hebrew sequence foregrounds personal realization before the explanatory rationale; the English translation preserves this emphasis and causal structure. |