| 23. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative begins with the vav-consecutive verb vayetze {וַיֵּצֵא | wayyēṣēʾ} ‘and he went out,’ which introduces the host’s initiative. The phrase al-achai al-tare’u na {אַל־אַחַי אַל־תָּרֵעוּ נָא | ʾal-ʾaḥai ʾal-tārēʿû nāʾ} uses a double negative with the particle na to intensify the plea “do not do harm.” The relative clause acharei asher ba ha’ish hazeh {אַחֲרֵי אֲשֶׁר־בָּא הָאִישׁ הַזֶּה | ʾaḥărê ʾăšer bāʾ hāʾîš hazzēh} establishes the sacred duty of hospitality by noting the guest’s arrival. The repetition of al before taʿasu et han’valah hazot {אַל־תַּעֲשׂוּ אֶת־הַנְּבָלָה הַזֹּאת | ʾal-taʿăśû ʾet hannəvālāh hazzōṯ} creates a climactic parallelism that underscores moral urgency. The English renditions preserve this structure and highlight the host’s protective role. |