| 23. Linguistic Exegesis The verse employs a protasis–apodosis structure introduced by ve-im {וְאִם | wə-ʾim} ‘and if’ to set a conditional standard. The locative phrase tachteha {תַּחְתֶּ֜יהָ | taḥtəhā} ‘under it’ specifies the lesion’s position. The Qal imperfect in ta’amod {תַּעֲמֹד | taʿămōḏ} underscores its continual presence, while the negative clause lo pāśāṯāh {לֹא פָשָׂתָה | lōʾ pāśāṯāh} ‘has not spread’ defines non-contagion. The nominal clause tsarevet ha-shechin hi {צָרֶבֶת הַשְּׁחִ֖ין הִ֑וא | ṣāreḇeṯ ha-šeḥīn hî’} reclassifies the lesion as a benign scar. The apodosis is marked by vav-consecutive in vetiharo {וְטִהֲר֖וֹ | wə-tiḥārō} ‘and he shall declare him clean’, using the Piel imperfect to convey priestly agency, thereby emphasizing precise diagnostic criteria and authoritative pronouncement of purity. |