| 30. Linguistic Exegesis The inspection sequence opens with ve-ra’ah {וְרָאָה | wə-rā-’ā(h)} introducing the act of review, followed by ha-kohen {הַכֹּהֵן | ha-qō-hên} as the examining authority. The direct object et-ha-nega {אֶת־הַנֶּגַע | ’et-hā-nē-‘ā} identifies the sore. The particle ve-hinneh {وְהִנֵּה | wə-hin-nē(h)} signals scrutiny, and mar-ehu {מַרְאֵהוּ | mar-’ê-hû} “its appearance” is qualified by the comparative amok min-ha-or {עָמֹק מִן־הָעוֹר | ’ā-mōq min-hā-’ōr} “deeper than the skin.” The focus shifts with u-vo {וּב֛וֹ | û-bō(w)} to se-ar tsahov dāq {שֵׂעָר צָהֹב דָּק | se-‘ār tsā-hōv dāq} “thin yellow hair.” The verdict follows under ve-timme oto {וְטִמֵּא אֹתוֹ | wə-ṭimmē(h) ’ō-tô(w)} “and he will pronounce him unclean.” The phrase netek hu {נֶתֶק ה֔וּא | ne-teq hû(h)} “it is a patch” and the specification of tsara-at on ha-rosh o ha-zakan {צָרַעַת הָרֹאשׁ אוֹ הַזָּקָן | ṣā-ra-‘āṯ hā-rō-’ēš ’ō hā-zā-qān} “leprosy on the head or beard” completes the ritual judgment. The Hebrew structure underscores priestly authority and the precise criteria for impurity. |