| 38. Linguistic Exegesis The verse comprises two coordinated clauses linked by the consecutive Vav to describe ritual actions. The first clause begins with the verb veyatsa {וְיָצָ֧א | wə-yā-ṣāʾ} ‘and he shall go out’ in the Qal perfect with Vav consecutive, followed by the subject hakohen {הַכֹּהֵ֛ן | ha-qōhēn} ‘the priest,’ then the prepositional phrases min-habayit {מִן־הַבַּ֖יִת | min-ha-ba-yiṯ} ‘from the house’ and el-petach {אֶל־פֶּתַח | ʼel-pē-ṭaḥ} ‘to the entrance,’ marking the spatial departure. The second clause uses the Hiphil perfect vehisgir {וְהִסְגִּ֥יר | wə-his-gîr} ‘and he shall shut up’ with the Vav consecutive, taking et {אֶת־ | ’et} ‘direct object marker’ to introduce habbayit {הַבַּ֖יִת | ha-ba-yiṯ}, and the construct chain shivat yamim {שִׁבְעַ֥ת יָמִֽים | šiv-ʿat yā-mîm} ‘seven days’ to specify the period of confinement. This sequential structure emphasizes the priest’s movement and the spatial order of the quarantine ritual. |