| 8. Linguistic Exegesis The sequence opens with the vav-consecutive verb venatan {וְנָתַ֧ן | wə-nā-ṯan} ‘and he shall place’, marking a ritual action. The phrase al-šə-nê ha-sə-ʿî-rîm {עַל־שְׁנֵ֥י הַשְּׂעִירִ֖ם | ʿal-šə-nê ha-sə-ʿî-rîm} ‘upon the two goats’ uses a numeral construct and a definite noun to designate the sacrificial pair. The term gô-ṯālôt {גּוֹרָל֑וֹת | gô-ṯālôt} ‘lots’ introduces selection by chance, followed by gô-ṯāl ʾe-ḥād {גּוֹרָ֤ל אֶחָד֙ | gô-ṯāl ʾe-ḥād} ‘lot one’ for la-Yahweh {לַיהוָ֔ה | la-Yahweh} and wə-gô-ṯāl ʾe-ḥād {וְגוֹרָ֥ל אֶחָ֖ד | wə-gô-ṯāl ʾe-ḥād} ‘and lot one’ for la-ʿă-zā-ʾêl {לַעֲזָאזֵֽל | la-ʿă-zā-ʾêl}. This parallel structure highlights the equal but distinct destinies: one consecrated for divine purpose, the other designated for removal. The Hebrew construct chains and vav-consecutive sequence create a tightly integrated ritual description, which is rendered in English by preserving the order and balance of the original. |