| 6. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the vav-consecutive verb ve-zarak {וְזָרַ֨ק | wə-zārăq} “and he will sprinkle,” initiating the ritual narrative. The subject ha-kohen {הַכֹּהֵ֤ן | ha-kōhēn} follows, and the direct-object marker et {אֶת־ | ʾet} introduces ha-dam {הַדָּם֙ | ha-dām} “the blood,” the sacrificial element. The prepositional phrase al-mizbeakh Yahweh {עַל־מִזְבַּ֣ח יְהוָ֔ה | ʿal miz-bē-ʾaḥ Yə-hō-wāh} specifies the altar of the LORD. The noun chain petakh ohel moed {פֶּ֖תַח אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד | p̄āṭāḥ ʾōhêl mōʿêḏ} “entrance of the tent of meeting” locates the ritual space. The second clause begins with ve-hiktir {וְהִקְטִ֣יר | wə-hiqṭîr} “and he will burn as incense,” directing the offering to ha-khelev {הַחֵ֔לֶב | ha-ḥēlev} “the fat.” The infinitival prepositional phrase le-reakh nikhoakh la-Yahweh {לְרֵ֥יחַ נִיחֹ֖חַ לַיהוָֽה | lə-rēʾāḥ niḥōaḥ la-Yə-hō-wāh} “for a pleasing aroma to the LORD” expresses the purpose. The balanced vav-consecutive structure and precise placement of the final clause emphasize both ritual performance and divine orientation. |