| 29. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the prohibitive construct al-techallel {אַל־תְּחַלֵּ֥ל | ʾal-tə-ḥal-lêl}, combining the negative particle with the Piel imperfect second-person masculine singular jussive to issue a strong command. The phrase et-bitteka {אֶֽת־בִּתְּךָ֖ | ʾet-bit-tə-kā} marks “your daughter” as the direct object. The Hiphil infinitive construct le-haznotah {לְהַזְנוֹתָ֑הּ | lə-haz-nō-tāh} functions as a purpose clause specifying “to make her a prostitute.” The conjunctive negative ve-lotizneh {וְלֹא־תִזְנֶ֣ה | wə-lōʾ-tiz-nēh} extends the prohibition to the land by personification. The chiastic repetition of ha-arets {הָאָ֔רֶץ | hā-ʾā-reṣ} with the perfect verb umalah {וּמָלְאָ֥ה | ū-mā-lāh} accentuates the cause-and-effect relationship. The final noun zimmah {זִמָּֽה | zim-māh} denotes the moral depravity destined to fill the land. The English translation mirrors the Hebrew sequential structure and cause-result linkage, preserving both prohibition and consequence. |