| 15. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the prohibition velo {וְלֹא־ | wə-lō} ‘and not’, where the prefixed vav combines with the negation particle to introduce the command. The Piel imperfect yechallel {יְחַלֵּל | ye-kha-lēl} ‘defile’ expresses potential or repeated desecration. The construct zar'o {זַרְע֖וֹ | zar-ʿō} ‘offspring’ with a pronominal suffix highlights lineage without an intervening preposition. The prepositional phrase be'ammav {בְּעַמָּ֑יו | bə-ʿam-māv} ‘among his people’ situates the prohibition within a communal context. The conjunction ki {כִּ֛י | kī} introduces a causal clause that begins with the copular pronoun ani {אֲנִ֥י | ʾa-nî} ‘I’ and the divine name Yahweh {יְהוָ֖ה | Yə-hō-wāh} ‘LORD’, thereby establishing divine authority. The Piel participle mekaddesho {מְקַדְּשֽׁוֹ | me-kad-dē-šō} ‘making him holy’ closes the causal statement, emphasizing ongoing sanctification. This structure links priestly conduct to divine sanctifying action, a relationship preserved in English through the causal conjunction and the present participle to mirror Hebrew aspect. |