| 17. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the Piel imperative of daber {דַּבֵּר | dabbēr} ‘Speak,’ introducing a formal command to Aaron. The genitive construct mizarakha {מִזַּרְעֲךָ | mizzarʿăḵā} with ledorotam {לְדֹרֹתָם | ledōrōṯām} establishes a perpetual priestly lineage, while the relative asher {אֲשֶׁר | ʼăšer} restricts the scope to those “in whom is a defect.” The prohibition is expressed by the negative particle lo combined with the Qal imperfect yikrav {יִקְרַב | yiqrav} plus the Hiphil infinitive lehakriv {לְהַקְרִיב | lehakrīv}, yielding “shall not approach to offer.” The object lechem {לֶחֶם | leḥem} functions metonymically for cultic provisions, and elohav {אֱלֹהָיו | ʼĕlōhāyw} “his God” assigns divine ownership and authority to the rite. |