| 23. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the conjunction vav {וְ | wə} ‘and’, linking this regulation to preceding laws. It sets up alternative coordination between “ox or sheep,” specified by the adjectives sarua {שָׂר֣וּעַ | śārûaʿ} ‘deformed’ and kalut {וְקָל֑וּט | wə-qālût} ‘stunted’. The verb ta‘ăśśeh {תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה | ta‘ăśśeh} ‘may offer’ (Qal imperfect, second person singular) conveys a permissive directive. In contrast, the clause introduced by ulneder {וּלְנֵ֖דֶר | û-lə-nēḏer} ‘but for a vow’ and the negative particle lo {לֹא | lōʾ} ‘not’ with the Niphal imperfect yērāṣeh {יֵרָצֶֽה | yērāṣeh} ‘shall be accepted’ establishes a prohibition. This juxtaposition of permission and exclusion sharpens the cultic regulations on sacrificial offerings. |