| 32. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the intensified phrase šabbat šabbāṯōn {שַׁבַּת שַׁבָּתוֹן | šabbāṯ šabbāṯōn} ‘sabbath of complete rest’, where duplication underscores solemn cessation. The conjunction wəʿinnīṯem {וְעִנִּיתֶם | wəʿinnīṯem} introduces a coordinate verb demanding ritual self-affliction, and ʼet-nafšōṯêyḵem {אֶת־נַפְשֹׁתֵיכֶם | ʼet-nafšōṯêyḵem} ‘your souls’ highlights the focus of that affliction. The temporal clause bǝtišʿāh lāḥōdeš {בְּתִשְׁעָה לַחֹדֶשׁ | bǝtišʿāh lāḥōdeš} ‘on the ninth of the month’ sets the date, while bāʿerev meʿerev ʿaḏ-ʿerev {בָּעֶרֶב מֵעֶרֶב עַד־עֶרֶב | bāʿerev meʿerev ʿaḏ-ʿerev} ‘from evening to evening’ uses merismus to delineate a full 24-hour period. The imperfect verb tisbəṯû šabbatteḵem {תִּשְׁבְּת֖וּ שַׁבַּתְּכֶם | tisbəṯû šabbatteḵem} ‘you shall rest your sabbath’ conveys the habitual observance commanded. |