| 4. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the temporal prepositional phrase ve-lifnei {וְלִפְנֵ֣י | wə-lip̄-nê} ‘and before’, setting the narrative context. The demonstrative mizzeh {מִזֶּ֔ה | miz-zê} ‘this’ refers back to prior events. The nominal clause eliyashib ha-kohen {אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן | ʾel-yā-šîḇ hak-kō-hên} functions as subject, identifying Eliashib as the priest. The participle natun {נָת֖וּן | nā-tûn} ‘was appointed’ serves as predicate, indicating a state of official assignment. The spatial construct be-lishkat beit-eloheinu {בְּלִשְׁכַּ֣ת בֵּית־אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ | bə-lish-kat bêṯ-ʾĕ-lō-hê-nû} denotes his location within the temple, emphasizing divine ownership. The adjective karov {קָר֖וֹב | qā-rôḇ} ‘near’ combined with le-toviyyah {לְטוֹבִיָּֽה | lə-ṭō-vî-yā} ‘to Tobiah’ conveys a relational alliance. The Hebrew word order places temporal context first, followed by official role, spatial domain, and social connection. |