| 15. Linguistic Exegesis The syntax begins with lematteh {לְמַטֵּה | lə-mat-teh} ‘for tribe’, a prepositional phrase indicating the group under consideration. The proper noun gad {גָד | gād} ‘Gad’ follows, specifying the tribe. Next, geu’el {גְּאוּאֵל | gə-ʾū-ʾēl} ‘Geu’el’ appears in apposition to gad, identifying the individual representative. The construct phrase ben-makhi {בֶּן־מָכִי | ben-mā-kî} ‘son of Makhi’ employs the noun ben in construct with makhi to convey genealogical descent. This structure is a typical verbless clause in Hebrew listings, where designation (tribe) + specification (name) + lineage is presented without a verb. In translation, “For” or “From” is introduced to form an English nominal clause, preserving the Hebrew word order and construct relationships for clarity to modern readers. |