| 25. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the vav-consecutive Qal imperfect vayashuvu {וַיָּשֻׁבוּ | way-ya-šû-vu} indicating a sequential past action. The phrase mitur {מִתּוּר | mit-tûr} combines the preposition min {מִן | min} with the Piel infinitive construct of tûr {תוּר | tûr} ‘to spy out,’ marking the source of the action. Ha-ʼā-reṣ {הָאָרֶץ | hā-ʼā-reṣ} ‘the land’ is a definite noun, specifying the promised territory. The temporal expression mī-qēṣ arbaʻim yōm {מִקֵּץ אַרְבָּעִים יוֹם | mī-qēṣ ar-ba-‘îm yōm} uses min plus qēṣ {קֵץ | qēṣ} ‘end’ with the numeral arbaʻim ‘forty’ and yōm ‘day’ to denote the completion of a full period. Hebrew syntax orders the action first, then the source phrase, and concludes with the time measure, preserving narrative flow. In English, the sequence is retained, with the temporal phrase optionally fronted for clarity while maintaining the nuance of completed cycles inherent in the Hebrew. |