| 4. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with vayomeru {וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ | va-yō-merū} ‘and they said,’ using the vav-consecutive to introduce direct speech and sequential action. The idiom ish el-achiv {אִ֣ישׁ אֶל־אָחִ֑יו | ʾîš ʾel-ʾā-ḥî-w} ‘each man to his brother’ conveys mutual consultation within the group. The Niphal cohortative nitt’nah {נִתְּנָ֥ה | nit-te-nā} expresses a firm proposal of appointment rather than a mere wish. Rosh {רֹ֖אשׁ | rō-š} specifies the office sought. The parallel cohortative in venashuvah {וְנָשׁ֥וּבָה | wə-nā-šū-vāh} mirrors the earlier niphal, reinforcing the symmetry of the two actions. The directive he in mitzraymah {מִצְרָֽיְמָה | miṣ-rā-y-mah} marks Egypt as the destination, emphasizing the intended return. This balanced structure highlights the communal decision-making process. |