| 24. Linguistic Exegesis The conjunction ki {כִּי | kî} marks a causal clause that frames the explanation. The direct object marker et {אֶת | ʾet} highlights maʿasar {מַעְשַׂר | maʿă-sar}, which appears in a Hiphil relative clause (ʾăšer yārîmū lâ-Yahweh tĕrûmâ {אֲשֶׁר יָרִימוּ לַיהוָה תְּרוּמָה}) linking the act of lifting to the divine recipient. The narrative then shifts to nâṯaṯtî lă-Levîyim lĕ-naḥă-LĀH {נָתַתִּי לַלְוִיִּם לְנַחֲלָה}, where the Qal perfect verb signals divine allotment of inheritance. The purpose conjunction ʿal-kên {עַל־כֵּן | ʿal-kên} introduces the pronouncement ʾāmar-tî lā-HEM bĕ-TOKH bĕnei Yisraʾel lō yin-ḥă-LŪ naḥă-LĀH {אָמַרְתִּי לָהֶם בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לֹא יִנְחֲלוּ נַחֲלָה}, emphasizing the Levites’ exclusion from land inheritance. English renders subject–verb–object order for clarity while preserving Hebrew thematic structure around tithe and inheritance. |