| 15. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative employs vav-consecutive imperfects to present consecutive events. The verb vayeirdu {וַיֵּרְד֤וּ | wâ-yē-rə-ḏû} ‘went down’ introduces the descent of avoteinu {אֲבֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙ | ’ă-vo-tê-nû}, with the locative he in mitzraymah {מִצְרַ֔יְמָה | mî-ṣ-rā-y-māh} marking entry into Egypt. Vaneshev {וַנֵּ֥שֶׁב | wan-nē-šēḇ} ‘dwelt’ shifts to the community’s residence, while the phrase yamim rabbim {יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים | yā-mîm rab-bîm} forms an idiom for prolonged duration. Finally, the Hiphil verb vayyareu {וַיָּרֵ֥עוּ | wâ-yā-rē-ʿû} indicates Egypt’s active mistreatment of lanu {לָ֛נוּ | lā-nû} and velaavoteinu {וְלַאֲבֹתֵֽינוּ | wə-la-’ă-vo-tê-nû}, highlighting generational oppression. |