| 3. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with vayyarev {וַיָּ֥רֶב | way-yā-rēḇ} ‘quarreled’, using the vav-consecutive to transition the narrative into direct conflict. The definite noun ha-am {הָעָ֖ם | hā-ʿām} ‘the people’ marks a unified collective as subject. The prepositional phrase im-moshe {עִם־מֹשֶׁ֑ה | ʿim mō-šē} ‘with Moses’ designates the individual challenged. The speech formula vayomeru lemaor {וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ לֵאמֹ֔ר | way-yō-ʾə-rū lē-ʾê-môr} anchors the ensuing quote. The particle velu {וְל֥וּ | wə-lû} conveys a wishful longing. Gavanu {גָוַ֛עְנוּ | gā-ḇa-ʿnū} frames the desired action as complete. The construct chain bigva acheinu {בִּגְוַ֥ע אַחֵ֖ינוּ | bi-gə-wāʿ ʾa-ḥê-nū} intensifies the familial lament. Finally, liphnei Yahweh {לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה | li-p̄nê Yə-hō-wāh} introduces a judicial and theological dimension. The English rendering preserves the Hebrew sequence and legal tone while clarifying the emotional and divine relational emphasis. |