| 7. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative begins with vayedabber {וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר | wayyĕḏabber} ‘and he spoke’, employing the vav-consecutive Piel imperfect to frame the action within the ongoing historical account. The subject Yahweh {יְהוָ֖ה | Yəhôwāh} ‘LORD’ is fronted, emphasizing the divine origin of the speech. The prepositional phrase el-Mōšeh {אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה | ʾel mōšê} ‘to Moses’ identifies the recipient. The infinitive construct lēʾêmôr {לֵּאמֹֽר | lēʾêmôr} ‘saying’ introduces the forthcoming address, a common Hebrew formula that signals divine discourse. This structure highlights both the authority of the speaker and the transition from narrative to direct communication. |