| 17. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the temporal adverb az {אָז | ʾāz} ‘then’, setting a narrative sequence. The verb yashir {יָשִׁיר | yāšîr} employs the Qal imperfect with a vav-conversive for narrative perfective, indicating completed action. The particle et {אֶת | ʾeṯ} introduces the direct object hashirah {הַשִּׁירָה | haššîrâh} ‘the song’, which is specified by the demonstrative hazot {הַזֹּאת | hazzōṯ} ‘this’. The first imperative ali {עֲלִי | ʿălî} ‘spring up’ addresses the noun be’er {בְאֵר | bəʾêr} ‘well’, personifying it. The following imperative enu {עֱנוּ | ʿănû} ‘sing/respond’ takes lah {לָהּ | lāh} ‘to her’ as an indirect object, extending the appeal. These parallel imperatives form a poetic refrain emphasizing the well’s life-giving function and the community’s celebratory response. The translation retains the imperative mood and parallel structure to preserve the original exclamatory force. |