| 21. Linguistic Exegesis The clause begins with the narrative verb vayishlach {וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח | va-yish-lakh} expressing a sequential action through the vav consecutive + Qal imperfect. Yisra’el {יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ | yi-srə-ʾel} functions as the subject. The noun malakhim {מַלְאָכִ֔ים | mal-ʾa-khim} indicates an official delegation. The preposition el {אֶל־ | el} introduces the destination Sichon {סִיחֹ֥ן | si-khon}, with melech ha-emori {מֶֽלֶךְ־הָאֱמֹרִ֖י | me-lekh ha-ʾe-mo-ri} forming a construct chain that identifies him as the Amorite king. Finally, the infinitive le-e-mor {לֵאמֹֽר | le-e-mor} serves as the syntactic marker signaling forthcoming speech. |