| 34. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative opens with vayomer {וַיֹּ֨אמֶר | wayyōmer} ‘and He said,’ employing a vav-consecutive to introduce divine speech. The command al-tira {אַל־תִּירָ֣א | ʾal-tîrāʾ} uses a Qal imperfect with a negative particle to form an assurance formula. The perfect verb nāṭattî {נָתַ֧תִּי | nā-ṭattî} ‘I have given’ conveys completed divine action, and the direct object markers ōṯô {אֹת֔וֹ | ʾōṯô} with wə-ʾet-kōl-ʿammō {וְאֶת־כָּל־עַמּ֖וֹ | wə-ʾet-kōl-ʿammō} and wə-ʾet-ʾarṣô {וְאֶת־אַרְצ֑וֹ | wə-ʾet-ʾarṣô} precisely identify those delivered. The comparative ka-ʾăšer {כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר | ka-ʾăšer} clause links this promise to Israel’s prior conquest of Sihon, establishing a pattern of divine enablement and Israelite obedience. The participle yōšēḇ {יוֹשֵׁ֖ב | yōšēḇ} ‘dwells’ emphasizes the ongoing occupation of Heshbon, reinforcing the theme of Yahweh’s sovereign provision. |