| 2. Linguistic Exegesis The narrative begins with the vav-consecutive wayyare {וַיַּ֥רְא | wayyā́re} ‘and he saw,’ marking sequence in the historical account. The construct chain ben tsippor {בֶּן־צִפּ֑וֹר | ben-tsip-pōr} ‘son of Zippor’ identifies Balak’s lineage. The direct object marker et {אֵ֛ת | ʾêṯ} introduces the nominal clause kol asher asah {כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה | kâl ʾăšer ʿāśâ} ‘all that he had done.’ The prepositional phrase la-emori {לָֽאֱמֹרִֽי | lā ʾĕmōrî} ‘to the Amorite’ specifies the party affected. The verb–subject–object–relative clause–prepositional phrase structure centers on the extent of Israel’s actions and their impact on the Amorites. |