| 13. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with vayomer {וַיֹּ֨אמֶר | wayyōmer} ‘and he said’, marking direct speech. The address elav {אֵלָ֜יו | ʾēlāyw} ‘to him’ identifies the addressee. The double imperative lekh-lekhā-nāʾ {לֶךְ-לְכָה-נָּ֨א | leḵ-ləḵā-nāʼ} ‘go, please’ combines command and entreaty. The construct makom akher {מָק֤וֹם אַחֵר | māqôm ʾaḥēr} ‘another place’, followed by the relative clause asher tirenu misham {אֲשֶׁ֣ר תִּרְאֶ֣נּוּ מִשָּׁ֔ם | ʾăšer tirʼēnû miššām} ‘where you will see it from there’, establishes a limited vantage. The adverb efes {אֶ֚פֶס | ʾepes} ‘only’ coupled with katsehu {קָצֵ֣הוּ | qāṣēhû} ‘its edge’ emphasizes restriction. The repetition of the imperfect tireh {תִרְאֶ֔ה | tirʼeh} in positive and negative clauses draws contrast. The vav-consecutive in veqavno-li {וְקָבְנוֹ-לִ֖י | wəqāḇnô-lî} ‘and curse it for me’ expresses the purpose of Balak’s request. The English translation mirrors Hebrew coordination and Balak’s strategy of controlling Balaam’s perspective. |