| 18. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with vayissa {וַיִּשָּׂ֥א | wayyiśśāʾ} ‘and he lifted up’, a vav-consecutive Qal imperfect that introduces Balaam’s oracle. It is followed by meshalo {מְשָׁלוֹ | mêšālô} ‘his proverb’, marking the formal address. The imperatives kum {קוּם | kūm} ‘arise’, ushma {וּשְׁמָע | ūšmaʿ} ‘hear’, and haazina {הַאֲזִינָה | ha’ăzînāh} ‘give ear’ are directed at Balak {בָּלָק | Bālāk}, creating a layered summons. The particle adai {עָדַי | ăḏay} ‘to me’ intensifies the personal appeal, and the phrase beno tsippor {בְּנוֹ צִפֹּר | bənō ṣîppôr} ‘son of Zippor’ specifies Balak’s lineage. This structure, with vav-consecutives framing successive imperatives, underscores the speaker’s authority and the urgency of attentive listening. |