| 7. Linguistic Exegesis The opening vayissa {וַיִּשָּׂ֥א | vayyiṣsāʾ} employs the vav-consecutive Qal imperfect to introduce a sequential narrative move that frames Balaam’s pronouncement. The noun meshalo {מְשָׁל֖וֹ | mešālô} ‘oracle’ signals a formal prophetic utterance. The prepositional phrase min Aram {מִן־אֲרָם | min-’Ărām} locates the origin and marks Balaam as an outsider. Yanḥēnî {יַנְחֵ֨נִי | yanḥēnî} ‘he has led me’ underscores Balak’s agency. The construct chain mēleḵ Mōʾāḇ {מֶֽלֶךְ־מוֹאָב֙ | mēleḵ Mōʾāḇ} fuses title and nationality. The compound preposition mēharrei qěḏem {מֵֽהַרְרֵי־קֶ֔דֶם | mēharrei qěḏem} emphasizes the remote, elevated setting. Finally, the paired imperatives ləḵâ ’ārāh-lî {לְכָה אָֽרָה־לִּ֣י | ləḵâ ’ārāh-lî} and ûl’əkhâ zōʿâmâ {וּלְכָה זֹעֲמָ֥ה | ûl’əḵâ zōʿâmâ} structure the dual commands to curse and to denounce Israel, highlighting urgency and emotional force. |