| 3. Linguistic Exegesis The opening infinitive construct lakachat {לָקַחַת | lā-qa-ḥat} 'to receive' functions as a purpose clause governing a series of objects. The noun musar {מוּסַר | mû-sar} 'instruction' and the Hiphil infinitive construct haskel {הַשְׂכֵּל | ha-šêl} 'prudence' form a construct chain specifying instruction in wise behavior. The coordinated series tsedek {צֶדֶק | ṣê-ḏê-q} 'righteousness', mishpat {מִשְׁפָּט | miš-pā-ṭ} 'justice', and meisharim {מֵישָׁרִים | mê-ša-rîm} 'uprightness' are linked by the conjunction u (וּ), creating a triad of ethical qualities. In translation, English infinitives and prepositional phrases convey purpose, and the conjunctive list preserves parallel structure. |