| 7. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the circumstantial phrase bemot {בְּמוֹת | bə-mō-wṯ} ‘at the death of,’ setting the temporal frame. The noun-adjective pair adam rasha {אָדָם רָשָׁע | ʾā-dām rā-šāʿ} functions in a genitive relationship as possessor of hope. The imperfect verb toavad {תֹּאבַד | tō-ʼā-ḇaḏ} expresses a future consequence and governs tikvah {תִּקְוָה | tiq-vāh} ‘hope’ as its direct object. The conjunction vetohelet {וְתוֹחֶלֶת | wə-ṯō-ḥe-let} joins a parallel clause in which onim {אוֹנִים | ʼō-nîm} is construct-linked to tohelet ‘expectation of the strong.’ The perfect verb avadah {אָבָדָה | ʾā-ḇā-ḏāh} conveys completed action. The parallel structure and verb aspect contrast highlight the universal finality of death’s impact on both the wicked and the mighty. |