| 19. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the construct phrase sefat {שְׂפַת־ | sə-phaṯ} ‘lip’ modified by emet {אֱמֶת | ʾe-meṯ} ‘truth’, establishing a figurative expression for honest speech. The verb tikon {תִּכּוֹן | ti-qôn} in the Qal imperfect, third person feminine singular, projects ongoing establishment, which with la-ad {לָעַד | lā-ʿaḏ} ‘forever’ emphasizes enduring stability. The conjunction ve-ad {וְעַד־ | wə-ʿaḏ} ‘and until’ introduces an antithetical clause headed by argi-ah {אַרְגִּיעָה | ar-gî-ʿā} ‘an instant’, paired with le-shon {לְשׁוֹן | lə-šôn} ‘tongue’ and shaker {שָׁקֶר | šā-qer} ‘falsehood’, forming a chiastic structure that contrasts permanence with fleetingness. This structure is preserved in the target language through parallel temporal clauses, highlighting the moral contrast between enduring truth and transient deceit. |