| 21. Linguistic Exegesis This proverb uses synonymous parallelism consisting of two coordinated clauses. The conjunction ki {כִּי | kî} ‘for’ introduces a causal result. In the first clause, the subject yesharim {יְשָׁרִים | yə-šā-rîm} ‘upright ones’ takes the Qal imperfect yishkenu {יִשְׁכְּנוּ | yiš-ke-nû} ‘will dwell’, with aretz {אָרֶץ | ʾā-reṣ} ‘land’ as its direct object. The second clause mirrors this with temimim {תְמִימִים | tə-mi-mîm} ‘blameless ones’ and the Niphal imperfect yivateru {יִוָּתְרוּ | yî-vā-te-rû} ‘will remain’, where the suffix bah {בָּהּ | bă} ‘in it’ refers back to aretz. This balanced structure emphasizes the covenantal link between moral integrity and lasting habitation. |