| 18. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the conjunction ki {כִּי | kî} marking a causal rationale linked to preceding counsel. The particle im {אִם | ʾim} functions as a proverbial intensifier rather than introducing a hypothetical condition. The existential yesh {יֵשׁ | yēš} affirms the reality of an acharit {אַחֲרִית | ʾăḥă-rîṯ} ‘end’, forming a nominal clause. The coordinating vav in ve-tikvatekha {וְתִקְוָתְךָ | wə-ti-qə-vā-ṯə-ḵā} links the assurance of future outcome with the assurance regarding personal hope, marked by the second person suffix. Finally, the negative lo {לֹא | lōʾ} combines with the Niphal imperfect tikkaret {תִכָּרֵת | tik-krēṯ} to express passive negation, stressing that hope will not be severed. The structure yields a tightly bound couplet typical of Hebrew wisdom poetry, uniting certainty of future with enduring expectation. |