| 16. Linguistic Exegesis The verse uses antithetical parallelism to contrast perseverance and downfall. The causal conjunction ki {כִּי | kî} introduces the first clause. The numeral sheva {שֶׁ֨בַע | šəḇāʿ} with yippol {יִפּ֣וֹל | yippōl} and the Vav-consecutive vaqam {וָקָם | vāqām} create a sequential action emphasizing the righteous one’s repeated recovery. This is countered by wrshaim yikkashelu beraah {וּרְשָׁעִים יִכָּשְׁלוּ בְרָעָה | wərəšaʿîm yikkāšəlû bə-rāʿāh}, where the Niphal imperfect underscores the inevitable stumbling of the wicked in adversity. The Hebrew structure’s use of vav-consecutives and parallel clauses reflects theological nuance regarding divine preservation of the righteous and moral accountability of the wicked. |