| 8. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the negative particle al {אַל | ʾal} ‘do not’ combined with the Qal imperfect tetze {תֵּצֵא | té·tse} functioning as a negative imperative. The infinitive construct lariv {לָרִב | lā·riv} ‘to contend’ with the preposition lamed expresses purpose focused on initiating a lawsuit, and the adverb maher {מַהֵר | ma·hēr} ‘hastily’ intensifies urgency. The conjunction pen {פֶּן | pén} introduces a negative result clause, followed by the interrogative mah taʿaseh {מַה תַּעֲשֶה | mah ta·ʿa·šé} ‘what you will do’, underscoring potential confusion. The temporal phrase beʾacharitah {בְּאַחֲרִיתָהּ | bə·ʾa·ḥă·rî·tāh} ‘in its end’ sets the timeframe, while the Hiphil infinitive construct behaklim {בְּהַכְלִים | bə·haḵ·lî·m} ‘in shaming’ with ʾotkha {אֹתְךָ | ʾōt·kha} marks the effect, and the noun reekha {רֵעֶךָ | ré·ʿe·kha} ‘your companion’ identifies the adversary. The structure moves from prohibition to consequence, highlighting wise restraint in legal proceedings. |