| 19. Linguistic Exegesis The instrumental phrase bidvarim {בִּדְבָרִים | bə·dā·rîm} ‘by words’ marks the means of attempted correction. The negated Niphal imperfect lo yivaser {לֹא יִוָּסֶר | lōʾ yiv·wā·sêr} ‘will not be disciplined’ states the main assertion. The subject eved {עָבֶד | ʿā·ved} ‘servant’ and the causal conjunction ki {כִּי | kî} ‘for’ introduce a concessive clause yavin {יָבִין | yā·vîn} ‘he understands’, which leads to a verbless result clause ve’eyn maaneh {וְאֵין מַעֲנֶה | wə·ʾên ma·ʿă·neh} ‘there is no answer’. The contrast between understanding and lack of reply underlines the futility of correction by mere words. The paratactic structure links clauses directly, emphasizing unmediated cause and effect. |