| 10. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the prohibitive al {אַל־ | ʾal}, marking an ethical injunction. The Piel imperfect verb talshen {תַּלְשֵׁ֣ן | talšên} conveys habitual defamation. The noun eved {עֶ֭בֶד | ʿĕ-wed} functions as direct object, governed by el {אֶל־ | ʾel}, linking to adonav {אֲדֹנָ֑יו | ʾă-ḏō-nāw} in construct to denote “his master.” The particle pen {פֶּֽן־ | pen} introduces a negative purpose clause, followed by yekallelkha {יְקַלֶּלְךָ֥ | yə-ḵal-lêl-kā} expressing potential imprecation. The clause veashamta {וְאָשָֽׁמְתָּ | wə-ʾa-šām-tā} (vav consecutive + Qal perfect) states the resultant guilt. English renders the prohibition first and then the outcome to mirror the Hebrew’s logical flow. |