| 6. Linguistic Exegesis The clause begins with the prohibitive particle al {אַל | ʾal} ‘do not’ coupled with the Qal imperfect tosep {תּ֥וֹסְףְּ | tōsēp̄} ‘add’ in jussive force, forming a direct prohibition. The preposition ʿal {עַל | ʿal} ‘upon’ governs the construct dəvarāw {דְּבָרָ֑יו | dəḇārāw} ‘his words’, specifying the object. The conjunction pen {פֶּן | pen} ‘lest’ introduces a feared-result clause, leading into the Hiphil imperfect yôḵîyaḥ {יוֹכִ֖יחַ | yôḵîyaḥ} ‘he rebuke’, which conveys causative divine correction. The prepositional phrase bəḵā {בְּךָ | bəḵā} ‘in you’ identifies the recipient. Finally, the vav-consecutive Nifal perfect wə-nikhzāvta {וְנִכְזָֽבְתָּ | wə-niḵzāvēṯā} ‘you will be found false’ presents the consequence. This progression from prohibition through warning to consequence underscores the seriousness of altering authoritative instruction. |