| 16. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the conjunction ki {כִּי | kî} ‘for’ introducing a reason. The negative particle lo {לֹא | lōʼ} negates the Qal imperfect yishnu {יִשְׁנוּ | yišnû} ‘they sleep’, establishing general restlessness. The conditional im-lo {אִם־לֹא | ʾim-lōʼ} sets the requirement that rest follows only when the Hiphil imperfect yare’u {יָרֵעוּ | yā-rēʾû} ‘they do evil’. The coordinated clause employs the vav-conjunction with the Nifal perfect ve-nigzlah {וְנִגְזְלָה | wə-nig-zə-lāh} ‘and it is stolen’, emphasizing involuntary deprivation. The construct noun shenatam {שְׁנָתָם | šə-nāṯām} ‘their sleep’ specifies the object, and the final conditional im-lo with the Hiphil imperfect yakshilu {יַכְשִׁילוּ | yak-šî-lû} ‘they cause to stumble’ completes a chiastic structure. The parallel negative conditionals underscore the paradox of rest attained through wrongdoing and the harm inflicted on others. |