| 15. Linguistic Exegesis The proverb begins with the imperative shteh {שְׁתֵה | šəṯêh} ‘drink’, directly addressing the hearer. The direct object mayim {מַיִם | ma-yim} ‘water’ is specified by the prepositional phrase miborekha {מִבּוֹרֶךָ | mib-bō-re-ḵā} ‘from your cistern’, establishing personal ownership. The conjunction vav {וְ | wə} introduces the participial clause nozlim {נֹזְלִים | nōz-lîm} ‘flowing streams’, which is linked to the locative phrase mitokh beerekha {מִתּוֹךְ בְּאֵרֶךָ | mit-tôkh bə-ʾê-re-ḵā} ‘from within your well’. This parallel structure emphasizes completeness and ongoing benefit, while the repetition of water imagery underscores faithful exclusivity. |