| 16. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the interrogative pronoun mi {מִי | mî} ‘who’, followed by the noun peti {פֶתִי | pə-tî} ‘simple’, forming an inclusive jussive address. The Qal imperfect jussive yasur {יָסֻר | yā-sûr} functions as a third person exhortation, and the adverb henna {הֵנָּה | hê-nnāh} specifies location. The vav-consecutive participle va-chasar {וַחֲסַר | wə-ḥa-sār} ‘and lacking’ parallels the prior address, leading to lev {לֵב | lêv} ‘heart’ as a metaphor for understanding. Finally, the vav-consecutive perfect ve-omrah {וְאָמְרָה | wə-ʾom-rāh} ‘and she says’ introduces reported speech, with lo {לוֹ | lô} indicating the indirect object. The parallel structure and jussive mood underscore Wisdom’s dual invitation and inclusive outreach. |