| 2. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the divine name Yahweh {יְֽהוָ֗ה | Yə-hō-wāh} emphasizing Divine agency. The prepositional phrase mi-shamayim {מִשָּׁמַיִם֮ | miš-šā-ma-yim} ‘from heaven’ establishes the transcendent vantage point. The verb hishkif {הִשְׁקִ֢יף | hiš-qîp̄} signals an intensive act of scrutiny. The phrase ʿal benei-adam {עַֽל־בְּנֵי־אָדָם | ʿal bə-nê ʾā-dām} treats humanity collectively as the object of observation. The infinitive lirot {לִ֭רְאוֹת | lir-ʾôt} introduces purpose to ascertain existence. The interrogative existential ha-yesh {הֲיֵ֣שׁ | ha-yēš} poses an indirect question. The parallel participles maskil {מַשְׂכִּ֑יל | mas-kîl} ‘one having understanding’ and doresh {דֹּ֝רֵשׁ | dō-rēš} ‘one seeking’ present the ideal human response. Finally, the title Elohim {אֱלֹהִֽים | ʾĕ-lō-hîm} as the verbs’ object focuses the quest on God. |