| 14. Linguistic Exegesis The verse employs a chain of vav-consecutives to create a rapid sequence of divine actions. The first vav-consecutive introduces vayishlach {וַיְשַׁלַּח | way-yiš-laḥ} ‘sent’, establishing the initial act, followed by the causative Hiphil form vayefitzem {וַיְפִיצֵם | way-ye-pi-ṭsēm} ‘scattered’, which intensifies the divine agency. The coordinated nouns uverakim {וּבְרָקִים | u-ḇə-rā-qîm} ‘lightnings’ and rav {רָב | rāḇ} ‘many’ form a compound expression that heightens the imagery of overwhelming force. The concluding Hiphil wayyiqtol vayehumem {וַיְהֻמֵּם | way-ye-ḥum-mem} ‘confounded’ signals the resulting confusion among the adversaries. English renders the sequential verbs uniformly with “He,” preserving the narrative momentum and the parallel structure that underscores the relentless divine assault. |