וָאֶשְׁאַ֣ל אֹתָ֗הּ וָאֹמַר֮ בַּת־מִ֣י אַתְּ֒ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר בַּת־בְּתוּאֵל֙ בֶּן־נָחֹ֔ור אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָֽלְדָה־לֹּ֖ו מִלְכָּ֑ה וָאָשִׂ֤ם הַנֶּ֨זֶם֙ עַל־אַפָּ֔הּ וְהַצְּמִידִ֖ים עַל־יָדֶֽיהָ׃
And I asked her and said, ‘Whose daughter are you?’ And she said, ‘The daughter of Betu’el, son of Naḥor, whom Milka bore to him.’ And I placed the ring on her nose and the bracelets on her hands.
Morphology
- וָאֶשְׁאַ֣ל (vaʾeshal) – Root: שאל (sh-ʾ-l); Form: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, 1cs with vav consecutive; Translation: “And I asked”; Notes: Indicates a question posed by the speaker.
- אֹתָ֗הּ (otah) – Root: את (ʾ-t); Form: Direct object marker with 3fs suffix; Translation: “her”; Notes: Marks the direct object of the verb.
- וָאֹמַ֮ר (vaʾomar) – Root: אמר (ʾ-m-r); Form: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, 1cs with vav consecutive; Translation: “And I said”; Notes: Introduces direct speech.
- בַּת־מִ֣י (bat-mi) – Root: בת (b-t) + מי (m-y); Form: Noun construct (fs) + interrogative; Translation: “Whose daughter”; Notes: A question about lineage.
- אַתְּ֒ (at) – Root: את (ʾ-t); Form: Independent pronoun, 2fs; Translation: “are you”; Notes: Directly addresses the subject.
- וַתֹּ֗אמֶר (vattomer) – Root: אמר (ʾ-m-r); Form: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, 3fs with vav consecutive; Translation: “And she said”; Notes: Indicates her reply.
- בַּת־בְּתוּאֵל֙ (bat-Betuʾel) – Root: בת (b-t) + proper noun; Form: Noun construct (fs) + proper name; Translation: “The daughter of Betu’el”; Notes: Identifies her father.
- בֶּן־נָחֹ֔ור (ben-Naḥor) – Root: בן (b-n) + proper noun; Form: Noun construct (ms) + proper name; Translation: “Son of Naḥor”; Notes: Indicates her grandfather.
- אֲשֶׁ֥ר (asher) – Root: N/A; Form: Relative pronoun; Translation: “whom”; Notes: Links the clause.
- יָֽלְדָה־לֹּ֖ו (yaldah-lo) – Root: ילד (y-l-d); Form: Verb, Qal, Perfect, 3fs + preposition with 3ms suffix; Translation: “bore to him”; Notes: Describes Milkah’s role.
- מִלְכָּ֑ה (Milkah) – Root: N/A; Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Milkah”; Notes: Name of Naḥor’s wife.
- וָאָשִׂ֤ם (vaʾasim) – Root: שׂים (s-y-m); Form: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, 1cs with vav consecutive; Translation: “And I placed”; Notes: Refers to the act of putting on the jewelry.
- הַנֶּ֨זֶם֙ (hanezem) – Root: נזם (n-z-m); Form: Noun, ms definite; Translation: “the ring”; Notes: Likely a nose ring as per context.
- עַל־אַפָּ֔הּ (ʿal-appah) – Root: אף (ʾ-p); Form: Preposition + noun, ms with 3fs suffix; Translation: “on her nose”; Notes: Indicates placement of the ring.
- וְהַצְּמִידִ֖ים (vehatsmidim) – Root: צמד (ts-m-d); Form: Noun, mp definite; Translation: “and the bracelets”; Notes: Items given as gifts.
- עַל־יָדֶֽיהָ (ʿal-yadeha) – Root: יד (y-d); Form: Preposition + noun, dual with 3fs suffix; Translation: “on her hands”; Notes: Specifies the location of the bracelets.
Morphological Analysis
- וָאֶשְׁאַ֣ל (va’esh’al)
- Root: שאל (to ask)
- Binyan: Qal
- Form: 1st person, singular, imperfect
- Translation: “And I asked”
- אֹתָ֗הּ (otah)
- Pronoun: 2nd person, feminine, singular
- Translation: “her”
- וָאֹמַר֮ (va’omar)
- Root: אמר (to say)
- Binyan: Qal
- Form: 1st person, singular, imperfect
- Translation: “and I said”
- בַּת־מִ֣י (bat-mi)
- Noun: בת (daughter)
- Construct Form: “whose”
- Translation: “Whose daughter”
- אַתְּ֒ (at)
- Pronoun: 2nd person, feminine, singular
- Translation: “you”
- וַתֹּ֗אמֶר (vat’tomer)
- Root: אמר (to say)
- Binyan: Qal
- Form: 2nd person, feminine, singular, perfect
- Translation: “and she said”
- בַּת־בְּתוּאֵל֙ (bat-Betu’el)
- Noun: בת (daughter)
- Construct Form: “the daughter of Betuel”
- Translation: “the daughter of Bethuel”
- בֶּן־נָחֹ֔ור (ben-Nachor)
- Noun: בן (son)
- Translation: “son of Nahor”
- אֲשֶׁ֥ר (asher)
- Pronoun: “who”
- Translation: “whom”
- יָֽלְדָה־לּוֹ (yalda-lo)
- Root: ילד (to bear)
- Binyan: Qal
- Form: 3rd person, feminine, singular, perfect
- Translation: “whom she bore to him”
- מִלְכָּ֑ה (Milkah)
- Proper Noun: Milcah (a name)
- Translation: “Milcah”
- וָאָשִׂ֤ם (va’asem)
- Root: שׂם (to put)
- Binyan: Qal
- Form: 1st person, singular, imperfect
- Translation: “and I put”
- הַנֶּ֨זֶם֙ (han-nezem)
- Noun: נֶזֶם (ring)
- Translation: “the ring”
- עַל־אַפָּ֔הּ (al-apah)
- Preposition: על (on)
- Noun: אפָּה (nose)
- Translation: “on her nose”
- וְהַצְּמִידִ֖ים (ve’hats’midim)
- Noun: צְמִידִים (bracelets)
- Translation: “and the bracelets”
- עַל־יָדֶֽיהָ (al-yadeha)
- Preposition: על (on)
- Noun: יד (hand)
- Translation: “on her hands”
Grammatical Analysis
This passage uses a narrative style typical in biblical texts, characterized by direct speech. The verbs are predominantly in the imperfect form, indicating actions that are ongoing or habitual. The use of direct questions enhances the dialogic nature of the narrative.
Syntax Analysis
The structure of the dialogue emphasizes the back-and-forth exchange between the speaker and the daughter of Bethuel. The questions are direct and succinct, followed by the responses that provide clarity and identification.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
The term בַּת (bat, “daughter”) signifies familial relationships and carries cultural implications of lineage and identity within the biblical context. The use of אֶשְׁאַ֣ל (esh’al, “I asked”) reflects the importance of inquiry and personal connection in social interactions.
Textual Criticism
This verse corresponds to Genesis 24:24 in the Masoretic Text. It is consistent with the Septuagint (LXX), which translates the Hebrew accurately. No significant variants are noted in major manuscripts like the Dead Sea Scrolls or the Peshitta.