וְ֠עַתָּה אִם־יֶשְׁכֶ֨ם עֹשִׂ֜ים חֶ֧סֶד וֶֽאֱמֶ֛ת אֶת־אֲדֹנִ֖י הַגִּ֣ידוּ לִ֑י וְאִם־לֹ֕א הַגִּ֣ידוּ לִ֔י וְאֶפְנֶ֥ה עַל־יָמִ֖ין אֹ֥ו עַל־שְׂמֹֽאל׃
And now, if you are doing kindness and truth to my master, tell me, and if not, tell me, so that I may turn to the right or to the left.”
Morphology
- וְ֠עַתָּה (ve’atah) – Root: עתה (ʿ-t-h); Form: Conjunction + adverb; Translation: “And now”; Notes: Indicates a transition or emphasis on the present moment.
- אִם־יֶשְׁכֶ֨ם (im-yeshkem) – Root: ישׁ (y-sh); Form: Conditional particle + verb, 2mp; Translation: “if you are”; Notes: Introduces a conditional clause.
- עֹשִׂ֜ים (osim) – Root: עשׂה (ʿ-s-h); Form: Verb, Qal, Participle, mp; Translation: “doing”; Notes: Describes ongoing action.
- חֶ֧סֶד (ḥesed) – Root: חסד (ḥ-s-d); Form: Noun, ms; Translation: “kindness”; Notes: Denotes loyalty or favor.
- וֶֽאֱמֶ֛ת (ve’emet) – Root: אמת (ʾ-m-t); Form: Conjunction + noun, fs; Translation: “and truth”; Notes: Often paired with “kindness” to emphasize integrity.
- אֶת־אֲדֹנִ֖י (et-adoni) – Root: אדן (ʾ-d-n); Form: Direct object marker + noun, ms with 1cs suffix; Translation: “to my master”; Notes: Refers to Abraham.
- הַגִּ֣ידוּ (haggidu) – Root: נגד (n-g-d); Form: Verb, Hiphil, Imperative, mp; Translation: “tell”; Notes: An imperative form commanding declaration.
- לִ֑י (li) – Root: N/A; Form: Preposition with 1cs suffix; Translation: “to me”; Notes: Indicates the recipient of the declaration.
- וְאִם־לֹ֕א (ve’im-lo) – Root: לא (l-ʾ); Form: Conjunction + conditional particle + negative particle; Translation: “and if not”; Notes: Opposite condition to the first clause.
- הַגִּ֣ידוּ (haggidu) – Root: נגד (n-g-d); Form: Verb, Hiphil, Imperative, mp; Translation: “tell”; Notes: Repetition emphasizes urgency.
- לִ֔י (li) – Root: N/A; Form: Preposition with 1cs suffix; Translation: “to me”; Notes: As before, specifies the speaker as the recipient.
- וְאֶפְנֶ֥ה (ve’efneh) – Root: פנה (p-n-h); Form: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, 1cs with vav consecutive; Translation: “so that I may turn”; Notes: Indicates a possible change in direction or plan.
- עַל־יָמִ֖ין (ʿal-yamin) – Root: ימן (y-m-n); Form: Preposition + noun, ms; Translation: “to the right”; Notes: Refers to direction.
- אֹ֥ו (o) – Root: N/A; Form: Conjunction; Translation: “or”; Notes: Presents an alternative option.
- עַל־שְׂמֹֽאל (ʿal-semoʾl) – Root: שׂמא (s-m-ʾ); Form: Preposition + noun, ms; Translation: “to the left”; Notes: Complements the previous direction.
Morphological Analysis
- וְ֠עַתָּה (v’attah)
- Root: עַתָּה (now)
- Form: Conjunction וְ (and) + Adverb
- Translation: “And now”
- אִם־יֶשְׁכֶ֨ם (im-yeshchem)
- Root: יֵשׁ (to be, to exist)
- Form: Particle אִם (if) + 2nd person masculine plural
- Translation: “if you are”
- עֹשִׂ֜ים (osim)
- Root: עָשָׂה (to do, to make)
- Binyan: Qal
- Form: Masculine plural, active participle
- Translation: “doing”
- חֶ֧סֶד (chesed)
- Noun: חֶסֶד (kindness, loyalty)
- Translation: “kindness”
- וֶֽאֱמֶ֛ת (ve’emet)
- Noun: אֱמֶת (truth)
- Form: Conjunction וְ (and) + Noun
- Translation: “and truth”
- אֶת־אֲדֹנִ֖י (et-adoni)
- Noun: אֲדֹון (lord, master)
- Form: With direct object marker אֶת
- Translation: “with my master”
- הַגִּ֣ידוּ (haggidu)
- Root: נָגַד (to tell)
- Binyan: Hifil
- Form: 2nd person masculine plural, imperative
- Translation: “tell”
- לִ֑י (li)
- Preposition: ל (to)
- Pronoun: 1st person singular (me)
- Translation: “to me”
- וְאִם־לֹ֕א (ve’im-lo)
- Particle: אִם (if) + לֹא (not)
- Translation: “and if not”
- הַגִּ֣ידוּ (haggidu)
- Root: נָגַד (to tell)
- Binyan: Hifil
- Form: 2nd person masculine plural, imperative
- Translation: “tell”
- לִ֔י (li)
- Preposition: ל (to)
- Pronoun: 1st person singular (me)
- Translation: “to me”
- וְאֶפְנֶ֥ה (ve’efneh)
- Root: פָּנָה (to turn)
- Binyan: Qal
- Form: 1st person singular, imperfect
- Translation: “and I will turn”
- עַל־יָמִ֖ין (al-yamin)
- Preposition: עַל (on, to)
- Noun: יָמִין (right)
- Translation: “to the right”
- אֹ֥ו (o)
- Conjunction: או (or)
- Translation: “or”
- עַל־שְׂמֹֽאל׃ (al-smol)
- Preposition: עַל (on, to)
- Noun: שְׂמֹאל (left)
- Translation: “to the left”
Grammatical Analysis
This verse is a conditional sentence beginning with “if,” indicating a choice presented to the listener regarding their loyalty to the speaker’s master. Imperative verbs direct the listener to respond with either affirmation or denial, prompting the speaker’s action based on the answer.
Syntax Analysis
The syntax places emphasis on the decision-making process by positioning the conditional phrase first, followed by two parallel imperatives. The phrase structure “to the right or to the left” implies an open decision to pursue other options.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
The term חֶסֶד (chesed) here denotes “kindness” or “loyalty,” often referring to faithful dealings between people or with God. אֱמֶת (emet) conveys “truth” or “faithfulness,” reinforcing the concept of reliable and trustworthy behavior toward the speaker’s master.
Textual Criticism
This verse corresponds to Genesis 24:49. The text is consistent across major sources, including the Masoretic Text, Septuagint (LXX), and Peshitta, with no notable textual variations.