וַיַּ֨עַן לָבָ֤ן וּבְתוּאֵל֙ וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ מֵיְהוָ֖ה יָצָ֣א הַדָּבָ֑ר לֹ֥א נוּכַ֛ל דַּבֵּ֥ר אֵלֶ֖יךָ רַ֥ע אֹו־טֹֽוב׃
Then Lavan and Bethuel answered and said, “The matter has come from YHWH; we cannot speak to you bad or good.
Morphology
- וַיַּ֨עַן (vayyaʿan) – Root: ענה (ʿ-n-h); Form: Verb, Qal, Wayyiqtol, 3ms; Translation: “Then he answered”; Notes: Sequential narrative form indicating a reply.
- לָבָ֤ן (Lavan) – Root: לבן (l-b-n); Form: Proper noun, ms; Translation: “Lavan”; Notes: Name of a character, brother of Rebekah.
- וּבְתוּאֵל֙ (u-vetuel) – Root: בתואל (b-t-ʾ-l); Form: Proper noun, ms; Translation: “Bethuel”; Notes: Rebekah’s father.
- וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ (vayyomeru) – Root: אמר (ʾ-m-r); Form: Verb, Qal, Wayyiqtol, 3mp; Translation: “and they said”; Notes: Indicates a verbal response by multiple speakers.
- מֵיְהוָ֖ה (meyehovah) – Root: יהוה (YHWH); Form: Preposition + proper noun; Translation: “from the LORD”; Notes: Acknowledges divine origin of the matter.
- יָצָ֣א (yatsa) – Root: יצא (y-ts-ʾ); Form: Verb, Qal, Perfect, 3ms; Translation: “has come”; Notes: Refers to something originating or proceeding.
- הַדָּבָ֑ר (hadavar) – Root: דבר (d-v-r); Form: Noun, ms with definite article; Translation: “the matter”; Notes: Refers to the proposal regarding Rebekah.
- לֹ֥א (lo) – Root: N/A; Form: Negative particle; Translation: “not”; Notes: Negates the verb that follows.
- נוּכַ֛ל (nukhal) – Root: יכל (y-k-l); Form: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, 1cp; Translation: “we cannot”; Notes: Expresses inability.
- דַּבֵּ֥ר (dabber) – Root: דבר (d-v-r); Form: Verb, Piel, Infinitive Construct; Translation: “to speak”; Notes: Infinitive indicates verbal action.
- אֵלֶ֖יךָ (elekha) – Root: N/A; Form: Preposition + 2ms suffix; Translation: “to you”; Notes: Refers to the servant as the recipient of their statement.
- רַ֥ע (raʿ) – Root: רע (r-ʿ); Form: Noun, ms; Translation: “bad”; Notes: Denotes something harmful or negative.
- אֹו (o) – Root: N/A; Form: Conjunction; Translation: “or”; Notes: Connects alternatives.
- טֹֽוב (tov) – Root: טוב (ṭ-w-v); Form: Noun, ms; Translation: “good”; Notes: Denotes something beneficial or positive.
Morphological Analysis
- וַיַּ֨עַן (vayya`an)
Root: עָנָה (to answer)
Binyan: Qal
Form: Conjunction וְ (and) + Verb, 3ms, Imperfect
Translation: “and he answered” - לָבָ֤ן (Laban)
Root: לָבָן (Laban)
Form: Proper noun, singular, masculine
Translation: “Laban” - וּבְתוּאֵל֙ (u-Betuel)
Root: בֵּית (house) + אֵל (God)
Form: Conjunction וְ (and) + Proper noun, singular, masculine
Translation: “and Bethuel” - וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ (vayyomeru)
Root: אָמַר (to say)
Binyan: Qal
Form: Conjunction וְ (and) + Verb, 3mp, Imperfect
Translation: “and they said” - מֵיְהוָ֖ה (mei-YHWH)
Root: יְהוָה (YHWH)
Form: Preposition מֵ (from) + Proper noun
Translation: “from the Lord” - יָצָ֣א (yatza)
Root: יָצָא (to go out)
Binyan: Qal
Form: Verb, 3ms, Perfect
Translation: “has gone out” - הַדָּבָ֑ר (ha-davar)
Root: דָּבָר (matter)
Form: Definite article הַ (the) + Noun, singular, masculine
Translation: “the matter” - לֹ֥א (lo)
Root: לֹא (not)
Form: Adverb
Translation: “not” - נוּכַ֛ל (nuchal)
Root: נוּכַל (to be able)
Binyan: Qal
Form: Verb, 1cp, Imperfect
Translation: “we can” - דַּבֵּ֥ר (daber)
Root: דָּבַר (to speak)
Binyan: Qal
Form: Infinitive construct
Translation: “speak” - אֵלֶ֖יךָ (eleicha)
Root: אֵל (to)
Form: Preposition אֵל (to) + 2ms pronoun
Translation: “to you” - רַ֥ע (ra)
Root: רָע (bad)
Form: Adjective
Translation: “bad” - אֹו־טֹֽוב (o-tov)
Root: טוֹב (good)
Form: Conjunction אֹו (or) + Adjective
Translation: “or good”
Syntax Analysis
The verse is structured as a compound sentence, initiated by the conjunction וַיַּ֨עַן (“and he answered”), which signifies a response. Laban and Bethuel are introduced as a compound subject in the first part of the sentence, leading to their joint action of answering and saying. The second part presents a complex thought that emphasizes the divine origin of the matter, culminating in a statement of their inability to express a subjective view (whether positive or negative).
Grammatical Analysis
The grammatical structure reflects coordination between Laban and Bethuel, with their response shaped by divine authority. The use of the adverb לֹ֥א (“not”) emphasizes their inability to engage in subjective discourse, suggesting a strong deference to God’s will. The use of the conjunction אֹו (“or”) also indicates a binary choice, reinforcing the notion of their constrained ability to respond.
Lexical Semantics
- וַיַּ֨עַן: Indicates a direct response, emphasizing engagement and dialogue.
- יָצָ֣א: Conveys the emergence of a matter, indicating divine decision-making.
- רַ֥ע and אֹו־טֹֽוב: Present contrasting notions, indicating their inability to offer a favorable or unfavorable opinion.
Word Study
- וַיַּ֨עַן: Commonly used in contexts of response, showing the importance of dialogue in biblical narratives.
- יָצָ֣א: Often used to denote significant actions or decisions emerging from divine authority, reflecting God’s control over human affairs.
- אֵלֶ֖יךָ: The directionality of the speech underscores relational dynamics, emphasizing the authority of the speaker.
Textual Criticism
- Septuagint: The LXX retains a similar structure and conveys the same divine implication of the matter.
- Targums: Provide additional interpretative nuances that emphasize God’s authority in human decisions.
- Dead Sea Scrolls: Variants align closely with the Masoretic Text, affirming the textual integrity.
- Peshitta: Maintains consistency with the meaning conveyed in the Hebrew text, affirming the divine origin of the matter.