הִנֵּֽה־רִבְקָ֥ה לְפָנֶ֖יךָ קַ֣ח וָלֵ֑ךְ וּתְהִ֤י אִשָּׁה֙ לְבֶן־אֲדֹנֶ֔יךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהוָֽה׃
Here is Rivqa before you; take her and go, and let her be a wife for your master’s son, as spoken by YHWH.”
Morphology
- הִנֵּֽה־ (hinneh) – Root: נהה (n-h-h); Form: Interjection; Translation: “Here is”; Notes: Introduces the presence or availability of something.
- רִבְקָ֥ה (Rivqah) – Root: רבק (r-v-q); Form: Proper noun, fs; Translation: “Rebekah”; Notes: Name of the daughter of Bethuel.
- לְפָנֶ֖יךָ (lefanekha) – Root: פנה (p-n-h); Form: Preposition + noun + 2ms suffix; Translation: “before you”; Notes: Indicates presence or position in front of someone.
- קַ֣ח (qach) – Root: לקח (l-q-ḥ); Form: Verb, Qal, Imperative, 2ms; Translation: “take”; Notes: Command or directive to act.
- וָלֵ֑ךְ (va-lekh) – Root: הלך (h-l-k); Form: Verb, Qal, Imperative, 2ms with conjunction; Translation: “and go”; Notes: Sequential action to follow the taking.
- וּתְהִ֤י (utihi) – Root: היה (h-y-h); Form: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, 3fs with conjunction; Translation: “and let her be”; Notes: Expresses the desired outcome.
- אִשָּׁה֙ (ishah) – Root: אשה (ʾ-sh-h); Form: Noun, fs; Translation: “a wife”; Notes: Refers to the marital role.
- לְבֶן־אֲדֹנֶ֔יךָ (leven adonekha) – Root: בן (b-n) + אדן (ʾ-d-n); Form: Noun, ms construct + noun, ms with 2ms suffix; Translation: “for your master’s son”; Notes: Indicates relationship and recipient of Rebekah as a wife.
- כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר (kaʾasher) – Root: N/A; Form: Conjunction; Translation: “as”; Notes: Introduces a comparison or condition.
- דִּבֶּ֥ר (dibber) – Root: דבר (d-v-r); Form: Verb, Piel, Perfect, 3ms; Translation: “has spoken”; Notes: Refers to God’s declaration or command.
- יְהוָֽה׃ (Adonai) – Root: יהוה (YHWH); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “the LORD”; Notes: Refers to the God of Abraham.
Morphological Analysis
- הִנֵּֽה (hinneh)
Root: הָנָה (to behold)
Form: Interjection
Translation: “Behold” - רִבְקָ֥ה (Rivkah)
Root: רִבְקָה (Rebecca)
Form: Proper noun, singular, feminine
Translation: “Rebecca” - לְפָנֶ֖יךָ (lefanekha)
Root: פָנִים (face)
Form: Preposition לְ (before) + 2ms pronoun
Translation: “before you” - קַ֣ח (kach)
Root: לָקַח (to take)
Binyan: Qal
Form: Imperative, 2ms
Translation: “take” - וָלֵ֑ךְ (ve-lekh)
Root: הָלַךְ (to go)
Binyan: Qal
Form: Conjunction וְ (and) + Imperative, 2ms
Translation: “and go” - וּתְהִ֤י (u-tehi)
Root: הָיָה (to be)
Binyan: Qal
Form: Conjunction וּ (and) + Verb, 2fs, Imperfect
Translation: “and let her be” - אִשָּׁה֙ (ishah)
Root: אִשָּׁה (woman)
Form: Noun, singular, feminine
Translation: “a wife” - לְבֶן־אֲדֹנֶ֔יךָ (le-ven-adoneikha)
Root: בֵּן (son) + אֲדֹון (lord)
Form: Preposition לְ (for) + Noun, singular, masculine with possessive pronoun
Translation: “for your master’s son” - כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר (ka-asher)
Root: אֲשֶׁר (which, that)
Form: Conjunction
Translation: “as” - דִּבֶּ֥ר (diber)
Root: דָּבַר (to speak)
Binyan: Piel
Form: Verb, 3ms, Perfect
Translation: “has spoken” - יְהוָֽה (YHWH)
Root: יְהוָה (YHWH)
Form: Proper noun
Translation: “the LORD”
Syntax Analysis
The structure of the verse includes an introductory imperative (הִנֵּֽה) that draws attention to Rebecca, establishing her as the subject of the following commands. The commands (קַ֣ח וָלֵ֑ךְ) are directed at the addressee, emphasizing action. The clause “and let her be a wife” serves as a result or purpose clause, explaining the intended outcome of taking Rebecca, all of which is framed by the divine imperative (“as the Lord has spoken”).
Grammatical Analysis
The grammatical structure reflects coordination between the commands and the intended outcome. The use of the interjection (הִנֵּֽה) sets the stage for the ensuing action. The coordination of the commands with the clause indicating the divine will underlines the significance of Rebecca’s role and the authority behind the decision.
Lexical Semantics
- הִנֵּֽה: Emphasizes urgency and importance in the context of revelation.
- יָצָ֣א: Conveys the divine endorsement of Rebecca’s role in the future.
- אִשָּׁה: Indicates the cultural significance of marriage in the biblical narrative.
Word Study
- הִנֵּֽה: Often used to indicate an important event or revelation, setting the stage for significant actions.
- אִשָּׁה: Reflects the role of women in the biblical text, particularly in marriage and family.
- דִּבֶּ֥ר: Highlights the theme of divine communication and instruction throughout Scripture.
Textual Criticism
- Septuagint: Maintains similar wording, emphasizing divine directive in the narrative.
- Targums: Provide additional interpretative layers that underscore God’s choice.
- Dead Sea Scrolls: Variants are consistent with the Masoretic Text, affirming textual integrity.
- Peshitta: Aligns closely with the Hebrew text, highlighting the significance of Rebecca’s selection.