וַיֹּוצֵ֨א הָעֶ֜בֶד כְּלֵי־כֶ֨סֶף וּכְלֵ֤י זָהָב֙ וּבְגָדִ֔ים וַיִּתֵּ֖ן לְרִבְקָ֑ה וּמִ֨גְדָּנֹ֔ת נָתַ֥ן לְאָחִ֖יהָ וּלְאִמָּֽהּ׃
And the servant brought out articles of silver and articles of gold, and garments, and gave them to Rivqa. He also gave precious gifts to her brother and to her mother.
Morphology
- וַיֹּוצֵ֨א (vayyotse) – Root: יצא (y-tz-ʾ); Form: Verb, Hifil, Wayyiqtol (consecutive imperfect), 3ms; Translation: “And he brought out”; Notes: Indicates an act of taking out or producing.
- הָעֶ֜בֶד (haʿeved) – Root: עבד (ʿ-v-d); Form: Noun, ms with definite article; Translation: “the servant”; Notes: Refers to Abraham’s servant.
- כְּלֵי־כֶ֨סֶף (klei-kesef) – Root: כְּלִי (k-l-y); Form: Noun, mp construct + noun, ms; Translation: “articles of silver”; Notes: Indicates valuable items made of silver.
- וּכְלֵ֤י זָהָב֙ (u-klei-zahav) – Root: זהב (z-h-v); Form: Noun, mp construct + noun, ms; Translation: “and articles of gold”; Notes: Items crafted from gold.
- וּבְגָדִ֔ים (u-vegadim) – Root: בגד (b-g-d); Form: Noun, mp; Translation: “and garments”; Notes: Refers to clothing items.
- וַיִּתֵּ֖ן (vayyiten) – Root: נתן (n-t-n); Form: Verb, Qal, Wayyiqtol (consecutive imperfect), 3ms; Translation: “and he gave”; Notes: Indicates the act of giving.
- לְרִבְקָ֑ה (le-Rivqah) – Root: רבקה (r-v-q-h); Form: Proper noun, fs with preposition; Translation: “to Rebekah”; Notes: The recipient of the gifts.
- וּמִ֨גְדָּנֹ֔ת (u-migdanot) – Root: מִגְדָּן (m-g-d-n); Form: Noun, fp; Translation: “and precious gifts”; Notes: Refers to delicacies or valuable items.
- נָתַ֥ן (natan) – Root: נתן (n-t-n); Form: Verb, Qal, Perfect, 3ms; Translation: “he gave”; Notes: Indicates the completion of the action.
- לְאָחִ֖יהָ (le-achiyah) – Root: אח (ʾ-ch); Form: Noun, ms construct + 3fs suffix with preposition; Translation: “to her brother”; Notes: Refers to Laban, Rebekah’s brother.
- וּלְאִמָּֽהּ (ul-immah) – Root: אם (ʾ-m); Form: Noun, fs with 3fs suffix and preposition; Translation: “and to her mother”; Notes: Rebekah’s mother is another recipient of the gifts.
Syntax Analysis
The verse begins with the conjunction וַ (and) followed by the Hifil imperfect verb יֹּוצֵ֨א indicating causative action. The subject הָעֶ֜בֶד (the servant) performs the main action. A series of direct objects follow: כְּלֵי־כֶ֨סֶף, כְּלֵי זָהָב, and בְגָדִים. The second clause begins with וַיִּתֵּ֖ן, introducing the recipient לְרִבְקָ֑ה. The conjunction וּ marks a shift to additional recipients: לְאָחִ֖יהָ and וּלְאִמָּֽהּ.
Grammatical Analysis
The Hifil form וַיֹּוצֵ֨א indicates a causative action performed by the subject. The Qal forms וַיִּתֵּ֖ן and נָתַ֥ן show simple actions of giving.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- כְּלֵי (articles): Used to denote vessels or implements, highlighting the value of the gifts.
- מִגְדָּנֹת (precious gifts): This term conveys luxurious or valuable items, underscoring the wealth displayed.
- בְגָדִים (garments): Implies fine clothing, often a sign of status or favor in ancient times.
Textual Criticism
No significant textual variants noted among major manuscripts for this verse.
Context of Genesis 24:53
This verse is part of the narrative where Abraham’s servant, Eliezer, is on a mission to find a wife for Isaac. After meeting Rebecca and determining that she is the suitable bride, he gifts her and her family with valuable items as a sign of commitment and wealth, indicating that she is chosen for Isaac. This was also a customary practice to solidify marriage arrangements during that period.
The gifts symbolize the wealth and generosity of Abraham’s household and serve as a dowry or assurance of the bride’s future prosperit