וַיֹּאכְל֣וּ וַיִּשְׁתּ֗וּ ה֛וּא וְהָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים אֲשֶׁר־עִמֹּ֖ו וַיָּלִ֑ינוּ וַיָּק֣וּמוּ בַבֹּ֔קֶר וַיֹּ֖אמֶר שַׁלְּחֻ֥נִי לַֽאדֹנִֽי׃
And they ate and drank, he and the men who were with him, and they spent the night. And they arose in the morning, and he said, “Send me away to my master.”
Morphology
- וַיֹּאכְל֣וּ (vayokhelu) – Root: אכל (ʾ-k-l); Form: Verb, Qal, Wayyiqtol (consecutive imperfect), 3mp; Translation: “And they ate”; Notes: Indicates the action of eating.
- וַיִּשְׁתּ֗וּ (vayishtu) – Root: שתה (sh-t-h); Form: Verb, Qal, Wayyiqtol (consecutive imperfect), 3mp; Translation: “and they drank”; Notes: Indicates the action of drinking.
- ה֛וּא (hu) – Root: הוא (h-w-ʾ); Form: Pronoun, 3ms; Translation: “he”; Notes: Refers to the servant.
- וְהָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים (ve-haʾanashim) – Root: אנש (ʾ-n-sh); Form: Noun, mp with definite article; Translation: “and the men”; Notes: Refers to those accompanying the servant.
- אֲשֶׁר־עִמֹּ֖ו (asher-ʿimmo) – Root: עִם (ʿ-m); Form: Preposition + 3ms suffix; Translation: “who were with him”; Notes: Indicates those accompanying him.
- וַיָּלִ֑ינוּ (vayalinu) – Root: לין (l-y-n); Form: Verb, Qal, Wayyiqtol (consecutive imperfect), 3mp; Translation: “and they spent the night”; Notes: Indicates lodging overnight.
- וַיָּק֣וּמוּ (vayakumu) – Root: קום (q-w-m); Form: Verb, Qal, Wayyiqtol (consecutive imperfect), 3mp; Translation: “and they arose”; Notes: Refers to getting up in the morning.
- בַבֹּ֔קֶר (va-boker) – Root: בקר (b-q-r); Form: Noun, ms with definite article; Translation: “in the morning”; Notes: Indicates the time of day.
- וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (vayomer) – Root: אמר (ʾ-m-r); Form: Verb, Qal, Wayyiqtol (consecutive imperfect), 3ms; Translation: “and he said”; Notes: Refers to the servant speaking.
- שַׁלְּחֻ֥נִי (shallachuni) – Root: שלח (sh-l-ḥ); Form: Verb, Piel, Imperative, mp + 1cs suffix; Translation: “Send me away”; Notes: A request for departure.
- לַֽאדֹנִֽי (la-adoni) – Root: אדן (ʾ-d-n); Form: Noun, ms with 1cs suffix and preposition; Translation: “to my master”; Notes: Refers to Abraham.
Morphological Analysis
ויאכלו (wayyōḵəlū)
- Root: אכל (ʾākal)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3mp
- Translation: “And they ate”
וישתו (wayyišətū)
- Root: שתה (šātāh)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3mp
- Translation: “and they drank”
הוא (hūʾ)
- Form: Pronoun, masculine singular
- Translation: “he”
והאנשים (wəhāʾănāšîm)
- Root: איש (ʾîš)
- Form: Noun, masculine plural with definite article
- Translation: “and the men”
אשר־עמו (ʾăšer-ʿimmō)
- Root: עם (ʿim)
- Form: Relative pronoun + preposition
- Translation: “who were with him”
וילינו (wayyālīnū)
- Root: לון (lûn)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3mp
- Translation: “and they spent the night”
ויקומו (wayyāqūmū)
- Root: קום (qûm)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3mp
- Translation: “and they arose”
בבקר (babōqer)
- Root: בקר (bōqer)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular with preposition
- Translation: “in the morning”
ויאמר (wayyōmer)
- Root: אמר (ʾāmar)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3ms
- Translation: “and he said”
שלחוני (šallaḥūnî)
- Root: שלח (šālaḥ)
- Form: Piel Imperative 2mp + 1cs suffix
- Translation: “Send me”
לאדני (lādōnî)
- Root: אדון (ʾādôn)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular with 1cs suffix
- Translation: “to my master”
Syntax Analysis
The verse begins with a sequence of actions connected by וַ (and), indicating a continuous narrative. ויאכלו וישתו sets the scene with coordinated verbs showing simultaneous actions. The subject הוא והאנשים (he and the men) clarifies who is involved. ויקומו בבקר introduces a time marker, indicating when the next action occurs. The imperative שלחוני is directed toward an implied audience, followed by לאדני, specifying the purpose.
Grammatical Analysis
The Qal imperfect forms ויאכלו, וישתו, וילינו, ויקומו, and ויאמר describe simple actions in narrative sequence. The Piel imperative שלחוני with the suffix emphasizes urgency and personal involvement.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- שלחוני (Send me): The Piel imperative form conveys a strong request or command, highlighting the servant’s intention to return promptly.
- ויקומו בבקר (they arose in the morning): The phrase implies readiness for action and transition to the next phase.
Textual Criticism
No significant textual variants noted among major manuscripts for this verse.
Context of Genesis 24:54
In Genesis 24:54, the verse is part of the story of Abraham’s servant who has been sent to find a wife for Isaac. This scene occurs after the servant meets Rebekah, confirms her identity, and recounts his mission to her family. The family agrees to the marriage proposal, and the servant celebrates the success of his mission.
Verse Breakdown
- The verse describes how the servant and the men with him ate and drank, celebrating the agreement reached with Rebekah’s family.
- It also notes that they stayed the night and rose early in the morning. The servant then requests permission to return to Abraham, indicating his eagerness to complete his task and bring Rebekah to Isaac.
- This verse signifies the fulfillment of Abraham’s wishes and highlights the loyalty and dedication of his servant in carrying out this important mission.
Significance in the Narrative
This verse serves as a transition from the successful negotiation phase to the next step of Rebekah’s journey to become Isaac’s wife. It reflects the themes of divine guidance, hospitality, and trust in God’s providence. The readiness of the servant to return promptly demonstrates his devotion to Abraham’s command and the importance of bringing the bride to Isaac without delay.