וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ אַל־תְּאַחֲר֣וּ אֹתִ֔י וַֽיהוָ֖ה הִצְלִ֣יחַ דַּרְכִּ֑י שַׁלְּח֕וּנִי וְאֵלְכָ֖ה לַֽאדֹנִֽי׃
And he said to them, “Do not delay me, for YHWH has prospered my way. Send me off so I may go to my master.”
Morphology
- וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (vayomer) – Root: אמר (ʾ-m-r); Form: Verb, Qal, Wayyiqtol (consecutive imperfect), 3ms; Translation: “And he said”; Notes: Refers to Abraham’s servant speaking to Rebecca’s family.
- אֲלֵהֶם֙ (alehem) – Root: אל (ʾ-l); Form: Preposition with 3mp suffix; Translation: “to them”; Notes: Refers to Laban and Rebecca’s family.
- אַל־תְּאַחֲר֣וּ (ʾal-teʾaḥaru) – Root: אחר (ʾ-ḥ-r); Form: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, 2mp, with negative particle; Translation: “Do not delay”; Notes: A plea for immediate action.
- אֹתִ֔י (oti) – Root: את (ʾ-t); Form: Direct object marker with 1cs suffix; Translation: “me”; Notes: Emphasizes the servant as the subject of the request.
- וַֽיהוָ֖ה (vayhwh) – Root: יהוה (YHWH); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “the LORD”; Notes: Refers to the covenantal name of God.
- הִצְלִ֣יחַ (hitsliaḥ) – Root: צלח (ṣ-l-ḥ); Form: Verb, Hiphil, Perfect, 3ms; Translation: “has prospered”; Notes: Indicates divine success in the mission.
- דַּרְכִּ֑י (darki) – Root: דרך (d-r-k); Form: Noun, fs with 1cs suffix; Translation: “my way”; Notes: Refers to the servant’s journey being guided by the LORD.
- שַׁלְּח֕וּנִי (shallḥuni) – Root: שלח (š-l-ḥ); Form: Verb, Piel, Imperative, 2mp with 1cs suffix; Translation: “Send me off”; Notes: A direct request to be released to continue the mission.
- וְאֵלְכָ֖ה (veʾelkha) – Root: הלך (h-l-k); Form: Verb, Qal, Cohortative, 1cs; Translation: “so I may go”; Notes: Expresses intent or purpose.
- לַֽאדֹנִֽי׃ (laʾdoni) – Root: אדן (ʾ-d-n); Form: Noun, ms with 1cs suffix and preposition; Translation: “to my master”; Notes: Refers to Abraham, emphasizing the servant’s loyalty.
Morphological Analysis
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (wayyōmer)
- Root: אמר (ʾāmar)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3ms
- Translation: “And he said”
אֲלֵהֶם֙ (ʾălêhem)
- Root: אל (ʾel)
- Form: Preposition with 3mp suffix
- Translation: “to them”
אַל־תְּאַחֲר֣וּ (ʾal-təʾaḥărū)
- Root: אחר (ʾāḥar)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 2mp with negative particle
- Translation: “Do not delay”
אֹתִ֔י (ʾōṯî)
- Root: את (ʾēt)
- Form: Direct object marker with 1cs suffix
- Translation: “me”
וַֽיהוָ֖ה (waYHWH)
- Form: Proper noun
- Translation: “the LORD”
הִצְלִ֣יחַ (hiṣlîaḥ)
- Root: צלח (ṣālaḥ)
- Form: Hifil Perfect 3ms
- Translation: “has prospered”
דַּרְכִּ֑י (darkî)
- Root: דרך (dereḵ)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular with 1cs suffix
- Translation: “my way”
שַׁלְּח֕וּנִי (šallaḥūnî)
- Root: שלח (šālaḥ)
- Form: Piel Imperative 2mp + 1cs suffix
- Translation: “Send me”
וְאֵלְכָ֖ה (wəʾēlkāh)
- Root: הלך (hālaḵ)
- Form: Qal Cohortative 1cs
- Translation: “so that I may go”
לַֽאדֹנִֽי (lāʾdōnî)
- Root: אדון (ʾādôn)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular with 1cs suffix
- Translation: “to my master”
Syntax Analysis
The verse opens with the phrase וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ (And he said to them), introducing the direct speech. The command אַל־תְּאַחֲר֣וּ אֹתִ֔י (Do not delay me) emphasizes urgency. The clause וַֽיהוָ֖ה הִצְלִ֣יחַ דַּרְכִּ֑י (since the LORD has prospered my way) provides the reason for the request. The imperative שַׁלְּח֕וּנִי (Send me) followed by וְאֵלְכָ֖ה לַֽאדֹנִֽי (so that I may go to my master) expresses the speaker’s intent and destination.
Grammatical Analysis
The Qal imperfect אַל־תְּאַחֲר֣וּ is used with a negative particle to express prohibition. The Hifil perfect הִצְלִ֣יחַ indicates causative action, showing that the LORD made the journey successful. The Piel imperative שַׁלְּח֕וּנִי with the suffix indicates a direct command involving the speaker.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- הִצְלִ֣יחַ (prospered): This verb in the Hifil form implies causing success or prosperity, often used in contexts involving divine favor.
- דַּרְכִּ֑י (my way): The term “way” metaphorically refers to one’s path, journey, or mission, highlighting the successful outcome facilitated by divine intervention.
Textual Criticism
No significant textual variants are noted among major manuscripts for this verse.