וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ נִקְרָ֣א לַֽנַּעֲרָ֑ וְנִשְׁאֲלָ֖ה אֶת־פִּֽיהָ׃
And they said, “Let us call the young woman and ask her mouth (opinion).”
Morphology
- וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ (vayomru) – Root: אמר (ʾ-m-r); Form: Verb, Qal, Wayyiqtol (consecutive imperfect), 3mp; Translation: “And they said”; Notes: Refers to Rebecca’s family discussing the servant’s request.
- נִקְרָ֣א (niqra) – Root: קרא (q-r-ʾ); Form: Verb, Qal, Cohortative, 1cp; Translation: “Let us call”; Notes: Indicates a proposal or suggestion.
- לַֽנַּעֲרָ֑ (lan-naʿara) – Root: נער (n-ʿ-r); Form: Noun, fs with definite article and preposition; Translation: “the young woman”; Notes: Refers to Rebecca.
- וְנִשְׁאֲלָ֖ה (venisʾala) – Root: שאל (š-ʾ-l); Form: Verb, Nifal, Cohortative, 1cp; Translation: “and ask”; Notes: Suggests seeking her opinion or consent.
- אֶת־פִּֽיהָ׃ (et-piha) – Root: פה (p-h); Form: Noun, ms with 3fs suffix; Translation: “her opinion”; Notes: Literally, “her mouth,” indicating her spoken response.
Morphological Analysis
וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ (wayyōʾmrū)
- Root: אמר (ʾāmar)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3mp
- Translation: “And they said”
נִקְרָ֣א (niqrāʾ)
- Root: קרא (qrʾ)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 1cp
- Translation: “Let us call”
לַֽנַּעֲרָ֑ (lannaʿărāh)
- Root: נער (naʿar)
- Form: Noun, feminine singular with preposition
- Translation: “the young woman”
וְנִשְׁאֲלָ֖ה (wənišʾălāh)
- Root: שאל (šʾl)
- Form: Nifal Imperfect 1cp
- Translation: “and let us ask”
אֶת־פִּֽיהָ (ʾeṯ-pîhā)
- Root: פה (pê)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular with 3fs suffix
- Translation: “her opinion/mouth”
Syntax Analysis
The verse begins with the phrase וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ (And they said), introducing direct speech. The main clause נִקְרָ֣א לַֽנַּעֲרָ֑ (Let us call the young woman) expresses their intention, followed by וְנִשְׁאֲלָ֖ה אֶת־פִּֽיהָ (and let us ask her opinion), which shows their desire to involve her in the decision.
Grammatical Analysis
The Qal imperfect form נִקְרָ֣א and the Nifal imperfect וְנִשְׁאֲלָ֖ה are used to express the collective intention of the speakers. The noun אֶת־פִּֽיהָ with the 3fs suffix refers to the mouth or, idiomatically, to the opinion of the young woman.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- פִּֽיהָ (her mouth): In Hebrew, “mouth” is often used figuratively to represent speech or opinion.
- נִקְרָ֣א (Let us call): This verb in the Qal form conveys the simple action of summoning someone.
Textual Criticism
No significant textual variants are noted among major manuscripts for this verse.