וַתִּשָּׂ֤א רִבְקָה֙ אֶת־עֵינֶ֔יהָ וַתֵּ֖רֶא אֶת־יִצְחָ֑ק וַתִּפֹּ֖ל מֵעַ֥ל הַגָּמָֽל׃
And Rivqa lifted up her eyes and saw Yitsḥaq, and she dismounted from the camel.
Morphology
- וַתִּשָּׂ֤א (vattisa) – Root: נשא (n-ś-ʾ); Form: Verb, Qal, Wayyiqtol, 3fs; Translation: “And she lifted”; Notes: Sequential action introducing Rivqa’s movement.
- רִבְקָה֙ (Rivqa) – Root: רבקה (r-v-q-h); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Rivqa”; Notes: Subject of the sentence.
- אֶת־עֵינֶ֔יהָ (et-ʿeineha) – Root: עין (ʿ-ʿ-n); Form: Noun, dual with 3fs suffix, accusative marker; Translation: “Her eyes”; Notes: Object of the verb “lifted.”
- וַתֵּ֖רֶא (vattereʾ) – Root: ראה (r-ʾ-h); Form: Verb, Qal, Wayyiqtol, 3fs; Translation: “And she saw”; Notes: Sequential action following the lifting of eyes.
- אֶת־יִצְחָ֑ק (et-Yitsḥaq) – Root: צחק (ṣ-ḥ-q); Form: Proper noun with accusative marker; Translation: “Yitsḥaq”; Notes: Object of the verb “saw.”
- וַתִּפֹּ֖ל (vattipol) – Root: נפל (n-p-l); Form: Verb, Qal, Wayyiqtol, 3fs; Translation: “And she let herself down”; Notes: Indicates Rivqa’s intentional action to dismount the camel, rather than an accidental fall. The verb “וַתִּפֹּ֖ל” (vattipol) in this context likely refers to an intentional descent, not an accidental fall. The preposition “מֵעַ֥ל” (“from upon”) supports this understanding. Translating it as “fell” could imply an unintentional action, which does not fit the context of Rivqa’s dignified approach toward Yitsḥaq. Therefore, “she let herself down” or “she descended” is more precise.
- מֵעַ֥ל (meʿal) – Root: על (ʿ-l); Form: Preposition with מ־ prefix; Translation: “From upon”; Notes: Describes Rivqa’s position before descending.
- הַגָּמָֽל (haggamal) – Root: גמל (g-m-l); Form: Noun, ms with definite article; Translation: “The camel”; Notes: Specifies the object from which she dismounted.
Morphological Analysis
וַתִּשָּׂ֤א (wattiśśāʾ)
- Root: נשׂא (nśʾ)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3fs
- Translation: “And she lifted”
רִבְקָה֙ (rivqāh)
- Root: רבק (rvq)
- Form: Proper noun, feminine singular
- Translation: “Rebekah”
אֶת־עֵינֶ֔יהָ (ʾeṯ-ʿênêhā)
- Root: עין (ʿyn)
- Form: Noun, dual with 3fs suffix
- Translation: “her eyes”
וַתֵּ֖רֶא (wattērɛʾ)
- Root: ראה (rʾh)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3fs
- Translation: “and she saw”
אֶת־יִצְחָ֑ק (ʾeṯ-yiṣḥāq)
- Root: יצחק (yṣḥq)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Isaac”
וַתִּפֹּ֖ל (wattippōl)
- Root: נפל (npl)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3fs
- Translation: “and she dismounted”
מֵעַ֥ל (mēʿal)
- Root: על (ʿl)
- Form: Preposition
- Translation: “from”
הַגָּמָֽל (haggāmāl)
- Root: גמל (gml)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular with definite article
- Translation: “the camel”
Syntax Analysis
The verse begins with וַתִּשָּׂ֤א רִבְקָה֙ (And Rebekah lifted), indicating the subject and action. The direct object אֶת־עֵינֶ֔יהָ (her eyes) follows, showing what Rebekah lifted. The clause וַתֵּ֖רֶא אֶת־יִצְחָ֑ק (and she saw Isaac) adds the result of her action. The final part וַתִּפֹּ֖ל מֵעַ֥ל הַגָּמָֽל (and she dismounted from the camel) describes her immediate response upon seeing Isaac.
Grammatical Analysis
The Qal imperfect verbs וַתִּשָּׂ֤א, וַתֵּ֖רֶא, and וַתִּפֹּ֖ל indicate sequential actions performed by Rebekah. The preposition מֵעַ֥ל with the definite article הַגָּמָֽל specifies the source of her dismounting.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- עֵינֶ֔יהָ (her eyes): Represents perception and awareness.
- גָּמָֽל (camel): A common animal used for travel and transport, emphasizing the journey context.
Textual Criticism
No significant textual variants are noted among major manuscripts for this verse.