וַיֹּ֧סֶף אַבְרָהָ֛ם וַיִּקַּ֥ח אִשָּׁ֖ה וּשְׁמָ֥הּ קְטוּרָֽה׃
And Avraham again took a wife, and her name was Qetura.
Morphology
- וַיֹּ֧סֶף (vayyosef) – Root: יסף (y-s-f); Form: Verb, Hifil, Wayyiqtol, 3ms; Translation: “And he again”; Notes: Hifil indicates causative action, often translated as “added” or “continued.” Here, it denotes Avraham’s additional action of taking another wife.
- אַבְרָהָ֛ם (avraham) – Root: אברהם (ʾ-v-r-h-m); Form: Proper noun, ms; Translation: “Avraham”; Notes: Subject of the sentence.
- וַיִּקַּ֥ח (vayyiqqaḥ) – Root: לקח (l-q-ḥ); Form: Verb, Qal, Wayyiqtol, 3ms; Translation: “And he took”; Notes: Standard Qal usage indicating action of taking.
- אִשָּׁ֖ה (isha) – Root: אשה (ʾ-š-h); Form: Noun, fs; Translation: “A wife”; Notes: Object of the verb, referring to the woman Avraham married.
- וּשְׁמָ֥הּ (ushmah) – Root: שם (š-m); Form: Noun, ms in construct with 3fs suffix; Translation: “And her name”; Notes: Indicates the name of the woman Avraham took as his wife.
- קְטוּרָֽה (qeturah) – Root: קטור (q-t-r); Form: Proper noun, fs; Translation: “Qeturah”; Notes: Name of Avraham’s wife.
Morphological Analysis
וַיֹּ֧סֶף (wayyōsēp̄)
- Root: יסף (ysf)
- Form: Hifil Imperfect 3ms
- Translation: “And he added” / “And again”
אַבְרָהָ֛ם (ʾaḇrāhām)
- Root: אברהם (ʾbrhm)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Abraham”
וַיִּקַּ֥ח (wayyiqqaḥ)
- Root: לקח (lqḥ)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3ms
- Translation: “And he took”
אִשָּׁ֖ה (ʾiššāh)
- Root: אשה (ʾšh)
- Form: Noun, feminine singular
- Translation: “a wife”
וּשְׁמָ֥הּ (ūšəmāh)
- Root: שם (šm)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular with 3fs suffix
- Translation: “and her name”
קְטוּרָֽה (qəṭūrāh)
- Root: קטור (qṭr)
- Form: Proper noun, feminine singular
- Translation: “Keturah”
Syntax Analysis
The verse begins with וַיֹּ֧סֶף אַבְרָהָ֛ם (And Abraham again), indicating a new action taken by Abraham. The conjunction וַיִּקַּ֥ח (and he took) is connected to the main verb, showing that Abraham took another wife. The phrase וּשְׁמָ֥הּ קְטוּרָֽה (and her name was Keturah) provides additional information about the woman he married.
Grammatical Analysis
The Hifil verb וַיֹּ֧סֶף (“and he added again”) suggests a repetitive or additional action. The Qal imperfect וַיִּקַּ֥ח (“and he took”) is used to denote the simple action of taking. The construct וּשְׁמָ֥הּ (“and her name”) is a possessive structure indicating ownership.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- יסף (ysf): Conveys the idea of continuing or repeating an action, often rendered as “again” or “added.”
- קטור (qṭr): The name “Keturah” may be associated with incense or fragrant offerings, symbolizing something precious or valued.
Textual Criticism
No significant textual variants are found in the major sources for this verse. The Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, and other ancient manuscripts, such as the Vulgate, agree on the reading, ensuring the consistency and reliability of this passage across textual traditions.