אֵ֣לֶּה הֵ֞ם בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׁמָעֵאל֙ וְאֵ֣לֶּה שְׁמֹתָ֔ם בְּחַצְרֵיהֶ֖ם וּבְטִֽירֹתָ֑ם שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֥ר נְשִׂיאִ֖ם לְאֻמֹּתָֽם׃
These are the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names by their settlements and by their encampments: twelve princes according to their nations.
Morphology
אֵ֣לֶּה (ʾēlleh)
- Root: אלה (ʾlh)
- Form: Demonstrative pronoun, masculine plural
- Translation: “These”
הֵ֞ם (hēm)
- Root: הם (hm)
- Form: Pronoun, 3mp
- Translation: “they are”
בְּנֵ֤י (bə-nê)
- Root: בן (bn)
- Form: Noun, masculine plural construct
- Translation: “sons of”
יִשְׁמָעֵאל֙ (yišmāʿēl)
- Root: ישמעאל (yšmʿʾl)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Ishmael”
וְאֵ֣לֶּה (wəʾēlleh)
- Root: אלה (ʾlh)
- Form: Demonstrative pronoun, masculine plural with conjunction
- Translation: “and these”
שְׁמֹתָ֔ם (šəmōṯām)
- Root: שם (šm)
- Form: Noun, masculine plural with 3mp suffix
- Translation: “their names”
בְּחַצְרֵיהֶ֖ם (bəḥaṣrêhem)
- Root: חצר (ḥṣr)
- Form: Noun, masculine plural construct with 3mp suffix
- Translation: “by their settlements”
וּבְטִֽירֹתָ֑ם (ûḇəṭîrōṯām)
- Root: טירה (ṭyrh)
- Form: Noun, feminine plural construct with 3mp suffix
- Translation: “and by their encampments”
שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֥ר (šnê-ʿāśār)
- Form: Numeral (masculine)
- Translation: “twelve”
נְשִׂיאִ֖ם (nəsîʾîm)
- Root: נשיא (nśʾ)
- Form: Noun, masculine plural
- Translation: “princes”
לְאֻמֹּתָֽם (ləʾummōṯām)
- Root: אומה (ʾmm)
- Form: Noun, feminine plural with 3mp suffix
- Translation: “according to their nations”
Syntax Analysis
The verse starts with the demonstrative pronoun אֵ֣לֶּה (“These”), identifying the sons of Ishmael as the subject. The verse continues by specifying שְׁמֹתָ֔ם (“their names”) and their locations בְּחַצְרֵיהֶ֖ם (“by their settlements”) and וּבְטִֽירֹתָ֑ם (“and by their encampments”), followed by the description of their status as שְׁנֵים־עָשָׂ֥ר נְשִׂיאִ֖ם (“twelve princes”) aligned לְאֻמֹּתָֽם (“according to their nations”).
Grammatical Analysis
The use of the demonstrative pronoun אֵ֣לֶּה introduces the subject, with נְשִׂיאִ֖ם in its plural form indicating their noble status. The plural nouns with suffixes בְּחַצְרֵיהֶ֖ם and וּבְטִֽירֹתָ֑ם denote the locations associated with the individuals.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- חצר (ḥṣr): Refers to an enclosed settlement or courtyard, implying a place of residence.
- טירה (ṭyrh): Denotes an encampment or fortification, often used to describe temporary or semi-permanent dwelling places.
- נשיא (nśʾ): Means “prince” or “chief,” indicating a leader or person of high status.
Textual Criticism
No significant textual variations are observed among the major textual witnesses, including the Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, the Samaritan Pentateuch, the Samaritan Targum, the Peshitta, the Vulgate, and the Old Latin versions. The consistent transmission supports the stability of this verse across these sources.