וַיִּתְרֹֽצֲצ֤וּ הַבָּנִים֙ בְּקִרְבָּ֔הּ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אִם־כֵּ֔ן לָ֥מָּה זֶּ֖ה אָנֹ֑כִי וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ לִדְרֹ֥שׁ אֶת־יְהוָֽה׃
The children struggled together within her, and she said, “If it is thus, why am I?” And she went to inquire of YHWH.
Morphology
- וַיִּתְרֹֽצֲצ֤וּ (Vayyitrotsetsu) – Root: רצץ (r-ts-ts); Form: Hitpael, wayyiqtol (past narrative), 3mp; Translation: “They struggled”; Notes: Describes the movement or contention of the children within Rivqa.
- הַבָּנִים֙ (Habbanim) – Root: בן (b-n); Form: Noun, mp, definite article; Translation: “The children”; Notes: Subject of the verb.
- בְּקִרְבָּ֔הּ (Beqirbah) – Root: קרב (q-r-b); Form: Noun, ms construct with 3fs suffix; Translation: “Within her”; Notes: Refers to Rivqa’s womb.
- וַתֹּ֣אמֶר (Vattomer) – Root: אמר (ʾ-m-r); Form: Qal, wayyiqtol (past narrative), 3fs; Translation: “And she said”; Notes: Marks Rivqa’s reaction.
- אִם־כֵּ֔ן (Im-ken) – Root: None; Form: Conditional particle + adverb; Translation: “If it is thus”; Notes: Expresses her questioning condition.
- לָ֥מָּה (Lamah) – Root: למה (l-m-h); Form: Interrogative particle; Translation: “Why”; Notes: Indicates her inquiry.
- זֶּ֖ה (Ze) – Root: None; Form: Demonstrative pronoun, ms; Translation: “This”; Notes: Points to her present situation.
- אָנֹ֑כִי (Anochi) – Root: None; Form: Independent pronoun, 1cs; Translation: “I”; Notes: Emphasizes her personal distress.
- וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ (Vattilekh) – Root: הלך (h-l-k); Form: Qal, wayyiqtol (past narrative), 3fs; Translation: “And she went”; Notes: Marks her action to seek divine counsel.
- לִדְרֹ֥שׁ (Lidrosh) – Root: דרש (d-r-sh); Form: Qal, infinitive construct; Translation: “To inquire”; Notes: Indicates her purpose.
- אֶת־יְהוָֽה (Et-YHWH) – Root: יהוה (YHWH); Form: Definite direct object marker + proper noun; Translation: “Of the LORD”; Notes: Specifies the one from whom she sought guidance.
Morphology
וַיִּתְרֹֽצֲצ֤וּ (wayyitrōṣaṣû)
- Root: רצץ (rṣṣ)
- Form: Hitpael Imperfect 3mp with conversive vav
- Translation: “And they struggled”
הַבָּנִים֙ (habbānîm)
- Root: בן (bn)
- Form: Noun, masculine plural with definite article
- Translation: “the children”
בְּקִרְבָּ֔הּ (bəqirbāh)
- Root: קרב (qrb)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular construct with 3fs suffix
- Translation: “within her”
וַתֹּ֣אמֶר (wattōmer)
- Root: אמר (ʾmr)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3fs with conversive vav
- Translation: “And she said”
אִם־כֵּ֔ן (ʾim-kēn)
- Form: Conditional particle + adverb
- Translation: “If so”
לָ֥מָּה (lāmmāh)
- Form: Interrogative adverb
- Translation: “why”
זֶּ֖ה (zeh)
- Form: Demonstrative pronoun, masculine singular
- Translation: “this”
אָנֹ֑כִי (ʾānōḵî)
- Form: Pronoun, 1cs
- Translation: “am I”
וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ (wattēleḵ)
- Root: הלך (hlk)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3fs with conversive vav
- Translation: “And she went”
לִדְרֹ֥שׁ (lidrōš)
- Root: דרש (drš)
- Form: Qal Infinitive construct
- Translation: “to inquire”
אֶת־יְהוָֽה (ʾeṯ-YHWH)
- Form: Direct object marker + divine name
- Translation: “of the LORD”
Syntax Analysis
The verse begins with the action וַיִּתְרֹֽצֲצ֤וּ הַבָּנִים֙ בְּקִרְבָּ֔הּ (“And the children struggled within her”), highlighting a physical struggle between the unborn children. Rebekah’s response וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אִם־כֵּ֔ן לָ֥מָּה זֶּ֖ה אָנֹ֑כִי (“and she said, ‘If so, why am I thus?'”) reflects her distress and confusion. The verse concludes with וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ לִדְרֹ֥שׁ אֶת־יְהוָֽה (“and she went to inquire of the LORD”), indicating her seeking divine insight.
Grammatical Analysis
The Hitpael form וַיִּתְרֹֽצֲצ֤וּ indicates a reciprocal or intensive action, suggesting mutual struggle between the children. The Qal infinitive construct לִדְרֹ֥שׁ expresses the purpose of Rebekah’s action, which is to seek information or guidance from the LORD.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- רצץ (rṣṣ): Means “to struggle” or “to crush,” implying intense or forceful interaction.
- דרש (drš): To seek, inquire, or investigate, often used in a religious or divine context.
Textual Criticism
No significant textual variations are noted among the major sources, including the Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, the Samaritan Pentateuch, the Samaritan Targum, the Peshitta, the Vulgate, or the Old Latin versions. This consistency suggests a stable transmission of the text.