וַיֵּצֵ֤א הָרִאשֹׁון֙ אַדְמֹונִ֔י כֻּלֹּ֖ו כְּאַדֶּ֣רֶת שֵׂעָ֑ר וַיִּקְרְא֥וּ שְׁמֹ֖ו עֵשָֽׂו׃
And the first came out red, all of him like a hairy garment, and they called his name Esav.
Morphology
- וַיֵּצֵ֤א (Vayyetseʾ) – Root: יצא (y-ts-ʾ); Form: Qal, wayyiqtol (past narrative), 3ms; Translation: “And he came out”; Notes: Refers to the first child being born.
- הָרִאשֹׁון֙ (Ha-rishon) – Root: ראש (r-ʾ-sh); Form: Adjective, ms; Translation: “The first”; Notes: Describes the order of birth.
- אַדְמֹונִ֔י (Admoni) – Root: אדם (ʾ-d-m); Form: Adjective, ms; Translation: “Red”; Notes: Refers to the reddish appearance of the child.
- כֻּלֹּ֖ו (Kullo) – Root: כלל (k-l-l); Form: Noun, ms with 3ms suffix; Translation: “All of him”; Notes: Indicates the entirety of the child.
- כְּאַדֶּ֣רֶת (Keʾadret) – Root: אדר (ʾ-d-r); Form: Noun, fs construct with כְ preposition; Translation: “Like a garment”; Notes: Describes the texture or appearance of the child’s hair.
- שֵׂעָ֑ר (Seʿar) – Root: שׂער (s-ʿ-r); Form: Noun, ms; Translation: “Hair”; Notes: Refers to the hairiness of the child.
- וַיִּקְרְא֥וּ (Vayiqreʾu) – Root: קרא (q-r-ʾ); Form: Qal, wayyiqtol (past narrative), 3mp; Translation: “And they called”; Notes: Indicates the naming of the child by his parents or others present.
- שְׁמֹ֖ו (Shemov) – Root: שם (sh-m); Form: Noun, ms construct with 3ms suffix; Translation: “His name”; Notes: Specifies the name given to the child.
- עֵשָֽׂו (Esav) – Root: עשׂה (ʿ-s-h); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Esav”; Notes: The name likely reflects his physical traits or a characteristic associated with him.
Morphological Analysis
וַיֵּצֵ֤א (wayyēṣēʾ)
- Root: יצא (yṣʾ)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3ms with conversive vav
- Translation: “And he came out”
הָרִאשֹׁון֙ (hāriʾšōn)
- Root: ראשון (rʾšwn)
- Form: Adjective, masculine singular with definite article
- Translation: “the first”
אַדְמֹונִ֔י (ʾaḏmōnî)
- Root: אדם (ʾdm)
- Form: Adjective, masculine singular
- Translation: “red”
כֻּלֹּ֖ו (kullō)
- Root: כל (kl)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular construct with 3ms suffix
- Translation: “all of him”
כְּאַדֶּ֣רֶת (kəʾaddeṯ)
- Root: אדרת (ʾdrt)
- Form: Noun, feminine singular construct with preposition
- Translation: “like a garment”
שֵׂעָ֑ר (śēʿār)
- Root: שער (śʿr)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “hair”
וַיִּקְרְא֥וּ (wayyiqrəʾû)
- Root: קרא (qrʾ)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3mp with conversive vav
- Translation: “And they called”
שְׁמֹ֖ו (šəmō)
- Root: שם (šm)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular construct with 3ms suffix
- Translation: “his name”
עֵשָֽׂו (ʿēśāw)
- Root: עשו (ʿśw)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Esau”
Syntax Analysis
The verse describes the birth of Esau, with the clause וַיֵּצֵ֤א הָרִאשֹׁון֙ (“And the first came out”) introducing the narrative. The description אַדְמֹונִ֔י כֻּלֹּ֖ו כְּאַדֶּ֣רֶת שֵׂעָ֑ר (“red, all of him like a hairy garment”) provides a vivid portrayal of Esau’s appearance. The verse concludes with וַיִּקְרְא֥וּ שְׁמֹ֖ו עֵשָֽׂו (“and they called his name Esau”), indicating the naming of the child.
Grammatical Analysis
The use of the Qal imperfect verb וַיֵּצֵ֤א with the conversive vav denotes a past narrative action. The adjective אַדְמֹונִ֔י highlights Esau’s distinct physical characteristic at birth. The construction כֻּלֹּ֖ו כְּאַדֶּ֣רֶת שֵׂעָ֑ר emphasizes the extent of his hairiness by comparing it to a garment.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- אדם (ʾdm): Typically means “red” or “ruddy,” used to describe complexion or physical traits.
- שער (śʿr): Refers to “hair” and is associated with a thick or notable covering.
Textual Criticism
No significant textual variations are noted among the major sources, such as the Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, the Samaritan Pentateuch, the Samaritan Targum, the Peshitta, the Vulgate, or the Old Latin versions. This suggests a consistent transmission of this verse across these texts.