Genesis 25:27

וַֽיִּגְדְּלוּ֙ הַנְּעָרִ֔ים וַיְהִ֣י עֵשָׂ֗ו אִ֛ישׁ יֹדֵ֥עַ צַ֖יִד אִ֣ישׁ שָׂדֶ֑ה וְיַעֲקֹב֙ אִ֣ישׁ תָּ֔ם יֹשֵׁ֖ב אֹהָלִֽים׃

And the boys grew up, and Esav became a man skilled in hunting, a man of the field, but Yaʿaqov was a quiet man, dwelling in tents.

 

Morphology

  1. וַֽיִּגְדְּלוּ֙ (Vayigdelu) – Root: גדל (g-d-l); Form: Qal, wayyiqtol (past narrative), 3mp; Translation: “And they grew up”; Notes: Refers to Esav and Yaʿaqov reaching maturity.
  2. הַנְּעָרִ֔ים (Ha-neʿarim) – Root: נער (n-ʿ-r); Form: Noun, mp with definite article; Translation: “The boys”; Notes: Refers to the twins, Esav and Yaʿaqov.
  3. וַיְהִ֣י (Vayehi) – Root: היה (h-y-h); Form: Qal, wayyiqtol, 3ms; Translation: “And he became”; Notes: Describes Esav’s development into a specific type of person.
  4. עֵשָׂ֗ו (Esav) – Root: עשׂה (ʿ-s-h); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Esav”; Notes: Refers to the firstborn twin.
  5. אִ֛ישׁ (Ish) – Root: איש (ʾ-y-sh); Form: Noun, ms; Translation: “A man”; Notes: Denotes Esav’s status as an adult male.
  6. יֹדֵ֥עַ (Yodeaʿ) – Root: ידע (y-d-ʿ); Form: Qal, active participle, ms; Translation: “Skilled”; Notes: Describes Esav’s expertise.
  7. צַ֖יִד (Tsayid) – Root: ציד (ts-y-d); Form: Noun, ms; Translation: “In hunting”; Notes: Refers to Esav’s proficiency as a hunter.
  8. אִ֣ישׁ (Ish) – Root: איש (ʾ-y-sh); Form: Noun, ms; Translation: “A man”; Notes: Reiterates Esav’s character as an outdoorsman.
  9. שָׂדֶ֑ה (Sadeh) – Root: שדה (s-d-h); Form: Noun, ms; Translation: “Of the field”; Notes: Indicates Esav’s association with open, rural spaces.
  10. וְיַעֲקֹב֙ (Veyaʿaqov) – Root: עקב (ʿ-q-v); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “But Yaʿaqov”; Notes: Refers to the second twin.
  11. אִ֣ישׁ (Ish) – Root: איש (ʾ-y-sh); Form: Noun, ms; Translation: “A man”; Notes: Denotes Yaʿaqov’s character as a different kind of man.
  12. תָּ֔ם (Tam) – Root: תם (t-m); Form: Adjective, ms; Translation: “Quiet”; Notes: Suggests Yaʿaqov’s character as being wholesome or reserved.
  13. יֹשֵׁ֖ב (Yoshev) – Root: ישׁב (y-sh-v); Form: Qal, active participle, ms; Translation: “Dwelling”; Notes: Describes Yaʿaqov’s lifestyle.
  14. אֹהָלִֽים (Ohalim) – Root: אהל (ʾ-h-l); Form: Noun, mp; Translation: “In tents”; Notes: Reflects Yaʿaqov’s domestic and pastoral lifestyle.

 

Morphological Analysis 

וַֽיִּגְדְּלוּ֙ (wayyigdəlu)

  • Root: גדל (gdl)
  • Form: Qal Imperfect 3mp with conversive vav
  • Translation: “And they grew up”

הַנְּעָרִ֔ים (hannəʿārîm)

  • Root: נער (nʿr)
  • Form: Noun, masculine plural with definite article
  • Translation: “the boys”

וַיְהִ֣י (wayəhî)

  • Root: היה (hyh)
  • Form: Qal Imperfect 3ms with conversive vav
  • Translation: “And he became”

עֵשָׂ֗ו (ʿēśāw)

  • Root: עשו (ʿśw)
  • Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
  • Translation: “Esau”

אִ֛ישׁ (ʾîš)

  • Root: איש (ʾyš)
  • Form: Noun, masculine singular
  • Translation: “a man”

יֹדֵ֥עַ (yōḏēaʿ)

  • Root: ידע (ydʿ)
  • Form: Qal Participle masculine singular
  • Translation: “skillful” or “knowing”

צַ֖יִד (ṣayiḏ)

  • Root: ציד (ṣyd)
  • Form: Noun, masculine singular
  • Translation: “hunter” or “hunting”

אִ֣ישׁ (ʾîš)

  • Root: איש (ʾyš)
  • Form: Noun, masculine singular
  • Translation: “a man”

שָׂדֶ֑ה (śāḏeh)

  • Root: שדה (śḏh)
  • Form: Noun, masculine singular
  • Translation: “of the field”

וְיַעֲקֹב֙ (wəyaʿăqōḇ)

  • Root: עקב (ʿqb)
  • Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
  • Translation: “and Jacob”

אִ֣ישׁ (ʾîš)

  • Root: איש (ʾyš)
  • Form: Noun, masculine singular
  • Translation: “a man”

תָּ֔ם (tām)

  • Root: תם
  • Form: Adjective, masculine singular
  • Translation: “quiet” or “simple”

יֹשֵׁ֖ב (yōšēḇ)

  • Root: ישב (yšb)
  • Form: Qal Participle masculine singular
  • Translation: “dwelling”

אֹהָלִֽים (ʾōhālîm)

  • Root: אהל (ʾhl)
  • Form: Noun, masculine plural
  • Translation: “tents”

 

Syntax Analysis

The verse contrasts Esau and Jacob by describing their different characteristics. The first clause וַֽיִּגְדְּלוּ֙ הַנְּעָרִ֔ים (“And the boys grew up”) serves as an introduction. The following clauses describe Esau as אִ֛ישׁ יֹדֵ֥עַ צַ֖יִד (“a skillful hunter”) and אִ֣ישׁ שָׂדֶ֑ה (“a man of the field”), highlighting his outdoors and adventurous nature. In contrast, Jacob is described as אִ֣ישׁ תָּ֔ם (“a quiet man”) and יֹשֵׁ֖ב אֹהָלִֽים (“dwelling in tents”), emphasizing a more contemplative and domestic life.

 

Grammatical Analysis

The participles יֹדֵ֥עַ and יֹשֵׁ֖ב describe ongoing states or habitual actions, suggesting the respective lifestyles of Esau and Jacob. The adjectives אִ֛ישׁ and תָּ֔ם portray character traits that contrast between the two brothers.

 

Lexical Semantics and Word Study

  • ציד (ṣayiḏ): Refers to “hunting” or “game,” indicating Esau’s expertise in securing food through hunting.
  • תם (tām): Implies a sense of being “complete,” “simple,” or “blameless,” highlighting Jacob’s straightforward character.

 

Textual Criticism

No significant textual variations are noted among the major sources, including the Masoretic Text, Septuagint, Samaritan Pentateuch, Peshitta, and Vulgate. The consistent portrayal of Esau and Jacob across these versions suggests a stable transmission of the text.

 

 

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