וַיֶּאֱהַ֥ב יִצְחָ֛ק אֶת־עֵשָׂ֖ו כִּי־צַ֣יִד בְּפִ֑יו וְרִבְקָ֖ה אֹהֶ֥בֶת אֶֽת־יַעֲקֹֽב׃
And Yitsḥaq loved Esav because he had a taste for game, but Rivqa loved Yaʿaqov.
Morphology
- וַיֶּאֱהַ֥ב (Vayeʾehav) – Root: אהב (ʾ-h-v); Form: Qal, wayyiqtol (past narrative), 3ms; Translation: “And he loved”; Notes: Refers to Yitsḥaq’s affection for Esav.
- יִצְחָ֛ק (Yitsḥaq) – Root: צחק (ts-ḥ-q); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Yitsḥaq”; Notes: The name of Avraham’s son.
- אֶת־עֵשָׂ֖ו (Et-Esav) – Root: עשׂה (ʿ-s-h); Form: Proper noun with direct object marker; Translation: “Esav”; Notes: Refers to Yitsḥaq’s older son.
- כִּי־צַ֣יִד (Ki-tsayid) – Root: ציד (ts-y-d); Form: Noun, ms; Translation: “Because game”; Notes: Indicates the reason for Yitsḥaq’s love.
- בְּפִ֑יו (Be-fiv) – Root: פה (p-h); Form: Noun, ms in construct with 3ms suffix; Translation: “In his mouth”; Notes: Refers to the food Esav provided.
- וְרִבְקָ֖ה (Ve-Rivqa) – Root: רבקה (r-v-q); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “But Rivqa”; Notes: Refers to Yitsḥaq’s wife.
- אֹהֶ֥בֶת (Ohevet) – Root: אהב (ʾ-h-v); Form: Qal, active participle, fs; Translation: “Loved”; Notes: Expresses Rivqa’s ongoing affection.
- אֶֽת־יַעֲקֹֽב (Et-Yaʿaqov) – Root: עקב (ʿ-q-v); Form: Proper noun with direct object marker; Translation: “Yaʿaqov”; Notes: Refers to Rivqa’s younger son.
Morphological Analysis
וַיֶּאֱהַ֥ב (wayyeʾehav)
- Root: אהב (ʾhb)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3ms with conversive vav
- Translation: “And he loved”
יִצְחָ֛ק (yiṣḥāq)
- Root: יצחק (yṣḥq)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Isaac”
אֶת־עֵשָׂ֖ו (ʾeṯ-ʿēśāw)
- Root: עשו (ʿśw)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular with direct object marker
- Translation: “Esau”
כִּי־צַ֣יִד (kî-ṣayiḏ)
- Root: ציד (ṣyd)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “because of game” or “a taste for game”
בְּפִ֑יו (bəpîw)
- Root: פה (pê)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular construct with 3ms suffix
- Translation: “in his mouth”
וְרִבְקָ֖ה (wəribqāh)
- Root: רבק (rbq)
- Form: Proper noun, feminine singular
- Translation: “and Rebekah”
אֹהֶ֥בֶת (ʾōheveṯ)
- Root: אהב (ʾhb)
- Form: Qal Participle feminine singular
- Translation: “was loving” or “loved”
אֶֽת־יַעֲקֹֽב (ʾeṯ-yaʿăqōḇ)
- Root: עקב (ʿqb)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular with direct object marker
- Translation: “Jacob”
Syntax Analysis
The verse presents a contrast between Isaac’s and Rebekah’s affections for their sons. The main clause וַיֶּאֱהַ֥ב יִצְחָ֛ק אֶת־עֵשָׂ֖ו (“And Isaac loved Esau”) is followed by a causal clause כִּי־צַ֣יִד בְּפִ֑יו (“because he had a taste for game”), explaining Isaac’s preference. The conjunction וְרִבְקָ֖ה (“but Rebekah”) introduces the contrasting statement אֹהֶ֥בֶת אֶֽת־יַעֲקֹֽב (“loved Jacob”), highlighting the differing family dynamics.
Grammatical Analysis
The participle אֹהֶ֥בֶת is used to describe a continuous or habitual action, indicating Rebekah’s ongoing love for Jacob. The use of כִּי introduces a causal relationship, explaining why Isaac favored Esau. The construct phrase בְּפִ֑יו indicates possession (“in his mouth”), implying that Isaac enjoyed the food Esau brought from his hunting.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- ציד (ṣayiḏ): Refers to “hunting” or “game,” emphasizing Esau’s skill and the reason for Isaac’s preference.
- אהב (ʾhb): Means “to love” or “to have affection for,” describing the emotional connection between the parents and their children.
Textual Criticism
The major textual witnesses, including the Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, the Samaritan Pentateuch, and the Peshitta, agree on the wording of this verse. The emphasis on the contrasting affections highlights the familial tensions that contribute to the broader narrative. No significant variations are noted that affect the understanding of the verse.