וַיָּ֥זֶד יַעֲקֹ֖ב נָזִ֑יד וַיָּבֹ֥א עֵשָׂ֛ו מִן־הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה וְה֥וּא עָיֵֽף׃
And Yaʿaqov cooked a stew, and Esav came in from the field, and he was weary.
Morphology
- וַיָּ֥זֶד (Vayyazed) – Root: זיד (z-y-d); Form: Qal, wayyiqtol (past narrative), 3ms; Translation: “And he cooked”; Notes: Refers to Yaʿaqov’s action of preparing food.
- יַעֲקֹ֖ב (Yaʿaqov) – Root: עקב (ʿ-q-v); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Yaʿaqov”; Notes: The younger son of Yitsḥaq and Rivqa.
- נָזִ֑יד (Nazid) – Root: נזד (n-z-d); Form: Noun, ms; Translation: “A stew”; Notes: Indicates the food Yaʿaqov prepared.
- וַיָּבֹ֥א (Vayyavo) – Root: בוא (b-v-ʾ); Form: Qal, wayyiqtol (past narrative), 3ms; Translation: “And he came”; Notes: Refers to Esav’s return from the field.
- עֵשָׂ֛ו (Esav) – Root: עשׂה (ʿ-s-h); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Esav”; Notes: The elder son of Yitsḥaq and Rivqa.
- מִן־הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה (Min-hasadeh) – Root: שדה (s-d-h); Form: Noun, ms in construct with prefixed preposition; Translation: “From the field”; Notes: Indicates Esav’s location before returning.
- וְה֥וּא (Vehu) – Root: הוא (h-v-ʾ); Form: Pronoun, 3ms; Translation: “And he”; Notes: Refers back to Esav.
- עָיֵֽף (ʿayeyf) – Root: עיף (ʿ-y-f); Form: Adjective, ms; Translation: “Weary”; Notes: Describes Esav’s condition after returning from the field.
Morphological Analysis
וַיָּ֥זֶד (wayyāzeḏ)
- Root: זיד (zyd)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3ms with conversive vav
- Translation: “And he cooked”
יַעֲקֹ֖ב (yaʿăqōḇ)
- Root: עקב (ʿqb)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Jacob”
נָזִ֑יד (nāzîd)
- Root: נזד (nzd)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “stew”
וַיָּבֹ֥א (wayyāḇōʾ)
- Root: בוא (bʾ)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3ms with conversive vav
- Translation: “And he came”
עֵשָׂ֛ו (ʿēśāw)
- Root: עשו (ʿśw)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Esau”
מִן־הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה (min-haśśāḏeh)
- Root: שדה (śḏh)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular with preposition and definite article
- Translation: “from the field”
וְה֥וּא (wəhûʾ)
- Root: הוא (hwʾ)
- Form: Pronoun, 3ms
- Translation: “and he”
עָיֵֽף (ʿāyēf)
- Root: עיף (ʿyp)
- Form: Adjective, masculine singular
- Translation: “exhausted”
Syntax Analysis
The verse introduces the scene with Jacob cooking a stew (וַיָּ֥זֶד יַעֲקֹ֖ב נָזִ֑יד), setting the stage for the interaction between Jacob and Esau. The clause וַיָּבֹ֥א עֵשָׂ֛ו מִן־הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה (“and Esau came from the field”) portrays Esau’s return from an outdoor activity, likely hunting. The descriptive phrase וְה֥וּא עָיֵֽף (“and he was exhausted”) emphasizes Esau’s physical state, foreshadowing the forthcoming exchange between the brothers.
Grammatical Analysis
The verb וַיָּ֥זֶד is in the Qal imperfect form with a conversive vav, indicating a completed past action in the narrative. The adjective עָיֵֽף provides an essential detail about Esau’s condition, adding urgency to his request in the subsequent verses.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- נזיד (nāzîd): Refers to a type of cooked food, often a stew or pottage. This detail is significant in the narrative context of bargaining for the birthright.
- עיף (ʿyp): Implies fatigue or exhaustion, highlighting Esau’s vulnerability and the reason for his impulsive decision in the following verses.
Textual Criticism
There are no significant textual variations for this verse in major sources such as the Masoretic Text, Septuagint, Samaritan Pentateuch, or the Peshitta. The narrative’s details remain consistent across these versions, emphasizing the scene’s continuity and its role in the larger story of Jacob and Esau’s rivalry.