וְיָקְשָׁ֣ן יָלַ֔ד אֶת־שְׁבָ֖א וְאֶת־דְּדָ֑ן וּבְנֵ֣י דְדָ֔ן הָי֛וּ אַשּׁוּרִ֥ם וּלְטוּשִׁ֖ים וּלְאֻמִּֽים׃
And Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim.
Morphology
וְיָקְשָׁ֣ן (wəyāqšān)
- Root: יקש (yqš)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Jokshan”
יָלַ֔ד (yālaḏ)
- Root: ילד (yld)
- Form: Qal Perfect 3ms
- Translation: “fathered” / “begot”
אֶת־שְׁבָ֖א (ʾeṯ-šəḇāʾ)
- Root: שׁבע (šbʿ)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Sheba”
וְאֶת־דְּדָ֑ן (wəʾeṯ-dədān)
- Root: דדן (ddn)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Dedan”
וּבְנֵ֣י (ubənê)
- Root: בן (bn)
- Form: Noun, masculine plural construct
- Translation: “And the sons of”
דְדָ֔ן (dədān)
- Root: דדן (ddn)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Dedan”
הָי֛וּ (hāyû)
- Root: היה (hwh)
- Form: Qal Perfect 3mp
- Translation: “were”
אַשּׁוּרִ֥ם (ʾaššurim)
- Root: אשור (ʾšwr)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine plural
- Translation: “Asshurim”
וּלְטוּשִׁ֖ים (uləṭûšim)
- Root: לטוש (lṭš)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine plural
- Translation: “Letushim”
וּלְאֻמִּֽים (uləʾummim)
- Root: אם (ʾmm)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine plural
- Translation: “Leummim”
Syntax Analysis
The verse starts with the subject וְיָקְשָׁ֣ן (And Jokshan) followed by the verb יָלַ֔ד (fathered), indicating his sons. The list of direct objects, marked by אֶת, identifies the offspring. The clause וּבְנֵ֣י דְדָ֔ן הָי֛וּ (and the sons of Dedan were) introduces a subclause that details Dedan’s descendants.
Grammatical Analysis
The Qal perfect verb יָלַ֔ד (“fathered”) denotes a completed action. The noun בְנֵ֣י (“sons of”) is in construct form, linking Dedan to his sons. The proper nouns listed are in the plural form to show multiple descendants.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- ילד (yld): A common verb for childbirth or producing offspring.
- אם (ʾmm): The root can imply kinship or a group, hence “Leummim” possibly refers to a tribal group or nation.
Textual Criticism
No significant textual variations are noted in major sources such as the Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, and the Samaritan Pentateuch. The consistency across these texts supports the reliability of this passage in its transmitted form.