וַיֹּ֨אמֶר עֵשָׂ֜ו אֶֽל־יַעֲקֹ֗ב הַלְעִיטֵ֤נִי נָא֙ מִן־הָאָדֹ֤ם הָאָדֹם֙ הַזֶּ֔ה כִּ֥י עָיֵ֖ף אָנֹ֑כִי עַל־כֵּ֥ן קָרָֽא־שְׁמֹ֖ו אֱדֹֽום׃
And Esav said to Yaʿaqov, “Let me gulp down, please, some of this red, this red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore, his name was called Edom.
Morphology
- וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (Vayyomer) – Root: אמר (ʾ-m-r); Form: Qal, wayyiqtol (past narrative), 3ms; Translation: “And he said”; Notes: Indicates Esav’s speech to Yaʿaqov.
- עֵשָׂ֜ו (Esav) – Root: עשׂה (ʿ-s-h); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Esav”; Notes: The elder son of Yitsḥaq.
- אֶֽל־יַעֲקֹ֗ב (El-Yaʿaqov) – Root: עקב (ʿ-q-v); Form: Preposition with proper noun; Translation: “To Yaʿaqov”; Notes: Refers to the recipient of Esav’s speech.
- הַלְעִיטֵ֤נִי (Halʿiteni) – Root: לעט (l-ʿ-t); Form: Hifil, imperative, ms with 1cs suffix; Translation: “Let me gulp down”; Notes: Indicates Esav’s urgency for the stew.
- נָא (Na) – Root: Particle; Form: Particle of entreaty; Translation: “Please”; Notes: Expresses a polite request.
- מִן־הָאָדֹ֤ם (Min-haʾadom) – Root: אדם (ʾ-d-m); Form: Preposition with noun, ms in construct state; Translation: “Of the red”; Notes: Refers to the reddish stew Yaʿaqov prepared.
- הָאָדֹ֙ם (Haʾadom) – Root: אדם (ʾ-d-m); Form: Adjective, ms with definite article; Translation: “This red”; Notes: Repeats the description of the stew, emphasizing its appearance.
- הַזֶּ֔ה (Hazzeh) – Root: זה (z-h); Form: Demonstrative pronoun, ms; Translation: “This”; Notes: Refers to the stew Esav desires.
- כִּ֥י (Ki) – Root: Particle; Form: Conjunction; Translation: “For”; Notes: Introduces the reason for Esav’s request.
- עָיֵ֖ף (ʿayeyf) – Root: עיף (ʿ-y-f); Form: Adjective, ms; Translation: “Weary”; Notes: Describes Esav’s physical condition.
- אָנֹ֑כִי (Anochi) – Root: Pronoun; Form: Independent pronoun, 1cs; Translation: “I am”; Notes: Esav’s personal statement.
- עַל־כֵּ֥ן (ʿAl-ken) – Root: Particle; Form: Adverbial phrase; Translation: “Therefore”; Notes: Indicates a consequence of the event.
- קָרָֽא־ (Qara-) – Root: קרא (q-r-ʾ); Form: Qal, perfect, 3ms; Translation: “He called”; Notes: Refers to the naming of Esav.
- שְׁמֹ֖ו (Shemov) – Root: שם (sh-m); Form: Noun, ms with 3ms suffix; Translation: “His name”; Notes: Refers to the name Esav is given.
- אֱדֹֽום (Edom) – Root: אדם (ʾ-d-m); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Edom”; Notes: A name derived from the reddish appearance of the stew.
Morphological Analysis
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (wayyōmer)
- Root: אמר (ʾmr)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3ms with conversive vav
- Translation: “And he said”
עֵשָׂ֜ו (ʿēśāw)
- Root: עשו (ʿśw)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Esau”
אֶֽל־יַעֲקֹ֗ב (ʾel-yaʿăqōḇ)
- Root: עקב (ʿqb)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular with preposition
- Translation: “to Jacob”
הַלְעִיטֵ֤נִי (halʿîṭēnî)
- Root: לעט (lʿṭ)
- Form: Hiphil Imperative 2ms with 1cs suffix
- Translation: “Feed me”
נָא֙ (nāʾ)
- Form: Particle of entreaty
- Translation: “please”
מִן־הָאָדֹ֤ם הָאָדֹם֙ (min-hāʾāḏōm hāʾāḏōm)
- Root: אדם (ʾdm)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular with preposition and definite article
- Translation: “of the red stew”
הַזֶּ֔ה (hazzeh)
- Root: זה (zh)
- Form: Demonstrative pronoun, masculine singular
- Translation: “this”
כִּ֥י (kî)
- Form: Conjunction
- Translation: “for”
עָיֵ֖ף (ʿāyēf)
- Root: עיף (ʿyp)
- Form: Adjective, masculine singular
- Translation: “exhausted”
אָנֹ֑כִי (ʾānōḵî)
- Form: Pronoun, 1cs
- Translation: “I am”
עַל־כֵּ֥ן (ʿal-kēn)
- Form: Prepositional phrase
- Translation: “therefore”
קָרָֽא־שְׁמֹ֖ו (qārā-šəmō)
- Root: קרא (qrʾ)
- Form: Qal Perfect 3ms with construct form
- Translation: “was called his name”
אֱדֹֽום (ʾĕḏōm)
- Root: אדם (ʾdm)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Edom”
Syntax Analysis
The verse presents Esau’s plea to Jacob, highlighting his exhaustion and desire for the stew. The clause וַיֹּ֨אמֶר עֵשָׂ֜ו אֶֽל־יַעֲקֹ֗ב (“And Esau said to Jacob”) introduces direct speech. The imperative form הַלְעִיטֵ֤נִי (“Feed me”) expresses urgency. The repetition of הָאָדֹם (“the red”) emphasizes the visual and sensory appeal of the stew, while the phrase עַל־כֵּ֥ן קָרָֽא־שְׁמֹ֖ו אֱדֹֽום (“therefore, his name was called Edom”) explains the etymological link between Esau and the name Edom.
Grammatical Analysis
The imperative הַלְעִיטֵ֤נִי in the Hiphil form indicates causative action, showing Esau’s command for Jacob to feed him. The use of עָיֵ֖ף (“exhausted”) as an adjective provides context for Esau’s physical state, which underpins his impulsive decision.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- לעט (lʿṭ): This verb means “to feed” or “to gulp down,” implying haste and lack of formality in eating.
- אדם (ʾdm): This word means “red” and is connected to Esau’s nickname, Edom, highlighting the importance of this moment in defining his identity.
Textual Criticism
The text is consistent across the Masoretic Text, Septuagint, Samaritan Pentateuch, and Peshitta. The repetition of הָאָדֹם is noted for its emphatic effect, reinforcing the association between the color red, the stew, and Esau’s later name, Edom. This reflects the narrative’s thematic use of wordplay and characterization.