וַיֹּ֖אמֶר יַעֲקֹ֑ב מִכְרָ֥ה כַיֹּ֛ום אֶת־בְּכֹֽרָתְךָ֖ לִֽי׃
And Yaʿaqov said, “Sell me today your birthright.”
Morphology
- וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (Vayyomer) – Root: אמר (ʾ-m-r); Form: Qal, wayyiqtol (past narrative), 3ms; Translation: “And he said”; Notes: Marks Yaʿaqov’s speech.
- יַעֲקֹ֑ב (Yaʿaqov) – Root: עקב (ʿ-q-v); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Yaʿaqov”; Notes: Refers to the younger son of Yitsḥaq.
- מִכְרָ֥ה (Mikhrah) – Root: מכר (m-k-r); Form: Qal, imperative, ms; Translation: “Sell”; Notes: Yaʿaqov commands Esav to sell his birthright.
- כַיֹּ֛ום (Kayom) – Root: יום (y-w-m); Form: Preposition with noun, ms; Translation: “Today”; Notes: Emphasizes the immediacy of the action.
- אֶת־בְּכֹֽרָתְךָ֖ (ʾEt-bekhoratkha) – Root: בכר (b-k-r); Form: Noun, fs in construct with 2ms suffix; Translation: “Your birthright”; Notes: Refers to Esav’s status as firstborn and his associated privileges.
- לִֽי (Li) – Root: Pronoun; Form: Prepositional phrase with 1cs suffix; Translation: “To me”; Notes: Indicates Yaʿaqov as the intended recipient of the birthright.
Morphological Analysis
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (wayyōmer)
- Root: אמר (ʾmr)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3ms with conversive vav
- Translation: “And he said”
יַעֲקֹ֑ב (yaʿăqōḇ)
- Root: עקב (ʿqb)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Jacob”
מִכְרָ֥ה (miḵrāh)
- Root: מכר (mkr)
- Form: Qal Imperative 2ms
- Translation: “Sell”
כַיֹּ֛ום (kay-yōm)
- Root: יום (ywm)
- Form: Preposition with noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “today”
אֶת־בְּכֹֽרָתְךָ֖ (ʾeṯ-bəḵōrāṯəḵā)
- Root: בכר (bkr)
- Form: Noun, feminine singular construct with 2ms suffix
- Translation: “your birthright”
לִֽי (lî)
- Form: Preposition with 1cs suffix
- Translation: “to me”
Syntax Analysis
The verse depicts Jacob’s direct demand to Esau, emphasizing the immediacy and significance of the request. The imperative form מִכְרָ֥ה (“Sell”) highlights the urgency and assertiveness of Jacob’s proposition. The prepositional phrase כַיֹּ֛ום (“today”) adds temporal emphasis, indicating the immediate nature of the exchange. The object אֶת־בְּכֹֽרָתְךָ֖ (“your birthright”) underscores the value of what is being requested, pointing to the future implications for inheritance and blessing.
Grammatical Analysis
The use of the imperative מִכְרָ֥ה reflects a command, showing Jacob’s boldness in initiating this significant transaction. The construct form בְּכֹֽרָתְךָ֖ (“your birthright”) with the 2ms suffix personalizes the request, making it clear that it is Esau’s birthright at stake. The preposition לִֽי (“to me”) directs the action toward Jacob, clarifying the recipient of the transfer.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- מכר (mkr): To sell or transfer ownership, implying a formal exchange or transaction.
- בכורה (bəḵōrāh): Refers to the status of the firstborn, which carried rights of inheritance and blessings, pivotal in the narrative context.
Textual Criticism
The text is stable across major sources such as the Masoretic Text, Septuagint, and the Peshitta. The phrasing of Jacob’s demand shows no significant variation, preserving the dramatic tension of the scene and its role in the narrative of Jacob and Esau’s relationship.