וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יַעֲקֹ֗ב הִשָּׁ֤בְעָה לִּי֙ כַּיֹּ֔ום וַיִּשָּׁבַ֖ע לֹ֑ו וַיִּמְכֹּ֥ר אֶת־בְּכֹרָתֹ֖ו לְיַעֲקֹֽב׃
And Yaʿaqov said, “Swear to me today,” and he swore to him, and he sold his birthright to Yaʿaqov.
Morphology
- וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (Vayomer) – Root: אמר (ʾ-m-r); Form: Qal, wayyiqtol (past narrative), 3ms; Translation: “And he said”; Notes: Narrative continuation with Yaʿaqov speaking.
- יַעֲקֹ֗ב (Yaʿaqov) – Root: עקב (ʿ-q-v); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Yaʿaqov”; Notes: The younger son of Yitsḥaq, named for grasping his brother’s heel.
- הִשָּׁ֤בְעָה (Hishavaʿah) – Root: שׁבע (sh-b-ʿ); Form: Nifal, imperative, 2ms; Translation: “Swear”; Notes: A command directed at Esav.
- לִּי֙ (Li) – Root: Pronoun; Form: Prepositional phrase with 1cs suffix; Translation: “To me”; Notes: Indicates that the oath is to Yaʿaqov.
- כַּיֹּ֔ום (Kayom) – Root: יום (y-w-m); Form: Preposition with noun, ms; Translation: “Today”; Notes: Urgency implied by specifying time.
- וַיִּשָּׁבַ֖ע (Vayyishavaʿ) – Root: שׁבע (sh-b-ʿ); Form: Nifal, wayyiqtol (past narrative), 3ms; Translation: “And he swore”; Notes: Esav complies with Yaʿaqov’s demand.
- לֹ֑ו (Lo) – Root: Pronoun; Form: Prepositional phrase with 3ms suffix; Translation: “To him”; Notes: Refers to Yaʿaqov.
- וַיִּמְכֹּ֥ר (Vayyimkor) – Root: מכר (m-k-r); Form: Qal, wayyiqtol (past narrative), 3ms; Translation: “And he sold”; Notes: Describes Esav’s action of transferring the birthright.
- אֶת־בְּכֹרָתֹ֖ו (ʾEt-bekhorato) – Root: בכר (b-k-r); Form: Noun, fs with 3ms suffix; Translation: “His birthright”; Notes: The rights and privileges of the firstborn.
- לְיַעֲקֹֽב (LeYaʿaqov) – Root: עקב (ʿ-q-v); Form: Proper noun with preposition; Translation: “To Yaʿaqov”; Notes: Specifies the recipient of the birthright.
Morphological Analysis
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (wayyōmer)
- Root: אמר (ʾmr)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3ms with conversive vav
- Translation: “And he said”
יַעֲקֹ֗ב (yaʿăqōḇ)
- Root: עקב (ʿqb)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Jacob”
הִשָּׁ֤בְעָה (hiššāḇeʿāh)
- Root: שבע (šbʿ)
- Form: Nifal Imperative 2ms
- Translation: “Swear”
לִּי֙ (lî)
- Form: Preposition with 1cs suffix
- Translation: “to me”
כַּיֹּ֔ום (kay-yōm)
- Root: יום (ywm)
- Form: Preposition with noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “today”
וַיִּשָּׁבַ֖ע (wayyiššāḇaʿ)
- Root: שבע (šbʿ)
- Form: Nifal Imperfect 3ms with conversive vav
- Translation: “And he swore”
לֹ֑ו (lōw)
- Form: Preposition with 3ms suffix
- Translation: “to him”
וַיִּמְכֹּ֥ר (wayyimkor)
- Root: מכר (mkr)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3ms with conversive vav
- Translation: “And he sold”
אֶת־בְּכֹרָתֹ֖ו (ʾeṯ-bəḵōrāṯōw)
- Root: בכר (bkr)
- Form: Noun, feminine singular construct with 3ms suffix
- Translation: “his birthright”
לְיַעֲקֹֽב (ləyaʿăqōḇ)
- Root: עקב (ʿqb)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular with preposition
- Translation: “to Jacob”
Syntax Analysis
The verse shows Jacob’s insistence and Esau’s compliance in the exchange of the birthright. The imperative הִשָּׁ֤בְעָה (“Swear”) underscores Jacob’s demand for a formal and binding oath. The response וַיִּשָּׁבַ֖ע לֹ֑ו (“And he swore to him”) indicates Esau’s agreement, followed by the action וַיִּמְכֹּ֥ר (“And he sold”), completing the transaction. The prepositional phrase לְיַעֲקֹֽב clarifies the recipient of the birthright.
Grammatical Analysis
The use of the imperative הִשָּׁ֤בְעָה in the Nifal reflects a command for a solemn oath. The imperfect form וַיִּשָּׁבַ֖ע shows an action completed in the narrative past. The Qal form וַיִּמְכֹּ֥ר also indicates a completed action, emphasizing the finality of Esau’s decision.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- שבע (šbʿ): To swear or take an oath, signifying a binding and formal commitment.
- מכר (mkr): To sell, indicating the transfer of ownership or rights in a transaction.
- בכורה (bəḵōrāh): Refers to the birthright, a privilege of the firstborn involving inheritance and familial leadership.
Textual Criticism
The text is consistent across the Masoretic Text, Septuagint, and other ancient versions. The structure of Jacob’s request and Esau’s response highlights the seriousness of the moment. The straightforward narrative emphasizes the exchange’s legal and binding nature, as reflected in the original language and preserved in these textual witnesses.