וַיִּגְוַ֨ע וַיָּ֧מָת אַבְרָהָ֛ם בְּשֵׂיבָ֥ה טֹובָ֖ה זָקֵ֣ן וְשָׂבֵ֑עַ וַיֵּאָ֖סֶף אֶל־עַמָּֽיו׃
And Avraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full, and he was gathered to his people.
Morphology
- וַיִּגְוַ֨ע (vayyigvaʿ) – Root: גוע (g-v-ʿ); Form: Verb, qal, 3ms waw-consecutive imperfect; Translation: “and he breathed his last”; Notes: Refers to the moment of physical expiration.
- וַיָּ֧מָת (vayyamat) – Root: מות (m-w-t); Form: Verb, qal, 3ms waw-consecutive imperfect; Translation: “and he died”; Notes: Indicates the event of death.
- אַבְרָהָ֛ם (Avraham) – Root: אברם (ʾ-v-r-m); Form: Proper noun, ms; Translation: “Avraham”; Notes: Subject of the sentence.
- בְּשֵׂיבָ֥ה (beseivah) – Root: שׂיב (s-v-b); Form: Noun, fs absolute with preposition ב; Translation: “in old age”; Notes: Refers to advanced age.
- טֹובָ֖ה (tovah) – Root: טוב (ṭ-w-v); Form: Adjective, fs; Translation: “good”; Notes: Modifies “old age,” describing it as fulfilling or blessed.
- זָקֵ֣ן (zaken) – Root: זקן (z-q-n); Form: Adjective, ms; Translation: “an old man”; Notes: Highlights Avraham’s advanced years.
- וְשָׂבֵ֑עַ (vesaveaʿ) – Root: שׂבע (s-v-ʿ); Form: Adjective, ms; Translation: “and full”; Notes: Indicates satisfaction or contentment with life.
- וַיֵּאָ֖סֶף (vayye’asef) – Root: אסף (ʾ-s-p); Form: Verb, nifal, 3ms waw-consecutive imperfect; Translation: “and he was gathered”; Notes: Refers to being joined with ancestors in death.
- אֶל־ (el) – Root: אל (ʾ-l); Form: Preposition; Translation: “to”; Notes: Indicates direction or association.
- עַמָּֽיו (ʿammav) – Root: עם (ʿ-m-m); Form: Noun, mp construct with 3ms suffix; Translation: “his people”; Notes: Refers to his ancestors or kin in the afterlife. The phrase “gathered to his people” is a Hebrew idiom for death and being reunited with one’s ancestors. The description emphasizes a peaceful and fulfilling end to Avraham’s life.
Morphological Analysis
וַיִּגְוַ֨ע (wayyiḡwaʿ)
- Root: גוע (gwʿ)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3ms
- Translation: “And he breathed his last”
וַיָּ֧מָת (wayyāmāṯ)
- Root: מות (mwt)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3ms
- Translation: “and he died”
אַבְרָהָ֛ם (ʾaḇrāhām)
- Root: אברהם (ʾbrhm)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Abraham”
בְּשֵׂיבָ֥ה (bəśêḇāh)
- Root: שיבה (śbh)
- Form: Noun, feminine singular
- Translation: “in old age”
טֹובָ֖ה (ṭôḇāh)
- Root: טוב (ṭwb)
- Form: Adjective, feminine singular
- Translation: “good”
זָקֵ֣ן (zāqēn)
- Root: זקן (zqn)
- Form: Adjective, masculine singular
- Translation: “an old man”
וְשָׂבֵ֑עַ (wəśāḇēaʿ)
- Root: שבע (śbʿ)
- Form: Adjective, masculine singular
- Translation: “and full”
וַיֵּאָ֖סֶף (wayyēʾāsep̄)
- Root: אסף (ʾsp)
- Form: Nifal Imperfect 3ms
- Translation: “and he was gathered”
אֶל־עַמָּֽיו (ʾel-ʿammāyw)
- Root: עם (ʿm)
- Form: Noun, masculine plural with preposition and 3ms suffix
- Translation: “to his people”
Syntax Analysis
The verse starts with two main verbs וַיִּגְוַ֨ע (“And he breathed his last”) and וַיָּ֧מָת (“and he died”), which are sequential, indicating the process of Abraham’s passing. The prepositional phrase בְּשֵׂיבָ֥ה טֹובָ֖ה (“in a good old age”) describes the manner of his death, followed by זָקֵ֣ן וְשָׂבֵ֑עַ (“an old man and full”) as further attributes of his life. The final clause וַיֵּאָ֖סֶף אֶל־עַמָּֽיו (“and he was gathered to his people”) is a common biblical idiom indicating a peaceful death and being united with one’s ancestors.
Grammatical Analysis
The Nifal verb וַיֵּאָ֖סֶף (“and he was gathered”) is passive, indicating that Abraham’s soul was taken or collected. The use of בְּשֵׂיבָ֥ה טֹובָ֖ה suggests a positive and fulfilled life. The adjectives זָקֵ֣ן (“old”) and וְשָׂבֵ֑עַ (“full”) emphasize satisfaction and completeness.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- גוע (gwʿ): Often used to describe expiring or passing away peacefully.
- אסף (ʾsp): Typically means to gather or collect, metaphorically referring to joining one’s ancestors in death.
Textual Criticism
No significant textual variations are found among major sources such as the Masoretic Text, the Septuagint, the Samaritan Pentateuch, the Samaritan Targum, the Peshitta, the Vulgate, or the Old Latin versions. This consistency supports the reliability and uniform transmission of this verse in the biblical tradition.