וַיֵּרָ֤א אֵלָיו֙ יְהוָ֔ה וַיֹּ֖אמֶר אַל־תֵּרֵ֣ד מִצְרָ֑יְמָה שְׁכֹ֣ן בָּאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֖ר אֹמַ֥ר אֵלֶֽיךָ׃
And YHWH appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Miṣrayim; dwell in the land that I will tell you.
Morphology
- וַיֵּרָ֤א (Vayyera) – Root: ראה (r-ʾ-h); Form: Niphal, wayyiqtol (past narrative), 3ms; Translation: “And appeared”; Notes: Indicates divine manifestation to Yitsḥaq.
- אֵלָיו֙ (Elav) – Root: אל (ʾ-l); Form: Preposition with 3ms suffix; Translation: “To him”; Notes: Refers to Yitsḥaq as the recipient of the appearance.
- יְהוָ֔ה (YHWH) – Root: יהוה (YHWH); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “The LORD”; Notes: The divine name.
- וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (Vayomer) – Root: אמר (ʾ-m-r); Form: Qal, wayyiqtol (past narrative), 3ms; Translation: “And said”; Notes: Indicates speech directed to Yitsḥaq.
- אַל־תֵּרֵ֣ד (Al-Tered) – Root: ירד (y-r-d); Form: Qal, jussive/imperative, 2ms; Translation: “Do not go down”; Notes: A divine prohibition against going to Miṣrayim.
- מִצְרָ֑יְמָה (Miṣraymah) – Root: מצרים (m-ṣ-r-y-m); Form: Proper noun with directive heh; Translation: “To Miṣrayim”; Notes: Refers to Egypt as the location Yitsḥaq was not to enter.
- שְׁכֹ֣ן (Shekhon) – Root: שכן (sh-k-n); Form: Qal, imperative, 2ms; Translation: “Dwell”; Notes: A command to stay in a designated location.
- בָּאָ֔רֶץ (Baʾaretz) – Root: ארץ (ʾ-r-ṣ); Form: Noun, fs with definite article and preposition; Translation: “In the land”; Notes: Refers to the general area where Yitsḥaq was to remain.
- אֲשֶׁ֖ר (Asher) – Root: Relative pronoun; Translation: “That”; Notes: Introduces the relative clause describing the land.
- אֹמַ֥ר (Omar) – Root: אמר (ʾ-m-r); Form: Qal, imperfect, 1cs; Translation: “I will tell”; Notes: Indicates a future declaration by the LORD.
- אֵלֶֽיךָ (Elekha) – Root: אל (ʾ-l); Form: Preposition with 2ms suffix; Translation: “To you”; Notes: Directs the speech to Yitsḥaq.
Morphological Analysis
וַיֵּרָ֤א (wayyērāʾ)
- Root: ראה (rʾh)
- Form: Niphal Imperfect 3ms with conversive vav
- Translation: “And appeared”
אֵלָיו֙ (ʾēlāyw)
- Form: Preposition with 3ms suffix
- Translation: “to him”
יְהוָ֔ה (YHWH)
- Form: Proper noun
- Translation: “the LORD”
וַיֹּ֖אמֶר (wayyōmer)
- Root: אמר (ʾmr)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3ms with conversive vav
- Translation: “And said”
אַל־תֵּרֵ֣ד (ʾal-tērēḏ)
- Root: ירד (yrd)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 2ms with negative particle
- Translation: “Do not go down”
מִצְרָ֑יְמָה (miṣraymāh)
- Root: מצרים (mṣrym)
- Form: Proper noun with directive he
- Translation: “to Egypt”
שְׁכֹ֣ן (šəkōn)
- Root: שכן (škn)
- Form: Qal Imperative 2ms
- Translation: “Dwell”
בָּאָ֔רֶץ (bāʾāreṣ)
- Root: ארץ (ʾrṣ)
- Form: Noun, feminine singular with preposition
- Translation: “in the land”
אֲשֶׁ֖ר (ʾăšer)
- Form: Relative pronoun
- Translation: “which”
אֹמַ֥ר (ʾomar)
- Root: אמר (ʾmr)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 1cs
- Translation: “I will tell”
אֵלֶֽיךָ (ʾēleḵā)
- Form: Preposition with 2ms suffix
- Translation: “to you”
Syntax Analysis
The verse begins with the action וַיֵּרָ֤א (“And appeared”), indicating a divine revelation. The command אַל־תֵּרֵ֣ד (“Do not go down”) is directed specifically to Isaac, emphasizing a prohibition. The imperative שְׁכֹ֣ן (“Dwell”) serves as an instruction, specifying the action Isaac should take. The clause אֲשֶׁ֖ר אֹמַ֥ר אֵלֶֽיךָ (“which I will tell you”) functions as a relative clause, adding future direction to the command.
Grammatical Analysis
The use of אַל with the imperfect תֵּרֵ֣ד forms a negative command. The imperative שְׁכֹ֣ן reflects an immediate action required by Isaac. The use of the imperfect אֹמַ֥ר indicates future speech or instruction.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- ראה (rʾh): To see or appear, often used in contexts of divine revelations or appearances.
- שכן (škn): To dwell or reside, implying a settled presence.
- ירד (yrd): To go down or descend, commonly used for movement towards Egypt in biblical texts.
Textual Criticism
The Masoretic Text, Septuagint, and other ancient sources show consistency in the wording of this verse. The directive for Isaac not to go down to Egypt aligns with the thematic emphasis on God’s guidance and provision for the patriarchs, reinforcing their dependence on divine instruction rather than external sources of aid.