עֵ֕קֶב אֲשֶׁר־שָׁמַ֥ע אַבְרָהָ֖ם בְּקֹלִ֑י וַיִּשְׁמֹר֙ מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֔י מִצְוֹתַ֖י חֻקֹּותַ֥י וְתֹורֹתָֽי׃
Because Avraham listened to my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my instructions.”
Morphology
- עֵ֕קֶב (ʿEqev) – Root: עקב (ʿ-q-b); Form: Noun, ms; Translation: “Because”; Notes: Indicates causation or reason.
- אֲשֶׁר־שָׁמַ֥ע (Asher-shamaʿ) – Root: שמע (sh-m-ʿ); Form: Qal, perfect, 3ms; Translation: “Listened”; Notes: Refers to attentive obedience.
- אַבְרָהָ֖ם (Avraham) – Root: אברהם (ʾ-v-r-h-m); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Avraham”; Notes: Name of the patriarch.
- בְּקֹלִ֑י (Be-qoli) – Root: קול (q-v-l); Form: Noun, ms with 1cs suffix and preposition ב־ (“in”); Translation: “To my voice”; Notes: Indicates obedience to divine command.
- וַיִּשְׁמֹר֙ (Va-yishmor) – Root: שמר (sh-m-r); Form: Qal, imperfect, 3ms; Translation: “And he kept”; Notes: Refers to careful observance.
- מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֔י (Mishmarti) – Root: משמר (m-sh-m-r); Form: Noun, fs with 1cs suffix; Translation: “My charge”; Notes: Refers to entrusted duties or obligations.
- מִצְוֹתַ֖י (Mitzvotai) – Root: מצוה (m-tz-v-h); Form: Noun, fp with 1cs suffix; Translation: “My commandments”; Notes: Refers to specific commands.
- חֻקֹּותַ֥י (Ḥukotai) – Root: חוק (ḥ-q-q); Form: Noun, fp with 1cs suffix; Translation: “My statutes”; Notes: Refers to decrees or ordinances.
- וְתֹורֹתָֽי׃ (Ve-torotai) – Root: תורה (t-v-r-h); Form: Noun, fp with 1cs suffix; Translation: “My instructions”; Notes: Encompasses divine teachings and laws.
Morphological Analysis
עֵ֕קֶב (ʿēqeḇ)
- Root: עקב (ʿqb)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Because” or “as a result of”
אֲשֶׁר־שָׁמַ֥ע (ʾăšer-šāmaʿ)
- Root: שמע (šmʿ)
- Form: Qal Perfect 3ms
- Translation: “obeyed”
אַבְרָהָ֖ם (ʾaḇrāhām)
- Root: אברהם (ʾbrhm)
- Form: Proper noun, masculine singular
- Translation: “Abraham”
בְּקֹלִ֑י (bəqōlî)
- Root: קול (qwl)
- Form: Noun, masculine singular with preposition and 1cs suffix
- Translation: “my voice”
וַיִּשְׁמֹר֙ (wayyišmōr)
- Root: שמר (šmr)
- Form: Qal Imperfect 3ms with conversive vav
- Translation: “and kept”
מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֔י (mišmartî)
- Root: משמרת (šmr)
- Form: Noun, feminine singular construct with 1cs suffix
- Translation: “my charge”
מִצְוֹתַ֖י (miṣwōṯay)
- Root: מצוה (mṣw)
- Form: Noun, feminine plural construct with 1cs suffix
- Translation: “my commandments”
חֻקֹּותַ֥י (ḥuqquṯay)
- Root: חק (ḥqq)
- Form: Noun, feminine plural construct with 1cs suffix
- Translation: “my statutes”
וְתֹורֹתָֽי (wəṯōrōṯay)
- Root: תורה (trh)
- Form: Noun, feminine plural construct with 1cs suffix
- Translation: “and my laws”
Syntax Analysis
The verse starts with the word עֵ֕קֶב (“because”), which introduces a causal clause explaining why Isaac will be blessed. The main clause follows with אֲשֶׁר־שָׁמַ֥ע אַבְרָהָ֖ם בְּקֹלִ֑י (“because Abraham obeyed my voice”), indicating Abraham’s active obedience. The verb וַיִּשְׁמֹר֙ (“and kept”) connects subsequent actions, leading to מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֔י מִצְוֹתַ֖י חֻקֹּותַ֥י וְתֹורֹתָֽי (“my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws”), which enumerates the specific aspects of God’s directives that Abraham adhered to. The use of multiple nouns highlights the comprehensive nature of Abraham’s obedience.
Grammatical Analysis
The Qal perfect form שָׁמַ֥ע indicates completed action, showing that Abraham’s obedience was fully carried out in the past. The imperfect with conversive vav וַיִּשְׁמֹר֙ shifts the narrative to describe continuous or ongoing action in his observance of God’s commands. The various nouns for commandments—מִשְׁמַרְתִּי (“my charge”), מִצְוֹתַ֖י (“my commandments”), חֻקֹּותַ֥י (“my statutes”), and וְתֹורֹתָֽי (“my laws”)—emphasize the depth and variety of the divine instructions kept by Abraham.
Lexical Semantics and Word Study
- שמע (šmʿ): To hear or listen, often with the implication of obedience or compliance.
- שמר (šmr): To keep or guard, indicating careful observance.
- מצוה (miṣwāh): Commandment, representing specific directives from God.
- חק (ḥoq): Statute, suggesting a rule or decree that is fixed and permanent.
- תורה (torah): Law or teaching, encompassing broader instruction beyond specific commands.
Textual Criticism
The verse is consistent across major textual witnesses, including the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint. The emphasis on Abraham’s obedience aligns with other covenantal passages where adherence to divine instruction is highlighted as the reason for blessing. The repetition of the various terms for God’s laws reinforces the comprehensive nature of Abraham’s faithfulness. This verse’s structure and word choice underscore the integral relationship between obedience and divine favor in the covenantal context.