וְעַתָּה֙ אַל־תִּירָ֔אוּ אָנֹכִ֛י אֲכַלְכֵּ֥ל אֶתְכֶ֖ם וְאֶֽת־טַפְּכֶ֑ם וַיְנַחֵ֣ם אֹותָ֔ם וַיְדַבֵּ֖ר עַל־לִבָּֽם׃
“Now therefore, do not fear. I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
Morphology
- וְעַתָּה֙ (veʿattah) – Root: עתה (ʿatah); Form: Conjunction + Adverb; Translation: “Now therefore”; Notes: Indicates a transition or conclusion.
- אַל־תִּירָ֔אוּ (ʾal-tiraʾu) – Root: ירא (yaraʾ); Form: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, 2mp with negative particle; Translation: “do not fear”; Notes: A reassurance command.
- אָנֹכִ֛י (ʾanokhi) – Root: אנכ (ʾanokh); Form: Pronoun, 1cs; Translation: “I”; Notes: Emphasizes Joseph’s role.
- אֲכַלְכֵּ֥ל (ʾakhalkel) – Root: כלל (k-l-l); Form: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, 1cs; Translation: “I will provide for”; Notes: Indicates Joseph’s provision for others.
- אֶתְכֶ֖ם (ʾetkhem) – Root: את (ʾet); Form: Preposition with 2mp suffix; Translation: “you”; Notes: Object of Joseph’s promise.
- וְאֶֽת־טַפְּכֶ֑ם (veʾet-tapkem) – Root: טף (taf); Form: Preposition + Noun, masculine singular construct + 2mp suffix; Translation: “and your little ones”; Notes: Includes dependents in the assurance.
- וַיְנַחֵ֣ם (vayenaḥem) – Root: נחם (n-ḥ-m); Form: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, 3ms; Translation: “And he comforted”; Notes: Indicates Joseph’s emotional support.
- אֹותָ֔ם (ʾotam) – Root: את (ʾot); Form: Pronoun, 3mp; Translation: “them”; Notes: Refers to Joseph’s brothers.
- וַיְדַבֵּ֖ר (vayedabber) – Root: דבר (d-v-r); Form: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, 3ms; Translation: “And he spoke”; Notes: Refers to verbal encouragement.
- עַל־לִבָּֽם (ʿal-libbam) – Root: לב (lev); Form: Preposition + Noun, masculine singular construct + 3mp suffix; Translation: “to their hearts”; Notes: Implies speaking to their emotions or reassuring them.