Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 25בְּרֵאשִׁית כ״ה

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

A generational hinge unfolds here, joining Abraham's final household arrangements, his death and burial, the formal closing of Ishmael's line, and the opening tensions within Isaac's house that will dominate the next movement of Genesis. Inheritance, separation, blessing, genealogical closure, answered prayer, prenatal oracle, sibling contrast, and the despising of birthright are bound together in one sustained movement. Abraham's last acts secure Isaac as the primary heir while sending other lines eastward; Ishmael's line is honored with its own toledot and death notice; and the narrative then narrows toward the troubled beginning of Jacob and Esau. The movement therefore turns from patriarchal closure to covenantal succession. Barrenness is answered, yet the promised line is not born into ease but into struggle already foretold in the womb. What emerges is an account of succession under divine ordering: Abraham is gathered, Ishmael is counted, Isaac is blessed, and the future of the chosen line is marked by rivalry, reversal, and moral testing.

Translation & textual notes

The Hebrew base text here follows the Masoretic Text in the Leningrad tradition as represented by the Westminster Leningrad Codex / MorphHB diplomatic stream imported from OSHB; distinctively copyrighted apparatus from BHS or BHQ is not reproduced. A hinge chapter arrives here, and several expressions deserve careful handling. Verses 1-6 raise long-standing questions about Keturah's relation to the earlier notice of Abraham's concubines, and the distinction between Isaac as heir and the eastward-sent sons is central to the narrative's logic of succession. Verse 6 explicitly sends the sons of the concubines eastward while Abraham is still alive, preserving both gift and separation. The death notices in verses 7-8 use the familiar patriarchal formulas of age, good old age, and being gathered to one's people; these should retain their full covenantal and ancestral weight rather than being reduced to bare obituary. Verse 11 records God blessing Isaac after Abraham's death and places him at Beer-lahai-roi, a location already resonant from the Hagar narratives. The toledot of Ishmael in verses 12-18 should be treated as a genuine honoring closure, not as disposable background, and verse 16 fulfills the earlier word about twelve princes. Verse 18 closes with compact and debated language in עַל־פְּנֵי כָל־אֶחָיו נָפָל, which should preserve the sense of Ishmael's line settling over against or before all his brothers in accord with prior prophecy. Verse 21 uses the strong verb ויעתר for Isaac's entreaty and again for YHWH's response, marking conception as answered prayer. Verse 22 contains the difficult cry אִם־כֵּן לָמָּה זֶּה אָנֹכִי, whose force is existential distress rather than mere curiosity. In verse 23 the oracle of the two nations is the theological center of the birth narrative: the twins are read in advance as peoples, and the line רַב יַעֲבֹד צָעִיר must be preserved in its stark reversal formula. Verse 25 links Esau's appearance to redness and hairiness, preparing the later Edom wordplay, while verse 26 grounds Jacob's naming in heel-grasping. Verse 27 contrasts Esau as hunter and field-man with Jacob as תם, a term better rendered as whole, quiet, or plain in context than moralistically overloaded into sinless perfection. Verse 28 tersely notes the divided parental loves, and the phrase כִּי־צַיִד בְּפִיו should retain its compact idiom rather than be flattened too quickly. The birthright sale in verses 29-34 is narrated with deliberate compression and irony: Esau asks to be gulp-fed from the red stew, the name Edom is linked by wordplay to the red dish, and the close explicitly states that Esau despised the birthright. Versification follows the MT.

1

וַיֹּ֧סֶף אַבְרָהָ֛ם וַיִּקַּ֥ח אִשָּׁ֖ה וּשְׁמָ֥הּ קְטוּרָֽה

And Abraham added and took a wife, and her name was Keturah.

New household notice: Abraham takes Keturah after the Sarah cycleוַיֹּ֧סֶף
A further extension of Abraham household is recorded here rather than an immediate move to his death. Yet the notice is brief and functional, preparing for inheritance and genealogy more than for a new patriarchal cycle.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיֹּ֧סֶףadded; did againWayyiqtol (Hiphil) 3ms · יָסַף (H3254)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָסַף (H3254) 'to add, continue, do again'; Hiphil idiom resumes or extends a prior action — Abraham takes an additional wife after Sarah.
אַבְרָהָ֛םAbrahamProper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of וַיֹּסֶףאַבְרָהָם (H85), patriarch of Israel; name changed from אַבְרָם in Gen 17:5 to signal his role as 'father of a multitude.'
וַיִּקַּ֥חtookWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take, receive, acquire'; standard idiom for taking a wife; no ceremony is described, keeping focus on genealogy.
אִשָּׁ֖הa wifeN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Direct object of וַיִּקַּחאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; indefinite here signals a new household act after Sarah's death and Isaac's establishment as heir.
וּשְׁמָ֥הּand her nameconj וּ + N m sg cstr + 3fs suffix · שֵׁם (H8034)Circumstantial nominal clause (subject)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; with 3fs pronominal suffix introduces the new wife's identity; the naming formulation is standard for a new character.
קְטוּרָֽהKeturahProper noun · קְטוּרָה (H6989)Predicate of circumstantial clauseקְטוּרָה (H6989), Abraham's post-Sarah wife; name possibly related to קְטֹרֶת 'incense, fragrant smoke'; called a concubine in 1 Chr 1:32.
2

וַתֵּ֣לֶד ל֗וֹ אֶת זִמְרָן֙ וְאֶת יָקְשָׁ֔ן וְאֶת מְדָ֖ן וְאֶת מִדְיָ֑ן וְאֶת יִשְׁבָּ֖ק וְאֶת שֽׁוּחַ

And she bore to him Zimran and Jokshan and Medan and Midian and Ishbak and Shuah.

Keturah offspring listed: Abraham line multiplies beyond Isaac and Ishmaelוַתֵּ֣לֶד
Keturah sons are given in a compact genealogical list. The multiplication of Abraham seed is real, but the narrative will soon distinguish proliferation from the covenantal heir.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַתֵּ֣לֶדboreWayyiqtol (Qal) 3fs · יָלַד (H3205)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, give birth'; Qal 3fs marks Keturah as the mother; the unembellished form foregrounds genealogical productivity.
ל֗וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffixDative of beneficiaryprep לְ + 3ms pronominal suffix; marks Abraham as the paternal recipient of these offspring, not merely as bystander.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (series of sons)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi; introduces the entire series of proper names as definite direct objects of וַתֵּלֶד.
זִמְרָן֙ZimranProper noun · זִמְרָן (H2175)Direct object (first son)זִמְרָן (H2175), firstborn of Keturah's six sons; name perhaps linked to זִמְרָה 'song, melody'; tribal identity otherwise obscure.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ + אֵת; continues the enumeration; each son in the birth list receives the same marker, signaling equal listing.
יָקְשָׁ֔ןJokshanProper noun · יָקְשָׁן (H3370)Direct object (second son)יָקְשָׁן (H3370), second son of Keturah; ancestral figure behind Sheba and Dedan, elaborated in v3.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ + אֵת; list continues.
מְדָ֖ןMedanProper noun · מְדָן (H4091)Direct object (third son)מְדָן (H4091), third son of Keturah; name closely resembles מִדְיָן but OSHB treats as a distinct person and tribe.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ + אֵת; list continues.
מִדְיָ֑ןMidianProper noun · מִדְיָן (H4080)Direct object (fourth son)מִדְיָן (H4080), fourth son; eponymous ancestor of the Midianites, a trading and pastoral people significant in Exodus and Judges.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ + אֵת; list continues.
יִשְׁבָּ֖קIshbakProper noun · יִשְׁבָּק (H3435)Direct object (fifth son)יִשְׁבָּק (H3435), fifth son of Keturah; possibly ancestor of a north Arabian tribe; etymology and territory uncertain.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ + אֵת; final object marker closing the six-member birth list.
שֽׁוּחַShuahProper noun · שׁוּחַ (H7744)Direct object (sixth son)שׁוּחַ (H7744), sixth son of Keturah; traditionally linked to Bildad the Shuhite (Job 2:11); likely a north Arabian locale.
3

וְיָקְשָׁ֣ן יָלַ֔ד אֶת שְׁבָ֖א וְאֶת דְּדָ֑ן וּבְנֵ֣י דְדָ֔ן הָי֛וּ אַשּׁוּרִ֥ם וּלְטוּשִׁ֖ים וּלְאֻמִּֽים

And Jokshan fathered Sheba and Dedan; and the sons of Dedan were Asshurim and Letushim and Leummim.

Sub-line extended: Jokshan branch receives its own descendantsוְיָקְשָׁ֣ן
The genealogy briefly deepens through Jokshan into named peoples. The movement treats these lines as historically meaningful, not as incidental surplus around the chosen line.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְיָקְשָׁ֣ןAnd Jokshanconj וְ + Proper noun · יָקְשָׁן (H3370)Subject of יָלַד (fronted)יָקְשָׁן (H3370); fronted here as subject of the next genealogical level, extending Keturah's line one generation deeper.
יָלַ֔דfatheredQal perf 3ms · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed genealogical actיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, beget'; Qal with male subject conveys fathering; the same root as v2 but now with a male subject in perfective.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks the following sons of Jokshan as definite direct objects.
שְׁבָ֖אShebaProper noun · שְׁבָא (H7614)Direct object (first son of Jokshan)שְׁבָא (H7614), associated with wealthy south Arabian traders; cf. 1 Kgs 10:1; Isa 60:6; Ps 72:10.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object markerוְ + אֵת; second son of Jokshan as direct object.
דְּדָ֑ןDedanProper noun · דְּדָן (H1719)Direct object (second son of Jokshan)דְּדָן (H1719), trading people of north Arabia; appears in Isa 21:13, Jer 49:8, Ezek 27:15, 20; three sub-tribes listed in what follows.
וּבְנֵ֣יand the sons ofconj וּ + N m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of הָיוּ (construct chain)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; pl construct before Dedan opens a sub-genealogy descending one level further through Dedan's line.
דְדָ֔ןDedanProper noun · דְּדָן (H1719)Construct chain (genitival)דְּדָן (H1719); repeated as the genitive of בְּנֵי, making Dedan the parent of Asshurim, Letushim, and Leummim.
הָי֛וּwereQal perf 3cp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (copula)→ Perfective: settled genealogical identificationהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; copulative assigns the three groups as the established tribal offspring of Dedan.
אַשּׁוּרִ֥םAsshurimProper noun · אַשּׁוּרִם (H805)Predicate nominative (first tribal group)אַשּׁוּרִם (H805), one of Dedan's three sub-tribes; distinct from Assyria (H804 אַשּׁוּר); location and identity obscure.
וּלְטוּשִׁ֖יםand Letushimconj וּ + Proper noun · לְטוּשִׁים (H3912)Predicate nominative (second tribal group)לְטוּשִׁים (H3912), second sub-tribe of Dedan; possibly north Arabian; name and territory otherwise unknown.
וּלְאֻמִּֽיםand Leummimconj וּ + Proper noun · לְאֻמִּים (H3817)Predicate nominative (third tribal group)לְאֻמִּים (H3817), third sub-tribe of Dedan; name appears related to לְאֹם 'people, nation' (H3816); details otherwise unknown.
4

וּבְנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֗ן עֵיפָ֤ה וָעֵ֨פֶר֙ וַחֲנֹ֔ךְ וַאֲבִידָ֖ע וְאֶלְדָּעָ֑ה כָּל אֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵ֥י קְטוּרָֽה

And the sons of Midian were Ephah and Epher and Hanoch and Abida and Eldaah. All these were the sons of Keturah.

Sub-line extended again: Midian descendants complete the Keturah registerוּבְנֵ֣י
Midian branch is also elaborated before the section closes with a summary formula. Keturah line is therefore acknowledged as a significant Abrahamic expansion even while it remains distinct from Isaac inheritance.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וּבְנֵ֣יand the sons ofconj וּ + N m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of implied copula (verbless clause)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; pl construct before Midian opens the Midian sub-genealogy, parallel to Dedan's treatment in v3.
מִדְיָ֗ןMidianProper noun · מִדְיָן (H4080)Construct chain (genitival)מִדְיָן (H4080), ancestor of the Midianites; five sons listed here elaborating his branch of the Keturah genealogy.
עֵיפָ֤הEphahProper noun · עֵיפָה (H5891)Predicate nominative (first son of Midian)עֵיפָה (H5891), first son of Midian; associated in Isa 60:6 with camels bringing gold and incense from Midian.
וָעֵ֨פֶר֙and Epherconj וָ + Proper noun · עֵפֶר (H6081)Predicate nominative (second son)עֵפֶר (H6081), second son of Midian; possibly connected to a north Arabian tribe; name may mean 'fawn, young gazelle.'
וַחֲנֹ֔ךְand Hanochconj וַ + Proper noun · חֲנוֹךְ (H2585)Predicate nominative (third son)חֲנוֹךְ (H2585), third son of Midian; the name is shared by Cain's son (Gen 4) and Enoch (Gen 5); a common Semitic name.
וַאֲבִידָ֖עand Abidaconj וַ + Proper noun · אֲבִידָע (H28)Predicate nominative (fourth son)אֲבִידָע (H28), fourth son of Midian; name means 'my father knows'; location unknown.
וְאֶלְדָּעָ֑הand Eldaahconj וְ + Proper noun · אֶלְדָּעָה (H420)Predicate nominative (fifth son)אֶלְדָּעָה (H420), fifth and last son of Midian; name means 'God has known'; no further biblical references.
כָּלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject of summary clause (construct)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole, every'; in construct before אֵלֶּה forms a summary: 'all these.' Signals closure of the Keturah register.
אֵ֖לֶּהtheseDemonstr pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Genitive of כָּל (summary reference)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; demonstrative pronoun referring back to all Keturah's descendants named across vv2-4.
בְּנֵ֥יsons ofN m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; pl construct resumes the genealogical heading, attributing all the above lines to Keturah.
קְטוּרָֽהKeturahProper noun · קְטוּרָה (H6989)Construct chain (genitival)קְטוּרָה (H6989); the closing summary anchors the entire register back to her, concluding the Keturah genealogy before the inheritance notice.
5

וַיִּתֵּ֧ן אַבְרָהָ֛ם אֶת כָּל אֲשֶׁר ל֖וֹ לְיִצְחָֽק

And Abraham gave all that belonged to him to Isaac.

Inheritance fixed: Isaac is publicly established as the primary heirוַיִּתֵּ֧ן
After the wider genealogy, the narrative states the decisive legal-theological point with great brevity. Whatever other offspring Abraham has, the estate is concentrated in Isaac.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיִּתֵּ֧ןgaveWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, bestow, grant'; the narrative moves from genealogy to legal-theological action — Abraham formally transfers his estate.
אַבְרָהָ֛םAbrahamProper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of וַיִּתֵּןאַבְרָהָם (H85); as subject, Abraham acts deliberately and decisively to settle his estate while still living.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks the entirety of the estate (כָּל אֲשֶׁר לוֹ) as the definite direct object of the giving.
כָּלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (construct head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; in construct with the relative clause אֲשֶׁר לוֹ: 'all that belonged to him' — the whole estate without qualification.
אֲשֶׁרthatRelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause head (modifying כָּל)אֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle; introduces the clause defining the scope: 'all that was his.'
ל֖וֹto him / hisprep לְ + 3ms suffixPredicate of relative clause (possessive)prep לְ + 3ms suffix; the idiom לוֹ אֲשֶׁר כָּל conveys total possession; everything Abraham had now belongs to Isaac.
לְיִצְחָֽקto Isaacprep לְ + Proper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Indirect object (recipient)יִצְחָק (H3327), Isaac; the sole beneficiary of the estate; the brevity of the notice gives it legal finality.
6

וְלִבְנֵ֤י הַפִּֽילַגְשִׁים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר לְאַבְרָהָ֔ם נָתַ֥ן אַבְרָהָ֖ם מַתָּנֹ֑ת וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵ֞ם מֵעַ֨ל יִצְחָ֤ק בְּנוֹ֙ בְּעוֹדֶ֣נּוּ חַ֔י קֵ֖דְמָה אֶל אֶ֥רֶץ קֶֽדֶם

But to the sons of the concubines that Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts; and while he was still alive he sent them away from Isaac his son eastward, to the land of the east.

Separation enacted: the other sons are gifted and sent eastwardוְלִבְנֵ֤י
Generosity toward the other lines is preserved without blurring succession. Abraham himself creates geographic and household separation while alive so that Isaac's place as heir is not contested at the center.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְלִבְנֵ֤יbut to the sons ofconj וְ + prep לְ + N m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Fronted dative (contrastive)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; fronted with prepositional phrase to contrast the other sons with Isaac as primary heir — they receive gifts, not inheritance.
הַפִּֽילַגְשִׁים֙the concubinesart + N f pl abs · פִּילֶגֶשׁ (H6370)Construct chain (genitival)פִּילֶגֶשׁ (H6370) 'concubine'; a secondary wife of lower legal status than the primary wife; the article makes them definite (Abraham's concubines).
אֲשֶׁ֣רwho / thatRelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause head (modifying הַפִּילַגְשִׁים)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the relative clause identifying these concubines as belonging specifically to Abraham.
לְאַבְרָהָ֔םto Abrahamprep לְ + Proper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Predicate of relative clause (possession)אַבְרָהָם (H85); the possessive prep לְ marks these concubines as Abraham's, completing the relative clause.
נָתַ֥ןgaveQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed legal actנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; perfective records a completed dispositive act; differs from mere inheritance in that the sons of concubines receive gifts (מַתָּנוֹת).
אַבְרָהָ֖םAbrahamProper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of נָתַן (repeated for clarity)אַבְרָהָם (H85); repeated subject after the long fronted dative makes the actor explicit.
מַתָּנֹ֑תgiftsN f pl abs · מַתָּנָה (H4979)Direct object of נָתַןמַתָּנָה (H4979) 'gift, present'; pl abs; deliberately distinguished from the inheritance given to Isaac — generosity without transferring the covenant estate.
וַֽיְשַׁלְּחֵ֞םsent them awayWayyiqtol (Piel) 3ms + 3mp suffix · שָׁלַח (H7971)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Piel 'to dismiss, send away'; the Piel intensifies the sending as a deliberate dismissal establishing separation.
מֵעַ֨לfrom besidecompound prep מִן + עַל · מִן (H4480) + עַל (H5921)Separative prepositional phraseמֵעַל compound: מִן 'from' + עַל 'upon/over'; together 'from upon, away from'; signals spatial and relational removal from Isaac's household.
יִצְחָ֤קIsaacProper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Object of prep מֵעַליִצְחָק (H3327); Isaac is the reference point from which the other sons are separated, reinforcing his centrality.
בְּנוֹ֙his sonN m sg cstr + 3ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Appositive to יִצְחָקבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; appositive with 3ms suffix reinforces the filial bond between Abraham and Isaac as context for the separation act.
בְּעוֹדֶ֣נּוּwhile he was yetprep בְּ + adv עוֹד + 3ms suffix · עוֹד (H5750)Temporal adverbial phraseעוֹד (H5750) 'still, yet, again'; with prep and suffix: 'while he was still alive'; Abraham's own agency secures the separation in his lifetime.
חַ֔יaliveAdj m sg abs · חַי (H2416)Predicate adjective (temporal clause)חַי (H2416) 'alive, living'; adjective in predicative function within the temporal phrase; emphasizes that the separation is Abraham's deliberate living act.
קֵ֖דְמָהeastwardN m sg abs + directional he · קֶדֶם (H6924)Adverbial direction (eastward)קֶדֶם (H6924) 'east, front, antiquity'; with directional ה marks the destination as the east — the direction assigned to non-chosen lines throughout Genesis.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directional prep specifying the destination of the sent sons.
אֶ֥רֶץthe land ofN (c) sg cstr · אֶרֶץ (H776)Object of prep אֶל (construct)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'earth, land, country'; in construct before קֶדֶם = 'the land of the east,' the eastern territories beyond Canaan.
קֶֽדֶםthe eastN m sg abs · קֶדֶם (H6924)Construct chain (genitival)קֶדֶם (H6924) 'east'; as genitive of אֶרֶץ, designates the eastern regions broadly — Arabia and beyond — as the domain of Keturah's sons.
7

וְאֵ֗לֶּה יְמֵ֛י שְׁנֵֽי חַיֵּ֥י אַבְרָהָ֖ם אֲשֶׁר חָ֑י מְאַ֥ת שָׁנָ֛ה וְשִׁבְעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וְחָמֵ֥שׁ שָׁנִֽים

And these were the days of the years of Abraham life that he lived: one hundred years and seventy years and five years.

Life summed: Abraham years are formally countedוְאֵ֗לֶּה
The narrative now turns from household arrangement to patriarchal closure. The age formula slows the story into obituary cadence and places Abraham within the established pattern of Genesis death notices.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְאֵ֗לֶּהAnd theseconj וְ + Demonstr pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of verbless clause (fronted)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; with conj opens the obituary formula; the waw is additive, moving from legal acts to the death notice.
יְמֵ֛יthe days ofN m pl cstr · יוֹם (H3117)Predicate nominative (construct chain head)יוֹם (H3117) 'day'; pl construct 'the days of' begins the standard patriarchal lifespan formula; cf. Gen 5 pattern.
שְׁנֵֽיthe years ofCardinal num m dual cstr · שָׁנָה (H8141)Construct chain (second link)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; dual construct שְׁנֵי in construct before חַיֵּי; together 'the years of the life of' — the full patriarchal age formula.
חַיֵּ֥יthe life ofN m pl cstr · חַי (H2416)Construct chain (third link)חַי / חַיִּים (H2416) 'life, lifetime'; pl construct here = 'years of [Abraham's] life'; the idiom is formulaic in patriarchal death notices.
אַבְרָהָ֖םAbrahamProper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Genitive (terminus of construct chain)אַבְרָהָם (H85); the construct chain resolves here — 'the days of the years of the life of Abraham.'
אֲשֶׁרwhich / that heRelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause head (modifying days)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the relative clause 'that he lived,' specifying the total as his actual lived years.
חָ֑יhe livedQal perf 3ms · חָיָה (H2425)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: total lifespan as completed factחָיָה (H2425) 'to live'; Qal perf 3ms closes the relative clause; the verb is resumptive, confirming that the total is Abraham's actual life.
מְאַ֥תa hundredCardinal num f sg cstr · מֵאָה (H3967)Numeral (first component of lifespan)מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; f sg construct before שָׁנָה; the three-part age formula (100 + 70 + 5) totals 175 years.
שָׁנָ֛הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Numeral complement (unit)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; sg abs follows the hundred; the disaggregated formula gives each group of years its own unit noun, emphasizing each decade.
וְשִׁבְעִ֥יםand seventyconj וְ + Cardinal num (c) pl abs · שִׁבְעִים (H7657)Numeral (second component)שִׁבְעִים (H7657) 'seventy'; second additive component; the waw links each numeral additively in the standard formula.
שָׁנָ֖הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Numeral complement (unit)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; repeated unit noun with each numeral group; this threefold articulation gives the total 175 a ceremonial gravity.
וְחָמֵ֥שׁand fiveconj וְ + Cardinal num f sg abs · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Numeral (third component)חָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five'; the final additive unit; together 100+70+5 = 175 years, the total given for Abraham's life.
שָׁנִֽיםyearsN f pl abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Numeral complement (unit, plural close)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; pl form שָׁנִים closes the formula; shift from sg to pl at the end of the sequence is a feature of this idiom.
8

וַיִּגְוַ֨ע וַיָּ֧מָת אַבְרָהָ֛ם בְּשֵׂיבָ֥ה טוֹבָ֖ה זָקֵ֣ן וְשָׂבֵ֑עַ וַיֵּאָ֖סֶף אֶל עַמָּֽיו

And Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, old and satisfied, and he was gathered to his people.

Patriarch gathered: Abraham dies in fullness and is gathered to his peopleוַיִּגְוַ֨ע
The death formula is full and dignified, stressing both age and fullness. The final gathering language places Abraham within the ancestral community beyond the mere fact of physical death.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיִּגְוַ֨עbreathed his lastWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · גָּוַע (H1478)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceגָּוַע (H1478) 'to expire, breathe one's last'; the solemn verb for the last breath; used of patriarchs (Gen 49:33) and marks a dignified end.
וַיָּ֧מָתand diedWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; paired with גָּוַע for emphasis; the two verbs together signal the fullness and finality of death.
אַבְרָהָ֛םAbrahamProper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of the death formulaאַבְרָהָם (H85); named here as the subject of the death verbs, anchoring the obituary formally to the patriarch.
בְּשֵׂיבָ֥הin old ageprep בְּ + N f sg abs · שֵׂיבָה (H7872)Adverbial phrase (manner of death)שֵׂיבָה (H7872) 'gray hair, hoary age'; with prep = 'in old age'; paired with טוֹבָה = 'good old age' — a term of honor and fulfillment.
טוֹבָ֖הgoodAdj f sg abs · טוֹב (H2896)Attributive adjective (modifying שֵׂיבָה)טוֹב (H2896) 'good, pleasant'; f sg agreeing with שֵׂיבָה; 'a good old age' is a theological verdict — Abraham's life is complete and satisfying.
זָקֵ֣ןoldAdj m sg abs · זָקֵן (H2205)Predicate adjective (circumstantial)זָקֵן (H2205) 'old, aged'; m sg abs; alongside שָׂבֵעַ forms a bicolon describing Abraham's state at death: honored age and full life.
וְשָׂבֵ֑עַand satisfiedconj וְ + Adj m sg abs · שָׂבֵעַ (H7649)Predicate adjective (circumstantial)שָׂבֵעַ (H7649) 'full, satisfied, content'; applied to life: 'satisfied with days' — the covenantal ideal of a life lived to completion, lacking nothing.
וַיֵּאָ֖סֶףwas gatheredWayyiqtol (Niphal) 3ms · אָסַף (H622)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: narrative advance to ancestral gatheringאָסַף (H622) 'to gather'; Niphal passive: 'was gathered'; the idiom of being gathered to one's people implies joining the ancestral community beyond death.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with עַמָּיו = 'to his people'; the idiom signals ancestral reunion beyond the mere physical fact of death.
עַמָּֽיוhis peopleN m pl cstr + 3ms suffix · עַם (H5971)Object of prep אֶלעַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; pl with 3ms suffix = 'his peoples/kin'; the ancestral community to whom the dead patriarch is gathered.
9

וַיִּקְבְּר֨וּ אֹת֜וֹ יִצְחָ֤ק וְיִשְׁמָעֵאל֙ בָּנָ֔יו אֶל מְעָרַ֖ת הַמַּכְפֵּלָ֑ה אֶל שְׂדֵ֞ה עֶפְרֹ֤ן בֶּן צֹ֨חַר֙ הַֽחִתִּ֔י אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל פְּנֵ֥י מַמְרֵֽא

And Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre,

Burial completed: Isaac and Ishmael honor Abraham togetherוַיִּקְבְּר֨וּ
The burial briefly reunites Isaac and Ishmael around their father. Machpelah returns as the covenant burial place, reinforcing continuity with Sarah and with the land already secured in death.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיִּקְבְּר֨וּburiedWayyiqtol (Qal) 3mp · קָבַר (H6912)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָבַר (H6912) 'to bury'; the act of burial is the sons' joint duty; the plural subject gathers Isaac and Ishmael in a rare cooperative act.
אֹת֜וֹhimobj marker + 3ms suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object (pronominal)אֵת (H853) + 3ms suffix = direct object pronoun 'him'; marks Abraham's body as the definite object of the burial act.
יִצְחָ֤קIsaacProper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Subject (first, covenant heir)יִצְחָק (H3327); listed first as the primary heir; his participation in the burial honors the father even as the covenant line passes through him.
וְיִשְׁמָעֵאל֙and Ishmaelconj וְ + Proper noun · יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458)Subject (second, co-burial)יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458); listed second; the joint burial briefly reunites the two sons and signals familial duty transcending the separation of lines.
בָּנָ֔יוhis sonsN m pl cstr + 3ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Appositive to יִצְחָק וְיִשְׁמָעֵאלבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; pl with 3ms suffix; the appositive 'his sons' frames both as legitimate sons of Abraham in this final shared act.
אֶלin / toprep · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to, into'; here locative, introducing the burial site; directs the reader to the specific sacred location.
מְעָרַ֖תthe cave ofN f sg cstr · מְעָרָה (H4631)Object of prep אֶל (construct)מְעָרָה (H4631) 'cave'; in construct before הַמַּכְפֵּלָה; the cave of Machpelah is Abraham's purchased burial site (Gen 23), now receiving him.
הַמַּכְפֵּלָ֑הMachpelahart + Proper noun · מַכְפֵּלָה (H4375)Construct chain (genitival)מַכְפֵּלָה (H4375), cave near Mamre purchased from Ephron in Gen 23; Sarah was buried here first; now Abraham joins her.
אֶלin / atprep · אֶל (H413)Appositive locative prepositionאֶל (H413); second locative clause elaborates the location by identifying the field.
שְׂדֵ֞הthe field ofN m sg cstr · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Object of prep אֶל (construct)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, land'; in construct before Ephron's name; the land identification restates the legal provenance of the burial site.
עֶפְרֹ֤ןEphronProper noun · עֶפְרוֹן (H6085)Construct chain (genitival)עֶפְרוֹן (H6085), the Hittite who sold the field to Abraham in Gen 23; his name here recalls the legal transaction that secured the land.
בֶּןson ofN m sg cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (patronymic)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct before Zohar identifies Ephron's lineage, a standard legal formula for specifying a named party.
צֹ֨חַר֙ZoharProper noun · צֹחַר (H6714)Genitive (father of Ephron)צֹחַר (H6714), Ephron's father; named in the original field-purchase narrative (Gen 23:8); name means 'whiteness, brightness.'
הַֽחִתִּ֔יthe Hittiteart + Gentilic adj m sg abs · חִתִּי (H2850)Appositive (ethnic identification)חִתִּי (H2850) 'Hittite'; gentilic identifying Ephron's ethnic group; the Hittites of Canaan in Genesis are local landowners in the region of Hebron.
אֲשֶׁ֖רwhichRelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause head (modifying field)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the relative clause locating the field geographically — before/facing Mamre.
עַלbefore / facingprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositionעַל (H5921) 'upon, over, before'; with פְּנֵי = 'before, facing'; the compound prep עַל פְּנֵי is a standard locational idiom.
פְּנֵ֥יthe face ofN (c) pl cstr · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of prep עַל (construct)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, front, surface'; pl construct; עַל פְּנֵי = 'before, in front of'; here specifying the field's position relative to Mamre.
מַמְרֵֽאMamreProper noun · מַמְרֵא (H4471)Genitive (geographical landmark)מַמְרֵא (H4471), the terebinths/plain of Mamre near Hebron; Abraham's residence for much of his later life; a recurring geographic anchor.
10

הַשָּׂדֶ֛ה אֲשֶׁר קָנָ֥ה אַבְרָהָ֖ם מֵאֵ֣ת בְּנֵי חֵ֑ת שָׁ֛מָּה קֻבַּ֥ר אַבְרָהָ֖ם וְשָׂרָ֥ה אִשְׁתּֽוֹ

the field that Abraham bought from the sons of Heth; there Abraham was buried, and Sarah his wife.

Burial site recalled: Machpelah is restated as purchased possessionהַשָּׂדֶ֛ה
The narrator restates the legal identity of the field so that Abraham's burial remains tied explicitly to acquired land. Faith, burial, and possession stay joined together at the close of Sarah's field transaction.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
הַשָּׂדֶ֛הThe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Subject (resumptive appositive to field in v9)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, land'; with article resumes and identifies the field mentioned in v9, grounding the burial in its legal purchase context.
אֲשֶׁרthatRelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause head (modifying הַשָּׂדֶה)אֲשֶׁר (H834); opens the relative clause identifying the field by its earlier purchase — tying Abraham's burial to his covenant act in Gen 23.
קָנָ֥הboughtQal perf 3ms · קָנָה (H7069)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed legal acquisitionקָנָה (H7069) 'to buy, acquire, purchase'; Qal perf; the completed purchase of Gen 23 is recalled here as the legal basis for the burial.
אַבְרָהָ֖םAbrahamProper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of קָנָהאַבְרָהָם (H85); the buyer recalled from the Gen 23 transaction; the field belongs to him legally and now becomes his grave.
מֵאֵ֣תfromcompound prep מִן + אֵת · מִן (H4480) + אֵת (H854)Ablative prepositional phraseמֵאֵת: מִן 'from' + אֵת 'with, alongside' (H854); compound = 'from with, from'; standard idiom for the seller from whom property is acquired.
בְּנֵיthe sons ofN m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Object of prep מֵאֵת (construct)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; pl construct before חֵת; the Hittites ('sons of Heth') were the local landowners from whom Abraham purchased Machpelah.
חֵ֑תHethProper noun · חֵת (H2845)Genitive (ethnic identification)חֵת (H2845), eponymous ancestor of the Hittites; 'sons of Heth' appears five times in Gen 23 and is now recalled here to confirm legal title.
שָׁ֛מָּהthereAdverb + directional he · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; with directional he שָׁמָּה; the adverb points to the previously identified field as the burial location — 'there he was buried.'
קֻבַּ֥רwas buriedPual perf 3ms · קָבַר (H6912)Predicate verb (Pual passive)→ Perfective: completed burial as passive stateקָבַר (H6912) 'to bury'; Pual passive: 'was buried'; the passive form places Abraham as the one received by the land rather than the active agent.
אַבְרָהָ֖םAbrahamProper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of qubbar (passive)אַבְרָהָם (H85); the patriarch who purchased this land now rests in it; faith, purchase, and burial converge in this final note.
וְשָׂרָ֥הand Sarahconj וְ + Proper noun · שָׂרָה (H8283)Compound subject (second burial)שָׂרָה (H8283), Abraham's primary wife; she was buried here first (Gen 23:19); the conjunction links them in death as they were in covenant life.
אִשְׁתּֽוֹhis wifeN f sg cstr + 3ms suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositive (relational identifier)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; with 3ms suffix 'his wife'; the appositive reinforces the spousal bond that makes their shared burial fitting and covenantally meaningful.
11

וַיְהִ֗י אַחֲרֵי֙ מ֣וֹת אַבְרָהָ֔ם וַיְבָ֥רֶךְ אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת יִצְחָ֣ק בְּנ֑וֹ וַיֵּ֣שֶׁב יִצְחָ֔ק עִם בְּאֵ֥ר לַחַ֖י רֹאִֽי

And it happened after the death of Abraham that God blessed Isaac his son, and Isaac dwelt by Beer-lahai-roi.

Succession confirmed: divine blessing now rests on Isaacוַיְהִ֗י
Abraham death does not suspend the promise but clarifies its next bearer. The note of divine blessing and the residence by Beer-lahai-roi quietly connect Isaac future to the wider Abrahamic story already shaped by Hagar and providence.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיְהִ֗יit came to passWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Introductory wayyiqtol (temporal frame)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen, become'; וַיְהִי often introduces a new temporal or narrative stage; here it frames the transition to post-Abraham events.
אַחֲרֵי֙afterprep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prepositionאַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; governs מוֹת אַבְרָהָם = 'after the death of Abraham'; the temporal marker signals the opening of the next era.
מ֣וֹתthe death ofN m sg cstr · מָוֶת (H4194)Object of prep אַחֲרֵי (construct)מָוֶת (H4194) 'death'; in construct before Abraham's name; the temporal phrase 'after Abraham's death' is the hinge opening Isaac's new period.
אַבְרָהָ֔םAbrahamProper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Genitive (terminus of construct chain)אַבְרָהָם (H85); genitive of מוֹת; Abraham's death as temporal marker does not end the promise but clarifies its next bearer.
וַיְבָ֥רֶךְblessedWayyiqtol (Piel) 3ms · בָּרַךְ (H1288)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּרַךְ (H1288) 'to bless'; Piel intensive: the divine act of blessing is deliberate and powerful; the promise is not interrupted by Abraham's death.
אֱלֹהִ֖יםGodN m pl abs · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Subject of וַיְבָרֶךְאֱלֹהִים (H430), the divine name plural in form but singular in reference for Israel's God; here the actor of covenantal continuation.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks Isaac as the definite direct object of God's blessing act.
יִצְחָ֣קIsaacProper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Direct object of וַיְבָרֶךְיִצְחָק (H3327), the covenant heir; receiving God's blessing after Abraham's death confirms the unbroken line of promise.
בְּנ֑וֹhis sonN m sg cstr + 3ms suffix · בֵּן (H1121)Appositive to יִצְחָקבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; with 3ms suffix 'his son'; the appositive stresses filial continuity — God blesses the son in succession to the father.
וַיֵּ֣שֶׁבdweltWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · יָשַׁב (H3427)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, remain'; the settling of Isaac at Beer-lahai-roi closes the Abraham era and opens the Isaac narrative proper.
יִצְחָ֔קIsaacProper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Subject of וַיֵּשֶׁביִצְחָק (H3327); subject resumed; the dual reference to Isaac in this verse (object of blessing, subject of dwelling) places him fully at center.
עִםby / nearprep · עִם (H5973)Locative prepositionעִם (H5973) 'with, beside, near'; used here in its locative sense 'near, beside'; Isaac settles at the well already associated with Hagar's encounter with God.
בְּאֵ֥רBeerProper noun (first element) · בְּאֵר לַחַי רֹאִי (H883)Object of prep עִם (place name, first element)בְּאֵר לַחַי רֹאִי (H883) 'Well of the Living One who sees me'; the site of Hagar's theophany (Gen 16:14); Isaac's settlement here links his story to providence and the desert.
לַחַ֖יLahaiProper noun (second element) · בְּאֵר לַחַי רֹאִי (H883)Place name (second element)לַחַי רֹאִי: 'of the Living One who sees me'; the theophoric element of the well-name; God's seeing and living presence at this site gives it covenant resonance.
רֹאִֽיRoiProper noun (third element) · בְּאֵר לַחַי רֹאִי (H883)Place name (third element)רֹאִי 'who sees me' from רָאָה (H7200); the full name means 'Well of the Living One who sees me'; Isaac's home there signals divine attentiveness to the new generation.
12

וְאֵ֛לֶּה תֹּלְדֹ֥ת יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אל בֶּן אַבְרָהָ֑ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָלְדָ֜ה הָגָ֧ר הַמִּצְרִ֛ית שִׁפְחַ֥ת שָׂרָ֖ה לְאַבְרָהָֽם

And these are the generations of Ishmael son of Abraham, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah servant, bore to Abraham.

Ishmael toledot opened: the non-chosen son receives formal genealogical closureוְאֵ֛לֶּה
The narrative now grants Ishmael a proper toledot section. His line is not the covenantal center, but it is counted with dignity and in fulfillment of earlier divine word.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְאֵ֛לֶּהAnd these areconj וְ + Demonstr pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of verbless clause (toledot formula)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; the toledot formula (אֵלֶּה תּוֹלְדֹת) appears throughout Genesis at major structural seams; now it opens Ishmael's formal genealogy.
תֹּלְדֹ֥תthe generations ofN f pl cstr · תּוֹלְדוֹת (H8435)Predicate nominative (toledot formula)תּוֹלְדוֹת (H8435) 'generations, descendants, lineage'; from יָלַד 'to beget'; the toledot heading signals a formal genealogical and narrative section.
יִשְׁמָעֵ֖אלIshmaelProper noun · יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458)Genitive (subject of toledot)יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458) 'God hears'; name given in Gen 16:11; the toledot honors him with the same structural marker used for the covenant line.
בֶּןson ofN m sg cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Appositive (patronymic construct)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; in construct before Abraham identifies Ishmael's paternity, linking him to the Abrahamic line even as his section stands apart.
אַבְרָהָ֑םAbrahamProper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Genitive (father of Ishmael)אַבְרָהָם (H85); Abraham is Ishmael's father; the patronymic grounds Ishmael's line in the Abrahamic promise without merging it with the covenant heir.
אֲשֶׁ֨רwhomRelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause head (modifying Ishmael)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the maternal identification clause — Hagar bore him, specifying Ishmael's matrilineal origin alongside his patrilineal one.
יָלְדָ֜הboreQal perf 3fs · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate of relative clause→ Perfective: Ishmael's birth as completed factיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear'; Qal 3fs with Hagar as subject; the completed birth is the factual basis for the genealogy that follows.
הָגָ֧רHagarProper noun · הָגָר (H1904)Subject of יָלְדָההָגָר (H1904), the Egyptian slave who bore Ishmael to Abraham (Gen 16); her identification here gives Ishmael his full bilinear ancestry.
הַמִּצְרִ֛יתthe Egyptianart + Gentilic adj f sg abs · מִצְרִי (H4713)Appositive (ethnic identification of Hagar)מִצְרִי (H4713) 'Egyptian'; f gentilic; reminds the reader of Hagar's origin, connecting Ishmael's line to Egypt as Sarah's slave-girl from that nation.
שִׁפְחַ֥תmaidservant ofN f sg cstr · שִׁפְחָה (H8198)Appositive (social status in construct)שִׁפְחָה (H8198) 'female slave, maidservant'; in construct before Sarah; the social designation clarifies Hagar's household position within the Abrahamic narrative.
שָׂרָ֖הSarahProper noun · שָׂרָה (H8283)Genitive (mistress of Hagar)שָׂרָה (H8283), Abraham's primary wife and Hagar's mistress; the identification underscores the household dynamic that produced Ishmael.
לְאַבְרָהָֽםto Abrahamprep לְ + Proper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Dative (beneficiary of birth)אַבְרָהָם (H85); prep לְ makes explicit that Hagar bore Ishmael for Abraham; the dative closes the maternal identification and recalls Gen 16:15.
13

וְאֵ֗לֶּה שְׁמוֹת֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׁמָעֵ֔אל בִּשְׁמֹתָ֖ם לְתוֹלְדֹתָ֑ם בְּכֹ֤ר יִשְׁמָעֵאל֙ נְבָיֹ֔ת וְקֵדָ֥ר וְאַדְבְּאֵ֖ל וּמִבְשָֽׂם

And these are the names of the sons of Ishmael, by their names, according to their generations: the firstborn of Ishmael, Nebaioth, and Kedar and Adbeel and Mibsam,

Ishmael sons named: the tribal list begins with the firstbornוְאֵ֗לֶּה
The list begins with a formal naming formula and emphasizes ordered descent. Ishmael promise of numerous offspring is now rendered in stable tribal terms.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
וְאֵ֗לֶּהAnd these areconj וְ + Demonstr pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of verbless clause (names formula)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; second listing formula in the Ishmael section, now introducing the names of his twelve sons in order.
שְׁמוֹת֙the names ofN m pl cstr · שֵׁם (H8034)Predicate nominative (construct head)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; pl construct; 'these are the names of' introduces the roster; naming is a formal act of recognition and genealogical counting.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Construct chain (second link)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; pl construct before Ishmael; the combined construct 'names of the sons of Ishmael' opens the ordered tribal register.
יִשְׁמָעֵ֔אלIshmaelProper noun · יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458)Genitive (subject of toledot names)יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458); genitive of בְּנֵי; his twelve sons listed here fulfill the promise of Gen 17:20 ('twelve princes he shall father').
בִּשְׁמֹתָ֖םby their namesprep בְּ + N m pl cstr + 3mp suffix · שֵׁם (H8034)Adverbial phrase (manner of listing)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; with prep and 3mp suffix: 'by their names'; the formula indicates each son is named individually, in order of birth.
לְתוֹלְדֹתָ֑םaccording to their generationsprep לְ + N f pl cstr + 3mp suffix · תּוֹלְדוֹת (H8435)Adverbial phrase (genealogical scope)תּוֹלְדוֹת (H8435) 'generations, offspring'; with prep and suffix: 'according to their generations'; frames the list as a structured genealogical record.
בְּכֹ֤רfirstborn ofN m sg cstr · בְּכוֹר (H1060)Predicate nominative (construct appositive)בְּכוֹר (H1060) 'firstborn'; in construct before Ishmael's name; singles out Nebaioth by primogeniture, the highest rank in the birth order.
יִשְׁמָעֵאל֙IshmaelProper noun · יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458)Genitive (father in firstborn formula)יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458); genitive of בְּכֹר; identifying whose firstborn Nebaioth is, clarifying his primacy before the full name list begins.
נְבָיֹ֔תNebaiothProper noun · נְבָיוֹת (H5032)Appositive (name of firstborn)נְבָיוֹת (H5032), Ishmael's firstborn; associated with a north Arabian tribe of herders; mentioned in Isa 60:7 with Kedar as flocks for YHWH's altar.
וְקֵדָ֥רand Kedarconj וְ + Proper noun · קֵדָר (H6938)List item (second son)קֵדָר (H6938), second son of Ishmael; the most prominent of the Ishmael tribes in the Hebrew Bible; a byword for remote desert dwelling (Ps 120:5).
וְאַדְבְּאֵ֖לand Adbeelconj וְ + Proper noun · אַדְבְּאֵל (H110)List item (third son)אַדְבְּאֵל (H110), third son of Ishmael; possibly identified with a tribe in north Arabia; name meaning uncertain.
וּמִבְשָֽׂםand Mibsamconj וּ + Proper noun · מִבְשָׂם (H4017)List item (fourth son)מִבְשָׂם (H4017), fourth son of Ishmael; possibly linked to balsam or spice trade; the name resembles H1314 בֹּשֶׂם 'balsam, spice.'
14

וּמִשְׁמָ֥ע וְדוּמָ֖ה וּמַשָּֽׂא

and Mishma and Dumah and Massa,

Name list continued: Ishmael tribal register advancesוּמִשְׁמָ֥ע
The brief continuation keeps the genealogy moving with unembellished cadence. The list format itself conveys stability and breadth.
Word-by-word analysis· 3 words
וּמִשְׁמָ֥עand Mishmaconj וּ + Proper noun · מִשְׁמָע (H4927)List item (fifth son)מִשְׁמָע (H4927), fifth son of Ishmael; name means 'hearing'; location of the tribe unknown; listed without elaboration in the genealogy.
וְדוּמָ֖הand Dumahconj וְ + Proper noun · דּוּמָה (H1746)List item (sixth son)דּוּמָה (H1746), sixth son of Ishmael; associated with a north Arabian oasis mentioned in Isa 21:11; name means 'silence.'
וּמַשָּֽׂאand Massaconj וּ + Proper noun · מַשָּׂא (H4854)List item (seventh son)מַשָּׂא (H4854), seventh son of Ishmael; possibly the tribal group referred to in Prov 30:1 and 31:1 in the headings of Agur and Lemuel.
15

חֲדַ֣ד וְתֵימָ֔א יְט֥וּר נָפִ֖ישׁ וָקֵֽדְמָה

Hadad and Tema, Jetur, Naphish, and Kedemah.

Name list completed: the final sons of Ishmael are countedחֲדַ֣ד
The remaining names complete the twelvefold list. The structure itself matters, because it matches the earlier promise of princely multiplication.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
חֲדַ֣דHadadProper noun · חֲדַד (H2301)List item (eighth son)חֲדַד (H2301), eighth son of Ishmael; the name Hadad is also a divine name among Arameans; the Ishmaelite bearer is a tribal ancestor.
וְתֵימָ֔אand Temaconj וְ + Proper noun · תֵּימָא (H8485)List item (ninth son)תֵּימָא (H8485), ninth son of Ishmael; associated with a north Arabian oasis (Tayma); appears in Isa 21:14 and Job 6:19 as a trade stop.
יְט֥וּרJeturProper noun · יְטוּר (H3195)List item (tenth son)יְטוּר (H3195), tenth son of Ishmael; ancestor of the Itureans mentioned in 1 Chr 5:19; later a tribal group in Transjordan (Luke 3:1).
נָפִ֖ישׁNaphishProper noun · נָפִישׁ (H5305)List item (eleventh son)נָפִישׁ (H5305), eleventh son of Ishmael; mentioned alongside Jetur in 1 Chr 5:19 as a tribe Israel warred against; location in Transjordan.
וָקֵֽדְמָהand Kedemahconj וָ + Proper noun · קֵדְמָה (H6929)List item (twelfth son, final)קֵדְמָה (H6929), twelfth and last son of Ishmael; name means 'eastward' or 'eastern'; completes the twelvefold register fulfilling the Gen 17:20 promise.
16

אֵ֣לֶּה הֵ֞ם בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׁמָעֵאל֙ וְאֵ֣לֶּה שְׁמֹתָ֔ם בְּחַצְרֵיהֶ֖ם וּבְטִֽירֹתָ֑ם שְׁנֵים עָשָׂ֥ר נְשִׂיאִ֖ם לְאֻמֹּתָֽם

These are they, the sons of Ishmael, and these are their names, by their villages and by their encampments, twelve princes according to their peoples.

Promise marked: Ishmael sons are identified as twelve princesאֵ֣לֶּה
The summary formula interprets the list politically and tribally. Ishmael line is shown as organized peoples under princely heads, precisely as had been foretold.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
אֵ֣לֶּהTheseDemonstr pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of verbless clause (summary)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; opens the summary formula closing the Ishmael name-list; the demonstrative refers back to all twelve sons just named.
הֵ֞םthey arePers pron 3mp · הֵם (H1992)Copulative pronoun (verbless predication)הֵם (H1992) 'they'; 3mp personal pronoun serving as copula in a verbless clause: 'these — they are — the sons of Ishmael.' Emphatic identification.
בְּנֵ֤יthe sons ofN m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate nominative (construct)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; pl construct before Ishmael; the summary restates 'the sons of Ishmael' to close the genealogical list with a full identification.
יִשְׁמָעֵאל֙IshmaelProper noun · יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458)Genitive (terminus of construct chain)יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458); genitive of בְּנֵי; the twelve are his in full, and the summary confirms their identity before the geographic and political note.
וְאֵ֣לֶּהand these areconj וְ + Demonstr pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of second verbless clause (parallel)אֵלֶּה (H428); parallel formula: 'and these are their names' — a second summary specifying the preceding names as their formal designation.
שְׁמֹתָ֔םtheir namesN m pl cstr + 3mp suffix · שֵׁם (H8034)Predicate of parallel verbless clauseשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; pl with 3mp suffix = 'their names'; the second formula confirms that the twelve proper nouns in vv13-15 are their official names.
בְּחַצְרֵיהֶ֖םby their villagesprep בְּ + N (c) pl cstr + 3mp suffix · חָצֵר (H2691)Adverbial phrase (settlement type 1)חָצֵר (H2691) 'enclosure, unwalled village, settlement'; with prep and suffix: 'by their enclosures/villages'; one of two settlement forms defining their tribal geography.
וּבְטִֽירֹתָ֑םand by their encampmentsconj וּ + prep בְּ + N f pl cstr + 3mp suffix · טִירָה (H2918)Adverbial phrase (settlement type 2)טִירָה (H2918) 'encampment, fortress, tent-court'; with conj, prep, and suffix: semi-permanent encampments; together with חֲצֵרִים characterizes semi-nomadic tribal settlement.
שְׁנֵיםtwelveCardinal num m dual abs · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Predicate (numeral, first part)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; dual form; with עָשָׂר forms the compound numeral 'twelve'; the twelvefold structure mirrors the twelve tribes of Israel and fulfills Gen 17:20.
עָשָׂ֥ר[ten]Cardinal num m sg abs · עָשָׂר (H6240)Predicate (numeral, second part)עָשָׂר (H6240) 'ten'; the suffix numeral completing 'twelve'; together שְׁנֵים עָשָׂר = 'twelve'; this exact number fulfills YHWH's word in Gen 17:20.
נְשִׂיאִ֖םprincesN m pl abs · נָשִׂיא (H5387)Predicate nominative (title)נָשִׂיא (H5387) 'prince, chieftain, leader'; pl abs; each of the twelve is a tribal leader — the vocabulary of Gen 17:20 is now realized in the register.
לְאֻמֹּתָֽםaccording to their peoplesprep לְ + N f pl cstr + 3mp suffix · אֻמָּה (H523)Adverbial phrase (tribal scope)אֻמָּה (H523) 'tribe, people, nation'; with prep and suffix = 'to their peoples, according to their tribal groups'; each prince heads his own people.
17

וְאֵ֗לֶּה שְׁנֵי֙ חַיֵּ֣י יִשְׁמָעֵ֔אל מְאַ֥ת שָׁנָ֛ה וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וְשֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֑ים וַיִּגְוַ֣ע וַיָּ֔מָת וַיֵּאָ֖סֶף אֶל עַמָּֽיו

And these are the years of the life of Ishmael: one hundred years and thirty years and seven years. And he breathed his last and died, and he was gathered to his people.

Ishmael life closed: his years and death are narrated in patriarchal cadenceוְאֵ֗לֶּה
Ishmael receives a lifespan notice and death formula that deliberately echo the patriarchal style. He is honored as a significant Abrahamic line even as the narrative passes from him to Isaac.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְאֵ֗לֶּהAnd these areconj וְ + Demonstr pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of verbless clause (lifespan formula)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; the standard patriarchal age formula opens Ishmael's death notice; the same formula used for Abraham in v7 dignifies Ishmael similarly.
שְׁנֵי֙the years ofCardinal num m dual cstr · שָׁנָה (H8141)Construct chain (first link)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; dual construct שְׁנֵי before חַיֵּי; together begins the full construct chain 'the years of the life of Ishmael.'
חַיֵּ֣יthe life ofN m pl cstr · חַי (H2416)Construct chain (second link)חַי / חַיִּים (H2416) 'life, lifetime'; pl construct before Ishmael's name; the formulaic 'years of the life of' places Ishmael within the patriarchal death-notice pattern.
יִשְׁמָעֵ֔אלIshmaelProper noun · יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458)Genitive (terminus of construct chain)יִשְׁמָעֵאל (H3458); genitive terminus; 'the years of the life of Ishmael' = 137 years, calculated as 100+30+7.
מְאַ֥תa hundredCardinal num f sg cstr · מֵאָה (H3967)Numeral (first component of lifespan)מֵאָה (H3967) 'hundred'; f sg construct before שָׁנָה; first additive element in the disaggregated formula; Ishmael's total is 137 years.
שָׁנָ֛הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Numeral complement (unit)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; sg abs following the hundred; unit noun given with each numeral component.
וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥יםand thirtyconj וּ + Cardinal num (c) pl abs · שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970)Numeral (second component)שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970) 'thirty'; second additive component; total so far 130 years.
שָׁנָ֖הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Numeral complement (unit)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; repeated unit noun; the formula values each decade.
וְשֶׁ֣בַעand sevenconj וְ + Cardinal num f sg abs · שֶׁבַע (H7651)Numeral (third component)שֶׁבַע (H7651) 'seven'; final additive element completing the total: 100+30+7 = 137 years for Ishmael.
שָׁנִ֑יםyearsN f pl abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Numeral complement (unit, plural close)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; pl שָׁנִים closes the numeral formula; shift from sg to pl at the end mirrors Abraham's formula in v7.
וַיִּגְוַ֣עbreathed his lastWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · גָּוַע (H1478)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceגָּוַע (H1478) 'to expire, breathe last'; the same verb as Abraham's death (v8); using it for Ishmael grants him dignified, patriarchal-style closure.
וַיָּ֔מָתand diedWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · מוּת (H4191)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; paired again with גָּוַע as in v8; the double-verb death formula gives Ishmael the same honor as Abraham in his death notice.
וַיֵּאָ֖סֶףwas gatheredWayyiqtol (Niphal) 3ms · אָסַף (H622)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: closing the death formula with ancestral gatheringאָסַף (H622) 'to gather'; Niphal 'was gathered'; the gathering-to-one's-people formula for Ishmael matches Abraham's exactly, confirming his standing.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositionאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; with עַמָּיו completes the ancestral gathering formula: gathered to his people.
עַמָּֽיוhis peopleN m pl cstr + 3ms suffix · עַם (H5971)Object of prep אֶלעַם (H5971) 'people, nation'; pl with 3ms suffix; Ishmael is gathered to his ancestral community — the same formula as Abraham (v8), closing his section with full dignity.
18

וַיִּשְׁכְּנ֨וּ מֵֽחֲוִילָ֜ה עַד שׁ֗וּר אֲשֶׁר֙ עַל פְּנֵ֣י מִצְרַ֔יִם בֹּאֲכָ֖ה אַשּׁ֑וּרָה עַל פְּנֵ֥י כָל אֶחָ֖יו נָפָֽל

And they dwelt from Havilah as far as Shur, which is before Egypt as you go toward Assyria; over against all his brothers he settled.

Settlement concluded: Ishmael line occupies its foretold range over against its brothersוַיִּשְׁכְּנ֨וּ
The Ishmael section closes geographically rather than narratively. The territorial note gives the line durable historical placement and resonates with the earlier prediction that he would dwell in tensioned proximity to his brothers.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וַיִּשְׁכְּנ֨וּthey dweltWayyiqtol (Qal) 3mp · שָׁכַן (H7931)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁכַן (H7931) 'to dwell, settle, tabernacle'; the Ishmael section closes geographically with his descendants settling across a defined territory.
מֵֽחֲוִילָ֜הfrom Havilahprep מִן + Proper noun · חֲוִילָה (H2341)Ablative prepositional phrase (territorial west)חֲוִילָה (H2341), a region in northern Arabia or the Sinai peninsula; mentioned also in Gen 2:11; the western anchor of Ishmael's territory.
עַדas far asprep · עַד (H5704)Terminative prepositionעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as, up to'; with prep מִן forms the merism 'from X to Y' delineating the full extent of Ishmael's settled territory.
שׁ֗וּרShurProper noun · שׁוּר (H7793)Terminative (eastern limit of territory)שׁוּר (H7793), the wilderness of Shur east of Egypt; mentioned in the Hagar narratives (Gen 16:7) and in Israel's desert wandering; here the eastern anchor.
אֲשֶׁר֙whichRelative pronoun · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative clause head (locating Shur)אֲשֶׁר (H834); introduces the relative clause placing Shur geographically 'before Egypt' for the reader's orientation.
עַלbeforeprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositionעַל (H5921) 'upon, over, before'; with פְּנֵי = 'before, facing'; the compound locates Shur as lying in front of (east of) Egypt.
פְּנֵ֣יthe face ofN (c) pl cstr · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of prep עַל (compound)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face, front, surface'; pl construct; עַל פְּנֵי = 'before, in front of'; standard directional idiom for geographic orientation.
מִצְרַ֔יִםEgyptProper noun · מִצְרַיִם (H4714)Genitive (reference landmark)מִצְרַיִם (H4714), Egypt; the dual form in Hebrew; used as a geographic reference point for the reader locating Shur east of Egypt.
בֹּאֲכָ֖הas you go towardQal inf constr + 2ms suffix · בּוֹא (H935)Directional clause (compass bearing)→ Infinitive: directional idiom for geographic orientationבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go, enter'; inf constr + 2ms suffix = 'as you go toward'; an idiom used for compass-bearing descriptions of territory (cf. Gen 10:19).
אַשּׁ֑וּרָהAssyriaProper noun + directional he · אַשּׁוּר (H804)Object of directional clauseאַשּׁוּר (H804), Assyria; with directional ה; the bearing 'toward Assyria' confirms the northeast orientation of Ishmael's settlement range.
עַלbefore / over againstprep · עַל (H5921)Locative/adversative prepositionעַל (H5921) 'upon, over, against'; with פְּנֵי = 'before, over against'; the prepositional phrase עַל פְּנֵי כָל אֶחָיו נָפַל is the theologically weighted clause.
פְּנֵ֥יthe face ofN (c) pl cstr · פָּנִים (H6440)Object of prep עַל (compound)פָּנִים (H6440); pl construct; עַל פְּנֵי = 'before, over against'; the phrase precedes the statement about settlement relative to all his brothers.
כָלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct (totality marker)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; in construct before אֶחָיו = 'all his brothers'; the totality stressed: Ishmael's line faces the entirety of the sibling lines.
אֶחָ֖יוhis brothersN m pl cstr + 3ms suffix · אָח (H251)Genitive of כָלאָח (H251) 'brother'; pl with 3ms suffix = 'his brothers'; refers to the Abrahamic sibling lines — primarily Isaac's line; the settlement is over against or beside all of them.
נָפָֽלhe settledQal perf 3ms · נָפַל (H5307)Predicate verb (final territorial note)→ Perfective: settlement as completed and established stateנָפַל (H5307) 'to fall'; here idiomatically 'to fall/settle upon territory' = to occupy, settle; cf. Gen 15:12; the closing line fulfills Gen 16:12 'he shall dwell over against all his brothers.'
19

וְאֵ֛לֶּה תּוֹלְדֹ֥ת יִצְחָ֖ק בֶּן אַבְרָהָ֑ם אַבְרָהָ֖ם הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת יִצְחָֽק

And these are the generations of Isaac son of Abraham: Abraham fathered Isaac.

Isaac toledot opened: the narrative narrows to the covenant line againוְאֵ֛לֶּה
With Ishmael formally closed, the book returns to the chosen line through Isaac. The brief restatement that Abraham fathered Isaac underscores direct covenant continuity.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְאֵ֛לֶּהAnd these areconj וְ + Demonstr pron c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject of verbless clause (toledot formula)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; the toledot formula for Isaac opens after Ishmael's section is formally closed; the waw marks additive continuation into the next lineage.
תּוֹלְדֹ֥תthe generations ofN f pl cstr · תּוֹלְדוֹת (H8435)Predicate nominative (toledot formula)תּוֹלְדוֹת (H8435) 'generations, lineage'; the toledot of Isaac is a major structural seam in Genesis, opening the next patriarchal era.
יִצְחָ֖קIsaacProper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Genitive (subject of toledot)יִצְחָק (H3327) 'he laughs'; Isaac's toledot focuses the narrative on the covenant heir after Abraham's death; the promise now continues through him.
בֶּןson ofN m sg cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Appositive (patronymic)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; in construct before Abraham; affirms Isaac's Abrahamic paternity at the opening of his own section.
אַבְרָהָ֑םAbrahamProper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Genitive (father of Isaac)אַבְרָהָם (H85); named as Isaac's father immediately in the heading, ensuring the reader connects the promise through Abraham to what follows.
אַבְרָהָ֖םAbrahamProper noun · אַבְרָהָם (H85)Subject of הוֹלִיד (fronted resumptive)אַבְרָהָם (H85); repeated as the subject of הוֹלִיד; the repetition is emphatic, underscoring unambiguous lineage: Abraham himself fathered Isaac.
הוֹלִ֥ידfatheredHiphil perf 3ms · יָלַד (H3205)Predicate verb (genealogical assertion)→ Perfective: a completed paternal actיָלַד (H3205) 'to beget, father'; Hiphil causative: 'caused to be born' = 'fathered'; the Hiphil of ילד with male subject is the standard form for patriarchal fathering.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks Isaac as the definite direct object of the fathering act.
יִצְחָֽקIsaacProper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Direct object of הוֹלִידיִצְחָק (H3327); direct object; the brief statement 'Abraham fathered Isaac' closes the toledot heading and confirms patrilineal descent without elaboration.
20

וַיְהִ֤י יִצְחָק֙ בֶּן אַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה בְּקַחְתּ֣וֹ אֶת רִבְקָ֗ה בַּת בְּתוּאֵל֙ הָֽאֲרַמִּ֔י מִפַּדַּ֖ן אֲרָ֑ם אֲח֛וֹת לָבָ֥ן הָאֲרַמִּ֖י ל֥וֹ לְאִשָּֽׁה

And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, daughter of Bethuel the Aramean, from Paddan-aram, sister of Laban the Aramean, for a wife.

Marriage recalled: Isaac household is restated before the birth struggleוַיְהִ֤י
Isaac is reintroduced through age, marriage, and Aramean family connection. What follows is therefore read not as isolated birth material but as the next stage of covenant household formation.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיְהִ֤יwasWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Introductory wayyiqtol (circumstantial)→ Wayyiqtol: introducing narrative circumstanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; וַיְהִי introduces a circumstantial setting note giving Isaac's age at marriage.
יִצְחָק֙IsaacProper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Subject of וַיְהִייִצְחָק (H3327); subject of the age/circumstance notice that introduces the marriage.
בֶּןa son of / agedN m sg cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate (age idiom, construct)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; in construct with a numeral = 'a son of forty years' i.e. forty years old; standard Hebrew idiom for stating age.
אַרְבָּעִ֣יםfortyCardinal num (c) pl abs · אַרְבָּעִים (H705)Numeral (age)אַרְבָּעִים (H705) 'forty'; Isaac's age at marriage; forty is a round number often associated with a full period of life in biblical chronology.
שָׁנָ֔הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Numeral complement (unit)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; sg abs following the numeral; 'forty years old' when he married Rebekah.
בְּקַחְתּ֣וֹwhen he tookprep בְּ + Qal inf constr + 3ms suffix · לָקַח (H3947)Temporal infinitive phrase→ Infinitive: action contemporaneous with age noteלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; inf constr with prep and suffix: 'in his taking' = 'when he took'; the temporal infinitive clause specifies the context — his marriage.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks Rebekah as the definite direct object of Isaac's marriage action.
רִבְקָ֗הRebekahProper noun · רִבְקָה (H7259)Direct object of בְּקַחְתּוֹרִבְקָה (H7259), Rebekah; name possibly meaning 'to tie, fetter' (from רָבַק); introduced as Isaac's wife, the daughter of Bethuel and sister of Laban.
בַּתdaughter ofN f sg cstr · בַּת (H1323)Appositive (parentage in construct)בַּת (H1323) 'daughter'; f construct before Bethuel; Rebekah is identified by her father in the standard Aramean genealogical formula.
בְּתוּאֵל֙BethuelProper noun · בְּתוּאֵל (H1328)Genitive (father of Rebekah)בְּתוּאֵל (H1328), Rebekah's father; an Aramean from Paddan-aram; son of Nahor (Gen 22:22); named to establish Rebekah's family credentials.
הָֽאֲרַמִּ֔יthe Arameanart + Gentilic adj m sg abs · אֲרַמִּי (H761)Appositive (ethnic identification of Bethuel)אֲרַמִּי (H761) 'Aramean'; gentilic with article; identifies Bethuel and his family as Aramean, maintaining the distinction between the Abrahamic kin-group and Canaanites.
מִפַּדַּ֖ןfrom Paddanprep מִן + Proper noun · פַּדַּן אֲרָם (H6307)Ablative prepositional phrase (geographic origin)פַּדַּן אֲרָם (H6307) 'Paddan-aram'; the two-word place name designates the region of northwestern Mesopotamia; prep מִן indicates origin.
אֲרָ֑םAramProper noun · אֲרָם (H6307)Second element of place name Paddan-aramאֲרָם (H6307), Aram; the second element of Paddan-aram; together the two words name the region where Abraham's kin lived — from which Rebekah was brought.
אֲח֛וֹתsister ofN f sg cstr · אָחוֹת (H269)Appositive (sibling identification in construct)אָחוֹת (H269) 'sister'; f sg construct before Laban; identifying Rebekah as Laban's sister will become narratively significant in Gen 29.
לָבָ֥ןLabanProper noun · לָבָן (H3837)Genitive (brother of Rebekah)לָבָן (H3837) 'white'; Rebekah's brother; introduced here by name for the first time in this genealogical context; will become Jacob's father-in-law.
הָאֲרַמִּ֖יthe Arameanart + Gentilic adj m sg abs · אֲרַמִּי (H761)Appositive (ethnic identification of Laban)אֲרַמִּי (H761) 'Aramean'; repeated gentilic — now applied to Laban — emphasizing the family's Aramean identity throughout.
ל֥וֹfor himselfprep לְ + 3ms suffixDative of beneficiary (reflexive)prep לְ + 3ms suffix; reflexive dative: Isaac took Rebekah 'for himself' as a wife; a standard marriage formula.
לְאִשָּֽׁהas a wifeprep לְ + N f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Predicate lamed (purpose/role)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; with prep לְ = 'as a wife'; standard formula for marriage: 'he took her to himself as a wife' closing the marriage notice.
21

וַיֶּעְתַּ֨ר יִצְחָ֤ק לַֽיהוָה֙ לְנֹ֣כַח אִשְׁתּ֔וֹ כִּ֥י עֲקָרָ֖ה הִ֑וא וַיֵּעָ֤תֶר לוֹ֙ יְהוָ֔ה וַתַּ֖הַר רִבְקָ֥ה אִשְׁתּֽוֹ

And Isaac entreated YHWH opposite his wife, because she was barren; and YHWH allowed himself to be entreated by him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

Barrenness answered: Isaac prayer is heard and Rebekah conceivesוַיֶּעְתַּ֨ר
The narrative repeats a familiar patriarchal pattern: the promised line faces barrenness and survives only through divine response. The matched verb for entreating and being entreated binds prayer and answer tightly together.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיֶּעְתַּ֨רentreatedWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · עָתַר (H6279)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָתַר (H6279) 'to pray earnestly, entreat'; Qal; a strong verb for urgent prayer; used here and in Niphal (v21b) to bind Isaac's prayer to God's response verbally.
יִצְחָ֤קIsaacProper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Subject of וַיֶּעְתַּריִצְחָק (H3327); subject; Isaac's prayer activates the narrative — the covenant line faces barrenness and depends entirely on divine response.
לַֽיהוָה֙to YHWHprep לְ + Proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Object of prayer (indirect object)יְהוָה (H3068), the divine covenant name; Isaac prays to YHWH specifically — the God of the Abrahamic promise who alone can open the barren womb.
לְנֹ֣כַחopposite / on behalf ofcompound prep לְ + נֹכַח · נֹכַח (H5227)Prepositional phrase (manner of prayer)נֹכַח (H5227) 'opposite, in front of, on behalf of'; with לְ: 'on behalf of' or 'facing'; Isaac prays 'opposite his wife' — directed prayers for her barrenness.
אִשְׁתּ֔וֹhis wifeN f sg cstr + 3ms suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Object of prep לְנֹכַחאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman, wife'; with 3ms suffix 'his wife'; the prayer is specifically directed for Rebekah's barrenness — Isaac intercedes for her.
כִּ֥יbecauseConjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'because, for, that'; introduces the reason for Isaac's prayer — Rebekah's barrenness is the theological problem requiring divine intervention.
עֲקָרָ֖הbarrenAdj f sg abs · עֲקָרָה (H6135)Predicate adjective (reason clause)עֲקָרָה (H6135) 'barren'; f sg; the standard adjective for the unable-to-conceive matriarch; Sarah, Rebekah, and Rachel all bear this designation before miraculous conception.
הִ֑ואshePers pron 3fs · הִוא (H1931)Subject of predicate clauseהִוא (H1931) 'she'; 3fs personal pronoun; copulative subject of the adjective עֲקָרָה: 'she was barren'; the pronoun makes the identification explicit.
וַיֵּעָ֤תֶרwas entreatedWayyiqtol (Niphal) 3ms · עָתַר (H6279)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: divine response as narrative advanceעָתַר (H6279); Niphal: 'was entreated, allowed himself to be moved by prayer'; the same root as the Qal above creates a lexical bond between petition and answer.
לוֹ֙to him / for himprep לְ + 3ms suffixDative of beneficiaryprep לְ + 3ms suffix; YHWH's being-entreated is 'to/for him' = for Isaac's sake; the prayer is answered on the petitioner's behalf.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֵּעָתֶריְהוָה (H3068); YHWH as subject of the Niphal; God is the one who responds to prayer and grants conception, maintaining his role as the source of the covenant line.
וַתַּ֖הַרconceivedWayyiqtol (Qal) 3fs · הָרָה (H2029)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָרָה (H2029) 'to conceive'; Qal 3fs; the direct consequence of YHWH's response — Rebekah conceives; the barrenness that prompted prayer is overcome by divine action.
רִבְקָ֥הRebekahProper noun · רִבְקָה (H7259)Subject of וַתַּהַררִבְקָה (H7259); subject; the one who was barren now conceives; the narrative focuses on her body as the site of both the problem and the divine solution.
אִשְׁתּֽוֹhis wifeN f sg cstr + 3ms suffix · אִשָּׁה (H802)Appositive to רִבְקָהאִשָּׁה (H802) 'wife'; with 3ms suffix; the appositive 'his wife' closes the verse by linking Isaac and Rebekah as the couple through whom the promise now moves.
22

וַיִּתְרֹֽצֲצ֤וּ הַבָּנִים֙ בְּקִרְבָּ֔הּ וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אִם כֵּ֔ן לָ֥מָּה זֶּ֖ה אָנֹ֑כִי וַתֵּ֖לֶךְ לִדְרֹ֥שׁ אֶת יְהוָֽה

And the sons struggled together within her, and she said, "If thus, why am I this?" And she went to inquire of YHWH.

Womb-strife begins: Rebekah seeks YHWH over the violent pregnancyוַיִּתְרֹֽצֲצ֤וּ
Conception does not lead to simple joy, because the children contend within her. Rebekah cry moves from bodily distress to theological inquiry, driving the narrative toward divine interpretation.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיִּתְרֹֽצֲצ֤וּstruggled togetherHitpolel wayyiqtol 3mp · רָצַץ (H7533)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance; Hitpolel: reciprocal crushing/strugglingרָצַץ (H7533) 'to crush, break'; Hitpolel reciprocal: 'they crushed each other, struggled together'; the intense womb-striving signals the coming rivalry.
הַבָּנִים֙the sonsart + N m pl abs · בֵּן (H1121)Subject of וַיִּתְרֹצְצוּבֵּן (H1121) 'son'; pl with article; the children are called 'sons' (בָּנִים) before birth, proleptic of the boys to be born; their prenatal struggle is the narrative event.
בְּקִרְבָּ֔הּwithin herprep בְּ + N m sg cstr + 3fs suffix · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phraseקֶרֶב (H7130) 'inward part, midst, interior'; with prep and 3fs suffix = 'within her'; the womb as inner space; the struggle is literally interior, not yet visible to others.
וַתֹּ֣אמֶרand she saidWayyiqtol (Qal) 3fs · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say, speak'; Rebekah's speech moves from bodily experience to theological inquiry; the verb introduces her existential cry.
אִםifConjunction · אִם (H518)Conditional/concessive particleאִם (H518) 'if, whether'; here with כֵּן: 'if thus,' 'if this is so'; the particle introduces the conditional premise of Rebekah's distressed question.
כֵּ֔ןsoParticle · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial particle (reference to situation)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus, accordingly'; in the conditional with אִם: 'if it is thus (that the children struggle)'; situational reference for the existential question.
לָ֥מָּהwhyprep לְ + Interrogative pron · מָה (H4100)Interrogative adverb (rhetorical question)מָה (H4100) 'what'; with prep לְ = לָמָּה 'why, for what'; introduces the existential question: 'why then am I this?' — a cry of distress over the meaning of her condition.
זֶּ֖הthisDemonstr pron m sg · זֶּה (H2088)Predicate of interrogative clauseזֶּה (H2088) 'this'; the demonstrative is the predicate: 'why am I this?' — Rebekah's question resists easy translation; its force is existential distress, questioning the purpose of her life.
אָנֹ֑כִיIPers pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of interrogative clauseאָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; emphatic first-person pronoun; the full form (vs. אֲנִי) adds intensity: 'why am I (of all people) this?' — the question is personal, not abstract.
וַתֵּ֖לֶךְand she wentWayyiqtol (Qal) 3fs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; Rebekah's response to her distress is active — she goes to seek YHWH, turning the bodily experience into a theological inquiry.
לִדְרֹ֥שׁto inquireprep לְ + Qal inf constr · דָּרַשׁ (H1875)Purpose infinitive→ Infinitive: purposive — the goal of her goingדָּרַשׁ (H1875) 'to seek, inquire, consult'; with לְ: the purpose of her going; seeking a divine oracle or sanctuary; the verb implies seeking authoritative divine interpretation.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks YHWH as the definite object she goes to seek/inquire of.
יְהוָֽהYHWHProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Direct object of לִדְרֹשׁיְהוָה (H3068); YHWH is the one Rebekah seeks; her inquiry prompts the oracle in v23, making her the recipient of the most important prophetic word of this section.
23

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה לָ֗הּ שְׁנֵ֤י גיים גוֹיִם֙ בְּבִטְנֵ֔ךְ וּשְׁנֵ֣י לְאֻמִּ֔ים מִמֵּעַ֖יִךְ יִפָּרֵ֑דוּ וּלְאֹם֙ מִלְאֹ֣ם יֶֽאֱמָ֔ץ וְרַ֖ב יַעֲבֹ֥ד צָעִֽיר

And YHWH said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples shall be separated from your inward parts; and one people shall be stronger than one people, and the elder shall serve the younger."

Oracle given: the twins are interpreted as nations under reversalוַיֹּ֨אמֶר
YHWH answers by moving from pregnancy to history. The twins are already peoples in embryonic form, and the startling reversal of elder and younger interprets the rest of their story in advance.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרAnd saidWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the oracle begins with YHWH as speaker; the divine speech in response to Rebekah's inquiry is the theological center of the birth narrative.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHProper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068); subject; YHWH speaks directly to Rebekah, granting her the theological key to her physical experience — the womb holds nations, not merely children.
לָ֗הּto herprep לְ + 3fs suffixDative of addresseeprep לְ + 3fs suffix; Rebekah is the addressee of the oracle; the divine word is given to her, not to Isaac, making her the theologically central figure in this episode.
שְׁנֵ֤יtwoCardinal num m dual cstr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Numeral (construct, subject clause)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; dual construct before גּוֹיִם; 'two nations'; the numeral opens the oracle by elevating the twins immediately to national scale.
גיים[nations - ketiv]N m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Ketiv reading (subject of oracle, first pair)גּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; ketiv (written form) גיים alongside the qere גוֹיִם; both represent 'nations'; the ketiv/qere preserves textual variants of the same word.
גוֹיִם֙nationsN m pl abs · גּוֹי (H1471)Qere reading (subject of oracle, primary)גּוֹי (H1471) 'nation, people'; the standard plural form; 'two nations are in your womb' — the oracle interprets the womb-striving at the national/political level immediately.
בְּבִטְנֵ֔ךְin your wombprep בְּ + N f sg cstr + 2fs suffix · בֶּטֶן (H990)Locative prepositional phraseבֶּטֶן (H990) 'belly, womb'; with prep and 2fs suffix: 'in your womb'; the oracle locates the two nations inside Rebekah's body — the physical struggle is a political reality.
וּשְׁנֵ֣יand twoconj וּ + Cardinal num m dual cstr · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Numeral (second pair, construct)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; second occurrence of the numeral, now with לְאֻמִּים; the oracle is organized in two parallel pairs: two nations / two peoples.
לְאֻמִּ֔יםpeoplesN m pl abs · לְאֹם (H3816)Subject of second parallel clauseלְאֹם (H3816) 'people, clan, nation'; used in parallel with גּוֹי; 'two peoples shall be separated' — the synonymous pair גּוֹי/לְאֹם is a poetic couplet in the oracle.
מִמֵּעַ֖יִךְfrom your inward partsprep מִן + N m pl cstr + 2fs suffix · מֵעֶה (H4578)Ablative prepositional phraseמֵעֶה (H4578) 'inward parts, intestines, womb'; pl with prep and 2fs suffix; parallel to בֶּטֶן in the first clause; together the two body terms anchor the oracle in Rebekah's physical experience.
יִפָּרֵ֑דוּshall be separatedNiphal impf 3mp · פָּרַד (H6504)Predicate verb (oracle, yiqtol predictive)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — future reality declared by oracleפָּרַד (H6504) 'to divide, separate'; Niphal: 'shall be separated'; the imperfective declares the inevitable future division of the two peoples who struggle already in the womb.
וּלְאֹם֙and one peopleconj וּ + N m sg abs · לְאֹם (H3816)Subject of comparative clauseלְאֹם (H3816) 'people, nation'; sg abs; the shift to sg sets up the comparison: 'one people shall be stronger than one people' — the oracle introduces mutual superiority/subjugation.
מִלְאֹ֣םthan one peopleprep מִן + N m sg abs · לְאֹם (H3816)Comparative prepositional phraseלְאֹם (H3816); the second לְאֹם with מִן comparative: 'one people stronger/mightier than one people'; the comparative framework declares unequal national power.
יֶֽאֱמָ֔ץshall be strongerQal impf 3ms · אָמַץ (H553)Predicate verb (comparative clause, yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/predictive — ongoing or future superiorityאָמַץ (H553) 'to be strong, prevail'; Qal impf: 'shall be stronger'; declares the political-military outcome between Jacob's and Esau's lines.
וְרַ֖בand the elderconj וְ + Adj m sg abs · רַב (H7227)Subject of reversal clauseרַב (H7227) 'great, much, elder (in this context)'; the reversal oracle hinges on רַב as the subject — 'the elder shall serve the younger.' רַב refers to the firstborn Esau.
יַעֲבֹ֥דshall serveQal impf 3ms · עָבַד (H5647)Predicate verb (reversal oracle)→ Yiqtol: imperfective — the declared reversal of natural birth orderעָבַד (H5647) 'to serve, work, be a servant'; Qal impf: the reversal formula — 'the elder shall serve the younger'; the oracle is cryptic and stark, driving the narrative.
צָעִֽירthe youngerAdj m sg abs · צָעִיר (H6810)Object of יַעֲבֹד (subject of reversal)צָעִיר (H6810) 'young, small, younger'; adj m sg; the younger will be served by the elder — the reversal oracle that undergirds the entire Jacob-Esau narrative.
24

וַיִּמְלְא֥וּ יָמֶ֖יהָ לָלֶ֑דֶת וְהִנֵּ֥ה תוֹמִ֖ם בְּבִטְנָֽהּ

And her days were fulfilled to give birth, and behold, twins were in her womb.

Birth time arrives: the oracle moves toward visible fulfillmentוַיִּמְלְא֥וּ
The pregnancy that had been interpreted by divine speech now reaches its appointed moment. The appearance of twins confirms outwardly what had already been disclosed inwardly.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
וַיִּמְלְא֥וּwere fulfilledWayyiqtol (Qal) 3mp · מָלֵא (H4390)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָלֵא (H4390) 'to fill, be full, be complete'; Qal 3mp; 'her days were fulfilled' = the pregnancy came to term; the verb suggests completion and readiness.
יָמֶ֖יהָher daysN m pl cstr + 3fs suffix · יוֹם (H3117)Subject of וַיִּמְלְאוּיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; pl with 3fs suffix = 'her days'; the idiom 'her days were fulfilled to give birth' marks the end of pregnancy as an appointed completion.
לָלֶ֑דֶתto give birthprep לְ + Qal inf constr · יָלַד (H3205)Purpose infinitive→ Infinitive: the purpose/endpoint of the fulfilled daysיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear, give birth'; inf constr with לְ: 'to give birth'; the infinitive specifies the purpose toward which the fulfilled days were pointing.
וְהִנֵּ֥הand beholdconj וְ + Particle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (dramatic introduction)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; presentative particle that signals a dramatic or surprising revelation; the narrator draws the reader's attention to what is discovered at birth.
תוֹמִ֖םtwinsN m pl abs · תָּאוֹם (H8380)Predicate of verbless clause (discovery)תָּאוֹם (H8380) 'twin'; the pl form תּוֹמִם (a variant form) = twins; the behold-twins construction confirms the oracle: two nations, indeed two babies.
בְּבִטְנָֽהּin her wombprep בְּ + N f sg cstr + 3fs suffix · בֶּטֶן (H990)Locative prepositional phraseבֶּטֶן (H990) 'belly, womb'; with prep and 3fs suffix = 'in her womb'; confirming the twins' location echoes the oracle's language of v23 (בְּבִטְנֵךְ) and closes the circle.
25

וַיֵּצֵ֤א הָרִאשׁוֹן֙ אַדְמוֹנִ֔י כֻּלּ֖וֹ כְּאַדֶּ֣רֶת שֵׂעָ֑ר וַיִּקְרְא֥וּ שְׁמ֖וֹ עֵשָֽׂו

And the first came out red, all of him like a mantle of hair, and they called his name Esau.

First twin described: Esau appears marked by redness and hairוַיֵּצֵ֤א
The firstborn is described with striking physicality, and the detail is not ornamental. His appearance anticipates later wordplay and helps characterize him from the moment of birth.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיֵּצֵ֤אcame outWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out, come out, emerge'; the emergence from the womb is the culmination of the pregnancy narrative; the firstborn is now described.
הָרִאשׁוֹן֙the firstart + Ordinal adj m sg abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Subject of וַיֵּצֵא (ordinal identification)רִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first, former, firstborn'; ordinal with article identifies the one who emerged first — Esau; the oracle's reversal makes this birth-order prominence significant.
אַדְמוֹנִ֔יred, ruddyAdj m sg abs · אַדְמוֹנִי (H132)Predicate adjective (physical description)אַדְמוֹנִי (H132) 'red, ruddy'; adj from אָדֹם 'red'; the redness anticipates the Edom wordplay in v30 and links Esau's identity to a physical characteristic from birth.
כֻּלּ֖וֹall of himN m sg cstr + 3ms suffix · כֹּל (H3605)Subject of comparative clause (totality)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; with 3ms suffix = 'all of him'; emphasizes that the redness and hairiness covered his entire body, not just portions of it.
כְּאַדֶּ֣רֶתlike a mantle ofprep כְּ + N f sg cstr · אַדֶּרֶת (H155)Comparative prepositional phraseאַדֶּרֶת (H155) 'mantle, cloak, outer garment'; f sg construct; the simile: Esau's hairiness is so thick it resembles a garment of hair covering him entirely.
שֵׂעָ֑רhairN m sg abs · שֵׂעָר (H8181)Genitive of אַדֶּרֶת (construct)שֵׂעָר (H8181) 'hair'; m sg abs; genitive of the construct: 'a mantle of hair'; the hairiness links to the name שֵׂעִיר (Seir, Esau's territory) and prepares the narrative texture.
וַיִּקְרְא֥וּthey calledWayyiqtol (Qal) 3mp · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; Qal 3mp; the unnamed 'they' (perhaps the midwives or parents) name the child; naming at birth from a physical characteristic is common.
שְׁמ֖וֹhis nameN m sg cstr + 3ms suffix · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object of וַיִּקְרְאוּ (naming formula)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; with 3ms suffix 'his name'; the construction 'they called his name' is the standard Hebrew naming formula.
עֵשָֽׂוEsauProper noun · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Predicate of naming (name given)עֵשָׂו (H6215); name possibly related to a root meaning 'to do, make' or linked to שֵׂעָר 'hair'; the connection to his hairy appearance at birth ties the name to the description.
26

וְאַֽחֲרֵי כֵ֞ן יָצָ֣א אָחִ֗יו וְיָד֤וֹ אֹחֶ֨זֶת֙ בַּעֲקֵ֣ב עֵשָׂ֔ו וַיִּקְרָ֥א שְׁמ֖וֹ יַעֲקֹ֑ב וְיִצְחָ֛ק בֶּן שִׁשִּׁ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה בְּלֶ֥דֶת אֹתָֽם

And afterward his brother came out, and his hand was grasping the heel of Esau, and he called his name Jacob. And Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them.

Second twin described: Jacob emerges heel-grasping under a sign of contestוְאַֽחֲרֵי
Jacob birth is narrated in relation to Esau rather than independently. The heel-grasping image grounds the name and signals that rivalry belongs to the story from the beginning.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְאַֽחֲרֵיand afterwardconj וְ + prep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal conjunction + prepositionאַחַר (H310) 'after'; with conj וְ and adverbial כֵּן: וְאַחֲרֵי כֵן = 'and afterward, and after that'; standard transitional phrase moving to the second twin's birth.
כֵ֞ןso / thatAdverb · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial particle (temporal marker)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; with אַחֲרֵי = 'after so' = 'afterward'; the compound וְאַחֲרֵי כֵן is an idiomatic phrase for temporal succession.
יָצָ֣אcame outQal perf 3ms · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: completed birth of the second twinיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Qal perf 3ms; the second birth is in perfective, contrasting with the wayyiqtol of the first (v25) — perhaps marking it as the resumptive event.
אָחִ֗יוhis brotherN m sg cstr + 3ms suffix · אָח (H251)Subject of יָצָאאָח (H251) 'brother'; with 3ms suffix 'his brother'; Jacob is introduced not by name but by relation to Esau — the sibling bond frames his identity from the outset.
וְיָד֤וֹand his handconj וְ + N (c) sg cstr + 3ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Subject of circumstantial clauseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; with conj and 3ms suffix; the circumstantial clause 'and his hand was grasping' describes Jacob's birth posture simultaneously with his emergence.
אֹחֶ֨זֶת֙graspingQal ptc f sg abs · אָחַז (H270)Participial predicate (circumstantial clause)→ Participial: simultaneous ongoing action at birthאָחַז (H270) 'to seize, grasp, hold'; Qal ptc f sg agreeing with יָד; 'his hand was grasping' — the participial describes an action in progress at the moment of birth.
בַּעֲקֵ֣בin the heel ofprep בְּ + N m sg cstr · עָקֵב (H6119)Object of אֹחֶזֶת (prepositional)עָקֵב (H6119) 'heel'; m sg construct; Jacob grasps Esau's heel — the naming etymology; עָקֵב also sounds like יַעֲקֹב and carries the nuance of 'to supplant, trip up.'
עֵשָׂ֔וEsauProper noun · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Genitive of בַּעֲקֵב (whose heel)עֵשָׂו (H6215); genitive; Jacob grasps the heel of Esau — the firstborn; this birth-posture image encapsulates the rivalry already foretold in the oracle.
וַיִּקְרָ֥אcalledWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; 3ms (singular subject — likely Isaac) names the second son; the shift from plural (v25) to singular may indicate the father as namer here.
שְׁמ֖וֹhis nameN m sg cstr + 3ms suffix · שֵׁם (H8034)Direct object (naming formula)שֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; the naming formula 'called his name' — same as v25 but with singular subject.
יַעֲקֹ֑בJacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Predicate of naming (name given)יַעֲקֹב (H3290); name derived from עָקֵב 'heel' or from the verb עָקַב 'to supplant, circumvent'; the birth-posture grounds the name in a sign of future contest.
וְיִצְחָ֛קand Isaacconj וְ + Proper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Subject of age notice (circumstantial)יִצְחָק (H3327); introduced for the closing chronological note; the verse now adds Isaac's age at the twins' birth as a temporal anchor.
בֶּןa son of / agedN m sg cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Predicate (age idiom, construct)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; in construct with numeral = 'a son of sixty years old'; standard age idiom.
שִׁשִּׁ֥יםsixtyCardinal num (c) pl abs · שִׁשִּׁים (H8346)Numeral (age of Isaac)שִׁשִּׁים (H8346) 'sixty'; Isaac was 40 at marriage (v20) and 60 at the twins' birth, so Rebekah was barren for 20 years — a significant period of waiting.
שָׁנָ֖הyearsN f sg abs · שָׁנָה (H8141)Numeral complement (unit)שָׁנָה (H8141) 'year'; sg abs following the numeral; Isaac is sixty when the twins are born, confirming twenty years of barrenness before God answered prayer.
בְּלֶ֥דֶתwhen she boreprep בְּ + Qal inf constr · יָלַד (H3205)Temporal infinitive phrase→ Infinitive: temporal clause marking the birth eventיָלַד (H3205) 'to bear'; inf constr with בְּ: 'at the bearing of, when she bore'; the temporal phrase closes the birth narrative by anchoring it to Isaac's age.
אֹתָֽםthemobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct object (pronominal, both twins)אֵת (H853) + 3mp suffix = 'them'; the pronominal suffix refers to both twins; 'when she bore them' closes the birth account as a unified event.
27

וַֽיִּגְדְּלוּ֙ הַנְּעָרִ֔ים וַיְהִ֣י עֵשָׂ֗ו אִ֛ישׁ יֹדֵ֥עַ צַ֖יִד אִ֣ישׁ שָׂדֶ֑ה וְיַעֲקֹב֙ אִ֣ישׁ תָּ֔ם יֹשֵׁ֖ב אֹהָלִֽים

And the boys grew, and Esau became a man knowing hunting, a man of the field; and Jacob was a whole man, dwelling in tents.

Brothers contrasted: field-hunter and tent-dweller emerge as oppositesוַֽיִּגְדְּלוּ֙
The narrative compresses maturity into a sharp polarity of habit and disposition. Esau is characterized by skill and open field, while Jacob is marked by a more settled, tented mode of life.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַֽיִּגְדְּלוּ֙grew upWayyiqtol (Qal) 3mp · גָּדַל (H1431)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceגָּדַל (H1431) 'to grow, be great, grow up'; the narrative advances through adolescence to adulthood with a single verb — the focus is on adult identity, not childhood detail.
הַנְּעָרִ֔יםthe boysart + N m pl abs · נַעַר (H5288)Subject of וַיִּגְדְּלוּנַעַר (H5288) 'young man, boy, youth'; pl with article; 'the boys' are the twins last seen at birth; the term covers youth through young adulthood.
וַיְהִ֣יand becameWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (introducing characterization)→ Wayyiqtol: introduces character descriptionהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; וַיְהִי here introduces Esau's adult characterization; it is the transition from growth to adult identity.
עֵשָׂ֗וEsauProper noun · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Subject of וַיְהִיעֵשָׂו (H6215); Esau is characterized first — the elder; his identity is defined entirely by skill and territory, not by household or covenant.
אִ֛ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Predicate nominative (identity term)אִישׁ (H376) 'man, person'; abs; 'a man knowing hunting' = a man of a certain type; the identity phrase defines Esau's character by occupation.
יֹדֵ֥עַknowingQal ptc m sg abs · יָדַע (H3045)Participial attributive (modifying אִישׁ)→ Participial: characteristic habitual skillיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; Qal ptc = 'knowing, skilled in'; the participial here describes a habitual competence: Esau is a man who knows (i.e., is skilled in) hunting.
צַ֖יִדhuntingN m sg abs · צַיִד (H6718)Object of יֹדֵעַצַיִד (H6718) 'hunting, game, prey'; m sg abs; the domain of Esau's expertise; he is skilled at the hunt, which also defines his sphere — the open field.
אִ֣ישׁa man ofN m sg cstr · אִישׁ (H376)Appositive (second characterization, construct)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; sg construct before שָׂדֶה; 'a man of the field' — the second identifier; Esau belongs to the open country, not the settled household.
שָׂדֶ֑הthe fieldN m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Genitive of אִישׁ (construct)שָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open country'; genitive; 'man of the field' defines Esau as belonging to the wild, undomesticated realm — the contrast to Jacob's tent-dwelling follows immediately.
וְיַעֲקֹב֙and Jacobconj וְ + Proper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of contrastive clauseיַעֲקֹב (H3290); the contrastive waw introduces Jacob's character portrait immediately after Esau's; the two portraits are deliberately juxtaposed.
אִ֣ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Predicate nominative (identity term)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; abs; Jacob is also an 'אִישׁ' — a full man — but of a very different type; the shared noun highlights the contrast of their characters.
תָּ֔םquiet, plainAdj m sg abs · תָּם (H8535)Attributive adjective (modifying אִישׁ)תָּם (H8535) 'complete, upright, blameless, quiet, plain'; adj m sg abs; the word resists single-word translation; 'whole' or 'quiet' better captures the contrast with Esau's active outdoor character than a moral judgment.
יֹשֵׁ֖בdwelling inQal ptc m sg abs · יָשַׁב (H3427)Participial attributive (modifying אִישׁ)→ Participial: characteristic habitual residenceיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, remain'; Qal ptc = 'one who dwells'; Jacob's characteristic activity is settled domestic habitation — the direct opposite of Esau's open-field existence.
אֹהָלִֽיםtentsN m pl abs · אֹהֶל (H168)Object of יֹשֵׁבאֹהֶל (H168) 'tent'; pl abs; 'dwelling in tents' points to a domesticated, household-oriented existence — perhaps also evoking the patriarchal tent-tradition of Abraham and Isaac.
28

וַיֶּאֱהַ֥ב יִצְחָ֛ק אֶת עֵשָׂ֖ו כִּי צַ֣יִד בְּפִ֑יו וְרִבְקָ֖ה אֹהֶ֥בֶת אֶֽת יַעֲקֹֽב

And Isaac loved Esau, because game was in his mouth; but Rebekah loved Jacob.

Parental divide stated: Isaac and Rebekah love different sonsוַיֶּאֱהַ֥ב
The household contrast is intensified by divided affection. The terse comment prepares the reader to see the coming struggle as familial and emotional, not only theological.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיֶּאֱהַ֥בlovedWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · אָהַב (H157)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָהַב (H157) 'to love'; the parental love of Isaac for Esau opens the problematic family dynamic; the verb's use for Isaac and Rebekah in the same verse sets up the conflict.
יִצְחָ֛קIsaacProper noun · יִצְחָק (H3327)Subject of וַיֶּאֱהַביִצְחָק (H3327); Isaac is the subject; his love for Esau is explained by Esau's hunting, contrasting with Rebekah's love for Jacob which has no stated reason.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks Esau as the direct object of Isaac's love.
עֵשָׂ֖וEsauProper noun · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Direct object of וַיֶּאֱהַבעֵשָׂו (H6215); Isaac loved Esau because of the game; the partiality based on appetite prepares the deception of Gen 27.
כִּיbecauseConjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunctionכִּי (H3588) 'because'; introduces the stated reason for Isaac's love — the game in his mouth; the stated reason implies an appetite-driven favoritism.
צַ֣יִדgameN m sg abs · צַיִד (H6718)Subject of causal clauseצַיִד (H6718) 'hunting, game, prey'; the game (hunted meat) is in Isaac's mouth; his love is tied to culinary pleasure, a detail the narrator presents without comment but with import.
בְּפִ֑יוin his mouthprep בְּ + N m sg cstr + 3ms suffix · פֶּה (H6310)Locative prepositional phraseפֶּה (H6310) 'mouth'; with prep and 3ms suffix = 'in his mouth'; Isaac's mouth as the site of his love is subtle but pointed — his love is gastronomically grounded.
וְרִבְקָ֖הand Rebekahconj וְ + Proper noun · רִבְקָה (H7259)Subject of contrastive clauseרִבְקָה (H7259); the contrastive waw introduces Rebekah's love; she loves Jacob, and the narrator gives no stated reason — her love is simply stated as fact.
אֹהֶ֥בֶתlovingQal ptc f sg abs · אָהַב (H157)Participial predicate (stative love)→ Participial: ongoing characteristic stateאָהַב (H157); Qal ptc f sg = 'was loving, loved'; the participle (vs. wayyiqtol) may emphasize the ongoing, habitual nature of Rebekah's attachment to Jacob.
אֶֽת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks Jacob as the definite direct object of Rebekah's love.
יַעֲקֹֽבJacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Direct object of אֹהֶבֶתיַעֲקֹב (H3290); Rebekah's preference for Jacob sets up the forthcoming deception narrative; knowing the oracle (v23), her favoritism has a theological framework.
29

וַיָּ֥זֶד יַעֲקֹ֖ב נָזִ֑יד וַיָּבֹ֥א עֵשָׂ֛ו מִן הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה וְה֥וּא עָיֵֽף

And Jacob boiled stew, and Esau came from the field, and he was exhausted.

Exchange prepared: Jacob cooking meets Esau exhaustionוַיָּ֥זֶד
The decisive scene begins with ordinary domestic action and bodily weakness. Jacob is fixed at the pot while Esau arrives depleted from the field that defines him.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וַיָּ֥זֶדboiled / cookedWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · זִיד (H2102)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceזִיד (H2102) 'to boil, seethe'; Qal; Jacob boils the stew — the action that will become the occasion for the birthright exchange; the same root appears in the adjective בָּזֵד (arrogant, proud, boiling over) playing on recklessness.
יַעֲקֹ֖בJacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of וַיָּזֶדיַעֲקֹב (H3290); Jacob is the cook; his domestic activity (cooking) contrasts sharply with Esau's hunting and creates the scene for the exchange.
נָזִ֑ידstewN m sg abs · נָזִיד (H5138)Direct object of וַיָּזֶדנָזִיד (H5138) 'stew, boiled food'; m sg; the stew Jacob cooks is the object of both the cooking verb and the exchange; in v30 identified as red lentil stew.
וַיָּבֹ֥אand Esauconj וְ + Proper noun · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Subject of circumstantial clauseעֵשָׂו (H6215); introduced with waw as the contrasting figure who arrives on the scene; his arrival from the field triggers the negotiation.
עֵשָׂ֛וcameQal perf 3ms · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (circumstantial clause)→ Perfective: the completed entry triggering the exchangeבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, arrive'; Qal perf; Esau arrives from the field exhausted; the perfective marks his arrival as the narrative entry point for the exchange.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Ablative prepositionמִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; with הַשָּׂדֶה = 'from the field'; specifying Esau's point of origin — the field that defines his character (v27).
הַשָּׂדֶ֖הthe fieldart + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Object of prep מִןשָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open country'; with article; 'from the field' resumes the characterization of v27: Esau is the man of the field who has just come in from his domain.
וְה֥וּאand heconj וְ + Pers pron 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject of circumstantial clause (state of exhaustion)הוּא (H1931) 'he'; 3ms personal pronoun; the pronoun introduces the circumstantial state: 'and he was exhausted'; the circumstantial clause makes the exchange comprehensible.
עָיֵֽףexhaustedQal ptc (adj) m sg abs · עָיֵף (H5889)Predicate adjective (state of exhaustion)עָיֵף (H5889) 'exhausted, weary, faint'; the adjective explains Esau's extreme demand in v30; the physical state that makes him willing to trade the birthright for a bowl of stew.
30

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר עֵשָׂ֜ו אֶֽל יַעֲקֹ֗ב הַלְעִיטֵ֤נִי נָא֙ מִן הָאָדֹ֤ם הָאָדֹם֙ הַזֶּ֔ה כִּ֥י עָיֵ֖ף אָנֹ֑כִי עַל כֵּ֥ן קָרָֽא שְׁמ֖וֹ אֱדֽוֹם

And Esau said to Jacob, "Let me gulp down, please, some of this red red thing, for I am exhausted." Therefore his name was called Edom.

Impulsive appetite voiced: Esau begs for the red stew and Edom is namedוַיֹּ֨אמֶר
Esau request is urgent, coarse, and driven by appetite rather than by proportion. The repeated red wording and the naming note tie bodily desire to identity and memory.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרsaidWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Esau's speech opens the exchange; his demand is immediate, urgent, and expressed with slang ('that red red thing') that the narrator uses to profile him.
עֵשָׂ֜וEsauProper noun · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶרעֵשָׂו (H6215); Esau is the speaker; his words reveal his value system: immediate bodily need over long-term inheritance.
אֶֽלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Directional preposition (addressee)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directional; Esau speaks to Jacob — the stew and the birthright negotiation are now explicitly between brothers.
יַעֲקֹ֗בJacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Indirect object of speechיַעֲקֹב (H3290); the addressee of Esau's demand; Jacob's response (v31) will pivot on the demand.
הַלְעִיטֵ֤נִיlet me devourHiphil imv 2ms + 1cs suffix · לָעַט (H3938)Imperative (urgent demand)→ Imperative: urgent demand for immediate gratificationלָעַט (H3938) 'to gulp down, cram into'; Hiphil causative: 'cause me to gulp / let me devour'; a coarse, rapid-eating term — the Hiphil implies feeding an animal; the verb characterizes Esau's state vividly.
נָא֙pleaseParticle of entreaty · נָא (H4994)Entreaty particle (softening demand)נָא (H4994) 'please, pray'; the particle of request/urgency; with an imperative it softens the demand slightly or intensifies the urgent request — 'please, let me eat.'
מִןfrom / some ofprep · מִן (H4480)Partitive prepositionמִן (H4480) 'from'; used partitively = 'some of'; Esau does not ask for the whole pot but for a portion of the red stew.
הָאָדֹ֤םthe red [thing]art + Adj m sg abs · אָדֹם (H122)Object of partitive (first occurrence)אָדֹם (H122) 'red'; adj m sg with article; the doubling הָאָדֹם הָאָדֹם is a colloquial, breathless reduplication: 'the red stuff, the red!' — informal speech expressing urgency and craving.
הָאָדֹם֙the red [stuff]art + Adj m sg abs · אָדֹם (H122)Repeated for emphasis (reduplication)אָדֹם (H122); second occurrence of the same form; the reduplication is emphatic/colloquial — Esau cannot even say 'stew'; he just points to 'the red, the red.' The narrator lets this self-characterization stand.
הַזֶּ֔הthisart + Demonstr pron m sg · זֶּה (H2088)Demonstrative (pointing to the stew)זֶּה (H2088) 'this'; the demonstrative closes the demand: 'this red-red stuff here'; Esau cannot name what he wants — only point; the narrator uses this to portray shallow values.
כִּ֥יforConjunction · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction (reason for demand)כִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces Esau's explanation: he is faint/dying; the causal clause makes the demand proportionate in his mind — extreme hunger for the exchange he is about to make.
עָיֵ֖ףfaintQal ptc (adj) m sg abs · עָיֵף (H5889)Predicate adjectiveעָיֵף (H5889) 'exhausted, faint'; same root as v29's עָיֵף; the repetition binds the narrator's description to Esau's self-description — both agree he is exhausted.
אָנֹ֑כִיIPers pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of adjective predicateאָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; emphatic pronoun; 'I am faint' — the emphatic form intensifies the plea; 'I, for my part, am dying.'
עַלthereforeprep · עַל (H5921)Inferential preposition (with כֵּן)עַל (H5921) 'upon'; with כֵּן = עַל כֵּן 'therefore, on account of this'; introduces the etymological note explaining the name Edom.
כֵּ֥ןthis accountAdverb · כֵּן (H3651)Adverbial particle (compound with עַל)כֵּן (H3651) 'so, thus'; with עַל = 'therefore, for this reason'; the עַל כֵּן formula introduces an etiological explanation.
קָרָֽאwas calledQal perf 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (etiological formula)→ Perfective: a naming that has been establishedקָרָא (H7121) 'to call, name'; the narrator explains the place-name or people-name Edom through Esau's demand for the red (אָדֹם) stew.
שְׁמ֖וֹhis nameN m sg cstr + 3ms suffix · שֵׁם (H8034)Subject/object of naming clauseשֵׁם (H8034) 'name'; with 3ms suffix; 'his name was called' — the etiological formula explaining that Esau's name Edom comes from his craving for the red stuff.
אֱדֽוֹםEdomProper noun · אֱדוֹם (H123)Predicate of naming (name given)אֱדוֹם (H123) 'Edom, red'; the national/territorial name derived from אָדֹם 'red'; Esau = Edom, the progenitor of the Edomite nation; the wordplay grounds national identity in this scene.
31

וַיֹּ֖אמֶר יַעֲקֹ֑ב מִכְרָ֥ה כַיּ֛וֹם אֶת בְּכֹֽרָתְךָ֖ לִֽי

And Jacob said, "Sell, as of today, your birthright to me."

Birthright demanded: Jacob turns hunger into negotiationוַיֹּ֖אמֶר
Jacob immediately converts the moment of weakness into a claim upon the future. The bargain is framed not sentimentally but as an outright sale of birthright.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
וַיֹּ֖אמֶרand saidWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Jacob speaks in response to Esau's demand; his reply is a counter-proposal that pivots the scene from food to birthright.
יַעֲקֹ֑בJacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריַעֲקֹב (H3290); Jacob is the speaker; his immediate pivot from stew to birthright reveals a calculated response — he has been waiting for this opportunity.
מִכְרָ֥הsell!Qal imv 2ms · מָכַר (H4376)Imperative (demand for sale)→ Imperative: direct demandמָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; Qal imv 2ms; Jacob's counter-demand is stark and immediate: 'sell me!' — the brevity mirrors Esau's urgency with legal language rather than craving.
כַיּ֛וֹםtodayprep כְּ + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal adverbיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with כְּ = 'like today, today'; the temporal urgency is part of Jacob's demand — this transaction must happen now, while Esau is in extremis.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks the birthright as the definite object of the demanded sale.
בְּכֹֽרָתְךָ֖your birthrightN f sg cstr + 2ms suffix · בְּכֹרָה (H1062)Direct object of מִכְרָהבְּכֹרָה (H1062) 'birthright, right of firstborn'; the legal term for the firstborn's double portion and family headship; the object of Jacob's demand — trading stew for inheritance.
לִֽיto meprep לְ + 1cs suffixDative of beneficiaryprep לְ + 1cs suffix; 'to me'; Jacob is the intended recipient of the birthright transaction; the dative closes the imperative demand.
32

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר עֵשָׂ֔ו הִנֵּ֛ה אָנֹכִ֥י הוֹלֵ֖ךְ לָמ֑וּת וְלָמָּה זֶּ֥ה לִ֖י בְּכֹרָֽה

And Esau said, "Behold, I am going to die; and why is this birthright to me?"

Birthright belittled: Esau discounts the long-term gift before present needוַיֹּ֣אמֶר
Esau answer exaggerates the urgency of his condition and dismisses the enduring value of the birthright. The line exposes the moral center of the episode: appetite is measuring inheritance.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand saidWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Esau's response; the dialogue alternates rapidly (Jacob speaks / Esau responds / Jacob responds), building the transactional exchange.
עֵשָׂ֔וEsauProper noun · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶרעֵשָׂו (H6215); Esau as speaker; his response to Jacob's demand reveals his value system: the immediate moment of physical survival matters more than the distant future.
הִנֵּ֛הbeholdParticle · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle (emphasis)הִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold'; presentative particle introducing Esau's dramatic statement; draws attention to what he is about to say as the ground for his concession.
אָנֹכִ֥יIPers pron 1cs · אָנֹכִי (H595)Subject of predicate clauseאָנֹכִי (H595) 'I'; emphatic first person; 'Behold, I am about to die' — the dramatic emphasis underlines the extremity Esau claims (or feels).
הוֹלֵ֖ךְgoingQal ptc m sg abs · הָלַךְ (H3212)Participial predicate (progressive immediacy)→ Participial: imminent action — 'about to die'הָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; ptc = 'going'; the progressive participle with הִנֵּה = 'I am about to / in the process of dying'; an emphatic claim of extreme present need.
לָמ֑וּתto dieprep לְ + Qal inf constr · מוּת (H4191)Purpose/direction infinitive→ Infinitive: direction of the going — imminent deathמוּת (H4191) 'to die'; inf constr with לְ: 'going to die'; Esau's hyperbole (or genuine desperation) justifies in his own mind the sale of his future inheritance.
וְלָמָּהand why / what useconj וְ + prep לְ + Interrog · מָה (H4100)Interrogative clause (rhetorical dismissal)מָה (H4100) 'what'; with לְ = לָמָּה 'why, for what purpose'; the rhetorical question dismisses the birthright as irrelevant to a dying man — 'What good is a birthright if I die?'
זֶּ֥הthisDemonstr pron m sg · זֶּה (H2088)Subject of rhetorical clauseזֶּה (H2088) 'this'; the demonstrative dismisses the birthright with contempt — 'what is this birthright to me?' The gesture of pointing rather than naming shows disdain.
לִ֖יto meprep לְ + 1cs suffixDative (rhetorical dismissal)prep לְ + 1cs suffix; 'to me'; closes the rhetorical question: 'what use is this birthright to me?'; the entire rhetorical structure dismisses inherited rights in favor of the present moment.
בְּכֹרָֽהbirthrightN f sg abs · בְּכֹרָה (H1062)Subject of rhetorical dismissalבְּכֹרָה (H1062) 'birthright'; now without the possessive suffix — Esau distances himself from it by using the absolute form; the narrator will immediately underscore his contempt in v34.
33

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יַעֲקֹ֗ב הִשָּׁ֤בְעָה לִּי֙ כַּיּ֔וֹם וַיִּשָּׁבַ֖ע ל֑וֹ וַיִּמְכֹּ֥ר אֶת בְּכֹרָת֖וֹ לְיַעֲקֹֽב

And Jacob said, "Swear to me as of today." And he swore to him, and he sold his birthright to Jacob.

Oath secured: the transaction is formalized beyond impulseוַיֹּ֣אמֶר
Jacob presses for an oath so that the exchange cannot remain casual speech. Esau consent is therefore bound by solemnity before the narrative states the sale plainly.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶרand saidWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Jacob's final response before formalizing the transaction; he closes the exchange by demanding an oath.
יַעֲקֹ֗בJacobProper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריַעֲקֹב (H3290); Jacob insists on an oath, ensuring legal binding of the exchange; the demand for oath shows legal acumen and seriousness of intent.
הִשָּׁ֤בְעָהswear!Niphal imv 2ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Imperative (demand for oath)→ Imperative: legal demand for a binding oathשָׁבַע (H7650) 'to swear'; Niphal = reflexive/passive: 'swear to yourself, bind yourself by oath'; Jacob demands legal binding — this is not a casual exchange but a formal transaction.
לִּי֙to meprep לְ + 1cs suffixDative of addresseeprep לְ + 1cs suffix; 'to me'; the oath is to be sworn toward Jacob as the receiving party; the dative confirms the transactional direction.
כַּיּ֔וֹםtodayprep כְּ + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal adverbיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with כְּ = 'today'; the oath must be sworn now, while the terms are in force — Jacob presses the moment of Esau's extremity into a legal transaction.
וַיִּשָּׁבַ֖עand he sworeWayyiqtol (Niphal) 3ms · שָׁבַע (H7650)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁבַע (H7650) 'to swear'; Niphal wayyiqtol: 'and he swore'; the oath is taken — the birthright exchange is now legally formalized; what follows in v34 is only the physical execution.
ל֑וֹto himprep לְ + 3ms suffixDative of addressee (oath sworn toward)prep לְ + 3ms suffix; 'to him' = to Jacob; Esau swears to Jacob, binding himself in the legally recognized form.
וַיִּמְכֹּ֥רand soldWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · מָכַר (H4376)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceמָכַר (H4376) 'to sell'; Qal wayyiqtol: the sale is completed; the narrator summarizes the transaction with this commercial verb — the birthright has been sold.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks the birthright as the definite object of the completed sale.
בְּכֹרָת֖וֹhis birthrightN f sg cstr + 3ms suffix · בְּכֹרָה (H1062)Direct object of וַיִּמְכֹּרבְּכֹרָה (H1062) 'birthright'; with 3ms suffix = 'his birthright'; the possessive now attaches the birthright to Esau one final time before it passes — the narrator marks the transfer explicitly.
לְיַעֲקֹֽבto Jacobprep לְ + Proper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Dative of recipient (sale completed)יַעֲקֹב (H3290); the birthright is sold to Jacob; the prep לְ marks Jacob as the recipient; the transaction is complete and the legal transfer is recorded by the narrator.
34

וְיַעֲקֹ֞ב נָתַ֣ן לְעֵשָׂ֗ו לֶ֚חֶם וּנְזִ֣יד עֲדָשִׁ֔ים וַיֹּ֣אכַל וַיֵּ֔שְׁתְּ וַיָּ֖קָם וַיֵּלַ֑ךְ וַיִּ֥בֶז עֵשָׂ֖ו אֶת הַבְּכֹרָֽה

And Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went. And Esau despised the birthright.

Birthright despised: the meal is consumed and the narrator delivers judgmentוְיַעֲקֹ֞ב
The close is intentionally blunt and rapid. After the oath and meal, the narrator ends not with sympathy for Esau's hunger but with the theological verdict that he despised the birthright.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְיַעֲקֹ֞בand Jacobconj וְ + Proper noun · יַעֲקֹב (H3290)Subject of narrative summary clauseיַעֲקֹב (H3290); subject of the closing summary; Jacob now fulfills the transaction he demanded — the narrator presents both sides of the exchange in rapid sequence.
נָתַ֣ןgaveQal perf 3ms · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (transaction complete)→ Perfective: completed act of givingנָתַן (H5414) 'to give, provide'; Qal perf; Jacob gives what was promised — the stew; the perfective marks the exchange as completed from Jacob's side.
לְעֵשָׂ֗וto Esauprep לְ + Proper noun · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Dative of recipientעֵשָׂו (H6215); dative; Jacob gives to Esau — the physical exchange: birthright for stew; the narrator now enumerates what Esau received before showing what Esau did next.
לֶ֚חֶםbreadN m sg abs · לֶחֶם (H3899)Direct object of נָתַן (first item)לֶחֶם (H3899) 'bread, food'; m sg abs; 'bread' is listed first — the basic staple alongside the stew; Jacob gives Esau a full meal: bread and lentil stew.
וּנְזִ֣ידand stewconj וּ + N m sg abs · נָזִיד (H5138)Direct object of נָתַן (second item)נָזִיד (H5138) 'stew, boiled food'; the same stew from v29; now named again as the object given; together bread and stew constitute the price paid for Esau's birthright.
עֲדָשִׁ֔יםof lentilsN f pl abs · עֲדָשָׁה (H5742)Genitive of נָזִיד (specifying stew)עֲדָשָׁה (H5742) 'lentil'; pl abs; reveals what the stew was made of — lentils; the specific identification is the narrator's final irony: a firstborn's inheritance exchanged for lentil soup.
וַיֹּ֣אכַלand he ateWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · אָכַל (H398)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָכַל (H398) 'to eat'; Qal wayyiqtol; Esau eats — the first of four rapid verbs (eat, drink, rise, go) that portray him dismissively consuming the exchange with animal-like speed.
וַיֵּ֔שְׁתְּand drankWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · שָׁתָה (H8354)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁתָה (H8354) 'to drink'; Qal wayyiqtol; the second rapid verb; eating and drinking in immediate sequence suggests an animalistic satisfaction of hunger, not a deliberate transaction.
וַיָּ֖קָםand aroseWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקוּם (H6965) 'to rise, stand up'; Qal wayyiqtol; the third verb: Esau rises immediately after eating and drinking; no pause, no reflection; the speed is the narrator's indictment.
וַיֵּלַ֑ךְand wentWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212) 'to go, walk'; the fourth rapid verb: Esau goes — he departs without ceremony or second thought; the four-verb sequence (eat-drink-rise-go) enacts his contempt for the birthright.
וַיִּ֥בֶזthus despisedWayyiqtol (Qal) 3ms · בָּזָה (H959)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (narrator's verdict)→ Wayyiqtol: narrator's moral evaluation closing the episodeבָּזָה (H959) 'to despise, treat with contempt'; Qal wayyiqtol; the narrator's final verdict: Esau despised the birthright; this verb is the theological punch line of the entire episode.
עֵשָׂ֖וEsauProper noun · עֵשָׂו (H6215)Subject of וַיִּבֶזעֵשָׂו (H6215); Esau is the subject of the narrator's verdict; he himself is the agent of his own spiritual failure — the despising is his own action, not Jacob's manipulation.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), nota accusativi; marks the birthright as the definite object of Esau's despising.
הַבְּכֹרָֽהthe birthrightart + N f sg abs · בְּכֹרָה (H1062)Direct object of וַיִּבֶזבְּכֹרָה (H1062) 'birthright, right of firstborn'; with article; the narrator closes with this exact term: 'he despised the birthright'; Heb 12:16 calls Esau 'profane' (βέβηλος) for this act.