Gen. 29:23 [Samaritan Pentateuch]
ויהי בערב ויקח את לאה בתו ויבא אתה אליו ויבא אליה יעקב
And it came to pass in the evening that he took Leʾa his daughter and brought her to him, and Yaʿaqov went in to her.
Gen. 29:23 [Masoretic Text]
וַיְהִ֣י בָעֶ֔רֶב וַיִּקַּח֙ אֶת־לֵאָ֣ה בִתֹּ֔ו וַיָּבֵ֥א אֹתָ֖הּ אֵלָ֑יו וַיָּבֹ֖א אֵלֶֽיהָ׃
And it came to pass in the evening that he took Leʾa his daughter and brought her to him, and he went in to her.
Morphology
- וַיְהִ֣י (va-yehi) – Root: היה (hayah); Form: Qal wayyiqtol 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “And it came to pass”; Notes: Standard biblical phrase introducing an event.
- בָעֶ֔רֶב (ba-ʿerev) – Root: ערב (ʿerev); Form: Noun, masculine singular, definite; Translation: “in the evening”; Notes: Indicates the time of the event.
- וַיִּקַּח֙ (va-yiqqaḥ) – Root: לקח (laqakh); Form: Qal wayyiqtol 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “And he took”; Notes: Action performed by Lavan.
- אֶת־לֵאָ֣ה (et-Leʾah) – Root: לאה (Leʾah); Form: Proper noun with definite direct object marker; Translation: “Leʾah”; Notes: The person being taken.
- בִתֹּ֔ו (bittó) – Root: בת (bat); Form: Noun, feminine singular construct + 3rd person masculine singular suffix; Translation: “his daughter”; Notes: Specifies the relationship.
- וַיָּבֵ֥א (va-yave) – Root: בוא (boʾ); Form: Hifil wayyiqtol 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “And he brought”; Notes: Action of bringing Leʾah to Yaʿaqov.
- אֹתָ֖הּ (otah) – Root: את (ʾet); Form: Definite direct object marker + 3rd person feminine singular suffix; Translation: “her”; Notes: Refers to Leʾah.
- אֵלָ֑יו (elav) – Root: אל (ʾel); Form: Preposition + 3rd person masculine singular suffix; Translation: “to him”; Notes: Indicates direction.
- וַיָּבֹ֖א (va-yavo) – Root: בוא (boʾ); Form: Qal wayyiqtol 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “And he went in”; Notes: Describes consummation of the marriage.
- אֵלֶֽיהָ (eleha) – Root: אל (ʾel); Form: Preposition + 3rd person feminine singular suffix; Translation: “to her”; Notes: Refers to Leʾah.
Textual Commentary on Genesis 29:23
Genesis 29:23 presents one notable textual difference between the Masoretic Text (MT) and the Samaritan Pentateuch (SP). The variation is the explicit mention of Yaʿaqov‘s name in the SP, while the MT keeps it implied through the verb.
Key Differences
| Feature | Samaritan Pentateuch (SP) | Masoretic Text (MT) | Effect on Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| “And it came to pass in the evening” | ויהי בערב (wayehi baʿerev) | ויהי בערב (wayehi baʿerev) | Identical phrasing. |
| “He took Leʾa his daughter” | ויקח את לאה בתו (wayyiqqaḥ ʾet Leʾa bito) | ויקח את לאה בתו (wayyiqqaḥ ʾet Leʾa bito) | Identical in both texts. |
| “And brought her to him” | ויבא אתה אליו (wayyāḇēʾ ʾōtāh ʾēlāw) | ויבא אתה אליו (wayyāḇēʾ ʾōtāh ʾēlāw) | No difference in meaning. |
| “And he went in to her” | ויבא אליה יעקב (wayyāḇōʾ ʾēlêhā Yaʿaqov) | ויבא אליה (wayyāḇōʾ ʾēlêhā) | SP explicitly names Yaʿaqov, while MT keeps the subject implied. |
Phonological and Morphological Differences
Explicit Naming of Yaʿaqov in the SP
- The Masoretic Text (MT) states “and he went in to her” (ויבא אליה) without an explicit subject.
- The Samaritan Pentateuch (SP) adds “Yaʿaqov” (ויבא אליה יעקב), clarifying the subject.
- The MT assumes that the context makes it clear that Yaʿaqov is the one who went in to Leʾa, while the SP eliminates any ambiguity.
Reasons for This Difference
- The SP may reflect an effort to ensure clarity, especially in oral reading traditions.
- The MT assumes that the subject of the final verb is still Yaʿaqov from the preceding actions.
- The addition in the SP does not change the meaning but provides explicit identification.
Textual and Linguistic Implications
- The SP’s explicit mention of Yaʿaqov aligns with a common Samaritan scribal practice of reducing ambiguity.
- In Hebrew narrative style, verbs often omit the subject if it is understood from context, as in the MT.
- Both texts preserve the same core meaning: Lavan gave Leʾa to Yaʿaqov, and Yaʿaqov consummated the marriage.
Conclusion
The primary difference between the Masoretic Text and the Samaritan Pentateuch in Genesis 29:23 is the explicit mention of Yaʿaqov in the SP, whereas the MT leaves him implied. This does not alter the meaning but reflects a scribal preference for explicit clarity in the SP. Both versions confirm the same sequence of events with no theological or doctrinal differences.
