Gen. 29:27 [Samaritan Pentateuch]
מלא שבע זות ואתן לך גם את זאת בעבדה אשר תעבד עמדי עוד שבע שנים אחרות
Fulfill this week, and I will give you also this one for the service that you shall serve with me yet another seven years.”
Gen. 29:27 [Masoretic Text]
מַלֵּ֖א שְׁבֻ֣עַ זֹ֑את וְנִתְּנָ֨ה לְךָ֜ גַּם־אֶת־זֹ֗את בַּעֲבֹדָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תַּעֲבֹ֣ד עִמָּדִ֔י עֹ֖וד שֶֽׁבַע־שָׁנִ֥ים אֲחֵרֹֽות׃
Fulfill this week, and we will give you also this one for the service that you shall serve with me yet another seven years.”
Morphology
- מַלֵּ֖א (malle) – Root: מלא (maleʾ); Form: Piel imperative 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “Fulfill”; Notes: Command given to Yaʿaqov.
- שְׁבֻ֣עַ (shevuaʿ) – Root: שבע (shevaʿ); Form: Noun, masculine singular; Translation: “week”; Notes: Refers to the seven-day marriage feast.
- זֹ֑את (zot) – Root: זה (zeh); Form: Demonstrative pronoun, feminine singular; Translation: “this”; Notes: Refers to Leʾah.
- וְנִתְּנָ֨ה (ve-nittenah) – Root: נתן (natan); Form: Nifal cohortative 1st person plural; Translation: “and we will give”; Notes: Refers to the agreement regarding Raḥel.
- לְךָ֜ (lekha) – Root: ל (l); Form: Preposition + 2nd person masculine singular suffix; Translation: “to you”; Notes: Refers to Yaʿaqov.
- גַּם־אֶת־זֹ֗את (gam-et-zot) – Root: גם (gam) + את (ʾet) + זה (zeh); Form: Adverb + definite direct object marker + demonstrative pronoun; Translation: “also this one”; Notes: Refers to Raḥel.
- בַּעֲבֹדָה֙ (ba-ʿavodah) – Root: עבד (ʿavad); Form: Noun, feminine singular, definite; Translation: “for the service”; Notes: Refers to Yaʿaqov’s labor.
- אֲשֶׁ֣ר (ʾasher) – Root: אשר (ʾasher); Form: Relative pronoun; Translation: “that”; Notes: Introduces a clause.
- תַּעֲבֹ֣ד (taʿavod) – Root: עבד (ʿavad); Form: Qal imperfect 2nd person masculine singular; Translation: “you shall serve”; Notes: Future obligation.
- עִמָּדִ֔י (ʿimmadi) – Root: עם (ʿim); Form: Preposition + 1st person singular suffix; Translation: “with me”; Notes: Refers to working under Lavan.
- עֹ֖וד (ʿod) – Root: עוד (ʿod); Form: Adverb; Translation: “yet”; Notes: Emphasizes the additional labor period.
- שֶֽׁבַע־שָׁנִ֥ים (shevaʿ-shanim) – Root: שבע (shevaʿ) + שנה (shanah); Form: Cardinal number + noun, feminine plural; Translation: “seven years”; Notes: Duration of the added service.
- אֲחֵרֹֽות (aḥerot) – Root: אחר (ʾaḥar); Form: Adjective, feminine plural; Translation: “other”; Notes: Indicates additional years.
Textual Commentary on Genesis 29:27
Genesis 29:27 presents two significant differences between the Masoretic Text (MT) and the Samaritan Pentateuch (SP). The MT explicitly refers to a “week” (שבוע), while the SP simply says “seven” (שבע), making the duration less explicit. Additionally, the MT uses “we will give” (נִתְּנָה), while the SP uses “I will give” (ואתן), making Lavan’s statement more personal in the SP.
Key Differences
| Feature | Samaritan Pentateuch (SP) | Masoretic Text (MT) | Effect on Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| “And I will give you” vs. “And we will give you” | ואתן לך (veʾetten lekha, “And I will give you”) | וְנִתְּנָ֨ה לְךָ֜ (venittenah lekha, “And we will give you”) | The MT uses “we will give”, possibly implying Lavan’s household or a communal decision. The SP makes it more direct and personal. |
| Remainder of the verse | בעבדה אשר תעבד עמדי עוד שבע שנים אחרות (baʿavodah asher taʿavod ʿimadi ʿod sheva shanim aḥerot) | בַּעֲבֹדָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תַּעֲבֹ֣ד עִמָּדִ֔י עֹ֖וד שֶֽׁבַע־שָׁנִ֥ים אֲחֵרֹֽות (baʿavodah asher taʿavod ʿimadi ʿod sheva shanim aḥerot) | Identical wording and meaning. |
Phonological and Morphological Differences
Singular vs. Plural Verb in “I will give” vs. “We will give”
- The MT uses a plural verb (“we will give,” נִתְּנָה), possibly referring to a collective decision (e.g., Lavan and his household).
- The SP uses a singular verb (“I will give,” ואתן), making Lavan’s statement more personal and direct.
- The MT may reflect a more formal or legalistic style, while the SP represents a simpler and more personal speech pattern.
Textual and Linguistic Implications
- The MT’s “we will give” (נִתְּנָה) may indicate a customary or communal aspect to the marriage agreement, while the SP’s “I will give” (ואתן) suggests a more individual decision by Lavan.
- Both texts agree on the main meaning: Lavan instructs Yaʿaqov to finish his bridal week with Leʾa before receiving Raḥel, in exchange for another seven years of service.
Conclusion
The primary differences between the Masoretic Text and the Samaritan Pentateuch in Genesis 29:27 is the use of “I will give” (ואתן) in the SP instead of “we will give” (נִתְּנָה) in the MT. This variation reflect minor scribal tendencies but do not alter the overall meaning of the passage. The MT provides more precise wording, while the SP simplifies the speech, making Lavan’s response more direct.