Gen. 30:34 [Samaritan Pentateuch]
ויאמר לבן והן לא יהיה כדבריך
And Lavan said, “And if it shall not be according to your word.”
Gen. 30:34 [Masoretic Text]
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר לָבָ֖ן הֵ֑ן ל֖וּ יְהִ֥י כִדְבָרֶֽךָ׃
And Lavan said, “Behold, would that it be according to your word.”
Morphology
- וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (vayyoʾmer) – Root: אמר (ʾamar); Form: Qal wayyiqtol (preterite) 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “And he said”; Notes: Narrative past tense.
- לָבָ֖ן (Lavan) – Root: לבן (Lavan); Form: Proper noun; Translation: “Lavan”; Notes: Name of a person.
- הֵ֑ן (hen) – Root: הן (hen); Form: Interjection; Translation: “Behold”; Notes: Expresses affirmation.
- ל֖וּ (lu) – Root: לו (lu); Form: Particle; Translation: “would that”; Notes: Expresses a wish or desire.
- יְהִ֥י (yehi) – Root: היה (hayah); Form: Qal jussive 3rd person masculine singular; Translation: “it be”; Notes: Expresses a wish or request.
- כִדְבָרֶֽךָ׃ (kidvarekha) – Root: דבר (davar); Form: Preposition with noun, masculine singular construct + 2nd person masculine singular suffix; Translation: “according to your word”; Notes: Indicates agreement.
Textual Commentary on Genesis 30:34
| Feature | Samaritan Pentateuch (SP) | Masoretic Text (MT) | Effect on Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Additional Phrase: “And if it shall not be” | והן לא יהיה (vehen lo yihyeh, “And if it shall not be”) | הֵן ל֖וּ יְהִי (hen lu yehi, “Behold, would that it be”) | SP introduces a negative condition (“if it shall not be”), while MT expresses affirmation and desire (“would that it be”). This changes Lavan’s tone from agreement to uncertainty. |
| Conditional Structure | Uses “if” language | Uses “would that” (a wish/desire) | The SP implies doubt about the agreement being fulfilled, whereas the MT expresses Lavan’s approval and agreement. |
Analysis of Key Differences
The primary variation between the SP and MT is the tone and intent of Lavan’s response:
- In the Masoretic Text (MT), Lavan expresses agreement and willingness, as if saying, “I hope it will be as you say.”
- In the Samaritan Pentateuch (SP), Lavan introduces a condition of uncertainty by saying, “And if it shall not be as you say,” which suggests doubt or skepticism about the proposed agreement.
Textual and Linguistic Implications
The SP’s conditional phrasing alters the meaning significantly. While the MT portrays Lavan as agreeing positively, the SP suggests hesitation or reluctance. This may reflect an interpretive tradition where Lavan was portrayed as more deceitful or unwilling to fully commit to Jacob’s terms.
Conclusion
The difference in Genesis 30:34 between the MT and SP is substantive, affecting tone and intent. The MT presents Lavan as affirming the agreement, whereas the SP portrays him as questioning or casting doubt on it. This may reflect an interpretive tradition emphasizing Lavan’s skepticism and potential dishonesty in dealing with Jacob.