וְנֶאֶסְפוּ־שָׁ֣מָּה כָל־הָעֲדָרִ֗ים וְגָלֲל֤וּ אֶת־הָאֶ֨בֶן֙ מֵעַל֙ פִּ֣י הַבְּאֵ֔ר וְהִשְׁק֖וּ אֶת־הַצֹּ֑אן וְהֵשִׁ֧יבוּ אֶת־הָאֶ֛בֶן עַל־פִּ֥י הַבְּאֵ֖ר לִמְקֹמָֽהּ׃
Explanation of Feature
In Genesis 29:3, we observe a chain of verbs in the wayyiqtol form, each preceded by the waw-consecutive (וְ). This construction is a key feature in Biblical Hebrew narrative and is used to express sequential past actions.
The wayyiqtol form is derived from the imperfect (yiqtol) conjugation but takes on a past-tense narrative function when prefixed with waw and accompanied by a shift in stress and vowel.
Examples from Genesis 29:3
| Verb | Root | Stem | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| וְנֶאֶסְפוּ | אָסַף | Nifʿal (Passive) | and they were gathered |
| וְגָלֲלוּ | גָּלַל | Qal | and they rolled |
| וְהִשְׁקוּ | שָׁקָה | Hifʿil (Causative) | and they gave drink |
| וְהֵשִׁיבוּ | שׁוּב | Hifʿil | and they returned |
Related Grammatical Insight
The wayyiqtol form differs from both qatal (perfect) and yiqtol (imperfect) conjugations:
– Qatal expresses completed actions or past states.
– Yiqtol may express incomplete actions, habitual actions, or future.
– Wayyiqtol, in contrast, marks the progression of actions in narrative and is the backbone of biblical storytelling.
Compare:
– וַיֵּלֶךְ (wayyelekh) – “and he went” (narrative progression)
– יֵלֵךְ (yelekh) – “he will go” or “he may go”
Recognizing wayyiqtol helps the reader follow the sequence of events and grasp the flow of the biblical narrative.
