וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוָ֔ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֖ן לֵאמֹֽר׃
(Exodus 7:8)
And YHWH said to Moshe and to Aharon, saying:
Setting the Stage for Revelation
This short but frequently occurring formulaic verse introduces a divine speech directed to two individuals—Moshe and Aharon. Though simple at first glance, the verse reveals the characteristic Hebrew structure of divine communication formulas, marked by sequential verb forms, prepositions, and the use of the infinitive construct לֵאמֹר. These forms shape not only narrative flow but also underscore the weight of revelation.
Wayyiqtol: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר
The initial verb וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (“And He said”) is a classic wayyiqtol form, derived from the root אָמַר (“to say”) in the Qal stem. It expresses a sequential narrative action, common in storytelling and divine address.
Parsing Table: וַיֹּאמֶר
| Form | Root | Stem | Tense | Person / Number | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| וַיֹּאמֶר | א־מ־ר | Qal | Wayyiqtol (Narrative Past) | 3rd Person Masculine Singular | Sequential divine speech introduction |
Direct Object Marker: אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֖ן
The phrase introduces the audience of the speech:
- אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה – “to Moshe” (preposition + proper noun)
- וְאֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֖ן – “and to Aharon” (parallel structure)
The use of אֶל (not לְ) here emphasizes directionality of speech, suggesting formal or authoritative address.
Infinitive Construct: לֵאמֹר
The final word, לֵאמֹר (“saying”), functions as a speech introduction formula in Biblical Hebrew. Grammatically, it is:
- An infinitive construct of the root אָמַר
- Linked to the previous verb וַיֹּאמֶר to create a frame for the direct speech to follow
Despite its literal translation (“to say”), it is not normally translated into English, as its purpose is functional, not semantic. It signals that a direct divine utterance is about to follow.
Grammatical Insight: Why לֵאמֹר?
This usage can be described as infinitive of purpose or result, and it’s especially frequent in divine speech introductions:
- וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה… לֵאמֹר = “And YHWH said… saying:”
This marks a transition from narrative setup to quoted speech—essential in texts where divine instruction must be preserved verbatim.
Masoretic Features and Functionality
Cantillation marks place a major disjunctive pause after יְהוָה and another after אַהֲרֹ֖ן, helping distinguish:
- The subject of speech (YHWH)
- The recipients (Moshe and Aharon)
- The forthcoming quotation (signaled by לֵאמֹר)
This structure is carefully maintained across dozens of similar divine speech markers throughout the Torah.
The Syntax of Authority
This small verse is a foundational speech frame that appears countless times across the Torah. But its repetition is not redundant—it is formulaic and juridically precise. In Biblical Hebrew, divine speech is framed grammatically with:
- A past narrative wayyiqtol
- A directed prepositional audience
- An infinitive construct trigger
When God speaks, even the syntax bows in reverence.
