| 5. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with an invitation ve'ekchah {וְאֶקְחָה | wə-ʾeq-ḥāh} “and let me take,” using a diplomatic request formula to offer hospitality. The modest offering pat-lechem {פַת־לֶחֶם | pat-le-ḥem} “a morsel of bread” employs a construct relationship to understate Abraham’s generosity. The verb phrase vesa'adu libkhem {וְסַעֲדוּ לִבְּכֶם | wə-sa-ʿă-dû lib-bə-ḵem} “and refresh your hearts” uses heart as a synecdoche for the inner person. The temporal clause akhar ta'avoru {אַחַר תַּעֲבֹרוּ | ʾa-ḥar ta-ʿă-ḇō-rû} “after you pass on” frames the meal within the guests’ ongoing journey. The causal formula ki-al-ken avartem al-avdekhem {כִּי־עַל־כֵּן עֲבַרְתֶּם עַל־עַבְדְּכֶם | kî-ʿal-kēn ʿă-ḇar-tem ʿal-ʿaḇ-də-ḵem} attributes purpose to their visit with Abraham’s servant. The narrative shifts with vayomru {וַיֹּאמְרוּ | way-yōm-rû} “and they said,” where ken {כֵּן | kēn} “so” and ka'asher {כַאֲשֶׁר | ka-ʾă-šer} “as” confirm agreement with his proposal. The translation preserves these structures using modal verbs and natural dialogue flow to maintain courtesy and coherence. |