Genesis 4 – Line 00084

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INTRO

This file shows what the earliest Hebrew/Greek manuscripts say, word by word, before any interpretation.

PREFACE

This file presents the earliest traceable form of this line, drawn primarily from manuscript sources like the Leningrad Codex.

Where other manuscript witnesses differ or offer meaningful variation (such as the Dead Sea Scrolls or the Samaritan Pentateuch), we remain watchful and will note those cases transparently when identified.

Every word is shown with its full lexical range; without smoothing, interpretation, or insertion.

This is not a translation or conclusion. It is a transparent starting point, open to personal encounter and divine resonance.

We do not treat any human source as final; only as visible reference points for deeper unfolding.

While we strive for care and clarity, any oversight or omission is unintentional, and all work remains open to refinement as understanding grows.

1. ORIGINAL LINE TEXT

Language: Hebrew

Manuscript Source: Leningrad Codex

Line Reference: Genesis 4:4

וְהֶבֶל הֵבִיא גַם־הוּא מִבְּכֹרוֹת צֹאנוֹ וּמֵחֶלְבֵהֶן וַיִּשַׁע יְהוָה אֶל־הֶבֶל וְאֶל־מִנְחָתוֹ

2. DIRECT TRANSLITERATION

ve-hevel hevi gam-hu mibekhorot tsono u-mechelvehen vayisha YHWH el-hevel ve-el-minchato

3. WORD-BY-WORD LEXICAL BREAKDOWN

WORD 1

Original: וְהֶבֶל

Transliteration: ve-hevel

Lexical Root: הבל (hevel)

Part of Speech: Proper noun with conjunction

Grammatical Info: Masculine singular, prefixed by “ve” (and)

Lexical Range:

personal name “Hevel” (Abel)

also: breath, vapor, vanity (in other contexts)

WORD 2

Original: הֵבִיא

Transliteration: hevi

Lexical Root: בוא (bo)

Part of Speech: Verb

Grammatical Info: Hiphil perfect 3rd person masculine singular

Lexical Range:

to bring

to carry in

to offer

to present

Notable Observations:

Causative stem, indicating deliberate action

WORD 3

Original: גַם־הוּא

Transliteration: gam-hu

Lexical Root: גם (gam) + הוא (hu)

Part of Speech: Adverb + Pronoun

Grammatical Info: Coordinating structure

Lexical Range:

also he

even he

he likewise

WORD 4

Original: מִבְּכֹרוֹת

Transliteration: mibekhorot

Lexical Root: בכר (bakhar)

Part of Speech: Noun with preposition

Grammatical Info: Feminine plural construct with prefixed מ (from)

Lexical Range:

from firstborns

from the earliest offspring

choice ones

Notable Observations:

Root connects to primacy and order

WORD 5

Original: צֹאנוֹ

Transliteration: tsono

Lexical Root: צאן (tson)

Part of Speech: Noun + pronominal suffix

Grammatical Info: Common gender collective with 3rd person masculine singular suffix

Lexical Range:

his flock

his sheep/goats

his livestock

WORD 6

Original: וּמֵחֶלְבֵהֶן

Transliteration: u-mechelvehen

Lexical Root: חלב (chelev)

Part of Speech: Noun (construct) with conjunction, preposition, and suffix

Grammatical Info: Masculine plural construct with 3rd person feminine plural suffix

Lexical Range:

and from their fat portions

and from the best parts

and from richness

Notable Observations:

Often used in contexts of sacrificial offerings in later Torah passages

WORD 7

Original: וַיִּשַׁע

Transliteration: vayisha

Lexical Root: שׁעה (sha’ah)

Part of Speech: Verb

Grammatical Info: Qal imperfect 3rd person masculine singular with vav-consecutive

Lexical Range:

to look upon

to regard

to pay attention to

to gaze favorably

WORD 8

Original: יְהוָה

Transliteration: YHWH

Lexical Root:;

Part of Speech: Proper noun (divine name)

Grammatical Info: Tetragrammaton

Lexical Range:

YHWH (personal divine name)

the LORD (in tradition)

Notable Observations:

Appears here as the subject of divine action

WORD 9

Original: אֶל־הֶבֶל

Transliteration: el-hevel

Lexical Root: אל (el) + הבל (hevel)

Part of Speech: Preposition + proper noun

Grammatical Info: Directional phrase

Lexical Range:

toward Hevel

regarding Hevel

in relation to Hevel

WORD 10

Original: וְאֶל־מִנְחָתוֹ

Transliteration: ve-el-minchato

Lexical Root: מנחה (minchah)

Part of Speech: Preposition + noun + pronominal suffix

Grammatical Info: Feminine singular + 3rd person masculine singular suffix

Lexical Range:

and toward his offering

and in relation to his gift

and concerning his tribute

4. STRUCTURAL NOTES

The first clause mirrors the previous verse, with a causative action verb (“hevi”) introducing Hevel’s gift.

The double-object phrase “mibekhorot tsono u-mechelvehen” indicates both origin (from the flock) and quality (fat portions).

“Vayisha YHWH…” introduces divine response using a verb of regard or attention, pointing toward Hevel and his minchah as separate but linked entities.

Coordinating structure: human action → divine perception.

5. VARIANT MANUSCRIPT NOTES

No notable variants in Masoretic manuscripts.

Septuagint mirrors structure but uses Greek terms for “fat portions” and “regard” that introduce interpretive nuances.

Qumran fragments for this passage are not extant.

6. STRUCTURAL CONNECTION TO OTHER LINES

Direct parallel with Genesis 4:3 (Line_00083), forming a comparative narrative arc between Cain and Hevel.

“Minchah” as a shared term anchors both offerings within a common ritual frame.

The verb “sha’ah” appears rarely, signaling specific acts of divine recognition.

7. CAUTIONARY REMINDER

The content above does not represent a translation.

No conclusions, smoothing, or interpretive decisions have been made.

This file serves only to display the original structure and lexical range as transparently as possible.