The Sacred Bible:  The Book of Genesis

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[Genesis 27]
[Genesis 27]

{27:1} Senuit autem Isaac, et caligaverunt oculi eius, et videre non poterat: vocavitque Esau filium suum maiorem, et dixit ei: Fili mi? Qui respondit: Adsum.
{27:1} Now Isaac was old, and his eyes were cloudy, and so he was not able to see. And he called his elder son Esau, and he said to him, “My son?” And he responded, “Here I am.”

~ Isaac apparently had cataracts, which can severely hamper one’s vision, just as described in this passage.

{27:2} Cui pater: Vides, inquit, quod senuerim, et ignorem diem mortis meæ.
{27:2} His father said to him: “You see that I am old, and I do not know the day of my death.

{27:3} Sume arma tua, pharetram, et arcum, et egredere foras: cumque venatu aliquid apprehenderis,
{27:3} Take your weapons, the quiver and the bow, and go out. And when you have taken something by hunting,

{27:4} fac mihi inde pulmentum sicut velle me nosti, et affer ut comedam: et benedicat tibi anima mea antequam moriar.
{27:4} make from it a small meal for me, just as you know I like, and bring it, so that I may eat and my soul may bless you before I die.”

{27:5} Quod cum audisset Rebecca, et ille abiisset in agrum ut iussionem patris impleret,
{27:5} And when Rebekah had heard this, and he had gone out into the field to fulfill his father’s order,

{27:6} dixit filio suo Iacob: Audivi patrem tuum loquentem cum Esau fratre tuo, et dicentem ei:
{27:6} she said to her son Jacob: “I heard your father speaking with your brother Esau, and saying to him,

{27:7} Affer mihi de venatione tua, et fac cibos ut comedam, et benedicam tibi coram Domino antequam moriar.
{27:7} ‘Bring to me from your hunting, and make me foods, so that I may eat and bless you in the sight of the Lord before I die.’

{27:8} Nunc ergo fili mi, acquiesce consiliis meis:
{27:8} Therefore, now my son, agree to my counsel,

{27:9} et pergens ad gregem, affer mihi duos hœdos optimos, ut faciam ex eis escas patri tuo, quibus libenter vescitur:
{27:9} and go straight to the flock, and bring me two of the best young goats, so that from them I may make meat for your father, such as he willingly eats.

{27:10} quas cum intuleris, et comederit, benedicat tibi priusquam moriatur.
{27:10} Then, when you have brought these in and he has eaten, he may bless you before he dies.”

{27:11} Cui ille respondit: Nosti quod Esau frater meus homo pilosus sit, et ego lenis:
{27:11} He answered her: “You know that my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I am smooth.

{27:12} si attrectaverit me pater meus, et senserit, timeo ne putet me sibi voluisse illudere, et inducam super me maledictionem pro benedictione.
{27:12} If my father should lay hands on me and perceive it, I am afraid lest he think me willing to mock him, and I will bring a curse upon myself, instead of a blessing.”

{27:13} Ad quem mater: In me sit, ait, ista maledictio, fili mi: tantum audi vocem meam, et pergens affer quæ dixi.
{27:13} And his mother said to him: “Let this curse be upon me, my son. Yet listen to my voice, and go directly to bring what I said.”

{27:14} Abiit, et attulit, deditque matri. Paravit illa cibos, sicut velle noverat patrem illius.
{27:14} He went out, and he brought, and he gave to his mother. She prepared the meats, just as she knew his father liked.

{27:15} Et vestibus Esau valde bonis, quas apud se habebat domi, induit eum:
{27:15} And she clothed him with the very fine garments of Esau, which she had at home with her.

{27:16} pelliculasque hœdorum circumdedit manibus, et colli nuda protexit.
{27:16} And she encircled his hands with little pelts from the young goats, and she covered his bare neck.

{27:17} Deditque pulmentum, et panes, quos coxerat, tradidit.
{27:17} And she gave him the small meal, and she handed him the bread that she had baked.

{27:18} Quibus illatis, dixit: Pater mi? At ille respondit: Audio. Quis es tu fili mi?
{27:18} When he had carried these in, he said, “My father?” And he answered, “I’m listening. Who are you, my son?”

{27:19} Dixitque Iacob: Ego sum primogenitus tuus Esau: feci sicut præcepisti mihi: surge, sede, et comede de venatione mea, ut benedicat mihi anima tua.
{27:19} And Jacob said: “I am Esau, your firstborn. I have done as you instructed me. Arise; sit and eat from my hunting, so that your soul may bless me.”

{27:20} Rursumque Isaac ad filium suum: Quo modo, inquit, tam cito invenire potuisti, fili mi? Qui respondit: Voluntas Dei fuit ut cito occurreret mihi quod volebam:
{27:20} And again Isaac said to his son, “How were you able to find it so quickly, my son?” He answered, “It was the will of God, so that what I sought met with me quickly.”

{27:21} Dixitque Isaac: Accede huc, ut tangam te fili mi, et probem utrum tu sis filius meus Esau, an non.
{27:21} And Isaac said, “Come here, so that I may touch you, my son, and may prove whether you are my son Esau, or not.”

{27:22} Accessit ille ad patrem, et palpato eo, dixit Isaac: Vox quidem, vox Iacob est: sed manus, manus sunt Esau.
{27:22} He approached his father, and when he had felt him, Isaac said: “The voice indeed is the voice of Jacob. But the hands are the hands of Esau.”

{27:23} Et non cognovit eum, quia pilosæ manus similitudinem maioris expresserant. Benedicens ergo illi,
{27:23} And he did not recognize him, because his hairy hands made him seem similar to the elder one. Therefore, blessing him,

{27:24} ait: Tu es filius meus Esau? Respondit: Ego sum.
{27:24} he said, “Are you my son Esau?” He answered, “I am.”

{27:25} At ille: Affer mihi, inquit, cibos de venatione tua, fili mi, ut benedicat tibi anima mea. Quos cum oblatos comedisset, obtulit ei etiam vinum. Quo hausto,
{27:25} Then he said, “Bring me the foods from your hunting, my son, so that my soul may bless you.” And when he had eaten what was offered, he also brought forth wine for him. And after he finished it,

{27:26} dixit ad eum: Accede ad me, et da mihi osculum, fili mi.
{27:26} he said to him, “Come to me and give me a kiss, my son.”

{27:27} Accessit, et osculatus est eum. Statimque ut sensit vestimentorum illius fragrantiam, benedicens illi, ait: Ecce odor filii mei sicut odor agri pleni, cui benedixit Dominus.
{27:27} He approached and kissed him. And immediately he perceived the fragrance of his garments. And so, blessing him, he said: “Behold, the smell of my son is like the smell of a plentiful field, which the Lord has blessed.

{27:28} Det tibi Deus de rore cæli, et de pinguedine terræ abundantiam frumenti et vini.
{27:28} May God give to you, from the dew of heaven and from the fatness of the earth, an abundance of grain and wine.

{27:29} Et serviant tibi populi, et adorent te tribus: esto dominus fratrum tuorum, et incurventur ante te filii matris tuæ. Qui maledixerit tibi, sit ille maledictus: et qui benedixerit tibi, benedictionibus repleatur.
{27:29} And may the peoples serve you, and may the tribes reverence you. May you be the lord of your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow down before you. Whoever curses you, may he be cursed, and whoever blesses you, may he be filled with blessings.”

{27:30} Vix Isaac sermonem impleverat: et egresso Iacob foras, venit Esau,
{27:30} Scarcely had Isaac completed his words, and Jacob departed, when Esau arrived.

{27:31} coctosque de venatione cibos intulit patri, dicens: Surge pater mi, et comede de venatione filii tui: ut benedicat mihi anima tua.
{27:31} And he brought his father foods cooked from his hunting, saying, “Arise, my father, and eat from your son’s hunting, so that your soul may bless me.”

{27:32} Dixitque illi Isaac: Quis enim es tu? Qui respondit: Ego sum filius tuus primogenitus Esau.
{27:32} And Isaac said to him, “But who are you?” And he answered, “I am your firstborn son, Esau.”

{27:33} Expavit Isaac stupore vehementi: et ultra quam credi potest, admirans, ait: Quis igitur ille est qui dudum captam venationem attulit mihi, et comedi ex omnibus priusquam tu venires? benedixique ei, et erit benedictus.
{27:33} Isaac became frightened and very astonished. And wondering beyond what can be believed, he said: “Then who is he that a while ago brought me the prey from his hunting, from which I ate, before you arrived? And I blessed him, and he will be blessed.”

{27:34} Auditis Esau sermonibus patris, irrugiit clamore magno: et consternatus, ait: Benedic etiam et mihi, pater mi.
{27:34} Esau, having heard his father’s words, roared out with a great outcry. And, being confounded, he said, “But bless me also, my father.”

{27:35} Qui ait: Venit germanus tuus fraudulenter, et accepit benedictionem tuam.
{27:35} And he said, “Your twin came deceitfully, and he received your blessing.”

{27:36} At ille subiunxit: Iuste vocatum est nomen eius Iacob: supplantavit enim me en altera vice: primogenita mea ante tulit, et nunc secundo surripuit benedictionem meam. Rursumque ad patrem: Numquid non reservasti, ait, et mihi benedictionem?
{27:36} But he responded: “Justly is his name called Jacob. For he has supplanted me yet another time. My birthright he took away before, and now, this second time, he has stolen my blessing.” And again, he said to his father, “Have you not reserved a blessing for me also?”

{27:37} Respondit Isaac: Illum constitui dominum tuum, et omnes fratres eius servituti illius subiugavi: frumento et vino stabilivi eum, et tibi post hæc, fili mi, ultra quid faciam?
{27:37} Isaac answered: “I have appointed him as your lord, and I have subjugated all his brothers as his servants. I have reinforced him with grain and wine, and after this, my son, what more shall I do for you?”

{27:38} Cui Esau: Num unam, inquit, tantum benedictionem habes, pater? mihi quoque obsecro ut benedicas. Cumque eiulatu magno fleret,
{27:38} And Esau said to him: “Have you only one blessing, father? I beg you, bless me also.” And when he wept with a loud wail,

{27:39} motus Isaac, dixit ad eum: In pinguedine terræ, et in rore cæli desuper
{27:39} Isaac was moved, and he said to him: “In the fatness of the earth, and in the dew of heaven from above,

{27:40} erit benedictio tua. Vives in gladio, et fratri tuo servies: tempusque veniet, cum excutias, et solvas iugum eius de cervicibus tuis.
{27:40} will your blessing be. You will live by the sword, and you will serve your brother. But the time will arrive when you will shake off and release his yoke from your neck.”

{27:41} Oderat ergo semper Esau Iacob pro benedictione qua benedixerat ei pater: dixitque in corde suo: Venient dies luctus patris mei, et occidam Iacob fratrem meum.
{27:41} Therefore, Esau always hated Jacob, for the blessing with which his father had blessed him. And he said in his heart, “The days will arrive for the mourning of my father, and I will kill my brother Jacob.”

{27:42} Nunciata sunt hæc Rebeccæ: quæ mittens et vocans Iacob filium suum, dixit ad eum: Ecce Esau frater tuus minatur ut occidat te.
{27:42} These things were reported to Rebekah. And sending and calling for her son Jacob, she said to him, “Behold, your brother Esau is threatening to kill you.

{27:43} Nunc ergo, fili mi, audi vocem meam, et consurgens fuge ad Laban fratrem meum in Haran:
{27:43} Therefore, now my son, listen to my voice. Rise up and flee to my brother Laban, in Haran.

{27:44} habitabisque cum eo dies paucos, donec requiescat furor fratris tui,
{27:44} And you will dwell with him for a few days, until the fury of your brother subsides,

{27:45} et cesset indignatio eius, obliviscaturque eorum quæ fecisti in eum: postea mittam, et adducam te inde huc. Cur utroque orbabor filio in uno die?
{27:45} and his indignation ceases, and he forgets the things that you have done to him. After this, I will send for you and bring you from there to here. Why should I be bereaved of both my sons in one day?”

{27:46} Dixitque Rebecca ad Isaac: Tædet me vitæ meæ propter filias Heth: si acceperit Iacob uxorem de stirpe huius terræ, nolo vivere.
{27:46} And Rebekah said to Isaac, “I am weary of my life because of the daughters of Heth. If Jacob accepts a wife from the stock of this land, I would not be willing to live.”

[Genesis 28]
[Genesis 28]

{28:1} Vocavit itaque Isaac Iacob, et benedixit eum, præcepitque ei dicens: Noli accipere coniugem de genere Chanaan:
{28:1} And so Isaac called for Jacob, and he blessed him, and he instructed him, saying: “Do not be willing to accept a mate from the family of Canaan.

{28:2} sed vade, et proficiscere in Mesopotamiam Syriæ, ad domum Bathuel patris matris tuæ, et accipe tibi inde uxorem de filiabus Laban avunculi tui.
{28:2} But go, and journey to Mesopotamia of Syria, to the house of Bethuel, your mother’s father, and there accept for yourself a wife from the daughters of Laban, your maternal uncle.

{28:3} Deus autem omnipotens benedicat tibi, et crescere te faciat, atque multiplicet: ut sis in turbas populorum.
{28:3} And may God almighty bless you, and may he cause you to increase and also to multiply, so that you may be influential among the people.

~ The word ‘turbas’ generally refers to a commotion or disturbance, but in some contexts it means ‘influential,’ in other words, able to stir things up or able to cause a commotion. Cf. Esther 9:27, CPDV.

{28:4} Et det tibi benedictiones Abrahæ, et semini tuo post te: ut possideas terram peregrinationis tuæ, quam pollicitus est avo tuo.
{28:4} And may he give the blessings of Abraham to you, and to your offspring after you, so that you may possess the land of your sojourning, which he promised to your grandfather.”

{28:5} Cumque dimisisset eum Isaac, profectus venit in Mesopotamiam Syriæ ad Laban filium Bathuel Syri, fratrem Rebeccæ matris suæ.
{28:5} And when Isaac had dismissed him, setting out, he went to Mesopotamia of Syria, to Laban, the son of Bethuel, the Syrian, the brother to Rebekah, his mother.

{28:6} Videns autem Esau quod benedixisset pater suus Iacob, et misisset eum in Mesopotamiam Syriæ, ut inde uxorem duceret; et quod post benedictionem præcepisset ei, dicens: Non accipies uxorem de filiabus Chanaan:
{28:6} But Esau, seeing that his father had blessed Jacob and had sent him into Mesopotamia of Syria, to take a wife from there, and that, after the blessing, he had instructed him, saying: ‘You shall not accept a wife from the daughters of Canaan,’

{28:7} quodque obediens Iacob parentibus suis isset in Syriam:
{28:7} and that Jacob, obeying his parents, had gone into Syria,

{28:8} probans quoque quod non libenter aspiceret filias Chanaan pater suus:
{28:8} having evidence also that his father did not look with favor upon the daughters of Canaan,

{28:9} ivit ad Ismaelem, et duxit uxorem absque iis, quas prius habebat, Maheleth filiam Ismael filii Abraham, sororem Nabaioth.
{28:9} he went to Ishmael, and he took as a wife, beside those he had before, Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael, Abraham’s son, the sister of Nebaioth.

{28:10} Igitur egressus Iacob de Bersabee, pergebat Haran.
{28:10} Meanwhile Jacob, having departed from Beersheba, continued on to Haran.

{28:11} Cumque venisset ad quemdam locum, et vellet in eo requiescere post solis occubitum, tulit de lapidibus qui iacebant, et supponens capiti suo, dormivit in eodem loco.
{28:11} And when he had arrived at a certain place, where he would rest after the setting of the sun, he took some of the stones that lay there, and placing them under his head, he slept in the same place.

{28:12} Viditque in somnis scalam stantem super terram, et cacumen illius tangens cælum: Angelos quoque Dei ascendentes et descendentes per eam,
{28:12} And he saw in his sleep: a ladder standing upon the earth, with its top touching heaven, also, the Angels of God ascending and descending by it,

{28:13} et Dominum innixum scalæ dicentem sibi: Ego sum Dominus Deus Abraham patris tui, et Deus Isaac: Terram, in qua dormis, tibi dabo et semini tuo.
{28:13} and the Lord, leaning upon the ladder, saying to him: “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac. The land, in which you sleep, I will give to you and to your offspring.

{28:14} Eritque semen tuum quasi pulvis terræ: dilataberis ad Occidentem, et Orientem, et Septentrionem, et Meridiem: et benedicentur in te et in semine tuo cunctæ tribus terræ.
{28:14} And your offspring will be like the dust of the earth. You will spread abroad to the West, and to the East, and to the North, and to the Meridian. And in you and in your offspring, all the tribes of the earth shall be blessed.

~ Or, ‘you will spread to the Setting, and the Rising, and the Seven Oxen (or the Seven Stars), and the Meridian.’ The word ‘septentrionem’ literally means ‘seven plough-oxen,’ but is an expression used to refer to a constellation of seven stars. The Meridian is the South, or rather, from a modern point of view, south of Mesopotamia, i.e. towards the equator.

{28:15} Et ero custos tuus quocumque perrexeris, et reducam te in terram hanc: nec dimittam nisi complevero universa quæ dixi.
{28:15} And I will be your guardian wherever you will journey, and I will bring you back into this land. Neither will I dismiss you, until I have accomplished all that I have said.”

{28:16} Cumque evigilasset Iacob de somno, ait: Vere Dominus est in loco isto, et ego nesciebam.
{28:16} And when Jacob had awakened from sleep, he said, “Truly, the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.”

{28:17} Pavensque: Quam terribilis est, inquit, locus iste! non est hic aliud nisi domus Dei, et porta cæli.
{28:17} And being terrified, he said: “How terrible this place is! This is nothing other than the house of God and the gateway of heaven.”

{28:18} Surgens ergo Iacob mane, tulit lapidem quem supposuerat capiti suo, et erexit in titulum, fundens oleum desuper.
{28:18} Therefore, Jacob, arising in the morning, took the stone which he had placed under his head, and he set it up as monument, pouring oil over it.

{28:19} Appellavitque nomen urbis Bethel, quæ prius Luza vocabatur.
{28:19} And he called the name of the city, ‘Bethel,’ which before was called Luz.

{28:20} Vovit etiam votum, dicens: Si fuerit Deus mecum, et custodierit me in via, per quam ego ambulo, et dederit mihi panem ad vescendum, et vestimentum ad induendum,
{28:20} And then he made a vow, saying: “If God will be with me, and will guard me along the way by which I walk, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear,

{28:21} reversusque fuero prospere ad domum patris mei: erit mihi Dominus in Deum,
{28:21} and if I will return prosperously to my father’s house, then the Lord will be my God,

{28:22} et lapis iste, quem erexi in titulum, vocabitur Domus Dei: cunctorumque quæ dederis mihi, decimas offeram tibi.
{28:22} and this stone, which I have set up as a monument, will be called ‘the House of God.’ And from all the things that you will give to me, I will offer tithes to you.”

[Genesis 29]
[Genesis 29]

{29:1} Profectus ergo Iacob venit in terram Orientalem.
{29:1} And so Jacob, setting out, arrived in the eastern land.

{29:2} Et vidit puteum in agro, tres quoque greges ovium accubantes iuxta eum: nam ex illo adaquabantur pecora, et os eius grandi lapide claudebatur.
{29:2} And he saw a well in a field, and also three flocks of sheep reclining near it. For the animals were watered from it, and its mouth was closed with a great stone.

{29:3} Morisque erat ut cunctis ovibus congregatis devolverent lapidem, et refectis gregibus rursum super os putei ponerent.
{29:3} And the custom was, when all the sheep were gathered together, to roll away the stone. And when the flocks had been refreshed, they placed it over the mouth of the well again.

{29:4} Dixitque ad pastores: Fratres, unde estis? Qui responderunt: De Haran.
{29:4} And he said to the shepherds, “Brothers, where are you from?” And they answered. “From Haran.”

{29:5} Quos interrogans, Numquid, ait, nostis Laban filium Nachor? Dixerunt: Novimus.
{29:5} And questioning them, he said, “Do you know Laban, the son of Nahor?” They said, “We know him.”

{29:6} Sanusne est? inquit: Valet, inquiunt: et ecce Rachel filia eius venit cum grege suo.
{29:6} He said, “Is he well?” “He is very well,” they said. “And behold, his daughter Rachel approaches with his flock.”

{29:7} Dixitque Iacob: Adhuc multum diei superest, nec est tempus ut reducantur ad caulas greges: date ante potum ovibus, et sic eas ad pastum reducite.
{29:7} And Jacob said, “There is still much daylight remaining, and it is not time to return the flocks to the sheepfold. Give the sheep to drink first, and then lead them back to pasture.”

{29:8} Qui responderunt: Non possumus, donec omnia pecora congregentur, et amoveamus lapidem de ore putei, ut adaquemus greges.
{29:8} They responded, “We cannot, until all the animals are gathered together and we remove the stone from the mouth of the well, so that we may water the flocks.”

{29:9} Adhuc loquebantur, et ecce Rachel veniebat cum ovibus patris sui: nam gregem ipsa pascebat.
{29:9} They were still speaking, and behold, Rachel arrived with her father’s sheep; for she pastured the flock.

{29:10} Quam cum vidisset Iacob, et sciret consobrinam suam, ovesque Laban avunculi sui: amovit lapidem quo puteus claudebatur.
{29:10} When Jacob had seen her, and he realized that she was his maternal first cousin, and that these were the sheep of his uncle Laban, he removed the stone which closed the well.

{29:11} Et adaquato grege, osculatus est eam: et elevata voce flevit,
{29:11} And having watered the flock, he kissed her. And lifting up his voice, he wept.

{29:12} et indicavit ei quod frater esset patris sui, et filius Rebeccæ: at illa festinans nunciavit patri suo.
{29:12} And he revealed to her that he was a brother of her father, and the son of Rebekah. And so, hurrying, she announced it to her father.

~ This is one of very many examples where ‘brother’ is used more loosely in Scripture. Jacob was not the brother or Laban, but rather a close male relative, i.e. a brother in the broader sense of the word.

{29:13} Qui cum audisset venisse Iacob filium sororis suæ, cucurrit obviam ei: complexusque eum, et in oscula ruens, duxit in domum suam. Auditis autem causis itineris,
{29:13} And when he had heard that Jacob, his sister’s son, had arrived, he ran to meet him. And embracing him, and kissing him heartily, he brought him into his house. But when he had heard the reasons for his journey,

{29:14} respondit: Os meum es, et caro mea. Et postquam impleti sunt dies mensis unius,
{29:14} he responded, “You are my bone and my flesh.” And after the days of one month were completed,

{29:15} dixit ei: Num quia frater meus es, gratis servies mihi? dic quid mercedis accipias.
{29:15} he said to him: “Though you are my brother, will you serve me for nothing? Tell me what wages you would accept.”

{29:16} Habebat vero duas filias, nomen maioris Lia: minor vero appellabatur Rachel.
{29:16} In truth, he had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah; and truly the younger was called Rachel.

{29:17} Sed Lia lippis erat oculis: Rachel decora facie, et venusto aspectu.
{29:17} But while Leah was bleary-eyed, Rachel had an elegant appearance and was attractive to behold.

{29:18} Quam diligens Iacob, ait: Serviam tibi pro Rachel filia tua minore, septem annis.
{29:18} And Jacob, loving her, said, “I will serve you for seven years, for your younger daughter Rachel.”

{29:19} Respondit Laban: Melius est ut tibi eam dem quam alteri viro, mane apud me.
{29:19} Laban responded, “It is better that I give her to you than to another man; remain with me.”

{29:20} Servivit ergo Iacob pro Rachel septem annis: et videbantur illi pauci dies præ amoris magnitudine.
{29:20} Therefore, Jacob served for seven years for Rachel. And these seemed like only a few days, because of the greatness of love.

{29:21} Dixitque ad Laban: Da mihi uxorem meam: quia iam tempus impletum est, ut ingrediar ad illam.
{29:21} And he said to Laban, “Give my wife to me. For now the time has been fulfilled, so that I may go in to her.”

{29:22} Qui vocatis multis amicorum turbis ad convivium, fecit nuptias.
{29:22} And he, having called a great crowd of his friends to the feast, agreed to the marriage.

{29:23} Et vespere Liam filiam suam introduxit ad eum,
{29:23} And at night, he brought in his daughter Leah to him,

{29:24} dans ancillam filiæ, Zelpham nomine. Ad quam cum ex more Iacob fuisset ingressus, facto mane vidit Liam:
{29:24} giving his daughter a handmaid named Zilpah. After Jacob had gone in to her, according to custom, when morning had arrived, he saw Leah.

{29:25} et dixit ad socerum suum: Quid est quod facere voluisti? nonne pro Rachel servivi tibi? quare imposuisti mihi?
{29:25} And he said to his father-in-law, “What is it that you intended to do? Did I not serve you for Rachel? Why have you deceived me?”

{29:26} Respondit Laban: Non est in loco nostro consuetudinis, ut minores ante tradamus ad nuptias.
{29:26} Laban responded, “It is not the practice in this place to give the younger in marriage first.

{29:27} Imple hebdomadam dierum huius copulæ: et hanc quoque dabo tibi pro opere quo serviturus es mihi septem annis aliis.
{29:27} Complete a week of days with this mating. And then I will give this one to you also, for the service that you will provide to me for another seven years.”

{29:28} Acquievit placito: et hebdomada transacta, Rachel duxit uxorem:
{29:28} He agreed to his pleading. And after the week had passed, he took Rachel as a wife.

{29:29} cui pater servam Balam tradiderat.
{29:29} To her, the father had given Bilhah as her servant.

{29:30} Tandemque potitus optatis nuptiis, amorem sequentis priori prætulit, serviens apud eum septem annis aliis.
{29:30} And, having at last obtained the marriage he desired, he preferred the love of the latter before the former, and he served with him another seven years.

{29:31} Videns autem Dominus quod despiceret Liam, aperuit vulvam eius, sorore sterili permanente.
{29:31} But the Lord, seeing that he despised Leah, opened her womb, but her sister remained barren.

{29:32} Quæ conceptum genuit filium, vocavitque nomen eius Ruben, dicens: Vidit Dominus humilitatem meam, nunc amabit me vir meus.
{29:32} Having conceived, she gave birth to a son, and she called his name Reuben, saying: “The Lord saw my humiliation; now my husband will love me.”

{29:33} Rursumque concepit et peperit filium, et ait: Quoniam audivit me Dominus haberi contemptui, dedit etiam istum mihi. Vocavitque nomen eius Simeon.
{29:33} And again she conceived and bore a son, and she said, “Because the Lord heard that I was treated with contempt, he has also given this one to me.” And she called his name Simeon.

{29:34} Concepitque tertio, et genuit alium filium: dixitque: Nunc quoque copulabitur mihi maritus meus, eo quod pepererim ei tres filios: et idcirco appellavit nomen eius, Levi.
{29:34} And she conceived a third time, and she gave birth to another son, and she said: “Now likewise my husband will unite with me, because I have borne him three sons.” And because of this, she called his name Levi.

{29:35} Quarto concepit, et peperit filium, et ait: Modo confitebor Domino. Et ob hoc vocavit eum, Iudam: cessavitque parere.
{29:35} A fourth time she conceived and bore a son, and she said, “Only now will I confess to the Lord.” And for this reason, she called him Judah. And she ceased from child-bearing.

[Genesis 30]
[Genesis 30]

{30:1} Cernens autem Rachel quod infecunda esset, invidit sorori suæ, et ait marito suo: Da mihi liberos, alioquin moriar.
{30:1} Then Rachel, discerning that she was infertile, envied her sister, and so she said to her husband, “Give me children, otherwise I will die.”

{30:2} Cui iratus respondit Iacob: Num pro Deo ego sum, qui privavit te fructu ventris tui?
{30:2} Jacob, being angry, responded to her, “Am I in the place of God, who has deprived you of the fruit of your womb?”

{30:3} At illa: Habeo, inquit, famulam Balam: ingredere ad illam, ut pariat super genua mea, et habeam ex illa filios.
{30:3} But she said: “I have a handmaid Bilhah. Go in to her, so that she may give birth upon my knees, and I may have sons by her.”

{30:4} Deditque illi Balam in coniugium:
{30:4} And she gave him Bilhah in marriage.

{30:5} quæ, ingresso ad se viro, concepit, et peperit filium.
{30:5} And when her husband had gone in to her, she conceived and bore a son.

{30:6} Dixitque Rachel: Iudicavit mihi Dominus, et exaudivit vocem meam, dans mihi filium. Et idcirco appellavit nomen eius, Dan.
{30:6} And Rachel said, “The Lord has judged for me, and he has heeded my voice, giving me a son.” And because of this, she called his name Dan.

{30:7} Rursumque Bala concipiens, peperit alterum,
{30:7} And conceiving again, Bilhah bore another,

{30:8} pro quo ait Rachel: Comparavit me Deus cum sorore mea, et invalui: vocavitque eum, Nephthali.
{30:8} about whom Rachel said, “God has compared me with my sister, and I have prevailed.” And she called him Naphtali.

{30:9} Sentiens Lia quod parere desiisset, Zelpham ancillam suam marito tradidit.
{30:9} Leah, perceiving that she had desisted from child-bearing, delivered Zilpah, her handmaid, to her husband.

{30:10} Qua post conceptum edente filium,
{30:10} And she, after having borne a son with difficulty,

~ The word ‘edente’ is a concatenation of two words ‘e’ meaning ‘out of’ or ‘on account of,’ and ‘dente’ referring to teeth. The word ‘dente’ is also used figuratively to refer to something that causes one to grit one’s teeth, such as a difficult circumstance. In this case, in the context of pregnancy and child-bearing, the term ‘edente’ means that the pregnancy and birth of this child was difficult.

~ Also, in this case, the term ‘conceptum’ refers to the entire process of conception, pregnancy, and birthing.

{30:11} dixit: Feliciter. Et idcirco vocavit nomen eius, Gad.
{30:11} said: “Happiness!” And for this reason, she called his name Gad.

{30:12} Peperit quoque Zelpha alterum.
{30:12} Likewise, Zilpah bore another.

{30:13} Dixitque Lia: Hoc pro beatitudine mea: Beatam quippe me dicent mulieres. Propterea appellavit eum, Aser.
{30:13} And Leah said, “This one is for my happiness. Indeed, women will call me blessed.” Because of this, she called him Asher.

{30:14} Egressus autem Ruben tempore messis triticeæ in agrum, reperit mandragoras: quas matri Liæ detulit. Dixitque Rachel: Da mihi partem de mandragoris filii tui.
{30:14} Then Reuben, going out into the field at the time of the wheat harvest, found mandrakes. These he brought to his mother Leah. And Rachel said, “Give me a portion of your son’s mandrakes.”

{30:15} Illa respondit: Parumne tibi videtur quod præripueris maritum mihi, nisi etiam mandragoras filii mei tuleris? Ait Rachel: Dormiat tecum hac nocte pro mandragoris filii tui.
{30:15} She responded, “Does it seem like such a small matter to you, that you have usurped from me my husband, unless you will also take my son’s mandrakes?” Rachel said, “He will sleep with you this night because of your son’s mandrakes.”

~ The word ‘praeripueris’ in this context refers to Rachel usurping Leah’s place as wife, for Leah was his first wife, but Rachel was first in his heart. The mandrake is a plant with a narcotic and soporific effect.

{30:16} Redeuntique ad vesperam Iacob de agro, egressa est in occursum eius Lia, et ad me, inquit, intrabis: quia mercede conduxi te pro mandragoris filii mei. Dormivitque cum ea nocte illa.
{30:16} And when Jacob returned from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him, and she said, “You will enter to me, because I have hired you for the reward of my son’s mandrakes.” And he slept with her that night.

{30:17} Et exaudivit Deus preces eius: concepitque et peperit filium quintum,
{30:17} And God heard her prayers. And she conceived and bore a fifth son.

{30:18} et ait: Dedit Deus mercedem mihi, quia dedi ancillam meam viro meo. Appellavitque nomen eius, Issachar.
{30:18} And she said, “God has given a reward to me, because I gave my handmaid to my husband.” And she called his name Issachar.

{30:19} Rursum Lia concipiens, peperit sextum filium,
{30:19} Conceiving again, Leah bore a sixth son.

{30:20} et ait: Dotavit me Deus dote bona: etiam hac vice mecum erit maritus meus, eo quod genuerim ei sex filios: et idcirco appellavit nomen eius, Zabulon.
{30:20} And she said: “God has endowed me with a good dowry. And now, at this turn, my husband will be with me, because I have conceived six sons for him.” And therefore she called his name Zebulun.

{30:21} Post quem peperit filiam, nomine Dinam.
{30:21} After him, she bore a daughter, named Dinah.

{30:22} Recordatus quoque Dominus Rachelis, exaudivit eam, et aperuit vulvam eius.
{30:22} The Lord, likewise remembering Rachel, heeded her and opened her womb.

{30:23} Quæ concepit, et peperit filium, dicens: Abstulit Deus opprobrium meum.
{30:23} And she conceived and bore a son, saying, “God has taken away my reproach.”

{30:24} Et vocavit nomen eius, Ioseph, dicens: Addat mihi Dominus filium alterum.
{30:24} And she called his name Joseph, saying, “The Lord has added to me another son.”

{30:25} Nato autem Ioseph, dixit Iacob socero suo: Dimitte me ut revertar in patriam, et ad terram meam.
{30:25} But when Joseph was born, Jacob said to his father-in-law: “Release me, so that I may return to my native country and to my land.

~ The word ‘patriam’ might also be translated as ‘fatherland.’

{30:26} Da mihi uxores, et liberos meos, pro quibus servivi tibi, ut abeam: tu nosti servitutem qua servivi tibi.
{30:26} Give me my wives, and my children, for whom I have served you, so that I may depart. You know the servitude with which I have served you.”

{30:27} Ait illi Laban: Inveniam gratiam in conspectu tuo: experimento didici, quia benedixerit mihi Deus propter te:
{30:27} Laban said to him: “May I find grace in your sight. I have learned by experience that God has blessed me because of you.

{30:28} constitue mercedem tuam quam dem tibi.
{30:28} Choose your wages, which I will give you.”

{30:29} At ille respondit: Tu nosti quomodo servierim tibi, et quanta in manibus meis fuerit possessio tua.
{30:29} But he responded: “You know how I have served you, and how great your possession became in my hands.

{30:30} Modicum habuisti antequam venirem ad te, et nunc dives effectus es: benedixitque tibi Dominus ad introitum meum. Iustum est igitur ut aliquando provideam etiam domui meæ.
{30:30} You had little before I came to you, and now you have achieved riches. And the Lord has blessed you since my arrival. It is just, therefore, that at some time I also should provide for my own house.”

{30:31} Dixitque Laban: Quid tibi dabo? At ille ait: Nihil volo: sed si feceris quod postulo, iterum pascam, et custodiam pecora tua.
{30:31} And Laban said, “What shall I give to you?” But he said, “I want nothing. But if you will do what I ask, I will feed and guard your sheep again.

{30:32} Gyra omnes greges tuos, et separa cunctas oves varias, et sparso vellere; quodcumque furvum, et maculosum, variumque fuerit, tam in ovibus quam in capris, erit merces mea.
{30:32} Go around through all your flocks and separate all the sheep of variegated or spotted fleece; and whatever will be darkened or blemished or variegated, as much among the sheep as among the goats, will be my wages.

{30:33} Respondebitque mihi cras iustitia mea, quando placiti tempus advenerit coram te: et omnia quæ non fuerint varia, et maculosa, et furva, tam in ovibus quam in capris, furti me arguent.
{30:33} And my justice will answer on my behalf tomorrow, when the time of settlement arrives before you. And all that is not variegated or blemished or darkened, as much among the sheep as among the goats, these will prove me to be a thief.”

{30:34} Dixitque Laban: Gratum habeo quod petis.
{30:34} And Laban said, “I hold favor for this request.”

{30:35} Et separavit in die illa capras, et oves, et hircos, et arietes varios, atque maculosos: cunctum autem gregem unicolorem, id est albi, et nigri velleris, tradidit in manu filiorum suorum.
{30:35} And on that day he separated the she-goats, and the sheep, and the he-goats, and the rams with variegations or with blemishes. But every one of the flock which was of one color, that is, of white or of black fleece, he delivered into the hands of his sons.

{30:36} Et posuit spatium itineris trium dierum inter se et generum, qui pascebat reliquos greges eius.
{30:36} And he established a distance of three days journey between himself and his son-in-law, who pastured the remainder of his flock.

{30:37} Tollens ergo Iacob virgas populeas virides, et amygdalinas, et ex platanis, ex parte decorticavit eas: detractisque corticibus, in his, quæ spoliata fuerant, candor apparuit: illa vero quæ integra fuerant, viridia permanserunt: atque in hunc modum color effectus est varius.
{30:37} Then Jacob, taking green branches of poplar, and almond, and sycamore trees, debarked them in part. And when the bark was pulled off, in the parts that were stripped, there appeared whiteness, yet the parts that were left whole, remained green. And so, in this way the color was made variegated.

{30:38} Posuitque eas in canalibus, ubi effundebatur aqua: ut cum venissent greges ad bibendum, ante oculos haberent virgas, et in aspectu earum conciperent.
{30:38} And he placed them in the troughs, where the water was poured out, so that when the flocks had arrived to drink, they would have the branches before their eyes, and in their sight they might conceive.

{30:39} Factumque est ut in ipso calore coitus, oves intuerentur virgas, et parerent maculosa, et varia, et diverso colore respersa.
{30:39} And it happened that, in the very heat of joining together, the sheep looked upon the branches, and they bore the blemished and the variegated, those speckled with diverse color.

{30:40} Divisitque gregem Iacob, et posuit virgas in canalibus ante oculos arietum: erant autem alba et nigra quæque, Laban: cetera vero, Iacob, separatis inter se gregibus.
{30:40} And Jacob divided the flock, and he set the branches in the troughs before the eyes of the rams. Now whatever was white or black belonged to Laban, but, in truth, the others belonged to Jacob, for the flocks were dispersed among one another.

{30:41} Igitur quando primo tempore ascendebantur oves, ponebat Iacob virgas in canalibus aquarum ante oculos arietum et ovium, ut in earum contemplatione conciperent:
{30:41} Therefore, when the first to arrive were climbing on the ewes, Jacob placed the branches in the troughs of water before the eyes of the rams and the sheep, so that they might conceive while they were gazing upon them.

{30:42} quando vero serotina admissura erat, et conceptus extremus, non ponebat eas. Factaque sunt ea quæ erant serotina, Laban: et quæ primi temporis, Iacob.
{30:42} Yet when the late arrivals and the last to conceive were let in, he did not place these. And so those that arrived late became Laban’s, and those that arrived first became Jacob’s.

{30:43} Ditatusque est homo ultra modum, et habuit greges multos, ancillas et servos, camelos et asinos.
{30:43} And the man was enriched beyond limit, and he had many flocks, women servants and men servants, camels and donkeys.

[Genesis 31]
[Genesis 31]

{31:1} Postquam autem audivit verba filiorum Laban dicentium: Tulit Iacob omnia quæ fuerunt patris nostri, et de illius facultate ditatus, factus est inclytus:
{31:1} But afterwards, he heard the words of the sons of Laban, saying, “Jacob has taken all that was our father’s, and being enlarged by his ability, he has become famous.”

{31:2} animadvertit quoque faciem Laban, quod non esset erga se sicut heri et nudiustertius,
{31:2} Likewise, he observed that Laban’s face was not the same toward him as it was yesterday and the day before.

{31:3} maxime dicente sibi Domino: Revertere in terram patrum tuorum, et ad generationem tuam, eroque tecum.
{31:3} Most importantly, the Lord was saying to him, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your generation, and I will be with you.”

{31:4} Misit, et vocavit Rachel et Liam in agrum, ubi pascebat greges,
{31:4} He sent and called for Rachel and Leah, in the field where he pastured the flocks,

{31:5} dixitque eis: Video faciem patris vestri quod non sit erga me sicut heri, et nudiustertius: Deus autem patris mei fuit mecum.
{31:5} and he said to them: “I see that your father’s face is not the same toward me as it was yesterday and the day before. But the God of my father has been with me.

{31:6} Et ipsæ nostis quod totis viribus meis servierim patri vestro.
{31:6} And you know that I have served your father with all my strength.

{31:7} Sed et pater vester circumvenit me, et mutavit mercedem meam decem vicibus: et tamen non dimisit eum Deus ut noceret mihi.
{31:7} Even so, your father has circumvented me, and he has changed my wages ten times. And yet God has not permitted him to harm me.

{31:8} Si quando dixit: Variæ erunt mercedes tuæ: pariebant omnes oves varios fœtus. Quando vero econtrario ait: Alba quæque accipies pro mercede: omnes greges alba pepererunt.
{31:8} Whenever he said, ‘The speckled will be your wages,’ all the sheep gave birth to speckled newborns. Yet truly, when he said the contrary, ‘You will take whatever is white for your wages,’ all the flocks gave birth to white ones.

{31:9} Tulitque Deus substantiam patris vestri, et dedit mihi.
{31:9} And it is God who has taken your father’s substance and given it to me.

{31:10} Postquam enim conceptus ovium tempus advenerat, levavi oculos meos, et vidi in somnis ascendentes mares super feminas, varios et maculosos, et diversorum colorum.
{31:10} For after the time had arrived for the ewes to conceive, I lifted up my eyes, and I saw in my sleep that the males climbing on the females were of variegated, and spotted, and diverse colors.

{31:11} Dixitque Angelus Dei ad me in somnis: Iacob? Et ego respondi: Adsum.
{31:11} And the Angel of God said to me in my sleep, ‘Jacob.’ And I responded, ‘Here I am.’

{31:12} Qui ait: Leva oculos tuos, et vide universos masculos ascendentes super feminas, varios, maculosos, atque respersos. Vidi enim omnia quæ fecit tibi Laban.
{31:12} And he said: ‘Lift up your eyes, and see that all the males climbing on the females are variegated, spotted, and also speckled. For I have seen all that Laban has done to you.

{31:13} Ego sum Deus Bethel, ubi unxisti lapidem, et votum vovisti mihi. Nunc ergo surge, et egredere de terra hac, revertens in terram nativitatis tuæ.
{31:13} I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the stone and made a vow to me. Now therefore arise, and depart from this land, returning to the land of your nativity.’ ”

~ The Angel says, ‘I am the God of Bethel....’ because the Angel was sent to convey God’s words to Jacob. In ancient times, when one wanted to convey a message to someone, one would send another person, usually a youth, to that someone to repeat your words to them. So it made perfect sense to Jacob that God would send an Angel (a messenger of God) convey a message by repeating God’s words to Jacob.

{31:14} Responderuntque Rachel et Lia: Numquid habemus residui quidquam in facultatibus, et hereditate domus patris nostri?
{31:14} And Rachel and Leah responded: “Have we anything left behind among the resources and inheritance of our father’s house?

{31:15} Nonne quasi alienas reputavit nos, et vendidit, comeditque pretium nostrum?
{31:15} Has he not considered us as foreigners, and sold us, and consumed our price?

{31:16} Sed Deus tulit opes patris nostri, et eas tradidit nobis, ac filiis nostris: unde omnia quæ præcepit tibi Deus, fac.
{31:16} But God has taken our father’s riches and handed these to us and to our sons. Therefore, do all that God has instructed you.”

{31:17} Surrexit itaque Iacob, et impositis liberis, ac coniugibus suis super camelos, abiit.
{31:17} And so Jacob rose up, and having placed the children and his wives upon camels, he went forth.

{31:18} Tulitque omnem substantiam suam, et greges, et quidquid in Mesopotamia acquisierat, pergens ad Isaac patrem suum in terram Chanaan.
{31:18} And he took all his substance and flocks, and whatever he had acquired in Mesopotamia, and he journeyed to his father Isaac, in the land of Canaan.

{31:19} Eo tempore ierat Laban ad tondendas oves, et Rachel furata est idola patris sui.
{31:19} At that time, Laban had gone to shear the sheep, and so Rachel stole her father’s idols.

{31:20} Noluitque Iacob confiteri socero suo quod fugeret.
{31:20} And Jacob was not willing to confess to his father-in-law that he was fleeing.

{31:21} Cumque abiisset tam ipse quam omnia quæ iuris sui erant, et amne transmisso pergeret contra Montem Galaad,
{31:21} And when he had gone away with all such things that were justly his, and, having crossed the river, was continuing on toward Mount Gilead,

{31:22} nunciatum est Laban die tertio quod fugeret Iacob.
{31:22} it was reported to Laban on the third day that Jacob had fled.

{31:23} Qui, assumptis fratribus suis, persecutus est eum diebus septem: et comprehendit eum in Monte Galaad.
{31:23} And taking his brothers with him, he pursued him for seven days. And he overtook him at Mount Gilead.

{31:24} Viditque in somnis dicentem sibi Deum: Cave ne quidquam aspere loquaris contra Iacob.
{31:24} And he saw in a dream, God saying to him, “Beware that you not speak anything harsh against Jacob.”

{31:25} Iamque Iacob extenderat in monte tabernaculum: cumque ille consecutus fuisset eum cum fratribus suis, in eodem Monte Galaad fixit tentorium.
{31:25} And now Jacob had pitched his tent at the mountain. And when he, with his brothers, had overtaken him, he set his tent at the same place at Mount Gilead.

{31:26} Et dixit ad Iacob: Quare ita egisti, ut clam me abigeres filias meas quasi captivas gladio?
{31:26} And he said to Jacob: “Why have you acted this way, departing from me in secret, with my daughters like captives of the sword?

{31:27} Cur ignorante me fugere voluisti, nec indicare mihi, ut prosequerer te cum gaudio, et canticis, et tympanis, et citharis?
{31:27} Why would you want to flee without my knowledge and without telling me, though I might have led you forward with gladness, and songs, and timbrels, and lyres?

{31:28} Non es passus ut oscularer filios meos et filias: stulte operatus es: et nunc quidem
{31:28} You have not permitted me to kiss my sons and daughters. You have acted foolishly. And now, indeed,

{31:29} valet manus mea reddere tibi malum: sed Deus patris vestri heri dixit mihi: Cave ne loquaris contra Iacob quidquam durius.
{31:29} my hand has power to repay you with harm. But the God of your father said to me yesterday, ‘Beware that you not speak anything stern against Jacob.’

{31:30} Esto, ad tuos ire cupiebas, et desiderio erat tibi domus patris tui: cur furatus es deos meos?
{31:30} It may be that you desired to go to your own, and that you longed for the house of your father. But why have you stolen my gods?”

{31:31} Respondit Iacob: Quod inscio te profectus sum, timui ne violenter auferres filias tuas.
{31:31} Jacob answered: “I set out, unknown to you, because I feared that you might take away your daughters by violence.

{31:32} Quod autem furti me arguis: apud quemcumque inveneris deos tuos, necetur coram fratribus nostris. Scrutare, quidquid tuorum apud me inveneris, et aufer. Hæc dicens, ignorabat quod Rachel furata esset idola.
{31:32} But, since you accuse me of theft, with whomever you will find your gods, let him be slain in the sight of our brothers. Search; anything of yours that you will find with me, take it away.” Now when he said this, he did not know that Rachel had stolen the idols.

{31:33} Ingressus itaque Laban tabernaculum Iacob et Liæ, et utriusque famulæ, non invenit. Cumque intrasset tentorium Rachelis,
{31:33} And so Laban, entering the tent of Jacob, and of Leah, and of both the handmaids, did not find them. And when he had entered the tent of Rachel,

{31:34} illa festinans abscondit idola subter stramenta cameli, et sedit desuper: scrutantique omne tentorium, et nihil invenienti,
{31:34} she quickly hid the idols under the camel’s bedding, and she sat upon them. And when he had searched the entire tent and found nothing,

{31:35} ait: Ne irascatur dominus meus quod coram te assurgere nequeo: quia iuxta consuetudinem feminarum nunc accidit mihi. Sic delusa solicitudo quærentis est.
{31:35} she said: “Do not be angry, my lord, that I am unable to rise up in your sight, because it has now happened to me according to the custom of women.” So his careful search was thwarted.

{31:36} Tumensque Iacob, cum iurgio ait: Quam ob culpam meam, et ob quod peccatum meum sic exarsisti post me,
{31:36} And Jacob, being inflated, said with contention: “For which fault of mine, or for what sin of mine, have you become so enraged against me

{31:37} et scrutatus es omnem supellectilem meam? Quid invenisti de cuncta substantia domus tuæ? pone hic coram fratribus meis, et fratribus tuis, et iudicent inter me, et te.
{31:37} and searched all the items of my house? What have you found from all the substance of your house? Place it here before my brothers, and your brothers, and let them judge between me and you.

{31:38} Idcirco viginti annis fui tecum? oves tuæ et capræ steriles non fuerunt, arietes gregis tui non comedi:
{31:38} For what reason have I been with you for twenty years? Your ewes and she-goats were not barren; the rams of your flocks I did not consume.

{31:39} nec captum a bestia ostendi tibi, ego damnum omne reddebam: quidquid furto peribat, a me exigebas:
{31:39} Neither did I reveal to you what was seized by the wild beast. I replaced all that was damaged. Whatever was lost by theft, you collected it from me.

{31:40} die noctuque æstu urebar, et gelu, fugiebatque somnus ab oculis meis.
{31:40} Day and night, I was burned by heat and by frost, and sleep fled from my eyes.

{31:41} Sicque per viginti annos in domo tua servivi tibi, quatuordecim pro filiabus, et sex pro gregibus tuis: immutasti quoque mercedem meam decem vicibus.
{31:41} And in this way, for twenty years, I have served you in your house: fourteen for your daughters, and six for your flocks. You have also changed my wages ten times.

{31:42} Nisi Deus patris mei Abraham, et timor Isaac affuisset mihi, forsitan modo nudum me dimisisses: afflictionem meam et laborem manuum mearum respexit Deus, et arguit te heri.
{31:42} If the God of my father Abraham and the fear of Isaac had not been close to me, perhaps by now you would have sent me away naked. But God looked kindly on my affliction and the labor of my hands, and he rebuked you yesterday.”

{31:43} Respondit ei Laban: Filiæ meæ et filii, et greges tui, et omnia quæ cernis, mea sunt: quid possum facere filiis et nepotibus meis?
{31:43} Laban answered him: “My daughters and sons, and your flocks, and all that you discern are mine. What can I do to my sons and grandchildren?

{31:44} Veni ergo, et ineamus fœdus: ut sit in testimonium inter me et te.
{31:44} Come, therefore, let us enter into a pact, so that it may be a testimony between me and you.”

{31:45} Tulit itaque Iacob lapidem, et erexit illum in titulum:
{31:45} And so Jacob took a stone, and he set it up as a memorial.

{31:46} dixitque fratribus suis: Afferte lapides. Qui congregantes fecerunt tumulum, comederuntque super eum:
{31:46} And he said to his brothers, “Bring stones.” And they, gathering together stones, made a tomb, and they ate upon it.

{31:47} quem vocavit Laban Tumulum Testis: et Iacob, Acervum Testimonii, uterque iuxta proprietatem linguæ suæ.
{31:47} And Laban called it, ‘Tomb of Witness,’ and Jacob, ‘Pile of Testimony;’ each of them according to the fitness of his own language.

~ Here is a verse whereby the Bible comments on its own translation, permitting an event to be described with varied wording, as best fits the language into which it is translated. Also, note that what each one chooses to call it reveals his attitude towards the agreement. Laban’s ‘tumulum’ can be translated as ‘tomb’ (cf. Job 10:19). Laban was losing his daughters, flocks, and son-in-law (a valuable employee); this loss was like a kind of death to him. But Jacob thought little of this agreement, for it was merely an agreement to let him have what was already justly his. So he calls it ‘acervum,’ which means ‘little hill’ or ‘pile’ or ‘heap.’

{31:48} Dixitque Laban: Tumulus iste erit testis inter me et te hodie: et idcirco appellatum est nomen eius Galaad, id est, Tumulus Testis.
{31:48} And Laban said: “This tomb will be a witness between me and you this day.” (And for this reason, its name has been called Gilead, that is, ‘Tomb of Witness.’)

{31:49} Intueatur et iudicet Dominus inter nos quando recesserimus a nobis,
{31:49} “May the Lord consider and judge between us, when we will have withdrawn from one another.

{31:50} si afflixeris filias meas, et si introduxeris alias uxores super eas: nullus sermonis nostri testis est absque Deo, qui præsens respicit.
{31:50} If you afflict my daughters, and if you bring in other wives over them, no one is a witness of our words except God, who understands beforehand.”

~ The verb ‘respicit’ does not merely mean ‘to see.’ It means to see and understand, or to look with the intention of understanding. And the word ‘praesens’ is the word ‘sens’ (a form of the verb ‘to be’) and the prefix ‘prae’ which means ‘before.’ As a phrase taken as a whole, and in this context, ‘præsens respicit’ means to understand beforehand.

{31:51} Dixitque rursus ad Iacob: En tumulus hic, et lapis quem erexi inter me et te,
{31:51} And again he said to Jacob. “Lo, this tomb and the stone that I have set up between me and you,

{31:52} testis erit: tumulus, inquam, iste et lapis sint in testimonium, si aut ego transiero illum pergens ad te, aut tu præterieris, malum mihi cogitans.
{31:52} will be a witness. This tomb,” I say, “and the stone, they are for testimony, in case either I cross beyond it going toward you, or you cross beyond it thinking to harm me.

{31:53} Deus Abraham, et Deus Nachor iudicet inter nos, Deus patris eorum. Iuravit ergo Iacob per timorem patris sui Isaac:
{31:53} May the God of Abraham, and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.” Therefore, Jacob swore by the fear of his father Isaac.

{31:54} immolatisque victimis in monte, vocavit fratres suos ut ederent panem. Qui cum comedissent, manserunt ibi.
{31:54} And after he had immolated sacrifices on the mountain, he called his brothers to eat bread. And when they had eaten, they lodged there.

{31:55} Laban vero de nocte consurgens, osculatus est filios, et filias suas, et benedixit illis: reversusque est in locum suum.
{31:55} In truth, Laban rose up in the night, and he kissed his sons and daughters, and he blessed them. And he returned to his place.

[Genesis 32]
[Genesis 32]

{32:1} Iacob quoque abiit itinere quo cœperat: fueruntque ei obviam Angeli Dei.
{32:1} Likewise, Jacob continued on the journey that he had begun. And the Angels of God met him.

{32:2} Quos cum vidisset, ait: Castra Dei sunt hæc. Et appellavit nomen loci illius Mahanaim, id est, Castra.
{32:2} When he had seen them, he said, “These are the Encampments of God.” And he called the name of that place Mahanaim, that is, ‘Encampments.’

{32:3} Misit autem et nuncios ante se ad Esau fratrem suum in terram Seir, in regionem Edom:
{32:3} Then he also sent messengers before him to his brother Esau, in the land of Seir, in the region of Edom.

{32:4} præcepitque eis, dicens: Sic loquimini domino meo Esau: Hæc dicit frater tuus Iacob: Apud Laban peregrinatus sum, et fui usque in præsentem diem.
{32:4} And he instructed them, saying: “You shall speak in this way to my lord Esau: ‘Your brother Jacob says these things: “I have sojourned with Laban, and I have been with him until the present day.

{32:5} Habeo boves, et asinos, et oves, et servos, et ancillas: mittoque nunc legationem ad dominum meum, ut inveniam gratiam in conspectu tuo.
{32:5} I have oxen, and donkeys, and sheep, and men servants, and women servants. And now I send an ambassador to my lord, so that I may find favor in your sight.” ’ ”

{32:6} Reversique sunt nuncii ad Iacob, dicentes: Venimus ad Esau fratrem tuum, et ecce properat tibi in occursum cum quadringentis viris.
{32:6} And the messengers returned to Jacob, saying, “We went to your brother Esau, and behold, he rushes to meet you with four hundred men.”

{32:7} Timuit Iacob valde: et perterritus divisit populum qui secum erat, greges quoque et oves et boves, et camelos in duas turmas,
{32:7} Jacob was very afraid. And in his terror, he divided the people who were with him, likewise the flocks, and the sheep, and the oxen, and the camels, into two companies,

{32:8} dicens: Si venerit Esau ad unam turmam, et percusserit eam, alia turma, quæ relicta est, salvabitur.
{32:8} saying: “If Esau goes to one company, and strikes it, the other company, which is left behind, will be saved.”

{32:9} Dixitque Iacob: Deus patris mei Abraham, et Deus patris mei Isaac: Domine qui dixisti mihi: Revertere in terram tuam, et in locum nativitatis tuæ, et benefaciam tibi:
{32:9} And Jacob said: “God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, O Lord who said to me: ‘Return to your land, and to the place of your nativity, and I will do well for you.’

{32:10} minor sum cunctis miserationibus tuis, et veritate tua quam explevisti servo tuo. In baculo meo transivi Iordanem istum: et nunc cum duabus turmis regredior.
{32:10} I am less than any of your compassions and your truth, which you have fulfilled to your servant. With my staff I crossed over this Jordan. And now I go back with two companies.

{32:11} Erue me de manu fratris mei Esau, quia valde eum timeo: ne forte veniens percutiat matrem cum filiis.
{32:11} Rescue me from the hand of my brother Esau, for I am very afraid of him, lest perhaps he may come and strike down the mother with the sons.

{32:12} Tu locutus es quod benefaceres mihi, et dilatares semen meum sicut arenam maris, quæ præ multitudine numerari non potest.
{32:12} You did say that you would do well by me, and that you would expand my offspring like the sand of the sea, which, because of its multitude, cannot be numbered.”

{32:13} Cumque dormisset ibi nocte illa, separavit de his quæ habebat, munera Esau fratri suo,
{32:13} And when he had slept there that night, he separated, from the things that he had, gifts for his brother Esau:

{32:14} capras ducentas, hircos viginti, oves ducentas, et arietes viginti,
{32:14} two hundred she-goats, twenty he-goats, two hundred ewes, and twenty rams,

{32:15} camelos fœtas cum pullis suis triginta, vaccas quadraginta, et tauros viginti, asinas viginti, et pullos earum decem.
{32:15} thirty milking camels with their young, forty cows, and twenty bulls, twenty she-donkeys, and ten of their young.

{32:16} Et misit per manus servorum suorum singulos seorsum greges, dixitque pueris suis: Antecedite me, et sit spatium inter gregem et gregem.
{32:16} And he sent them by the hands of his servants, each flock separately, and he said to his servants: “Pass before me, and let there be a space between flock and flock.”

{32:17} Et præcepit priori, dicens: Si obvium habueris fratrem meum Esau, et interrogaverit te, Cuius es? aut, Quo vadis? aut, Cuius sunt ista quæ sequeris?
{32:17} And he instructed the first, saying: “If you happen to meet my brother Esau, and he questions you: “Whose are you?” or, “Where are you going?” or, “Whose are these which follow you?”

{32:18} respondebis: Servi tui Iacob, munera misit domino meo Esau: ipse quoque post nos venit.
{32:18} you shall respond: “Your servant Jacob’s. He has sent them as a gift to my lord Esau. And he is also coming after us.”

{32:19} Similiter dedit mandata secundo, et tertio, et cunctis qui sequebantur greges, dicens: Iisdem verbis loquimini ad Esau, cum inveneritis eum.
{32:19} Similarly, he gave orders to the second, and the third, and to all who followed the flocks, saying: “Speak these same words to Esau, when you find him.

{32:20} Et addetis: Ipse quoque servus tuus Iacob iter nostrum insequitur: dixit enim: Placabo illum muneribus quæ præcedunt, et postea videbo illum, forsitan propitiabitur mihi.
{32:20} And you will add: ‘Your servant Jacob himself also follows after us, for he said: “I will appease him with the gifts that go ahead, and after this, I will see him; perhaps he will be gracious to me.” ’ ”

{32:21} Præcesserunt itaque munera ante eum, ipse vero mansit nocte illa in castris.
{32:21} And so the gifts went before him, but he himself lodged that night in the camp.

{32:22} Cumque mature surrexisset, tulit duas uxores suas, et totidem famulas cum undecim filiis, et transivit vadum Iaboc.
{32:22} And when he had arisen early, he took his two wives, and the same number of handmaids, with his eleven sons, and he crossed over the ford of Jabbok.

{32:23} Traductisque omnibus quæ ad se pertinebant,
{32:23} And having delivered over all the things that belonged to him,

{32:24} mansit solus: et ecce vir luctabatur cum eo usque mane.
{32:24} he remained alone. And behold, a man wrestled with him until morning.

{32:25} Qui cum videret quod eum superare non posset, tetigit nervum femoris eius, et statim emarcuit.
{32:25} And when he saw that he would not be able to overcome him, he touched the nerve of his thigh, and immediately it withered.

{32:26} Dixitque ad eum: Dimitte me, iam enim ascendit aurora. Respondit: Non dimittam te, nisi benedixeris mihi.
{32:26} And he said to him, “Release me, for now the dawn ascends.” He responded, “I will not release you, unless you bless me.”

{32:27} Ait ergo: Quod nomen est tibi? Respondit: Iacob.
{32:27} Therefore he said, “What is your name?” He answered, “Jacob.”

{32:28} At ille, Nequaquam, inquit, Iacob appellabitur nomen tuum, sed Israel: quoniam si contra Deum fortis fuisti, quanto magis contra homines prævalebis?
{32:28} But he said, “Your name will not be called Jacob, but Israel; for if you have been strong against God, how much more will you prevail against men?”

{32:29} Interrogavit eum Iacob: Dic mihi, quo appellaris nomine? Respondit: Cur quæris nomen meum? Et benedixit ei in eodem loco.
{32:29} Jacob questioned him, “Tell me, by what name are you called?” He responded, “Why do you ask my name?” And he blessed him in the same place.

{32:30} Vocavitque Iacob nomen loci illius Phanuel, dicens: Vidi Deum facie ad faciem, et salva facta est anima mea.
{32:30} And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “I have seen God face to face, and my soul has been saved.”

{32:31} Ortusque est ei statim sol, postquam transgressus est Phanuel: ipse vero claudicabat pede.
{32:31} And immediately the sun rose upon him, after he had crossed beyond Peniel. Yet in truth, he limped on his foot.

{32:32} Quam ob causam non comedunt nervum filii Israel, qui emarcuit in femore Iacob, usque in præsentem diem: eo quod tetigerit nervum femoris eius, et obstupuerit.
{32:32} For this reason, the sons of Israel, even to the present day, do not eat the nerve that withered in Jacob’s thigh, because he touched the nerve of his thigh and it was obstructed.

[Genesis 33]
[Genesis 33]

{33:1} Elevans autem Iacob oculos suos, vidit venientem Esau, et cum eo quadringentos viros: divisitque filios Liæ et Rachel, ambarumque famularum:
{33:1} Then Jacob, lifting up his eyes, saw Esau arriving, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the sons of Leah and Rachel, and of both the handmaids.

{33:2} et posuit utramque ancillam, et liberos earum in principio: Liam vero, et filios eius in secundo loco: Rachel autem, et Ioseph novissimos.
{33:2} And he placed the two handmaids and their children at the beginning. Truly, Leah and her sons were in the second place. Then Rachel and Joseph were last.

{33:3} Et ipse progrediens adoravit pronus in terram septies, donec appropinquaret frater eius.
{33:3} And advancing, he reverenced prostrate on the ground seven times, until his brother approached.

{33:4} Currens itaque Esau obviam fratri suo, amplexatus est eum: stringensque collum eius, et osculans flevit.
{33:4} And so Esau ran to meet his brother, and he embraced him. And drawing him by his neck and kissing him, he wept.

{33:5} Levatisque oculis, vidit mulieres et parvulos earum, et ait: Quid sibi volunt isti? et si ad te pertinent? Respondit: Parvuli sunt, quos donavit mihi Deus servo tuo.
{33:5} And lifting up his eyes, he saw the women and their little ones, and he said: “What do these want for themselves?” and “Are they related to you?” He responded, “These are the little ones that God has given as a gift to me, your servant.”

~ The word ‘donavit’ is a verb which refers to giving a gift; it is difficult to accurately express in English with only one word. It might even be rendered ‘gifted’ rather than ‘given.’ “These are the little ones that God has gifted to me, your servant.”

{33:6} Et appropinquantes ancillæ et filii earum, incurvati sunt.
{33:6} Then the handmaids and their sons approached and bowed down.

{33:7} Accessit quoque Lia cum pueris suis: et cum similiter adorassent, extremi Ioseph et Rachel adoraverunt.
{33:7} Likewise Leah, with her sons, came near. And when they had reverenced similarly, last of all, Joseph and Rachel reverenced.

{33:8} Dixitque Esau: Quænam sunt istæ turmæ quas obviam habui? Respondit: Ut invenirem gratiam coram domino meo.
{33:8} And Esau said, “What are these companies that I have been meeting?” He responded, “So may I find favor before my lord.”

{33:9} At ille ait: Habeo plurima, frater mi, sint tua tibi.
{33:9} But he said, “I have plenty, my brother; let these be for yourself.”

{33:10} Dixitque Iacob: Noli ita, obsecro: sed si inveni gratiam in oculis tuis, accipe munusculum de manibus meis: sic enim vidi faciem tuam, quasi viderim vultum Dei: esto mihi propitius,
{33:10} And Jacob said: “I beg you, let it not be so. But if I have found favor in your eyes, receive a small present from my hands. For I have looked upon your face as I would look upon the countenance of God. Be gracious to me,

{33:11} et suscipe benedictionem quam attuli tibi, et quam donavit mihi Deus tribuens omnia. Vix fratre compellente, suscipiens,
{33:11} and take the blessing which I have brought to you, and which God, who bestows all things, has given as a gift to me.” Accepting it reluctantly, at the insistence of his brother,

{33:12} ait: Gradiamur simul, eroque socius itineris tui.
{33:12} he said, “Let us go on together, and I will accompany you on your journey.”

{33:13} Dixitque Iacob: Nosti domine mi quod parvulos habeam teneros, et oves, et boves fœtas mecum: quas si plus in ambulando fecero laborare, morientur una die cuncti greges.
{33:13} And Jacob said: “My lord, you know that I have with me tender little ones, and sheep, and cows with young. If I cause these to labor too much in walking, all the flocks will die in one day.

{33:14} Præcedat dominus meus ante servum suum: et ego sequar paulatim vestigia eius, sicut videro parvulos meos posse, donec veniam ad dominum meum in Seir.
{33:14} May it please my lord to go before his servant. And I will follow gradually in his steps, as much as I see my little ones to be able, until I arrive to my lord in Seir.”

{33:15} Respondit Esau: Oro te, ut de populo qui mecum est, saltem socri remaneant viæ tuæ. Non est, inquit, necesse: hoc uno tantum indigeo, ut inveniam gratiam in conspectu tuo domine mi.
{33:15} Esau responded, “I beg you, that at least some of the people who are with me may remain to accompany you on the way.” But he said, “There is no need. I have need of one thing only: to find favor in your sight, my lord.”

{33:16} Reversus est itaque illo die Esau itinere quo venerat in Seir.
{33:16} And so Esau returned that day, by the way that he had arrived, to Seir.

{33:17} Et Iacob venit in Socoth: ubi ædificata domo et fixis tentoriis appellavit nomen loci illius Socoth, id est, Tabernacula.
{33:17} And Jacob went to Succoth, where, having built a house and pitched tents, he called the name of that place Succoth, that is, ‘Tents.’

{33:18} Transivitque in Salem urbem Sichimorum, quæ est in terra Chanaan, postquam reversus est de Mesopotamia Syriæ: et habitavit iuxta oppidum.
{33:18} And he crossed over to Salem, a city of the Shechemites, which is in the land of Canaan, after he returned from Mesopotamia of Syria. And he lived near the town.

{33:19} Emitque partem agri in qua fixerat tabernacula, a filiis Hemor patris Sichem centum agnis.
{33:19} And he bought the part of the field in which he had pitched his tents from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for one hundred lambs.

{33:20} Et erecto ibi altari, invocavit super illud fortissimum Deum Israel.
{33:20} And erecting an altar there, he invoked upon it the most strong God of Israel.

[Genesis 34]
[Genesis 34]

{34:1} Egressa est autem Dina filia Liæ ut videret mulieres regionis illius.
{34:1} Then Dinah, the daughter of Leah, went out to see the women of that region.

{34:2} Quam cum vidisset Sichem filius Hemor Hevæi, princeps terræ illius, adamavit eam: et rapuit, et dormivit cum illa, vi opprimens virginem.
{34:2} And when Shechem, the son of Hamor the Hivite, the leader of that land, had seen her, he fell in love with her. And so he seized her and slept with her, overwhelming the virgin by force.

{34:3} Et conglutinata est anima eius cum ea, tristemque delinivit blanditiis.
{34:3} And his soul was closely bound to her, and, since she was sorrowful, he soothed her with flattery.

{34:4} Et pergens ad Hemor patrem suum, Accipe, inquit, mihi puellam hanc coniugem.
{34:4} And going on to Hamor, his father, he said, “Obtain this girl for me as a mate.”

{34:5} Quod cum audisset Iacob, absentibus filiis, et in pastu pecorum occupatis, siluit donec redirent.
{34:5} But when Jacob had heard this, since his sons were absent and he was occupied in pasturing the cattle, he remained silent until they came back.

{34:6} Egresso autem Hemor patre Sichem ut loqueretur ad Iacob,
{34:6} Then, when Hamor, the father of Shechem, had gone out to speak to Jacob,

{34:7} ecce filii eius veniebant de agro: auditoque quod acciderat, irati sunt valde, eo quod fœdam rem operatus esset in Israel et, violata filia Iacob, rem illicitam perpetrasset.
{34:7} behold, his sons arrived from the field. And hearing what had happened, they were very angry, because he had done a filthy thing in Israel and, in violating a daughter of Jacob, had perpetrated an unlawful act.

{34:8} Locutus est itaque Hemor ad eos: Sichem filii mei adhæsit anima filiæ vestræ: date eam illi uxorem:
{34:8} And so Hamor spoke to them: “The soul of my son Shechem has become attached to your daughter. Give her to him as a wife.

{34:9} et iungamus vicissim connubia: filias vestras tradite nobis, et filias nostras accipite.
{34:9} And let us celebrate marriages with one with another. Give us your daughters, and receive our daughters.

{34:10} Et habitate nobiscum: terra in potestate vestra est, exercete, negotiamini, et possidete eam.
{34:10} And live with us. The land is in your power: cultivate, trade, and possess it.”

{34:11} Sed et Sichem ad patrem et ad fratres eius ait: Inveniam gratiam coram vobis: et quæcumque statueritis, dabo:
{34:11} And Shechem even said to her father and to her brothers: “May I find favor in your sight, and whatever you will appoint, I will give.

{34:12} augete dotem, et munera postulate, et libenter tribuam quod petieritis: tantum date mihi puellam hanc uxorem.
{34:12} Increase the dowry, and request gifts, and I will freely bestow what you will ask. Only give me this girl as a wife.”

{34:13} Responderunt filii Iacob Sichem et patri eius in dolo, sævientes ob stuprum sororis:
{34:13} The sons of Jacob answered Shechem and his father with deceit, being enraged at the rape of their sister:

{34:14} Non possumus facere quod petitis, nec dare sororem nostram homini incircumciso: quod illicitum et nefarium est apud nos.
{34:14} “We are not able to do what you ask, nor to give our sister to an uncircumcised man. For us, this is unlawful and abominable.

{34:15} Sed in hoc valebimus fœderari, si volueritis esse similes nostri, et circumcidatur in vobis omne masculini sexus;
{34:15} But we may succeed in this, so as to be allied with you, if you are willing to become like us, and if all the male sex among you will be circumcised.

{34:16} tunc dabimus et accipiemus mutuo filias vestras, ac nostras: et habitabimus vobiscum, erimusque unus populus:
{34:16} Then we will mutually give and receive your daughters as well as ours; and we will live with you, and we will become one people.

{34:17} si autem circumcidi nolueritis, tollemus filiam nostram, et recedemus.
{34:17} But if you will not be circumcised, we will take our daughter and withdraw.”

{34:18} Placuit oblatio eorum Hemor, et Sichem filio eius:
{34:18} Their offer pleased Hamor and his son Shechem.

{34:19} nec distulit adolescens quin statim quod petebatur expleret: amabat enim puellam valde, et ipse erat inclytus in omni domo patris sui.
{34:19} Neither did the young man cause any delay; in fact he immediately fulfilled what was requested. For he loved the girl very much, and he was well-known throughout his father’s house.

{34:20} Ingressique portam urbis, locuti sunt ad populum:
{34:20} And entering at the gate of the city, they spoke to the people:

{34:21} Viri isti pacifici sunt, et volunt habitare nobiscum: negotientur in terra, et exerceant eam, quæ spatiosa et lata cultoribus indiget: filias eorum accipiemus uxores, et nostras illis dabimus.
{34:21} “These men are peaceful, and they want to live among us. Let them trade in the land and cultivate it, for, being spacious and broad, it is in need of cultivation. We will receive their daughters as wives, and we will give them ours.

{34:22} Unum est quo differtur tantum bonum: Si circumcidamus masculos nostros, ritum gentis imitantes.
{34:22} There is one thing that prevents so great a good: whether we will circumcise our males, imitating the ritual of their nation.

{34:23} Et substantia eorum, et pecora, et cuncta quæ possident, nostra erunt: tantum in hoc acquiescamus, et habitantes simul, unum efficiemus populum.
{34:23} And their substance, and cattle, and all that they possess, will be ours, if only we will acquiesce to this, and so, in living together, will form one people.”

{34:24} Assensique sunt omnes, circumcisis cunctis maribus.
{34:24} And they all agreed to circumcise every one of the males.

{34:25} Et ecce, die tertio quando gravissimus vulnerum dolor est: arreptis, duo filii Iacob, Simeon et Levi fratres Dinæ, gladiis, ingressi sunt urbem confidenter: interfectisque omnibus masculis,
{34:25} And behold, on the third day, when the pain of the wound was greatest, two of the sons of Jacob, Simeon and Levi, the brothers of Dinah, boldly entered the city with swords. And they put to death all of the males.

{34:26} Hemor et Sichem pariter necaverunt, tollentes Dinam de domo Sichem sororem suam.
{34:26} They killed Hamor and Shechem together, taking their sister Dinah from the house of Shechem.

{34:27} Quibus egressis, irruerunt super occisos ceteri filii Iacob: et depopulati sunt urbem in ultionem stupri.
{34:27} And when they had departed, the other sons of Jacob rushed over the slain, and they plundered the city in vengeance for the rape.

{34:28} Oves eorum, et armenta, et asinos, cunctaque vastantes quæ in domibus et in agris erant,
{34:28} Taking their sheep, and herds, and donkeys, and laying waste to everything else that was in their houses and in their fields,

{34:29} parvulos quoque eorum et uxores duxerunt captivas.
{34:29} they also took their little ones and their wives captive.

{34:30} Quibus patratis audacter, Iacob dixit ad Simeon et Levi: Turbastis me, et odiosum fecistis me Chananæis, et Pherezæis habitatoribus terræ huius. Nos pauci sumus: illi congregati percutient me, et delebor ego, et domus mea.
{34:30} When they had boldly completed these acts, Jacob said to Simeon and Levi: “You have troubled me, and you have made me hateful to the Canaanites and the Perizzites, the inhabitants of this land. We are few. They, gathering themselves together, may strike me down, and then both I and my house will be wiped away.”

{34:31} Responderunt: Numquid ut scorto abuti debuere sorore nostra?
{34:31} They responded, “Should they abuse our sister like a prostitute?”

[Genesis 35]
[Genesis 35]

{35:1} Interea locutus est Deus ad Iacob: Surge, et ascende Bethel, et habita ibi, facque altare Deo qui apparuit tibi quando fugiebas Esau fratrem tuum.
{35:1} About this time, God said to Jacob, “Arise and go up to Bethel, and live there, and make an altar to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.”

{35:2} Iacob vero convocata omni domo sua, ait: Abiicite deos alienos qui in medio vestri sunt, et mundamini, ac mutate vestimenta vestra.
{35:2} In truth, Jacob, having called together all his house, said: “Cast away the foreign gods that are in your midst and be cleansed, and also change your garments.

{35:3} Surgite, et ascendamus in Bethel, ut faciamus ibi altare Deo: qui exaudivit me in die tribulationis meæ, et socius fuit itineris mei.
{35:3} Arise, and let us go up to Bethel, so that we may make an altar there to God, who heeded me in the day of my tribulation, and who accompanied me on my journey.”

{35:4} Dederunt ergo ei omnes deos alienos quos habebant, et inaures quæ erant in auribus eorum: at ille infodit ea subter terebinthum, quæ est post urbem Sichem.
{35:4} Therefore, they gave him all the foreign gods which they had, and the earrings which were in their ears. And then he buried them under the terebinth tree, which is beyond the city of Shechem.

{35:5} Cumque profecti essent, terror Dei invasit omnes per circuitum civitates, et non sunt ausi persequi recedentes.
{35:5} And when they had set out, the terror of God invaded all the surrounding cities, and they dared not pursue them as they withdrew.

{35:6} Venit igitur Iacob Luzam, quæ est in terra Chanaan, cognomento Bethel: ipse et omnis populus cum eo.
{35:6} And so, Jacob arrived at Luz, which is in the land of Canaan, also named Bethel: he and all the people with him.

{35:7} Ædificavitque ibi altare, et appellavit nomen loci illius, Domus Dei: ibi enim apparuit ei Deus cum fugeret fratrem suum.
{35:7} And he built an altar there, and he called the name of that place, ‘House of God.’ For there God appeared to him when he fled from his brother.

{35:8} Eodem tempore mortua est Debora nutrix Rebeccæ, et sepulta est ad radices Bethel subter quercum: vocatumque est nomen loci illius, Quercus fletus.
{35:8} About the same time, Deborah, the nurse of Rebekah, died, and she was buried at the base of Bethel, under an oak tree. And the name of that place was called, ‘Oak of Weeping.’

~ Cities were generally built on high ground, so Deborah was buried on the outskirts of the city, at its roots or base.

{35:9} Apparuit autem iterum Deus Iacob postquam reversus est de Mespotamia Syriæ, benedixitque ei,
{35:9} Then God appeared again to Jacob, after he returned from Mesopotamia of Syria, and he blessed him,

{35:10} dicens: Non vocaberis ultra Iacob, sed Israel erit nomen tuum. Et appellavit eum Israel,
{35:10} saying: “You will no longer be called Jacob, for your name shall be Israel.” And he called him Israel,

{35:11} dixitque ei: Ego Deus omnipotens, cresce, et multiplicare: gentes, et populi nationum ex te erunt, reges de lumbis tuis egredientur.
{35:11} and he said to him: “I am Almighty God: increase and multiply. Tribes and peoples of nations will be from you, and kings will go forth from your loins.

{35:12} Terramque quam dedi Abraham et Isaac, dabo tibi et semini tuo post te.
{35:12} And the land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give to you, and to your offspring after you.”

{35:13} Et recessit ab eo.
{35:13} And he withdrew from him.

{35:14} Ille vero erexit titulum lapideum in loco quo locutus fuerat ei Deus: libans super eum libamina, et effundens oleum:
{35:14} In truth, he set up a monument of stone, in the place where God had spoken to him, pouring out libations over it, and pouring oil,

{35:15} vocansque nomen loci illius, Bethel.
{35:15} and he called the name of that place, ‘Bethel.’

{35:16} Egressus autem inde, venit verno tempore ad terram quæ ducit Ephratam: in qua cum parturiret Rachel,
{35:16} Then, departing from there, he arrived in springtime at the land that leads to Ephrath. And there, when Rachel was giving birth,

{35:17} ob difficultatem partus periclitari cœpit. Dixitque ei obstetrix: Noli timere, quia et hunc habebis filium.
{35:17} because it was a difficult birth, she began to be in danger. And the midwife said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you will have this son also.”

{35:18} Egrediente autem anima præ dolore, et imminente iam morte, vocavit nomen filii sui Benomi, id est, filius doloris mei: pater vero appellavit eum Beniamin, id est, filius dextræ.
{35:18} Then, when her life was departing because of the pain, and death was now imminent, she called the name of her son Benoni, that is, the son of my pain. Yet truly, his father called him Benjamin, that is, the son of the right hand.

{35:19} Mortua est ergo Rachel, et sepulta est in via quæ ducit Ephratam, hæc est Bethlehem.
{35:19} And so Rachel died, and she was buried in the way that leads to Ephrath: this place is Bethlehem.

{35:20} Erexitque Iacob titulum super sepulchrum eius: hic est titulus monumenti Rachel, usque in præsentem diem.
{35:20} And Jacob erected a monument over her sepulcher. This is the monument to Rachel’s tomb, even to the present day.

{35:21} Egressus inde, fixit tabernaculum trans Turrem Gregis.
{35:21} Departing from there, he pitched his tent beyond the Tower of the Flock.

{35:22} Cumque habitaret in illa regione, abiit Ruben, et dormivit cum Bala concubina patris sui: quod illum minime latuit. Erant autem filii Iacob duodecim.
{35:22} And when he was living in that region, Reuben went out, and he slept with Bilhah the concubine of his father, which was not such a small matter as to be hidden from him. Now the sons of Jacob were twelve.

{35:23} Filii Liæ: primogenitus Ruben, et Simeon, et Levi, et Iudas, et Issachar, et Zabulon.
{35:23} The sons of Leah: Reuben the first born, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulun.

{35:24} Filii Rachel: Ioseph et Beniamin.
{35:24} The sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.

{35:25} Filii Balæ ancillæ Rachelis: Dan et Nephthali.
{35:25} The sons of Bilhah, handmaid of Rachel: Dan and Naphtali.

{35:26} Filii Zelphæ ancillæ Liæ: Gad et Aser: hi sunt filii Iacob, qui nati sunt ei in Mesopotamia Syriæ.
{35:26} The sons of Zilpah, handmaid of Leah: Gad and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob, who were born to him in Mesopotamia of Syria.

{35:27} Venit etiam ad Isaac patrem suum in Mambre, civitatem Arbee, hæc est Hebron: in qua peregrinatus est Abraham et Isaac.
{35:27} And then he went to his father Isaac in Mamre, the city of Arba: this place is Hebron, where Abraham and Isaac sojourned.

{35:28} Et completi sunt dies Isaac centum octoginta annorum.
{35:28} And the days of Isaac were completed: one hundred and eighty years.

{35:29} Consumptusque ætate mortuus est: et appositus est populo suo senex et plenus dierum: et sepelierunt eum Esau et Iacob filii sui.
{35:29} And being consumed by old age, he died. And he was placed with his people, being old and full of days. And his sons, Esau and Jacob, buried him.

[Genesis 36]
[Genesis 36]

{36:1} Hæ sunt autem generationes Esau, ipse est Edom.
{36:1} Now these are the generations of Esau, who is Edom.

{36:2} Esau accepit uxores de filiabus Chanaan: Ada filiam Elon Hethæi, et Oolibama filiam Anæ filiæ Sebeon Hevæi:
{36:2} Esau took wives from the daughters of Canaan: Adah the daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Oholibamah the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon the Hivite,

{36:3} Basemath quoque filiam Ismael sororem Nabaioth.
{36:3} and Basemath, the daughter of Ishmael, sister of Nebaioth.

{36:4} Peperit autem Ada, Eliphaz: Basemath genuit Rahuel:
{36:4} Then Adah bore Eliphaz. Basemath conceived Reuel.

{36:5} Oolibama genuit Iehus et Ihelon et Core. Hi filii Esau qui nati sunt ei in terra Chanaan.
{36:5} Oholibamah conceived Jeush, and Jalam, and Korah. These are the sons of Esau, who were born to him in the land of Canaan.

{36:6} Tulit autem Esau uxores suas et filios et filias, et omnem animam domus suæ, et substantiam, et pecora, et cuncta quæ habere poterat in terra Chanaan: et abiit in alteram regionem, recessitque a fratre suo Iacob.
{36:6} Then Esau took his wives, and sons, and daughters, and every soul of his house, and his substance, and cattle, and whatever he was able to obtain in the land of Canaan, and he went into another region, withdrawing from his brother Jacob.

{36:7} Divites enim erant valde, et simul habitare non poterant: nec sustinebat eos terra peregrinationis eorum præ multitudine gregum.
{36:7} For they were very wealthy and were not able to live together. Neither was the land of their sojourn able to sustain them, because of the multitude of their flocks.

{36:8} Habitavitque Esau in monte Seir, ipse est Edom.
{36:8} And Esau lived at mount Seir: he is Edom.

{36:9} Hæ autem sunt generationes Esau patris Edom in monte Seir,
{36:9} So these are the generations of Esau, the father of Edom, at mount Seir,

{36:10} et hæc nomina filiorum eius: Eliphaz filius Ada uxoris Esau: Rahuel quoque filius Basemath uxoris eius.
{36:10} and these are the names of his sons: Eliphaz the son of Adah, the wife of Esau, likewise Reuel, the son of Basemath, his wife.

{36:11} Fueruntque Eliphaz filii: Theman, Omar, Sepho, et Gatham, et Cenez.
{36:11} And Eliphaz had sons: Teman, Omar, Zepho, and Gatam, and Kenez.

{36:12} Erat autem Thamna, concubina Eliphaz filii Esau: quæ peperit ei Amalech. Hi sunt filii Ada uxoris Esau.
{36:12} Now Timna was the concubine of Eliphaz, the son of Esau. And she bore him Amalek. These are the sons of Adah, the wife of Esau.

{36:13} Filii autem Rahuel: Nahath et Zara, Samma et Meza. Hi filii Basemath uxoris Esau.
{36:13} And the sons of Reuel were Nahath and Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. These are the sons of Basemath, the wife of Esau.

{36:14} Isti quoque erant filii Oolibama filiæ Anæ filiæ Sebeon, uxoris Esau, quos genuit ei Iehus et Ihelon et Core.
{36:14} Likewise, these were the sons of Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah, the daughter of Zibeon, the wife of Esau, whom she bore to him: Jeush, and Jalam, and Korah.

{36:15} Hi duces filiorum Esau: Filii Eliphaz primogeniti Esau: dux Theman, dux Omra, dux Sepho, dux Cenez,
{36:15} These were leaders of the sons of Esau, the sons of Eliphaz, the firstborn of Esau: leader Teman, leader Omar, leader Zepho, leader Kenez,

{36:16} dux Core, dux Gathan, dux Amalech. Hi filii Eliphaz in terra Edom, et hi filii Ada.
{36:16} leader Korah, leader Gatam, leader Amalek. These are the sons of Eliphaz, in the land of Edom, and these the sons of Adah.

{36:17} Hi quoque filii Rahuel filii Esau: dux Nahath, dux Zara, dux Samma, dux Meza. Hi autem duces Rahuel in terra Edom: isti filii Basemath uxoris Esau.
{36:17} Likewise, these are the sons of Reuel, the son of Esau: leader Nahath, leader Zerah, leader Shammah, leader Mizzah. And these were the leaders of Reuel, in the land of Edom. These are the sons of Basemath, the wife of Esau.

{36:18} Hi autem filii Oolibama uxoris Esau: dux Iehus, dux Ihelon, dux Core. Hi duces Oolibama filiæ Anæ uxoris Esau.
{36:18} Now these are the sons of Oholibamah, the wife of Esau: leader Jeush, leader Jalam, leader Korah. These were the leaders of Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah and the wife of Esau.

{36:19} Isti sunt filii Esau, et hi duces eorum: ipse est Edom.
{36:19} These are the sons of Esau, and these were their leaders: this is Edom.

~ Edom was the name of a people, the Edomites. These sons of Esau were their leaders.

{36:20} Isti sunt filii Seir Horræi, habitatores terræ: Lotan, et Sobal, et Sebeon, et Ana,
{36:20} These are the sons of Seir, the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, and Shobal, and Zibeon, and Anah,

{36:21} et Dison, et Eser, et Disan. Hi duces Horræi, filii Seir in Terra Edom.
{36:21} and Dishon, and Ezer, and Dishan. These were the leaders of the Horites, the sons of Seir, in the land of Edom.

{36:22} Facti sunt autem filii Lotan: Hori et Heman. Erat autem soror Lotan, Thamna.
{36:22} Now Lotan produced sons: Hori and Heman. But the sister of Lotan was Timna.

{36:23} Et isti filii Sobal: Alvan et Manahat et Ebal, et Sepho et Onam.
{36:23} And these are the sons of Shobal: Alvan, and Manahath, and Ebal, and Shepho, and Onam.

{36:24} Et hi filii Sebeon: Aia et Ana. Iste est Ana qui invenit aquas calidas in solitudine, cum pasceret asinos Sebeon patris sui:
{36:24} And these are the sons of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. This is the Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness, when he was pasturing the donkeys of his father Zibeon.

{36:25} habuitque filium Dison, et filiam Oolibama.
{36:25} And he had a son Dishon, and a daughter Oholibamah.

{36:26} Et isti filii Dison: Hamdan, et Eseban, et Iethram, et Charan.
{36:26} And these are the sons of Dishon: Hemdan, and Esheban, and Ithran, and Cheran.

{36:27} Hi quoque filii Eser: Balaan, et Zavan, et Acan.
{36:27} Likewise, these are the sons of Ezer: Bilhan, and Zaavan, and Akan.

{36:28} Habuit autem filios Disan: Hus, et Aram.
{36:28} Then Dishan had sons: Uz and Aran.

{36:29} Hi duces Horræorum: dux Lotan, dux Sobal, dux Sebeon, dux Ana,
{36:29} These were the leaders of the Horites: leader Lotan, leader Shobal, leader Zibeon, leader Anah,

{36:30} dux Dison, dux Eser, dux Disan: isti duces Horræorum qui imperaverunt in Terra Seir.
{36:30} leader Dishon, leader Ezer, leader Disan. These were leaders of the Horites who ruled in the land of Seir.

{36:31} Reges autem qui regnaverunt in Terra Edom antequam haberent regem filii Israel, fuerunt hi:
{36:31} Now before the sons of Israel had a king, the kings who ruled in the land of Edom were these:

{36:32} Bela filius Beor, nomenque urbis eius Denaba.
{36:32} Bela the son of Beor, and the name of his city was Dinhabah.

{36:33} Mortuus est autem Bela, et regnavit pro eo Iobab filius Zaræ de Bosra.
{36:33} Then Bela died, and Jobab, the son of Zerah from Bozrah, reigned in his place.

{36:34} Cumque mortuus esset Iobab, regnavit pro eo Husam de terra Themanorum.
{36:34} And when Jobab was dead, Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place.

{36:35} Hoc quoque mortuo, regnavit pro eo Adad filius Badad, qui percussit Madian in regione Moab: et nomen urbis eius Avith.
{36:35} Likewise, this one having died, Hadad the son of Bedad reigned in his place. He struck down Midian in the region of Moab. And the name of his city was Avith.

{36:36} Cumque mortuus esset Adad, regnavit pro eo Semla de Masreca.
{36:36} And when Adad was dead, Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place.

{36:37} Hoc quoque mortuo regnavit pro eo Saul de fluvio Rohoboth.
{36:37} Likewise, this one being dead, Shaul of the river Rehoboth, reigned in his place.

{36:38} Cumque et hic obiisset, successit in regnum Balanan filius Achobor.
{36:38} And when he also had passed away, Baal-hanan, the son of Achbor, succeeded to the kingdom.

{36:39} Isto quoque mortuo regnavit pro eo Adar, nomenque urbis eius Phau: et appellabatur uxor eius Meetabel, filia Matred filiæ Mezaab.
{36:39} Likewise, this one being dead, Hadar reigned in his place; and the name of his city was Pau. And his wife was called Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, daughter of Mezahab.

{36:40} Hæc ergo nomina ducum Esau in cognationibus, et locis, et vocabulis suis: dux Thamna, dux Alva, dux Ietheth,
{36:40} Therefore, these were the names of the leaders of Esau, by their families, and places, and in their vocabulary: leader Timna, leader Alvah, leader Jetheth,

{36:41} dux Oolibama, dux Ela, dux Phinon,
{36:41} leader Oholibamah, leader Elah, leader Pinon,

~ One of the leaders of the Edomites was a woman, Oholibamah.

{36:42} dux Cenez, dux Theman, dux Mabsar,
{36:42} leader Kanez, leader Teman, leader Mibzar,

{36:43} dux Magdiel, dux Hiram: hi duces Edom habitantes in terra imperii sui, ipse est Esau pater Idumæorum.
{36:43} leader Magdiel, leader Iram. These were the leaders of Edom living in the land of their rule: this is Esau, the father of Idumea.

[Genesis 37]
[Genesis 37]

{37:1} Habitavit autem Iacob in terra Chanaan, in qua pater suus peregrinatus est.
{37:1} Now Jacob lived in the land of Canaan, where his father sojourned.

{37:2} Et hæ sunt generationes eius: Ioseph cum sedecim esset annorum, pascebat gregem cum fratribus suis adhuc puer: et erat cum filiis Balæ et Zelphæ uxorum patris sui: accusavitque fratres suos apud patrem crimine pessimo.
{37:2} And these are his generations. Joseph, when he was sixteen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers, when he was still a boy. And he was with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, the wives of his father. And he accused his brothers to their father of a most sinful crime.

{37:3} Israel autem diligebat Ioseph super omnes filios suos, eo quod in senectute genuisset eum: fecitque ei tunicam polymitam.
{37:3} Now Israel loved Joseph above all his sons, because he had conceived him in his old age. And he made him a tunic, woven of many colors.

{37:4} Videntes autem fratres eius quod a patre plus cunctis filiis amaretur, oderant eum, nec poterant ei quidquam pacifice loqui.
{37:4} Then his brothers, seeing that he was loved by his father more than all his other sons, hated him, and they were not able to say anything peacefully to him.

{37:5} Accidit quoque ut visum somnium referret fratribus suis: quæ causa maioris odii seminarium fuit.
{37:5} Then it also happened that he recounted the vision of a dream to his brothers, for which reason a greater hatred began to be nurtured.

{37:6} Dixitque ad eos: Audite somnium meum quod vidi:
{37:6} And he said to them, “Listen to my dream that I saw.

{37:7} Putabam nos ligare manipulos in agro: et quasi consurgere manipulum meum, et stare, vestrosque manipulos circumstantes adorare manipulum meum.
{37:7} I thought we were binding sheaves in the field. And my sheaf seemed to rise up and stand, and your sheaves, standing in a circle, reverenced my sheaf.”

{37:8} Responderunt fratres eius: Numquid rex noster eris? aut subiiciemur ditioni tuæ? Hæc ergo causa somniorum atque sermonum, invidiæ et odii fomitem ministravit.
{37:8} His brothers responded: “Would you be our king? Or will we be subject to your dominion?” Therefore, this matter of his dreams and words provided kindling to their envy and hatred.

{37:9} Aliud quoque vidit somnium, quod narrans fratribus, ait: Vidi per somnium, quasi solem, et lunam, et stellas undecim adorare me.
{37:9} Likewise, he saw another dream, which he explained to his brothers, saying, “I saw by a dream, as if the sun, and the moon, and eleven stars were reverencing me.”

~ The word ‘adorare’ can be translated as ‘worship’ (adore) or ‘reverence’. Joseph did not think that he himself would be worshipped (this would be blasphemy). So the correct translation for the literal meaning is ‘reverence.’ However, the text has a spiritual meaning, that a descendent of Joseph, namely the Christ, would be worshipped, in which case the correct translation is ‘worship’ or ‘adore.’

{37:10} Quod cum patri suo, et fratribus retulisset, increpavit eum pater suus, et dixit: Quid sibi vult hoc somnium quod vidisti? num ego et mater tua, et fratres tui adorabimus te super terram?
{37:10} And when he had related this to his father and brothers, his father rebuked him, and he said: “What does it mean to you, this dream that you have seen? Should I, and your mother, and your brothers reverence you upon the earth?”

{37:11} Invidebant ei igitur fratres sui: pater vero rem tacitus considerabat.
{37:11} Therefore, his brothers were envious of him. Yet truly, his father considered the matter silently.

{37:12} Cumque fratres illius in pascendis gregibus patris morarentur in Sichem,
{37:12} And while his brothers were lodging at Shechem, pasturing their father’s flocks,

{37:13} dixit ad eum Israel: Fratres tui pascunt oves in Sichimis: veni, mittam te ad eos. Quo respondente,
{37:13} Israel said to him: “Your brothers are pasturing the sheep at Shechem. Come, I will send you to them.” And when he answered,

{37:14} Præsto sum, ait ei: Vade, et vide si cuncta prospera sint erga fratres tuos, et pecora: et renuncia mihi quid agatur. Missus de Valle Hebron, venit in Sichem:
{37:14} “I am ready,” he said to him, “Go, and see if everything is prospering with your brothers and the cattle, and report to me what is happening.” So, having been sent from the valley of Hebron, he arrived at Shechem.

{37:15} invenitque eum vir errantem in agro, et interrogavit quid quæreret.
{37:15} And a man found him wandering in a field, and he asked him what he was seeking.

{37:16} At ille respondit: Fratres meos quæro, indica mihi ubi pascant greges.
{37:16} So he responded: “I seek my brothers. Tell me where they pasture the flocks.”

{37:17} Dixitque ei vir: Recesserunt de loco isto: audivi autem eos dicentes: Eamus in Dothain. Perrexit ergo Ioseph post fratres suos, et invenit eos in Dothain.
{37:17} And the man said to him: “They have withdrawn from this place. But I heard them saying, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’ ” Therefore, Joseph continued on after his brothers, and he found them at Dothan.

{37:18} Qui cum vidissent eum procul, antequam accederet ad eos, cogitaverunt illum occidere:
{37:18} And, when they had seen him from afar, before he approached them, they decided to kill him.

{37:19} et mutuo loquebantur: Ecce somniator venit:
{37:19} And they said one to another: “Behold, the dreamer approaches.

{37:20} venite, occidamus eum, et mittamus in cisternam veterem: dicemusque: Fera pessima devoravit eum: et tunc apparebit quid illi prosint somnia sua.
{37:20} Come, let us kill him and cast him into the old cistern. And let us say: ‘an evil wild beast has devoured him.’ And then it will become apparent what his dreams will do for him.”

~ The phrase ‘cisternam veterem’ not only indicates that the well is old, but also that it is dry. In other words, it is old in the sense of outmoded or no longer useful.

{37:21} Audiens autem hoc Ruben, nitebatur liberare eum de manibus eorum, et dicebat:
{37:21} But Reuben, on hearing this, strove to free him from their hands, and he said:

{37:22} Non interficiatis animam eius, nec effundatis sanguinem: sed proiicite eum in cisternam hanc, quæ est in solitudine, manusque vestras servate innoxias: hoc autem dicebat, volens eripere eum de manibus eorum, et reddere patri suo.
{37:22} “Do not take away his life, nor shed blood. But throw him into this cistern, which is in the wilderness, and so keep your hands harmless.” But he said this, wanting to rescue him from their hands, so as to return him to his father.

{37:23} Confestim igitur ut pervenit ad fratres suos, nudaverunt eum tunica talari, et polymita:
{37:23} And so, as soon as he came to his brothers, they very quickly stripped him of his tunic, which was ankle-length and woven of many colors,

{37:24} miseruntque eum in cisternam veterem, quæ non habebat aquam.
{37:24} and they cast him into an old cistern, which held no water.

{37:25} Et sedentes ut comederent panem, viderunt Ismaelitas viatores venire de Galaad, et camelos eorum portantes aromata, et resinam, et stacten in Ægyptum.
{37:25} And sitting down to eat bread, they saw some Ishmaelites, travelers coming from Gilead, with their camels, carrying spices, and resin, and oil of myrrh into Egypt.

{37:26} Dixit ergo Iudas fratribus suis: Quid nobis prodest si occiderimus fratrem nostrum, et celaverimus sanguinem ipsius?
{37:26} Therefore, Judah said to his brothers: “What will it profit us, if we kill our brother and conceal his blood?

{37:27} Melius est ut venundetur Ismaelitis, et manus nostræ non polluantur: frater enim, et caro nostra est. Acquieverunt fratres sermonibus illius.
{37:27} It is better that he be sold to the Ishmaelites, and then our hands will not be defiled. For he is our brother and our flesh.” His brothers agreed to his words.

{37:28} Et prætereuntibus Madianitis negotiatoribus, extrahentes eum de cisterna, vendiderunt eum Ismaelitis, viginti argenteis: qui duxerunt eum in Ægyptum.
{37:28} And when the Midianite merchants were passing by, they drew him from the cistern, and they sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver. And these led him into Egypt.

{37:29} Reversusque Ruben ad cisternam, non invenit puerum:
{37:29} And Reuben, returning to the cistern, did not find the boy.

{37:30} et scissis vestibus pergens ad fratres suos, ait: Puer non comparet, et ego quo ibo?
{37:30} And rending his garments, he went to his brothers and said, “The boy is not present, and so where shall I go?”

{37:31} Tulerunt autem tunicam eius, et in sanguine hœdi, quem occiderant, tinxerunt:
{37:31} Then they took his tunic, and they dipped it in the blood of a young goat, which they had killed,

{37:32} mittentes qui ferrent ad patrem, et dicerent: Hanc invenimus: vide utrum tunica filii tui sit, an non.
{37:32} sending those who carried it to their father, and they said: “We found this. See whether it is the tunic of your son or not.”

{37:33} Quam cum agnovisset pater, ait: Tunica filii mei est, fera pessima comedit eum, bestia devoravit Ioseph.
{37:33} And when the father acknowledged it, he said: “It is the tunic of my son. An evil wild beast has eaten him; a beast has devoured Joseph.”

{37:34} Scissisque vestibus, indutus est cilicio, lugens filium suum multo tempore.
{37:34} And tearing his garments, he was clothed in haircloth, mourning his son for a long time.

{37:35} Congregatis autem cunctis liberis eius ut lenirent dolorem patris, noluit consolationem accipere, sed ait: Descendam ad filium meum lugens in infernum. Et illo perseverante in fletu,
{37:35} Then, when all of his sons gathered together to ease their father’s sorrow, he was not willing to accept consolation, but he said: “I will descend in mourning to my son in the underworld.” And while he persevered in weeping,

{37:36} Madianitæ vendiderunt Ioseph in Ægypto Putiphari eunucho Pharaonis magistro militum.
{37:36} the Midianites in Egypt sold Joseph to Potiphar, a eunuch of Pharaoh, instructor of the soldiers.

~ The word ‘magistro’ has more of the meaning of a teacher or instructor, than of a captain or magistrate. This eunuch was an instructor of the soldiers (probably of the new recruits), not an officer over the active duty soldiers.

[Genesis 38]
[Genesis 38]

{38:1} Eodem tempore descendens Iudas a fratribus suis, divertit ad virum Odollamitem, nomine Hiram.
{38:1} About the same time, Judah, descending from his brothers, turned toward an Adullamite man, named Hirah.

{38:2} Viditque ibi filiam hominis Chananæi, vocabulo Sue: et accepta uxore, ingressus est ad eam.
{38:2} And he saw there the daughter of a man called Shua, of Canaan. And taking her as a wife, he entered to her.

{38:3} Quæ concepit, et peperit filium, et vocavit nomen eius Her.
{38:3} And she conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Er.

{38:4} Rursumque concepto fœtu, natum filium vocavit Onan.
{38:4} And conceiving offspring again, having given birth to a son, she called him Onan.

{38:5} Tertium quoque peperit: quem appellavit Sela. Quo nato, parere ultra cessavit.
{38:5} Likewise, she bore a third, whom she called Shelah, after whose birth, she ceased to bear any more.

{38:6} Dedit autem Iudas uxorem primogenito suo Her, nomine Thamar.
{38:6} Then Judah gave a wife to his first born Er, whose name was Tamar.

{38:7} Fuit quoque Her primogenitus Iudæ, nequam in conspectu Domini: et ab eo occisus est.
{38:7} And it also happened that Er, the first born of Judah, was wicked in the sight of the Lord and was killed by him.

{38:8} Dixit ergo Iudas ad Onan filium suum: Ingredere uxorem fratris tui, et sociare illi, ut suscites semen fratri tuo.
{38:8} Therefore, Judah said to his son Onan: “Enter to the wife of your brother, and associate with her, so that you may raise offspring to your brother.”

{38:9} Ille sciens non sibi nasci filios, introiens ad uxorem fratris sui, semen fundebat in terram, ne liberi fratris nomine nascerentur.
{38:9} He, knowing that the sons to be born would not be his, when he entered to the wife of his brother, he spilled his seed on the ground, lest children should be born in his brother’s name.

{38:10} Et idcirco percussit eum Dominus, quod rem detestabilem faceret.
{38:10} And for this reason, the Lord struck him down, because he did a detestable thing.

{38:11} Quam ob rem dixit Iudas Thamar nurui suæ: Esto vidua in domo patris tui, donec crescat Sela filius meus: timebat enim ne et ipse moreretur, sicut fratres eius. Quæ abiit, et habitavit in domo patris sui.
{38:11} Because of this matter, Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Be a widow in your father’s house, until my son Shelah grows up.” For he was afraid, lest he also might die, just as his brothers did. She went away, and she lived in her father’s house.

{38:12} Evolutis autem multis diebus, mortua est filia Sue uxor Iudæ: qui post luctum consolatione suscepta, ascendebat ad tonsores ovium suarum, ipse et Hiras opilio gregis Odollamites, in Thamnas.
{38:12} Then, after many days had passed, the daughter of Shua, the wife of Judah, died. And when he accepted consolation after his mourning, he went up to the shearers of his sheep at Timnah, he and Hirah, the herdsman of the Adullamite flock.

{38:13} Nunciatumque est Thamar quod socer illius ascenderet in Thamnas ad tondendas oves.
{38:13} And it was reported to Tamar that her father-in-law had gone up to Timnah to shear the sheep.

{38:14} Quæ, depositis viduitatis vestibus, assumpsit theristrum: et mutato habitu, sedit in bivio itineris, quod ducit Thamnam: eo quod crevisset Sela, et non eum accepisset maritum.
{38:14} And storing away the garments of her widowhood, she took up a veil. And changing her clothing, she sat at the crossroad that leads to Timnah, because Shelah had grown up, and she had not received him as a husband.

{38:15} Quam cum vidisset Iudas, suspicatus est esse meretricem: operuerat enim vultum suum, ne agnosceretur.
{38:15} And when Judah saw her, he thought her to be a harlot. For she had covered her face, lest she be recognized.

{38:16} Ingrediensque ad eam, ait: Dimitte me ut coeam tecum: nesciebat enim quod nurus sua esset. Qua respondente: Quid dabis mihi ut fruaris concubitu meo?
{38:16} And entering to her, he said, “Permit me to join with you.” For he did not know her to be his daughter-in-law. And she responded, “What will you give to me, to enjoy me as a concubine?”

{38:17} dixit: Mittam tibi hœdam de gregibus. Rursumque illa dicente: Patiar quod vis, si dederis mihi arrhabonem, donec mittas quod polliceris.
{38:17} He said, “I will send you a young goat from the flock.” And again, she said, “I will allow what you want, if you give me a pledge, until you may send what you promise.”

{38:18} Ait Iudas: Quid tibi vis pro arrhabone dari? Respondit: Annulum tuum, et armillam, et baculum quem manu tenes. Ad unum igitur coitum mulier concepit,
{38:18} Judah said, “What do you want to be given for a pledge?” She responded, “Your ring and bracelet, and the staff that you hold in your hand.” Thereupon, the woman, from one sexual encounter, conceived.

{38:19} et surgens abiit: depositoque habitu, quem sumpserat, induta est viduitatis vestibus.
{38:19} And she arose and went away. And storing away the garments that she had taken up, she was clothed in the garments of her widowhood.

{38:20} Misit autem Iudas hœdum per pastorem suum Odollamitem, ut reciperet pignus quod dederat mulieri: qui cum non invenisset eam,
{38:20} Then Judah sent a young goat by his shepherd, the Adullamite, so that he might receive the pledge that he had given to the woman. But, when he had not found her,

{38:21} interrogavit homines loci illius: Ubi est mulier quæ sedebat in bivio? Respondentibus cunctis: Non fuit in loco ista meretrix.
{38:21} he questioned the men of that place: “Where is the woman who sat at the crossroad?” And they all responded, “There has been no harlot in this place.”

{38:22} Reversus est ad Iudam, et dixit ei: Non inveni eam: sed et homines loci illius dixerunt mihi, numquam sedisse ibi scortum.
{38:22} He returned to Judah, and he said to him: “I did not find her. Moreover, the men of that place told me that a prostitute had never sat there.”

{38:23} Ait Iudas: Habeat sibi, certe mendacii arguere nos non potest, ego misi hœdum quem promiseram: et tu non invenisti eam.
{38:23} Judah said: “Let her hold herself to blame. Certainly, she is not able to accuse us of a lie. I sent the young goat that I had promised, and you did not find her.”

{38:24} Ecce autem post tres menses nunciaverunt Iudæ, dicentes: Fornicata est Thamar nurus tua, et videtur uterus illius intumescere. Dixitque Iudas: Producite eam ut comburatur.
{38:24} And behold, after three months, they reported to Judah, saying, “Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has committed fornication and her abdomen appears to be enlarged.” And Judah said, “Produce her, so that she may be burned.”

{38:25} Quæ cum duceretur ad pœnam, misit ad socerum suum, dicens: De viro, cuius hæc sunt, concepi: cognosce cuius sit annulus, et armilla, et baculus.
{38:25} But when she was led out to the punishment, she sent to her father-in-law, saying: “I conceived by the man to whom these things belong. Recognize whose ring, and bracelet, and staff this is.”

{38:26} Qui, agnitis muneribus, ait: Iustior me est: quia non tradidi eam Sela filio meo. Attamen ultra non cognovit eam.
{38:26} But he, acknowledging the gifts, said: “She is more just than I am. For I did not deliver her to my son Shelah.” However, he knew her no more.

{38:27} Instante autem partu, apparuerunt gemini in utero: atque in ipsa effusione infantium unus protulit manum, in qua obstetrix ligavit coccinum, dicens:
{38:27} Then, at the moment of birth, there appeared twins in the womb. And so, in the very delivery of the infants, one put forth a hand, on which the midwife tied a scarlet thread, saying,

{38:28} Iste egredietur prior.
{38:28} “This one will go out first.”

{38:29} Illo vero retrahente manum, egressus est alter: dixitque mulier: Quare divisa est propter te maceria? et ob hanc causam vocavit nomen eius Phares.
{38:29} But in truth, drawing back his hand, the other came out. And the woman said, “Why is the partition divided for you?” And for this reason, she called his name Perez.

{38:30} Postea egressus est frater eius, in cuius manu erat coccinum: quem appellavit Zara.
{38:30} After this, his brother came out, on whose hand was the scarlet thread. And she called him Zerah.