"The reader will consequently discover that this commentary refers
only occasionally … to the source analysis of Genesis… it seems to me a good deal less interesting than the subtle workings of the literary whole represented by the redacted text…." [MS Sefaria Sheet] (emphasis supplied)
The Art of Bible Translation Robert Alter 2019 - Alter’s recent reflections on translation, a very helpful overview.
(סז) וַיְבִאֶ֣הָ יִצְחָ֗ק הָאֹ֙הֱלָה֙ שָׂרָ֣ה אִמּ֔וֹ וַיִּקַּ֧ח אֶת־רִבְקָ֛ה וַתְּהִי־ל֥וֹ לְאִשָּׁ֖ה וַיֶּאֱהָבֶ֑הָ וַיִּנָּחֵ֥ם יִצְחָ֖ק אַחֲרֵ֥י אִמּֽוֹ׃ {פ}
(67) Isaac then brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he took Rebekah as his wife. Isaac loved her, and thus found comfort after his mother’s death.
Koren Translation
Excerpt: Alter Note concerning: No mention of Abraham at the end of the story; conclusion of betrothal tale
Genesis 24: 67 into the tent of Sarah his mother (copyrighted material) (emphasis added)
“ ... Rebekah fills the emotional gap left by Sarah’s death, as the end of the verse indicates, and with the first matriarch deceased, Rebekah also takes up the role of matriarch in the family. It is thus exactly right that Isaac should bring her into his mother’s tent. Interestingly, no mention whatever is made of Abraham at the end. ...
Many have construed his charging of the servant at the beginning of the story as a deathbed action: it would not be unreasonable to surmise that he is already deceased when the servant returns . ...
The conclusion of the betrothal tale in this way creates a curious symmetry between the household of the bride and the household of the groom. She, evidently, is fatherless, living in “her mother’s household.” It is quite likely that he, too, is fatherless; and though he was bereaved of his mother still earlier, it is to “his mother’s tent” that he brings his bride.”
[MS - For Alter's discussion of type scenes like this "betrothal tale" see MS Sefaria Collection of sheets "Robert Alter" and The Art of Biblical Narrative. Alter's recent summary is particularly useful: The Art of Bible Translation 2019.]
"The reader will consequently discover that this commentary refers
only occasionally … to the source analysis of Genesis… it seems to me a good deal less interesting than the subtle workings of the literary whole represented by the redacted text…."