1
καὶ ἐγενήθη ὡς μετὰ μῆνα καὶ ἀνέβη Ναας ὁ Αμμανίτης καὶ παρεμβάλλει ἐπὶ Ιαβις Γαλααδ καὶ εἶπον πάντες οἱ ἄνδρες Ιαβις πρὸς Ναας τὸν Αμμανίτην διάθου ἡμῖν διαθήκην καὶ δουλεύσομέν σοι
And it came to pass about a month later that Nahash the Ammonite went up and encamped against Jabesh-gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash the Ammonite, 'Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you.'
The chapter opens with the LXX narrative formula καὶ ἐγενήθη (rendering וַיְהִי), followed by the temporal frame ὡς μετὰ μῆνα ('about a month later'). The aorist ἀνέβη and the historic present παρεμβάλλει shift the camera onto Nahash's aggression; the men of Jabesh then sue for vassalage with a cognate construction διάθου … διαθήκην ('make a covenant').
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθηit came to passAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (narrative-temporal formula)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (aor. pass. ἐγενήθη): 'become / come to be / happen'; καὶ ἐγενήθη renders the Hebrew narrative-opening וַיְהִי, the standard LXX formula introducing a new episode with a temporal frame following.
ὡςabouttemporal particle (approximation, with μετὰ μῆνα)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: here approximative with a time-phrase, 'about / as it were'; ὡς μετὰ μῆνα = 'about a month later.'
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (temporal).
μῆναa monthAccusativeaccusative object of μετά (temporal extent)→ object specificationμήν: 'month'; the accusative with μετά marks the interval after which Nahash's campaign begins; the LXX dates the siege roughly a month after the preceding events (Saul's accession).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (apodosis after καὶ ἐγενήθη)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέβηwent upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (Nahash's advance)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend / advance'; renders עָלָה; the verb of military advance — Nahash 'goes up' against Jabesh, the standard idiom for marching against a city.
ΝααςNahashsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΝαας: transliteration of Hebrew נָחָשׁ ('serpent'), the name of the Ammonite king; indeclinable in the LXX; he is the aggressor whose cruel terms set the chapter's crisis.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with appositional gentilic)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμμανίτηςAmmoniteNominativeappositional gentilic (in apposition to Ναας)→ participant prominenceΑμμανίτης: 'Ammonite'; gentilic noun rendering הָעַמּוֹנִי; unlike the indeclinable personal name Ναας, the gentilic is fully declined in Greek (nom. Αμμανίτης, acc. Αμμανίτην); identifies Nahash with the Ammonites, Israel's Transjordanian enemy.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρεμβάλλειencampsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · παρεμβάλλωmain verb (historic present: vivid narration)→ verbal action or stateπαρεμβάλλω: 'encamp / set up camp / besiege'; renders חָנָה; a military term for pitching camp against a city; the historic present makes the siege immediate and ongoing before the reader.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: here in the hostile sense 'against'; παρεμβάλλει ἐπί = 'lays siege against.'
ΙαβιςJabeshaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΙαβις: transliteration of Hebrew יָבֵשׁ (Jabesh); indeclinable in the LXX; the city Jabesh of Gilead, in Transjordan, whose deliverance is the occasion of Saul's vindication.
ΓαλααδGileadindeclinable place-name (qualifying Ιαβις: 'Jabesh-gilead')→ participant identificationΓαλααδ: transliteration of Hebrew גִּלְעָד (Gilead), the Transjordanian region; indeclinable; the compound Ιαβις Γαλααδ ('Jabesh of Gilead') specifies the city's location east of the Jordan.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπονsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπον): 'say / speak'; the men of Jabesh collectively appeal to Nahash; the 3rd plural form introduces their offer of vassalage.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἄνδρες)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / every'; underscores the unanimity of the men of Jabesh in their desperate appeal.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀνήρ (pl. ἄνδρες): 'man / male / inhabitant'; renders אַנְשֵׁי ('the men of'); here the male citizens / defenders of Jabesh.
Ιαβιςof Jabeshindeclinable place-name (genitival: 'men of Jabesh')→ participant identificationΙαβις: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable place-name (genitival: 'men of Jabesh').
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΝααςNahashaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΝαας: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with appositional gentilic)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμμανίτηνAmmoniteAccusativeappositional gentilic (accusative, in apposition to Ναας)→ object specificationΑμμανίτης (acc. Αμμανίτην): the declined gentilic in apposition to the indeclinable Ναας; the repetition keeps Nahash's foreign, hostile identity in view.
διάθουmakeAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · διατίθημιmain verb (imperative of petition)→ verbal action or stateδιατίθημι (mid. διάθου): 'arrange / dispose / make (a covenant)'; the middle διατίθεμαι διαθήκην renders כָּרַת בְּרִית ('cut a covenant'); the cognate construction διάθου … διαθήκην conveys the men's offer of a treaty of submission.
ἡμῖνwith usDativedative (party to the covenant: 'with us')→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. pl. ἡμῖν): the personal pronoun; the dative marks the men of Jabesh as the party with whom the covenant is to be made.
διαθήκηνa covenantAccusativedirect object (cognate accusative with διάθου)→ object specificationδιαθήκη: 'covenant / treaty'; renders בְּרִית; here a political treaty of vassalage, not the divine covenant; the men of Jabesh seek terms of survival under Ammonite overlordship.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δουλεύσομένwe will serveFut Act Indic 1 Pl · δουλεύωmain verb (consequence of the covenant)→ verbal action or stateδουλεύω: 'serve / be a slave to'; renders עָבַד; the pledge δουλεύσομέν σοι ('we will serve you') is the standard formula of vassal submission; the accent on the final syllable reflects the following enclitic σοι.
σοιyouDativedative object of δουλεύσομεν (the one served)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. sg. σοι): enclitic pronoun; δουλεύω takes the dative of the one served — here Nahash as prospective overlord.
2
καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς Ναας ὁ Αμμανίτης ἐν ταύτῃ διαθήσομαι ὑμῖν διαθήκην ἐν τῷ ἐξορύξαι ὑμῶν πάντα ὀφθαλμὸν δεξιόν καὶ θήσομαι ὄνειδος ἐπὶ Ισραηλ
And Nahash the Ammonite said to them, 'On this condition I will make a covenant with you: by gouging out every right eye of yours, and I will lay a reproach upon Israel.'
Nahash answers with brutal terms: a covenant only ἐν ταύτῃ ('on this condition'), specified by the articular infinitive ἐν τῷ ἐξορύξαι ('by gouging out') every right eye. His stated aim, καὶ θήσομαι ὄνειδος ἐπὶ Ισραηλ ('and I will set a reproach upon Israel'), reveals that the mutilation is meant as national humiliation, not mere subjugation.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces Nahash's reply to the men of Jabesh.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the men of Jabesh)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. αὐτούς): the personal pronoun referring to the men of Jabesh as Nahash's addressees.
ΝααςNahashsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΝαας: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with appositional gentilic)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμμανίτηςAmmoniteNominativeappositional gentilic (in apposition to Ναας)→ participant prominenceΑμμανίτης: meaning 'Ammonite'; it serves as appositional gentilic (in apposition to Ναας).
ἐνonpreposition + dative (condition: 'on this term')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: here of condition or terms, 'on this (basis)'; ἐν ταύτῃ = 'on this condition,' anticipating the articular infinitive that defines it.
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative (object of ἐν: 'on this condition')→ participant reference or interestοὗτος (dat. sg. fem. ταύτῃ): the demonstrative points forward to the condition stated by ἐν τῷ ἐξορύξαι; an implied noun such as 'condition' is supplied.
διαθήσομαιI will makeFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · διατίθημιmain verb (Nahash's conditional offer)→ verbal action or stateδιατίθημι (mid. διαθήσομαι): 'make (a covenant)'; cognate with διαθήκην below, echoing the men's request διάθου διαθήκην but twisting it into a cruel condition.
ὑμῖνwith youDativedative (party to the covenant)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): the men of Jabesh as the party to the proposed treaty.
διαθήκηνa covenantAccusativedirect object (cognate accusative)→ object specificationδιαθήκη: 'covenant / treaty'; the cognate object of διαθήσομαι; Nahash purports to grant the requested covenant but on degrading terms.
ἐνbypreposition + dative articular infinitive (means/condition)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + articular infinitive: a Hebraizing construction expressing the means or condition, 'by / in the gouging out'; here it specifies the term on which the covenant is offered.
τῷtheDativearticle (with the infinitive ἐξορύξαι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξορύξαιgouging outAor Act Inf · ἐξορύσσωarticular infinitive (means/condition with ἐν τῷ)→ verbal action or stateἐξορύσσω: 'dig out / gouge out / pluck out'; renders נָקַר; the articular infinitive ἐν τῷ ἐξορύξαι states the brutal condition — the gouging out of every right eye; the same gruesome motif recurs at Judg 16:21 (Samson).
ὑμῶνof youGenitivegenitive (possessive: 'your right eye')→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): possessive genitive with ὀφθαλμόν; the eyes belong to the men of Jabesh — the mutilation is to be inflicted on them all.
πάνταeveryAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ὀφθαλμόν)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'every / all'; the distributive 'every right eye' underscores the totality of the intended humiliation — no defender to be spared.
ὀφθαλμὸνeyeAccusativeobject of the infinitive ἐξορύξαι→ object specificationὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; renders עַיִן; the right eye was the warrior's targeting eye (the left being shielded behind the buckler), so its removal would render the men militarily useless and permanently shamed.
δεξιόνrightAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ὀφθαλμόν)→ object specificationδεξιός: 'right (-hand)'; renders יָמִין; the specification 'right eye' marks the calculated cruelty of incapacitating the men for war while leaving them alive as living tokens of disgrace.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (purpose-result extension)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θήσομαιI will layFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (Nahash's avowed aim)→ verbal action or stateτίθημι (mid. θήσομαι): 'place / set / lay'; renders שִׂים; θήσομαι ὄνειδος ('I will set a reproach') discloses Nahash's true purpose — not mere conquest but the public shaming of all Israel through the disfigurement of Jabesh.
ὄνειδοςa reproachAccusativedirect object of θήσομαι→ object specificationὄνειδος: 'reproach / disgrace / taunt'; renders חֶרְפָּה; the reproach is national — the maiming of one Israelite town would brand all Israel as defenseless and despised among the nations.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (recipient of the reproach)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (recipient of the reproach).
ΙσραηλIsraelaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; here the whole nation upon which Nahash means to fix his disgrace.
3
καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ οἱ ἄνδρες Ιαβις ἄνες ἡμῖν ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας καὶ ἀποστελοῦμεν ἀγγέλους εἰς πᾶν ὅριον Ισραηλ ἐὰν μὴ ᾖ ὁ σῴζων ἡμᾶς ἐξελευσόμεθα πρὸς ὑμᾶς
And the men of Jabesh said to him, 'Grant us seven days, and we will send messengers into all the territory of Israel; and if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you.'
The men of Jabesh, in the historic present λέγουσιν, ask for a respite of seven days (ἄνες ἡμῖν ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας) to seek a deliverer throughout Israel; the conditional ἐὰν μὴ ᾖ ὁ σῴζων ('if there is no one to save') frames their surrender as a last resort and sets up the urgency of the appeal that reaches Saul.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λέγουσινsayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (historic present: speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (pres. λέγουσιν): the historic present enlivens the dialogue, presenting the men of Jabesh as speaking before the reader's eyes.
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (Nahash as addressee)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. sg. αὐτῷ): refers to Nahash; the dative of the person addressed.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀνήρ (pl. ἄνδρες): the men / citizens of Jabesh, now negotiating for time.
Ιαβιςof Jabeshindeclinable place-name (genitival: 'men of Jabesh')→ participant identificationΙαβις: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable place-name (genitival: 'men of Jabesh').
ἄνεςgrantAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀνίημιmain verb (imperative of petition)→ verbal action or stateἀνίημι (aor. impv. ἄνες): 'let go / loosen / grant / allow'; here 'grant us (a respite of)'; renders הֶרֶף / הַנִּיחָה; the men ask for a reprieve, a slackening of the siege-pressure for seven days.
ἡμῖνusDativedative of advantage (beneficiary of the respite)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. pl. ἡμῖν): dative of advantage with ἄνες — 'grant to us / for us.'
ἑπτὰsevenAccusativenumeral (modifying ἡμέρας)→ measure or countἑπτά: 'seven'; indeclinable numeral; the seven-day reprieve is a typologically charged period, allowing time for the appeal to reach all Israel.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time (object of ἄνες)→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the accusative plural with ἑπτά measures the requested span of the truce.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποστελοῦμενwe will sendFut Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (purpose of the respite)→ verbal action or stateἀποστέλλω: 'send / send out (as envoys)'; renders שָׁלַח; the men intend to send appeals for help throughout Israel during the seven days.
ἀγγέλουςmessengersAccusativedirect object of ἀποστελοῦμεν→ object specificationἄγγελος: 'messenger / envoy'; renders מַלְאָךְ; here human messengers (not angels) sent to summon a deliverer.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (extent/direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (extent/direction).
πᾶνallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ὅριον)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / every'; 'into all the territory' marks the nationwide scope of the appeal.
ὅριονterritoryAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (extent)→ object specificationὅριον: 'boundary / border / territory'; renders גְּבוּל; πᾶν ὅριον Ισραηλ = 'all the territory of Israel,' the whole land within Israel's borders.
Ισραηλof Israelindeclinable proper noun (genitival: 'territory of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (genitival: 'territory of Israel').
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (introducing protasis with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces a future-more-vivid condition with the subjunctive ᾖ; the men frame their surrender as conditional upon the failure of rescue.
μὴnotnegative particle (with the subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative used with the subjunctive in the conditional clause.
ᾖthere bePres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of the protasis (existential subjunctive)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (pres. subj. ᾖ): 'be / exist'; existential use, 'if there is no one'; the subjunctive with ἐάν marks the contingency of a deliverer arising.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle σῴζων)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σῴζωνsavingPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · σῴζωsubstantival participle (predicate of ᾖ: 'one who saves')→ verbal action or stateσῴζω: 'save / deliver / rescue'; renders יָשַׁע / מוֹשִׁיעַ; the substantival participle ὁ σῴζων ('the deliverer') anticipates the theme of σωτηρία ('deliverance') realized through Saul in vv. 9, 13.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of σῴζων→ participant referenceἐγώ (acc. pl. ἡμᾶς): the men of Jabesh as the object of the hoped-for deliverance.
ἐξελευσόμεθαwe will come outFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (apodosis: surrender)→ verbal action or stateἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / come out'; renders יָצָא; here 'we will come out (to surrender)' — the men pledge capitulation if no deliverer appears.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction: surrender to Nahash)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: surrender to Nahash).
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Nahash and his army)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. pl. ὑμᾶς): Nahash and the Ammonites, to whom the men would surrender.
4
καὶ ἔρχονται οἱ ἄγγελοι εἰς Γαβαα πρὸς Σαουλ καὶ λαλοῦσιν τοὺς λόγους εἰς τὰ ὦτα τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ ἦραν πᾶς ὁ λαὸς τὴν φωνὴν αὐτῶν καὶ ἔκλαυσαν
And the messengers came to Gibeah, to Saul, and spoke the words into the ears of the people; and all the people lifted up their voice and wept.
The narrative moves to Gibeah (πρὸς Σαουλ) with the historic presents ἔρχονται and λαλοῦσιν; the idiom λαλοῦσιν … εἰς τὰ ὦτα τοῦ λαοῦ ('speak into the ears of the people') is a Hebraism for public proclamation. The people's collective grief (ἦραν … τὴν φωνὴν … καὶ ἔκλαυσαν) sets the emotional stage for Saul's Spirit-empowered response.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔρχονταιcomePres Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (historic present: arrival)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι (pres. ἔρχονται): 'come / go'; renders בּוֹא; the historic present brings the messengers' arrival at Gibeah immediately before the reader.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄγγελοιmessengersNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἄγγελος: 'messenger / envoy'; the same envoys sent out in v. 3, now arriving at Saul's town.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΓαβααGibeahaccusative object of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΓαβαα: transliteration of Hebrew גִּבְעָה (Gibeah); indeclinable in the LXX; Saul's home town in Benjamin, the seat from which the muster will be commanded.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction: 'to Saul')→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: 'to Saul').
ΣαουλSaulaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliteration of Hebrew שָׁאוּל (Saul); indeclinable in the LXX; Israel's first king, here introduced into the crisis at Jabesh.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λαλοῦσινspeakPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λαλέωmain verb (historic present: proclamation)→ verbal action or stateλαλέω (pres. λαλοῦσιν): 'speak / report'; renders דִּבֶּר; the messengers deliver the report of Jabesh's plight to the assembly.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγουςwordsAccusativedirect object of λαλοῦσιν→ object specificationλόγος: 'word / message / report'; renders דָּבָר; here 'the words' = the news of Nahash's siege and ultimatum.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (idiom: 'into the ears')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (idiom: 'into the ears').
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὦταearsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (Hebraism: 'into the ears of')→ object specificationοὖς (pl. ὦτα): 'ear'; the idiom λαλέω εἰς τὰ ὦτα renders the Hebrew דִּבֶּר בְּאָזְנֵי ('speak in the ears of'), denoting full public proclamation to the assembly.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive (possessor of the ears: 'of the people')→ relational specificationλαός: 'people'; the standard LXX term for Israel as covenant community; here the assembly at Gibeah that hears the report.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦρανlifted upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · αἴρωmain verb (collective response; plural verb with collective subject)→ verbal action or stateαἴρω (aor. ἦραν): 'lift / raise / take up'; renders נָשָׂא; the idiom ἦραν … τὴν φωνήν ('lifted up the voice') = broke into loud weeping; the 3rd plural verb with the collective subject πᾶς ὁ λαός is a constructio ad sensum.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying λαός)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; 'all the people' stresses the universality of the lament.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject (collective)→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the collective subject of the plural verbs ἦραν and ἔκλαυσαν (sense-construction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνὴνvoiceAccusativedirect object of ἦραν (idiom: 'lifted up the voice')→ object specificationφωνή: 'voice / sound / cry'; renders קוֹל; the idiom 'lifted up the voice' introduces collective loud weeping.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (the people's voice)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): possessive genitive with φωνήν.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔκλαυσανweptAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κλαίωmain verb (collective lament)→ verbal action or stateκλαίω (aor. ἔκλαυσαν): 'weep / wail'; renders בָּכָה; the people's weeping expresses both grief for Jabesh and helplessness before Ammon — the emotional low point before Saul's Spirit-driven intervention.
5
καὶ ἰδοὺ Σαουλ ἤρχετο μετὰ τὸ πρωὶ ἐξ ἀγροῦ καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ τί ὅτι κλαίει ὁ λαός καὶ διηγοῦνται αὐτῷ τὰ ῥήματα τῶν υἱῶν Ιαβις
And behold, Saul came after the morning out of the field, and Saul said, 'Why is it that the people are weeping?' And they recounted to him the words of the men of Jabesh.
The deictic καὶ ἰδού spotlights Saul's arrival from the field — a touch that recalls his agrarian origins (still tending oxen, cf. v. 7). The imperfect ἤρχετο pictures him in the act of coming; his question τί ὅτι κλαίει ὁ λαός ('Why is the people weeping?') prompts the report (διηγοῦνται) that triggers the descent of the Spirit.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholddeictic interjection (attention-marker)→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; a presentative particle directing attention to Saul's sudden appearance on the scene.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable transliteration of שָׁאוּל; here the subject coming in from the field.
ἤρχετοwas comingImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (imperfect of attendant action)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι (impf. ἤρχετο): 'come / go'; the imperfect depicts Saul as in the process of coming from his fieldwork, underscoring his humble agrarian situation at the moment of crisis.
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (temporal).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing the adverb πρωί)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωὶmorningAccusativesubstantivized adverb (object of μετά: 'after the morning')→ object specificationπρωί: 'early / morning'; here the articular τὸ πρωί substantivizes the adverb as 'the morning'; μετὰ τὸ πρωί = 'after the morning,' i.e. as the working day advances.
ἐξout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
ἀγροῦthe fieldGenitivegenitive of source (with ἐξ: 'out of the field')→ relational specificationἀγρός: 'field / farmland'; renders שָׂדֶה; Saul returns from the field behind his oxen (cf. v. 7), an image of his pre-royal life still continuing — the king as plowman summoned to war.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces Saul's question about the people's weeping.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
τίwhyinterrogative pronoun (with ὅτι: 'why is it that')→ participant referenceτίς, τί: the neuter interrogative τί used adverbially, 'why?'; the idiom τί ὅτι ('what is it that…?') renders the Hebrew מַה־ + clause, a colloquial way of asking the cause.
ὅτιthatconjunction (in the idiom τί ὅτι: 'why is it that')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that / because'; here forms the causal-interrogative idiom τί ὅτι, 'why (is it) that.'
κλαίειweepsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · κλαίωverb of the indirect question (present of ongoing action)→ verbal action or stateκλαίω (pres. κλαίει): 'weep'; the present marks the people's weeping as still in progress when Saul arrives; singular verb agreeing with the collective ὁ λαός.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόςpeopleNominativesubject of κλαίει→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the weeping assembly whose cause Saul inquires after.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διηγοῦνταιthey recountPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · διηγέομαιmain verb (historic present: the report to Saul)→ verbal action or stateδιηγέομαι (pres. διηγοῦνται): 'narrate / recount / relate in full'; the compound δι- intensifies, 'tell through'; the people report to Saul the full message of the men of Jabesh.
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (Saul)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. sg. αὐτῷ): Saul as the recipient of the report.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματαwordsAccusativedirect object of διηγοῦνται→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / saying / matter'; renders דָּבָר; here 'the words / report' of the men of Jabesh concerning Nahash's ultimatum.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνmen / sonsGenitivegenitive (source of the words: 'of the men of Jabesh')→ relational specificationυἱός (pl. υἱῶν): 'son'; the idiom υἱοί + place-name renders בְּנֵי ('sons / men of'), denoting the inhabitants — here the men of Jabesh whose message is reported.
Ιαβιςof Jabeshindeclinable place-name (genitival: 'sons/men of Jabesh')→ participant identificationΙαβις: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable place-name (genitival: 'sons/men of Jabesh').
6
καὶ ἐφήλατο πνεῦμα κυρίου ἐπὶ Σαουλ ὡς ἤκουσεν τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα καὶ ἐθυμώθη ἐπ᾿ αὐτοὺς ὀργὴ αὐτοῦ σφόδρα
And the Spirit of the LORD leaped upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was kindled against them exceedingly.
The pivot of the chapter: the vivid verb ἐφήλατο ('leaped upon') describes the sudden, forceful seizure of Saul by πνεῦμα κυρίου (the Spirit of the LORD), echoing the charismatic empowerment of the judges (cf. Judg 14:6, 19). The kindling of his anger (ἐθυμώθη … ὀργὴ αὐτοῦ σφόδρα) is the human counterpart of the divine impulse, channeling the Spirit into decisive military action.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐφήλατοleaped uponAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐφάλλομαιmain verb (the descent of the Spirit)→ verbal action or stateἐφάλλομαι (aor. ἐφήλατο): 'leap upon / spring upon'; renders צָלַח ('rush / advance mightily'); the vivid verb portrays the Spirit's irruption as a sudden onslaught, the same charismatic seizure that empowered the judges and David (cf. Judg 14:6; 1 Kgdms 16:13).
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubject of ἐφήλατο→ participant prominenceπνεῦμα: 'spirit / breath / wind'; renders רוּחַ; πνεῦμα κυρίου ('the Spirit of the LORD') is the divine empowering presence that equips Saul for deliverance, marking him as a Spirit-endowed leader like the judges.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive (possessive/source: 'Spirit of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the genitive πνεῦμα κυρίου renders רוּחַ יהוה, marking the empowerment as YHWH's own Spirit, not a merely human surge of zeal.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction of the Spirit's descent)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of the Spirit's descent).
ΣαουλSaulaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; the recipient of the Spirit's empowerment, here transformed from plowman to deliverer.
ὡςwhentemporal conjunction (introducing subordinate clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'when / as'; here temporal, marking the moment of hearing as the trigger of the Spirit's onset and Saul's anger.
ἤκουσενhe heardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωverb of the temporal clause→ verbal action or stateἀκούω (aor. ἤκουσεν): 'hear / listen'; renders שָׁמַע; Saul's hearing of the report is the occasion of both the Spirit's descent and his kindled anger.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματαwordsAccusativedirect object of ἤκουσεν→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / report'; the news of Nahash's ultimatum (cf. v. 5).
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative (modifying ῥήματα)→ object specificationοὗτος (acc. pl. neut. ταῦτα): 'these'; deictic, pointing back to the report of vv. 1–5.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐθυμώθηwas kindledAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · θυμόωmain verb (Saul's kindled anger)→ verbal action or stateθυμόω (aor. pass. ἐθυμώθη): 'be angered / be enraged'; renders חָרָה אַף ('the anger burned'); the passive depicts anger as something that comes upon Saul — the affective counterpart of the Spirit's seizure, propelling him to action.
ἐπ᾿againstpreposition + accusative (object of anger; elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: here hostile, 'against'; the anger is directed against the Ammonites (αὐτούς).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπ᾿ (the Ammonites)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. αὐτούς): refers to Nahash and the Ammonites against whom Saul's anger blazes.
ὀργὴangerNominativesubject of ἐθυμώθη→ participant prominenceὀργή: 'anger / wrath'; renders אַף; the construction ἐθυμώθη … ὀργὴ αὐτοῦ ('his anger was kindled') is a Hebraistic double expression of rising fury.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Saul's anger)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. sg. αὐτοῦ): possessive genitive with ὀργή — the anger is Saul's own.
σφόδραexceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying ἐθυμώθη)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'very much / exceedingly'; standard LXX rendering of מְאֹד; marks the extremity of Saul's righteous fury, fitting the Spirit-driven scale of the coming deliverance.
7
καὶ ἔλαβεν δύο βόας καὶ ἐμέλισεν αὐτὰς καὶ ἀπέστειλεν εἰς πᾶν ὅριον Ισραηλ ἐν χειρὶ ἀγγέλων λέγων ὃς οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκπορευόμενος ὀπίσω Σαουλ καὶ ὀπίσω Σαμουηλ κατὰ τάδε ποιήσουσιν τοῖς βουσὶν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπῆλθεν ἔκστασις κυρίου ἐπὶ τὸν λαὸν Ισραηλ καὶ ἐβόησαν ὡς ἀνὴρ εἷς
And he took two oxen and cut them in pieces and sent them into all the territory of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, 'Whoever is not coming out after Saul and after Samuel, thus shall they do to his oxen.' And a terror from the LORD fell upon the people of Israel, and they came out as one man.
Saul enacts a dramatic summons-by-symbol: he dismembers a yoke of oxen (ἐμέλισεν) and sends the pieces through Israel with the threat-formula κατὰ τάδε ποιήσουσιν τοῖς βουσὶν αὐτοῦ ('thus shall it be done to his oxen'), a horror-sanction compelling muster. The pairing 'after Saul and after Samuel' joins king and prophet. The clause ἐπῆλθεν ἔκστασις κυρίου ('a terror from the LORD fell') credits the unanimous response (ὡς ἀνὴρ εἷς, 'as one man') to divine action, not mere fear of Saul.
Word-by-word analysis· 45 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (Saul's first action)→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω (aor. ἔλαβεν): 'take / grasp'; renders לָקַח; Saul takes the oxen — likely his own plow-team (cf. v. 5) — to enact the summons-rite.
δύοtwoAccusativenumeral (modifying βόας)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; here a yoke (pair) of oxen, the team Saul had been driving in the field.
βόαςoxenAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationβοῦς (acc. pl. βόας): 'ox / cow'; renders בָּקָר; the plow-oxen become the material of Saul's grim object-lesson; cf. the dismembered concubine at Judg 19:29 for the parallel rite of summons.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐμέλισενcut in piecesAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μελίζωmain verb (the dismembering)→ verbal action or stateμελίζω (aor. ἐμέλισεν): 'cut up / dismember (into limbs)'; from μέλος ('limb'); renders נָתַח; the dismemberment of the oxen is the visual sanction of the summons — the same fate threatened to any who refuse to muster.
αὐτὰςthemAccusativedirect object of ἐμέλισεν (the oxen)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. fem. αὐτάς): the oxen (βοῦς being feminine here), object of the dismembering.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (dispatch of the pieces)→ verbal action or stateἀποστέλλω (aor. ἀπέστειλεν): 'send out'; renders שָׁלַח; Saul sends the pieces of the oxen as a summons throughout Israel.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (extent)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (extent).
πᾶνallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ὅριον)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the summons reaches the whole land — echoing the messengers' commission in v. 3.
ὅριονterritoryAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (extent)→ object specificationὅριον: 'border / territory'; πᾶν ὅριον Ισραηλ = 'all the territory of Israel,' the nationwide reach of the muster-summons.
Ισραηλof Israelindeclinable proper noun (genitival: 'territory of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (genitival: 'territory of Israel').
ἐνbypreposition + dative (instrument/agency: Hebraism 'by the hand of')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: instrumental, 'by'; ἐν χειρί renders the Hebrew בְּיַד ('by the hand of'), a standard idiom for agency.
χειρὶthe handDativedative of instrument (Hebraism: 'by the hand of')→ sphere or referenceχείρ: 'hand'; the idiom ἐν χειρὶ ἀγγέλων ('by the hand of messengers') renders בְּיַד ('by the agency of'), denoting the messengers as Saul's instruments of dispatch.
ἀγγέλωνof messengersGenitivegenitive (with χειρί: 'by the hand of messengers')→ relational specificationἄγγελος (gen. pl. ἀγγέλων): 'messenger / envoy'; the human couriers who carry the dismembered pieces and the threat-summons.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of attendant circumstance (introducing direct speech)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (pres. part. λέγων): the participle λέγων, rendering Hebrew לֵאמֹר, regularly introduces the content of a message in the LXX; here it carries the threat-formula of the summons.
ὃςwhoeverNominativerelative pronoun (subject of the casus pendens: 'whoever')→ participant referenceὅς: the relative pronoun heading a casus-pendens construction ('whoever is not coming out … to his oxen'), a Hebraizing conditional relative.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ (οὐκ before vowel): negates the periphrastic predicate ἔστιν ἐκπορευόμενος.
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (periphrastic with ἐκπορευόμενος)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (pres. ἔστιν): the copula forming a periphrastic present with the participle ἐκπορευόμενος, 'is (not) coming out' — a Hebraizing periphrasis.
ἐκπορευόμενοςcoming outPres Mid Part Nom Sg Masc · ἐκπορεύομαιpredicate participle (periphrastic with ἔστιν)→ verbal action or stateἐκπορεύομαι (pres. part. ἐκπορευόμενος): 'go out / march out (to war)'; renders יָצָא; the periphrastic οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκπορευόμενος = 'is not going forth,' i.e. fails to muster for battle.
ὀπίσωafterpreposition + genitive (following: 'after Saul')→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'behind / after'; renders אַחֲרֵי; 'going out after Saul' is the idiom for joining his army; failure to do so incurs the threatened sanction.
ΣαουλSaulgenitive object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable proper noun).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀπίσωafterpreposition + genitive (following: 'after Samuel')→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: the repetition joins Samuel to Saul as joint object of allegiance — prophet alongside king in the summons to war.
ΣαμουηλSamuelgenitive object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: transliteration of Hebrew שְׁמוּאֵל (Samuel); indeclinable in the LXX; the prophet-judge, named alongside Saul as co-authority of the muster.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (manner: 'thus')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; κατὰ τάδε = 'thus / in this manner,' pointing to the dismembered oxen as the pattern of the threatened punishment.
τάδεthus / these thingsAccusativedemonstrative (object of κατά: the pattern of the sanction)→ object specificationὅδε (acc. pl. neut. τάδε): 'these things'; deictically points to the dismembered oxen as the visible model of the threat.
ποιήσουσινthey shall doFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb of the apodosis (threat-sanction)→ verbal action or stateποιέω (fut. ποιήσουσιν): 'do / make'; the impersonal 3rd plural ('they shall do' = 'it shall be done') is a Hebraizing idiom for the passive; the sanction: a defaulter's own oxen will be dismembered like these.
τοῖςto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βουσὶνoxenDativedative of disadvantage (the defaulter's oxen)→ sphere or referenceβοῦς (dat. pl. βουσίν): 'ox'; the dative names what will suffer the sanction — the defaulter's own cattle, dismembered as Saul's were.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the defaulter's oxen)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. sg. αὐτοῦ): refers to the hypothetical defaulter (the ὅς of the casus pendens) — his cattle face the threatened fate.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπῆλθενfell uponAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπέρχομαιmain verb (the divine terror)→ verbal action or stateἐπέρχομαι (aor. ἐπῆλθεν): 'come upon / fall upon'; renders נָפַל; the divine dread comes upon the people, securing their compliance — the theological cause behind the unanimous muster.
ἔκστασιςa terror / aweNominativesubject of ἐπῆλθεν→ participant prominenceἔκστασις: 'displacement of mind / terror / awe'; renders פַּחַד ('dread'); ἔκστασις κυρίου ('a terror from the LORD') is a God-sent dread that overwhelms ordinary reluctance, paralleling the 'terror of God' that protects Israel (cf. Gen 35:5).
κυρίουfrom the LORDGenitivegenitive of source (Tetragrammaton: 'terror from the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the genitive marks the dread as divinely sent — the LORD himself moves the people to muster as one.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (recipient of the terror)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (recipient of the terror).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (recipient of the terror)→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; the whole nation upon whom the divine dread falls.
Ισραηλof Israelindeclinable proper noun (genitival: 'people of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (genitival: 'people of Israel').
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐβόησανthey cried out / came outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · βοάωmain verb (the unanimous response)→ verbal action or stateβοάω (aor. ἐβόησαν): 'cry out / shout'; renders זָעַק; here the people's unanimous war-cry / rallying response; the unity ὡς ἀνὴρ εἷς ('as one man') shows the divine dread producing total, single-hearted muster.
ὡςascomparative particle (with ἀνὴρ εἷς)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; introduces the simile of unanimity, ὡς ἀνὴρ εἷς ('as one man').
ἀνὴρmanNominativepredicate of the simile (with εἷς: 'as one man')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the idiom ὡς ἀνὴρ εἷς renders כְּאִישׁ אֶחָד ('as one man'), the standard Hebrew expression for complete corporate unanimity (cf. Judg 20:8).
εἷςoneNominativenumeral adjective (modifying ἀνήρ: 'one man')→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; with ἀνήρ forms the unanimity-idiom — all Israel responds with a single will, the fruit of the ἔκστασις κυρίου.
8
καὶ ἐπισκέπτεται αὐτοὺς Αβιεζεκ ἐν Βαμα πᾶν ἄνδρα Ισραηλ ἑξακοσίας χιλιάδας καὶ ἄνδρας Ιουδα ἑβδομήκοντα χιλιάδας
And he mustered them at Bezek: every man of Israel, six hundred thousand, and the men of Judah, seventy thousand.
The historic present ἐπισκέπτεται ('he musters / numbers') reports the census of the rallied army at Bezek (Αβιεζεκ ἐν Βαμα). The separate tallies — six hundred thousand of Israel, seventy thousand of Judah — already distinguish Israel from Judah, a foreshadowing of the later division of the monarchy and a touch characteristic of the books of Kingdoms.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπισκέπτεταιmustersPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπισκέπτομαιmain verb (historic present: the muster)→ verbal action or stateἐπισκέπτομαι (pres. ἐπισκέπτεται): 'visit / inspect / muster / number'; renders פָּקַד; the standard LXX verb for a military census (cf. Num 1:3); Saul reviews and counts the assembled host.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἐπισκέπτεται (the mustered people)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. αὐτούς): the assembled people whom Saul numbers.
ΑβιεζεκAbiezek / Bezekindeclinable place-name (location of the muster)→ participant identificationΑβιεζεκ: transliteration corresponding to Hebrew בֶּזֶק (Bezek), the mustering-place; indeclinable in the LXX; the Greek form has assimilated the preceding particle, yielding Αβιεζεκ for 'at Bezek.'
ἐνatpreposition + dative (place where)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place where).
ΒαμαBamaindeclinable place-name (object of ἐν: place of the muster)→ participant identificationΒαμα: transliteration of Hebrew בָּמָה ('high place'); indeclinable in the LXX; here a local cult-height or open ground at Bezek where the army is reviewed.
πᾶνeveryAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἄνδρα: 'every man')→ object specificationπᾶς: 'every / all'; πᾶν ἄνδρα ('every man') is a collective accusative summarizing the whole levy of Israel.
ἄνδραmanAccusativeaccusative in apposition to αὐτούς (collective: the men of Israel)→ object specificationἀνήρ (acc. sg. ἄνδρα): 'man'; the singular ἄνδρα with πᾶν is collective ('every man / the whole male levy'), specifying who was numbered.
Ισραηλof Israelindeclinable proper noun (genitival: 'every man of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (genitival: 'every man of Israel').
ἑξακοσίαςsix hundredAccusativenumeral (modifying χιλιάδας)→ object specificationἑξακόσιοι: 'six hundred'; with χιλιάδας ('thousands') = 600,000; the count of the Israelite levy, a typologically large round figure echoing the Exodus census (Exod 12:37).
χιλιάδαςthousandsAccusativeaccusative of the count (in apposition to ἄνδρα)→ object specificationχιλιάς: 'a thousand / a unit of a thousand'; renders אֶלֶף; the unit of military reckoning; six hundred χιλιάδες = 600,000 men of Israel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the Judah tally)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativeaccusative (the men of Judah, second tally)→ object specificationἀνήρ (acc. pl. ἄνδρας): 'man'; the men of Judah counted separately from Israel — the distinct tally anticipates the later Israel/Judah division.
Ιουδαof Judahindeclinable proper noun (genitival: 'men of Judah')→ participant identificationΙουδα: transliteration of Hebrew יְהוּדָה (Judah); indeclinable in the LXX; the separate enumeration of Judah is characteristic of Kingdoms, which keeps the two entities distinct.
ἑβδομήκονταseventyAccusativenumeral (modifying χιλιάδας)→ measure or countἑβδομήκοντα: 'seventy'; indeclinable numeral; with χιλιάδας = 70,000; the Judah tally, smaller than Israel's, kept distinct in the muster.
χιλιάδαςthousandsAccusativeaccusative of the count (men of Judah)→ object specificationχιλιάς: 'thousand'; seventy χιλιάδες = 70,000 men of Judah, the second component of the combined host.
9
καὶ εἶπεν τοῖς ἀγγέλοις τοῖς ἐρχομένοις τάδε ἐρεῖτε τοῖς ἀνδράσιν Ιαβις αὔριον ὑμῖν ἡ σωτηρία διαθερμάναντος τοῦ ἡλίου καὶ ἦλθον οἱ ἄγγελοι εἰς τὴν πόλιν καὶ ἀπαγγέλλουσιν τοῖς ἀνδράσιν Ιαβις καὶ εὐφράνθησαν
And he said to the messengers who had come, 'Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh: Tomorrow deliverance will be yours, when the sun grows hot.' And the messengers came into the city and reported to the men of Jabesh, and they rejoiced.
Saul commissions the messengers with a messenger-formula (τάδε ἐρεῖτε, 'thus shall you say'), promising deliverance αὔριον … διαθερμάναντος τοῦ ἡλίου ('tomorrow, when the sun grows hot') — a genitive absolute fixing the hour of relief. The narrative then closes the loop: the messengers report (ἀπαγγέλλουσιν) and Jabesh rejoices (εὐφράνθησαν), reversing the weeping of v. 4.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces Saul's instruction to the messengers from Jabesh.
τοῖςto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγγέλοιςmessengersDativedative indirect object (the envoys from Jabesh)→ sphere or referenceἄγγελος (dat. pl. ἀγγέλοις): 'messenger'; the envoys who had come from Jabesh (v. 3), now sent back with Saul's promise.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with the participle ἐρχομένοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρχομένοιςwho had comePres Mid Part Dat Pl Masc · ἔρχομαιattributive participle (modifying ἀγγέλοις)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι (pres. part. ἐρχομένοις): 'come'; the attributive participle 'the messengers who were coming / had come' identifies the envoys from Jabesh present before Saul.
τάδεthusAccusativedemonstrative (object of ἐρεῖτε: content of the message)→ object specificationὅδε (acc. pl. neut. τάδε): 'these things / thus'; the formula τάδε ἐρεῖτε ('thus shall you say') is the messenger-commission idiom, here introducing Saul's promise to Jabesh.
ἐρεῖτεyou shall sayFut Act Indic 2 Pl · λέγωmain verb (imperatival future: messenger-commission)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (fut. ἐρεῖτε): 'say'; the future with imperatival force in the messenger-formula τάδε ἐρεῖτε, commissioning the envoys to relay Saul's exact words.
τοῖςto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνδράσινmenDativedative indirect object (recipients of the message)→ sphere or referenceἀνήρ (dat. pl. ἀνδράσιν): 'man'; the men of Jabesh to whom the promise of relief is to be announced.
Ιαβιςof Jabeshindeclinable place-name (genitival: 'men of Jabesh')→ participant identificationΙαβις: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable place-name (genitival: 'men of Jabesh').
αὔριονtomorrowtemporal adverb (when the deliverance comes)→ clausal contributionαὔριον: 'tomorrow / the next day'; renders מָחָר; sets the time of the promised rescue, fulfilled in the dawn attack of v. 11.
ὑμῖνyoursDativedative of possession (with ἡ σωτηρία: 'deliverance will be yours')→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): dative of possession/advantage — the deliverance belongs to / is for the men of Jabesh.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σωτηρίαdeliveranceNominativesubject (of an implied 'will be': 'deliverance will be yours')→ participant prominenceσωτηρία: 'deliverance / salvation / rescue'; renders יְשׁוּעָה / תְּשׁוּעָה; the keyword of the chapter, picked up in Saul's confession at v. 13 (κύριος ἐποίησεν σωτηρίαν); the verbless clause promises that rescue is imminent.
διαθερμάναντοςhaving grown hotAor Act Part Gen Sg Masc · διαθερμαίνωgenitive absolute (temporal: 'when the sun grows hot')→ verbal action or stateδιαθερμαίνω (aor. part. διαθερμάναντος): 'heat thoroughly / grow hot'; the compound δια- intensifies; the genitive absolute διαθερμάναντος τοῦ ἡλίου ('the sun having grown hot') fixes the hour of relief at midday heat — cf. the cognate verb in v. 11 (διεθερμάνθη ἡ ἡμέρα).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (subject of the genitive absolute)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡλίουsunGenitivesubject of the genitive absolute→ relational specificationἥλιος: 'sun'; renders שֶׁמֶשׁ; the rising heat of the sun marks the time by which the deliverance will be accomplished.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (fulfillment)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦλθονcameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (the messengers' return)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι (aor. ἦλθον): 'come / go'; the messengers carry Saul's promise back to the besieged city.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄγγελοιmessengersNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἄγγελος: 'messenger'; the envoys returning to Jabesh with the news of imminent relief.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (Jabesh)→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; renders עִיר; here Jabesh-gilead, the besieged city receiving the news.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπαγγέλλουσινreportPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (historic present: the report)→ verbal action or stateἀπαγγέλλω (pres. ἀπαγγέλλουσιν): 'announce / report back'; renders נָגַד; the messengers deliver Saul's promise of rescue to the men of Jabesh.
τοῖςto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνδράσινmenDativedative indirect object (recipients of the report)→ sphere or referenceἀνήρ (dat. pl. ἀνδράσιν): the men of Jabesh, now hearing of imminent deliverance.
Ιαβιςof Jabeshindeclinable place-name (genitival: 'men of Jabesh')→ participant identificationΙαβις: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable place-name (genitival: 'men of Jabesh').
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὐφράνθησανthey rejoicedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · εὐφραίνωmain verb (the joy of Jabesh)→ verbal action or stateεὐφραίνω (aor. pass. εὐφράνθησαν): 'gladden / make merry'; the passive/deponent means 'rejoice'; renders שָׂמַח; the rejoicing of Jabesh reverses the weeping of v. 4 and anticipates the national joy at Gilgal (v. 15).
10
καὶ εἶπαν οἱ ἄνδρες Ιαβις πρὸς Ναας τὸν Αμμανίτην αὔριον ἐξελευσόμεθα πρὸς ὑμᾶς καὶ ποιήσετε ἡμῖν τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐνώπιον ὑμῶν
And the men of Jabesh said to Nahash the Ammonite, 'Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do to us what is good in your sight.'
Knowing relief is coming, the men of Jabesh disarm Nahash with a feigned capitulation: αὔριον ἐξελευσόμεθα ('tomorrow we will come out') echoes their conditional surrender of v. 3, and ποιήσετε … τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐνώπιον ὑμῶν ('do what is good in your eyes') is the language of total submission — a ruse that keeps Nahash off guard until the dawn assault.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπαν): the later Koine form εἶπαν (for εἶπον) introduces the men of Jabesh addressing Nahash with their feigned surrender.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀνήρ (pl. ἄνδρες): the men of Jabesh, now feigning capitulation.
Ιαβιςof Jabeshindeclinable place-name (genitival: 'men of Jabesh')→ participant identificationΙαβις: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable place-name (genitival: 'men of Jabesh').
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΝααςNahashaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΝαας: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with appositional gentilic)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμμανίτηνAmmoniteAccusativeappositional gentilic (accusative, in apposition to Ναας)→ object specificationΑμμανίτης (acc. Αμμανίτην): the declined gentilic in apposition to Ναας; the full title keeps the enemy's identity in view at the moment of the ruse.
αὔριονtomorrowtemporal adverb (the day of the feigned surrender)→ clausal contributionαὔριον: 'tomorrow'; the men name the same 'tomorrow' that Saul fixed (v. 9) — but for the Ammonites it will bring not surrender but ruin.
ἐξελευσόμεθαwe will come outFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (the feigned capitulation)→ verbal action or stateἐξέρχομαι (fut. ἐξελευσόμεθα): 'come out / go forth'; deliberately echoes the surrender-pledge of v. 3, but now a stratagem: the 'coming out' will be in arms, not submission.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction: 'to you')→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: 'to you').
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Nahash and the Ammonites)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. pl. ὑμᾶς): Nahash and his army, addressed as the recipients of the supposed surrender.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσετεyou may doFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (concessive: 'do as you please')→ verbal action or stateποιέω (fut. ποιήσετε): 'do / make'; the permissive future ('you may do to us…') feigns total submission, inviting Nahash to lower his guard — the verbal mask over the planned attack.
ἡμῖνto usDativedative indirect object (the ones acted upon)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. pl. ἡμῖν): the men of Jabesh, the supposed objects of Nahash's pleasure.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing ἀγαθόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγαθὸνgoodAccusativesubstantivized adjective (direct object of ποιήσετε)→ object specificationἀγαθός: 'good'; τὸ ἀγαθόν here = 'whatever seems good,' the standard idiom of yielding to another's discretion (cf. הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינֶיךָ).
ἐνώπιονin the sight ofpreposition + genitive (Hebraism: 'in your eyes')→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the sight of'; renders בְּעֵינֵי / לִפְנֵי; ἐνώπιον ὑμῶν ('in your sight') completes the idiom of submission to Nahash's judgment.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον (Nahash's perspective)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): the genitive with ἐνώπιον — 'in your sight,' Nahash's evaluative standpoint, ironically invoked at the moment of deception.
11
καὶ ἐγενήθη μετὰ τὴν αὔριον καὶ ἔθετο Σαουλ τὸν λαὸν εἰς τρεῖς ἀρχάς καὶ εἰσπορεύονται μέσον τῆς παρεμβολῆς ἐν φυλακῇ τῇ πρωινῇ καὶ ἔτυπτον τοὺς υἱοὺς Αμμων ἕως διεθερμάνθη ἡ ἡμέρα καὶ ἐγενήθησαν οἱ ὑπολελειμμένοι διεσπάρησαν καὶ οὐχ ὑπελείφθησαν ἐν αὐτοῖς δύο κατὰ τὸ αὐτό
And it came to pass on the next day that Saul set the people in three companies, and they entered into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and they struck the sons of Ammon until the day grew hot; and it came to pass that those who survived were scattered, and not two of them were left together.
The promised 'tomorrow' arrives. Saul deploys the army in three companies (εἰς τρεῖς ἀρχάς) and attacks at the morning watch (ἐν φυλακῇ τῇ πρωινῇ), striking Ammon until midday heat (ἕως διεθερμάνθη ἡ ἡμέρα — echoing v. 9's διαθερμάναντος). The rout is total: the survivors are scattered, with not two left together (οὐχ ὑπελείφθησαν … δύο κατὰ τὸ αὐτό).
Word-by-word analysis· 45 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθηit came to passAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (narrative-temporal formula)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (aor. pass. ἐγενήθη): καὶ ἐγενήθη renders וַיְהִי, introducing the next narrative phase — the day of battle.
μετὰafter / onpreposition + accusative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (temporal).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing αὔριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αὔριονnext dayAccusativesubstantivized adverb (object of μετά: 'after the morrow')→ object specificationαὔριον: 'tomorrow'; here the articular τὴν αὔριον substantivizes it as 'the next day'; μετὰ τὴν αὔριον = 'on the day after,' the appointed day of deliverance.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (apodosis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔθετοset / arrangedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (Saul's deployment)→ verbal action or stateτίθημι (aor. mid. ἔθετο): 'place / set / arrange'; renders שׂוּם; Saul 'sets' the army into divisions — the middle voice marks the disposition as his own command-decision.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἔθετο (the army)→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; here the army / militia mustered for battle, deployed by Saul into divisions.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (result of arrangement: 'into companies')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (result of arrangement: 'into companies').
τρεῖςthreeAccusativenumeral (modifying ἀρχάς)→ measure or countτρεῖς: 'three'; the threefold division of the attacking force is a recurrent tactic in the OT (cf. Judg 7:16; 9:43), enabling a converging assault on the camp.
ἀρχάςcompanies / divisionsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the three divisions)→ object specificationἀρχή: 'beginning / command / company'; here in the military sense of 'division / detachment' (rendering רֹאשׁ, 'head / column'); the three ἀρχαί are the three attacking columns.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσπορεύονταιthey enterPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰσπορεύομαιmain verb (historic present: the assault)→ verbal action or stateεἰσπορεύομαι (pres. εἰσπορεύονται): 'go in / enter / penetrate'; renders בּוֹא; the historic present makes the columns' irruption into the Ammonite camp immediate and vivid.
μέσονthe midstAccusativeadverbial accusative (place into which: 'into the midst')→ object specificationμέσος: 'middle / midst'; the accusative μέσον τῆς παρεμβολῆς ('into the midst of the camp') marks the deep penetration of the surprise assault.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῆςcampGenitivegenitive (with μέσον: 'the midst of the camp')→ relational specificationπαρεμβολή: 'camp / encampment / army'; renders מַחֲנֶה; the Ammonite camp besieging Jabesh, now itself overrun; cf. the cognate verb παρεμβάλλει in v. 1.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (time when: 'in the watch')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (time when: 'in the watch').
φυλακῇwatchDativedative of time (when the attack falls)→ sphere or referenceφυλακή: 'guard / watch (of the night)'; renders אַשְׁמֹרֶת; ἐν φυλακῇ τῇ πρωινῇ ('in the morning watch') is the last night-watch before dawn — the classic hour for a surprise attack (cf. Exod 14:24).
τῇtheDativearticle (with πρωινῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωινῇmorningDativeattributive adjective (modifying φυλακῇ: 'morning watch')→ sphere or referenceπρωινός: 'early / morning'; the adjective specifies the last watch before sunrise — the moment of maximum surprise for the dawn assault.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔτυπτονthey struckImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · τύπτωmain verb (imperfect of the prolonged slaughter)→ verbal action or stateτύπτω (impf. ἔτυπτον): 'strike / smite / beat'; renders נָכָה / הִכָּה; the imperfect depicts the slaughter as continuous, going on 'until the day grew hot' — a prolonged rout, not a single blow.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object of ἔτυπτον (the Ammonites)→ object specificationυἱός (acc. pl. υἱούς): 'son'; the idiom υἱοὶ Αμμων ('sons of Ammon') renders בְּנֵי עַמּוֹן, the standard designation of the Ammonite people.
Αμμωνof Ammonindeclinable proper noun (genitival: 'sons of Ammon')→ participant identificationΑμμων: transliteration of Hebrew עַמּוֹן (Ammon); indeclinable in the LXX; the besieging nation, now routed.
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunction (introducing limit-clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: 'until'; marks the temporal limit of the slaughter — it continued until the heat of the day.
διεθερμάνθηgrew hotAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · διαθερμαίνωverb of the temporal clause (limit of the battle)→ verbal action or stateδιαθερμαίνω (aor. pass. διεθερμάνθη): 'grow thoroughly hot'; picks up the same verb from Saul's promise (v. 9 διαθερμάναντος τοῦ ἡλίου) — the deliverance is accomplished exactly 'when the day grew hot,' as foretold.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραdayNominativesubject of διεθερμάνθη→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: 'day'; renders יוֹם; the heat of the day marks the close of the rout, fulfilling Saul's timetable.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθησανit came aboutAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (resultative; with following clause)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (aor. pass. ἐγενήθησαν): 'become / come to be'; here introducing the outcome for the survivors — they came to be scattered; the construction with the following διεσπάρησαν is a Hebraizing paratactic description of the result.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with the participle ὑπολελειμμένοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑπολελειμμένοιthose who survivedPerf Mid Part Nom Pl Masc · ὑπολείπωsubstantival participle (subject: 'the survivors')→ verbal action or stateὑπολείπω (perf. mid. part. ὑπολελειμμένοι): 'leave behind / leave remaining'; the perfect participle 'those who had been left / survivors'; renders the Niphal of שָׁאַר; the survivors of the rout are the subject of the scattering.
διεσπάρησανwere scatteredAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · διασπείρωmain verb (the fate of the survivors)→ verbal action or stateδιασπείρω (aor. pass. διεσπάρησαν): 'scatter / disperse'; renders פּוּץ; the survivors are flung apart in flight — the rout leaves no cohesive remnant of the Ammonite army.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐχnotnegative particle (before rough breathing)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ (οὐχ before rough breathing): negates ὑπελείφθησαν, stressing the completeness of the dispersal.
ὑπελείφθησανwere leftAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ὑπολείπωmain verb (negated: 'were not left')→ verbal action or stateὑπολείπω (aor. pass. ὑπελείφθησαν): 'be left remaining'; the cognate of ὑπολελειμμένοι above, here negated: not even two were left together — a hyperbole of total rout.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (partitive: 'among them')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (partitive: 'among them').
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative object of ἐν (partitive: 'among them')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. pl. αὐτοῖς): the dispersed survivors, among whom not two remained together.
δύοtwoNominativenumeral (subject of ὑπελείφθησαν: 'two were not left')→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; the figure dramatizes the totality of the scattering — not even a pair stayed together; the fugitives fled singly.
κατὰinpreposition + accusative (idiom: 'together / in the same place')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: in the idiom κατὰ τὸ αὐτό = 'in the same place / together' (cf. ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό); marks that no two survivors remained side by side.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with αὐτό in the idiom)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αὐτόsameAccusativeintensive/identical pronoun (idiom κατὰ τὸ αὐτό: 'together')→ participant referenceαὐτός (neut. τὸ αὐτό): 'the same'; κατὰ τὸ αὐτό = 'in the same place, together'; the idiom seals the picture of total dispersal.
12
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ λαὸς πρὸς Σαμουηλ τίς ὁ εἴπας ὅτι Σαουλ οὐ βασιλεύσει ἡμῶν παράδος τοὺς ἄνδρας καὶ θανατώσομεν αὐτούς
And the people said to Samuel, 'Who is the one who said, "Saul shall not reign over us"? Hand over the men, and we will put them to death.'
Flushed with victory, the people turn on those who had earlier questioned Saul's kingship (cf. 1 Kgdms 10:27). Their demand — τίς ὁ εἴπας … παράδος τοὺς ἄνδρας καὶ θανατώσομεν ('Who said…? Hand them over and we will kill them') — sets up the contrast with Saul's magnanimity in v. 13; address to Samuel, not Saul, keeps the prophet as the people's covenantal point of reference.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces the people's demand to Samuel; singular verb with the collective ὁ λαός.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the victorious army, now zealous for Saul's honor against his former detractors.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΣαμουηλSamuelaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: indeclinable; the people address the prophet, not the king — Samuel remains the recognized covenant-authority who had presided over Saul's making.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject of the question)→ participant referenceτίς: 'who?'; the indignant question demands the identity of those who had despised Saul's kingship.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle εἴπας)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἴπαςwho saidAor Act Part Nom Sg Masc · λέγωsubstantival participle (predicate: 'the one who said')→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. part. εἴπας): the Koine first-aorist participle (for εἰπών); ὁ εἴπας = 'the one who said'; refers back to the 'worthless men' who scorned Saul at 1 Kgdms 10:27.
ὅτιthatconjunction (recitative: introducing direct quotation)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; here recitative ὅτι, functioning like quotation marks before the quoted scorn 'Saul shall not reign over us.'
ΣαουλSaulsubject of βασιλεύσει (within the quotation; indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of βασιλεύσει (within the quotation; indeclinable).
οὐnotnegative particle (with βασιλεύσει)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: negates βασιλεύσει — the scornful denial that Saul should rule.
βασιλεύσειshall reignFut Act Indic 3 Sg · βασιλεύωverb of the quoted scorn (future of expectation)→ verbal action or stateβασιλεύω (fut. βασιλεύσει): 'be king / reign'; renders מָלַךְ; the quoted denial Σαουλ οὐ βασιλεύσει ἡμῶν ('Saul shall not reign over us') is the contemptuous word now to be answered by the victory; βασιλεύω here takes a genitive of the ruled (ἡμῶν).
ἡμῶνover usGenitivegenitive (object of βασιλεύσει: 'reign over us')→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. pl. ἡμῶν): the genitive of the ruled with βασιλεύω, 'reign over us' — the scorners' rejection of Saul's rule.
παράδοςhand overAor Act Impv 2 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb (imperative demand to Samuel)→ verbal action or stateπαραδίδωμι (aor. impv. παράδος): 'hand over / deliver up'; renders נָתַן / מָסַר; the people demand that Samuel surrender the offenders for execution — the language of judicial handing-over.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object of παράδος (the offenders)→ object specificationἀνήρ (acc. pl. ἄνδρας): 'man'; here the men who had despised Saul — those the people wish executed.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (purpose-result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θανατώσομενwe will put to deathFut Act Indic 1 Pl · θανατόωmain verb (intended execution)→ verbal action or stateθανατόω (fut. θανατώσομεν): 'put to death / kill'; renders הֵמִית; the people's resolve to execute Saul's despisers — the very demand Saul will overrule in v. 13.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object of θανατώσομεν (the offenders)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. αὐτούς): the men who had scorned Saul, the intended objects of execution.
13
καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ οὐκ ἀποθανεῖται οὐδεὶς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ ὅτι σήμερον κύριος ἐποίησεν σωτηρίαν ἐν Ισραηλ
And Saul said, 'No one shall die on this day, for today the LORD has wrought deliverance in Israel.'
Saul's magnanimity is the moral climax of the chapter: he forbids any execution (οὐκ ἀποθανεῖται οὐδείς) and grounds his clemency theologically — ὅτι σήμερον κύριος ἐποίησεν σωτηρίαν ἐν Ισραηλ ('for today the LORD has wrought deliverance in Israel'). The victory is credited to YHWH, not to Saul, and the day of salvation is no day for vengeance.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces Saul's decree of clemency, overruling the people's demand.
ΣαουλSaulsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; here at his most magnanimous, refusing to avenge himself in the hour of triumph.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἀποθανεῖται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ (οὐκ before vowel): negates ἀποθανεῖται; with οὐδείς forms an emphatic double negation, 'no one at all shall die.'
ἀποθανεῖταιshall dieFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (Saul's prohibition: future of decree)→ verbal action or stateἀποθνῄσκω (fut. ἀποθανεῖται): 'die'; renders מוּת; the future has the force of a binding decree — 'no one shall be put to death'; Saul exercises royal clemency on the day of victory.
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubject of ἀποθανεῖται (emphatic negative)→ participant prominenceοὐδείς: 'no one / nobody'; the double negative οὐκ … οὐδείς intensifies the prohibition — absolutely no execution on this day.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (time when)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (time when).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with ταύτῃ: 'on this day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ ('on this day') marks the day of deliverance as set apart — a day for joy, not for blood.
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος (dat. sg. fem. ταύτῃ): 'this'; deictically singles out the day of victory.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction (grounding the prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the theological ground of the clemency — the day belongs to YHWH's saving act.
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb (emphatic: 'today')→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; the emphatic 'today' marks the deliverance as a present, accomplished reality — the very day on which YHWH has saved Israel.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ἐποίησεν (Tetragrammaton)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; Saul credits the victory wholly to YHWH — it is the LORD, not Saul, who 'wrought deliverance,' a confession that disarms the people's vengeance.
ἐποίησενhas wroughtAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb of the causal clause (the divine act)→ verbal action or stateποιέω (aor. ἐποίησεν): 'do / make / work'; the idiom ἐποίησεν σωτηρίαν ('wrought deliverance') renders עָשָׂה תְּשׁוּעָה (cf. 1 Sam 11:13 MT); the deliverance is YHWH's deed, the theological keynote of the chapter.
σωτηρίανdeliveranceAccusativedirect object of ἐποίησεν→ object specificationσωτηρία: 'deliverance / salvation / victory'; renders תְּשׁוּעָה; picks up the keyword from v. 9 (ἡ σωτηρία), now declared accomplished — the rescue promised to Jabesh has become deliverance for all Israel.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
ΙσραηλIsraelobject of ἐν (indeclinable proper noun; sphere of the deliverance)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the deliverance is 'in Israel' — a national salvation that vindicates both YHWH and his anointed king.
14
καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ πρὸς τὸν λαὸν λέγων πορευθῶμεν εἰς Γαλγαλα καὶ ἐγκαινίσωμεν ἐκεῖ τὴν βασιλείαν
And Samuel said to the people, 'Let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.'
Samuel channels the victory into covenantal renewal: the hortatory subjunctives πορευθῶμεν … ἐγκαινίσωμεν ('let us go … let us renew') call all Israel to Gilgal to confirm Saul's kingship. The verb ἐγκαινίζω ('renew / inaugurate') frames the act not as a fresh coronation but as a public re-affirmation of the kingship already conferred at Mizpah (1 Kgdms 10).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces Samuel's summons to Gilgal.
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: indeclinable; the prophet directs the people to confirm the monarchy he had inaugurated.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the assembly)→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; the whole assembly summoned to Gilgal.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of attendant circumstance (introducing direct speech)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (pres. part. λέγων): the redundant λέγων after εἶπεν renders the Hebrew לֵאמֹר, a Hebraizing pleonasm marking the onset of direct speech.
πορευθῶμενlet us goAor Pass Subj 1 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (hortatory subjunctive)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι (aor. subj. πορευθῶμεν): 'go / journey'; renders הָלַךְ; the hortatory subjunctive summons the people to set out for Gilgal together.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΓαλγαλαGilgalaccusative object of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΓαλγαλα: transliteration of Hebrew גִּלְגָּל (Gilgal); indeclinable in the LXX; the ancient cultic site near Jericho, fitting locale for the covenantal renewal of the kingship.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγκαινίσωμενlet us renewAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἐγκαινίζωmain verb (hortatory subjunctive, coordinate with πορευθῶμεν)→ verbal action or stateἐγκαινίζω (aor. subj. ἐγκαινίσωμεν): 'renew / inaugurate / dedicate'; renders חִדֵּשׁ; the verb (cognate with τὰ ἐγκαίνια, the feast of Dedication) frames the act at Gilgal as a public renewal of the kingship already given at Mizpah.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (at Gilgal)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; locates the renewal at Gilgal, the destination just named.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλείανkingdomAccusativedirect object of ἐγκαινίσωμεν→ object specificationβασιλεία: 'kingdom / kingship / reign'; renders מְלוּכָה; here the institution of monarchy under Saul, to be publicly re-affirmed before the LORD at Gilgal.
15
καὶ ἐπορεύθη πᾶς ὁ λαὸς εἰς Γαλγαλα καὶ ἔχρισεν Σαμουηλ ἐκεῖ τὸν Σαουλ εἰς βασιλέα ἐνώπιον κυρίου ἐν Γαλγαλοις καὶ ἔθυσεν ἐκεῖ θυσίας καὶ εἰρηνικὰς ἐνώπιον κυρίου καὶ εὐφράνθη Σαμουηλ καὶ πᾶς Ισραηλ ὥστε λίαν
And all the people went to Gilgal, and there Samuel anointed Saul to be king before the LORD in Gilgal, and there he sacrificed sacrifices and peace offerings before the LORD; and Samuel and all Israel rejoiced exceedingly.
The chapter closes in liturgical fulfillment: all Israel goes to Gilgal; Samuel anoints (ἔχρισεν) Saul king ἐνώπιον κυρίου ('before the LORD'), peace offerings are sacrificed, and Samuel and all Israel rejoice exceedingly (εὐφράνθη … ὥστε λίαν). The double ἐνώπιον κυρίου frames both the anointing and the sacrifice as acts done in YHWH's presence, sealing the kingship as a covenantal institution.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (the people's journey to Gilgal)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι (aor. ἐπορεύθη): 'go / journey'; the people obey Samuel's summons; the singular verb agrees with the collective πᾶς ὁ λαός.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying λαός)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; underscores the universal participation of Israel in the renewal at Gilgal.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the whole assembly now gathered at Gilgal for the renewal.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΓαλγαλαGilgalaccusative object of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΓαλγαλα: indeclinable transliteration of גִּלְגָּל; the destination of the assembly, where the kingship is renewed.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔχρισενanointedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · χρίωmain verb (the anointing of Saul)→ verbal action or stateχρίω (aor. ἔχρισεν): 'anoint'; renders מָשַׁח; the verb whence χριστός ('anointed one'); Samuel publicly anoints Saul king — the cultic ratification of the monarchy before the assembled nation.
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: indeclinable; the prophet as the agent of anointing, the human mediator of YHWH's choice.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (at Gilgal)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; locates the anointing at Gilgal, the appointed site.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with the proper name)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαουλSaulaccusative object of ἔχρισεν (indeclinable; articular)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: indeclinable; though the article τόν marks its accusative role, the name itself remains uninflected; the one anointed king.
εἰςto bepreposition + accusative (predicative: 'as / to be king')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: predicative use, 'as / to be'; ἔχρισεν … εἰς βασιλέα ('anointed to be king') is a Hebraizing construction (לְ of result) marking the office conferred.
βασιλέαkingAccusativepredicative accusative (with εἰς: the office Saul receives)→ object specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; the office to which Saul is anointed — the formal establishment of his reign over Israel.
ἐνώπιονbeforepreposition + genitive (Hebraism: 'in the presence of')→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the anointing is done 'before the LORD,' marking it as a sacral, covenantal act in YHWH's presence.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον (Tetragrammaton)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; ἐνώπιον κυρίου ('before the LORD') sets the anointing within the divine presence — Saul's kingship is ratified by YHWH himself.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place where)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place where).
ΓαλγαλοιςGilgalDativedative object of ἐν (place: 'in Gilgal'; declined form)→ sphere or referenceΓαλγαλα / Γαλγαλοι: the place-name Gilgal; unlike the indeclinable Γαλγαλα used elsewhere in the chapter, this Hellenized dative plural Γαλγαλοις bears a Greek case ending ('in Gilgal'), and so is treated as a declined noun.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔθυσενsacrificedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θύωmain verb (the offering of sacrifices)→ verbal action or stateθύω (aor. ἔθυσεν): 'sacrifice / slay (in offering)'; renders זָבַח; the sacrifices seal the covenantal renewal at Gilgal with worship; the subject is Samuel (or the assembly under his lead).
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (at Gilgal)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; the threefold ἐκεῖ in this verse rivets the whole renewal — anointing, sacrifice, rejoicing — to the single sacred site of Gilgal.
θυσίαςsacrificesAccusativedirect object of ἔθυσεν→ object specificationθυσία: 'sacrifice / offering'; renders זֶבַח; the general term for the slain offerings presented at the renewal.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰρηνικὰςpeace offeringsAccusativesubstantivized adjective (second object of ἔθυσεν: 'peace offerings')→ object specificationεἰρηνικός: 'of peace / peaceable'; the substantive (θυσίαι) εἰρηνικαί renders זִבְחֵי שְׁלָמִים ('peace / fellowship offerings'); these communal sacrifices, shared in a festal meal, befit the joyous covenant-renewal and the rejoicing that follows.
ἐνώπιονbeforepreposition + genitive (Hebraism: 'in the presence of')→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before'; the second ἐνώπιον κυρίου in the verse frames the sacrifice, like the anointing, as an act done in YHWH's presence.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον (Tetragrammaton)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the sacrifices are offered 'before the LORD,' completing the sacral framing of the kingship-renewal.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὐφράνθηrejoicedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · εὐφραίνωmain verb (the closing rejoicing)→ verbal action or stateεὐφραίνω (aor. pass. εὐφράνθη): 'gladden / rejoice'; renders שָׂמַח; the closing joy of Samuel and all Israel crowns the chapter, echoing the rejoicing of Jabesh (v. 9) and reversing the weeping of v. 4; the singular verb with the compound subject takes its number from the nearer member (Σαμουηλ).
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: indeclinable; the prophet shares fully in the national joy at the renewed kingship.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying Ισραηλ)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; 'all Israel' marks the universality of the rejoicing — the whole nation united in joy under its confirmed king.
ΙσραηλIsraelsubject (indeclinable proper noun; with Σαμουηλ as compound subject)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; all Israel joins Samuel in the closing rejoicing, the national consummation of the deliverance.
ὥστεso as to beconsecutive particle (with λίαν: 'exceedingly')→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε: 'so that / so as'; here with the adverb λίαν it forms an intensive idiom ('rejoiced so as to be exceeding glad'), heightening the degree of the joy.
λίανexceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying the rejoicing)→ clausal contributionλίαν: 'very / exceedingly / greatly'; renders מְאֹד; ὥστε λίαן intensifies εὐφράνθη to the highest degree — the chapter ends on a note of superlative national joy.