1 Kingdoms 6 — Greek, Translation, Interlinear & Discourse

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

καὶ ἦν ἡ κιβωτὸς ἐν ἀγρῷ τῶν ἀλλοφύλων ἑπτὰ μῆνας καὶ ἐξέζεσεν ἡ γῆ αὐτῶν μύας

And the ark was in the country of the Philistines seven months, and their land swarmed forth mice.

Narrative setting / summary of the captivity interval (resumptive καί)καὶ ἦν ἡ κιβωτὸς

The chapter opens with a durative summary (ἦν … ἑπτὰ μῆνας) of the ark's sojourn in Philistine territory begun at 5:1; the second clause (ἐξέζεσεν … μύας) supplies the mouse-plague that motivates the golden mice of vv. 4–5, otherwise not narrated in the LXX of ch. 5.

Word-by-word analysis· 16 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (durative existence)→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'be / remain'; the imperfect frames the seven-month residence of the ark in Philistia as an extended state, setting the temporal stage for the crisis that follows.

ἡtheNominativearticle (with κιβωτὸς)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κιβωτὸςarkNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκιβωτός: 'box / chest / ark'; the standard LXX rendering of אֲרוֹן, the ark of the covenant; the same word renders Noah's תֵּבָה (Gen 6–9), linking the two great vessels of divine presence and preservation.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).

ἀγρῷcountry / fieldDativedative of place (locative: 'in the territory')→ sphere or referenceἀγρός: 'field / countryside / territory'; renders שָׂדֶה; here in the extended sense of the rural domain or land of the Philistines as a whole, the region in which the captured ark was held.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἀλλοφύλων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀλλοφύλωνPhilistines / foreignersGenitivegenitive of possession ('of the Philistines')→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: lit. 'of another tribe / foreigner'; the characteristic LXX rendering of פְּלִשְׁתִּים in Samuel–Kings (rather than transliterated Φυλιστιιμ), labelling the Philistines as the archetypal alien people opposed to Israel.

ἑπτὰsevenAccusativenumeral (modifying μῆνας)→ measure or countἑπτά: 'seven'; indeclinable cardinal; the seven-month interval measures the duration of the ark's affliction of Philistia and the symbolic completeness of the divine pressure upon them.

μῆναςmonthsAccusativeaccusative of extent of time ('for seven months')→ object specificationμήν: 'month'; the accusative plural with ἑπτά expresses duration (extent of time), measuring how long the ark remained in Philistine hands.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (consequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐξέζεσενswarmed forth / boiled upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκζέωmain verb (the land's eruption)→ verbal action or stateἐκζέω: 'boil over / seethe / swarm forth'; a vivid verb of teeming eruption; here the land 'boils up' mice, depicting an explosive infestation (cf. the frogs that ἐξέζεσεν in Exod 8); supplies the rationale for the golden-mice offering of vv. 4–5, 11, 18.

ἡtheNominativearticle (with γῆ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γῆlandNominativesubject (of ἐξέζεσεν)→ participant prominenceγῆ: 'land / earth / soil'; renders אֶרֶץ; the Philistine land itself becomes the agent of plague, teeming with the mice that ravage it.

αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying γῆ)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying γῆ).

μύαςmiceAccusativeaccusative of result (cognate-like: what the land brought forth)→ object specificationμῦς: 'mouse / rat'; renders עַכְבָּר; the rodent plague, paralleling the tumors (ἕδραι), is the second affliction for which the Philistines make a golden replica (ὁμοίωμα, v. 5) as a reparation-offering.

καὶ καλοῦσιν ἀλλόφυλοι τοὺς ἱερεῖς καὶ τοὺς μάντεις καὶ τοὺς ἐπαοιδοὺς αὐτῶν λέγοντες τί ποιήσωμεν τῇ κιβωτῷ κυρίου γνωρίσατε ἡμῖν ἐν τίνι ἀποστελοῦμεν αὐτὴν εἰς τὸν τόπον αὐτῆς

And the Philistines call their priests and their diviners and their enchanters, saying, 'What shall we do with the ark of the LORD? Make known to us by what means we may send it back to its place.'

Narrative development: convening of the cultic advisers (historic present)καὶ καλοῦσιν ἀλλόφυλοι

The historic present καλοῦσιν vivifies the convening of three classes of religious specialists; their deliberative subjunctive τί ποιήσωμεν frames the chapter's central problem, and the imperative γνωρίσατε requests expert guidance on the manner (ἐν τίνι) of repatriating the ark.

Word-by-word analysis· 28 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

καλοῦσινthey call / summonPres Act Indic 3 Pl · καλέωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateκαλέω: 'call / summon / invite'; renders קָרָא; the historic present heightens the urgency with which the Philistines convene their religious experts to address the crisis of the afflicting ark.

ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistines / foreigners'; here the anarthrous plural names the collective people as agents of the summons.

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἱερεῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἱερεῖςpriestsAccusativedirect object (first of three classes)→ object specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the Philistine cultic functionaries (cf. the priests of Dagon, 5:5) are summoned alongside the divinatory specialists as the recognised authorities on sacral procedure.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with μάντεις)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

μάντειςdivinersAccusativedirect object (second class)→ object specificationμάντις: 'diviner / seer / soothsayer'; renders קֹסֵם; a practitioner of pagan divination (μαντεία), the kind of foretelling forbidden in Israel (Deut 18:10–14); the LXX names the very arts of which Israel must beware.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἐπαοιδοὺς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἐπαοιδοὺςenchantersAccusativedirect object (third class)→ object specificationἐπαοιδός (= ἐπῳδός): 'enchanter / one who sings spells'; the same term is used of the Egyptian magicians in Exod 7–8; its presence here aligns the Philistine experts with the Egyptian sorcerers, an ominous association reinforced by the Exodus reference in v. 6.

αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (governing all three classes)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (governing all three classes).

λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Pl · λέγωparticiple of speech (introducing direct discourse)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (pres. ptc.): the nominative plural participle agrees with the implied subject (the Philistines), introducing their question to the experts; a Hebraizing redundancy (לֵאמֹר) marking direct speech.

τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of ποιήσωμεν)→ participant referenceτίς, τί: interrogative 'what?'; here the accusative object of the deliberative question 'what shall we do?'

ποιήσωμενshall we doAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (deliberative subjunctive)→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do / make'; the deliberative subjunctive τί ποιήσωμεν ('what are we to do?') voices the Philistines' perplexity over how to dispose of the dangerous ark.

τῇtheDativearticle (with κιβωτῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κιβωτῷarkDativedative of relation ('with/to the ark')→ sphere or referenceκιβωτός (dat. κιβωτῷ): the dative of disadvantage/relation, 'what shall we do with respect to the ark'; the object of perplexity that the experts must resolve.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (the ark belongs to the LORD)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; 'the ark of the LORD' identifies the captured chest as belonging to Israel's God, whose hand has afflicted Philistia (cf. 5:6–11).

γνωρίσατεmake knownAor Act Impv 2 Pl · γνωρίζωmain verb (imperative requesting guidance)→ verbal action or stateγνωρίζω: 'make known / declare / inform'; renders יָדַע (Hiphil); the aorist imperative requests an authoritative disclosure of the correct ritual procedure for returning the ark.

ἡμῖνto usDativedative indirect object (recipients of the disclosure)→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'to us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (recipients of the disclosure).

ἐνbypreposition + dative (instrumental/means)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental/means).

τίνιwhat meansDativeinterrogative pronoun (instrumental: 'by what means')→ participant reference or interestτίς (dat. τίνι): interrogative; ἐν τίνι, 'by what means / in what manner', requests the proper accompanying gift and method for sending the ark home — answered by the reparation-offering of vv. 3–5.

ἀποστελοῦμενshall we send backFut Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀποστέλλωverb of deliberative indirect question→ verbal action or stateἀποστέλλω: 'send away / send back / dispatch'; renders שָׁלַח; the future in the indirect question deliberates the means of repatriating the ark to its rightful place.

αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object (the ark)→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (the ark).

εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal/direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal/direction).

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with τόπον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

τόπονplaceAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationτόπος: 'place / location'; renders מָקוֹם; 'its place' is the ark's rightful home in Israelite territory, from which it had been carried off (cf. 4:11).

αὐτῆςitsGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying τόπον)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying τόπον).

καὶ εἶπαν εἰ ἐξαπεστέλλετε ὑμεῖς τὴν κιβωτὸν διαθήκης κυρίου θεοῦ Ισραηλ μὴ δὴ ἐξαποστείλητε αὐτὴν κενήν ἀλλὰ ἀποδιδόντες ἀπόδοτε αὐτῇ τῆς βασάνου καὶ τότε ἰαθήσεσθε καὶ ἐξιλασθήσεται ὑμῖν μὴ οὐκ ἀποστῇ ἡ χεὶρ αὐτοῦ ἀφ᾿ ὑμῶν

And they said, 'If you are sending away the ark of the covenant of the LORD God of Israel, do not send it away empty, but by all means render to it a reparation for the torment; and then you will be healed, and atonement will be made for you. Should his hand not depart from you?'

Expert reply: conditional instruction with cognate-accusative emphasisκαὶ εἶπαν

The experts answer with a conditional protasis (εἰ ἐξαπεστέλλετε) and an emphatic prohibition + command: not empty (μὴ … κενήν), but with the doubled cognate ἀποδιδόντες ἀπόδοτε ('by all means render'). The result-clause (τότε ἰαθήσεσθε καὶ ἐξιλασθήσεται) promises healing and propitiation; the closing μὴ οὐκ ἀποστῇ frames the danger of the LORD's persisting hand.

Word-by-word analysis· 36 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπανthey saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor. εἶπαν): the Hellenistic alpha-aorist form (for εἶπον); introduces the answer of the priests and diviners.

εἰifconditional conjunction (protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; introduces a real condition assuming the Philistines' intention to return the ark; the apodosis follows in the prohibition/command of v. 3b.

ἐξαπεστέλλετεyou are sending awayImpf Act Indic 2 Pl · ἐξαποστέλλωverb of the protasis (action in progress)→ verbal action or stateἐξαποστέλλω: 'send away completely / dispatch'; the imperfect treats the sending as a course of action already underway or intended, on the assumption of which the instruction is given.

ὑμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic subject pronoun (2nd plural)→ participant referenceσύ (pl. ὑμεῖς): the explicit nominative pronoun adds emphasis, throwing the responsibility for proper procedure onto the Philistines themselves.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κιβωτὸν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κιβωτὸνarkAccusativedirect object→ object specificationκιβωτός: 'ark'; here qualified by διαθήκης ('of the covenant'), the fuller cultic title.

διαθήκηςof the covenantGenitivegenitive (defining: 'ark of the covenant')→ relational specificationδιαθήκη: 'covenant / testament'; renders בְּרִית; the full title 'ark of the covenant of the LORD God of Israel' on Philistine lips acknowledges the chest's identity as the covenant-token of Israel's God.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (defining the covenant)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen.): the Tetragrammaton; the divine name stands at the heart of the ark's title.

θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive in apposition to κυρίου→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; in apposition, κυρίου θεοῦ Ισραηλ renders יהוה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, 'the LORD, the God of Israel.'

Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; here genitival, defining the God whose ark it is.

μὴnotnegative (with subjunctive prohibition)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμή: the negative of prohibition with the aorist subjunctive ἐξαποστείλητε, forbidding the empty return of the ark.

δὴindeed / nowemphatic particle (urgency)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: emphatic/hortatory particle, 'pray / by all means / surely'; renders נָא; here it intensifies the prohibition, 'do not, I urge you, send it empty.'

ἐξαποστείλητεsend awayAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἐξαποστέλλωprohibitive subjunctive (μὴ + aor. subj.)→ verbal action or stateἐξαποστέλλω (aor. subj.): the aorist subjunctive with μή forbids the act as a whole — the ark must not be dispatched without a reparation.

αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.

κενήνemptyAccusativepredicate adjective (object complement: 'empty')→ object specificationκενός: 'empty / without contents / in vain'; renders רֵיקָם; the ark must not go back unaccompanied by the propitiatory gift — the same idiom of not appearing 'empty' before the LORD recurs in cultic contexts (Exod 23:15; Deut 16:16).

ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but / rather'; the sharp adversative pivots from prohibition to positive command.

ἀποδιδόντεςrenderingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Pl · ἀποδίδωμιparticiple (cognate-emphatic with ἀπόδοτε: Hebraism)→ verbal action or stateἀποδίδωμι (pres. ptc.): 'give back / render / repay'; the participle ἀποδιδόντες ἀπόδοτε is the LXX's standard rendering of the Hebrew emphatic infinitive absolute (הָשֵׁב תָּשִׁיבוּ, 'you shall surely return'), expressing certainty and intensity — 'by all means render.'

ἀπόδοτεrenderAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀποδίδωμιmain verb (imperative, cognate with the participle)→ verbal action or stateἀποδίδωμι (aor. impv.): the finite verb of the cognate construction; the doubled root marks the obligatory payment of compensation due for the affliction.

αὐτῇto itDativedative indirect object (to the ark / for the LORD)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'to it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (to the ark / for the LORD).

τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with βασάνου)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασάνουof the tormentGenitivegenitive (cause/respect: a reparation 'for the torment')→ relational specificationβάσανος: 'torment / torture / ordeal'; here the genitive τῆς βασάνου denotes the reparation due 'for the torment' inflicted by the ark (the tumors and mice); the term recurs as the key word for the guilt-offering (vv. 4, 8, 17).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τότεthentemporal adverb (consequence)→ adverbial qualificationτότε: 'then / at that time'; marks the healing as the consequence of the proper reparation.

ἰαθήσεσθεyou will be healedFut Pass Indic 2 Pl · ἰάομαιmain verb (result of the offering)→ verbal action or stateἰάομαι: 'heal / cure'; renders רָפָא; the passive ἰαθήσεσθε ('you will be healed') promises relief from the plague of tumors, with the LORD as the implicit healer.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐξιλασθήσεταιatonement will be madeFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐξιλάσκομαιmain verb (impersonal: propitiation)→ verbal action or stateἐξιλάσκομαι: 'make atonement / propitiate'; renders כִּפֶּר; the impersonal passive ἐξιλασθήσεται ὑμῖν ('it will be propitiated for you') is striking on Philistine lips, applying Israelite atonement-language to their offering before the LORD.

ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of advantage (beneficiaries of atonement)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'for you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (beneficiaries of atonement).

μὴnot / surelyinterrogative negative (introducing a deliberative question)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμή: here introducing a hesitant/rhetorical question with οὐκ — 'will not his hand depart?' (i.e. surely it will), the doubled negation expressing anxious expectation.

οὐκnotnegative (with ἀποστῇ)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐ: objective negation paired with μή; the combination μὴ οὐκ in a question anticipates an affirmative answer (the hand will surely depart once reparation is made).

ἀποστῇmay departAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀφίστημιverb of the deliberative question (subjunctive)→ verbal action or stateἀφίστημι: 'stand off / withdraw / depart'; renders סוּר; 'his hand' (the divine afflicting power) is hoped to withdraw once the offering is rendered; the 'hand of the LORD' is the leitmotif of the plague (5:6, 7, 9, 11).

ἡtheNominativearticle (with χεὶρ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

χεὶρhandNominativesubject (of ἀποστῇ)→ participant prominenceχείρ: 'hand'; renders יָד; the 'hand of the LORD' is the recurring image of his judicial power pressing upon Philistia throughout chs. 5–6.

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the LORD's hand)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the LORD's hand).

ἀφ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation, elided ἀπό)→ spatial or relational framingἀφ᾿: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation, elided ἀπό).

ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of ἀφ᾿ (source of departure)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἀφ᾿ (source of departure).

καὶ λέγουσιν τί τὸ τῆς βασάνου ἀποδώσομεν αὐτῇ καὶ εἶπαν κατ᾿ ἀριθμὸν τῶν σατραπῶν τῶν ἀλλοφύλων πέντε ἕδρας χρυσᾶς ὅτι πταῖσμα ἓν ὑμῖν καὶ τοῖς ἄρχουσιν ὑμῶν καὶ τῷ λαῷ

And they say, 'What is the reparation for the torment that we shall render to it?' And they said, 'According to the number of the satraps of the Philistines, five golden tumors; for one and the same plague is on you and on your rulers and on the people.'

Dialogue: question (historic present) and authoritative answerκαὶ λέγουσιν

A question (historic present λέγουσιν) about the content of the reparation receives the experts' answer (εἶπαν): five golden tumors matching the five Philistine satrapies, on the rationale (ὅτι) that one single plague (πταῖσμα ἕν) afflicts rulers and people alike.

Word-by-word analysis· 30 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

λέγουσινthey sayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: the historic present continues the lively give-and-take between the Philistines and their experts.

τίwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (predicate of the verbless question)→ participant referenceτίς, τί: 'what?'; here heading the question about the nature of the reparation.

τὸtheNominativearticle (substantivizing the following genitive)→ noun-phrase markingthe neuter article τό substantivizes τῆς βασάνου: 'the (offering) of the torment' = the reparation due for the affliction.

τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with βασάνου)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασάνουof the tormentGenitivegenitive (defining the reparation, governed by τό)→ relational specificationβάσανος: 'torment'; the recurring keyword for the affliction whose reparation is at issue.

ἀποδώσομενshall we renderFut Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀποδίδωμιverb of the question (deliberative future)→ verbal action or stateἀποδίδωμι: 'render / repay'; the future deliberates the precise compensation to be given for the affliction.

αὐτῇto itDativedative indirect object (to the ark)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'to it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (to the ark).

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπανthey saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (the experts' answer)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (aor.): introduces the experts' prescription of the reparation.

κατ᾿according topreposition + accusative (norm/standard, elided κατά)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; κατ᾿ ἀριθμόν, 'by number', sets the count of offerings by the number of satrapies.

ἀριθμὸνnumberAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (standard of measure)→ object specificationἀριθμός: 'number / count'; renders מִסְפָּר; the offerings are calibrated to the political structure of Philistia — one per satrapy.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with σατραπῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σατραπῶνsatraps / lordsGenitivegenitive (defining ἀριθμόν: 'number of the satraps')→ relational specificationσατράπης: 'satrap / lord'; a Persian-derived term the LXX uses for the Philistine סְרָנִים, the five city-rulers (Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, Ekron); their fivefold number governs the count of golden tumors.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἀλλοφύλων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀλλοφύλωνof the PhilistinesGenitivegenitive of possession (the satraps belong to the Philistines)→ relational specificationἀλλοφύλων: meaning 'of the Philistines'; it serves as genitive of possession (the satraps belong to the Philistines).

πέντεfiveAccusativenumeral (modifying ἕδρας)→ measure or countπέντε: 'five'; indeclinable cardinal; the number matching the five Philistine cities, the symbolic completeness of the offering.

ἕδραςtumors / seatsAccusativeaccusative in apposition (content of the reparation)→ object specificationἕδρα: lit. 'seat / fundament'; here a euphemism for the swellings/hemorrhoidal tumors (rendering עֳפָלִים / טְחֹרִים) inflicted on the Philistines (5:6, 9, 12); the golden ἕδραι are votive replicas of the affliction.

χρυσᾶςgoldenAccusativeattributive adjective (material, modifying ἕδρας)→ object specificationχρυσοῦς: 'made of gold'; renders זָהָב; the precious material of the votive images marks the costliness and seriousness of the reparation.

ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (explaining the count)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the rationale — a single common plague binds all five cities and their classes together.

πταῖσμαplague / strokeNominativesubject (of the verbless causal clause)→ participant prominenceπταῖσμα: 'stumble / defeat / calamity'; here the affliction/plague common to all the Philistines; the oneness (ἓν) of the plague justifies a uniform reparation across the five satrapies.

ἓνoneNominativeattributive numeral (modifying πταῖσμα: 'one and the same')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; the neuter ἕν stresses that a single, identical plague has fallen on all alike — rulers and people share one calamity.

ὑμῖνon youDativedative of disadvantage ('upon you')→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'on you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of disadvantage ('upon you').

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ἄρχουσιν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἄρχουσινrulersDativedative of disadvantage ('upon your rulers')→ sphere or referenceἄρχων: 'ruler / leader / official'; renders שַׂר; the leaders and the common people alike suffer the one plague — hence a representative offering covers all.

ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ἄρχουσιν)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying ἄρχουσιν).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τῷtheDativearticle (with λαῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λαῷpeopleDativedative of disadvantage ('upon the people')→ sphere or referenceλαός: 'people'; here the common Philistine populace, sharing the one plague with their rulers.

καὶ μῦς χρυσοῦς ὁμοίωμα τῶν μυῶν ὑμῶν τῶν διαφθειρόντων τὴν γῆν καὶ δώσετε τῷ κυρίῳ δόξαν ὅπως κουφίσῃ τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ ἀφ᾿ ὑμῶν καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν θεῶν ὑμῶν καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ὑμῶν

'And golden mice, a likeness of your mice that are destroying the land; and you shall give glory to the LORD, that he may lighten his hand from you and from your gods and from your land.'

Continuation of the prescription: the second votive image and its purposeκαὶ μῦς χρυσοῦς

The counsel adds golden mice (ὁμοίωμα, 'likeness') of the rodents ravaging the land, then states the theological aim: to 'give glory to the LORD' (δώσετε … δόξαν) — a striking Israelite idiom on pagan lips — so that (ὅπως) his oppressive hand may be lifted from people, gods, and land alike.

Word-by-word analysis· 33 words

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending the offering-list)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

μῦςmiceAccusativeaccusative (second item of the reparation)→ object specificationμῦς: 'mouse'; here the accusative plural (golden mice) prescribed alongside the tumors; the votive images answer the two plagues — boils and rodents.

χρυσοῦςgoldenAccusativeattributive adjective (material, modifying μῦς)→ object specificationχρυσοῦς: 'golden'; matching the golden tumors of v. 4, the costly material of the votive offering.

ὁμοίωμαlikenessAccusativeaccusative in apposition (defining the mice as replicas)→ object specificationὁμοίωμα: 'likeness / image / replica'; renders צֶלֶם / דְּמוּת; the golden mice are 'images' of the actual rodents — sympathetic-magic logic by which the votive replica is meant to remove the plague it depicts.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with μυῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

μυῶνmiceGenitivegenitive (defining ὁμοίωμα: 'likeness of the mice')→ relational specificationμῦς (gen. pl. μυῶν): the actual mice of which the gold are replicas.

ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying μυῶν)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying μυῶν).

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (introducing the participial attribute)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

διαφθειρόντωνdestroyingPres Act Ptc Gen Masc Pl · διαφθείρωattributive participle (modifying μυῶν)→ verbal action or stateδιαφθείρω: 'destroy / ruin / corrupt'; the present participle depicts the mice as actively, continuously ravaging the land — the urgency that drives the offering.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γῆνlandAccusativedirect object (of διαφθειρόντων)→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the Philistine soil being devastated by the rodents.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the purpose-action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

δώσετεyou shall giveFut Act Indic 2 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb (future with imperatival force)→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι: 'give'; the idiom δώσετε … δόξαν renders נָתַן כָּבוֹד ('give glory'), the act of acknowledging the LORD's power and rendering due honor — here urged upon Philistines (cf. Josh 7:19; John 9:24).

τῷtheDativearticle (with κυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative indirect object (recipient of glory)→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat.): the Tetragrammaton; the Philistines are urged to render glory to Israel's God, an implicit confession of his supremacy over their own deities (cf. the fall of Dagon, 5:3–4).

δόξανgloryAccusativedirect object (of δώσετε)→ object specificationδόξα: 'glory / honor'; renders כָּבוֹד; 'giving glory' is the acknowledgment of the LORD's overwhelming power demonstrated in the plagues.

ὅπωςthat / so thatpurpose conjunction (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅπως: 'so that / in order that'; introduces the purpose-clause with κουφίσῃ — the hoped-for lifting of the divine hand.

κουφίσῃhe may lightenAor Act Subj 3 Sg · κουφίζωverb of purpose clause (subjunctive)→ verbal action or stateκουφίζω: 'lighten / make light / relieve'; renders הֵקַל; the prayer is that the LORD will 'lighten' the heavy hand pressing on Philistia — a deliberate contrast to the 'hardening' (βαρύνω) warned against in v. 6.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

χεῖραhandAccusativedirect object (of κουφίσῃ)→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; again the 'hand of the LORD' as the afflicting power, now hoped to be lifted.

ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of ἀφ᾿ (first of three)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἀφ᾿ (first of three).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with θεῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θεῶνgodsGenitivegenitive object of ἀπὸ (second of three)→ relational specificationθεός (gen. pl. θεῶν): here the Philistine gods (e.g. Dagon), upon whom the LORD's hand has also fallen (5:3–4); the acknowledgment that even their deities suffer is a tacit confession of the LORD's superiority.

ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θεῶν)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying θεῶν).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).

τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with γῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γῆςlandGenitivegenitive object of ἀπὸ (third of three)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; the threefold 'from you, from your gods, from your land' encompasses people, cult, and territory — the total scope of the plague and of the hoped-for relief.

ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying γῆς)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying γῆς).

καὶ ἵνα τί βαρύνετε τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν ὡς ἐβάρυνεν Αἴγυπτος καὶ Φαραω τὴν καρδίαν αὐτῶν οὐχὶ ὅτε ἐνέπαιξεν αὐτοῖς ἐξαπέστειλαν αὐτούς καὶ ἀπῆλθον

And why do you harden your hearts as Egypt and Pharaoh hardened their heart? Was it not when he had made sport of them that they sent them away, and they departed?

Hortatory warning by Exodus analogy (rhetorical question)καὶ ἵνα τί

The experts deploy an explicit Exodus typology: βαρύνω ('make heavy / harden') echoes the hardening of Pharaoh's heart; the rhetorical οὐχί question recalls that only after the LORD made sport (ἐνέπαιξεν) of Egypt did they release Israel — a warning not to repeat the same obstinacy.

Word-by-word analysis· 23 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἵναwhyinterrogative (ἵνα τί = 'why?')→ clausal contributionἵνα τί: idiomatic 'why? / for what purpose?'; renders לָמָּה; introduces a reproachful rhetorical question against hardening.

τίwhatinterrogative (component of ἵνα τί)→ participant referenceτί: meaning 'what'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as interrogative (component of ἵνα τί).

βαρύνετεdo you hardenPres Act Indic 2 Pl · βαρύνωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ verbal action or stateβαρύνω: 'make heavy / weigh down / harden'; renders כָּבֵד (Hiphil); the standard Exodus verb for the 'hardening' of Pharaoh's heart (Exod 8:15, 32; 9:7); its use here draws a deliberate parallel between Philistine and Egyptian obstinacy.

τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with καρδίας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

καρδίαςheartsAccusativedirect object (of βαρύνετε)→ object specificationκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב; the seat of will and resolve; to 'make the heart heavy' is to harden it in stubborn refusal.

ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying καρδίας)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying καρδίας).

ὡςascomparative conjunction (introducing the Egypt analogy)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / just as'; introduces the comparison with Egypt's hardening, the cautionary precedent.

ἐβάρυνενhardenedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βαρύνωverb of the comparative clause→ verbal action or stateβαρύνω (aor.): the same verb in the past, summarizing the whole Exodus hardening narrative; the singular agrees with the nearer subject Αἴγυπτος (the compound subject Egypt and Pharaoh treated as a unit).

ΑἴγυπτοςEgyptNominativesubject (of ἐβάρυνεν)→ participant prominenceΑἴγυπτος: standard LXX form of מִצְרַיִם; here personified as a corporate subject alongside Pharaoh — the archetype of resistance to the LORD.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΦαραωPharaohsubject (indeclinable, joined with Αἴγυπτος)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliteration of פַּרְעֹה; indeclinable in the LXX; the paradigmatic hardener of heart whose example the Philistines are warned not to follow.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with καρδίαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

καρδίανheartAccusativedirect object (of ἐβάρυνεν)→ object specificationκαρδία: 'heart'; the singular (their collective heart) echoes the Exodus hardening formula.

αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying καρδίαν)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying καρδίαν).

οὐχὶwas it not?interrogative negative (expecting 'yes')→ clausal contributionοὐχί: emphatic form of οὐ; introduces a rhetorical question expecting an affirmative answer — 'was it not the case that...?'

ὅτεwhentemporal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτε: 'when'; introduces the temporal clause locating the release after the LORD's mocking judgment.

ἐνέπαιξενmade sport / mockedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐμπαίζωverb of temporal clause→ verbal action or stateἐμπαίζω: 'mock / make sport of / trifle with'; renders הִתְעַלֵּל; recalls Exod 10:2, where the LORD 'made sport' of the Egyptians through the plagues; the subject is the LORD, whose judgments humiliated Egypt until release was forced.

αὐτοῖςthemDativedative object of ἐνέπαιξεν (those mocked)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐνέπαιξεν (those mocked).

ἐξαπέστειλανthey sent awayAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξαποστέλλωmain verb of the apodosis (Egypt's release of Israel)→ verbal action or stateἐξαποστέλλω: 'send away / release'; the Egyptians finally released Israel only after the plagues broke their resistance — the point of the warning.

αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object (the Israelites)→ participant referenceαὐτούς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (the Israelites).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπῆλθονthey departedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (the Exodus departure)→ verbal action or stateἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; the Israelites' departure from Egypt; the implicit moral: better to release the ark willingly than to be forced as Egypt was.

καὶ νῦν λάβετε καὶ ποιήσατε ἅμαξαν καινὴν καὶ δύο βόας πρωτοτοκούσας ἄνευ τῶν τέκνων καὶ ζεύξατε τὰς βόας ἐν τῇ ἁμάξῃ καὶ ἀπαγάγετε τὰ τέκνα ἀπὸ ὄπισθεν αὐτῶν εἰς οἶκον

And now take and make a new cart, and two cows that have calved, without their young, and yoke the cows to the cart, and lead away their young from behind them to the house.

Practical directive: construction of the test-apparatus (imperatival chain)καὶ νῦν λάβετε

καὶ νῦν ('and now') turns from warning to action; a chain of aorist imperatives (λάβετε, ποιήσατε, ζεύξατε, ἀπαγάγετε) prescribes a new cart, two nursing cows separated from their calves — the conditions that make the cows' behavior a clear divine test in v. 9.

Word-by-word analysis· 30 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

νῦνnowtemporal adverb (transition to directive)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; καὶ νῦν marks the pivot from rationale to practical instruction, a common LXX discourse-marker (וְעַתָּה).

λάβετεtakeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (first imperative of the chain)→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω: 'take / get'; opens the chain of commands for assembling the test-apparatus.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ποιήσατεmakeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (second imperative)→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'make / prepare'; the command to construct/ready a new cart for the ark's conveyance.

ἅμαξανcart / wagonAccusativedirect object (of ποιήσατε)→ object specificationἅμαξα: 'cart / wagon'; renders עֲגָלָה; the conveyance for the ark; its being 'new' (unused for any common labor) befits the holy cargo (cf. 2 Sam 6:3).

καινὴνnewAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἅμαξαν)→ object specificationκαινός: 'new / unused'; renders חֲדָשָׁה; ritual fitness requires a cart never put to profane use, underscoring the sanctity of the ark.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

δύοtwoAccusativenumeral (modifying βόας)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; the pair of cows to draw the cart.

βόαςcows / oxenAccusativedirect object (with λάβετε/ποιήσατε)→ object specificationβοῦς: 'ox / cow'; renders פָּרָה; here milk-cows still nursing, whose maternal instinct makes their straight departure from their calves a decisive sign.

πρωτοτοκούσαςhaving calved / giving milkPres Act Ptc Acc Fem Pl · πρωτοτοκέωattributive participle (modifying βόας)→ verbal action or stateπρωτοτοκέω: 'bear a first offspring / be giving suck for the first time'; renders עָלוֹת ('nursing / milch'); the cows have newborn calves, so their natural pull is back toward their young — making their forward course unmistakably supernatural.

ἄνευwithoutpreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἄνευ: 'without / apart from'; renders בְּלִי / מִן; the cows are to be taken away from their calves, the crucial condition of the test.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with τέκνων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

τέκνωνyoung / calvesGenitivegenitive object of ἄνευ→ relational specificationτέκνον: 'child / offspring / young'; here the calves; their separation from the cows sets up the test — cows naturally return to their calves, not abandon them.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ζεύξατεyokeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ζεύγνυμιmain verb (third imperative)→ verbal action or stateζεύγνυμι: 'yoke / harness'; renders אָסַר; the cows are to be harnessed to the cart, then left to go where they will — unguided.

τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with βόας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βόαςcowsAccusativedirect object (of ζεύξατε)→ object specificationβόας: meaning 'cows'; it serves as direct object (of ζεύξατε).

ἐνto / inpreposition + dative (locative/instrumental: 'to the cart')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative/instrumental: 'to the cart').

τῇtheDativearticle (with ἁμάξῃ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἁμάξῃcartDativedative object of ἐν (the cart to which they are yoked)→ sphere or referenceἅμαξα (dat.): the new cart, to which the cows are harnessed.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπαγάγετεlead awayAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀπάγωmain verb (fourth imperative)→ verbal action or stateἀπάγω: 'lead away / take off'; the calves are to be led back home, removing the cows' natural object of return.

τὰtheAccusativearticle (with τέκνα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

τέκναyoung / calvesAccusativedirect object (of ἀπαγάγετε)→ object specificationτέκνον: 'young'; the calves led back to the byre.

ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).

ὄπισθενbehindadverb/improper preposition (with genitive: 'from behind')→ spatial or relational framingὄπισθεν: 'behind / after'; ἀπὸ ὄπισθεν αὐτῶν, 'from behind them', describes removing the calves from following after the cows.

αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive (with ὄπισθεν: 'behind them' = the cows)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (with ὄπισθεν: 'behind them' = the cows).

εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).

οἶκονhouse / homeAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination of the calves)→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / home / byre'; renders בַּיִת; the calves are penned at home, so that the cows' forward movement away from them can have no natural explanation.

καὶ λήμψεσθε τὴν κιβωτὸν καὶ θήσετε αὐτὴν ἐπὶ τὴν ἅμαξαν καὶ τὰ σκεύη τὰ χρυσᾶ ἀποδώσετε αὐτῇ τῆς βασάνου καὶ θήσετε ἐν θέματι βερσεχθαν ἐκ μέρους αὐτῆς καὶ ἐξαποστελεῖτε αὐτὴν καὶ ἀπελάσατε αὐτήν καὶ ἀπελεύσεται

And you shall take the ark and set it upon the cart, and the golden articles you shall render to it as a reparation for the torment, and you shall put them in a casket, bersechthan, at its side; and you shall send it away, and drive it off, and it will go.

Continuation of the directive: loading the ark and the gold (imperatival futures)καὶ λήμψεσθε

The instruction continues with imperatival futures (λήμψεσθε, θήσετε, ἀποδώσετε, ἐξαποστελεῖτε) and an aorist imperative (ἀπελάσατε): the ark and the golden reparation are placed on the cart, the gold in a casket (the transliterated βερσεχθαν) at its side; then the cart is set loose to go of itself — the test left wholly to the cows' (divinely directed) choice.

Word-by-word analysis· 35 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

λήμψεσθεyou shall takeFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (imperatival future)→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω (fut. mid. λήμψεσθε): 'take'; the Hellenistic future with the inserted μ; here functioning as a command to load the ark onto the cart.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κιβωτὸν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κιβωτὸνarkAccusativedirect object (of λήμψεσθε)→ object specificationκιβωτός: 'ark'; the sacred object to be loaded.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

θήσετεyou shall setFut Act Indic 2 Pl · τίθημιmain verb (imperatival future)→ verbal action or stateτίθημι: 'place / set / put'; the command to set the ark upon the cart.

ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (position).

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἅμαξαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἅμαξανcartAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπὶ (where the ark is set)→ object specificationἅμαξα: 'cart'; the new wagon onto which the ark is loaded.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκεύη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σκεύηarticles / objectsAccusativedirect object (of ἀποδώσετε)→ object specificationσκεῦος (pl. σκεύη): 'vessel / object / article'; renders כֵּלִים; here the golden votive objects (tumors and mice) constituting the reparation.

τὰtheAccusativearticle (attributive, with χρυσᾶ)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

χρυσᾶgoldenAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying σκεύη)→ object specificationχρυσοῦς: 'golden'; the precious votive objects of the reparation.

ἀποδώσετεyou shall renderFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀποδίδωμιmain verb (imperatival future)→ verbal action or stateἀποδίδωμι: 'render / repay'; the golden objects are paid over as the compensation 'for the torment.'

τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with βασάνου)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασάνουof the tormentGenitivegenitive (cause/respect: 'for the torment')→ relational specificationβάσανος: 'torment'; the keyword for the affliction whose reparation the gold constitutes.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

θήσετεyou shall putFut Act Indic 2 Pl · τίθημιmain verb (imperatival future)→ verbal action or stateτίθημι: 'put / place'; the gold is deposited in a casket beside the ark.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).

θέματιcasket / chestDativedative object of ἐν (the container)→ sphere or referenceθέμα: 'something laid down / deposit / casket'; here a coffer or box for the golden objects placed alongside the ark; cf. the parallel τὸ θέμα εργαβ in vv. 11, 15.

βερσεχθανbersechthantransliterated noun (in apposition to θέματι)→ clausal contributionβερσεχθαν: an untranslated transliteration (of an obscure Hebrew word) standing in apposition to θέματι, apparently naming or describing the casket/coffer; the LXX leaves the term unrendered, a hallmark of the Kingdoms translator's handling of difficult realia.

ἐκat / frompreposition + genitive (position: 'at the side')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ μέρους: idiom 'at the side / on the part of'; the casket is set beside the ark.

μέρουςside / partGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (positional)→ relational specificationμέρος: 'part / side'; ἐκ μέρους αὐτῆς, 'at its (the ark's) side', locates the casket of gold beside the holy chest.

αὐτῆςitsGenitivegenitive of possession (the ark's side)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the ark's side).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐξαποστελεῖτεyou shall send awayFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ἐξαποστέλλωmain verb (imperatival future)→ verbal action or stateἐξαποστέλλω: 'send away / dispatch'; the command to set the cart on its way back to Israel.

αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object (the ark/cart)→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (the ark/cart).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπελάσατεdrive it offAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀπελαύνωmain verb (aorist imperative)→ verbal action or stateἀπελαύνω: 'drive away / drive off'; the cart is started off and then left to itself, so that the cows' route is unforced.

αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object (the cart)→ participant referenceαὐτήν: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (the cart).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπελεύσεταιit will goFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (predictive: the cart goes off on its own)→ verbal action or stateἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; the cart will move off of its own accord (i.e. as the cows are led), the outcome to be observed as the divine sign of v. 9.

καὶ ὄψεσθε εἰ εἰς ὁδὸν ὁρίων αὐτῆς πορεύσεται κατὰ Βαιθσαμυς αὐτὸς πεποίηκεν ἡμῖν τὴν κακίαν ταύτην τὴν μεγάλην καὶ ἐὰν μή καὶ γνωσόμεθα ὅτι οὐ χεὶρ αὐτοῦ ἧπται ἡμῶν ἀλλὰ σύμπτωμα τοῦτο γέγονεν ἡμῖν

And you shall watch: if it goes by the way of its own borders toward Beth-shemesh, he has done us this great evil; but if not, then we shall know that it was not his hand that touched us, but this has happened to us by chance.

Statement of the test's terms: the disjunctive sign-criterionκαὶ ὄψεσθε

The experts frame the decisive disjunction (εἰ … καὶ ἐὰν μή): if the cart goes straight to Beth-shemesh, the LORD has caused the calamity; if not, it was mere coincidence (σύμπτωμα). The test isolates divine causation from chance, the theological crux of the chapter.

Word-by-word analysis· 34 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὄψεσθεyou shall watch / seeFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (imperatival future: 'observe')→ verbal action or stateὁράω (fut. mid. ὄψεσθε): 'see / watch / observe'; the command to keep watch on the cart's route as the diagnostic of divine agency.

εἰif / whetherconditional/interrogative conjunction (protasis of the sign)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: introduces the first horn of the test — the condition under which divine causation is proven.

εἰςby / intopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).

ὁδὸνway / roadAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (route taken)→ object specificationὁδός: 'way / road'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; the route of the cart, whose straightness toward Israelite territory is the sign.

ὁρίωνborders / territoryGenitivegenitive (defining ὁδόν: 'the road of its borders')→ relational specificationὅριον (pl. ὅρια): 'boundary / territory / region'; renders גְּבוּל; 'the way of its (own) borders' = the road leading toward the ark's own (Israelite) territory.

αὐτῆςitsGenitivegenitive of possession (the ark's own territory)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the ark's own territory).

πορεύσεταιit goesFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιverb of the protasis (the cart's movement)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / travel / proceed'; the cart's purposeful movement toward Beth-shemesh would prove divine direction.

κατὰtowardpreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'toward / in the direction of'; specifies Beth-shemesh as the goal-direction.

ΒαιθσαμυςBeth-shemeshaccusative of direction (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒαιθσαμυς: transliteration of בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ ('house of the sun'), a Levitical border-town in the territory of Judah; indeclinable in the LXX; the nearest Israelite town toward which the cart would head if divinely guided.

αὐτὸςhe (himself)Nominativeemphatic subject pronoun (the LORD)→ participant referenceαὐτός: emphatic 'he himself'; refers to the LORD — if the sign holds, it is he (and no chance) who has brought the calamity.

πεποίηκενhas donePerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb of the apodosis (perfect of settled fact)→ verbal action or stateποιέω (perf.): 'do / make'; the perfect πεποίηκεν marks a completed act with abiding result — the LORD has decisively brought about the affliction, the standing conclusion drawn from the sign.

ἡμῖνto usDativedative of disadvantage (against us)→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'to us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of disadvantage (against us).

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κακίαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κακίανevil / calamityAccusativedirect object (of πεποίηκεν)→ object specificationκακία: 'evil / harm / calamity'; renders רָעָה; here the affliction (tumors and mice) viewed as a divinely inflicted disaster.

ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying κακίαν)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; deictic, pointing to the present calamity.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (attributive, with μεγάλην)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

μεγάληνgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying κακίαν)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great'; emphasizes the severity of the calamity attributed to the LORD.

καὶand / butconjunction (introducing the alternative)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (second horn)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the alternative outcome (the cart does not go straight).

μήnotnegative (elliptical: 'if not')→ clausal qualification or emphasisμή: in the elliptical ἐὰν μή ('but if not'), the cart's failure to go straight would prove the calamity coincidental.

καὶthenapodotic καί (introducing the apodosis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here apodotic ('then'), a Hebraism (וְ) introducing the consequence of the negative condition.

γνωσόμεθαwe shall knowFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb of the apodosis→ verbal action or stateγινώσκω: 'know / recognize'; the inference the Philistines would draw if the sign fails — that the affliction was not divine but accidental.

ὅτιthatcomplementizer (introducing object clause of γνωσόμεθα)→ clausal contributionὅτι: meaning 'that'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.

οὐnotnegative (denying divine agency)→ participant referenceοὐ: meaning 'not'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as negative (denying divine agency).

χεὶρhandNominativesubject (of ἧπται)→ participant prominenceχείρ: 'hand'; 'his hand' — the divine afflicting power; the denial 'it was not his hand' would absolve the LORD of the calamity.

ἧπταιhas touchedPerf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἅπτομαιverb of the ὅτι-clause (perfect of state)→ verbal action or stateἅπτομαι: 'touch / lay hold of'; renders נָגַע; the perfect ἧπται ('has touched') with the genitive ἡμῶν expresses the lingering effect of being struck; its denial would mean the calamity was not a divine blow.

ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of ἧπται (what was touched)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἧπται (what was touched).

ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative (alternative explanation)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but / rather'; pivots to the alternative — mere chance.

σύμπτωμαchance / coincidenceNominativepredicate nominative (with γέγονεν)→ participant prominenceσύμπτωμα: 'chance occurrence / accident / mishap'; renders מִקְרֶה; the key term opposing divine causation to random coincidence — the whole test is designed to decide between σύμπτωμα and the LORD's hand.

τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative subject (the calamity)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; refers to the affliction, here possibly construed as mere chance.

γέγονενhas happenedPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (perfect of state)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (perf. γέγονεν): 'become / happen'; the perfect frames the calamity as an accomplished event, here ascribed (under the negative condition) to chance rather than to the LORD.

ἡμῖνto usDativedative of disadvantage (to whom it happened)→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'to us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of disadvantage (to whom it happened).

καὶ ἐποίησαν οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι οὕτως καὶ ἔλαβον δύο βόας πρωτοτοκούσας καὶ ἔζευξαν αὐτὰς ἐν τῇ ἁμάξῃ καὶ τὰ τέκνα αὐτῶν ἀπεκώλυσαν εἰς οἶκον

And the Philistines did so; and they took two cows that had calved, and yoked them to the cart, and shut up their young at home.

Execution of the directive (compliance formula)καὶ ἐποίησαν οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι οὕτως

The compliance formula ἐποίησαν … οὕτως ('did so') signals exact obedience to the prescription of vv. 7–8; the chain of aorists (ἔλαβον, ἔζευξαν, ἀπεκώλυσαν) replays the commands as completed deeds, setting the test in motion.

Word-by-word analysis· 23 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐποίησανthey didAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (compliance)→ verbal action or stateποιέω: 'do / make'; with οὕτως the standard compliance-formula reporting that the instruction was carried out exactly.

οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀλλόφυλοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistines'; the agents who execute the prescribed test.

οὕτωςso / thusadverb of manner (referring to vv. 7–8)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / in this way'; renders כֵּן; points back to the prescription, marking exact conformity.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔλαβονthey tookAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (executing λάβετε of v. 7)→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω: 'take'; replays the command λάβετε as accomplished.

δύοtwoAccusativenumeral (modifying βόας)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; the pair of cows.

βόαςcowsAccusativedirect object (of ἔλαβον)→ object specificationβοῦς: 'cow / ox'; the nursing cows for the test.

πρωτοτοκούσαςthat had calvedPres Act Ptc Acc Fem Pl · πρωτοτοκέωattributive participle (modifying βόας)→ verbal action or stateπρωτοτοκέω: 'bear young / be nursing'; the milch-cows whose calves are penned, fulfilling the precise condition of the test.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔζευξανthey yokedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ζεύγνυμιmain verb (executing ζεύξατε of v. 7)→ verbal action or stateζεύγνυμι: 'yoke / harness'; the cows are harnessed to the cart as commanded.

αὐτὰςthemAccusativedirect object (the cows)→ participant referenceαὐτὰς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (the cows).

ἐνto / inpreposition + dative (locative/instrumental)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative/instrumental).

τῇtheDativearticle (with ἁμάξῃ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἁμάξῃcartDativedative object of ἐν (the cart)→ sphere or referenceἅμαξα (dat.): the cart to which the cows are yoked.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὰtheAccusativearticle (with τέκνα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

τέκναyoung / calvesAccusativedirect object (of ἀπεκώλυσαν)→ object specificationτέκνον: 'young'; the calves, penned away from the cows.

αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (the cows' young)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the cows' young).

ἀπεκώλυσανthey shut up / held backAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκωλύωmain verb (executing ἀπαγάγετε of v. 7)→ verbal action or stateἀποκωλύω: 'hinder / hold back / shut off'; the calves are confined at home, away from their mothers — the crucial separation for the test.

εἰςat / topreposition + accusative (destination/place)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination/place).

οἶκονhouse / homeAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (where the calves are kept)→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / home'; the calves are kept at home, removing the cows' natural object of return.

καὶ ἔθεντο τὴν κιβωτὸν ἐπὶ τὴν ἅμαξαν καὶ τὸ θέμα εργαβ καὶ τοὺς μῦς τοὺς χρυσοῦς

And they set the ark upon the cart, and the casket, ergab, and the golden mice.

Continuation of execution: loading the ark and the goldκαὶ ἔθεντο

Completion of the loading commanded in v. 8: the ark, the casket (here named εργαβ, a second transliteration alongside βερσεχθαν of v. 8), and the golden mice are placed on the cart; the gold reparation accompanies the holy chest.

Word-by-word analysis· 16 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔθεντοthey set / placedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · τίθημιmain verb (executing θήσετε of v. 8)→ verbal action or stateτίθημι (aor. mid. ἔθεντο): 'place / set'; the middle reports the Philistines setting the ark and gold on the cart, fulfilling the prescription of v. 8.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κιβωτὸν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κιβωτὸνarkAccusativedirect object (of ἔθεντο)→ object specificationκιβωτός: 'ark'; loaded onto the cart.

ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (position).

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἅμαξαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἅμαξανcartAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπὶ→ object specificationἅμαξα: 'cart'; the conveyance for the ark and gold.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὸtheAccusativearticle (with θέμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θέμαcasket / chestAccusativedirect object (coordinate with κιβωτὸν)→ object specificationθέμα: 'deposit / coffer / casket'; the box containing the golden objects, set on the cart beside the ark (cf. v. 8 θέματι βερσεχθαν; v. 15).

εργαβergabtransliterated noun (in apposition to θέμα)→ clausal contributionεργαβ: an untranslated transliteration (of an obscure Hebrew term), in apposition to τὸ θέμα; like βερσεχθαν (v. 8), it appears to name the casket/coffer of the golden offerings; the LXX leaves it unrendered.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with μῦς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

μῦςmiceAccusativedirect object (coordinate)→ object specificationμῦς: 'mice'; the golden rodents of the reparation (v. 5), loaded with the ark.

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (attributive, with χρυσοῦς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

χρυσοῦςgoldenAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying μῦς)→ object specificationχρυσοῦς: 'golden'; the precious votive mice.

καὶ κατεύθυναν αἱ βόες ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ εἰς ὁδὸν Βαιθσαμυς ἐν τρίβῳ ἑνὶ ἐπορεύοντο καὶ ἐκοπίων καὶ οὐ μεθίσταντο δεξιὰ οὐδὲ ἀριστερά καὶ οἱ σατράπαι τῶν ἀλλοφύλων ἐπορεύοντο ὀπίσω αὐτῆς ἕως ὁρίων Βαιθσαμυς

And the cows went straight on the road to the way of Beth-shemesh; on one track they went, and they were lowing, and did not turn aside to the right or to the left; and the satraps of the Philistines went behind it as far as the borders of Beth-shemesh.

Climactic fulfillment of the sign: the cows go straightκαὶ κατεύθυναν αἱ βόες

The test resolves: κατεύθυναν ('went straight') and the negation οὐ μεθίσταντο δεξιὰ οὐδὲ ἀριστερά ('did not turn right or left') prove unswerving divine guidance against all maternal instinct; the imperfects ἐπορεύοντο/ἐκοπίων depict the lowing march, and the satraps escort the cart to the Israelite border.

Word-by-word analysis· 33 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

κατεύθυνανwent straightAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κατευθύνωmain verb (the decisive sign)→ verbal action or stateκατευθύνω: 'make straight / go straight / direct'; renders יָשַׁר; the cows take a direct course toward Beth-shemesh — the unmistakable sign of the LORD's hand, since nursing cows would naturally turn back to their calves.

αἱtheNominativearticle (with βόες)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βόεςcowsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβοῦς (nom. pl. βόες): 'cows'; the nursing cows whose straight march is the proof of divine causation.

ἐνonpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).

τῇtheDativearticle (with ὁδῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὁδῷroadDativedative of place (the road on which they went)→ sphere or referenceὁδός: 'road / way'; the highway the cows followed.

εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).

ὁδὸνwayAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal-direction)→ object specificationὁδός: 'way'; εἰς ὁδὸν Βαιθσαμυς, 'toward the way of Beth-shemesh', the Israelite-bound route.

ΒαιθσαμυςBeth-shemeshgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Beth-shemesh')→ participant identificationΒαιθσαμυς: indeclinable transliteration of בֵּית שֶׁמֶשׁ; the Levitical town toward which the cows go straight.

ἐνonpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).

τρίβῳtrack / pathDativedative of place (the single path)→ sphere or referenceτρίβος: 'beaten track / path'; renders מְסִלָּה; ἐν τρίβῳ ἑνί, 'on one (single) track', stresses the undeviating straightness of their course.

ἑνὶoneDativeattributive numeral (modifying τρίβῳ)→ sphere or referenceεἷς (dat. ἑνί): 'one / single'; emphasizes that the cows kept to a single straight path without wandering.

ἐπορεύοντοthey were goingImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (durative march)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / travel'; the imperfect depicts the sustained, steady march of the cows along the road.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκοπίωνthey were lowing / toilingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · κοπιάωmain verb (durative)→ verbal action or stateκοπιάω: 'grow weary / toil / labor'; here used (rendering Hebrew גָּעוֹ, 'lowing') of the cows' continual lowing as they go — bellowing for their calves yet refusing to turn back, a poignant index of the supernatural compulsion driving them forward.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οὐnotnegative (with μεθίσταντο)→ participant referenceοὐ: meaning 'not'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as negative (with μεθίσταντο).

μεθίσταντοthey turned asideImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · μεθίστημιmain verb (negated: did not deviate)→ verbal action or stateμεθίστημι: 'remove / shift / turn aside'; the negated imperfect 'they did not turn aside' underscores the unwavering straightness of the cows' course — proof against chance.

δεξιὰto the rightAccusativeadverbial accusative (direction)→ object specificationδεξιός: 'right (hand/side)'; the adverbial accusative δεξιά with ἀριστερά forms the merism 'neither right nor left' — total non-deviation (cf. Deut 5:32; 17:11).

οὐδὲnornegative coordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδέ: 'nor / and not'; pairs the two sides of the merism.

ἀριστεράto the leftAccusativeadverbial accusative (direction)→ object specificationἀριστερός: 'left (hand/side)'; the second member of the merism for unswerving straightness.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οἱtheNominativearticle (with σατράπαι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σατράπαιsatraps / lordsNominativesubject (of ἐπορεύοντο)→ participant prominenceσατράπης: 'satrap / lord'; the five Philistine city-rulers personally escort the cart, eager to witness the test's outcome.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἀλλοφύλων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀλλοφύλωνof the PhilistinesGenitivegenitive of possession (the Philistine lords)→ relational specificationἀλλοφύλων: meaning 'of the Philistines'; it serves as genitive of possession (the Philistine lords).

ἐπορεύοντοwere going / followedImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (the satraps' escort)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / proceed'; the satraps follow the cart, observing whether the sign holds.

ὀπίσωbehind / afterimproper preposition + genitive (following)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'behind / after'; renders אַחֲרֵי; the satraps walk behind the cart as escorts/witnesses.

αὐτῆςitGenitivegenitive (with ὀπίσω: 'behind it' = the cart)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (with ὀπίσω: 'behind it' = the cart).

ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (extent)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / as far as'; marks the limit of the satraps' escort — the border of Beth-shemesh.

ὁρίωνbordersGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (the border reached)→ relational specificationὅριον (pl. ὅρια): 'border / territory'; the satraps go as far as the Israelite frontier of Beth-shemesh, not beyond.

ΒαιθσαμυςBeth-shemeshgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Beth-shemesh')→ participant identificationΒαιθσαμυς: indeclinable; defines the borders reached.

καὶ οἱ ἐν Βαιθσαμυς ἐθέριζον θερισμὸν πυρῶν ἐν κοιλάδι καὶ ἦραν ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν καὶ εἶδον κιβωτὸν κυρίου καὶ ηὐφράνθησαν εἰς ἀπάντησιν αὐτῆς

And those in Beth-shemesh were reaping the wheat-harvest in the valley; and they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark of the LORD, and they rejoiced to meet it.

Scene-shift to Beth-shemesh: joyful receptionκαὶ οἱ ἐν Βαιθσαμυς

The narrative shifts to the Israelite reapers; the idiom ἦραν ὀφθαλμοὺς … καὶ εἶδον ('lifted their eyes and saw') marks a moment of sudden recognition, and ηὐφράνθησαν ('rejoiced') registers Israel's joy at the ark's return — sharply contrasted with the terror of vv. 19–20.

Word-by-word analysis· 22 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οἱthoseNominativearticle (substantivized with ἐν Βαιθσαμυς: 'those in Beth-shemesh')→ noun-phrase markingthe article οἱ with the prepositional phrase ἐν Βαιθσαμυς substantivizes 'the people in Beth-shemesh', i.e. the inhabitants/reapers.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).

ΒαιθσαμυςBeth-shemeshdative of place (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαιθσαμυς: indeclinable; the town whose inhabitants receive the ark.

ἐθέριζονwere reapingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · θερίζωmain verb (durative background)→ verbal action or stateθερίζω: 'reap / harvest'; renders קָצַר; the imperfect sets the scene — the reapers are in the midst of the wheat-harvest when the ark appears.

θερισμὸνharvestAccusativecognate accusative (with ἐθέριζον)→ object specificationθερισμός: 'harvest / reaping'; renders קָצִיר; the cognate accusative 'reaping the harvest' (θερίζω … θερισμόν) intensifies the activity; the wheat-harvest (late May–June) dates the event.

πυρῶνof wheatGenitivegenitive (defining θερισμόν: 'harvest of wheat')→ relational specificationπυρός (gen. pl. πυρῶν): 'wheat'; renders חִטִּים; specifies the wheat-harvest, the season of the ark's return.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).

κοιλάδιvalleyDativedative of place (where they reaped)→ sphere or referenceκοιλάς: 'valley / hollow'; renders עֵמֶק; the lowland field where the harvesters worked, from which they could see the cart approaching.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἦρανthey lifted upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · αἴρωmain verb (idiom of looking up)→ verbal action or stateαἴρω: 'lift / raise'; the idiom ἦραν ὀφθαλμοὺς καὶ εἶδον renders נָשָׂא עֵינַיִם וַיַּרְא ('lifted the eyes and saw'), a stock Hebraism for catching sight of something significant (Gen 18:2; 22:4).

ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativedirect object (of ἦραν)→ object specificationὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; renders עַיִן; part of the looking-up idiom.

αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ὀφθαλμοὺς)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying ὀφθαλμοὺς).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶδονthey sawAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (perception)→ verbal action or stateὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see'; the reapers catch sight of the ark — the moment of recognition and joy.

κιβωτὸνarkAccusativedirect object (of εἶδον)→ object specificationκιβωτός: 'ark'; anarthrous here, but specified by κυρίου — the ark of the LORD.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (the ark belongs to the LORD)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen.): the Tetragrammaton; the ark of the LORD, whose sight evokes joy in Israel.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ηὐφράνθησανthey rejoicedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · εὐφραίνωmain verb (emotional response)→ verbal action or stateεὐφραίνω (aor. pass.): 'make glad'; passive 'rejoice / be glad'; renders שָׂמַח; the reapers' joy at the ark's return stands in pointed contrast to the deadly judgment soon to fall (v. 19) — joy and danger held together in the ark's holiness.

εἰςtopreposition + accusative (purpose: 'to meet')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: 'to meet').

ἀπάντησινmeetingAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom: 'to meet')→ object specificationἀπάντησις: 'meeting / encounter'; εἰς ἀπάντησιν renders לִקְרַאת ('to meet'), a standard idiom of going out to meet someone arriving.

αὐτῆςitGenitiveobjective genitive (with ἀπάντησιν: 'to meet it' = the ark)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as objective genitive (with ἀπάντησιν: 'to meet it' = the ark).

καὶ ἡ ἅμαξα εἰσῆλθεν εἰς ἀγρὸν Ωσηε τὸν ἐν Βαιθσαμυς καὶ ἔστησαν ἐκεῖ παρ᾿ αὐτῇ λίθον μέγαν καὶ σχίζουσιν τὰ ξύλα τῆς ἁμάξης καὶ τὰς βόας ἀνήνεγκαν εἰς ὁλοκαύτωσιν τῷ κυρίῳ

And the cart came into the field of Hosea, the one in Beth-shemesh, and they set up there beside it a great stone, and they split the wood of the cart, and offered up the cows as a whole burnt-offering to the LORD.

Arrival and improvised sacrificeκαὶ ἡ ἅμαξα εἰσῆλθεν

The cart halts in Hosea's field; the great stone (λίθον μέγαν) becomes an altar/marker; the historic present σχίζουσιν ('they split') vivifies the breaking-up of the cart for fuel, and the cows are offered as a whole burnt-offering (ὁλοκαύτωσιν) — the conveyance itself consumed in worship of the LORD.

Word-by-word analysis· 31 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἡtheNominativearticle (with ἅμαξα)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἅμαξαcartNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἅμαξα: 'cart'; the cart carrying the ark, now arriving at its goal.

εἰσῆλθενcame / enteredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (arrival)→ verbal action or stateεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / come in'; the cart's arrival in Hosea's field marks the completed journey.

εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).

ἀγρὸνfieldAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationἀγρός: 'field'; renders שָׂדֶה; the particular field where the cart stopped.

Ωσηεof Hosea / Joshuagenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'of Hosea')→ participant identificationΩσηε: transliteration of a Hebrew name (here for יְהוֹשֻׁעַ / הוֹשֵׁעַ); indeclinable; the owner of the field at Beth-shemesh (the MT reads 'Joshua').

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (attributive, agreeing with ἀγρὸν)→ noun-phrase markingthe article τόν (agreeing with ἀγρόν) introduces the locating phrase ἐν Βαιθσαμυς, 'the (field) that is in Beth-shemesh.'

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).

ΒαιθσαμυςBeth-shemeshdative of place (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαιθσαμυς: indeclinable; locates Hosea's field.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔστησανthey set upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἵστημιmain verb (erecting the stone)→ verbal action or stateἵστημι (intrans. aor.): 'stand / halt / take a stand'; renders עָמַד; the column pauses at the outskirts to organize before the guard passes in review.

ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; at the spot in Hosea's field.

παρ᾿besidepreposition + dative (position, elided παρά)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + dat.: 'beside / near'; the stone is set beside the cart.

αὐτῇitDativedative object of παρ᾿ (beside the cart)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of παρ᾿ (beside the cart).

λίθονstoneAccusativedirect object (of ἔστησαν)→ object specificationλίθος: 'stone'; renders אֶבֶן; the great stone serves as a makeshift altar for the burnt-offering and as the resting-place of the ark (v. 15); it becomes a lasting witness (v. 18, 'the great stone of Abel').

μέγανgreat / largeAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying λίθον)→ object specificationμέγαν: meaning 'great'; it serves as attributive adjective (modifying λίθον).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

σχίζουσινthey splitPres Act Indic 3 Pl · σχίζωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateσχίζω: 'split / cleave'; the historic present vivifies the breaking-up of the cart's timbers for firewood — the very conveyance becomes fuel for the sacrifice.

τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ξύλα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ξύλαwood / timbersAccusativedirect object (of σχίζουσιν)→ object specificationξύλον: 'wood / timber'; the cart's wooden parts, split for the altar-fire.

τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with ἁμάξης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἁμάξηςof the cartGenitivegenitive (defining ξύλα: 'wood of the cart')→ relational specificationἅμαξα (gen.): the cart whose wood becomes fuel.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with βόας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βόαςcowsAccusativedirect object (of ἀνήνεγκαν)→ object specificationβοῦς: 'cows'; the cows that drew the cart are now sacrificed — fitting, as they had been set apart by the divine sign.

ἀνήνεγκανthey offered upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναφέρωmain verb (sacrificial offering)→ verbal action or stateἀναφέρω: 'bring up / offer up'; the technical sacrificial verb (rendering הֶעֱלָה), 'offer up' on the altar; the cows become a whole burnt-offering to the LORD.

εἰςas / forpreposition + accusative (purpose: 'as a burnt-offering')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'as'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: 'as a burnt-offering').

ὁλοκαύτωσινwhole burnt-offeringAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the offering)→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωσις: 'whole burnt-offering'; renders עֹלָה; the offering wholly consumed by fire — the cows given entirely to the LORD in thanksgiving for the ark's return.

τῷtheDativearticle (with κυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative indirect object (recipient of the offering)→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat.): the Tetragrammaton; the burnt-offering is rendered to the LORD, whose ark has returned.

καὶ οἱ Λευῖται ἀνήνεγκαν τὴν κιβωτὸν τοῦ κυρίου καὶ τὸ θέμα εργαβ μετ᾿ αὐτῆς καὶ τὰ ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς σκεύη τὰ χρυσᾶ καὶ ἔθεντο ἐπὶ τοῦ λίθου τοῦ μεγάλου καὶ οἱ ἄνδρες Βαιθσαμυς ἀνήνεγκαν ὁλοκαυτώσεις καὶ θυσίας ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ τῷ κυρίῳ

And the Levites took down the ark of the LORD, and the casket, ergab, with it, and the golden articles that were on it, and set them on the great stone; and the men of Beth-shemesh offered up whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices on that day to the LORD.

Proper handling: the Levites set down the ark; communal sacrificeκαὶ οἱ Λευῖται ἀνήνεγκαν

The Levites — the only ones authorized to handle the ark — take it down with the casket and gold and place them on the great stone; the men of Beth-shemesh add burnt-offerings and sacrifices, a full festive worship 'on that day' that precedes the tragic reversal of v. 19.

Word-by-word analysis· 42 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οἱtheNominativearticle (with Λευῖται)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΛευῖταιLevitesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΛευίτης: 'Levite'; renders לֵוִי; the consecrated tribe charged with handling the ark (Num 4; Deut 10:8); their presence at Beth-shemesh (a Levitical town, Josh 21:16) ensures the ark is handled by the proper ministers — making the later judgment (v. 19) all the more sobering.

ἀνήνεγκανtook down / broughtAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναφέρωmain verb (handling the ark)→ verbal action or stateἀναφέρω: 'bring up / take / lift'; here of the Levites lifting/taking the ark down from the cart and bearing it to the great stone.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κιβωτὸν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κιβωτὸνarkAccusativedirect object (of ἀνήνεγκαν)→ object specificationκιβωτός: 'ark'; handled by the Levites.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with κυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (the ark of the LORD)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen.): the Tetragrammaton; the ark belongs to the LORD.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὸtheAccusativearticle (with θέμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θέμαcasketAccusativedirect object (coordinate with κιβωτὸν)→ object specificationθέμα: 'casket / coffer'; the box of golden objects (cf. v. 11).

εργαβergabtransliterated noun (in apposition to θέμα)→ clausal contributionεργαβ: untranslated transliteration in apposition to τὸ θέμα (cf. v. 11); naming the coffer of golden offerings; left unrendered by the LXX.

μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided μετά)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided μετά).

αὐτῆςitGenitivegenitive object of μετ᾿ (with the ark)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετ᾿ (with the ark).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκεύη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἐπ᾿onpreposition + genitive (position, elided ἐπί; attributive 'on it')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: 'on / upon'; the attributive phrase τὰ ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς ('the things on it') qualifies σκεύη — the golden objects that were on/with the ark.

αὐτῆςitGenitivegenitive object of ἐπ᾿ (on the ark)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐπ᾿ (on the ark).

σκεύηarticlesAccusativedirect object (coordinate)→ object specificationσκεῦος (pl. σκεύη): 'articles / objects'; the golden votive items accompanying the ark.

τὰtheAccusativearticle (attributive, with χρυσᾶ)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

χρυσᾶgoldenAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying σκεύη)→ object specificationχρυσοῦς: 'golden'; the precious votive objects.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔθεντοthey setAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · τίθημιmain verb (placing on the stone)→ verbal action or stateτίθημι (aor. mid.): 'place / set'; the ark and gold are set on the great stone — the focal point of the worship.

ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position).

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with λίθου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λίθουstoneGenitivegenitive object of ἐπὶ (where they set it)→ relational specificationλίθος: 'stone'; the great stone of v. 14, now the resting-place of the ark.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (attributive, with μεγάλου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

μεγάλουgreatGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying λίθου)→ relational specificationμεγάλου: meaning 'great'; it serves as attributive adjective (modifying λίθου).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνδρες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (of ἀνήνεγκαν)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ (pl. ἄνδρες): 'man'; renders אַנְשֵׁי; the men/inhabitants of Beth-shemesh who offer the communal sacrifices.

Βαιθσαμυςof Beth-shemeshgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Beth-shemesh')→ participant identificationΒαιθσαμυς: indeclinable; defines the men as Beth-shemeshites.

ἀνήνεγκανoffered upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναφέρωmain verb (sacrificial offering)→ verbal action or stateἀναφέρω: 'offer up'; the men of Beth-shemesh add their own sacrifices to mark the ark's return.

ὁλοκαυτώσειςwhole burnt-offeringsAccusativedirect object (of ἀνήνεγκαν)→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωσις: 'whole burnt-offering'; the offering wholly consumed, here in the plural — multiple offerings of thanksgiving.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

θυσίαςsacrificesAccusativedirect object (coordinate with ὁλοκαυτώσεις)→ object specificationθυσία: 'sacrifice / offering'; renders זֶבַח; the shared/peace offerings (eaten in fellowship) complementing the wholly-burnt offerings — a full festive worship.

ἐνonpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).

τῇtheDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (when they offered)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ, 'on that day', the day of the ark's joyful return.

ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the memorable day of the ark's homecoming.

τῷtheDativearticle (with κυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative indirect object (recipient of the offerings)→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat.): the Tetragrammaton; the sacrifices are offered to the LORD.

καὶ οἱ πέντε σατράπαι τῶν ἀλλοφύλων ἑώρων καὶ ἀνέστρεψαν εἰς Ἀσκαλῶνα τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ

And the five satraps of the Philistines were watching, and they returned to Ashkelon on that day.

Closure of the Philistine witnesses' roleκαὶ οἱ πέντε σατράπαι

The five satraps, having observed (ἑώρων, imperfect of sustained watching) the whole proceeding, return home to Ashkelon — the test concluded to their satisfaction, the ark safely back on Israelite soil.

Word-by-word analysis· 14 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οἱtheNominativearticle (with σατράπαι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πέντεfiveNominativenumeral (modifying σατράπαι)→ measure or countπέντε: 'five'; the five Philistine city-rulers, here all named together.

σατράπαιsatrapsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceσατράπης: 'satrap / lord'; the five rulers who escorted and witnessed the ark's return.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἀλλοφύλων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀλλοφύλωνof the PhilistinesGenitivegenitive of possession (the Philistine satraps)→ relational specificationἀλλοφύλων: meaning 'of the Philistines'; it serves as genitive of possession (the Philistine satraps).

ἑώρωνwere watchingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (durative observation)→ verbal action or stateὁράω (impf. ἑώρων): 'see / watch'; the imperfect depicts the satraps watching the whole proceeding — verifying the sign before returning home.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀνέστρεψανthey returnedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναστρέφωmain verb (departure home)→ verbal action or stateἀναστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; the satraps go home, their mission accomplished and the test resolved.

εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).

ἈσκαλῶναAshkelonAccusativeaccusative of destination (declinable place-name)→ object specificationἈσκαλών (acc. Ἀσκαλῶνα): rendering of אַשְׁקְלוֹן, one of the five Philistine cities; declined as a third-declension noun, hence kind 'n' with case; the satraps return to (one of) their cities.

τῇtheDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (when they returned)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ, 'on that day' — the same day as the ark's return and the sacrifices.

ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the day of the ark's homecoming.

καὶ αὗται αἱ ἕδραι αἱ χρυσαῖ ἃς ἀπέδωκαν οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι τῆς βασάνου τῷ κυρίῳ τῆς Ἀζώτου μίαν τῆς Γάζης μίαν τῆς Ἀσκαλῶνος μίαν τῆς Γεθ μίαν τῆς Ακκαρων μίαν

And these are the golden tumors which the Philistines rendered as a reparation for the torment to the LORD: of Ashdod one, of Gaza one, of Ashkelon one, of Gath one, of Ekron one.

Narratorial inventory of the golden tumors (catalogue)καὶ αὗται αἱ ἕδραι

A summarizing catalogue (αὗται … ἃς ἀπέδωκαν) itemizes the five golden tumors by city — Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, Ekron — confirming the one-per-satrapy prescription of v. 4; the recurring μίαν tallies the offering of each Philistine capital.

Word-by-word analysis· 29 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

αὗταιtheseNominativedemonstrative subject (of the verbless clause)→ participant prominenceοὗτος (fem. pl. αὗται): 'these'; introduces the itemizing list of the golden tumors.

αἱtheNominativearticle (with ἕδραι)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἕδραιtumorsNominativepredicate nominative (the items listed)→ participant prominenceἕδρα: 'tumor / fundament'; the golden replicas of the swellings (cf. v. 4); here enumerated by city.

αἱtheNominativearticle (attributive, with χρυσαῖ)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

χρυσαῖgoldenNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἕδραι)→ participant prominenceχρυσοῦς (fem. χρυσῆ): 'golden'; the precious material of the votive tumors.

ἃςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀπέδωκαν)→ participant referenceὅς (fem. pl. ἃς): relative 'which'; introduces the clause specifying what the Philistines rendered.

ἀπέδωκανthey renderedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποδίδωμιverb of the relative clause→ verbal action or stateἀποδίδωμι: 'render / repay'; the Philistines paid these golden tumors as the reparation for the torment, fulfilling the experts' counsel.

οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀλλόφυλοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesNominativesubject (of ἀπέδωκαν)→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistines'; the senders of the reparation.

τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with βασάνου)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασάνουof the tormentGenitivegenitive (cause/respect: 'as a reparation for the torment')→ relational specificationβάσανος: 'torment'; the keyword for the affliction the offering compensates.

τῷtheDativearticle (with κυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative indirect object (recipient of the reparation)→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat.): the Tetragrammaton; the golden tumors are rendered to the LORD.

τῆςthe / ofGenitivearticle (with Ἀζώτου: 'of Ashdod')→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἈζώτουAshdodGenitivegenitive of source ('one of/for Ashdod')→ relational specificationἌζωτος (gen. Ἀζώτου): rendering of אַשְׁדּוֹד; declined as a feminine second-declension noun (hence 'n' with case); the first of the five Philistine cities listed (cf. 5:1).

μίανoneAccusativenumeral (counting: 'one tumor')→ measure or countεἷς (fem. acc. μίαν): 'one'; the single golden tumor attributed to Ashdod; repeated for each city.

τῆςthe / ofGenitivearticle (with Γάζης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΓάζηςGazaGenitivegenitive of source ('of Gaza')→ relational specificationΓάζα (gen. Γάζης): rendering of עַזָּה; declined as a first-declension noun (hence 'n' with case); the second Philistine city.

μίανoneAccusativenumeral (Gaza's tumor)→ measure or countμίαν: meaning 'one'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.

τῆςthe / ofGenitivearticle (with Ἀσκαλῶνος)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἈσκαλῶνοςAshkelonGenitivegenitive of source ('of Ashkelon')→ relational specificationἈσκαλών (gen. Ἀσκαλῶνος): rendering of אַשְׁקְלוֹן; declined as a third-declension noun (hence 'n' with case); the third Philistine city (cf. v. 16).

μίανoneAccusativenumeral (Ashkelon's tumor)→ measure or countμίαν: meaning 'one'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.

τῆςthe / ofGenitivearticle (with Γεθ)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΓεθGathgenitive of source (indeclinable: 'of Gath')→ participant identificationΓεθ: transliteration of גַּת; indeclinable in the LXX (hence 'x'); the fourth Philistine city (cf. 5:8).

μίανoneAccusativenumeral (Gath's tumor)→ measure or countμίαν: meaning 'one'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.

τῆςthe / ofGenitivearticle (with Ακκαρων)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΑκκαρωνEkrongenitive of source (indeclinable: 'of Ekron')→ participant identificationΑκκαρων: transliteration of עֶקְרוֹן; indeclinable in the LXX (hence 'x'); the fifth Philistine city, to which the ark had last been sent (5:10).

μίανoneAccusativenumeral (Ekron's tumor; completing the count of five)→ measure or countεἷς (μίαν): the fifth and final 'one', completing the tally of five golden tumors matching the five satrapies.

καὶ μῦς οἱ χρυσοῖ κατ᾿ ἀριθμὸν πασῶν πόλεων τῶν ἀλλοφύλων τῶν πέντε σατραπῶν ἐκ πόλεως ἐστερεωμένης καὶ ἕως κώμης τοῦ Φερεζαίου καὶ ἕως λίθου τοῦ μεγάλου οὗ ἐπέθηκαν ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῦ τὴν κιβωτὸν διαθήκης κυρίου τοῦ ἐν ἀγρῷ Ωσηε τοῦ Βαιθσαμυσίτου

And the golden mice were according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines of the five satraps, from fortified city to open village of the Perizzite, and as far as the great stone on which they set the ark of the covenant of the LORD, the one in the field of Hosea the Beth-shemeshite.

Inventory continued: the golden mice and the witness-stoneκαὶ μῦς οἱ χρυσοῖ

The catalogue adds the golden mice, counted by all the Philistine cities great and small (ἐκ πόλεως ἐστερεωμένης … ἕως κώμης), and culminates in a topographical witness — the great stone in Hosea's field on which the ark of the covenant was set, a memorial still pointed to at the narrator's time.

Word-by-word analysis· 40 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

μῦςmiceNominativesubject (of the verbless clause)→ participant prominenceμῦς: 'mice'; the golden rodents, now itemized by city-count.

οἱtheNominativearticle (attributive, with χρυσοῖ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

χρυσοῖgoldenNominativeattributive adjective (modifying μῦς)→ participant prominenceχρυσοῦς: 'golden'; the precious votive mice.

κατ᾿according topreposition + accusative (standard, elided κατά)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; the mice numbered by the count of all Philistine cities.

ἀριθμὸνnumberAccusativeaccusative object of κατ᾿ (standard of count)→ object specificationἀριθμός: 'number'; the mice numbered to match all the cities — a fuller count than the five tumors.

πασῶνallGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying πόλεων)→ relational specificationπᾶς (fem. gen. pl. πασῶν): 'all'; emphasizes that the mice represent every Philistine settlement, not merely the five capitals.

πόλεωνcitiesGenitivegenitive (defining ἀριθμόν: 'number of the cities')→ relational specificationπόλις (gen. pl. πόλεων): 'city'; renders עִיר; all the Philistine towns under the five satraps.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἀλλοφύλων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀλλοφύλωνof the PhilistinesGenitivegenitive of possession (the Philistine cities)→ relational specificationἀλλοφύλων: meaning 'of the Philistines'; it serves as genitive of possession (the Philistine cities).

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with σατραπῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πέντεfiveGenitivenumeral (modifying σατραπῶν)→ measure or countπέντε: 'five'; the five satraps over the Philistine cities.

σατραπῶνsatrapsGenitivegenitive (defining the cities' rulers)→ relational specificationσατράπης: 'satrap / lord'; the cities belong to the five lords.

ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (start of merism)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ … ἕως: 'from … to', a merism for the full range of settlement-types, great and small.

πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (first pole of merism)→ relational specificationπόλις: 'city'; the fortified city, the larger settlement-type.

ἐστερεωμένηςfortifiedPerf Pass Ptc Gen Fem Sg · στερεόωattributive participle (modifying πόλεως)→ verbal action or stateστερεόω: 'make firm / strengthen / fortify'; the perfect passive participle 'fortified / walled' describes the larger, defended city; renders עִיר מִבְצָר; contrasted with the open village (κώμη).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἕωςto / as far aspreposition + genitive (end of merism)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / as far as'; the lower pole of the merism — down to the unwalled village.

κώμηςvillageGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (second pole of merism)→ relational specificationκώμη: 'village / hamlet'; renders כְּפַר / פְּרָזִי; the open, unwalled settlement, contrasted with the fortified city — together encompassing all settlement-types.

τοῦthe / ofGenitivearticle (with Φερεζαίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

Φερεζαίουof the PerizziteGenitivegenitive (defining κώμης: 'village of the Perizzite')→ relational specificationΦερεζαῖος (gen. Φερεζαίου): 'Perizzite'; a gentilic declined as a second-declension noun (hence 'n' with case); the LXX reads 'village of the Perizzite' where the term may originally have denoted the open/rural settlement (פְּרָזִי, 'open country').

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (extent to the witness-stone)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: meaning 'as far as'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (extent to the witness-stone).

λίθουstoneGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (the witness-stone)→ relational specificationλίθος: 'stone'; the great stone of vv. 14–15, here invoked as an enduring witness/landmark.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (attributive, with μεγάλου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

μεγάλουgreatGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying λίθου)→ relational specificationμεγάλου: meaning 'great'; it serves as attributive adjective (modifying λίθου).

οὗon which / whereGenitiverelative pronoun (resumed by ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῦ)→ relational specificationὅς (gen. οὗ): relative pronoun, here resumptive ('the stone, on which...'), a Hebraizing relative construction completed by the pleonastic ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῦ.

ἐπέθηκανthey setAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιτίθημιverb of the relative clause→ verbal action or stateἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon'; see v. 14.

ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + genitive (resumptive, with αὐτοῦ)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: 'upon'; the resumptive ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῦ ('upon it') redundantly completes the relative οὗ — a Hebraism (אֲשֶׁר … עָלָיו).

αὐτοῦitGenitivegenitive object of ἐπ᾿ (the stone)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐπ᾿ (the stone).

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κιβωτὸν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κιβωτὸνarkAccusativedirect object (of ἐπέθηκαν)→ object specificationκιβωτός: 'ark'; here with the full title 'ark of the covenant of the LORD.'

διαθήκηςof the covenantGenitivegenitive (defining: 'ark of the covenant')→ relational specificationδιαθήκη: 'covenant'; the full cultic title of the ark (cf. v. 3).

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (defining the covenant)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen.): the Tetragrammaton; the covenant belongs to the LORD.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (substantizing the locating phrase: 'the one in...')→ noun-phrase markingthe article τοῦ resumes λίθου, introducing the locating phrase ἐν ἀγρῷ Ωσηε ('the [stone] in the field of Hosea').

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).

ἀγρῷfieldDativedative of place (where the stone stands)→ sphere or referenceἀγρός: 'field'; Hosea's field at Beth-shemesh (cf. v. 14).

Ωσηεof Hoseagenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'of Hosea')→ participant identificationΩσηε: indeclinable transliteration; the owner of the field (cf. v. 14).

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with Βαιθσαμυσίτου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

Βαιθσαμυσίτουthe Beth-shemeshiteGenitivegenitive in apposition to Ωσηε (gentilic)→ relational specificationΒαιθσαμυσίτης (gen. Βαιθσαμυσίτου): 'Beth-shemeshite'; a gentilic formed from Βαιθσαμυς, declined as a first-declension masculine noun (hence 'n' with case); identifies Hosea as a man of Beth-shemesh.

καὶ οὐκ ἠσμένισαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ιεχονιου ἐν τοῖς ἀνδράσιν Βαιθσαμυς ὅτι εἶδαν κιβωτὸν κυρίου καὶ ἐπάταξεν ἐν αὐτοῖς ἑβδομήκοντα ἄνδρας καὶ πεντήκοντα χιλιάδας ἀνδρῶν καὶ ἐπένθησεν ὁ λαός ὅτι ἐπάταξεν κύριος ἐν τῷ λαῷ πληγὴν μεγάλην σφόδρα

And the sons of Jechoniah did not rejoice among the men of Beth-shemesh, because they looked on the ark of the LORD; and he struck among them seventy men and fifty thousand men; and the people mourned, because the LORD had struck the people with a very great blow.

Reversal: the deadly holiness of the arkκαὶ οὐκ ἠσμένισαν

The joy of v. 13 reverses into judgment: because they looked into/on the ark (the verb ἐπάταξεν echoes the smiting of the Philistines, 5:6), the LORD strikes a great slaughter; the doubled causal ὅτι frames both the offense and the divine response, and the people mourn the great blow (πληγὴν μεγάλην σφόδρα).

Word-by-word analysis· 37 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οὐκnotnegative (with ἠσμένισαν)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.

ἠσμένισανrejoiced / welcomedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀσμενίζωmain verb (negated)→ verbal action or stateἀσμενίζω: 'be glad / welcome gladly'; a rare verb; the negated 'did not rejoice/welcome' marks a discordant note — perhaps that the sons of Jechoniah did not share in the proper, reverent gladness; the verse is textually difficult, the LXX differing notably from the MT.

οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοὶ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; renders בֵּן; the sons/descendants of Jechoniah, distinguished from the general men of Beth-shemesh.

Ιεχονιουof JechoniahGenitivegenitive of relationship ('sons of Jechoniah')→ relational specificationΙεχονιας (gen. Ιεχονιου): 'Jechoniah'; a transliterated name bearing a Greek genitive ending (hence 'n' with case); the eponymous ancestor of the offending group; the name is peculiar to the LXX here.

ἐνamongpreposition + dative (association)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (association).

τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ἀνδράσιν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀνδράσινmenDativedative object of ἐν (among whom)→ sphere or referenceἀνήρ (dat. pl. ἀνδράσιν): 'man'; the men of Beth-shemesh, among whom the sons of Jechoniah did not rejoice.

Βαιθσαμυςof Beth-shemeshgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαιθσαμυς: indeclinable; defines the men as Beth-shemeshites.

ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (the offense)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the cause of the judgment — they looked on/into the ark.

εἶδανthey looked / sawAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωverb of the causal clause→ verbal action or stateὁράω (aor. εἶδαν, Hellenistic alpha-form): 'see / look'; the offense was looking upon (in the MT, into) the ark of the LORD — a violation of the ark's holiness (cf. Num 4:20, the prohibition against the Kohathites seeing the holy things).

κιβωτὸνarkAccusativedirect object (of εἶδαν)→ object specificationκιβωτός: 'ark'; the holy object improperly gazed upon.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (the ark of the LORD)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen.): the Tetragrammaton; the LORD's ark, whose holiness is violated by the gaze.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (judgment follows)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐπάταξενhe struckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (divine judgment; subject = the LORD)→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω: 'strike / smite'; renders הִכָּה; the same verb used of the LORD's smiting of the Philistines (5:6); now turned against Israel — the ark's holiness is no respecter of nations.

ἐνamongpreposition + dative (partitive/local: 'among them')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (partitive/local: 'among them').

αὐτοῖςthemDativedative object of ἐν (among whom he struck)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἐν (among whom he struck).

ἑβδομήκονταseventyAccusativenumeral (modifying ἄνδρας)→ measure or countἑβδομήκοντα: 'seventy'; indeclinable; part of the textually difficult casualty figure ('seventy men and fifty thousand men').

ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object (those struck)→ object specificationἀνήρ (acc. pl. ἄνδρας): 'men'; the human victims of the smiting.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πεντήκονταfiftyAccusativenumeral (modifying χιλιάδας)→ measure or countπεντήκοντα: 'fifty'; indeclinable; the figure 'fifty thousand' is famously difficult and likely a textual corruption/gloss (cf. the parallel problems in the Hebrew of 1 Sam 6:19).

χιλιάδαςthousandsAccusativeaccusative (with πεντήκοντα: 'fifty thousand')→ object specificationχιλιάς: 'a thousand'; the implausibly large figure for a small town (Beth-shemesh) is a recognized textual crux; the LXX preserves the difficult number found in the MT tradition.

ἀνδρῶνof menGenitivepartitive genitive (with χιλιάδας)→ relational specificationἀνήρ (gen. pl. ἀνδρῶν): 'men'; partitive — 'thousands of men.'

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐπένθησενmournedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πενθέωmain verb (the people's grief)→ verbal action or stateπενθέω: 'mourn / grieve / lament'; renders אָבַל; the people's mourning answers their earlier rejoicing (v. 13) — the ark brings both joy and dread.

ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λαόςpeopleNominativesubject (of ἐπένθησεν)→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the people of Beth-shemesh in mourning.

ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (reason for mourning)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the cause of the mourning — the LORD's great blow.

ἐπάταξενhad struckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωverb of the causal clause→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω: 'strike'; repeated from above, now with κύριος as explicit subject — naming the agent of the blow.

κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject (of ἐπάταξεν)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; named explicitly as the one who struck — the holiness of the ark is the LORD's own dangerous presence.

ἐνamong / onpreposition + dative (where the blow fell)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (where the blow fell).

τῷtheDativearticle (with λαῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λαῷpeopleDativedative object of ἐν (on whom the blow fell)→ sphere or referenceλαός (dat.): the people on whom the LORD's blow fell.

πληγὴνblow / plagueAccusativecognate accusative (with ἐπάταξεν)→ object specificationπληγή: 'blow / stroke / plague'; renders מַכָּה; the cognate-like accusative 'struck a blow' intensifies the smiting; the same word for the Egyptian and Philistine plagues.

μεγάληνgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying πληγὴν)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great'; emphasizes the severity of the slaughter.

σφόδραvery / exceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying μεγάλην)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'exceedingly'; renders מְאֹד; 'a very great blow' — the superlative measure of the judgment that turns joy to mourning.

καὶ εἶπαν οἱ ἄνδρες οἱ ἐκ Βαιθσαμυς τίς δυνήσεται διελθεῖν ἐνώπιον κυρίου τοῦ ἁγίου τούτου καὶ πρὸς τίνα ἀναβήσεται κιβωτὸς κυρίου ἀφ᾿ ἡμῶν

And the men of Beth-shemesh said, 'Who will be able to pass before the LORD, this holy God? And to whom will the ark of the LORD go up away from us?'

Theological confession: the unbearable holiness of the arkκαὶ εἶπαν οἱ ἄνδρες

The Beth-shemeshites voice the chapter's theological climax in two rhetorical questions: τίς δυνήσεται διελθεῖν ἐνώπιον κυρίου τοῦ ἁγίου ('who can stand before this holy LORD?') confesses the deadly holiness of God's presence; πρὸς τίνα ἀναβήσεται asks for someone else to receive the ark — setting up the transfer to Kiriath-jearim (v. 21).

Word-by-word analysis· 23 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): introduces the awed confession of the Beth-shemeshites.

οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνδρες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀνήρ (pl. ἄνδρες): 'man'; the men of Beth-shemesh, now terrified of the ark.

οἱtheNominativearticle (attributive, with ἐκ Βαιθσαμυς)→ noun-phrase markingthe article οἱ with ἐκ Βαιθσαμυς ('the ones from Beth-shemesh') identifies them as the townsmen.

ἐκfrom / ofpreposition + genitive (origin)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (origin).

ΒαιθσαμυςBeth-shemeshgenitive of origin (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαιθσαμυς: indeclinable; defines the men as Beth-shemeshites.

τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject of δυνήσεται)→ participant referenceτίς: 'who?'; opens the rhetorical question expecting the answer 'no one' — none can endure the holy presence unscathed.

δυνήσεταιwill be ableFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb (rhetorical question)→ verbal action or stateδύναμαι: 'be able / can'; the future 'who will be able...?' implies human incapacity before the LORD's holiness — the central confession of the verse.

διελθεῖνto pass / standAor Act Inf · διέρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (with δυνήσεται)→ verbal action or stateδιέρχομαι: 'pass through / go before / stand'; the infinitive διελθεῖν ἐνώπιον κυρίου, 'to pass/stand before the LORD', expresses the impossibility of surviving in the immediate presence of the holy God (cf. Exod 33:20).

ἐνώπιονbefore / in the presence ofpreposition + genitive (before the LORD)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; locates the dreaded encounter in the immediate divine presence mediated by the ark.

κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationκύριος (gen.): the Tetragrammaton; the holy God before whom none can stand unprotected.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (attributive, with ἁγίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἁγίουholyGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying κυρίου: 'the holy LORD')→ relational specificationἅγιος: 'holy / set apart'; renders קָדוֹשׁ; the holiness of the LORD is the theological key to the whole episode — the same holiness that judged the Philistines now strikes Israel for irreverence (cf. the holiness-judgment of 2 Sam 6:6–7).

τούτουthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying κυρίου/ἁγίου)→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'this'; deictic, pointing to the LORD present in the ark — 'this holy God' whose dread presence is among them.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second question)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).

τίναwhomAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of πρὸς)→ participant referenceτίς (acc. τίνα): 'whom?'; asks to whom the ark may be sent — seeking another community to bear the dangerous holy object.

ἀναβήσεταιwill go upFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (second rhetorical question)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; the ark's removal is framed as a 'going up' to another place; the question seeks a willing recipient — answered by the dispatch to Kiriath-jearim (v. 21).

κιβωτὸςarkNominativesubject (of ἀναβήσεται)→ participant prominenceκιβωτός: 'ark'; the holy object that must be moved on from Beth-shemesh.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (the ark of the LORD)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen.): the Tetragrammaton; the ark belongs to the LORD.

ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of ἀφ᾿ (away from us)→ relational specificationthe people of Beth-shemesh wish the ark removed 'from us' — its presence has proven too dangerous to keep.

καὶ ἀποστέλλουσιν ἀγγέλους πρὸς τοὺς κατοικοῦντας Καριαθιαριμ λέγοντες ἀπεστρόφασιν ἀλλόφυλοι τὴν κιβωτὸν κυρίου κατάβητε καὶ ἀναγάγετε αὐτὴν πρὸς ἑαυτούς

And they send messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim, saying, 'The Philistines have returned the ark of the LORD; come down and bring it up to yourselves.'

Resolution: the ark dispatched onward to Kiriath-jearimκαὶ ἀποστέλλουσιν ἀγγέλους

The chapter ends (historic present ἀποστέλλουσιν) with messengers to Kiriath-jearim: the announcement (ἀπεστρόφασιν, perfect of settled fact) that the Philistines have returned the ark, and the double imperative κατάβητε … ἀναγάγετε inviting them to take it up — leaving the ark in transit, its permanent home deferred (cf. 7:1–2; 2 Sam 6).

Word-by-word analysis· 19 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀποστέλλουσινthey sendPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateἀποστέλλω: 'send / dispatch'; the historic present vivifies the sending of messengers, the chapter's resolving action.

ἀγγέλουςmessengersAccusativedirect object (those sent)→ object specificationἄγγελος: 'messenger / envoy'; renders מַלְאָךְ; here human messengers (not angels) sent to summon the men of Kiriath-jearim.

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with κατοικοῦντας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κατοικοῦνταςinhabitants / dwellersPres Act Ptc Acc Masc Pl · κατοικέωsubstantival participle (object of πρὸς: 'the inhabitants')→ verbal action or stateκατοικέω: 'dwell / inhabit / settle'; the substantival participle 'those dwelling in' = the inhabitants; renders יוֹשְׁבֵי; the people of Kiriath-jearim to whom the ark is offered.

ΚαριαθιαριμKiriath-jearimaccusative of place (indeclinable: where they dwell)→ participant identificationΚαριαθιαριμ: transliteration of קִרְיַת יְעָרִים ('city of forests'); indeclinable in the LXX; the town where the ark would remain some twenty years (7:2) until David brought it to Jerusalem (2 Sam 6).

λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Pl · λέγωparticiple of speech (introducing direct discourse)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (pres. ptc.): the Hebraizing participle introducing the message conveyed by the envoys.

ἀπεστρόφασινhave returnedPerf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποστρέφωmain verb of the message (perfect of settled fact)→ verbal action or stateἀποστρέφω (perf. ἀπεστρόφασιν): 'turn back / return / restore'; the perfect announces as an accomplished, abiding fact that the Philistines have given the ark back — the news that prompts the invitation.

ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesNominativesubject (of ἀπεστρόφασιν)→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistines'; the ones who have returned the ark.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κιβωτὸν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κιβωτὸνarkAccusativedirect object (of ἀπεστρόφασιν)→ object specificationκιβωτός: 'ark'; the returned holy object.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (the ark of the LORD)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen.): the Tetragrammaton; the ark belongs to the LORD.

κατάβητεcome downAor Act Impv 2 Pl · καταβαίνωmain verb (imperative invitation)→ verbal action or stateκαταβαίνω: 'go down / come down'; the men of Kiriath-jearim are summoned to come down (to Beth-shemesh) and fetch the ark.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀναγάγετεbring upAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀνάγωmain verb (imperative invitation)→ verbal action or stateἀνάγω: 'lead up / bring up'; the invitation to take the ark up to themselves; fulfilled at 7:1, where the ark is brought to the house of Abinadab on the hill.

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction/goal)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction/goal).

ἑαυτούςyourselvesAccusativereflexive pronoun (object of πρὸς: 'to yourselves')→ participant referenceἑαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun; πρὸς ἑαυτούς, 'to yourselves' — the men of Kiriath-jearim are to take the ark home to their own place, where it will rest until David's day.

The First Book of Kingdoms, Chapter 6ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΩΝ Α′ Ϛ′

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Translation & textual notes