1
καὶ ἔρχονται οἱ ἄνδρες Καριαθιαριμ καὶ ἀνάγουσιν τὴν κιβωτὸν διαθήκης κυρίου καὶ εἰσάγουσιν αὐτὴν εἰς οἶκον Αμιναδαβ τὸν ἐν τῷ βουνῷ καὶ τὸν Ελεαζαρ υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ἡγίασαν φυλάσσειν τὴν κιβωτὸν διαθήκης κυρίου
And the men of Kiriath-jearim come and bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD and carry it into the house of Aminadab, the one on the hill, and they consecrated Eleazar his son to guard the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
The chapter opens with two historic presents (ἔρχονται, ἀνάγουσιν, εἰσάγουσιν) lending vividness to the reception of the ark, then shifts to the aorist ἡγίασαν for the decisive act of consecration. The repeated phrase τὴν κιβωτὸν διαθήκης κυρίου frames the verse, foregrounding the ark as the focal object.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔρχονταιcomePres Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; the historic present opens the scene with immediacy as the men of Kiriath-jearim arrive to take the ark.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the men of Kiriath-jearim act as the community's representatives in receiving the ark.
ΚαριαθιαριμKiriath-jearimgenitival modifier of ἄνδρες (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΚαριαθιαριμ: transliteration of Hebrew קִרְיַת יְעָרִים ('city of forests'); indeclinable in the LXX; the town to which the ark was sent from Beth-shemesh (1 Kgdms 6:21).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνάγουσινbring upPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀνάγωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateἀνάγω: 'bring/lead up'; the ἀνα- compound suits the upward movement to the hill town; renders Hebrew עָלָה (Hiphil).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτὸνarkAccusativedirect object of ἀνάγουσιν→ object specificationκιβωτός: 'box / chest / ark'; the standard LXX rendering of אֲרוֹן (the ark of the covenant) and of תֵּבָה (Noah's ark); here the sacred ark of the covenant.
διαθήκηςof the covenantGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying κιβωτόν)→ relational specificationδιαθήκη: 'covenant / testament'; renders בְּרִית; the ark is the locus of the covenant relationship between the LORD and Israel.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the ark is the covenant-chest of the LORD himself.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσάγουσινcarry inPres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσάγωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateεἰσάγω: 'bring/lead into'; the εἰσ- compound marks entry of the ark into the house of Aminadab.
αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object (pronoun, fem. = κιβωτόν)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the feminine αὐτήν resumes κιβωτόν.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
οἶκονhouseAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / household'; the private dwelling that becomes the ark's resting place for twenty years.
ΑμιναδαβAminadabgenitive of possession (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΑμιναδαβ: transliteration of Hebrew אֲבִינָדָב; indeclinable in the LXX; the householder of Kiriath-jearim in whose home the ark resided.
τὸνthe oneAccusativearticle (substantivizing the following phrase)→ noun-phrase markingthe article τὸν agrees with οἶκον, introducing the locative qualifier 'the one on the hill'.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βουνῷhillDativedative of place (with ἐν)→ sphere or referenceβουνός: 'hill / mound'; renders Hebrew גִּבְעָה; locates the house of Aminadab on the height of Kiriath-jearim.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with the proper name, marking it as object)→ noun-phrase markingthe article τόν marks the indeclinable Ελεαζαρ as accusative object of ἡγίασαν.
ΕλεαζαρEleazaraccusative object of ἡγίασαν (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΕλεαζαρ: transliteration of Hebrew אֶלְעָזָר ('God has helped'); indeclinable in the LXX; the son of Aminadab set apart to guard the ark.
υἱὸνsonAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Ελεαζαρ→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; identifies Eleazar as the son of Aminadab.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (pronoun)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (pronoun).
ἡγίασανthey consecratedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἁγιάζωmain verb (decisive act of consecration)→ verbal action or stateἁγιάζω: 'make holy / consecrate / set apart'; renders קָדַשׁ (Piel); the shift from historic present to aorist marks the solemn dedication of Eleazar to a sacred guardianship.
φυλάσσεινto guardPres Act Inf · φυλάσσωcomplementary infinitive (purpose of consecration)→ verbal action or stateφυλάσσω: 'guard / keep watch over'; the present infinitive expresses the ongoing duty of safeguarding the ark.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτὸνarkAccusativeobject of φυλάσσειν→ object specificationκιβωτός: the repeated object closes the verse with an inclusio framing the ark as the central concern.
διαθήκηςof the covenantGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationδιαθήκης: meaning 'of the covenant'; it serves as genitive of relationship.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the closing repetition of 'the ark of the covenant of the LORD' seals the verse.
2
καὶ ἐγενήθη ἀφ᾿ ἧς ἡμέρας ἦν ἡ κιβωτὸς ἐν Καριαθιαριμ ἐπλήθυναν αἱ ἡμέραι καὶ ἐγένοντο εἴκοσι ἔτη καὶ ἐπέβλεψεν πᾶς οἶκος Ισραηλ ὀπίσω κυρίου
And it came to pass, from the day the ark was in Kiriath-jearim, the days multiplied and became twenty years; and the whole house of Israel looked back after the LORD.
The formulaic καὶ ἐγενήθη ('and it came to pass') opens a temporal summary spanning twenty years. The verse's true climax is the final clause: the whole house of Israel ἐπέβλεψεν ὀπίσω κυρίου ('looked back after the LORD'), preparing for Samuel's call to repentance in v. 3.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθηit came to passAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (temporal-framing formula)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι: 'become / happen'; καὶ ἐγενήθη renders the Hebrew narrative formula וַיְהִי, introducing a temporal frame.
ἀφ᾿frompreposition + genitive (temporal source)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό (elided): 'from'; with ἧς ἡμέρας marks the starting point of the reckoning.
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (with ἡμέρας: 'from which day')→ relational specificationὅς: relative pronoun; ἀφ᾿ ἧς ἡμέρας is a temporal idiom, 'from the day on which'.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive with ἀφ᾿ (temporal)→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the antecedent governed by the relative ἧς.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative/temporal clause→ participant referenceεἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect ἦν marks the ark's continuous residence at Kiriath-jearim.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτὸςarkNominativesubject of ἦν→ participant prominenceκιβωτός: the ark, now resting at Kiriath-jearim.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΚαριαθιαριμKiriath-jearimlocative (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΚαριαθιαριμ: indeclinable place-name; the ark's resting place.
ἐπλήθυνανmultipliedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πληθύνωmain verb (the days grew many)→ verbal action or stateπληθύνω: 'multiply / become many'; here intransitive, 'the days multiplied' — a Hebraizing idiom for the lengthening span of time (רָבוּ הַיָּמִים).
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubject of ἐπλήθυναν→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the accumulating days that total twenty years.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένοντοbecameAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (predicate: 'became twenty years')→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι: 'become'; the days 'became twenty years', a summation of the elapsed period.
εἴκοσιtwentyindeclinable numeral (modifying ἔτη)→ measure or countεἴκοσι: 'twenty'; indeclinable cardinal numeral; the round number marks the long interval before Israel's return.
ἔτηyearsNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐγένοντο)→ participant prominenceἔτος: 'year'; the neuter plural ἔτη completes 'became twenty years'.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the verse's climax)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέβλεψενlooked backAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιβλέπωmain verb (Israel turns to the LORD)→ verbal action or stateἐπιβλέπω: 'look upon / look toward / regard'; here with ὀπίσω κυρίου it renders the people's renewed orientation toward the LORD — a turning of corporate attention and longing after years of estrangement.
πᾶςall / the wholeNominativeattributive adjective (modifying οἶκος)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; emphasizes the corporate, nationwide scope of the turning.
οἶκοςhouseNominativesubject of ἐπέβλεψεν→ participant prominenceοἶκος: 'house / household'; πᾶς οἶκος Ισραηλ ('the whole house of Israel') is a corporate designation for the entire nation.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitival modifier of οἶκος (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; here the covenant nation.
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive (direction of allegiance)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'behind / after'; with the genitive κυρίου renders Hebrew אַחֲרֵי יהוה ('after the LORD'), the idiom of covenant loyalty and following.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive with ὀπίσω→ relational specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the object of Israel's renewed devotion.
3
καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ πρὸς πάντα οἶκον Ισραηλ λέγων εἰ ἐν ὅλῃ καρδίᾳ ὑμῶν ὑμεῖς ἐπιστρέφετε πρὸς κύριον περιέλετε τοὺς θεοὺς τοὺς ἀλλοτρίους ἐκ μέσου ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ ἄλση καὶ ἑτοιμάσατε τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν πρὸς κύριον καὶ δουλεύσατε αὐτῷ μόνῳ καὶ ἐξελεῖται ὑμᾶς ἐκ χειρὸς ἀλλοφύλων
And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, saying, 'If with your whole heart you are returning to the LORD, remove the foreign gods from your midst and the sacred groves, and prepare your hearts toward the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.'
Samuel's first recorded address as judge-prophet takes a conditional form: the protasis εἰ … ἐπιστρέφετε ('if you are returning') is followed by a chain of aorist imperatives (περιέλετε, ἑτοιμάσατε, δουλεύσατε) and a future promise (ἐξελεῖται). The structure mirrors classic Deuteronomic repentance rhetoric: turn wholeheartedly, remove rivals, serve YHWH alone, and be delivered.
Word-by-word analysis· 45 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Samuel's direct address to the assembly.
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: transliteration of Hebrew שְׁמוּאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; the prophet-judge of Israel, here functioning as covenant mediator.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
πάνταall / wholeAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying οἶκον)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / whole'; the address reaches the entire nation.
οἶκονhouseAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / household'; the addressee, the whole covenant community.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitival modifier (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the nation addressed.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial participle (Hebraizing redundant 'saying')→ verbal action or stateλέγω (ptcp.): the redundant λέγων renders Hebrew לֵאמֹר, the standard marker introducing direct discourse.
εἰifconditional conjunction (protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; introduces the real condition on which deliverance depends.
ἐνwith / inpreposition + dative (manner: 'with the whole heart')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (manner: 'with the whole heart').
ὅλῃwholeDativeattributive adjective (modifying καρδίᾳ)→ sphere or referenceὅλος: 'whole / entire'; ἐν ὅλῃ καρδίᾳ ('with the whole heart') is the Deuteronomic idiom for total, undivided devotion (cf. Deut 6:5).
καρδίᾳheartDativedative of manner→ sphere or referenceκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב, the seat of will and devotion; sincerity of return is the condition.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive (pronoun)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (pronoun).
ὑμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic subject pronoun→ participant referenceσύ (pl.): the explicit ὑμεῖς is emphatic, stressing that the people themselves must take the decisive step of return.
ἐπιστρέφετεare returningPres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἐπιστρέφωverb of protasis (real condition)→ verbal action or stateἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back / return / convert'; the standard LXX rendering of שׁוּב; the present tense presents the return as a process now beginning, to be made decisive by the imperatives that follow.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (object of return)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (object of return).
κύριονthe LORDAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the goal of Israel's turning.
περιέλετεremoveAor Act Impv 2 Pl · περιαιρέωmain verb (apodosis imperative)→ verbal action or stateπεριαιρέω: 'take away / remove all around'; the περι- compound suggests stripping away completely; renders הָסִיר; the first concrete demand of repentance — purge the foreign cults.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοὺςgodsAccusativedirect object of περιέλετε→ object specificationθεός: 'god'; here the rival deities to be removed.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (attributive position)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοτρίουςforeignAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying θεούς)→ object specificationἀλλότριος: 'foreign / belonging to another'; renders נֵכָר; οἱ θεοὶ οἱ ἀλλότριοι ('the foreign gods') is the standard OT designation for the deities of the surrounding nations.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
μέσουmidstGenitivegenitive with ἐκ (ἐκ μέσου: 'from the midst')→ relational specificationμέσος: 'middle / midst'; ἐκ μέσου ὑμῶν ('from your midst') stresses that the idols are an internal contamination to be expelled.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄλσηsacred grovesAccusativesecond object of περιέλετε→ object specificationἄλσος: 'grove / sacred grove'; the LXX's standard rendering of אֲשֵׁרָה / אֲשֵׁרִים (the Asherah-poles or cult objects of the goddess Asherah); to be removed along with the foreign gods.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἑτοιμάσατεprepareAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἑτοιμάζωmain verb (second imperative)→ verbal action or stateἑτοιμάζω: 'prepare / make ready'; renders הָכִין; ἑτοιμάσατε τὰς καρδίας ('prepare your hearts') calls for inward reorientation toward the LORD (cf. 1 Kgdms 7:3; 2 Chr 30:19).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαςheartsAccusativedirect object of ἑτοιμάσατε→ object specificationκαρδία: 'heart'; the inner faculty to be set toward the LORD.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
πρὸςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction of devotion)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'toward'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of devotion).
κύριονthe LORDAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the sole proper object of the prepared heart.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δουλεύσατεserveAor Act Impv 2 Pl · δουλεύωmain verb (third imperative)→ verbal action or stateδουλεύω: 'serve / be a slave to'; renders עָבַד; exclusive cultic service to YHWH is the positive counterpart to removing the foreign gods.
αὐτῷhimDativedative object of δουλεύσατε (pronoun)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: refers to the LORD, the exclusive object of service.
μόνῳonlyDativeadjective in agreement with αὐτῷ (predicative: 'him alone')→ sphere or referenceμόνος: 'alone / only'; αὐτῷ μόνῳ ('him alone') is the monolatrous demand at the heart of the covenant (cf. Deut 6:13).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξελεῖταιhe will deliverFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐξαιρέωmain verb (apodosis promise)→ verbal action or stateἐξαιρέω (mid.): 'take out / rescue / deliver'; the middle ἐξελεῖται means 'deliver for oneself / rescue'; renders הִצִּיל / נָצַל; the divine deliverance is the promised consequence of wholehearted return.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object (pronoun)→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (pronoun).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation/rescue from)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation/rescue from).
χειρὸςhandGenitivegenitive with ἐκ (ἐκ χειρός: 'from the hand/power')→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; ἐκ χειρός ('from the hand') is a Hebraism (מִיַּד) for deliverance from the power or grasp of an enemy.
ἀλλοφύλωνof the PhilistinesGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying χειρός)→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: lit. 'of another tribe / foreigner'; the LXX's standard rendering of פְּלִשְׁתִּים ('Philistines') in Samuel–Kings; here the oppressing enemy.
4
καὶ περιεῖλον οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ τὰς Βααλιμ καὶ τὰ ἄλση Ασταρωθ καὶ ἐδούλευσαν κυρίῳ μόνῳ
And the sons of Israel removed the Baals and the groves of Astaroth, and they served the LORD only.
The people's obedience is reported in verbs that echo Samuel's imperatives exactly: περιεῖλον fulfils περιέλετε, and ἐδούλευσαν κυρίῳ μόνῳ fulfils δουλεύσατε αὐτῷ μόνῳ. The command-fulfilment correspondence underlines complete, immediate compliance.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
περιεῖλονremovedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · περιαιρέωmain verb (obedient action)→ verbal action or stateπεριαιρέω: 'take away / remove'; the aorist indicative answers Samuel's imperative περιέλετε (v. 3), reporting the people's compliance.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ('the sons of Israel') is the standard LXX designation for the Israelites collectively.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitival modifier (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the covenant people.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (feminine plural with the indeclinable Βααλιμ)→ noun-phrase markingthe feminine plural article τάς treats the loanword Βααλιμ as a plural object.
ΒααλιμBaalsdirect object of περιεῖλον (indeclinable loanword)→ participant identificationΒααλιμ: transliteration of Hebrew בְּעָלִים (plural of בַּעַל, 'Baal'); indeclinable in the LXX; the Canaanite storm/fertility gods, the principal idols of Israel's apostasy.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄλσηgrovesAccusativesecond object of περιεῖλον→ object specificationἄλσος: 'grove / sacred grove'; rendering the Asherah cult objects; here paired with Ασταρωθ.
Ασταρωθof Astarothgenitival modifier of ἄλση (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΑσταρωθ: transliteration of Hebrew עַשְׁתָּרוֹת (plural of עַשְׁתֹּרֶת, the goddess Astarte/Ashtoreth); indeclinable in the LXX; τὰ ἄλση Ασταρωθ designates the cult objects of Astarte, the Baals' feminine counterpart.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐδούλευσανthey servedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · δουλεύωmain verb (positive obedience)→ verbal action or stateδουλεύω: 'serve'; the aorist answers Samuel's imperative δουλεύσατε (v. 3), reporting exclusive service rendered to the LORD.
κυρίῳthe LORDDativedative object of ἐδούλευσαν→ sphere or referenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the sole recipient of Israel's restored service.
μόνῳonlyDativeadjective with κυρίῳ (predicative: 'the LORD alone')→ sphere or referenceμόνος: 'alone / only'; κυρίῳ μόνῳ ('the LORD alone') seals the monolatrous obedience demanded in v. 3.
5
καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ ἀθροίσατε πάντα Ισραηλ εἰς Μασσηφαθ καὶ προσεύξομαι περὶ ὑμῶν πρὸς κύριον
And Samuel said, 'Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray for you to the LORD.'
Samuel moves from the demand for repentance (vv. 3–4) to a call for corporate assembly and intercession. The imperative ἀθροίσατε and the first-person future προσεύξομαι define Samuel's twofold role: convener of the people and intercessor before the LORD.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Samuel's directive.
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: indeclinable; the speaker-judge.
ἀθροίσατεgatherAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀθροίζωmain verb (imperative)→ verbal action or stateἀθροίζω: 'gather / assemble / collect together'; renders קָבַץ; the command convenes a national assembly at Mizpah.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying Ισραηλ)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the masculine accusative πάντα treats the indeclinable Ισραηλ as the object 'all Israel'.
ΙσραηλIsraeldirect object of ἀθροίσατε (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the whole nation to be assembled.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΜασσηφαθMizpahplace of assembly (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΜασσηφαθ: transliteration of Hebrew מִצְפָּה ('watchtower'); indeclinable in the LXX; the Benjaminite cultic and assembly site that anchors this chapter (cf. vv. 6, 7, 11, 12, 16).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσεύξομαιI will prayFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · προσεύχομαιmain verb (Samuel's promise of intercession)→ verbal action or stateπροσεύχομαι: 'pray'; renders הִתְפַּלֵּל; Samuel commits himself to intercessory prayer on the people's behalf, his characteristic prophetic role (cf. 1 Kgdms 12:23).
περὶfor / concerningpreposition + genitive (on behalf of)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + gen.: 'concerning / on behalf of'; marks the people as the beneficiaries of Samuel's prayer.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of περί (pronoun)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of περί (pronoun).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of prayer)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of prayer).
κύριονthe LORDAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the addressee of Samuel's intercession.
6
καὶ συνήχθησαν εἰς Μασσηφαθ καὶ ὑδρεύονται ὕδωρ καὶ ἐξέχεαν ἐνώπιον κυρίου ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ ἐνήστευσαν ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ καὶ εἶπαν ἡμαρτήκαμεν ἐνώπιον κυρίου καὶ ἐδίκαζεν Σαμουηλ τοὺς υἱοὺς Ισραηλ εἰς Μασσηφαθ
And they were gathered to Mizpah, and they draw water and poured it out before the LORD on the ground, and they fasted on that day, and they said, 'We have sinned before the LORD'; and Samuel judged the sons of Israel at Mizpah.
A chain of penitential acts: gathering, pouring out water (a ritual of contrition or self-abasement), fasting, and the verbal confession ἡμαρτήκαμεν ('we have sinned'). The closing clause introduces δικάζω, the leitmotif verb of Samuel's judgeship, recurring in vv. 15–17.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συνήχθησανthey were gatheredAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · συνάγωmain verb (assembly fulfilled)→ verbal action or stateσυνάγω: 'gather together'; the passive συνήχθησαν reports the people's assembling in response to Samuel's command (v. 5); renders אָסַף / קָבַץ (Niphal).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΜασσηφαθMizpahplace of assembly (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΜασσηφαθ: indeclinable; the gathering place.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὑδρεύονταιdraw waterPres Mid Indic 3 Pl · ὑδρεύομαιmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateὑδρεύομαι: 'draw / fetch water'; the historic present heightens the immediacy of the ritual act preceding the pouring out.
ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of ὑδρεύονται→ object specificationὕδωρ: 'water'; the water that is then poured out before the LORD as an act of penitence.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξέχεανpoured outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκχέωmain verb (the libation-rite)→ verbal action or stateἐκχέω: 'pour out'; renders שָׁפַךְ; the pouring of water before the LORD is a unique penitential gesture, perhaps symbolizing the pouring out of the heart in contrition (cf. Ps 62:8; Lam 2:19).
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; locates the rite coram Deo, before the LORD.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive with ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the one before whom the rite is performed.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (onto)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (onto).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνground / earthAccusativeobject of ἐπί (where the water was poured)→ object specificationγῆ: 'earth / ground / land'; the water is poured onto the ground, signifying total self-abasement before the LORD.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνήστευσανthey fastedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · νηστεύωmain verb (penitential fast)→ verbal action or stateνηστεύω: 'fast'; renders צוּם; fasting accompanies the water-rite and confession as a standard expression of corporate repentance.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with ἐν)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ('on that day') marks the specific day of repentance.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the deictic demonstrative singles out the day of the assembly.
καὶandcoordinate 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 of confession)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces the corporate verbal confession (the later εἶπαν form rather than εἶπον).
ἡμαρτήκαμενwe have sinnedPerf Act Indic 1 Pl · ἁμαρτάνωmain verb (confession)→ verbal action or stateἁμαρτάνω: 'sin / miss the mark'; the perfect ἡμαρτήκαμεν ('we have sinned') confesses guilt as an abiding condition; renders חָטָאנוּ, the classic formula of corporate confession (cf. Judg 10:10; 1 Kgdms 12:10).
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before'; the sin is confessed as committed before the LORD himself.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive with ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the one against whom the people have sinned.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐδίκαζενjudgedImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · δικάζωmain verb (Samuel's judicial office)→ verbal action or stateδικάζω: 'act as judge / give judgment / govern'; renders שָׁפַט; the imperfect marks the beginning of Samuel's ongoing exercise of the judge's office, the leitmotif verb of vv. 6, 15, 16, 17.
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: indeclinable; Israel's judge.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object of ἐδίκαζεν→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; τοὺς υἱοὺς Ισραηλ ('the sons of Israel') as the object of Samuel's judging.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitival modifier (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
εἰςatpreposition + accusative (locative use of εἰς)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: here with locative force ('at Mizpah'), a feature of Koine where εἰς encroaches on ἐν.
ΜασσηφαθMizpahlocative (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΜασσηφαθ: indeclinable; the seat of Samuel's judging.
7
καὶ ἤκουσαν οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι ὅτι συνηθροίσθησαν πάντες οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ εἰς Μασσηφαθ καὶ ἀνέβησαν σατράπαι ἀλλοφύλων ἐπὶ Ισραηλ καὶ ἀκούουσιν οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν ἀπὸ προσώπου ἀλλοφύλων
And the Philistines heard that all the sons of Israel had been assembled to Mizpah, and the satraps of the Philistines went up against Israel; and the sons of Israel hear, and they were afraid before the Philistines.
The penitential gathering is endangered: the Philistine satraps interpret the assembly as a muster and advance. The narrative pairs Philistine hearing (ἤκουσαν) with Israelite hearing (ἀκούουσιν, historic present), but Israel's response is fear (ἐφοβήθησαν ἀπὸ προσώπου), setting up the appeal to Samuel in v. 8.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤκουσανheardAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (the Philistines' hearing)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear / learn of'; the Philistines learn of the great assembly and read it as a military threat.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: 'foreigner / one of another tribe'; the LXX's standard term for the Philistines (פְּלִשְׁתִּים).
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing object clause→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of what the Philistines heard.
συνηθροίσθησανhad been assembledAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · συναθροίζωverb of object clause→ verbal action or stateσυναθροίζω: 'gather together / assemble'; the συν- compound intensifies the sense of a complete muster, which the Philistines misread as hostile.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying υἱοί)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the totality of the gathering provokes the Philistine reaction.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of συνηθροίσθησαν→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the assembled sons of Israel.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitival modifier (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction/locative)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction/locative).
ΜασσηφαθMizpahplace (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΜασσηφαθ: indeclinable; the assembly site.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέβησανwent upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (Philistine advance)→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω: 'go up / advance'; renders עָלָה; the standard verb for marching to war against an enemy.
σατράπαιsatraps / lordsNominativesubject of ἀνέβησαν→ participant prominenceσατράπης: 'satrap / governor / lord'; the LXX uses it for the Philistine סְרָנִים (the five 'lords' of the Philistine pentapolis); a Persian-derived term applied anachronistically to the Philistine rulers.
ἀλλοφύλωνof the PhilistinesGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying σατράπαι)→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistine'; here genitive plural, 'the lords of the Philistines'.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'against'; marks the hostile advance upon Israel.
ΙσραηλIsraelobject of ἐπί (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the target of the Philistine advance.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκούουσινhearPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (historic present)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω: 'hear'; the historic present quickens the narrative as Israel learns of the advancing enemy, mirroring the Philistines' hearing at the verse's start.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἀκούουσιν→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the sons of Israel.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitival modifier (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐφοβήθησανthey were afraidAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · φοβέομαιmain verb (Israel's reaction)→ verbal action or stateφοβέομαι: 'fear / be afraid'; the deponent-passive aorist marks Israel's terror at the Philistine advance, motivating their plea to Samuel.
ἀπὸbefore / frompreposition + genitive (cause/source of fear)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: in ἀπὸ προσώπου ('from before the face of'), a Hebraism (מִפְּנֵי) for fearing in the presence of an enemy.
προσώπουface / presenceGenitivegenitive with ἀπό (Hebraic idiom)→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; ἀπὸ προσώπου ('from the face of') renders מִפְּנֵי, expressing dread before the enemy.
ἀλλοφύλωνof the PhilistinesGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying προσώπου)→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistine'; the object of Israel's fear.
8
καὶ εἶπαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ πρὸς Σαμουηλ μὴ παρασιωπήσῃς ἀφ᾿ ἡμῶν τοῦ μὴ βοᾶν πρὸς κύριον θεόν σου καὶ σώσει ἡμᾶς ἐκ χειρὸς ἀλλοφύλων
And the sons of Israel said to Samuel, 'Do not be silent away from us, ceasing to cry out to the LORD your God, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.'
The fearful people beg Samuel not to fall silent (μὴ παρασιωπήσῃς) — a prohibitive subjunctive — and not to cease crying out to the LORD on their behalf. The articular infinitive τοῦ μὴ βοᾶν expresses the result/object of the silence they dread, and σώσει expresses their hoped-for deliverance.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 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: introduces the people's appeal to Samuel.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the sons of Israel, the petitioners.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitival modifier (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΣαμουηλSamuelobject of πρός (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: indeclinable; the addressee, Israel's intercessor.
μὴnotnegative particle (prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative of prohibition, with the aorist subjunctive.
παρασιωπήσῃςbe silentAor Act Subj 2 Sg · παρασιωπάωprohibitive subjunctive (μὴ + aor. subj.)→ verbal action or stateπαρασιωπάω: 'keep silent / hold one's peace / refrain from speaking'; μὴ παρασιωπήσῃς ἀφ᾿ ἡμῶν begs Samuel not to withhold his intercessory voice from them in their crisis.
ἀφ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό (elided): 'from'; 'do not be silent away from us' = do not abandon us by ceasing to pray.
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive with ἀφ᾿ (pronoun)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive with ἀφ᾿ (pronoun).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle governing the articular infinitive→ noun-phrase markingthe genitive article τοῦ with the infinitive βοᾶν forms an articular-infinitive construction expressing the action Samuel must not cease.
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: negates the infinitive; τοῦ μὴ βοᾶν = 'from crying out' / 'so as not to cry out'.
βοᾶνto cry outPres Act Inf · βοάωarticular infinitive (object/result of the silence dreaded)→ verbal action or stateβοάω: 'cry out / shout / call aloud'; renders זָעַק / צָעַק; the present infinitive denotes continual crying out to the LORD — the intercession the people fear losing.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of the cry)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of the cry).
κύριονthe LORDAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the addressee of Samuel's cry.
θεόνGodAccusativeaccusative in apposition to κύριον→ object specificationθεός: 'God'; κύριον θεόν σου ('the LORD your God') stresses the covenant relationship between Samuel and the LORD on whom the people rely.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive (pronoun, sg., addressing Samuel)→ relational specificationσύ: 'your' (sg.); the people appeal to Samuel's own covenant standing with the LORD.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (consecutive: 'and so')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σώσειhe will saveFut Act Indic 3 Sg · σῴζωmain verb (hoped-for deliverance)→ verbal action or stateσῴζω: 'save / deliver / rescue'; renders יָשַׁע (Hiphil); the future expresses the people's confidence that the LORD, addressed through Samuel's cry, will save them.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object (pronoun)→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (pronoun).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (deliverance from)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (deliverance from).
χειρὸςhandGenitivegenitive with ἐκ→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; ἐκ χειρός ('from the hand/power'), a Hebraism (מִיַּד) for rescue from enemy domination.
ἀλλοφύλωνof the PhilistinesGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying χειρός)→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistine'; the oppressing enemy.
9
καὶ ἔλαβεν Σαμουηλ ἄρνα γαλαθηνὸν ἕνα καὶ ἀνήνεγκεν αὐτὸν ὁλοκαύτωσιν σὺν παντὶ τῷ λαῷ τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ ἐβόησεν Σαμουηλ πρὸς κύριον περὶ Ισραηλ καὶ ἐπήκουσεν αὐτοῦ κύριος
And Samuel took one suckling lamb and offered it up as a whole burnt-offering with all the people to the LORD; and Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD heard him.
Samuel answers the people's plea with both sacrifice (ἀνήνεγκεν … ὁλοκαύτωσιν) and prayer (ἐβόησεν … πρὸς κύριον). The closing clause ἐπήκουσεν αὐτοῦ κύριος ('the LORD heard him') is the narrative pivot — the divine answer that v. 10 will manifest in the thunder.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (Samuel's action)→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; Samuel takes the lamb for the sacrifice he is about to offer.
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: indeclinable; here acting in a priestly/intercessory capacity.
ἄρναlambAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationἀρήν (acc. ἄρνα): 'lamb'; the sacrificial victim; renders טָלֵה / כֶּבֶשׂ.
γαλαθηνὸνsucklingAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἄρνα)→ object specificationγαλαθηνός: 'sucking / still nursing (on milk, γάλα)'; renders חָלָב ('milk'); a suckling lamb is a young, unblemished, especially choice victim.
ἕναoneAccusativenumeral adjective (modifying ἄρνα)→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; the masculine accusative ἕνα stresses the singularity of the offering — one lamb for all Israel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνήνεγκενoffered upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναφέρωmain verb (sacrificial offering)→ verbal action or stateἀναφέρω: 'bring up / offer up'; the technical LXX term for offering a sacrifice on the altar (rendering הֶעֱלָה); the ἀνα- compound evokes the rising smoke of the burnt-offering.
αὐτὸνitAccusativedirect object (pronoun, = ἄρνα)→ participant referenceαὐτός: resumes the lamb as object of the offering.
ὁλοκαύτωσινas a whole burnt-offeringAccusativeaccusative of result/predicate (the kind of offering)→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωσις: 'whole burnt-offering' (lit. 'wholly burnt'); renders עֹלָה; the entire victim is consumed by fire, expressing total dedication to the LORD.
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingσύν: 'with / together with'; the offering is made on behalf of and together with all the people.
παντὶallDativeattributive adjective (modifying λαῷ)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole people are joined to the single sacrifice.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαῷpeopleDativedative with σύν→ sphere or referenceλαός: 'people'; the covenant community on whose behalf Samuel offers.
τῷtheDativearticle (indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of recipient (the offering is to the LORD)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the recipient of the whole burnt-offering.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐβόησενcried outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βοάωmain verb (Samuel's intercessory cry)→ verbal action or stateβοάω: 'cry out / call aloud'; Samuel does exactly what the people begged (τοῦ μὴ βοᾶν, v. 8), crying to the LORD on Israel's behalf.
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: indeclinable; the intercessor.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of the cry)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of the cry).
κύριονthe LORDAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the one to whom Samuel cries.
περὶfor / concerningpreposition + genitive (on behalf of)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + gen.: 'on behalf of'; marks Israel as the beneficiary of the cry.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive object of περί (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the people interceded for.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the divine answer)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπήκουσενheard / answeredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπακούωmain verb (the LORD's answer)→ verbal action or stateἐπακούω: 'hear favourably / heed / answer'; the ἐπ- compound implies attentive, responsive hearing — God answers the prayer; renders עָנָה / שָׁמַע.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἐπήκουσεν (pronoun)→ relational specificationαὐτός: refers to Samuel; ἐπακούω takes the genitive of the person heard.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ἐπήκουσεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the LORD who answers Samuel's intercession.
10
καὶ ἦν Σαμουηλ ἀναφέρων τὴν ὁλοκαύτωσιν καὶ ἀλλόφυλοι προσῆγον εἰς πόλεμον ἐπὶ Ισραηλ καὶ ἐβρόντησεν κύριος ἐν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους καὶ συνεχύθησαν καὶ ἔπταισαν ἐνώπιον Ισραηλ
And Samuel was offering up the whole burnt-offering, and the Philistines were drawing near for battle against Israel; and the LORD thundered with a great voice on that day against the Philistines, and they were thrown into confusion and were routed before Israel.
The periphrastic imperfect ἦν … ἀναφέρων ('was offering') and the imperfect προσῆγον ('were drawing near') set two simultaneous backgrounds against which the decisive aorists strike: the LORD ἐβρόντησεν ('thundered'), and the Philistines συνεχύθησαν … ἔπταισαν ('were confounded … were routed'). The 'great voice' is the storm-theophany answering Samuel's cry of v. 9.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίauxiliary of periphrastic imperfect (with ἀναφέρων)→ participant referenceεἰμί: 'be'; ἦν … ἀναφέρων is a periphrastic imperfect, 'was in the act of offering', emphasizing that the divine intervention occurred precisely during the sacrifice.
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: indeclinable; the officiant.
ἀναφέρωνoffering upPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἀναφέρωparticiple of periphrastic imperfect→ verbal action or stateἀναφέρω (ptcp.): 'offer up'; the present participle in the periphrasis stresses the offering as still underway when the LORD thunders.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁλοκαύτωσινwhole burnt-offeringAccusativeobject of ἀναφέρων→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωσις: 'whole burnt-offering'; the same offering begun in v. 9, here still being presented.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing simultaneous background)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesNominativesubject of προσῆγον→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistine'; the enemy advancing during the sacrifice.
προσῆγονwere drawing nearImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · προσάγωmain verb (background imperfect)→ verbal action or stateπροσάγω: 'bring near / approach / draw near'; here intransitive, 'were drawing near (for battle)'; the imperfect runs parallel to Samuel's offering.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: 'for / unto'; εἰς πόλεμον ('for battle') marks the hostile intent.
πόλεμονbattle / warAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)→ object specificationπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; the Philistines approach with hostile intent.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'against'.
ΙσραηλIsraelobject of ἐπί (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the target of the attack.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the decisive act)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐβρόντησενthunderedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βροντάωmain verb (the divine theophany)→ verbal action or stateβροντάω: 'thunder'; renders רָעַם; the LORD's thunder is the storm-theophany by which he routs the enemy (cf. Ps 18:13; 1 Kgdms 2:10), answering Samuel's cry.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ἐβρόντησεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the divine warrior thundering against the Philistines.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrument/manner)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrument/manner).
φωνῇvoiceDativedative of manner/instrument (with ἐν)→ sphere or referenceφωνή: 'voice / sound'; ἐν φωνῇ μεγάλῃ ('with a great voice/sound') describes the thunder as the LORD's mighty voice; renders בְּקוֹל גָּדוֹל.
μεγάλῃgreatDativeattributive adjective (modifying φωνῇ)→ sphere or referenceμέγας: 'great / loud'; intensifies the thunderous voice of the LORD.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with ἐν)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ('on that day') marks the day of deliverance.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the deictic demonstrative marks the decisive day.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction of the thunder)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'against'; the thunder is directed against the Philistines.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλουςPhilistinesAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ object specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistine'; the object of the LORD's thunder.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συνεχύθησανthey were thrown into confusionAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · συγχέωmain verb (Philistine panic)→ verbal action or stateσυγχέω: 'pour together / confound / throw into confusion'; renders הָמַם; the divine panic (the 'holy war' motif) disorders the enemy before any human blow falls.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔπταισανthey were routedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πταίωmain verb (defeat)→ verbal action or stateπταίω: 'stumble / be tripped up / be defeated'; renders נָגַף; the Philistines stumble to defeat before Israel, the result of the divine confusion.
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; the rout occurs 'before Israel', i.e. Israel is the victorious party.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive with ἐνώπιον (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the people before whom the enemy falls.
11
καὶ ἐξῆλθαν ἄνδρες Ισραηλ ἐκ Μασσηφαθ καὶ κατεδίωξαν τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους καὶ ἐπάταξαν αὐτοὺς ἕως ὑποκάτω τοῦ Βαιθχορ
And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them down as far as below Beth-car.
The human action follows the divine: three coordinated aorists (ἐξῆλθαν, κατεδίωξαν, ἐπάταξαν) describe Israel sallying out, pursuing, and striking the now-routed enemy as far as below Beth-car. Israel's role is mop-up after the LORD's decisive thunder.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξῆλθανwent outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (sally from Mizpah)→ verbal action or stateἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / come out'; the men of Israel sally forth from Mizpah to pursue the fleeing enemy (the later -αν aorist ending).
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; ἄνδρες Ισραηλ ('the men of Israel') as the fighting force.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitival modifier (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source/origin of the sally)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source/origin of the sally).
ΜασσηφαθMizpahgenitive with ἐκ (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΜασσηφαθ: indeclinable; the base from which Israel pursues.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατεδίωξανpursuedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καταδιώκωmain verb (pursuit)→ verbal action or stateκαταδιώκω: 'pursue closely / chase down'; the κατα- compound intensifies the relentless pursuit of the routed enemy; renders רָדַף.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλουςPhilistinesAccusativeobject of κατεδίωξαν→ object specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistine'; the pursued enemy.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάταξανstruck downAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πατάσσωmain verb (slaughter of the enemy)→ verbal action or stateπατάσσω: 'strike / smite / strike down'; renders הִכָּה (Hiphil of נכה); the standard verb for striking down enemies in battle.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object (pronoun)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the Philistines, struck down in the pursuit.
ἕωςas far as / untilimproper preposition (spatial extent)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'as far as / up to'; marks the spatial limit of the pursuit.
ὑποκάτωbelowimproper preposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingὑποκάτω: 'underneath / below'; with the genitive, 'as far as below Beth-car'.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with the place-name)→ noun-phrase markingthe genitive article τοῦ governs the indeclinable place-name Βαιθχορ.
ΒαιθχορBeth-cargenitive with ὑποκάτω (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒαιθχορ: transliteration of Hebrew בֵּית כָּר ('house of the lamb/pasture', Beth-car); indeclinable in the LXX; the limit of Israel's pursuit.
12
καὶ ἔλαβεν Σαμουηλ λίθον ἕνα καὶ ἔστησεν αὐτὸν ἀνὰ μέσον Μασσηφαθ καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τῆς παλαιᾶς καὶ ἐκάλεσεν τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Αβενεζερ λίθος τοῦ βοηθοῦ καὶ εἶπεν ἕως ἐνταῦθα ἐβοήθησεν ἡμῖν κύριος
And Samuel took one stone and set it up between Mizpah and the old (place), and he called its name Ebenezer, 'stone of the helper', and said, 'Thus far the LORD has helped us.'
Samuel erects a memorial stone and gives it an interpreted name, Αβενεζερ, glossed in Greek as λίθος τοῦ βοηθοῦ ('stone of the helper'). His declaration ἕως ἐνταῦθα ἐβοήθησεν ἡμῖν κύριος ('thus far the LORD has helped us') supplies the etiology, theologically interpreting the victory as the LORD's help.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω: 'take'; see v. 10.
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: indeclinable.
λίθονstoneAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationλίθον: meaning 'stone'; it serves as direct object of ἔλαβεν.
ἕναoneAccusativenumeral adjective (modifying λίθον)→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; a single commemorative stone.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστησενset upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (erecting the stone)→ verbal action or stateἵστημι: 'set / make stand'; here in the sense 'weigh' (set on the scales), rendering שָׁקַל; he weighed the cut hair.
αὐτὸνitAccusativedirect object (pronoun, = λίθον)→ participant referenceαὐτός: resumes the stone.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (in ἀνὰ μέσον: 'between')→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: in the fixed phrase ἀνὰ μέσον ('between / in the midst'), a Hebraism rendering בֵּין … וּבֵין.
μέσονmidstAccusativepart of the prepositional idiom ἀνὰ μέσον→ spatial or relational framingμέσος: 'middle'; ἀνὰ μέσον … καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον = 'between … and …'.
ΜασσηφαθMizpahobject of ἀνὰ μέσον (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΜασσηφαθ: indeclinable; one of the two reference points for the stone.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (second member of ἀνὰ μέσον … καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον)→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: the repeated ἀνὰ μέσον completes the 'between … and …' construction.
μέσονmidstAccusativepart of the prepositional idiom→ spatial or relational framingμέσος: 'middle'; second occurrence in the 'between' idiom.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (substantivizing παλαιᾶς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παλαιᾶςold (place) / JeshanahGenitivesubstantivized adjective (the second reference point)→ relational specificationπαλαιός: 'old / ancient'; ἡ παλαιά ('the old') renders the Hebrew place-name הַשֵּׁן/יְשָׁנָה (Shen/Jeshanah), which the LXX read as the common adjective 'old' rather than transliterating; here the second landmark for the stone.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάλεσενhe calledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (naming)→ verbal action or stateκαλέω: 'call / name'; ἐκάλεσεν τὸ ὄνομα ('he called the name') is the formulaic etiological naming construction (rendering קָרָא שֵׁם).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect object of ἐκάλεσεν→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name'; the object of the naming.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivepossessive genitive (of the stone)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'its', referring to the stone.
ΑβενεζερEbenezerpredicate name (indeclinable transliteration)→ participant identificationΑβενεζερ: transliteration of Hebrew אֶבֶן הָעֵזֶר ('stone of help/the helper'); indeclinable in the LXX; the name the Greek then glosses as λίθος τοῦ βοηθοῦ.
λίθοςstoneNominativeappositional gloss of the name (nominative of naming)→ participant prominenceλίθος: 'stone'; λίθος τοῦ βοηθοῦ ('stone of the helper') is the Greek translation of the name Ebenezer, supplied for the reader.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βοηθοῦhelperGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying λίθος)→ relational specificationβοηθός: 'helper / one who aids'; here a title of the LORD as Israel's helper; the cognate verb ἐβοήθησεν follows in Samuel's saying.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ verbal action or stateλέγω: introduces Samuel's interpretive declaration over the stone.
ἕωςthus far / untilimproper preposition (with ἐνταῦθα: 'up to here')→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'up to / as far as'; ἕως ἐνταῦθα ('thus far / up to this point') marks the extent of the LORD's help to the present.
ἐνταῦθαhere / this pointadverb of place (with ἕως)→ adverbial qualificationἐνταῦθα: 'here / to this place'; ἕως ἐνταῦθα = 'thus far', expressing that the LORD's help has reached even to now.
ἐβοήθησενhas helpedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βοηθέωmain verb (the etiological declaration)→ verbal action or stateβοηθέω: 'help / come to the aid of'; renders עָזַר; cognate with βοηθός (Ebenezer = 'stone of the helper'), the verb supplies the etiology of the stone's name — the LORD has helped Israel.
ἡμῖνusDativedative object of ἐβοήθησεν (pronoun)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (pl.): 'us'; βοηθέω takes the dative of the person helped.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ἐβοήθησεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the LORD'; it serves as subject of ἐβοήθησεν.
13
καὶ ἐταπείνωσεν κύριος τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους καὶ οὐ προσέθεντο ἔτι προσελθεῖν εἰς ὅριον Ισραηλ καὶ ἐγενήθη χεὶρ κυρίου ἐπὶ τοὺς ἀλλοφύλους πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τοῦ Σαμουηλ
And the LORD humbled the Philistines, and they no longer continued to come into the territory of Israel; and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
A summary statement of enduring result: the LORD humbled the Philistines so that they ceased their incursions, and 'the hand of the LORD' (χεὶρ κυρίου) remained against them throughout Samuel's lifetime. The idiom οὐ προσέθεντο … προσελθεῖν ('they did not add to come') is a Hebraism for 'no longer'.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐταπείνωσενhumbledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ταπεινόωmain verb (the LORD subdues the enemy)→ verbal action or stateταπεινόω: 'humble / bring low / subdue'; renders הִכְנִיעַ (Hiphil of כנע); the LORD is the agent who brings the Philistines low.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ἐταπείνωσεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the divine subduer of the enemy.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλουςPhilistinesAccusativedirect object of ἐταπείνωσεν→ object specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistine'; the humbled enemy.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: negates προσέθεντο; with the following idiom = 'no longer'.
προσέθεντοthey continued / addedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · προστίθημιmain verb (Hebraizing auxiliary)→ verbal action or stateπροστίθημι (mid.): 'add / continue / do again'; οὐ προσέθεντο … προσελθεῖν renders the Hebrew יָסַף + infinitive ('they did not again/continue to come'), an idiom for 'no longer'.
ἔτιstill / anymoreadverb (temporal: 'still / again')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet / anymore'; reinforces the 'no longer' sense of the construction.
προσελθεῖνto comeAor Act Inf · προσέρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (with προσέθεντο)→ verbal action or stateπροσέρχομαι: 'come to / approach'; the infinitive completes the idiom: the Philistines did not again come into Israel's territory.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ὅριονterritory / borderAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationὅριον: 'boundary / territory'; renders גְּבוּל; the Philistines no longer encroached on Israel's borders.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitival modifier (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθηwas / came to beAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (the LORD's hand against them)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι: 'become / be'; ἐγενήθη χεὶρ κυρίου ('the hand of the LORD was') is a formula for active divine pressure against an adversary.
χεὶρhandNominativesubject of ἐγενήθη→ participant prominenceχείρ: 'hand'; χεὶρ κυρίου ('the hand of the LORD') is an anthropomorphism for the LORD's power exerted against the Philistines (cf. 1 Kgdms 5:6, 9).
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivepossessive genitive (modifying χεὶρ)→ relational specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the hostile divine power against the enemy.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'against'; the LORD's hand bears down upon the Philistines.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοφύλουςPhilistinesAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ object specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistine'; the object of the LORD's pressure.
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέρας; accusative of extent of time)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; with τὰς ἡμέρας forms the accusative of duration, 'all the days'.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time ('all the days of Samuel')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τοῦ Σαμουηλ ('all the days of Samuel') marks the duration of the Philistine subjugation.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with the proper name)→ noun-phrase markingthe genitive article τοῦ governs the indeclinable name Σαμουηλ.
ΣαμουηλSamuelgenitive of time-span (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: indeclinable; the duration is measured by his lifetime.
14
καὶ ἀπεδόθησαν αἱ πόλεις ἃς ἔλαβον οἱ ἀλλόφυλοι παρὰ τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ καὶ ἀπέδωκαν αὐτὰς τῷ Ισραηλ ἀπὸ Ἀσκαλῶνος ἕως Αζοβ καὶ τὸ ὅριον Ισραηλ ἀφείλαντο ἐκ χειρὸς ἀλλοφύλων καὶ ἦν εἰρήνη ἀνὰ μέσον Ισραηλ καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ Αμορραίου
And the cities which the Philistines had taken from the sons of Israel were restored, and they gave them back to Israel, from Ashkelon to Azob; and they took away the territory of Israel from the hand of the Philistines; and there was peace between Israel and the Amorite.
The chapter's military resolution: captured cities are restored (ἀπεδόθησαν … ἀπέδωκαν), Israel's territory is recovered ἐκ χειρὸς ἀλλοφύλων, and the section closes with the irenic note ἦν εἰρήνη ('there was peace') between Israel and the Amorite, framed by the doubled ἀνὰ μέσον construction.
Word-by-word analysis· 40 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεδόθησανwere restoredAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἀποδίδωμιmain verb (cities given back)→ verbal action or stateἀποδίδωμι: 'give back / restore / return'; the passive reports the restoration of the cities to Israel; renders שׁוּב (Hiphil).
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλειςcitiesNominativesubject of ἀπεδόθησαν→ participant prominenceπόλις: 'city'; the towns the Philistines had seized, now restored.
ἃςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἔλαβον)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; introduces the clause identifying the cities.
ἔλαβονhad takenAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωverb of relative clause→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω: 'take / seize'; the Philistines' prior seizure of the cities.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλόφυλοιPhilistinesNominativesubject of ἔλαβον→ participant prominenceἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistine'; the former captors of the cities.
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + gen.: 'from (the side of)'; marks the Israelites as those from whom the cities had been taken.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive with παρά→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ, those from whom the cities had been seized.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitival modifier (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέδωκανthey gave backAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποδίδωμιmain verb (active restoration)→ verbal action or stateἀποδίδωμι: 'give back / restore'; the active complements the passive ἀπεδόθησαν — the cities were given back to Israel.
αὐτὰςthemAccusativedirect object (pronoun, = πόλεις)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the restored cities.
τῷtoDativearticle (with the indeclinable name, dative of recipient)→ noun-phrase markingthe dative article τῷ marks the indeclinable Ισραηλ as the recipient.
ΙσραηλIsraeldative of recipient (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the recipient of the restored cities.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (geographic starting point)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; ἀπὸ … ἕως marks the geographic extent of the restored territory.
ἈσκαλῶνοςAshkelonGenitivegenitive with ἀπό (declinable place-name)→ relational specificationἈσκαλών (gen. Ἀσκαλῶνος): the Philistine coastal city Ashkelon (Hebrew אַשְׁקְלוֹן); a declinable Greek third-declension form; the southern/western boundary of the restoration.
ἕωςto / as far asimproper preposition (geographic limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'as far as / up to'; marks the other limit of the restored territory.
ΑζοβAzobgenitive limit with ἕως (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΑζοβ: transliteration of a Hebrew place-name (likely Ekron/עֶקְרוֹן in the parallel tradition); indeclinable in the LXX; the other limit of the restored territory.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅριονterritory / borderAccusativedirect object of ἀφείλαντο→ object specificationὅριον: 'boundary / territory'; the recovered Israelite borderland.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitival modifier (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
ἀφείλαντοthey took away / recoveredAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἀφαιρέωmain verb (recovery of territory)→ verbal action or stateἀφαιρέω (mid.): 'take away (for oneself) / recover'; the middle ἀφείλαντο means Israel recovered its own territory from Philistine control; renders הִצִּיל / לָקַח.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
χειρὸςhandGenitivegenitive with ἐκ→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; ἐκ χειρός ('from the hand/power'), the Hebraism for recovery from enemy control.
ἀλλοφύλωνof the PhilistinesGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying χειρός)→ relational specificationἀλλόφυλος: 'Philistine'; the former holders of the territory.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (state of peace)→ participant referenceεἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect ἦν marks peace as a continuing condition.
εἰρήνηpeaceNominativesubject of ἦν→ participant prominenceεἰρήνη: 'peace'; renders שָׁלוֹם; the irenic resolution between Israel and the Amorite.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (in ἀνὰ μέσον: 'between')→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: in ἀνὰ μέσον … καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον ('between … and …'), the Hebraism for 'between'.
μέσονmidstAccusativepart of the idiom ἀνὰ μέσον→ object specificationμέσος: 'middle'; first member of the 'between' construction.
ΙσραηλIsraelobject of ἀνὰ μέσον (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; one party to the peace.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (second member of the idiom)→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: completes the 'between … and …' construction.
μέσονmidstAccusativepart of the idiom ἀνὰ μέσον→ object specificationμέσος: 'middle'; second occurrence in the 'between' idiom.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμορραίουAmoriteGenitivegenitive (object of ἀνὰ μέσον; declinable gentilic)→ relational specificationἈμορραῖος: 'Amorite'; a declinable gentilic noun (gen. Ἀμορραίου); renders אֱמֹרִי; here a general designation for the indigenous Canaanite peoples with whom Israel was now at peace.
15
καὶ ἐδίκαζεν Σαμουηλ τὸν Ισραηλ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς αὐτοῦ
And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.
The closing section (vv. 15–17) summarizes Samuel's career. The durative imperfect ἐδίκαζεν ('kept judging') with the accusative of extent πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς αὐτοῦ ('all the days of his life') frames his judgeship as lifelong and continuous.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐδίκαζενjudgedImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · δικάζωmain verb (ongoing judgeship)→ verbal action or stateδικάζω: 'act as judge / govern'; renders שָׁפַט; the imperfect denotes Samuel's continuous exercise of the office of judge.
ΣαμουηλSamuelsubject (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΣαμουηλ: indeclinable; the judge of Israel.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with the indeclinable name, marking object)→ noun-phrase markingthe accusative article τόν marks the indeclinable Ισραηλ as the object of judging.
ΙσραηλIsraeldirect object of ἐδίκαζεν (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; those judged.
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (accusative of extent of time)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; with τὰς ἡμέρας forms the accusative of duration.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς αὐτοῦ ('all the days of his life') marks the span of Samuel's judgeship.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ζωῆςlifeGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying ἡμέρας)→ relational specificationζωή: 'life'; renders חַיִּים; defines the days as those of Samuel's lifetime.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (pronoun)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his', referring to Samuel.
16
καὶ ἐπορεύετο κατ᾿ ἐνιαυτὸν ἐνιαυτὸν καὶ ἐκύκλου Βαιθηλ καὶ τὴν Γαλγαλα καὶ τὴν Μασσηφαθ καὶ ἐδίκαζεν τὸν Ισραηλ ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἡγιασμένοις τούτοις
And he used to go year by year and make a circuit of Bethel and Gilgal and Mizpah, and he judged Israel in all these consecrated places.
Three iterative imperfects (ἐπορεύετο, ἐκύκλου, ἐδίκαζεν) describe Samuel's habitual annual circuit. The distributive κατ᾿ ἐνιαυτὸν ἐνιαυτόν ('year by year') is a Hebraism; the three sites (Bethel, Gilgal, Mizpah) are called τὰ ἡγιασμένα ('the consecrated/holy places').
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύετοused to goImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (iterative imperfect)→ verbal action or stateπορεύομαι: 'go / travel / journey'; the imperfect marks Samuel's habitual annual journey on circuit; renders הָלַךְ.
κατ᾿by / according topreposition + accusative (distributive)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: distributive 'by / each'; κατ᾿ ἐνιαυτὸν ἐνιαυτόν = 'year by year'.
ἐνιαυτὸνyearAccusativeobject of κατ᾿ (distributive)→ object specificationἐνιαυτός: 'year'; the first of the doubled noun forming the distributive idiom.
ἐνιαυτὸνyearAccusativeaccusative repeated (Hebraizing distributive: 'year by year')→ object specificationἐνιαυτός: 'year'; the doubled noun κατ᾿ ἐνιαυτὸν ἐνιαυτόν renders the Hebrew distributive מִדֵּי שָׁנָה בְשָׁנָה ('year by year').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκύκλουmade a circuit ofImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · κυκλόωmain verb (iterative imperfect)→ verbal action or stateκυκλόω: 'go around / encircle / make a circuit'; renders סָבַב; describes Samuel's circuit-judging tour of the three sanctuaries.
ΒαιθηλBethelobject of ἐκύκλου (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒαιθηλ: transliteration of Hebrew בֵּית אֵל ('house of God', Bethel); indeclinable in the LXX; the first station of Samuel's circuit.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with the indeclinable place-name)→ noun-phrase markingthe accusative article τήν marks the indeclinable Γαλγαλα as object.
ΓαλγαλαGilgalobject of ἐκύκλου (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΓαλγαλα: transliteration of Hebrew גִּלְגָּל ('circle (of stones)', Gilgal); indeclinable in the LXX; the second station of the circuit.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with the indeclinable place-name)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΜασσηφαθMizpahobject of ἐκύκλου (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΜασσηφαθ: indeclinable; the third station of the circuit, already prominent in this chapter.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐδίκαζενjudgedImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · δικάζωmain verb (iterative imperfect)→ verbal action or stateδικάζω: 'act as judge'; the leitmotif verb recurs, describing Samuel's adjudication at each station of the circuit.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with the indeclinable name)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙσραηλIsraeldirect object of ἐδίκαζεν (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; those judged.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
πᾶσιallDativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡγιασμένοις)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; covers all the circuit's holy sites.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡγιασμένοιςconsecrated placesPerf Pass Ptcp Dat Pl Neut · ἁγιάζωsubstantivized perfect participle (the holy/consecrated sites)→ verbal action or stateἁγιάζω (perf. pass. ptcp.): 'consecrate / make holy'; τὰ ἡγιασμένα ('the consecrated places') designates Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah as established sanctuaries; the perfect denotes their settled sacred status.
τούτοιςtheseDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡγιασμένοις)→ sphere or referenceοὗτος: 'this / these'; specifies the three named holy sites of the circuit.
17
ἡ δὲ ἀποστροφὴ αὐτοῦ εἰς Αρμαθαιμ ὅτι ἐκεῖ ἦν ὁ οἶκος αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐδίκαζεν ἐκεῖ τὸν Ισραηλ καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν ἐκεῖ θυσιαστήριον τῷ κυρίῳ
But his return was to Ramah, because there was his house; and there he judged Israel, and there he built an altar to the LORD.
The chapter ends at Samuel's home. The δέ marks the contrast between the circuit and the fixed point of return; the threefold ἐκεῖ ('there') anchors Ramah as home, judgment-seat, and altar-site. The building of an altar (ᾠκοδόμησεν … θυσιαστήριον τῷ κυρίῳ) fittingly closes a chapter framed by sacrifice and the LORD's help.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbut / andmild adversative/continuative (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive particle; marks the contrast between the circuit-journey and the fixed point of return to Ramah.
ἀποστροφὴreturnNominativesubject (of an implied verb 'was')→ participant prominenceἀποστροφή: 'turning back / return / place of return'; renders תְּשׁוּבָה; here Samuel's habitual point of return — his home base.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (pronoun)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his', referring to Samuel.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction of return; verbless clause)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: 'to'; the clause is verbless ('his return [was] to Ramah'), a Hebraizing nominal sentence.
ΑρμαθαιμRamah / Armathaimobject of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΑρμαθαιμ: transliteration of Hebrew הָרָמָתַיִם / רָמָה (Ramah/Ramathaim); indeclinable in the LXX; Samuel's home town (cf. 1 Kgdms 1:1, 19).
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the reason Ramah was his place of return.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; the first of three anchoring ἐκεῖ marking Ramah as Samuel's home.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of causal clause→ participant referenceεἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect marks Ramah as Samuel's established residence.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκοςhouseNominativesubject of ἦν→ participant prominenceοἶκος: 'house / home'; Samuel's dwelling at Ramah.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (pronoun)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his', referring to Samuel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐδίκαζενhe judgedImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · δικάζωmain verb (iterative imperfect)→ verbal action or stateδικάζω: 'act as judge'; the leitmotif verb closes the sequence, marking Ramah too as a seat of judgment.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; second anchoring 'there' — Ramah as judgment-seat.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with the indeclinable name)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙσραηλIsraeldirect object of ἐδίκαζεν (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; those judged.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ᾠκοδόμησενhe builtAor Act Indic 3 Sg · οἰκοδομέωmain verb (building of the altar)→ verbal action or stateοἰκοδομέω: 'build / construct'; renders בָּנָה; Samuel builds an altar at his home, marking Ramah as a place of worship as well as judgment.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; the third anchoring 'there' — Ramah as altar-site.
θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativedirect object of ᾠκοδόμησεν→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar (of sacrifice)'; the LXX's distinctive term for a legitimate altar of the LORD (as opposed to βωμός, often used of pagan altars); renders מִזְבֵּחַ.
τῷto theDativearticle (dative of recipient)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳthe LORDDativedative of recipient (to whom the altar is built)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the altar is built to the LORD, fittingly closing a chapter of deliverance and thanksgiving.