1
ἔτους ἑνὸς καὶ πεντηκοστοῦ καὶ ἑκατοστοῦ ἐξῆλθεν Δημήτριος ὁ τοῦ Σελεύκου ἐκ Ῥώμης καὶ ἀνέβη σὺν ἀνδράσιν ὀλίγοις εἰς πόλιν παραθαλασσίαν καὶ ἐβασίλευσεν ἐκεῖ
In the one hundred fifty-first year Demetrius son of Seleucus departed from Rome, came up with a few men to a city by the sea, and reigned there.
The chapter begins with a formal chronological notice and a compressed royal itinerary: Demetrius emerges from Roman custody, lands with only a small retinue, and nonetheless secures kingship. The spareness of the report heightens the political volatility that will shape the whole chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ἔτουςyearN3E GSN · ἔτοςgenitive of time within the dating formulaἔτος: 'year'; standard chronological marker in historiographic openings.
ἑνὸςoneA3 GSN · εἷςnumeral modifier within the dating formulaεἷς: 'one'; first component of the Seleucid regnal date.
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction linking the numeralsκαί: 'and'; joins the elements of the date.
πεντηκοστοῦfiftiethA1 GSN · πεντηκοστόςordinal modifier within the dating formulaπεντηκοστός: 'fiftieth'; part of the formal year reckoning.
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction linking the numeralsκαί: 'and'; continues the date sequence.
ἑκατοστοῦhundredthA1 GSN · ἑκατοστόςordinal modifier within the dating formulaἑκατοστός: 'hundredth'; completes the Seleucid era date.
ἐξῆλθενdepartedVBI AAI3S · ἔρχομαι + ἐκmain verb of the clauseἐξέρχομαι: 'go out, depart'; here of Demetrius's departure from Rome.
ΔημήτριοςDemetriusN2 NSM · Δημήτριοςsubject of ἐξῆλθεν and the following verbsΔημήτριος: Demetrius I Soter, Seleucid claimant and later king.
ὁthe oneRA NSM · ὁarticle introducing the filial designationὁ: article used substantivally in apposition.
τοῦofRA GSM · ὁarticle with the genitive patronymicὁ: article marking the dependent patronymic phrase.
ΣελεύκουSeleucusN2 GSM · Σελεύκοςgenitive of parentageΣελεύκος: Seleucus IV, father of Demetrius.
ἐκfromP · ἐκpreposition marking sourceἐκ: 'from, out of'; indicates place of departure.
ῬώμηςRomeN1 GSF · Ῥώμηobject of ἐκῬώμη: Rome; Demetrius had been held there as a political hostage.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking subsequent actionsκαί: 'and'; carries the narrative forward.
ἀνέβηcame upVZI AAI3S · βαίνω + ἀναmain verb of movementἀναβαίνω: 'go up, come up'; often used for movement inland or toward a seat of power.
σὺνwithP · σύνpreposition introducing accompanimentσύν: 'with'; marks accompanying company.
ἀνδράσινmenN3 DPM · ἀνήρdative object of σύνἀνήρ: 'man'; here members of Demetrius's small party.
ὀλίγοιςfewA1 DPM · ὀλίγοςadjectival modifier of ἀνδράσινὀλίγος: 'few, small in number'; the tiny escort underscores the daring of Demetrius's move.
εἰςtoP · εἰςpreposition marking destinationεἰς: 'into, to'; marks arrival destination.
πόλινa cityN3I ASF · πόλιςobject of εἰςπόλις: 'city'; an urban landing point on the coast.
παραθαλασσίανby the seaA1A ASF · παραθαλάσσιοςadjectival modifier of πόλινπαραθαλάσσιος: 'maritime, coastal'; characterizes the city as a seaport location.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the final actionκαί: 'and'; joins the arrival to the accession.
ἐβασίλευσενreignedVAI AAI3S · βασιλεύωmain verb of accessionβασιλεύω: 'rule as king, reign'; signals Demetrius's successful seizure of royal authority.
ἐκεῖthereD · ἐκεῖadverb modifying ἐβασίλευσενἐκεῖ: 'there'; locative adverb closing the accession notice.
2
καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς εἰσεπορεύετο εἰς οἶκον βασιλείας πατέρων αὐτοῦ καὶ συνέλαβον αἱ δυνάμεις τὸν Ἀντίοχον καὶ τὸν Λυσίαν ἀγαγεῖν αὐτοὺς αὐτῷ
And it happened, as he was entering the royal house of his fathers, that the troops seized Antiochus and Lysias to bring them to him.
As Demetrius moves into his ancestral palace, the transition of power becomes lethal for the previous regime. The capture of Antiochus and Lysias is narrated as an immediate consequence of his arrival.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction opening the next narrative unitκαί: 'and'; links the accession notice to its sequel.
ἐγένετοit happenedVBI AMI3S · γίγνομαιimpersonal narrative verb introducing the temporal clauseγίγνομαι: 'happen, come about'; common LXX narrative formula.
ὡςwhenC · ὡςsubordinating conjunction introducing temporal circumstanceὡς: 'when, as'; here temporal.
εἰσεπορεύετοhe was enteringV1I IMI3S · πορεύομαι + εἰςverb of the temporal clauseεἰσπορεύομαι: 'enter, go into'; imperfect portrays the action in progress.
εἰςintoP · εἰςpreposition marking destinationεἰς: 'into'; marks entry into the palace complex.
οἶκονhouseN2 ASM · οἶκοςobject of εἰςοἶκος: 'house'; here a royal household or palace.
βασιλείαςof kingshipN1A GSF · βασιλείαgenitive modifier of οἶκονβασιλεία: 'kingdom, kingship, royal rule'; here characterizing the royal house.
πατέρωνfathersN3 GPM · πατήρgenitive dependent on οἶκον/βασιλείας, specifying ancestryπατήρ: 'father, ancestor'; dynastic forebears.
αὐτοῦhisRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying πατέρωναὐτός: possessive genitive, 'his.'
καὶandC · καίconjunction introducing the main eventκαί: 'and'; links the temporal setup to the decisive action.
συνέλαβονthey took / seizedVBI AAI3P · λαμβάνω + συνmain verb of seizureσυλλαμβάνω: 'seize, arrest, capture'; marks the forcible detention of the rival claimants.
αἱtheRA NPF · ὁarticle with δυνάμειςὁ: definite article.
δυνάμειςtroopsN3I NPF · δύναμιςsubject of συνέλαβονδύναμις: 'force, army, troops'; here the military forces acting for Demetrius.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle with Ἀντίοχονὁ: definite article.
ἈντίοχονAntiochusN2 ASM · Ἀντίοχοςfirst direct object of συνέλαβονἈντίοχος: Antiochus V Eupator, the displaced young king.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the second captiveκαί: 'and'; joins the two prisoners.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle with Λυσίανὁ: definite article.
ΛυσίανLysiasN1T ASM · Λυσίαςsecond direct object of συνέλαβονΛυσίας: Lysias, regent and chief official under Antiochus V.
ἀγαγεῖνto bringVB AAN · ἄγωcomplementary infinitive expressing purpose→ aorist infinitiveἄγω: 'lead, bring'; here the intended presentation of the captives to Demetrius.
αὐτοὺςthemRD APM · αὐτόςdirect object of ἀγαγεῖναὐτός: pronoun referring to Antiochus and Lysias.
αὐτῷto himRD DSM · αὐτόςdative indirect object with ἀγαγεῖναὐτός: pronoun referring to Demetrius.
3
καὶ ἐγνώσθη αὐτῷ τὸ πρᾶγμα καὶ εἶπεν μή μοι δείξητε τὰ πρόσωπα αὐτῶν
And when the matter was made known to him, he said, 'Do not show me their faces.'
Demetrius reacts with cold decisiveness. The refusal even to see the captives' faces signals that judgment has already been settled and no audience will be granted.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the next consequenceκαί: 'and'; continues the court narrative.
ἐγνώσθηwas made knownVSI API3S · γιγνώσκωmain passive verb of the report formulaγιγνώσκω: 'know'; passive aorist, 'it was made known.'
αὐτῷto himRD DSM · αὐτόςdative recipient of the reportαὐτός: pronoun referring to Demetrius.
τὸtheRA ASN · ὁarticle with πρᾶγμαὁ: definite article.
πρᾶγμαmatterN3M ASN · πρᾶγμαaccusative subject/content in the passive report constructionπρᾶγμα: 'matter, affair'; the specific business of the captured rivals.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking report and responseκαί: 'and'; joins the notice to the king's speech.
εἶπενsaidVBI AAI3S · εἶπονmain verb introducing direct speechλέγω/εἶπον: 'say'; standard speech introducer.
μήnotD · μήnegative particle with the subjunctive prohibitionμή: prohibitive negative in non-indicative clauses.
μοιto meRP DS · ἐγώdative indirect object with δείξητεἐγώ: first-person pronoun, dative singular.
δείξητεshowVA AAS2P · δεικνύωsubjunctive verb in a prohibitionδεικνύω: 'show, present'; aorist subjunctive in a prohibitive command.
τὰtheRA APN · ὁarticle with πρόσωπαὁ: definite article.
πρόσωπαfacesN2N APN · πρόσωπονdirect object of δείξητεπρόσωπον: 'face, presence'; refusing to see the face means refusing audience or mercy.
αὐτῶνtheirRD GPM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying πρόσωπααὐτός: possessive pronoun, 'their.'
4
καὶ ἀπέκτειναν αὐτοὺς αἱ δυνάμεις καὶ ἐκάθισεν Δημήτριος ἐπὶ θρόνου βασιλείας αὐτοῦ
And the troops killed them, and Demetrius sat upon the throne of his kingdom.
The execution of Antiochus and Lysias clears the final obstacle to Demetrius's rule. The verse pairs bloodshed with enthronement, making royal accession inseparable from political elimination.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking execution and enthronementκαί: 'and'; coordinates the consecutive actions.
ἀπέκτεινανkilledVAI AAI3P · κτείνω + ἀποmain verb of the first clauseἀποκτείνω: 'kill, put to death'; the execution of royal rivals.
αὐτοὺςthemRD APM · αὐτόςdirect object of ἀπέκτειναναὐτός: pronoun referring to Antiochus and Lysias.
αἱtheRA NPF · ὁarticle with δυνάμειςὁ: definite article.
δυνάμειςtroopsN3I NPF · δύναμιςsubject of ἀπέκτεινανδύναμις: 'troops, armed forces'; the agents of the execution.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the enthronement noticeκαί: 'and'; joins execution to kingship.
ἐκάθισενsatVAI AAI3S · ἵζω + καταmain verb of enthronementκαθίζω: 'seat, sit'; in royal context, take one's place on the throne.
ΔημήτριοςDemetriusN2 NSM · Δημήτριοςsubject of ἐκάθισενΔημήτριος: the new Seleucid king.
ἐπὶuponP · ἐπίpreposition introducing the throne phraseἐπί: 'on, upon'; with genitive here in enthronement idiom.
θρόνουthroneN2 GSM · θρόνοςobject of ἐπίθρόνος: 'throne'; symbol of royal authority.
βασιλείαςof kingshipN1A GSF · βασιλείαgenitive modifying θρόνουβασιλεία: 'kingdom, kingship'; defines the throne as royal rule.
αὐτοῦhisRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying βασιλείαςαὐτός: possessive pronoun, 'his.'
5
καὶ ἦλθον πρὸς αὐτὸν πάντες ἄνδρες ἄνομοι καὶ ἀσεβεῖς ἐξ Ισραηλ καὶ Ἄλκιμος ἡγεῖτο αὐτῶν βουλόμενος ἱερατεύειν
And all the lawless and ungodly men from Israel came to him, and Alcimus was leading them, wanting to serve as priest.
The political vacuum is immediately exploited by internal Judean opponents of Judas. Alcimus is presented not merely as one petitioner among many but as the leading figure whose priestly ambition drives the deputation.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction linking the next episodeκαί: 'and'; moves the story from royal accession to petition.
ἦλθονcameVBI AAI3P · ἔρχομαιmain verb of approachἔρχομαι: 'come'; the petitioners approach the king.
πρὸςtoP · πρόςpreposition introducing the royal addresseeπρός: 'to, toward'; marks direction toward Demetrius.
αὐτὸνhimRD ASM · αὐτόςobject of πρόςαὐτός: pronoun referring to Demetrius.
πάντεςallA3 NPM · πᾶςquantifying modifier of ἄνδρεςπᾶς: 'all, every'; emphasizes the breadth of this hostile party.
ἄνδρεςmenN3 NPM · ἀνήρsubject of ἦλθονἀνήρ: 'man'; here adult male representatives of the anti-Judas faction.
ἄνομοιlawlessA1B NPM · ἄνομοςpredicate-adjectival modifier of ἄνδρεςἄνομος: 'lawless'; marks revolt against covenantal order, not mere political dissent.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the paired descriptorsκαί: 'and'; stacks the moral accusations.
ἀσεβεῖςungodlyA3H NPM · ἀσεβήςsecond predicate-adjectival modifier of ἄνδρεςἀσεβής: 'ungodly, impious'; a religious and moral condemnation.
ἐξfromP · ἐκpreposition introducing originἐκ: 'from, out of'; marks their origin within Israel itself.
ΙσραηλIsraelN GSM · Ἰσραήλobject of ἐξἸσραήλ: Israel; the irony is that the accusers arise from within the covenant people.
καὶandC · καίconjunction introducing Alcimus specificallyκαί: 'and'; narrows from the group to its leader.
ἌλκιμοςAlcimusN2 NSM · Ἄλκιμοςsubject of ἡγεῖτοἌλκιμος: Alcimus, rival high-priestly claimant allied with Seleucid power.
ἡγεῖτοwas leadingV2 IMI3S · ἡγέομαιmain verb describing Alcimus's roleἡγέομαι: 'lead, guide'; imperfect depicts Alcimus as the active head of the delegation.
αὐτῶνthemRD GPM · αὐτόςgenitive complement with ἡγεῖτοαὐτός: pronoun referring to the lawless men.
βουλόμενοςwantingV1 · πμπνσμ βούλομαιcircumstantial participle explaining Alcimus's motiveβούλομαι: 'wish, intend'; the participle exposes his governing ambition.
ἱερατεύεινto serve as priestsV1 PAN · ἱερατεύωcomplementary infinitive after βουλόμενοςἱερατεύω: 'serve as priest'; here specifically the ambition to occupy the high-priestly office.
6
καὶ κατηγόρησαν τοῦ λαοῦ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα λέγοντες ἀπώλεσεν Ιουδας καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ πάντας τοὺς φίλους σου καὶ ἡμᾶς ἐσκόρπισεν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς ἡμῶν
And they brought accusation against the people before the king, saying, 'Judas and his brothers have destroyed all your friends, and he has scattered us from our land.'
The delegation frames Judas as both anti-royal and anti-social: he is accused of wiping out the king's allies and displacing the accusers themselves. Their speech is politically calibrated to provoke Seleucid intervention.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction introducing the accusationκαί: 'and'; links the deputation with its formal complaint.
κατηγόρησανaccusedVAI AAI3P · ἀγορεύω + καταmain verb of formal complaintκατηγορέω: 'accuse, bring charges'; judicial-political language before a ruler.
τοῦagainst theRA GSM · ὁarticle in the genitive object phraseὁ: article marking the object of accusation.
λαοῦpeopleN2 GSM · λαόςgenitive object after κατηγόρησανλαός: 'people'; here the Judean people aligned with Judas.
πρὸςbeforeP · πρόςpreposition introducing the royal hearerπρός: 'before, to'; in forensic context, before an authority.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle with βασιλέαὁ: definite article.
βασιλέαkingN3V ASM · βασιλεύςobject of πρόςβασιλεύς: 'king'; Demetrius as the tribunal for their charge.
λέγοντεςsayingV1 · παπνπμ λέγωparticiple introducing the content of accusationλέγω: 'say'; standard participial speech-introducer.
ἀπώλεσενdestroyedVAI PAI3S · ὀλλύω + ἀποmain verb of the accusationἀπόλλυμι: 'destroy, ruin, kill'; the charge presents Judas as a devastator of royal allies.
ΙουδαςJudasN1T NSM · Ἰούδαςsubject of ἀπώλεσενἸούδας: Judas Maccabaeus, named as chief target of the complaint.
καὶandC · καίconjunction joining Judas with his brothersκαί: 'and'; broadens the charge to the whole leadership group.
οἱtheRA NPM · ὁarticle with ἀδελφοὶὁ: definite article.
ἀδελφοὶbrothersN2 NPM · ἀδελφόςco-subject with Ιουδαςἀδελφός: 'brother'; here Judas's familial and political associates.
αὐτοῦhisRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying ἀδελφοὶαὐτός: possessive pronoun, 'his.'
πάνταςallA3 APM · πᾶςquantifying modifier of φίλουςπᾶς: 'all'; the accusation is totalizing.
τοὺςtheRA APM · ὁarticle with φίλουςὁ: definite article.
φίλουςfriendsA1 APM · φίλοςdirect object of ἀπώλεσενφίλος: 'friend, ally'; in court language, royal supporters and clients.
σουyourRP GS · σύgenitive of possession modifying φίλουςσύ: second-person pronoun referring to the king.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the second accusationκαί: 'and'; adds the personal grievance.
ἡμᾶςusRP AP · ἐγώdirect object of ἐσκόρπισενἐγώ: first-person plural pronoun, the accusers speaking of themselves.
ἐσκόρπισενscatteredVAI AAI3S · σκορπίζωmain verb of the second accusationσκορπίζω: 'scatter, disperse'; a charge of displacement and social ruin.
ἀπὸfromP · ἀπόpreposition introducing separationἀπό: 'from'; marks removal away from a place.
τῆςtheRA GSF · ὁarticle with γῆςὁ: definite article.
γῆςlandN1 GSF · γῆobject of ἀπόγῆ: 'land, territory'; homeland and inheritance.
ἡμῶνourRP GP · ἐγώgenitive of possession modifying γῆςἐγώ: first-person plural possessive pronoun.
7
νῦν οὖν ἀπόστειλον ἄνδρα ᾧ πιστεύεις καὶ πορευθεὶς ἰδέτω τὴν ἐξολέθρευσιν πᾶσαν ἣν ἐποίησεν ἡμῖν καὶ τῇ χώρᾳ τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ κολασάτω αὐτοὺς καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἐπιβοηθοῦντας αὐτοῖς
Now therefore send a man whom you trust, and let him go and see all the destruction that he has done to us and to the king's land, and let him punish them and all those helping them.
The accusers press Demetrius from complaint into action. Their rhetoric appeals to trusted royal oversight, magnifies Judas's damage as both personal and imperial, and calls for punitive intervention against the whole support network.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
νῦνnowD · νῦνtemporal adverb marking urgent transitionνῦν: 'now'; presses the king toward immediate action.
οὖνthereforeX · οὖνinferential particle drawing a conclusion from the accusationοὖν: 'therefore, then'; marks the requested consequence.
ἀπόστειλονsendVA AAD2S · στέλλω + ἀποaorist imperative directing the king's actionἀποστέλλω: 'send'; the petition formally urges royal commissioning.
ἄνδραa manN3 ASM · ἀνήρdirect object of ἀπόστειλονἀνήρ: 'man'; here an authorized royal agent.
ᾧwhomRR DSM · ὅςrelative pronoun governed by πιστεύειςὅς: relative pronoun; links the envoy to the king's confidence.
πιστεύειςyou trustV1 PAI2S · πιστεύωverb of the relative clauseπιστεύω: 'trust, put confidence in'; political reliability is the key qualification.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking commission and inspectionκαί: 'and'; adds the envoy's next task.
πορευθεὶςafter goingVC · αππνσμ πορεύομαιcircumstantial participle modifying the implied envoyπορεύομαι: 'go, proceed'; the participle gives the attendant action before inspection.
ἰδέτωlet him seeVB AAD3S · ὁράωthird-person imperative continuing the petitionὁράω: 'see'; an investigatory inspection is demanded.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle with ἐξολέθρευσινὁ: definite article.
ἐξολέθρευσινdestructionN3I ASF · ἐξολέθρευσιςdirect object of ἰδέτωἐξολέθρευσις: 'destruction, extermination'; deliberately extreme rhetoric against Judas.
πᾶσανallA1S ASF · πᾶςadjectival modifier of ἐξολέθρευσινπᾶς: 'all, whole'; totalizes the alleged damage.
ἣνwhichRR ASF · ὅςrelative pronoun referring to ἐξολέθρευσινὅς: relative pronoun introducing the explanatory clause.
ἐποίησενhe didVAI AAI3S · ποιέωverb of the relative clauseποιέω: 'do, make'; here used of inflicting devastation.
ἡμῖνto usRP DP · ἐγώdative of disadvantage with ἐποίησενἐγώ: first-person plural pronoun; the accusers present themselves as victims.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking two injured partiesκαί: 'and'; extends the charge from private grievance to royal interest.
τῇto theRA DSF · ὁarticle with χώρᾳὁ: definite article.
χώρᾳlandN1A DSF · χώραsecond dative of disadvantage with ἐποίησενχώρα: 'land, territory'; the king's domain is said to be harmed as well.
τοῦof theRA GSM · ὁarticle with βασιλέωςὁ: definite article.
βασιλέωςkingN3V GSM · βασιλεύςgenitive of possession modifying χώρᾳβασιλεύς: 'king'; the appeal is framed as damage to royal sovereignty.
καὶandC · καίconjunction adding the punitive requestκαί: 'and'; transitions from inspection to punishment.
κολασάτωlet him punishVA AAD3S · κολάζωthird-person imperative of requested actionκολάζω: 'punish, chastise'; a judicial and retributive verb.
αὐτοὺςthemRD APM · αὐτόςdirect object of κολασάτωαὐτός: pronoun referring to Judas and his associates.
καὶandC · καίconjunction expanding the target listκαί: 'and'; broadens the punitive scope.
πάνταςallA3 APM · πᾶςquantifying modifier of the following substantival phraseπᾶς: 'all'; includes every supporter without exception.
τοὺςthoseRA APM · ὁarticle substantivizing the participle ἐπιβοηθοῦνταςὁ: article used substantivally with participles.
ἐπιβοηθοῦνταςhelpingV2 · παπαπμ βοηθέω + ἐπιsubstantival participle naming the supportersἐπιβοηθέω: 'come to aid, support'; the participle marks active backers of Judas.
αὐτοῖςthemRD DPM · αὐτόςdative complement with ἐπιβοηθοῦνταςαὐτός: pronoun referring to Judas's party.
8
καὶ ἐπέλεξεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τὸν Βακχίδην τῶν φίλων τοῦ βασιλέως κυριεύοντα ἐν τῷ πέραν τοῦ ποταμοῦ καὶ μέγαν ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ καὶ πιστὸν τῷ βασιλεῖ
And the king chose Bacchides, one of the king's Friends, who ruled Beyond the River and was great in the kingdom and faithful to the king.
Demetrius answers the petition by selecting a high-ranking, trusted official. Bacchides is defined by court status, imperial jurisdiction, and proven loyalty, which makes him the ideal royal enforcer.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction marking the king's responseκαί: 'and'; links petition to royal action.
ἐπέλεξενchoseVAI AAI3S · λέγω + ἐπιmain verb of selectionἐπιλέγω: 'choose, select'; despite the CATSS tag, the context clearly denotes selection.
ὁtheRA NSM · ὁarticle with βασιλεὺςὁ: definite article.
βασιλεὺςkingN3V NSM · βασιλεύςsubject of ἐπέλεξενβασιλεύς: 'king'; Demetrius as acting sovereign.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle with Βακχίδηνὁ: definite article.
ΒακχίδηνBacchidesN1M ASM · Βακχίδηςdirect object of ἐπέλεξενΒακχίδης: Bacchides, major Seleucid official sent against Judas.
τῶνof theRA GPM · ὁarticle in the partitive genitive phraseὁ: definite article.
φίλωνFriendsA1 GPM · φίλοςpartitive genitive in apposition to Βακχίδηνφίλος: 'friend'; in Hellenistic court usage, an official member of the royal inner circle.
τοῦof theRA GSM · ὁarticle with βασιλέωςὁ: definite article.
βασιλέωςkingN3V GSM · βασιλεύςgenitive of possession modifying φίλωνβασιλεύς: 'king'; identifies the court whose Friend Bacchides is.
κυριεύονταrulingV1 · παπασμ κυριεύωattributive participle modifying Βακχίδηνκυριεύω: 'rule, exercise authority'; describes Bacchides' administrative command.
ἐνinP · ἐνpreposition introducing sphere of ruleἐν: 'in'; marks the region under his authority.
τῷthe regionRA DSM · ὁarticle in the territorial expressionὁ: article with the fixed geographical phrase.
πέρανBeyondD · πέρανadverb used substantivally in the phrase 'Beyond the River'πέραν: 'beyond'; part of the official satrapal designation.
τοῦtheRA GSM · ὁarticle with ποταμοῦὁ: definite article.
ποταμοῦRiverN2 GSM · ποταμόςgenitive complement with πέρανποταμός: 'river'; in imperial usage, normally the Euphrates.
καὶandC · καίconjunction adding a further descriptionκαί: 'and'; accumulates Bacchides' credentials.
μέγανgreatA1P ASM · μέγαςpredicate-like modifier of Βακχίδηνμέγας: 'great, important'; denotes high rank and stature within the regime.
ἐνinP · ἐνpreposition introducing the sphere of importanceἐν: 'in'; marks the realm within which he is prominent.
τῇtheRA DSF · ὁarticle with βασιλείᾳὁ: definite article.
βασιλείᾳkingdomN1A DSF · βασιλείαdative object of ἐνβασιλεία: 'kingdom, realm'; the Seleucid polity as Bacchides' sphere.
καὶandC · καίconjunction adding the final credentialκαί: 'and'; completes the threefold characterization.
πιστὸνfaithfulA1 ASM · πιστόςpredicate-like modifier of Βακχίδηνπιστός: 'faithful, loyal'; the key political virtue in a royal envoy.
τῷto theRA DSM · ὁarticle with βασιλεῖὁ: definite article.
βασιλεῖkingN3V DSM · βασιλεύςdative complement with πιστὸνβασιλεύς: 'king'; Bacchides is personally loyal to Demetrius.
9
καὶ ἀπέστειλεν αὐτὸν καὶ Ἄλκιμον τὸν ἀσεβῆ καὶ ἔστησεν αὐτῷ τὴν ἱερωσύνην καὶ ἐνετείλατο αὐτῷ ποιῆσαι τὴν ἐκδίκησιν ἐν τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ
And he sent him and Alcimus the ungodly man, and he established the priesthood for him, and commanded him to carry out vengeance among the sons of Israel.
The king's policy joins military force and compromised priesthood. Alcimus is openly stigmatized by the narrator, yet he is invested with the priestly office and authorized to enact punitive policy within Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction continuing the mission narrativeκαί: 'and'; links selection to dispatch.
ἀπέστειλενsentVAI AAI3S · στέλλω + ἀποmain verb of dispatchἀποστέλλω: 'send'; formal royal dispatch.
αὐτὸνhimRD ASM · αὐτόςdirect object of ἀπέστειλεναὐτός: pronoun referring to Bacchides.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the second person sentκαί: 'and'; joins Bacchides and Alcimus in one mission.
ἌλκιμονAlcimusN2 ASM · Ἄλκιμοςsecond direct object of ἀπέστειλενἌλκιμος: Alcimus, rival claimant to priestly authority.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle with ἀσεβῆὁ: definite article.
ἀσεβῆungodlyA3H ASM · ἀσεβήςappositional descriptor of Ἄλκιμονἀσεβής: 'ungodly, impious'; explicit narrator judgment against Alcimus.
καὶandC · καίconjunction moving from dispatch to appointmentκαί: 'and'; coordinates the next royal act.
ἔστησενestablishedVAI AAI3S · ἵστημιmain verb of appointmentἵστημι: 'set, appoint, establish'; here of conferring office.
αὐτῷfor himRD DSM · αὐτόςdative of advantage with ἔστησεναὐτός: pronoun referring to Alcimus.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle with ἱερωσύνηνὁ: definite article.
ἱερωσύνηνpriesthoodN1 ASF · ἱερωσύνηdirect object of ἔστησενἱερωσύνη: 'priesthood'; the office granted to Alcimus under royal authority.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking appointment and commandκαί: 'and'; adds the mission order.
ἐνετείλατοcommandedVAI AMI3S · τέλλομαι + ἐνmain verb taking an infinitive complementἐντέλλομαι: 'command, order'; formal royal instruction.
αὐτῷhimRD DSM · αὐτόςdative indirect object with ἐνετείλατοαὐτός: pronoun referring to Bacchides, or to the mission leadership more broadly in context.
ποιῆσαιto carry outVA AAN · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive after ἐνετείλατοποιέω: 'do, make, carry out'; here execute the commanded policy.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle with ἐκδίκησινὁ: definite article.
ἐκδίκησινvengeanceN3I ASF · ἐκδίκησιςdirect object of ποιῆσαιἐκδίκησις: 'vengeance, punishment'; retaliatory justice carried out under royal order.
ἐνamongP · ἐνpreposition marking the sphere of actionἐν: 'in, among'; the punishment is to be enacted within Israel.
τοῖςtheRA DPM · ὁarticle with υἱοῖςὁ: definite article.
υἱοῖςsonsN2 DPM · υἱόςdative object of ἐνυἱός: 'son'; in the idiom 'sons of Israel.'
Ισραηλof IsraelN2 GSM · Ἰσραήλgenitive dependent on υἱοῖςἸσραήλ: Israel; the covenant people as the target sphere of repression.
10
καὶ ἀπῇρον καὶ ἦλθον μετὰ δυνάμεως πολλῆς εἰς γῆν Ιουδα καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ἀγγέλους πρὸς Ιουδαν καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ λόγοις εἰρηνικοῖς μετὰ δόλου
And they set out and came with a great force into the land of Judah, and he sent messengers to Judas and his brothers with peaceful words deceitfully.
The expedition is both military and diplomatic. A sizable force enters Judah, yet the first overt move is a message of peace, already marked by the narrator as treacherous.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction advancing the missionκαί: 'and'; continues the sequence.
ἀπῇρονset outV1I IAI3P · αἴρω + ἀποmain verb of departureἀπαίρω: 'set off, depart'; idiomatically of beginning a journey.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking departure and arrivalκαί: 'and'; joins the consecutive movements.
ἦλθονcameVBI AAI3P · ἔρχομαιmain verb of arrivalἔρχομαι: 'come'; the expedition reaches Judea.
μετὰwithP · μετάpreposition introducing accompanimentμετά + genitive: 'with'; indicates accompanying military strength.
δυνάμεωςforceN3I GSF · δύναμιςgenitive object of μετάδύναμις: 'force, army'; military contingent.
πολλῆςgreatA1 GSF · πολύςadjectival modifier of δυνάμεωςπολύς: 'great, large'; underscores the threat behind the diplomacy.
εἰςintoP · εἰςpreposition marking destinationεἰς: 'into, to'; marks entry into the territory.
γῆνlandN1 ASF · γῆobject of εἰςγῆ: 'land'; here the territorial land of Judah.
Ιουδαof JudahN GSM · Ἰουδάdependent place-name with γῆνἸουδά: Judah; the Judean homeland.
καὶandC · καίconjunction moving to diplomatic actionκαί: 'and'; coordinates arrival and embassy.
ἀπέστειλενsentVAI AAI3S · στέλλω + ἀποmain verb of the embassy actionἀποστέλλω: 'send'; dispatching envoys rather than attacking at once.
ἀγγέλουςmessengersN2 APM · ἄγγελοςdirect object of ἀπέστειλενἄγγελος: 'messenger, envoy'; diplomatic emissaries.
πρὸςtoP · πρόςpreposition introducing recipientsπρός: 'to, toward'; direction toward Judas and his brothers.
ΙουδανJudasN1T ASM · Ἰούδαςfirst object of πρόςἸούδας: Judas Maccabaeus.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking coordinated recipientsκαί: 'and'; includes his brothers as well.
τοὺςtheRA APM · ὁarticle with ἀδελφοὺςὁ: definite article.
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersN2 APM · ἀδελφόςsecond object of πρόςἀδελφός: 'brother'; Judas's close kin and allied leadership.
αὐτοῦhisRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying ἀδελφοὺςαὐτός: possessive pronoun, 'his.'
λόγοιςwith wordsN2 DPM · λόγοςdative of means describing the embassyλόγος: 'word, speech, message'; the content medium of the embassy.
εἰρηνικοῖςpeacefulA1 DPM · εἰρηνικόςadjectival modifier of λόγοιςεἰρηνικός: 'peaceful, conciliatory'; outwardly reassuring diplomacy.
μετὰwithP · μετάpreposition introducing hidden mannerμετά + genitive: 'with'; marks the accompanying quality of the words.
δόλουdeceitN2 GSM · δόλοςgenitive object of μετάδόλος: 'guile, deceit'; the narrator unmasks the embassy's true intent.
11
καὶ οὐ προσέσχον τοῖς λόγοις αὐτῶν εἶδον γὰρ ὅτι ἦλθαν μετὰ δυνάμεως πολλῆς
And they paid no attention to their words, for they saw that they had come with a great force.
Judas's side refuses to be taken in by peaceful language because the military reality gives the lie to the message. The verse commends prudent discernment over naive reception of diplomatic speech.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction introducing the responseκαί: 'and'; moves from embassy to reception.
οὐnotD · οὐnegative particle with προσέσχονοὐ: standard negation with indicative forms.
προσέσχονpaid attentionVBI AAI3P · ἔχω + προςmain verb of refusalπροσέχω: 'pay attention to, heed'; they refused to trust the proposal.
τοῖςto theRA DPM · ὁarticle with λόγοιςὁ: definite article.
λόγοιςwordsN2 DPM · λόγοςdative complement with προσέσχονλόγος: 'word, speech'; the deceptive peace proposal.
αὐτῶνtheirRD GPM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying λόγοιςαὐτός: possessive pronoun referring to the envoys.
εἶδονthey sawVBI AAI3P · ὁράωmain verb of the explanatory clauseὁράω: 'see'; their refusal is grounded in clear perception.
γὰρforX · γάρcausal particle introducing the reasonγάρ: 'for'; explains their distrust.
ὅτιthatC · ὅτιconjunction introducing the content of perceptionὅτι: 'that'; marks what they recognized.
ἦλθανthey had comeVAI AAI3P · ἔρχομαιverb of the content clauseἔρχομαι: 'come'; the party's arrival is itself evidence against the peace-claim.
μετὰwithP · μετάpreposition introducing accompanying military forceμετά + genitive: 'with'; marks the force they brought.
δυνάμεωςforceN3I GSF · δύναμιςgenitive object of μετάδύναμις: 'force, army'; military power exposes the fraud.
πολλῆςgreatA1 GSF · πολύςadjectival modifier of δυνάμεωςπολύς: 'great, large'; the size of the force unmasks their intentions.
12
καὶ ἐπισυνήχθησαν πρὸς Ἄλκιμον καὶ Βακχίδην συναγωγὴ γραμματέων ἐκζητῆσαι δίκαια
And an assembly of scribes gathered to Alcimus and Bacchides to seek what was just.
The scene shifts from royal policy to local reception. A body of scribes approaches Alcimus and Bacchides under the banner of justice, which sharpens the irony of the treachery that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction introducing the next episodeκαί: 'and'; moves the narrative forward.
ἐπισυνήχθησανgathered togetherVQI API3P · ἄγω + ἐπι + συνmain passive verb of assemblyἐπισυνάγω: 'gather together'; passive aorist, describing a formal assembling.
πρὸςtoP · πρόςpreposition introducing the persons approachedπρός: 'to, toward'; marks approach to Alcimus and Bacchides.
ἌλκιμονAlcimusN2 ASM · Ἄλκιμοςfirst object of πρόςἌλκιμος: Alcimus, the Seleucid-backed priestly claimant.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the two leadersκαί: 'and'; joins Alcimus with Bacchides.
ΒακχίδηνBacchidesN1M ASM · Βακχίδηςsecond object of πρόςΒακχίδης: Bacchides, Seleucid commander and royal envoy.
συναγωγὴassemblyN1 NSF · συναγωγήsubject of ἐπισυνήχθησανσυναγωγή: 'assembly, gathering'; a convened group acting collectively.
γραμματέωνof the scribesN3V GPM · γραμματεύςgenitive modifying συναγωγὴγραμματεύς: 'scribe'; learned legal specialists and interpreters.
ἐκζητῆσαιto seekVA AAN · ζητέω + ἐκinfinitive of purposeἐκζητέω: 'seek out, inquire after'; purposeful search for a settlement or judgment.
δίκαιαwhat is justA1A APN · δίκαιοςaccusative object of ἐκζητῆσαιδίκαιος: 'just, right'; neuter plural used substantivally for just claims or just terms.
13
καὶ πρῶτοι οἱ Ασιδαῖοι ἦσαν ἐν υἱοῖς Ισραηλ καὶ ἐπεζήτουν παρ' αὐτῶν εἰρήνην
And the Hasideans were first among the sons of Israel, and they were seeking peace from them.
The Hasideans take the lead in approaching the new authorities. Their desire for peace shows a sincere attempt at covenantal reconciliation, but it also prepares the pathos of their betrayal.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction continuing the sceneκαί: 'and'; adds the next group entering the scene.
πρῶτοιfirstA1 NPMS · πρῶτοςpredicate adjective with ἦσανπρῶτος: 'first'; they take the initiative before others.
οἱtheRA NPM · ὁarticle with Ασιδαῖοιὁ: definite article.
ΑσιδαῖοιHasideansA1 NPM · Ασιδαῖοςsubject of ἦσαν and ἐπεζήτουνΑσιδαῖος: 'Hasidean'; members of a pious Judean group associated with covenant loyalty.
ἦσανwereV9 IAI3P · εἰμίcopulative verb with πρῶτοιεἰμί: 'be'; imperfective past state.
ἐνamongP · ἐνpreposition marking the sphere or groupἐν: 'in, among'; locates them within Israel.
υἱοῖςthe sonsN2 DPM · υἱόςdative object of ἐνυἱός: 'son'; in the idiom 'sons of Israel.'
Ισραηλof IsraelN GSM · Ἰσραήλdependent proper name with υἱοῖςἸσραήλ: Israel; covenant identity of the people.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking their status and actionκαί: 'and'; moves from description to action.
ἐπεζήτουνwere seekingV2I IAI3P · ζητέω + ἐπιmain verb describing their approachἐπιζητέω: 'seek, seek after'; imperfect suggests ongoing or earnest pursuit.
παρ'fromP · παράpreposition introducing the persons appealed toπαρά + genitive: 'from'; marks source of the hoped-for peace.
αὐτῶνthemRD GPM · αὐτόςgenitive object of παράαὐτός: pronoun referring to Alcimus and Bacchides.
εἰρήνηνpeaceN1 ASF · εἰρήνηdirect object of ἐπεζήτουνεἰρήνη: 'peace'; reconciliation or non-hostile settlement.
14
εἶπον γάρ ἄνθρωπος ἱερεὺς ἐκ σπέρματος Ααρων ἦλθεν ἐν ταῖς δυνάμεσιν καὶ οὐκ ἀδικήσει ἡμᾶς
For they said, 'A man, a priest from the seed of Aaron, has come with the forces, and he will not wrong us.'
The Hasideans' reasoning is made explicit: Alcimus's priestly lineage appears to guarantee safe dealing. The verse exposes how cultic legitimacy can be misread as moral trustworthiness.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
εἶπονthey saidVBI AAI3P · εἶπονmain verb introducing direct speechλέγω/εἶπον: 'say'; standard introducer of reported speech.
γάρforX · γάρcausal particle explaining the preceding actionγάρ: 'for'; gives the reason for seeking peace.
ἄνθρωποςa manN2 NSM · ἄνθρωποςnominative in apposition within the speech clauseἄνθρωπος: 'man'; foregrounds Alcimus as a human representative rather than a foreign brute.
ἱερεὺςa priestN3V NSM · ἱερεύςappositional nominative further identifying the manἱερεύς: 'priest'; a title the Hasideans regard as reassuring.
ἐκfromP · ἐκpreposition introducing lineageἐκ: 'from'; marks descent.
σπέρματοςseedN3M GSN · σπέρμαgenitive object of ἐκσπέρμα: 'seed, offspring'; genealogical descent.
ΑαρωνAaronN GSM · Ἀαρώνdependent proper name with σπέρματοςἈαρών: Aaron, ancestral source of the legitimate priesthood.
ἦλθενhas comeVBI AAI3S · ἔρχομαιmain verb of the reported claimἔρχομαι: 'come'; arrival is interpreted positively by the Hasideans.
ἐνwithP · ἐνpreposition introducing accompanying forceἐν: 'in, with'; here of attendant military company.
ταῖςtheRA DPF · ὁarticle with δυνάμεσινὁ: definite article.
δυνάμεσινforce / powerN3I DPF · δύναμιςdative object of ἐνδύναμις: 'force, troops'; military presence that they underestimate.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the observation to its conclusionκαί: 'and'; joins identity and expected behavior.
οὐκnotD · οὐnegative particle with ἀδικήσειοὐ: standard negation.
ἀδικήσειhe will wrongVF FAI3S · ἀδικέωfuture verb of expected conductἀδικέω: 'wrong, injure, treat unjustly'; their confidence rests on expecting the negation of this verb.
ἡμᾶςusRP AP · ἐγώdirect object of ἀδικήσειἐγώ: first-person plural pronoun for the Hasideans and their allies.
15
καὶ ἐλάλησεν μετ' αὐτῶν λόγους εἰρηνικοὺς καὶ ὤμοσεν αὐτοῖς λέγων οὐκ ἐκζητήσομεν ὑμῖν κακὸν καὶ τοῖς φίλοις ὑμῶν
And he spoke peaceable words with them and swore to them, saying, 'We will not seek harm for you and for your friends.'
Bacchides or his party confirms the Hasideans' hope with verbal and oath-bound assurances. The verse intensifies the moral weight of the coming betrayal by placing it under solemn sworn speech.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandC · καίconjunction introducing the response to the Hasideansκαί: 'and'; continues the negotiation scene.
ἐλάλησενhe spokeVAI AAI3S · λαλέωmain verb of speechλαλέω: 'speak'; often straightforward speech, here masking deceit.
μετ'withP · μετάpreposition introducing interlocutorsμετά + genitive: 'with'; marks direct conversation.
αὐτῶνthemRD GPM · αὐτόςgenitive object of μετάαὐτός: pronoun referring to the Hasideans.
λόγουςwordsN2 APM · λόγοςcognate/direct object of ἐλάλησενλόγος: 'word, speech'; content of the reassurance.
εἰρηνικοὺςpeaceableA1 APM · εἰρηνικόςadjectival modifier of λόγουςεἰρηνικός: 'peaceful, conciliatory'; soothing diplomatic language.
καὶandC · καίconjunction adding sworn confirmationκαί: 'and'; escalates the assurance.
ὤμοσενsworeVAI AAI3S · ὄμνυμιmain verb of oath-takingὄμνυμι: 'swear'; solemnizes the promise and heightens the gravity of its breach.
αὐτοῖςto themRD DPM · αὐτόςdative indirect object with ὤμοσεναὐτός: pronoun referring to the Hasideans.
λέγωνsayingV1 · παπνσμ λέγωparticiple introducing the oath's contentλέγω: 'say'; introduces the quoted promise.
οὐκnotD · οὐnegative particle with ἐκζητήσομενοὐ: standard negation.
ἐκζητήσομενwe will seekVF FAI1P · ζητέω + ἐκfuture verb of promiseἐκζητέω: 'seek out'; here in the hostile sense of seeking out for harm or prosecution.
ὑμῖνfor youRP DP · σύdative of disadvantage/interest with κακὸν impliedσύ: second-person plural pronoun addressing the Hasideans.
κακὸνharmA1 ASM · κακόςaccusative object of ἐκζητήσομενκακός: 'evil, harm'; neuter/masculine accusative used substantivally for injury.
καὶandC · καίconjunction expanding the promiseκαί: 'and'; includes their companions.
τοῖςfor theRA DPM · ὁarticle with φίλοιςὁ: definite article.
φίλοιςfriendsA1 DPM · φίλοςdative coordinated with ὑμῖνφίλος: 'friend'; their associates and allies.
ὑμῶνyourRP GP · σύgenitive of possession modifying φίλοιςσύ: second-person pronoun used possessively.
16
καὶ ἐνεπίστευσαν αὐτῷ καὶ συνέλαβεν ἐξ αὐτῶν ἑξήκοντα ἄνδρας καὶ ἀπέκτεινεν αὐτοὺς ἐν ἡμέρᾳ μιᾷ κατὰ τὸν λόγον ὃν ἔγραψεν αὐτόν
And they trusted him, and he seized sixty men from among them and killed them in one day, according to the word which had been written:
The betrayal lands immediately after the oath. Trust becomes the means of capture, and the slaughter of sixty men in a single day presents Bacchides' act as a deliberate violation of sacred and social trust.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandC · καίconjunction marking abrupt consequenceκαί: 'and'; the narrative pivots sharply from oath to betrayal.
ἐνεπίστευσανthey trustedVAI AAI3P · πιστεύω + ἐνmain verb of the victims' responseἐμπιστεύω/πιστεύω: 'trust, place confidence in'; fatal reliance upon the sworn word.
αὐτῷhimRD DSM · αὐτόςdative complement with ἐνεπίστευσαναὐτός: pronoun referring to the oath-giver.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking trust to treacheryκαί: 'and'; conveys immediate reversal.
συνέλαβενhe seizedVBI AAI3S · λαμβάνω + συνmain verb of arrestσυλλαμβάνω: 'seize, arrest'; forcible detention after a false assurance.
ἐξfromP · ἐκpreposition introducing the group from which victims are takenἐκ: 'from, out of'; marks selection from among the trusting group.
αὐτῶνthemRD GPM · αὐτόςgenitive object of ἐκαὐτός: pronoun referring to the Hasideans.
ἑξήκονταsixtyM · ἑξήκονταnumeral modifying ἄνδραςἑξήκοντα: 'sixty'; specific casualty figure heightening the atrocity.
ἄνδραςmenN3 APM · ἀνήρdirect object of συνέλαβενἀνήρ: 'man'; adult male victims of the seizure.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking arrest and executionκαί: 'and'; makes the killing the direct sequel of the capture.
ἀπέκτεινενkilledVAI AAI3S · κτείνω + ἀποmain verb of executionἀποκτείνω: 'kill, put to death'; violent execution of the captured men.
αὐτοὺςthemRD APM · αὐτόςdirect object of ἀπέκτεινεναὐτός: pronoun referring to the sixty men.
ἐνinP · ἐνpreposition introducing timeἐν: 'in'; here temporal.
ἡμέρᾳdayN1A DSF · ἡμέραdative object of ἐνἡμέρα: 'day'; period within which the slaughter was completed.
μιᾷoneA1A DSF · εἷςnumeral modifier of ἡμέρᾳεἷς: 'one'; stresses the rapidity of the massacre.
κατὰaccording toP · κατάpreposition introducing scriptural correspondenceκατά: 'according to'; marks fulfillment or accordance.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle with λόγονὁ: definite article.
λόγονwordN2 ASM · λόγοςobject of κατάλόγος: 'word, utterance, text'; here a written scriptural word.
ὃνwhichRR ASM · ὅςrelative pronoun referring to λόγονὅς: relative pronoun introducing the scriptural citation formula.
ἔγραψενhe wroteVAI AAI3S · γράφωverb of the relative clauseγράφω: 'write'; introduces the written authority behind the quotation.
αὐτόνitRD ASM · αὐτόςdirect object of ἔγραψεναὐτός: pronoun referring back to the cited word.
17
σάρκας ὁσίων σου καὶ αἷμα αὐτῶν ἐξέχεαν κύκλῳ Ιερουσαλημ καὶ οὐκ ἦν αὐτοῖς ὁ θάπτων
They poured out the flesh of your holy ones and their blood around Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them.
The narrative invokes a lament-like scriptural line to interpret the massacre. The victims are framed as God's holy ones, and the denial of burial marks the outrage as both human and cultic defilement.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
σάρκαςfleshN3K APF · σάρξfirst direct object of ἐξέχεανσάρξ: 'flesh'; the bodies of the slain saints are poetically foregrounded.
ὁσίωνholy onesA1A GPM · ὅσιοςgenitive modifying σάρκαςὅσιος: 'holy, faithful'; covenantally devoted people.
σουyourRP GS · σύgenitive of possession modifying ὁσίωνσύ: second-person pronoun addressing God in the cited lament.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking flesh and bloodκαί: 'and'; coordinates the two images of slaughter.
αἷμαbloodN3M ASN · αἷμαsecond direct object of ἐξέχεαναἷμα: 'blood'; bloodshed crying out for divine notice.
αὐτῶνtheirRD GPM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying αἷμααὐτός: possessive pronoun referring to the holy ones.
ἐξέχεανthey poured outVAI AAI3P · χέω + ἐκmain verb of the citationἐκχέω: 'pour out'; violent shedding of blood.
κύκλῳaroundN2 DSM · κύκλοςadverbial dative of surrounding locationκύκλος/κύκλῳ: 'circle, around'; indicates the area surrounding Jerusalem.
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemN ASF · Ἰερουσαλήμplace-name governed by κύκλῳἸερουσαλήμ: Jerusalem, center of the holy land and temple worship.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking slaughter and its aftermathκαί: 'and'; adds the horror of unburied corpses.
οὐκnotD · οὐnegative particle with ἦνοὐ: standard negation.
ἦνthere wasV9 IAI3S · εἰμίcopulative/existential verbεἰμί: 'be'; existential use, 'there was none.'
αὐτοῖςfor themRD DPM · αὐτόςdative of reference with ἦναὐτός: pronoun referring to the slain holy ones.
ὁthe oneRA NSM · ὁarticle with substantival participle θάπτωνὁ: article substantivizing the participle.
θάπτωνburyingV1 · παπνσμ θάπτωsubstantival participle meaning 'one who buries'θάπτω: 'bury'; burial denied is covenantal disgrace.
18
καὶ ἐπέπεσεν αὐτῶν ὁ φόβος καὶ ὁ τρόμος εἰς πάντα τὸν λαόν ὅτι εἶπον οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν αὐτοῖς ἀλήθεια καὶ κρίσις παρέβησαν γὰρ τὴν στάσιν καὶ τὸν ὅρκον ὃν ὤμοσαν
And fear and trembling fell upon all the people because they said, 'There is no truth and justice in them, for they have broken the agreement and the oath that they swore.'
The massacre destroys public trust. The people's judgment is not merely that violence occurred, but that covenantal and juridical categories themselves have been violated: truth, justice, agreement, and oath have all been broken.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandC · καίconjunction introducing the aftermathκαί: 'and'; moves from the citation to communal reaction.
ἐπέπεσενfell uponVAI AAI3S · πίπτω + ἐπιmain verb of the consequence clauseἐπιπίπτω: 'fall upon'; often of sudden emotional or physical onset.
αὐτῶνupon themRD GPM · αὐτόςgenitive complement with ἐπέπεσεναὐτός: pronoun referring to the people affected by the betrayal.
ὁtheRA NSM · ὁarticle with φόβοςὁ: definite article.
φόβοςfearN2 NSM · φόβοςsubject of ἐπέπεσενφόβος: 'fear'; emotional dread in the wake of treachery.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking paired reactionsκαί: 'and'; couples fear with trembling.
ὁtheRA NSM · ὁarticle with τρόμοςὁ: definite article.
τρόμοςtremblingN2 NSM · τρόμοςsecond subject coordinated with φόβοςτρόμος: 'trembling'; bodily shaking that accompanies fear.
εἰςuponP · εἰςpreposition introducing the extent of impactεἰς: 'into, upon'; here of impact spreading over the people.
πάνταallA3 ASM · πᾶςmodifier of τὸν λαόνπᾶς: 'all'; no segment of the people is untouched.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle with λαόνὁ: definite article.
λαόνpeopleN2 ASM · λαόςobject of εἰς, marking the affected groupλαός: 'people'; the Judean public at large.
ὅτιbecauseC · ὅτιconjunction introducing the reasonὅτι: 'because, that'; causal here.
εἶπονthey saidVBI AAI3P · εἶπονmain verb introducing communal judgmentλέγω/εἶπον: 'say'; introduces the public verdict.
οὐκnotD · οὐnegative particle with ἔστινοὐ: standard negation.
ἔστινthere isV9 PAI3S · εἰμίcopulative/existential verbεἰμί: 'be'; existential use.
ἐνinP · ἐνpreposition marking sphere or characterἐν: 'in'; in them, within their conduct or character.
αὐτοῖςthemRD DPM · αὐτόςdative object of ἐναὐτός: pronoun referring to Alcimus and Bacchides or their party.
ἀλήθειαtruthN1A NSF · ἀλήθειαsubject complement with ἔστινἀλήθεια: 'truth'; reliability and faithfulness in word.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking paired moral termsκαί: 'and'; joins truth with justice.
κρίσιςjusticeN3I NSF · κρίσιςsecond subject complement with ἔστινκρίσις: 'judgment, justice'; right legal dealing.
παρέβησανthey transgressedVZI AAI3P · βαίνω + παραmain verb of the explanatory clauseπαραβαίνω: 'transgress, violate'; breach of solemn obligation.
γὰρforX · γάρcausal particle explaining the public verdictγάρ: 'for'; supports the judgment just stated.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle with στάσινὁ: definite article.
στάσινagreementN3I ASF · στάσιςfirst direct object of παρέβησανστάσις: here likely 'agreement, covenant arrangement'; a pact or settled understanding.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the two violated obligationsκαί: 'and'; the breach is double.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle with ὅρκονὁ: definite article.
ὅρκονoathN2 ASM · ὅρκοςsecond direct object of παρέβησανὅρκος: 'oath'; sworn pledge now violated.
ὃνwhichRR ASM · ὅςrelative pronoun referring to ὅρκονὅς: relative pronoun introducing the final clause.
ὤμοσανthey sworeVAI AAI3P · ὄμνυμιverb of the relative clauseὄμνυμι: 'swear'; the oath once uttered now stands as evidence against them.
19
καὶ ἀπῆρεν Βακχίδης ἀπὸ Ιερουσαλημ καὶ παρενέβαλεν ἐν Βηθζαιθ καὶ ἀπέστειλεν καὶ συνέλαβεν πολλοὺς ἀπὸ τῶν μετ' αὐτοῦ αὐτομολησάντων ἀνδρῶν καί τινας τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ ἔθυσεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὸ φρέαρ τὸ μέγα
And Bacchides departed from Jerusalem and encamped in Bethzeth, and he sent and seized many of the men who had defected to him, and some of the people, and slaughtered them at the great pit.
After the massacre of the Hasideans, Bacchides consolidates control through further purges. The verse shows his violence turning not only on enemies but also on defectors and ordinary people, making his regime unstable and terror-driven.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction introducing the next actionκαί: 'and'; continues the sequence after the betrayal episode.
ἀπῆρενdepartedVAI AAI3S · αἴρω + ἀποmain verb of departureἀπαίρω: 'depart, set off'; Bacchides moves on from Jerusalem.
ΒακχίδηςBacchidesN1M NSM · Βακχίδηςsubject of ἀπῆρεν and the following verbsΒακχίδης: Bacchides, the Seleucid commander executing the royal policy.
ἀπὸfromP · ἀπόpreposition marking point of departureἀπό: 'from'; source location.
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemN GSF · Ἰερουσαλήμobject of ἀπόἸερουσαλήμ: Jerusalem, the Judean capital and cultic center.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking movement and encampmentκαί: 'and'; advances to the next military action.
παρενέβαλενencamped / pitched campVBI AAI3S · βάλλω + παρα + ἐνmain verb of encampmentπαρεμβάλλω: 'encamp, pitch camp'; standard military term for establishing a field position.
ἐνinP · ἐνpreposition marking locationἐν: 'in, at'; locates the encampment.
ΒηθζαιθBethzethN DS · Βηθζαιθobject of ἐν, naming the camp siteΒηθζαιθ: Bethzeth, a place associated with Bacchides' operations in Judea.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking encampment and arrest actionκαί: 'and'; adds a further act of repression.
ἀπέστειλενsentVAI AAI3S · στέλλω + ἀποmain verb introducing the arrest operationἀποστέλλω: 'send'; dispatching agents to seize targets.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking sending and seizingκαί: 'and'; coordinates the dispatched action with its result.
συνέλαβενseizedVBI AAI3S · λαμβάνω + συνmain verb of arrestσυλλαμβάνω: 'seize, arrest'; forcible detention in a purge.
πολλοὺςmanyA1 APM · πολύςdirect object modifier with understood ἀνδρῶν/menπολύς: 'many'; the arrests are numerous rather than isolated.
ἀπὸfromP · ἀπόpreposition introducing the source groupἀπό: 'from'; source or subgroup extraction.
τῶνthoseRA GPM · ὁarticle with the following participial phraseὁ: article substantivizing the description.
μετ'withP · μετάpreposition marking associationμετά + genitive: 'with'; associated with Bacchides.
αὐτοῦhimRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive object of μετάαὐτός: pronoun referring to Bacchides.
αὐτομολησάντωνwho had defectedVA · ααπγπμ αὐτομολέωattributive participle modifying ἀνδρῶναὐτομολέω: 'desert, defect'; these are men who had gone over to his side.
ἀνδρῶνmenN3 GPM · ἀνήρgenitive head noun dependent on ἀπόἀνήρ: 'man'; here male defectors once aligned with Bacchides.
καίandC · καίconjunction adding another victim groupκαί: 'and'; widens the purge beyond defectors.
τιναςsomeRI APM · τιςadditional direct object of συνέλαβεντις: 'some, certain ones'; unspecified members of the people.
τοῦof theRA GSM · ὁarticle with λαοῦὁ: definite article.
λαοῦpeopleN2 GSM · λαόςpartitive genitive with τιναςλαός: 'people'; ordinary Judeans caught up in the violence.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking arrest and executionκαί: 'and'; the arrests culminate in killing.
ἔθυσενslaughteredVAI AAI3S · θύωmain verb of executionθύω: literally 'sacrifice'; here grimly of killing, with sacrificial overtones that intensify the horror.
αὐτοὺςthemRD APM · αὐτόςdirect object of ἔθυσεναὐτός: pronoun referring to the seized victims.
εἰςatP · εἰςpreposition introducing locationεἰς: here functioning locatively, 'into/at.'
τὸtheRA ASN · ὁarticle with φρέαρὁ: definite article.
φρέαρpitN3T ASN · φρέαρobject of εἰςφρέαρ: 'well, pit, cistern'; place of disposal or execution.
τὸtheRA ASN · ὁarticle with μέγαὁ: definite article.
μέγαgreatA1P ASN · μέγαςadjectival modifier of φρέαρμέγας: 'great, large'; identifies the pit as a known large place.
20
καὶ κατέστησεν τὴν χώραν τῷ Ἀλκίμῳ καὶ ἀφῆκεν μετ' αὐτοῦ δύναμιν τοῦ βοηθεῖν αὐτῷ καὶ ἀπῆλθεν Βακχίδης πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα
And he placed the land under Alcimus and left with him a force to help him, and Bacchides went away to the king.
Bacchides leaves behind a political arrangement rather than merely a military episode: Alcimus is installed with military backing, while Bacchides returns to report to the royal center.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the purge with administrative settlementκαί: 'and'; continues the sequence of Bacchides' actions.
κατέστησενplacedVHI AAI3S · ἵστημι + καταmain verb of appointment/arrangementκαθίστημι: 'set, appoint, place in control'; establishes Alcimus' jurisdiction.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle with χώρανὁ: definite article.
χώρανlandN1A ASF · χώραdirect object of κατέστησενχώρα: 'land, territory'; Judea under Alcimus' supervision.
τῷunderRA DSM · ὁarticle in dative complement with Ἀλκίμῳὁ: article marking the dative beneficiary/authority.
ἈλκίμῳAlcimusN2 DSM · Ἄλκιμοςdative complement indicating the one installed over the landἌλκιμος: Alcimus, beneficiary of the Seleucid arrangement.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking civil and military supportκαί: 'and'; adds a further stabilizing measure.
ἀφῆκενleftVAI AAI3S · ἵημι + ἀποmain verb of leaving a supporting force behindἀφίημι: 'leave, release'; here 'leave behind' in support of Alcimus.
μετ'withP · μετάpreposition introducing accompanying supportμετά + genitive: 'with'; indicates continued military backing.
αὐτοῦhimRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive object of μετάαὐτός: pronoun referring to Alcimus.
δύναμινa forceN3I ASF · δύναμιςdirect object of ἀφῆκενδύναμις: 'force, military contingent'; armed aid left in place.
τοῦtoRA GSN · ὁarticle introducing an infinitive of purposeὁ: article used with infinitive for purpose.
βοηθεῖνhelpV2 PAN · βοηθέωinfinitive of purposeβοηθέω: 'help, assist'; military support for Alcimus' position.
αὐτῷhimRD DSM · αὐτόςdative indirect object with βοηθεῖναὐτός: pronoun referring again to Alcimus.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking support arrangement and departureκαί: 'and'; concludes Bacchides' local intervention.
ἀπῆλθενwent awayVBI AAI3S · ἔρχομαι + ἀποmain verb of departureἀπέρχομαι: 'go away, depart'; Bacchides withdraws from the scene.
ΒακχίδηςBacchidesN1M NSM · Βακχίδηςsubject of ἀπῆλθενΒακχίδης: Bacchides, now returning to the king.
πρὸςtoP · πρόςpreposition introducing destinationπρός: 'to, toward'; direction toward the royal court.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle with βασιλέαὁ: definite article.
βασιλέαkingN3V ASM · βασιλεύςobject of πρόςβασιλεύς: 'king'; the Seleucid monarch Demetrius.
21
καὶ ἠγωνίσατο Ἄλκιμος περὶ τῆς ἀρχιερωσύνης
And Alcimus contended for the high priesthood.
The narrative compresses Alcimus's ongoing political struggle into a terse line. His program is defined not by pastoral care but by contest over office and legitimacy.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction introducing the next phaseκαί: 'and'; continues the narrative after Bacchides' departure.
ἠγωνίσατοcontendedVAI AMI3S · ἀγωνίζομαιmain verb of struggleἀγωνίζομαι: 'struggle, contend'; active contest for office.
ἌλκιμοςAlcimusN2 NSM · Ἄλκιμοςsubject of ἠγωνίσατοἌλκιμος: Alcimus, the claimant backed by Seleucid power.
περὶforP · περίpreposition introducing the object of contentionπερί + genitive: 'concerning, for'; here 'for, over.'
τῆςtheRA GSF · ὁarticle with ἀρχιερωσύνηςὁ: definite article.
ἀρχιερωσύνηςhigh priesthoodN1 GSF · ἀρχιερωσύνηgenitive object of περίἀρχιερωσύνη: 'high priesthood'; the supreme priestly office at stake.
22
καὶ συνήχθησαν πρὸς αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ ταράσσοντες τὸν λαὸν αὐτῶν καὶ κατεκράτησαν γῆν Ιουδα καὶ ἐποίησαν πληγὴν μεγάλην ἐν Ισραηλ
And all those who were troubling their people gathered to him, and they gained control of the land of Judah and inflicted a great blow in Israel.
Alcimus' faction grows by attracting internal disturbers of the people. The verse portrays their rise as both political seizure and communal wound, a domestic crisis rather than merely a foreign incursion.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction introducing Alcimus' support baseκαί: 'and'; continues the description of Alcimus' ascendancy.
συνήχθησανgatheredVQI API3P · ἄγω + συνmain passive verb of assemblyσυνάγω: 'gather together'; passive, of people rallying around Alcimus.
πρὸςtoP · πρόςpreposition marking allegiance toward Alcimusπρός: 'to, toward'; movement into his camp.
αὐτὸνhimRD ASM · αὐτόςobject of πρόςαὐτός: pronoun referring to Alcimus.
πάντεςallA3 NPM · πᾶςquantifying modifier of the substantival participleπᾶς: 'all'; comprehensive description of the faction.
οἱthoseRA NPM · ὁarticle substantivizing the participle ταράσσοντεςὁ: article used substantivally.
ταράσσοντεςtroublingV1 · παπνπμ ταράσσωsubstantival participle describing the factionταράσσω: 'trouble, disturb'; internal agitators destabilizing the people.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle with λαὸνὁ: definite article.
λαὸνpeopleN2 ASM · λαόςdirect object of ταράσσοντεςλαός: 'people'; the covenant community being disturbed.
αὐτῶνtheirRD GPM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying λαὸναὐτός: possessive pronoun referring to the faction's own people.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking assembly and dominationκαί: 'and'; carries the narrative into the outcome.
κατεκράτησανgained control ofVAI AAI3P · κρατέω + καταmain verb of dominationκατακρατέω: 'gain mastery over, overpower'; political control over territory.
γῆνthe landN1 ASF · γῆdirect object of κατεκράτησανγῆ: 'land'; territorial possession and control.
Ιουδαof JudahN GSM · Ἰουδάdependent proper name with γῆνἸουδά: Judah; the Judean territory seized by the faction.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking control and damageκαί: 'and'; adds the effect of their control.
ἐποίησανinflictedVAI AAI3P · ποιέωmain verb of causing harmποιέω: 'do, make'; here 'bring about' a damaging blow.
πληγὴνa blowN1 ASF · πληγήdirect object of ἐποίησανπληγή: 'blow, stroke, wound'; severe social or military damage.
μεγάληνgreatA1 ASF · μέγαςadjectival modifier of πληγὴνμέγας: 'great'; emphasizes the severity of the blow.
ἐνinP · ἐνpreposition introducing the affected sphereἐν: 'in'; locates the damage within Israel.
ΙσραηλIsraelN DSM · Ἰσραήλobject of ἐνἸσραήλ: Israel; the whole covenant people as the arena of harm.
23
καὶ εἶδεν Ιουδας πᾶσαν τὴν κακίαν ἣν ἐποίησεν Ἄλκιμος καὶ οἱ μετ' αὐτοῦ ἐν υἱοῖς Ισραηλ ὑπὲρ τὰ ἔθνη
And Judas saw all the evil that Alcimus and those with him had done among the sons of Israel, beyond even the nations.
The narrator shifts perspective to Judas and frames Alcimus' conduct as a scandal surpassing Gentile behavior. The outrage lies not simply in oppression, but in covenant insiders acting worse than the nations.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction shifting the viewpoint to Judasκαί: 'and'; introduces Judas' reaction.
εἶδενsawVBI AAI3S · ὁράωmain verb of perceptionὁράω: 'see'; Judas perceives the full extent of the situation.
ΙουδαςJudasN1T NSM · Ἰούδαςsubject of εἶδενἸούδας: Judas Maccabaeus, now responding to Alcimus' policy.
πᾶσανallA1S ASF · πᾶςmodifier of κακίανπᾶς: 'all, entire'; total extent of the evil.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle with κακίανὁ: definite article.
κακίανevilN1A ASF · κακίαdirect object of εἶδενκακία: 'evil, malice, wickedness'; moral and practical corruption.
ἣνwhichRR ASF · ὅςrelative pronoun referring to κακίανὅς: relative pronoun introducing the explanatory clause.
ἐποίησενhad doneVAI AAI3S · ποιέωverb of the relative clauseποιέω: 'do, make'; accomplish or perpetrate.
ἌλκιμοςAlcimusN2 NSM · Ἄλκιμοςsubject of ἐποίησενἌλκιμος: Alcimus, focal agent of this evil.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking Alcimus with his alliesκαί: 'and'; includes the whole faction.
οἱthoseRA NPM · ὁarticle with the phrase μετ' αὐτοῦὁ: definite article substantivizing the phrase.
μετ'withP · μετάpreposition indicating associationμετά + genitive: 'with'; Alcimus' associates and faction.
αὐτοῦhimRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive object of μετάαὐτός: pronoun referring to Alcimus.
ἐνamongP · ἐνpreposition marking sphereἐν: 'in, among'; within the covenant community.
υἱοῖςthe sonsN2 DPM · υἱόςdative object of ἐνυἱός: 'son'; part of the idiom 'sons of Israel.'
Ισραηλof IsraelN GSM · Ἰσραήλdependent proper name with υἱοῖςἸσραήλ: Israel, the covenant people themselves.
ὑπὲρbeyondP · ὑπέρcomparative preposition introducing standard of comparisonὑπέρ: 'beyond, more than'; surpassing comparison.
τὰtheRA APN · ὁarticle with ἔθνηὁ: definite article.
ἔθνηnationsN3E APN · ἔθνοςobject of ὑπέρἔθνος: 'nation, Gentile people'; the standard of comparison that their evil exceeds.
24
καὶ ἐξῆλθεν εἰς πάντα τὰ ὅρια τῆς Ιουδαίας κυκλόθεν καὶ ἐποίησεν ἐκδίκησιν ἐν τοῖς ἀνδράσιν τοῖς αὐτομολήσασιν καὶ ἀνεστάλησαν τοῦ ἐκπορεύεσθαι εἰς τὴν χώραν
And he went out into all the borders of Judea round about and executed vengeance on the men who had defected, and they were restrained from going out into the country.
Judas answers internal betrayal with a regional sweep against defectors. The result is a containment of hostile movement: those allied against him lose freedom to circulate in the countryside.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction introducing Judas' counteractionκαί: 'and'; moves from assessment to response.
ἐξῆλθενwent outVBI AAI3S · ἔρχομαι + ἐκmain verb of movementἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; a campaign movement across the territory.
εἰςintoP · εἰςpreposition introducing the area traversedεἰς: 'into, through'; movement across the borders.
πάνταallA3 APN · πᾶςmodifier of ὅριαπᾶς: 'all'; comprehensive territorial sweep.
τὰtheRA APN · ὁarticle with ὅριαὁ: definite article.
ὅριαborderN2N APN · ὅριονobject of εἰςὅριον: 'boundary, border region'; outer districts of Judea.
τῆςofRA GSF · ὁarticle with Ιουδαίαςὁ: definite article.
ΙουδαίαςJudeaN1A GSF · Ἰουδαίαgenitive modifying ὅριαἸουδαία: Judea; the land Judas patrols.
κυκλόθενround aboutD · κυκλόθενadverb modifying the territorial sweepκυκλόθεν: 'all around'; emphasizes wide-ranging coverage.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking movement and punishmentκαί: 'and'; joins campaign and punitive act.
ἐποίησενexecutedVAI AAI3S · ποιέωmain verb with ἐκδίκησινποιέω: 'do, carry out'; here to enact vengeance.
ἐκδίκησινvengeanceN3I ASF · ἐκδίκησιςdirect object of ἐποίησενἐκδίκησις: 'vengeance, punitive justice'; retaliatory action against traitors.
ἐνonP · ἐνpreposition introducing the persons affectedἐν: 'in/on/among'; here practically 'upon' the persons targeted.
τοῖςtheRA DPM · ὁarticle with ἀνδράσινὁ: definite article.
ἀνδράσινmenN3 DPM · ἀνήρdative complement with ἐνἀνήρ: 'men'; the specific class of traitors.
τοῖςwho hadRA DPM · ὁarticle substantivizing the participle αὐτομολήσασινὁ: article used with the participle to identify the group.
αὐτομολήσασινdefectedVA · ααπδπμ αὐτομολέωattributive participle modifying ἀνδράσιναὐτομολέω: 'desert, defect'; those who had gone over to the other side.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking vengeance and resulting constraintκαί: 'and'; adds the practical outcome.
ἀνεστάλησανwere restrainedVDI API3P · στέλλω + ἀναmain passive verb of resulting limitationἀναστέλλω: 'restrain, hold back'; their movement is checked.
τοῦfromRA GSN · ὁarticle with infinitive forming a genitive of separation/resultὁ: article with infinitive construction.
ἐκπορεύεσθαιgoing outV1 PMN · πορεύομαι + ἐκinfinitive complement after ἀνεστάλησανἐκπορεύομαι: 'go out'; movement into the countryside.
εἰςintoP · εἰςpreposition introducing destinationεἰς: 'into'; marks the destination of movement.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle with χώρανὁ: definite article.
χώρανcountryN1A ASF · χώραobject of εἰςχώρα: 'country, countryside'; the rural sphere now inaccessible to them.
25
ὡς δὲ εἶδεν Ἄλκιμος ὅτι ἐνίσχυσεν Ιουδας καὶ οἱ μετ' αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔγνω ὅτι οὐ δύναται ὑποστῆναι αὐτούς καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα καὶ κατηγόρησεν αὐτῶν πονηρά
But when Alcimus saw that Judas and those with him had grown strong, and he knew that he was not able to withstand them, he returned to the king and accused them of evil things.
Alcimus' local weakness sends him back to imperial channels. Unable to defeat Judas directly, he reverts to court accusation, using political denunciation as a substitute for military success.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
ὡςwhenC · ὡςsubordinating conjunction introducing temporal circumstanceὡς: 'when, as'; temporal transition.
δὲbutX · δέadversative particle marking a turn in eventsδέ: 'but, and'; soft adversative introducing reversal.
εἶδενsawVBI AAI3S · ὁράωmain verb of perceptionὁράω: 'see'; perception of military reality.
ἌλκιμοςAlcimusN2 NSM · Ἄλκιμοςsubject of εἶδεν, ἔγνω, ἐπέστρεψεν, and κατηγόρησενἌλκιμος: Alcimus, facing the limits of his position.
ὅτιthatC · ὅτιconjunction introducing the content of perceptionὅτι: 'that'; introduces what he observed.
ἐνίσχυσενhad grown strongVAI AAI3S · ἰσχύω + ἐνverb of the content clauseἐνισχύω/ἰσχύω: 'grow strong, prevail'; Judas' strength is now evident.
ΙουδαςJudasN1T NSM · Ἰούδαςsubject of ἐνίσχυσενἸούδας: Judas Maccabaeus.
καὶandC · καίconjunction joining Judas with his supportersκαί: 'and'; includes his followers.
οἱthoseRA NPM · ὁarticle with the phrase μετ' αὐτοῦὁ: article substantivizing the following phrase.
μετ'withP · μετάpreposition indicating associationμετά + genitive: 'with'; Judas' companions.
αὐτοῦhimRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive object of μετάαὐτός: pronoun referring to Judas.
καὶandC · καίconjunction moving from perception to conclusionκαί: 'and'; links observation and resulting judgment.
ἔγνωknewVZI AAI3S · γιγνώσκωmain verb of realizationγιγνώσκω: 'know, realize'; assessment leading to retreat.
ὅτιthatC · ὅτιconjunction introducing the content of realizationὅτι: 'that'; introduces what he came to understand.
οὐnotD · οὐnegative particle with δύναταιοὐ: standard negation.
δύναταιis ableV6 PMI3S · δύναμαιmain verb taking infinitive complementδύναμαι: 'be able'; inability to prevail militarily.
ὑποστῆναιto withstandVH AAN · ἵστημι + ὑποcomplementary infinitive after δύναταιὑφίστημι/ὑποστῆναι: 'stand against, withstand'; inability to hold out against Judas.
αὐτούςthemRD APM · αὐτόςdirect object of ὑποστῆναιαὐτός: pronoun referring to Judas and his men.
καὶandC · καίconjunction marking the resulting actionκαί: 'and'; consequence of Alcimus' realization.
ἐπέστρεψενreturnedVAI AAI3S · στρέφω + ἐπιmain verb of retreatἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back, return'; going back to appeal at court.
πρὸςtoP · πρόςpreposition introducing destinationπρός: 'to, toward'; movement back to the king.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle with βασιλέαὁ: definite article.
βασιλέαkingN3V ASM · βασιλεύςobject of πρόςβασιλεύς: 'king'; Demetrius as renewed patron.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking return and accusationκαί: 'and'; adds verbal attack to political retreat.
κατηγόρησενaccusedVAI AAI3S · ἀγορεύω + καταmain verb of formal complaintκατηγορέω: 'accuse'; judicial-political denunciation.
αὐτῶνthemRD GPM · αὐτόςgenitive object of κατηγόρησεναὐτός: pronoun referring to Judas and his associates.
πονηράevil thingsA1A APN · πονηρόςaccusative of charge/contentπονηρός: 'evil, wicked'; accusations framed in morally charged terms.
26
καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Νικάνορα ἕνα τῶν ἀρχόντων αὐτοῦ τῶν ἐνδόξων καὶ μισοῦντα καὶ ἐχθραίνοντα τῷ Ισραηλ καὶ ἐνετείλατο αὐτῷ ἐξᾶραι τὸν λαόν
And the king sent Nicanor, one of his distinguished rulers, who hated and was hostile to Israel, and he commanded him to destroy the people.
Alcimus' accusation brings a sharper imperial response. Nicanor is introduced not only by rank but by hostility toward Israel, and his commission is nothing less than the removal of the people.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction introducing the king's next moveκαί: 'and'; moves from complaint to imperial escalation.
ἀπέστειλενsentVAI AAI3S · στέλλω + ἀποmain verb of royal dispatchἀποστέλλω: 'send'; formal commissioning by the king.
ὁtheRA NSM · ὁarticle with βασιλεὺςὁ: definite article.
βασιλεὺςkingN3V NSM · βασιλεύςsubject of ἀπέστειλεν and ἐνετείλατοβασιλεύς: 'king'; Demetrius as final authority.
ΝικάνοραNicanorN3R ASM · Νικάνωρdirect object of ἀπέστειλενΝικάνωρ: Nicanor, the commander who will dominate the next movement of the chapter.
ἕναoneA3 ASM · εἷςnumeral in apposition to Νικάνοραεἷς: 'one'; identifies him as one among a select group.
τῶνof theRA GPM · ὁarticle introducing the partitive genitive phraseὁ: definite article.
ἀρχόντωνrulersN3 GPM · ἄρχωνpartitive genitive with ἕναἄρχων: 'ruler, official'; members of the royal governing class.
αὐτοῦhisRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying ἀρχόντωναὐτός: possessive pronoun referring to the king.
τῶνof theRA GPM · ὁarticle with ἐνδόξωνὁ: definite article.
ἐνδόξωνdistinguishedA1B GPM · ἔνδοξοςgenitive modifier of ἀρχόντωνἔνδοξος: 'honored, distinguished'; marks high prestige at court.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking Nicanor's hostile descriptorsκαί: 'and'; accumulates his characterization.
μισοῦνταhatingV2 · παπασμ μισέωattributive participle modifying Νικάνοραμισέω: 'hate'; personal and ideological hostility toward Israel.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking two participlesκαί: 'and'; joins two hostile postures.
ἐχθραίνονταbeing hostileV1 · παπασμ ἐχθραίνωattributive participle further modifying Νικάνοραἐχθραίνω: 'treat as an enemy, be hostile toward'; settled antagonism.
τῷtoRA DSM · ὁarticle with Ισραηλ in the dative complementὁ: definite article.
ΙσραηλIsraelN DSM · Ἰσραήλdative complement with μισοῦντα/ἐχθραίνονταἸσραήλ: Israel, the covenant people targeted by Nicanor.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking dispatch and commandκαί: 'and'; adds the king's explicit order.
ἐνετείλατοcommandedVAI AMI3S · τέλλομαι + ἐνmain verb taking the infinitive ἐξᾶραιἐντέλλομαι: 'command, order'; formal royal commission.
αὐτῷhimRD DSM · αὐτόςdative indirect object of ἐνετείλατοαὐτός: pronoun referring to Nicanor.
ἐξᾶραιtake awayVA AAN · αἴρω + ἐκcomplementary infinitive expressing the command's contentἐξαίρω: 'take away, remove, destroy'; here effectively to eliminate the people.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle with λαόνὁ: definite article.
λαόνpeopleN2 ASM · λαόςdirect object of ἐξᾶραιλαός: 'people'; Israel as the object of Nicanor's mission.
27
καὶ ἦλθεν Νικάνωρ εἰς Ιερουσαλημ δυνάμει πολλῇ καὶ ἀπέστειλεν πρὸς Ιουδαν καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ μετὰ δόλου λόγοις εἰρηνικοῖς λέγων
And Nicanor came to Jerusalem with a great force, and he sent deceitfully to Judas and his brothers with words of peace, saying,
The narrative introduces Nicanor's entry and immediately undercuts the appearance of diplomacy: the embassy is framed as peaceful in speech but deceptive in intent.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction linking the next actionκαί: 'and'; standard narrative coordinator.
ἦλθενcameVBI AAI3S · ἔρχομαιmain verb of the opening clauseἔρχομαι: 'come'; the aorist reports Nicanor's arrival as a complete event.
ΝικάνωρNicanorN3R NSM · Νικάνωρsubject of ἦλθενΝικάνωρ: Nicanor, the Seleucid commander sent against Judas.
εἰςintoP · εἰςpreposition marking destinationεἰς: 'into / to'; marks motion toward a place.
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemN ASF · Ἰερουσαλήμobject of εἰς, naming destinationἸερουσαλήμ: Jerusalem, the cultic and political center of Judea.
δυνάμειwith forceN3I DSF · δύναμιςdative of accompanying means or military strengthδύναμις: 'power, force, army'; here of an armed contingent.
πολλῇgreatA1 DSF · πολύςadjectival modifier of δυνάμειπολύς: 'much, many, great'; intensifies the size of the force.
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction linking a second actionκαί: 'and'; carries the narrative forward.
ἀπέστειλενsentVAI AAI3S · στέλλω + ἀποmain verb of the second clauseἀποστέλλω: 'send'; the aorist presents the embassy as a single deliberate move.
πρὸςtoP · πρόςpreposition introducing the addresseesπρός: 'to / toward'; with accusative marks direction toward persons.
ΙουδανJudasN1T ASM · Ἰούδαςobject of πρόςἸούδας: Judas Maccabaeus, leader of the Judean resistance.
καὶandC · καίconjunction joining coordinated objectsκαί: 'and'; links Judas with his brothers.
τοὺςtheRA APM · ὁarticle with ἀδελφοὺςὁ: definite article marking the noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersN2 APM · ἀδελφόςsecond object of πρόςἀδελφός: 'brother'; here of Judas's close associates and kin-group.
αὐτοῦhisRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying ἀδελφοὺςαὐτός: third-person pronoun; here possessive, 'his.'
μετὰwithP · μετάpreposition introducing accompanying mannerμετά + genitive: 'with'; here marks accompanying circumstance.
δόλουdeceitN2 GSM · δόλοςgenitive object of μετά, expressing deceptive mannerδόλος: 'guile, deceit'; the narrator signals treachery explicitly.
λόγοιςwith wordsN2 DPM · λόγοςdative of means describing the embassy's speechλόγος: 'word, speech, message'; here diplomatic speech.
εἰρηνικοῖςpeacefulA1 DPM · εἰρηνικόςadjectival modifier of λόγοιςεἰρηνικός: 'peaceable, peace-making'; outwardly conciliatory language.
λέγωνsayingV1 · παπνσμ λέγωparticiple of accompanying speech introducing the quotationλέγω: 'say'; the participle opens Nicanor's direct message.
28
μὴ ἔστω μάχη ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ ὑμῶν ἥξω ἐν ἀνδράσιν ὀλίγοις ἵνα ἴδω ὑμῶν τὰ πρόσωπα μετ' εἰρήνης
Let there be no battle between me and you; I will come with a few men so that I may see your faces in peace.
Nicanor adopts the rhetoric of personal reassurance: he denies hostile intent, minimizes his escort, and frames the meeting as a peaceable face-to-face encounter.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
μὴnotD · μήnegative particle with the imperativeμή: negative particle used with non-indicative forms.
ἔστωlet there beV9 PAD3S · εἰμίthird-person imperative governing μάχηεἰμί: 'be'; imperative form expresses a wish or command.
μάχηbattleN1 NSF · μάχηsubject of ἔστωμάχη: 'battle, combat'; open armed conflict.
ἀνὰbetweenP · ἀνάpreposition in the idiom ἀνὰ μέσονἀνά: here in the distributive idiom 'between.'
μέσονthe midstA1 ASM · μέσοςobject within the prepositional idiom ἀνὰ μέσονμέσος: 'middle'; in this idiom, 'between.'
ἐμοῦmeRP GS · ἐγώfirst genitive complement in the between-expressionἐγώ: first-person pronoun.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the two partiesκαί: 'and'; joins the paired genitives.
ὑμῶνyouRP GP · σύsecond genitive complement in the between-expressionσύ: second-person pronoun, here plural.
ἥξωI will comeVF FAI1S · ἥκωmain verb of the promiseἥκω: 'come, arrive'; future assurance of a personal visit.
ἐνwithP · ἐνpreposition introducing accompanying personsἐν: 'in, with'; here marks attendant company.
ἀνδράσινmenN3 DPM · ἀνήρdative object of ἐνἀνήρ: 'man'; often used for adult males in military settings.
ὀλίγοιςfewA1 DPM · ὀλίγοςadjectival modifier of ἀνδράσινὀλίγος: 'few, little'; stresses the small escort offered as reassurance.
ἵναso thatC · ἵναsubordinating conjunction introducing purposeἵνα: 'so that, in order that'; marks stated purpose.
ἴδωseeVB AAS1S · ὁράωsubjunctive verb in the purpose clauseὁράω: 'see'; here of a personal meeting.
ὑμῶνyourRP GP · σύgenitive of possession modifying πρόσωπασύ: second-person pronoun used possessively.
τὰtheRA APN · ὁarticle with πρόσωπαὁ: definite article.
πρόσωπαfacesN2N APN · πρόσωπονdirect object of ἴδωπρόσωπον: 'face, presence'; seeing the face implies a personal audience.
μετ'withP · μετάpreposition introducing mannerμετά + genitive: 'with'; marks the peaceful manner of the visit.
εἰρήνηςpeaceN1 GSF · εἰρήνηgenitive object of μετάεἰρήνη: 'peace'; the diplomacy is couched in non-hostile terms.
29
καὶ ἦλθεν πρὸς Ιουδαν καὶ ἠσπάσαντο ἀλλήλους εἰρηνικῶς καὶ οἱ πολέμιοι ἕτοιμοι ἦσαν ἐξαρπάσαι τὸν Ιουδαν
And he came to Judas, and they greeted one another peaceably; and the enemy were ready to seize Judas.
The outward exchange of peaceful greetings is juxtaposed with the hidden military intent: apparent fellowship masks a prepared ambush.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction opening the next eventκαί: 'and'; resumes the narrative sequence.
ἦλθενcameVBI AAI3S · ἔρχομαιmain verb of the first clauseἔρχομαι: 'come'; the aorist marks Nicanor's approach to Judas.
πρὸςtoP · πρόςpreposition introducing the person approachedπρός: 'to / toward'; marks movement toward Judas.
ΙουδανJudasN1T ASM · Ἰούδαςobject of πρόςἸούδας: Judas Maccabaeus.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the greeting sceneκαί: 'and'; joins the approach and greeting.
ἠσπάσαντοthey greetedVAI AMI3P · ἀσπάζομαιmain verb of reciprocal greetingἀσπάζομαι: 'greet, welcome'; middle form often marks personal greeting.
ἀλλήλουςone anotherRD APM · ἀλλήλωreciprocal object of ἠσπάσαντοἀλλήλων: reciprocal pronoun, 'each other / one another.'
εἰρηνικῶςpeaceablyD · εἰρηνικῶςadverb modifying ἠσπάσαντοεἰρηνικῶς: 'peaceably'; describes the outward tone of the greeting.
καὶandC · καίconjunction shifting to the hidden threatκαί: 'and'; coordinates the ironic counterpoint.
οἱtheRA NPM · ὁarticle with πολέμιοιὁ: definite article.
πολέμιοιenemiesA1A NPM · πολέμιοςsubject of ἦσανπολέμιος: 'enemy, hostile party'; here substantival.
ἕτοιμοιreadyA1 NPM · ἕτοιμοςpredicate adjective with ἦσανἕτοιμος: 'ready, prepared'; expresses immediate preparedness.
ἦσανwereV9 IAI3P · εἰμίcopulative verb linking subject and predicate adjectiveεἰμί: 'be'; imperfective past state here rendered by the imperfect.
ἐξαρπάσαιto seizeVA AAN · ἁρπάζω + ἐκcomplementary infinitive expressing intended actionἐξαρπάζω: 'snatch away, seize'; suggests sudden violent capture.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle with Ιουδανὁ: definite article.
ΙουδανJudasN1T ASM · Ἰούδαςdirect object of ἐξαρπάσαιἸούδας: Judas, the intended victim of the plot.
30
καὶ ἐγνώσθη ὁ λόγος τῷ Ιουδα ὅτι μετὰ δόλου ἦλθεν ἐπ' αὐτόν καὶ ἐπτοήθη ἀπ' αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἐβουλήθη ἔτι ἰδεῖν τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ
And the matter became known to Judas, that he had come against him with deceit; and he was alarmed by him and no longer wished to see his face.
The deception is exposed. Judas's response is not gullibility but prudent alarm, and the narrative marks a decisive break in personal contact.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction linking the consequenceκαί: 'and'; continues the narrative line.
ἐγνώσθηbecame knownVSI API3S · γιγνώσκωmain passive verb introducing the reportγιγνώσκω: 'know'; passive aorist, 'it was made known / became known.'
ὁtheRA NSM · ὁarticle with λόγοςὁ: definite article.
λόγοςmatterN2 NSM · λόγοςsubject of ἐγνώσθηλόγος: 'word, report, matter'; here the report about Nicanor's intent.
τῷtoRA DSM · ὁarticle in dative phrase with Ιουδαὁ: article marking the dative indirect object.
ΙουδαJudasN1T DSM · Ἰούδαςdative of recipient with ἐγνώσθηἸούδας: Judas as recipient of the intelligence.
ὅτιthatC · ὅτιconjunction introducing content of the reportὅτι: 'that'; introduces reported content.
μετὰwithP · μετάpreposition introducing mannerμετά + genitive: 'with'; here marks deceitful manner.
δόλουdeceitN2 GSM · δόλοςgenitive object of μετάδόλος: 'guile, deceit'; the hostile intent beneath friendly words.
ἦλθενcameVBI AAI3S · ἔρχομαιverb of the content clauseἔρχομαι: 'come'; here with hostile direction toward Judas.
ἐπ'againstP · ἐπίpreposition marking hostile directionἐπί + accusative: 'against / toward.'
αὐτόνhimRD ASM · αὐτόςobject of ἐπίαὐτός: third-person pronoun referring to Judas.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking Judas's reactionκαί: 'and'; coordinates the emotional response.
ἐπτοήθηwas alarmedVCI API3S · πτοέωmain verb of Judas's reactionπτοέω: 'terrify, alarm'; passive aorist, 'he was frightened/alarmed.'
ἀπ'byP · ἀπόpreposition introducing source or causeἀπό: 'from, by'; here of the source of alarm.
αὐτοῦhimRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive object of ἀπόαὐτός: pronoun referring to Nicanor.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the final consequenceκαί: 'and'; links fear with refusal of further meeting.
οὐκnotD · οὐnegative particle with ἐβουλήθηοὐ: standard negation with indicative forms.
ἐβουλήθηwishedVCI API3S · βούλομαιmain verb taking the infinitive ἰδεῖνβούλομαι: 'wish, intend, want'; here marks settled refusal.
ἔτιany longerD · ἔτιadverb modifying ἐβουλήθη / ἰδεῖνἔτι: 'still, any longer'; marks cessation.
ἰδεῖνto seeVB AAN · ὁράωcomplementary infinitive after ἐβουλήθηὁράω: 'see'; in context, meet face to face.
τὸtheRA ASN · ὁarticle with πρόσωπονὁ: definite article.
πρόσωπονfaceN2N ASN · πρόσωπονdirect object of ἰδεῖνπρόσωπον: 'face, presence'; to see the face is to grant audience.
αὐτοῦhisRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying πρόσωποναὐτός: possessive genitive, 'his.'
31
καὶ ἔγνω Νικάνωρ ὅτι ἀπεκαλύφθη ἡ βουλὴ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐξῆλθεν εἰς συνάντησιν τῷ Ιουδα ἐν πολέμῳ κατὰ Χαφαρσαλαμα
And Nicanor learned that his plan had been uncovered, and he went out to meet Judas in battle at Capharsalama.
Once the stratagem is exposed, diplomacy gives way to open warfare. The verse marks the transition from failed intrigue to direct military confrontation.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction introducing the next developmentκαί: 'and'; continues the narrative sequence.
ἔγνωlearnedVZI AAI3S · γιγνώσκωmain verb of perceptionγιγνώσκω: 'know, learn'; the aorist marks Nicanor's recognition of the changed situation.
ΝικάνωρNicanorN3R NSM · Νικάνωρsubject of ἔγνωΝικάνωρ: Nicanor, Seleucid general and opponent of Judas.
ὅτιthatC · ὅτιconjunction introducing reported contentὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content clause.
ἀπεκαλύφθηhad been uncoveredVVI API3S · καλύπτω + ἀποverb of the content clauseἀποκαλύπτω: 'uncover, reveal'; passive aorist, 'was disclosed.'
ἡtheRA NSF · ὁarticle with βουλήὁ: definite article.
βουλὴplanN1 NSF · βουλήsubject of ἀπεκαλύφθηβουλή: 'counsel, plan'; here Nicanor's intended plot.
αὐτοῦhisRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying βουλήαὐτός: possessive genitive, 'his.'
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking recognition and responseκαί: 'and'; links cause to resulting action.
ἐξῆλθενwent outVBI AAI3S · ἔρχομαι + ἐκmain verb of the military responseἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; a standard verb for marching out.
εἰςforP · εἰςpreposition introducing purpose or encounterεἰς: 'into / for'; here with συνάντησιν, 'to meet.'
συνάντησινmeetingN3I ASF · συνάντησιςobject of εἰς in the expression 'go out to meet'συνάντησις: 'meeting, encounter'; often of a formal or military encounter.
τῷtoRA DSM · ὁarticle in the dative phrase with Ιουδαὁ: article marking the dative complement.
ΙουδαJudasN1T DSM · Ἰούδαςdative complement with συνάντησινἸούδας: Judas Maccabaeus.
ἐνinP · ἐνpreposition introducing manner or sphereἐν: 'in'; here 'in battle,' i.e. under war conditions.
πολέμῳbattleN2 DSM · πόλεμοςdative object of ἐνπόλεμος: 'war, battle'; explicit contrast to the earlier peace-talk.
κατὰatP · κατάpreposition introducing locationκατά: here with place-name, 'at / near.'
ΧαφαρσαλαμαCapharsalamaN AS · Χαφαρσαλαμαobject of κατά, naming the battle siteΧαφαρσαλαμα: Capharsalama, the location of this military encounter.
32
καὶ ἔπεσον τῶν παρὰ Νικάνορος ὡσεὶ πεντακόσιοι ἄνδρες καὶ ἔφυγον εἰς τὴν πόλιν Δαυιδ
And about five hundred men of Nicanor's force fell, and they fled into the city of David.
The battle report is terse and numerical: Nicanor's forces suffer a substantial loss, and the survivors retreat into the fortified urban stronghold.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction introducing the resultκαί: 'and'; carries the battle narrative forward.
ἔπεσονfellVBI AAI3P · πίπτωmain verb of casualty reportπίπτω: 'fall'; in battle contexts, often a euphemism for being killed.
τῶνof theRA GPM · ὁarticle in partitive genitive phraseὁ: article marking the dependent genitive phrase.
παρὰfromP · παράpreposition in the partitive expressionπαρά: with genitive, 'from the side of / belonging to.'
ΝικάνοροςNicanorN3R GSM · Νικάνωρgenitive complement of παράΝικάνωρ: Nicanor; the genitive marks those on his side.
ὡσεὶaboutD · ὡσείapproximating adverb before the numeralὡσεί: 'about, approximately'; signals an estimated number.
πεντακόσιοιfive hundredA1A NPM · πεντακόσιοιnumerical subject with ἄνδρεςπεντακόσιοι: 'five hundred'; an estimated casualty figure.
ἄνδρεςmenN3 NPM · ἀνήρsubject noun apposed to the numeralἀνήρ: 'man'; here soldiers in Nicanor's ranks.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking defeat and retreatκαί: 'and'; adds the ensuing flight.
ἔφυγονfledVBI AAI3P · φεύγωmain verb of retreatφεύγω: 'flee'; signals disorderly withdrawal after defeat.
εἰςintoP · εἰςpreposition marking destinationεἰς: 'into / to'; marks movement into the city.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle with πόλινὁ: definite article.
πόλινcityN3I ASF · πόλιςobject of εἰςπόλις: 'city'; the urban refuge entered by the survivors.
Δαυιδof DavidN GSM · Δαυίδdependent genitival place-name with πόλινΔαυίδ: David; in the fixed expression 'city of David.'
33
καὶ μετὰ τοὺς λόγους τούτους ἀνέβη Νικάνωρ εἰς ὄρος Σιων καὶ ἐξῆλθον ἀπὸ τῶν ἱερέων ἐκ τῶν ἁγίων καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων τοῦ λαοῦ ἀσπάσασθαι αὐτὸν εἰρηνικῶς καὶ δεῖξαι αὐτῷ τὴν ὁλοκαύτωσιν τὴν προσφερομένην ὑπὲρ τοῦ βασιλέως
And after these words Nicanor went up to Mount Zion, and some of the priests came out from the sanctuary, and some of the elders of the people, to greet him peaceably and to show him the whole burnt offering being offered for the king.
After his deceptive diplomacy breaks down, Nicanor ascends to the temple mount. Priests and elders still receive him in formal peace and even display the royal offering, which heightens the outrage of his response.
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction continuing the narrative sequenceκαί: 'and'; links this temple scene to the preceding encounter.
μετὰafterP · μετάpreposition introducing temporal successionμετά + accusative: 'after'; marks what follows upon Nicanor's earlier words.
τοὺςtheRA APM · ὁarticle with λόγουςὁ: definite article.
λόγουςwordsN2 APM · λόγοςobject of μετά in a temporal phraseλόγος: 'word, speech'; refers to Nicanor's preceding statements.
τούτουςtheseRD APM · οὗτοςdemonstrative modifier of λόγουςοὗτος: 'this'; points back to the immediately preceding words.
ἀνέβηwent upVZI AAI3S · βαίνω + ἀναmain verb of ascentἀναβαίνω: 'go up, ascend'; conventional for movement up to Jerusalem or the temple mount.
ΝικάνωρNicanorN3R NSM · Νικάνωρsubject of ἀνέβηΝικάνωρ: Nicanor, the Seleucid commander whose hostility now invades the sacred precinct.
εἰςtoP · εἰςpreposition introducing destinationεἰς: 'into, to'; marks the place reached.
ὄροςmountN3E ASN · ὄροςobject of εἰςὄρος: 'mountain, hill'; here the elevated temple hill.
ΣιωνZionN GS · Σιωνgenitival place-name dependent on ὄροςΣιων: Zion, the sacred hill of Jerusalem and symbol of the sanctuary.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking Nicanor's ascent with the leaders' receptionκαί: 'and'; coordinates the next action.
ἐξῆλθονcame outVBI AAI3P · ἔρχομαι + ἐκmain verb of the second clauseἐξέρχομαι: 'go out, come out'; used of the representatives emerging to meet him.
ἀπὸfromP · ἀπόpreposition introducing sourceἀπό: 'from'; marks the group from which some come.
τῶνtheRA GPM · ὁarticle with ἱερέωνὁ: definite article.
ἱερέωνpriestsN3V GPM · ἱερεύςgenitive object of ἀπόἱερεύς: 'priest'; temple clergy participating in the reception.
ἐκfromP · ἐκpreposition introducing the place of emergenceἐκ: 'out of, from'; gives more precise source.
τῶνtheRA GPM · ὁarticle with ἁγίωνὁ: definite article.
ἁγίωνholy placeA1A GPM · ἅγιοςsubstantival genitive object of ἐκἅγιος: 'holy'; substantivized here for the sacred precincts, the sanctuary.
καὶandC · καίconjunction adding a second representative groupκαί: 'and'; adds the elders to the priests.
ἀπὸfromP · ἀπόpreposition introducing source for the second groupἀπό: 'from'; marks the group from which additional delegates emerge.
τῶνtheRA GPM · ὁarticle with πρεσβυτέρωνὁ: definite article.
πρεσβυτέρωνeldersN2 GPM · πρεσβύτεροςgenitive object of ἀπόπρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; civic leaders representing the people.
τοῦof theRA GSM · ὁarticle with λαοῦὁ: definite article.
λαοῦpeopleN2 GSM · λαόςgenitive dependent on πρεσβυτέρωνλαός: 'people'; the covenant community represented by its elders.
ἀσπάσασθαιto greetVA AMN · ἀσπάζομαιinfinitive expressing purposeἀσπάζομαι: 'greet, welcome'; formal reception language.
αὐτὸνhimRD ASM · αὐτόςdirect object of ἀσπάσασθαιαὐτός: pronoun referring to Nicanor.
εἰρηνικῶςpeaceablyD · εἰρηνικῶςadverb modifying ἀσπάσασθαιεἰρηνικῶς: 'peaceably'; underscores the sincere and non-hostile reception.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the two purposes of the delegationκαί: 'and'; adds a second courteous action.
δεῖξαιto showVA AAN · δεικνύωinfinitive parallel to ἀσπάσασθαι, expressing purposeδεικνύω: 'show, display'; they display temple worship rather than military threat.
αὐτῷto himRD DSM · αὐτόςdative indirect object of δεῖξαιαὐτός: pronoun referring to Nicanor.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle with ὁλοκαύτωσινὁ: definite article.
ὁλοκαύτωσινwhole burnt offeringN3I ASF · ὁλοκαύτωσιςdirect object of δεῖξαιὁλοκαύτωσις: 'whole burnt offering'; a sacrifice wholly consumed on the altar.
τὴνthat wasRA ASF · ὁarticle with the participial modifier προσφερομένηνὁ: article with participle, specifying the particular offering.
προσφερομένηνbeing offeredV1 · πμπασφ προσφέρωattributive participle modifying ὁλοκαύτωσινπροσφέρω: 'offer, present'; passive participle describing the sacrifice currently being presented.
ὑπὲρforP · ὑπέρpreposition introducing beneficiary or referenceὑπέρ: 'for, on behalf of'; indicates the offering is made for the king.
τοῦtheRA GSM · ὁarticle with βασιλέωςὁ: definite article.
βασιλέωςkingN3V GSM · βασιλεύςobject of ὑπέρβασιλεύς: 'king'; the royal beneficiary of the public offering.
34
καὶ ἐμυκτήρισεν αὐτοὺς καὶ κατεγέλασεν αὐτῶν καὶ ἐμίανεν αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐλάλησεν ὑπερηφάνως
And he mocked them and laughed at them and insulted them and spoke arrogantly.
The peaceful temple reception is answered with contempt. Nicanor's conduct moves from derision to profanation and proud speech, exposing his hostility not only to the delegates but to the sanctuary itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction introducing Nicanor's responseκαί: 'and'; launches the shocking reversal.
ἐμυκτήρισενmockedVAI AAI3S · μυκτηρίζωfirst main verb describing contemptuous treatmentμυκτηρίζω: 'mock, sneer at'; open derision directed at the priests and elders.
αὐτοὺςthemRD APM · αὐτόςdirect object of ἐμυκτήρισεναὐτός: pronoun referring to the temple delegates.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking another act of contemptκαί: 'and'; piles insult upon insult.
κατεγέλασενlaughed atVAI AAI3S · γελάω + καταsecond main verb of derisionκαταγελάω: 'laugh at, deride'; scorn expressed in humiliating ridicule.
αὐτῶνthemRD GPM · αὐτόςgenitive object of κατεγέλασεναὐτός: pronoun referring again to the delegates.
καὶandC · καίconjunction adding a further offenseκαί: 'and'; continues the escalation.
ἐμίανενinsulted / profanedVAI AAI3S · μιαίνωthird main verb expressing defilement or outraging treatmentμιαίνω: 'defile, profane, stain'; here likely of outrageous treatment that pollutes the sanctified encounter.
αὐτοὺςthemRD APM · αὐτόςdirect object of ἐμίανεναὐτός: pronoun referring to the priests and elders.
καὶandC · καίconjunction introducing the closing speech actκαί: 'and'; adds verbal arrogance to physical contempt.
ἐλάλησενspokeVAI AAI3S · λαλέωmain verb introducing arrogant speechλαλέω: 'speak'; introduces his blasphemous and overbearing words.
ὑπερηφάνωςarrogantlyD · ὑπερηφάνωςadverb modifying ἐλάλησενὑπερηφάνως: 'proudly, arrogantly'; signals insolent speech against holy things.
35
καὶ ὤμοσεν μετὰ θυμοῦ λέγων ἐὰν μὴ παραδοθῇ Ιουδας καὶ ἡ παρεμβολὴ αὐτοῦ εἰς χεῖράς μου τὸ νῦν καὶ ἔσται ἐὰν ἐπιστρέψω ἐν εἰρήνῃ ἐμπυριῶ τὸν οἶκον τοῦτον καὶ ἐξῆλθεν μετὰ θυμοῦ μεγάλου
And he swore in anger, saying, 'If Judas and his camp are not delivered into my hands now, then if I return in peace I will burn this house.' And he went out in great anger.
Nicanor's contempt crystallizes into an oath. He binds the fate of the temple to the surrender of Judas, making the sanctuary itself a hostage to his campaign.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandC · καίconjunction introducing the oath sceneκαί: 'and'; carries the narrative from insult into sworn threat.
ὤμοσενsworeVAI AAI3S · ὄμνυμιmain verb introducing the oathὄμνυμι: 'swear, take an oath'; solemnizes the threat.
μετὰwithP · μετάpreposition introducing accompanying emotionμετά + genitive: 'with'; marks the angry manner of the oath.
θυμοῦangerN2 GSM · θυμόςgenitive object of μετάθυμός: 'anger, wrath'; hot passion animating the oath.
λέγωνsayingV1 · παπνσμ λέγωparticiple introducing direct speechλέγω: 'say'; standard participial introducer of speech.
ἐὰνifC · ἐάνconditional particle opening the protasisἐάν: 'if'; sets the condition of the threat.
μὴnotD · μήnegative particle with παραδοθῇμή: negative particle used in conditional and non-indicative clauses.
παραδοθῇare deliveredVC APS3S · δίδωμι + παραverb of the conditional clauseπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, deliver'; here of surrender into enemy control.
ΙουδαςJudasN1T NSM · Ἰούδαςfirst subject of παραδοθῇἸούδας: Judas Maccabaeus, the primary target of the threat.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking Judas with his forcesκαί: 'and'; broadens the demand to the whole camp.
ἡtheRA NSF · ὁarticle with παρεμβολὴὁ: definite article.
παρεμβολὴcampN1 NSF · παρεμβολήsecond subject of παραδοθῇπαρεμβολή: 'camp, encampment, army'; Judas's armed company.
αὐτοῦhisRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying παρεμβολὴαὐτός: possessive pronoun referring to Judas.
εἰςintoP · εἰςpreposition introducing destination of surrenderεἰς: 'into'; marks transfer into Nicanor's power.
χεῖράςhandsN3 APF · χείρobject of εἰς in the idiom εἰς χεῖραςχείρ: 'hand'; in this idiom, control or power.
μουmyRP GS · ἐγώgenitive of possession modifying χεῖράςἐγώ: first-person pronoun used possessively.
τὸthisRA ASN · ὁarticle used adverbially with νῦνὁ: article forming an adverbial accusative with νῦν, 'now, at this time.'
νῦνnowD · νῦνtemporal adverb intensifying immediacyνῦν: 'now'; presses immediate compliance.
καὶthenC · καίconjunction transitioning into the apodosisκαί: 'and, then'; introduces the consequence.
ἔσταιit shall beVF FMI3S · εἰμίverb introducing the apodosis formulaεἰμί: 'be'; future used in a formulaic threat construction.
ἐὰνifC · ἐάνconditional particle introducing a secondary conditionἐάν: 'if'; marks the condition attached to his return.
ἐπιστρέψωI returnVF FAI1S · στρέφω + ἐπιverb of the conditional phrase concerning his returnἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back, return'; refers to a future return from campaign.
ἐνinP · ἐνpreposition introducing manner or circumstanceἐν: 'in, with'; here 'in peace,' that is, with success and security.
εἰρήνῃpeaceN1 DSF · εἰρήνηdative object of ἐνεἰρήνη: 'peace'; safe and victorious return.
ἐμπυριῶI will burnVF2 FAI1S · πυρίζω + ἐνmain verb of the threatened actionἐμπυρίζω: 'set on fire, burn'; a direct threat against the temple.
τὸνtheRA ASM · ὁarticle with οἶκονὁ: definite article.
οἶκονhouseN2 ASM · οἶκοςdirect object of ἐμπυριῶοἶκος: 'house'; here the temple building.
τοῦτονthisRD ASM · οὗτοςdemonstrative modifier of οἶκονοὗτος: 'this'; deictically points to the temple before him.
καὶandC · καίconjunction resuming narrative after the oathκαί: 'and'; returns from speech to action.
ἐξῆλθενwent outVBI AAI3S · ἔρχομαι + ἐκmain verb of departureἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; departs after issuing the threat.
μετὰwithP · μετάpreposition introducing attendant emotionμετά + genitive: 'with'; marks the manner of departure.
θυμοῦangerN2 GSM · θυμόςgenitive object of μετάθυμός: 'anger'; his wrath remains unabated.
μεγάλουgreatA1 GSM · μέγαςadjectival modifier of θυμοῦμέγας: 'great'; intensifies the magnitude of his fury.
36
καὶ εἰσῆλθον οἱ ἱερεῖς καὶ ἔστησαν κατὰ πρόσωπον τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου καὶ τοῦ ναοῦ καὶ ἔκλαυσαν καὶ εἶπον
And the priests went in and stood before the altar and the temple, and they wept and said,
After Nicanor departs, the priests turn inward to liturgical lament. Their bodily posture before altar and temple frames the prayer as an appeal from the threatened sanctuary itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction introducing the priestly responseκαί: 'and'; shifts from Nicanor's departure to temple lament.
εἰσῆλθονwent inVBI AAI3P · ἔρχομαι + εἰςmain verb of entryεἰσέρχομαι: 'go in, enter'; the priests move back into the sacred space.
οἱtheRA NPM · ὁarticle with ἱερεῖςὁ: definite article.
ἱερεῖςpriestsN3V NPM · ἱερεύςsubject of the priestly actionsἱερεύς: 'priest'; cultic ministers voicing the sanctuary's appeal.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking entry with postureκαί: 'and'; adds the next ritual action.
ἔστησανstoodVAI AAI3P · ἵστημιmain verb of postureἵστημι: 'stand'; deliberate standing in a place of petition.
κατὰbeforeP · κατάpreposition in the idiom κατὰ πρόσωπονκατά: in the idiom κατὰ πρόσωπον, 'before, in front of.'
πρόσωπονthe faceN2N ASN · πρόσωπονobject within the idiom κατὰ πρόσωπονπρόσωπον: 'face'; in this idiom, 'before' or 'in the presence of.'
τοῦtheRA GSN · ὁarticle with θυσιαστηρίουὁ: definite article.
θυσιαστηρίουaltarN2N GSN · θυσιαστήριονgenitive complement in the idiom, first sacred landmarkθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; the site of sacrificial approach.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking altar and templeκαί: 'and'; joins the paired holy structures.
τοῦtheRA GSM · ὁarticle with ναοῦὁ: definite article.
ναοῦtempleN2 GSM · ναόςsecond sacred landmark in the prepositional idiomναός: 'temple, sanctuary'; the holy house under threat.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking posture and lamentκαί: 'and'; adds their emotional response.
ἔκλαυσανweptVAI AAI3P · κλαίωmain verb of lamentκλαίω: 'weep'; public lament before God.
καὶandC · καίconjunction introducing the prayer's wordsκαί: 'and'; leads into their spoken petition.
εἶπονsaidVBI AAI3P · εἶπονmain verb introducing direct prayerλέγω/εἶπον: 'say'; standard speech introducer.
37
σὺ ἐξελέξω τὸν οἶκον τοῦτον ἐπικληθῆναι τὸ ὄνομά σου ἐπ' αὐτοῦ εἶναι οἶκον προσευχῆς καὶ δεήσεως τῷ λαῷ σου
You chose this house for your name to be called upon it, for it to be a house of prayer and supplication for your people.
The priests begin by invoking God's prior election of the temple. Their plea grounds the coming request not in political right but in the sanctuary's divine designation as the place where God's name and the people's prayer meet.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
σὺyouRP NS · σύexplicit subject for emphasisσύ: second-person pronoun; emphatic appeal directly to God.
ἐξελέξωchoseVAI AMI2S · λέγω + ἐκmain verb of divine electionἐκλέγομαι/ἐξελέξω: 'choose, select'; despite the tag, the sense is clearly divine choosing.
τὸνthisRA ASM · ὁarticle with οἶκονὁ: article introducing the chosen house.
οἶκονhouseN2 ASM · οἶκοςdirect object of ἐξελέξωοἶκος: 'house'; here the temple as God's dwelling place.
τοῦτονthisRD ASM · οὗτοςdemonstrative modifier of οἶκονοὗτος: 'this'; points to the temple immediately before them.
ἐπικληθῆναιto be called uponVC APN · καλέω + ἐπιinfinitive expressing purpose or result of divine choiceἐπικαλέω: 'call upon, invoke, name'; passive infinitive here concerns God's name being invoked over the temple.
τὸtheRA ASN · ὁarticle with ὄνομάὁ: definite article.
ὄνομάnameN3M ASN · ὄνομαsubject accusative with the infinitive ἐπικληθῆναιὄνομα: 'name'; the locus of divine presence and reputation.
σουyourRP GS · σύgenitive of possession modifying ὄνομάσύ: second-person pronoun used possessively.
ἐπ'uponP · ἐπίpreposition introducing locationἐπί: 'on, upon'; marks the house as the place over which the name is called.
αὐτοῦitRD GSM · αὐτόςobject of ἐπ', referring to the houseαὐτός: pronoun referring to the temple house.
εἶναιto beV9 PAN · εἰμίinfinitive expressing the house's designated functionεἰμί: 'be'; states what kind of house it is to be.
οἶκονa houseN2 ASM · οἶκοςpredicate accusative with εἶναιοἶκος: 'house'; here in a definitional predicate construction.
προσευχῆςof prayerN1 GSF · προσευχήgenitive qualifying οἶκονπροσευχή: 'prayer'; the temple's primary liturgical function.
καὶandC · καίconjunction joining two genitives of functionκαί: 'and'; pairs prayer with supplication.
δεήσεωςsupplicationN3I GSF · δέησιςsecond genitive qualifying οἶκονδέησις: 'supplication, petition'; highlights pleading appeal in distress.
τῷfor theRA DSM · ὁarticle with λαῷὁ: definite article.
λαῷpeopleN2 DSM · λαόςdative of advantage, naming those served by the templeλαός: 'people'; God's covenant people benefiting from this house.
σουyourRP GS · σύgenitive of possession modifying λαῷσύ: second-person pronoun used possessively.
38
ποίησον ἐκδίκησιν ἐν τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ τούτῳ καὶ ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ αὐτοῦ καὶ πεσέτωσαν ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ μνήσθητι τῶν δυσφημιῶν αὐτῶν καὶ μὴ δῷς αὐτοῖς μονήν
Take vengeance on this man and on his camp, and let them fall by the sword; remember their blasphemies, and give them no abiding place.
The prayer moves from temple identity to concrete petition. The priests ask for judicial vengeance on Nicanor and his army, specifically because of their blasphemous insults, and they ask that his threat find no lasting foothold.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ποίησονtake / makeVA AAD2S · ποιέωaorist imperative opening the petitionποιέω: 'do, make'; in the collocation ποιεῖν ἐκδίκησιν, 'take or execute vengeance.'
ἐκδίκησινvengeanceN3I ASF · ἐκδίκησιςdirect object of ποίησονἐκδίκησις: 'vengeance, vindication'; retributive justice on behalf of the sanctuary.
ἐνonP · ἐνpreposition introducing the target of vengeanceἐν: here with persons in the sense 'upon, against.'
τῷthisRA DSM · ὁarticle with ἀνθρώπῳὁ: article introducing the man identified by the demonstrative.
ἀνθρώπῳmanN2 DSM · ἄνθρωποςdative target of ἐν after ἐκδίκησινἄνθρωπος: 'man'; contemptuously reduces Nicanor from commander to mere man before God.
τούτῳthisRD DSM · οὗτοςdemonstrative modifier of ἀνθρώπῳοὗτος: 'this'; points specifically to Nicanor.
καὶandC · καίconjunction adding a second targetκαί: 'and'; extends the petition to the army.
ἐνonP · ἐνpreposition parallel to the earlier ἐνἐν: again 'upon, against' in the sense of target.
τῇtheRA DSF · ὁarticle with παρεμβολῇὁ: definite article.
παρεμβολῇcampN1 DSF · παρεμβολήsecond dative target of vengeanceπαρεμβολή: 'camp, army'; Nicanor's military force as an object of judgment.
αὐτοῦhisRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying παρεμβολῇαὐτός: possessive pronoun referring to Nicanor.
καὶandC · καίconjunction introducing the next imperative petitionκαί: 'and'; moves to requested outcome.
πεσέτωσανlet them fallVB AAD3P · πίπτωthird-person imperative petitioning for defeatπίπτω: 'fall'; in battle contexts, fall slain.
ἐνbyP · ἐνpreposition introducing meansἐν: 'by, with'; marks the means of death.
ῥομφαίᾳthe swordN1A DSF · ῥομφαίαdative of means with πεσέτωσανῥομφαία: 'sword'; conventional image of violent battlefield judgment.
μνήσθητιrememberVS APD2S · μιμνήσκωaorist imperative appealing to divine remembranceμιμνῄσκομαι/μνήσθητι: 'remember'; asks God to act in view of remembered offenses.
τῶνtheRA GPF · ὁarticle with δυσφημιῶνὁ: definite article.
δυσφημιῶνblasphemiesN1A GPF · δυσφημίαgenitive object of μνήσθητιδυσφημία: 'evil speech, reviling, blasphemy'; insults uttered against the holy place and God.
αὐτῶνtheirRD GPM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying δυσφημιῶναὐτός: possessive pronoun referring to Nicanor and his men.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the final petitionκαί: 'and'; adds the closing request.
μὴdo notD · μήnegative particle with δῷςμή: prohibitive negative.
δῷςgiveVO AAS2S · δίδωμιsubjunctive verb in a prohibitionδίδωμι: 'give'; here in the sense of granting or allowing.
αὐτοῖςthemRD DPM · αὐτόςdative indirect object of δῷςαὐτός: pronoun referring to the hostile party.
μονήνan abiding placeA1 ASF · μόνοςdirect object of δῷςμονή: 'abode, resting place, continuance'; the prayer asks that no lasting standing be granted them.
39
καὶ ἐξῆλθεν Νικάνωρ ἐξ Ιερουσαλημ καὶ παρενέβαλεν ἐν Βαιθωρων καὶ συνήντησεν αὐτῷ δύναμις Συρίας
And Nicanor went out from Jerusalem and encamped in Beth-horon, and a force from Syria met him there.
The story now turns fully to open campaign. Nicanor leaves Jerusalem, takes up position at Beth-horon, and is reinforced by a Syrian force, underscoring the scale of the coming engagement.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction continuing the narrativeκαί: 'and'; carries the story from prayer to military movement.
ἐξῆλθενwent outVBI AAI3S · ἔρχομαι + ἐκmain verb of departureἐξέρχομαι: 'go out, depart'; Nicanor leaves Jerusalem for the campaign.
ΝικάνωρNicanorN3R NSM · Νικάνωρsubject of ἐξῆλθεν and παρενέβαλενΝικάνωρ: Nicanor, the Seleucid commander pressing the war.
ἐξfromP · ἐκpreposition introducing sourceἐκ: 'from, out of'; marks the place of departure.
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemN DSF · Ἰερουσαλήμobject of ἐξἸερουσαλήμ: Jerusalem, the city from which Nicanor launches the expedition.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking departure and encampmentκαί: 'and'; advances the military sequence.
παρενέβαλενencampedVBI AAI3S · βάλλω + παρα + ἐνmain verb of encampmentπαρεμβάλλω: 'encamp, pitch camp, deploy'; standard military verb for taking position.
ἐνatP · ἐνpreposition introducing locationἐν: 'in, at'; marks the place of encampment.
ΒαιθωρωνBeth-horonN DS · Βαιθωρωνobject of ἐνΒαιθωρων: Beth-horon, a strategic ascent and battle corridor northwest of Jerusalem.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking encampment and reinforcementκαί: 'and'; adds the arrival of supporting troops.
συνήντησενmetVAI AAI3S · ἀντάω + συνmain verb of encounterσυναντάω: 'meet, encounter'; here of joining up with allied forces.
αὐτῷhimRD DSM · αὐτόςdative object of συνήντησεναὐτός: pronoun referring to Nicanor.
δύναμιςa forceN3I NSF · δύναμιςsubject of συνήντησενδύναμις: 'force, army, military contingent'; a body of troops reinforcing Nicanor.
Συρίαςof SyriaN1A GSF · Συρίαgenitive modifying δύναμιςΣυρία: Syria; the Seleucid heartland supplying troops.
40
καὶ Ιουδας παρενέβαλεν ἐν Αδασα ἐν τρισχιλίοις ἀνδράσιν καὶ προσηύξατο Ιουδας καὶ εἶπεν
And Judas encamped at Adasa with three thousand men, and Judas prayed and said,
The battle line is matched by a pious counter-scene: Judas camps with a much smaller force and immediately prays. The narrative frames the coming victory as depending on divine aid rather than numbers.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction shifting to Judasκαί: 'and'; balances Nicanor's movements with Judas's response.
ΙουδαςJudasN1T NSM · Ἰούδαςsubject of παρενέβαλεν, προσηύξατο, and εἶπενἸούδας: Judas Maccabaeus, commander and prayerful leader.
παρενέβαλενencampedVBI AAI3S · βάλλω + παρα + ἐνmain verb of encampmentπαρεμβάλλω: 'encamp, pitch camp'; military positioning before battle.
ἐνatP · ἐνpreposition introducing locationἐν: 'in, at'; marks Judas's position.
ΑδασαAdasaN DS · Αδασαobject of ἐνΑδασα: Adasa, the site where Judas takes position for battle.
ἐνwithP · ἐνpreposition introducing accompanying forceἐν: 'with'; here marks the company under Judas's command.
τρισχιλίοιςthree thousandA1A DPM · τρισχίλιοιnumerical modifier with ἀνδράσιντρισχίλιοι: 'three thousand'; the modest size of Judas's force is emphasized.
ἀνδράσινmenN3 DPM · ἀνήρdative object of ἐνἀνήρ: 'man'; fighting men in Judas's force.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking encampment and prayerκαί: 'and'; prayer follows immediately upon military preparation.
προσηύξατοprayedVAI AMI3S · εὔχομαι + προςmain verb of prayerπροσεύχομαι: 'pray'; Judas seeks divine intervention before the clash.
ΙουδαςJudasN1T NSM · Ἰούδαςrepeated subject for clarity and emphasisἸούδας: Judas, named again as the one who speaks before battle.
καὶandC · καίconjunction introducing direct prayer speechκαί: 'and'; joins the act of prayer to its spoken content.
εἶπενsaidVBI AAI3S · εἶπονmain verb introducing the prayerλέγω/εἶπον: 'say'; standard introducer for direct speech.
41
οἱ παρὰ τοῦ βασιλέως ὅτε ἐδυσφήμησαν ἐξῆλθεν ὁ ἄγγελός σου καὶ ἐπάταξεν ἐν αὐτοῖς ἑκατὸν ὀγδοήκοντα πέντε χιλιάδας
When those from the king blasphemed, your angel went out and struck down one hundred eighty-five thousand among them.
Judas recalls a paradigmatic act of divine deliverance against arrogant imperial power, alluding to the destruction of the Assyrian force. The memory functions as precedent for present intervention.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
οἱthoseRA NPM · ὁarticle substantivizing the phrase παρὰ τοῦ βασιλέωςὁ: article used substantivally, 'those.'
παρὰfromP · παράpreposition introducing source or associationπαρά + genitive: 'from, belonging to'; marks those attached to the king.
τοῦtheRA GSM · ὁarticle with βασιλέωςὁ: definite article.
βασιλέωςkingN3V GSM · βασιλεύςobject of παράβασιλεύς: 'king'; evokes imperial agents hostile to God.
ὅτεwhenD · ὅτεtemporal conjunction introducing the recollected eventὅτε: 'when'; sets the time of the remembered deliverance.
ἐδυσφήμησανblasphemedVAI AAI3P · δυσφημέωverb of the temporal clauseδυσφημέω: 'speak evil, revile, blaspheme'; impious speech provoking divine judgment.
ἐξῆλθενwent outVBI AAI3S · ἔρχομαι + ἐκmain verb of divine interventionἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; depicts the angel setting forth to strike.
ὁtheRA NSM · ὁarticle with ἄγγελόςὁ: definite article.
ἄγγελόςangelN2 NSM · ἄγγελοςsubject of ἐξῆλθεν and ἐπάταξενἄγγελος: 'messenger, angel'; divine agent of judgment in the recalled precedent.
σουyourRP GS · σύgenitive of possession modifying ἄγγελόςσύ: second-person pronoun used possessively.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the angel's movement and blowκαί: 'and'; joins action and result.
ἐπάταξενstruck downVAI AAI3S · πατάσσωmain verb of smitingπατάσσω: 'strike, smite'; a forceful verb of divine destruction.
ἐνamongP · ἐνpreposition introducing the affected groupἐν: 'in, among'; within the hostile force.
αὐτοῖςthemRD DPM · αὐτόςdative object of ἐναὐτός: pronoun referring to those hostile agents of the king.
ἑκατὸνone hundredM · ἑκατόνfirst numeral in the casualty totalἑκατόν: 'one hundred'; part of the traditional number in the allusion.
ὀγδοήκονταeightyM · ὀγδοηκονταsecond numeral in the casualty totalὀγδοήκοντα: 'eighty'; part of the remembered tally.
πέντεfiveM · πέντεthird numeral in the casualty totalπέντε: 'five'; completes the numeral sequence.
χιλιάδαςthousandN3D APF · χιλίαςaccusative extent or total struck downχιλιάς: 'thousand'; used in counting the enormous slaughter.
42
οὕτως σύντριψον τὴν παρεμβολὴν ταύτην ἐνώπιον ἡμῶν σήμερον καὶ γνώτωσαν οἱ ἐπίλοιποι ὅτι κακῶς ἐλάλησεν ἐπὶ τὰ ἅγιά σου καὶ κρῖνον αὐτὸν κατὰ τὴν κακίαν αὐτοῦ
So also crush this camp before us today, and let the rest know that he has spoken wickedly against your holy things, and judge him according to his wickedness.
Judas presses the remembered precedent into present petition. He asks for visible victory, public recognition of Nicanor's offense, and a judgment proportionate to his impiety.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
οὕτωςthus / soD · οὕτωςadverb drawing analogy from the recalled deliveranceοὕτως: 'thus, so'; asks God to act now as before.
σύντριψονcrushVA AAD2S · τρίβω + συνaorist imperative opening the petitionσυντρίβω: 'crush, shatter, break utterly'; a forceful prayer for decisive defeat.
τὴνthisRA ASF · ὁarticle with παρεμβολὴνὁ: article introducing the hostile camp.
παρεμβολὴνcampN1 ASF · παρεμβολήdirect object of σύντριψονπαρεμβολή: 'camp, army'; the enemy force arrayed against Judas.
ταύτηνthisRD ASF · οὗτοςdemonstrative modifier of παρεμβολὴνοὗτος: 'this'; points to the present enemy camp.
ἐνώπιονbeforeP · ἐνώπιονpreposition introducing witnesses to the actἐνώπιον: 'before, in the presence of'; asks for visible vindication.
ἡμῶνusRP GP · ἐγώobject of ἐνώπιονἐγώ: first-person plural pronoun; Judas's community asks to see God's act.
σήμερονtodayD · σήμερονtemporal adverb intensifying immediacyσήμερον: 'today'; the request is for immediate intervention.
καὶandC · καίconjunction introducing a second petitionκαί: 'and'; adds the didactic result Judas seeks.
γνώτωσανlet ... knowVZ AAD3P · γιγνώσκωthird-person imperative petitioning for recognitionγιγνώσκω: 'know, recognize'; asks that survivors understand the meaning of the defeat.
οἱtheRA NPM · ὁarticle with ἐπίλοιποιὁ: definite article.
ἐπίλοιποιrestA1B NPM · ἐπίλοιποςsubject of γνώτωσανἐπίλοιπος: 'remaining, the rest'; those left alive to recognize God's judgment.
ὅτιthatC · ὅτιconjunction introducing the content of recognitionὅτι: 'that'; marks what the survivors are to understand.
κακῶςwickedlyD · κακῶςadverb modifying ἐλάλησενκακῶς: 'badly, wickedly'; characterizes Nicanor's speech morally.
ἐλάλησενhe spokeVAI AAI3S · λαλέωverb of the content clauseλαλέω: 'speak'; refers to Nicanor's arrogant threat.
ἐπὶagainstP · ἐπίpreposition introducing the object of offenseἐπί: 'against, concerning'; here hostile speech directed against holy things.
τὰtheRA APN · ὁarticle with ἅγιάὁ: definite article.
ἅγιάholy thingsA1A APN · ἅγιοςsubstantival object of ἐπίἅγιος: 'holy'; substantivized here for the sacred things of God.
σουyourRP GS · σύgenitive of possession modifying ἅγιάσύ: second-person pronoun used possessively.
καὶandC · καίconjunction introducing the final petitionκαί: 'and'; adds a request for just recompense.
κρῖνονjudgeVA AAD2S · κρίνωaorist imperative petitioning for judgmentκρίνω: 'judge, decide, condemn'; asks for judicial action by God.
αὐτὸνhimRD ASM · αὐτόςdirect object of κρῖνοναὐτός: pronoun referring to Nicanor.
κατὰaccording toP · κατάpreposition introducing standard of judgmentκατά: 'according to'; judgment is requested in proportion to guilt.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle with κακίανὁ: definite article.
κακίανwickednessN1A ASF · κακίαobject of κατά, standard of judgmentκακία: 'wickedness, malice'; moral evil deserving judgment.
αὐτοῦhisRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying κακίαναὐτός: possessive pronoun referring to Nicanor.
43
καὶ συνῆψαν αἱ παρεμβολαὶ εἰς πόλεμον τῇ τρισκαιδεκάτῃ τοῦ μηνὸς Αδαρ καὶ συνετρίβη ἡ παρεμβολὴ Νικάνορος καὶ ἔπεσεν αὐτὸς πρῶτος ἐν τῷ πολέμῳ
And the camps joined battle on the thirteenth day of the month Adar, and Nicanor's camp was shattered, and he himself fell first in the battle.
The answer to Judas's prayer comes in compressed battle prose. The date is fixed, the enemy force is broken, and Nicanor's personal fall at the front marks the collapse of the whole army.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction introducing the battle outcomeκαί: 'and'; resumes the narrative after the prayer.
συνῆψανjoinedVAI AAI3P · ἅπτω + συνmain verb of the opening clauseσυνάπτω: 'join, engage'; in military context, come together in battle.
αἱtheRA NPF · ὁarticle with παρεμβολαὶὁ: definite article.
παρεμβολαὶcampsN1 NPF · παρεμβολήsubject of συνῆψανπαρεμβολή: 'camp, army'; the opposing forces considered as battle camps.
εἰςinP · εἰςpreposition introducing the engagementεἰς: 'into'; in the phrase εἰς πόλεμον, 'into battle.'
πόλεμονbattleN2 ASM · πόλεμοςobject of εἰςπόλεμος: 'war, battle'; the armed clash itself.
τῇon theRA DSF · ὁarticle with the date phraseὁ: article introducing the calendrical notation.
τρισκαιδεκάτῃthirteenthA1 DSF · τρισκαιδέκατοςordinal within the dative date formulaτρισκαιδέκατος: 'thirteenth'; fixes the day of the battle.
τοῦof theRA GSM · ὁarticle with μηνὸςὁ: definite article.
μηνὸςmonthN3 GSM · μήνgenitive dependent on the ordinal in the date formulaμήν: 'month'; calendrical term.
ΑδαρAdarN GS · Αδαρgenitival month-name with μηνὸςΑδαρ: Adar, the twelfth month in the Judean calendar.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking battle engagement and resultκαί: 'and'; moves from clash to collapse.
συνετρίβηwas shatteredVDI API3S · τρίβω + συνmain passive verb of the second clauseσυντρίβω: 'break, crush, shatter'; passive here marks the ruin of Nicanor's force.
ἡtheRA NSF · ὁarticle with παρεμβολὴὁ: definite article.
παρεμβολὴcampN1 NSF · παρεμβολήsubject of συνετρίβηπαρεμβολή: 'camp, army'; Nicanor's force as a single broken body.
Νικάνοροςof NicanorN3R GSM · Νικάνωρgenitive of possession modifying παρεμβολὴΝικάνωρ: Nicanor; names the defeated commander through his camp.
καὶandC · καίconjunction adding the leader's personal fateκαί: 'and'; links the collapse of the army with the death of its commander.
ἔπεσενfellVAI AAI3S · πίπτωmain verb of Nicanor's deathπίπτω: 'fall'; battle idiom for being struck down.
αὐτὸςhe himselfRD NSM · αὐτόςemphatic subject with ἔπεσεναὐτός: intensive pronoun, emphasizing Nicanor personally.
πρῶτοςfirstA1 NSMS · πρῶτοςpredicate modifier with αὐτὸςπρῶτος: 'first'; indicates he fell at the head of the battle.
ἐνinP · ἐνpreposition introducing location or sphereἐν: 'in'; within the battle itself.
τῷtheRA DSM · ὁarticle with πολέμῳὁ: definite article.
πολέμῳbattleN2 DSM · πόλεμοςobject of ἐνπόλεμος: 'battle, war'; the sphere in which Nicanor fell.
44
ὡς δὲ εἶδεν ἡ παρεμβολὴ αὐτοῦ ὅτι ἔπεσεν Νικάνωρ ῥίψαντες τὰ ὅπλα ἔφυγον
And when his camp saw that Nicanor had fallen, they threw down their weapons and fled.
The army's morale collapses with its commander. Nicanor's death triggers immediate panic: the men abandon their weapons and turn to flight.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ὡςwhenC · ὡςtemporal conjunction introducing the circumstanceὡς: 'when, as soon as'; marks the triggering moment.
δὲthenX · δέmild connective advancing the narrativeδέ: connective particle marking progression or contrast.
εἶδενsawVBI AAI3S · ὁράωverb of the temporal clauseὁράω: 'see'; perception of Nicanor's fall drives the retreat.
ἡtheRA NSF · ὁarticle with παρεμβολὴὁ: definite article.
παρεμβολὴcampN1 NSF · παρεμβολήsubject of εἶδεν and, by sense, of the participle and ἔφυγονπαρεμβολή: 'camp, army'; collective term for Nicanor's force.
αὐτοῦhisRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying παρεμβολὴαὐτός: possessive pronoun referring to Nicanor.
ὅτιthatC · ὅτιconjunction introducing perceived contentὅτι: 'that'; gives what the army saw.
ἔπεσενhad fallenVAI AAI3S · πίπτωverb of the content clauseπίπτω: 'fall'; here of death in battle.
ΝικάνωρNicanorN3R NSM · Νικάνωρsubject of ἔπεσενΝικάνωρ: the fallen commander whose death breaks the army.
ῥίψαντεςthrowing downVA · ααπνπμ ῥίπτωcircumstantial participle describing the manner of flightῥίπτω: 'throw, cast'; they discard their arms in panic.
τὰtheRA APN · ὁarticle with ὅπλαὁ: definite article.
ὅπλαweaponsN2N APN · ὅπλονdirect object of ῥίψαντεςὅπλον: 'weapon, arms'; abandoned in disorderly retreat.
ἔφυγονfledVBI AAI3P · φεύγωmain verb of the clauseφεύγω: 'flee'; straightforward battle-flight after collapse.
45
καὶ κατεδίωκον αὐτοὺς ὁδὸν ἡμέρας μιᾶς ἀπὸ Αδασα ἕως τοῦ ἐλθεῖν εἰς Γαζηρα καὶ ἐσάλπιζον ὀπίσω αὐτῶν ταῖς σάλπιγξιν τῶν σημασιῶν
And they pursued them for a day's journey, from Adasa until one came to Gazara, and they kept sounding behind them on the trumpets of signal.
The victory becomes a sustained rout. Judas's forces press the pursuit across distance while signal trumpets continue the coordinated chase and intensify the panic of the fleeing enemy.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction continuing the battle aftermathκαί: 'and'; extends the report from flight to pursuit.
κατεδίωκονwere pursuingV1I IAI3P · διώκω + καταmain verb of pursuitκαταδιώκω: 'pursue hard, chase down'; sustained pursuit after a broken enemy.
αὐτοὺςthemRD APM · αὐτόςdirect object of κατεδίωκοναὐτός: pronoun referring to the fleeing enemy.
ὁδὸνa journeyN2 ASF · ὁδόςaccusative of extent of distanceὁδός: 'road, journey'; here an extent expression, 'for the distance of.'
ἡμέραςof a dayN1A GSF · ἡμέραgenitive dependent on ὁδὸν in the distance phraseἡμέρα: 'day'; measures the length of pursuit.
μιᾶςoneA1A GSF · εἷςnumerical modifier of ἡμέραςεἷς: 'one'; specifies the single day's length.
ἀπὸfromP · ἀπόpreposition introducing starting pointἀπό: 'from'; marks the pursuit's origin.
ΑδασαAdasaN GS · Αδασαobject of ἀπόΑδασα: Adasa, where the battle had begun.
ἕωςuntilD · ἕωςpreposition-like particle introducing the limitἕως: 'until, as far as'; marks the endpoint of the chase.
τοῦtheRA GSN · ὁarticle with infinitive ἐλθεῖνὁ: article used with infinitive in a limit construction.
ἐλθεῖνto comeVB AAN · ἔρχομαιarticular infinitive after ἕως expressing terminusἔρχομαι: 'come'; in this construction, reach or arrive.
εἰςtoP · εἰςpreposition introducing destinationεἰς: 'into, to'; marks the place reached.
ΓαζηραGazaraN AS · Γαζηραobject of εἰςΓαζηρα: Gazara/Gezer, the point to which the rout extends.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking pursuit and trumpet signalingκαί: 'and'; adds the coordinated military signaling.
ἐσάλπιζονwere soundingV1I IAI3P · σαλπίζωmain verb of repeated signalingσαλπίζω: 'sound a trumpet'; repeated signal blasts in pursuit.
ὀπίσωbehindD · ὀπίσωadverb or preposition indicating position relative to the fugitivesὀπίσω: 'behind, after'; signals sounding in close pursuit.
αὐτῶνthemRD GPM · αὐτόςgenitive complement with ὀπίσωαὐτός: pronoun referring to the fleeing forces.
ταῖςwith theRA DPF · ὁarticle with σάλπιγξινὁ: definite article.
σάλπιγξινtrumpetsN3G DPF · σάλπιγξdative of means with ἐσάλπιζονσάλπιγξ: 'trumpet'; military signaling instrument.
τῶνof theRA GPM · ὁarticle with σημασιῶνὁ: definite article.
σημασιῶνsignalsN1A GPF · σημασίαgenitive qualifying σάλπιγξινσημασία: 'signal, signal-call'; identifies the trumpets as instruments of military signaling.
46
καὶ ἐξῆλθον ἐκ πασῶν τῶν κωμῶν τῆς Ιουδαίας κυκλόθεν καὶ ὑπερεκέρων αὐτούς καὶ ἀπέστρεφον οὗτοι πρὸς τούτους καὶ ἔπεσον πάντες ῥομφαίᾳ καὶ οὐ κατελείφθη ἐξ αὐτῶν οὐδὲ εἷς
And they came out from all the villages of Judea all around and hemmed them in, and these turned back against those, and they all fell by the sword, and not one of them was left.
The rout becomes total as the wider Judean population joins the pursuit from every side. The verse stresses encirclement, reversal, and complete annihilation: no remnant of Nicanor's force survives.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction continuing the pursuit narrativeκαί: 'and'; extends the account from pursuit to communal participation.
ἐξῆλθονcame outVBI AAI3P · ἔρχομαι + ἐκmain verb of local mobilizationἐξέρχομαι: 'go out, come out'; villagers emerge to join the destruction of the fleeing enemy.
ἐκfromP · ἐκpreposition introducing sourceἐκ: 'from, out of'; marks the places from which the pursuers emerge.
πασῶνallA1S GPF · πᾶςquantifying modifier of κωμῶνπᾶς: 'all, every'; emphasizes the breadth of Judean participation.
τῶνtheRA GPF · ὁarticle with κωμῶνὁ: definite article.
κωμῶνvillagesN1 GPF · κώμηobject of ἐκκώμη: 'village'; rural Judean settlements joining the chase.
τῆςofRA GSF · ὁarticle with Ιουδαίαςὁ: definite article.
ΙουδαίαςJudeaN1A GSF · Ἰουδαίαgenitive modifying κωμῶνἸουδαία: Judea; the countryside rallies around Judas's victory.
κυκλόθενfrom all aroundD · κυκλόθενadverb modifying ἐξῆλθονκυκλόθεν: 'from around, on all sides'; contributes to the image of encirclement.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking arrival and encirclementκαί: 'and'; adds the tactical consequence.
ὑπερεκέρωνhemmed inV3I IAI3P · κεράω + ὑπερmain verb of surrounding pressureὑπερκεράω: 'outflank, surround, press hard around'; here of closing in on the fugitives from multiple sides.
αὐτούςthemRD APM · αὐτόςdirect object of ὑπερεκέρωναὐτός: pronoun referring to the fleeing enemy soldiers.
καὶandC · καίconjunction introducing the next tactical moveκαί: 'and'; continues the description of the rout.
ἀπέστρεφονturned backV1I IAI3P · στρέφω + ἀποmain verb describing the redirection of the fugitivesἀποστρέφω: 'turn back, drive back'; the enemy are forced from one pursuer toward another.
οὗτοιtheseRD NPM · οὗτοςsubject of ἀπέστρεφονοὗτος: 'these'; one group of pursuers in relation to another.
πρὸςtowardP · πρόςpreposition introducing directionπρός: 'to, toward'; indicates being driven from one side to another.
τούτουςthoseRD APM · οὗτοςobject of πρόςοὗτος: 'those'; the corresponding group receiving the fugitives.
καὶandC · καίconjunction introducing the final resultκαί: 'and'; moves from pursuit to extermination.
ἔπεσονfellVBI AAI3P · πίπτωmain verb of destructionπίπτω: 'fall'; battle idiom for being cut down.
πάντεςallA3 NPM · πᾶςsubject modifier emphasizing totalityπᾶς: 'all'; none of the fugitives escape the slaughter.
ῥομφαίᾳby the swordN1A DSF · ῥομφαίαdative of means with ἔπεσονῥομφαία: 'sword'; conventional image of battlefield killing.
καὶandC · καίconjunction strengthening the final summaryκαί: 'and'; adds the explicit note of total destruction.
οὐnotD · οὐnegative particle with κατελείφθηοὐ: standard negation.
κατελείφθηwas leftVVI API3S · λείπω + καταmain passive verb of the concluding summaryκαταλείπω: 'leave behind'; passive here states that no survivor remained.
ἐξfromP · ἐκpreposition introducing the source setἐκ: 'from, out of'; from among the routed force.
αὐτῶνthemRD GPM · αὐτόςobject of ἐξαὐτός: pronoun referring to the enemy force.
οὐδὲnot evenC · οὐδέnegative connective intensifying the statementοὐδέ: 'not even, nor'; heightens the claim of completeness.
εἷςoneM NSM · εἷςsubstantival numeral completing the negated summaryεἷς: 'one'; not a single survivor remained.
47
καὶ ἔλαβον τὰ σκῦλα καὶ τὴν προνομήν καὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν Νικάνορος ἀφεῖλον καὶ τὴν δεξιὰν αὐτοῦ ἣν ἐξέτεινεν ὑπερηφάνως καὶ ἤνεγκαν καὶ ἐξέτειναν παρὰ τῇ Ιερουσαλημ
And they took the spoils and the plunder, and they cut off Nicanor's head and his right hand, which he had stretched out arrogantly, and they brought them and displayed them near Jerusalem.
The victory is publicly memorialized through spoils and mutilated trophies. Nicanor's severed head and the hand once raised in arrogant threat become visible signs of divine reversal.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction introducing the aftermathκαί: 'and'; moves from slaughter to its commemorative aftermath.
ἔλαβονtookVBI AAI3P · λαμβάνωmain verb of seizureλαμβάνω: 'take, receive'; here seize as victors.
τὰtheRA APN · ὁarticle with σκῦλαὁ: definite article.
σκῦλαspoilsN2N APN · σκῦλονfirst direct object of ἔλαβονσκῦλον: 'spoils, booty'; goods taken from the defeated enemy.
καὶandC · καίconjunction joining the two categories of bootyκαί: 'and'; adds a parallel expression for captured goods.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle with προνομήνὁ: definite article.
προνομήνplunderN1 ASF · προνομήsecond direct object of ἔλαβονπρονομή: 'plunder, loot'; another term for booty taken after victory.
καὶandC · καίconjunction moving from spoil-taking to trophy-makingκαί: 'and'; introduces the grisly symbolic acts.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle with κεφαλὴνὁ: definite article.
κεφαλὴνheadN1 ASF · κεφαλήfirst object of ἀφεῖλονκεφαλή: 'head'; severed as a trophy of defeat.
Νικάνοροςof NicanorN3R GSM · Νικάνωρgenitive of possession modifying κεφαλὴνΝικάνωρ: the defeated commander whose body becomes the sign of reversal.
ἀφεῖλονcut offVBI AAI3P · αἱρέω + ἀποmain verb of removalἀφαιρέω: 'take away, remove, cut off'; here of severing body parts as trophies.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking the second trophyκαί: 'and'; adds Nicanor's hand to the display.
τὴνtheRA ASF · ὁarticle with δεξιὰνὁ: definite article.
δεξιὰνright handA1A ASF · δεξιόςsecond object of ἀφεῖλονδεξιός: 'right'; substantivized here for the right hand.
αὐτοῦhisRD GSM · αὐτόςgenitive of possession modifying δεξιὰναὐτός: possessive pronoun referring to Nicanor.
ἣνwhichRR ASF · ὅςrelative pronoun referring to δεξιὰνὅς: relative pronoun introducing the explanatory clause.
ἐξέτεινενstretched outVAI AAI3S · τείνω + ἐκverb of the relative clauseἐκτείνω: 'stretch out, extend'; refers back to Nicanor's arrogant threatening gesture.
ὑπερηφάνωςarrogantlyD · ὑπερηφάνωςadverb modifying ἐξέτεινενὑπερηφάνως: 'proudly, arrogantly'; underscores the hand's symbolic guilt.
καὶandC · καίconjunction introducing transport of the trophiesκαί: 'and'; moves from severing to public presentation.
ἤνεγκανbroughtVAI AAI3P · φέρωmain verb of transportφέρω: 'bring, carry'; they carry the trophies for display.
καὶandC · καίconjunction introducing the act of displayκαί: 'and'; adds the public exhibition.
ἐξέτεινανdisplayedVAI AAI3P · τείνω + ἐκmain verb of public exposureἐκτείνω: 'stretch out, extend'; here likely of extending or displaying the trophies publicly.
παρὰnearP · παράpreposition introducing location of displayπαρά: 'beside, near'; marks the area adjacent to Jerusalem.
τῇtheRA DSF · ὁarticle with Ιερουσαλημὁ: definite article.
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemN DSF · Ἰερουσαλήμobject of παράἸερουσαλήμ: Jerusalem, before whose vicinity the trophies proclaim victory.
48
καὶ ηὐφράνθη ὁ λαὸς σφόδρα καὶ ἤγαγον τὴν ἡμέραν ἐκείνην ἡμέραν εὐφροσύνης μεγάλην
And the people rejoiced greatly, and they observed that day as a day of great gladness.
Military deliverance turns into communal festivity. The chapter marks the victory not merely as tactical success but as a joy worthy of liturgical memory.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction introducing communal responseκαί: 'and'; moves from battlefield trophies to public celebration.
ηὐφράνθηrejoicedVCI API3S · εὐφραίνωmain passive verb of joyεὐφραίνω: 'gladden, rejoice'; passive here, 'was gladdened / rejoiced.'
ὁtheRA NSM · ὁarticle with λαὸςὁ: definite article.
λαὸςpeopleN2 NSM · λαόςsubject of ηὐφράνθηλαός: 'people'; the Judean community as a whole.
σφόδραgreatlyD · σφόδραadverb modifying ηὐφράνθησφόδρα: 'very, exceedingly'; intensifies the public joy.
καὶandC · καίconjunction linking rejoicing and observanceκαί: 'and'; adds the commemorative action.
ἤγαγονobservedVBI AAI3P · ἄγωmain verb of commemorative observanceἄγω: 'lead, keep, celebrate'; in festival idiom, observe or celebrate a day.
τὴνthatRA ASF · ὁarticle with ἡμέρανὁ: article introducing the commemorated day.
ἡμέρανdayN1A ASF · ἡμέραdirect object of ἤγαγονἡμέρα: 'day'; the date of victory becomes a commemorated occasion.
ἐκείνηνthatRD ASF · ἐκεῖνοςdemonstrative modifier of ἡμέρανἐκεῖνος: 'that'; points to the specific victorious day.
ἡμέρανa dayN1A ASF · ἡμέραpredicate accusative describing the observed dayἡμέρα: 'day'; repeated for appositional emphasis.
εὐφροσύνηςof gladnessN1 GSF · εὐφροσύνηgenitive qualifying ἡμέρανεὐφροσύνη: 'gladness, festal joy'; language of celebration after deliverance.
μεγάληνgreatA1 ASF · μέγαςadjectival modifier of the second ἡμέρανμέγας: 'great'; underscores the exceptional joy of the occasion.
49
καὶ ἔστησαν τοῦ ἄγειν κατ' ἐνιαυτὸν τὴν ἡμέραν ταύτην τῇ τρισκαιδεκάτῃ τοῦ Αδαρ
And they established that this day should be observed yearly on the thirteenth of Adar.
The chapter closes the victory account by moving from spontaneous celebration to fixed observance. The triumph over Nicanor becomes a recurring date in the communal calendar.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction introducing formal institutionκαί: 'and'; advances from celebration to lasting ordinance.
ἔστησανestablishedVAI AAI3P · ἵστημιmain verb of institutionἵστημι: 'set, establish'; here of fixing an observance.
τοῦtoRA GSN · ὁarticle with infinitive ἄγεινὁ: article forming an articular infinitive construction.
ἄγεινobserveV1 PAN · ἄγωarticular infinitive expressing the content of what was establishedἄγω: 'keep, celebrate, observe'; standard language for festival observance.
κατ'year by yearP · κατάpreposition in distributive expressionκατά + accusative: in distributive use, 'year by year.'
ἐνιαυτὸνyearN2 ASM · ἐνιαυτόςobject of κατά in distributive expressionἐνιαυτός: 'year'; marks annual repetition.
τὴνthisRA ASF · ὁarticle with ἡμέρανὁ: article introducing the commemorated day.
ἡμέρανdayN1A ASF · ἡμέραobject of ἄγεινἡμέρα: 'day'; the date to be regularly observed.
ταύτηνthisRD ASF · οὗτοςdemonstrative modifier of ἡμέρανοὗτος: 'this'; points to the specific day of victory.
τῇon theRA DSF · ὁarticle with the date phraseὁ: article introducing the calendrical designation.
τρισκαιδεκάτῃthirteenthA1 DSF · τρισκαιδέκατοςordinal in the dative date formulaτρισκαιδέκατος: 'thirteenth'; the fixed day of observance.
τοῦofRA GSM · ὁarticle with Αδαρὁ: article in the month designation.
ΑδαρAdarN GS · Αδαρmonth-name in the date formulaΑδαρ: Adar, the month in which the annual commemoration is fixed.
50
καὶ ἡσύχασεν ἡ γῆ Ιουδα ἡμέρας ὀλίγας
And the land of Judah was quiet for a few days.
The chapter ends with a brief rest formula. The quiet is real but short-lived, a measured pause after violent deliverance rather than a permanent settlement.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
καὶandC · καίcoordinating conjunction introducing the final summaryκαί: 'and'; closes the chapter with a brief aftermath notice.
ἡσύχασενwas quietVAI AAI3S · ἡσυχάζωmain verb of cessationἡσυχάζω: 'be quiet, rest, be undisturbed'; conventional summary of temporary peace.
ἡtheRA NSF · ὁarticle with γῆὁ: definite article.
γῆlandN1 NSF · γῆsubject of ἡσύχασενγῆ: 'land'; the territory of Judea as a whole.
Ιουδαof JudahN GSM · Ἰουδάdependent genitival place-name with γῆἸουδά: Judah; in the fixed phrase 'land of Judah.'
ἡμέραςfor daysN1A APF · ἡμέραaccusative of extent of timeἡμέρα: 'day'; measures the duration of the respite.
ὀλίγαςa fewA1 APF · ὀλίγοςadjectival modifier of ἡμέραςὀλίγος: 'few, a small number'; the peace is limited in duration.