1
καὶ ἐγενήθη μετὰ ταῦτα καὶ τῷ Αβεσσαλωμ υἱῷ Δαυιδ ἀδελφὴ καλὴ τῷ εἴδει σφόδρα καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῇ Θημαρ καὶ ἠγάπησεν αὐτὴν Αμνων υἱὸς Δαυιδ
And it came to pass after these things that Absalom the son of David had a sister, beautiful in appearance exceedingly, and her name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.
The formula καὶ ἐγενήθη μετὰ ταῦτα (rendering וַיְהִי אַחֲרֵי כֵן) opens a new narrative unit, looping back to the family of David after the Bathsheba/Ammon-war material of chs. 11–12. The verse establishes the three principals — Absalom, Tamar, Amnon — and the fatal verb ἠγάπησεν that will be inverted to μῖσος at v. 15.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθηit came to passAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (impersonal narrative-onset formula)→ constative aorist (episode-opening)γίνομαι (aor. pass. ἐγενήθη): 'become / come to pass'; the impersonal καὶ ἐγενήθη renders the Hebrew narrative formula וַיְהִי, the standard scene-setting opener; the kaige section favors the -θη passive aorist of γίνομαι over the middle ἐγένετο.
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (temporal).
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativeaccusative object of μετά (temporal: 'after these things')→ object specificationοὗτος: the demonstrative ταῦτα refers back to the preceding narrative (the Ammonite war, chs. 11–12); μετὰ ταῦτα is a standard LXX temporal connector.
καὶandapodotic καί (resumes after the temporal phrase)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here the so-called apodotic καί following καὶ ἐγενήθη μετὰ ταῦτα, a Hebraism mirroring the wāw that introduces the main clause after a temporal opener; left untranslated in idiomatic English.
τῷthe / toDativearticle (with Αβεσσαλωμ, dative of possession)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomDativedative of possession (indeclinable: 'Absalom had')→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliteration of Hebrew אַבְשָׁלוֹם ('father of peace'); indeclinable in the LXX (case shown by the article τῷ); David's third son (3 Kgdms 3:3 / 1 Chr 3:2), Tamar's full brother by Maacah daughter of Talmai of Geshur — a kinship the narrative will exploit.
υἱῷsonDativeapposition to Αβεσσαλωμ (dative)→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; in apposition, identifying Absalom as David's son.
Δαυιδof DavidGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'son of David')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliteration of Hebrew דָּוִד; indeclinable in the LXX; the genitive is shown by context, dependent on υἱῷ.
ἀδελφὴsisterNominativesubject (predicate of possession: 'a sister belonged to Absalom')→ participant prominenceἀδελφή: 'sister'; renders אָחוֹת; the kinship term is thematically central — the whole tragedy turns on the violation of the brother-sister bond, repeated insistently through the chapter.
καλὴbeautifulNominativepredicate adjective (modifying ἀδελφή)→ participant prominenceκαλός: 'beautiful / fair / good'; renders יָפֶה; Tamar's beauty (like that of her mother's line and her brother Absalom, 14:25) is the narrative motive for Amnon's desire — beauty here functions as a danger, not a blessing.
τῷinDativearticle (with εἴδει, dative of respect)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἴδειin appearanceDativedative of respect ('beautiful with respect to appearance')→ sphere or referenceεἶδος: 'form / appearance / look'; renders מַרְאֶה; the dative of respect specifies the sphere of her beauty — outward form, the very thing that provokes Amnon.
σφόδραexceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying καλή)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: standard LXX rendering of מְאֹד; the intensifier marks Tamar's beauty as extraordinary, heightening the tragedy.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject of verbless naming clause ('her name was Tamar')→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the verbless clause ὄνομα αὐτῇ Θημαρ renders the Hebrew naming formula וּשְׁמָהּ תָּמָר.
αὐτῇto herDativedative of possession ('belonging to her')→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'to her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of possession ('belonging to her').
ΘημαρTamarNominativepredicate nominative (naming: indeclinable)→ participant identificationΘημαρ: transliteration of Hebrew תָּמָר ('date-palm'); indeclinable in the LXX; David's daughter and Absalom's full sister; the same name as Judah's daughter-in-law (Gen 38) and a later daughter of Absalom (14:27).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἠγάπησενlovedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀγαπάωmain verb (Amnon's desire introduced)→ ingressive aorist (came to love / conceived a passion)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; renders אָהַב; here the 'love' is obsessive sexual desire, not covenant affection — the same verb is starkly reversed at v. 15 (ἐμίσησεν … μῖσος … ὑπὲρ τὴν ἀγάπην), exposing the lust as counterfeit love.
αὐτὴνherAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ΑμνωνAmnonNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliteration of Hebrew אַמְנוֹן ('faithful'); indeclinable in the LXX; David's eldest son by Ahinoam the Jezreelite (3:2), thus the crown prince and Tamar's half-brother — the name's meaning ('faithful') stands in bitter irony to his act.
υἱὸςsonNominativeapposition to Αμνων→ participant prominenceυἱός: identifying Amnon as David's son; the repeated 'son of David' for both Amnon and Absalom (v. 1) underscores that both rivals are royal heirs.
Δαυιδof DavidGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
2
καὶ ἐθλίβετο Αμνων ὥστε ἀρρωστεῖν διὰ Θημαρ τὴν ἀδελφὴν αὐτοῦ ὅτι παρθένος ἦν αὐτή καὶ ὑπέρογκον ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς Αμνων τοῦ ποιῆσαί τι αὐτῇ
And Amnon was so distressed that he fell sick on account of Tamar his sister, because she was a virgin, and it seemed too difficult in Amnon's eyes to do anything to her.
The verse interiorizes Amnon's desire into pathology: the imperfect ἐθλίβετο (durative) plus the result-clause ὥστε ἀρρωστεῖν shows obsessive desire becoming physical illness. The obstacle is stated twice — she is a virgin (legally guarded), and access seemed ὑπέρογκον ('too hard / impossible') — preparing for the deceit by which the obstacle will be circumvented.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐθλίβετοwas distressedImpf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · θλίβωmain verb (durative inner state)→ durative imperfect (ongoing torment)θλίβω (mid./pass. 'be pressed / distressed / afflicted'): renders צָרַר / a sense of being hemmed in; the imperfect depicts Amnon's mounting, continuous anguish; the verb literally means 'be pressed/crushed', vividly conveying the constriction of obsessive desire.
ΑμνωνAmnonNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ὥστεso asconjunction introducing result clause (+ infinitive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε: 'so that / so as to'; with the infinitive ἀρρωστεῖν it expresses actual result — the desire produced literal sickness.
ἀρρωστεῖνto be sickPres Act Inf · ἀρρωστέωinfinitive of result (with ὥστε)→ verbal action or stateἀρρωστέω: 'be ill / sickly'; renders חָלָה; the same root reappears as the feigned illness of v. 6 (ἠρρώστησεν) — Amnon's genuine lovesickness will be turned into a pretended sickness as the instrument of the crime.
διὰon account ofpreposition + accusative (cause)→ spatial or relational framingδιά + acc.: 'because of / on account of'; marks Tamar as the cause of Amnon's distress.
ΘημαρTamarAccusativeaccusative object of διά (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΘημαρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of διά (indeclinable).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἀδελφήν, in apposition to Θημαρ)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὴνsisterAccusativeapposition to Θημαρ→ object specificationἀδελφή: the repeated 'his sister' keeps the incestuous dimension before the reader at every step of the narrative.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the reason the desire is frustrated — her virgin status.
παρθένοςvirginNominativepredicate nominative (with ἦν)→ participant prominenceπαρθένος: 'virgin / unmarried young woman'; renders בְּתוּלָה; her virginity means she is secluded and protected within the royal household, making ordinary access impossible — hence the need for a ruse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the causal clause.
αὐτήsheNominativesubject (resumptive pronoun)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the explicit nominative pronoun (resumptive) renders the Hebrew independent pronoun הִיא, a Hebraizing redundancy typical of the kaige translation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὑπέρογκονtoo difficultNominativepredicate adjective (impersonal: 'it was too hard')→ participant prominenceὑπέρογκος: literally 'over-swollen / huge / excessive'; here 'too great / too difficult / impossible'; renders the sense of יִפָּלֵא ('it was extraordinary / out of reach'); the neuter is used impersonally — the deed seemed beyond Amnon's reach without contrivance.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative idiom)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative idiom).
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative object of ἐν (Hebraism: 'in the eyes of' = 'in the judgment of')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς renders בְּעֵינֵי ('in the eyes of'), a Hebraism for one's estimation or perception — the deed seemed impossible from Amnon's own perspective.
Αμνωνof AmnonGenitivegenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'Amnon's eyes')→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of possession (indeclinable: 'Amnon's eyes').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive ποιῆσαι)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποιῆσαίto doAor Act Inf · ποιέωarticular infinitive (epexegetic: what seemed too difficult)→ aorist infinitive (complement of necessity)ποιέω: 'do / make'; the articular infinitive τοῦ ποιῆσαι, a calque of the Hebrew infinitive construct with לְ, defines the content of the difficulty — 'the doing of anything to her'; the euphemistic 'to do something to her' veils the intended assault.
τιanythingAccusativedirect object of ποιῆσαι (indefinite pronoun)→ participant referenceτις: 'someone / something / anything'; the indefinite τι is deliberately vague — a euphemism for the violation Amnon contemplates.
αὐτῇto herDativedative (disadvantage: 'to/against her')→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'to her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative (disadvantage: 'to/against her').
3
καὶ ἦν τῷ Αμνων ἑταῖρος καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῷ Ιωναδαβ υἱὸς Σαμαα τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ Δαυιδ καὶ Ιωναδαβ ἀνὴρ σοφὸς σφόδρα
And Amnon had a companion, and his name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother; and Jonadab was a very shrewd man.
The narrator introduces Jonadab with the same possession-and-naming pattern as v. 1, marking him as the chapter's third agent. His epithet σοφὸς σφόδρα ('very wise / shrewd') is morally ambivalent — the wisdom is craftiness in the service of evil; the same Jonadab reappears as the rumor-corrector at vv. 32–35.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwas / hadImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of existence/possession (with dative)→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf. ἦν): with the dative τῷ Αμνων expresses possession ('Amnon had a companion'), rendering the Hebrew dative-of-possession construction with לְ.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Αμνων, dative of possession)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμνωνAmnonDativedative of possession (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative of possession (indeclinable).
ἑταῖροςcompanionNominativesubject ('a companion belonged to Amnon')→ participant prominenceἑταῖρος: 'companion / comrade / friend'; renders רֵעַ; denotes a close associate — here a confidant whose counsel will prove disastrous.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject of verbless naming clause→ participant prominenceὄνομα: the naming formula ὄνομα αὐτῷ … parallels v. 1.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of possession→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of possession.
ΙωναδαβJonadabNominativepredicate nominative (naming: indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναδαβ: transliteration of Hebrew יוֹנָדָב ('YHWH is willing/noble'); indeclinable in the LXX; Amnon's cousin and the architect of the scheme; reappears at vv. 32–35 to correct the false report.
υἱὸςsonNominativeapposition to Ιωναδαβ→ participant prominenceυἱός: identifying Jonadab's parentage.
Σαμααof ShimeahGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαμαα: transliteration of Hebrew שִׁמְעָה / שַׁמָּה; indeclinable in the LXX; David's brother (cf. 1 Kgdms 16:9; 17:13), making Jonadab David's nephew and Amnon's first cousin.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἀδελφοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivegenitive in apposition to Σαμαα (Shimeah = David's brother)→ relational specificationἀδελφός: 'brother'; identifies Shimeah as David's brother, situating Jonadab within the royal family.
Δαυιδof DavidGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing characterization)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωναδαβJonadabNominativesubject of verbless predication (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναδαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of verbless predication (indeclinable).
ἀνὴρmanNominativepredicate nominative ('a man, wise')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the characterizing formula ἀνὴρ σοφός renders אִישׁ חָכָם, a stock Hebrew idiom for a wise/clever man.
σοφὸςshrewd / wiseNominativeattributive/predicate adjective (modifying ἀνήρ)→ participant prominenceσοφός: 'wise / clever / skilled'; renders חָכָם; here morally ambivalent — the 'wisdom' is cunning deployed for an evil end; the narrative ironizes the wisdom tradition's prized virtue.
σφόδραveryadverb of degree (intensifying σοφός)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'very / exceedingly'; renders מְאֹד; intensifies the description, marking Jonadab as exceptionally crafty.
4
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ τί σοι ὅτι σὺ οὕτως ἀσθενής υἱὲ τοῦ βασιλέως τὸ πρωὶ πρωί οὐκ ἀπαγγελεῖς μοι καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Αμνων Θημαρ τὴν ἀδελφὴν Αβεσσαλωμ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ μου ἐγὼ ἀγαπῶ
And he said to him, 'Why are you, the king's son, so weak morning by morning? Will you not tell me?' And Amnon said to him, 'I love Tamar, the sister of Absalom my brother.'
Jonadab's question draws out the cause of Amnon's daily decline; the address υἱὲ τοῦ βασιλέως ('son of the king') flatters and reminds Amnon of his rank — implying his desires need not be thwarted. Amnon's blunt confession, fronting ἐγὼ ἀγαπῶ for emphasis, sets up the scheme of v. 5.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction: Jonadab)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): standard LXX narrative speech-introducer; subject (Jonadab) supplied from v. 3.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (dative)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (dative).
τίwhat / whyNominativeinterrogative pronoun (τί σοι: 'what is the matter with you?')→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative; the elliptical τί σοι ('what to you?') renders the Hebrew idiom מַה־לְּךָ ('what ails you?'), an idiomatic question about someone's condition.
σοιto youDativedative of possession/reference (in the idiom τί σοι)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of possession/reference (in the idiom τί σοι).
ὅτιthatconjunction (causal/explanatory: 'that you are…')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: introduces the ground of the question — Amnon's visible weakness.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: the explicit pronoun, emphatic, perhaps with a note of incredulity — 'you, of all people, the king's son.'
οὕτωςso / thusadverb of degree/manner (modifying ἀσθενής)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / so'; here intensifying — 'so weak.'
ἀσθενήςweakNominativepredicate adjective (with implied εἶ)→ participant prominenceἀσθενής: 'weak / feeble / sickly'; renders דַּל ('low / wasted'); describes Amnon's visible physical decline from his lovesickness.
υἱὲO sonVocativevocative of address→ direct addressυἱός (voc. υἱέ): the address 'son of the king' both flatters Amnon and hints that his royal status entitles him to satisfy his wishes — a subtle goad.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of relationship ('son of the king')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; David, Amnon's father, here invoked to underline Amnon's privileged rank.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with adverbial πρωί)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωὶmorningadverb of time (in the doubled phrase 'morning by morning')→ clausal contributionπρωί: 'early / in the morning'; the doubled τὸ πρωὶ πρωί renders the Hebrew distributive בַּבֹּקֶר בַּבֹּקֶר ('morning by morning'), indicating Amnon's daily, repeated decline.
πρωίmorningadverb of time (distributive repetition)→ clausal contributionπρωί: the repetition forms a Hebraic distributive ('every morning').
οὐκnotnegative (with ἀπαγγελεῖς)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἀπαγγελεῖςwill you tellFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb of question (deliberative/expectant future)→ expectant future (urging disclosure)ἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / declare / tell'; renders נָגַד (Hiphil); the future in a question (οὐκ ἀπαγγελεῖς; 'will you not tell me?') functions as a gentle imperative pressing Amnon to confide.
μοιto meDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (turn of speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction: Amnon)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
ΑμνωνAmnonNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ΘημαρTamarAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπῶ (fronted for emphasis, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΘημαρ: the object is placed first in the clause, emphatically naming the forbidden love before the verb.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἀδελφήν, apposition to Θημαρ)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὴνsisterAccusativeapposition to Θημαρ→ object specificationἀδελφή: Amnon himself names her as 'the sister of Absalom my brother' — acknowledging the double kinship bond he is about to violate.
Αβεσσαλωμof AbsalomGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἀδελφοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitiveapposition to Αβεσσαλωμ→ relational specificationἀδελφός: 'brother'; Amnon's own words 'Absalom my brother' foreshadow the fraternal revenge to come.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic pronoun, redundant with the verb ending, renders the Hebrew independent pronoun and stresses the personal confession.
ἀγαπῶlovePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀγαπάωmain verb of confession→ progressive present (ongoing passion)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; the present tense voices Amnon's present, consuming desire; this 'love' is the same verb the narrator inverts to μῖσος in v. 15, exposing it as appetite.
5
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ιωναδαβ κοιμήθητι ἐπὶ τῆς κοίτης σου καὶ μαλακίσθητι καὶ εἰσελεύσεται ὁ πατήρ σου τοῦ ἰδεῖν σε καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτόν ἐλθέτω δὴ Θημαρ ἡ ἀδελφή μου καὶ ψωμισάτω με καὶ ποιησάτω κατ᾿ ὀφθαλμούς μου βρῶμα ὅπως ἴδω καὶ φάγω ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν αὐτῆς
And Jonadab said to him, 'Lie down on your bed and feign illness; and when your father comes to see you, you shall say to him, "Let Tamar my sister come, please, and feed me, and let her make food before my eyes, that I may see and eat from her hands."'
Jonadab's counsel lays out the whole stratagem in a chain of imperatives and third-person jussives: feign illness, exploit the father's visit, request Tamar under the pretext of food prepared 'before my eyes' and eaten 'from her hands' — language of intimacy that masks the true intent. The cluster of cooking-and-feeding verbs (ψωμισάτω, ποιησάτω) establishes the domestic-care cover for the planned isolation.
Word-by-word analysis· 46 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
ΙωναδαβJonadabNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναδαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
κοιμήθητιlie downAor Pass Impv 2 Sg · κοιμάομαιmain verb (imperative, step one of the scheme)→ aorist imperative (decisive command)κοιμάομαι: 'lie down / sleep'; renders שָׁכַב; the verb's range (lie down to rest / lie with sexually) is ironic here — the feigned lying-in-bed becomes the setting for the assault, where the same root recurs (κοιμήθητι μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ, v. 11).
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with κοίτης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κοίτηςbedGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί→ relational specificationκοίτη: 'bed / couch'; renders מִשְׁכָּב; the sickbed prop is central to the ruse.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μαλακίσθητιfeign illnessAor Pass Impv 2 Sg · μαλακίζομαιmain verb (imperative, second step)→ aorist imperativeμαλακίζομαι: 'be / make oneself sick, weak, soft'; renders the Hithpael of חָלָה ('pretend to be ill'); the verb specifies the pretence — Amnon is to act sick, building the deception around his real lovesickness.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσελεύσεταιwill come inFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (predicted: the father's visit)→ predictive futureεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / come in'; the future anticipates David's expected visit to the bedridden prince — the hinge on which the plan depends.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with πατήρ)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατήρfatherNominativesubject of εἰσελεύσεται→ participant prominenceπατήρ: 'father'; David, whose paternal concern Jonadab counts on exploiting.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive ἰδεῖν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἰδεῖνto seeAor Act Inf · ὁράωarticular infinitive of purpose ('in order to see you')→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. inf. ἰδεῖν): 'see / visit'; the articular infinitive τοῦ ἰδεῖν, calquing the Hebrew infinitive construct with לְ, expresses purpose — the father comes to look in on the 'sick' son.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of ἰδεῖν→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἰδεῖν.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐρεῖςyou shall sayFut Act Indic 2 Sg · λέγωmain verb (future with imperatival force)→ imperatival future (instruction)λέγω (fut. ἐρεῖς): the future used as a command (Hebraizing the imperfect of instruction), scripting Amnon's words to his father.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτόνhimAccusativeobject of πρός→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of πρός.
ἐλθέτωlet comeAor Act Impv 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (3rd-person jussive: the scripted request)→ aorist imperative (request to the king)ἔρχομαι (aor. impv. ἐλθέτω): 'let (her) come'; the third-person imperative frames the polite petition Amnon is to make to David.
δὴpleaseparticle of entreaty (softening the request)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: enclitic particle of entreaty/urgency, rendering Hebrew נָא ('please / now'); softens the jussive into a courteous appeal.
ΘημαρTamarNominativesubject of ἐλθέτω (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΘημαρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐλθέτω (indeclinable).
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ἀδελφή, apposition)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφήsisterNominativeapposition to Θημαρ→ participant prominenceἀδελφή: 'sister'; Amnon's scripted appeal stresses the innocent sibling relationship, the very cover for the crime.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ψωμισάτωlet her feedAor Act Impv 3 Sg · ψωμίζωmain verb (3rd-person jussive)→ aorist imperativeψωμίζω: 'feed (by morsels) / give to eat'; renders בָּרָה (Piel, 'give food to a sick person'); the verb connotes the intimate feeding of an invalid by hand — the pretext for Tamar's near approach.
μεmeAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιησάτωlet her makeAor Act Impv 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (3rd-person jussive)→ aorist imperativeποιέω: 'make / prepare'; here of preparing food; the same verb that euphemized the crime at v. 2 (τοῦ ποιῆσαι) now describes the cooking that masks it.
κατ᾿beforepreposition + accusative (κατά: 'before / in front of')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: in the phrase κατ᾿ ὀφθαλμούς ('before the eyes of'), a Hebraism (לְעֵינֵי) for doing something in someone's sight — Amnon wants to watch Tamar prepare the food.
ὀφθαλμούςeyesAccusativeobject of κατά (idiom: 'before my eyes')→ object specificationὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; κατ᾿ ὀφθαλμούς μου = 'in my sight' — the voyeuristic detail betrays Amnon's real motive beneath the request for food.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
βρῶμαfoodAccusativedirect object of ποιησάτω→ object specificationβρῶμα: 'food / dish'; renders בִּרְיָה ('food for the sick'); the meal is the ostensible reason for Tamar's visit.
ὅπωςthatconjunction introducing purpose clause (+ subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅπως: 'so that / in order that'; introduces the purpose-result of the feeding.
ἴδωI may seeAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ὁράωverb of purpose clause (subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctive (purpose)ὁράω (aor. subj. ἴδω): 'see'; the wish 'that I may see' again exposes the desire to gaze on Tamar, reinforcing the voyeuristic κατ᾿ ὀφθαλμούς above.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγωI may eatAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ἐσθίωverb of purpose clause (subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctive (purpose)ἐσθίω (aor. subj. φάγω): 'eat'; renders אָכַל; the eating 'from her hands' completes the script of intimate care.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with χειρῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρῶνhandsGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ ('from her hands')→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; 'eat from her hands' renders מִיָּדָהּ; the phrase signals the close personal contact the ruse is designed to engineer.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
6
καὶ ἐκοιμήθη Αμνων καὶ ἠρρώστησεν καὶ εἰσῆλθεν ὁ βασιλεὺς ἰδεῖν αὐτόν καὶ εἶπεν Αμνων πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα ἐλθέτω δὴ Θημαρ ἡ ἀδελφή μου πρός με καὶ κολλυρισάτω ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς μου δύο κολλυρίδας καὶ φάγομαι ἐκ τῆς χειρὸς αὐτῆς
So Amnon lay down and feigned sickness; and the king came to see him, and Amnon said to the king, 'Let Tamar my sister come, please, to me, and let her make two cakes before my eyes, that I may eat from her hand.'
Amnon carries out Jonadab's plan: he lies down, feigns illness (ἠρρώστησεν, echoing ἀρρωστεῖν of v. 2), the king comes, and Amnon makes the scripted request — now specified as δύο κολλυρίδας ('two cakes'). The repetition of the v. 5 wording with slight variation (κολλυρίσατω, χειρός singular) is a Hebraizing narrative technique of command-and-compliance mirroring.
Word-by-word analysis· 38 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκοιμήθηlay downAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κοιμάομαιmain verb (compliance with v. 5 command)→ constative aoristκοιμάομαι: 'lie down'; fulfils the command κοιμήθητι of v. 5.
ΑμνωνAmnonNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἠρρώστησενfeigned sicknessAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀρρωστέωmain verb (the pretended illness)→ constative aoristἀρρωστέω: 'be ill'; here the feigned sickness, completing μαλακίσθητι of v. 5; the same verb described his genuine lovesickness at v. 2 (ἀρρωστεῖν) — real malady now becomes counterfeit.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθενcame inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (the king's visit, fulfilling the prediction of v. 5)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'come in'; the king's entry fulfils Jonadab's prediction εἰσελεύσεται ὁ πατήρ σου (v. 5).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of εἰσῆλθεν→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David, here named by title rather than personal name, the unwitting instrument who will send Tamar into danger.
ἰδεῖνto seeAor Act Inf · ὁράωinfinitive of purpose ('to see him')→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. inf. ἰδεῖν): purpose infinitive (here without the article, unlike v. 5's τοῦ ἰδεῖν) — the king visits to look in on the sick son.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ἰδεῖν→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἰδεῖν.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΑμνωνAmnonNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλέα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationβασιλέα: meaning 'king'; it serves as object of πρός.
ἐλθέτωlet comeAor Act Impv 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (3rd-person jussive: the request to David)→ aorist imperative (petition)ἔρχομαι (aor. impv. ἐλθέτω): repeating the scripted request of v. 5 nearly verbatim, the command-fulfilment mirroring of Hebrew narrative.
δὴpleaseparticle of entreaty→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: 'please'; renders נָא, courteous entreaty to the king.
ΘημαρTamarNominativesubject of ἐλθέτω (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΘημαρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐλθέτω (indeclinable).
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ἀδελφή)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφήsisterNominativeapposition to Θημαρ→ participant prominenceἀδελφή: again the innocent kinship language deployed as cover.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
μεmeAccusativeobject of πρός→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of πρός.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κολλυρισάτωlet her make cakesAor Act Impv 3 Sg · κολλυρίζωmain verb (3rd-person jussive)→ aorist imperativeκολλυρίζω: 'make small cakes / dumplings' (from κολλύρα, 'roll, cake'); renders the Hebrew denominative לָבַב ('make heart-shaped/special cakes'); a rare LXX verb; the cooking task is the ostensible service requested.
ἐνin / beforepreposition + dative (Hebraism: 'in my eyes' = in my sight)→ spatial or relational framingἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς: 'in the sight of', here equivalent to v. 5's κατ᾿ ὀφθαλμούς; Amnon again specifies that she prepare the food where he can watch.
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativeobject of ἐν (idiom: 'before my eyes')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: the voyeuristic 'before my eyes' recurs from v. 5, sustaining the predatory undertone.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
δύοtwoAccusativenumeral (modifying κολλυρίδας, indeclinable)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; indeclinable numeral; renders שְׁתֵּי; the oddly specific 'two cakes' adds verisimilitude to the invalid's request.
κολλυρίδαςcakesAccusativedirect object of κολλυρισάτω→ object specificationκολλυρίς: 'small cake / cake of bread'; renders לְבִבָה ('heart-cake'); the cognate of the verb κολλυρίζω; these are the special invalid's cakes Tamar will make.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγομαιI will eatFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (purpose/result: 'that I may eat')→ predictive/intentional futureἐσθίω (fut. mid. φάγομαι): 'I will eat'; the deponent future of ἐσθίω; the eating 'from her hand' caps the scripted intimacy.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with χειρός)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρὸςhandGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ ('from her hand')→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the singular here (v. 5 had the plural χειρῶν) — minor variation in the command-compliance repetition.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
7
καὶ ἀπέστειλεν Δαυιδ πρὸς Θημαρ εἰς τὸν οἶκον λέγων πορεύθητι δὴ εἰς τὸν οἶκον Αμνων τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου καὶ ποίησον αὐτῷ βρῶμα
And David sent to Tamar at the house, saying, 'Go now to the house of Amnon your brother, and make him food.'
David, deceived, becomes the agent who delivers his daughter to her assailant — a tragic irony the narrator lets stand without comment. His instruction repeats the kinship term (Αμνων τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου, 'Amnon your brother'), underscoring the trust placed in family bonds that Amnon will betray.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (the king dispatches a message)→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send'; renders שָׁלַח; David sends word to summon Tamar — the fatal compliance with Amnon's request.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΘημαρTamarAccusativeobject of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΘημαρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of πρός (indeclinable).
εἰςto / atpreposition + accusative (location)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (location).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with οἶκον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativeobject of εἰς (Tamar's residence)→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house'; here Tamar's own quarters in the royal complex, from which she is summoned.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom M Sg · λέγωparticiple introducing direct speech (Hebraism for לֵאמֹר)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (ptcp. λέγων): the participle 'saying' renders the Hebrew infinitive לֵאמֹר, the standard speech-marker introducing the content of the message.
πορεύθητιgoAor Pass Impv 2 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (command to Tamar)→ aorist imperativeπορεύομαι (aor. pass. impv. πορεύθητι): 'go / proceed'; renders לֵךְ / לְכִי; the king's directive that sends Tamar, unknowing, into the trap.
δὴnowparticle (softening/urging the command)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: 'now / please'; renders נָא; a mild urging with the imperative.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with οἶκον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativeobject of εἰς (Amnon's house)→ object specificationοἶκος: now Amnon's house — the place of danger to which Tamar is dispatched.
Αμνωνof AmnonGenitivegenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'Amnon's house')→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of possession (indeclinable: 'Amnon's house').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἀδελφοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitiveapposition to Αμνων→ relational specificationἀδελφός: 'brother'; David's own designation 'Amnon your brother' invokes the very sibling trust that makes the betrayal so grievous.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποίησονmakeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (command to prepare food)→ aorist imperativeποιέω: 'make / prepare'; the king's order to cook for Amnon — innocent in David's mouth, the trigger of the tragedy.
αὐτῷfor himDativedative of advantage→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'for him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage.
βρῶμαfoodAccusativedirect object of ποίησον→ object specificationβρῶμα: 'food / dish'; the same word as v. 5, the pretext object.
8
καὶ ἐπορεύθη Θημαρ εἰς τὸν οἶκον Αμνων ἀδελφοῦ αὐτῆς καὶ αὐτὸς κοιμώμενος καὶ ἔλαβεν τὸ σταῖς καὶ ἐφύρασεν καὶ ἐκολλύρισεν κατ᾿ ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἥψησεν τὰς κολλυρίδας
And Tamar went to the house of Amnon her brother, and he was lying down; and she took the dough and kneaded it and made cakes before his eyes and boiled the cakes.
Tamar's obedient compliance is narrated in a string of action verbs (ἔλαβεν, ἐφύρασεν, ἐκολλύρισεν, ἥψησεν) detailing the whole cooking process, again 'before his eyes' (κατ᾿ ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ) — the leisurely, domestic detail heightens the dramatic irony as the trap closes. The circumstantial αὐτὸς κοιμώμενος ('he being laid down') keeps the feigned sickness in view.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (Tamar's compliance with v. 7)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go'; fulfils πορεύθητι of v. 7 — Tamar obeys her father's command.
ΘημαρTamarNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΘημαρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with οἶκον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationοἶκος: Amnon's house, the place of the assault.
Αμνωνof AmnonGenitivegenitive of possession (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of possession (indeclinable).
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitiveapposition to Αμνων→ relational specificationἀδελφός: 'brother'; the narrator keeps repeating the kinship marker, intensifying the horror of what follows.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing circumstantial clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτὸςheNominativesubject of circumstantial clause (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'he himself'; the pronoun heads a circumstantial clause ('and he was lying down'), keeping Amnon's feigned posture before us.
κοιμώμενοςlying downPres Mid Ptcp Nom M Sg · κοιμάομαιparticiple (periphrastic/circumstantial: 'he being laid down')→ durative (state in progress)κοιμάομαι (ptcp. κοιμώμενος): 'lying down'; the present participle depicts Amnon's continuing pretence of sickness in bed as Tamar works.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (first cooking action)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; begins the detailed sequence of food preparation.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with σταῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σταῖςdoughAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationσταῖς: 'dough / flour-paste'; renders בָּצֵק; the raw material of the cakes.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐφύρασενkneadedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φυράωmain verb (cooking action)→ constative aoristφυράω: 'knead / mix'; renders לוּשׁ; the next step in making the cakes.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκολλύρισενmade cakesAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κολλυρίζωmain verb (cooking action)→ constative aoristκολλυρίζω: 'make cakes'; fulfils Amnon's request κολλυρισάτω (v. 6); Tamar shapes the cakes.
κατ᾿beforepreposition + accusative (κατά: 'before / in the sight of')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: κατ᾿ ὀφθαλμούς, 'before his eyes', as Amnon had specified — the detail underscores that the assault is premeditated, not impulsive.
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativeobject of κατά (idiom: 'before his eyes')→ object specificationὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the predatory gaze continues even during the innocent task.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἥψησενboiled / cookedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἕψωmain verb (final cooking action)→ constative aoristἕψω: 'boil / cook / seethe'; renders בָּשַׁל; completes the food preparation; the homely procedural detail prolongs the tension.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with κολλυρίδας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κολλυρίδαςcakesAccusativedirect object of ἥψησεν→ object specificationκολλυρίς: 'cake'; the cakes Amnon had requested (v. 6).
9
καὶ ἔλαβεν τὸ τήγανον καὶ κατεκένωσεν ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησεν φαγεῖν καὶ εἶπεν Αμνων ἐξαγάγετε πάντα ἄνδρα ἐπάνωθέν μου καὶ ἐξήγαγον πάντα ἄνδρα ἀπὸ ἐπάνωθεν αὐτοῦ
And she took the pan and emptied it out before him, but he would not eat; and Amnon said, 'Send every man out from me'; and they sent every man out from before him.
Amnon's refusal to eat (οὐκ ἠθέλησεν φαγεῖν) discards the pretext now that its purpose — getting Tamar to his quarters — is served; the command to clear out every man (ἐξαγάγετε πάντα ἄνδρα) engineers the isolation required for the assault. The compliance clause repeats the command verbatim (a Hebraizing mirror), marking the chilling efficiency with which the room is emptied.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; Tamar takes the pan to serve the food.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with τήγανον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τήγανονpanAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationτήγανον: 'frying-pan / griddle'; renders מַשְׂרֵת; the cooking vessel from which the cakes are turned out.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατεκένωσενemptied outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατακενόωmain verb→ constative aoristκατακενόω: 'pour/empty out'; renders יָצַק ('turn out'); Tamar turns the cakes out of the pan before him — the meal is ready, the pretext exhausted.
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive ('before / in front of')→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; here interchangeable with the earlier κατ᾿ ὀφθαλμούς / ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐνώπιον.
καὶbutnarrative conjunction (adversative force in context)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative (with ἠθέλησεν)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἠθέλησενwas willingAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θέλωmain verb (refusal)→ constative aoristθέλω: 'wish / be willing'; οὐκ ἠθέλησεν φαγεῖν, 'he would not eat'; Amnon abandons the food-pretext, having gained his real objective; the same construction (οὐκ ἠθέλησεν + inf.) recurs ominously at v. 14 of his refusal to heed Tamar.
φαγεῖνto eatAor Act Inf · ἐσθίωcomplementary infinitive (with ἠθέλησεν)→ verbal action or stateἐσθίω (aor. inf. φαγεῖν): 'eat'; the abandoned pretext.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΑμνωνAmnonNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ἐξαγάγετεsend outAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐξάγωmain verb (command to attendants)→ aorist imperativeἐξάγω: 'lead/bring out'; renders הוֹצִיאוּ; the command to clear the room isolates Tamar — the decisive move toward the assault.
πάνταeveryAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἄνδρα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'every'; πάντα ἄνδρα, 'every man', a distributive singular rendering כָּל־אִישׁ — total clearing of all bystanders.
ἄνδραmanAccusativedirect object of ἐξαγάγετε→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; here the attendants/servants present.
ἐπάνωθένfrom besideimproper preposition + genitive ('from over/beside')→ spatial or relational framingἐπάνωθεν: 'from above / from beside / away from'; renders מֵעָלַי; an adverbial/improper preposition with the genitive μου, 'away from me.'
μουmeGenitivegenitive object of ἐπάνωθεν→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐπάνωθεν.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξήγαγονthey sent outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξάγωmain verb (compliance with the command)→ constative aoristἐξάγω: 'lead out'; the attendants' compliance, mirroring the command ἐξαγάγετε — the Hebraizing command-fulfilment repetition.
πάνταeveryAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἄνδρα)→ object specificationπάντα: meaning 'every'; it serves as attributive adjective (with ἄνδρα).
ἄνδραmanAccusativedirect object of ἐξήγαγον→ object specificationἄνδρα: meaning 'man'; it serves as direct object of ἐξήγαγον.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source, with ἐπάνωθεν)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: combined with ἐπάνωθεν in the doubled phrase ἀπὸ ἐπάνωθεν, 'from off / away from', a redundant Hebraizing locution (מֵעָלָיו).
ἐπάνωθενfrom besideimproper preposition + genitive ('from beside him')→ spatial or relational framingἐπάνωθεν: see above; ἀπὸ ἐπάνωθεν αὐτοῦ = 'away from him.'
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἐπάνωθεν→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐπάνωθεν.
10
καὶ εἶπεν Αμνων πρὸς Θημαρ εἰσένεγκε τὸ βρῶμα εἰς τὸ ταμίειον καὶ φάγομαι ἐκ τῆς χειρός σου καὶ ἔλαβεν Θημαρ τὰς κολλυρίδας ἃς ἐποίησεν καὶ εἰσήνεγκεν τῷ Αμνων ἀδελφῷ αὐτῆς εἰς τὸν κοιτῶνα
And Amnon said to Tamar, 'Bring the food into the chamber, that I may eat from your hand'; and Tamar took the cakes she had made and brought them to Amnon her brother into the bedchamber.
The final step of the entrapment: Amnon directs Tamar from the cleared outer room into the private ταμίειον / κοιτῶν (inner bedchamber). The narrator's note that she brought the cakes 'to Amnon her brother' once more underlines the kinship she trusts and he will betray; the spatial movement into the bedchamber completes the isolation.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΑμνωνAmnonNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΘημαρTamarAccusativeobject of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΘημαρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of πρός (indeclinable).
εἰσένεγκεbring inAor Act Impv 2 Sg · εἰσφέρωmain verb (command to Tamar)→ aorist imperativeεἰσφέρω (aor. impv. εἰσένεγκε): 'bring in / carry in'; renders הָבִיאִי; directs Tamar deeper into the private quarters.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with βρῶμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βρῶμαfoodAccusativedirect object of εἰσένεγκε→ object specificationβρῶμα: 'food'; the prepared dish.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ταμίειον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ταμίειονchamberAccusativeobject of εἰς (the inner room)→ object specificationταμίειον (also ταμεῖον): 'inner chamber / storeroom / private room'; renders חֶדֶר; the secluded inner room where the assault will occur, equated with the κοιτῶν below.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγομαιI will eatFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (purpose: 'that I may eat')→ intentional futureἐσθίω (fut. mid. φάγομαι): the stated reason — eating 'from your hand' — but the food-pretext is now hollow, the real aim being the seclusion it secures.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with χειρός)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρόςhandGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ ('from your hand')→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the recurring 'from your/her hand' motif (vv. 5, 6, 10) emphasizes the intimacy of personal feeding.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (Tamar's compliance)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; Tamar obeys, taking the cakes inward.
ΘημαρTamarNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΘημαρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with κολλυρίδας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κολλυρίδαςcakesAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationκολλυρίς: 'cake'; the cakes she had prepared.
ἃςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐποίησεν)→ participant referenceὅς (fem. acc. pl. ἅς): relative pronoun referring to the cakes.
ἐποίησενshe had madeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristποιέω: 'make'; refers back to her cooking in v. 8.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσήνεγκενbrought inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσφέρωmain verb (compliance with εἰσένεγκε)→ constative aoristεἰσφέρω: 'bring in'; fulfils the command εἰσένεγκε; Tamar carries the food into the bedchamber.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Αμνων, indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμνωνAmnonDativeindirect object (dative, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indirect object (dative, indeclinable).
ἀδελφῷbrotherDativeapposition to Αμνων (dative)→ sphere or referenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; once more 'Amnon her brother' — the relentless repetition of kinship sharpens the coming violation.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with κοιτῶνα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κοιτῶναbedchamberAccusativeobject of εἰς (the inner sleeping-room)→ object specificationκοιτών: 'bedchamber / sleeping-room' (from κοίτη); renders חֶדֶר; the innermost private space, where Tamar is now alone with Amnon — the isolation is total.
11
καὶ προσήγαγεν αὐτῷ τοῦ φαγεῖν καὶ ἐπελάβετο αὐτῆς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ δεῦρο κοιμήθητι μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἀδελφή μου
And she brought them near to him to eat, and he seized her and said to her, 'Come, lie with me, my sister.'
The pretext collapses into violence: as Tamar serves the food, Amnon seizes her (ἐπελάβετο αὐτῆς) and demands what the whole scheme was for. The grotesque address ἀδελφή μου ('my sister') in the very breath of the demand to lie with him exposes the perversion of the kinship bond; δεῦρο κοιμήθητι echoes Jonadab's κοιμήθητι (v. 5) in a sinister inversion.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσήγαγενbrought nearAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσάγωmain verb (Tamar serving)→ constative aoristπροσάγω: 'bring near / present'; renders נָגַשׁ (Hiphil); Tamar brings the food close so he may eat — her last innocent act before the assault.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive φαγεῖν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φαγεῖνto eatAor Act Inf · ἐσθίωarticular infinitive of purpose ('so that he might eat')→ verbal action or stateἐσθίω (aor. inf. φαγεῖν): the articular τοῦ φαγεῖν calques the Hebrew infinitive construct with לְ, expressing purpose.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπελάβετοseizedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιλαμβάνομαιmain verb (the act of seizing)→ constative aorist (decisive act of violence)ἐπιλαμβάνομαι: 'take hold of / seize'; renders הֶחֱזִיק / חָזַק; the middle voice with the genitive αὐτῆς ('seized her'); the sudden violent grasp shatters the domestic scene.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive object of ἐπελάβετο→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐπελάβετο.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτῇto herDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'to her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
δεῦροcomeadverb/interjection used as imperative ('come here')→ clausal contributionδεῦρο: 'come here / come now'; an adverb functioning as a command; renders בּוֹאִי; the brusque summons of the assault.
κοιμήθητιlieAor Pass Impv 2 Sg · κοιμάομαιmain verb (the demand)→ aorist imperativeκοιμάομαι: 'lie down'; here unmistakably sexual ('lie with me'), the same verb used innocently of the feigned sickbed (vv. 5–6, 8) — its meaning now turned to violence.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + gen.: 'with'; κοιμήθητι μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ is the explicit demand.
ἐμοῦmeGenitiveobject of μετά→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as object of μετά.
ἀδελφήmy sisterVocativevocative of address→ direct addressἀδελφή (voc.): 'sister'; the address is monstrous in context — naming the kinship bond as he demands its violation; the term may also carry the romantic 'sister' of Song of Songs usage, deepening the perversion.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
12
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ μή ἄδελφέ μου μὴ ταπεινώσῃς με διότι οὐ ποιηθήσεται οὕτως ἐν Ισραηλ μὴ ποιήσῃς τὴν ἀφροσύνην ταύτην
And she said to him, 'No, my brother, do not humiliate me, for such a thing must not be done in Israel; do not commit this folly.'
Tamar's protest invokes the ethical-legal order of Israel: the deed is something that 'is not done' (οὐ ποιηθήσεται οὕτως ἐν Ισραηλ), and it is an ἀφροσύνη — the grave covenantal 'folly/outrage' (Hebrew נְבָלָה) used of sexual crimes (cf. Gen 34:7; Judg 19:23–24; Deut 22:21). The triple μή (no … do not … do not) and the renewed ἄδελφέ μου ('my brother') answer his ἀδελφή μου with a plea grounded in the very kinship he abuses.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction: Tamar)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
μήnonegative particle (absolute: 'No!')→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: here an emphatic refusal standing alone, 'No!'; renders אַל; the first of Tamar's three negations.
ἄδελφέmy brotherVocativevocative of address→ direct addressἀδελφός (voc. ἄδελφε): 'brother'; Tamar answers his 'my sister' with 'my brother', appealing to the bond he is violating.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
μὴdo notnegative (with prohibitive subjunctive ταπεινώσῃς)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμὴ: meaning 'do not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ταπεινώσῃςhumiliateAor Act Subj 2 Sg · ταπεινόωprohibitive subjunctive (μή + aor. subj.)→ prohibitive aorist (urgent prohibition)ταπεινόω: 'humble / abase / violate'; renders עָנָה, the technical Hebrew verb for sexual violation/degradation (cf. Gen 34:2; Deut 22:24, 29); the recurring keyword of the chapter (vv. 14, 22, 32), framing the act as Tamar's degradation, not merely Amnon's sin.
μεmeAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
διότιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastδιότι: 'because / for'; introduces the ground of the prohibition — Israel's moral order.
οὐnotnegative (with ποιηθήσεται)→ participant referenceοὐ: meaning 'not'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as negative (with ποιηθήσεται).
ποιηθήσεταιis to be doneFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (gnomic/normative future)→ normative future (what is not done / must not be done)ποιέω (fut. pass. ποιηθήσεται): the passive 'it shall not be done' renders the Hebrew לֹא־יֵעָשֶׂה כֵן ('such is not done'), a normative idiom appealing to settled custom and covenant law — the deed is unthinkable in Israel.
οὕτωςso / suchadverb (manner: 'thus / such a thing')→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus'; 'it is not done so in Israel' — the demonstrative force points to Amnon's intended act.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
ΙσραηλIsraelDativeobject of ἐν (indeclinable: the covenant community)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable; 'in Israel' marks the deed as a breach not merely of family but of the covenant people's defining ethic.
μὴdo notnegative (with prohibitive subjunctive ποιήσῃς)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμὴ: meaning 'do not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ποιήσῃςcommitAor Act Subj 2 Sg · ποιέωprohibitive subjunctive (μή + aor. subj.)→ prohibitive aoristποιέω: 'do / commit'; the third negation, naming the deed directly as ἀφροσύνη.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἀφροσύνην)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀφροσύνηνfolly / outrageAccusativedirect object of ποιήσῃς→ object specificationἀφροσύνη: 'folly / senselessness'; renders נְבָלָה, the technical term for a grave breach of Israel's moral-covenantal order, especially sexual outrage (Gen 34:7; Deut 22:21; Judg 19:23; 20:6); far stronger than mere foolishness — it denotes a sacrilegious, community-defiling act.
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (with ἀφροσύνην)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; pointing to the specific outrage Amnon intends.
13
καὶ ἐγὼ ποῦ ἀποίσω τὸ ὄνειδός μου καὶ σὺ ἔσῃ ὡς εἷς τῶν ἀφρόνων ἐν Ισραηλ καὶ νῦν λάλησον δὴ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα ὅτι οὐ μὴ κωλύσῃ με ἀπὸ σοῦ
And I—where could I carry my reproach? And you would be as one of the fools in Israel. So now speak, please, to the king, for he will surely not withhold me from you.
Tamar continues with three arguments: her own irreparable disgrace (ποῦ ἀποίσω τὸ ὄνειδός μου, 'where could I take my shame?'), Amnon's reduction to one of the 'fools' (ἀφρόνων, cognate with ἀφροσύνη) of Israel, and a lawful way out — ask the king, who will not refuse. Whether such a marriage was actually permissible is doubtful; the proposal may be a desperate stalling tactic, but it underscores that even now there is an alternative to violence.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic, fronted pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the fronted, emphatic 'and I' throws the focus onto Tamar's own ruined future.
ποῦwhereinterrogative adverb (of place)→ clausal contributionποῦ: 'where?'; introduces the rhetorical question — there is no place she could carry such disgrace.
ἀποίσωcould I carry awayFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποφέρωmain verb (deliberative future in rhetorical question)→ deliberative future (no possible answer)ἀποφέρω (fut. ἀποίσω): 'carry away / carry off'; renders אוֹלִיךְ; the deliberative future in a rhetorical question — there is nowhere she could take her shame to be rid of it; the violation would be permanent and public.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ὄνειδος)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνειδόςreproachAccusativedirect object of ἀποίσω→ object specificationὄνειδος: 'reproach / disgrace / shame'; renders חֶרְפָּה; the lasting social stigma a violated, unmarried woman would bear — a ruin from which there is no escape.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic 'and you' turns to Amnon's own fate — disgrace for him too.
ἔσῃwould beFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (predicted consequence)→ predictive futureεἰμί (fut. ἔσῃ): 'you will be'; the consequence for Amnon — he would be counted among Israel's disgraced fools.
ὡςascomparative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; introduces the comparison to 'one of the fools.'
εἷςoneNominativepredicate (with ὡς: 'as one of')→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; 'as one of the fools', i.e., reckoned among the morally degraded.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἀφρόνων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀφρόνωνfoolsGenitivepartitive genitive (with εἷς)→ relational specificationἄφρων: 'senseless / fool'; cognate with ἀφροσύνη (v. 12); renders נָבָל; the 'fool' here is not the merely stupid but the morally degenerate, the one who acts as though there were no God or covenant (cf. Ps 14:1).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
ΙσραηλIsraelDativeobject of ἐν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: again the covenant community as the standard by which the deed is judged.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (introducing the practical proposal)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; καὶ νῦν ('and now') is a common transition from argument to appeal.
λάλησονspeakAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (Tamar's proposed alternative)→ aorist imperative (appeal)λαλέω: 'speak'; Tamar urges Amnon to seek lawful marriage by petitioning the king — the alternative to assault.
δὴpleaseparticle of entreaty→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: 'please'; renders נָא; an urgent, pleading particle.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλέα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationβασιλεύς: David; Tamar appeals to royal/paternal authority as the proper channel.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for / because'; gives the reason to ask — the king will consent.
οὐnotnegative (part of emphatic οὐ μή)→ participant referenceοὐ: meaning 'not'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as negative (part of emphatic οὐ μή).
μὴby no meansnegative (emphatic double negation οὐ μή + subjunctive)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐ μή: emphatic double negative with the aorist subjunctive, 'will certainly not'; the strongest form of denial in Greek.
κωλύσῃwill withholdAor Act Subj 3 Sg · κωλύωmain verb (with οὐ μή: emphatic denial)→ emphatic future denial (he surely will not refuse)κωλύω: 'hinder / forbid / withhold'; renders מָנַע; οὐ μὴ κωλύσῃ με ἀπὸ σοῦ, 'he will surely not withhold me from you' — Tamar's assurance that the lawful path is open.
μεmeAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
σοῦyouGenitiveobject of ἀπό→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἀπό.
14
καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησεν Αμνων τοῦ ἀκοῦσαι τῆς φωνῆς αὐτῆς καὶ ἐκραταίωσεν ὑπὲρ αὐτὴν καὶ ἐταπείνωσεν αὐτὴν καὶ ἐκοιμήθη μετ᾿ αὐτῆς
But Amnon would not listen to her voice; and he overpowered her and violated her and lay with her.
The assault is narrated with grim economy in four clauses: refusal to listen, overpowering (ἐκραταίωσεν ὑπὲρ αὐτήν), violation (ἐταπείνωσεν — the keyword of vv. 12, 22, 32), and the act itself (ἐκοιμήθη μετ᾿ αὐτῆς). The phrase οὐκ ἠθέλησεν … ἀκοῦσαι, repeated at v. 16, frames Amnon's deafness to her appeals; the brevity is itself a kind of restraint, refusing to dwell on the violence.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶbutnarrative conjunction (adversative force in context)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative (with ἠθέλησεν)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἠθέλησενwas willingAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θέλωmain verb (refusal to heed)→ constative aoristθέλω: 'be willing'; οὐκ ἠθέλησεν … ἀκοῦσαι, 'he would not listen'; the refusal echoes his refusal to eat (v. 9) and anticipates v. 16 — Amnon is consistently deaf to all but his own will.
ΑμνωνAmnonNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive ἀκοῦσαι)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀκοῦσαιto listenAor Act Inf · ἀκούωarticular infinitive (complement of ἠθέλησεν)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω (aor. inf. ἀκοῦσαι): 'hear / heed'; the articular τοῦ ἀκοῦσαι, a Hebraizing complement; 'to listen to her voice' means to obey/heed her plea.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with φωνῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνῆςvoiceGenitivegenitive object of ἀκοῦσαι (verb of hearing + gen.)→ relational specificationφωνή: 'voice'; ἀκούειν τῆς φωνῆς, 'heed the voice', a Hebraism (שָׁמַע בְּקוֹל) for obeying.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκραταίωσενoverpoweredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κραταιόωmain verb (the use of force)→ constative aoristκραταιόω: 'be strong / prevail / overpower'; renders חָזַק; ἐκραταίωσεν ὑπὲρ αὐτήν, 'he was stronger than she / overpowered her' — the language of physical force makes clear this is rape, not seduction.
ὑπὲρover / thanpreposition + accusative (comparison: 'stronger than')→ spatial or relational framingὑπέρ + acc.: 'beyond / more than'; here in the comparative idiom 'he prevailed over her', rendering the Hebrew comparative חָזַק מִמֶּנָּה.
αὐτὴνherAccusativeobject of ὑπέρ→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ὑπέρ.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐταπείνωσενviolatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ταπεινόωmain verb (the violation)→ constative aoristταπεινόω: 'humble / abase / violate'; renders עָנָה, the technical verb for sexual violation; fulfils Tamar's plea μὴ ταπεινώσῃς με (v. 12); the chapter's keyword for the crime (cf. vv. 22, 32).
αὐτὴνherAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκοιμήθηlayAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κοιμάομαιmain verb (the act)→ constative aoristκοιμάομαι: 'lie (with)'; ἐκοιμήθη μετ᾿ αὐτῆς states the act plainly; the verb that ran innocently through the sickbed scene (vv. 5–8) reaches its violent terminus.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
αὐτῆςherGenitiveobject of μετά→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of μετά.
15
καὶ ἐμίσησεν αὐτὴν Αμνων μῖσος μέγα σφόδρα ὅτι μέγα τὸ μῖσος ὃ ἐμίσησεν αὐτήν ὑπὲρ τὴν ἀγάπην ἣν ἠγάπησεν αὐτήν καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ Αμνων ἀνάστηθι καὶ πορεύου
Then Amnon hated her with a very great hatred, for greater was the hatred with which he hated her than the love with which he had loved her; and Amnon said to her, 'Get up, go.'
The narrator marks the moral and emotional reversal with a cognate-accusative (ἐμίσησεν … μῖσος μέγα σφόδρα) and an explicit comparison: the hatred now exceeds the former 'love' (ὑπὲρ τὴν ἀγάπην ἣν ἠγάπησεν). This exposes the ἀγάπη of vv. 1, 4 as appetite, not love; its satisfaction breeds revulsion. The curt double command ἀνάστηθι καὶ πορεύου ('get up, go') compounds the violation with contempt.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐμίσησενhatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μισέωmain verb (with cognate accusative)→ ingressive aorist (was seized with hatred)μισέω: 'hate'; renders שָׂנֵא; the cognate-accusative construction ἐμίσησεν … μῖσος intensifies; the love-to-hate reversal is the chapter's psychological centerpiece, exposing lust's emptiness.
αὐτὴνherAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ΑμνωνAmnonNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
μῖσοςhatredAccusativecognate accusative (with ἐμίσησεν)→ object specificationμῖσος: 'hatred'; cognate accusative intensifying the verb, rendering the Hebrew construction with the cognate noun; 'hated with a hatred.'
μέγαgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (with μῖσος)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great'; modifies μῖσος, magnitude of the hatred.
σφόδραexceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying μέγα)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'exceedingly'; renders מְאֹד; 'a very great hatred.'
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the explanatory comparison.
μέγαgreatNominativepredicate adjective (with τὸ μῖσος)→ participant prominenceμέγας: 'great'; fronted for emphasis — 'greater was the hatred…'
τὸtheNominativearticle (with μῖσος)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μῖσοςhatredNominativesubject of the comparison clause→ participant prominenceμῖσος: 'hatred'; the subject of the comparative clause.
ὃwith whichAccusativerelative pronoun (cognate accusative with ἐμίσησεν)→ participant referenceὅς (neut. acc. ὅ): relative pronoun functioning as a cognate accusative — 'the hatred with which he hated her', a Hebraizing relative construction.
ἐμίσησενhe hatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μισέωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristμισέω: repeated in the relative clause for the comparison.
αὐτήνherAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτήν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ὑπὲρthanpreposition + accusative (comparison: 'greater than')→ spatial or relational framingὑπέρ + acc.: comparative 'more than / beyond'; the hatred exceeds the love.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἀγάπην)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγάπηνloveAccusativeobject of ὑπέρ (the standard of comparison)→ object specificationἀγάπη: 'love'; the noun cognate with ἠγάπησεν (vv. 1, 4); the explicit naming of the prior 'love' alongside the new hatred frames the whole episode as a study in the difference between love and lust.
ἣνwith whichAccusativerelative pronoun (cognate accusative with ἠγάπησεν)→ participant referenceὅς (fem. acc. ἥν): relative as cognate accusative — 'the love with which he loved her.'
ἠγάπησενhe had lovedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀγαπάωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (prior state, here past relative to the hatred)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; the same verb as v. 1, now revealed as appetite that turns to loathing once gratified.
αὐτήνherAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτήν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτῇto herDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'to her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
ΑμνωνAmnonNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ἀνάστηθιget upAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (curt command)→ aorist imperativeἀνίστημι (aor. impv. ἀνάστηθι): 'rise / get up'; the brusque command, with πορεύου, compounds the violation with cold dismissal.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πορεύουgoPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (curt command)→ present imperative (immediate dismissal)πορεύομαι (pres. impv. πορεύου): 'go / be gone'; the contemptuous 'be off' completes Amnon's repudiation of the one he professed to love.
16
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Θημαρ μή ἄδελφε ὅτι μεγάλη ἡ κακία ἡ ἐσχάτη ὑπὲρ τὴν πρώτην ἣν ἐποίησας μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ τοῦ ἐξαποστεῖλαί με καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησεν Αμνων ἀκοῦσαι τῆς φωνῆς αὐτῆς
And Tamar said to him, 'No, brother, for this last evil—sending me away—is greater than the first you did to me'; but Amnon would not listen to her voice.
Tamar protests that the expulsion is a worse wrong than the violation itself — to send her away unmarried compounds the disgrace, leaving her ruined and unprovided for. Her renewed μή ἄδελφε echoes v. 12, and the refrain οὐκ ἠθέλησεν … ἀκοῦσαι τῆς φωνῆς αὐτῆς (verbatim from v. 14) seals Amnon's total imperviousness.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
ΘημαρTamarNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΘημαρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
μήnonegative particle (absolute refusal)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: 'no!'; the same emphatic refusal as v. 12, now against the expulsion. (The Greek here is elliptical; the Hebrew adds 'do not [send me away] on account of this great evil.')
ἄδελφεbrotherVocativevocative of address→ direct addressἀδελφός (voc. ἄδελφε): 'brother'; Tamar still appeals to the kinship bond even after the assault.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; grounds the protest.
μεγάληgreatNominativepredicate adjective (with ἡ κακία)→ participant prominenceμέγας (fem. μεγάλη): 'great'; the predicate fronted — 'great is this last evil.'
ἡtheNominativearticle (with κακία)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κακίαevilNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκακία: 'evil / wrong / wickedness'; renders רָעָה; here the specific wrong of casting her out, which Tamar judges worse than the rape.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ἐσχάτη, attributive)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐσχάτηlastNominativeattributive adjective (with κακία: 'this last evil')→ participant prominenceἔσχατος: 'last / latter'; renders אַחֲרוֹן; 'the latter evil' (the dismissal) set against 'the first' (the assault).
ὑπὲρthanpreposition + accusative (comparison)→ spatial or relational framingὑπέρ + acc.: comparative 'greater than'; the second wrong exceeds the first.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πρώτην)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρώτηνfirstAccusativesubstantival adjective (object of ὑπέρ: 'the first [evil]')→ object specificationπρῶτος: 'first'; renders רִאשׁוֹן; 'the first', i.e., the rape, in contrast to the worse 'latter' wrong of expulsion.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐποίησας)→ participant referenceὅς (fem. acc. ἥν): relative referring to 'the first [evil].'
ἐποίησαςyou didAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do'; refers to the assault Amnon committed.
μετ᾿with / topreposition + genitive ('against/with me')→ spatial or relational framingμετά + gen.: 'with'; here 'did to/with me' (Hebraism for the object of an action).
ἐμοῦmeGenitiveobject of μετά→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as object of μετά.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive ἐξαποστεῖλαι)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξαποστεῖλαίto send awayAor Act Inf · ἐξαποστέλλωarticular infinitive (epexegetic: defining the 'last evil')→ verbal action or stateἐξαποστέλλω (aor. inf. ἐξαποστεῖλαι): 'send away / dismiss'; the articular τοῦ ἐξαποστεῖλαι defines the latter evil — sending her off; to dismiss a violated woman unmarried compounds her ruin (cf. Deut 22:29).
μεmeAccusativedirect object of ἐξαποστεῖλαι→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐξαποστεῖλαι.
καὶbutnarrative conjunction (adversative force in context)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative (with ἠθέλησεν)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἠθέλησενwas willingAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θέλωmain verb (refusal, refrain from v. 14)→ constative aoristθέλω: 'be willing'; the refrain οὐκ ἠθέλησεν … ἀκοῦσαι repeats v. 14 verbatim, framing the whole assault between two refusals to listen.
ΑμνωνAmnonNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ἀκοῦσαιto listenAor Act Inf · ἀκούωcomplementary infinitive (with ἠθέλησεν)→ verbal action or stateἀκούω (aor. inf. ἀκοῦσαι): 'heed'; here without the article (v. 14 had τοῦ ἀκοῦσαι).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with φωνῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνῆςvoiceGenitivegenitive object of ἀκοῦσαι→ relational specificationφωνή: 'voice'; the Hebraism 'heed her voice' = obey her plea.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
17
καὶ ἐκάλεσεν τὸ παιδάριον αὐτοῦ τὸν προεστηκότα τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἐξαποστείλατε δὴ ταύτην ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἔξω καὶ ἀπόκλεισον τὴν θύραν ὀπίσω αὐτῆς
And he called his servant-boy, the one set over his house, and said to him, 'Put this woman out from me, please, outside, and bolt the door behind her.'
Amnon summons his chief servant to expel Tamar. The contemptuous demonstrative ταύτην ('this [woman]') refuses even to name her, completing the dehumanization. The command to bolt the door behind her (ἀπόκλεισον τὴν θύραν ὀπίσω αὐτῆς) makes the rejection final and public — she is shut out like an intruder.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάλεσενcalledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (summoning the servant)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call / summon'; Amnon calls his attendant to carry out the expulsion.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with παιδάριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριονservant-boyAccusativedirect object of ἐκάλεσεν→ object specificationπαιδάριον: 'young servant / lad / attendant' (diminutive of παῖς); renders נַעַר; here a household servant, identified below as the steward.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τὸνthe oneAccusativearticle (substantizing the participle προεστηκότα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προεστηκόταset overPerf Act Ptcp Acc M Sg · προΐστημιsubstantival participle in apposition to παιδάριον ('the one in charge')→ perfect (settled standing position of authority)προΐστημι (perf. ptcp. προεστηκότα): 'stand before / be set over / manage'; the perfect denotes a fixed office; ὁ προεστηκὼς τοῦ οἴκου = the household steward, identified below (v. 18) as ὁ λειτουργός.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with οἴκου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive object (of προεστηκότα: 'over the house')→ relational specificationοἶκος: 'house / household'; the domain the steward manages.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
ἐξαποστείλατεput outAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐξαποστέλλωmain verb (command, plural)→ aorist imperativeἐξαποστέλλω: 'send away / put out'; the same verb Tamar used of the dreaded dismissal (v. 16); the plural addresses the servant and any helpers; Amnon's word enacts the very 'latter evil' Tamar protested.
δὴplease / nowparticle (with imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: 'now'; renders נָא; here perfunctory politeness in a harsh command.
ταύτηνthis womanAccusativedirect object (contemptuous demonstrative)→ participant referenceοὗτος (fem. acc. ταύτην): 'this (woman)'; the bare demonstrative, refusing to name Tamar, voices Amnon's contempt — she is now merely 'this thing' to be removed.
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπ᾿: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
ἐμοῦmeGenitiveobject of ἀπό→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as object of ἀπό.
ἔξωoutsideadverb of place (direction: 'out')→ clausal contributionἔξω: 'outside / out'; renders הַחוּצָה; reinforces the expulsion.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπόκλεισονboltAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀποκλείωmain verb (command, singular)→ aorist imperativeἀποκλείω: 'shut / bolt / lock'; renders נָעַל; the bolting of the door behind her makes the rejection irrevocable and degrading — she is locked out like a stranger.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with θύραν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύρανdoorAccusativedirect object of ἀπόκλεισον→ object specificationθύρα: 'door'; the bolted door is a vivid emblem of finality and exclusion.
ὀπίσωbehindimproper preposition + genitive ('after / behind')→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'behind / after'; renders אַחֲרֶיהָ; 'behind her', sealing her out.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσω→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ὀπίσω.
18
καὶ ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς ἦν χιτὼν καρπωτός ὅτι οὕτως ἐνεδιδύσκοντο αἱ θυγατέρες τοῦ βασιλέως αἱ παρθένοι τοὺς ἐπενδύτας αὐτῶν καὶ ἐξήγαγεν αὐτὴν ὁ λειτουργὸς αὐτοῦ ἔξω καὶ ἀπέκλεισεν τὴν θύραν ὀπίσω αὐτῆς
Now she had on a long-sleeved robe, for thus the virgin daughters of the king clothed themselves in their upper garments; and his attendant brought her outside and bolted the door behind her.
The narrator pauses to describe Tamar's χιτὼν καρπωτός — the distinctive long robe marking her as a royal virgin (the same rare term as Joseph's robe, Gen 37:3 LXX); its mention prepares for the tearing in v. 19, a sign of her lost status. The servant then carries out Amnon's command verbatim, expelling her and bolting the door.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶnownarrative conjunction (introducing parenthetical description)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπ᾿onpreposition + genitive (location: 'on her')→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location: 'on her').
αὐτῆςherGenitiveobject of ἐπί→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐπί.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of existence ('there was on her')→ participant referenceεἰμί (impf. ἦν): the descriptive imperfect introduces the background note about her robe.
χιτὼνrobe / tunicNominativesubject of ἦν→ participant prominenceχιτών: 'tunic / robe'; renders כְּתֹנֶת; the garment that distinguished the king's virgin daughters.
καρπωτόςlong-sleevedNominativeattributive adjective (with χιτών)→ participant prominenceκαρπωτός: 'reaching to the wrists / long-sleeved' (from καρπός, 'wrist'); renders כְּתֹנֶת פַּסִּים, the same rare phrase as Joseph's famous robe (Gen 37:3, 23 LXX); a mark of special status — here of royal virginity, soon to be torn.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction (explanatory)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for / because'; introduces the explanation of the robe's significance.
οὕτωςthusadverb of manner→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / in this way'; 'thus the king's virgin daughters dressed.'
ἐνεδιδύσκοντοclothed themselvesImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐνδιδύσκωmain verb of explanatory clause (customary imperfect)→ customary imperfect (habitual practice)ἐνδιδύσκω (mid. 'clothe oneself'): 'put on / wear'; renders לָבַשׁ; the customary imperfect describes the standing dress-code of royal virgins — the robe is a social-legal marker of unmarried princess status.
αἱtheNominativearticle (with θυγατέρες)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατέρεςdaughtersNominativesubject of ἐνεδιδύσκοντο→ participant prominenceθυγάτηρ: 'daughter'; renders בַּת; the king's daughters as a class.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of relationship ('daughters of the king')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: David; the robe marks Tamar's royal rank, intensifying the scandal.
αἱtheNominativearticle (with παρθένοι, attributive)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρθένοιvirginsNominativeattributive (in apposition: 'the virgin [daughters]')→ participant prominenceπαρθένος: 'virgin'; renders בְּתוּלָה; specifies that the robe belonged to the unmarried princesses — its tearing in v. 19 signifies Tamar's lost virginity and status.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἐπενδύτας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπενδύταςupper garmentsAccusativedirect object of ἐνεδιδύσκοντο (cognate-type object)→ object specificationἐπενδύτης: 'outer garment / overtunic'; renders מְעִיל; the robe worn over other clothing; here glossing the χιτὼν καρπωτός as the princesses' formal outerwear.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (resuming the action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξήγαγενbrought outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξάγωmain verb (servant's compliance)→ constative aoristἐξάγω: 'lead/bring out'; the servant carries out Amnon's expulsion order.
αὐτὴνherAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λειτουργός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λειτουργὸςattendantNominativesubject of ἐξήγαγεν→ participant prominenceλειτουργός: 'minister / attendant / servant'; renders מְשָׁרֵת; the same household steward called τὸ παιδάριον / ὁ προεστηκώς in v. 17.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἔξωoutsideadverb of place→ clausal contributionἔξω: 'outside'; echoing Amnon's command (v. 17).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέκλεισενboltedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκλείωmain verb (compliance)→ constative aoristἀποκλείω: 'bolt / lock'; fulfils Amnon's command ἀπόκλεισον (v. 17).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with θύραν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύρανdoorAccusativedirect object of ἀπέκλεισεν→ object specificationθύρα: 'door'; the bolted door, now from the narrator's perspective.
ὀπίσωbehindimproper preposition + genitive→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'behind'; 'behind her' — the exclusion sealed.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσω→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ὀπίσω.
19
καὶ ἔλαβεν Θημαρ σποδὸν καὶ ἐπέθηκεν ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτῆς καὶ τὸν χιτῶνα τὸν καρπωτὸν τὸν ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς διέρρηξεν καὶ ἐπέθηκεν τὰς χεῖρας αὐτῆς ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτῆς καὶ ἐπορεύθη πορευομένη καὶ κράζουσα
And Tamar took ashes and put them on her head, and tore the long-sleeved robe that was on her, and put her hands on her head, and went away, going and crying out as she went.
Tamar enacts the full rites of mourning and lament: ashes on the head, the tearing of the status-robe (its rending the visible undoing of her standing), hands on the head (a gesture of grief; cf. Jer 2:37), and loud public crying. The Hebraizing intensive ἐπορεύθη πορευομένη ('she went, going') with the participle κράζουσα portrays her continuous, audible distress — she does not hide the crime but proclaims it.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (first mourning act)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; begins the mourning sequence.
ΘημαρTamarNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΘημαρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
σποδὸνashesAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationσποδός: 'ashes'; renders אֵפֶר; ashes on the head are a standard sign of mourning and humiliation (cf. Job 2:8; Esth 4:1).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέθηκενputAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb (mourning act)→ constative aoristἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon'; renders שִׂים; she puts the ashes on her head.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κεφαλήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; the head as the locus of mourning gestures.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with χιτῶνα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χιτῶναrobeAccusativedirect object of διέρρηξεν (fronted)→ object specificationχιτών: 'robe'; the same status-robe of v. 18, now torn.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with καρπωτόν, attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρπωτὸνlong-sleevedAccusativeattributive adjective (with χιτῶνα)→ object specificationκαρπωτός: 'long-sleeved'; the rare adjective repeated from v. 18; the tearing of this specific royal-virgin robe is the symbolic destruction of her former status.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with the prepositional phrase ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς, attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπ᾿onpreposition + genitive (in attributive phrase: 'the one on her')→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (in attributive phrase: 'the one on her').
αὐτῆςherGenitiveobject of ἐπί→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐπί.
διέρρηξενtoreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διαρρήγνυμιmain verb (the robe-tearing)→ constative aoristδιαρρήγνυμι: 'tear apart / rend'; renders קָרַע; the rending of garments is a classic mourning sign (cf. v. 31; Gen 37:34); tearing the very robe of her virgin status dramatizes her ruin.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέθηκενputAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb (mourning gesture)→ constative aoristἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon'; the hands-on-head gesture of grief and shame (cf. Jer 2:37; 2 Kgdms 13 here).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραςhandsAccusativedirect object of ἐπέθηκεν→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; hands placed on the head — a gesture of despair and lament.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κεφαλήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ object specificationκεφαλὴν: meaning 'head'; it serves as object of ἐπί.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwent awayAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (departure)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go'; with the cognate participle πορευομένη forms a Hebraizing intensive.
πορευομένηgoingPres Mid Ptcp Nom F Sg · πορεύομαιparticiple (cognate, durative: 'going [continually]')→ durative (continuous motion)πορεύομαι (ptcp.): the figura etymologica ἐπορεύθη πορευομένη renders the Hebrew infinitive-absolute construction הָלוֹךְ וְזָעֲקָה ('going on and crying'), expressing continuous action.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κράζουσαcrying outPres Act Ptcp Nom F Sg · κράζωparticiple (manner: 'crying out' as she went)→ durative (continuous outcry)κράζω (ptcp. κράζουσα): 'cry out / shriek'; renders זָעַק; Tamar's loud public lament refuses to conceal the outrage — her audible grief becomes a witness against Amnon.
20
καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτὴν Αβεσσαλωμ ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτῆς μὴ Αμνων ὁ ἀδελφός σου ἐγένετο μετὰ σοῦ καὶ νῦν ἀδελφή μου κώφευσον ὅτι ἀδελφός σού ἐστιν μὴ θῇς τὴν καρδίαν σου τοῦ λαλῆσαι εἰς τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο καὶ ἐκάθισεν Θημαρ χηρεύουσα ἐν οἴκῳ Αβεσσαλωμ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτῆς
And Absalom her brother said to her, 'Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now, my sister, keep silent; he is your brother; do not set your heart to speak about this matter.' And Tamar remained, desolate, in the house of Absalom her brother.
Absalom immediately grasps what has happened (his question μὴ … ἐγένετο μετὰ σοῦ expects he already knows) and counsels silence — partly to protect Tamar's honor, partly, the narrator hints, because he is already nursing his own plans (cf. v. 22). The closing clause leaves Tamar 'desolate' (χηρεύουσα, lit. 'widowed') in Absalom's house — a living ruin, her future as wife and mother forfeited.
Word-by-word analysis· 46 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτὴνherAccusativeobject of πρός→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of πρός.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἀδελφός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativeapposition to Αβεσσαλωμ→ participant prominenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; Absalom is Tamar's full brother (both children of Maacah), which gives him standing to take up her cause.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
μὴsurely not?interrogative particle (introducing a question)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: introduces a question; here Absalom's guarded 'Has Amnon … been with you?' — a delicate euphemism by which he signals he understands without forcing her to recount it.
ΑμνωνAmnonNominativesubject of ἐγένετο (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐγένετο (indeclinable).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἀδελφός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφόςbrotherNominativeapposition to Αμνων→ participant prominenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; 'Amnon your brother' — the kinship that should have protected her named as the source of harm.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ἐγένετοhas beenAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb of the question (euphemistic: 'been with you')→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'be / become'; ἐγένετο μετὰ σοῦ, 'was with you', a delicate euphemism for the assault — Absalom names the deed obliquely.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
σοῦyouGenitiveobject of μετά→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of μετά.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (transition to counsel)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; καὶ νῦν marks the move from question to counsel.
ἀδελφήmy sisterVocativevocative of address→ direct addressἀδελφή (voc.): 'sister'; Absalom's tender address contrasts with Amnon's exploitative 'my sister' (v. 11).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
κώφευσονkeep silentAor Act Impv 2 Sg · κωφεύωmain verb (Absalom's counsel)→ aorist imperativeκωφεύω: 'be silent / hold one's peace' (from κωφός, 'mute'); renders חָרַשׁ (Hiphil, 'keep quiet'); Absalom urges silence — protective of Tamar's honor, but also concealing his own intent to act later.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; gives the reason for silence — the assailant is family, making the matter one to be handled within the house.
ἀδελφόςbrotherNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐστιν)→ participant prominenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; 'he is your brother' — the kinship that constrains a public response.
σούyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσού: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: the copula of the causal clause.
μὴdo notnegative (with prohibitive subjunctive θῇς)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμὴ: meaning 'do not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
θῇςsetAor Act Subj 2 Sg · τίθημιprohibitive subjunctive (μή + aor. subj.)→ prohibitive aoristτίθημι (aor. subj. θῇς): 'set / place'; μὴ θῇς τὴν καρδίαν σου, 'do not set your heart' — a Hebraism (אַל־תָּשִׁיתִי לִבֵּךְ) for 'do not take it to heart / do not dwell on it.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with καρδίαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίανheartAccusativedirect object of θῇς→ object specificationκαρδία: 'heart'; the seat of thought and resolve; 'set your heart to' = 'be intent on.'
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive λαλῆσαι)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαλῆσαιto speakAor Act Inf · λαλέωarticular infinitive of purpose ('to speak of')→ aorist infinitiveλαλέω (aor. inf. λαλῆσαι): 'speak'; the articular τοῦ λαλῆσαι expresses the intent Absalom warns against — making the matter public.
εἰςaboutpreposition + accusative (reference: 'concerning')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: here 'with reference to / about'; λαλεῖν εἰς τὸ ῥῆμα = 'speak about the matter', a Hebraizing use.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ῥῆμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαmatterAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / thing / matter'; renders דָּבָר, which spans both 'word' and 'affair'; here 'this matter' — the assault.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (with ῥῆμα)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; pointing to the violation.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάθισενremained / dweltAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίζωmain verb (Tamar's settled state)→ constative aorist (entered and remained in a state)καθίζω: 'sit / settle / dwell'; renders יָשַׁב; 'Tamar settled/dwelt' — she takes up residence, ruined, in her brother's house.
ΘημαρTamarNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΘημαρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
χηρεύουσαdesolatePres Act Ptcp Nom F Sg · χηρεύωparticiple (predicate/circumstantial: 'living as one bereft')→ durative (continuing condition)χηρεύω (ptcp. χηρεύουσα): 'be a widow / live bereft / desolate' (from χήρα, 'widow'); renders שֹׁמֵמָה ('desolate'); though not literally widowed, Tamar is now unmarriageable and bereft of a future — the participle captures her permanent state of ruin.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
οἴκῳhouseDativeobject of ἐν (location of her dwelling)→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house'; Absalom's house, where she lives out her desolation.
Αβεσσαλωμof AbsalomGenitivegenitive of possession (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of possession (indeclinable).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἀδελφοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitiveapposition to Αβεσσαλωμ→ relational specificationἀδελφός: 'brother'; the chapter's final note on the kinship motif in this scene — Tamar finds refuge with the brother who will avenge her.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
21
καὶ ἤκουσεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Δαυιδ πάντας τοὺς λόγους τούτους καὶ ἐθυμώθη σφόδρα καὶ οὐκ ἐλύπησεν τὸ πνεῦμα Αμνων τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ ὅτι ἠγάπα αὐτόν ὅτι πρωτότοκος αὐτοῦ ἦν
And King David heard all these things and was greatly angered, but he did not grieve the spirit of Amnon his son, for he loved him, because he was his firstborn.
David's response is morally telling: great anger (ἐθυμώθη σφόδρα) but no discipline of Amnon — he 'did not grieve the spirit of his son' because of paternal love for his firstborn. (This last clause, present in the LXX and 4QSamᵃ, is absent from the Masoretic Text.) David's inaction creates the vacuum Absalom will fill with vengeance, and recalls David's own failure to act justly in his house after the Bathsheba affair.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤκουσενheardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; renders שָׁמַע; David learns of the assault — but hearing does not issue in justice.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (with appositional Δαυιδ)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the title plus name stresses David's royal-judicial responsibility, which he fails to exercise.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativeapposition to βασιλεύς (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as apposition to βασιλεύς (indeclinable).
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (with λόγους)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; David hears the full account.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with λόγους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγουςthings / wordsAccusativedirect object of ἤκουσεν→ object specificationλόγος: 'word / account / matter'; renders דָּבָר; 'all these words/things' = the whole report of the crime.
τούτουςtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective (with λόγους)→ object specificationοὗτος: 'these'; pointing to the events just narrated.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐθυμώθηwas angeredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · θυμόωmain verb (David's anger)→ ingressive aorist (became angry)θυμόω (pass. 'be angry'): 'be enraged'; renders חָרָה; David's anger is real but, lacking consequence, proves impotent — the narrative quietly indicts him.
σφόδραgreatlyadverb of degree (intensifying ἐθυμώθη)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'greatly / exceedingly'; renders מְאֹד; the intensity of anger heightens the contrast with his inaction.
καὶbutnarrative conjunction (adversative force in context)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative (with ἐλύπησεν)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἐλύπησενgrievedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λυπέωmain verb (David's failure to discipline)→ constative aoristλυπέω: 'grieve / pain / distress'; renders עָצַב; 'he did not grieve/pain the spirit of Amnon', i.e., did not rebuke or punish him; the clause (LXX/4QSamᵃ, absent from MT) explains David's culpable leniency.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with πνεῦμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πνεῦμαspiritAccusativedirect object of ἐλύπησεν→ object specificationπνεῦμα: 'spirit / disposition'; renders רוּחַ; 'the spirit of Amnon' = Amnon himself, his feelings; David spared his son's feelings rather than executing justice.
Αμνωνof AmnonGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with υἱοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῦsonGenitiveapposition to Αμνων→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; 'Amnon his son' — the paternal bond that stays David's hand.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the first reason for David's leniency.
ἠγάπαlovedImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀγαπάωverb of causal clause (durative)→ durative imperfect (ongoing love)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; the imperfect denotes David's continuing fatherly love for Amnon — the very kind of love Amnon counterfeited toward Tamar, here the cause of justice withheld.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (second reason)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; the second, deeper reason — Amnon's status as firstborn.
πρωτότοκοςfirstbornNominativepredicate nominative (with ἦν)→ participant prominenceπρωτότοκος: 'firstborn'; renders בְּכוֹר; as eldest son and heir-apparent, Amnon held a privileged place; David's favoritism toward his firstborn blinds him to justice — and marks Amnon as the obstacle Absalom (next in ambition) will remove.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (of the causal clause)→ participant referenceεἰμί: the copula completing 'he was his firstborn.'
22
καὶ οὐκ ἐλάλησεν Αβεσσαλωμ μετὰ Αμνων ἀπὸ πονηροῦ ἕως ἀγαθοῦ ὅτι ἐμίσει Αβεσσαλωμ τὸν Αμνων ἐπὶ λόγου οὗ ἐταπείνωσεν Θημαρ τὴν ἀδελφὴν αὐτοῦ
And Absalom spoke to Amnon neither bad nor good, for Absalom hated Amnon on account of the matter—that he had violated Tamar his sister.
Absalom's total silence toward Amnon — the merism ἀπὸ πονηροῦ ἕως ἀγαθοῦ ('from bad to good', i.e., nothing at all) — masks a durative, brooding hatred (ἐμίσει, imperfect). The narrator names the cause directly with the keyword ἐταπείνωσεν ('violated', echoing vv. 12, 14): the wrong against Tamar 'his sister' is the grievance Absalom will nurse for two years before striking.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative (with ἐλάλησεν)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (Absalom's silence)→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak'; οὐκ ἐλάλησεν … ἀπὸ πονηροῦ ἕως ἀγαθοῦ, 'he said neither bad nor good' — total non-communication, the silence of suppressed enmity (cf. Gen 31:24, 29 for the same idiom).
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association: 'with Amnon')→ spatial or relational framingμετά + gen.: 'with'; λαλεῖν μετά τινος = 'speak with someone.'
ΑμνωνAmnonGenitiveobject of μετά (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of μετά (indeclinable).
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (start of merism)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: in the merism ἀπὸ πονηροῦ ἕως ἀγαθοῦ ('from bad to good'), rendering מֵרָע וְעַד־טוֹב, an idiom of totality = 'not a word, neither one thing nor another.'
πονηροῦbadGenitivesubstantival adjective (first pole of merism)→ relational specificationπονηρός: 'bad / evil'; renders רַע; one pole of the all-encompassing 'bad to good.'
ἕωςtopreposition + genitive (end of merism)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / to'; completes the merism.
ἀγαθοῦgoodGenitivesubstantival adjective (second pole of merism)→ relational specificationἀγαθός: 'good'; renders טוֹב; the other pole — Absalom's silence is complete and deliberate.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; gives the reason for the silence — hatred.
ἐμίσειhatedImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · μισέωverb of causal clause (durative)→ durative imperfect (settled, ongoing hatred)μισέω: 'hate'; the imperfect denotes a continuous, smoldering hatred — the same verb (μῖσος) that named Amnon's hatred of Tamar (v. 15), now turned against Amnon by Absalom; the brooding aspect anticipates the premeditated murder.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Αμνων, marking the object)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμνωνAmnonAccusativedirect object (indeclinable, case shown by article)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as direct object (indeclinable, case shown by article).
ἐπὶon account ofpreposition + genitive (cause/ground)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: 'on the basis of / on account of'; ἐπὶ λόγου = 'because of the matter.'
λόγουmatterGenitiveobject of ἐπί→ relational specificationλόγος: 'word / matter / affair'; renders דָּבָר; 'the matter / the cause' — the violation of Tamar.
οὗthat / whereinGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive, referring to λόγου)→ relational specificationὅς (gen. οὗ): the relative, 'on account of the matter wherein/that he violated…'; explicates the λόγος.
ἐταπείνωσενviolatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ταπεινόωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristταπεινόω: 'humble / violate'; the chapter keyword for the assault (vv. 12, 14, 32); the explicit naming of the cause shows Absalom's hatred is grounded in the wrong to Tamar, lending his coming revenge the color of justice.
ΘημαρTamarAccusativedirect object of ἐταπείνωσεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΘημαρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as direct object of ἐταπείνωσεν (indeclinable).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἀδελφήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὴνsisterAccusativeapposition to Θημαρ→ object specificationἀδελφή: 'sister'; 'Tamar his [Absalom's] sister' — the kinship that makes the offense Absalom's to avenge.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
23
καὶ ἐγένετο εἰς διετηρίδα ἡμερῶν καὶ ἦσαν κείροντες τῷ Αβεσσαλωμ ἐν Βελασωρ τῇ ἐχόμενα Εφραιμ καὶ ἐκάλεσεν Αβεσσαλωμ πάντας τοὺς υἱοὺς τοῦ βασιλέως
And it came to pass after a period of two years that Absalom had sheepshearers in Baal-hazor, which is near Ephraim; and Absalom invited all the king's sons.
A temporal leap of two full years (διετηρίδα ἡμερῶν) measures the patience of Absalom's premeditation. The sheepshearing (κείροντες) was a festive occasion of feasting and lowered guard (cf. Gen 38:12; 1 Kgdms 25:4–8), the perfect cover for the planned murder. Inviting 'all the king's sons' ensures Amnon's presence amid a crowd, and will later fuel the false report that all were killed.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (scene-setting formula)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'come to pass'; καὶ ἐγένετο, the Hebraizing scene-opener (וַיְהִי); marks a new episode after the two-year gap.
εἰςafter / atpreposition + accusative (temporal extent: 'at the end of')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: here temporal, 'at / after (the period of)'; renders the Hebrew temporal לְ.
διετηρίδαtwo-year periodAccusativeobject of εἰς (duration)→ object specificationδιετηρίς: 'a period of two years' (from δι- + ἔτος); renders שְׁנָתַיִם יָמִים; the two years measure Absalom's long-nursed revenge.
ἡμερῶνof daysGenitivegenitive of definition (Hebraism: 'two years of days' = two full years)→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the redundant 'of days' calques the Hebrew יָמִים appended to time-spans to mean 'full / complete' (cf. שְׁנָתַיִם יָמִים, 'two full years').
καὶandapodotic καί (after the temporal phrase)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic, introducing the main clause after the temporal opener (Hebraism).
ἦσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίauxiliary of periphrastic construction (with κείροντες)→ durative imperfect (ongoing activity)εἰμί (impf. ἦσαν): forms a periphrastic imperfect with the participle κείροντες, 'were shearing', rendering the Hebrew participial construction; describes the ongoing shearing-festival.
κείροντεςshearingPres Act Ptcp Nom M Pl · κείρωparticiple (periphrastic with ἦσαν: 'were shearing')→ durativeκείρω (ptcp. κείροντες): 'shear (sheep) / cut hair'; renders גֹּזְזִים; the sheepshearers worked for Absalom; sheepshearing was a season of feasting and festivity (cf. 1 Kgdms 25), here exploited for murder.
τῷforDativearticle (with Αβεσσαλωμ, dative of advantage)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomDativedative of advantage ('shearers belonging to/for Absalom')→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative of advantage ('shearers belonging to/for Absalom').
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
ΒελασωρBaal-hazorDativeobject of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒελασωρ: transliteration of Hebrew בַּעַל חָצוֹר (Baal-hazor); indeclinable; a site in the hill country, identified below as near Ephraim — Absalom's estate, away from Jerusalem and the king's protection.
τῇthe (place)Dativearticle (introducing the locating participle phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχόμεναnear / adjoiningPres Mid Ptcp Acc/Nom N Pl · ἔχωparticiple (idiom: 'the parts adjoining Ephraim')→ verbal action or stateἔχω (mid. ptcp. ἐχόμενα): in the idiom τὸ ἐχόμενον / τὰ ἐχόμενα = 'that which adjoins / is next to'; renders the Hebrew עִם ('beside'); the neuter plural here used adverbially of location, 'near Ephraim.'
ΕφραιμEphraimGenitivegenitive with ἐχόμενα ('adjoining Ephraim', indeclinable)→ participant identificationΕφραιμ: transliteration of Hebrew אֶפְרַיִם; indeclinable; here a town/region near Baal-hazor (cf. Ephron/Ophrah of the Ephraim border), locating the estate north of Jerusalem.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάλεσενinvitedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (the invitation)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call / invite'; renders קָרָא; Absalom invites the royal sons to the shearing-feast — the bait for the trap.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (with υἱούς)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; inviting all the king's sons both secures Amnon's attendance and sets up the panic of v. 30.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with υἱούς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object of ἐκάλεσεν→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; the king's sons, Absalom's half-brothers, the invited guests.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of relationship ('the king's sons')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: David; 'all the king's sons' marks the gathering as a royal occasion.
24
καὶ ἦλθεν Αβεσσαλωμ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα καὶ εἶπεν ἰδοὺ δὴ κείρουσιν τῷ δούλῳ σου πορευθήτω δὴ ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ μετὰ τοῦ δούλου σου
And Absalom came to the king and said, 'Behold now, your servant has sheepshearers; let the king and his servants go, please, with your servant.'
Absalom's deferential approach (the courtly self-reference ὁ δοῦλός σου, 'your servant', twice) cloaks his design in honor. The invitation to the king himself is likely strategic: if David declines (as he does), Absalom can the more naturally request Amnon as the king's representative (v. 26), securing the target without arousing suspicion.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; Absalom approaches the king with his petition.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλέα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationβασιλεύς: David, whom Absalom petitions.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle / interjection→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; a deictic particle drawing the king's attention to the occasion.
δὴnowparticle (with ἰδού: 'behold now')→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: 'now / please'; renders נָא; lends courteous urgency.
κείρουσινthey are shearingPres Act Indic 3 Pl · κείρωmain verb (impersonal: 'there is shearing')→ progressive presentκείρω: 'shear'; 'they are shearing for your servant' — the occasion presented to the king.
τῷforDativearticle (with δούλῳ, dative of advantage)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δούλῳservantDativedative of advantage (courtly self-reference)→ sphere or referenceδοῦλος: 'slave / servant'; τῷ δούλῳ σου ('your servant') is Absalom's deferential self-designation before the king, a courtly idiom (rendering עַבְדְּךָ) masking his true intent.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
πορευθήτωlet goAor Pass Impv 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (3rd-person jussive: the invitation)→ aorist imperative (polite request)πορεύομαι (aor. impv. πορευθήτω): 'let (the king) go'; the jussive frames the invitation deferentially.
δὴpleaseparticle of entreaty→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: 'please'; renders נָא.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of πορευθήτω→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David, invited as guest of honor.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with παῖδες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject (coordinate with βασιλεύς)→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / attendant / official'; renders עֶבֶד; the king's retinue, invited along with him.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with δούλου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δούλουservantGenitiveobject of μετά (courtly self-reference)→ relational specificationδοῦλος: 'servant'; the second 'your servant' — Absalom maintains the posture of humble petitioner.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
25
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς Αβεσσαλωμ μὴ δή υἱέ μου μὴ πορευθῶμεν πάντες ἡμεῖς καὶ οὐ μὴ καταβαρυνθῶμεν ἐπὶ σέ καὶ ἐβιάσατο αὐτόν καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησεν τοῦ πορευθῆναι καὶ εὐλόγησεν αὐτόν
And the king said to Absalom, 'No, please, my son, let us not all go, so that we may not be a burden upon you.' And he pressed him, but he would not go, and he blessed him.
David declines for a practical reason — the whole court would burden Absalom — and the affectionate address υἱέ μου ('my son') shows him unsuspecting. Absalom's pressing (ἐβιάσατο) is itself part of the design; the refusal opens the way for the substitute request of v. 26. David's blessing (εὐλόγησεν) at parting deepens the dramatic irony.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomAccusativeobject of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of πρός (indeclinable).
μὴnonegative particle (gentle refusal)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: 'no / not so'; a softened refusal, with δή.
δήpleaseparticle of entreaty→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: 'please / I pray'; renders נָא; softens the refusal.
υἱέmy sonVocativevocative of address→ direct addressυἱός (voc. υἱέ): 'son'; the affectionate address shows David's unsuspecting fondness for Absalom — poignant given Absalom's hidden intent and later rebellion.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
μὴnotnegative (with hortatory subjunctive πορευθῶμεν)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμὴ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
πορευθῶμενlet us goAor Pass Subj 1 Pl · πορεύομαιhortatory subjunctive (negated: 'let us not go')→ negated hortatory aoristπορεύομαι (aor. subj. πορευθῶμεν): 'go'; the negated hortatory 'let us not all go' is David's polite decline.
πάντεςallNominativepredicate adjective (with ἡμεῖς)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; 'all of us', i.e., the entire court.
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ (pl. ἡμεῖς): emphatic 'we', the king and his retinue.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing purpose-result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegative (emphatic οὐ μή)→ participant referenceοὐ: meaning 'not'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as negative (emphatic οὐ μή).
μὴlestnegative (with subjunctive καταβαρυνθῶμεν: emphatic/final)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐ μή: emphatic negation with the subjunctive; here near-final, 'so that we may not be a burden.'
καταβαρυνθῶμενbe a burdenAor Pass Subj 1 Pl · καταβαρύνωsubjunctive (with οὐ μή: avoidance)→ aorist subjunctive (purposed avoidance)καταβαρύνω (pass. 'be weighed down / burdensome'): 'be a heavy burden'; renders כָּבֵד; David's stated reason — the royal entourage would overtax Absalom's hospitality.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative ('upon you')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative ('upon you').
σέyouAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ participant referenceσέ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐπί.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐβιάσατοpressedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · βιάζομαιmain verb (Absalom's urging)→ constative aoristβιάζομαι: 'press / urge / constrain'; renders פָּרַץ (Qal, 'press'); Absalom's insistence is part of the scheme; the same verb recurs at v. 27 when he successfully presses for Amnon.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
καὶbutnarrative conjunction (adversative force in context)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative (with ἠθέλησεν)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἠθέλησενwas willingAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θέλωmain verb (David's refusal stands)→ constative aoristθέλω: 'be willing'; David maintains his refusal to attend personally — precisely what Absalom's plan required.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive πορευθῆναι)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πορευθῆναιto goAor Pass Inf · πορεύομαιarticular infinitive (complement of ἠθέλησεν)→ telic aorist infinitiveπορεύομαι (aor. inf. πορευθῆναι): 'go'; the articular τοῦ πορευθῆναι, a Hebraizing complement of θέλω.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὐλόγησενblessedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εὐλογέωmain verb (parting blessing)→ constative aoristεὐλογέω: 'bless / bid farewell'; renders בֵּרַךְ; David's parting blessing of Absalom is bitterly ironic — he sends his son off with goodwill, unaware he is enabling fratricide.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
26
καὶ εἶπεν Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ εἰ μή πορευθήτω δὴ μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν Αμνων ὁ ἀδελφός μου καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ βασιλεύς ἵνα τί πορευθῇ μετὰ σοῦ
And Absalom said, 'If not, then let Amnon my brother go with us, please.' And the king said to him, 'Why should he go with you?'
With the king declining, Absalom makes the request he wanted all along: let Amnon come. The address ὁ ἀδελφός μου ('my brother') — used of the man he hates and intends to kill — is chillingly calculated. David's question ἵνα τί ('why?') hints at a flicker of unease, but it is overridden in the next verse.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καὶthenconjunction (in conditional idiom καὶ εἰ μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: in the idiom καὶ εἰ μή, 'and if not / then at least', introducing the fallback request.
εἰifconditional particle→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; εἰ μή = 'if not', i.e., 'if you yourself will not come.'
μήnotnegative (with εἰ: 'if not')→ clausal qualification or emphasisμή: negative in the elliptical conditional 'but if not.'
πορευθήτωlet goAor Pass Impv 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (3rd-person jussive: the request for Amnon)→ aorist imperativeπορεύομαι (aor. impv. πορευθήτω): 'let (Amnon) go'; the carefully placed request that targets Amnon under cover of a fallback.
δὴpleaseparticle of entreaty→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: 'please'; renders נָא.
μεθ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + gen.: 'with us.'
ἡμῶνusGenitiveobject of μετά→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of μετά.
ΑμνωνAmnonNominativesubject of πορευθήτω (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: the named target, requested as if an afterthought.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἀδελφός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφόςbrotherNominativeapposition to Αμνων→ participant prominenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; 'Amnon my brother' — the calculated kinship language by which Absalom allays suspicion while naming the man he means to kill.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεύςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David, whose question may register faint suspicion.
ἵναwhyinterrogative idiom (ἵνα τί: 'for what reason?')→ clausal contributionἵνα τί: 'why? / to what end?'; the fixed interrogative phrase (lit. 'in order that what?'), rendering לָמָּה; David asks the purpose of Amnon's going — perhaps a trace of unease.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (with ἵνα: 'why')→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative; component of the idiom ἵνα τί.
πορευθῇshould he goAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · πορεύομαιdeliberative subjunctive (in the question)→ deliberative aorist subjunctiveπορεύομαι (aor. subj. πορευθῇ): 'go'; deliberative subjunctive in David's question, 'why should he go with you?'
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
σοῦyouGenitiveobject of μετά→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of μετά.
27
καὶ ἐβιάσατο αὐτὸν Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ ἀπέστειλεν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ τὸν Αμνων καὶ πάντας τοὺς υἱοὺς τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ ἐποίησεν Αβεσσαλωμ πότον κατὰ τὸν πότον τοῦ βασιλέως
But Absalom pressed him, and he sent with him Amnon and all the king's sons; and Absalom made a banquet like a king's banquet.
Absalom's renewed pressing (ἐβιάσατο, as in v. 25) overcomes David's hesitation; the king sends Amnon and all his sons. The note that Absalom made a banquet 'like a king's banquet' (πότον κατὰ τὸν πότον τοῦ βασιλέως) hints at his royal pretensions (cf. his later usurpation) and sets the festive, wine-soaked scene for the murder of v. 28.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶbutnarrative conjunction (adversative force in context)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐβιάσατοpressedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · βιάζομαιmain verb (renewed urging)→ constative aoristβιάζομαι: 'press / constrain'; the second pressing (cf. v. 25) overcomes David's reluctance — Absalom's persistence is the persistence of a fixed murderous purpose.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (David)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (David).
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (David sends the sons)→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send'; the subject is David, who now sends Amnon and all his sons — unwittingly handing the victim to the murderer.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of μετά (Absalom)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of μετά (Absalom).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Αμνων, marking the object)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμνωνAmnonAccusativedirect object (indeclinable, case shown by article)→ participant identificationΑμνων: the doomed firstborn, now sent into Absalom's reach.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (with υἱούς)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; all the royal sons go, which both screens the deed and breeds the false report (v. 30).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with υἱούς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativecoordinate object (with Αμνων)→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; the king's sons accompany Amnon.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of relationship ('the king's sons')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: David.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησενmadeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (the banquet)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'make / hold'; ἐποίησεν πότον, 'made a drinking-feast' — the festive setting for the murder. (This clause stands in the LXX/4QSamᵃ; cf. the longer reading at the verse's end.)
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πότονbanquetAccusativedirect object of ἐποίησεν→ object specificationπότος: 'drinking-feast / banquet'; renders מִשְׁתֶּה; a feast with much wine — the lowered guard of the guests (esp. Amnon, v. 28) is the murderer's opportunity.
κατὰlike / according topreposition + accusative (comparison/standard)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to / like'; 'like a king's banquet' marks the lavishness — and Absalom's royal self-styling.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πότον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πότονbanquetAccusativeobject of κατά (standard of comparison)→ object specificationπότος: 'banquet'; 'a king's banquet' as the measure — Absalom hosts on a royal scale.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of possession ('a king's banquet')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: the royal standard of feasting Absalom emulates.
28
καὶ ἐνετείλατο Αβεσσαλωμ τοῖς παιδαρίοις αὐτοῦ λέγων ἴδετε ὡς ἂν ἀγαθυνθῇ ἡ καρδία Αμνων ἐν τῷ οἴνῳ καὶ εἴπω πρὸς ὑμᾶς πατάξατε τὸν Αμνων καὶ θανατώσατε αὐτόν μὴ φοβηθῆτε ὅτι οὐχὶ ἐγώ εἰμι ἐντέλλομαι ὑμῖν ἀνδρίζεσθε καὶ γίνεσθε εἰς υἱοὺς δυνάμεως
And Absalom commanded his servants, saying, 'Watch—when Amnon's heart is merry with wine and I say to you, "Strike Amnon," then put him to death. Do not be afraid; is it not I who command you? Be courageous, and become valiant men.'
Absalom issues the kill-order with cold precision: the signal (Amnon merry with wine), the act (πατάξατε … θανατώσατε), and reassurance against fear by assuming all responsibility himself (οὐχὶ ἐγώ εἰμι ἐντέλλομαι ὑμῖν, 'is it not I who command you?'). The military exhortation ἀνδρίζεσθε καὶ γίνεσθε εἰς υἱοὺς δυνάμεως ('be courageous, become sons of valor') co-opts the language of holy war for a private vengeance.
Word-by-word analysis· 41 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνετείλατοcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb (the order)→ constative aoristἐντέλλομαι: 'command / charge / instruct'; renders צִוָּה; Absalom's formal order to his servants — premeditated, detailed murder.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with παιδαρίοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδαρίοιςservantsDativeindirect object of ἐνετείλατο→ sphere or referenceπαιδάριον: 'servant-lad / young attendant'; renders נַעַר; Absalom's retainers, the instruments of the murder.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom M Sg · λέγωparticiple introducing direct speech (Hebraism for לֵאמֹר)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (ptcp. λέγων): the speech-marker 'saying.'
ἴδετεwatchAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (command to be alert)→ aorist imperativeὁράω (aor. impv. ἴδετε): 'see / watch / take note'; here 'watch for the moment' — be ready for the signal.
ὡςwhentemporal conjunction (with ἄν + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: here temporal, 'when / as soon as'; with ἄν and the subjunctive denotes the awaited moment.
ἂν(whenever)modal particle (with subjunctive in temporal clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle making the temporal clause contingent — 'whenever / as soon as.'
ἀγαθυνθῇbecomes merryAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ἀγαθύνωverb of temporal clause (subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctive (anticipated condition)ἀγαθύνω (pass. 'be gladdened'): 'be made merry / glad'; ἀγαθυνθῇ ἡ καρδία … ἐν τῷ οἴνῳ renders יִיטַב לֵב … בַּיַּיִן ('the heart is merry with wine'), the idiom for drunken good cheer — the chosen moment of vulnerability.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with καρδία)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαheartNominativesubject of ἀγαθυνθῇ→ participant prominenceκαρδία: 'heart'; the seat of feeling; 'Amnon's heart merry' = Amnon drunk and off guard.
Αμνωνof AmnonGenitivegenitive of possession (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of possession (indeclinable).
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (means/instrument)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (means/instrument).
τῷtheDativearticle (with οἴνῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴνῳwineDativeobject of ἐν (means: 'with wine')→ sphere or referenceοἶνος: 'wine'; renders יַיִן; the agent of Amnon's drunken vulnerability.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (continuing the temporal condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἴπωI sayAor Act Subj 1 Sg · λέγωverb of temporal clause (subjunctive: the signal)→ aorist subjunctiveλέγω (aor. subj. εἴπω): 'say'; the spoken signal — 'when I say to you, Strike' — that triggers the assassination.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of πρός.
πατάξατεstrikeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · πατάσσωmain verb (the kill-command)→ aorist imperativeπατάσσω: 'strike / smite'; renders הִכָּה; the command to strike Amnon down; the same verb recurs in the false report ἐπάταξεν (v. 30).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Αμνων)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμνωνAmnonAccusativedirect object (indeclinable, case shown by article)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as direct object (indeclinable, case shown by article).
καὶand thencoordinate conjunction (apodosis of temporal condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and then'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θανατώσατεput to deathAor Act Impv 2 Pl · θανατόωmain verb (the kill-command)→ aorist imperativeθανατόω: 'put to death / kill'; renders הֵמִית; reinforces πατάξατε — the order is unambiguous execution.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
μὴnotnegative (with prohibitive subjunctive φοβηθῆτε)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμὴ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
φοβηθῆτεbe afraidAor Pass Subj 2 Pl · φοβέομαιprohibitive subjunctive (μή + aor. subj.)→ prohibitive aoristφοβέομαι: 'fear / be afraid'; μὴ φοβηθῆτε, 'do not be afraid' — Absalom assumes the risk and guilt himself to embolden his men.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction (introducing the reassurance)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; grounds the command not to fear.
οὐχὶis it notinterrogative negative (expecting 'yes')→ clausal contributionοὐχί: emphatic 'not'; introduces a rhetorical question expecting affirmation — 'is it not I…?'; Absalom claims sole responsibility.
ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I myself' — Absalom takes full command-responsibility, shielding the servants.
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula (in the rhetorical question)→ stative present (divine self-attestation)εἰμί: 'am'; 'is it not I who…'
ἐντέλλομαιcommandPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb of the relative-content ('who command you')→ progressive presentἐντέλλομαι: 'command'; Absalom reasserts that the order — and thus the liability — is wholly his.
ὑμῖνyouDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
ἀνδρίζεσθεbe courageousPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἀνδρίζομαιmain verb (exhortation)→ present imperative (ongoing resolve)ἀνδρίζομαι: 'play the man / be courageous' (from ἀνήρ); renders חָזַק / אָמַץ; the language of military valor (cf. Josh 1:6; 1 Kgdms 4:9), here co-opted for fratricide.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γίνεσθεbecomePres Mid Impv 2 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (exhortation)→ present imperativeγίνομαι: 'become'; γίνεσθε εἰς υἱοὺς δυνάμεως, 'become sons of valor', a Hebraism (בְּנֵי־חַיִל) for brave/capable men — martial encouragement for the assassins.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (predicate: 'become')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: in the Hebraizing predicate construction γίνεσθαι εἰς, 'become', rendering Hebrew הָיָה לְ.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativepredicate accusative (with εἰς)→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; in the idiom 'sons of valor' = valiant men.
δυνάμεωςof valor / powerGenitivegenitive of quality ('sons of power/valor')→ relational specificationδύναμις: 'power / strength / might / valor'; renders חַיִל; the Hebraism 'sons of power' denotes warriors of courage and capability.
29
καὶ ἐποίησαν τὰ παιδάρια Αβεσσαλωμ τῷ Αμνων καθὰ ἐνετείλατο αὐτοῖς Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ ἀνέστησαν πάντες οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ ἐπεκάθισαν ἀνὴρ ἐπὶ τὴν ἡμίονον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔφυγαν
And Absalom's servants did to Amnon as Absalom had commanded them; and all the king's sons rose up, and each mounted his mule, and they fled.
The murder itself is narrated with stark restraint — 'they did to Amnon as Absalom commanded' — refusing to dwell on the bloodshed. The panic of the other sons (ἀνέστησαν … ἐπεκάθισαν … ἔφυγαν) and their flight on mules (the royal mount, cf. 18:9; 3 Kgdms 1:33) sets up the confused report of v. 30.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησανdidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (the murder, narrated obliquely)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do'; 'they did to Amnon as Absalom commanded' — the deed told with deliberate reticence, fulfilling the order of v. 28.
τὰtheNominativearticle (with παιδάρια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριαservantsNominativesubject of ἐποίησαν→ participant prominenceπαιδάριον: 'servant-lad'; the retainers who execute the murder.
Αβεσσαλωμof AbsalomGenitivegenitive of possession (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of possession (indeclinable).
τῷtoDativearticle (with Αμνων, dative of disadvantage)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμνωνAmnonDativedative of disadvantage ('did to Amnon', indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: the victim; the dative marks him as the one against whom the deed is done.
καθὰascomparative conjunction ('according as')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθά: 'just as / according as'; renders כַּאֲשֶׁר; introduces the command-fulfilment clause.
ἐνετείλατοhad commandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb of comparative clause→ constative aoristἐντέλλομαι: 'command'; refers back to the order of v. 28.
αὐτοῖςthemDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomNominativesubject of ἐνετείλατο (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐνετείλατο (indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέστησανrose upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀνίστημιmain verb (the sons' reaction)→ constative aoristἀνίστημι: 'rise up'; the other royal sons leap up in panic from the feast.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (with υἱοί)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; all the surviving sons flee — their flight, observed from afar, breeds the rumor that all are dead.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἀνέστησαν→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the king's sons.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: David.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπεκάθισανmountedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπικαθίζωmain verb (mounting the mules)→ constative aoristἐπικαθίζω: 'sit upon / mount'; renders רָכַב; each son mounts to flee.
ἀνὴρeach manNominativesubject (distributive: 'each one')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; here distributive 'each man', rendering אִישׁ in the sense 'each' (ἀνὴρ … αὐτοῦ = 'each on his own mule').
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (position).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἡμίονον)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμίονονmuleAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ object specificationἡμίονος: 'mule' (lit. 'half-ass'); renders פֶּרֶד; the mount of royalty and nobility (cf. 18:9; 3 Kgdms 1:33), marking the riders as princes.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (distributive: 'his own')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (distributive: 'his own').
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔφυγανfledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · φεύγωmain verb (the flight)→ constative aoristφεύγω: 'flee'; renders נוּס; the panicked flight of the surviving sons (the form ἔφυγαν shows the Hellenistic -αν aorist ending); their distant flight is what the watchman will see (v. 34).
30
καὶ ἐγένετο αὐτῶν ὄντων ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ ἡ ἀκοὴ ἦλθεν πρὸς Δαυιδ λέγων ἐπάταξεν Αβεσσαλωμ πάντας τοὺς υἱοὺς τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ οὐ κατελείφθη ἐξ αὐτῶν οὐδὲ εἷς
And it came to pass, while they were on the road, that the report came to David, saying, 'Absalom has struck down all the king's sons, and not even one of them is left.'
A genitive absolute (αὐτῶν ὄντων ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, 'while they were on the road') sets the timing: before the truth can arrive, an exaggerated rumor reaches David that all the sons are dead — 'not even one is left' (οὐδὲ εἷς). The verb ἐπάταξεν echoes Absalom's order πατάξατε (v. 28), the rumor magnifying one death into a massacre.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (scene-setting formula)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'come to pass'; καὶ ἐγένετο, the Hebraizing temporal opener.
αὐτῶνtheyGenitivesubject of genitive absolute→ relational specificationαὐτός: subject of the genitive-absolute construction with ὄντων.
ὄντωνbeingPres Act Ptcp Gen M Pl · εἰμίparticiple (genitive absolute: 'while they were')→ durative (contemporaneous circumstance)εἰμί (ptcp. ὄντων): the genitive absolute αὐτῶν ὄντων ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ, 'while they were on the road', a relatively idiomatic Greek construction here (vs. the chapter's usual καί-parataxis), setting the temporal frame for the premature report.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ὁδῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδῷroadDativeobject of ἐν→ sphere or referenceὁδός: 'road / way'; the fleeing sons are still en route when the rumor outpaces them.
καὶthatapodotic καί (after genitive absolute)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic, introducing the main clause after the temporal genitive absolute (Hebraism).
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ἀκοή)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀκοὴreportNominativesubject of ἦλθεν→ participant prominenceἀκοή: 'report / rumor / hearing'; renders שְׁמוּעָה; the (false) news that races ahead of the survivors.
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (the report arrives)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; the report 'came to David.'
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΔαυιδDavidAccusativeobject of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of πρός (indeclinable).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom M Sg · λέγωparticiple introducing direct speech (Hebraism for לֵאמֹר)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (ptcp. λέγων): the speech-marker; the masculine singular is a fixed Hebraizing form (לֵאמֹר) regardless of the grammatical subject (here ἡ ἀκοή, feminine).
ἐπάταξενhas struck downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb of the report→ constative aorist (reported event)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite / kill'; the report's verb echoes Absalom's command πατάξατε (v. 28); the rumor inflates the single killing into wholesale slaughter.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomNominativesubject of ἐπάταξεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐπάταξεν (indeclinable).
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (with υἱούς)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the false claim — that all the sons were killed.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with υἱούς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object of ἐπάταξεν→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; the king's sons, supposedly all slain.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: David.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegative (with κατελείφθη)→ participant referenceοὐ: meaning 'not'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as negative (with κατελείφθη).
κατελείφθηwas leftAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · καταλείπωmain verb (the report's emphatic claim)→ constative aoristκαταλείπω (pass. 'be left'): 'leave behind / leave remaining'; renders נוֹתַר; 'not one was left' — the rumor's hyperbolic totality.
ἐξofpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
αὐτῶνthemGenitivepartitive genitive (object of ἐξ)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as partitive genitive (object of ἐξ).
οὐδὲnot evenemphatic negative (with εἷς)→ clausal contributionοὐδέ: 'not even'; intensifies the claim — 'not even one.'
εἷςoneNominativesubject (with κατελείφθη: 'not even one was left')→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; the rumor's chilling exaggeration — utter annihilation, which Jonadab will refute.
31
καὶ ἀνέστη ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ διέρρηξεν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐκοιμήθη ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ πάντες οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ οἱ περιεστῶτες αὐτῷ διέρρηξαν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν
And the king rose up and tore his garments and lay on the ground; and all his servants standing around him tore their garments.
David enacts mourning rites — tearing his garments (διέρρηξεν, as Tamar did, v. 19) and lying on the ground — believing all his sons dead; his servants join him. The grief is real but, the reader knows, premature and disproportionate to the truth, to be corrected by Jonadab.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέστηrose upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb→ constative aoristἀνίστημι: 'rise up'; David rises in shock and grief.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διέρρηξενtoreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διαρρήγνυμιmain verb (mourning gesture)→ constative aoristδιαρρήγνυμι: 'tear / rend'; the tearing of garments in grief (cf. v. 19; Gen 37:34), the standard sign of mourning.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ἱμάτια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱμάτιαgarmentsAccusativedirect object of διέρρηξεν→ object specificationἱμάτιον: 'garment / cloak'; renders בֶּגֶד; the rent garments signify mourning.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκοιμήθηlayAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κοιμάομαιmain verb (mourning posture)→ constative aoristκοιμάομαι: 'lie down'; lying on the bare ground is a posture of deep mourning (cf. 12:16); the same verb that ran through the assault scene now expresses the father's grief.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (position).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνgroundAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ object specificationγῆ: 'earth / ground'; lying on the ground, a sign of abasement in grief.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (with παῖδες)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole retinue joins the mourning.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with παῖδες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject of διέρρηξαν→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / attendant'; David's courtiers.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantizing the participle περιεστῶτες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
περιεστῶτεςstanding aroundPerf Act Ptcp Nom M Pl · περιΐστημιattributive participle (with παῖδες: 'who stood around him')→ perfect (settled standing position)περιΐστημι (perf. ptcp. περιεστῶτες): 'stand around / surround'; the perfect of the second-perfect intransitive, 'standing about'; the courtiers stationed around the king.
αὐτῷhimDativedative (with περιεστῶτες: 'standing around him')→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative (with περιεστῶτες: 'standing around him').
διέρρηξανtoreAor Act Indic 3 Pl · διαρρήγνυμιmain verb (collective mourning)→ constative aoristδιαρρήγνυμι: 'tear'; the servants join the king in rending their garments.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ἱμάτια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱμάτιαgarmentsAccusativedirect object of διέρρηξαν→ object specificationἱμάτιον: 'garment'; the courtiers' rent clothes echo the king's.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
32
καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Ιωναδαβ υἱὸς Σαμαα ἀδελφοῦ Δαυιδ καὶ εἶπεν μὴ εἰπάτω ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεὺς ὅτι πάντα τὰ παιδάρια τοὺς υἱοὺς τοῦ βασιλέως ἐθανάτωσεν ὅτι Αμνων μονώτατος ἀπέθανεν ὅτι ἐπὶ στόματος Αβεσσαλωμ ἦν κείμενος ἀπὸ τῆς ἡμέρας ἧς ἐταπείνωσεν Θημαρ τὴν ἀδελφὴν αὐτοῦ
And Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David's brother, answered and said, 'Let not my lord the king suppose that they have killed all the young men, the king's sons; for Amnon alone is dead, because by the command of Absalom it had been determined from the day he violated Tamar his sister.'
Jonadab — the very schemer of vv. 3–5 — reappears to correct the rumor: not all the sons, only Amnon, is dead. His inside knowledge (Αμνων μονώτατος ἀπέθανεν, 'only Amnon is dead') and his explanation that it had been 'set on Absalom's mouth' since the day of Tamar's violation reveal that Absalom's intent was an open secret among the well-informed. The address ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεύς ('my lord the king') is the human-master sense of κύριος.
Word-by-word analysis· 44 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristἀποκρίνομαι (aor. pass. ἀπεκρίθη): 'answer / respond'; renders עָנָה; the -θη passive aorist is the LXX's normal form; Jonadab responds to David's grief with corrective information.
ΙωναδαβJonadabNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναδαβ: the schemer of vv. 3–5, now in the role of informed counselor; his reappearance frames the chapter (he opens and helps close the action).
υἱὸςsonNominativeapposition to Ιωναδαβ→ participant prominenceυἱός: identifying Jonadab's parentage again (cf. v. 3).
Σαμααof ShimeahGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαμαα: David's brother (cf. v. 3).
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivegenitive in apposition to Σαμαα→ relational specificationἀδελφός: 'brother'; Shimeah, David's brother.
Δαυιδof DavidGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
μὴnotnegative (with prohibitive jussive εἰπάτω)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμὴ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
εἰπάτωlet suppose / sayAor Act Impv 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (3rd-person prohibition)→ prohibitive aorist imperativeλέγω (aor. impv. εἰπάτω): 'say'; μὴ εἰπάτω, 'let not [my lord] say/suppose' — a respectful prohibition urging the king not to believe the report; 'say' here = 'conclude / suppose in his heart' (cf. v. 33).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with κύριος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριόςlordNominativesubject of εἰπάτω (honorific address)→ participant prominenceκύριος: 'lord / master'; here the human honorific 'my lord the king' (rendering אֲדֹנִי), not the divine name — a courtier's deferential address to David.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς, apposition)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativeapposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; 'my lord the king', the full honorific.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing the content of εἰπάτω→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the false claim the king must not believe.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (with παιδάρια)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the rumor's 'all the young men.'
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with παιδάρια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριαyoung menAccusativedirect object of ἐθανάτωσεν (in apposition with υἱούς)→ object specificationπαιδάριον: 'young man / lad'; here the king's sons described as 'the young men' — Jonadab quotes the rumor in order to deny it.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with υἱούς, in apposition to παιδάρια)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeapposition to παιδάρια ('the young men, the king's sons')→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; clarifying which young men — the king's sons.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: David.
ἐθανάτωσενthey have killedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θανατόωmain verb of the denied claim (impersonal/collective sg.)→ constative aoristθανατόω: 'put to death'; the singular with the neuter plural subject τὰ παιδάρια (Greek neuter-plural-takes-singular concord); Jonadab denies the rumor of mass killing — only one died.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction (introducing the correction)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the true state of affairs.
ΑμνωνAmnonNominativesubject of ἀπέθανεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: only he died.
μονώτατοςaloneNominativepredicate adjective (intensified: 'he only')→ participant prominenceμόνος (superl. μονώτατος): 'alone / only'; the superlative form intensifies — 'Amnon, he alone'; renders the emphatic לְבַדּוֹ; the correction to the rumor.
ἀπέθανενis deadAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (the true fact)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; 'Amnon alone is dead' — the single, true death.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (explaining the foreknowledge)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the reason Jonadab can be so certain — Absalom's settled intent.
ἐπὶby / onpreposition + genitive (in the idiom 'on the mouth of')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: in the idiom ἐπὶ στόματος, 'by the command/decree of'; renders עַל־פִּי ('according to the mouth/order of').
στόματοςcommand / mouthGenitiveobject of ἐπί (idiom: 'by Absalom's command')→ relational specificationστόμα: 'mouth'; ἐπὶ στόματος Αβεσσαλωμ, 'by the mouth/command of Absalom' = it was determined by Absalom's spoken resolve; his purpose had been fixed and known.
Αβεσσαλωμof AbsalomGenitivegenitive of possession (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of possession (indeclinable).
ἦνhad beenImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίauxiliary (periphrastic with κείμενος)→ durative imperfect (settled past state)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): forms a periphrastic pluperfect-type construction with κείμενος, 'it had been laid/determined', rendering a Hebrew היה + participle; describes Absalom's fixed resolve.
κείμενοςdeterminedPres Mid Ptcp Nom M Sg · κεῖμαιparticiple (periphrastic with ἦν: 'had been set/determined')→ durative (settled state)κεῖμαι (ptcp. κείμενος): 'lie / be laid / be set/appointed'; with ἦν forms 'it had been determined'; the murder was a settled plan, not a sudden act — confirming the premeditation of vv. 22–23.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (temporal start-point)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (temporal start-point).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with ἡμέρας)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdayGenitiveobject of ἀπό (temporal)→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; ἀπὸ τῆς ἡμέρας ἧς, 'from the day on which' — the intent dated to the very day of the assault.
ἧςon whichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive of time, with ἡμέρας)→ relational specificationὅς (gen. ἧς): relative of time, 'the day on which', a Hebraizing temporal relative.
ἐταπείνωσενhe violatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ταπεινόωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristταπεινόω: 'violate / humble'; the chapter keyword (vv. 12, 14, 22) recurs at the climax of the explanation — the whole revenge traces back to this single act against Tamar.
ΘημαρTamarAccusativedirect object of ἐταπείνωσεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΘημαρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as direct object of ἐταπείνωσεν (indeclinable).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἀδελφήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὴνsisterAccusativeapposition to Θημαρ→ object specificationἀδελφή: 'sister'; 'Tamar his [Absalom's] sister' — the wrong that set the whole tragedy in motion, named once more at its resolution.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
33
καὶ νῦν μὴ θέσθω ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ ῥῆμα λέγων πάντες οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ βασιλέως ἀπέθαναν ὅτι ἀλλ᾿ ἢ Αμνων μονώτατος ἀπέθανεν
So now, let not my lord the king take the matter to his heart, thinking, 'All the king's sons are dead'; for only Amnon is dead.
Jonadab presses his correction home: David should not 'lay the matter to heart' (μὴ θέσθω … ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν, the same idiom Absalom used to Tamar, v. 20) by believing all the sons dead; the truth, repeated for emphasis, is that 'only Amnon is dead' (Αμνων μονώτατος ἀπέθανεν, verbatim from v. 32). The strong adversative ἀλλ᾿ ἢ ('but only') sharpens the correction.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (transition to exhortation)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; καὶ νῦν, transition from correction to its practical upshot.
μὴnotnegative (with prohibitive jussive θέσθω)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμὴ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
θέσθωlet take to heartAor Mid Impv 3 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (3rd-person prohibition)→ prohibitive aorist imperativeτίθημι (aor. mid. impv. θέσθω): 'put / set / place'; μὴ θέσθω … ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν, 'let him not lay (it) to heart' — the same idiom Absalom used to Tamar (v. 20); Jonadab urges David not to dwell on the false report.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with κύριος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριόςlordNominativesubject of θέσθω (honorific)→ participant prominenceκύριος: 'lord / master'; again the human honorific 'my lord the king', not the divine name.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς, apposition)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativeapposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king.'
ἐπὶtopreposition + accusative (in the idiom 'lay to heart')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: in the idiom θεῖναι ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν, 'lay to heart / take to heart.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with καρδίαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίανheartAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ object specificationκαρδία: 'heart'; the seat of grief and reflection.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ῥῆμαmatter / wordAccusativedirect object of θέσθω ('the matter')→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / matter'; renders דָּבָר; the report/matter David must not take to heart.
λέγωνthinkingPres Act Ptcp Nom M Sg · λέγωparticiple (introducing the supposed inner speech)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (ptcp. λέγων): 'saying / thinking'; introduces the false thought David might entertain — 'all the sons are dead.'
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (with υἱοί)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the false supposition again quoted to be denied.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἀπέθαναν→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the king's sons.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: David.
ἀπέθανανare deadAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb of the denied supposition→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the form ἀπέθαναν shows the Hellenistic -αν aorist; the false claim 'all are dead', which Jonadab refutes.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the true alternative.
ἀλλ᾿butadversative conjunction (part of ἀλλ᾿ ἢ idiom)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but'; in the fixed phrase ἀλλ᾿ ἤ, 'except / but only', a strong restrictive.
ἢonlyparticle (with ἀλλά: 'but only / except')→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: in ἀλλ᾿ ἤ, 'but only'; renders כִּי אִם; sharpens the contrast — only Amnon, no one else.
ΑμνωνAmnonNominativesubject of ἀπέθανεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἀπέθανεν (indeclinable).
μονώτατοςaloneNominativepredicate adjective (intensified: 'he only')→ participant prominenceμόνος (superl. μονώτατος): 'alone / only'; repeated from v. 32 for emphasis — 'Amnon alone is dead.'
ἀπέθανενis deadAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (the true fact, restated)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the corrective truth, echoing v. 32.
34
καὶ ἀπέδρα Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ ἦρεν τὸ παιδάριον ὁ σκοπὸς τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶδεν καὶ ἰδοὺ λαὸς πολὺς πορευόμενος ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ ὄπισθεν αὐτοῦ ἐκ πλευρᾶς τοῦ ὄρους ἐν τῇ καταβάσει καὶ παρεγένετο ὁ σκοπὸς καὶ ἀπήγγειλεν τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ εἶπεν ἄνδρας ἑώρακα ἐκ τῆς ὁδοῦ τῆς Ωρωνην ἐκ μέρους τοῦ ὄρους
And Absalom fled. And the watchman, the young man, lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, many people were coming on the road behind him, from the side of the mountain on the descent; and the watchman came and reported to the king and said, 'I have seen men from the road of Horonaim, from the side of the mountain.'
Two threads converge: Absalom flees (ἀπέδρα, anticipating vv. 37–38), and the watchman spots the returning royal sons descending the mountain road. The detailed topography (ἐκ πλευρᾶς τοῦ ὄρους ἐν τῇ καταβάσει, 'from the mountainside on the descent') is characteristic of the messenger-scene; the textually difficult τῆς Ωρωνην ('of Horonaim') names the road.
Word-by-word analysis· 52 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέδραfledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποδιδράσκωmain verb (Absalom's flight)→ constative aoristἀποδιδράσκω (aor. ἀπέδρα): 'run away / flee / escape'; renders בָּרַח; Absalom flees the scene of the murder — a thread resumed at vv. 37–38.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦρενlifted upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · αἴρωmain verb (the watchman looks out)→ constative aoristαἴρω: 'lift / raise'; ἦρεν … τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς, 'lifted up his eyes', a Hebraism (נָשָׂא עֵינַיִם) for looking out into the distance.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with παιδάριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριονyoung manNominativesubject (in apposition with ὁ σκοπός)→ participant prominenceπαιδάριον: 'young man / servant'; here the lookout, identified as ὁ σκοπός.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with σκοπός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκοπὸςwatchmanNominativeapposition to παιδάριον (the subject)→ participant prominenceσκοπός: 'watchman / lookout' (from σκοπέω, 'watch'); renders צֹפֶה; the sentinel posted on the wall, a stock figure of messenger-scenes (cf. 18:24–27; 4 Kgdms 9:17–20).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ὀφθαλμούς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativedirect object of ἦρεν→ object specificationὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; 'lifted his eyes' = looked out.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενlooked / sawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / look'; the watchman sees the approaching crowd.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing ἰδού)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (vivid: 'behold!')→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; marks the watchman's vivid sighting from his viewpoint.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject (of the presented scene)→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people / crowd'; here simply 'a large company' — the returning royal sons and their party.
πολὺςmanyNominativeattributive adjective (with λαός)→ participant prominenceπολύς: 'much / many'; 'a large crowd' — the size feeds the initial alarm.
πορευόμενοςcomingPres Mid Ptcp Nom M Sg · πορεύομαιattributive participle (with λαός: 'people coming')→ durative (in motion)πορεύομαι (ptcp. πορευόμενος): 'go / travel'; the crowd in motion on the road.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ὁδῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδῷroadDativeobject of ἐν→ sphere or referenceὁδός: 'road'; the approach route.
ὄπισθενbehindimproper preposition + genitive ('behind')→ spatial or relational framingὄπισθεν: 'behind / from behind'; renders מֵאַחֲרֵי; locating the crowd on the road behind/beyond a feature, on the mountainside.
αὐτοῦhim / itGenitivegenitive object of ὄπισθεν→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ὄπισθεν.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source/direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source/direction).
πλευρᾶςsideGenitiveobject of ἐκ ('from the side')→ relational specificationπλευρά: 'side / flank'; renders צַד; 'from the mountainside.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ὄρους)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρουςmountainGenitivegenitive of relationship (with πλευρᾶς)→ relational specificationὄρος: 'mountain / hill'; the hill country terrain of the approach.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῇtheDativearticle (with καταβάσει)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καταβάσειdescentDativeobject of ἐν→ sphere or referenceκατάβασις: 'descent / slope' (from καταβαίνω); renders מוֹרָד; 'on the descent' — the crowd coming down the mountain road.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρεγένετοcameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · παραγίνομαιmain verb (the watchman arrives to report)→ constative aoristπαραγίνομαι: 'arrive / come / present oneself'; renders בּוֹא; the watchman comes to deliver his report.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with σκοπός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκοπὸςwatchmanNominativesubject→ participant prominenceσκοπός: 'watchman'; the lookout reports to the king.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπήγγειλενreportedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (the report)→ constative aoristἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / announce'; renders נָגַד (Hiphil); the watchman conveys his sighting to David.
τῷtheDativearticle (with βασιλεῖ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativeindirect object of ἀπήγγειλεν→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς: David.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object of ἑώρακα (fronted)→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the watchman reports seeing 'men' approaching.
ἑώρακαI have seenPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb of the report (perfect of present relevance)→ resultative perfect (I have seen and so report)ὁράω (perf. ἑώρακα): 'have seen'; the perfect stresses the present force of the sighting — what he has just witnessed and now reports.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with ὁδοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδοῦroadGenitiveobject of ἐκ→ relational specificationὁδός: 'road'; the route by which the men come.
τῆςthe (of)Genitivearticle (with the place-name Ωρωνην)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΩρωνηνHoronaimGenitivegenitive of place ('the road of Horonaim', indeclinable)→ participant identificationΩρωνην: transliteration of a place-name (Horonaim / the way of the two Beth-horons); indeclinable; the text here is difficult (cf. MT 'the road behind him by the mountainside'); the LXX read or rendered a road-name.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
μέρουςside / partGenitiveobject of ἐκ ('from the side')→ relational specificationμέρος: 'part / side / region'; renders צַד; 'from the side of the mountain', matching the earlier ἐκ πλευρᾶς τοῦ ὄρους.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ὄρους)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρουςmountainGenitivegenitive of relationship (with μέρους)→ relational specificationὄρος: 'mountain'; the hill from whose flank the men descend.
35
καὶ εἶπεν Ιωναδαβ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα ἰδοὺ οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ βασιλέως πάρεισιν κατὰ τὸν λόγον τοῦ δούλου σου οὕτως ἐγένετο
And Jonadab said to the king, 'Behold, the king's sons are here; according to the word of your servant, so it has happened.'
Jonadab interprets the watchman's sighting: the approaching company is the king's sons, alive — vindicating his correction of vv. 32–33 (κατὰ τὸν λόγον τοῦ δούλου σου … οὕτως ἐγένετο, 'as your servant said, so it has come to pass'). The deferential self-reference 'your servant' frames his accurate foresight.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΙωναδαβJonadabNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωναδαβ: confirms his earlier correction as the sons appear.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλέα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationβασιλεύς: David.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; draws attention to the arriving sons.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of πάρεισιν→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the king's sons, alive after all.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: David.
πάρεισινare herePres Act Indic 3 Pl · πάρειμιmain verb (their arrival)→ stative present (they are present)πάρειμι: 'be present / have come'; 'the king's sons are here / have arrived' — the visible refutation of the rumor.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/conformity)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; 'according to the word of your servant.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with λόγον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγονwordAccusativeobject of κατά→ object specificationλόγος: 'word / statement'; Jonadab's prior correction (vv. 32–33), now confirmed.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with δούλου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δούλουservantGenitivegenitive of possession (courtly self-reference)→ relational specificationδοῦλος: 'servant'; 'your servant' — Jonadab's deferential self-designation before the king.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
οὕτωςsoadverb of manner→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / so'; 'so it has come to pass' — the event matches the prediction.
ἐγένετοit has happenedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (confirmation)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'happen / come to pass'; οὕτως ἐγένετο, 'so it happened' — Jonadab's word proves true.
36
καὶ ἐγένετο ἡνίκα συνετέλεσεν λαλῶν καὶ ἰδοὺ οἱ υἱοὶ τοῦ βασιλέως ἦλθαν καὶ ἐπῆραν τὴν φωνὴν αὐτῶν καὶ ἔκλαυσαν καί γε ὁ βασιλεὺς καὶ πάντες οἱ παῖδες αὐτοῦ ἔκλαυσαν κλαυθμὸν μέγαν σφόδρα
And it came to pass, when he had finished speaking, that behold, the king's sons came and lifted up their voice and wept; and the king also and all his servants wept a very great weeping.
Precisely as Jonadab finishes (ἡνίκα συνετέλεσεν λαλῶν), the surviving sons arrive and break into loud weeping; the king and his whole household join in a 'very great weeping' (κλαυθμὸν μέγαν σφόδρα, cognate accusative). The grief, now true rather than rumored, is for Amnon's death and the family's fracture; the κλαυθμός recalls and surpasses David's earlier mourning at the false report.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (temporal formula)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'come to pass'; the Hebraizing temporal opener with ἡνίκα.
ἡνίκαwhentemporal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἡνίκα: 'when / at the time when'; renders כְּ + infinitive; introduces the precise moment of the sons' arrival.
συνετέλεσενhad finishedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συντελέωverb of temporal clause→ constative aoristσυντελέω: 'complete / finish'; renders כִּלָּה; 'when he (Jonadab) finished speaking' — the timing underscores the immediate fulfilment.
λαλῶνspeakingPres Act Ptcp Nom M Sg · λαλέωsupplementary participle (with συνετέλεσεν: 'finished speaking')→ durativeλαλέω (ptcp. λαλῶν): 'speak'; the complementary participle with συντελέω, 'finished speaking', a Greek idiom for completing an action.
καὶthatapodotic καί (after temporal clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic, introducing the main clause after the temporal opener (Hebraism).
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; marks the dramatic arrival.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἦλθαν→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the king's surviving sons.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: David.
ἦλθανcameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (the arrival)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; the form ἦλθαν shows the Hellenistic -αν aorist; the sons arrive at the palace.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπῆρανlifted upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπαίρωmain verb (the outcry)→ constative aoristἐπαίρω: 'lift up / raise'; ἐπῆραν τὴν φωνήν, 'lifted up their voice', a Hebraism (נָשָׂא קוֹל) for loud weeping/crying.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with φωνήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνὴνvoiceAccusativedirect object of ἐπῆραν→ object specificationφωνή: 'voice'; in the idiom 'raise the voice' = weep aloud.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔκλαυσανweptAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κλαίωmain verb (the sons' weeping)→ constative aoristκλαίω: 'weep / cry'; renders בָּכָה; the sons' lamentation for their slain brother.
καίalsoadverbial καί (with γε: 'and also / indeed')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: in the combination καί γε, an emphatic 'and indeed / also', characteristic of the kaige recension (which takes its name from this rendering of Hebrew וְגַם).
γεindeedemphatic particle (with καί: καί γε)→ discourse linkage or contrastγε: emphatic enclitic; καί γε renders Hebrew וְגַם ('and also / indeed'); this signature rendering gives the kaige (καίγε) recension its name and marks 2 Kingdoms 11–24 as belonging to it.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (with the servants) of ἔκλαυσαν→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David weeps with his sons.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (with παῖδες)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole household joins the lament.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with παῖδες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject (coordinate with βασιλεύς)→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / attendant'; David's courtiers.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἔκλαυσανweptAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κλαίωmain verb (with cognate accusative)→ constative aoristκλαίω: 'weep'; with the cognate accusative κλαυθμόν, 'wept a weeping', intensifying — the grief is overwhelming.
κλαυθμὸνweepingAccusativecognate accusative (with ἔκλαυσαν)→ object specificationκλαυθμός: 'weeping / wailing'; cognate accusative intensifying the verb, rendering the Hebrew cognate construction בְּכִי גָדוֹל.
μέγανgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (with κλαυθμόν)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great'; modifies the weeping.
σφόδραveryadverb of degree (intensifying μέγαν)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'exceedingly'; renders מְאֹד; 'a very great weeping' — the climax of the family's grief.
37
καὶ Αβεσσαλωμ ἔφυγεν καὶ ἐπορεύθη πρὸς Θολμαι υἱὸν Εμιουδ βασιλέα Γεδσουρ εἰς γῆν Μαχαδ καὶ ἐπένθησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Δαυιδ ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας
And Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, king of Geshur, to the land of Machad; and King David mourned for his son all the days.
Absalom flees to his maternal grandfather Talmai king of Geshur (cf. 3:3, where Maacah, Absalom's mother and Tamar's, is Talmai's daughter) — a safe foreign refuge. Meanwhile David mourns 'all the days' (πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας) for his son; the ambiguity of 'his son' (Amnon, the dead, or Absalom, the lost?) captures David's divided heart, resolved in v. 39.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ἔφυγενfledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φεύγωmain verb (the flight)→ constative aoristφεύγω: 'flee'; renders בָּרַח; Absalom flees into exile to escape his father's justice and reach.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (the journey to Geshur)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go / travel'; Absalom journeys to his refuge.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΘολμαιTalmaiAccusativeobject of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΘολμαι: transliteration of Hebrew תַּלְמַי (Talmai); indeclinable; king of Geshur and Absalom's maternal grandfather (cf. 3:3 — Maacah daughter of Talmai), hence a natural and safe refuge.
υἱὸνsonAccusativeapposition to Θολμαι→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; identifying Talmai's parentage.
Εμιουδof AmmihudGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΕμιουδ: transliteration of Hebrew עַמִּיהוּד / עַמִּיחוּר (Ammihud/Ammihur); indeclinable; Talmai's father.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeapposition to Θολμαι→ object specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; Talmai's royal title.
Γεδσουρof GeshurGenitivegenitive of relationship (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΓεδσουρ: transliteration of Hebrew גְּשׁוּר (Geshur); indeclinable; an Aramean kingdom east of the Jordan / northeast of Bashan, outside David's jurisdiction — a secure asylum.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
γῆνlandAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; 'to the land of Machad' — the region of his refuge.
ΜαχαδMachadGenitivegenitive of place (with γῆν, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜαχαδ: a transliterated place-name (the text is uncertain; some witnesses lack it, others read variants); apparently a region associated with Geshur.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπένθησενmournedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πενθέωmain verb (David's grief)→ constative aoristπενθέω: 'mourn / grieve'; renders אָבַל / הִתְאַבֵּל; David's continual mourning — for the dead Amnon, and (the next verse will show) also for the absent Absalom.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (with appositional Δαυιδ)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David.
ΔαυιδDavidNominativeapposition to βασιλεύς (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as apposition to βασιλεύς (indeclinable).
ἐπὶforpreposition + accusative (object of mourning)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'over / for'; the object of grief.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with υἱόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸνsonAccusativeobject of ἐπί (the one mourned)→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; 'his son' — deliberately ambiguous: Amnon the slain, or Absalom the fugitive; the ambiguity dramatizes David's torn affections, resolved toward Absalom in v. 39.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἡμέρας)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; 'all the days' — continual, unceasing mourning.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with ἡμέρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of duration ('all the days')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας, 'all the days / continually' — the accusative of extent of time.
38
καὶ Αβεσσαλωμ ἀπέδρα καὶ ἐπορεύθη εἰς Γεδσουρ καὶ ἦν ἐκεῖ ἔτη τρία
And Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years.
A summarizing repetition (cf. v. 37) fixes the duration of Absalom's exile: three years in Geshur. The interval measures the estrangement that the following chapter (Joab's stratagem, ch. 14) will work to end, and prepares for the eventual return that leads to Absalom's revolt.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomNominativesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ἀπέδραfledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποδιδράσκωmain verb (resumptive of v. 34, 37)→ constative aoristἀποδιδράσκω (aor. ἀπέδρα): 'run away / flee'; the resumptive summary of Absalom's flight.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go'; Absalom proceeds to Geshur.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΓεδσουρGeshurAccusativeobject of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΓεδσουρ: Geshur, the Aramean refuge (cf. v. 37).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (duration of stay)→ durative imperfect (ongoing residence)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'was'; the imperfect denotes the duration of Absalom's stay.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; renders שָׁם; in Geshur.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of duration (extent of time)→ object specificationἔτος: 'year'; the accusative of extent, 'for three years.'
τρίαthreeAccusativenumeral (with ἔτη)→ measure or countτρεῖς, τρία: 'three'; renders שָׁלוֹשׁ; the length of Absalom's exile, the interval before ch. 14's reconciliation efforts.
39
καὶ ἐκόπασεν τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ βασιλέως τοῦ ἐξελθεῖν ὀπίσω Αβεσσαλωμ ὅτι παρεκλήθη ἐπὶ Αμνων ὅτι ἀπέθανεν
And the spirit of the king ceased to go out after Absalom, for he was consoled concerning Amnon, that he was dead.
The chapter ends on David's shifting heart: his spirit 'ceased to go out after Absalom' — i.e., his grief/anger toward the fugitive abated (the verb κοπάζω, 'grow weary / subside', and the difficult τοῦ ἐξελθεῖν, 'to go out after', express the longing now spent or now reaching toward him), because he had been consoled over Amnon's death. The verse bridges to ch. 14, where Joab engineers Absalom's recall — the next, fateful step toward rebellion.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκόπασενceased / subsidedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κοπάζωmain verb (the spirit's abating)→ ingressive/constative aorist (came to rest)κοπάζω: 'grow weary / cease / abate / subside' (of wind, storm, passion); renders כָּלָה / a sense of longing spent; here David's spirit 'ceased / was spent' in its movement toward Absalom — his grief-driven preoccupation with the exiled son settles, opening the way to reconciliation; the difficult clause has long divided interpreters (whether David ceased to grieve Absalom, or now yearned to go to him).
τὸtheNominativearticle (with πνεῦμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πνεῦμαspiritNominativesubject of ἐκόπασεν→ participant prominenceπνεῦμα: 'spirit / disposition / inner impulse'; renders רוּחַ; 'the spirit of the king' = David's inner longing/feeling, which now settles regarding Absalom.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of possession ('the king's spirit')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: David.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive ἐξελθεῖν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξελθεῖνto go outAor Act Inf · ἐξέρχομαιarticular infinitive (epexegetic/complement: 'from going out after')→ verbal action or stateἐξέρχομαι (aor. inf. ἐξελθεῖν): 'go out / go forth'; the articular τοῦ ἐξελθεῖν ὀπίσω, 'to go out after', renders the Hebrew infinitive construct; the king's spirit ceased its 'going out after Absalom' — its restless reaching toward the exiled son now spent or, on another reading, now stirred to pursue reconciliation.
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive ('after / in pursuit of')→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after / behind'; renders אַחֲרֵי; 'after Absalom', expressing the direction of the king's yearning.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable).
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; gives the reason the spirit settled — consolation over Amnon.
παρεκλήθηwas consoledAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · παρακαλέωverb of causal clause→ constative aoristπαρακαλέω (aor. pass. παρεκλήθη): 'comfort / console'; renders נִחַם (Niphal, 'be comforted'); David was consoled/reconciled to Amnon's death over time — the healing of one grief frees his longing toward the surviving, exiled son.
ἐπὶconcerningpreposition + dative (object of consolation)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dat.: 'over / concerning'; the matter regarding which he was comforted.
ΑμνωνAmnonDativeobject of ἐπί (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑμνων: the dead son, over whom David is now consoled.
ὅτιthatconjunction (epexegetic: 'that he was dead')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content/ground of the consolation — Amnon's death is now an accepted fact.
ἀπέθανενhe was deadAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωverb of the ὅτι-clause→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the chapter's final verb — Amnon 'is dead'; the death that began with one assault and one revenge closes the episode, leaving David reaching toward Absalom and the narrative poised for the recall of ch. 14.