1
καὶ ἐπεσκέψατο Δαυιδ τὸν λαὸν τὸν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ κατέστησεν ἐπ᾿ αὐτῶν χιλιάρχους καὶ ἑκατοντάρχους
And David numbered the people who were with him, and he set over them commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds.
The chapter opens with paratactic καί and an aorist of military mustering (ἐπεσκέψατο, 'reviewed / numbered'), the standard LXX idiom for taking a census of fighting men before battle. The appointment of χιλίαρχοι and ἑκατόνταρχοι establishes the chain of command that the next verse will divide into thirds.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπεσκέψατοnumbered / musteredAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπισκέπτομαιmain verb (David musters his troops)→ constative aorist (single completed act of mustering)ἐπισκέπτομαι: 'review / muster / number / visit'; renders Hebrew פָּקַד; the standard LXX verb for taking a military census (cf. Num 1:3; 1 Kgdms 11:8); here it denotes David organizing his force for battle, not a simple counting.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliteration of Hebrew דָּוִד; indeclinable in the LXX; the king is the grammatical and narrative subject driving the opening sequence of organization and command.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἐπεσκέψατο→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; here in its military sense, the fighting men/army loyal to David (cf. the recurring ὁ λαός throughout the chapter); renders עָם, which in war-contexts denotes the troops.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (attributive, with prepositional phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment; elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment; elided before vowel).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the people 'with him')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (the people 'with him').
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέστησενappointed / setAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίστημιmain verb (appointment of officers)→ constative aoristκαθίστημι: 'set / appoint / put in charge'; renders שׂוּם / נָתַן; the LXX's standard verb for installing officials or commanders over a group (cf. Exod 18:21; Gen 41:33).
ἐπ᾿overpreposition + genitive (authority over; elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (authority over; elided).
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (those over whom officers are set)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐπί (those over whom officers are set).
χιλιάρχουςcommanders of thousandsAccusativedirect object of κατέστησεν→ object specificationχιλίαρχος: 'commander of a thousand'; renders שַׂר אֲלָפִים; a standard rank in Israel's military organization (cf. Exod 18:25; Num 31:14); the pairing with ἑκατόνταρχοι denotes a complete two-tier command structure.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἑκατοντάρχουςcommanders of hundredsAccusativedirect object of κατέστησεν (coordinate with χιλιάρχους)→ object specificationἑκατόνταρχος: 'commander of a hundred / centurion'; renders שַׂר מֵאוֹת; together with χιλίαρχοι it forms the standard decimal military hierarchy of ancient Israel.
2
καὶ ἀπέστειλεν Δαυιδ τὸν λαόν τὸ τρίτον ἐν χειρὶ Ιωαβ καὶ τὸ τρίτον ἐν χειρὶ Αβεσσα υἱοῦ Σαρουιας ἀδελφοῦ Ιωαβ καὶ τὸ τρίτον ἐν χειρὶ Εθθι τοῦ Γεθθαίου καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς τὸν λαόν ἐξελθὼν ἐξελεύσομαι καί γε ἐγὼ μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν
And David sent out the people, a third under the hand of Joab, and a third under the hand of Abishai son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and a third under the hand of Ittai the Gittite; and David said to the people, 'I myself will surely go out with you also.'
The threefold τὸ τρίτον … ἐν χειρὶ X structure (rendering Hebrew בְּיַד, 'by the hand of' = 'under the command of') divides the army among David's three trusted captains. The verse closes with the cognate-construction ἐξελθὼν ἐξελεύσομαι ('going out I will go out' = 'I will surely go out'), a Hebraism (infinitive-absolute calque) expressing David's emphatic resolve, intensified by καί γε ('even I').
Word-by-word analysis· 41 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστειλενsent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (deployment of the army)→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send / dispatch'; renders שָׁלַח; here of sending troops out to battle under their commanders.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλεν (the army)→ object specificationλαόν: meaning 'people'; it serves as direct object of ἀπέστειλεν (the army).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with τρίτον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρίτονa thirdAccusativeappositional accusative (one of three divisions)→ object specificationτρίτος: 'third'; τὸ τρίτον as a substantive = 'the third part / one division of three'; the threefold repetition reflects the Hebrew הַשְּׁלִשִׁית and the tripartite battle formation.
ἐνunder / bypreposition + dative (Hebraism: 'by the hand of' = under command of)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'under'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (Hebraism: 'by the hand of' = under command of).
χειρὶhandDativedative with ἐν (idiomatic: 'under the hand/command of')→ sphere or referenceχείρ: 'hand'; the idiom ἐν χειρί renders בְּיַד, a Hebraism for agency or authority — here 'under the command of'; the same idiom recurs for each of the three captains.
ΙωαβJoabgenitive of authority (indeclinable: under Joab's command)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliteration of Hebrew יוֹאָב; indeclinable in the LXX; David's nephew and commander-in-chief (son of Zeruiah, David's sister); the dominant antagonist-figure of this chapter who will kill Absalom against the king's wishes.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρίτονa thirdAccusativeappositional accusative (second division)→ object specificationτρίτον: meaning 'a third'; it serves as appositional accusative (second division).
ἐνunderpreposition + dative (Hebraism)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'under'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (Hebraism).
χειρὶhandDativedative with ἐν ('under the command of')→ sphere or referenceχειρὶ: meaning 'hand'; it serves as dative with ἐν ('under the command of').
ΑβεσσαAbishaigenitive of authority (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσα: transliteration of Hebrew אֲבִישַׁי (Abishai); indeclinable; brother of Joab and of Asahel, son of Zeruiah, one of David's foremost warriors.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition to Αβεσσα ('son of Zeruiah')→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; the patronymic identifies Abishai by his mother Zeruiah, as regularly with the sons of Zeruiah in Samuel–Kings.
Σαρουιαςof Zeruiahgenitive of relationship (transliterated name)→ participant identificationΣαρουιας: transliteration of Hebrew צְרוּיָה (Zeruiah), David's sister; her three sons Joab, Abishai, and Asahel are named throughout by this matronymic; treated as an indeclinable transliteration.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivegenitive in apposition (Abishai as 'Joab's brother')→ relational specificationἀδελφός: 'brother'; renders אָח; the added note ἀδελφοῦ Ιωαβ links the two captains as kin and underlines the family of Zeruiah dominating David's high command.
ΙωαβJoabgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρίτονa thirdAccusativeappositional accusative (third division)→ object specificationτρίτον: meaning 'a third'; it serves as appositional accusative (third division).
ἐνunderpreposition + dative (Hebraism)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'under'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (Hebraism).
χειρὶhandDativedative with ἐν ('under the command of')→ sphere or referenceχειρὶ: meaning 'hand'; it serves as dative with ἐν ('under the command of').
ΕθθιIttaigenitive of authority (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΕθθι: transliteration of Hebrew אִתַּי (Ittai); indeclinable; the Gittite foreigner who had pledged loyalty to David in exile (2 Kgdms 15:19–22), now entrusted with a third of the army.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with gentilic)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Γεθθαίουthe GittiteGenitiveattributive gentilic adjective (genitive, modifying Εθθι)→ relational specificationΓεθθαῖος: 'Gittite', from Γεθ (Gath); a declinable Greek gentilic adjective; marks Ittai as a Philistine of Gath who has thrown in his lot with David — a striking emblem of the loyalty David's enemies-turned-friends now show.
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.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: 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→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόνpeopleAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (addressees)→ object specificationλαόν: meaning 'people'; it serves as accusative object of πρός (addressees).
ἐξελθὼνgoing outAor Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · ἐξέρχομαιcircumstantial participle (Hebraizing intensive with cognate finite verb)→ intensifying participle (calque of Hebrew infinitive absolute)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / march out (to war)'; the participle ἐξελθών paired with the cognate finite ἐξελεύσομαι renders the Hebrew emphatic infinitive-absolute construction יָצֹא אֵצֵא ('I will surely go out'), expressing David's firm resolve to take the field himself.
ἐξελεύσομαιI will go outFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (David's declared intent)→ emphatic future (with cognate participle: 'I will surely go out')ἐξέρχομαι (fut.): the finite member of the cognate-construction; 'I will go out (to battle)'; David asserts his intent to lead in person, which the people will immediately overrule (v. 3).
καίevenadverbial intensifier (with γε)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί γε: 'even / indeed'; an emphatic particle-combination (rendering Hebrew גַּם) stressing 'I too / I myself also'; recurs in the chapter at vv. 22, 26, 27.
γεindeedemphatic enclitic particle (with καί)→ discourse linkage or contrastγε: meaning 'indeed'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun (with ἐξελεύσομαι)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic first-person pronoun, redundant with the verb's person-ending, stresses David's personal determination to share the danger of his men.
μεθ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment; elided)→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment; elided).
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the people David would accompany)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (the people David would accompany).
3
καὶ εἶπαν οὐκ ἐξελεύσῃ ὅτι ἐὰν φυγῇ φύγωμεν οὐ θήσουσιν ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς καρδίαν καὶ ἐὰν ἀποθάνωμεν τὸ ἥμισυ ἡμῶν οὐ θήσουσιν ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς καρδίαν ὅτι σὺ ὡς ἡμεῖς δέκα χιλιάδες καὶ νῦν ἀγαθὸν ὅτι ἔσῃ ἡμῖν ἐν τῇ πόλει βοήθεια τοῦ βοηθεῖν
But they said, 'You shall not go out; for if we flee outright they will not set their heart upon us, and if half of us die they will not set their heart upon us, because you are as ten thousand of us; and now it is better that you be to us a help from the city, to give help.'
The people's argument turns on David's irreplaceable strategic value: σὺ ὡς ἡμεῖς δέκα χιλιάδες ('you are worth ten thousand of us'). The repeated οὐ θήσουσιν ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς καρδίαν ('they will not set heart upon us' = 'they will pay us no mind') is a Hebraism (שׂים לֵב) for caring/regarding; the enemy hunts the king, not the rank and file, so David must stay safe in the city as a reserve βοήθεια ('help').
Word-by-word analysis· 42 words
καὶbutnarrative conjunction (adversative force in context)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανthey saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (the people's reply)→ constative aoristλέγω: the Koine/LXX aorist εἶπαν (alpha-ending) is the regular plural form in the historical books; introduces the people's collective refusal.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἐξελεύσῃ)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξελεύσῃyou shall go outFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (prohibitive future: 'you shall not go out')→ prohibitive future (emphatic refusal)ἐξέρχομαι (fut. 2 sg.): the future indicative with οὐκ functions as an emphatic prohibition — the people forbid the king's stated intent of v. 2.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction (introducing reason)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the people's reasoning; recurs in the verse marking successive grounds.
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (+ subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'if'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φυγῇin flightDativecognate dative with φύγωμεν (Hebraism: 'flee in flight' = utterly flee)→ sphere or referenceφυγή: 'flight'; the dative φυγῇ paired with the cognate verb φύγωμεν calques the Hebrew infinitive absolute (נֹס נָנוּס), intensifying: 'if we flee outright / utterly flee.'
φύγωμενwe fleeAor Act Subj 1 Pl · φεύγωverb of conditional clause (with cognate dative φυγῇ)→ hortatory subjunctive (deliberate feint)φεύγω: 'flee'; the subjunctive with ἐάν posits a hypothetical rout; the point: even total flight would not endanger the king if he remains in the city.
οὐnotnegative particle (with θήσουσιν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θήσουσινthey will setFut Act Indic 3 Pl · τίθημιmain verb of apodosis (idiom: 'set heart upon')→ predictive futureτίθημι: 'put / set / place'; the idiom θήσουσιν … καρδίαν renders Hebrew שִׂים לֵב ('set the heart' = pay attention to, care about); the enemy will not 'mind' the fleeing troops, only the king.
ἐφ᾿uponpreposition + accusative (elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐφ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (elided).
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί.
καρδίανheartAccusativedirect object of θήσουσιν (idiom: 'set the heart')→ object specificationκαρδία: 'heart'; in the idiom 'set the heart upon' it denotes attention/regard; here the enemy's lack of concern for the common soldiers.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (+ subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'if'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποθάνωμενwe dieAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωverb of conditional clause→ verbal action or stateἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the second hypothetical (even heavy losses) reinforces the argument that the king's life, not the army's, is the enemy's true objective.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with ἥμισυ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἥμισυhalfNominativesubject (partitive: 'half of us')→ participant prominenceἥμισυς: 'half'; τὸ ἥμισυ ἡμῶν = 'half of us'; a hyperbolic estimate of possible casualties to make the point about the king's relative value.
ἡμῶνof usGenitivepartitive genitive (with ἥμισυ)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'of us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as partitive genitive (with ἥμισυ).
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θήσουσινthey will setFut Act Indic 3 Pl · τίθημιmain verb (repeated idiom: 'set heart upon')→ predictive futureτίθημι: meaning 'they will set'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb (repeated idiom: 'set heart upon').
ἐφ᾿uponpreposition + accusative (elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐφ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (elided).
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί.
καρδίανheartAccusativedirect object (idiom, repeated)→ object specificationκαρδίαν: meaning 'heart'; it serves as direct object (idiom, repeated).
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'because'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σὺyouNominativesubject pronoun (emphatic: 'you')→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic pronoun foregrounds David's unique worth in the clause σὺ ὡς ἡμεῖς δέκα χιλιάδες.
ὡςas / likecomparative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; introduces the comparison valuing David at ten thousand men.
ἡμεῖςweNominativecomparison (predicate: 'as we [are]')→ participant referenceἡμεῖς: meaning 'we'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as comparison (predicate: 'as we [are]').
δέκαtennumeral (modifying χιλιάδες; indeclinable form)→ measure or countδέκα: 'ten'; with χιλιάδες = 'ten thousand'; an idiom of supreme value, echoing the women's earlier song crediting David his 'ten thousands' (1 Kgdms 18:7).
χιλιάδεςthousandsNominativepredicate noun (with δέκα: 'ten thousand')→ participant prominenceχιλιάς: 'a thousand'; δέκα χιλιάδες = 'ten thousand'; the people declare David worth that many of themselves, hence too precious to risk.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal/transitional adverb (introducing practical conclusion)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; καὶ νῦν is a common LXX discourse marker drawing a practical inference ('and so now').
ἀγαθὸνgood / betterNominativepredicate adjective (impersonal: 'it is good/better')→ participant prominenceἀγαθός: 'good'; here in the comparative sense 'it is better' that the king remain to give support from within the city.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing content clause after ἀγαθόν)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσῃyou will beFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίverb of content clause ('that you be to us a help')→ predictive futureεἰμί (fut. 2 sg.): 'be'; David's proper role is to be a βοήθεια ('help') in reserve, not a frontline combatant.
ἡμῖνto usDativedative of advantage (David as help 'for us')→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'to us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (David as help 'for us').
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλειcityDativedative of place (David's station, Mahanaim)→ sphere or referenceπόλις: 'city'; here Mahanaim, David's base east of the Jordan, from which he is to provide support.
βοήθειαhelpNominativepredicate noun (David as 'a help')→ participant prominenceβοήθεια: 'help / aid / succor'; renders עֵזֶר; David's value as reserve and morale-support is framed as 'help'; the cognate infinitive τοῦ βοηθεῖν follows for emphasis.
τοῦtoGenitivearticle with articular infinitive (purpose/epexegetic)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βοηθεῖνto helpPres Act Inf · βοηθέωarticular infinitive (epexegetic of βοήθεια: 'a help, to give help')→ verbal action or stateβοηθέω: 'help / come to the aid of'; the articular infinitive τοῦ βοηθεῖν reiterates the cognate noun βοήθεια, a Hebraizing fullness of expression underscoring David's supporting role.
4
καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς ὁ βασιλεύς ὃ ἐὰν ἀρέσῃ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ὑμῶν ποιήσω καὶ ἔστη ὁ βασιλεὺς ἀνὰ χεῖρα τῆς πύλης καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἐξεπορεύετο εἰς ἑκατοντάδας καὶ εἰς χιλιάδας
And the king said to them, 'Whatever is pleasing in your eyes I will do.' And the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands.
David concedes with the deferential idiom ὃ ἐὰν ἀρέσῃ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ὑμῶν ('whatever is pleasing in your eyes', a Hebraism for assent). He then takes his station ἀνὰ χεῖρα τῆς πύλης ('beside the gate') — the very spot where he will later receive the runners (vv. 24ff.) — while the army files out in its hundreds and thousands.
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.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεύςkingNominativesubject (David referred to by title)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; from here David is repeatedly designated ὁ βασιλεύς, foregrounding his royal office and the public, official character of his commands and grief.
ὃwhatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ποιήσω: 'that which')→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; ὃ ἐάν = 'whatever'; introduces the indefinite relative clause of David's concession.
ἐὰνeverparticle with relative (generalizing: 'whatever')→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'ever'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀρέσῃis pleasingAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀρέσκωverb of indefinite relative clause→ potential aorist subjunctive (whatever may please)ἀρέσκω: 'please / be pleasing'; the idiom ὃ ἐὰν ἀρέσῃ ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ὑμῶν renders Hebrew אֲשֶׁר יִיטַב בְּעֵינֵיכֶם, a polite formula of deference and assent.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (idiom: 'in your eyes')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (idiom: 'in your eyes').
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative with ἐν (Hebraism: 'in your eyes' = in your judgment)→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς renders בְּעֵינֵי, a Hebraism for 'in the estimation/judgment of'; David submits to the people's view.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive (with ὀφθαλμοῖς)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with ὀφθαλμοῖς).
ποιήσωI will doFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb of David's concession→ voluntative future (assent: 'I will do it')ποιέω: 'do / make'; David's promise to comply with the people's wish — the king bends to his men's counsel for the sake of the realm.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστηstoodAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (David takes his position)→ ingressive aorist (took his stand)ἵστημι (aor. ἔστη): 'stand / take one's stand'; David positions himself beside the gate to review the departing army — the same gate-area where he will await news.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (David)→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject (David).
ἀνὰbeside / atpreposition + accusative (idiom ἀνὰ χεῖρα: 'beside')→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: with χεῖρα forms the idiom ἀνὰ χεῖρα ('at the side of / beside'), rendering Hebrew אֶל־יַד; localizes David at the gate's edge.
χεῖραhand / sideAccusativeaccusative in idiom ἀνὰ χεῖρα ('beside')→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; in the idiom ἀνὰ χεῖρα it means 'side / edge' (the gate's side); a spatial Hebraism.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύληςgateGenitivegenitive (the gate beside which David stands)→ relational specificationπύλη: 'gate'; the city gate of Mahanaim, the public place of assembly and review, and the setting of the watchman-scene later in the chapter.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (with ὁ λαός)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; πᾶς ὁ λαός = 'the whole army'; the totality marches out in ordered formation.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject (the army)→ participant prominenceλαὸς: meaning 'people'; it serves as subject (the army).
ἐξεπορεύετοwas going outImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκπορεύομαιmain verb (imperfect: progressive filing-out)→ imperfect of ongoing process (the army filing out unit by unit)ἐκπορεύομαι: 'go out / march out'; the imperfect depicts the army streaming out by formations, a vivid durative against the surrounding aorists.
εἰςbypreposition + accusative (distributive: 'by hundreds')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (distributive: 'by hundreds').
ἑκατοντάδαςhundredsAccusativeaccusative (distributive: in units of a hundred)→ object specificationἑκατοντάς: 'a hundred / company of a hundred'; the army deploys in its organized hundreds and thousands, matching the command structure of v. 1.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰςbypreposition + accusative (distributive)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (distributive).
χιλιάδαςthousandsAccusativeaccusative (distributive: in units of a thousand)→ object specificationχιλιάς: 'a thousand'; the larger formation; together with ἑκατοντάδας it closes the muster-scene with an image of disciplined mass deployment.
5
καὶ ἐνετείλατο ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ Ιωαβ καὶ τῷ Αβεσσα καὶ τῷ Εθθι λέγων φείσασθέ μοι τοῦ παιδαρίου τοῦ Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἤκουσεν ἐντελλομένου τοῦ βασιλέως πᾶσιν τοῖς ἄρχουσιν ὑπὲρ Αβεσσαλωμ
And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, 'Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.' And all the people heard the king giving command to all the captains concerning Absalom.
The paternal heart of the chapter: φείσασθέ μοι τοῦ παιδαρίου ('spare/deal gently for my sake with the young man') is heard ὑπὲρ Αβεσσαλωμ by the whole army, making Joab's later killing of Absalom (vv. 14–15) a deliberate defiance of an open royal order. The genitive-absolute ἐντελλομένου τοῦ βασιλέως stresses that the command was witnessed by all.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 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 (David's order to the captains)→ constative aorist (the issuing of a formal command)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / charge / give orders'; renders צִוָּה; a solemn, authoritative directive; its repetition (ἐντελλομένου, v. 5b; cf. ἐνετείλατο, v. 12) underscores that the order was unmistakable and public.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (David)→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject (David).
τῷtheDativearticle (with Ιωαβ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙωαβJoabdative object of ἐνετείλατο (indeclinable; first captain charged)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative object of ἐνετείλατο (indeclinable; first captain charged).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtheDativearticle (with Αβεσσα)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβεσσαAbishaidative object of ἐνετείλατο (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative object of ἐνετείλατο (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtheDativearticle (with Εθθι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΕθθιIttaidative object of ἐνετείλατο (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΕθθι: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative object of ἐνετείλατο (indeclinable).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · λέγωparticiple introducing direct speech (Hebraizing לֵאמֹר)→ imperfective participle (Hebraizing speech-marker)λέγω (ptc.): the participle λέγων introducing quoted speech renders the Hebrew infinitive לֵאמֹר ('saying'), a pervasive LXX quotative marker.
φείσασθέdeal gently with / spareAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · φείδομαιmain verb of direct command (imperative + objective genitive)→ aorist imperative (urgent specific request)φείδομαι: 'spare / deal gently with / show forbearance toward'; takes a genitive object (τοῦ παιδαρίου); renders Hebrew לְאַט ('deal gently') / חוּס ('spare'); the heart-cry of the verse — David asks not merely that Absalom's life be spared but that he be handled tenderly for the king's sake.
μοιfor meDativedative of advantage ('for my sake')→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat.): the ethical/advantage dative φείσασθέ μοι ('spare for my sake') makes the request intensely personal — it is the father, not the king, who pleads.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with παιδαρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδαρίουyoung man / boyGenitiveobjective genitive (with φείσασθε: 'spare the young man')→ relational specificationπαιδάριον: 'boy / lad / young man'; diminutive of παῖς; renders נַעַר; though Absalom is a grown rebel and pretender, David calls him τὸ παιδάριον — a tender paternal designation that recurs as the chapter's refrain (vv. 12, 29, 32) and frames the tragedy of a father's love for a treacherous son.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with Αβεσσαλωμ, appositional)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomgenitive in apposition to παιδαρίου (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliteration of Hebrew אַבְשָׁלוֹם ('father of peace'); indeclinable in the LXX; David's third son and the leader of the revolt; the ironic 'father of peace' is the cause of civil war and his father's deepest grief.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing narrator's note)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive (with ὁ λαός)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: meaning 'all'; it serves as attributive (with ὁ λαός).
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject (the whole army as witnesses)→ participant prominenceλαὸς: meaning 'people'; it serves as subject (the whole army as witnesses).
ἤκουσενheardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (the army overhears the command)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; the explicit notice that all the troops heard the order makes the public character of David's charge the moral backdrop for Joab's defiance.
ἐντελλομένουcommandingPres Mid Ptc Gen Masc Sg · ἐντέλλομαιgenitive absolute (with τοῦ βασιλέως: 'while the king commanded')→ durative present participle (the act of commanding in progress)ἐντέλλομαι (ptc.): the genitive absolute ἐντελλομένου τοῦ βασιλέως ('as the king was charging') frames the order as a public, ongoing event heard by every officer.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως, genitive absolute)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivesubject of genitive absolute→ relational specificationβασιλέως: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject of genitive absolute.
πᾶσινallDativeattributive (with τοῖς ἄρχουσιν)→ sphere or referenceπᾶσιν: meaning 'all'; it serves as attributive (with τοῖς ἄρχουσιν).
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ἄρχουσιν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄρχουσινcaptains / commandersDativeindirect object of ἐντελλομένου (recipients of the charge)→ sphere or referenceἄρχων: 'ruler / commander / officer'; renders שַׂר; here the army's officers, all of whom hear David's plea for Absalom.
ὑπὲρconcerning / forpreposition + genitive (concerning Absalom)→ spatial or relational framingὑπέρ + gen.: 'concerning / on behalf of / about'; here 'concerning Absalom' — the subject of the king's charge.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomgenitive object of ὑπέρ (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of ὑπέρ (indeclinable).
6
καὶ ἐξῆλθεν πᾶς ὁ λαὸς εἰς τὸν δρυμὸν ἐξ ἐναντίας Ισραηλ καὶ ἐγένετο ὁ πόλεμος ἐν τῷ δρυμῷ Εφραιμ
And all the people went out into the forest against Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim.
The setting is named twice for emphasis: εἰς τὸν δρυμόν ('into the forest') and ἐν τῷ δρυμῷ Εφραιμ ('in the forest of Ephraim'). 'Israel' here denotes Absalom's rebel forces, against whom David's loyalists march. The wooded terrain (δρυμός) will itself become an agent of slaughter (v. 8).
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (army marches to battle)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / march out'; the singular verb with the collective πᾶς ὁ λαός is normal LXX concord; the army advances to engage.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive (with ὁ λαός)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: meaning 'all'; it serves as attributive (with ὁ λαός).
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject (David's army)→ participant prominenceλαὸς: meaning 'people'; it serves as subject (David's army).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δρυμὸνforestAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the battlefield terrain)→ object specificationδρυμός: 'forest / thicket / wooded country'; renders יַעַר; the rough, broken terrain east of the Jordan that will prove deadlier than combat itself (v. 8).
ἐξagainst / oppositepreposition + genitive (idiom ἐξ ἐναντίας: 'over against')→ spatial or relational framingἐξ ἐναντίας: 'opposite / over against / to meet in battle'; renders לִקְרַאת; here in the hostile sense, 'against Israel.'
ἐναντίαςoppositeGenitivegenitive in idiom ἐξ ἐναντίας (confrontation)→ relational specificationἐναντίος: 'opposite / facing / hostile'; substantivized in the idiom ἐξ ἐναντίας for confronting an enemy line.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of opposition (indeclinable; = Absalom's forces)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable; here denotes the northern tribal levy that has rallied to Absalom, set in tragic opposition to David's own servants.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοtook place / came to beAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (the battle 'happens')→ constative aorist (event occurrence)γίνομαι: 'become / come to be / happen'; ἐγένετο ὁ πόλεμος = 'the battle took place'; a standard LXX narrative idiom for the onset of an event.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεμοςbattle / warNominativesubject of ἐγένετο→ participant prominenceπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; renders מִלְחָמָה; the engagement of the two Israelite armies.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δρυμῷforestDativedative of place (locative: 'in the forest')→ sphere or referenceδρυμός (dat.): the repeated naming of the δρυμός foregrounds the terrain that the narrator will personify as a devourer of men in v. 8.
Εφραιμof Ephraimgenitive of relationship (indeclinable; names the forest)→ participant identificationΕφραιμ: transliteration of Hebrew אֶפְרַיִם; indeclinable; 'the forest of Ephraim' names the locale of the battle — its exact site is debated, but the name attaches the slaughter to a place memory.
7
καὶ ἔπταισεν ἐκεῖ ὁ λαὸς Ισραηλ ἐνώπιον τῶν παίδων Δαυιδ καὶ ἐγένετο ἡ θραῦσις μεγάλη ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ εἴκοσι χιλιάδες ἀνδρῶν
And the people of Israel were struck down there before David's servants, and the slaughter was great on that day — twenty thousand men.
The decisive defeat: Israel (Absalom's army) ἔπταισεν ('was struck down / routed') before David's παῖδες ('servants/soldiers'). The casualty figure — εἴκοσι χιλιάδες ('twenty thousand') — is given in apposition to ἡ θραῦσις μεγάλη ('the great slaughter'), quantifying the scale of the disaster.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔπταισενwas struck down / was routedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πταίωmain verb (the rout of Israel)→ constative aorist (the defeat as a single event)πταίω: 'stumble / be defeated / be struck down'; in military contexts the intransitive sense is 'be routed / suffer defeat' (cf. 1 Kgdms 4:2-3); renders Hebrew נָגַף (Niphal); Israel collapses before David's veterans.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (in the forest)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; localizes the rout in the forest of Ephraim just named.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject (with appositional Ισραηλ)→ participant prominenceλαὸς: meaning 'people'; it serves as subject (with appositional Ισραηλ).
ΙσραηλIsraelappositional (indeclinable: 'the people, Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: again the rebel host; ὁ λαὸς Ισραηλ = 'the people of Israel,' here those who followed Absalom.
ἐνώπιονbeforepreposition + genitive (before / in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the sight of'; a Hebraism (לִפְנֵי); in battle-contexts 'before X' = 'defeated by X.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with παίδων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παίδωνservantsGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον (David's soldiers)→ relational specificationπαῖς: 'servant / attendant'; here οἱ παῖδες Δαυιδ = David's professional soldiers/retainers, the seasoned core that wins the day; renders עֲבָדִים.
ΔαυιδDavidgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: David's servants)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable: David's servants).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοwas / came aboutAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (the slaughter came about)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: here 'there was / came about,' introducing the magnitude of the carnage.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θραῦσιςslaughter / shatteringNominativesubject of ἐγένετο→ participant prominenceθραῦσις: 'breaking / shattering / slaughter / plague-blow'; renders מַגֵּפָה; a strong word for catastrophic loss of life, often used of divinely-sent destruction (cf. Num 16:48-49).
μεγάληgreatNominativeattributive adjective (with θραῦσις)→ participant prominenceμέγας: 'great'; intensifies the scale of the slaughter.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with ἐκείνῃ: 'on that day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ('on that day') is a stock LXX temporal phrase, here marking the day of the great defeat.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the deictic adjective fixes the slaughter to the decisive day of the campaign.
εἴκοσιtwentynumeral (indeclinable; with χιλιάδες)→ measure or countεἴκοσι: 'twenty'; with χιλιάδες = 'twenty thousand'; the appositional casualty figure quantifying the θραῦσις.
χιλιάδεςthousandsNominativeappositional (with εἴκοσι: 'twenty thousand')→ participant prominenceχιλιάς: 'thousand'; εἴκοσι χιλιάδες ἀνδρῶν = the toll of the rebel defeat.
ἀνδρῶνof menGenitivepartitive/descriptive genitive (with χιλιάδες)→ relational specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the genitive specifies that the twenty thousand were fighting men.
8
καὶ ἐγένετο ἐκεῖ ὁ πόλεμος διεσπαρμένος ἐπὶ πρόσωπον πάσης τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐπλεόνασεν ὁ δρυμὸς τοῦ καταφαγεῖν ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ ὑπὲρ οὓς κατέφαγεν ἐν τῷ λαῷ ἡ μάχαιρα ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ
And the battle there was scattered over the face of all the land, and the forest devoured more of the people than the sword devoured among the people on that day.
The chapter's grim epigram. As the battle scatters (διεσπαρμένος) across the broken country, the narrator personifies the terrain: ἐπλεόνασεν ὁ δρυμὸς τοῦ καταφαγεῖν … ὑπὲρ οὓς κατέφαγεν … ἡ μάχαιρα — 'the forest devoured more than the sword.' Pits, ravines, and thickets killed more fleeing men than the fighting did, an image of nature conscripted into divine judgment on the rebellion.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοwas / came to beAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (periphrastic with διεσπαρμένος: 'was scattered')→ constative aorist (with perfect participle, periphrastic state)γίνομαι: with the perfect participle διεσπαρμένος forms a periphrasis describing the state of the battle as spread out over the countryside.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: meaning 'there'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεμοςbattleNominativesubject (with periphrastic participle)→ participant prominenceπόλεμος: meaning 'battle'; it serves as subject (with periphrastic participle).
διεσπαρμένοςscattered / spread outPerf Pass Ptc Nom Masc Sg · διασπείρωperiphrastic participle (with ἐγένετο: 'was scattered')→ perfect participle (resultant state: the battle spread out and dispersed)διασπείρω: 'scatter / disperse'; the perfect passive participle pictures the fighting fragmented across the whole region — running skirmishes through forest and ravine rather than a single battle line.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative (extension over a surface)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (extension over a surface).
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeaccusative with ἐπί (idiom: 'over the face of')→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / surface'; ἐπὶ πρόσωπον τῆς γῆς ('over the face of the land') is a Hebraism (עַל־פְּנֵי) for spatial extent across a whole region.
πάσηςallGenitiveattributive (with τῆς γῆς)→ relational specificationπάσης: meaning 'all'; it serves as attributive (with τῆς γῆς).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive (with πρόσωπον: 'face of the land')→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land / ground / country'; here the whole tract of broken forest country over which the rout spread.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the epigram)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπλεόνασενdid more / aboundedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πλεονάζωmain verb (the forest 'exceeded' in devouring)→ constative aorist (the forest outdid the sword)πλεονάζω: 'be more / abound / exceed'; here with the epexegetic infinitive τοῦ καταφαγεῖν, 'the forest did more in devouring' = killed more than the sword; renders Hebrew רָבָה ('be many / multiply').
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δρυμὸςforestNominativesubject (the forest personified as devourer)→ participant prominenceδρυμός: 'forest'; here personified — the ravines, pits, and thickets of the wood claim more lives than combat; the terrain becomes an instrument of judgment.
τοῦto / ofGenitivearticle with epexegetic infinitive (τοῦ καταφαγεῖν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καταφαγεῖνto devourAor Act Inf · κατεσθίωepexegetic articular infinitive (with ἐπλεόνασεν: 'abounded in devouring')→ constative aorist infinitiveκατεσθίω (aor. inf. καταφαγεῖν): 'eat up / devour / consume utterly'; the intensive κατα- compound; the vivid metaphor of the forest 'eating' the people renders the same root used for the sword's devouring, sharpening the comparison.
ἐκof / from amongpreposition + genitive (partitive: 'of the people')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive: 'of the people').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivepartitive genitive (those devoured by the forest)→ relational specificationλαός: here the soldiery generally — the fleeing troops swallowed by the terrain.
ὑπὲρmore thanpreposition + accusative (comparison: 'beyond / more than')→ spatial or relational framingὑπέρ + acc.: 'beyond / more than'; the comparative force here sets the forest's death-toll above the sword's.
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of κατέφαγεν: 'than those whom the sword devoured')→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; ὑπὲρ οὓς = 'more than those whom'; introduces the comparative clause of the sword's victims.
κατέφαγενdevouredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατεσθίωverb of comparative relative clause (what the sword devoured)→ constative aoristκατεσθίω: the same verb now of the sword 'devouring' its victims, completing the parallel: forest vs. sword, both 'eating' men, but the forest the greater consumer.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (among the people)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (among the people).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαῷpeopleDativedative with ἐν (among whom the sword devoured)→ sphere or referenceλαῷ: meaning 'people'; it serves as dative with ἐν (among whom the sword devoured).
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μάχαιραswordNominativesubject of κατέφαγεν (the sword as the lesser devourer)→ participant prominenceμάχαιρα: 'sword / dagger'; renders חֶרֶב; the conventional instrument of war, here outdone by the δρυμός — a striking reversal that frames the victory as more than human.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time ('on that day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρᾳ: meaning 'day'; it serves as dative of time ('on that day').
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκείνῃ: meaning 'that'; it serves as demonstrative (with ἡμέρᾳ).
9
καὶ συνήντησεν Αβεσσαλωμ ἐνώπιον τῶν παίδων Δαυιδ καὶ Αβεσσαλωμ ἐπιβεβηκὼς ἐπὶ τοῦ ἡμιόνου αὐτοῦ καὶ εἰσῆλθεν ὁ ἡμίονος ὑπὸ τὸ δάσος τῆς δρυὸς τῆς μεγάλης καὶ ἐκρεμάσθη ἡ κεφαλὴ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ δρυί καὶ ἐκρεμάσθη ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τῆς γῆς καὶ ὁ ἡμίονος ὑποκάτω αὐτοῦ παρῆλθεν
And Absalom met David's servants; and Absalom was riding upon his mule, and the mule went under the thicket of the great oak, and his head was caught in the oak, and he was left hanging between heaven and earth, while the mule passed on from under him.
The hinge of the tragedy. Absalom, the would-be king on his royal mule (ἡμίονος), is suddenly helpless when his head is caught in the great oak (ἡ δρῦς ἡ μεγάλη); the doubled ἐκρεμάσθη ('he was hung') and the image ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τῆς γῆς ('between heaven and earth') leave him suspended, belonging neither to the living nor the dead, while the mule — symbol of his usurped royalty — passes out from under him.
Word-by-word analysis· 50 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συνήντησενmet / encounteredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συναντάωmain verb (Absalom encounters David's troops)→ constative aorist (the fateful encounter)συναντάω: 'meet / encounter / fall in with'; renders קָרָא / פָּגַע; Absalom unexpectedly comes face to face with David's soldiers, precipitating his flight and entrapment.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ἐνώπιονbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in front of'; here in the neutral sense of coming into the presence of David's men.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with παίδων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παίδωνservantsGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον (David's soldiers)→ relational specificationπαῖς: David's soldiers/retainers; the ones who will report and then dispatch Absalom.
ΔαυιδDavidgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing circumstantial clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (indeclinable; periphrastic with ἐπιβεβηκώς)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable; periphrastic with ἐπιβεβηκώς).
ἐπιβεβηκὼςriding / mountedPerf Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · ἐπιβαίνωperiphrastic/circumstantial participle ('was riding')→ perfect participle (settled state: mounted on his mule)ἐπιβαίνω: 'mount / go upon / ride'; the perfect participle describes Absalom's state — seated high on his mule, the very elevation that will deliver his head to the branches.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (position: 'upon the mule')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position: 'upon the mule').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμιόνουmuleGenitivegenitive with ἐπί (the animal he rode)→ relational specificationἡμίονος: 'mule'; renders פֶּרֶד; the royal mount of princes (cf. 3 Kgdms 1:33, Solomon on David's mule); Absalom's riding the royal mule subtly marks his pretension to the throne, which the oak now arrests.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (with ἡμιόνου)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with ἡμιόνου).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθενwent under / enteredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (the mule goes beneath the branches)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'go in / enter / go under'; here of the mule passing in under the overhanging foliage of the great oak.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμίονοςmuleNominativesubject of εἰσῆλθεν→ participant prominenceἡμίονος: meaning 'mule'; it serves as subject of εἰσῆλθεν.
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (beneath)→ spatial or relational framingὑπὸ: meaning 'under'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (beneath).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δάσοςthicket / dense foliageAccusativeaccusative with ὑπό (the dense branches under which the mule went)→ object specificationδάσος: 'thicket / wooded growth / dense foliage'; the tangled, low-hanging boughs of the great oak in which Absalom's head (and famously his hair, cf. 14:26) becomes ensnared.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with δρυός)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δρυὸςoak / terebinthGenitivegenitive (the tree whose thicket it was)→ relational specificationδρῦς: 'oak / great tree / terebinth'; renders אֵלָה / אַלָּה; the single great tree that becomes Absalom's gallows; its repeated naming (ἐν τῇ δρυί, ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ τῆς δρυὸς v. 14) makes the oak almost a character in the death-scene.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with μεγάλης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μεγάληςgreatGenitiveattributive adjective (with δρυός)→ relational specificationμέγας: 'great / large'; the oak's size both makes it a landmark and provides the height at which Absalom is left dangling.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκρεμάσθηwas caught / hungAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κρεμάννυμιmain verb (his head is caught fast)→ constative aorist passive (he was left hanging)κρεμάννυμι: 'hang / suspend'; the passive ἐκρεμάσθη ('was hung / caught fast'); renders Hebrew תָּלָה; the verb is repeated for emphasis (head caught, then whole body suspended) — the would-be king dangles helpless.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴheadNominativesubject of first ἐκρεμάσθη→ participant prominenceκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; Absalom's head — celebrated for its heavy hair (14:25-26) — is precisely what snares him; the head that planned the rebellion becomes the instrument of his undoing.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (with κεφαλή)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with κεφαλή).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δρυίoakDativedative of place (caught 'in the oak')→ sphere or referenceδρῦς (dat. δρυί): the tree in which the head is caught.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκρεμάσθηhe was left hangingAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κρεμάννυμιmain verb (repeated: whole body suspended)→ constative aorist passive (emphatic repetition)κρεμάννυμι: the repetition shifts subject from 'his head' to Absalom himself, now wholly suspended between sky and ground.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition + accusative (idiom ἀνὰ μέσον: 'between')→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ μέσον: 'in the midst of / between'; a Hebraism (בֵּין); the doubled ἀνὰ μέσον … καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον frames the vivid 'between heaven and earth.'
μέσονmidstAccusativeaccusative in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον ('between')→ object specificationμέσος: 'middle / midst'; in the idiom 'between heaven and earth' it captures Absalom's suspended, liminal state.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦheaven / skyGenitivegenitive with ἀνὰ μέσον ('between heaven')→ relational specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven / sky'; renders שָׁמַיִם; the upper pole of the merism 'between heaven and earth,' marking Absalom as belonging to neither realm.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition + accusative (idiom ἀνὰ μέσον, second member)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (idiom ἀνὰ μέσον, second member).
μέσονmidstAccusativeaccusative in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'midst'; it serves as accusative in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive with ἀνὰ μέσον ('and earth')→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth / ground'; the lower pole of the merism; the man who reached for the throne hangs grasping neither heaven nor earth.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμίονοςmuleNominativesubject of παρῆλθεν→ participant prominenceἡμίονος: the mule, now riderless, walks on — leaving Absalom dangling; the departure of the royal mount silently strips him of his pretended kingship.
ὑποκάτωfrom underimproper preposition + genitive (beneath him)→ spatial or relational framingὑποκάτω: 'underneath / from beneath'; renders תַּחַת; the mule passes out from under the suspended Absalom.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive with ὑποκάτω ('from under him')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive with ὑποκάτω ('from under him').
παρῆλθενpassed onAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παρέρχομαιmain verb (the mule moves off)→ constative aoristπαρέρχομαι: 'pass by / go on past'; the mule continues on, abandoning its rider to the tree — a quietly devastating detail.
10
καὶ εἶδεν ἀνὴρ εἷς καὶ ἀνήγγειλεν Ιωαβ καὶ εἶπεν ἰδοὺ ἑώρακα τὸν Αβεσσαλωμ κρεμάμενον ἐν τῇ δρυί
And one man saw it and reported to Joab, and said, 'Behold, I have seen Absalom hanging in the oak.'
An anonymous soldier (ἀνὴρ εἷς) witnesses Absalom's plight and reports it. His perfect ἑώρακα ('I have seen') stresses the immediacy and certainty of the sighting; the present participle κρεμάμενον ('hanging') vividly fixes Absalom still suspended and alive, setting up the moral exchange with Joab that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (the soldier sees Absalom)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see'; the soldier's sighting of the trapped Absalom triggers the report to Joab.
ἀνὴρmanNominativesubject (with εἷς: 'a certain man')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the anonymous soldier whose scruple before the king's command contrasts with Joab's ruthlessness.
εἷςone / a certainNominativenumeral as indefinite (with ἀνήρ: 'one man / a certain man')→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; here functioning like an indefinite article ('a certain man'), a Hebraism (אִישׁ אֶחָד).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνήγγειλενreported / announcedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb (he reports to Joab)→ constative aoristἀναγγέλλω: 'announce / report / declare'; renders נָגַד (Hiphil); the standard verb for bringing news, here of Absalom's entrapment.
Ιωαβto Joabdative recipient of report (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative recipient of report (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.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection (attention-marker)→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; a vivid attention-getter introducing the startling report.
ἑώρακαI have seenPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb of direct speech (perfect of completed perception)→ perfect (the sighting as an accomplished, vivid fact)ὁράω (perf. ἑώρακα): 'I have seen / I have witnessed'; the perfect underscores the certainty and present relevance of the report — 'I have seen it with my own eyes, and it is still so.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Αβεσσαλωμ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomdirect object of ἑώρακα (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as direct object of ἑώρακα (indeclinable).
κρεμάμενονhangingPres Mid Ptc Acc Masc Sg · κρεμάννυμι/κρέμαμαιsupplementary participle (with ἑώρακα: 'seen him hanging')→ present participle (Absalom still suspended and alive)κρέμαμαι: 'hang / be suspended'; the middle/intransitive of κρεμάννυμι; the present participle pictures Absalom still dangling alive at the moment of the report — implying he could yet be taken or killed.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δρυίoakDativedative of place ('in the oak')→ sphere or referenceδρῦς (dat. δρυί): the oak, named yet again as the site of Absalom's suspension.
11
καὶ εἶπεν Ιωαβ τῷ ἀνδρὶ τῷ ἀπαγγέλλοντι καὶ ἰδοὺ ἑόρακας τί ὅτι οὐκ ἐπάταξας αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν γῆν καὶ ἐγὼ ἂν δεδώκειν σοι δέκα ἀργυρίου καὶ παραζώνην μίαν
And Joab said to the man who reported to him, 'Indeed you saw him! Why then did you not strike him down to the ground? Then I would have given you ten pieces of silver and one girdle.'
Joab's ruthlessness emerges: rather than honoring the king's charge, he upbraids the soldier for not killing Absalom on the spot and dangles a reward (ten silver-pieces and a girdle). The contrary-to-fact construction ἐγὼ ἂν δεδώκειν ('I would have given') frames a lost opportunity, exposing Joab's intent that Absalom must die.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 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.
ΙωαβJoabsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τῷtheDativearticle (with ἀνδρί)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνδρὶmanDativeindirect object of εἶπεν (the reporting soldier)→ sphere or referenceἀνήρ (dat.): the soldier addressed by Joab.
τῷtheDativearticle (with participle, attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀπαγγέλλοντιreporting / who reportedPres Act Ptc Dat Masc Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωattributive participle (with ἀνδρί: 'the man who was reporting')→ present participle (the act of reporting)ἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / bring news / announce'; the substantival-attributive participle designates the soldier precisely by his role as messenger.
καὶindeed / and beholddiscourse particle (introducing exclamation with ἰδού)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here in an exclamatory function with ἰδού — 'and look! / indeed' — registering Joab's incredulous reaction.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; here exclamatory, expressing Joab's astonishment that the man saw Absalom yet did nothing.
ἑόρακαςyou have seenPerf Act Indic 2 Sg · ὁράωmain verb of exclamation ('you actually saw him!')→ perfect (the soldier's seeing thrown back at him reproachfully)ὁράω (perf. ἑόρακας, alternate spelling of ἑώρακας): 'you have seen'; Joab echoes the soldier's own ἑώρακα (v. 10) accusingly — you saw, and yet you let him live.
τίwhyAccusativeinterrogative (adverbial accusative: 'why')→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative; here 'why?' (τί ὅτι = 'why is it that?'), demanding the reason for the soldier's inaction.
ὅτιthatconjunction (with τί: 'why is it that')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: in the idiom τί ὅτι ('why is it that'), a Hebraism (מַדּוּעַ / לָמָּה).
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάταξαςyou struck downAor Act Indic 2 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb of the reproachful question→ constative aorist (the deed not done)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite / kill'; renders נָכָה; Joab's verb of choice for dispatching Absalom; he faults the soldier for not having 'smitten him to the ground.'
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐπάταξας (Absalom)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐπάταξας (Absalom).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction: 'to the ground')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: 'to the ground').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνgroundAccusativeaccusative with εἰς ('to the ground' = killed and dropped)→ object specificationγῆ: 'ground / earth'; 'strike him to the ground' = kill him so that he falls dead; idiomatic for slaying.
καὶand / thenconjunction (introducing apodosis of contrary-to-fact: 'then')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject (with ἂν δεδώκειν)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic — Joab stresses what he personally would have given.
ἂνwouldmodal particle (contrary-to-fact apodosis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: the modal particle marking the contrary-to-fact conditional ('I would have given').
δεδώκεινI would have givenPlpf Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb of contrary-to-fact apodosis→ pluperfect with ἄν (unrealized past intent: 'I would have given')δίδωμι (plpf. δεδώκειν): 'give'; the pluperfect with ἄν expresses an unfulfilled past possibility — the reward Joab would have paid had the man killed Absalom.
σοιto youDativeindirect object of δεδώκειν→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object of δεδώκειν.
δέκαtennumeral (with ἀργυρίου: 'ten [pieces] of silver')→ measure or countδέκα: 'ten'; δέκα ἀργυρίου = 'ten (shekels/pieces) of silver,' the offered bounty.
ἀργυρίουof silverGenitivegenitive of material (with δέκα: silver pieces)→ relational specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / piece of silver / money'; renders כֶּסֶף; the partitive genitive after the numeral denotes ten units of silver currency.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παραζώνηνgirdle / beltAccusativedirect object (second item of the reward)→ object specificationπαραζώνη: 'girdle / sword-belt / sash'; renders חֲגֹרָה; a warrior's belt, often a mark of honor or rank; together with the silver it constitutes a soldier's prize.
μίανoneAccusativenumeral adjective (with παραζώνην: 'one girdle')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; the feminine μίαν agrees with παραζώνην; 'one girdle' specifies the single honorific belt.
12
εἶπεν δὲ ὁ ἀνὴρ πρὸς Ιωαβ καὶ ἐγώ εἰμι ἵστημι ἐπὶ τὰς χεῖράς μου χιλίους σίκλους ἀργυρίου οὐ μὴ ἐπιβάλω χεῖρά μου ἐπὶ τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ βασιλέως ὅτι ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶν ἡμῶν ἐνετείλατο ὁ βασιλεὺς σοὶ καὶ Αβεσσα καὶ τῷ Εθθι λέγων φυλάξατέ μοι τὸ παιδάριον τὸν Αβεσσαλωμ
But the man said to Joab, 'Even were I weighing out a thousand shekels of silver upon my hands, I would not lay my hand against the king's son; for in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, saying, "Keep for me the young man Absalom."'
The soldier's principled refusal answers Joab's bribe: even for a thousand shekels he would not violate the king's open charge. The verbatim quotation of David's order — φυλάξατέ μοι τὸ παιδάριον — and the note ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶν ἡμῶν ('in our hearing') establish that Joab acts in conscious defiance of a command every soldier heard.
Word-by-word analysis· 48 words
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.
δὲbutpost-positive adversative (the soldier's rejoinder)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; here mildly adversative, contrasting the soldier's reply with Joab's reproach.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνὴρmanNominativesubject (the soldier)→ participant prominenceἀνὴρ: meaning 'man'; it serves as subject (the soldier).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΙωαβJoabaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
καὶevenintensive/concessive particle introducing hypothesis→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here introducing a concessive hypothetical — 'even (if)'; sets up the soldier's 'though I had a thousand shekels in hand...'
ἐγώINominativeemphatic subject pronoun→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic — the soldier stresses his own resolve.
εἰμιI am / I werePres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (with ἵστημι, hypothetical: 'were I weighing')→ present (in a hypothetical sense, 'were I')εἰμί: 'be'; here joined with ἵστημι in a Hebraizing construction expressing a supposition ('even were I to be weighing out...').
ἵστημιweighing out / settingPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (idiom: 'set/weigh upon my hands')→ present (hypothetical weighing of money in hand)ἵστημι: 'set / place / weigh out'; the transitive ἵστημι can mean 'weigh out (money)' (cf. weighing silver on a balance); the soldier says that even with a thousand shekels weighed into his hands he would not act — the money is worthless against the king's word.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (upon my hands)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (upon my hands).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖράς)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖράςhandsAccusativeaccusative with ἐπί (idiom: silver weighed 'upon the hands')→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the silver weighed 'upon the hands' pictures payment placed directly into the palm — the most concrete form of bribe, still refused.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive (with χεῖρας)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with χεῖρας).
χιλίουςa thousandAccusativenumeral adjective (with σίκλους)→ object specificationχίλιοι: 'a thousand'; χιλίους σίκλους = 'a thousand shekels,' a vast sum dwarfing Joab's ten silver-pieces, heightening the soldier's incorruptibility.
σίκλουςshekelsAccusativedirect object (the weighed silver)→ object specificationσίκλος: 'shekel'; transliteration/rendering of Hebrew שֶׁקֶל, a unit of weight and currency; a thousand shekels is a kingly fortune.
ἀργυρίουof silverGenitivegenitive of material (with σίκλους)→ relational specificationἀργύριον: 'silver'; the shekels are reckoned by weight of silver.
οὐnotnegative particle (with μή: emphatic negation)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴby no meansemphatic double negation (οὐ μή + subjunctive)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐ μή: emphatic negation with the subjunctive — 'I would by no means / I will absolutely not'; the strongest possible refusal.
ἐπιβάλωlay / put forthAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ἐπιβάλλωmain verb (with οὐ μή: emphatic refusal)→ aorist subjunctive of emphatic denial (will not lay a hand)ἐπιβάλλω: 'lay upon / put forth (the hand against)'; the idiom ἐπιβάλλω χεῖρα ἐπί ('lay a hand against') = attack/harm; renders שָׁלַח יָד; the soldier refuses to raise his hand against the king's son.
χεῖράhandAccusativedirect object of ἐπιβάλω (idiom: 'lay a hand')→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the instrument of violence the soldier refuses to use against Absalom.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive (with χεῖρα)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with χεῖρα).
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile: 'against')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile: 'against').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with υἱόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸνsonAccusativeaccusative with ἐπί (the object of the refused violence)→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; 'the king's son' — the soldier's deferential designation of Absalom underlines that to harm him is to defy the king himself.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of relationship ('the king's son')→ relational specificationβασιλέως: meaning 'king'; it serves as genitive of relationship ('the king's son').
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (introducing reason: the king's command)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the ground of the refusal — the heard royal charge.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (idiom: 'in our ears/hearing')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (idiom: 'in our ears/hearing').
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ὠσίν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὠσὶνears / hearingDativedative with ἐν (idiom: 'in our hearing')→ sphere or referenceοὖς (dat. pl. ὠσίν): 'ear'; ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶν ἡμῶν ('in our ears') = 'in our hearing,' a Hebraism (בְּאָזְנֵינוּ) stressing that the command was publicly spoken to all.
ἡμῶνourGenitivepossessive genitive (with ὠσίν)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with ὠσίν).
ἐνετείλατοcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb of causal clause (the king's command)→ constative aorist (the issued charge)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / charge'; the same verb as v. 5, deliberately recalling David's order so as to indict Joab's plan.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of ἐνετείλατο→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject of ἐνετείλατο.
σοὶyouDativeindirect object (Joab, the first commanded)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοί): 'you'; the soldier pointedly names Joab himself as the first recipient of the king's charge.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑβεσσαAbishaidative recipient (indeclinable; second captain)→ participant identificationΑβεσσα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative recipient (indeclinable; second captain).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtheDativearticle (with Εθθι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΕθθιIttaidative recipient (indeclinable; third captain)→ participant identificationΕθθι: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative recipient (indeclinable; third captain).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · λέγωparticiple introducing the quoted command (Hebraizing לֵאמֹר)→ imperfective participle (Hebraizing speech-marker)λέγω (ptc.): quotative participle introducing the verbatim royal order.
φυλάξατέkeep / guardAor Act Impv 2 Pl · φυλάσσωimperative of the quoted command→ aorist imperative (protective charge)φυλάσσω: 'guard / keep / protect'; here the king's quoted command varies the verb of v. 5 (φείσασθε) with φυλάξατε ('keep safe'), but to the same effect — Absalom is to be protected, not killed.
μοιfor meDativedative of advantage ('for my sake')→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat.): the personal dative again ('for me'), echoing v. 5's φείσασθέ μοι.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with παιδάριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριονyoung man / boyAccusativedirect object of φυλάξατε (Absalom)→ object specificationπαιδάριον: 'young man / lad'; the king's tender refrain for Absalom, repeated in the soldier's quotation of the order.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Αβεσσαλωμ, appositional)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomaccusative in apposition to παιδάριον (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative in apposition to παιδάριον (indeclinable).
13
μὴ ποιῆσαι ἐν τῇ ψυχῇ αὐτοῦ ἄδικον καὶ πᾶς ὁ λόγος οὐ λήσεται ἀπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ σὺ στήσῃ ἐξ ἐναντίας
Had I dealt treacherously against his life — and nothing is hidden from the king — then you yourself would have stood aloof.
The soldier completes his argument: had he treacherously taken Absalom's life, the deed could not be hidden — οὐ λήσεται ἀπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως ('nothing escapes the king's notice') — and Joab himself would have abandoned him (στήσῃ ἐξ ἐναντίας, 'stood aloof / against'). He sees clearly that Joab would scapegoat him; the LXX here is compressed and somewhat enigmatic.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
μὴnot / had Inegative particle (with infinitive ποιῆσαι: hypothetical)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: negative with the infinitive; here introducing a hypothetical supposition ('had I done...') in the soldier's compressed conditional reasoning.
ποιῆσαιto have done / to dealAor Act Inf · ποιέωinfinitive (hypothetical supposition: 'had I dealt')→ aorist infinitive (the hypothetical deed)ποιέω: 'do / act / deal'; the infinitive ποιῆσαι … ἄδικον = 'to do wrong / deal treacherously'; the soldier supposes the case of having acted falsely against Absalom's life.
ἐνagainstpreposition + dative (idiom: against his life)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (idiom: against his life).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ψυχῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχῇlife / soulDativedative with ἐν (the life harmed)→ sphere or referenceψυχή: 'soul / life'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; here 'life' — to do wrong 'against his life' = to kill him treacherously.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (with ψυχῇ)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with ψυχῇ).
ἄδικονwrong / unjust deedAccusativedirect object of ποιῆσαι (substantivized: 'a wrong')→ object specificationἄδικος: 'unjust / wrong'; neuter substantive ἄδικον = 'a wrong / an injustice / treachery'; the deed of secretly killing the king's son against orders.
καὶandconjunction (introducing parenthetical principle)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςevery / anyNominativeattributive (with ὁ λόγος: 'no matter / nothing')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every / all'; with the following negation, πᾶς … οὐ = 'nothing at all' (a Hebraism), 'no matter whatever.'
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγοςword / matterNominativesubject of λήσεται→ participant prominenceλόγος: 'word / matter / affair'; renders דָּבָר; here 'matter / thing' — no deed or affair escapes the king's knowledge.
οὐnotnegative particle (with πᾶς: 'nothing')→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λήσεταιwill be hidden / escape noticeFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · λανθάνωmain verb (parenthetical principle: nothing hidden from the king)→ gnomic/predictive future (general truth)λανθάνω: 'be hidden / escape notice'; πᾶς ὁ λόγος οὐ λήσεται ἀπὸ τοῦ βασιλέως = 'no matter escapes the king's notice'; the soldier's conviction that David inevitably learns the truth.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source: 'from the king')→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: 'from the king').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive with ἀπό (from whom nothing is hidden)→ relational specificationβασιλέως: meaning 'king'; it serves as genitive with ἀπό (from whom nothing is hidden).
καὶand / thenconjunction (apodosis: 'then')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σὺyouNominativeemphatic subject (Joab himself)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic — 'you yourself' (Joab) would have distanced yourself, leaving the soldier to bear the blame.
στήσῃwould stand / take your standFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb of apodosis (Joab would stand aloof/opposed)→ predictive future (the foreseen abandonment)ἵστημι (fut. mid. στήσῃ): 'stand / take a position'; στήσῃ ἐξ ἐναντίας = 'you would stand aloof / take the opposite side'; the soldier foresees that Joab would disown him before the king.
ἐξaloof / oppositepreposition + genitive (idiom ἐξ ἐναντίας: 'at a distance / opposed')→ spatial or relational framingἐξ ἐναντίας: 'over against / aloof / on the opposite side'; here of Joab withdrawing his support and standing against the soldier.
ἐναντίαςoppositeGenitivegenitive in idiom ἐξ ἐναντίας→ relational specificationἐναντίος: 'opposite / facing'; in the idiom for taking a stand apart from or against someone.
14
καὶ εἶπεν Ιωαβ τοῦτο ἐγὼ ἄρξομαι οὐχ οὕτως μενῶ ἐνώπιόν σου καὶ ἔλαβεν Ιωαβ τρία βέλη ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐνέπηξεν αὐτὰ ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ Αβεσσαλωμ ἔτι αὐτοῦ ζῶντος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ τῆς δρυὸς
And Joab said, 'This I will begin; I will not so wait before you.' And Joab took three darts in his hand and thrust them into Absalom's heart, while he was yet alive in the heart of the oak.
Joab brushes aside the soldier's scruple ('I will not waste time before you') and acts himself. The wordplay ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ Αβεσσαλωμ … ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ τῆς δρυὸς ('into Absalom's heart … in the heart of the oak') binds victim and tree: the three darts (τρία βέλη) pierce the living Absalom suspended in the very midst of the oak. The note ἔτι αὐτοῦ ζῶντος ('while he was still alive') underscores that this is deliberate killing, not mercy.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 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.
ΙωαβJoabsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (object of ἄρξομαι / forward-pointing)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; τοῦτο points to the deed Joab is about to do — a curt, brusque dismissal of the soldier's reasoning.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic — Joab takes the deed upon himself, contrasting with the hesitant soldier.
ἄρξομαιI will beginFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἄρχωmain verb (Joab's resolve to act)→ volitive future (decisive intent)ἄρχομαι: 'begin / make a start'; τοῦτο ἐγὼ ἄρξομαι ('this I will begin myself') = Joab will undertake the killing without further delay; a brusque, contemptuous reply.
οὐχnotnegative particle (with μενῶ)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐχ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὕτωςthus / soadverb of manner (with μενῶ)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / in this way'; οὐχ οὕτως = 'not in this manner / not like this' — Joab will not stand idly arguing.
μενῶI will wait / tarryFut Act Indic 1 Sg · μένωmain verb (Joab refuses to delay)→ predictive futureμένω: 'remain / wait / tarry'; οὐχ οὕτως μενῶ ἐνώπιόν σου = 'I will not wait around like this before you' — Joab cuts off the debate and acts.
ἐνώπιόνbeforepreposition + genitive (in your presence)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; 'before you' = wasting time in the soldier's company.
σουyouGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐνώπιον.
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 (Joab takes the darts)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take / grasp'; Joab seizes the weapons for the deed.
ΙωαβJoabsubject (indeclinable; repeated for emphasis)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable; repeated for emphasis).
τρίαthreeAccusativenumeral (with βέλη)→ measure or countτρεῖς, τρία: 'three'; the neuter τρία agrees with βέλη; the three darts emphasize the deliberate, certain killing.
βέληdarts / missilesAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationβέλος: 'dart / arrow / missile / javelin'; renders שֵׁבֶט ('staff / rod') in the Hebrew, but the LXX reads 'darts'; the weapons Joab drives into Absalom's heart.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (instrumental/locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental/locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with χειρί)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρὶhandDativedative of place (in his hand)→ sphere or referenceχείρ: 'hand'; Joab takes the darts in his own hand — the hand the soldier refused to lift, Joab unhesitatingly raises.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (with χειρί)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with χειρί).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνέπηξενthrust / drove inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐμπήγνυμιmain verb (Joab drives the darts into Absalom)→ constative aorist (the lethal act)ἐμπήγνυμι: 'fix in / drive in / thrust in'; the violent verb of impaling; Joab drives the three darts into the living Absalom's heart — the brutal climax of the section.
αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object of ἐνέπηξεν (the three darts)→ participant referenceαὐτὰ: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐνέπηξεν (the three darts).
ἐνin / intopreposition + dative (locative: into the heart)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: into the heart).
τῇtheDativearticle (with καρδίᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίᾳheartDativedative of place (into Absalom's heart)→ sphere or referenceκαρδία: 'heart'; the literal anatomical target; the word will be repeated for the 'heart of the oak,' binding Absalom's death to the tree.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'Absalom's heart')→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'Absalom's heart').
ἔτιstill / yetadverb (with genitive absolute: 'while still alive')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet'; ἔτι αὐτοῦ ζῶντος = 'while he was still alive,' stressing that Joab killed a living, helpless man — deliberate slaughter, not mercy-killing of a corpse.
αὐτοῦhe / hisGenitivesubject of genitive absolute (with ζῶντος)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'he'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject of genitive absolute (with ζῶντος).
ζῶντοςliving / alivePres Act Ptc Gen Masc Sg · ζάωgenitive absolute participle ('while he was alive')→ present participle (ongoing state: still living)ζάω: 'live / be alive'; the genitive absolute ἔτι αὐτοῦ ζῶντος pictures Absalom still breathing as the darts strike — the LXX's pointed emphasis on the cruelty of the act.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with καρδίᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίᾳheart / midstDativedative of place (in the 'heart' = midst of the oak)→ sphere or referenceκαρδία: 'heart / midst / core'; ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ τῆς δρυὸς ('in the heart of the oak') deliberately echoes 'into Absalom's heart' just above — a haunting verbal pairing that fuses the dying man with the tree that holds him.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with δρυός)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δρυὸςoakGenitivegenitive (the oak in whose midst he hung)→ relational specificationδρῦς: the oak, named a final time as Absalom's place of death — gallows and grave-marker in one.
15
καὶ ἐκύκλωσαν δέκα παιδάρια αἴροντα τὰ σκεύη Ιωαβ καὶ ἐπάταξαν τὸν Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ ἐθανάτωσαν αὐτόν
And ten young men, Joab's armor-bearers, surrounded and struck Absalom and put him to death.
Joab's ten armor-bearers (παιδάρια αἴροντα τὰ σκεύη Ιωαβ, 'lads bearing Joab's arms') finish what their commander began. The triad of verbs — ἐκύκλωσαν ('surrounded'), ἐπάταξαν ('struck'), ἐθανάτωσαν ('put to death') — leaves no doubt that Absalom is now dead, sealing the violation of the king's charge.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκύκλωσανsurroundedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κυκλόωmain verb (the armor-bearers encircle Absalom)→ constative aoristκυκλόω: 'encircle / surround'; renders סָבַב; the ten close in around the suspended Absalom.
δέκαtennumeral (with παιδάρια)→ measure or countδέκα: 'ten'; the number of Joab's armor-bearers.
παιδάριαyoung men / ladsNominativesubject (Joab's armor-bearers)→ participant prominenceπαιδάριον: 'young man / servant-lad'; here Joab's military aides — ironically the same word David used tenderly of Absalom (vv. 5, 12) now denotes his executioners.
αἴρονταbearing / carryingPres Act Ptc Nom Neut Pl · αἴρωattributive participle (with παιδάρια: 'who bore the arms')→ present participle (their function as armor-bearers)αἴρω: 'lift / carry / bear'; οἱ αἴροντες τὰ σκεύη = 'armor-bearers' (those who carry the weapons), a recognized military role (cf. 1 Kgdms 14:1).
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκεύη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηarms / equipmentAccusativedirect object of αἴροντα (the weapons borne)→ object specificationσκεῦος (pl. σκεύη): 'vessel / implement / gear'; here 'weapons / armor' (τὰ σκεύη = a soldier's arms); identifies the ten as Joab's armor-bearers.
ΙωαβJoab'sgenitive of possession (indeclinable: Joab's armor)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of possession (indeclinable: Joab's armor).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάταξανstruckAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πατάσσωmain verb (they strike Absalom)→ constative aoristπατάσσω: 'strike / smite'; the same verb Joab used in his reproach (v. 11) — now carried out by his men.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Αβεσσαλωμ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomdirect object (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as direct object (indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐθανάτωσανput to deathAor Act Indic 3 Pl · θανατόωmain verb (they kill him)→ constative/effective aorist (the death accomplished)θανατόω: 'put to death / kill'; renders מוּת (Hiphil); the final, conclusive verb — Absalom is dead, the rebellion decapitated.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐθανάτωσαν (Absalom)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐθανάτωσαν (Absalom).
16
καὶ ἐσάλπισεν Ιωαβ ἐν κερατίνῃ καὶ ἀπέστρεψεν ὁ λαὸς τοῦ μὴ διώκειν ὀπίσω Ισραηλ ὅτι ἐφείδετο Ιωαβ τοῦ λαοῦ
And Joab blew the trumpet, and the people turned back from pursuing after Israel, for Joab spared the people.
With Absalom dead, the war's purpose is achieved; Joab sounds the trumpet (κερατίνη, the ram's-horn) to halt the pursuit and spare further bloodshed among fellow Israelites. The narrator's note ὅτι ἐφείδετο Ιωαβ τοῦ λαοῦ ('for Joab spared the people') uses the very verb φείδομαι that David had used of Absalom (v. 5) — Joab spares the army but not the son.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐσάλπισενblew the trumpetAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σαλπίζωmain verb (Joab signals the recall)→ constative aoristσαλπίζω: 'sound the trumpet / give a trumpet-signal'; renders תָּקַע בַּשּׁוֹפָר; the battlefield signal to break off pursuit (cf. 2 Kgdms 2:28; 20:22, both Joab).
ΙωαβJoabsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ἐνwith / onpreposition + dative (instrumental)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental).
κερατίνῃtrumpet / ram's-hornDativedative of instrument (the horn blown)→ sphere or referenceκερατίνη: 'horn / ram's-horn trumpet' (from κέρας, 'horn'); renders שׁוֹפָר; the signal-horn used to direct troop movements.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστρεψενturned backAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστρέφωmain verb (the army breaks off pursuit)→ constative aorist (here intransitive: turned back)ἀποστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; here intransitive ('turned back'); the army obeys the trumpet and ceases the chase.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject (David's army)→ participant prominenceλαὸς: meaning 'people'; it serves as subject (David's army).
τοῦfromGenitivearticle with articular infinitive (τοῦ μὴ διώκειν: result/purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive διώκειν)→ discourse linkage or contrastμὴ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διώκεινto pursuePres Act Inf · διώκωarticular infinitive (τοῦ μὴ διώκειν: 'from pursuing')→ verbal action or stateδιώκω: 'pursue / chase'; the articular infinitive τοῦ μὴ διώκειν expresses the result/purpose of the recall — they ceased pursuing the fleeing rebels.
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive ('after Israel')→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'behind / after'; with the genitive Ισραηλ, 'after Israel' = in pursuit of the retreating rebel army.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive with ὀπίσω (indeclinable; the rebel forces)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: again Absalom's defeated host, now in flight.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (narrator's explanation)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the narrator's reason for the recall — Joab's mercy on the troops.
ἐφείδετοspared / had compassion onImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · φείδομαιmain verb of causal clause (Joab spares the army)→ imperfect (durative: Joab kept sparing / was minded to spare)φείδομαι: 'spare / show forbearance'; takes the genitive (τοῦ λαοῦ); the pointed reuse of David's own verb (φείσασθε, v. 5) is bitterly ironic: Joab spares the rank-and-file Israelites but had no mercy on the king's son.
ΙωαβJoabsubject of ἐφείδετο (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐφείδετο (indeclinable).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with λαοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive object of ἐφείδετο (those spared)→ relational specificationλαός: here the broader body of Israelites (Absalom's defeated followers), whom Joab spares from a slaughter to the last man.
17
καὶ ἔλαβεν τὸν Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ ἔρριψεν αὐτὸν εἰς χάσμα μέγα ἐν τῷ δρυμῷ εἰς τὸν βόθυνον τὸν μέγαν καὶ ἐστήλωσεν ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν σωρὸν λίθων μέγαν σφόδρα καὶ πᾶς Ισραηλ ἔφυγεν ἀνὴρ εἰς τὸ σκήνωμα αὐτοῦ
And they took Absalom and threw him into a great chasm in the forest, into the great pit, and raised over him a very great heap of stones; and all Israel fled, each man to his tent.
Absalom's burial is a deliberate dishonor: not a tomb but a great pit (βόθυνος) in the forest under a huge cairn (σωρὸς λίθων μέγαν σφόδρα), the treatment reserved for the cursed and the executed (cf. Josh 7:26; 8:29). The dispersal καὶ πᾶς Ισραηλ ἔφυγεν … εἰς τὸ σκήνωμα αὐτοῦ ('each man to his tent') signals the total collapse of the revolt.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 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 (the body is taken; impersonal/collective subject)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; the singular verb with an implied collective subject ('they took'); Joab's men remove the corpse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Αβεσσαλωμ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomdirect object of ἔλαβεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as direct object of ἔλαβεν (indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔρριψενthrew / flungAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ῥίπτωmain verb (the body is cast into the pit)→ constative aoristῥίπτω: 'throw / cast / fling'; renders שָׁלַךְ (Hiphil); the contemptuous verb 'flung' marks the dishonor of the disposal — not laid to rest but thrown into a pit.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἔρριψεν (Absalom's body)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἔρριψεν (Absalom's body).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
χάσμαchasm / cleftAccusativeaccusative with εἰς (the gulf into which he is thrown)→ object specificationχάσμα: 'chasm / gaping cleft / gulf'; a deep forest hollow; appositional to βόθυνος; the burial-place is a natural pit, not a hewn tomb.
μέγαgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (with χάσμα)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great / large'; the size of the chasm.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῷtheDativearticle (with δρυμῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δρυμῷforestDativedative of place (in the forest)→ sphere or referenceδρυμός: the same forest of Ephraim — Absalom's battlefield, gallows, and now grave.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (appositional restatement)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (appositional restatement).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with βόθυνον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βόθυνονpitAccusativeaccusative with εἰς (appositional to χάσμα: 'the great pit')→ object specificationβόθυνος: 'pit / hole / trench'; renders פַּחַת; restates the burial-hollow; being cast into a pit under stones is the burial of the condemned, the opposite of an honored tomb.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with μέγαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μέγανgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (with βόθυνον)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great'; the pit's size matches the great cairn raised over it.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐστήλωσενset up / raisedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · στηλόωmain verb (a cairn is raised over him)→ constative aoristστηλόω: 'set up as a pillar / erect / heap up'; from στήλη ('pillar'); ironically the same verb-root recurs in v. 18 for the monument Absalom built himself — here it raises a dishonoring cairn, there a vainglorious memorial.
ἐπ᾿overpreposition + accusative (over him; elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (over him; elided).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative with ἐπί (over Absalom's body)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative with ἐπί (over Absalom's body).
σωρὸνheapAccusativedirect object of ἐστήλωσεν (the cairn raised)→ object specificationσωρός: 'heap / pile'; σωρὸς λίθων ('heap of stones') is the cairn of shame heaped over the executed/cursed (cf. Achan, Josh 7:26; the king of Ai, Josh 8:29).
λίθωνof stonesGenitivegenitive of material (with σωρόν: 'heap of stones')→ relational specificationλίθος: 'stone'; the material of the cairn; passersby would add stones, perpetuating the memorial of disgrace.
μέγανgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (with σωρόν)→ object specificationμέγαν: meaning 'great'; it serves as attributive adjective (with σωρόν).
σφόδραvery / exceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying μέγαν)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'exceedingly'; standard LXX rendering of מְאֹד; σωρὸν … μέγαν σφόδρα = 'a very great heap,' stressing the monumental dishonor.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive (with Ισραηλ)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: meaning 'all'; it serves as attributive (with Ισραηλ).
ΙσραηλIsraelsubject (indeclinable; the rebel host disbanding)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: 'all Israel' here = Absalom's followers, who scatter homeward now that their leader is dead.
ἔφυγενfledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φεύγωmain verb (the rebels disperse)→ constative aoristφεύγω: 'flee'; the singular with collective Ισραηλ, distributed by ἀνήρ ('each man'); the revolt dissolves into individual flight.
ἀνὴρeach manNominativedistributive apposition (with Ισραηλ: 'each man')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; distributive ('each man to his tent'), a Hebraism (אִישׁ לְאֹהָלָיו) for general dispersal.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction: homeward)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: homeward).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with σκήνωμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκήνωμαtent / dwellingAccusativeaccusative with εἰς (each man's home)→ object specificationσκήνωμα: 'tent / dwelling / habitation'; renders אֹהֶל; 'to his tent' = homeward; the formula of an army's dissolution.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (with σκήνωμα)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with σκήνωμα).
18
καὶ Αβεσσαλωμ ἔτι ζῶν καὶ ἔστησεν ἑαυτῷ τὴν στήλην ἐν ᾗ ἐλήμφθη καὶ ἐστήλωσεν αὐτὴν λαβεῖν τὴν στήλην τὴν ἐν τῇ κοιλάδι τοῦ βασιλέως ὅτι εἶπεν οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ υἱὸς ἕνεκεν τοῦ ἀναμνῆσαι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐκάλεσεν τὴν στήλην Χεὶρ Αβεσσαλωμ ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης
Now Absalom, while he was yet alive, had set up for himself the pillar — in the place where he was taken — and had erected it; (he made it) to take the pillar that is in the King's Valley; for he said, 'I have no son to keep my name in remembrance.' And he called the pillar 'Absalom's Monument,' to this day.
An ironic narratorial flashback closing the burial scene. In life, Absalom — who would die sonless — had built himself a memorial pillar in the King's Valley ἕνεκεν τοῦ ἀναμνῆσαι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ('to keep his name in remembrance'), calling it Χεὶρ Αβεσσαλωμ ('Absalom's Monument/Hand'). The contrast is sharp: he wanted a name-bearing pillar, but lies under an anonymous heap of stones; the LXX of this verse is notoriously rough and compressed.
Word-by-word analysis· 46 words
καὶnow / andnarrative conjunction (introducing flashback)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomsubject (indeclinable; topicalized)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable; topicalized).
ἔτιstill / yetadverb (with participle ζῶν: 'while still alive')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet'; ἔτι ζῶν ('while yet alive') marks the flashback to Absalom's lifetime, poignantly set against his death just narrated.
ζῶνlivingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · ζάωcircumstantial participle ('while alive')→ present participle (during his lifetime)ζάω: 'live'; the participle frames the whole verse as a retrospect into Absalom's living days.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (resumptive)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστησενset upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (Absalom erected the pillar)→ constative aorist (pluperfect sense in context: 'had set up')ἵστημι: 'set up / erect'; ἔστησεν ἑαυτῷ τὴν στήλην = 'he set up for himself the pillar'; the reflexive ἑαυτῷ stresses the self-aggrandizing motive.
ἑαυτῷfor himselfDativereflexive dative of advantage ('for himself')→ sphere or referenceἑαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun; 'for himself' underscores the monument's vanity — a self-erected memorial.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with στήλην)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στήληνpillar / monumentAccusativedirect object of ἔστησεν→ object specificationστήλη: 'pillar / standing-stone / monument'; renders מַצֶּבֶת; a commemorative stele; the keyword of the verse (4×), counterpointing the σωρὸς λίθων of v. 17.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (with relative ᾗ)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (with relative ᾗ).
ᾗwhichDativerelative pronoun (locative: 'in which [place]')→ participant reference or interestὅς (dat. ᾗ): relative pronoun; ἐν ᾗ ἐλήμφθη = 'in which he was taken' — the LXX here reads a somewhat obscure clause, perhaps glossing the location or fate of the monument.
ἐλήμφθηhe was takenAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωverb of relative clause (passive: 'was taken')→ constative aorist passiveλαμβάνω (aor. pass. ἐλήμφθη): 'be taken / seized'; the clause ἐν ᾗ ἐλήμφθη is textually difficult; it may refer to the place where Absalom was 'taken' (caught/killed), the LXX rendering being compressed and enigmatic.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐστήλωσενerected / set as a pillarAor Act Indic 3 Sg · στηλόωmain verb (he set it up as a monument)→ constative aoristστηλόω: 'set up as a pillar / erect a stele'; the same verb used in v. 17 of the cairn over the corpse — here of Absalom's vainglorious self-memorial, sharpening the irony.
αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object of ἐστήλωσεν (the pillar)→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐστήλωσεν (the pillar).
λαβεῖνto takeAor Act Inf · λαμβάνωinfinitive (purpose/epexegetic, in a compressed LXX clause)→ verbal action or stateλαμβάνω (aor. inf. λαβεῖν): 'take'; the infinitive in λαβεῖν τὴν στήλην is part of the verse's rough syntax; the sense is that he 'took / appropriated' (set up) the pillar in the King's Valley as his own memorial.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with στήλην)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στήληνpillarAccusativeobject of λαβεῖν (the monument)→ object specificationστήλην: meaning 'pillar'; it serves as object of λαβεῖν (the monument).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (attributive, with prepositional phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location of the pillar)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location of the pillar).
τῇtheDativearticle (with κοιλάδι)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κοιλάδιvalleyDativedative of place (the valley where the pillar stood)→ sphere or referenceκοιλάς: 'hollow / valley / dale'; renders עֵמֶק; ἡ κοιλὰς τοῦ βασιλέως = 'the King's Valley' (cf. Gen 14:17), traditionally near Jerusalem — site of Absalom's monument.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive ('the King's Valley')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: here in the place-name 'the King's Valley'; the location lent the monument royal prestige Absalom craved.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (introducing Absalom's reason)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces Absalom's stated motive for the monument.
εἶπενhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of causal clause (Absalom's quoted reasoning)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Absalom's own words explaining the pillar.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἔστιν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of quoted speech (existential: 'I have no...')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'be / exist'; οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ υἱός = 'he has no son'; the poignant note that Absalom died childless (his sons of 14:27 evidently having died), so a stone must carry his name.
αὐτῷto him / he hasDativedative of possession ('he has no son')→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of possession ('he has no son').
υἱὸςsonNominativesubject of ἔστιν (the son he lacks)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the heir who would normally preserve a man's name — Absalom's lack of one drives the monument's purpose.
ἕνεκενfor the sake ofimproper preposition + genitive (purpose, with articular infinitive)→ spatial or relational framingἕνεκεν: 'for the sake of / on account of'; with the articular infinitive τοῦ ἀναμνῆσαι it expresses purpose: 'in order to keep his name remembered.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with articular infinitive (purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀναμνῆσαιto call to remembranceAor Act Inf · ἀναμιμνῄσκωarticular infinitive of purpose (with ἕνεκεν)→ verbal action or stateἀναμιμνῄσκω: 'remind / call to remembrance'; the purpose of the pillar is to perpetuate Absalom's name — a memorial against oblivion, which the anonymous cairn of v. 17 cruelly mocks.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ὄνομα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect object of ἀναμνῆσαι (the name preserved)→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name'; renders שֵׁם; 'name' here = lasting reputation/memory; the perpetuation of one's name was a chief ancient concern, especially for the childless.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (with ὄνομα)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with ὄνομα).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάλεσενhe called / namedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (he named the pillar)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call / name'; the naming of the monument — an etiological note explaining a landmark known 'to this day.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with στήλην)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στήληνpillarAccusativedirect object of ἐκάλεσεν→ object specificationστήλην: meaning 'pillar'; it serves as direct object of ἐκάλεσεν.
ΧεὶρHand / Monument (Cheir)object-complement (the name given; transliterated/quoted)→ participant identificationΧείρ: lit. 'hand'; here the LXX transliterates/renders the Hebrew יָד ('hand'), which also means 'monument / memorial-stele' (cf. 1 Kgdms 15:12; Isa 56:5); 'Absalom's Hand' = 'Absalom's Monument' — kept as a proper name of the landmark.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalom'sgenitive of relationship (indeclinable; part of the name)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable; part of the name).
ἕωςuntilimproper preposition + genitive (temporal: 'to this day')→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / up to'; ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης ('to this day') is a standard etiological formula attesting the monument's continuance into the narrator's time.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with ἡμέρας)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive with ἕως (the present day)→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; in the formula ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης, 'to this day.'
ταύτηςthisGenitivedemonstrative (with ἡμέρας)→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'this'; fixes the etiology to the narrator's own time.
19
καὶ Αχιμαας υἱὸς Σαδωκ εἶπεν δράμω δὴ καὶ εὐαγγελιῶ τῷ βασιλεῖ ὅτι ἔκρινεν αὐτῷ κύριος ἐκ χειρὸς τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτοῦ
And Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, 'Let me run now and bring the king good news, that the LORD has judged for him from the hand of his enemies.'
The runner-narrative opens. Ahimaaz, the priest Zadok's son, volunteers to carry the εὐαγγελία — framed theologically as ἔκρινεν αὐτῷ κύριος ('the LORD has judged/vindicated him'). Here κύριος renders the Tetragrammaton: the victory is YHWH's verdict on David's behalf. The cohortative δράμω δή ('let me run, please') conveys eager zeal.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑχιμααςAhimaazsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑχιμαας: transliteration of Hebrew אֲחִימַעַץ (Ahimaaz); indeclinable; son of the high priest Zadok, a swift runner and loyal informant of David during the revolt (cf. 2 Kgdms 15:27, 36; 17:17-21).
υἱὸςsonNominativeapposition (with Σαδωκ: 'son of Zadok')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the patronymic identifies Ahimaaz as Zadok's son, his priestly lineage.
Σαδωκof Zadokgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαδωκ: transliteration of Hebrew צָדוֹק (Zadok); indeclinable; the high priest loyal to David, ancestor of the Zadokite priesthood.
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.
δράμωlet me runAor Act Subj 1 Sg · τρέχωhortatory subjunctive (cohortative: 'let me run')→ volitive aorist subjunctive (eager self-exhortation)τρέχω (aor. subj. δράμω): 'run'; the hortatory subjunctive with δή ('now / please') expresses Ahimaaz's eagerness to be the bearer of good news; τρέχω/δρόμος words pervade the section.
δὴnow / pleaseemphatic/entreating particle (with the cohortative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: 'now / pray / please'; lends urgency and entreaty to the request.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὐαγγελιῶI will bring good newsFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · εὐαγγελίζωmain verb (Ahimaaz's aim: to announce the victory)→ volitive/predictive futureεὐαγγελίζω: 'bring/announce good news'; renders בִּשֵּׂר; the keyword of the runner-section (vv. 19, 20, 22, 26, 27, 31); ironically the 'good news' of victory is also the news of the king's son's death — joy and grief fused.
τῷtheDativearticle (with βασιλεῖ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativeindirect object of εὐαγγελιῶ (David, recipient of the news)→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς (dat.): David, to whom the news is to be brought.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of the good news)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the substance of the εὐαγγελία — YHWH's vindicating judgment.
ἔκρινενhas judged / vindicatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κρίνωmain verb of content clause (the LORD's verdict)→ constative aorist (the accomplished divine judgment)κρίνω: 'judge / vindicate / give judgment for'; renders שָׁפַט / דִּין; ἔκρινεν αὐτῷ ('has judged for him' = vindicated him, given him his right) frames the victory as YHWH's judicial verdict in David's favor against the rebels.
αὐτῷfor himDativedative of advantage ('judged for him' = vindicated him)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'for him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage ('judged for him' = vindicated him).
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ἔκρινεν (the divine Judge)→ participant prominenceκύριος: here rendering the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the victory is attributed to YHWH as the one who has 'judged' for David — the theological key to the runner's good news.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source/deliverance: 'from the hand of')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source/deliverance: 'from the hand of').
χειρὸςhand / powerGenitivegenitive with ἐκ (idiom: 'from the hand/power of')→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; ἐκ χειρός ('from the hand of') is a Hebraism (מִיַּד) for 'from the power/grip of'; deliverance from the enemies' control.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἐχθρῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθρῶνenemiesGenitivegenitive (the foes from whose hand David is delivered)→ relational specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy'; renders אֹיֵב; Absalom and his rebels framed as David's 'enemies,' from whose hand YHWH has rescued him.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (David's enemies)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (David's enemies).
20
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ιωαβ οὐκ ἀνὴρ εὐαγγελίας σὺ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ καὶ εὐαγγελιῇ ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἄλλῃ ἐν δὲ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ οὐκ εὐαγγελιῇ οὗ εἵνεκεν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ βασιλέως ἀπέθανεν
And Joab said to him, 'You are not a man of good news this day; you shall bring good news on another day, but on this day you shall not bring good news, because the king's son is dead.'
Joab perceives what Ahimaaz does not fully weigh: that this 'good news' is fatal news. He denies him the role — οὐκ ἀνὴρ εὐαγγελίας σὺ ('you are not a herald-man this day') — precisely because ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ βασιλέως ἀπέθανεν ('the king's son is dead'); Joab spares the priest's son the king's wrath, knowing the εὐαγγελία will be received as catastrophe.
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.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (Ahimaaz)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Ahimaaz).
ΙωαβJoabsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
οὐκnotnegative particle (predicate negation)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὴρmanNominativepredicate nominative ('a man of good news')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; ἀνὴρ εὐαγγελίας ('a man of good news' = a herald/bearer of tidings), a Hebraic genitive of quality.
εὐαγγελίαςof good newsGenitivegenitive of quality (with ἀνήρ: 'herald')→ relational specificationεὐαγγελία: 'good news / good tidings'; renders בְּשׂוֹרָה; ἀνὴρ εὐαγγελίας = the man entrusted with announcing victory; Joab denies Ahimaaz this office today.
σὺyouNominativesubject pronoun (predicate sentence)→ participant referenceσύ: 'you'; the subject of the verbless predicate 'you [are] not a man of good news.'
ἐνonpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with ταύτῃ: 'this day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the repeated ἡμέρα (×3) contrasts 'this day' (of mixed victory and bereavement) with 'another day.'
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this'; 'this day' — fraught because the victory cost the king's son.
καὶand / butcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὐαγγελιῇyou shall bring good newsFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · εὐαγγελίζωmain verb (permission for another day)→ predictive future (conceded for the future)εὐαγγελίζω (fut. 2 sg.): 'you shall bring good news'; Joab concedes that Ahimaaz may herald victory another time — just not today.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with ἄλλῃ: 'another day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρᾳ: meaning 'day'; it serves as dative of time (with ἄλλῃ: 'another day').
ἄλλῃanotherDativeattributive adjective (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἄλλος: 'other / another'; 'another day' — a future occasion of unmixed good news.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (temporal, with δέ)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal, with δέ).
δὲbutpost-positive adversative (contrast: 'but on this day')→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; marks the contrast between 'another day' and 'this day.'
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with ταύτῃ)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρᾳ: meaning 'day'; it serves as dative of time (with ταύτῃ).
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ participant reference or interestταύτῃ: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative (with ἡμέρᾳ).
οὐκnotnegative particle (with εὐαγγελιῇ)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὐαγγελιῇyou shall bring good newsFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · εὐαγγελίζωmain verb (prohibition for today)→ prohibitive future ('you shall not')εὐαγγελίζω: repeated, now negated — 'not today.' The threefold play on εὐαγγελ- underscores the bitter ambiguity of the day's news.
οὗwhich / whereforeGenitiverelative (in causal idiom οὗ εἵνεκεν: 'because')→ relational specificationὅς: relative pronoun; in the idiom οὗ εἵνεκεν ('for which reason / because').
εἵνεκενbecauseimproper preposition + genitive (causal idiom with οὗ)→ spatial or relational framingεἵνεκεν (= ἕνεκεν): 'on account of / because'; οὗ εἵνεκεν = 'because'; introduces the reason for the prohibition.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with υἱός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸςsonNominativesubject of ἀπέθανεν (the king's son)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; 'the king's son' = Absalom, whose death turns victory to mourning.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of relationship ('the king's son')→ relational specificationβασιλέως: meaning 'king'; it serves as genitive of relationship ('the king's son').
ἀπέθανενis dead / diedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb of causal clause (the death that taints the news)→ constative aorist (the accomplished death)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the blunt fact ὁ υἱὸς … ἀπέθανεν explains why this day's news cannot be simple 'good news' — the king's grief will overshadow the triumph.
21
καὶ εἶπεν Ιωαβ τῷ Χουσι βαδίσας ἀνάγγειλον τῷ βασιλεῖ ὅσα εἶδες καὶ προσεκύνησεν Χουσι τῷ Ιωαβ καὶ ἐξῆλθεν
And Joab said to the Cushite, 'Go, tell the king what you have seen.' And the Cushite did obeisance to Joab and went out.
Joab dispatches the Cushite (ὁ Χουσι) instead of Ahimaaz, charging him simply to report 'what you have seen' — including, by implication, the king's son's death. The Cushite's obeisance (προσεκύνησεν) and immediate departure (ἐξῆλθεν) contrast with Ahimaaz's persistence in the next verse.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 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.
ΙωαβJoabsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τῷtheDativearticle (with Χουσι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧουσιCushiteindirect object (indeclinable; the Cushite runner)→ participant identificationΧουσι: transliteration of Hebrew הַכּוּשִׁי ('the Cushite / Ethiopian'); indeclinable; an unnamed foreign servant designated by his ethnicity, sent to bear the news; in the LXX treated almost as a proper name with the article (ὁ Χουσι).
βαδίσαςgoing / set outAor Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · βαδίζωcircumstantial participle (attendant: 'go and...')→ aorist participle (coincident with the imperative: 'go, tell')βαδίζω: 'go / walk / proceed'; the participle βαδίσας with the imperative ἀνάγγειλον forms the common LXX idiom 'go [and] tell.'
ἀνάγγειλονtell / reportAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb (Joab's command to the Cushite)→ aorist imperative (specific charge)ἀναγγέλλω: 'report / announce / tell'; Joab's neutral charge ('report what you saw') tellingly avoids the word εὐαγγελ- he denied to Ahimaaz.
τῷtheDativearticle (with βασιλεῖ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativeindirect object of ἀνάγγειλον (David)→ sphere or referenceβασιλεῖ: meaning 'king'; it serves as indirect object of ἀνάγγειλον (David).
ὅσαwhat / whateverAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἶδες: 'what you saw')→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much/many as / whatever'; ὅσα εἶδες = 'all that you saw' — the full report, including the death of Absalom.
εἶδεςyou sawAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ὁράωverb of relative clause (the content to report)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδες): 'see'; the Cushite is to relate what he witnessed firsthand.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσεκύνησενdid obeisance / bowedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσκυνέωmain verb (the Cushite bows to Joab)→ constative aoristπροσκυνέω: 'do obeisance / bow down / prostrate'; renders שָׁחָה / הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה; the servant's deferential gesture before his commander, acknowledging the charge.
ΧουσιCushitesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΧουσι: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τῷtheDativearticle (with Ιωαβ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Ιωαβto Joabdative (to/before whom obeisance is made; indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative (to/before whom obeisance is made; indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξῆλθενwent out / set offAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (the Cushite departs to run)→ ingressive aorist (set out)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / set off'; the Cushite immediately departs on his errand, beginning the race the next verses dramatize.
22
καὶ προσέθετο ἔτι Αχιμαας υἱὸς Σαδωκ καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς Ιωαβ καὶ ἔστω ὅτι δράμω καί γε ἐγὼ ὀπίσω τοῦ Χουσι καὶ εἶπεν Ιωαβ ἵνα τί τοῦτο τρέχεις υἱέ μου δεῦρο οὐκ ἔστιν σοι εὐαγγελία εἰς ὠφέλειαν πορευομένῳ
And Ahimaaz son of Zadok pressed Joab again and said, 'Come what may, let me also run after the Cushite.' And Joab said, 'Why is it that you run, my son? Come — there is no good news for you that will bring you profit by going.'
Ahimaaz persists (προσέθετο ἔτι, 'added yet again' — a Hebraism for repeated action). Joab, addressing him fondly as υἱέ μου ('my son'), warns that no rewarding εὐαγγελία awaits him: the errand will bring no 'profit' (ὠφέλεια) because of its grievous content. The interrogative ἵνα τί ('why?') gently dissuades.
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσέθετοadded / did againAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (auxiliary Hebraism: 'again')→ constative aorist (with adverbial force: 'did yet again')προστίθημι: 'add / do again'; the idiom προσέθετο … καὶ εἶπεν ('he proceeded and said' = 'he again said') is a Hebraism (יָסַף) for repeated or continued action; Ahimaaz renews his request.
ἔτιagain / yetadverb (reinforcing προσέθετο: 'yet again')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet / again'; with προσέθετο underscores the persistence of Ahimaaz.
ΑχιμααςAhimaazsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑχιμαας: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
υἱὸςsonNominativeapposition (with Σαδωκ)→ participant prominenceυἱὸς: meaning 'son'; it serves as apposition (with Σαδωκ).
Σαδωκof Zadokgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαδωκ: 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.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΙωαβJoabaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
καὶand / yetparticle (introducing concessive 'come what may')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here introducing the concessive idiom καὶ ἔστω ('and let it be / come what may').
ἔστωlet it be / come what mayPres Act Impv 3 Sg · εἰμίthird-person imperative (concessive: 'be that as it may')→ permissive imperative (resignation/insistence)εἰμί (impv. ἔστω): 'let it be'; καὶ ἔστω ὅτι δράμω = 'come what may, let me run' — Ahimaaz brushes aside Joab's reluctance with insistent resolve.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content after ἔστω)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δράμωlet me runAor Act Subj 1 Sg · τρέχωsubjunctive (Ahimaaz's renewed wish to run)→ volitive subjunctiveτρέχω (aor. subj. δράμω): 'run'; Ahimaaz's repeated cohortative, eager to chase after the Cushite.
καίevenintensive particle (with γε: 'even I')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί γε: 'even / also'; 'even I too' — Ahimaaz insists on joining the Cushite.
γεindeedemphatic enclitic (with καί)→ clausal contributionγε: meaning 'indeed'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic — Ahimaaz wishes to run 'I also,' after the Cushite.
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive ('after the Cushite')→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after / behind'; with τοῦ Χουσι, 'after the Cushite' — Ahimaaz proposes to follow the first runner.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with Χουσι)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧουσιCushitegenitive with ὀπίσω (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΧουσι: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive with ὀπίσω (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.
ΙωαβJoabsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ἵναwhyinterrogative idiom (ἵνα τί: 'why?')→ clausal contributionἵνα τί: 'why? / for what reason?'; an idiomatic interrogative (lit. 'in order that what?'); Joab questions the point of Ahimaaz's running.
τίwhat / whyAccusativeinterrogative (in idiom ἵνα τί)→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative; component of the idiom ἵνα τί ('why').
τοῦτοthis / thusAccusativedemonstrative (adverbial: 'why this / why so')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; here adverbial/intensifying with the question — 'why this running of yours?'
τρέχειςdo you runPres Act Indic 2 Sg · τρέχωmain verb of question (Joab's dissuasion)→ present (the proposed running)τρέχω: 'run'; Joab questions the purpose of Ahimaaz's eagerness to run.
υἱέsonVocativevocative of address (affectionate: 'my son')→ direct addressυἱός (voc. υἱέ): 'son'; υἱέ μου ('my son') is Joab's affectionate, paternal address, softening his refusal and signaling concern for Ahimaaz's welfare.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive (with υἱέ)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with υἱέ).
δεῦροcome / come nowadverb/interjection (hortative: 'come!')→ clausal contributionδεῦρο: 'come here / come now'; an interjectional summons, here urging Ahimaaz to think again ('come now').
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἔστιν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential: 'there is no...')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'be / there is'; οὐκ ἔστιν σοι εὐαγγελία = 'there is no good news for you' — no reward awaits Ahimaaz in this errand.
σοιfor youDativedative of advantage ('for you')→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'for you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage ('for you').
εὐαγγελίαgood news / reward of tidingsNominativesubject of ἔστιν (the news/reward lacking)→ participant prominenceεὐαγγελία: 'good news / a herald's reward'; Joab means there is no profitable tidings — and no messenger's reward — to be had today, given the king's son is dead.
εἰςfor / untopreposition + accusative (purpose/result: 'to profit')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose/result: 'to profit').
ὠφέλειανprofit / benefitAccusativeaccusative with εἰς (the benefit that will not come)→ object specificationὠφέλεια: 'profit / advantage / benefit'; εἰς ὠφέλειαν = 'for profit'; the errand will bring Ahimaaz no advantage — only the burden of bearing grievous news.
πορευομένῳto one going / for goingPres Mid Ptc Dat Masc Sg · πορεύομαιsubstantival participle (dative, with σοι: 'for you in going')→ present participle (the act of going on the errand)πορεύομαι: 'go / proceed / journey'; the participle πορευομένῳ ('to/for you as you go') specifies that the going itself will yield no benefit to Ahimaaz.
23
καὶ εἶπεν τί γὰρ ἐὰν δραμοῦμαι καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ιωαβ δράμε καὶ ἔδραμεν Αχιμαας ὁδὸν τὴν τοῦ Κεχαρ καὶ ὑπερέβη τὸν Χουσι
And he said, 'For what — should I not run?' And Joab said to him, 'Run.' And Ahimaaz ran by the way of the Kechar (the plain) and overtook the Cushite.
Ahimaaz wins his point and Joab relents with a terse δράμε ('Run!'). Taking the route ὁδὸν τὴν τοῦ Κεχαρ (the way of the round plain/circuit of the Jordan), Ahimaaz overtakes (ὑπερέβη) the Cushite — setting up the suspense at the gate of which runner brings what message first.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 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 (Ahimaaz's reply)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative (with γάρ: 'for what?')→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative; τί γάρ ('for what? / what does it matter?') is an idiom of insistence — Ahimaaz dismisses Joab's objection.
γὰρfor / thenpost-positive particle (in interrogative idiom τί γάρ)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: post-positive; in the idiom τί γάρ it carries the sense 'what does it matter then?' — Ahimaaz persists despite the warning.
ἐὰνif / supposingconditional conjunction (+ future-as-subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; the clause τί γὰρ ἐὰν δραμοῦμαι has the force 'for what [harm] if I do run?' — a rhetorical insistence on going.
δραμοῦμαιI shall runFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · τρέχωmain verb of Ahimaaz's question (future in conditional sense)→ deliberative future ('should I run / I will run')τρέχω (fut. mid. δραμοῦμαι): 'run'; Ahimaaz's resolve to run regardless; the future after ἐάν reflects loose Koine usage.
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 (Joab's reply)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (Ahimaaz)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Ahimaaz).
ΙωαβJoabsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
δράμεrunAor Act Impv 2 Sg · τρέχωmain verb (Joab's terse permission)→ aorist imperative (granting leave)τρέχω (aor. impv. δράμε): 'run!'; Joab's curt one-word assent, yielding to Ahimaaz's persistence.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδραμενranAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τρέχωmain verb (Ahimaaz runs)→ constative aoristτρέχω (aor. ἔδραμεν): 'ran'; Ahimaaz sets off, choosing the faster route.
ΑχιμααςAhimaazsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑχιμαας: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ὁδὸνway / roadAccusativeaccusative of route ('by the way of')→ object specificationὁδός: 'way / road / route'; the accusative of extent/route — the path by which Ahimaaz ran; renders דֶּרֶךְ.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with genitive Κεχαρ)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with Κεχαρ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΚεχαρKechar / the round plaingenitive of place (indeclinable; names the route)→ participant identificationΚεχαρ: transliteration of Hebrew הַכִּכָּר ('the round / the plain / the circuit of the Jordan'); indeclinable in the LXX; the level route of the Jordan plain, longer but faster for a swift runner, allowing Ahimaaz to overtake the Cushite.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὑπερέβηovertook / passedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑπερβαίνωmain verb (Ahimaaz outstrips the Cushite)→ constative aoristὑπερβαίνω: 'go beyond / surpass / overtake'; Ahimaaz, by the swifter plain-route, outpaces the Cushite and arrives first — the dramatic point of the race.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Χουσι)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧουσιCushitedirect object of ὑπερέβη (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΧουσι: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as direct object of ὑπερέβη (indeclinable).
24
καὶ Δαυιδ ἐκάθητο ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν δύο πυλῶν καὶ ἐπορεύθη ὁ σκοπὸς εἰς τὸ δῶμα τῆς πύλης πρὸς τὸ τεῖχος καὶ ἐπῆρεν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶδεν καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ τρέχων μόνος ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ
Now David was sitting between the two gates, and the watchman went up to the roof of the gate, to the wall, and lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man running alone, in front of him.
The scene cuts to David waiting (ἐκάθητο, durative imperfect) ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν δύο πυλῶν ('between the two gates' = in the gateway's inner space). The σκοπός ('watchman') on the roof spots the first runner alone — ἀνὴρ τρέχων μόνος. The presentative ἰδού and the participle τρέχων render the watchman's vivid, real-time sighting.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶnow / andnarrative conjunction (scene-shift)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable; topicalized)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable; topicalized).
ἐκάθητοwas sittingImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · κάθημαιmain verb (David's anxious waiting)→ imperfect (durative: he sat waiting)κάθημαι: 'sit / be seated'; the imperfect ἐκάθητο conveys David's tense, ongoing wait between the gates for news of the battle — and of his son.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition + accusative (idiom ἀνὰ μέσον: 'between')→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ μέσον: 'between / in the midst of'; a Hebraism (בֵּין); here of the space between the inner and outer gates.
μέσονmidstAccusativeaccusative in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον→ object specificationμέσος: 'middle'; in the idiom 'between the two gates.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with πυλῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δύοtwoGenitivenumeral (with πυλῶν; indeclinable)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; the 'two gates' denote the double gateway (outer and inner) of the fortified city, with a chamber between.
πυλῶνgatesGenitivegenitive with ἀνὰ μέσον (the two gates)→ relational specificationπύλη: 'gate'; the city gate-complex of Mahanaim, with its gatehouse and roof from which the watchman scans the approach.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwent / went upAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (the watchman ascends)→ constative aorist (deponent: 'went')πορεύομαι: 'go / proceed'; the watchman moves up to his lookout post on the gate-roof.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with σκοπός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκοπὸςwatchman / lookoutNominativesubject of ἐπορεύθη→ participant prominenceσκοπός: 'watchman / lookout / scout'; renders צֹפֶה; the sentry posted to scan for approaching messengers; his sightings drive the suspense of vv. 24-27.
εἰςto / ontopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with δῶμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δῶμαroofAccusativeaccusative with εἰς (onto the gate-roof)→ object specificationδῶμα: 'roof / housetop'; renders גָּג; the flat roof of the gatehouse, the natural vantage-point for a lookout.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with πύλης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύληςgateGenitivegenitive ('roof of the gate')→ relational specificationπύλη: 'gate'; the gatehouse whose roof the watchman climbs.
πρὸςby / towardpreposition + accusative (location: 'at the wall')→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (location: 'at the wall').
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with τεῖχος)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τεῖχοςwallAccusativeaccusative with πρός ('by/to the wall')→ object specificationτεῖχος: 'city wall / rampart'; renders חוֹמָה; the watchman's post is on the gate-roof against the city wall, commanding the open ground beyond.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπῆρενlifted upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπαίρωmain verb (the watchman raises his eyes)→ constative aoristἐπαίρω: 'lift up / raise'; the idiom ἐπῆρεν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ('lifted up his eyes') renders נָשָׂא עֵינַיִם, a Hebraism for looking up/out into the distance.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ὀφθαλμούς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativedirect object of ἐπῆρεν (idiom: 'lifted his eyes')→ object specificationὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; in the idiom for scanning the horizon.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (with ὀφθαλμούς)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with ὀφθαλμούς).
καὶandnarrative 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 (the watchman sees the runner)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / look'; the watchman descries the approaching figure.
καὶandconjunction (introducing presentative ἰδού)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection (vivid sighting)→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; dramatizes the watchman's real-time discovery.
ἀνὴρmanNominativenominative of exclamation (the runner sighted)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the lone figure approaching — the first runner.
τρέχωνrunningPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · τρέχωattributive/predicative participle (with ἀνήρ: 'a man running')→ present participle (the runner in motion)τρέχω: 'run'; the participle vividly pictures the man in the act of running toward the city.
μόνοςaloneNominativepredicate adjective (with ἀνήρ: 'running alone')→ participant prominenceμόνος: 'alone / single'; that he runs alone (not as a fleeing crowd) signals a messenger rather than a rout — David will draw exactly this inference in v. 25.
ἐνώπιονbefore / in front ofpreposition + genitive (in the watchman's view)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in front of'; the runner is in plain view ahead of the watchman.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον (the watchman)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐνώπιον (the watchman).
25
καὶ ἀνεβόησεν ὁ σκοπὸς καὶ ἀπήγγειλεν τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς εἰ μόνος ἐστίν εὐαγγελία ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπορεύετο πορευόμενος καὶ ἐγγίζων
And the watchman cried out and reported to the king, and the king said, 'If he is alone, there is good news in his mouth.' And he kept coming on, drawing near.
David interprets the single runner as a bearer of εὐαγγελία ('good news in his mouth'), since a lone man signals a herald, not a fleeing army. The doubled participle ἐπορεύετο πορευόμενος ('he kept steadily coming') is a Hebraizing intensive (cf. הָלוֹךְ וְקָרֵב) depicting the runner's relentless approach.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνεβόησενcried outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβοάωmain verb (the watchman shouts down)→ constative aoristἀναβοάω: 'cry out / call aloud'; the watchman raises a shout to relay his sighting to the king below.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with σκοπός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκοπὸςwatchmanNominativesubject→ participant prominenceσκοπός: the lookout, relaying news from his post.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπήγγειλενreportedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (relays the sighting to the king)→ constative aoristἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / announce'; the watchman conveys his observation to David.
τῷtheDativearticle (with βασιλεῖ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativeindirect object of ἀπήγγειλεν (David)→ sphere or referenceβασιλεῖ: meaning 'king'; it serves as indirect object of ἀπήγγειλεν (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 (David's inference)→ 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.
βασιλεύςkingNominativesubject (David)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject (David).
εἰifconditional conjunction (introducing protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; introduces David's inference: a lone runner = a herald with news.
μόνοςaloneNominativepredicate adjective (with ἐστίν: 'he is alone')→ participant prominenceμόνος: 'alone'; a single runner, not a fleeing mass, means an ordered messenger bearing tidings.
ἐστίνhe isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of protasis ('if he is alone')→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the verb of the conditional clause.
εὐαγγελίαgood newsNominativesubject of implied verb (apodosis: 'there is good news')→ participant prominenceεὐαγγελία: 'good news'; David's hopeful reading — εὐαγγελία ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ ('good news in his mouth'); the irony deepens as the audience knows the news includes Absalom's death.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location: 'in his mouth')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location: 'in his mouth').
τῷtheDativearticle (with στόματι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στόματιmouthDativedative of place (idiom: news 'in his mouth')→ sphere or referenceστόμα: 'mouth'; εὐαγγελία ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ ('good news in his mouth') = he carries tidings to report; a Hebraism (בְּפִיו).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (with στόματι)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with στόματι).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύετοkept comingImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (with cognate participle: intensive 'kept coming on')→ imperfect of ongoing approach (durative)πορεύομαι: 'go / come'; the imperfect with the cognate participle πορευόμενος forms a Hebraizing intensive ('he kept steadily coming'), heightening the suspense of the approach.
πορευόμενοςcoming / going onPres Mid Ptc Nom Masc Sg · πορεύομαιcognate participle (intensive with ἐπορεύετο)→ present participle (continuous motion)πορεύομαι (ptc.): the cognate participle calques the Hebrew infinitive-absolute construction הָלוֹךְ (here הָלוֹךְ וְקָרֵב, 'going and drawing near'), expressing relentless, continuous approach.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγγίζωνdrawing nearPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · ἐγγίζωparticiple (coordinate: 'and drawing near')→ present participle (progressive nearing)ἐγγίζω: 'draw near / approach'; renders קָרֵב; completes the doublet 'going and drawing near' — the runner closes the distance to the gate.
26
καὶ εἶδεν ὁ σκοπὸς ἄνδρα ἕτερον τρέχοντα καὶ ἐβόησεν ὁ σκοπὸς πρὸς τῇ πύλῃ καὶ εἶπεν ἰδοὺ ἀνὴρ ἕτερος τρέχων μόνος καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς καί γε οὗτος εὐαγγελιζόμενος
And the watchman saw another man running, and the watchman called out at the gate and said, 'Behold, another man running alone.' And the king said, 'This one too is bringing good news.'
The watchman spots a second lone runner (ἀνὴρ ἕτερος τρέχων μόνος). David again reads the sign hopefully: καί γε οὗτος εὐαγγελιζόμενος ('this one too is a herald'). The mounting parade of single runners builds expectation — and dread — toward the news about Absalom.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (the watchman sees a second man)→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see'; the watchman now descries a second runner behind the first.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with σκοπός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκοπὸςwatchmanNominativesubject→ participant prominenceσκοπὸς: meaning 'watchman'; it serves as subject.
ἄνδραmanAccusativedirect object of εἶδεν (the second runner)→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; a second figure approaching.
ἕτερονanotherAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἄνδρα: 'another man')→ object specificationἕτερος: 'other / another'; distinguishes the second runner from the first.
τρέχονταrunningPres Act Ptc Acc Masc Sg · τρέχωsupplementary participle (with εἶδεν: 'saw a man running')→ present participle (the second runner in motion)τρέχω: 'run'; the participle pictures the second runner mid-course.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐβόησενcalled outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βοάωmain verb (the watchman shouts)→ constative aoristβοάω: 'shout / call out'; the watchman calls down toward the gate to relay the new sighting.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with σκοπός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκοπὸςwatchmanNominativesubject→ participant prominenceσκοπὸς: meaning 'watchman'; it serves as subject.
πρὸςat / towardpreposition + dative (location: 'at the gate')→ spatial or relational framingπρός + dat.: 'at / near'; the watchman calls out 'at the gate,' i.e., to the gatekeeper/those below.
τῇtheDativearticle (with πύλῃ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύλῃgateDativedative with πρός ('at the gate')→ sphere or referenceπύλη: 'gate'; the gatekeeper's station, to which the watchman directs his call.
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 (the watchman's report)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; vivid attention-marker for the second sighting.
ἀνὴρmanNominativenominative of exclamation (the second runner)→ participant prominenceἀνὴρ: meaning 'man'; it serves as nominative of exclamation (the second runner).
ἕτεροςanotherNominativeattributive (with ἀνήρ)→ participant prominenceἕτερος: 'another'; the second runner, distinct from the first.
τρέχωνrunningPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · τρέχωpredicative participle (with ἀνήρ)→ present participleτρέχω: 'run'; pictures the second runner approaching.
μόνοςaloneNominativepredicate adjective (with ἀνήρ: 'running alone')→ participant prominenceμόνος: 'alone'; again a lone runner — a second herald, not a rout.
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 (David's reply)→ 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.
βασιλεύςkingNominativesubject (David)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject (David).
καίalso / toointensive particle (with γε: 'this one too')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί γε: 'also / even'; 'this one too' is bringing news — David reads the second runner as another herald.
γεindeedemphatic enclitic (with καί)→ clausal contributionγε: meaning 'indeed'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
οὗτοςthis oneNominativedemonstrative subject (the second runner)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this one'; the second runner, whom David also takes for a messenger.
εὐαγγελιζόμενοςbringing good newsPres Mid Ptc Nom Masc Sg · εὐαγγελίζωpredicative participle (with οὗτος: 'this one is a herald')→ present participle (in the act of heralding)εὐαγγελίζω: 'bring good news'; the participle (verbless predicate, 'this one too [is] heralding') continues the εὐαγγελ- motif — David still hopes for joy, though the news will pierce him.
27
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ σκοπός ἐγὼ ὁρῶ τὸν δρόμον τοῦ πρώτου ὡς δρόμον Αχιμαας υἱοῦ Σαδωκ καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς ἀνὴρ ἀγαθὸς οὗτος καί γε εἰς εὐαγγελίαν ἀγαθὴν ἐλεύσεται
And the watchman said, 'I see the running of the foremost as the running of Ahimaaz son of Zadok.' And the king said, 'He is a good man, and he comes with good news.'
The watchman recognizes the foremost by his gait — τὸν δρόμον τοῦ πρώτου ὡς δρόμον Αχιμαας ('the running of the first like the running of Ahimaaz'). David's confident response, ἀνὴρ ἀγαθὸς οὗτος … εἰς εὐαγγελίαν ἀγαθὴν ('a good man … with good news'), reflects his trust in Ahimaaz and intensifies the dramatic irony: the king expects unalloyed joy.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 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 (the watchman speaks)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with σκοπός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκοπόςwatchmanNominativesubject→ participant prominenceσκοπός: meaning 'watchman'; it serves as subject.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic — 'I [for my part] see'; the watchman vouches for his identification.
ὁρῶI seePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (the watchman's observation)→ present (live observation)ὁράω (pres. ὁρῶ): 'see / observe'; the present tense conveys the watchman's real-time recognition of the runner's distinctive gait.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with δρόμον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δρόμονrunning / manner of runningAccusativedirect object of ὁρῶ (the gait observed)→ object specificationδρόμος: 'running / course / manner of running'; from τρέχω; the watchman identifies the runner by his characteristic stride — an evocative detail.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with πρώτου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρώτουof the first / foremostGenitivegenitive (the foremost runner, whose gait is seen)→ relational specificationπρῶτος: 'first / foremost'; substantival — the leading runner (Ahimaaz, who overtook the Cushite, v. 23).
ὡςas / likecomparative particle ('like the running of')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; introduces the comparison of gaits.
δρόμονrunningAccusativeaccusative of comparison (with ὡς)→ object specificationδρόμος: repeated — 'like the running of Ahimaaz'; the watchman matches the observed gait to a known runner.
Αχιμααςof Ahimaazgenitive of relationship (indeclinable; whose gait it resembles)→ participant identificationΑχιμαας: identified by his running; his swiftness was proverbial (cf. the race he won, v. 23).
υἱοῦsonGenitiveapposition (genitive: 'son of Zadok')→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; the patronymic.
Σαδωκof Zadokgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαδωκ: 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 (David's reply)→ 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.
βασιλεύςkingNominativesubject (David)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject (David).
ἀνὴρmanNominativepredicate nominative ('a good man')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; ἀνὴρ ἀγαθός = 'a good man' — David's esteem for Ahimaaz's character undergirds his hope for good news.
ἀγαθὸςgoodNominativepredicate adjective (with ἀνήρ)→ participant prominenceἀγαθός: 'good / worthy'; characterizes Ahimaaz as a trustworthy, honorable man — hence (David reasons) a bearer of good tidings.
οὗτοςthis oneNominativedemonstrative subject (Ahimaaz)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this one'; refers to the recognized runner.
καίand indeedintensive particle (with γε)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί γε: 'and indeed / and surely'; reinforces David's confident expectation.
γεindeedemphatic enclitic (with καί)→ clausal contributionγε: meaning 'indeed'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
εἰςwith / untopreposition + accusative (purpose/result: 'for good news')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose/result: 'for good news').
εὐαγγελίανgood newsAccusativeaccusative with εἰς (the news he brings)→ object specificationεὐαγγελία: 'good news'; εἰς εὐαγγελίαν ἀγαθήν ('with good news') — David's tragically misplaced confidence; the εὐαγγελ- motif reaches its ironic height just before the death-notice.
ἀγαθὴνgoodAccusativeattributive adjective (with εὐαγγελίαν)→ object specificationἀγαθός: 'good'; 'good good-news' — the doubled 'good' (ἀνὴρ ἀγαθός … εὐαγγελίαν ἀγαθήν) underscores David's hope, soon to be shattered.
ἐλεύσεταιhe comes / will comeFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (David's prediction)→ predictive futureἔρχομαι (fut. ἐλεύσεται): 'come'; 'he comes with good news' — David's expectation as the runner nears the gate.
28
καὶ ἐβόησεν Αχιμαας καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα εἰρήνη καὶ προσεκύνησεν τῷ βασιλεῖ ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν καὶ εἶπεν εὐλογητὸς κύριος ὁ θεός σου ὃς ἀπέκλεισεν τοὺς ἄνδρας τοὺς μισοῦντας τὴν χεῖρα αὐτῶν ἐν τῷ κυρίῳ μου τῷ βασιλεῖ
And Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, 'Peace!' And he did obeisance to the king with his face to the ground, and said, 'Blessed be the LORD your God, who has shut up the men who lifted their hand against my lord the king.'
Ahimaaz arrives crying εἰρήνη ('Peace! / All is well!') and prostrates himself, blessing εὐλογητὸς κύριος ὁ θεός σου ('Blessed be the LORD your God') — here κύριος renders the Tetragrammaton, the God who has 'shut up' (delivered over) the rebels. By contrast ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεύς ('my lord the king') in the same verse is the human honorific for David. Ahimaaz proclaims victory but conspicuously says nothing of Absalom.
Word-by-word analysis· 41 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐβόησενcalled outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βοάωmain verb (Ahimaaz hails the king)→ constative aoristβοάω: 'call out / cry aloud'; Ahimaaz, arriving, hails the king from a distance.
ΑχιμααςAhimaazsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑχιμαας: 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.
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).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλέα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (David)→ object specificationβασιλέα: meaning 'king'; it serves as accusative object of πρός (David).
εἰρήνηpeace / all is wellNominativeexclamatory nominative (greeting/announcement)→ participant prominenceεἰρήνη: 'peace / welfare / well-being'; renders שָׁלוֹם; here a one-word announcement, 'All is well!' — Ahimaaz proclaims the victory's success; ironically the same word the king will use of Absalom (v. 29, 32), where 'peace' is precisely what is lost.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσεκύνησενdid obeisanceAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσκυνέωmain verb (Ahimaaz prostrates before the king)→ constative aoristπροσκυνέω: 'do obeisance / prostrate'; Ahimaaz bows to the ground before David, the proper homage of a subject reporting to his king.
τῷtheDativearticle (with βασιλεῖ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativedative (to/before whom obeisance is made)→ sphere or referenceβασιλεῖ: meaning 'king'; it serves as dative (to/before whom obeisance is made).
ἐπὶupon / topreposition + accusative (idiom: face to the ground)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (idiom: face to the ground).
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeaccusative (idiom: 'upon his face')→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face'; ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ('on his face to the ground') is the standard idiom of full prostration (Hebraism: עַל־אַפָּיו אַרְצָה).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (with πρόσωπον)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with πρόσωπον).
ἐπὶtopreposition + accusative (direction: 'to the ground')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: 'to the ground').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνground / earthAccusativeaccusative with ἐπί ('to the ground')→ object specificationγῆ: 'ground'; completes the prostration idiom — face to the earth.
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 (Ahimaaz's blessing)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
εὐλογητὸςblessedNominativepredicate adjective (doxology: 'Blessed be...')→ participant prominenceεὐλογητός: 'blessed / praised'; renders בָּרוּךְ; the standard opening of a berakah/doxology, here ascribing the victory to YHWH.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of the doxology (the God blessed)→ participant prominenceκύριος: here rendering the Tetragrammaton יהוה — 'Blessed be YHWH your God'; Ahimaaz ascribes the deliverance to the LORD as David's covenant God.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativeapposition (with κύριος: 'the LORD your God')→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; κύριος ὁ θεός σου renders יהוה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, 'the LORD your God,' the covenant formula naming David's God as author of the victory.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive (with θεός: 'your God')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with θεός: 'your God').
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἀπέκλεισεν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; introduces the relative clause praising YHWH's act of deliverance.
ἀπέκλεισενshut up / delivered overAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκλείωverb of relative clause (YHWH's deliverance)→ constative aorist (the accomplished deliverance)ἀποκλείω: 'shut up / shut out / hand over (by shutting in)'; renders סָגַר (Piel, 'deliver up'); YHWH 'shut up / surrendered' the rebels — i.e., delivered the enemies into David's power.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἄνδρας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object of ἀπέκλεισεν (the rebels)→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the rebel men whom YHWH delivered up to defeat.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with participle μισοῦντας, attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μισοῦνταςhating / who hatedPres Act Ptc Acc Masc Pl · μισέωattributive participle (with ἄνδρας: 'the men hating')→ present participle (the rebels' hostile disposition)μισέω: 'hate / be hostile to'; οἱ μισοῦντες = the king's enemies; here qualified by the following 'who lifted their hand' (against the king) — those who rose in armed revolt.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραhandAccusativeaccusative (idiom: 'lifted their hand against')→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the phrase (with αὐτῶν, 'their hand') idiomatically denotes raising the hand in revolt/violence against the king — armed rebellion (cf. ἐπαίρω χεῖρα ἐπί).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive (with χεῖρα: 'their hand')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with χεῖρα: 'their hand').
ἐνagainstpreposition + dative (idiom: lifted hand 'against')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: here in the hostile idiom 'lift the hand against' — ἐν τῷ κυρίῳ μου = 'against my lord.'
τῷtheDativearticle (with κυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳlordDativedative (the human 'lord' against whom they rebelled)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: here the human honorific 'lord' — ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεύς ('my lord the king') = David; NOT the Tetragrammaton (contrast κύριος = YHWH earlier in the verse); renders אֲדֹנִי.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive (with κυρίῳ: 'my lord')→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with κυρίῳ: 'my lord').
τῷtheDativearticle (with βασιλεῖ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativedative in apposition to κυρίῳ ('my lord the king')→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς (dat.): in apposition to κυρίῳ μου — 'my lord the king,' the deferential court address for David.
29
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς εἰρήνη τῷ παιδαρίῳ τῷ Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ εἶπεν Αχιμαας εἶδον τὸ πλῆθος τὸ μέγα τοῦ ἀποστεῖλαι τὸν δοῦλον τοῦ βασιλέως Ιωαβ καὶ τὸν δοῦλόν σου καὶ οὐκ ἔγνων τί ἐκεῖ
And the king said, 'Is it well with the young man Absalom?' And Ahimaaz said, 'I saw the great tumult when Joab the king's servant sent off your servant, but I did not know what it was there.'
David's first and only concern: εἰρήνη τῷ παιδαρίῳ τῷ Αβεσσαλωμ ('Is it well with the young man Absalom?') — the tender τὸ παιδάριον returns. Ahimaaz, who surely knows, evades: he saw a great tumult (τὸ πλῆθος τὸ μέγα) as he was dispatched but οὐκ ἔγνων τί ('did not know what it was'). Whether from kindness or cowardice, he leaves the fatal word to the Cushite.
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 (David's question)→ 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.
βασιλεύςkingNominativesubject (David)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject (David).
εἰρήνηpeace / is it wellNominativeinterrogative nominative (elliptical question: 'is it peace?')→ participant prominenceεἰρήνη: 'peace / welfare'; here an elliptical question, εἰρήνη τῷ παιδαρίῳ; ('Is it well with the young man?'); David ignores the victory and asks only after his son — the heart's true question.
τῷtheDativearticle (with παιδαρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδαρίῳyoung man / boyDativedative of reference ('well with the young man')→ sphere or referenceπαιδάριον: 'young man / lad'; David's tender refrain for Absalom (cf. vv. 5, 12) — even now the rebel is 'the boy' to his father's heart.
τῷtheDativearticle (with Αβεσσαλωμ, appositional)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomdative in apposition to παιδαρίῳ (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative in apposition to παιδαρίῳ (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 (Ahimaaz's reply)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΑχιμααςAhimaazsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑχιμαας: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
εἶδονI sawAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (Ahimaaz's evasive report)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see'; Ahimaaz admits seeing commotion but pleads ignorance of its meaning — an evasion sparing himself (or the king) the death-notice.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with πλῆθος)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλῆθοςtumult / multitude / commotionAccusativedirect object of εἶδον (the commotion seen)→ object specificationπλῆθος: 'multitude / great crowd / tumult'; here the confused mass/commotion of the battle's aftermath that Ahimaaz claims to have glimpsed without understanding its cause.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with μέγα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μέγαgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (with πλῆθος)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great'; 'the great tumult' — the chaos surrounding Absalom's death and the rout.
τοῦwhen / of theGenitivearticle with articular infinitive (temporal: 'when Joab sent')→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀποστεῖλαιsending offAor Act Inf · ἀποστέλλωarticular infinitive (temporal/circumstantial: 'at the sending off')→ verbal action or stateἀποστέλλω (aor. inf.): 'send / dispatch'; the articular infinitive τοῦ ἀποστεῖλαι frames the moment Joab dispatched Ahimaaz — 'when Joab sent off your servant' — the point at which the tumult was visible but its meaning unclear.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with δοῦλον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δοῦλονservantAccusativesubject-accusative of the infinitive (Joab as the one sending) / object→ object specificationδοῦλος: 'slave / servant'; here 'the king's servant Joab' (τὸν δοῦλον τοῦ βασιλέως Ιωαβ); the LXX phrasing is compressed — Joab is named as the one dispatching, and Ahimaaz refers to himself as 'your servant.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςking'sGenitivegenitive of relationship ('the king's servant')→ relational specificationβασιλέως: meaning 'king's'; it serves as genitive of relationship ('the king's servant').
ΙωαβJoabapposition (indeclinable: 'the king's servant, Joab')→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as apposition (indeclinable: 'the king's servant, Joab').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with δοῦλον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δοῦλόνservantAccusativeaccusative (Ahimaaz of himself: 'your servant')→ object specificationδοῦλος: 'servant'; τὸν δοῦλόν σου ('your servant') is Ahimaaz's deferential self-reference before the king.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive (with δοῦλον: 'your servant')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with δοῦλον: 'your servant').
καὶbut / andcoordinate conjunction (adversative in context)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἔγνων)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔγνωνI knew / understoodAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (Ahimaaz's plea of ignorance)→ constative aoristγινώσκω (aor. ἔγνων): 'know / perceive / understand'; οὐκ ἔγνων τί = 'I did not know what (it was)' — Ahimaaz's evasion, declining to report Absalom's death.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative (indirect question: 'what it was')→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative; 'what (it was) there' — the unspecified content Ahimaaz claims not to grasp.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (at the battlefield)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; refers to the scene of the tumult Ahimaaz left behind.
30
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεύς ἐπίστρεψον στηλώθητι ὧδε καὶ ἐπεστράφη καὶ ἔστη
And the king said, 'Turn aside, stand here.' And he turned aside and stood.
David, unsatisfied by Ahimaaz's evasive answer, directs him to step aside (ἐπίστρεψον, στηλώθητι ὧδε, 'turn aside, take your stand here') and wait — clearing the way for the Cushite's fuller report. Ahimaaz obeys (ἐπεστράφη καὶ ἔστη), and a tense pause settles before the death-notice.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 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 (David's command)→ 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.
βασιλεύςkingNominativesubject (David)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject (David).
ἐπίστρεψονturn asideAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (command to step aside)→ aorist imperativeἐπιστρέφω: 'turn / turn aside / turn back'; David tells Ahimaaz to step out of the way and wait, postponing his answer about Absalom.
στηλώθητιstand / take your standAor Pass Impv 2 Sg · στηλόωmain verb (command to stand firm/aside)→ aorist imperativeστηλόω: lit. 'set up as a pillar'; in the passive imperative στηλώθητι = 'station yourself / stand firm here'; an unusual word for 'stand,' perhaps echoing the στήλη/cairn motif of vv. 17-18.
ὧδεhereadverb of place (where to stand)→ clausal contributionὧδε: 'here / in this place'; David directs Ahimaaz to wait at a specific spot.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπεστράφηturned asideAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (Ahimaaz obeys)→ constative aorist (deponent/passive: 'turned')ἐπιστρέφω (aor. pass. ἐπεστράφη): 'turn / turn aside'; Ahimaaz complies, stepping aside.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστηstoodAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (Ahimaaz takes his stand)→ ingressive aorist (took his stand)ἵστημι (aor. ἔστη): 'stand / take one's place'; Ahimaaz stands aside and waits, while the Cushite arrives with the full report.
31
καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ Χουσι παρεγένετο καὶ εἶπεν τῷ βασιλεῖ εὐαγγελισθήτω ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεύς ὅτι ἔκρινέν σοι κύριος σήμερον ἐκ χειρὸς πάντων τῶν ἐπεγειρομένων ἐπὶ σέ
And behold, the Cushite arrived and said to the king, 'Let my lord the king receive good news, for the LORD has judged for you today, from the hand of all who rose up against you.'
The Cushite arrives and announces the victory in theological terms: εὐαγγελισθήτω ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεύς ('let my lord the king be given good news') — here ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεύς is the human honorific — because ἔκρινέν σοι κύριος ('the LORD has judged for you'), with κύριος rendering the Tetragrammaton. The same κρίνω-language as Ahimaaz's intended message (v. 19) frames the deliverance as YHWH's verdict.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection (the Cushite's arrival)→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; dramatizes the Cushite's entrance.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with Χουσι)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧουσιCushitesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΧουσι: the Cushite runner, now arriving second; he will deliver the full report, including Absalom's death.
παρεγένετοarrived / cameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · παραγίνομαιmain verb (the Cushite reaches the king)→ constative aoristπαραγίνομαι: 'arrive / come / be present'; the Cushite reaches David's presence.
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.
τῷtheDativearticle (with βασιλεῖ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativeindirect object of εἶπεν (David)→ sphere or referenceβασιλεῖ: meaning 'king'; it serves as indirect object of εἶπεν (David).
εὐαγγελισθήτωlet him receive good newsAor Pass Impv 3 Sg · εὐαγγελίζωmain verb (passive imperative: 'let the king be given good news')→ aorist passive imperative (formal announcement of tidings)εὐαγγελίζω (aor. pass. impv.): 'let good news be brought (to)'; the passive imperative εὐαγγελισθήτω ('let my lord the king be given good tidings') is a deferential herald's formula — the εὐαγγελ- motif reaches the king himself at last.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with κύριός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριόςlordNominativesubject of εὐαγγελισθήτω (human honorific for David)→ participant prominenceκύριος: here the human honorific 'lord' — ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεύς ('my lord the king') = David; NOT the Tetragrammaton (contrast κύριος = YHWH later in the verse); renders אֲדֹנִי.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive (with κύριος: 'my lord')→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with κύριος: 'my lord').
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεύςkingNominativeapposition (with κύριός: 'my lord the king')→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: in apposition to ὁ κύριός μου — the courtly title for David.
ὅτιfor / thatcausal/content conjunction (ground of the good news)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for / because'; introduces the substance of the good news — YHWH's vindicating judgment.
ἔκρινένhas judged / vindicatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κρίνωmain verb of content clause (the LORD's verdict)→ constative aorist (the accomplished judgment)κρίνω: 'judge / vindicate / give judgment for'; ἔκρινέν σοι κύριος ('the LORD has judged for you') echoes Ahimaaz's intended message (v. 19), framing the victory as YHWH's juridical deliverance of David.
σοιfor youDativedative of advantage ('judged for you' = vindicated you)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'for you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage ('judged for you' = vindicated you).
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ἔκρινεν (the divine Judge)→ participant prominenceκύριος: here rendering the Tetragrammaton יהוה — 'the LORD has judged for you'; the divine vindicator, distinct from the human ὁ κύριός μου earlier in the verse.
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb ('this day')→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; marks the decisive day of YHWH's deliverance.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (deliverance: 'from the hand of')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (deliverance: 'from the hand of').
χειρὸςhand / powerGenitivegenitive with ἐκ (idiom: 'from the hand/power of')→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; ἐκ χειρός ('from the hand of') = from the power/grip of; the deliverance from all the rebels.
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive (with the participle: 'all who rose up')→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the totality of the rebels from whose power YHWH delivered David.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with participle ἐπεγειρομένων, substantival)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπεγειρομένωνwho rose up / rising againstPres Mid Ptc Gen Masc Pl · ἐπεγείρωsubstantival participle (with πάντων: 'all who rise up')→ present participle (the insurgents' continuing revolt)ἐπεγείρω: 'rouse up / rise up against'; the middle/passive participle οἱ ἐπεγειρόμενοι ἐπί σε = 'those rising up against you' — the insurrectionists led by Absalom; renders קוּם עַל ('rise against').
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile: 'against you')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile: 'against you').
σέyouAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (David, the target of revolt)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σέ): 'you'; David, against whom the rebels rose.
32
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς τὸν Χουσι εἰ εἰρήνη τῷ παιδαρίῳ τῷ Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ εἶπεν ὁ Χουσι γένοιντο ὡς τὸ παιδάριον οἱ ἐχθροὶ τοῦ κυρίου μου τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ πάντες ὅσοι ἐπανέστησαν ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν εἰς κακά
And the king said to the Cushite, 'Is it well with the young man Absalom?' And the Cushite said, 'May the enemies of my lord the king, and all who rose up against him for evil, become as that young man.'
The chapter's devastating climax. David asks again only after his son — εἰ εἰρήνη τῷ παιδαρίῳ τῷ Αβεσσαλωμ ('Is it well with the young man Absalom?'). The Cushite answers not with a blunt word but with a fatal circumlocution: γένοιντο ὡς τὸ παιδάριον οἱ ἐχθροὶ τοῦ κυρίου μου τοῦ βασιλέως ('may the king's enemies be as that young man') — a wish that all David's foes share Absalom's fate, which is to say Absalom is dead. Here ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεύς is again the human honorific. This optative death-notice is the spark that ignites David's lament (19:1 in the Rahlfs versification): 'O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom!'
Word-by-word analysis· 36 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 (David's question)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεὺς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (David)→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as subject (David).
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 Χουσι)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧουσιCushiteaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΧουσι: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
εἰis / whetherinterrogative particle (direct question: 'is it...?')→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if / whether'; introducing a direct question (a Hebraism, ה־ interrogative) — 'Is it well...?'; David's agonized inquiry repeats v. 29 verbatim in substance.
εἰρήνηpeace / wellNominativepredicate nominative (elliptical: 'is it peace?')→ participant prominenceεἰρήνη: 'peace / welfare'; David's single, repeated concern — is the boy safe? — laden with a father's dread; the very word 'peace' the Cushite's answer will deny.
τῷtheDativearticle (with παιδαρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδαρίῳyoung man / boyDativedative of reference ('well with the young man')→ sphere or referenceπαιδάριον: 'young man / lad'; David's tender refrain for Absalom one last time before learning of his death — 'the boy' to the very end.
τῷtheDativearticle (with Αβεσσαλωμ, appositional)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomdative in apposition to παιδαρίῳ (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative in apposition to παιδαρίῳ (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 (the Cushite's reply)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with Χουσι)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧουσιCushitesubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΧουσι: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
γένοιντοmay they becomeAor Mid Opt 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (optative of wish: the death-notice as a curse-wish)→ optative of wish (volitive: 'may they become')γίνομαι (aor. opt. γένοιντο): 'become / come to be'; the optative of wish — 'may [the king's enemies] become as that young man' — is a delicate, devastating circumlocution: the Cushite cannot say outright 'your son is dead,' so he wishes Absalom's fate on all David's foes, thereby revealing it. The optative makes this the climactic, grief-igniting line of the chapter.
ὡςas / likecomparative particle ('as that young man')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; the comparison that conveys the death obliquely — 'like the young man (now is).'
τὸtheNominativearticle (with παιδάριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριονyoung man / boyNominativestandard of comparison (with ὡς: 'as that young man')→ participant prominenceπαιδάριον: 'young man'; the Cushite picks up David's own word for Absalom and turns it into the figure of the slain — 'as that young man (is, dead).' The euphemism lands the death-blow on the king's hope.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἐχθροί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθροὶenemiesNominativesubject of γένοιντο (those wished Absalom's fate)→ participant prominenceἐχθρός: 'enemy'; the king's foes, on whom the Cushite wishes Absalom's death — implying that Absalom himself was one such enemy, now slain.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with κυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίουlordGenitivegenitive of relationship (human honorific: 'of my lord')→ relational specificationκύριος: here the human honorific 'lord' — τοῦ κυρίου μου τοῦ βασιλέως ('of my lord the king') = David; NOT the Tetragrammaton; renders אֲדֹנִי.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive (with κυρίου: 'my lord')→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with κυρίου: 'my lord').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive in apposition to κυρίου ('my lord the king')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: in apposition to τοῦ κυρίου μου — the courtly title for David.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending the wish)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativesubject (with relative clause: 'all who rose up')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; broadens the wish to every insurgent — all who rebelled should share Absalom's fate.
ὅσοιas many as / whoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐπανέστησαν)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as / all who'; introduces the relative clause defining the enemies — all who took part in the revolt.
ἐπανέστησανrose up / rebelledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπανίστημιverb of relative clause (the rebels' uprising)→ constative aorist (the completed revolt)ἐπανίστημι: 'rise up against / rebel'; renders קוּם עַל; the verb of insurrection — those who rose against David 'for evil' (εἰς κακά); the same root as v. 31's ἐπεγειρομένων.
ἐπ᾿againstpreposition + accusative (hostile; elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile; elided).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative with ἐπί (David, the object of revolt)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative with ἐπί (David, the object of revolt).
εἰςfor / untopreposition + accusative (purpose/result: 'for evil')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose/result: 'for evil').
κακάevil / harmAccusativeaccusative with εἰς (the malicious aim of the rebels)→ object specificationκακός: 'bad / evil'; neuter plural κακά = 'evils / harm'; εἰς κακά ('for evil / with evil intent') characterizes the rebellion as malice against David — the chapter's final word, leaving the king's grief poised to erupt in the lament that opens the next chapter.