Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Second Book of Kingdoms, Chapter 20ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΩΝ Β′ Κ′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

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

Theme

Sheba's revolt briefly reopens civil war until Joab's violence and a wise woman's intervention end the threat.

Translation & textual notes

The Greek text of 2 Kingdoms 20 (= 2 Samuel 20) follows the standard critical text of the Septuagint as established in the Rahlfs–Hanhart edition (Septuaginta, rev. ed. 2006), an ancient and public-domain text; the critical apparatus is not reproduced. The chapter belongs to the so-called καίγε section of 2 Kingdoms (10:1–11:1; 2 Kgdms 11:2–3 Kgdms 2:11 in older reckoning), the recensional zone in which the Greek has been revised toward a proto-Masoretic Hebrew, producing markedly literal, Hebraizing renderings: heavy καί-parataxis, the doubled emphatic infinitives ἠρωτημένος ἠρωτήθη and ἐρωτῶντες ἐπερωτήσουσιν (v. 18), the cognate construction οὐκ ἐδευτέρωσεν αὐτῷ (v. 10, 'he did not repeat [the blow] to him'), and transliterated rather than translated names (Χερεθθι, Φελεθθι for the Cherethites and Pelethites; Βαιθμαχα for Beth-maacah). The chapter narrates the revolt of Σαβεε (Sheba) son of Βοχορι, the worthless Benjaminite who blows the κερατίνη ('ram's-horn trumpet') and cries οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν μερὶς ἐν Δαυιδ ('we have no portion in David', v. 1), triggering the secession of Israel; David's ten concubines shut up as χῆραι ζῶσαι ('living widows', v. 3); the muster delegated to Αμεσσαϊ (Amasa), his fatal delay, and his treacherous assassination by Ιωαβ (Joab) at the great stone in Gibeon — the kiss of the right hand to the beard, the unguarded sword, the belly poured out upon the ground (ἐξεχύθη ἡ κοιλία αὐτοῦ, v. 10); the soldier rallying the men over the bloodied corpse (vv. 11–13); the pursuit of Sheba to Αβελ of Βαιθμαχα and the siege-mound (πρόσχωμα, v. 15); and the climactic dialogue with the γυνὴ σοφή ('wise woman') of Abel, who invokes the proverbial counsel sought 'at Abel', declares herself εἰρηνικὰ τῶν στηριγμάτων Ισραηλ ('one of the peaceable, faithful supports of Israel', v. 19), and secures the city's deliverance by having Sheba's head thrown over the wall (vv. 16–22). The chapter closes with a roster of David's officials (vv. 23–26), a near-doublet of the list at 8:16–18.

1

καὶ ἐκεῖ ἐπικαλούμενος υἱὸς παράνομος καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῷ Σαβεε υἱὸς Βοχορι ἀνὴρ ὁ Ιεμενι καὶ ἐσάλπισεν ἐν τῇ κερατίνῃ καὶ εἶπεν οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν μερὶς ἐν Δαυιδ οὐδὲ κληρονομία ἡμῖν ἐν τῷ υἱῷ Ιεσσαι ἀνὴρ εἰς τὰ σκηνώματά σου Ισραηλ

And there happened to be there a worthless son, and his name was Sheba son of Bichri, a Benjaminite man; and he blew the ram's-horn and said, 'We have no portion in David, nor any inheritance in the son of Jesse; every man to your tents, O Israel!'

New narrative scene (revolt erupts after the Absalom aftermath)καὶ ἐκεῖ
The chapter opens abruptly with καὶ ἐκεῖ ('and there'), picking up directly from the quarrel between Israel and Judah at the close of ch. 19. The introduction of Sheba as υἱὸς παράνομος ('worthless son', lit. 'lawless son') is a Hebraism for בֶּן בְּלִיָּעַל ('son of Belial'); his blast on the κερατίνη and the slogan οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν μερὶς ἐν Δαυιδ launch the secessionist revolt that frames the whole chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 40 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; the deictic adverb links the new scene to the place of the Israel–Judah quarrel at the end of ch. 19; the opening καὶ ἐκεῖ ἐπικαλούμενος is an awkward, hyper-literal rendering reflecting the καίγε recension's fidelity to the Hebrew וְשָׁם נִקְרָא.
ἐπικαλούμενοςsummoned / happening to bePres Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἐπικαλέωparticiple (predicative, introducing the new character)→ descriptive present participleἐπικαλέω (mid./pass. ptcp.): 'call upon / summon / be named'; here renders Hebrew נִקְרָא ('there happened to be / there was called'); the awkward participial construction is characteristic of the καίγε recension's literalism, introducing Sheba as one who 'chanced to be there.'
υἱὸςsonNominativepredicate noun (subject of the introductory clause)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; in the idiom υἱὸς παράνομος it functions as a Hebraism for בֶּן בְּלִיָּעַל ('son of worthlessness / Belial'), denoting a lawless, good-for-nothing man.
παράνομοςworthless / lawlessNominativeattributive adjective (modifying υἱός)→ participant prominenceπαράνομος: 'lawless / transgressor'; renders בְּלִיָּעַל ('worthlessness, Belial'); the LXX frequently glosses the Hebrew idiom 'son of Belial' with παράνομος, branding Sheba a man outside covenant order before his rebellion is even described.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject (nominative in naming-formula: 'his name [was]')→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the verbless naming-formula ὄνομα αὐτῷ ('a name to him' = 'his name was') is a Hebraism rendering וּשְׁמוֹ, the standard OT device for introducing a named character.
αὐτῷto him / hisDativedative of possession (with ὄνομα: 'his name')→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of possession (with ὄνομα: 'his name').
ΣαβεεShebapredicate noun (the name itself; indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαβεε: transliteration of Hebrew שֶׁבַע (Sheba); indeclinable in the LXX; the Benjaminite agitator whose revolt structures the chapter; not to be confused with the Queen of Sheba (Σαβα) or the place-name.
υἱὸςsonNominativenominative in apposition (patronymic: 'son of Bichri')→ participant prominenceυἱός: here in the patronymic formula υἱὸς Βοχορι ('son of Bichri'), identifying Sheba's lineage within the tribe of Benjamin.
ΒοχοριBichrigenitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΒοχορι: transliteration of Hebrew בִּכְרִי (Bichri); indeclinable; the father's name recurs as the fixed epithet 'Sheba son of Bichri' throughout the chapter (vv. 1, 2, 6, 7, 10, 13, 21, 22).
ἀνὴρmanNominativenominative in apposition (ethnic descriptor: 'a man, the Benjaminite')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; here in the appositional ethnic descriptor ἀνὴρ ὁ Ιεμενι ('a man, the son of Jemini / Benjaminite'), a Hebraism for אִישׁ יְמִינִי.
theNominativearticle (with the gentilic Ιεμενι)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙεμενιBenjaminite / son of Jeminigentilic (indeclinable; 'the Jeminite' = Benjaminite)→ participant identificationΙεμενι: transliteration of Hebrew (אִישׁ) יְמִינִי ('a man of Jemini', i.e. a Benjaminite, from בִּנְיָמִין); indeclinable; the LXX renders the gentilic by transliteration rather than translation, marking Sheba as a fellow-tribesman of Saul whose revolt has Benjaminite overtones.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐσάλπισενhe blew the trumpetAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σαλπίζωmain verb (signal-act initiating the revolt)→ constative aorist (single decisive act)σαλπίζω: 'sound a trumpet / give a signal'; renders תָּקַע (בַּשּׁוֹפָר); the trumpet-blast is the formal signal of rebellion and the gathering-cry for secession; the same verb recurs at v. 22 when Joab signals the dispersal of the army at the revolt's end, framing the chapter.
ἐνwith / onpreposition + dative (instrumental)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κερατίνῃram's-horn / trumpetDativedative of instrument (with ἐσάλπισεν)→ sphere or referenceκερατίνη: 'horn-trumpet, ram's-horn' (from κέρας, 'horn'); renders שׁוֹפָר; the shofar was the standard instrument for military and assembly signals; its sound here summons Israel to abandon David.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces Sheba's secession-cry; the aorist marks the proclamation as a single decisive utterance.
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')→ gnomic/declarative presentεἰμί: 'be / exist'; the existential οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν μερίς ('there is to us no portion') renders אֵין לָנוּ חֵלֶק, a Hebraism of possession; the slogan denies any stake in the Davidic dynasty.
ἡμῖνto us / for usDativedative of possession (with ἔστιν)→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'to us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of possession (with ἔστιν).
μερὶςportion / shareNominativesubject (of existential ἔστιν)→ participant prominenceμερίς: 'portion / share / part'; renders חֵלֶק; the secession-slogan οὐκ ἔστιν ἡμῖν μερὶς ἐν Δαυιδ is verbally echoed at the schism under Jeroboam (3 Kgdms 12:16), where the northern tribes use the identical formula to reject the house of David.
ἐνinpreposition + dative→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative.
ΔαυιδDavidobject of ἐν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliteration of Hebrew דָּוִד; indeclinable in the LXX; here the object of the secessionists' denial — they renounce any portion in David's kingship.
οὐδὲnornegative coordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδέ: 'and not / nor'; extends the negation to the second member (κληρονομία), reinforcing the total renunciation of Davidic claim.
κληρονομίαinheritanceNominativesubject (with implied ἔστιν: 'nor [is there] inheritance')→ participant prominenceκληρονομία: 'inheritance / heritage'; renders נַחֲלָה; paired with μερίς it forms the merism 'portion and inheritance', a fixed legal idiom for one's allotted stake in a community or estate; cf. the same word at v. 19 (κληρονομίαν κυρίου).
ἡμῖνto usDativedative of possession→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'to us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of possession.
ἐνinpreposition + dative→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῷsonDativeobject of ἐν ('in the son of Jesse')→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; the dismissive periphrasis ὁ υἱὸς Ιεσσαι ('the son of Jesse') for David is a contemptuous idiom (cf. 1 Kgdms 20:27; 22:7), denying him royal title by reducing him to his father's name.
ΙεσσαιJessegenitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙεσσαι: transliteration of Hebrew יִשַׁי (Jesse), David's father; indeclinable; 'the son of Jesse' here is a slighting designation refusing David his kingship.
ἀνὴρeach manNominativesubject (distributive: 'every man [to your tents]')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: here distributive, 'each man / every man'; the rallying-cry ἀνὴρ εἰς τὰ σκηνώματά σου Ισραηλ ('every man to your tents, O Israel') renders אִישׁ לְאֹהָלָיו יִשְׂרָאֵל, the standard summons to disband and secede.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνώματάtents / dwellingsAccusativeobject of εἰς (destination: 'to the tents')→ object specificationσκήνωμα: 'tent / dwelling / encampment'; renders אֹהֶל; the summons 'to your tents' is the conventional cry of dispersal and revolt (cf. 19:9; 3 Kgdms 12:16); recurs at v. 22 when the army actually disperses, framing the rebellion.
σουyourGenitivegenitive (possessive, addressed to Israel as a collective 'you')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (possessive, addressed to Israel as a collective 'you').
ΙσραηλO Israelvocative of address (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable; here a vocative addressing the northern tribes whom Sheba summons away from David.
2

καὶ ἀνέβη πᾶς ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ ἀπὸ ὄπισθεν Δαυιδ ὀπίσω Σαβεε υἱοῦ Βοχορι καὶ ἀνὴρ Ιουδα ἐκολλήθη τῷ βασιλεῖ αὐτῶν ἀπὸ τοῦ Ιορδάνου καὶ ἕως Ιερουσαλημ

And every man of Israel went up from following David, after Sheba son of Bichri; but the man of Judah clung to their king from the Jordan even to Jerusalem.

Result: the secession enacted (consequence of Sheba's cry)καὶ ἀνέβη
v.2 records the immediate effect of the slogan: the antithesis between ἀνέβη … ἀπὸ ὄπισθεν Δαυιδ ('went up from following David') and ἐκολλήθη ('clung'/'cleaved') sets the defection of Israel against the loyalty of Judah, the fault-line that the whole chapter — and the later schism — exploits.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέβηwent upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (defection of Israel)→ constative aoristἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend / withdraw'; renders עָלָה; here in the sense 'went up away from', i.e. abandoned David's following; the singular agrees with the collective subject πᾶς ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ.
πᾶςeveryNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἀνήρ: 'every man')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every / all'; the collective πᾶς ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ ('every man of Israel') emphasizes the totality of the northern defection.
ἀνὴρmanNominativesubject (collective: 'man of Israel')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: collective singular, 'the man of Israel' = the men of Israel as a body; renders the Hebrew collective אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitival (indeclinable; 'man of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: here the northern tribes specifically, as distinguished from Judah in the parallel clause.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
ὄπισθενbehind / followingadverb/improper preposition (with ἀπό: 'from following')→ spatial or relational framingὄπισθεν: 'behind / after'; the compound ἀπὸ ὄπισθεν ('from behind / from following') renders מֵאַחֲרֵי, a Hebraism for ceasing to follow a leader; its opposite is ὀπίσω in the very next phrase (following Sheba).
ΔαυιδDavidobject of ἀπὸ ὄπισθεν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of ἀπὸ ὄπισθεν (indeclinable proper noun).
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive (allegiance: 'after Sheba')→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after / behind'; renders אַחֲרֵי; the antithesis ἀπὸ ὄπισθεν Δαυιδ … ὀπίσω Σαβεε captures the transfer of allegiance from David to the rebel.
ΣαβεεShebaobject of ὀπίσω (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαβεε: see v. 1; here the new object of Israel's allegiance.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition (patronymic: 'son of Bichri')→ relational specificationυἱός (gen. υἱοῦ): in the fixed patronymic 'Sheba son of Bichri'; the genitive here, unlike the indeclinable Σαβεε, is overtly declined.
ΒοχοριBichrigenitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΒοχορι: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun).
καὶbutcoordinate conjunction (adversative in context)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here functioning adversatively ('but'), contrasting Judah's loyalty with Israel's defection — a καί-parataxis carrying contrastive force, typical of the Hebraizing style.
ἀνὴρmanNominativesubject (collective: 'the man of Judah')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: collective, 'the men of Judah'; set in deliberate parallel with ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ to mark the two opposed blocs.
ΙουδαJudahgenitival (indeclinable; 'man of Judah')→ participant identificationΙουδα: transliteration of Hebrew יְהוּדָה; here indeclinable; the southern tribe loyal to David against the northern secession.
ἐκολλήθηclung / cleavedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κολλάωmain verb (loyalty of Judah)→ constative aorist (passive with active/reflexive sense: 'attached itself')κολλάω (aor. pass. ἐκολλήθη): 'glue / join / cleave to'; renders דָּבַק; the passive carries a reflexive force ('clung to'); the verb conveys covenant loyalty and tenacious attachment (cf. its use of marital and covenantal bonding in Gen 2:24).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativedative complement of ἐκολλήθη ('clung to the king')→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς (dat. βασιλεῖ): 'king'; the object of Judah's loyal attachment is David, designated by title; κολλάω regularly takes the dative of the person joined.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession ('their king')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('their king').
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (spatial starting-point)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (spatial starting-point).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνουJordanGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (declined proper noun)→ relational specificationΙορδάνης (gen. Ιορδάνου): the Jordan river; unlike most names in this chapter it is declined as a first-declension masculine; the span ἀπὸ τοῦ Ιορδάνου … ἕως Ιερουσαλημ marks the route of David's return escort and the geographical extent of Judah's loyal accompaniment.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking ἀπό … ἕως)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἕωςto / as far asimproper preposition + genitive (spatial limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'as far as / up to'; with ἀπό forms the spatial merism 'from the Jordan to Jerusalem', the full stretch of David's homeward journey.
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemobject of ἕως (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: transliteration of Hebrew יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם; indeclinable in the LXX (alongside the declinable Ἱεροσόλυμα); David's capital, the goal of the loyal escort.
3

καὶ εἰσῆλθεν Δαυιδ εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ εἰς Ιερουσαλημ καὶ ἔλαβεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τὰς δέκα γυναῖκας τὰς παλλακὰς αὐτοῦ ἃς ἀφῆκεν φυλάσσειν τὸν οἶκον καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὰς ἐν οἴκῳ φυλακῆς καὶ διέθρεψεν αὐτὰς καὶ πρὸς αὐτὰς οὐκ εἰσῆλθεν καὶ ἦσαν συνεχόμεναι ἕως ἡμέρας θανάτου αὐτῶν χῆραι ζῶσαι

And David came into his house at Jerusalem, and the king took the ten women, his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in a house of confinement, and provided for them, but did not go in to them; and they were shut up until the day of their death, living as widows.

Narrative aside: the fate of the concubines (closing one rebellion-thread)καὶ εἰσῆλθεν Δαυιδ
v.3 is a self-contained episode resolving the loose end of the ten concubines whom Absalom had violated on the palace roof (16:21–22). David's careful provision yet permanent abstention (διέθρεψεν … οὐκ εἰσῆλθεν) and the poignant oxymoron χῆραι ζῶσαι ('living widows') register the lingering human cost of Absalom's revolt before the new Sheba-crisis proceeds.
Word-by-word analysis· 47 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθενcame in / enteredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (David's return home)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go in'; renders בּוֹא; the same verb recurs later in the verse (πρὸς αὐτὰς οὐκ εἰσῆλθεν), where the idiom 'go in to (a woman)' bears its sexual sense, sharpening the contrast.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
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.
οἶκονhouseAccusativeobject of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / household'; renders בַּיִת; here the royal palace; the word recurs three times in the verse (his house / keep the house / house of confinement), a Hebraizing wordplay on בַּיִת.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰςin / atpreposition + accusative (locating the house)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (locating the house).
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemobject of εἰς (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of εἰς (indeclinable proper noun).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; renders לָקַח; here of David's taking the concubines into protective custody.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (David by title)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the narrator shifts from the name Δαυιδ to the title ὁ βασιλεύς, framing the action as an official, royal disposition rather than a private one.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δέκαtennumeral (modifying γυναῖκας; indeclinable)→ measure or countδέκα: 'ten'; indeclinable cardinal; the ten concubines correspond to those left to keep the palace at 15:16 and violated by Absalom at 16:22.
γυναῖκαςwomenAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationγυνή: 'woman / wife'; renders אִשָּׁה; here defined further by the appositive 'his concubines.'
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with appositive παλλακάς)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παλλακὰςconcubinesAccusativeaccusative in apposition to γυναῖκας→ object specificationπαλλακή: 'concubine'; renders פִּילֶגֶשׁ; secondary wives of lower legal status; their violation by Absalom (16:22) was a public claim to the throne, which is why David can no longer cohabit with them.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἃςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀφῆκεν)→ participant referenceὅς, ἥ, ὅ: relative pronoun; ἃς (acc. fem. pl.) refers back to the concubines, introducing the clause recalling their earlier appointment to guard the house.
ἀφῆκενhad leftAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀφίημιverb of relative clause (prior action)→ constative aorist (pluperfect force in context: 'had left')ἀφίημι: 'leave / let go / permit'; renders עָזַב / הִנִּיחַ; recalls 15:16, where David left the ten concubines to keep the palace during his flight from Absalom.
φυλάσσεινto keep / to guardPres Act Inf · φυλάσσωcomplementary infinitive (purpose of ἀφῆκεν)→ present infinitive (ongoing observance)φυλάσσω: 'guard / keep watch over'; renders שָׁמַר; the infinitive expresses the purpose for which the concubines were left — to keep the palace; ironic in light of their being now themselves kept under guard (φυλακῆς).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativeobject of φυλάσσειν→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / palace'; the second of the verse's three occurrences.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδωκενput / gaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb ('put them in')→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give / place / put'; renders נָתַן; here 'placed / consigned them' into a guarded house — the Hebraism נָתַן בְּ ('put into').
αὐτὰςthemAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτὰς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
οἴκῳa houseDativedative of place ('in a house of confinement')→ sphere or referenceοἶκος (dat. οἴκῳ): the third occurrence; the phrase οἶκος φυλακῆς ('house of guarding/confinement') renders בֵּית מִשְׁמֶרֶת, a place of protective seclusion.
φυλακῆςof confinement / guardingGenitivegenitive of description (with οἴκῳ)→ relational specificationφυλακή: 'guard / watch / confinement'; from the same root as φυλάσσειν above, producing a bitter wordplay: the women who once 'guarded' the house are now held in a 'house of guarding.'
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διέθρεψενprovided for / sustainedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διατρέφωmain verb (David's provision)→ constative aoristδιατρέφω: 'nourish / maintain / support'; the compound δια- conveys sustained provision; renders כִּלְכֵּל; David honorably maintains the women materially even while withdrawing conjugally.
αὐτὰςthemAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτὰς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
καὶbutcoordinate conjunction (adversative in context)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative ('but'), contrasting David's material provision with his sexual abstention.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (with εἰσῆλθεν: idiom 'go in to')→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (with εἰσῆλθεν: idiom 'go in to').
αὐτὰςthemAccusativeobject of πρός→ participant referenceαὐτὰς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of πρός.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθενwent inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (with πρός: euphemism for conjugal relations)→ constative aorist (negated)εἰσέρχομαι: the idiom εἰσέρχομαι πρός ('go in to [a woman]') renders בּוֹא אֶל, a standard euphemism for sexual relations; David's permanent abstention reflects that the concubines have been defiled and so are no longer eligible as wives.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦσανthey wereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίverb of periphrastic construction (with συνεχόμεναι)→ durative imperfect (ongoing state)εἰμί (impf. ἦσαν): with the participle συνεχόμεναι forms a periphrastic imperfect ('they were being kept shut up'), stressing the prolonged, continuous nature of their confinement.
συνεχόμεναιshut up / confinedPres Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Pl Fem · συνέχωparticiple (periphrastic with ἦσαν)→ durative present participle (continuing state)συνέχω (mid./pass. ptcp.): 'hold together / confine / shut up'; the passive participle here means 'kept in confinement / secluded'; the periphrastic ἦσαν συνεχόμεναι underscores the lifelong duration of their seclusion.
ἕωςuntilimproper preposition + genitive (temporal limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until'; the phrase ἕως ἡμέρας θανάτου αὐτῶν ('until the day of their death') marks the confinement as lifelong.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive of time (object of ἕως)→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; in the construction ἡμέρα θανάτου ('day of death') renders יוֹם מוֹת, a Hebraism for the time of one's dying.
θανάτουof deathGenitivegenitive of description (with ἡμέρας)→ relational specificationθάνατος: 'death'; renders מָוֶת; the day of death sets the outer term of their confinement, sealing the tragedy.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (with θανάτου)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with θανάτου).
χῆραιwidowsNominativepredicate noun (in apposition: 'as widows')→ participant prominenceχήρα: 'widow'; renders אַלְמָנָה; the predicative χῆραι ζῶσαι ('living widows') is a poignant oxymoron — bereft of a husband's company though their husband still lives.
ζῶσαιlivingPres Act Ptcp Nom Pl Fem · ζάωparticiple (attributive with χῆραι: 'living widows')→ descriptive present participleζάω (pres. ptcp. ζῶσαι): 'live / be alive'; the participle modifies χῆραι to form the oxymoron χηρεία ζῶσα / χῆραι ζῶσαι, 'widowhood of living women' — they endure a widow's isolation while still alive and while their husband David yet reigns.
4

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς Αμεσσαϊ βόησόν μοι τὸν ἄνδρα Ιουδα τρεῖς ἡμέρας σὺ δὲ αὐτοῦ στῆθι

And the king said to Amasa, 'Summon for me the men of Judah within three days, and you yourself be present here.'

New scene: the muster commissioned (return to the Sheba-crisis)καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς
The narrative returns to the revolt: David commissions Αμεσσαϊ (Amasa) — Absalom's former general, now appointed over Judah's army in Joab's place (19:14) — to muster Judah within three days. The terse double imperative βόησόν … στῆθι sets up the fatal delay of v. 5 and the rivalry with Joab that drives the chapter's central atrocity.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 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 aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces David's command to Amasa.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (David by title)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; David is again named by title, stressing the official, royal character of the muster-order.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΑμεσσαϊAmasaobject of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑμεσσαϊ: transliteration of Hebrew עֲמָשָׂא (Amasa); indeclinable; David's nephew and Absalom's former army commander, now appointed over Judah's forces in place of Joab (19:14) — the appointment that provokes Joab's deadly jealousy.
βόησόνsummon / call outAor Act Impv 2 Sg · βοάωmain verb (royal imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeβοάω: 'cry out / call / summon'; renders זָעַק / קָרָא (hiphil); here 'call up / muster (the militia)'; the aorist imperative orders a single decisive act of mobilization; the cognate infinitive βοῆσαι recurs in v. 5.
μοιfor meDativedative of advantage ('summon for me')→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'for me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage ('summon for me').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδραman / menAccusativedirect object of βόησόν (collective: 'the men of Judah')→ object specificationἀνήρ (acc. ἄνδρα): collective singular, 'the men of Judah' = the Judahite militia to be mustered; renders the Hebrew collective אִישׁ יְהוּדָה.
ΙουδαJudahgenitival (indeclinable; 'man of Judah')→ participant identificationΙουδα: indeclinable here; the loyal southern tribe to be summoned for war against Sheba.
τρεῖςthreeAccusativenumeral (accusative of duration, modifying ἡμέρας)→ measure or countτρεῖς: 'three'; the time-limit 'three days' (accusative of extent) sets the deadline whose violation (ἐχρόνισεν, v. 5) triggers the next phase of the crisis.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of duration of time ('within three days')→ object specificationἡμέρα (acc. pl. ἡμέρας): 'day'; the accusative of extent denotes the span within which the muster must be completed.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic personal pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic pronoun 'you yourself' singles out Amasa: whatever else, he personally must be present; the emphasis heightens the irony of his failure to appear on time.
δὲand / butmild adversative/continuative (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; here distinguishing Amasa's personal duty (to be present) from his delegated task (to muster).
αὐτοῦhere / on the spotadverb of place ('here / in this place')→ participant referenceαὐτοῦ: adverbial, 'here / in this very place / on the spot' (not the pronoun 'his'); David commands Amasa to present himself in person at the appointed place once the muster is done.
στῆθιstand / be presentAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (second imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative ('take your stand / present yourself')ἵστημι (aor. impv. στῆθι): 'stand / take one's stand / present oneself'; renders עָמַד; the intransitive aorist active imperative orders Amasa to be personally present; his failure to 'stand' on time leads directly to his death at Joab's hand.
5

καὶ ἐπορεύθη Αμεσσαϊ τοῦ βοῆσαι τὸν Ιουδαν καὶ ἐχρόνισεν ἀπὸ τοῦ καιροῦ οὗ ἐτάξατο αὐτῷ Δαυιδ

And Amasa went to summon Judah, but he delayed beyond the time which David had appointed for him.

Complication: Amasa's fatal delayκαὶ ἐπορεύθη Αμεσσαϊ
v.5 records the pivotal failure: Amasa sets out but ἐχρόνισεν ('he tarried / delayed') past David's deadline. This delay, whatever its cause, opens the door for David to redirect the pursuit to Abishai and Joab (v. 6), setting up Joab's opportunity to eliminate his rival.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (Amasa sets out)→ constative aorist (deponent: 'he went')πορεύομαι (aor. pass. dep. ἐπορεύθη): 'go / proceed / journey'; renders הָלַךְ; the deponent aorist functions actively; Amasa does set out to obey, but the following verb registers his failure to complete the task in time.
ΑμεσσαϊAmasasubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑμεσσαϊ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
τοῦtoGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive of purpose)→ noun-phrase markingὁ (gen. τοῦ): the genitive article governs the infinitive βοῆσαι to express purpose ('in order to summon'), a common LXX construction rendering the Hebrew infinitive with לְ.
βοῆσαιto summonAor Act Inf · βοάωarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)→ telic aorist infinitive (purpose of the coming)βοάω (aor. inf. βοῆσαι): 'call / summon / muster'; the cognate of David's imperative βόησόν in v. 4; the articular infinitive τοῦ βοῆσαι expresses the purpose of Amasa's going — to muster Judah.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙουδανJudahAccusativedirect object of βοῆσαι (declined proper noun)→ object specificationΙουδας (acc. Ιουδαν): here the name is declined (acc.), denoting Judah as a collective body to be mustered; contrast the indeclinable Ιουδα in vv. 2, 4.
καὶbutcoordinate conjunction (adversative in context)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative ('but'), marking the unexpected failure against the obedient setting-out.
ἐχρόνισενhe delayed / tarriedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · χρονίζωmain verb (the fatal delay)→ constative aoristχρονίζω: 'take time / tarry / delay'; renders אֵחַר / בּוֹשֵׁשׁ; the verb names the pivotal misstep; whether through difficulty in mustering or hesitation, Amasa's delay past the deadline reroutes the command and seals his fate.
ἀπὸbeyond / frompreposition + genitive (temporal point exceeded)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: here temporal, 'beyond / past (the appointed time)'; ἐχρόνισεν ἀπὸ τοῦ καιροῦ = 'he delayed past the time.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καιροῦtime / appointed timeGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationκαιρός: 'time / appointed moment / season'; renders מוֹעֵד; the 'set time' is the three-day deadline of v. 4; καιρός stresses the fixed, agreed nature of the appointment Amasa overran.
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive by attraction; antecedent καιροῦ)→ relational specificationὅς (gen. οὗ): relative pronoun, genitive by attraction to its antecedent καιροῦ; introduces the clause specifying that David himself had set the time.
ἐτάξατοhad appointedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · τάσσωverb of relative clause (prior action)→ constative aorist (pluperfect force: 'had appointed')τάσσω (aor. mid. ἐτάξατο): 'arrange / appoint / fix'; renders יָעַד; the middle voice ('appointed for himself / set') has David fixing the term; the delay is thus a failure against the king's own express schedule.
αὐτῷfor himDativedative of reference ('appointed for him' = Amasa)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'for him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of reference ('appointed for him' = Amasa).
ΔαυιδDavidsubject of ἐτάξατο (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐτάξατο (indeclinable proper noun).
6

καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς Αβεσσα νῦν κακοποιήσει ἡμᾶς Σαβεε υἱὸς Βοχορι ὑπὲρ Αβεσσαλωμ καὶ νῦν σὺ λαβὲ μετὰ σεαυτοῦ τοὺς παῖδας τοῦ κυρίου σου καὶ καταδίωξον ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ μήποτε ἑαυτῷ εὕρῃ πόλεις ὀχυρὰς καὶ σκιάσει τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ἡμῶν

And David said to Abishai, 'Now Sheba son of Bichri will do us more harm than Absalom. Now you, take with you your lord's servants and pursue after him, lest he find for himself fortified cities and overshadow our eyes.'

Response to the delay: the pursuit reassignedκαὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς Αβεσσα
Because of Amasa's delay, David commissions Αβεσσα (Abishai), Joab's brother, to lead the standing royal troops in immediate pursuit. David's reasoning — that Sheba might do more harm than Absalom by seizing fortified cities — gives the urgency; the comparative ὑπὲρ Αβεσσαλωμ ('more than Absalom') measures the new threat against the just-ended rebellion.
Word-by-word analysis· 38 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 aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces David's command to Abishai.
ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΑβεσσαAbishaiobject of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσα: transliteration of Hebrew אֲבִישַׁי (Abishai); indeclinable; son of Zeruiah and brother of Joab; David entrusts the pursuit to him, but Joab effectively takes command (vv. 7, 10).
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (marking urgency)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; here signals immediate urgency; the doubled νῦν (also later in the verse) presses the need for swift action against the spreading revolt.
κακοποιήσειwill do harmFut Act Indic 3 Sg · κακοποιέωmain verb (predictive assessment of the threat)→ predictive futureκακοποιέω: 'do evil / harm / injure'; renders הֵרַע; David forecasts that Sheba's revolt poses a greater danger than Absalom's, justifying the urgent dispatch of troops.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ΣαβεεShebasubject of κακοποιήσει (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαβεε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of κακοποιήσει (indeclinable proper noun).
υἱὸςsonNominativenominative in apposition (patronymic)→ participant prominenceυἱὸς: meaning 'son'; it serves as nominative in apposition (patronymic).
ΒοχοριBichrigenitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΒοχορι: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun).
ὑπὲρmore thanpreposition + accusative (comparative)→ spatial or relational framingὑπέρ + accusative: 'beyond / more than'; a comparative use rendering the Hebrew מִן of comparison; 'will do us harm more than Absalom [did].'
ΑβεσσαλωμAbsalomobject of ὑπέρ (indeclinable proper noun; comparison-standard)→ participant identificationΑβεσσαλωμ: transliteration of Hebrew אַבְשָׁלוֹם (Absalom); indeclinable; David's rebel son whose revolt has just been crushed; the measure against which Sheba's threat is gauged.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (resumptive: 'now then')→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: the second 'now' transitions from assessment to command; καὶ νῦν ('and now') is a common Hebraism (וְעַתָּה) introducing the practical directive that follows from the situation.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun with imperative)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic 'you' addressed to Abishai, charging him personally with the pursuit.
λαβὲtakeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (royal imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeλαμβάνω (aor. impv. λαβέ): 'take / take along'; renders לָקַח; David orders Abishai to take the standing royal guard for immediate pursuit.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
σεαυτοῦyourselfGenitivereflexive pronoun (object of μετά: 'with yourself')→ relational specificationσεαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun, 'yourself'; μετὰ σεαυτοῦ ('with you / under your command') assigns the troops to Abishai's personal leadership.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδαςservantsAccusativedirect object of λαβέ→ object specificationπαῖς (acc. pl. παῖδας): 'servant / attendant / retainer'; renders עֶבֶד; here the royal household troops / professional soldiers, distinguished from the conscript militia Amasa failed to muster.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίουlord / masterGenitivegenitive of possession ('your lord's servants')→ relational specificationκύριος: here in the human sense 'lord / master' — David referring to himself in the third person as Abishai's sovereign ('your lord's servants'), not the divine Name; the courtly self-reference underscores royal authority over the troops.
σουyourGenitivegenitive (possessive: 'your lord')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (possessive: 'your lord').
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταδίωξονpursueAor Act Impv 2 Sg · καταδιώκωmain verb (second royal imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeκαταδιώκω: 'pursue closely / hunt down'; the compound κατα- intensifies the chase; renders רָדַף; the imperative commands relentless pursuit of Sheba before he can entrench.
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive (object of pursuit)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after'; with καταδίωξον, 'pursue after him' (Sheba).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσω→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ὀπίσω.
μήποτεlestconjunction (negative purpose: 'lest')→ discourse linkage or contrastμήποτε: 'lest / so that not'; introduces a clause of apprehended danger with the subjunctive (εὕρῃ); David fears Sheba may entrench himself in fortified cities.
ἑαυτῷfor himselfDativereflexive dative of advantage ('for himself')→ sphere or referenceἑαυτοῦ (dat. ἑαυτῷ): reflexive, 'for himself'; Sheba's securing fortified cities would be to his own advantage and David's peril.
εὕρῃfindAor Act Subj 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωverb of μήποτε-clause (subjunctive of apprehension)→ aorist subjunctive (feared eventuality)εὑρίσκω (aor. subj. εὕρῃ): 'find / obtain / secure'; the subjunctive after μήποτε expresses the feared outcome — that Sheba might gain fortified strongholds and prolong the revolt.
πόλειςcitiesAccusativedirect object of εὕρῃ→ object specificationπόλις (acc. pl. πόλεις): 'city'; renders עָרִים; the object of Sheba's feared entrenchment.
ὀχυρὰςfortifiedAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying πόλεις)→ object specificationὀχυρός: 'strong / fortified'; renders בְּצֻרוֹת; fortified cities would let Sheba withstand siege and entrench the rebellion — exactly what unfolds at Abel (v. 15).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (continuing the feared result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σκιάσειovershadow / escape fromFut Act Indic 3 Sg · σκιάζωverb continuing the μήποτε-clause (future after fear-clause)→ predictive future (feared outcome)σκιάζω: 'overshadow / cast a shadow over / shade'; here a difficult, hyper-literal rendering — σκιάσει τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς ἡμῶν ('he will overshadow our eyes') reflecting a Hebrew idiom (perhaps וְהִצִּיל עֵינֵנוּ, 'snatch from our eyes / elude us'); the sense is that Sheba would slip out of David's sight and grasp.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativedirect object of σκιάσει→ object specificationὀφθαλμός (acc. pl. ὀφθαλμούς): 'eye'; renders עַיִן; 'overshadow our eyes' is a Hebraism for eluding pursuit — escaping out of view, beyond reach.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
7

καὶ ἐξῆλθον ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ οἱ ἄνδρες Ιωαβ καὶ ὁ Χερεθθι καὶ ὁ Φελεθθι καὶ πάντες οἱ δυνατοὶ καὶ ἐξῆλθαν ἐξ Ιερουσαλημ διῶξαι ὀπίσω Σαβεε υἱοῦ Βοχορι

And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethite and the Pelethite, and all the mighty men; and they went out from Jerusalem to pursue after Sheba son of Bichri.

Execution: the pursuing force mobilizesκαὶ ἐξῆλθον ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ
The pursuit-force is enumerated: 'Joab's men', the royal bodyguard (Cherethites and Pelethites), and 'all the mighty men.' Notably it is οἱ ἄνδρες Ιωαβ ('Joab's men') who lead, signalling that despite David's assigning the command to Abishai, Joab is the true center of military power — the narrative quietly prepares for his seizure of control.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξῆλθονwent outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (the force sets out)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι (aor. ἐξῆλθον): 'go out / come forth'; renders יָצָא; here of the troops marching out of Jerusalem in pursuit; the verb recurs in the alternate form ἐξῆλθαν later in the verse.
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after'; 'went out after him' (Abishai, or the pursuit-object generally).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσω→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ὀπίσω.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject ('Joab's men')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ (nom. pl. ἄνδρες): 'man'; οἱ ἄνδρες Ιωαβ ('the men of Joab') heads the list — Joab's own troops lead the column, a telling detail given that David had named Abishai commander.
ΙωαβJoabgenitival (indeclinable; 'men of Joab')→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliteration of Hebrew יוֹאָב (Joab); indeclinable; son of Zeruiah, David's nephew and former army-commander, demoted in favor of Amasa (19:14) — the rivalry that drives his murder of Amasa in vv. 8–10.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
theNominativearticle (with collective gentilic)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧερεθθιCherethitegentilic (indeclinable; collective: 'the Cherethites')→ participant identificationΧερεθθι: transliteration of Hebrew כְּרֵתִי (Cherethites); indeclinable, used collectively with the singular article; a foreign (likely Cretan/Philistine) mercenary corps forming David's royal bodyguard; paired throughout with the Pelethites (cf. 8:18; 15:18; 20:23).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
theNominativearticle (with collective gentilic)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΦελεθθιPelethitegentilic (indeclinable; collective: 'the Pelethites')→ participant identificationΦελεθθι: transliteration of Hebrew פְּלֵתִי (Pelethites); indeclinable; the second corps of David's foreign bodyguard, invariably paired with the Cherethites; under Benaiah's command (v. 23).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying οἱ δυνατοί)→ participant prominenceπᾶς (nom. pl. πάντες): 'all'; emphasizes that the entire corps of elite warriors joined the pursuit.
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantivizing δυνατοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δυνατοὶmighty menNominativesubstantive adjective (subject: 'the mighty men')→ participant prominenceδυνατός: 'mighty / powerful'; substantivized οἱ δυνατοί ('the mighty men / warriors') renders הַגִּבּוֹרִים, David's corps of elite champions (cf. 23:8–39).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξῆλθανwent outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (resumptive of the march)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι (aor. ἐξῆλθαν): the alpha-ending aorist ἐξῆλθαν (alongside the thematic ἐξῆλθον earlier) is a Koine/LXX feature; the resumptive verb restates the sortie before naming its goal (to pursue Sheba).
ἐξfrom / out ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemobject of ἐξ (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of ἐξ (indeclinable proper noun).
διῶξαιto pursueAor Act Inf · διώκωinfinitive of purpose (with ἐξῆλθαν)→ verbal action or stateδιώκω (aor. inf. διῶξαι): 'pursue / chase'; renders רָדַף; the bare infinitive of purpose ('to pursue') states the objective of the sortie.
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive (object of pursuit)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by improper preposition + genitive (object of pursuit).
ΣαβεεShebaobject of ὀπίσω (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαβεε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable proper noun).
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition (patronymic)→ relational specificationυἱοῦ: meaning 'son'; it serves as genitive in apposition (patronymic).
ΒοχοριBichrigenitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΒοχορι: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun).
8

καὶ αὐτοὶ παρὰ τῷ λίθῳ τῷ μεγάλῳ τῷ ἐν Γαβαων καὶ Αμεσσαϊ εἰσῆλθεν ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν καὶ Ιωαβ περιεζωσμένος μανδύαν τὸ ἔνδυμα αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ περιεζωσμένος μάχαιραν ἐζευγμένην ἐπὶ τῆς ὀσφύος αὐτοῦ ἐν κολεῷ αὐτῆς καὶ ἡ μάχαιρα ἐξῆλθεν καὶ ἔπεσεν

And they were by the great stone that is in Gibeon, and Amasa came in before them; and Joab was girded with his cloak, his garment, and over it he was girded with a sword fastened upon his loins in its sheath; and the sword came out and fell.

Setting of the murder: the great stone at Gibeonκαὶ αὐτοὶ παρὰ τῷ λίθῳ
v.8 sets the scene with cinematic detail: the great stone of Gibeon, Amasa arriving 'before them', and a close-up on Joab's clothing and weaponry — the cloak, the sword girded over it, fastened on his loins in its sheath, which 'came out and fell.' The loose, falling sword is the narrative's clue: whether by design or contrivance, the unsheathed blade in Joab's hand is the instrument of the assassination in v. 10.
Word-by-word analysis· 41 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτοὶtheyNominativesubject (intensive/resumptive pronoun: 'they [were]')→ participant referenceαὐτός (nom. pl. αὐτοί): here the verbless clause αὐτοὶ παρὰ τῷ λίθῳ ('they [were] by the stone') uses the pronoun as subject with an implied copula, locating the pursuing force at Gibeon.
παρὰby / besidepreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + dative: 'beside / near'; locates the troops 'at the great stone' in Gibeon, the landmark where the murder occurs.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λίθῳstoneDativeobject of παρά (location)→ sphere or referenceλίθος: 'stone'; renders אֶבֶן; 'the great stone in Gibeon' is a known local landmark (cf. the great stone at Gibeon in 1 Kgdms 6:18 tradition); it fixes the murder-site with topographical precision.
τῷtheDativearticle (with attributive μεγάλῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μεγάλῳgreatDativeattributive adjective (modifying λίθῳ)→ sphere or referenceμέγας (dat. μεγάλῳ): 'great / large'; the great stone is a fixed landmark; the doubled article τῷ λίθῳ τῷ μεγάλῳ τῷ ἐν Γαβαων ('the stone, the great one, the one in Gibeon') is a Hebraizing attributive construction.
τῷtheDativearticle (with the locative phrase ἐν Γαβαων)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΓαβαωνGibeonobject of ἐν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΓαβαων: transliteration of Hebrew גִּבְעוֹן (Gibeon); indeclinable; a Benjaminite town north of Jerusalem; the site of the great stone where Joab murders Amasa.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑμεσσαϊAmasasubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑμεσσαϊ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
εἰσῆλθενcame inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (Amasa's arrival)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι (aor. εἰσῆλθεν): 'come in / arrive'; Amasa, who had finally gathered Judah, now arrives 'before them' (ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν) — coming to meet the column, walking unknowingly to his death.
ἔμπροσθενbefore / in front ofimproper preposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingἔμπροσθεν: 'before / in front of'; Amasa arrives 'in front of them' to lead or meet the troops; the position places him within reach of Joab's feigned greeting.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἔμπροσθεν→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἔμπροσθεν.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the close-up on Joab)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωαβJoabsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
περιεζωσμένοςgirdedPerf Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · περιζώννυμιparticiple (periphrastic/predicative: 'was girded')→ stative perfect participle (resultant state: 'girded and remaining so')περιζώννυμι (perf. mid./pass. ptcp.): 'gird around oneself'; the perfect participle denotes Joab's settled state of being girded for action; the detail of his attire prepares for the hidden, falling sword.
μανδύανcloak / mantleAccusativeaccusative of respect (the garment with which he is girded)→ object specificationμανδύας: 'cloak / mantle / military coat'; a loanword (possibly Persian); the accusative with the middle περιεζωσμένος names the garment Joab has belted on — appositionally explained by τὸ ἔνδυμα αὐτοῦ ('his garment').
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with appositive ἔνδυμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔνδυμαgarmentAccusativeaccusative in apposition to μανδύαν→ object specificationἔνδυμα: 'garment / clothing'; an explanatory apposition glossing the loanword μανδύας as Joab's outer garment; renders מַד / לְבוּשׁ.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπ᾿over / uponpreposition + dative (position: 'over it')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dative: 'upon / over'; ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ ('over it') = over the cloak, where the sword-belt is fastened.
αὐτῷitDativeobject of ἐπ᾿ (referring to the garment)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐπ᾿ (referring to the garment).
περιεζωσμένοςgirdedPerf Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · περιζώννυμιparticiple (second instance: girded with the sword)→ stative perfect participleπεριζώννυμι: the repeated participle now governs μάχαιραν — Joab is girded over his cloak with a sword; the layering of garment then weapon focuses attention on the blade.
μάχαιρανsword / daggerAccusativeaccusative of respect (the weapon with which he is girded)→ object specificationμάχαιρα: 'sword / dagger / short blade'; renders חֶרֶב; the murder-weapon; its mention here, fastened and then falling, sets up the killing of v. 10.
ἐζευγμένηνfastened / yokedPerf Mid/Pass Ptcp Acc Sg Fem · ζεύγνυμιparticiple (attributive with μάχαιραν: 'a sword fastened')→ stative perfect participle (resultant state: 'bound on')ζεύγνυμι (perf. mid./pass. ptcp. ἐζευγμένην): 'yoke / join / fasten'; the perfect passive participle describes the sword as bound/strapped onto Joab's loins; the very precision of its fastening makes its 'coming out and falling' (a contrived loosening?) all the more pointed.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀσφύοςloins / waistGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (position of the sword)→ relational specificationὀσφῦς (gen. ὀσφύος): 'loins / hip / waist'; renders מָתְנַיִם; the sword is fastened at Joab's waist, ready to hand.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location: 'in its sheath')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location: 'in its sheath').
κολεῷsheath / scabbardDativeobject of ἐν (the sword in its sheath)→ sphere or referenceκολεός: 'sheath / scabbard'; renders תַּעַר / נָדָן; the sword sits in its sheath until it 'came out and fell' — the detail that the blade slips free is the narrative hinge enabling Joab to grasp it unsuspected.
αὐτῆςitsGenitivegenitive of possession (the sheath of the sword, fem. μάχαιρα)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: 'its / her'; the feminine refers to ἡ μάχαιρα ('the sword'); 'in its [the sword's] sheath.'
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μάχαιραswordNominativesubject (of ἐξῆλθεν and ἔπεσεν)→ participant prominenceμάχαιρα: 'sword'; the subject of the climactic clause — the blade comes out of its sheath and falls, the ambiguous detail (accident or ruse?) that puts the drawn weapon in Joab's hand.
ἐξῆλθενcame outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (the sword slips free)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι (aor. ἐξῆλθεν): 'come out'; here of the sword slipping out of its sheath; the wording leaves it ambiguous whether the fall is accidental or a deliberate ruse to handle the blade openly without arousing Amasa's suspicion.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔπεσενfellAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb (the sword falls)→ constative aoristπίπτω (aor. ἔπεσεν): 'fall'; the sword falls out — Joab picks it up (implied), so that when he seizes Amasa's beard with his right hand (v. 9), the drawn blade is already in his grasp, unnoticed.
9

καὶ εἶπεν Ιωαβ τῷ Αμεσσαϊ εἰ ὑγιαίνεις σύ ἀδελφέ καὶ ἐκράτησεν ἡ χεὶρ ἡ δεξιὰ Ιωαβ τοῦ πώγωνος Αμεσσαϊ τοῦ καταφιλῆσαι αὐτόν

And Joab said to Amasa, 'Are you well, my brother?' And Joab's right hand took hold of Amasa's beard to kiss him.

The treacherous greeting: feigned affectionκαὶ εἶπεν Ιωαβ τῷ Αμεσσαϊ
Joab's question εἰ ὑγιαίνεις σύ ἀδελφέ ('Are you in good health, my brother?') is the mask of fraternal warmth over murderous intent; the gesture of seizing the beard with the right hand to kiss is the customary greeting between kinsmen — here weaponized, recalling Judas' kiss. The right hand occupied with the beard leaves the left free to wield the fallen sword (v. 10).
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 (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces Joab's feigned greeting.
ΙωαβJoabsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
τῷthe / toDativearticle (with the dative addressee)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμεσσαϊAmasadative of addressee (indeclinable name, articular)→ participant identificationΑμεσσαϊ: the indeclinable name takes the dative article τῷ to mark it as the person addressed ('to Amasa').
εἰare...?interrogative particle (introducing direct question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: normally 'if', but here introducing a direct question ('[is it that] you are well?'), a Hebraism reflecting the interrogative force; the polite inquiry frames the false greeting.
ὑγιαίνειςyou are wellPres Act Indic 2 Sg · ὑγιαίνωmain verb of the question (greeting-formula)→ stative presentὑγιαίνω: 'be healthy / be well'; renders שָׁלוֹם (הֲשָׁלוֹם, 'is it well?'); the standard greeting of welfare-inquiry, here a treacherous courtesy masking the impending blow.
σύyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic 'you' personalizes the greeting, heightening the intimacy that the murder will betray.
ἀδελφέbrotherVocativevocative of address→ direct addressἀδελφός (voc. ἀδελφέ): 'brother / kinsman'; Joab and Amasa were in fact cousins (both nephews of David); the affectionate address makes the treachery the more monstrous — fratricidal betrayal under the guise of kinship.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκράτησενtook hold ofAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κρατέωmain verb (with genitive object: 'seized')→ constative aoristκρατέω: 'grasp / take hold of / seize'; renders אָחַז / הֶחֱזִיק; takes the genitive (τοῦ πώγωνος) of the thing grasped; the right hand grips the beard, freeing the other hand and disarming suspicion.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεὶρhandNominativesubject of ἐκράτησεν→ participant prominenceχείρ: 'hand'; renders יָד; the specifying ἡ χεὶρ ἡ δεξιά ('the right hand') is significant — the right (greeting) hand is busy with the beard, while the deed is done with the other.
theNominativearticle (with attributive δεξιά)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δεξιὰrightNominativeattributive adjective (modifying χείρ)→ participant prominenceδεξιός: 'right (hand)'; renders יָמִין; the right hand is the hand of greeting and blessing; its use here to grip the beard turns a gesture of honor into the setup for assassination.
Ιωαβof Joabgenitival (indeclinable; 'Joab's hand')→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival (indeclinable; 'Joab's hand').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with genitive object of κρατέω)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πώγωνοςbeardGenitivegenitive object of ἐκράτησεν ('took hold of the beard')→ relational specificationπώγων (gen. πώγωνος): 'beard'; renders זָקָן; grasping the beard was a gesture accompanying the kiss of greeting between men; here it both steadies Amasa and disguises the lethal approach.
Αμεσσαϊof Amasagenitival (indeclinable; 'Amasa's beard')→ participant identificationΑμεσσαϊ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival (indeclinable; 'Amasa's beard').
τοῦtoGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive of purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καταφιλῆσαιto kissAor Act Inf · καταφιλέωarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)→ constative aorist infinitiveκαταφιλέω (aor. inf. καταφιλῆσαι): 'kiss fervently / kiss tenderly'; the compound κατα- intensifies (a warm, demonstrative kiss); renders נָשַׁק; the very fervor of the intended kiss — like Judas' καταφιλέω in Luke 22:47 / Mark 14:45 — heightens the treachery; the kiss is the cover for the killing.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of καταφιλῆσαι→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of καταφιλῆσαι.
10

καὶ Αμεσσαϊ οὐκ ἐφυλάξατο τὴν μάχαιραν τὴν ἐν τῇ χειρὶ Ιωαβ καὶ ἔπαισεν αὐτὸν ἐν αὐτῇ Ιωαβ εἰς τὴν ψόαν καὶ ἐξεχύθη ἡ κοιλία αὐτοῦ εἰς τὴν γῆν καὶ οὐκ ἐδευτέρωσεν αὐτῷ καὶ ἀπέθανεν καὶ Ιωαβ καὶ Αβεσσα ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ ἐδίωξεν ὀπίσω Σαβεε υἱοῦ Βοχορι

But Amasa did not guard against the sword that was in Joab's hand, and Joab struck him with it in the belly, and his bowels poured out upon the ground, and he did not strike him a second time; and he died. And Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba son of Bichri.

Climax: the assassination accomplishedκαὶ Αμεσσαϊ οὐκ ἐφυλάξατο
The murder is dispatched in a single, brutal stroke: Amasa, off his guard, is run through the belly so that his entrails spill out, and Joab — needing no second blow (οὐκ ἐδευτέρωσεν) — leaves him dead. The clause καὶ Ιωαβ καὶ Αβεσσα … ἐδίωξεν resumes the pursuit, Joab now openly co-leading despite David's having named Abishai; the rival eliminated, Joab reasserts command.
Word-by-word analysis· 46 words
καὶbutcoordinate conjunction (adversative in context)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative ('but'), contrasting Amasa's fatal inattention with the lurking blade.
ΑμεσσαϊAmasasubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑμεσσαϊ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐφυλάξατοguarded against / was on guardAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · φυλάσσωmain verb (Amasa's fatal failure to beware)→ constative aorist (middle: 'guard oneself against')φυλάσσω (aor. mid. ἐφυλάξατο): 'guard / be on one's guard / beware'; the middle 'guard oneself against' takes the accusative of the danger (τὴν μάχαιραν); Amasa, lulled by the kiss, failed to notice the sword — the same root φυλάσσω that described the concubines' duty in v. 3, here of fatal negligence.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μάχαιρανswordAccusativedirect object of ἐφυλάξατο (the danger unguarded)→ object specificationμάχαιρα: 'sword'; the same blade that 'came out and fell' in v. 8, now in Joab's hand; Amasa fails to register it.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with attributive phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
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.
χειρὶhandDativeobject of ἐν (location of the sword)→ sphere or referenceχείρ (dat. χειρί): 'hand'; the sword 'in Joab's hand' — the blade is now openly held, yet Amasa, distracted by the embrace, does not perceive the threat.
Ιωαβof Joabgenitival (indeclinable; 'Joab's hand')→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival (indeclinable; 'Joab's hand').
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔπαισενstruckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παίωmain verb (the lethal blow)→ constative aoristπαίω: 'strike / smite / stab'; renders הִכָּה / נָכָה; the single decisive thrust into the belly; παίω often denotes a sharp, sudden blow.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (Amasa)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (Amasa).
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental: 'with it')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dative: here instrumental, 'with it' (the sword), an LXX Hebraism rendering בְּ of instrument.
αὐτῇitDativedative of instrument (the sword, fem.)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: refers to ἡ μάχαιρα ('the sword'); 'struck him with it.'
ΙωαβJoabsubject of ἔπαισεν (indeclinable; resumptive)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: the subject is restated for clarity after the instrumental phrase — Joab is the striker.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (point of impact)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (point of impact).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψόανbelly / loinsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (point struck)→ object specificationψόα: 'muscle of the loins / belly / groin'; renders חֹמֶשׁ ('the abdomen / fifth rib region'); the soft underbelly, an unprotected and lethal target; the same fatal blow Joab earlier dealt to Abner (3:27) and that struck Absalom's son figure — Joab's signature method.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξεχύθηpoured outAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐκχέωmain verb (the entrails spill)→ constative aorist (passive)ἐκχέω (aor. pass. ἐξεχύθη): 'pour out / spill'; renders שָׁפַךְ; the graphic spilling of the bowels marks the wound as immediately mortal; the same verb is used at v. 15 for the pouring out of the siege-mound (ἐξέχεαν), a grim echo.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κοιλίαbowels / bellyNominativesubject of ἐξεχύθη→ participant prominenceκοιλία: 'belly / bowels / entrails'; renders מֵעֶה; the spilled viscera vividly signal a fatal wound; the detail underscores the savagery of the deed.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰςontopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'onto'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνground / earthAccusativeobject of εἰς (destination of the spill)→ object specificationγῆ: 'earth / ground'; renders אֶרֶץ; 'his bowels poured out upon the ground' — the corpse will lie wallowing in blood in the road (v. 12).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐδευτέρωσενrepeated / struck a second timeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δευτερόωmain verb (no second blow needed)→ constative aorist (negated)δευτερόω: 'do a second time / repeat'; from δεύτερος ('second'); renders שָׁנָה; οὐκ ἐδευτέρωσεν αὐτῷ ('he did not repeat [the blow] to him') is a Hebraism (cf. 1 Kgdms 26:8) meaning the single thrust was so deadly that no second was required — a chilling measure of Joab's lethal efficiency.
αὐτῷto him / on himDativedative complement of ἐδευτέρωσεν→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative complement of ἐδευτέρωσεν.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέθανενhe diedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (Amasa's death)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω (aor. ἀπέθανεν): 'die'; renders מוּת; the blunt finality of the verb seals Amasa's fate — a single, terse word for the rival's elimination.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (resuming the pursuit)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωαβJoabsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: now named first among the pursuers — with Amasa dead, Joab has reasserted his command over the army.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑβεσσαAbishaisubject (coordinate; indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβεσσα: Abishai, Joab's brother, the nominal commander appointed by David (v. 6); here secondary to Joab, who has effectively taken over.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativeappositive to Αβεσσα ('his brother')→ participant prominenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; identifies Abishai as Joab's brother; the kinship-term recalls the false 'brother' (ἀδελφέ) Joab addressed to Amasa in v. 9 — true brotherhood beside feigned brotherhood.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐδίωξενpursuedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διώκωmain verb (singular with compound subject)→ constative aoristδιώκω (aor. ἐδίωξεν): 'pursue / chase'; the singular verb with the compound subject (Joab and Abishai) is a common Hebraizing concord, the verb agreeing with the nearer/leading subject; the pursuit of Sheba now resumes in earnest.
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive (object of pursuit)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by improper preposition + genitive (object of pursuit).
ΣαβεεShebaobject of ὀπίσω (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαβεε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable proper noun).
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition (patronymic)→ relational specificationυἱοῦ: meaning 'son'; it serves as genitive in apposition (patronymic).
ΒοχοριBichrigenitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΒοχορι: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun).
11

καὶ ἀνὴρ ἔστη ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν τῶν παιδαρίων Ιωαβ καὶ εἶπεν τίς ὁ βουλόμενος Ιωαβ καὶ τίς τοῦ Δαυιδ ὀπίσω Ιωαβ

And a man of Joab's young men stood over him and said, 'Whoever favors Joab, and whoever is for David, let him go after Joab!'

Rallying-cry over the corpseκαὶ ἀνὴρ ἔστη ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν
One of Joab's young men stands over the dying/dead Amasa and rallies the wavering troops with a loyalty-test: 'Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David, after Joab!' The conflation of Joab and David in the same breath shows how Joab has bound his cause to the king's; the corpse in the road, however, halts the men (v. 12) until it is removed.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὴρa manNominativesubject ('a man of Joab's young men')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; here 'a certain man' from among Joab's retinue, partitively defined by τῶν παιδαρίων Ιωαβ.
ἔστηstoodAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (intransitive: 'took his stand')→ constative aorist (intransitive: 'stood')ἵστημι (aor. ἔστη): 'stand / take one's stand'; the intransitive aorist; the young man stations himself over the body to rally the troops — standing over the corpse turns the gruesome scene into a recruiting-post.
ἐπ᾿overpreposition + accusative (position over)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: 'over / upon'; 'stood over him' (the corpse of Amasa).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of ἐπ᾿ (the fallen Amasa)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐπ᾿ (the fallen Amasa).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (partitive genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδαρίωνyoung men / servantsGenitivepartitive genitive ('one of Joab's young men')→ relational specificationπαιδάριον (gen. pl. παιδαρίων): 'lad / young man / servant'; diminutive of παῖς; renders נַעַר; here Joab's military attendants/aides; the partitive genitive marks the speaker as one of them.
Ιωαβof Joabgenitival (indeclinable; 'Joab's young men')→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival (indeclinable; 'Joab's young men').
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 aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces the rallying-cry.
τίςwhoever / whoNominativeinterrogative/indefinite pronoun (subject of elliptical clause)→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative 'who?', here with rallying force ('whoever...'): 'Who favors Joab? [Let him come] after Joab!' — a loyalty-summons phrased as a question.
the oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βουλόμενοςfavoring / willingPres Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · βούλομαιsubstantive participle ('the one who favors')→ descriptive present participleβούλομαι (pres. ptcp. βουλόμενος): 'wish / will / be favorably disposed'; ὁ βουλόμενος Ιωαβ = 'the one who is for Joab / wills Joab's cause'; the construction tests allegiance — who sides with Joab?
ΙωαβJoabobject of allegiance (indeclinable; with βουλόμενος)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of allegiance (indeclinable; with βουλόμενος).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τίςwhoeverNominativeinterrogative/indefinite pronoun (second loyalty-clause)→ participant referenceτίς: the second 'whoever' extends the summons — 'and whoever is for David'; the pairing binds Joab's faction to David's kingship.
τοῦfor / ofGenitivepossessive genitive (partisan: 'belonging to David')→ relational specificationὁ (gen. τοῦ): the genitive of allegiance, 'who is of David / belongs to David'; the elliptical τίς τοῦ Δαυιδ ('who [is] of David') summons David's loyalists to follow Joab.
ΔαυιδDavidgenitival (indeclinable; allegiance: 'of David')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival (indeclinable; allegiance: 'of David').
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive (rallying-direction: 'after Joab')→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after'; the cry's punch-line: ὀπίσω Ιωαβ ('after Joab!') — let the loyal fall in behind Joab; the elision of a verb gives the summons urgency.
ΙωαβJoabobject of ὀπίσω (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable proper noun).
12

καὶ Αμεσσαϊ πεφυρμένος ἐν τῷ αἵματι ἐν μέσῳ τῆς τρίβου καὶ εἶδεν ὁ ἀνὴρ ὅτι εἱστήκει πᾶς ὁ λαός καὶ ἀπέστρεψεν τὸν Αμεσσαϊ ἐκ τῆς τρίβου εἰς ἀγρὸν καὶ ἐπέρριψεν ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν ἱμάτιον καθότι εἶδεν πάντα τὸν ἐρχόμενον ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν ἑστηκότα

And Amasa lay wallowing in his blood in the middle of the road; and when the man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa from the road into a field, and threw a garment over him, because he saw that everyone who came upon him stood still.

Obstacle and remedy: the corpse halts the troopsκαὶ Αμεσσαϊ πεφυρμένος
The gruesome obstacle is described: Amasa's body wallowing in blood in the middle of the road, at which every passing soldier halts in horrified fascination (εἱστήκει … ἑστηκότα, repeated). To restore the army's momentum, Joab's man drags the corpse off into a field and covers it — a coldly practical solution that lets the pursuit proceed (v. 13).
Word-by-word analysis· 41 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑμεσσαϊAmasasubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑμεσσαϊ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
πεφυρμένοςwallowing / rolled / smearedPerf Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · φύρωparticiple (predicative with implied copula: 'was wallowing')→ stative perfect participle (resultant condition: 'lying covered in')φύρω (perf. mid./pass. ptcp. πεφυρμένος): 'mix / knead / defile / wallow'; the perfect passive depicts Amasa as 'soaked / wallowed in his blood'; the verbless clause (with implied ἦν) leaves the body in its horrifying state before the eyes of the troops.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative/instrumental)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative/instrumental).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἵματιbloodDativedative with πεφυρμένος ('wallowing in blood')→ sphere or referenceαἷμα (dat. αἵματι): 'blood'; renders דָּם; the pool of blood in which the body lies makes the spectacle that arrests the soldiers.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
μέσῳmiddleDativeobject of ἐν ('in the middle of')→ sphere or referenceμέσος (dat. μέσῳ): 'middle / midst'; ἐν μέσῳ τῆς τρίβου ('in the middle of the road') — the body lies squarely in the army's path, the obstacle that must be cleared.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρίβουroad / pathGenitivegenitive (with μέσῳ: 'middle of the road')→ relational specificationτρίβος: 'beaten path / road / track'; renders מְסִלָּה / דֶּרֶךְ; the highway along which the troops are marching; the word recurs three times in vv. 12–13, fixing attention on the road as the place of obstruction.
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 man's perception)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / perceive'; renders רָאָה; the young man notices that the troops are halting at the gory sight, and acts to remove the cause.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνὴρmanNominativesubject (the young man of v. 11)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the same man of v. 11 who stood over the body and rallied the troops; he now acts to clear the obstacle.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing object clause of εἶδεν)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of what the man saw — that all the people were standing still.
εἱστήκειstood stillPlpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιverb of ὅτι-clause (the troops halting)→ pluperfect with imperfect/stative force ('was standing still')ἵστημι (plpf. εἱστήκει): the pluperfect of ἵστημι functions as a stative imperfect, 'was standing / had come to a standstill'; the whole army halts, transfixed by the corpse — the obstacle the man must remove.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ὁ λαός)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; πᾶς ὁ λαός ('all the people / the whole army') stresses that the entire column was halting.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόςpeople / armyNominativesubject of εἱστήκει→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; here the marching army/host; renders עַם (in its military sense, 'troops'); the soldiers stall at the spectacle of the slain commander.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστρεψενremoved / turned asideAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστρέφωmain verb (dragging the body away)→ constative aoristἀποστρέφω: 'turn away / remove / take aside'; renders הֵסֵב; here transitively, 'he moved/dragged Amasa aside' from the road into a field, to clear the army's path.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with the name as object)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμεσσαϊAmasadirect object of ἀπέστρεψεν (articular indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΑμεσσαϊ: the indeclinable name here as object, marked accusative by the article τόν — the body of Amasa is dragged off the road.
ἐκfrom / out ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρίβουroadGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ→ relational specificationτρίβος: 'road / path'; the second occurrence; the body is moved out of the road.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
ἀγρὸνfieldAccusativeobject of εἰς (destination of the body)→ object specificationἀγρός: 'field / countryside'; renders שָׂדֶה; the body is dragged off into the adjoining field, out of the soldiers' line of march.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέρριψενthrew over / cast uponAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιρρίπτωmain verb (covering the body)→ constative aoristἐπιρρίπτω: 'throw upon / cast over'; the compound ἐπι- ('over') + ῥίπτω ('throw'); renders הִשְׁלִיךְ; the man flings a cloak over the corpse to hide the grisly sight and let the troops pass without halting.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + accusative (direction of throwing)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of throwing).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of ἐπ᾿ (the corpse)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐπ᾿ (the corpse).
ἱμάτιονgarment / cloakAccusativedirect object of ἐπέρριψεν→ object specificationἱμάτιον: 'cloak / outer garment'; renders בֶּגֶד; the covering hides the corpse so the men no longer stop to gawk.
καθότιbecause / inasmuch ascausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθότι: 'because / inasmuch as / according as'; introduces the causal explanation — he covered the body because everyone who came upon it kept stopping.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωverb of causal clause (restated perception)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): the repeated verb of seeing frames the man's reasoning — having seen the troops halt, he acts; the doubling εἶδεν … εἶδεν reflects the Hebraizing redundancy of the καίγε style.
πάνταeveryoneAccusativeattributive adjective (with τὸν ἐρχόμενον: 'everyone who came')→ object specificationπᾶς (acc. sg. masc. πάντα): 'every / all'; πάντα τὸν ἐρχόμενον = 'everyone who came (upon him)'; the universal halting motivates the covering of the corpse.
τὸνthe oneAccusativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρχόμενονcomingPres Mid/Pass Ptcp Acc Sg Masc · ἔρχομαιsubstantive participle ('the one coming upon him')→ iterative present participle (each one who came along)ἔρχομαι (pres. ptcp. ἐρχόμενον): 'come / go'; the participle, iterative in force, describes each soldier as he came upon the body; the present tense conveys the repeated stopping.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + accusative (arriving at)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (arriving at).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of ἐπ᾿ (the corpse)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐπ᾿ (the corpse).
ἑστηκόταstanding stillPerf Act Ptcp Acc Sg Masc · ἵστημιpredicative participle (with τὸν ἐρχόμενον: '[saw] each one... standing')→ stative perfect participle (resultant standstill)ἵστημι (perf. ptcp. ἑστηκότα): 'stand / be standing'; the perfect participle in its characteristic stative sense ('come to a stand / standing still'); it completes the picture (εἶδεν … ἑστηκότα = 'he saw [each one] standing still'), echoing εἱστήκει above and underscoring the obstruction the man resolves.
13

ἡνίκα δὲ ἔφθασεν ἐκ τῆς τρίβου παρῆλθεν πᾶς ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ ὀπίσω Ιωαβ τοῦ διῶξαι ὀπίσω Σαβεε υἱοῦ Βοχορι

And when he had been moved out of the road, every man of Israel passed on after Joab, to pursue after Sheba son of Bichri.

Resolution: the pursuit resumes once the road is clearedἡνίκα δὲ ἔφθασεν
With the corpse removed (ἔφθασεν ἐκ τῆς τρίβου, 'when he was gotten out of the road'), the obstruction is cleared and the whole host passes on after Joab to resume the pursuit of Sheba. The verse closes the murder-episode and pivots the narrative to the chase and siege of Abel (vv. 14ff.).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἡνίκαwhentemporal conjunction (introducing temporal clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἡνίκα: 'when / at the time when'; renders כַּאֲשֶׁר; introduces the temporal clause marking the moment the body was cleared from the road.
δὲand / nownarrative continuative (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive continuative; the rare δέ (against the chapter's prevailing καί-parataxis) marks a small narrative pivot from obstacle to resolution.
ἔφθασενhe was moved away / removedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φθάνωverb of temporal clause→ constative aoristφθάνω (aor. ἔφθασεν): classically 'arrive / come first / anticipate', but in Koine/LXX often simply 'come / reach'; here, with ἐκ τῆς τρίβου, the sense is 'when he (the body) had been gotten/moved out of the road' — i.e. once the corpse was removed; the subject is the displaced Amasa.
ἐκfrom / out ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρίβουroadGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ→ relational specificationτρίβος: 'road / path'; the third and final occurrence in vv. 12–13; the road, once obstructed by the corpse, is now clear for the march.
παρῆλθενpassed on / passed byAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παρέρχομαιmain verb (the army moves on)→ constative aoristπαρέρχομαι (aor. παρῆλθεν): 'pass by / pass on / go past'; renders עָבַר; with the road cleared, the whole host passes the spot and presses on after Joab; the singular agrees with the collective πᾶς ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ.
πᾶςeveryNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἀνήρ)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every / all'; πᾶς ἀνὴρ Ισραηλ ('every man of Israel') — here the loyal troops following Joab (the same collective phrase that in v. 2 described the defectors, now of the army in pursuit).
ἀνὴρmanNominativesubject (collective: 'man of Israel')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: collective singular, 'the men of Israel' = the host in pursuit.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitival (indeclinable; 'man of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival (indeclinable; 'man of Israel').
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive (following Joab)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after'; the men fall in 'after Joab', fulfilling the rallying-cry of v. 11 (ὀπίσω Ιωαβ).
ΙωαβJoabobject of ὀπίσω (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable proper noun).
τοῦtoGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive of purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διῶξαιto pursueAor Act Inf · διώκωarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)→ verbal action or stateδιώκω (aor. inf. διῶξαι): 'pursue / chase'; the articular infinitive of purpose states the goal of the renewed march — to hunt down Sheba.
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive (object of pursuit)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by improper preposition + genitive (object of pursuit).
ΣαβεεShebaobject of ὀπίσω (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαβεε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable proper noun).
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition (patronymic)→ relational specificationυἱοῦ: meaning 'son'; it serves as genitive in apposition (patronymic).
ΒοχοριBichrigenitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΒοχορι: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun).
14

καὶ διῆλθεν ἐν πάσαις φυλαῖς Ισραηλ εἰς Αβελ καὶ εἰς Βαιθμαχα καὶ πάντες ἐν Χαρρι καὶ ἐξεκκλησιάσθησαν καὶ ἦλθον κατόπισθεν αὐτοῦ

And he passed through all the tribes of Israel to Abel and to Beth-maacah; and all those in Charrhi were gathered together and came after him.

Transition: Sheba flees north; the chase narrows to Abelκαὶ διῆλθεν ἐν πάσαις φυλαῖς
Sheba (the singular subject διῆλθεν) traverses all the tribes of Israel northward to Abel of Beth-maacah, where his supporters rally to him (ἐξεκκλησιάσθησαν). The flight to the far north and the gathering of his partisans set the stage for the siege and the climactic dialogue with the wise woman.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διῆλθενpassed throughAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διέρχομαιmain verb (Sheba's flight northward)→ constative aoristδιέρχομαι (aor. διῆλθεν): 'pass through / travel through'; renders עָבַר; the singular subject is Sheba, who flees through all the tribal territories to the far-northern town of Abel; alternatively read as Joab pursuing through the tribes, but the goal-phrase and v. 15's siege favor Sheba as subject.
ἐνthrough / amongpreposition + dative (extent: 'through all the tribes')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dative: here of extent/route, 'through / among (all the tribes)', a Hebraism rendering בְּ.
πάσαιςallDativeattributive adjective (modifying φυλαῖς)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς (dat. pl. fem. πάσαις): 'all'; 'all the tribes of Israel' marks the full geographical sweep of the flight/pursuit across the northern tribes.
φυλαῖςtribesDativeobject of ἐν (the territory traversed)→ sphere or referenceφυλή (dat. pl. φυλαῖς): 'tribe / clan'; renders שֵׁבֶט / מַטֶּה; the tribal territories of Israel through which Sheba passes seeking refuge and support.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitival (indeclinable; 'tribes of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival (indeclinable; 'tribes of Israel').
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
ΑβελAbelobject of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΑβελ: transliteration of Hebrew אָבֵל (Abel); indeclinable; the town Abel of Beth-maacah in the far north of Israel, near Dan; Sheba's final refuge and the site of the siege; not to be confused with Abel son of Adam.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
ΒαιθμαχαBeth-maacahobject of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒαιθμαχα: transliteration of Hebrew בֵּית מַעֲכָה (Beth-maacah); indeclinable; the full name 'Abel of Beth-maacah' designates one northern town; the LXX renders the compound as two coordinated place-names.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativesubject (substantive: 'all [those]')→ participant prominenceπᾶς (nom. pl. πάντες): 'all'; here substantival, 'all [the men] in Charrhi', Sheba's gathered partisans.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΧαρριCharrhi / the Bichritesobject of ἐν (indeclinable; place-name or clan-name)→ participant identificationΧαρρι: a transliteration of uncertain reference, perhaps the Hebrew הַבֵּרִים / הַבִּכְרִים ('the Berites / Bichrites', Sheba's own clan) which the LXX has read as a place- or group-name; indeclinable; those 'in Charrhi' are Sheba's assembled supporters.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξεκκλησιάσθησανwere gathered together / assembledAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐξεκκλησιάζωmain verb (Sheba's partisans rally)→ constative aorist (passive with reflexive sense: 'assembled')ἐξεκκλησιάζω (aor. pass. ἐξεκκλησιάσθησαν): 'gather into an assembly / muster'; from ἐκκλησία ('assembly'); renders קָהַל (niphal); the passive carries a reflexive sense, 'they assembled themselves'; Sheba's followers muster to him at Abel.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦλθονcameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (the partisans follow Sheba)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι (aor. ἦλθον): 'come / go'; renders בּוֹא; Sheba's gathered supporters come after him into the city, completing his entrenchment there.
κατόπισθενafter / behindimproper preposition + genitive (following)→ spatial or relational framingκατόπισθεν: 'behind / after'; an intensified form of ὄπισθεν; renders אַחֲרֵי; 'they came after him' (Sheba), joining his cause within the city.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of κατόπισθεν→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of κατόπισθεν.
15

καὶ παρεγενήθησαν καὶ ἐπολιόρκουν ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν τὴν Αβελ καὶ τὴν Βαιθμαχα καὶ ἐξέχεαν πρόσχωμα πρὸς τὴν πόλιν καὶ ἔστη ἐν τῷ προτειχίσματι καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ὁ μετὰ Ιωαβ ἐνοοῦσαν καταβαλεῖν τὸ τεῖχος

And they came and besieged him in Abel and Beth-maacah, and they poured out a siege-mound against the city, and it stood at the outer wall; and all the people who were with Joab were devising to throw down the wall.

The siege: Joab's army invests Abelκαὶ παρεγενήθησαν καὶ ἐπολιόρκουν
Joab's forces arrive and lay siege, throwing up a siege-mound (πρόσχωμα) against the wall and reaching the outer rampart (προτείχισμα), the whole army planning to batter down the wall (καταβαλεῖν τὸ τεῖχος). The imminent destruction of the city sets up the wise woman's intervention to avert it.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρεγενήθησανcame / arrivedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · παραγίνομαιmain verb (the besiegers arrive)→ constative aorist (deponent: 'they arrived')παραγίνομαι (aor. pass. dep. παρεγενήθησαν): 'come / arrive / be present'; renders בּוֹא; Joab's troops reach Abel and invest it.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπολιόρκουνwere besiegingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · πολιορκέωmain verb (the siege in progress)→ durative imperfect (ongoing siege)πολιορκέω: 'besiege / lay siege to'; from πόλις + εἴργω ('hem in a city'); renders צוּר; the imperfect depicts the siege as a sustained operation against Sheba in the city.
ἐπ᾿againstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction: 'against him')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: 'against'; ἐπ᾿ αὐτόν ('against him', Sheba), the target of the siege.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of ἐπ᾿ (Sheba)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐπ᾿ (Sheba).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with place-name as object of siege)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβελAbelaccusative object (articular indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΑβελ: the besieged town; the feminine article τήν treats the city-name as feminine (πόλις).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒαιθμαχαBeth-maacahaccusative object (articular indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒαιθμαχα: the second element of the town's name; together 'Abel of Beth-maacah', the city under siege.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξέχεανpoured out / threw upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκχέωmain verb (raising the siege-mound)→ constative aoristἐκχέω (aor. ἐξέχεαν): 'pour out / heap up'; renders שָׁפַךְ (used of casting up a siege-ramp, שָׁפַךְ סֹלְלָה); the same verb that described Amasa's spilled bowels (ἐξεχύθη, v. 10) — here the army 'pours out' an earthen siege-mound against the wall.
πρόσχωμαsiege-mound / rampartAccusativedirect object of ἐξέχεαν→ object specificationπρόσχωμα: 'mound / bank / siege-ramp' (from προσχώννυμι, 'heap up against'); renders סֹלְלָה; the earthwork ramp raised against a city wall to bring siege-engines and attackers up to the parapet.
πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative (direction: 'against the city')→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: 'against the city').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeobject of πρός (target of the mound)→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; renders עִיר; the besieged Abel, against whose wall the mound is heaped.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστηit stoodAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (the mound reaches the rampart)→ constative aorist (intransitive: 'stood / came to rest')ἵστημι (aor. ἔστη): 'stand'; intransitive; the subject is the πρόσχωμα ('siege-mound'), which 'stood [reached] at the outer wall' — the ramp comes up against the rampart, bringing the attackers to the parapet.
ἐνat / inpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; 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.
προτειχίσματιouter wall / rampartDativeobject of ἐν (location the mound reaches)→ sphere or referenceπροτείχισμα: 'outwork / forewall / rampart' (πρό, 'before' + τεῖχος, 'wall'); renders חֵל; the outer defensive wall or escarpment before the main wall; the siege-mound reaches up to it, threatening a breach.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ὁ λαός)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ὁ μετὰ Ιωαβ ('all the people who were with Joab') — the whole besieging army.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeople / armyNominativesubject of ἐνοοῦσαν→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people / host'; here the besieging army with Joab.
the oneNominativearticle (with the prepositional phrase μετὰ Ιωαβ)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
ΙωαβJoabobject of μετά (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of μετά (indeclinable proper noun).
ἐνοοῦσανwere devising / intendingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐννοέωmain verb (the army's intent)→ durative imperfect (ongoing deliberation)ἐννοέω (impf. 3 pl. ἐνοοῦσαν, with single-ν spelling in Rahlfs): 'have in mind / consider / devise'; the imperfect denotes the army's active intent; renders חָשַׁב; they were planning to bring down the wall — the destruction the wise woman forestalls.
καταβαλεῖνto throw downAor Act Inf · καταβάλλωcomplementary infinitive (object of ἐνοοῦσαν)→ verbal action or stateκαταβάλλω (aor. inf. καταβαλεῖν): 'throw down / demolish / cast down'; the compound κατα- ('down'); renders הִפִּיל / נָתַץ; the infinitive completes the verb of intention: they purposed to demolish the wall.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τεῖχοςwallAccusativedirect object of καταβαλεῖν→ object specificationτεῖχος: 'wall / city-wall'; renders חוֹמָה; the main defensive wall of Abel; its threatened demolition is what the wise woman, speaking from this very wall (v. 16), acts to prevent.
16

καὶ ἐβόησεν γυνὴ σοφὴ ἐκ τοῦ τείχους καὶ εἶπεν ἀκούσατε ἀκούσατε εἴπατε δὴ πρὸς Ιωαβ ἔγγισον ἕως ὧδε καὶ λαλήσω πρὸς αὐτόν

And a wise woman called out from the wall and said, 'Listen, listen! Say, please, to Joab: Come near here, and I will speak to you.'

Turning-point: the wise woman intervenesκαὶ ἐβόησεν γυνὴ σοφὴ
The decisive new agent appears: a γυνὴ σοφή ('wise woman') calls from the wall, one of the LXX's memorable female sages (cf. the wise woman of Tekoa, ch. 14). Her urgent doubled ἀκούσατε ('hear, hear!') and her summons for Joab to draw near initiate the negotiation that will save the city and end the revolt by wisdom rather than slaughter.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐβόησενcalled out / criedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βοάωmain verb (the woman calls from the wall)→ constative aoristβοάω (aor. ἐβόησεν): 'cry out / call aloud'; renders קָרָא; the same verb-root David used in the muster-command (βόησόν, v. 4); here the wise woman raises her voice above the siege to gain a hearing.
γυνὴwomanNominativesubject→ participant prominenceγυνή: 'woman'; renders אִשָּׁה; introduced anonymously but defined by her wisdom (σοφή); she becomes the chapter's deliverer.
σοφὴwiseNominativeattributive adjective (modifying γυνή)→ participant prominenceσοφός: 'wise / skilled'; renders חֲכָמָה; γυνὴ σοφή ('a wise woman') is a recognized type in the Samuel narratives (cf. the wise woman of Tekoa, 14:2); her wisdom is practical, diplomatic, and life-saving.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source of the voice)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source of the voice).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τείχουςwallGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (the wall she calls from)→ relational specificationτεῖχος (gen. τείχους): 'wall'; the same wall the army means to demolish (v. 15); the woman calls down from it, claiming the rampart as a platform for wisdom rather than war.
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 aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces the woman's words to the besiegers.
ἀκούσατεlisten!Aor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (urgent imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeἀκούω (aor. impv. ἀκούσατε): 'hear / listen'; renders שָׁמַע; the imperative summons attention; its emphatic doubling (ἀκούσατε ἀκούσατε) renders the Hebrew urgency and demands a hearing amid the siege.
ἀκούσατεlisten!Aor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (emphatic repetition)→ ingressive aorist imperative (emphatic doubling)ἀκούω: the repeated imperative is a Hebraizing intensification (cf. the doubled infinitives of v. 18), conveying the urgency of her appeal — 'Hear, O hear!'
εἴπατεsay / tellAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λέγωmain verb (imperative to the besiegers)→ ingressive aorist imperativeλέγω (aor. impv. εἴπατε): 'say / tell'; she instructs the soldiers to relay her request to Joab — a courteous protocol befitting parley, addressing the commander through his men.
δὴplease / nowemphatic/entreaty particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: enclitic particle of entreaty or emphasis, 'pray / please / now'; renders נָא; softens the imperative εἴπατε into a polite request, suiting the diplomatic register of the wise woman.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΙωαβJoabobject of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun).
ἔγγισονcome near / approachAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐγγίζωmain verb (the message to Joab: imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeἐγγίζω (aor. impv. ἔγγισον): 'come near / approach'; renders קָרַב / נָגַשׁ; the singular imperative is addressed to Joab himself — she asks him to draw near for a private parley.
ἕωςas far asimproper preposition (with ὧδε: 'up to here')→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'as far as / up to'; ἕως ὧδε ('as far as here / right up to this place') asks Joab to come within speaking distance of the wall.
ὧδεhereadverb of place (with ἕως)→ clausal contributionὧδε: 'here / to this place'; marks the spot by the wall where the woman wishes Joab to come for the conversation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing result/purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λαλήσωI will speakFut Act Indic 1 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (the woman's promise/purpose)→ predictive/volitive future ('that I may speak')λαλέω (fut. λαλήσω): 'speak / talk'; renders דָּבַר; the future expresses purpose ('so that I may speak to you'); the wise woman seeks a hearing in which her counsel will turn the siege aside.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτόνhimAccusativeobject of πρός (Joab)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of πρός (Joab).
17

καὶ προσήγγισεν πρὸς αὐτήν καὶ εἶπεν ἡ γυνή εἰ σὺ εἶ Ιωαβ ὁ δὲ εἶπεν ἐγώ εἶπεν δὲ αὐτῷ ἄκουσον τοὺς λόγους τῆς δούλης σου καὶ εἶπεν Ιωαβ ἀκούω ἐγώ εἰμι

And he came near to her, and the woman said, 'Are you Joab?' And he said, 'I am.' And she said to him, 'Hear the words of your servant.' And Joab said, 'I am listening.'

The parley begins: identification and assentκαὶ προσήγγισεν πρὸς αὐτήν
Joab approaches and the dialogue opens with a crisp exchange of identification (εἰ σὺ εἶ Ιωαβ … ἐγώ) and the woman's request for a hearing, to which Joab assents (ἀκούω). The terse, almost stichic alternation of speeches conveys the tense formality of a parley conducted across a besieged wall.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσήγγισενcame near / approachedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσεγγίζωmain verb (Joab approaches)→ constative aoristπροσεγγίζω (aor. προσήγγισεν): 'draw near to / approach'; the compound προσ- ('toward') intensifies ἐγγίζω (cf. her command ἔγγισον, v. 16); Joab complies and comes up to the wall to hear her.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
αὐτήνherAccusativeobject of πρός (the woman)→ participant referenceαὐτήν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of πρός (the woman).
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 aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces the woman's opening question.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυνήwomanNominativesubject→ participant prominenceγυνή: 'woman'; the wise woman of v. 16, now in direct dialogue with Joab.
εἰare...?interrogative particle (direct question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: here introducing a direct question ('Are you Joab?'), the Hebraizing interrogative use (cf. v. 9); she verifies the identity of her interlocutor before proceeding.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic 'you' — 'Are you [yourself] Joab?'
εἶarePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula of the question)→ stative presentεἰμί (2 sg. εἶ): 'you are'; the copula of the identifying question; her need to ask shows she addresses the commander sight-unseen across the wall.
ΙωαβJoabpredicate noun (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as predicate noun (indeclinable proper noun).
heNominativesubject (article used as pronoun: 'he')→ participant referenceὁ (δέ): the article with δέ functions as a pronoun, 'and he', a classical/LXX idiom marking change of speaker; here introducing Joab's reply.
δὲand / butnarrative particle (post-positive; marking change of speaker)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; with the preceding ὁ marks the shift to Joab as speaker.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Joab's reply)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces Joab's terse confirmation.
ἐγώI [am]Nominativesubject (elliptical: 'I [am he]')→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; the bare ἐγώ ('I [am]'), with the copula understood, is Joab's curt affirmation of identity — confirming he is the commander she seeks.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (the woman speaks again)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces the woman's request for a hearing.
δὲandnarrative particle (post-positive; change of speaker)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: marks the return to the woman as speaker.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of addressee (to Joab)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of addressee (to Joab).
ἄκουσονhearAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (the woman's request: imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeἀκούω (aor. impv. ἄκουσον): 'hear / listen'; the singular imperative addressed to Joab asks him to give ear to her words; the polite self-designation 'your servant' frames the request deferentially.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγουςwordsAccusativedirect object of ἄκουσον→ object specificationλόγος (acc. pl. λόγους): 'word / saying'; renders דָּבָר; 'the words of your servant' — the counsel she is about to give.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δούληςservant / handmaidGenitivegenitive of possession ('your servant's words')→ relational specificationδούλη (gen. δούλης): 'female servant / handmaid'; renders שִׁפְחָה / אָמָה; the self-deprecating courtly term by which a petitioner addresses a superior; the wise woman adopts the posture of humble servant to win Joab's ear (cf. the wise woman of Tekoa, 14:6–7).
σουyourGenitivegenitive (possessive: 'your servant')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (possessive: 'your servant').
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 assent)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces Joab's reply granting her a hearing.
ΙωαβJoabsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
ἀκούωI am listeningPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (Joab's assent)→ progressive present ('I am listening')ἀκούω (pres. 1 sg.): 'I hear / I am listening'; Joab's present-tense assent grants the parley; the curt reply matches the clipped rhythm of the exchange.
ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun, with εἰμι)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; ἐγώ εἰμι ('I, [it is] I') reinforces Joab's readiness to hear; the redundant pronoun is a Hebraizing emphasis.
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula with ἐγώ)→ stative presentεἰμί (1 sg. εἰμι): 'I am'; the closing ἐγώ εἰμι rounds off Joab's assent, echoing his earlier ἐγώ ('I am he') and confirming his attentive presence.
18

καὶ εἶπεν λέγουσα λόγον ἐλάλησαν ἐν πρώτοις λέγοντες ἠρωτημένος ἠρωτήθη ἐν τῇ Αβελ καὶ ἐν Δαν εἰ ἐξέλιπον ἃ ἔθεντο οἱ πιστοὶ τοῦ Ισραηλ ἐρωτῶντες ἐπερωτήσουσιν ἐν Αβελ καὶ οὕτως εἰ ἐξέλιπον

And she spoke, saying, 'They used surely to speak a word in former times, saying: One should certainly ask at Abel and at Dan whether what the faithful of Israel laid down has failed; by all means let them inquire at Abel — and so they would settle whether it had failed.'

The woman's argument: the proverbial wisdom of Abelκαὶ εἶπεν λέγουσα
The woman invokes a proverb: in former times disputes were settled by 'asking at Abel'; the city was a recognized seat of counsel and faithful tradition. The verse is dense with Hebraizing emphatic-infinitive constructions (ἠρωτημένος ἠρωτήθη, ἐρωτῶντες ἐπερωτήσουσιν) calquing the Hebrew infinitive absolute, and is textually difficult; the thrust is that Abel is a place of wise arbitration, not of rebellion to be destroyed.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 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 aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces the woman's argument.
λέγουσαsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Fem · λέγωparticiple (pleonastic with εἶπεν: 'said, saying')→ descriptive present participleλέγω (pres. ptcp. λέγουσα): the pleonastic εἶπεν … λέγουσα ('said, saying') is a Hebraism rendering the redundant וַתֹּאמֶר לֵאמֹר, standard LXX speech-framing.
λόγονa word / sayingAccusativedirect object of ἐλάλησαν→ object specificationλόγος (acc. λόγον): 'word / saying / proverb'; here the proverbial dictum about consulting Abel; λόγον ἐλάλησαν ('they spoke a word') introduces the quoted maxim.
ἐλάλησανthey used to speakAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαλέωmain verb (the former custom of speech)→ constative aorist (customary force in context)λαλέω (aor. ἐλάλησαν): 'speak'; here of what people customarily said 'in former times'; the aorist summarizes the past practice that established the proverb.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal: 'in former times')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal: 'in former times').
πρώτοιςformer times / the firstDativeobject of ἐν (temporal: 'at first / formerly')→ sphere or referenceπρῶτος (dat. pl. πρώτοις): 'first / former'; ἐν πρώτοις ('in former times / at the first') renders בָּרִאשֹׁנָה; locates the proverb in established tradition.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Pl Masc · λέγωparticiple (introducing the quoted proverb)→ descriptive present participleλέγω (pres. ptcp. λέγοντες): the participle introduces the content of the old saying — another Hebraizing speech-frame (לֵאמֹר).
ἠρωτημένοςasking / being askedPerf Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἐρωτάωparticiple (emphatic-infinitive calque with ἠρωτήθη)→ intensive perfect participle (Hebraizing emphatic construction)ἐρωτάω (perf. ptcp. ἠρωτημένος): 'ask / inquire'; the participle + cognate finite verb ἠρωτημένος ἠρωτήθη ('asking he was asked' = 'one would surely ask') calques the Hebrew infinitive absolute שָׁאֹל יְשָׁאֲלוּ, expressing emphatic certainty: people definitely used to seek counsel at Abel.
ἠρωτήθηwas asked / it was inquiredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐρωτάωmain verb (cognate with the participle)→ constative aorist passive (in emphatic-infinitive idiom)ἐρωτάω (aor. pass. ἠρωτήθη): the finite member of the emphatic construction ἠρωτημένος ἠρωτήθη; together they render the Hebrew infinitive-absolute intensification, 'inquiry was surely made (at Abel).'
ἐνat / inpreposition + dative (place of inquiry)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place of inquiry).
τῇtheDativearticle (with the place-name)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβελAbelobject of ἐν (articular indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΑβελ: the town's reputation as a place of counsel underlies the proverb; the article τῇ treats it as feminine (πόλις).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
ΔανDanobject of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΔαν: transliteration of Hebrew דָּן (Dan); indeclinable; the northernmost Israelite town, paired with Abel as a traditional seat of counsel; the LXX adds 'and at Dan' (reflecting a Hebrew variant), pairing the two northern centers of arbitration.
εἰwhetherconjunction (indirect question: 'whether')→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'whether / if'; introduces the indirect question that was the object of the consultation — whether the ancestral ordinances had lapsed.
ἐξέλιπονhave failed / ceasedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκλείπωverb of indirect question→ constative aoristἐκλείπω (aor. ἐξέλιπον): 'fail / cease / come to an end'; renders תַּמּוּ / חָדַל; the question is whether the established customs/ordinances of the faithful have lapsed — i.e. whether ancient tradition is still in force.
what / the things whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἔθεντο)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. pl. n. ἅ): relative pronoun, 'the things which'; refers to the ordinances/customs established by Israel's faithful.
ἔθεντοlaid down / establishedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · τίθημιverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (middle)τίθημι (aor. mid. ἔθεντο): 'put / set / establish'; the middle 'they laid down (for themselves)'; renders שָׂמוּ / שָׁתוּ; the faithful of Israel 'established' the ordinances or counsels that Abel was famed for preserving.
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantivizing πιστοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πιστοὶfaithful onesNominativesubject of ἔθεντο (substantive: 'the faithful')→ participant prominenceπιστός: 'faithful / trustworthy'; substantivized οἱ πιστοί ('the faithful [ones]'); renders אֱמוּנֵי ('the faithful of Israel'); anticipates the woman's self-description as one of the πιστοί/εἰρηνικά of Israel (v. 19).
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with Ισραηλ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitival (indeclinable; 'the faithful of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival (indeclinable; 'the faithful of Israel').
ἐρωτῶντεςasking / by all means askingPres Act Ptcp Nom Pl Masc · ἐρωτάωparticiple (second emphatic-infinitive calque with ἐπερωτήσουσιν)→ intensive present participle (Hebraizing emphatic construction)ἐρωτάω (pres. ptcp. ἐρωτῶντες): the participle + cognate finite verb ἐρωτῶντες ἐπερωτήσουσιν ('asking they will ask' = 'they will surely inquire') again calques the Hebrew infinitive absolute, reinforcing that Abel is the proper place to settle the matter.
ἐπερωτήσουσινthey will inquireFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπερωτάωmain verb (cognate with ἐρωτῶντες)→ predictive/gnomic future (in emphatic-infinitive idiom)ἐπερωτάω (fut. ἐπερωτήσουσιν): 'inquire / consult'; the compound ἐπι- intensifies; the finite member of the second emphatic construction — 'they will surely consult at Abel', i.e. Abel's verdict settles disputes.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (place of inquiry)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place of inquiry).
ΑβελAbelobject of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΑβελ: the city named a third time in the verse, hammering home its renown as the place of authoritative counsel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὕτωςso / thusadverb of manner→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / in this way'; 'and so [they would settle the matter]'; renders כֵּן; sums up the proverb's procedure — consultation at Abel brings resolution.
εἰwhetherconjunction (indirect question, resumptive)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'whether'; resumes the indirect question of the proverb — whether [the ordinances] had lapsed; the repetition closes the saying with the same query it opened.
ἐξέλιπονthey had failedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκλείπωverb of indirect question (resumptive)→ constative aoristἐκλείπω (aor. ἐξέλιπον): the repeated verb closes the proverb as it began — the matter resolved by inquiry at Abel was 'whether they had failed'; the woman's point: Abel is a place of settled wisdom, not a nest of rebels to be razed.
19

ἐγώ εἰμι εἰρηνικὰ τῶν στηριγμάτων Ισραηλ σὺ δὲ ζητεῖς θανατῶσαι πόλιν καὶ μητρόπολιν ἐν Ισραηλ ἵνα τί καταποντίζεις κληρονομίαν κυρίου

I am of the peaceable, of the supports of Israel; but you seek to put to death a city, even a mother-city in Israel. Why do you swallow up the LORD's inheritance?

The appeal's climax: a mother-city, the LORD's inheritanceἐγώ εἰμι εἰρηνικὰ
The woman moves from proverb to plea: she represents the peaceable, faithful pillars of Israel, while Joab seeks to destroy a 'mother-city' (μητρόπολις) in Israel. The rhetorical question ἵνα τί καταποντίζεις κληρονομίαν κυρίου ('why will you swallow up the LORD's inheritance?') reframes the siege as sacrilege against YHWH's own heritage, pressing Joab toward restraint.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; the woman speaks representatively for her city, identifying herself with its peaceable, loyal character.
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula)→ stative presentεἰμί (1 sg. εἰμι): 'I am'; the copula links the speaker to the peaceable supports of Israel.
εἰρηνικὰpeaceable things / the peaceableNominativepredicate (neuter plural: 'peaceable [ones/things]')→ participant prominenceεἰρηνικός: 'peaceable / peaceful'; the neuter plural εἰρηνικά (an abstract/collective for 'the peaceable element') renders שְׁלֻמֵי ('the peaceable of Israel'); the woman aligns herself and her city with those who seek peace, not revolt.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (partitive genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στηριγμάτωνsupports / pillarsGenitivepartitive genitive ('of the supports of Israel')→ relational specificationστήριγμα (gen. pl. στηριγμάτων): 'support / stay / pillar'; from στηρίζω ('make firm'); renders אֱמוּנֵי understood as 'firm/faithful ones'; the wise woman claims her city is among the stabilizing pillars of the nation — destroying it would weaken Israel itself.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitival (indeclinable; 'supports of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival (indeclinable; 'supports of Israel').
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun, contrastive)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic 'you'; the contrast σὺ δέ ('but you') sharply opposes Joab's destructive aim to the city's peaceable character.
δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive adversative; marks the antithesis between the peaceable woman/city and the warring Joab.
ζητεῖςyou seekPres Act Indic 2 Sg · ζητέωmain verb (Joab's intent)→ conative/progressive present ('you are seeking')ζητέω: 'seek / strive after'; renders בִּקֵּשׁ; the present accuses Joab of an ongoing aim — to destroy the city; the verb frames his siege as deliberate intent against Israel's own.
θανατῶσαιto put to deathAor Act Inf · θανατόωcomplementary infinitive (object of ζητεῖς)→ verbal action or stateθανατόω (aor. inf. θανατῶσαι): 'put to death / kill'; renders הֵמִית; strikingly applied here to a city (πόλιν) personified as a living thing to be slain — heightening the pathos of the appeal.
πόλινa cityAccusativedirect object of θανατῶσαι→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; personified as a person who can be 'put to death'; the bold image presses the moral weight of destroying a populated Israelite town.
καὶeven / andcoordinate conjunction (epexegetic: 'even')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here epexegetic ('even / indeed'), intensifying — not just a city but a mother-city.
μητρόπολινmother-cityAccusativeaccusative in apposition to πόλιν→ object specificationμητρόπολις: 'mother-city / chief city' (μήτηρ + πόλις); renders the Hebrew idiom עִיר וְאֵם ('a city and a mother in Israel'); the term casts Abel as a maternal center whose destruction would orphan its dependent communities — a poignant escalation of the plea.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
ΙσραηλIsraelobject of ἐν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: 'a mother-city in Israel' — the destruction would be an injury inflicted by Israel upon Israel, the very fratricide the woman implicitly condemns.
ἵναwhyinterrogative (with τί: 'why? to what end?')→ clausal contributionἵνα (with τί): the phrase ἵνα τί ('for what purpose? why?') renders לָמָּה; introduces the indignant rhetorical question that is the appeal's climax.
τίwhat / whyinterrogative pronoun (with ἵνα: 'why')→ participant referenceτίς (n. τί): interrogative 'what / why'; with ἵνα forms the idiom 'why / to what end?', demanding Joab justify the sacrilege.
καταποντίζειςdo you swallow up / drownPres Act Indic 2 Sg · καταποντίζωmain verb of the rhetorical question→ conative present ('are you bent on swallowing up')καταποντίζω: 'sink / drown / engulf in the sea'; renders בִּלַּע ('swallow up / engulf'); the vivid metaphor casts the destruction of the city as drowning/engulfing YHWH's inheritance — the same verb recurs in Joab's denial in v. 20 (καταποντιῶ).
κληρονομίανinheritanceAccusativedirect object of καταποντίζεις→ object specificationκληρονομία: 'inheritance / heritage'; renders נַחֲלָה; the same word from the secession-slogan (v. 1, 'no inheritance in the son of Jesse'), now reclaimed: the city is κληρονομία κυρίου — YHWH's own heritage, which Joab must not destroy.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession ('the LORD's inheritance')→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): here the divine Name — κληρονομία κυρίου ('the inheritance of the LORD', יהוה) — designates Israel and its cities as YHWH's own possession (cf. Deut 32:9); the appeal reframes the siege as a violation of what belongs to God, the decisive theological lever of the woman's plea.
20

καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Ιωαβ καὶ εἶπεν ἵλεώς μοι ἵλεώς μοι εἰ καταποντιῶ καὶ εἰ διαφθερῶ

And Joab answered and said, 'Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or that I should destroy!'

Joab's disclaimer: no wish to destroy the cityκαὶ ἀπεκρίθη Ιωαβ
Joab responds with the emphatic oath-formula ἵλεώς μοι ('far be it from me!'), doubled for force, disavowing any intent to engulf or ruin the city. The reply, picking up the woman's own verb καταποντίζω, signals that her appeal has landed: Joab wants only the rebel, not the city's destruction — opening the way to the resolution in v. 21.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (Joab's response)→ constative aorist (deponent: 'answered')ἀποκρίνομαι (aor. pass. dep. ἀπεκρίθη): 'answer / reply'; renders עָנָה; the pleonastic ἀπεκρίθη … καὶ εἶπεν ('answered and said') is a Hebraism (וַיַּעַן … וַיֹּאמֶר), standard LXX dialogue-framing.
ΙωαβJoabsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
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 aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): the second verb of the 'answered and said' frame, introducing Joab's oath-disclaimer.
ἵλεώςfar be it / God forbidNominativepredicate adjective (oath-formula: 'gracious / propitious [be it]')→ participant prominenceἵλεως: 'propitious / gracious / merciful'; the elliptical oath-formula ἵλεώς μοι ('[may God be] gracious/propitious to me [that I not do this]') renders the Hebrew חָלִילָה לִּי ('far be it from me!'); a strong asseveration of innocent intent.
μοιto meDativedative (with the oath-formula: 'to me')→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative (with the oath-formula: 'to me').
ἵλεώςfar be it / God forbidNominativepredicate adjective (emphatic repetition)→ participant prominenceἵλεως: the doubled ἵλεώς μοι ἵλεώς μοι intensifies the disclaimer — a vehement repudiation, 'far, far be it from me!'
μοιto meDativedative (emphatic repetition)→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative (emphatic repetition).
εἰthat [not] / ifparticle (in oath: introducing the repudiated act)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: in oath-formulae εἰ has the force of an emphatic negation ('[may it not be] that I...'); a Hebraism rendering אִם in oaths (אִם...= 'surely not'); 'far be it that I should swallow up.'
καταποντιῶI should swallow up / engulfFut Act Indic 1 Sg · καταποντίζωverb of oath-clause (the repudiated action)→ future (within oath: emphatically denied)καταποντίζω (fut. καταποντιῶ): 'engulf / swallow up / drown'; deliberately echoes the woman's accusation in v. 19 (καταποντίζεις); Joab takes up her very word to deny her charge — he has no wish to engulf the LORD's inheritance.
καὶand / orcoordinate conjunction (linking the two denied verbs)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰthat [not] / ifparticle (oath: introducing the second repudiated act)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: the second oath-particle, again negating: 'far be it that I should destroy.'
διαφθερῶI should destroy / ruinFut Act Indic 1 Sg · διαφθείρωverb of oath-clause (second repudiated action)→ future (within oath: emphatically denied)διαφθείρω (fut. διαφθερῶ): 'destroy utterly / ruin / corrupt'; the compound δια- intensifies; renders שָׁחַת / הִשְׁחִית; paired with καταποντιῶ, Joab denies any intent either to engulf or to wreck the city — he seeks only the rebel Sheba (v. 21).
21

οὐχ οὗτος ὁ λόγος ὅτι ἀνὴρ ἐξ ὄρους Εφραιμ Σαβεε υἱὸς Βοχορι ὄνομα αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπῆρεν τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸν βασιλέα Δαυιδ δότε αὐτόν μοι μόνον καὶ ἀπελεύσομαι ἀπάνωθεν τῆς πόλεως καὶ εἶπεν ἡ γυνὴ πρὸς Ιωαβ ἰδοὺ ἡ κεφαλὴ αὐτοῦ ῥιφήσεται πρὸς σὲ διὰ τοῦ τείχους

The matter is not so; but a man from the hill country of Ephraim, Sheba son of Bichri is his name, has lifted up his hand against king David. Give him alone to me, and I will depart from the city.' And the woman said to Joab, 'Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.'

The terms of settlement: one rebel for the cityοὐχ οὗτος ὁ λόγος
Joab states his actual terms: the issue is not the city but one man — Sheba of the Ephraimite hill country — who has 'lifted his hand against king David.' Hand him over, and the siege lifts. The wise woman closes the negotiation with brisk decisiveness (ἰδού … ῥιφήσεται), pledging that Sheba's head will be thrown over the wall — wisdom secures by a single death what a siege threatened on the whole city.
Word-by-word analysis· 48 words
οὐχnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐχ: 'not'; οὐχ οὗτος ὁ λόγος ('the matter is not so / that is not the case') corrects the woman's framing: the siege is not aimed at the city as such.
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative (predicate: 'the matter [is] not this')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the phrase οὐχ οὗτος ὁ λόγος is an idiom, 'the case is not so / that is not the issue', distinguishing Joab's real aim from destroying the city.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγοςmatter / wordNominativesubject (of the verbless clause)→ participant prominenceλόγος: 'word / matter / case'; renders דָּבָר; here 'the matter / the issue' — Joab clarifies what is really at stake.
ὅτιbut / for / thatconjunction (adversative-causal: 'but rather')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that / because / but'; here introducing the true state of affairs in contrast to the disclaimed one — 'rather, [the matter is] that a man...'
ἀνὴρa manNominativesubject (the rebel in question)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; introduces Sheba as a single individual — the lone target of the siege, set over against the whole city the woman feared for.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (origin)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (origin).
ὄρουςhill country / mountainGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ (place of origin)→ relational specificationὄρος (gen. ὄρους): 'mountain / hill country'; ἐξ ὄρους Εφραιμ ('from the hill country of Ephraim') renders מֵהַר אֶפְרָיִם; locates Sheba's origin (Benjamin bordered Ephraim's highlands) — though a Benjaminite (v. 1), his base is the Ephraimite hills.
ΕφραιμEphraimgenitival (indeclinable; 'hill country of Ephraim')→ participant identificationΕφραιμ: transliteration of Hebrew אֶפְרַיִם (Ephraim); indeclinable; the central hill-country tribe; here defining Sheba's regional base.
ΣαβεεShebanominative in apposition (the man's name)→ participant identificationΣαβεε: the rebel named again at the decisive moment — the single life whose surrender will save the city.
υἱὸςsonNominativenominative in apposition (patronymic)→ participant prominenceυἱὸς: meaning 'son'; it serves as nominative in apposition (patronymic).
ΒοχοριBichrigenitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΒοχορι: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun).
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject (naming-formula: 'his name [is]')→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the verbless ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ('his name [is]') is the naming-Hebraism (cf. v. 1), pinpointing the wanted man precisely.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with ὄνομα)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with ὄνομα).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπῆρενlifted up / raisedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπαίρωmain verb (Sheba's act of rebellion)→ constative aoristἐπαίρω (aor. ἐπῆρεν): 'lift up / raise'; the idiom ἐπῆρεν τὴν χεῖρα … ἐπὶ τὸν βασιλέα ('raised his hand against the king') renders נָשָׂא יָד בְּ, a Hebraism for armed revolt/rebellion (cf. 1 Kgdms 24:7; 3 Kgdms 11:26–27); names Sheba's crime: treason against David.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραhandAccusativedirect object of ἐπῆρεν→ object specificationχείρ (acc. χεῖρα): 'hand'; in the idiom 'lift the hand against' = rebel/attack; renders יָד.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: 'against'; 'against king David' — the object of Sheba's treasonous gesture.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeobject of ἐπί (David by title)→ object specificationβασιλεύς (acc. βασιλέα): 'king'; the title underscores that Sheba's offense is not a private quarrel but rebellion against the LORD's anointed sovereign.
ΔαυιδDavidappositive to βασιλέα (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as appositive to βασιλέα (indeclinable proper noun).
δότεgiveAor Act Impv 2 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb (Joab's demand: imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeδίδωμι (aor. impv. 2 pl. δότε): 'give / hand over'; renders תְּנוּ; the plural addresses the city's people: surrender the one man Sheba, and the siege is over.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of δότε→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of δότε.
μοιto meDativedative (indirect object: 'to me')→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative (indirect object: 'to me').
μόνονalone / onlyAccusativeadjective/adverb (modifying αὐτόν: 'him alone')→ object specificationμόνος (acc. μόνον): 'alone / only'; 'give him alone' — the single rebel, no one else; the word crystallizes the bargain: one life for the whole city.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (result of compliance)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπελεύσομαιI will depart / withdrawFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (Joab's promise)→ predictive future (conditional pledge)ἀπέρχομαι (fut. mid. ἀπελεύσομαι): 'go away / depart / withdraw'; the future pledges the lifting of the siege upon Sheba's surrender — the offer that the woman accepts.
ἀπάνωθενfrom / away fromimproper preposition + genitive (separation: 'away from')→ spatial or relational framingἀπάνωθεν: 'from above / away from'; a doubly-compounded form (ἀπό + ἄνωθεν); 'I will withdraw from the city', i.e. raise the siege and leave.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive object of ἀπάνωθεν→ relational specificationπόλις (gen. πόλεως): 'city'; the besieged Abel, from which Joab promises to withdraw.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (the woman's reply)→ 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 aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces the woman's decisive reply, accepting the terms.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυνὴwomanNominativesubject→ participant prominenceγυνή: 'woman'; the wise woman, now closing the deal with brisk authority.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΙωαβJoabobject of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun).
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (presentative particle)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / see'; renders הִנֵּה; the presentative particle introduces her confident pledge, as if the deed were as good as done.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴheadNominativesubject of ῥιφήσεται→ participant prominenceκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; Sheba's severed head — the agreed token of his surrender, to be cast over the wall to Joab.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Sheba's head)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Sheba's head).
ῥιφήσεταιshall be thrownFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ῥίπτωmain verb (the woman's pledge)→ predictive future passiveῥίπτω (fut. pass. ῥιφήσεται): 'throw / cast / hurl'; renders הִשְׁלִיךְ / מֻשְׁלָךְ; the future passive promises the action as certain — the head will be thrown over the wall; her quiet authority guarantees the city's deliverance.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
σὲyouAccusativeobject of πρός (Joab)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σέ): 'you'; the head will be cast 'to you' (Joab), delivering the rebel personally to the commander.
διὰover / throughpreposition + genitive (path: 'over the wall')→ spatial or relational framingδιά + genitive: 'through / over'; διὰ τοῦ τείχους ('over/through the wall') describes the head being flung across the very wall the army meant to demolish — wisdom, not siege-works, breaches the impasse.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τείχουςwallGenitivegenitive object of διά→ relational specificationτεῖχος (gen. τείχους): 'wall'; the city-wall, from which the head will be thrown — the same wall from which the woman first called (v. 16) and which the army intended to demolish (v. 15).
22

καὶ εἰσῆλθεν ἡ γυνὴ πρὸς πάντα τὸν λαὸν καὶ ἐλάλησεν πρὸς πᾶσαν τὴν πόλιν ἐν τῇ σοφίᾳ αὐτῆς καὶ ἀφεῖλεν τὴν κεφαλὴν Σαβεε υἱοῦ Βοχορι καὶ ἔβαλεν πρὸς Ιωαβ καὶ ἐσάλπισεν ἐν κερατίνῃ καὶ διεσπάρησαν ἀπὸ τῆς πόλεως ἀνὴρ εἰς τὰ σκηνώματα αὐτοῦ καὶ Ιωαβ ἀπέστρεψεν εἰς Ιερουσαλημ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα

And the woman went in to all the people, and spoke to the whole city in her wisdom; and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bichri and threw it to Joab. And he blew the ram's-horn, and they were scattered from the city, every man to his tents; and Joab returned to Jerusalem, to the king.

Resolution: the city saved, the revolt endedκαὶ εἰσῆλθεν ἡ γυνὴ
The wise woman's διπλωματία succeeds: she persuades the whole city ἐν τῇ σοφίᾳ αὐτῆς ('by her wisdom'), Sheba is beheaded and his head thrown to Joab, and the trumpet (κερατίνη) — the very instrument that began the revolt (v. 1) — now sounds its end. The dispersal-formula ἀνὴρ εἰς τὰ σκηνώματα αὐτοῦ deliberately echoes Sheba's rallying-cry of v. 1, framing the whole rebellion; Joab returns to the king, his command restored.
Word-by-word analysis· 51 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθενwent inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (the woman addresses the city)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι (aor. εἰσῆλθεν): 'go in / enter'; the woman goes in among the people to win their assent to the plan.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυνὴwomanNominativesubject→ participant prominenceγυνή: 'woman'; the wise woman, now persuading her fellow-citizens to execute Sheba.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying τὸν λαόν)→ object specificationπᾶς (acc. sg. masc. πάντα): 'all'; 'all the people' — the whole populace she must convince.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; here the inhabitants of Abel, whom the woman addresses.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (the woman's persuasion)→ constative aoristλαλέω (aor. ἐλάλησεν): 'speak'; she addresses the whole city, deploying her wisdom to gain consent for Sheba's execution.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
πᾶσανall / the wholeAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying τὴν πόλιν)→ object specificationπᾶς (acc. sg. fem. πᾶσαν): 'all / whole'; 'the whole city' — by metonymy its entire population.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeobject of πρός (metonymy for its people)→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; here by metonymy the citizenry she persuades.
ἐνin / bypreposition + dative (instrumental/manner)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental/manner).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σοφίᾳwisdomDativedative of manner/means ('in/by her wisdom')→ sphere or referenceσοφία: 'wisdom / skill'; renders חָכְמָה; the abstract noun naming the very quality (cf. σοφή, v. 16) by which she saves the city — the narrative's verdict on her as the embodiment of wise counsel over against the violence of war.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀφεῖλενcut off / removedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀφαιρέωmain verb (the beheading)→ constative aorist (collective subject: the people)ἀφαιρέω (aor. ἀφεῖλεν): 'take away / remove / cut off'; renders כָּרַת / הֵסִיר; the singular verb has a collective subject (the citizens, or the city), 'they cut off' Sheba's head; the deed is dispatched without ceremony.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativedirect object of ἀφεῖλεν→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; Sheba's head, severed as the woman pledged (v. 21).
ΣαβεεShebagenitival (indeclinable; 'head of Sheba')→ participant identificationΣαβεε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival (indeclinable; 'head of Sheba').
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition (patronymic)→ relational specificationυἱοῦ: meaning 'son'; it serves as genitive in apposition (patronymic).
ΒοχοριBichrigenitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΒοχορι: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔβαλενthrew / castAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βάλλωmain verb (the head is thrown)→ constative aoristβάλλω (aor. ἔβαλεν): 'throw / cast'; renders הִשְׁלִיךְ; the head is flung over the wall to Joab, fulfilling ῥιφήσεται of v. 21 and ending the siege.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΙωαβJoabobject of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun).
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 end)→ constative aoristσαλπίζω (aor. ἐσάλπισεν): 'sound the trumpet'; renders תָּקַע; Joab's trumpet-blast now signals the dispersal of the army — deliberately mirroring Sheba's trumpet that opened the revolt (v. 1), framing the rebellion with the same instrument.
ἐνwith / onpreposition + dative (instrumental)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental).
κερατίνῃram's-horn / trumpetDativedative of instrument→ sphere or referenceκερατίνη: 'ram's-horn / shofar'; the same instrument Sheba blew to start the revolt (v. 1, ἐν τῇ κερατίνῃ); its second sounding here, to disband the army, closes the inclusio of the rebellion.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διεσπάρησανwere scattered / dispersedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · διασπείρωmain verb (the army disbands)→ constative aorist passiveδιασπείρω (aor. pass. διεσπάρησαν): 'scatter / disperse'; renders נָפַץ / פּוּץ; the besieging army breaks up and goes home, the siege over and the rebellion ended.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationπόλις (gen. πόλεως): 'city'; the now-delivered Abel, from which the army disperses.
ἀνὴρevery manNominativesubject (distributive: 'each man')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: distributive 'each man'; the dispersal-formula ἀνὴρ εἰς τὰ σκηνώματα αὐτοῦ ('every man to his tents') pointedly echoes Sheba's rallying-cry of v. 1 (ἀνὴρ εἰς τὰ σκηνώματά σου Ισραηλ) — the revolt ends with the very phrase that began it.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνώματαtents / dwellingsAccusativeobject of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationσκήνωμα: 'tent / dwelling'; renders אֹהֶל; 'every man to his tents' — the troops disband peacefully, the inverse of the secession that scattered them from David in v. 1.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωαβJoabsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
ἀπέστρεψενreturnedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστρέφωmain verb (Joab's return)→ constative aorist (intransitive: 'turned back')ἀποστρέφω (aor. ἀπέστρεψεν): 'turn back / return'; here intransitive, 'returned'; Joab goes back to Jerusalem and the king — his command over the army now uncontested, the rival Amasa dead and the revolt crushed.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemobject of εἰς (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of εἰς (indeclinable proper noun).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; 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.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeobject of πρός (David by title)→ object specificationβασιλεύς (acc. βασιλέα): 'king'; David, to whom Joab returns — the verse ends with royal authority restored and the commander back at the king's side, setting up the official roster that follows.
23

καὶ Ιωαβ πρὸς πάσῃ τῇ δυνάμει Ισραηλ καὶ Βαναιας υἱὸς Ιωδαε ἐπὶ τοῦ Χερεθθι καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ Φελεθθι

And Joab was over all the army of Israel, and Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites.

Administrative roster begins (cabinet list)καὶ Ιωαβ πρὸς πάσῃ τῇ δυνάμει
The chapter closes with an administrative list of David's chief officers, a near-doublet of 8:16–18. It opens by confirming what the narrative has shown: Joab is over all the army (the rival Amasa eliminated). Benaiah commands the foreign bodyguard. The list signals the restoration of ordered government after the twin revolts of Absalom and Sheba.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (list-opening)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωαβJoabsubject (verbless clause: 'Joab [was] over...')→ participant identificationΙωαβ: heads the roster; the verbless clause (with implied 'was') confirms his restored, undisputed command over the army — the very position the appointment of Amasa had threatened.
πρὸςoverpreposition + dative (here: 'over / in charge of')→ spatial or relational framingπρός + dative: 'at / over'; an unusual construction for 'in charge of', perhaps rendering עַל ('over'); the parallel ἐπί + genitive in the same verse (ἐπὶ τοῦ Χερεθθι) is the more usual idiom for official oversight.
πάσῃallDativeattributive adjective (modifying τῇ δυνάμει)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς (dat. sg. fem. πάσῃ): 'all'; 'all the army of Israel' — the entirety of the national militia under Joab's command.
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δυνάμειarmy / hostDativeobject of πρός ('over the army')→ sphere or referenceδύναμις (dat. δυνάμει): 'power / force / army'; renders צָבָא ('host / army'); here the national levy of Israel, over which Joab is commander-in-chief.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitival (indeclinable; 'army of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival (indeclinable; 'army of Israel').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΒαναιαςBenaiahNominativesubject (declined proper noun)→ participant prominenceΒαναιας: Hellenized form of Hebrew בְּנָיָהוּ (Benaiah); here declined as a first-declension masculine (nom. -ας), unlike the chapter's many indeclinable names; commander of David's foreign bodyguard and later of Solomon's army (3 Kgdms 2:35).
υἱὸςsonNominativenominative in apposition (patronymic)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; in the patronymic 'Benaiah son of Jehoiada.'
ΙωδαεJehoiadagenitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωδαε: transliteration of Hebrew יְהוֹיָדָע (Jehoiada); indeclinable; Benaiah's father.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + genitive (official oversight: 'in charge of')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + genitive: 'over / in charge of'; the standard idiom for administrative oversight (rendering עַל); recurs through the roster (ἐπὶ τοῦ φόρου, v. 24).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧερεθθιCherethitesgenitival (indeclinable; collective gentilic under Benaiah)→ participant identificationΧερεθθι: the Cherethites (see v. 7); the royal bodyguard corps under Benaiah's command.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + genitive (official oversight)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (official oversight).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΦελεθθιPelethitesgenitival (indeclinable; collective gentilic under Benaiah)→ participant identificationΦελεθθι: the Pelethites (see v. 7); the second bodyguard corps, paired with the Cherethites under Benaiah.
24

καὶ Αδωνιραμ ἐπὶ τοῦ φόρου καὶ Ιωσαφατ υἱὸς Αχιλουθ ἀναμιμνῄσκων

And Adoniram was over the forced labor, and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder.

Roster continues (labor-master and recorder)καὶ Αδωνιραμ ἐπὶ τοῦ φόρου
The list continues with two civil offices: Adoniram over the corvée (forced labor/tribute) and Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud as recorder (ἀναμιμνῄσκων, 'the remembrancer'). The mention of a labor-master signals the administrative apparatus of a settled kingdom; the same Adoniram/Adoram will be stoned at the schism (3 Kgdms 12:18).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list-continuation)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑδωνιραμAdoniramsubject (verbless clause; indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑδωνιραμ: transliteration of Hebrew אֲדֹנִירָם (Adoniram, also Adoram); indeclinable; the official over the forced labor/corvée; later stoned to death by rebellious Israel at the schism (3 Kgdms 12:18), a grim foreshadowing already latent in the labor-burden he administers.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + genitive (official oversight)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + genitive: 'over / in charge of'; the recurring administrative idiom.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φόρουforced labor / tributeGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (Adoniram's portfolio)→ relational specificationφόρος: 'tribute / tax / forced labor'; renders מַס ('corvée / levy of forced labor'); Adoniram oversees the conscripted labor-gangs — an office whose burden will later spark the northern revolt (3 Kgdms 12:4, 18).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωσαφατJehoshaphatsubject (verbless clause; indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωσαφατ: transliteration of Hebrew יְהוֹשָׁפָט (Jehoshaphat); indeclinable; not the later king of Judah but David's recorder/chancellor (also listed at 8:16).
υἱὸςsonNominativenominative in apposition (patronymic)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; in the patronymic 'Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud.'
ΑχιλουθAhiludgenitival patronymic (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑχιλουθ: transliteration of Hebrew אֲחִילוּד (Ahilud); indeclinable; Jehoshaphat's father.
ἀναμιμνῄσκωνrecorder / remembrancerPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἀναμιμνῄσκωsubstantive participle (title: 'the one recording')→ descriptive present participle (titular function)ἀναμιμνῄσκω (pres. ptcp. ἀναμιμνῄσκων): 'remind / call to mind / record'; the substantival participle renders the Hebrew title מַזְכִּיר ('the recorder / remembrancer / chancellor'), a high court official who kept the royal records and annals — here Jehoshaphat's office.
25

καὶ Σουσα γραμματεύς καὶ Σαδωκ καὶ Αβιαθαρ ἱερεῖς

And Susa was scribe, and Zadok and Abiathar were priests.

Roster continues (scribe and priests)καὶ Σουσα γραμματεύς
The list names the secretary of state (Susa, the γραμματεύς/scribe) and the two chief priests, Zadok and Abiathar — the dual high-priesthood that characterizes David's reign before Abiathar's deposition under Solomon (3 Kgdms 2:26–27). The pairing of civil and cultic officials rounds out the picture of a fully ordered administration.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list-continuation)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣουσαSusa / Shevasubject (verbless clause; indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣουσα: transliteration of a Hebrew name (שְׁוָא / Sheva, also Seraiah at 8:17); indeclinable; David's secretary of state; the variant forms across the lists reflect textual fluidity in the name.
γραμματεύςscribe / secretaryNominativepredicate noun (title: 'was scribe')→ participant prominenceγραμματεύς: 'scribe / secretary'; renders סֹפֵר ('secretary of state / scribe'); a senior administrative official handling royal correspondence and documents — distinct from the later sense of Torah-scholar.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαδωκZadoksubject (verbless clause; indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΣαδωκ: transliteration of Hebrew צָדוֹק (Zadok); indeclinable; the priest of the Aaronide/Zadokite line whose descendants will hold the high-priesthood through the monarchy and beyond (cf. Ezek 44:15).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑβιαθαρAbiatharsubject (verbless clause; indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑβιαθαρ: transliteration of Hebrew אֶבְיָתָר (Abiathar); indeclinable; the surviving priest of the house of Eli who joined David in his outlaw days (1 Kgdms 22:20–23); later deposed by Solomon for supporting Adonijah (3 Kgdms 2:26–27), fulfilling the doom on Eli's house.
ἱερεῖςpriestsNominativepredicate noun (title: 'were priests')→ participant prominenceἱερεύς (nom. pl. ἱερεῖς): 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the plural covers both Zadok and Abiathar, the dual chief-priesthood of David's reign — a shared office that Solomon will later reduce to one.
26

καί γε Ιρας ὁ Ιαριν ἦν ἱερεὺς τοῦ Δαυιδ

And moreover Ira the Jairite was a priest to David.

Roster closes (Ira the Jairite, David's priest)καί γε Ιρας
The roster — and the chapter — closes with one more figure: Ira the Jairite, who 'was priest to David', perhaps a personal chaplain or royal officer. The opening καί γε ('and moreover') is the very particle that gives the καίγε recension its name, a fitting last note in a chapter so marked by that revisional style; the orderly list seals the restoration of David's rule after the revolts.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
καίandcoordinate conjunction (with γε: 'and moreover')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: 'and'; with the following γε forms the emphatic καί γε ('and indeed / moreover'), the signature rendering of Hebrew וְגַם that names the καίγε recension — a fitting hallmark in this section's closing verse.
γεindeed / moreoveremphatic particle (post-positive, with καί)→ discourse linkage or contrastγε: enclitic emphatic particle; καί γε renders Hebrew וְגַם ('and also / moreover'); the stereotyped use of καί γε for גַם is the defining feature of the καίγε recension to which this part of 2 Kingdoms belongs.
ΙραςIraNominativesubject (declined proper noun)→ participant prominenceΙρας: Hellenized form of Hebrew עִירָא (Ira); here declined as a first-declension masculine (nom. -ας); a personal priest or chief minister of David, also among the mighty men (cf. 23:38).
theNominativearticle (with the gentilic Ιαριν)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙαρινJairite / of Jairgentilic (indeclinable; 'the Jairite')→ participant identificationΙαριν: transliteration of Hebrew הַיָּאִרִי ('the Jairite', from Jair); indeclinable; the gentilic identifying Ira's clan or town of origin (the Jair of Gilead, or Jattir in Judah).
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copula; the one explicit verb in the roster)→ durative imperfect (settled status)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'was'; the imperfect copula — the only finite verb in the otherwise verbless roster — states Ira's standing office as David's priest, closing the list (and the chapter) on a note of settled order.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativepredicate noun (title)→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; Ira's title 'priest to David' may denote a personal chaplain or a royal officer/minister in David's immediate service (the Hebrew כֹּהֵן can bear the wider sense of 'chief officer', cf. 8:18).
τοῦthe / toGenitivearticle (with the genitive of relationship)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔαυιδDavidgenitive of relationship ('priest to/of David'; indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; 'priest of David' / 'David's priest' — the personal attachment of the office to the king himself; the chapter ends, as it must, with David's restored and ordered reign.