2 Kingdoms 24 — Greek, Translation, Interlinear & Discourse

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

καὶ προσέθετο ὀργὴ κυρίου ἐκκαῆναι ἐν Ισραηλ καὶ ἐπέσεισεν τὸν Δαυιδ ἐν αὐτοῖς λέγων βάδιζε ἀρίθμησον τὸν Ισραηλ καὶ τὸν Ιουδα

And the anger of the LORD was kindled again against Israel, and he stirred up David against them, saying, 'Go, number Israel and Judah.'

New narrative unit (the census episode that closes the book)καὶ προσέθετο

The chapter opens with the Hebraizing idiom προσέθετο … ἐκκαῆναι (lit. 'added to be kindled' = 'was kindled again'), rendering יָסַף; the renewed divine anger links this episode to the earlier wrath (cf. ch. 21). Strikingly, the LXX (with the MT) names the LORD himself as the one who ἐπέσεισεν ('incited') David, where the Chronicles parallel (1 Chr 21:1) substitutes Σατάν.

Word-by-word analysis· 21 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

προσέθετοadded / againAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (with complementary infinitive ἐκκαῆναι)→ ingressive aorist (renewed onset of wrath)προστίθημι (mid.): 'add / put to'; the construction προσέθετο + infinitive is a Hebraism rendering יָסַף ('he added to do' = 'he did again'); here 'the anger of the LORD was kindled again,' connecting this wrath to prior divine displeasure in the narrative.

ὀργὴangerNominativesubject of προσέθετο→ participant prominenceὀργή: 'wrath / anger'; renders אַף; the divine ὀργή is the engine of the whole episode — the census, the plague, and the atoning altar all flow from this kindled anger.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of source (subjective: the LORD's anger)→ relational specificationκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the genitive marks the anger as belonging to YHWH himself, setting the theological tone for the chapter.

ἐκκαῆναιto be kindledAor Pass Inf · ἐκκαίωcomplementary infinitive (with προσέθετο)→ verbal action or stateἐκκαίω: 'kindle / set ablaze'; the aorist passive infinitive renders the Hebrew imagery of anger 'burning' (חָרָה); the fire-metaphor for wrath is standard in the LXX (cf. Deut 32:22).

ἐνagainstpreposition + dative (Hebraizing: 'against Israel')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dative: here a Hebraism (rendering בְּ) expressing hostile direction, 'against Israel,' rather than simple location.

ΙσραηλIsraeldative object of ἐν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; here the people as the object of divine wrath.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐπέσεισενhe stirred up / incitedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπισείωmain verb (the LORD as incitor)→ constative aorist (single decisive incitement)ἐπισείω: 'shake at / incite / set on'; renders סוּת (Hiphil, 'incite'); the implicit subject is the LORD (continuing from ὀργὴ κυρίου), making YHWH the direct mover of David's census — a theological crux the Chronicler recasts with Σατάν (1 Chr 21:1).

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with the indeclinable Δαυιδ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΔαυιδDaviddirect object of ἐπέσεισεν (indeclinable proper noun with article)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliteration of Hebrew דָּוִד; indeclinable in Rahlfs' LXX, with grammatical case marked by the accompanying article (here τὸν Δαυιδ, accusative).

ἐνagainstpreposition + dative (Hebraizing: 'against them')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (Hebraizing: 'against them').

αὐτοῖςthemDativedative object of ἐν (Israel as those against whom David is incited)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: the pronoun refers to Israel; the phrase 'he incited David against them' frames the census itself as the instrument of judgment upon the people.

λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple introducing direct speech (Hebraizing לֵאמֹר)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (pres. ptcp.): the participle λέγων introducing quoted speech is the LXX's stock rendering of the Hebrew infinitive לֵאמֹר; it marks the transition to the divine command.

βάδιζεgoPres Act Impv 2 Sg · βαδίζωmain verb of command (imperative)→ durative present imperative (set out and proceed)βαδίζω: 'walk / go / proceed'; renders הָלַךְ; the present imperative urges David to set the census process in motion.

ἀρίθμησονnumberAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀριθμέωmain verb of command (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (carry out the count)ἀριθμέω: 'count / number'; renders מָנָה / סָפַר; the census of fighting men is the fateful act; counting the people was theologically fraught (cf. Exod 30:12, where a census requires a ransom to avert plague).

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with indeclinable Ισραηλ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΙσραηλIsraeldirect object of ἀρίθμησον (indeclinable, with article)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as direct object of ἀρίθμησον (indeclinable, with article).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with indeclinable Ιουδα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΙουδαJudahdirect object of ἀρίθμησον (indeclinable, with article)→ participant identificationΙουδα: transliteration of Hebrew יְהוּדָה; indeclinable in the LXX; the pairing 'Israel and Judah' reflects the divided census tradition and anticipates the separate totals at v. 9.

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς Ιωαβ ἄρχοντα τῆς ἰσχύος τὸν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ δίελθε δὴ πάσας φυλὰς Ισραηλ ἀπὸ Δαν καὶ ἕως Βηρσαβεε καὶ ἐπίσκεψαι τὸν λαόν καὶ γνώσομαι τὸν ἀριθμὸν τοῦ λαοῦ

And the king said to Joab, commander of the army who was with him, 'Go through now all the tribes of Israel from Dan and as far as Beersheba, and muster the people, and I will know the number of the people.'

Royal command delegating the census to Joabκαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς

David relays the divine impulse as a royal order to Joab, identified by his standing title ἄρχων τῆς ἰσχύος ('commander of the army'). The geographic merism ἀπὸ Δαν … ἕως Βηρσαβεε ('from Dan to Beersheba') is the stock LXX idiom for the full extent of the land. The final clause γνώσομαι τὸν ἀριθμόν exposes the king's motive — knowledge of his military strength.

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 aorist (single speech-act)λέγω: the aorist εἶπεν introduces the royal command; the speaker is David, designated by title (ὁ βασιλεύς) rather than name.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; David is repeatedly designated ὁ βασιλεύς in this chapter, foregrounding the royal-judicial weight of his act.

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).

ΙωαβJoabaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliteration of Hebrew יוֹאָב; indeclinable in the LXX; David's nephew and army commander, who here voices the only protest against the census.

ἄρχονταcommanderAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Ιωαβ→ object specificationἄρχων: 'ruler / commander / officer'; renders שַׂר; ἄρχων τῆς ἰσχύος ('commander of the force/army') is Joab's standing designation.

τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἰσχύοςarmy / forceGenitivegenitive (defining ἄρχοντα: 'of the army')→ relational specificationἰσχύς: 'strength / might'; here by metonymy 'the (armed) force / army,' rendering חַיִל; the same term recurs at vv. 4, 9 for the fighting men counted.

τὸνthe (who was)Accusativearticle (substantizing the following phrase, in apposition to Ιωαβ)→ noun-phrase markingThe articular phrase τὸν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ('the one with him') functions adjectivally, describing Joab as the commander attending the king.

μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided before vowel).

αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά (David)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (David).

δίελθεgo throughAor Act Impv 2 Sg · διέρχομαιmain verb of command (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (traverse the land)διέρχομαι: 'go through / traverse'; renders עָבַר; the command to pass through all the tribes describes the census-circuit recounted in vv. 5–8.

δὴnow / prayemphatic particle (with imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: enclitic particle of urgency reinforcing the imperative; renders נָא; 'go through, now / pray.'

πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying φυλάς)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / every'; the feminine accusative plural agrees with φυλάς; the totality of tribes is to be covered.

φυλὰςtribesAccusativedirect object of δίελθε→ object specificationφυλή: 'tribe'; renders שֵׁבֶט; the twelve tribes constitute the administrative units of the census.

Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'tribes of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'tribes of Israel').

ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (starting point of merism)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: the ἀπό … ἕως construction forms the geographic merism 'from Dan to Beersheba,' the conventional north-to-south span of the land.

ΔανDangenitive object of ἀπό (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΔαν: transliteration of Hebrew דָּן; indeclinable; the northernmost city, the conventional northern limit of Israel.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (end-point of merism)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / as far as'; completes the merism with Βηρσαβεε.

ΒηρσαβεεBeershebagenitive object of ἕως (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒηρσαβεε: transliteration of Hebrew בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע; indeclinable; the southernmost city, marking the southern limit; 'from Dan to Beersheba' = the whole land.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐπίσκεψαιmusterAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐπισκέπτομαιmain verb of command (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (conduct the muster)ἐπισκέπτομαι: 'inspect / visit / muster'; renders פָּקַד; the technical term for a military census-muster (cf. Num 1:3); the cognate noun ἐπίσκεψις ('mustering') appears at v. 9.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λαόνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἐπίσκεψαι→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; renders עַם; the covenant people counted as a fighting force.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (result/purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

γνώσομαιI will knowFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (purpose/result of the muster)→ predictive future (the king's stated aim)γινώσκω: 'know / ascertain'; renders יָדַע; David's stated motive — to know the military strength of his realm — exposes the prideful self-reliance the narrative censures.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀριθμὸνnumberAccusativedirect object of γνώσομαι→ object specificationἀριθμός: 'number / count'; renders מִסְפָּר; cognate with ἀρίθμησον (v. 1); the object of David's fatal curiosity.

τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive (defining ἀριθμόν: 'number of the people')→ relational specificationλαοῦ: meaning 'people'; it serves as genitive (defining ἀριθμόν: 'number of the people').

καὶ εἶπεν Ιωαβ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα καὶ προσθείη κύριος ὁ θεός σου πρὸς τὸν λαὸν ὥσπερ αὐτοὺς καὶ ὥσπερ αὐτοὺς ἑκατονταπλασίονα καὶ ὀφθαλμοὶ τοῦ κυρίου μου τοῦ βασιλέως ὁρῶντες καὶ ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεὺς ἵνα τί βούλεται ἐν τῷ λόγῳ τούτῳ

And Joab said to the king, 'May the LORD your God add to the people a hundredfold as many as they are, while the eyes of my lord the king are seeing; but my lord the king — why does he desire this matter?'

Joab's protest against the royal commandκαὶ εἶπεν Ιωαβ

Joab's reply pairs a benediction (may YHWH multiply the people a hundredfold) with a pointed objection (why does my lord desire this?). The honorific ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεύς ('my lord the king') addressed to David is human deferential address, not the divine title κύριος. The wish ἑκατονταπλασίονα ('a hundredfold') ironically underscores that the LORD, not a census, is the source of Israel's increase.

Word-by-word analysis· 42 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: introduces Joab's protest, the narrative's voice of dissent against the census.

ΙωαβJoabsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationβασιλεύς (acc. βασιλέα): David, addressed in his royal office.

καὶand / nowdiscourse conjunction (opening the quoted benediction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

προσθείηmay he addAor Act Opt 3 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (optative of wish)→ volitive optative (benediction / prayer-wish)προστίθημι (aor. opt.): 'add / increase'; the optative προσθείη expresses a wish ('may the LORD add'); renders the Hebrew jussive יוֹסֵף; Joab invokes divine multiplication of the people — implicitly arguing the census is needless.

κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of προσθείη→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; in κύριος ὁ θεός σου ('the LORD your God') the divine title is unambiguous — it is YHWH, not David, who can multiply the people.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θεόςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the phrase κύριος ὁ θεός σου is covenantal address, reminding David whose people these are.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θεός)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying θεός).

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (addition: 'to the people')→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (addition: 'to the people').

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λαὸνpeopleAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the people to be increased)→ object specificationλαὸν: meaning 'people'; it serves as accusative object of πρός (the people to be increased).

ὥσπερas / just ascomparative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastὥσπερ: 'just as'; introduces the comparison 'as many as they are'; the doubled ὥσπερ αὐτούς … ὥσπερ αὐτούς is an emphatic Hebraizing intensification.

αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative of comparison (the present number of the people)→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative of comparison (the present number of the people).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὥσπερascomparative particle (repeated for emphasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastὥσπερ: meaning 'as'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative of comparison (repeated)→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative of comparison (repeated).

ἑκατονταπλασίοναa hundredfoldAccusativeadjective (extent of the increase wished)→ object specificationἑκατονταπλασίων: 'hundredfold'; renders מֵאָה פְעָמִים; Joab's hyperbolic blessing implies the people are already more than enough — the census is superfluous and dangerous.

καὶand / whilecoordinate conjunction (circumstantial: 'and the eyes … seeing')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὀφθαλμοὶeyesNominativesubject (of the circumstantial clause)→ participant prominenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the idiom 'the eyes of my lord the king seeing it' renders the Hebrew wish that David live to witness the increase himself.

τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κυρίουlordGenitivegenitive of possession ('of my lord')→ relational specificationκύριος: here a HUMAN honorific, 'my lord' — Joab's deferential address to David the king (ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεύς), NOT the divine title; the context (a subject speaking to his sovereign) is decisive.

μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (in apposition: 'the king')→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive in apposition to κυρίου μου→ relational specificationβασιλεύς (gen. βασιλέως): 'king'; the appositional 'my lord the king' is the courtly formula of address to David throughout the chapter.

ὁρῶντεςseeingPres Act Ptcp Nom Pl Masc · ὁράωparticiple (predicative, with ὀφθαλμοί: 'the eyes … seeing it')→ durative present participle (ongoing witnessing)ὁράω (pres. ptcp.): 'see / behold'; the participle ὁρῶντες agrees with ὀφθαλμοί; the wish is that David himself live to see the people multiplied.

καὶbut / andconjunction (adversative turn to the objection)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κύριόςlordNominativenominative (pendent: 'my lord the king — why...')→ participant prominenceκύριος: again the HUMAN honorific for David ('my lord the king'); the nominativus pendens fronts the addressee before the rhetorical question that follows.

ὁtheNominativearticle (in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεὺςkingNominativenominative in apposition to κύριός μου→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as nominative in apposition to κύριός μου.

ἵναwhyinterrogative (with τί: ἵνα τί = 'why / to what end')→ clausal contributionἵνα τί: idiom 'why? / to what purpose?'; renders לָמָּה; introduces Joab's pointed challenge to the king's intent.

τίwhyinterrogative pronoun (with ἵνα)→ participant referenceτίς / τί: interrogative; in ἵνα τί it functions adverbially, 'to what end / why.'

βούλεταιdoes he desirePres Mid Indic 3 Sg · βούλομαιmain verb of the rhetorical question→ durative present (the king's settled wish)βούλομαι: 'wish / will / desire'; the third-person form (referring to David in deferential indirection) sharpens Joab's protest: why does my lord want this thing at all?

ἐνinpreposition + dative (reference: 'in / with this matter')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (reference: 'in / with this matter').

τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λόγῳmatter / thingDativedative object of ἐν (reference)→ sphere or referenceλόγος: 'word / matter / affair'; here the Hebraizing sense 'this matter / thing' (rendering דָּבָר), i.e., the census itself.

τούτῳthisDativedemonstrative (modifying λόγῳ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this'; deictic reference to the census-command Joab opposes.

καὶ ὑπερίσχυσεν ὁ λόγος τοῦ βασιλέως πρὸς Ιωαβ καὶ εἰς τοὺς ἄρχοντας τῆς δυνάμεως καὶ ἐξῆλθεν Ιωαβ καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες τῆς ἰσχύος ἐνώπιον τοῦ βασιλέως ἐπισκέψασθαι τὸν λαὸν Ισραηλ

But the word of the king prevailed against Joab and against the commanders of the army; and Joab went out, and the commanders of the army, from before the king to muster the people of Israel.

Resolution: the king's word overrides the protestκαὶ ὑπερίσχυσεν

The protest fails: ὁ λόγος τοῦ βασιλέως ὑπερίσχυσεν ('the king's word prevailed'). The compound verb ὑπερισχύω ('overpower') makes royal authority decisive over Joab's counsel, and the commanders depart ἐνώπιον τοῦ βασιλέως ('from before the king') to carry out the census — the action the rest of unit A narrates.

Word-by-word analysis· 29 words

καὶbut / andnarrative conjunction (adversative-resultative)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὑπερίσχυσενprevailedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑπερισχύωmain verb (royal word overpowering protest)→ constative aorist (decisive outcome)ὑπερισχύω: 'be superior in strength / prevail over'; the compound ὑπερ- intensifies; renders חָזַק ('be strong / prevail'); the king's command overrides Joab's objection.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λόγοςwordNominativesubject of ὑπερίσχυσεν→ participant prominenceλόγος: 'word / command'; the king's command (rendering דְּבַר הַמֶּלֶךְ) is personified as the agent that prevails.

τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of source (the king's word)→ relational specificationβασιλέως: meaning 'king'; it serves as genitive of source (the king's word).

πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative ('prevailed against')→ spatial or relational framingπρός + accusative: here in the sense 'against / over' the resisting party.

ΙωαβJoabaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἰςagainstpreposition + accusative (parallel to πρός: 'against')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: here in a directional-adversative sense, parallel to πρός, 'against the commanders.'

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἄρχονταςcommandersAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationἄρχων (acc. pl. ἄρχοντας): 'commanders / officers'; Joab's subordinate officers who shared his reluctance.

τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

δυνάμεωςarmy / forceGenitivegenitive (defining ἄρχοντας: 'of the army')→ relational specificationδύναμις: 'power / force / army'; here a synonym for ἰσχύς, rendering חַיִל; 'commanders of the army.'

καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (departure to begin census)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / depart'; the singular verb with compound subject (Joab + commanders) is normal Greek/Hebraizing concord with the first-named subject.

ΙωαβJoabsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἄρχοντεςcommandersNominativesubject (coordinate with Ιωαβ)→ participant prominenceἄρχων (nom. pl. ἄρχοντες): the army officers accompanying Joab on the census-circuit.

τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἰσχύοςarmy / forceGenitivegenitive (defining ἄρχοντες)→ relational specificationἰσχύς: 'army / force' (see v. 2); the variation ἰσχύος / δυνάμεως within this verse is stylistic.

ἐνώπιονfrom beforepreposition + genitive (departure from the royal presence)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; renders מִלִּפְנֵי ('from before'); they depart from the king's presence to execute his order.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationβασιλέως: meaning 'king'; it serves as genitive object of ἐνώπιον.

ἐπισκέψασθαιto musterAor Mid Inf · ἐπισκέπτομαιinfinitive of purpose→ verbal action or stateἐπισκέπτομαι (aor. inf.): 'muster / number'; the purpose infinitive echoes the command of v. 2 (ἐπίσκεψαι); the technical census-term (פָּקַד).

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἐπισκέψασθαι→ object specificationλαὸν: meaning 'people'; it serves as direct object of ἐπισκέψασθαι.

Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'the people of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'the people of Israel').

καὶ διέβησαν τὸν Ιορδάνην καὶ παρενέβαλον ἐν Αροηρ ἐκ δεξιῶν τῆς πόλεως τῆς ἐν μέσῳ τῆς φάραγγος Γαδ καὶ Ελιεζερ

And they crossed the Jordan and encamped at Aroer, on the right of the city that is in the middle of the ravine, toward Gad and Eliezer.

Itinerary of the census-circuit (begins)καὶ διέβησαν

The census-route opens at the Transjordan: crossing the Jordan and camping at Aroer in the Arnon gorge. The string of transliterated toponyms (Αροηρ, Γαδ, Ελιεζερ) follows the Hebrew geography of the eastern tribes; the LXX preserves the place-names by transliteration, several of them textually difficult.

Word-by-word analysis· 20 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

διέβησανthey crossedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · διαβαίνωmain verb (start of the census-circuit)→ constative aoristδιαβαίνω: 'cross over / pass through'; renders עָבַר; the circuit begins by crossing the Jordan into the Transjordanian territories.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΙορδάνηνJordanAccusativedirect object of διέβησαν→ object specificationΙορδάνης (acc. Ιορδάνην): the Jordan river; declined as a first-declension noun in the LXX (rendering יַרְדֵּן); the eastern boundary crossed at the circuit's start.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

παρενέβαλονthey encampedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · παρεμβάλλωmain verb (military encampment)→ constative aoristπαρεμβάλλω: 'encamp / pitch camp'; renders חָנָה; the census party operates as a military detachment, camping as it proceeds.

ἐνat / inpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).

ΑροηρAroerdative object of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΑροηρ: transliteration of Hebrew עֲרוֹעֵר; indeclinable; a town on the rim of the Arnon gorge marking the southern edge of Transjordanian Israel.

ἐκon / frompreposition + genitive (idiom: 'on the right of')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ δεξιῶν: idiom 'on the right (side) of'; renders מִימִין; specifies the camp's position relative to the city in the ravine.

δεξιῶνrightGenitivegenitive (in idiom ἐκ δεξιῶν: 'on the right')→ relational specificationδεξιός: 'right (hand/side)'; the substantival plural in ἐκ δεξιῶν denotes the right side / south.

τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive (object of the idiom ἐκ δεξιῶν)→ relational specificationπόλις: 'city'; renders עִיר; the city situated within the ravine, used as a geographic reference point.

τῆςthatGenitivearticle (attributive, with following ἐν μέσῳ phrase)→ noun-phrase markingThe articular phrase τῆς ἐν μέσῳ τῆς φάραγγος ('the one in the middle of the ravine') modifies πόλεως.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).

μέσῳmiddleDativedative (ἐν μέσῳ: 'in the midst of')→ sphere or referenceμέσος: 'middle / midst'; ἐν μέσῳ τῆς φάραγγος = 'in the middle of the ravine,' locating the reference city in the Arnon valley.

τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

φάραγγοςravine / valleyGenitivegenitive (with ἐν μέσῳ: 'of the ravine')→ relational specificationφάραγξ: 'ravine / wadi / gorge'; renders נַחַל; the deep Arnon gorge that bounded the territory.

ΓαδGadindeclinable place/tribal name (directional reference)→ participant identificationΓαδ: transliteration of Hebrew גָּד; indeclinable; here a geographic reference (the territory of Gad) along the census-route.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΕλιεζερEliezerindeclinable place-name (directional reference)→ participant identificationΕλιεζερ: transliteration of a Hebrew name (corresponding to יַעְזֵר / Jazer in the MT geography); indeclinable; a Transjordanian locale on the route.

καὶ ἦλθον εἰς τὴν Γαλααδ καὶ εἰς γῆν Θαβασων ἥ ἐστιν Αδασαι καὶ παρεγένοντο εἰς Δανιδαν καὶ Ουδαν καὶ ἐκύκλωσαν εἰς Σιδῶνα

And they came to Gilead and to the land of Thabason, which is Adasai, and they arrived at Dan-idan and Udan, and they circled around to Sidon.

Itinerary continues (north through Transjordan and toward Sidon)καὶ ἦλθον

The route proceeds northward through Gilead, past several textually obscure toponyms, and curves westward toward Sidon. The verb ἐκύκλωσαν ('they circled around') captures the looping northern arc of the circuit before the turn southward in v. 7.

Word-by-word analysis· 22 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἦλθονthey cameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (itinerary motion)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; renders בּוֹא; the verb of progress through the census-route.

εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with indeclinable Γαλααδ)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΓαλααδGileadobject of εἰς (indeclinable place-name, with article)→ participant identificationΓαλααδ: transliteration of Hebrew גִּלְעָד; indeclinable; the highland region of the eastern tribes.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).

γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationγῆ: 'land / region'; the territory designated by the following name.

ΘαβασωνThabasonindeclinable place-name (defining γῆν)→ participant identificationΘαβασων: transliteration of an obscure Hebrew toponym (the MT here is textually difficult, '… to the land of Tahtim-hodshi'); indeclinable.

ἥwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐστιν)→ participant referenceὅς, ἥ, ὅ: relative pronoun; introduces the explanatory gloss identifying the land with Adasai.

ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (identification)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the equative copula linking the place-name to its alternate designation Adasai.

ΑδασαιAdasaipredicate (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΑδασαι: transliteration of an obscure Hebrew place-name; indeclinable; an alternate identification of the land just named.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

παρεγένοντοthey arrivedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · παραγίνομαιmain verb (arrival)→ constative aoristπαραγίνομαι: 'arrive / come to'; renders בּוֹא; marks reaching the next stage of the route.

εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).

ΔανιδανDan-idanobject of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΔανιδαν: transliteration corresponding to Dan-jaan / Dan (Hebrew דָּנָה יַּעַן); indeclinable; the LXX has run together what the MT separates.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΟυδανUdanobject of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΟυδαν: transliteration of an obscure Hebrew toponym; indeclinable; another stop on the northern circuit.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκύκλωσανthey circled aroundAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κυκλόωmain verb (looping route)→ constative aoristκυκλόω: 'encircle / go around'; renders סָבַב; the verb captures the circuitous arc of the route as it bends toward the coast.

εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).

ΣιδῶναSidonAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationΣιδών (acc. Σιδῶνα): the Phoenician coastal city; declined as a third-declension noun (rendering צִידוֹן); marks the northwestern extent of the circuit.

καὶ ἦλθαν εἰς Μαψαρ Τύρου καὶ πάσας τὰς πόλεις τοῦ Ευαίου καὶ τοῦ Χαναναίου καὶ ἦλθαν κατὰ νότον Ιουδα εἰς Βηρσαβεε

And they came to the stronghold of Tyre and all the cities of the Hivite and of the Canaanite, and they went out to the south of Judah, to Beersheba.

Itinerary continues (coast and southward to Beersheba)καὶ ἦλθαν

The route reaches the fortress of Tyre and the Hivite and Canaanite cities, then turns south through Judah to Beersheba — completing the north-to-south sweep first named in v. 2 (Dan to Beersheba). The aorist ἦλθαν (with the later -αν ending) is repeated to bracket the final leg.

Word-by-word analysis· 21 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἦλθανthey cameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (itinerary motion)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: the Koine aorist form ἦλθαν (with -αν for classical -ον) is common in the LXX and NT; continues the itinerary.

εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).

Μαψαρstrongholdobject of εἰς (transliterated term: 'fortress of Tyre')→ participant identificationΜαψαρ: transliteration of Hebrew מִבְצַר ('fortress / stronghold'); the LXX treats the common noun as a proper name; 'the stronghold of Tyre.'

Τύρουof TyreGenitivegenitive (defining Μαψαρ: 'fortress of Tyre')→ relational specificationΤύρος (gen. Τύρου): the Phoenician city of Tyre; declined as a second-declension noun (rendering צֹר).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying πόλεις)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the feminine accusative plural agrees with πόλεις.

τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πόλειςcitiesAccusativeaccusative object (motion implied: 'to all the cities')→ object specificationπόλις (acc. pl. πόλεις): the cities of the indigenous peoples included in the census-circuit.

τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΕυαίουHiviteGenitivegenitive of possession ('cities of the Hivite')→ relational specificationΕὑαῖος: 'Hivite'; gentilic used substantively; renders חִוִּי; one of the pre-Israelite peoples of Canaan, here named collectively.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΧαναναίουCanaaniteGenitivegenitive of possession ('cities of the Canaanite')→ relational specificationΧαναναῖος: 'Canaanite'; gentilic used substantively; renders כְּנַעֲנִי; the indigenous population of the land.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἦλθανthey wentAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (turn southward)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι (ἦλθαν): the repeated verb marks the final, southward leg toward Beersheba.

κατὰtowardpreposition + accusative (direction: 'toward the south')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + accusative: directional, 'down toward / in the direction of'; κατὰ νότον = 'toward the south.'

νότονsouthAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (direction)→ object specificationνότος: 'south / south wind'; renders נֶגֶב; the southern region (Negev) of Judah.

Ιουδαof Judahgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'south of Judah')→ participant identificationΙουδα: indeclinable; here the southern region belonging to Judah.

εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).

ΒηρσαβεεBeershebaobject of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒηρσαβεε: the southern terminus; reaching it completes the 'Dan to Beersheba' span commanded in v. 2.

καὶ περιώδευσαν ἐν πάσῃ τῇ γῇ καὶ παρεγένοντο ἀπὸ τέλους ἐννέα μηνῶν καὶ εἴκοσι ἡμερῶν εἰς Ιερουσαλημ

And they traveled around through all the land, and arrived at Jerusalem at the end of nine months and twenty days.

Conclusion of the circuit (return to Jerusalem)καὶ περιώδευσαν

The circuit closes: a complete traversal (περιώδευσαν ἐν πάσῃ τῇ γῇ) and a return to Jerusalem after nine months and twenty days. The precise duration underscores the scale and labor of the census — and heightens the irony that so vast an effort issues in plague.

Word-by-word analysis· 17 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

περιώδευσανthey traveled aroundAor Act Indic 3 Pl · περιοδεύωmain verb (completion of the circuit)→ constative aorist (whole completed traversal)περιοδεύω: 'go around / make a circuit'; the compound περι- emphasizes the comprehensive sweep through the whole land; renders שׁוּט ('rove / traverse').

ἐνin / throughpreposition + dative (extent of travel)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (extent of travel).

πάσῃallDativeattributive adjective (modifying γῇ)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; the totality of the land was covered.

τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γῇlandDativedative of place (extent: 'through all the land')→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land / country'; the whole territory of Israel and Judah.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

παρεγένοντοthey arrivedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · παραγίνομαιmain verb (return)→ constative aoristπαραγίνομαι: 'arrive'; marks the completion of the census-journey at Jerusalem.

ἀπὸat / afterpreposition + genitive (temporal: 'at the end of')→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ τέλους: 'from / at the end of'; a temporal idiom marking the duration's completion.

τέλουςendGenitivegenitive (object of ἀπό: 'end of nine months')→ relational specificationτέλος: 'end / completion'; renders קֵץ / מִקְצֵה; here the temporal terminus of the census effort.

ἐννέαnineindeclinable numeral (modifying μηνῶν)→ measure or countἐννέα: 'nine'; indeclinable cardinal numeral; quantifies the months of the circuit.

μηνῶνmonthsGenitivegenitive (defining τέλους: 'end of … months')→ relational specificationμήν (gen. pl. μηνῶν): 'month'; renders חֹדֶשׁ; the nine-month span quantifies the labor of the census.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἴκοσιtwentyindeclinable numeral (modifying ἡμερῶν)→ measure or countεἴκοσι: 'twenty'; indeclinable cardinal numeral; quantifies the additional days.

ἡμερῶνdaysGenitivegenitive (coordinate with μηνῶν)→ relational specificationἡμέρα (gen. pl. ἡμερῶν): 'day'; renders יוֹם; 'nine months and twenty days' gives the precise span of the census.

εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).

ΙερουσαλημJerusalemobject of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: transliteration of Hebrew יְרוּשָׁלִַם; indeclinable in the LXX; the royal city, point of return and the locus of the coming plague and altar.

καὶ ἔδωκεν Ιωαβ τὸν ἀριθμὸν τῆς ἐπισκέψεως τοῦ λαοῦ πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα καὶ ἐγένετο Ισραηλ ὀκτακόσιαι χιλιάδες ἀνδρῶν δυνάμεως σπωμένων ῥομφαίαν καὶ ἀνὴρ Ιουδα πεντακόσιαι χιλιάδες ἀνδρῶν μαχητῶν

And Joab gave the number of the mustering of the people to the king; and Israel was eight hundred thousand men of valor who drew the sword, and the men of Judah five hundred thousand fighting men.

Report of the census figures (climax of unit A)καὶ ἔδωκεν Ιωαβ

Joab delivers the tally. The figures — 800,000 in Israel and 500,000 in Judah — differ from the Chronicles parallel (1 Chr 21:5: 1,100,000 and 470,000). The participial phrase σπωμένων ῥομφαίαν ('drawing the sword') marks these as combat-ready men, exposing the census's military character — the very self-reliance the narrative condemns.

Word-by-word analysis· 28 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (delivery of the report)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give / hand over'; renders נָתַן; Joab formally delivers the census-result to the king.

ΙωαβJoabsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀριθμὸνnumberAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκεν→ object specificationἀριθμός: 'number / count' (cf. v. 2); the object David sought to know is now reported.

τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἐπισκέψεωςmusteringGenitivegenitive (defining ἀριθμόν: 'number of the mustering')→ relational specificationἐπίσκεψις: 'mustering / numbering'; the cognate noun of ἐπισκέπτομαι (vv. 2, 4); renders the technical sense of פְּקֻדָּה — a military census-count.

τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive (defining ἐπισκέψεως)→ relational specificationλαοῦ: meaning 'people'; it serves as genitive (defining ἐπισκέψεως).

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (recipient)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (recipient).

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (David)→ object specificationβασιλέα: meaning 'king'; it serves as accusative object of πρός (David).

καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the figures)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐγένετοwas / amounted toAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (equative: the total of Israel)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become / amount to'; here the tally-verb introducing the totals; the singular agrees with the collective Ισραηλ.

ΙσραηλIsraelsubject (indeclinable: the northern tribes)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: here the ten northern tribes, counted separately from Judah.

ὀκτακόσιαιeight hundredNominativenumeral (modifying χιλιάδες)→ participant prominenceὀκτακόσιοι: 'eight hundred'; feminine plural agreeing with χιλιάδες; '800 thousands' = 800,000; differs from 1 Chr 21:5 (1,100,000).

χιλιάδεςthousandsNominativepredicate nominative (the total)→ participant prominenceχιλιάς: 'a thousand / unit of a thousand'; renders אֶלֶף; the census tabulates fighting men in thousands.

ἀνδρῶνof menGenitivegenitive (defining χιλιάδες: 'thousands of men')→ relational specificationἀνήρ (gen. pl. ἀνδρῶν): 'man / male'; renders אִישׁ; specifically adult fighting males.

δυνάμεωςof valorGenitivegenitive of quality (ἀνδρῶν δυνάμεως: 'men of valor / soldiers')→ relational specificationδύναμις: 'strength / valor / military force'; ἀνὴρ δυνάμεως renders אִישׁ חַיִל ('valiant man / warrior').

σπωμένωνdrawingPres Mid Ptcp Gen Pl Masc · σπάωattributive participle (modifying ἀνδρῶν: 'who drew the sword')→ durative present participle (characteristic capacity)σπάω: 'draw / pull (a weapon)'; the middle σπωμένων ῥομφαίαν renders שֹׁלֵף חֶרֶב ('drawing the sword'), the stock idiom for combat-ready soldiers (cf. Judg 8:10).

ῥομφαίανswordAccusativedirect object of σπωμένων→ object specificationῥομφαία: 'sword / broadsword'; renders חֶרֶב; the weapon of the mustered men, emphasizing their martial readiness.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing Judah's total)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀνὴρthe men / manNominativesubject (collective: 'the men of Judah')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: here collective singular, 'the men(folk) of Judah,' rendering the Hebrew collective אִישׁ יְהוּדָה.

Ιουδαof Judahgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'men of Judah')→ participant identificationΙουδα: indeclinable; the southern tribe counted separately.

πεντακόσιαιfive hundredNominativenumeral (modifying χιλιάδες)→ participant prominenceπεντακόσιοι: 'five hundred'; feminine plural with χιλιάδες; '500 thousands' = 500,000; cf. 1 Chr 21:5 (470,000).

χιλιάδεςthousandsNominativepredicate nominative (Judah's total)→ participant prominenceχιλιάδες: meaning 'thousands'; it serves as predicate nominative (Judah's total).

ἀνδρῶνof menGenitivegenitive (defining χιλιάδες)→ relational specificationἀνδρῶν: meaning 'of men'; it serves as genitive (defining χιλιάδες).

μαχητῶνfighting / warriorsGenitivegenitive of quality (ἀνδρῶν μαχητῶν: 'fighting men')→ relational specificationμαχητής: 'fighter / warrior'; renders אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה / the warrior class; characterizes Judah's count as combat troops.

καὶ ἐπάταξεν καρδία Δαυιδ αὐτὸν μετὰ τὸ ἀριθμῆσαι τὸν λαόν καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς κύριον ἥμαρτον σφόδρα ὃ ἐποίησα νῦν κύριε παραβίβασον δὴ τὴν ἀνομίαν τοῦ δούλου σου ὅτι ἐμωράνθην σφόδρα

And David's heart struck him after he had numbered the people, and David said to the LORD, 'I have sinned greatly in what I have done; now, O LORD, take away, I pray, the iniquity of your servant, for I have acted very foolishly.'

Turning point: David's conscience and confession (opens unit B)καὶ ἐπάταξεν καρδία Δαυιδ

The striking idiom ἐπάταξεν καρδία Δαυιδ αὐτόν ('David's heart struck him') renders the Hebrew וַיַּךְ לֵב־דָּוִד — conscience personified as smiting. David's confession ἥμαρτον σφόδρα ('I have sinned greatly') and his plea for the removal of ἀνομία ('iniquity') anticipate the divine response through Gad. The address κύριε is to YHWH, the Tetragrammaton in the vocative.

Word-by-word analysis· 31 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (turning point)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐπάταξενstruckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (conscience smiting David)→ ingressive aorist (onset of remorse)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite'; renders נָכָה; the idiom ἐπάταξεν καρδία … αὐτόν personifies the conscience as striking — a vivid Hebraism for sudden remorse; the same verb will describe the angel 'striking' the people (v. 17).

καρδίαheartNominativesubject of ἐπάταξεν→ participant prominenceκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב; the seat of conscience and will; here the agent of self-conviction.

Δαυιδof Davidgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'David's heart')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; the genitive relation ('David's heart') is shown by context, the name lacking inflection.

αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐπάταξεν (David himself)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the reflexive sense ('his heart struck him') heightens the inwardness of the conviction.

μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal, with articular infinitive)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ τό + infinitive: temporal construction, 'after (doing).'

τὸtheAccusativearticle (with articular infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀριθμῆσαιto number / numberingAor Act Inf · ἀριθμέωarticular infinitive (temporal: 'after numbering')→ verbal action or stateἀριθμέω (aor. inf.): 'count / number' (cf. v. 1); the articular infinitive μετὰ τὸ ἀριθμῆσαι marks the moment after the census when remorse strikes.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λαόνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἀριθμῆσαι→ object specificationλαόν: meaning 'people'; it serves as direct object of ἀριθμῆσαι.

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: introduces David's confession to YHWH.

ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

κύριονLORDAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (addressee of the prayer)→ object specificationκύριος (acc. κύριον): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; David confesses directly to YHWH, the divine title here unambiguous.

ἥμαρτονI have sinnedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἁμαρτάνωmain verb (confession)→ constative aorist (acknowledged completed sin)ἁμαρτάνω: 'sin / miss the mark'; renders חָטָא; ἥμαρτον is David's stock confession (cf. 2 Kgdms 12:13 to Nathan); here the census is owned as sin.

σφόδραgreatlyadverb of degree (intensifying ἥμαρτον)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'exceedingly / greatly'; renders מְאֹד; intensifies the confession; repeated at the verse's end with ἐμωράνθην.

ὃin whatAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative of respect: 'in that which')→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; the neuter ὅ ('in what I did') specifies the sphere of the sin — the census itself.

ἐποίησαI didAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עָשָׂה; refers to the completed act of numbering the people.

νῦνnowtemporal adverb (transition to petition)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; renders עַתָּה; marks the turn from confession to plea.

κύριεO LORDVocativevocative of address (to YHWH)→ direct addressκύριος (voc. κύριε): the Tetragrammaton in direct address; David invokes YHWH by name as he pleads for forgiveness.

παραβίβασονtake awayAor Act Impv 2 Sg · παραβιβάζωmain verb of petition (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (decisive removal)παραβιβάζω: 'cause to pass by / remove / set aside'; renders הַעֲבֶר־נָא ('cause to pass away'); David begs YHWH to make his guilt 'pass away' — the same root used of pardon at 2 Kgdms 12:13.

δὴI pray / nowemphatic particle (with imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: particle of entreaty reinforcing the imperative; renders נָא ('please / I pray').

τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀνομίανiniquityAccusativedirect object of παραβίβασον→ object specificationἀνομία: 'lawlessness / iniquity / guilt'; renders עָוֹן; here both the sin and its incurred guilt that David begs to have removed.

τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

δούλουservantGenitivegenitive of possession ('your servant's iniquity')→ relational specificationδοῦλος: 'servant / slave'; renders עֶבֶד; David's self-designation before YHWH as 'your servant,' a posture of humility.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying δούλου)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying δούλου).

ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the ground of the plea — David's folly.

ἐμωράνθηνI have acted foolishlyAor Pass Indic 1 Sg · μωραίνωverb of causal clause→ constative aoristμωραίνω (aor. pass.): 'make/become foolish'; the passive ἐμωράνθην = 'I became foolish / acted foolishly'; renders נִסְכַּלְתִּי (סָכַל, 'be foolish'); David names his sin as folly, not malice.

σφόδραgreatlyadverb of degree (intensifying ἐμωράνθην)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: repeated from earlier in the verse, bracketing the confession with intensifiers ('sinned greatly … acted very foolishly').

καὶ ἀνέστη Δαυιδ τὸ πρωί καὶ λόγος κυρίου ἐγένετο πρὸς Γαδ τὸν προφήτην τὸν ὁρῶντα Δαυιδ λέγων

And David rose in the morning, and the word of the LORD came to Gad the prophet, the seer of David, saying:

Transition: the prophetic word comes to Gadκαὶ ἀνέστη Δαυιδ

The divine response arrives through the prophetic-word formula λόγος κυρίου ἐγένετο πρός ('the word of the LORD came to'), the standard LXX rendering of דְּבַר־יהוה הָיָה אֶל. Gad is doubly titled ὁ προφήτης and ὁ ὁρῶν ('the seer') — the latter the archaic Hebrew רֹאֶה — and is identified as David's court-seer.

Word-by-word analysis· 17 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀνέστηroseAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (David rises)→ constative aoristἀνίστημι (intrans. aor.): 'rise / get up'; renders קוּם; David rises at dawn, ready to receive whatever the LORD decrees.

ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

τὸtheAccusativearticle (adverbial accusative of time)→ noun-phrase markingThe article τό with πρωί forms an adverbial accusative of time, 'in the morning.'

πρωίmorningadverb of time (substantized with article: 'in the morning')→ clausal contributionπρωΐ: 'early / in the morning'; indeclinable adverb; renders בַּבֹּקֶר; the same word frames the plague's start at v. 15 (ἀπὸ πρωίθεν).

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

λόγοςwordNominativesubject (prophetic-word formula)→ participant prominenceλόγος: 'word'; λόγος κυρίου ἐγένετο πρός is the stock prophetic-revelation formula (rendering דְּבַר־יהוה הָיָה אֶל), here delivering the divine response to David's sin.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of source (the LORD's word)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the word originates with YHWH, marking this as authentic prophetic revelation.

ἐγένετοcameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (prophetic-word formula)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'come to be / happen'; in the formula λόγος … ἐγένετο πρός = 'the word came to,' rendering הָיָה in the revelation idiom.

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (recipient of revelation)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (recipient of revelation).

ΓαδGadaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΓαδ: transliteration of Hebrew גָּד; indeclinable; David's court prophet (cf. 1 Kgdms 22:5), the mediator of the three-fold judgment-offer.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

προφήτηνprophetAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Γαδ→ object specificationπροφήτης: 'prophet'; renders נָבִיא; Gad's office as bearer of the divine word.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with substantival participle ὁρῶντα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὁρῶνταseerPres Act Ptcp Acc Sg Masc · ὁράωsubstantival participle (in apposition: 'the seer')→ verbal action or stateὁράω (pres. ptcp.): 'see'; the substantival ὁ ὁρῶν ('the seer') renders the archaic Hebrew title רֹאֶה (cf. 1 Kgdms 9:9); Gad is David's personal court-seer.

Δαυιδof Davidgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'David's seer')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable; here in genitive relation, 'the seer of David.'

λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple introducing direct speech (Hebraizing לֵאמֹר)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (pres. ptcp.): the speech-introducing λέγων (rendering לֵאמֹר) opens the divine word that Gad is to relay (v. 12).

πορεύθητι καὶ λάλησον πρὸς Δαυιδ λέγων τάδε λέγει κύριος τρία ἐγώ εἰμι αἴρω ἐπὶ σέ καὶ ἔκλεξαι σεαυτῷ ἓν ἐξ αὐτῶν καὶ ποιήσω σοι

'Go and speak to David, saying, Thus says the LORD: Three things I am holding over you; choose for yourself one of them, and I will do it to you.'

Divine commission to Gad (content of the word)πορεύθητι

The divine word commissions Gad with paired imperatives (πορεύθητι … λάλησον) and the messenger-formula τάδε λέγει κύριος. The Hebraizing periphrasis ἐγώ εἰμι αἴρω ('I am holding/lifting up over you', rendering אָנֹכִי נֹטֵל) presents three judgments held in suspense over David, who must choose one (ἔκλεξαι σεαυτῷ ἓν ἐξ αὐτῶν).

Word-by-word analysis· 24 words

πορεύθητιgoAor Pass Impv 2 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb of command (deponent imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeπορεύομαι: 'go / proceed'; the aorist (passive-form deponent) imperative πορεύθητι renders לֵךְ; commissions Gad to carry the word to David.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

λάλησονspeakAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαλέωmain verb of command (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeλαλέω: 'speak'; renders דַּבֵּר; the paired πορεύθητι … λάλησον is a stock prophetic commissioning sequence.

ΔαυιδDavidaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).

λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple introducing direct speech (Hebraizing לֵאמֹר)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (pres. ptcp.): introduces the oracle proper, which Gad is to repeat verbatim.

τάδεthus / these thingsAccusativedemonstrative (object of λέγει: the messenger-formula)→ object specificationὅδε, ἥδε, τόδε: 'this'; τάδε λέγει κύριος is the prophetic messenger-formula rendering כֹּה אָמַר יהוה ('thus says the LORD').

λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of messenger-formula (present)→ gnomic/quotative present (authoritative divine word)λέγω (pres.): the present λέγει in τάδε λέγει κύριος presents the divine word as currently spoken and binding.

κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of λέγει (divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; YHWH is the speaker of the three-fold judgment-offer.

τρίαthree thingsAccusativedirect object (fronted: 'three things [I hold over you]')→ measure or countτρεῖς, τρία: 'three'; the neuter plural τρία ('three things') fronts the count of the judgment-options, building suspense before they are named (v. 13).

ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic, in periphrastic ἐγώ εἰμι αἴρω)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic personal pronoun; part of the Hebraizing ἐγώ εἰμι + finite verb construction stressing YHWH's personal agency.

εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula (in periphrasis with αἴρω)→ stative present (divine self-attestation)εἰμί: 'be'; in ἐγώ εἰμι αἴρω the copula plus finite verb is a Hebraism rendering the Hebrew pronoun + participle (אָנֹכִי + נֹטֵל), here flattened into a periphrastic construction.

αἴρωI hold / lift upPres Act Indic 1 Sg · αἴρωmain verb (the judgments held over David)→ durative present (the options suspended over him)αἴρω: 'lift / take up / hold up'; renders נָטַל ('lift / impose'); 'I am holding three things over you' — the judgments hang poised, awaiting David's choice.

ἐπὶupon / overpreposition + accusative (the options 'over you')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (the options 'over you').

σέyouAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (David)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σέ): 'you'; David, over whom the three judgments are held.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔκλεξαιchooseAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐκλέγομαιmain verb of command (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (make the choice)ἐκλέγομαι: 'choose / select'; renders בָּחַר; the middle voice ('choose for yourself') throws the burden of decision onto David — a terrible mercy.

σεαυτῷfor yourselfDativedative of advantage (reflexive)→ sphere or referenceσεαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun, 'yourself'; the dative σεαυτῷ underscores that David must own the choice.

ἓνoneAccusativedirect object of ἔκλεξαι (numeral substantive)→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; the neuter ἕν ('one [thing]') agrees with the implied 'thing'; one of the three options is to be selected.

ἐξof / frompreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ (ἐξ before vowel): partitive, 'one of them.'

αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive (partitive: 'of them' = the three options)→ relational specificationαὐτός: the three judgment-options as the set from which one is to be drawn.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ποιήσωI will doFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (divine execution of the chosen option)→ predictive future (certain divine response)ποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עָשָׂה; YHWH binds himself to enact whichever judgment David selects.

σοιto youDativedative of disadvantage (recipient of the judgment)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): 'to you'; David as the one to whom the chosen judgment will be done.

καὶ εἰσῆλθεν Γαδ πρὸς Δαυιδ καὶ ἀνήγγειλεν αὐτῷ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἔκλεξαι σεαυτῷ γενέσθαι εἰ ἔλθῃ σοι τρία ἔτη λιμὸς ἐν τῇ γῇ σου ἢ τρεῖς μῆνας φεύγειν σε ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ἐχθρῶν σου καὶ ἔσονται διώκοντές σε ἢ γενέσθαι τρεῖς ἡμέρας θάνατον ἐν τῇ γῇ σου νῦν οὖν γνῶθι καὶ ἰδὲ τί ἀποκριθῶ τῷ ἀποστείλαντί με ῥῆμα

And Gad came to David and reported to him and said to him, 'Choose for yourself what shall befall: whether there should come to you three years of famine in your land, or that you flee three months before your enemies while they pursue you, or that there be three days of pestilence in your land. Now therefore consider and see what answer I shall return to him who sent me.'

Gad presents the three options to Davidκαὶ εἰσῆλθεν Γαδ

Gad relays the three judgments, structured by the ἢ … ἢ ('or … or') disjunction: three years' famine, three months' flight, or three days' pestilence (θάνατος). The descending time-scale (years/months/days) is inverse to severity. The closing γνῶθι καὶ ἰδέ ('consider and see') demands David's immediate decision so Gad may report back to YHWH (τῷ ἀποστείλαντί με).

Word-by-word analysis· 57 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἰσῆλθενcame inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (Gad's arrival)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / come in'; renders בּוֹא; Gad comes to David to deliver the oracle.

ΓαδGadsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΓαδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀνήγγειλενreportedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb (announcement)→ constative aoristἀναγγέλλω: 'announce / report / declare'; renders נָגַד (Hiphil); Gad formally delivers the divine message.

αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (David)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (David).

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces the direct presentation of the three options.

ἔκλεξαιchooseAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐκλέγομαιmain verb of command (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeἐκλέγομαι: 'choose for oneself' (cf. v. 12); Gad reiterates the demand for David's decision.

σεαυτῷfor yourselfDativedative of advantage (reflexive)→ sphere or referenceσεαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun; David must own the choice (cf. v. 12).

γενέσθαιto befall / come to beAor Mid Inf · γίνομαιcomplementary infinitive (the thing to be chosen)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (aor. inf.): 'happen / come to pass'; the infinitive introduces the content of the choice — which of the judgments is to 'befall.'

εἰwhetherinterrogative-conditional particle (introducing first option)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if / whether'; here introducing the first of the three deliberative options.

ἔλθῃshould comeAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιverb of conditional clause (subjunctive)→ potential subjunctive (hypothetical option)ἔρχομαι (aor. subj.): 'come'; the subjunctive ἔλθῃ presents the famine as a possible, chosen outcome.

σοιto youDativedative of disadvantage (David)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of disadvantage (David).

τρίαthreeNominativenumeral (modifying ἔτη)→ measure or countτρεῖς, τρία: 'three'; the neuter τρία agrees with ἔτη; the famine option spans three years (cf. MT 'seven years'; 1 Chr 21:12 'three years').

ἔτηyearsNominativesubject of ἔλθῃ (period of famine)→ participant prominenceἔτος (pl. ἔτη): 'year'; renders שָׁנָה; the first option's duration.

λιμὸςfamineNominativesubject (in apposition / predicate with ἔτη)→ participant prominenceλιμός: 'famine / hunger'; renders רָעָב; the first of the three judgment-options.

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.

γῇlandDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land'; David's realm, the locus of the famine.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying γῇ)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying γῇ).

ἢordisjunctive particle (second option)→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; introduces the second of the three options; the ἢ … ἢ structure sets the judgments in alternation.

τρεῖςthreeAccusativenumeral (modifying μῆνας)→ measure or countτρεῖς: 'three'; accusative agreeing with μῆνας; the flight option spans three months.

μῆναςmonthsAccusativeaccusative of duration ('for three months')→ object specificationμήν (acc. pl. μῆνας): 'month'; the duration of the second option, flight before enemies.

φεύγεινto fleePres Act Inf · φεύγωinfinitive (the second option's content)→ durative present infinitive (ongoing flight)φεύγω: 'flee'; renders נוּס; the present infinitive depicts sustained flight before pursuing enemies.

σεyouAccusativeaccusative subject of φεύγειν (David)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σε): the accusative subject of the infinitive, 'that you flee.'

ἔμπροσθενbeforepreposition + genitive (in front of / before)→ spatial or relational framingἔμπροσθεν: 'before / in front of'; renders לִפְנֵי; David would flee 'before' (in the face of) his pursuing foes.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἐχθρῶνenemiesGenitivegenitive object of ἔμπροσθεν→ relational specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy / foe'; renders אֹיֵב; the pursuers in the second option.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ἐχθρῶν)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying ἐχθρῶν).

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔσονταιthey will beFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (periphrastic with διώκοντες)→ predictive futureεἰμί (fut. ἔσονται): in periphrasis with the participle διώκοντες ('they will be pursuing'), a Hebraizing construction stressing continuous pursuit.

διώκοντέςpursuingPres Act Ptcp Nom Pl Masc · διώκωpredicate participle (periphrastic with ἔσονται)→ durative present participle (continuous pursuit)διώκω: 'pursue / chase'; renders רָדַף; the periphrastic ἔσονται διώκοντες ('they will be pursuing') emphasizes relentless harrying of the fugitive king.

σεyouAccusativedirect object of διώκοντες (David)→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of διώκοντες (David).

ἢordisjunctive particle (third option)→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; introduces the third and final option, the pestilence.

γενέσθαιthat there beAor Mid Inf · γίνομαιinfinitive (the third option's content)→ verbal action or stateγίνομαι (aor. inf.): 'come to be / happen'; the infinitive frames the third option, 'that there be three days of pestilence.'

τρεῖςthreeAccusativenumeral (modifying ἡμέρας)→ measure or countτρεῖς: 'three'; accusative agreeing with ἡμέρας; the pestilence option spans three days — shortest in time but it will prove devastating (v. 15).

ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of duration ('for three days')→ object specificationἡμέρα (acc. pl. ἡμέρας): 'day'; the duration of the third option.

θάνατονpestilence / deathAccusativeaccusative subject of γενέσθαι (the third judgment)→ object specificationθάνατος: 'death'; in the LXX θάνατος regularly renders דֶּבֶר ('pestilence / plague'), especially in judgment contexts (cf. Jer 14:12); here the deadly pestilence David will choose (v. 14).

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.

γῇlandDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as dative of place.

νῦνnowtemporal adverb (transition to demand for decision)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; with οὖν forms the transitional 'now therefore.'

οὖνthereforeinferential particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὖν: 'therefore'; draws the conclusion: a decision is required at once.

γνῶθιconsider / knowAor Act Impv 2 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb of command (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (come to a decision)γινώσκω (aor. impv.): 'know / understand / consider'; renders דַּע; David is urged to deliberate decisively.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἰδὲseeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ὁράωmain verb of command (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeὁράω (aor. impv. ἰδέ): 'see / look'; renders רְאֵה; γνῶθι καὶ ἰδέ ('consider and see') is a doubled imperative pressing David to resolve.

τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of ἀποκριθῶ)→ participant referenceτίς, τί: interrogative; introduces the indirect deliberative question, 'what answer I am to give.'

ἀποκριθῶI shall answerAor Pass Subj 1 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιverb of indirect deliberative question (subjunctive)→ deliberative subjunctive (what am I to answer?)ἀποκρίνομαι (aor. pass. dep. subj.): 'answer / reply'; renders שׁוּב דָּבָר ('return word'); Gad must carry David's decision back to YHWH.

τῷto the oneDativearticle (with substantival participle)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀποστείλαντίwho sentAor Act Ptcp Dat Sg Masc · ἀποστέλλωsubstantival participle (indirect object: 'to him who sent me')→ verbal action or stateἀποστέλλω (aor. ptcp.): 'send'; the substantival τῷ ἀποστείλαντί με ('to the one who sent me') is a reverent circumlocution for YHWH, who commissioned Gad.

μεmeAccusativedirect object of ἀποστείλαντι (Gad)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἀποστείλαντι (Gad).

ῥῆμαa word / messageAccusativeaccusative (cognate / adverbial: 'as a reply')→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / matter / thing'; renders דָּבָר; here the report David's decision will furnish — the 'word' Gad must bring back to YHWH.

καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς Γαδ στενά μοι πάντοθεν σφόδρα ἐστίν ἐμπεσοῦμαι δὴ ἐν χειρὶ κυρίου ὅτι πολλοὶ οἱ οἰκτιρμοὶ αὐτοῦ σφόδρα εἰς δὲ χεῖρας ἀνθρώπου οὐ μὴ ἐμπέσω καὶ ἐξελέξατο ἑαυτῷ Δαυιδ τὸν θάνατον

And David said to Gad, 'I am in great distress on every side; let me fall, I pray, into the hand of the LORD, for his mercies are very great; but into the hand of man let me not fall.' And David chose for himself the pestilence.

David's choice (climax of unit B)καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ

David's reply is the theological heart of the chapter: hemmed in (στενά μοι πάντοθεν), he chooses to fall into YHWH's hand rather than man's, trusting that πολλοὶ οἱ οἰκτιρμοὶ αὐτοῦ ('his mercies are very great'). The emphatic οὐ μὴ ἐμπέσω ('I will certainly not fall') rejects human agency. The narrator confirms: David chose τὸν θάνατον (the pestilence).

Word-by-word analysis· 34 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: introduces David's momentous reply.

ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

ΓαδGadaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΓαδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).

στενάdistress / straitsNominativepredicate adjective (neuter plural: 'things are narrow')→ participant prominenceστενός: 'narrow / confined'; the neuter plural στενά ('straits / distress') with ἐστίν renders the Hebrew idiom צַר־לִי ('I am in a tight place / distressed'); David feels boxed in by the dreadful choice.

μοιto me / for meDativedative of reference (David as the one in distress)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. μοι): 'to me'; the dative of the one experiencing the straits, 'it is distressful to me.'

πάντοθενon every sideadverb of place (totality of pressure)→ clausal contributionπάντοθεν: 'from all sides / on every side'; intensifies the sense of being hemmed in by the three judgments.

σφόδραexceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying στενά)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'exceedingly'; renders מְאֹד; heightens David's anguish.

ἐστίνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (with στενά: 'it is distress')→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; copula of the predicate-adjective construction στενά … ἐστίν.

ἐμπεσοῦμαιlet me fall / I will fallFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐμπίπτωmain verb (volitive future: David's decision)→ volitive future (resolve / preference)ἐμπίπτω: 'fall into'; renders נָפַל; the future ἐμπεσοῦμαι functions volitively ('let me fall'); David elects to fall into YHWH's hand — the pestilence is direct divine chastening.

δὴI pray / nowemphatic particle (reinforcing the resolve)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: particle of urgency/entreaty; renders נָא.

ἐνintopreposition + dative (Hebraizing: 'into the hand')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dative: with ἐμπίπτω, a Hebraism (rendering בְּיַד) meaning 'fall into the hand/power of.'

χειρὶhandDativedative (object of ἐν: 'into the hand of the LORD')→ sphere or referenceχείρ: 'hand'; renders יָד; the 'hand' as metaphor for power and disposal; to fall into YHWH's hand is to be subject to his merciful chastening.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession ('the LORD's hand')→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; David trusts the divine hand over the human.

ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; grounds David's choice in the character of YHWH.

πολλοὶmany / greatNominativepredicate adjective (with οἰκτιρμοί)→ participant prominenceπολύς: 'many / great / abundant'; renders רַב; 'his mercies are many/great' — the theological rationale for David's preference.

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

οἰκτιρμοὶmercies / compassionsNominativesubject (of the causal clause)→ participant prominenceοἰκτιρμός: 'compassion / mercy / pity'; renders רַחֲמִים; the plural denotes YHWH's abundant compassion — the ground of David's confidence (cf. Ps 50[51]:3 LXX).

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (YHWH's mercies)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (YHWH's mercies).

σφόδραexceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying πολλοί)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'exceedingly'; 'his mercies are very great' — the intensifier crowns David's trust.

εἰςintopreposition + accusative (fronted: 'but into the hands of man')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: with ἐμπίπτω, 'fall into'; the fronting of εἰς … χεῖρας ἀνθρώπου emphasizes the rejected alternative.

δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: 'but'; contrasts the human hand with the divine.

χεῖραςhandsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς ('into the hands of man')→ object specificationχείρ (acc. pl. χεῖρας): 'hand'; the human hand, from which David recoils — falling before enemies (option two) would mean human cruelty without mercy.

ἀνθρώπουof manGenitivegenitive of possession ('hands of man')→ relational specificationἄνθρωπος: 'man / human being'; renders אָדָם; human agency is set against divine — David trusts God's mercy over man's.

οὐnotnegative particle (with μή: emphatic negation)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: with μή forms the emphatic double negative οὐ μή ('by no means').

μὴnotnegative particle (with οὐ + subjunctive: strong denial)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: in οὐ μή + aorist subjunctive, the strongest form of negation in Greek — 'I will absolutely not fall.'

ἐμπέσωI fallAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ἐμπίπτωmain verb (with οὐ μή: emphatic refusal)→ subjunctive of emphatic negation (resolute refusal)ἐμπίπτω (aor. subj.): 'fall into'; with οὐ μή expresses David's absolute determination not to fall into human hands.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (narrator's summary)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐξελέξατοchoseAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκλέγομαιmain verb (narrator confirms the choice)→ constative aorist (the decision made)ἐκλέγομαι: 'choose'; the same root as the imperatives ἔκλεξαι (vv. 12–13); the narrator records that David made his choice — the pestilence.

ἑαυτῷfor himselfDativedative of advantage (reflexive)→ sphere or referenceἑαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun; echoes the σεαυτῷ of the command — David owns the decision.

ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θάνατονpestilence / deathAccusativedirect object of ἐξελέξατο (the chosen judgment)→ object specificationθάνατος: 'death / pestilence' (rendering דֶּבֶר; cf. v. 13); the three-day plague is David's choice — falling directly into the LORD's hand.

καὶ ἡμέραι θερισμοῦ πυρῶν καὶ ἔδωκεν κύριος ἐν Ισραηλ θάνατον ἀπὸ πρωίθεν ἕως ὥρας ἀρίστου καὶ ἤρξατο ἡ θραῦσις ἐν τῷ λαῷ καὶ ἀπέθανεν ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ ἀπὸ Δαν καὶ ἕως Βηρσαβεε ἑβδομήκοντα χιλιάδες ἀνδρῶν

And it was the days of wheat harvest; and the LORD sent pestilence in Israel from the morning until the hour of the midday meal, and the plague began among the people; and there died of the people, from Dan and as far as Beersheba, seventy thousand men.

Execution of the plague (opens unit C)καὶ ἡμέραι θερισμοῦ

The pestilence falls. A circumstantial note sets the season — wheat harvest. The LORD 'gives' (ἔδωκεν) death in Israel; the θραῦσις ('plague / shattering') sweeps the same Dan-to-Beersheba span as the census (v. 2), turning the counted multitude into the slain. Seventy thousand fall (ἑβδομήκοντα χιλιάδες), the toll of David's sin upon the people.

Word-by-word analysis· 35 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (circumstantial note)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubject (nominal clause: 'it was the days of harvest')→ participant prominenceἡμέρα (nom. pl. ἡμέραι): 'day'; the verbless clause 'and (it was) the days of wheat harvest' supplies the seasonal setting of the plague.

θερισμοῦof harvestGenitivegenitive (defining ἡμέραι: 'days of harvest')→ relational specificationθερισμός: 'harvest / reaping'; renders קָצִיר; the harvest season locates the plague in early summer.

πυρῶνof wheatGenitivegenitive (defining θερισμοῦ: 'wheat harvest')→ relational specificationπυρός (gen. pl. πυρῶν): 'wheat'; renders חִטִּים; 'the days of wheat harvest' — a poignant note as death reaps the people at the time of agricultural ingathering.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔδωκενsent / gaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (the LORD inflicts the plague)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; here 'gave/sent' the pestilence (rendering נָתַן); YHWH is the direct agent of the chosen judgment, consistent with David's preference (v. 14).

κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἔδωκεν (divine agent)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; YHWH himself sends the pestilence — the hand David chose to fall into.

ἐνin / amongpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).

ΙσραηλIsraeldative object of ἐν (indeclinable: among the people)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative object of ἐν (indeclinable: among the people).

θάνατονpestilence / deathAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκεν (the plague sent)→ object specificationθάνατος: 'death / pestilence' (rendering דֶּבֶר); the very judgment David elected now falls on Israel.

ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (temporal start)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό … ἕως: temporal span, 'from the morning until the hour of the midday meal.'

πρωίθενthe morningadverb (temporal: 'from early morning')→ clausal contributionπρωΐθεν: 'from early / from the morning'; adverb; renders מֵהַבֹּקֶר; the plague's onset at dawn.

ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal end)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until'; marks the end of the plague's stated span.

ὥραςhourGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (temporal: 'until the hour')→ relational specificationὥρα: 'hour / time'; the temporal terminus, the hour of the midday meal (ἄριστον).

ἀρίστουof the midday mealGenitivegenitive (defining ὥρας: 'hour of the meal')→ relational specificationἄριστον: 'breakfast / midday meal'; ὥρα ἀρίστου = 'time of the meal,' i.e. midday; the LXX renders the Hebrew 'appointed time' (מוֹעֵד) by a concrete daily marker.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἤρξατοbeganAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἄρχωmain verb (onset of the plague)→ ingressive aoristἄρχω (mid. 'begin'): renders חָלַל / the inception of the plague; the θραῦσις commences among the people.

ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θραῦσιςplague / shatteringNominativesubject of ἤρξατο→ participant prominenceθραῦσις: 'breaking / shattering / plague-blow'; renders מַגֵּפָה ('plague / slaughter'); the key term for the pestilence in this chapter (recurs vv. 21, 25); literally a 'shattering' of the people.

ἐνamongpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; 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.

λαῷpeopleDativedative of place (among the people)→ sphere or referenceλαός: 'people'; the counted multitude now the victims of the plague.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπέθανενthere diedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (the death-toll; singular with following number-subject)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; renders מוּת; the singular verb precedes the numeral subject (χιλιάδες), normal Greek concord; the grim total follows.

ἐκof / frompreposition + genitive (partitive: 'of the people')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: partitive, 'of the people' — those who died were drawn from the populace just numbered.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive (partitive object of ἐκ)→ relational specificationλαοῦ: meaning 'people'; it serves as genitive (partitive object of ἐκ).

ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (start of geographic merism)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό … ἕως: the 'Dan to Beersheba' merism again (cf. v. 2), now measuring the reach of the plague rather than the census.

ΔανDangenitive object of ἀπό (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΔαν: the northern limit; the plague spans the whole land just counted.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (end of merism)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: completes the merism with Βηρσαβεε.

ΒηρσαβεεBeershebagenitive object of ἕως (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒηρσαβεε: the southern limit; the plague reaches the full extent of Israel and Judah.

ἑβδομήκονταseventyindeclinable numeral (modifying χιλιάδες)→ measure or countἑβδομήκοντα: 'seventy'; indeclinable cardinal numeral; '70 thousands' = 70,000 — the catastrophic toll of the plague.

χιλιάδεςthousandsNominativesubject of ἀπέθανεν (the number who died)→ participant prominenceχιλιάς: 'thousand'; the dead are reckoned in thousands, as the living were at v. 9 — the census tragically reversed.

ἀνδρῶνof menGenitivegenitive (defining χιλιάδες: 'thousands of men')→ relational specificationἀνήρ (gen. pl. ἀνδρῶν): 'man'; the seventy thousand dead are men of the people.

καὶ ἐξέτεινεν ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ εἰς Ιερουσαλημ τοῦ διαφθεῖραι αὐτήν καὶ παρεκλήθη κύριος ἐπὶ τῇ κακίᾳ καὶ εἶπεν τῷ ἀγγέλῳ τῷ διαφθείροντι ἐν τῷ λαῷ πολὺ νῦν ἄνες τὴν χεῖρά σου καὶ ὁ ἄγγελος κυρίου ἦν παρὰ τῷ ἅλῳ Ορνα τοῦ Ιεβουσαίου

And the angel of God stretched out his hand against Jerusalem to destroy it; and the LORD relented over the calamity and said to the angel who was destroying among the people, 'It is enough now; stay your hand.' And the angel of the LORD was by the threshing floor of Arauna the Jebusite.

The angel stayed; the LORD relentsκαὶ ἐξέτεινεν ὁ ἄγγελος

At the threat to Jerusalem the LORD παρεκλήθη ('relented / was moved to compassion') ἐπὶ τῇ κακίᾳ ('over the calamity') and halts the destroying angel: ἄνες τὴν χεῖρά σου ('stay your hand'). The mention of the ἅλως ('threshing floor') of Ορνα (Arauna) the Jebusite fixes the location — the site that will become the altar and the future temple mount.

Word-by-word analysis· 46 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐξέτεινενstretched outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκτείνωmain verb (the angel's hostile gesture)→ constative aoristἐκτείνω: 'stretch out / extend'; renders שָׁלַח (יָד) ('put forth the hand'); the angel extends his hand to bring the plague upon Jerusalem itself.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἄγγελοςangelNominativesubject of ἐξέτεινεν→ participant prominenceἄγγελος: 'messenger / angel'; renders מַלְאָךְ; the agent of the pestilence, called ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ here and ὁ ἄγγελος κυρίου at the verse's end.

τοῦofGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship ('the angel of God')→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; 'the angel of God' executes the divine judgment.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

χεῖραhandAccusativedirect object of ἐξέτεινεν→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the outstretched hand is the instrument of the plague's spread, echoing 'the hand of the LORD' David chose (v. 14).

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the angel's hand)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the angel's hand).

εἰςagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: here 'toward / against' Jerusalem, the threatened object.

ΙερουσαλημJerusalemobject of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: the royal city, now under direct threat — the crisis that prompts the LORD's relenting.

τοῦtoGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive of purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

διαφθεῖραιto destroyAor Act Inf · διαφθείρωarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)→ verbal action or stateδιαφθείρω (aor. inf.): 'destroy utterly / ruin'; the genitive articular infinitive τοῦ διαφθεῖραι expresses purpose ('to destroy it'); renders שָׁחַת.

αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object of διαφθεῖραι (Jerusalem)→ participant referenceαὐτός: refers to Jerusalem (feminine πόλις understood).

καὶandnarrative conjunction (the divine turn)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

παρεκλήθηrelented / was movedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb (the LORD's change of disposition)→ constative aorist (decisive relenting)παρακαλέω (aor. pass.): 'comfort / console / be moved to compassion'; the passive παρεκλήθη here renders נָחַם (Niphal, 'relent / be grieved'); YHWH is moved to compassion and halts the destruction (cf. the same idiom of divine relenting at Exod 32:14).

κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of παρεκλήθη→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the same LORD who sent the plague now relents — David's trust in the divine mercy (v. 14) is vindicated.

ἐπὶover / atpreposition + dative (occasion of relenting)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dative: 'over / concerning'; the calamity is that over which YHWH relents.

τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κακίᾳcalamity / evilDativedative object of ἐπί (the disaster)→ sphere or referenceκακία: 'evil / harm / calamity'; renders רָעָה; here the disaster/affliction of the plague, not moral evil — YHWH relents over the harm done to his people.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (the LORD's command to the angel)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces YHWH's order halting the angel.

τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀγγέλῳangelDativeindirect object of εἶπεν→ sphere or referenceἄγγελος (dat. ἀγγέλῳ): the destroying angel addressed by YHWH.

τῷthe (who was)Dativearticle (with attributive participle)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

διαφθείροντιdestroyingPres Act Ptcp Dat Sg Masc · διαφθείρωattributive participle (modifying ἀγγέλῳ: 'the one destroying')→ durative present participle (ongoing destruction)διαφθείρω (pres. ptcp.): 'destroy'; ὁ διαφθείρων ('the destroyer') is the angel mid-act; the present participle marks the destruction in progress when YHWH intervenes.

ἐνamongpreposition + dative (location of the destroying)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location of the destroying).

τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λαῷpeopleDativedative of place (among the people)→ sphere or referenceλαῷ: meaning 'people'; it serves as dative of place (among the people).

πολὺenough / muchNominativepredicate (elliptical: 'it is much / enough')→ participant prominenceπολύς: 'much / great'; the neuter πολύ here functions as the divine 'Enough!' (cf. Hebrew רַב, 'it is much / enough'); YHWH judges the destruction sufficient and orders its cessation.

νῦνnowtemporal adverb (with the command)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; presses the immediacy of the command to stay.

ἄνεςstay / relaxAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀνίημιmain verb of command (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (halt now)ἀνίημι (aor. impv. ἄνες): 'let go / relax / slacken'; renders הֶרֶף ('let drop / desist'); 'stay your hand' — the command that halts the plague.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

χεῖράhandAccusativedirect object of ἄνες→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the destroying hand (cf. earlier in the verse) is now to be lowered.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (the angel's hand)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the angel's hand).

καὶandnarrative conjunction (locating note)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἄγγελοςangelNominativesubject of ἦν→ participant prominenceἄγγελος: 'angel'; now titled ὁ ἄγγελος κυρίου ('the angel of the LORD'); his location fixes the site of the coming altar.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of relationship ('the angel of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; 'the angel of the LORD' (מַלְאַךְ יהוה), the divine emissary.

ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (locating the angel)→ imperfect (durative state: was standing)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'was'; the imperfect locates the angel as standing at the threshing floor — the scene of the next episode.

παρὰby / besidepreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + dative: 'beside / by'; locates the angel at the threshing floor.

τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἅλῳthreshing floorDativedative object of παρά (location)→ sphere or referenceἅλως (dat. ἅλῳ): 'threshing floor'; renders גֹּרֶן; the open, elevated threshing floor of Arauna — the site that becomes David's altar and, by tradition, the Temple Mount (cf. 2 Chr 3:1).

ΟρναAraunagenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'of Arauna')→ participant identificationΟρνα: transliteration of Hebrew אֲרַוְנָה (Arauna/Ornan); indeclinable in the LXX; the Jebusite owner of the threshing floor.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with gentilic)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΙεβουσαίουJebusiteGenitivegenitive in apposition to Ορνα ('the Jebusite')→ relational specificationΙεβουσαῖος: 'Jebusite'; gentilic, renders יְבוּסִי; Arauna is of the pre-Israelite people of Jerusalem (Jebus), underscoring that the future temple-site is acquired, not seized.

καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ πρὸς κύριον ἐν τῷ ἰδεῖν αὐτὸν τὸν ἄγγελον τύπτοντα ἐν τῷ λαῷ καὶ εἶπεν ἰδοὺ ἐγώ εἰμι ἠδίκησα καὶ ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ποιμὴν ἐκακοποίησα καὶ οὗτοι τὰ πρόβατα τί ἐποίησαν γενέσθω δὴ ἡ χείρ σου ἐν ἐμοὶ καὶ ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ τοῦ πατρός μου

And David spoke to the LORD when he saw the angel striking among the people, and he said, 'Behold, it is I who have done wrong; and I am the shepherd who have done evil; but these, the sheep, what have they done? Let your hand, I pray, be against me and against the house of my father.'

David's intercession (close of unit C)καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ

David's intercession is the moral summit of the chapter: he claims full guilt (ἐγώ εἰμι ἠδίκησα … ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ποιμὴν ἐκακοποίησα) and pleads for the innocent flock (οὗτοι τὰ πρόβατα τί ἐποίησαν). The shepherd-sheep image casts David as Israel's pastor bearing responsibility for his people. He asks that the divine hand fall on himself and his father's house.

Word-by-word analysis· 47 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces David's plea to YHWH upon seeing the carnage.

ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

κύριονLORDAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (addressee)→ object specificationκύριος (acc. κύριον): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; David intercedes directly with YHWH.

ἐνwhen / inpreposition + dative (temporal, with articular infinitive)→ spatial or relational framingἐν τῷ + infinitive: temporal construction, 'when he saw' — a frequent LXX rendering of the Hebrew infinitive construct with בְּ.

τῷtheDativearticle (with articular infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἰδεῖνto see / seeingAor Act Inf · ὁράωarticular infinitive (temporal: 'when he saw')→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. inf. ἰδεῖν): 'see'; the articular infinitive ἐν τῷ ἰδεῖν fixes the moment — David sees the angel striking and at once intercedes.

αὐτὸνheAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive (David)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the accusative subject of the infinitive ('when he [David] saw').

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἄγγελονangelAccusativedirect object of ἰδεῖν→ object specificationἄγγελος (acc. ἄγγελον): the destroying angel David beholds at work.

τύπτονταstrikingPres Act Ptcp Acc Sg Masc · τύπτωsupplementary participle (with verb of perception ἰδεῖν)→ durative present participle (ongoing striking)τύπτω: 'strike / smite'; renders נָכָה; the participle after a verb of perception ('saw the angel striking') depicts the action in progress.

ἐνamongpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; 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.

λαῷpeopleDativedative of place (among the people)→ sphere or referenceλαῷ: meaning 'people'; it serves as dative of place (among the people).

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 (introduces the direct plea)→ constative aoristλέγω: resumptive, introducing the words of intercession proper.

ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (attention-marker)→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; a presentative particle fronting David's self-accusation.

ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic, in ἐγώ εἰμι)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic personal pronoun; ἐγώ εἰμι ('it is I') throws the full weight of guilt on David himself.

εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula (emphatic self-identification)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; ἐγώ εἰμι here renders the Hebrew emphatic אֲנִי / הִנֵּה אָנֹכִי, asserting 'it is I (who am guilty).'

ἠδίκησαI have done wrongAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀδικέωmain verb (confession of guilt)→ constative aorist (acknowledged offense)ἀδικέω: 'do wrong / act unjustly'; renders עָוָה / הֶעֱוֵיתִי; David owns the injustice of the census.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic, repeated)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the repeated emphatic pronoun intensifies David's self-incrimination.

εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula (with predicate ὁ ποιμήν)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; 'I am the shepherd' identifies David's pastoral office and culpability.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ποιμὴνshepherdNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐγώ εἰμι)→ participant prominenceποιμήν: 'shepherd'; renders רֹעֶה; the royal shepherd-image (cf. 2 Kgdms 5:2; Ps 77[78]:71–72) makes David responsible for his flock; here he interposes himself between the sheep and the plague.

ἐκακοποίησαI have done evilAor Act Indic 1 Sg · κακοποιέωmain verb (further confession)→ constative aoristκακοποιέω: 'do evil / act wickedly'; renders הֲרֵעֹתִי (רָעַע); David doubles his confession — the wrong is his alone.

καὶbut / andconjunction (adversative turn to the flock)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οὗτοιtheseNominativesubject (demonstrative: 'these ones')→ participant prominenceοὗτος: 'this'; the masculine plural οὗτοι points to the people, set in apposition to τὰ πρόβατα ('the sheep').

τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πρόβαταsheepNominativesubject in apposition to οὗτοι ('these, the sheep')→ participant prominenceπρόβατον: 'sheep'; renders צֹאן; the flock-image for the innocent people, contrasted with the guilty shepherd.

τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of ἐποίησαν)→ participant referenceτίς, τί: interrogative; 'what have they done?' — a rhetorical question protesting the innocence of the people.

ἐποίησανhave they doneAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb of the rhetorical question→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do'; the rhetorical 'what have they done?' expects the answer 'nothing' — the people bear no guilt for the census.

γενέσθωlet it beAor Mid Impv 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (third-person imperative of petition)→ imperatival aorist (David's self-offering plea)γίνομαι (aor. impv. 3 sg.): 'let (it) be / come to pass'; David begs that the divine hand 'be' upon himself instead of the people — a substitutionary intercession.

δὴI pray / nowemphatic particle (with imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: entreaty particle; renders נָא.

ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

χείρhandNominativesubject of γενέσθω→ participant prominenceχείρ: 'hand'; the divine hand of judgment, which David asks to be turned upon himself.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (the LORD's hand)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the LORD's hand).

ἐνagainst / onpreposition + dative (Hebraizing: 'upon me')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dative: with χείρ, the Hebraism 'be against / upon me' (rendering בִּי).

ἐμοὶmeDativedative object of ἐν (David himself)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. ἐμοί): David offers himself as the proper object of judgment.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐνagainst / onpreposition + dative (Hebraizing: 'upon the house')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (Hebraizing: 'upon the house').

τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

οἴκῳhouseDativedative object of ἐν (David's house)→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house / household'; renders בַּיִת; David includes his own dynasty in the offer of judgment, sparing the people.

τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πατρόςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship ('house of my father')→ relational specificationπατήρ (gen. πατρός): 'father'; renders אָב; 'the house of my father' = David's family line.

μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying πατρός)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying πατρός).

καὶ ἦλθεν Γαδ πρὸς Δαυιδ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ἀνάβηθι καὶ στῆσον τῷ κυρίῳ θυσιαστήριον ἐν τῷ ἅλωνι Ορνα τοῦ Ιεβουσαίου

And Gad came to David on that day and said to him, 'Go up and set up an altar to the LORD at the threshing floor of Arauna the Jebusite.'

Gad's instruction to build an altar (opens unit D)καὶ ἦλθεν Γαδ

The prophet returns with the remedy: build an altar (στῆσον … θυσιαστήριον) to the LORD at Arauna's threshing floor — the very spot where the angel was stayed (v. 16). The imperatives ἀνάβηθι … στῆσον set in motion the atoning act that will close the book.

Word-by-word analysis· 24 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (Gad's arrival)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; Gad returns to David with the divine instruction.

ΓαδGadsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΓαδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).

ἐνon / inpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).

τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time ('on that day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the day of the plague's staying, when the remedy is given.

ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; deictic, 'on that (same) day.'

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: introduces Gad's instruction.

ἀνάβηθιgo upAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb of command (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeἀναβαίνω (aor. impv. ἀνάβηθι): 'go up'; renders עֲלֵה; David is to ascend to the elevated threshing floor.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

στῆσονset up / erectAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb of command (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperativeἵστημι (aor. impv. στῆσον): 'set up / erect / establish'; renders הָקֵם; the command to raise an altar — the atoning remedy for the plague.

τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κυρίῳLORDDativedative of advantage (the altar's recipient)→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the altar is raised 'to the LORD,' for his worship and propitiation.

θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativedirect object of στῆσον→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; renders מִזְבֵּחַ; the LXX's standard term for the place of sacrifice; this altar marks the site of the future Temple.

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.

ἅλωνιthreshing floorDativedative object of ἐν (location of the altar)→ sphere or referenceἅλων (dat. ἅλωνι): 'threshing floor'; a by-form of ἅλως (cf. v. 16, ἅλῳ); renders גֹּרֶן; the designated site for the altar.

ΟρναAraunagenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'of Arauna')→ participant identificationΟρνα: indeclinable transliteration of אֲרַוְנָה; the Jebusite owner of the threshing floor.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΙεβουσαίουJebusiteGenitivegenitive in apposition to Ορνα→ relational specificationΙεβουσαῖος: 'Jebusite'; identifies Arauna as of the indigenous people of Jerusalem.

καὶ ἀνέβη Δαυιδ κατὰ τὸν λόγον Γαδ καθ᾿ ὃν τρόπον ἐνετείλατο αὐτῷ κύριος

And David went up according to the word of Gad, in the manner that the LORD had commanded him.

David's obedience to the prophetic wordκαὶ ἀνέβη Δαυιδ

David's prompt obedience is stressed by the doubled conformity-formula κατὰ τὸν λόγον Γαδ … καθ᾿ ὃν τρόπον ἐνετείλατο … κύριος ('according to Gad's word … as the LORD commanded'), aligning the prophet's instruction with the divine will.

Word-by-word analysis· 13 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 (David's obedience)→ constative aoristἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; renders עָלָה; David ascends to the threshing floor in obedience to the command of v. 18.

ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (conformity)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + accusative: 'according to / in conformity with'; renders כְּ; David acts in accord with the prophetic word.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λόγονwordAccusativeaccusative object of κατά→ object specificationλόγος: 'word / command'; renders דָּבָר; Gad's instruction, which David follows exactly.

Γαδof Gadgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'word of Gad')→ participant identificationΓαδ: indeclinable; the prophet whose word David obeys.

καθ᾿according topreposition + accusative (conformity, elided before relative)→ spatial or relational framingκατά (elided καθ᾿): in the idiom καθ᾿ ὃν τρόπον ('in the manner that / just as'), a stock LXX conformity-formula.

ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (with τρόπον: 'in the manner that')→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; in καθ᾿ ὃν τρόπον introduces the manner-clause of conformity.

τρόπονmannerAccusativeaccusative (in idiom καθ᾿ ὃν τρόπον: 'in which manner')→ object specificationτρόπος: 'manner / way'; the idiom καθ᾿ ὃν τρόπον = 'just as / in the way that.'

ἐνετείλατοcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb of the manner-clause→ constative aoristἐντέλλομαι: 'command / order / charge'; renders צִוָּה; the LORD's command, mediated through Gad, is what David fulfills.

αὐτῷhimDativeindirect object (David)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (David).

κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐνετείλατο→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the ultimate commander behind Gad's word — prophet and LORD speak as one.

καὶ διέκυψεν Ορνα καὶ εἶδεν τὸν βασιλέα καὶ τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ παραπορευομένους ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐξῆλθεν Ορνα καὶ προσεκύνησεν τῷ βασιλεῖ ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν

And Arauna looked out and saw the king and his servants passing over toward him; and Arauna went out and did obeisance to the king with his face to the ground.

Arauna receives the kingκαὶ διέκυψεν Ορνα

The narrative shifts to Arauna's perspective: he looks out (διέκυψεν), sees the royal party, goes out, and prostrates himself (προσεκύνησεν … ἐπὶ πρόσωπον … ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν), the gesture of submission before David. His reverence sets up the dialogue over the purchase (vv. 21–24).

Word-by-word analysis· 27 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

διέκυψενlooked outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διακύπτωmain verb (Arauna's perception)→ constative aoristδιακύπτω: 'stoop and look / peer out'; renders שָׁקַף; Arauna looks out (from the threshing floor) and notices the approaching king.

ΟρναAraunasubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΟρνα: indeclinable; now the focal character as the scene shifts to his threshing floor.

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 (perception)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see'; Arauna perceives the king and his retinue.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλέαkingAccusativedirect object of εἶδεν→ object specificationβασιλεύς (acc. βασιλέα): David, seen approaching by Arauna.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

παῖδαςservantsAccusativedirect object of εἶδεν (coordinate with βασιλέα)→ object specificationπαῖς (acc. pl. παῖδας): 'servant / attendant'; renders עֶבֶד; the king's retinue accompanying him.

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the king's servants)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the king's servants).

παραπορευομένουςpassing overPres Mid Ptcp Acc Pl Masc · παραπορεύομαιsupplementary participle (with εἶδεν: 'saw them passing')→ durative present participle (ongoing approach)παραπορεύομαι: 'pass by / pass along'; renders עָבַר; the participle after the verb of perception depicts the royal party in motion toward Arauna.

ἐπάνωtoward / overpreposition + genitive (direction: 'over/toward him')→ spatial or relational framingἐπάνω: 'above / over'; here 'passing toward / over to him,' rendering the directional sense; the party moves up onto the threshing floor.

αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἐπάνω (Arauna)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐπάνω (Arauna).

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (Arauna goes to meet the king)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; Arauna comes out to receive his sovereign.

ΟρναAraunasubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΟρνα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

προσεκύνησενdid obeisanceAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσκυνέωmain verb (act of homage)→ constative aoristπροσκυνέω: 'bow down / do obeisance / worship'; renders הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה; here homage to the king, not worship; Arauna prostrates himself before David.

τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεῖkingDativedative object of προσεκύνησεν (object of homage)→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς (dat. βασιλεῖ): David, before whom Arauna bows.

ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (manner of prostration)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: 'on / upon'; in the prostration idiom ἐπὶ πρόσωπον … ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ('on the face to the ground').

πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeaccusative (manner: 'on his face')→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face'; renders פָּנִים; the full prostration 'on the face to the ground' (אַפַּיִם אַרְצָה) is the deepest gesture of submission.

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Arauna's face)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Arauna's face).

ἐπὶto / onpreposition + accusative (direction of prostration)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of prostration).

τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γῆνgroundAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (direction: 'to the ground')→ object specificationγῆ: 'earth / ground'; the prostration reaches the ground, the posture of total deference.

καὶ εἶπεν Ορνα τί ὅτι ἦλθεν ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς τὸν δοῦλον αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν Δαυιδ κτήσασθαι παρὰ σοῦ τὸν ἅλωνα τοῦ οἰκοδομῆσαι θυσιαστήριον τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ συσχεθῇ ἡ θραῦσις ἐπάνω τοῦ λαοῦ

And Arauna said, 'Why is it that my lord the king has come to his servant?' And David said, 'To buy from you the threshing floor, to build an altar to the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from over the people.'

Dialogue: Arauna's question and David's requestκαὶ εἶπεν Ορνα

Arauna's deferential question (τί ὅτι ἦλθεν ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεύς, 'my lord the king' — human honorific) draws out David's purpose: to buy the threshing floor and build an altar τῷ κυρίῳ (to YHWH) so that the plague (θραῦσις) may be stayed. The purpose-chain (τοῦ οἰκοδομῆσαι … καὶ συσχεθῇ) ties the purchase directly to the cessation of the plague.

Word-by-word analysis· 35 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Arauna's deferential question.

ΟρναAraunasubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΟρνα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

τίwhyAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (with ὅτι: 'why is it that')→ participant referenceτίς, τί: interrogative; τί ὅτι ('why is it that') renders the Hebrew מַדּוּעַ; a deferential way of asking the king's purpose.

ὅτιthatconjunction (in idiom τί ὅτι: 'why is it that')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; in the idiom τί ὅτι, completes the courteous interrogative.

ἦλθενhas comeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb of the question→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; the king's arrival at a subject's threshing floor is unusual, prompting Arauna's question.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κύριόςlordNominativesubject (honorific: 'my lord the king')→ participant prominenceκύριος: here the HUMAN honorific, 'my lord' — Arauna's deferential address to David, NOT the divine title; the context (a Jebusite subject addressing the king) is decisive.

ὁtheNominativearticle (in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεὺςkingNominativenominative in apposition to κύριός μου→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; 'my lord the king' is the courtly formula of address to David.

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.

δοῦλονservantAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Arauna of himself)→ object specificationδοῦλος: 'servant / slave'; renders עֶבֶד; Arauna's self-effacing self-designation before the king.

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the king's servant)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the king's 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 (David's reply)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces David's statement of purpose.

ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

κτήσασθαιto buyAor Mid Inf · κτάομαιinfinitive (purpose of the visit: 'I have come to buy')→ telic aorist infinitive (purpose of the expenditure)κτάομαι: 'acquire / buy / purchase'; renders קָנָה; the infinitive states David's purpose — to purchase, not seize, the site (cf. v. 24).

παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source of purchase)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + genitive: 'from'; the seller, Arauna.

σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of παρά (Arauna)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σοῦ): 'you'; Arauna, from whom the floor is to be bought.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἅλωναthreshing floorAccusativedirect object of κτήσασθαι→ object specificationἅλων (acc. ἅλωνα): 'threshing floor'; the site to be purchased for the altar (cf. v. 18).

τοῦtoGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive of purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

οἰκοδομῆσαιto buildAor Act Inf · οἰκοδομέωarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)→ verbal action or stateοἰκοδομέω (aor. inf.): 'build'; renders בָּנָה; the genitive articular infinitive τοῦ οἰκοδομῆσαι expresses the purpose of the purchase — to erect an altar.

θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativedirect object of οἰκοδομῆσαι→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar' (cf. v. 18); the place of the propitiatory sacrifice.

τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κυρίῳLORDDativedative of advantage (the altar's recipient)→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the altar is for YHWH's worship and the staying of his wrath.

καὶthat / andconjunction (purpose-result: 'that the plague be stayed')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here introducing a purpose-result clause with the subjunctive συσχεθῇ ('so that … may be stayed').

συσχεθῇmay be stayedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · συνέχωverb of purpose-result clause (subjunctive)→ purpose subjunctive (intended cessation)συνέχω (aor. pass. subj.): 'hold together / restrain / check'; the passive συσχεθῇ = 'be restrained / held back'; renders עָצַר ('be stopped'); the goal of the altar is that the plague be stayed (cf. συνεσχέθη, v. 25).

ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θραῦσιςplagueNominativesubject of συσχεθῇ→ participant prominenceθραῦσις: 'plague / shattering' (cf. v. 15); the pestilence to be halted by the sacrifice.

ἐπάνωfrom overpreposition + genitive ('from over the people')→ spatial or relational framingἐπάνω: 'over / above'; here 'from over the people,' the plague hanging over them like the angel's hand (cf. ἐπάνωθεν, v. 25).

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive object of ἐπάνω→ relational specificationλαός: 'people'; those over whom the plague hangs and from whom it is to be lifted.

καὶ εἶπεν Ορνα πρὸς Δαυιδ λαβέτω καὶ ἀνενεγκέτω ὁ κύριός μου ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ κυρίῳ τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ ἰδοὺ οἱ βόες εἰς ὁλοκαύτωμα καὶ οἱ τροχοὶ καὶ τὰ σκεύη τῶν βοῶν εἰς ξύλα

And Arauna said to David, 'Let my lord the king take and offer up to the LORD what is good in his eyes; behold, the oxen for a burnt offering, and the threshing-sledges and the implements of the oxen for wood.'

Arauna's free offer of all the materialsκαὶ εἶπεν Ορνα πρὸς Δαυιδ

Arauna offers everything gratis: the oxen for the burnt offering (εἰς ὁλοκαύτωμα), the threshing-sledges and oxen-gear for firewood (εἰς ξύλα). The third-person imperatives (λαβέτω … ἀνενεγκέτω) and the deferential 'my lord the king' (human honorific) frame the offer as a subject's generosity — which David will nonetheless decline (v. 24).

Word-by-word analysis· 35 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Arauna's generous offer.

ΟρναAraunasubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΟρνα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

λαβέτωlet him takeAor Act Impv 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (third-person imperative of offer)→ ingressive aorist imperativeλαμβάνω (aor. impv. 3 sg.): 'take / receive'; renders יִקַּח; the deferential third-person imperative ('let my lord take') offers the materials freely.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀνενεγκέτωlet him offer upAor Act Impv 3 Sg · ἀναφέρωmain verb (third-person imperative of offer)→ ingressive aorist imperativeἀναφέρω (aor. impv. 3 sg.): 'bring up / offer (sacrifice)'; renders הֶעֱלָה; the technical term for offering a sacrifice 'up' on the altar.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κύριόςlordNominativesubject (honorific: 'my lord the king')→ participant prominenceκύριος: again the HUMAN honorific for David ('my lord the king'), NOT the divine title; Arauna's deferential address.

ὁtheNominativearticle (in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεὺςkingNominativenominative in apposition to κύριός μου→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; David, the subject of the offer.

τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κυρίῳLORDDativedative of advantage (recipient of the offering)→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the sacrifice is offered 'to the LORD' — here unambiguously the divine title, in contrast to ὁ κύριός μου ('my lord' = David) earlier in the verse.

τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizing ἀγαθόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀγαθὸνwhat is goodAccusativedirect object of ἀνενεγκέτω (substantival: 'the good')→ object specificationἀγαθός: 'good'; the substantival τὸ ἀγαθόν ('what is good') with ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς αὐτοῦ renders the Hebrew idiom הַטּוֹב בְּעֵינָיו ('what is good in his eyes').

ἐνinpreposition + dative (idiom: 'in his eyes')→ spatial or relational framingἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς: Hebraism, 'in the eyes of' = 'in the judgment of' (בְּעֵינֵי).

ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative object of ἐν (idiomatic)→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; in the idiom 'in his eyes' = according to David's own discernment.

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (David's eyes)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (David's eyes).

ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (presentative)→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; presents the items Arauna freely offers.

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βόεςoxenNominativesubject (nominal clause: 'the oxen [are] for a burnt offering')→ participant prominenceβοῦς (nom. pl. βόες): 'ox / cattle'; renders בָּקָר; the oxen used for threshing now offered as sacrificial victims.

εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose: 'for a burnt offering')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: 'for / as'; expressing purpose/destination.

ὁλοκαύτωμαburnt offeringAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose)→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωμα: 'whole burnt offering'; renders עֹלָה; the sacrifice wholly consumed by fire — the offering David will make for atonement.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

τροχοὶthreshing-sledges / wheelsNominativesubject (coordinate: 'the sledges [are] for wood')→ participant prominenceτροχός: 'wheel'; here the threshing-sledge / threshing-wheel (rendering מוֹרַג / the threshing implements); their wood would fuel the altar fire.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σκεύηimplementsNominativesubject (coordinate: 'the implements [are] for wood')→ participant prominenceσκεῦος (nom. pl. σκεύη): 'vessel / implement / gear'; renders כְּלִי; the wooden harness and tackle of the oxen, offered as fuel.

τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βοῶνof the oxenGenitivegenitive of possession ('implements of the oxen')→ relational specificationβοῦς (gen. pl. βοῶν): 'ox'; the yokes and gear belonging to the oxen.

εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose: 'for wood')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: 'for wood').

ξύλαwoodAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose)→ object specificationξύλον (pl. ξύλα): 'wood / timber'; renders עֵצִים; the fuel for the burnt offering; Arauna offers even the firewood.

τὰ πάντα ἔδωκεν Ορνα τῷ βασιλεῖ καὶ εἶπεν Ορνα πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα κύριος ὁ θεός σου εὐλογήσαι σε

All these things Arauna gave to the king; and Arauna said to the king, 'May the LORD your God bless you.'

Arauna's gift and blessingτὰ πάντα ἔδωκεν Ορνα

Arauna gives everything to the king and pronounces a benediction (κύριος ὁ θεός σου εὐλογήσαι σε, 'may the LORD your God bless you'), the optative εὐλογήσαι expressing the wish. The fronted τὰ πάντα ('all these things') stresses the totality of his free gift — heightening the contrast with David's insistence on paying (v. 24).

Word-by-word analysis· 18 words

τὰthe / allAccusativearticle (with πάντα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκεν (fronted: 'all these things')→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / everything'; the substantival τὰ πάντα fronts the totality of Arauna's gift — floor, oxen, and gear all together.

ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (Arauna's gift)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; Arauna freely makes over everything to the king.

ΟρναAraunasubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΟρνα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεῖkingDativeindirect object of ἔδωκεν (David)→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς (dat. βασιλεῖ): David, recipient of the gift.

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: introduces Arauna's blessing.

ΟρναAraunasubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΟρνα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (David)→ object specificationβασιλέα: meaning 'king'; it serves as accusative object of πρός (David).

κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of εὐλογήσαι→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; in κύριος ὁ θεός σου ('the LORD your God') the divine title is unambiguous — Arauna, the Jebusite, invokes Israel's God to bless the king.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θεόςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; 'the LORD your God' — Arauna acknowledges David's God as the source of blessing.

εὐλογήσαιmay he blessAor Act Opt 3 Sg · εὐλογέωmain verb (optative of blessing)→ volitive optative (benediction)εὐλογέω (aor. opt.): 'bless / speak well of'; the optative εὐλογήσαι expresses a wish ('may he bless'); renders the Hebrew jussive יְבָרֶךְ; Arauna's parting benediction on the king.

σεyouAccusativedirect object of εὐλογήσαι (David)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σε): 'you'; David, the object of Arauna's blessing.

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς πρὸς Ορνα οὐχί ὅτι ἀλλὰ κτώμενος κτήσομαι παρὰ σοῦ ἐν ἀλλάγματι καὶ οὐκ ἀνοίσω τῷ κυρίῳ θεῷ μου ὁλοκαύτωμα δωρεάν καὶ ἐκτήσατο Δαυιδ τὸν ἅλωνα καὶ τοὺς βόας ἐν ἀργυρίῳ σίκλων πεντήκοντα

And the king said to Arauna, 'No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.' And David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty silver shekels.

David's refusal of a free offering and the purchaseκαὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς

David refuses the gift in the chapter's most quoted line: κτώμενος κτήσομαι ('I will surely buy', a cognate-construction rendering the Hebrew infinitive absolute) and οὐκ ἀνοίσω … ὁλοκαύτωμα δωρεάν ('I will not offer … burnt offerings that cost nothing'). True worship must cost the worshiper. The narrator records the price: fifty silver shekels for floor and oxen.

Word-by-word analysis· 36 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces David's refusal.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: David, who insists on paying.

ΟρναAraunaaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΟρνα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).

οὐχίnoemphatic negative (refusal)→ clausal contributionοὐχί: emphatic 'no / not at all'; renders לֹא; David's firm refusal of the free gift.

ὅτιfor / butconjunction (asseverative, with ἀλλά)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: here in the asseverative construction οὐχὶ ὅτι ἀλλά ('no, but rather'), strengthening the contrast that follows.

ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (strong contrast)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but / rather'; introduces the positive counter-assertion — I will pay.

κτώμενοςbuyingPres Mid Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · κτάομαιparticiple (cognate intensive with κτήσομαι: Hebraism)→ verbal action or stateκτάομαι (pres. ptcp.): 'buy / acquire'; the participle + cognate finite verb κτώμενος κτήσομαι ('buying I will buy' = 'I will surely buy') renders the Hebrew emphatic infinitive absolute קָנוֹ אֶקְנֶה, expressing certainty and resolve.

κτήσομαιI will buyFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · κτάομαιmain verb (with cognate participle: 'I will surely buy')→ predictive future (firm resolve)κτάομαι (fut.): 'acquire / purchase'; the future κτήσομαι, with the preceding participle, forms the emphatic 'I will surely buy'; David is resolved to pay for the site.

παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source of purchase)→ spatial or relational framingπαρὰ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source of purchase).

σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of παρά (Arauna)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σοῦ): 'you'; the seller.

ἐνfor / atpreposition + dative (price: 'for a price')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dative: of price/exchange, 'for / at (a price)'; renders בְּ of value.

ἀλλάγματιa price / exchangeDativedative of price (object of ἐν)→ sphere or referenceἄλλαγμα: 'price / exchange / equivalent'; renders מְחִיר; David insists on paying the full market value.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (giving the reason)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἀνοίσω)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: 'not'; negates the future ἀνοίσω.

ἀνοίσωI will offer upFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀναφέρωmain verb (David's principle of costly worship)→ predictive future (settled refusal)ἀναφέρω (fut. ἀνοίσω): 'bring up / offer (sacrifice)'; renders הֶעֱלָה; οὐκ ἀνοίσω … δωρεάν — David refuses to make a costless offering, the chapter's theological climax.

τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κυρίῳLORDDativedative of advantage (recipient of the offering)→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the God to whom David will sacrifice — and whom he will not honor with a costless gift.

θεῷGodDativedative in apposition to κυρίῳ ('the LORD my God')→ sphere or referenceθεός (dat. θεῷ): 'God'; 'the LORD my God' (κυρίῳ θεῷ μου) — David's personal covenant claim on YHWH.

μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θεῷ)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying θεῷ).

ὁλοκαύτωμαburnt offeringAccusativedirect object of ἀνοίσω→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωμα: 'whole burnt offering' (cf. v. 22); the sacrifice David insists on paying for.

δωρεάνfor nothing / freelyAccusativeadverbial accusative ('without cost / gratis')→ object specificationδωρεάν: 'as a gift / freely / without cost'; the accusative of δωρεά used adverbially; renders חִנָּם; the pivotal word — David will not worship 'for free,' i.e. at no cost to himself.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (the transaction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκτήσατοboughtAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · κτάομαιmain verb (the completed purchase)→ constative aoristκτάομαι (aor. ἐκτήσατο): 'acquire / buy'; the narrator records the completed purchase — David pays, as he insisted.

ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἅλωναthreshing floorAccusativedirect object of ἐκτήσατο→ object specificationἅλων (acc. ἅλωνα): 'threshing floor'; the site purchased — the future Temple Mount.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βόαςoxenAccusativedirect object of ἐκτήσατο (coordinate with ἅλωνα)→ object specificationβοῦς (acc. pl. βόας): 'ox'; the oxen bought for the sacrifice.

ἐνforpreposition + dative (price)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dative: of price, 'for (silver).'

ἀργυρίῳsilverDativedative of price (object of ἐν)→ sphere or referenceἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; renders כֶּסֶף; the medium of the purchase.

σίκλωνof shekelsGenitivegenitive of measure ('shekels of silver')→ relational specificationσίκλος: 'shekel'; transliteration/rendering of שֶׁקֶל; the standard weight-unit of silver; the LXX/MT here gives fifty shekels (cf. 1 Chr 21:25, six hundred gold shekels for the wider site).

πεντήκονταfiftyindeclinable numeral (modifying σίκλων)→ measure or countπεντήκοντα: 'fifty'; indeclinable cardinal numeral; the price David paid — fifty silver shekels for the threshing floor and oxen.

καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν ἐκεῖ Δαυιδ θυσιαστήριον κυρίῳ καὶ ἀνήνεγκεν ὁλοκαυτώσεις καὶ εἰρηνικάς καὶ προσέθηκεν Σαλωμων ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτῳ ὅτι μικρὸν ἦν ἐν πρώτοις καὶ ἐπήκουσεν κύριος τῇ γῇ καὶ συνεσχέθη ἡ θραῦσις ἐπάνωθεν Ισραηλ

And David built there an altar to the LORD and offered up whole burnt offerings and peace offerings; and Solomon afterward added to the altar, because it was small at the first. And the LORD heeded the land, and the plague was stayed from over Israel.

Resolution and close of the book: altar, sacrifice, and the plague stayedκαὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν ἐκεῖ Δαυιδ

The book of 2 Kingdoms ends in atonement: David builds the altar, offers ὁλοκαυτώσεις καὶ εἰρηνικάς ('burnt and peace offerings'), the LORD ἐπήκουσεν ('heeds') the land, and the θραῦσις is stayed (συνεσχέθη … ἐπάνωθεν Ισραηλ). An editorial note that Σαλωμων later enlarged the altar identifies this threshing floor as the site of the future Temple (cf. 2 Chr 3:1) — so the narrative of David's sin closes by anchoring Israel's central sanctuary.

Word-by-word analysis· 35 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ᾠκοδόμησενbuiltAor Act Indic 3 Sg · οἰκοδομέωmain verb (David builds the altar)→ constative aoristοἰκοδομέω: 'build'; renders בָּנָה; David fulfills Gad's command (v. 18), erecting the altar on the purchased ground.

ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (at the threshing floor)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; renders שָׁם; 'there' = the threshing floor of Arauna, the consecrated spot.

ΔαυιδDavidsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).

θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativedirect object of ᾠκοδόμησεν→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; the structure built for the propitiatory sacrifice — the nucleus of the future Temple.

κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of advantage (the altar's recipient)→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the altar is dedicated to YHWH.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀνήνεγκενoffered upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναφέρωmain verb (David offers the sacrifices)→ constative aoristἀναφέρω (aor. ἀνήνεγκεν): 'bring up / offer (sacrifice)'; renders הֶעֱלָה; David offers up the very burnt offerings he insisted on paying for (v. 24).

ὁλοκαυτώσειςwhole burnt offeringsAccusativedirect object of ἀνήνεγκεν→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωσις: 'whole burnt offering'; a near-synonym of ὁλοκαύτωμα (vv. 22, 24); renders עֹלוֹת; sacrifices wholly consumed by fire, offered for atonement.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἰρηνικάςpeace offeringsAccusativedirect object of ἀνήνεγκεν (coordinate with ὁλοκαυτώσεις)→ object specificationεἰρηνικός: 'pertaining to peace'; the feminine plural εἰρηνικάς (with θυσίας understood) renders שְׁלָמִים ('peace / fellowship offerings'); shared sacrificial meals expressing restored communion with God — fitting as the plague ends.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (editorial note)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

προσέθηκενaddedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (later editorial note about Solomon)→ constative aoristπροστίθημι: 'add / put to'; renders יָסַף; this parenthetical (absent from the MT) notes that Solomon later enlarged the altar — connecting David's altar to the Temple Solomon would build on this site.

ΣαλωμωνSolomonNominativesubject of προσέθηκεν→ participant prominenceΣαλωμων: 'Solomon'; renders שְׁלֹמֹה; declinable in Kingdoms (gen. Σαλωμωντος); David's son and Temple-builder; the note looks ahead to the Temple that will rise on this threshing floor (cf. 2 Chr 3:1).

ἐπὶto / uponpreposition + accusative (the object enlarged)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: 'to / onto'; Solomon's additions made 'to the altar.'

τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (what Solomon added to)→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; David's altar, which Solomon later enlarged.

ἐπ᾿at / afterwardpreposition + dative (temporal: 'at the last / afterward')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dative: in the idiom ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτῳ ('at the last / afterward'), marking the later time of Solomon's work.

ἐσχάτῳthe last / afterwardDativedative (in idiom ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτῳ: 'at last / afterward')→ sphere or referenceἔσχατος: 'last / final'; the substantival ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτῳ = 'afterward / in the end,' locating Solomon's addition later than David's altar.

ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; explains why Solomon enlarged the altar.

μικρὸνsmallNominativepredicate adjective (with ἦν: 'it was small')→ participant prominenceμικρός: 'small / little'; renders קָטֹן; David's original altar was modest, prompting Solomon's later enlargement.

ἦνit wasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (with μικρόν)→ imperfect (past state)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'was'; the imperfect describes the altar's original small state.

ἐνatpreposition + dative (temporal: 'at first')→ spatial or relational framingἐν πρώτοις: idiom 'at first / in the beginning.'

πρώτοιςfirstDativedative (in idiom ἐν πρώτοις: 'at the first')→ sphere or referenceπρῶτος: 'first'; the substantival ἐν πρώτοις = 'at first / originally,' contrasted with ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτῳ ('afterward').

καὶandnarrative conjunction (resumes main line)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐπήκουσενheededAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπακούωmain verb (the LORD's favorable response)→ constative aoristἐπακούω: 'hear / hearken / heed favorably'; renders עָתַר (Niphal, 'be entreated / respond'); YHWH answers the sacrifice by relenting toward the land.

κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐπήκουσεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; YHWH heeds the land — the atoning sacrifice is accepted, vindicating David's costly worship.

τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γῇlandDativedative object of ἐπήκουσεν ('heeded the land')→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land'; renders אֶרֶץ; the land (and its people) for whose sake David interceded and sacrificed.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

συνεσχέθηwas stayedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · συνέχωmain verb (the plague halted — closing the book)→ constative aorist (decisive cessation)συνέχω (aor. pass. συνεσχέθη): 'hold together / restrain / check'; the passive 'was restrained / stayed'; renders עָצַר; fulfills the purpose of v. 21 (συσχεθῇ) — the plague is finally halted, and the book of 2 Kingdoms ends in restored peace.

ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θραῦσιςplagueNominativesubject of συνεσχέθη→ participant prominenceθραῦσις: 'plague / shattering' (cf. vv. 15, 21); the pestilence, now stayed — the last word of the narrative crisis.

ἐπάνωθενfrom overpreposition + genitive ('from over Israel')→ spatial or relational framingἐπάνωθεν: 'from above / from over'; renders מֵעַל; the plague is lifted 'from over Israel,' echoing ἐπάνω τοῦ λαοῦ (v. 21) — the threat that hung over the people is removed.

ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive object of ἐπάνωθεν (indeclinable: 'from over Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the final word of 2 Kingdoms — the people, delivered from the plague, stand under restored divine favor as the book closes.

The Second Book of Kingdoms, Chapter 24ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΩΝ Β′ ΚΔ′

Theme

Translation & textual notes