4 Kingdoms 2 — 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 ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ἀνάγειν κύριον τὸν Ηλιου ἐν συσσεισμῷ ὡς εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἐπορεύθη Ηλιου καὶ Ελισαιε ἐκ Γαλγαλων

And it came to pass, when the LORD was taking Elijah up in a whirlwind as into heaven, that Elijah went, and Elisha, from Gilgal.

Episode-opening narrative formula (prospective frame)καὶ ἐγένετο

The chapter opens with the classic LXX narrative formula καὶ ἐγένετο + temporal articular infinitive (ἐν τῷ ἀνάγειν), rendering Hebrew וַיְהִי בְּ + infinitive construct. The construction announces in advance the climax of the whole chapter — the translation of Elijah — and only then narrates the journey that precedes it, so the reader knows from the outset where the episode is headed.

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.

ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb of the temporal frame-formula→ constative aorist (narrative onset)γίνομαι (aor. mid.): 'become / happen / come to pass'; ἐγένετο renders Hebrew וַיְהִי; the formula καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ + infinitive is a stereotyped LXX setting-marker introducing the temporal circumstance under which the main action unfolds.

ἐνin / whenpreposition + dative articular infinitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + articular infinitive: a Hebraizing temporal construction ('in the [act of]...'), here rendering בְּ + infinitive construct ('when the LORD took up').

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

ἀνάγεινto take upPres Act Inf · ἀνάγωarticular infinitive in temporal phrase (subject: κύριον)→ imperfective infinitive (action in progress: 'while taking up')ἀνάγω: 'lead up / bring up / take up'; the compound ἀνα- ('up') anticipates the ascent; the present (imperfective) aspect within the temporal frame presents the taking-up as the ongoing circumstance enveloping the whole journey, even though it climaxes only at v. 11.

κύριονthe LORDAccusativeaccusative subject of the articular infinitive ἀνάγειν→ object specificationκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; here the accusative subject of the articular infinitive — it is YHWH himself who takes Elijah up, the agent of the translation.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with the indeclinable name Ηλιου, marking it accusative)→ noun-phrase markingThe Greek article supplies the case-marking that the indeclinable Hebrew name Ηλιου cannot carry: τὸν Ηλιου = accusative object of ἀνάγειν.

ΗλιουElijahobject of ἀνάγειν (indeclinable proper noun, accusative by article)→ participant identificationΗλιου: transliteration of Hebrew אֵלִיָּהוּ ('YHWH is my God'); indeclinable in this LXX form (the same shape serves all cases), so its function is signalled by the accompanying article (here τόν, accusative).

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

συσσεισμῷa whirlwind / tempestDativedative of manner / instrument (the means of ascent)→ sphere or referenceσυσσεισμός: 'a shaking together / commotion / tempest / whirlwind'; renders Hebrew סְעָרָה ('storm-wind'); the word (from συσσείω, 'shake violently') evokes a violent atmospheric upheaval; it recurs at v. 11 of the actual ascent, binding the frame to its fulfilment.

ὡςascomparative / quasi-modal particle ('as it were')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like / as it were'; here it softens the statement of destination (ὡς εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν, 'as into heaven'), a characteristic LXX hedge that renders the directive force of Hebrew הַשָּׁמַיִם without asserting a literal cosmography.

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

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

οὐρανὸνheaven / skyAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven / sky'; renders שָׁמַיִם; the phrase ὡς εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν names the goal of Elijah's translation while the qualifying ὡς keeps the assertion reverently indirect.

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

ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (the journey from Gilgal begins)→ constative aorist (single completed departure)πορεύομαι (aor. pass. dep.): 'go / journey / travel'; renders הָלַךְ; the singular ἐπορεύθη with the compound subject (Elijah and Elisha) follows the common Greek/Hebrew pattern of agreeing with the nearer/principal subject (Elijah).

ΗλιουElijahsubject of ἐπορεύθη (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΗλιου: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐπορεύθη (indeclinable proper noun).

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

ΕλισαιεElishaco-subject of ἐπορεύθη (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: transliteration of Hebrew אֱלִישָׁע ('God is salvation'); indeclinable in this LXX form; introduced here as Elijah's companion and prophetic successor, the central human figure of the rest of the chapter.

ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source / point of departure)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source / point of departure).

ΓαλγαλωνGilgalobject of ἐκ (place of departure; indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΓαλγαλων: transliteration of Hebrew הַגִּלְגָּל ('the circle [of stones]'); treated as an indeclinable place-name in the LXX; the journey begins here and descends through Bethel and Jericho to the Jordan.

καὶ εἶπεν Ηλιου πρὸς Ελισαιε κάθου δὴ ἐνταῦθα ὅτι κύριος ἀπέσταλκέν με ἕως Βαιθηλ καὶ εἶπεν Ελισαιε ζῇ κύριος καὶ ζῇ ἡ ψυχή σου εἰ καταλείψω σε καὶ ἦλθον εἰς Βαιθηλ

And Elijah said to Elisha, 'Sit here, please, for the LORD has sent me as far as Bethel.' And Elisha said, 'As the LORD lives and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.' And they came to Bethel.

Dialogue: first attempt to leave Elisha behind, met by oathκαὶ εἶπεν Ηλιου

The first of three parallel exchanges (vv. 2, 4, 6). Elijah's imperative κάθου δὴ ἐνταῦθα ('sit here, please') with the entreating particle δή tests Elisha, who answers with a solemn double oath (ζῇ κύριος καὶ ζῇ ἡ ψυχή σου) whose protasis εἰ καταλείψω σε is the Hebraizing self-imprecatory oath-form meaning 'I will surely not leave you.'

Word-by-word analysis· 31 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ 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 (aor. εἶπεν): 'say / speak'; the standard LXX narrative speech-introducer rendering וַיֹּאמֶר; here Elijah is the speaker.

ΗλιουElijahsubject of εἶπεν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΗλιου: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of εἶπεν (indeclinable proper noun).

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

ΕλισαιεElishaobject of πρός (addressee; indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of πρός (addressee; indeclinable proper noun).

κάθουsit / stayPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · κάθημαιmain verb (imperative to Elisha)→ durative present imperative ('remain seated here')κάθημαι: 'sit / stay / remain'; the present imperative κάθου ('stay put') renders שֵׁב; Elijah's repeated command (vv. 2, 4, 6) is the foil against which Elisha's devotion is displayed.

δὴplease / nowentreating particle (softening the imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: an emphasizing / entreating particle attached to imperatives; renders Hebrew נָא; it lends the command a tone of urging or courteous request ('do sit here').

ἐνταῦθαhereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐνταῦθα: 'here / in this place'; renders Hebrew פֹּה; marks the spot from which Elijah would have Elisha not follow.

ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; here introduces Elijah's reason for the command (the LORD has sent him onward).

κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἀπέσταλκέν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; YHWH is the one directing Elijah's final itinerary, underscoring that the journey is divinely ordered.

ἀπέσταλκένhas sentPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb of the causal clause→ perfect (an accomplished commission with continuing force)ἀποστέλλω: 'send / send off (with a commission)'; renders שָׁלַח; the perfect ἀπέσταλκεν stresses that the divine sending is an already-given charge whose force still stands — Elijah must keep moving toward the appointed place of his departure.

μεmeAccusativedirect object of ἀπέσταλκέν (1st person pronoun)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἀπέσταλκέν (1st person pronoun).

ἕωςas far aspreposition + (indeclinable place-name) (spatial limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'as far as / up to'; here marks the spatial goal of the sending (Bethel).

ΒαιθηλBethelobject of ἕως (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒαιθηλ: transliteration of Hebrew בֵּית־אֵל ('house of God'); indeclinable; the first station of the descent, also a centre of the 'sons of the prophets' (v. 3).

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

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Elisha's reply)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

ΕλισαιεElishasubject of εἶπεν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of εἶπεν (indeclinable proper noun).

ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωverb of the oath-formula ('as the LORD lives')→ gnomic / declarative present (oath-asseveration)ζάω: 'live / be alive'; the formula ζῇ κύριος renders the Hebrew oath חַי־יְהוָה ('as the LORD lives'), invoking the living God as guarantor of the speaker's word.

κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ζῇ (the LORD invoked in the oath)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the living LORD is sworn by as the witness and guarantor of Elisha's vow.

καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the two oath-clauses)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωverb of the second oath-clause ('as your soul lives')→ gnomic / declarative present (oath-asseveration)ζάω: the second oath-formula ζῇ ἡ ψυχή σου ('as your soul lives') renders חֵי־נַפְשְׁךָ; doubling the oath (by the LORD and by Elijah's own life) intensifies Elisha's resolve.

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

ψυχήsoul / lifeNominativesubject of the second ζῇ→ participant prominenceψυχή: 'soul / life / self'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; in the oath 'as your soul lives' it denotes the living person of Elijah, by whose life Elisha swears.

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

εἰ(surely not)oath-particle introducing the apodosis (Hebraizing negation)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: in oath-contexts the LXX uses εἰ to render the Hebrew self-imprecatory אִם ('if'), which functions as an emphatic negation: 'if I leave you (may such-and-such befall me)' = 'I will surely not leave you.' The conditional curse is left unstated, as in the Hebrew idiom.

καταλείψωI will leaveFut Act Indic 1 Sg · καταλείπωverb of the oath-apodosis (negated by εἰ)→ emphatic future under oath-negation ('I will surely not leave')καταλείπω: 'leave behind / forsake / abandon'; renders עָזַב; here the simplex-compound (κατα-) appears in v. 2, while vv. 4 and 6 use the doubly-compounded ἐγκαταλείπω — a lexical variation across the three parallel oaths.

σεyouAccusativedirect object of καταλείψω (2nd person pronoun)→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of καταλείψω (2nd person pronoun).

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

ἦλθονthey cameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (both arrive at Bethel)→ constative aorist (completed arrival)ἔρχομαι (aor. ἦλθον): 'come / go'; renders בּוֹא; the 3rd plural confirms that Elisha did not stay behind — both men went down to Bethel together.

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

ΒαιθηλBethelobject of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒαιθηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of εἰς (indeclinable place-name).

καὶ ἦλθον οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν προφητῶν οἱ ἐν Βαιθηλ πρὸς Ελισαιε καὶ εἶπον πρὸς αὐτόν εἰ ἔγνως ὅτι κύριος σήμερον λαμβάνει τὸν κύριόν σου ἐπάνωθεν τῆς κεφαλῆς σου καὶ εἶπεν κἀγὼ ἔγνωκα σιωπᾶτε

And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha and said to him, 'Do you know that today the LORD is taking your master from over your head?' And he said, 'I too know it; be silent.'

Scene development: the prophetic guild confronts Elisha at Bethelκαὶ ἦλθον οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν προφητῶν

The sons of the prophets (the prophetic guild) intrude on the private journey with a question that already knows its answer (εἰ ἔγνως, 'do you know...?'). Their words make the imminent loss explicit: the LORD will take Elisha's master 'from over your head' (ἐπάνωθεν τῆς κεφαλῆς σου). Elisha's terse reply κἀγὼ ἔγνωκα σιωπᾶτε ('I too have known it; be silent') guards the solemnity of the moment.

Word-by-word analysis· 33 words

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

ἦλθονcameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (the prophets come out to Elisha)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come / come out'; the guild of prophets emerges to meet the pair, repeating the pattern that will recur at Jericho (v. 5).

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

υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἦλθον→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the idiom οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν προφητῶν ('the sons of the prophets') renders בְּנֵי־הַנְּבִיאִים, a Hebraism for members of a prophetic guild or school — not literal sons but disciples in the prophetic vocation.

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

προφητῶνprophetsGenitivegenitive (defining 'sons of...')→ relational specificationπροφήτης: 'prophet'; renders נָבִיא; the genitive in the idiom 'sons of the prophets' marks the group's prophetic identity / membership.

οἱthe (who were)Nominativearticle in attributive position (= 'those in Bethel')→ noun-phrase markingThe repeated article οἱ ἐν Βαιθηλ is an attributive phrase ('the ones in Bethel'), localizing this particular guild to the Bethel community.

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

ΒαιθηλBethelobject of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒαιθηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of ἐν (indeclinable place-name).

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

ΕλισαιεElishaobject of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun).

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

εἶπονsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπον): 'say / speak'; the men of Jabesh collectively appeal to Nahash; the 3rd plural form introduces their offer of vassalage.

αὐτόνhimAccusativeobject of πρός (3rd person pronoun)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of πρός (3rd person pronoun).

εἰ(whether)interrogative particle (introducing a direct question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: here introduces a direct question ('do you know that...?'), a Hebraizing use rendering an interrogative הֲ; the question is rhetorical, presupposing that Elisha already knows.

ἔγνωςdo you knowAor Act Indic 2 Sg · γινώσκωverb of the question→ constative aorist used of present awareness ('have you come to know?')γινώσκω: 'know / perceive / recognize'; renders יָדַע; the aorist ἔγνως asks whether the realization has dawned on Elisha — answered immediately by his own ἔγνωκα (perfect).

ὅτιthatconjunction introducing the content of knowing→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of λαμβάνει→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; YHWH himself is the agent taking Elijah, even though the chariot and whirlwind (v. 11) are the visible means.

σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; pinpoints the imminence of the event — the very day of departure has come.

λαμβάνειis takingPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb of the ὅτι-clause→ futuristic / progressive present (an imminent act presented as underway)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; renders לָקַח, the same verb used of Enoch's translation (Gen 5:24); the present tense conveys that the taking is already in motion — it will happen this very day.

τὸνthe / yourAccusativearticle (with κύριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κύριόνmasterAccusativedirect object of λαμβάνει→ object specificationκύριος: 'master / lord'; here in the human sense — Elijah is Elisha's earthly κύριος / teacher (rendering אָדוֹן), to be distinguished from κύριος = YHWH, the subject of the same clause; the wordplay sets the divine Master taking the human master.

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

ἐπάνωθενfrom over / from abovepreposition + genitive (separation from above)→ spatial or relational framingἐπάνωθεν: 'from above / from over'; renders מֵעַל; the vivid spatial image — Elijah taken 'from over your head' — pictures the disciple losing the master who has stood above and over him.

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

κεφαλῆςheadGenitiveobject of ἐπάνωθεν→ relational specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; 'from over your head' is a concrete idiom for the removal of the one who has been Elisha's overshadowing guide.

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

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

εἶπενhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Elisha's reply)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

κἀγὼI tooNominativeemphatic subject (crasis of καί + ἐγώ)→ participant prominenceκἀγώ: crasis of καί + ἐγώ ('and I / I too'); the emphatic pronoun stresses that Elisha's knowledge matches the prophets' — he needs no informing; the καί is concessive-emphatic ('I also know it').

ἔγνωκαI have knownPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb of the reply→ perfect (settled, present knowledge)γινώσκω (perf. ἔγνωκα): the perfect denotes a state of established knowledge — 'I have come to know and so know it now'; it answers the prophets' aorist ἔγνως with a stronger, settled awareness.

σιωπᾶτεbe silentPres Act Impv 2 Pl · σιωπάωmain verb (imperative to the prophets)→ durative present imperative ('keep silent')σιωπάω: 'be silent / keep quiet'; renders חָשָׁה; the present imperative bids the guild to stop speaking of the matter, guarding the sacred gravity of the impending departure (the same command recurs at v. 5).

καὶ εἶπεν Ηλιου πρὸς Ελισαιε κάθου δὴ ἐνταῦθα ὅτι κύριος ἀπέσταλκέν με εἰς Ιεριχω καὶ εἶπεν Ελισαιε ζῇ κύριος καὶ ζῇ ἡ ψυχή σου εἰ ἐγκαταλείψω σε καὶ ἦλθον εἰς Ιεριχω

And Elijah said to Elisha, 'Sit here, please, for the LORD has sent me to Jericho.' And Elisha said, 'As the LORD lives and as your soul lives, I will not forsake you.' And they came to Jericho.

Dialogue: second attempt to leave Elisha behind (parallel to v. 2)καὶ εἶπεν Ηλιου

The second of the three parallel exchanges, almost verbatim with v. 2 but with the destination changed to Jericho and the oath-verb intensified from καταλείπω to the compound ἐγκαταλείπω ('utterly forsake'). The repetition with variation builds the rhythm of Elisha's tested fidelity.

Word-by-word analysis· 31 words

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

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

κάθουsit / stayPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · κάθημαιmain verb (imperative to Elisha)→ durative present imperativeκάθημαι: 'stay / remain'; the second of Elijah's three identical commands (cf. vv. 2, 6).

δὴplease / nowentreating particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: entreating particle (Hebrew נָא) softening the imperative.

ἐνταῦθαhereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐνταῦθα: meaning 'here'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.

ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἀπέσταλκέν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; again YHWH directs each stage of Elijah's final journey.

ἀπέσταλκένhas sentPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb of the causal clause→ perfect (a standing commission)ἀποστέλλω: 'send with a commission'; perfect as in v. 2 — the divine charge continues to drive Elijah onward, now to Jericho.

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

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

ΙεριχωJerichoobject of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΙεριχω: transliteration of Hebrew יְרִיחוֹ; indeclinable in the LXX; the second station of the descent and the city whose spring Elisha will later heal (vv. 19–22).

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

ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωverb of the oath-formula→ declarative present (oath-asseveration)ζάω: ζῇ κύριος, the oath 'as the LORD lives' (חַי־יְהוָה).

κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ζῇ→ participant prominenceκύριος: the living LORD sworn by as guarantor of the oath.

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

ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωverb of the second oath-clause→ declarative present (oath-asseveration)ζάω: ζῇ ἡ ψυχή σου, 'as your soul lives' (חֵי־נַפְשְׁךָ).

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

ψυχήsoul / lifeNominativesubject of the second ζῇ→ participant prominenceψυχή: 'soul / life'; the living self of Elijah by which Elisha swears.

εἰ(surely not)oath-particle (Hebraizing negation)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: oath-negation rendering אִם, 'I will surely not...' (cf. v. 2).

ἐγκαταλείψωI will forsakeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐγκαταλείπωverb of the oath-apodosis (negated by εἰ)→ emphatic future under oath-negation ('I will surely not forsake')ἐγκαταλείπω: 'forsake / abandon / leave utterly'; the doubly-compounded form (ἐν + κατα + λείπω) intensifies the simplex καταλείπω of v. 2 — 'I will not utterly abandon you'; the same stronger verb recurs at v. 6, escalating Elisha's vow.

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

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

ἦλθονthey cameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (both arrive at Jericho)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: again the 3rd plural shows Elisha staying with his master; both go on to Jericho.

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

ΙεριχωJerichoobject of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΙεριχω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of εἰς (indeclinable place-name).

καὶ ἤγγισαν οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν προφητῶν οἱ ἐν Ιεριχω πρὸς Ελισαιε καὶ εἶπαν πρὸς αὐτόν εἰ ἔγνως ὅτι σήμερον λαμβάνει κύριος τὸν κύριόν σου ἐπάνωθεν τῆς κεφαλῆς σου καὶ εἶπεν καί γε ἐγὼ ἔγνων σιωπᾶτε

And the sons of the prophets who were in Jericho drew near to Elisha and said to him, 'Do you know that today the LORD is taking your master from over your head?' And he said, 'Yes, I too know it; be silent.'

Scene repetition: the prophetic guild confronts Elisha at Jericho (parallel to v. 3)καὶ ἤγγισαν οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν προφητῶν

The Jericho guild repeats the Bethel scene of v. 3 with slight variation: ἤγγισαν ('drew near') for ἦλθον, εἶπαν for εἶπον, and Elisha's reply καί γε ἐγὼ ἔγνων ('yes indeed, I knew it') uses the aorist ἔγνων rather than the perfect ἔγνωκα of v. 3. The doubling of the confrontation underscores the public, foreseen character of Elijah's departure.

Word-by-word analysis· 35 words

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

ἤγγισανdrew nearAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐγγίζωmain verb (the prophets approach Elisha)→ constative aoristἐγγίζω: 'come near / approach'; renders נָגַשׁ; varies the verb of v. 3 (ἦλθον) while repeating the same scene-pattern.

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

υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἤγγισαν→ participant prominenceυἱός: in the idiom οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν προφητῶν, 'members of the prophetic guild' (cf. v. 3).

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

προφητῶνprophetsGenitivegenitive (defining 'sons of...')→ relational specificationπροφήτης: 'prophet' (נָבִיא); the Jericho branch of the guild.

οἱthe (who were)Nominativeattributive article (= 'those in Jericho')→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

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

ΙεριχωJerichoobject of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΙεριχω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of ἐν (indeclinable place-name).

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

εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: the Koine 1st-aorist ending εἶπαν (for classical εἶπον) appears here, a common LXX/NT alternation.

εἰ(whether)interrogative particle (direct question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: introduces the direct rhetorical question, as in v. 3.

ἔγνωςdo you knowAor Act Indic 2 Sg · γινώσκωverb of the question→ constative aorist of present awarenessγινώσκω: 'know / recognize' (יָדַע).

ὅτιthatconjunction introducing the content of knowing→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today' (הַיּוֹם); note the word-order variation from v. 3, where σήμερον follows κύριος.

λαμβάνειis takingPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb of the ὅτι-clause→ futuristic / progressive presentλαμβάνω: 'take' (לָקַח), of the translation; cf. v. 3.

κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of λαμβάνει→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; YHWH as agent of the taking-up.

τὸνthe / yourAccusativearticle (with κύριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κύριόνmasterAccusativedirect object of λαμβάνει→ object specificationκύριος: human sense, 'master' (אָדוֹן) = Elijah; cf. v. 3, where the same wordplay between divine and human κύριος occurs.

ἐπάνωθενfrom overpreposition + genitive (separation from above)→ spatial or relational framingἐπάνωθεν: 'from over / above' (מֵעַל); cf. v. 3.

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

κεφαλῆςheadGenitiveobject of ἐπάνωθεν→ relational specificationκεφαλή: 'head' (רֹאשׁ); the idiom 'from over your head' as in v. 3.

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

καίyes / indeedaffirmative particle (with γε: 'yes indeed')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here in the emphatic affirmative combination καί γε ('yes indeed / even'), rendering Hebrew גַּם; it strengthens Elisha's assent.

γεindeedemphatic enclitic particle (with καί)→ discourse linkage or contrastγε: limitative/emphatic enclitic; in καί γε it intensifies the affirmation — 'I most certainly know it.'

ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic personal pronoun stressing Elisha's own awareness (cf. the crasis κἀγώ at v. 3).

ἔγνωνI knewAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb of the reply→ constative aorist (settled knowledge)γινώσκω (aor. ἔγνων): here the aorist (contrast the perfect ἔγνωκα at v. 3) simply affirms 'I have come to know it' in answer to the guild's ἔγνως.

σιωπᾶτεbe silentPres Act Impv 2 Pl · σιωπάωmain verb (imperative to the prophets)→ durative present imperativeσιωπάω: 'keep silent' (חָשָׁה); Elisha again hushes the guild, as in v. 3.

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ηλιου κάθου δὴ ὧδε ὅτι κύριος ἀπέσταλκέν με ἕως τοῦ Ιορδάνου καὶ εἶπεν Ελισαιε ζῇ κύριος καὶ ζῇ ἡ ψυχή σου εἰ ἐγκαταλείψω σε καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν ἀμφότεροι

And Elijah said to him, 'Sit here, please, for the LORD has sent me as far as the Jordan.' And Elisha said, 'As the LORD lives and as your soul lives, I will not forsake you.' And the two of them went on together.

Dialogue: third and final attempt to leave Elisha behindκαὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ηλιου

The third and climactic exchange. The destination is now τοῦ Ιορδάνου, the place of departure; here Ιορδάνου is declined (with the article τοῦ) rather than indeclinable. The scene closes not with arrival at a city but with the telling note καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν ἀμφότεροι ('and the two went on together') — Elisha has passed every test, and they proceed inseparably to the Jordan.

Word-by-word analysis· 30 words

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

αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (addressee of εἶπεν)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat.): here the addressee is named by pronoun (αὐτῷ = to Elisha), varying the πρὸς Ελισαιε of vv. 2, 4.

κάθουsit / stayPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · κάθημαιmain verb (imperative to Elisha)→ durative present imperativeκάθημαι: 'stay / remain'; the third and last of Elijah's commands (cf. vv. 2, 4).

δὴplease / nowentreating particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: entreating particle (נָא).

ὧδεhereadverb of place→ clausal contributionὧδε: 'here / in this place'; varies the ἐνταῦθα of vv. 2, 4, both rendering Hebrew פֹּה.

ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἀπέσταλκέν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; YHWH directs the final leg to the Jordan.

ἀπέσταλκένhas sentPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb of the causal clause→ perfect (a standing commission)ἀποστέλλω: perfect, as in vv. 2, 4 — the divine charge stands.

ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (spatial limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'as far as / up to' (cf. v. 2); here governing the declined τοῦ Ιορδάνου.

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

ΙορδάνουJordanGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (declined river-name)→ relational specificationΙορδάνης: the river-name (Hebrew הַיַּרְדֵּן); unlike the indeclinable city-names, Ιορδάνης is declined as a first-declension noun in the LXX (gen. Ιορδάνου, dat. Ιορδάνῃ), hence kind 'n' with case; the Jordan is the appointed place of Elijah's departure.

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

ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωverb of the oath-formula→ declarative present (oath-asseveration)ζάω: ζῇ κύριος (חַי־יְהוָה).

κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ζῇ→ participant prominenceκύριος: the living LORD sworn by.

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

ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωverb of the second oath-clause→ declarative present (oath-asseveration)ζάω: ζῇ ἡ ψυχή σου (חֵי־נַפְשְׁךָ).

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

ψυχήsoul / lifeNominativesubject of the second ζῇ→ participant prominenceψυχή: 'soul / life' (נֶפֶשׁ).

εἰ(surely not)oath-particle (Hebraizing negation)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: oath-negation (אִם), 'I will surely not...' (cf. vv. 2, 4).

ἐγκαταλείψωI will forsakeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐγκαταλείπωverb of the oath-apodosis (negated by εἰ)→ emphatic future under oath-negationἐγκαταλείπω: 'utterly forsake'; the intensive compound (as in v. 4) crowns the third oath — Elisha will in no way abandon his master.

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

ἐπορεύθησανthey went onAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (both proceed together)→ constative aorist (completed journey)πορεύομαι (aor. pass. dep.): 'go / journey'; the 3rd plural with ἀμφότεροι emphasizes that Elisha has prevailed — master and disciple go on inseparably.

ἀμφότεροιboth / the twoNominativeappositional subject ('the two of them')→ participant prominenceἀμφότεροι: 'both / the two together'; renders שְׁנֵיהֶם; the keyword of this central section, recurring at vv. 7 and 8, stressing the unbroken companionship of Elijah and Elisha to the very end.

καὶ πεντήκοντα ἄνδρες υἱοὶ τῶν προφητῶν καὶ ἔστησαν ἐξ ἐναντίας μακρόθεν καὶ ἀμφότεροι ἔστησαν ἐπὶ τοῦ Ιορδάνου

And fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went and stood opposite at a distance, while the two of them stood at the Jordan.

Scene-setting: the witnesses positioned for the miracleκαὶ πεντήκοντα ἄνδρες

The narrative shifts to the witnesses: fifty men of the prophetic guild stand at a distance (ἐξ ἐναντίας μακρόθεν), opposite the place where Elijah and Elisha (ἀμφότεροι) take their stand at the Jordan. The deliberate staging — observers set apart, the two principals at the water's edge — prepares for the public, verifiable miracle of v. 8 and the transfer of the spirit later confirmed by these same witnesses (v. 15).

Word-by-word analysis· 17 words

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

πεντήκονταfiftynumeral (modifying ἄνδρες)→ measure or countπεντήκοντα: 'fifty'; an indeclinable cardinal numeral (hence no case-ending); renders חֲמִשִּׁים; the same fifty whom the guild will later wish to send searching for Elijah (v. 16).

ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject of ἔστησαν→ participant prominenceἀνήρ (pl. ἄνδρες): 'man / adult male'; renders אִישׁ; designates the fifty members of the guild as the witnessing party.

υἱοὶsonsNominativeappositive to ἄνδρες ('men of the sons of the prophets')→ participant prominenceυἱός: in the idiom 'sons of the prophets' (cf. vv. 3, 5); the fifty belong to the prophetic guild.

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

προφητῶνprophetsGenitivegenitive (defining 'sons of...')→ relational specificationπροφήτης: 'prophet' (נָבִיא).

καὶalso / andconjunction (resumptive-emphatic, Hebraizing waw)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here a resumptive καί after the heavy subject (a Hebraism reflecting the waw of the Hebrew apodosis), best rendered 'also went and stood.'

ἔστησανstoodAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἵστημιmain verb (the fifty take their position)→ constative / ingressive aorist ('took their stand')ἵστημι (aor. ἔστησαν, intrans.): 'stand / take a stand'; renders עָמַד; the intransitive second aorist describes the witnesses positioning themselves to observe.

ἐξfrom / atpreposition + genitive (in the phrase ἐξ ἐναντίας)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (in the phrase ἐξ ἐναντίας).

ἐναντίαςoppositeGenitivegenitive in adverbial phrase ἐξ ἐναντίας ('over against')→ relational specificationἐναντίος: 'opposite / facing'; the phrase ἐξ ἐναντίας ('over against / facing') renders מִנֶּגֶד; it places the fifty in full view of, but apart from, the two principals.

μακρόθενat a distance / from afaradverb of place (distance)→ clausal contributionμακρόθεν: 'from afar / at a distance'; renders מֵרָחוֹק; reinforces that the witnesses keep a reverent remove from the holy event.

καὶand / whileconjunction (contrasting the two principals with the fifty)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀμφότεροιboth / the twoNominativesubject of the second ἔστησαν→ participant prominenceἀμφότεροι: 'the two together'; again (cf. v. 6) marking Elijah and Elisha as an inseparable pair, set over against the distant fifty.

ἔστησανstoodAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἵστημιmain verb (the two take their stand at the river)→ constative / ingressive aoristἵστημι: 'stand'; the repetition (ἔστησαν ... ἔστησαν) contrasts the positions of the witnesses and the protagonists.

ἐπὶat / bypreposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position).

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

ΙορδάνουJordanGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (declined river-name)→ relational specificationΙορδάνης: declined river-name (gen. Ιορδάνου); the two stand at the water's edge, where the parting miracle will occur.

καὶ ἔλαβεν Ηλιου τὴν μηλωτὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ εἵλησεν καὶ ἐπάταξεν τὸ ὕδωρ καὶ διῃρέθη τὸ ὕδωρ ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα καὶ διέβησαν ἀμφότεροι ἐν ἐρήμῳ

And Elijah took his mantle and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was divided this way and that, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

Climactic action: the parting of the Jordanκαὶ ἔλαβεν Ηλιου

A tight chain of aorists (ἔλαβεν ... εἵλησεν ... ἐπάταξεν ... διῃρέθη ... διέβησαν) narrates the miracle in rapid succession. The mantle (μηλωτή) struck on the water recalls Moses' staff over the Red Sea and Joshua's crossing of the Jordan; the phrase ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα ('this way and that') and the crossing ἐν ἐρήμῳ ('on dry ground') deliberately echo the Exodus and Conquest crossings, marking Elijah as standing in that prophetic line.

Word-by-word analysis· 24 words

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

ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (Elijah takes the mantle)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take / take up'; renders לָקַח; the first of the chain of miracle-actions.

ΗλιουElijahsubject of ἔλαβεν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΗλιου: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἔλαβεν (indeclinable proper noun).

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

μηλωτὴνmantle / sheepskinAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationμηλωτή: 'sheepskin / mantle (of skin)'; renders אַדֶּרֶת, Elijah's distinctive prophetic cloak; the instrument of this miracle and the token of office that will fall to Elisha (vv. 13–14); the word reappears in Heb 11:37 of persecuted prophets.

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

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

εἵλησενrolled it upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἱλέωmain verb (Elijah rolls up the mantle)→ constative aoristεἱλέω (also εἰλέω): 'roll up / wrap / coil'; renders גָּלַם ('fold / roll together'); Elijah folds the cloak into a striking-instrument, preparing the blow on the water.

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

ἐπάταξενstruckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (Elijah strikes the water)→ constative aoristπατάσσω: 'strike / smite'; renders נָכָה; the same verb used of Moses striking the rock and the Nile — the blow on the water is the decisive miracle-gesture (repeated by Elisha at v. 14).

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

ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of ἐπάταξεν→ object specificationὕδωρ: 'water'; renders מַיִם; the waters of the Jordan, which divide at the blow.

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

διῃρέθηwas dividedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · διαιρέωmain verb (the water parts)→ constative aorist passive (the miraculous result)διαιρέω (aor. pass. διῃρέθη): 'divide / separate'; renders חָצָה / בָּקַע; the passive presents the parting as a wonder wrought upon the water, not a natural event.

τὸtheNominativearticle (with ὕδωρ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὕδωρwaterNominativesubject of διῃρέθη→ participant prominenceὕδωρ: the water now the grammatical subject as it divides.

ἔνθαhere / on this sideadverb of place (in the pair ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα)→ clausal contributionἔνθα: 'here / there'; the idiom ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα ('on this side and on that') renders הֵנָּה וָהֵנָּה, picturing the water heaped to both sides to leave a dry passage; the same phrase recurs at v. 14.

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

ἔνθαthere / on that sideadverb of place (completing ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα)→ clausal contributionἔνθα: meaning 'there'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.

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

διέβησανcrossed overAor Act Indic 3 Pl · διαβαίνωmain verb (the two cross the riverbed)→ constative aoristδιαβαίνω: 'cross over / pass through'; renders עָבַר; the same verb of Israel's crossing the Jordan (Josh 3–4), deliberately aligning Elijah's act with the Conquest crossing.

ἀμφότεροιboth / the twoNominativesubject of διέβησαν→ participant prominenceἀμφότεροι: 'the two together'; the third occurrence of the keyword (cf. vv. 6, 7) — they cross as one to the far side, the place of parting.

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

ἐρήμῳdry groundDativedative of place / manner (the dry riverbed)→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: usually 'wilderness / desert', here in the derived sense 'dry / desolate ground'; ἐν ἐρήμῳ ('on dry ground') renders בֶּחָרָבָה ('on the dry land'), echoing Exod 14:21–22 (the Red Sea crossing) and Josh 3:17 — the two pass over where the riverbed lies bare.

καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ διαβῆναι αὐτοὺς καὶ Ηλιου εἶπεν πρὸς Ελισαιε αἴτησαι τί ποιήσω σοι πρὶν ἢ ἀναλημφθῆναί με ἀπὸ σοῦ καὶ εἶπεν Ελισαιε γενηθήτω δὴ διπλᾶ ἐν πνεύματί σου ἐπ᾿ ἐμέ

And it came to pass, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, 'Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken up from you.' And Elisha said, 'Let there be, please, a double portion of your spirit upon me.'

Pivotal dialogue: Elijah's offer and Elisha's requestκαὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ διαβῆναι

The temporal frame καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ διαβῆναι αὐτούς ('when they had crossed') marks a new scene on the far bank. Elijah's open offer — αἴτησαι τί ποιήσω σοι ('ask what I shall do for you') — sets up the theological centre of the chapter. Elisha's request γενηθήτω δὴ διπλᾶ ἐν πνεύματί σου ('let a double portion of your spirit be upon me') asks not for twice Elijah's power but for the inheritance-share of the firstborn heir (cf. Deut 21:17).

Word-by-word analysis· 32 words

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

ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb of the temporal frame-formula→ constative aorist (scene onset)γίνομαι: the formula καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ + infinitive (cf. v. 1) introduces the circumstance of the new scene on the far side of the Jordan.

ἐνwhenpreposition + dative articular infinitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + articular infinitive: Hebraizing temporal construction (בְּ + inf.), 'when they had crossed.'

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

διαβῆναιto cross overAor Act Inf · διαβαίνωarticular infinitive in temporal phrase (subject: αὐτούς)→ aoristic infinitive (completed crossing)διαβαίνω: 'cross over' (עָבַר); the aorist infinitive points to the completed act of v. 8 as the now-past circumstance.

αὐτοὺςthey / themAccusativeaccusative subject of the articular infinitive διαβῆναι→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl.): the accusative subject of the infinitive ('that they crossed'); refers to Elijah and Elisha.

καὶandapodotic καί (Hebraizing, introducing the main clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: an apodotic καί after the καὶ ἐγένετο frame — a Hebraism reflecting the waw that introduces the main clause; left untranslated in idiomatic English.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Elijah's offer)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

αἴτησαιaskAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · αἰτέωmain verb (imperative inviting a request)→ aorist imperative (decisive invitation: 'make your request')αἰτέω (aor. mid. impv.): 'ask / request (for oneself)'; renders שְׁאַל; the middle voice fits a request made for one's own benefit; Elijah's open-ended offer is the hinge on which the succession turns.

τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of ποιήσω)→ participant referenceτίς, τί: interrogative pronoun 'what'; introduces the indirect question 'what I shall do for you.'

ποιήσωI shall doAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ποιέωverb of the deliberative indirect question→ deliberative aorist subjunctive ('what am I to do?')ποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עָשָׂה; the deliberative subjunctive in the indirect question expresses 'what I should do for you' — Elijah puts the choice in Elisha's hands.

σοιfor youDativedative of advantage (beneficiary of ποιήσω)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'for you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (beneficiary of ποιήσω).

πρὶνbeforetemporal conjunction (with ἤ, governing the infinitive)→ discourse linkage or contrastπρίν: 'before'; the combination πρὶν ἤ ('before that') governs the infinitive ἀναλημφθῆναι, marking the limited window before Elijah's departure.

ἢthan / thatparticle completing πρὶν ἤ→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: here joined to πρίν in the fixed locution πρὶν ἤ ('before'); not the disjunctive 'or.'

ἀναλημφθῆναίto be taken upAor Pass Inf · ἀναλαμβάνωinfinitive after πρὶν ἤ (temporal)→ aorist passive infinitive (the imminent translation)ἀναλαμβάνω (aor. pass. inf.): 'take up / lift up'; the passive ('be taken up') names the translation with God as implicit agent; the same verb (ἀνελήμφθη) reports its fulfilment at v. 11 and is the LXX/NT word for the ascension (cf. Acts 1:2, 11; Mark 16:19).

μεmeAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive ἀναλημφθῆναι→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative subject of the infinitive ἀναλημφθῆναι.

ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).

σοῦyouGenitivegenitive of separation (object of ἀπό)→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of separation (object of ἀπό).

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

γενηθήτωlet there beAor Pass Impv 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (Elisha's petition)→ aorist imperative of request ('let it come to be')γίνομαι (aor. pass. impv.): 'become / come to be'; the third-person imperative expresses a wish/petition — 'let a double portion be granted'; renders the Hebrew jussive of יְהִי.

δὴplease / nowentreating particle (softening the request)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: entreating particle (נָא), giving the petition the tone of earnest request.

διπλᾶa double portionNominativesubject of γενηθήτω (neuter plural substantive)→ participant prominenceδιπλοῦς (neut. pl. διπλᾶ): 'double / twofold'; renders פִּי־שְׁנַיִם ('a mouth/measure of two', i.e. a double share); the term denotes the firstborn's inheritance-portion (Deut 21:17) — Elisha asks to be Elijah's principal heir in the spirit, not for twice his power.

ἐνin / ofpreposition + dative (sphere: 'in your spirit')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: here marks the sphere — the double portion is 'in your spirit', i.e. a double share of the prophetic spirit Elijah possesses.

πνεύματίspiritDativedative object of ἐν (sphere of the requested portion)→ sphere or referenceπνεῦμα: 'spirit / breath'; renders רוּחַ; the prophetic spirit resting on Elijah, a double share of which Elisha seeks; its transfer is confirmed by the guild at v. 15 (ἐπαναπέπαυται τὸ πνεῦμα Ηλιου ἐπὶ Ελισαιε).

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

ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + accusative (elided; direction onto)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (elided; direction onto).

ἐμέmeAccusativeobject of ἐπί (the recipient of the portion)→ participant referenceἐγώ (emphatic acc. ἐμέ): the emphatic accusative ('upon me') names Elisha as the one upon whom the spirit is to rest, anticipating ἐπὶ Ελισαιε of v. 15.

καὶ εἶπεν Ηλιου ἐσκλήρυνας τοῦ αἰτήσασθαι ἐὰν ἴδῃς με ἀναλαμβανόμενον ἀπὸ σοῦ καὶ ἔσται σοι οὕτως καὶ ἐὰν μή οὐ μὴ γένηται

And Elijah said, 'You have asked a hard thing; if you see me as I am taken up from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be.'

Conditional grant: the request answered with a sign-conditionκαὶ εἶπεν Ηλιου

Elijah judges the request hard (ἐσκλήρυνας, 'you have hardened [it]', i.e. asked something difficult) — it is not his to give. He attaches a sign-condition: the granting depends on Elisha's seeing the ascent (ἐὰν ἴδῃς ... ἀναλαμβανόμενον). The double conditional (ἐὰν ... καὶ ἐὰν μή) with the emphatic οὐ μὴ γένηται makes the outcome turn entirely on whether God grants Elisha the vision.

Word-by-word analysis· 22 words

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

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Elijah's reply)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

ἐσκλήρυναςyou have asked a hard thingAor Act Indic 2 Sg · σκληρύνωmain verb (Elijah's assessment of the request)→ constative aorist (verdict on the request)σκληρύνω: 'make hard / harden'; here used intransitively/absolutely of the request — 'you have made [it] hard', i.e. 'you have asked a difficult thing'; renders הִקְשָׁה (לִשְׁאוֹל) ('you have made hard to ask'); the same verb σκληρύνω elsewhere renders the hardening of Pharaoh's heart (Exod), but here means the petition exceeds Elijah's own power to grant.

τοῦtoGenitivearticle governing the epexegetical infinitive αἰτήσασθαι→ noun-phrase markingThe articular genitive infinitive τοῦ αἰτήσασθαι specifies in what respect the thing is hard — 'hard to ask / in the asking.'

αἰτήσασθαιto askAor Mid Inf · αἰτέωepexegetical (articular genitive) infinitive with ἐσκλήρυνας→ aorist infinitive (the act of requesting)αἰτέω (aor. mid. inf.): 'ask / request'; the articular infinitive τοῦ αἰτήσασθαι defines the difficulty — Elisha has 'made hard the asking', requesting what only God can grant.

ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (protasis with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the conditional sign — the granting hinges on Elisha's seeing.

ἴδῃςyou seeAor Act Subj 2 Sg · ὁράωverb of the protasis (condition of the grant)→ aorist subjunctive (the decisive act of seeing)ὁράω (aor. subj. ἴδῃς): 'see / perceive'; renders רָאָה; the seeing is the God-given sign that the double portion is granted — fulfilled when Elisha 'sees' the ascent at v. 12 (ἑώρα ... καὶ οὐκ εἶδεν αὐτὸν ἔτι).

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

ἀναλαμβανόμενονbeing taken upPres Pass Part Acc Sg Masc · ἀναλαμβάνωsupplementary participle (with με, object of ἴδῃς: 'see me being taken up')→ imperfective participle (the ascent in progress)ἀναλαμβάνω (pres. pass. part.): 'be taken up'; the present (imperfective) participle pictures the translation as a process to be witnessed in the act; same verb as the infinitive of v. 9 and the finite verb of v. 11.

ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).

καὶthen / andapodotic καί (introducing the result of the condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic καί ('then it shall be'), a Hebraism marking the apodosis of the condition.

ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of the apodosis→ predictive future (the promised outcome)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; renders יִהְיֶה; 'it shall be so for you' — the double portion will be granted if the condition is met.

σοιfor youDativedative of advantage→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'for you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage.

οὕτωςso / thusadverb of manner (predicate: 'it shall be thus')→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'so / thus'; renders כֵּן; sums up the granting — 'so shall it be for you,' i.e. the request fulfilled.

καὶbut / andconjunction (introducing the contrary condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (negative protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: the second, contrary condition — 'but if not.'

μήnotnegative (elliptical protasis: 'if not')→ clausal qualification or emphasisμή: negates the elliptical protasis ἐὰν μή ('but if you do not [see]').

οὐnotnegative (with μή, emphatic denial)→ participant referenceοὐ: with the subjunctive μὴ γένηται forms the emphatic negation οὐ μή ('it shall certainly not be').

μὴnotnegative (with οὐ, emphatic denial + subjunctive)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμή: the second member of the emphatic double negative οὐ μή + aorist subjunctive.

γένηταιit shall beAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · γίνομαιverb of the negative apodosis (emphatic future denial)→ aorist subjunctive of emphatic negation ('it will certainly not happen')γίνομαι (aor. subj.): 'come to be / happen'; the construction οὐ μὴ γένηται is the strongest Greek future denial — if Elisha does not see, the double portion will absolutely not be granted; the whole grant rests on God's giving the sight.

καὶ ἐγένετο αὐτῶν πορευομένων ἐπορεύοντο καὶ ἐλάλουν καὶ ἰδοὺ ἅρμα πυρὸς καὶ ἵπποι πυρὸς καὶ διέστειλαν ἀνὰ μέσον ἀμφοτέρων καὶ ἀνελήμφθη Ηλιου ἐν συσσεισμῷ ὡς εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν

And it came to pass, as they were going, they went on and talked; and behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire, and they separated between the two of them, and Elijah was taken up in a whirlwind as into heaven.

Climax: the fiery ascent of Elijahκαὶ ἐγένετο αὐτῶν πορευομένων

The chapter's climax, framed again by καὶ ἐγένετο with a genitive absolute (αὐτῶν πορευομένων). The presentative ἰδού halts the narrative on the sudden apparition — ἅρμα πυρὸς καὶ ἵπποι πυρός — and the closing clause ἀνελήμφθη Ηλιου ἐν συσσεισμῷ ὡς εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν exactly fulfils the prospective frame of v. 1 (same verb-root ἀναλαμβάνω, same συσσεισμός, same ὡς εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν).

Word-by-word analysis· 28 words

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

ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb of the temporal frame-formula→ constative aorist (scene onset)γίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο here governs a genitive absolute (αὐτῶν πορευομένων) rather than an articular infinitive — 'and it happened, as they were going.'

αὐτῶνthey / as theyGenitivesubject of the genitive absolute (with πορευομένων)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl.): the subject of the genitive-absolute participle, referring to Elijah and Elisha.

πορευομένωνgoing / walkingPres Mid Part Gen Pl · πορεύομαιgenitive absolute participle (temporal: 'as they were going')→ imperfective participle (action in progress)πορεύομαι (pres. part., gen. abs.): 'go / walk'; the genitive absolute sets the scene — the ascent breaks in upon them mid-journey.

ἐπορεύοντοthey were going onImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (durative background action)→ imperfect (ongoing, customary walking)πορεύομαι (impf.): the imperfect ἐπορεύοντο (resuming the participle) and the parallel ἐλάλουν depict the two walking and conversing — an ordinary, intimate scene shattered by the apparition; a Hebraizing pleonasm (participle + cognate finite verb) reflecting הָלוֹךְ + verb.

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

ἐλάλουνthey were talkingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · λαλέωmain verb (durative background action)→ imperfect (ongoing conversation)λαλέω (impf.): 'speak / talk'; renders דָּבַר; the imperfect underscores the unbroken conversation between master and disciple at the very moment of parting.

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

ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection (focus-marker)→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; the dramatic presentative arrests the narrative and thrusts the fiery vision before the reader's eyes.

ἅρμαchariotNominativenominative of exclamation (presented by ἰδού)→ participant prominenceἅρμα: 'chariot'; renders רֶכֶב; the chariot of fire is the visible vehicle of the heavenly host; the same word recurs in Elisha's cry (v. 12) where Elijah himself is called 'the chariot of Israel.'

πυρὸςof fireGenitivegenitive of material/quality (modifying ἅρμα)→ relational specificationπῦρ: 'fire'; renders אֵשׁ; the genitive 'of fire' marks the chariot and horses as belonging to the fiery theophanic realm (cf. 2 Kgs 6:17).

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

ἵπποιhorsesNominativenominative of exclamation (with ἅρμα)→ participant prominenceἵππος: 'horse'; renders סוּס; the fiery horses draw the chariot, together forming the heavenly chariotry that separates the two men.

πυρὸςof fireGenitivegenitive of material/quality (modifying ἵπποι)→ relational specificationπῦρ: 'fire'; repeated for the horses, intensifying the blaze of the theophany.

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

διέστειλανthey separatedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · διαστέλλωmain verb (the chariot and horses come between them)→ constative aoristδιαστέλλω: 'set apart / separate / divide'; here intransitive/transitive 'they parted [the two]'; the fiery apparition drives between master and disciple, ending the lifelong companionship marked by ἀμφότεροι.

ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (in the phrase ἀνὰ μέσον)→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: in the locution ἀνὰ μέσον ('in the midst of / between'), a Hebraism rendering בֵּין.

μέσονmidstAccusativeaccusative in the prepositional phrase ἀνὰ μέσον ('between')→ spatial or relational framingμέσος: 'middle / midst'; ἀνὰ μέσον ἀμφοτέρων = 'between the two of them.'

ἀμφοτέρωνthe two of themGenitivegenitive after ἀνὰ μέσον ('between both')→ relational specificationἀμφότεροι: 'both'; the keyword (cf. vv. 6, 7, 8) appears for the last time here — at the very moment the fire comes 'between both', their togetherness is sundered.

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

ἀνελήμφθηwas taken upAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀναλαμβάνωmain verb (the translation of Elijah)→ constative aorist passive (the accomplished ascent)ἀναλαμβάνω (aor. pass. ἀνελήμφθη): 'be taken up'; the divine-passive fulfils v. 1 (ἀνάγειν) and v. 9 (ἀναλημφθῆναι); the same verb describes Christ's ascension in Acts 1:2, 11; Mark 16:19; 1 Tim 3:16, making this the foundational LXX ascension-text.

ΗλιουElijahsubject of ἀνελήμφθη (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΗλιου: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἀνελήμφθη (indeclinable proper noun).

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

συσσεισμῷa whirlwindDativedative of manner/means→ sphere or referenceσυσσεισμός: 'whirlwind / tempest' (סְעָרָה); the exact word of v. 1, closing the frame — Elijah ascends by the same storm-wind that the narrator announced at the outset.

ὡςasquasi-modal particle ('as it were')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: the reverent hedge, repeating v. 1 — 'as into heaven.'

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

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

οὐρανόνheavenAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven / sky' (שָׁמַיִם); the goal of the ascent, named with the same guarded ὡς εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν as v. 1.

καὶ Ελισαιε ἑώρα καὶ ἐβόα πάτερ πάτερ ἅρμα Ισραηλ καὶ ἱππεὺς αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐκ εἶδεν αὐτὸν ἔτι καὶ ἐπελάβετο τῶν ἱματίων αὐτοῦ καὶ διέρρηξεν αὐτὰ εἰς δύο ῥήγματα

And Elisha kept watching and crying out, 'My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horseman!' And he saw him no more, and he took hold of his own garments and tore them into two pieces.

Response: Elisha witnesses, cries out, and mournsκαὶ Ελισαιε ἑώρα

Elisha's reaction fulfils the condition of v. 10: the imperfects ἑώρα and ἐβόα ('he kept watching and crying') show him gazing at the ascent — so he 'sees', and the double portion is secured. His cry πάτερ πάτερ ἅρμα Ισραηλ καὶ ἱππεὺς αὐτοῦ names Elijah as Israel's true defensive might. The mourning gesture — tearing his garments into two pieces — closes the scene as the master vanishes (οὐκ εἶδεν αὐτὸν ἔτι).

Word-by-word analysis· 28 words

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

ΕλισαιεElishasubject of ἑώρα and ἐβόα (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἑώρα and ἐβόα (indeclinable proper noun).

ἑώραwas watching / kept seeingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (durative: Elisha gazes at the ascent)→ imperfect (sustained watching — the condition of v. 10 being met)ὁράω (impf. ἑώρα): 'see / look'; the imperfect stresses continuous gazing — Elisha keeps his eyes fixed on Elijah throughout the ascent, satisfying ἐὰν ἴδῃς με (v. 10) and securing the double portion.

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

ἐβόαwas crying outImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · βοάωmain verb (durative: Elisha's repeated cry)→ imperfect (repeated/sustained shouting)βοάω: 'cry out / shout'; renders צָעַק / קָרָא; the imperfect conveys the anguished, repeated cry that follows.

πάτερfatherVocativevocative of direct address (exclamation)→ direct addressπατήρ (voc. πάτερ): 'father'; renders אָבִי; the doubled vocative πάτερ πάτερ ('my father, my father') is a cry of filial grief — Elisha addresses Elijah as his spiritual father; the same title the king will later give Elisha (2 Kgs 13:14).

πάτερfatherVocativevocative (emphatic repetition)→ direct addressπατήρ: the repetition intensifies the lament.

ἅρμαchariotNominativenominative of exclamation (predicate naming Elijah)→ participant prominenceἅρμα: 'chariot'; the cry ἅρμα Ισραηλ καὶ ἱππεὺς αὐτοῦ ('the chariot of Israel and its horseman') hails Elijah himself as Israel's true military strength — the prophet's intercession and presence outweigh armies (cf. the same words said of Elisha at 2 Kgs 13:14).

Ισραηλof Israelgenitival modifier of ἅρμα (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable; here functioning as a genitive ('chariot of Israel'), naming the nation whose true defence Elijah has been.

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

ἱππεὺςhorsemanNominativenominative of exclamation (parallel to ἅρμα)→ participant prominenceἱππεύς: 'horseman / cavalryman'; renders פָּרָשׁ; paired with ἅρμα, completing the military image — Elijah is Israel's chariotry and cavalry, its real fighting force.

αὐτοῦits / hisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ἱππεύς)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying ἱππεύς).

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

οὐκnotnegative (with εἶδεν)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.

εἶδενhe sawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (the master vanishes from sight)→ constative aorist (the seeing comes to an end)ὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see'; the aorist (contrast the imperfect ἑώρα) marks the decisive end of sight — οὐκ εἶδεν αὐτὸν ἔτι ('he saw him no more'); the vision is over, but Elisha has seen enough.

αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of εἶδεν→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of εἶδεν.

ἔτιany longer / moretemporal adverb (with negative: 'no longer')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet'; with οὐκ, 'no more / no longer'; Elijah has passed beyond sight.

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

ἐπελάβετοtook hold ofAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιλαμβάνωmain verb (Elisha seizes his garments) + genitive object→ constative aoristἐπιλαμβάνω (aor. mid.): 'take hold of / grasp'; the middle takes a genitive object (τῶν ἱματίων); Elisha seizes his own clothes to tear them in the gesture of mourning.

τῶνthe / hisGenitivearticle (with ἱματίων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἱματίωνgarmentsGenitivegenitive object of ἐπελάβετο→ relational specificationἱμάτιον: 'garment / cloak'; renders בֶּגֶד; Elisha's own clothes (distinct from Elijah's μηλωτή), torn as the customary sign of grief and loss.

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

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

διέρρηξενtoreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διαρρήγνυμιmain verb (Elisha rends his garments)→ constative aoristδιαρρήγνυμι: 'tear apart / rend'; renders קָרַע; the tearing of garments is the standard biblical sign of mourning — here for the departed master.

αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object of διέρρηξεν (the garments)→ participant referenceαὐτὰ: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of διέρρηξεν (the garments).

εἰςintopreposition + accusative (result: into pieces)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (result: into pieces).

δύοtwonumeral (modifying ῥήγματα)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; an indeclinable cardinal numeral here (hence no case-ending); 'into two pieces' marks the completeness of the rending.

ῥήγματαpieces / rentsAccusativeaccusative of result (with εἰς: 'into two pieces')→ object specificationῥῆγμα: 'rent / torn piece / fragment'; cognate with διαρρήγνυμι (a figura etymologica) — 'he tore them into two tearings'; the doubling emphasizes the totality of the mourning act.

καὶ ὕψωσεν τὴν μηλωτὴν Ηλιου ἣ ἔπεσεν ἐπάνωθεν Ελισαιε καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν Ελισαιε καὶ ἔστη ἐπὶ τοῦ χείλους τοῦ Ιορδάνου

And he took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from upon Elisha, and Elisha returned and stood at the bank of the Jordan.

Succession: Elisha takes up the fallen mantleκαὶ ὕψωσεν τὴν μηλωτὴν Ηλιου

The succession is enacted: Elisha picks up the μηλωτή — the same mantle that parted the water in v. 8 — which had fallen 'from upon Elisha' (ἐπάνωθεν Ελισαιε, picking up the ἐπάνωθεν of vv. 3, 5). He returns to the Jordan's bank, mantle in hand, poised to repeat his master's miracle and so prove the spirit has passed to him.

Word-by-word analysis· 19 words

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

ὕψωσενtook up / lifted upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑψόωmain verb (Elisha lifts the mantle)→ constative aoristὑψόω: 'lift up / raise / exalt'; renders רוּם (Hiphil, 'pick up'); here in the concrete sense of lifting the fallen mantle from the ground — the token of prophetic office now passing to Elisha.

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

μηλωτὴνmantleAccusativedirect object of ὕψωσεν→ object specificationμηλωτή: 'sheepskin mantle' (אַדֶּרֶת); the same cloak Elijah used in v. 8; its falling and being taken up is the visible sign of the transfer of office.

Ηλιουof Elijahgenitival modifier of μηλωτήν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΗλιου: indeclinable; here functioning as a possessive genitive ('Elijah's mantle').

ἣwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἔπεσεν)→ participant referenceὅς, ἥ, ὅ: relative pronoun; feminine ἥ agrees with μηλωτήν, introducing the clause describing how the mantle fell.

ἔπεσενhad fallenAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωverb of the relative clause→ constative aorist (the mantle's fall as Elijah ascended)πίπτω: 'fall'; renders נָפַל; the mantle fell from Elijah as he was caught up, landing where Elisha could take it — the providential means of succession.

ἐπάνωθενfrom uponpreposition + (proper noun) (separation: 'from off')→ spatial or relational framingἐπάνωθεν: 'from above / from upon'; renders מֵעַל; here 'from upon Elisha' — the mantle fell off and down to him; deliberately echoes the ἐπάνωθεν τῆς κεφαλῆς σου of vv. 3, 5 (the master taken from over the disciple, the mantle falling onto the disciple).

ΕλισαιεElishaobject of ἐπάνωθεν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of ἐπάνωθεν (indeclinable proper noun).

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

ἐπέστρεψενreturnedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (Elisha turns back to the river)→ constative aoristἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; renders שׁוּב; Elisha retraces his steps to the riverbank, mantle in hand, to attempt the crossing alone.

ΕλισαιεElishasubject of ἐπέστρεψεν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐπέστρεψεν (indeclinable proper noun).

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

ἔστηstoodAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (Elisha takes his stand at the bank)→ constative / ingressive aoristἵστημι (aor. ἔστη, intrans.): 'stand / take a stand'; Elisha positions himself at the water's edge, where Elijah had stood (cf. v. 7).

ἐπὶat / onpreposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position).

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

χείλουςbank / edgeGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (position: 'at the bank')→ relational specificationχεῖλος: 'lip / edge / shore'; renders שָׂפָה; used of a river's 'lip' = bank; Elisha stands at the brink of the Jordan, mirroring Elijah's position before the first parting.

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

ΙορδάνουJordanGenitivegenitive (defining χείλους: 'bank of the Jordan')→ relational specificationΙορδάνης: declined river-name (gen. Ιορδάνου); the same river he is about to part a second time.

καὶ ἔλαβεν τὴν μηλωτὴν Ηλιου ἣ ἔπεσεν ἐπάνωθεν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπάταξεν τὸ ὕδωρ καὶ οὐ διέστη καὶ εἶπεν ποῦ ὁ θεὸς Ηλιου αφφω καὶ ἐπάταξεν τὰ ὕδατα καὶ διερράγησαν ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα καὶ διέβη Ελισαιε

And he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from upon him, and struck the water; but it was not divided. And he said, 'Where is the God of Elijah, even he?' And he struck the waters, and they were divided this way and that, and Elisha crossed over.

Confirmation: the second parting of the Jordanκαὶ ἔλαβεν τὴν μηλωτὴν Ηλιου

Elisha reproduces Elijah's gesture (ἔλαβεν ... ἐπάταξεν, cf. v. 8). The first blow fails (οὐ διέστη); his question ποῦ ὁ θεὸς Ηλιου αφφω ('Where is the God of Elijah, now?') appeals to the LORD, and the second blow succeeds (διερράγησαν ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα, echoing v. 8). The crossing (διέβη Ελισαιε) publicly confirms that the double portion has come upon him. The transliterated αφφω preserves the Hebrew אֵפוֹא untranslated.

Word-by-word analysis· 35 words

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

ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (Elisha takes the mantle)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; deliberately repeats the ἔλαβεν Ηλιου of v. 8 — Elisha re-enacts his master's miracle-gesture.

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

μηλωτὴνmantleAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationμηλωτή: Elijah's mantle (אַדֶּרֶת), now Elisha's instrument and badge of office.

Ηλιουof Elijahgenitival modifier of μηλωτήν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΗλιου: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival modifier of μηλωτήν (indeclinable proper noun).

ἣwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἔπεσεν)→ participant referenceὅς, ἥ, ὅ: relative pronoun, feminine ἥ agreeing with μηλωτήν (cf. v. 13).

ἔπεσενhad fallenAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωverb of the relative clause→ constative aoristπίπτω: 'fall' (נָפַל); repeats v. 13.

ἐπάνωθενfrom uponpreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐπάνωθεν: 'from upon' (מֵעַל); here 'from upon him' (Elisha), the pronoun replacing the name of v. 13.

αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of ἐπάνωθεν (3rd person pronoun = Elisha)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐπάνωθεν (3rd person pronoun = Elisha).

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

ἐπάταξενstruckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (Elisha strikes the water)→ constative aorist (the first, unsuccessful blow)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite' (נָכָה); the same verb as Elijah's blow (v. 8); here the first attempt that does not yet part the water.

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

ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of ἐπάταξεν→ object specificationὕδωρ: 'water' (מַיִם); the Jordan's water (singular here, plural τὰ ὕδατα below).

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

οὐnotnegative (with διέστη)→ participant referenceοὐ: meaning 'not'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as negative (with διέστη).

διέστηwas divided / partedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διΐστημιmain verb (the water fails to part at the first blow)→ constative aorist (negated: no parting yet)διΐστημι (aor. διέστη, intrans.): 'stand apart / separate / part'; the negated οὐ διέστη ('it did not part') marks the suspenseful failure of the first stroke, throwing Elisha back on God in his question.

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

εἶπενhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Elisha's question)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

ποῦwhereinterrogative adverb (introducing the question)→ clausal contributionποῦ: 'where?'; renders אַיֵּה; not a cry of doubt but an appeal — invoking the LORD to act now as he acted for Elijah.

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

θεὸςGodNominativesubject of the elliptical question ('where is the God...')→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; 'the God of Elijah' — Elisha appeals to the same divine power that backed his master, claiming the inherited relationship.

Ηλιουof Elijahgenitival modifier of θεός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΗλιου: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival modifier of θεός (indeclinable proper noun).

αφφω(even he / now)transliterated Hebrew particle (untranslated)→ discourse linkage or contrastαφφω: a transliteration of Hebrew אֵפוֹא ('then / now / indeed'), an emphatic particle the translator left untranslated rather than rendering into Greek — a revealing window onto the Hebrew Vorlage; the sense is roughly 'Where now is the God of Elijah?' (some traditions read it as a divine epithet).

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

ἐπάταξενstruckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (the second, successful blow)→ constative aoristπατάσσω: the second stroke, after the appeal to the God of Elijah — this time the waters part.

τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὕδατα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὕδαταwatersAccusativedirect object of the second ἐπάταξεν→ object specificationὕδωρ (pl. ὕδατα): 'waters'; the plural (varying the singular τὸ ὕδωρ above) of the Jordan's waters at the moment of parting.

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

διερράγησανwere divided / torn apartAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · διαρρήγνυμιmain verb (the waters part)→ constative aorist passive (the miraculous result)διαρρήγνυμι (aor. pass. διερράγησαν): 'be torn apart / burst'; renders בָּקַע; the passive presents the parting as a divine wonder; the word recalls the διέρρηξεν of v. 12 (the same root) and answers the failed first blow — God has answered Elisha's appeal.

ἔνθαhere / on this sideadverb of place (in the pair ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα)→ clausal contributionἔνθα: in the idiom ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα ('this way and that', הֵנָּה וָהֵנָּה), exactly repeating v. 8 — Elisha's miracle matches Elijah's to the word.

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

ἔνθαthere / on that sideadverb of place (completing ἔνθα καὶ ἔνθα)→ clausal contributionἔνθα: meaning 'there'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.

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

διέβηcrossed overAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διαβαίνωmain verb (Elisha crosses the parted river)→ constative aoristδιαβαίνω: 'cross over' (עָבַר); the singular διέβη Ελισαιε (contrast διέβησαν ἀμφότεροι, v. 8) marks the new solitude of the successor — he crosses back alone, now Israel's prophet.

ΕλισαιεElishasubject of διέβη (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of διέβη (indeclinable proper noun).

καὶ εἶδον αὐτὸν οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν προφητῶν οἱ ἐν Ιεριχω ἐξ ἐναντίας καὶ εἶπον ἐπαναπέπαυται τὸ πνεῦμα Ηλιου ἐπὶ Ελισαιε καὶ ἦλθον εἰς συναντὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν

And the sons of the prophets who were in Jericho saw him from opposite, and said, 'The spirit of Elijah has rested upon Elisha.' And they came to meet him and bowed down to him to the ground.

Public recognition: the guild acknowledges Elisha's successionκαὶ εἶδον αὐτὸν οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν προφητῶν

The witnesses of v. 7 now confirm the succession. Seeing the second parting, they declare ἐπαναπέπαυται τὸ πνεῦμα Ηλιου ἐπὶ Ελισαιε — the very fulfilment of Elisha's request for the spirit (v. 9). Their coming to meet him and bowing to the ground (προσεκύνησαν ... ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν) is the public acknowledgement of his prophetic authority.

Word-by-word analysis· 31 words

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

εἶδονsawAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (the prophets observe Elisha)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see'; the guild witnesses the miracle from a distance, as they were positioned in v. 7.

αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of εἶδον (Elisha)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of εἶδον (Elisha).

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

υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of εἶδον→ participant prominenceυἱός: in the idiom 'sons of the prophets' (cf. vv. 3, 5, 7); the Jericho guild, the official witnesses to the succession.

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

προφητῶνprophetsGenitivegenitive (defining 'sons of...')→ relational specificationπροφήτης: 'prophet' (נָבִיא).

οἱthe (who were)Nominativeattributive article (= 'those in Jericho')→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

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

ἐναντίαςoppositeGenitivegenitive in adverbial phrase ἐξ ἐναντίας ('over against / from opposite')→ relational specificationἐναντίος: 'opposite / facing'; ἐξ ἐναντίας ('from opposite', מִנֶּגֶד) recalls their viewing-position of v. 7 — they watched the whole miracle.

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

εἶπονsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (the guild's declaration)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπον): 'say / speak'; the men of Jabesh collectively appeal to Nahash; the 3rd plural form introduces their offer of vassalage.

ἐπαναπέπαυταιhas rested uponPerf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπαναπαύομαιmain verb of the declaration (perfect of settled state)→ perfect (an accomplished and abiding result)ἐπαναπαύομαι: 'rest upon / settle upon'; renders נוּחַ עַל; the perfect ἐπαναπέπαυται denotes a completed transfer with abiding result — Elijah's spirit now permanently rests on Elisha, fulfilling διπλᾶ ἐν πνεύματί σου (v. 9); cf. Num 11:25–26 of the spirit resting on the elders.

τὸtheNominativearticle (with πνεῦμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πνεῦμαspiritNominativesubject of ἐπαναπέπαυται→ participant prominenceπνεῦμα: 'spirit' (רוּחַ); the prophetic spirit of Elijah, the very thing Elisha requested a double share of (v. 9), now declared to rest on him.

Ηλιουof Elijahgenitival modifier of πνεῦμα (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΗλιου: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival modifier of πνεῦμα (indeclinable proper noun).

ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction onto)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction onto).

ΕλισαιεElishaobject of ἐπί (recipient of the spirit; indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: ἐπὶ Ελισαιε ('upon Elisha') answers the ἐπ᾿ ἐμέ of Elisha's request (v. 9) — the petition is granted in the guild's own 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 (the guild advances to meet him)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; the prophets leave their distant station to approach the new prophet.

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

συναντὴνa meetingAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiomatic: 'to meet him')→ object specificationσυναντή: 'a meeting / encounter'; the phrase εἰς συναντήν (+ gen.) renders לִקְרַאת ('to meet'), a Hebraizing idiom of going out to greet someone.

αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive after συναντήν ('to meet him')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive after συναντήν ('to meet him').

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

προσεκύνησανthey bowed downAor Act Indic 3 Pl · προσκυνέωmain verb (the guild does obeisance)→ constative aoristπροσκυνέω: 'bow down / do obeisance / worship'; renders הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה; here the homage of subordinates to a recognized authority — the guild submits to Elisha as Elijah's successor.

αὐτῷto himDativedative object of προσεκύνησαν→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of προσεκύνησαν.

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

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

γῆνground / earthAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί ('to the ground')→ object specificationγῆ: 'earth / ground / land'; renders אֶרֶץ / אַרְצָה; the phrase 'bowed to the ground' marks full prostration, the deepest gesture of homage.

καὶ εἶπον πρὸς αὐτόν ἰδοὺ δὴ μετὰ τῶν παίδων σου πεντήκοντα ἄνδρες υἱοὶ δυνάμεως πορευθέντες δὴ ζητησάτωσαν τὸν κύριόν σου μήποτε ἦρεν αὐτὸν πνεῦμα κυρίου καὶ ἔρριψεν αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ Ιορδάνῃ ἢ ἐφ᾿ ἓν τῶν ὀρέων ἢ ἐφ᾿ ἕνα τῶν βουνῶν καὶ εἶπεν Ελισαιε οὐκ ἀποστελεῖτε

And they said to him, 'Behold now, there are with your servants fifty men, sons of valor; let them go, please, and seek your master, lest the spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him on the Jordan or on one of the mountains or on one of the hills.' And Elisha said, 'You shall not send them.'

Request and refusal: the proposal to search for Elijahκαὶ εἶπον πρὸς αὐτόν

The guild, still half-disbelieving the translation, proposes sending fifty 'sons of valor' (υἱοὶ δυνάμεως) to search, fearing the spirit of the LORD may have set Elijah down somewhere (the same scenario imagined of Elijah at 3 Kgdms 18:12). Elisha, who has seen the ascent, flatly refuses: οὐκ ἀποστελεῖτε ('you shall not send'). The longest verse of the chapter, it sets disciple-knowledge against guild-uncertainty.

Word-by-word analysis· 46 words

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

εἶπονsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (the guild's proposal)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπον): 'say / speak'; the men of Jabesh collectively appeal to Nahash; the 3rd plural form introduces their offer of vassalage.

αὐτόνhimAccusativeobject of πρός (Elisha)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of πρός (Elisha).

ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold / look' (הִנֵּה); calls Elisha's attention to the available men and the proposal.

δὴnow / pleaseentreating particle (with ἰδού)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: entreating particle (נָא); ἰδοὺ δή ('behold now') softens the request into a respectful petition.

μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).

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

παίδωνservantsGenitivegenitive object of μετά ('with your servants')→ relational specificationπαῖς: 'servant / attendant' (also 'child'); renders עֶבֶד; the guild humbly calls themselves Elisha's παῖδες ('your servants'), acknowledging his new authority.

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

πεντήκονταfiftynumeral (modifying ἄνδρες)→ measure or countπεντήκοντα: 'fifty'; indeclinable cardinal (חֲמִשִּׁים); the same fifty witnesses of v. 7, now proposed as a search party.

ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject of the existential clause ('there are fifty men')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the fifty able men available for the search.

υἱοὶsonsNominativeappositive to ἄνδρες ('sons of valor')→ participant prominenceυἱός: in the idiom υἱοὶ δυνάμεως ('sons of valor / mighty men'), a Hebraism rendering בְּנֵי־חַיִל, denoting strong, capable men fit for the strenuous search.

δυνάμεωςof valor / strengthGenitivegenitive (defining 'sons of...')→ relational specificationδύναμις: 'power / strength / might'; renders חַיִל; in the idiom 'sons of valor' it marks the men as robust and able-bodied.

πορευθέντεςhaving gone / let them goAor Pass Part Nom Pl · πορεύομαιcircumstantial participle (with ζητησάτωσαν: 'let them go and seek')→ aorist participle (coincident/antecedent action)πορεύομαι (aor. pass. part.): 'go'; the participle joins with the imperative ζητησάτωσαν in a Hebraizing 'go and seek' construction (הָלַךְ + verb).

δὴplease / nowentreating particle (with the imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: entreating particle (נָא), reinforcing the deferential tone of the request.

ζητησάτωσανlet them seekAor Act Impv 3 Pl · ζητέωmain verb (third-person imperative: the proposal)→ aorist imperative of request ('let them search')ζητέω: 'seek / search for'; renders בָּקַשׁ; the third-person imperative frames the guild's proposal that the fifty go hunting for Elijah's body.

τὸνthe / yourAccusativearticle (with κύριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κύριόνmasterAccusativedirect object of ζητησάτωσαν→ object specificationκύριος: human sense, 'master' (אָדוֹן) = Elijah; cf. vv. 3, 5, where the guild used the same expression τὸν κύριόν σου of Elijah.

μήποτεlest perhapsconjunction introducing an apprehensive clause→ discourse linkage or contrastμήποτε: 'lest / lest perhaps'; renders פֶּן; introduces the guild's anxious supposition that Elijah may have been set down somewhere alive or dead.

ἦρενhas taken upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · αἴρωverb of the apprehensive clause→ constative aorist (a feared/supposed past act)αἴρω: 'lift / take up / carry away'; renders נָשָׂא; the guild imagines a more mundane removal — the spirit/wind of the LORD snatching Elijah and dropping him elsewhere (cf. the fear voiced by Obadiah at 3 Kgdms 18:12).

αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἦρεν (Elijah)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἦρεν (Elijah).

πνεῦμαspirit / windNominativesubject of ἦρεν→ participant prominenceπνεῦμα: 'spirit / wind'; renders רוּחַ; here ambiguous between 'the Spirit of the LORD' and 'a wind from the LORD' — the guild pictures a sudden divine snatching-away and re-deposit.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive modifying πνεῦμα ('spirit of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton (יהוה); 'the spirit of the LORD' as the imagined agent of Elijah's removal.

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

ἔρριψενcastAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ῥίπτωverb of the apprehensive clause (coordinate with ἦρεν)→ constative aorist (a feared/supposed past act)ῥίπτω: 'throw / cast / hurl'; renders שָׁלַךְ / טוּל; completes the guild's imagined scenario — the spirit lifted and then dropped Elijah somewhere; the same verb recurs at v. 21 of Elisha throwing salt.

αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἔρριψεν→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἔρριψεν.

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

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

ΙορδάνῃJordanDativedative object of ἐν (location; declined river-name)→ sphere or referenceΙορδάνης: declined river-name (dat. Ιορδάνῃ); one of the places where the guild fears Elijah may have been dropped.

ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; lists the alternative places of the supposed deposit.

ἐφ᾿onpreposition + genitive (elided; location)→ spatial or relational framingἐφ᾿: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (elided; location).

ἓνoneAccusativesubstantival numeral ('one of the mountains')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; the neuter ἕν agrees with the implied neuter ὄρος; 'on one of the mountains'; declined, hence case-marked.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (partitive, with ὀρέων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὀρέωνmountainsGenitivepartitive genitive (with ἕν: 'one of the mountains')→ relational specificationὄρος (gen. pl. ὀρέων): 'mountain'; renders הָר; one possible resting place of the snatched prophet.

ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐφ᾿onpreposition + accusative (elided; location)→ spatial or relational framingἐφ᾿: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (elided; location).

ἕναoneAccusativesubstantival numeral ('one of the hills')→ measure or countεἷς (masc. acc. ἕνα): 'one'; agrees with the masculine βουνός; 'on one of the hills'; declined, hence case-marked.

τῶνtheGenitivearticle (partitive, with βουνῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βουνῶνhillsGenitivepartitive genitive (with ἕνα: 'one of the hills')→ relational specificationβουνός: 'hill / mound'; renders גִּבְעָה; the pairing 'mountains... hills' (ὄρη... βουνοί) is a stock biblical merism for the whole upland terrain.

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

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Elisha's refusal)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

οὐκnotnegative (with ἀποστελεῖτε)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.

ἀποστελεῖτεyou shall sendFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (prohibitive future: refusal of the proposal)→ future with imperatival/prohibitive force ('you shall not send')ἀποστέλλω: 'send'; renders שָׁלַח; the negated future οὐκ ἀποστελεῖτε ('you shall not send [them]') is a firm prohibition — Elisha, who has witnessed the translation, knows the search is futile.

καὶ παρεβιάσαντο αὐτὸν ἕως ὅτου ᾐσχύνετο καὶ εἶπεν ἀποστείλατε καὶ ἀπέστειλαν πεντήκοντα ἄνδρας καὶ ἐζήτησαν τρεῖς ἡμέρας καὶ οὐχ εὗρον αὐτόν

And they pressed him until he was ashamed, and he said, 'Send.' And they sent fifty men, and they searched three days but did not find him.

Concession and outcome: the fruitless three-day searchκαὶ παρεβιάσαντο αὐτὸν

The guild's insistence (παρεβιάσαντο, 'they pressed/urged') wears Elisha down until ᾐσχύνετο ('he was ashamed/embarrassed to refuse'), and he relents: ἀποστείλατε ('Send'). The fifty search three days and find nothing (οὐχ εὗρον αὐτόν) — the narrative vindicates Elisha's foreknowledge and confirms the reality of the translation: Elijah is simply gone.

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.

παρεβιάσαντοthey pressed / urgedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · παραβιάζομαιmain verb (the guild presses Elisha)→ constative aoristπαραβιάζομαι: 'urge strongly / press / constrain'; renders פָּצַר; the same verb used of the Emmaus disciples constraining Jesus (Luke 24:29); the guild insists until Elisha gives way.

αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of παρεβιάσαντο (Elisha)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of παρεβιάσαντο (Elisha).

ἕωςuntilconjunction (with ὅτου, temporal: 'until')→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: 'until'; in the locution ἕως ὅτου ('until the time when') it marks the point at which Elisha relents.

ὅτουwhen / whichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive, in the phrase ἕως ὅτου)→ relational specificationὅστις (gen. ὅτου): indefinite relative; the fixed phrase ἕως ὅτου = 'until such time as / until.'

ᾐσχύνετοhe was ashamedImpf Pass Indic 3 Sg · αἰσχύνωverb of the temporal clause→ imperfect (the growing embarrassment that broke his resistance)αἰσχύνω (pass. 'be ashamed / embarrassed'): renders בּוֹשׁ; the imperfect depicts mounting awkwardness — Elisha is shamed into yielding to the persistent guild against his better knowledge.

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

εἶπενhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Elisha relents)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

ἀποστείλατεsendAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (imperative: Elisha's reluctant assent)→ aorist imperative (grudging permission)ἀποστέλλω: 'send'; the curt one-word concession ἀποστείλατε ('Send [them]') reverses the prohibition οὐκ ἀποστελεῖτε of v. 16 — Elisha yields to pressure though he knows the result.

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

ἀπέστειλανthey sentAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (the guild dispatches the search party)→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: the guild acts on the permission and dispatches the fifty.

πεντήκονταfiftynumeral (modifying ἄνδρας)→ measure or countπεντήκοντα: 'fifty'; indeclinable cardinal (חֲמִשִּׁים); the same fifty proposed in v. 16.

ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλαν→ object specificationἀνήρ (acc. pl. ἄνδρας): 'man'; the fifty searchers.

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

ἐζήτησανthey searchedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ζητέωmain verb (the search itself)→ constative aorist (the whole search summed up)ζητέω: 'seek / search' (בָּקַשׁ); takes up the ζητησάτωσαν of v. 16 — the proposal is now carried out.

τρεῖςthreeAccusativenumeral (accusative of duration, with ἡμέρας)→ measure or countτρεῖς: 'three'; declined cardinal (acc. τρεῖς), agreeing with ἡμέρας; renders שָׁלוֹשׁ.

ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of duration ('for three days')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the accusative of extent of time marks the duration of the futile search.

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

οὐχnotnegative (with εὗρον)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐχ: the aspirated form of οὐ before the rough breathing of εὗρον.

εὗρονthey foundAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb (the negative outcome)→ constative aorist (negated: the search fails)εὑρίσκω: 'find'; renders מָצָא; the negated οὐχ εὗρον αὐτόν ('they did not find him') confirms the translation and vindicates Elisha's refusal — Elijah is truly gone.

αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of εὗρον (Elijah)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of εὗρον (Elijah).

καὶ ἀνέστρεψαν πρὸς αὐτόν καὶ αὐτὸς ἐκάθητο ἐν Ιεριχω καὶ εἶπεν Ελισαιε οὐκ εἶπον πρὸς ὑμᾶς μὴ πορευθῆτε

And they returned to him while he was staying in Jericho, and Elisha said, 'Did I not say to you, Do not go?'

Resolution: the searchers return and Elisha's 'I told you so'καὶ ἀνέστρεψαν πρὸς αὐτόν

The search party returns to find Elisha still at Jericho (αὐτὸς ἐκάθητο ἐν Ιεριχω). His rhetorical rebuke — οὐκ εἶπον πρὸς ὑμᾶς μὴ πορευθῆτε ('Did I not tell you, Do not go?') — closes the search episode and underscores his vindicated authority as the spirit-endowed successor whose word the guild should have heeded.

Word-by-word analysis· 18 words

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

ἀνέστρεψανthey returnedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναστρέφωmain verb (the searchers come back)→ constative aoristἀναστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; renders שׁוּב; the fifty come back empty-handed to Elisha.

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

καὶand / whilenarrative conjunction (introducing circumstantial clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here introduces an accompanying circumstance ('while he was staying'), a Hebraizing parataxis for what English subordinates.

αὐτὸςheNominativesubject of ἐκάθητο (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the intensive pronoun 'he himself' stresses that Elisha had stayed put — he never doubted the outcome.

ἐκάθητοwas staying / sittingImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · κάθημαιmain verb (durative background: Elisha remained)→ imperfect (ongoing state: he had remained the whole time)κάθημαι (impf.): 'sit / stay / remain'; the imperfect ἐκάθητο shows Elisha calmly waiting at Jericho throughout the three-day search — the same verb κάθημαι used of Elijah's command κάθου in vv. 2, 4, 6.

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

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

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Elisha's rebuke)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

οὐκnotnegative (in a rhetorical question expecting 'yes')→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: in a question introduced by οὐ, expecting an affirmative answer ('Did I not...?' = 'I surely did').

εἶπονdid I sayAor Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb of the rhetorical question→ constative aorist (recalling his earlier prohibition)λέγω (aor. 1 sg. εἶπον): here first-person ('did I not say?'), recalling Elisha's warning of v. 16 (οὐκ ἀποστελεῖτε); the rhetorical question asserts his vindicated foreknowledge.

ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός (the guild)→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of πρός (the guild).

μὴnot / do notnegative (with the prohibitive subjunctive πορευθῆτε)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμή: the negative of prohibition, with the aorist subjunctive forming a prohibition ('do not go').

πορευθῆτεgoAor Pass Subj 2 Pl · πορεύομαιverb of the quoted prohibition (μὴ + aorist subjunctive)→ prohibitive aorist subjunctive ('do not go')πορεύομαι (aor. subj.): 'go'; μὴ πορευθῆτε ('do not go') is the prohibition Elisha quotes back to them — the content of the warning he had given (cf. v. 16).

καὶ εἶπον οἱ ἄνδρες τῆς πόλεως πρὸς Ελισαιε ἰδοὺ ἡ κατοίκησις τῆς πόλεως ἀγαθή καθὼς ὁ κύριος βλέπει καὶ τὰ ὕδατα πονηρὰ καὶ ἡ γῆ ἀτεκνουμένη

And the men of the city said to Elisha, 'Behold, the situation of the city is good, as my lord sees, but the water is bad and the land barren.'

New episode: the men of Jericho report the bad waterκαὶ εἶπον οἱ ἄνδρες τῆς πόλεως

A new scene begins: the men of Jericho lay a problem before the new prophet. The contrast is stated plainly — the city's setting is good (ἡ κατοίκησις ... ἀγαθή), but its water is bad (τὰ ὕδατα πονηρά) and the land barren (ἀτεκνουμένη, lit. 'making childless / causing miscarriage'). The address καθὼς ὁ κύριος βλέπει ('as my lord sees') uses κύριος in the deferential human sense for Elisha himself.

Word-by-word analysis· 26 words

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

εἶπονsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (the townsmen's report)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπον): 'say / speak'; the men of Jabesh collectively appeal to Nahash; the 3rd plural form introduces their offer of vassalage.

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

ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject of εἶπον→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; here the citizens / leading men of Jericho who bring the complaint to Elisha.

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

πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive (defining 'men of the city')→ relational specificationπόλις: 'city'; renders עִיר; here Jericho, whose water-problem is the subject.

ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold' (הִנֵּה); draws Elisha's attention to the city's predicament.

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

κατοίκησιςsituation / dwellingNominativesubject of the nominal clause ('the situation is good')→ participant prominenceκατοίκησις: 'dwelling / habitation / situation'; renders מוֹשַׁב ('site / seat'); refers to the city's location and living-conditions, which are favorable apart from the water.

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

πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying κατοίκησις)→ relational specificationπόλις: 'city'; 'the situation of the city.'

ἀγαθήgoodNominativepredicate adjective (with implied ἐστίν: 'is good')→ participant prominenceἀγαθός: 'good'; renders טוֹב; the city's setting is excellent — the problem is solely the water and the resulting barrenness.

καθὼςascomparative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθώς: 'as / just as'; renders כַּאֲשֶׁר; introduces the deferential appeal to Elisha's own observation.

ὁthe / myNominativearticle (with κύριος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κύριοςlord / sirNominativesubject of βλέπει (deferential address to Elisha)→ participant prominenceκύριος: here in the human-honorific sense 'lord / sir / master' (אָדוֹן), addressed to Elisha himself — NOT the Tetragrammaton; 'as my lord sees' is a courteous deferral to the prophet's judgment.

βλέπειseesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · βλέπωverb of the comparative clause→ customary present (Elisha's evident perception)βλέπω: 'see / look'; renders רָאָה; 'as my lord sees [for himself]' — the townsmen appeal to what is plain to Elisha's own eyes.

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

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

ὕδαταwater / watersNominativesubject of the nominal clause ('the water is bad')→ participant prominenceὕδωρ (pl. ὕδατα): 'waters'; renders מַיִם; the city's water-supply, the source of the trouble Elisha will heal (vv. 20–22).

πονηρὰbadNominativepredicate adjective (with implied ἐστίν: 'are bad')→ participant prominenceπονηρός: 'bad / evil / harmful'; renders רַע; the water is 'bad' — noxious, causing the land's barrenness.

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

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

γῆlandNominativesubject of the participial predicate ἀτεκνουμένη→ participant prominenceγῆ: 'land / ground'; renders אֶרֶץ; the surrounding farmland rendered unfruitful by the bad water.

ἀτεκνουμένηbarren / causing childlessnessPres Mid Part Nom Sg Fem · ἀτεκνόωpredicate participle (periphrastic: 'the land is barren / miscarrying')→ imperfective participle (ongoing condition)ἀτεκνόω (pres. mid. part.): 'make childless / cause to miscarry / be barren'; renders מְשַׁכָּלֶת ('causing bereavement / miscarriage'); the vivid word personifies the land as 'bereaving' — its bad water kills crops, livestock, and offspring; recurs at v. 21.

καὶ εἶπεν Ελισαιε λάβετέ μοι ὑδρίσκην καινὴν καὶ θέτε ἐκεῖ ἅλα καὶ ἔλαβον πρὸς αὐτόν

And Elisha said, 'Bring me a new jar and put salt in it.' And they brought it to him.

Prophetic instruction: the new jar and saltκαὶ εἶπεν Ελισαιε

Elisha's remedy is symbolic: a new (καινήν, unused, ritually clean) jar with salt — salt being a preservative and a covenant-token (cf. Lev 2:13). The double imperative λάβετε ... θέτε and the prompt compliance (ἔλαβον πρὸς αὐτόν) set up the healing-act of v. 21.

Word-by-word analysis· 15 words

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

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Elisha's instruction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

λάβετέbring / takeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (imperative to the townsmen)→ aorist imperative (decisive command)λαμβάνω (aor. impv.): 'take / fetch / bring'; renders לָקַח (cf. קְחוּ); Elisha orders the implements for the symbolic healing.

μοιfor meDativedative of advantage ('bring me')→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'for me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage ('bring me').

ὑδρίσκηνa jar / small vesselAccusativedirect object of λάβετε→ object specificationὑδρίσκη: 'small water-jar / flask' (diminutive of ὑδρία); renders צְלֹחִית ('flask / bowl'); a container suited to hold the salt for the healing-rite.

καινὴνnewAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ὑδρίσκην)→ object specificationκαινός: 'new / fresh / unused'; renders חֲדָשָׁה; the jar must be new — unused and ritually clean — fitting for the sacred act, like the new cart of 1 Sam 6:7.

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

θέτεputAor Act Impv 2 Pl · τίθημιmain verb (second imperative)→ aorist imperativeτίθημι (aor. impv. θέτε): 'put / place / set'; renders שִׂים; Elisha directs that salt be placed in the new jar.

ἐκεῖthere / in itadverb of place ('in it / therein')→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; here 'in it' (i.e. into the jar), renders שָׁם.

ἅλαsaltAccusativedirect object of θέτε→ object specificationἅλς (acc. ἅλα): 'salt'; renders מֶלַח; salt as preservative and covenant-symbol (Lev 2:13; Num 18:19) is the agent through which the LORD heals the spring (v. 21).

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

ἔλαβονthey brought / tookAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (the townsmen comply)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take / bring'; the prompt compliance — they fetched the jar (with salt) and brought it to him.

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

καὶ ἐξῆλθεν Ελισαιε εἰς τὴν διέξοδον τῶν ὑδάτων καὶ ἔρριψεν ἐκεῖ ἅλα καὶ εἶπεν τάδε λέγει κύριος ἴαμαι τὰ ὕδατα ταῦτα οὐκ ἔσται ἔτι ἐκεῖθεν θάνατος καὶ ἀτεκνουμένη

And Elisha went out to the spring of the waters and threw salt there and said, 'Thus says the LORD: I have healed these waters; there shall no longer be from there death or barrenness.'

The healing act and the prophetic wordκαὶ ἐξῆλθεν Ελισαιε

Elisha performs the sign at the source (τὴν διέξοδον τῶν ὑδάτων) and pronounces the prophetic messenger-formula τάδε λέγει κύριος. The perfect ἴαμαι ('I have healed') presents the cure as already accomplished in the divine word; the reversal of v. 19 is exact — no more θάνατος ('death') or ἀτεκνουμένη ('barrenness'). The healing is the LORD's, declared through his prophet.

Word-by-word analysis· 28 words

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

ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (Elisha goes to the spring)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / come out'; renders יָצָא; Elisha proceeds from the city to the water-source to perform the sign.

ΕλισαιεElishasubject of ἐξῆλθεν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐξῆλθεν (indeclinable proper noun).

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

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

διέξοδονspring / outflowAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationδιέξοδος: 'outlet / passage / place where water issues forth'; renders מוֹצָא הַמַּיִם ('the source / outflow of the waters'); Elisha addresses the spring at its very source, so the cure reaches the whole supply.

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

ὑδάτωνwatersGenitivegenitive (defining διέξοδον: 'outflow of the waters')→ relational specificationὕδωρ (gen. pl. ὑδάτων): 'waters' (מַיִם); the spring-source of the city's water.

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

ἔρριψενthrewAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ῥίπτωmain verb (Elisha casts the salt)→ constative aoristῥίπτω: 'throw / cast'; renders שָׁלַךְ; Elisha casts the salt into the source — the symbolic act accompanying the word; the same verb the guild used of the supposed casting-down of Elijah (v. 16).

ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there' (שָׁם); at the spring-source.

ἅλαsaltAccusativedirect object of ἔρριψεν→ object specificationἅλς (acc. ἅλα): 'salt'; the salt of v. 20, now cast into the water as the medium of the LORD's healing.

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

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing the prophetic word)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

τάδεthus / these thingsAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of λέγει: messenger-formula)→ participant referenceὅδε, ἥδε, τόδε: 'this'; the formula τάδε λέγει κύριος ('thus says the LORD') renders כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה, the standard prophetic messenger-formula marking the words as the LORD's own.

λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of the messenger-formula (historic/timeless present)→ present of ongoing divine authorityλέγω (pres.): the present λέγει within the citation-formula presents the divine word as currently and authoritatively spoken — the LORD himself speaks through Elisha.

κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of λέγει (divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton (יהוה); the healing is the LORD's act, declared through his prophet — the first-person ἴαμαι is the LORD's own voice.

ἴαμαιI have healedPerf Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἰάομαιmain verb of the oracle (first-person divine speech)→ perfect (an accomplished and abiding cure)ἰάομαι: 'heal / cure'; renders רָפָא; the perfect ἴαμαι ('I have healed') declares the cure as already effected in the divine word — performative speech; the same root recurs in the passive ἰάθησαν at v. 22 (the fulfilment).

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

ὕδαταwatersAccusativedirect object of ἴαμαι→ object specificationὕδωρ (pl. ὕδατα): 'waters' (מַיִם); the bad water of v. 19, now declared healed.

ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ὕδατα)→ object specificationοὗτος: 'this'; 'these waters' points to the specific spring being healed.

οὐκnotnegative (with ἔσται)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.

ἔσταιthere shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of the consequence clause (existential)→ predictive future (the permanent result of the cure)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be / exist'; the negated future declares the abiding effect — no more death or barrenness will issue from this water.

ἔτιany longertemporal adverb (with negative: 'no longer')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet'; with οὐκ, 'no longer' — the curse on the water is permanently lifted.

ἐκεῖθενfrom there / from itadverb of place (source)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there / thence'; renders מִשָּׁם; 'from there' = from this water, which will no longer be a source of death.

θάνατοςdeathNominativesubject of ἔσται→ participant prominenceθάνατος: 'death'; renders מָוֶת / מְשַׁכֶּלֶת; the deadly effect of the bad water — its lethal harm to people, animals, and crops — is now removed.

καὶand / orcoordinate conjunction (joining the second removed evil)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀτεκνουμένηbarrennessPres Mid Part Nom Sg Fem · ἀτεκνόωsubstantival participle (second subject of ἔσται: 'a barrenness-causing [agent]')→ imperfective participle used substantivallyἀτεκνόω (pres. mid. part.): 'cause childlessness / barrenness'; repeats the word of v. 19, now in the promise of its removal — the land's 'bereaving' power is ended; the participle stands as a noun-equivalent ('the thing that causes barrenness').

καὶ ἰάθησαν τὰ ὕδατα ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα Ελισαιε ὃ ἐλάλησεν

And the waters were healed to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.

Fulfilment-formula: the lasting cureκαὶ ἰάθησαν τὰ ὕδατα

The narrator's fulfilment-notice: the passive ἰάθησαν answers the perfect ἴαμαι of v. 21, the word effecting the deed. The etiological formula ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης ('to this day') marks the cure as permanent and verifiable in the narrator's own time, and κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα Ελισαιε attributes the standing result precisely to the prophet's word.

Word-by-word analysis· 14 words

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

ἰάθησανwere healedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἰάομαιmain verb (the cure realized)→ constative aorist passive (the accomplished healing)ἰάομαι (aor. pass. ἰάθησαν): 'be healed'; the divine-passive realizes the LORD's word ἴαμαι (v. 21) — the deed follows the word exactly; renders נִרְפּוּ (Niphal of רָפָא).

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

ὕδαταwatersNominativesubject of ἰάθησαν→ participant prominenceὕδωρ (pl. ὕδατα): 'waters' (מַיִם); the once-bad water, now permanently cured.

ἕωςto / untilpreposition + genitive (temporal extent)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / up to'; in the etiological formula ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης ('to this day'), marking the enduring result.

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

ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive object of ἕως→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; in the formula ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης (עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה), a standard etiological note that the effect persists to the narrator's own time.

ταύτηςthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'this'; 'this [present] day' — the cure remains observable, confirming the prophet's authority.

κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (correspondence)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; the result conforms exactly to the prophetic word.

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

ῥῆμαwordAccusativeaccusative object of κατά→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / saying / thing spoken'; renders דָּבָר; 'the word of Elisha' — the effective prophetic utterance which the LORD honored.

Ελισαιεof Elishagenitival modifier of ῥῆμα (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitival modifier of ῥῆμα (indeclinable proper noun).

ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐλάλησεν)→ participant referenceὅς, ἥ, ὅ: relative pronoun, neuter ὅ agreeing with ῥῆμα; 'the word which he spoke.'

ἐλάλησενhe spokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of the relative clause→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak'; renders דִּבֶּר; refers back to Elisha's oracle of v. 21 — the spoken word that the event fulfilled.

καὶ ἀνέβη ἐκεῖθεν εἰς Βαιθηλ καὶ ἀναβαίνοντος αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ παιδάρια μικρὰ ἐξῆλθον ἐκ τῆς πόλεως καὶ κατέπαιζον αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπον αὐτῷ ἀνάβαινε φαλακρέ ἀνάβαινε

And he went up from there to Bethel; and as he was going up on the road, small boys came out of the city and mocked him and said to him, 'Go up, baldhead! Go up!'

New episode: the jeering youths of Bethelκαὶ ἀνέβη ἐκεῖθεν εἰς Βαιθηλ

Elisha travels up to Bethel; the genitive absolute ἀναβαίνοντος αὐτοῦ sets the scene on the road. The jeer ἀνάβαινε φαλακρέ ('Go up, baldhead!') mockingly throws back the very verb of Elijah's 'going up' (ἀνέβη / ἀναβαίνω) — the youths scorn the report of the prophet's ascension and insult his successor. The καί before παιδάρια (apodotic) reflects the Hebrew waw.

Word-by-word analysis· 27 words

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

ἀνέβηwent upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (Elisha journeys up to Bethel)→ constative aoristἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; renders עָלָה; Bethel lies in the hill country, so one 'goes up' to it; the verb sets up the bitter wordplay of the taunt ἀνάβαινε ('go up') below.

ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (source)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there' (מִשָּׁם); i.e. from Jericho.

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

ΒαιθηλBethelobject of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒαιθηλ: Bethel (בֵּית־אֵל); the first station of the original journey (vv. 2–3), now revisited.

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

ἀναβαίνοντοςgoing upPres Act Part Gen Sg · ἀναβαίνωgenitive absolute participle (temporal: 'as he was going up')→ imperfective participle (action in progress)ἀναβαίνω (pres. part., gen. abs.): 'go up'; the genitive absolute ἀναβαίνοντος αὐτοῦ ('while he was going up') sets the scene on the ascending road — and ironically re-sounds the 'going up' theme that the youths will mock.

αὐτοῦhe / as heGenitivesubject of the genitive absolute (with ἀναβαίνοντος)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'he'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject of the genitive absolute (with ἀναβαίνοντος).

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

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

ὁδῷroad / wayDativedative of place (with ἐν: 'on the road')→ sphere or referenceὁδός: 'road / way'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; the road up to Bethel, where the encounter takes place.

καὶ(then) / andapodotic καί (Hebraizing, introducing the main clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic καί after the genitive absolute, reflecting the Hebrew waw of the main clause; untranslated in idiomatic English.

παιδάριαsmall boys / youthsNominativesubject of ἐξῆλθον→ participant prominenceπαιδάριον: 'small boy / lad / youth' (diminutive of παῖς); renders נְעָרִים קְטַנִּים ('small/young boys'); the term and its modifier μικρά mark them as a band of youths whose jeering insults the prophet and, by extension, the LORD.

μικρὰsmall / littleNominativeattributive adjective (modifying παιδάρια)→ participant prominenceμικρός: 'small / little / young'; renders קָטָן; reinforces the youthfulness of the mockers (already implied by the diminutive παιδάρια).

ἐξῆλθονcame outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (the boys emerge from the city)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / come out' (יָצָא); the youths swarm out of Bethel to mock the passing prophet.

ἐκout of / frompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).

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

πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (source)→ relational specificationπόλις: 'city' (עִיר); Bethel, a centre that had grown hostile to YHWH's prophets.

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

κατέπαιζονmocked / kept jeeringImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · καταπαίζωmain verb (durative: the boys' repeated mockery)→ imperfect (sustained, repeated jeering)καταπαίζω: 'mock / make sport of / deride' (κατα- intensifying παίζω 'play'); renders קָלַס (Hithpael, 'jeer at'); the imperfect depicts the persistent, escalating taunting that provokes the curse.

αὐτοῦhim / at himGenitivegenitive object of κατέπαιζον ('mocked at him')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of κατέπαιζον ('mocked at him').

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

εἶπονsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (introducing the jeer)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπον): 'say / speak'; the men of Jabesh collectively appeal to Nahash; the 3rd plural form introduces their offer of vassalage.

αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object of εἶπον→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object of εἶπον.

ἀνάβαινεgo upPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (the taunting imperative)→ present imperative (mocking command)ἀναβαίνω (pres. impv.): 'go up!'; the taunt ἀνάβαινε φαλακρέ throws the 'going up' of Elijah's ascension (and Elisha's own journey, ἀνέβη) back as a sneer — 'Go on up [to heaven] like your master, baldhead!'; mockery of the prophet is mockery of the God who sent him.

φαλακρέbaldheadVocativevocative of insult (direct address)→ direct addressφαλακρός (voc. φαλακρέ): 'bald(-headed)'; renders קֵרֵחַ; a term of contempt — whether describing Elisha or a tonsure marking prophetic office, it is hurled as an insult; the abuse of God's prophet brings swift judgment.

ἀνάβαινεgo upPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (repeated taunt, framing the insult)→ present imperative (mocking command, repeated)ἀναβαίνω: the repetition ἀνάβαινε ... ἀνάβαινε ('Go up! ... Go up!') brackets the insult φαλακρέ, hammering the derision of the ascension-claim.

καὶ ἐξένευσεν ὀπίσω αὐτῶν καὶ εἶδεν αὐτὰ καὶ κατηράσατο αὐτοῖς ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐξῆλθον δύο ἄρκοι ἐκ τοῦ δρυμοῦ καὶ ἀνέρρηξαν ἐξ αὐτῶν τεσσαράκοντα καὶ δύο παῖδας

And he turned around behind them and saw them and cursed them in the name of the LORD; and behold, two she-bears came out of the wood and mangled forty-two children of them.

Judgment: the curse and the she-bearsκαὶ ἐξένευσεν ὀπίσω αὐτῶν

Elisha turns (ἐξένευσεν), sees the mockers, and curses them ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου ('in the name of the LORD') — the judgment is the LORD's, not personal vindictiveness. The presentative ἰδού introduces the swift execution: two she-bears emerge from the wood and maul forty-two of the youths. The scene vindicates the honor due to the LORD's prophet and his word.

Word-by-word analysis· 29 words

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

ἐξένευσενturned aroundAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκνεύωmain verb (Elisha turns toward the youths)→ constative aoristἐκνεύω: 'turn aside / turn around'; renders פָּנָה ('turn'); Elisha turns back to face the jeering crowd behind him.

ὀπίσωbehind / afterpreposition + genitive (direction: behind)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'behind / after'; renders אַחֲרֵי; the youths were following/jeering behind him, so he turns to face them.

αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσω→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ὀπίσω.

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 (Elisha looks at the youths)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / look at'; Elisha fixes his gaze on the mockers before pronouncing the curse.

αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object of εἶδεν (neuter, agreeing with παιδάρια)→ participant referenceαὐτός (neut. pl. αὐτά): 'them'; neuter, agreeing with the neuter παιδάρια of v. 23.

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

κατηράσατοcursedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · καταράομαιmain verb (Elisha pronounces the curse) + dative→ constative aoristκαταράομαι: 'curse / pronounce a curse on'; renders קָלַל / אָרַר; takes the dative αὐτοῖς; the curse is not private spite but a prophetic act done 'in the name of the LORD' — invoking divine judgment on those who scorn God's messenger.

αὐτοῖςthem / on themDativedative object of κατηράσατο ('cursed them')→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of κατηράσατο ('cursed them').

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

ὀνόματιnameDativedative object of ἐν (authority of the curse)→ sphere or referenceὄνομα: 'name'; the phrase ἐν ὀνόματι κυρίου ('in the name of the LORD') renders בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה; the curse is uttered by the LORD's authority, making the ensuing judgment a divine vindication of his prophet.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive modifying ὀνόματι ('name of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton (יהוה); the curse is pronounced in YHWH's name, marking it as a sanctioned prophetic act, not personal vengeance.

ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection (focus-marker)→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold' (הִנֵּה); marks the sudden, dramatic arrival of the bears as the immediate answer to the curse.

ἐξῆλθονcame outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (the bears emerge)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'come out' (יָצָא); the bears emerge from the woods — the swift instrument of judgment; ironically the same verb used of the youths coming out of the city (v. 23).

δύοtwonumeral (modifying ἄρκοι)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; indeclinable cardinal here; 'two she-bears.'

ἄρκοιshe-bearsNominativesubject of ἐξῆλθον→ participant prominenceἄρκος (= ἄρκτος): 'bear'; renders דֻּבִּים; here two she-bears (the Hebrew is feminine), notoriously ferocious when protecting cubs — the natural agents of the divine judgment.

ἐκout of / frompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).

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

δρυμοῦwood / thicketGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (source)→ relational specificationδρυμός: 'wood / thicket / forest'; renders יַעַר; the wild place from which the bears issue.

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

ἀνέρρηξανmangled / toreAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναρρήγνυμιmain verb (the bears maul the youths)→ constative aoristἀναρρήγνυμι: 'tear open / rend / mangle'; renders בָּקַע ('tear / rip'); the same rhgnumi-root as διέρρηξεν (v. 12) and διερράγησαν (v. 14) — here of the bears tearing the mockers; the partitive ἐξ αὐτῶν marks forty-two as the number out of the larger crowd.

ἐξof / from amongpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: here partitive ('out of them / from among them'), specifying that forty-two of the crowd were mauled.

αὐτῶνthem / of themGenitivepartitive genitive (object of ἐξ)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as partitive genitive (object of ἐξ).

τεσσαράκονταfortynumeral (with δύο: 'forty-two')→ measure or countτεσσαράκοντα: 'forty'; indeclinable cardinal (אַרְבָּעִים); with δύο forms 'forty-two', the precise number of victims.

καὶand / -twocoordinate conjunction (in the compound numeral 'forty-two')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: joins the numeral components τεσσαράκοντα καὶ δύο ('forty and two' = forty-two), the Greek/Hebrew way of expressing compound numbers.

δύοtwonumeral (completing 'forty-two', modifying παῖδας)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; indeclinable here; completes the count 'forty-two children.'

παῖδαςchildren / boysAccusativedirect object of ἀνέρρηξαν→ object specificationπαῖς (acc. pl. παῖδας): 'child / boy / youth'; renders יְלָדִים; the victims, equivalent to the παιδάρια of v. 23 — the mocking youths who scorned the LORD's prophet.

καὶ ἐπορεύθη ἐκεῖθεν εἰς τὸ ὄρος τὸ Καρμήλιον καὶ ἐκεῖθεν ἐπέστρεψεν εἰς Σαμάρειαν

And he went on from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.

Itinerary closure: withdrawal to Carmel and Samariaκαὶ ἐπορεύθη ἐκεῖθεν

A concluding travel-notice rounds off the chapter. Elisha proceeds to Mount Carmel — Elijah's own place of triumph (3 Kgdms 18) — and then returns to Samaria, the royal capital, signalling his entry upon the public prophetic ministry he has now inherited. The doubled ἐκεῖθεν ('from there ... from there') traces the route in summary fashion.

Word-by-word analysis· 13 words

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

ἐπορεύθηwent / went onAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (Elisha travels to Carmel)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι (aor. pass. dep.): 'go / journey'; the same verb that opened the chapter's journey (ἐπορεύθη, v. 1), now closing it — Elisha travels on alone.

ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (source)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there' (מִשָּׁם); i.e. from Bethel.

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

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

ὄροςmountainAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationὄρος: 'mountain'; renders הַר; here Mount Carmel — significantly the site of Elijah's contest with the prophets of Baal (3 Kgdms 18), a fitting destination for the successor.

τὸtheAccusativearticle in attributive position (with Καρμήλιον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΚαρμήλιονCarmel / of CarmelAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ὄρος: 'Mount Carmel')→ object specificationΚαρμήλιος: 'Carmel-' (adjectival, from Hebrew כַּרְמֶל); declined as a Greek adjective (τὸ ὄρος τὸ Καρμήλιον = 'the Carmel mountain'), hence kind 'n' with case — unlike the indeclinable place-names; Carmel was Elijah's mountain of triumph.

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

ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (source)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there'; i.e. from Carmel; the repetition traces the route in summary.

ἐπέστρεψενreturnedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (Elisha returns to Samaria)→ constative aoristἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back / return' (שׁוּב); Elisha returns to the royal capital, taking up the public ministry to kings and people that fills the following chapters.

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

ΣαμάρειανSamariaAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination; declined place-name)→ object specificationΣαμάρεια: 'Samaria' (שֹׁמְרוֹן); the capital of the northern kingdom; declined as a first-declension noun (acc. Σαμάρειαν), hence kind 'n' with case; Elisha's return there inaugurates his role at the centre of national life.

The Fourth Book of Kingdoms, Chapter 2ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΩΝ Δ′ Β′

Theme

Translation & textual notes