1
υἱὸς ὀκτὼ ἐτῶν Ιωσιας ἐν τῷ βασιλεύειν αὐτὸν καὶ τριάκοντα καὶ ἓν ἔτος ἐβασίλευσεν ἐν Ιερουσαλημ καὶ ὄνομα τῇ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ Ιεδιδα θυγάτηρ Εδεϊα ἐκ Βασουρωθ
Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem; and his mother's name was Jedidah, daughter of Edeia, from Bashuroth.
The chapter opens with the stereotyped Deuteronomistic accession formula: age at accession (υἱὸς ὀκτὼ ἐτῶν, a Hebraism — 'a son of eight years'), length of reign, capital, and the queen-mother's name and lineage. The articular infinitive ἐν τῷ βασιλεύειν αὐτόν renders the Hebrew temporal infinitive בְּמָלְכוֹ ('when he became king').
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
υἱὸςsonNominativepredicate nominative (age-idiom: 'a son of eight years' = eight years old)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the construction υἱὸς ὀκτὼ ἐτῶν is a Hebraism rendering בֶּן־שְׁמֹנֶה שָׁנִים ('a son of eight years'), the standard idiom for stating age at accession in the regnal formulae of Kings.
ὀκτὼeightindeclinable numeral (modifying ἐτῶν)→ measure or countὀκτώ: 'eight'; indeclinable cardinal; Josiah's accession at eight years recalls the boy-king Joash (4 Kgdms 11:21–12:1) and signals a regency-shaped early reign.
ἐτῶνof yearsGenitivegenitive of measure (with υἱὸς ὀκτώ: 'of eight years')→ relational specificationἔτος: 'year'; the partitive/measure genitive plural completes the age-idiom; renders שָׁנִים.
ΙωσιαςJosiahNominativesubject (the reigning king)→ participant prominenceΙωσιας: transliteration of Hebrew יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ ('the LORD supports/heals'); declined as a first-declension masculine (-ας, gen. -ου); Josiah is the last great reforming king of Judah, central to the Deuteronomistic theology of Kings.
ἐνin / whenpreposition + dative articular infinitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + articular infinitive: the construction ἐν τῷ βασιλεύειν renders the Hebrew temporal infinitive with בְּ ('when/while he reigned'), a frequent LXX Hebraism.
τῷtheDativearticle (with articular infinitive βασιλεύειν)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεύεινto reign / become kingPres Act Inf · βασιλεύωarticular infinitive (temporal: 'when he became king')→ ingressive present infinitive (entry into kingship)βασιλεύω: 'be king / reign'; renders מָלַךְ; in the accession-formula the ingressive sense ('come to reign') is foregrounded by the temporal frame ἐν τῷ … αὐτόν.
αὐτὸνheAccusativeaccusative subject of the articular infinitive (βασιλεύειν)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the accusative subject of the articular infinitive, a standard Greek construction; refers to Josiah.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τριάκονταthirtyindeclinable numeral (with ἓν ἔτος: 'thirty-one years')→ measure or countτριάκοντα: 'thirty'; indeclinable cardinal; the combination τριάκοντα καὶ ἓν ἔτος ('thirty-one years') gives the total length of Josiah's reign.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the compound numeral)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἓνoneAccusativeattributive numeral (with ἔτος: 'one year' completing 'thirty-one')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; the neuter accusative ἕν agrees with ἔτος; the additive idiom τριάκοντα καὶ ἕν renders the Hebrew compound number.
ἔτοςyearAccusativeaccusative of extent of time (duration of reign)→ object specificationἔτος: 'year'; the accusative of duration measures the span of the reign; the singular ἔτος is used collectively with the compound numeral.
ἐβασίλευσενhe reignedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βασιλεύωmain verb (statement of reign-length)→ constative aorist (the reign viewed as a whole)βασιλεύω: 'reign / be king'; the constative aorist summarizes the entire thirty-one-year reign as a single completed fact, the standard tense of the regnal-summary formula.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location of reign)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location of reign).
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemobject of ἐν (indeclinable place-name: capital of reign)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: the indeclinable transliteration of יְרוּשָׁלִַם (the LXX also uses the declinable Ἱεροσόλυμα); Jerusalem as the capital marks Josiah as a legitimate Davidic king reigning from the city of YHWH's chosen temple.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing queen-mother notice)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject (nominal clause: 'the name of his mother was ...')→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the verbless construction ὄνομα τῇ μητρὶ αὐτοῦ Ιεδιδα renders the Hebrew nominal idiom וְשֵׁם אִמּוֹ ('and the name of his mother was'), a fixed element of the regnal formula naming the gebirah (queen-mother).
τῇto theDativearticle (dative of possession with μητρί)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μητρὶmotherDativedative of possession ('the name belonging to his mother')→ sphere or referenceμήτηρ: 'mother'; renders אֵם; the dative of possession with ὄνομα is the regular LXX rendering of the Hebrew naming-formula; the queen-mother's name is a standard datum in Judahite regnal notices.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying μητρί)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying μητρί).
ΙεδιδαJedidahpredicate of the nominal clause (indeclinable name: the mother's name)→ participant identificationΙεδιδα: transliteration of Hebrew יְדִידָה ('beloved'); the queen-mother's name; indeclinable in the LXX.
θυγάτηρdaughterNominativenominative in apposition to Ιεδιδα (lineage notice)→ participant prominenceθυγάτηρ: 'daughter'; renders בַּת; the appositional 'daughter of Edeia' gives the queen-mother's paternal lineage, a regular feature of the naming-formula.
ΕδεϊαEdeiagenitival relationship with θυγάτηρ (indeclinable name: the father)→ participant identificationΕδεϊα: transliteration of Hebrew עֲדָיָה (Adaiah, 'the LORD has adorned'); the father of the queen-mother; indeclinable in the LXX.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (place of origin)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (place of origin).
ΒασουρωθBashurothobject of ἐκ (indeclinable place-name: family's town of origin)→ participant identificationΒασουρωθ: transliteration of Hebrew בָּצְקַת (Bozkath), a town of Judah (cf. Josh 15:39); indeclinable in the LXX; gives the geographical origin of the queen-mother's family.
2
καὶ ἐποίησεν τὸ εὐθὲς ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς κυρίου καὶ ἐπορεύθη ἐν πάσῃ ὁδῷ Δαυιδ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἀπέστη δεξιὰ ἢ ἀριστερά
And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father; he did not turn aside to the right or the left.
v.2 is the evaluative half of the regnal formula. The phrase ἐποίησεν τὸ εὐθὲς ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς κυρίου renders the formulaic עָשָׂה הַיָּשָׁר בְּעֵינֵי יהוה ('did what was right in the eyes of the LORD'); the David-comparison and the right/left idiom (Deut 5:32; 17:11, 20) place Josiah in the line of fully approved kings, his fidelity measured by the Deuteronomic standard.
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.
ἐποίησενhe didAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (evaluative formula)→ constative aorist (summary verdict on the whole reign)ποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עָשָׂה; the phrase ἐποίησεν τὸ εὐθές is the fixed LXX rendering of the Deuteronomistic evaluation formula applied positively to a king.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing εὐθές)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐθὲςright / straightAccusativesubstantivized adjective (direct object: 'the right thing')→ object specificationεὐθής: 'straight / upright / right'; the neuter substantive τὸ εὐθές renders הַיָּשָׁר ('that which is straight/right'); the standard term of the approval-formula, evoking conformity to the straight path of YHWH's commands.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (evaluative perspective)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (evaluative perspective).
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative of sphere (idiom: 'in the eyes of')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the idiom ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς κυρίου renders בְּעֵינֵי יהוה ('in the eyes/sight of the LORD'), a Hebraism marking the divine evaluative standpoint as the measure of the king's conduct.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive (possessor of the evaluating 'eyes')→ relational specificationκύριος: the LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the genitive marks YHWH as the one in whose sight Josiah's deeds are judged right.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηhe walkedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (conduct-metaphor: 'walked in the way')→ constative aorist (settled pattern of conduct)πορεύομαι: 'go / walk / journey'; renders הָלַךְ; the deponent aorist ἐπορεύθη with ἐν … ὁδῷ is the standard 'walking in the way' metaphor for moral-religious conduct, here measured against the Davidic standard.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (the 'way' walked)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (the 'way' walked).
πάσῃallDativeattributive adjective (modifying ὁδῷ: 'all the way')→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all / every'; the feminine dative πάσῃ agrees with ὁδῷ; 'in all the way of David' stresses comprehensive, undeviating fidelity.
ὁδῷwayDativedative of place/manner (sphere of conduct)→ sphere or referenceὁδός: 'way / road / path'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; the 'way of David' is the Deuteronomistic measure of a king's covenant-fidelity (cf. 3 Kgdms 11:38; 4 Kgdms 18:3).
ΔαυιδDavidgenitival relationship with ὁδῷ (indeclinable name: 'way of David')→ participant identificationΔαυιδ: indeclinable transliteration of דָּוִד; David is the prototype of the faithful Judahite king against whom each successor is measured; Josiah's likeness to David is the highest commendation in Kings.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with appositional πατρός)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive in apposition to Δαυιδ ('his father')→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father / ancestor'; renders אָב; here 'father' is used of David as Josiah's royal forefather (not literal parent), the dynastic ancestor of the Davidic line.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying πατρός)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying πατρός).
οὐκnotnegative adverb (negating ἀπέστη)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐ (οὐκ before vowel): the objective negative; with ἀπέστη it forms the litotes 'he did not turn aside,' the negative complement of the positive evaluation.
ἀπέστηhe turned asideAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀφίστημιmain verb (negated: 'did not depart')→ constative aorist (no deviation over the whole reign)ἀφίστημι (2nd aor. ἀπέστη): 'stand away / depart / turn aside'; renders סוּר; the negated verb with the right/left idiom echoes the Deuteronomic command not to turn from the law to the right or left (Deut 5:32; 17:20).
δεξιὰto the rightAccusativeadverbial accusative (direction: 'to the right')→ object specificationδεξιός: 'right (hand/side)'; the neuter plural δεξιά functions adverbially ('to the right'); the pair δεξιὰ ἢ ἀριστερά renders יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאול, the Deuteronomic idiom for any deviation from the prescribed path.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; joins the two poles of the right/left merism, the totality-idiom for non-deviation.
ἀριστεράto the leftAccusativeadverbial accusative (direction: 'to the left')→ object specificationἀριστερός: 'left (hand/side)'; the neuter plural ἀριστερά functions adverbially; with δεξιά it forms a merism denoting absolute fidelity — Josiah deviated in no direction whatever from David's way.
3
καὶ ἐγενήθη ἐν τῷ ὀκτωκαιδεκάτῳ ἔτει τῷ βασιλεῖ Ιωσια ἐν τῷ μηνὶ τῷ ὀγδόῳ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τὸν Σαφφαν υἱὸν Εσελιου υἱοῦ Μεσολλαμ τὸν γραμματέα οἴκου κυρίου λέγων
And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, in the eighth month, the king sent Shaphan son of Eselias, son of Mesollam, the scribe of the house of the LORD, saying:
v.3 opens the main action with the LXX narrative formula καὶ ἐγενήθη ('and it came to pass') followed by a doubled temporal frame (eighteenth year, eighth month). The sending of Shaphan the scribe (ἀπέστειλεν … τὸν γραμματέα) inaugurates the temple-repair episode that will lead to the finding of the law-book; the precise dating signals the historical and theological weight of what follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing temporal formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθηit came to passAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (impersonal narrative-onset formula)→ constative aorist (narrative pivot into the main action)γίνομαι (aor. pass. ἐγενήθη): 'become / come to be / happen'; the formula καὶ ἐγενήθη renders the Hebrew narrative opener וַיְהִי ('and it came to pass'), conventionally introducing a dated event of significance.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal: 'in the ... year')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal: 'in the ... year').
τῷtheDativearticle (with ὀκτωκαιδεκάτῳ ἔτει)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀκτωκαιδεκάτῳeighteenthDativeattributive ordinal (modifying ἔτει)→ sphere or referenceὀκτωκαιδέκατος: 'eighteenth'; the dative ordinal dates the temple-repair to the eighteenth year of Josiah (c. 622 BC), the pivotal year of the reform and the finding of the book.
ἔτειyearDativedative of time (when: 'in the eighteenth year')→ sphere or referenceἔτος: 'year'; the dative of time within which the event occurs.
τῷthe / of theDativearticle (with βασιλεῖ Ιωσια, possessive dative)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativedative of possession/reference ('the eighteenth year belonging to King Josiah')→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the dative τῷ βασιλεῖ Ιωσια ('to/of King Josiah') is the LXX's way of attaching the regnal year to the reigning monarch — i.e. the eighteenth year of his reign.
ΙωσιαJosiahDativedative in apposition to βασιλεῖ (the king named)→ sphere or referenceΙωσιας (dat. Ιωσια): the king's name in apposition to βασιλεῖ; the first-declension dative pins the regnal date to Josiah specifically.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal: 'in the ... month')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal: 'in the ... month').
τῷtheDativearticle (with μηνί)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μηνὶmonthDativedative of time (when: 'in the eighth month')→ sphere or referenceμήν: 'month'; renders חֹדֶשׁ; the second, more precise temporal coordinate narrowing the dating of the commission.
τῷtheDativearticle (with ὀγδόῳ, attributive position)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀγδόῳeighthDativeattributive ordinal (modifying μηνί: 'the eighth month')→ sphere or referenceὄγδοος: 'eighth'; the dative ordinal in the repeated-article construction (τῷ μηνὶ τῷ ὀγδόῳ) renders the Hebrew attributive idiom 'in the month, the eighth.'
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (the king's commissioning act)→ constative aorist (single decisive sending)ἀποστέλλω: 'send / dispatch (with a commission)'; renders שָׁלַח; the compound ἀπο- stresses sending on a mission; the king dispatches Shaphan with an official charge that follows in vv. 4–7.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (the sending king = Josiah)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; here Josiah, who initiates the temple-repair and so sets in motion the discovery of the law-book.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with the name Σαφφαν, marking it as object)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαφφανShaphandirect object of ἀπέστειλεν (indeclinable name, marked by article τόν)→ noun-phrase markingΣαφφαν: transliteration of Hebrew שָׁפָן ('rock-badger'); indeclinable in the LXX (here marked accusative only by the article τόν); Shaphan the royal scribe is a key figure of the reform and progenitor of an influential family (cf. Jer 26:24; 36:10).
υἱὸνsonAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Σαφφαν (patronymic)→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; introduces the patronymic chain (son of Eselias, son of Mesollam) locating Shaphan in his lineage.
Εσελιουof EseliasGenitivegenitive of relationship (with υἱόν: 'son of Eselias')→ relational specificationΕσελιας (gen. Εσελιου): transliteration of Hebrew אֲצַלְיָהוּ (Azaliah); declined as a first-declension genitive; Shaphan's father.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition to Εσελιου (extending the patronymic)→ relational specificationυἱός (gen. υἱοῦ): the genitive continues the genealogical chain to the grandfather.
ΜεσολλαμMesollamgenitival relationship with υἱοῦ (indeclinable name: the grandfather)→ participant identificationΜεσολλαμ: transliteration of Hebrew מְשֻׁלָּם (Meshullam, 'reconciled'); indeclinable in the LXX; Shaphan's grandfather.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with γραμματέα, appositional to Σαφφαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γραμματέαscribeAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Σαφφαν (his office)→ object specificationγραμματεύς: 'scribe / secretary'; renders סֹפֵר; a high royal official, secretary of state, responsible for records and finances — fitly entrusted with the temple-silver accounting.
οἴκουof the houseGenitivegenitive (defining γραμματέα: scribe of the temple)→ relational specificationοἶκος: 'house'; here ὁ οἶκος κυρίου, the temple; the genitive links Shaphan's scribal office to the administration of the house of the LORD.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive (defining οἴκου: 'house of the LORD' = the temple)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; ὁ οἶκος κυρίου is the standard LXX designation of the Jerusalem temple.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Sg · λέγωparticiple of attendant circumstance (introducing direct speech)→ imperfective participle (pleonastic speech-marker)λέγω (pres. ptcp. λέγων): the speech-introducing participle renders the Hebrew לֵאמֹר ('saying'), a Hebraism marking the transition into direct discourse; the king's charge follows in v. 4.
4
ἀνάβηθι πρὸς Χελκιαν τὸν ἱερέα τὸν μέγαν καὶ σφράγισον τὸ ἀργύριον τὸ εἰσενεχθὲν ἐν οἴκῳ κυρίου ὃ συνήγαγον οἱ φυλάσσοντες τὸν σταθμὸν παρὰ τοῦ λαοῦ
Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, and seal up the silver that has been brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the threshold have gathered from the people,
v.4 begins the king's charge with two aorist imperatives (ἀνάβηθι … σφράγισον). σφραγίζω here ('seal / total up') renders the Hebrew התם / נתך — the silver is to be counted and consolidated. The 'keepers of the threshold' (οἱ φυλάσσοντες τὸν σταθμόν) are the temple gatekeepers who collected the people's offerings.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ἀνάβηθιgo upAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (first imperative of the king's charge)→ ingressive aorist imperative (decisive command to set out)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; renders עָלָה; 'go up' is the natural verb for approaching the temple-mount; the aorist imperative gives a single, decisive directive to Shaphan.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction toward a person)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction toward a person).
ΧελκιανHilkiahAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the high priest to be approached)→ object specificationΧελκιας (acc. Χελκιαν): transliteration of Hebrew חִלְקִיָּהוּ ('the LORD is my portion'); declined as a first-declension masculine; the high priest who will find the book of the law (v. 8).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ἱερέα, appositional to Χελκιαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερέαpriestAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Χελκιαν (his office)→ object specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; with τὸν μέγαν it designates the high priest (כֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל), the chief cultic official.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with μέγαν, repeated-article attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μέγανgreat / highAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἱερέα: 'the high priest')→ object specificationμέγας: 'great'; the title ὁ ἱερεὺς ὁ μέγας renders הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל ('the high/great priest'), the chief priest of the Jerusalem temple.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the two imperatives)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σφράγισονseal up / total upAor Act Impv 2 Sg · σφραγίζωmain verb (second imperative of the charge)→ ingressive aorist imperative (a single ordered act)σφραγίζω: 'seal / set a seal on'; here used for the official tallying and sealing/consolidating of the temple-silver (rendering the Hebrew of v. 4, נתך 'melt down / total'); the LXX's σφράγισον treats the action as a securing/sealing of the counted funds before disbursement.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἀργύριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀργύριονsilver / moneyAccusativedirect object of σφράγισον (the temple funds)→ object specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; renders כֶּסֶף; the funds collected for the temple's upkeep, the practical object of the whole repair-commission (vv. 4–7).
τὸthe / whichAccusativearticle (with the participle εἰσενεχθέν, attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἰσενεχθὲνbrought inAor Pass Ptcp Acc Neut Sg · εἰσφέρωattributive participle (modifying ἀργύριον: 'the silver that was brought in')→ verbal action or stateεἰσφέρω (aor. pass. ptcp. εἰσενεχθέν): 'bring in / carry into'; the articular participle τὸ εἰσενεχθέν functions as a relative clause ('which had been brought in'); the silver had been deposited in the temple by the people's contributions.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place into which the silver was brought)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place into which the silver was brought).
οἴκῳhouseDativedative of place (in the temple)→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house'; ὁ οἶκος κυρίου, the temple; the locus where the people's silver was deposited.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive (defining οἴκῳ: 'house of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of συνήγαγον, antecedent ἀργύριον)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; the neuter accusative ὅ agrees with τὸ ἀργύριον and introduces the relative clause describing how the silver was collected.
συνήγαγονgatheredAor Act Indic 3 Pl · συνάγωverb of relative clause (the gatekeepers' collecting)→ constative aorist (the completed collection)συνάγω: 'gather / collect together'; renders אָסַף; the gatekeepers had amassed the silver from the worshippers entering the temple.
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle φυλάσσοντες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φυλάσσοντεςkeepers / guardingPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Pl · φυλάσσωsubstantivized participle (subject of συνήγαγον: 'the keepers')→ imperfective present participle (ongoing custodial duty)φυλάσσω (pres. ptcp. φυλάσσοντες): 'guard / keep / watch'; the substantival participle οἱ φυλάσσοντες τὸν σταθμόν renders שֹׁמְרֵי הַסַּף, 'the keepers of the threshold' — the temple doorkeepers who received and stored the offerings.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with σταθμόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σταθμὸνthreshold / doorpostAccusativedirect object of φυλάσσοντες ('keeping the threshold')→ object specificationσταθμός: 'doorpost / threshold'; renders סַף ('threshold'); the gatekeepers stationed at the temple entrance guarded access and gathered the people's silver there.
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source: 'from the people')→ spatial or relational framingπαρὰ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: 'from the people').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with λαοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive of source (with παρά: 'from the people')→ relational specificationλαός: 'people'; renders עַם; the worshippers of Judah whose contributions, collected at the threshold, constitute the temple-repair fund.
5
καὶ δότωσαν αὐτὸ ἐπὶ χεῖρα ποιούντων τὰ ἔργα τῶν καθεσταμένων ἐν οἴκῳ κυρίου καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὸ τοῖς ποιοῦσιν τὰ ἔργα τοῖς ἐν οἴκῳ κυρίου τοῦ κατισχῦσαι τὸ βεδεκ τοῦ οἴκου
And let them give it into the hand of those who do the works, of those appointed in the house of the LORD; and he gave it to those who do the works, those in the house of the LORD, to repair the fabric of the house —
v.5 continues the charge (third-person imperative δότωσαν) and then records its execution (καὶ ἔδωκεν). The funds pass through the overseers (τῶν καθεσταμένων, 'those appointed') to the workmen. The articular-infinitive purpose τοῦ κατισχῦσαι τὸ βεδεκ ('to repair the fabric') introduces the Hebrew loanword βεδεκ (בֶּדֶק, the temple's structural breaches/fabric).
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (continuing the charge)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δότωσανlet them giveAor Act Impv 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb (third-person imperative within the king's charge)→ ingressive aorist imperative (directive for disbursement)δίδωμι (aor. impv. δότωσαν): 'give / hand over'; renders נָתַן; the third-person imperative directs the priests/officials to release the counted silver into the workmen's hands.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object (the silver of v.4)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the neuter αὐτό refers back to τὸ ἀργύριον; the silver is the consistent object of the disbursement-clauses.
ἐπὶinto / uponpreposition + accusative (idiom: 'into the hand of')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: the idiom δοῦναι ἐπὶ χεῖρα ('give into the hand of') renders the Hebrew נָתַן עַל־יַד, meaning to entrust funds to someone's charge.
χεῖραhandAccusativeobject of ἐπί (idiomatic: into whose charge)→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; renders יָד; in the idiom 'into the hand of' it denotes custody and administrative responsibility for the funds.
ποιούντωνof those doingPres Act Ptcp Gen Masc Pl · ποιέωsubstantivized participle (genitive: 'of those doing the works')→ present (characterizing)ποιέω (pres. ptcp. ποιούντων): 'do / make'; οἱ ποιοῦντες τὰ ἔργα ('those doing the works') is the standard idiom for the laborers/contractors engaged in the temple repair.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ἔργα, object of the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔργαworksAccusativedirect object of ποιούντων ('doing the works')→ object specificationἔργον: 'work / task'; renders מְלָאכָה; here the construction-work of the temple repair.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (substantivizing καθεσταμένων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καθεσταμένωνthose appointed / overseersPerf Pass Ptcp Gen Masc Pl · καθίστημιsubstantivized participle (genitive in apposition: the appointed overseers)→ verbal action or stateκαθίστημι (perf. pass. ptcp. καθεσταμένων): 'appoint / set in charge'; the perfect passive denotes a standing appointment; οἱ καθεσταμένοι are the officials placed over the temple-works who supervise disbursement to the laborers.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location of the appointed overseers)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location of the appointed overseers).
οἴκῳhouseDativedative of place (in the temple)→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house'; the temple, where the overseers are stationed.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive (defining οἴκῳ: 'house of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (shift from charge to execution)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδωκενhe gaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (narrative compliance: Shaphan/Hilkiah gave the silver)→ constative aorist (the disbursement carried out)δίδωμι: 'give'; the indicative ἔδωκεν records the actual handing over, narrating the fulfilment of the imperative δότωσαν.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object (the silver)→ participant referenceαὐτὸ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (the silver).
τοῖςto theDativearticle (substantivizing ποιοῦσιν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποιοῦσινthose doingPres Act Ptcp Dat Masc Pl · ποιέωsubstantivized participle (indirect object: 'to those doing the works')→ verbal action or stateποιέω (pres. ptcp. ποιοῦσιν): the dative substantival participle parallels the genitive ποιούντων above; the laborers receive the funds directly.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ἔργα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔργαworksAccusativedirect object of ποιοῦσιν→ object specificationἔργον: 'work'; the temple-repair labor.
τοῖςthoseDativearticle (resumptive, with the locative phrase ἐν οἴκῳ κυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingὁ, ἡ, τό: the resumptive article τοῖς ἐν οἴκῳ κυρίου ('those in the house of the LORD') further specifies the workmen as those laboring on the temple itself.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location of the workmen)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location of the workmen).
οἴκῳhouseDativedative of place (the temple)→ sphere or referenceοἴκῳ: meaning 'house'; it serves as dative of place (the temple).
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive (defining οἴκῳ)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with the articular infinitive κατισχῦσαι, purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατισχῦσαιto repair / strengthenAor Act Inf · κατισχύωarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.: 'in order to repair')→ verbal action or stateκατισχύω: 'strengthen / make strong / reinforce'; the articular-infinitive purpose τοῦ κατισχῦσαι renders the Hebrew purpose infinitive לְחַזֵּק ('to repair/strengthen'); the aim of the disbursement is the structural restoration of the temple.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with the loanword βεδεκ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βεδεκfabric / breachdirect object of κατισχῦσαι (indeclinable Hebrew loanword)→ clausal contributionβεδεκ: an untranslated transliteration of Hebrew בֶּדֶק ('breach / fissure / structural fabric needing repair'); the LXX leaves the technical term untranslated; τὸ βεδεκ τοῦ οἴκου = the damaged fabric of the temple to be mended.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with οἴκου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive (defining βεδεκ: 'the fabric of the house')→ relational specificationοἶκος: 'house'; the temple whose structural breaches are to be repaired.
6
τοῖς τέκτοσιν καὶ τοῖς οἰκοδόμοις καὶ τοῖς τειχισταῖς καὶ τοῦ κτήσασθαι ξύλα καὶ λίθους λατομητοὺς τοῦ κραταιῶσαι τὸ βεδεκ τοῦ οἴκου
to the carpenters and the builders and the masons, and to purchase timber and hewn stones to strengthen the fabric of the house.
v.6 itemizes the trades funded (carpenters, builders, masons) and the materials purchased (timber, hewn stones), repeating the purpose-infinitive (τοῦ κραταιῶσαι τὸ βεδεκ) in synonymous variation with κατισχῦσαι of v.5 — both render the Hebrew 'to repair the breach.'
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
τοῖςto theDativearticle (with τέκτοσιν, in apposition to the workmen of v.5)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τέκτοσινcarpentersDativedative of recipient (one trade-group of the workmen)→ sphere or referenceτέκτων (dat. pl. τέκτοσιν): 'carpenter / craftsman / builder in wood'; renders חָרָשׁ; the woodworkers among the temple laborers.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῖςto theDativearticle (with οἰκοδόμοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἰκοδόμοιςbuildersDativedative of recipient (the building-craftsmen)→ sphere or referenceοἰκοδόμος: 'builder / mason'; renders בֹּנֶה; the general building-craftsmen engaged in the temple restoration.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῖςto theDativearticle (with τειχισταῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τειχισταῖςmasons / wall-buildersDativedative of recipient (the wall-builders)→ sphere or referenceτειχιστής: 'wall-builder / mason'; from τεῖχος ('wall'); renders גֹּדֵר ('wall-repairer'); those who repair the temple's stone walls.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (shifting to purchase of materials)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with the articular infinitive κτήσασθαι, purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτήσασθαιto purchase / acquireAor Mid Inf · κτάομαιarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.: 'in order to purchase')→ telic aorist infinitive (purpose of the expenditure)κτάομαι: 'acquire / get / purchase'; the middle infinitive of purpose; renders קָנָה ('buy'); the funds are also used to procure building materials.
ξύλαtimber / woodAccusativedirect object of κτήσασθαι (first material purchased)→ object specificationξύλον (pl. ξύλα): 'wood / timber / beams'; renders עֵצִים; structural timber for the temple repair.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λίθουςstonesAccusativedirect object of κτήσασθαι (second material purchased)→ object specificationλίθος: 'stone'; renders אֶבֶן; building-stone for the masonry.
λατομητοὺςhewnAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying λίθους: 'hewn stones')→ object specificationλατομητός: 'quarried / hewn (of stone)'; from λατομέω ('cut stone'); renders אַבְנֵי מַחְצֵב; dressed quarried stones suitable for fine masonry.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with the articular infinitive κραταιῶσαι, purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κραταιῶσαιto strengthenAor Act Inf · κραταιόωarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.: 'in order to strengthen')→ verbal action or stateκραταιόω: 'strengthen / make strong'; the articular-infinitive purpose τοῦ κραταιῶσαι τὸ βεδεκ varies synonymously the κατισχῦσαι of v.5; both render the Hebrew 'to repair the breach' (לְחַזֵּק בֶּדֶק).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with βεδεκ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βεδεκfabric / breachdirect object of κραταιῶσαι (indeclinable Hebrew loanword)→ clausal contributionβεδεκ: untranslated transliteration of Hebrew בֶּדֶק ('breach / structural fabric'); repeated from v.5, framing the repair-work as the goal of all the funding and materials.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with οἴκου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκουhouseGenitivegenitive (defining βεδεκ: 'fabric of the house')→ relational specificationοἶκος: 'house'; the temple.
7
πλὴν οὐκ ἐξελογίζοντο αὐτοὺς τὸ ἀργύριον τὸ διδόμενον αὐτοῖς ὅτι ἐν πίστει αὐτοὶ ποιοῦσιν
Only no accounting was required of them for the silver given to them, because they were acting in good faith.
v.7 is a restrictive note introduced by πλήν ('only / except'): no audit was demanded of the workmen, because they acted ἐν πίστει ('in good faith / faithfully'). The same motif appears at 4 Kgdms 12:16, marking the integrity of the temple-personnel as exemplary.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
πλὴνonly / exceptrestrictive adverb/conjunction (introducing exception)→ discourse linkage or contrastπλήν: 'only / except / nevertheless'; renders אַךְ / רַק; introduces a restrictive qualification — the one exception to the normal accounting procedure.
οὐκnotnegative adverb (negating ἐξελογίζοντο)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐ (οὐκ): the objective negative; here negating the demand for an accounting.
ἐξελογίζοντοthey required an accountingImpf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐκλογίζομαιmain verb (negated: 'no reckoning was demanded')→ customary imperfect (no audit was the standing practice)ἐκλογίζομαι: 'reckon up / call to account / audit'; the imperfect with οὐκ denotes ongoing practice: they did not hold the workmen to account for the silver entrusted to them; renders the Hebrew of v.7 (לֹא יֵחָשֵׁב, 'no reckoning was made').
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object (the workmen held to account)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the accusative αὐτούς is the object of the accounting-verb — the workmen who were not audited.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἀργύριον, accusative of respect)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀργύριονsilver / moneyAccusativeaccusative of respect (the matter of the unaudited silver)→ object specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; the funds for which no accounting was demanded.
τὸthe / whichAccusativearticle (with the participle διδόμενον, attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διδόμενονgivenPres Pass Ptcp Acc Neut Sg · δίδωμιattributive participle (modifying ἀργύριον: 'the silver being given')→ verbal action or stateδίδωμι (pres. pass. ptcp. διδόμενον): 'give'; the present passive participle τὸ διδόμενον αὐτοῖς ('that was given to them') describes the silver as it was handed over to the workmen, the funds for which they were trusted without audit.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of indirect object (with διδόμενον: given to the workmen)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: the dative αὐτοῖς marks the workmen as recipients of the silver.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (introducing reason for the non-audit)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / that'; renders כִּי; introduces the causal ground — their trustworthiness made auditing unnecessary.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner: 'in good faith')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: here a dative of manner; ἐν πίστει = 'faithfully / in good faith.'
πίστειgood faith / faithfulnessDativedative of manner (with ἐν: how they worked)→ sphere or referenceπίστις: 'faith / faithfulness / trustworthiness / good faith'; renders אֱמוּנָה; here the honest, reliable conduct of the workmen that obviated any need for an audit.
αὐτοὶtheyNominativesubject (emphatic: 'they themselves')→ participant prominenceαὐτός: the emphatic nominative αὐτοί stresses the workmen's own integrity as the reason for the trust placed in them.
ποιοῦσινthey act / workPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωverb of causal clause (their faithful working)→ customary/descriptive present (their habitual conduct)ποιέω: 'do / act / work'; the present describes the workmen's ongoing honest performance; the verb here means 'conduct themselves / carry out their work' faithfully.
8
καὶ εἶπεν Χελκιας ὁ ἱερεὺς ὁ μέγας πρὸς Σαφφαν τὸν γραμματέα βιβλίον τοῦ νόμου εὗρον ἐν οἴκῳ κυρίου καὶ ἔδωκεν Χελκιας τὸ βιβλίον πρὸς Σαφφαν καὶ ἀνέγνω αὐτό
And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, 'I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD.' And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
v.8 is the dramatic and theological hinge of the chapter. The high priest's announcement βιβλίον τοῦ νόμου εὗρον ('I have found the book of the law') initiates the whole reform-crisis; the fronted object βιβλίον τοῦ νόμου gives the find emphatic prominence. The book is traditionally identified with some form of Deuteronomy. The chain εἶπεν … ἔδωκεν … ἀνέγνω moves the scroll from priest to scribe to reading.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aorist (the priest's announcement)λέγω: 'say'; introduces Hilkiah's momentous announcement of the find.
ΧελκιαςHilkiahNominativesubject (the high priest as speaker)→ participant prominenceΧελκιας: the high priest (Hebrew חִלְקִיָּהוּ); his discovery of the law-book is the catalyst of Josiah's reform.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεύς, appositional to Χελκιας)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativenominative in apposition to Χελκιας (his office)→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; with ὁ μέγας it designates the high priest.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with μέγας, repeated-article attributive)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μέγαςgreat / highNominativeattributive adjective (with ἱερεύς: 'the high priest')→ participant prominenceμέγας: 'great'; the title ὁ ἱερεὺς ὁ μέγας renders הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל, 'the high priest.'
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΣαφφανShaphanobject of πρός (indeclinable name: the scribe addressed)→ participant identificationΣαφφαν: the royal scribe (Hebrew שָׁפָן); indeclinable in the LXX; recipient of the priest's announcement and of the book itself.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with γραμματέα, appositional to Σαφφαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γραμματέαscribeAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Σαφφαν (his office)→ object specificationγραμματεύς: 'scribe / secretary'; Shaphan's office, marking him as the proper royal intermediary to whom the priest reports.
βιβλίονbook / scrollAccusativedirect object of εὗρον (fronted for emphasis)→ object specificationβιβλίον: 'book / scroll / document'; renders סֵפֶר; βιβλίον τοῦ νόμου = 'the book of the law,' traditionally identified with a scroll of Deuteronomy; the fronted position gives the find rhetorical prominence.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with νόμου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νόμουof the lawGenitivegenitive (defining βιβλίον: 'book of the law')→ relational specificationνόμος: 'law'; renders תּוֹרָה; the genitive specifies the contents of the scroll — the Torah/law of Moses whose words drive the ensuing reform.
εὗρονI have foundAor Act Indic 1 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb of direct speech (Hilkiah's announcement)→ constative aorist (the discovery as accomplished fact)εὑρίσκω (aor. εὗρον): 'find / discover'; renders מָצָא; the first-person aorist reports Hilkiah's own discovery; the find of a long-neglected law-scroll during the temple repair is the pivot of the entire narrative.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place of the discovery)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place of the discovery).
οἴκῳhouseDativedative of place (in the temple)→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house'; the temple, where the scroll lay forgotten until the repairs uncovered it.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive (defining οἴκῳ: 'house of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (transition to the handing over)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (Hilkiah hands over the scroll)→ constative aorist (the transfer of the book)δίδωμι: 'give / hand over'; Hilkiah delivers the scroll to Shaphan for transmission to the king.
ΧελκιαςHilkiahNominativesubject (repeated for clarity: the giver)→ participant prominenceΧελκιας: the high priest, repeated as explicit subject of ἔδωκεν.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with βιβλίον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βιβλίονbook / scrollAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκεν (the found scroll)→ object specificationβιβλίον: 'book / scroll'; the same law-scroll just announced, now physically handed over.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (recipient of the book)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (recipient of the book).
ΣαφφανShaphanobject of πρός (indeclinable name: recipient of the scroll)→ participant identificationΣαφφαν: the scribe, who receives the scroll and will read and report it to the king.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέγνωhe readAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναγινώσκωmain verb (Shaphan reads the scroll)→ constative aorist (the act of reading)ἀναγινώσκω (aor. ἀνέγνω): 'read / read aloud'; renders קָרָא; Shaphan reads the scroll (privately here; publicly before the king in v.10), the act that transmits its words and triggers the royal grief.
αὐτόitAccusativedirect object of ἀνέγνω (the scroll)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the neuter αὐτό refers to τὸ βιβλίον, the scroll Shaphan read.
9
καὶ εἰσήνεγκεν πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα Ιωσιαν καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν τῷ βασιλεῖ ῥῆμα καὶ εἶπεν ἐχώνευσαν οἱ δοῦλοί σου τὸ ἀργύριον τὸ εὑρεθὲν ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ κυρίου καὶ ἔδωκαν αὐτὸ ἐπὶ χεῖρα ποιούντων τὰ ἔργα τῶν καθεσταμένων ἐν οἴκῳ κυρίου
And he came in to King Josiah and brought back word to the king and said, 'Your servants have melted down the silver that was found in the house of the LORD and have given it into the hand of those who do the works, of those appointed in the house of the LORD.'
v.9 records Shaphan's return to Josiah and his report. He first renders the fiscal account (ἐχώνευσαν … ἔδωκαν), confirming that the temple-silver has been properly handled — the language of vv.5–7 is echoed back. ἐπιστρέφω … ῥῆμα ('return a word') is the LXX idiom for reporting back on a commission.
Word-by-word analysis· 38 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσήνεγκενhe came in / brought inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσφέρωmain verb (Shaphan enters/brings the matter to the king)→ constative aorist (the act of coming in)εἰσφέρω (aor. εἰσήνεγκεν): 'bring in / carry in'; here Shaphan comes in to the king (bringing both the fiscal report and the scroll); renders בּוֹא (Hiphil).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction toward the king)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction toward the king).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλέα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeobject of πρός (the king approached)→ object specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; Josiah, to whom Shaphan reports.
ΙωσιανJosiahAccusativeaccusative in apposition to βασιλέα (the king named)→ object specificationΙωσιας (acc. Ιωσιαν): the king's name in apposition; the first-declension accusative.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέστρεψενbrought backAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (idiom: 'returned a word' = reported back)→ constative aorist (the act of reporting)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; the idiom ἐπιστρέφω ῥῆμα ('bring back a word') renders הֵשִׁיב דָּבָר ('return an answer/report'); Shaphan reports back on his commission.
τῷto theDativearticle (with βασιλεῖ, indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativedative of indirect object (to whom the report is returned)→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the recipient of Shaphan's report.
ῥῆμαword / reportAccusativedirect object of ἐπέστρεψεν ('returned a word')→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / matter / report'; renders דָּבָר; in this idiom the 'word' is the official report-back on the commission.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing direct speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω: 'say'; introduces the verbatim content of Shaphan's fiscal report.
ἐχώνευσανthey melted downAor Act Indic 3 Pl · χωνεύωmain verb of direct speech (the servants' handling of the silver)→ constative aorist (the completed smelting/disbursing)χωνεύω: 'smelt / cast / melt down (metal)'; renders נָתַךְ ('pour out / melt'); the collected silver was consolidated/melted into usable form for the works; cf. the parallel verb in v.4.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with δοῦλοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δοῦλοίservantsNominativesubject (the king's servants who handled the funds)→ participant prominenceδοῦλος: 'servant / slave'; renders עֶבֶד; 'your servants' is the deferential court-idiom by which Shaphan refers to the temple-officials (and himself) before the king.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying δοῦλοι)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your'; the possessive marks the officials as the king's own servants, a token of courtly deference.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἀργύριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀργύριονsilver / moneyAccusativedirect object of ἐχώνευσαν (the temple funds)→ object specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; the temple-repair fund, here reported as duly processed.
τὸthe / whichAccusativearticle (with the participle εὑρεθέν, attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὑρεθὲνfoundAor Pass Ptcp Acc Neut Sg · εὑρίσκωattributive participle (modifying ἀργύριον: 'the silver that was found')→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω (aor. pass. ptcp. εὑρεθέν): 'find'; the articular participle τὸ εὑρεθέν ('that was found') describes the silver as it was discovered/collected in the temple; the same root as εὗρον (v.8) used here of the funds rather than the scroll.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place where the silver was found)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place where the silver was found).
τῷtheDativearticle (with οἴκῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκῳhouseDativedative of place (in the temple)→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house'; the temple.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive (defining οἴκῳ)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδωκανthey gaveAor Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb (disbursement to the workmen)→ constative aorist (the completed handover)δίδωμι (aor. ἔδωκαν): 'give / hand over'; the servants disbursed the processed silver into the workmen's charge, echoing the language of v.5.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object (the silver)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the neuter αὐτό refers to τὸ ἀργύριον.
ἐπὶintopreposition + accusative (idiom: 'into the hand of')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: the idiom δοῦναι ἐπὶ χεῖρα ('give into the hand of'); cf. v.5.
χεῖραhandAccusativeobject of ἐπί (into whose charge)→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the idiom of entrusting funds to a person's custody.
ποιούντωνof those doingPres Act Ptcp Gen Masc Pl · ποιέωsubstantivized participle (genitive: 'of those doing the works')→ present (characterizing)ποιέω (pres. ptcp. ποιούντων): 'do'; οἱ ποιοῦντες τὰ ἔργα, the laborers on the temple, as in v.5.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ἔργα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔργαworksAccusativedirect object of ποιούντων→ object specificationἔργον: 'work'; the temple-repair labor.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (substantivizing καθεσταμένων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καθεσταμένωνthose appointed / overseersPerf Pass Ptcp Gen Masc Pl · καθίστημιsubstantivized participle (genitive: the appointed overseers)→ verbal action or stateκαθίστημι (perf. pass. ptcp. καθεσταμένων): 'appoint / set in charge'; the standing overseers of the temple-works, as in v.5.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location of the overseers)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location of the overseers).
οἴκῳhouseDativedative of place (in the temple)→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house'; the temple.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive (defining οἴκῳ)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
10
καὶ εἶπεν Σαφφαν ὁ γραμματεὺς πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα λέγων βιβλίον ἔδωκέν μοι Χελκιας ὁ ἱερεύς καὶ ἀνέγνω αὐτὸ Σαφφαν ἐνώπιον τοῦ βασιλέως
And Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, 'Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.' And Shaphan read it before the king.
Having rendered the fiscal account (v.9), Shaphan now discloses the scroll (βιβλίον ἔδωκέν μοι Χελκιας, fronted object) and reads it ἐνώπιον τοῦ βασιλέως ('before the king'). The public reading is what brings the law's words to the king's hearing and precipitates his grief in v.11.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaid / toldAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω: 'say / tell'; introduces Shaphan's disclosure of the scroll to the king.
ΣαφφανShaphansubject (indeclinable name: the reporting scribe)→ participant identificationΣαφφαν: the royal scribe; indeclinable in the LXX.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with γραμματεύς, appositional to Σαφφαν)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γραμματεὺςscribeNominativenominative in apposition to Σαφφαν (his office)→ participant prominenceγραμματεύς: 'scribe / secretary'; Shaphan's office, fitting him to read the scroll before the king.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλέα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeobject of πρός (the king addressed)→ object specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; Josiah, recipient of Shaphan's disclosure.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Sg · λέγωparticiple of attendant circumstance (introducing direct speech)→ imperfective participle (pleonastic speech-marker)λέγω (pres. ptcp. λέγων): the speech-introducing participle renders the Hebrew לֵאמֹר; redundant with εἶπεν, a characteristic LXX Hebraism marking direct discourse.
βιβλίονbook / scrollAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκεν (fronted for emphasis)→ object specificationβιβλίον: 'book / scroll'; the law-scroll; the fronted position foregrounds the new and weighty item Shaphan now produces after his fiscal report.
ἔδωκένgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb of direct speech (Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan)→ constative aorist (the completed handover, reported)δίδωμι (aor. ἔδωκεν): 'give'; Shaphan reports that the high priest entrusted the scroll to him.
μοιto meDativedative of indirect object (recipient: Shaphan)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. μοι): 'to me'; Shaphan himself as recipient of the scroll from Hilkiah.
ΧελκιαςHilkiahNominativesubject of ἔδωκεν (the giver)→ participant prominenceΧελκιας: the high priest who found and handed over the scroll.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεύς, appositional to Χελκιας)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεύςpriestNominativenominative in apposition to Χελκιας (his office)→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; here Hilkiah the high priest, named as the source of the scroll.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (transition to the reading)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέγνωreadAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναγινώσκωmain verb (Shaphan reads the scroll aloud)→ constative aorist (the public reading)ἀναγινώσκω (aor. ἀνέγνω): 'read aloud'; renders קָרָא; the public reading before the king transmits the law's words to him, directly precipitating his reaction in v.11.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of ἀνέγνω (the scroll)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the neuter αὐτό refers to τὸ βιβλίον, the scroll read aloud.
ΣαφφανShaphansubject of ἀνέγνω (indeclinable name: the reader)→ participant identificationΣαφφαν: repeated as explicit subject of the reading; indeclinable in the LXX.
ἐνώπιονbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the reading takes place in the king's own hearing, giving the law's words their direct effect on him.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον ('before the king')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; Josiah, in whose presence the scroll is read.
11
καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἤκουσεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τοὺς λόγους τοῦ βιβλίου τοῦ νόμου καὶ διέρρηξεν τὰ ἱμάτια ἑαυτοῦ
And it came to pass, when the king heard the words of the book of the law, that he tore his garments.
v.11 records the king's emotional and ritual response. The formula καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἤκουσεν … καὶ διέρρηξεν uses an apodotic καί ('then'). The tearing of garments (διέρρηξεν τὰ ἱμάτια) is the conventional gesture of grief, alarm, and repentance — here a sign of the king's contrition that Huldah will commend (v.19).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing temporal formula)→ 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 (impersonal narrative-onset formula)→ constative aorist (narrative framing of the reaction)γίνομαι (aor. mid. ἐγένετο): 'happen / come to pass'; the formula καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς … renders וַיְהִי כַּ ('and it came to pass when'), introducing a consequential event.
ὡςwhen / astemporal conjunction (introducing the protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'when / as'; temporal, marking the hearing as the trigger of the king's reaction.
ἤκουσενheardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωverb of temporal clause (the king's hearing of the law)→ constative aorist (the act of hearing)ἀκούω: 'hear / listen'; renders שָׁמַע; the king's hearing of the law's words is the decisive moment that produces his grief and reform.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (the hearing and grieving king)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; Josiah, whose response to the law's words drives the rest of the chapter.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with λόγους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγουςwordsAccusativedirect object of ἤκουσεν (the words heard)→ object specificationλόγος: 'word'; renders דָּבָר; 'the words of the book of the law' are the covenant-stipulations and curses whose force strikes the king.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with βιβλίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βιβλίουbookGenitivegenitive (defining λόγους: 'words of the book')→ relational specificationβιβλίον: 'book / scroll'; the found scroll whose words were just read.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with νόμου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νόμουof the lawGenitivegenitive (defining βιβλίου: 'book of the law')→ relational specificationνόμος: 'law'; renders תּוֹרָה; specifies the scroll's contents as the law of Moses, whose covenant-sanctions provoke the king's alarm.
καὶthenapodotic καί (introducing the main clause after the ὡς-clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here apodotic ('then'), a Hebraism (rendering the waw of the apodosis) introducing the consequence of the hearing.
διέρρηξενhe toreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διαρρήγνυμιmain verb of apodosis (the king's gesture of grief)→ constative aorist (the decisive act of rending)διαρρήγνυμι (aor. διέρρηξεν): 'tear apart / rend'; renders קָרַע; the tearing of garments is the standard gesture of grief, alarm, and contrition; Josiah's act will be cited approvingly in Huldah's oracle (v.19).
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ἱμάτια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱμάτιαgarmentsAccusativedirect object of διέρρηξεν (the torn clothing)→ object specificationἱμάτιον: 'garment / cloak'; renders בֶּגֶד; the outer garments rent as a sign of mourning and repentance.
ἑαυτοῦhis ownGenitivereflexive genitive of possession (modifying ἱμάτια)→ relational specificationἑαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun 'his own'; emphasizes that the king tore his personal garments, the act of self-humbling that Huldah will commend.
12
καὶ ἐνετείλατο ὁ βασιλεὺς τῷ Χελκια τῷ ἱερεῖ καὶ τῷ Αχικαμ υἱῷ Σαφφαν καὶ τῷ Αχοβωρ υἱῷ Μιχαιου καὶ τῷ Σαφφαν τῷ γραμματεῖ καὶ τῷ Ασαια δούλῳ τοῦ βασιλέως λέγων
And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam son of Shaphan, and Achobor son of Michaias, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying:
v.12 lists the five-man delegation Josiah charges to inquire of the LORD: the high priest, two officials (Ahikam, Achobor), the scribe Shaphan, and the king's servant Asaiah. The careful naming — each with patronymic or office — lends official weight to the commission whose content follows in v.13.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνετείλατοcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb (the king's commissioning act)→ constative aorist (single decisive command)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / charge / give orders'; renders צִוָּה; the deponent middle is the standard LXX verb for an authoritative royal or divine charge; here the king commissions the delegation.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (the commissioning king)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; Josiah, who dispatches the delegation to inquire of the LORD.
τῷtheDativearticle (with Χελκια, dative of the person commanded)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧελκιαHilkiahDativedative object of ἐνετείλατο (first delegate)→ sphere or referenceΧελκιας (dat. Χελκια): the high priest, first-named member of the delegation; the dative is the regular complement of ἐντέλλομαι.
τῷtheDativearticle (with ἱερεῖ, appositional to Χελκια)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖpriestDativedative in apposition to Χελκια (his office)→ sphere or referenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; Hilkiah the high priest, the chief delegate.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (listing delegates)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtheDativearticle (with the name Αχικαμ, marking it dative)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑχικαμAhikamdative object of ἐνετείλατο (second delegate, marked by article τῷ)→ noun-phrase markingΑχικαμ: transliteration of Hebrew אֲחִיקָם ('my brother has arisen'); indeclinable in the LXX (dative marked only by τῷ); Ahikam son of Shaphan, later a protector of Jeremiah (Jer 26:24).
υἱῷsonDativedative in apposition to Αχικαμ (patronymic)→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; introduces Ahikam's patronymic.
ΣαφφανShaphangenitival relationship with υἱῷ (indeclinable name: Ahikam's father)→ participant identificationΣαφφαν: the scribe (here as Ahikam's father); indeclinable in the LXX; the same Shaphan is himself listed below as a delegate.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtheDativearticle (with the name Αχοβωρ, marking it dative)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑχοβωρAchobordative object of ἐνετείλατο (third delegate, marked by article τῷ)→ noun-phrase markingΑχοβωρ: transliteration of Hebrew עַכְבּוֹר ('mouse'); indeclinable in the LXX; Achobor son of Michaias, a royal official in the delegation.
υἱῷsonDativedative in apposition to Αχοβωρ (patronymic)→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; introduces Achobor's patronymic.
Μιχαιουof MichaiasGenitivegenitive of relationship (with υἱῷ: 'son of Michaias')→ relational specificationΜιχαιας (gen. Μιχαιου): transliteration of Hebrew מִיכָיָה (Micaiah, 'who is like the LORD?'); declined as a first-declension genitive; Achobor's father.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtheDativearticle (with the name Σαφφαν, marking it dative)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαφφανShaphandative object of ἐνετείλατο (fourth delegate, marked by article τῷ)→ noun-phrase markingΣαφφαν: the royal scribe himself, now listed as the fourth member of the delegation; indeclinable in the LXX.
τῷtheDativearticle (with γραμματεῖ, appositional to Σαφφαν)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γραμματεῖscribeDativedative in apposition to Σαφφαν (his office)→ sphere or referenceγραμματεύς: 'scribe / secretary'; Shaphan's office, identifying him among the delegates.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtheDativearticle (with Ασαια, dative)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑσαιαAsaiahDativedative object of ἐνετείλατο (fifth delegate)→ sphere or referenceΑσαιας (dat. Ασαια): transliteration of Hebrew עֲשָׂיָה ('the LORD has made'); declined as a first-declension dative; the king's personal servant, fifth member of the delegation.
δούλῳservantDativedative in apposition to Ασαια (his office)→ sphere or referenceδοῦλος: 'servant / slave'; renders עֶבֶד; here δοῦλος τοῦ βασιλέως ('servant of the king'), a court official in the king's personal service.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive of relationship (with δούλῳ: 'servant of the king')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; Asaiah's master, identifying him as a royal household servant.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Sg · λέγωparticiple of attendant circumstance (introducing the charge of v.13)→ imperfective participle (pleonastic speech-marker)λέγω (pres. ptcp. λέγων): the speech-introducing participle renders לֵאמֹר; introduces the content of the king's commission in v.13.
13
δεῦτε ἐκζητήσατε τὸν κύριον περὶ ἐμοῦ καὶ περὶ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ περὶ παντὸς τοῦ Ιουδα περὶ τῶν λόγων τοῦ βιβλίου τοῦ εὑρεθέντος τούτου ὅτι μεγάλη ἡ ὀργὴ κυρίου ἡ ἐκκεκαυμένη ἐν ἡμῖν ὑπὲρ οὗ οὐκ ἤκουσαν οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν τῶν λόγων τοῦ βιβλίου τούτου τοῦ ποιεῖν κατὰ πάντα τὰ γεγραμμένα καθ᾿ ἡμῶν
Go, inquire of the LORD for me and for all the people and for all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers did not heed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written against us.
v.13 is the king's charge: inquire of the LORD (ἐκζητήσατε τὸν κύριον) on behalf of the king, the people, and all Judah. The causal clause (ὅτι μεγάλη ἡ ὀργὴ κυρίου ἡ ἐκκεκαυμένη) voices Josiah's theological alarm: the covenant-curses of the book are being incurred because the fathers failed to obey, and the LORD's wrath is already kindled (ἐκκεκαυμένη, perf.) against the nation.
Word-by-word analysis· 53 words
δεῦτεcome / goadverbial imperative (hortatory: 'come!')→ clausal contributionδεῦτε: 'come (now)!'; an indeclinable adverbial imperative (plural of δεῦρο); renders לְכוּ; a summons to action introducing the charge to inquire.
ἐκζητήσατεinquire / seek outAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐκζητέωmain verb (the king's central command to the delegation)→ ingressive aorist imperative (decisive command to inquire)ἐκζητέω: 'seek out / inquire of / consult'; renders דָּרַשׁ; the compound ἐκ- intensifies the simple ζητέω; ἐκζητῆσαι τὸν κύριον is the technical idiom for seeking a prophetic oracle, here through Huldah.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with κύριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριονthe LORDAccusativedirect object of ἐκζητήσατε (the LORD to be consulted)→ object specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the object of the inquiry — the king seeks the LORD's own word about the book's threats.
περὶfor / concerningpreposition + genitive (on behalf of)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + gen.: 'concerning / on behalf of'; the threefold περί (king, people, Judah) marks the comprehensive scope of the inquiry.
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of περί (on the king's own behalf)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. ἐμοῦ): the emphatic genitive; the king places himself first among those for whom the LORD is to be consulted.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
περὶforpreposition + genitive (on behalf of)→ spatial or relational framingπερὶ: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (on behalf of).
παντὸςallGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying λαοῦ: 'all the people')→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all / whole'; the genitive παντός stresses the inclusive scope — the whole people is implicated.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with λαοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive object of περί (the people on whose behalf)→ relational specificationλαός: 'people'; renders עַם; the covenant community of Judah for whom the king inquires.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
περὶforpreposition + genitive (on behalf of)→ spatial or relational framingπερὶ: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (on behalf of).
παντὸςallGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying τοῦ Ιουδα: 'all Judah')→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the third member of the inclusive series, naming the whole nation of Judah.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with the name Ιουδα, marking it genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙουδαJudahGenitivegenitive object of περί (the nation Judah)→ relational specificationΙουδας (gen. Ιουδα): transliteration of Hebrew יְהוּדָה; here the southern kingdom; the article τοῦ marks the genitive of the otherwise loosely-declined name; the whole people of Judah is the object of inquiry.
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (the subject-matter of the inquiry)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + gen.: here 'concerning / about,' shifting from beneficiaries to the topic — the words of the found book.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with λόγων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγωνwordsGenitivegenitive object of περί (the matter of the book's words)→ relational specificationλόγος: 'word'; the words of the scroll — its covenant-stipulations and threats — are the substance about which the LORD is consulted.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with βιβλίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βιβλίουbookGenitivegenitive (defining λόγων: 'words of the book')→ relational specificationβιβλίον: 'book / scroll'; the found law-scroll.
τοῦthe / whichGenitivearticle (with the participle εὑρεθέντος, attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὑρεθέντοςfoundAor Pass Ptcp Gen Neut Sg · εὑρίσκωattributive participle (modifying βιβλίου: 'the book that was found')→ verbal action or stateεὑρίσκω (aor. pass. ptcp. εὑρεθέντος): 'find'; the articular participle stresses the providential discovery of the scroll as the occasion of the whole crisis.
τούτουthisGenitivedemonstrative (modifying βιβλίου: 'this book')→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'this'; the deictic τούτου points to the specific scroll just read, emphasizing its immediate relevance.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (introducing the reason for the inquiry)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; renders כִּי; introduces the ground of the king's alarm — the kindled wrath of the LORD.
μεγάληgreatNominativepredicate adjective (with ὀργή: 'the wrath is great')→ participant prominenceμέγας: 'great'; the fronted predicate μεγάλη stresses the magnitude of the divine wrath that the king fears.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ὀργή)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀργὴwrath / angerNominativesubject (the LORD's wrath)→ participant prominenceὀργή: 'wrath / anger'; renders חֵמָה / אַף; the divine anger provoked by Judah's covenant-breaking, here perceived as imminently threatening.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of source (whose wrath)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the wrath belongs to the LORD, the offended covenant-partner.
ἡthe / whichNominativearticle (with the participle ἐκκεκαυμένη, attributive)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐκκεκαυμένηkindledPerf Pass Ptcp Nom Fem Sg · ἐκκαίωattributive participle (modifying ὀργή: 'the wrath that is kindled')→ verbal action or stateἐκκαίω (perf. pass. ptcp. ἐκκεκαυμένη): 'kindle / set ablaze'; the perfect denotes a wrath already ignited and still burning; the fire-imagery for divine anger renders the Hebrew חָרָה ('burn').
ἐνagainst / amongpreposition + dative (target of the wrath)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: here 'against / among us'; the kindled wrath is directed at the covenant-people.
ἡμῖνusDativedative (object of the wrath: 'against us')→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. pl. ἡμῖν): 'us'; the king includes himself with the whole nation under the threatened wrath.
ὑπὲρbecause ofpreposition + genitive (causal: 'because')→ spatial or relational framingὑπέρ + gen.: in the phrase ὑπὲρ οὗ ('on account of which / because') it has causal force, introducing the reason for the wrath.
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (with ὑπέρ: causal connective 'because')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅς (gen. οὗ): the relative in ὑπὲρ οὗ functions as a causal connective ('because'), introducing the fathers' disobedience as the ground of the wrath.
οὐκnotnegative adverb (negating ἤκουσαν)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐ (οὐκ): the objective negative; the fathers' failure to obey is the cause of the present danger.
ἤκουσανthey heededAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωverb of causal clause (the fathers' disobedience)→ constative aorist (the historic failure to obey)ἀκούω: 'hear / heed / obey'; renders שָׁמַע; with the genitive τῶν λόγων it means 'hearken to / obey the words'; the fathers' non-obedience has incurred the covenant-curse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with πατέρες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέρεςfathersNominativesubject of ἤκουσαν (the disobedient ancestors)→ participant prominenceπατήρ: 'father / ancestor'; renders אָב; the previous generations of Judah whose covenant-infidelity brought the threatened wrath.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying πατέρες)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. pl. ἡμῶν): 'our'; binds the present generation to its ancestors' guilt.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with λόγων, genitive object of ἤκουσαν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγωνwordsGenitivegenitive object of ἤκουσαν ('did not heed the words')→ relational specificationλόγος: 'word'; the genitive after ἀκούω marks the words obeyed (or not); here the disregarded commands of the book.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with βιβλίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βιβλίουbookGenitivegenitive (defining λόγων: 'words of the book')→ relational specificationβιβλίον: 'book / scroll'; the law-scroll whose words the fathers ignored.
τούτουthisGenitivedemonstrative (modifying βιβλίου: 'this book')→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'this'; the same found scroll, pressed home deictically.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with the articular infinitive ποιεῖν, epexegetic/purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποιεῖνto doPres Act Inf · ποιέωarticular infinitive (epexegetic: 'so as to do all that is written')→ present infinitive (ongoing performance)ποιέω (pres. inf. ποιεῖν): 'do / perform'; the articular infinitive τοῦ ποιεῖν expresses the content of obedience the fathers failed to render — doing all that the book prescribes; renders the Hebrew purpose-infinitive לַעֲשׂוֹת.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard of conduct)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; the measure of obedience — conformity to all that the book commands.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying τὰ γεγραμμένα: 'all that is written')→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; stresses the comprehensive obligation of the written law.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantivizing γεγραμμένα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γεγραμμέναwrittenPerf Pass Ptcp Acc Neut Pl · γράφωsubstantivized participle (object of κατά: 'the things written')→ perfect passive participle (the abiding written record)γράφω (perf. pass. ptcp. γεγραμμένα): 'write'; the perfect denotes the abiding authority of the written text; τὰ γεγραμμένα ('the things that stand written') is the standard idiom for the binding written law.
καθ᾿againstpreposition + genitive (hostile: 'against us')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + gen. (elided καθ᾿ before rough breathing): 'against'; the written words include the covenant-curses standing against the disobedient nation.
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of κατά ('against us')→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. pl. ἡμῶν): 'us'; the written sanctions stand against the present generation as heirs of the fathers' guilt.
14
καὶ ἐπορεύθη Χελκιας ὁ ἱερεὺς καὶ Αχικαμ καὶ Αχοβωρ καὶ Σαφφαν καὶ Ασαιας πρὸς Ολδαν τὴν προφῆτιν γυναῖκα Σελλημ υἱοῦ Θεκουε υἱοῦ Αραας τοῦ ἱματιοφύλακος καὶ αὐτὴ κατῴκει ἐν Ιερουσαλημ ἐν τῇ μασενα καὶ ἐλάλησαν πρὸς αὐτήν
And Hilkiah the priest and Ahikam and Achobor and Shaphan and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe — and she dwelt in Jerusalem in the Mishneh — and they spoke to her.
v.14 narrates the delegation's compliance: the five named men go to Huldah (Ολδα) the prophetess. Her identification by husband, lineage, and office (wife of Shallum the keeper of the wardrobe), plus the locative note that she lived in the Mishneh (μασενα, the 'Second Quarter' of Jerusalem), gives the scene historical texture. The singular ἐπορεύθη with a compound subject is a Hebraizing concord with the first-named delegate.
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (the delegation's journey; sg. by concord with first subject)→ constative aorist (the completed going)πορεύομαι (aor. ἐπορεύθη): 'go / journey'; renders הָלַךְ; the singular verb with a compound subject reflects Hebrew concord with the first-named member (Hilkiah).
ΧελκιαςHilkiahNominativesubject (first delegate)→ participant prominenceΧελκιας: the high priest, heading the delegation.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεύς, appositional to Χελκιας)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativenominative in apposition to Χελκιας (his office)→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; Hilkiah the high priest.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (listing the delegates)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑχικαμAhikamco-subject of ἐπορεύθη (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΑχικαμ: Ahikam son of Shaphan; indeclinable in the LXX; second delegate.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑχοβωρAchoborco-subject of ἐπορεύθη (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΑχοβωρ: Achobor son of Michaias; indeclinable in the LXX; third delegate.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαφφανShaphanco-subject of ἐπορεύθη (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΣαφφαν: the scribe; indeclinable in the LXX; fourth delegate.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑσαιαςAsaiahNominativeco-subject of ἐπορεύθη (fifth delegate)→ participant prominenceΑσαιας: the king's servant; declined as a first-declension nominative; fifth delegate.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction toward Huldah)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction toward Huldah).
ΟλδανHuldahAccusativeobject of πρός (the prophetess consulted)→ object specificationΟλδα (acc. Ολδαν): transliteration of Hebrew חֻלְדָּה ('weasel'); declined as a first-declension feminine; Huldah, one of the few named female prophets of the OT, whose authoritative oracle the delegation seeks.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with προφῆτιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προφῆτινprophetessAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Ολδαν (her office)→ object specificationπροφῆτις: 'prophetess'; the feminine of προφήτης; renders נְבִיאָה; her prophetic office authorizes her to deliver the LORD's word to the king's delegation.
γυναῖκαwifeAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Ολδαν (marital identification)→ object specificationγυνή: 'woman / wife'; renders אִשָּׁה; introduces Huldah's husband and his lineage, the standard way of locating a woman socially.
ΣελλημShallumgenitival relationship with γυναῖκα (indeclinable name: her husband)→ participant identificationΣελλημ: transliteration of Hebrew שַׁלֻּם (Shallum, 'recompense'); indeclinable in the LXX; Huldah's husband.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition to Σελλημ (patronymic)→ relational specificationυἱός (gen. υἱοῦ): 'son'; introduces Shallum's patronymic chain.
ΘεκουεTikvahgenitival relationship with υἱοῦ (indeclinable name: the grandfather)→ participant identificationΘεκουε: transliteration of Hebrew תִּקְוָה (Tikvah, 'hope'); indeclinable in the LXX; Shallum's father.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition (extending the lineage)→ relational specificationυἱός (gen. υἱοῦ): the genitive continues the genealogy to the great-grandfather.
ΑρααςHarhasgenitival relationship with υἱοῦ (indeclinable name: the great-grandfather)→ participant identificationΑραας: transliteration of Hebrew חַרְחַס (Harhas); indeclinable in the LXX; Shallum's grandfather.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἱματιοφύλακος, identifying Shallum's office)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱματιοφύλακοςkeeper of the wardrobeGenitivegenitive in apposition (office of Shallum the husband)→ relational specificationἱματιοφύλαξ (gen. ἱματιοφύλακος): 'keeper of the garments / wardrobe'; a compound of ἱμάτιον + φύλαξ; renders שֹׁמֵר הַבְּגָדִים; the office (custodian of the royal or priestly vestments) held by Huldah's husband.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing a parenthetical locative note)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτὴsheNominativesubject of κατῴκει (resumptive: 'she herself')→ participant referenceαὐτός: the nominative αὐτή resumes Huldah as the subject of the parenthetical note about her residence.
κατῴκειdweltImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · κατοικέωmain verb of parenthetical clause (her residence)→ descriptive imperfect (her ongoing dwelling)κατοικέω (impf. κατῴκει): 'dwell / reside'; renders יָשַׁב; the imperfect gives her settled habitation in the Mishneh quarter as background information.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place of residence)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place of residence).
ΙερουσαλημJerusalemobject of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΙερουσαλημ: the indeclinable transliteration of יְרוּשָׁלִַם; Huldah resides in the capital.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (specifying the quarter)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (specifying the quarter).
τῇtheDativearticle (with the loanword μασενα)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μασεναMishneh / Second Quarterobject of ἐν (indeclinable Hebrew loanword: a district of Jerusalem)→ clausal contributionμασενα: an untranslated transliteration of Hebrew מִשְׁנֶה ('Second / the Mishneh'), the name of the 'Second Quarter' or newer district of Jerusalem (cf. Zeph 1:10); the LXX leaves the place-name untranslated.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (resuming the main action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησανthey spokeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαλέωmain verb (the delegation addresses Huldah; pl. now made explicit)→ constative aorist (the act of consulting her)λαλέω (aor. ἐλάλησαν): 'speak / talk'; renders דִּבֶּר; the plural verb now marks all five delegates as speakers; they lay the king's inquiry before the prophetess.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτήνherAccusativeobject of πρός (Huldah, addressed)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the accusative αὐτήν refers to Huldah, the recipient of the delegation's inquiry.
15
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς τάδε λέγει κύριος ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ εἴπατε τῷ ἀνδρὶ τῷ ἀποστείλαντι ὑμᾶς πρός με
And she said to them, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Say to the man who sent you to me:'
v.15 opens Huldah's prophetic response with the messenger-formula τάδε λέγει κύριος ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ ('Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel'). She speaks with full prophetic authority. The relay-command εἴπατε τῷ ἀνδρὶ τῷ ἀποστείλαντι ὑμᾶς ('say to the man who sent you') refers — strikingly without royal title — to Josiah, whose oracle proper follows in vv.16–20.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Huldah's speech-introduction)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω: 'say'; introduces Huldah's authoritative prophetic oracle.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of indirect object (the delegation addressed)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: the dative αὐτοῖς refers to the five delegates to whom Huldah speaks.
τάδεthus / these thingsAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of λέγει: content of the divine word)→ participant referenceὅδε, ἥδε, τόδε: 'this / these'; the formula τάδε λέγει κύριος renders כֹּה אָמַר יהוה, the standard Hebrew prophetic messenger-formula; τάδε (acc. pl. n.) points forward to the oracle that follows.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of messenger-formula (vivid present)→ historic/gnomic present (present authority of the divine word)λέγω (pres.): the present λέγει within the citation-formula presents the LORD's word as currently authoritative; characteristic of LXX prophetic speech-introductions.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of λέγει (the divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the LORD is the true speaker of the oracle, Huldah merely its mouthpiece.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός, appositional to κύριος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος (the covenant God)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the title ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ ('the God of Israel') stresses the covenant-relationship grounding the oracle's authority.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitival relationship with θεός (indeclinable name: 'God of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; the covenant-people whose God now speaks judgment and clemency.
εἴπατεsayAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λέγωmain verb (Huldah's relay-command to the delegation)→ ingressive aorist imperative (command to report the oracle)λέγω (aor. impv. εἴπατε): 'say / tell'; renders אִמְרוּ; the prophetess commands the delegates to relay her words to the one who sent them.
τῷto theDativearticle (with ἀνδρί)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνδρὶmanDativedative of indirect object (the one to whom they must report: the king)→ sphere or referenceἀνήρ (dat. ἀνδρί): 'man'; renders אִישׁ; the oracle pointedly designates Josiah simply as 'the man,' not 'the king' — a possible note of prophetic levelling before the LORD.
τῷthe / whoDativearticle (with the participle ἀποστείλαντι, attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀποστείλαντιwho sentAor Act Ptcp Dat Masc Sg · ἀποστέλλωattributive participle (modifying ἀνδρί: 'the man who sent you')→ verbal action or stateἀποστέλλω (aor. ptcp. ἀποστείλαντι): 'send'; the articular participle identifies the addressee as the one who dispatched the delegation — Josiah; renders the Hebrew relative clause.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of ἀποστείλαντι (the delegates sent)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. pl. ὑμᾶς): 'you'; the delegates whom the king sent.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction: 'to me')→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: 'to me').
μεmeAccusativeobject of πρός (Huldah, to whom they were sent)→ participant referenceἐγώ (acc. με): 'me'; Huldah herself, to whom the king dispatched the inquiry.
16
τάδε λέγει κύριος ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐπάγω κακὰ ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον τοῦτον καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς ἐνοικοῦντας αὐτόν πάντας τοὺς λόγους τοῦ βιβλίου οὓς ἀνέγνω βασιλεὺς Ιουδα
Thus says the LORD: Behold, I am bringing evil upon this place and upon those who dwell in it — all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read.
v.16 is the heart of the judgment-oracle, reintroduced by the messenger-formula. ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐπάγω κακά ('behold, I am bringing evil') announces irrevocable disaster on Jerusalem and its inhabitants. The apposition πάντας τοὺς λόγους τοῦ βιβλίου identifies the coming evil with the very curses of the found book — the threats the king feared will indeed fall.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
τάδεthus / these thingsAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of λέγει: messenger-formula)→ participant referenceὅδε, τόδε: the formula τάδε λέγει κύριος is repeated to mark the formal opening of the judgment-oracle proper.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of messenger-formula (vivid present)→ historic/gnomic present (present authority of the word)λέγω (pres.): the citation-present introducing the LORD's direct judgment-word.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of λέγει (the divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (calling attention to the announcement)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; the presentative particle dramatizes the imminence of the announced disaster; with ἐγώ + present it forms the prophetic 'behold, I am about to' construction.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic first-person: YHWH himself)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic pronoun stresses that the LORD himself is the direct agent of the coming evil — divine judgment, not mere historical misfortune.
ἐπάγωI am bringing uponPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐπάγωmain verb (divine first-person announcement)→ futuristic present (imminent, certain divine act)ἐπάγω: 'bring upon / lead against'; the compound ἐπ- marks hostile imposition; renders מֵבִיא; the futuristic present (with ἰδού) presents the disaster as already on its way — certain and near.
κακὰevil / disasterAccusativedirect object of ἐπάγω (the calamity decreed)→ object specificationκακός (neut. pl. κακά): 'evil / harm / disaster'; renders רָעָה; the neuter plural denotes the calamities — military, social, and exilic — that constitute the covenant-curse.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'upon / against'; the target of the disaster.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with τόπον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπονplaceAccusativeobject of ἐπί (the place judged: Jerusalem/the temple)→ object specificationτόπος: 'place'; renders מָקוֹם; 'this place' is Jerusalem (and especially its temple), the focus of the threatened disaster.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative (modifying τόπον: 'this place')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the deictic τοῦτον points to Jerusalem as the specific object of judgment.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (extending the judgment to inhabitants)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (extending the judgment to inhabitants).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing ἐνοικοῦντας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνοικοῦνταςthose who dwellPres Act Ptcp Acc Masc Pl · ἐνοικέωsubstantivized participle (object of ἐπί: 'those dwelling in it')→ verbal action or stateἐνοικέω (pres. ptcp. ἐνοικοῦντας): 'dwell in / inhabit'; renders יֹשְׁבִים; the inhabitants of Jerusalem who share in the judgment on the place.
αὐτόνitAccusativedirect object of ἐνοικοῦντας (the place inhabited)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the accusative αὐτόν refers to τὸν τόπον; ἐνοικέω takes a direct object here ('inhabit it').
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying λόγους: 'all the words')→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the appositional phrase πάντας τοὺς λόγους identifies the coming evil as the totality of the book's threatened curses.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with λόγους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγουςwordsAccusativeaccusative in apposition to κακά ('the evil, namely all the words')→ object specificationλόγος: 'word'; here the words of the book are equated with the κακά — the curses the disaster will enact; renders דָּבָר.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with βιβλίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βιβλίουbookGenitivegenitive (defining λόγους: 'words of the book')→ relational specificationβιβλίον: 'book / scroll'; the found law-scroll whose curses are now confirmed as impending.
οὓςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀνέγνω, antecedent λόγους)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. pl. οὕς): the relative refers to the words/book read by the king, tying the oracle back to the public reading of v.10–11.
ἀνέγνωreadAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναγινώσκωverb of relative clause (the king's reading of the book)→ constative aorist (the completed reading)ἀναγινώσκω (aor. ἀνέγνω): 'read'; the king (or, by his agency, Shaphan) has read the scroll whose words now stand confirmed as judgment.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of ἀνέγνω (the king of Judah)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; here Josiah, designated by office in the relative clause though addressed merely as 'the man' in v.15.
Ιουδαof JudahGenitivegenitive of relationship (with βασιλεύς: 'king of Judah')→ relational specificationΙουδας (gen. Ιουδα): the southern kingdom; the genitive specifies Josiah as its reigning monarch.
17
ἀνθ᾿ ὧν ἐγκατέλιπόν με καὶ ἐθυμίων θεοῖς ἑτέροις ὅπως παροργίσωσίν με ἐν τοῖς ἔργοις τῶν χειρῶν αὐτῶν καὶ ἐκκαυθήσεται ὁ θυμός μου ἐν τῷ τόπῳ τούτῳ καὶ οὐ σβεσθήσεται
Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands, therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place and shall not be quenched.
v.17 gives the theological ground (ἀνθ᾿ ὧν, 'because') of the disaster: Judah forsook the LORD and burned incense to other gods, provoking him with idols (the 'works of their hands'). The consequence is announced with fire-imagery: ἐκκαυθήσεται ὁ θυμός μου … καὶ οὐ σβεσθήσεται ('my wrath shall be kindled … and not be quenched') — the irrevocability of the judgment on Jerusalem.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
ἀνθ᾿because ofpreposition + genitive (causal: 'in return for / because')→ spatial or relational framingἀντί (elided ἀνθ᾿ before rough breathing): in the phrase ἀνθ᾿ ὧν it has causal force ('because / in return for which'); a standard LXX idiom assigning the reason for judgment (cf. v.19).
ὧνwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (with ἀντί: causal connective 'because')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅς (gen. pl. ὧν): the relative in ἀνθ᾿ ὧν forms the causal connective introducing the grounds of the wrath.
ἐγκατέλιπόνthey forsookAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐγκαταλείπωverb of causal clause (the first sin: apostasy)→ constative aorist (the historic act of abandonment)ἐγκαταλείπω (aor. ἐγκατέλιπον): 'abandon / forsake / desert'; renders עָזַב; the fundamental covenant-sin — Judah's abandonment of the LORD — heads the indictment.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of ἐγκατέλιπον (the LORD forsaken)→ participant referenceἐγώ (acc. με): 'me'; the LORD himself, the offended covenant-partner abandoned by Judah.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐθυμίωνthey burned incenseImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · θυμιάωverb of causal clause (the second sin: idolatrous worship)→ iterative imperfect (repeated, habitual idolatry)θυμιάω (impf. ἐθυμίων): 'burn incense / offer sacrifice'; renders קִטֵּר; the imperfect denotes the persistent, habitual idolatrous cult that provoked the LORD.
θεοῖςto godsDativedative of indirect object (recipients of the illicit incense)→ sphere or referenceθεός: 'god'; renders אֱלֹהִים; here the false 'other gods' to whom Judah offered incense in violation of the first commandment.
ἑτέροιςotherDativeattributive adjective (modifying θεοῖς: 'other gods')→ sphere or referenceἕτερος: 'other / another'; renders אֲחֵרִים; θεοὶ ἕτεροι ('other gods') is the standard Deuteronomistic designation for the idols whose worship constitutes apostasy.
ὅπωςthat / so thatpurpose/result conjunction (introducing subjunctive clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅπως: 'so that / in order that'; with the subjunctive it expresses the (ironic) result/effect of the idolatry — that it provoked the LORD; renders לְמַעַן.
παροργίσωσίνthey might provoke to angerAor Act Subj 3 Pl · παροργίζωverb of ὅπως-clause (the effect of the idolatry)→ aorist subjunctive (the provoking as the upshot of their acts)παροργίζω: 'provoke to anger / enrage'; renders הִכְעִיס; a key Deuteronomistic verb for the kindling of divine wrath through idolatry; the ὅπως-clause frames the provocation as the (effective) outcome of Judah's worship.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of παροργίσωσιν (the LORD provoked)→ participant referenceἐγώ (acc. με): 'me'; the LORD, provoked to wrath by the idolatry.
ἐνwith / bypreposition + dative (instrument/means of provocation)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: here instrumental ('with / by'), the means by which the LORD was provoked — the idols they made.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ἔργοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔργοιςworksDativedative of instrument (the idols as 'works of their hands')→ sphere or referenceἔργον: 'work / deed'; the phrase τὰ ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν ('works of the hands') renders מַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵיהֶם, a standard idiom for hand-made idols, contemptuously stressing their human manufacture.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with χειρῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρῶνhandsGenitivegenitive (defining ἔργοις: 'works of the hands')→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the genitive marks the idols as products of human hands — a polemic against their pretended divinity.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying χειρῶν)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): 'their'; the idolaters whose own hands made the gods they worship.
καὶand / thereforeconsecutive conjunction (introducing the consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here consecutive ('and so / therefore'), introducing the divine consequence of the idolatry — the kindling of wrath.
ἐκκαυθήσεταιshall be kindledFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐκκαίωmain verb (the consequence: divine wrath ignited)→ predictive future (certain coming judgment)ἐκκαίω (fut. pass. ἐκκαυθήσεται): 'kindle / set ablaze'; renders חָרָה / בָּעַר; the fire-imagery for divine wrath; the future passive announces the inevitable ignition of judgment against Jerusalem.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θυμός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυμόςwrath / angerNominativesubject of ἐκκαυθήσεται (the LORD's burning anger)→ participant prominenceθυμός: 'wrath / hot anger'; renders חֵמָה / אַף; a near-synonym of ὀργή (v.13), here imaged as a fire that will burn unquenched against the place.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θυμός: 'my wrath')→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. μου): 'my'; the LORD's own wrath, spoken in the first person of the oracle.
ἐνagainstpreposition + dative (target of the wrath)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: here 'against / upon'; the place at which the wrath burns.
τῷtheDativearticle (with τόπῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπῳplaceDativedative (object of ἐν: 'against this place')→ sphere or referenceτόπος: 'place'; Jerusalem/the temple, the locus of the burning wrath.
τούτῳthisDativedemonstrative (modifying τόπῳ: 'this place')→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this'; the deictic τούτῳ pins the wrath to Jerusalem specifically.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegative adverb (negating σβεσθήσεται)→ participant referenceοὐ: the objective negative; underscores the irrevocability of the judgment — the fire cannot be put out.
σβεσθήσεταιshall be quenchedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · σβέννυμιmain verb (negated: the wrath cannot be extinguished)→ predictive future (the inextinguishable judgment)σβέννυμι (fut. pass. σβεσθήσεται): 'quench / extinguish'; renders כָּבָה; the negated future ('shall not be quenched') makes the fire-of-wrath unstoppable — the disaster on Jerusalem is now decreed and irreversible (cf. Jer 7:20).
18
καὶ πρὸς βασιλέα Ιουδα τὸν ἀποστείλαντα ὑμᾶς ἐπιζητῆσαι τὸν κύριον τάδε ἐρεῖτε πρὸς αὐτόν τάδε λέγει κύριος ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ οἱ λόγοι οὓς ἤκουσας
But to the king of Judah who sent you to seek the LORD, thus you shall say to him: Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: As for the words that you have heard —
v.18 turns from the judgment on the place to a personal word for the king. The relay-command τάδε ἐρεῖτε πρὸς αὐτόν is followed by a fresh messenger-formula; the unfinished clause οἱ λόγοι οὓς ἤκουσας ('the words that you have heard') sets up the personal oracle of vv.19–20. Here the king is again named by office (βασιλέα Ιουδα), and his purpose in sending — ἐπιζητῆσαι τὸν κύριον ('to seek the LORD') — is commended.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶand / butnarrative conjunction (transition to the second addressee)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here marking a turn ('and / but as for'), shifting from the place to the king.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (the addressee of the second word)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (the addressee of the second word).
βασιλέαkingAccusativeobject of πρός (the king to whom the word is addressed)→ object specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; Josiah, now addressed in his royal office as recipient of a distinct, gracious word.
Ιουδαof JudahGenitivegenitive of relationship (with βασιλέα: 'king of Judah')→ relational specificationΙουδας (gen. Ιουδα): the southern kingdom; specifies Josiah's realm.
τὸνthe / whoAccusativearticle (with the participle ἀποστείλαντα, attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀποστείλανταwho sentAor Act Ptcp Acc Masc Sg · ἀποστέλλωattributive participle (modifying βασιλέα: 'who sent you')→ verbal action or stateἀποστέλλω (aor. ptcp. ἀποστείλαντα): 'send'; the articular participle identifies the king as the one who dispatched the delegation, his pious purpose immediately stated.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of ἀποστείλαντα (the delegates sent)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. pl. ὑμᾶς): 'you'; the delegation sent by the king.
ἐπιζητῆσαιto seekAor Act Inf · ἐπιζητέωinfinitive of purpose (the aim of the sending: 'to seek the LORD')→ verbal action or stateἐπιζητέω: 'seek after / inquire of'; the compound intensifies ζητέω; the infinitive of purpose commends the king's intent — to consult the LORD (cf. ἐκζητέω, v.13); renders דָּרַשׁ.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with κύριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριονthe LORDAccusativedirect object of ἐπιζητῆσαι (the LORD sought)→ object specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the object of the king's pious inquiry.
τάδεthus / these thingsAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of ἐρεῖτε: what they must say)→ participant referenceὅδε, τόδε: 'thus / these things'; points forward to the personal oracle the delegates must relay to the king.
ἐρεῖτεyou shall sayFut Act Indic 2 Pl · λέγωmain verb (relay-command in the future-as-imperative)→ imperatival future (a binding instruction to report)λέγω (fut. ἐρεῖτε, from the suppletive stem ἐρ-): 'you shall say'; the imperatival future renders the Hebrew weqatal of command — the delegates are bound to deliver the oracle verbatim to the king.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτόνhimAccusativeobject of πρός (the king addressed)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the accusative αὐτόν refers to the king, recipient of the personal word.
τάδεthus / these thingsAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of λέγει: messenger-formula)→ participant referenceὅδε, τόδε: the formula τάδε λέγει κύριος, repeated to introduce the king's personal oracle.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of messenger-formula (vivid present)→ historic/gnomic present (present authority of the word)λέγω (pres.): the citation-present of the prophetic messenger-formula.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of λέγει (the divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός, appositional to κύριος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος (the covenant God)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ, the covenant God whose personal word of clemency now follows.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitival relationship with θεός (indeclinable name: 'God of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; the covenant-people.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with λόγοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγοιwordsNominativenominative absolute / casus pendens ('as for the words ...')→ participant prominenceλόγος: 'word'; the nominative οἱ λόγοι οὓς ἤκουσας ('the words that you heard') is a casus pendens (hanging nominative), a Hebraism setting the topic before the oracle's main statement in v.19; the words are the book's threats the king has heard.
οὓςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἤκουσας, antecedent λόγοι)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. pl. οὕς): the relative refers to the words of the law the king has heard read.
ἤκουσαςyou have heardAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀκούωverb of relative clause (the king's hearing of the words)→ constative aorist (the completed act of hearing)ἀκούω (aor. ἤκουσας): 'hear'; the king's hearing of the law's words (v.11) is now the explicit ground of the gracious response that follows in v.19.
19
ἀνθ᾿ ὧν ὅτι ἡπαλύνθη ἡ καρδία σου καὶ ἐνετράπης ἀπὸ προσώπου κυρίου ὡς ἤκουσας ὅσα ἐλάλησα ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον τοῦτον καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς ἐνοικοῦντας αὐτὸν τοῦ εἶναι εἰς ἀφανισμὸν καὶ εἰς κατάραν καὶ διέρρηξας τὰ ἱμάτιά σου καὶ ἔκλαυσας ἐνώπιον ἐμοῦ καί γε ἐγὼ ἤκουσα λέγει κύριος
Because your heart was softened and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your garments and wept before me — I also have heard, says the LORD.
v.19 grounds the king's clemency in his contrition (ἀνθ᾿ ὧν … ὅτι, 'because'): his heart was softened (ἡπαλύνθη ἡ καρδία σου), he humbled himself before the LORD (ἐνετράπης ἀπὸ προσώπου κυρίου), tore his garments, and wept. The structural echo with v.17's ἀνθ᾿ ὧν ('because') sets contrition against idolatry. The divine response — καί γε ἐγὼ ἤκουσα ('I also have heard') — pairs the king's hearing (ἤκουσας) with the LORD's answering attention.
Word-by-word analysis· 47 words
ἀνθ᾿because ofpreposition + genitive (causal: 'because')→ spatial or relational framingἀντί (elided ἀνθ᾿): in ἀνθ᾿ ὧν a causal connective ('because'); the same idiom as v.17, now grounding clemency rather than judgment.
ὧνwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (with ἀντί: causal connective)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅς (gen. pl. ὧν): the relative forming the causal connective ἀνθ᾿ ὧν.
ὅτιthat / becausecausal conjunction (epexegetic with ἀνθ᾿ ὧν)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / that'; reinforcing ἀνθ᾿ ὧν, the doubled causal construction (a Hebraism) emphatically introduces the reason for the LORD's favor.
ἡπαλύνθηwas softened / made tenderAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἁπαλύνωverb of causal clause (the king's tender heart)→ constative aorist (the achieved condition of contrition)ἁπαλύνω (aor. pass. ἡπαλύνθη): 'make soft / tender'; renders רַךְ ('be tender / soft'); a tender (rather than hardened) heart is the mark of true responsiveness to God's word — the opposite of the obduracy condemned in the fathers.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with καρδία)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαheartNominativesubject of ἡπαλύνθη (the king's heart)→ participant prominenceκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב; in Hebrew anthropology the seat of will, thought, and disposition; the king's tender heart is the inward ground of his clemency.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying καρδία)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your'; the king's own heart, directly addressed.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνετράπηςyou humbled yourself / were abashedAor Pass Indic 2 Sg · ἐντρέπωverb of causal clause (the king's self-humbling)→ constative aorist (the act of contrition)ἐντρέπω (aor. pass. ἐνετράπης): 'turn about / make ashamed'; in the passive 'be ashamed / humble oneself / show reverence'; renders כָּנַע ('humble oneself'); the king's reverent self-abasement before the LORD is the second mark of his contrition.
ἀπὸbefore / frompreposition + genitive (idiom: 'before the face of')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: in the idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου ('from the presence of') it renders מִפְּנֵי; the king humbled himself before the LORD's presence.
προσώπουface / presenceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (idiom: 'before the face of the LORD')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; the idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου κυρίου ('before the face of the LORD') is a Hebraism for being in the LORD's presence; the king humbled himself coram Deo.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive (defining προσώπου: 'face of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; before whom the king humbled himself.
ὡςwhentemporal conjunction (introducing the occasion of contrition)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'when / as'; temporal, marking the hearing of the oracle as the occasion of the king's humbling.
ἤκουσαςyou heardAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀκούωverb of temporal clause (the king's hearing of the word)→ constative aorist (the act of hearing)ἀκούω (aor. ἤκουσας): 'hear'; the king's hearing of the threatened judgment is what moved him to contrition.
ὅσαwhat / all thatAccusativerelative/correlative pronoun (object of ἐλάλησα: 'all that I spoke')→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much/many as / all that'; the neuter plural ὅσα ('all the things which') sums up the content of the LORD's threatening word against the place.
ἐλάλησαI spokeAor Act Indic 1 Sg · λαλέωverb of relative clause (the LORD's threatening word)→ constative aorist (the divine word already uttered)λαλέω (aor. ἐλάλησα): 'speak'; the LORD's own first-person reference to the judgment-word he has spoken against Jerusalem (vv.16–17).
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'against / upon'; the target of the threatening word.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with τόπον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπονplaceAccusativeobject of ἐπί (the place threatened)→ object specificationτόπος: 'place'; Jerusalem, the object of the judgment-word.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative (modifying τόπον: 'this place')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; deictic, pointing to Jerusalem.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (extending to inhabitants)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (extending to inhabitants).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing ἐνοικοῦντας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνοικοῦνταςthose who dwellPres Act Ptcp Acc Masc Pl · ἐνοικέωsubstantivized participle (object of ἐπί: 'those dwelling in it')→ verbal action or stateἐνοικέω (pres. ptcp. ἐνοικοῦντας): 'dwell in / inhabit'; the inhabitants of Jerusalem who share the threatened judgment (as in v.16).
αὐτὸνitAccusativedirect object of ἐνοικοῦντας (the place inhabited)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the accusative αὐτόν refers to τὸν τόπον.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with the articular infinitive εἶναι, result/purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἶναιto be / becomePres Inf · εἰμίarticular infinitive of result (τοῦ εἶναι: 'so as to become')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί (pres. inf. εἶναι): 'be / become'; the articular infinitive of result εἰς ... expresses the destined fate of the place — to become a desolation and a curse; renders the Hebrew purpose/result infinitive לִהְיוֹת.
εἰςfor / intopreposition + accusative (resulting state)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: predicative 'become (something)'; the Hebraistic εἰς of transformation (לְ), rendering 'become a desolation.'
ἀφανισμὸνdesolationAccusativeobject of εἰς (the destined state: 'a desolation')→ object specificationἀφανισμός: 'desolation / destruction / ruin'; renders שַׁמָּה / שְׁמָמָה; a covenant-curse term (cf. Deut 28; Jer 25:9) for the devastated land that horrifies onlookers.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰςfor / intopreposition + accusative (second resulting state)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (second resulting state).
κατάρανcurseAccusativeobject of εἰς (the destined state: 'a curse')→ object specificationκατάρα: 'curse'; renders קְלָלָה; the land's becoming 'a curse' means it becomes a byword used in cursing (cf. Jer 24:9; 42:18); the covenant-curse fully realized.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (resuming the king's response)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διέρρηξαςyou toreAor Act Indic 2 Sg · διαρρήγνυμιverb continuing the king's contrite acts (2nd person)→ constative aorist (the act of rending, recalled approvingly)διαρρήγνυμι (aor. διέρρηξας): 'tear apart / rend'; the same verb as v.11, now in the second person — the LORD himself recalls and commends the king's tearing of his garments as a sign of genuine repentance.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ἱμάτια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱμάτιάgarmentsAccusativedirect object of διέρρηξας (the torn clothing)→ object specificationἱμάτιον: 'garment / cloak'; the outer garments rent in mourning and repentance, recalled from v.11.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ἱμάτια)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your'; the king's own garments.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔκλαυσαςyou weptAor Act Indic 2 Sg · κλαίωverb continuing the king's contrite acts (weeping)→ constative aorist (the act of weeping, recalled approvingly)κλαίω (aor. ἔκλαυσας): 'weep / cry'; renders בָּכָה; the king's tears before the LORD complete the picture of his sincere contrition that wins the gracious word.
ἐνώπιονbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the king's grief was enacted before the LORD himself.
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον ('before me')→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. ἐμοῦ): 'me'; the LORD, in whose presence the king wept; the first-person marks the intimacy of the divine regard.
καίalsoadverbial/ascensive (with γε: 'I also / I too')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here ascensive ('also / even'); with γε it forms the emphatic 'I also,' the LORD's answering response to the king's contrition.
γεindeedemphatic particle (intensifying καί ἐγώ)→ discourse linkage or contrastγε: an emphatic enclitic particle; καί γε ('and indeed / I too') renders the Hebrew וְגַם, stressing the reciprocity — as the king heard, so the LORD has heard.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic: the LORD himself)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic pronoun; the LORD's own hearing of the king answers the king's hearing of the word — a divine attentiveness that grounds the clemency.
ἤκουσαI have heardAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (the divine response of attentive hearing)→ constative aorist (the LORD's accomplished hearing)ἀκούω (aor. ἤκουσα): 'hear / heed'; the LORD's 'I also have heard' echoes the king's ἤκουσας — the answering attention that issues in the promise of v.20.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of oracle-formula (the prophetic 'says the LORD')→ gnomic present (oracle-sealing formula)λέγω (pres.): the formula λέγει κύριος ('says the LORD') closes the divine utterance, the LXX rendering of נְאֻם יהוה, sealing the words as authentic oracle.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of λέγει (the oracle's divine author)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the closing attribution of the oracle to the LORD.
20
οὐχ οὕτως ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ προστίθημί σε πρὸς τοὺς πατέρας σου καὶ συναχθήσῃ εἰς τὸν τάφον σου ἐν εἰρήνῃ καὶ οὐκ ὀφθήσεται ἐν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς σου ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς κακοῖς οἷς ἐγώ εἰμι ἐπάγω ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον τοῦτον καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν τῷ βασιλεῖ τὸ ῥῆμα
Therefore, behold, I am gathering you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not look upon all the evils that I am bringing upon this place. And they brought back word to the king.
v.20 delivers the personal promise: Josiah will be 'added to his fathers' and gathered to his grave in peace (ἐν εἰρήνῃ), not living to see the disaster. The opening οὐχ οὕτως ('not so / it shall not be thus for you') sets the king apart from the doomed place. The chapter closes (καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν τῷ βασιλεῖ τὸ ῥῆμα) with the delegation returning the oracle to the king, mirroring the report-idiom of v.9 and setting up the reform of chapter 23.
Word-by-word analysis· 43 words
οὐχnotnegative adverb (with οὕτως: 'not so')→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐ (οὐχ before rough breathing): the objective negative; οὐχ οὕτως ('not so / it shall not be thus') sets the king's fate apart from the doom decreed on the place.
οὕτωςthus / soadverb of manner (with οὐχ: 'not in this way for you')→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / in this manner'; the phrase οὐχ οὕτως marks a turn — the judgment will not fall on the king as it will on the place; he is granted a peaceful death first.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (introducing the promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; dramatizes the gracious announcement, paralleling its use in the judgment-word (v.16) — here for clemency.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic: the LORD himself)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic pronoun; the LORD is the personal agent of the king's peaceful gathering, just as of the disaster.
προστίθημίI am gathering / addingPres Act Indic 1 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (the promise of peaceful death)→ futuristic present (the imminent, certain gathering)προστίθημι: 'add / place beside'; the idiom προστίθημί σε πρὸς τοὺς πατέρας σου ('I add you to your fathers') renders the Hebrew euphemism for death אָסַף אֶל־אֲבֹתָיו ('be gathered to one's fathers'); the futuristic present announces the king's death before the disaster.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of προστίθημι (the king gathered)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σε): 'you'; the king, who is to be gathered to his ancestors.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction: 'to your fathers')→ spatial or relational framingπρός + acc.: 'to / unto'; in the death-idiom, joining the king to his deceased ancestors.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with πατέρας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραςfathersAccusativeobject of πρός (the ancestors to whom the king is gathered)→ object specificationπατήρ: 'father / ancestor'; renders אָב; 'gathered to your fathers' is the standard biblical euphemism for an honorable death and burial with one's forebears.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying πατέρας)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your'; the king's own ancestors.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συναχθήσῃyou shall be gatheredFut Pass Indic 2 Sg · συνάγωmain verb (the peaceful burial promised)→ predictive future (the assured peaceful death)συνάγω (fut. pass. συναχθήσῃ): 'gather together'; the passive 'you shall be gathered' renders the death-idiom נֶאֱסַף ('be gathered to one's grave'); the promise is a peaceful burial before the catastrophe falls.
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (destination: 'to your grave')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination: 'to your grave').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with τάφον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τάφονgrave / tombAccusativeobject of εἰς (the resting-place)→ object specificationτάφος: 'grave / tomb / burial-place'; renders קֶבֶר; the king's own tomb, where he will rest in peace with his fathers.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying τάφον)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your'; the king's own grave.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner/condition: 'in peace')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (manner/condition: 'in peace').
εἰρήνῃpeaceDativedative of manner (the condition of the burial: 'in peace')→ sphere or referenceεἰρήνη: 'peace / well-being'; renders שָׁלוֹם; the king will die and be buried 'in peace' — before the violent end of Jerusalem, a mercy granted for his contrition (the promise is qualified historically by Josiah's death in battle, 4 Kgdms 23:29–30, understood as 'peace' relative to the national disaster).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative adverb (negating ὀφθήσεται)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐ (οὐκ): the objective negative; the king's eyes will not witness the coming disaster.
ὀφθήσεταιshall be seen / shall lookFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (negated, impersonal: the disaster will not be seen by him)→ predictive future (the king will not live to see the evil)ὁράω (fut. pass. ὀφθήσεται): 'see / appear'; the impersonal passive with ἐν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς σου ('it shall not be seen by your eyes') renders the Hebrew לֹא תִרְאֶינָה עֵינֶיךָ ('your eyes shall not see'); the king is spared the sight of Jerusalem's ruin.
ἐνby / inpreposition + dative (instrument: 'by your eyes')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrument: 'by your eyes').
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ὀφθαλμοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative of instrument (the eyes that will not see)→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the king's own eyes, which the LORD promises will not behold the disaster.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ὀφθαλμοῖς)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your'; the king's eyes.
ἐνamong / onpreposition + dative (the sphere of the unseen evils)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: here 'among / in the matter of'; the king will not see (any) among all the evils to come.
πᾶσινallDativeattributive adjective (modifying κακοῖς: 'all the evils')→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; stresses that the king will be spared the entirety of the coming calamities.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with κακοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κακοῖςevilsDativedative (object of ἐν: the evils not to be seen)→ sphere or referenceκακός (neut. pl. κακοῖς): 'evils / calamities'; the same disasters announced in v.16, which the king is mercifully spared from witnessing.
οἷςwhichDativerelative pronoun (object of ἐπάγω, attracted to dative antecedent κακοῖς)→ participant reference or interestὅς (dat. pl. οἷς): the relative, its case attracted to that of its antecedent κακοῖς (a common Greek attraction); refers to the evils the LORD will bring.
ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic: the LORD himself)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic pronoun; the LORD remains the direct agent of the coming disaster, even as he spares the king from seeing it.
εἰμιamPres Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίauxiliary-like verb (with ἐπάγω: periphrastic emphatic 'I am bringing')→ present (state of being)εἰμί (pres. εἰμι): 'be'; the combination ἐγώ εἰμι ἐπάγω is an emphatic first-person construction (perhaps reflecting the Hebrew participle of imminent action מֵבִיא); it underscores the LORD's personal, certain agency in the coming judgment.
ἐπάγωbringing uponPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐπάγωmain verb of relative clause (the disaster the LORD brings)→ futuristic present (the certain, imminent judgment)ἐπάγω: 'bring upon / lead against'; the same verb as v.16; the present (with ἐγώ εἰμι) presents the disaster as already underway — certain and near.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with τόπον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπονplaceAccusativeobject of ἐπί (the place judged)→ object specificationτόπος: 'place'; Jerusalem, the object of the coming disaster the king will not witness.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative (modifying τόπον: 'this place')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; deictic, pointing to Jerusalem; the recurring τὸν τόπον τοῦτον frames the whole oracle (vv.16, 17, 19, 20).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (closing the chapter)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέστρεψανthey brought backAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (the delegation reports the oracle back to the king)→ constative aorist (the completed report)ἐπιστρέφω (aor. ἐπέστρεψαν): 'turn back / return'; the idiom ἐπιστρέφω … τὸ ῥῆμα ('bring back the word') mirrors v.9; the delegation conveys Huldah's oracle to the king, closing the chapter and preparing for the reform of ch. 23.
τῷto theDativearticle (with βασιλεῖ, indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativedative of indirect object (to whom the word is returned)→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; Josiah, who receives the prophetic word and will act on it in the reform that follows.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ῥῆμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαword / reportAccusativedirect object of ἐπέστρεψαν (the oracle returned)→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / matter / report'; renders דָּבָר; the prophetic oracle of Huldah, now reported back to the king — the same idiom (ἐπιστρέφω ῥῆμα) that opened the temple-report in v.9, framing the chapter.