1
καὶ Ιωραμ υἱὸς Αχααβ ἐβασίλευσεν ἐν Ισραηλ ἐν ἔτει ὀκτωκαιδεκάτῳ Ιωσαφατ βασιλεῖ Ιουδα καὶ ἐβασίλευσεν δώδεκα ἔτη
And Joram son of Ahab became king over Israel in the eighteenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned twelve years.
The chapter opens with the standard Deuteronomistic regnal-accession formula: name, patronymic, synchronism with the contemporaneous Judahite king, and reign-length. The καί-initial paratactic style is the hallmark of LXX Kingdoms narrative, calquing Hebrew waw-consecutive sequence.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωραμJoramsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωραμ: transliteration of Hebrew יְהוֹרָם / יוֹרָם ('YHWH is exalted'); indeclinable in LXX Kingdoms; Joram (Jehoram) son of Ahab is to be distinguished from his contemporary namesake Jehoram of Judah (Jehoshaphat's son); the LXX leaves the name undeclined throughout.
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositive to Ιωραμ (patronymic)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; renders בֶּן; the patronymic υἱὸς Αχααβ binds Joram to the Omride dynasty and to the Baal-cult of his father, a tension the very next verse will qualify.
ΑχααβAhabgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Ahab')→ participant identificationΑχααβ: transliteration of Hebrew אַחְאָב; indeclinable; Ahab the Omride is the paradigmatic apostate king of Kings, so naming him as Joram's father frames the qualified verdict of v. 2.
ἐβασίλευσενbecame king / reignedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βασιλεύωmain verb (accession)→ ingressive aorist (entered upon the kingship)βασιλεύω: 'be king / become king / reign'; renders מָלַךְ; the ingressive aorist here marks accession ('became king'), while the same verb at the verse's end (with the duration δώδεκα ἔτη) carries the constative sense 'reigned'.
ἐνover / inpreposition + dative (sphere of rule: 'over Israel')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with Ισραηλ here renders Hebrew עַל ('over') in the regnal idiom 'reign over Israel'; the LXX often calques the Hebrew preposition with ἐν in the βασιλεύω-construction.
ΙσραηλIsraelobject of ἐν (indeclinable: the northern kingdom)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; here the northern kingdom over which Joram reigns, as opposed to Ιουδα below.
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').
ἔτειyearDativedative of time (synchronism)→ sphere or referenceἔτος: 'year'; renders שָׁנָה; the dative of time fixes the synchronistic dating of Joram's accession to the reign of the southern king.
ὀκτωκαιδεκάτῳeighteenthDativeordinal adjective (modifying ἔτει)→ sphere or referenceὀκτωκαιδέκατος: 'eighteenth'; the compound ordinal (ὀκτώ + καί + δέκατος); the synchronism with Jehoshaphat's eighteenth year is part of the chronological framework knitting the two kingdoms' regnal lists together.
ΙωσαφατJehoshaphatgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Jehoshaphat')→ participant identificationΙωσαφατ: transliteration of Hebrew יְהוֹשָׁפָט ('YHWH has judged'); indeclinable; the godly Judahite king whose presence will be decisive at vv. 11–14.
βασιλεῖkingDativeappositive to Ιωσαφατ (in dative by attraction to the synchronistic frame)→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; the dative βασιλεῖ stands in loose apposition within the regnal synchronism, a frequent LXX construction in the dating formulae.
ΙουδαJudahgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Judah')→ participant identificationΙουδα: indeclinable; the southern kingdom, here designating Jehoshaphat's realm in distinction from Joram's Ισραηλ.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐβασίλευσενhe reignedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βασιλεύωmain verb (reign-length statement)→ constative aorist (whole reign viewed as a completed span)βασιλεύω: the second occurrence, with the accusative of extent δώδεκα ἔτη, summarizes the total reign-length; constative aorist surveying the twelve years as a single unit.
δώδεκαtwelvenumeral (modifying ἔτη; indeclinable)→ clausal contributionδώδεκα: 'twelve'; indeclinable cardinal numeral; gives the length of Joram's reign over the northern kingdom.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of extent of time ('for twelve years')→ object specificationἔτος (pl. ἔτη): the accusative plural marks duration; the standard regnal idiom for reign-length in LXX Kingdoms.
2
καὶ ἐποίησεν τὸ πονηρὸν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς κυρίου πλὴν οὐχ ὡς ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐχ ὡς ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ καὶ μετέστησεν τὰς στήλας τοῦ Βααλ ἃς ἐποίησεν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ
And he did what was evil in the eyes of the LORD, yet not as his father and not as his mother; and he removed the pillars of Baal that his father had made.
The Deuteronomistic evaluation formula ἐποίησεν τὸ πονηρὸν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς κυρίου ('did evil in the eyes of the LORD') is here qualified by the double πλὴν οὐχ ὡς ('yet not as') — a graded verdict distinguishing Joram from both Ahab and Jezebel, supported by the concrete reform of removing the Baal-pillars.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ 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 reign)ποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עָשָׂה; the formula ἐποίησεν τὸ πονηρὸν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς κυρίου is the fixed Deuteronomistic verdict rendering עָשָׂה הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי יהוה.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing πονηρόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πονηρὸνevilAccusativesubstantivized adjective (direct object: 'the evil')→ object specificationπονηρός: 'evil / wicked'; the neuter substantive τὸ πονηρόν renders הָרַע ('the evil thing'); the standard object of the condemnation formula in Kingdoms.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (evaluative perspective)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (evaluative perspective).
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative object of ἐν (Hebraism: 'in the eyes of')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός (pl. ὀφθαλμοῖς): 'eye'; the idiom ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς κυρίου renders בְּעֵינֵי יהוה ('in the eyes of the LORD'), a Hebraism for the divine evaluative judgment.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive (possessive: 'the LORD's eyes')→ relational specificationκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; here the divine assessor before whose eyes the king's conduct is weighed.
πλὴνyet / onlyadversative/restrictive particle (qualifying the verdict)→ discourse linkage or contrastπλήν: 'yet / however / except'; renders רַק; here it introduces the crucial qualification of Joram's guilt — he was evil, yet not to the extreme of his parents.
οὐχnotnegation (with ὡς: 'not as')→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐχ: the form of οὐ before a rough breathing (ὡς); the double οὐχ ὡς … καὶ οὐχ ὡς grades the king's evil below that of both parents.
ὡςascomparative particle ('as / like')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; renders כְּ; the comparison 'not as his father' implies that Ahab's apostasy was the benchmark of evil against which Joram is measured and found less guilty.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with πατήρ)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατὴρfatherNominativesubject of the elided comparison ('as his father did')→ participant prominenceπατήρ: 'father'; renders אָב; the father is Ahab, whose Baal-promotion set the standard of Omride apostasy.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his father')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his father').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking the two comparisons)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐχnotnegation (second 'not as')→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐχ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ὡςascomparative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: meaning 'as'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with μήτηρ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μήτηρmotherNominativesubject of the elided comparison ('as his mother')→ participant prominenceμήτηρ: 'mother'; renders אֵם; the mother is Jezebel, archetypal patroness of Baal-worship; that Joram is 'not as' even his mother heightens the qualification of his guilt.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his mother')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his mother').
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the concrete reform)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μετέστησενhe removedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μεθίστημιmain verb (act of partial reform)→ constative aorist (single decisive act)μεθίστημι: 'remove / set aside / transfer'; the compound μετα- denotes displacement; here Joram removes (does away with) the cultic Baal-pillars, a concrete deed substantiating the 'not as his father' verdict — though it stops short of removing the Jeroboam-cult (v. 3).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with στήλας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στήλαςpillars / stelesAccusativedirect object of μετέστησεν→ object specificationστήλη: 'pillar / standing-stone / stele'; renders מַצֵּבָה; the cultic standing-stones of Baal erected under Ahab (cf. 3 Kgdms 16:32–33); their removal is the reformist gesture distinguishing Joram from his parents.
τοῦthe / ofGenitivearticle (with Βααλ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒααλBaalgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Baal')→ participant identificationΒααλ: transliteration of Hebrew בַּעַל ('lord / master'); indeclinable, marked by the genitive article τοῦ; the Canaanite storm-god whose cult Ahab and Jezebel had imported into Israel.
ἃςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐποίησεν, antecedent στήλας)→ participant referenceὅς, ἥ, ὅ: relative pronoun; feminine accusative plural ἃς agrees with στήλας; the relative clause attributes the making of the pillars to Ahab, sharpening the contrast with Joram's removal of them.
ἐποίησενhad madeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause (Ahab's earlier act)→ constative aorist (prior completed action)ποιέω: here 'make / fashion / erect'; the aorist refers to Ahab's prior construction of the Baal-pillars, now undone by Joram.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with πατήρ)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατὴρfatherNominativesubject of ἐποίησεν (relative clause)→ participant prominenceπατήρ: again Ahab; the repetition ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ frames the verse, opening and closing with the father whose evil Joram both inherits and partly reverses.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
3
πλὴν ἐν τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ Ιεροβοαμ υἱοῦ Ναβατ ὃς ἐξήμαρτεν τὸν Ισραηλ ἐκολλήθη οὐκ ἀπέστη ἀπ᾿ αὐτῆς
Yet to the sin of Jeroboam son of Nabat, who made Israel to sin, he clung; he did not depart from it.
A second πλήν caps the graded verdict: for all his removal of the Baal-pillars, Joram clung (ἐκολλήθη) to the foundational 'sin of Jeroboam' — the calf-cult of the northern kingdom — and did not depart from it. The formula τὴν ἁμαρτίαν Ιεροβοαμ … ὃς ἐξήμαρτεν τὸν Ισραηλ is the recurring Deuteronomistic indictment of every northern king.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
πλὴνyet / neverthelessadversative/restrictive particle→ discourse linkage or contrastπλήν: 'yet / however'; renders רַק; the second πλήν of the evaluation balances the first (v. 2): not as bad as his parents, yet still bound to Jeroboam's sin.
ἐνto / inpreposition + dative (object of attachment, with ἐκολλήθη)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with the verb κολλάομαι ('cling to'), the dative phrase ἐν τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ renders the Hebrew construction דָּבַק בְּ ('cleave to'); the LXX retains the preposition idiomatically.
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἁμαρτίᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁμαρτίᾳsinDativedative object of ἐκολλήθη ('clung to the sin')→ sphere or referenceἁμαρτία: 'sin / offense'; renders חַטָּאת; 'the sin of Jeroboam' is the LXX's fixed term for the calf-cult at Bethel and Dan that defined the religious apostasy of the northern monarchy.
ΙεροβοαμJeroboamgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Jeroboam')→ participant identificationΙεροβοαμ: transliteration of Hebrew יָרָבְעָם; indeclinable; Jeroboam I, founder of the northern kingdom and originator of the calf-cult, the archetype of all later northern apostasy.
υἱοῦsonGenitiveappositive to Ιεροβοαμ (patronymic, genitive)→ relational specificationυἱός (gen. υἱοῦ): the patronymic 'son of Nabat' is the fixed epithet attached to Jeroboam throughout Kingdoms.
ΝαβατNabatgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Nabat')→ participant identificationΝαβατ: transliteration of Hebrew נְבָט; indeclinable; the father of Jeroboam I, named only in the formulaic patronymic.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐξήμαρτεν, antecedent Jeroboam)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; the clause ὃς ἐξήμαρτεν τὸν Ισραηλ ('who caused Israel to sin') is the standard appended indictment of Jeroboam.
ἐξήμαρτενmade to sinAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξαμαρτάνωverb of relative clause (causative)→ constative aorist (the foundational corrupting act)ἐξαμαρτάνω: 'cause to sin / lead into sin'; the causative force renders the Hebrew Hiphil הֶחֱטִיא ('made to sin'); Jeroboam's institution of the calf-cult is presented as having corporately implicated the whole nation.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Ισραηλ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙσραηλIsraelaccusative object of ἐξήμαρτεν (indeclinable, marked by article τὸν)→ noun-phrase markingΙσραηλ: indeclinable; here the object of Jeroboam's corrupting influence, the whole northern nation.
ἐκολλήθηhe clungAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κολλάομαιmain verb (Joram's adherence to the sin)→ constative aorist (settled adherence)κολλάομαι: 'cling / cleave / be joined to'; the passive-deponent renders the Hebrew דָּבַק; the strong physical metaphor ('was glued to') stresses that Joram's attachment to the Jeroboam-cult was tenacious, not incidental.
οὐκnotnegation (with ἀπέστη)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἀπέστηhe departedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀφίστημιmain verb (negated: 'did not depart')→ constative aorist (no act of turning away ever occurred)ἀφίστημι: 'stand off / withdraw / depart from'; the intransitive second aorist ἀπέστη; the negated 'did not depart from it' completes the formula, sealing Joram in the northern apostasy despite his anti-Baal reform.
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation, elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἀπ᾿: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation, elided before vowel).
αὐτῆςit / herGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (referring to ἁμαρτίᾳ)→ relational specificationαὐτός: the feminine genitive αὐτῆς refers back to ἡ ἁμαρτία ('the sin'); 'he did not depart from it'.
4
καὶ Μωσα βασιλεὺς Μωαβ ἦν νωκηδ καὶ ἐπέστρεφεν τῷ βασιλεῖ Ισραηλ ἐν τῇ ἐπαναστάσει ἑκατὸν χιλιάδας ἀρνῶν καὶ ἑκατὸν χιλιάδας κριῶν ἐπὶ πόκων
And Mesha king of Moab was a sheep-master, and he used to render to the king of Israel, in the uprising, a hundred thousand lambs and a hundred thousand rams with their fleeces.
A circumstantial background clause (note the imperfect ἐπέστρεφεν, 'used to render') introduces the chapter's conflict: Mesha, a νωκηδ ('sheep-lord'), had been a vassal paying Israel a massive wool-tribute. The transliterated technical term νωκηδ and the staggering tribute-numbers establish both Moab's pastoral wealth and the scale of what its revolt would cost Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing new scene)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΜωσαMeshasubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΜωσα: transliteration of Hebrew מֵישַׁע (Mesha); indeclinable; the king of Moab known also from the Moabite Stone (Mesha Stele), which records his own version of the revolt against the house of Omri.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativeappositive to Μωσα→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; the title 'king of Moab' identifies Mesha as a vassal-ruler subordinate to Israel until the revolt.
ΜωαβMoabgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Moab')→ participant identificationΜωαβ: transliteration of Hebrew מוֹאָב; indeclinable; the Transjordanian kingdom east of the Dead Sea, traditionally subject to Israel since David.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (predicative: 'was a sheep-master')→ descriptive imperfect (ongoing background state)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'be'; the imperfect sets the background condition of Mesha's status as a pastoralist ruler before the narrative action begins.
νωκηδsheep-master / herd-lordpredicate nominative (transliterated indeclinable noun)→ clausal contributionνωκηδ: a direct transliteration of the Hebrew technical term נֹקֵד ('sheep-breeder / owner of flocks'); indeclinable; the LXX leaves the rare professional title untranslated, the same word used of Amos (νωκηδ, Amos 1:1); it denotes a large-scale stock-breeder, here a king whose wealth lay in flocks.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέστρεφενhe used to render / kept payingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (iterative tribute-payment)→ customary imperfect (habitual past tribute)ἐπιστρέφω: lit. 'turn toward / return / bring back'; here in the sense 'render / pay back (tribute)', rendering Hebrew הֵשִׁיב ('render, pay'); the imperfect marks the habitual annual tribute Mesha used to deliver as a vassal.
τῷthe / toDativearticle (with βασιλεῖ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖto the kingDativeindirect object of ἐπέστρεφεν (recipient of tribute)→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς (dat. βασιλεῖ): the dative of the recipient; the king of Israel (Ahab, then Joram) was the overlord to whom the Moabite tribute was due.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'king of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the northern kingdom as Moab's suzerain.
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (temporal/circumstantial)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal/circumstantial).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἐπαναστάσει)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπαναστάσειuprising / revoltDativedative object of ἐν (circumstance of the tribute)→ sphere or referenceἐπανάστασις: 'rising up / insurrection / revolt'; the term frames the wool-tribute in relation to the (coming) revolt; the phrase ἐν τῇ ἐπαναστάσει situates the habitual payment against the backdrop of Moab's restiveness under Israelite rule.
ἑκατὸνa hundrednumeral (modifying χιλιάδας; indeclinable)→ measure or countἑκατόν: 'one hundred'; indeclinable cardinal; with χιλιάδας it yields the hyperbolic 'hundred thousand', stressing the vast scale of Moab's pastoral tribute.
χιλιάδαςthousandsAccusativedirect object of ἐπέστρεφεν ('a hundred thousand')→ object specificationχιλιάς: 'a thousand / group of a thousand'; renders אֶלֶף; ἑκατὸν χιλιάδας = 'a hundred thousand'; the unit of count for the lambs of the tribute.
ἀρνῶνof lambsGenitivepartitive/descriptive genitive (with χιλιάδας)→ relational specificationἀρήν (gen. pl. ἀρνῶν): 'lamb'; renders כַּר / כֶּבֶשׂ; the first commodity of the wool-tribute; the suppletive declension supplies the genitive plural ἀρνῶν.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἑκατὸνa hundrednumeral (modifying the second χιλιάδας; indeclinable)→ measure or countἑκατόν: second occurrence, with the rams; the doubled 'hundred thousand' underscores the colossal economic weight of the vassalage.
χιλιάδαςthousandsAccusativedirect object (second tribute-quantity)→ object specificationχιλιάς: second occurrence, counting the rams of the tribute.
κριῶνof ramsGenitivepartitive/descriptive genitive (with χιλιάδας)→ relational specificationκριός (gen. pl. κριῶν): 'ram'; renders אַיִל; the second commodity of the tribute, prized for both breeding-stock and wool.
ἐπὶwith / uponpreposition + genitive ('with the fleeces')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: here 'with / together with'; the phrase ἐπὶ πόκων specifies that the rams were delivered 'with their fleeces (wool)', rendering Hebrew צֶמֶר ('wool'); the tribute is essentially a wool-and-livestock levy.
πόκωνfleeces / woolGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί→ relational specificationπόκος (gen. pl. πόκων): 'fleece / shorn wool'; the wool of the rams, the valuable raw material that made the Moabite tribute so significant to Israel's economy.
5
καὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ τὸ ἀποθανεῖν Αχααβ καὶ ἠθέτησεν βασιλεὺς Μωαβ ἐν βασιλεῖ Ισραηλ
And it came to pass, after the death of Ahab, that the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel.
The temporal frame καὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ τὸ ἀποθανεῖν ('and it came to pass after the death of') is a classic LXX narrative-onset formula calquing וַיְהִי אַחֲרֵי מוֹת. Ahab's death removes the strong overlord and precipitates Moab's revolt, the inciting incident of the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (with ἐγένετο, scene-onset 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 (temporal-onset formula)→ constative aorist (narrative pivot)γίνομαι (aor. ἐγένετο): 'become / happen / come to pass'; the formula καὶ ἐγένετο renders the Hebrew narrative וַיְהִי, marking a temporal pivot into a new phase of the story.
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal, with articular infinitive)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + acc.: 'after'; with the articular infinitive τὸ ἀποθανεῖν it forms the temporal clause 'after the dying of Ahab', a standard LXX rendering of Hebrew אַחֲרֵי + infinitive construct.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing the infinitive ἀποθανεῖν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀποθανεῖνto die / the dyingAor Act Inf · ἀποθνῄσκωarticular infinitive (object of μετά: 'after the death')→ constative aorist infinitive (the completed event of death)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the articular infinitive τὸ ἀποθανεῖν functions as a verbal noun, 'the death (of Ahab)'; Ahab's demise (reported at 3 Kgdms 22) is the precondition for the revolt.
ΑχααβAhabaccusative subject of the infinitive (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑχααβ: indeclinable; as the implied subject of the infinitive ἀποθανεῖν, 'Ahab's dying'; his death loosens Israel's grip on its vassals.
καὶandapodotic καί (resuming after the temporal clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here apodotic, introducing the main clause after the καὶ ἐγένετο … temporal frame, a Hebraizing construction.
ἠθέτησενrebelled / broke faithAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀθετέωmain verb (act of rebellion)→ ingressive aorist (entered into revolt)ἀθετέω: 'set aside / annul / break faith / rebel'; renders פָּשַׁע ('rebel / transgress'); the verb denotes repudiation of a binding obligation — here Mesha's renunciation of his vassal-treaty with Israel.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of ἠθέτησεν→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: the king of Moab (Mesha) as the rebelling subject.
Μωαβof Moabgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'king of Moab')→ participant identificationΜωαβ: indeclinable; identifying the rebel as the Moabite king.
ἐνagainstpreposition + dative (object of rebellion: 'against')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with ἀθετέω the dative phrase ἐν βασιλεῖ renders the Hebrew בְּ of hostility ('rebelled against the king'); a calque of פָּשַׁע בְּ.
βασιλεῖthe kingDativedative object of ἐν (the one revolted against)→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς (dat. βασιλεῖ): the king of Israel (now Joram) against whom Moab revolts.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'king of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the suzerain power against which Moab rebels.
6
καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ιωραμ ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἐκ Σαμαρείας καὶ ἐπεσκέψατο τὸν Ισραηλ
And King Joram went out in that day from Samaria and mustered Israel.
Joram responds to the revolt with immediate mobilization: he goes out 'in that day' from his capital Samaria and musters the army. The verb ἐπεσκέψατο ('mustered / counted') is the technical term for a military census of fighting men.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (movement: setting out)→ constative aorist (single departure)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / come forth'; renders יָצָא; here of going out to war / on campaign from the capital.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of ἐξῆλθεν→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: King Joram of Israel, the subject of the mobilization.
ΙωραμJoramappositive to βασιλεύς (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωραμ: indeclinable; in apposition to ὁ βασιλεύς, naming the acting king.
ἐνin / onpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῇthe / thatDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time ('in that day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; renders יוֹם; the phrase ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ('in that day') stresses the promptness of Joram's response to the revolt.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the far demonstrative pointing back to the day of the revolt's report.
ἐκfrom / out ofpreposition + genitive (source: from Samaria)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: from Samaria).
ΣαμαρείαςSamariaGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (point of departure)→ relational specificationΣαμάρεια (gen. Σαμαρείας): 'Samaria'; renders שֹׁמְרוֹן; the capital of the northern kingdom built by Omri, declined here as a first-declension noun; Joram's base of operations.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπεσκέψατοmustered / numberedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπισκέπτομαιmain verb (military census)→ constative aorist (single act of mustering)ἐπισκέπτομαι: 'visit / inspect / muster / count'; renders פָּקַד; the technical sense here is the military census — Joram reviews and assembles the fighting men of Israel for the campaign.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Ισραηλ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙσραηλIsraelaccusative object of ἐπεσκέψατο (indeclinable, marked by τὸν)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; here standing for the muster-eligible men of the nation, the army Joram assembles.
7
καὶ ἐπορεύθη καὶ ἐξαπέστειλεν πρὸς Ιωσαφατ βασιλέα Ιουδα λέγων βασιλεὺς Μωαβ ἠθέτησεν ἐν ἐμοί εἰ πορεύσῃ μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ εἰς Μωαβ εἰς πόλεμον καὶ εἶπεν ἀναβήσομαι ὅμοιός μοι ὅμοιός σοι ὡς ὁ λαός μου ὁ λαός σου ὡς οἱ ἵπποι μου οἱ ἵπποι σου
And he went and sent to Jehoshaphat king of Judah, saying, 'The king of Moab has rebelled against me; will you go with me against Moab to war?' And he said, 'I will go up; as I am, so are you; as my people, so your people; as my horses, so your horses.'
Joram seeks an ally and dispatches an envoy to Jehoshaphat with the standard summons-to-war formula (εἰ πορεύσῃ μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ … εἰς πόλεμον). Jehoshaphat's reply is the formula of total alliance — ὅμοιός μοι ὅμοιός σοι ('as I, so you') — expressing complete identification of the two kingdoms' forces, identical to his words to Ahab at 3 Kgdms 22:4.
Word-by-word analysis· 43 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηhe wentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (movement)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go / journey / proceed'; renders הָלַךְ; the passive-deponent aorist ἐπορεύθη is the standard LXX form for 'he went'.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξαπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξαποστέλλωmain verb (dispatch of envoy)→ constative aorist (single act of sending)ἐξαποστέλλω: 'send out / dispatch'; renders שָׁלַח; here of sending a diplomatic message/envoy to the Judahite king.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of the message)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of the message).
ΙωσαφατJehoshaphataccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωσαφατ: indeclinable; the recipient of Joram's alliance-request, the godly king of Judah.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeappositive to Ιωσαφατ (accusative)→ object specificationβασιλεύς (acc. βασιλέα): 'king'; the title in apposition to the indeclinable name, here in the accusative governed by πρός.
Ιουδαof Judahgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'king of Judah')→ participant identificationΙουδα: indeclinable; the southern kingdom, Jehoshaphat's realm.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introducing direct speech)→ circumstantial present participle (Hebraistic 'saying')λέγω (ptc. λέγων): 'saying'; the participle λέγων renders Hebrew לֵאמֹר, the standard quotative marker introducing the content of the message.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of ἠθέτησεν (within direct speech)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: the king of Moab, subject of the reported rebellion.
Μωαβof Moabgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: indeclinable; 'king of Moab' = Mesha.
ἠθέτησενhas rebelledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀθετέωmain verb of reported speech (the rebellion)→ constative aorist (reporting the accomplished revolt)ἀθετέω: 'break faith / rebel'; the same verb as v. 5, here in Joram's own report of the revolt to Jehoshaphat; ἠθέτησεν ἐν ἐμοί = 'has rebelled against me'.
ἐνagainstpreposition + dative (object of rebellion)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with ἀθετέω, 'against me', calquing פָּשַׁע בְּ.
ἐμοίmeDativedative object of ἐν (the one rebelled against)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. ἐμοί): the emphatic first-person pronoun; Joram presents the revolt as a personal affront.
εἰwhether / willinterrogative particle (introducing direct question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if / whether'; here introducing a direct interrogative request, a Hebraism (the Hebrew interrogative הֲ); 'will you go with me?'
πορεύσῃyou will goFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · πορεύομαιverb of the interrogative request→ deliberative/future (request for commitment)πορεύομαι (fut. πορεύσῃ): 'go'; the future in the question functions as a request for the ally's commitment to join the campaign.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of μετά (accompaniment)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. ἐμοῦ): 'me'; 'with me' — the request for joint campaigning.
εἰςagainstpreposition + accusative (direction/target)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction/target).
ΜωαβMoabaccusative object of εἰς (the target territory; indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: indeclinable; the destination of the campaign, the land of Moab.
εἰςfor / topreposition + accusative (purpose: 'for war')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: 'for war').
πόλεμονwar / battleAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose of the expedition)→ object specificationπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; renders מִלְחָמָה; εἰς πόλεμον = 'to war', specifying the warlike purpose of the joint expedition.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing Jehoshaphat's reply)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction: Jehoshaphat's answer)→ constative aoristλέγω: here introducing Jehoshaphat's affirmative reply to the alliance-request.
ἀναβήσομαιI will go upFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb of reply (commitment to the campaign)→ volitive future (declaration of intent)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; renders עָלָה; the verb of 'going up' to battle; Jehoshaphat's ἀναβήσομαι is his pledge to join the expedition.
ὅμοιόςlikeNominativepredicate adjective (alliance formula: 'I am as you')→ participant prominenceὅμοιος: 'like / similar'; the formula ὅμοιός μοι ὅμοιός σοι ('as I, so you') renders כָּמוֹנִי כָמוֹךָ, expressing total mutual identification of the allies — Jehoshaphat places himself and his resources entirely at Joram's disposal.
μοιto meDativedative of comparison (with ὅμοιος)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. μοι): the enclitic dative governed by ὅμοιος ('like me').
ὅμοιόςlikeNominativepredicate adjective (second member of the formula)→ participant prominenceὅμοιος: the second occurrence completing the reciprocal 'as I, so you' formula of full alliance.
σοιto youDativedative of comparison (with ὅμοιος)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): the enclitic dative governed by ὅμοιος ('like you').
ὡςascomparative particle ('as … so')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; the comparative ὡς … (so) clauses extend the alliance-formula to people and cavalry.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόςpeopleNominativesubject of the elided comparison ('my people as your people')→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; here the armies/populace of the two kingdoms, declared interchangeable in the alliance.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession ('my people')→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('my people').
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόςpeopleNominativepredicate of comparison ('your people')→ participant prominenceλαός: meaning 'people'; it serves as predicate of comparison ('your people').
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession ('your people')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('your people').
ὡςascomparative particle ('as … so')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: meaning 'as'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἵπποι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἵπποιhorsesNominativesubject of the elided comparison ('my horses')→ participant prominenceἵππος (pl. ἵπποι): 'horse'; here the cavalry/chariotry; the final term of the alliance-formula pledges even the military mounts to the common cause.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession ('my horses')→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('my horses').
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἵπποι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἵπποιhorsesNominativepredicate of comparison ('your horses')→ participant prominenceἵπποι: meaning 'horses'; it serves as predicate of comparison ('your horses').
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession ('your horses')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('your horses').
8
καὶ εἶπεν ποίᾳ ὁδῷ ἀναβῶ καὶ εἶπεν ὁδὸν ἔρημον Εδωμ
And he said, 'By which way shall we go up?' And he said, 'By the way of the wilderness of Edom.'
A brief question-and-answer determines the campaign route. The choice of the ὁδὸν ἔρημον Εδωμ ('wilderness road of Edom') — a circuitous southern approach skirting the Dead Sea — both draws Edom in as a third ally (v. 9) and sets up the waterless crisis that drives the rest of the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction: the question)→ constative aoristλέγω: introducing Joram's (or Jehoshaphat's) question about the route.
ποίᾳby which / whatDativeinterrogative adjective (modifying ὁδῷ)→ sphere or referenceποῖος: 'what kind of / which'; the interrogative adjective ποίᾳ ὁδῷ ('by which way?') asks for the route of ascent; renders the Hebrew interrogative אֵי־זֶה דֶּרֶךְ.
ὁδῷway / roadDativedative of route ('by which way')→ sphere or referenceὁδός: 'way / road / journey'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; the dative of the way-by-which, asking which route the campaign should take.
ἀναβῶshall I/we go upAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ἀναβαίνωdeliberative subjunctive (in the question)→ deliberative aorist subjunctive ('which way are we to go up?')ἀναβαίνω (aor. subj. ἀναβῶ): 'go up'; the deliberative subjunctive deliberates the route of the military ascent against Moab.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the answer)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction: the answer)→ constative aoristλέγω: introducing the reply that names the route.
ὁδὸνthe wayAccusativeaccusative of route (answer: 'by the way')→ object specificationὁδός (acc. ὁδόν): 'way / road'; the accusative of the route taken; the answer specifies the wilderness road of Edom.
ἔρημονwilderness / desertAccusativeattributive (with ὁδόν: 'the wilderness way')→ object specificationἔρημος: 'desert / wilderness'; renders מִדְבָּר; ὁδὸν ἔρημον Εδωμ = 'the way of the wilderness of Edom', the southern desert approach to Moab via Edomite territory.
Εδωμof Edomgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Edom')→ participant identificationΕδωμ: transliteration of Hebrew אֱדוֹם; indeclinable; the territory south of the Dead Sea, through whose wilderness the coalition will approach Moab from the south.
9
καὶ ἐπορεύθη ὁ βασιλεὺς Ισραηλ καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς Ιουδα καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς Εδωμ καὶ ἐκύκλωσαν ὁδὸν ἑπτὰ ἡμερῶν καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὕδωρ τῇ παρεμβολῇ καὶ τοῖς κτήνεσιν τοῖς ἐν τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτῶν
And the king of Israel went, and the king of Judah, and the king of Edom, and they made a circuit of seven days' journey; and there was no water for the camp and for the cattle that were at their feet.
The three kings set out together; the seven-day circuit (ὁδὸν ἑπτὰ ἡμερῶν) through the Edomite desert produces the chapter's central crisis: οὐκ ἦν ὕδωρ ('there was no water'). The waterless army is the problem the prophetic oracle will resolve, making the thirst both a logistical and a theological hinge.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 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 (singular verb with compound subject)→ constative aorist (the joint setting-out)πορεύομαι (aor. ἐπορεύθη): 'go / march'; the singular verb agreeing with the first of the three coordinated royal subjects, a common Hebraizing concord pattern.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (first of three kings)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: the king of Israel, Joram, first-named of the three-king coalition.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the northern kingdom.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (second king)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, second of the coalition.
Ιουδαof Judahgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙουδα: indeclinable; the southern kingdom.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (third king)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: the king of Edom, the third ally, a vassal of Judah drawn into the campaign by the southern route.
Εδωμof Edomgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΕδωμ: indeclinable; the Edomite territory and its king, the third member of the coalition.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκύκλωσανthey circled / made a circuitAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κυκλόωmain verb (the circuitous march; plural with the compound subject)→ constative aoristκυκλόω: 'encircle / go around / make a circuit'; renders סָבַב; the kings 'went round about' by a roundabout desert route, the indirect southern approach to Moab; the plural now agrees with all three subjects together.
ὁδὸνa journey / wayAccusativecognate/extent accusative ('a way of seven days')→ object specificationὁδός (acc. ὁδόν): 'way / journey'; ὁδὸν ἑπτὰ ἡμερῶν = 'a seven days' journey', an accusative of extent measuring the length of the circuitous march.
ἑπτὰsevennumeral (modifying ἡμερῶν; indeclinable)→ measure or countἑπτά: 'seven'; indeclinable cardinal; the seven days' length stresses the wearying remoteness of the desert route, accounting for the failure of the water supply.
ἡμερῶνof daysGenitivegenitive of measure (with ὁδόν: 'journey of days')→ relational specificationἡμέρα (gen. pl. ἡμερῶν): 'day'; the descriptive genitive measuring the journey's duration.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the crisis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegation (with ἦν)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (existential: 'there was no')→ descriptive imperfect (the prevailing crisis-state)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): existential 'there was'; οὐκ ἦν ὕδωρ ('there was no water') states the crisis that drives the central episode.
ὕδωρwaterNominativesubject of ἦν (existential)→ participant prominenceὕδωρ: 'water'; renders מַיִם; the keyword of the chapter — its absence here (v. 9) is reversed by the miraculous provision of vv. 17, 20, 22.
τῇfor theDativearticle (with παρεμβολῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῇcamp / armyDativedative of advantage ('for the camp')→ sphere or referenceπαρεμβολή: 'encampment / army in the field'; renders מַחֲנֶה; the dative of advantage marks the army-camp as the party deprived of water.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῖςfor theDativearticle (with κτήνεσιν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτήνεσινcattle / beastsDativedative of advantage ('for the cattle')→ sphere or referenceκτῆνος (dat. pl. κτήνεσιν): 'beast / pack-animal / cattle'; renders בְּהֵמָה; the baggage- and war-animals, equally imperilled by the lack of water.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (attributive, with the following prepositional phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνat / amongpreposition + dative (locative idiom)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with ποσίν, the idiom τοῖς ἐν τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτῶν ('those at their feet') renders the Hebrew אֲשֶׁר בְּרַגְלֵיהֶם, a phrase for the animals/followers that accompany an army on the march.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ποσίν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποσὶνfeetDativedative object of ἐν ('at the feet')→ sphere or referenceπούς (dat. pl. ποσίν): 'foot'; the Hebraism 'at their feet' (בְּרַגְלֵיהֶם) denotes the train of beasts that followed the army on foot.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession ('their feet')→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): 'their'; referring to the soldiers whose accompanying animals went 'at their feet'.
10
καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ισραηλ ὦ ὅτι κέκληκεν κύριος τοὺς τρεῖς βασιλεῖς παρερχομένους δοῦναι αὐτοὺς ἐν χειρὶ Μωαβ
And the king of Israel said, 'Alas! For the LORD has called the three kings to pass by, to give them into the hand of Moab.'
Joram's despairing interjection ὦ ('alas / O!') frames the water-crisis theologically: he reads it as YHWH's deliberate summoning of the three kings only to abandon them to Moab. This fatalistic misreading sets up the corrective of Elisha's oracle and is nearly echoed back by Joram himself at v. 13.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introducing Joram's lament over the crisis.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: Joram of Israel, the speaker of the despairing oracle-of-doom.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; 'king of Israel'.
ὦalas / O!interjection (exclamation of dismay)→ participant referenceὦ: the exclamatory interjection, here a cry of dismay ('alas!'); it renders the Hebrew exclamatory אֲהָהּ, voicing Joram's despair at the waterless predicament.
ὅτιfor / thatcausal/explanatory conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for / that'; here introducing the ground of the lament — the (mis)perception that YHWH has summoned the kings to their doom.
κέκληκενhas called / summonedPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb of the ὅτι-clause→ resultative perfect (a standing summons with present effect)καλέω (perf. κέκληκεν): 'call / summon'; renders קָרָא; the perfect stresses the abiding effect of the calling — Joram believes YHWH has positively convened the three kings for the purpose of handing them to Moab.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of κέκληκεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; Joram attributes the disastrous summons to YHWH himself, a fatalistic theology the prophet will overturn.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλεῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρεῖςthreeAccusativenumeral (modifying βασιλεῖς)→ measure or countτρεῖς: 'three'; the declinable cardinal (acc. τρεῖς); the 'three kings' are Joram, Jehoshaphat, and the king of Edom, jointly imperilled.
βασιλεῖςkingsAccusativedirect object of κέκληκεν→ object specificationβασιλεύς (acc. pl. βασιλεῖς): the three allied kings, object of the divine 'summons' Joram laments.
παρερχομένουςpassing byPres Mid Ptc Acc Pl Masc · παρέρχομαιcircumstantial participle (modifying βασιλεῖς)→ verbal action or stateπαρέρχομαι: 'pass by / pass along'; the participle describes the three kings as 'passing through' (the desert) — i.e. on the march; the LXX here represents a Hebrew text whose sense is debated, but the Greek presents the kings as travellers caught in the trap.
δοῦναιto giveAor Act Inf · δίδωμιinfinitive of purpose (with κέκληκεν: 'called … to give')→ purpose aorist infinitiveδίδωμι (aor. inf. δοῦναι): 'give / hand over'; the infinitive of purpose expresses the dreaded goal Joram imputes to YHWH — to deliver the kings into enemy hands.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of δοῦναι (the three kings)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. αὐτούς): 'them'; the three kings as the objects to be 'given' into Moab's power.
ἐνintopreposition + dative (Hebraism: 'into the hand of')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with χειρί the idiom ἐν χειρὶ Μωαβ ('into the hand of Moab') renders בְּיַד מוֹאָב, a Hebraism for being given over to an enemy's power.
χειρὶhandDativedative object of ἐν (idiom of power)→ sphere or referenceχείρ (dat. χειρί): 'hand'; the standard metonym for power/control; 'into the hand of Moab' = under Moab's defeating power.
Μωαβof Moabgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'hand of Moab')→ participant identificationΜωαβ: indeclinable; the enemy into whose hand Joram fears deliverance.
11
καὶ εἶπεν Ιωσαφατ οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε προφήτης τοῦ κυρίου καὶ ἐπιζητήσωμεν τὸν κύριον παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπεκρίθη εἷς τῶν παίδων βασιλέως Ισραηλ καὶ εἶπεν ὧδε Ελισαιε υἱὸς Σαφατ ὃς ἐπέχεεν ὕδωρ ἐπὶ χεῖρας Ηλιου
And Jehoshaphat said, 'Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?' And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, 'Here is Elisha son of Shaphat, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.'
Against Joram's fatalism, the pious Jehoshaphat seeks a προφήτης τοῦ κυρίου to inquire of YHWH — his characteristic move (cf. 3 Kgdms 22:7). A servant identifies Elisha by the memorable attendant's idiom 'who poured water on the hands of Elijah', marking him as Elijah's personal successor.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introducing Jehoshaphat's counter-proposal.
ΙωσαφατJehoshaphatsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωσαφατ: indeclinable; the godly Judahite king who insists on consulting YHWH.
οὐκnotnegation (in a question expecting affirmation)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: the negative in the question οὐκ ἔστιν ὧδε …; ('Is there not here …?') expects a positive answer — surely there is a prophet.
ἔστινis therePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (existential, in question)→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: existential 'is there'; the accented ἔστιν marks existence ('there exists').
ὧδεhereadverb of place→ clausal contributionὧδε: 'here / in this place'; renders פֹּה; asking whether a prophet is present in the camp.
προφήτηςprophetNominativesubject of ἔστιν→ participant prominenceπροφήτης: 'prophet / spokesman'; renders נָבִיא; a προφήτης τοῦ κυρίου is the authorized channel for inquiring of YHWH, contrasting with the prophets of Baal.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with κυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive (possessive: 'a prophet of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; 'a prophet belonging to / speaking for YHWH'.
καὶthat / andcoordinating conjunction with hortatory force ('that we may')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here linking to the hortatory subjunctive ἐπιζητήσωμεν with purpose-like force ('… so that we may inquire').
ἐπιζητήσωμενlet us inquire / seekAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἐπιζητέωhortatory subjunctive (purpose of seeking the prophet)→ hortatory aorist subjunctive ('let us seek')ἐπιζητέω: 'seek after / inquire of / consult'; the compound ἐπι- intensifies; renders דָּרַשׁ ('seek / consult an oracle'); 'let us inquire of the LORD through him'.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with κύριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριονthe LORDAccusativedirect object of ἐπιζητήσωμεν→ object specificationκύριος (acc. κύριον): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the object of the oracular inquiry — to 'seek the LORD' is to consult him through his prophet.
παρ᾿by / frompreposition + genitive (agency/source, elided)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + gen.: 'from / by the side of'; παρ᾿ αὐτοῦ = 'through him / from his side', the prophet as the medium of the inquiry.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of παρά (the prophet as medium)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'him'; the prophet through whom the LORD is to be consulted.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (response of the servant)→ constative aoristἀποκρίνομαι (aor. ἀπεκρίθη): 'answer / reply'; renders עָנָה; the passive-deponent aorist is the standard LXX form for 'he answered'.
εἷςoneNominativesubject of ἀπεκρίθη (numeral as substantive: 'one of')→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; the declinable cardinal (nom. εἷς), here substantival 'one (of the servants)', renders אֶחָד.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (partitive, with παίδων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παίδωνservants / attendantsGenitivepartitive genitive ('one of the servants')→ relational specificationπαῖς (gen. pl. παίδων): 'servant / attendant / young man'; renders עֶבֶד / נַעַר; one of the royal retinue, who happens to know of Elisha's whereabouts.
βασιλέωςof the kingGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying παίδων)→ relational specificationβασιλεύς (gen. βασιλέως): 'king'; the servant belongs to the king of Israel's household.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; 'king of Israel'.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introducing the servant's identification of Elisha.
ὧδεhere isadverb of place (presentative: 'here is')→ clausal contributionὧδε: 'here'; the presentative use 'here (is) Elisha' announces the prophet's availability with the army.
ΕλισαιεElishapredicate nominative (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: transliteration of Hebrew אֱלִישָׁע ('God is salvation'); treated as indeclinable in this chapter (invariant -ε form throughout, vv. 11, 13, 14); the prophetic successor of Elijah, the chapter's pivotal figure.
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositive to Ελισαιε (patronymic)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the patronymic 'son of Shaphat' is Elisha's fixed identifier (cf. 3 Kgdms 19:16).
ΣαφατShaphatgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαφατ: transliteration of Hebrew שָׁפָט; indeclinable; the father of Elisha, named only in the patronymic.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐπέχεεν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; introducing the identifying clause that marks Elisha as Elijah's intimate attendant.
ἐπέχεενpouredImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιχέωverb of relative clause (Elisha's customary service to Elijah)→ customary imperfect (his habitual attendant-service)ἐπιχέω: 'pour upon / pour over'; the idiom 'who poured water on the hands of Elijah' (ἐπέχεεν ὕδωρ ἐπὶ χεῖρας Ηλιου) denotes the personal-servant role of washing a master's hands — the LXX's vivid way of identifying Elisha as Elijah's intimate disciple and designated successor.
ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of ἐπέχεεν→ object specificationὕδωρ: 'water'; here the water poured for hand-washing; a quietly ironic keyword — the man who served water to Elijah will now command water for an army.
ἐπὶon / uponpreposition + accusative (direction: 'upon the hands')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: 'upon the hands').
χεῖραςhandsAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί ('on the hands')→ object specificationχείρ (acc. pl. χεῖρας): 'hand'; the hands of Elijah onto which Elisha poured water — the gesture of an attendant serving his master.
Ηλιουof ElijahGenitivegenitive of possession ('the hands of Elijah')→ relational specificationΗλιας (gen. Ηλιου): 'Elijah'; transliteration of Hebrew אֵלִיָּהוּ ('YHWH is my God'); a declinable name (gen. Ηλιου); the great prophet whose mantle has passed to Elisha (4 Kgdms 2).
12
καὶ εἶπεν Ιωσαφατ ἔστιν αὐτῷ ῥῆμα κυρίου καὶ κατέβη πρὸς αὐτὸν βασιλεὺς Ισραηλ καὶ Ιωσαφατ βασιλεὺς Ιουδα καὶ βασιλεὺς Εδωμ
And Jehoshaphat said, 'The word of the LORD is with him.' And the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah and the king of Edom went down to him.
Jehoshaphat endorses the recommendation — ἔστιν αὐτῷ ῥῆμα κυρίου ('the word of the LORD is with him') — affirming Elisha's prophetic authenticity. The three kings then descend together to consult him, the verb κατέβη ('went down') marking the deference of royalty seeking the prophet rather than summoning him.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introducing Jehoshaphat's endorsement of Elisha.
ΙωσαφατJehoshaphatsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωσαφατ: indeclinable; the discerning king who recognizes a true prophet.
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (existential: 'there is with him')→ verbal action or stateεἰμί: 'is'; ἔστιν αὐτῷ ('there is to him / he has') is the possessive dative idiom — 'he has the word of the LORD'.
αὐτῷwith him / to himDativedative of possession (with ἔστιν: 'he has')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): the dative of possession; 'the word of the LORD belongs to / is with him', affirming Elisha as a genuine oracle-bearer.
ῥῆμαwordNominativesubject of ἔστιν→ participant prominenceῥῆμα: 'word / utterance / thing'; renders דָּבָר; 'the word of the LORD' (ῥῆμα κυρίου) is the prophetic message; its presence 'with him' validates Elisha's authority to give the oracle.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive (source: 'the LORD's word')→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the divine source of the prophetic word.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέβηwent downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (singular with compound subject)→ constative aoristκαταβαίνω: 'go down / descend'; renders יָרַד; the kings 'go down' to the prophet — the deferential movement of rulers seeking out a man of God, the inverse of summoning.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Elisha)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. αὐτόν): 'him'; Elisha, to whom the kings descend.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (first of three)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: the king of Israel, first-named subject of κατέβη.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; 'king of Israel'.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωσαφατJehoshaphatsubject (second king, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωσαφατ: indeclinable; named explicitly among the descending kings.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativeappositive to Ιωσαφατ→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king of Judah', in apposition to Jehoshaphat.
Ιουδαof Judahgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙουδα: indeclinable; the southern kingdom.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject (third king)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: the king of Edom, third of the descending kings.
Εδωμof Edomgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΕδωμ: indeclinable; the Edomite king completing the trio.
13
καὶ εἶπεν Ελισαιε πρὸς βασιλέα Ισραηλ τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί δεῦρο πρὸς τοὺς προφήτας τοῦ πατρός σου καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ βασιλεὺς Ισραηλ μή ὅτι κέκληκεν κύριος τοὺς τρεῖς βασιλεῖς τοῦ παραδοῦναι αὐτοὺς εἰς χεῖρας Μωαβ
And Elisha said to the king of Israel, 'What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father!' And the king of Israel said to him, 'No—for the LORD has called the three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.'
Elisha greets Joram with the dismissive idiom τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί ('what to me and to you?') and sends him to the Baal-prophets 'of your father (and mother)' — a pointed jibe at the Omride apostasy. Joram, however, repeats his fatalistic conviction (echoing v. 10) that YHWH has gathered the kings for destruction, exposing his despair before the prophet.
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introducing Elisha's confrontational address to Joram.
ΕλισαιεElishasubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: indeclinable; the prophet, now confronting the king who has come to him.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationβασιλεύς (acc. βασιλέα): the king of Israel, addressed by the prophet.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; 'king of Israel'.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (in the idiom τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί)→ participant referenceτίς (n. τί): interrogative 'what?'; the idiom τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί ('what to me and to you?') renders the Hebrew מַה־לִּי וָלָךְ, a formula of dissociation: 'what have we in common? leave me out of it'.
ἐμοὶto meDativedative in the idiom (interest)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. ἐμοί): 'to me'; the first member of the dissociation-formula.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (within the idiom)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σοίto youDativedative in the idiom (interest)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοί): 'to you'; the second member; the whole expresses Elisha's refusal to be associated with the apostate king.
δεῦροgo / comeadverbial imperative-interjection ('go!')→ clausal contributionδεῦρο: 'here / come (hither)!'; used as a hortatory interjection; here ironically dismissive — 'off with you to the prophets of your father (the Baal-prophets)'.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with προφήτας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προφήταςprophetsAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationπροφήτης (acc. pl. προφήτας): 'prophets'; here the Baal- and Asherah-prophets patronized by Ahab and Jezebel; Elisha's gibe sends Joram back to his parents' false prophets.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with πατρός)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρόςfatherGenitivegenitive of possession ('your father's prophets')→ relational specificationπατήρ (gen. πατρός): 'father'; Ahab; the phrase 'prophets of your father' brands them as instruments of Omride apostasy, sharpening the prophet's rebuke.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession ('your father')→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your'; 'the prophets of your father and of your mother', i.e. Ahab and Jezebel.
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: Joram's reply)→ constative aoristλέγω: introducing Joram's protest.
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (to Elisha)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): 'to him'; Elisha, to whom Joram replies.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: Joram of Israel, who answers the prophet's rebuff.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; 'king of Israel'.
μήno / not sonegation (here as a protesting interjection: 'no!')→ clausal qualification or emphasisμή: the negative particle; here functioning as an exclamatory protest ('no, do not say so!') — Joram pleads against Elisha's dismissal, insisting on the gravity of the crisis.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introducing Joram's reason: the LORD has summoned the kings to destruction.
κέκληκενhas calledPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb of the ὅτι-clause→ resultative perfect (abiding summons)καλέω (perf. κέκληκεν): 'call / summon'; Joram repeats almost verbatim his lament of v. 10, the perfect again stressing the standing effect of the (mis)perceived divine summons.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of κέκληκεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the agent Joram blames for the kings' plight.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλεῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρεῖςthreeAccusativenumeral (modifying βασιλεῖς)→ measure or countτρεῖς: 'three'; the declinable cardinal; the three allied kings.
βασιλεῖςkingsAccusativedirect object of κέκληκεν→ object specificationβασιλεύς (acc. pl. βασιλεῖς): the three kings.
τοῦtoGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive of purpose)→ noun-phrase markingὁ (gen. τοῦ): the genitive article with the infinitive παραδοῦναι forms a purpose construction ('in order to give over'), a frequent LXX idiom.
παραδοῦναιto give over / deliverAor Act Inf · παραδίδωμιarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)→ purpose aorist infinitiveπαραδίδωμι (aor. inf. παραδοῦναι): 'hand over / deliver up / betray'; the compound παρα- intensifies; renders נָתַן בְּיַד; the dreaded purpose Joram imputes to YHWH — to surrender the kings to Moab.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of παραδοῦναι→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. αὐτούς): 'them'; the three kings as the ones to be handed over.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (Hebraism: 'into the hands of')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: with χεῖρας the idiom εἰς χεῖρας Μωαβ ('into the hands of Moab') renders בְּיַד מוֹאָב, equivalent to the ἐν χειρί of v. 10.
χεῖραςhandsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom of power)→ object specificationχείρ (acc. pl. χεῖρας): 'hand(s)'; the metonym for hostile power; 'into the hands of Moab'.
Μωαβof Moabgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: indeclinable; the enemy power feared by Joram.
14
καὶ εἶπεν Ελισαιε ζῇ κύριος τῶν δυνάμεων ᾧ παρέστην ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ ὅτι εἰ μὴ πρόσωπον Ιωσαφατ βασιλέως Ιουδα ἐγὼ λαμβάνω εἰ ἐπέβλεψα πρὸς σὲ καὶ εἶδόν σε
And Elisha said, 'As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for the person of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you or see you.'
Elisha answers with the solemn oath-formula ζῇ κύριος ('as the LORD lives'), invoking κύριος τῶν δυνάμεων ('the LORD of hosts') before whom he stands as servant. His concession is grudging: only out of regard for the godly Jehoshaphat will he so much as look at the apostate Joram — an emphatic Hebraic oath using εἰ to introduce the strong negative apodosis ('I would surely not').
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introducing Elisha's oath.
ΕλισαιεElishasubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: indeclinable; the prophet swearing the oath.
ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb of the oath-formula→ gnomic/asseverative present (oath-formula)ζάω (3 sg. ζῇ): 'live'; the oath-formula ζῇ κύριος ('as the LORD lives') renders חַי יהוה, the standard Hebrew asseveration invoking YHWH's living reality as guarantor of the speaker's word.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ζῇ (the divine guarantor of the oath)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the living God by whom Elisha swears.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with δυνάμεων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δυνάμεωνof hosts / powersGenitivegenitive (attributive title: 'LORD of hosts')→ relational specificationδύναμις (gen. pl. δυνάμεων): 'power / host / army'; κύριος τῶν δυνάμεων renders יהוה צְבָאוֹת ('LORD of hosts'), the martial divine title fitting the war-context; YHWH commands the heavenly armies.
ᾧbefore whomDativerelative pronoun (dative with παρέστην)→ participant reference or interestὅς (dat. ᾧ): relative pronoun; 'whom I stand before' — the dative governed by παρίστημι; the redundant resumptive αὐτοῦ that follows is a Hebraism.
παρέστηνI stand / have stoodAor Act Indic 1 Sg · παρίστημιverb of relative clause (Elisha's standing as servant)→ resultative/perfective aorist ('I have taken my stand and so stand')παρίστημι (aor. παρέστην): 'stand beside / present oneself / serve'; the idiom 'before whom I stand' (παρέστην ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ) denotes prophetic/priestly service in attendance on YHWH (cf. 3 Kgdms 17:1, of Elijah); it asserts Elisha's authentic prophetic standing.
ἐνώπιονbefore / in the presence ofpreposition + genitive (Hebraism: 'in the presence of')→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the sight of'; Hebraism rendering לִפְנֵי; reinforces the relative ᾧ in the resumptive Hebraic construction.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον (resumptive pronoun, Hebraism)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): the resumptive pronoun after the relative ᾧ ('whom … before him'), a calque of the Hebrew resumptive suffix.
ὅτιthat / surelyconjunction introducing the oath's content→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introducing the substance of the sworn statement that follows.
εἰif / were it notconditional particle (with μή: 'were it not for')→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; with μή it forms εἰ μή ('were it not for / except'), introducing the sole exception (regard for Jehoshaphat) to Elisha's refusal.
μὴnotnegation (with εἰ: 'were it not')→ clausal qualification or emphasisμή: with εἰ in the exceptive construction εἰ μή; the condition on which alone Elisha will deign to act.
πρόσωπονperson / faceAccusativedirect object of λαμβάνω ('regard the person of')→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / person / presence'; the idiom πρόσωπον λαμβάνω ('lift / receive the face') renders נָשָׂא פָנִים ('show regard / partiality'); Elisha acts only out of deference to Jehoshaphat's face/person.
ΙωσαφατJehoshaphatgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'person of Jehoshaphat')→ participant identificationΙωσαφατ: indeclinable; the godly king whose presence alone earns Elisha's cooperation.
βασιλέωςkingGenitiveappositive to Ιωσαφατ (genitive)→ relational specificationβασιλεύς (gen. βασιλέως): 'king of Judah', in apposition to Jehoshaphat.
Ιουδαof Judahgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙουδα: indeclinable; the southern kingdom.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun (with λαμβάνω)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic first-person pronoun underscores the prophet's personal stance: it is 'I' who would otherwise pay the apostate king no heed.
λαμβάνωI regard / take account ofPres Act Indic 1 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (with πρόσωπον: 'regard the person')→ gnomic present (Elisha's standing disposition)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; in the idiom πρόσωπον λαμβάνω = 'show regard / respect the person'; only Jehoshaphat's worth tips Elisha toward cooperation.
εἰsurely not (oath-negation)oath-particle (Hebraism: εἰ in an oath = strong negation)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: in oath-contexts the Hebrew אִם after an oath functions as an emphatic negative ('surely not'); the LXX calques it with εἰ; thus εἰ ἐπέβλεψα = 'I would certainly not look at you'.
ἐπέβλεψαI would look atAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐπιβλέπωmain verb (apodosis of the oath; negated by εἰ)→ oath-aorist (emphatic denial of action)ἐπιβλέπω: 'look upon / regard / pay attention to'; the compound ἐπι- = 'look toward'; in the oath ('I would surely not look at you'), it conveys Elisha's contempt — apart from Jehoshaphat he would not even acknowledge Joram.
πρὸςat / towardpreposition + accusative (direction of looking)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of looking).
σὲyouAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Joram)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σέ): 'you'; the apostate Joram, on whom Elisha would not deign to look.
καὶor / andcoordinate conjunction (linking the parallel oath-verb)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδόνI would see / noticeAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (second oath-verb, negated)→ oath-aorist (emphatic denial)ὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see / perceive / notice'; paired with ἐπέβλεψα to intensify the contempt — 'I would neither look at you nor (even) notice you'.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of εἶδόν→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σε): 'you'; the enclitic accusative, again Joram.
15
καὶ νυνὶ δὲ λαβέ μοι ψάλλοντα καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἔψαλλεν ὁ ψάλλων καὶ ἐγένετο ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν χεὶρ κυρίου
'But now, bring me a minstrel.' And it came to pass, as the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.
Elisha calls for a ψάλλων ('one who plays a stringed instrument') to induce the prophetic state; as the music sounds, the χεὶρ κυρίου ('hand of the LORD') comes upon him — the technical idiom for prophetic inspiration (cf. Ezek 1:3; 3:14). The music-and-Spirit motif (cf. 1 Kgdms 10:5) prepares the oracle that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶand / butconjunction (with νυνὶ δέ, transitional)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νυνὶnowtemporal adverb (transition to action)→ clausal contributionνυνί: emphatic form of νῦν, 'now'; renders עַתָּה; marks the shift from oath to practical command — 'but now (to business)'.
δὲbut / andmild adversative/transitional (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive particle; with νυνί it marks the transition from refusal to compliance.
λαβέbring / takeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (imperative command)→ ingressive aorist imperativeλαμβάνω (aor. impv. λαβέ): 'take / fetch / bring'; the command to procure a musician; renders קַח.
μοιfor meDativedative of advantage ('bring me')→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. μοι): 'for me / to me'; the beneficiary of the command.
ψάλλονταa minstrel / one who playsPres Act Ptc Acc Sg Masc · ψάλλωsubstantival participle (direct object of λαβέ)→ verbal action or stateψάλλω (ptc. ψάλλοντα): 'pluck / play a stringed instrument / sing to the harp'; the substantival participle 'a player / minstrel'; instrumental music as the catalyst of prophetic inspiration.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (with ἐγένετο, scene-onset)→ 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 (temporal-onset formula)→ constative aoristγίνομαι (aor. ἐγένετο): the καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς … formula renders וַיְהִי כְּ ('and it happened as …'), framing the moment of inspiration.
ὡςas / whentemporal conjunction ('as / while')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / when / while'; temporal, marking the simultaneity of the music and the prophetic seizure.
ἔψαλλενwas playingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ψάλλωverb of temporal clause (ongoing action)→ progressive imperfect ('while he was playing')ψάλλω (impf. ἔψαλλεν): the imperfect depicts the music as continuously sounding when the hand of the LORD descended — the playing accompanies the inspiration.
ὁtheNominativearticle (substantivizing ψάλλων)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψάλλωνminstrel / playerPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ψάλλωsubstantival participle (subject of ἔψαλλεν)→ verbal action or stateψάλλω (ptc. ψάλλων): 'the one playing / the minstrel'; the same root as λαβέ … ψάλλοντα, now as the subject — the musician whose playing triggers the oracle.
καὶand / thatapodotic καί (main clause after the temporal frame)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic, introducing the main event after καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς …, a Hebraism.
ἐγένετοcameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (the descent of the divine hand)→ ingressive aorist (the onset of inspiration)γίνομαι (aor. ἐγένετο): here 'came (upon)' — the inspiration-event; ἐγένετο ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν χεὶρ κυρίου renders וַתְּהִי עָלָיו יַד־יהוה.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + accusative (direction: 'upon him', elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: 'upon him', elided).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (Elisha)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. αὐτόν): 'him'; Elisha, upon whom the hand of the LORD comes.
χεὶρhandNominativesubject of ἐγένετο→ participant prominenceχείρ (nom. χείρ): 'hand'; the idiom χεὶρ κυρίου ('the hand of the LORD') denotes the empowering, inspiring presence of YHWH coming upon the prophet (cf. Ezek 1:3; 3 Kgdms 18:46).
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession ('the LORD's hand')→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the divine source of the prophetic inspiration.
16
καὶ εἶπεν τάδε λέγει κύριος ποιήσατε τὸν χειμάρρουν τοῦτον βοθύνους βοθύνους
And he said, 'Thus says the LORD: Make this wadi full of trenches upon trenches.'
The oracle opens with the messenger-formula τάδε λέγει κύριος ('thus says the LORD'). The command is to turn the wadi-bed into a mass of pits; the Hebraizing distributive repetition βοθύνους βοθύνους ('trenches, trenches' = 'trench after trench / full of trenches') renders the Hebrew גֵּבִים גֵּבִים, an emphatic plural of multiplicity.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introducing the inspired oracle of Elisha.
τάδεthus / these thingsAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of λέγει: content of the oracle)→ participant referenceὅδε (n. pl. τάδε): 'these things'; the formula τάδε λέγει κύριος renders כֹּה אָמַר יהוה, the standard prophetic messenger-formula introducing direct divine speech.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of the messenger-formula (historic present)→ historic present (vivid citation of the divine word)λέγω (pres. λέγει): the present in the citation-formula presents the divine word as immediately authoritative — 'thus the LORD says'.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of λέγει (the divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the true source of the oracle, in contrast to Joram's misreading of the divine intent.
ποιήσατεmakeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb of the oracle (plural imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (a decisive command)ποιέω (aor. impv. 2 pl. ποιήσατε): 'make / do'; the plural addresses the army; the command is to convert the dry wadi-bed into a field of trenches to catch the coming water.
τὸνthe / thisAccusativearticle (with χειμάρρουν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειμάρρουνwadi / torrent-bedAccusativedirect object of ποιήσατε→ object specificationχείμαρρος / χειμάρρους: 'winter-torrent / wadi'; renders נַחַל; a seasonal streambed, dry in summer but liable to flash-flooding — exactly the watercourse that will fill miraculously.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying χειμάρρουν)→ participant referenceοὗτος (acc. τοῦτον): 'this'; deictic, pointing to the specific wadi before them.
βοθύνουςtrenches / pitsAccusativepredicate/object complement (result: 'make it [into] trenches')→ object specificationβόθυνος: 'pit / trench / hollow'; renders גֵּב; the predicate accusative of result — the wadi is to be made 'into trenches'; the doubled form is a Hebraizing distributive.
βοθύνουςtrenches / pitsAccusativedistributive repetition (Hebraism: 'trench after trench')→ object specificationβόθυνος: the doubled βοθύνους βοθύνους renders the Hebrew distributive גֵּבִים גֵּבִים ('pits, pits' = 'full of pits / trench upon trench'), an emphatic idiom of multiplicity calqued directly into Greek.
17
ὅτι τάδε λέγει κύριος οὐκ ὄψεσθε πνεῦμα καὶ οὐκ ὄψεσθε ὑετόν καὶ ὁ χειμάρρους οὗτος πλησθήσεται ὕδατος καὶ πίεσθε ὑμεῖς καὶ αἱ κτήσεις ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ κτήνη ὑμῶν
For thus says the LORD: You shall see no wind, and you shall see no rain, yet this wadi shall be filled with water, and you shall drink, you and your livestock and your cattle.
The oracle's second movement (renewed messenger-formula) promises the paradox of water without its natural causes: no wind, no rain, yet the wadi will fill. The double οὐκ ὄψεσθε ('you shall not see') heightens the sheer miracle — the supply will arrive by no visible meteorological agency, leaving YHWH as the only possible cause.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
ὅτιforcausal conjunction (grounding the command of v. 16)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for / because'; grounds the trench-digging command of v. 16 in the promise that follows — dig, because water is coming.
τάδεthusAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of λέγει)→ participant referenceὅδε (n. pl. τάδε): the renewed messenger-formula τάδε λέγει κύριος introduces the second oracle-clause.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of messenger-formula (historic present)→ historic presentλέγω (pres. λέγει): the citation-present in the prophetic formula.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of λέγει→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the source of the water-promise.
οὐκnotnegation (with ὄψεσθε)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ὄψεσθεyou shall seeFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (predictive)→ predictive future (the miracle's invisibility of cause)ὁράω (fut. ὄψεσθε): 'see / perceive'; the future 'you shall not see (wind)' insists that the water will come with no perceptible natural cause — the absence of the usual signs underscores the miracle.
πνεῦμαwind / breathAccusativedirect object of ὄψεσθε→ object specificationπνεῦμα: 'wind / breath / spirit'; here 'wind', renders רוּחַ; normally the precursor of rain (cf. 3 Kgdms 18:45); its absence makes the water all the more inexplicable by natural means.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegation (with ὄψεσθε)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ὄψεσθεyou shall seeFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (predictive, second member)→ predictive futureὁράω (fut. ὄψεσθε): the doubled 'you shall not see' (wind … rain) intensifies the paradox of a flood with no visible source.
ὑετόνrainAccusativedirect object of ὄψεσθε→ object specificationὑετός: 'rain / rainstorm'; renders גֶּשֶׁם / מָטָר; the second natural cause that will be absent; the water arrives without wind or rain — i.e. supernaturally.
καὶand / yetcoordinate conjunction (adversative force: 'yet')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here with mildly adversative force ('and yet') — despite the absence of natural causes, the wadi will fill.
ὁthe / thisNominativearticle (with χειμάρρους)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειμάρρουςwadi / torrent-bedNominativesubject of πλησθήσεται→ participant prominenceχειμάρρους: 'wadi / winter-torrent'; the same streambed of v. 16, now the subject — it will be filled with water by divine power alone.
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative adjective (modifying χειμάρρους)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; deictic, the very wadi the army is to trench.
πλησθήσεταιshall be filledFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · πίμπλημιmain verb (the promised filling)→ predictive future passive (divine passive)πίμπλημι (fut. pass. πλησθήσεται): 'fill / be filled'; renders מָלֵא; the passive with no stated agent is a divine passive — YHWH himself fills the wadi; the genitive ὕδατος is the genitive of content.
ὕδατοςwith waterGenitivegenitive of content (with πλησθήσεται)→ relational specificationὕδωρ (gen. ὕδατος): 'water'; the genitive of content/material with the verb of filling; the keyword's reversal — the dry wadi becomes full.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πίεσθεyou shall drinkFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · πίνωmain verb (consequence of the filling)→ predictive futureπίνω (fut. πίεσθε): 'drink'; renders שָׁתָה; the practical outcome — the thirst of v. 9 is reversed; the army and its animals will drink.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic subject pronoun (with πίεσθε)→ participant referenceσύ (nom. pl. ὑμεῖς): 'you'; the emphatic plural heads the list of beneficiaries — you yourselves, and then your livestock.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αἱtheNominativearticle (with κτήσεις)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτήσειςpossessions / herdsNominativesubject (coordinate with ὑμεῖς)→ participant prominenceκτῆσις (nom. pl. κτήσεις): 'possession / property / livestock'; here the owned flocks/property; with τὰ κτήνη it covers the whole pastoral wealth of the army, all to be watered.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession ('your possessions')→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): 'your'.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheNominativearticle (with κτήνη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτήνηcattle / beastsNominativesubject (coordinate with ὑμεῖς, αἱ κτήσεις)→ participant prominenceκτῆνος (nom. pl. κτήνη): 'beast / pack-animal'; the same animals 'at their feet' of v. 9, now provided for; the threefold ὑμεῖς … κτήσεις … κτήνη answers the threefold need of the thirsting host.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession ('your cattle')→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): 'your'.
18
καὶ κούφη αὕτη ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς κυρίου καὶ παραδώσω τὴν Μωαβ ἐν χειρὶ ὑμῶν
And this is a light thing in the eyes of the LORD; and I will give Moab into your hand.
The oracle escalates: the water-miracle is 'a light thing' (κούφη) in YHWH's eyes — the lesser sign — and is now capped by the far greater promise of military victory: παραδώσω τὴν Μωαβ ('I will hand over Moab'). The shift to first-person divine speech (παραδώσω) directly contradicts Joram's fear that YHWH had summoned the kings to be handed to Moab (vv. 10, 13).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κούφηlight / triflingNominativepredicate adjective ('[this is] a light thing')→ participant prominenceκοῦφος: 'light / easy / trifling'; renders נָקַל ('be a small/light matter'); the water-miracle, astonishing to humans, is a trivial matter for YHWH — preparing the greater claim of victory; the feminine κούφη agrees with the demonstrative αὕτη.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative subject ('this [thing]')→ participant referenceοὗτος (f. αὕτη): 'this'; the feminine demonstrative refers to the preceding water-promise as 'this matter', construed as feminine in the idiom.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (evaluative: 'in the eyes of')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (evaluative: 'in the eyes of').
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative object of ἐν (Hebraism: 'in the eyes of')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός (dat. pl. ὀφθαλμοῖς): the idiom ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς κυρίου ('in the eyes of the LORD') renders בְּעֵינֵי יהוה, here the standard of estimation: by YHWH's reckoning the miracle is slight.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession ('the LORD's eyes')→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the divine assessor for whom the miracle is a small thing.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the greater promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παραδώσωI will give overFut Act Indic 1 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb (first-person divine promise of victory)→ predictive/promissory future (divine commitment)παραδίδωμι (fut. παραδώσω): 'hand over / deliver up'; the same verb Joram feared in the passive sense (v. 13), now in YHWH's own mouth with Moab as the object — a direct reversal: it is Moab, not the kings, who will be delivered up.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with Μωαβ, marking it accusative)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΜωαβMoabaccusative direct object of παραδώσω (indeclinable, marked by τήν)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: indeclinable; here the object to be delivered up — the feminine article τήν construes the land/nation of Moab as feminine.
ἐνintopreposition + dative (Hebraism: 'into the hand of')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with χειρί the idiom ἐν χειρὶ ὑμῶν ('into your hand') renders בְּיֶדְכֶם, the converse of the ἐν χειρὶ Μωαβ Joram feared (v. 10).
χειρὶhandDativedative object of ἐν (idiom of power)→ sphere or referenceχείρ (dat. χειρί): 'hand'; the metonym for victorious power; Moab will fall 'into your hand'.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession ('your hand')→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): 'your'; the allied kings, into whose power Moab is given.
19
καὶ πατάξετε πᾶσαν πόλιν ὀχυρὰν καὶ πᾶν ξύλον ἀγαθὸν καταβαλεῖτε καὶ πάσας πηγὰς ὕδατος ἐμφράξετε καὶ πᾶσαν μερίδα ἀγαθὴν ἀχρειώσετε ἐν λίθοις
And you shall strike every fortified city and every choice city, and you shall fell every good tree, and you shall stop up every spring of water, and every good field you shall ruin with stones.
The oracle ends with a fourfold scorched-earth mandate, each clause headed by πᾶς ('every'): strike every fortified city, fell every good tree, stop every spring, ruin every good field with stones. This total-devastation formula (largely contravening Deut 20:19's protection of fruit-trees) signals the comprehensive judgment to fall on Moab and is enacted verbatim at vv. 24–25.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πατάξετεyou shall strikeFut Act Indic 2 Pl · πατάσσωmain verb (devastation mandate, first clause)→ predictive/imperatival future (command)πατάσσω (fut. πατάξετε): 'strike / smite / defeat'; renders נָכָה; the future has imperatival force — 'you are to strike'; the opening verb of the scorched-earth program.
πᾶσανeveryAccusativeadjective (modifying πόλιν)→ object specificationπᾶς (f. acc. πᾶσαν): 'every / all'; the anaphoric πᾶς heading each devastation-clause stresses the totality of the judgment.
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object of πατάξετε→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; renders עִיר; the fortified cities of Moab are the first target.
ὀχυρὰνfortified / strongAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying πόλιν)→ object specificationὀχυρός: 'strong / fortified'; renders מִבְצָר; πᾶσαν πόλιν ὀχυράν = 'every fortified city'; here the LXX also reflects 'choice city' (מִבְחָר), reading both fortification and select status into the destruction-list.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶνeveryAccusativeadjective (modifying ξύλον)→ object specificationπᾶς (n. acc. πᾶν): 'every'; heading the tree-felling clause.
ξύλονtree / woodAccusativedirect object of καταβαλεῖτε→ object specificationξύλον: 'wood / tree'; renders עֵץ; here a (fruit-)tree; the command to fell good trees notably overrides the Deuteronomic protection of fruit-trees in siege (Deut 20:19), marking the severity of this judgment.
ἀγαθὸνgoodAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ξύλον)→ object specificationἀγαθός: 'good / fine'; renders טוֹב; 'every good tree' = every fruitful, valuable tree, the loss of which cripples the land's productivity.
καταβαλεῖτεyou shall fell / throw downFut Act Indic 2 Pl · καταβάλλωmain verb (devastation mandate, second clause)→ predictive/imperatival futureκαταβάλλω (fut. καταβαλεῖτε): 'throw down / fell / cut down'; the compound κατα- = 'down'; renders נָפַל (Hiph.) / כָּרַת; the felling of every good tree to ruin Moab's agriculture.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (third clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάσαςallAccusativeadjective (modifying πηγάς)→ object specificationπᾶς (f. acc. pl. πάσας): 'all / every'; heading the spring-stopping clause.
πηγὰςspringsAccusativedirect object of ἐμφράξετε→ object specificationπηγή (acc. pl. πηγάς): 'spring / fountain / source'; renders מַעְיָן; the water-sources of Moab; stopping them is an act of long-term economic devastation in an arid land.
ὕδατοςof waterGenitivedescriptive genitive (with πηγάς: 'springs of water')→ relational specificationὕδωρ (gen. ὕδατος): 'water'; the keyword recurs ironically — Israel, just given water by miracle, is to deprive Moab of its water.
ἐμφράξετεyou shall stop upFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ἐμφράσσωmain verb (devastation mandate, third clause)→ predictive/imperatival futureἐμφράσσω (fut. ἐμφράξετε): 'block up / stop / dam'; the compound ἐν- = 'in'; renders סָתַם; the stopping of springs (typically by filling them with stones/earth) was standard ancient practice for ruining an enemy's land (cf. v. 25).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (fourth clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶσανeveryAccusativeadjective (modifying μερίδα)→ object specificationπᾶς (f. acc. πᾶσαν): 'every'; heading the field-ruining clause.
μερίδαportion / fieldAccusativedirect object of ἀχρειώσετε→ object specificationμερίς (acc. μερίδα): 'portion / share / plot of ground'; renders חֶלְקָה ('field / parcel of land'); 'every good field/plot', the cultivated farmland of Moab.
ἀγαθὴνgoodAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying μερίδα)→ object specificationἀγαθός (f. acc. ἀγαθήν): 'good / fertile'; 'every good field' = every fertile plot, to be made useless.
ἀχρειώσετεyou shall ruin / make uselessFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀχρειόωmain verb (devastation mandate, fourth clause)→ predictive/imperatival futureἀχρειόω: 'make useless / spoil / render unprofitable'; from ἀχρεῖος ('useless'); renders the Hebrew הִכְאִיב ('mar / pain'); the good fields are to be ruined ἐν λίθοις — covered/strewn with stones so they can no longer be tilled.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental: 'with stones')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: instrumental dative ('with / by means of stones'), a Hebraism (בְּ of instrument).
λίθοιςstonesDativedative of instrument (with ἀχρειώσετε)→ sphere or referenceλίθος (dat. pl. λίθοις): 'stone'; renders אֶבֶן; the fields are ruined by being strewn with stones, the method enacted at v. 25.
20
καὶ ἐγένετο τὸ πρωὶ ἀναβαινούσης τῆς θυσίας καὶ ἰδοὺ ὕδατα ἤρχοντο ἐξ ὁδοῦ Εδωμ καὶ ἐπλήσθη ἡ γῆ ὕδατος
And it came to pass in the morning, at the time when the sacrifice is offered, that behold, waters came from the way of Edom, and the land was filled with water.
The oracle is fulfilled exactly: at the hour of the morning sacrifice, waters arrive ἐξ ὁδοῦ Εδωμ ('from the way of Edom') and flood the land — no wind, no rain (v. 17), as promised. The presentative ἰδού ('behold') marks the moment of wonder, and the timing 'as the sacrifice ascends' frames the deliverance within Israel's cultic life.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (with ἐγένετο)→ 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 (temporal-onset formula)→ constative aoristγίνομαι (aor. ἐγένετο): the καὶ ἐγένετο formula renders וַיְהִי, framing the moment of the water's arrival.
τὸthe / in theAccusativearticle (with the adverbial πρωί, accusative of time)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωὶmorning / earlytemporal adverb (substantivized by τό: 'in the morning')→ clausal contributionπρωί: 'early / in the morning'; indeclinable adverb; with the article τὸ πρωί it functions substantivally ('the morning'), an accusative-of-time idiom rendering בַּבֹּקֶר.
ἀναβαινούσηςascending / being offeredPres Act Ptc Gen Sg Fem · ἀναβαίνωgenitive absolute (with θυσίας: 'as the sacrifice was being offered')→ verbal action or stateἀναβαίνω (ptc. ἀναβαινούσης): 'go up / ascend'; in the genitive absolute ἀναβαινούσης τῆς θυσίας ('as the sacrifice ascends/is offered'), 'ascend' is the cultic idiom for the offering rising as smoke; the time-marker is the morning oblation (cf. Exod 29:39).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with θυσίας, in genitive absolute)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσίαςsacrifice / offeringGenitivesubject of the genitive absolute→ relational specificationθυσία (gen. θυσίας): 'sacrifice / offering'; renders מִנְחָה; the regular morning oblation, here used as a precise time-reference for the water's arrival — and a quiet contrast to the human sacrifice at v. 27.
καὶand / thenapodotic καί (main clause after the temporal frame)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic, introducing the main event after the καὶ ἐγένετο … temporal setup.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (introducing the wonder)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / look!'; renders הִנֵּה; the deictic exclamation dramatizes the sudden appearance of the water, inviting the reader to share the army's astonishment.
ὕδαταwatersNominativesubject of ἤρχοντο→ participant prominenceὕδωρ (nom. pl. ὕδατα): 'waters'; the keyword in the plural for an abundant flow; the promised supply arrives in full.
ἤρχοντοwere comingImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (the inflowing water)→ progressive imperfect ('came flowing in')ἔρχομαι (impf. ἤρχοντο): 'come'; the imperfect depicts the water streaming in as an ongoing flow from the Edomite highlands — the rain had fallen elsewhere, unseen by the army (v. 17).
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source/direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source/direction).
ὁδοῦthe wayGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ (source: 'from the way')→ relational specificationὁδός (gen. ὁδοῦ): 'way / road / direction'; ἐξ ὁδοῦ Εδωμ = 'from the direction of Edom', the same Edomite quarter by which they had marched (v. 8) and from whose hills the floodwaters descended.
Εδωμof Edomgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'way of Edom')→ participant identificationΕδωμ: indeclinable; the direction from which the water flowed, the highlands of Edom to the south-east.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπλήσθηwas filledAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πίμπλημιmain verb (the flooding of the land)→ constative aorist passive (divine passive)πίμπλημι (aor. pass. ἐπλήσθη): 'fill / be filled'; the divine passive matches the promise πλησθήσεται of v. 17 — what was foretold is now accomplished; the genitive ὕδατος is the genitive of content.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with γῆ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆland / groundNominativesubject of ἐπλήσθη→ participant prominenceγῆ: 'earth / land / ground'; renders אֶרֶץ; the parched battlefield is inundated, the visible proof of the oracle and the trap for Moab.
ὕδατοςwith waterGenitivegenitive of content (with ἐπλήσθη)→ relational specificationὕδωρ (gen. ὕδατος): 'water'; the genitive of material with the verb of filling; the keyword's fulfilment, setting up the blood-red illusion of v. 22.
21
καὶ πᾶσα Μωαβ ἤκουσαν ὅτι ἀνέβησαν οἱ βασιλεῖς πολεμεῖν αὐτούς καὶ ἀνεβόησαν ἐκ παντὸς περιεζωσμένου ζώνην καὶ ἐπάνω καὶ ἔστησαν ἐπὶ τοῦ ὁρίου
And all Moab heard that the kings had come up to fight against them; and they were called out, everyone girded with a belt and upward, and they took their stand at the border.
The scene shifts to Moab's response. The constructio ad sensum πᾶσα Μωαβ ἤκουσαν ('all Moab heard', sg. subject with pl. verb) treats the nation as a collective. The full levy — everyone 'girded with a belt and upward', i.e. of fighting age — masses at the frontier (ἐπὶ τοῦ ὁρίου), setting them in position to view the fatal water at dawn.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶσαallNominativeadjective (modifying Μωαβ: 'all Moab')→ participant prominenceπᾶς (f. nom. πᾶσα): 'all / every'; the feminine agrees with Μωαβ construed as the (feminine) land/nation; 'all Moab' = the whole people.
ΜωαβMoabsubject (indeclinable, collective)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: indeclinable; here the Moabite nation as a collective subject, taking a plural verb by sense.
ἤκουσανheardAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (plural by sense with collective subject)→ constative aoristἀκούω (aor. ἤκουσαν): 'hear'; renders שָׁמַע; the plural verb with the singular collective πᾶσα Μωαβ is a constructio ad sensum, treating the nation as many persons.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing the content of hearing)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introducing the report Moab heard — that the kings had come up to war.
ἀνέβησανhad come upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωverb of the ὅτι-clause→ constative aorist (the accomplished advance)ἀναβαίνω (aor. ἀνέβησαν): 'go up'; the idiom for marching to war; the kings 'had gone up' against Moab.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεῖς)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖςkingsNominativesubject of ἀνέβησαν→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς (nom. pl. βασιλεῖς): the three allied kings, whose advance Moab has heard of.
πολεμεῖνto make warPres Act Inf · πολεμέωinfinitive of purpose (with ἀνέβησαν)→ purpose infinitiveπολεμέω (inf. πολεμεῖν): 'wage war / fight'; renders לָחַם; the infinitive of purpose — the kings came up 'to fight against them'.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object of πολεμεῖν (the Moabites)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. αὐτούς): 'them'; the Moabites, the object of the kings' attack.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνεβόησανthey cried out / were summonedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβοάωmain verb (the mobilization-cry)→ constative aoristἀναβοάω: 'cry out / raise a shout'; the compound ἀνα- = 'up'; here the war-muster cry by which the Moabites were called to arms; renders the Hebrew sense of a general levy being summoned.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (partitive/source: 'from everyone')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: with παντός, 'from everyone who …'; introduces the comprehensive levy of all able-bodied men.
παντὸςeveryoneGenitivesubstantival adjective (object of ἐκ: 'everyone')→ relational specificationπᾶς (m. gen. παντός): 'everyone / all'; the substantive 'everyone girded with a belt' = every man old enough to bear arms.
περιεζωσμένουgirdedPerf Mid Ptc Gen Sg Masc · περιζώννυμιattributive participle (modifying παντός)→ verbal action or stateπεριζώννυμι (pf. mid. ptc. περιεζωσμένου): 'gird oneself / put on a belt'; the perfect-middle 'having girded himself with a belt' is an idiom for a man equipped for war / of military age; renders חֹגֵר חֲגֹרָה.
ζώνηνa belt / girdleAccusativeaccusative of respect/object (with περιεζωσμένου)→ object specificationζώνη: 'belt / girdle'; renders חֲגֹרָה; the belt that a warrior straps on; 'girded with a belt and upward' is an idiom embracing all of fighting age.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (with ἐπάνω)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάνωupward / aboveadverb (idiom: 'and upward', i.e. and older)→ clausal contributionἐπάνω: 'above / upward'; the idiom καὶ ἐπάνω ('and upward') extends the levy from the youngest belt-wearer 'and above' — i.e. all males of military age and older; renders וָמַעְלָה.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστησανtook their standAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἵστημιmain verb (taking position)→ constative aorist (intransitive: 'stood')ἵστημι (aor. intr. ἔστησαν): 'stand / take a stand'; the Moabite levy positions itself at the frontier, ready for battle — and placed exactly where it will misread the dawn-lit water.
ἐπὶat / uponpreposition + genitive (position: 'at the border')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position: 'at the border').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ὁρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁρίουborder / boundaryGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (position)→ relational specificationὅριον (gen. ὁρίου): 'boundary / border / territory'; renders גְּבוּל; the Moabites take their stand at the frontier facing the allied camp.
22
καὶ ὤρθρισαν τὸ πρωί καὶ ὁ ἥλιος ἀνέτειλεν ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα καὶ εἶδεν Μωαβ ἐξ ἐναντίας τὰ ὕδατα πυρρὰ ὡσεὶ αἷμα
And they rose early in the morning, and the sun rose upon the waters, and Moab saw, from the opposite side, the waters red as blood.
The trap springs: rising early, the Moabites see the sun gleaming on the floodwater, which appears πυρρὰ ὡσεὶ αἷμα ('red as blood'). The optical effect — low dawn sun on red-tinged desert water — becomes the engine of Moab's self-destruction, since they will misinterpret it (v. 23) as the kings' mutual slaughter.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὤρθρισανthey rose earlyAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὀρθρίζωmain verb (early rising)→ constative aoristὀρθρίζω: 'rise early / do at dawn'; from ὄρθρος ('dawn'); renders הִשְׁכִּים; the Moabites rise at first light, the moment the sun-on-water illusion is at its most deceptive.
τὸthe / in theAccusativearticle (with adverbial πρωί)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωίmorning / earlytemporal adverb (substantivized: 'in the morning')→ clausal contributionπρωί: 'early / in the morning'; indeclinable adverb; τὸ πρωί ('at dawn') marks the precise hour of the deceptive sight.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἥλιος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἥλιοςsunNominativesubject of ἀνέτειλεν→ participant prominenceἥλιος: 'sun'; renders שֶׁמֶשׁ; the low rising sun whose red light on the water produces the fatal optical illusion.
ἀνέτειλενroseAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνατέλλωmain verb (sunrise)→ constative aoristἀνατέλλω: 'rise / spring up (of the sun)'; renders זָרַח; the sunrise upon the water is the precise cause of the blood-red appearance.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction: 'upon the waters')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: 'upon the waters').
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὕδατα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδαταwatersAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationὕδωρ (acc. pl. ὕδατα): 'waters'; the miraculous flood of v. 20, now catching the dawn light.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (Moab's perception)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / perceive'; the singular agrees with the collective Μωαβ; the verb of the fatal misperception.
ΜωαβMoabsubject of εἶδεν (indeclinable, collective)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: indeclinable; the Moabites as collective subject.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (in the idiom ἐξ ἐναντίας)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (in the idiom ἐξ ἐναντίας).
ἐναντίαςthe opposite sideGenitivesubstantival adjective (idiom: 'from opposite')→ relational specificationἐναντίος (f. gen. ἐναντίας): 'opposite / facing'; the idiom ἐξ ἐναντίας ('from the opposite side / over against') describes the Moabites viewing the water from across the way — the angle that makes it look bloody.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὕδατα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδαταwatersAccusativedirect object of εἶδεν→ object specificationὕδωρ (acc. pl. ὕδατα): 'waters'; the object seen — appearing red.
πυρρὰred / fiery-redAccusativepredicate adjective (object complement: 'saw the waters [as] red')→ object specificationπυρρός (n. pl. πυρρά): 'flame-colored / red'; from πῦρ ('fire'); renders אֲדֻמִּים ('red'); the dawn-reddened water; the predicative accusative — Moab saw the waters as red.
ὡσεὶas / likecomparative particle ('as if / like')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡσεί: 'as if / like'; renders כְּ; introduces the fatal comparison 'like blood', the basis of Moab's misjudgment.
αἷμαbloodAccusativeobject of comparison (with ὡσεί)→ object specificationαἷμα: 'blood'; renders דָּם; the water 'like blood' triggers the inference of mutual slaughter (v. 23); the word ironically anticipates the real blood Moab is about to shed — its own.
23
καὶ εἶπαν αἷμα τοῦτο τῆς ῥομφαίας ἐμαχέσαντο οἱ βασιλεῖς καὶ ἐπάταξαν ἀνὴρ τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ καὶ νῦν ἐπὶ τὰ σκῦλα Μωαβ
And they said, 'This is blood; the kings have surely fought with the sword and struck each his neighbor. Now then, to the spoil, Moab!'
Moab voices the misinterpretation: the red water 'is blood', proof that the allied kings have turned on one another (ἐπάταξαν ἀνὴρ τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ, 'each struck his neighbor'). Concluding the enemy has self-destructed, they raise the plunder-cry νῦν ἐπὶ τὰ σκῦλα Μωαβ ('now to the spoil, Moab!') and abandon all caution — the very error that delivers them up.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανthey saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction; plural by sense)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. 3 pl. εἶπαν): the Koine alpha-aorist form (for εἶπον); introducing the Moabites' fatal conclusion.
αἷμαbloodNominativepredicate nominative ('this is blood')→ participant prominenceαἷμα: 'blood'; the Moabites declare the red water to be blood — the premise of their disastrous inference.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative subject ('this [is]')→ participant referenceοὗτος (n. τοῦτο): 'this'; deictic, pointing to the red expanse: 'this (that we see) is blood'.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with ῥομφαίας)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥομφαίαςswordGenitivegenitive of means/source (idiom: 'blood of the sword')→ relational specificationῥομφαία (gen. ῥομφαίας): 'sword / large blade'; renders חֶרֶב; the phrase αἷμα τοῦτο τῆς ῥομφαίας ('this is the blood of the sword') interprets the red as bloodshed by the sword — i.e. the kings have slaughtered one another.
ἐμαχέσαντοfoughtAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · μάχομαιmain verb (the supposed mutual battle)→ constative aorist (the inferred event)μάχομαι (aor. ἐμαχέσαντο): 'fight / quarrel'; renders נִלְחֲמוּ; the Moabites infer that the kings 'have fought' — i.e. turned on each other, a known hazard of allied coalitions.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεῖς)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖςkingsNominativesubject of ἐμαχέσαντο→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς (nom. pl. βασιλεῖς): the three allied kings, supposed by Moab to have slain one another.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάταξανthey struckAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πατάσσωmain verb (the supposed mutual slaughter)→ constative aorist (inferred event)πατάσσω (aor. ἐπάταξαν): 'strike / smite'; here in the distributive idiom ἐπάταξαν ἀνὴρ τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ ('they struck, each man his neighbor'), a Hebraism (אִישׁ אֶת־רֵעֵהוּ) for mutual slaughter.
ἀνὴρeach manNominativedistributive subject (in apposition to the plural verb)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; in the distributive idiom 'each man (struck) his neighbor', ἀνήρ renders Hebrew אִישׁ used distributively ('each one').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πλησίον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλησίονneighborAccusativedirect object of ἐπάταξαν (substantivized: 'his neighbor')→ object specificationπλησίον: 'neighbor / fellow'; the substantivized adverb (with τόν) renders רֵעַ; 'each his neighbor' completes the mutual-slaughter idiom.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his neighbor')→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his'; each man's own neighbor.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the battle-cry)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (hortatory: 'now then')→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; renders עַתָּה; the hortatory 'now then!' urging immediate action — to the plunder.
ἐπὶto / forpreposition + accusative (goal: 'to the spoil')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'to / for'; in the elliptical battle-cry 'now (out) to the spoil!' (a verb of motion is understood).
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκῦλα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκῦλαspoil / plunderAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (goal of the rush)→ object specificationσκῦλον (n. pl. σκῦλα): 'spoils / plunder / booty'; renders שָׁלָל; the elliptical cry ἐπὶ τὰ σκῦλα Μωαβ ('to the spoil, Moab!') sends the Moabites rushing greedily — and unguarded — into the trap.
ΜωαβMoabvocative (indeclinable: address/rally to the people)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: indeclinable; here a vocative-like rallying address — 'Moab!' — exhorting the people to seize the supposed spoils.
24
καὶ εἰσῆλθον εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν Ισραηλ καὶ Ισραηλ ἀνέστησαν καὶ ἐπάταξαν τὴν Μωαβ καὶ ἔφυγον ἀπὸ προσώπου αὐτῶν καὶ εἰσῆλθον εἰσπορευόμενοι καὶ τύπτοντες τὴν Μωαβ
And they came into the camp of Israel; and Israel rose up and struck Moab, and they fled before them; and they entered, advancing and striking Moab.
The trap closes. The Moabites blunder into Israel's camp expecting plunder; Israel rises and strikes them, and Moab flees ἀπὸ προσώπου αὐτῶν ('before them'). The doubled participles εἰσπορευόμενοι καὶ τύπτοντες ('advancing and striking') portray the relentless Israelite pursuit deep into Moabite territory, beginning the devastation foretold in v. 19.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθονthey came inAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (Moab's entry into the camp)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι (aor. εἰσῆλθον): 'go in / enter'; the Moabites enter Israel's camp unawares, expecting only plunder — the fatal consequence of their misreading.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with παρεμβολήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολὴνcampAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationπαρεμβολή (acc. παρεμβολήν): 'camp / encampment'; renders מַחֲנֶה; the same word as v. 9; Israel's camp, now entered by the unwary Moabites.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'camp of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the camp belongs to Israel.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙσραηλIsraelsubject (indeclinable, collective)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; here the subject — the Israelites, who spring to arms; takes the plural verb by sense.
ἀνέστησανrose upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀνίστημιmain verb (Israel springs to action)→ ingressive aorist (sprang up)ἀνίστημι (aor. intr. ἀνέστησαν): 'rise up / stand up'; renders קוּם; the Israelites 'rose up' — sprang to the attack against the intruders.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάταξανstruckAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πατάσσωmain verb (the attack)→ constative aoristπατάσσω (aor. ἐπάταξαν): 'strike / smite / defeat'; renders נָכָה; Israel strikes Moab — the same verb commanded in the oracle (πατάξετε, v. 19), now fulfilled.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with Μωαβ, marking accusative)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΜωαβMoabaccusative object of ἐπάταξαν (indeclinable, marked by τήν)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: indeclinable; the object struck; the feminine article τήν construes Moab as the (feminine) nation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔφυγονthey fledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · φεύγωmain verb (Moab's flight)→ constative aoristφεύγω (aor. ἔφυγον): 'flee'; renders נוּס; the Moabites flee before the Israelite onslaught — the rout the misjudgment produced.
ἀπὸfrom beforepreposition + genitive (Hebraism: 'from the face of')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: with προσώπου the idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου αὐτῶν ('from before them / from their face') renders מִפְּנֵיהֶם, a Hebraism for fleeing in rout.
προσώπουface / presenceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (Hebraism)→ relational specificationπρόσωπον (gen. προσώπου): 'face / presence'; in the idiom 'from before them', the metonym for the threatening Israelite advance.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive of possession ('their face' = before them)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): 'them'; the Israelites, before whose face Moab flees.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθονthey enteredAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (Israel's pursuit into Moab)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι (aor. εἰσῆλθον): 'enter / go in'; now the Israelites enter Moab in pursuit — the same verb that began the verse, but with the roles reversed (Israel now the invader).
εἰσπορευόμενοιadvancing / going inPres Mid Ptc Nom Pl Masc · εἰσπορεύομαιcircumstantial participle (manner of the pursuit)→ verbal action or stateεἰσπορεύομαι (ptc. εἰσπορευόμενοι): 'go in / advance into'; the present participle, paired with τύπτοντες, depicts the continuous, advancing slaughter — the Israelites press ever deeper into Moab.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking the participles)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τύπτοντεςstriking / smitingPres Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · τύπτωcircumstantial participle (manner of the pursuit)→ verbal action or stateτύπτω (ptc. τύπτοντες): 'strike / beat / smite'; the present participle of ongoing action — 'advancing and striking' depicts the relentless cutting-down of the fleeing Moabites.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with Μωαβ, marking accusative)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΜωαβMoabaccusative object of τύπτοντες (indeclinable, marked by τήν)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: indeclinable; the object of the continuing slaughter, the Moabites.
25
καὶ τὰς πόλεις καθεῖλον καὶ πᾶσαν μερίδα ἀγαθὴν ἔρριψαν ἀνὴρ τὸν λίθον καὶ ἐνέπλησαν αὐτὴν καὶ πᾶσαν πηγὴν ὕδατος ἐνέφραξαν καὶ πᾶν ξύλον ἀγαθὸν κατέβαλον ἕως τοῦ καταλιπεῖν τοὺς λίθους τοῦ τοίχου καθῃρημένους καὶ ἐκύκλευσαν οἱ σφενδονῆται καὶ ἐπάταξαν αὐτήν
And they threw down the cities, and on every good field each man cast his stone and filled it up, and they stopped every spring of water and felled every good tree, until only the stones of the wall of Kir-hareseth were left standing; and the slingers surrounded it and struck it.
The scorched-earth oracle of v. 19 is carried out point by point: cities razed, good fields ruined with stones (ἔρριψαν ἀνὴρ τὸν λίθον, 'each man cast his stone'), springs stopped, good trees felled — until only the stone walls of the last stronghold (Kir-hareseth) remain, encircled and battered by slingers. The fulfilment is so exact it underscores the oracle's authority.
Word-by-word analysis· 40 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with πόλεις)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλειςcitiesAccusativedirect object of καθεῖλον→ object specificationπόλις (acc. pl. πόλεις): 'cities'; the Moabite towns, the first item of the devastation, answering πᾶσαν πόλιν of v. 19.
καθεῖλονthey threw downAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καθαιρέωmain verb (razing of cities)→ constative aoristκαθαιρέω (aor. καθεῖλον): 'pull down / demolish / raze'; the compound κατα- = 'down'; renders הָרַס / נָתַץ; the systematic destruction of Moab's cities.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶσανeveryAccusativeadjective (modifying μερίδα)→ object specificationπᾶς (f. acc. πᾶσαν): 'every'; echoing the oracle's πᾶσαν μερίδα ἀγαθήν (v. 19).
μερίδαfield / portionAccusativeaccusative (locus of the stone-casting)→ object specificationμερίς (acc. μερίδα): 'plot / field / portion of ground'; the fertile fields of Moab, now ruined; cf. v. 19.
ἀγαθὴνgoodAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying μερίδα)→ object specificationἀγαθός (f. acc. ἀγαθήν): 'good / fertile'; 'every good field' — the most productive land deliberately spoiled.
ἔρριψανthey castAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ῥίπτωmain verb (the field-ruining)→ constative aoristῥίπτω (aor. ἔρριψαν): 'throw / cast / hurl'; with the distributive ἀνὴρ τὸν λίθον ('each man his stone') it describes the soldiers stoning the fields to make them unworkable — the method of ἀχρειώσετε ἐν λίθοις (v. 19).
ἀνὴρeach manNominativedistributive subject (in apposition to plural verb)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the distributive idiom 'each man (cast) his stone', rendering אִישׁ used distributively.
τὸνthe / hisAccusativearticle (with λίθον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λίθονstoneAccusativedirect object of ἔρριψαν→ object specificationλίθος (acc. λίθον): 'stone'; each man's stone, cast onto the fields until they were buried — the literal ruining 'with stones' of v. 19.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνέπλησανthey filled upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐμπίμπλημιmain verb (covering the field with stones)→ constative aoristἐμπίμπλημι (aor. ἐνέπλησαν): 'fill up / fill full'; the fields are 'filled' (covered) with stones, rendered useless for cultivation; the object αὐτήν refers to μερίδα ('the field').
αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object of ἐνέπλησαν (referring to μερίδα)→ participant referenceαὐτός (f. acc. αὐτήν): 'it / her'; the feminine refers to μερίς ('the field'), which they filled with stones.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶσανeveryAccusativeadjective (modifying πηγήν)→ object specificationπᾶς (f. acc. πᾶσαν): 'every'; echoing πάσας πηγάς of v. 19.
πηγὴνspringAccusativedirect object of ἐνέφραξαν→ object specificationπηγή (acc. πηγήν): 'spring / fountain'; the water-sources stopped, fulfilling the oracle.
ὕδατοςof waterGenitivedescriptive genitive (with πηγήν)→ relational specificationὕδωρ (gen. ὕδατος): 'water'; the keyword again — Moab's springs deprived of use.
ἐνέφραξανthey stopped upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐμφράσσωmain verb (stopping the springs)→ constative aoristἐμφράσσω (aor. ἐνέφραξαν): 'block / stop up'; the same verb as ἐμφράξετε (v. 19), now accomplished — the springs are dammed/blocked.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶνeveryAccusativeadjective (modifying ξύλον)→ object specificationπᾶς (n. acc. πᾶν): 'every'; echoing πᾶν ξύλον ἀγαθόν of v. 19.
ξύλονtreeAccusativedirect object of κατέβαλον→ object specificationξύλον: 'tree / wood'; the good trees, now felled.
ἀγαθὸνgoodAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ξύλον)→ object specificationἀγαθός (n. acc. ἀγαθόν): 'good / fruitful'; 'every good tree'.
κατέβαλονthey felledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καταβάλλωmain verb (felling the trees)→ constative aoristκαταβάλλω (aor. κατέβαλον): 'throw down / fell'; the same verb as καταβαλεῖτε (v. 19); the trees are cut down — the agricultural ruin complete.
ἕωςuntilconjunction + articular infinitive (temporal limit)→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: 'until'; with the articular infinitive τοῦ καταλιπεῖν it marks the end-point of the devastation — 'until there were left only …'.
τοῦto / theGenitivearticle (with the infinitive καταλιπεῖν)→ noun-phrase markingὁ (gen. τοῦ): the genitive article forming the articular infinitive construction with ἕως.
καταλιπεῖνto leave / be leftAor Act Inf · καταλείπωarticular infinitive (with ἕως: 'until leaving')→ result/temporal infinitiveκαταλείπω (aor. inf. καταλιπεῖν): 'leave behind / leave remaining'; ἕως τοῦ καταλιπεῖν = 'until (they) left only the stones of the wall', marking how complete the demolition was — only the bare masonry remained.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with λίθους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λίθουςstonesAccusativeaccusative object of καταλιπεῖν→ object specificationλίθος (acc. pl. λίθους): 'stones'; the masonry of the last fortress (Kir-hareseth); only these stone walls survived the demolition.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with τοίχου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τοίχουwallGenitivegenitive of possession ('stones of the wall')→ relational specificationτοῖχος (gen. τοίχου): 'wall (of a building/city)'; renders קִיר; here the wall of Kir-hareseth (the Hebrew place-name קִיר חֲרֶשֶׂת, 'wall/city of potsherds'), Moab's last stronghold, the only structure still standing.
καθῃρημένουςthrown down / demolishedPerf Mid Ptc Acc Pl Masc · καθαιρέωperfect participle (predicative, modifying λίθους)→ verbal action or stateκαθαιρέω (pf. pass. ptc. καθῃρημένους): 'pulled down / demolished'; the perfect-passive participle describes the stones as 'thrown down/battered' — even the wall's stones were being demolished; the perfect stresses the resulting ruined state.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκύκλευσανsurrounded / encircledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κυκλεύωmain verb (the slingers' encirclement)→ constative aoristκυκλεύω: 'encircle / go around / surround'; the slingers ring the last stronghold to batter it; cognate with the ἐκύκλωσαν of v. 9 (the march), now of the siege.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with σφενδονῆται)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σφενδονῆταιslingersNominativesubject of ἐκύκλευσαν→ participant prominenceσφενδονήτης (nom. pl. σφενδονῆται): 'slinger'; from σφενδόνη ('sling'); renders קַלָּעִים; the slingers who surround and bombard Kir-hareseth, driving the king to his desperate act.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάταξανstruckAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πατάσσωmain verb (battering the stronghold)→ constative aoristπατάσσω (aor. ἐπάταξαν): 'strike / smite'; the slingers 'struck it' (the city/wall), pressing the assault to the brink — the immediate provocation of Mesha's sacrifice (v. 27).
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object of ἐπάταξαν (the city/wall)→ participant referenceαὐτός (f. acc. αὐτήν): 'it / her'; the feminine refers to the city/stronghold (πόλις) under bombardment.
26
καὶ εἶδεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Μωαβ ὅτι ἐκραταίωσεν ὑπὲρ αὐτὸν ὁ πόλεμος καὶ ἔλαβεν μεθ᾿ ἑαυτοῦ ἑπτακοσίους ἄνδρας ἐσπασμένους ῥομφαίαν διακόψαι πρὸς βασιλέα Εδωμ καὶ οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν
And the king of Moab saw that the battle was too strong for him, and he took with him seven hundred men drawing the sword, to break through to the king of Edom; but they could not.
Mesha, seeing the battle overpowering him (ἐκραταίωσεν ὑπὲρ αὐτόν), attempts a desperate breakout with seven hundred swordsmen toward the king of Edom — perhaps the weakest link in the coalition — but fails (οὐκ ἠδυνήθησαν). This last military failure sets up the horrific final recourse of v. 27.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (the king's perception)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / perceive / realize'; Mesha recognizes the hopelessness of his military position.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of εἶδεν→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: the king of Moab, Mesha, now besieged.
Μωαβof Moabgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: indeclinable; 'king of Moab'.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of perception)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introducing what the king perceived — that the battle had overpowered him.
ἐκραταίωσενhad grown strong / prevailedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κραταιόωverb of the ὅτι-clause→ ingressive/constative aorist ('became too strong')κραταιόω: 'strengthen / prevail / grow strong'; from κραταιός ('mighty'); renders חָזַק; here intransitive 'the battle prevailed/grew too strong for him' (ὑπὲρ αὐτόν), i.e. became more than he could withstand.
ὑπὲρbeyond / too strong forpreposition + accusative (comparative: 'beyond him')→ spatial or relational framingὑπέρ + acc.: 'beyond / more than'; ἐκραταίωσεν ὑπὲρ αὐτόν = 'prevailed beyond him / was too strong for him', a comparative idiom of being overpowered.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of ὑπέρ (the overpowered king)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. αὐτόν): 'him'; Mesha, overwhelmed by the assault.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with πόλεμος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεμοςbattle / warNominativesubject of ἐκραταίωσεν→ participant prominenceπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; renders מִלְחָמָה; the battle itself, personified as 'prevailing' over the king.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (assembling the breakout force)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω (aor. ἔλαβεν): 'take'; renders לָקַח; the king takes a picked force with him for the sortie.
μεθ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
ἑαυτοῦhimselfGenitivereflexive genitive object of μετά ('with himself')→ relational specificationἑαυτοῦ: reflexive 'himself'; μεθ᾿ ἑαυτοῦ = 'with him(self)', the men he takes along on the breakout.
ἑπτακοσίουςseven hundredAccusativenumeral (modifying ἄνδρας)→ object specificationἑπτακόσιοι (acc. ἑπτακοσίους): 'seven hundred'; the declinable cardinal; the size of Mesha's elite sortie-force.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationἀνήρ (acc. pl. ἄνδρας): 'men / warriors'; the seven hundred swordsmen of the breakout attempt.
ἐσπασμένουςdrawing / having drawnPerf Mid Ptc Acc Pl Masc · σπάωattributive participle (modifying ἄνδρας)→ verbal action or stateσπάω (pf. mid. ptc. ἐσπασμένους): 'draw (a sword)'; the perfect-middle 'having drawn the sword' = sword-drawing warriors; the idiom ἐσπασμένους ῥομφαίαν renders שֹׁלֵף חֶרֶב ('drawers of the sword'), i.e. seasoned fighting men.
ῥομφαίανswordAccusativeaccusative object of ἐσπασμένους→ object specificationῥομφαία (acc. ῥομφαίαν): 'sword'; the weapon the seven hundred have drawn; the same word as the deceptive 'sword' of v. 23, here wielded in earnest.
διακόψαιto break throughAor Act Inf · διακόπτωinfinitive of purpose (with ἔλαβεν)→ purpose aorist infinitiveδιακόπτω (aor. inf. διακόψαι): 'cut through / break through'; the compound δια- = 'through'; the purpose of the sortie — to cut a path through the besieging lines, aiming at the king of Edom's sector.
πρὸςto / towardpreposition + accusative (direction of the breakout)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of the breakout).
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationβασιλεύς (acc. βασιλέα): the king of Edom, the target of the breakout — perhaps reckoned the weakest or most detachable ally.
Εδωμof Edomgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΕδωμ: indeclinable; 'king of Edom'; the breakout aimed at his position.
καὶbut / andnarrative conjunction (adversative force: 'but')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here with adversative force ('but') — the attempt failed.
οὐκnotnegation (with ἠδυνήθησαν)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἠδυνήθησανthey could / were ableAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb (the failure of the sortie)→ constative aorist (negated: 'they could not')δύναμαι (aor. ἠδυνήθησαν): 'be able / can'; renders יָכֹל; the negated 'they could not' records the failure of the breakout — Mesha's last military option exhausted, driving him to the act of v. 27.
27
καὶ ἔλαβεν τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ τὸν πρωτότοκον ὃς ἐβασίλευσεν ἀντ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀνήνεγκεν αὐτὸν ὁλοκαύτωμα ἐπὶ τοῦ τείχους καὶ ἐγένετο μετάμελος μέγας ἐπὶ Ισραηλ καὶ ἀπῆραν ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν εἰς τὴν γῆν
And he took his firstborn son, who was to reign in his stead, and offered him as a whole burnt-offering upon the wall; and there came a great wrath upon Israel, and they departed from him and returned to their own land.
The chapter ends in horror and enigma: Mesha sacrifices his firstborn heir (πρωτότοκον … ὃς ἐβασίλευσεν ἀντ᾿ αὐτοῦ) as a whole burnt-offering on the wall in full view of the besiegers. The result is μετάμελος μέγας ἐπὶ Ισραηλ ('a great wrath/indignation upon Israel') — its source theologically debated — at which Israel withdraws and returns home, leaving the campaign abruptly unresolved.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (the seizing of the son)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω (aor. ἔλαβεν): 'take'; renders לָקַח; the same verb as v. 26 (he 'took' the men), now chillingly of taking his own son for sacrifice.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with υἱόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸνsonAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationυἱός (acc. υἱόν): 'son'; renders בֵּן; Mesha's own son, the object of the desperate sacrifice.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his son')→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his'; the son belongs to Mesha — making the act all the more monstrous.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πρωτότοκον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωτότοκονfirstbornAccusativeattributive (in apposition: 'his firstborn son')→ object specificationπρωτότοκος (acc. πρωτότοκον): 'firstborn'; renders בְּכוֹר; the heir-apparent, the most valuable possible offering; the same term central to Exod 11–12, here in a pagan inversion.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐβασίλευσεν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; introducing the clause specifying the son's destined royal status, heightening the loss.
ἐβασίλευσενwas to reign / reignedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βασιλεύωverb of relative clause (the son's intended succession)→ constative aorist (with future/destined sense: 'who was to reign')βασιλεύω (aor. ἐβασίλευσεν): 'reign / be king'; here of the son 'who was to reign / would have reigned in his stead' (ἀντ᾿ αὐτοῦ) — the heir-apparent whose sacrifice forfeits the dynasty's future.
ἀντ᾿in place ofpreposition + genitive (substitution, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἀντί: 'instead of / in place of'; ἀντ᾿ αὐτοῦ = 'in his stead', i.e. as Mesha's royal successor.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἀντί ('in his place')→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'him'; Mesha, whom the son would have succeeded.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνήνεγκενoffered upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναφέρωmain verb (the sacrificial offering)→ constative aoristἀναφέρω (aor. ἀνήνεγκεν): 'bring up / offer up (sacrificially)'; renders הֶעֱלָה; the technical verb for presenting a burnt-offering; here applied to the abominable human sacrifice of the heir.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἀνήνεγκεν (the son)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. αὐτόν): 'him'; the son, offered up.
ὁλοκαύτωμαa whole burnt-offeringAccusativeaccusative in apposition / object complement ('as a burnt-offering')→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωμα: 'whole burnt-offering'; from ὅλος ('whole') + καίω ('burn'); renders עֹלָה; the offering wholly consumed by fire; its use for a human child marks the ultimate pagan extremity to which Mesha resorts.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (position: 'upon the wall')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position: 'upon the wall').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with τείχους)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τείχουςwallGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (position)→ relational specificationτεῖχος (gen. τείχους): 'city-wall / rampart'; renders חוֹמָה; the sacrifice is performed atop the city wall, in full view of the besieging armies — a public, demonstrative act meant to rally Moab and/or appall the besiegers.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοthere came / aroseAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (the onset of wrath)→ ingressive aorist (a wrath arose)γίνομαι (aor. ἐγένετο): 'become / come about'; here 'there arose' — a great indignation came upon Israel as the consequence of the sacrifice.
μετάμελοςwrath / remorse / indignationNominativesubject of ἐγένετο→ participant prominenceμετάμελος: lit. 'change of feeling / regret / remorse'; from μεταμέλομαι ('to repent / feel afterthought'); renders the Hebrew קֶצֶף ('wrath / great anger'); the term is famously ambiguous — whether divine wrath, a surge of Moabite fury, or Israelite revulsion/dismay — but its effect is decisive: Israel breaks off the siege.
μέγαςgreatNominativeattributive adjective (modifying μετάμελος)→ participant prominenceμέγας: 'great / mighty'; renders גָּדוֹל; intensifies the μετάμελος — a 'great wrath/indignation', overwhelming enough to end the campaign.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction: 'upon Israel')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: 'upon Israel').
ΙσραηλIsraelaccusative object of ἐπί (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the wrath/indignation falls 'upon Israel' — the besiegers, who then withdraw.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπῆρανthey departedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπαίρωmain verb (breaking off the siege)→ constative aoristἀπαίρω (aor. ἀπῆραν): 'depart / break camp / set out'; renders נָסַע; the Israelites 'broke up' from the siege — the campaign ends without the city's capture.
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἀπ᾿: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation, elided).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό ('from him')→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'him'; Mesha / his city, from which the besiegers withdraw.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέστρεψανthey returnedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (the homeward return)→ constative aoristἐπιστρέφω (aor. ἐπέστρεψαν): 'turn back / return'; renders שׁוּב; the coalition returns home, leaving the campaign abruptly and ambiguously concluded — Moab devastated but unconquered.
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination: 'their own land')→ object specificationγῆ (acc. γῆν): 'land / country'; εἰς τὴν γῆν ('to their own land') is the standard formula for a returning army; the chapter ends with the kings back home, the campaign's outcome left theologically open.