Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Fourth Book of Kingdoms, Chapter 6ΒΑΣΙΛΕΙΩΝ Δ′ Ϛ′

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

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

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

Theme

Elisha thwarts Aram's plots, shows the unseen host of the Lord, and faces Samaria's famine under siege.

Translation & textual notes

The Greek text of 4 Kingdoms (2 Kings) 6 follows the standard critical text of the Septuagint as established in the Rahlfs–Hanhart edition (Septuaginta, rev. ed. 2006), an ancient and public-domain text; the critical apparatus is not reproduced. 4 Kingdoms 6 gathers three Elisha episodes of escalating scale: the recovery of a borrowed axehead from the Jordan (vv. 1–7), the prophet's repeated frustration of Aramean raids by disclosing the enemy's plans to the king of Israel and the blinding of the army sent to seize him at Dothan (vv. 8–23), and the great siege of Samaria with its catastrophic famine (vv. 24–33). The translation is markedly literal — the so-called 'kaige' character of the Reigns sections — reproducing Hebrew parataxis with relentless καί, the distributive ἀνὴρ εἷς ('each man', v. 2), and the figura etymologica πατάξας πατάξω ('shall I utterly strike?', v. 21). The floating iron (ἐπεπόλασεν τὸ σιδήριον, v. 6) is narrated with stark economy. The rare ἀορασία ('blindness', v. 18) renders the Hebrew סַנְוֵרִים, a dazzling, disorienting blindness rather than ordinary loss of sight. The siege-famine prices — a donkey's head for fifty shekels of silver and a quarter-kab of dove's dung for five (v. 25) — measure the horror that culminates in the two women's cannibalism pact (vv. 28–29); the king's tearing of his garments reveals the sackcloth on his flesh (v. 30), and his oath against Elisha (v. 31) sets up the resolution withheld until ch. 7. Throughout, κύριος renders the Tetragrammaton when God is meant (vv. 17, 18, 20, 27, 33) but functions as the human honorific 'my lord' in the mouths of the desperate (vv. 5, 12, 15, 26) and as 'their master' for the released Aramean captives (vv. 22–23) and the approaching king (v. 32).

1

καὶ εἶπον οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν προφητῶν πρὸς Ελισαιε ἰδοὺ δὴ ὁ τόπος ἐν ᾧ ἡμεῖς οἰκοῦμεν ἐνώπιόν σου στενὸς ἀφ᾿ ἡμῶν

And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, 'See now, the place where we dwell before you is too cramped for us.'

Narrative opening: the prophetic guild's petitionκαὶ εἶπον
The chapter opens with Hebraizing καί-parataxis and the standard speech-formula εἶπον … πρός; the 'sons of the prophets' (οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν προφητῶν) are the prophetic guild gathered around Elisha. The presentative ἰδοὺ δή ('see now') + the bare predicate adjective στενός frames a polite complaint that motivates the building project of the episode.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπονsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single completed speech-act)λέγω: 'say / speak'; the aorist εἶπον (3 pl.) introduces the corporate speech of the prophetic guild; the construction εἶπον πρός + acc. renders Hebrew אָמַר אֶל.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the idiom οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν προφητῶν renders בְּנֵי הַנְּבִיאִים, the 'sons / company of the prophets' — not literal offspring but members of a prophetic guild associated with Elisha (cf. 2:3, 5, 7, 15; 4:1, 38).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προφητῶνof prophetsGenitiveattributive genitive (with υἱοί)→ relational specificationπροφήτης: 'prophet'; renders נָבִיא; the genitive defines the guild as a community gathered for prophetic life and instruction under a master-prophet.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΕλισαιεElishaaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: transliteration of Hebrew אֱלִישָׁע ('God is salvation'); indeclinable in the LXX; the disciple-prophet and successor of Elijah, the central figure of this chapter.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (interjection)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'look / behold'; renders הִנֵּה; a presentative marker calling attention to the situation that follows.
δὴnow / pleaseemphatic / hortatory particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: enclitic particle of entreaty or emphasis; here softening the request, rendering Hebrew נָא ('please / now').
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόποςplaceNominativesubject (of implied copula; predicate στενός)→ participant prominenceτόπος: 'place / location'; renders מָקוֹם; here the dwelling-quarters of the prophetic community, found too small.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative, in relative clause)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative, in relative clause).
whichDativerelative pronoun (locative: 'in which')→ participant reference or interestὅς: relative pronoun; ἐν ᾧ = 'in which / where', introducing the relative clause describing the τόπος.
ἡμεῖςweNominativeemphatic subject pronoun→ participant referenceἐγώ (pl. ἡμεῖς): the explicit first-person plural pronoun lends emphasis to the community's shared situation.
οἰκοῦμενwe dwellPres Act Indic 1 Pl · οἰκέωverb of relative clause→ customary present (settled dwelling)οἰκέω: 'dwell / inhabit'; renders יָשַׁב; the present describes the ongoing residence of the guild before Elisha.
ἐνώπιόνbeforepreposition + genitive (in your presence)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism rendering לִפְנֵי; 'before you' marks the disciples' life lived under the prophet's oversight.
σουyouGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐνώπιον.
στενὸςnarrow / crampedNominativepredicate adjective (with implied copula)→ participant prominenceστενός: 'narrow / confined / too small'; renders צַר; the predicate adjective expresses that the quarters have become inadequate for the growing community.
ἀφ᾿for / frompreposition + genitive (elided ἀπό; 'too narrow for us')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; with στενός the construction στενὸς ἀφ᾿ ἡμῶν is a Hebraism (צַר מִמֶּנּוּ) meaning 'too cramped for us'.
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἀπό.
2

πορευθῶμεν δὴ ἕως τοῦ Ιορδάνου καὶ λάβωμεν ἐκεῖθεν ἀνὴρ εἷς δοκὸν μίαν καὶ ποιήσωμεν ἑαυτοῖς ἐκεῖ τοῦ οἰκεῖν ἐκεῖ καὶ εἶπεν δεῦτε

Let us go now as far as the Jordan, and let us each take from there one beam, and let us make for ourselves there a place to dwell.' And he said, 'Go.'

Continued petition: hortatory subjunctives proposing the building projectπορευθῶμεν δὴ
The guild's proposal unfolds in a chain of first-person plural hortatory subjunctives (πορευθῶμεν … λάβωμεν … ποιήσωμεν) rendering the Hebrew cohortative. The distributive nominative ἀνὴρ εἷς ('each one') inside a plural clause is a Hebraism (אִישׁ אֶחָד). Elisha's curt assent δεῦτε ('go!') closes the exchange.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
πορευθῶμενlet us goAor Pass Subj 1 Pl · πορεύομαιhortatory subjunctive (main verb)→ volitive aorist subjunctive (cohortative proposal)πορεύομαι: 'go / travel'; deponent with aorist passive form πορευθῶμεν; the hortatory subjunctive renders the Hebrew cohortative נֵלְכָה ('let us go').
δὴnow / pleasehortatory particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: particle of entreaty reinforcing the cohortative; renders נָא.
ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (extent / goal of motion)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / as far as'; with the genitive marks the spatial goal of the journey.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνουJordanGenitivegenitive object of ἕως→ relational specificationΙορδάνης: the Jordan river, רrender of הַיַּרְדֵּן; declined here as a first-declension masculine (gen. Ιορδάνου), hence treated as a declinable noun.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λάβωμενlet us takeAor Act Subj 1 Pl · λαμβάνωhortatory subjunctive (coordinate)→ volitive aorist subjunctive (cohortative)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; renders לָקַח; continues the chain of proposals.
ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (source)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there / thence'; deictic adverb pointing back to the Jordan banks as the source of timber.
ἀνὴρa man / eachNominativedistributive nominative (in apposition: 'each man')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the nominative ἀνὴρ εἷς inside a first-person plural clause is a Hebraism (אִישׁ אֶחָד) functioning distributively, 'each one (of us)'.
εἷςoneNominativenumeral in apposition to ἀνήρ (distributive)→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; reinforcing the distributive sense 'each single one'.
δοκὸνbeam / logAccusativedirect object of λάβωμεν→ object specificationδοκός: 'beam / wooden log'; renders קוֹרָה; the building timber the guild will fell from the Jordan thickets.
μίανoneAccusativenumeral modifier of δοκόν→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: feminine accusative μίαν agreeing with δοκόν, 'one beam apiece'.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσωμενlet us makeAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ποιέωhortatory subjunctive (coordinate)→ volitive aorist subjunctive (cohortative)ποιέω: 'make / do'; renders עָשָׂה; here 'make / build (a dwelling) for ourselves'.
ἑαυτοῖςfor ourselvesDativereflexive pronoun (dative of advantage)→ participant reference or interestἑαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun; the dative of advantage 'for ourselves' marks the guild as beneficiaries of the new dwelling.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; the repeated ἐκεῖ (twice) mirrors the Hebrew שָׁם and emphasizes the new site by the river.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive of purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἰκεῖνto dwellPres Act Inf · οἰκέωarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.)→ progressive / durative (ongoing residence)οἰκέω: 'dwell'; the articular infinitive τοῦ οἰκεῖν expresses purpose, 'in order to dwell', rendering the Hebrew infinitive construct לָשֶׁבֶת.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (repeated)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: meaning 'there'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
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 (Elisha's reply)→ constative aoristλέγω: Elisha's brief assent introduces the single-word command δεῦτε.
δεῦτεgo / comeadverbial imperative (hortative interjection, 2 pl.)→ clausal contributionδεῦτε: hortative adverb functioning as a plural imperative, 'come! / go ahead!'; renders לֵכוּ; Elisha grants the request.
3

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ εἷς ἐπιεικέως δεῦρο μετὰ τῶν δούλων σου καὶ εἶπεν ἐγὼ πορεύσομαι

And the one said, 'Kindly come with your servants.' And he said, 'I will go.'

Dialogue: a member's request that Elisha accompany themκαὶ εἶπεν ὁ εἷς
One member (ὁ εἷς, 'the one') asks the prophet to come along, the politeness marked by ἐπιεικέως ('graciously / be so kind'). Elisha consents with the emphatic ἐγὼ πορεύσομαι ('I myself will go').
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces the request of one guild-member.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἷςoneNominativesubject (substantival numeral: 'the one [of them]')→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; substantivized with the article, ὁ εἷς = 'one (of the company)', rendering הָאֶחָד.
ἐπιεικέωςkindly / graciouslyadverb of manner (politeness)→ clausal contributionἐπιεικῶς / ἐπιεικέως: 'fittingly / graciously / be so good as to'; an idiom of courteous entreaty, softening the request that the prophet accompany them (cf. Hebrew הוֹאֶל נָא, 'please be willing').
δεῦροcomeadverbial imperative (hortative, 2 sg.)→ clausal contributionδεῦρο: hortative adverb used as a singular imperative, 'come!'; the singular counterpart to δεῦτε.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δούλωνservantsGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationδοῦλος: 'servant / slave'; here a deferential self-designation by the prophetic disciples, 'your servants' (עֲבָדֶיךָ).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Elisha's reply)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun→ participant referenceἐγώ: the explicit pronoun emphasizes Elisha's personal assent, 'I myself will go'.
πορεύσομαιI will goFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (consent)→ predictive / volitive futureπορεύομαι: 'go'; the future expresses Elisha's intention to accompany the company to the Jordan.
4

καὶ ἐπορεύθη μετ᾿ αὐτῶν καὶ ἦλθον εἰς τὸν Ιορδάνην καὶ ἔτεμνον τὰ ξύλα

And he went with them, and they came to the Jordan and were cutting the wood.

Narrative advance: arrival at the Jordan and the felling of timberκαὶ ἐπορεύθη
Three paratactic aorists/imperfects move the scene to the riverbank; the durative imperfect ἔτεμνον ('were cutting') sets the stage for the sudden mishap of v. 5.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 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 (Elisha sets out)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go'; deponent aorist passive ἐπορεύθη, 'he went (with them)'.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (elided μετά; accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (elided μετά; accompaniment).
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦλθονthey cameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (arrival)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; renders בּוֹא; the company reaches the river.
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (goal of motion)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of motion).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνηνJordanAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationΙορδάνης: the Jordan; declined (acc. Ιορδάνην), hence a declinable noun with case.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔτεμνονthey were cuttingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · τέμνωmain verb (durative background action)→ durative imperfect (action in progress)τέμνω: 'cut / fell'; renders גָּזַר / כָּרַת; the imperfect ἔτεμνον depicts the felling as ongoing, the backdrop against which the axehead is lost (v. 5).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξύλαwood / treesAccusativedirect object of ἔτεμνον→ object specificationξύλον (pl. ξύλα): 'wood / timber / tree'; renders עֵץ; the building material being harvested from the riverbank.
5

καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ εἷς καταβάλλων τὴν δοκόν καὶ τὸ σιδήριον ἐξέπεσεν εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ καὶ ἐβόησεν ὦ κύριε καὶ αὐτὸ κεχρημένον

And behold, as the one was felling the beam, the iron fell into the water; and he cried out, 'Alas, my lord! And it was borrowed.'

Crisis: the borrowed axehead is lost in the riverκαὶ ἰδοὺ
The presentative καὶ ἰδού freezes the scene at the moment of mishap; the temporal participle καταβάλλων ('as he was felling') frames the loss of the iron. The cry ὦ κύριε is addressed to Elisha as human master ('my lord'), and the lament αὐτὸ κεχρημένον ('and it was borrowed') intensifies the distress — the tool was not even his own.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (interjection)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'look / behold'; renders הִנֵּה; freezing the narrative on the dramatic moment of loss.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἷςoneNominativesubject (substantival numeral: 'the one')→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; ὁ εἷς, 'one (of the company)', the same member featured in v. 3.
καταβάλλωνfellingPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · καταβάλλωcircumstantial participle (temporal: 'as he was felling')→ imperfective participle (action in progress)καταβάλλω: 'cast down / fell / cut down'; the present participle sets the durative background — it is in the act of felling that the iron flies off the handle.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δοκόνbeamAccusativedirect object of καταβάλλων→ object specificationδοκός: 'beam / log'; the timber being felled (cf. v. 2).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σιδήριονiron / axeheadNominativesubject of ἐξέπεσεν→ participant prominenceσιδήριον: 'iron tool / axehead'; diminutive of σίδηρος ('iron'); renders הַבַּרְזֶל ('the iron', i.e. the axehead); the costly metal head that slips off into the river.
ἐξέπεσενfell outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκπίπτωmain verb (the loss)→ constative aorist (single mishap)ἐκπίπτω: 'fall out / off'; renders נָפַל; the compound ἐκ- marks the iron's flying off the handle and dropping away into the water.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδωρwaterAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationὕδωρ: 'water'; renders מַיִם; the Jordan into which the iron sinks beyond recovery.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐβόησενhe cried outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βοάωmain verb (cry of distress)→ ingressive aorist (burst into a cry)βοάω: 'cry out / shout'; renders צָעַק / זָעַק; the man's distressed exclamation over the lost tool.
O / alasinterjection (vocative exclamation)→ participant referenceὦ: exclamatory particle of lament/address; here introducing the appeal to the prophet (cf. v. 15, אֲהָהּ).
κύριεmy lord / sirVocativevocative of address (human master)→ direct addressκύριος: here NOT the Tetragrammaton but the human honorific 'my lord / master', addressed to Elisha by his disciple (אֲדֹנִי); the polite term of respect to the prophet-teacher.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (explanatory addendum)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτὸitNominativesubject (the axehead) of the verbless clause→ participant referenceαὐτός: the intensive/personal pronoun, here neuter 'it', the axehead, subject of the predicate participle κεχρημένον.
κεχρημένονborrowedPerf Mid/Pass Part Nom Sg Neut · χράωpredicate participle (verbless clause: 'it was borrowed')→ resultative perfect (settled state: on loan)χράω / χράομαι (perf. pass. ptc.): 'lend / (pass.) be borrowed'; renders שָׁאוּל ('borrowed / asked-for'); the perfect stresses the abiding state — the tool was on loan, so its loss carries a debt the poor disciple cannot repay.
6

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἄνθρωπος τοῦ θεοῦ ποῦ ἔπεσεν καὶ ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ τὸν τόπον καὶ ἀπέκνισεν ξύλον καὶ ἔρριψεν ἐκεῖ καὶ ἐπεπόλασεν τὸ σιδήριον

And the man of God said, 'Where did it fall?' And he showed him the place; and he cut off a stick and threw it there, and the iron floated to the surface.

Resolution: the man of God works the recovery-miracleκαὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἄνθρωπος τοῦ θεοῦ
The title ὁ ἄνθρωπος τοῦ θεοῦ ('the man of God') marks Elisha's prophetic authority. The miracle is narrated with stark economy in a chain of paratactic aorists: he asks, is shown, cuts a stick, throws it, and the iron — defying nature — rises (ἐπεπόλασεν, 'came to the surface').
Word-by-word analysis· 23 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 aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject (titular: 'the man of God')→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man'; ὁ ἄνθρωπος τοῦ θεοῦ renders אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים, the standard designation of Elisha (and Elijah) as a prophet of YHWH (cf. 4:7, 9, 16; 5:8).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive (titular: 'of God')→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; renders הָאֱלֹהִים; the genitive marks the prophet's belonging to and authorization by God.
ποῦwhereinterrogative adverb (direct question)→ clausal contributionποῦ: 'where?'; renders אָנָה / אֵי; Elisha asks the precise spot of the loss.
ἔπεσενdid it fallAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωverb of direct question→ constative aoristπίπτω: 'fall'; renders נָפַל; 'where did it fall?'
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδειξενhe showedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δείκνυμιmain verb→ constative aoristδείκνυμι: 'show / point out'; renders רָאָה (Hiphil); the man points to the exact place of the loss.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπονplaceAccusativedirect object of ἔδειξεν→ object specificationτόπος: 'place / spot'; the precise location of the sunken iron.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέκνισενhe cut offAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκνίζωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποκνίζω: 'nip / break / cut off'; a rare verb rendering קָצַב ('cut off'); Elisha snaps off a stick to cast into the water.
ξύλονstick / woodAccusativedirect object of ἀπέκνισεν→ object specificationξύλον: 'wood / stick'; here a single piece of wood (עֵץ) cut and thrown to effect the recovery.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔρριψενhe threwAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ῥίπτωmain verb→ constative aoristῥίπτω: 'throw / cast'; renders שָׁלַךְ; the prophetic act of casting the stick into the river.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; at the very spot where the iron fell.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπεπόλασενfloated to the surfaceAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιπολάζωmain verb (the miracle)→ constative aorist (the miraculous result)ἐπιπολάζω: 'come to the surface / float up'; renders צוּף (Hiphil, 'make to float'); the climactic miracle — dense iron rises and floats, reversing nature at the prophet's word.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σιδήριονiron / axeheadNominativesubject of ἐπεπόλασεν→ participant prominenceσιδήριον: 'iron / axehead'; the lost tool now miraculously floating, ready to be retrieved (v. 7).
7

καὶ εἶπεν ὕψωσον σαυτῷ καὶ ἐξέτεινεν τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔλαβεν αὐτό

And he said, 'Lift it out for yourself.' And he stretched out his hand and took it.

Conclusion: the man recovers the axeheadκαὶ εἶπεν
The episode closes with Elisha's command ὕψωσον σαυτῷ ('lift it up for yourself') and the disciple's simple compliance — stretching out his hand and taking the iron — restoring the borrowed tool and the episode's equilibrium.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 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 aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ὕψωσονlift upAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ὑψόωmain verb (imperative command)→ aorist imperative (single decisive act)ὑψόω: 'lift up / raise'; renders רוּם (Hiphil); 'pick it up for yourself' — the disciple is to retrieve what the prophet has made recoverable.
σαυτῷfor yourselfDativereflexive pronoun (dative of advantage)→ participant reference or interestσεαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun; 'for yourself', restoring the tool to its borrower.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξέτεινενhe stretched outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκτείνωmain verb→ constative aoristἐκτείνω: 'stretch out / extend'; renders שָׁלַח (the hand); the disciple reaches for the floating iron.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραhandAccusativedirect object of ἐξέτεινεν→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; renders יָד.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενhe tookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb→ constative aorist (completed retrieval)λαμβάνω: 'take / grasp'; renders לָקַח; the axehead is recovered, the episode resolved.
αὐτόitAccusativedirect object (the axehead)→ participant referenceαὐτός: neuter 'it', the σιδήριον now safely back in hand.
8

καὶ βασιλεὺς Συρίας ἦν πολεμῶν ἐν Ισραηλ καὶ ἐβουλεύσατο πρὸς τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ λέγων εἰς τὸν τόπον τόνδε τινὰ ελμωνι παρεμβαλῶ

Now the king of Aram was warring against Israel, and he took counsel with his servants, saying, 'At such-and-such a place, a certain one, I will set my camp.'

New episode: the king of Aram plots ambushes against Israelκαὶ βασιλεὺς Συρίας
A fresh scene opens with the periphrastic imperfect ἦν πολεμῶν ('was making war'), describing an ongoing state of hostilities. The king's secret war-council (ἐβουλεύσατο) and the cryptic placeholder τινὰ ελμωνι ('a certain such-and-such') set up Elisha's supernatural counter-intelligence in vv. 9–12.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶand / nownarrative conjunction (scene-transition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; the king of Aram (Ben-hadad, cf. v. 24), Israel's recurring northern adversary.
Συρίαςof Aram / SyriaGenitiveattributive genitive (with βασιλεύς)→ relational specificationΣυρία: 'Syria / Aram'; renders אֲרָם; declined here (gen. Συρίας), hence a declinable noun with case; the Aramean kingdom centered on Damascus.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίauxiliary (periphrastic imperfect with πολεμῶν)→ imperfect (durative background state)εἰμί: 'be'; here the auxiliary of the periphrastic imperfect ἦν πολεμῶν, depicting a continuous state of war.
πολεμῶνmaking warPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · πολεμέωparticiple in periphrastic imperfect (ἦν + πολεμῶν)→ imperfective participle (ongoing hostility)πολεμέω: 'wage war / fight'; renders לָחַם (Niphal); the periphrasis stresses the protracted, ongoing nature of the Aramean campaign against Israel.
ἐνagainst / inpreposition + dative (hostile engagement)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with πολεμέω, a Hebraism (לָחַם בְּ) meaning 'wage war against'.
ΙσραηλIsraeldative object of ἐν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; here the northern kingdom of Israel, object of Aram's aggression.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐβουλεύσατοtook counselAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · βουλεύομαιmain verb (deliberation)→ constative aoristβουλεύομαι: 'deliberate / take counsel / plan'; renders יָעַץ (Niphal); the king plots his battle-positions in secret session with his officers.
πρὸςwithpreposition + accusative (with whom)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (with whom).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδαςservantsAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationπαῖς: 'servant / attendant / official'; renders עֶבֶד; the king's military staff and courtiers.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of speech-introduction (Hebraism: לֵאמֹר)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (ptc. λέγων): the redundant participle 'saying' renders the Hebrew quotative לֵאמֹר, introducing the king's direct command.
εἰςat / topreposition + accusative (location of the camp)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (location of the camp).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπονplaceAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationτόπος: 'place'; the designated (but anonymized) site of the planned encampment / ambush.
τόνδεthis / suchAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying τόπον)→ object specificationὅδε (τόνδε): 'this (very) / such'; here 'such-and-such a place', the deictic placeholder for a confidential location, rendering פְּלֹנִי.
τινὰa certain oneAccusativeindefinite pronoun (placeholder)→ participant referenceτις: indefinite pronoun, 'a certain (one)'; reinforcing the deliberate vagueness of the secret war-plan.
ελμωνιsuch-and-suchindeclinable transliteration (placeholder name)→ clausal contributionελμωνι: a transliteration of Hebrew אַלְמֹנִי ('a certain anonymous one'); the LXX retains the Hebrew placeholder term untranslated, yielding the cryptic 'such-and-such (a place)'.
παρεμβαλῶI will encampFut Act Indic 1 Sg · παρεμβάλλωmain verb of the direct quotation→ predictive / volitive future (battle intention)παρεμβάλλω: 'encamp / set up camp / lay an ambush'; renders חָנָה ('encamp'); the king announces where he will position his forces — the very plan Elisha will betray.
9

καὶ ἀπέστειλεν Ελισαιε πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα Ισραηλ λέγων φύλαξαι μὴ παρελθεῖν ἐν τῷ τόπῳ τούτῳ ὅτι ἐκεῖ Συρία κέκρυπται

And Elisha sent to the king of Israel, saying, 'Beware of passing by this place, for there Aram is lying hidden.'

Prophetic counter-intelligence: Elisha warns the king of Israelκαὶ ἀπέστειλεν Ελισαιε
Elisha supernaturally knows the Aramean ambush and sends word; the aorist middle imperative φύλαξαι ('be on guard, for yourself') + μή + infinitive forbids the dangerous route. The perfect κέκρυπται ('is hidden / lies in wait') depicts Aram as an established lurking threat at that very spot.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send (with a commission)'; renders שָׁלַח; Elisha sends a warning message to the king.
ΕλισαιεElishasubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: indeclinable; the prophet whose supernatural knowledge thwarts the Aramean strategy.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; here the king of Israel, recipient of the prophetic warning.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'king of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; defines the king as ruler of the northern kingdom.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of speech-introduction (Hebraism: לֵאמֹר)→ verbal action or stateλέγω (ptc.): redundant quotative 'saying', rendering לֵאמֹר.
φύλαξαιbeware / guard yourselfAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · φυλάσσωmain verb (imperative of warning)→ aorist imperative (urgent precaution)φυλάσσω (mid. φυλάσσομαι): 'guard / be on one's guard / take heed'; renders שָׁמַר (Niphal הִשָּׁמֶר); the middle 'guard yourself' warns the king to take precaution.
μὴnot / lestnegative particle (with infinitive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative with the infinitive of prohibition, 'beware of (not) passing'; idiomatic warning construction.
παρελθεῖνto pass byAor Act Inf · παρέρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (with φύλαξαι μή)→ epexegetic aorist infinitive (defining the content of the evil deed)παρέρχομαι: 'pass by / pass through'; renders עָבַר; the king is to avoid traversing the ambush-site.
ἐνby / atpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπῳplaceDativedative object of ἐν (locative)→ sphere or referenceτόπος: 'place'; the dangerous spot of ambush.
τούτῳthisDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying τόπῳ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this'; deictically singling out the ambush-location revealed to Elisha.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; renders כִּי; introducing the reason for the warning.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (emphatic, fronted)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; fronted for emphasis — 'right there Aram lies hidden'.
ΣυρίαAram / SyriaNominativesubject of κέκρυπται (declined)→ participant prominenceΣυρία: 'Aram'; declined (nom. Συρία), hence a declinable noun with case; here a collective for the Aramean raiding force lying in ambush.
κέκρυπταιis hidden / lies in waitPerf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · κρύπτωmain verb (state of ambush)→ resultative perfect (established, lurking state)κρύπτω: 'hide / conceal'; the perfect κέκρυπται depicts Aram as already in position and lying concealed, ready to spring the ambush (cf. נָחַת / כָּמַן).
10

καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ισραηλ εἰς τὸν τόπον ὃν εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ελισαιε καὶ ἐφυλάξατο ἐκεῖθεν οὐ μίαν οὐδὲ δύο

And the king of Israel sent to the place which Elisha told him, and he guarded himself from there, not once nor twice.

Outcome: the king repeatedly heeds the warning and is savedκαὶ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ισραηλ
The king acts on Elisha's word — verifying and then avoiding the spot. The litotes οὐ μίαν οὐδὲ δύο ('not once nor twice') idiomatically means 'on many occasions', stressing the recurrence of the prophet's life-saving warnings and so motivating the Aramean king's paranoia in v. 11.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send'; the king dispatches men to check (and avoid) the place Elisha named.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: the king of Israel, now acting on prophetic intelligence.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπονplaceAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationτόπος: 'place'; the very ambush-site Elisha had disclosed.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἶπεν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, 'which', referring back to τόπον.
εἶπενtoldAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristλέγω: 'tell / say'; Elisha had named the place to him.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
ΕλισαιεElishasubject of εἶπεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of εἶπεν (indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐφυλάξατοhe guarded himselfAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · φυλάσσωmain verb (took precaution)→ constative aorist (repeated precaution summarized)φυλάσσομαι: 'be on guard / take precaution'; the middle echoes the imperative φύλαξαι of v. 9 — the king did exactly as warned, keeping clear of the ambush.
ἐκεῖθενfrom there / therebyadverb (source / means)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there'; the king kept himself safe away from that place.
οὐnotnegation (in litotes)→ participant referenceοὐ: 'not'; opens the litotes 'not once nor twice'.
μίανonceAccusativeadverbial accusative (numeral: 'one time')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; adverbial accusative μίαν, 'once'; with οὐδὲ δύο forms the idiom 'not once nor twice' = repeatedly (cf. פַּעַם אַחַת).
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδέ: 'and not / nor'; coordinating the second member of the litotes.
δύοtwiceAccusativeadverbial accusative (numeral: 'two times')→ measure or countδύο: 'two' (indeclinable in form); adverbial 'twice'; the litotes 'not once nor twice' conveys that the warnings happened many times over.
11

καὶ ἐξεκινήθη ἡ ψυχὴ βασιλέως Συρίας περὶ τοῦ λόγου τούτου καὶ ἐκάλεσεν τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς οὐκ ἀναγγελεῖτέ μοι τίς προδίδωσίν με βασιλεῖ Ισραηλ

And the soul of the king of Aram was stirred up over this matter, and he called his servants and said to them, 'Will you not tell me who is betraying me to the king of Israel?'

Aramean reaction: the king's agitation and suspicion of treacheryκαὶ ἐξεκινήθη ἡ ψυχὴ
The repeated failures stir the Aramean king's ψυχή ('soul / heart'). The rhetorical question οὐκ ἀναγγελεῖτέ μοι ('will you not tell me?') expects compliance; he assumes a human traitor (προδίδωσιν, 'betrays') rather than a prophet's supernatural knowledge — an irony the servant corrects in v. 12.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξεκινήθηwas stirred upAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐκκινέωmain verb (inner agitation)→ ingressive aorist passive (became agitated)ἐκκινέω: 'rouse / stir up / agitate'; the passive ἐξεκινήθη renders the Hebrew סָעַר ('was stormy / troubled') — the king's mind is thrown into turmoil by the leaks.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχὴsoul / heartNominativesubject→ participant prominenceψυχή: 'soul / life / inner self'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; here the seat of the king's emotions, 'his heart was troubled'.
βασιλέωςof the kingGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: the Aramean king whose composure is shattered.
Συρίαςof AramGenitiveattributive genitive (with βασιλέως)→ relational specificationΣυρία: 'Aram'; declined (gen. Συρίας).
περὶconcerning / overpreposition + genitive (cause)→ spatial or relational framingπερί: 'about / concerning'; with the genitive marking the cause of the agitation.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγουmatter / wordGenitivegenitive object of περί→ relational specificationλόγος: 'word / matter / affair'; renders דָּבָר; here 'this matter' — the repeated frustration of his plans.
τούτουthisGenitivedemonstrative (modifying λόγου)→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'this'.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάλεσενhe calledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call / summon'; renders קָרָא; the king convenes his officers to interrogate them.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδαςservantsAccusativedirect object of ἐκάλεσεν→ object specificationπαῖς: 'servant / official'; the royal staff suspected of leaking plans.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτούςthemAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceαὐτούς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
οὐκnotnegation (in question expecting positive response)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐ (οὐκ): 'not'; the οὐκ-question expects compliance — 'will you not (surely) tell me?'.
ἀναγγελεῖτέwill you tellFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb of direct question→ deliberative / demanding futureἀναγγέλλω: 'report / announce / disclose'; renders נָגַד (Hiphil); the king demands the identity of the supposed informer.
μοιto meDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject of προδίδωσιν)→ participant referenceτίς: 'who?'; the interrogative introducing the indirect question.
προδίδωσίνis betrayingPres Act Indic 3 Sg · προδίδωμιverb of indirect question→ progressive present (ongoing betrayal assumed)προδίδωμι: 'betray / hand over / give away'; the king presumes a human traitor is leaking his plans to Israel — dramatic irony, since the 'informer' is the prophet.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of προδίδωσιν→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of προδίδωσιν.
βασιλεῖto the kingDativeindirect object (to whom betrayed)→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the king of Israel, to whom the supposed treachery is directed.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
12

καὶ εἶπεν εἷς τῶν παίδων αὐτοῦ οὐχί κύριέ μου βασιλεῦ ὅτι Ελισαιε ὁ προφήτης ὁ ἐν Ισραηλ ἀναγγέλλει τῷ βασιλεῖ Ισραηλ πάντας τοὺς λόγους οὓς ἐὰν λαλήσῃς ἐν τῷ ταμιείῳ τοῦ κοιτῶνός σου

And one of his servants said, 'No, my lord O king; rather it is Elisha the prophet who is in Israel that reports to the king of Israel all the words you speak in the inner chamber of your bedroom.'

Disclosure: the servant identifies Elisha as the sourceκαὶ εἶπεν εἷς τῶν παίδων
The servant's emphatic denial (οὐχί) plus the deferential address κύριέ μου βασιλεῦ ('my lord O king', human honorific) introduces the explanation (ὅτι): no traitor, but the prophet Elisha, who knows even bedchamber speech. The hyperbole ἐν τῷ ταμιείῳ τοῦ κοιτῶνός σου ('in your innermost bedroom') stresses the totality of the prophet's revealed knowledge.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 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 aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
εἷςoneNominativesubject (substantival numeral)→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; εἷς τῶν παίδων, 'one of his servants', renders אַחַד מֵעֲבָדָיו.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παίδωνof servantsGenitivepartitive genitive (with εἷς)→ relational specificationπαῖς: 'servant'; partitive 'one of the servants'.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
οὐχίno / not at allemphatic negation (response)→ clausal contributionοὐχί: strengthened form of οὐ, 'no, not at all'; the servant flatly denies there is a traitor.
κύριέmy lordVocativevocative of address (human master)→ direct addressκύριος: here the human honorific 'my lord' (אֲדֹנִי), deferential address to the king — not the Tetragrammaton.
μουmyGenitivepossessive (with κύριε)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive (with κύριε).
βασιλεῦO kingVocativevocative of address (in apposition to κύριε)→ direct addressβασιλεύς: 'king'; the vocative completes the courtly formula 'my lord O king' (אֲדֹנִי הַמֶּלֶךְ).
ὅτιrather / forconjunction (introducing corrective explanation after denial)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / that / but rather'; after the denial it introduces the true explanation — 'no traitor, but rather Elisha…'.
ΕλισαιεElishasubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: indeclinable; identified as the one source of all the king's leaked plans.
theNominativearticle (with appositional προφήτης)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προφήτηςprophetNominativeapposition to Ελισαιε→ participant prominenceπροφήτης: 'prophet'; renders נָבִיא; the title explains the supernatural source of the intelligence.
the (who is)Nominativearticle (attributive, with prepositional phrase ἐν Ισραηλ)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: the article governing the attributive phrase 'the one in Israel'.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
ΙσραηλIsraeldative object of ἐν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative object of ἐν (indeclinable).
ἀναγγέλλειreportsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb of the ὅτι-clause→ customary present (habitual disclosure)ἀναγγέλλω: 'report / disclose'; the present marks the prophet's habitual revelation of the king's plans to Israel's king — the answer to the question of v. 11.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖto the kingDativeindirect object→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς: the king of Israel, recipient of Elisha's disclosures.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying λόγους)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the totality 'all the words' stresses how complete the prophet's knowledge is.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγουςwordsAccusativedirect object of ἀναγγέλλει→ object specificationλόγος: 'word / saying'; renders דָּבָר; even the king's confidential utterances.
οὓςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of λαλήσῃς)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, 'which', referring to the λόγους.
ἐὰνever / ifindefinite particle (with subjunctive in relative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if / whenever'; with the subjunctive it generalizes the relative clause, 'whatever words you happen to speak'.
λαλήσῃςyou speakAor Act Subj 2 Sg · λαλέωverb of indefinite relative clause→ subjunctive (generalizing)λαλέω: 'speak'; the aorist subjunctive with ἐάν generalizes — anything the king says, however private.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ταμιείῳinner chamberDativedative object of ἐν (location)→ sphere or referenceταμιεῖον: 'storeroom / private inner chamber'; renders חֶדֶר; the most secluded interior room — the point is that nothing is too private for Elisha to know.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κοιτῶνόςof the bedroomGenitiveattributive genitive (with ταμιείῳ)→ relational specificationκοιτών: 'bedchamber / sleeping-room'; renders מִשְׁכָּב; 'the inner room of your bedroom' = the innermost private space.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
13

καὶ εἶπεν δεῦτε ἴδετε ποῦ οὗτος καὶ ἀποστείλας λήμψομαι αὐτόν καὶ ἀνήγγειλαν αὐτῷ λέγοντες ἰδοὺ ἐν Δωθαϊμ

And he said, 'Go, see where this man is, and I will send and seize him.' And they reported to him, saying, 'Behold, he is in Dothan.'

Aramean counter-move: a mission to capture Elishaκαὶ εἶπεν δεῦτε
The king orders reconnaissance (δεῦτε ἴδετε, 'go, see') and announces a snatch-operation; the participle ἀποστείλας ('having sent') + the future λήμψομαι ('I will take / seize') express the plan. The locating report ἰδοὺ ἐν Δωθαϊμ ('behold, in Dothan') sets the stage for the encirclement of v. 14.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δεῦτεgo / comehortative adverb (functioning as 2 pl. imperative)→ clausal contributionδεῦτε: 'come! / go!'; hortative adverb, here urging the search-party into action.
ἴδετεseeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (imperative)→ aorist imperative (single command)ὁράω: 'see / look'; renders רָאָה; 'find out (where he is)'.
ποῦwhereinterrogative adverb (indirect question)→ clausal contributionποῦ: 'where?'; introducing the indirect question, 'where this man is'.
οὗτοςthis manNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of implied copula)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this (one)'; the king's contemptuous reference to Elisha, 'this fellow'.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποστείλαςhaving sentAor Act Part Nom Sg Masc · ἀποστέλλωcircumstantial participle (means: 'by sending')→ coincident aorist participleἀποστέλλω: 'send'; the participle 'having sent (men)' describes the means by which the king intends to seize the prophet.
λήμψομαιI will seizeFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (intention)→ volitive future (plan to capture)λαμβάνω: 'take / seize / capture'; renders לָקַח; here 'I will arrest him'.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνήγγειλανthey reportedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb→ constative aoristἀναγγέλλω: 'report / announce'; the scouts bring back word of Elisha's location.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Part Nom Pl Masc · λέγωparticiple of speech-introduction (Hebraism)→ progressive participleλέγω (ptc. pl.): redundant 'saying', rendering לֵאמֹר.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; presenting the locating information.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
ΔωθαϊμDothandative object of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΔωθαϊμ: transliteration of Hebrew דֹּתָן ('Dothan'); indeclinable; a town north of Samaria (cf. Gen 37:17), where Elisha is staying.
14

καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ἐκεῖ ἵππον καὶ ἅρμα καὶ δύναμιν βαρεῖαν καὶ ἦλθον νυκτὸς καὶ περιεκύκλωσαν τὴν πόλιν

And he sent there horses and chariotry and a heavy force, and they came by night and surrounded the city.

Military deployment: the night encirclement of Dothanκαὶ ἀπέστειλεν ἐκεῖ
The disproportion of the response — cavalry, chariotry, and a 'heavy' (βαρεῖαν) army to seize one unarmed prophet — heightens the irony. The nocturnal approach (νυκτός) and total encirclement (περιεκύκλωσαν) set up the dawn revelation of vv. 15–17.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστειλενhe sentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send / dispatch (troops)'.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (to Dothan)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; i.e. to Dothan.
ἵππονhorses / cavalryAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλεν→ object specificationἵππος: 'horse'; here a collective singular for cavalry (סוּס), 'horsemen / horses'.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἅρμαchariotryAccusativedirect object (coordinate)→ object specificationἅρμα: 'chariot'; collective for chariotry (רֶכֶב); the standard pairing 'horse and chariot' for a military force.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δύναμινforce / armyAccusativedirect object (coordinate)→ object specificationδύναμις: 'power / military force / army'; renders חַיִל; the body of troops accompanying the cavalry and chariots.
βαρεῖανheavy / strongAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying δύναμιν)→ object specificationβαρύς: 'heavy / weighty / formidable'; renders כָּבֵד; 'a heavy force' = a large, powerful army — vast overkill for one prophet.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦλθονthey cameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; the force advances on Dothan.
νυκτὸςby nightGenitivegenitive of time (within which)→ relational specificationνύξ: 'night'; the genitive of time, 'by night', renders לַיְלָה; a stealthy approach under cover of darkness.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
περιεκύκλωσανthey surroundedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · περικυκλόωmain verb→ constative aoristπερικυκλόω: 'encircle / surround'; renders נָקַף / סָבַב; the army rings the city completely, trapping (so they think) the prophet.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object of περιεκύκλωσαν→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; here Dothan.
15

καὶ ὤρθρισεν ὁ λειτουργὸς Ελισαιε ἀναστῆναι καὶ ἐξῆλθεν καὶ ἰδοὺ δύναμις κυκλοῦσα τὴν πόλιν καὶ ἵππος καὶ ἅρμα καὶ εἶπεν τὸ παιδάριον πρὸς αὐτόν ὦ κύριε πῶς ποιήσωμεν

And the attendant of Elisha rose early to get up and went out, and behold, a force encircling the city, with horses and chariotry. And the servant-boy said to him, 'Alas, my lord! What shall we do?'

Dawn discovery: the servant sees the besieging armyκαὶ ὤρθρισεν ὁ λειτουργὸς
Dawn (ὤρθρισεν, 'rose early') brings the terrifying sight, framed by the presentative ἰδού and the participle κυκλοῦσα. The boy's panic — ὦ κύριε (human 'my lord') πῶς ποιήσωμεν ('what shall we do?', deliberative subjunctive) — foils Elisha's serene confidence in v. 16.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὤρθρισενrose earlyAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀρθρίζωmain verb→ constative aoristὀρθρίζω: 'rise early / do early'; renders שָׁכַם (Hiphil); the attendant gets up at dawn.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λειτουργὸςattendant / ministerNominativesubject→ participant prominenceλειτουργός: 'servant / minister / attendant'; renders מְשָׁרֵת; Elisha's personal attendant (cf. Gehazi, though here perhaps another).
Ελισαιεof Elishagenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'Elisha's attendant')→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: indeclinable; possessive 'of Elisha'.
ἀναστῆναιto ariseAor Act Inf · ἀνίστημιepexegetic / complementary infinitive (with ὤρθρισεν)→ constative aorist infinitiveἀνίστημι: 'rise / get up'; the infinitive complements ὤρθρισεν, 'rose early to get up' — a Hebraizing redundancy (קוּם).
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→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; the attendant steps outside the dwelling.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (introducing the alarming sight)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; presenting the besieging army through the attendant's eyes.
δύναμιςa force / armyNominativesubject (nominative of exclamation, verbless)→ participant prominenceδύναμις: 'force / army'; the Aramean host suddenly perceived.
κυκλοῦσαencirclingPres Act Part Nom Sg Fem · κυκλόωattributive / predicate participle (with δύναμις)→ imperfective participle (ongoing encirclement)κυκλόω: 'encircle / surround'; the present participle 'surrounding' depicts the army in the act of ringing the city.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeobject of κυκλοῦσα→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; Dothan, ringed by the enemy.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἵπποςhorsesNominativesubject (verbless, with δύναμις)→ participant prominenceἵππος: 'horse / cavalry'; collective, part of the besieging force.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἅρμαchariotryNominativesubject (verbless)→ participant prominenceἅρμα: 'chariot / chariotry'; completing the picture of overwhelming force.
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 aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριονservant-boyNominativesubject→ participant prominenceπαιδάριον: 'young servant / lad'; diminutive of παῖς; renders נַעַר; the frightened attendant, here called the 'boy'.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτόνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Elisha)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Elisha).
O / alasinterjection (exclamation of distress)→ participant referenceὦ: exclamatory particle; here a cry of alarm (אֲהָהּ).
κύριεmy lordVocativevocative of address (human master)→ direct addressκύριος: human honorific 'my lord' (אֲדֹנִי), the boy addressing his master Elisha — not the divine name.
πῶςhow / whatinterrogative adverb→ clausal contributionπῶς: 'how?'; 'how / what shall we do?', a cry of helplessness.
ποιήσωμενshall we doAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ποιέωdeliberative subjunctive (direct question)→ deliberative aorist subjunctiveποιέω: 'do / act'; the deliberative subjunctive expresses the servant's despair, 'what are we to do?'.
16

καὶ εἶπεν Ελισαιε μὴ φοβοῦ ὅτι πλείους οἱ μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν ὑπὲρ τοὺς μετ᾿ αὐτῶν

And Elisha said, 'Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.'

Prophetic reassurance: the unseen heavenly host outnumbers the enemyκαὶ εἶπεν Ελισαιε
Elisha answers panic with the classic reassurance formula μὴ φοβοῦ ('do not fear') + a ὅτι-clause of grounds. The comparative πλείους … ὑπέρ ('more than') asserts an invisible reality — the heavenly army — that the prayer of v. 17 will make visible.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 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 aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΕλισαιεElishasubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: indeclinable; the prophet, calm amid the siege.
μὴnotnegative particle (with prohibitive imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative of prohibition with the present imperative φοβοῦ.
φοβοῦfearPres Mid/Pass Impv 2 Sg · φοβέομαιmain verb (prohibition)→ present imperative (stop / do not be fearing)φοβέομαι: 'fear / be afraid'; μὴ φοβοῦ renders אַל־תִּירָא, the recurring reassurance-formula of divine and prophetic speech.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (grounds for non-fear)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; renders כִּי; introducing the reason confidence is warranted.
πλείουςmoreNominativepredicate comparative adjective→ participant prominenceπολύς (compar. πλείων / πλείους): 'more / more numerous'; renders רַבִּים; 'those with us are more numerous'.
οἱthoseNominativesubstantival article (subject: 'those who [are]')→ noun-phrase markingὁ (substantival): 'the ones / those', with the following prepositional phrase, 'those with us' = the heavenly host.
μεθ᾿withpreposition + genitive (elided μετά; accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (elided μετά; accompaniment).
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
ὑπὲρthan / abovepreposition + accusative (comparison after πλείους)→ spatial or relational framingὑπέρ: 'above / beyond / more than'; with the accusative it expresses comparison, a Hebraizing equivalent of מִן after a comparative.
τοὺςthoseAccusativesubstantival article (object of comparison: 'those who [are]')→ noun-phrase markingὁ (substantival): 'those', with the prepositional phrase, 'those with them' = the Aramean army.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (elided μετά)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (elided μετά).
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
17

καὶ προσεύξατο Ελισαιε καὶ εἶπεν κύριε διάνοιξον τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς τοῦ παιδαρίου καὶ ἰδέτω καὶ διήνοιξεν κύριος τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶδεν καὶ ἰδοὺ τὸ ὄρος πλῆρες ἵππων καὶ ἅρμα πυρὸς περικύκλῳ Ελισαιε

And Elisha prayed and said, 'O LORD, open the eyes of the servant-boy that he may see.' And the LORD opened the eyes of the boy, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

The eyes opened: the heavenly host revealedκαὶ προσεύξατο Ελισαιε
Elisha's prayer to κύριε (the Tetragrammaton) is answered exactly: διάνοιξον … καὶ διήνοιξεν κύριος ('open … and the LORD opened') frames request and fulfilment. The presentative ἰδού discloses the mountain πλῆρες ('full') of fiery horses and chariots — the invisible army of v. 16 made visible to the trembling servant.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσεύξατοprayedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προσεύχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristπροσεύχομαι: 'pray'; renders פָּלַל (Hithpael); Elisha intercedes for his servant's spiritual sight.
ΕλισαιεElishasubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: indeclinable.
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 aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
κύριεO LORDVocativevocative of address (divine name)→ direct addressκύριος: here the Tetragrammaton יהוה; Elisha addresses YHWH directly in prayer — divine, not human.
διάνοιξονopenAor Act Impv 2 Sg · διανοίγωmain verb (petition)→ aorist imperative (request)διανοίγω: 'open fully / open up'; the compound δια- intensifies — 'open wide'; renders פָּקַח; Elisha asks YHWH to grant the servant spiritual perception.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativedirect object of διάνοιξον→ object specificationὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; renders עַיִן; here the organ of a perception that must be divinely granted.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδαρίουof the servant-boyGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationπαιδάριον: 'young servant / lad'; the frightened attendant of v. 15.
καὶand / thatconjunction (introducing result / purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here near-final, 'and so that (he may see)'.
ἰδέτωlet him seeAor Act Impv 3 Sg · ὁράωthird-person imperative (purpose / result)→ aorist imperative (volitive: 'may he see')ὁράω: 'see'; the third-person imperative ἰδέτω, 'let him see', expresses the desired outcome of the opening of the eyes.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (fulfilment)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διήνοιξενopenedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διανοίγωmain verb (divine answer)→ constative aorist (the prayer granted)διανοίγω: 'open fully'; the indicative answers the imperative διάνοιξον exactly — YHWH does precisely what was asked.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject (divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; YHWH is the agent who opens the servant's eyes.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativedirect object→ object specificationὀφθαλμός: 'eye'.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενhe sawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see'; the servant now perceives the unseen reality.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (the revealed vision)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; presenting the heavenly army to the servant's (and reader's) sight.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄροςmountainNominativesubject (verbless exclamation)→ participant prominenceὄρος: 'mountain / hill'; renders הַר; the high ground around Dothan, now seen full of the heavenly host.
πλῆρεςfullNominativepredicate adjective (with ὄρος)→ participant prominenceπλήρης: 'full'; renders מָלֵא; the mountain is filled with the fiery cavalry and chariots.
ἵππωνof horsesGenitivegenitive of content (with πλῆρες)→ relational specificationἵππος: 'horse'; the genitive of content specifies what fills the mountain — celestial horses (cf. Elijah's fiery chariot, 2:11).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἅρμαchariotsNominativesubject (verbless, continuing the description)→ participant prominenceἅρμα: 'chariot / chariotry'; collective; 'chariots of fire', the heavenly war-machinery of YHWH.
πυρὸςof fireGenitiveattributive genitive (of material: 'of fire')→ relational specificationπῦρ: 'fire'; renders אֵשׁ; the fiery chariots evoke the theophanic war-imagery of YHWH's heavenly armies.
περικύκλῳround aboutadverb (with following name: 'around Elisha')→ clausal contributionπερικύκλῳ: 'all around / round about'; renders סָבִיב; the heavenly host completely encircles Elisha — a divine cordon answering the Aramean encirclement of v. 14.
ΕλισαιεElishaobject of περικύκλῳ (indeclinable: 'around Elisha')→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: indeclinable; the prophet stands at the center of the protective heavenly ring.
18

καὶ κατέβησαν πρὸς αὐτόν καὶ προσηύξατο Ελισαιε πρὸς κύριον καὶ εἶπεν πάταξον δὴ τοῦτο τὸ ἔθνος ἀορασίᾳ καὶ ἐπάταξεν αὐτοὺς ἀορασίᾳ κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα Ελισαιε

And they came down to him, and Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, 'Strike now this nation with blindness.' And he struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

Counter-stroke: the army struck with blindnessκαὶ κατέβησαν πρὸς αὐτόν
As the Arameans advance (κατέβησαν), Elisha prays to κύριον (YHWH) and the petition πάταξον … ἀορασίᾳ is granted verbatim — ἐπάταξεν … ἀορασίᾳ κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα Ελισαιε ('according to the word of Elisha'). The rare ἀορασία denotes a dazzling, disorienting blindness (Heb. סַנְוֵרִים), not total sightlessness.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέβησανthey came downAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καταβαίνωmain verb→ constative aoristκαταβαίνω: 'come / go down'; renders יָרַד; the Arameans descend toward Elisha to seize him.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
αὐτόνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσηύξατοprayedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προσεύχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristπροσεύχομαι: 'pray'; Elisha again intercedes — now for the enemy's incapacitation.
ΕλισαιεElishasubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of prayer)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of prayer).
κύριονthe LORDAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (divine name)→ object specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; Elisha prays to YHWH — divine, not human.
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 aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
πάταξονstrikeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (petition addressed to YHWH)→ aorist imperative (request)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite'; renders נָכָה; Elisha asks YHWH to smite the army — here not lethally but with disorienting blindness.
δὴnow / pleaseentreaty particle (softening the request)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: particle of entreaty, 'now / please'; renders נָא.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (modifying ἔθνος)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; pointing to the advancing Aramean troop.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔθνοςnation / companyAccusativedirect object of πάταξον→ object specificationἔθνος: 'nation / people / band'; renders גּוֹי; here the body of Aramean troops.
ἀορασίᾳwith blindnessDativedative of means / instrument→ sphere or referenceἀορασία: 'blindness / failure to see'; a rare word (ἀ- privative + ὅρασις) rendering סַנְוֵרִים — a dazzling, mind-confusing blindness (cf. Gen 19:11), not mere physical loss of sight.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (fulfilment)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάταξενhe struckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (divine answer)→ constative aorist (prayer granted)πατάσσω: 'strike'; the indicative answers the imperative πάταξον — YHWH (implied subject) does exactly as asked.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ἀορασίᾳwith blindnessDativedative of means (repeated)→ sphere or referenceἀορασία: the same disorienting blindness, now inflicted.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm / standard)→ spatial or relational framingκατά: 'according to'; with the accusative, 'in accordance with'.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαwordAccusativeaccusative object of κατά→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / saying / thing said'; renders דָּבָר; 'according to the word of Elisha' marks the prophetic efficacy — what the prophet says, YHWH performs.
Ελισαιεof Elishagenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'word of Elisha')→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: indeclinable; possessive 'of Elisha'.
19

καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς Ελισαιε οὐχ αὕτη ἡ πόλις καὶ αὕτη ἡ ὁδός δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου καὶ ἀπάξω ὑμᾶς πρὸς τὸν ἄνδρα ὃν ζητεῖτε καὶ ἀπήγαγεν αὐτοὺς εἰς Σαμάρειαν

And Elisha said to them, 'This is not the city, nor is this the way; follow me, and I will lead you to the man whom you seek.' And he led them to Samaria.

Misdirection: Elisha leads the blinded army to Samariaκαὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς Ελισαιε
Elisha exploits the blindness with a literally-true ruse: οὐχ αὕτη ἡ πόλις … ('this is not the city/way') and δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου ('follow me'). He promises to bring them πρὸς τὸν ἄνδρα ὃν ζητεῖτε ('to the man you seek') — himself — and delivers the whole force into the Israelite capital, Samaria.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 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 aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
ΕλισαιεElishasubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
οὐχnotnegation (predicate denial)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐ (οὐχ before rough breathing): 'not'; denying that this is the city/road they sought.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject)→ participant referenceοὗτος (fem. αὕτη): 'this'; 'this is not the city'.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλιςcityNominativepredicate noun→ participant prominenceπόλις: 'city'; the place they think they are seeking.
καὶand / norcoordinate conjunction (continuing the negation: 'nor')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here within the scope of οὐχ, 'and (this is not) … nor'.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject)→ participant referenceοὗτος (fem. αὕτη): 'this'; 'nor is this the way'.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδόςway / roadNominativepredicate noun→ participant prominenceὁδός: 'way / road / journey'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; the road they believe leads to their target.
δεῦτεfollow / comehortative adverb (functioning as 2 pl. imperative)→ clausal contributionδεῦτε: 'come!'; with ὀπίσω μου, 'come after me / follow me'.
ὀπίσωafter / behindimproper preposition + genitive (following)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after / behind'; with the genitive, 'behind me'; renders אַחֲרַי.
μουmeGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσω→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ὀπίσω.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπάξωI will leadFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀπάγωmain verb (promise)→ predictive futureἀπάγω: 'lead away / lead off'; renders הָלַךְ (Hiphil); Elisha promises to conduct them to the man they seek.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδραmanAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the 'man you seek' — Elisha himself, the irony plain to the reader.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ζητεῖτε)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, 'whom'.
ζητεῖτεyou seekPres Act Indic 2 Pl · ζητέωverb of relative clause→ progressive presentζητέω: 'seek / search for'; renders בָּקַשׁ; the army's quarry is the very man leading them.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπήγαγενhe ledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπάγωmain verb→ constative aoristἀπάγω: 'lead away'; the fulfilment of the promise — Elisha conducts the blinded host into the enemy capital.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
ΣαμάρειανSamariaAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (declined)→ object specificationΣαμάρεια: 'Samaria'; the capital of the northern kingdom; declined (acc. Σαμάρειαν), hence a declinable noun with case.
20

καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς εἰσῆλθον εἰς Σαμάρειαν καὶ εἶπεν Ελισαιε ἄνοιξον δή κύριε τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν καὶ ἰδέτωσαν καὶ διήνοιξεν κύριος τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῶν καὶ εἶδον καὶ ἰδοὺ ἦσαν ἐν μέσῳ Σαμαρείας

And it came to pass, when they had entered Samaria, that Elisha said, 'O LORD, open the eyes of these men that they may see.' And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw, and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.

Reversal: their sight restored inside the enemy capitalκαὶ ἐγένετο ὡς
The temporal frame καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς (וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר) marks the climactic turn. The prayer-and-fulfilment pattern of v. 17 recurs — ἄνοιξον … διήνοιξεν κύριος (YHWH) — but now restoring sight to reveal their trapped position: ἰδοὺ ἦσαν ἐν μέσῳ Σαμαρείας ('behold, they were in the midst of Samaria').
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ 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-frame formula)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become / happen'; καὶ ἐγένετο renders the narrative formula וַיְהִי, introducing a temporal clause.
ὡςwhen / astemporal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'when / as'; renders כַּאֲשֶׁר; introducing the time of the eye-opening.
εἰσῆλθονthey enteredAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιverb of temporal clause→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go in'; renders בּוֹא; the army passes inside the city walls.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
ΣαμάρειανSamariaAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (declined)→ object specificationΣαμάρεια: 'Samaria'; declined (acc. Σαμάρειαν).
καὶand / thenapodotic conjunction (after the ὡς-clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here apodotic, introducing the main clause after the temporal protasis, a Hebraism (waw-apodosis).
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΕλισαιεElishasubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ἄνοιξονopenAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀνοίγωmain verb (petition)→ aorist imperative (request)ἀνοίγω: 'open'; renders פָּקַח; Elisha asks YHWH to restore the army's sight now that they are trapped.
δήnow / pleaseentreaty particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: 'now / please'; renders נָא.
κύριεO LORDVocativevocative of address (divine name)→ direct addressκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; Elisha again addresses YHWH directly.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativedirect object of ἄνοιξον→ object specificationὀφθαλμός: 'eye'.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶand / thatconjunction (purpose / result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: near-final, 'so that they may see'.
ἰδέτωσανlet them seeAor Act Impv 3 Pl · ὁράωthird-person imperative (purpose / result)→ aorist imperative (volitive)ὁράω: 'see'; the third-person imperative ἰδέτωσαν, 'let them see', the goal of opening their eyes.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (fulfilment)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διήνοιξενopenedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διανοίγωmain verb (divine answer)→ constative aoristδιανοίγω: 'open fully'; YHWH restores their sight, fulfilling the petition.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject (divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the divine agent of the restored sight.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativedirect object→ object specificationὀφθαλμός: 'eye'.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδονthey sawAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see'; the army perceives where it has been led.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (the shocking realization)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; presenting the army's discovery of its trapped location.
ἦσανthey wereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (situational)→ stative imperfectεἰμί: 'be'; 'they were (already) in the midst of Samaria' — utterly at Israel's mercy.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
μέσῳthe midstDativedative object of ἐν (idiom: 'in the midst of')→ sphere or referenceμέσος: 'middle / midst'; ἐν μέσῳ renders בְּתוֹךְ, 'in the midst of'.
Σαμαρείαςof SamariaGenitiveattributive genitive (with μέσῳ; declined)→ relational specificationΣαμάρεια: 'Samaria'; declined (gen. Σαμαρείας); the very heart of the enemy capital.
21

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ισραηλ ὡς εἶδεν αὐτούς εἰ πατάξας πατάξω πάτερ

And the king of Israel said, when he saw them, 'Shall I really strike them down, my father?'

Royal eagerness: shall the captives be slaughtered?καὶ εἶπεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ισραηλ
Seeing the helpless enemy, the king itches to kill; the question is built on the figura etymologica πατάξας πατάξω ('striking shall I strike' = 'shall I utterly slay?'), the LXX's calque of the Hebrew infinitive absolute, with εἰ marking a direct question. The deferential vocative πάτερ ('my father') addresses Elisha as spiritual authority (cf. 2:12).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 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 aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the king of Israel, eager to exploit the captives.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
ὡςwhentemporal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'when / as'; renders כִּרְאֹתוֹ ('when he saw').
εἶδενhe sawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωverb of temporal clause→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see'; the king beholds the captured army at his mercy.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτούς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
εἰ(shall I?)interrogative particle (introducing direct question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: normally 'if', but here a Hebraism rendering the interrogative הַ, marking a direct yes/no question — 'shall I strike?'
πατάξαςstrikingAor Act Part Nom Sg Masc · πατάσσωcognate participle (figura etymologica with πατάξω)→ intensifying participle (Hebraism)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite'; the participle πατάξας paired with the finite πατάξω calques the Hebrew infinitive absolute הַכֵּה אַכֶּה ('shall I surely smite?'), expressing emphatic intensity.
πατάξωshall I strikeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb of deliberative question→ deliberative future (figura etymologica: 'shall I utterly slay?')πατάσσω: the finite verb completing the cognate construction; 'shall I really strike them down?' — the king's bloodthirsty eagerness.
πάτερmy fatherVocativevocative of address (to Elisha)→ direct addressπατήρ: 'father'; the respectful vocative 'my father' (אָבִי) addressed to the prophet, as Elisha himself called Elijah (2:12); marks the king's deference to prophetic authority over the captives.
22

καὶ εἶπεν οὐ πατάξεις εἰ μὴ οὓς ᾐχμαλώτευσας ἐν ῥομφαίᾳ σου καὶ τόξῳ σου σὺ τύπτεις παράθες ἄρτους καὶ ὕδωρ ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν καὶ φαγέτωσαν καὶ πιέτωσαν καὶ ἀπελθέτωσαν πρὸς τὸν κύριον αὐτῶν

And he said, 'You shall not strike them. Would you strike those whom you captured with your sword and your bow? Set bread and water before them, and let them eat and drink and go to their master.'

Prophetic restraint: feed the captives, do not kill themκαὶ εἶπεν οὐ πατάξεις
Elisha forbids the slaughter (οὐ πατάξεις): one does not even slay one's own legitimate war-captives, still less these whom YHWH delivered. Instead a chain of third-person imperatives (φαγέτωσαν … πιέτωσαν … ἀπελθέτωσαν) commands hospitality and release. πρὸς τὸν κύριον αὐτῶν ('to their master') is the human Aramean king.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
οὐnotnegation (with future of prohibition)→ participant referenceοὐ: 'not'; with the future πατάξεις forms a categorical prohibition, 'you shall not strike'.
πατάξειςyou shall strikeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (prohibitive future)→ prohibitive future (emphatic refusal)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite'; οὐ πατάξεις, 'you must not strike' — Elisha overrules the king's deadly impulse.
εἰ(would you?)interrogative particle (with μή; rhetorical question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: with μή introducing a rhetorical question expecting 'no' — 'would you strike (even your own captives)?'
μὴnotnegative particle (in rhetorical question)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: marks the question as expecting a negative answer.
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ᾐχμαλώτευσας / τύπτεις)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, 'those whom'.
ᾐχμαλώτευσαςyou took captiveAor Act Indic 2 Sg · αἰχμαλωτεύωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristαἰχμαλωτεύω: 'take captive / lead away as prisoner'; renders שָׁבָה; the argument a fortiori — you would not even kill captives taken by your own weapons, much less these.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental).
ῥομφαίᾳswordDativedative of means→ sphere or referenceῥομφαία: 'sword / broadsword'; renders חֶרֶב; the instrument of legitimate capture.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τόξῳbowDativedative of means (coordinate with ῥομφαίᾳ)→ sphere or referenceτόξον: 'bow'; renders קֶשֶׁת; with the sword, the standard pair for one's own weapons of war.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
σὺyouNominativeemphatic subject pronoun→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic pronoun sharpens the rhetorical force — 'would you (of all people) strike?'
τύπτειςdo you strikePres Act Indic 2 Sg · τύπτωmain verb of rhetorical question→ progressive present (rhetorical)τύπτω: 'strike / beat / smite'; renders נָכָה; the rhetorical question implies a clear 'no — even those you do not slaughter'.
παράθεςset beforeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · παρατίθημιmain verb (positive command)→ aorist imperative (decisive command)παρατίθημι: 'set before / serve (food)'; renders שׂוּם / נָתַן; Elisha commands hospitality instead of slaughter.
ἄρτουςbread / loavesAccusativedirect object of παράθες→ object specificationἄρτος: 'bread / loaf'; renders לֶחֶם; basic sustenance offered to the enemy.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object (coordinate)→ object specificationὕδωρ: 'water'; renders מַיִם; bread and water, the elements of basic hospitality.
ἐνώπιονbeforepreposition + genitive (in front of)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in front of'; renders לִפְנֵי.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐνώπιον.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φαγέτωσανlet them eatAor Act Impv 3 Pl · ἐσθίωthird-person imperative→ aorist imperative (volitive)ἐσθίω (aor. φαγεῖν): 'eat'; renders אָכַל; the captives are to be fed.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πιέτωσανlet them drinkAor Act Impv 3 Pl · πίνωthird-person imperative→ aorist imperative (volitive)πίνω: 'drink'; renders שָׁתָה; completing the act of hospitality.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπελθέτωσανlet them go awayAor Act Impv 3 Pl · ἀπέρχομαιthird-person imperative→ aorist imperative (volitive)ἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; renders הָלַךְ; the captives are to be released unharmed.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριονmasterAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (human master)→ object specificationκύριος: here the human 'master / lord' (אֲדוֹן) — the king of Aram to whom the captives belong; NOT the Tetragrammaton.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
23

καὶ παρέθηκεν αὐτοῖς παράθεσιν μεγάλην καὶ ἔφαγον καὶ ἔπιον καὶ ἀπέστειλεν αὐτούς καὶ ἀπῆλθον πρὸς τὸν κύριον αὐτῶν καὶ οὐ προσέθεντο ἔτι μονόζωνοι Συρίας τοῦ ἐλθεῖν εἰς γῆν Ισραηλ

And he set before them a great feast, and they ate and drank; and he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the raiding bands of Aram came no more into the land of Israel.

Resolution: the captives feasted, released, and the raids ceaseκαὶ παρέθηκεν αὐτοῖς
The king obeys, even exceeding the order — a παράθεσιν μεγάλην ('great feast'). The released enemy returns to its master, and the episode closes with a summary of lasting effect: οὐ προσέθεντο ἔτι ('they did not continue / come again'), a Hebraism (יָסַף) marking the cessation of the μονόζωνοι ('marauding bands') of Aram.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρέθηκενhe set beforeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παρατίθημιmain verb→ constative aoristπαρατίθημι: 'set before / provide'; the king serves the enemy a banquet, obeying Elisha.
αὐτοῖςfor themDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'for them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
παράθεσινa feast / provisionAccusativecognate accusative (with παρέθηκεν)→ object specificationπαράθεσις: 'a setting before / meal / banquet'; cognate with παρατίθημι; renders כֵּרָה ('feast'); the lavish hospitality offered the foe.
μεγάληνgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying παράθεσιν)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great / large'; renders גָּדוֹל; the king exceeds the bare command of bread and water with a generous feast.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔφαγονthey ateAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb→ constative aoristἐσθίω: 'eat'.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔπιονthey drankAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πίνωmain verb→ constative aoristπίνω: 'drink'.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστειλενhe sent awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send away / dismiss'; the captives are released.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτούς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπῆλθονthey went awayAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb→ constative aoristἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; the freed troops return home.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριονmasterAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (human master)→ object specificationκύριος: human 'master' (אֲדוֹן) — the king of Aram; not the divine name.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegation→ participant referenceοὐ: meaning 'not'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as negation.
προσέθεντοthey continued / did againAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · προστίθημιmain verb (idiom of repetition, negated)→ constative aorist (summary statement)προστίθημι (mid.): 'add / continue / do again'; the idiom οὐ προσέθεντο … τοῦ ἐλθεῖν renders the Hebrew יָסַף ('they did not continue / no longer came'); marks the lasting cessation of the raids.
ἔτιstill / againadverb (temporal)→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet / any more'; reinforces 'no longer'.
μονόζωνοιraiding bandsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceμονόζωνος: lit. 'girded alone / lightly-equipped'; substantivized as 'light-armed raider / marauding band'; renders גְּדוּד ('raiding party'); the freelance Aramean raiders that had plagued Israel.
Συρίαςof AramGenitiveattributive genitive (with μονόζωνοι; declined)→ relational specificationΣυρία: 'Aram'; declined (gen. Συρίας).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐλθεῖνto comeAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιarticular infinitive (complementary with προσέθεντο)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come'; the articular infinitive τοῦ ἐλθεῖν completes the idiom 'did not come again'.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationγῆ: 'land / earth'; renders אֶרֶץ; the territory of Israel, now spared the raids.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'land of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
24

καὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ ταῦτα καὶ ἤθροισεν υἱὸς Αδερ βασιλεὺς Συρίας πᾶσαν τὴν παρεμβολὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀνέβη καὶ περιεκάθισεν Σαμάρειαν

And it came to pass after these things that Ben-hadad king of Aram mustered all his army and went up and laid siege to Samaria.

New episode: the full-scale siege of Samariaκαὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ ταῦτα
The temporal formula καὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ ταῦτα (וַיְהִי אַחֲרֵי־כֵן) opens the climactic episode. Despite the cessation of raids (v. 23), Ben-hadad now mounts a total war (πᾶσαν τὴν παρεμβολήν, 'all his army') and besieges the capital itself (περιεκάθισεν Σαμάρειαν), setting up the famine of vv. 25–31.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ 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-frame formula)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become / happen'; καὶ ἐγένετο μετὰ ταῦτα renders וַיְהִי אַחֲרֵי־כֵן, a standard episode-opening.
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingμετά: 'after'; with the accusative, temporal succession.
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativeaccusative object of μετά→ object specificationοὗτος: 'these things'; μετὰ ταῦτα, the standard formula of narrative transition.
καὶand / thatapodotic conjunction (after ἐγένετο)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic, introducing the main clause after the temporal frame (Hebraism).
ἤθροισενmusteredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀθροίζωmain verb→ constative aoristἀθροίζω: 'gather / assemble / muster'; renders קָבַץ; the king assembles his entire host for a full campaign.
υἱὸςsonNominativesubject (with Αδερ: 'son of Hadad')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; υἱὸς Αδερ renders בֶּן־הֲדַד ('Ben-hadad'), the Aramean royal name/title 'son of (the god) Hadad'.
ΑδερHadadgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'son of Hadad')→ participant identificationΑδερ: transliteration of הֲדַד (Hadad); indeclinable; with υἱός forms the dynastic name Ben-hadad.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativeapposition to υἱὸς Αδερ→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; identifying Ben-hadad as the Aramean monarch.
Συρίαςof AramGenitiveattributive genitive (with βασιλεύς; declined)→ relational specificationΣυρία: 'Aram'; declined (gen. Συρίας).
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying παρεμβολήν)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / whole'; the total mobilization, 'all his army'.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολὴνarmy / campAccusativedirect object of ἤθροισεν→ object specificationπαρεμβολή: 'encampment / army / host'; renders מַחֲנֶה; the full military force assembled for the siege.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέβηwent upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb→ constative aoristἀναβαίνω: 'go up / advance'; renders עָלָה; the standard verb for a military advance against a city.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
περιεκάθισενlaid siege toAor Act Indic 3 Sg · περικαθίζωmain verb→ constative aorist (the siege begins)περικαθίζω: 'sit down around / besiege'; renders צוּר (Qal) / חָנָה עַל; the army encircles and blockades the capital, initiating the famine.
ΣαμάρειανSamariaAccusativedirect object of περιεκάθισεν (declined)→ object specificationΣαμάρεια: 'Samaria'; declined (acc. Σαμάρειαν); the besieged capital.
25

καὶ ἐγένετο λιμὸς μέγας ἐν Σαμαρείᾳ καὶ ἰδοὺ περιεκάθηντο ἐπ᾿ αὐτήν ἕως οὗ ἐγενήθη κεφαλὴ ὄνου πεντήκοντα σίκλων ἀργυρίου καὶ τέταρτον τοῦ κάβου κόπρου περιστερῶν πέντε σίκλων ἀργυρίου

And there was a great famine in Samaria; and behold, they were besieging it until a donkey's head was worth fifty shekels of silver, and a quarter of a kab of dove's dung five shekels of silver.

The famine: starvation prices measure the city's extremityκαὶ ἐγένετο λιμὸς μέγας
The siege produces a λιμὸς μέγας ('great famine'). The grim economics — an unclean donkey's head for fifty shekels, a mere quarter-kab of dove's dung for five — quantify the horror with chilling precision (ἕως οὗ … 'to the point that'), preparing for the cannibalism the king will hear of in vv. 28–29.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (existential)→ ingressive aorist (a famine arose)γίνομαι: 'become / arise / happen'; here existential, 'there came to be a famine'.
λιμὸςfamineNominativesubject→ participant prominenceλιμός: 'famine / hunger'; renders רָעָב; the lethal scarcity caused by the blockade.
μέγαςgreatNominativeattributive adjective (modifying λιμός)→ participant prominenceμέγας: 'great / severe'; renders גָּדוֹל; the intensity of the famine.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
ΣαμαρείᾳSamariaDativedative object of ἐν (declined)→ sphere or referenceΣαμάρεια: 'Samaria'; declined (dat. Σαμαρείᾳ).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; drawing attention to the siege's deadly toll.
περιεκάθηντοthey were besiegingImpf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Pl · περικάθημαιmain verb (durative)→ durative imperfect (the protracted siege)περικάθημαι: 'sit around / besiege'; renders צוּר; the imperfect depicts the besiegers' continuing encirclement that drives up the prices.
ἐπ᾿againstpreposition + accusative (elided ἐπί; hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (elided ἐπί; hostile direction).
αὐτήνitAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the city)→ participant referenceαὐτήν: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί (the city).
ἕωςuntilconjunction (with οὗ: 'until')→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: 'until'; ἕως οὗ, 'to the point that / until', introducing the extent of the famine's severity.
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (with ἕως: temporal)→ relational specificationὅς: relative; ἕως οὗ is a fixed temporal idiom, 'until the time when'.
ἐγενήθηwas worth / came to beAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (became valued at)→ constative aorist (reached this price)γίνομαι (aor. pass.): 'become / come to be (a certain value)'; here 'fetched / was worth' — the famine drove the head of an unclean animal to an exorbitant price.
κεφαλὴheadNominativesubject of ἐγενήθη→ participant prominenceκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; that even a donkey's head — from an unclean, normally inedible animal — commanded such a price measures the desperation.
ὄνουof a donkeyGenitivepossessive genitive (with κεφαλή)→ relational specificationὄνος: 'donkey / ass'; renders חֲמוֹר; an unclean animal (Lev 11), here a famine-food.
πεντήκονταfiftyGenitivenumeral (with σίκλων; genitive of price)→ measure or countπεντήκοντα: 'fifty'; indeclinable numeral; the exorbitant price in shekels.
σίκλωνshekelsGenitivegenitive of price→ relational specificationσίκλος: 'shekel'; transliteration of שֶׁקֶל, a unit of weight/value of silver; the genitive expresses price.
ἀργυρίουof silverGenitiveattributive genitive (material, with σίκλων)→ relational specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; renders כֶּסֶף; shekels of silver.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τέταρτονa fourth / quarterNominativesubject (of implied 'was worth')→ participant prominenceτέταρτος (neut. τέταρτον): 'fourth (part) / quarter'; renders רֶבַע; a quarter-measure of even the meanest food fetched a high price.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κάβουof a kabGenitivepartitive genitive (with τέταρτον)→ relational specificationκάβος: 'kab'; transliteration of קַב, a small dry measure (about 1.2 liters); 'a quarter of a kab' is a tiny ration.
κόπρουof dungGenitivegenitive (content, with τέταρτον)→ relational specificationκόπρος: 'dung / excrement'; renders חֲרֵי / חֲרֵיוֹנִים ('dove's dung'); whether literal droppings used as fuel/food or a popular name for a cheap seed-pod, it signifies the most degraded famine fare.
περιστερῶνof dovesGenitiveattributive genitive (with κόπρου)→ relational specificationπεριστερά: 'dove / pigeon'; renders יוֹנִים; 'dove's dung', the proverbially worthless commodity now dearly priced.
πέντεfiveGenitivenumeral (with σίκλων; genitive of price)→ measure or countπέντε: 'five'; indeclinable numeral; the price of the quarter-kab.
σίκλωνshekelsGenitivegenitive of price→ relational specificationσίκλος: 'shekel'; transliteration of שֶׁקֶל.
ἀργυρίουof silverGenitiveattributive genitive (material)→ relational specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'.
26

καὶ ἦν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ισραηλ διαπορευόμενος ἐπὶ τοῦ τείχους καὶ γυνὴ ἐβόησεν πρὸς αὐτὸν λέγουσα σῶσον κύριε βασιλεῦ

And as the king of Israel was passing along upon the wall, a woman cried out to him, saying, 'Save, my lord O king!'

The appeal: a starving woman cries to the king on the wallκαὶ ἦν ὁ βασιλεὺς … διαπορευόμενος
The periphrastic imperfect ἦν … διαπορευόμενος sets the scene of the king's inspection of the wall. The woman's bare cry σῶσον κύριε βασιλεῦ ('save, my lord O king' — human honorific) is the plea that will unfold into the report of cannibalism.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίauxiliary (periphrastic imperfect with διαπορευόμενος)→ imperfect (durative background)εἰμί: 'be'; auxiliary of the periphrastic imperfect, 'was passing along'.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the king of Israel inspecting the city defenses.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
διαπορευόμενοςpassing alongPres Mid/Pass Part Nom Sg Masc · διαπορεύομαιparticiple in periphrastic imperfect (ἦν + ptc.)→ imperfective participle (ongoing movement)διαπορεύομαι: 'pass through / go along'; renders עָבַר; the king walking along the rampart.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τείχουςwallGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί→ relational specificationτεῖχος: 'city wall / rampart'; renders חוֹמָה; the defensive wall of Samaria.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γυνὴa womanNominativesubject→ participant prominenceγυνή: 'woman'; one of the starving inhabitants, who will reveal the cannibalism pact.
ἐβόησενcried outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βοάωmain verb→ ingressive aorist (cried out)βοάω: 'cry out / call'; renders צָעַק; her desperate appeal to the king.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
λέγουσαsayingPres Act Part Nom Sg Fem · λέγωparticiple of speech-introduction→ progressiveλέγω (ptc. fem.): redundant 'saying', rendering לֵאמֹר.
σῶσονsaveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · σῴζωmain verb (urgent imperative)→ aorist imperative (urgent plea)σῴζω: 'save / help / rescue'; renders יָשַׁע (Hiphil); the woman's cry for royal aid.
κύριεmy lordVocativevocative of address (human master)→ direct addressκύριος: human honorific 'my lord' (אֲדֹנִי), addressed to the king — not the Tetragrammaton.
βασιλεῦO kingVocativevocative of address (in apposition to κύριε)→ direct addressβασιλεύς: 'king'; completing the courtly address 'my lord O king'.
27

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ μή σε σώσαι κύριος πόθεν σώσω σε μὴ ἀπὸ τῆς ἅλωνος ἢ ἀπὸ τῆς ληνοῦ

And he said to her, 'No — may the LORD save you! From where am I to save you? From the threshing floor or from the winepress?'

Royal despair: only the LORD, not the king, can helpκαὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ
The king deflects to YHWH: μή … σώσαι κύριος is read either as a bitter wish or 'if the LORD does not save you…'. His helplessness is sealed by πόθεν σώσω σε ('from where shall I save you?') and the two rhetorical sources — empty threshing floor and winepress — that the famine has drained. κύριος here is the Tetragrammaton.
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 aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτῇto herDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'to her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
μήnot / nonegative particle (with optative of wish)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative with the optative σώσαι; renders אַל; either a bitter wish ('may [he] not save you') or, with the following clause, 'if the LORD does not help you…'.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of σώσαι→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of σώσαι.
σώσαιmay saveAor Act Opt 3 Sg · σῴζωmain verb (optative of wish)→ optative of wish (volitive)σῴζω: 'save'; the aorist optative σώσαι expresses a wish — 'may the LORD save you' (the king disclaiming his own ability to help).
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of σώσαι (divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: here the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the king refers help to YHWH alone — divine, not human.
πόθενfrom whereinterrogative adverb (source)→ clausal contributionπόθεν: 'whence / from where?'; renders מֵאַיִן; the king's rhetorical despair — he has no source of relief.
σώσωshall I saveAor Act Subj 1 Sg · σῴζωdeliberative subjunctive (direct question)→ deliberative aorist subjunctiveσῴζω: 'save / help'; the deliberative 'from where am I to save you?' confesses royal impotence.
σεyouAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
μὴ(surely not?)interrogative particle (question expecting negative answer)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: introduces a rhetorical question expecting 'no' — 'not from the threshing floor or winepress, surely?' (both empty).
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἅλωνοςthreshing floorGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationἅλων: 'threshing floor'; renders גֹּרֶן; the source of grain — now empty under the famine.
ordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; coordinating the two sources of food and drink.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ληνοῦwinepressGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationληνός: 'winepress / wine-vat'; renders יֶקֶב; the source of wine — likewise empty; the pair grain/wine signifies all sustenance, none of which remains.
28

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ ὁ βασιλεύς τί ἐστίν σοι καὶ εἶπεν ἡ γυνὴ αὕτη εἶπεν πρός με δὸς τὸν υἱόν σου καὶ φαγόμεθα αὐτὸν σήμερον καὶ τὸν υἱόν μου καὶ φαγόμεθα αὐτὸν αὔριον

And the king said to her, 'What is the matter with you?' And she said, 'This woman said to me, Give your son, and we will eat him today, and my son we will eat tomorrow.'

The grievance: a cannibalism agreement between two mothersκαὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ ὁ βασιλεύς
The king's question τί ἐστίν σοι ('what is it with you?') elicits the chapter's most harrowing disclosure — soberly reported: a pact to eat the two women's sons on consecutive days. The two futures φαγόμεθα ('we will eat') frame the covenant of desperation that the famine has driven the people to.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτῇto herDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'to her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεύςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; now asking the nature of her complaint.
τίwhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject of ἐστίν)→ participant referenceτίς (neut. τί): 'what?'; τί ἐστίν σοι, 'what is the matter with you?', renders מַה־לָּךְ.
ἐστίνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (in question)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; 'what is (it) to you?'
σοιto you / with youDativedative of reference (idiom: 'what is the matter with you')→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): the dative of reference in the idiom 'what ails you?'
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 aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυνὴwomanNominativesubject (the petitioner)→ participant prominenceγυνή: 'woman'; the one who cried out, now stating her grievance.
αὕτηthis (woman)Nominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of the quoted εἶπεν)→ participant referenceοὗτος (fem. αὕτη): 'this (woman)'; the other mother who proposed the pact.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of embedded quotation→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; introducing the words of the other woman within the petitioner's report.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
δὸςgiveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (quoted imperative)→ aorist imperativeδίδωμι: 'give / hand over'; renders נָתַן; the grim demand of the cannibalism pact.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱόνsonAccusativedirect object of δὸς→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; renders בֵּן; the unspeakable object of the agreement.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φαγόμεθαwe will eatFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (future of agreement)→ predictive futureἐσθίω (fut. φάγομαι): 'eat'; renders אָכַל; the horror of the famine reported plainly, fulfilling the covenant-curse of Lev 26:29; Deut 28:53–57.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
σήμερονtodayadverb of time→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱόνsonAccusativedirect object (proleptic, of the next clause)→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; the petitioner's own son, promised for the second day.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φαγόμεθαwe will eatFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (future of agreement, repeated)→ predictive futureἐσθίω: 'eat'; the second clause of the pact.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
αὔριονtomorrowadverb of time→ clausal contributionαὔριον: 'tomorrow'; renders מָחָר; the day the second mother reneged (v. 29).
29

καὶ ἡψήσαμεν τὸν υἱόν μου καὶ ἐφάγομεν αὐτόν καὶ εἶπον πρὸς αὐτὴν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ δευτέρᾳ δὸς τὸν υἱόν σου καὶ φάγωμεν αὐτόν καὶ ἔκρυψεν τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς

So we boiled my son and ate him; and I said to her on the second day, Give your son, and let us eat him. But she had hidden her son.

The grievance completed: the broken pactκαὶ ἡψήσαμεν
The petitioner's report reaches its bitter point: the pact was kept on day one (ἡψήσαμεν … ἐφάγομεν) but broken on day two — the other mother ἔκρυψεν ('hid') her son. The woman's complaint to the king is not horror at the cannibalism but at the broken bargain, a measure of how far the famine has corroded the moral order.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶand / sonarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡψήσαμενwe boiledAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἕψωmain verb→ constative aoristἕψω: 'boil / cook'; renders בָּשַׁל; the act of the pact, reported with stark plainness.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱόνsonAccusativedirect object of ἡψήσαμεν→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; the petitioner's own child.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐφάγομενwe ateAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb→ constative aoristἐσθίω: 'eat'; the fulfilment of the first day's part of the pact.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπονI saidAor Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction, 1st sg.)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; the petitioner's demand on the second day.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτὴνherAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (when)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; renders יוֹם; the dative of time 'on the day'.
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δευτέρᾳsecondDativeattributive ordinal (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceδεύτερος: 'second'; renders שֵׁנִי; 'on the second day' the pact was to be reciprocated.
δὸςgiveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (quoted imperative)→ aorist imperativeδίδωμι: 'give / hand over'; the demand that the bargain be kept.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱόνsonAccusativedirect object of δὸς→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; the other woman's child, now owed by the pact.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγωμενlet us eatAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἐσθίωhortatory subjunctive→ volitive aorist subjunctive (cohortative)ἐσθίω: 'eat'; the hortatory 'let us eat him', the demand of the second day.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
καὶbutadversative conjunction (Hebraizing καί)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative, 'but', marking the broken promise.
ἔκρυψενshe hidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κρύπτωmain verb→ constative aorist (with pluperfect sense)κρύπτω: 'hide / conceal'; renders חָבָא; the other mother reneged and hid her son — the grievance the woman brings to the king.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸνsonAccusativedirect object of ἔκρυψεν→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; the hidden child.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
30

καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἤκουσεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ισραηλ τοὺς λόγους τῆς γυναικός διέρρηξεν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ καὶ αὐτὸς διεπορεύετο ἐπὶ τοῦ τείχους καὶ εἶδεν ὁ λαὸς τὸν σάκκον ἐπὶ τῆς σαρκὸς αὐτοῦ ἔσωθεν

And it came to pass, when the king of Israel heard the words of the woman, that he tore his garments — and he was passing along upon the wall — and the people saw the sackcloth upon his flesh underneath.

Royal grief: the king tears his robes, revealing sackclothκαὶ ἐγένετο ὡς ἤκουσεν
The temporal frame καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς (וַיְהִי כִּשְׁמֹעַ) marks the king's reaction. Tearing his garments (διέρρηξεν) discloses the σάκκος ('sackcloth') worn ἔσωθεν ('underneath'), next to the flesh — a hidden penance now seen by the people, an ambiguous sign of mourning that gives way to rage in v. 31.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ 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-frame formula)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο ὡς renders וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר / כִּשְׁמֹעַ.
ὡςwhentemporal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'when / as'.
ἤκουσενheardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωverb of temporal clause→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; renders שָׁמַע; the king hears the woman's terrible report.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγουςwordsAccusativedirect object of ἤκουσεν→ object specificationλόγος: 'word / report'; the woman's account.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυναικόςof the womanGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationγυνή: 'woman'; the petitioner of vv. 26–29.
διέρρηξενhe toreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διαρρήγνυμιmain verb (gesture of grief)→ constative aoristδιαρρήγνυμι: 'tear / rend'; renders קָרַע; the rending of garments, the conventional sign of mourning and distress.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱμάτιαgarmentsAccusativedirect object of διέρρηξεν→ object specificationἱμάτιον: 'garment / cloak'; renders בֶּגֶד; the outer robes torn in grief.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (parenthetical)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativeemphatic subject pronoun→ participant referenceαὐτός: the intensive pronoun 'he himself', highlighting the king as he continues along the wall.
διεπορεύετοwas passing alongImpf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · διαπορεύομαιmain verb (durative background)→ durative imperfectδιαπορεύομαι: 'pass along / go through'; the king continues his circuit of the wall (cf. v. 26).
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τείχουςwallGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί→ relational specificationτεῖχος: 'wall'; the city rampart.
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→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see'; the people glimpse what the torn robe reveals.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; renders עָם; the populace on the wall.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σάκκονsackclothAccusativedirect object of εἶδεν→ object specificationσάκκος: 'sackcloth'; transliteration of שַׂק; coarse penitential clothing worn next to the skin in mourning and supplication.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σαρκὸςfleshGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί→ relational specificationσάρξ: 'flesh / body'; renders בָּשָׂר; the sackcloth worn directly on the skin, a hidden austerity.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἔσωθενunderneath / withinadverb of place (next to the body)→ clausal contributionἔσωθεν: 'from within / underneath'; renders מִבַּיִת; the sackcloth was beneath the outer garments, concealed until the tearing exposed it.
31

καὶ εἶπεν τάδε ποιήσαι μοι ὁ θεὸς καὶ τάδε προσθείη εἰ στήσεται ἡ κεφαλὴ Ελισαιε ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ σήμερον

And he said, 'May God do these things to me, and more also, if the head of Elisha stands upon him today.'

The oath: the king vows to behead Elishaκαὶ εἶπεν τάδε ποιήσαι μοι ὁ θεὸς
The king's grief flips to rage in a self-imprecatory oath-formula (τάδε ποιήσαι μοι ὁ θεὸς καὶ τάδε προσθείη, 'may God do thus to me and more'). The εἰ-clause is the oath's emphatic negation: 'if the head of Elisha remains on him today' = 'it shall surely not remain' — the king vows the prophet's execution, the climax that ch. 7 will overturn.
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 aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
τάδεthese thingsAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of ποιήσαι)→ participant referenceὅδε (neut. pl. τάδε): 'these things'; the oath-formula τάδε ποιήσαι … καὶ τάδε προσθείη renders כֹּה יַעֲשֶׂה … וְכֹה יוֹסִף, the standard self-curse.
ποιήσαιmay doAor Act Opt 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (optative of wish in oath)→ optative of imprecationποιέω: 'do / make'; the optative ποιήσαι, 'may (God) do', the imprecatory part of the oath calling down judgment on himself.
μοιto meDativeindirect object (against whom the curse is invoked)→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (against whom the curse is invoked).
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ποιήσαι / προσθείη→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the king invokes God (here θεός, not the Tetragrammaton) as guarantor of his self-curse.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τάδεthese things / moreAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of προσθείη)→ participant referenceὅδε (τάδε): 'these things'; with προσθείη, 'and add yet more', intensifying the self-curse.
προσθείηmay addAor Act Opt 3 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (optative of wish in oath)→ optative of imprecationπροστίθημι: 'add'; the optative προσθείη, 'may (God) add (more)', the second half of the oath-formula (וְכֹה יוֹסִף).
εἰif (surely not)conditional particle (oath-formula: emphatic negation)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; in the Hebrew oath-formula (אִם) εἰ introduces an emphatic negation — 'if X happens (may God curse me)' = 'X shall surely not happen'.
στήσεταιshall stand / remainFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιverb of the oath's condition→ predictive future (within oath)ἵστημι (fut. mid. στήσεται): 'stand / remain'; here 'stay (in place)'; the oath swears that Elisha's head will not remain on his shoulders that day.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴheadNominativesubject of στήσεται→ participant prominenceκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; the king vows Elisha's decapitation.
Ελισαιεof Elishagenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'head of Elisha')→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: indeclinable; the prophet, now the king's target.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + dative (elided ἐπί; position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (elided ἐπί; position).
αὐτῷhimDativedative object of ἐπί (upon Elisha)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'him'; 'upon him' = on Elisha's shoulders.
σήμερονtodayadverb of time→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; the king demands the execution this very day.
32

καὶ Ελισαιε ἐκάθητο ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι ἐκάθηντο μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ἄνδρα πρὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ πρὶν ἐλθεῖν τὸν ἄγγελον πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ αὐτὸς εἶπεν πρὸς τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους εἰ οἴδατε ὅτι ἀπέστειλεν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ φονευτοῦ οὗτος ἀφελεῖν τὴν κεφαλήν μου ἴδετε ὡς ἂν ἔλθῃ ὁ ἄγγελος ἀποκλείσατε τὴν θύραν καὶ παραθλίψατε αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ θύρᾳ οὐχὶ φωνὴ τῶν ποδῶν τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ κατόπισθεν αὐτοῦ

Now Elisha was sitting in his house, and the elders were sitting with him. And the king sent a man ahead of him; but before the messenger came to him, he said to the elders, 'Do you see that this son of the murderer has sent to take off my head? Look, when the messenger comes, shut the door and press him back at the door. Is not the sound of his master's feet behind him?'

Prophetic foreknowledge: Elisha forestalls the assassinκαὶ Ελισαιε ἐκάθητο
A disjunctive clause (καὶ Ελισαιε ἐκάθητο) shifts the scene to the prophet, who again knows what is unseen. He labels the king ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ φονευτοῦ ('son of the murderer', alluding to the house of Ahab/Jezebel) and orders the elders to bar the assassin's messenger, discerning by prophetic insight even the king's footfall behind him (τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ, the human master).
Word-by-word analysis· 68 words
καὶnow / andnarrative conjunction (disjunctive scene-shift)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΕλισαιεElishasubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: indeclinable; the scene shifts to the prophet's house.
ἐκάθητοwas sittingImpf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · κάθημαιmain verb (durative background)→ durative imperfectκάθημαι: 'sit / be seated'; renders יָשַׁב; Elisha at home, awaiting the threat he already foresees.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκῳhouseDativedative object of ἐν→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house'; renders בַּיִת; Elisha's residence in Samaria.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρεσβύτεροιeldersNominativesubject→ participant prominenceπρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; renders זְקֵנִים; the city elders gathered with the prophet.
ἐκάθηντοwere sittingImpf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Pl · κάθημαιmain verb (durative)→ durative imperfectκάθημαι: 'sit'; the elders in council with Elisha.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (elided μετά; accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (elided μετά; accompaniment).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (subject: the king)→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send'; the king dispatches an executioner ahead of his own coming.
ἄνδραa manAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλεν→ object specificationἀνήρ: 'man'; the messenger / would-be executioner.
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (precedence)→ spatial or relational framingπρό: 'before'; πρὸ προσώπου αὐτοῦ, 'ahead of him', a Hebraism (לִפְנֵי).
προσώπουfaceGenitivegenitive object of πρό (idiom: 'ahead of')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face'; πρὸ προσώπου, 'before the face of / ahead of'.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the king's)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the king's).
πρὶνbeforetemporal conjunction (with infinitive)→ discourse linkage or contrastπρίν: 'before'; with the infinitive ἐλθεῖν, 'before the messenger came'.
ἐλθεῖνto comeAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιinfinitive with πρίν (temporal)→ verbal action or stateἔρχομαι: 'come'; the infinitive of the πρίν-clause.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄγγελονmessengerAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive ἐλθεῖν→ object specificationἄγγελος: 'messenger / envoy'; renders מַלְאָךְ; here a human messenger (the executioner), not an angel.
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 referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Elisha).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativeemphatic subject pronoun (Elisha)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'he himself', the prophet, contrasted with the approaching messenger.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρεσβυτέρουςeldersAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationπρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; the council to whom Elisha gives instruction.
εἰ(do?)interrogative particle (introducing direct question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: here a Hebraism marking a direct question, 'do you see?'
οἴδατεyou see / knowPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · οἶδαmain verb of direct question→ perfect with present sense (know)οἶδα: 'know / perceive'; the perfect with present meaning; 'do you realize (what is happening)?'
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing object clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introducing what they are to perceive.
ἀπέστειλενhas sentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωverb of object clause→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send'; the king has dispatched the executioner.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸςsonNominativesubject (with τοῦ φονευτοῦ)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ φονευτοῦ, 'the son of the murderer', a contemptuous designation of the king as heir of the murderous house of Ahab/Jezebel (cf. 9:7; 1 Kgs 21).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φονευτοῦof the murdererGenitiveattributive genitive (with υἱός)→ relational specificationφονευτής: 'murderer / killer'; renders מְרַצֵּחַ; the term brands the dynasty's bloodguilt.
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative (in apposition to ὁ υἱός)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this (one)'; emphatic, 'this son of the murderer'.
ἀφελεῖνto take offAor Act Inf · ἀφαιρέωinfinitive of purpose (with ἀπέστειλεν)→ aorist infinitive (single intended act of removal)ἀφαιρέω: 'take away / remove / cut off'; renders סוּר (Hiphil); 'to take off my head' = to behead me.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλήνheadAccusativedirect object of ἀφελεῖν→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; the prophet's life threatened by the king's oath (v. 31).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἴδετεlookAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (imperative)→ aorist imperativeὁράω: 'see / look'; 'see to it / watch'; Elisha directs the elders' action.
ὡςwhentemporal conjunction (with ἂν + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'when / as soon as'; with ἄν + subjunctive, indefinite temporal.
ἂν(ever)modal particle (with subjunctive in temporal clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle generalizing the temporal clause, 'whenever the messenger comes'.
ἔλθῃcomesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιverb of indefinite temporal clause→ subjunctive (anticipatory)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the subjunctive with ὡς ἄν, 'as soon as he comes'.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄγγελοςmessengerNominativesubject of ἔλθῃ→ participant prominenceἄγγελος: 'messenger'; the human envoy sent to behead Elisha.
ἀποκλείσατεshutAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀποκλείωmain verb (imperative)→ aorist imperativeἀποκλείω: 'shut / close (off)'; renders סָגַר; the elders are to bar the door against the assassin.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύρανdoorAccusativedirect object of ἀποκλείσατε→ object specificationθύρα: 'door'; renders דֶּלֶת; the door to be shut against the messenger.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παραθλίψατεpress backAor Act Impv 2 Pl · παραθλίβωmain verb (imperative)→ aorist imperativeπαραθλίβω: 'press / squeeze hard against'; a rare verb; the elders are to hold the messenger off, pinning him at the door until the king himself arrives.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (the messenger)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (the messenger).
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύρᾳdoorDativedative object of ἐν→ sphere or referenceθύρα: 'door'; the threshold where the messenger is to be held.
οὐχὶis not?interrogative negative particle (question expecting 'yes')→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐχί: strengthened οὐ; introduces a rhetorical question expecting an affirmative — 'is not (already)…?'
φωνὴsoundNominativesubject (verbless question)→ participant prominenceφωνή: 'sound / voice'; renders קוֹל; the sound of footsteps Elisha already discerns.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποδῶνfeetGenitivepossessive genitive (with φωνή)→ relational specificationπούς: 'foot'; renders רֶגֶל; the footsteps of the approaching king.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίουmasterGenitivepossessive genitive (human master)→ relational specificationκύριος: here the human 'master / lord' (אֲדוֹן) — the king, master of the messenger; NOT the Tetragrammaton.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the messenger's master)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the messenger's master).
κατόπισθενbehindimproper preposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingκατόπισθεν: 'behind / after'; renders אַחֲרֵי; the king follows close on his messenger's heels.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of κατόπισθεν→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of κατόπισθεν.
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ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος μετ᾿ αὐτῶν καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄγγελος κατέβη πρὸς αὐτὸν καὶ εἶπεν ἰδοὺ αὕτη ἡ κακία παρὰ κυρίου τί ὑπομείνω τῷ κυρίῳ ἔτι

While he was still speaking with them, behold, the messenger came down to him; and he said, 'Behold, this evil is from the LORD; why should I wait for the LORD any longer?'

Cliffhanger: the king's despairing word against the LORDἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος
A genitive absolute (ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος, 'while he was still speaking') plus apodotic καὶ ἰδού brings the messenger — and behind him the king's despairing verdict: αὕτη ἡ κακία παρὰ κυρίου ('this evil is from the LORD'), and the faithless deliberative τί ὑπομείνω τῷ κυρίῳ ἔτι ('why should I wait for the LORD any longer?'). Both κυρίου and κυρίῳ are the Tetragrammaton. The chapter ends on this crisis of unbelief, which Elisha's oracle of deliverance in ch. 7 will answer.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ἔτιstill / yetadverb (temporal, with genitive absolute)→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet'; renders עוֹד; 'while he was still speaking', marking the simultaneity of the messenger's arrival.
αὐτοῦheGenitivesubject of genitive absolute→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'he'; the genitive subject of the absolute construction (Elisha speaking).
λαλοῦντοςspeakingPres Act Part Gen Sg Masc · λαλέωparticiple of genitive absolute (temporal)→ imperfective participle (action in progress)λαλέω: 'speak'; the genitive absolute ἔτι αὐτοῦ λαλοῦντος renders the Hebrew עוֹדֶנּוּ מְדַבֵּר, 'while he was still speaking'.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (elided μετά; accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (elided μετά; accompaniment).
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the elders)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (the elders).
καὶand / thenapodotic conjunction (after genitive absolute)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic, introducing the main clause after the temporal absolute (Hebraism with ἰδού).
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; marking the sudden arrival.
ἄγγελοςmessengerNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἄγγελος: 'messenger'; the human envoy, arriving as Elisha foretold.
κατέβηcame downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb→ constative aoristκαταβαίνω: 'come / go down'; renders יָרַד; the messenger descends to Elisha.
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 referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Elisha).
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: 'say'; introducing the despairing word (of the king, conveyed through / with the messenger).
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (within the speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; opening the king's bitter declaration.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative (subject, with ἡ κακία)→ participant referenceοὗτος (fem. αὕτη): 'this'; pointing to the present calamity of the siege.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κακίαevil / calamityNominativesubject (of verbless clause)→ participant prominenceκακία: 'evil / disaster / calamity'; renders רָעָה; here the catastrophe of the siege, attributed to YHWH's judgment.
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά: 'from / from beside'; with the genitive marks the divine source of the calamity.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of παρά (divine name)→ relational specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the king confesses the disaster is from YHWH — yet draws from it despair rather than repentance.
τίwhyAccusativeinterrogative (adverbial accusative: 'why')→ participant referenceτίς (neut. τί): 'why?'; the adverbial accusative introducing the deliberative question.
ὑπομείνωshould I waitAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ὑπομένωdeliberative subjunctive (direct question)→ deliberative aorist subjunctiveὑπομένω: 'wait for / endure / hope in'; renders יָחַל / קָוָה; 'why should I wait for the LORD any longer?' — the king abandons hope, the very unbelief Elisha's word in ch. 7 will rebuke.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳfor the LORDDativedative object of ὑπομείνω (divine name)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; ὑπομένω + dative, 'wait for the LORD'; the king's resolve to wait no longer for divine deliverance.
ἔτιany longeradverb (temporal)→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / any longer'; renders עוֹד; the final word of the chapter — the king's patience with YHWH is at an end, leaving the crisis hanging until ch. 7.