1
καὶ εἶπεν Ελισαιε ἄκουσον λόγον κυρίου τάδε λέγει κύριος ὡς ἡ ὥρα αὕτη αὔριον μέτρον σεμιδάλεως σίκλου καὶ δίμετρον κριθῶν σίκλου ἐν ταῖς πύλαις Σαμαρείας
And Elisha said, 'Hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the LORD: About this hour tomorrow a measure of fine flour will be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gates of Samaria.'
The verse opens with paratactic καί and the prophet's imperative ἄκουσον followed by the messenger-formula τάδε λέγει κύριος (rendering כֹּה אָמַר יהוה), framing the famine's reversal as a direct divine word. The temporal marker ὡς ἡ ὥρα αὕτη αὔριον ('about this time tomorrow') sets the twenty-four-hour deadline whose fulfilment the rest of the chapter narrates and whose echo recurs verbatim at v. 18.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single completed speech-act)λέγω: 'say / speak'; the aorist εἶπεν introduces Elisha's oracle; renders Hebrew אָמַר; the formula καὶ εἶπεν + name is the standard LXX narrative speech-marker.
ΕλισαιεElishasubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: transliteration of Hebrew אֱלִישָׁע ('God is salvation'); indeclinable in the LXX of 4 Kingdoms; the prophet, successor of Elijah, is the human mouthpiece of the divine word that structures the whole chapter.
ἄκουσονhearAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀκούωimperative (prophetic summons to attention)→ ingressive aorist imperative (decisive call to listen)ἀκούω: 'hear / listen'; the aorist imperative ἄκουσον renders שְׁמַע; the prophetic summons 'Hear the word of the LORD' is a fixed oracular opening throughout the Prophets (cf. 3 Kgdms 22:19; Isa 1:10).
λόγονwordAccusativedirect object of ἄκουσον→ object specificationλόγος: 'word / message'; renders דָּבָר; the 'word of the LORD' is the oracular content that the chapter will vindicate as infallibly effective (cf. τὸ ῥῆμα κυρίου, v. 16).
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of source (the word's divine origin)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the genitive marks the oracle as YHWH's own word, not Elisha's invention; the prophet merely transmits it.
τάδεthus / these thingsAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of λέγει: content of the oracle)→ participant referenceὅδε, ἥδε, τόδε: 'this / these'; the formula τάδε λέγει κύριος renders כֹּה אָמַר יהוה, the standard Hebrew prophetic messenger-formula; τάδε (acc. pl. n.) cataphorically points forward to the oracle that follows.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of messenger-formula (vivid present)→ historic / gnomic present (the divine word presented as ongoing)λέγω (pres.): the present λέγει in the citation-formula gives the divine word ongoing authority — the LORD is, as it were, saying it now.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of λέγει (divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; nominative subject of the oracle-formula, identifying YHWH as the authoritative speaker of the promise.
ὡςabout / astemporal particle (approximation: 'about this time')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: here temporal-approximative, 'about / at (this time)'; with ἡ ὥρα αὕτη αὔριον it renders כָּעֵת מָחָר ('about this time tomorrow'), fixing the deadline for the oracle's fulfilment.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ὥρα)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὥραhour / timeNominativesubject of the temporal clause ('this time')→ participant prominenceὥρα: 'hour / season / time'; renders עֵת; the demonstrative phrase ἡ ὥρα αὕτη ('this hour') sets a precise twenty-four-hour horizon for the miracle.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative (attributive with ὥρα)→ participant referenceοὗτος: the demonstrative αὕτη points to the present moment as the reference-point for 'tomorrow'; renders the deictic force of כָּעֵת.
αὔριονtomorrowadverb of time→ clausal contributionαὔριον: 'tomorrow / next day'; renders מָחָר; the one-day deadline makes the oracle a testable prophecy whose fulfilment the chapter will verify within twenty-four hours.
μέτρονa measureNominativenominative subject (price-clause: 'a measure ... for a shekel')→ participant prominenceμέτρον: 'measure'; here renders the Hebrew סְאָה (seah); the clause is verbless, an implied 'shall be (sold for)'; the cheapness of a seah of fine flour for one shekel signals the abrupt end of the siege-famine.
σεμιδάλεωςof fine flourGenitivegenitive of content (a measure consisting of fine flour)→ relational specificationσεμίδαλις: 'fine wheat flour'; renders סֹלֶת; the choicest grain — its sudden affordability is the precise sign that distinguishes the prophecy.
σίκλουfor a shekelGenitivegenitive of price ('for a shekel')→ relational specificationσίκλος: 'shekel'; transliteration-rendering of שֶׁקֶל; the genitive of price specifies the cost; one shekel for a seah of fine flour was an ordinary, non-famine price.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (parallel price-clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δίμετρονtwo measuresNominativenominative subject (second price-clause)→ participant prominenceδίμετρον: 'double measure / two measures'; renders the Hebrew סָאתַיִם (two seahs); the parallel clause extends the cheap-grain sign to the staple barley, doubling the quantity for the same shekel.
κριθῶνof barleyGenitivegenitive of content (two measures of barley)→ relational specificationκριθή (pl. κριθῶν): 'barley'; renders שְׂעֹרִים; the poorer staple-grain, set in parallel with the fine flour; its abundance confirms the famine's total reversal.
σίκλουfor a shekelGenitivegenitive of price (parallel to first σίκλου)→ relational specificationσίκλος: 'shekel'; the repeated genitive of price binds the two halves of the oracle into a fixed formula that recurs verbatim at v. 18.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ταῖςtheDativearticle (with πύλαις)→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύλαιςgatesDativedative of place (locative: 'in the gates')→ sphere or referenceπύλη (pl. πύλαις): 'gate'; renders שַׁעַר; the city gate was the marketplace and seat of commerce, so the cheap grain would be sold there; the gate is also the precise site of the officer's death (vv. 17, 20).
Σαμαρείαςof SamariaGenitivegenitive (defining the gates: 'of Samaria')→ relational specificationΣαμάρεια (gen. Σαμαρείας): the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel, here under Aramean siege; the declined genitive marks the location of the besieged and soon-to-be-relieved city.
2
καὶ ἀπεκρίθη ὁ τριστάτης ἐφ᾿ ὃν ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπανεπαύετο ἐπὶ τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ τῷ Ελισαιε καὶ εἶπεν ἰδοὺ ποιήσει κύριος καταρράκτας ἐν οὐρανῷ μὴ ἔσται τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο καὶ Ελισαιε εἶπεν ἰδοὺ σὺ ὄψῃ τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς σου καὶ ἐκεῖθεν οὐ φάγῃ
And the officer on whose hand the king leaned answered Elisha and said, 'Look, even if the LORD should make floodgates in heaven, could this thing be?' And Elisha said, 'Behold, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it.'
The verb ἀπεκρίθη ('answered') introduces the officer's incredulous retort; the relative clause ἐφ᾿ ὃν ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπανεπαύετο ('on whom the king leaned') identifies him as the king's personal adjutant — a man of high status whose scorn is therefore weighty. His rhetorical μὴ ἔσται τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο expects a negative answer ('surely this cannot happen'); Elisha's reply with presentative ἰδού delivers the sentence fulfilled in vv. 17, 20.
Word-by-word analysis· 41 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (introducing the officer's reply)→ constative aorist (single responsive speech-act)ἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer / reply'; the deponent aorist passive ἀπεκρίθη renders עָנָה; the LXX idiom ἀπεκρίθη ... καὶ εἶπεν ('answered and said') is a Hebraism doubling the verb of speaking (וַיַּעַן ... וַיֹּאמֶר).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with τριστάτης)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τριστάτηςofficer / adjutantNominativesubject (the king's high officer)→ participant prominenceτριστάτης: lit. 'third man' (orig. the third rider in a chariot), a high military adjutant; renders שָׁלִישׁ; the term designates the king's right-hand officer, here the captain on whose arm the king leans; his rank makes his scorn — and his fate — the more striking.
ἐφ᾿onpreposition + accusative (relative: 'on whom')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί (elided ἐφ᾿ before rough breathing): 'on / upon'; introduces the relative clause describing the officer's intimate court office.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐφ᾿)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; the accusative ὅν is governed by ἐφ᾿; the clause 'on whom the king leaned' is a fixed descriptive epithet repeated at v. 17.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεὺς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of relative clause (ἐπανεπαύετο)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; here the king of Israel (Jehoram), whose physical dependence on the officer's arm dramatizes the officer's standing at court.
ἐπανεπαύετοwas leaning / used to leanImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπαναπαύομαιverb of relative clause (descriptive)→ customary imperfect (habitual posture of dependence)ἐπαναπαύομαι: 'lean upon / rest on'; renders נִשְׁעַן; the imperfect denotes the officer's habitual role of supporting the king's hand — a mark of trusted intimacy (cf. the same idiom at 4 Kgdms 5:18).
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (resting-upon)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (resting-upon).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραhandAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπὶ ('on his hand')→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand / arm'; renders יָד; the king leaning ἐπὶ τὴν χεῖρα αὐτοῦ ('on his hand') is the concrete image of the officer's privileged office.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the officer's hand)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the officer's hand).
τῷtoDativearticle (with Ελισαιε: dative of indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingthe article τῷ marks the otherwise-indeclinable name Ελισαιε as dative, the addressee of ἀπεκρίθη.
ΕλισαιεElishaindirect object of ἀπεκρίθη (indeclinable name, marked dative by τῷ)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: the prophet, addressee of the officer's scornful reply; indeclinable, with case borne by the article τῷ.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (doubling the verb of speaking)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing direct speech)→ constative aoristλέγω: the second verb of speaking in the Hebraistic ἀπεκρίθη ... καὶ εἶπεν pair, introducing the officer's direct words.
ἰδοὺbehold / lookpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; here it introduces the officer's incredulous hypothesis with a tone of mock-deference or challenge.
ποιήσειshould makeFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of conditional protasis (hypothetical divine act)→ future of supposition (even if the LORD were to make)ποιέω: 'make / do'; the future ποιήσει here frames a sarcastic hypothesis — 'even supposing the LORD makes floodgates in heaven' — the officer's point being that not even such a cosmic intervention could supply grain overnight.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ποιήσει→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the officer names YHWH even in his unbelief, making his scorn a direct challenge to the LORD's power.
καταρράκταςfloodgatesAccusativedirect object of ποιήσει→ object specificationκαταρράκτης (pl. καταρράκτας): 'floodgate / cataract / sluice of heaven'; renders אֲרֻבּוֹת ('windows / floodgates of heaven', cf. Gen 7:11; Mal 3:10); the officer mockingly imagines even windows of heaven pouring out grain as insufficient to fulfil the oracle in a day.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
οὐρανῷheavenDativedative of place (where the floodgates would be made)→ sphere or referenceοὐρανός: 'heaven / sky'; renders שָׁמַיִם; the floodgates 'in heaven' evoke the flood-imagery of Gen 7:11, the source of supernatural provision the officer deems impossible.
μὴsurely notinterrogative particle (expecting negative answer)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: introduces a rhetorical question anticipating the answer 'no'; μὴ ἔσται τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο = 'surely this thing cannot come to be?' — the officer's expression of flat unbelief.
ἔσταιcould beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of the rhetorical question→ future of (denied) possibilityεἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'will be'; with μή it forms the incredulous question 'can this thing be?'; the officer denies the very possibility he will live just long enough to witness.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with ῥῆμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαthing / wordNominativesubject of ἔσται→ participant prominenceῥῆμα: 'word / matter / thing'; renders דָּבָר; here 'this thing' = the promised cheap grain; the same noun designates the LORD's fulfilled word at v. 16 (τὸ ῥῆμα κυρίου), a deliberate verbal irony against the doubter.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative (attributive with ῥῆμα)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative points back to Elisha's oracle of v. 1 as the very thing whose possibility the officer denies.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing Elisha's reply)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΕλισαιεElishasubject of εἶπεν (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: the prophet now speaks the counter-oracle that pronounces the officer's doom.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing Elisha's counter-oracle)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces the prophet's verdict; the word-order Ελισαιε εἶπεν (subject first) gives slight emphasis to the prophet over against the scoffer.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; here it solemnly introduces the prophetic sentence on the officer.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic personal pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic 'you' singles out the officer personally — 'you, of all people, will see it' — sharpening the irony of his seeing-but-not-eating.
ὄψῃshall seeFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (prophetic prediction)→ predictive future (certain divine sentence)ὁράω (fut. ὄψῃ): 'see / behold'; renders רָאָה; the officer will indeed witness the abundance — the prophecy is fulfilled at v. 17 the moment before he dies.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ὀφθαλμοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative of instrument ('with your eyes')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός (pl. ὀφθαλμοῖς): 'eye'; renders עַיִן; the dative of means 'with your eyes' heightens the irony — full sight but no participation.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (your eyes)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (your eyes).
καὶbutadversative conjunction (contrast: see / not eat)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative ('but'), Hebraizing the contrastive וְ; the seeing is conceded only to sharpen the denial of eating.
ἐκεῖθενof it / from thereadverb of source ('from it / from there')→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there / thence'; here partitive in force, 'from it (the grain)'; renders מִשָּׁם; the officer will not partake of the abundance he sees.
οὐnotnegative particle (with φάγῃ)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: absolute negation of the verb φάγῃ; the flat 'you shall not eat' is the sentence executed at vv. 17, 20.
φάγῃshall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (negated prophetic sentence)→ predictive future (emphatic denial)ἐσθίω (fut. φάγῃ, suppletive from φαγεῖν): 'eat'; renders אָכַל; the negated future seals the officer's fate — he will see the plenty but be trampled before he can taste it.
3
καὶ τέσσαρες ἄνδρες ἦσαν λεπροὶ παρὰ τὴν θύραν τῆς πόλεως καὶ εἶπεν ἀνὴρ πρὸς τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ τί ἡμεῖς καθήμεθα ὧδε ἕως ἀποθάνωμεν
Now there were four leprous men beside the gate of the city, and one said to his neighbor, 'Why are we sitting here until we die?'
A new scene opens with a circumstantial existential clause (τέσσαρες ἄνδρες ἦσαν λεπροί) introducing the four lepers as fresh narrative agents at the city's threshold. Their location παρὰ τὴν θύραν τῆς πόλεως ('beside the gate') is liminal — excluded by their disease yet poised between the besieged city and the enemy camp. The deliberative question τί ... καθήμεθα ... ἕως ἀποθάνωμεν launches the chain of reasoning that drives the plot.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶand / nownarrative conjunction (scene-shift)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τέσσαρεςfourNominativenumeral (attributive with ἄνδρες)→ measure or countτέσσαρες: 'four'; renders אַרְבָּעָה; the precise number individualizes the lepers as the chosen, if unlikely, instruments of the city's deliverance.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject of ἦσαν→ participant prominenceἀνήρ (pl. ἄνδρες): 'man'; renders אֲנָשִׁים; the four men are the human protagonists whose desperate logic sets the deliverance in motion.
ἦσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (existential / circumstantial)→ descriptive imperfect (setting the scene)εἰμί (impf. ἦσαν): 'were'; the imperfect sets the background situation against which the action unfolds.
λεπροὶleprousNominativepredicate adjective (with ἦσαν: 'were lepers')→ participant prominenceλεπρός: 'leprous / a leper'; renders מְצֹרָע; the lepers' ritual exclusion (cf. Lev 13:46) is precisely what places them outside the gate and frees them to defect — their marginality becomes providential.
παρὰbesidepreposition + accusative (position: 'beside')→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + acc.: 'beside / at'; locates the lepers at the threshold, neither in the city nor outside it.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with θύραν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύρανdoor / gateAccusativeaccusative object of παρά→ object specificationθύρα: 'door / gateway'; renders פֶּתַח / שַׁעַר; the entrance of the city, the lepers' permitted limit of approach.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with πόλεως)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςof the cityGenitivegenitive (defining θύραν: 'gate of the city')→ relational specificationπόλις: 'city'; renders עִיר; the besieged Samaria, whose famine the lepers are escaping.
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 (introducing speech)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces the lepers' internal deliberation, voiced by one man to another.
ἀνὴρa man / oneNominativesubject (distributive: 'one of them')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the idiom ἀνὴρ πρὸς τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ ('a man to his neighbor') is a Hebraism (אִישׁ אֶל־רֵעֵהוּ) meaning 'one to another.'
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πλησίον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλησίονneighborAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the addressee)→ object specificationπλησίον: substantivized adverb 'neighbor / the one nearby'; renders רֵעַ; here 'his companion' among the lepers; indeclinable in form but functioning as accusative object of πρός.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (his neighbor)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (his neighbor).
τίwhyinterrogative pronoun (adverbial: 'why')→ participant referenceτίς, τί: interrogative; the neuter τί here is adverbial 'why?' (rendering לָמָּה), opening the deliberative question.
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic personal pronoun)→ participant referenceἡμεῖς: emphatic 'we'; underscores the lepers' shared plight and the futility of passive waiting.
καθήμεθαare we sittingPres Mid Indic 1 Pl · κάθημαιmain verb of the deliberative question→ descriptive present (their present inaction)κάθημαι: 'sit / remain'; renders יָשַׁב; the present pictures their inert waiting; the question exposes its irrationality when death is the only outcome of staying.
ὧδεhereadverb of place→ clausal contributionὧδε: 'here'; renders פֹּה; pinpoints the gate-threshold as the place of fatal inaction.
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunction (introducing subjunctive clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: 'until'; with the aorist subjunctive ἀποθάνωμεν it marks the inevitable terminus of inaction — death.
ἀποθάνωμενwe dieAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωverb of temporal clause (ἕως + subjunctive)→ prospective aorist subjunctive (anticipated outcome)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; renders מוּת; the subjunctive after ἕως expresses the certain result of staying — the first of five death-verbs that structure the lepers' grim cost-benefit reasoning (vv. 3–4).
4
ἐὰν εἴπωμεν εἰσέλθωμεν εἰς τὴν πόλιν καὶ ὁ λιμὸς ἐν τῇ πόλει καὶ ἀποθανούμεθα ἐκεῖ καὶ ἐὰν καθίσωμεν ὧδε καὶ ἀποθανούμεθα καὶ νῦν δεῦτε καὶ ἐμπέσωμεν εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν Συρίας ἐὰν ζωογονήσωσιν ἡμᾶς καὶ ζησόμεθα καὶ ἐὰν θανατώσωσιν ἡμᾶς καὶ ἀποθανούμεθα
If we say, "Let us enter the city," then the famine is in the city and we shall die there; and if we sit here, we shall also die. So now, come, let us fall upon the camp of Syria; if they spare us alive, then we shall live, and if they kill us, then we shall die.
The verse is a tightly structured deliberation built on three conditional clauses (ἐάν ... ἐάν ... ἐάν), each leading to death except the gamble on the enemy camp. The hortatory δεῦτε καὶ ἐμπέσωμεν ('come, let us fall upon') resolves the dilemma; the final balanced pair (ἐὰν ζωογονήσωσιν ... ἐὰν θανατώσωσιν) frames the venture as a calculated risk in which death is no worse than the certain death of staying.
Word-by-word analysis· 41 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (protasis with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; renders אִם; introduces the first of three conditional options the lepers weigh.
εἴπωμενwe sayAor Act Subj 1 Pl · λέγωverb of protasis (conditional)→ prospective aorist subjunctiveλέγω: 'say / propose'; the subjunctive after ἐάν frames a hypothetical resolve — 'suppose we decide to enter.'
εἰσέλθωμενlet us enterAor Act Subj 1 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιhortatory subjunctive (quoted resolve, object of εἴπωμεν)→ hortatory aorist subjunctive ('let us go in')εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go in'; renders בּוֹא; the quoted proposal to enter Samaria, immediately rejected because the famine reigns within.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; the famine-stricken Samaria, certain death by starvation.
καὶand / thenapodotic καί (Hebraism: introducing the consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here apodotic, rendering the Hebrew waw of the apodosis ('then'); introduces the deadly result of entering.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λιμὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λιμὸςfamineNominativesubject (verbless clause: 'the famine is in the city')→ participant prominenceλιμός: 'famine / hunger'; renders רָעָב; the besieged city's famine (cf. 4 Kgdms 6:25) is the death the lepers flee.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with πόλει)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλειcityDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceπόλις (dat. πόλει): the locative completes the verbless clause 'the famine is in the city.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποθανούμεθαwe shall dieFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (consequence of entering)→ predictive future (certain death)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; renders מוּת; the recurring death-verb (4× in this verse) drives home that staying or entering both end in death.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; renders שָׁם; 'there' = inside the city, the place of famine-death.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing second option)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (second protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the second option — staying put.
καθίσωμενwe sit / remainAor Act Subj 1 Pl · καθίζωverb of protasis (second condition)→ prospective aorist subjunctiveκαθίζω: 'sit down / remain'; renders יָשַׁב; the option of staying at the gate, which equally ends in death.
ὧδεhereadverb of place→ clausal contributionὧδε: 'here'; the gate-threshold, the place of fatal inaction.
καὶthenapodotic καί (Hebraism)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic 'then', introducing the result of the second condition.
ἀποθανούμεθαwe shall dieFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (consequence of staying)→ predictive futureἀποθνῄσκω: the second death-result; staying is no better than entering.
καὶand soinferential conjunction (introducing resolution)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here introduces the decisive turn 'and now / so now'.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (transition to decision)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; renders עַתָּה; the logical 'now' marking the move from deliberation to resolve.
δεῦτεcomeAdv/Impv 2 Pl · δεῦτεhortatory interjection-imperative ('come!')→ hortatory (summons to action)δεῦτε: 'come!' (plural adverbial imperative); renders לְכוּ; a fixed summons rallying the group to act.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐμπέσωμενlet us fall upon / go overAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἐμπίπτωhortatory subjunctive (the resolve)→ hortatory aorist subjunctive ('let us throw ourselves')ἐμπίπτω: 'fall into / fall upon / go over to'; renders נָפַל; here 'let us desert to / fall in with' the Aramean camp — the surrender-gamble that resolves the dilemma.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with παρεμβολὴν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολὴνcampAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationπαρεμβολή: 'camp / army-encampment'; renders מַחֲנֶה; the Aramean siege-camp, goal of the lepers' desperate venture and the chapter's pivotal setting.
Συρίαςof Syria / AramGenitivegenitive (defining the camp: 'of Syria')→ relational specificationΣυρία (gen. Συρίας): the LXX rendering of אֲרָם (Aram); the Aramean kingdom besieging Samaria; declined, hence 'n' with genitive case.
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (third protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the first horn of the closing balanced pair.
ζωογονήσωσινthey spare aliveAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ζωογονέωverb of protasis (condition of mercy)→ prospective aorist subjunctiveζωογονέω: 'keep alive / preserve / spare'; renders חָיָה (Piel); the Arameans 'sparing them alive' is the favorable outcome of surrender.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of ζωογονήσωσιν→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ζωογονήσωσιν.
καὶthenapodotic καί (Hebraism)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic 'then'.
ζησόμεθαwe shall liveFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · ζάωmain verb (favorable consequence)→ predictive futureζάω: 'live'; renders חָיָה; the one outcome that breaks the chain of death-verbs — life, if the enemy shows mercy.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second horn)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (fourth protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the second horn — death at the enemy's hand.
θανατώσωσινthey killAor Act Subj 3 Pl · θανατόωverb of protasis (condition of death)→ prospective aorist subjunctiveθανατόω: 'put to death / kill'; renders מוּת (Hiphil); the Arameans 'killing them' — an outcome no worse than the certain death of staying.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of θανατώσωσιν→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of θανατώσωσιν.
καὶthenapodotic καί (Hebraism)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic 'then'.
ἀποθανούμεθαwe shall dieFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (consequence of the second horn)→ predictive futureἀποθνῄσκω: the closing death-verb; the symmetry 'live / die' frames the venture as a rational gamble where the downside is merely the death they already face.
5
καὶ ἀνέστησαν ἐν τῷ σκότει εἰσελθεῖν εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν Συρίας καὶ ἦλθον εἰς μέρος τῆς παρεμβολῆς Συρίας καὶ ἰδοὺ οὐκ ἔστιν ἀνὴρ ἐκεῖ
And they rose in the darkness to enter the camp of Syria; and they came to the edge of the camp of Syria, and behold, there was no man there.
The resolve of v. 4 is enacted: ἀνέστησαν ('they rose') initiates the action, the infinitive of purpose εἰσελθεῖν states the aim, and the presentative ἰδού delivers the stunning discovery — the camp is empty. The twilight timing (ἐν τῷ σκότει) both veils their approach and matches the hour at which, unbeknownst to them, the Arameans had already fled (v. 7).
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέστησανthey roseAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀνίστημιmain verb (initiating action)→ ingressive aorist (they got up and set out)ἀνίστημι: 'rise / set out'; renders קוּם; the intransitive aorist marks the lepers' decisive move from deliberation to action.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῷtheDativearticle (with σκότει)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκότειdarkness / twilightDativedative of time ('in the darkness')→ sphere or referenceσκότος: 'darkness / dusk'; renders נֶשֶׁף ('twilight'); the dim hour conceals their movement and coincides with the Arameans' panicked dusk-flight.
εἰσελθεῖνto enterAor Act Inf · εἰσέρχομαιinfinitive of purpose (with ἀνέστησαν)→ purpose infinitive ('in order to enter')εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter'; the aorist infinitive expresses the aim of their rising — to go into the enemy camp.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with παρεμβολὴν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολὴνcampAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationπαρεμβολή: 'camp'; the Aramean encampment, the objective of their venture.
Συρίαςof SyriaGenitivegenitive (defining the camp)→ relational specificationΣυρία (gen. Συρίας): Aram; the besieging power.
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 (sequential action)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; renders בּוֹא; the lepers reach the camp's edge, setting up the discovery.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
μέροςedge / partAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς ('to the edge')→ object specificationμέρος: 'part / portion / edge'; renders קְצֵה ('outskirts'); the outer edge of the camp, where they first realize it is empty.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with παρεμβολῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῆςcampGenitivegenitive (defining μέρος: 'edge of the camp')→ relational specificationπαρεμβολή (gen. παρεμβολῆς): the encampment; the partitive genitive specifies 'the edge of the camp.'
Συρίαςof SyriaGenitivegenitive (defining the camp)→ relational specificationΣυρία (gen. Συρίας): Aram.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing presentative)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; introduces the surprising discovery from the lepers' point of view.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἔστιν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ (οὐκ before vowel): absolute negation; 'there is no man.'
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential, vivid present)→ vivid present (the scene presented as before the eyes)εἰμί (ἔστιν): existential 'there is'; the present tense after ἰδού renders the Hebrew הִנֵּה אֵין vividly — the emptiness is presented as the lepers themselves perceive it.
ἀνὴρa manNominativesubject of ἔστιν→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; renders אִישׁ; 'not a man there' — the camp is utterly deserted.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; renders שָׁם; locates the astonishing absence at the camp itself.
6
καὶ κύριος ἀκουστὴν ἐποίησεν τὴν παρεμβολὴν Συρίας φωνὴν ἅρματος καὶ φωνὴν ἵππου καὶ φωνὴν δυνάμεως μεγάλης καὶ εἶπεν ἀνὴρ πρὸς τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ νῦν ἐμισθώσατο ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς βασιλεὺς Ισραηλ τοὺς βασιλέας τῶν Χετταίων καὶ τοὺς βασιλέας Αἰγύπτου τοῦ ἐλθεῖν ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς
For the LORD had made the camp of Syria hear the sound of a chariot and the sound of a horse and the sound of a great army; and they said, each to his brother, 'Look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Egypt to come against us.'
The narrator inserts the cause behind v. 5's empty camp: the LORD himself (κύριος, fronted for emphasis) had caused the Arameans to hear an auditory illusion of a vast attacking force. The triple φωνήν (chariot, horse, great army) builds the panic; the Arameans' quoted self-talk (ἀνὴρ πρὸς τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ) supplies their mistaken reasoning — that Israel has hired Hittite and Egyptian kings against them.
Word-by-word analysis· 41 words
καὶfor / andexplanatory conjunction (introducing the cause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here introduces the narrator's explanatory flashback ('for the LORD had...').
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject (fronted for emphasis)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; placed first to stress that the Aramean rout is YHWH's direct doing, the unseen agent behind the empty camp.
ἀκουστὴνhearing / made to hearAccusativepredicate adjective (with ἐποίησεν: 'made the camp hear')→ object specificationἀκουστός: 'audible / heard'; the construction ἀκουστὴν ἐποίησεν τὴν παρεμβολήν is a calque of the Hebrew Hiphil הִשְׁמִיעַ ('caused to hear'), the camp being made to hear the phantom sounds.
ἐποίησενmade / causedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (causative)→ constative aorist (the decisive divine act)ποιέω: 'make / cause'; with ἀκουστήν it renders the causative Hiphil — the LORD 'made the camp hear'; the verb encapsulates the whole miracle of the panic.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with παρεμβολὴν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολὴνcampAccusativedirect object (the camp made to hear)→ object specificationπαρεμβολή: the Aramean army, here the recipient of the auditory illusion.
Συρίαςof SyriaGenitivegenitive (defining the camp)→ relational specificationΣυρία (gen. Συρίας): Aram.
φωνὴνsoundAccusativeaccusative of content (what was heard)→ object specificationφωνή: 'sound / voice / noise'; renders קוֹל; the threefold φωνήν enumerates the phantom battle-sounds the LORD made audible.
ἅρματοςof a chariotGenitivegenitive of source (sound of a chariot)→ relational specificationἅρμα: 'chariot'; renders רֶכֶב; the rumble of chariotry, the first of the terrifying sounds.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φωνὴνsoundAccusativeaccusative of content (second sound)→ object specificationφωνή: the second phantom sound.
ἵππουof a horseGenitivegenitive of source (sound of a horse)→ relational specificationἵππος: 'horse'; renders סוּס; the sound of cavalry, the second element of the illusory host.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φωνὴνsoundAccusativeaccusative of content (third sound)→ object specificationφωνή: the climactic third sound — that of a great army.
δυνάμεωςof an army / forceGenitivegenitive of source (sound of a host)→ relational specificationδύναμις: 'force / army / host'; renders חַיִל; here a military host, the great army the Arameans imagine is upon them.
μεγάληςgreatGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying δυνάμεως)→ relational specificationμέγας: 'great'; renders גָּדוֹל; the magnitude of the phantom army that triggers the rout.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing the Arameans' self-talk)→ constative aorist (distributive: each said)λέγω: introduces the Arameans' panicked reasoning, voiced distributively 'each to his brother.'
ἀνὴρa man / eachNominativesubject (distributive: 'each one')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the idiom ἀνὴρ πρὸς τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ ('a man to his brother') is a Hebraism (אִישׁ אֶל־אָחִיו) meaning 'one to another.'
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ἀδελφὸν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationἀδελφός: 'brother / fellow'; renders אָח; in the idiom 'a man to his brother' = 'to one another' among the Aramean soldiers.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
νῦνlook / nowtemporal adverb (here exclamatory)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; here with alarmed force, 'see now! / why, ...', opening the panicked inference.
ἐμισθώσατοhas hiredAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · μισθόωmain verb of the Arameans' inference→ constative aorist (a supposed completed act)μισθόω (mid. 'hire for oneself'): 'hire / engage as mercenaries'; renders שָׂכַר; the Arameans wrongly conclude that Israel has hired foreign kings to ambush them.
ἐφ᾿againstpreposition + accusative (hostile: 'against')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί (ἐφ᾿): 'against'; the hostile sense, 'hired against us.'
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeobject of ἐφ᾿→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐφ᾿.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of ἐμισθώσατο→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; here the king of Israel, the supposed hirer of the mercenary kings.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'king of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; the genitive relationship 'king of Israel' is borne by context, not morphology — hence 'x' with no case value.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλέας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέαςkingsAccusativedirect object of ἐμισθώσατο→ object specificationβασιλεύς (acc. pl. βασιλέας): 'kings'; the mercenary rulers Israel is imagined to have hired.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with Χετταίων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Χετταίωνof the HittitesGenitivegenitive (defining βασιλέας: 'kings of the Hittites')→ relational specificationΧετταῖος (gen. pl. Χετταίων): 'Hittite'; renders חִתִּי; the declined gentilic names the northern peoples the Arameans fear have joined Israel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλέας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέαςkingsAccusativedirect object (second set of hired kings)→ object specificationβασιλεύς (acc. pl.): the second group of supposed mercenaries, the kings of Egypt.
Αἰγύπτουof EgyptGenitivegenitive (defining βασιλέας: 'kings of Egypt')→ relational specificationΑἴγυπτος (gen. Αἰγύπτου): 'Egypt'; renders מִצְרַיִם; the southern superpower whose kings the Arameans imagine arrayed against them.
τοῦtoGenitivearticle with articular infinitive (genitive of purpose)→ noun-phrase markingthe genitive article τοῦ + infinitive ἐλθεῖν forms a purpose construction, 'in order to come.'
ἐλθεῖνto comeAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ ἐλθεῖν)→ purpose infinitive ('to come against us')ἔρχομαι: 'come'; the articular infinitive τοῦ ἐλθεῖν renders the Hebrew לָבוֹא ('to come'), stating the supposed purpose of the hired kings — to attack.
ἐφ᾿againstpreposition + accusative (hostile)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί (ἐφ᾿): 'against'; repeats the hostile sense, framing the imagined assault.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeobject of ἐφ᾿→ participant referencethe repeated ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς ('against us') frames the Arameans' terror in the first person, intensifying their panic.
7
καὶ ἀνέστησαν καὶ ἀπέδρασαν ἐν τῷ σκότει καὶ ἐγκατέλιπαν τὰς σκηνὰς αὐτῶν καὶ τοὺς ἵππους αὐτῶν καὶ τοὺς ὄνους αὐτῶν ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ ὡς ἔστιν καὶ ἔφυγον πρὸς τὴν ψυχὴν ἑαυτῶν
So they rose and fled in the darkness, and abandoned their tents and their horses and their donkeys in the camp just as it was, and fled for their lives.
The verse narrates the consequence of the divinely-induced terror with a rapid chain of aorists. The abandonment list (tents, horses, donkeys) and the phrase ὡς ἔστιν ('just as it was') stress the totality and suddenness of the flight, leaving the camp intact for plunder. The closing idiom ἔφυγον πρὸς τὴν ψυχὴν ἑαυτῶν ('fled for their lives') is a Hebraism conveying panicked self-preservation.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶand / sonarrative conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέστησανthey roseAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀνίστημιmain verb (initiating flight)→ ingressive aoristἀνίστημι: 'rise / get up'; renders קוּם; the Arameans spring up in panic.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέδρασανthey fledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποδιδράσκωmain verb (flight)→ constative aoristἀποδιδράσκω: 'run away / flee / escape'; renders נוּס / בָּרַח; the compound ἀπο- stresses headlong escape under cover of darkness.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῷtheDativearticle (with σκότει)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκότειdarkness / twilightDativedative of time ('in the darkness')→ sphere or referenceσκότος: 'darkness / dusk'; renders נֶשֶׁף; the same twilight in which the lepers later arrive (v. 5).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγκατέλιπανthey left behindAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐγκαταλείπωmain verb (abandonment)→ constative aoristἐγκαταλείπω: 'abandon / leave behind / forsake'; renders עָזַב; the double-compound stresses the completeness of the abandonment — nothing carried off.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with σκηνὰς)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνὰςtentsAccusativedirect object of ἐγκατέλιπαν→ object specificationσκηνή (pl. σκηνὰς): 'tent'; renders אֹהֶל; the first item of the abandoned camp, soon to be plundered by the lepers (v. 8).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; 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.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἵππους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἵππουςhorsesAccusativedirect object (second abandoned item)→ object specificationἵππος (pl. ἵππους): 'horse'; renders סוּס; the cavalry-mounts left behind — the very horses later used by the Israelite scouts (v. 13).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; 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.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ὄνους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνουςdonkeysAccusativedirect object (third abandoned item)→ object specificationὄνος (pl. ὄνους): 'donkey / ass'; renders חֲמוֹר; the pack-animals left in the camp, completing the inventory of abandoned wealth.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with παρεμβολῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῇcampDativedative of place (where all was left)→ sphere or referenceπαρεμβολή (dat. παρεμβολῇ): the encampment, left fully stocked and intact.
ὡςjust ascomparative particle (introducing 'as it was')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / just as'; with ἔστιν, 'just as it was' — the camp left untouched in mid-occupation.
ἔστινit was / it stoodPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of comparative clause (vivid present for past state)→ vivid present ('as it stands')εἰμί (ἔστιν): the present in ὡς ἔστιν ('as it is/was') gives a vivid sense of the camp frozen exactly as the Arameans left it.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔφυγονthey fledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · φεύγωmain verb (climactic flight)→ constative aoristφεύγω: 'flee'; renders נוּס; the climactic verb of flight, completed by the Hebraistic 'for their lives.'
πρὸςforpreposition + accusative (Hebraism: 'for their lives')→ spatial or relational framingπρός + acc.: here in the idiom πρὸς τὴν ψυχήν, 'for (the saving of) the life', rendering אֶל־נַפְשָׁם.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ψυχὴν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχὴνlife / soulAccusativeobject of πρός (idiom: 'for their lives')→ object specificationψυχή: 'life / soul / self'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; the idiom ἔφυγον πρὸς τὴν ψυχὴν ἑαυτῶν ('fled for their lives') conveys panicked self-preservation.
ἑαυτῶνtheir ownGenitivereflexive genitive (their own lives)→ relational specificationἑαυτοῦ (gen. pl. ἑαυτῶν): reflexive 'their own'; intensifies the self-preservation of the fleeing soldiers.
8
καὶ εἰσῆλθον οἱ λεπροὶ οὗτοι ἕως μέρους τῆς παρεμβολῆς καὶ εἰσῆλθον εἰς σκηνὴν μίαν καὶ ἔφαγον καὶ ἔπιον καὶ ἦραν ἐκεῖθεν ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον καὶ ἱματισμὸν καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν καὶ εἰσῆλθον εἰς σκηνὴν ἄλλην καὶ ἔλαβον ἐκεῖθεν καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν καὶ κατέκρυψαν
And these lepers came as far as the edge of the camp, and they entered one tent, and ate and drank, and carried off from there silver and gold and clothing, and went and hid it; and they returned and entered another tent, and took from there, and went and hid it.
The narrative returns to the lepers (οἱ λεπροὶ οὗτοι, 'these lepers') after the v. 6–7 flashback. A long paratactic chain of aorists (entered, ate, drank, carried off, went, hid, returned, entered, took, went, hid) conveys their greedy, repetitive looting. The doubled pattern (one tent, then another) and the verb κατέκρυψαν ('hid') set up the conscience-pang of v. 9.
Word-by-word analysis· 42 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (resumptive)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθονthey came / enteredAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (resuming the lepers' action)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / come in'; renders בּוֹא; the lepers penetrate the camp, now confirmed empty.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with λεπροὶ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λεπροὶlepersNominativesubject of εἰσῆλθον→ participant prominenceλεπρός: 'leper'; here substantival 'the lepers'; the marginal men become the camp's first plunderers.
οὗτοιtheseNominativedemonstrative (attributive with λεπροὶ)→ participant prominenceοὗτος: 'these'; the demonstrative resumes the four lepers as the known subject after the intervening flashback.
ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (extent: 'as far as')→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'as far as / up to'; with μέρους marks the limit of their advance into the camp.
μέρουςthe edge / partGenitivegenitive object of ἕως ('to the edge')→ relational specificationμέρος (gen. μέρους): 'part / edge'; renders קְצֵה; the outskirts of the camp, where they begin to plunder.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with παρεμβολῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῆςcampGenitivegenitive (defining μέρους)→ relational specificationπαρεμβολή (gen. παρεμβολῆς): the encampment, here entered and looted.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθονthey enteredAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (entering a tent)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: the lepers go into the first tent to take its provisions.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
σκηνὴνtentAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationσκηνή: 'tent'; the abandoned soldiers' tent, full of food and valuables.
μίανoneAccusativenumeral (attributive with σκηνὴν: 'one tent')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; here 'a certain / one' tent, the first of the two plundered.
καὶandcoordinate 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 (aor. ἔφαγον): 'eat'; renders אָכַל; after the famine, the lepers' first act is to eat — a sharp contrast with the officer who will not eat (v. 2).
καὶandcoordinate 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 (aor. ἔπιον): 'drink'; renders שָׁתָה; completes the famine-breaking meal.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦρανthey carried offAor Act Indic 3 Pl · αἴρωmain verb (plundering)→ constative aoristαἴρω (aor. ἦραν): 'lift / take up / carry off'; renders נָשָׂא; the lepers begin to loot the camp's portable wealth.
ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of source→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there'; renders מִשָּׁם; from the tent they carry away the spoil.
ἀργύριονsilverAccusativedirect object of ἦραν→ object specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; renders כֶּסֶף; the first item of portable plunder.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
χρυσίονgoldAccusativedirect object of ἦραν→ object specificationχρυσίον: 'gold'; renders זָהָב; the silver-and-gold pairing is the standard merism for portable wealth.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἱματισμὸνclothingAccusativedirect object of ἦραν→ object specificationἱματισμός: 'clothing / raiment'; renders בְּגָדִים / שְׂמָלוֹת; garments are valuable plunder — the same items strew the road in v. 15.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθησανthey wentAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (motion)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go / proceed'; renders הָלַךְ; they go off to conceal the first haul.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέστρεψανthey returnedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (return for more)→ constative aoristἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; renders שׁוּב; they come back to loot a second tent, showing their initial greed before conscience intervenes.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθονthey enteredAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (entering second tent)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: the lepers enter the second tent to continue plundering.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
σκηνὴνtentAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationσκηνή: the second tent looted.
ἄλληνanotherAccusativeadjective (attributive with σκηνὴν: 'another tent')→ object specificationἄλλος: 'another / other'; renders אַחֵר; marks the second, distinct tent.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβονthey tookAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (taking spoil)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω (aor. ἔλαβον): 'take / seize'; renders לָקַח; they take more plunder from the second tent.
ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of source→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there'; from the second tent.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθησανthey wentAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (motion)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go'; they go off again to hide the second haul.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέκρυψανthey hid itAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κατακρύπτωmain verb (concealing plunder)→ constative aoristκατακρύπτω: 'hide / conceal completely'; renders טָמַן; the lepers stash their loot — an act of self-interest that their own consciences then rebuke (v. 9).
9
καὶ εἶπεν ἀνὴρ πρὸς τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ οὐχ οὕτως ἡμεῖς ποιοῦμεν ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη ἡμέρα εὐαγγελίας ἐστίν καὶ ἡμεῖς σιωπῶμεν καὶ μένομεν ἕως φωτὸς τοῦ πρωὶ καὶ εὑρήσομεν ἀνομίαν καὶ νῦν δεῦρο καὶ εἰσέλθωμεν καὶ ἀναγγείλωμεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ βασιλέως
And one said to his neighbor, 'We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news, and we are keeping silent; if we wait until the light of morning, we shall incur guilt. So now, come, let us go in and report to the house of the king.'
The same idiom that opened the lepers' deliberation (v. 3) returns to mark a moral reversal: from self-serving plunder to public duty. The self-rebuke οὐχ οὕτως ἡμεῖς ποιοῦμεν ('we are not doing right') and the key phrase ἡμέρα εὐαγγελίας ('a day of good news') frame the report as a moral imperative; the conditional warning (waiting will bring ἀνομία, 'guilt') and the hortatory δεῦρο ... εἰσέλθωμεν ... ἀναγγείλωμεν drive them to the palace.
Word-by-word analysis· 41 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 (introducing speech)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces the conscience-stricken reflection, again voiced 'a man to his neighbor.'
ἀνὴρa man / oneNominativesubject (distributive: 'one of them')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the Hebraism ἀνὴρ πρὸς τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ ('one to another') frames the lepers' deliberation, echoing v. 3.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πλησίον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλησίονneighborAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationπλησίον: 'neighbor / companion'; renders רֵעַ; here 'his fellow' among the lepers.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
οὐχnotnegative particle (with ποιοῦμεν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ (οὐχ before rough breathing): negation; 'we are not acting rightly.'
οὕτωςrightly / thusadverb of manner→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / in this way'; οὐχ οὕτως ποιοῦμεν = 'we are not doing the right thing', a self-rebuke (rendering לֹא־כֵן אֲנַחְנוּ עֹשִׂים).
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἡμεῖς: emphatic 'we'; underscores their collective moral responsibility.
ποιοῦμενwe are doingPres Act Indic 1 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (self-assessment)→ descriptive present (their present conduct)ποιέω: 'do / act'; the present describes their current behavior — hoarding instead of reporting — judged as wrong.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ἡμέρα)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραdayNominativesubject (verbless predication: 'this day is...')→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: 'day'; renders יוֹם; 'this day' = the day of the camp's discovery, charged with significance.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative (attributive with ἡμέρα)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; points to the present day as decisive.
ἡμέραa dayNominativepredicate nominative ('is a day of good news')→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: the predicate noun; the construction 'this day is a day of good news' renders יוֹם בְּשֹׂרָה הוּא.
εὐαγγελίαςof good newsGenitivegenitive (defining ἡμέρα: 'day of good tidings')→ relational specificationεὐαγγελία: 'good news / glad tidings'; renders בְּשֹׂרָה; one of the rare LXX occurrences of the noun later central to NT 'gospel' vocabulary; here the news of the lifted siege that must be proclaimed.
ἐστίνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (with predicate ἡμέρα εὐαγγελίας)→ stative presentεἰμί (ἐστίν): the copula completing 'this day is a day of good news.'
καὶand yetadversative conjunction (contrast)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative ('and yet'), Hebraizing the contrastive waw — 'and yet we keep silent.'
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἡμεῖς: emphatic 'we', heightening the impropriety of their silence.
σιωπῶμενwe are keeping silentPres Act Indic 1 Pl · σιωπάωmain verb (their guilty silence)→ descriptive presentσιωπάω: 'be silent / hold one's peace'; renders חָשָׁה; their silence about the good news is the wrong they resolve to correct.
καὶand / ifcoordinate conjunction (here quasi-conditional)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: links the waiting-clause to its consequence; rendered conditionally in English ('if we wait...').
μένομενwe wait / remainPres Act Indic 1 Pl · μένωmain verb (continued delay)→ descriptive present (with future-conditional sense)μένω: 'remain / wait'; renders חָכָה; their delay until morning is what would incur guilt.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until'; with φωτός marks the deadline 'until daylight.'
φωτὸςthe lightGenitivegenitive object of ἕως ('until light')→ relational specificationφῶς (gen. φωτός): 'light'; renders אוֹר; 'the light of the morning' = daybreak, by which time their silence would be culpable.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with πρωὶ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωὶmorningadverb used substantively (genitive via article: 'of the morning')→ clausal contributionπρωΐ: 'early / morning'; an indeclinable adverb here substantivized by the genitive article τοῦ — 'the light of the morning'; renders בֹּקֶר.
καὶthenapodotic καί (Hebraism: consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic 'then', introducing the result of delay.
εὑρήσομενwe shall find / incurFut Act Indic 1 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb (consequence of delay)→ predictive futureεὑρίσκω: 'find'; here in the idiom 'we shall find guilt' = 'punishment will overtake us' (rendering וּמְצָאָנוּ עָוֹן); to find ἀνομία is to incur liability for wrongdoing.
ἀνομίανguilt / iniquityAccusativedirect object of εὑρήσομεν→ object specificationἀνομία: 'lawlessness / iniquity / guilt'; renders עָוֹן; here the punishment or guilt that would attach to them for withholding the good news.
καὶand soinferential conjunction (transition to resolve)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: introduces the decisive 'and now' resolution.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (transition to decision)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; renders עַתָּה; marks the move from reflection to action.
δεῦροcomeAdv/Impv 2 Sg · δεῦροhortatory interjection-imperative ('come!')→ hortatory (summons)δεῦρο: 'come!' (singular adverbial imperative); renders לֵךְ / בֹּא; a summons to act, paralleling δεῦτε in v. 4.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσέλθωμενlet us go inAor Act Subj 1 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιhortatory subjunctive→ hortatory aorist subjunctiveεἰσέρχομαι: 'go in / enter'; the resolve to enter the city and report to the palace.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναγγείλωμενlet us reportAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἀναγγέλλωhortatory subjunctive→ hortatory aorist subjunctiveἀναγγέλλω: 'announce / report'; renders נָגַד (Hiphil); the lepers resolve to bring the news to the palace, the act that propagates the deliverance.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with οἶκον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / household'; renders בַּיִת; here the royal palace, destination of the report.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive (defining οἶκον: 'house of the king')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς (gen. βασιλέως): 'king'; the king of Israel, to whose house the good news must be carried.
10
καὶ εἰσῆλθον καὶ ἐβόησαν πρὸς τὴν πύλην τῆς πόλεως καὶ ἀνήγγειλαν αὐτοῖς λέγοντες εἰσήλθομεν εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν Συρίας καὶ ἰδοὺ οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκεῖ ἀνὴρ καὶ φωνὴ ἀνθρώπου ὅτι εἰ μὴ ἵππος δεδεμένος καὶ ὄνος καὶ αἱ σκηναὶ αὐτῶν ὡς εἰσίν
And they came and called out to the gate of the city, and reported to them, saying, 'We entered the camp of Syria, and behold, there was no man there nor sound of a human, only a tethered horse and a donkey, and their tents just as they were.'
The lepers carry out their resolve, calling to the gatekeepers and giving their eyewitness report. The quoted speech reuses the presentative ἰδού and the emphatic οὐκ ἔστιν ... ἀνήρ from v. 5, conveying their astonishment. The exception-clause εἰ μή ('except / only') with the tethered horse and donkey and the tents ὡς εἰσίν ('just as they are') stresses that the camp stands eerily intact and abandoned.
Word-by-word analysis· 40 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθονthey cameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (approach to the city)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'go / come (up to)'; the lepers approach the city gate to deliver their news.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐβόησανthey called outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · βοάωmain verb (shouting to the gate)→ constative aoristβοάω: 'cry out / call'; renders קָרָא; the lepers, kept outside by their disease, shout their news to the gatekeepers.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of call)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of call).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πύλην)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύληνgateAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationπύλη: 'gate'; renders שַׁעַר; the gate where the watchmen stand — the same gate of the oracle (v. 1) and the trampling (v. 17).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with πόλεως)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive (defining πύλην)→ relational specificationπόλις (gen. πόλεως): the city of Samaria.
καὶandcoordinate 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 (delivering the report)→ constative aoristἀναγγέλλω: 'announce / report'; renders נָגַד (Hiphil); the lepers report the abandoned camp to the watchmen.
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object (the gatekeepers)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. pl. αὐτοῖς): 'to them'; the gatekeepers / watchmen who relay the word inward (v. 11).
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Pl · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introducing direct speech)→ participle of attendant circumstance (speech-marker)λέγω (ptcp. λέγοντες): the participle 'saying' introduces direct discourse, a Hebraism rendering לֵאמֹר.
εἰσήλθομενwe enteredAor Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb of reported speech→ constative aorist (eyewitness report)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter'; the lepers report their entry into the camp as direct eyewitnesses.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with παρεμβολὴν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολὴνcampAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationπαρεμβολή: the Aramean camp they found deserted.
Συρίαςof SyriaGenitivegenitive (defining the camp)→ relational specificationΣυρία (gen. Συρίας): Aram.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing presentative)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; the lepers relay their astonishment at the empty camp.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἔστιν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ (οὐκ): negation; 'there is no man.'
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential)→ vivid presentεἰμί (ἔστιν): existential 'there is'; the present makes the report vivid, echoing v. 5.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; at the camp.
ἀνὴρa manNominativesubject of ἔστιν→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; 'not a man there' — the camp wholly deserted.
καὶnor / andcoordinate conjunction (here 'nor')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here 'nor', extending the negation to human sound.
φωνὴsound / voiceNominativesubject (second negated existent: 'nor sound of a human')→ participant prominenceφωνή: 'sound / voice'; renders קוֹל; not even a human voice remains — total desertion.
ἀνθρώπουof a humanGenitivegenitive (defining φωνὴ: 'voice of a human')→ relational specificationἄνθρωπος (gen. ἀνθρώπου): 'human being'; renders אָדָם; 'sound of a human' = any human presence.
ὅτιbut / exceptconjunction (here introducing the exception with εἰ μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that / but'; combined with εἰ μή it conveys 'only / except that', introducing what was found.
εἰifparticle (part of εἰ μή exception-idiom)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; with μή forms εἰ μή, 'except / only', a fixed exceptive idiom.
μὴonly / exceptnegative particle (εἰ μή = 'except')→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: in εἰ μή, 'except / only'; renders כִּי אִם; introduces the lone exceptions to the emptiness.
ἵπποςa horseNominativesubject (the exception: 'only a horse')→ participant prominenceἵππος: 'horse'; renders סוּס; a tethered horse, left behind in the flight.
δεδεμένοςtethered / tiedPerf Pass Ptcp Nom Masc Sg · δέωperfect participle (attributive with ἵππος: 'a horse tied up')→ resultative perfect participle (a horse left in a tied state)δέω (perf. pass. ptcp. δεδεμένος): 'bind / tie'; renders אָסוּר; the perfect denotes the abiding state — a horse still standing tethered, abandoned in the rout.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄνοςa donkeyNominativesubject (second exception)→ participant prominenceὄνος: 'donkey / ass'; renders חֲמוֹר; a second animal left tethered in the abandoned camp.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αἱtheNominativearticle (with σκηναὶ)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηναὶtentsNominativesubject (third exception: 'and their tents')→ participant prominenceσκηνή (pl. σκηναὶ): 'tent'; the tents still standing as the soldiers left them.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὡςjust ascomparative particle ('as they were')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / just as'; with εἰσίν, 'just as they are', stressing the camp left intact.
εἰσίνthey are / standPres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίverb of comparative clause (vivid present)→ vivid present ('as they stand')εἰμί (εἰσίν): the present in ὡς εἰσίν ('as they are') paints the tents as frozen in place — the abandoned camp untouched.
11
καὶ ἐβόησαν οἱ θυρωροὶ καὶ ἀνήγγειλαν εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ βασιλέως ἔσω
And the gatekeepers called out and reported within, to the house of the king.
A brief transitional verse moving the news from the gate inward: the gatekeepers (θυρωροί) relay the lepers' report to the palace. The adverb ἔσω ('within') traces the news' path from the city's edge to its center, setting up the king's nocturnal reaction in v. 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.
ἐβόησανcalled outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · βοάωmain verb (gatekeepers' shout)→ constative aoristβοάω: 'cry out / call'; renders קָרָא; the gatekeepers shout the news inward.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with θυρωροὶ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυρωροὶgatekeepersNominativesubject of ἐβόησαν→ participant prominenceθυρωρός (pl. θυρωροὶ): 'doorkeeper / gatekeeper'; renders שֹׁעֵר; the watchmen at the gate who heard the lepers and relay the report inward.
καὶandcoordinate 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 (relaying the report)→ constative aoristἀναγγέλλω: 'announce / report'; renders נָגַד (Hiphil); the gatekeepers carry the news to the palace.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with οἶκον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house'; the royal palace, the destination of the report.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive (defining οἶκον: 'house of the king')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς (gen. βασιλέως): the king of Israel, whose response follows in v. 12.
ἔσωwithinadverb of place (direction: 'inward')→ clausal contributionἔσω: 'within / inside'; renders פְּנִימָה; traces the news inward from gate to palace.
12
καὶ ἀνέστη ὁ βασιλεὺς νυκτὸς καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ ἀναγγελῶ δὴ ὑμῖν ἃ ἐποίησεν ἡμῖν Συρία ἔγνωσαν ὅτι πεινῶμεν ἡμεῖς καὶ ἐξῆλθαν ἐκ τῆς παρεμβολῆς καὶ ἐκρύβησαν ἐν τῷ ἀγρῷ λέγοντες ὅτι ἐξελεύσονται ἐκ τῆς πόλεως καὶ συλλημψόμεθα αὐτοὺς ζῶντας καὶ εἰς τὴν πόλιν εἰσελευσόμεθα
And the king rose at night and said to his servants, 'Let me tell you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we are hungry, and they have gone out of the camp and hidden in the field, saying, "They will come out of the city, and we shall take them alive and enter the city."'
The king, roused at night, interprets the news with wary cynicism rather than faith: he reads the abandoned camp as a stratagem (ἀναγγελῶ δὴ ὑμῖν, 'let me tell you'). His reconstruction embeds a further quotation — the Arameans' supposed plan to lure the starving city out and seize it — building suspense and contrasting human suspicion with the prophetic word now being fulfilled.
Word-by-word analysis· 47 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέστηroseAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (the king rises)→ ingressive aoristἀνίστημι: 'rise / get up'; renders קוּם; the king rises from sleep to deal with the report.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεὺς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of ἀνέστη→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the king of Israel (Jehoram), whose suspicious response delays the deliverance.
νυκτὸςat nightGenitivegenitive of time ('by night')→ relational specificationνύξ (gen. νυκτός): 'night'; the genitive of time, 'during the night'; renders לַיְלָה; the king acts before daybreak.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing speech)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces the king's address to his servants.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with παῖδας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδαςservantsAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationπαῖς (pl. παῖδας): 'servant / attendant'; renders עֶבֶד; the king's courtiers and advisors.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἀναγγελῶlet me tell / I will declareFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb (volitive future)→ volitive future ('let me tell you')ἀναγγέλλω: 'announce / declare'; renders נָגַד (Hiphil); the future with δή functions cohortatively, 'let me explain to you.'
δὴnow / prayemphatic particle (hortatory softener)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: enclitic emphatic particle; renders נָא; lends an urging or deliberative nuance, 'come now, let me tell you.'
ὑμῖνyouDativeindirect object of ἀναγγελῶ→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): 'to you'; the servants addressed.
ἃwhat / the things whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐποίησεν)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. pl. n. ἅ): relative 'the things which'; the content of the king's explanation.
ἐποίησενhas doneAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do'; the king attributes the situation to a deliberate Aramean scheme.
ἡμῖνto usDativeindirect object (dative of disadvantage)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. pl. ἡμῖν): 'to us'; the king and his people as the target of the supposed ruse.
ΣυρίαSyriaNominativesubject of ἐποίησεν→ participant prominenceΣυρία: Aram, here personified as the collective enemy; nominative subject, hence declined 'n'.
ἔγνωσανthey knewAor Act Indic 3 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb (the king's reconstruction)→ constative aoristγινώσκω: 'know / realize'; renders יָדַע; the king imagines the Arameans knew of the city's famine and devised a trap.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing content clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the object of ἔγνωσαν.
πεινῶμενwe are hungryPres Act Indic 1 Pl · πεινάωverb of content clause→ descriptive present (the famine state)πεινάω: 'be hungry / famished'; renders רָעֵב; the king assumes the Arameans exploited the city's hunger.
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἡμεῖς: emphatic 'we', stressing the besieged people's plight.
καὶand socoordinate conjunction (consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and so'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξῆλθανthey have gone outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (supposed Aramean tactic)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; renders יָצָא; the king theorizes the Arameans left the camp as a feint.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with παρεμβολῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῆςcampGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ→ relational specificationπαρεμβολή (gen. παρεμβολῆς): the camp the king imagines they vacated as a ruse.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκρύβησανthey have hiddenAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · κρύπτωmain verb (supposed ambush)→ constative aoristκρύπτω (aor. pass. ἐκρύβησαν): 'hide'; renders חָבָא (Niphal); the king's imagined ambush — the Arameans lying in wait in the field.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle (with ἀγρῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγρῷfieldDativedative of place (where they supposedly hide)→ sphere or referenceἀγρός: 'field / open country'; renders שָׂדֶה; the imagined hiding-place of the ambush.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Pl · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introducing embedded speech)→ participle of attendant circumstance (speech-marker)λέγω (ptcp. λέγοντες): 'saying'; introduces the Arameans' supposed plan, a quotation within the king's quotation.
ὅτιthat / —conjunction (recitative ὅτι: introduces direct speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: recitative 'that', here marking the start of the quoted Aramean plan (left untranslated in English as quotation marks).
ἐξελεύσονταιthey will come outFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιverb of embedded speech (the supposed Aramean expectation)→ predictive futureἐξέρχομαι (fut. ἐξελεύσονται): 'go out'; the Arameans' imagined expectation that the starving city will sally forth, to be ambushed.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with πόλεως)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ→ relational specificationπόλις (gen. πόλεως): Samaria, from which the people would supposedly venture.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συλλημψόμεθαwe shall captureFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · συλλαμβάνωverb of embedded speech (the supposed Aramean aim)→ predictive futureσυλλαμβάνω: 'seize / capture / take'; renders תָּפַשׂ; the Arameans' imagined plan to take the citizens alive.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of συλλημψόμεθα→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. αὐτοὺς): 'them'; the citizens to be captured.
ζῶνταςalivePres Act Ptcp Acc Masc Pl · ζάωparticiple (predicative: 'take them alive')→ predicative present participle (their living state when captured)ζάω (ptcp. ζῶντας): 'live'; the predicative participle 'alive' renders חַיִּים; capture for enslavement rather than slaughter.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationπόλις: the city the Arameans imagine entering once its defenders are taken.
εἰσελευσόμεθαwe shall enterFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιverb of embedded speech (the supposed final aim)→ predictive futureεἰσέρχομαι (fut. εἰσελευσόμεθα): 'enter'; the climax of the king's imagined Aramean plot — to seize the emptied city.
13
καὶ ἀπεκρίθη εἷς τῶν παίδων αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν λαβέτωσαν δὴ πέντε τῶν ἵππων τῶν ὑπολελειμμένων οἳ κατελείφθησαν ὧδε ἰδού εἰσιν πρὸς πᾶν τὸ πλῆθος Ισραηλ τὸ ἐκλεῖπον καὶ ἀποστελοῦμεν ἐκεῖ καὶ ὀψόμεθα
And one of his servants answered and said, 'Let them take five of the horses that remain, which are left here — behold, they are like all the multitude of Israel that is perishing — and let us send and see.'
A servant counters the king's paralyzing suspicion with practical action: send scouts on the few surviving horses to verify the report. The fatalistic aside (the horses are no worse off than the perishing populace) underlines the desperation; the cohortatives λαβέτωσαν ('let them take') and ἀποστελοῦμεν ... ὀψόμεθα ('let us send and see') move the plot toward verification.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (introducing the servant's counsel)→ constative aoristἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer'; the Hebraistic ἀπεκρίθη ... καὶ εἶπεν introduces the servant's proposal.
εἷςoneNominativesubject (numeral substantive: 'one of the servants')→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; renders אֶחָד; 'one of his servants', the partitive subject.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with παίδων, partitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παίδωνservantsGenitivepartitive genitive ('one of the servants')→ relational specificationπαῖς (gen. pl. παίδων): 'servant'; the king's courtiers; the partitive 'one of' singles out the speaker.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (doubling speech-verb)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing speech)→ constative aoristλέγω: the second verb in the 'answered and said' pair, introducing the proposal.
λαβέτωσανlet them takeAor Act Impv 3 Pl · λαμβάνωthird-person imperative (proposal)→ imperatival aorist (let them take)λαμβάνω (aor. impv. λαβέτωσαν): 'take'; renders לָקַח; the third-person imperative proposes that some men take horses to scout the camp.
δὴnow / prayemphatic particle (hortatory softener)→ discourse linkage or contrastδή: enclitic emphatic particle; renders נָא; 'let them, pray, take...', urging the proposal.
πέντεfiveindeclinable numeral (object of λαβέτωσαν)→ measure or countπέντε: 'five'; renders חֲמִשָּׁה; indeclinable numeral; the small number of usable horses underlines the famine's depletion.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ἵππων, partitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἵππωνhorsesGenitivepartitive genitive ('five of the horses')→ relational specificationἵππος (gen. pl. ἵππων): 'horse'; the few surviving horses left in the famished city.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ὑπολελειμμένων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑπολελειμμένωνthat remainPerf Pass Ptcp Gen Masc Pl · ὑπολείπωattributive participle (modifying ἵππων: 'the horses that are left')→ resultative perfect participle (those in a remaining state)ὑπολείπω (perf. pass. ptcp. ὑπολελειμμένων): 'leave remaining / survive'; renders שָׁאַר (Niphal); the perfect denotes the surviving remnant of horses after the famine's toll.
οἳwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of κατελείφθησαν)→ participant referenceὅς (nom. pl. οἵ): relative 'which'; introduces the descriptive clause about the surviving horses.
κατελείφθησανwere leftAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · καταλείπωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist passiveκαταλείπω (aor. pass. κατελείφθησαν): 'leave behind / leave remaining'; renders שָׁאַר; reinforces that these horses are all that survive in the city.
ὧδεhereadverb of place→ clausal contributionὧδε: 'here'; renders פֹּה; the horses still in the city.
ἰδούbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; introduces the fatalistic aside comparing the horses to the dying populace.
εἰσινthey arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula (the horses' status)→ stative presentεἰμί (εἰσιν): 'they are'; the horses 'are like' the perishing multitude — i.e., they will die anyway, so risking them costs nothing.
πρὸςlike / aspreposition + accusative (comparison: 'like')→ spatial or relational framingπρός + acc.: here comparative, 'in the same condition as / like'; the horses share the fate of the dying people.
πᾶνallAccusativeadjective (attributive with πλῆθος)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / whole'; modifies 'multitude', the whole remaining populace.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with πλῆθος)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλῆθοςmultitudeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (object of comparison)→ object specificationπλῆθος: 'multitude / throng'; renders הָמוֹן; the mass of Israel wasting away under the famine.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'multitude of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; 'the multitude of Israel'; case borne by context, hence 'x' with no case value.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἐκλεῖπον, attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐκλεῖπονthat is perishingPres Act Ptcp Acc Neut Sg · ἐκλείπωattributive participle (modifying πλῆθος: 'the multitude that is failing')→ progressive present participle (the populace in process of perishing)ἐκλείπω (ptcp. ἐκλεῖπον): 'fail / give out / perish'; renders תָּמַם / כָּלָה; the present participle pictures Israel as steadily dying off — so the horses' risk is negligible.
καὶand socoordinate conjunction (introducing the proposal's action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and so'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποστελοῦμενlet us sendFut Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (volitive future: proposal)→ volitive future ('let us send')ἀποστέλλω: 'send (out)'; renders שָׁלַח; the proposal to dispatch scouts to verify the lepers' report.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (to the camp)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; to the Aramean camp.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀψόμεθαwe shall seeFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (purpose of sending)→ volitive future ('and let us see')ὁράω (fut. ὀψόμεθα): 'see'; renders רָאָה; the scouts will verify whether the camp is truly abandoned — empirical confirmation of the prophetic word.
14
καὶ ἔλαβον δύο ἐπιβάτας ἵππων καὶ ἀπέστειλεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Ισραηλ ὀπίσω τοῦ βασιλέως Συρίας λέγων δεῦτε καὶ ἴδετε
And they took two mounted riders of horses, and the king of Israel sent them after the king of Syria, saying, 'Go and see.'
The servant's proposal is carried out: two chariot-teams are taken and the king sends them after the retreating Aramean force. The command δεῦτε καὶ ἴδετε ('go and see') mirrors the verb ὀψόμεθα of v. 13, advancing the verification motif toward the discovery of the strewn road in v. 15.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβονthey tookAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (preparing the scouts)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω (aor. ἔλαβον): 'take'; renders לָקַח; they ready two teams for the reconnaissance.
δύοtwoindeclinable numeral (with ἐπιβάτας)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; renders שְׁנַיִם; indeclinable numeral; two chariot-teams are dispatched.
ἐπιβάταςriders / chariot-teamsAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβον→ object specificationἐπιβάτης (pl. ἐπιβάτας): 'rider / one who mounts'; here the Hebrew רֶכֶב סוּסִים ('chariotry of horses') is rendered as mounted scouts; the men dispatched on horseback.
ἵππωνof horsesGenitivegenitive (defining ἐπιβάτας: 'riders of horses')→ relational specificationἵππος (gen. pl. ἵππων): 'horse'; the surviving horses of v. 13 now put to use.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (dispatching the scouts)→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send out'; renders שָׁלַח; the king dispatches the scouts after the Aramean army.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεὺς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of ἀπέστειλεν→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the king of Israel, now acting on his servant's counsel.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'king of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; 'king of Israel'; case borne by context.
ὀπίσωafterpreposition + genitive (direction: 'after')→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after / behind'; renders אַחֲרֵי; the scouts pursue the retreating Aramean force.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσω→ relational specificationβασιλεύς (gen. βασιλέως): 'king'; here the king of Syria, the fleeing enemy commander.
Συρίαςof SyriaGenitivegenitive (defining βασιλέως: 'king of Syria')→ relational specificationΣυρία (gen. Συρίας): Aram; the king of Aram, leader of the fled besiegers.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Sg · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introducing the command)→ participle of attendant circumstance (speech-marker)λέγω (ptcp. λέγων): 'saying'; introduces the king's command to the scouts, a Hebraism rendering לֵאמֹר.
δεῦτεgo / comeAdv/Impv 2 Pl · δεῦτεhortatory interjection-imperative ('go!')→ imperatival summonsδεῦτε: 'come / go!' (plural adverbial imperative); renders לְכוּ; the command to set out on the reconnaissance.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἴδετεseeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ὁράωimperative (the scouting command)→ ingressive aorist imperative ('go and see')ὁράω (aor. impv. ἴδετε): 'see / look'; renders רְאוּ; the command to verify, echoing ὀψόμεθα of v. 13.
15
καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν ὀπίσω αὐτῶν ἕως τοῦ Ιορδάνου καὶ ἰδοὺ πᾶσα ἡ ὁδὸς πλήρης ἱματίων καὶ σκευῶν ὧν ἔρριψεν Συρία ἐν τῷ θαμβεῖσθαι αὐτούς καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν οἱ ἄγγελοι καὶ ἀνήγγειλαν τῷ βασιλεῖ
And they went after them as far as the Jordan, and behold, the whole road was full of garments and gear which the Syrians had thrown away in their panic; and the messengers returned and reported to the king.
The scouts confirm the rout: the road to the Jordan is littered with cast-off garments and gear, physical proof of the Arameans' headlong panic (ἐν τῷ θαμβεῖσθαι αὐτούς, 'in their being terrified'). The presentative ἰδού frames the discovery; the messengers' return and report (ἀνήγγειλαν τῷ βασιλεῖ) clears the way for the plunder of v. 16.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθησανthey wentAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (the scouts' pursuit)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go / proceed'; renders הָלַךְ; the scouts follow the Aramean trail toward the Jordan.
ὀπίσωafterpreposition + genitive (direction)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after'; renders אַחֲרֵי; in pursuit of the fled army.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσω→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): 'them'; the retreating Arameans.
ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (extent)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'as far as / up to'; marks the limit of the pursuit, the Jordan.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with Ιορδάνου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνουJordanGenitivegenitive object of ἕως ('to the Jordan')→ relational specificationΙορδάνης (gen. Ιορδάνου): the Jordan river; renders יַרְדֵּן; declined in the LXX (hence 'n' with genitive); the boundary marking the extent of the Aramean flight.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing presentative)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; presents the strewn road from the scouts' viewpoint.
πᾶσαthe wholeNominativeadjective (attributive with ὁδὸς: 'the whole road')→ participant prominenceπᾶς (fem. πᾶσα): 'all / whole'; the entire route is littered, emphasizing the scale of the rout.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ὁδὸς)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδὸςroad / wayNominativesubject (verbless clause: 'the road was full')→ participant prominenceὁδός: 'road / way'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; the route of flight, strewn with discarded goods.
πλήρηςfullNominativepredicate adjective ('full of...')→ participant prominenceπλήρης: 'full'; renders מָלֵא; takes a genitive of content (ἱματίων καὶ σκευῶν) — the road full of cast-off gear.
ἱματίωνgarmentsGenitivegenitive of content (with πλήρης)→ relational specificationἱμάτιον (gen. pl. ἱματίων): 'garment / cloak'; renders בְּגָדִים; clothing flung off in flight, the same kind of plunder the lepers took (v. 8).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σκευῶνgear / equipmentGenitivegenitive of content (with πλήρης)→ relational specificationσκεῦος (gen. pl. σκευῶν): 'vessel / implement / gear'; renders כֵּלִים; military equipment and baggage abandoned along the road.
ὧνwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (object of ἔρριψεν, attracted to genitive)→ relational specificationὅς (gen. pl. ὧν): relative 'which'; the case is attracted to its antecedents ἱματίων / σκευῶν; objects of ἔρριψεν.
ἔρριψενhad thrown awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ῥίπτωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (pluperfect sense in context)ῥίπτω (aor. ἔρριψεν): 'throw / cast away'; renders הִשְׁלִיךְ; the Arameans flung away their gear in panicked flight — concrete evidence of the divine terror.
ΣυρίαSyriaNominativesubject of ἔρριψεν→ participant prominenceΣυρία: Aram, personified as the collective army; nominative subject, hence declined 'n'.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (articular infinitive: temporal/causal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + articular infinitive: a temporal-causal construction, 'in / during their being terrified', rendering the Hebrew infinitive with בְּ.
τῷtheDativearticle (with articular infinitive θαμβεῖσθαι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θαμβεῖσθαιbeing terrifiedPres Pass Inf · θαμβέωarticular infinitive (temporal-causal: 'in their panic')→ present infinitive (durative panic during the flight)θαμβέω (pres. pass. inf. θαμβεῖσθαι): 'be astounded / terrified'; renders חָפַז (Niphal); the panic the LORD induced (vv. 6–7) explains the discarded gear.
αὐτούςthemAccusativeaccusative subject of the articular infinitive→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. αὐτούς): the accusative subject of θαμβεῖσθαι — 'while they were terrified.'
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέστρεψανreturnedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (the messengers' return)→ constative aoristἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; renders שׁוּב; the scouts return to report their confirmation.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄγγελοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄγγελοιmessengersNominativesubject of ἐπέστρεψαν→ participant prominenceἄγγελος (pl. ἄγγελοι): 'messenger'; renders מַלְאָךְ; here the human scouts/envoys, not angelic beings; they bring back word to the king.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνήγγειλανreportedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb (delivering confirmation)→ constative aoristἀναγγέλλω: 'report / announce'; renders נָגַד (Hiphil); the scouts confirm the Aramean rout to the king, removing his suspicion.
τῷto theDativearticle (with βασιλεῖ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεῖkingDativeindirect object of ἀνήγγειλαν→ sphere or referenceβασιλεύς (dat. βασιλεῖ): 'king'; the king of Israel, who now permits the plunder.
16
καὶ ἐξῆλθεν ὁ λαὸς καὶ διήρπασεν τὴν παρεμβολὴν Συρίας καὶ ἐγένετο μέτρον σεμιδάλεως σίκλου καὶ δίμετρον κριθῶν σίκλου κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα κυρίου
And the people went out and plundered the camp of Syria, and a measure of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.
The decisive fulfilment: the people pour out and plunder the camp, and the grain-prices fall exactly as Elisha foretold. The clause κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα κυρίου ('according to the word of the LORD') is the theological seal of the chapter — the price-formula of v. 1 recurs verbatim, demonstrating the infallibility of the prophetic word the officer had mocked.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (the people pour out)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; renders יָצָא; the people sally forth to plunder, the very 'coming out' the king had feared as a trap (v. 12).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἐξῆλθεν→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; renders עַם; the populace of Samaria, who now plunder the camp and trample the officer (v. 17).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διήρπασενplunderedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διαρπάζωmain verb (plundering the camp)→ constative aoristδιαρπάζω: 'plunder / pillage thoroughly'; renders בָּזַז; the people seize the abandoned wealth, flooding the market and crashing grain prices.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with παρεμβολὴν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολὴνcampAccusativedirect object of διήρπασεν→ object specificationπαρεμβολή: the abandoned Aramean camp, source of the sudden abundance.
Συρίαςof SyriaGenitivegenitive (defining the camp)→ relational specificationΣυρία (gen. Συρίας): Aram.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the fulfilment)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοcame to be / was soldAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (the price came to be)→ constative aorist (the realized fulfilment)γίνομαι (aor. ἐγένετο): 'become / come to pass'; renders הָיָה; the prices 'came to be' exactly as foretold — the verb of fulfilment.
μέτρονa measureNominativenominative subject (price-clause)→ participant prominenceμέτρον: 'measure'; the seah of fine flour; the price-formula now realized matches v. 1 verbatim.
σεμιδάλεωςof fine flourGenitivegenitive of content (a measure of fine flour)→ relational specificationσεμίδαλις (gen. σεμιδάλεως): 'fine flour'; renders סֹלֶת; the choice grain now affordable.
σίκλουfor a shekelGenitivegenitive of price→ relational specificationσίκλος (gen. σίκλου): 'shekel'; the genitive of price, the realized cost matching the oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (parallel price-clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δίμετρονtwo measuresNominativenominative subject (second price-clause)→ participant prominenceδίμετρον: 'two measures'; the two seahs of barley, fulfilling the oracle's second half.
κριθῶνof barleyGenitivegenitive of content (two measures of barley)→ relational specificationκριθή (gen. pl. κριθῶν): 'barley'; renders שְׂעֹרִים; the staple grain now plentiful.
σίκλουfor a shekelGenitivegenitive of price→ relational specificationσίκλος (gen. σίκλου): 'shekel'; the realized price, sealing the exact correspondence with v. 1.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard: 'according to')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; renders כִּדְבַר; introduces the fulfilment-formula 'according to the word of the LORD.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ῥῆμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαwordAccusativeaccusative object of κατὰ→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / matter'; renders דָּבָר; 'the word of the LORD' — the same noun the scoffer used (τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο, v. 2), now vindicated as infallibly effective.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of source (defining ῥῆμα)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the fulfilment-formula κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα κυρίου is the theological climax: the divine word infallibly comes to pass.
17
καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς κατέστησεν τὸν τριστάτην ἐφ᾿ ὃν ὁ βασιλεὺς ἐπανεπαύετο ἐπὶ τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τῆς πύλης καὶ συνεπάτησεν αὐτὸν ὁ λαὸς ἐν τῇ πύλῃ καὶ ἀπέθανεν καθὰ ἐλάλησεν ὁ ἄνθρωπος τοῦ θεοῦ ὃς ἐλάλησεν ἐν τῷ καταβῆναι τὸν ἄγγελον πρὸς αὐτόν
And the king appointed the officer on whose hand the king leaned over the gate, and the people trampled him at the gate, and he died, just as the man of God had spoken, who spoke when the messenger came down to him.
The officer of vv. 2, 19 meets his foretold end: appointed over the gate to control the crowd, he is trampled in the rush to plunder. The verse closes with an explicit fulfilment-clause (καθὰ ἐλάλησεν ὁ ἄνθρωπος τοῦ θεοῦ, 'just as the man of God had said'), tying his death precisely to Elisha's word — he saw the abundance but did not eat of it.
Word-by-word analysis· 43 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεὺς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of κατέστησεν→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the king of Israel, who unwittingly places the scoffing officer at the spot of his doom.
κατέστησενappointed / setAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίστημιmain verb (appointing over the gate)→ constative aoristκαθίστημι: 'appoint / set in charge'; renders פָּקַד / הִפְקִיד; the king assigns the officer to manage the gate — placing him where the deadly crush occurs.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with τριστάτην)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τριστάτηνofficer / adjutantAccusativedirect object of κατέστησεν→ object specificationτριστάτης (acc. τριστάτην): the king's high adjutant of v. 2, the very scoffer now appointed over the gate; renders שָׁלִישׁ.
ἐφ᾿onpreposition + accusative (relative: 'on whom')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί (ἐφ᾿): introduces the relative clause echoing v. 2 verbatim.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐφ᾿)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. ὅν): relative 'whom'; the fixed epithet 'on whom the king leaned' identifies the officer as the same scoffer doomed in v. 2.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with βασιλεὺς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativesubject of relative clause (ἐπανεπαύετο)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: the king whose habitual leaning on the officer's hand marked the officer's intimacy and rank.
ἐπανεπαύετοwas leaningImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπαναπαύομαιverb of relative clause (descriptive)→ customary imperfectἐπαναπαύομαι: 'lean upon / rest on'; renders נִשְׁעַן; the imperfect repeats the descriptive epithet of v. 2, binding the fulfilment to the original oracle.
ἐπὶonpreposition + dative (resting-upon)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dat.: 'on / upon'; here with the dative χειρί (varied from v. 2's accusative), 'on his hand.'
τῇtheDativearticle (with χειρὶ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρὶhandDativedative object of ἐπὶ ('on his hand')→ sphere or referenceχείρ (dat. χειρί): 'hand'; renders יָד; the king's habitual support, the mark of the officer's privileged office.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + genitive (position of authority: 'over the gate')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: 'over / in charge of'; the officer set 'over the gate' to control the crowd — the place of his death.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with πύλης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύληςgateGenitivegenitive object of ἐπὶ ('over the gate')→ relational specificationπύλη (gen. πύλης): 'gate'; renders שַׁעַר; the gate of the oracle (v. 1) and the trampling — the convergence-point of prophecy and fulfilment.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συνεπάτησενtrampledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συμπατέωmain verb (the fatal trampling)→ constative aoristσυμπατέω: 'trample / tread down'; renders רָמַס; the crowd in its rush to plunder tramples the officer to death — the literal fulfilment of 'you shall not eat of it.'
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of συνεπάτησεν→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. αὐτόν): 'him'; the officer, trodden underfoot by the surging people.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of συνεπάτησεν→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; renders עַם; the crowd surging out to plunder, the unwitting agent of the prophecy's fulfilment.
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with πύλῃ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύλῃgateDativedative of place ('at the gate')→ sphere or referenceπύλη (dat. πύλῃ): 'gate'; the precise place foretold — the officer dies at the very gate where the cheap grain is sold.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέθανενhe diedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (the officer's death)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; renders מוּת; the officer's death seals the counter-oracle of v. 2 — he saw the plenty but did not eat of it.
καθὰjust ascomparative conjunction (introducing fulfilment-clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθά: 'just as / according as'; renders כַּאֲשֶׁר; introduces the explicit fulfilment-formula tying the death to Elisha's word.
ἐλάλησενhad spokenAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of comparative clause (the prophetic word)→ constative aorist (pluperfect sense)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דִּבֶּר; refers back to Elisha's pronouncement, here vindicated by the event.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἄνθρωπος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject of ἐλάλησεν→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man'; the title ὁ ἄνθρωπος τοῦ θεοῦ ('the man of God') is the standard designation of the prophet (cf. Elisha throughout 4 Kingdoms), rendering אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with θεοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive (defining ἄνθρωπος: 'man of God')→ relational specificationθεός (gen. θεοῦ): 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the divine title marks Elisha as God's authorized spokesman, whose word the chapter proves infallible.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of second ἐλάλησεν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative 'who'; introduces a further clause locating the time of the prophet's speech.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak'; the prophet's word, dated to the moment 'the messenger came down to him.'
ἐνwhen / inpreposition + dative (articular infinitive: temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + articular infinitive: temporal, 'when / at the coming down', rendering the Hebrew infinitive with בְּ.
τῷtheDativearticle (with articular infinitive καταβῆναι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καταβῆναιcoming downAor Act Inf · καταβαίνωarticular infinitive (temporal: 'when ... came down')→ aorist infinitive (the moment of the messenger's arrival)καταβαίνω (aor. inf. καταβῆναι): 'come / go down'; renders יָרַד; refers to the king's messenger (cf. 4 Kgdms 6:33) descending to Elisha — the occasion of the original oracle.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ἄγγελον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄγγελονmessengerAccusativeaccusative subject of the articular infinitive→ object specificationἄγγελος (acc. ἄγγελον): 'messenger / envoy'; here the king's human messenger (cf. 6:32–33), not an angel; the accusative subject of καταβῆναι.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
αὐτόνhimAccusativeobject of πρὸς (to Elisha)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. αὐτόν): 'him'; Elisha, to whom the messenger came down when the oracle was first spoken.
18
καὶ ἐγένετο καθὰ ἐλάλησεν Ελισαιε πρὸς τὸν βασιλέα λέγων Δίμετρον κριθῆς σίκλου καὶ μέτρον σεμιδάλεως σίκλου καὶ ἔσται ὡς ἡ ὥρα αὕτη αὔριον ἐν τῇ πύλῃ Σαμαρείας
And it happened just as Elisha had spoken to the king, saying, 'Two measures of barley for a shekel and a measure of fine flour for a shekel — it shall be about this hour tomorrow in the gate of Samaria.'
A recapitulating verse: the narrator restates Elisha's oracle (with the order of barley and flour reversed from v. 1) to underscore that the event happened exactly as spoken. The fulfilment-marker καὶ ἐγένετο καθὰ ἐλάλησεν frames the whole as a demonstration of the prophetic word's reliability, preparing the verbatim re-citation of the officer's exchange in v. 19.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit happenedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (fulfilment-marker)→ constative aorist (the realized event)γίνομαι (aor. ἐγένετο): 'come to pass / happen'; renders וַיְהִי; the fulfilment-formula 'it happened just as he had spoken.'
καθὰjust ascomparative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθά: 'just as'; renders כַּאֲשֶׁר; introduces the restatement of the oracle now fulfilled.
ἐλάλησενhad spokenAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of comparative clause→ constative aorist (pluperfect sense)λαλέω: 'speak'; refers to Elisha's original oracle of v. 1.
ΕλισαιεElishasubject of ἐλάλησεν (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: the prophet whose word is here proven true.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλέα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationβασιλεύς (acc. βασιλέα): 'king'; the king of Israel, to whom the oracle was first addressed (cf. 6:33–7:1).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Sg · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introducing the quoted oracle)→ participle of attendant circumstance (speech-marker)λέγω (ptcp. λέγων): 'saying'; introduces the verbatim restatement of the oracle, a Hebraism rendering לֵאמֹר.
Δίμετρονtwo measuresNominativenominative subject (price-clause; capitalized at quotation-start)→ participant prominenceδίμετρον: 'two measures'; here the barley is named first (reversing v. 1's order), the two seahs of barley for a shekel.
κριθῆςof barleyGenitivegenitive of content (two measures of barley)→ relational specificationκριθή (gen. sg. κριθῆς): 'barley'; renders שְׂעֹרִים; here in the singular genitive (v. 1 had plural κριθῶν), a minor variation in the re-citation.
σίκλουfor a shekelGenitivegenitive of price→ relational specificationσίκλος (gen. σίκλου): 'shekel'; the genitive of price for the barley.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (parallel price-clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μέτρονa measureNominativenominative subject (second price-clause)→ participant prominenceμέτρον: 'measure'; the seah of fine flour, here named second.
σεμιδάλεωςof fine flourGenitivegenitive of content (a measure of fine flour)→ relational specificationσεμίδαλις (gen. σεμιδάλεως): 'fine flour'; renders סֹלֶת; the choice grain.
σίκλουfor a shekelGenitivegenitive of price→ relational specificationσίκλος (gen. σίκλου): 'shekel'; the genitive of price for the flour, completing the price-formula.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of the quoted oracle (predictive)→ predictive future (the promised event)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'will be'; the future of the oracle, 'it shall be (so) tomorrow', restating the deadline of v. 1.
ὡςabout / astemporal particle (approximation)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: temporal-approximative 'about'; with ἡ ὥρα αὕτη αὔριον, 'about this time tomorrow', echoing v. 1 verbatim.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ὥρα)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὥραhour / timeNominativesubject of the temporal phrase→ participant prominenceὥρα: 'hour / time'; renders עֵת; the same temporal marker as v. 1, framing the one-day fulfilment.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative (attributive with ὥρα)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the deictic reference-point for 'tomorrow.'
αὔριονtomorrowadverb of time→ clausal contributionαὔριον: 'tomorrow'; renders מָחָר; the one-day horizon of the now-fulfilled oracle.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with πύλῃ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύλῃgateDativedative of place ('in the gate')→ sphere or referenceπύλη (dat. πύλῃ): 'gate'; the market-gate of Samaria where the cheap grain is sold; here singular (v. 1 had plural ταῖς πύλαις).
Σαμαρείαςof SamariaGenitivegenitive (defining πύλῃ)→ relational specificationΣαμάρεια (gen. Σαμαρείας): Samaria; the besieged-then-relieved capital, location of the fulfilled oracle.
19
καὶ ἀπεκρίθη ὁ τριστάτης τῷ Ελισαιε καὶ εἶπεν ἰδοὺ κύριος ποιεῖ καταρράκτας ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ μὴ ἔσται τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο καὶ εἶπεν Ελισαιε ἰδοὺ ὄψῃ τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς σου καὶ ἐκεῖθεν οὐ φάγῃ
And the officer had answered Elisha and said, 'Look, even if the LORD makes floodgates in heaven, could this thing be?' And Elisha said, 'Behold, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it.'
A near-verbatim repetition of v. 2, recalled by the narrator to make the officer's death an exact fulfilment of Elisha's counter-oracle. The only notable shift is the present ποιεῖ ('makes') for v. 2's future ποιήσει. The doubled citation (vv. 2/19) brackets the chapter's central action, framing the whole as a courtroom-style demonstration that the prophet's word stands.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεκρίθηhad answeredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (recalling the officer's reply)→ constative aorist (pluperfect sense in the flashback)ἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer'; the Hebraistic ἀπεκρίθη ... καὶ εἶπεν recalls the officer's original retort of v. 2.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with τριστάτης)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τριστάτηςofficer / adjutantNominativesubject of ἀπεκρίθη→ participant prominenceτριστάτης: the king's adjutant, the scoffer of v. 2 now recalled at the moment of his fulfilled doom.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Ελισαιε: dative addressee)→ noun-phrase markingthe article τῷ marks indeclinable Ελισαιε as dative, the addressee of the reply.
ΕλισαιεElishaindirect object of ἀπεκρίθη (indeclinable name, marked dative by τῷ)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: the prophet addressed; indeclinable, case borne by τῷ.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (doubling speech-verb)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing speech)→ constative aoristλέγω: the second verb in 'answered and said', introducing the officer's scornful words.
ἰδοὺlookpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; introduces the officer's incredulous hypothesis, as in v. 2.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ποιεῖ→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the officer again names YHWH in his scorn, his unbelief directed at the LORD's very power.
ποιεῖmakesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of the hypothetical clause→ futuristic present (here for v. 2's future ποιήσει)ποιέω: 'make / do'; here the present ποιεῖ varies v. 2's future ποιήσει — 'even if the LORD makes floodgates' — but the sense of mocking hypothesis is identical.
καταρράκταςfloodgatesAccusativedirect object of ποιεῖ→ object specificationκαταρράκτης (acc. pl. καταρράκτας): 'floodgate / cataract of heaven'; renders אֲרֻבּוֹת; the officer's mocking image of impossible supernatural provision (cf. v. 2).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle (with οὐρανῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανῷheavenDativedative of place (where the floodgates would be)→ sphere or referenceοὐρανός (dat. οὐρανῷ): 'heaven'; renders שָׁמַיִם; the floodgates 'in heaven', evoking the flood-imagery of Gen 7:11; here with the article (v. 2 had anarthrous οὐρανῷ).
μὴsurely notinterrogative particle (expecting negative answer)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: introduces the rhetorical question expecting 'no'; 'surely this thing cannot be?' — the officer's flat unbelief.
ἔσταιcould beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of the rhetorical question→ future of (denied) possibilityεἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'will be'; with μή, 'can this thing be?'; the officer denies the very event about to kill him.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with ῥῆμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαthing / wordNominativesubject of ἔσται→ participant prominenceῥῆμα: 'word / matter / thing'; renders דָּבָר; 'this thing' = the promised cheap grain, the same noun fulfilled κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα κυρίου (v. 16).
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative (attributive with ῥῆμα)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative points to the oracle the officer denies.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing Elisha's reply)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing the counter-oracle)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Elisha's verdict, the sentence on the officer.
ΕλισαιεElishasubject of εἶπεν (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΕλισαιε: the prophet pronouncing the officer's doom, recalled verbatim from v. 2.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold'; solemnly introduces the prophetic sentence.
ὄψῃshall seeFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (prophetic prediction)→ predictive futureὁράω (fut. ὄψῃ): 'see'; renders רָאָה; the officer will indeed witness the plenty — fulfilled at v. 17 the instant before his death.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ὀφθαλμοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative of instrument ('with your eyes')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός (pl. ὀφθαλμοῖς): 'eye'; renders עַיִן; full sight conceded only to sharpen the denial of participation.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (your eyes)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (your eyes).
καὶbutadversative conjunction (see / not eat)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative 'but', Hebraizing the contrastive waw.
ἐκεῖθενof it / from thereadverb of source (partitive: 'from it')→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there'; renders מִשָּׁם; partitive 'from it (the grain)' — the officer will not partake.
οὐnotnegative particle (with φάγῃ)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: absolute negation; the flat 'you shall not eat', executed at v. 17.
φάγῃshall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (negated prophetic sentence)→ predictive future (emphatic denial)ἐσθίω (fut. φάγῃ): 'eat'; renders אָכַל; the negated future seals the officer's fate, fulfilled in his trampling (v. 17, 20).
20
καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως καὶ συνεπάτησεν αὐτὸν ὁ λαὸς ἐν τῇ πύλῃ καὶ ἀπέθανεν
And so it happened to him: the people trampled him at the gate, and he died.
The chapter ends with a terse fulfilment-summary repeating v. 17: 'and so it happened to him.' The closing tricolon (trampled / at the gate / and he died) seals the demonstration that the prophetic word — both halves, the cheap grain and the officer's sentence — has come to pass exactly. The brevity is rhetorically weighty: no comment is needed; the event speaks the verdict.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit happenedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (fulfilment-summary)→ constative aorist (the realized event)γίνομαι (aor. ἐγένετο): 'come to pass / happen'; renders וַיְהִי; 'and so it happened' — the final fulfilment-marker.
οὕτωςso / thusadverb of manner ('exactly so')→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / so'; renders כֵּן; 'exactly so' — the event matched the prophecy precisely.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (epexegetic: spelling out 'so')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συνεπάτησενtrampledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συμπατέωmain verb (the fatal trampling)→ constative aoristσυμπατέω: 'trample / tread down'; renders רָמַס; the crowd's trampling, repeated verbatim from v. 17 to clinch the fulfilment.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of συνεπάτησεν→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. αὐτόν): 'him'; the scoffing officer.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of συνεπάτησεν→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; renders עַם; the crowd, the unwitting instrument of the prophecy's fulfilment.
ἐνat / inpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with πύλῃ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύλῃgateDativedative of place ('at the gate')→ sphere or referenceπύλη (dat. πύλῃ): 'gate'; the gate of the oracle (v. 1), the plunder (v. 16), and now the officer's death — the convergence-point of the whole chapter.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέθανενhe diedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (the officer's death)→ constative aorist (the sealing fulfilment)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; renders מוּת; the final word of the chapter, sealing the prophet's twofold word — the officer saw the plenty but did not eat of it.