1
ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ καιρῷ εἶπεν κύριος πρός με λάξευσον σεαυτῷ δύο πλάκας λιθίνας ὥσπερ τὰς πρώτας καὶ ἀνάβηθι πρός με εἰς τὸ ὄρος καὶ ποιήσεις σεαυτῷ κιβωτὸν ξυλίνην
At that time the LORD said to me, 'Hew for yourself two stone tablets like the first ones, and come up to me onto the mountain, and you shall make for yourself a wooden ark.'
The temporal phrase ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ καιρῷ ('at that time') resumes the Horeb narrative after the digression of ch. 9; it recurs at v. 8, structuring the retrospect. The divine speech is reported in the first person (πρός με), characteristic of Moses' valedictory address. The command chains three forms — aorist imperative λάξευσον, aorist imperative ἀνάβηθι, and imperatival future ποιήσεις — moving from tablet-hewing to ascent to ark-making.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
ἐκείνῳthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying καιρῷ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the far demonstrative points back to the Horeb episode of ch. 9; ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ καιρῷ is a Deuteronomic structuring formula (cf. v. 8; 1:9, 16, 18).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καιρῷtimeDativedative of time (locative-temporal)→ sphere or referenceκαιρός: 'time / appointed moment'; renders עֵת; here a defined point in the Horeb narrative rather than mere chronological duration.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single completed speech-act)λέγω: the aorist εἶπεν introduces direct YHWH-speech; the formula εἶπεν κύριος πρός με recurs through Moses' retrospect (cf. v. 11).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; nominative subject of the speech-formula, marking unmediated YHWH-speech to Moses.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Moses as recipient)→ participant referenceἐγώ (encl. με): the first-person object marks the speech as addressed to Moses, the narrating 'I' of the Deuteronomic retrospect.
λάξευσονhewAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαξεύωmain verb (divine command to Moses)→ ingressive aorist imperative (decisive single act)λαξεύω: 'hew / cut out (stone)'; renders פָּסַל; the verb stresses that Moses, not the LORD, prepares the second tablets (contrast the first, divinely made, 9:10), foregrounding human cooperation in covenant renewal.
σεαυτῷfor yourselfDativedative of advantage (reflexive)→ sphere or referenceσεαυτοῦ: reflexive pronoun; the dative of advantage (dativus commodi) underlines Moses' personal responsibility for fashioning the tablets and the ark.
δύοtwoAccusativenumeral (modifying πλάκας)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; indeclinable numeral; the two tablets correspond to the two-fold deposit of the decalogue (cf. Exod 31:18; 34:1).
πλάκαςtabletsAccusativedirect object of λάξευσον→ object specificationπλάξ: 'tablet / flat stone'; renders לוּחַ; the πλάκες are the material support of the covenant words; the NT echoes the term at 2 Cor 3:3 (πλαξὶν καρδίαις σαρκίναις).
λιθίναςof stoneAccusativeattributive adjective (material)→ object specificationλίθινος: 'made of stone'; renders אֶבֶן; the stone material contrasts pointedly with the 'fleshly tablets of the heart' invoked by Paul (2 Cor 3:3) and with the heart-circumcision of v. 16.
ὥσπερjust ascomparative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastὥσπερ: 'just as / like'; introduces the comparison with the first tablets, stressing exact correspondence in the renewal.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρώταςfirst onesAccusativesubstantivized adjective (object of comparison)→ object specificationπρῶτος: 'first'; here substantival, 'the first (tablets)'; the recurrent πρῶτος-language (vv. 1, 2, 3, 4) binds the renewal to the original Sinai covenant.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνάβηθιcome upAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (command of ascent)→ ingressive aorist imperative (single decisive ascent)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; renders עָלָה; the ascent of the mountain to the LORD is the cultic-covenantal counterpart to the descent with the tablets in v. 5.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction toward the LORD)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction toward the LORD).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the LORD)→ participant referenceἐγώ (encl. με): here the LORD is the speaker, so 'to me' = to the LORD on the mountain; the same encl. form as above but with shifted reference within the quoted speech.
εἰςontopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'onto'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄροςmountainAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal of ascent)→ object specificationὄρος: 'mountain'; renders הַר; Horeb/Sinai, the locus of covenant revelation throughout Deuteronomy.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσειςyou shall makeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (imperatival future)→ imperatival future (legislative command expressed as future indicative)ποιέω: 'make / do'; renders עָשָׂה; the future indicative with imperatival force is a Hebraism rendering the Hebrew weqatal command-form; the ark is to be Moses' own handiwork (cf. v. 3).
σεαυτῷfor yourselfDativedative of advantage (reflexive)→ sphere or referenceσεαυτοῦ: reflexive; again the dativus commodi, binding the ark-making to Moses personally.
κιβωτὸνarkAccusativedirect object of ποιήσεις→ object specificationκιβωτός: 'box / chest / ark'; renders אֲרוֹן; the same noun used for Noah's ark in Genesis; here the covenant-chest that will house the tablets (v. 5) and define Levi's bearing-ministry (v. 8).
ξυλίνηνwoodenAccusativeattributive adjective (material)→ object specificationξύλινος: 'made of wood'; specified at v. 3 as ξύλα ἄσηπτα ('imperishable/acacia wood'); the wooden ark contrasts with the stone tablets it contains.
2
καὶ γράψω ἐπὶ τὰς πλάκας τὰ ῥήματα ἃ ἦν ἐν ταῖς πλαξὶν ταῖς πρώταις ἃς συνέτριψας καὶ ἐμβαλεῖς αὐτὰς εἰς τὴν κιβωτόν
'And I will write upon the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke, and you shall put them into the ark.'
The LORD reserves the writing to himself (γράψω, first person), as with the first tablets (cf. Exod 34:1); Moses prepares the stone, but the words are divinely inscribed. The relative clause ἃς συνέτριψας ('which you broke') candidly recalls Moses' shattering of the first tablets (9:17), making the renewal an act of grace after covenant breach.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γράψωI will writeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · γράφωmain verb (divine first-person promise)→ predictive future (divine self-commitment)γράφω: 'write'; renders כָּתַב; the first-person future reserves the inscribing to the LORD himself — the decalogue is divine writing on stone prepared by human hands (cf. Exod 34:1; Deut 9:10).
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (surface of writing)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (surface of writing).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλάκαςtabletsAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (writing-surface)→ object specificationπλάξ: 'tablet'; see v. 1.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματαwordsAccusativedirect object of γράψω→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / saying / matter'; renders דָּבָר; the τὰ ῥήματα are the decalogue, called οἱ δέκα λόγοι at v. 4; ῥῆμα and λόγος are used interchangeably for the covenant words.
ἃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἦν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; neuter plural ἃ agrees with τὰ ῥήματα and serves as subject of the singular-form ἦν (constructio ad sensum with neuter plural subject).
ἦνwereImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (existential/locative)→ imperfect of past state (durative: 'were standing written')εἰμί: 'be'; the singular ἦν with neuter plural subject ἃ follows the classical rule (τὰ ζῷα τρέχει); the imperfect denotes the abiding presence of the words on the first tablets.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλαξὶνtabletsDativedative of place (on the first tablets)→ sphere or referenceπλάξ (dat. pl. πλαξίν): 'tablets'; see v. 1.
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρώταιςfirstDativeattributive adjective (modifying πλαξίν)→ sphere or referenceπρῶτος: 'first'; identifies the original Sinai tablets, now broken.
ἃςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of συνέτριψας)→ participant referenceὅς: relative; feminine accusative plural agreeing with πλάκας, object of συνέτριψας.
συνέτριψαςyou brokeAor Act Indic 2 Sg · συντρίβωverb of relative clause (Moses' past act)→ constative aorist (single completed act of breaking)συντρίβω: 'shatter / break in pieces'; renders שָׁבַר; recalls Moses' shattering of the first tablets at the golden-calf apostasy (9:17; Exod 32:19); the candid mention frames the second tablets as covenant restoration.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐμβαλεῖςyou shall putFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐμβάλλωmain verb (imperatival future)→ imperatival future (command expressed as future indicative)ἐμβάλλω: 'throw in / put into / deposit'; renders שִׂים / נָתַן; the imperatival future continues the command-chain; the depositing of the tablets in the ark is enacted at v. 5 (ἐνέβαλον).
αὐτὰςthemAccusativedirect object (the tablets)→ participant referenceαὐτός: anaphoric pronoun; feminine accusative plural referring to πλάκας.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal/container)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal/container).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτόνarkAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (container)→ object specificationκιβωτός: 'ark / chest'; see v. 1; the ark's defining function is to house the covenant tablets.
3
καὶ ἐποίησα κιβωτὸν ἐκ ξύλων ἀσήπτων καὶ ἐλάξευσα τὰς δύο πλάκας τὰς λιθίνας ὡς αἱ πρῶται καὶ ἀνέβην εἰς τὸ ὄρος καὶ αἱ δύο πλάκες ἐπὶ ταῖς χερσίν μου
So I made an ark of imperishable wood, and I hewed the two stone tablets like the first, and I went up onto the mountain, with the two tablets in my hands.
Moses reports his obedience in a string of first-person aorists (ἐποίησα, ἐλάξευσα, ἀνέβην), each answering a divine imperative of vv. 1–2 in order: ark-making, tablet-hewing, ascent. The closing verbless clause αἱ δύο πλάκες ἐπὶ ταῖς χερσίν μου ('the two tablets in my hands') is a vivid circumstantial tableau.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησαI madeAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (Moses' compliance)→ constative aorist (completed act of making)ποιέω: 'make'; answers the command ποιήσεις σεαυτῷ κιβωτόν (v. 1); the first-person aorist registers Moses' obedience.
κιβωτὸνarkAccusativedirect object of ἐποίησα→ object specificationκιβωτός: 'ark / chest'; see v. 1.
ἐκof / frompreposition + genitive (material)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ + gen.: genitive of material, 'made out of'.
ξύλωνwood / timbersGenitivegenitive of material→ relational specificationξύλον: 'wood / timber'; renders עֵץ; here the acacia timber of the ark (cf. Exod 25:10).
ἀσήπτωνimperishable / acaciaGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ξύλων)→ relational specificationἄσηπτος: 'not liable to rot / incorruptible'; the LXX's standard rendering of שִׁטִּים ('acacia') in the Tabernacle texts (Exod 25:5 etc.); the term stresses the wood's durability, fitting for the covenant-chest.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάξευσαI hewedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · λαξεύωmain verb (Moses' compliance)→ constative aorist (completed act of hewing)λαξεύω: 'hew (stone)'; answers the command λάξευσον (v. 1); see note there.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δύοtwoAccusativenumeral (modifying πλάκας)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; indeclinable numeral; see v. 1.
πλάκαςtabletsAccusativedirect object of ἐλάξευσα→ object specificationπλάξ: 'tablet'; see v. 1.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λιθίναςof stoneAccusativeattributive adjective (material)→ object specificationλίθινος: 'of stone'; see v. 1.
ὡςas / likecomparative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; introduces the comparison with the first tablets (cf. ὥσπερ, v. 1).
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρῶταιfirst onesNominativesubstantivized adjective (term of comparison; verbless 'as the first were')→ participant prominenceπρῶτος: 'first'; substantival, 'the first (tablets)'; the comparison ὡς αἱ πρῶται is elliptical for 'as the first ones (were).'
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέβηνI went upAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (Moses' compliance)→ constative aorist (completed ascent)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; answers the command ἀνάβηθι (v. 1); see note there.
εἰςontopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'onto'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄροςmountainAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal)→ object specificationὄρος: 'mountain'; see v. 1.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing circumstantial clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δύοtwoNominativenumeral (modifying πλάκες)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; indeclinable; see v. 1.
πλάκεςtabletsNominativesubject of verbless circumstantial clause→ participant prominenceπλάξ (nom. pl. πλάκες): 'tablets'; subject of the verbless clause 'the two tablets (were) on my hands.'
ἐπὶin / onpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χερσίνhandsDativedative of place (on/in my hands)→ sphere or referenceχείρ (dat. pl. χερσίν): 'hand'; renders יָד; the vivid image of the tablets in Moses' hands echoes Exod 32:15 and frames the descent of v. 5.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying χερσίν)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. μου): possessive genitive, 'my hands.'
4
καὶ ἔγραψεν ἐπὶ τὰς πλάκας κατὰ τὴν γραφὴν τὴν πρώτην τοὺς δέκα λόγους οὓς ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐν τῷ ὄρει ἐκ μέσου τοῦ πυρός καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὰς κύριος ἐμοί
And he wrote upon the tablets, according to the first writing, the ten words that the LORD spoke to you on the mountain out of the midst of the fire; and the LORD gave them to me.
The unexpressed subject of ἔγραψεν is the LORD, fulfilling γράψω of v. 2; the explicit subject κύριος appears only with ἔδωκεν at the clause's end, framing the verse with divine agency. The decalogue is named here τοὺς δέκα λόγους ('the ten words'), the LXX source of the term 'Decalogue'; the second-person πρὸς ὑμᾶς addresses the assembled Israel, drawing the hearers into the Horeb theophany.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔγραψενhe wroteAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γράφωmain verb (subject = the LORD, unexpressed until ἔδωκεν)→ constative aorist (completed act of inscription)γράφω: 'write'; fulfils the LORD's promise γράψω (v. 2); the divine subject is implicit, made explicit only at the verse's close (κύριος ἐμοί), an inclusio of divine action.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (writing-surface)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (writing-surface).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλάκαςtabletsAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationπλάξ: 'tablet'; see v. 1.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm/standard)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to / in conformity with'; signals that the second inscription exactly reproduces the first.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γραφὴνwritingAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (standard)→ object specificationγραφή: 'writing / inscription'; renders מִכְתָּב; here the original inscription on the first tablets, the norm for the renewal.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρώτηνfirstAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying γραφήν)→ object specificationπρῶτος: 'first'; the renewed text is identical to 'the first writing,' underscoring continuity of the covenant words.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δέκαtenAccusativenumeral (modifying λόγους)→ measure or countδέκα: 'ten'; indeclinable numeral; οἱ δέκα λόγοι ('the ten words') is the LXX phrase that yields the term 'Decalogue' (cf. Exod 34:28; Deut 4:13).
λόγουςwordsAccusativedirect object of ἔγραψεν→ object specificationλόγος: 'word / saying'; renders דָּבָר; here equivalent to τὰ ῥήματα of v. 2; the 'ten words' are the decalogue.
οὓςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐλάλησεν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative; masculine accusative plural agreeing with λόγους.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of relative clause (the original Horeb proclamation)→ constative aorist (the theophanic speech-event)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דִּבֶּר; recalls the LORD's audible proclamation of the decalogue at Horeb 'out of the midst of the fire' (cf. Deut 4:12; 5:4, 22).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐλάλησεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the LORD is the speaker of the decalogue at the mountain.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (recipients of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (recipients of speech).
ὑμᾶςyou (pl.)Accusativeaccusative object of πρός (the assembled Israel)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. pl. ὑμᾶς): the second-person plural draws the present hearers into the Horeb event — the same generational solidarity Deuteronomy assumes throughout (cf. 5:3).
ἐνonpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρειmountainDativedative of place (on the mountain)→ sphere or referenceὄρος (dat. ὄρει): 'mountain'; see v. 1; the locus of the decalogue's proclamation.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
μέσουmidstGenitivesubstantivized adjective, object of ἐκ (source)→ relational specificationμέσος: 'middle / midst'; ἐκ μέσου τοῦ πυρός ('out of the midst of the fire') is a fixed Deuteronomic phrase for the theophany (4:12, 15, 33, 36; 5:22ff.), stressing that Israel heard a voice but saw no form.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πυρόςfireGenitivegenitive (with μέσου: 'midst of the fire')→ relational specificationπῦρ: 'fire'; renders אֵשׁ; the theophanic fire of Horeb, emblem of the LORD's holy presence (cf. Deut 4:24, 'a consuming fire').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (delivery of the tablets)→ constative aorist (completed act of giving)δίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; the LORD hands the inscribed tablets to Moses, completing the renewal and setting up the deposit in the ark (v. 5).
αὐτὰςthemAccusativedirect object (the tablets)→ participant referenceαὐτός: anaphoric pronoun; feminine accusative plural referring to πλάκας.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἔδωκεν (now explicit)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the delayed explicit subject closes the verse's inclusio of divine agency (ἔγραψεν … ἔδωκεν κύριος).
ἐμοίto meDativedative indirect object (Moses as recipient)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. ἐμοί): emphatic dative; the tablets pass directly from the LORD's writing to Moses' keeping.
5
καὶ ἐπιστρέψας κατέβην ἐκ τοῦ ὄρους καὶ ἐνέβαλον τὰς πλάκας εἰς τὴν κιβωτόν ἣν ἐποίησα καὶ ἦσαν ἐκεῖ καθὰ ἐνετείλατό μοι κύριος
And turning, I went down from the mountain and put the tablets into the ark which I had made; and there they remained, just as the LORD commanded me.
The aorist participle ἐπιστρέψας ('turning') + finite κατέβην is a Hebraizing serial-verb construction (cf. שׁוּב + verb). The deposit ἐνέβαλον fulfils the command ἐμβαλεῖς (v. 2); the closing καθὰ ἐνετείλατό μοι κύριος ('as the LORD commanded me') is the obedience-formula that seals the unit (cf. its echo at Exod 11:5 staging). The note καὶ ἦσαν ἐκεῖ ('and there they remained') quietly affirms the abiding presence of the covenant words in Israel's midst.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιστρέψαςhaving turnedAor Act Part Nom Sg Masc · ἐπιστρέφωcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance, modifying the subject of κατέβην)→ coincident aorist participle (Hebraizing serial verb: 'turned and went down')ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn / turn back'; renders פָּנָה / שׁוּב; the participle ἐπιστρέψας + finite verb calques the Hebrew idiom of a leading verb of motion, here simply 'I turned and went down.'
κατέβηνI went downAor Act Indic 1 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (descent from the mountain)→ constative aorist (completed descent)καταβαίνω: 'go down / descend'; renders יָרַד; the descent answers the ascent of v. 3 (ἀνέβην), framing the mountain episode.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρουςmountainGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (source of descent)→ relational specificationὄρος (gen. ὄρους): 'mountain'; see v. 1.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνέβαλονI putAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐμβάλλωmain verb (depositing the tablets)→ constative aorist (completed act of depositing)ἐμβάλλω: 'put into / deposit'; fulfils the command ἐμβαλεῖς (v. 2); the tablets are laid in the ark, their permanent resting-place.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλάκαςtabletsAccusativedirect object of ἐνέβαλον→ object specificationπλάξ: 'tablet'; see v. 1.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (container)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (container).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτόνarkAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (container)→ object specificationκιβωτός: 'ark'; see v. 1.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐποίησα)→ participant referenceὅς: relative; feminine accusative singular agreeing with κιβωτόν.
ἐποίησαI had madeAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause (recalling v. 3)→ constative aorist (anterior to the depositing)ποιέω: 'make'; recalls ἐποίησα κιβωτόν of v. 3; the relative clause confirms that the ark Moses fashioned receives the tablets.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦσανthey were / remainedImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (abiding state)→ imperfect of continuing state ('there they remained')εἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect ἦσαν ἐκεῖ ('they were there') denotes the abiding presence of the tablets in the ark — the covenant document permanently lodged in Israel's sanctuary.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; locates the tablets permanently within the ark.
καθὰjust ascomparative conjunction (introducing obedience-formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθά: 'just as / according as'; renders כַּאֲשֶׁר; introduces the standard Deuteronomic obedience-formula 'as the LORD commanded.'
ἐνετείλατόcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb of comparative clause→ constative aorist (the prior divine command)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / charge'; renders צִוָּה; deponent middle; the obedience-formula καθὰ ἐνετείλατό μοι κύριος recurs throughout the Pentateuch to mark exact compliance.
μοιmeDativedative indirect object (Moses)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. μοι): the one commanded.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐνετείλατο→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the commanding authority behind Moses' actions.
6
καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ἀπῆραν ἐκ Βηρωθ υἱῶν Ιακιμ Μισαδαι ἐκεῖ ἀπέθανεν Ααρων καὶ ἐτάφη ἐκεῖ καὶ ἱεράτευσεν Ελεαζαρ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ἀντ᾿ αὐτοῦ
And the sons of Israel set out from Beeroth of the sons of Jaakim to Misadai; there Aaron died and was buried there, and Eleazar his son served as priest in his place.
Verses 6–7 shift abruptly from Moses' first-person retrospect to a third-person itinerary-and-obituary, widely regarded as an editorial insertion drawing on the wilderness station-lists (cf. Num 33:30–33). The LXX place-names (Βηρωθ, Μισαδαι, and in v. 7 Γαδγαδ, Ετεβαθα) transliterate the Hebrew toponyms with notable divergence from the MT. The notice of Aaron's death and Eleazar's priestly succession grounds the Levitical-priestly material of vv. 8–9.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἀπῆραν→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ renders בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל ('the sons/children of Israel'), the standard designation of the people in their corporate, tribal identity.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable proper noun: 'of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; here the patriarch's name standing for the nation descended from him.
ἀπῆρανset out / departedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπαίρωmain verb (itinerary movement)→ constative aorist (a journey-stage)ἀπαίρω: 'set out / break camp / depart'; renders נָסַע; the technical term of the wilderness itineraries for striking camp and moving to the next station (cf. Num 33 passim).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (point of departure)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (point of departure).
ΒηρωθBeerothgenitive object of ἐκ (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΒηρωθ: transliteration of Hebrew בְּאֵרֹת ('wells'); indeclinable; a wilderness station; the LXX text diverges from MT Num 33:31 (Bene-jaakan).
υἱῶνof (the) sonsGenitivegenitive of relationship (qualifying Βηρωθ)→ relational specificationυἱός (gen. pl. υἱῶν): 'sons'; Βηρωθ υἱῶν Ιακιμ ('Beeroth of the sons of Jaakim') renders the Hebrew toponym בְּאֵרֹת בְּנֵי־יַעֲקָן.
ΙακιμJaakimgenitive of relationship (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙακιμ: transliteration of Hebrew יַעֲקָן (Jaakan); indeclinable; the eponymous ancestor whose 'sons' name the well-site.
ΜισαδαιMisadaiaccusative of destination (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΜισαδαι: transliteration of Hebrew מוֹסֵרָה / Moserah (cf. Num 33:30); indeclinable; the next station, where Aaron's death is located.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; locates Aaron's death and burial at Misadai.
ἀπέθανενdiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (Aaron's death)→ constative aorist (single completed event)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; renders מוּת; records the death of Aaron the high priest (cf. Num 20:28, where the locale is Mount Hor).
ΑαρωνAaronsubject of ἀπέθανεν (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliteration of Hebrew אַהֲרֹן; indeclinable; Moses' brother and Israel's first high priest.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐτάφηwas buriedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · θάπτωmain verb (Aaron's burial)→ constative aorist passive (completed act)θάπτω: 'bury'; renders קָבַר; the passive ἐτάφη ('he was buried') with implicit communal agent records the people's interment of Aaron.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; the repeated ἐκεῖ binds death and burial to the single site.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἱεράτευσενserved as priestAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἱερατεύωmain verb (Eleazar's succession)→ ingressive aorist (entered upon the priestly office)ἱερατεύω: 'serve as priest / hold the priestly office'; renders כִּהֵן; the ingressive aorist marks Eleazar's assumption of the high-priesthood at Aaron's death (cf. Num 20:28).
ΕλεαζαρEleazarsubject of ἱεράτευσεν (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΕλεαζαρ: transliteration of Hebrew אֶלְעָזָר; indeclinable; Aaron's third son and priestly successor.
υἱὸςsonNominativenominative in apposition to Ελεαζαρ→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the apposition υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ('his son') identifies Eleazar's dynastic claim to the priesthood.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Aaron's son)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): possessive, referring to Aaron.
ἀντ᾿in place ofpreposition + genitive (substitution)→ spatial or relational framingἀντί + gen.: 'instead of / in place of'; renders תַּחַת; marks the dynastic succession — Eleazar steps into Aaron's office.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἀντί (Aaron)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): refers to Aaron, whom Eleazar replaces.
7
ἐκεῖθεν ἀπῆραν εἰς Γαδγαδ καὶ ἀπὸ Γαδγαδ εἰς Ετεβαθα γῆ χείμαρροι ὑδάτων
From there they set out to Gadgad, and from Gadgad to Etebatha, a land of streams of waters.
The itinerary continues with two further stations; the closing apposition γῆ χείμαρροι ὑδάτων ('a land of streams of waters') glosses the name Ετεβαθα (Hebrew יָטְבָתָה, Jotbathah, described at Num 33:33 as 'a land of brooks of water'), the LXX rendering its descriptive sense. The verse rounds off the geographical-obituary insertion before the narrative returns to the Levitical theme.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (source)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there / thence'; renders מִשָּׁם; the deictic adverb of departure-point, continuing the itinerary chain.
ἀπῆρανset outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπαίρωmain verb (itinerary movement)→ constative aorist (a journey-stage)ἀπαίρω: 'set out / break camp'; see v. 6.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
ΓαδγαδGadgadaccusative of destination (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΓαδγαδ: transliteration of Hebrew הַגִּדְגָּד / Hor-haggidgad (cf. Num 33:32); indeclinable; a wilderness station.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (point of departure)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (point of departure).
ΓαδγαδGadgadgenitive object of ἀπό (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΓαδγαδ: see above; repeated as departure-point for the next stage.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
ΕτεβαθαEtebathaaccusative of destination (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΕτεβαθα: transliteration of Hebrew יָטְבָתָה (Jotbathah, cf. Num 33:33); indeclinable; the following apposition glosses its meaning as a well-watered land.
γῆa landNominativenominative in loose apposition (descriptive gloss of Etebatha)→ participant prominenceγῆ: 'land / earth'; the appositional γῆ χείμαρροι ὑδάτων describes Jotbathah as a place of running water; the loose nominative apposition (rather than agreeing case) reflects the Hebrew descriptive construction אֶרֶץ נַחֲלֵי מָיִם.
χείμαρροιstreams / wadisNominativenominative in apposition (modifying γῆ)→ participant prominenceχείμαρρος: 'winter-torrent / wadi / stream'; renders נַחַל; a watercourse that runs in the rainy season; the plural evokes abundant water in the wilderness.
ὑδάτωνof watersGenitivegenitive of content/material (modifying χείμαρροι)→ relational specificationὕδωρ (gen. pl. ὑδάτων): 'water'; renders מַיִם; the genitive completes the description 'streams of waters,' marking Jotbathah as an oasis-station.
8
ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ καιρῷ διέστειλεν κύριος τὴν φυλὴν τὴν Λευι αἴρειν τὴν κιβωτὸν τῆς διαθήκης κυρίου παρεστάναι ἔναντι κυρίου λειτουργεῖν καὶ ἐπεύχεσθαι ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης
At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD, to minister to him and to invoke blessing in his name, to this day.
The formula ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ καιρῷ ('at that time', cf. v. 1) resumes the main retrospect after the itinerary insertion and introduces the setting apart of Levi. Four infinitives define the Levitical charge: αἴρειν (to bear the ark), παρεστάναι (to stand before the LORD), λειτουργεῖν (to minister), and ἐπεύχεσθαι (to bless in his name) — bearing, attending, serving, blessing. The phrase ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης ('to this day') marks the institution as enduring into the narrator's present.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
ἐκείνῳthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying καιρῷ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the structuring formula ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ καιρῷ resumes the Horeb retrospect (cf. v. 1).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καιρῷtimeDativedative of time→ sphere or referenceκαιρός: 'time / appointed moment'; see v. 1.
διέστειλενset apartAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διαστέλλωmain verb (institution of Levi)→ constative aorist (the act of setting apart)διαστέλλω: 'separate / set apart / distinguish'; renders הִבְדִּיל; the verb marks the consecration of Levi as a tribe distinguished for sacral service (cf. Num 8:14).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of διέστειλεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the LORD himself is the agent of Levi's setting apart.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φυλὴνtribeAccusativedirect object of διέστειλεν→ object specificationφυλή: 'tribe / clan'; renders שֵׁבֶט / מַטֶּה; the corporate unit of Levi set apart for sanctuary service.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (in apposition: 'the tribe, the [one] of Levi')→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Λευιof Leviindeclinable proper noun (epexegetical: identifying the tribe)→ participant identificationΛευι: transliteration of Hebrew לֵוִי; indeclinable; the article τὴν before it makes the phrase τὴν φυλὴν τὴν Λευι ('the tribe, the Levi-one') an epexegetical apposition naming the tribe.
αἴρεινto bearPres Act Inf · αἴρωinfinitive of purpose (first Levitical charge)→ present infinitive of purpose (ongoing function: bearing)αἴρω: 'lift / carry / bear'; renders נָשָׂא; the first Levitical duty — bearing the ark in procession (cf. Num 4:15; 7:9), a function reserved to Levi alone.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτὸνarkAccusativedirect object of αἴρειν→ object specificationκιβωτός: 'ark'; here the κιβωτὸς τῆς διαθήκης ('ark of the covenant'), the same ark made in vv. 1–5 to house the tablets.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηςcovenantGenitivegenitive of content (the ark contains/embodies the covenant)→ relational specificationδιαθήκη: 'covenant / testament'; renders בְּרִית; the LXX's choice of διαθήκη (a unilateral disposition) over συνθήκη (a mutual pact) shapes the NT theology of covenant (cf. Heb 9:4, the ark containing the covenant).
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (the LORD's covenant)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): the Tetragrammaton; the covenant is the LORD's own.
παρεστάναιto stand before / attendPerf Act Inf · παρίστημιinfinitive of purpose (second Levitical charge)→ perfect infinitive (settled standing: to be in attendance)παρίστημι (perf. inf. παρεστάναι): 'stand beside / be in attendance / serve'; renders עָמַד לִפְנֵי; the perfect infinitive denotes a settled posture of waiting upon the LORD — the courtier's stance before the divine King (cf. Luke 1:19, Gabriel 'who stands before God').
ἔναντιbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἔναντι: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the cultic 'before the LORD' marks sanctuary service in the divine presence.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἔναντι→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): the Tetragrammaton; the one in whose presence Levi attends.
λειτουργεῖνto ministerPres Act Inf · λειτουργέωinfinitive of purpose (third Levitical charge)→ present infinitive of purpose (ongoing ministry)λειτουργέω: 'minister / perform public/cultic service'; renders שֵׁרֵת; the LXX's standard term for priestly-Levitical liturgy; the word yields English 'liturgy' and undergirds NT cultic language (cf. Heb 8:2; Rom 15:16).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking fourth charge)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπεύχεσθαιto invoke blessing / prayPres Mid Inf · ἐπεύχομαιinfinitive of purpose (fourth Levitical charge)→ present infinitive of purpose (ongoing blessing-prayer)ἐπεύχομαι: 'pray over / invoke (a blessing) upon'; renders בֵּרֵךְ (here, to pronounce blessing in the divine name); the priestly-Levitical blessing in the LORD's name (cf. the Aaronic blessing, Num 6:23–27).
ἐπὶin / uponpreposition + dative (instrumental-locative: 'in his name')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dat.: here 'in / on the basis of (his name)'; the blessing is pronounced ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι κυρίου — invoking the divine name over the people.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀνόματιnameDativedative object of ἐπί (the name invoked)→ sphere or referenceὄνομα: 'name'; renders שֵׁם; the divine name is the authority and instrument of the Levitical blessing (cf. Num 6:27, 'they shall put my name on the sons of Israel').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the LORD's name)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): refers to κύριος; 'his name' = the name of the LORD.
ἕωςuntil / topreposition + genitive (temporal extent)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / up to'; with the genitive of time marks the enduring extent of the Levitical institution.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive of time (with ἕως)→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης ('to this day') is a Deuteronomic formula affirming the continuing validity of the institution in the narrator's present.
ταύτηςthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)→ relational specificationοὗτος (gen. ταύτης): 'this'; the near demonstrative anchors the formula in the present moment of the address.
9
διὰ τοῦτο οὐκ ἔστιν τοῖς Λευίταις μερὶς καὶ κλῆρος ἐν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτῶν κύριος αὐτὸς κλῆρος αὐτοῦ καθὰ εἶπεν αὐτῷ
Therefore there is no portion or inheritance for the Levites among their brothers; the LORD himself is his inheritance, just as he told him.
διὰ τοῦτο ('therefore') draws the consequence of Levi's sacral vocation: because the tribe is set apart for the LORD's service, it receives no territorial allotment. The theological climax — κύριος αὐτὸς κλῆρος αὐτοῦ ('the LORD himself is his inheritance') — replaces land with God himself as Levi's portion (cf. Num 18:20; Ps 15[16]:5; the priestly self-understanding echoed at Lam 3:24). The shift from plural τοῖς Λευίταις to singular αὐτοῦ treats the tribe collectively as a single heir.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (causal)→ spatial or relational framingδιά + acc.: 'on account of / therefore'; διὰ τοῦτο is the standard inferential connector ('for this reason').
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of διά)→ participant referenceοὗτος (acc. τοῦτο): 'this'; refers back to the setting apart of Levi in v. 8 as the ground of the consequence.
οὐκnotnegative particle (negating ἔστιν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: 'not'; objective negation of the indicative ἔστιν.
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential, 'there is no')→ gnomic/stative present (abiding state of affairs)εἰμί: 'be / exist'; the existential ἔστιν with dative of possession (τοῖς Λευίταις) renders the Hebrew אֵין לְ ('there is not to' = 'they have no').
τοῖςthe / to theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΛευίταιςLevitesDativedative of possession (the Levites as would-be possessors)→ sphere or referenceΛευίτης: 'Levite'; here a declined gentilic noun (dat. pl. Λευίταις, contrast indeclinable Λευι in v. 8); the dative of possession in the existential idiom ('there is not to the Levites' = 'the Levites have no').
μερὶςportionNominativesubject of ἔστιν (the thing not possessed)→ participant prominenceμερίς: 'portion / share'; renders חֵלֶק; the allotted share in the land; its denial to Levi is the negative counterpart to the LORD as their portion.
καὶand / orcoordinate conjunction (joining μερίς and κλῆρος)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κλῆροςinheritance / lotNominativesubject of ἔστιν (coordinate with μερίς)→ participant prominenceκλῆρος: 'lot / allotted inheritance'; renders נַחֲלָה / גּוֹרָל; the territorial inheritance assigned by lot; its denial sets up the climactic reversal — the LORD himself becomes Levi's κλῆρος.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῖςbrothersDativedative object of ἐν (the other tribes)→ sphere or referenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; renders אָח; here the other Israelite tribes who do receive land-allotments; Levi has no portion 'among his brothers.'
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of relationship (the Levites' brothers)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): refers to the Levites collectively.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of the verbless predication ('the LORD is his inheritance')→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the emphatic theological climax — the LORD himself, not land, is Levi's portion.
αὐτὸςhimselfNominativeintensive pronoun (in apposition to κύριος, emphatic)→ participant referenceαὐτός: intensive 'himself'; κύριος αὐτός underscores that the LORD in person is Levi's inheritance — the most intimate form of the priestly vocation (cf. Num 18:20).
κλῆροςinheritanceNominativepredicate nominative (verbless: 'the LORD [is] his inheritance')→ participant prominenceκλῆρος: 'inheritance / portion'; the same noun denied to Levi above is now affirmed of the LORD — a deliberate reversal: what Levi lacks in land is more than supplied in God.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Levi's inheritance)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): singular, treating the tribe collectively as one heir whose κλῆρος is the LORD.
καθὰjust ascomparative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθά: 'just as'; introduces the confirmation that this arrangement rests on a prior divine word.
εἶπενhe saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of comparative clause→ constative aorist (the prior divine word)λέγω: 'say'; the LORD's earlier word to Levi (cf. Num 18:20, 'I am your portion and your inheritance') is the warrant for the inheritance-arrangement.
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (Levi)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): refers to Levi, to whom the LORD spoke the inheritance-promise.
10
κἀγὼ εἱστήκειν ἐν τῷ ὄρει τεσσαράκοντα ἡμέρας καὶ τεσσαράκοντα νύκτας καὶ εἰσήκουσεν κύριος ἐμοῦ καὶ ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τούτῳ καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησεν κύριος ἐξολεθρεῦσαι ὑμᾶς
And I stood on the mountain forty days and forty nights, and the LORD heard me at that time also, and the LORD was unwilling to destroy you.
The narrative returns to Moses' first person (κἀγώ, crasis of καὶ ἐγώ), resuming the intercession of ch. 9. The pluperfect εἱστήκειν ('I had taken my stand / I stood') depicts Moses' prolonged mediatorial posture over the forty days and nights. The result — the LORD heard him and 'was unwilling to destroy you' (οὐκ ἠθέλησεν … ἐξολεθρεῦσαι) — recalls the averted destruction after the golden calf (9:19, 25) and grounds Israel's continued existence in Moses' mediation.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
κἀγὼand INominativesubject (emphatic, by crasis καὶ ἐγώ)→ participant prominenceκἀγώ: crasis of καί + ἐγώ ('and I'); the emphatic first-person pronoun reasserts Moses as the mediating narrator; treated here as a pronominal subject (kind n) with the conjunctive force of καί fused in.
εἱστήκεινI stood / had taken my standPlpf Act Indic 1 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (Moses' mediatorial posture)→ pluperfect with imperfect sense (durative standing throughout the forty days)ἵστημι (plpf. εἱστήκειν): the intransitive perfect/pluperfect of ἵστημι means 'I stand / I stood (in a settled posture)'; here Moses' sustained intercessory stance on the mountain over forty days; the form functions as a past durative.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρειmountainDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceὄρος (dat. ὄρει): 'mountain'; see v. 1; Horeb, the site of the forty-day intercession.
τεσσαράκονταfortyAccusativenumeral (modifying ἡμέρας; accusative of extent of time)→ measure or countτεσσαράκοντα: 'forty'; indeclinable numeral; the forty days and nights echo the duration of Moses' two mountain-stays (Exod 24:18; 34:28; Deut 9:9, 18) and the wilderness generation's forty years.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; accusative of duration with τεσσαράκοντα.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τεσσαράκονταfortyAccusativenumeral (modifying νύκτας)→ measure or countτεσσαράκοντα: 'forty'; see above; the day-and-night pairing stresses unbroken intercession.
νύκταςnightsAccusativeaccusative of extent of time→ object specificationνύξ (acc. pl. νύκτας): 'night'; accusative of duration.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσήκουσενheard / heededAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσακούωmain verb (the LORD's answer to intercession)→ constative aorist (the granting of the prayer)εἰσακούω: 'hear / heed / answer favorably'; renders שָׁמַע (in the sense of granting a request); the compound εἰς- intensifies to 'give ear, answer'; the LORD's heeding of Moses is the hinge on which Israel's survival turns.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of εἰσήκουσεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the one who answers Moses' intercession.
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of εἰσήκουσεν (person heard)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. ἐμοῦ): the genitive of the person heard, standard with verbs of hearing (ἀκούω/εἰσακούω + gen. of person).
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction ('also at this time')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here ascensive, 'also / even'; καὶ ἐν τῷ καιρῷ τούτῳ ('at this time also') notes that the LORD heard Moses on this occasion as on others.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καιρῷtimeDativedative of time→ sphere or referenceκαιρός: 'time / occasion'; see v. 1.
τούτῳthisDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying καιρῷ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος (dat. τούτῳ): 'this'; the near demonstrative specifies the particular occasion of intercession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle (negating ἠθέλησεν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: 'not'; negates the LORD's willingness to destroy.
ἠθέλησενwas willing / willedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θέλωmain verb (the LORD's resolve)→ constative aorist (settled disposition: 'he would not')θέλω (ἐθέλω): 'will / wish / be willing'; οὐκ ἠθέλησεν ἐξολεθρεῦσαι ('he was unwilling to destroy') expresses the divine forbearance won through Moses' mediation (cf. 9:19).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἠθέλησεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton.
ἐξολεθρεῦσαιto destroy utterlyAor Act Inf · ἐξολεθρεύωcomplementary infinitive (object of ἠθέλησεν)→ aorist infinitive (the averted act of destruction)ἐξολεθρεύω: 'destroy utterly / exterminate'; renders הִשְׁמִיד / כִּלָּה; the intensive compound denotes complete annihilation; the same verb recurs in the covenant-curse warnings; its averted threat here magnifies the LORD's mercy and Moses' mediation.
ὑμᾶςyou (pl.)Accusativedirect object of ἐξολεθρεῦσαι (Israel)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. pl. ὑμᾶς): the addressed Israel, whom the LORD chose not to destroy.
11
καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρός με βάδιζε ἄπαρον ἐναντίον τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου καὶ εἰσπορευέσθωσαν καὶ κληρονομείτωσαν τὴν γῆν ἣν ὤμοσα τοῖς πατράσιν αὐτῶν δοῦναι αὐτοῖς
And the LORD said to me, 'Go, set out before this people, and let them go in and take possession of the land that I swore to their fathers to give to them.'
The speech-formula εἶπεν κύριος πρός με (cf. v. 1) frames the LORD's command to resume the march toward the land. Two imperatives to Moses (βάδιζε, ἄπαρον) are followed by two third-person imperatives for the people (εἰσπορευέσθωσαν, κληρονομείτωσαν: 'let them go in and inherit'). The relative clause ἣν ὤμοσα … δοῦναι ('which I swore to give') invokes the patriarchal land-oath, the bedrock promise of Deuteronomy, closing the historical retrospect and opening onto the paraenesis of vv. 12ff.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω: see v. 1; the renewed divine command to advance toward the land.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Moses)→ participant referenceἐγώ (encl. με): Moses as recipient of the command.
βάδιζεgoPres Act Impv 2 Sg · βαδίζωmain verb (command to Moses)→ present imperative (ongoing/initiatory: 'be on your way')βαδίζω: 'go / walk / proceed'; renders לֵךְ / קוּם; the present imperative summons Moses to take up the march at the head of the people.
ἄπαρονset out / break campAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀπαίρωmain verb (command to Moses, leading the march)→ ingressive aorist imperative (begin the journey)ἀπαίρω: 'set out / break camp'; the same itinerary verb as vv. 6–7, here imperative — Moses is to lead the camp's departure toward the land (cf. נְסַע).
ἐναντίονbefore / ahead ofpreposition + genitive (in front of)→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: 'before / in front of'; renders לִפְנֵי; here spatial — Moses goes at the head of the people, leading their advance.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίον→ relational specificationλαός: 'people'; renders עַם; Israel as the covenant community whom Moses leads.
τούτουthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying λαοῦ)→ relational specificationοὗτος (gen. τούτου): 'this'; deictic, 'this people' present before Moses.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing third-person commands)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσπορευέσθωσανlet them go inPres Mid Impv 3 Pl · εἰσπορεύομαιmain verb (third-person command for the people)→ present imperative (durative: let them proceed to enter)εἰσπορεύομαι: 'go in / enter'; renders בּוֹא; the third-person imperative commands the people's entry into the promised land — the goal of the whole wilderness journey.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κληρονομείτωσανlet them inherit / take possessionPres Act Impv 3 Pl · κληρονομέωmain verb (third-person command for the people)→ present imperative (durative: let them possess)κληρονομέω: 'inherit / take possession of'; renders יָרַשׁ; the verb of land-possession central to Deuteronomy; the people are to take as inheritance the land sworn to the fathers.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of κληρονομείτωσαν→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; renders אֶרֶץ; the promised land, object of the patriarchal oath.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ὤμοσα … δοῦναι)→ participant referenceὅς: relative; feminine accusative singular agreeing with γῆν.
ὤμοσαI sworeAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὄμνυμιverb of relative clause (the patriarchal oath)→ constative aorist (the past sworn promise)ὄμνυμι: 'swear / take an oath'; renders נִשְׁבַּע; the land-oath to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) is the foundational Deuteronomic promise (cf. 1:8; 6:10; 9:5).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατράσινfathersDativedative indirect object of ὤμοσα (those to whom the oath was sworn)→ sphere or referenceπατήρ (dat. pl. πατράσιν): 'father'; renders אָבוֹת; the patriarchs to whom the land was sworn.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of relationship (the people's fathers)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): refers to the people; 'their fathers' = the patriarchs.
δοῦναιto giveAor Act Inf · δίδωμιinfinitive complementing ὤμοσα (content of the oath)→ aorist infinitive (the sworn act of giving)δίδωμι: 'give'; the infinitive specifies the content of the oath — 'swore … to give'; the land is divine gift, not mere conquest.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative indirect object of δοῦναι (the people, the patriarchs' descendants)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. pl. αὐτοῖς): the recipients of the gift — the present generation as heirs of the patriarchal promise.
12
καὶ νῦν Ισραηλ τί κύριος ὁ θεός σου αἰτεῖται παρὰ σοῦ ἀλλ᾿ ἢ φοβεῖσθαι κύριον τὸν θεόν σου πορεύεσθαι ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ὁδοῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀγαπᾶν αὐτὸν καὶ λατρεύειν κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ σου ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου
And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways and to love him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
καὶ νῦν ('and now') is the classic Deuteronomic transition from historical retrospect to present demand. The rhetorical question τί … αἰτεῖται παρὰ σοῦ ἀλλ᾽ ἢ … ('what does he ask … but …?') frames the whole covenant requirement as both comprehensive and astonishingly simple. The answer unfolds in a series of infinitives — φοβεῖσθαι, πορεύεσθαι, ἀγαπᾶν, λατρεύειν — fear, walk, love, serve, climaxing in the Shema-formula ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας … καὶ … ψυχῆς ('with all your heart and soul', cf. 6:5). The verse is the LXX's parallel to Mic 6:8.
Word-by-word analysis· 44 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (with νῦν: transitional)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (hortatory transition)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; καὶ νῦν renders וְעַתָּה, the Deuteronomic hinge from recounted history to present exhortation (cf. 4:1; 10:12).
ΙσραηλIsraelvocative of direct address (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable; here a vocative address to the whole people, personalizing the demand.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of αἰτεῖται)→ participant referenceτίς (n. τί): interrogative 'what?'; the accusative object of αἰτεῖται heads the rhetorical question that structures the paraenesis.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of αἰτεῖται→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός in apposition to κύριος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; κύριος ὁ θεός σου ('the LORD your God') is the covenant-name formula pervading Deuteronomy.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying θεός)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): the singular 'your' addresses Israel as a single covenant partner — the characteristic Deuteronomic second-person singular.
αἰτεῖταιasks / requiresPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · αἰτέωmain verb (the divine demand)→ gnomic present (the abiding covenant requirement)αἰτέω (mid. αἰτεῖται): 'ask / require / request for oneself'; renders שָׁאַל; the middle voice suggests the LORD asks this for his own covenant relationship; the present tense states the standing requirement.
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source of what is asked)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + gen.: 'from (the side of)'; the LORD asks 'from you' (παρὰ σοῦ) — the demand is laid upon Israel.
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of παρά→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σοῦ): Israel, of whom the requirement is asked.
ἀλλ᾿butadversative particle (part of the idiom ἀλλ᾽ ἤ)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but'; with the following ἤ forms the idiom ἀλλ᾽ ἤ ('except / but only'), rendering כִּי אִם — 'what does he ask … except …?'
ἢthan / exceptparticle (completing the idiom ἀλλ᾽ ἤ)→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'than / except'; ἀλλ᾽ ἤ is a fixed exceptive idiom ('but only / except'); the construction reduces the seemingly vast covenant demand to its essence.
φοβεῖσθαιto fearPres Mid Inf · φοβέομαιinfinitive (first member of the answer: object of αἰτεῖται)→ present infinitive (the abiding posture of reverence)φοβέομαι: 'fear / reverence'; renders יָרֵא; the 'fear of the LORD' in Deuteronomy is covenantal reverence and loyalty, not terror; the foundational demand from which the others flow (cf. 6:13; 10:20).
κύριονthe LORDAccusativedirect object of φοβεῖσθαι→ object specificationκύριος (acc. κύριον): the Tetragrammaton; object of reverent fear.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with θεόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόνGodAccusativeaccusative in apposition to κύριον→ object specificationθεός (acc. θεόν): 'God'; the covenant-name formula in apposition.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying θεόν)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your'; see above.
πορεύεσθαιto walkPres Mid Inf · πορεύομαιinfinitive (second member of the answer)→ present infinitive (continuous manner of life)πορεύομαι: 'go / walk / conduct oneself'; renders הָלַךְ; 'walking in his ways' is the Deuteronomic metaphor for the whole obedient life-conduct (cf. 8:6; 26:17).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner/sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (manner/sphere).
πάσαιςallDativeattributive adjective (modifying ὁδοῖς)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς (dat. pl. f. πάσαις): 'all'; the totality 'all his ways' allows no partial obedience.
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδοῖςwaysDativedative of sphere (the paths in which one walks)→ sphere or referenceὁδός: 'way / road / path'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; the 'ways of the LORD' are his commanded paths of conduct; the metaphor underlies the early Christian self-designation 'the Way' (Acts 9:2).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ὁδοῖς)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): refers to the LORD; 'his ways.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀγαπᾶνto lovePres Act Inf · ἀγαπάωinfinitive (third member of the answer)→ present infinitive (continuous covenant love)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; renders אָהַב; the command to love God is the heart of the Shema (6:5); in Deuteronomy ἀγάπη is covenant loyalty and affection together, the inner spring of obedience.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπᾶν→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. αὐτόν): the LORD, object of love.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λατρεύεινto servePres Act Inf · λατρεύωinfinitive (fourth member of the answer)→ present infinitive (continuous worshipful service)λατρεύω: 'serve / worship (a deity)'; renders עָבַד; cultic-religious service of the LORD; the term denotes exclusive worship-service owed to God alone (cf. 6:13; Matt 4:10 quoting it).
κυρίῳthe LORDDativedative object of λατρεύειν (the deity served)→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): the Tetragrammaton; λατρεύω takes the dative of the one served.
τῷtheDativearticle (with θεῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεῷGodDativedative in apposition to κυρίῳ→ sphere or referenceθεός (dat. θεῷ): the covenant-name formula in apposition.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying θεῷ)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your.'
ἐξfrom / withpreposition + genitive (source/extent: 'out of the whole')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ + gen.: here marking the source/totality from which service flows; ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας renders מִכָּל־לֵב ('with all the heart'), the Shema-idiom of wholehearted devotion.
ὅληςwhole / allGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying καρδίας)→ relational specificationὅλος: 'whole / entire'; the totality-language of the Shema demands undivided allegiance.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαςheartGenitivegenitive (with ἐξ ὅλης: 'with all your heart')→ relational specificationκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב; the seat of will, intellect, and devotion; the same καρδία that must be circumcised in v. 16 — the inner organ of covenant loyalty.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying καρδίας)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξfrom / withpreposition + genitive (source/extent)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ + gen.: parallel to the first ἐξ ὅλης, completing the Shema-pair heart-and-soul.
ὅληςwhole / allGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ψυχῆς)→ relational specificationὅλος: 'whole'; see above.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχῆςsoulGenitivegenitive (with ἐξ ὅλης: 'with all your soul')→ relational specificationψυχή: 'soul / life / self'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; the whole living self; the heart-and-soul pair (καρδία/ψυχή) is the Deuteronomic idiom of total self-giving (6:5; 30:6).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ψυχῆς)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your.'
13
φυλάσσεσθαι τὰς ἐντολὰς κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ σου καὶ τὰ δικαιώματα αὐτοῦ ὅσα ἐγὼ ἐντέλλομαί σοι σήμερον ἵνα εὖ σοι ᾖ
to keep the commandments of the LORD your God and his ordinances, all that I command you today, that it may be well with you.
The fifth and summarizing infinitive φυλάσσεσθαι ('to keep') gathers the inward demands of v. 12 into concrete obedience to the commandments and ordinances. The relative ὅσα ('all that') stresses comprehensiveness, σήμερον ('today') the present urgency. The closing purpose clause ἵνα εὖ σοι ᾖ ('that it may be well with you') frames obedience not as burden but as the path to Israel's flourishing — the characteristic Deuteronomic motivation (cf. 4:40; 5:16, 33; 6:18).
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
φυλάσσεσθαιto keep / observePres Mid Inf · φυλάσσωinfinitive (fifth member of the answer, summarizing)→ present infinitive (ongoing observance)φυλάσσω (mid. φυλάσσεσθαι): 'guard / keep / observe'; renders שָׁמַר; the standard Deuteronomic verb for keeping the commandments; the middle voice stresses Israel's own vigilant self-keeping of the covenant stipulations.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐντολὰςcommandmentsAccusativedirect object of φυλάσσεσθαι→ object specificationἐντολή: 'commandment / precept'; renders מִצְוָה; the divine commands that constitute the covenant obligation.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of source/possession (whose commandments)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): the Tetragrammaton; the commandments are the LORD's own.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with θεοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive in apposition to κυρίου→ relational specificationθεός (gen. θεοῦ): the covenant-name formula.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying θεοῦ)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δικαιώματαordinances / statutesAccusativedirect object of φυλάσσεσθαι (coordinate with ἐντολάς)→ object specificationδικαίωμα: 'ordinance / statute / righteous requirement'; renders חֻקָּה / מִשְׁפָּט; the LXX's term for the covenant's legal stipulations; Paul takes up δικαίωμα for the law's 'righteous decree' (Rom 1:32; 8:4).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying δικαιώματα)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): refers to the LORD; 'his ordinances.'
ὅσαall that / as many asAccusativerelative pronoun (correlative, summarizing the commandments)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much/many as'; the correlative ὅσα ('all that') embraces the totality of what Moses commands, leaving nothing optional.
ἐγὼINominativesubject of ἐντέλλομαι (emphatic)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic first-person pronoun; Moses as the mediator who delivers the LORD's commands — his 'I command' is the LORD's command relayed.
ἐντέλλομαίcommandPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb of relative clause (Moses' present commanding)→ present indicative (the act of commanding now, in the address)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / charge'; renders צִוָּה; deponent middle; the present tense locates the commanding in the very moment of Moses' valedictory address (σήμερον).
σοιyouDativedative indirect object of ἐντέλλομαι→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): the one commanded — Israel addressed in the singular.
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; the Deuteronomic 'today' actualizes the covenant for each generation of hearers — the law is commanded now (cf. 5:3; 6:6; 30:15).
ἵναthat / so thatconjunction (introducing purpose/result clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: 'that / in order that'; introduces the purpose-clause expressing the beneficial outcome of obedience.
εὖwelladverb (predicate with ᾖ: 'that it may be well')→ clausal contributionεὖ: 'well / rightly'; the idiom εὖ σοι ᾖ ('that it may be well with you') renders יִיטַב לְךָ, the Deuteronomic promise of well-being attendant on obedience (cf. 5:16; Eph 6:3 quoting it).
σοιwith you / for youDativedative of advantage (the one benefited)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): 'for you'; the dative of advantage in the well-being formula.
ᾖit may bePres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of purpose clause (subjunctive after ἵνα)→ present subjunctive (the intended state of well-being)εἰμί (subj. ᾖ): 'be'; the subjunctive after ἵνα expresses the purposed/resultant blessing — that obedience may issue in Israel's flourishing.
14
ἰδοὺ κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ σου ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ὁ οὐρανὸς τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἡ γῆ καὶ πάντα ὅσα ἐστὶν ἐν αὐτῇ
Behold, to the LORD your God belong the heaven and the heaven of heaven, the earth and all that is in it.
The interjection ἰδού ('behold') heightens the doxological assertion of total divine ownership. The fronted possessive genitive κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ σου ('to the LORD your God [belong] …') governs a verbless clause whose subjects pile up cosmically: heaven, the heaven of heaven (ὁ οὐρανὸς τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, a Semitic superlative for the highest heaven), the earth, and all in it. The point grounds the paraenesis: the LORD who asks everything (v. 12) is the One to whom everything already belongs — making his choice of the fathers (v. 15) sheer grace.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold / look'; fixed presentative particle (originally aor. mid. impv. of εἶδον), renders הִנֵּה; arrests attention before the cosmic assertion of divine ownership.
κυρίουto the LORD / the LORD'sGenitivepossessive genitive (fronted: 'to the LORD belong …')→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): the Tetragrammaton; the fronted genitive of possession governs the whole verbless clause — heaven and earth are the LORD's.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with θεοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive in apposition to κυρίου→ relational specificationθεός (gen. θεοῦ): the covenant-name formula.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying θεοῦ)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your.'
ὁtheNominativearticle (with οὐρανός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανὸςheavenNominativesubject of the verbless possession-clause→ participant prominenceοὐρανός: 'heaven / sky'; renders שָׁמַיִם; the first of the cosmic subjects belonging to the LORD.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with οὐρανός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανὸςheavenNominativesubject (in the superlative phrase 'heaven of heaven')→ participant prominenceοὐρανός: 'heaven'; the phrase ὁ οὐρανὸς τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ('the heaven of heaven') renders שְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם, a Semitic superlative for the highest heaven — the utmost extent of the created order, also the LORD's.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with οὐρανοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦof heavenGenitivegenitive (Semitic superlative: 'heaven of heaven')→ relational specificationοὐρανός (gen. οὐρανοῦ): 'heaven'; the genitive forms the superlative idiom for the highest heaven (cf. 1 Kgs 8:27; Ps 148:4).
ἡtheNominativearticle (with γῆ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆearthNominativesubject of the verbless possession-clause→ participant prominenceγῆ: 'earth / land'; renders אֶרֶץ; the heaven-and-earth merism asserts total cosmic ownership by the LORD.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταall thingsNominativesubstantivized adjective (subject: 'all things')→ participant prominenceπᾶς (n. pl. πάντα): 'all / everything'; extends the LORD's ownership to the entire contents of the earth, leaving nothing outside his dominion.
ὅσαas much as / thatNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐστίν)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much/many as'; the correlative caps the totality — 'all that is in it.'
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (existential)→ gnomic present (what exists)εἰμί: 'be / exist'; the singular agrees with the neuter plural ὅσα by the classical rule.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
αὐτῇitDativedative object of ἐν (referring to γῆ)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. f. αὐτῇ): refers to ἡ γῆ; 'all that is in it (the earth).'
15
πλὴν τοὺς πατέρας ὑμῶν προείλατο κύριος ἀγαπᾶν αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐξελέξατο τὸ σπέρμα αὐτῶν μετ᾿ αὐτοὺς ὑμᾶς παρὰ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη κατὰ τὴν ἡμέραν ταύτην
Yet the LORD set his preference on your fathers, to love them, and he chose their seed after them — you — out of all the nations, as it is this day.
πλήν ('yet / nevertheless') marks the surprising particularity within the cosmic universality of v. 14: the LORD who owns all heaven and earth fixed his love on the fathers specifically. The double verb προείλατο … ἀγαπᾶν ('chose/preferred … to love') and ἐξελέξατο ('chose') express gracious election; τὸ σπέρμα αὐτῶν … ὑμᾶς ('their seed … you') identifies the present hearers as the elect line, chosen παρὰ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ('above all the nations') — the doctrine of election by sheer favor, grounding the call to heart-circumcision in v. 16.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
πλὴνyet / neverthelessadversative particle (marking the counter-movement)→ discourse linkage or contrastπλήν: 'except / yet / nevertheless'; renders רַק / אַךְ; here adversative, contrasting the LORD's cosmic ownership (v. 14) with his particular choice of the fathers.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with πατέρας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραςfathersAccusativedirect object of προείλατο (fronted for emphasis)→ object specificationπατήρ (acc. pl. πατέρας): 'father'; the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) on whom the LORD set his elective love.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying πατέρας)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): 'your'; the shift to plural draws the whole people into the patriarchal line.
προείλατοset his preference / chose beforehandAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προαιρέωmain verb (elective love)→ constative aorist (the decisive act of election)προαιρέω (mid. προείλατο): 'choose deliberately / prefer / set one's choice on'; renders חָשַׁק ('be attached to / set love upon'); the middle voice and προ- prefix stress the LORD's prior, deliberate preference for the fathers — gracious election, not merit.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of προείλατο and ἐξελέξατο→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the sovereign elector.
ἀγαπᾶνto lovePres Act Inf · ἀγαπάωepexegetical infinitive (specifying the content of προείλατο)→ present infinitive (the loving as the substance of the choice)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; the infinitive explains the LORD's preference — he chose the fathers 'to love them'; election and covenant love are inseparable (cf. 7:7–8).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπᾶν (the fathers)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. αὐτούς): refers to the fathers, objects of the LORD's love.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξελέξατοchoseAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκλέγομαιmain verb (election of the seed)→ constative aorist (the decisive act of choosing)ἐκλέγομαι: 'choose / select / elect'; renders בָּחַר; the standard LXX term for divine election; the middle voice marks the LORD's choosing the patriarchs' offspring for himself (cf. 7:6; 14:2).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with σπέρμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπέρμαseed / offspringAccusativedirect object of ἐξελέξατο→ object specificationσπέρμα: 'seed / offspring / descendants'; renders זֶרַע; the patriarchs' descendants as the elect line; Paul's argument in Rom 9 and Gal 3 turns on the meaning of σπέρμα.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of relationship (the fathers' seed)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): refers to the fathers; 'their seed.'
μετ᾿afterpreposition + accusative (sequence: 'after them')→ spatial or relational framingμετά + acc.: 'after'; μετ᾽ αὐτούς ('after them') marks the descendants as the successors of the patriarchs in the line of election.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object of μετά (the fathers)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. αὐτούς): the fathers, after whom the seed comes.
ὑμᾶςyou (pl.)Accusativeaccusative in apposition to τὸ σπέρμα (identifying the elect as the present hearers)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. pl. ὑμᾶς): the emphatic apposition identifies 'the seed after them' as the present generation — 'you'; the election reaches its hearers directly.
παρὰabove / beyondpreposition + accusative (comparison: 'in preference to')→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + acc.: here comparative, 'beyond / above / in preference to'; παρὰ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ('above all the nations') marks the singularity of Israel's election.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔθνη)→ object specificationπᾶς (n. pl. πάντα): 'all'; the choice of Israel is set against the backdrop of every other nation.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ἔθνη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔθνηnationsAccusativeaccusative object of παρά (the nations surpassed)→ object specificationἔθνος (n. pl. ἔθνη): 'nation / people / Gentiles'; renders גּוֹי; the nations among whom Israel is chosen; the term becomes the NT 'Gentiles.'
κατὰaccording to / as atpreposition + accusative (temporal: 'as it is this day')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: here temporal, 'as at / according to'; κατὰ τὴν ἡμέραν ταύτην ('as it is this day') affirms that the election remains in force at the moment of address.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἡμέραν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (temporal)→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the present 'day' of the covenant address.
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέραν)→ participant referenceοὗτος (acc. f. ταύτην): 'this'; anchors the election's continuing force in the present moment (cf. ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης, v. 8).
16
καὶ περιτεμεῖσθε τὴν σκληροκαρδίαν ὑμῶν καὶ τὸν τράχηλον ὑμῶν οὐ σκληρυνεῖτε ἔτι
And you shall circumcise the hardness of your heart, and your neck you shall stiffen no longer.
The chapter's headline imperative draws the consequence of divine ownership and election: circumcise the heart. The imperatival future περιτεμεῖσθε ('you shall circumcise') joins the physical sign of the covenant to the inner organ of devotion — σκληροκαρδία ('hardness of heart') is the object to be cut away. The parallel οὐ σκληρυνεῖτε ἔτι ('stiffen no longer') with τράχηλος ('neck') invokes the 'stiff-necked' charge of ch. 9. This is the seed of the heart-circumcision theology radicalized at Deut 30:6 (the LORD will circumcise your heart) and taken up by Jer 4:4, Acts 7:51, and decisively Rom 2:28–29; Col 2:11; Phil 3:3.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (drawing the consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
περιτεμεῖσθεyou shall circumciseFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · περιτέμνωmain verb (imperatival future: command)→ imperatival future (covenant command expressed as future indicative)περιτέμνω (mid. περιτεμεῖσθε): 'circumcise / cut around'; renders מוּל; here transferred from the flesh to the heart — 'circumcise the foreskin/hardness of your heart'; the metaphor demands the removal of inner resistance to the LORD; the imperatival future renders the Hebrew weqatal command (cf. וּמַלְתֶּם, Deut 10:16 MT). This is the headline crux of the chapter, the source of Paul's 'circumcision of the heart, in the Spirit' (Rom 2:29) and 'the circumcision made without hands' (Col 2:11).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with σκληροκαρδίαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκληροκαρδίανhardness of heartAccusativedirect object of περιτεμεῖσθε (what is cut away)→ object specificationσκληροκαρδία: 'hardness of heart / stubbornness' (σκληρός 'hard' + καρδία 'heart'); a LXX compound rendering the Hebrew עָרְלַת לְבַב ('foreskin of the heart'); the object of circumcision is the heart's hardened, uncircumcised resistance; the term and image recur at Jer 4:4 and lie behind Jesus' σκληροκαρδία (Mark 10:5; Matt 19:8) and the 'uncircumcised in heart' charge of Acts 7:51.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying σκληροκαρδίαν)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): 'your'; the hardness belongs to the people, who must themselves cut it away (contrast 30:6, where the LORD performs the circumcision).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing parallel imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with τράχηλον; fronted object)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τράχηλονneckAccusativedirect object of σκληρυνεῖτε (fronted for emphasis)→ object specificationτράχηλος: 'neck'; renders עֹרֶף; the 'neck' of the stubborn ox that refuses the yoke; the image of the 'stiff-necked people' (σκληροτράχηλος) recurs in the golden-calf narrative (9:6, 13) and at Acts 7:51.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying τράχηλον)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): 'your.'
οὐnot / no longernegative particle (with ἔτι: 'no longer')→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: 'not'; with ἔτι forms 'no longer'; negates the future σκληρυνεῖτε — the stiffening must cease.
σκληρυνεῖτεyou shall stiffen / hardenFut Act Indic 2 Pl · σκληρύνωmain verb (imperatival future, negated)→ imperatival future (prohibition: 'do not stiffen any more')σκληρύνω: 'harden / make stiff'; renders קָשָׁה (Hiphil, 'stiffen the neck'); the same verb of the Exodus hardening-formula (Exod 11:10, ἐσκλήρυνεν … τὴν καρδίαν Φαραω); here turned to exhortation — Israel must not do to itself what Pharaoh did; the prohibition pairs with the heart-circumcision as its negative counterpart.
ἔτιstill / any longertemporal adverb (with οὐ: 'no longer')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet / any longer'; with the negative οὐ marks the cessation demanded — the stubbornness of the past (ch. 9) must end now.
17
ὁ γὰρ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν οὗτος θεὸς τῶν θεῶν καὶ κύριος τῶν κυρίων ὁ θεὸς ὁ μέγας καὶ ἰσχυρὸς καὶ ὁ φοβερός ὅστις οὐ θαυμάζει πρόσωπον οὐδ᾿ οὐ μὴ λάβῃ δῶρον
For the LORD your God, he is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great and mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality and will not take a bribe,
γάρ grounds the imperatives of v. 16 in the LORD's incomparable majesty and justice. The superlative titles θεὸς τῶν θεῶν καὶ κύριος τῶν κυρίων ('God of gods and Lord of lords', a Semitic superlative of supremacy, cf. Ps 135[136]:2–3; 1 Tim 6:15; Rev 17:14; 19:16) lead into the threefold μέγας / ἰσχυρός / φοβερός ('great, mighty, awesome'). The relative clause then states the divine impartiality: οὐ θαυμάζει πρόσωπον ('does not lift up the face / is not partial') and takes no bribe — the seedbed of the NT doctrine of God's impartiality (Acts 10:34; Rom 2:11; cf. Eph 6:9; Col 3:25).
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
ὁtheNominativearticle (with κύριος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γὰρforcausal conjunction (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; post-positive causal particle grounding the call to circumcise the heart (v. 16) in the LORD's majesty and justice.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (resumed by οὗτος)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the covenant-name formula κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν, here in the plural 'your (pl.) God.'
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying θεός)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): 'your.'
οὗτοςhe / this oneNominativedemonstrative pronoun (resumptive subject: 'he [is] …')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this one / he'; the resumptive demonstrative gathers up the subject 'the LORD your God' for emphatic predication — 'he is God of gods …'
θεὸςGodNominativepredicate nominative (verbless: 'he [is] God of gods')→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; θεὸς τῶν θεῶν ('God of gods') is a Semitic superlative of supremacy — the supreme God over all so-called gods (cf. Ps 135[136]:2).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with θεῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεῶνgodsGenitivegenitive (superlative idiom: 'of gods')→ relational specificationθεός (gen. pl. θεῶν): 'gods'; the genitive of comparison in the superlative title; the LORD's supremacy over every other claimed divinity.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κύριοςLordNominativepredicate nominative (verbless: 'and Lord of lords')→ participant prominenceκύριος: 'Lord'; here in the superlative title κύριος τῶν κυρίων ('Lord of lords'), rendering the Tetragrammaton's supremacy over all earthly and heavenly lords; taken up at 1 Tim 6:15; Rev 17:14; 19:16 (of God and of the Lamb).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with κυρίων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίωνlordsGenitivegenitive (superlative idiom: 'of lords')→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. pl. κυρίων): 'lords / masters'; here the ordinary plural 'lords' over whom the LORD is supreme — the genitive of comparison.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenominative in apposition (heading the threefold description)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; ὁ θεὸς ὁ μέγας … heads the threefold epithet-string celebrating the LORD's greatness.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with μέγας)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μέγαςgreatNominativeattributive adjective (first epithet)→ participant prominenceμέγας: 'great'; renders גָּדוֹל; the first of the threefold epithet ὁ μέγας καὶ ἰσχυρὸς καὶ ὁ φοβερός (cf. Neh 9:32; Dan 9:4; the formula underlies the synagogue title for God).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰσχυρὸςmightyNominativeattributive adjective (second epithet)→ participant prominenceἰσχυρός: 'strong / mighty'; renders גִּבּוֹר; the LORD's irresistible power, second of the three epithets.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with φοβερός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φοβερόςawesome / fearfulNominativeattributive adjective (third epithet)→ participant prominenceφοβερός: 'fearful / awe-inspiring / dreadful'; renders נוֹרָא; the LORD who evokes reverent awe; completes the threefold majesty-formula and motivates the 'fear of the LORD' of v. 12.
ὅστιςwhoNominativeindefinite relative pronoun (introducing the justice-clause)→ participant referenceὅστις: 'who / the kind of one who'; the indefinite relative introduces a characterizing clause — 'of the sort who shows no partiality'; it grounds the LORD's majesty in his moral character.
οὐnotnegative particle (negating θαυμάζει)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: 'not'; negates the partiality.
θαυμάζειis partial / lifts up the facePres Act Indic 3 Sg · θαυμάζωverb of relative clause (the LORD's impartiality)→ gnomic present (abiding characteristic of God)θαυμάζω: 'admire / marvel at / show regard for'; in the idiom θαυμάζω πρόσωπον it renders נָשָׂא פָנִים ('lift up the face / show partiality'); 'God shows no partiality' — the foundational text for the NT doctrine of divine impartiality (Acts 10:34, οὐ … προσωπολήμπτης; Rom 2:11, οὐ … προσωπολημψία).
πρόσωπονface / personAccusativedirect object of θαυμάζει (in the idiom 'show partiality')→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / countenance / person'; renders פָּנִים; in the idiom 'to admire/lift the face' it means to show favoritism; the LORD does not judge by status or appearance.
οὐδ᾿nornegative conjunction (coordinating the second negation)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδέ (elided οὐδ᾿): 'nor / and not'; links the second clause of divine justice — neither partial nor bribable.
οὐnotnegative particle (part of emphatic οὐ μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: 'not'; first element of the emphatic double negation οὐ μή.
μὴnotnegative particle (with οὐ + subjunctive: emphatic denial)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: 'not'; οὐ μή + aorist subjunctive (λάβῃ) is the strongest form of negation in Greek — 'he will certainly not take'; emphatically denies that the LORD can be bribed.
λάβῃwould take / acceptAor Act Subj 3 Sg · λαμβάνωverb in emphatic negation (οὐ μή + aorist subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctive of emphatic denial ('will by no means take')λαμβάνω: 'take / receive / accept'; renders לָקַח; with οὐ μή the subjunctive expresses absolute denial — the LORD will never accept a bribe (δῶρον) to pervert justice; his judgments cannot be bought (cf. 2 Chr 19:7).
δῶρονbribe / giftAccusativedirect object of λάβῃ→ object specificationδῶρον: 'gift / present'; here in the forensic sense 'bribe', rendering שֹׁחַד; the LORD's incorruptibility models the impartial justice Israel's judges must imitate (cf. 16:19).
18
ποιῶν κρίσιν προσηλύτῳ καὶ ὀρφανῷ καὶ χήρᾳ καὶ ἀγαπᾷ τὸν προσήλυτον δοῦναι αὐτῷ ἄρτον καὶ ἱμάτιον
executing justice for the sojourner and orphan and widow, and he loves the sojourner, to give him bread and clothing.
The participle ποιῶν ('doing / executing') extends the characterization of v. 17: the impartial God actively secures justice (κρίσιν) for the most vulnerable triad of biblical social ethics — the sojourner, orphan, and widow (cf. 24:17–21; 27:19; Jas 1:27). The finite ἀγαπᾷ ('he loves') then singles out the προσήλυτος ('sojourner / resident alien / proselyte'): God's love issues in tangible provision — bread and clothing — grounding the love-command of v. 19.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ποιῶνdoing / executingPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · ποιέωsubstantival/attributive participle (continuing the description of the LORD)→ present participle (characteristic, ongoing action)ποιέω: 'do / make / execute'; the idiom ποιέω κρίσιν renders עָשָׂה מִשְׁפָּט ('do/execute justice'); the participle continues the relative clause of v. 17, describing the LORD's habitual defense of the vulnerable.
κρίσινjustice / judgmentAccusativedirect object of ποιῶν→ object specificationκρίσις: 'judgment / justice / vindication'; renders מִשְׁפָּט; here positive — securing the legal rights of those who cannot defend themselves.
προσηλύτῳfor the sojournerDativedative of advantage (the beneficiary of justice)→ sphere or referenceπροσήλυτος: 'sojourner / resident alien / proselyte'; renders גֵּר; the LXX's standard term, later acquiring the technical sense 'proselyte' (convert); first of the vulnerable triad whom God defends.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀρφανῷfor the orphanDativedative of advantage (coordinate beneficiary)→ sphere or referenceὀρφανός: 'orphan / fatherless'; renders יָתוֹם; second of the triad; the fatherless lack legal protection in a patriarchal society (cf. Jas 1:27).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
χήρᾳfor the widowDativedative of advantage (coordinate beneficiary)→ sphere or referenceχήρα: 'widow'; renders אַלְמָנָה; third of the triad; the widow, orphan, and sojourner form the classic biblical figure of the legally defenseless under God's special care.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing finite verb)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀγαπᾷhe lovesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀγαπάωmain verb (God's love for the sojourner)→ gnomic present (the LORD's abiding disposition)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; renders אָהַב; God's love for the προσήλυτος is the model and ground for Israel's required love (v. 19); divine ἀγάπη issues in concrete provision.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with προσήλυτον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσήλυτονsojournerAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπᾷ→ object specificationπροσήλυτος: 'sojourner / resident alien'; see v. 18a; singled out as the special object of God's love — a striking emphasis given Israel's own sojourning past (v. 19).
δοῦναιto giveAor Act Inf · δίδωμιinfinitive of result/purpose (the outworking of God's love)→ aorist infinitive (the concrete act of provision)δίδωμι: 'give'; the infinitive expresses how God's love takes effect — in giving the sojourner bread and clothing; love is shown in material care.
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object of δοῦναι (the sojourner)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): refers to the προσήλυτος, recipient of God's provision.
ἄρτονbreadAccusativedirect object of δοῦναι→ object specificationἄρτος: 'bread / food'; renders לֶחֶם; the basic sustenance God provides — food, the first necessity of life.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἱμάτιονclothing / garmentAccusativedirect object of δοῦναι (coordinate with ἄρτον)→ object specificationἱμάτιον: 'garment / cloak / clothing'; renders שִׂמְלָה; the second basic necessity — covering; 'bread and clothing' (food and raiment) is the biblical minimum of provision (cf. Gen 28:20; 1 Tim 6:8).
19
καὶ ἀγαπήσετε τὸν προσήλυτον προσήλυτοι γὰρ ἦτε ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτῳ
And you shall love the sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt.
The imperatival future ἀγαπήσετε ('you shall love') applies God's own love for the sojourner (v. 18) to Israel: imitatio Dei in the social sphere. The γάρ-clause grounds the command in memory — προσήλυτοι … ἦτε ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτῳ ('you were sojourners in the land of Egypt') — the recurrent Deuteronomic motive that turns Israel's past vulnerability into present compassion (cf. Exod 22:21; 23:9; Lev 19:34; Deut 24:18).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀγαπήσετεyou shall loveFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀγαπάωmain verb (imperatival future: command)→ imperatival future (covenant command modeled on God's own love)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; the imperatival future commands Israel to love the sojourner as God does (v. 18); the love-command extended to the alien anticipates the neighbor-love of Lev 19:18, 34 and the NT's universalizing of love (cf. Luke 10:25–37).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with προσήλυτον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσήλυτονsojournerAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπήσετε→ object specificationπροσήλυτος: 'sojourner / resident alien'; see v. 18; the object of the commanded love.
προσήλυτοιsojournersNominativepredicate nominative (with ἦτε: 'you were sojourners')→ participant prominenceπροσήλυτος (nom. pl. προσήλυτοι): 'sojourners'; the predicate of the motive clause — Israel's own past status as aliens in Egypt grounds the command.
γὰρforcausal conjunction (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; grounds the love-command in Israel's remembered experience of being aliens.
ἦτεyou wereImpf Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίmain verb of the motive clause→ imperfect of past state (the enduring condition of sojourning)εἰμί (impf. ἦτε): 'be'; the imperfect denotes Israel's protracted state of alien-residence in Egypt — the memory that must shape its treatment of aliens now.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
γῇlandDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceγῆ (dat. γῇ): 'land'; ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτῳ ('in the land of Egypt'), the place of Israel's sojourning and bondage.
ΑἰγύπτῳEgyptDativedative in apposition to γῇ (place-name, declined)→ sphere or referenceΑἴγυπτος (dat. Αἰγύπτῳ): 'Egypt'; here declined (contrast indeclinable Φαραω); the land of Israel's former alien-residence, the memory undergirding the love-command.
20
κύριον τὸν θεόν σου φοβηθήσῃ καὶ αὐτῷ λατρεύσεις καὶ πρὸς αὐτὸν κολληθήσῃ καὶ τῷ ὀνόματι αὐτοῦ ὀμῇ
You shall fear the LORD your God, and you shall serve him, and you shall cleave to him, and by his name you shall swear.
The closing summons gathers four covenant verbs in imperatival futures, recapitulating the demands of vv. 12–13: φοβηθήσῃ (fear), λατρεύσεις (serve), κολληθήσῃ (cleave), ὀμῇ (swear by his name). The fronted object κύριον τὸν θεόν σου emphasizes the exclusive recipient of all four. κολλάομαι ('cleave / be glued to') is the strongest LXX verb for covenant attachment (cf. the marital 'cleave' of Gen 2:24, quoted at Matt 19:5; Paul applies κολλάομαι to union with the Lord at 1 Cor 6:17).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
κύριονthe LORDAccusativedirect object of φοβηθήσῃ (fronted, governing all four verbs)→ object specificationκύριος (acc. κύριον): the Tetragrammaton; the fronted object of reverent fear, exclusive recipient of the four covenant acts.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with θεόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόνGodAccusativeaccusative in apposition to κύριον→ object specificationθεός (acc. θεόν): the covenant-name formula.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying θεόν)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your.'
φοβηθήσῃyou shall fearFut Pass Indic 2 Sg · φοβέομαιmain verb (imperatival future: first covenant act)→ imperatival future (command of reverent fear)φοβέομαι (fut. pass. φοβηθήσῃ): 'fear / reverence'; renders יָרֵא; recapitulates φοβεῖσθαι of v. 12; the deponent future passive form with active sense; covenantal reverence as the first and governing demand.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτῷhimDativedative object of λατρεύσεις (the one served)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): the LORD; λατρεύω takes the dative of the deity served.
λατρεύσειςyou shall serveFut Act Indic 2 Sg · λατρεύωmain verb (imperatival future: second covenant act)→ imperatival future (command of worship-service)λατρεύω: 'serve / worship'; renders עָבַד; recapitulates λατρεύειν of v. 12; the exclusive worship-service owed to the LORD alone (cf. Matt 4:10, quoting Deut 6:13).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (with κολληθήσῃ: 'cleave to')→ spatial or relational framingπρός + acc.: 'to / toward'; with κολλάομαι denotes attachment 'to' the LORD.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the one cleaved to)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. αὐτόν): the LORD, object of covenant attachment.
κολληθήσῃyou shall cleave / clingFut Pass Indic 2 Sg · κολλάωmain verb (imperatival future: third covenant act)→ imperatival future (command of clinging devotion)κολλάω (fut. pass. κολληθήσῃ): 'glue / join / cleave to'; renders דָּבַק; the strongest verb of covenant attachment — to be 'glued' to the LORD (cf. 11:22; 13:4); the same דָּבַק/κολλάομαι used of marital union (Gen 2:24) and applied by Paul to union with the Lord (1 Cor 6:17, ὁ κολλώμενος τῷ κυρίῳ).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtheDativearticle (with ὀνόματι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀνόματιnameDativedative of means/reference (the name sworn by)→ sphere or referenceὄνομα: 'name'; renders שֵׁם; to swear 'by his name' is to invoke the LORD alone as witness and guarantor of oaths — an act of exclusive allegiance (cf. 6:13).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ὀνόματι)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): refers to the LORD; 'his name.'
ὀμῇyou shall swearFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ὄμνυμιmain verb (imperatival future: fourth covenant act)→ imperatival future (command of swearing by the LORD's name)ὄμνυμι (fut. mid. ὀμῇ): 'swear / take an oath'; renders נִשְׁבַּע; swearing by the LORD's name (rather than by other gods) is a confession of exclusive loyalty; the fourth and climactic covenant act of the summons.
21
οὗτος καύχημά σου καὶ οὗτος θεός σου ὅστις ἐποίησεν ἐν σοὶ τὰ μεγάλα καὶ τὰ ἔνδοξα ταῦτα ἃ εἴδοσαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου
He is your boast, and he is your God, who did among you these great and glorious things which your eyes have seen.
Twin demonstrative predications (οὗτος … καὶ οὗτος, 'he [is] … and he [is] …') confess the LORD as Israel's καύχημα ('boast / object of praise') and God. The relative ὅστις ἐποίησεν … τὰ μεγάλα καὶ τὰ ἔνδοξα ('who did the great and glorious things') grounds the confession in saving history witnessed firsthand (ἃ εἴδοσαν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου). καύχημα is the very word Paul transvalues — boasting not in flesh or law but in the Lord (cf. 1 Cor 1:31; Jer 9:23–24 LXX).
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
οὗτοςhe / this oneNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of verbless predication)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this one / he'; emphatic demonstrative confessing the LORD just named — 'he is your boast.'
καύχημάboast / praiseNominativepredicate nominative (verbless: 'he [is] your boast')→ participant prominenceκαύχημα: 'object of boasting / ground of pride / praise'; renders תְּהִלָּה ('praise'); the LORD is the one in whom Israel may rightly boast; Paul radicalizes καύχημα/καυχάομαι — 'let the one who boasts boast in the Lord' (1 Cor 1:31, echoing Jer 9:23–24 LXX).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying καύχημα)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὗτοςhe / this oneNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of second predication)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'he'; the repeated demonstrative reinforces the confession — 'and he is your God.'
θεόςGodNominativepredicate nominative (verbless: 'he [is] your God')→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the LORD confessed as Israel's own God, the covenant relationship affirmed.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying θεός)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your.'
ὅστιςwhoNominativeindefinite relative pronoun (introducing the saving-deeds clause)→ participant referenceὅστις: 'who / the one who'; introduces the characterizing relative clause grounding the confession in the LORD's mighty acts.
ἐποίησενdid / performedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause (the LORD's saving deeds)→ constative aorist (the accomplished saving acts)ποιέω: 'do / make / perform'; renders עָשָׂה; the LORD's 'doing' of the great and glorious things — the Exodus deliverance and wilderness provision witnessed by Israel.
ἐνamong / forpreposition + dative (locative/benefactive: 'among/with you')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: 'in / among / for'; ἐν σοί ('among you / for you') marks Israel as the sphere and beneficiary of the LORD's deeds.
σοὶyouDativedative object of ἐν (Israel)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοί): Israel, in whose midst and for whose sake the great deeds were done.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with μεγάλα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μεγάλαgreat thingsAccusativesubstantivized adjective (direct object of ἐποίησεν)→ object specificationμέγας (n. pl. μεγάλα): 'great things'; renders גְּדֹלוֹת; the LORD's mighty acts in Israel's history (cf. Ps 105[106]:21, 'who did great things in Egypt').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ἔνδοξα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔνδοξαglorious thingsAccusativesubstantivized adjective (coordinate object of ἐποίησεν)→ object specificationἔνδοξος (n. pl. ἔνδοξα): 'glorious / splendid things'; renders נוֹרָאוֹת ('awesome deeds'); the LORD's wondrous acts that display his glory (δόξα).
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying μεγάλα/ἔνδοξα)→ object specificationοὗτος (n. pl. ταῦτα): 'these'; the near demonstrative points to the deeds Israel itself witnessed, making them present and undeniable.
ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἴδοσαν)→ participant referenceὅς (n. pl. ἅ): relative; agrees with the neuter plural deeds, object of 'your eyes have seen.'
εἴδοσανsaw / have seenAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωverb of relative clause (eyewitness testimony)→ constative aorist (the act of eyewitnessing)ὁράω (aor. εἴδοσαν): 'see'; εἴδοσαν is the Hellenistic/Koine third-plural aorist (for classical εἶδον) common in the LXX; the appeal to eyewitness sight (οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου) is a Deuteronomic refrain grounding faith in remembered experience (cf. 4:9; 7:19; 29:2).
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ὀφθαλμοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοίeyesNominativesubject of εἴδοσαν→ participant prominenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; renders עַיִן; 'your eyes have seen' personalizes the testimony — Israel is an eyewitness, not a hearsay-witness, of the LORD's deeds.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ὀφθαλμοί)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your.'
22
ἐν ἑβδομήκοντα ψυχαῖς κατέβησαν οἱ πατέρες σου εἰς Αἴγυπτον νυνὶ δὲ ἐποίησέν σε κύριος ὁ θεός σου ὡσεὶ τὰ ἄστρα τοῦ οὐρανοῦ τῷ πλήθει
With seventy souls your fathers went down into Egypt, but now the LORD your God has made you like the stars of heaven in multitude.
The chapter closes on a then/now contrast that proves the 'great things' of v. 21: the seventy souls who descended to Egypt (ἐν ἑβδομήκοντα ψυχαῖς, cf. Gen 46:27; Exod 1:5) have become as the stars of heaven in multitude (ὡσεὶ τὰ ἄστρα τοῦ οὐρανοῦ). νυνὶ δέ ('but now') marks the realized fulfillment of the patriarchal promise of innumerable seed (Gen 15:5; 22:17), sealing the paraenesis with a doxological demonstration of covenant faithfulness.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ἐνwith / inpreposition + dative (numerical state: 'with seventy')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: here 'in the number of / with'; ἐν ἑβδομήκοντα ψυχαῖς ('with seventy souls') renders בְּשִׁבְעִים נֶפֶשׁ, the count of Jacob's household that went to Egypt.
ἑβδομήκονταseventyDativenumeral (modifying ψυχαῖς)→ measure or countἑβδομήκοντα: 'seventy'; indeclinable numeral; the seventy persons of Jacob's household (Gen 46:27 LXX; Exod 1:5); a symbolically complete number contrasting with the present multitude.
ψυχαῖςsouls / personsDativedative (with ἐν: 'with seventy souls')→ sphere or referenceψυχή (dat. pl. ψυχαῖς): 'soul / person / life'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; here in the enumerative sense 'persons' — the headcount of those who went down to Egypt.
κατέβησανwent downAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καταβαίνωmain verb (the descent into Egypt)→ constative aorist (the historical descent)καταβαίνω: 'go down / descend'; renders יָרַד; 'going down to Egypt' is the fixed idiom for the migration of Jacob's family (Gen 46), Egypt being lower than Canaan both geographically and in the narrative's symbolic topography.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with πατέρες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέρεςfathersNominativesubject of κατέβησαν→ participant prominenceπατήρ (nom. pl. πατέρες): 'father'; here the ancestors of the Exodus generation — Jacob and his sons' households who went down to Egypt.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying πατέρες)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your'; binds the present hearer to the ancestral seventy.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal of descent)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of descent).
ΑἴγυπτονEgyptAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationΑἴγυπτος (acc. Αἴγυπτον): 'Egypt'; declined; the destination of the patriarchal descent, where the seventy multiplied into a nation.
νυνὶnowtemporal adverb (emphatic 'now', marking the contrast)→ clausal contributionνυνί: emphatic form of νῦν, 'now / at this very time'; with δέ marks the then/now contrast — from seventy to a starry multitude.
δὲbut / andadversative particle (post-positive: marking contrast)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; here adversative, contrasting the tiny ancestral number with the present innumerable multitude.
ἐποίησένhas madeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (the LORD's making Israel numerous)→ constative aorist (the accomplished multiplication)ποιέω: 'make'; renders שִׂים / עָשָׂה; the LORD 'has made you as the stars' — the fulfillment of the patriarchal promise of innumerable descendants (Gen 15:5).
σεyouAccusativedirect object of ἐποίησεν (Israel)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σε): Israel, made into a starry multitude.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐποίησεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the agent of Israel's multiplication.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the covenant-name formula.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying θεός)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): 'your.'
ὡσεὶlike / ascomparative particle (introducing the simile)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡσεί: 'like / as / about'; renders כְּ; introduces the simile of the stars, evoking the patriarchal promise (Gen 15:5; 22:17; 26:4).
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ἄστρα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄστραstarsAccusativeaccusative of comparison (object of ὡσεί)→ object specificationἄστρον (n. pl. ἄστρα): 'star / constellation'; renders כּוֹכָב; the stars of heaven as the image of innumerable multitude, fulfilling the Abrahamic promise.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with οὐρανοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦof heavenGenitivegenitive of place/source (modifying ἄστρα)→ relational specificationοὐρανός (gen. οὐρανοῦ): 'heaven / sky'; 'the stars of heaven' — the standard biblical figure for countless multitude.
τῷin theDativearticle (with πλήθει)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλήθειin multitudeDativedative of respect (specifying the point of comparison: 'in multitude')→ sphere or referenceπλῆθος (dat. πλήθει): 'multitude / great number'; renders רֹב; the dative of respect specifies the respect in which Israel is 'like the stars' — namely, in sheer number; the closing word seals the doxology of covenant fulfillment.