1
υἱοί ἐστε κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ ὑμῶν· οὐ φοιβήσετε, οὐκ ἐπιθήσετε φαλάκρωμα ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν ὑμῶν ἐπὶ νεκρῷ.
You are sons of the LORD your God; you shall not make ritual cuttings, you shall not put baldness between your eyes for the dead.
The chapter opens not with a command but with a declaration of status: υἱοί ἐστε κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ ὑμῶν. The divine-sonship of Israel (cf. Exod 4:22; Hos 11:1; and the 'adoption', υἱοθεσία, of Rom 9:4) supplies the motive for the two following prohibitions: the holy sonship of Israel forbids the assimilation of Canaanite/pagan mourning customs (self-laceration and forehead-baldness for the dead).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
υἱοίsonsNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐστε: 'you are sons')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the predicate-fronted plural υἱοί stresses Israel's filial standing before YHWH; renders Hebrew בָּנִים אַתֶּם; the divine-sonship motif undergirds the prohibition of pagan mourning and anticipates the NT υἱοθεσία ('adoption') of Israel (Rom 9:4).
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίcopula (linking υἱοί to subject 'you')→ stative present (settled covenant status)εἰμί: 'be'; the present copula asserts an existing, settled relationship — Israel already is YHWH's sons; the indicative of identity grounds the imperatival prohibitions that follow.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of relationship ('sons of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the genitive marks the filial bond — Israel belongs to YHWH as sons to a father.
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: 'God'; the appositional κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ ὑμῶν ('the LORD your God') is the characteristic Deuteronomic covenant designation, binding the divine name to the relational pronoun ὑμῶν.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θεοῦ)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): the possessive pronoun personalizes the covenant — not God in the abstract but 'your God', the God of this people.
οὐnotnegative particle (with future indicative = apodictic prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: the negative with the future indicative φοιβήσετε forms an apodictic prohibition equivalent to the imperatival force of the Hebrew לֹא + imperfect.
φοιβήσετεyou shall make ritual cuttingsFut Act Indic 2 Pl · φοιβάωmain verb (apodictic prohibition)→ prohibitive future (binding legal proscription)φοιβάω: a rare verb (related to Φοῖβος, Apollo) connoting cultic purification by gashing; here it renders Hebrew לֹא תִתְגֹּדְדוּ ('you shall not cut/lacerate yourselves'), i.e., the pagan mourning rite of self-laceration for the dead (cf. Lev 19:28; 1 Kgs 18:28); forbidden because Israel's filial holiness rules out such practices.
οὐκnotnegative particle (second prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιθήσετεyou shall put onFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb (second apodictic prohibition)→ prohibitive future (binding legal proscription)ἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon / impose'; renders Hebrew שׂים / קרחה; here the idiom 'put baldness between the eyes' denotes shaving the forehead as a mourning rite for the dead (cf. Lev 21:5; Deut 14:1; Isa 22:12), a practice forbidden to the holy people.
φαλάκρωμαbaldnessAccusativedirect object of ἐπιθήσετε→ object specificationφαλάκρωμα: 'bald patch / baldness'; renders Hebrew קָרְחָה; the shaved spot made on the forehead as a sign of grief for the dead — a Canaanite mourning custom incompatible with Israel's covenant identity.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (with μέσον: idiomatic 'in the midst of')→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: in the phrase ἀνὰ μέσον ('between / in the midst of'), a fixed LXX locution rendering Hebrew בֵּין; here 'between your eyes' = on the forehead.
μέσονmidstAccusativesubstantive within prepositional idiom ἀνὰ μέσον→ spatial or relational framingμέσος: 'middle / midst'; ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν ('between the eyes') locates the forbidden baldness on the forehead.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ὀφθαλμῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμῶνeyesGenitivegenitive governed by ἀνὰ μέσον→ relational specificationὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the genitive plural completes the locative idiom 'between your eyes' (= the forehead).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ὀφθαλμῶν)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying ὀφθαλμῶν).
ἐπὶfor / overpreposition + dative (occasion: 'for the dead')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dative: here causal/occasional, 'on account of / for (a dead person)'; specifies the mourning context that occasions the forbidden rites.
νεκρῷa dead personDativedative governed by ἐπί (occasion of mourning)→ sphere or referenceνεκρός: 'dead (one) / corpse'; the substantival adjective denotes the deceased for whom the pagan mourning rites would be performed; renders Hebrew מֵת.
2
ὅτι λαὸς ἅγιος εἶ κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ σου, καὶ σὲ ἐξελέξατο κύριος ὁ θεός σου γενέσθαι σε αὐτῷ λαὸν περιούσιον ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν τῶν ἐπὶ προσώπου τῆς γῆς.
For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD your God chose you to be for himself a treasured people out of all the nations that are upon the face of the earth.
ὅτι gives the theological reason for the foregoing prohibitions: Israel's holiness and election. The election formula σὲ ἐξελέξατο κύριος … λαὸν περιούσιον ('the LORD chose you … a treasured people') is one of Deuteronomy's central confessions (cf. 7:6; 26:18; Exod 19:5); λαὸς περιούσιος is later applied to the church (Titus 2:14; 1 Pet 2:9). Holiness here is not first an achievement but a conferred status, the foundation of all the chapter's commands.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (grounding v. 1)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the covenantal rationale for the mourning prohibitions — Israel's holiness and divine election.
λαὸςa peopleNominativepredicate nominative (with εἶ)→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the standard LXX term for Israel as covenant community (rendering עַם); λαὸς ἅγιος ('holy people') is a Deuteronomic signature designation (7:6; 14:21; 26:19; 28:9).
ἅγιοςholyNominativepredicate adjective (modifying λαὸς)→ participant prominenceἅγιος: 'holy / set apart'; renders קָדוֹשׁ; holiness here is conferred status (consecration to YHWH), the ground of Israel's distinct conduct in mourning, diet, and worship.
εἶyou arePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίcopula (2nd singular, addressing Israel collectively)→ stative present (settled covenant status)εἰμί: 'be'; the shift from plural (v. 1 ἐστε) to singular εἶ treats Israel as one corporate person — a characteristic Deuteronomic oscillation between 'you (pl.)' and 'you (sg.)'.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of relation/possession ('holy to the LORD')→ sphere or referenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the dative κυρίῳ marks the one to whom Israel is consecrated — holiness is relational, a belonging-to YHWH.
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: 'God'; κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ σου repeats the covenant designation of v. 1 in the dative of relation.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θεῷ)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying θεῷ).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking holiness-statement to election-statement)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σὲyouAccusativefronted direct object of ἐξελέξατο (emphatic position)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σέ): the fronted accusative emphasizes the object of election — 'you (and not others) the LORD chose'; the emphasis underlines the gratuity and particularity of Israel's election.
ἐξελέξατοchoseAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκλέγομαιmain verb (election formula)→ constative aorist (the decisive, completed act of election)ἐκλέγομαι: 'choose / select out'; renders בָּחַר; the middle voice ('chose for himself') stresses YHWH's self-interested election of Israel; the aorist marks a foundational, accomplished act underlying the whole covenant.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐξελέξατο→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the divine name as subject makes election an act of sovereign grace, not a response to Israel's merit.
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: meaning 'God'; it serves as nominative in apposition to κύριος.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θεός)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying θεός).
γενέσθαιto becomeAor Mid Inf · γίνομαιinfinitive of purpose/result (the aim of election)→ aorist infinitive (the goal-state of being made a treasured people)γίνομαι: 'become / come to be'; the infinitive of purpose expresses the goal of election — that Israel should become YHWH's λαὸς περιούσιος; renders the Hebrew purpose construction לִהְיוֹת.
σεyouAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive γενέσθαι→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σέ): the accusative of reference functions as the subject of the infinitive — 'that you should become'.
αὐτῷfor himselfDativedative of advantage (with γενέσθαι: 'a people for himself')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): the dative of advantage stresses that Israel is YHWH's own possession — chosen for himself, a treasured people belonging to him.
λαὸνa peopleAccusativepredicate accusative (with γενέσθαι: 'to become a people')→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; the predicate accusative completes the infinitive — Israel becomes a particular kind of people, the λαὸς περιούσιος.
περιούσιονtreasured / specialAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying λαὸν)→ object specificationπεριούσιος: 'specially possessed / treasured'; a rare adjective (from περιουσία, 'abundance / private property') rendering Hebrew סְגֻלָּה ('treasured possession'); the phrase λαὸς περιούσιος recurs at Exod 19:5; Deut 7:6; 26:18 and is taken up of the church at Titus 2:14 and 1 Pet 2:9 (λαὸς εἰς περιποίησιν).
ἀπὸfrom / out ofpreposition + genitive (separation: chosen out of all nations)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from / out of'; marks the wider set out of which Israel is selected, underscoring the particularity of election.
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ἐθνῶν)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the universal scope ('out of all the nations') heightens the singularity of Israel's election.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἐθνῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐθνῶνnationsGenitivegenitive governed by ἀπό (separation)→ relational specificationἔθνος: 'nation / gentile people'; renders גּוֹי; the contrast Israel/ἔθνη is fundamental to Deuteronomy — Israel is set apart from the peoples whose mourning and worship customs vv. 1–21 forbid.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (attributive, governing the prepositional phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (location: 'upon the face')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location: 'upon the face').
προσώπουfaceGenitivegenitive governed by ἐπί (idiom: 'the face of the earth')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / surface'; ἐπὶ προσώπου τῆς γῆς ('upon the face of the earth') is a Hebraism (עַל פְּנֵי הָאֲדָמָה) for the whole inhabited world.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with γῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive of relationship (with προσώπου)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth / land'; here the whole earth, the global stage from which Israel is singled out.
3
οὐ φάγεσθε πᾶν βδέλυγμα.
You shall not eat any abomination.
A terse superscription governing the whole dietary unit. πᾶν βδέλυγμα ('any abomination') is the category term for unclean food; the specifics follow in vv. 4–21. The double negative πᾶν … οὐ ('not … any') is a Hebraism (לֹא … כֹּל) for an absolute prohibition.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
οὐnotnegative particle (with future = prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ … πᾶν: the negative with πᾶν renders Hebrew לֹא … כֹּל ('not … any'), an absolute prohibition covering every unclean thing.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (apodictic prohibition)→ prohibitive future (binding food law)ἐσθίω (fut. mid. φάγομαι): 'eat'; the deponent future φάγεσθε is the recurring verb of the dietary code (vv. 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19, 20, 21); renders Hebrew אכל.
πᾶνany / everyAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying βδέλυγμα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / every / any'; with the negative, 'any (whatsoever)'.
βδέλυγμαabominationAccusativedirect object of φάγεσθε→ object specificationβδέλυγμα: 'detestable thing / abomination'; renders Hebrew תּוֹעֵבָה / שֶׁקֶץ; the category-word for ritually unclean food whose consumption defiles; the noun later carries cultic-idolatrous weight ('abomination of desolation', Dan 9:27; Mark 13:14).
4
ταῦτα τὰ κτήνη ἃ φάγεσθε· μόσχον ἐκ βοῶν καὶ ἀμνὸν ἐκ προβάτων καὶ χίμαρον ἐξ αἰγῶν,
These are the animals which you shall eat: a calf from the cattle, and a lamb from the sheep, and a kid from the goats,
After the general prohibition (v. 3), the code turns to permitted food, beginning with the three standard domestic clean animals — calf, lamb, kid — drawn respectively from cattle, sheep, and goats. These are the staple sacrificial and edible animals of Israel; the list is taken up almost verbatim from Lev 11.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ταῦταtheseNominativedemonstrative subject (predicate of identification)→ participant prominenceοὗτος: 'this / these'; the cataphoric demonstrative points forward to the list that follows.
τὰtheNominativearticle (with κτήνη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτήνηanimalsNominativepredicate nominative ('these are the animals')→ participant prominenceκτῆνος (pl. κτήνη): 'beast / domestic animal / livestock'; renders בְּהֵמָה; here the broad category of edible quadrupeds enumerated in vv. 4–5.
ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of φάγεσθε, antecedent κτήνη)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. pl. n. ἅ): relative pronoun introducing the defining clause 'which you shall eat'.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωverb of relative clause (permissive future)→ permissive future ('these you may eat')ἐσθίω (fut. mid.): here in permissive sense — the future indicative defines the licit category of food.
μόσχονcalf / young bullAccusativeaccusative in apposition to ἅ (first permitted animal)→ object specificationμόσχος: 'calf / young ox'; renders שׁוֹר; the bovine entry in the list of clean domestic animals.
ἐκfrom / ofpreposition + genitive (partitive: 'from among the cattle')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: partitive 'from among'; specifies the herd-class from which the calf comes.
βοῶνcattle / oxenGenitivegenitive governed by ἐκ (partitive)→ relational specificationβοῦς (gen. pl. βοῶν): 'ox / head of cattle'; renders בָּקָר; the bovine herd.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀμνὸνlambAccusativeaccusative in apposition to ἅ (second permitted animal)→ object specificationἀμνός: 'lamb'; renders כֶּשֶׂב / שֶׂה; the ovine entry; the same word frames the prohibition of v. 21 (ἄρνα ἐν γάλακτι).
ἐκfrom / ofpreposition + genitive (partitive: 'from the sheep')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive: 'from the sheep').
προβάτωνsheepGenitivegenitive governed by ἐκ (partitive)→ relational specificationπρόβατον: 'sheep'; renders צֹאן; the ovine flock.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
χίμαρονkid / young goatAccusativeaccusative in apposition to ἅ (third permitted animal)→ object specificationχίμαρος: 'young he-goat / kid'; renders עֵז / שָׂעִיר; the caprine entry completing the triad of clean domestic animals.
ἐξfrom / ofpreposition + genitive (partitive, elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ (ἐξ before vowel): partitive 'from among'.
αἰγῶνgoatsGenitivegenitive governed by ἐξ (partitive)→ relational specificationαἴξ (gen. pl. αἰγῶν): 'goat'; renders עֵז; the caprine herd.
5
ἔλαφον καὶ δορκάδα καὶ βούβαλον καὶ τραγέλαφον καὶ πύγαργον, ὄρυγα καὶ καμηλοπάρδαλιν·
deer and gazelle and antelope and wild goat and addax, oryx and giraffe.
The list extends from domestic livestock (v. 4) to clean wild game — seven species, all ruminant cloven-hoofed animals. The Greek names are the translator's attempts to match an unfamiliar Hebrew zoological list (cf. the seven of Lev 11 / Deut 14:5 MT: אַיָּל, צְבִי, יַחְמוּר, אַקּוֹ, דִּישֹׁן, תְּאוֹ, זָמֶר); καμηλοπάρδαλις ('giraffe') is a notable Hellenistic rendering.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ἔλαφονdeer / stagAccusativeaccusative (continuing the list of edible animals)→ object specificationἔλαφος: 'deer / stag / hind'; renders Hebrew אַיָּל; the first of the clean wild ruminants.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δορκάδαgazelleAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationδορκάς: 'gazelle / roe-deer'; renders צְבִי; named for its keen eyesight (δέρκομαι, 'see'); cf. the name Δορκάς/Tabitha at Acts 9:36.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βούβαλονantelope / buffaloAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationβούβαλος: 'antelope / wild ox / buffalo'; renders יַחְמוּר; a large bovid wild game animal.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τραγέλαφονwild goat / goat-stagAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationτραγέλαφος: lit. 'goat-stag' (τράγος + ἔλαφος); a composite name for a wild goat-like ruminant; renders אַקּוֹ; the fanciful compound shows the translator coining Greek terms for unfamiliar fauna.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πύγαργονaddax / white-rump antelopeAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationπύγαργος: lit. 'white-rump' (πυγή + ἀργός); a species of antelope; renders דִּישֹׁן.
ὄρυγαoryxAccusativeaccusative (list item, asyndeton)→ object specificationὄρυξ (acc. ὄρυγα): 'oryx / a large antelope'; renders תְּאוֹ; here joined asyndetically (no καί) before the final species.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καμηλοπάρδαλινgiraffeAccusativeaccusative (final list item)→ object specificationκαμηλοπάρδαλις: lit. 'camel-leopard' (κάμηλος + πάρδαλις) = 'giraffe'; renders זָמֶר; a vivid Hellenistic identification of an exotic ruminant, closing the list of clean wild game.
6
πᾶν κτῆνος διχηλοῦν ὁπλὴν καὶ ὀνυχιστῆρας ὀνυχίζον δύο χηλῶν καὶ ἀνάγον μηρυκισμὸν ἐν τοῖς κτήνεσιν, ταῦτα φάγεσθε.
Every animal that parts the hoof and divides into two claws of cloven hooves and brings up the cud among the animals, these you shall eat.
v. 6 states the positive zoological criterion: an animal is clean if it both (a) parts the hoof into two cloven claws (διχηλοῦν … ὀνυχίζον δύο χηλῶν) and (b) chews the cud (ἀνάγον μηρυκισμόν). The double test (cloven hoof + rumination), drawn from Lev 11:3, governs the exclusions of vv. 7–8. The three participles (διχηλοῦν, ὀνυχίζον, ἀνάγον) all agree with κτῆνος.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
πᾶνeveryAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying κτῆνος)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'every'; the universal sets up the defining criterion that follows.
κτῆνοςanimal / beastAccusativehead noun (resumed by ταῦτα; object of φάγεσθε)→ object specificationκτῆνος: 'beast / domestic animal'; renders בְּהֵמָה; here generalized to any land quadruped meeting the criteria.
διχηλοῦνparting the hoofPres Act Part · Neut Acc Sg · διχηλέωattributive participle (modifying κτῆνος; first criterion)→ characterizing present participle (habitual physical trait)διχηλέω: 'have a divided/cloven hoof' (δίχα + ὁπλή); renders Hebrew מַפְרֶסֶת פַּרְסָה; the first member of the clean-animal test; the participle describes a permanent anatomical trait.
ὁπλὴνhoofAccusativedirect object of διχηλοῦν→ object specificationὁπλή: 'hoof'; renders פַּרְסָה; the object of the hoof-dividing test.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking criteria)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀνυχιστῆραςclaws / hoof-divisionsAccusativedirect object of ὀνυχίζον→ object specificationὀνυχιστήρ: 'claw / dew-claw / division of the hoof'; a rare term cognate with ὄνυξ ('nail'); denotes the cleft sections of a cloven hoof.
ὀνυχίζονdividing into clawsPres Act Part · Neut Acc Sg · ὀνυχίζωattributive participle (modifying κτῆνος; elaborating the hoof criterion)→ characterizing present participle (habitual physical trait)ὀνυχίζω: 'divide the hoof / cut into claws' (from ὄνυξ); the participle specifies that the cleft must be complete — split into two distinct claws.
δύοtwoGenitivenumeral (modifying χηλῶν: 'two cloven parts')→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; indeclinable numeral; specifies the two-fold cleft of the qualifying hoof.
χηλῶνof cloven hoovesGenitivegenitive of material/quality (with δύο: 'of two hooves')→ relational specificationχηλή: 'cloven hoof / talon'; renders שֶׁסַע פְּרָסֹת; δύο χηλῶν = 'into two cloven parts', completing the hoof-test.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking second criterion)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνάγονbringing upPres Act Part · Neut Acc Sg · ἀνάγωattributive participle (modifying κτῆνος; second criterion: rumination)→ characterizing present participle (habitual physical trait)ἀνάγω: 'bring up / lead up'; ἀνάγειν μηρυκισμόν = 'bring up the cud', i.e., ruminate; renders Hebrew מַעֲלַת גֵּרָה; the second member of the clean-animal test.
μηρυκισμὸνcudAccusativedirect object of ἀνάγον→ object specificationμηρυκισμός: 'rumination / cud'; renders גֵּרָה; the regurgitated food that the clean animal chews; the diagnostic mark of a ruminant.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (partitive: 'among the animals')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: here partitive/locative, 'among'; specifies the class within which the criterion operates.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with κτήνεσιν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτήνεσινanimalsDativedative governed by ἐν (partitive)→ sphere or referenceκτῆνος (dat. pl. κτήνεσιν): 'beasts'; the class of quadrupeds among which the test is applied.
ταῦταtheseAccusativeresumptive demonstrative (object of φάγεσθε, resuming πᾶν κτῆνος)→ object specificationοὗτος: the resumptive ταῦτα gathers up the qualifying animals as the object of the permission.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (permissive future)→ permissive future ('these you may eat')ἐσθίω (fut. mid.): the permission concluding the positive criterion.
7
καὶ ταῦτα οὐ φάγεσθε ἀπὸ τῶν ἀναγόντων μηρυκισμὸν καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν διχηλούντων τὰς ὁπλὰς καὶ ὀνυχιζόντων ὀνυχιστῆρας· τὸν κάμηλον καὶ δασύποδα καὶ χοιρογρύλλιον, ὅτι ἀνάγουσιν μηρυκισμὸν καὶ ὁπλὴν οὐ διχηλοῦσιν, ἀκάθαρτα ταῦτα ὑμῖν ἐστιν·
But these you shall not eat from among those that bring up the cud and from those that part the hooves and divide into claws: the camel and the hare and the rock-badger, because they bring up the cud but do not part the hoof — these are unclean for you.
The criterion of v. 6 is applied negatively: animals that meet only one of the two tests are unclean. Camel, hare, and rock-badger chew the cud but lack the cloven hoof, and so are excluded. The clause ἀκάθαρτα ταῦτα ὑμῖν ἐστιν ('these are unclean for you') is the recurring verdict-formula of the chapter (vv. 7, 8, 10, 19).
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶand / butcoordinate conjunction (adversative shift to exclusions)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here mildly adversative, marking the turn from permitted to forbidden.
ταῦταtheseAccusativefronted demonstrative object of φάγεσθε→ object specificationοὗτος: cataphoric, pointing to the camel/hare/badger named below.
οὐnotnegative particle (prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (prohibition)→ prohibitive futureἐσθίω (fut. mid.): the food-law verb, now negated.
ἀπὸfrom amongpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: partitive 'from among'; introduces the categories from which the named exceptions are drawn.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀναγόντωνthose bringing upPres Act Part · Masc Gen Pl · ἀνάγωsubstantival participle (genitive: 'those that ruminate')→ characterizing present participleἀνάγω: 'bring up (the cud)'; the substantival participle τῶν ἀναγόντων μηρυκισμόν = 'the ruminants'.
μηρυκισμὸνcudAccusativedirect object of ἀναγόντων→ object specificationμηρυκισμός: 'cud'; see v. 6.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπὸfrom amongpreposition + genitive (partitive, second category)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive, second category).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διχηλούντωνthose parting the hoofPres Act Part · Masc Gen Pl · διχηλέωsubstantival participle (genitive)→ characterizing present participleδιχηλέω: 'part the hoof'; the participle names the cloven-hoofed category.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with ὁπλὰς)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁπλὰςhoovesAccusativedirect object of διχηλούντων→ object specificationὁπλή (acc. pl. ὁπλάς): 'hooves'; the object of the hoof-parting.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀνυχιζόντωνdividing into clawsPres Act Part · Masc Gen Pl · ὀνυχίζωsubstantival participle (genitive, parallel to διχηλούντων)→ characterizing present participleὀνυχίζω: 'divide into claws'; parallels διχηλέω in defining the qualifying hoof.
ὀνυχιστῆραςclawsAccusativedirect object of ὀνυχιζόντων→ object specificationὀνυχιστήρ: 'claw / hoof-division'; see v. 6.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with κάμηλον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κάμηλονcamelAccusativeaccusative in apposition to ταῦτα (first excluded animal)→ object specificationκάμηλος: 'camel'; renders גָּמָל; unclean because it ruminates but lacks a true cloven hoof.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δασύποδαhareAccusativeaccusative in apposition to ταῦτα (second excluded animal)→ object specificationδασύπους (acc. δασύποδα): lit. 'rough-foot' (δασύς + πούς) = 'hare'; renders אַרְנֶבֶת; unclean by the same criterion.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
χοιρογρύλλιονrock-badger / coneyAccusativeaccusative in apposition to ταῦτα (third excluded animal)→ object specificationχοιρογρύλλιον: 'rock-badger / hyrax / coney' (lit. a 'pig-cricket', a fanciful compound); renders שָׁפָן; the third ruminant-but-not-cloven animal.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (grounding the exclusion)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; gives the zoological reason — these fail the second half of the test.
ἀνάγουσινthey bring upPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀνάγωverb of causal clause (positive trait conceded)→ gnomic present (general characteristic)ἀνάγω: 'bring up (the cud)'; concedes that these animals do ruminate.
μηρυκισμὸνcudAccusativedirect object of ἀνάγουσιν→ object specificationμηρυκισμός: 'cud'; see above.
καὶbutadversative conjunction (contrasting the failed trait)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative, 'but'; introduces the disqualifying lack.
ὁπλὴνhoofAccusativefronted direct object of διχηλοῦσιν→ object specificationὁπλή: 'hoof'; the fronted object stresses the decisive missing trait.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διχηλοῦσινthey part the hoofPres Act Indic 3 Pl · διχηλέωverb of causal clause (negated trait: the disqualifier)→ gnomic present (general characteristic)διχηλέω: 'part the hoof'; its negation is the ground of the verdict 'unclean'.
ἀκάθαρταuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἐστιν)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean / impure'; renders טָמֵא; the ritual verdict that bars an animal from Israel's table; the recurring formula of the chapter.
ταῦταtheseNominativesubject of ἐστιν→ participant prominenceοὗτος: resumes the camel/hare/badger.
ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of reference ('unclean for you')→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): the dative of reference makes the uncleanness Israel-specific — a covenant distinction, not a universal one.
ἐστινis / arePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (with neuter plural subject ταῦτα, singular verb per Greek rule)→ stative present (categorical verdict)εἰμί: the copula in the verdict-formula; the neuter-plural subject ταῦτα takes a singular verb (a regular Greek concord).
8
καὶ τὸν ὗν, ὅτι διχηλεῖ ὁπλὴν τοῦτο καὶ ὀνυχίζει ὄνυχας ὁπλῆς, καὶ τοῦτο μηρυκισμὸν οὐ μαρυκᾶται, ἀκάθαρτον τοῦτο ὑμῖν· ἀπὸ τῶν κρεῶν αὐτῶν οὐ φάγεσθε καὶ τῶν θνησιμαίων αὐτῶν οὐχ ἅψεσθε.
And the swine, because it parts the hoof and divides the claws of the hoof, yet this one does not chew the cud — it is unclean for you. From their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch.
The swine is the mirror-image of v. 7's animals: it has the cloven hoof but does not ruminate, and so fails the test from the opposite direction. The clause adds the touch-prohibition (οὐχ ἅψεσθε) for carcasses, extending uncleanness beyond eating to contact (cf. Lev 11:8). The pig becomes the paradigmatic unclean animal in later Judaism (cf. Isa 65:4; 2 Macc 6:18–20; Mark 5:11–13).
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (continuing exclusions)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ὗν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὗνswine / pigAccusativeaccusative (continuing the list of forbidden animals)→ object specificationὗς (acc. ὗν): 'swine / pig'; renders חֲזִיר; the archetypal unclean animal of Israelite law — cloven-hoofed but non-ruminant.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (introducing the zoological explanation)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the reason the swine is unclean despite its cloven hoof.
διχηλεῖit parts the hoofPres Act Indic 3 Sg · διχηλέωverb of causal clause (positive trait conceded)→ gnomic present (general characteristic)διχηλέω: 'part the hoof'; concedes the swine meets the first criterion.
ὁπλὴνhoofAccusativedirect object of διχηλεῖ→ object specificationὁπλή: 'hoof'.
τοῦτοthis oneNominativedemonstrative subject (resuming ὗν)→ participant referenceοὗτος: the neuter τοῦτο agrees ad sensum with the animal; subject of the verbs.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀνυχίζειit divides the clawsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀνυχίζωverb (parallel to διχηλεῖ: elaborating the hoof trait)→ gnomic present (general characteristic)ὀνυχίζω: 'divide into claws'; reinforces that the swine's hoof is fully cloven.
ὄνυχαςclawsAccusativedirect object of ὀνυχίζει→ object specificationὄνυξ (acc. pl. ὄνυχας): 'nail / claw / hoof-division'; the cleft claws of the hoof.
ὁπλῆςof the hoofGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ὄνυχας: 'claws of the hoof')→ relational specificationὁπλή (gen. ὁπλῆς): 'hoof'; the cleft claws belong to the hoof.
καὶbutadversative conjunction (introducing the disqualifying trait)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative, 'but / yet'; marks the contrast with the failed second criterion.
τοῦτοthis oneNominativedemonstrative subject (resuming the swine)→ participant referenceοὗτος: subject of μαρυκᾶται.
μηρυκισμὸνcudAccusativefronted direct object of μαρυκᾶται→ object specificationμηρυκισμός: 'cud'; fronted to stress the decisive lack.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μαρυκᾶταιit chews the cudPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · μαρυκάομαιverb of clause (negated trait: the disqualifier)→ gnomic present (general characteristic)μαρυκάομαι: 'chew the cud / ruminate' (a by-form of μηρυκάομαι); its negation disqualifies the swine; renders Hebrew לֹא יִגַּר.
ἀκάθαρτονuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with implied ἐστιν)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean'; the verdict, here in the neuter singular agreeing with τοῦτο (the swine).
τοῦτοthis oneNominativesubject (of the verdict, copula elided)→ participant referenceοὗτος: the swine as subject of the verdict-formula.
ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of reference ('unclean for you')→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): the covenant-specific reference, as in v. 7.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (partitive/source)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive/source).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with κρεῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κρεῶνflesh / meatGenitivegenitive governed by ἀπό (partitive: source of forbidden food)→ relational specificationκρέας (gen. pl. κρεῶν): 'flesh / meat'; renders בָּשָׂר; the meat of the unclean animals.
αὐτῶνof themGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying κρεῶν)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl.): refers to the unclean animals (camel, hare, badger, swine).
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (eating prohibition)→ prohibitive futureἐσθίω (fut. mid.): the eating prohibition.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with θνησιμαίων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θνησιμαίωνcarcassesGenitivegenitive object of ἅψεσθε (touch-prohibition)→ relational specificationθνησιμαῖον: 'carcass / dead body (of an animal)'; renders נְבֵלָה; ἅπτομαι governs the genitive; touching the carcass of an unclean animal conveys impurity (Lev 11:8).
αὐτῶνof themGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θνησιμαίων)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'of them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying θνησιμαίων).
οὐχnotnegative particle (aspirated before vowel)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐχ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἅψεσθεyou shall touchFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἅπτομαιmain verb (touch-prohibition, governing genitive)→ prohibitive futureἅπτομαι: 'touch / lay hold of' (+ genitive); renders נגע; extends the uncleanness from eating to physical contact with the carcass.
9
καὶ ταῦτα φάγεσθε ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἐν τοῖς ὕδασιν· πάντα ὅσα ἐστὶν ἐν αὐτοῖς πτερύγια καὶ λεπίδες φάγεσθε.
And these you shall eat of all that are in the waters: all that have fins and scales in them you shall eat.
The code turns from land animals to water creatures. The single positive criterion is πτερύγια καὶ λεπίδες ('fins and scales'); whatever has both may be eaten (cf. Lev 11:9). The two-fold test parallels the land-animal criterion of v. 6 in structure.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (new sub-section)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ταῦταtheseAccusativefronted demonstrative object of φάγεσθε→ object specificationοὗτος: cataphoric, pointing to the fins-and-scales creatures defined below.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (permissive future)→ permissive futureἐσθίω (fut. mid.): the permission verb opening the fish category.
ἀπὸof / from amongpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: partitive 'from among (all the water creatures)'.
πάντωνallGenitivesubstantival adjective (genitive: 'all that are in the waters')→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the whole class of aquatic creatures.
τῶνthe (things)Genitivearticle (governing the prepositional phrase ἐν τοῖς ὕδασιν)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: the article substantivizes 'those in the waters'.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ὕδασιν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδασινwatersDativedative governed by ἐν (locative)→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ (dat. pl. ὕδασιν): 'water(s)'; renders מַיִם; the aquatic domain (seas and rivers).
πάνταallAccusativesubstantival adjective (object of the second φάγεσθε)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all (creatures)'; the antecedent of the relative ὅσα.
ὅσαas many as / whateverNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐστὶν)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much/many as'; introduces the defining clause 'whatever has fins and scales'.
ἐστὶνis / arePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (existential: 'on which there are')→ stative presentεἰμί: here in the existential sense 'there are (fins and scales) on them'; neuter-plural subject πτερύγια takes the singular ἐστίν per Greek concord.
ἐνin / onpreposition + dative (location: 'on them')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location: 'on them').
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative governed by ἐν (referring to the water creatures)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. pl.): refers to the aquatic creatures bearing the fins and scales.
πτερύγιαfinsNominativesubject of ἐστὶν (first criterion)→ participant prominenceπτερύγιον: 'fin' (dim. of πτέρυξ, 'wing'); renders סְנַפִּיר; the first mark of clean fish.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the two criteria)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λεπίδεςscalesNominativesubject of ἐστὶν (second criterion)→ participant prominenceλεπίς: 'scale / flake'; renders קַשְׂקֶשֶׂת; the second mark of clean fish.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (resumptive permission)→ permissive futureἐσθίω (fut. mid.): the permission repeated to close the clause — 'these you may eat'.
10
καὶ πάντα ὅσα οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῖς πτερύγια καὶ λεπίδες οὐ φάγεσθε· ἀκάθαρτα ὑμῖν ἐστιν.
And whatever does not have fins and scales you shall not eat; they are unclean for you.
The negative counterpart of v. 9: aquatic creatures without both fins and scales (shellfish, eels, etc.) are forbidden. The verdict-formula ἀκάθαρτα ὑμῖν ἐστιν matches vv. 7 and 19, binding the sub-sections together.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (adversative turn to exclusion)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταall / whateverAccusativesubstantival adjective (object of φάγεσθε; antecedent of ὅσα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the whole class lacking the criteria.
ὅσαwhateverNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἔστιν)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as / whatever'; introduces the defining negative clause.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἔστιν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστινis / arePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (existential, negated)→ stative presentεἰμί: existential 'there is/are not'; the accented ἔστιν at clause-head emphasizes the absence.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of possession ('which have no fins and scales')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. pl.): the dative of possession with εἰμί — 'to which there are no fins and scales'.
πτερύγιαfinsNominativesubject of ἔστιν→ participant prominenceπτερύγιον: 'fin'; see v. 9.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λεπίδεςscalesNominativesubject of ἔστιν (coordinate with πτερύγια)→ participant prominenceλεπίς: 'scale'; see v. 9.
οὐnotnegative particle (with φάγεσθε)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (prohibition)→ prohibitive futureἐσθίω (fut. mid.): the prohibition on finless/scaleless water creatures.
ἀκάθαρταuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἐστιν)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean'; the verdict-formula, neuter plural.
ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): covenant-specific reference, as in v. 7.
ἐστινis / arePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (verdict-formula; singular verb with neuter-plural subject)→ stative present (categorical verdict)εἰμί: the verdict copula; neuter-plural ἀκάθαρτα takes singular ἐστιν per Greek concord.
11
πᾶν ὄρνεον καθαρὸν φάγεσθε.
Every clean bird you shall eat.
Unlike the land animals and fish, the bird category is defined not by a physiological criterion but by a list (vv. 12–18). v. 11 gives the positive heading — every clean bird may be eaten — before the list of forbidden species; v. 20 will restate the permission after the list.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
πᾶνeveryAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ὄρνεον)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'every'; the universal permission, qualified by καθαρόν.
ὄρνεονbirdAccusativedirect object of φάγεσθε→ object specificationὄρνεον: 'bird / fowl'; renders עוֹף; the category term for the avian sub-section.
καθαρὸνcleanAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ὄρνεον)→ object specificationκαθαρός: 'clean / pure'; renders טָהוֹר; the positive counterpart to ἀκάθαρτος; defines the permitted birds by exclusion of the list in vv. 12–18.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (permissive future)→ permissive futureἐσθίω (fut. mid.): the permission for clean birds.
12
καὶ ταῦτα οὐ φάγεσθε ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν· τὸν ἀετὸν καὶ τὸν γρύπα καὶ τὸν ἁλιαίετον
And these you shall not eat from among them: the eagle and the griffon-vulture and the sea-eagle,
The catalogue of unclean birds opens. The species are largely raptors and carrion-eaters — birds of prey associated with death and uncleanness. The Greek names render an obscure Hebrew list (cf. Lev 11:13–19); several identifications are uncertain. The list runs in articular accusatives governed by the prohibition of v. 12a.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (adversative turn to the forbidden list)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ταῦταtheseAccusativefronted demonstrative object of φάγεσθε→ object specificationοὗτος: cataphoric, pointing to the bird-list that follows.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (prohibition governing the list)→ prohibitive futureἐσθίω (fut. mid.): the prohibition heading the bird-list.
ἀπ᾽from amongpreposition + genitive (partitive, elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό (ἀπ᾽): partitive 'from among (the birds)'.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive governed by ἀπ᾽ (the birds in general)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl.): refers to birds as a class.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ἀετὸν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀετὸνeagleAccusativeaccusative in apposition to ταῦτα (first forbidden bird)→ object specificationἀετός: 'eagle'; renders נֶשֶׁר; a great raptor heading the list of unclean birds.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with γρύπα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γρύπαgriffon-vultureAccusativeaccusative (second forbidden bird)→ object specificationγρύψ (acc. γρύπα): 'griffon-vulture / griffin'; renders פֶּרֶס ('bearded vulture'); a large carrion-eating raptor.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ἁλιαίετον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁλιαίετονsea-eagle / ospreyAccusativeaccusative (third forbidden bird)→ object specificationἁλιαίετος: lit. 'sea-eagle' (ἅλς + ἀετός) = osprey; renders עָזְנִיָּה; a fish-eating raptor.
13
καὶ τὸν γύπα καὶ τὸν ἰκτῖνα καὶ τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ
and the vulture and the kite and the things like it,
The list continues with two more raptors and a generalizing clause τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ ('the things like it'), which extends the prohibition to related species and recurs at vv. 14, 17, 18 — a legal device covering kinds not separately named.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with γύπα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γύπαvultureAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationγύψ (acc. γύπα): 'vulture'; renders רָאָה / דָּאָה; another carrion-eating raptor.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ἰκτῖνα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἰκτῖναkiteAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationἰκτῖνος (acc. ἰκτῖνα): 'kite'; renders אַיָּה; a bird of prey.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὅμοια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅμοιαthings likeAccusativesubstantival adjective (generalizing clause: 'the kinds like it')→ object specificationὅμοιος: 'like / similar'; τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ ('the things like it') renders Hebrew לְמִינָהּ ('according to its kind'), extending the prohibition to cognate species.
αὐτῷto itDativedative with ὅμοια ('like it')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. sg.): the dative complement of ὅμοιος — 'like it (the kite)'.
14
καὶ πάντα κόρακα καὶ τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ
and every raven and the things like it,
The raven and its kind. πάντα κόρακα ('every raven') with the generalizing τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ covers the whole corvid family. The raven, a carrion bird, is the unclean bird par excellence (cf. the contrast with the dove at Gen 8:7–11).
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταeveryAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying κόρακα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'every'; covers the whole raven family.
κόρακαravenAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationκόραξ (acc. κόρακα): 'raven / crow'; renders עֹרֵב; a carrion-eating corvid; cf. Gen 8:7; the only NT occurrence at Luke 12:24.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὅμοια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅμοιαthings likeAccusativesubstantival adjective (generalizing clause)→ object specificationὅμοιος: 'like'; τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ extends the ban to all corvids (Hebrew לְמִינוֹ).
αὐτῷto itDativedative with ὅμοια→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. sg.): 'like it (the raven)'.
15
καὶ στρουθὸν καὶ γλαῦκα καὶ λάρον
and the ostrich and the owl and the gull,
Three more unclean birds — the ostrich, the owl, and the gull/cormorant — continuing the catalogue. The Hebrew underlying these (יַעֲנָה, תַּחְמָס, שַׁחַף) is uncertain, and the Greek identifications are approximate.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
στρουθὸνostrichAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationστρουθός: 'large bird / ostrich' (also 'sparrow'); here for Hebrew בַּת הַיַּעֲנָה ('ostrich'), a desert bird associated with desolation (cf. Isa 13:21).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γλαῦκαowlAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationγλαύξ (acc. γλαῦκα): 'owl / little owl'; renders תַּחְמָס; a nocturnal bird, the classical bird of Athena.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λάρονgull / sea-birdAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationλάρος: 'gull / cormorant / sea-mew'; renders שַׁחַף; a fish-eating sea-bird.
16
καὶ ἐρωδιὸν καὶ κύκνον καὶ ἶβιν
and the heron and the swan and the ibis,
Three water-associated birds — heron, swan, and ibis. The ibis (ἶβις) is notable as a bird sacred in Egyptian religion, an extra reason for its exclusion from Israel's table; the Hebrew terms (כּוֹס, יַנְשׁוּף, תִּנְשֶׁמֶת) are variously rendered across the versions.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐρωδιὸνheronAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationἐρωδιός: 'heron'; a long-legged wading bird; renders one of the marsh-birds of the Hebrew list.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κύκνονswanAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationκύκνος: 'swan'; renders תִּנְשֶׁמֶת (variously 'water-hen / swan / barn-owl'); a large water-bird.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἶβινibisAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationἶβις (acc. ἶβιν): 'ibis'; a wading marsh-bird sacred in Egypt (associated with Thoth); renders יַנְשׁוּף; its inclusion underscores Israel's separation from Egyptian cultic fauna.
17
καὶ καταράκτην καὶ ἱέρακα καὶ τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ καὶ ἔποπα καὶ νυκτικόρακα
and the cormorant and the hawk and the things like it, and the hoopoe and the night-raven,
More unclean birds: the diving cormorant, the hawk (with its generalizing 'kinds like it'), the hoopoe, and the night-raven (owl). The recurrence of τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ after ἱέρακα again widens the ban to the whole hawk family.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταράκτηνcormorant / diving-birdAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationκαταρράκτης: lit. 'one that rushes down' (from καταράσσω); a plunge-diving sea-bird (cormorant/gannet); renders שָׁלָךְ ('the plunger', a fishing bird).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἱέρακαhawkAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationἱέραξ (acc. ἱέρακα): 'hawk / falcon'; renders נֵץ; a small raptor.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὅμοια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅμοιαthings likeAccusativesubstantival adjective (generalizing clause: kinds of hawk)→ object specificationὅμοιος: 'like'; τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ extends the ban to all hawks (Hebrew לְמִינֵהוּ).
αὐτῷto itDativedative with ὅμοια ('like it', the hawk)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. sg.): 'like it (the hawk)'.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔποπαhoopoeAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationἔποψ (acc. ἔποπα): 'hoopoe'; a crested bird with a long curved bill; renders דּוּכִיפַת.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νυκτικόρακαnight-raven / owlAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationνυκτικόραξ (acc. νυκτικόρακα): lit. 'night-raven' (νύξ + κόραξ) = an owl or nightjar; renders כּוֹס; a nocturnal bird of waste places (cf. Ps 101:7 LXX).
18
καὶ πελεκᾶνα καὶ χαραδριὸν καὶ τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ καὶ πορφυρίωνα καὶ νυκτερίδα.
and the pelican and the plover and the things like it, and the purple swamphen and the bat.
The list closes with the pelican, the plover (with its 'kinds like it'), the purple swamphen, and the bat. The bat (νυκτερίς), though a mammal, is grouped with the birds as a flying creature, as in Lev 11:19 — reflecting a folk-taxonomy by mode of locomotion rather than by zoological class.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πελεκᾶναpelicanAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationπελεκάν (acc. πελεκᾶνα): 'pelican'; renders קָאַת; a large fish-eating water-bird of desolate places (cf. Ps 101:7 LXX, 'pelican of the wilderness').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
χαραδριὸνplover / stone-curlewAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationχαραδριός: 'plover / stone-curlew'; a bird dwelling in clefts and ravines (χαράδρα); renders אֲנָפָה ('heron') in some traditions.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὅμοια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅμοιαthings likeAccusativesubstantival adjective (generalizing clause)→ object specificationὅμοιος: 'like'; the fourth occurrence of τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ, extending the ban to the plover's kind (Hebrew לְמִינָהּ).
αὐτῷto itDativedative with ὅμοια→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. sg.): 'like it (the plover)'.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πορφυρίωναpurple swamphen / cootAccusativeaccusative (list item)→ object specificationπορφυρίων (acc. πορφυρίωνα): 'purple swamphen / purple gallinule'; a brightly colored marsh-bird; renders one of the water-birds of the Hebrew list.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νυκτερίδαbatAccusativeaccusative (final list item)→ object specificationνυκτερίς (acc. νυκτερίδα): 'bat'; renders עֲטַלֵּף; a mammal classed with the birds by its mode of flight (cf. Lev 11:19); closes the unclean-bird catalogue.
19
πάντα τὰ ἑρπετὰ τῶν πετεινῶν ἀκάθαρτα ταῦτά ἐστιν ὑμῖν· οὐ φάγεσθε ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν.
All the swarming things of the winged creatures are unclean for you; you shall not eat of them.
A blanket verdict on the ἑρπετὰ τῶν πετεινῶν ('swarming/creeping things of the air') — the winged insects and small flying creatures (cf. Lev 11:20–23). The recurring verdict-formula ἀκάθαρτα ταῦτά ἐστιν ὑμῖν closes the negative side of the bird-section before the positive restatement of v. 20.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
πάνταallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἑρπετὰ)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the comprehensive verdict on winged swarming creatures.
τὰtheNominativearticle (with ἑρπετὰ)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑρπετὰswarming / creeping thingsNominativesubject of ἐστιν→ participant prominenceἑρπετόν: 'creeping/swarming thing'; renders שֶׁרֶץ; here ἑρπετὰ τῶν πετεινῶν = the winged swarming things (flying insects), declared unclean as a class (cf. Lev 11:20).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with πετεινῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πετεινῶνwinged / flying creaturesGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ἑρπετὰ: 'swarming things of the winged kind')→ relational specificationπετεινόν: 'winged creature / flying thing'; renders עוֹף; the genitive defines the swarming things as those that fly.
ἀκάθαρταuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἐστιν)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean'; the verdict on the whole class.
ταῦτάtheseNominativedemonstrative (resumptive subject, agreeing with ἑρπετὰ)→ participant prominenceοὗτος: resumes the swarming things as subject of the verdict.
ἐστινis / arePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (verdict-formula; singular with neuter-plural subject)→ stative present (categorical verdict)εἰμί: the verdict copula; neuter-plural subject takes singular ἐστιν.
ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): covenant-specific reference.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (prohibition)→ prohibitive futureἐσθίω (fut. mid.): the prohibition on the winged swarming things.
ἀπ᾽of / frompreposition + genitive (partitive, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό (ἀπ᾽): partitive 'of them'.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive governed by ἀπ᾽→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl.): refers to the swarming winged things.
20
πᾶν πετεινὸν καθαρὸν φάγεσθε.
Every clean winged creature you shall eat.
A near-verbatim restatement of v. 11 (with πετεινόν for ὄρνεον), forming an inclusio around the forbidden-bird list (vv. 12–19): the list is bracketed by the twin permissions of clean birds. The structure mirrors the land-animal and fish sections in moving from criterion/list to permitted verdict.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
πᾶνeveryAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying πετεινὸν)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'every'; the universal permission for clean fowl.
πετεινὸνwinged creature / fowlAccusativedirect object of φάγεσθε→ object specificationπετεινόν: 'winged creature / bird'; renders עוֹף; here synonymous with ὄρνεον of v. 11.
καθαρὸνcleanAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying πετεινὸν)→ object specificationκαθαρός: 'clean'; the permitted birds, defined by exclusion of the foregoing list.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (permissive future)→ permissive futureἐσθίω (fut. mid.): the closing permission of the avian section.
21
πᾶν θνησιμαῖον οὐ φάγεσθε· τῷ παροίκῳ τῷ ἐν ταῖς πόλεσίν σου δοθήσεται, καὶ φάγεται, ἢ ἀποδώσῃ τῷ ἀλλοτρίῳ· ὅτι λαὸς ἅγιος εἶ κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ σου. οὐχ ἑψήσεις ἄρνα ἐν γάλακτι μητρὸς αὐτοῦ.
You shall not eat any carcass; to the sojourner who is in your towns it shall be given, and he shall eat it, or you shall sell it to a foreigner; for you are a holy people to the LORD your God. You shall not boil a lamb in its mother's milk.
Two final dietary rules close the unit. (1) The carcass (an animal not ritually slaughtered) may not be eaten by Israel but may be given to the resident alien or sold to a foreigner — a gradation reflecting Israel's distinctive holiness, restated in the formula λαὸς ἅγιος εἶ (cf. v. 2). (2) The apodictic οὐχ ἑψήσεις ἄρνα ἐν γάλακτι μητρὸς αὐτοῦ ('you shall not boil a lamb in its mother's milk'; cf. Exod 23:19; 34:26) — a prohibition of a (probably Canaanite cultic) practice, later the foundation of the rabbinic separation of meat and milk.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
πᾶνanyAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying θνησιμαῖον)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'any'; with the negative, absolute.
θνησιμαῖονcarcassAccusativedirect object of φάγεσθε→ object specificationθνησιμαῖον: 'that which dies of itself / carcass'; renders נְבֵלָה; an animal not ritually slaughtered, whose blood was not drained; forbidden to Israel (cf. Lev 17:15).
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (prohibition)→ prohibitive futureἐσθίω (fut. mid.): the carcass prohibition.
τῷtheDativearticle (with παροίκῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παροίκῳsojourner / resident alienDativedative of recipient (indirect object of δοθήσεται)→ sphere or referenceπάροικος: 'sojourner / resident alien'; renders גֵּר; one dwelling among Israel but not of the covenant people; not bound by the carcass prohibition and so a permitted recipient.
τῷtheDativearticle (attributive, governing ἐν ταῖς πόλεσίν σου)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ταῖςtheDativearticle (with πόλεσίν)→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεσίνtowns / citiesDativedative governed by ἐν (locative)→ sphere or referenceπόλις (dat. pl. πόλεσιν): 'city / town'; renders שַׁעַר ('gate') in the Deuteronomic idiom 'within your gates' = your settlements.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying πόλεσίν)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying πόλεσίν).
δοθήσεταιit shall be givenFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (passive: the carcass given to the sojourner)→ predictive/permissive future (allowed disposal)δίδωμι (fut. pass.): 'be given'; the passive permits charitable disposal of the carcass to the resident alien.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγεταιhe shall eatFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (the sojourner eats)→ permissive futureἐσθίω (fut. mid. 3 sg.): the sojourner may eat what Israel may not — a marker of the covenant distinction.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction (alternative disposal)→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; introduces the alternative — selling rather than giving.
ἀποδώσῃyou shall sellFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἀποδίδωμιmain verb (alternative: sell to a foreigner)→ permissive future (allowed alternative)ἀποδίδωμι (fut. mid. 2 sg.): 'give back / sell'; here 'sell' (the middle adds the commercial sense); renders מכר; the second permitted means of disposing of the carcass.
τῷtheDativearticle (with ἀλλοτρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοτρίῳforeigner / strangerDativedative of recipient (indirect object of ἀποδώσῃ)→ sphere or referenceἀλλότριος: 'belonging to another / foreigner'; renders נָכְרִי; the non-resident outsider (distinct from the πάροικος/גֵּר), to whom the carcass may be sold.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction (grounding the carcass rule in holiness)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the holiness rationale, echoing v. 2.
λαὸςa peopleNominativepredicate nominative (with εἶ)→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; λαὸς ἅγιος repeats the designation of v. 2, framing the food laws within Israel's holiness.
ἅγιοςholyNominativepredicate adjective (modifying λαὸς)→ participant prominenceἅγιος: 'holy'; the recurring ground of dietary distinction (cf. v. 2).
εἶyou arePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίcopula (2nd singular, addressing Israel)→ stative present (settled covenant status)εἰμί: the copula of the holiness-formula, identical to v. 2.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of relation ('holy to the LORD')→ sphere or referenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; Israel is consecrated to YHWH.
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: 'God'; the covenant designation κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ σου.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θεῷ)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying θεῷ).
οὐχnotnegative particle (aspirated before rough breathing)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐχ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἑψήσειςyou shall boilFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἕψωmain verb (apodictic prohibition)→ prohibitive future (binding ritual proscription)ἕψω: 'boil / cook'; renders בשׁל (Piel); the prohibition οὐχ ἑψήσεις ἄρνα ἐν γάλακτι μητρὸς αὐτοῦ recurs at Exod 23:19; 34:26 — most likely forbidding a Canaanite fertility-cult practice; the basis of the later rabbinic separation of meat and dairy.
ἄρναlambAccusativedirect object of ἑψήσεις→ object specificationἀρήν (acc. ἄρνα): 'lamb / young of the flock'; renders גְּדִי ('kid'); the young animal not to be cooked in its own mother's milk.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (instrument/medium)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrument/medium).
γάλακτιmilkDativedative governed by ἐν (medium of boiling)→ sphere or referenceγάλα (dat. γάλακτι): 'milk'; renders חָלָב; the medium in which the lamb is not to be cooked.
μητρὸςof motherGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying γάλακτι)→ relational specificationμήτηρ (gen. μητρός): 'mother'; the cruelty/perversion lies in using the mother's own milk to cook her young.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying μητρὸς: 'its mother')→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. sg.): 'its', referring to the lamb.
22
δεκάτην ἀποδεκατώσεις παντὸς γενήματος τοῦ σπέρματός σου, τὸ γένημα τοῦ ἀγροῦ σου ἐνιαυτὸν κατ᾽ ἐνιαυτόν,
You shall surely tithe a tenth of all the produce of your seed, the yield of your field, year by year,
The chapter's third unit opens with the cognate construction δεκάτην ἀποδεκατώσεις ('you shall surely tithe a tenth'), a Hebraism rendering the infinitive-absolute עַשֵּׂר תְּעַשֵּׂר, emphasizing the obligation. The annual tithe of agricultural produce is to be set apart 'year by year' (ἐνιαυτὸν κατ᾽ ἐνιαυτόν).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
δεκάτηνa tenth / titheAccusativecognate accusative (object of ἀποδεκατώσεις)→ object specificationδέκατος (fem. subst. δεκάτη): 'a tenth / tithe'; renders מַעֲשֵׂר; the cognate accusative with ἀποδεκατώσεις forms a figura etymologica intensifying the command.
ἀποδεκατώσειςyou shall surely titheFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀποδεκατόωmain verb (cognate-accusative construction: Hebraism)→ obligatory future (emphatic command rendering inf. absolute)ἀποδεκατόω: 'tithe / take a tenth from'; with the cognate δεκάτην it renders the Hebrew emphatic עַשֵּׂר תְּעַשֵּׂר ('you shall surely tithe'); cf. the same verb at Matt 23:23; Luke 18:12.
παντὸςall / everyGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying γενήματος)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the tithe covers the whole yield.
γενήματοςproduce / yieldGenitivegenitive governed by ἀποδεκατώσεις (partitive: tithe 'of' the produce)→ relational specificationγένημα: 'produce / crop / yield' (of the land); renders תְּבוּאָה; distinguished from γέννημα ('offspring'); the agricultural harvest subject to tithe.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with σπέρματός)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπέρματόςseedGenitivegenitive of source (the produce 'of your seed/sowing')→ relational specificationσπέρμα: 'seed / sowing'; renders זֶרַע; here the sown crop whose yield is tithed.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying σπέρματός)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying σπέρματός).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with γένημα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γένημαyield / produceAccusativeaccusative in apposition (epexegetical: 'namely the yield of your field')→ object specificationγένημα: 'produce'; the appositional accusative restates the object of tithing — the field's annual yield.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἀγροῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγροῦfieldGenitivegenitive of source (the produce 'of the field')→ relational specificationἀγρός: 'field / farmland'; renders שָׂדֶה; the source of the tithed crop.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ἀγροῦ)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying ἀγροῦ).
ἐνιαυτὸνyearAccusativeaccusative in distributive idiom ('year by year')→ object specificationἐνιαυτός: 'year'; the phrase ἐνιαυτὸν κατ᾽ ἐνιαυτόν ('year by year') renders שָׁנָה שָׁנָה, marking the tithe as a recurring annual obligation.
κατ᾽by / according topreposition + accusative (distributive, elided)→ spatial or relational framingκατά (κατ᾽): distributive 'by / each'; forms the 'year by year' idiom.
ἐνιαυτόνyearAccusativeaccusative governed by κατ᾽ (distributive)→ object specificationἐνιαυτός: 'year'; the second member of the distributive phrase.
23
καὶ φάγῃ αὐτὸ ἔναντι κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ σου ἐν τῷ τόπῳ ᾧ ἂν ἐκλέξηται κύριος ὁ θεός σου ἐπικληθῆναι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐκεῖ· οἴσετε τὰ ἐπιδέκατα τοῦ σίτου σου καὶ τοῦ οἴνου σου καὶ τοῦ ἐλαίου σου, τὰ πρωτότοκα τῶν βοῶν σου καὶ τῶν προβάτων σου, ἵνα μάθῃς φοβεῖσθαι κύριον τὸν θεόν σου πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας.
And you shall eat it before the LORD your God in the place which the LORD your God chooses to have his name invoked there; you shall bring the tithes of your grain and your wine and your oil, the firstborn of your cattle and of your sheep, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God all the days.
The festal tithe is to be consumed ἔναντι κυρίου ('before the LORD') at the central sanctuary — the place YHWH chooses 'to have his name invoked there', the Deuteronomic name-theology and centralization formula (cf. 12:5–14). The tithed items — grain, wine, oil, and the firstborn of herd and flock — are brought to the sanctuary, the whole institution aimed ἵνα μάθῃς φοβεῖσθαι κύριον ('that you may learn to fear the LORD'): tithing as formation in covenant fear.
Word-by-word analysis· 56 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγῃyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (festal consumption of the tithe)→ directive future (cultic instruction)ἐσθίω (fut. mid. 2 sg. φάγῃ): the tithe is not merely surrendered but eaten as a sacral festal meal in the LORD's presence — worship expressed through shared eating.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of φάγῃ (the tithe)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. sg. n.): refers to the tithe (δεκάτη/γένημα).
ἔναντιbefore / in the presence ofpreposition + genitive (the LORD's presence)→ spatial or relational framingἔναντι: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the tithe-meal is enacted coram Deo, at the sanctuary.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive governed by ἔναντι→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the one before whom the tithe is eaten.
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: 'God'; the covenant designation κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ σου.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θεοῦ)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying θεοῦ).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle (with τόπῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπῳplaceDativedative governed by ἐν (the chosen sanctuary)→ sphere or referenceτόπος: 'place'; renders מָקוֹם; the central place of worship that YHWH will choose (the Deuteronomic centralization, cf. 12:5).
ᾧwhichDativerelative pronoun (dative, antecedent τόπῳ)→ participant reference or interestὅς (dat. ᾧ): relative pronoun introducing the defining clause about the chosen place.
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive in relative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle marking the indefiniteness of the relative — 'whichever place'.
ἐκλέξηταιhe should chooseAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · ἐκλέγομαιverb of indefinite relative clause (subjunctive with ἄν)→ aorist subjunctive (anticipated divine choice)ἐκλέγομαι: 'choose'; the same election-verb as v. 2, now of the sanctuary site; the middle stresses YHWH's choosing for himself the place of his name.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐκλέξηται→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the chooser of the cultic place.
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: meaning 'God'; it serves as nominative in apposition to κύριος.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θεός)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying θεός).
ἐπικληθῆναιto be invoked / called uponAor Pass Inf · ἐπικαλέωinfinitive of purpose (the aim of the divine choice)→ aorist passive infinitive (the name to be set/invoked there)ἐπικαλέω (aor. pass. inf.): 'call upon / name over'; ἐπικληθῆναι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐκεῖ ('that his name be invoked/placed there') renders לְשַׁכֵּן שְׁמוֹ שָׁם — the Deuteronomic name-theology marking the chosen sanctuary.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ὄνομα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομαnameAccusativeaccusative subject of the passive infinitive ἐπικληθῆναι→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name'; renders שֵׁם; the divine Name as the mode of YHWH's presence at the sanctuary.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ὄνομα)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. sg.): 'his', referring to YHWH.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (locating the name at the sanctuary)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; renders שָׁם; pins the divine name to the chosen place.
οἴσετεyou shall bringFut Act Indic 2 Pl · φέρωmain verb (shift to plural: the community brings the tithes)→ directive future (cultic instruction)φέρω (fut. οἴσω): 'bring / carry'; the shift to 2nd plural οἴσετε generalizes the command to all Israel; the tithes are conveyed to the sanctuary.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ἐπιδέκατα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπιδέκαταtithesAccusativedirect object of οἴσετε→ object specificationἐπιδέκατον: 'tithe / tenth-part'; a synonym of δεκάτη; renders מַעֲשֵׂר; the tenth brought to the sanctuary.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with σίτου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σίτουgrain / wheatGenitivegenitive of content (tithe 'of grain')→ relational specificationσῖτος: 'grain / wheat'; renders דָּגָן; first of the agricultural triad grain-wine-oil.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with οἴνου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴνουwineGenitivegenitive of content (tithe 'of wine')→ relational specificationοἶνος: 'wine'; renders תִּירוֹשׁ; second of the triad.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἐλαίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐλαίουoilGenitivegenitive of content (tithe 'of oil')→ relational specificationἔλαιον: 'olive oil'; renders יִצְהָר; third of the agricultural triad grain-wine-oil, the staple produce of the land.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with πρωτότοκα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωτότοκαfirstbornAccusativeaccusative (second object of οἴσετε: the firstlings)→ object specificationπρωτότοκος: 'firstborn / firstling'; renders בְּכוֹר; the firstborn of the livestock, brought to the sanctuary alongside the tithe (cf. 15:19–20).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with βοῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βοῶνcattle / oxenGenitivegenitive of source (firstborn 'of the cattle')→ relational specificationβοῦς (gen. pl. βοῶν): 'cattle'; renders בָּקָר; the bovine herd.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with προβάτων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προβάτωνsheepGenitivegenitive of source (firstborn 'of the sheep')→ relational specificationπρόβατον: 'sheep'; renders צֹאן; the ovine flock.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἵναthat / so thatpurpose conjunction (introducing the goal of the tithe)→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: 'in order that'; introduces the telos of the whole tithe institution — the cultivation of covenant fear.
μάθῃςyou may learnAor Act Subj 2 Sg · μανθάνωverb of purpose clause (subjunctive with ἵνα)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (come to learn)μανθάνω: 'learn'; renders למד; the tithe-meal is pedagogical — a recurring practice that teaches the fear of YHWH; cf. the Deuteronomic emphasis on learning to fear (4:10; 17:19; 31:12–13).
φοβεῖσθαιto fearPres Mid Inf · φοβέομαιcomplementary infinitive (with μάθῃς: 'learn to fear')→ present infinitive (ongoing reverence)φοβέομαι: 'fear / reverence'; renders ירא; the 'fear of the LORD' is the central Deuteronomic disposition — awe, reverence, and covenant loyalty, not mere terror.
κύριονthe LORDAccusativedirect object of φοβεῖσθαι→ object specificationκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the object of Israel's 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: 'God'; the covenant designation κύριον τὸν θεόν σου.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θεόν)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying θεόν).
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the temporal accusative 'all the days' (= always).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with ἡμέρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of duration (extent of time: 'all the days')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ('all the days') renders כָּל הַיָּמִים, the Deuteronomic idiom for lifelong covenant fidelity.
24
ἐὰν δὲ μακρὰν γένηται ἀπὸ σοῦ ἡ ὁδὸς καὶ μὴ δύνῃ ἀναφέρειν αὐτά, ὅτι μακρὰν ἀπὸ σοῦ ὁ τόπος ὃν ἂν ἐκλέξηται κύριος ὁ θεός σου ἐπικληθῆναι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐκεῖ, ὅτι εὐλογήσει σε κύριος ὁ θεός σου,
But if the way is too far from you and you are not able to carry them, because the place which the LORD your God chooses to have his name invoked there is far from you, when the LORD your God blesses you,
A conditional case (ἐὰν δέ): if the journey to the central sanctuary is too long to transport the tithe in kind — especially when YHWH's blessing has multiplied the produce — provision is made (vv. 25–26) for converting it to silver. The clause ὅτι εὐλογήσει σε ('because/when the LORD blesses you') wryly notes that abundance itself can make transport impractical.
Word-by-word analysis· 38 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (introducing protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; with the subjunctive introduces a future-more-vivid condition; renders כִּי.
δὲbutmild adversative (post-positive: introducing the exception)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; marks the turn to the exceptional case.
μακρὰνfar / a long wayAccusativeadverbial accusative (predicate of γένηται: 'become far')→ object specificationμακρός (adv. acc. μακράν): 'far / a long way'; renders רחק; the distance making transport impractical.
γένηταιbecomes / should beAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · γίνομαιverb of protasis (subjunctive with ἐάν)→ aorist subjunctive (hypothetical case)γίνομαι: 'become'; the subjunctive in the conditional clause envisages the case of a too-distant journey.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive governed by ἀπὸ→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σοῦ): 'you'; the point from which the way is measured.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ὁδὸς)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδὸςway / road / journeyNominativesubject of γένηται→ participant prominenceὁδός: 'way / road / journey'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; the distance to the sanctuary.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining second protasis clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive in conditional)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative proper to the subjunctive mood in the conditional clause.
δύνῃyou are ablePres Mid Subj 2 Sg · δύναμαιverb of protasis (subjunctive: inability to carry)→ present subjunctive (state of inability)δύναμαι: 'be able'; renders יכל; the lack of ability to transport the tithe in kind.
ἀναφέρεινto carry up / bringPres Act Inf · ἀναφέρωcomplementary infinitive (with δύνῃ: 'able to carry')→ present infinitive (ongoing conveyance)ἀναφέρω: 'carry up / bring up'; the verb of conveying the tithe up to the sanctuary; renders נשׂא / עלה.
αὐτάthemAccusativedirect object of ἀναφέρειν (the tithes)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. n.): refers to the tithed produce.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (grounding the inability)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; explains the inability — the distance of the chosen place.
μακρὰνfarAccusativeadverbial accusative (predicate of the place: 'is far')→ object specificationμακρός (adv. acc.): 'far'; restates the distance of the sanctuary.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive governed by ἀπὸ→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive governed by ἀπὸ.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with τόπος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόποςplaceNominativesubject (the chosen place, with implied copula 'is far')→ participant prominenceτόπος: 'place'; the central sanctuary, here described as distant.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐκλέξηται, antecedent τόπος)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. ὅν): relative pronoun introducing the defining clause about the place.
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle marking indefiniteness.
ἐκλέξηταιhe should chooseAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · ἐκλέγομαιverb of indefinite relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (anticipated divine choice)ἐκλέγομαι: 'choose'; the recurring election-verb of the chosen sanctuary (cf. v. 23).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐκλέξηται→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה.
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: meaning 'God'; it serves as nominative in apposition to κύριος.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θεός)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying θεός).
ἐπικληθῆναιto be invokedAor Pass Inf · ἐπικαλέωinfinitive of purpose (the name to be invoked there)→ aorist passive infinitiveἐπικαλέω (aor. pass. inf.): 'be called upon / named'; repeats the name-theology formula of v. 23.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ὄνομα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομαnameAccusativeaccusative subject of the passive infinitive→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name'; the divine Name set at the sanctuary.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ὄνομα)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying ὄνομα).
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; locates the name at the chosen place.
ὅτιbecause / whencausal/temporal conjunction (the occasion of abundance)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / when'; here introducing the circumstance of divine blessing that occasions the abundance of produce.
εὐλογήσειwill blessFut Act Indic 3 Sg · εὐλογέωmain verb of the ὅτι-clause (future blessing)→ predictive future (assured divine blessing)εὐλογέω: 'bless'; renders ברך; the blessing that multiplies the produce — and so makes its transport impractical; the same verb closes the chapter at v. 29.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of εὐλογήσει→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σέ): the recipient of YHWH's blessing.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of εὐλογήσει→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the source of blessing.
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: meaning 'God'; it serves as nominative in apposition to κύριος.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θεός)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying θεός).
25
καὶ ἀποδώσῃ αὐτὰ ἀργυρίου καὶ λήμψῃ τὸ ἀργύριον ἐν ταῖς χερσίν σου καὶ πορεύσῃ εἰς τὸν τόπον ὃν ἂν ἐκλέξηται κύριος ὁ θεός σου αὐτόν,
then you shall exchange them for silver, and you shall take the silver in your hands and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses,
The apodosis of the condition: the tithe may be sold for silver (ἀποδώσῃ … ἀργυρίου, genitive of price), the money carried to the sanctuary. This practical accommodation preserves the requirement of central worship while easing the burden of transport — a striking instance of pragmatic flexibility within cultic law.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶand / thencoordinate conjunction (apodosis marker)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: introduces the apodosis of the condition begun in v. 24.
ἀποδώσῃyou shall exchange / sellFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἀποδίδωμιmain verb (conversion of tithe to money)→ directive future (permitted procedure)ἀποδίδωμι (fut. mid.): 'sell / exchange'; renders נתן בכסף; the tithe is converted into silver for ease of transport.
αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object of ἀποδώσῃ (the tithes)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. n.): the tithed produce.
ἀργυρίουfor silverGenitivegenitive of price (exchange value)→ relational specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; the genitive of price marks the value for which the tithe is sold; renders כֶּסֶף.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λήμψῃyou shall takeFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (taking the silver)→ directive futureλαμβάνω (fut. mid. λήμψομαι): 'take / receive'; the Israelite gathers up the money for the journey.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἀργύριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀργύριονsilver / moneyAccusativedirect object of λήμψῃ→ object specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; the proceeds of the tithe-sale.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: 'in your hands')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'in your hands').
ταῖςtheDativearticle (with χερσίν)→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χερσίνhandsDativedative governed by ἐν (locative)→ sphere or referenceχείρ (dat. pl. χερσίν): 'hand'; renders יָד; the money carried in hand for the journey.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying χερσίν)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying χερσίν).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πορεύσῃyou shall goFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (journey to the sanctuary)→ directive futureπορεύομαι: 'go / journey'; renders הלך; the pilgrimage to the central sanctuary now made with money rather than produce.
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with τόπον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπονplaceAccusativeaccusative governed by εἰς (destination)→ object specificationτόπος: 'place'; the chosen sanctuary as destination.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐκλέξηται, antecedent τόπον)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. ὅν): relative pronoun introducing the defining clause.
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle of indefiniteness.
ἐκλέξηταιhe should chooseAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · ἐκλέγομαιverb of indefinite relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (anticipated divine choice)ἐκλέγομαι: 'choose'; the recurring election-verb of the sanctuary site.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐκλέξηται→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה.
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: meaning 'God'; it serves as nominative in apposition to κύριος.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θεός)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying θεός).
αὐτόνitAccusativeresumptive pronoun (Hebraizing redundancy with ὃν: 'which … it')→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. sg. m.): the resumptive pronoun after the relative ὃν is a Hebraism rendering the Hebrew resumptive suffix (אֲשֶׁר … אֹתוֹ), redundant in Greek idiom.
26
καὶ δώσεις τὸ ἀργύριον ἐπὶ παντὸς οὗ ἐὰν ἐπιθυμῇ ἡ ψυχή σου, ἐπὶ βουσὶ ἢ ἐπὶ προβάτοις, ἐπὶ οἴνῳ ἢ ἐπὶ σικερα ἢ ἐπὶ παντὸς οὗ ἐὰν ἐπιθυμῇ ἡ ψυχή σου, καὶ φάγῃ ἐκεῖ ἐναντίον κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ σου καὶ εὐφρανθήσῃ σὺ καὶ ὁ οἶκός σου,
and you shall spend the silver on whatever your soul desires — on cattle or on sheep, on wine or on strong drink, or on whatever your soul desires — and you shall eat there before the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household,
At the sanctuary the silver is spent on a celebratory meal — cattle, sheep, wine, or strong drink (σικερα), 'whatever your soul desires' — eaten ἐναντίον κυρίου ('before the LORD') with rejoicing (εὐφρανθήσῃ). The tithe thus issues in festal joy shared by the whole household; worship is celebration, not mere obligation. The loanword σικερα (Heb. שֵׁכָר, 'strong drink') is left untranslated.
Word-by-word analysis· 46 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δώσειςyou shall give / spendFut Act Indic 2 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (spending the silver)→ directive futureδίδωμι (fut. δώσεις): 'give'; here 'spend / lay out (money) on'; renders נתן; the silver is exchanged for festal provisions.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἀργύριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀργύριονsilver / moneyAccusativedirect object of δώσεις→ object specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; the proceeds now spent at the sanctuary.
ἐπὶon / forpreposition + genitive (object of expenditure)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: 'on / for'; marks the items on which the money is spent.
παντὸςanything / everythingGenitivesubstantival adjective (object of ἐπὶ; antecedent of οὗ)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all / anything'; the open category of festal provisions.
οὗwhich / whateverGenitiverelative pronoun (object of ἐπιθυμῇ, genitive by attraction)→ relational specificationὅς (gen. οὗ): relative pronoun, here genitive after ἐπιθυμέω ('desire' + gen.); 'whatever your soul desires'.
ἐὰνif / evermodal particle (= ἄν, with subjunctive in relative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: here equivalent to ἄν, generalizing the relative — 'whatever (at all)'.
ἐπιθυμῇdesiresPres Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐπιθυμέωverb of indefinite relative clause→ present subjunctive (open-ended desire)ἐπιθυμέω: 'desire / long for' (+ gen.); renders אוה; here a positive, sanctioned desire — the festal appetite to be satisfied before the LORD.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ψυχή)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχήsoul / appetiteNominativesubject of ἐπιθυμῇ→ participant prominenceψυχή: 'soul / self / appetite'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; here the seat of desire and craving — 'whatever you crave'.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ψυχή)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying ψυχή).
ἐπὶonpreposition + dative (specifying the provisions)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dat.: 'on / for'; itemizes the purchases.
βουσὶcattle / oxenDativedative governed by ἐπὶ (item of purchase)→ sphere or referenceβοῦς (dat. pl. βουσί): 'ox / cattle'; renders בָּקָר; the first festal provision.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'.
ἐπὶonpreposition + dative→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative.
προβάτοιςsheepDativedative governed by ἐπὶ (item of purchase)→ sphere or referenceπρόβατον (dat. pl. προβάτοις): 'sheep'; renders צֹאן; second festal provision.
ἐπὶonpreposition + dative→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative.
οἴνῳwineDativedative governed by ἐπὶ (item of purchase)→ sphere or referenceοἶνος: 'wine'; renders יַיִן; third festal provision.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶonpreposition + dative→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative.
σικεραstrong drinkindeclinable loanword (object of ἐπὶ)→ clausal contributionσικερα: an indeclinable loanword from Hebrew שֵׁכָר ('strong/fermented drink'); left untranslated in the LXX (cf. Lev 10:9; Luke 1:15); the fourth festal provision.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (resuming the open category)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (resuming the open category).
παντὸςanythingGenitivesubstantival adjective (object of ἐπὶ; antecedent of οὗ)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'anything'; the clause repeats the open formula, framing the list as illustrative, not exhaustive.
οὗwhateverGenitiverelative pronoun (object of ἐπιθυμῇ)→ relational specificationὅς (gen. οὗ): relative, repeating 'whatever your soul desires'.
ἐὰνevermodal particle (= ἄν)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: generalizing particle.
ἐπιθυμῇdesiresPres Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐπιθυμέωverb of indefinite relative clause (repeated formula)→ present subjunctive (open-ended desire)ἐπιθυμέω: 'desire'; the repeated phrase underscores the festal liberality of the provision.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ψυχή)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχήsoul / appetiteNominativesubject of ἐπιθυμῇ→ participant prominenceψυχή: 'soul / appetite'; see above.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγῃyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (festal eating before the LORD)→ directive future (cultic celebration)ἐσθίω (fut. mid.): the festal meal, eaten in YHWH's presence — worship through joyful eating.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (at the sanctuary)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; at the chosen place.
ἐναντίονbefore / in the presence ofpreposition + genitive (the LORD's presence)→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; a variant of ἔναντι (v. 23) for the sacral coram-Deo setting.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive governed by ἐναντίον→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of יהוה.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with θεοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive in apposition to κυρίου→ relational specificationθεοῦ: meaning 'God'; it serves as genitive in apposition to κυρίου.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θεοῦ)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying θεοῦ).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὐφρανθήσῃyou shall rejoiceFut Pass Indic 2 Sg · εὐφραίνωmain verb (festal rejoicing)→ directive future (commanded joy)εὐφραίνω (fut. pass. dep.): 'rejoice / make merry'; renders שׂמח; the deponent passive expresses the gladness commanded at the sanctuary feast — joy is itself a covenant duty (cf. 12:7, 12, 18; 16:11).
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic, in apposition to verb-subject)→ participant referenceσύ: the explicit subject pronoun, joined with the household, emphasizing inclusive celebration.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with οἶκός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκόςhouse / householdNominativesubject (coordinate with σὺ: 'you and your household')→ participant prominenceοἶκος: 'house / household'; renders בַּיִת; the family unit sharing in the festal joy.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying οἶκός)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying οἶκός).
27
καὶ ὁ Λευίτης ὁ ἐν ταῖς πόλεσίν σου, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ μερὶς οὐδὲ κλῆρος μετὰ σοῦ.
and the Levite who is in your towns — you shall not forsake him, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you.
The Levite is to be included in the rejoicing, for he holds no tribal land — οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ μερὶς οὐδὲ κλῆρος ('he has no portion nor inheritance'), the standing formula for Levi's landlessness (cf. 10:9; 18:1–2; Num 18:20). His dependence on Israel's generosity foreshadows the charitable third-year tithe of vv. 28–29.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (adding the Levite to the celebrants)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with Λευίτης)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΛευίτηςLeviteNominativesubject (added to the household's rejoicing)→ participant prominenceΛευίτης: 'Levite'; a member of the priestly tribe of Levi, holding no land allotment and dependent on tithes and offerings; a recurring object of Deuteronomic care (cf. 12:12, 18–19).
ὁthe (who)Nominativearticle (attributive, governing ἐν ταῖς πόλεσίν σου)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: the article substantivizes the phrase 'the one in your towns', i.e., the local Levite.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ταῖςtheDativearticle (with πόλεσίν)→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεσίνtowns / citiesDativedative governed by ἐν (locative)→ sphere or referenceπόλις (dat. pl.): 'town'; the Deuteronomic 'within your gates' (שַׁעַר) — the local settlements where the Levite resides.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying πόλεσίν)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying πόλεσίν).
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (grounding the Levite's inclusion)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; gives the reason for caring for the Levite — his landlessness.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb (existential: 'he has no...')→ stative present (settled condition)εἰμί: existential with dative of possession — οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ ('there is not to him' = 'he has no').
αὐτῷto him / he hasDativedative of possession (with ἔστιν)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. sg.): the dative of possession — 'to him there is no portion'.
μερὶςportion / shareNominativesubject of ἔστιν→ participant prominenceμερίς: 'portion / share'; renders חֵלֶק; a tribal land-portion, which Levi lacks.
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction (joining second subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδέ: 'nor / and not'; coordinates the two denied possessions.
κλῆροςinheritance / lotNominativesubject of ἔστιν (coordinate with μερὶς)→ participant prominenceκλῆρος: 'lot / inheritance / allotment'; renders נַחֲלָה; the inherited land-allotment Levi does not receive (cf. 18:1–2).
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + gen.: 'with'; 'no portion with you' = no share alongside the landed tribes.
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive governed by μετὰ→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σοῦ): 'you'; the landed Israelite with whom Levi has no shared portion.
28
μετὰ τρία ἔτη ἐξοίσεις πᾶν τὸ ἐπιδέκατον τῶν γενημάτων σου· ἐν τῷ ἐνιαυτῷ ἐκείνῳ θήσεις αὐτὸ ἐν ταῖς πόλεσίν σου.
After three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce; in that year you shall lay it up in your towns.
A distinct institution: every third year the tithe is not taken to the sanctuary but stored within the local towns (θήσεις αὐτὸ ἐν ταῖς πόλεσίν σου) for the landless and the poor (v. 29). This 'tithe of the poor' (cf. 26:12) complements the festal tithe — worship at the center, charity at home.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal: 'after three years')→ spatial or relational framingμετά + acc.: 'after'; temporal, marking the triennial cycle.
τρίαthreeAccusativenumeral (modifying ἔτη)→ measure or countτρεῖς (neut. τρία): 'three'; renders שָׁלֹשׁ; the three-year interval of the charitable tithe.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative governed by μετὰ (temporal)→ object specificationἔτος (pl. ἔτη): 'year'; renders שָׁנִים; the three-year span.
ἐξοίσειςyou shall bring outFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐκφέρωmain verb (bringing out the triennial tithe)→ directive futureἐκφέρω (fut. ἐξοίσω): 'bring out / carry out'; renders יצא (Hiphil); the tithe is brought out from store to be set aside locally.
πᾶνallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἐπιδέκατον)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the entire third-year tithe.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἐπιδέκατον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπιδέκατονtitheAccusativedirect object of ἐξοίσεις→ object specificationἐπιδέκατον: 'tithe / tenth-part'; renders מַעֲשֵׂר; the same term as v. 23, here the triennial charitable tithe.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with γενημάτων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γενημάτωνproduceGenitivegenitive of content (tithe 'of your produce')→ relational specificationγένημα: 'produce / yield'; renders תְּבוּאָה; the agricultural harvest tithed.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying γενημάτων)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying γενημάτων).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal: 'in that year')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal: 'in that year').
τῷtheDativearticle (with ἐνιαυτῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνιαυτῷyearDativedative governed by ἐν (temporal)→ sphere or referenceἐνιαυτός: 'year'; renders שָׁנָה; the third year of the cycle.
ἐκείνῳthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἐνιαυτῷ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; specifies the third year as the year of the charitable tithe.
θήσειςyou shall lay up / placeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (storing the tithe locally)→ directive futureτίθημι (fut. θήσω): 'place / lay up / store'; renders נוח (Hiphil); the tithe is deposited in the local towns rather than carried to the sanctuary.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of θήσεις (the tithe)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. sg. n.): refers to the tithe (ἐπιδέκατον).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ταῖςtheDativearticle (with πόλεσίν)→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεσίνtowns / citiesDativedative governed by ἐν (locative)→ sphere or referenceπόλις (dat. pl.): 'town'; the local settlements where the charitable tithe is stored for the needy.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying πόλεσίν)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying πόλεσίν).
29
καὶ ἐλεύσεται ὁ Λευίτης, ὅτι οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ μερὶς οὐδὲ κλῆρος μετὰ σοῦ, καὶ ὁ προσήλυτος καὶ ὁ ὀρφανὸς καὶ ἡ χήρα ἡ ἐν ταῖς πόλεσίν σου, καὶ φάγονται καὶ ἐμπλησθήσονται, ἵνα εὐλογήσῃ σε κύριος ὁ θεός σου ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔργοις οἷς ἐὰν ποιῇς.
And the Levite shall come, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the sojourner and the orphan and the widow who are in your towns, and they shall eat and be filled, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the works which you do.
The chapter closes with the recipients of the triennial tithe — the classic Deuteronomic quartet of the landless and vulnerable: Levite, sojourner (προσήλυτος), orphan (ὀρφανός), and widow (χήρα; cf. 16:11; 24:19–21; 26:12). They eat and are filled (φάγονται καὶ ἐμπλησθήσονται), and the stated purpose is YHWH's blessing on all Israel's works — charity to the poor is the channel of covenant blessing. The tithe thus fuses worship (vv. 22–27) and mercy (vv. 28–29).
Word-by-word analysis· 45 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλεύσεταιshall comeFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (the Levite and others come to the stored tithe)→ predictive futureἔρχομαι (fut. mid. ἐλεύσομαι): 'come'; the needy come to partake of the stored tithe; the singular verb agrees with the nearest subject (ὁ Λευίτης) though governing the whole list.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with Λευίτης)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΛευίτηςLeviteNominativesubject of ἐλεύσεται (first beneficiary)→ participant prominenceΛευίτης: 'Levite'; first of the four recipients of the charitable tithe, named for his landlessness.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (grounding the Levite's claim)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; repeats the landlessness rationale of v. 27.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb (existential with dative of possession)→ stative presentεἰμί: existential, 'he has no' (οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτῷ).
αὐτῷto him / he hasDativedative of possession→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. sg.): 'to him'; the Levite.
μερὶςportionNominativesubject of ἔστιν→ participant prominenceμερίς: 'portion / share'; see v. 27.
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδέ: 'nor'.
κλῆροςinheritance / lotNominativesubject of ἔστιν (coordinate with μερὶς)→ participant prominenceκλῆρος: 'lot / inheritance'; see v. 27.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + gen.: 'with'.
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive governed by μετὰ→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σοῦ): 'you'; the landed Israelite.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (adding the second beneficiary)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with προσήλυτος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσήλυτοςsojourner / proselyteNominativesubject (second beneficiary)→ participant prominenceπροσήλυτος: 'sojourner / resident alien / proselyte' (lit. 'one who has come to'); the LXX's characteristic rendering of גֵּר; second of the vulnerable quartet; the term acquires the sense 'convert' in later Judaism (cf. Matt 23:15; Acts 2:11).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ὀρφανὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀρφανὸςorphan / fatherlessNominativesubject (third beneficiary)→ participant prominenceὀρφανός: 'orphan / fatherless'; renders יָתוֹם; third of the quartet; the fatherless child, paradigmatically defenseless (cf. Jas 1:27).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with χήρα)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χήραwidowNominativesubject (fourth beneficiary)→ participant prominenceχήρα: 'widow'; renders אַלְמָנָה; fourth of the quartet; the husbandless woman, classically grouped with orphan and sojourner as objects of covenant care (cf. 24:19–21; Jas 1:27).
ἡthe (who)Nominativearticle (attributive, governing ἐν ταῖς πόλεσίν σου)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: the article substantivizes 'who are in your towns', qualifying the whole group of beneficiaries.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ταῖςtheDativearticle (with πόλεσίν)→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεσίνtowns / citiesDativedative governed by ἐν (locative)→ sphere or referenceπόλις (dat. pl.): 'town'; the local settlements where the poor reside and are fed.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying πόλεσίν)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying πόλεσίν).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγονταιthey shall eatFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (the beneficiaries eat)→ predictive future (intended provision)ἐσθίω (fut. mid. 3 pl.): 'eat'; the needy are nourished from the stored tithe — the charitable counterpart of the festal eating of vv. 23, 26.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐμπλησθήσονταιthey shall be filled / satisfiedFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐμπίμπλημιmain verb (the beneficiaries are satisfied)→ predictive future (full provision)ἐμπίμπλημι (fut. pass.): 'fill / satisfy'; renders שׂבע; 'eat and be filled' (φάγονται καὶ ἐμπλησθήσονται) is a Deuteronomic idiom for full sufficiency (cf. 8:10; 11:15); the poor are not merely relieved but satisfied.
ἵναso thatpurpose conjunction (introducing the goal of charity)→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: 'in order that'; introduces the blessing that flows from charitable obedience.
εὐλογήσῃmay blessAor Act Subj 3 Sg · εὐλογέωverb of purpose clause (subjunctive with ἵνα)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (bestowal of blessing)εὐλογέω: 'bless'; renders ברך; the divine blessing on Israel's labors is the promised consequence of caring for the poor — charity as the channel of covenant prosperity; the verb closes the chapter as it framed v. 24.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of εὐλογήσῃ→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σέ): the recipient of blessing.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of εὐλογήσῃ→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the source of blessing.
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: meaning 'God'; it serves as nominative in apposition to κύριος.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θεός)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying θεός).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere of blessing)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere of blessing).
πᾶσινallDativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔργοις)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; the blessing extends over the whole range of Israel's labors.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ἔργοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔργοιςworks / deedsDativedative governed by ἐν (sphere of blessing)→ sphere or referenceἔργον: 'work / deed / labor'; renders מַעֲשֶׂה; the works of Israel's hands — agriculture, trade, all enterprise — on which YHWH's blessing rests.
οἷςwhichDativerelative pronoun (dative by attraction, antecedent ἔργοις)→ participant reference or interestὅς (dat. pl. οἷς): relative pronoun attracted to the case of its antecedent ἔργοις; introduces the defining clause 'which you do'.
ἐὰνevermodal particle (= ἄν, with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: here = ἄν, generalizing the relative — 'whatever works you do'.
ποιῇςyou do / may doPres Act Subj 2 Sg · ποιέωverb of indefinite relative clause (subjunctive)→ present subjunctive (general/iterative action)ποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עשׂה; the iterative subjunctive embraces all Israel's ongoing labors as the sphere of divine blessing, closing the chapter.