1
οὐ θύσεις κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ σου μόσχον ἢ πρόβατον ἐν ᾧ ἐστιν ἐν αὐτῷ μῶμος πᾶν ῥῆμα πονηρόν ὅτι βδέλυγμα κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ σού ἐστιν
You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep in which there is a blemish, any defect at all, for it is an abomination to the LORD your God.
The chapter opens with an apodictic second-person prohibition (οὐ + future indicative, the standard LXX rendering of the Hebrew לֹא + imperfect for permanent law), continuing the sacrificial regulations that close ch. 16. The demand for an unblemished victim (cf. Lev 22:20–25) sets the keynote of integrity that governs the chapter's law of justice and kingship.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
οὐnotnegative particle (with future indicative: apodictic prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: the negative with the future indicative θύσεις forms an apodictic, permanently binding prohibition, the LXX's standard rendering of Hebrew לֹא + imperfect in legal contexts ('you shall never sacrifice').
θύσειςyou shall sacrificeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · θύωmain verb (apodictic prohibition)→ legislative future (permanent prohibition)θύω: 'sacrifice / slaughter for offering'; renders זָבַח; the future indicative in legal prohibition carries imperatival force; the singular addresses each Israelite worshipper individually.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of recipient (the deity to whom sacrifice is offered)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the dative marks YHWH as the recipient of the offering whose holiness requires it to be unblemished.
τῷtheDativearticle (in apposition to κυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεῷGodDativedative in apposition to κυρίῳ ('the LORD your God')→ sphere or referenceθεός: the appositional κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ σου ('the LORD your God') is the pervasive Deuteronomic covenant formula, rendering יהוה אֱלֹהֶיךָ.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (covenant relationship)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): the possessive 'your' personalizes the covenant relationship, characteristic of Deuteronomy's direct address to Israel.
μόσχονcalf / oxAccusativedirect object of θύσεις→ object specificationμόσχος: 'young bull / calf / ox'; renders שׁוֹר; one of the two standard sacrificial animals of the herd; here named as a possible defective victim that is forbidden.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; the disjunctive ties the two principal sacrificial animals (herd and flock) into a single comprehensive prohibition.
πρόβατονsheepAccusativedirect object (parallel to μόσχον)→ object specificationπρόβατον: 'sheep / animal of the flock'; renders שֶׂה / צֹאן; together with μόσχον it forms a merism for all sacrificial livestock from herd and flock.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (introducing relative clause of condition)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (introducing relative clause of condition).
ᾧwhichDativerelative pronoun (locative: 'in which')→ participant reference or interestὅς (dat. ᾧ): relative pronoun referring back to the animal; the construction ἐν ᾧ … ἐν αὐτῷ is a redundant Hebraizing relative ('in which … in it'), calquing the resumptive Hebrew אֲשֶׁר … בּוֹ.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (existential)→ stative present (existing condition of the animal)εἰμί: 'be / exist'; the existential present describes the disqualifying condition: a blemish present in the animal.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (resumptive, Hebraism)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: the resumptive ἐν αὐτῷ ('in it') redundantly repeats the antecedent of ᾧ, a calque of the Hebrew resumptive pronoun in relative clauses.
αὐτῷitDativeresumptive pronoun (Hebraism: 'in it')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): resumptive pronoun calquing the Hebrew בּוֹ within the relative clause.
μῶμοςblemishNominativesubject of ἐστιν ('a blemish is in it')→ participant prominenceμῶμος: 'blemish / defect / disgrace'; renders מוּם; the technical cultic term for any physical imperfection that disqualifies a sacrificial victim (Lev 22:20–25); the word also acquires a moral sense ('blame, fault') in later usage.
πᾶνanyNominativeadjective (in apposition / generalizing μῶμος: 'any defect at all')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every / any'; the neuter πᾶν ῥῆμα πονηρόν stands in loose apposition to μῶμος, broadening the prohibition from physical blemish to any defect whatsoever.
ῥῆμαthing / matterNominativeappositional noun ('any evil thing')→ participant prominenceῥῆμα: 'word / thing / matter'; the LXX uses ῥῆμα to render דָּבָר, which means both 'word' and 'thing'; here πᾶν ῥῆμα πονηρόν means 'any defective thing / anything wrong' about the animal.
πονηρόνevil / badNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ῥῆμα)→ participant prominenceπονηρός: 'evil / bad / defective'; renders רָע; here in the sense of physical fault rather than moral evil — 'any bad thing' about the victim.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (introducing motive clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the motive clause grounding the prohibition — a defective offering is an abomination to YHWH.
βδέλυγμαabominationNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐστιν)→ participant prominenceβδέλυγμα: 'abomination / detestable thing'; renders תּוֹעֵבָה; a key Deuteronomic term (recurring at vv. 4 of this chapter as well) for what is ritually and morally repugnant to YHWH; the same word later denotes idolatry and, in Daniel, the 'abomination of desolation.'
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of reference (abomination 'to the LORD')→ sphere or referenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the dative of reference specifies whose evaluation makes the defective offering detestable — it is repugnant in YHWH's own judgment.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεῷGodDativedative in apposition to κυρίῳ→ sphere or referenceθεῷ: meaning 'God'; it serves as dative in apposition to κυρίῳ.
σούyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσού: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula of the motive clause→ stative present (timeless evaluative truth)εἰμί: the copula of the causal clause; the present tense states a timeless evaluative truth — such an offering simply is, by its nature, an abomination.
2
ἐὰν δὲ εὑρεθῇ ἐν σοὶ ἐν μιᾷ τῶν πόλεών σου ὧν κύριος ὁ θεός σου δίδωσίν σοι ἀνὴρ ἢ γυνή ὅστις ποιήσει τὸ πονηρὸν ἐναντίον κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ σου παρελθεῖν τὴν διαθήκην αὐτοῦ
But if there be found among you, in one of your cities which the LORD your God is giving you, a man or a woman who does what is evil before the LORD your God, transgressing his covenant,
δέ marks the transition from cultic prohibition (v. 1) to a casuistic (case) law introduced by ἐάν + subjunctive ('if there be found'), the standard LXX rendering of Hebrew כִּי / אִם clauses. The protasis (vv. 2–4a) sets up the case of an apostate; the apodosis (judgment) follows in vv. 5–7. The 'man or woman' explicitly extends liability across both sexes.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (introducing protasis with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; with the subjunctive introduces the casuistic legal protasis ('if there be found'), the LXX's normal device for the Hebrew conditional law-formula.
δὲbut / nowtransitional particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; here a discourse marker moving from the sacrificial prohibition (v. 1) to a new legal case.
εὑρεθῇbe foundAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωverb of protasis (passive: 'if there be found')→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (potential discovery of the offender)εὑρίσκω (aor. pass.): 'be found / be discovered'; renders יִמָּצֵא (Niphal); the passive frames the offender as one whose apostasy comes to light, triggering the judicial process.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (locative: 'among you')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'among you').
σοὶyouDativedative object of ἐν ('among you', the community)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοί): 'you'; the singular addresses Israel as a corporate body — the apostate is found 'among you,' i.e., within the covenant community.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: 'in one of your cities')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'in one of your cities').
μιᾷoneDativesubstantized numeral (partitive: 'in one of')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν (dat. μιᾷ): 'one'; the feminine dative with the partitive genitive τῶν πόλεων ('in one of your cities') localizes the case to any Israelite settlement.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (partitive genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεώνcitiesGenitivepartitive genitive (with μιᾷ)→ relational specificationπόλις (gen. pl. πόλεων): 'city'; renders עִיר / שְׁעָרֶיךָ; the local-city setting distinguishes ordinary cases from the hard cases requiring the central tribunal (vv. 8–13).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὧνwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive by attraction to πόλεων)→ relational specificationὅς (gen. pl. ὧν): the relative, genitive by attraction to its antecedent πόλεων, introduces the standard Deuteronomic land-gift clause.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of δίδωσιν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; subject of the recurring gift-formula 'which the LORD your God is giving you.'
ὁtheNominativearticle→ 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→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
δίδωσίνis givingPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of relative clause (land-gift formula)→ progressive present (ongoing covenant bestowal)δίδωμι: 'give'; renders נֹתֵן (participle); the present tense of the land-gift formula presents the conquest/settlement as a covenant act in progress, characteristic of Deuteronomy's perspective on the brink of the land.
σοιto youDativedative of recipient (Israel as gift-recipient)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of recipient (Israel as gift-recipient).
ἀνὴρmanNominativesubject of εὑρεθῇ ('a man ... be found')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man / male'; renders אִישׁ; the explicit pairing ἀνὴρ ἢ γυνή ('man or woman') makes both sexes equally liable to the capital penalty for apostasy.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γυνήwomanNominativesubject (parallel to ἀνήρ)→ participant prominenceγυνή: 'woman'; renders אִשָּׁה; the explicit inclusion of women underscores the impartial reach of the apostasy law (cf. v. 5, 'that man or that woman').
ὅστιςwho / whoeverNominativerelative pronoun (introducing the defining clause)→ participant referenceὅστις: 'whoever / who'; the indefinite relative introduces the characterizing description of the offender — one who does evil and transgresses the covenant.
ποιήσειdoes / will doFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause→ future indicative (defining the hypothetical offender's act)ποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עָשָׂה; the future after ὅστις defines the offender by the deed — 'who shall do the evil thing.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizing πονηρόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πονηρὸνevilAccusativesubstantized adjective (direct object: 'the evil thing')→ object specificationπονηρός: 'evil'; τὸ πονηρὸν ἐναντίον κυρίου ('the evil before the LORD') is a fixed Deuteronomic idiom (הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי יהוה) for covenant-breaking, especially idolatry.
ἐναντίονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (evaluative: 'in the sight of')→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: 'before / in the sight of'; Hebraism rendering בְּעֵינֵי / לִפְנֵי; the evil is defined as evil in YHWH's own evaluation.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίον→ relational specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ 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→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
παρελθεῖνto transgressAor Act Inf · παρέρχομαιepexegetic infinitive (explaining the evil: 'so as to transgress')→ epexegetic aorist infinitive (defining the content of the evil deed)παρέρχομαι: 'pass by / go beyond / transgress'; here in the transferred sense of 'overstep / violate' (renders עָבַר), with τὴν διαθήκην as object; the epexegetic infinitive specifies that the 'evil' consists precisely in covenant-violation.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηνcovenantAccusativedirect object of παρελθεῖν→ object specificationδιαθήκη: 'covenant / testament'; the standard LXX rendering of בְּרִית; the apostate's idolatry is framed not merely as a crime but as a breach of the binding covenant relationship with YHWH.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (YHWH's covenant)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his'; refers to YHWH — it is his covenant that is transgressed.
3
καὶ ἐλθόντες λατρεύσωσιν θεοῖς ἑτέροις καὶ προσκυνήσωσιν αὐτοῖς τῷ ἡλίῳ ἢ τῇ σελήνῃ ἢ παντὶ τῶν ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἃ οὐ προσέταξεν
and going they serve other gods and worship them, the sun or the moon or any of the host of heaven, which he did not command,
v. 3 continues the protasis, specifying the covenant-violation as astral idolatry. The subjunctives λατρεύσωσιν / προσκυνήσωσιν continue under the governing ἐάν of v. 2. The forbidden objects — sun, moon, and the host of heaven (κόσμος τοῦ οὐρανοῦ) — name the characteristic celestial worship of the surrounding nations, explicitly prohibited because YHWH 'did not command' it.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (continuing protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλθόντεςgoing / having goneAor Act Part Nom Pl Masc · ἔρχομαιcircumstantial participle (attendant action: 'going')→ aorist participle of attendant circumstance (the act preceding the worship)ἔρχομαι (aor. part.): 'come / go'; renders הָלַךְ; the plural participle (constructio ad sensum after the singular ἀνὴρ ἢ γυνή) depicts the apostate's deliberate movement toward the forbidden cult — 'going off and serving.'
λατρεύσωσινthey serveAor Act Subj 3 Pl · λατρεύωverb of protasis (subjunctive under ἐάν of v. 2)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (entering into cultic service)λατρεύω: 'serve / render cultic worship'; renders עָבַד; the technical verb for religious service to a deity; serving 'other gods' is the cardinal Deuteronomic apostasy (cf. Deut 6:13–14; 13:2–6).
θεοῖςgodsDativedative object of λατρεύσωσιν (the gods served)→ sphere or referenceθεός (dat. pl. θεοῖς): 'gods'; renders אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים; the dative complements λατρεύω; the plural with ἑτέροις marks the rival deities of the nations.
ἑτέροιςotherDativeattributive adjective (modifying θεοῖς)→ sphere or referenceἕτερος: 'other / another (different in kind)'; renders אֲחֵרִים; the phrase θεοῖς ἑτέροις ('other gods') is the standard Deuteronomic designation of forbidden deities.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσκυνήσωσινthey bow down to / worshipAor Act Subj 3 Pl · προσκυνέωverb of protasis (parallel to λατρεύσωσιν)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (act of prostration in worship)προσκυνέω: 'bow down / do obeisance / worship'; renders הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה; denotes the physical act of prostration before a deity; paired with λατρεύω it covers both inward service and outward homage.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative object of προσκυνήσωσιν (the gods worshipped)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. pl. αὐτοῖς): 'to them'; resumes θεοῖς ἑτέροις as the object of prostration.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡλίῳsunDativedative in apposition to αὐτοῖς (specifying the deities)→ sphere or referenceἥλιος: 'sun'; renders שֶׁמֶשׁ; astral worship of the sun was widespread in the ancient Near East; here it heads the list of forbidden celestial objects of veneration.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σελήνῃmoonDativedative in apposition (second forbidden object)→ sphere or referenceσελήνη: 'moon'; renders יָרֵחַ; the moon-cult is paired with the sun-cult as paradigmatic celestial idolatry (cf. Deut 4:19; Job 31:26–28).
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παντὶany / allDativesubstantized adjective (dative: 'to any of')→ sphere or referenceπᾶς (dat. παντί): 'all / any'; with the partitive genitive τῶν ἐκ τοῦ κόσμου ('any of the host'), it generalizes the prohibition to embrace every astral body.
τῶνthe (things)Genitivearticle (substantizing, partitive genitive)→ noun-phrase markingὁ (gen. pl. τῶν): the article substantizes the following prepositional phrase ('the [things] from the array of heaven'), a partitive after παντί.
ἐκof / frompreposition + genitive (partitive source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive source).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κόσμουarray / hostGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ ('of the host of heaven')→ relational specificationκόσμος: 'ordered array / adornment / world'; here in its older sense of 'array / ornament,' rendering צָבָא ('host'); the phrase κόσμος τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ('the array of heaven') renders צְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם ('host of heaven'), i.e., the stars and celestial bodies (cf. Gen 2:1 LXX, ὁ κόσμος αὐτῶν).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitivegenitive of relationship (with κόσμου: 'the host of heaven')→ relational specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven / sky'; renders שָׁמַיִם; the celestial array of heaven is the sphere of the forbidden astral cult.
ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (neuter plural, object of προσέταξεν)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. pl. n. ἅ): the relative refers to the celestial bodies; the clause 'which he did not command' grounds the prohibition: such worship has no warrant from YHWH.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσέταξενhe commandedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προστάσσωverb of relative clause (YHWH as implied subject)→ constative aorist (the absence of any divine sanction)προστάσσω: 'command / appoint / ordain'; renders צִוָּה; the subject is YHWH (implied) — the celestial worship is condemned precisely because it was never divinely commanded (cf. Deut 4:19, where the heavenly bodies were 'apportioned' to the nations but not for Israel's worship).
4
καὶ ἀναγγελῇ σοι καὶ ἐκζητήσεις σφόδρα καὶ ἰδοὺ ἀληθῶς γέγονεν τὸ ῥῆμα γεγένηται τὸ βδέλυγμα τοῦτο ἐν Ισραηλ
and it be reported to you and you inquire diligently, and behold, it has truly come to pass, the thing is true, this abomination has been done in Israel,
v. 4 completes the protasis with the procedural requirement: the matter is reported, then investigated diligently (ἐκζητήσεις σφόδρα), and only upon confirmation (ἰδοὺ ἀληθῶς) does the case proceed to judgment. The double perfect γέγονεν … γεγένηται emphasizes the settled, established factuality of the abomination — a safeguard against false accusation that anticipates the witness-rule of v. 6.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (continuing protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναγγελῇit be reportedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ἀναγγέλλωverb of protasis (passive: 'it be announced to you')→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (the bringing of a report)ἀναγγέλλω (aor. pass.): 'announce / report / declare'; renders הֻגַּד (Hophal); the passive frames the case as coming to official attention through a report that then requires verification.
σοιto youDativedative of recipient (Israel/the judge receiving the report)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of recipient (Israel/the judge receiving the report).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκζητήσειςyou shall inquireFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐκζητέωmain verb (mandated investigation)→ legislative future (obligatory judicial inquiry)ἐκζητέω: 'seek out / investigate / inquire diligently'; the compound ἐκ- intensifies the search; renders דָּרַשׁ; the mandated investigation (with σφόδρα) is a procedural safeguard against unjust condemnation.
σφόδραdiligently / exceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying ἐκζητήσεις)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'very much / exceedingly'; renders מְאֹד / הֵיטֵב; intensifies the inquiry — the investigation must be thorough before any capital sentence.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing result clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (drawing attention to the verified fact)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; the presentative particle dramatizes the moment of confirmation — the inquiry has established the truth of the charge.
ἀληθῶςtrulyadverb (asserting the verified truth)→ clausal contributionἀληθῶς: 'truly / indeed'; renders אֱמֶת / נָכוֹן; affirms that the report has been verified as factual.
γέγονενit has come to passPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (perfect of established fact)→ resultative perfect (settled, verified state of affairs)γίνομαι (perf. act. γέγονεν): 'become / happen / come to pass'; the perfect stresses the abiding, established factuality of the deed — it has occurred and the fact stands verified.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαthing / matterNominativesubject of γέγονεν ('the matter has come to pass')→ participant prominenceῥῆμα: 'word / thing / matter'; renders דָּבָר; here 'the matter / the alleged deed' whose factuality the investigation has confirmed.
γεγένηταιhas been donePerf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (parallel perfect emphasizing the abomination)→ resultative perfect (the abomination as accomplished fact)γίνομαι (perf. mid./pass. γεγένηται): the second perfect of the same verb, now with τὸ βδέλυγμα as subject, intensifies the verified factuality — 'this abomination has been committed.' The doubling γέγονεν … γεγένηται is rhetorically emphatic.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βδέλυγμαabominationNominativesubject of γεγένηται→ participant prominenceβδέλυγμα: 'abomination'; renders תּוֹעֵבָה; the same key term as v. 1, now applied to the astral idolatry — a deed detestable to YHWH committed within the covenant people.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative adjective (modifying βδέλυγμα)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative points to the specific verified offense.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: 'in Israel')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'in Israel').
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper noun (object of ἐν: locative)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; the phrase 'in Israel' stresses the scandal — such an abomination has occurred within the covenant nation itself, which must purge it (v. 7).
5
καὶ ἐξάξεις τὸν ἄνθρωπον ἐκεῖνον ἢ τὴν γυναῖκα ἐκείνην καὶ λιθοβολήσετε αὐτοὺς ἐν λίθοις καὶ τελευτήσουσιν
then you shall bring out that man or that woman and you shall stone them with stones, and they shall die.
v. 5 is the apodosis of the casuistic law begun in v. 2: upon verified guilt, the offender is brought out (to the city gate, the place of public execution) and stoned. The shift from singular ἐξάξεις ('you shall bring out', the responsible authority) to plural λιθοβολήσετε ('you [all] shall stone') enacts communal participation in capital justice.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶand / thencoordinate conjunction (introducing apodosis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here apodotic ('then'), introducing the consequence of the verified case.
ἐξάξειςyou shall bring outFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐξάγωmain verb (legislative command to the authority)→ legislative future (mandated judicial act)ἐξάγω: 'lead out / bring out'; renders הוֹצֵאתָ (Hiphil); the offender is brought out — to the gate, the customary site of public execution (cf. Deut 22:24; Lev 24:14) — emphasizing the public, juridical character of the punishment.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωπονmanAccusativedirect object of ἐξάξεις→ object specificationἄνθρωπος: 'man / person'; resumes the ἀνήρ of v. 2; here the male offender to be punished.
ἐκεῖνονthatAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἄνθρωπον)→ object specificationἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the remote demonstrative points back to the specific offender identified in vv. 2–4.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυναῖκαwomanAccusativedirect object (parallel to ἄνθρωπον)→ object specificationγυνή (acc. γυναῖκα): 'woman'; the parallel object again insists that the female apostate is equally subject to the penalty (cf. v. 2).
ἐκείνηνthatAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying γυναῖκα)→ object specificationἐκεῖνος (acc. f. ἐκείνην): 'that'; pointing to the specific guilty woman.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λιθοβολήσετεyou shall stoneFut Act Indic 2 Pl · λιθοβολέωmain verb (plural: communal execution)→ legislative future (mandated communal stoning)λιθοβολέω: 'stone / pelt with stones'; renders סָקַל / רָגַם; the shift to the plural ('you all shall stone') makes execution a corporate act of the community, distributing responsibility and signifying collective rejection of the apostasy.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of λιθοβολήσετε→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. αὐτούς): 'them'; the plural gathers the man-or-woman offender(s) as object of the stoning.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental, Hebraism)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: instrumental ἐν λίθοις ('with stones') is a Hebraism calquing בְּ of instrument.
λίθοιςstonesDativedative of instrument (means of execution)→ sphere or referenceλίθος (dat. pl. λίθοις): 'stone'; renders אֶבֶן; stoning is the characteristic biblical mode of execution for idolatry and covenant-breaking (cf. Deut 13:11; Lev 20:2).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τελευτήσουσινthey shall dieFut Act Indic 3 Pl · τελευτάωmain verb (result of stoning)→ predictive future (the outcome of execution)τελευτάω: 'die / come to an end'; renders מוּת; the result of the stoning — the apostates' death completes the purging of the abomination from Israel.
6
ἐπὶ δυσὶν μάρτυσιν ἢ ἐπὶ τρισὶν μάρτυσιν ἀποθανεῖται ὁ ἀποθνῄσκων οὐκ ἀποθανεῖται ἐφ᾿ ἑνὶ μάρτυρι
On two witnesses or on three witnesses the one to be put to death shall die; he shall not die on one witness.
v. 6 states the cardinal evidentiary principle of biblical law: no capital sentence may rest on a single witness; a minimum of two or three is required (cf. Deut 19:15). The fronting of ἐπὶ δυσὶν μάρτυσιν ἢ ἐπὶ τρισὶν μάρτυσιν gives the rule emphatic prominence. This rule is repeatedly invoked in the NT (Matt 18:16; 2 Cor 13:1; 1 Tim 5:19; Heb 10:28) as the standard of corroborated testimony.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ἐπὶon / on the testimony ofpreposition + dative (basis: 'on the evidence of')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dative: 'on the basis of / on'; here a forensic idiom — the death sentence rests 'upon' the testimony of witnesses; renders עַל פִּי ('according to the mouth of').
δυσὶνtwoDativenumeral (dative with μάρτυσιν: 'on two witnesses')→ sphere or referenceδύο (dat. δυσίν): 'two'; renders שְׁנַיִם; the minimum required corroboration for a capital charge.
μάρτυσινwitnessesDativedative object of ἐπί (basis of judgment)→ sphere or referenceμάρτυς (dat. pl. μάρτυσιν): 'witness'; renders עֵד; the legal term for one who gives sworn testimony; the plurality requirement guards against malicious or mistaken single accusation.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶonpreposition + dative (basis)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (basis).
τρισὶνthreeDativenumeral (dative with μάρτυσιν)→ sphere or referenceτρεῖς (dat. τρισίν): 'three'; renders שְׁלֹשָׁה; 'two or three' is an idiom for 'an adequate plurality' — the law fixes a floor of two but welcomes more.
μάρτυσινwitnessesDativedative object of ἐπί→ sphere or referenceμάρτυσιν: meaning 'witnesses'; it serves as dative object of ἐπί.
ἀποθανεῖταιshall die / be put to deathFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (the verified sentence carried out)→ legislative future (the lawful execution)ἀποθνῄσκω (fut. mid. ἀποθανεῖται): 'die / be put to death'; renders יוּמַת / יָמוּת; the deponent future here denotes the lawful execution that proceeds only on adequate testimony.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀποθνῄσκωνthe one being put to death / the condemnedPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · ἀποθνῄσκωsubstantized participle (subject: 'the one condemned to die')→ present participle of characterization (the one liable to death)ἀποθνῄσκω (pres. part. ὁ ἀποθνῄσκων): 'the one dying / the one to be put to death'; the articular participle designates the condemned man — the one whose execution is in view; the construction 'the dying-one shall die on two or three witnesses' is a Hebraizing redundancy (calquing מוֹת יוּמַת patterns) underscoring the certainty of the sentence when properly attested.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποθανεῖταιhe shall dieFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (negated: the prohibition of single-witness execution)→ legislative future (prohibited outcome)ἀποθνῄσκω: the negated future states the prohibition — no one is to be executed on the word of a single witness; the symmetry ἀποθανεῖται … οὐκ ἀποθανεῖται sharply contrasts the lawful and unlawful grounds of execution.
ἐφ᾿onpreposition + dative (basis; elided before rough breathing)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί (elided ἐφ᾿): 'on the basis of'; the same forensic idiom as above, now with a single witness — the inadequate ground.
ἑνὶoneDativenumeral (dative with μάρτυρι: 'on one witness')→ sphere or referenceεἷς (dat. ἑνί): 'one'; renders אֶחָד; the single witness whose lone testimony is insufficient for a capital verdict.
μάρτυριwitnessDativedative object of ἐφ᾿→ sphere or referenceμάρτυς (dat. sg. μάρτυρι): 'witness'; the lone witness; the rule that one is insufficient is foundational to biblical and later Jewish jurisprudence and is taken up in Christian church discipline (Matt 18:16; 1 Tim 5:19).
7
καὶ ἡ χεὶρ τῶν μαρτύρων ἔσται ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ ἐν πρώτοις θανατῶσαι αὐτόν καὶ ἡ χεὶρ παντὸς τοῦ λαοῦ ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτων καὶ ἐξαρεῖς τὸν πονηρὸν ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν
And the hand of the witnesses shall be upon him first to put him to death, and the hand of all the people at the last; and you shall remove the evil one from among you yourselves.
v. 7 prescribes the order of execution: the witnesses' hands first (ἐν πρώτοις), then all the people (ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτων). Requiring accusers to cast the first stones binds them to the lethal seriousness of their testimony, deterring perjury. The verse closes with the recurring Deuteronomic purge-formula ἐξαρεῖς τὸν πονηρόν ('you shall remove the evil').
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεὶρhandNominativesubject of ἔσται ('the hand ... shall be upon him')→ participant prominenceχείρ: 'hand'; renders יָד; the 'hand of the witnesses' is a metonymy for their active participation in the stoning — they must literally cast the first stones.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτύρωνwitnessesGenitivegenitive of possession (with χείρ: 'the witnesses' hand')→ relational specificationμάρτυς (gen. pl. μαρτύρων): 'witnesses'; the same witnesses whose testimony convicted must initiate the execution — a powerful check on false witness (cf. Sus 60–62; John 8:7).
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (the hand 'shall be upon him')→ legislative future (mandated procedure)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; the idiom 'the hand shall be upon him' (יָד … תִּהְיֶה־בּוֹ) denotes the act of laying lethal violence on the condemned.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + dative (locative/hostile: 'upon him')→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative/hostile: 'upon him').
αὐτῷhimDativedative object of ἐπ᾿ (the condemned)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): 'him'; the condemned apostate.
ἐνamong / atpreposition + dative (temporal order: 'first')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal order: 'first').
πρώτοιςfirst / at the firstDativesubstantized ordinal (temporal: 'first', contrasting ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτων)→ sphere or referenceπρῶτος (dat. pl. n. πρώτοις): 'first'; the idiom ἐν πρώτοις ('at the first') marks the witnesses as the ones who must strike first, in contrast to the people who follow ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτων ('at the last').
θανατῶσαιto put to deathAor Act Inf · θανατόωinfinitive of purpose ('in order to put him to death')→ purpose aorist infinitive (the aim of the witnesses' first blow)θανατόω: 'put to death / kill'; renders הֵמִית (Hiphil); the purpose infinitive specifies the lethal intent — the witnesses' hand is laid on him precisely to execute him.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of θανατῶσαι→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of θανατῶσαι.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεὶρhandNominativesubject (implied ἔσται: 'the hand of all the people shall be')→ participant prominenceχείρ: 'hand'; the people's hand follows the witnesses', joining the whole community in the execution.
παντὸςallGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying λαοῦ)→ relational specificationπᾶς (gen. παντός): 'all'; the whole people share in the act, signifying corporate purging of the evil.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive of possession (with χείρ)→ relational specificationλαός (gen. λαοῦ): 'people'; renders עַם; the covenant community as a whole completes the execution begun by the witnesses.
ἐπ᾿atpreposition + genitive (temporal: 'at the last')→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (temporal: 'at the last').
ἐσχάτωνlast / at the lastGenitivesubstantized adjective (temporal: 'at the last', balancing ἐν πρώτοις)→ relational specificationἔσχατος (gen. pl. n. ἐσχάτων): 'last'; ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτων ('at the last / afterward') contrasts with ἐν πρώτοις: witnesses first, people afterward — a fixed sequence.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing purge-formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξαρεῖςyou shall remove / purgeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐξαίρωmain verb (Deuteronomic purge-formula)→ legislative future (mandated purgation)ἐξαίρω: 'remove / take away / purge'; renders וּבִעַרְתָּ ('you shall burn out / purge'); the formula ἐξαρεῖς τὸν πονηρὸν ἐξ … is a Deuteronomic refrain (cf. Deut 13:6; 19:19; 21:21; 22:21) for the community's removal of evil through execution of the offender.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (substantizing πονηρόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πονηρὸνevil / evil oneAccusativesubstantized adjective (direct object: 'the evil / the evil one')→ object specificationπονηρός: 'evil'; τὸν πονηρόν may be read as the abstract 'the evil' or, masculine, 'the evil one (offender)'; the purge removes both the wicked person and the wickedness from the body of Israel.
ἐξfrom / from amongpreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
ὑμῶνyou / among youGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ (the community purged)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): 'you (pl.)'; the shift to the plural addresses the whole community from whom the evil is removed.
αὐτῶνyourselvesGenitiveintensive pronoun (reinforcing ὑμῶν: 'from your own selves')→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): here intensive, 'your very selves'; the combination ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν ('from among your own selves') stresses that the evil is purged from within the covenant body itself.
8
ἐὰν δὲ ἀδυνατήσῃ ἀπὸ σοῦ ῥῆμα ἐν κρίσει ἀνὰ μέσον αἷμα αἵματος καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον κρίσις κρίσεως καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον ἁφὴ ἁφῆς καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον ἀντιλογία ἀντιλογίας ῥήματα κρίσεως ἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν ὑμῶν καὶ ἀναστὰς ἀναβήσῃ εἰς τὸν τόπον ὃν ἂν ἐκλέξηται κύριος ὁ θεός σου ἐπικληθῆναι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐκεῖ
But if a matter be too hard for you in judgment — between blood and blood, and between case and case, and between leprous mark and mark, and between dispute and dispute, matters of judgment in your cities — then rising up you shall go up to the place which the LORD your God shall choose for his name to be called upon there,
δέ opens the second major movement (vv. 8–13): the high-court legislation. The protasis (v. 8) defines the 'too-hard case' through four ἀνὰ μέσον X X' pairs (a Hebraizing idiom 'between … and …') and directs the litigant to go up to the central sanctuary; the apodosis follows in v. 9. The chosen-place formula (τὸν τόπον ὃν ἂν ἐκλέξηται κύριος) is the central Deuteronomic motif of cult-centralization (cf. Deut 12).
Word-by-word analysis· 51 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (protasis with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the casuistic protasis for the difficult case.
δὲbut / nowtransitional particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: marks the shift from the local apostasy law to the central-court legislation.
ἀδυνατήσῃbe too hard / impossibleAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀδυνατέωverb of protasis (subjunctive: 'if a matter be too difficult')→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (a case proving beyond local capacity)ἀδυνατέω: 'be unable / be impossible / be too difficult'; renders יִפָּלֵא ('be too wonderful/hard'); the impersonal construction ('if a matter be impossible for you') describes a case that exceeds the competence of the local court.
ἀπὸfor / frompreposition + genitive (separation: 'too hard for you')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: here in the idiom 'too hard from/for you' (renders מִמְּךָ), expressing that the matter surpasses the local judge's ability.
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἀπό.
ῥῆμαmatter / caseNominativesubject of ἀδυνατήσῃ ('a matter be too hard')→ participant prominenceῥῆμα: 'word / thing / matter'; renders דָּבָר; here a legal 'matter / case' that proves too difficult to adjudicate locally.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere: 'in judgment')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere: 'in judgment').
κρίσειjudgmentDativedative of sphere ('in [a matter of] judgment')→ sphere or referenceκρίσις (dat. κρίσει): 'judgment / legal decision'; renders מִשְׁפָּט; the sphere within which the case proves intractable.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον: 'between')→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: in the fixed idiom ἀνὰ μέσον ('in the midst of / between'), a Hebraism rendering בֵּין; the fourfold repetition lists the categories of hard cases.
μέσονbetween / midstAccusativeaccusative in the idiom ἀνὰ μέσον ('between')→ object specificationμέσος (acc. n. μέσον): 'middle / midst'; ἀνὰ μέσον X X' = 'between one X and another,' i.e., disputes distinguishing two like things.
αἷμαbloodAccusativefirst term of pair (Hebraizing: 'between blood and blood')→ object specificationαἷμα: 'blood / bloodshed'; renders דָּם; 'between blood and blood' denotes cases distinguishing types of homicide (e.g., murder vs. accidental killing; cf. Deut 19; Num 35).
αἵματοςbloodGenitivesecond term of pair (genitive: 'and blood')→ relational specificationαἷμα (gen. αἵματος): the paired genitive completes the Hebraizing 'between blood and blood' (בֵּין־דָּם לְדָם).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (idiom ἀνὰ μέσον)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (idiom ἀνὰ μέσον).
μέσονbetweenAccusativeaccusative in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'between'; it serves as accusative in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον.
κρίσιςcase / legal claimNominativefirst term of pair ('between case and case')→ participant prominenceκρίσις: 'judgment / legal case / lawsuit'; renders דִּין / מִשְׁפָּט; 'between case and case' denotes civil legal disputes (claims, rights).
κρίσεωςcaseGenitivesecond term of pair (genitive)→ relational specificationκρίσις (gen. κρίσεως): the paired genitive completes 'between case and case.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (idiom ἀνὰ μέσον)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (idiom ἀνὰ μέσον).
μέσονbetweenAccusativeaccusative in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'between'; it serves as accusative in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον.
ἁφὴleprous mark / plague-spotNominativefirst term of pair ('between mark and mark')→ participant prominenceἁφή: 'touch / mark / leprous spot'; renders נֶגַע; the technical term for the skin/garment afflictions diagnosed by priests (Lev 13–14); 'between mark and mark' = cases discriminating clean from unclean conditions.
ἁφῆςmarkGenitivesecond term of pair (genitive)→ relational specificationἁφή (gen. ἁφῆς): the paired genitive completes 'between mark and mark.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (idiom ἀνὰ μέσον)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (idiom ἀνὰ μέσον).
μέσονbetweenAccusativeaccusative in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'between'; it serves as accusative in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον.
ἀντιλογίαdispute / controversyNominativefirst term of pair ('between dispute and dispute')→ participant prominenceἀντιλογία: 'dispute / contradiction / controversy'; renders רִיב; 'between dispute and dispute' covers contentious quarrels requiring authoritative resolution (cf. the place-name Μεριβά / 'waters of strife').
ἀντιλογίαςdisputeGenitivesecond term of pair (genitive)→ relational specificationἀντιλογία (gen. ἀντιλογίας): the paired genitive completes 'between dispute and dispute.'
ῥήματαmattersNominativeappositional summary ('matters of judgment')→ participant prominenceῥῆμα (pl. ῥήματα): 'matters / cases'; ῥήματα κρίσεως ('matters of judgment') sums up the foregoing list as the category of contested judicial cases.
κρίσεωςof judgmentGenitivegenitive of quality (with ῥήματα: 'matters of judgment')→ relational specificationκρίσις (gen. κρίσεως): 'judgment'; defines the matters as judicial/legal in nature.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: 'in your cities')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'in your cities').
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεσινcitiesDativedative of place (the local jurisdictions)→ sphere or referenceπόλις (dat. pl. πόλεσιν): 'cities'; the local courts where such matters first arise — from which the hard cases must be referred upward.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶand / thencoordinate conjunction (introducing apodosis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic ('then'), introducing the prescribed response to the hard case.
ἀναστὰςrising upAor Act Part Nom Sg Masc · ἀνίστημιcircumstantial participle (attendant action: 'having risen')→ aorist participle of attendant circumstance (preparatory action)ἀνίστημι (aor. part. ἀναστάς): 'rise / stand up / set out'; renders קוּם; the participle 'rising up' is a Hebraizing idiom for initiating a journey or undertaking — here, setting out for the central sanctuary.
ἀναβήσῃyou shall go upFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (apodosis: 'you shall go up')→ legislative future (mandated pilgrimage to the court)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; renders עָלָה; the verb of pilgrimage 'going up' to the central sanctuary — the chosen place is conceived as elevated (cf. 'going up to Jerusalem').
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπονplaceAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the chosen sanctuary)→ object specificationτόπος: 'place'; renders מָקוֹם; 'the place which the LORD shall choose' is the central Deuteronomic designation of the single legitimate sanctuary (Deut 12:5, 11, etc.), later identified with Jerusalem.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐκλέξηται)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. ὅν): relative referring to τόπον; introduces the chosen-place formula.
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive in relative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle marking the relative clause as contingent/indefinite ('whichever place').
ἐκλέξηταιshall chooseAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · ἐκλέγωverb of relative clause (the divine election of the place)→ aorist subjunctive (contingent future divine choice)ἐκλέγω (aor. mid. ἐκλέξηται): 'choose / select for oneself'; renders בָּחַר; the middle stresses YHWH's own sovereign election of the sanctuary site — a foundational Deuteronomic theme.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐκλέξηται→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the one who chooses the place for his name.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ 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→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐπικληθῆναιto be called upon / invokedAor Pass Inf · ἐπικαλέωinfinitive of purpose ('for his name to be invoked there')→ purpose aorist infinitive (the aim of the divine choice)ἐπικαλέω (aor. pass. inf. ἐπικληθῆναι): 'call upon / invoke / name over'; the idiom 'for his name to be called/invoked there' renders לְשַׁכֵּן שְׁמוֹ / לָשׂוּם שְׁמוֹ ('to set/cause his name to dwell'), expressing YHWH's claiming of the sanctuary as the place where his name is present and invoked.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομαnameAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive ἐπικληθῆναι→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name'; renders שֵׁם; the 'name' of YHWH is his presence and self-revelation; the chosen place is where his name is invoked — Deuteronomy's distinctive 'name theology.'
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (YHWH's name)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (YHWH's name).
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (locating the invocation at the chosen place)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; renders שָׁם; locates the invocation of the divine name at the single chosen sanctuary.
9
καὶ ἐλεύσῃ πρὸς τοὺς ἱερεῖς τοὺς Λευίτας καὶ πρὸς τὸν κριτήν ὃς ἂν γένηται ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις καὶ ἐκζητήσαντες ἀναγγελοῦσίν σοι τὴν κρίσιν
and you shall come to the priests, the Levites, and to the judge who shall be in those days, and having inquired they shall declare to you the judgment.
v. 9 continues the apodosis: at the central sanctuary the litigant consults the levitical priests and the judge of the day, who investigate and render the authoritative verdict. The pairing of priestly and judicial authority (ἱερεῖς … κριτήν) constitutes the supreme tribunal of Israel, whose decision is final and binding (vv. 10–11).
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλεύσῃyou shall comeFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (the litigant approaches the court)→ legislative future (mandated consultation)ἔρχομαι (fut. mid. ἐλεύσῃ): 'come / go'; renders וּבָאתָ; the deponent future directs the litigant to come before the central tribunal.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction toward persons)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction toward persons).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖςpriestsAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationἱερεύς (acc. pl. ἱερεῖς): 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the priests, here further specified as Levitical, share judicial authority at the central sanctuary alongside the civil judge.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (in apposition: 'the Levites')→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΛευίταςLevitesAccusativeaccusative in apposition to ἱερεῖς ('the priests, the Levites')→ object specificationΛευίτης (acc. pl. Λευίτας): 'Levite'; the appositional 'the priests, the Levites' (rendering הַכֹּהֲנִים הַלְוִיִּם) is Deuteronomy's characteristic designation of the levitical priesthood, whom the book treats as a single class.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κριτήνjudgeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the presiding judge)→ object specificationκριτής (acc. κριτήν): 'judge'; renders שֹׁפֵט; the supreme civil magistrate of the central court, paired with the priests in administering the highest justice.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of γένηται)→ participant referenceὅς: relative referring to κριτήν; introduces the clause 'who shall be in those days' (the judge holding office at the time).
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: marks the relative clause as indefinite ('whoever is judge at that time').
γένηταιshall be / shall hold officeAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · γίνομαιverb of relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (the judge of whatever future day)γίνομαι (aor. mid. subj. γένηται): 'be / come to be'; 'who shall be in those days' acknowledges that the office continues across generations — whoever holds it has the requisite authority.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραιςdaysDativedative of time ('in those days')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα (dat. pl. ἡμέραις): 'day'; renders יָמִים; 'in those days' designates the time of the judge's tenure.
ἐκείναιςthoseDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέραις)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος (dat. pl. ἐκείναις): 'those'; the remote demonstrative — whatever future days the case arises in.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκζητήσαντεςhaving inquiredAor Act Part Nom Pl Masc · ἐκζητέωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action: 'having investigated')→ aorist participle of antecedent action (the court's investigation preceding the verdict)ἐκζητέω (aor. part. ἐκζητήσαντες): 'seek out / investigate'; the court inquires diligently (as the local judge did, v. 4) before rendering its decision; the plural refers to the priests-and-judge together.
ἀναγγελοῦσίνthey shall declareFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb (the court pronounces the verdict)→ legislative future (the authoritative declaration of judgment)ἀναγγέλλω: 'announce / declare / report'; renders וְהִגִּידוּ; the court declares the binding verdict that the litigant must then obey (v. 10).
σοιto youDativedative of recipient (the litigant)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of recipient (the litigant).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κρίσινjudgment / verdictAccusativedirect object of ἀναγγελοῦσιν→ object specificationκρίσις (acc. κρίσιν): 'judgment / verdict'; renders מִשְׁפָּט; the authoritative legal decision pronounced by the central court.
10
καὶ ποιήσεις κατὰ τὸ πρᾶγμα ὃ ἐὰν ἀναγγείλωσίν σοι ἐκ τοῦ τόπου οὗ ἂν ἐκλέξηται κύριος ὁ θεός σου ἐπικληθῆναι τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐκεῖ καὶ φυλάξῃ σφόδρα ποιῆσαι κατὰ πάντα ὅσα ἐὰν νομοθετηθῇ σοι
And you shall act according to the matter which they declare to you from the place which the LORD your God shall choose for his name to be called upon there, and you shall take great care to do according to all that is enjoined upon you as law,
v. 10 imposes the duty of obedience to the central court's verdict, reinforced by φυλάξῃ σφόδρα ('take great care'). The repeated chosen-place formula and νομοθετηθῇ ('be enjoined as law') give the tribunal's decision the binding force of Torah itself — the supreme court's ruling is not advisory but legally authoritative.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσειςyou shall do / actFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (mandated obedience to the verdict)→ legislative future (binding obligation)ποιέω: 'do / act'; renders וְעָשִׂיתָ; the litigant must act in accordance with the court's ruling — obedience is not optional.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm/standard)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + accusative: 'according to'; the standard governing the required action — the court's pronounced verdict.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρᾶγμαmatter / thingAccusativeaccusative object of κατά ('according to the matter')→ object specificationπρᾶγμα: 'deed / matter / thing'; renders דָּבָר; here the substance of the court's decision that must be carried out.
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀναγγείλωσιν)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. n. ὅ): relative referring to πρᾶγμα; introduces the clause defining what was declared.
ἐὰνevermodal particle (= ἄν, with subjunctive in relative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: here functioning as the modal ἄν after the relative, marking the clause as indefinite ('whatever they declare').
ἀναγγείλωσίνthey declareAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀναγγέλλωverb of relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (contingent: whatever the court announces)ἀναγγέλλω (aor. subj. ἀναγγείλωσιν): 'declare / announce'; the court's pronouncement, which the litigant must obey.
σοιto youDativedative of recipient→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of recipient.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπουplaceGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (the source of the verdict)→ relational specificationτόπος (gen. τόπου): 'place'; the verdict issues 'from the place' YHWH chooses — its authority derives from the central sanctuary.
οὗwhere / whichGenitiverelative adverb (genitive of place: 'where')→ relational specificationὅς (gen. οὗ): the genitive relative used adverbially ('where'); introduces the chosen-place formula again.
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἂν: meaning 'ever'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκλέξηταιshall chooseAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · ἐκλέγωverb of relative clause (divine election of the place)→ aorist subjunctive (contingent future choice)ἐκλέγω (aor. mid. ἐκλέξηται): 'choose for oneself'; renders יִבְחַר; the recurring formula of YHWH's election of the sanctuary.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐκλέξηται→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ 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→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐπικληθῆναιto be called uponAor Pass Inf · ἐπικαλέωinfinitive of purpose (the divine choice's aim)→ purpose aorist infinitiveἐπικαλέω (aor. pass. inf. ἐπικληθῆναι): 'be invoked / named over'; the same name-theology formula as v. 8 — the place exists for the invocation of YHWH's name.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομαnameAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name'; YHWH's name dwelling at the chosen place.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; locates the name-invocation at the sanctuary.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φυλάξῃyou shall take care / observeFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · φυλάσσωmain verb (intensified obligation to obey)→ legislative future (diligent observance demanded)φυλάσσω (fut. mid. φυλάξῃ): 'guard / keep / take care'; renders וְשָׁמַרְתָּ; the middle 'take care for yourself'; with σφόδρα it intensifies the demand for scrupulous compliance with the verdict.
σφόδραgreatly / diligentlyadverb of degree (intensifying φυλάξῃ)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'exceedingly / diligently'; renders מְאֹד; underscores the seriousness of obedience to the supreme court.
ποιῆσαιto doAor Act Inf · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (with φυλάξῃ: 'take care to do')→ complementary aorist infinitive (the object of the care)ποιέω (aor. inf. ποιῆσαι): 'do'; the complementary infinitive specifies what must be carefully observed — the doing of all that is enjoined.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (norm).
πάνταallAccusativesubstantized adjective (object of κατά: 'according to all')→ object specificationπᾶς (acc. pl. n. πάντα): 'all things'; the comprehensive scope of the binding instruction.
ὅσαas much as / whateverAccusativerelative quantitative pronoun (object of νομοθετηθῇ)→ participant referenceὅσος (acc. pl. n. ὅσα): 'as many/much as'; renders כְּכֹל אֲשֶׁר; 'all that is enjoined upon you.'
ἐὰνevermodal particle (= ἄν, with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: modal particle with the subjunctive, marking the clause as indefinite ('whatever may be enjoined').
νομοθετηθῇbe enjoined as law / instructedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · νομοθετέωverb of relative clause (passive: 'be laid down as law')→ aorist subjunctive (contingent legislative pronouncement)νομοθετέω (aor. pass. subj. νομοθετηθῇ): 'enact law / lay down as legal instruction'; from νόμος + τίθημι; renders יוֹרוּ ('they instruct/teach') with a strongly legal coloring — the court's ruling has the force of statute, binding as Torah.
σοιto you / upon youDativedative of recipient (the one bound by the ruling)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of recipient (the one bound by the ruling).
11
κατὰ τὸν νόμον καὶ κατὰ τὴν κρίσιν ἣν ἂν εἴπωσίν σοι ποιήσεις οὐκ ἐκκλινεῖς ἀπὸ τοῦ ῥήματος οὗ ἐὰν ἀναγγείλωσίν σοι δεξιὰ οὐδὲ ἀριστερά
According to the law and according to the judgment which they tell you, you shall act; you shall not turn aside from the word which they declare to you, to the right or to the left.
v. 11 reinforces v. 10 with the classic Deuteronomic 'do not turn aside, right or left' formula (cf. Deut 5:32; 28:14; Josh 1:7). Conformity to the central court's verdict must be exact and total — no deviation in either direction. The framing 'according to the law and according to the judgment' equates the tribunal's ruling with binding Torah.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + accusative: 'according to'; the action must conform to the stated norm — the law and the judgment.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νόμονlaw / instructionAccusativeaccusative object of κατά→ object specificationνόμος: 'law / instruction'; renders תּוֹרָה; the authoritative legal teaching that the court applies and the litigant must follow.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (norm).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κρίσινjudgmentAccusativeaccusative object of κατά→ object specificationκρίσις (acc. κρίσιν): 'judgment / verdict'; renders מִשְׁפָּט; the specific ruling rendered in the case.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἴπωσιν)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. f. ἥν): relative referring to both νόμον and κρίσιν (agreeing with the nearer feminine).
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἂν: meaning 'ever'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἴπωσίνthey tell / sayAor Act Subj 3 Pl · λέγωverb of relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (whatever they pronounce)λέγω (aor. subj. εἴπωσιν): 'say / tell'; the court's spoken verdict, which is binding.
σοιto youDativedative of recipient→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of recipient.
ποιήσειςyou shall doFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (mandated obedience)→ legislative future (binding obligation)ποιέω: 'do / act'; the fronted norm ('according to the law … which they tell you') precedes the verb for emphasis — exact compliance is required.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκκλινεῖςyou shall turn asideFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐκκλίνωmain verb (negated: prohibition of deviation)→ legislative future (prohibited deviation)ἐκκλίνω: 'turn aside / deviate / swerve'; renders סוּר / נָטָה; the negated future forbids any departure from the court's word; the verb governs the 'right or left' idiom that follows.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματοςwordGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (the verdict from which one must not deviate)→ relational specificationῥῆμα (gen. ῥήματος): 'word / pronouncement'; renders דָּבָר; the court's declared word, deviation from which is forbidden.
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive by attraction to ῥήματος)→ relational specificationὅς (gen. οὗ): relative genitive by attraction to its antecedent ῥήματος; introduces 'which they declare to you.'
ἐὰνevermodal particle (= ἄν, with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'ever'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναγγείλωσίνthey declareAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀναγγέλλωverb of relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (whatever they announce)ἀναγγέλλω (aor. subj. ἀναγγείλωσιν): 'declare'; the court's pronouncement, binding without deviation.
σοιto youDativedative of recipient→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of recipient.
δεξιὰto the rightAccusativeadverbial accusative (direction: 'to the right')→ object specificationδεξιός (acc. pl. n. δεξιά): 'right (hand/side)'; the neuter plural functions adverbially; 'neither right nor left' (δεξιὰ οὐδὲ ἀριστερά) is the fixed Deuteronomic idiom for absolute, undeviating obedience (cf. Deut 5:32; 28:14).
οὐδὲnornegative coordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδέ: 'and not / nor'; joins the second member of the 'right/left' idiom.
ἀριστεράto the leftAccusativeadverbial accusative (direction: 'to the left')→ object specificationἀριστερός (acc. pl. n. ἀριστερά): 'left (hand/side)'; adverbial accusative; completes the merism for total fidelity to the prescribed path.
12
καὶ ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὃς ἂν ποιήσῃ ἐν ὑπερηφανίᾳ τοῦ μὴ ὑπακοῦσαι τοῦ ἱερέως τοῦ παρεστηκότος λειτουργεῖν ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ σου ἢ τοῦ κριτοῦ ὃς ἂν ᾖ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις καὶ ἀποθανεῖται ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος καὶ ἐξαρεῖς τὸν πονηρὸν ἐξ Ισραηλ
And the man who acts in arrogance, so as not to obey the priest who stands to minister in the name of the LORD your God, or the judge who is in those days, that man shall die, and you shall remove the evil one from Israel.
v. 12 prescribes the death penalty for the contumacious man who acts ἐν ὑπερηφανίᾳ ('in arrogance/presumption'), refusing to obey priest or judge. This protects the authority of the central tribunal: defiance of its verdict is treated as a capital offense, sealed again with the purge-formula ἐξαρεῖς τὸν πονηρόν (cf. v. 7).
Word-by-word analysis· 44 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject (nominative, resumed by ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man / person'; the casuistic subject — anyone who defies the court.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ποιήσῃ)→ participant referenceὅς: relative introducing the defining clause ('who acts in arrogance').
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἂν: meaning 'ever'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσῃacts / doesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause (the contemptuous act)→ aorist subjunctive (the hypothetical act of defiance)ποιέω (aor. subj. ποιήσῃ): 'do / act'; here absolutely, 'acts [presumptuously]'; the manner is specified by ἐν ὑπερηφανίᾳ.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (manner: 'in arrogance')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (manner: 'in arrogance').
ὑπερηφανίᾳarrogance / presumptionDativedative of manner ('in arrogance')→ sphere or referenceὑπερηφανία: 'arrogance / pride / presumption'; renders זָדוֹן ('insolence / presumption'); the willful, high-handed contempt of authority that constitutes the capital offense — not mere error but defiant pride.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive of purpose/result)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative used with the infinitive; τοῦ μὴ ὑπακοῦσαι = 'so as not to obey.'
ὑπακοῦσαιto obey / heedAor Act Inf · ὑπακούωarticular infinitive (negated: 'in not obeying')→ epexegetic aorist infinitive (defining the presumptuous act as disobedience)ὑπακούω (aor. inf. ὑπακοῦσαι): 'obey / hearken to'; from ὑπό + ἀκούω ('listen under, submit'); the articular infinitive τοῦ μὴ ὑπακοῦσαι specifies that the arrogance consists in refusing to heed the priest or judge.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερέωςpriestGenitivegenitive object of ὑπακοῦσαι (the one to be obeyed)→ relational specificationἱερεύς (gen. ἱερέως): 'priest'; ὑπακούω takes the genitive of the person obeyed; the priest serving at the central sanctuary represents the religious arm of the tribunal.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with participle παρεστηκότος)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεστηκότοςstanding / who standsPerf Act Part Gen Sg Masc · παρίστημιattributive participle (modifying ἱερέως: 'who stands [to minister]')→ perfect participle of settled state (the priest's standing office)παρίστημι (perf. act. part. παρεστηκότος): 'stand beside / be in attendance / serve'; renders הָעֹמֵד; the perfect denotes the priest's established standing in ministerial service before YHWH (cf. Deut 10:8; 18:5).
λειτουργεῖνto minister / servePres Act Inf · λειτουργέωinfinitive of purpose (with παρεστηκότος: 'standing to minister')→ purpose present infinitive (the ongoing function of priestly service)λειτουργέω: 'minister / perform public/cultic service'; renders שֵׁרֵת; the technical term for priestly liturgical service; the priest stands 'to minister in the name of YHWH.'
ἐπὶin / uponpreposition + dative ('in the name of')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dative: in the idiom 'minister in/upon the name' (renders בְּשֵׁם), denoting service performed under YHWH's authority and invoking his name.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀνόματιnameDativedative object of ἐπί ('in the name')→ sphere or referenceὄνομα (dat. ὀνόματι): 'name'; the priest ministers under the authority of YHWH's name — his rulings carry divine sanction.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (with ὀνόματι)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): the Tetragrammaton; whose name the priest serves.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ 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→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κριτοῦjudgeGenitivegenitive object of ὑπακοῦσαι (parallel to ἱερέως)→ relational specificationκριτής (gen. κριτοῦ): 'judge'; the civil magistrate of the tribunal, disobedience to whom is equally capital.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ᾖ)→ participant referenceὅς: relative referring to κριτοῦ; 'who is in those days.'
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἂν: meaning 'ever'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ᾖis / shall bePres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause→ present subjunctive (whoever holds the office)εἰμί (pres. subj. ᾖ): 'be'; 'who shall be in those days' — whoever holds the judicial office at the time.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραιςdaysDativedative of time→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα (dat. pl. ἡμέραις): 'days'; 'in those days' — the time of the judge's tenure (cf. v. 9).
ἐκείναιςthoseDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέραις)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος (dat. pl. ἐκείναις): 'those.'
καὶand / thencoordinate conjunction (apodotic: resuming after the long subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic ('then'), introducing the sentence's main verb after the extended relative description of the offender.
ἀποθανεῖταιshall dieFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (capital sentence)→ legislative future (mandated death penalty)ἀποθνῄσκω (fut. mid. ἀποθανεῖται): 'die / be put to death'; the contumacious man is executed — defiance of the supreme court is a capital crime.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject (resuming ὁ ἄνθρωπος of the protasis)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man'; the resumptive subject after the lengthy relative clause.
ἐκεῖνοςthatNominativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἄνθρωπος)→ participant prominenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; resumptive demonstrative pointing back to the offender.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing purge-formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξαρεῖςyou shall remove / purgeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐξαίρωmain verb (Deuteronomic purge-formula)→ legislative future (mandated purgation)ἐξαίρω: 'remove / purge'; the recurring purge-formula (cf. v. 7) — removing the evil preserves the integrity of the covenant community and the authority of its institutions.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πονηρὸνevil / evil oneAccusativesubstantized adjective (direct object)→ object specificationπονηρός: 'evil / evil one'; the offender whose removal purges Israel.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper noun (object of ἐξ)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable; the evil is purged 'from Israel,' the covenant nation.
13
καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἀκούσας φοβηθήσεται καὶ οὐκ ἀσεβήσει ἔτι
And all the people, hearing, shall fear, and shall no longer act impiously.
v. 13 closes the high-court legislation with the standard deterrence-formula: the public execution makes 'all the people hear and fear' and cease from presumption (cf. Deut 13:12; 19:20; 21:21). The exemplary punishment is pedagogical — it preserves reverence for justice throughout Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying λαός)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; the deterrent effect extends to the entire people.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of φοβηθήσεται→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; renders עַם; the whole covenant community as the audience of the exemplary punishment.
ἀκούσαςhearing / having heardAor Act Part Nom Sg Masc · ἀκούωcircumstantial participle (temporal/causal: 'on hearing')→ aorist participle of antecedent action (the report of the execution)ἀκούω (aor. part. ἀκούσας): 'hear'; renders יִשְׁמְעוּ; the people hear of the execution and are thereby deterred — the hearing is the means of the deterrent effect.
φοβηθήσεταιshall fearFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · φοβέομαιmain verb (the deterrent result: reverent fear)→ predictive future (the intended deterrent outcome)φοβέομαι (fut. pass. φοβηθήσεται): 'fear / be afraid / reverence'; renders וְיִרָאוּ; the fear is salutary — reverent dread of presumption against God's appointed justice; the singular agrees with the collective λαός.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀσεβήσειshall act impiouslyFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀσεβέωmain verb (negated: cessation of presumption)→ predictive future (the lasting deterrent effect)ἀσεβέω: 'act impiously / be ungodly / commit sacrilege'; renders יְזִידוּן ('act presumptuously') / from the root of זָדוֹן; the people will no longer act presumptuously against the institutions of justice — the cessation of the arrogance condemned in v. 12.
ἔτιany longer / stilladverb (temporal: 'no longer')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet / any longer'; renders עוֹד; with the negative, 'no longer' — the deterrent effect is enduring.
14
ἐὰν δὲ εἰσέλθῃς εἰς τὴν γῆν ἣν κύριος ὁ θεός σου δίδωσίν σοι ἐν κλήρῳ καὶ κληρονομήσῃς αὐτὴν καὶ κατοικήσῃς ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς καὶ εἴπῃς καταστήσω ἐπ᾿ ἐμαυτὸν ἄρχοντα καθὰ καὶ τὰ λοιπὰ ἔθνη τὰ κύκλῳ μου
But when you enter into the land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you take possession of it and dwell upon it, and you say, 'I will set over myself a ruler, just as also the rest of the nations around me,'
δέ opens the fourth movement — the celebrated 'law of the king' (vv. 14–20). The protasis (v. 14) anticipates Israel's settled request for a monarch 'like the surrounding nations' (καθὰ … τὰ λοιπὰ ἔθνη), the very request that materializes in 1 Sam 8:5, 20. The law neither commands nor forbids monarchy but regulates it, subordinating any future king to YHWH's choice and to the Torah.
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
ἐὰνif / whenconditional conjunction (protasis with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if / when'; introduces the protasis of the law of the king, envisaging the time of settled occupation.
δὲbut / nowtransitional particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: marks the transition from the judicial legislation to the law of the king.
εἰσέλθῃςyou enterAor Act Subj 2 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιverb of protasis (entering the land)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (the future entry into Canaan)εἰσέρχομαι (aor. subj. εἰσέλθῃς): 'enter / go in'; renders תָּבֹא; the entry into the promised land is the temporal setting for the monarchy-law.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationγῆ (acc. γῆν): 'land / earth'; renders אֶרֶץ; the promised land given as inheritance.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of δίδωσιν)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. f. ἥν): relative referring to γῆν; introduces the land-gift formula.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of δίδωσιν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ 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→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
δίδωσίνis givingPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of relative clause (land-gift formula)→ progressive present (ongoing covenant gift)δίδωμι: 'give'; renders נֹתֵן; the recurring land-gift formula of Deuteronomy.
σοιto youDativedative of recipient→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of recipient.
ἐνas / inpreposition + dative ('as an inheritance')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: here in the idiom ἐν κλήρῳ ('as/by inheritance'), rendering the Hebrew of allotted possession.
κλήρῳinheritance / lotDativedative (manner/capacity: 'as an inheritance')→ sphere or referenceκλῆρος (dat. κλήρῳ): 'lot / allotted portion / inheritance'; renders נַחֲלָה / by lot; the land is given as the divinely apportioned possession of Israel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κληρονομήσῃςyou take possessionAor Act Subj 2 Sg · κληρονομέωverb of protasis (parallel to εἰσέλθῃς)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (taking possession of the land)κληρονομέω (aor. subj. κληρονομήσῃς): 'inherit / take possession'; renders וִירִשְׁתָּהּ; the taking of the land as inheritance.
αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object of κληρονομήσῃς→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. f. αὐτήν): 'it'; the land as object of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατοικήσῃςyou dwellAor Act Subj 2 Sg · κατοικέωverb of protasis (settled dwelling)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (settling in the land)κατοικέω (aor. subj. κατοικήσῃς): 'settle / dwell / inhabit'; renders וְיָשַׁבְתָּה; the settled occupation that forms the precondition for the monarchy-request.
ἐπ᾿upon / inpreposition + genitive (locative: 'upon it')→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative: 'upon it').
αὐτῆςitGenitivegenitive object of ἐπ᾿ (the land dwelt upon)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. f. αὐτῆς): 'it'; the land settled upon.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἴπῃςyou sayAor Act Subj 2 Sg · λέγωverb of protasis (the monarchy-request)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (the future demand for a king)λέγω (aor. subj. εἴπῃς): 'say'; renders וְאָמַרְתָּ; introduces the anticipated request for a king — the very words echoed at 1 Sam 8:5, 19–20.
καταστήσωI will set / appointFut Act Indic 1 Sg · καθίστημιmain verb of the quoted request (first-person resolve)→ volitive future (the people's resolve to appoint a king)καθίστημι (fut. act. καταστήσω): 'set / appoint / establish'; renders אָשִׂימָה; the people's first-person resolve to install a ruler — the act that the following verses regulate.
ἐπ᾿overpreposition + accusative ('over myself')→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative ('over myself').
ἐμαυτὸνmyselfAccusativereflexive pronoun (object of ἐπ᾿: 'over myself')→ participant referenceἐμαυτοῦ (acc. ἐμαυτόν): 'myself'; reflexive — the people set a ruler over their own collective self.
ἄρχονταrulerAccusativedirect object of καταστήσω→ object specificationἄρχων (acc. ἄρχοντα): 'ruler / leader / chief'; renders מֶלֶךְ ('king'); notably the LXX here prefers ἄρχων ('ruler') over βασιλεύς ('king'), perhaps softening the monarchic claim — though βασιλεύς is used elsewhere; the ruler is to be set over Israel like the kings of the surrounding nations.
καθὰjust ascomparative conjunction ('just as')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθά: 'just as / according as'; renders כַּאֲשֶׁר / כְּכֹל; introduces the comparison with the nations — the dangerous motive of imitation.
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive ('also')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here ascensive/adverbial 'also,' strengthening the comparison ('just as also the other nations').
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λοιπὰrest / remainingNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔθνη)→ participant prominenceλοιπός (nom. pl. n. λοιπά): 'remaining / other'; 'the rest of the nations' — the surrounding peoples whose monarchic model Israel is tempted to imitate.
ἔθνηnationsNominativesubject of implied verb in the comparison ('as the nations [do]')→ participant prominenceἔθνος (nom. pl. ἔθνη): 'nation / gentile people'; renders גּוֹיִם; the surrounding nations whose example motivates the request — the same phrase underlies the elders' demand in 1 Sam 8:5 ('a king to judge us like all the nations').
τὰtheNominativearticle (with adverbial κύκλῳ phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύκλῳaround / round aboutadverb (locative: 'round about me')→ clausal contributionκύκλῳ: 'round about / in a circle'; the dative of κύκλος fixed as an adverb; renders סְבִיבֹתַי ('around me'); 'the nations around me' — the encircling gentile kingdoms.
μουme / myGenitivegenitive (with κύκλῳ: 'around me')→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. μου): 'me'; the nations that surround Israel.
15
καθιστῶν καταστήσεις ἐπὶ σεαυτὸν ἄρχοντα ὃν ἂν ἐκλέξηται κύριος ὁ θεός σου αὐτόν ἐκ τῶν ἀδελφῶν σου καταστήσεις ἐπὶ σεαυτὸν ἄρχοντα οὐ δυνήσῃ καταστῆσαι ἐπὶ σεαυτὸν ἄνθρωπον ἀλλότριον ὅτι οὐκ ἀδελφός σού ἐστιν
you shall surely set over yourself a ruler whom the LORD your God shall choose; from among your brothers you shall set a ruler over yourself; you shall not be able to set over yourself a foreign man, because he is not your brother.
v. 15 is the apodosis, with the emphatic cognate-participle construction καθιστῶν καταστήσεις ('you shall surely set', rendering the Hebrew infinitive absolute שׂוֹם תָּשִׂים). Two non-negotiable qualifications govern any king: (1) he must be one whom YHWH chooses (ὃν ἂν ἐκλέξηται κύριος), and (2) he must be from among the brothers, never a foreigner (ἄνθρωπον ἀλλότριον) — kingship is hedged by divine election and ethnic-covenantal kinship.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καθιστῶνsetting / surelyPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · καθίστημιcognate participle (Hebraism: intensifying καταστήσεις)→ present participle in cognate construction (rendering the Hebrew infinitive absolute)καθίστημι (pres. part. καθιστῶν): 'set / appoint'; the cognate participle + finite verb (καθιστῶν καταστήσεις) is the LXX's standard rendering of the Hebrew emphatic infinitive absolute שׂוֹם תָּשִׂים ('you shall surely set'), expressing the certainty/obligation of the appointment when it occurs.
καταστήσειςyou shall setFut Act Indic 2 Sg · καθίστημιmain verb (the mandated/permitted appointment)→ legislative future (the regulated act of appointing a king)καθίστημι (fut. καταστήσεις): 'set / appoint / establish'; the finite verb of the cognate construction; the appointment is permitted but tightly conditioned by the following qualifications.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative ('over yourself')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative ('over yourself').
σεαυτὸνyourselfAccusativereflexive pronoun (object of ἐπί)→ participant referenceσεαυτοῦ (acc. σεαυτόν): 'yourself'; the king is set over Israel's own collective self.
ἄρχονταrulerAccusativedirect object of καταστήσεις→ object specificationἄρχων (acc. ἄρχοντα): 'ruler'; again ἄρχων for the Hebrew מֶלֶךְ ('king'); the term recurs through the law as the object of careful qualification.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐκλέξηται)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. ὅν): relative referring to ἄρχοντα; introduces the divine-election qualification.
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἂν: meaning 'ever'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκλέξηταιshall chooseAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · ἐκλέγωverb of relative clause (divine election of the king)→ aorist subjunctive (the contingent divine choice)ἐκλέγω (aor. mid. ἐκλέξηται): 'choose for oneself'; renders יִבְחַר; the same verb used for the chosen sanctuary (vv. 8, 10) now governs the chosen king — the monarchy is legitimated only by divine election (cf. 1 Sam 10:24; 16:1–13).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐκλέξηται→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the elector of the king.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ 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→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
αὐτόνhimAccusativeresumptive pronoun (Hebraism: 'whom ... him')→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. αὐτόν): resumptive pronoun calquing the Hebrew resumptive after the relative ('whom the LORD chooses, him').
ἐκfrom amongpreposition + genitive (source/partitive: 'from among')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source/partitive: 'from among').
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφῶνbrothersGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (the king's required kinship)→ relational specificationἀδελφός (gen. pl. ἀδελφῶν): 'brother / kinsman'; renders אַחֶיךָ; the king must be a fellow Israelite — 'from among your brothers'; this kinship-requirement is theologically loaded and recurs at v. 20 (lest his heart be lifted 'above his brothers').
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καταστήσειςyou shall setFut Act Indic 2 Sg · καθίστημιmain verb (repeated for emphasis)→ legislative future (reiterated appointment-command)καθίστημι (fut. καταστήσεις): the verb is repeated, framing the kinship-requirement emphatically ('from among your brothers you shall set a ruler').
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
σεαυτὸνyourselfAccusativereflexive pronoun (object of ἐπί)→ participant referenceσεαυτὸν: meaning 'yourself'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as reflexive pronoun (object of ἐπί).
ἄρχονταrulerAccusativedirect object of καταστήσεις→ object specificationἄρχοντα: meaning 'ruler'; it serves as direct object of καταστήσεις.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δυνήσῃyou shall be ableFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb (negated: prohibition framed as inability)→ legislative future (prohibition: 'you may not / shall not be able')δύναμαι (fut. mid. δυνήσῃ): 'be able'; renders תוּכַל; the negated 'you shall not be able' is an idiom of legal prohibition — appointing a foreigner is simply not within Israel's lawful power.
καταστῆσαιto set / appointAor Act Inf · καθίστημιcomplementary infinitive (with δυνήσῃ)→ complementary aorist infinitive (the forbidden act)καθίστημι (aor. inf. καταστῆσαι): 'set / appoint'; the complementary infinitive — what is forbidden is the appointing of a foreigner.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
σεαυτὸνyourselfAccusativereflexive pronoun (object of ἐπί)→ participant referenceσεαυτὸν: meaning 'yourself'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as reflexive pronoun (object of ἐπί).
ἄνθρωπονmanAccusativedirect object of καταστῆσαι→ object specificationἄνθρωπος (acc. ἄνθρωπον): 'man / person'; here the disqualified candidate — a foreign man.
ἀλλότριονforeign / alienAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἄνθρωπον)→ object specificationἀλλότριος (acc. ἀλλότριον): 'foreign / belonging to another / alien'; renders נָכְרִי; the foreigner is barred from the throne because he stands outside the covenant brotherhood of Israel.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (motive clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; grounds the prohibition in the foreigner's lack of covenant kinship.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀδελφόςbrotherNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐστιν: 'he is not your brother')→ participant prominenceἀδελφός: 'brother / kinsman'; the disqualifying ground — the foreigner is not a covenant brother; only kinship qualifies for kingship over Israel.
σούyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ἀδελφός)→ relational specificationσού: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (with ἀδελφός).
ἐστινhe isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula of the motive clause→ stative present (the foreigner's settled status)εἰμί: the copula stating the disqualifying fact — the foreigner simply is not a brother.
16
διότι οὐ πληθυνεῖ ἑαυτῷ ἵππον οὐδὲ μὴ ἀποστρέψῃ τὸν λαὸν εἰς Αἴγυπτον ὅπως πληθύνῃ ἑαυτῷ ἵππον ὁ δὲ κύριος εἶπεν οὐ προσθήσετε ἀποστρέψαι τῇ ὁδῷ ταύτῃ ἔτι
Only he shall not multiply for himself horses, nor turn the people back to Egypt so that he may multiply for himself horses; for the LORD said, 'You shall never again return by this way.'
v. 16 begins the three prohibitions limiting the king (horses, wives, wealth). The ban on multiplying horses is sharpened by the prohibition against sending the people back to Egypt to acquire them — for YHWH has decreed Israel must never return that way. Horses signify military self-reliance and a reversal of the Exodus; the king must not undo redemption for the sake of cavalry power.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
διότιonly / becauseconjunction (here restrictive/explanatory: 'only')→ discourse linkage or contrastδιότι: usually 'because / for'; here it renders the Hebrew רַק ('only / however'), introducing the restrictive conditions on the king — the LXX uses it in a limiting sense, 'provided that he not...'
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πληθυνεῖhe shall multiplyFut Act Indic 3 Sg · πληθύνωmain verb (first royal prohibition)→ legislative future (prohibition on the king)πληθύνω (fut. πληθυνεῖ): 'multiply / increase'; renders יַרְבֶּה; the verb governs all three prohibitions (horses, wives, silver/gold) — the king is forbidden to amass the trappings of imperial power; the threefold 'he shall not multiply' is the structural backbone of vv. 16–17.
ἑαυτῷfor himselfDativereflexive dative of advantage ('for himself')→ sphere or referenceἑαυτοῦ (dat. ἑαυτῷ): 'for himself'; the reflexive stresses self-aggrandizement — the king is not to accumulate for his own power and glory.
ἵππονhorse / cavalryAccusativedirect object of πληθυνεῖ→ object specificationἵππος (acc. ἵππον): 'horse'; renders סוּס; the singular is collective ('horses / cavalry'); horses signify military might and reliance on chariotry rather than on YHWH (cf. Ps 20:7; Isa 31:1) — Egypt was the great horse-trading power (1 Kgs 10:28–29).
οὐδὲnornegative coordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδέ: 'and not / nor'; joins the second clause of the horse-prohibition.
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive: emphatic prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: with the aorist subjunctive ἀποστρέψῃ forms an emphatic negation (οὐδὲ μή, 'and by no means').
ἀποστρέψῃhe turn back / returnAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀποστρέφωverb (emphatic prohibition: 'nor shall he turn the people back')→ aorist subjunctive in emphatic prohibition (forbidden return to Egypt)ἀποστρέφω (aor. subj. ἀποστρέψῃ): 'turn back / cause to return'; renders יָשִׁיב; the king must not send the people back to Egypt — undoing the Exodus — even to acquire horses.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἀποστρέψῃ→ object specificationλαός (acc. λαόν): 'people'; the people whom the king must not lead back into the land of bondage.
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΑἴγυπτονEgyptAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the forbidden destination)→ object specificationΑἴγυπτος (acc. Αἴγυπτον): 'Egypt'; renders מִצְרַיִם; the house of bondage and the great horse-market; returning there for cavalry would reverse the redemption.
ὅπωςso that / in order thatpurpose conjunction (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅπως: 'so that / in order that'; introduces the purpose clause — the forbidden motive of returning to Egypt is the multiplication of horses.
πληθύνῃhe may multiplyAor Act Subj 3 Sg · πληθύνωverb of purpose clause→ aorist subjunctive of purpose (the prohibited aim)πληθύνω (aor. subj. πληθύνῃ): 'multiply'; the purpose for which the return is forbidden — horse-acquisition; the repetition of πληθύνω ties the prohibition to the verse's opening.
ἑαυτῷfor himselfDativereflexive dative of advantage→ sphere or referenceἑαυτοῦ (dat. ἑαυτῷ): 'for himself'; again self-aggrandizing accumulation.
ἵππονhorseAccusativedirect object of πληθύνῃ→ object specificationἵππος (acc. ἵππον): 'horse'; the object of the forbidden multiplication.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbut / forparticle (post-positive, introducing the divine word)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; introduces the grounding citation of YHWH's decree.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; whose past word forbids return to Egypt.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction of the divine decree)→ constative aorist (the LORD's settled prior word)λέγω (aor. εἶπεν): 'said'; introduces YHWH's prior decree against returning to Egypt (cf. Exod 14:13; Deut 28:68); the king's policy must not contradict the divine word of the Exodus.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσθήσετεyou shall add / do againFut Act Indic 2 Pl · προστίθημιmain verb of the quoted decree (idiom: 'you shall not again')→ legislative future (the divine prohibition of return)προστίθημι (fut. προσθήσετε): 'add / do again'; the idiom οὐ προσθήσετε + infinitive ('you shall not add to do' = 'you shall never again') is a Hebraism rendering לֹא תֹסִפוּן ('you shall not continue/repeat'); the plural addresses the whole people.
ἀποστρέψαιto returnAor Act Inf · ἀποστρέφωcomplementary infinitive (with προσθήσετε: 'to return again')→ complementary aorist infinitive (the forbidden return)ἀποστρέφω (aor. inf. ἀποστρέψαι): 'turn back / return'; the complementary infinitive — what may never be repeated is the return by 'this way' to Egypt.
τῇthe / by theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδῷway / roadDativedative of way/route ('by this way')→ sphere or referenceὁδός (dat. ὁδῷ): 'way / road / journey'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; the dative of route — Israel must never travel back to Egypt by that road, a permanent reversal-ban on the Exodus.
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ὁδῷ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος (dat. f. ταύτῃ): 'this'; 'this way' — the road back to Egypt.
ἔτιagain / any moreadverb (temporal: 'again / any more')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / again / any more'; renders עוֹד; with the prohibition, 'never again' — sealing the permanence of the no-return decree.
17
καὶ οὐ πληθυνεῖ ἑαυτῷ γυναῖκας οὐδὲ μεταστήσεται αὐτοῦ ἡ καρδία καὶ ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον οὐ πληθυνεῖ ἑαυτῷ σφόδρα
And he shall not multiply for himself wives, lest his heart turn away; and silver and gold he shall not multiply for himself excessively.
v. 17 completes the royal prohibitions: the king must not multiply wives (lest his heart be turned away — the very danger realized in Solomon, 1 Kgs 11:1–4) nor multiply silver and gold to excess. The three bans (horses, wives, wealth) target the characteristic excesses of ancient kingship — military, dynastic-diplomatic, and economic self-aggrandizement — each a temptation to trust in self rather than YHWH.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πληθυνεῖhe shall multiplyFut Act Indic 3 Sg · πληθύνωmain verb (second royal prohibition)→ legislative future (prohibition on the king)πληθύνω (fut. πληθυνεῖ): 'multiply'; renders יַרְבֶּה; the second of the three royal 'he shall not multiply' prohibitions, now concerning wives.
ἑαυτῷfor himselfDativereflexive dative of advantage→ sphere or referenceἑαυτοῦ (dat. ἑαυτῷ): 'for himself'; self-serving accumulation of wives (harem-building for diplomatic and dynastic power).
γυναῖκαςwives / womenAccusativedirect object of πληθυνεῖ→ object specificationγυνή (acc. pl. γυναῖκας): 'wife / woman'; renders נָשִׁים; the multiplication of wives — typically foreign princesses sealing alliances — endangers covenant fidelity, as Solomon's reign would prove (1 Kgs 11:1–8).
οὐδὲlest / nornegative conjunction (here resultative: 'lest')→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδέ: 'and not / nor'; here introducing the feared consequence ('nor [should] his heart turn away'), functioning as 'lest.'
μεταστήσεταιshall turn away / be removedFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · μεθίστημιmain verb (the feared consequence: heart turned away)→ predictive future (the danger averted by the prohibition)μεθίστημι (fut. mid. μεταστήσεται): 'remove / change / turn away'; renders יָסוּר ('turn aside'); the multiplication of wives would cause the king's heart to 'turn away' (sc. from YHWH) — exactly the apostasy of Solomon (1 Kgs 11:4, 'his wives turned away his heart').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with καρδία)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his'; the king's heart.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαheartNominativesubject of μεταστήσεται→ participant prominenceκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב / לֵבָב; in biblical anthropology the seat of will, devotion, and loyalty; the king's heart 'turning away' denotes apostasy from exclusive covenant allegiance.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing third prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀργύριονsilverAccusativedirect object of πληθυνεῖ (fronted for emphasis)→ object specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; renders כֶּסֶף; the fronting of 'silver and gold' before the verb emphasizes the third prohibition — against amassing wealth.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
χρυσίονgoldAccusativedirect object of πληθυνεῖ (coordinate with ἀργύριον)→ object specificationχρυσίον: 'gold'; renders זָהָב; 'silver and gold' is the standard merism for royal treasure — the king must not accumulate it excessively (again, contrast Solomon, 1 Kgs 10:14–25).
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πληθυνεῖhe shall multiplyFut Act Indic 3 Sg · πληθύνωmain verb (third royal prohibition)→ legislative future (prohibition on the king)πληθύνω (fut. πληθυνεῖ): 'multiply'; the third 'he shall not multiply' — completing the triad of prohibitions; the king must not turn the throne into an engine of personal enrichment.
ἑαυτῷfor himselfDativereflexive dative of advantage→ sphere or referenceἑαυτοῦ (dat. ἑαυτῷ): 'for himself'; self-aggrandizement, the common thread of all three bans.
σφόδραexcessively / greatlyadverb of degree (intensifying the prohibition)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'exceedingly / greatly'; renders מְאֹד; 'not multiply ... excessively' — the king may possess what is needful but must not amass treasure to excess.
18
καὶ ἔσται ὅταν καθίσῃ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς αὐτοῦ καὶ γράψει ἑαυτῷ τὸ δευτερονόμιον τοῦτο εἰς βιβλίον παρὰ τῶν ἱερέων τῶν Λευιτῶν
And it shall be, when he sits upon his throne, that he shall write for himself this Deuteronomy in a book, from the priests, the Levites,
v. 18 marks the turn from prohibitions to the king's one great positive duty. The formula καὶ ἔσται ὅταν ('and it shall be when', rendering וְהָיָה כְּ-) introduces the enthronement scenario: the king must write for himself a copy of the law. The phrase τὸ δευτερονόμιον τοῦτο ('this second-law / copy of the law') is the verse from which the Greek name of the entire book — ΔΕΥΤΕΡΟΝΟΜΙΟΝ — derives, rendering the Hebrew מִשְׁנֵה הַתּוֹרָה ('a copy of this law').
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (temporal-frame formula: 'and it shall be when')→ predictive future (introducing the enthronement scenario)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; the formula καὶ ἔσται ὅταν ('and it shall come to pass when') renders וְהָיָה כְ-, a standard Hebraizing temporal frame introducing a future circumstance and its consequent obligation.
ὅτανwhentemporal conjunction (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅταν: 'whenever / when'; with the subjunctive καθίσῃ, marks the temporal condition — at the king's accession.
καθίσῃhe sits / is enthronedAor Act Subj 3 Sg · καθίζωverb of temporal clause ('when he sits on his throne')→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (the act of accession)καθίζω (aor. subj. καθίσῃ): 'sit / take one's seat / be enthroned'; renders כְּשִׁבְתּוֹ; 'sitting on the throne' denotes the king's accession to rule — the moment the duty of law-writing takes effect.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (position: 'upon his throne')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position: 'upon his throne').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀρχῆςrule / throneGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί ('upon his rule/throne')→ relational specificationἀρχή (gen. ἀρχῆς): 'rule / dominion / sovereignty'; renders כִּסֵּא מַמְלַכְתּוֹ ('throne of his kingdom'); the LXX uses ἀρχή ('rule') for the royal seat of power — 'when he sits upon his rule' = upon his throne.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶand / thencoordinate conjunction (apodotic, with the temporal frame)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic 'then,' completing the 'it shall be when … that he shall write' construction.
γράψειhe shall writeFut Act Indic 3 Sg · γράφωmain verb (the king's positive obligation)→ legislative future (mandated duty of the king)γράφω (fut. γράψει): 'write'; renders וְכָתַב; the king's single positive command — to write for himself a personal copy of the law; the act of copying ensures internalization of Torah, subordinating the monarch to the divine law.
ἑαυτῷfor himselfDativereflexive dative of advantage ('for himself')→ sphere or referenceἑαυτοῦ (dat. ἑαυτῷ): 'for himself'; pointedly contrasts the earlier self-aggrandizing 'for himself' (horses, wives, gold) — here the king's only legitimate acquisition 'for himself' is the Torah.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δευτερονόμιονDeuteronomy / copy of the lawAccusativedirect object of γράψει→ object specificationδευτερονόμιον: 'second law / copy of the law' (from δεύτερος + νόμος); the LXX rendering of מִשְׁנֵה הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת ('a copy of this law'), reading מִשְׁנֶה as 'repetition/second' rather than 'copy'; this very word τὸ δευτερονόμιον τοῦτο gave the entire book its Greek (and English) name, ΔΕΥΤΕΡΟΝΟΜΙΟΝ / Deuteronomy — 'the second-law,' the king's required copy of the Torah.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying δευτερονόμιον)→ participant referenceοὗτος (acc. n. τοῦτο): 'this'; 'this Deuteronomy' points to the law-book Moses is delivering — the king must copy this very Torah.
εἰςinto / inpreposition + accusative ('into a book')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative ('into a book').
βιβλίονbook / scrollAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the medium of the copy)→ object specificationβιβλίον: 'book / scroll / document'; renders סֵפֶר; the king writes the law 'into a book' — a permanent, personal scroll he is to consult lifelong (v. 19).
παρὰfrom / from besidepreposition + genitive (source: 'from the priests')→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + genitive: 'from (the side of)'; the king copies the law 'from the priests, the Levites' — the authoritative custodians of the official Torah-scroll (cf. Deut 31:9, 26).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερέωνpriestsGenitivegenitive object of παρά (the source of the master copy)→ relational specificationἱερεύς (gen. pl. ἱερέων): 'priest'; the priests guard the authoritative law-scroll from which the king copies — ensuring textual fidelity.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΛευιτῶνLevitesGenitivegenitive in apposition to ἱερέων ('the priests, the Levites')→ relational specificationΛευίτης (gen. pl. Λευιτῶν): 'Levite'; the appositional 'priests, the Levites' (cf. v. 9) — the levitical priesthood as custodians of the Torah.
19
καὶ ἔσται μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀναγνώσεται ἐν αὐτῷ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς αὐτοῦ ἵνα μάθῃ φοβεῖσθαι κύριον τὸν θεὸν αὐτοῦ φυλάσσεσθαι πάσας τὰς ἐντολὰς ταύτας καὶ τὰ δικαιώματα ταῦτα ποιεῖν
and it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all these commandments and to do these statutes,
v. 19 states the purpose of the king's law-copy: it is to remain with him and be read 'all the days of his life,' so that he may learn the fear of YHWH and faithful obedience. The triad μάθῃ … φοβεῖσθαι … φυλάσσεσθαι … ποιεῖν binds learning, reverence, keeping, and doing — the king is to be the model Torah-student, not above the law but its first disciple.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb ('it [the book] shall be with him')→ predictive future (the abiding presence of the law-copy)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; the law-book 'shall be with him' — constantly at hand, his lifelong companion and guide.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment: 'with him')→ spatial or relational framingμετά + genitive (elided μετ᾿): 'with'; the scroll is to remain in the king's constant company.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετ᾿→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'him'; the king.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναγνώσεταιhe shall readFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀναγινώσκωmain verb (lifelong reading of the law)→ legislative future (the king's continual reading)ἀναγινώσκω (fut. mid. ἀναγνώσεται): 'read / read aloud'; renders וְקָרָא; the king is to read in the law-book continually — habitual, lifelong engagement with Torah, the antidote to royal pride.
ἐνinpreposition + dative ('in it')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative ('in it').
αὐτῷitDativedative object of ἐν (the book read in)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): 'it'; the law-book; 'read in it' renders the Hebrew קָרָא בְ-.
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)→ object specificationπᾶς (acc. pl. f. πάσας): 'all'; the duration is total — every day of his reign.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of duration ('all the days')→ object specificationἡμέρα (acc. pl. ἡμέρας): 'day'; the accusative of extent of time — 'all the days of his life.'
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ζωῆςlifeGenitivegenitive of relationship (with ἡμέρας: 'days of life')→ relational specificationζωή (gen. ζωῆς): 'life'; renders חַיָּיו; 'all the days of his life' — the reading is to be lifelong, never outgrown.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἵναso thatpurpose conjunction (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: 'so that / in order that'; introduces the purpose of the lifelong reading — learning the fear of God.
μάθῃhe may learnAor Act Subj 3 Sg · μανθάνωverb of purpose clause→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (coming to learn reverence)μανθάνω (aor. subj. μάθῃ): 'learn'; renders יִלְמַד; the purpose of reading is formative — the king learns, by lifelong study, to fear YHWH; Torah-reading is pedagogical, shaping the royal character.
φοβεῖσθαιto fearPres Mid Inf · φοβέομαιcomplementary infinitive (object of μάθῃ: 'learn to fear')→ complementary present infinitive (the ongoing disposition of reverence)φοβέομαι (pres. inf. φοβεῖσθαι): 'fear / reverence'; renders לְיִרְאָה; 'the fear of the LORD' is the foundational covenant disposition (Deut 6:13; 10:12); the king must embody it as the people's exemplar.
κύριονthe LORDAccusativeaccusative object of φοβεῖσθαι→ object specificationκύριος (acc. κύριον): the Tetragrammaton; the object of the king's reverent fear.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸνGodAccusativeaccusative in apposition to κύριον→ object specificationθεὸν: meaning 'God'; it serves as accusative in apposition to κύριον.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his'; notably 'the LORD his God' — the king is himself under YHWH as a covenant subject, not a divine figure as in neighboring monarchies.
φυλάσσεσθαιto keep / observePres Mid Inf · φυλάσσωinfinitive of purpose/result (parallel to φοβεῖσθαι)→ complementary present infinitive (ongoing observance)φυλάσσω (pres. mid. inf. φυλάσσεσθαι): 'keep / guard / observe'; renders לִשְׁמֹר; the king's reverence issues in observance of 'all these commandments.'
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἐντολάς)→ object specificationπᾶς (acc. pl. f. πάσας): 'all'; the scope is total — every commandment.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐντολὰςcommandmentsAccusativedirect object of φυλάσσεσθαι→ object specificationἐντολή (acc. pl. ἐντολάς): 'commandment'; renders מִצְוֹת; the divine commands the king is to keep — he stands under, not above, the law.
ταύταςtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἐντολάς)→ object specificationοὗτος (acc. pl. f. ταύτας): 'these'; 'these commandments' — those of the Deuteronomic law-book the king has copied.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δικαιώματαstatutes / ordinancesAccusativedirect object of ποιεῖν→ object specificationδικαίωμα (acc. pl. δικαιώματα): 'ordinance / statute / righteous decree'; renders חֻקִּים; the fixed legal ordinances the king must perform; ἐντολαί and δικαιώματα together comprise the whole body of covenant law.
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying δικαιώματα)→ object specificationοὗτος (acc. pl. n. ταῦτα): 'these'; 'these statutes' — of the Deuteronomic code.
ποιεῖνto doPres Act Inf · ποιέωinfinitive of purpose (parallel to φυλάσσεσθαι: 'and to do')→ complementary present infinitive (ongoing performance)ποιέω (pres. inf. ποιεῖν): 'do / perform'; renders לַעֲשׂוֹת; the climax of the chain — to learn, fear, keep, and do; the king's Torah-study must issue in obedient practice.
20
ἵνα μὴ ὑψωθῇ ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ ἵνα μὴ παραβῇ ἀπὸ τῶν ἐντολῶν δεξιὰ ἢ ἀριστερά ὅπως ἂν μακροχρονίσῃ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς αὐτοῦ αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ ἐν τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ
so that his heart not be lifted up above his brothers, so that he not turn aside from the commandments, to the right or to the left, in order that he may reign long upon his throne, he and his sons, among the sons of Israel.
v. 20 gives the ultimate purpose of the whole law of the king: that his heart not be 'lifted up above his brothers' (the antidote to royal hubris), that he not deviate from the commandments ('right or left', echoing v. 11), and that he and his dynasty may endure long in Israel. The king remains a brother among brothers, his throne secured not by power but by humble Torah-fidelity — the seedbed of the messianic-king ideal.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
ἵναso thatpurpose conjunction (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: 'so that / in order that'; introduces the first of the final purpose clauses — guarding against royal pride.
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive: negative purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative of the purpose clause ('so that … not').
ὑψωθῇbe lifted up / exaltedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ὑψόωverb of negative purpose clause→ aorist passive subjunctive (the pride to be averted)ὑψόω (aor. pass. ὑψωθῇ): 'lift up / exalt / raise high'; renders רוּם; the 'lifting up of the heart' is the idiom for arrogant self-exaltation; the king's Torah-fidelity guards against the hubris that would set him above his fellow Israelites (cf. the pride of Uzziah, 2 Chr 26:16).
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαheartNominativesubject of ὑψωθῇ→ participant prominenceκαρδία: 'heart'; the seat of disposition; an 'exalted heart' is the prideful self-elevation the king must avoid — the inverse of the humility befitting a brother.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἀπὸabove / frompreposition + genitive (comparison/separation: 'above his brothers')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: here in the idiom 'lifted up from/above' (rendering מֵ-), expressing the king's exaltation over his fellow Israelites — precisely what is forbidden.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφῶνbrothersGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό ('above his brothers')→ relational specificationἀδελφός (gen. pl. ἀδελφῶν): 'brother'; the kinship-theme of the law of the king reaches its climax — the king must never forget that his subjects are his brothers; he rules from within the covenant family, not above it (cf. v. 15).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἵναso thatpurpose conjunction (second negative purpose clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: introduces the second purpose clause — guarding against deviation from the law.
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμὴ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παραβῇhe turn aside / transgressAor Act Subj 3 Sg · παραβαίνωverb of negative purpose clause→ aorist subjunctive (the transgression to be averted)παραβαίνω (aor. subj. παραβῇ): 'go aside / transgress / overstep'; renders סוּר; the king must not deviate from the commandments — the same concern as the 'right or left' formula of v. 11, now applied to the monarch himself.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐντολῶνcommandmentsGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (the law not to be deviated from)→ relational specificationἐντολή (gen. pl. ἐντολῶν): 'commandment'; renders מִצְוָה; the body of covenant law from which the king must not stray in either direction.
δεξιὰto the rightAccusativeadverbial accusative (direction: 'to the right')→ object specificationδεξιός (acc. pl. n. δεξιά): 'right'; adverbial; the 'neither right nor left' formula (cf. v. 11; Deut 5:32) now governs the king's own fidelity — exact, undeviating obedience.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; joins the two members of the 'right/left' idiom (here ἢ rather than the οὐδέ of v. 11).
ἀριστεράto the leftAccusativeadverbial accusative (direction: 'to the left')→ object specificationἀριστερός (acc. pl. n. ἀριστερά): 'left'; adverbial; completes the merism for total fidelity — the king must keep precisely to the path of the commandments.
ὅπωςin order thatpurpose conjunction (with ἂν + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅπως: 'in order that'; introduces the final, positive purpose — dynastic longevity as the reward of fidelity.
ἂν—modal particle (with ὅπως + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle strengthening the purpose clause (ὅπως ἄν + subjunctive).
μακροχρονίσῃhe may live/reign longAor Act Subj 3 Sg · μακροχρονίζωverb of purpose clause (the promised reward)→ aorist subjunctive (the goal of dynastic longevity)μακροχρονίζω (aor. subj. μακροχρονίσῃ): 'be long-lived / endure long'; from μακρός + χρόνος; renders יַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים ('prolong days'); the king's reign — and his dynasty's — endures long as the fruit of humble Torah-fidelity (cf. the long-life promise of the fifth commandment, Deut 5:16); this dynastic hope feeds the Davidic-messianic trajectory (2 Sam 7).
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (position: 'upon his throne')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position: 'upon his throne').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀρχῆςrule / throneGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί ('upon his rule/throne')→ relational specificationἀρχή (gen. ἀρχῆς): 'rule / dominion'; as in v. 18, 'upon his rule' = upon his throne; the long reign is exercised over the kingdom.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativeintensive pronoun (subject in apposition: 'he himself')→ participant referenceαὐτός (nom. αὐτός): 'he himself'; the intensive pronoun specifies the subject of the long reign — the king himself, together with his sons.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (coordinate with αὐτός: 'and his sons')→ participant prominenceυἱός (nom. pl. υἱοί): 'son'; renders בָּנָיו; the king's dynastic heirs — the promise of enduring rule extends to his line, the constitutional seed of dynastic succession.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (locative: 'among the sons of Israel')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'among the sons of Israel').
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative object of ἐν ('among the sons of Israel')→ sphere or referenceυἱός (dat. pl. υἱοῖς): 'son'; 'the sons of Israel' (οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ) renders בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל — the covenant people among whom the king reigns as a brother; the closing phrase reaffirms that the king belongs to and rules within the covenant nation.
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relationship: 'sons of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable; the chapter ends on 'Israel,' framing the king's whole existence within the covenant people — the final word of the law of the king situates the monarch as servant of, and brother within, the nation of YHWH.