1
ἐὰν δὲ ἀφανίσῃ κύριος ὁ θεός σου τὰ ἔθνη ἃ ὁ θεός σου δίδωσίν σοι τὴν γῆν αὐτῶν καὶ κατακληρονομήσητε αὐτοὺς καὶ κατοικήσητε ἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν αὐτῶν καὶ ἐν τοῖς οἴκοις αὐτῶν
Now if the LORD your God blots out the nations whose land your God gives you, and you dispossess them and dwell in their cities and in their houses,
The chapter opens with the standard Deuteronomic conditional formula ἐὰν δέ + subjunctive, projecting the settled situation in the land as the legal premise. δέ marks the transition from the preceding material to a fresh casuistic unit; the threefold protasis (YHWH blots out the nations / Israel dispossesses them / Israel dwells in their cities and houses) sets the scene for the apodosis in v. 2 (the setting apart of cities of refuge).
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (introducing protasis + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; takes the subjunctive (ἀφανίσῃ); the standard Deuteronomic device for framing casuistic law, rendering Hebrew כִּי ('when') in legal contexts where the condition is treated as certain to obtain.
δὲnownarrative/discourse continuative (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive particle marking a transition to a new legal unit after the close of ch. 18; here a discourse continuative ('now').
ἀφανίσῃblots outAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀφανίζωverb of protasis (subjunctive with ἐάν)→ ingressive-perfective aorist subjunctive (envisaged complete act)ἀφανίζω: 'make disappear / destroy / blot out'; renders Hebrew כָּרַת / הִכְרִית ('cut off'); the aorist subjunctive views the destruction of the nations as a single accomplished divine act that precedes Israel's settlement.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; nominative subject of ἀφανίσῃ, marking YHWH as the agent of the conquest.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός, in apposition to κύριος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the formula κύριος ὁ θεός σου ('the LORD your God') is the characteristic Deuteronomic divine title binding YHWH to Israel in the second person singular of covenant address.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with θεός)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): the second-person singular pronoun; Deuteronomy characteristically addresses Israel as a single 'you', emphasizing corporate covenant solidarity.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ἔθνη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔθνηnationsAccusativedirect object of ἀφανίσῃ→ object specificationἔθνος (pl. ἔθνη): 'nation / people / Gentiles'; renders גּוֹיִם; here the Canaanite nations whom YHWH dispossesses before Israel.
ἃwhoseAccusativerelative pronoun (acc. n. pl., antecedent ἔθνη)→ participant referenceὅς, ἥ, ὅ: relative pronoun; here neuter accusative plural agreeing with ἔθνη; loosely construed ('whose land'), reflecting the Hebrew relative אֲשֶׁר with a resumptive sense.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativesubject of relative clause (δίδωσιν)→ participant prominenceθεός: the divine subject of δίδωσιν; the land-grant is repeatedly grounded in YHWH's gift throughout the chapter (vv. 1, 2, 3, 8, 10, 14).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with θεός)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with θεός).
δίδωσίνgivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of relative clause→ customary/gnomic present (standing covenant gift)δίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; the present tense expresses the land-grant as a standing, presently-operative divine act, characteristic of Deuteronomy's land theology.
σοιto youDativedative indirect object (recipient of the gift)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): second-person singular dative; Israel as the recipient of the land.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of δίδωσιν→ object specificationγῆ: 'land / earth'; renders אֶרֶץ; here the land of the dispossessed nations, given to Israel.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (with γῆν: 'their land')→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): possessive genitive referring to the ἔθνη.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (continuing protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατακληρονομήσητεyou dispossessAor Act Subj 2 Pl · κατακληρονομέωverb of protasis (subjunctive, shift to 2nd plural)→ perfective aorist subjunctive (envisaged complete act)κατακληρονομέω: 'inherit / take possession of / dispossess'; renders יָרַשׁ (Hiphil); with a personal object (αὐτούς) it means 'dispossess them' — drive out and inherit in their place; note the shift from 2nd singular (σου) to 2nd plural (κατακληρονομήσητε), a frequent Deuteronomic number-fluctuation between corporate and collective address.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of κατακληρονομήσητε→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. αὐτούς): the nations as object of dispossession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατοικήσητεyou dwellAor Act Subj 2 Pl · κατοικέωverb of protasis (subjunctive, 2nd plural)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (settle down to dwell)κατοικέω: 'dwell / settle / inhabit'; renders יָשַׁב; the compound κατα- intensifies the sense of permanent settlement, completing the three-stage protasis: destruction, dispossession, settlement.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ταῖςtheDativearticle (with πόλεσιν)→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεσινcitiesDativedative of place (with ἐν: 'in the cities')→ sphere or referenceπόλις (dat. pl. πόλεσιν): 'city'; renders עִיר; Israel inherits the already-built cities of the dispossessed nations — a recurrent motif of Deuteronomy's land-gift (cf. Deut 6:10–11).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (with πόλεσιν)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with πόλεσιν).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with οἴκοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκοιςhousesDativedative of place (with ἐν: 'in the houses')→ sphere or referenceοἶκος (dat. pl. οἴκοις): 'house / household'; renders בַּיִת; completing the picture of Israel inheriting a fully-furnished land — cities and houses already standing.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (with οἴκοις)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with οἴκοις).
2
τρεῖς πόλεις διαστελεῖς σεαυτῷ ἐν μέσῳ τῆς γῆς σου ἧς κύριος ὁ θεός σου δίδωσίν σοι
you shall set apart for yourself three cities in the midst of your land, which the LORD your God gives you.
The apodosis to v. 1's protasis: the fronted object τρεῖς πόλεις ('three cities') gives emphatic prominence to the number and content of the command. The future indicative διαστελεῖς functions as a legislative imperative ('you shall set apart'), the standard mode of Deuteronomic apodictic command.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
τρεῖςthreeAccusativenumeral (attributive, modifying πόλεις; fronted for emphasis)→ measure or countτρεῖς: 'three'; renders שָׁלוֹשׁ; the three cities (with three more in vv. 8–9) parallel the Transjordanian provision of Deut 4:41–43 and Num 35:9–15; the fronting underscores the specific quota.
πόλειςcitiesAccusativedirect object of διαστελεῖς→ object specificationπόλις (acc. pl. πόλεις): 'city'; here the cities of asylum (πόλεις φυγαδευτήρια in the fuller term of Num 35), set apart for the manslayer's refuge.
διαστελεῖςyou shall set apartFut Act Indic 2 Sg · διαστέλλωmain verb (legislative future = command)→ imperatival future (binding command)διαστέλλω: 'separate / set apart / distinguish'; renders בָּדַל (Hiphil), 'to set apart'; the same verb used of separating the Transjordan cities at Deut 4:41; the future indicative carries the force of a binding legal injunction.
σεαυτῷfor yourselfDativereflexive pronoun (dative of advantage)→ participant reference or interestσεαυτοῦ (dat. σεαυτῷ): second-person singular reflexive pronoun; the dative of advantage ('for your own benefit') renders the Hebrew ethical dative לְךָ, stressing that the provision is for Israel's own protection.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
μέσῳmidstDativedative of place (with ἐν: 'in the midst')→ sphere or referenceμέσος: 'middle / midst'; ἐν μέσῳ renders בְּתוֹךְ; the central placement ensures the cities are accessible from all parts of the land, a concern made explicit by the road-preparation command of v. 3.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with γῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive (with μέσῳ: 'midst of the land')→ relational specificationγῆ (gen. γῆς): 'land'; the inherited land of Canaan within which the cities are to be situated.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with γῆς)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with γῆς).
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (gen. f. sg., antecedent γῆς)→ relational specificationὅς, ἥ, ὅ (gen. f. ἧς): relative pronoun attracted to the genitive case of its antecedent γῆς; introduces the recurrent land-gift relative clause.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of relative clause→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; subject of δίδωσιν in the land-gift formula.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: in the covenant title κύριος ὁ θεός σου.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with θεός)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with θεός).
δίδωσίνgivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of relative clause→ customary/gnomic present (standing covenant gift)δίδωμι: 'give'; the standing land-gift formula, repeated almost verbatim throughout the chapter as a refrain grounding the law in YHWH's gift.
σοιto youDativedative indirect object→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object.
3
στόχασαί σοι τὴν ὁδὸν καὶ τριμεριεῖς τὰ ὅρια τῆς γῆς σου ἣν καταμερίζει σοι κύριος ὁ θεός σου καὶ ἔσται καταφυγὴ ἐκεῖ παντὶ φονευτῇ
Estimate for yourself the road, and divide into three parts the territory of your land which the LORD your God apportions to you, and it shall be a refuge there for every manslayer.
Two further commands implement v. 2: the aorist imperative στόχασαι ('estimate / take aim at') and the legislative future τριμεριεῖς ('you shall divide into three'), ensuring that the cities are equidistant and the roads passable so that flight is feasible. The purpose-clause καὶ ἔσται καταφυγὴ ἐκεῖ ('and there shall be a refuge there') states the goal: asylum for every involuntary killer.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
στόχασαίestimate / take aimAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · στοχάζομαιmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (set about measuring)στοχάζομαι: 'aim at / estimate / measure / calculate'; a rare LXX deponent verb rendering Hebrew כּוּן (Hiphil) here, 'prepare / make ready (the road)'; the LXX construes it as 'gauge the distances', i.e. survey and measure the route so the cities are reachable.
σοιfor yourselfDativeethical dative (dative of advantage)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): ethical/advantage dative rendering Hebrew לְךָ; the surveying is for Israel's own benefit.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ὁδόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδὸνroad / wayAccusativedirect object of στόχασαι→ object specificationὁδός: 'road / way / journey'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; the prepared road guarantees that the fleeing manslayer can reach the city before the avenger overtakes him (cf. the concern of v. 6, 'if the way be long').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τριμεριεῖςyou shall divide into threeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · τριμερίζωmain verb (legislative future = command)→ imperatival future (binding command)τριμερίζω: 'divide into three parts'; a rare compound (τρι- + μερίζω) rendering Hebrew שִׁלֵּשׁ ('divide into three'); the threefold partition distributes the three cities so that each region of the land has one within reach.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὅρια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅριαterritory / bordersAccusativedirect object of τριμεριεῖς→ object specificationὅριον (pl. ὅρια): 'boundary / border / territory'; renders גְּבוּל; here the whole bounded extent of the land (not the boundary-markers as in v. 14, where the same word denotes a neighbor's landmark).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with γῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive (with ὅρια: 'territory of the land')→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive (with ὅρια: 'territory of the land').
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with γῆς)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with γῆς).
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (acc. f. sg., antecedent γῆς)→ participant referenceὅς, ἥ, ὅ (acc. f. ἥν): relative pronoun, object of καταμερίζει; the antecedent is γῆς ('land').
καταμερίζειapportionsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · καταμερίζωverb of relative clause→ customary present (standing act of allotment)καταμερίζω: 'apportion / distribute / allot'; renders נָחַל (Hiphil), 'cause to inherit'; the compound κατα- stresses thorough distribution; the present tense marks the allotment as a standing divine act.
σοιto youDativedative indirect object→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of relative clause→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; subject of καταμερίζει.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as nominative in apposition to κύριος.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with θεός)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with θεός).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing result/purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (resultative: 'it shall be')→ predictive future (intended result)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; the future expresses the intended outcome of the threefold division — that the manslayer always has a refuge within reach.
καταφυγὴrefugeNominativepredicate nominative (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceκαταφυγή: 'refuge / place of flight'; renders מִקְלָט ('asylum') here, cognate with καταφεύγω (v. 5); the noun designates the city as a sanctuary from the blood-avenger for the involuntary killer.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; the deictic adverb (rendering שָׁמָּה) points to the refuge-city as the destination of flight — a key word repeated at vv. 4, 5, 11, 12 (the manslayer flees 'there').
παντὶfor everyDativeattributive adjective (with φονευτῇ; dative of advantage)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς (dat. sg. παντί): 'every / all'; the universal scope ('every manslayer') is immediately qualified by the ordinance of vv. 4–5, which restricts asylum to the involuntary killer.
φονευτῇmanslayerDativedative of advantage (beneficiary of the refuge)→ sphere or referenceφονευτής: 'killer / slayer / manslayer'; renders רֹצֵחַ; the term is neutral as to intent (it covers both the involuntary manslayer and the murderer); vv. 4–13 sort the two cases, granting asylum only to the former.
4
τοῦτο δὲ ἔσται τὸ πρόσταγμα τοῦ φονευτοῦ ὃς ἂν φύγῃ ἐκεῖ καὶ ζήσεται ὃς ἂν πατάξῃ τὸν πλησίον αὐτοῦ ἀκουσίως καὶ οὗτος οὐ μισῶν αὐτὸν πρὸ τῆς ἐχθὲς καὶ πρὸ τῆς τρίτης
And this shall be the ordinance for the manslayer who flees there and shall live: whoever strikes his neighbor unintentionally, and he was not hating him before yesterday and the day before,
The cataphoric formula τοῦτο … ἔσται τὸ πρόσταγμα ('this shall be the ordinance') introduces the precise legal criterion distinguishing the involuntary manslayer who qualifies for asylum from the murderer who does not. The double relative ὃς ἂν … ὃς ἂν with the adverb ἀκουσίως ('unintentionally') and the negated participle οὐ μισῶν ('not hating') defines the eligible case: prior absence of malice.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject, cataphoric)→ participant referenceοὗτος (nom. n. τοῦτο): demonstrative pointing forward to the criterion that follows; the cataphoric 'this shall be the ordinance' is a standard legal-definition formula (cf. Deut 15:2).
δὲnowdiscourse continuative (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: marks the transition from the general provision (vv. 2–3) to its precise legal definition.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (with predicate τὸ πρόσταγμα)→ gnomic/legislative future (standing rule)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): the future of legal definition, 'this shall be the rule'; establishes the binding criterion.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with πρόσταγμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρόσταγμαordinanceNominativepredicate nominative (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceπρόσταγμα: 'ordinance / command / decree'; renders דָּבָר ('matter / case') here in a legal-statutory sense; the term frames vv. 4–5 as the authoritative juridical definition of the qualifying manslayer.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with φονευτοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φονευτοῦmanslayerGenitiveobjective genitive (the ordinance concerning the manslayer)→ relational specificationφονευτής (gen. φονευτοῦ): 'manslayer'; the objective genitive specifies whom the ordinance concerns; the relative clauses that follow restrict the term to the involuntary killer.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of φύγῃ)→ participant referenceὅς (nom. m. ὅς): relative pronoun introducing the generalizing clause ὃς ἄν + subjunctive ('whoever').
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive in generalizing relative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle; with the subjunctive in a relative clause it gives a generalizing, indefinite sense ('whoever'), rendering Hebrew אֲשֶׁר in a conditional-relative construction.
φύγῃfleesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · φεύγωverb of generalizing relative clause→ perfective aorist subjunctive (act of flight viewed as complete)φεύγω: 'flee / take refuge'; renders נוּס; the flight to the city of refuge is the legally decisive act that secures the manslayer's life — cf. the cognate compound καταφεύγω at v. 5.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (destination of flight)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; points back to the refuge-city of vv. 2–3; the repeated 'flees there' marks the city as the sanctuary.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ζήσεταιshall liveFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (consequence of flight: preservation of life)→ predictive future (guaranteed outcome)ζάω (fut. mid. ζήσεται): 'live'; renders חָיָה; 'and he shall live' is the legal guarantee of preserved life — the whole point of the asylum-city is that the involuntary killer not die at the avenger's hand.
ὃςwhoeverNominativerelative pronoun (subject of πατάξῃ; resumptive definition)→ participant referenceὅς: the second relative clause defines the case more precisely — 'whoever strikes his neighbor unintentionally.'
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive πατάξῃ)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: generalizing particle with the subjunctive.
πατάξῃstrikesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · πατάσσωverb of generalizing relative clause→ perfective aorist subjunctive (single fatal blow)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite / kill'; renders נָכָה (Hiphil); the verb covers a fatal blow whether intentional or not — the qualifying adverb ἀκουσίως makes this the involuntary case.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πλησίον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλησίονneighborAccusativedirect object of πατάξῃ (substantivized adverb)→ object specificationπλησίον: properly an adverb 'near by', used substantivally with the article as 'neighbor / fellow'; renders רֵעַ; the victim is a fellow Israelite, making the death a matter for the covenant community's blood-law.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with πλησίον)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with πλησίον).
ἀκουσίωςunintentionallyadverb of manner (the decisive legal qualifier)→ clausal contributionἀκουσίως: 'involuntarily / unintentionally / unwillingly'; renders בִּבְלִי דַעַת ('without knowledge') / בִּשְׁגָגָה ('inadvertently'); the legally decisive adverb that distinguishes the manslayer who qualifies for asylum (cf. the contrasting ἑκουσίως / 'willingly' and the murderer's μισῶν in v. 11); cognate with the noun ἀκούσιον used of inadvertent sin in the LXX.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (adding the malice-test)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὗτοςthis oneNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of the periphrastic participle clause)→ participant referenceοὗτος: resumptive demonstrative; 'and this one (was) not hating him' — restating the manslayer as the subject of the malice-test.
οὐnotnegative (with the participle μισῶν)→ participant referenceοὐ: the objective negative; with μισῶν it forms the criterion 'not hating' — absence of prior malice.
μισῶνhatingPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · μισέωpredicate participle (periphrastic: 'was not hating')→ imperfective present participle (durative prior disposition)μισέω: 'hate'; renders שָׂנֵא; the present participle denotes a settled prior hostility; its negation (οὐ μισῶν) is the legal test of innocence, in direct contrast to the murderer of v. 11 who is ἄνθρωπος μισῶν τὸν πλησίον ('a man hating his neighbor').
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of μισῶν→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. αὐτόν): the victim as object of the (absent) hatred.
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingπρό: 'before'; in the idiom πρὸ τῆς ἐχθὲς καὶ πρὸ τῆς τρίτης ('before yesterday and the day before') it renders the Hebrew מִתְּמֹל שִׁלְשֹׁם, a fixed expression for 'previously / heretofore.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with the adverb ἐχθές, substantivized)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθὲςyesterdayadverb (substantivized by the article: 'yesterday')→ clausal contributionἐχθές: 'yesterday'; indeclinable adverb here substantivized with the feminine article (τῆς ἐχθές, with ἡμέρας understood); part of the idiom 'before yesterday and the third day' = 'in time past', denoting the absence of any prior grudge.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (temporal, parallel)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸ: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (temporal, parallel).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with τρίτης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρίτηςthird (day)Genitiveordinal adjective (substantivized: 'the third day [before]')→ relational specificationτρίτος (gen. f. τρίτης): 'third'; the ordinal, with ἡμέρας understood, renders שִׁלְשֹׁם ('the day before yesterday'); the whole phrase 'before yesterday and the third day' is a Hebraic idiom for 'in former times', establishing the absence of premeditated enmity.
5
καὶ ὃς ἂν εἰσέλθῃ μετὰ τοῦ πλησίον εἰς τὸν δρυμὸν συναγαγεῖν ξύλα καὶ ἐκκρουσθῇ ἡ χεὶρ αὐτοῦ τῇ ἀξίνῃ κόπτοντος τὸ ξύλον καὶ ἐκπεσὸν τὸ σιδήριον ἀπὸ τοῦ ξύλου τύχῃ τοῦ πλησίον καὶ ἀποθάνῃ οὗτος καταφεύξεται εἰς μίαν τῶν πόλεων τούτων καὶ ζήσεται
And whoever goes with his neighbor into the forest to gather wood, and his hand swings with the axe as he cuts the tree, and the iron flies off the helve and strikes his neighbor so that he dies — this man shall flee to one of these cities and shall live;
The classic illustrative case (rendered as an extended generalizing relative clause) of involuntary manslaughter: two men felling timber, the axe-head flying off the helve and killing the companion. The genitive participle κόπτοντος and the participle ἐκπεσόν vividly stage the accident; the apodosis οὗτος καταφεύξεται … καὶ ζήσεται grants this man asylum and life.
Word-by-word analysis· 43 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (continuing the definition of v. 4)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὃςwhoeverNominativerelative pronoun (subject of εἰσέλθῃ; generalizing)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun heading the generalizing clause ὃς ἄν + subjunctive ('whoever'); continues the casuistic definition begun in v. 4.
ἂνevermodal particle (generalizing, with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: indefinite/generalizing particle with the subjunctive.
εἰσέλθῃgoes inAor Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιverb of generalizing relative clause→ perfective aorist subjunctive (entry viewed as complete)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go in'; renders בּוֹא; sets the everyday scene of two men going into the woods together to cut timber.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + gen.: 'with / in company with'; underscores that the two are companions, not enemies — reinforcing the involuntary nature of the death.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with πλησίον)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλησίονneighborGenitiveobject of μετά (substantivized adverb)→ relational specificationπλησίον: 'neighbor / fellow'; renders רֵעַ; the companion woodcutter who becomes the accidental victim.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with δρυμόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δρυμὸνforest / thicketAccusativeobject of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationδρυμός: 'wood / forest / thicket'; renders יַעַר; the woodland setting where felling timber exposes the danger of a loosely-fixed axe-head.
συναγαγεῖνto gatherAor Act Inf · συνάγωinfinitive of purpose (with εἰσέλθῃ)→ telic aorist infinitive (purpose of going in)συνάγω: 'gather / collect'; renders the infinitive of purpose 'to gather wood'; the everyday, lawful purpose underscores that no malice is involved.
ξύλαwood / timberAccusativedirect object of συναγαγεῖν→ object specificationξύλον (pl. ξύλα): 'wood / timber / log'; renders עֵצִים; here the firewood or timber being gathered — note the same word in the singular below for the tree being cut and the helve from which the iron flies.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (narrating the accident)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκκρουσθῇswings / is dislodgedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ἐκκρούωverb of relative clause (subjunctive)→ perfective aorist passive subjunctive (single accidental motion)ἐκκρούω: 'strike out / drive off / dislodge'; the passive ἐκκρουσθῇ here means the hand 'swings out / is carried away' with the axe-stroke (rendering Hebrew נָדַח, the hand's driving motion); the LXX construes the accident as the hand being thrown forward by the force of the blow.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with χείρ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεὶρhandNominativesubject of ἐκκρουσθῇ→ participant prominenceχείρ: 'hand'; renders יָד; the hand of the woodcutter, carried forward by the swing of the axe.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with χείρ)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with χείρ).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἀξίνῃ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀξίνῃaxeDativedative of instrument (with ἐκκρουσθῇ: 'with the axe')→ sphere or referenceἀξίνη: 'axe'; renders גַּרְזֶן; the instrument whose loose head becomes the lethal projectile; the same scene appears at 2 Kgs 6:5 (the floating axe-head).
κόπτοντοςcuttingPres Act Part Gen Sg Masc · κόπτωgenitive participle (genitive absolute / subject understood: 'as he cuts')→ imperfective present participle (action in progress)κόπτω: 'cut / strike / fell'; the genitive participle κόπτοντος (the subject, the woodcutter, understood from context) gives the durative circumstance 'while cutting the tree'; the present aspect frames the accident as occurring mid-action.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ξύλον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξύλονtree / woodAccusativedirect object of κόπτοντος→ object specificationξύλον: 'tree / wood / log'; the tree being felled; the word recurs immediately below (τοῦ ξύλου) for the wooden helve from which the iron head detaches.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (the decisive moment)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκπεσὸνflying off / fallingAor Act Part Nom Sg Neut · ἐκπίπτωcircumstantial participle (nom. n., agreeing with σιδήριον)→ perfective aorist participle (the instant of detachment)ἐκπίπτω: 'fall out / fall off / slip off'; renders נָשַׁל; the neuter aorist participle ἐκπεσόν agrees with τὸ σιδήριον — the very instant the iron head 'slips off' the helve and becomes a fatal projectile.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with σιδήριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σιδήριονiron (axe-head)Nominativesubject of τύχῃ (and antecedent of ἐκπεσόν)→ participant prominenceσιδήριον: 'iron tool / iron (head)'; diminutive of σίδηρος ('iron'), rendering בַּרְזֶל; here specifically the iron axe-head that flies off the wooden helve — the proverbial instrument of accidental homicide.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ξύλου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξύλουhelve / woodGenitivegenitive of separation (with ἀπό: 'off the helve')→ relational specificationξύλον (gen. ξύλου): here the wooden handle/helve of the axe; the same noun used above for the tree being cut, now denoting the wood from which the iron head separates.
τύχῃstrikes / hits uponAor Act Subj 3 Sg · τυγχάνωverb of relative clause (subjunctive)→ perfective aorist subjunctive (chance fatal contact)τυγχάνω: 'happen / hit (a mark) / chance upon'; with the genitive τοῦ πλησίον it means 'hits / lands upon the neighbor'; the verb's very sense ('happen / chance') underlines the accidental, unwilled nature of the blow — the heart of the ἀκουσίως criterion.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with πλησίον)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλησίονneighborGenitivegenitive object of τύχῃ (the one struck)→ relational specificationπλησίον: 'neighbor'; the companion woodcutter, struck by chance — genitive as the object 'hit' by τυγχάνω.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποθάνῃdiesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωverb of relative clause (result of the blow)→ perfective aorist subjunctive (resultant death)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; renders מוּת; the death of the companion completes the protasis; the legal question is now resolved by the manslayer's flight.
οὗτοςthis oneNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of καταφεύξεται; apodosis)→ participant referenceοὗτος: resumptive demonstrative opening the apodosis — 'this man (the involuntary killer) shall flee.'
καταφεύξεταιshall flee for refugeFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · καταφεύγωmain verb (apodosis: grant of asylum)→ predictive/permissive future (entitlement to flee)καταφεύγω: 'flee for refuge / take asylum'; renders נוּס; the compound κατα- (cf. the noun καταφυγή, v. 3) denotes flight to a place of safety; here the legal entitlement of the involuntary killer to seek the city of refuge.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
μίανoneAccusativenumeral (object of εἰς: 'to one')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν (acc. f. μίαν): 'one'; the feminine accusative agrees with the implied πόλιν; 'to one of these cities' — any of the three suffices.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with πόλεων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωνcitiesGenitivepartitive genitive (with μίαν: 'one of the cities')→ relational specificationπόλις (gen. pl. πόλεων): 'city'; partitive genitive; the three cities of refuge established in vv. 2–3.
τούτωνtheseGenitivedemonstrative (attributive, with πόλεων)→ relational specificationοὗτος (gen. pl. τούτων): 'these'; specifying the three refuge-cities already commanded.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ζήσεταιshall liveFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (guaranteed outcome of asylum)→ predictive future (guaranteed preservation of life)ζάω (fut. ζήσεται): 'live'; the refrain 'and he shall live' (cf. v. 4) seals the asylum-provision: reaching the city preserves the involuntary killer's life from the blood-avenger.
6
ἵνα μὴ διώξας ὁ ἀγχιστεύων τοῦ αἵματος ὀπίσω τοῦ φονεύσαντος ὅτι παρατεθέρμανται τῇ καρδίᾳ καὶ καταλάβῃ αὐτόν ἐὰν μακροτέρα ᾖ ἡ ὁδός καὶ πατάξῃ αὐτοῦ τὴν ψυχήν καὶ ἀποθάνῃ καὶ τούτῳ οὐκ ἔστιν κρίσις θανάτου ὅτι οὐ μισῶν ἦν αὐτὸν πρὸ τῆς ἐχθὲς καὶ πρὸ τῆς τρίτης
lest the avenger of blood, pursuing after the slayer because he is hot in heart, overtake him if the way be too long, and strike him fatally, though for this man there is no sentence of death, because he was not hating him before yesterday and the day before.
A ἵνα μή ('lest') clause stating the danger the refuge averts: the blood-avenger (ὁ ἀγχιστεύων τοῦ αἵματος), his heart 'inflamed' (παρατεθέρμανται), might overtake the fleeing killer if the road is long and slay him — though no capital sentence (κρίσις θανάτου) lies against him, since he bore no prior hatred. The verse repeats the malice-test of v. 4 (οὐ μισῶν … πρὸ τῆς ἐχθές) to ground the verdict.
Word-by-word analysis· 47 words
ἵναlestconjunction (with μή: negative purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: 'in order that'; with μή it forms the negative-purpose clause 'lest', stating the harm the refuge is designed to prevent.
μὴnotnegative (with ἵνα: 'lest')→ clausal qualification or emphasisμή: the subjective negative used in purpose clauses; ἵνα μή = 'lest / so that … not.'
διώξαςhaving pursuedAor Act Part Nom Sg Masc · διώκωcircumstantial participle (with ὁ ἀγχιστεύων: 'pursuing')→ perfective aorist participle (antecedent/coincident action of pursuit)διώκω: 'pursue / chase / persecute'; renders רָדַף; the aorist participle describes the blood-avenger's hot pursuit of the fleeing manslayer.
ὁtheNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle ἀγχιστεύων)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγχιστεύωνavenger / kinsman-redeemerPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · ἀγχιστεύωsubstantivized participle (subject: 'the avenger of blood')→ imperfective present participle (standing role/office)ἀγχιστεύω: 'act as next-of-kin / be kinsman-redeemer / avenge'; the substantivized participle ὁ ἀγχιστεύων τοῦ αἵματος renders Hebrew גֹּאֵל הַדָּם ('the redeemer/avenger of blood') — the dead man's nearest kinsman, on whom fell the duty of avenging shed blood (cf. Num 35:19; the same root ἀγχιστεύς is central to Ruth 3–4).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with αἵματος)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἵματοςof bloodGenitiveobjective genitive (with ἀγχιστεύων: 'avenger of blood')→ relational specificationαἷμα (gen. αἵματος): 'blood'; renders דָּם; the genitive of the thing avenged — shed blood cries out for requital (cf. Gen 4:10), and the kinsman is its appointed avenger.
ὀπίσωafterpreposition/adverb + genitive (direction of pursuit)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'behind / after'; with the genitive (ὀπίσω τοῦ φονεύσαντος) it marks the object of pursuit, 'after the slayer'; renders אַחֲרֵי.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (substantivizing the participle φονεύσαντος)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φονεύσαντοςthe one who killedAor Act Part Gen Sg Masc · φονεύωsubstantivized participle (object of ὀπίσω: 'the slayer')→ perfective aorist participle (completed act of killing)φονεύω: 'kill / murder / slay'; renders רָצַח; the aorist participle 'the one who (has) killed' designates the manslayer as the object of pursuit; cognate with φονευτής (vv. 3–4).
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (explaining the pursuit)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / that'; here causal, explaining why the avenger pursues so hotly.
παρατεθέρμανταιis inflamed / is hotPerf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · παραθερμαίνωverb of causal clause→ stative perfect (settled present condition: 'his heart is heated up')παραθερμαίνω: 'heat up / inflame'; a rare compound (παρά + θερμαίνω); the perfect παρατεθέρμανται renders Hebrew יֵחַם לְבָבוֹ ('his heart is hot'), the avenger's blazing passion; the perfect tense marks a settled inflamed state driving the pursuit.
τῇtheDativearticle (with καρδίᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίᾳin heartDativedative of respect (with παρατεθέρμανται: 'hot in heart')→ sphere or referenceκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵבָב; the dative of respect localizes the inflamed passion — the avenger is hot 'in heart', i.e. consumed with the rage of grief and vengeance.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (continuing the ἵνα μή clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταλάβῃovertakesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · καταλαμβάνωverb of negative-purpose clause (subjunctive with ἵνα μή)→ perfective aorist subjunctive (feared overtaking)καταλαμβάνω: 'seize / overtake / catch'; renders נָשַׂג (Hiphil); the danger the refuge averts — that the avenger catch the fleeing killer before he reaches the city.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of καταλάβῃ→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of καταλάβῃ.
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; the embedded condition explaining when the overtaking might happen — 'if the road be too long.'
μακροτέραlonger / too longNominativepredicate adjective (comparative, with ᾖ)→ participant prominenceμακρός (compar. μακροτέρα): 'long'; the comparative here has an absolute/excessive sense ('too long'), rendering Hebrew יִרְבֶּה / כִּי יִרְחַק ('be far/great'); a long road increases the risk that the avenger overtakes the fugitive — hence the road-preparation of v. 3.
ᾖbePres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of conditional clause (subjunctive)→ present subjunctive (general condition)εἰμί (pres. subj. ᾖ): 'be'; the subjunctive of the protasis 'if the way be (too) long.'
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ὁδός)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδόςway / roadNominativesubject of ᾖ→ participant prominenceὁδός: 'road / way'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; the same word as in v. 3 (the road to be surveyed), here the distance that may let the avenger catch up — the motive for evenly distributing the cities.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πατάξῃstrikesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · πατάσσωverb of negative-purpose clause (subjunctive)→ perfective aorist subjunctive (feared fatal blow)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite'; here the avenger's fatal blow against the fugitive — the same verb used of the original manslaughter (v. 4), pointedly linking the two deaths.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with ψυχήν)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with ψυχήν).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ψυχήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχήνlife / soulAccusativedirect object of πατάξῃ ('strikes his life')→ object specificationψυχή: 'soul / life / person'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; the idiom πατάξῃ … τὴν ψυχήν ('strike the life') means to deal a mortal blow; ψυχή here = the very life, anticipating ψυχὴν ἀντὶ ψυχῆς of v. 21.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποθάνῃdiesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωverb of negative-purpose clause (resultant death)→ perfective aorist subjunctive (feared death of the fugitive)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the feared outcome — the involuntary killer's wrongful death at the avenger's hand, which the refuge exists to prevent.
καὶand yetcoordinate conjunction (adversative/concessive in force)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here with mild adversative force ('and yet'), introducing the injustice of such a death — there is no capital sentence against this man.
τούτῳfor this oneDativedative of (dis)advantage (with οὐκ ἔστιν: 'for this man there is')→ participant reference or interestοὗτος (dat. τούτῳ): 'this one' — the involuntary killer; dative of reference, 'for him there is no death-sentence.'
οὐκnotnegative (with ἔστιν)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: objective negative; denies that a capital verdict applies.
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential: 'there is')→ gnomic present (statement of legal fact)εἰμί (ἔστιν): 'is / there is'; the existential present states the legal fact: no death-sentence exists against the involuntary killer.
κρίσιςjudgment / sentenceNominativesubject of ἔστιν→ participant prominenceκρίσις: 'judgment / verdict / sentence'; renders מִשְׁפַּט; κρίσις θανάτου ('a sentence of death', rendering מִשְׁפַּט־מָוֶת) is a capital verdict — precisely what does not attach to involuntary manslaughter.
θανάτουof deathGenitivegenitive (with κρίσις: 'sentence of death')→ relational specificationθάνατος (gen. θανάτου): 'death'; renders מָוֶת; the genitive specifies the kind of verdict — a capital one — which the involuntary killer does not incur.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (grounding the verdict)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the reason there is no death-sentence — the absence of prior hatred.
οὐnotnegative (with the periphrastic μισῶν ἦν)→ participant referenceοὐ: objective negative with the imperfect periphrasis 'was not hating.'
μισῶνhatingPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · μισέωparticiple of periphrastic imperfect (with ἦν: 'was not hating')→ imperfective present participle (durative prior disposition)μισέω: 'hate'; in the periphrastic imperfect οὐ μισῶν ἦν ('he was not hating') it restates the v. 4 malice-test; the durative aspect denotes the absence of any settled prior enmity.
ἦνhe wasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίauxiliary of periphrastic imperfect (with μισῶν)→ imperfect (past durative state)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): forms the periphrastic imperfect with μισῶν; the past tense looks back over the killer's prior relationship with the victim — no standing hatred existed.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of μισῶν→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. αὐτόν): the victim as object of the (absent) hatred.
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingπρό: 'before'; part of the idiom πρὸ τῆς ἐχθὲς καὶ πρὸ τῆς τρίτης ('heretofore'), repeated verbatim from v. 4.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with the substantivized adverb ἐχθές)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθὲςyesterdayadverb (substantivized: 'yesterday')→ clausal contributionἐχθές: 'yesterday'; indeclinable adverb; with τρίτης it forms the Hebraic idiom 'before yesterday and the third day' = 'in time past.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (temporal, parallel)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸ: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (temporal, parallel).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with τρίτης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρίτηςthird (day)Genitiveordinal adjective (substantivized: 'the third day before')→ relational specificationτρίτος (gen. f. τρίτης): 'third'; with ἡμέρας understood, completing the idiom for 'in former times' — confirming the absence of premeditation.
7
διὰ τοῦτο ἐγώ σοι ἐντέλλομαι τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο λέγων τρεῖς πόλεις διαστελεῖς σεαυτῷ
Therefore I command you this word, saying: You shall set apart for yourself three cities.
An inferential summary (διὰ τοῦτο, 'therefore') resuming and re-issuing the core command of v. 2, with the emphatic first-person ἐγώ and the citation-marker λέγων introducing the verbatim repetition τρεῖς πόλεις διαστελεῖς σεαυτῷ. The repetition rounds off the first sub-unit (vv. 1–7) before the expansion clause of vv. 8–10.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (causal: 'on account of')→ spatial or relational framingδιά + acc.: 'because of / on account of'; in the formula διὰ τοῦτο ('therefore') it draws an inference from the preceding rationale (vv. 4–6).
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (object of διά: 'because of this')→ participant referenceοὗτος (acc. n. τοῦτο): 'this'; refers back to the whole rationale of the refuge-law just given.
ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic first-person pronoun: Moses/YHWH as lawgiver)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic personal pronoun; in Deuteronomy's homiletic frame the speaker is Moses, mediating YHWH's command; the explicit ἐγώ lends the injunction personal weight.
σοιyouDativedative indirect object (with ἐντέλλομαι)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): the addressee of the command, Israel as a single 'you.'
ἐντέλλομαιI commandPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb (act of commanding)→ performative present (the commanding is enacted in the speaking)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / charge / enjoin'; deponent middle; renders צִוָּה (Piel); the present is performative — the very utterance constitutes the command; characteristic of Deuteronomy's repeated 'I command you this day.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ῥῆμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαword / matterAccusativedirect object of ἐντέλλομαι→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / saying / matter'; renders דָּבָר; the 'word' commanded is the ordinance of the three cities; note that the same noun ῥῆμα becomes the legal 'matter' established by witnesses in v. 15 (πᾶν ῥῆμα).
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (attributive, with ῥῆμα)→ participant referenceοὗτος (acc. n. τοῦτο): 'this'; specifying the particular command being re-issued.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of speech (introducing the quoted command)→ imperfective present participle (Hebraizing citation-marker)λέγω (pres. part. λέγων): 'saying'; the participle λέγων calques Hebrew לֵאמֹר, the standard quotation-marker introducing the verbatim content of the command.
τρεῖςthreeAccusativenumeral (with πόλεις; fronted, as in v. 2)→ measure or countτρεῖς: 'three'; the verbatim repetition of v. 2 underscores the fixed quota of the original cities (before the expansion of vv. 8–9).
πόλειςcitiesAccusativedirect object of διαστελεῖς→ object specificationπόλις (acc. pl. πόλεις): 'city'; the refuge-cities.
διαστελεῖςyou shall set apartFut Act Indic 2 Sg · διαστέλλωmain verb of quoted command (legislative future)→ imperatival future (binding command)διαστέλλω: 'set apart / separate'; the verbatim repetition of v. 2's command, framing vv. 2–7 as a closed unit on the original three cities.
σεαυτῷfor yourselfDativereflexive pronoun (dative of advantage)→ participant reference or interestσεαυτοῦ (dat. σεαυτῷ): reflexive pronoun; ethical dative 'for yourself', as in v. 2.
8
ἐὰν δὲ ἐμπλατύνῃ κύριος ὁ θεός σου τὰ ὅριά σου ὃν τρόπον ὤμοσεν τοῖς πατράσιν σου καὶ δῷ σοι κύριος πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ἣν εἶπεν δοῦναι τοῖς πατράσιν σου
But if the LORD your God enlarges your borders, just as he swore to your fathers, and gives you all the land which he said he would give to your fathers —
A fresh conditional unit (ἐὰν δέ + subjunctive) opening the expansion provision (vv. 8–10): should YHWH enlarge Israel's borders in fulfillment of the patriarchal oath, three further cities must be added. The double protasis (ἐμπλατύνῃ … καὶ δῷ) ties the expansion to the sworn promise to the fathers, grounding the law in covenant history.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (protasis + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; opens the conditional unit on territorial expansion, parallel in form to v. 1.
δὲbutdiscourse continuative (post-positive; mild contrast)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; marks the move to the further, contingent provision distinct from the basic three-city law.
ἐμπλατύνῃenlargesPres Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐμπλατύνωverb of protasis (subjunctive with ἐάν)→ present subjunctive (envisaged ongoing expansion)ἐμπλατύνω: 'widen / enlarge / make broad'; a rare compound (ἐν + πλατύνω) rendering Hebrew רָחַב (Hiphil), 'enlarge the border'; the enlargement of Israel's territory fulfills the patriarchal land-promise (Gen 15:18–21).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐμπλατύνῃ→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; YHWH the giver and enlarger of the land.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as nominative in apposition to κύριος.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with θεός)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with θεός).
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὅρια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅριάbordersAccusativedirect object of ἐμπλατύνῃ→ object specificationὅριον (pl. ὅρια): 'boundary / border / territory'; renders גְּבוּל; here the national borders that YHWH may widen — the same word that in v. 14 denotes a neighbor's private landmark.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with ὅρια)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with ὅρια).
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (acc. m., with τρόπον in adverbial accusative)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. m. ὅν): relative pronoun; in the fixed phrase ὃν τρόπον ('in the manner which / just as') it functions as an adverbial accusative of manner.
τρόπονmannerAccusativeadverbial accusative of manner (ὃν τρόπον: 'just as')→ object specificationτρόπος (acc. τρόπον): 'manner / way'; the idiom ὃν τρόπον renders Hebrew כַּאֲשֶׁר ('according as / just as'), introducing the comparison with the sworn promise.
ὤμοσενsworeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀμνύωverb of comparative clause→ constative aorist (the historic oath to the patriarchs)ὀμνύω: 'swear (an oath)'; renders נִשְׁבַּע; the aorist refers to the foundational divine oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning the land (Gen 22:16–18; 26:3; 28:13).
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with πατράσιν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατράσινfathersDativedative indirect object (with ὤμοσεν: 'swore to the fathers')→ sphere or referenceπατήρ (dat. pl. πατράσιν): 'father'; renders אָבוֹת; the patriarchs to whom the land-oath was sworn — a key Deuteronomic appeal to covenant continuity.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with πατράσιν)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with πατράσιν).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second member of protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δῷgivesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of protasis (subjunctive, second condition)→ perfective aorist subjunctive (envisaged complete gift)δίδωμι (aor. subj. δῷ): 'give'; the second clause of the protasis: should YHWH actually give the whole promised land; the aorist views the gift as fully realized.
σοιto youDativedative indirect object (with δῷ)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (with δῷ).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of δῷ→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; restated as subject of the second protasis-verb.
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjective (with γῆν: 'all the land')→ object specificationπᾶς (acc. f. πᾶσαν): 'all / whole'; 'all the land' = the full promised extent, beyond the initially settled portion, hence requiring three additional cities.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of δῷ→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the whole sworn land, whose full possession triggers the three-further-cities provision.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (acc. f., antecedent γῆν)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. f. ἥν): relative pronoun, object of the infinitive δοῦναι in the relative clause.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of relative clause (with infinitive δοῦναι)→ constative aorist (the historic promise)λέγω (aor. εἶπεν): 'say / promise'; εἶπεν δοῦναι ('said to give' = 'promised to give') renders the Hebrew דִּבֶּר לָתֵת; the construction εἶπεν + infinitive expresses a promise.
δοῦναιto giveAor Act Inf · δίδωμιcomplementary infinitive (with εἶπεν: 'promised to give')→ aorist infinitive (content of the promise)δίδωμι (aor. inf. δοῦναι): 'to give'; the infinitive completes εἶπεν, expressing the content of the promise — the gift of the land to the fathers.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with πατράσιν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατράσινfathersDativedative indirect object (with δοῦναι: 'to give to the fathers')→ sphere or referenceπατήρ (dat. pl. πατράσιν): 'father'; the patriarchs as recipients of the land-promise, repeated for emphasis on covenant continuity.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with πατράσιν)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with πατράσιν).
9
ἐὰν ἀκούσῃς ποιεῖν πάσας τὰς ἐντολὰς ταύτας ἃς ἐγὼ ἐντέλλομαί σοι σήμερον ἀγαπᾶν κύριον τὸν θεόν σου πορεύεσθαι ἐν πάσαις ταῖς ὁδοῖς αὐτοῦ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας καὶ προσθήσεις σεαυτῷ ἔτι τρεῖς πόλεις πρὸς τὰς τρεῖς ταύτας
if you hearken to do all these commandments which I command you today, to love the LORD your God and to walk in all his ways all the days, then you shall add for yourself three more cities to these three,
The expansion of v. 8 is conditioned on covenant fidelity: a protasis of obedience (ἐὰν ἀκούσῃς ποιεῖν … ἀγαπᾶν … πορεύεσθαι) precedes the apodosis προσθήσεις … ἔτι τρεῖς πόλεις. The triad 'hear/do, love, walk' is quintessential Deuteronomic covenant language (cf. 6:5; 10:12; 11:22), making the territorial enlargement — and thus the added refuge-cities — contingent on Israel's love and obedience.
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (protasis + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; the obedience-condition governing the apodosis 'you shall add three cities.'
ἀκούσῃςyou hearkenAor Act Subj 2 Sg · ἀκούωverb of protasis (subjunctive)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (heed and obey)ἀκούω: 'hear / listen / obey'; renders שָׁמַע; in Deuteronomic idiom 'to hear' means to obey (cf. the Shema, 6:4); the aorist subjunctive frames obedience as the decisive condition.
ποιεῖνto doPres Act Inf · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (with ἀκούσῃς: 'hearken to do')→ imperfective present infinitive (ongoing performance)ποιέω: 'do / make / perform'; renders עָשָׂה; the present infinitive denotes continual doing of the commandments — hearing issues in sustained obedience.
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἐντολάς)→ object specificationπᾶς (acc. f. πάσας): 'all'; the totality of the commandments — partial obedience does not suffice.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with ἐντολάς)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐντολὰςcommandmentsAccusativedirect object of ποιεῖν→ object specificationἐντολή (acc. pl. ἐντολάς): 'commandment'; renders מִצְוָה; the covenant stipulations whose observance conditions the land-blessing.
ταύταςtheseAccusativedemonstrative (attributive, with ἐντολάς)→ object specificationοὗτος (acc. f. ταύτας): 'these'; the commandments just being given in Moses' discourse.
ἃςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (acc. f. pl., antecedent ἐντολάς)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. f. pl. ἅς): relative pronoun, object of ἐντέλλομαι.
ἐγὼINominativesubject of ἐντέλλομαι (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic first-person pronoun; Moses the covenant mediator, speaking for YHWH.
ἐντέλλομαίcommandPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb of relative clause→ performative present (the command is enacted in speaking)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / charge'; the performative present, as in v. 7; 'which I command you today' is a Deuteronomic refrain (cf. 6:6; 7:11).
σοιyouDativedative indirect object (with ἐντέλλομαι)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (with ἐντέλλομαι).
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; the Deuteronomic 'today' actualizes the covenant in the present moment of address — each generation hears the command as spoken now.
ἀγαπᾶνto lovePres Act Inf · ἀγαπάωepexegetic infinitive (spelling out the commandments)→ imperfective present infinitive (continual love)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; renders אָהַב; the present infinitive defines the heart of the commandments — love of YHWH (cf. 6:5); covenant love is the precondition of the land-blessing.
κύριονLORDAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπᾶν→ object specificationκύριος (acc. κύριον): the Tetragrammaton; object of the love-command.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with θεόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόνGodAccusativeaccusative in apposition to κύριον→ object specificationθεός (acc. θεόν): in the covenant title κύριον τὸν θεόν σου.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with θεόν)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with θεόν).
πορεύεσθαιto walkPres Mid Inf · πορεύομαιepexegetic infinitive (parallel to ἀγαπᾶν)→ imperfective present infinitive (continual walking)πορεύομαι: 'go / walk / conduct oneself'; renders הָלַךְ; 'to walk in his ways' is a Deuteronomic metaphor for ethical conduct in covenant obedience (cf. 10:12; 11:22).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative/metaphorical)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative/metaphorical).
πάσαιςallDativeattributive adjective (with ὁδοῖς)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς (dat. f. πάσαις): 'all'; the totality of YHWH's ways — comprehensive obedience.
ταῖςtheDativearticle (with ὁδοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδοῖςwaysDativedative of place (with ἐν: 'in his ways')→ sphere or referenceὁδός (dat. pl. ὁδοῖς): 'way / path'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; 'the ways of YHWH' are his commanded paths of life; the same word used literally of the refuge-road (vv. 3, 6).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with ὁδοῖς)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with ὁδοῖς).
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἡμέρας; accusative of duration)→ object specificationπᾶς (acc. f. πάσας): 'all'; with ἡμέρας in the accusative of extent of time, 'all the days' = always / lifelong.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with ἡμέρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of duration ('all the days' = always)→ object specificationἡμέρα (acc. pl. ἡμέρας): 'day'; the accusative of extent of time πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας renders כָּל־הַיָּמִים ('all the days / always'), denoting lifelong covenant fidelity.
καὶthencoordinate conjunction (apodosis-marker: 'then')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here the apodotic καί, marking the transition from the obedience-protasis to the apodosis ('then you shall add'), a Hebraizing use (waw-apodosis).
προσθήσειςyou shall addFut Act Indic 2 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (apodosis: legislative future)→ imperatival future (binding command upon the condition)προστίθημι: 'add / put to'; renders יָסַף (Hiphil); the apodosis-command to add three further cities, contingent on the obedience just specified.
σεαυτῷfor yourselfDativereflexive pronoun (dative of advantage)→ participant reference or interestσεαυτοῦ (dat. σεαυτῷ): reflexive; ethical dative 'for yourself', as in vv. 2, 7.
ἔτιstill / moreadverb (additive: 'three more')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet / in addition'; renders עוֹד; 'three more cities' beyond the original three, for a total of six refuge-cities (cf. Num 35:13–14).
τρεῖςthreeAccusativenumeral (with πόλεις)→ measure or countτρεῖς: 'three'; the additional three cities.
πόλειςcitiesAccusativedirect object of προσθήσεις→ object specificationπόλις (acc. pl. πόλεις): 'city'; the further refuge-cities.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (addition: 'in addition to')→ spatial or relational framingπρός + acc.: 'to / in addition to'; the new cities are added 'to these three' already established.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with τρεῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρεῖςthreeAccusativenumeral (object of πρός: the original three)→ measure or countτρεῖς: 'three'; the original three cities of vv. 2, 7, to which three more are now added.
ταύταςtheseAccusativedemonstrative (attributive, with τρεῖς)→ object specificationοὗτος (acc. f. ταύτας): 'these'; the three already-commanded cities.
10
καὶ οὐκ ἐκχυθήσεται αἷμα ἀναίτιον ἐν τῇ γῇ σου ᾗ κύριος ὁ θεός σου δίδωσίν σοι ἐν κλήρῳ καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ἐν σοὶ αἵματι ἔνοχος
and innocent blood shall not be shed in your land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance, and there shall be no one among you guilty of blood.
The rationale for the additional cities: that innocent blood (αἷμα ἀναίτιον) not be shed in the inherited land, and that no bloodguilt (αἵματι ἔνοχος) come upon Israel. The shedding of innocent blood defiles the land and brings collective guilt (cf. Num 35:33–34); the refuge-cities are the juridical means of preventing it.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (result/purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative (with ἐκχυθήσεται)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: objective negative; 'innocent blood shall not be shed.'
ἐκχυθήσεταιshall be shedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐκχέωmain verb (passive: the intended result)→ predictive future (intended result of the law)ἐκχέω (fut. pass. ἐκχυθήσεται): 'pour out / shed'; renders שָׁפַךְ; the standard idiom 'shed blood' (ἐκχέω αἷμα) for homicide; the law's purpose is to prevent the shedding of innocent blood that would defile the land.
αἷμαbloodNominativesubject of ἐκχυθήσεται→ participant prominenceαἷμα: 'blood'; renders דָּם; shed innocent blood cries out and brings defilement and guilt upon the land (cf. Gen 4:10; Num 35:33).
ἀναίτιονinnocentNominativeattributive adjective (with αἷμα: 'innocent blood')→ participant prominenceἀναίτιος: 'guiltless / innocent / not responsible'; (ἀ- privative + αἰτία, 'cause/guilt'); renders נָקִי ('innocent'); 'innocent blood' = the lifeblood of one who does not deserve death — precisely what the refuge protects.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with γῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῇlandDativedative of place (with ἐν: 'in the land')→ sphere or referenceγῆ (dat. γῇ): 'land'; the inherited land, which innocent blood would defile.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with γῇ)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with γῇ).
ᾗwhichDativerelative pronoun (dat. f., antecedent γῇ)→ participant reference or interestὅς (dat. f. ᾗ): relative pronoun attracted to the dative of its antecedent γῇ; introduces the land-gift formula.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of relative clause (δίδωσιν)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; subject of the recurrent land-gift formula.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as nominative in apposition to κύριος.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with θεός)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with θεός).
δίδωσίνgivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of relative clause→ customary/gnomic present (standing covenant gift)δίδωμι: 'give'; the land-gift refrain, here with the added phrase ἐν κλήρῳ ('as an inheritance').
σοιto youDativedative indirect object→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object.
ἐνas / inpreposition + dative (predicative: 'as an inheritance')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: here predicative/essive ('as'), rendering Hebrew בְּ of state; 'gives you as an inheritance.'
κλήρῳinheritance / lotDativedative (with ἐν: 'as an inheritance')→ sphere or referenceκλῆρος: 'lot / portion / inheritance'; renders נַחֲלָה / גּוֹרָל; the land is given as an allotted inheritance — its defilement by innocent blood would profane YHWH's own gift (cf. ἐν κλήρῳ also at v. 14, of the same inalienable patrimony).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative (with ἔσται)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: objective negative; 'there shall not be… guilty of blood.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential: 'there shall be')→ predictive future (intended outcome)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; the existential future denies that bloodguilt will rest among the people if the refuge-law is observed.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative ('among you')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: 'in / among'; ἐν σοί = 'among you', the collective body of Israel.
σοὶyouDativeobject of ἐν ('among you')→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοί): the corporate 'you' of Israel; bloodguilt would otherwise rest on the whole community.
αἵματιof bloodDativedative of respect/cause (with ἔνοχος: 'guilty of blood')→ sphere or referenceαἷμα (dat. αἵματι): 'blood'; with ἔνοχος the dative denotes the charge — 'liable for blood / guilty of bloodshed'; bloodguilt incurred by failing to punish murder or by killing the innocent (cf. αἵματι ἔνοχος also implicit in Num 35:27).
ἔνοχοςguilty / liableNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται: 'shall be guilty')→ participant prominenceἔνοχος: 'liable / guilty / subject to (a charge)'; (ἐν + ἔχω, 'held in'); a legal term for one bound under a liability; αἵματι ἔνοχος = 'guilty of bloodshed', the bloodguilt the refuge-law averts (the same adjective recurs in NT capital-liability contexts, e.g. Matt 26:66; Mark 14:64).
11
ἐὰν δὲ γένηται ἄνθρωπος μισῶν τὸν πλησίον καὶ ἐνεδρεύσῃ αὐτὸν καὶ ἐπαναστῇ ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸν καὶ πατάξῃ αὐτοῦ ψυχήν καὶ ἀπεθάνῃ καὶ φύγῃ εἰς μίαν τῶν πόλεων τούτων
But if there be a man hating his neighbor, and he lies in wait for him and rises up against him and strikes him fatally so that he dies, and flees to one of these cities,
The counter-case to the involuntary manslayer (vv. 4–7): the deliberate murderer, defined by the very malice (μισῶν) the earlier law excluded (οὐ μισῶν, vv. 4, 6). A chain of premeditated acts — hating, lying in wait (ἐνεδρεύσῃ), rising up, striking fatally — establishes intent; his flight to a refuge-city will not avail him (vv. 12–13).
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (protasis + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; opening the counter-case of deliberate murder.
δὲbutadversative continuative (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; here adversative, pointedly contrasting the murderer with the involuntary manslayer of vv. 4–7.
γένηταιthere be / ariseAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · γίνομαιverb of protasis (subjunctive)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (a case arises)γίνομαι (aor. subj. γένηται): 'become / come to be / arise'; renders הָיָה; 'if there be a man…' frames the hypothetical legal case.
ἄνθρωποςa manNominativesubject of γένηται (and the verbs following)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man / person'; renders אִישׁ; the hypothetical murderer.
μισῶνhatingPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · μισέωattributive participle (with ἄνθρωπος: 'a man hating')→ imperfective present participle (settled hostile disposition)μισέω: 'hate'; renders שָׂנֵא; the attributive participle ἄνθρωπος μισῶν ('a man who hates') is the exact inverse of the manslayer's οὐ μισῶν (vv. 4, 6) — prior, settled hatred is the mark of murder, disqualifying him from asylum.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πλησίον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλησίονneighborAccusativedirect object of μισῶν (substantivized adverb)→ object specificationπλησίον: 'neighbor / fellow'; renders רֵעַ; the hated fellow Israelite who becomes the murder-victim.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (chain of premeditated acts)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνεδρεύσῃlies in wait forAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐνεδρεύωverb of protasis (subjunctive)→ perfective aorist subjunctive (act of ambush)ἐνεδρεύω: 'lie in wait / ambush / plot against'; renders אָרַב; the premeditated ambush is decisive evidence of intent — the murderer plans the killing, unlike the accidental woodcutter.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐνεδρεύσῃ→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐνεδρεύσῃ.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπαναστῇrises upAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐπανίστημιverb of protasis (subjunctive)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (act of rising to attack)ἐπανίστημι: 'rise up against / set upon'; renders קוּם עַל; the compound ἐπ-ανα- denotes a hostile rising against someone; the attack is overt and aggressive — further proof of intent.
ἐπ᾿againstpreposition + accusative (hostile: 'against him', elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'upon / against'; here hostile direction, 'against him'; elided ἐπ᾿ before the rough/smooth vowel.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐπί.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πατάξῃstrikesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · πατάσσωverb of protasis (subjunctive)→ perfective aorist subjunctive (fatal blow)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite'; the same verb as in vv. 4, 6, but here the blow is willed and lethal — the act of murder proper.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with ψυχήν)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with ψυχήν).
ψυχήνlife / soulAccusativedirect object of πατάξῃ ('strikes his life')→ object specificationψυχή: 'soul / life'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; πατάξῃ … ψυχήν ('strike the life') = deal a mortal blow; the same idiom as v. 6, here of deliberate murder.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεθάνῃdiesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωverb of protasis (resultant death of victim)→ perfective aorist subjunctive (resultant death)ἀποθνῄσκω (2 aor. subj. ἀπεθάνῃ): 'die'; renders מוּת; the victim's death completes the murder; the form ἀπεθάνῃ (with augment-like ε in the strong aorist stem) is the standard LXX subjunctive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φύγῃfleesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · φεύγωverb of protasis (the murderer's attempted asylum)→ perfective aorist subjunctive (act of flight)φεύγω: 'flee'; the murderer flees to a refuge-city just as the manslayer does (v. 5) — but, as vv. 12–13 make clear, the city affords him no protection; the asylum is for the innocent only.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
μίανoneAccusativenumeral (object of εἰς: 'to one')→ measure or countεἷς (acc. f. μίαν): 'one'; with implied πόλιν, 'to one of these cities' — verbatim echo of v. 5, sharpening the contrast between the two fugitives.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with πόλεων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωνcitiesGenitivepartitive genitive (with μίαν)→ relational specificationπόλις (gen. pl. πόλεων): 'city'; the refuge-cities, here entered by one who has no right to their protection.
τούτωνtheseGenitivedemonstrative (attributive, with πόλεων)→ relational specificationοὗτος (gen. pl. τούτων): 'these'; the established refuge-cities.
12
καὶ ἀποστελοῦσιν ἡ γερουσία τῆς πόλεως αὐτοῦ καὶ λήμψονται αὐτὸν ἐκεῖθεν καὶ παραδώσουσιν αὐτὸν εἰς χεῖρας τῷ ἀγχιστεύοντι τοῦ αἵματος καὶ ἀποθανεῖται
then the council of elders of his city shall send and take him from there and hand him over into the hands of the avenger of blood, and he shall die.
The apodosis to v. 11: the elders (ἡ γερουσία) of the murderer's own city extradite him from the refuge — the asylum is revoked for the guilty. The chain of futures (ἀποστελοῦσιν … λήμψονται … παραδώσουσιν … ἀποθανεῖται) enacts due process: investigation, seizure, surrender to the avenger, execution. Note the number-disagreement ἀποστελοῦσιν (plural) with the collective singular ἡ γερουσία (constructio ad sensum).
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶthencoordinate conjunction (apodotic: 'then')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic καί introducing the consequence — the community's response to the murderer's flight.
ἀποστελοῦσινshall sendFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (plural verb with collective singular subject)→ predictive/legislative future (mandated action)ἀποστέλλω: 'send / dispatch'; renders שָׁלַח; the plural ἀποστελοῦσιν ('they shall send') agrees ad sensum with the collective ἡ γερουσία ('the council', treated as its many members) — a common Greek constructio ad sensum, here echoing the Hebrew plural verb with a collective subject.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with γερουσία)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γερουσίαcouncil of eldersNominativesubject (collective singular)→ participant prominenceγερουσία: 'council of elders / senate'; renders זְקֵנִים ('elders'); the local body of elders charged with the murder investigation and extradition; the same term is used of the elders of Israel in Exod 3:16 and of the Sanhedrin in later usage (cf. Acts 5:21).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with πόλεως)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive (with γερουσία: 'elders of the city')→ relational specificationπόλις (gen. πόλεως): 'city'; the murderer's home town, whose elders are responsible for his extradition from the refuge-city.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with πόλεως)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his'; the murderer's own city — its elders, who knew the prior enmity, are competent to judge his intent.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λήμψονταιshall takeFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (extradition)→ predictive/legislative future (mandated seizure)λαμβάνω (fut. mid. λήμψονται): 'take / seize'; renders לָקַח; the elders fetch the murderer back from the refuge-city — the asylum does not protect the guilty; the form λήμψονται (with intrusive μ) is standard Koine/LXX orthography.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of λήμψονται→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of λήμψονται.
ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (source: 'from there')→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there / thence'; renders מִשָּׁם; 'from there' = from the refuge-city to which he fled — the very place that would have sheltered an innocent man yields up the guilty one.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παραδώσουσινshall hand overFut Act Indic 3 Pl · παραδίδωμιmain verb (surrender to the avenger)→ predictive/legislative future (mandated surrender)παραδίδωμι: 'hand over / deliver up / betray'; renders נָתַן (here 'give over'); the elders surrender the convicted murderer to the blood-avenger for execution — the lawful channel for capital justice; the verb's later sinister overtones (e.g. of Jesus' betrayal) are absent here, the act being wholly judicial.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of παραδώσουσιν→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of παραδώσουσιν.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (idiomatic: 'into the hands')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: in the idiom εἰς χεῖρας ('into the hands of'), rendering בְּיַד, denoting transfer of power over a person.
χεῖραςhandsAccusativeobject of εἰς ('into the hands')→ object specificationχείρ (acc. pl. χεῖρας): 'hand'; the idiom 'into the hands of' (εἰς χεῖρας) = into the power/custody of; the avenger receives the murderer for lawful execution.
τῷtheDativearticle (substantivizing ἀγχιστεύοντι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγχιστεύοντιto the avengerPres Act Part Dat Sg Masc · ἀγχιστεύωsubstantivized participle (dative indirect object: recipient)→ imperfective present participle (standing office of avenger)ἀγχιστεύω: 'act as avenger/kinsman'; the dative substantivized participle τῷ ἀγχιστεύοντι τοῦ αἵματος ('to the avenger of blood'), the same figure as v. 6 (גֹּאֵל הַדָּם); here he is the lawful executor of the murderer, his vengeance now sanctioned rather than restrained.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with αἵματος)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἵματοςof bloodGenitiveobjective genitive (with ἀγχιστεύοντι: 'avenger of blood')→ relational specificationαἷμα (gen. αἵματος): 'blood'; the genitive of the avenged thing, as in v. 6.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποθανεῖταιshall dieFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (the murderer's execution)→ predictive/legislative future (mandated death)ἀποθνῄσκω (fut. mid. ἀποθανεῖται): 'die'; the murderer's lawful death — the deliberate killer dies where the involuntary one lived (ζήσεται, vv. 4–5); the symmetry frames the whole refuge-law: life for the innocent, death for the guilty.
13
οὐ φείσεται ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ καὶ καθαριεῖς τὸ αἷμα τὸ ἀναίτιον ἐξ Ισραηλ καὶ εὖ σοι ἔσται
Your eye shall not spare him, and you shall purge the innocent blood from Israel, and it shall be well with you.
The apodictic seal of the murder-law: 'your eye shall not spare him' (οὐ φείσεται ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου) forbids misplaced pity for the murderer; the purgation-formula καθαριεῖς τὸ αἷμα τὸ ἀναίτιον ('you shall purge the innocent blood') removes the defilement; and the reward-clause εὖ σοι ἔσται ('it shall be well with you') promises blessing for fidelity. The same 'your eye shall not spare' recurs verbatim at v. 21, framing the chapter's two capital sanctions.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
οὐnotnegative (with φείσεται)→ participant referenceοὐ: objective negative; 'shall not spare' — a prohibition of clemency toward the murderer.
φείσεταιshall spareFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · φείδομαιmain verb (apodictic prohibition via future)→ imperatival future (binding prohibition: 'you must not pity')φείδομαι: 'spare / show mercy / refrain'; renders חוּס; the idiom οὐ φείσεται ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου ('your eye shall not spare') renders לֹא תָחוֹס עֵינְךָ, forbidding the judge or community misplaced compassion for the guilty (cf. Deut 13:8; 25:12); the same clause opens v. 21.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ὀφθαλμός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμόςeyeNominativesubject of φείσεται→ participant prominenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; renders עַיִן; 'the eye' as the organ and seat of pity — the idiom personifies the eye as the agent of compassion that must be denied to the murderer.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with ὀφθαλμός)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with ὀφθαλμός).
ἐπ᾿on / towardpreposition + dative ('on him', elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dat.: 'on / over / toward'; ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ = the object of the (withheld) pity, the murderer.
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐπί (the murderer)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): the murderer toward whom no pity is to be shown.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καθαριεῖςyou shall purgeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · καθαρίζωmain verb (legislative future = command)→ imperatival future (binding command to purge)καθαρίζω: 'cleanse / purge / purify'; renders בִּעֵר ('burn away / remove') here in the purgation-formula; executing the murderer 'purges the innocent blood', removing the defilement his unpunished crime would leave on the land and people.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with αἷμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἷμαbloodAccusativedirect object of καθαριεῖς→ object specificationαἷμα: 'blood'; here the 'innocent blood' whose unrequited shedding defiles Israel; purging it = executing the murderer so the guilt is removed (cf. Num 35:33).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (attributive position, with ἀναίτιον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀναίτιονinnocentAccusativeattributive adjective (with αἷμα: 'the innocent blood')→ object specificationἀναίτιος: 'guiltless / innocent'; the attributive τὸ αἷμα τὸ ἀναίτιον (with repeated article) echoes αἷμα ἀναίτιον of v. 10 — the lifeblood of the murdered victim, which demands requital.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (separation: 'from Israel')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ (ἐξ before vowel): 'out of / from'; the bloodguilt is purged 'from Israel', i.e. removed from the covenant community.
ΙσραηλIsraelobject of ἐξ (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; here the covenant people from whom bloodguilt must be purged to keep the land and community undefiled.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing reward-clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὖwelladverb (predicate with ἔσται: 'it shall be well')→ clausal contributionεὖ: 'well / rightly'; the formula εὖ σοι ἔσται ('it shall be well with you') renders Hebrew וְטוֹב לְךָ, a Deuteronomic blessing-formula promising covenant well-being for obedience (cf. Deut 4:40; 5:16, cited at Eph 6:3).
σοιwith youDativedative of advantage (with ἔσται: 'well with you')→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): the recipient of the promised well-being.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (impersonal: 'it shall be')→ predictive future (promised blessing)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; the impersonal future of the blessing-formula 'it shall be well with you', sealing the murder-law with covenant reward.
14
οὐ μετακινήσεις ὅρια τοῦ πλησίον σου ἃ ἔστησαν οἱ πατέρες σου ἐν τῇ κληρονομίᾳ σου ᾗ κατεκληρονομήθης ἐν τῇ γῇ ᾗ κύριος ὁ θεός σου δίδωσίν σοι ἐν κλήρῳ
You shall not move the boundary-markers of your neighbor, which your fathers set up, in the inheritance which you inherited in the land which the LORD your God gives you as a possession.
A single apodictic prohibition standing between the homicide-law and the witness-law: the boundary-marker (ὅρια) fixed by the fathers is inviolable. The landmark guards the inalienable patrimony allotted within YHWH's land-gift; to move it is a covert theft of a family's God-given inheritance (cf. Deut 27:17; Prov 22:28; 23:10; Hos 5:10). Its placement here links the protection of life (vv. 1–13) and of justice (vv. 15–21) with the protection of property.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
οὐnotnegative (with μετακινήσεις)→ participant referenceοὐ: objective negative; the absolute prohibition 'you shall not move.'
μετακινήσειςyou shall moveFut Act Indic 2 Sg · μετακινέωmain verb (apodictic prohibition via future)→ imperatival future (binding prohibition)μετακινέω: 'move / shift / displace'; renders Hebrew נָסַג (Hiphil), 'remove/move back (a boundary)'; the future-as-prohibition οὐ μετακινήσεις calques לֹא תַסִּיג; moving a landmark fraudulently enlarged one's own field at a neighbor's expense — a crime cursed at Deut 27:17.
ὅριαboundary-markersAccusativedirect object of μετακινήσεις→ object specificationὅριον (pl. ὅρια): 'boundary / landmark'; renders גְּבוּל; here specifically the boundary-stones marking a neighbor's allotted field (not the national borders of vv. 3, 8) — the physical markers of each household's inheritance.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with πλησίον)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλησίονneighborGenitivegenitive of possession (with ὅρια: 'your neighbor's markers')→ relational specificationπλησίον: 'neighbor'; renders רֵעַ; the fellow Israelite whose inherited field is protected against encroachment.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with πλησίον)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with πλησίον).
ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (acc. n. pl., antecedent ὅρια)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. n. pl. ἅ): relative pronoun, object of ἔστησαν; the markers 'which the fathers set up.'
ἔστησανset upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἵστημιverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the foundational establishing of boundaries)ἵστημι (aor. ἔστησαν): 'set up / establish / place'; renders גָּבַל / the setting of boundaries; the markers were fixed by 'the fathers' at the original allotment of the land (Josh 13–19), giving them an authority rooted in covenant history.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with πατέρες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέρεςfathersNominativesubject of ἔστησαν→ participant prominenceπατήρ (nom. pl. πατέρες): 'father / ancestor'; renders אָבוֹת; the ancestors who first apportioned the land and fixed its internal boundaries — their settlement is not to be disturbed.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with πατέρες)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with πατέρες).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with κληρονομίᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κληρονομίᾳinheritanceDativedative of place (with ἐν: 'in the inheritance')→ sphere or referenceκληρονομία: 'inheritance / heritage'; renders נַחֲלָה; the allotted family possession within which the boundary-markers stand; the inviolability of the markers protects the inalienability of the κληρονομία.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with κληρονομίᾳ)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with κληρονομίᾳ).
ᾗwhichDativerelative pronoun (dat. f., antecedent κληρονομίᾳ; cognate-dative with verb)→ participant reference or interestὅς (dat. f. ᾗ): relative pronoun; here a cognate/instrumental dative with κατεκληρονομήθης ('the inheritance which you were given to inherit').
κατεκληρονομήθηςyou inheritedAor Pass Indic 2 Sg · κατακληρονομέωverb of relative clause (passive)→ constative aorist passive (the completed act of being given the inheritance)κατακληρονομέω (aor. pass. κατεκληρονομήθης): 'inherit / be given as inheritance'; the passive here means 'you were given to possess / had apportioned to you'; the same verb (active) at v. 1 meant 'dispossess' — the LXX uses it flexibly for the whole inheritance-process; the figura etymologica κληρονομίᾳ … κατεκληρονομήθης stresses the inheritance theme.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with γῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῇlandDativedative of place (with ἐν: 'in the land')→ sphere or referenceγῆ (dat. γῇ): 'land'; the land of promise within which the inheritance lies.
ᾗwhichDativerelative pronoun (dat. f., antecedent γῇ)→ participant reference or interestὅς (dat. f. ᾗ): relative pronoun attracted to the dative of γῇ; introducing the recurrent land-gift formula.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of relative clause (δίδωσιν)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the land-gift formula grounds even the property-law in YHWH's gift — to move a landmark is to violate YHWH's own allotment.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as nominative in apposition to κύριος.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with θεός)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with θεός).
δίδωσίνgivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of relative clause→ customary/gnomic present (standing covenant gift)δίδωμι: 'give'; the land-gift refrain, here with ἐν κλήρῳ ('as a possession'), as in v. 10.
σοιto youDativedative indirect object→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object.
ἐνas / inpreposition + dative (predicative: 'as a possession')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: predicative/essive 'as', rendering Hebrew בְּ of state, as in v. 10.
κλήρῳpossession / lotDativedative (with ἐν: 'as a possession')→ sphere or referenceκλῆρος: 'lot / portion / possession'; renders נַחֲלָה / גּוֹרָל; the land given as an allotted possession — the very basis of the boundary-markers' sanctity (cf. ἐν κλήρῳ at v. 10).
15
οὐκ ἐμμενεῖ μάρτυς εἷς μαρτυρῆσαι κατὰ ἀνθρώπου κατὰ πᾶσαν ἀδικίαν καὶ κατὰ πᾶν ἁμάρτημα καὶ κατὰ πᾶσαν ἁμαρτίαν ἣν ἂν ἁμάρτῃ ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων καὶ ἐπὶ στόματος τριῶν μαρτύρων σταθήσεται πᾶν ῥῆμα
A single witness shall not stand to testify against a man for any iniquity or for any fault or for any sin which he may commit; by the mouth of two witnesses and by the mouth of three witnesses shall every matter be established.
The chapter's juridical climax and one of the most-cited verses of the Torah in the New Testament: a single witness is legally insufficient (οὐκ ἐμμενεῖ μάρτυς εἷς); a matter is established only ἐπὶ στόματος δύο … ἢ τριῶν μαρτύρων. The threefold κατά (any iniquity / fault / sin) makes the rule comprehensive. The principle is invoked at Matt 18:16; John 8:17; 2 Cor 13:1; 1 Tim 5:19; Heb 10:28.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
οὐκnotnegative (with ἐμμενεῖ)→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: objective negative; 'a single witness shall not stand.'
ἐμμενεῖshall stand / abideFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐμμένωmain verb (apodictic legal rule via future)→ imperatival/gnomic future (binding legal principle)ἐμμένω: 'remain in / abide / stand firm'; renders יָקוּם ('arise / stand / be valid'); the compound ἐν-μένω here means 'hold good / be legally valid'; a single witness's testimony shall not 'stand' as sufficient ground for conviction (contrast σταθήσεται below, of the matter that does stand).
μάρτυςwitnessNominativesubject of ἐμμενεῖ→ participant prominenceμάρτυς: 'witness'; renders עֵד; the legal witness in a judicial proceeding; the word recurs five times in vv. 15–18, the keyword of this unit.
εἷςone / singleNominativenumeral (predicative/attributive: 'a single witness')→ measure or countεἷς: 'one / a single'; renders אֶחָד; the emphatic 'one witness alone' — the heart of the corroboration rule: solitary testimony cannot convict.
μαρτυρῆσαιto testifyAor Act Inf · μαρτυρέωinfinitive of purpose (with ἐμμενεῖ: 'stand to testify')→ telic aorist infinitive (purpose of standing forth)μαρτυρέω: 'bear witness / testify'; renders עוּד / הֵעִיד; the cognate infinitive (μάρτυς … μαρτυρῆσαι) gives a figura etymologica; the single witness 'shall not stand to testify' decisively against an accused.
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (hostile: 'against a man')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + gen.: 'against'; the hostile sense, of testimony brought against an accused person.
ἀνθρώπουa manGenitiveobject of κατά (the accused)→ relational specificationἄνθρωπος (gen. ἀνθρώπου): 'man / person'; renders אִישׁ / אָדָם; the accused against whom testimony might be brought.
κατὰfor / in respect ofpreposition + accusative (respect: 'with regard to any iniquity')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'with respect to / for'; introducing the charge — 'for any iniquity'; note the shift from κατά + gen. ('against the man') to κατά + acc. ('regarding the offense').
πᾶσανany / allAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἀδικίαν)→ object specificationπᾶς (acc. f. πᾶσαν): 'any / every'; the comprehensive scope — the rule covers every kind of charge.
ἀδικίανiniquity / wrongAccusativeobject of κατά (first member of the triad)→ object specificationἀδικία: 'unrighteousness / iniquity / wrongdoing'; renders עָוֹן; the first of three near-synonyms (ἀδικία / ἁμάρτημα / ἁμαρτία) covering the whole range of offenses to which the rule applies.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατὰforpreposition + accusative (respect, second member)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (respect, second member).
πᾶνanyAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἁμάρτημα)→ object specificationπᾶς (acc. n. πᾶν): 'any / every'; modifying the neuter ἁμάρτημα.
ἁμάρτημαfault / sinAccusativeobject of κατά (second member of the triad)→ object specificationἁμάρτημα: 'sin / fault / misdeed'; the concrete act of sin (as distinct from the abstract ἁμαρτία); renders חֵטְא / various sin-terms; the second of the three offense-categories.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατὰforpreposition + accusative (respect, third member)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (respect, third member).
πᾶσανanyAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἁμαρτίαν)→ object specificationπᾶς (acc. f. πᾶσαν): 'any / every'; modifying ἁμαρτίαν.
ἁμαρτίανsinAccusativeobject of κατά (third member of the triad)→ object specificationἁμαρτία: 'sin'; renders חַטָּאת / חֵטְא; the general term for sin; the threefold ἀδικία / ἁμάρτημα / ἁμαρτία is a rhetorical heaping-up making the corroboration rule exhaustive — no category of accusation is exempt.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (acc. f., antecedent ἁμαρτίαν)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. f. ἥν): relative pronoun, cognate object of ἁμάρτῃ ('any sin which he sins').
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive, generalizing)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: generalizing particle with the subjunctive — 'whatever sin he may commit.'
ἁμάρτῃhe commits / sinsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἁμαρτάνωverb of generalizing relative clause→ perfective aorist subjunctive (any sin committed)ἁμαρτάνω: 'sin / do wrong / err'; renders חָטָא; the cognate construction ἁμαρτίαν … ἁμάρτῃ ('the sin he sins') is a figura etymologica calquing the Hebrew cognate accusative.
ἐπὶby / onpreposition + genitive ('on the mouth of' = on the testimony of)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: 'on / by / on the basis of'; in the idiom ἐπὶ στόματος ('by the mouth of') it renders עַל־פִּי, 'on the evidence of', a legal-evidentiary formula.
στόματοςmouthGenitiveobject of ἐπί ('by the mouth of')→ relational specificationστόμα (gen. στόματος): 'mouth'; renders פֶּה; ἐπὶ στόματος ('by the mouth of') = on the spoken testimony of; the legal idiom for the evidentiary basis of a verdict.
δύοtwoGenitivenumeral (with μαρτύρων; indeclinable)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; indeclinable numeral (here in a genitive context with μαρτύρων); renders שְׁנַיִם; the minimum number of witnesses required to establish a charge.
μαρτύρωνwitnessesGenitivegenitive (with στόματος: 'mouth of two witnesses')→ relational specificationμάρτυς (gen. pl. μαρτύρων): 'witness'; the corroborating witnesses whose concurring testimony validates the charge.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (epexegetic: 'or even')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: 'and'; here effectively 'or' — 'of two and (= or) of three witnesses', the Hebrew אוֹ being rendered by καί; the phrase intensifies: the more witnesses, the more secure the matter.
ἐπὶbypreposition + genitive (evidentiary, parallel)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: 'by / on the basis of'; the repeated ἐπὶ στόματος intensifies the corroboration principle.
στόματοςmouthGenitiveobject of ἐπί ('by the mouth of')→ relational specificationστόμα (gen. στόματος): 'mouth'; the repeated 'by the mouth of' formula.
τριῶνthreeGenitivenumeral (genitive, with μαρτύρων)→ relational specificationτρεῖς (gen. τριῶν): 'three'; renders שְׁלֹשָׁה; 'two or three witnesses' — the standard biblical evidentiary threshold (cf. Deut 17:6; Num 35:30).
μαρτύρωνwitnessesGenitivegenitive (with στόματος: 'mouth of three witnesses')→ relational specificationμάρτυς (gen. pl. μαρτύρων): 'witness'; the corroborating witnesses; this verse's 'two or three witnesses' formula is cited at Matt 18:16; 2 Cor 13:1; 1 Tim 5:19; cf. John 8:17; Heb 10:28.
σταθήσεταιshall be establishedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (the matter is legally established)→ gnomic/legislative future (the rule's positive side)ἵστημι (fut. pass. σταθήσεται): 'be set / be established / stand'; renders יָקוּם ('be confirmed / stand valid'); the passive 'shall be established' is the positive counterpart to οὐκ ἐμμενεῖ — a matter 'stands' only on corroborated testimony.
πᾶνeveryNominativeattributive adjective (with ῥῆμα)→ participant prominenceπᾶς (nom. n. πᾶν): 'every / all'; 'every matter' — the rule governs all judicial cases without exception.
ῥῆμαmatter / wordNominativesubject of σταθήσεται→ participant prominenceῥῆμα: 'word / matter / thing'; renders דָּבָר; here in the forensic sense of 'legal matter / case' (cf. the same word as 'command' in v. 7); 'every matter shall be established' on the mouth of two or three witnesses.
16
ἐὰν δὲ καταστῇ μάρτυς ἄδικος κατὰ ἀνθρώπου καταλέγων αὐτοῦ ἀσέβειαν
But if an unjust witness rises up against a man, charging him with impiety,
A new conditional unit (ἐὰν δέ) introducing the case of the false witness (μάρτυς ἄδικος) — the dark counterpart to the corroboration rule of v. 15. The protasis sets up the scenario (a malicious witness charging a man with impiety); the apodosis unfolds across vv. 17–21 (judicial examination, conviction, and talionic punishment).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (protasis + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; opens the case of the false witness.
δὲbutdiscourse continuative (post-positive; mild contrast)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; marks the move from the general rule (v. 15) to the specific case of its abuse by a perjurer.
καταστῇrises up / stands forthAor Act Subj 3 Sg · καθίστημιverb of protasis (subjunctive)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (act of standing forth as witness)καθίστημι (2 aor. act. subj. καταστῇ): 'set down / appoint / stand forth'; the intransitive aorist here means 'present himself / stand up (as a witness)'; renders קוּם ('rise up to testify'); the false witness takes his stand against the accused.
μάρτυςwitnessNominativesubject of καταστῇ→ participant prominenceμάρτυς: 'witness'; the keyword of the unit, here qualified as ἄδικος ('unjust').
ἄδικοςunjust / falseNominativeattributive adjective (with μάρτυς: 'an unjust witness')→ participant prominenceἄδικος: 'unjust / unrighteous / false'; (ἀ- privative + δίκη); renders עֵד חָמָס ('a violent/malicious witness'); μάρτυς ἄδικος = the perjurer who brings a false charge — the precise abuse the corroboration rule guards against; the same phrase recurs at v. 18.
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (hostile: 'against a man')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + gen.: 'against'; the hostile testimony directed against the accused.
ἀνθρώπουa manGenitiveobject of κατά (the falsely accused)→ relational specificationἄνθρωπος (gen. ἀνθρώπου): 'man / person'; the innocent man targeted by the false charge.
καταλέγωνcharging / allegingPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · καταλέγωcircumstantial participle (with μάρτυς: 'charging him')→ imperfective present participle (the act of accusation in progress)καταλέγω: 'recount / lay a charge against / accuse'; the compound κατα- gives a hostile sense ('speak down against'); the participle describes the content of the false witness's action — laying a charge of impiety against the accused.
αὐτοῦagainst him / hisGenitiveobjective genitive (with καταλέγων/ἀσέβειαν: 'his impiety')→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his / against him'; the genitive construes with the charge — 'alleging impiety of/against him.'
ἀσέβειανimpiety / ungodlinessAccusativedirect object of καταλέγων (the content of the charge)→ object specificationἀσέβεια: 'impiety / ungodliness / irreligion'; (ἀ- privative + σέβομαι, 'revere'); renders רֶשַׁע / סָרָה ('apostasy / wrongdoing'); the false witness accuses the man of a religious offense — a capital-level charge, raising the stakes that justify the talionic penalty of vv. 19–21.
17
καὶ στήσονται οἱ δύο ἄνθρωποι οἷς ἐστιν αὐτοῖς ἡ ἀντιλογία ἔναντι κυρίου καὶ ἔναντι τῶν ἱερέων καὶ ἔναντι τῶν κριτῶν οἳ ἐὰν ὦσιν ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις
then the two men between whom the dispute lies shall stand before the LORD and before the priests and before the judges who are in office in those days,
The apodosis to v. 16: both parties to the dispute (ὁ ἀντιλογία) present themselves for adjudication 'before the LORD and before the priests and before the judges' — the threefold ἔναντι locating the trial in the sacral-judicial sphere at the central sanctuary (cf. Deut 17:8–13). The trial is conducted coram Deo: perjury is an offense against YHWH himself.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶthencoordinate conjunction (apodotic: 'then')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic καί introducing the consequence of v. 16 — both parties stand for trial.
στήσονταιshall standFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἵστημιmain verb (the parties present themselves)→ predictive/legislative future (mandated appearance)ἵστημι (fut. mid. στήσονται): 'stand / present oneself'; renders עָמַד; both disputants 'stand' before the tribunal — the same root as ἐμμενεῖ / σταθήσεται (v. 15), here of standing for judgment.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνθρωποι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δύοtwoNominativenumeral (with ἄνθρωποι; indeclinable)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; indeclinable; the two parties to the dispute — accuser and accused.
ἄνθρωποιmenNominativesubject of στήσονται→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος (nom. pl. ἄνθρωποι): 'man / person'; the two litigants.
οἷςto whom / between whomDativerelative pronoun (dat. m. pl., antecedent ἄνθρωποι)→ participant reference or interestὅς (dat. m. pl. οἷς): relative pronoun; 'between/to whom the dispute is', a dative of possession resumed pleonastically by αὐτοῖς (a Hebraism).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (possessive: 'who have a dispute')→ stative present (the existing dispute)εἰμί (ἐστιν): 'is'; with the dative (οἷς … αὐτοῖς) expresses possession — 'who have the dispute between them.'
αὐτοῖςto themDativeresumptive dative (pleonastic, Hebraism with relative οἷς)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. pl. αὐτοῖς): resumptive pronoun redundantly repeating the relative οἷς — a Semitic pleonastic-pronoun construction (cf. Hebrew אֲשֶׁר … לָהֶם), common in translation-Greek of the LXX.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ἀντιλογία)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀντιλογίαdispute / controversyNominativesubject of ἐστιν→ participant prominenceἀντιλογία: 'dispute / contradiction / controversy'; (ἀντί + λόγος); renders רִיב ('legal contention / lawsuit'); the matter at issue between the two men; the word later denotes 'rebellion' (cf. Heb 12:3; Jude 11), but here is purely forensic.
ἔναντιbeforepreposition + genitive (before the divine tribunal)→ spatial or relational framingἔναντι: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the threefold ἔναντi (κυρίου / ἱερέων / κριτῶν) locates the trial in the sacral-judicial sphere — standing 'before YHWH' means at the sanctuary where his name dwells.
κυρίουLORDGenitiveobject of ἔναντι (before YHWH)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): the Tetragrammaton; standing 'before YHWH' marks the trial as conducted in the divine presence — perjury is ultimately an offense against God.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔναντιbeforepreposition + genitive (parallel)→ spatial or relational framingἔναντι: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (parallel).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἱερέων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερέωνpriestsGenitiveobject of ἔναντι (before the priests)→ relational specificationἱερεύς (gen. pl. ἱερέων): 'priest'; renders כֹּהֲנִים; the Levitical priests share judicial authority in difficult cases at the central sanctuary (cf. Deut 17:9; 21:5); their presence underscores the sacral character of the perjury trial.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔναντιbeforepreposition + genitive (parallel)→ spatial or relational framingἔναντι: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (parallel).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with κριτῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κριτῶνjudgesGenitiveobject of ἔναντι (before the judges)→ relational specificationκριτής (gen. pl. κριτῶν): 'judge'; renders שֹׁפְטִים; the appointed judges who, with the priests, examine the case (v. 18); Deuteronomy mandates the appointment of such judges (16:18).
οἳwhoNominativerelative pronoun (nom. m. pl., antecedent κριτῶν)→ participant referenceὅς (nom. m. pl. οἵ): relative pronoun; 'who are (in office) in those days', specifying the sitting judges of the time.
ἐὰνevermodal particle (= ἄν, with subjunctive in generalizing relative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: here used for ἄν (a common Koine/LXX interchange) in the generalizing relative clause οἳ ἐὰν ὦσιν ('whoever may be [judges]'), i.e. whoever holds office at the time.
ὦσινthey be / are in officePres Act Subj 3 Pl · εἰμίverb of generalizing relative clause (subjunctive)→ present subjunctive (whoever may be in office)εἰμί (pres. subj. ὦσιν): 'be'; 'whoever may be (judges) in those days' — the sitting magistrates of the time the case arises.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
ταῖςtheDativearticle (with ἡμέραις)→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραιςdaysDativedative of time (with ἐν: 'in those days')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα (dat. pl. ἡμέραις): 'day'; ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις ('in those days') = at the time when the case is tried — the judges then in office (cf. Deut 17:9).
ἐκείναιςthoseDativedemonstrative (attributive, with ἡμέραις)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος (dat. f. pl. ἐκείναις): 'those'; the days contemporary with the trial.
18
καὶ ἐξετάσωσιν οἱ κριταὶ ἀκριβῶς καὶ ἰδοὺ μάρτυς ἄδικος ἐμαρτύρησεν ἄδικα ἀντέστη κατὰ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ
and the judges shall examine the matter exactly, and behold, if the witness is an unjust witness, he has testified false things, he has risen against his brother —
The judges conduct a rigorous examination (ἐξετάσωσιν … ἀκριβῶς); the dramatic ἰδού ('behold') presents the discovered verdict in three staccato clauses (μάρτυς ἄδικος / ἐμαρτύρησεν ἄδικα / ἀντέστη), each underscoring the perjury. The careful investigation is the safeguard against wrongful conviction — the witness's malice, not mere accusation, is what must be established.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξετάσωσινshall examineAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἐξετάζωverb (subjunctive of procedural injunction)→ perfective aorist subjunctive (the act of thorough inquiry)ἐξετάζω: 'examine closely / scrutinize / interrogate'; renders דָּרַשׁ ('inquire diligently'); the judges must investigate thoroughly before convicting — a procedural safeguard echoing Deut 13:14; 17:4.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with κριταί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κριταὶjudgesNominativesubject of ἐξετάσωσιν→ participant prominenceκριτής (nom. pl. κριταί): 'judge'; the magistrates of v. 17 conducting the examination.
ἀκριβῶςexactly / diligentlyadverb of manner (with ἐξετάσωσιν)→ clausal contributionἀκριβῶς: 'accurately / carefully / diligently'; renders הֵיטֵב ('thoroughly'); the rigor of the inquiry guards against both wrongful conviction of the accused and the escape of the perjurer — exactness is the precondition of just talion.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the finding)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (introducing the discovered verdict)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; the demonstrative particle dramatically presents the outcome of the inquiry — that the witness is indeed a perjurer; formally an imperative of ὁράω, but functioning as an indeclinable particle (hence kind 'x').
μάρτυςwitnessNominativepredicate/subject (the verdict: 'an unjust witness')→ participant prominenceμάρτυς: 'witness'; here in the verdict 'an unjust witness (is he)', recapitulating v. 16.
ἄδικοςunjust / falseNominativeattributive/predicate adjective (with μάρτυς)→ participant prominenceἄδικος: 'unjust / false'; the verdict confirms the charge of v. 16 — the witness is proven a perjurer (μάρτυς ἄδικος), liable to the lex talionis.
ἐμαρτύρησενtestifiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μαρτυρέωmain verb (the established fact of perjury)→ constative aorist (the completed act of false testimony)μαρτυρέω: 'bear witness / testify'; here with the neuter-plural object ἄδικα ('false things'), 'he testified falsely'; the cognate μάρτυς … ἐμαρτύρησεν reinforces the forensic theme.
ἄδικαfalse things / liesAccusativedirect object of ἐμαρτύρησεν (neuter plural adjective as noun)→ object specificationἄδικος (acc. n. pl. ἄδικα): 'unjust things / falsehoods'; the substantivized neuter plural 'false things' = the content of the lying testimony; renders שֶׁקֶר ('falsehood').
ἀντέστηrose against / withstoodAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνθίστημιmain verb (asyndetic, intensifying the verdict)→ constative aorist (the hostile act of opposing his brother)ἀνθίστημι (2 aor. ἀντέστη): 'set oneself against / oppose / withstand'; the compound ἀντι- denotes hostile opposition; asyndetically piled on ἐμαρτύρησεν, it stresses the malice — the false witness 'stood against' (rose up in court against) his own brother.
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (hostile: 'against his brother')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + gen.: 'against'; the hostile direction of the false testimony.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἀδελφοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitiveobject of κατά (the falsely accused)→ relational specificationἀδελφός (gen. ἀδελφοῦ): 'brother'; renders אָח; the accused is now called the perjurer's 'brother' — a fellow Israelite, heightening the betrayal of covenant solidarity and motivating the talionic recompense of v. 19.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with ἀδελφοῦ)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with ἀδελφοῦ).
19
καὶ ποιήσετε αὐτῷ ὃν τρόπον ἐπονηρεύσατο ποιῆσαι κατὰ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐξαρεῖς τὸν πονηρὸν ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν
then you shall do to him just as he wickedly purposed to do to his brother, and you shall remove the evil from among your own selves.
The lex talionis applied to perjury: the false witness suffers the very penalty he plotted (ἐπονηρεύσατο) against his brother. The reciprocity-formula ὃν τρόπον … ἐπονηρεύσατο ποιῆσαι ('as he purposed to do') makes the punishment exactly fit the intended crime. The purgation-formula ἐξαρεῖς τὸν πονηρόν ('you shall remove the evil') is the recurrent Deuteronomic refrain for purging wickedness from Israel (13:5; 17:7; 22:21).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶthencoordinate conjunction (apodotic: 'then')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic καί introducing the sentence to be carried out.
ποιήσετεyou shall doFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (legislative future, 2nd plural)→ imperatival future (binding command to the community/judges)ποιέω (fut. ποιήσετε): 'do / make'; the 2nd plural addresses the community/court; 'you shall do to him' enacts the reciprocal penalty — the perjurer receives what he intended for his brother.
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (the perjurer)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): 'to him' — the convicted false witness, on whom the talionic sentence falls.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (acc. m., with τρόπον: adverbial 'just as')→ participant referenceὅς (acc. m. ὅν): relative pronoun; in ὃν τρόπον ('in the manner which / just as') an adverbial accusative of manner, as in v. 8.
τρόπονmannerAccusativeadverbial accusative of manner (ὃν τρόπον: 'just as')→ object specificationτρόπος (acc. τρόπον): 'manner / way'; ὃν τρόπον renders Hebrew כַּאֲשֶׁר, governing the reciprocity of the talion — exactly as he intended, so it is done to him.
ἐπονηρεύσατοhe wickedly purposedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · πονηρεύομαιverb of comparative clause→ constative aorist (the completed malicious intent)πονηρεύομαι: 'act wickedly / devise evil / plot maliciously'; (denominative of πονηρός); renders זָמַם ('scheme / plot'); the verb stresses that it is the malicious intent — what he 'purposed to do' — that is requited, even if the plot did not succeed.
ποιῆσαιto doAor Act Inf · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (with ἐπονηρεύσατο: 'purposed to do')→ aorist infinitive (content of the intended deed)ποιέω (aor. inf. ποιῆσαι): 'to do'; completes ἐπονηρεύσατο — the evil he 'plotted to do' to his brother; the same root frames the talion (ποιήσετε … ποιῆσαι).
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (hostile: 'against his brother')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + gen.: 'against'; the direction of the intended harm.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἀδελφοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitiveobject of κατά (the intended victim)→ relational specificationἀδελφός (gen. ἀδελφοῦ): 'brother'; the fellow Israelite the perjurer sought to harm; the kinship language sharpens the offense and warrants the talion.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with ἀδελφοῦ)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with ἀδελφοῦ).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing purgation-formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξαρεῖςyou shall removeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐξαίρωmain verb (purgation-formula; legislative future, 2nd singular)→ imperatival future (binding command to purge)ἐξαίρω: 'take away / remove / put away'; renders בִּעֵר ('burn away / purge'); the formula ἐξαρεῖς τὸν πονηρόν ('you shall remove the evil') is the standard Deuteronomic purgation-refrain (Deut 13:5; 17:7,12; 19:13 cf.; 21:21; 22:21–24), cited at 1 Cor 5:13 (ἐξάρατε τὸν πονηρόν).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πονηρόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πονηρὸνevil (one)Accusativesubstantivized adjective (object of ἐξαρεῖς)→ object specificationπονηρός (acc. πονηρόν): 'evil / wicked'; substantivized as 'the evil (thing/person)'; renders הָרָע; the purgation removes both the evildoer and the evil he embodies from the covenant community.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (separation: 'from among')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ (ἐξ before vowel): 'out of / from among'; the evil is removed 'from among' the people.
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ἐξ ('from among you', 2nd plural)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): 'you'; the community from whose midst the evil is purged.
αὐτῶνyourselvesGenitiveintensive pronoun (with ὑμῶν: 'your own selves')→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): intensive 'selves'; ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν = 'from your very own midst', emphasizing that the evil is purged from within the covenant body itself.
20
καὶ οἱ ἐπίλοιποι ἀκούσαντες φοβηθήσονται καὶ οὐ προσθήσουσιν ἔτι ποιῆσαι κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα τὸ πονηρὸν τοῦτο ἐν ὑμῖν
And the rest, when they hear, shall fear, and shall no longer continue to do according to this evil thing among you.
The deterrent rationale of the talion: the rest (οἱ ἐπίλοιποι), hearing of the perjurer's punishment, will fear and not repeat such wickedness. This 'hear and fear' formula (ἀκούσαντες φοβηθήσονται) is the standard Deuteronomic statement of exemplary deterrence (cf. 13:11; 17:13; 21:21), grounding capital justice in the protection of the wider community.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἐπίλοιποι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπίλοιποιthe rest / remainingNominativesubstantivized adjective (subject: 'the rest')→ participant prominenceἐπίλοιπος: 'remaining / the rest'; (ἐπί + λοιπός); renders הַנִּשְׁאָרִים ('those who remain'); the rest of the people, who will be deterred by the perjurer's exemplary punishment.
ἀκούσαντεςhaving heardAor Act Part Nom Pl Masc · ἀκούωcircumstantial participle (temporal: 'when they hear')→ perfective aorist participle (antecedent action of hearing)ἀκούω (aor. part. ἀκούσαντες): 'hear'; the temporal participle 'on hearing' (of the punishment); part of the fixed deterrence-formula 'they shall hear and fear.'
φοβηθήσονταιshall fearFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · φοβέομαιmain verb (the deterrent effect)→ predictive future (the intended deterrent fear)φοβέομαι (fut. pass. φοβηθήσονται): 'fear / be afraid'; renders יָרֵא; the deponent-passive future expresses the deterrent fear the punishment instills — the public character of the penalty is its preventive purpose (cf. Deut 13:11; 17:13).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegative (with προσθήσουσιν)→ participant referenceοὐ: objective negative; 'they shall not continue.'
προσθήσουσινshall continue / do againFut Act Indic 3 Pl · προστίθημιmain verb (with infinitive: 'not add to do' = not do again)→ predictive future (the deterrent result)προστίθημι (fut. προσθήσουσιν): 'add'; the idiom οὐ προσθήσουσιν … ποιῆσαι ('they shall not add to do') is a Hebraism (לֹא יוֹסִפוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת) meaning 'they shall no longer do / never again do'; the same verb as 'add cities' in v. 9, here of repeating an offense.
ἔτιanymore / againadverb (temporal: 'no longer')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet / anymore'; with the negated προσθήσουσιν it reinforces 'no longer / never again', completing the Hebraistic 'add to do' idiom.
ποιῆσαιto doAor Act Inf · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (with προσθήσουσιν)→ aorist infinitive (the deed not to be repeated)ποιέω (aor. inf. ποιῆσαι): 'to do'; completes the 'add to do' idiom — the people will not again commit such wickedness.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm/standard: 'according to')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to / after the manner of'; 'to do according to this evil thing' = to act in this wicked way.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ῥῆμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαthing / matterAccusativeobject of κατά→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / thing / matter'; renders דָּבָר; here 'this evil thing/deed' — the perjury just punished; the same word denotes the 'matter' established by witnesses (v. 15) and the 'word' commanded (v. 7).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (attributive, with πονηρόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πονηρὸνevilAccusativeattributive adjective (with ῥῆμα: 'this evil thing')→ object specificationπονηρός (acc. n. πονηρόν): 'evil / wicked'; modifying ῥῆμα — 'this evil deed', echoing τὸν πονηρόν of v. 19.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (attributive, with ῥῆμα)→ participant referenceοὗτος (acc. n. τοῦτο): 'this'; the specific evil of false witness just adjudicated.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative ('among you')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: 'in / among'; ἐν ὑμῖν = 'among you', the covenant community kept free of such wickedness.
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν ('among you', 2nd plural)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): 'you'; the people among whom the evil must not recur.
21
οὐ φείσεται ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ ψυχὴν ἀντὶ ψυχῆς ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος χεῖρα ἀντὶ χειρός πόδα ἀντὶ ποδός
Your eye shall not spare him: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
The chapter closes with the classic lex talionis, here applied specifically to the perjurer: 'your eye shall not spare' (repeating v. 13) followed by the fivefold ἀντί ladder (life / eye / tooth / hand / foot). The talion enforces strict proportionality — the false witness suffers precisely the harm he sought to inflict. The formula is taken up by Jesus at Matt 5:38 (ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ) and parallels Exod 21:23–25; Lev 24:20.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
οὐnotnegative (with φείσεται)→ participant referenceοὐ: objective negative; the prohibition of pity, verbatim from v. 13.
φείσεταιshall spareFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · φείδομαιmain verb (apodictic prohibition via future)→ imperatival future (binding prohibition: 'show no pity')φείδομαι: 'spare / show mercy'; the formula οὐ φείσεται ὁ ὀφθαλμός σου repeats v. 13 verbatim, framing the chapter's two capital sanctions (murder, perjury) with the same refusal of misplaced clemency; here it introduces the talionic ladder.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ὀφθαλμός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμόςeyeNominativesubject of φείσεται→ participant prominenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the seat of pity (as v. 13); pointedly, the next clause makes 'eye' itself the measure of talion (ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with ὀφθαλμός)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with ὀφθαλμός).
ἐπ᾿on / towardpreposition + dative ('on him', elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dat.: 'on / toward'; ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ = toward the perjurer, who receives no pity.
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐπί (the perjurer)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): the convicted false witness.
ψυχὴνlifeAccusativeaccusative of the talionic ladder ('life for...')→ object specificationψυχή (acc. ψυχήν): 'soul / life'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; the first rung of the talion ladder, ψυχὴν ἀντὶ ψυχῆς ('life for life'), the principle of exact proportional recompense; echoes πατάξῃ … τὴν ψυχήν of vv. 6, 11.
ἀντὶfor / in place ofpreposition + genitive (exchange/equivalence)→ spatial or relational framingἀντί + gen.: 'instead of / in return for'; the preposition of exchange/equivalence governing the entire talion ladder; renders Hebrew תַּחַת ('in place of'); the fivefold anaphora of ἀντί enforces strict proportional justice.
ψυχῆςlifeGenitiveobject of ἀντί ('for a life')→ relational specificationψυχή (gen. ψυχῆς): 'life'; the equivalent given in exchange — 'life for life.'
ὀφθαλμὸνeyeAccusativeaccusative of the talionic ladder ('eye for...')→ object specificationὀφθαλμός (acc. ὀφθαλμόν): 'eye'; renders עַיִן; the second rung, ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ ('eye for eye'), the phrase cited by Jesus at Matt 5:38 in the antithesis on retaliation; cf. Exod 21:24; Lev 24:20.
ἀντὶforpreposition + genitive (exchange)→ spatial or relational framingἀντί + gen.: 'in place of'; the second of five anaphoric occurrences.
ὀφθαλμοῦeyeGenitiveobject of ἀντί ('for an eye')→ relational specificationὀφθαλμός (gen. ὀφθαλμοῦ): 'eye'; the equivalent — 'eye for eye.'
ὀδόνταtoothAccusativeaccusative of the talionic ladder ('tooth for...')→ object specificationὀδούς (acc. ὀδόντα): 'tooth'; renders שֵׁן; the third rung, ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος ('tooth for tooth'); cf. Exod 21:24.
ἀντὶforpreposition + genitive (exchange)→ spatial or relational framingἀντί + gen.: 'in place of'; third occurrence.
ὀδόντοςtoothGenitiveobject of ἀντί ('for a tooth')→ relational specificationὀδούς (gen. ὀδόντος): 'tooth'; the equivalent — 'tooth for tooth.'
χεῖραhandAccusativeaccusative of the talionic ladder ('hand for...')→ object specificationχείρ (acc. χεῖρα): 'hand'; renders יָד; the fourth rung, χεῖρα ἀντὶ χειρός ('hand for hand'); cf. Exod 21:24.
ἀντὶforpreposition + genitive (exchange)→ spatial or relational framingἀντί + gen.: 'in place of'; fourth occurrence.
χειρόςhandGenitiveobject of ἀντί ('for a hand')→ relational specificationχείρ (gen. χειρός): 'hand'; the equivalent — 'hand for hand.'
πόδαfootAccusativeaccusative of the talionic ladder ('foot for...')→ object specificationπούς (acc. πόδα): 'foot'; renders רֶגֶל; the fifth and final rung, πόδα ἀντὶ ποδός ('foot for foot'); the complete ladder (life/eye/tooth/hand/foot) seals the chapter with the principle of exact proportional justice.
ἀντὶforpreposition + genitive (exchange)→ spatial or relational framingἀντί + gen.: 'in place of'; fifth and final occurrence, closing the anaphora.
ποδόςfootGenitiveobject of ἀντί ('for a foot')→ relational specificationπούς (gen. ποδός): 'foot'; the equivalent — 'foot for foot'; the talion's final term, closing the chapter on the note of measured, proportional recompense.