1
καὶ ἐπιστραφέντες ἀπήραμεν εἰς τὴν ἔρημον ὁδὸν θάλασσαν ἐρυθράν ὃν τρόπον ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρός με καὶ ἐκυκλώσαμεν τὸ ὄρος τὸ Σηιρ ἡμέρας πολλάς.
And turning back we set out into the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea, just as the LORD spoke to me, and we circled Mount Seir for many days.
The chapter resumes Moses' first-person wilderness retrospect after the defeat at Hormah (1:44–46). The participle ἐπιστραφέντες ('turning back') registers the reversal of direction commanded at 1:40, and the comparative clause ὃν τρόπον ἐλάλησεν κύριος frames the whole movement as obedience to a prior divine word. ἐκυκλώσαμεν … ἡμέρας πολλάς captures the long, aimless circuit of Seir that fills the unrecorded years.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιστραφέντεςhaving turned backAor Pass Part Nom Masc Pl · ἐπιστρέφωcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance of ἀπήραμεν)→ coincident aorist participle (the turning accompanies the departure)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn / turn back / return'; the aorist passive (deponent in sense) participle renders Hebrew פָּנָה; it marks the reversal of march ordered at 1:40 (turn back toward the wilderness), the geographical correlate of the generation's rejection of the land.
ἀπήραμενwe set outAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀπαίρωmain verb (first-person plural narrative)→ constative aorist (single completed journey-stage)ἀπαίρω: 'set out / depart / break camp'; the standard LXX itinerary verb (rendering נָסַע), used repeatedly through Numbers and Deuteronomy to mark stages of the wilderness march; the first-person plural draws Moses' audience into the remembered journey.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔρημονwildernessAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationἔρημος: 'wilderness / desert'; renders מִדְבָּר; the substantivized adjective; the wilderness is both the place of wandering and the theological space of testing and judgment for the disobedient generation.
ὁδὸνby the way ofAccusativeaccusative of route / way (adverbial: 'along the road')→ object specificationὁδός: 'way / road / journey'; the bare accusative ὁδόν functions adverbially ('by way of'), a Hebraism rendering דֶּרֶךְ used as an accusative of route; cf. the same idiom at v. 8 (ὁδὸν ἔρημον Μωαβ).
θάλασσανseaAccusativeaccusative in apposition / specifying the route ('the Red Sea')→ object specificationθάλασσα: 'sea'; with ἐρυθράν forms the fixed LXX name θάλασσα ἐρυθρά ('Red Sea'), rendering יַם־סוּף ('Sea of Reeds'); here it names the direction of the retreat back toward the gulf.
ἐρυθράνredAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying θάλασσαν)→ object specificationἐρυθρός: 'red'; the standard LXX rendering in the compound name θάλασσα ἐρυθρά for the Sea of Reeds (יַם־סוּף); the Greek tradition's 'Red Sea' fixed itself permanently through the LXX into later usage.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (with τρόπον: 'in the manner which')→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; the phrase ὃν τρόπον ('in which manner / just as') is an adverbial accusative of manner, a common LXX comparative idiom rendering כַּאֲשֶׁר.
τρόπονmannerAccusativeaccusative of manner (with ὃν: 'just as')→ object specificationτρόπος: 'manner / way'; ὃν τρόπον is a frozen comparative phrase ('just as / in the way that'), introducing the appeal to the prior divine command as the warrant for the movement.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of comparative clause (introduced by ὃν τρόπον)→ constative aorist (the antecedent divine command)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דִּבֶּר (Piel); the aorist points back to the LORD's earlier directive (cf. 1:40); the whole journey is thereby framed as obedience to a word already spoken.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐλάλησεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the LORD as the source of the command that directs the whole itinerary.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Moses as recipient)→ participant referenceἐγώ (encl. acc. με): the first-person object marks Moses as the recipient of the divine word; the whole chapter is cast as his personal recollection addressed to Israel.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκυκλώσαμενwe circledAor Act Indic 1 Pl · κυκλόωmain verb (second clause)→ constative aorist summarizing a long span ('for many days')κυκλόω: 'encircle / go around'; renders סָבַב; cognate with κυκλοῦν in v. 3; the verb captures the long, circuitous, unprogressing march around Seir that fills the lost years of wandering.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄροςmountainAccusativedirect object of ἐκυκλώσαμεν→ object specificationὄρος: 'mountain / hill country'; renders הַר; 'Mount Seir' designates the hill country of Edom, the homeland of Esau's descendants.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (attributive, repeated before the name)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣηιρSeirindeclinable proper noun (in apposition to ὄρος)→ participant identificationΣηιρ: transliteration of Hebrew שֵׂעִיר ('Seir'); indeclinable in the LXX; the mountainous region south-east of the Dead Sea, the inheritance of Esau/Edom.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time ('for days')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the accusative plural with πολλάς expresses duration ('for many days'), a classical accusative of temporal extent rendering יָמִים רַבִּים.
πολλάςmanyAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)→ object specificationπολύς: 'many / much'; the indefinite 'many days' deliberately blurs the long, fruitless span of the circuit, the temporal shape of a generation under judgment.
2
καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρός με
And the LORD said to me,
The brief formula καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρός με is the standard LXX introduction to a fresh divine directive within Moses' retrospect; it sets off the command of vv. 3–7 from the narrative of v. 1. The first-person πρός με keeps the whole report in the register of Moses' personal recollection.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single completed speech-act)λέγω: 'say / speak'; the aorist εἶπεν introduces direct divine speech; the formula εἶπεν κύριος πρός με recurs through Moses' retrospect at each new divine word (cf. vv. 9, 17, 31).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the nominative subject marks this as unmediated YHWH-speech to Moses.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Moses as recipient)→ participant referenceἐγώ (encl. acc. με): Moses as the immediate addressee of the divine command.
3
ἱκανούσθω ὑμῖν κυκλοῦν τὸ ὄρος τοῦτο ἐπιστράφητε οὖν ἐπὶ βορρᾶν
Let it be enough for you to circle this mountain; turn, then, toward the north.
The impersonal imperative ἱκανούσθω ('let it suffice') declares the years of circling Seir at an end; the inferential οὖν draws the practical consequence — a decisive northward turn. The command initiates the forward movement of the conquest narrative, ending the period of aimless circuit that began at v. 1.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἱκανούσθωlet it be enoughPres Pass Impv 3 Sg · ἱκανόωmain verb (impersonal imperative)→ durative present imperative (a sufficiency now reached must cease)ἱκανόω: 'make sufficient / suffice'; the impersonal passive ἱκανούσθω ὑμῖν renders רַב־לָכֶם ('it is much/enough for you'), a Hebrew idiom of cessation (cf. the same construction at 1:6; 3:26); it declares the long circuit complete.
ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of reference / advantage (with impersonal verb)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): dative of reference with the impersonal verb; the addressees shift to the second-person plural — the people are directly commanded.
κυκλοῦνto circlePres Act Inf · κυκλόωcomplementary infinitive (subject of impersonal ἱκανούσθω)→ durative present infinitive (the ongoing act of circling)κυκλόω (pres. inf.): 'go around / encircle'; cognate with ἐκυκλώσαμεν in v. 1; the present infinitive denotes the continuing activity now declared sufficient.
τὸthe / thisAccusativearticle (with demonstrative τοῦτο)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄροςmountainAccusativedirect object of κυκλοῦν→ object specificationὄρος: 'mountain'; Mount Seir again (cf. v. 1), here pointed to deictically as 'this mountain.'
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ὄρος)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the near demonstrative locates the speaker and people still in the orbit of Seir at the moment of the command.
ἐπιστράφητεturnAor Pass Impv 2 Pl · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (make a decisive turn)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn / turn about'; cognate with ἐπιστραφέντες in v. 1, but now reversing its direction — the people are to break out of the circuit and head north; the aorist imperative commands a single decisive reorientation.
οὖνthen / thereforeinferential particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὖν: 'therefore / then'; draws the practical conclusion from the declaration of sufficiency — since the circling is enough, turn now.
ἐπὶtowardpreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'toward'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
βορρᾶνnorthAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (direction of the turn)→ object specificationβορρᾶς: 'north / north wind'; renders צָפוֹן; the northward turn sets Israel on the path toward Moab, Ammon, and the Amorite kingdoms — the trajectory of the conquest.
4
καὶ τῷ λαῷ ἔντειλαι λέγων ὑμεῖς παραπορεύεσθε διὰ τῶν ὁρίων τῶν ἀδελφῶν ὑμῶν υἱῶν Ησαυ οἳ κατοικοῦσιν ἐν Σηιρ καὶ φοβηθήσονται ὑμᾶς καὶ εὐλαβηθήσονται ὑμᾶς σφόδρα
And command the people, saying: You are about to pass through the borders of your brothers, the sons of Esau, who dwell in Seir; and they will fear you, and they will be very cautious of you.
The LORD now charges Moses to instruct the people about the passage through Edomite territory. The kinship language (τῶν ἀδελφῶν ὑμῶν υἱῶν Ησαυ) is theologically loaded: Edom is Israel's brother-nation, and the Edomites' fear (φοβηθήσονται … εὐλαβηθήσονται σφόδρα) signals that Israel is to advance not by force but under divine awe.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtheDativearticle (with λαῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαῷpeopleDativedative indirect object of ἔντειλαι (those commanded)→ sphere or referenceλαός: 'people'; the standard LXX term for Israel as covenant community (rendering עַם); the dative marks them as the recipients of the command Moses is to issue.
ἔντειλαιcommandAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb (divine imperative to Moses)→ ingressive aorist imperative (issue the command)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / charge / give orders'; renders צִוָּה (Piel); the middle-deponent aorist imperative directs Moses to transmit the LORD's instruction to the people; the verb governs the quoted command that follows.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Masc Sg · λέγωparticiple of speaking (introducing direct discourse)→ durative present participle (Hebraizing speech-marker)λέγω (pres. part.): the participle λέγων is the LXX's stereotyped rendering of לֵאמֹר, a quotation-marker introducing direct speech; it is functionally a colon, not an independent action.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic nominative pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ (nom. pl. ὑμεῖς): the explicit nominative pronoun is emphatic — 'you yourselves are about to pass through' — heightening the directness of the instruction.
παραπορεύεσθεyou are passing throughPres Mid Indic 2 Pl · παραπορεύομαιmain verb of direct discourse (futuristic present)→ futuristic present (imminent passage presented as underway)παραπορεύομαι: 'pass by / pass through / go alongside'; renders עָבַר; the present tense with future force announces the imminent transit through Edomite borders; the verb recurs as a keyword of the chapter (vv. 13, 18).
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (passage through)→ spatial or relational framingδιὰ: meaning 'through'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (passage through).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ὁρίων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁρίωνborders / territoryGenitivegenitive object of διά (the territory traversed)→ relational specificationὅριον (pl. ὅρια): 'boundary / border / territory'; renders גְּבוּל; the plural denotes the bordered land of Edom through which Israel will pass; cf. v. 18 (τὰ ὅρια Μωαβ).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἀδελφῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφῶνbrothersGenitivegenitive of relationship (defining ὁρίων)→ relational specificationἀδελφός: 'brother / kinsman'; renders אָח; the designation of the Edomites as Israel's 'brothers' invokes the Jacob–Esau kinship (Gen 25–36) and grounds the prohibition against war: Edom is family, not enemy.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with ἀδελφῶν)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): possessive genitive; 'your brothers' personalizes the kinship bond for the addressed generation.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive in apposition to ἀδελφῶν ('the sons of Esau')→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son / descendant'; υἱοὶ Ησαυ ('sons of Esau') is the standard LXX designation of the Edomite nation, rendering בְּנֵי עֵשָׂו.
ΗσαυEsauindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relationship with υἱῶν)→ participant identificationΗσαυ: transliteration of Hebrew עֵשָׂו ('Esau'); indeclinable in the LXX; the eponymous ancestor of Edom, Jacob's elder twin.
οἳwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of κατοικοῦσιν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, masculine nominative plural, agreeing with υἱῶν Ησαυ; introduces the descriptive relative clause locating the Edomites in Seir.
κατοικοῦσινdwellPres Act Indic 3 Pl · κατοικέωverb of relative clause (descriptive)→ customary present (settled, habitual dwelling)κατοικέω: 'dwell / inhabit / settle'; renders יָשַׁב; the present denotes settled, established habitation — the Edomites are the rightful, long-resident occupants of Seir.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΣηιρSeirindeclinable proper noun (object of ἐν, locative)→ participant identificationΣηιρ: transliteration of שֵׂעִיר; the Edomite homeland; indeclinable.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φοβηθήσονταιthey will fearFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · φοβέομαιmain verb (prediction of the Edomites' reaction)→ predictive future (divinely guaranteed response)φοβέομαι: 'fear / be afraid'; renders יָרֵא; the passive-deponent future predicts the Edomites' dread of Israel — a fear inspired by the LORD's evident presence, ensuring safe passage without combat (cf. the terror motif of v. 25).
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of φοβηθήσονται→ participant referenceσύ (acc. pl. ὑμᾶς): the object of the Edomites' fear.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὐλαβηθήσονταιthey will be cautious / waryFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · εὐλαβέομαιmain verb (parallel to φοβηθήσονται)→ predictive future (intensifying the foregoing fear)εὐλαβέομαι: 'be cautious / wary / take heed / be in awe'; renders the niphal of שָׁמַר or a near-synonym of fear; the pairing φοβηθήσονται … εὐλαβηθήσονται σφόδρα is an emphatic doublet ('fear … and be very wary'), heightening the reverential dread that protects Israel's transit.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of εὐλαβηθήσονται→ participant referenceσύ (acc. pl. ὑμᾶς): object of the Edomites' wariness.
σφόδραexceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying εὐλαβηθήσονται)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'very / exceedingly'; standard LXX rendering of מְאֹד; intensifies the Edomites' wariness to the maximum, underscoring that Israel passes under divine awe.
5
μὴ συνάψητε πρὸς αὐτοὺς πόλεμον οὐ γὰρ μὴ δῶ ὑμῖν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς αὐτῶν οὐδὲ βῆμα ποδός ὅτι ἐν κλήρῳ δέδωκα τοῖς υἱοῖς Ησαυ τὸ ὄρος τὸ Σηιρ.
Do not engage them in war, for I will by no means give you any of their land, not even a foot's tread, because I have given Mount Seir to the sons of Esau as a possession.
The prohibitive subjunctive μὴ συνάψητε forbids war against Edom; the double-negative emphatic οὐ … μὴ δῶ ('I will by no means give') grounds it in the LORD's prior allotment of Seir to Esau ἐν κλήρῳ. The theology of divinely apportioned national inheritance — central to the chapter — first appears here: Israel may not seize what God has granted to another people.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
μὴnotnegative particle (with prohibitive subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative of prohibition; with the aorist subjunctive συνάψητε it forms a prohibition against initiating war.
συνάψητεengage / joinAor Act Subj 2 Pl · συνάπτωmain verb (prohibitive subjunctive)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive of prohibition (do not begin war)συνάπτω: 'join together / engage'; the idiom συνάπτω πόλεμον ('join battle / engage in war') renders עָרַךְ מִלְחָמָה or גָּרָה; the aorist prohibition forbids the very initiation of hostilities against Edom; cf. vv. 9, 19, 24 where the same idiom recurs.
πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile direction).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the Edomites)→ participant referenceαὐτός: personal pronoun; refers to the sons of Esau of v. 4.
πόλεμονwarAccusativedirect object of συνάψητε (in the idiom 'engage war')→ object specificationπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; renders מִלְחָמָה; the object of the idiomatic συνάπτω πόλεμον; a keyword of the chapter, contrasting the forbidden war against kin with the commanded war against Sihon (v. 24).
οὐnotnegative particle (first member of emphatic οὐ … μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: the indicative negative; combined with μή and the aorist subjunctive δῶ it forms the emphatic future denial οὐ μὴ δῶ ('I will certainly not give').
γὰρforcausal particle (post-positive, grounding the prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; introduces the reason for the prohibition — Edom's land is not Israel's to take.
μὴnotnegative particle (second member of emphatic οὐ … μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: with οὐ and the aorist subjunctive forms οὐ μὴ δῶ, the strongest Greek negation of a future event.
δῶI will giveAor Act Subj 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (emphatic future denial with οὐ μή)→ emphatic future-denial aorist subjunctive (absolute refusal to give)δίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; the aorist subjunctive with οὐ μή expresses the LORD's absolute refusal to grant Israel any of Edom's land — the converse of the δέδωκα ('I have given') to Esau later in the verse.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative indirect object of δῶ→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): the would-be recipients, refused.
ἀπὸfrom / ofpreposition + genitive (partitive: 'any portion of')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: here partitive ('any of'), with the genitive τῆς γῆς; the LORD will not give even a portion.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with γῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (partitive)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land / earth'; renders אֶרֶץ; the Edomite land that Israel may not take.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (with γῆς)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their'; the land belongs to the Edomites by divine grant.
οὐδὲnot evenintensifying negative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδέ: 'not even / nor'; intensifies the refusal to the smallest measure — not even a footstep's worth.
βῆμαstep / treadAccusativeaccusative (measure of the smallest portion withheld)→ object specificationβῆμα: 'step / pace / tread'; the idiom βῆμα ποδός ('a foot's tread') renders מִדְרַךְ כַּף־רֶגֶל ('a place for the sole of the foot', cf. Acts 7:5); proverbial for the least possible amount of land.
ποδόςof a footGenitivegenitive (defining βῆμα: 'a step of the foot')→ relational specificationπούς: 'foot'; the genitive ποδός qualifies βῆμα; together they denote the minimal footprint of land, emphasizing the totality of the prohibition.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (grounding the refusal)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the theological ground — Seir is already Esau's allotted possession.
ἐνas / forpreposition + dative (in the idiom ἐν κλήρῳ: 'as a possession')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: the phrase ἐν κλήρῳ ('as an allotment / in inheritance') is a fixed LXX idiom for divinely apportioned territory, rendering Hebrew יְרֻשָּׁה / לְמוֹרָשָׁה.
κλήρῳpossession / allotmentDativedative in the idiom ἐν κλήρῳ ('as an inherited possession')→ sphere or referenceκλῆρος: 'lot / allotted portion / inheritance'; renders נַחֲלָה / יְרֻשָּׁה; the keyword of the chapter's theology of national inheritance — each people, Esau, Moab, and Ammon, holds its land ἐν κλήρῳ by divine grant (cf. vv. 9, 19; Deut 32:8).
δέδωκαI have givenPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb of the causal clause (perfect of settled fact)→ resultative perfect (a completed grant with abiding effect)δίδωμι (perf.): 'have given'; the perfect δέδωκα marks the grant of Seir to Esau as an accomplished, standing reality — Edom's title is settled and inviolable; the perfect (contrast the refused aorist δῶ above) underscores the permanence of the divine apportionment.
τοῖςto theDativearticle (with υἱοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative indirect object of δέδωκα (the grantees)→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son / descendant'; τοῖς υἱοῖς Ησαυ ('the sons of Esau') = the Edomites, the recipients of the grant.
ΗσαυEsauindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relationship with υἱοῖς)→ participant identificationΗσαυ: transliteration of עֵשָׂו; the Edomite ancestor.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ὄρος)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄροςmountainAccusativedirect object of δέδωκα (the thing given)→ object specificationὄρος: 'mountain'; Mount Seir, the granted territory.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (attributive, before the name)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣηιρSeirindeclinable proper noun (in apposition to ὄρος)→ participant identificationΣηιρ: transliteration of שֵׂעִיר; the Edomite hill country granted to Esau.
6
βρώματα ἀργυρίου ἀγοράσατε παρ᾿ αὐτῶν καὶ φάγεσθε καὶ ὕδωρ μέτρῳ λήμψεσθε παρ᾿ αὐτῶν ἀργυρίου καὶ πίεσθε.
Buy food from them for silver and eat, and take water from them by measure for silver and drink.
Having forbidden seizure, the LORD commands fair purchase: food and water are to be bought for silver (ἀργυρίου, genitive of price). The arrangement honors Edom's property rights and models Israel's posture toward kindred nations — passage without plunder. The clause structure (buy … eat … take … drink) mirrors the parallel offer Moses later makes to Sihon (v. 28).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
βρώματαfood / provisionsAccusativedirect object of ἀγοράσατε→ object specificationβρῶμα (pl. βρώματα): 'food / victuals'; renders אֹכֶל; the provisions Israel must purchase rather than seize; cf. the identical idiom in Moses' offer to Sihon (v. 28).
ἀργυρίουfor silverGenitivegenitive of price (with ἀγοράσατε)→ relational specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; the genitive of price ('for silver') renders בְּכֶסֶף; specifies that the provisions are to be acquired by fair commercial exchange, not plunder.
ἀγοράσατεbuyAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀγοράζωmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (make the purchase)ἀγοράζω: 'buy / purchase'; renders שָׁבַר / כָּרָה; the commercial verb underscores that Israel must deal honestly with Edom, paying for what it consumes.
παρ᾿frompreposition + genitive (source, elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + gen.: 'from (the side of)'; marks the Edomites as the source of the purchase.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of παρά (the Edomites as sellers)→ relational specificationαὐτός: refers to the sons of Esau.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (future with imperatival force, paired with ἀγοράσατε)→ imperatival future (and so you may eat)ἐσθίω (fut. mid. φάγομαι): 'eat'; the suppletive future of ἐσθίω; the future here carries near-imperatival force, the natural sequel to the purchase ('buy … and eat').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of λήμψεσθε→ object specificationὕδωρ: 'water'; renders מַיִם; in the arid wilderness water too must be paid for; cf. v. 28.
μέτρῳby measureDativedative of manner (with λήμψεσθε)→ sphere or referenceμέτρον: 'measure'; the dative of manner ('by measure') indicates that even water is to be obtained in measured, paid-for quantities, reinforcing the scrupulous fairness of the transit.
λήμψεσθεyou shall take / receiveFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (future with imperatival force)→ imperatival future (you are to obtain)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive / obtain'; renders לָקַח / כָּרָה; here of acquiring water by purchase rather than seizure.
παρ᾿frompreposition + genitive (source, elided)→ spatial or relational framingπαρ᾿: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source, elided).
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of παρά→ relational specificationαὐτός: the Edomites again as source.
ἀργυρίουfor silverGenitivegenitive of price (with λήμψεσθε)→ relational specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; genitive of price; the repetition (ἀργυρίου … ἀργυρίου) drives home that both food and water are paid for in coin.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πίεσθεyou shall drinkFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · πίνωmain verb (future with imperatival force, completing the pair)→ imperatival future (and so you may drink)πίνω (fut. mid. πίομαι): 'drink'; completes the parallel 'buy/eat … take/drink' structure; the future has the same near-imperatival sense as φάγεσθε.
7
ὁ γὰρ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν εὐλόγησέν σε ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ τῶν χειρῶν σου διάγνωθι πῶς διῆλθες τὴν ἔρημον τὴν μεγάλην καὶ τὴν φοβερὰν ἐκείνην ἰδοὺ τεσσαράκοντα ἔτη κύριος ὁ θεός σου μετὰ σοῦ οὐκ ἐπεδεήθης ῥήματος.
For the LORD our God has blessed you in every work of your hands. Take note how you passed through that great and fearful wilderness: behold, forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing.
γάρ grounds the command to purchase in the LORD's blessing: Israel has the means because God has prospered every work of their hands. The verse pivots to a retrospective summons (διάγνωθι, 'take note') over the forty-year wilderness passage, and closes with the climactic assurance οὐκ ἐπεδεήθης ῥήματος ('you have lacked nothing') — the abiding divine presence (μετὰ σοῦ) made the desert a place of provision, not want.
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
ὁtheNominativearticle (with κύριος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γὰρforcausal particle (post-positive, grounding v. 6)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; introduces the reason Israel can pay its way — divine blessing has made it rich in the wilderness.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of εὐλόγησεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the covenant title ὁ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν ('the LORD our God') binds Moses and people together as recipients of the blessing.
ὁtheNominativearticle (in apposition with θεὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenoun in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the apposition κύριος ὁ θεός renders the frequent Hebrew יהוה אֱלֹהִים, identifying the covenant LORD as Israel's God.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession (with θεὸς)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. pl. ἡμῶν): the first-person plural binds Moses with his hearers in covenant relation.
εὐλόγησένblessedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εὐλογέωmain verb (the divine blessing)→ constative aorist summarizing the whole wilderness blessingεὐλογέω: 'bless / speak well of / prosper'; renders בֵּרַךְ (Piel); the aorist sums up the LORD's sustained material provision through the forty years, the ground of Israel's ability to buy from Edom.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of εὐλόγησεν (collective singular 'you')→ participant referenceσύ (encl. acc. σε): the second-person singular addresses Israel collectively, a common Deuteronomic shift between plural and singular 'you.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere of the blessing)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere of the blessing).
παντὶeveryDativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔργῳ)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'every / all'; the blessing extends to the totality of Israel's labors.
ἔργῳworkDativedative object of ἐν (sphere of blessing)→ sphere or referenceἔργον: 'work / deed / labor'; renders מַעֲשֵׂה; the idiom ἔργον τῶν χειρῶν ('work of the hands') is a Deuteronomic formula for human productive activity that God prospers (cf. Deut 14:29; 16:15).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with χειρῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρῶνhandsGenitivegenitive (defining ἔργῳ: 'work of the hands')→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the genitive plural in the formula ἔργον τῶν χειρῶν denotes human effort, the object of divine blessing.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with χειρῶν)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. sg. σου): 'your'; the singular continues the collective address.
διάγνωθιtake note / considerAor Act Impv 2 Sg · διαγινώσκωmain verb (imperative summons to reflection)→ ingressive aorist imperative (come to recognize)διαγινώσκω: 'discern / take careful note / know thoroughly'; the compound διά- intensifies ('know through and through'); the imperative summons Israel to a reflective recognition of God's forty-year provision.
πῶςhowinterrogative adverb (introducing indirect question)→ clausal contributionπῶς: 'how'; introduces the indirect question that is the object of διάγνωθι — how Israel made it through the desert.
διῆλθεςyou passed throughAor Act Indic 2 Sg · διέρχομαιverb of indirect question (object of διάγνωθι)→ constative aorist (the completed wilderness passage)διέρχομαι: 'go through / traverse'; renders עָבַר; the compound διά- ('through') stresses the full transit of the daunting wilderness, accomplished only by divine sustenance.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἔρημον)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔρημονwildernessAccusativedirect object of διῆλθες→ object specificationἔρημος: 'wilderness'; renders מִדְבָּר; here qualified as 'great and fearful,' emphasizing the magnitude of the divine preservation.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (attributive, with μεγάλην)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μεγάληνgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔρημον)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great / vast'; renders גָּדוֹל; the wilderness's vastness magnifies the wonder of the safe passage.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the adjectives)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (attributive, with φοβερὰν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φοβερὰνfearfulAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔρημον)→ object specificationφοβερός: 'fearful / dreadful'; renders נוֹרָא; the 'great and fearful wilderness' is a Deuteronomic phrase (cf. 1:19; 8:15) evoking the desert's deadly perils, survived only by God's presence.
ἐκείνηνthatAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἔρημον)→ object specificationἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the far demonstrative looks back over the now-completed years of wandering.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (calling attention)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; the deictic particle dramatizes the summary statement of God's forty-year companionship that follows.
τεσσαράκονταfortyindeclinable numeral (modifying ἔτη)→ measure or countτεσσαράκοντα: 'forty'; indeclinable cardinal; the forty years (rendering אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה) is the symbolic span of the wilderness generation's lifetime under judgment and provision.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of extent of time ('for forty years')→ object specificationἔτος (pl. ἔτη): 'year'; the accusative of temporal extent spans the whole wilderness era of divine accompaniment.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of the verbless clause ('the LORD ... [has been] with you')→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; subject of the nominal clause asserting the divine presence throughout the forty years.
ὁtheNominativearticle (in apposition with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativenoun in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the covenant title κύριος ὁ θεός σου repeated to stress that it is Israel's own God who accompanied them.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with θεός)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. sg. σου): 'your'; collective singular.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + gen.: 'with'; the phrase μετὰ σοῦ ('with you') is the language of the divine-presence promise (cf. Exod 3:12), here applied to the whole wilderness span.
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά (accompaniment)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. sg. σοῦ): the object of the LORD's accompanying presence.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἐπεδεήθης)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: indicative negative; with ἐπεδεήθης ῥήματος forms the litotes 'you lacked nothing.'
ἐπεδεήθηςyou lacked / were in wantAor Pass Indic 2 Sg · ἐπιδέομαιmain verb (with οὐκ: 'you lacked nothing')→ constative aorist summarizing the entire span of provisionἐπιδέομαι: 'be in need of / lack / want in addition'; renders חָסַר; the aorist passive with οὐκ and the partitive genitive ῥήματος yields 'you have lacked nothing at all' — a sweeping affirmation of total divine provision through forty years.
ῥήματοςa thing / anythingGenitivegenitive object of ἐπεδεήθης (thing lacked)→ relational specificationῥῆμα: 'word / thing / matter'; here in the Hebraizing sense of דָּבָר ('thing / matter'), where ῥῆμα renders the Hebrew word's concrete meaning; οὐκ ἐπεδεήθης ῥήματος = 'you lacked no thing,' i.e., 'nothing at all.'
8
καὶ παρήλθομεν τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς ἡμῶν υἱοὺς Ησαυ τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐν Σηιρ παρὰ τὴν ὁδὸν τὴν Αραβα ἀπὸ Αιλων καὶ ἀπὸ Γασιωνγαβερ καὶ ἐπιστρέψαντες παρήλθομεν ὁδὸν ἔρημον Μωαβ.
And we passed by our brothers, the sons of Esau who dwell in Seir, along the Arabah road, away from Ailon and from Gasiongaber; and turning, we passed along the desert road of Moab.
The first-person plural παρήλθομεν reports the execution of the command: Israel passes peaceably by Edom along the Arabah road, then turns to skirt Moab. The geographic markers (Αιλων / Γασιωνγαβερ on the Gulf of Aqaba) anchor the itinerary; the doubled παρήλθομεν frames the transition from Edomite to Moabite territory, setting up the next divine word (v. 9).
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρήλθομενwe passed byAor Act Indic 1 Pl · παρέρχομαιmain verb (first-person plural narrative)→ constative aorist (the completed passage by Edom)παρέρχομαι: 'pass by / pass along / go past'; renders עָבַר; the verb (with accusative object) means to pass alongside the Edomites without engaging them — obedient fulfillment of the command not to provoke.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἀδελφοὺς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativedirect object of παρήλθομεν→ object specificationἀδελφός: 'brother / kinsman'; the Edomites again named as Israel's kin, recalling the prohibition of v. 4.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession (with ἀδελφοὺς)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. pl. ἡμῶν): 'our'; the kinship is owned in the first person.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeaccusative in apposition to ἀδελφοὺς→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; υἱοὶ Ησαυ = the Edomites, in apposition to 'brothers.'
ΗσαυEsauindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relationship with υἱοὺς)→ participant identificationΗσαυ: transliteration of עֵשָׂו.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with the participle κατοικοῦντας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατοικοῦνταςdwellingPres Act Part Acc Masc Pl · κατοικέωattributive participle (modifying υἱοὺς Ησαυ)→ durative present participle (settled habitation)κατοικέω (pres. part.): 'dwelling / inhabiting'; the articular participle τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ('those who dwell') functions as a relative clause, locating the Edomites in Seir; cf. the finite κατοικοῦσιν of v. 4.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΣηιρSeirindeclinable proper noun (object of ἐν)→ participant identificationΣηιρ: transliteration of שֵׂעִיר.
παρὰalongpreposition + accusative (route 'alongside')→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + acc.: 'alongside / by'; marks the road Israel travelled past Edom.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ὁδὸν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδὸνroad / wayAccusativeaccusative object of παρά (the route)→ object specificationὁδός: 'way / road'; the 'Arabah road' is the route down the great rift valley south of the Dead Sea toward the Gulf of Aqaba.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (attributive, before the name Αραβα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑραβαArabahindeclinable proper noun (in apposition to ὁδὸν)→ participant identificationΑραβα: transliteration of Hebrew עֲרָבָה ('Arabah'), the rift-valley desert plain; indeclinable; 'the Arabah road' names the southern caravan route.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (point of departure)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (point of departure).
ΑιλωνAilon (Elath)indeclinable place name (object of ἀπό)→ participant identificationΑιλων: transliteration of Hebrew אֵילַת / אֵילוֹת ('Elath / Eloth'), the port at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba; indeclinable.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (point of departure)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (point of departure).
ΓασιωνγαβερGasiongaber (Ezion-geber)indeclinable place name (object of ἀπό)→ participant identificationΓασιωνγαβερ: transliteration of Hebrew עֶצְיוֹן גֶּבֶר ('Ezion-geber'), the port near Elath on the Gulf of Aqaba; indeclinable; cf. Num 33:35.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιστρέψαντεςhaving turnedAor Act Part Nom Masc Pl · ἐπιστρέφωcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance of παρήλθομεν)→ coincident aorist participle (the turn accompanies the renewed march)ἐπιστρέφω (aor. part.): 'turn / turn about'; cognate with ἐπιστραφέντες (v. 1) and ἐπιστράφητε (v. 3); the turn here redirects Israel from the Edomite frontier toward Moab.
παρήλθομενwe passed alongAor Act Indic 1 Pl · παρέρχομαιmain verb (second clause)→ constative aorist (the renewed passage toward Moab)παρέρχομαι: 'pass along / go past'; the repeated verb frames the itinerary's transition from Edom to Moab; here governing the accusative of route ὁδὸν ἔρημον.
ὁδὸνby the roadAccusativeaccusative of route (adverbial: 'along the road')→ object specificationὁδός: 'way / road'; bare accusative of route (cf. v. 1), rendering the Hebrew דֶּרֶךְ used adverbially.
ἔρημονdesertAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ὁδὸν: 'the desert road')→ object specificationἔρημος: 'desert / wilderness'; here adjectival with ὁδόν — 'the desert road of Moab,' the route skirting the wilderness east of Moab.
ΜωαβMoabindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relationship: 'of Moab')→ participant identificationΜωαβ: transliteration of Hebrew מוֹאָב ('Moab'); indeclinable; the territory of the descendants of Lot, east of the Dead Sea, the next stage of the itinerary.
9
καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρός με μὴ ἐχθραίνετε τοῖς Μωαβίταις καὶ μὴ συνάψητε πρὸς αὐτοὺς πόλεμον οὐ γὰρ μὴ δῶ ὑμῖν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς αὐτῶν ἐν κλήρῳ τοῖς γὰρ υἱοῖς Λωτ δέδωκα τὴν Σηιρ κληρονομεῖν.
And the LORD said to me, Do not be hostile to the Moabites or engage them in war, for I will by no means give you any of their land as a possession; for I have given Ar to the sons of Lot to inherit.
A fresh speech-formula introduces the Moab oracle, closely parallel to vv. 4–5: the prohibition (μὴ ἐχθραίνετε … μὴ συνάψητε), the emphatic denial (οὐ … μὴ δῶ), and the grounding grant (δέδωκα … κληρονομεῖν). The recipients are now the sons of Lot, extending the chapter's theology of divinely apportioned national inheritance to a second kindred people.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω: 'say'; the recurring formula εἶπεν κύριος πρός με introduces the second of the chapter's national-boundary oracles.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the divine speaker.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Moses)→ participant referenceἐγώ (encl. acc. με): Moses as recipient.
μὴnotnegative particle (with prohibitive present imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative of prohibition; with the present imperative ἐχθραίνετε forbids ongoing hostility.
ἐχθραίνετεbe hostilePres Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐχθραίνωmain verb (prohibitive present imperative)→ durative present imperative of prohibition (do not maintain hostility)ἐχθραίνω: 'be hostile / treat as an enemy'; renders צוּר / גָּרָה; the present prohibition forbids any settled enmity toward Moab; the same verb recurs in the Ammon prohibition (v. 19).
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with Μωαβίταις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΜωαβίταιςMoabitesDativedative object of ἐχθραίνετε (those not to be opposed)→ sphere or referenceΜωαβίτης: 'Moabite'; the gentilic of Μωαβ; renders מוֹאָבִי; the dative is governed by ἐχθραίνω ('be hostile to').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴnotnegative particle (with prohibitive subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: prohibition with the aorist subjunctive συνάψητε.
συνάψητεengageAor Act Subj 2 Pl · συνάπτωmain verb (prohibitive subjunctive)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive of prohibition (do not begin war)συνάπτω: 'engage / join'; the idiom συνάπτω πόλεμον ('join battle'), as in v. 5; the prohibition against war with Moab parallels that with Edom.
πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile direction).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the Moabites)→ participant referenceαὐτός: refers to the Moabites.
πόλεμονwarAccusativedirect object of συνάψητε (in the idiom)→ object specificationπόλεμος: 'war'; object of συνάπτω πόλεμον.
οὐnotnegative particle (emphatic οὐ … μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: with μή and δῶ forms the emphatic future denial.
γὰρforcausal particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; grounds the prohibition in the divine grant to Lot's sons.
μὴnotnegative particle (second member of οὐ … μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: with οὐ and the subjunctive δῶ, emphatic denial.
δῶI will giveAor Act Subj 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (emphatic future denial with οὐ μή)→ emphatic future-denial aorist subjunctive (absolute refusal)δίδωμι: 'give'; οὐ μὴ δῶ ('I will by no means give'), as in v. 5; the LORD withholds Moab's land from Israel.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative indirect object of δῶ→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): the refused recipients.
ἀπὸofpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: partitive ('any of'), with τῆς γῆς.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with γῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (partitive)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; the Moabite territory withheld from Israel.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (with γῆς)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their'; the land belongs to Moab.
ἐνaspreposition + dative (in the idiom ἐν κλήρῳ)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: the idiom ἐν κλήρῳ ('as a possession'), as in v. 5.
κλήρῳpossessionDativedative in the idiom ἐν κλήρῳ→ sphere or referenceκλῆρος: 'allotted possession'; the keyword of divinely apportioned inheritance, here of Moab's land.
τοῖςto theDativearticle (with υἱοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γὰρforcausal particle (post-positive, grounding the refusal)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; introduces the reason — Ar belongs to Lot's sons by divine grant.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative indirect object of δέδωκα→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son / descendant'; οἱ υἱοὶ Λωτ ('the sons of Lot') = the Moabites (and Ammonites, Gen 19:36–38), the grantees.
ΛωτLotindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relationship with υἱοῖς)→ participant identificationΛωτ: transliteration of Hebrew לוֹט ('Lot'), Abraham's nephew; indeclinable; ancestor of Moab and Ammon through his daughters (Gen 19).
δέδωκαI have givenPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb of the causal clause (perfect of settled fact)→ resultative perfect (a completed, abiding grant)δίδωμι (perf.): 'have given'; the perfect, as in v. 5, marks the grant of Ar to Lot's sons as a settled, inviolable reality.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with the place name Σηιρ)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣηιρAr (Seir)indeclinable proper noun (direct object of δέδωκα)→ participant identificationΣηιρ: here the LXX has Σηιρ where the Hebrew (MT) reads עָר ('Ar', the Moabite city/territory, cf. v. 18); the Greek tradition assimilated the name to the familiar Σηιρ; the article τὴν (feminine) treats it as the apportioned land of Moab given to Lot's sons.
κληρονομεῖνto inheritPres Act Inf · κληρονομέωcomplementary / epexegetic infinitive (with δέδωκα: 'given to inherit')→ durative present infinitive (to possess as ongoing inheritance)κληρονομέω: 'inherit / take possession of'; renders יָרַשׁ; the epexegetic infinitive specifies the purpose of the grant — Lot's sons are to hold Ar as their inheritance; cognate with κλῆρος and a keyword of the chapter (cf. vv. 19, 24, 31).
10
οἱ Ομμιν πρότεροι ἐνεκάθηντο ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς ἔθνος μέγα καὶ πολὺ καὶ ἰσχύοντες ὥσπερ οἱ Ενακιμ.
The Emim formerly dwelt upon it, a great and numerous people, and strong like the Anakim.
An antiquarian aside on the prehistory of Moab's land: the Emim, a giant people 'reckoned' with the Rephaim and likened to the Anakim, formerly occupied it. The gloss reinforces the divine-apportionment theme — just as the LORD cleared giants before Moab, so he gave the land as Moab's secure inheritance; the same pattern is told of Esau (v. 12) and Ammon (vv. 20–21).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
οἱtheNominativearticle (with Ομμιν)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΟμμινEmimindeclinable ethnic name (subject of ἐνεκάθηντο)→ participant identificationΟμμιν: transliteration of Hebrew אֵמִים ('Emim'), a prehistoric people of Moab reckoned among the Rephaim (Gen 14:5); indeclinable; the article οἱ marks it as a collective people.
πρότεροιformerly / earlierNominativepredicate adjective used adverbially ('as the earlier inhabitants')→ participant prominenceπρότερος: 'former / earlier'; the nominative plural adjective functions adverbially ('formerly, as prior occupants'), rendering Hebrew לְפָנִים; marks the Emim as the land's pre-Moabite population.
ἐνεκάθηντοwere dwellingImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐγκάθημαιmain verb (descriptive of past habitation)→ durative imperfect (settled, ongoing past dwelling)ἐγκάθημαι: 'dwell in / be settled in / lie within'; the imperfect denotes their established former occupancy; renders יָשַׁב; the compound ἐν- stresses settled residence within the territory.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + genitive (location, elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: 'upon / in'; locates the Emim's dwelling on the land of Moab.
αὐτῆςitGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (the land, feminine γῆ)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'it'; the feminine refers back to ἡ γῆ ('the land') of v. 9 — the Moabite territory.
ἔθνοςnation / peopleNominativenominative in apposition to Ομμιν→ participant prominenceἔθνος: 'nation / people'; renders עַם / גּוֹי; in apposition to the Emim, characterizing them as a substantial nation.
μέγαgreatNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔθνος)→ participant prominenceμέγας: 'great'; renders גָּדוֹל; the standard pairing 'great and numerous' (μέγα καὶ πολύ) describing the giant peoples (cf. v. 21).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πολὺnumerousNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔθνος)→ participant prominenceπολύς: 'much / many / numerous'; renders רַב; completes the 'great and numerous' formula.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰσχύοντεςstrong / mightyPres Act Part Nom Masc Pl · ἰσχύωsubstantival/predicate participle (describing the people as 'being strong')→ durative present participle (a settled characteristic of might)ἰσχύω: 'be strong / mighty / able'; the participle (constructio ad sensum, masculine plural agreeing with the people rather than neuter ἔθνος) describes the Emim's physical might; renders רָם / חָזָק; cf. the giant-stature tradition of the Anakim.
ὥσπερlike / just ascomparative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastὥσπερ: 'just as / like'; introduces the comparison to the Anakim, the paradigmatic giants; the formula ὥσπερ οἱ Ενακιμ recurs at vv. 11, 21.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with Ενακιμ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΕνακιμAnakimindeclinable ethnic name (object of comparison with ὥσπερ)→ participant identificationΕνακιμ: transliteration of Hebrew עֲנָקִים ('Anakim'), the proverbial giants of Canaan (Num 13:33; Deut 9:2); indeclinable; the benchmark against which all the prehistoric giant peoples are measured.
11
Ραφαϊν λογισθήσονται καὶ οὗτοι ὥσπερ οἱ Ενακιμ καὶ οἱ Μωαβῖται ἐπονομάζουσιν αὐτοὺς Ομμιν.
These too are reckoned as Rephaim, like the Anakim; and the Moabites call them Emim.
The aside continues: the Emim are classified among the Rephaim (Ραφαϊν λογισθήσονται) and likened to the Anakim, while the Moabites use the local name 'Emim.' The verb λογισθήσονται ('they are reckoned/accounted') is the antiquarian's classificatory idiom, and the naming-note (ἐπονομάζουσιν) preserves the ethnographic memory of competing names for the same giant stock.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ΡαφαϊνRephaimindeclinable ethnic name (predicate of λογισθήσονται)→ participant identificationΡαφαϊν: transliteration of Hebrew רְפָאִים ('Rephaim'), the archetypal giant nation (Gen 14:5; Deut 3:11); indeclinable; here the broad category under which the Emim are subsumed.
λογισθήσονταιare reckonedFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · λογίζομαιmain verb (gnomic/classificatory future)→ gnomic future (a standing classification: 'are accounted')λογίζομαι: 'reckon / account / classify'; renders חָשַׁב (Niphal); the future passive here functions gnomically ('they are reckoned'), the antiquarian's idiom for ethnographic classification; the same verb recurs of the Rephaim at v. 20.
καὶalsoadverbial / intensive (with οὗτοι: 'these too')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adverbial ('also / too'), marking the Emim as one more instance of the Rephaim stock.
οὗτοιtheseNominativesubject (demonstrative: the Emim)→ participant prominenceοὗτος: 'these'; refers back to the Emim of v. 10, now classified.
ὥσπερlikecomparative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastὥσπερ: 'like / just as'; the recurring comparison to the Anakim.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with Ενακιμ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΕνακιμAnakimindeclinable ethnic name (object of comparison)→ participant identificationΕνακιμ: transliteration of עֲנָקִים; the proverbial giants.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with Μωαβῖται)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΜωαβῖταιMoabitesNominativesubject of ἐπονομάζουσιν→ participant prominenceΜωαβίτης (pl. Μωαβῖται): 'Moabites'; the gentilic of Μωαβ; the present inhabitants who preserve the local name for the prior giants.
ἐπονομάζουσινcall / namePres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπονομάζωmain verb (naming-note)→ customary present (the standing local usage)ἐπονομάζω: 'name / call / give a name to'; renders קָרָא; the present denotes the abiding Moabite custom of calling the Rephaim 'Emim'; the double-accusative construction (αὐτοὺς Ομμιν) is 'call them Emim.'
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἐπονομάζουσιν (the people named)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the Rephaim/Emim, object of the naming.
ΟμμινEmimpredicate accusative (the name given, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΟμμιν: transliteration of אֵמִים; the local Moabite name, in a double-accusative naming construction with αὐτούς.
12
καὶ ἐν Σηιρ ἐνεκάθητο ὁ Χορραῖος πρότερον καὶ υἱοὶ Ησαυ ἀπώλεσαν αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐξέτριψαν αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ προσώπου αὐτῶν καὶ κατῳκίσθησαν ἀντ᾿ αὐτῶν ὃν τρόπον ἐποίησεν Ισραηλ τὴν γῆν τῆς κληρονομίας αὐτοῦ ἣν δέδωκεν κύριος αὐτοῖς.
And in Seir the Horite formerly dwelt, and the sons of Esau destroyed them and wiped them out from before them and settled in their place, just as Israel did to the land of its inheritance, which the LORD gave to them.
A parallel gloss on Esau's land: the Horites formerly dwelt in Seir until the sons of Esau destroyed and displaced them. The closing comparison (ὃν τρόπον ἐποίησεν Ισραηλ) makes the theological point explicit — Esau's dispossession of the Horites is the template for Israel's own coming dispossession of Canaan: in both cases the LORD gives the land (ἣν δέδωκεν κύριος αὐτοῖς).
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
καὶandnarrative 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).
ΣηιρSeirindeclinable proper noun (object of ἐν)→ participant identificationΣηιρ: transliteration of שֵׂעִיר; the Edomite land, here the setting of the Horite gloss.
ἐνεκάθητοwas dwellingImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐγκάθημαιmain verb (descriptive past habitation)→ durative imperfect (settled former dwelling)ἐγκάθημαι: 'dwell in / be settled in'; the imperfect (singular, with collective ὁ Χορραῖος) denotes the Horites' former established occupancy of Seir; cf. ἐνεκάθηντο of the Emim (v. 10).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with Χορραῖος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧορραῖοςHoriteNominativesubject of ἐνεκάθητο (collective singular)→ participant prominenceΧορραῖος: 'Horite'; gentilic rendering Hebrew חֹרִי ('Horite'), the pre-Edomite inhabitants of Seir (Gen 36:20–21); the singular with the article is collective ('the Horite [people]').
πρότερονformerlyadverb of time ('earlier')→ clausal contributionπρότερον: 'formerly / earlier'; adverbial accusative; marks the Horites as the prior, pre-Edomite population, paralleling πρότεροι of v. 10.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἀπώλεσαν→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ησαυ ('the sons of Esau') = the Edomites, here the dispossessing agents.
ΗσαυEsauindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relationship with υἱοὶ)→ participant identificationΗσαυ: transliteration of עֵשָׂו.
ἀπώλεσανdestroyedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπόλλυμιmain verb (the dispossession)→ constative aorist (the completed destruction)ἀπόλλυμι: 'destroy / ruin / cause to perish'; renders שָׁמַד / אָבַד; the aorist reports the Edomites' destruction of the Horites; cf. ἀπώλεσεν of the LORD against the Zamzummim (v. 21).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἀπώλεσαν (the Horites)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the Horites, object of destruction.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξέτριψανwiped outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκτρίβωmain verb (intensifying ἀπώλεσαν)→ constative aorist (the completed extermination)ἐκτρίβω: 'rub out / wipe out / exterminate'; renders שָׁמַד / כָּלָה; the compound ἐκ- stresses total removal; cf. v. 22 (ἐξέτριψαν τὸν Χορραῖον) and v. 23.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἐξέτριψαν→ participant referenceαὐτός: the Horites again.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; with προσώπου in the idiom 'from before them.'
προσώπουface / presenceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (in the idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου: 'from before')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; the idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου ('from before / from the presence of') renders מִפְּנֵי, a Hebraism for displacement; recurs at vv. 21, 22.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive of possession (with προσώπου: 'their face')→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their'; the sons of Esau, before whose face the Horites were cleared.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατῳκίσθησανsettled / were settledAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · κατοικίζωmain verb (the resettlement)→ constative aorist (the completed settlement in the land)κατοικίζω: 'cause to dwell / settle'; the aorist passive κατῳκίσθησαν ('they were settled / they settled') renders יָשַׁב; the passive may carry a divine-agent nuance (settled by God's apportionment); the phrase κατῳκίσθησαν ἀντ᾿ αὐτῶν ('settled in their place') recurs at vv. 21, 22, 23.
ἀντ᾿in place ofpreposition + genitive (substitution, elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἀντί + gen.: 'instead of / in place of'; renders תַּחַת; marks the Edomites as taking the Horites' place.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἀντί (the displaced Horites)→ relational specificationαὐτός: the Horites, in whose place the Edomites settled.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (with τρόπον: 'in the manner which')→ participant referenceὅς: relative; ὃν τρόπον ('just as'), the comparative idiom of v. 1, here introducing the Israel-analogy.
τρόπονmannerAccusativeaccusative of manner (with ὃν: 'just as')→ object specificationτρόπος: 'manner'; ὃν τρόπον frames the comparison between Esau's dispossession of the Horites and Israel's of Canaan.
ἐποίησενdidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of comparative clause→ constative aorist (the analogous act of conquest)ποιέω: 'do / make / act'; the aorist of the comparison; ἐποίησεν … τὴν γῆν is here construed with the accusative of the land Israel 'dealt with' (took possession of), a slightly elliptical idiom anticipating the conquest.
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper noun (subject of ἐποίησεν)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל ('Israel'); indeclinable; the subject of the analogy — Israel will do to Canaan what Esau did to the Horites.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative (the object Israel 'dealt with')→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the land of Israel's inheritance, the object of the conquest-analogy.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with κληρονομίας)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κληρονομίαςinheritanceGenitivegenitive of definition (with γῆν: 'land of inheritance')→ relational specificationκληρονομία: 'inheritance / inherited possession'; renders יְרֻשָּׁה / נַחֲלָה; cognate with κλῆρος and κληρονομέω; 'the land of its inheritance' is the promised Canaan, divinely allotted to Israel as Seir to Esau.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession (with κληρονομίας: 'Israel's inheritance')→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'its'; refers to Israel.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of δέδωκεν, antecedent γῆν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative, feminine accusative agreeing with γῆν; introduces the clause affirming divine gift.
δέδωκενhas givenPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of relative clause (perfect of settled gift)→ resultative perfect (a completed, abiding grant)δίδωμι (perf.): 'has given'; the perfect, as in vv. 5, 9, marks Israel's land as a settled divine grant — the analogy closes by grounding both Esau's and Israel's possession in the LORD's giving.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of δέδωκεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the LORD as the giver of every nation's allotted land.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative indirect object of δέδωκεν (Israel)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to them'; the dative plural refers to Israel (constructio ad sensum after the collective Ισραηλ).
13
νῦν οὖν ἀνάστητε καὶ ἀπάρατε ὑμεῖς καὶ παραπορεύεσθε τὴν φάραγγα Ζαρετ καὶ παρήλθομεν τὴν φάραγγα Ζαρετ.
Now then arise and set out, you yourselves, and cross over the brook Zared. And we crossed the brook Zared.
The νῦν οὖν ('now then') formula resumes the forward command after the antiquarian digression (vv. 10–12), mustering Israel for the decisive crossing of the brook Zared. The command (three imperatives) is immediately matched by the first-person report of obedience (παρήλθομεν), and the crossing becomes the chronological marker for the death of the war-generation (v. 14).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (with οὖν, resumptive)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; the formula νῦν οὖν ('now therefore') resumes the command after the digression; recurs at v. 24 to launch the Sihon campaign.
οὖνthen / thereforeinferential particle (resumptive)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὖν: 'therefore'; draws the practical conclusion — the time for the crossing has come.
ἀνάστητεariseAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀνίστημιmain verb (imperative of mustering)→ ingressive aorist imperative (get up, set in motion)ἀνίστημι: 'rise / get up / arise'; renders קוּם; the aorist imperative of mobilization, summoning Israel to break camp; the same triple-command (arise, set out, cross) opens the Sihon campaign at v. 24.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπάρατεset outAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀπαίρωmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (break camp, depart)ἀπαίρω: 'set out / break camp'; cognate with ἀπήραμεν (v. 1); the itinerary verb here in command form, ordering departure toward the Zared.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic nominative pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ (nom. pl. ὑμεῖς): emphatic 'you yourselves,' stressing that this new generation is the one to advance.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παραπορεύεσθεcross over / pass throughPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · παραπορεύομαιmain verb (present imperative)→ durative present imperative (proceed to cross)παραπορεύομαι: 'pass through / cross over / go alongside'; the keyword of the chapter (cf. vv. 4, 18); here commanding the passage over the brook Zared.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with φάραγγα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φάραγγαbrook / valleyAccusativeaccusative object of παραπορεύεσθε→ object specificationφάραγξ: 'ravine / wadi / valley / brook-bed'; renders נַחַל; the seasonal watercourse marking a boundary; the brook Zared (Wadi al-Hasa) separates Moab's territory and marks the chronological hinge of the wilderness years.
ΖαρετZaredindeclinable proper noun (in apposition to φάραγγα)→ participant identificationΖαρετ: transliteration of Hebrew זֶרֶד ('Zered'); indeclinable; the wadi whose crossing closes the thirty-eight-year era (cf. Num 21:12).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing fulfillment)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρήλθομενwe crossedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · παρέρχομαιmain verb (first-person report of obedience)→ constative aorist (the completed crossing)παρέρχομαι: 'pass over / cross'; the command παραπορεύεσθε is immediately fulfilled by παρήλθομεν, the Hebraizing command-and-fulfillment pattern.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with φάραγγα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φάραγγαbrook / valleyAccusativeaccusative object of παρήλθομεν→ object specificationφάραγξ: 'wadi / brook-bed'; the Zared again, now crossed.
ΖαρετZaredindeclinable proper noun (in apposition to φάραγγα)→ participant identificationΖαρετ: transliteration of זֶרֶד.
14
καὶ αἱ ἡμέραι ἃς παρεπορεύθημεν ἀπὸ Καδης Βαρνη ἕως οὗ παρήλθομεν τὴν φάραγγα Ζαρετ τριάκοντα καὶ ὀκτὼ ἔτη ἕως οὗ διέπεσεν πᾶσα γενεὰ ἀνδρῶν πολεμιστῶν ἀποθνῄσκοντες ἐκ τῆς παρεμβολῆς καθότι ὤμοσεν αὐτοῖς ὁ θεός.
And the days during which we travelled from Kadesh-Barnea until we crossed the brook Zared were thirty-eight years, until the whole generation of fighting men perished from the camp, dying off, just as God swore to them.
The narrator computes the wilderness era: thirty-eight years from Kadesh-Barnea to the Zared crossing — precisely the span needed for the whole war-generation to 'fall away' (διέπεσεν). The crossing thus seals the fulfilment of the divine oath of judgment (καθότι ὤμοσεν αὐτοῖς ὁ θεός, cf. Num 14:21–35): the disobedient generation dies in the wilderness, and a new generation crosses into the conquest.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αἱtheNominativearticle (with ἡμέραι)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubject of the nominal clause (predicate: 'thirty-eight years')→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: 'day'; here 'the days [of travelling]' = the whole span of the journey, computed as thirty-eight years.
ἃςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative of duration, antecedent ἡμέραι)→ participant referenceὅς: relative, feminine accusative; the accusative within the relative clause expresses duration ('during which').
παρεπορεύθημενwe travelledAor Pass Indic 1 Pl · παραπορεύομαιverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the whole span of travelling)παραπορεύομαι: 'travel / journey along'; the aorist passive (deponent) sums up the entire thirty-eight-year march from Kadesh to the Zared.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (starting point)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (starting point).
ΚαδηςKadeshindeclinable place name (object of ἀπό)→ participant identificationΚαδης: transliteration of Hebrew קָדֵשׁ ('Kadesh'); indeclinable; with Βαρνη forms 'Kadesh-Barnea,' the southern oasis from which the spies were sent (Num 13) and the era of judgment began.
ΒαρνηBarneaindeclinable place name (with Καδης: 'Kadesh-Barnea')→ participant identificationΒαρνη: transliteration of Hebrew בַּרְנֵעַ ('Barnea'); indeclinable; part of the compound toponym Kadesh-Barnea.
ἕωςuntilconjunction (with οὗ: temporal 'until')→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: 'until'; the phrase ἕως οὗ ('until the time when') introduces the temporal terminus of the span.
οὗwhenGenitiverelative adverb (with ἕως: 'until which time')→ relational specificationὅς: the genitive οὗ in the fixed phrase ἕως οὗ ('until') marks the temporal end-point.
παρήλθομενwe crossedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · παρέρχομαιverb of the temporal clause (terminus)→ constative aorist (the crossing as end-point)παρέρχομαι: 'cross / pass over'; the Zared crossing as the closing terminus of the thirty-eight years.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with φάραγγα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φάραγγαbrookAccusativeaccusative object of παρήλθομεν→ object specificationφάραγξ: 'wadi / brook'; the Zared.
ΖαρετZaredindeclinable proper noun (in apposition to φάραγγα)→ participant identificationΖαρετ: transliteration of זֶרֶד.
τριάκονταthirtyindeclinable numeral (predicate: 'thirty[-eight] years')→ measure or countτριάκοντα: 'thirty'; indeclinable cardinal; with ὀκτώ forms 'thirty-eight,' the span of the wilderness judgment after Kadesh.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the numerals)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀκτὼeightindeclinable numeral (with τριάκοντα: 'thirty-eight')→ measure or countὀκτώ: 'eight'; indeclinable; τριάκοντα καὶ ὀκτώ = thirty-eight, the years from the Kadesh rebellion to the Zared.
ἔτηyearsNominativepredicate nominative (with the numerals: 'were thirty-eight years')→ participant prominenceἔτος (pl. ἔτη): 'year'; the predicate of the nominal clause stating the duration.
ἕωςuntilconjunction (with οὗ: temporal 'until')→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: 'until'; introduces the clause specifying what the thirty-eight years accomplished — the death of the generation.
οὗwhenGenitiverelative adverb (with ἕως: 'until')→ relational specificationὅς: in the phrase ἕως οὗ ('until').
διέπεσενperished / fell awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διαπίπτωverb of the temporal clause (the dying-out of the generation)→ constative aorist (the completed perishing of the whole generation)διαπίπτω: 'fall through / fall away / perish / waste away'; the compound διά- conveys total dropping-away; the singular agrees with the collective πᾶσα γενεά; renders תָּמַם ('be finished / consumed'); the LXX's vivid image of an entire generation 'falling away' from the camp; cf. v. 15.
πᾶσαwhole / allNominativeattributive adjective (modifying γενεὰ)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; emphasizes that no member of the war-generation survived.
γενεὰgenerationNominativesubject of διέπεσεν→ participant prominenceγενεά: 'generation'; renders דּוֹר; the 'whole generation of fighting men' is the rebellious Exodus generation condemned at Num 14 to die in the wilderness.
ἀνδρῶνof menGenitivegenitive of definition (with γενεὰ: 'generation of men')→ relational specificationἀνήρ: 'man / male'; renders אִישׁ / אַנְשֵׁי; defines the generation as adult fighting males (those numbered for war, Num 1).
πολεμιστῶνof warriors / fighting menGenitivegenitive attributive (with ἀνδρῶν: 'warrior men')→ relational specificationπολεμιστής: 'warrior / fighting man'; renders אַנְשֵׁי הַמִּלְחָמָה; cognate with πόλεμος; specifies the war-census generation as the ones who perished.
ἀποθνῄσκοντεςdying offPres Act Part Nom Masc Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωcircumstantial participle (manner of the perishing)→ durative present participle (the ongoing, attritional dying)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the present participle (masculine plural ad sensum with the men of the generation) depicts the slow, continual attrition — the generation died off one by one across the years; cf. the same participle at v. 16.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation/source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation/source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with παρεμβολῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῆςcampGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (place of departure: the camp)→ relational specificationπαρεμβολή: 'camp / encampment / army'; renders מַחֲנֶה; the standard LXX word for Israel's wilderness encampment; the generation died 'out of the camp,' steadily depleting its ranks.
καθότιjust ascomparative-causal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθότι: 'just as / inasmuch as'; renders כַּאֲשֶׁר; introduces the appeal to the divine oath of judgment as the warrant for the generation's death; recurs at v. 37.
ὤμοσενsworeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὄμνυμιverb of the comparative clause (the divine oath)→ constative aorist (the prior oath of judgment)ὄμνυμι: 'swear / take an oath'; renders נִשְׁבַּע; the aorist points back to the LORD's oath at Num 14:21–23, 28–35 that the rebellious generation would die in the wilderness; the death-toll fulfils a sworn divine word.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative indirect object of ὤμοσεν (the generation sworn against)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to them'; the war-generation, the object of the sworn judgment.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativesubject of ὤμοσεν→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; here the swearer of the wilderness judgment-oath.
15
καὶ ἡ χεὶρ τοῦ θεοῦ ἦν ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῖς ἐξαναλῶσαι αὐτοὺς ἐκ τῆς παρεμβολῆς ἕως οὗ διέπεσαν.
And the hand of God was upon them to consume them utterly from the camp, until they perished.
The narrator names the agent behind the attrition: 'the hand of God was upon them' (ἡ χεὶρ τοῦ θεοῦ … ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῖς) — an idiom of active divine judgment. The purpose infinitive ἐξαναλῶσαι ('to consume utterly') makes the deaths not mere natural mortality but executed sentence; the clause closes the judgment-motif with the repeated διέπεσαν.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with χεὶρ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεὶρhandNominativesubject of ἦν→ participant prominenceχείρ: 'hand'; the idiom ἡ χεὶρ τοῦ θεοῦ … ἐπί ('the hand of God upon') renders יַד־יְהוָה הָיְתָה בְּ, an anthropomorphism for active divine power, here in judgment (cf. Exod 9:3; Judg 2:15).
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with θεοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of possession (with χεὶρ: 'God's hand')→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; the possessor of the judging hand.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (stative imperfect)→ durative imperfect (the abiding divine pressure of judgment)εἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect ἦν depicts the hand of God as a continuing, sustained pressure on the generation throughout the years of attrition.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + dative (hostile direction, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dat.: 'upon / against'; the hand 'upon them' in hostile, judicial sense.
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative object of ἐπί (the war-generation)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'them'; the condemned generation.
ἐξαναλῶσαιto consume utterlyAor Act Inf · ἐξαναλίσκωpurpose/result infinitive (with the foregoing clause)→ telic aorist infinitive (the intended total consumption)ἐξαναλίσκω: 'use up entirely / consume utterly / destroy'; the double compound ἐξ-ανα- intensifies to totality; renders תָּמַם / כָּלָה; the infinitive of purpose makes the deaths the executed sentence of God's judging hand.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἐξαναλῶσαι→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'them'; the generation to be consumed.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with παρεμβολῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῆςcampGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (the camp from which they were removed)→ relational specificationπαρεμβολή: 'camp'; the generation consumed 'out of the camp,' as in v. 14.
ἕωςuntilconjunction (with οὗ: temporal)→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: 'until'; ἕως οὗ marks the terminus — until they had wholly perished.
οὗwhenGenitiverelative adverb (with ἕως)→ relational specificationὅς: in the phrase ἕως οὗ ('until').
διέπεσανthey perishedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · διαπίπτωverb of the temporal clause (completion of the dying)→ constative aorist (the completed perishing)διαπίπτω: 'fall away / perish'; the plural here (contrast singular διέπεσεν, v. 14) makes explicit that the men individually fell; the repetition seals the fulfilment of the judgment-oath.
16
καὶ ἐγενήθη ἐπεὶ διέπεσαν πάντες οἱ ἄνδρες οἱ πολεμισταὶ ἀποθνῄσκοντες ἐκ μέσου τοῦ λαοῦ.
And it came to pass, when all the fighting men had perished, dying from the midst of the people,
The Hebraizing καὶ ἐγενήθη ('and it came to pass') formula marks the narrative hinge: with the war-generation now wholly perished from the midst of the people, the era of judgment is over and a fresh divine word can begin (v. 17). The verse looks back (the completed deaths) and forward (the new commission), pivoting the chapter from wilderness to conquest.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθηit came to passAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (impersonal narrative-hinge formula)→ constative aorist (transitional 'it happened')γίνομαι (aor. pass.): 'become / happen / come to pass'; καὶ ἐγενήθη renders the Hebrew narrative formula וַיְהִי ('and it came to pass'), a standard LXX transition introducing a new development; cf. the same formula opening v. 17's word.
ἐπεὶwhen / sincetemporal conjunction (introducing the completed-action clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐπεί: 'when / after / since'; here temporal ('when [once] all had perished'), marking the death of the generation as the precondition for the new divine word.
διέπεσανhad perishedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · διαπίπτωverb of the temporal clause→ constative aorist (the now-complete dying-out)διαπίπτω: 'perish / fall away'; the third occurrence of this keyword (vv. 14, 15, 16) hammers home the total disappearance of the war-generation.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying οἱ ἄνδρες)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; underscores that without exception the fighting men died.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνδρες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject of διέπεσαν→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; the adult males of the war-generation.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with πολεμισταὶ, attributive)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πολεμισταὶwarriors / fighting menNominativeattributive noun (with ἄνδρες: 'the fighting men')→ participant prominenceπολεμιστής: 'warrior / fighting man'; the articular οἱ πολεμισταί specifies the men as the war-census generation; cf. v. 14.
ἀποθνῄσκοντεςdyingPres Act Part Nom Masc Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωcircumstantial participle (manner of the perishing)→ durative present participle (the ongoing attrition)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the present participle (as in v. 14) depicts the steady, continual dying of the men from among the people.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
μέσουmidstGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (in the idiom ἐκ μέσου: 'from the midst of')→ relational specificationμέσος: 'middle / midst'; the idiom ἐκ μέσου ('from the midst of') renders מִקֶּרֶב; the dying men were removed from among the living people, leaving a new generation.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with λαοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive (with μέσου: 'the midst of the people')→ relational specificationλαός: 'people'; the covenant community as a whole, from whose midst the condemned generation was removed.
17
καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρός με λέγων
the LORD spoke to me, saying:
The formula καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρός με λέγων resumes the apodosis of v. 16's 'and it came to pass': now that the old generation is gone, the LORD speaks afresh. The use of ἐλάλησεν (rather than εἶπεν) with λέγων is the fuller LXX speech-introduction, marking the start of the Ammon oracle and the turn toward conquest.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (apodosis of v. 16)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דִּבֶּר (Piel); the fuller formula ἐλάλησεν … λέγων introduces the post-judgment commission; the death of the old generation reopens the channel of revelation toward the conquest.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the divine speaker.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Moses)→ participant referenceἐγώ (encl. acc. με): Moses as recipient.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Masc Sg · λέγωparticiple of speaking (introducing direct discourse)→ durative present participle (Hebraizing speech-marker)λέγω (pres. part.): λέγων renders לֵאמֹר, the stereotyped quotation-marker introducing the direct command of vv. 18–19.
18
σὺ παραπορεύσῃ σήμερον τὰ ὅρια Μωαβ τὴν Σηιρ
You are to pass today through the borders of Moab, Ar,
The emphatic σύ and the temporal σήμερον ('today') give the command immediacy: this very day Israel passes the Moabite frontier (Ar) and approaches Ammon. The verse sets the stage for the second 'sons of Lot' prohibition (v. 19), continuing the chapter's careful demarcation of the lands Israel may not seize.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic nominative pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ (nom. sg. σὺ): the emphatic pronoun stresses Israel (collective 'you') as the one now to advance.
παραπορεύσῃyou will pass throughFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · παραπορεύομαιmain verb (future with imperatival force)→ imperatival future (you are to pass)παραπορεύομαι: 'pass through / pass by'; the chapter keyword (cf. vv. 4, 13); the future has command-force, directing the day's transit of Moab's border.
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; gives the command immediacy; a frequent Deuteronomic marker of the present moment of decision and action.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὅρια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅριαborders / territoryAccusativeaccusative object of παραπορεύσῃ (the territory traversed)→ object specificationὅριον (pl. ὅρια): 'border / territory'; renders גְּבוּל; the bordered land of Moab through which Israel passes; cf. v. 4.
ΜωαβMoabindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relationship: 'of Moab')→ participant identificationΜωαβ: transliteration of מוֹאָב; the Moabite territory.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with the place name, in apposition to ὅρια)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣηιρAr (Seir)indeclinable proper noun (in apposition to τὰ ὅρια Μωαβ)→ participant identificationΣηιρ: as in v. 9, the LXX has Σηιρ where the Hebrew (MT) reads עָר ('Ar', the Moabite border-city, cf. Num 21:15); the feminine article τὴν treats it as the Moabite frontier-land; the Greek tradition assimilated the name to the familiar Σηιρ.
19
καὶ προσάξετε ἐγγὺς υἱῶν Αμμαν μὴ ἐχθραίνετε αὐτοῖς καὶ μὴ συνάψητε αὐτοῖς εἰς πόλεμον οὐ γὰρ μὴ δῶ ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς υἱῶν Αμμαν σοὶ ἐν κλήρῳ ὅτι τοῖς υἱοῖς Λωτ δέδωκα αὐτὴν ἐν κλήρῳ.
And you will draw near, opposite the sons of Ammon; do not be hostile to them or engage them in war, for I will by no means give you any of the land of the sons of Ammon as a possession, because I have given it to the sons of Lot as a possession.
The third boundary-oracle, structurally identical to vv. 5 and 9: approach (προσάξετε ἐγγύς), prohibition (μὴ ἐχθραίνετε … μὴ συνάψητε), emphatic denial (οὐ … μὴ δῶ), and grounding grant to Lot's sons (δέδωκα … ἐν κλήρῳ). Ammon, like Moab, is Lot's descendant (Gen 19:38), and so its land is inviolable — the chapter's theology of apportioned inheritance reaches its third and final kindred nation.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσάξετεyou will draw nearFut Act Indic 2 Pl · προσάγωmain verb (future with imperatival/predictive force)→ predictive future (the imminent approach to Ammon)προσάγω: 'bring near / approach / draw near'; here intransitive ('you will draw near'); renders קָרַב; the verb sets Israel opposite (ἐγγύς) the Ammonite frontier.
ἐγγὺςnear / oppositeadverb / improper preposition + genitive ('near to')→ spatial or relational framingἐγγύς: 'near'; functions as an improper preposition with the genitive υἱῶν Αμμαν ('near to the sons of Ammon'); renders מוּל ('opposite / over against').
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive (with ἐγγύς: 'near the sons of Ammon')→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Αμμαν ('the sons of Ammon') = the Ammonite nation, descendants of Lot's younger daughter (Gen 19:38).
ΑμμανAmmonindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relationship with υἱῶν)→ participant identificationΑμμαν: transliteration of Hebrew עַמּוֹן ('Ammon'); indeclinable in the LXX (here spelled Αμμαν; cf. Αμμων at v. 37); the trans-Jordanian people east of the Jabbok.
μὴnotnegative particle (with prohibitive present imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: prohibition with the present imperative ἐχθραίνετε.
ἐχθραίνετεbe hostilePres Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐχθραίνωmain verb (prohibitive present imperative)→ durative present imperative of prohibition (do not maintain hostility)ἐχθραίνω: 'be hostile to'; as in v. 9 (Moab); the prohibition against treating Ammon as an enemy.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative object of ἐχθραίνετε (the Ammonites)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to them'; the Ammonites.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴnotnegative particle (with prohibitive subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: prohibition with the aorist subjunctive συνάψητε.
συνάψητεengageAor Act Subj 2 Pl · συνάπτωmain verb (prohibitive subjunctive)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive of prohibition (do not begin war)συνάπτω: 'engage / join'; the idiom συνάπτω … εἰς πόλεμον ('engage in war'), as at vv. 5, 9; here with εἰς + accusative rather than the bare accusative.
αὐτοῖςwith themDativedative of association (with συνάψητε)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'with them'; the Ammonites as the would-be adversaries.
εἰςin / forpreposition + accusative (purpose/result: 'into war')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: 'into / for'; with πόλεμον in the idiom 'engage them in war.'
πόλεμονwarAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (in the idiom 'into war')→ object specificationπόλεμος: 'war'; object of the idiom συνάπτω εἰς πόλεμον.
οὐnotnegative particle (emphatic οὐ … μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: with μή and δῶ, emphatic future denial.
γὰρforcausal particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; grounds the prohibition.
μὴnotnegative particle (second member of οὐ … μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: with οὐ and δῶ.
δῶI will giveAor Act Subj 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (emphatic future denial with οὐ μή)→ emphatic future-denial aorist subjunctive (absolute refusal)δίδωμι: 'give'; οὐ μὴ δῶ, as in vv. 5, 9; the LORD withholds Ammon's land from Israel.
ἀπὸofpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: partitive 'any of.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with γῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (partitive)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; the Ammonite territory withheld.
υἱῶνof the sonsGenitivegenitive of possession (with γῆς: 'land of the sons of Ammon')→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; the Ammonites as possessors of the land.
ΑμμανAmmonindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relationship with υἱῶν)→ participant identificationΑμμαν: transliteration of עַמּוֹן.
σοὶto youDativedative indirect object of δῶ (the refused recipient)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. sg. σοί): 'to you'; the collective singular addressee, denied the land.
ἐνaspreposition + dative (idiom ἐν κλήρῳ)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: in the idiom ἐν κλήρῳ ('as a possession').
κλήρῳpossessionDativedative in the idiom ἐν κλήρῳ→ sphere or referenceκλῆρος: 'allotted possession'; the chapter keyword.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (grounding the refusal)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; the land is already Lot's sons' by grant.
τοῖςto theDativearticle (with υἱοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative indirect object of δέδωκα (the grantees)→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Λωτ ('the sons of Lot') = Moab and Ammon, the recipients of the grant.
ΛωτLotindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relationship with υἱοῖς)→ participant identificationΛωτ: transliteration of לוֹט; ancestor of Ammon and Moab.
δέδωκαI have givenPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb of the causal clause (perfect of settled grant)→ resultative perfect (a completed, abiding grant)δίδωμι (perf.): 'have given'; the perfect, as in vv. 5, 9, marks the grant of Ammon's land to Lot's sons as settled and inviolable.
αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object of δέδωκα (the land, feminine γῆ)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'it'; the feminine refers to ἡ γῆ, the Ammonite land.
ἐνaspreposition + dative (idiom ἐν κλήρῳ)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: in the idiom ἐν κλήρῳ.
κλήρῳpossessionDativedative in the idiom ἐν κλήρῳ→ sphere or referenceκλῆρος: 'allotted possession'; the repeated ἐν κλήρῳ frames the verse, sealing Ammon's title.
20
γῆ Ραφαϊν λογισθήσεται καὶ γὰρ ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς κατῴκουν οἱ Ραφαϊν τὸ πρότερον καὶ οἱ Αμμανῖται ὀνομάζουσιν αὐτοὺς Ζομζομμιν.
It too is reckoned a land of Rephaim, for the Rephaim formerly dwelt upon it, and the Ammanites call them Zamzummim,
A second antiquarian excursus, parallel to vv. 10–12, on Ammon's land: it too is 'reckoned' a land of Rephaim, formerly inhabited by them, whom the Ammanites locally call Zamzummim. The naming-note (ὀνομάζουσιν … Ζομζομμιν) and the classification (λογισθήσεται) mirror the Moab gloss, again reinforcing that the LORD cleared giants before each nation he endowed with land.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
γῆlandNominativesubject of λογισθήσεται (predicate: 'a land of Rephaim')→ participant prominenceγῆ: 'land'; the Ammonite territory, here classified as a 'land of Rephaim.'
Ραφαϊνof Rephaimindeclinable ethnic name (genitive of definition with γῆ)→ participant identificationΡαφαϊν: transliteration of רְפָאִים; indeclinable; 'land of Rephaim' = territory once held by the giant Rephaim.
λογισθήσεταιis reckonedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · λογίζομαιmain verb (gnomic/classificatory future)→ gnomic future (a standing classification)λογίζομαι: 'reckon / account'; the gnomic future, as at v. 11; the antiquarian's idiom classifying Ammon's land as Rephaim territory.
καὶalso / indeedadverbial (with γὰρ: 'for indeed')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here with γάρ in the combination καὶ γάρ ('for indeed / for also'), strengthening the explanatory ground.
γὰρforcausal particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; grounds the classification in the fact of former Rephaim habitation.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + genitive (location, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: 'upon / in'; locates the Rephaim's dwelling on the land.
αὐτῆςitGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (the land, feminine γῆ)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'it'; refers to ἡ γῆ, the Ammonite land.
κατῴκουνwere dwellingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · κατοικέωmain verb (descriptive past habitation)→ durative imperfect (settled former dwelling)κατοικέω: 'dwell / inhabit'; the imperfect denotes the Rephaim's established former occupancy; cf. ἐνεκάθηντο (v. 10), ἐνεκάθητο (v. 12).
οἱtheNominativearticle (with Ραφαϊν)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΡαφαϊνRephaimindeclinable ethnic name (subject of κατῴκουν)→ participant identificationΡαφαϊν: transliteration of רְפָאִים; the giant former inhabitants of Ammon's land.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with adverbial πρότερον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρότερονformerlyAccusativeadverbial accusative of time (τὸ πρότερον: 'formerly')→ object specificationπρότερον: 'formerly / earlier'; the articular adverbial accusative τὸ πρότερον ('in former time') marks the Rephaim as the prior, pre-Ammonite population.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with Αμμανῖται)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμμανῖταιAmmanitesNominativesubject of ὀνομάζουσιν→ participant prominenceΑμμανίτης (pl. Αμμανῖται): 'Ammanites / Ammonites'; the gentilic of Αμμαν; the present inhabitants who preserve the local name for the prior giants.
ὀνομάζουσινcall / namePres Act Indic 3 Pl · ὀνομάζωmain verb (naming-note)→ customary present (the standing local usage)ὀνομάζω: 'name / call'; renders קָרָא; the present denotes the abiding Ammanite custom; double-accusative construction (αὐτοὺς Ζομζομμιν); cf. ἐπονομάζουσιν of the Moabites (v. 11).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ὀνομάζουσιν (the Rephaim)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the Rephaim, object of the naming.
ΖομζομμινZamzummimpredicate accusative (the name given, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΖομζομμιν: transliteration of Hebrew זַמְזֻמִּים ('Zamzummim'); indeclinable; the local Ammonite name for the Rephaim, in a double-accusative naming construction with αὐτούς.
21
ἔθνος μέγα καὶ πολὺ καὶ δυνατώτερον ὑμῶν ὥσπερ οἱ Ενακιμ καὶ ἀπώλεσεν αὐτοὺς κύριος πρὸ προσώπου αὐτῶν καὶ κατεκληρονόμησαν καὶ κατῳκίσθησαν ἀντ᾿ αὐτῶν ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης.
a great and numerous people and mightier than you, like the Anakim; and the LORD destroyed them before them, and they dispossessed them and settled in their place until this day,
The aside reaches its theological point: though the Zamzummim were a giant people mightier even than Israel (δυνατώτερον ὑμῶν), the LORD himself destroyed them (ἀπώλεσεν … κύριος) so that Ammon could possess their land. The pattern — divine destruction of giants, dispossession, settlement 'until this day' — is the very pattern Israel is about to enact against Sihon, and the comparison ὥσπερ οἱ Ενακιμ is meant to dissolve Israel's fear.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
ἔθνοςnation / peopleNominativenominative in apposition to the Rephaim/Zamzummim of v. 20→ participant prominenceἔθνος: 'nation / people'; characterizes the Zamzummim as a substantial nation, as the Emim at v. 10.
μέγαgreatNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔθνος)→ participant prominenceμέγας: 'great'; the formula 'great and numerous' (μέγα καὶ πολύ), as at v. 10.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πολὺnumerousNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔθνος)→ participant prominenceπολύς: 'numerous'; completes the 'great and numerous' formula.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δυνατώτερονmightierNominativecomparative adjective (modifying ἔθνος, with genitive of comparison)→ participant prominenceδυνατός (compar. δυνατώτερος): 'powerful / mighty'; the comparative 'mightier than you' (δυνατώτερον ὑμῶν) heightens the marvel — the LORD destroyed a people stronger than Israel itself, so Israel need not fear Sihon; renders עָצוּם.
ὑμῶνthan youGenitivegenitive of comparison (with δυνατώτερον)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): the genitive of comparison; Israel is the standard against which the Zamzummim's superior might is measured.
ὥσπερlikecomparative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastὥσπερ: 'like / just as'; the recurring comparison to the Anakim (cf. vv. 10, 11).
οἱtheNominativearticle (with Ενακιμ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΕνακιμAnakimindeclinable ethnic name (object of comparison)→ participant identificationΕνακιμ: transliteration of עֲנָקִים; the proverbial giants.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπώλεσενdestroyedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπόλλυμιmain verb (the LORD's destruction)→ constative aorist (the completed divine destruction)ἀπόλλυμι: 'destroy'; here with κύριος as subject — it is the LORD himself who destroyed the Zamzummim before Ammon (contrast v. 12, where Esau's sons are the agents); the theology of divine warfare clearing the land for the apportioned nation.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἀπώλεσεν (the Zamzummim)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the Zamzummim, object of destruction.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἀπώλεσεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the LORD as the direct agent of the giants' destruction.
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (in the idiom πρὸ προσώπου: 'before the face of')→ spatial or relational framingπρό + gen.: 'before / in front of'; the idiom πρὸ προσώπου ('before the face of') renders מִפְּנֵי / לִפְנֵי; recurs at v. 31, 33 of Sihon's delivery.
προσώπουfaceGenitivegenitive (with πρὸ: 'before the face of')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; in the idiom πρὸ προσώπου αὐτῶν ('before them'), i.e., before the advancing Ammonites.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive of possession (with προσώπου: 'their face')→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their'; the Ammonites, before whose face the giants were destroyed.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατεκληρονόμησανthey took possessionAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κατακληρονομέωmain verb (the Ammonites' dispossession/inheritance)→ constative aorist (the completed taking of inheritance)κατακληρονομέω: 'take possession of / dispossess / inherit (fully)'; the compound κατα- intensifies; renders יָרַשׁ; here 'they (the Ammonites) took possession (dispossessing the giants)'; cognate with κλῆρος, the chapter keyword; recurs at v. 22.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατῳκίσθησανsettledAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · κατοικίζωmain verb (the resettlement)→ constative aorist (the completed settlement)κατοικίζω: 'settle / cause to dwell'; the aorist passive κατῳκίσθησαν ('they settled / were settled'), as at v. 12; the phrase κατῳκίσθησαν ἀντ᾿ αὐτῶν ('settled in their place') is the recurring formula of national displacement.
ἀντ᾿in place ofpreposition + genitive (substitution, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἀντί + gen.: 'instead of / in place of'; the Ammonites take the giants' place.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἀντί (the displaced Zamzummim)→ relational specificationαὐτός: the Zamzummim, in whose place the Ammonites settled.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal: 'until')→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until'; with τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης ('this day'), the formula of enduring possession.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with ἡμέρας)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (temporal terminus)→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the idiom ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης ('until this day') renders עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, a formula of abiding, present-day reality; recurs at v. 22.
ταύτηςthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'this'; the near demonstrative anchors the Ammonites' settled possession in the narrator's present.
22
ὥσπερ ἐποίησαν τοῖς υἱοῖς Ησαυ τοῖς κατοικοῦσιν ἐν Σηιρ ὃν τρόπον ἐξέτριψαν τὸν Χορραῖον ἀπὸ προσώπου αὐτῶν καὶ κατεκληρονόμησαν καὶ κατῳκίσθησαν ἀντ᾿ αὐτῶν ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης.
just as he did for the sons of Esau who dwell in Seir, in the way that they wiped out the Horite from before them and dispossessed them and settled in their place until this day.
The excursus closes by cross-referencing the Esau gloss of v. 12: as the LORD did for Esau's sons (clearing the Horites), so he did for Ammon (clearing the Zamzummim). The repeated formula — ἐξέτριψαν … ἀπὸ προσώπου … κατεκληρονόμησαν … κατῳκίσθησαν ἀντ᾿ αὐτῶν ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης — knits the antiquarian notes into a single theology of divinely directed national displacement, the template for Israel's own conquest.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
ὥσπερjust ascomparative particle (introducing the Esau parallel)→ discourse linkage or contrastὥσπερ: 'just as'; here introducing a clause of comparison ('as he did for Esau's sons'), linking the Ammon and Esau precedents.
ἐποίησανthey did / he didAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωverb of the comparative clause→ constative aorist (the analogous past act)ποιέω: 'do / act'; the plural ἐποίησαν may be impersonal ('as was done [by the LORD]') or refer to the divine action; the LXX's third plural here parallels the singular ἐποίησεν of v. 12 (Israel) — both frame the dispossession as an enacted divine pattern.
τοῖςfor theDativearticle (with υἱοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative of advantage (with ἐποίησαν: 'did for the sons')→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ησαυ ('the sons of Esau') = the Edomites, the beneficiaries of the parallel divine action.
ΗσαυEsauindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relationship with υἱοῖς)→ participant identificationΗσαυ: transliteration of עֵשָׂו.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with the participle κατοικοῦσιν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατοικοῦσινdwellingPres Act Part Dat Masc Pl · κατοικέωattributive participle (modifying υἱοῖς Ησαυ)→ durative present participle (settled habitation)κατοικέω (pres. part.): 'dwelling'; the articular participle τοῖς κατοικοῦσιν ('those who dwell') functions as a relative clause locating the Edomites in Seir; cf. v. 8.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΣηιρSeirindeclinable proper noun (object of ἐν)→ participant identificationΣηιρ: transliteration of שֵׂעִיר; the Edomite homeland.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (with τρόπον: 'in the way which')→ participant referenceὅς: relative; ὃν τρόπον ('in the manner that'), the comparative idiom of vv. 1, 12.
τρόπονmanner / wayAccusativeaccusative of manner (with ὃν)→ object specificationτρόπος: 'manner / way'; ὃν τρόπον frames the specific mode of Esau's dispossession of the Horites.
ἐξέτριψανthey wiped outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκτρίβωverb of the comparative clause (Esau's destruction of the Horite)→ constative aorist (the completed extermination)ἐκτρίβω: 'wipe out / exterminate'; as at v. 12; here the sons of Esau wipe out the Horite, the model for Ammon's dispossession of the Zamzummim.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Χορραῖον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧορραῖονHoriteAccusativedirect object of ἐξέτριψαν (collective singular)→ object specificationΧορραῖος: 'Horite'; gentilic rendering חֹרִי; the pre-Edomite people of Seir, here the object of extermination (cf. v. 12).
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (in the idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; with προσώπου, 'from before them.'
προσώπουfaceGenitivegenitive (with ἀπὸ: 'from before')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face'; the idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου ('from before'), as at v. 12.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive of possession (with προσώπου: 'their face')→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their'; the sons of Esau.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατεκληρονόμησανthey took possessionAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κατακληρονομέωmain verb (the Edomites' dispossession/inheritance)→ constative aorist (the completed taking of inheritance)κατακληρονομέω: 'take possession of / dispossess'; as at v. 21; the Edomites' inheriting of the Horites' land.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατῳκίσθησανsettledAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · κατοικίζωmain verb (the resettlement)→ constative aorist (the completed settlement)κατοικίζω: 'settle'; the recurring formula κατῳκίσθησαν ἀντ᾿ αὐτῶν ('settled in their place'), as at vv. 12, 21.
ἀντ᾿in place ofpreposition + genitive (substitution, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἀντί + gen.: 'in place of'; the Edomites take the Horites' place.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἀντί (the displaced Horites)→ relational specificationαὐτός: the Horites, in whose place the Edomites settled.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until'; with τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης, the formula of enduring possession.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with ἡμέρας)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive object of ἕως→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης ('until this day'), as at v. 21.
ταύτηςthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'this'; anchors the Edomites' settled possession in the narrator's present.
23
καὶ οἱ Ευαῖοι οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐν ασηρωθ ἕως Γάζης καὶ οἱ Καππάδοκες οἱ ἐξελθόντες ἐκ Καππαδοκίας ἐξέτριψαν αὐτοὺς καὶ κατῳκίσθησαν ἀντ᾿ αὐτῶν.
And the Avvim, who dwell in Aseroth as far as Gaza, and the Cappadocians, who came out from Cappadocia, wiped them out and settled in their place.
A third instance of the displacement pattern, drawn from the coastal plain: the Avvim, who dwelt as far as Gaza, were wiped out by the Caphtorim — whom the LXX renders 'Cappadocians' coming out of 'Cappadocia' (an interpretive equation of כַּפְתֹּר with Cappadocia). The example rounds out the antiquarian survey, showing that across all the surrounding lands the LORD has directed the rise and fall of nations — the very God now handing Sihon to Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with Ευαῖοι)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΕυαῖοιAvvimNominativesubject (the displaced people, object of ἐξέτριψαν by anacoluthon)→ participant prominenceΕυαῖος (pl. Ευαῖοι): 'Avvite'; gentilic rendering Hebrew עַוִּים ('Avvim'), the early inhabitants of the southern coastal plain (cf. Josh 13:3); the nominative is left hanging (anacoluthon) as the object of ἐξέτριψαν αὐτούς.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with the participle κατοικοῦντες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατοικοῦντεςdwellingPres Act Part Nom Masc Pl · κατοικέωattributive participle (modifying Ευαῖοι)→ durative present participle (settled habitation)κατοικέω (pres. part.): 'dwelling'; the articular participle locates the Avvim in the coastal region as far as Gaza.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ασηρωθAseroth (Hazerim)indeclinable place name (object of ἐν)→ clausal contributionασηρωθ: transliteration of Hebrew חֲצֵרִים ('Hazerim / villages'); indeclinable; the LXX treats the Hebrew common noun as a place name; the Avvim's settlements in the coastal plain.
ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (spatial extent)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'as far as / up to'; here spatial, marking the western extent of the Avvim's territory.
ΓάζηςGazaGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (spatial terminus)→ relational specificationΓάζα: 'Gaza'; renders עַזָּה; the southernmost of the Philistine cities; here the western limit of the Avvim's land.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the displacers)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with Καππάδοκες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΚαππάδοκεςCappadocians (Caphtorim)Nominativesubject of ἐξέτριψαν→ participant prominenceΚαππάδοξ (pl. Καππάδοκες): 'Cappadocian'; the LXX renders Hebrew כַּפְתֹּרִים ('Caphtorim') as 'Cappadocians,' an interpretive geographical equation of Caphtor with Cappadocia (rather than Crete); they are the displacers of the Avvim (cf. Amos 9:7).
οἱtheNominativearticle (with the participle ἐξελθόντες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξελθόντεςhaving come outAor Act Part Nom Masc Pl · ἐξέρχομαιattributive participle (modifying Καππάδοκες)→ antecedent aorist participle (the migration preceding the conquest)ἐξέρχομαι: 'come out / go out'; the aorist participle οἱ ἐξελθόντες ('those who came out') describes the Caphtorim/Cappadocians' migration from their homeland to the coastal plain.
ἐκfrom / out ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
ΚαππαδοκίαςCappadocia (Caphtor)Genitivegenitive object of ἐκ (place of origin)→ relational specificationΚαππαδοκία: 'Cappadocia'; the LXX's rendering of כַּפְתֹּר ('Caphtor'); the homeland from which the Caphtorim migrated; the equation reflects the translators' interpretive geography.
ἐξέτριψανwiped outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκτρίβωmain verb (the displacement)→ constative aorist (the completed extermination)ἐκτρίβω: 'wipe out / exterminate'; the recurring displacement-verb (vv. 12, 22); the Caphtorim exterminate the Avvim.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἐξέτριψαν (the Avvim)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the Avvim, object of extermination (resuming the hanging nominative Ευαῖοι).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατῳκίσθησανsettledAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · κατοικίζωmain verb (the resettlement)→ constative aorist (the completed settlement)κατοικίζω: 'settle'; the recurring formula κατῳκίσθησαν ἀντ᾿ αὐτῶν ('settled in their place'), as at vv. 12, 21, 22.
ἀντ᾿in place ofpreposition + genitive (substitution, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἀντί + gen.: 'in place of'; the Caphtorim take the Avvim's place.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἀντί (the displaced Avvim)→ relational specificationαὐτός: the Avvim, in whose place the Caphtorim settled.
24
νῦν οὖν ἀνάστητε καὶ ἀπάρατε καὶ παρέλθατε ὑμεῖς τὴν φάραγγα Αρνων ἰδοὺ παραδέδωκα εἰς τὰς χεῖράς σου τὸν Σηων βασιλέα Εσεβων τὸν Αμορραῖον καὶ τὴν γῆν αὐτοῦ ἐνάρχου κληρονομεῖν σύναπτε πρὸς αὐτὸν πόλεμον.
Now then arise and set out and cross over, you yourselves, the brook Arnon. Behold, I have delivered into your hands Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land. Begin to take possession; engage him in war.
The νῦν οὖν formula (cf. v. 13) now launches the conquest proper: cross the Arnon and engage Sihon. The decisive shift from the threefold prohibition (μὴ συνάψητε) to the imperative σύναπτε πρὸς αὐτὸν πόλεμον ('engage him in war') is the chapter's hinge — Sihon's land, unlike Edom's, Moab's, and Ammon's, is not an inviolable inheritance but a gift to Israel. The perfect παραδέδωκα ('I have [already] delivered') makes the victory a settled divine accomplishment in advance.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (with οὖν, resumptive)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; νῦν οὖν, as at v. 13, marks the decisive transition — here to the conquest of Sihon.
οὖνthen / thereforeinferential particle (resumptive)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὖν: 'therefore'; the moment for war has come.
ἀνάστητεariseAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀνίστημιmain verb (imperative of mustering)→ ingressive aorist imperative (rise up, mobilize)ἀνίστημι: 'rise / arise'; the same mobilization imperative as at v. 13, now launching the offensive against Sihon.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπάρατεset outAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀπαίρωmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (break camp)ἀπαίρω: 'set out / break camp'; the itinerary verb (cf. vv. 1, 13) here ordering the advance to the Arnon.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρέλθατεcross overAor Act Impv 2 Pl · παρέρχομαιmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (make the crossing)παρέρχομαι: 'cross over / pass'; the alpha-aorist imperative παρέλθατε commands the crossing of the Arnon, the boundary into Sihon's Amorite territory.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic nominative pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ (nom. pl. ὑμεῖς): emphatic 'you yourselves,' the new generation now commissioned for conquest.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with φάραγγα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φάραγγαbrook / valleyAccusativeaccusative object of παρέλθατε→ object specificationφάραγξ: 'wadi / brook / ravine'; renders נַחַל; the Arnon (Wadi Mujib), the deep gorge forming the boundary between Moab and the Amorite kingdom of Sihon.
ΑρνωνArnonindeclinable proper noun (in apposition to φάραγγα)→ participant identificationΑρνων: transliteration of Hebrew אַרְנוֹן ('Arnon'); indeclinable; the river-boundary of Sihon's realm (cf. Num 21:13).
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; dramatizes the announcement of Sihon's delivery into Israel's hands.
παραδέδωκαI have deliveredPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb (perfect of settled deliverance)→ resultative perfect (the victory already accomplished in the divine purpose)παραδίδωμι: 'hand over / deliver up'; the perfect παραδέδωκα ('I have [already] handed over') renders נָתַתִּי; the prophetic perfect presents Sihon's defeat as a settled divine accomplishment before the battle is fought; cf. παρέδωκεν (v. 33), the keyword of holy-war deliverance.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (idiom 'into the hands')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: in the idiom εἰς τὰς χεῖρας ('into the hands of'), rendering בְּיָד, the formula of military delivery.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖράςhandsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom 'into your hands')→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; εἰς τὰς χεῖράς σου ('into your hands') is the idiom of military victory granted by God; recurs at vv. 30, 36.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with χεῖρας)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. sg. σου): 'your'; collective singular.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Σηων)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣηωνSihonindeclinable proper noun (direct object of παραδέδωκα)→ participant identificationΣηων: transliteration of Hebrew סִיחוֹן ('Sihon'); indeclinable; the Amorite king of Heshbon, the first king Israel conquers east of the Jordan.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Σηων→ object specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; identifies Sihon as king of Heshbon.
ΕσεβωνHeshbonindeclinable place name (genitive of relationship: 'king of Heshbon')→ participant identificationΕσεβων: transliteration of Hebrew חֶשְׁבּוֹן ('Heshbon'); indeclinable; Sihon's royal city in Transjordan.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Αμορραῖον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμορραῖονAmoriteAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Σηων (ethnic identification)→ object specificationΑμορραῖος: 'Amorite'; gentilic rendering אֱמֹרִי; the Amorites, one of the Canaanite peoples under the ḥērem-mandate (contrast the spared kindred nations); their king Sihon is fair game for holy war.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of παραδέδωκα (parallel to Σηων)→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; Sihon's territory, delivered along with him into Israel's hands.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with γῆν)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; Sihon's.
ἐνάρχουbeginPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐνάρχομαιmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive present imperative (make the beginning)ἐνάρχομαι: 'begin / make a beginning'; renders חָלַל (Hiphil); the command ἐνάρχου κληρονομεῖν ('begin to take possession') inaugurates the conquest; cf. ἐνάρχου (v. 25) and ἔναρξαι (v. 31).
κληρονομεῖνto take possession / inheritPres Act Inf · κληρονομέωcomplementary infinitive (with ἐνάρχου)→ durative present infinitive (the process of possessing)κληρονομέω: 'inherit / take possession of'; renders יָרַשׁ; the chapter keyword (vv. 9, 19, 31); here Sihon's land becomes Israel's inheritance by conquest, in contrast to the kindred nations' inviolable allotments.
σύναπτεengagePres Act Impv 2 Sg · συνάπτωmain verb (imperative)→ durative present imperative (join battle)συνάπτω: 'engage / join'; the idiom σύναπτε … πόλεμον ('engage in war'); the decisive reversal of the threefold prohibition μὴ συνάψητε (vv. 5, 9, 19) — against Sihon, war is now commanded.
πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (hostile direction).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Sihon)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'him'; Sihon, the object of the commanded war.
πόλεμονwarAccusativedirect object of σύναπτε (in the idiom)→ object specificationπόλεμος: 'war'; object of συνάπτω πόλεμον; the same keyword that was forbidden against the kindred nations is here the divine command.
25
ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ ἐνάρχου δοῦναι τὸν τρόμον σου καὶ τὸν φόβον σου ἐπὶ πρόσωπον πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν τῶν ὑποκάτω τοῦ οὐρανοῦ οἵτινες ἀκούσαντες τὸ ὄνομά σου ταραχθήσονται καὶ ὠδῖνας ἕξουσιν ἀπὸ προσώπου σου.
On this day begin to put the dread of you and the fear of you on the face of all the nations under heaven, who, hearing your name, will be troubled and will have anguish before you.
The LORD promises to extend the dread of Israel over 'all the nations under heaven': the conquest of Sihon will inaugurate a terror that paralyzes Israel's enemies. The pairing τρόμον … φόβον ('dread … fear') and the labor-pang imagery (ὠδῖνας ἕξουσιν) echo the Song of the Sea (Exod 15:14–16); the divinely caused panic is the obverse of the divinely caused hardening of Sihon in v. 30.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
ἐνonpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with ἐν: 'on this day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ ('on this day') marks the conquest of Sihon as the inaugural moment of Israel's dread among the nations; cf. the same phrase at v. 30.
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this'; the present day of the commission.
ἐνάρχουbeginPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐνάρχομαιmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive present imperative (make the beginning)ἐνάρχομαι: 'begin'; as at v. 24; here ἐνάρχου δοῦναι ('begin to put') inaugurates the spread of dread.
δοῦναιto put / giveAor Act Inf · δίδωμιcomplementary infinitive (with ἐνάρχου)→ ingressive aorist infinitive (to set in place)δίδωμι: 'give / put / place'; renders נָתַן; here 'to put the dread of you upon the nations' — the LORD makes Israel's terror an instrument of conquest.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with τρόμον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρόμονtrembling / dreadAccusativedirect object of δοῦναι→ object specificationτρόμος: 'trembling / dread'; renders פַּחַד / רַעַד; with φόβος forms an emphatic doublet ('dread and fear'); 'the dread of you' (objective genitive σου) = the dread that Israel inspires; echoes Exod 15:16 (ἐπιπέσοι … τρόμος).
σουof youGenitiveobjective genitive (with τρόμον: 'dread of you')→ relational specificationσύ (gen. sg. σου): objective genitive; the dread directed at Israel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with φόβον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φόβονfearAccusativedirect object of δοῦναι (parallel to τρόμον)→ object specificationφόβος: 'fear'; renders יִרְאָה / אֵימָה; the second member of the dread-doublet; the fear of Israel that the LORD instills in the nations.
σουof youGenitiveobjective genitive (with φόβον)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. sg. σου): objective genitive; the fear directed at Israel.
ἐπὶon / uponpreposition + accusative (in the idiom ἐπὶ πρόσωπον)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'upon'; with πρόσωπον in the idiom ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ('on the face of'), a Hebraism for 'over the whole extent of.'
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (idiom 'on the face of')→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / surface'; the idiom ἐπὶ πρόσωπον renders עַל־פְּנֵי ('over the surface of'), meaning the dread will spread over all the nations everywhere.
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive adjective (with τῶν ἐθνῶν)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the universal scope — every nation under heaven will dread Israel.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἐθνῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐθνῶνnationsGenitivegenitive (with πρόσωπον: 'the face of all the nations')→ relational specificationἔθνος: 'nation'; renders עַם / גּוֹי; the peoples among whom Israel's terror will spread.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with the adverbial phrase ὑποκάτω τοῦ οὐρανοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑποκάτωunderimproper preposition + genitive ('beneath')→ spatial or relational framingὑποκάτω: 'under / beneath'; with the genitive τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ('under heaven'), a totalizing phrase (rendering תַּחַת כָּל־הַשָּׁמַיִם) for the whole inhabited world.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with οὐρανοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitivegenitive object of ὑποκάτω→ relational specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven / sky'; renders שָׁמַיִם; 'under heaven' marks the universal reach of the promised dread.
οἵτινεςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ταραχθήσονται)→ participant referenceὅστις: 'whoever / who'; the indefinite relative, here generalizing ('such as'), introducing the nations' reaction of panic.
ἀκούσαντεςhaving heardAor Act Part Nom Masc Pl · ἀκούωcircumstantial participle (temporal/causal: 'when/because they hear')→ antecedent aorist participle (the hearing prompts the panic)ἀκούω: 'hear / hear of'; the aorist participle — at the mere report of Israel's name (τὸ ὄνομά σου) the nations are thrown into panic; echoes Exod 15:14 (ἤκουσαν ἔθνη καὶ ὠργίσθησαν).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ὄνομά)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομάnameAccusativedirect object of ἀκούσαντες (the report of Israel)→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name / report / fame'; renders שֵׁמַע / שֵׁם; 'your name' = the report or fame of Israel, the hearing of which inspires dread.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with ὄνομά)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. sg. σου): 'your'; Israel's name/fame.
ταραχθήσονταιwill be troubledFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · ταράσσωmain verb of the relative clause (the nations' panic)→ predictive future (the divinely caused dismay)ταράσσω: 'trouble / agitate / throw into confusion'; renders רָגַז; the future passive predicts the nations' inner turmoil at Israel's approach; echoes the panic of the Canaanites in Exod 15:15.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὠδῖναςbirth-pangs / anguishAccusativedirect object of ἕξουσιν→ object specificationὠδίν (pl. ὠδῖνες): 'birth-pang / anguish'; renders חִיל; the labor-pain image for sudden, overwhelming terror; the idiom ὠδῖνας ἔχειν ('to be in anguish') echoes Exod 15:14 (ὠδῖνες ἔλαβον).
ἕξουσινthey will haveFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔχωmain verb (parallel to ταραχθήσονται)→ predictive future (the seizing anguish)ἔχω: 'have / hold'; the idiom ὠδῖνας ἕξουσιν ('they will have anguish / be seized with pangs') completes the picture of the nations' terror before Israel.
ἀπὸbefore / frompreposition + genitive (in the idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; with προσώπου in the idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου ('from before / at the presence of').
προσώπουface / presenceGenitivegenitive (with ἀπὸ: 'before your face')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; ἀπὸ προσώπου σου ('before you / at your presence'), the cause of the nations' anguish.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with προσώπου)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. sg. σου): 'your'; Israel's presence as the source of the terror.
26
καὶ ἀπέστειλα πρέσβεις ἐκ τῆς ἐρήμου Κεδαμωθ πρὸς Σηων βασιλέα Εσεβων λόγοις εἰρηνικοῖς λέγων
And I sent envoys from the wilderness of Kedamoth to Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying:
Despite the divine command to make war (v. 24), Moses first sends envoys with 'words of peace' (λόγοις εἰρηνικοῖς) — a gesture establishing Israel's just cause and Sihon's culpability before the conquest. The peaceable offer (vv. 27–29) is the foil against which the LORD's hardening of Sihon (v. 30) is set: Sihon's refusal, not Israel's aggression, precipitates the war.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστειλαI sentAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (first-person narrative: Moses' action)→ constative aorist (the completed sending of the embassy)ἀποστέλλω: 'send / send out / dispatch'; renders שָׁלַח; Moses dispatches envoys, taking the initiative of a peace-overture before the divinely sanctioned war.
πρέσβειςenvoys / ambassadorsAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλα→ object specificationπρέσβυς (pl. πρέσβεις): 'envoy / ambassador / elder'; renders מַלְאָכִים ('messengers'); the official emissaries bearing Moses' peace-terms to Sihon.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (place of dispatch)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (place of dispatch).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with ἐρήμου)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμουwildernessGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (place of dispatch)→ relational specificationἔρημος: 'wilderness / desert'; the wilderness of Kedamoth, the staging point from which the embassy was sent.
ΚεδαμωθKedamothindeclinable place name (in apposition to ἐρήμου)→ participant identificationΚεδαμωθ: transliteration of Hebrew קְדֵמוֹת ('Kedemoth'); indeclinable; a wilderness locale near the Arnon, later a Levitical city in Reuben (Josh 13:18).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΣηωνSihonindeclinable proper noun (object of πρός)→ participant identificationΣηων: transliteration of סִיחוֹן; the Amorite king addressed.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Σηων→ object specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; identifies Sihon as king of Heshbon.
ΕσεβωνHeshbonindeclinable place name (genitive of relationship: 'king of Heshbon')→ participant identificationΕσεβων: transliteration of חֶשְׁבּוֹן; Sihon's capital.
λόγοιςwith wordsDativedative of manner / instrument (with what message the envoys came)→ sphere or referenceλόγος: 'word / message'; the dative λόγοις εἰρηνικοῖς ('with words of peace') renders דִּבְרֵי שָׁלוֹם; the peaceable content of the embassy, establishing Israel's just dealing.
εἰρηνικοῖςof peace / peaceableDativeattributive adjective (modifying λόγοις)→ sphere or referenceεἰρηνικός: 'peaceful / peaceable'; renders שָׁלוֹם; 'peaceable words' — the LXX's pointed note that Israel approached Sihon in peace, throwing his hardened refusal (v. 30) into sharp moral relief.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Masc Sg · λέγωparticiple of speaking (introducing direct discourse)→ durative present participle (Hebraizing speech-marker)λέγω (pres. part.): λέγων renders לֵאמֹר, the quotation-marker introducing the peace-terms of vv. 27–29.
27
παρελεύσομαι διὰ τῆς γῆς σου ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ παρελεύσομαι οὐχὶ ἐκκλινῶ δεξιὰ οὐδὲ ἀριστερά
I will pass through your land; by the road I will go, I will not turn aside to the right or to the left.
The terms of passage: Israel will keep strictly to the highway (ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ), turning neither right nor left, trespassing on no field. The repeated παρελεύσομαι and the merism δεξιὰ … ἀριστερά ('right … left') stress the harmlessness of the request — a transit, not an invasion; the offer mirrors the dealings with Edom (vv. 6–8) and is paralleled at Num 21:22.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
παρελεύσομαιI will pass throughFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · παρέρχομαιmain verb (the request to pass)→ predictive future (the intended peaceful transit)παρέρχομαι: 'pass through / pass by'; the keyword-verb (cf. vv. 8, 13, 14); here in Israel's peaceable request to cross Sihon's land; recurs three times in vv. 27–28.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (passage through)→ spatial or relational framingδιὰ: meaning 'through'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (passage through).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with γῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive object of διά (the territory crossed)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; Sihon's territory, through which Israel asks to pass.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with γῆς)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. sg. σου): 'your'; Sihon's land, addressed directly.
ἐνby / onpreposition + dative (the route kept to)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (the route kept to).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ὁδῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδῷroad / highwayDativedative of route (with ἐν: 'by the road')→ sphere or referenceὁδός: 'way / road / highway'; ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ ('on the highway') — Israel pledges to keep to the main road (the King's Highway, Num 21:22), straying onto no private land.
παρελεύσομαιI will go / passFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · παρέρχομαιmain verb (emphatic repetition)→ predictive future (reaffirming the route-bound transit)παρέρχομαι: 'pass / go'; the emphatic repetition ('by the road I will pass') stresses the disciplined, harmless nature of the march.
οὐχὶnotemphatic negative particle (with ἐκκλινῶ)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐχί: emphatic form of οὐ ('not at all / by no means'); strengthens the pledge not to deviate from the road.
ἐκκλινῶI will turn asideFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐκκλίνωmain verb (the pledge not to deviate)→ predictive future (the disavowed deviation)ἐκκλίνω: 'turn aside / deviate'; renders סוּר / נָטָה; with the right-left merism, the standard idiom for absolute fidelity to a path (cf. Deut 5:32; 17:11); here Israel pledges not to stray onto Sihon's fields or vineyards.
δεξιὰto the rightAccusativeadverbial accusative of direction (with ἐκκλινῶ)→ object specificationδεξιός: 'right (hand/side)'; the neuter plural δεξιά functions adverbially ('to the right'); renders יָמִין; first member of the right-left merism for total non-deviation.
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction (joining the second member)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδέ: 'nor / and not'; joins the second direction of the merism.
ἀριστεράto the leftAccusativeadverbial accusative of direction (with ἐκκλινῶ)→ object specificationἀριστερός: 'left (hand/side)'; the neuter plural ἀριστερά functions adverbially ('to the left'); renders שְׂמֹאל; completes the merism 'right nor left,' i.e., not at all.
28
βρώματα ἀργυρίου ἀποδώσῃ μοι καὶ φάγομαι καὶ ὕδωρ ἀργυρίου ἀποδώσῃ μοι καὶ πίομαι πλὴν ὅτι παρελεύσομαι τοῖς ποσίν
Food you shall sell me for silver, and I will eat; and water you shall give me for silver, and I will drink. Only let me pass through on foot,
The peace-terms echo the Edom arrangement (vv. 6–7): Israel will buy food and water for silver, demanding nothing free, asking only the right to pass through on foot (παρελεύσομαι τοῖς ποσίν). The repeated ἀργυρίου ('for silver') underlines the scrupulous fairness of the offer; πλήν ('only') introduces the single, minimal request — bare passage.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
βρώματαfoodAccusativedirect object of ἀποδώσῃ→ object specificationβρῶμα (pl. βρώματα): 'food / provisions'; as at v. 6; the food Israel offers to buy from Sihon.
ἀργυρίουfor silverGenitivegenitive of price (with ἀποδώσῃ)→ relational specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; genitive of price ('for silver'), as at v. 6; Israel will pay, taking nothing by force.
ἀποδώσῃyou shall sell / giveFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀποδίδωμιmain verb (future with request-force)→ imperatival future (you are to sell)ἀποδίδωμι: 'give back / render / sell'; renders נָתַן / שָׁבַר; the compound ἀπο- suits commercial exchange ('sell for a price'); the future has the force of a polite request — 'you shall sell me food.'
μοιto meDativedative indirect object of ἀποδώσῃ→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. sg. μοι): 'to me'; Israel (collective 'I') as buyer.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγομαιI will eatFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (consequent of the purchase)→ predictive future (the eating that follows the purchase)ἐσθίω (fut. mid. φάγομαι): 'eat'; the suppletive future; the natural sequel to buying food.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of the second ἀποδώσῃ→ object specificationὕδωρ: 'water'; as at v. 6; the second item Israel offers to buy.
ἀργυρίουfor silverGenitivegenitive of price (with the second ἀποδώσῃ)→ relational specificationἀργύριον: 'silver'; genitive of price; the repetition stresses payment for water as well as food.
ἀποδώσῃyou shall giveFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀποδίδωμιmain verb (future with request-force, second occurrence)→ imperatival future (you are to give/sell)ἀποδίδωμι: 'give / sell'; the repeated request, now for water.
μοιto meDativedative indirect object of ἀποδώσῃ→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. sg. μοι): 'to me'; Israel as buyer.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πίομαιI will drinkFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · πίνωmain verb (consequent of the purchase)→ predictive future (the drinking that follows)πίνω (fut. mid. πίομαι): 'drink'; completes the 'buy/eat … buy/drink' structure of the offer, as at v. 6.
πλὴνonlyrestrictive particle (introducing the single request)→ discourse linkage or contrastπλήν: 'only / except / nevertheless'; renders רַק; introduces the sole, minimal request — mere passage on foot; recurs at vv. 35, 37.
ὅτιthatconjunction (with πλὴν: 'only that')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; with πλήν forms πλὴν ὅτι ('only that / except that'), introducing the bare-passage request.
παρελεύσομαιI will pass throughFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · παρέρχομαιmain verb (the minimal request)→ predictive future (the requested transit)παρέρχομαι: 'pass through'; the third occurrence of the keyword-verb in the offer; 'only that I may pass through on foot' reduces the request to its barest form.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ποσίν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποσίνon footDativedative of means/manner (with παρελεύσομαι: 'on foot')→ sphere or referenceπούς (dat. pl. ποσίν): 'foot'; the dative τοῖς ποσίν ('on foot / by foot') renders בְּרַגְלַי; emphasizes that Israel asks only to walk through, taking nothing — the most harmless of requests.
29
καθὼς ἐποίησάν μοι οἱ υἱοὶ Ησαυ οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐν Σηιρ καὶ οἱ Μωαβῖται οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐν Αροηρ ἕως παρέλθω τὸν Ιορδάνην εἰς τὴν γῆν ἣν κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν δίδωσιν ἡμῖν.
just as the sons of Esau who dwell in Seir did for me, and the Moabites who dwell in Aroer, until I cross the Jordan into the land which the LORD our God is giving us.
Moses' offer closes by citing precedent: Edom and Moab granted Israel passage, so Sihon is invited to do likewise. The goal is stated — crossing the Jordan into the land the LORD is giving (δίδωσιν, present of certain gift). The reasonable, precedented request makes Sihon's refusal (v. 30) gratuitous, throwing into relief the divine hardening that stands behind it.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunction (introducing the precedent)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθώς: 'just as / according as'; renders כַּאֲשֶׁר; introduces the appeal to Edom's and Moab's precedent of granting passage.
ἐποίησάνdidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωverb of the comparative clause→ constative aorist (the precedent dealings)ποιέω: 'do / deal with'; ἐποίησάν μοι ('they did for me / dealt with me') refers to the passage and provision granted by Edom and Moab; the precedent commends the same to Sihon.
μοιfor meDativedative of advantage (with ἐποίησαν: 'did for me')→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. sg. μοι): 'for me'; Israel (collective 'I') as beneficiary of the prior nations' goodwill.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοὶ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἐποίησαν→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ησαυ ('the sons of Esau') = the Edomites, the first cited precedent.
ΗσαυEsauindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relationship with υἱοὶ)→ participant identificationΗσαυ: transliteration of עֵשָׂו.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with the participle κατοικοῦντες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατοικοῦντεςdwellingPres Act Part Nom Masc Pl · κατοικέωattributive participle (modifying υἱοὶ Ησαυ)→ durative present participle (settled habitation)κατοικέω (pres. part.): 'dwelling'; locates the Edomites in Seir, as at vv. 8, 22.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΣηιρSeirindeclinable proper noun (object of ἐν)→ participant identificationΣηιρ: transliteration of שֵׂעִיר; the Edomite homeland.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the second precedent)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with Μωαβῖται)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΜωαβῖταιMoabitesNominativesubject of ἐποίησαν (second precedent)→ participant prominenceΜωαβίτης (pl. Μωαβῖται): 'Moabites'; the second cited precedent of passage granted.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with the participle κατοικοῦντες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατοικοῦντεςdwellingPres Act Part Nom Masc Pl · κατοικέωattributive participle (modifying Μωαβῖται)→ durative present participle (settled habitation)κατοικέω (pres. part.): 'dwelling'; locates the Moabites in Aroer.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΑροηρAroerindeclinable place name (object of ἐν)→ participant identificationΑροηρ: transliteration of Hebrew עֲרֹעֵר ('Aroer'); indeclinable; the town on the north rim of the Arnon gorge (cf. v. 36), here associated with Moabite settlement.
ἕωςuntilconjunction (temporal, with subjunctive παρέλθω)→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: 'until'; with the aorist subjunctive παρέλθω, marking the goal of the journey — the crossing of the Jordan.
παρέλθωI crossAor Act Subj 1 Sg · παρέρχομαιverb of the temporal clause (the goal of passage)→ prospective aorist subjunctive (the anticipated crossing)παρέρχομαι: 'cross / pass over'; the keyword-verb; the subjunctive with ἕως expresses the goal — passage through Sihon's land is only a means to crossing the Jordan into Canaan.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Ιορδάνην)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνηνJordanAccusativedirect object of παρέλθω→ object specificationΙορδάνης: 'Jordan'; renders יַרְדֵּן; the river boundary of the promised land; declined as a first-declension noun (acc. Ιορδάνην).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the promised land)→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the promised land of Canaan, the destination of the whole journey.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of δίδωσιν, antecedent γῆν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative, feminine accusative agreeing with γῆν.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of δίδωσιν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the covenant title κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν ('the LORD our God') stresses that Canaan is a divine gift.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenoun in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the covenant God who gives the land.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession (with θεὸς)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. pl. ἡμῶν): 'our'; binds Israel to its God.
δίδωσινis givingPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of relative clause (the present, certain gift)→ futuristic/progressive present (the gift in process of being granted)δίδωμι (pres.): 'give'; the present δίδωσιν ('is giving') renders נֹתֵן; presents the gift of the land as a certain, ongoing divine act — Israel's possession is assured even before the crossing.
ἡμῖνto usDativedative indirect object of δίδωσιν→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. pl. ἡμῖν): 'to us'; Israel as the recipient of the land-gift.
30
καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησεν Σηων βασιλεὺς Εσεβων παρελθεῖν ἡμᾶς δι᾿ αὐτοῦ ὅτι ἐσκλήρυνεν κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτοῦ καὶ κατίσχυσεν τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ ἵνα παραδοθῇ εἰς τὰς χεῖράς σου ὡς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ.
But Sihon king of Heshbon was not willing for us to pass through his land, because the LORD our God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might be delivered into your hands, as at this day.
The chapter's central theological statement. Sihon's refusal is not explained by his own stubbornness alone but ὅτι ἐσκλήρυνεν κύριος … τὸ πνεῦμα αὐτοῦ καὶ κατίσχυσεν τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ ('because the LORD hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate'). The verb σκληρύνω is the same used of Pharaoh (Exod 4–14), and the purpose clause ἵνα παραδοθῇ ('that he might be delivered up') makes the hardening serve the conquest — the sovereignty/hardening motif Paul develops at Rom 9:17–18.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
καὶbut / andnarrative conjunction (adversative in force)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: 'and / but'; here adversative in effect — against the reasonable offer stands Sihon's refusal.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἠθέλησεν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: indicative negative; 'was not willing.'
ἠθέλησενwas willingAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θέλωmain verb (Sihon's refusal)→ constative aorist (the settled refusal)θέλω: 'will / wish / be willing'; renders אָבָה; οὐκ ἠθέλησεν ('was not willing') reports Sihon's refusal of passage — the human act whose deeper cause is named in the ὅτι-clause.
ΣηωνSihonindeclinable proper noun (subject of ἠθέλησεν)→ participant identificationΣηων: transliteration of סִיחוֹן; the refusing king.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativenominative in apposition to Σηων→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; identifies Sihon as king of Heshbon.
ΕσεβωνHeshbonindeclinable place name (genitive of relationship)→ participant identificationΕσεβων: transliteration of חֶשְׁבּוֹן.
παρελθεῖνto pass throughAor Act Inf · παρέρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (with ἠθέλησεν; subject acc. ἡμᾶς)→ aorist infinitive (the refused passage)παρέρχομαι: 'pass through'; the keyword-verb; the infinitive with accusative subject ἡμᾶς ('that we pass through') is the content Sihon refused.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive παρελθεῖν→ participant referenceἐγώ (acc. pl. ἡμᾶς): 'us'; the accusative subject of the infinitive — Israel, whose passage Sihon refused.
δι᾿throughpreposition + genitive (passage through, elided)→ spatial or relational framingδιά + gen.: 'through'; δι᾿ αὐτοῦ ('through it') = through Sihon's land.
αὐτοῦit / hisGenitivegenitive object of διά (Sihon's territory)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'it / his'; refers to Sihon's land (or Sihon himself as territory-holder).
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (introducing the theological ground)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the decisive causal clause naming the LORD as the agent behind Sihon's refusal.
ἐσκλήρυνενhardenedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σκληρύνωverb of the causal clause (the divine hardening)→ constative aorist (the completed act of hardening)σκληρύνω: 'harden / make hard / make stubborn'; renders חִזֵּק / קִשָּׁה; the very verb used of Pharaoh's hardening (Exod 4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 14:4); the LORD hardens Sihon's πνεῦμα ('spirit') — the chapter's theological crux, the sovereignty/hardening motif behind Rom 9:17–18.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐσκλήρυνεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the divine agent of the hardening; the covenant title κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν stresses that Israel's own God stands behind Sihon's obstinacy.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenoun in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the covenant God who hardens Sihon for Israel's sake.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession (with θεὸς)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. pl. ἡμῶν): 'our'; Israel's God.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with πνεῦμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πνεῦμαspiritAccusativedirect object of ἐσκλήρυνεν→ object specificationπνεῦμα: 'spirit / breath / disposition'; renders רוּחַ; here Sihon's inner disposition or resolve; the pairing 'spirit … heart' (πνεῦμα … καρδία) denotes the totality of his will, hardened by God.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with πνεῦμα)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; Sihon's spirit.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the two hardening verbs)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατίσχυσενmade obstinate / strengthenedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατισχύωverb of the causal clause (parallel to ἐσκλήρυνεν)→ constative aorist (the completed strengthening of resolve)κατισχύω: 'strengthen / make strong / make obstinate'; here transitive with τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ ('strengthened/hardened his heart'); renders אִמֵּץ ('make firm/obstinate'); the second hardening verb, intensifying the picture — God fortifies Sihon's heart against yielding.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with καρδίαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίανheartAccusativedirect object of κατίσχυσεν→ object specificationκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב; the seat of will and decision; the hardening of Sihon's 'heart' directly parallels the hardening of Pharaoh's καρδία (Exod 4:21 etc.).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with καρδίαν)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; Sihon's heart.
ἵναthatpurpose conjunction (introducing the divine purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: 'in order that'; introduces the purpose clause revealing the goal of the hardening — Sihon's delivery into Israel's hands; the theological hinge linking divine sovereignty to the conquest.
παραδοθῇhe might be deliveredAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιverb of the purpose clause→ telic aorist passive subjunctive (the intended deliverance)παραδίδωμι: 'hand over / deliver up'; the divine passive παραδοθῇ ('that he might be handed over') makes God the implicit agent — the hardening exists so that Sihon may be given into Israel's power; cf. παραδέδωκα (v. 24), παρέδωκεν (v. 33).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (idiom 'into the hands')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: in the idiom εἰς τὰς χεῖρας ('into the hands of').
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖράςhandsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom 'into your hands')→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; εἰς τὰς χεῖράς σου ('into your hands'), the holy-war delivery idiom (cf. vv. 24, 36).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with χεῖρας)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. sg. σου): 'your'; collective singular addressing Israel.
ὡςascomparative particle (introducing the present-day clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as'; the phrase ὡς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ ('as at this day') notes that the deliverance is an accomplished, present reality from the narrator's standpoint.
ἐνon / atpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with ἐν: 'on this day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; ὡς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ ('as at this day') affirms the present, settled fulfilment of the deliverance.
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this'; the narrator's present, in which Sihon's defeat is an accomplished fact.
31
καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρός με ἰδοὺ ἦργμαι παραδοῦναι πρὸ προσώπου σου τὸν Σηων βασιλέα Εσεβων τὸν Αμορραῖον καὶ τὴν γῆν αὐτοῦ ἔναρξαι κληρονομῆσαι τὴν γῆν αὐτοῦ.
And the LORD said to me, Behold, I have begun to deliver before you Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land; begin to take possession of his land.
A confirmatory divine word frames the battle: the LORD declares ἦργμαι παραδοῦναι ('I have begun to deliver') Sihon, and commands Israel ἔναρξαι κληρονομῆσαι ('begin to take possession'). The inceptive verbs (ἦργμαι / ἔναρξαι, both from ἄρχομαι/ἐνάρχομαι) frame the conquest of Sihon as the opening installment of the whole inheritance, divinely initiated and humanly continued.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω: 'say'; the formula εἶπεν κύριος πρός με introduces the confirmatory word before the battle.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the divine speaker.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Moses)→ participant referenceἐγώ (encl. acc. με): Moses as recipient.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; dramatizes the announcement that the delivery of Sihon has begun.
ἦργμαιI have begunPerf Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἄρχομαιmain verb (perfect of inceptive divine action)→ resultative perfect (the deliverance already set in motion)ἄρχομαι: 'begin / make a beginning'; the perfect middle ἦργμαι ('I have begun') renders הַחִלֹּתִי; the LORD declares the delivery of Sihon already initiated; the inceptive language frames this conquest as the first stage of the whole inheritance.
παραδοῦναιto deliverAor Act Inf · παραδίδωμιcomplementary infinitive (with ἦργμαι)→ aorist infinitive (the act of handing over)παραδίδωμι: 'hand over / deliver up'; the holy-war delivery verb (cf. vv. 24, 30, 33); 'I have begun to deliver' Sihon before Israel.
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (in the idiom πρὸ προσώπου)→ spatial or relational framingπρό + gen.: 'before'; the idiom πρὸ προσώπου ('before the face of'), as at v. 21.
προσώπουfaceGenitivegenitive (with πρὸ: 'before the face of')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face'; πρὸ προσώπου σου ('before you'), the standard delivery-idiom.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (with προσώπου)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. sg. σου): 'your'; collective singular Israel.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Σηων)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣηωνSihonindeclinable proper noun (direct object of παραδοῦναι)→ participant identificationΣηων: transliteration of סִיחוֹן; the king delivered up.
βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Σηων→ object specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; of Heshbon.
ΕσεβωνHeshbonindeclinable place name (genitive of relationship)→ participant identificationΕσεβων: transliteration of חֶשְׁבּוֹן.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Αμορραῖον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμορραῖονAmoriteAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Σηων (ethnic identification)→ object specificationΑμορραῖος: 'Amorite'; as at v. 24; the ethnic identification marking Sihon as a Canaanite king under the ḥērem-mandate.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of παραδοῦναι (parallel to Σηων)→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; Sihon's territory, delivered with him.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with γῆν)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; Sihon's.
ἔναρξαιbeginAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐνάρχομαιmain verb (imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (make the beginning)ἐνάρχομαι: 'begin'; the aorist imperative ἔναρξαι ('begin!') answers the LORD's own ἦργμαι ('I have begun') — what God initiates, Israel is to carry through; cf. ἐνάρχου (vv. 24, 25).
κληρονομῆσαιto take possessionAor Act Inf · κληρονομέωcomplementary infinitive (with ἔναρξαι)→ ingressive aorist infinitive (to enter into possession)κληρονομέω: 'inherit / take possession of'; the chapter keyword; 'begin to take possession of his land' commands the conquest of Sihon's realm as Israel's inheritance.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of κληρονομῆσαι→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; Sihon's land, to be possessed.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with γῆν)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; Sihon's land, now Israel's to inherit.
32
καὶ ἐξῆλθεν Σηων βασιλεὺς Εσεβων εἰς συνάντησιν ἡμῖν αὐτὸς καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς αὐτοῦ εἰς πόλεμον Ιασσα.
And Sihon king of Heshbon came out to meet us, he and all his people, for battle at Jahaz.
Sihon's hardened refusal becomes overt aggression: he 'comes out to meet' Israel with all his people for battle at Jahaz. The phrase εἰς συνάντησιν … εἰς πόλεμον makes Sihon the active aggressor, sealing his culpability and the justice of the conquest; his initiative plays directly into the divine purpose announced in vv. 30–31.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξῆλθενcame outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (Sihon's sortie)→ constative aorist (the completed sortie to battle)ἐξέρχομαι: 'come out / go out'; renders יָצָא; Sihon marches out of Heshbon to give battle — the active aggression that follows from his hardened heart.
ΣηωνSihonindeclinable proper noun (subject of ἐξῆλθεν)→ participant identificationΣηων: transliteration of סִיחוֹן.
βασιλεὺςkingNominativenominative in apposition to Σηων→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; of Heshbon.
ΕσεβωνHeshbonindeclinable place name (genitive of relationship)→ participant identificationΕσεβων: transliteration of חֶשְׁבּוֹן.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (in the idiom εἰς συνάντησιν)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: in the idiom εἰς συνάντησιν ('to meet'), rendering לִקְרַאת.
συνάντησινa meeting / to meetAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom 'to meet us')→ object specificationσυνάντησις: 'meeting / encounter'; εἰς συνάντησιν ('to meet'), here a hostile encounter — to confront Israel in battle.
ἡμῖνusDativedative (with συνάντησιν: 'to meet us')→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. pl. ἡμῖν): 'us'; Israel, whom Sihon comes out to confront.
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativeintensive pronoun (in apposition to Σηων)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'he himself'; the intensive pronoun stresses that Sihon personally led out his whole people.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςallNominativeattributive adjective (with ὁ λαὸς)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; Sihon's entire host.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject (coordinate with Σηων / αὐτὸς)→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; here Sihon's army/nation, marched out for battle.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with λαὸς)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; Sihon's people.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose: 'for war')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: 'for / unto'; with πόλεμον, the purpose of the sortie — battle.
πόλεμονwar / battleAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose)→ object specificationπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; the keyword, here the battle Sihon initiates — the war forbidden against kindred nations but commanded (and now joined) against the Amorite.
ΙασσαJahazindeclinable place name (locative: 'at Jahaz')→ participant identificationΙασσα: transliteration of Hebrew יַהַץ ('Jahaz'); indeclinable; the site of the decisive battle against Sihon (cf. Num 21:23), in Sihon's territory.
33
καὶ παρέδωκεν αὐτὸν κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν πρὸ προσώπου ἡμῶν καὶ ἐπατάξαμεν αὐτὸν καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντα τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ.
And the LORD our God delivered him up before us, and we struck him and his sons and all his people.
The promise παραδέδωκα (v. 24) / ἦργμαι παραδοῦναι (v. 31) is now fulfilled: παρέδωκεν … κύριος ('the LORD delivered him up'). The victory is explicitly God's act; Israel's striking (ἐπατάξαμεν) of Sihon, his sons, and all his people is the human execution of the divine deliverance — the holy-war pattern in which YHWH gives and Israel strikes.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρέδωκενdelivered upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb (the divine deliverance)→ constative aorist (the completed handing-over)παραδίδωμι: 'hand over / deliver up'; renders נָתַן; the aorist παρέδωκεν fulfils the promise of vv. 24, 31 — the LORD himself hands Sihon over; the keyword of holy-war victory, ascribing the triumph to God.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of παρέδωκεν (Sihon)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'him'; Sihon, delivered up.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of παρέδωκεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the LORD as the giver of victory; the covenant title κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν stresses divine agency.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenoun in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; Israel's covenant God, the victor.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession (with θεὸς)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. pl. ἡμῶν): 'our'; Israel's God.
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (in the idiom πρὸ προσώπου)→ spatial or relational framingπρό + gen.: 'before'; πρὸ προσώπου ('before the face of'), as at vv. 21, 31.
προσώπουfaceGenitivegenitive (with πρὸ: 'before the face of')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face'; πρὸ προσώπου ἡμῶν ('before us'), the delivery-idiom.
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive of possession (with προσώπου: 'our face')→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. pl. ἡμῶν): 'our'; Israel, before whom Sihon was delivered.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπατάξαμενwe struckAor Act Indic 1 Pl · πατάσσωmain verb (Israel's defeat of Sihon)→ constative aorist (the completed defeat)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite / defeat'; renders נָכָה (Hiphil); the standard holy-war verb for striking down an enemy; Israel's blow executes the divine deliverance.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐπατάξαμεν (Sihon)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'him'; Sihon.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with υἱοὺς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object of ἐπατάξαμεν (coordinate with αὐτὸν)→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; Sihon's sons, struck down with him — the extinction of the dynasty.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with υἱοὺς)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; Sihon's sons.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (with τὸν λαὸν)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the totality of Sihon's people, struck down — the comprehensiveness of the defeat.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with λαὸν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἐπατάξαμεν (coordinate)→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; Sihon's whole army/nation, defeated.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with λαὸν)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; Sihon's people.
34
καὶ ἐκρατήσαμεν πασῶν τῶν πόλεων αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ καὶ ἐξωλεθρεύσαμεν πᾶσαν πόλιν ἑξῆς καὶ τὰς γυναῖκας αὐτῶν καὶ τὰ τέκνα αὐτῶν οὐ κατελίπομεν ζωγρείαν.
And we seized all his cities at that time and utterly destroyed every city in turn, and their women and their children; we left no survivor.
The conquest becomes total ḥērem: every city is seized and 'utterly destroyed' (ἐξωλεθρεύσαμεν), with women and children, leaving no survivor (οὐ κατελίπομεν ζωγρείαν). The vocabulary of complete devotion-to-destruction (ἐξολεθρεύω, ζωγρεία) marks the Amorite conquest as the divinely mandated annihilation due the Canaanite nations — the dark obverse of the inviolable inheritance granted to Esau, Moab, and Ammon.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκρατήσαμενwe seizedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · κρατέωmain verb (the capture of the cities)→ constative aorist (the completed seizure)κρατέω: 'seize / take hold of / capture'; renders לָכַד; with the genitive (πασῶν τῶν πόλεων) 'we took possession of / captured all his cities'; the conquest of Sihon's urban centers.
πασῶνallGenitiveattributive adjective (with τῶν πόλεων)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the totality of Sihon's cities.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with πόλεων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωνcitiesGenitivegenitive object of ἐκρατήσαμεν→ relational specificationπόλις: 'city'; renders עִיר; Sihon's cities, all captured.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (with πόλεων)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; Sihon's cities.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
τῷtheDativearticle (with καιρῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καιρῷtime / seasonDativedative of time (with ἐν: 'at that time')→ sphere or referenceκαιρός: 'time / season / appointed time'; ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ ('at that time') is a frequent Deuteronomic temporal marker (cf. 1:9, 16, 18) anchoring the event in the conquest narrative.
ἐκείνῳthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying καιρῷ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the time of the Sihon campaign.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξωλεθρεύσαμενwe utterly destroyedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἐξολεθρεύωmain verb (the ḥērem-destruction)→ constative aorist (the completed annihilation)ἐξολεθρεύω: 'utterly destroy / exterminate'; the compound ἐξ- intensifies to total annihilation; renders הֶחֱרִים (the verb of ḥērem) / הִשְׁמִיד; the technical term for devotion-to-destruction in holy war, marking the Amorite conquest as total.
πᾶσανeveryAccusativeattributive adjective (with πόλιν)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'every / all'; every single city devoted to destruction.
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object of ἐξωλεθρεύσαμεν→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; each city destroyed in turn.
ἑξῆςin turn / one after anotheradverb (of sequence: 'successively')→ clausal contributionἑξῆς: 'next / in order / successively'; the adverb stresses the systematic, city-by-city completeness of the destruction.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with γυναῖκας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυναῖκαςwomenAccusativedirect object of ἐξωλεθρεύσαμεν (coordinate with πόλιν)→ object specificationγυνή: 'woman / wife'; the women included in the ḥērem — the totality of the devotion-to-destruction (contrast the sparing of livestock and spoil, v. 35).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (with γυναῖκας)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their'; the cities' inhabitants.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with τέκνα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τέκναchildrenAccusativedirect object of ἐξωλεθρεύσαμεν (coordinate)→ object specificationτέκνον: 'child'; renders טַף; the children too included in the total destruction.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (with τέκνα)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their'; the inhabitants' children.
οὐnotnegative particle (with κατελίπομεν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: indicative negative; 'we left no...'; underscores the totality of the ḥērem.
κατελίπομενwe leftAor Act Indic 1 Pl · καταλείπωmain verb (with οὐ: 'we left no survivor')→ constative aorist (the completed leaving-none)καταλείπω: 'leave / leave behind / leave remaining'; renders הִשְׁאִיר; οὐ κατελίπομεν ('we left none') — the formula of total annihilation, sparing no survivor.
ζωγρείανa survivor / one taken aliveAccusativedirect object of κατελίπομεν→ object specificationζωγρεία: 'a taking alive / a survivor / captive spared'; cognate with ζωγρέω ('take alive'); οὐ κατελίπομεν ζωγρείαν ('we left no one alive / no survivor') renders לֹא הִשְׁאַרְנוּ שָׂרִיד; the absolute completeness of the devotion-to-destruction.
35
πλὴν τὰ κτήνη ἐπρονομεύσαμεν καὶ τὰ σκῦλα τῶν πόλεων ἐλάβομεν.
Only the livestock we took as plunder, and the spoil of the cities we seized.
πλήν ('only') introduces the single exception to the total destruction: the livestock and the cities' goods were taken as legitimate plunder. The Sihon ḥērem thus follows the pattern in which human life is devoted to destruction while material spoil and animals fall to the victors (contrast the stricter ḥērem of Jericho, Josh 6:18–19).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
πλὴνonlyrestrictive particle (introducing the exception)→ discourse linkage or contrastπλήν: 'only / except'; renders רַק; introduces the exception to the ḥērem — livestock and spoil were spared for plunder; cf. v. 28, 37.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with κτήνη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτήνηlivestock / cattleAccusativedirect object of ἐπρονομεύσαμεν→ object specificationκτῆνος (pl. κτήνη): 'beast / cattle / livestock'; renders בְּהֵמָה; the animals taken as plunder, exempt from the destruction visited on the people.
ἐπρονομεύσαμενwe took as plunderAor Act Indic 1 Pl · προνομεύωmain verb (the taking of livestock)→ constative aorist (the completed plundering)προνομεύω: 'plunder / take as spoil / forage'; renders בָּזַז; the technical term for seizing livestock and movable property as the spoils of war.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκῦλα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκῦλαspoil / plunderAccusativedirect object of ἐλάβομεν→ object specificationσκῦλον (pl. σκῦλα): 'spoil / plunder / booty'; renders שָׁלָל; the movable goods of the cities, taken as legitimate war-spoil.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with πόλεων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωνcitiesGenitivegenitive of source (with σκῦλα: 'spoil of the cities')→ relational specificationπόλις: 'city'; the cities whose goods were plundered.
ἐλάβομενwe tookAor Act Indic 1 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (the taking of spoil)→ constative aorist (the completed seizure of spoil)λαμβάνω: 'take / seize'; renders לָקַח / בָּזַז; the seizure of the cities' plunder, completing the account of what was spared from the ḥērem.
36
ἐξ Αροηρ ἥ ἐστιν παρὰ τὸ χεῖλος χειμάρρου Αρνων καὶ τὴν πόλιν τὴν οὖσαν ἐν τῇ φάραγγι καὶ ἕως ὄρους τοῦ Γαλααδ οὐκ ἐγενήθη πόλις ἥτις διέφυγεν ἡμᾶς τὰς πάσας παρέδωκεν κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν εἰς τὰς χεῖρας ἡμῶν.
From Aroer, which is on the brink of the wadi Arnon, and the city that is in the valley, even as far as the mountain of Gilead, there was no city that escaped us; the LORD our God delivered them all into our hands.
The conquest is summarized by its geographic sweep — from Aroer on the Arnon to Gilead — and its completeness: 'no city escaped us.' The closing clause reasserts the theological refrain: τὰς πάσας παρέδωκεν κύριος … εἰς τὰς χεῖρας ἡμῶν ('the LORD delivered them all into our hands'). The victory's totality is grounded once more in divine deliverance (παρέδωκεν, cf. vv. 24, 31, 33).
Word-by-word analysis· 39 words
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (starting point of the extent)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ (ἐξ before vowel): 'from'; marks the southern limit of the conquered territory.
ΑροηρAroerindeclinable place name (object of ἐξ)→ participant identificationΑροηρ: transliteration of עֲרֹעֵר; indeclinable; the town on the north rim of the Arnon gorge (cf. v. 29), the southern boundary of Sihon's conquered realm.
ἥwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐστιν, antecedent Αροηρ)→ participant referenceὅς: relative, feminine nominative (agreeing with the city Aroer); introduces the locating clause.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (locating Aroer)→ stative present (Aroer's fixed location)εἰμί: 'be'; the present locates Aroer geographically on the rim of the Arnon.
παρὰon / besidepreposition + accusative (position 'alongside')→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + acc.: 'beside / on'; locates Aroer on the edge of the wadi.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖλος)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖλοςbrink / edgeAccusativeaccusative object of παρά (the rim of the wadi)→ object specificationχεῖλος: 'lip / edge / brink / bank'; renders שָׂפָה; here the bank or 'lip' of the Arnon gorge, on which Aroer stands.
χειμάρρουof the wadi / torrentGenitivegenitive (with χεῖλος: 'edge of the wadi')→ relational specificationχείμαρρος: 'winter-torrent / wadi'; renders נַחַל; the seasonal river of the Arnon; here in the genitive defining the brink as that of the Arnon gorge.
ΑρνωνArnonindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relationship with χειμάρρου)→ participant identificationΑρνων: transliteration of אַרְנוֹן; the river-boundary, here named as the wadi on whose brink Aroer sits.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative (extending the conquered range: 'and the city in the valley')→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; the city in the valley (perhaps Ar, cf. v. 9), another point in the southern boundary description; the accusative is loosely construed within the geographic summary.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with the participle οὖσαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὖσανbeing / that isPres Act Part Acc Fem Sg · εἰμίattributive participle (modifying πόλιν)→ stative present participle (the city's fixed location)εἰμί (pres. part.): 'being'; the articular participle τὴν οὖσαν ('the one that is') functions as a relative clause locating the city within the valley/gorge.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with φάραγγι)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φάραγγιvalley / gorgeDativedative of place (with ἐν: 'in the valley')→ sphere or referenceφάραγξ: 'ravine / gorge / valley'; renders נַחַל; the Arnon gorge, in which the city lay; the same word used of the brooks Zared and Arnon (vv. 13, 24).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (spatial extent, northern limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'as far as / up to'; marks the northern limit of the conquered range — Gilead.
ὄρουςmountainGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (spatial terminus)→ relational specificationὄρος: 'mountain / hill country'; the highland of Gilead, the northern extent of Sihon's conquered land.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with Γαλααδ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΓαλααδGileadindeclinable place name (genitive of relationship: 'mountain of Gilead')→ participant identificationΓαλααδ: transliteration of Hebrew גִּלְעָד ('Gilead'); indeclinable; the Transjordanian highland north of Sihon's realm.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἐγενήθη)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: indicative negative; 'there was no city...'; asserts the totality of the conquest.
ἐγενήθηthere wasAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (with οὐ: 'there was no city')→ constative aorist (the settled fact of total conquest)γίνομαι (aor. pass.): 'be / come to be'; οὐκ ἐγενήθη πόλις ('there was no city') states that not one city in the whole range withstood Israel.
πόλιςcityNominativesubject of ἐγενήθη→ participant prominenceπόλις: 'city'; the subject — no city escaped.
ἥτιςthat / whichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of διέφυγεν)→ participant referenceὅστις: 'who / which'; the indefinite relative ('such as') introducing the clause — no city of such a kind as to escape.
διέφυγενescapedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διαφεύγωverb of relative clause (the escape that did not happen)→ constative aorist (the denied escape)διαφεύγω: 'escape / flee through / get away'; renders שָׂגַב / מָלַט; the compound διά- ('through / clean away') stresses total escape; no city eluded Israel's conquest.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of διέφυγεν→ participant referenceἐγώ (acc. pl. ἡμᾶς): 'us'; Israel, whom no city escaped.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with πάσας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πάσαςallAccusativesubstantival adjective (direct object of παρέδωκεν: 'them all')→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; τὰς πάσας ('them all') — all the cities, the object of the divine deliverance.
παρέδωκενdelivered upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb (the divine deliverance, summary)→ constative aorist (the completed handing-over)παραδίδωμι: 'hand over / deliver up'; the recurring holy-war keyword (cf. vv. 24, 31, 33); the summary statement ascribes the whole conquest to the LORD's deliverance.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of παρέδωκεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the giver of total victory; the covenant title κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν stresses divine agency.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenoun in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; Israel's covenant God, author of the victory.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession (with θεὸς)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. pl. ἡμῶν): 'our'; Israel's God.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (idiom 'into the hands')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: in the idiom εἰς τὰς χεῖρας ('into the hands of').
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραςhandsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiom 'into our hands')→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; εἰς τὰς χεῖρας ἡμῶν ('into our hands'), the holy-war delivery idiom (cf. vv. 24, 30).
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession (with χεῖρας)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. pl. ἡμῶν): 'our'; Israel, into whose hands all the cities were given.
37
πλὴν εἰς γῆν υἱῶν Αμμων οὐ προσήλθομεν πάντα τὰ συγκυροῦντα χειμάρρου Ιαβοκ καὶ τὰς πόλεις τὰς ἐν τῇ ὀρεινῇ καθότι ἐνετείλατο ἡμῖν κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν.
Only to the land of the sons of Ammon we did not draw near, all that borders the wadi Jabbok, and the cities in the hill country, just as the LORD our God commanded us.
The chapter closes by reaffirming the boundary of the conquest: Ammon's land — the region bordering the Jabbok and the hill-country cities — was deliberately not approached, καθότι ἐνετείλατο … κύριος ('just as the LORD commanded'). The final πλήν ('only') and the obedience-formula bring the chapter full circle: even in the flush of total victory over Sihon, Israel scrupulously honors the inheritance the LORD apportioned to the sons of Lot (vv. 19, 9).
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
πλὴνonlyrestrictive particle (introducing the final exception)→ discourse linkage or contrastπλήν: 'only / except'; renders רַק; introduces the limit of the conquest — Ammon's land was spared; cf. vv. 28, 35.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the land not approached)→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the Ammonite territory, deliberately left untouched.
υἱῶνof the sonsGenitivegenitive of possession (with γῆν: 'land of the sons of Ammon')→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Αμμων ('the sons of Ammon') = the Ammonites, whose land is inviolable (cf. v. 19).
ΑμμωνAmmonindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relationship with υἱῶν)→ participant identificationΑμμων: transliteration of עַמּוֹן (here spelled Αμμων; cf. Αμμαν at v. 19); the Ammonite nation, descendants of Lot.
οὐnotnegative particle (with προσήλθομεν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: indicative negative; 'we did not approach.'
προσήλθομενwe drew near / approachedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · προσέρχομαιmain verb (with οὐ: the restraint from Ammon)→ constative aorist (the deliberate non-approach)προσέρχομαι: 'approach / draw near / come to'; renders קָרַב; οὐ προσήλθομεν ('we did not approach') — Israel's scrupulous obedience to the prohibition against Ammon (v. 19).
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (with τὰ συγκυροῦντα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the whole border-region of the Jabbok, all of it left untouched.
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (with the participle συγκυροῦντα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συγκυροῦνταbordering / adjoiningPres Act Part Acc Neut Pl · συγκυρέωsubstantival participle (the bordering regions)→ durative present participle (the abiding adjacency)συγκυρέω: 'border on / adjoin / be adjacent to'; the substantival participle τὰ συγκυροῦντα ('the adjoining parts / the borderlands') denotes the territory bordering the Jabbok; renders יָד ('side / region') or the like; a precise geographic term for the contiguous Ammonite frontier.
χειμάρρουof the wadiGenitivegenitive (with συγκυροῦντα: 'bordering the wadi')→ relational specificationχείμαρρος: 'winter-torrent / wadi'; renders נַחַל; the Jabbok, the watercourse bordering the spared Ammonite region.
ΙαβοκJabbokindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relationship with χειμάρρου)→ participant identificationΙαβοκ: transliteration of Hebrew יַבֹּק ('Jabbok'); indeclinable; the Transjordanian river forming the Ammonite border (cf. Gen 32:22; Num 21:24).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with πόλεις)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλειςcitiesAccusativeaccusative (coordinate with τὰ συγκυροῦντα: the spared cities)→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; the Ammonite hill-country cities, also left unapproached.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with the prepositional phrase ἐν τῇ ὀρεινῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ὀρεινῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀρεινῇhill countryDativedative of place (with ἐν: 'in the hill country')→ sphere or referenceὀρεινός (fem. ὀρεινή as substantive): 'hill country / mountainous region'; renders הַר; the substantivized adjective ἡ ὀρεινή ('the hill country') denotes the Ammonite highland whose cities were spared.
καθότιjust ascomparative-causal conjunction (introducing the obedience-formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθότι: 'just as / according as'; renders כַּאֲשֶׁר; introduces the closing appeal to the divine command, framing Israel's restraint as obedience; cf. v. 14.
ἐνετείλατοcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb of the comparative clause (the divine command)→ constative aorist (the prior command honored)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / charge'; renders צִוָּה (Piel); the aorist points back to the LORD's prohibition against Ammon (v. 19); Israel's non-approach fulfils a divine command, closing the chapter on the note of obedience.
ἡμῖνusDativedative indirect object of ἐνετείλατο (those commanded)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. pl. ἡμῖν): 'us'; Israel, the recipients of the command.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐνετείλατο→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the commanding God; the covenant title κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν closes the chapter as it has recurred throughout (vv. 7, 29, 30, 33, 36).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεὸς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenoun in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; Israel's covenant God, whose command Israel obeyed in sparing Ammon.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession (with θεὸς)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. pl. ἡμῶν): 'our'; Israel's God, the final word of the chapter.