1
οὐ λήμψεται ἄνθρωπος τὴν γυναῖκα τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐκ ἀποκαλύψει συγκάλυμμα τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ
A man shall not take his father's wife, and he shall not uncover his father's skirt.
An apodictic incest-law expressed by the legal future-as-imperative (οὐ + future indicative), the standard LXX device for the Decalogue-style prohibition (rendering לֹא + imperfect). In the LXX/Hebrew this is 23:1; in most English Bibles it is the last verse of ch. 22 (22:30). The euphemism 'uncover the father's covering/skirt' (συγκάλυμμα) marks the violation of the father's marital domain (cf. Lev 18:8; Deut 27:20).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
οὐnotnegative particle (with future-as-imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: objective negative; with the future indicative λήμψεται it forms the apodictic legal prohibition ('shall not'), rendering Hebrew לֹא + imperfect.
λήμψεταιshall takeFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (legislative future with imperatival force)→ imperatival future (apodictic prohibition)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; the middle future λήμψεται (Hellenistic spelling with intrusive μ) renders Hebrew יִקַּח; 'take a wife' (γυναῖκα λαμβάνειν) is the idiom for marriage; here the prohibited 'taking' is of the father's wife (stepmother), an incestuous violation.
ἄνθρωποςa manNominativesubject (generic: 'anyone')→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man / person'; renders אִישׁ; the generic subject gives the law universal application to every male Israelite.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυναῖκαwifeAccusativedirect object (the father's wife)→ object specificationγυνή: 'woman / wife'; renders אִשָּׁה; here the father's wife — the stepmother, not the man's own mother — whose marital relation to the father makes the union incestuous (cf. Lev 18:8; the offense Paul condemns at 1 Cor 5:1).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship (whose wife)→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; renders אָב; the genitive marks the wife as belonging to the father's marital domain — the basis of the prohibition.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the man's own father)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the man's own father).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking parallel prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποκαλύψειshall uncoverFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκαλύπτωmain verb (parallel legislative future)→ imperatival future (apodictic prohibition)ἀποκαλύπτω: 'uncover / reveal'; renders גָּלָה; 'to uncover the covering/skirt of the father' is the standard biblical euphemism for sexual violation of the father's wife (cf. Lev 18:7–8; Deut 27:20); the verb explicates the bald euphemism behind 'take the wife.'
συγκάλυμμαcovering / skirtAccusativedirect object (that which is uncovered)→ object specificationσυγκάλυμμα: 'covering / veil / skirt'; renders כָּנָף ('wing / hem of the garment') as a euphemism for the father's marital privacy; 'uncovering the father's covering' = laying claim to the father's wife (cf. Ruth 3:9; Ezek 16:8 for the garment-spread idiom of marriage).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive of possession (whose covering)→ relational specificationπατρὸς: meaning 'father'; it serves as genitive of possession (whose covering).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
2
οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται θλαδίας καὶ ἀποκεκομμένος εἰς ἐκκλησίαν κυρίου
One emasculated by crushing or by cutting shall not enter into the assembly of the LORD.
The first of the assembly-exclusions, all sharing the frame οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται … εἰς ἐκκλησίαν κυρίου (vv. 2–4). The two terms θλαδίας ('crushed') and ἀποκεκομμένος ('cut off') name the two modes of emasculation. This exclusion is explicitly reversed for the faithful eunuch at Isa 56:3–5 and narratively overturned at Acts 8:27 (the Ethiopian eunuch baptized).
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
οὐκnotnegative particle (with future-as-imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσελεύσεταιshall enterFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (legislative future)→ imperatival future (apodictic exclusion)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go in'; renders בּוֹא; the refrain-verb of the exclusion-laws (vv. 2, 3, 4) and, in the positive, of the admissions (v. 9 εἰσελεύσονται); 'entering the assembly' denotes full membership in the cultic-civic congregation of Israel.
θλαδίαςone with crushed testiclesNominativesubject (first of two excluded classes)→ participant prominenceθλαδίας: 'one whose testicles are crushed' (from θλάω, 'crush / bruise'); renders פְּצוּעַ דַּכָּא ('wounded by crushing'); a technical term for one mode of emasculation, whether by accident or ritual castration.
καὶand / orcoordinate conjunction (joining the two classes)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποκεκομμένοςone cut off / castratedPerf Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἀποκόπτωsubstantival participle (second excluded class, subject)→ resultative perfect participle (settled condition of emasculation)ἀποκόπτω: 'cut off / sever'; the perfect passive participle ἀποκεκομμένος denotes one in the permanent state of having been castrated, rendering כְּרוּת שָׁפְכָה ('one whose male member is cut off'); Paul plays bitterly on this same verb at Gal 5:12.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (entry)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (entry).
ἐκκλησίανassemblyAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the congregation)→ object specificationἐκκλησία: 'assembly / congregation'; the standard LXX rendering of Hebrew קָהָל (the gathered covenant community); the phrase ἐκκλησία κυρίου ('assembly of the LORD') is the cultic-civic congregation of Israel; the term is taken up in the NT for the church (Matt 16:18; Acts 7:38 calls Israel ἡ ἐκκλησία ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ).
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (whose assembly)→ relational specificationκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the genitive κυρίου marks the assembly as belonging to YHWH — it is his congregation, hence the holiness-requirements for membership.
3
οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται ἐκ πόρνης εἰς ἐκκλησίαν κυρίου
One born of a harlot shall not enter into the assembly of the LORD.
The second exclusion, with the same refrain. The elliptical ἐκ πόρνης ('[one] from a harlot') renders Hebrew מַמְזֵר ('one of illegitimate / forbidden birth'); the LXX interprets it as a child born of an illicit union. The subject is implied ('one born from'), the prepositional phrase ἐκ πόρνης standing for the excluded person.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσελεύσεταιshall enterFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (legislative future, impersonal subject 'one')→ imperatival future (apodictic exclusion)εἰσέρχομαι: the implied subject is the person designated by ἐκ πόρνης; the verb carries the exclusion-refrain forward from v. 2.
ἐκfrom / born ofpreposition + genitive (origin: standing for the excluded subject)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'from / out of'; here of origin / parentage; ἐκ πόρνης = '[one born] from a harlot,' an elliptical rendering of Hebrew מַמְזֵר (a child of forbidden or illegitimate union).
πόρνηςa harlotGenitivegenitive of origin (object of ἐκ)→ relational specificationπόρνη: 'prostitute / harlot'; renders זוֹנָה; the LXX construes the obscure מַמְזֵר as offspring of an illicit union; the πόρνη word-group recurs in this chapter at vv. 18–19 (πόρνη, πορνεύων, μίσθωμα πόρνης).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (entry)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (entry).
ἐκκλησίανassemblyAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationἐκκλησία: 'assembly / congregation'; see on v. 2; the repeated phrase ἐκκλησίαν κυρίου binds the exclusion-laws into a unified refrain.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
4
οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται Αμμανίτης καὶ Μωαβίτης εἰς ἐκκλησίαν κυρίου καὶ ἕως δεκάτης γενεᾶς οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται εἰς ἐκκλησίαν κυρίου καὶ ἕως εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα
An Ammanite or a Moabite shall not enter into the assembly of the LORD; even to the tenth generation he shall not enter into the assembly of the LORD, even forever,
The third and most emphatic exclusion: the Ammanite and Moabite are barred 'to the tenth generation' and 'forever' (ἕως εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα), a doubled perpetuity-formula. The reason follows in vv. 5–6 (the failure to provide bread and water, and the hiring of Balaam). Contrast the third-generation admission of Edom and Egypt (v. 9); the Moabite exclusion forms the legal backdrop to the book of Ruth (Ruth the Moabitess in David's line).
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσελεύσεταιshall enterFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (legislative future; singular with the nearer subject)→ imperatival future (apodictic exclusion)εἰσέρχομαι: the singular verb governs the compound subject Αμμανίτης καὶ Μωαβίτης by agreement with the nearer noun (or treating the gentilic collectively).
ΑμμανίτηςAmmaniteNominativesubject (first gentilic)→ participant prominenceἈμμανίτης: gentilic 'Ammonite / Ammanite' (LXX spelling with -αν-), rendering עַמּוֹנִי; the Ammonites, descended from Lot (Gen 19:38), are excluded together with the Moabites for their hostility during the wilderness journey.
καὶand / orcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΜωαβίτηςMoabiteNominativesubject (second gentilic)→ participant prominenceΜωαβίτης: gentilic 'Moabite,' rendering מוֹאָבִי; the Moabites, also descended from Lot, hired Balaam (vv. 5–6); this exclusion is the legal foil for the book of Ruth, where Ruth the Moabitess is grafted into the line of David (Ruth 4:13–22).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
ἐκκλησίανassemblyAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationἐκκλησία: see on v. 2.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationκυρίου: meaning 'of the LORD'; it serves as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing perpetuity-clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἕωςto / untilpreposition + genitive (temporal extent)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / as far as'; with δεκάτης γενεᾶς it marks temporal extent ('down to the tenth generation'); the tenth generation functions as a hyperbole for indefinite perpetuity, reinforced by the following εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
δεκάτηςtenthGenitiveattributive ordinal (modifying γενεᾶς)→ relational specificationδέκατος: ordinal 'tenth'; renders עֲשִׂירִי; 'the tenth generation' is a round number signifying remote perpetuity, contrasted with the 'third generation' admission of Edom and Egypt (v. 9).
γενεᾶςgenerationGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (temporal limit)→ relational specificationγενεά: 'generation'; renders דּוֹר; the same noun governs the admission-clause of v. 9 (γενεὰ τρίτη), making the contrast of tenth vs. third generation explicit.
οὐκnotnegative particle (resumptive)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσελεύσεταιshall enterFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (resumptive repetition of the prohibition)→ imperatival future (apodictic exclusion)εἰσέρχομαι: the verb is repeated for emphasis, framing the tenth-generation clause; such resumptive repetition is a Hebraizing rhetorical intensifier.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
ἐκκλησίανassemblyAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationἐκκλησίαν: meaning 'assembly'; it serves as accusative object of εἰς.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationκυρίου: meaning 'of the LORD'; it serves as genitive of possession.
καὶand / evencoordinate conjunction (intensifying)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἕωςeven untoimproper preposition (with following εἰς, perpetuity)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: here piled redundantly with εἰς to form ἕως εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ('even unto forever'), a heaping of prepositions calquing the Hebrew עַד עוֹלָם and reinforcing the permanence of the exclusion.
εἰςuntopreposition + accusative (perpetuity)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'unto'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (perpetuity).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἰῶναage / foreverAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (perpetuity: 'forever')→ object specificationαἰών: 'age / eternity'; the phrase εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ('forever') renders לְעוֹלָם; combined with 'the tenth generation' it makes the exclusion of Ammon and Moab maximally perpetual.
5
παρὰ τὸ μὴ συναντῆσαι αὐτοὺς ὑμῖν μετὰ ἄρτων καὶ ὕδατος ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ ἐκπορευομένων ὑμῶν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου καὶ ὅτι ἐμισθώσαντο ἐπὶ σὲ τὸν Βαλααμ υἱὸν Βεωρ ἐκ τῆς Μεσοποταμίας καταράσασθαί σε
because they did not meet you with bread and water on the way as you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam son of Beor from Mesopotamia to curse you.
The double rationale for the perpetual exclusion: (1) they failed to meet Israel with bread and water on the wilderness road (the articular-infinitive causal construction παρὰ τὸ μὴ συναντῆσαι), and (2) they hired Balaam to curse Israel (the ὅτι-clause). The two grounds — hostility of provision and hostility of word — explain the severity. Balaam son of Beor and the curse-turned-blessing (Num 22–24) is the pivotal episode.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
παρὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (with articular infinitive: causal)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + accusative articular infinitive: 'because of / on account of'; παρὰ τὸ μὴ συναντῆσαι is a causal construction ('because of their not meeting'), a Greek idiom rendering the Hebrew causal עַל דְּבַר אֲשֶׁר ('on account of the fact that').
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing the infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτό: the neuter article nominalizes the infinitive συναντῆσαι, making it the object of the causal παρά.
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative proper to the infinitive; 'because of their not meeting.'
συναντῆσαιto meetAor Act Inf · συναντάωarticular infinitive (causal: 'their not meeting')→ constative aorist infinitive (the failure as a single fact)συναντάω: 'meet / encounter'; renders קָדַם ('come to meet / receive with provisions'); the charge is failure of hospitality — they did not come out to greet Israel with food and water on the journey (cf. Num 20:14–21 for Edom's refusal, here applied to Moab/Ammon).
αὐτοὺςtheyAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive (the Ammanites/Moabites)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the accusative subject of the infinitive, referring back to the Ammanite and Moabite of v. 4.
ὑμῖνyouDativedative object of συναντῆσαι (whom they failed to meet)→ participant reference or interestσύ (pl.): the second-person plural shifts to address Israel directly; συναντάω takes a dative of the person met.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
ἄρτωνbread / loavesGenitivegenitive object of μετά (provision withheld)→ relational specificationἄρτος: 'bread / loaf'; renders לֶחֶם; 'bread and water' is a merism for basic hospitality and sustenance, the provision the Moabites/Ammonites refused.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὕδατοςwaterGenitivegenitive object of μετά (parallel to ἄρτων)→ relational specificationὕδωρ: 'water'; renders מַיִם; with ἄρτος forms the standard merism of elementary provision.
ἐνin / onpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδῷway / roadDativedative of place (on the journey)→ sphere or referenceὁδός: 'way / road / journey'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; 'on the way' locates the offense during the wilderness wandering after the Exodus.
ἐκπορευομένωνcoming outPres Mid Ptcp Gen Pl Masc · ἐκπορεύομαιgenitive absolute participle (temporal: 'as you came out')→ imperfective present participle (action contemporaneous with the journey)ἐκπορεύομαι: 'go out / come forth'; the genitive absolute ἐκπορευομένων ὑμῶν ('while you were coming out') sets the temporal frame as the Exodus departure; the present aspect views the going-out as ongoing.
ὑμῶνof youGenitivegenitive subject of the genitive-absolute participle→ relational specificationσύ (pl.): the genitive subject of the absolute construction (Israel).
ἐξout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ (place of origin)→ relational specificationΑἴγυπτος: standard LXX form of מִצְרַיִם; 'coming out of Egypt' anchors the failure of Moab/Ammon at the foundational Exodus moment.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing second ground)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (second rationale)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the second and graver ground — the hiring of Balaam; the shift from the articular-infinitive construction to a finite ὅτι-clause varies the syntax of the two charges.
ἐμισθώσαντοthey hiredAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · μισθόωmain verb of the ὅτι-clause (the hostile act)→ constative aorist (the completed act of hiring)μισθόω (mid.): 'hire / engage for wages'; renders שָׂכַר; the middle voice ('hired for themselves') points to the Moabite/Ammonite initiative in engaging Balaam against Israel (Num 22:5–7); the μισθ- root echoes the 'wages' theme later in the chapter (μίσθωμα, v. 19).
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: here hostile, 'against you'; the same hostile-ἐπί appears in war contexts (v. 10, ἐπὶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς).
σὲyouAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (Israel as target)→ participant referenceσύ (sg.): the singular 'you' (collective Israel) is the target of the hired curse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with proper name)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒαλααμBalaamaccusative object of ἐμισθώσαντο (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliteration of Hebrew בִּלְעָם; indeclinable in the LXX; the seer hired to curse Israel (Num 22–24), whose curse YHWH overturned into blessing (v. 6); in the NT he is a type of the false prophet for gain (2 Pet 2:15; Jude 11; Rev 2:14).
υἱὸνsonAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Βαλααμ→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; renders בֶּן; the patronymic 'son of Beor' identifies Balaam precisely (cf. Num 22:5).
ΒεωρBeorgenitive of relationship (indeclinable name: 'son of Beor')→ participant identificationΒεωρ: transliteration of Hebrew בְּעוֹר; indeclinable; the father of Balaam.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (place of origin)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (place of origin).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΜεσοποταμίαςMesopotamiaGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (Balaam's homeland)→ relational specificationΜεσοποταμία: 'Mesopotamia' (lit. 'between the rivers'); the LXX rendering of אֲרַם נַהֲרַיִם / פְּתוֹר; Balaam's distant homeland underlines the lengths to which Moab went to procure the curse.
καταράσασθαίto curseAor Mid Inf · καταράομαιinfinitive of purpose (why Balaam was hired)→ telic aorist infinitive (purpose: in order to curse)καταράομαι: 'curse / call down a curse'; renders קָבַב / אָרַר; the purpose-infinitive states the aim of the hiring; the intended curse is the very thing YHWH reverses into blessing in v. 6 (κατάρας εἰς εὐλογίαν).
σεyouAccusativeaccusative object of καταράσασθαι (Israel)→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of καταράσασθαι (Israel).
6
καὶ οὐκ ἠθέλησεν κύριος ὁ θεός σου εἰσακοῦσαι τοῦ Βαλααμ καὶ μετέστρεψεν κύριος ὁ θεός σου τὰς κατάρας εἰς εὐλογίαν ὅτι ἠγάπησέν σε κύριος ὁ θεός σου
But the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam, and the LORD your God turned the curses into a blessing, because the LORD your God loved you.
The theological heart of the unit: YHWH refused to heed Balaam and turned the curses into a blessing — and the ground (ὅτι) is divine love (ἠγάπησέν σε). The thrice-repeated κύριος ὁ θεός σου ('the LORD your God') hammers the covenant relation. The reversal κατάρας εἰς εὐλογίαν ('curse into blessing') epitomizes Num 22–24 and undergirds Paul's logic that no enemy's word can stand against those God loves (cf. Rom 8:31–39).
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶbut / andcoordinate conjunction (adversative-narrative)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἠθέλησενwas willingAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θέλωmain verb (divine refusal)→ constative aorist (settled refusal of the divine will)θέλω: 'will / wish / be willing'; renders אָבָה; 'the LORD would not (was not willing to) listen' frames the reversal as an act of sovereign will — YHWH's refusal of Balaam's commission is deliberate and decisive.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the divine name heads the clause, stressing YHWH's sovereign agency over the curse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the apposition κύριος ὁ θεός σου ('the LORD your God,' rendering יהוה אֱלֹהֶיךָ) is the chapter's recurring covenant formula (vv. 6, 15, 19, 21, 22, 24).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (covenant possessive)→ relational specificationσύ (sg.): the possessive 'your' personalizes the relationship — not merely 'the LORD' but 'the LORD your God.'
εἰσακοῦσαιto listen toAor Act Inf · εἰσακούωcomplementary infinitive (with ἠθέλησεν)→ constative aorist infinitive (the heeding YHWH refused)εἰσακούω: 'listen to / heed / obey'; renders שָׁמַע (with the nuance of giving favorable attention); YHWH would not 'hearken to' Balaam — i.e. grant the curse its requested force.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with proper name)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒαλααμBalaamgenitive object of εἰσακοῦσαι (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: εἰσακούω governs the genitive of the person heard; see on v. 5.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μετέστρεψενturned / changedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μεταστρέφωmain verb (the reversal)→ constative aorist (the decisive transformation of the curse)μεταστρέφω: 'turn about / change / transform'; renders הָפַךְ; 'turned the curses into a blessing' is the theological climax — the very instrument of harm becomes the channel of blessing (cf. Neh 13:2; the same verb underlies Joel 3:4 LXX and the broader 'turning' motif).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (resumptive)→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'LORD'; it serves as subject (resumptive).
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as nominative in apposition to κύριος.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατάραςcursesAccusativedirect object of μετέστρεψεν (what was transformed)→ object specificationκατάρα: 'curse'; renders קְלָלָה; cognate with the verb καταράσασθαι (v. 5); the curses Balaam intended are the object YHWH transmutes into εὐλογία.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (transformation: 'into')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: here of transformation/result ('changed X into Y'); the construction μεταστρέφω … εἰς marks the curse's conversion into its opposite.
εὐλογίανblessingAccusativeaccusative of result (what the curse became)→ object specificationεὐλογία: 'blessing'; renders בְּרָכָה; the antithesis of κατάρα; the curse-to-blessing reversal is the Balaam narrative's theological signature (Num 23:11; 24:10) and a paradigm of God's protective love.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (ground of the reversal)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the deepest ground of the reversal — not Israel's merit but YHWH's love.
ἠγάπησένlovedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀγαπάωmain verb of the causal clause (divine love)→ constative aorist (the abiding fact of God's elective love)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; renders אָהַב; the elective covenant-love of YHWH for Israel (cf. Deut 7:7–8; 10:15) is here the explanatory ground of his protective reversal of Balaam's curse — love issues in deliverance.
σεyouAccusativeaccusative object of ἠγάπησεν (Israel as beloved)→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἠγάπησεν (Israel as beloved).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (third occurrence of the divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'LORD'; it serves as subject (third occurrence of the divine name).
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as nominative in apposition to κύριος.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (covenant possessive, closing the verse)→ relational specificationσύ (sg.): the third κύριος ὁ θεός σου closes the verse with covenant emphasis — the love is grounded in the personal relationship.
7
οὐ προσαγορεύσεις εἰρηνικὰ αὐτοῖς καὶ συμφέροντα αὐτοῖς πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας σου εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα
You shall not address peaceable words to them or things profitable to them all your days forever.
The practical corollary: Israel is to seek neither peace (εἰρηνικά) nor the prosperity (συμφέροντα) of Moab and Ammon — a standing posture 'all your days forever.' The second-person singular shifts from the third-person legal frame of vv. 2–4 to direct address. Compare Ezra 9:12, which echoes this prohibition.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
οὐnotnegative particle (with future-as-imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσαγορεύσειςyou shall address / proposeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · προσαγορεύωmain verb (legislative future, direct address)→ imperatival future (standing prohibition)προσαγορεύω: 'address / greet / propose to'; here 'speak to (someone) terms of peace,' rendering דָּרַשׁ שָׁלוֹם ('seek the peace/welfare of'); Israel is forbidden to negotiate the welfare of Moab and Ammon.
εἰρηνικὰpeaceable thingsAccusativedirect object (substantival adjective: 'terms of peace')→ object specificationεἰρηνικός: 'peaceful / peaceable'; the neuter plural εἰρηνικά ('peaceable things / words of peace') renders שָׁלוֹם; Israel is not to propose peace-terms or seek the welfare of these nations.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of indirect object (Moab and Ammon)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: the dative refers to the Ammanites and Moabites of v. 4.
καὶand / orcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συμφέρονταthings profitablePres Act Ptcp Acc Pl Neut · συμφέρωsubstantival participle (direct object: 'their advantage')→ imperfective present participle (general / characteristic benefit)συμφέρω: 'be profitable / advantageous'; the neuter plural participle τὰ συμφέροντα ('things beneficial / their advantage') renders טוֹבָה ('welfare / good'); Israel is to seek neither the peace nor the prosperity of Moab and Ammon (cf. Ezra 9:12, οὐ ζητήσετε εἰρήνην αὐτῶν καὶ ἀγαθὸν αὐτῶν).
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of advantage (parallel to first αὐτοῖς)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (parallel to first αὐτοῖς).
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / every'; with ἡμέρας forms the accusative of temporal extent ('all your days').
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of temporal extent ('all your days')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; renders יוֹם; πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας σου ('all your days') marks the prohibition as a perpetual standing posture, reinforced by εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰςuntopreposition + accusative (perpetuity)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'unto'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (perpetuity).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἰῶναage / foreverAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (perpetuity)→ object specificationαἰών: 'age'; εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα ('forever') matches the perpetuity of the exclusion in v. 4, making the prohibition permanent.
8
οὐ βδελύξῃ Ιδουμαῖον ὅτι ἀδελφός σού ἐστιν οὐ βδελύξῃ Αἰγύπτιον ὅτι πάροικος ἐγένου ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτοῦ
You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother; you shall not abhor an Egyptian, for you were a sojourner in his land.
The counter-movement to the exclusions: two nations are NOT to be abhorred — the Edomite (kinship: 'your brother,' descended from Esau) and the Egyptian (history: Israel sojourned in his land). The verb βδελύσσομαι ('abhor / treat as abomination') ties this to the cultic βδέλυγμα-language of v. 19. The grounds — brotherhood and shared sojourn — set up the third-generation admission of v. 9.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βδελύξῃyou shall abhorFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · βδελύσσομαιmain verb (legislative future, direct address)→ imperatival future (standing prohibition)βδελύσσομαι: 'abhor / loathe / regard as abomination'; renders תָּעַב (Piel); the verb is cognate with βδέλυγμα ('abomination,' v. 19); Israel is forbidden to treat Edom or Egypt as cultically abominable — a deliberate contrast to the abomination-language elsewhere.
ΙδουμαῖονEdomiteAccusativedirect object (first admitted nation)→ object specificationἸδουμαῖος: gentilic 'Idumean / Edomite,' rendering אֲדֹמִי; the Edomites descend from Esau, Jacob's brother (Gen 25:30; 36:1), hence 'your brother'; the kinship grounds their non-rejection.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (ground of admission)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the kinship-ground for not abhorring Edom.
ἀδελφόςbrotherNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐστιν)→ participant prominenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; renders אָח; Edom is Israel's 'brother' through Esau and Jacob (cf. Num 20:14, 'thus says your brother Israel'); the fraternal bond mitigates the prohibition.
σούyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσού: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ἐστινhe isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (linking subject and predicate)→ stative present (abiding kinship fact)εἰμί: 'be'; the present copula states the enduring kinship — Edom is and remains Israel's brother.
οὐnotnegative particle (second prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βδελύξῃyou shall abhorFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · βδελύσσομαιmain verb (parallel legislative future)→ imperatival future (standing prohibition)βδελύσσομαι: the repetition (anaphora) gives the two admissions parallel rhetorical weight.
ΑἰγύπτιονEgyptianAccusativedirect object (second admitted nation)→ object specificationΑἰγύπτιος: gentilic 'Egyptian,' rendering מִצְרִי; despite the bondage, Egypt was Israel's host during the sojourn, so the Egyptian is not to be abhorred — a remarkable magnanimity given the Exodus.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (ground of admission)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: introduces the historical-ground for not abhorring Egypt.
πάροικοςa sojourner / resident alienNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐγένου)→ participant prominenceπάροικος: 'sojourner / resident alien'; renders גֵּר; Israel's status as πάροικος in Egypt (cf. Exod 2:22; Acts 7:6) becomes the ground of gratitude rather than grievance — the shared experience of sojourning tempers hostility.
ἐγένουyou became / wereAor Mid Indic 2 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb of causal clause (Israel's past status)→ constative aorist (the completed historical sojourn)γίνομαι: 'become / be'; renders הָיָה; 'you were a sojourner' recalls the formative experience of dwelling in Egypt — invoked elsewhere as motive for compassion toward the stranger (Exod 22:21; Deut 10:19).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῇlandDativedative of place (in Egypt's land)→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land / earth'; renders אֶרֶץ; 'in his land' = in Egypt, the place of Israel's sojourn.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the Egyptian's land)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the Egyptian's land).
9
υἱοὶ ἐὰν γενηθῶσιν αὐτοῖς γενεὰ τρίτη εἰσελεύσονται εἰς ἐκκλησίαν κυρίου
Sons, if they be born to them, in the third generation shall enter into the assembly of the LORD.
The positive ruling closing unit A: the children born to Edomites and Egyptians enter the assembly in the third generation — a sharp contrast to the tenth-generation-and-forever exclusion of Moab and Ammon (v. 4). The fronted υἱοί ('sons') is a casus pendens picked up by the verb εἰσελεύσονται. The third-generation timeline embodies measured inclusion.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (fronted nominative / casus pendens)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; renders בֵּן; the fronted plural 'sons' (the offspring born to Edomites/Egyptians) is the subject resumed by εἰσελεύσονται; their admission is generational, not immediate.
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the third-class condition with the subjunctive γενηθῶσιν ('if they be born').
γενηθῶσινthey be bornAor Pass Subj 3 Pl · γίνομαιverb of the conditional clause→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (coming into being / being born)γίνομαι (aor. pass.): 'be born / come to be'; renders יִוָּלְדוּ; 'if sons be born to them' specifies the descendants of the admitted Edomites/Egyptians.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of possession/advantage (to the Edomites/Egyptians)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: the dative 'to them' refers to the Edomites and Egyptians of v. 8 whose descendants are in view.
γενεὰgenerationNominativenominative of time (adverbial: 'in the third generation')→ participant prominenceγενεά: 'generation'; renders דּוֹר; γενεὰ τρίτη ('the third generation') stands in deliberate antithesis to δεκάτη γενεά of v. 4 — measured inclusion against perpetual exclusion.
τρίτηthirdNominativeattributive ordinal (modifying γενεά)→ participant prominenceτρίτος: ordinal 'third'; the third generation marks the point at which Edomite/Egyptian descendants gain full congregational membership.
εἰσελεύσονταιshall enterFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (positive admission; plural with υἱοί)→ predictive future (granted future right of entry)εἰσέρχομαι: the same verb that carried the exclusions (vv. 2–4) here, now in the affirmative plural, grants entry — the positive counterpart of οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
ἐκκλησίανassemblyAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationἐκκλησία: see on v. 2; the closing repetition of ἐκκλησίαν κυρίου rounds off the assembly-unit (vv. 2–9).
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
10
ἐὰν δὲ ἐξέλθῃς παρεμβαλεῖν ἐπὶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου καὶ φυλάξῃ ἀπὸ παντὸς ῥήματος πονηροῦ
But if you go out to encamp against your enemies, then you shall keep yourself from every evil thing.
δέ opens the war-camp holiness unit (vv. 10–15). The conditional protasis (going out to encamp against enemies) introduces the general principle — keep from every evil thing — which the following verses specify (nocturnal uncleanness, latrine etiquette). ῥῆμα πονηρόν ('evil thing/matter') is a comprehensive heading for ritual and moral defilement in the camp.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; with the subjunctive ἐξέλθῃς introduces the protasis governing the war-camp legislation.
δὲbut / nownarrative-transitional particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: 'but / now'; marks the shift to a new legal topic (camp holiness).
ἐξέλθῃςyou go outAor Act Subj 2 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιverb of the protasis (going out to war)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (setting out to campaign)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / go forth'; renders יָצָא; 'go out to encamp' is the idiom for setting out on a military campaign (cf. Deut 20:1; 21:10).
παρεμβαλεῖνto encampAor Act Inf · παρεμβάλλωinfinitive of purpose (why you go out)→ telic aorist infinitive (purpose: to pitch camp)παρεμβάλλω: 'encamp / draw up in battle array'; cognate with παρεμβολή ('camp,' vv. 11–15), the keyword of this unit; the purpose-infinitive frames the military encampment as the setting for the holiness-rules.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: hostile 'against'; the encampment is for war against enemies.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθρούςenemiesAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy / foe'; renders אֹיֵב; the same word recurs at v. 15 (the enemy YHWH gives up before Israel), binding the unit together.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
καὶthen / andapodotic καί (introducing the main command)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here apodotic ('then'), a Hebraizing use linking protasis to apodosis (rendering the Hebrew waw of apodosis).
φυλάξῃyou shall keep yourselfFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · φυλάσσωmain verb (apodosis: the general command)→ imperatival future (standing requirement of self-guarding)φυλάσσω (mid.): 'guard oneself / beware / keep'; renders שָׁמַר (Niphal, 'keep oneself'); the middle 'keep yourself from every evil thing' is the comprehensive heading for camp-purity; the same verb recurs at v. 24 (keeping one's vow).
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; with φυλάσσομαι marks that from which one guards oneself.
παντὸςeveryGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ῥήματος)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'every / all'; the comprehensive 'every evil thing' makes the command a catch-all for all forms of defilement in the camp.
ῥήματοςthing / matterGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (what to guard from)→ relational specificationῥῆμα: 'word / thing / matter'; here in the Hebraizing sense of דָּבָר ('thing / matter'), not 'spoken word'; ῥῆμα πονηρόν = 'every evil matter,' i.e. anything that would defile the camp.
πονηροῦevilGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ῥήματος)→ relational specificationπονηρός: 'evil / bad'; renders רַע; qualifies the comprehensive 'matter' — every defiling or wicked thing is to be avoided in the holy camp.
11
ἐὰν ᾖ ἐν σοὶ ἄνθρωπος ὃς οὐκ ἔσται καθαρὸς ἐκ ῥύσεως αὐτοῦ νυκτός καὶ ἐξελεύσεται ἔξω τῆς παρεμβολῆς καὶ οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν
If there be among you a man who is not clean from a nocturnal emission, then he shall go outside the camp and shall not enter into the camp.
The first concrete application: a man rendered unclean by a nocturnal emission (ῥύσις) must withdraw from the camp. The protasis (ἐὰν ᾖ) and the relative clause (ὃς οὐκ ἔσται καθαρός) define the case; the apodosis prescribes exit and exclusion until purification (v. 12). καθαρός / ῥύσις are the technical purity-vocabulary (cf. Lev 15).
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the specific case with the subjunctive ᾖ.
ᾖthere bePres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of the protasis (existential: 'if there be')→ stative present subjunctive (existential condition)εἰμί: 'be'; the existential subjunctive ('if there be among you a man') posits the hypothetical case.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (locative: 'among you')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'among you').
σοὶyouDativedative object of ἐν (the collective Israel/camp)→ participant reference or interestσύ (sg.): 'among you' = within the camp of Israel.
ἄνθρωποςa manNominativesubject of ᾖ→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man / person'; renders אִישׁ; the generic man whose case is legislated.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἔσται)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun introducing the descriptive clause defining the man's condition.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (the man's state)→ predictive future (the condition described)εἰμί: 'be'; 'who will not be clean' describes the man's ritual state resulting from the emission.
καθαρὸςcleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceκαθαρός: 'clean / pure'; renders טָהוֹר; the technical purity-term; the man is 'not clean' by reason of the nocturnal emission, requiring temporary exclusion (cf. Lev 15:16).
ἐκfrom / by reason ofpreposition + genitive (cause/source of uncleanness)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'from / out of'; here causal, 'by reason of his emission.'
ῥύσεωςemission / fluxGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (cause of uncleanness)→ relational specificationῥύσις: 'flow / discharge / emission'; renders קֶרִי / מִקְרֵה־לַיְלָה ('nocturnal occurrence'); the technical term for a seminal discharge causing temporary ritual uncleanness (cf. Lev 15:1–18, where ῥύσις is the standard rendering for bodily fluxes).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
νυκτόςby nightGenitivegenitive of time (when the emission occurred)→ relational specificationνύξ: 'night'; the genitive of time νυκτός ('by night') renders לָיְלָה; specifies the nocturnal occurrence that causes the uncleanness.
καὶthen / andapodotic καί (introducing the prescription)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic 'then'; links the case to its prescribed remedy.
ἐξελεύσεταιhe shall go outFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (prescription: withdraw from camp)→ imperatival future (mandated withdrawal)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; the unclean man must leave the camp until purified — the same separation-principle that governs the leper and the discharged (Lev 13–15; Num 5:2–3).
ἔξωoutsideimproper preposition + genitive (outside the camp)→ spatial or relational framingἔξω: 'outside / out'; with the genitive τῆς παρεμβολῆς ('outside the camp') marks the place of temporary exclusion; cf. Heb 13:11–13 ('outside the camp').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῆςcampGenitivegenitive with ἔξω (the camp)→ relational specificationπαρεμβολή: 'camp / encampment'; renders מַחֲנֶה; the keyword of the unit (vv. 11–15), the war-camp that must be kept holy because YHWH walks in its midst (v. 15).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσελεύσεταιshall enterFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (prohibition of re-entry until cleansed)→ imperatival future (prohibited re-entry)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter'; the man must not re-enter the camp until purified (the conditions of v. 12 are met).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολήνcampAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationπαρεμβολή: see above; the camp from which he is temporarily barred.
12
καὶ ἔσται τὸ πρὸς ἑσπέραν λούσεται τὸ σῶμα αὐτοῦ ὕδατι καὶ δεδυκότος ἡλίου εἰσελεύσεται εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν
And it shall be toward evening he shall wash his body with water, and when the sun has set he shall enter into the camp.
The remedy and re-admission: toward evening he washes with water, and at sunset (genitive absolute δεδυκότος ἡλίου) he may re-enter the camp. The καὶ ἔσται ('and it shall be') is a Hebraizing temporal frame (וְהָיָה). Washing-plus-sundown is the standard purification timeline (cf. Lev 15:16; 22:6–7).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing temporal frame)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίimpersonal verb (temporal frame: 'and it shall come to pass')→ futuristic (Hebraizing temporal formula)εἰμί: the formula καὶ ἔσται renders the Hebrew וְהָיָה ('and it shall come to pass'), a temporal-sequential marker introducing the timing of the purification.
τὸthe (time)Accusativearticle (substantivizing the adverbial phrase: 'the toward-evening')→ noun-phrase markingτό: the neuter article nominalizes the prepositional phrase πρὸς ἑσπέραν ('the time toward evening'), making it an adverbial accusative of time.
πρὸςtowardpreposition + accusative (temporal approximation)→ spatial or relational framingπρός + accusative: 'toward / about'; πρὸς ἑσπέραν ('toward evening') gives the time for the washing.
ἑσπέρανeveningAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (time of washing)→ object specificationἑσπέρα: 'evening'; renders עֶרֶב; 'toward evening' is the time for the purificatory washing, preceding the sunset re-entry.
λούσεταιhe shall washFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · λούωmain verb (the purificatory washing)→ imperatival future (mandated washing)λούω (mid.): 'wash / bathe (oneself)'; renders רָחַץ; the middle 'wash himself / his body' denotes full-body ablution, the standard means of cleansing from a ῥύσις (Lev 15:16).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σῶμαbodyAccusativedirect object of λούσεται (what is washed)→ object specificationσῶμα: 'body'; renders בָּשָׂר ('flesh'); 'wash his body with water' specifies full ablution.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὕδατιwith waterDativedative of instrument (means of washing)→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ: 'water'; renders מַיִם; the instrumental dative names the cleansing agent.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δεδυκότοςhaving setPerf Act Ptcp Gen Sg Masc · δύωgenitive absolute participle (temporal: 'when the sun has set')→ resultative perfect participle (completed setting, abiding state of nightfall)δύω: 'set / go down (of the sun)'; the perfect participle δεδυκότος in the genitive absolute δεδυκότος ἡλίου ('the sun having set') marks the precise moment of re-admission; the perfect aspect stresses the accomplished state of sundown (cf. Lev 22:7, the sunset that completes purification).
ἡλίουsunGenitivegenitive subject of the genitive-absolute participle→ relational specificationἥλιος: 'sun'; renders שֶׁמֶשׁ; the setting sun marks the close of the day of uncleanness and the moment of restored purity.
εἰσελεύσεταιhe shall enterFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (restored re-entry)→ permissive future (granted re-entry after purification)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter'; the purified man may now re-enter the camp — the reversal of the οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται of v. 11.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολήνcampAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationπαρεμβολή: 'camp'; the restored man returns to the holy encampment.
13
καὶ τόπος ἔσται σοι ἔξω τῆς παρεμβολῆς καὶ ἐξελεύσῃ ἐκεῖ ἔξω
And you shall have a place outside the camp, and you shall go out there outside.
The second concrete case (latrine etiquette, vv. 13–14): a designated place (τόπος) outside the camp where one relieves oneself. The dative of possession (τόπος ἔσται σοι, 'you shall have a place') and the euphemistic ἐξελεύσῃ ἐκεῖ ('go out there') keep the matter discreet. The principle: even bodily functions are removed from the holy camp.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the second case)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τόποςplaceNominativesubject (the designated latrine-place)→ participant prominenceτόπος: 'place / spot'; renders יָד ('place / appointed spot') here; the designated location outside the camp for relieving oneself, kept apart from the holy encampment.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existence-with-dative: 'you shall have')→ imperatival future (mandated provision)εἰμί: 'be'; with the dative σοι forms the idiom of possession ('there shall be to you a place' = 'you shall have a place').
σοιto you / for youDativedative of possession→ participant reference or interestσύ (sg.): the dative of possession; 'you shall have a place.'
ἔξωoutsideimproper preposition + genitive (outside the camp)→ spatial or relational framingἔξω: 'outside'; with τῆς παρεμβολῆς locates the latrine outside the camp's bounds.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῆςcampGenitivegenitive with ἔξω→ relational specificationπαρεμβολή: 'camp'; the keyword again — the latrine lies beyond the holy camp.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξελεύσῃyou shall go outFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (direct address: go out to that place)→ imperatival future (mandated practice)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; the second-person 'you shall go out there' is the discreet euphemism for going to relieve oneself outside the camp.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (to that place)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; points to the designated τόπος outside the camp.
ἔξωoutsideadverb of place (reinforcing 'outside')→ clausal contributionἔξω: 'outside'; the repeated ἔξω emphasizes the removal of the act beyond the camp.
14
καὶ πάσσαλος ἔσται σοι ἐπὶ τῆς ζώνης σου καὶ ἔσται ὅταν διακαθιζάνῃς ἔξω καὶ ὀρύξεις ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐπαγαγὼν καλύψεις τὴν ἀσχημοσύνην σου ἐν αὐτῷ
And you shall have a peg on your belt, and it shall be, whenever you sit down outside, you shall dig with it, and turning back you shall cover your excrement with it.
The practical equipment and procedure: a peg (πάσσαλος) carried on the belt, used to dig (ὀρύξεις) and then to cover (καλύψεις) one's excrement (ἀσχημοσύνη). The καὶ ἔσται ὅταν ('and it shall be, whenever') is a Hebraizing iterative frame. The fastidious burial of waste enacts the camp-holiness grounded theologically in v. 15.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάσσαλοςpeg / stakeNominativesubject ('you shall have a peg')→ participant prominenceπάσσαλος: 'peg / stake / pin'; renders יָתֵד ('tent-peg / spade'); a small digging-implement carried on the belt for burying excrement — a vivid concrete detail of camp hygiene.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (possession with dative)→ imperatival future (mandated provision)εἰμί: with σοι, 'you shall have a peg.'
σοιto you / for youDativedative of possession→ participant reference or interestσύ (sg.): dative of possession.
ἐπὶon / uponpreposition + genitive (location on the belt)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + genitive: 'on / upon'; locates the peg on the belt, ready to hand.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ζώνηςbelt / girdleGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (where the peg is kept)→ relational specificationζώνη: 'belt / girdle'; renders אֲזוֹר / חֲגוֹר; the peg is carried on the belt for ready use.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing temporal frame)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίimpersonal verb (temporal-iterative frame)→ futuristic (Hebraizing 'and it shall come to pass')εἰμί: the formula καὶ ἔσται ὅταν ('and it shall be, whenever') renders וְהָיָה כִּי, introducing the iterative procedure.
ὅτανwhenevertemporal conjunction (iterative, with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅταν: 'whenever'; with the subjunctive διακαθιζάνῃς marks the recurring occasion.
διακαθιζάνῃςyou sit down / squatPres Act Subj 2 Sg · διακαθιζάνωverb of temporal clause (the occasion)→ iterative present subjunctive (recurring action)διακαθιζάνω: 'sit down (apart) / squat'; a rare compound (διά + καθιζάνω); the euphemistic 'sit down outside' for relieving oneself; the present aspect suits the repeated occasion.
ἔξωoutsideadverb of place→ clausal contributionἔξω: 'outside'; outside the camp, at the designated place of v. 13.
καὶand / thenapodotic καί (introducing the procedure)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀρύξειςyou shall digFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ὀρύσσωmain verb (first step: dig a hole)→ imperatival future (mandated action)ὀρύσσω: 'dig / excavate'; renders חָפַר; 'you shall dig with it (the peg)' — the first step in the discreet disposal of waste.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental: with the peg)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: here instrumental ('with it'), a Hebraizing use of ἐν + dative for means (rendering בְּ of instrument).
αὐτῷitDativedative of instrument (the peg)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: refers to the πάσσαλος ('peg'); 'dig with it.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπαγαγὼνturning back / bringing overAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἐπάγωcircumstantial participle (manner: turning back the soil)→ antecedent aorist participle (action prior to καλύψεις)ἐπάγω: 'bring upon / lead over'; here 'bringing (the earth) back over,' i.e. turning the dug soil back to cover the waste; the participle is coincident-prior to καλύψεις, describing the covering motion.
καλύψειςyou shall coverFut Act Indic 2 Sg · καλύπτωmain verb (final step: bury the waste)→ imperatival future (mandated action)καλύπτω: 'cover / hide'; renders כָּסָה; 'you shall cover your excrement' — the burial that removes the indecency from sight, keeping the camp holy.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀσχημοσύνηνexcrement / indecencyAccusativedirect object of καλύψεις (what is buried)→ object specificationἀσχημοσύνη: 'shamefulness / indecency / nakedness'; here euphemistically 'excrement' (rendering צֵאָה / the shameful thing); the same noun recurs at v. 15 (ἀσχημοσύνη πράγματος, 'an indecent thing') — the lexical link binds the latrine-rule to the holiness-rationale.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental: with the peg/earth)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: instrumental 'with it' (the peg, or the earth turned by it).
αὐτῷitDativedative of instrument→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: refers again to the πάσσαλος/earth used to cover the waste.
15
ὅτι κύριος ὁ θεός σου ἐμπεριπατεῖ ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ σου ἐξελέσθαι σε καὶ παραδοῦναι τὸν ἐχθρόν σου πρὸ προσώπου σου καὶ ἔσται ἡ παρεμβολή σου ἁγία καὶ οὐκ ὀφθήσεται ἐν σοὶ ἀσχημοσύνη πράγματος καὶ ἀποστρέψει ἀπὸ σοῦ
For the LORD your God walks about in the midst of your camp to deliver you and to give up your enemy before your face; and your camp shall be holy, and no indecent thing shall be seen among you, and he shall turn away from you.
The theological climax of the war-camp unit: the LORD your God ἐμπεριπατεῖ ('walks about') in the midst of the camp — to deliver and to grant victory — therefore the camp must be ἁγία ('holy'), with no indecency seen, lest he turn away. The grounding ὅτι makes all the preceding hygiene laws a function of God's presence. ἐμπεριπατέω anticipates 2 Cor 6:16 ('I will walk among them').
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (grounding all the camp-laws)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the theological rationale undergirding the entire war-camp legislation (vv. 10–14).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the divine presence is the reason for camp-holiness.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the covenant formula κύριος ὁ θεός σου recurs (cf. vv. 6, 19, 21).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ἐμπεριπατεῖwalks about withinPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐμπεριπατέωmain verb (the divine presence in the camp)→ customary/durative present (God's continual presence)ἐμπεριπατέω: 'walk about within / among'; the compound (ἐν + περί + πατέω) renders מִתְהַלֵּךְ (Hithpael of הָלַךְ, 'walk to and fro'); the same word-picture of God walking among his people occurs at Lev 26:12, quoted at 2 Cor 6:16 (ἐνοικήσω … καὶ ἐμπεριπατήσω); the present tense stresses YHWH's continual, mobile presence in the camp — the ground of its required holiness.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῇcampDativedative of place (where God walks)→ sphere or referenceπαρεμβολή: 'camp'; the holy space in whose midst YHWH moves; its sanctity flows from his presence.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐξελέσθαιto deliverAor Mid Inf · ἐξαιρέωinfinitive of purpose (why God is present)→ telic aorist infinitive (purpose: rescue)ἐξαιρέω (mid.): 'rescue / deliver / snatch out'; renders נָצַל / חָלַץ; the first purpose of YHWH's presence — to deliver Israel; the middle voice stresses his personal saving involvement (cf. Acts 7:34, ἐξελέσθαι αὐτούς).
σεyouAccusativeaccusative object of ἐξελέσθαι→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐξελέσθαι.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second purpose-infinitive)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παραδοῦναιto give up / hand overAor Act Inf · παραδίδωμιinfinitive of purpose (second aim of God's presence)→ telic aorist infinitive (purpose: grant victory)παραδίδωμι: 'hand over / deliver up'; renders נָתַן ('give [the enemy] into your hand'); the second purpose — granting victory by giving the enemy over before Israel; the same verb of handing over recurs at v. 16 (the slave not to be handed over).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθρόνenemyAccusativedirect object of παραδοῦναι→ object specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy'; the foe of v. 10, now to be given up by YHWH before Israel's face.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (in front of)→ spatial or relational framingπρό: 'before / in front of'; πρὸ προσώπου σου ('before your face') renders לְפָנֶיךָ, a Hebraism for 'in front of you / at your disposal.'
προσώπουfaceGenitivegenitive object of πρό (idiomatic: 'before your face')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; renders פָּנִים; the idiom πρὸ προσώπου σου means the enemy is delivered up right in front of Israel for the taking.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (predicating holiness of the camp)→ imperatival/consequential future (the camp must/will be holy)εἰμί: 'be'; 'your camp shall be holy' draws the practical consequence of YHWH's presence — both promise and requirement.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολήcampNominativesubject (that which must be holy)→ participant prominenceπαρεμβολή: 'camp'; the third occurrence in this verse — the camp's holiness is the theme.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἁγίαholyNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἅγιος: 'holy / set apart'; renders קָדוֹשׁ; the camp's holiness corresponds to the holiness of the One who walks in it; the requirement extends sanctity from the sanctuary to the war-camp itself.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀφθήσεταιshall be seenFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (prohibition: nothing indecent visible)→ imperatival future (standing requirement)ὁράω (fut. pass.): 'be seen / appear'; renders רָאָה (Niphal); 'no indecent thing shall be seen among you' — the visibility of defilement is what offends the divine presence; cf. the same concern in the sanctuary-vision laws.
ἐνamong / inpreposition + dative (locative: 'among you')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'among you').
σοὶyouDativedative object of ἐν (within the camp/people)→ participant reference or interestσύ (sg.): 'among you' = within the camp of Israel.
ἀσχημοσύνηindecencyNominativesubject of ὀφθήσεται→ participant prominenceἀσχημοσύνη: 'shamefulness / indecency'; the same noun as v. 14 (there 'excrement'), here generalized as 'an indecent thing'; the lexical echo binds the latrine-law to its rationale — visible indecency repels God's presence.
πράγματοςof a thing / matterGenitivegenitive of definition (qualifying ἀσχημοσύνη: 'indecency of a thing')→ relational specificationπρᾶγμα: 'thing / matter / deed'; the phrase ἀσχημοσύνη πράγματος ('indecency of a matter') renders עֶרְוַת דָּבָר ('an indecent/unseemly thing'); the same Hebrew phrase reappears in the divorce-law of Deut 24:1, famously disputed by Hillel and Shammai.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποστρέψειhe shall turn awayFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστρέφωmain verb (the threatened divine withdrawal)→ predictive future (consequence of defilement)ἀποστρέφω: 'turn away / turn back'; renders שׁוּב; the ominous warning — if indecency is seen, YHWH 'will turn away from you,' withdrawing the presence that delivers and grants victory; holiness is thus inseparable from continued divine help.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (from whom God turns)→ relational specificationσύ (sg.): 'from you'; the withdrawal of the divine presence is the gravest sanction backing camp-holiness.
16
οὐ παραδώσεις παῖδα τῷ κυρίῳ αὐτοῦ ὃς προστέθειταί σοι παρὰ τοῦ κυρίου αὐτοῦ
You shall not hand over a slave to his master who has taken refuge with you from his master.
A new humane statute (vv. 16–17): an escaped slave who has attached himself (προστέθειταί) to an Israelite must not be handed back. The verb παραδίδωμι echoes v. 15 (God hands over the enemy, but you shall not hand over the refugee). This reverses the standard ancient extradition treaties for fugitive slaves.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
οὐnotnegative particle (with future-as-imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παραδώσειςyou shall hand overFut Act Indic 2 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb (legislative future, prohibition)→ imperatival future (apodictic prohibition)παραδίδωμι: 'hand over / deliver up / betray'; renders סָגַר (Hiphil, 'surrender / extradite'); the prohibition reverses ancient Near Eastern extradition norms — the fugitive slave is not to be returned; the same verb in v. 15 had God 'handing over' the enemy, a pointed contrast.
παῖδαslave / servantAccusativedirect object (the fugitive slave)→ object specificationπαῖς: 'servant / slave / child'; renders עֶבֶד; here the escaped slave who has sought refuge; the term covers a bondservant, likely a foreigner fleeing a non-Israelite master.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳmasterDativedative of indirect object (to whom not to hand over)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: here in the ordinary sense 'master / owner' (not the divine title), rendering אָדוֹן; the slave's human master, to whom he is not to be returned.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the slave's master)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the slave's master).
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of προστέθειται; refers to παῖδα)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; though παῖδα is accusative, the relative is nominative as subject of its own clause, describing the slave who has taken refuge.
προστέθειταίhas attached himself / taken refugePerf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · προστίθημιverb of relative clause (the slave's act of seeking refuge)→ resultative perfect (settled state of having joined)προστίθημι (perf. mid./pass.): 'add / attach / join oneself to'; renders נִצַּל ('has escaped / been rescued') here construed as 'has joined himself to you'; the perfect denotes the abiding state — the slave has placed himself under the Israelite's protection.
σοιto youDativedative (to whom the slave has attached himself)→ participant reference or interestσύ (sg.): the Israelite to whom the fugitive has come for refuge.
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source: fled from)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + genitive: 'from (the side of)'; marks the master from whom the slave has fled.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίουmasterGenitivegenitive object of παρά (the master fled from)→ relational specificationκύριος: again 'master / owner'; the slave has fled 'from his master' to the Israelite's protection.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
17
μετὰ σοῦ κατοικήσει ἐν ὑμῖν κατοικήσει ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ οὗ ἐὰν ἀρέσῃ αὐτῷ οὐ θλίψεις αὐτόν
He shall dwell with you, among you he shall dwell, in whatever place pleases him; you shall not oppress him.
The positive complement to v. 16: the freed refugee may settle among Israel in whatever place he chooses, and must not be oppressed. The repeated κατοικήσει ('he shall dwell') and the wide ἐν παντὶ τόπῳ ('in every place') grant generous freedom; οὐ θλίψεις αὐτόν ('you shall not oppress him') echoes the stranger-protection laws (Exod 22:21).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά (with whom he dwells)→ relational specificationσύ (sg.): the Israelite host with whom the freed slave dwells.
κατοικήσειhe shall dwellFut Act Indic 3 Sg · κατοικέωmain verb (granted right of residence)→ permissive future (granted dwelling)κατοικέω: 'dwell / settle / inhabit'; renders יָשַׁב; the freed slave is granted settled residence among Israel — full integration, not mere toleration.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (locative: 'among you')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'among you').
ὑμῖνyouDativedative object of ἐν (the community)→ participant reference or interestσύ (pl.): the shift to the plural 'among you (all)' widens the residence to the whole community of Israel.
κατοικήσειhe shall dwellFut Act Indic 3 Sg · κατοικέωmain verb (emphatic repetition)→ permissive future (granted dwelling)κατοικέω: the repetition (μετὰ σοῦ κατοικήσει … ἐν ὑμῖν κατοικήσει) is a Hebraizing emphasis underscoring the security of his residence.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
παντὶeveryDativeattributive adjective (modifying τόπῳ)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'every / any'; 'in every place' grants the freed slave free choice of residence.
τόπῳplaceDativedative of place (where he may settle)→ sphere or referenceτόπος: 'place'; renders מָקוֹם; the freed slave may live wherever he chooses among Israel.
οὗwhereGenitiverelative adverb (locative genitive: 'where')→ relational specificationοὗ: the frozen genitive of the relative ὅς used adverbially, 'where'; οὗ ἐάν = 'wherever,' introducing the indefinite relative clause.
ἐὰνeverparticle (with subjunctive, generalizing the relative: 'wherever')→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: here generalizing (= ἄν) with the subjunctive ἀρέσῃ, making the relative indefinite ('in whatever place pleases him').
ἀρέσῃit pleasesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀρέσκωverb of the indefinite relative clause→ potential aorist subjunctive (whatever may please)ἀρέσκω: 'please / be pleasing'; renders טוֹב (in the sense 'be good/pleasing to'); the freed slave settles wherever 'it pleases him' — his own preference governs, a strong affirmation of his liberty.
αὐτῷhimDativedative with ἀρέσῃ (the one pleased)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: the freed slave, whose preference determines his dwelling.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θλίψειςyou shall oppressFut Act Indic 2 Sg · θλίβωmain verb (prohibition of oppression)→ imperatival future (apodictic prohibition)θλίβω: 'press / afflict / oppress'; renders יָנָה / לָחַץ; 'you shall not oppress him' protects the vulnerable refugee, echoing the stranger-protection ethic grounded in Israel's own Egyptian bondage (Exod 22:21; 23:9).
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of θλίψεις→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of θλίψεις.
18
οὐκ ἔσται πόρνη ἀπὸ θυγατέρων Ισραηλ καὶ οὐκ ἔσται πορνεύων ἀπὸ υἱῶν Ισραηλ οὐκ ἔσται τελεσφόρος ἀπὸ θυγατέρων Ισραηλ καὶ οὐκ ἔσται τελισκόμενος ἀπὸ υἱῶν Ισραηλ
There shall not be a harlot of the daughters of Israel, and there shall not be one who plays the harlot of the sons of Israel; there shall not be a cult-prostitute of the daughters of Israel, and there shall not be one consecrated to cult-rites of the sons of Israel.
A fourfold prohibition of cultic prostitution (vv. 18–19), tightly parallel: no female harlot (πόρνη) or male prostitute (πορνεύων), no female cult-initiate (τελεσφόρος) or male consecrated one (τελισκόμενος), from the daughters and sons of Israel. The chiastic daughters/sons pairing and the τελε-/τελισκ- terms (from pagan initiation-rites, τελετή) mark this as a ban on sacral sex-cult.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιthere shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential prohibition)→ imperatival future (apodictic prohibition)εἰμί: 'be'; the existential 'there shall not be' (rendering לֹא תִהְיֶה) bans the very existence of cult-prostitution within Israel; the verb is fourfold-repeated (anaphora) across the parallel clauses.
πόρνηharlotNominativesubject (female cult-prostitute)→ participant prominenceπόρνη: 'prostitute / harlot'; renders קְדֵשָׁה ('cult-prostitute') here; the female sacral prostitute is banned; the word links back to v. 3 (ἐκ πόρνης) and forward to v. 19 (μίσθωμα πόρνης).
ἀπὸof / from amongpreposition + genitive (partitive: 'from among')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: here partitive, 'from among the daughters'; renders מִן.
θυγατέρωνdaughtersGenitivepartitive genitive (object of ἀπό)→ relational specificationθυγάτηρ: 'daughter'; renders בַּת; 'the daughters of Israel' — no Israelite woman is to be a cult-prostitute.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; 'daughters/sons of Israel' designates the covenant people whose holiness excludes sacral prostitution.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιthere shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential prohibition)→ imperatival future (apodictic prohibition)εἰμί: see above.
πορνεύωνone who plays the harlotPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · πορνεύωsubstantival participle (subject: male cult-prostitute)→ imperfective present participle (habitual practice)πορνεύω: 'commit fornication / play the harlot'; the substantival participle ὁ πορνεύων ('one who prostitutes himself') renders קָדֵשׁ ('male cult-prostitute'); the present aspect marks habitual practice; the male counterpart to πόρνη.
ἀπὸof / from amongpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
υἱῶνsonsGenitivepartitive genitive (object of ἀπό)→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; 'the sons of Israel' — no Israelite man is to be a cult-prostitute.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable name).
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιthere shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential prohibition)→ imperatival future (apodictic prohibition)εἰμί: see above; the second pair of prohibitions uses cult-initiation vocabulary.
τελεσφόροςcult-initiate (female)Nominativesubject (female devotee of initiation-rites)→ participant prominenceτελεσφόρος: lit. 'one who brings to completion / accomplishes the rite'; here a female votary of pagan mystery/initiation cults (from τέλος / τελετή, 'initiation'), a near-synonym for the sacral prostitute; the LXX uses the τελε-/τελισκ- group to render the קְדֵשָׁה/קָדֵשׁ as cult-initiates.
ἀπὸof / from amongpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
θυγατέρωνdaughtersGenitivepartitive genitive (object of ἀπό)→ relational specificationθυγάτηρ: 'daughter'; see above.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable name).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιthere shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential prohibition)→ imperatival future (apodictic prohibition)εἰμί: see above.
τελισκόμενοςone being consecrated to cult-ritesPres Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · τελίσκομαιsubstantival participle (subject: male initiate)→ imperfective present participle (ongoing initiation/consecration)τελίσκομαι: 'be initiated / consecrated (in mystery-rites)'; the participle ὁ τελισκόμενος ('one undergoing initiation') is the male counterpart of τελεσφόρος; the τελε-/τελ- terminology evokes pagan initiation cults (τελεταί), branding such sacral devotion as incompatible with Israel's holiness; the present/middle marks ongoing self-consecration.
ἀπὸof / from amongpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
υἱῶνsonsGenitivepartitive genitive (object of ἀπό)→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; see above.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable name).
19
οὐ προσοίσεις μίσθωμα πόρνης οὐδὲ ἄλλαγμα κυνὸς εἰς τὸν οἶκον κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ σου πρὸς πᾶσαν εὐχήν ὅτι βδέλυγμα κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ σού ἐστιν καὶ ἀμφότερα
You shall not bring the hire of a harlot nor the price of a dog into the house of the LORD your God for any vow, because both are an abomination to the LORD your God.
The cultic corollary: neither 'the hire of a harlot' (μίσθωμα πόρνης) nor 'the price of a dog' (ἄλλαγμα κυνός) may be brought into the LORD's house in fulfillment of any vow, for both are βδέλυγμα ('an abomination') to him. The μισθ- root recalls the hired Balaam (v. 5); the 'dog' (κύων) is widely taken as a slur for the male cult-prostitute (πορνεύων, v. 18). βδέλυγμα is the cultic counterpart of the verb βδελύσσομαι (v. 8).
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσοίσειςyou shall bring / offerFut Act Indic 2 Sg · προσφέρωmain verb (prohibition of offering)→ imperatival future (apodictic prohibition)προσφέρω: 'bring to / offer / present'; renders בּוֹא (Hiphil, 'bring in'); the cultic verb for presenting an offering — tainted gain may not be 'brought near' as a votive offering to YHWH.
μίσθωμαhire / wagesAccusativedirect object (the harlot's earnings)→ object specificationμίσθωμα: 'hire / payment / wages'; renders אֶתְנַן ('a harlot's fee'); cognate with ἐμισθώσαντο (v. 5); the prostitute's earnings are unfit to fund a vow to YHWH (cf. Mic 1:7; the theme of defiled temple-money).
πόρνηςof a harlotGenitivegenitive of source (whose hire)→ relational specificationπόρνη: 'harlot'; the genitive of source — the wages earned by prostitution; links to vv. 3, 18.
οὐδὲnornegative coordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδέ: 'nor / and not'; joins the second forbidden item (the price of a dog).
ἄλλαγμαprice / exchangeAccusativedirect object (the dog's price)→ object specificationἄλλαγμα: 'price / exchange / that given in barter'; renders מְחִיר ('price'); the 'price of a dog' (the earnings of the male prostitute, slangily 'dog') is equally unfit for the sanctuary.
κυνὸςof a dogGenitivegenitive of source (whose price)→ relational specificationκύων: 'dog'; renders כֶּלֶב; widely understood as a contemptuous term for the male cult-prostitute (the πορνεύων of v. 18); 'the price of a dog' parallels 'the hire of a harlot.'
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the sanctuary)→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house'; renders בַּיִת; 'the house of the LORD' is the sanctuary; defiled gain must not cross its threshold.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (whose house)→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive in apposition to κυρίου→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; the covenant formula 'the LORD your God' (here in the genitive).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
πρὸςforpreposition + accusative (purpose: in payment of)→ spatial or relational framingπρός + accusative: here of purpose, 'for / toward (the discharge of) any vow.'
πᾶσανany / everyAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying εὐχήν)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'any / every'; 'for any vow whatever' — no vow may be paid with such tainted money.
εὐχήνvowAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the vow to be funded)→ object specificationεὐχή: 'vow / prayer'; renders נֶדֶר; anticipates the vow-laws of vv. 22–24; even a sacred vow cannot sanctify defiled earnings.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (ground of the prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the cultic rationale — such gain is an abomination.
βδέλυγμαabominationNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐστιν)→ participant prominenceβδέλυγμα: 'abomination / detestable thing'; renders תּוֹעֵבָה; cognate with βδελύσσομαι (v. 8); the strongest cultic category of revulsion — what God finds detestable; here applied to the harlot's hire and the dog's price (cf. the same noun in Dan 9:27 / Matt 24:15, 'abomination of desolation').
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of reference (abominable to the LORD)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the dative marks the one to whom these things are abominable.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεῷGodDativedative in apposition to κυρίῳ→ sphere or referenceθεός: 'God'; the covenant formula in the dative ('to the LORD your God').
σούyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσού: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (predicating abomination)→ stative present (abiding cultic status)εἰμί: 'be'; the present states the enduring fact — such offerings are and remain abominable to YHWH.
καὶeven / alsoascensive/emphatic conjunction (with ἀμφότερα)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here emphatic, 'even both / both alike'; underscores that both the harlot's hire and the dog's price share the abominable status.
ἀμφότεραbothNominativesubject (summarizing: 'both [are]')→ participant prominenceἀμφότερος: 'both'; the neuter plural ἀμφότερα sums up the two forbidden items (hire and price) as together abominable — emphatic closure of the prohibition.
20
οὐκ ἐκτοκιεῖς τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου τόκον ἀργυρίου καὶ τόκον βρωμάτων καὶ τόκον παντὸς πράγματος οὗ ἂν ἐκδανείσῃς
You shall not lend on interest to your brother — interest of money, interest of food, interest of anything that you may lend out.
The usury-law (vv. 20–21): no interest (τόκος) of any kind — money, food, or any commodity — may be charged to a 'brother' (fellow Israelite). The threefold τόκον … τόκον … τόκον is emphatic comprehensiveness. The verb ἐκτοκίζω ('exact interest') and noun τόκος ('offspring / interest') play on the metaphor of money 'breeding.'
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκτοκιεῖςyou shall lend on interestFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐκτοκίζωmain verb (prohibition of usury)→ imperatival future (apodictic prohibition)ἐκτοκίζω: 'lend on interest / exact usury'; from τόκος ('interest,' lit. 'offspring'); renders נָשַׁךְ (Hiphil, 'charge interest'); the prohibition of usury toward a fellow Israelite (cf. Exod 22:25; Lev 25:36–37); the metaphor likens interest to money's 'breeding.'
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφῷbrotherDativedative of indirect object (to whom no interest)→ sphere or referenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; here the fellow Israelite (rendering אָח); the covenant kinship grounds the interest-free obligation, in contrast to the foreigner (v. 21).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
τόκονinterestAccusativedirect object / cognate accusative (interest of money)→ object specificationτόκος: 'interest / usury' (lit. 'a bringing forth, offspring'); renders נֶשֶׁךְ; the cognate object of ἐκτοκιεῖς; the 'offspring' metaphor underlies the ancient suspicion of interest as unnatural increase (cf. Aristotle, Pol. 1.10).
ἀργυρίουof money / silverGenitivegenitive of definition (interest on money)→ relational specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; renders כֶּסֶף; 'interest of money' is the primary category of usury.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τόκονinterestAccusativecognate accusative (interest of food)→ object specificationτόκος: the repetition extends the ban to interest in kind (foodstuffs).
βρωμάτωνof foodsGenitivegenitive of definition (interest in foodstuffs)→ relational specificationβρῶμα: 'food / victuals'; renders אֹכֶל; interest paid in food (grain, produce) is equally forbidden (cf. Lev 25:37, 'nor lend your food at interest').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τόκονinterestAccusativecognate accusative (interest of anything)→ object specificationτόκος: the third repetition generalizes to 'any thing,' making the ban total.
παντὸςof every / anyGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying πράγματος)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'every / any'; 'of any thing whatever' closes off every loophole.
πράγματοςthingGenitivegenitive of definition (interest of any commodity)→ relational specificationπρᾶγμα: 'thing / matter'; renders דָּבָר; 'interest of any thing that may be lent' — a comprehensive ban; the same noun appeared at v. 15 (ἀσχημοσύνη πράγματος).
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive by attraction to πράγματος)→ relational specificationὅς: relative pronoun, genitive by attraction to its antecedent πράγματος; 'anything that you may lend.'
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive, generalizing)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: generalizing modal particle with the subjunctive ἐκδανείσῃς, making the relative indefinite ('whatever you may lend').
ἐκδανείσῃςyou may lend outAor Act Subj 2 Sg · ἐκδανείζωverb of indefinite relative clause→ potential aorist subjunctive (whatever may be lent)ἐκδανείζω: 'lend out (at interest) / put out a loan'; renders לָוָה (Hiphil); the verb of lending itself is permitted — only the charging of τόκος to a brother is forbidden.
21
τῷ ἀλλοτρίῳ ἐκτοκιεῖς τῷ δὲ ἀδελφῷ σου οὐκ ἐκτοκιεῖς ἵνα εὐλογήσῃ σε κύριος ὁ θεός σου ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἔργοις σου ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς εἰς ἣν εἰσπορεύῃ ἐκεῖ κληρονομῆσαι αὐτήν
To the foreigner you shall lend on interest, but to your brother you shall not lend on interest, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all your works upon the land into which you are entering there to inherit it.
The antithesis (foreigner vs. brother) with chiastic word-order (τῷ ἀλλοτρίῳ ἐκτοκιεῖς / τῷ ἀδελφῷ … οὐκ ἐκτοκιεῖς), capped by a purpose-clause: covenant fidelity in lending brings YHWH's blessing on all Israel's works in the land it is entering to inherit. The blessing-motive (ἵνα εὐλογήσῃ) ties obedience to flourishing in the land.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλοτρίῳforeigner / strangerDativedative of indirect object (to whom interest is permitted)→ sphere or referenceἀλλότριος: 'belonging to another / foreign'; substantival 'the foreigner / outsider,' rendering נָכְרִי; the non-Israelite, to whom lending at interest is permitted — the commercial foreigner stands outside the covenant brotherhood.
ἐκτοκιεῖςyou shall lend on interestFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐκτοκίζωmain verb (permission, by contrast)→ permissive future (allowed practice toward the foreigner)ἐκτοκίζω: 'lend on interest'; the same verb as v. 20, here without negation — interest toward the foreigner is allowed; the distinction is covenantal, not racial: the brother is bound by mutual-aid solidarity.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: 'but'; marks the contrast between foreigner and brother.
ἀδελφῷbrotherDativedative of indirect object (to whom no interest)→ sphere or referenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; the fellow Israelite, protected from usury; the chiastic placement (foreigner first, brother second) heightens the contrast.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκτοκιεῖςyou shall lend on interestFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐκτοκίζωmain verb (prohibition restated)→ imperatival future (apodictic prohibition)ἐκτοκίζω: the negated repetition restates the ban of v. 20 for emphasis, completing the antithesis.
ἵναso thatpurpose conjunction (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: 'so that / in order that'; introduces the purpose/result clause — obedience secures blessing.
εὐλογήσῃmay blessAor Act Subj 3 Sg · εὐλογέωverb of purpose clause (the blessing)→ telic aorist subjunctive (intended blessing)εὐλογέω: 'bless / speak well of'; renders בָּרַךְ; the blessing-motive — covenant fidelity in economic dealings brings YHWH's blessing 'in all your works'; cognate with εὐλογία (v. 6).
σεyouAccusativeaccusative object of εὐλογήσῃ→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of εὐλογήσῃ.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of εὐλογήσῃ→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the covenant formula 'the LORD your God.'
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere of blessing)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere of blessing).
πᾶσιallDativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔργοις)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; 'in all your works' — the blessing is comprehensive over Israel's labor.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔργοιςworksDativedative of sphere (the realm of blessing)→ sphere or referenceἔργον: 'work / deed / labor'; renders מַעֲשֶׂה / מִשְׁלַח יָד; 'all your works' = every undertaking, especially agricultural and economic, in the land.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (the promised land)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; renders אֶרֶץ; the promised land Israel is about to enter and inherit — the sphere where covenant obedience yields blessing.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (with relative: into which)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (with relative: into which).
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἰς, antecedent γῆς)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; 'into which you are entering' — the land of inheritance.
εἰσπορεύῃyou are enteringPres Mid Indic 2 Sg · εἰσπορεύομαιverb of relative clause (entering the land)→ futuristic/progressive present (entry in prospect)εἰσπορεύομαι: 'enter / go into'; renders בּוֹא; the present 'you are entering' views the conquest-settlement as imminent and in progress — the standard Deuteronomic horizon of the land-about-to-be-given.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (resumptive Hebraism with the relative)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; the resumptive adverb after the relative (εἰς ἣν … ἐκεῖ, 'into which … there') calques the Hebrew resumptive pronoun אֲשֶׁר … שָׁם — a characteristic LXX Hebraism.
κληρονομῆσαιto inheritAor Act Inf · κληρονομέωinfinitive of purpose (why you enter)→ telic aorist infinitive (purpose: to take possession)κληρονομέω: 'inherit / take possession of'; renders יָרַשׁ; the purpose of entry — to inherit the land as covenant patrimony; a keyword of Deuteronomy's land-theology.
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object of κληρονομῆσαι (the land)→ participant referenceαὐτός: refers to γῆ ('the land'), the object of inheritance.
22
ἐὰν δὲ εὔξῃ εὐχὴν κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ σου οὐ χρονιεῖς ἀποδοῦναι αὐτήν ὅτι ἐκζητῶν ἐκζητήσει κύριος ὁ θεός σου παρὰ σοῦ καὶ ἔσται ἐν σοὶ ἁμαρτία
But if you vow a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it, because the LORD your God will surely require it of you, and it shall be sin in you.
The vow-law (vv. 22–24): a vow once made must be paid without delay, for YHWH will surely require it (the cognate-intensive ἐκζητῶν ἐκζητήσει, a Hebraism) and failure incurs sin. The cognate accusative εὔξῃ εὐχήν ('vow a vow') is itself Hebraizing. This passage underlies Eccl 5:4–5 and Matt 5:33 (on keeping oaths/vows).
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the vow-case with the subjunctive εὔξῃ.
δὲbut / nowtransitional particle (new topic)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: marks the shift to the law of vows.
εὔξῃyou vowAor Mid Subj 2 Sg · εὔχομαιverb of the protasis (making a vow)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (the act of vowing)εὔχομαι: 'vow / pray'; renders נָדַר; the cognate construction εὔξῃ εὐχήν ('vow a vow,' rendering תִּדֹּר נֶדֶר) is a Hebraism; the vow is a voluntary but, once made, binding pledge to YHWH.
εὐχὴνa vowAccusativecognate accusative (with εὔξῃ)→ object specificationεὐχή: 'vow'; renders נֶדֶר; the cognate object intensifies ('vow a vow'); the same noun as v. 19 (πᾶσαν εὐχήν).
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of indirect object (to whom the vow is made)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the vow is owed to God himself, hence its binding seriousness.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεῷGodDativedative in apposition to κυρίῳ→ sphere or referenceθεός: 'God'; the covenant formula 'the LORD your God.'
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
χρονιεῖςyou shall delayFut Act Indic 2 Sg · χρονίζωmain verb (apodosis: prohibition of delay)→ imperatival future (apodictic command)χρονίζω: 'delay / tarry / take time'; renders אָחַר (Piel, 'delay'); 'you shall not delay to pay it' — the vow must be discharged promptly (cf. Eccl 5:4, 'do not delay to pay it').
ἀποδοῦναιto pay / renderAor Act Inf · ἀποδίδωμιcomplementary infinitive (with χρονιεῖς)→ constative aorist infinitive (the act of payment)ἀποδίδωμι: 'give back / pay / render'; renders שָׁלַם (Piel, 'fulfill / pay a vow'); the vow is a debt owed to God that must be 'paid back' in full.
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object of ἀποδοῦναι (the vow)→ participant referenceαὐτός: refers to εὐχήν ('the vow') to be paid.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (ground of the command)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the reason — God will surely require it.
ἐκζητῶνrequiring / seeking outPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἐκζητέωcognate participle (Hebraism: intensifying ἐκζητήσει)→ intensive present participle (rendering the Hebrew infinitive absolute)ἐκζητέω: 'seek out / require / demand'; the participle ἐκζητῶν with the finite ἐκζητήσει ('requiring he will require' = 'will surely require') renders the Hebrew emphatic infinitive absolute דָּרֹשׁ יִדְרְשֶׁנּוּ; the construction stresses the certainty of divine reckoning (cf. the same device at Exod 11:1, ἐκβαλεῖ … ἐκβολῇ).
ἐκζητήσειwill requireFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκζητέωmain verb (the divine reckoning)→ predictive future, intensified by the cognate participle (certain requirement)ἐκζητέω: the finite verb of the cognate construction; 'the LORD will surely require it of you' — God holds the vower accountable; cf. Acts 5:4 (Ananias' unpaid pledge).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐκζητήσει→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; God is the one who exacts the vow.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; covenant formula.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source: 'of/from you')→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + genitive: 'from (the side of)'; 'will require it of you' — the vower is the one held to account.
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive object of παρά→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of παρά.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιthere shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (consequence: sin incurred)→ predictive future (the resulting guilt)εἰμί: 'be'; 'it shall be sin in you' — failure to pay the vow incurs guilt; the same construction (ἔσται ἐν σοὶ ἁμαρτία) recurs negated in v. 23.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: 'in you')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'in you').
σοὶyouDativedative object of ἐν (the one in whom guilt lies)→ participant reference or interestσύ (sg.): 'in you'; the unpaid vow becomes a guilt lodged in the vower.
ἁμαρτίαsinNominativesubject of ἔσται (the incurred guilt)→ participant prominenceἁμαρτία: 'sin / guilt'; renders חֵטְא; here spelled ἁμαρία in the source (haplography of -τ-; the full form ἁμαρτία appears correctly in v. 23); the unpaid vow constitutes positive sin against YHWH.
23
ἐὰν δὲ μὴ θέλῃς εὔξασθαι οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν σοὶ ἁμαρτία
But if you refuse to vow, there is no sin in you.
The balancing principle: vowing is voluntary — to refrain from vowing incurs no sin (the exact negation of v. 22's ἔσται ἐν σοὶ ἁμαρτία). The point is that the sin lies not in failing to vow but in failing to pay what one has vowed; cf. Eccl 5:5 ('better not to vow than to vow and not pay').
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the counter-case (refraining from a vow).
δὲbutadversative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: 'but'; contrasts this case with the paid/unpaid vow of v. 22.
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative of the subjunctive; 'if you do not wish.'
θέλῃςyou wishPres Act Subj 2 Sg · θέλωverb of the protasis (the choice not to vow)→ imperfective present subjunctive (the disposition of will)θέλω: 'wish / will / be willing'; renders חָדַל ('refrain / forbear'); 'if you are unwilling to vow' = if you choose not to make a vow at all; vowing is presented as wholly optional.
εὔξασθαιto vowAor Mid Inf · εὔχομαιcomplementary infinitive (with θέλῃς)→ constative aorist infinitive (the act of vowing as such)εὔχομαι: 'vow'; the same verb as v. 22; here the infinitive object of θέλῃς — the very act of vowing is what one may decline.
οὐκnot / nonegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential: 'there is no sin')→ stative present (the abiding absence of guilt)εἰμί: 'be'; the existential 'there is no sin in you' directly negates v. 22's 'it shall be sin in you' — refraining is guiltless.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
σοὶyouDativedative object of ἐν→ participant reference or interestσύ (sg.): 'in you'; no guilt lodges in the one who simply does not vow.
ἁμαρτίαsinNominativesubject of ἔστιν→ participant prominenceἁμαρτία: 'sin / guilt'; renders חֵטְא; here in the full correct spelling (contrast the haplographic ἁμαρία of v. 22); the sin is in the unpaid vow, not in the abstention.
24
τὰ ἐκπορευόμενα διὰ τῶν χειλέων σου φυλάξῃ καὶ ποιήσεις ὃν τρόπον εὔξω κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ σου δόμα ὃ ἐλάλησας τῷ στόματί σου
What goes out through your lips you shall keep, and you shall do just as you vowed to the LORD your God the gift which you have spoken with your mouth.
The summarizing maxim: 'what goes out through your lips you shall keep' — the spoken vow becomes a binding gift (δόμα) that must be performed. The fronted neuter participle τὰ ἐκπορευόμενα ('the things going forth') and the relative ὃν τρόπον ('in the manner which / just as') stress exact fulfillment of the spoken word; the principle stands behind Matt 5:33 and the wider biblical ethic of the binding word.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle (substantivizing the participle; fronted object)→ noun-phrase markingτό (pl. τά): the neuter plural article nominalizes the participle ἐκπορευόμενα ('the things that go out'), fronted as the emphatic object of φυλάξῃ.
ἐκπορευόμεναgoing out / proceedingPres Mid Ptcp Acc Pl Neut · ἐκπορεύομαιsubstantival participle (object of φυλάξῃ: 'what goes out')→ imperfective present participle (what proceeds / is uttered)ἐκπορεύομαι: 'go out / proceed'; 'the things going out through your lips' = the words / vows you utter (rendering מוֹצָא שְׂפָתֶיךָ, 'the utterance of your lips'); the same verb appeared at v. 5 (ἐκπορευομένων, of leaving Egypt); cf. Matt 15:11, 'what comes out of the mouth.'
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means/channel)→ spatial or relational framingδιά + genitive: 'through'; the lips are the channel through which the binding vow proceeds.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειλέωνlipsGenitivegenitive object of διά (the channel of speech)→ relational specificationχεῖλος: 'lip'; renders שָׂפָה; 'through your lips' localizes the vow as a spoken, hence binding, utterance.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
φυλάξῃyou shall keepFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · φυλάσσωmain verb (the binding obligation)→ imperatival future (standing requirement to keep one's word)φυλάσσω (mid.): 'keep / observe / guard'; renders שָׁמַר; 'you shall keep (what goes out of your lips)' — the spoken vow must be observed; the same verb framed the camp-purity command at v. 10 (φυλάξῃ ἀπὸ παντὸς ῥήματος πονηροῦ).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσειςyou shall doFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (performance of the vow)→ imperatival future (mandated performance)ποιέω: 'do / make / perform'; renders עָשָׂה; 'you shall do (as you vowed)' — the vow must be carried out in deed, not merely intended; parallel to φυλάξῃ.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (with τρόπον: 'in the manner which')→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; ὃν τρόπον ('in which manner / just as') is an adverbial accusative idiom = 'in the way that.'
τρόπονmanner / wayAccusativeadverbial accusative (manner: 'in the way that')→ object specificationτρόπος: 'manner / way'; ὃν τρόπον ('just as, in the manner that') renders כַּאֲשֶׁר; the vow must be performed exactly as it was uttered.
εὔξωyou vowedAor Mid Indic 2 Sg · εὔχομαιverb of the comparative clause (the original vow)→ constative aorist (the completed act of vowing)εὔχομαι: 'vow'; the aorist εὔξω ('you vowed') refers back to the moment the vow was made; performance must match the original pledge.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of indirect object (to whom vowed)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the vow is owed to God.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεῷGodDativedative in apposition to κυρίῳ→ sphere or referenceθεός: 'God'; covenant formula.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
δόμαgiftAccusativeaccusative in apposition (the vowed thing as 'gift')→ object specificationδόμα: 'gift / offering'; renders נְדָבָה ('freewill gift'); the vow, once spoken, is an obligatory gift to God; in apposition to the performance — what you vowed, namely the gift you promised.
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐλάλησας; antecedent δόμα)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; 'which you spoke' — defines the gift as the one verbally promised.
ἐλάλησαςyou spokeAor Act Indic 2 Sg · λαλέωverb of relative clause (the verbal promise)→ constative aorist (the completed utterance)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דִּבֵּר; 'which you spoke with your mouth' stresses that the binding force lies in the spoken word — what the mouth has uttered the deed must fulfill.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στόματίmouthDativedative of instrument (with which you spoke)→ sphere or referenceστόμα: 'mouth'; renders פֶּה; the instrumental dative 'with your mouth' parallels 'through your lips' at the verse's opening, framing the whole verse around the binding spoken word.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
25
ἐὰν δὲ εἰσέλθῃς εἰς ἀμητὸν τοῦ πλησίον σου καὶ συλλέξεις ἐν ταῖς χερσίν σου στάχυς καὶ δρέπανον οὐ μὴ ἐπιβάλῃς ἐπὶ τὸν ἀμητὸν τοῦ πλησίον σου
But if you enter into your neighbor's standing grain, then you may pluck ears with your hands, but a sickle you shall not put to your neighbor's standing grain.
The gleaning-law for standing grain (v. 25): a passerby may pluck ears by hand to satisfy hunger but may not put a sickle (δρέπανον) to the neighbor's crop — i.e. no harvesting for gain. The emphatic οὐ μή + subjunctive marks the firm prohibition. This is the precise legal background to the disciples' grain-plucking on the Sabbath (Matt 12:1; Mark 2:23; Luke 6:1) — their act was lawful gleaning, the dispute being only the Sabbath.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the gleaning-case with the subjunctive εἰσέλθῃς.
δὲbut / nowtransitional particle (new topic)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: marks the shift to the gleaning-laws (vv. 25–26).
εἰσέλθῃςyou enterAor Act Subj 2 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιverb of the protasis (entering the field)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (the act of entering)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go in'; here of entering a neighbor's field while passing through; the same verb structures v. 26 (the vineyard).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (entry)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (entry).
ἀμητὸνstanding grain / harvest-fieldAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the grainfield)→ object specificationἄμητος: 'reaping / standing grain / harvest'; renders קָמָה ('standing grain'); the field of ripe grain into which the traveler enters.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλησίονneighborGenitivegenitive of possession (whose field)→ relational specificationπλησίον: 'neighbor' (substantivized adverb 'near'); renders רֵעַ; the neighbor's property whose produce may be eaten but not harvested.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
καὶthen / andapodotic καί (introducing the permission)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic 'then'; links the case to the granted permission.
συλλέξειςyou shall gather / pluckFut Act Indic 2 Sg · συλλέγωmain verb (granted permission to pluck)→ permissive future (allowed action)συλλέγω: 'gather / collect / pluck'; renders קָטַף ('pluck off'); plucking ears by hand to eat is permitted; the same verb is used of the disciples' action (Matt 12:1, τίλλειν is the parallel).
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental: 'with your hands')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: here instrumental ('with'), a Hebraizing use; by hand only — the key restriction.
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χερσίνhandsDativedative of instrument (the permitted means)→ sphere or referenceχείρ: 'hand'; renders יָד; 'with your hands' — only manual plucking is allowed, distinguishing casual eating from commercial harvesting.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
στάχυςears of grainAccusativedirect object of συλλέξεις (what is plucked)→ object specificationστάχυς: 'ear / head of grain'; renders מְלִילֹת ('ears of grain'); the accusative plural object of plucking; cf. the στάχυας the disciples plucked (Matt 12:1).
καὶbut / andcoordinate conjunction (adversative shift to prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δρέπανονsickleAccusativefronted object of ἐπιβάλῃς (the forbidden tool)→ object specificationδρέπανον: 'sickle / pruning-hook'; renders חֶרְמֵשׁ; the harvesting-tool fronted for emphasis — wielding it against the neighbor's crop would constitute theft of harvest; cf. Rev 14:14–19 (the eschatological sickle).
οὐnotnegative particle (part of emphatic οὐ μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: with μή forms the emphatic double negative οὐ μή ('by no means'), the strongest form of prohibition.
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive: emphatic prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: completes οὐ μή; with the aorist subjunctive ἐπιβάλῃς expresses absolute prohibition ('you shall by no means put').
ἐπιβάλῃςyou shall put / wieldAor Act Subj 2 Sg · ἐπιβάλλωmain verb (emphatic prohibition with οὐ μή)→ prohibitive aorist subjunctive (absolute prohibition)ἐπιβάλλω: 'put / lay / wield upon'; renders נוּף / הֵנִיף (swing the sickle); 'you shall by no means put a sickle to' — no harvesting of the neighbor's grain for gain; cf. Mark 4:29 (ἀποστέλλει τὸ δρέπανον).
ἐπὶto / uponpreposition + accusative (direction of the forbidden act)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of the forbidden act).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀμητὸνstanding grainAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the neighbor's crop)→ object specificationἄμητος: 'standing grain'; the repetition (cf. opening of the verse) frames the permission within the prohibition — eat, but do not reap.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλησίονneighborGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationπλησίον: 'neighbor'; the property-owner whose harvest is protected from reaping.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
26
ἐὰν δὲ εἰσέλθῃς εἰς τὸν ἀμπελῶνα τοῦ πλησίον σου φάγῃ σταφυλὴν ὅσον ψυχήν σου ἐμπλησθῆναι εἰς δὲ ἄγγος οὐκ ἐμβαλεῖς
But if you enter into your neighbor's vineyard, you may eat a cluster, as much as for your appetite to be filled, but into a vessel you shall not put any.
The parallel ruling for the vineyard, closing the chapter: a passerby may eat grapes to satisfaction (ὅσον ψυχήν σου ἐμπλησθῆναι) but may put none into a vessel (ἄγγος) to carry away. The same principle as v. 25 — generous provision for present hunger, no carrying-off for profit; together these laws embody Israel's neighbor-love ethic in the land.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the parallel vineyard-case.
δὲbut / nowtransitional particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: continues the gleaning-laws from v. 25.
εἰσέλθῃςyou enterAor Act Subj 2 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιverb of the protasis (entering the vineyard)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (the act of entering)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter'; parallel to v. 25; the traveler enters a neighbor's vineyard.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (entry)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (entry).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀμπελῶναvineyardAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the vineyard)→ object specificationἀμπελών: 'vineyard'; renders כֶּרֶם; the vineyard parallels the grainfield (ἄμητος) of v. 25; vineyards are a frequent biblical image (Isa 5; Matt 20:1; 21:33).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλησίονneighborGenitivegenitive of possession (whose vineyard)→ relational specificationπλησίον: 'neighbor'; the vineyard's owner.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
φάγῃyou may eatFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (granted permission to eat)→ permissive future (allowed action)ἐσθίω: 'eat'; the future middle φάγῃ (2 sg., suppletive future of ἐσθίω) renders אָכַל; eating grapes on the spot is permitted to satisfy hunger; cf. the disciples eating as they plucked (Matt 12:1).
σταφυλὴνa cluster of grapesAccusativedirect object of φάγῃ (what is eaten)→ object specificationσταφυλή: 'bunch / cluster of grapes'; renders עֵנָב / אֶשְׁכֹּל; the grapes eaten directly from the vine.
ὅσονas much asAccusativecorrelative adjective (quantity: 'as much as')→ object specificationὅσος: 'as much/many as'; the neuter ὅσον ('to the extent that') governs the quantity — one may eat enough to be satisfied, but no more for carrying off.
ψυχήνsoul / appetiteAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive ἐμπλησθῆναι→ object specificationψυχή: 'soul / life / appetite'; renders נֶפֶשׁ (here 'appetite / desire'); 'as much as for your appetite to be filled' = to satisfy your hunger; ψυχή in the sense of bodily appetite is a common Hebraism (cf. Prov 13:25).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐμπλησθῆναιto be filled / satisfiedAor Pass Inf · ἐμπίμπλημιinfinitive of result/extent (with ὅσον: 'enough to be filled')→ telic/consecutive aorist infinitive (satiation as the limit)ἐμπίμπλημι (aor. pass.): 'fill up / satisfy'; renders שָׂבַע ('be sated'); the infinitive marks the permitted limit — eating to satiety, but not beyond, for the surplus belongs to the owner.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction; fronted for emphasis)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction; fronted for emphasis).
δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive: marks the contrast)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: 'but'; contrasts eating-on-the-spot with carrying-away; the fronted εἰς ἄγγος is emphatic.
ἄγγοςvessel / containerAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the forbidden receptacle)→ object specificationἄγγος: 'vessel / container / basket'; renders כְּלִי; putting grapes 'into a vessel' would mean gathering to carry off — i.e. taking for gain, which is forbidden; the same word-group as ἀγγεῖον (Matt 13:48; 25:4).
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐμβαλεῖςyou shall put inFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐμβάλλωmain verb (prohibition of carrying-off)→ imperatival future (apodictic prohibition, closing the chapter)ἐμβάλλω: 'throw in / put into'; renders נָתַן (into a vessel); 'you shall not put (any) into a vessel' — no gathering to take away; the prohibition closes the chapter, sealing the ethic of provision-without-plunder toward one's neighbor.