1
καὶ νῦν Ισραηλ ἄκουε τῶν δικαιωμάτων καὶ τῶν κριμάτων ὅσα ἐγὼ διδάσκω ὑμᾶς σήμερον ποιεῖν ἵνα ζῆτε καὶ πολυπλασιασθῆτε καὶ εἰσελθόντες κληρονομήσητε τὴν γῆν ἣν κύριος ὁ θεὸς τῶν πατέρων ὑμῶν δίδωσιν ὑμῖν
And now, O Israel, hear the statutes and the judgments that I teach you today to do, that you may live and be multiplied, and that you may go in and inherit the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.
καὶ νῦν ('and now') is the classic Deuteronomic rhetorical pivot from rehearsed history (chs. 1–3) to present demand; followed by the vocative Ισραηλ and the singular imperative ἄκουε it strikes the keynote of the whole address (cf. the Shema, 6:4). The purpose clause ἵνα ζῆτε … κληρονομήσητε ties obedience directly to life and land-inheritance, the twin Deuteronomic blessings.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (transitional: 'and now')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here part of the formula καὶ νῦν rendering Hebrew וְעַתָּה, the standard transition from narrative recital to exhortation or appeal.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (rhetorical pivot)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; in καὶ νῦν it is logical-rhetorical rather than strictly temporal — 'this being so, therefore now' — marking the turn from past lessons to present obligation.
ΙσραηλIsraelvocative of direct address (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; the personified nation is addressed as a single hearer, setting up the alternation between singular and plural verbs that runs through the chapter.
ἄκουεhearPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (imperative of summons)→ durative present imperative (ongoing, attentive hearing)ἀκούω: 'hear / listen / obey'; renders שָׁמַע; the present imperative calls not for a single act but for sustained, obedient attention; the same verb anchors the Shema (6:4), and 'hearing' in Deuteronomy regularly entails 'obeying.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (genitive with ἄκουε)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δικαιωμάτωνstatutes / ordinancesGenitivegenitive object of ἄκουε (thing heard)→ relational specificationδικαίωμα: 'statute / ordinance / righteous requirement'; renders חֹק / חֻקִּים; in Deuteronomy a near-technical term for the covenant decrees; the genitive with ἀκούω marks the content heard; paired throughout the chapter with κρίματα/κρίσεις ('judgments').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κριμάτωνjudgmentsGenitivegenitive object of ἄκουε (coordinate with δικαιωμάτων)→ relational specificationκρίμα: 'judgment / legal decision / ordinance'; renders מִשְׁפָּט; the pairing δικαιώματα καὶ κρίματα ('statutes and judgments') is a Deuteronomic word-pair for the whole body of covenant law.
ὅσαas many as / whichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative object of διδάσκω)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much/many as'; the neuter plural ὅσα introduces the relative clause defining the statutes and judgments as the very things Moses teaches.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; stresses Moses as the authoritative human teacher of the divine law, a role underlined again in vv. 5, 8, 40.
διδάσκωteachPres Act Indic 1 Sg · διδάσκωverb of relative clause→ customary present (Moses' ongoing instructional role)διδάσκω: 'teach'; renders לִמֵּד (Piel of למד); the present tense frames the whole address as an act of teaching; cf. v. 14 where YHWH commissions Moses διδάξαι ὑμᾶς.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object (plural)→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (plural).
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; a key Deuteronomic word stressing the existential immediacy of the covenant demand — the law is given 'today,' to this generation, as a present claim.
ποιεῖνto doPres Act Inf · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (purpose of teaching: 'to do')→ durative present infinitive (ongoing performance)ποιέω: 'do / make / perform'; renders עָשָׂה; the infinitive of purpose shows that the statutes are taught not for knowledge but for practice — hearing issues in doing.
ἵναthatpurpose/result conjunction (introducing ἵνα-clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: 'in order that'; introduces the double purpose (ζῆτε … κληρονομήσητε) for which obedience is enjoined.
ζῆτεyou may livePres Act Subj 2 Pl · ζάωverb of purpose clause→ durative present subjunctive (continuance in life)ζάω: 'live'; renders חָיָה; 'life' in Deuteronomy is covenant-life in the land under blessing; the present subjunctive expresses ongoing flourishing, not mere survival.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πολυπλασιασθῆτεyou may be multipliedAor Pass Subj 2 Pl · πολυπλασιάζωverb of purpose clause (coordinate with ζῆτε)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (come to be many)πολυπλασιάζω: 'multiply / increase greatly'; renders רָבָה; the passive (divine passive) implies YHWH as the agent of increase, echoing the patriarchal promise of numerous descendants (Gen 22:17).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσελθόντεςhaving gone inAor Act Part Nom Masc Pl · εἰσέρχομαιcircumstantial participle (temporal, attendant on κληρονομήσητε)→ antecedent aorist participle (entry precedes inheritance)εἰσέρχομαι: 'go in / enter'; renders בּוֹא; the participle marks the entry into Canaan as the prerequisite of inheritance — first go in, then take possession.
κληρονομήσητεyou may inheritAor Act Subj 2 Pl · κληρονομέωverb of purpose clause (main goal: possessing the land)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (take possession)κληρονομέω: 'inherit / take possession of'; renders יָרַשׁ; a leading Deuteronomic verb for entering and possessing the promised land as the covenant gift.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of κληρονομήσητε→ object specificationγῆ: 'land / earth'; renders אֶרֶץ; here the promised land of Canaan, the central object of the inheritance promise.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative object of δίδωσιν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; the feminine accusative ἥν agrees with γῆν and is the object of the giving in the relative clause.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of δίδωσιν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the covenant God who gives the land as gift, not human conquest alone.
ὁtheNominativearticle (in apposition phrase)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the appositive κύριος ὁ θεός ('the LORD God') is a Deuteronomic stock phrase binding the covenant name to deity.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέρωνfathersGenitivegenitive of relationship ('God of your fathers')→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; renders אָב; 'the God of your fathers' grounds the land-gift in the ancestral promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying πατέρων)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying πατέρων).
δίδωσινgivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of relative clause→ futuristic/progressive present (the gift now being made)δίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; the present tense ('is giving') presents the land-gift as already in process though not yet realized — a characteristic Deuteronomic 'already/not-yet.'
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object (dative of recipient)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (dative of recipient).
2
οὐ προσθήσετε πρὸς τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐγὼ ἐντέλλομαι ὑμῖν καὶ οὐκ ἀφελεῖτε ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ φυλάσσεσθε τὰς ἐντολὰς κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ ὑμῶν ὅσα ἐγὼ ἐντέλλομαι ὑμῖν σήμερον
You shall not add to the word that I command you, and you shall not take away from it; keep the commandments of the LORD your God, whatever I command you today.
The 'canon-formula' οὐ προσθήσετε … οὐκ ἀφελεῖτε ('you shall not add … nor take away') seals the divine word against human tampering; it recurs at Deut 13:1 and is echoed at Rev 22:18–19. The future indicatives with οὐ have the force of absolute prohibitions (legal future), while the present imperative φυλάσσεσθε states the positive counterpart: guard the commandments whole and entire.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
οὐnotnegative particle (with future indicative = prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: negation; with the future προσθήσετε it forms a categorical prohibition (the 'legal future' equivalent to a command), rendering the Hebrew לֹא + imperfect.
προσθήσετεyou shall addFut Act Indic 2 Pl · προστίθημιmain verb (prohibition)→ legislative future (absolute prohibition)προστίθημι: 'add / put to'; renders יָסַף; the canon-formula forbids supplementing the divine word; the future indicative with οὐ functions as an emphatic legal prohibition.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (addition: 'add to')→ spatial or relational framingπρός + acc.: 'to / toward'; with προστίθημι it expresses the addition made 'to' the word.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαwordAccusativeobject of πρός (the thing not to be added to)→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / thing / matter'; renders דָּבָר; here the whole body of commanded revelation viewed as a single inviolable 'word.'
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐντέλλομαι)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; neuter accusative ὅ agrees with ῥῆμα.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; Moses commands as the mediator of YHWH's word — yet what he commands is identified with 'the commandments of the LORD your God' (next clause).
ἐντέλλομαιcommandPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb of relative clause→ customary present (Moses' standing commission)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / enjoin / give orders'; renders צִוָּה; deponent middle; a leading Deuteronomic verb for the issuing of covenant commands.
ὑμῖνyouDativeindirect object (dative)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (dative).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with future indicative = prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: negation before a vowel; the second half of the canon-formula.
ἀφελεῖτεyou shall take awayFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀφαιρέωmain verb (prohibition, balancing προσθήσετε)→ legislative future (absolute prohibition)ἀφαιρέω: 'take away / remove / subtract'; renders גָּרַע; with οὐκ it completes the canon-formula — the word may be neither augmented nor diminished. The antithetical pair προστίθημι / ἀφαιρέω is precisely echoed in the warning of Rev 22:18–19.
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation: 'take from')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό (elided ἀπ᾿): 'from'; with ἀφαιρέω marks the source from which nothing may be removed.
αὐτοῦitGenitiveobject of ἀπ᾿ (referring to τὸ ῥῆμα)→ relational specificationαὐτός: here the genitive refers back to τὸ ῥῆμα — 'from it,' i.e., from the word.
φυλάσσεσθεkeepPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · φυλάσσωmain verb (positive imperative counterpart)→ durative present imperative (ongoing observance)φυλάσσω: 'guard / keep / observe'; renders שָׁמַר; the middle voice ('keep for yourselves') stresses the people's responsible custody of the law; the positive command balances the preceding prohibitions.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐντολὰςcommandmentsAccusativedirect object of φυλάσσεσθε→ object specificationἐντολή: 'commandment / precept'; renders מִצְוָה; the object of guarding; the cognate of the verb ἐντέλλομαι, binding the act of commanding to the thing commanded.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of source/possession ('commandments of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the commandments Moses speaks are 'of the LORD' — identifying Moses' word with the divine word and so undergirding the canon-formula.
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 appositive 'the LORD your God' (κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν) recurs as a refrain throughout the chapter.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὅσαwhateverAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative object of ἐντέλλομαι)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much/many as'; the neuter plural ὅσα generalizes the command to embrace the entire body of what Moses enjoins.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; the repetition of ἐγὼ ἐντέλλομαι frames the verse and stresses the authority of the mediator.
ἐντέλλομαιcommandPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb of relative clause→ customary present (standing commission)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command'; the second occurrence in this verse forms an inclusio around the canon-formula.
ὑμῖνyouDativeindirect object (dative)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (dative).
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; reasserts the present, binding force of the covenant word.
3
οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ὑμῶν ἑωράκασιν πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησεν κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν τῷ Βεελφεγωρ ὅτι πᾶς ἄνθρωπος ὅστις ἐπορεύθη ὀπίσω Βεελφεγωρ ἐξέτριψεν αὐτὸν κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν ἐξ ὑμῶν
Your eyes have seen all that the LORD our God did in the case of Baal-Peor; for every man who went after Baal-Peor, the LORD your God destroyed him from among you.
Moses grounds the call to obedience in the people's own recent memory: the Baal-Peor apostasy (Num 25), where those who 'went after' the Moabite-Baal were destroyed. The perfect ἑωράκασιν ('have seen') stresses an abiding eyewitness knowledge. The motif of 'your eyes have seen' recurs through the chapter (cf. vv. 9, 34), making sight the basis of covenant fidelity.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοὶeyesNominativesubject of ἑωράκασιν→ participant prominenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; renders עַיִן; 'your eyes have seen' is a Deuteronomic appeal to firsthand experience as the warrant for obedience.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἑωράκασινhave seenPerf Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb→ resultative perfect (past seeing with abiding present knowledge)ὁράω: 'see / perceive'; renders רָאָה; the perfect tense signals that what was seen remains a present possession of memory — they still know what they witnessed.
πάνταallAccusativedirect object of ἑωράκασιν→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the neuter plural πάντα ('all things') is the comprehensive object further defined by the ὅσα-clause.
ὅσαthat / as many asAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐποίησεν)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much/many as'; defines πάντα by the deeds YHWH performed.
ἐποίησενdidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the completed judgment at Peor)ποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עָשָׂה; here of YHWH's judicial action against the apostates of Peor.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐποίησεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; here 'the LORD our God' (first person plural ἡμῶν) momentarily includes Moses with the people.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying θεός)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: 'our'; the shift from ὑμῶν to ἡμῶν binds Moses to the people in shared covenant relation.
τῷto / in the case ofDativearticle (with Βεελφεγωρ, dative of reference)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒεελφεγωρBaal-Peordative of reference (indeclinable proper noun: 'in the matter of Baal-Peor')→ participant identificationΒεελφεγωρ: transliteration of Hebrew בַּעַל פְּעוֹר ('Baal of Peor'); indeclinable; the Moabite deity whose worship at Shittim brought the plague of Num 25; the article τῷ marks a dative of reference — 'what the LORD did concerning Baal-Peor.'
ὅτιfor / thatcausal/explanatory conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; here introduces the explanatory ground — what exactly YHWH did, namely the destruction of the apostates.
πᾶςeveryNominativeadjective (modifying ἄνθρωπος)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every / all'; with ἄνθρωπος ('every man') it universalizes the judgment — none who followed Baal-Peor escaped.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject (resumed by αὐτόν after the relative clause)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man / person'; renders אִישׁ; the casus pendens ('every man who…') is resumed by the pronoun αὐτόν, a Hebraizing construction.
ὅστιςwhoeverNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐπορεύθη)→ participant referenceὅστις: indefinite relative 'whoever'; generalizes the class of apostates.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the act of apostasy)πορεύομαι: 'go / walk / proceed'; deponent with aorist passive form; 'went after' (ἐπορεύθη ὀπίσω) renders הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי, a Hebrew idiom for cultic allegiance and apostasy.
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive (cultic allegiance: 'after')→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'behind / after'; with the genitive renders אַחֲרֵי; 'to go after' a god is the standard idiom for idolatrous following.
ΒεελφεγωρBaal-Peorgenitive object of ὀπίσω (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒεελφεγωρ: see above; here the object of idolatrous following.
ἐξέτριψενdestroyedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκτρίβωmain verb of the apodosis (resuming πᾶς ἄνθρωπος via αὐτόν)→ constative aorist (decisive annihilation)ἐκτρίβω: 'rub out / destroy utterly / exterminate'; renders שָׁמַד / hophal of שׁמד; the same root threatens Israel in v. 26 (ἐκτριβῇ ἐκτριβήσεσθε) — apostasy invites the very fate it imitates.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (resumptive pronoun for πᾶς ἄνθρωπος)→ participant referenceαὐτός: resumptive accusative picking up the pendent subject πᾶς ἄνθρωπος — a Hebraizing redundancy.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐξέτριψεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; 'the LORD your God' (ὑμῶν) — the second-person possessive now resumed.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐξfrom amongpreposition + genitive (separation: 'from among you')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ (ἐξ before vowel): 'out of / from among'; renders מִקִּרְבְּךָ ('from your midst'); the apostates were purged from the covenant community.
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ἐξ (separation)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐξ (separation).
4
ὑμεῖς δὲ οἱ προσκείμενοι κυρίῳ τῷ θεῷ ὑμῶν ζῆτε πάντες ἐν τῇ σήμερον
But you who cleave to the LORD your God are all alive today.
The emphatic ὑμεῖς δέ ('but you') sharply contrasts the present generation — those who 'cleave' (προσκείμενοι) to YHWH — with the destroyed apostates of v. 3. Their continued life 'today' (ἐν τῇ σήμερον) is living proof that fidelity issues in life, the very promise of v. 1; the verb προσκείμενοι renders the covenant-loyalty term דָּבַק ('cling').
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceὑμεῖς: emphatic 'you'; sets the faithful living generation in pointed contrast to the dead apostates of v. 3.
δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: 'but / now'; here adversative, marking the contrast between destruction (v. 3) and survival (v. 4).
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσκείμενοιwho cleavePres Mid Part Nom Masc Pl · πρόσκειμαιsubstantival participle (in apposition to ὑμεῖς)→ durative present participle (continuing attachment)πρόσκειμαι: 'cleave to / be devoted/attached to'; renders דָּבַק ('cling / hold fast'), the Deuteronomic term for covenant loyalty (cf. 10:20; 11:22; 13:5); the present participle marks an abiding, ongoing devotion.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative complement of προσκείμενοι→ sphere or referenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the dative names the object of clinging.
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 LORD your God' in the dative as the one cleaved to.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ζῆτεare alivePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ζάωmain verb (statement of present fact)→ durative present indicative (continuing life)ζάω: 'live / be alive'; renders חַי; here indicative ('you are alive') rather than imperative — their survival is the empirical demonstration that loyalty brings life (v. 1).
πάντεςallNominativepredicate adjective (in agreement with ὑμεῖς: 'all of you')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; 'you are all alive' — not one of the faithful was lost, a deliberate counterpoint to 'every man' destroyed in v. 3.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: 'in'; with the substantivized adverb forms the temporal phrase 'in the today / this day.'
τῇtheDativearticle (substantivizing σήμερον)→ noun-phrase markingἡ (dat. τῇ): the feminine article substantivizes the adverb σήμερον into 'the today' (sc. ἡμέρᾳ understood), a Hebraizing temporal phrase.
σήμερονtodayadverb substantivized by τῇ (temporal: 'this day')→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; with the article ('in the today') it points to the present moment of the address as the time of life and decision.
5
ἴδετε δέδειχα ὑμῖν δικαιώματα καὶ κρίσεις καθὰ ἐνετείλατό μοι κύριος ποιῆσαι οὕτως ἐν τῇ γῇ εἰς ἣν ὑμεῖς εἰσπορεύεσθε ἐκεῖ κληρονομεῖν αὐτήν
See, I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the LORD commanded me, that you should do so in the land into which you are entering to inherit it.
The attention-getting ἴδετε ('see / look') introduces Moses' formal handing-over of the law. The perfect δέδειχα ('I have shown/taught') stresses that the act of instruction is complete and stands as an abiding deposit. The καθά-clause anchors Moses' teaching in YHWH's own command — Moses adds nothing of his own (cf. the canon-formula, v. 2).
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ἴδετεsee / beholdAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (attention-getting imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (a single 'look!')ὁράω (aor. impv. ἴδετε from εἶδον): 'see / behold'; renders רְאֵה; an interjectional imperative summoning attention to the solemn act of law-giving that follows.
δέδειχαI have shown / taughtPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · δείκνυμιmain verb (statement of completed instruction)→ resultative perfect (the teaching stands accomplished)δείκνυμι: 'show / point out / make known'; here of teaching the law; renders לִמֵּד; the perfect signals that the instruction, once given, abides as a permanent endowment to Israel.
ὑμῖνyouDativeindirect object (dative)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (dative).
δικαιώματαstatutesAccusativedirect object of δέδειχα→ object specificationδικαίωμα: 'statute / ordinance'; renders חֻקִּים; paired with κρίσεις as the comprehensive law.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κρίσειςjudgmentsAccusativedirect object (coordinate with δικαιώματα)→ object specificationκρίσις: 'judgment / legal decision'; renders מִשְׁפָּטִים; here interchangeable with κρίματα (vv. 1, 8) for the case-law of the covenant.
καθὰjust ascomparative conjunction (introducing standard clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθά: 'just as / according as'; renders כַּאֲשֶׁר; marks Moses' teaching as exactly conformed to YHWH's command.
ἐνετείλατόcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb of comparative clause→ constative aorist (the divine commission at Horeb)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command'; renders צִוָּה; the aorist points back to the specific divine charge to Moses (cf. v. 14).
μοιmeDativeindirect object (dative)→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (dative).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐνετείλατο→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
ποιῆσαιto doAor Act Inf · ποιέωinfinitive of purpose ('so as to do')→ ingressive aorist infinitive (to put into practice)ποιέω: 'do / perform'; the purpose of the teaching is performance in the land — knowledge for obedience.
οὕτωςthus / soadverb of manner (with ποιῆσαι)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / in this way'; renders כֵּן; 'to do so' — exactly as taught and commanded.
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 (location of obedience)→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land'; renders אֶרֶץ; the land is the arena where the law is to be enacted.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction, in relative clause)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction, in relative clause).
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἰς)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; feminine accusative ἥν referring to γῇ.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject of εἰσπορεύεσθε (emphatic)→ participant referenceὑμεῖς: emphatic 'you' — distinguishing the people who will enter from Moses, who will not (v. 21).
εἰσπορεύεσθεare enteringPres Mid Indic 2 Pl · εἰσπορεύομαιverb of relative clause→ futuristic/progressive present (entry imminent and underway)εἰσπορεύομαι: 'enter / go into'; renders בּוֹא; the present pictures the entry as already in motion.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (resumptive, Hebraizing)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; the resumptive adverb after the relative ('into which … there') reflects the Hebrew אֲשֶׁר … שָׁמָּה, a redundant relative construction.
κληρονομεῖνto inheritPres Act Inf · κληρονομέωinfinitive of purpose (goal of entry)→ durative present infinitive (to take and hold possession)κληρονομέω: 'inherit / take possession of'; renders יָרַשׁ; the purpose of entering is possession.
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object of κληρονομεῖν (referring to γῇ)→ participant referenceαὐτός: feminine accusative referring back to γῇ.
6
καὶ φυλάξεσθε καὶ ποιήσετε ὅτι αὕτη ἡ σοφία ὑμῶν καὶ ἡ σύνεσις ἐναντίον πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν ὅσοι ἐὰν ἀκούσωσιν πάντα τὰ δικαιώματα ταῦτα καὶ ἐροῦσιν ἰδοὺ λαὸς σοφὸς καὶ ἐπιστήμων τὸ ἔθνος τὸ μέγα τοῦτο
And you shall keep them and do them, for this is your wisdom and understanding before all the nations, who, whenever they hear all these statutes, will say, 'Behold, a wise and understanding people, this great nation!'
Obedience is reframed as Israel's σοφία and σύνεσις ('wisdom and understanding') before the watching nations — a missiological note unusual in the Pentateuch. The nations' acclamation (ἰδοὺ λαὸς σοφός) makes the keeping of the law a public testimony to the surpassing nearness and righteousness of Israel's God, prepared for in vv. 7–8.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φυλάξεσθεyou shall keepFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · φυλάσσωmain verb (injunction in future form)→ legislative future (binding obligation)φυλάσσω: 'guard / keep / observe'; renders שָׁמַר; the middle voice marks Israel's responsible custody; the future has imperatival force.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσετεyou shall doFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (coordinate with φυλάξεσθε)→ legislative future (binding obligation)ποιέω: 'do / perform'; renders עָשָׂה; the paired 'keep and do' (φυλάσσω + ποιέω) is a Deuteronomic formula for whole-hearted observance.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the motive — obedience is Israel's wisdom.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject: 'this [keeping] is…')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the feminine αὕτη agrees with σοφία; it points to the act of keeping the law just enjoined.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σοφίαwisdomNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceσοφία: 'wisdom'; renders חָכְמָה; here Israel's obedience is its true 'wisdom' — a notable identification of Torah-observance with sapiential excellence.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σύνεσιςunderstandingNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate with σοφία)→ participant prominenceσύνεσις: 'understanding / insight'; renders בִּינָה; the pair σοφία/σύνεσις is a standard wisdom word-pair (cf. Prov 1:2).
ἐναντίονbefore / in the sight ofimproper preposition + genitive (Hebraism: 'in the eyes of')→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: 'before / in the sight of'; renders לְעֵינֵי; Israel's wisdom is displayed publicly before the nations.
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ἐθνῶν)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; universalizes the audience of nations.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐθνῶνnationsGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίον→ relational specificationἔθνος: 'nation / people / gentile'; renders גּוֹי; the surrounding nations who will witness and acclaim Israel's law-shaped life.
ὅσοιwho / as many asNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἀκούσωσιν)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as'; here masculine plural, generalizing the nations who hear.
ἐὰνwheneverconditional particle (with subjunctive: indefinite 'whenever')→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if / whenever'; with the subjunctive ἀκούσωσιν it expresses an indefinite, repeatable condition.
ἀκούσωσινthey hearAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀκούωverb of conditional-relative clause→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (come to hear)ἀκούω: 'hear'; the nations hearing of Israel's statutes — report of the law spreads abroad and elicits admiration.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying δικαιώματα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the totality of the statutes is in view.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δικαιώματαstatutesAccusativedirect object of ἀκούσωσιν→ object specificationδικαίωμα: 'statute / ordinance'; the body of law as the object of the nations' hearing.
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying δικαιώματα)→ object specificationοὗτος: 'these'; the specific statutes now being given.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐροῦσινthey will sayFut Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb of the apodosis (the nations' acclamation)→ predictive future (anticipated reaction)λέγω (fut. ἐρῶ): 'say'; the nations' future verdict — their words become an external testimony to Israel's God.
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (presentative particle)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; introduces the nations' admiring exclamation.
λαὸςpeopleNominativepredicate nominative (content of the acclamation)→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the nations recognize Israel as a uniquely wise people.
σοφὸςwiseNominativeattributive adjective (modifying λαός)→ participant prominenceσοφός: 'wise'; renders חָכָם; the verdict the nations pronounce on law-keeping Israel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιστήμωνunderstandingNominativeattributive adjective (coordinate with σοφός)→ participant prominenceἐπιστήμων: 'knowing / understanding / discerning'; renders נָבוֹן; the pair σοφός/ἐπιστήμων echoes σοφία/σύνεσις above.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔθνοςnationNominativenominative in apposition to λαός→ participant prominenceἔθνος: 'nation'; here applied to Israel itself — 'this great nation' — the very term used of the gentile observers, now turned in admiration upon Israel.
τὸtheNominativearticle (attributive position with μέγα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μέγαgreatNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔθνος)→ participant prominenceμέγας: 'great'; renders גָּדוֹל; Israel's greatness lies not in numbers or power but in its God-given law (cf. vv. 7–8).
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἔθνος)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the deictic 'this great nation' makes the acclamation vivid and immediate.
7
ὅτι ποῖον ἔθνος μέγα ᾧ ἐστιν αὐτῷ θεὸς ἐγγίζων αὐτοῖς ὡς κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν ἐν πᾶσιν οἷς ἐὰν αὐτὸν ἐπικαλεσώμεθα
For what great nation is there that has a god drawing near to them as the LORD our God is in all things in which we call upon him?
The first of two parallel rhetorical questions (vv. 7, 8) explaining why Israel is 'great': no nation has a god so near. The participle ἐγγίζων ('drawing near') expresses the accessibility of YHWH to a people who call on him — a striking claim of divine immanence answered by the law's righteousness in v. 8. The question expects the answer 'none.'
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; grounds the nations' acclamation of v. 6 — Israel is great because its God is near.
ποῖονwhat kind ofNominativeinterrogative adjective (modifying ἔθνος)→ participant prominenceποῖος: 'what sort of / which'; renders מִי (here in a 'what nation' rhetorical question); expects the answer 'none.'
ἔθνοςnationNominativesubject of the verbless interrogative→ participant prominenceἔθνος: 'nation'; the rhetorical 'what nation' surveys all peoples and finds none comparable.
μέγαgreatNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔθνος)→ participant prominenceμέγας: 'great'; the criterion of greatness is redefined in terms of divine nearness, not might.
ᾧto whichDativerelative pronoun (dative of possession)→ participant reference or interestὅς: relative pronoun; the dative ᾧ … ἐστιν αὐτῷ ('to which there is to it') is a doubled Hebraizing dative of possession rendering אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of existence/possession→ stative present (possession)εἰμί: 'be / exist'; here in the possessive idiom 'there is to it a god' = 'which has a god.'
αὐτῷto itDativedative of possession (resumptive, Hebraizing)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: the resumptive dative αὐτῷ after the relative ᾧ reflects Hebrew אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ ('which to it'), a redundant possessive construction.
θεὸςgodNominativesubject of ἐστιν (the possessed god)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'god'; here generically of any nation's deity, set in contrast with κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν.
ἐγγίζωνdrawing nearPres Act Part Nom Masc Sg · ἐγγίζωattributive participle (modifying θεός)→ durative present participle (continual nearness)ἐγγίζω: 'draw near / be near / approach'; renders קָרוֹב; the participle frames divine nearness as a constant disposition — the crux of vv. 7–8: no other nation's god is so accessible to those who call.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative complement of ἐγγίζων→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: dative of the people to whom the god draws near.
ὡςascomparative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; introduces the standard of comparison — no god is near 'as the LORD our God.'
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of implied ἐστιν (comparison)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the incomparably near God.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; 'the LORD our God' (ἡμῶν) — Moses joined with the people in confession.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere: 'in all things')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere: 'in all things').
πᾶσινall thingsDativesubstantival adjective (object of ἐν)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; the neuter dative plural 'in all things' = in every matter for which they invoke him.
οἷςin whichDativerelative pronoun (dative, antecedent πᾶσιν)→ participant reference or interestὅς: relative pronoun; dative plural attracted to its antecedent πᾶσιν.
ἐὰνwheneverconditional particle (with subjunctive: indefinite)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if / whenever'; with the subjunctive ἐπικαλεσώμεθα it generalizes — in any matter whatsoever for which Israel calls.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐπικαλεσώμεθα→ participant referenceαὐτός: accusative object — the LORD invoked.
ἐπικαλεσώμεθαwe call uponAor Mid Subj 1 Pl · ἐπικαλέωverb of conditional-relative clause→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (whenever we invoke)ἐπικαλέω (mid.): 'call upon / invoke'; renders קָרָא (in prayer); the middle voice ('call upon for oneself') is the standard idiom for invoking the deity; YHWH's nearness is realized precisely in answered invocation.
8
καὶ ποῖον ἔθνος μέγα ᾧ ἐστιν αὐτῷ δικαιώματα καὶ κρίματα δίκαια κατὰ πάντα τὸν νόμον τοῦτον ὃν ἐγὼ δίδωμι ἐνώπιον ὑμῶν σήμερον
And what great nation is there that has righteous statutes and judgments according to all this law which I set before you today?
The second rhetorical question parallels v. 7: as no nation has a god so near, so none has a law so righteous (δίκαια). Together the two questions define Israel's uniqueness — a near God and a righteous law — and prepare the transition to the Horeb narrative (vv. 9–14) where that law was given. ἐγὼ δίδωμι again stresses Moses' role as the law's present conveyor.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking parallel question)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποῖονwhat kind ofNominativeinterrogative adjective (modifying ἔθνος)→ participant prominenceποῖος: 'what sort of'; repeats the form of v. 7 for rhetorical parallelism.
ἔθνοςnationNominativesubject of the verbless interrogative→ participant prominenceἔθνος: 'nation'; again surveying all peoples and finding none with a comparable law.
μέγαgreatNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔθνος)→ participant prominenceμέγας: 'great'; greatness here measured by the righteousness of the law possessed.
ᾧto whichDativerelative pronoun (dative of possession)→ participant reference or interestὅς: relative pronoun; same Hebraizing possessive construction as v. 7.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of existence/possession→ stative present (possession)εἰμί: 'be / exist'; the possessive idiom 'there is to it' = 'which has.'
αὐτῷto itDativedative of possession (resumptive, Hebraizing)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: resumptive dative reflecting אֲשֶׁר־לוֹ, as in v. 7.
δικαιώματαstatutesNominativesubject (the possessed statutes)→ participant prominenceδικαίωμα: 'statute / ordinance'; the righteous decrees that mark Israel's law as unique.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κρίματαjudgmentsNominativesubject (coordinate with δικαιώματα)→ participant prominenceκρίμα: 'judgment / ordinance'; the case-law paired with the statutes.
δίκαιαrighteousNominativeattributive adjective (modifying δικαιώματα καὶ κρίματα)→ participant prominenceδίκαιος: 'righteous / just'; renders צַדִּיק; the law's righteousness (δίκαια) is the counterpart to the God's nearness (v. 7) — together the twin grounds of Israel's greatness.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/conformity)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to / in conformity with'; the statutes are righteous as measured by 'all this law.'
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying νόμον)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the whole law, not a part.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νόμονlawAccusativeobject of κατά→ object specificationνόμος: 'law'; renders תּוֹרָה; the whole Torah here viewed as a single righteous code; cf. the superscription ὁ νόμος in v. 44.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying νόμον)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the specific law now being delivered.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of δίδωμι)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; masculine accusative ὅν agreeing with νόμον.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; Moses again as the present giver of the law (cf. vv. 1–2).
δίδωμιgive / setPres Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιverb of relative clause→ performative present (the act of setting forth now)δίδωμι: 'give / set'; here 'set before' (with ἐνώπιον) renders נָתַן לִפְנֵי, the formal presentation of the law as a deposit before the people.
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (Hebraism: 'in the presence of')→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the law is laid out openly 'before' the people for their acceptance.
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐνώπιον.
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; the recurring stress on the present moment of covenant decision.
9
πρόσεχε σεαυτῷ καὶ φύλαξον τὴν ψυχήν σου σφόδρα μὴ ἐπιλάθῃ πάντας τοὺς λόγους οὓς ἑωράκασιν οἱ ὀφθαλμοί σου καὶ μὴ ἀποστήτωσαν ἀπὸ τῆς καρδίας σου πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς σου καὶ συμβιβάσεις τοὺς υἱούς σου καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς τῶν υἱῶν σου
Take heed to yourself and guard your soul diligently, lest you forget all the things which your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; and you shall teach them to your sons and to your sons' sons.
The address shifts to the singular (πρόσεχε σεαυτῷ) as Moses begins the Horeb recollection (vv. 9–14). The double charge — guard the soul against forgetting, and transmit to children and grandchildren — establishes memory as the load-bearing structure of covenant continuity. The catechetical motif (συμβιβάσεις τοὺς υἱούς σου) anticipates 6:7.
Word-by-word analysis· 42 words
πρόσεχεtake heedPres Act Impv 2 Sg · προσέχωmain verb (imperative of caution)→ durative present imperative (continual vigilance)προσέχω: 'take heed / give attention / beware'; renders שָׁמַר (Niphal הִשָּׁמֶר); the idiom πρόσεχε σεαυτῷ ('watch yourself') is a Deuteronomic warning-formula (cf. vv. 15, 23).
σεαυτῷto yourselfDativereflexive pronoun (dative with προσέχω)→ participant reference or interestσεαυτοῦ: reflexive 'yourself'; the dative completes the warning-idiom 'take heed to yourself.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φύλαξονguardAor Act Impv 2 Sg · φυλάσσωmain verb (imperative, coordinate with πρόσεχε)→ constative aorist imperative (decisive guarding)φυλάσσω: 'guard / keep'; renders שָׁמַר; here of guarding the inner self (τὴν ψυχήν) against forgetting.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχήνsoul / selfAccusativedirect object of φύλαξον→ object specificationψυχή: 'soul / life / self'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; here the whole inner person whose memory must be guarded; note the parallel 'guard your souls' at v. 15.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
σφόδραdiligently / exceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying φύλαξον)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'very / exceedingly'; renders מְאֹד; the intensity of the guarding matches the gravity of forgetting.
μὴlestnegative conjunction (introducing clause of fearing/precaution)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: 'not / lest'; with the aorist subjunctive ἐπιλάθῃ it introduces the danger to be guarded against — forgetting.
ἐπιλάθῃyou forgetAor Mid Subj 2 Sg · ἐπιλανθάνομαιverb of negative purpose clause→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (fall into forgetting)ἐπιλανθάνομαι: 'forget / neglect'; renders שָׁכַח; forgetting is, in Deuteronomy, the root of apostasy (cf. 8:11–19); the deponent middle governs the accusative τοὺς λόγους.
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying λόγους)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the totality of the remembered events is at stake.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγουςwords / thingsAccusativedirect object of ἐπιλάθῃ→ object specificationλόγος: 'word / matter / thing'; renders דָּבָר; here 'the things' (events) which the eyes saw — both the deeds and the words of Horeb.
οὓςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἑωράκασιν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; masculine accusative plural agreeing with λόγους.
ἑωράκασινhave seenPerf Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωverb of relative clause→ resultative perfect (a seeing that abides in memory)ὁράω: 'see'; renders רָאָה; the perfect again (cf. v. 3) marks eyewitness experience as an enduring possession to be guarded against erosion.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοίeyesNominativesubject of ἑωράκασιν→ participant prominenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the organ of the covenant-grounding experience.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴlestnegative particle (prohibition with 3rd-person imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: negation; with the imperative ἀποστήτωσαν forms a third-person prohibition — 'let them not depart.'
ἀποστήτωσανlet them departAor Act Impv 3 Pl · ἀφίστημιmain verb (third-person prohibitive imperative; subject = λόγους)→ ingressive aorist imperative (negated: not slip away)ἀφίστημι: 'depart / withdraw / fall away'; intransitive in the aorist active; renders סוּר; the remembered things must not 'depart' from the heart — a personification of memory as a presence that could slip away.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαςheartGenitiveobject of ἀπό (the seat of memory)→ relational specificationκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵבָב; in Hebrew thought the seat of memory, will, and understanding — the inner place where covenant truth must be retained.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέρας; accusative of extent of time)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; with ἡμέρας forms an accusative of temporal extent — 'throughout all the days.'
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; 'all the days of your life' marks lifelong remembrance as the duty.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ζωῆςlifeGenitivegenitive (defining 'days of life')→ relational specificationζωή: 'life'; renders חַיִּים; the whole span of one's life is the field of remembrance.
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 (transition to transmission)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συμβιβάσειςyou shall teachFut Act Indic 2 Sg · συμβιβάζωmain verb (future with imperatival force)→ legislative future (binding obligation to transmit)συμβιβάζω: 'instruct / make to understand / cause to know'; renders יָדַע (Hiphil 'make known') / לִמֵּד; the catechetical command to transmit covenant memory across generations (cf. 6:7; 11:19).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱούςsonsAccusativedirect object of συμβιβάσεις→ object specificationυἱός: 'son / child'; renders בֵּן; the first generation of transmission.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object (second generation)→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; 'the sons of your sons' extends the obligation to grandchildren — covenant memory spanning three generations.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive of relationship ('sons of your sons')→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; the genitive forms the 'grandsons' construction.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
10
ἡμέραν ἣν ἔστητε ἐναντίον κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ ὑμῶν ἐν Χωρηβ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῆς ἐκκλησίας ὅτε εἶπεν κύριος πρός με ἐκκλησίασον πρός με τὸν λαόν καὶ ἀκουσάτωσαν τὰ ῥήματά μου ὅπως μάθωσιν φοβεῖσθαί με πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ἃς αὐτοὶ ζῶσιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτῶν διδάξωσιν
Remember the day on which you stood before the LORD your God in Horeb, on the day of the assembly, when the LORD said to me, 'Assemble the people to me, and let them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live upon the earth, and may teach their sons.'
The accusative ἡμέραν stands as the object of the remembering charged in v. 9 — 'the day you stood before the LORD at Horeb.' The divine command to assemble (ἐκκλησίασον) the people for hearing makes Horeb the founding ἐκκλησία ('assembly / church'), where the purpose is the fear of the LORD learned and transmitted. The threefold goal — hear, learn to fear, teach — encapsulates the Deuteronomic pedagogy.
Word-by-word analysis· 47 words
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeaccusative object (of the remembering implied from v. 9)→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the accusative resumes the charge of v. 9 — 'remember the day'; renders יוֹם, the day of the Horeb theophany and covenant assembly.
ἣνon whichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative of time within relative clause)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; the accusative ἥν marks the time 'on which' they stood — an accusative of duration/point of time.
ἔστητεyou stoodAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἵστημιverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the standing at Horeb)ἵστημι: 'stand'; the intransitive aorist ἔστην; renders עָמַד; the people's standing before YHWH at the mountain is the formative covenant moment.
ἐναντίονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (Hebraism: 'in the presence of')→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the people stood in the presence of YHWH.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitiveobject of ἐναντίον→ 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 LORD your God' refrain.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
ΧωρηβHorebobject of ἐν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΧωρηβ: transliteration of Hebrew חֹרֵב ('Horeb'); indeclinable; Deuteronomy's preferred name for the mountain of covenant (= Sinai in Exodus); the site of the theophany of vv. 11–13.
τῇon theDativearticle (dative of time)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (when)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the dative 'on the day of the assembly' specifies the occasion.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐκκλησίαςassemblyGenitivegenitive (defining 'the day of the assembly')→ relational specificationἐκκλησία: 'assembly / congregation'; renders קָהָל; Horeb is 'the day of the ἐκκλησία' — the founding gathering of the people of God; the cognate verb ἐκκλησίασον follows; the term's later Christian resonance ('church') gives this verse a rich Wirkungsgeschichte.
ὅτεwhentemporal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτε: 'when'; introduces the temporal clause locating the divine command at the assembly.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of temporal clause→ constative aorist (the divine speech-act)λέγω: 'say'; the aorist εἶπεν introduces YHWH's command to Moses to convene the people.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
μεmeAccusativeobject of πρός (Moses as recipient)→ participant referenceἐγώ (acc. με): the first-person object marks Moses as the addressee of the divine command, underscoring his mediatorial role.
ἐκκλησίασονassembleAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐκκλησιάζωmain verb of direct speech (divine command)→ ingressive aorist imperative (convene the assembly)ἐκκλησιάζω: 'summon to assembly / convene'; denominative from ἐκκλησία; renders קָהַל (Hiphil 'assemble'); the verb and its cognate noun make Horeb the archetypal convocation of the people.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
μεmeAccusativeobject of πρός (YHWH the speaker: 'to me')→ participant referenceἐγώ (acc. με): here YHWH speaks — 'assemble the people to me'; the gathering is before the LORD himself.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἐκκλησίασον→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; the covenant people gathered to hear YHWH's words.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκουσάτωσανlet them hearAor Act Impv 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (third-person imperative of purpose)→ ingressive aorist imperative (let them give ear)ἀκούω: 'hear / listen'; the purpose of the assembly is hearing the divine words — the foundation of obedient fear.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματάwordsAccusativedirect object of ἀκουσάτωσαν→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / saying'; renders דָּבָר; the divine words to be heard — the very 'voice of words' of v. 12.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (YHWH's words)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (YHWH's words).
ὅπωςso thatpurpose conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅπως: 'in order that'; introduces the goal of hearing — that they may learn to fear.
μάθωσινthey may learnAor Act Subj 3 Pl · μανθάνωverb of purpose clause→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (come to learn)μανθάνω: 'learn'; renders לָמַד; the fear of the LORD is something learned through hearing the divine word — a key Deuteronomic pedagogy.
φοβεῖσθαίto fearPres Mid Inf · φοβέομαιcomplementary infinitive (object of μάθωσιν)→ durative present infinitive (an abiding reverence)φοβέομαι: 'fear / reverence'; renders יָרֵא; the 'fear of the LORD' in Deuteronomy is reverent covenant loyalty, not mere terror; the present infinitive marks it as a lasting disposition.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of φοβεῖσθαι (YHWH the object of fear)→ participant referenceἐγώ (acc. με): the LORD himself is the object of the reverent fear to be learned.
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (accusative of extent of time)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; 'all the days' — lifelong fear.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the duration of the fear — as long as they live.
ἃςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative of extent within relative clause)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; feminine accusative plural referring to ἡμέρας.
αὐτοὶtheyNominativesubject of ζῶσιν (emphatic)→ participant prominenceαὐτός: emphatic 'they themselves'; the people who live and must fear.
ζῶσινthey livePres Act Subj 3 Pl · ζάωverb of relative clause (subjunctive of indefinite duration)→ durative present subjunctive (for as long as they live)ζάω: 'live'; the subjunctive after the relative ἃς expresses indefinite duration — 'all the days, however many, that they live.'
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (place).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπί (place of life)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth / land'; renders אֲדָמָה; the sphere of mortal life where the fear is to be exercised.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object of διδάξωσιν→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; the next generation, recipients of transmitted instruction.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
διδάξωσινthey may teachAor Act Subj 3 Pl · διδάσκωverb of purpose clause (coordinate with μάθωσιν)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (undertake to teach)διδάσκω: 'teach'; renders לִמֵּד; learning the fear of the LORD issues in teaching it to one's children — the same generational chain as v. 9.
11
καὶ προσήλθετε καὶ ἔστητε ὑπὸ τὸ ὄρος καὶ τὸ ὄρος ἐκαίετο πυρὶ ἕως τοῦ οὐρανοῦ σκότος γνόφος θύελλα φωνὴ μεγάλη
And you came near and stood under the mountain, and the mountain was burning with fire up to heaven — darkness, gloom, tempest, a great voice.
The Horeb theophany is described in a rush of asyndetic nouns — σκότος, γνόφος, θύελλα, φωνὴ μεγάλη — that pile up the sensory overwhelm of the mountain ablaze 'up to heaven.' The scene sets up the decisive theological point of v. 12: a voice heard but no form seen. The vocabulary (γνόφος, θύελλα) is echoed in Heb 12:18–21's depiction of Sinai.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσήλθετεyou came nearAor Act Indic 2 Pl · προσέρχομαιmain verb (narrative)→ constative aorist (the approach to the mountain)προσέρχομαι: 'come near / approach'; renders קָרַב / נָגַשׁ; the people drew near to the foot of the blazing mountain (cf. Exod 19:17; 20:21).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστητεyou stoodAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἵστημιmain verb (narrative)→ constative aorist (the standing at the base)ἵστημι: 'stand'; the people stood 'under' (at the foot of) the mountain — close enough to hear, kept back from the fire.
ὑπὸunder / at the foot ofpreposition + accusative (position beneath)→ spatial or relational framingὑπό + acc.: 'under / at the foot of'; renders תַּחַת; the people at the base of the mountain (cf. Exod 19:17 'at the foot').
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄροςmountainAccusativeobject of ὑπό→ object specificationὄρος: 'mountain'; renders הַר; Horeb/Sinai, the mountain of theophany.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄροςmountainNominativesubject of ἐκαίετο→ participant prominenceὄρος: 'mountain'; now the subject of the burning — the mountain itself ablaze.
ἐκαίετοwas burningImperf Mid Indic 3 Sg · καίωmain verb (descriptive)→ descriptive imperfect (ongoing blaze)καίω: 'burn / kindle'; the middle/passive imperfect 'was burning' renders בֹּעֵר; the imperfect paints the continuous, awe-inspiring blaze of the mountain.
πυρὶwith fireDativedative of instrument/manner→ sphere or referenceπῦρ: 'fire'; renders אֵשׁ; the fire of the theophany, recurring throughout the chapter (vv. 12, 15, 24, 33, 36) and culminating in 'the LORD is a consuming fire' (v. 24).
ἕωςup toimproper preposition + genitive (extent)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'as far as / up to'; renders עַד; the fire reached 'to heaven,' an image of cosmic intensity.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitiveobject of ἕως→ relational specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven / sky'; renders שָׁמַיִם; 'the heart of heaven' (cf. Exod 19:18); the fire bridges earth and sky.
σκότοςdarknessNominativenominative (asyndetic apposition: phenomena of the theophany)→ participant prominenceσκότος: 'darkness'; renders חֹשֶׁךְ; the paradoxical pairing of fire and darkness intensifies the mystery of the divine presence (cf. Exod 20:21 'the thick darkness where God was').
γνόφοςgloom / thick cloudNominativenominative (asyndetic, coordinate with σκότος)→ participant prominenceγνόφος: 'gloom / dark cloud'; renders עֲרָפֶל; with σκότος and θύελλα it forms the storm-theophany triad; cited verbatim in Heb 12:18 (γνόφῳ καὶ ζόφῳ καὶ θυέλλῃ).
θύελλαtempest / whirlwindNominativenominative (asyndetic, coordinate)→ participant prominenceθύελλα: 'storm / tempest / whirlwind'; the violent wind of the theophany; the asyndeton (no connectives) heightens the cumulative terror.
φωνὴvoice / soundNominativenominative (asyndetic, climactic)→ participant prominenceφωνή: 'voice / sound'; renders קוֹל; the 'great voice' is the climax of the list — the divine speech that the people heard (v. 12), the decisive element that distinguishes Horeb from any pagan epiphany.
μεγάληgreatNominativeattributive adjective (modifying φωνή)→ participant prominenceμέγας: 'great / loud'; renders גָּדוֹל; the magnitude of the voice underscores its divine origin and abiding authority (cf. 5:22, where the same 'great voice' is described).
12
καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐκ μέσου τοῦ πυρός φωνὴν ῥημάτων ὑμεῖς ἠκούσατε καὶ ὁμοίωμα οὐκ εἴδετε ἀλλ᾿ ἢ φωνήν
And the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire; a voice of words you heard, but a form you did not see — only a voice.
This is the load-bearing verse of the chapter's aniconic argument: φωνὴν ῥημάτων ὑμεῖς ἠκούσατε καὶ ὁμοίωμα οὐκ εἴδετε — they heard a voice of words but saw no form (ὁμοίωμα). The fronted ὑμεῖς ('you yourselves') stresses firsthand testimony. From this single datum the whole prohibition of images (vv. 15–19) is deduced: since no visible form was revealed, none may be fashioned. The closing ἀλλ᾿ ἢ φωνήν ('but only a voice') seals the point.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb→ constative aorist (the divine speech from the fire)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דִּבֶּר; YHWH speaks directly to the people from the fire — the audible, not the visible, is the medium of revelation.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐλάλησεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of πρός.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
μέσουmidstGenitiveobject of ἐκ (substantival adjective: 'the midst')→ relational specificationμέσος: 'middle / midst'; ἐκ μέσου τοῦ πυρός ('out of the midst of the fire') renders מִתּוֹךְ הָאֵשׁ; the recurring phrase of the chapter (vv. 15, 33, 36) locating the divine voice in the fire.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πυρόςfireGenitivegenitive (defining 'midst of the fire')→ relational specificationπῦρ: 'fire'; the medium from which the voice issued — fire conceals even as it manifests.
φωνὴνvoice / soundAccusativedirect object of ἠκούσατε (fronted)→ object specificationφωνή: 'voice / sound'; φωνὴν ῥημάτων ('a sound of words') renders קוֹל דְּבָרִים; the object is fronted for emphasis — what they perceived was sound, articulate words, not a shape.
ῥημάτωνof wordsGenitivegenitive (defining φωνήν: 'a voice consisting of words')→ relational specificationῥῆμα: 'word'; the genitive ῥημάτων specifies that the voice was articulate speech — meaning communicated, not a mute apparition.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject of ἠκούσατε (emphatic, fronted)→ participant referenceὑμεῖς: emphatic 'you yourselves'; the fronted pronoun stresses the people's own eyewitness/earwitness testimony as the basis of the aniconic command.
ἠκούσατεheardAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (positive: what they perceived)→ constative aorist (the hearing at Horeb)ἀκούω: 'hear'; renders שָׁמַע; the verb of the positive perception — they heard; set in antithesis to εἴδετε ('saw') below.
καὶand / butcoordinate conjunction (here mildly adversative)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: 'and'; here functions adversatively ('but') in the antithesis hearing/seeing.
ὁμοίωμαform / likenessAccusativedirect object of εἴδετε (fronted)→ object specificationὁμοίωμα: 'likeness / form / image'; renders תְּמוּנָה ('form, representation'); the keyword of the chapter (8× in vv. 12–25), denoting any visible shape; that no ὁμοίωμα was seen is the premise of the image-prohibition.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with εἴδετε)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: negation; the decisive negative — 'no form you did NOT see.'
εἴδετεyou sawAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (negated: what they did not perceive)→ constative aorist (the absence of any seen form)ὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see'; renders רָאָה; the antithesis ἠκούσατε / οὐκ εἴδετε ('you heard / you did not see') is the theological pivot — revelation by word, not by image.
ἀλλ᾿butadversative conjunction (elided ἀλλά)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but'; with ἤ forms the exceptive 'but only.'
ἢthan / exceptparticle (in exceptive idiom ἀλλ᾿ ἤ: 'except, only')→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or / than'; the idiom ἀλλ᾿ ἤ renders כִּי אִם ('but only / except'), restricting what was perceived to the voice alone.
φωνήνa voiceAccusativeaccusative (object of implied εἴδετε/ἠκούσατε: 'only a voice')→ object specificationφωνή: 'voice'; the emphatic closing word — 'only a voice'; the entire revelation reduced to articulate sound, sealing the aniconic premise.
13
καὶ ἀνήγγειλεν ὑμῖν τὴν διαθήκην αὐτοῦ ἣν ἐνετείλατο ὑμῖν ποιεῖν τὰ δέκα ῥήματα καὶ ἔγραψεν αὐτὰ ἐπὶ δύο πλάκας λιθίνας
And he declared to you his covenant, which he commanded you to do — the Ten Words; and he wrote them on two stone tablets.
The 'voice of words' (v. 12) is now identified: it is YHWH's covenant, namely τὰ δέκα ῥήματα ('the Ten Words' = the Decalogue), inscribed by God himself on two stone tablets. The phrase τὰ δέκα ῥήματα is the source of the term 'Decalogue.' The written tablets give the audible revelation a permanent, authoritative form.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνήγγειλενdeclared / announcedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb→ constative aorist (the proclamation of the covenant)ἀναγγέλλω: 'announce / declare / make known'; renders נָגַד (Hiphil); YHWH made his covenant known to the people through the spoken Ten Words.
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηνcovenantAccusativedirect object of ἀνήγγειλεν→ object specificationδιαθήκη: 'covenant / testament'; renders בְּרִית; the LXX's standard choice (over συνθήκη) stresses the covenant as a sovereign divine disposition, not a negotiated pact; identified here with the Decalogue itself.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐνετείλατο)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; feminine accusative agreeing with διαθήκην.
ἐνετείλατοcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the covenant-command)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / enjoin'; the covenant is something commanded to be done — covenant and command are inseparable in Deuteronomy.
ὑμῖνyouDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
ποιεῖνto doPres Act Inf · ποιέωcomplementary infinitive (object of ἐνετείλατο)→ durative present infinitive (ongoing performance)ποιέω: 'do / perform'; the covenant is given to be enacted, not merely acknowledged.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δέκαtenAccusativenumeral (indeclinable, modifying ῥήματα)→ measure or countδέκα: 'ten'; indeclinable numeral; τὰ δέκα ῥήματα ('the Ten Words') renders עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים — the origin of the term 'Decalogue' (cf. Exod 34:28; Deut 10:4).
ῥήματαwordsAccusativeaccusative in apposition to διαθήκην (the covenant = the Ten Words)→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / saying'; the 'Ten Words' are the covenant itself in distilled form; in apposition to τὴν διαθήκην.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔγραψενwroteAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γράφωmain verb (divine writing)→ constative aorist (the inscribing of the tablets)γράφω: 'write'; renders כָּתַב; YHWH himself is the subject — the Decalogue is divinely inscribed (cf. Exod 31:18; Deut 9:10), giving it unique authority.
αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object of ἔγραψεν (the Ten Words)→ participant referenceαὐτός: neuter plural referring to τὰ δέκα ῥήματα.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (surface of writing)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (surface of writing).
δύοtwoAccusativenumeral (modifying πλάκας)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; the two tablets of the covenant (cf. Exod 31:18); indeclinable numeral here in accusative context.
πλάκαςtabletsAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ object specificationπλάξ: 'tablet / flat stone'; renders לוּחַ; the stone tablets of the covenant, later deposited in the ark (10:1–5); cf. 2 Cor 3:3 (πλαξὶν λιθίναις).
λιθίναςof stoneAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying πλάκας)→ object specificationλίθινος: 'made of stone'; renders אֶבֶן; the stone material signals permanence and durability — the covenant inscribed to last.
14
καὶ ἐμοὶ ἐνετείλατο κύριος ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ διδάξαι ὑμᾶς δικαιώματα καὶ κρίσεις ποιεῖν αὐτὰ ὑμᾶς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς εἰς ἣν ὑμεῖς εἰσπορεύεσθε ἐκεῖ κληρονομεῖν αὐτήν
And to me the LORD commanded at that time to teach you statutes and judgments, that you should do them in the land into which you are entering to inherit it.
The emphatic ἐμοί ('to me') distinguishes Moses' role from the people's: while they received the Ten Words directly, the fuller statutes and judgments were entrusted to Moses to teach (διδάξαι) — the very teaching now being delivered in this address (cf. v. 5). The verse grounds the authority of the whole Deuteronomic law-code in the Horeb commission.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐμοὶto meDativeindirect object (emphatic, fronted)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (emphatic dat. ἐμοί): the fronted, accented form stresses Moses' distinctive mediatorial commission over against the people's direct reception of the Decalogue.
ἐνετείλατοcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (the commission at Horeb)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / charge'; the same verb that governs the covenant (v. 13); here YHWH charges Moses to teach the wider body of law.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐνετείλατο→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (time)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (time).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καιρῷtimeDativedative of time (when)→ sphere or referenceκαιρός: 'time / season / occasion'; renders עֵת; ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ ('at that time') is a Deuteronomic narrative formula locating the commission at Horeb.
ἐκείνῳthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying καιρῷ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the remote demonstrative pointing back to the Horeb event.
διδάξαιto teachAor Act Inf · διδάσκωcomplementary infinitive (content of the command)→ ingressive aorist infinitive (undertake to teach)διδάσκω: 'teach'; renders לִמֵּד; the specific charge to Moses — the act being fulfilled in the present address (cf. v. 1 διδάσκω, v. 5 δέδειχα).
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of διδάξαι→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of διδάξαι.
δικαιώματαstatutesAccusativesecond object of διδάξαι (thing taught)→ object specificationδικαίωμα: 'statute / ordinance'; the body of decrees Moses is to teach beyond the Decalogue.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κρίσειςjudgmentsAccusativeobject of διδάξαι (coordinate with δικαιώματα)→ object specificationκρίσις: 'judgment / legal decision'; the case-law paired with the statutes.
ποιεῖνto doPres Act Inf · ποιέωinfinitive of purpose (goal of the teaching)→ durative present infinitive (ongoing performance)ποιέω: 'do / perform'; the purpose of teaching is performance — knowledge for obedience, as throughout the chapter.
αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object of ποιεῖν→ participant referenceαὐτός: neuter plural referring to the statutes and judgments.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive ποιεῖν→ participant referenceσύ (acc. pl. ὑμᾶς): the accusative subject of the infinitive — 'that you should do them.'
ἐπὶin / uponpreposition + genitive (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (place).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitiveobject of ἐπί (place of obedience)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; the promised land as the arena of obedience.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἰς)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun referring to γῆς.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject of εἰσπορεύεσθε (emphatic)→ participant referenceὑμεῖς: emphatic 'you' — the people who, unlike Moses, will cross over.
εἰσπορεύεσθεare enteringPres Mid Indic 2 Pl · εἰσπορεύομαιverb of relative clause→ futuristic/progressive present (entry imminent)εἰσπορεύομαι: 'enter'; renders בּוֹא; the same near-formula as v. 5.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (resumptive, Hebraizing)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; the resumptive adverb after the relative, reflecting Hebrew אֲשֶׁר … שָׁמָּה (cf. v. 5).
κληρονομεῖνto inheritPres Act Inf · κληρονομέωinfinitive of purpose (goal of entry)→ durative present infinitive (to possess)κληρονομέω: 'inherit / possess'; renders יָרַשׁ; entry for the sake of possession.
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object of κληρονομεῖν (the land)→ participant referenceαὐτός: feminine accusative referring to γῆς.
15
καὶ φυλάξεσθε σφόδρα τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν ὅτι οὐκ εἴδετε ὁμοίωμα ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ᾗ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐν Χωρηβ ἐν τῷ ὄρει ἐκ μέσου τοῦ πυρός
So guard your souls diligently, because you saw no form on the day the LORD spoke to you in Horeb on the mountain out of the midst of the fire,
Here the argument turns explicitly from memory to command: 'guard your souls diligently, BECAUSE you saw no form.' The ὅτι-clause makes the absence of any ὁμοίωμα at Horeb (v. 12) the logical ground of the image-prohibition that follows (vv. 16–19). The repetition of φυλάξεσθε … τὰς ψυχάς (cf. v. 9) frames the whole aniconic section.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶand / soinferential conjunction (drawing consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: 'and / so'; here introduces the practical inference from the formless theophany.
φυλάξεσθεguardFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · φυλάσσωmain verb (future with imperatival force)→ legislative future (binding command)φυλάσσω: 'guard / keep'; the middle 'guard yourselves'; renders שָׁמַר (Niphal); the same warning as v. 9, now directed against idolatry specifically.
σφόδραdiligentlyadverb of degree→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'very / diligently'; renders מְאֹד; the intensity matches the gravity of the prohibition.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχὰςsoulsAccusativedirect object of φυλάξεσθε→ object specificationψυχή: 'soul / life / self'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; 'guard your souls' — the whole inner self against the temptation to idolatry.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the theological ground of the command — the formlessness of the revelation.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with εἴδετε)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: negation; 'you did NOT see' — the decisive datum.
εἴδετεyou sawAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ὁράωverb of causal clause→ constative aorist (the non-seeing at Horeb)ὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see'; renders רָאָה; restates the crux of v. 12 — no form was seen, therefore none may be made.
ὁμοίωμαformAccusativedirect object of εἴδετε→ object specificationὁμοίωμα: 'likeness / form'; renders תְּמוּנָה; the keyword repeated from v. 12, now as the explicit ground of the prohibition.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (time)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (time).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (when)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the day of the Horeb theophany.
ᾗon whichDativerelative pronoun (dative of time)→ participant reference or interestὅς: relative pronoun; feminine dative ᾗ ('on which') referring to ἡμέρᾳ.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the divine speaking)λαλέω: 'speak'; recalls v. 12 — the LORD spoke (audible) but showed no form (visible).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐλάλησεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of πρός.
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
ΧωρηβHorebobject of ἐν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΧωρηβ: transliteration of Hebrew חֹרֵב; indeclinable; the mountain of the covenant.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρειmountainDativeobject of ἐν (place)→ sphere or referenceὄρος: 'mountain'; 'on the mountain' — the locus of the theophany.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
μέσουmidstGenitiveobject of ἐκ (substantival)→ relational specificationμέσος: 'midst'; ἐκ μέσου τοῦ πυρός, the recurring formula (cf. vv. 12, 33, 36).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πυρόςfireGenitivegenitive (defining 'midst of the fire')→ relational specificationπῦρ: 'fire'; the fire from which the formless voice came.
16
μὴ ἀνομήσητε καὶ ποιήσητε ὑμῖν ἑαυτοῖς γλυπτὸν ὁμοίωμα πᾶσαν εἰκόνα ὁμοίωμα ἀρσενικοῦ ἢ θηλυκοῦ
lest you act lawlessly and make for yourselves a carved likeness, any image, the form of male or female,
The prohibition begins: μή + aorist subjunctive ('lest you make for yourselves a carved form'). γλυπτὸν ὁμοίωμα ('a carved likeness') is the Decalogue's פֶּסֶל (cf. 5:8). The enumeration that follows (vv. 16–18) catalogues every category of creature — human (male/female), beast, bird, reptile, fish — systematically excluding the entire created order as a fit object of representation-worship.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
μὴlestnegative particle (prohibition with aorist subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: 'not / lest'; with the aorist subjunctive forms the prohibitive — the dependent negative purpose of v. 15's command to guard.
ἀνομήσητεyou act lawlesslyAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἀνομέωverb of prohibition (negative purpose clause)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (fall into lawlessness)ἀνομέω: 'act lawlessly / transgress'; renders שָׁחַת (Hiphil 'act corruptly') here; idolatry is framed as ἀνομία — the fundamental breach of covenant law.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσητεyou makeAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ποιέωverb of prohibition (coordinate with ἀνομήσητε)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (set about making)ποιέω: 'make / fashion'; the lawless act specified — making an idol; the same verb (positively) of doing the law is here turned to the making of a forbidden image.
ὑμῖνfor yourselvesDativedative of advantage (ethical dative)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): dative of advantage paired redundantly with the reflexive ἑαυτοῖς — 'for your own selves,' a Hebraizing fullness (לָכֶם).
ἑαυτοῖςyourselvesDativereflexive pronoun (intensifying ὑμῖν)→ participant reference or interestἑαυτοῦ: reflexive 'themselves/yourselves'; the doubled ὑμῖν ἑαυτοῖς underscores that the idol is a human self-projection — made 'by yourselves, for yourselves.'
γλυπτὸνcarvedAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ὁμοίωμα)→ object specificationγλυπτός: 'carved / graven'; renders פֶּסֶל; γλυπτὸν ὁμοίωμα ('a carved form') is the standard LXX rendering of the Decalogue's prohibited 'graven image' (5:8).
ὁμοίωμαlikeness / formAccusativedirect object of ποιήσητε→ object specificationὁμοίωμα: 'likeness / form'; renders תְּמוּנָה; the keyword once more — the very thing not seen (vv. 12, 15) must not be fashioned.
πᾶσανanyAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying εἰκόνα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'every / any'; the universal πᾶσαν εἰκόνα ('any image whatsoever') leaves no exception.
εἰκόναimageAccusativeaccusative in apposition to ὁμοίωμα→ object specificationεἰκών: 'image / likeness'; renders סֶמֶל / תַּבְנִית; in apposition to ὁμοίωμα, broadening the prohibition to 'any image at all'; the same word names humanity as God's 'image' (Gen 1:26), heightening the irony of making a god in the image of a creature.
ὁμοίωμαthe formAccusativeaccusative in apposition (introducing the catalogue of creatures)→ object specificationὁμοίωμα: 'likeness / form'; the repeated noun now heads the systematic catalogue of vv. 16–18 — 'the form of male or female…'
ἀρσενικοῦof maleGenitivegenitive (defining ὁμοίωμα: 'form of a male')→ relational specificationἀρσενικός: 'male'; renders זָכָר; the first category of forbidden representation — the human male.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; separating the male and female categories.
θηλυκοῦof femaleGenitivegenitive (defining ὁμοίωμα: 'form of a female')→ relational specificationθηλυκός: 'female'; renders נְקֵבָה; the human female — together with ἀρσενικοῦ, the male/female merism excludes all anthropomorphic idols (cf. the male/female pairing of Gen 1:27).
17
ὁμοίωμα παντὸς κτήνους τῶν ὄντων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ὁμοίωμα παντὸς ὀρνέου πτερωτοῦ ὃ πέταται ὑπὸ τὸν οὐρανόν
the form of any beast of those that are on the earth, the form of any winged bird that flies under heaven,
The catalogue continues with the second and third categories of creature — beasts of the earth and birds of the air — each headed by the anaphoric ὁμοίωμα ('the form of…'). The sweep through the realms of creation (land, sky, and in v. 18 the waters below) deliberately inverts the creation account, forbidding worship of any creature over which humanity was set as image-bearer.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ὁμοίωμαformAccusativeaccusative (anaphoric, continuing the prohibition)→ object specificationὁμοίωμα: 'likeness / form'; the repeated keyword heading each item of the catalogue.
παντὸςof anyGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying κτήνους)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'every / any'; universalizing — no beast may be represented.
κτήνουςbeastGenitivegenitive (defining ὁμοίωμα: 'form of a beast')→ relational specificationκτῆνος: 'beast / animal / cattle'; renders בְּהֵמָה; the domestic and wild quadrupeds — the second category after the human.
τῶνof thoseGenitivearticle (substantivizing the participle ὄντων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄντωνthat arePres Act Part Gen Neut Pl · εἰμίattributive participle (modifying κτήνους: 'beasts that are on the earth')→ durative present participle (existing)εἰμί (pres. part. ὄν): 'be / exist'; the participle τῶν ὄντων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ('those that are on the earth') locates the beasts in the terrestrial realm.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (place).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπί (place)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth / land'; the terrestrial domain of the beasts.
ὁμοίωμαformAccusativeaccusative (anaphoric, next category)→ object specificationὁμοίωμα: 'form'; heading the bird category.
παντὸςof anyGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ὀρνέου)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'every / any'; no bird excepted.
ὀρνέουbirdGenitivegenitive (defining ὁμοίωμα: 'form of a bird')→ relational specificationὄρνεον: 'bird / fowl'; renders עוֹף / צִפּוֹר; the aerial creatures — the third category.
πτερωτοῦwingedGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ὀρνέου)→ relational specificationπτερωτός: 'winged / feathered'; renders כָּנָף; emphasizes the bird's flight, picked up by the relative clause.
ὃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of πέταται)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; neuter nominative agreeing with ὀρνέου.
πέταταιfliesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · πέτομαιverb of relative clause→ customary present (habitual flight)πέτομαι: 'fly'; deponent; renders עוּף; describes the bird's natural element, the air beneath heaven.
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (place below)→ spatial or relational framingὑπό + acc.: 'under / beneath'; the birds fly 'under heaven' — within the created firmament, not above it.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανόνheavenAccusativeobject of ὑπό→ object specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven / sky'; the firmament beneath which birds fly.
18
ὁμοίωμα παντὸς ἑρπετοῦ ὃ ἕρπει ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ὁμοίωμα παντὸς ἰχθύος ὅσα ἐστὶν ἐν τοῖς ὕδασιν ὑποκάτω τῆς γῆς
the form of any reptile that creeps on the earth, the form of any fish that is in the waters beneath the earth.
The catalogue closes with the final two categories — creeping things on the earth and fish in the waters 'beneath the earth' — completing the survey of all creation (human, beast, bird, reptile, fish). The list maps the four-tier cosmos (heaven, earth, waters-below) of the Decalogue's second commandment (5:8), exhaustively ruling out every creature as an object of worship.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
ὁμοίωμαformAccusativeaccusative (anaphoric)→ object specificationὁμοίωμα: 'form'; heading the reptile category.
παντὸςof anyGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ἑρπετοῦ)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'every / any'.
ἑρπετοῦreptile / creeping thingGenitivegenitive (defining ὁμοίωμα)→ relational specificationἑρπετόν: 'reptile / creeping thing'; renders רֶמֶשׂ; the fourth category — things that creep on the ground (cf. Gen 1:24).
ὃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἕρπει)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; neuter nominative agreeing with ἑρπετοῦ.
ἕρπειcreepsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἕρπωverb of relative clause→ customary present (habitual creeping)ἕρπω: 'creep / crawl'; cognate with ἑρπετόν; renders רָמַשׂ; describes the creature's mode of locomotion on the ground.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (place).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπί→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth'; the ground on which reptiles creep.
ὁμοίωμαformAccusativeaccusative (anaphoric, final category)→ object specificationὁμοίωμα: 'form'; heading the fish category — the last in the list.
παντὸςof anyGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ἰχθύος)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'every / any'.
ἰχθύοςfishGenitivegenitive (defining ὁμοίωμα)→ relational specificationἰχθύς: 'fish'; renders דָּגָה / דָּג; the aquatic creatures — the fifth and final category.
ὅσαwhateverNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐστὶν; constructio ad sensum, plural)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as / whatever'; neuter plural by sense ('all the things that are'), though referring to the collective ἰχθύος.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause→ stative present (existence)εἰμί: 'be / exist'; the singular verb with the neuter plural ὅσα is regular Greek (neuter plural subjects take singular verbs).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδασινwatersDativeobject of ἐν (place)→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ (dat. pl. ὕδασιν): 'water'; renders מַיִם; the watery domain of the fish, conceived as 'beneath the earth.'
ὑποκάτωbeneathimproper preposition + genitive (place below)→ spatial or relational framingὑποκάτω: 'underneath / below'; renders מִתַּחַת; 'the waters beneath the earth' reflects the three-tier cosmology of the Decalogue (heaven above, earth, waters below; cf. 5:8).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ὑποκάτω→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth'; the waters lie 'beneath the earth' in the ancient cosmography.
19
καὶ μὴ ἀναβλέψας εἰς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ ἰδὼν τὸν ἥλιον καὶ τὴν σελήνην καὶ τοὺς ἀστέρας καὶ πάντα τὸν κόσμον τοῦ οὐρανοῦ πλανηθεὶς προσκυνήσῃς αὐτοῖς καὶ λατρεύσῃς αὐτοῖς ἃ ἀπένειμεν κύριος ὁ θεός σου αὐτὰ πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν τοῖς ὑποκάτω τοῦ οὐρανοῦ
And lest, looking up to heaven and seeing the sun and the moon and the stars and all the array of heaven, you be led astray and bow down to them and serve them — which the LORD your God apportioned to all the nations under heaven.
The prohibition extends from creature-images to the celestial bodies — sun, moon, stars, the whole κόσμος ('array / host') of heaven. The chained participles (ἀναβλέψας … ἰδὼν … πλανηθείς) trace the psychology of idolatry: looking, seeing, being deceived, then worshiping. The crux is the relative clause ἃ ἀπένειμεν κύριος … πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν — God 'apportioned' the heavenly host to all the nations (cf. 32:8), a striking statement of a permitted astral order for the gentiles but forbidden to Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 42 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending the prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴlestnegative particle (continuing the prohibition of v. 16)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: 'lest'; governs the subjunctives προσκυνήσῃς / λατρεύσῃς below, continuing the prohibitive of v. 16.
ἀναβλέψαςlooking upAor Act Part Nom Masc Sg · ἀναβλέπωcircumstantial participle (temporal/conditional)→ antecedent aorist participle (the upward glance)ἀναβλέπω: 'look up'; renders נָשָׂא עֵינַיִם ('lift the eyes'); the first step in the chain leading to astral idolatry.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction of gaze)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of gaze).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανὸνheavenAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven / sky'; the object of the upward gaze, home of the celestial bodies.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδὼνseeingAor Act Part Nom Masc Sg · ὁράωcircumstantial participle (coordinate with ἀναβλέψας)→ antecedent aorist participle (the act of seeing)ὁράω (aor. part. ἰδών): 'see'; the second step — perceiving the heavenly bodies; the bitter irony: at Horeb they saw no form (v. 12), yet the visible heavens tempt to idolatry.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἥλιονsunAccusativedirect object of ἰδών→ object specificationἥλιος: 'sun'; renders שֶׁמֶשׁ; the first of the heavenly bodies — widely worshiped in the ancient Near East, hence the explicit warning.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σελήνηνmoonAccusativedirect object (coordinate)→ object specificationσελήνη: 'moon'; renders יָרֵחַ; the second celestial body.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀστέραςstarsAccusativedirect object (coordinate)→ object specificationἀστήρ: 'star'; renders כּוֹכָב; the third element of the astral list.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying κόσμον)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the totality of the heavenly host.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κόσμονarray / hostAccusativedirect object (summarizing the celestial bodies)→ object specificationκόσμος: 'order / array / adornment'; here renders צְבָא הַשָּׁמַיִם ('the host of heaven'); the original sense of κόσμος as 'ordered arrangement' (not 'world') fits — the whole ordered array of the sky; cf. the 'host of heaven' worship of 17:3; 2 Kgs 17:16.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦof heavenGenitivegenitive (defining κόσμον: 'array of heaven')→ relational specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven'; the array belongs to the heaven.
πλανηθεὶςbeing led astrayAor Pass Part Nom Masc Sg · πλανάωcircumstantial participle (causal: the deception preceding worship)→ antecedent aorist passive participle (having been deceived)πλανάω: 'lead astray / deceive'; the passive 'being deceived/led astray' renders נָדַח (Niphal 'be driven/seduced'); the third step — astral idolatry is a being-deceived, a wandering from the truth that no form was seen.
προσκυνήσῃςyou bow down / worshipAor Act Subj 2 Sg · προσκυνέωmain verb of prohibition (governed by μή)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (fall to worship)προσκυνέω: 'bow down / do obeisance / worship'; renders הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה; the bodily act of prostration before the heavenly bodies — forbidden to Israel.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative complement of προσκυνήσῃς→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: dative referring to the heavenly bodies — the objects of forbidden worship.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λατρεύσῃςyou serveAor Act Subj 2 Sg · λατρεύωmain verb of prohibition (coordinate with προσκυνήσῃς)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (fall to cultic service)λατρεύω: 'serve / worship (cultically)'; renders עָבַד; the pair προσκυνέω/λατρεύω ('bow down and serve') is the standard LXX idiom for idolatrous worship (cf. Exod 20:5; Matt 4:10).
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative complement of λατρεύσῃς→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: dative of the heavenly bodies served.
ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀπένειμεν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; neuter plural ἅ referring to the heavenly bodies, object of the apportioning.
ἀπένειμενapportionedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπονέμωverb of relative clause (the apportionment crux)→ constative aorist (the act of allotment)ἀπονέμω: 'apportion / assign / allot'; renders חָלַק; the crux verse — YHWH 'apportioned' the heavenly bodies to all the nations; read alongside 32:8 (the nations divided by the sons of God/angels), this suggests a permitted astral arrangement for the gentiles that is nonetheless forbidden to covenant Israel, who knows the God who made the host.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἀπένειμεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the apportioner of the heavenly host is Israel's own God — the bodies are creatures, not rivals.
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 LORD your God' — the singular σου now addressing Israel.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
αὐτὰthemAccusativeresumptive direct object (redundant with ἅ, Hebraizing)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the resumptive neuter plural αὐτά after the relative ἅ reflects the Hebrew resumptive pronoun (אֲשֶׁר … אֹתָם) — a redundancy retained by the LXX.
πᾶσινto allDativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔθνεσιν)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; the heavenly host was apportioned to ALL the nations — universal among the gentiles.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔθνεσινnationsDativedative of recipient (those to whom the host was apportioned)→ sphere or referenceἔθνος: 'nation / gentile'; renders גּוֹי / עַם; the nations to whom the astral order was allotted, in contrast to Israel, YHWH's own portion (v. 20).
τοῖςtheDativearticle (attributive with ὑποκάτω-phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑποκάτωunderimproper preposition + genitive (place: 'under heaven')→ spatial or relational framingὑποκάτω: 'underneath / below'; 'the nations under heaven' = all peoples upon the earth.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitiveobject of ὑποκάτω→ relational specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven'; 'under heaven' marks the universal terrestrial scope of the nations.
20
ὑμᾶς δὲ ἔλαβεν ὁ θεὸς καὶ ἐξήγαγεν ὑμᾶς ἐκ τῆς καμίνου τῆς σιδηρᾶς ἐξ Αἰγύπτου εἶναι αὐτῷ λαὸν ἔγκληρον ὡς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ
But you the God took and led out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be to him a people of inheritance, as at this day.
The emphatic ὑμᾶς δέ ('but you') sets Israel apart from the nations of v. 19: while they received the heavenly host, Israel YHWH took for himself as a λαὸς ἔγκληρος ('a people of inheritance'). The striking image ἐκ τῆς καμίνου τῆς σιδηρᾶς ('out of the iron furnace') names Egypt as a smelting-furnace of affliction (cf. 1 Kgs 8:51; Jer 11:4) from which Israel was drawn as YHWH's own possession.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object (fronted, emphatic)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. pl. ὑμᾶς): the fronted, emphatic object — 'but YOU' — contrasting Israel's election with the nations' astral lot.
δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: 'but / now'; adversative, marking the contrast with the nations of v. 19.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb→ constative aorist (the act of election)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; renders לָקַח; YHWH 'took' Israel — the language of election and acquisition for his own possession.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ἔλαβεν→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; here without κύριος — simply 'the God' as the electing deity.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξήγαγενled outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξάγωmain verb (coordinate with ἔλαβεν)→ constative aorist (the Exodus deliverance)ἐξάγω: 'lead out / bring out'; renders יָצָא (Hiphil הוֹצִיא); the standard Exodus verb (cf. Exod 20:2) — YHWH brought Israel out of bondage.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of ἐξήγαγεν→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐξήγαγεν.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καμίνουfurnaceGenitiveobject of ἐκ (the iron furnace)→ relational specificationκάμινος: 'furnace / kiln'; renders כּוּר ('smelting furnace'); the metaphor of Egypt as a furnace of affliction in which Israel was refined (cf. 1 Kgs 8:51; Jer 11:4; Isa 48:10).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σιδηρᾶςironGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying καμίνου)→ relational specificationσιδηροῦς: 'made of iron / iron-(hot)'; renders בַּרְזֶל; 'the iron furnace' — a furnace hot enough to smelt iron, intensifying the image of Egypt's crushing affliction.
ἐξout ofpreposition + genitive (source, in apposition)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ (ἐξ before vowel): 'out of'; 'out of Egypt' identifies the iron furnace explicitly.
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitiveobject of ἐξ (in apposition to καμίνου)→ relational specificationΑἴγυπτος: 'Egypt'; renders מִצְרַיִם; here identified with the iron furnace — the place of slavery and refinement.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive of purpose (goal of the deliverance)→ durative present infinitive (to be / to become)εἰμί: 'be'; the infinitive of purpose — the Exodus was for the end that Israel might 'be to him a people of inheritance.'
αὐτῷto himDativedative of possession/advantage (with εἶναι)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: dative 'to/for himself'; Israel becomes YHWH's own possession.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativepredicate accusative (with εἶναι: 'to be a people')→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; renders עַם; Israel as YHWH's covenant people — the predicate of the purpose-infinitive.
ἔγκληρονof inheritanceAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying λαόν)→ object specificationἔγκληρος: 'allotted / of the inheritance'; renders נַחֲלָה ('inheritance / possession'); λαὸς ἔγκληρος ('a people of inheritance') — Israel is YHWH's own allotted portion, the counterpart to the nations' astral allotment (v. 19); cf. 32:9 'the LORD's portion is his people.'
ὡςascomparative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / just as'; with the following phrase, 'as at this day' — the election is realized and evident in the present.
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (time)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (time).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (when)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; ὡς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ ('as at this day') renders כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה — a Deuteronomic formula affirming present fulfillment.
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this'; the present day in which the election stands manifest.
21
καὶ κύριος ἐθυμώθη μοι περὶ τῶν λεγομένων ὑφ᾿ ὑμῶν καὶ ὤμοσεν ἵνα μὴ διαβῶ τὸν Ιορδάνην τοῦτον καὶ ἵνα μὴ εἰσέλθω εἰς τὴν γῆν ἣν κύριος ὁ θεὸς δίδωσίν σοι ἐν κλήρῳ
And the LORD was angry with me concerning the things said by you, and swore that I should not cross this Jordan and that I should not enter into the land which the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance.
A poignant personal note: YHWH's anger at Moses 'concerning the things said by you' (the murmuring at Meribah/Kadesh, cf. Num 20; Deut 1:37; 3:26) bars him from crossing the Jordan. The double ἵνα μή ('that not … that not') underscores the finality of the sentence. Moses' exclusion sharpens the urgency of his exhortation: he warns the people from the threshold he himself will not cross.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐθυμώθη→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
ἐθυμώθηwas angryAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · θυμόωmain verb→ constative aorist (the divine displeasure)θυμόω (pass. 'be angry'): 'become angry / be enraged'; renders אָנַף / הִתְעַבֵּר; YHWH's anger at Moses on account of the people's rebellion — the cause of his exclusion (cf. 1:37; 3:26).
μοιwith meDativedative complement of ἐθυμώθη (object of anger)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. μοι): the dative of the person against whom anger is directed — Moses himself.
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + gen.: 'concerning / about'; introduces the ground of the anger — the people's words.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λεγομένωνthings saidPres Pass Part Gen Neut Pl · λέγωsubstantival participle (object of περί)→ durative present passive participle (the things being said)λέγω (pres. pass. part.): 'be said / spoken'; τὰ λεγόμενα ('the things said') — the people's murmuring words; the passive with ὑπό names them as the agents.
ὑφ᾿bypreposition + genitive (agent, elided ὑπό)→ spatial or relational framingὑπό (ὑφ᾿ before rough breathing): 'by'; marks the people as the agents of the words that provoked the anger.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive of agent→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of agent.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὤμοσενsworeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὄμνυμιmain verb (the oath of exclusion)→ constative aorist (the sworn sentence)ὄμνυμι: 'swear / take an oath'; renders שָׁבַע (Niphal); YHWH's oath makes Moses' exclusion irrevocable — the same verb used positively of the oath to the fathers (v. 31).
ἵναthatconjunction (introducing content of the oath)→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: here introduces the content/result of the oath ('swore that…'), with μή negating.
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive διαβῶ)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: negation in the oath-clause.
διαβῶI should crossAor Act Subj 1 Sg · διαβαίνωverb of oath-clause→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (negated: not cross over)διαβαίνω: 'cross over / pass through'; renders עָבַר; 'cross the Jordan' is the standard idiom for entering the land — denied to Moses.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνηνJordanAccusativedirect object of διαβῶ→ object specificationΙορδάνης: transliteration of Hebrew יַרְדֵּן ('Jordan'); declined as a first-declension masculine in the LXX (gen. Ιορδάνου, acc. Ιορδάνην); the boundary river Moses may not cross.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying Ιορδάνην)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the deictic 'this Jordan' — the river before them, just to the west.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἵναthatconjunction (second oath-clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: introduces the parallel second clause of the oath.
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive εἰσέλθω)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: negation.
εἰσέλθωI should enterAor Act Subj 1 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιverb of second oath-clause→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (negated: not enter)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go in'; renders בּוֹא; the second denial — Moses may not enter the land.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the promised land Moses may not enter.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of δίδωσιν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun referring to γῆν.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of δίδωσιν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; 'the LORD your God' (with σοι following) — the giver of the land Moses cannot enter.
δίδωσίνgivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of relative clause→ futuristic/progressive present (the gift in process)δίδωμι: 'give'; the land-gift formula (cf. v. 1); the present tense 'is giving.'
σοιto youDativeindirect object (singular)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): the shift to singular addresses Israel as a unity.
ἐνas / forpreposition + dative (idiom: 'as an inheritance')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: here in the idiom ἐν κλήρῳ ('as an allotment'), rendering Hebrew בְּ of essence/role.
κλήρῳinheritance / allotmentDativeobject of ἐν (predicate role: 'as a lot')→ sphere or referenceκλῆρος: 'lot / allotment / inheritance'; renders נַחֲלָה / גּוֹרָל; the land is given 'as an inheritance' — the allotted portion of YHWH's people (echoing ἔγκληρον, v. 20).
22
ἐγὼ γὰρ ἀποθνῄσκω ἐν τῇ γῇ ταύτῃ καὶ οὐ διαβαίνω τὸν Ιορδάνην τοῦτον ὑμεῖς δὲ διαβαίνετε καὶ κληρονομήσετε τὴν γῆν τὴν ἀγαθὴν ταύτην
For I am to die in this land and am not crossing this Jordan; but you are crossing over and shall inherit this good land.
γάρ explains the exclusion of v. 21. The emphatic ἐγώ … ὑμεῖς δέ ('I … but you') draws the pathos-laden contrast: Moses dies on the east bank, the people cross to inherit 'this good land' (τὴν γῆν τὴν ἀγαθήν). The present ἀποθνῄσκω ('I am dying') treats his death as already underway, lending solemn finality to the whole address as a last testament.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; sharply contrasted with ὑμεῖς below.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; explains why Moses cannot cross — he is to die here.
ἀποθνῄσκωam dying / am to diePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb→ futuristic/progressive present (impending death)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; renders מוּת; the present 'I am dying' presents Moses' death as imminent and certain, framing the address as his final testament.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῇlandDativeobject of ἐν (place of death)→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land'; the Transjordan land east of the river, where Moses will die (cf. 34:5).
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying γῇ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this'; 'this land' = the east bank.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegative particle (with διαβαίνω)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: negation; 'I am NOT crossing.'
διαβαίνωam crossingPres Act Indic 1 Sg · διαβαίνωmain verb (negated)→ futuristic/progressive present (will not cross)διαβαίνω: 'cross over'; renders עָבַר; Moses negates for himself the crossing he affirms for the people.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνηνJordanAccusativedirect object of διαβαίνω→ object specificationΙορδάνης: 'Jordan'; the river Moses will not cross.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying Ιορδάνην)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the deictic river before them.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic, contrastive)→ participant referenceὑμεῖς: emphatic 'you' — set against ἐγώ; the people's destiny differs from Moses'.
δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: 'but'; marks the contrast between Moses and the people.
διαβαίνετεare crossingPres Act Indic 2 Pl · διαβαίνωmain verb→ futuristic/progressive present (the imminent crossing)διαβαίνω: 'cross over'; the people are about to cross — the present marks the crossing as imminent.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κληρονομήσετεshall inheritFut Act Indic 2 Pl · κληρονομέωmain verb (predictive)→ predictive future (certain possession)κληρονομέω: 'inherit / take possession'; renders יָרַשׁ; the people will possess the land Moses only sees from afar.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of κληρονομήσετε→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the promised land of Canaan.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (attributive with ἀγαθήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγαθὴνgoodAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying γῆν)→ object specificationἀγαθός: 'good'; renders טוֹב; 'the good land' is a Deuteronomic epithet for Canaan's fruitfulness (cf. 1:25; 8:7–10).
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying γῆν)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the deictic 'this good land' points across the river.
23
προσέχετε ὑμεῖς μὴ ἐπιλάθησθε τὴν διαθήκην κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ ὑμῶν ἣν διέθετο πρὸς ὑμᾶς καὶ ποιήσητε ὑμῖν ἑαυτοῖς γλυπτὸν ὁμοίωμα πάντων ὧν συνέταξεν κύριος ὁ θεός σου
Take heed to yourselves, lest you forget the covenant of the LORD your God which he made with you, and make for yourselves a carved likeness of any of the things which the LORD your God forbade.
The warning-formula πρόσεχε/προσέχετε (cf. v. 9) returns, now binding 'forgetting the covenant' directly to 'making a carved image' — the two are presented as a single apostasy. The relative ὧν συνέταξεν ('which he commanded/forbade') gathers up the whole catalogue of vv. 16–19. This recapitulation sets up the climactic warning of v. 24.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
προσέχετεtake heedPres Act Impv 2 Pl · προσέχωmain verb (imperative of caution)→ durative present imperative (continual vigilance)προσέχω: 'take heed / beware'; renders הִשָּׁמֶר; the plural form of the warning-formula of v. 9, here against covenant-forgetting and image-making.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic, reinforcing the imperative)→ participant referenceὑμεῖς: emphatic 'you'; intensifies the direct address.
μὴlestnegative particle (introducing the danger)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: 'lest'; governs the subjunctives ἐπιλάθησθε and ποιήσητε.
ἐπιλάθησθεyou forgetAor Mid Subj 2 Pl · ἐπιλανθάνομαιverb of negative purpose clause→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (fall into forgetting)ἐπιλανθάνομαι: 'forget'; renders שָׁכַח; forgetting the covenant is the root from which image-making springs (cf. v. 9).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηνcovenantAccusativedirect object of ἐπιλάθησθε→ object specificationδιαθήκη: 'covenant'; renders בְּרִית; the covenant of v. 13, now the object whose forgetting must be guarded against.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of source ('covenant of the LORD')→ 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 LORD your God.'
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of διέθετο)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun agreeing with διαθήκην.
διέθετοmadeAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · διατίθημιverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the covenant-making)διατίθημι (mid.): 'make a covenant / arrange / dispose'; renders כָּרַת בְּרִית; the cognate of διαθήκη; the middle voice is the idiom for 'cut/make a covenant.'
πρὸςwithpreposition + accusative (party to the covenant)→ spatial or relational framingπρός + acc.: 'with / toward'; marks the people as the covenant partner.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeobject of πρός→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of πρός.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking the two dangers)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσητεyou makeAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ποιέωverb of negative purpose clause (coordinate with ἐπιλάθησθε)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (set about making)ποιέω: 'make / fashion'; the image-making that is the visible fruit of covenant-forgetting (cf. v. 16).
ὑμῖνfor yourselvesDativedative of advantage→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): dative of advantage paired with ἑαυτοῖς (as v. 16).
ἑαυτοῖςyourselvesDativereflexive pronoun (intensifying ὑμῖν)→ participant reference or interestἑαυτοῦ: reflexive 'yourselves'; the doubled construction underlines idolatry as self-projection.
γλυπτὸνcarvedAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ὁμοίωμα)→ object specificationγλυπτός: 'carved / graven'; renders פֶּסֶל; the graven image of the Decalogue.
ὁμοίωμαlikeness / formAccusativedirect object of ποιήσητε→ object specificationὁμοίωμα: 'likeness / form'; the keyword from vv. 12–18, here the forbidden product.
πάντωνof allGenitivepartitive genitive (modifying the implied object: 'of any of the things')→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the partitive 'of any of all the things' that YHWH forbade — gathering up the catalogue of vv. 16–19.
ὧνwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (object of συνέταξεν, attracted to genitive)→ relational specificationὅς: relative pronoun; genitive ὧν attracted to the case of its antecedent πάντων.
συνέταξενcommanded / forbadeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συντάσσωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the prohibitive command)συντάσσω: 'order / command / enjoin'; renders צִוָּה; here in the sense of the things 'concerning which he gave command' — i.e., which he forbade to be represented (vv. 16–19).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of συνέταξεν→ 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 LORD your God' (σου).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
24
ὅτι κύριος ὁ θεός σου πῦρ καταναλίσκον ἐστίν θεὸς ζηλωτής
For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
The causal ὅτi gives the ultimate ground of the whole aniconic warning: YHWH is πῦρ καταναλίσκον ('a consuming fire') and θεὸς ζηλωτής ('a jealous God'). The fire-imagery binds back to the Horeb theophany (vv. 11–12, 15) — the same fire from which the formless voice came will consume idolaters. Heb 12:29 cites this verse verbatim (ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν πῦρ καταναλίσκον).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; grounds the prohibition of v. 23 in the very nature of God.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ 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 LORD your God' — the subject of the predication.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
πῦρfireNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceπῦρ: 'fire'; renders אֵשׁ; the metaphor binds back to the Horeb fire (vv. 11–12, 15, 33, 36); cited at Heb 12:29.
καταναλίσκονconsumingPres Act Part Nom Neut Sg · καταναλίσκωattributive participle (modifying πῦρ)→ durative present participle (continually consuming)καταναλίσκω: 'consume utterly / devour'; renders אֹכְלָה ('devouring'); the participle 'consuming fire' depicts YHWH's holy intolerance of idolatry — the fire that does not merely warm but destroys (cf. Heb 12:29).
ἐστίνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present (essential predication)εἰμί: 'be'; the copula of the predication — this is what YHWH essentially is in relation to idolatry.
θεὸςGodNominativepredicate nominative (second predication)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the second predicate noun, defined by ζηλωτής.
ζηλωτήςjealousNominativepredicate noun/adjective (in apposition: 'a jealous God')→ participant prominenceζηλωτής: 'jealous / zealous one'; renders קַנָּא ('jealous'); θεὸς ζηλωτής ('a jealous God') is the Decalogue's own self-description (5:9; Exod 20:5) — YHWH's exclusive claim brooks no rival, the theological basis of the entire image-prohibition.
25
ἐὰν δὲ γεννήσῃς υἱοὺς καὶ υἱοὺς τῶν υἱῶν σου καὶ χρονίσητε ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἀνομήσητε καὶ ποιήσητε γλυπτὸν ὁμοίωμα παντὸς καὶ ποιήσητε τὰ πονηρὰ ἐναντίον κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ ὑμῶν παροργίσαι αὐτόν
But if you beget sons and sons' sons, and grow old upon the land, and act lawlessly and make a carved likeness of anything, and do what is evil before the LORD your God so as to provoke him,
Moses turns prophetic, projecting beyond the conquest to a future generation that, grown comfortable in the land (χρονίσητε, 'grow old'), falls into idolatry. The long protasis (ἐάν … καί … καί …) stacks the conditions; the apodosis comes in v. 26. The infinitive παροργίσαι ('so as to provoke') names the deep offense of idolatry — it provokes the jealous God of v. 24.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
ἐὰνifconditional particle (introducing protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; with the subjunctive introduces a future hypothetical — the projected apostasy of a later generation.
δὲbuttransitional particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: 'but / now'; marks the turn to the prophetic exile-scenario.
γεννήσῃςyou begetAor Act Subj 2 Sg · γεννάωverb of protasis→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (come to beget)γεννάω: 'beget / bear'; renders יָלַד (Hiphil); the generational projection — children and grandchildren born in the land.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object of γεννήσῃς→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; the first generation in the land.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object (second generation)→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; 'sons' sons' — the grandchildren, marking the passage of time before apostasy.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive of relationship ('sons of your sons')→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; the genitive forms the 'grandsons' construction (cf. v. 9).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
χρονίσητεyou grow old / linger longAor Act Subj 2 Pl · χρονίζωverb of protasis (shift to plural)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (come to be long-settled)χρονίζω: 'spend/take a long time / grow old / linger'; renders יָשַׁן (Niphal 'grow old') / אָרַךְ; the long ease of settlement breeds the complacency from which idolatry grows.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (place).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitiveobject of ἐπί (place of settlement)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; the promised land, now the place of long settlement and looming danger.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνομήσητεyou act lawlesslyAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἀνομέωverb of protasis→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (fall into lawlessness)ἀνομέω: 'act lawlessly / corruptly'; renders שָׁחַת (Hiphil); the same verb as v. 16 — idolatry as the fundamental ἀνομία.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσητεyou makeAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ποιέωverb of protasis→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (set about making)ποιέω: 'make'; the image-making — repeating the language of vv. 16, 23.
γλυπτὸνcarvedAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ὁμοίωμα)→ object specificationγλυπτός: 'carved / graven'; renders פֶּסֶל.
ὁμοίωμαlikeness / formAccusativedirect object of ποιήσητε→ object specificationὁμοίωμα: 'likeness / form'; the keyword once more — the forbidden carved form.
παντὸςof anythingGenitivepartitive/objective genitive (modifying ὁμοίωμα: 'of any thing')→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all / anything'; 'a carved form of anything' — gathering up the whole catalogue of vv. 16–19.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσητεyou doAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ποιέωverb of protasis (summarizing the evil)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (commit)ποιέω: 'do'; here 'do the evil things' — the comprehensive summary of the apostasy.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πονηρὰevil thingsAccusativesubstantival adjective (direct object of ποιήσητε)→ object specificationπονηρός: 'evil / wicked'; renders רַע; 'to do the evil in the eyes of the LORD' (τὰ πονηρὰ ἐναντίον κυρίου) is the Deuteronomistic formula for covenant infidelity (cf. Judg 2:11; 2 Kgs 17:17).
ἐναντίονbefore / in the sight ofimproper preposition + genitive (Hebraism: 'in the eyes of')→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: 'before / in the sight of'; renders בְּעֵינֵי; idolatry is done 'before' the LORD — in his very presence, hence the provocation.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitiveobject of ἐναντίον→ 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 LORD your God.'
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
παροργίσαιto provoke to angerAor Act Inf · παροργίζωinfinitive of result/purpose ('so as to provoke')→ ingressive aorist infinitive (to anger him)παροργίζω: 'provoke to anger / exasperate'; renders כָּעַס (Hiphil); the result of idolatry is the provocation of the jealous God (v. 24) — the standard Deuteronomistic verb for kindling divine wrath.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of παροργίσαι→ participant referenceαὐτός: accusative object — the LORD, provoked by idolatry.
26
διαμαρτύρομαι ὑμῖν σήμερον τόν τε οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν ὅτι ἀπωλείᾳ ἀπολεῖσθε ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς εἰς ἣν ὑμεῖς διαβαίνετε τὸν Ιορδάνην ἐκεῖ κληρονομῆσαι αὐτήν οὐχὶ πολυχρονιεῖτε ἡμέρας ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς ἀλλ᾿ ἢ ἐκτριβῇ ἐκτριβήσεσθε
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you shall surely perish from the land into which you are crossing the Jordan to inherit it; you shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall be utterly destroyed.
The apodosis takes the form of a covenant-lawsuit (rîb): Moses summons heaven and earth as witnesses (cf. 30:19; 31:28; Isa 1:2), then pronounces the sentence with two emphatic cognate constructions — ἀπωλείᾳ ἀπολεῖσθε ('you shall perish with perishing') and ἐκτριβῇ ἐκτριβήσεσθε ('you shall be destroyed with destruction'), Hebraistic renderings of the infinitive absolute that intensify the certainty of doom.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
διαμαρτύρομαιI call to witness / solemnly testifyPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · διαμαρτύρομαιmain verb (summoning witnesses)→ performative present (the act of witnessing performed in the speaking)διαμαρτύρομαι: 'call to witness / solemnly charge / testify'; renders הֵעִיד (Hiphil of עוד); the performative present enacts the covenant-lawsuit summons; cosmic witnesses are invoked because they outlast the generations (cf. 30:19; 31:28).
ὑμῖνagainst youDativedative (against whom the witness is borne)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): the dative of the party against whom testimony is given.
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; the present moment of the solemn adjuration.
τόνtheAccusativearticle (with οὐρανόν)→ noun-phrase markingτόν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τεbothcoordinating particle (τε … καί: 'both … and')→ discourse linkage or contrastτε: enclitic 'and / both'; with καί links heaven and earth as the paired cosmic witnesses.
οὐρανὸνheavenAccusativedirect object of διαμαρτύρομαι (witness summoned)→ object specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven'; the first cosmic witness — heaven and earth as the permanent jurors of the covenant lawsuit.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (with τε)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνearthAccusativedirect object (second witness)→ object specificationγῆ: 'earth'; the second cosmic witness; the heaven-and-earth pair frames the covenant suit (cf. Isa 1:2).
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing content of the testimony)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the substance of what is witnessed — the sentence of destruction.
ἀπωλείᾳwith destructionDativecognate dative (Hebraism: intensifying ἀπολεῖσθε)→ sphere or referenceἀπώλεια: 'destruction / perdition'; the cognate dative ἀπωλείᾳ ἀπολεῖσθε ('you shall perish with perishing') renders the Hebrew infinitive absolute אָבֹד תֹּאבֵדוּן, intensifying the certainty — 'you shall SURELY perish.'
ἀπολεῖσθεyou shall perishFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἀπόλλυμιmain verb of the testimony (cognate construction)→ predictive future (certain doom)ἀπόλλυμι (mid. ἀπόλλυμαι): 'perish / be destroyed'; renders אָבַד; the cognate dative makes the threat emphatic and certain.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitiveobject of ἀπό (the land from which they perish)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; the very land they are about to inherit becomes the place from which they will be cut off.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction, in relative clause)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction, in relative clause).
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἰς)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun referring to γῆς.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject of διαβαίνετε (emphatic)→ participant referenceὑμεῖς: emphatic 'you' — the very ones crossing to inherit.
διαβαίνετεare crossingPres Act Indic 2 Pl · διαβαίνωverb of relative clause→ futuristic/progressive present (the imminent crossing)διαβαίνω: 'cross over'; the crossing of the Jordan into the land of impending judgment.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνηνJordanAccusativedirect object of διαβαίνετε→ object specificationΙορδάνης: 'Jordan'; the river of entry.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (resumptive, Hebraizing)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; resumptive adverb after the relative (cf. vv. 5, 14).
κληρονομῆσαιto inheritAor Act Inf · κληρονομέωinfinitive of purpose (goal of crossing)→ ingressive aorist infinitive (to take possession)κληρονομέω: 'inherit / possess'; the tragic irony — they cross to inherit a land they will lose.
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object of κληρονομῆσαι (the land)→ participant referenceαὐτός: feminine accusative referring to γῆς.
οὐχὶnotemphatic negative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐχί: emphatic form of οὐ; 'by no means / not at all'; strengthens the negation of long tenure.
πολυχρονιεῖτεyou shall prolong days / long endureFut Act Indic 2 Pl · πολυχρονίζωmain verb (negated)→ predictive future (negated: not endure long)πολυχρονίζω: 'spend a long time / prolong / endure long'; renders אָרַךְ יָמִים ('lengthen days'); negated here — the opposite of the blessing 'that your days may be long' (cf. v. 40; 5:16).
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time (cognate with πολυχρονιεῖτε)→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; 'you shall not prolong days' = you shall not long remain.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + genitive (place, elided ἐπί)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (place, elided ἐπί).
αὐτῆςitGenitiveobject of ἐπ᾿ (the land)→ relational specificationαὐτός: feminine genitive referring to γῆς — 'upon it.'
ἀλλ᾿butadversative conjunction (elided ἀλλά)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but'; with ἤ forms the exceptive 'but rather.'
ἢthan / ratherparticle (in exceptive idiom ἀλλ᾿ ἤ: 'but rather')→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or / than'; ἀλλ᾿ ἤ renders כִּי אִם ('but rather'); introduces the alternative certain outcome — utter destruction.
ἐκτριβῇwith destructionDativecognate dative (Hebraism: intensifying ἐκτριβήσεσθε)→ sphere or referenceἐκτριβή: 'destruction / extermination'; the cognate dative ἐκτριβῇ ἐκτριβήσεσθε ('you shall be destroyed with destruction') renders another infinitive absolute (הִשָּׁמֵד תִּשָּׁמֵדוּן), echoing the fate of the Baal-Peor apostates (ἐξέτριψεν, v. 3).
ἐκτριβήσεσθεyou shall be utterly destroyedFut Pass Indic 2 Pl · ἐκτρίβωmain verb (cognate construction, passive)→ predictive future passive (certain extermination)ἐκτρίβω: 'destroy utterly / exterminate'; the passive 'you shall be destroyed'; the same verb that destroyed those who followed Baal-Peor (v. 3) now threatens apostate Israel — the punishment fits the imitated sin.
27
καὶ διασπερεῖ κύριος ὑμᾶς ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν καὶ καταλειφθήσεσθε ὀλίγοι ἀριθμῷ ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν εἰς οὓς εἰσάξει κύριος ὑμᾶς ἐκεῖ
And the LORD will scatter you among all the nations, and you shall be left few in number among the nations to which the LORD will lead you.
The destruction of v. 26 unfolds as exile: YHWH διασπερεῖ ('will scatter') Israel among the nations — the verbal root of διασπορά ('diaspora'). The reduction to ὀλίγοι ἀριθμῷ ('few in number') reverses the multiplication-promise of v. 1 (πολυπλασιασθῆτε). The dispersion sets the stage for the merciful return of vv. 29–31.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διασπερεῖwill scatterFut Act Indic 3 Sg · διασπείρωmain verb→ predictive future (the coming dispersion)διασπείρω: 'scatter / disperse'; renders פּוּץ / הֵפִיץ; the verbal root of διασπορά ('Diaspora'); the scattering among the nations is the classic prophetic threat of exile (cf. 28:64; Lev 26:33).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of διασπερεῖ→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; YHWH himself is the agent of the exile — judgment is his sovereign act.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of διασπερεῖ→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of διασπερεῖ.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (place: 'among')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place: 'among').
πᾶσινallDativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔθνεσιν)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; the dispersion is universal — among all the nations.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔθνεσινnationsDativeobject of ἐν (place of dispersion)→ sphere or referenceἔθνος: 'nation / gentile'; the peoples among whom Israel will be scattered — the same nations that were to admire its wisdom (v. 6) now become its place of exile.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταλειφθήσεσθεyou shall be leftFut Pass Indic 2 Pl · καταλείπωmain verb (passive)→ predictive future passive (the surviving remnant)καταλείπω (pass.): 'be left / remain / survive'; renders שָׁאַר (Niphal); a remnant survives the destruction, but a decimated one — 'few in number.'
ὀλίγοιfewNominativepredicate adjective (with καταλειφθήσεσθε)→ participant prominenceὀλίγος: 'few / small'; renders מְעַט; the reduction to 'few' reverses the multiplication-blessing (v. 1; cf. 28:62).
ἀριθμῷin numberDativedative of respect ('few with respect to number')→ sphere or referenceἀριθμός: 'number'; the dative of respect — 'few in number'; renders מְתֵי מִסְפָּר ('men of number,' i.e., few enough to count).
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔθνεσινnationsDativeobject of ἐν→ sphere or referenceἔθνος: 'nation'; the nations among whom the remnant survives.
εἰςto / amongpreposition + accusative (direction, in relative clause)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: here with accusative of the nations 'into/among which' they are led — a construction of motion-into-place.
οὓςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἰς)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; masculine accusative plural referring to ἔθνεσιν.
εἰσάξειwill leadFut Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσάγωverb of relative clause→ predictive future (the leading into exile)εἰσάγω: 'lead in / bring in'; renders נָהַג / בּוֹא (Hiphil); ironic counterpoint to the εἰσπορεύεσθε of entering the land — now YHWH leads them INTO the nations.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of εἰσάξει→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of εἰσάξει→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of εἰσάξει.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (resumptive, Hebraizing)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; resumptive adverb after the relative οὕς — 'the nations into which … there.'
28
καὶ λατρεύσετε ἐκεῖ θεοῖς ἑτέροις ἔργοις χειρῶν ἀνθρώπων ξύλοις καὶ λίθοις οἳ οὐκ ὄψονται οὐδὲ μὴ ἀκούσωσιν οὔτε μὴ φάγωσιν οὔτε μὴ ὀσφρανθῶσιν
And there you shall serve other gods, works of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell.
The punishment fits the crime: those who chose idols will be handed over to serve them. The sarcastic idol-polemic — ἔργα χειρῶν ἀνθρώπων ('works of men's hands'), mere ξύλα καὶ λίθοι ('wood and stone') that cannot see, hear, eat, or smell — is the classic prophetic mockery of dead gods (cf. Ps 115:4–7; Isa 44:9–20). The piling of negatives (οὐκ … οὐδὲ μή … οὔτε μή … οὔτε μή) drives home their utter impotence.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λατρεύσετεyou shall serveFut Act Indic 2 Pl · λατρεύωmain verb→ predictive future (the enforced idol-service)λατρεύω: 'serve / worship (cultically)'; renders עָבַד; the measure-for-measure judgment — those who would not serve YHWH alone are given over to serve dead idols (cf. Rom 1:24–25).
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (in exile)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; in the lands of exile.
θεοῖςgodsDativedative complement of λατρεύσετε→ sphere or referenceθεός: 'god'; here the false gods of the nations — the dative of the deity served.
ἑτέροιςotherDativeattributive adjective (modifying θεοῖς)→ sphere or referenceἕτερος: 'other / another'; θεοὶ ἕτεροι ('other gods') is the Deuteronomic phrase for the forbidden rival deities (cf. 5:7; 6:14).
ἔργοιςworksDativedative in apposition to θεοῖς→ sphere or referenceἔργον: 'work / deed / product'; ἔργα χειρῶν ('works of hands') is the standard idol-polemic phrase — these 'gods' are mere manufactured objects (cf. Ps 115:4).
χειρῶνof handsGenitivegenitive of production (modifying ἔργοις)→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the gods are products of human hands — the maker is greater than the made, exposing their unreality.
ἀνθρώπωνof menGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying χειρῶν: 'men's hands')→ relational specificationἄνθρωπος: 'man / human'; 'works of MEN's hands' — the irony of the creature worshiping what a creature has made.
ξύλοιςwoodDativedative in apposition to θεοῖς (the material)→ sphere or referenceξύλον: 'wood / timber'; renders עֵץ; the raw material of idols — 'wood and stone' is a contemptuous reduction of the gods to inert matter (cf. 28:36, 64; Jer 2:27).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λίθοιςstonesDativedative in apposition (coordinate with ξύλοις)→ sphere or referenceλίθος: 'stone'; renders אֶבֶן; with ξύλον forms the merism 'wood and stone' for all idol-material.
οἳwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of the verbs of incapacity)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; masculine plural (by sense, agreeing with θεοῖς) introducing the catalogue of the idols' impotence.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ὄψονται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: simple negation of the first incapacity.
ὄψονταιwill seeFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωverb of relative clause (negated)→ gnomic/predictive future (settled incapacity)ὁράω (fut. mid. ὄψομαι): 'see'; the idols cannot see — the first of four sensory incapacities mocking their lifelessness (cf. Ps 115:5).
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction (with μή + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδέ: 'and not / nor'; continues the negation.
μὴnotnegative particle (emphatic, with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: with οὐδέ forms the emphatic double negative οὐδὲ μή ('not at all') with the subjunctive — strong denial of the idols' capacity.
ἀκούσωσινthey hearAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀκούωverb of relative clause (emphatic negation οὐδὲ μή)→ aorist subjunctive of emphatic denial (will never hear)ἀκούω: 'hear'; the idols cannot hear — the second incapacity; the subjunctive with οὐδὲ μή expresses absolute impossibility.
οὔτεnornegative correlative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastοὔτε: 'and not / nor'; the correlative 'neither … nor' continuing the list.
μὴnotnegative particle (emphatic, with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: emphatic negation with the subjunctive.
φάγωσινthey eatAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἐσθίωverb of relative clause (emphatic negation οὔτε μή)→ aorist subjunctive of emphatic denial (will never eat)ἐσθίω (aor. ἔφαγον): 'eat'; the idols cannot eat — though sacrifices are set before them, they consume nothing (cf. Bel and the Dragon); the third incapacity.
οὔτεnornegative correlative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastοὔτε: 'nor'; the final correlative.
μὴnotnegative particle (emphatic, with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: emphatic negation.
ὀσφρανθῶσινthey smellAor Pass Subj 3 Pl · ὀσφραίνομαιverb of relative clause (emphatic negation οὔτε μή)→ aorist subjunctive of emphatic denial (will never smell)ὀσφραίνομαι: 'smell / catch scent'; deponent (aor. pass. form); the idols cannot smell the incense or sacrifices offered them — the fourth and final incapacity, completing the sensory mockery (cf. the 'pleasing aroma' YHWH alone perceives, Gen 8:21).
29
καὶ ζητήσετε ἐκεῖ κύριον τὸν θεὸν ὑμῶν καὶ εὑρήσετε ὅταν ἐκζητήσητε αὐτὸν ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας σου καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς σου ἐν τῇ θλίψει σου
And there you shall seek the LORD your God, and you shall find him whenever you seek him out with all your heart and with all your soul in your affliction.
The exile becomes the crucible of repentance: 'there' (ἐκεῖ), in the very place of dispersion, Israel will seek and find YHWH. The condition is whole-hearted searching — ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας … καὶ ἐξ ὅλης τῆς ψυχῆς ('with all your heart and all your soul'), the language of the Shema (6:5). The phrase ἐν τῇ θλίψει σου ('in your affliction') makes tribulation itself the occasion of return.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (transition to mercy)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ζητήσετεyou shall seekFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ζητέωmain verb→ predictive future (the coming repentance)ζητέω: 'seek / search for'; renders בָּקַשׁ; 'to seek the LORD' is the language of repentant return (cf. Jer 29:13, which echoes this verse).
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (in exile)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; emphatically — in the very place of exile, far from the land and temple, YHWH may yet be sought and found.
κύριονLORDAccusativedirect object of ζητήσετε→ object specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the object of the repentant search.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸνGodAccusativeaccusative in apposition to κύριον→ object specificationθεός: 'God'; 'the LORD your God.'
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὑρήσετεyou shall findFut Act Indic 2 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb→ predictive future (the certainty of finding)εὑρίσκω: 'find'; renders מָצָא; the gracious promise — the seeking will not be in vain; the seek-and-find pairing is foundational to biblical repentance (cf. Isa 55:6; Matt 7:7).
ὅτανwhenevertemporal conjunction (with subjunctive: indefinite condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅταν: 'when(ever)'; with the subjunctive sets the condition of finding — wholehearted seeking.
ἐκζητήσητεyou seek outAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἐκζητέωverb of temporal-conditional clause→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (earnestly seek)ἐκζητέω: 'seek out / search diligently'; the compound ἐκ- intensifies ζητέω — not a casual but an earnest, thorough seeking; renders דָּרַשׁ; the condition for the finding of v. 29a.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐκζητήσητε→ participant referenceαὐτός: accusative object — the LORD, the object of the diligent search.
ἐξwith / out ofpreposition + genitive (source/means: 'from the whole')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ (ἐξ before vowel): 'from / out of'; ἐξ ὅλης τῆς καρδίας ('out of the whole heart') renders בְּכָל־לֵבָב; the seeking must spring from the entire inner person.
ὅληςwholeGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying καρδίας)→ relational specificationὅλος: 'whole / entire'; the totality of the heart — no divided allegiance; the Shema's demand (6:5).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαςheartGenitiveobject of ἐξ→ relational specificationκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵבָב; the seat of will and devotion — repentance must be wholehearted.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξwithpreposition + genitive (parallel to first ἐξ)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'from / out of'; the parallel phrase 'with all your soul.'
ὅληςwholeGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ψυχῆς)→ relational specificationὅλος: 'whole / entire'; the entirety of the soul.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχῆςsoulGenitiveobject of ἐξ→ relational specificationψυχή: 'soul / life / self'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; with καρδία forms the Shema's 'heart and soul' (6:5) — the whole self engaged in the return.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (circumstance).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θλίψειaffliction / tribulationDativeobject of ἐν (circumstance of seeking)→ sphere or referenceθλῖψις: 'affliction / tribulation / distress'; renders צָרָה; the suffering of exile becomes the very occasion of the wholehearted return — 'in your distress' (cf. Hos 5:15).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
30
καὶ εὑρήσουσίν σε πάντες οἱ λόγοι οὗτοι ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτῳ τῶν ἡμερῶν καὶ ἐπιστραφήσῃ πρὸς κύριον τὸν θεόν σου καὶ εἰσακούσῃ τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ
And all these words shall find you in the latter days, and you shall turn to the LORD your God and shall hearken to his voice.
The 'words' (both blessings and curses) personified as agents that 'find' Israel ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτῳ τῶν ἡμερῶν ('in the latter days') — an eschatological horizon. Repentance is expressed by the great Deuteronomic verb ἐπιστρέφω ('turn / return'), the root of שׁוּב (teshuvah), coupled with εἰσακούω ('hearken / obey') — turning and obeying are the two faces of return.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὑρήσουσίνwill findFut Act Indic 3 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb (with personified subject 'words')→ predictive future (the words overtaking Israel)εὑρίσκω: 'find / come upon'; here the 'words' (the covenant blessings and curses) personified as agents that 'find' or overtake Israel — they catch up with the people in the latter days (cf. the curses that 'overtake' in 28:15, 45).
σεyouAccusativedirect object of εὑρήσουσιν→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σε): the object found/overtaken by the words.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying λόγοι)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; all the words — both the warnings of vv. 26–28 and the promise of vv. 29, 31.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λόγοιwords / thingsNominativesubject of εὑρήσουσιν→ participant prominenceλόγος: 'word / matter'; renders דָּבָר; the covenant words, both blessing and curse, that find their fulfillment in Israel's history.
οὗτοιtheseNominativedemonstrative adjective (modifying λόγοι)→ participant prominenceοὗτος: 'these'; the words just spoken in this address.
ἐπ᾿inpreposition + dative (time, elided ἐπί)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dat.: 'at / in (a time)'; in the temporal phrase 'at the last of the days.'
ἐσχάτῳlastDativesubstantival adjective (object of ἐπί: 'the last [part]')→ sphere or referenceἔσχατος: 'last / final'; ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτῳ τῶν ἡμερῶν ('in the latter days') renders בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים — an eschatological formula pointing to the decisive future (cf. Gen 49:1; Num 24:14; Heb 1:2).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμερῶνdaysGenitivepartitive genitive (with ἐσχάτῳ: 'the last of the days')→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; 'the latter days' — the eschatological future of restoration.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιστραφήσῃyou shall turn / returnFut Pass Indic 2 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb→ predictive future (the return/repentance)ἐπιστρέφω (pass. as intrans. 'turn back'): 'turn / return / repent'; renders שׁוּב; the great Deuteronomic verb of repentance (teshuvah) — turning back to YHWH; the passive form has middle/intransitive force ('you will turn yourself').
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of return)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of return).
κύριονLORDAccusativeobject of πρός (the one returned to)→ object specificationκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόνGodAccusativeaccusative in apposition to κύριον→ object specificationθεός: 'God'; 'the LORD your God.'
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσακούσῃyou shall hearken / obeyFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · εἰσακούωmain verb (coordinate with ἐπιστραφήσῃ)→ predictive future (the obedient hearing)εἰσακούω: 'hearken / listen and obey / heed'; the compound εἰσ- intensifies ἀκούω to 'obey'; renders שָׁמַע בְּקוֹל ('hear the voice'); turning (ἐπιστρέφω) and obeying (εἰσακούω) are the two inseparable faces of true return.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνῆςvoiceGenitivegenitive object of εἰσακούσῃ (thing obeyed)→ relational specificationφωνή: 'voice'; renders קוֹל; the same 'voice' heard at Horeb (vv. 12, 33) — to obey his voice is to return to the covenant relationship.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (YHWH's voice)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (YHWH's voice).
31
ὅτι θεὸς οἰκτίρμων κύριος ὁ θεός σου οὐκ ἐγκαταλείψει σε οὐδὲ μὴ ἐκτρίψει σε οὐκ ἐπιλήσεται τὴν διαθήκην τῶν πατέρων σου ἣν ὤμοσεν αὐτοῖς
For the LORD your God is a compassionate God; he will not forsake you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant of your fathers which he swore to them.
The causal ὅτι gives the deep ground of the promise of return: YHWH is θεὸς οἰκτίρμων ('a compassionate God'). This is the merciful counterpart to the 'consuming fire, jealous God' of v. 24 — the same God in both judgment and mercy. The triple negative (οὐκ … οὐδὲ μή … οὐκ) of forsaking, destroying, and forgetting is grounded in the sworn covenant with the fathers (Gen 15; 17).
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; grounds the certainty of return (v. 30) in the divine character.
θεὸςGodNominativepredicate nominative (fronted)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the fronted predicate — 'a compassionate God [is] the LORD your God.'
οἰκτίρμωνcompassionate / mercifulNominativepredicate adjective (modifying θεός)→ participant prominenceοἰκτίρμων: 'compassionate / merciful / pitying'; renders רַחוּם; θεὸς οἰκτίρμων is a key element of the divine self-revelation (Exod 34:6); the merciful counterpart to θεὸς ζηλωτής (v. 24) — the same God in judgment and in mercy.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ 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 LORD your God' as subject of the predication.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἐγκαταλείψει)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: negation; the first of three negatives of divine fidelity.
ἐγκαταλείψειwill forsakeFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐγκαταλείπωmain verb (negated promise)→ predictive future (negated: will never forsake)ἐγκαταλείπω: 'forsake / abandon / leave behind'; renders רָפָה / עָזַב; the firm promise that YHWH will not abandon Israel even in exile (cf. Heb 13:5, which echoes the same assurance).
σεyouAccusativedirect object of ἐγκαταλείψει→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐγκαταλείψει.
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction (with μή + future, emphatic)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδέ: 'and not / nor'; continues the negation with emphatic οὐδὲ μή.
μὴnotnegative particle (emphatic with future indicative)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: with οὐδέ and the future ἐκτρίψει forms an emphatic denial — 'by no means destroy.'
ἐκτρίψειwill destroyFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκτρίβωmain verb (emphatically negated)→ predictive future (negated: will never exterminate)ἐκτρίβω: 'destroy utterly / exterminate'; the same verb threatened in vv. 3, 26 is here emphatically negated — though scattered, Israel will not be annihilated; mercy outlasts judgment.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of ἐκτρίψει→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐκτρίψει.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἐπιλήσεται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: negation; the third negative of fidelity.
ἐπιλήσεταιwill forgetFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιλανθάνομαιmain verb (negated)→ predictive future (negated: will never forget)ἐπιλανθάνομαι: 'forget'; the same verb Israel was warned against (vv. 9, 23) is here denied of YHWH — though Israel forgets the covenant, God will not; divine memory secures the promise.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηνcovenantAccusativedirect object of ἐπιλήσεται→ object specificationδιαθήκη: 'covenant'; renders בְּרִית; here the patriarchal covenant sworn to the fathers — the unconditional ground of Israel's preservation.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέρωνfathersGenitivegenitive of relationship ('covenant of your fathers')→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; renders אָב; the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, with whom the covenant was sworn (Gen 15:18; 17:7; 26:3; 28:13).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ὤμοσεν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun agreeing with διαθήκην.
ὤμοσενsworeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὄμνυμιverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the patriarchal oath)ὄμνυμι: 'swear'; renders שָׁבַע (Niphal); the same verb used of Moses' exclusion (v. 21), here of the saving oath to the fathers — God's oath guarantees the covenant's permanence.
αὐτοῖςto themDativeindirect object (the fathers sworn to)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: dative of the patriarchs to whom the oath was given.
32
ἐπερωτήσατε ἡμέρας προτέρας τὰς γενομένας προτέρας σου ἀπὸ τῆς ἡμέρας ἧς ἔκτισεν ὁ θεὸς ἄνθρωπον ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐπὶ τὸ ἄκρον τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἕως ἄκρου τοῦ οὐρανοῦ εἰ γέγονεν κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμα τὸ μέγα τοῦτο εἰ ἤκουσται τοιοῦτο
For ask now of the former days that were before you, from the day that God created man upon the earth, and from one end of heaven to the other, whether there has been anything like this great thing, or whether anything like it has been heard.
The grand peroration (vv. 32–40) opens with a sweeping challenge: search all time (from creation onward) and all space (from one end of heaven to the other) for any parallel to what Israel experienced. The double εἰ ('whether … whether') sets up the rhetorical questions of vv. 33–34. The cosmic-temporal merism (from creation, from heaven's edge to edge) underscores the absolute uniqueness of the Horeb-Exodus events.
Word-by-word analysis· 39 words
ἐπερωτήσατεaskAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐπερωτάωmain verb (imperative of challenge)→ ingressive aorist imperative (make inquiry)ἐπερωτάω: 'ask / inquire / question'; renders שָׁאַל; the challenge to investigate all history and creation for a parallel — confident that none will be found.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativedirect object of ἐπερωτήσατε (the days inquired of)→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; 'the former days' — the whole span of past time to be searched.
προτέραςformerAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)→ object specificationπρότερος: 'former / earlier'; renders רִאשֹׁנִים; the days of old, prior to the present generation.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γενομέναςthat were / came to beAor Mid Part Acc Fem Pl · γίνομαιattributive participle (modifying ἡμέρας)→ antecedent aorist participle (days already past)γίνομαι: 'become / come to be / happen'; the participle 'the days that came to be before you' — the past that preceded the present generation.
προτέραςbeforeAccusativepredicate/comparative adjective (with σου: 'before you')→ object specificationπρότερος: 'former / earlier / before'; here with the genitive σου = 'before you / prior to you' (the days antedating this generation).
σουyouGenitivegenitive of comparison (with προτέρας: 'before you')→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): the genitive of comparison after προτέρας — 'earlier than you.'
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (temporal starting-point)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; marks the beginning of the temporal sweep — from the creation of humanity.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdayGenitiveobject of ἀπό→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; 'from the day that God created man' — the temporal origin-point of the search.
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive of time, attracted to antecedent)→ relational specificationὅς: relative pronoun; feminine genitive ἧς ('on which') attracted to the case of ἡμέρας.
ἔκτισενcreatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κτίζωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the creation of humanity)κτίζω: 'create / found'; renders בָּרָא; the creation of humankind (Gen 1:27) marks the start of the historical record to be searched.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ἔκτισεν→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the Creator of humanity — the same God who acted at Horeb.
ἄνθρωπονmanAccusativedirect object of ἔκτισεν→ object specificationἄνθρωπος: 'man / humankind'; renders אָדָם; humanity as created — the beginning of history.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (place).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπί (place of human creation)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth'; the place of humanity's creation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (shifting to spatial sweep)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶfrompreposition + accusative (spatial extent)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: here marking the spatial sweep 'from one end of heaven'; with ἕως forms the merism of cosmic breadth.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄκρονend / extremityAccusativeobject of ἐπί (one extremity of heaven)→ object specificationἄκρον: 'extremity / end / tip'; renders קָצֶה; 'from one end of heaven to the other' renders מִקְצֵה הַשָּׁמַיִם וְעַד־קְצֵה — a merism for the whole expanse of space.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦof heavenGenitivegenitive (defining ἄκρον: 'end of heaven')→ relational specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven'; the spatial dimension of the search — the whole cosmos.
ἕωςtoimproper preposition + genitive (extent: 'as far as')→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'as far as / to'; with ἄκρου completes the spatial merism — 'to the [other] end of heaven.'
ἄκρουendGenitiveobject of ἕως (the other extremity)→ relational specificationἄκρον: 'end / extremity'; the opposite pole of the spatial sweep.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦof heavenGenitivegenitive (defining ἄκρου)→ relational specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven'; the far edge of the cosmos.
εἰwhetherinterrogative particle (introducing indirect question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'whether / if'; introduces the indirect question — whether such a thing has ever happened.
γέγονενhas happenedPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιverb of indirect question→ resultative perfect (has ever come to pass and stands so)γίνομαι (perf. γέγονα): 'happen / come to be'; the perfect asks whether at any point in all history such a thing has ever occurred and remains on record — the answer is 'never.'
κατὰaccording to / likepreposition + accusative (comparison)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to / like'; 'anything like this great thing.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαthing / wordAccusativeobject of κατά→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / thing / matter'; renders דָּבָר; here 'this great thing/event' — the Horeb theophany and Exodus, treated as a single unparalleled occurrence.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (attributive with μέγα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μέγαgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ῥῆμα)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great'; the magnitude of the event matches the 'great voice' (v. 11) and 'great fire' (v. 36).
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ῥῆμα)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the specific great thing Israel experienced.
εἰwhetherinterrogative particle (second indirect question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'whether'; the second parallel question — whether such a thing has even been heard of.
ἤκουσταιhas been heardPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωverb of second indirect question (passive)→ resultative perfect passive (has ever been reported)ἀκούω (perf. pass. ἤκουσμαι): 'be heard / be reported'; the perfect passive asks whether even a report of such a thing exists anywhere — not merely whether it happened, but whether it was ever so much as heard of.
τοιοῦτοsuch a thingNominativesubject of ἤκουσται (correlative pronoun)→ participant referenceτοιοῦτος: 'such / of such kind'; 'anything of such a kind' — the subject of the passive; the answer to both questions is an emphatic 'never.'
33
εἰ ἀκήκοεν ἔθνος φωνὴν θεοῦ ζῶντος λαλοῦντος ἐκ μέσου τοῦ πυρός ὃν τρόπον ἀκήκοας σὺ καὶ ἔζησας
whether any nation has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and lived;
The first of the two unique marvels: no nation has ever heard the voice of the living God (θεοῦ ζῶντος) from the fire and survived. The phrase θεὸς ζῶν ('living God') contrasts pointedly with the dead idols of v. 28 (which cannot see, hear, eat, or smell). The wonder is double: to hear God's voice at all, and to live through it (cf. Exod 20:19; 33:20).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
εἰwhetherinterrogative particle (indirect question, continuing v. 32)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'whether'; continues the indirect questions of v. 32 — 'whether any nation has heard…'
ἀκήκοενhas heardPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωverb of indirect question→ resultative perfect (has ever heard and lived to tell)ἀκούω (perf. ἀκήκοα): 'hear'; the perfect asks whether any nation has ever, in all history, heard such a thing — the answer is none.
ἔθνοςnationNominativesubject of ἀκήκοεν→ participant prominenceἔθνος: 'nation / people'; any nation whatsoever — the universal sweep of the rhetorical question.
φωνὴνvoiceAccusativedirect object of ἀκήκοεν→ object specificationφωνή: 'voice'; renders קוֹל; the divine voice heard at Horeb (cf. vv. 12, 30).
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source (whose voice)→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; the voice belongs to the living God.
ζῶντοςlivingPres Act Part Gen Masc Sg · ζάωattributive participle (modifying θεοῦ)→ durative present participle (ever-living)ζάω (pres. part.): 'live'; θεὸς ζῶν ('the living God') renders אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים; a pointed contrast with the lifeless idols of v. 28 — the LORD lives and speaks, the idols are dead matter.
λαλοῦντοςspeakingPres Act Part Gen Masc Sg · λαλέωattributive participle (modifying θεοῦ)→ durative present participle (in the act of speaking)λαλέω (pres. part.): 'speak'; the living God is also the speaking God — revelation by articulate word, the theme of vv. 12–13.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
μέσουmidstGenitiveobject of ἐκ (substantival)→ relational specificationμέσος: 'midst'; ἐκ μέσου τοῦ πυρός — the recurring Horeb formula (vv. 12, 15, 36).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πυρόςfireGenitivegenitive (defining 'midst of the fire')→ relational specificationπῦρ: 'fire'; the fire from which the voice spoke.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (in adverbial accusative ὃν τρόπον)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; with τρόπον forms the adverbial accusative ὃν τρόπον ('in the manner which / just as').
τρόπονmanner / wayAccusativeadverbial accusative (with ὅν: 'in the way that')→ object specificationτρόπος: 'manner / way'; ὃν τρόπον ('in the way that / just as') is an idiomatic adverbial accusative rendering כַּאֲשֶׁר; introduces the comparison with Israel's own experience.
ἀκήκοαςhave heardPerf Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀκούωverb of comparative clause→ resultative perfect (your own abiding experience of hearing)ἀκούω (perf. ἀκήκοα): 'hear'; the second-person 'you have heard' — Israel's unique, abiding experience set against the universal negative of all other nations.
σὺyouNominativesubject of ἀκήκοας (emphatic)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic 'you' — Israel alone among all nations heard and lived.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔζησαςlivedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ζάωmain verb (the marvel of survival)→ constative aorist (survived the encounter)ζάω: 'live'; the double marvel — to hear the living God's voice from the fire AND to live; ordinarily seeing/hearing God meant death (Exod 33:20; Judg 13:22), yet Israel survived (cf. 5:24–26).
34
εἰ ἐπείρασεν ὁ θεὸς εἰσελθὼν λαβεῖν ἑαυτῷ ἔθνος ἐκ μέσου ἔθνους ἐν πειρασμῷ καὶ ἐν σημείοις καὶ ἐν τέρασιν καὶ ἐν πολέμῳ καὶ ἐν χειρὶ κραταιᾷ καὶ ἐν βραχίονι ὑψηλῷ καὶ ἐν ὁράμασιν μεγάλοις κατὰ πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησεν κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ ἐνώπιόν σου βλέποντος
or whether God has attempted to go in and take for himself a nation from the midst of a nation, with trial and with signs and with wonders and with war and with a mighty hand and with an uplifted arm and with great visions, according to all that the LORD our God did in Egypt before your eyes as you looked on;
The second marvel: no god has ever undertaken to take a whole nation 'from the midst of a nation' by such mighty acts. The catalogue of means — πειρασμός, σημεῖα, τέρατα, πόλεμος, χεὶρ κραταιά, βραχίων ὑψηλός, ὁράματα — gathers the classic Exodus vocabulary. The phrase ἐν χειρὶ κραταιᾷ καὶ ἐν βραχίονι ὑψηλῷ ('with a mighty hand and an uplifted arm') is the signature Deuteronomic Exodus-formula.
Word-by-word analysis· 47 words
εἰwhetherinterrogative particle (indirect question)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'whether'; the parallel second question — whether any god has ever done this.
ἐπείρασενhas attempted / undertakenAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πειράζωverb of indirect question→ constative aorist (the unprecedented undertaking)πειράζω: 'attempt / try / undertake / test'; renders נִסָּה; here 'has any god attempted/ventured to take a nation…' — the bold undertaking of redeeming a people from within another people.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGod / a godNominativesubject of ἐπείρασεν→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God / a god'; the rhetorical question surveys all gods — has any so acted?
εἰσελθὼνhaving gone inAor Act Part Nom Masc Sg · εἰσέρχομαιcircumstantial participle (attendant on ἐπείρασεν)→ antecedent aorist participle (the entering)εἰσέρχομαι: 'go in / enter'; God 'entering' to take a nation — perhaps echoing YHWH's coming into the midst of Egypt (cf. Exod 11:4).
λαβεῖνto takeAor Act Inf · λαμβάνωcomplementary infinitive (object of ἐπείρασεν)→ ingressive aorist infinitive (to take/acquire)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; renders לָקַח; the same verb of election as v. 20 — God 'taking' a people for himself.
ἑαυτῷfor himselfDativereflexive pronoun (dative of advantage)→ participant reference or interestἑαυτοῦ: reflexive 'himself'; the dative of advantage — the nation is taken as God's own possession (cf. λαὸν ἔγκληρον, v. 20).
ἔθνοςnationAccusativedirect object of λαβεῖν→ object specificationἔθνος: 'nation'; the nation taken — Israel, drawn out from Egypt.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
μέσουmidstGenitiveobject of ἐκ (substantival)→ relational specificationμέσος: 'midst'; 'from the midst of a nation' — Israel extracted from within Egypt, a nation born inside another, an unprecedented act.
ἔθνουςof a nationGenitivegenitive (defining 'midst of a nation')→ relational specificationἔθνος: 'nation'; the host nation, Egypt, from whose midst Israel was taken.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrument/manner)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: 'with / by'; the instrumental ἐν (Hebraizing בְּ) introduces the catalogue of mighty means.
πειρασμῷtrial / testingDativedative of means (first member of the catalogue)→ sphere or referenceπειρασμός: 'trial / testing / ordeal'; renders מַסָּה; cognate with ἐπείρασεν; the plagues as 'trials' inflicted on Egypt (cf. 7:19).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrument)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrument).
σημείοιςsignsDativedative of means→ sphere or referenceσημεῖον: 'sign / token'; renders אוֹת; the 'signs' of the Exodus — the plagues as divine sign-acts (cf. Exod 7:3); paired conventionally with τέρατα.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrument)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrument).
τέρασινwondersDativedative of means→ sphere or referenceτέρας: 'wonder / portent'; renders מוֹפֵת; the 'signs and wonders' pair (σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα) is the classic Exodus formula (cf. 6:22; 7:19), carried into the NT (Acts 2:22).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrument)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrument).
πολέμῳwarDativedative of means→ sphere or referenceπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; renders מִלְחָמָה; the divine warfare against Egypt, climaxing at the Red Sea (cf. Exod 15:3, 'the LORD is a warrior').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrument)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrument).
χειρὶhandDativedative of means→ sphere or referenceχείρ: 'hand'; ἐν χειρὶ κραταιᾷ ('with a mighty hand') renders בְּיָד חֲזָקָה — the signature Deuteronomic Exodus-formula for YHWH's power (cf. 5:15; 6:21; 7:8).
κραταιᾷmightyDativeattributive adjective (modifying χειρί)→ sphere or referenceκραταιός: 'mighty / strong'; renders חֲזָק; the 'mighty hand' of the LORD.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrument)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrument).
βραχίονιarmDativedative of means→ sphere or referenceβραχίων: 'arm'; ἐν βραχίονι ὑψηλῷ ('with an uplifted arm') renders בִּזְרֹעַ נְטוּיָה — the second half of the Exodus power-formula (cf. 5:15; 26:8).
ὑψηλῷuplifted / highDativeattributive adjective (modifying βραχίονι)→ sphere or referenceὑψηλός: 'high / lifted up'; renders נָטוּי (lit. 'outstretched'); the LXX's 'high/uplifted arm' images YHWH's arm raised in saving power.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrument)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrument).
ὁράμασινvisionsDativedative of means→ sphere or referenceὅραμα: 'vision / sight / spectacle'; renders מוֹרָא ('terror') or מַרְאֶה ('sight'); 'great visions/sights' — the awe-inspiring spectacles of the Exodus deliverance.
μεγάλοιςgreatDativeattributive adjective (modifying ὁράμασιν)→ sphere or referenceμέγας: 'great'; the magnitude of the visions matches the 'great thing' (v. 32).
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/conformity)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; 'according to all that the LORD did' — summarizing the totality of the Exodus acts.
πάνταallAccusativesubstantival adjective (object of κατά)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the sum of YHWH's deeds in Egypt.
ὅσαwhateverAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐποίησεν)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as'; defines πάντα by the deeds done.
ἐποίησενdidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the completed Exodus acts)ποιέω: 'do / make'; of YHWH's mighty acts in Egypt.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐποίησεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; named now explicitly — the unique God who alone did these things.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativenominative in apposition to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; 'the LORD our God' (ἡμῶν) — Moses again joined with the people.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
ΑἰγύπτῳEgyptDativeobject of ἐν (place of the mighty acts)→ sphere or referenceΑἴγυπτος: 'Egypt'; renders מִצְרַיִם; the arena of the Exodus deliverance.
ἐνώπιόνbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (Hebraism: 'in the sight of')→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the sight of'; renders לְעֵינֶיךָ; the deeds were done in Israel's full view — eyewitness testimony grounding the confession of v. 35.
σουyouGenitiveobject of ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): the genitive after ἐνώπιον — 'before you,' modified by the participle βλέποντος.
βλέποντοςlooking onPres Act Part Gen Masc Sg · βλέπωcircumstantial participle (genitive absolute-like, agreeing with σου)→ durative present participle (while you watched)βλέπω: 'look / see'; the participle agreeing with σου ('before you, as you looked on') stresses that Israel personally witnessed the Exodus marvels — sight grounds the monotheistic knowledge of v. 35.
35
ὥστε εἰδῆσαί σε ὅτι κύριος ὁ θεός σου οὗτος θεός ἐστιν καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἔτι πλὴν αὐτοῦ
so that you might know that the LORD your God, he is God, and there is none other besides him.
The result clause (ὥστε) reveals the purpose of the whole catalogue of marvels: that Israel might KNOW the foundational truth. This is the first of the chapter's two monotheistic confessions: κύριος ὁ θεός σου, οὗτος θεός ἐστιν, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἔτι πλὴν αὐτοῦ — 'the LORD your God, HE is God, and there is none besides him.' The emphatic οὗτος ('he, this one') and the absolute οὐκ ἔστιν ἔτι πλὴν αὐτοῦ ('there is none else besides him') make this one of the clearest monotheistic statements in the Torah (cf. v. 39; Isa 45:5).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ὥστεso thatresult conjunction (introducing the purpose/result of vv. 32–34)→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε: 'so that / with the result that'; with the infinitive expresses the goal of all the marvels — the knowledge of YHWH's sole deity.
εἰδῆσαίto knowPerf Act Inf · οἶδαinfinitive of result (with ὥστε)→ stative perfect infinitive (to come to settled knowledge)οἶδα (inf. εἰδῆσαι/εἰδέναι): 'know'; the perfect-stative verb of settled knowledge; renders יָדַע; the whole Exodus was ordered to this end — that Israel might KNOW, with abiding certainty, that YHWH alone is God.
σεyouAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive εἰδῆσαι→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σε): the accusative subject of the result-infinitive — 'that YOU might know.'
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing content of the knowledge)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the monotheistic confession that is the object of knowing.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of the predication→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the subject of the great confession.
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 LORD your God' as the subject of the monotheistic claim.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
οὗτοςhe / this oneNominativedemonstrative pronoun (resumptive, emphatic subject)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this one / he'; the emphatic resumptive 'HE is God' (κύριος … οὗτος θεός ἐστιν) renders the Hebrew הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים — 'the LORD, HE [and no other] is God'; the demonstrative carries the full weight of the exclusive claim.
θεόςGodNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐστιν)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the predicate — 'HE is [the] God'; the absence of the article here (θεός ἐστιν) functions as a definite predicate ('is God').
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present (timeless predication)εἰμί: 'be'; the copula of the eternal, timeless truth — YHWH is God.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἔστιν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: negation; the categorical denial of any other god.
ἔστινis / existsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of existence (negated)→ stative present (existential)εἰμί: 'be / exist'; the existential 'there is' (accented ἔστιν) — 'there is none other,' an absolute ontological monotheism, not mere henotheism.
ἔτιyet / any longeradverb (with negation: 'no longer / none besides')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet / any more'; οὐκ ἔστιν ἔτι ('there is no longer / none at all') renders אֵין עוֹד — the standard formula of biblical monotheism (cf. Isa 45:5, 6, 18, 22).
πλὴνbesides / exceptimproper preposition + genitive (exception)→ spatial or relational framingπλήν: 'except / besides'; with the genitive αὐτοῦ — 'besides him'; renders מִלְּבַדּוֹ; seals the exclusive claim: no deity exists apart from YHWH.
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of πλήν→ relational specificationαὐτός: genitive after πλήν — 'besides him'; the whole phrase οὐκ ἔστιν ἔτι πλὴν αὐτοῦ is the monotheistic capstone of the verse, repeated at v. 39.
36
ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ ἀκουστὴ ἐγένετο ἡ φωνὴ αὐτοῦ παιδεῦσαί σε καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἔδειξέν σοι τὸ πῦρ αὐτοῦ τὸ μέγα καὶ τὰ ῥήματα αὐτοῦ ἤκουσας ἐκ μέσου τοῦ πυρός
Out of heaven his voice was made heard, to discipline you; and on the earth he showed you his great fire, and you heard his words out of the midst of the fire.
A poetic recapitulation of the Horeb event, structured by the heaven/earth pair: from heaven the voice (to discipline, παιδεῦσαι), on earth the great fire. The purpose-infinitive παιδεῦσαι ('to discipline / instruct') frames the whole theophany as divine pedagogy — the awe-inspiring revelation was an act of fatherly instruction (cf. 8:5). The closing returns once more to the formula ἐκ μέσου τοῦ πυρός.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source of the voice)→ relational specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven'; the heavenly source of the divine voice — paired with 'on the earth' (the fire) in the verse's heaven/earth structure.
ἀκουστὴaudible / made heardNominativepredicate adjective (with ἐγένετο: 'became audible')→ participant prominenceἀκουστός: 'audible / heard'; verbal adjective from ἀκούω; ἀκουστὴ ἐγένετο ('was made heard') renders הִשְׁמִיעֲךָ — God caused his voice to be heard.
ἐγένετοbecame / wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (with predicate ἀκουστή)→ constative aorist (the voice was made heard)γίνομαι: 'become / come to be'; here as copula with the predicate adjective — 'his voice became audible / was made heard.'
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνὴvoiceNominativesubject of ἐγένετο→ participant prominenceφωνή: 'voice'; renders קוֹל; the divine voice of Horeb (cf. vv. 12, 33).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (YHWH's voice)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (YHWH's voice).
παιδεῦσαίto discipline / instructAor Act Inf · παιδεύωinfinitive of purpose (goal of the voice)→ ingressive aorist infinitive (to instruct/correct)παιδεύω: 'instruct / discipline / train / chastise'; renders יָסַר; the whole theophany is framed as παιδεία — fatherly instruction (cf. 8:5; Heb 12:5–11); the awe-inspiring revelation served to teach and form Israel.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of παιδεῦσαι→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of παιδεῦσαι.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (heaven/earth pivot)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶupon / onpreposition + genitive (place: counterpart to ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: 'on / upon'; 'on the earth' balances 'out of heaven' — the voice from above, the fire below.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπί (place of the fire)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth'; the earthly counterpart in the heaven/earth structure.
ἔδειξένshowedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δείκνυμιmain verb→ constative aorist (the showing of the fire)δείκνυμι: 'show / display'; renders רָאָה (Hiphil 'cause to see'); God 'showed' the fire — though no form was seen (v. 12), the fire itself was a visible manifestation.
σοιto youDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πῦρfireAccusativedirect object of ἔδειξεν→ object specificationπῦρ: 'fire'; the great Horeb fire (vv. 11–12, 15, 24, 33), here the visible token of the divine presence shown to Israel.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (attributive with μέγα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μέγαgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying πῦρ)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great'; 'his great fire' — matching the 'great voice' (v. 11) and 'great thing' (v. 32).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματαwordsAccusativedirect object of ἤκουσας (fronted)→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word'; renders דָּבָר; the divine words heard from the fire — the content of the revelation (cf. vv. 10, 12).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἤκουσαςyou heardAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb→ constative aorist (the hearing of the words)ἀκούω: 'hear'; Israel heard the divine words — the recurring emphasis on audible revelation (vv. 12, 33).
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
μέσουmidstGenitiveobject of ἐκ (substantival)→ relational specificationμέσος: 'midst'; ἐκ μέσου τοῦ πυρός — the Horeb formula recurring for the fourth time (vv. 12, 15, 33, 36).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πυρόςfireGenitivegenitive (defining 'midst of the fire')→ relational specificationπῦρ: 'fire'; the fire from which the words were heard.
37
διὰ τὸ ἀγαπῆσαι αὐτὸν τοὺς πατέρας σου καὶ ἐξελέξατο τὸ σπέρμα αὐτῶν μετ᾿ αὐτοὺς ὑμᾶς καὶ ἐξήγαγέν σε αὐτὸς ἐν τῇ ἰσχύι αὐτοῦ τῇ μεγάλῃ ἐξ Αἰγύπτου
Because he loved your fathers, he also chose their seed after them, you, and brought you out himself by his great strength from Egypt,
The articular infinitive διὰ τὸ ἀγαπῆσαι ('because he loved') names divine love as the root of election — YHWH chose Israel's seed because he loved the fathers (cf. 7:7–8; 10:15). The emphatic αὐτός ('he himself') stresses that YHWH personally, not an angel or intermediary, brought Israel out by his great strength (ἰσχύς). Election grounds the monotheistic knowledge: the God who alone is (v. 35) is also the God who freely loved.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause, with articular infinitive)→ spatial or relational framingδιά + acc.: 'because of / on account of'; with the articular infinitive expresses cause — 'because he loved.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with infinitive ἀγαπῆσαι)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγαπῆσαιto loveAor Act Inf · ἀγαπάωarticular infinitive (object of διά: cause)→ constative aorist infinitive (the act/disposition of love)ἀγαπάω: 'love'; renders אָהַב; divine election love — God set his love on the fathers; the root of the great Deuteronomic theme of YHWH's gracious, unmerited choice (7:7–8; 10:15).
αὐτὸνheAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive ἀγαπῆσαι→ participant referenceαὐτός: the accusative subject of the articular infinitive — 'that he (YHWH) loved.'
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραςfathersAccusativedirect object of ἀγαπῆσαι→ object specificationπατήρ: 'father'; the patriarchs, the objects of God's electing love.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶand / alsocoordinate conjunction (apodotic: 'he also…')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here apodotic after the causal phrase — 'because he loved … he also chose.'
ἐξελέξατοhe choseAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκλέγομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (the act of election)ἐκλέγομαι: 'choose / elect / select'; renders בָּחַר; the verb of divine election; the middle voice ('chose for himself') stresses that the choice was YHWH's own sovereign act.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπέρμαseed / offspringAccusativedirect object of ἐξελέξατο→ object specificationσπέρμα: 'seed / offspring / descendants'; renders זֶרַע; the descendants of the patriarchs — the election of the fathers extends to their seed.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of relationship (the fathers' seed)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (the fathers' seed).
μετ᾿afterpreposition + accusative (temporal succession, elided μετά)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + acc.: 'after'; 'their seed after them' — the generations following the patriarchs.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeobject of μετ᾿ (the fathers)→ participant referenceαὐτός: accusative after μετά — 'after them.'
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative in apposition to τὸ σπέρμα ('their seed, [namely] you')→ participant referenceσύ (acc. pl. ὑμᾶς): the present generation identified as the chosen seed — 'you' are the elect descendants.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξήγαγένbrought outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξάγωmain verb (coordinate with ἐξελέξατο)→ constative aorist (the Exodus)ἐξάγω: 'lead out / bring out'; renders יָצָא (Hiphil); the Exodus verb (cf. v. 20) — election issues in deliverance.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of ἐξήγαγεν (shift to singular)→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐξήγαγεν (shift to singular).
αὐτὸςhimselfNominativeintensive pronoun (emphatic, with ἐξήγαγεν: 'he himself')→ participant referenceαὐτός: intensive 'himself'; stresses that YHWH personally — not an angel or human agent — accomplished the Exodus (cf. Exod 33:14; Isa 63:9).
ἐνby / withpreposition + dative (instrument)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrument).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἰσχύιstrengthDativedative of means→ sphere or referenceἰσχύς: 'strength / might'; renders כֹּחַ; YHWH's great power, the means of the deliverance (cf. the 'mighty hand' of v. 34).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τῇtheDativearticle (attributive with μεγάλῃ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μεγάλῃgreatDativeattributive adjective (modifying ἰσχύι)→ sphere or referenceμέγας: 'great'; 'his great strength' — the magnitude motif again (cf. vv. 32, 34, 36).
ἐξout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitiveobject of ἐξ (place from which brought out)→ relational specificationΑἴγυπτος: 'Egypt'; renders מִצְרַיִם; the place of deliverance.
38
ἐξολεθρεῦσαι ἔθνη μεγάλα καὶ ἰσχυρότερά σου πρὸ προσώπου σου εἰσαγαγεῖν σε δοῦναί σοι τὴν γῆν αὐτῶν κληρονομεῖν καθὼς ἔχεις σήμερον
to destroy nations great and mightier than you before your face, to bring you in, to give you their land to inherit, as you have it today.
A chain of purpose-infinitives (ἐξολεθρεῦσαι … εἰσαγαγεῖν … δοῦναι … κληρονομεῖν) sets out the goal of the deliverance: to dispossess greater nations and give Israel their land. That the nations are 'greater and mightier' than Israel underlines that the conquest is YHWH's act of grace, not Israel's strength (cf. 7:1; 9:1). The closing καθὼς ἔχεις σήμερον ('as you have it today') points to the partial fulfillment already realized in Transjordan.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἐξολεθρεῦσαιto destroy utterlyAor Act Inf · ἐξολεθρεύωinfinitive of purpose (first in the chain)→ ingressive aorist infinitive (to exterminate)ἐξολεθρεύω: 'destroy utterly / exterminate'; renders הוֹרִישׁ / הִשְׁמִיד; the dispossession of the Canaanite nations as the purpose of the Exodus deliverance.
ἔθνηnationsAccusativedirect object of ἐξολεθρεῦσαι→ object specificationἔθνος: 'nation'; the Canaanite peoples to be dispossessed.
μεγάλαgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔθνη)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great'; the nations are 'great' — yet no match for YHWH.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰσχυρότεράmightierAccusativecomparative adjective (modifying ἔθνη)→ object specificationἰσχυρός (compar. ἰσχυρότερος): 'strong / mighty'; renders עָצוּם; 'mightier than you' stresses that victory is YHWH's gift, not Israel's achievement (cf. 7:1; 9:1).
σουthan youGenitivegenitive of comparison (with ἰσχυρότερα)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): the genitive of comparison — 'mightier than you.'
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (place: 'before your face')→ spatial or relational framingπρό + gen.: 'before / in front of'; πρὸ προσώπου σου ('before your face') renders מִפָּנֶיךָ — the nations driven out 'from before you.'
προσώπουfaceGenitiveobject of πρό→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; in the idiom πρὸ προσώπου ('before the face of') — the dispossession happens in Israel's presence.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰσαγαγεῖνto bring inAor Act Inf · εἰσάγωinfinitive of purpose (second in the chain)→ ingressive aorist infinitive (to lead in)εἰσάγω: 'bring in / lead in'; renders בּוֹא (Hiphil); the positive counterpart to ἐξάγω (v. 37) — brought out of Egypt, brought into the land.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of εἰσαγαγεῖν→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of εἰσαγαγεῖν.
δοῦναίto giveAor Act Inf · δίδωμιinfinitive of purpose (third in the chain)→ ingressive aorist infinitive (to bestow)δίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; the land-gift as the climax of the purpose-chain.
σοιto youDativeindirect object of δοῦναι→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object of δοῦναι.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of δοῦναι→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the land of the dispossessed nations, given to Israel.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (the nations' land)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their' — the land formerly belonging to the nations.
κληρονομεῖνto inheritPres Act Inf · κληρονομέωinfinitive of purpose (fourth in the chain)→ durative present infinitive (to possess)κληρονομέω: 'inherit / take possession'; renders יָרַשׁ; the final goal — possession of the land as inheritance (cf. vv. 1, 5, 14, 22).
καθὼςascomparative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθώς: 'just as / according as'; renders כַּאֲשֶׁר; introduces the note of present, partial fulfillment.
ἔχειςyou havePres Act Indic 2 Sg · ἔχωverb of comparative clause→ progressive present (present possession)ἔχω: 'have / hold / possess'; 'as you have it today' — the Transjordan conquest (chs. 2–3) is the down-payment guaranteeing the fuller possession to come.
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; the present moment of partial fulfillment.
39
καὶ γνώσῃ σήμερον καὶ ἐπιστραφήσῃ τῇ διανοίᾳ ὅτι κύριος ὁ θεός σου οὗτος θεὸς ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ ἄνω καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς κάτω καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ἔτι πλὴν αὐτοῦ
And you shall know today and consider in your heart that the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath, and there is none other besides him.
The second and fullest monotheistic confession, parallel to v. 35 but now cosmic in scope: YHWH is God ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ ἄνω καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς κάτω ('in heaven above and on earth beneath') — and there is none besides him. The double imperatival future γνώσῃ … ἐπιστραφήσῃ τῇ διανοίᾳ ('know and lay it to heart') makes the confession not merely intellectual but a matter of inward conviction. This verse is the theological summit of the chapter (cf. v. 35; 1 Kgs 8:60; Isa 45:5–6).
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γνώσῃyou shall knowFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (with imperatival force)→ predictive/imperatival future (come to know)γινώσκω: 'know / recognize'; renders יָדַע; the knowledge of YHWH's sole deity as a present obligation ('today') — echoing the purpose of v. 35 (εἰδῆσαι).
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; the present moment of decisive knowledge.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιστραφήσῃyou shall consider / take to heartFut Pass Indic 2 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (coordinate with γνώσῃ)→ predictive/imperatival future (turn it over in the mind)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn / bring back'; here with τῇ διανοίᾳ ('in the mind/heart') it means 'lay it to heart / consider deeply' — renders הֲשֵׁבֹתָ אֶל־לְבָבֶךָ ('bring back to your heart'); knowing must become inward conviction.
τῇin theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διανοίᾳmind / heartDativedative of place/respect (with ἐπιστραφήσῃ: 'in your mind')→ sphere or referenceδιάνοια: 'mind / understanding / faculty of thought'; renders לֵבָב ('heart' as seat of thought); 'consider in your mind/heart' — the truth must be inwardly appropriated.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing content of the knowledge)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the cosmic monotheistic confession.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of the predication→ 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 LORD your God.'
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
οὗτοςheNominativedemonstrative pronoun (emphatic, resumptive subject)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this one / he'; the emphatic 'HE [alone] is God' (as in v. 35), rendering הוּא הָאֱלֹהִים.
θεὸςGodNominativepredicate nominative (with implied ἐστιν)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the predicate — 'HE is God,' now extended over the whole cosmos (heaven and earth).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανῷheavenDativeobject of ἐν (place of his deity)→ sphere or referenceοὐρανός: 'heaven'; YHWH is God in heaven — the upper realm of the cosmos; the heaven/earth merism asserts universal sovereignty.
ἄνωaboveadverb of place (with οὐρανῷ)→ clausal contributionἄνω: 'above / up'; renders מִמַּעַל; 'in heaven above' — the upper pole of the cosmic merism.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (place).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitiveobject of ἐπί (place of his deity)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth'; YHWH is God on earth — the lower realm; with 'heaven above' it asserts that no sphere lies outside his deity.
κάτωbeneathadverb of place (with γῆς)→ clausal contributionκάτω: 'below / beneath'; renders מִתָּחַת; 'on the earth beneath' — the lower pole of the merism; the whole cosmos is his domain.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἔστιν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: negation; the categorical denial of any other god, repeated verbatim from v. 35.
ἔστινis / existsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of existence (negated)→ stative present (existential)εἰμί: 'be / exist'; the existential 'there is none' (accented ἔστιν) — absolute monotheism.
ἔτιyet / any otheradverb (with negation: 'none besides')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / any longer'; οὐκ ἔστιν ἔτι renders אֵין עוֹד — the monotheistic formula (cf. v. 35; Isa 45:5).
πλὴνbesidesimproper preposition + genitive (exception)→ spatial or relational framingπλήν: 'except / besides'; with αὐτοῦ — 'besides him'; the monotheistic capstone, identical to v. 35.
αὐτοῦhimGenitiveobject of πλήν→ relational specificationαὐτός: genitive after πλήν — 'besides him'; seals the cosmic monotheistic confession.
40
καὶ φυλάξῃ τὰ δικαιώματα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰς ἐντολὰς αὐτοῦ ὅσας ἐγὼ ἐντέλλομαί σοι σήμερον ἵνα εὖ σοι γένηται καὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς σου μετὰ σέ ὅπως μακροήμεροι γένησθε ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἧς κύριος ὁ θεός σου δίδωσίν σοι πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας
And you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may be well with you and with your sons after you, that you may be long-lived upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you all the days.
The peroration closes as it began (v. 1), binding obedience to life and land: keep the statutes ἵνα εὖ σοι γένηται ('that it may go well with you') and ὅπως μακροήμεροι γένησθε ('that you may live long'). The double purpose — well-being and longevity, extended to the children — echoes the fifth commandment's promise (5:16). This verse rounds off the first address before the cities-of-refuge notice and the law's superscription.
Word-by-word analysis· 40 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φυλάξῃyou shall keepFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · φυλάσσωmain verb (imperatival future, coordinate with γνώσῃ)→ legislative future (binding obligation)φυλάσσω: 'guard / keep / observe'; renders שָׁמַר; the climactic command — knowing YHWH alone is God (v. 39) issues in keeping his commandments; the middle voice ('keep for yourself').
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δικαιώματαstatutesAccusativedirect object of φυλάξῃ→ object specificationδικαίωμα: 'statute / ordinance'; the covenant decrees (cf. vv. 1, 5, 8, 14).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (YHWH's statutes)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (YHWH's statutes).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐντολὰςcommandmentsAccusativedirect object (coordinate with δικαιώματα)→ object specificationἐντολή: 'commandment'; renders מִצְוָה; paired with the statutes as the full body of covenant law.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὅσαςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐντέλλομαι)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as'; feminine plural ὅσας agreeing with ἐντολάς — 'all the commandments which.'
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; Moses again as the authoritative conveyor of the law (cf. vv. 1–2, 8).
ἐντέλλομαίcommandPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb of relative clause→ performative present (the act of commanding now)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / enjoin'; the present 'I am commanding you today' — the law given as a present claim (cf. vv. 2, 13).
σοιyouDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; the recurring stress on present obligation, closing the address as it opened (v. 1).
ἵναthatpurpose conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: 'in order that'; introduces the first purpose — well-being.
εὖwelladverb (with γένηται: 'it may go well')→ clausal contributionεὖ: 'well / rightly'; εὖ σοι γένηται ('it may be well with you') renders יִיטַב לְךָ — the Deuteronomic blessing-formula (cf. 5:16; 6:18).
σοιwith youDativedative of advantage (with γένηται)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): the dative of the one benefited — 'well with you.'
γένηταιit may be / goAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · γίνομαιverb of purpose clause→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (that it may turn out well)γίνομαι: 'become / happen / be'; impersonal here — 'that it may go well'; the reward of obedience.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative of advantage (the blessing extended)→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; the well-being extends to the children — covenant blessing reaches the next generation (cf. vv. 9, 25).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (succession)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + acc.: 'after'; 'your sons after you' — the generations following.
σέyouAccusativeobject of μετά→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σέ): the accented object after μετά — 'after you.'
ὅπωςso thatpurpose conjunction (second purpose clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅπως: 'in order that'; introduces the second purpose — long life in the land.
μακροήμεροιlong-livedNominativepredicate adjective (with γένησθε)→ participant prominenceμακροήμερος: 'long-lived / of many days'; renders אֲרִיכוּת יָמִים; μακροήμεροι γένησθε ('that you may be long-lived') echoes the promise of the fifth commandment (5:16).
γένησθεyou may beAor Mid Subj 2 Pl · γίνομαιverb of purpose clause→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (come to be)γίνομαι: 'become / be'; 'that you may become long-lived' — longevity in the land as the fruit of obedience.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (place).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitiveobject of ἐπί (place of long life)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; the promised land, the locus of the covenant blessings.
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (object of δίδωσιν, genitive by attraction)→ relational specificationὅς: relative pronoun; genitive ἧς attracted to the case of γῆς (for acc. ἥν).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of δίδωσιν→ 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 LORD your God' — the land-giver, closing the address with the divine name (cf. v. 1).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
δίδωσίνgivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of relative clause→ futuristic/progressive present (the gift in process)δίδωμι: 'give'; the land-gift formula, framing the address (cf. v. 1).
σοιto youDativeindirect object→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object.
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (accusative of extent of time)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; 'all the days' — for perpetual possession.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; 'all the days' — the perpetuity of the land-gift, closing the great exhortation.
41
τότε ἀφώρισεν Μωυσῆς τρεῖς πόλεις πέραν τοῦ Ιορδάνου ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν ἡλίου
Then Moses set apart three cities beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise,
A narrative interlude (vv. 41–43) records Moses' setting apart of three cities of refuge east of the Jordan, fulfilling in part the legislation of 19:1–13 and Num 35. The temporal τότε ('then') and the third-person narration mark a shift from Moses' first-person address to the narrator's voice. The placement here, between the first and second addresses, gives the speech a concrete act of obedience as its hinge.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
τότεthentemporal adverb (narrative transition)→ adverbial qualificationτότε: 'then / at that time'; renders אָז; marks the narrative shift to the cities-of-refuge notice.
ἀφώρισενset apartAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀφορίζωmain verb (narrative)→ constative aorist (the act of designation)ἀφορίζω: 'set apart / separate / designate'; renders הִבְדִּיל; Moses formally designates the asylum cities — an act of obedience to the refuge-legislation.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject of ἀφώρισεν→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: transliteration of Hebrew מֹשֶׁה; declined as a first-declension noun in Rahlfs' LXX; here the nominative subject of the narrative.
τρεῖςthreeAccusativenumeral (modifying πόλεις)→ measure or countτρεῖς: 'three'; the three Transjordan cities of refuge, matching the three to be set apart west of the Jordan (19:2, 7).
πόλειςcitiesAccusativedirect object of ἀφώρισεν→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; renders עִיר; the cities of asylum for the unintentional manslayer.
πέρανbeyondimproper preposition + genitive (place: 'across')→ spatial or relational framingπέραν: 'beyond / across / on the other side'; renders בְּעֵבֶר; 'beyond the Jordan' — from the speaker's standpoint, the east bank (Transjordan).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνουJordanGenitiveobject of πέραν→ relational specificationΙορδάνης: 'Jordan' (gen. Ιορδάνου); transliteration of Hebrew יַרְדֵּן; the river dividing the Transjordan refuge-cities from those of Canaan proper.
ἀπὸfrom / towardpreposition + genitive (direction: 'on the side of')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; in the directional idiom ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν ἡλίου ('on the side of the sunrise' = eastward).
ἀνατολῶνrisingsGenitiveobject of ἀπό (the east)→ relational specificationἀνατολή: 'rising / east'; ἀνατολαὶ ἡλίου ('risings of the sun') renders מִזְרַח שֶׁמֶשׁ — the east; the cities lie on the eastern, Transjordan side.
ἡλίουof the sunGenitivegenitive (defining ἀνατολῶν: 'sunrise')→ relational specificationἥλιος: 'sun'; in the idiom 'risings of the sun' = the east.
42
φυγεῖν ἐκεῖ τὸν φονευτήν ὃς ἂν φονεύσῃ τὸν πλησίον οὐκ εἰδὼς καὶ οὗτος οὐ μισῶν αὐτὸν πρὸ τῆς ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτης καὶ καταφεύξεται εἰς μίαν τῶν πόλεων τούτων καὶ ζήσεται
that the manslayer might flee there, who kills his neighbor unknowingly, and this one did not hate him previously; and he shall flee for refuge to one of these cities and live.
The infinitive φυγεῖν ('to flee') states the purpose of the cities: asylum for the one who kills 'unknowingly' (οὐκ εἰδώς) and 'without prior hatred' (οὐ μισῶν … πρὸ τῆς ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτης) — the two criteria distinguishing manslaughter from murder. The Hebraism 'before yesterday and the third day' (= 'previously') marks the absence of premeditation. The provision that he 'shall live' (ζήσεται) embodies the law's mercy.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
φυγεῖνto fleeAor Act Inf · φεύγωinfinitive of purpose (purpose of setting apart the cities)→ ingressive aorist infinitive (to take flight)φεύγω: 'flee / escape'; renders נוּס; the purpose of the refuge-cities — flight from the avenger of blood.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (to the cities)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; to the designated cities of refuge.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φονευτήνslayer / manslayerAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive φυγεῖν→ object specificationφονευτής: 'slayer / killer / manslayer'; renders רֹצֵחַ; the one who has taken a life — here the unintentional killer, distinguished from the murderer by the conditions that follow.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of φονεύσῃ)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun introducing the defining clause.
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive: indefinite relative)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle; with the subjunctive φονεύσῃ makes the relative indefinite — 'whoever kills.'
φονεύσῃkillsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · φονεύωverb of indefinite relative clause→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (should kill)φονεύω: 'kill / murder / slay'; renders רָצַח; the act of killing, here qualified as unintentional by the following participle.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλησίονneighborAccusativedirect object of φονεύσῃ (substantivized adverb)→ object specificationπλησίον: 'neighbor / fellow'; substantivized adverb; renders רֵעַ; the victim is a 'neighbor' — fellow Israelite, not an enemy.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with εἰδώς)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: negation; 'not knowing' = unintentionally.
εἰδὼςknowingPerf Act Part Nom Masc Sg · οἶδαcircumstantial participle (concessive/manner: 'unknowingly')→ stative perfect participle (without knowledge/intent)οἶδα (part. εἰδώς): 'know'; οὐκ εἰδώς ('not knowing') renders בִּבְלִי דַעַת — the killing was done without knowledge or intent, the legal mark of manslaughter rather than murder (cf. 19:4).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὗτοςthis oneNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject, resuming the slayer)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this one'; resumes the manslayer as subject of the second qualifying clause.
οὐnotnegative particle (with μισῶν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: negation; 'not hating' = without prior enmity.
μισῶνhatingPres Act Part Nom Masc Sg · μισέωcircumstantial participle (concessive: 'though not hating')→ durative present participle (bearing no hatred)μισέω: 'hate'; renders שָׂנֵא; the absence of prior hatred (οὐ μισῶν) is the second criterion distinguishing accidental killing from premeditated murder (cf. 19:4, 11).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of μισῶν→ participant referenceαὐτός: the victim, whom the slayer did not hate.
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (temporal: 'previously')→ spatial or relational framingπρό + gen.: 'before'; in the idiom πρὸ τῆς ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτης ('before yesterday and the third day' = previously).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (substantivizing ἐχθές)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθὲςyesterdayadverb substantivized by τῆς (temporal)→ clausal contributionἐχθές: 'yesterday'; indeclinable adverb; in the idiom (ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτη, 'yesterday and the third day') rendering תְּמוֹל שִׁלְשֹׁם — a Hebraism meaning 'previously / in time past,' i.e., no prior grudge.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τρίτηςthe third dayGenitivesubstantival adjective (with ἐχθές in the idiom)→ relational specificationτρίτος: 'third'; ἐχθὲς καὶ τρίτη ('yesterday and the third day [before]') is the Hebraic idiom for 'beforetime / previously'; together with ἐχθές denotes the absence of premeditated enmity.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταφεύξεταιshall flee for refugeFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · καταφεύγωmain verb (the act of taking asylum)→ predictive future (the flight to refuge)καταφεύγω: 'flee for refuge / take asylum'; the compound κατα- intensifies φεύγω; renders נוּס; the technical verb for seeking sanctuary in the refuge-city (cf. Heb 6:18, 'we who have fled for refuge').
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
μίανoneAccusativenumeral (object of εἰς)→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; 'to one of these cities' — any of the three suffices for asylum.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (partitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωνcitiesGenitivepartitive genitive (with μίαν: 'one of the cities')→ relational specificationπόλις: 'city'; the partitive genitive — one of the three refuge-cities.
τούτωνtheseGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying πόλεων)→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'these'; the cities just designated.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ζήσεταιshall liveFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (the result of asylum)→ predictive future (preservation of life)ζάω: 'live'; renders חָיָה; the merciful outcome — the manslayer who reaches the city is preserved alive; the law protects life even of the accidental killer (cf. Num 35:12).
43
τὴν Βοσορ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ἐν τῇ γῇ τῇ πεδινῇ τῷ Ρουβην καὶ τὴν Ραμωθ ἐν Γαλααδ τῷ Γαδδι καὶ τὴν Γαυλων ἐν Βασαν τῷ Μανασση
Bezer in the wilderness, in the level land, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.
The three cities are named with their regions and tribal allotments: Bezer (Reuben), Ramoth-Gilead (Gad), Golan in Bashan (Manasseh) — covering the southern, central, and northern reaches of Transjordan respectively, so that no manslayer is too far from asylum. The list matches Josh 20:8. The toponyms are transliterated Hebrew place- and tribe-names, several indeclinable.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with the city-name)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒοσορBezeraccusative (indeclinable place-name, in apposition to πόλεις)→ participant identificationΒοσορ: transliteration of Hebrew בֶּצֶר ('Bezer'); indeclinable; the southernmost Transjordan refuge-city, in the territory of Reuben (cf. Josh 20:8; 21:36).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativeobject of ἐν (location of Bezer)→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness / desert'; renders מִדְבָּר; Bezer's location in the wilderness plateau.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῇlandDativeobject of ἐν→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land'; with πεδινῇ, 'the level land' — the Transjordan tableland (the Mishor).
τῇtheDativearticle (attributive with πεδινῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πεδινῇlevel / of the plainDativeattributive adjective (modifying γῇ)→ sphere or referenceπεδινός: 'flat / level / of the plain'; renders מִישֹׁר; the tableland plateau east of the Jordan where Bezer lay.
τῷfor theDativearticle (dative of advantage, with the tribe-name)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΡουβηνReubendative of advantage (indeclinable tribe-name: 'for Reuben')→ participant identificationΡουβην: transliteration of Hebrew רְאוּבֵן ('Reuben'); indeclinable; here for the tribe/territory of Reuben, to which Bezer was assigned.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΡαμωθRamothaccusative (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΡαμωθ: transliteration of Hebrew רָאמֹת ('Ramoth'); indeclinable; Ramoth-Gilead, the central Transjordan refuge-city in the tribe of Gad (cf. Josh 20:8; later famous in 1 Kgs 22).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
ΓαλααδGileadobject of ἐν (indeclinable region-name)→ participant identificationΓαλααδ: transliteration of Hebrew גִּלְעָד ('Gilead'); indeclinable; the central Transjordan highland region where Ramoth lay.
τῷfor theDativearticle (dative of advantage)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΓαδδιGad / the Gaditesdative of advantage (indeclinable tribe-name: 'for Gad')→ participant identificationΓαδδι: transliteration related to Hebrew גָּד ('Gad'); indeclinable gentilic ('the Gadite[s]'); the tribe to which Ramoth-Gilead was assigned.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΓαυλωνGolanaccusative (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΓαυλων: transliteration of Hebrew גּוֹלָן ('Golan'); indeclinable; the northernmost Transjordan refuge-city, in Bashan, for Manasseh (cf. Josh 20:8; 21:27).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
ΒασανBashanobject of ἐν (indeclinable region-name)→ participant identificationΒασαν: transliteration of Hebrew בָּשָׁן ('Bashan'); indeclinable; the fertile northern Transjordan region (Og's former kingdom, cf. 3:1–13) where Golan lay.
τῷfor theDativearticle (dative of advantage)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΜανασσηManassehdative of advantage (indeclinable tribe-name: 'for Manasseh')→ participant identificationΜανασση: transliteration of Hebrew מְנַשֶּׁה ('Manasseh'); indeclinable; the half-tribe of Manasseh settled in Bashan, to which Golan was assigned.
44
οὗτος ὁ νόμος ὃν παρέθετο Μωυσῆς ἐνώπιον υἱῶν Ισραηλ
And this is the law which Moses set before the sons of Israel.
The narrator supplies the formal superscription introducing the great central law-code (chs. 5–26): 'This is the law (ὁ νόμος) which Moses set before the sons of Israel.' The verb παρέθετο ('set before') echoes ἐνώπιον … δίδωμι of v. 8. Verses 44–49 function as the heading and historical-geographical setting for the second Mosaic address that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the deictic heading-formula 'this is the law' (οὗτος ὁ νόμος) introducing the law-code that follows.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νόμοςlawNominativepredicate nominative (the subject of the heading)→ participant prominenceνόμος: 'law'; renders תּוֹרָה; here the whole Deuteronomic law-code (chs. 5–26) which this verse heads (cf. 1:5; 4:8).
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of παρέθετο)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; masculine accusative ὅν agreeing with νόμος.
παρέθετοset before / propoundedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · παρατίθημιverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the act of setting forth)παρατίθημι (mid.): 'set before / place before / propound'; renders שִׂים / נָתַן לִפְנֵי; the middle voice ('set before for them') — Moses lays the law before the people as a deposit (cf. ἐνώπιον … δίδωμι, v. 8).
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject of παρέθετο→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: transliteration of Hebrew מֹשֶׁה; declined as a first-declension noun; the mediator who sets the law before Israel.
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (Hebraism: 'in the presence of')→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the law is set openly 'before' the people (cf. v. 8).
υἱῶνsonsGenitiveobject of ἐνώπιον→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ('the sons of Israel') is the standard designation of the covenant people.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable; here genitive in sense ('sons of Israel'), though the form does not change.
45
ταῦτα τὰ μαρτύρια καὶ τὰ δικαιώματα καὶ τὰ κρίματα ὅσα ἐλάλησεν Μωυσῆς τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ἐξελθόντων αὐτῶν ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου
These are the testimonies and the statutes and the judgments which Moses spoke to the sons of Israel in the wilderness, when they had come out of the land of Egypt,
The superscription is filled out with the three-fold designation of the law's content — μαρτύρια ('testimonies'), δικαιώματα ('statutes'), κρίματα ('judgments') — the standard Deuteronomic triad (cf. 6:20). The temporal genitive-absolute ἐξελθόντων αὐτῶν ('when they had come out') anchors the law-giving in the post-Exodus wilderness setting.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ταῦταtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'these'; the heading-formula continuing v. 44 — 'these are the testimonies…'
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτύριαtestimoniesNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceμαρτύριον: 'testimony / witness'; renders עֵדֹת; the covenant stipulations as solemn 'testimonies'; the first member of the Deuteronomic law-triad (cf. 6:20).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δικαιώματαstatutesNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)→ participant prominenceδικαίωμα: 'statute / ordinance'; renders חֻקִּים; the second member of the triad (cf. vv. 1, 5, 8).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κρίματαjudgmentsNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate)→ participant prominenceκρίμα: 'judgment / ordinance'; renders מִשְׁפָּטִים; the third member of the triad — the case-law (cf. vv. 1, 8).
ὅσαwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐλάλησεν)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as'; defines the testimonies, statutes, and judgments as those Moses spoke.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the law-speaking)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דִּבֶּר; Moses' speaking of the law to Israel.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject of ἐλάλησεν→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: transliteration of Hebrew מֹשֶׁה; the law-speaker.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativeindirect object (the addressees)→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; 'the sons of Israel' as the recipients of the law.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativeobject of ἐν (place of law-giving)→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness / desert'; renders מִדְבָּר; the wilderness setting of the law-giving — the plains of Moab.
ἐξελθόντωνhaving come outAor Act Part Gen Masc Pl · ἐξέρχομαιgenitive absolute (temporal: 'when they had come out')→ antecedent aorist participle (after the Exodus)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / come out'; renders יָצָא; the genitive absolute ἐξελθόντων αὐτῶν ('they having come out') locates the law-giving after the Exodus from Egypt.
αὐτῶνthey / theirGenitivegenitive absolute subject (with ἐξελθόντων)→ relational specificationαὐτός: the subject of the genitive absolute — the Israelites who had come out.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
γῆςlandGenitiveobject of ἐκ→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; 'the land of Egypt' — the place of bondage left behind.
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive (defining 'land of Egypt')→ relational specificationΑἴγυπτος: 'Egypt'; renders מִצְרַיִם.
46
ἐν τῷ πέραν τοῦ Ιορδάνου ἐν φάραγγι ἐγγὺς οἴκου Φογωρ ἐν γῇ Σηων βασιλέως τῶν Αμορραίων ὃς κατῴκει ἐν Εσεβων οὓς ἐπάταξεν Μωυσῆς καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ἐξελθόντων αὐτῶν ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου
beyond the Jordan, in the valley near the house of Peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt in Heshbon, whom Moses and the sons of Israel struck down when they had come out of the land of Egypt.
The setting is located precisely: in the Transjordan valley near Beth-Peor (cf. 3:29; 34:6), in the conquered land of Sihon king of the Amorites of Heshbon (cf. 2:24–37). The note that Moses and Israel 'struck him down' recalls the victories of chs. 2–3 that the first address had rehearsed, grounding the law in the demonstrated power of YHWH.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place, with substantivized πέραν)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place, with substantivized πέραν).
τῷthe [region]Dativearticle (substantivizing πέραν: 'the region beyond')→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πέρανbeyondadverb substantivized by τῷ ('the [land] across')→ clausal contributionπέραν: 'beyond / across'; with the article τῷ it is substantivized — 'in the region beyond the Jordan,' i.e., Transjordan.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνουJordanGenitivegenitive (with πέραν: 'beyond the Jordan')→ relational specificationΙορδάνης: 'Jordan' (gen. Ιορδάνου); the river east of which the law was given.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
φάραγγιvalley / ravineDativeobject of ἐν (place)→ sphere or referenceφάραγξ: 'valley / ravine / gorge'; renders גַּיְא; the valley near Beth-Peor where Israel was encamped (cf. 3:29).
ἐγγὺςnearimproper preposition + genitive (proximity)→ spatial or relational framingἐγγύς: 'near / close to'; renders מוּל / קָרוֹב; locates the valley near the Peor sanctuary.
οἴκουhouseGenitiveobject of ἐγγύς→ relational specificationοἶκος: 'house'; οἶκος Φογωρ ('house of Peor') renders בֵּית פְּעוֹר ('Beth-Peor') — the place associated with the Baal-Peor apostasy of v. 3 and Moses' burial nearby (34:6).
ΦογωρPeorgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Peor')→ participant identificationΦογωρ: transliteration of Hebrew פְּעוֹר ('Peor'); indeclinable; the place of the earlier apostasy (cf. Βεελφεγωρ, v. 3).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
γῇlandDativeobject of ἐν→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land'; the territory formerly belonging to Sihon.
ΣηωνSihongenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'of Sihon')→ participant identificationΣηων: transliteration of Hebrew סִיחוֹן ('Sihon'); indeclinable; the Amorite king of Heshbon defeated in 2:24–37.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive in apposition to Σηων→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; 'Sihon king of the Amorites.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμορραίωνAmoritesGenitivegenitive (defining βασιλέως: 'king of the Amorites')→ relational specificationΑμορραῖος: 'Amorite'; gentilic; renders אֱמֹרִי; the people of Sihon, one of the Canaanite nations dispossessed in Transjordan.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of κατῴκει)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun referring to Sihon.
κατῴκειdweltImperf Act Indic 3 Sg · κατοικέωverb of relative clause→ descriptive imperfect (his customary dwelling)κατοικέω: 'dwell / inhabit / reside'; renders יָשַׁב; the imperfect describes Sihon's settled royal seat at Heshbon.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (place).
ΕσεβωνHeshbonobject of ἐν (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΕσεβων: transliteration of Hebrew חֶשְׁבּוֹן ('Heshbon'); indeclinable; Sihon's royal city (cf. 2:24–36; Num 21:26).
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐπάταξεν; plural by sense)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; the masculine plural οὕς looks ahead to both Amorite kings (Sihon and Og, v. 47) or the Amorite peoples generally.
ἐπάταξενstruck downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the defeat of Sihon)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite / defeat'; renders נָכָה (Hiphil); the military defeat of the Amorite kings recounted in chs. 2–3.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject of ἐπάταξεν→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: transliteration of Hebrew מֹשֶׁה.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (coordinate with Μωυσῆς)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; 'the sons of Israel' as co-agents of the conquest.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable.
ἐξελθόντωνhaving come outAor Act Part Gen Masc Pl · ἐξέρχομαιgenitive absolute (temporal)→ antecedent aorist participle (after the Exodus)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; the genitive absolute repeats v. 45 — the conquest followed the Exodus.
αὐτῶνtheyGenitivegenitive absolute subject→ relational specificationαὐτός: the subject of the genitive absolute.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
γῆςlandGenitiveobject of ἐκ→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; 'the land of Egypt.'
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive (defining 'land of Egypt')→ relational specificationΑἴγυπτος: 'Egypt'; renders מִצְרַיִם.
47
καὶ ἐκληρονόμησαν τὴν γῆν αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν γῆν Ωγ βασιλέως τῆς Βασαν δύο βασιλέων τῶν Αμορραίων οἳ ἦσαν πέραν τοῦ Ιορδάνου κατ᾿ ἀνατολὰς ἡλίου
And they inherited his land and the land of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise:
The inheritance of the lands of Sihon and Og (the 'two kings of the Amorites') summarizes the Transjordan conquest of chs. 2–3. Og of Bashan and Sihon of Heshbon are the two defeated kings whose territory became the inheritance of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh — the very tribes assigned the refuge-cities of v. 43. The geographic note 'beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise' frames the boundary description of vv. 48–49.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκληρονόμησανthey inheritedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κληρονομέωmain verb→ constative aorist (the taking of the land)κληρονομέω: 'inherit / take possession'; renders יָרַשׁ; the Transjordan conquest as the first installment of the inheritance (cf. v. 38, 'as you have it today').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of ἐκληρονόμησαν→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; Sihon's territory.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Sihon's land)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his' — referring to Sihon (v. 46).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object (coordinate: Og's land)→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; Og's territory of Bashan.
ΩγOggenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'of Og')→ participant identificationΩγ: transliteration of Hebrew עוֹג ('Og'); indeclinable; the giant king of Bashan defeated in 3:1–11.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive in apposition to Ωγ→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; 'Og king of Bashan.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒασανBashangenitive (with βασιλέως: 'king of Bashan'; indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒασαν: transliteration of Hebrew בָּשָׁן ('Bashan'); indeclinable; Og's fertile northern kingdom.
δύοtwoGenitivenumeral (with βασιλέων)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; Sihon and Og — the two Amorite kings whose lands Israel took.
βασιλέωνkingsGenitivegenitive in apposition (summarizing Sihon and Og)→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; 'the two kings of the Amorites' — a fixed phrase summing up the Transjordan conquest (cf. 3:8).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμορραίωνAmoritesGenitivegenitive (defining βασιλέων: 'kings of the Amorites')→ relational specificationΑμορραῖος: 'Amorite'; the people of both defeated kings.
οἳwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἦσαν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; masculine plural referring to the two kings.
ἦσανwereImperf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίverb of relative clause→ descriptive imperfect (their location)εἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect ἦσαν locates the kings' realms east of the Jordan.
πέρανbeyondimproper preposition + genitive (place)→ spatial or relational framingπέραν: 'beyond / across'; 'beyond the Jordan' — Transjordan.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνουJordanGenitiveobject of πέραν→ relational specificationΙορδάνης: 'Jordan' (gen. Ιορδάνου).
κατ᾿towardpreposition + accusative (direction, elided κατά)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'toward / in the direction of'; in the idiom 'toward the sunrise' = eastward.
ἀνατολὰςrisingsAccusativeobject of κατ᾿ (the east)→ object specificationἀνατολή: 'rising / east'; κατ᾿ ἀνατολὰς ἡλίου ('toward the risings of the sun') = eastward.
ἡλίουof the sunGenitivegenitive (defining ἀνατολάς: 'sunrise')→ relational specificationἥλιος: 'sun'; in the idiom 'risings of the sun' = the east.
48
ἀπὸ Αροηρ ἥ ἐστιν ἐπὶ τοῦ χείλους χειμάρρου Αρνων καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ ὄρους τοῦ Σηων ὅ ἐστιν Αερμων
from Aroer, which is on the bank of the brook Arnon, even to Mount Sion, which is Hermon,
The territorial extent is fixed by its southern and northern limits: from Aroer on the Arnon gorge (the southern border with Moab) to Mount Sion/Hermon (the northern limit). The gloss ὅ ἐστιν Αερμων ('which is Hermon') identifies the otherwise unfamiliar 'Sion' with the well-known Mount Hermon (cf. 3:9). The ἀπό … καί (= 'from … to') marks the full span of the Transjordan inheritance.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (southern limit)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; marks the southern boundary of the inherited land.
ΑροηρAroerobject of ἀπό (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΑροηρ: transliteration of Hebrew עֲרֹעֵר ('Aroer'); indeclinable; the town on the north rim of the Arnon gorge, the southern boundary of Sihon's former kingdom (cf. 2:36; 3:12).
ἥwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐστιν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; feminine nominative agreeing with Αροηρ (treated as feminine city).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause→ stative present (geographical location)εἰμί: 'be'; locates Aroer on the Arnon.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (place)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (place).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χείλουςbank / edgeGenitiveobject of ἐπί (the brink of the gorge)→ relational specificationχεῖλος: 'lip / edge / bank / shore'; renders שָׂפָה / שֶׂפֶת; here the 'bank / rim' of the Arnon ravine.
χειμάρρουof the brook / wadiGenitivegenitive (defining χείλους: 'bank of the brook')→ relational specificationχείμαρρος: 'winter-torrent / wadi / brook'; renders נַחַל; a seasonal stream; the Arnon ravine forming the Moab boundary.
ΑρνωνArnongenitive of apposition (indeclinable: 'the brook Arnon')→ participant identificationΑρνων: transliteration of Hebrew אַרְנוֹן ('Arnon'); indeclinable; the river-gorge marking the southern border of Sihon's land (the Moab frontier).
καὶand / even tocoordinate conjunction (here marking the northern limit)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: 'and'; here pairs with ἀπό to express 'from … to,' giving the northern boundary.
ἐπὶto / as far aspreposition + genitive (extent toward the northern limit)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: here 'as far as / up to'; marks the northern boundary at Mount Sion/Hermon.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρουςmountainGenitiveobject of ἐπί (the northern limit)→ relational specificationὄρος: 'mountain'; the mountain marking the northern boundary.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with the mountain-name)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣηωνSiongenitive of apposition (indeclinable mountain-name: 'Mount Sion')→ participant identificationΣηων: here transliterating Hebrew שִׂיאֹן ('Sion'), an alternate name for Mount Hermon (cf. the homonym for king Sihon, v. 46); indeclinable; identified in the next clause with Hermon.
ὅwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐστιν; neuter, agreeing with ὄρος)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; neuter nominative ὅ agreeing with ὄρος — 'which [mountain] is Hermon.'
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (identification)→ stative present (equation of names)εἰμί: 'be'; the identifying 'which is' — equating Sion with the better-known Hermon.
ΑερμωνHermonpredicate (indeclinable: 'is Hermon')→ participant identificationΑερμων: transliteration of Hebrew חֶרְמוֹן ('Hermon'); indeclinable; the snow-capped mountain at the northern edge of the land, here identified with 'Sion' (cf. 3:8–9, which lists its several names).
49
πᾶσαν τὴν Αραβα πέραν τοῦ Ιορδάνου κατ᾿ ἀνατολὰς ἡλίου ὑπὸ Ασηδωθ τὴν λαξευτήν
all the Arabah beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, under the slopes of Pisgah, the hewn place.
The territorial summary closes by including 'all the Arabah' (the Jordan rift-valley) east of the Jordan, beneath the slopes of Pisgah. This rounds off the geographic frame (vv. 46–49) that situates the law-giving and the inheritance, and brings the chapter — and with it the conclusion of Moses' first address — to a close. ὑπὸ Ασηδωθ τὴν λαξευτήν renders 'under the slopes of Pisgah,' the height from which Moses would view the land (3:27; 34:1).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying Αραβα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the whole extent of the Arabah is included.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑραβαArabahaccusative (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΑραβα: transliteration of Hebrew עֲרָבָה ('Arabah'); indeclinable; the Jordan rift-valley / desert plain stretching from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea and beyond (cf. 3:17).
πέρανbeyondimproper preposition + genitive (place)→ spatial or relational framingπέραν: 'beyond / across'; 'beyond the Jordan' — the Transjordan portion of the Arabah.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνουJordanGenitiveobject of πέραν→ relational specificationΙορδάνης: 'Jordan' (gen. Ιορδάνου).
κατ᾿towardpreposition + accusative (direction, elided κατά)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'toward'; in the eastward idiom.
ἀνατολὰςrisingsAccusativeobject of κατ᾿ (the east)→ object specificationἀνατολή: 'rising / east'; 'toward the sunrise' = eastward.
ἡλίουof the sunGenitivegenitive (defining ἀνατολάς: 'sunrise')→ relational specificationἥλιος: 'sun'; in the idiom 'risings of the sun' = the east; the closing of the geographic frame.
ὑπὸunder / at the foot ofpreposition + accusative (position below)→ spatial or relational framingὑπό + acc.: 'under / beneath'; 'under the slopes' — at the foot of Pisgah.
ΑσηδωθAshdoth / the slopes (of Pisgah)object of ὑπό (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΑσηδωθ: transliteration of Hebrew אַשְׁדֹּת ('Ashdoth,' the slopes of Pisgah; cf. אַשְׁדּוֹת הַפִּסְגָּה); indeclinable; the slopes beneath Mount Pisgah, from which Moses viewed the land (3:17, 27).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with λαξευτήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαξευτήνhewn / quarriedAccusativeattributive adjective (describing the place: 'the hewn [place]')→ object specificationλαξευτός: 'hewn / cut in stone / quarried'; the LXX here renders the Hebrew הַפִּסְגָּה ('Pisgah') by translating it as 'the hewn/quarried [place]' (reading the root in the sense of a cut/cleft), giving 'under the slopes of the hewn place' — the rocky height of Pisgah, the chapter's closing word.