1
τότε ᾖσεν Μωυσῆς καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ τὴν ᾠδὴν ταύτην τῷ θεῷ καὶ εἶπαν λέγοντες ᾄσωμεν τῷ κυρίῳ ἐνδόξως γὰρ δεδόξασται ἵππον καὶ ἀναβάτην ἔρριψεν εἰς θάλασσαν
Then Moses and the sons of Israel sang this song to God, and they spoke, saying: 'Let us sing to the LORD, for he has been gloriously glorified; horse and rider he hurled into the sea.'
The temporal adverb τότε ('then') ties the song to the immediately preceding sea-crossing and the death of the Egyptians (14:30–31); the narrator frames the poem as ᾠδή ('ode / song') sung τῷ θεῷ. The incipit ᾄσωμεν τῷ κυρίῳ … is quoted as direct speech and recurs verbatim at v. 21 (Miriam's refrain), forming the inclusio that brackets the entire hymn (vv. 1–18).
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
τότεthentemporal adverb (narrative hinge)→ adverbial qualificationτότε: 'then / at that time'; renders Hebrew אָז, the very particle that opens the Hebrew song (אָז יָשִׁיר); it links the hymn directly to the deliverance at the sea narrated in ch. 14.
ᾖσενsangAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ᾄδωmain verb (with compound subject)→ ingressive/constative aorist (the act of singing as a completed whole)ᾄδω: 'sing'; the aorist ᾖσεν (augmented ἀ→ ᾐ) renders Hebrew יָשִׁיר; though the singular verb governs a compound subject (Moses and the sons), it agrees with the nearer/leading subject Μωυσῆς, a common Greek and Hebrew construction.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject (lead member of compound subject)→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: transliteration of Hebrew מֹשֶׁה; declined as a first/third-declension hybrid in Rahlfs' LXX; Moses is named as the principal singer, with Israel joining.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining compound subject)→ 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 (second member of compound subject)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the phrase οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ('the sons of Israel') is the standard LXX designation of the people (rendering בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל); the whole nation joins Moses in the song.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable proper noun: 'sons of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; here functions as a genitive modifying υἱοί.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ᾠδὴνsong / odeAccusativedirect object of ᾖσεν→ object specificationᾠδή: 'song / ode'; renders Hebrew שִׁירָה; the cognate object (singing a song) is a figura etymologica; in early Christian liturgy this 'Song of the Sea' became one of the biblical odes (ᾠδαί) appended to the Psalter and chanted at the paschal vigil.
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ᾠδήν)→ participant referenceοὗτος: the demonstrative ταύτην ('this') points to the song about to be quoted, marking the transition from narrative to poetry.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεῷGodDativedative of indirect object (the addressee of the song)→ sphere or referenceθεός: 'God'; the song is sung τῷ θεῷ ('to God'), rendering Hebrew לַיהוה; the LXX here uses θεός where the Hebrew has the Tetragrammaton, while the incipit itself uses κύριος.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανthey saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; the Hellenistic alpha-aorist εἶπαν (for classical εἶπον) introduces the quoted song; the plural now matches the full singing community.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Pl · λέγωredundant participle of speech (Hebraism)→ imperfective participle (attendant manner of εἶπαν)λέγω (ptc.): the pleonastic εἶπαν λέγοντες ('said, saying') is a Hebraism calquing the recitative formula וַיֹּאמְרוּ לֵאמֹר; it marks the boundary of direct quotation, equivalent to opening quotation marks.
ᾄσωμενlet us singAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ᾄδωhortatory subjunctive (opening of the quoted song)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (volitive exhortation: 'let us begin to sing')ᾄδω: the hortatory aorist subjunctive ᾄσωμεν ('let us sing') opens the hymn; it renders the Hebrew cohortative אָשִׁירָה (technically 1st sg. in MT, but the LXX reads a 1st pl. communal exhortation); this exact phrase ᾄσωμεν τῷ κυρίῳ recurs at v. 21, framing the inclusio.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative of indirect object (addressee of praise)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the song is directed 'to the LORD' as the sole agent of the deliverance.
ἐνδόξωςgloriouslyadverb of manner (fronted for emphasis)→ clausal contributionἐνδόξως: 'gloriously / in glorious manner'; the adverb fronted before its verb gives emphasis; with the cognate verb δεδόξασται it forms a figura etymologica (ἐνδόξως … δεδόξασται) rendering the Hebrew emphatic infinitive absolute גָּאֹה גָּאָה ('he has triumphed gloriously').
γὰρforcausal particle (post-positive: grounds the exhortation)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; gives the ground of the exhortation to sing — the LORD has acted gloriously; post-positive, standing second in its clause.
δεδόξασταιhe has been glorifiedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · δοξάζωmain verb of the γάρ-clause→ intensive/resultative perfect (an abiding state of glory resulting from the act)δοξάζω: 'glorify / honor'; the perfect passive δεδόξασται ('he has been/stands glorified') renders the Hebrew גָּאָה ('he has triumphed / shown himself exalted'); the perfect aspect expresses the enduring glory accruing to the LORD from the sea-victory; with ἐνδόξως it calques the Hebrew infinitive-absolute construction.
ἵππονhorseAccusativedirect object of ἔρριψεν (fronted)→ object specificationἵππος: 'horse'; here collective ('horse / cavalry'); renders Hebrew סוּס; fronted before its verb for poetic emphasis; the horse-and-rider pair epitomizes Egypt's military might now destroyed.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναβάτηνriderAccusativedirect object of ἔρριψεν (coordinate with ἵππον)→ object specificationἀναβάτης: 'rider / mounted man'; from ἀναβαίνω ('mount, go up'); renders Hebrew רֹכֵב; the LXX takes the Hebrew as 'its rider' rather than 'its chariot-driver'; the pair ἵππον καὶ ἀναβάτην recurs at v. 21.
ἔρριψενhe hurled / castAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ῥίπτωmain verb (the LORD as agent)→ constative aorist (the decisive act of casting into the sea)ῥίπτω: 'throw / hurl / cast violently'; renders Hebrew רָמָה ('he threw / cast'); the vivid verb depicts the LORD personally flinging the cavalry into the sea — an image of effortless divine power; the same verb recurs at v. 4.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
θάλασσανseaAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal of the casting)→ object specificationθάλασσα: 'sea'; renders Hebrew יָם; here the Red Sea (named ἐρυθρὰ θάλασσα at v. 4); the destination of the hurled cavalry and the instrument of judgment.
2
βοηθὸς καὶ σκεπαστὴς ἐγένετό μοι εἰς σωτηρίαν οὗτός μου θεός καὶ δοξάσω αὐτόν θεὸς τοῦ πατρός μου καὶ ὑψώσω αὐτόν
A helper and protector he became to me unto salvation; this is my God, and I will glorify him, the God of my father, and I will exalt him.
The verse opens with asyndeton (no connective), characteristic of the dense parallelism of Hebrew verse. The LXX abstracts the concrete Hebrew עָזִּי וְזִמְרָת ('my strength and song/might') into the divine attributes βοηθὸς καὶ σκεπαστής ('helper and protector'). The two cohortatives δοξάσω … ὑψώσω form a synonymous-parallel couplet expressing the singer's vow of praise.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
βοηθὸςhelperNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐγένετο)→ participant prominenceβοηθός: 'helper / one who runs to aid' (from βοή + θέω, 'run to a cry'); renders Hebrew עֹז ('strength') here read as the source of help; the LXX abstracts the concrete 'my strength' into the relational title 'helper'.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σκεπαστὴςprotector / sheltererNominativepredicate nominative (coordinate with βοηθός)→ participant prominenceσκεπαστής: 'protector / coverer / shelterer' (from σκεπάζω, 'to cover, shelter'); a rare word, rendering Hebrew זִמְרָת ('song / might'); the LXX's abstraction here is striking — the concrete 'my song' becomes 'protector', perhaps reading the root as related to protection/defence; the pair βοηθὸς καὶ σκεπαστής recurs in the Psalter (e.g. Ps 27[28]:7 LXX motifs).
ἐγένετόhe becameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (with double predicate nominative)→ constative aorist (the LORD's having proved himself helper in the deliverance)γίνομαι: 'become / come to be'; the aorist ἐγένετο with εἰς σωτηρίαν is a Hebraism (הָיָה לִישׁוּעָה, 'became for salvation'); the LORD 'became' the singer's helper precisely in the act of the sea-deliverance.
μοιto meDativedative of advantage (the beneficiary)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. μοι): the first-person singular shifts the corporate song into personal confession — 'he became to me' — the voice of each Israelite individually appropriating the deliverance.
εἰςfor / untopreposition + accusative (Hebraic predicate: 'for/as salvation')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: here the Hebraizing εἰς of result/predication (rendering לְ), 'became to me for salvation', i.e. 'became my salvation'.
σωτηρίανsalvationAccusativeaccusative with εἰς (predicate of result)→ object specificationσωτηρία: 'salvation / deliverance / rescue'; renders Hebrew יְשׁוּעָה; in this paradigmatic exodus context σωτηρία denotes concrete rescue from death at the sea, the OT taproot of the NT soteriological vocabulary.
οὗτόςthis oneNominativedemonstrative subject (deictic: 'this is my God')→ participant referenceοὗτος: the deictic 'this (one)' renders Hebrew זֶה אֵלִי ('this is my God'); the demonstrative has an almost pointing force, as though the singer indicates the present, manifest God of the deliverance; bears a second accent (οὗτός) from the enclitic μου following.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (with θεός)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. μου): enclitic possessive 'my'; the personal claim 'my God' renders אֵלִי, the heart of covenantal confession.
θεόςGodNominativepredicate nominative ('this is my God')→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders Hebrew אֵל; the anarthrous predicate in the nominal clause οὗτός μου θεός functions as 'this is my God'.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δοξάσωI will glorifyFut Act Indic 1 Sg · δοξάζωmain verb (vow of praise)→ volitive future (resolve / promise to glorify)δοξάζω: 'glorify / praise'; the future δοξάσω renders the Hebrew אֲנְוֵהוּ (a disputed form, 'I will praise/beautify/build him a habitation'); the LXX reads it as praise; note the lexical echo of δεδόξασται in v. 1 — the LORD is glorified, and the singer responds by glorifying.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of δοξάσω→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of δοξάσω.
θεὸςGodNominativenominative in apposition (to the object of praise: 'the God of my father')→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the phrase θεὸς τοῦ πατρός μου ('God of my father') renders אֱלֹהֵי אָבִי, invoking the patriarchal covenant — the God who acted at the sea is the same God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (cf. Exod 3:6).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρόςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship ('God of my father')→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; the singular 'my father' (collective for the ancestors) renders Hebrew אָבִי; grounds the deliverance in the continuity of the ancestral covenant.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (with πατρός)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with πατρός).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὑψώσωI will exaltFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ὑψόωmain verb (vow of praise, parallel to δοξάσω)→ volitive future (resolve to exalt)ὑψόω: 'lift up / exalt'; renders Hebrew רוּם (Polel אֲרֹמְמֶנְהוּ, 'I will exalt him'); forms a synonymous-parallel couplet with δοξάσω — glorify // exalt — the standard double-praise of Hebrew hymnody.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ὑψώσω→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ὑψώσω.
3
κύριος συντρίβων πολέμους κύριος ὄνομα αὐτῷ
The LORD who shatters wars — the LORD is his name.
A terse two-member nominal acclamation, asyndetic and verbless. The first member κύριος συντρίβων πολέμους ('the LORD who shatters wars') is the LXX's celebrated divergence from MT יהוה אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה ('the LORD is a man of war'): the translator avoids the anthropomorphism and reconceives God not as a warrior but as the one who crushes warfare itself. The second member, κύριος ὄνομα αὐτῷ ('the LORD is his name'), is the standard name-formula (cf. Amos 5:8; 9:6 LXX).
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of the nominal clause (predicated by the participial phrase)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; subject of the verbless acclamation.
συντρίβωνshattering / who shattersPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · συντρίβωsubstantival/attributive participle (predicate of κύριος)→ imperfective participle (characteristic, ongoing activity)συντρίβω: 'shatter / crush / break in pieces'; the present participle marks a characteristic divine activity ('the war-shatterer'); this is the LXX's deliberate reinterpretation of Hebrew אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה ('man of war') — instead of God as warrior, God is the one who breaks wars; the same epithet (κύριος συντρίβων πολέμους) recurs at Jdt 9:7 and 16:2, showing it became a settled liturgical title.
πολέμουςwarsAccusativedirect object of συντρίβων→ object specificationπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; the object of συντρίβων; the LXX read the Hebrew מִלְחָמָה ('war / battle') as the thing God shatters rather than the sphere of his prowess — a theologically motivated rendering that makes the LORD the destroyer of warfare, not a combatant within it.
κύριοςLORDNominativepredicate nominative of the name-formula ('the LORD is his name')→ participant prominenceκύριος: the second occurrence forms the name-acclamation κύριος ὄνομα αὐτῷ ('the LORD is his name'), rendering Hebrew יהוה שְׁמוֹ; a confessional formula declaring that this war-shattering God is none other than YHWH.
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject/predicate in the name-formula (nominal clause)→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the verbless clause κύριος ὄνομα αὐτῷ ('the LORD [is] a name to him' = 'the LORD is his name') is a Hebraism; to declare the name is to declare the character and power just praised.
αὐτῷto him / hisDativedative of possession ('his name')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): dative of possession rendering the Hebrew suffix שְׁמוֹ ('his name'); the construction ὄνομα αὐτῷ = 'the name belonging to him'.
4
ἅρματα Φαραω καὶ τὴν δύναμιν αὐτοῦ ἔρριψεν εἰς θάλασσαν ἐπιλέκτους ἀναβάτας τριστάτας κατεπόντισεν ἐν ἐρυθρᾷ θαλάσσῃ
The chariots of Pharaoh and his army he hurled into the sea; his chosen mounted officers he sank in the Red Sea.
Two parallel cola, both with fronted objects and verb-final order (ἅρματα … ἔρριψεν // ἀναβάτας … κατεπόντισεν), reproducing the chiastic balance of Hebrew verse. The verb ἔρριψεν repeats the key verb of v. 1's incipit, while κατεπόντισεν ('sank in the deep') intensifies it. The naming of the ἐρυθρὰ θάλασσα ('Red Sea') ties the hymn to the geography of ch. 14.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ἅρματαchariotsAccusativedirect object of ἔρριψεν (fronted)→ object specificationἅρμα: 'chariot'; renders Hebrew מַרְכְּבֹת; the chariotry was Egypt's elite striking force (cf. 14:7); fronted for poetic emphasis.
ΦαραωPharaohgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'chariots of Pharaoh')→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliteration of Hebrew פַּרְעֹה (Egyptian pr-ꜥȝ, 'great house'); indeclinable in the LXX; here genitive modifying ἅρματα.
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.
δύναμινarmy / forceAccusativedirect object of ἔρριψεν (coordinate with ἅρματα)→ object specificationδύναμις: 'power / force / army'; here in the military sense 'host / army', rendering Hebrew חַיִל ('force / army'); the LXX often uses δύναμις for an armed force (cf. 14:28).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Pharaoh's army)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Pharaoh's army).
ἔρριψενhe hurled / castAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ῥίπτωmain verb (first colon; the LORD as agent)→ constative aorist (the decisive casting into the sea)ῥίπτω: 'throw / hurl'; repeats the key verb of v. 1 (ἵππον … ἔρριψεν εἰς θάλασσαν), reinforcing the inclusio-theme; renders Hebrew יָרָה ('he cast / shot down').
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
θάλασσανseaAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal)→ object specificationθάλασσα: 'sea'; renders Hebrew יָם; identified in this same verse as the ἐρυθρὰ θάλασσα ('Red Sea').
ἐπιλέκτουςchosen / pickedAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἀναβάτας/τριστάτας)→ object specificationἐπίλεκτος: 'chosen / select / elite' (from ἐπιλέγω); renders Hebrew מִבְחָר ('choicest'); the elite character of the drowned force heightens the magnitude of Egypt's defeat.
ἀναβάταςriders / mounted menAccusativedirect object of κατεπόντισεν (second colon)→ object specificationἀναβάτης: 'rider / mounted man'; echoes ἀναβάτην of v. 1; here the chosen cavalry; in apposition with τριστάτας ('officers').
τριστάταςofficers / captainsAccusativeapposition to ἀναβάτας (military rank)→ object specificationτριστάτης: literally 'third man' (the third warrior on a war-chariot, beside driver and archer), hence 'high officer / captain'; renders Hebrew שָׁלִשׁ ('officer / third-man'); the same term at 14:7 and 2 Kgs 7:2; designates the elite chariot-corps officers.
κατεπόντισενhe sank / drowned in the deepAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταποντίζωmain verb (second colon)→ constative aorist (the act of sinking them in the depths)καταποντίζω: 'plunge / sink in the sea / drown' (from κατά + πόντος, 'the deep sea'); renders Hebrew טֻבְּעוּ ('they were sunk'); a more vivid, terminal verb than ἔρριψεν — the officers are not merely thrown in but submerged in the deep; the same verb appears in Jesus' millstone saying (Matt 18:6).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ἐρυθρᾷRedDativeattributive adjective (modifying θαλάσσῃ)→ sphere or referenceἐρυθρός: 'red'; the standard LXX rendering of Hebrew יַם סוּף ('Sea of Reeds/End') as ἐρυθρὰ θάλασσα ('Red Sea'); this Greek identification (whatever the precise body of water) became fixed and passed into Christian tradition (cf. Acts 7:36; Heb 11:29).
θαλάσσῃseaDativedative of place (locative: 'in the Red Sea')→ sphere or referenceθάλασσα: 'sea'; the locative dative names the site of the drowning, tying the hymn to the narrative of ch. 14.
5
πόντῳ ἐκάλυψεν αὐτούς κατέδυσαν εἰς βυθὸν ὡσεὶ λίθος
With the deep he covered them; they sank into the depth like a stone.
A compact image-couplet, asyndetic: the deep covers the Egyptians (active, the LORD as agent), and they sink like a stone (intransitive). The simile ὡσεὶ λίθος ('like a stone') is the first of three sinking-similes in the hymn (cf. μόλιβος 'lead', v. 10) — stone and lead together evoke the dead weight that drags the drowning host to the seabed.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
πόντῳwith the deep / seaDativedative of instrument/place (the deep as covering agent)→ sphere or referenceπόντος: 'the (open/deep) sea'; renders Hebrew תְּהֹמֹת ('the deeps'); the dative may be instrumental ('with the deep') or locative ('in the deep'); a poetic, elevated word for the sea distinct from the prosaic θάλασσα.
ἐκάλυψενcoveredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλύπτωmain verb (implied subject: the LORD / the deep)→ constative aorist (the engulfing act)καλύπτω: 'cover / conceal / engulf'; renders Hebrew כִּסָּה ('covered'); the deep waters close over the Egyptians, hiding them from sight — the verb recurs at v. 10 (ἐκάλυψεν αὐτοὺς θάλασσα).
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object (the Egyptian host)→ participant referenceαὐτούς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (the Egyptian host).
κατέδυσανthey sank / went downAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καταδύωmain verb (intransitive: the Egyptians as subject)→ constative aorist (the completed descent)καταδύω: 'go down / sink / plunge'; intransitive in this aorist; renders Hebrew יָרְדוּ ('they went down'); the host descends into the abyss under its own dead weight, as the simile makes vivid.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction of descent)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of descent).
βυθὸνdepth / abyssAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal of the sinking)→ object specificationβυθός: 'depth / bottom of the sea / abyss'; renders Hebrew מְצוֹלֹת ('depths'); the deepest part of the sea, from which there is no return; cf. 2 Cor 11:25 (ἐν τῷ βυθῷ).
ὡσεὶlike / ascomparative particle (introducing simile)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡσεί: 'as / like / as it were'; introduces the simile; renders Hebrew כְּמוֹ; the LXX favors ὡσεί in the similes of this hymn (vv. 5, 8, 10).
λίθοςstoneNominativenominative of comparison (subject of implied verb in simile)→ participant prominenceλίθος: 'stone'; renders Hebrew אֶבֶן; the stone-simile pictures the host plummeting through the water as dead, inert weight — the first of the chapter's sinking-images (cf. μόλιβος, 'lead', v. 10).
6
ἡ δεξιά σου κύριε δεδόξασται ἐν ἰσχύι ἡ δεξιά σου χείρ κύριε ἔθραυσεν ἐχθρούς
Your right hand, O LORD, has been glorified in strength; your right hand, O LORD — the hand — shattered enemies.
The hymn turns to direct address (vocative κύριε), apostrophizing the LORD. The repeated ἡ δεξιά σου ('your right hand') at the head of both cola produces 'staircase' (climactic) parallelism, a hallmark of archaic Hebrew verse: the repeated phrase is taken up and carried forward to a new predicate. The verb δεδόξασται echoes the δεδόξασται of v. 1.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ἡtheNominativearticle (with δεξιά)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δεξιάright handNominativesubject (substantivized: 'the right [hand]')→ participant prominenceδεξιός (fem. δεξιά, sc. χείρ): 'right hand'; renders Hebrew יָמִין; the right hand is the conventional locus of strength and saving action (cf. Ps 117[118]:15–16 LXX); fronted and repeated for staircase parallelism.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσύ (gen. σου): possessive 'your'; the direct second-person address marks the shift to apostrophe.
κύριεO LORDVocativevocative of address→ direct addressκύριος (voc. κύριε): rendering of the Tetragrammaton; the vocative directly addresses the LORD, intensifying the praise into prayer.
δεδόξασταιhas been glorifiedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · δοξάζωmain verb (first colon)→ intensive/resultative perfect (abiding glory of the saving hand)δοξάζω: 'glorify'; the perfect passive δεδόξασται repeats the verb of v. 1 (ἐνδόξως … δεδόξασται), now predicated of the LORD's right hand; renders Hebrew נֶאְדָּרִי ('glorious / majestic').
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/instrument: 'in strength')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere/instrument: 'in strength').
ἰσχύιstrengthDativedative with ἐν (manner/instrument: 'glorified in strength')→ sphere or referenceἰσχύς: 'strength / might'; renders Hebrew כֹּחַ; the right hand is glorified precisely 'in strength' — the saving power displayed at the sea.
ἡtheNominativearticle (second occurrence, staircase repetition)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δεξιάright handNominativesubject (second colon, climactic repetition)→ participant prominenceδεξιά: the repeated 'your right hand' is the staircase device — the phrase is restated and carried to a fresh, stronger predicate (ἔθραυσεν ἐχθρούς).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
χείρhandNominativeappositional nominative (epexegetical to δεξιά: 'the right hand — the hand')→ participant prominenceχείρ: 'hand'; here in apposition, making explicit that the 'right' is the hand; the LXX's slightly redundant ἡ δεξιά σου χείρ reflects the difficulty of the archaic Hebrew (יְמִינְךָ יהוה תִּרְעַץ אוֹיֵב); χείρ is also the standard idiom for power and agency.
κύριεO LORDVocativevocative of address (repeated)→ direct addressκύριε: the repeated vocative sustains the apostrophe.
ἔθραυσενshattered / crushedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θραύωmain verb (second colon)→ constative aorist (the decisive shattering of the enemy)θραύω: 'shatter / break in pieces / crush'; renders Hebrew רָעַץ ('dash in pieces'); a near-synonym of συντρίβω (v. 3, v. 7); the right hand that is glorified in strength is the same hand that crushes the foe.
ἐχθρούςenemiesAccusativedirect object of ἔθραυσεν→ object specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy / hostile one'; renders Hebrew אוֹיֵב; the anarthrous plural is generalizing ('enemies'), here primarily the Egyptians but typologically all the foes of the LORD's people.
7
καὶ τῷ πλήθει τῆς δόξης σου συνέτριψας τοὺς ὑπεναντίους ἀπέστειλας τὴν ὀργήν σου καὶ κατέφαγεν αὐτοὺς ὡς καλάμην
And in the abundance of your glory you shattered the adversaries; you sent forth your wrath, and it devoured them like stubble.
Two parallel cola continue the second-person address. The first (συνέτριψας) uses the verb συντρίβω cognate with v. 3's συντρίβων. The second personifies the LORD's ὀργή ('wrath') as a sent agent that consumes the foe like καλάμη ('stubble') — a stock image of swift, total combustion (cf. Isa 5:24; Joel 2:5).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking to v. 6)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλήθειabundance / multitudeDativedative of manner/instrument ('in the greatness of your glory')→ sphere or referenceπλῆθος: 'multitude / abundance / greatness'; renders Hebrew רֹב ('greatness / abundance'); the phrase τῷ πλήθει τῆς δόξης σου ('by the abundance of your majesty') is instrumental — the very magnitude of God's glory is the means of the enemy's destruction.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δόξηςglory / majestyGenitivegenitive (modifying πλήθει: 'abundance of glory')→ relational specificationδόξα: 'glory / majesty / splendor'; renders Hebrew גָּאוֹן ('majesty / exaltation'); δόξα is the keyword of the hymn (cf. δεδόξασται vv. 1, 6; δόξαις v. 11); the LORD's glory is not static splendor but active, enemy-shattering power.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
συνέτριψαςyou shatteredAor Act Indic 2 Sg · συντρίβωmain verb (second-person address; first colon)→ constative aorist (the act of crushing the adversaries)συντρίβω: 'shatter / crush'; the second-person aorist συνέτριψας is cognate with the divine epithet συντρίβων πολέμους (v. 3); renders Hebrew תַּהֲרֹס ('you break down / tear down'); the war-shattering God now shatters the adversaries directly.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑπεναντίουςadversaries / opponentsAccusativedirect object of συνέτριψας→ object specificationὑπεναντίος: 'opposed / adversary / hostile one'; renders Hebrew קָם ('those who rise up [against you]'); a stronger, more formal term than ἐχθρός — those who set themselves in opposition to God; frequent in the LXX for the enemies of Israel/the LORD.
ἀπέστειλαςyou sent forthAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (second colon)→ constative aorist (the dispatching of wrath)ἀποστέλλω: 'send forth / dispatch (with a commission)'; renders Hebrew תְּשַׁלַּח ('you send'); the LORD 'sends' his wrath as a commissioned agent, almost a personified emissary of destruction; the same verb governs τὸ πνεῦμά σου at v. 10.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀργήνwrath / angerAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλας (personified)→ object specificationὀργή: 'wrath / anger / indignation'; renders Hebrew חָרוֹן ('burning anger'); here personified as a destroying agent that 'devours' the foe — the sent wrath functions like a consuming fire.
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 (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέφαγενdevoured / consumedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατεσθίωmain verb (subject: ἡ ὀργή; result of sending)→ constative aorist (the consuming of the foe)κατεσθίω: 'eat up / devour / consume'; the aorist κατέφαγεν (suppletive from φαγεῖν); renders Hebrew יֹאכְלֵמוֹ ('it consumes them'); the wrath, like a fire, devours the enemy — the verb is regularly used of fire in the LXX (cf. Num 16:35).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of κατέφαγεν→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of κατέφαγεν.
ὡςlike / ascomparative particle (introducing simile)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; introduces the stubble-simile; renders Hebrew כְּ.
καλάμηνstubble / dry strawAccusativeaccusative of comparison (object of the consuming, in simile)→ object specificationκαλάμη: 'stubble / stalk / dry straw'; renders Hebrew קַשׁ ('stubble / chaff'); stubble is the proverbial image of what fire devours instantly and completely (cf. Isa 5:24; Joel 2:5; Obad 18) — the mighty Egyptian host is no more resistant to God's wrath than dry straw to flame.
8
καὶ διὰ πνεύματος τοῦ θυμοῦ σου διέστη τὸ ὕδωρ ἐπάγη ὡσεὶ τεῖχος τὰ ὕδατα ἐπάγη τὰ κύματα ἐν μέσῳ τῆς θαλάσσης
And through the breath of your anger the water was parted; the waters were congealed like a wall, the waves were congealed in the midst of the sea.
The hymn poetically recasts the dividing of the sea (14:21): the πνεῦμα τοῦ θυμοῦ ('breath/wind of anger') of the LORD parts the water and freezes it into a wall. The triple-membered structure (διέστη … ἐπάγη … ἐπάγη) with the repeated verb ἐπάγη ('was congealed') mimics Hebrew incremental parallelism. The wall-simile (ὡσεὶ τεῖχος) recalls the prose τεῖχος of 14:22, 29.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διὰthrough / by means ofpreposition + genitive (instrument/agency)→ spatial or relational framingδιά + gen.: 'through / by means of'; here instrumental — the parting is effected 'through the breath of your anger'.
πνεύματοςbreath / wind / spiritGenitivegenitive with διά (instrument: 'through the breath')→ relational specificationπνεῦμα: 'breath / wind / spirit'; renders Hebrew רוּחַ; the same word that in 14:21 names the 'east wind'; here πνεῦμα τοῦ θυμοῦ ('breath of [your] anger') images the parting of the sea as the very breath from God's nostrils (cf. the anthropomorphism of MT בְּרוּחַ אַפֶּיךָ, 'by the breath of your nostrils').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυμοῦanger / passionGenitivegenitive (modifying πνεύματος: 'breath of anger')→ relational specificationθυμός: 'wrath / passion / hot anger'; renders Hebrew אַף ('nose / anger'); the LXX abstracts the bodily 'nostrils' into θυμός ('anger'), softening the anthropomorphism while preserving the image of divine breath as the dividing force.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
διέστηwas parted / stood apartAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διΐστημιmain verb (intransitive: the water as subject)→ constative aorist (the act of parting)διΐστημι: 'set apart / separate'; the intransitive 2nd aorist διέστη = 'stood apart / was divided'; renders Hebrew נֶעֶרְמוּ ('were heaped up'); the waters separate before the divine breath, recalling 14:21.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδωρwaterNominativesubject of διέστη→ participant prominenceὕδωρ: 'water'; renders Hebrew מַיִם; the collective singular 'the water' was parted; the noun varies between singular (ὕδωρ) and plural (ὕδατα) within the verse for poetic effect.
ἐπάγηwas congealed / frozenAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πήγνυμιmain verb (second colon; subject τὰ ὕδατα)→ constative aorist passive (the waters set solid)πήγνυμι: 'fix / make firm / congeal / freeze'; the 2nd aorist passive ἐπάγη ('was made solid / congealed'); renders Hebrew קָפְאוּ ('they congealed'); the image is of the waters set rigid like ice or a wall — a miracle of solidified sea; repeated for emphasis in the next colon.
ὡσεὶlike / ascomparative particle (introducing simile)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡσεί: 'as / like'; introduces the wall-simile; renders Hebrew כְּמוֹ.
τεῖχοςwallNominativenominative of comparison (in simile)→ participant prominenceτεῖχος: 'wall (especially a city wall)'; renders Hebrew נֵד ('heap / barrier'); the poetic 'like a wall' matches the prose narrative where the waters were a τεῖχος (wall) to right and left (14:22, 29).
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδαταwatersNominativesubject of the first ἐπάγη→ participant prominenceὕδωρ (pl. ὕδατα): the plural 'waters' here, in poetic variation with the singular ὕδωr above; the congealed waters stand as a wall.
ἐπάγηwere congealedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πήγνυμιmain verb (third colon, repeated; subject τὰ κύματα)→ constative aorist passive (incremental repetition)πήγνυμι (ἐπάγη): the repeated verb (incremental/staircase parallelism) intensifies the marvel — not only the body of water but even the waves stood frozen; renders the parallelism of the Hebrew couplet.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύματαwavesNominativesubject of the second ἐπάγη→ participant prominenceκῦμα: 'wave / billow'; renders Hebrew נֹזְלִים ('flowing waters / floods'); even the restless waves are frozen solid in the midst of the sea — the climax of the parting-miracle.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
μέσῳmidstDativedative of place (idiomatic: 'in the midst of')→ sphere or referenceμέσος: 'middle / midst'; ἐν μέσῳ τῆς θαλάσσης ('in the midst of the sea') renders Hebrew בְּלֶב יָם ('in the heart of the sea'); the same phrase recurs at v. 19.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θαλάσσηςseaGenitivegenitive with μέσῳ ('midst of the sea')→ relational specificationθάλασσα: 'sea'; the congealing happens 'in the heart of the sea' — the very place that becomes both Israel's path and Egypt's grave.
9
εἶπεν ὁ ἐχθρός διώξας καταλήμψομαι μεριῶ σκῦλα ἐμπλήσω ψυχήν μου ἀνελῶ τῇ μαχαίρῃ μου κυριεύσει ἡ χείρ μου
The enemy said: 'Pursuing, I will overtake; I will divide spoils; I will glut my soul; I will slay with my sword; my hand shall have dominion.'
A vivid dramatic device: the hymn quotes the enemy's inner boast. The string of five asyndetic first-person verbs (καταλήμψομαι, μεριῶ, ἐμπλήσω, ἀνελῶ, κυριεύσει) — short, breathless, paratactic — conveys the panting greed of the pursuer. The boast is set at level 2 as embedded quotation within the poem; its arrogance is answered in a single line at v. 10.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing the enemy's quoted boast)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; the aorist εἶπεν introduces the dramatic quotation of the enemy's thought; renders Hebrew אָמַר.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἐχθρός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθρόςenemyNominativesubject of εἶπεν (the personified foe)→ participant prominenceἐχθρός: 'enemy'; renders Hebrew אוֹיֵב; the singular 'the enemy' personifies the pursuing Egyptians (Pharaoh and his host) as a single arrogant antagonist whose self-confident boast is about to be shattered.
διώξαςhaving pursued / pursuingAor Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · διώκωcircumstantial participle (temporal/manner, modifying ἐχθρός)→ aoristic participle (action coincident with or prior to the main verb)διώκω: 'pursue / chase / persecute'; the aorist participle διώξας ('pursuing / having pursued') opens the boast; renders Hebrew אֶרְדֹּף ('I will pursue'); the LXX turns the Hebrew finite verb into a participle subordinate to καταλήμψομαι.
καταλήμψομαιI will overtake / catchFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · καταλαμβάνωmain verb of the boast (first member)→ confident future (the enemy's expectation of certain success)καταλαμβάνω: 'seize / overtake / catch up with'; the future middle καταλήμψομαι (Hellenistic spelling with -μψ-); renders Hebrew אַשִּׂיג ('I will overtake'); the first of five staccato boasts expressing the enemy's certainty of victory.
μεριῶI will divide / apportionFut Act Indic 1 Sg · μερίζωmain verb of the boast (second member)→ confident future (anticipated division of plunder)μερίζω: 'divide / distribute / apportion'; the contracted future μεριῶ; renders Hebrew אֲחַלֵּק ('I will divide'); the enemy already pictures dividing the spoils of conquered Israel.
σκῦλαspoils / plunderAccusativedirect object of μεριῶ→ object specificationσκῦλον (pl. σκῦλα): 'spoils / booty (stripped from the slain)'; renders Hebrew שָׁלָל ('plunder'); the irony is sharp — the would-be plunderer becomes the plundered.
ἐμπλήσωI will fill / glutFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐμπίμπλημιmain verb of the boast (third member)→ confident future (anticipated satiation of desire)ἐμπίμπλημι: 'fill up / satisfy / glut'; the future ἐμπλήσω; renders Hebrew תִּמְלָאֵמוֹ ('shall be full of them'); the idiom ἐμπλήσω ψυχήν μου ('I will glut my soul/appetite') expresses ravenous, vengeful desire.
ψυχήνsoul / appetiteAccusativedirect object of ἐμπλήσω→ object specificationψυχή: 'soul / life / appetite / desire'; renders Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ; here in the sense of 'appetite / craving' — the enemy will sate his lust for vengeance and plunder; the Hebraic 'soul' for the seat of desire.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἀνελῶI will slay / destroyFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀναιρέωmain verb of the boast (fourth member)→ confident future (anticipated slaughter)ἀναιρέω: 'take up / make away with / kill / destroy'; the future ἀνελῶ; renders Hebrew אוֹרִישֵׁמוֹ (often 'I will destroy/dispossess them'); the LXX read the verb as 'slay'; the murderous climax of the boast.
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαχαίρῃswordDativedative of instrument ('with my sword')→ sphere or referenceμάχαιρα: 'sword / large knife'; renders Hebrew חֶרֶב; the instrumental dative — the enemy boasts of his own weapon, set in contrast to the LORD's right hand and breath that will undo him.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κυριεύσειshall have dominion / ruleFut Act Indic 3 Sg · κυριεύωmain verb of the boast (fifth member; subject ἡ χείρ μου)→ confident future (anticipated mastery)κυριεύω: 'be lord / have dominion / master'; renders Hebrew תּוֹרִישֵׁמוֹ ('shall dispossess them'); the final boast — 'my hand shall master them' — is the supreme irony, since it is the LORD's hand (ἡ δεξιά σου, vv. 6, 12), not the enemy's, that holds dominion.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with χείρ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χείρhandNominativesubject of κυριεύσει→ participant prominenceχείρ: 'hand'; the enemy's 'hand' (idiom for power) is set in deliberate contrast to the LORD's hand of vv. 6 and 12 — the boast that 'my hand shall rule' is precisely what the next verse overturns.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
10
ἀπέστειλας τὸ πνεῦμά σου ἐκάλυψεν αὐτοὺς θάλασσα ἔδυσαν ὡσεὶ μόλιβος ἐν ὕδατι σφοδρῷ
You sent forth your breath, the sea covered them; they sank like lead in the mighty water.
The rhetorical heart of the hymn: the enemy's five-fold boast (v. 9) is answered by a single divine breath. The terse three-colon structure (ἀπέστειλας … ἐκάλυψεν … ἔδυσαν) enacts the swiftness of the reversal. The simile ὡσεὶ μόλιβος ('like lead') matches ὡσεὶ λίθος of v. 5 — the heaviest of metals dragging the boaster to the bottom.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ἀπέστειλαςyou sent forthAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (second-person address; the LORD's act)→ constative aorist (the single decisive sending)ἀποστέλλω: 'send forth'; repeats the verb of v. 7 (ἀπέστειλας τὴν ὀργήν σου); renders Hebrew נָשַׁפְתָּ ('you blew'); here the LORD sends his πνεῦμα ('breath/wind') — a single exhalation that ends the boast.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πνεῦμάbreath / windAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλας→ object specificationπνεῦμα: 'breath / wind / spirit'; renders Hebrew רוּחַ; the same divine breath that parted the sea (v. 8) now returns the waters upon the enemy — the instrument of both salvation and judgment; bears a second accent (πνεῦμά) from the following enclitic σου.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐκάλυψενcoveredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλύπτωmain verb (subject θάλασσα)→ constative aorist (the engulfing)καλύπτω: 'cover / engulf'; repeats the verb of v. 5 (πόντῳ ἐκάλυψεν αὐτούς); renders Hebrew כִּסָּמוֹ ('covered them'); the sea closes over the host.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἐκάλυψεν→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐκάλυψεν.
θάλασσαseaNominativesubject of ἐκάλυψεν→ participant prominenceθάλασσα: 'sea'; renders Hebrew יָם; the sea, the LORD's instrument, is the grammatical subject — at the divine breath it acts to cover the enemy.
ἔδυσανthey sankAor Act Indic 3 Pl · δύωmain verb (intransitive: the Egyptians as subject)→ constative aorist (the completed sinking)δύω: 'sink / go down / set (of the sun)'; the intransitive aorist ἔδυσαν ('they sank'); renders Hebrew צָלֲלוּ ('they sank down'); a near-synonym of κατέδυσαν (v. 5), completing the drowning imagery.
ὡσεὶlike / ascomparative particle (introducing simile)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡσεί: 'as / like'; introduces the lead-simile; renders Hebrew כְּ.
μόλιβοςleadNominativenominative of comparison (in simile)→ participant prominenceμόλιβος (= μόλυβδος): 'lead (the metal)'; renders Hebrew עוֹפֶרֶת ('lead'); lead, the heaviest common metal, sinks faster and deeper than stone (v. 5) — the simile intensifies the irreversibility of the host's descent into the deep.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ὕδατιwaterDativedative of place (locative: 'in the water')→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ: 'water'; renders Hebrew מַיִם; the locative names the medium of the drowning.
σφοδρῷmighty / violentDativeattributive adjective (modifying ὕδατι)→ sphere or referenceσφοδρός: 'violent / mighty / overwhelming'; renders Hebrew אַדִּירִים ('mighty'); the 'mighty water' underscores the overwhelming, irresistible force into which the enemy sinks like lead.
11
τίς ὅμοιός σοι ἐν θεοῖς κύριε τίς ὅμοιός σοι δεδοξασμένος ἐν ἁγίοις θαυμαστὸς ἐν δόξαις ποιῶν τέρατα
Who is like you among the gods, O LORD? Who is like you, glorified among the holy ones, marvelous in glories, doing wonders?
The rhetorical climax of the song: a double rhetorical question (τίς ὅμοιός σοι … τίς ὅμοιός σοι) asserting the LORD's absolute incomparability. This is the classic incomparability formula (cf. Ps 34[35]:10; 88[89]:7 LXX; Mic 7:18). The mention of θεοί ('gods') is not a concession of their reality but a rhetorical foil: among any beings called gods, none is comparable to YHWH.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject of the rhetorical question)→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative 'who?'; renders Hebrew מִי; the rhetorical question expects the answer 'no one' — the form of the incomparability acclamation.
ὅμοιόςlike / similarNominativepredicate adjective ('who is like you?')→ participant prominenceὅμοιος: 'like / similar / equal'; renders Hebrew כָּמֹכָה ('like you'); takes the dative σοι ('like you'); bears a second accent (ὅμοιός) from the following enclitic σοι.
σοιto youDativedative with ὅμοιος (object of comparison)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): 'to you'; the dative governed by ὅμοιος; the address remains second-person, sustaining the apostrophe.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere: 'among the gods')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere: 'among the gods').
θεοῖςgodsDativedative with ἐν (sphere of comparison)→ sphere or referenceθεός (pl. θεοῖς): 'gods'; renders Hebrew בָּאֵלִם ('among the gods/mighty ones'); not an endorsement of polytheism but a rhetorical foil — among all beings ever called 'gods', none resembles YHWH; cf. Ps 85[86]:8 LXX.
κύριεO LORDVocativevocative of address→ direct addressκύριος (voc. κύριε): rendering of the Tetragrammaton; the vocative makes the acclamation a direct address of praise to YHWH.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (repeated, second rhetorical question)→ participant referenceτίς: the repeated 'who is like you' (anaphora) intensifies the incomparability into a refrain-like assertion.
ὅμοιόςlikeNominativepredicate adjective (repeated)→ participant prominenceὅμοιός: meaning 'like'; it serves as predicate adjective (repeated).
σοιto youDativedative with ὅμοιος→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative with ὅμοιος.
δεδοξασμένοςglorifiedPerf Pass Ptc Nom Masc Sg · δοξάζωpredicate participle (attributive to the addressee: 'you who are glorified')→ resultative perfect participle (state of being glorified)δοξάζω (perf. pass. ptc.): 'glorified / held in glory'; the perfect participle δεδοξασμένος continues the δοξα-keyword (cf. δεδόξασται vv. 1, 6); renders Hebrew נֶאְדָּר ('majestic / glorious'); the LORD is the one perpetually 'glorified among the holy ones'.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere: 'among the holy ones')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere: 'among the holy ones').
ἁγίοιςholy onesDativedative with ἐν (sphere)→ sphere or referenceἅγιος: 'holy (one)'; substantival 'among the holy ones'; renders Hebrew בַּקֹּדֶשׁ ('in holiness') — the LXX reads it as the heavenly council / holy beings rather than abstract 'holiness'; the LORD is glorified even in the assembly of the holy.
θαυμαστὸςwonderful / marvelousNominativepredicate adjective (further description of the addressee)→ participant prominenceθαυμαστός: 'wonderful / marvelous / to be admired'; renders Hebrew נוֹרָא ('awesome / fearful'); the LXX renders the 'fearful' praises as 'marvelous' — emphasizing wonder over dread; cf. θαυμαστὰ τὰ ἔργα σου (Rev 15:3, which echoes this very song).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (respect: 'marvelous in glories')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (respect: 'marvelous in glories').
δόξαιςglories / glorious deedsDativedative with ἐν (respect/sphere)→ sphere or referenceδόξα (pl. δόξαις): 'glories / glorious acts / praises'; renders Hebrew תְהִלֹּת ('praises / praiseworthy deeds'); the plural denotes the manifold glorious works for which the LORD is to be praised — the third δοξα-cognate in the verse-cluster.
ποιῶνdoing / workingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · ποιέωsubstantival/attributive participle ('the one who does wonders')→ imperfective participle (characteristic, ongoing activity)ποιέω (ptc.): 'do / make'; the present participle ποιῶν τέρατα ('working wonders') describes a characteristic divine activity; renders Hebrew עֹשֵׂה פֶלֶא; the phrase becomes a fixed liturgical epithet (cf. Ps 76[77]:15 LXX, ὁ θεὸς ὁ ποιῶν θαυμάσια).
τέραταwonders / portentsAccusativedirect object of ποιῶν→ object specificationτέρας (pl. τέρατα): 'wonder / portent / marvel'; renders Hebrew פֶלֶא ('wonder'); the same word used for the plague-signs (cf. 11:9–10); the LORD's wonders at the sea crown the series of Egyptian portents.
12
ἐξέτεινας τὴν δεξιάν σου κατέπιεν αὐτοὺς γῆ
You stretched out your right hand; the earth swallowed them.
A terse two-colon couplet rounding off the first half of the hymn. The verb ἐξέτεινας ('you stretched out') recalls the gesture of Moses' hand over the sea (14:21, 27); the 'right hand' (δεξιά) ties back to vv. 6. The strange image of γῆ ('earth') swallowing them — rather than the sea — reflects the Hebrew אֶרֶץ and may evoke Sheol/the underworld receiving the dead, or the seabed as 'earth'.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
ἐξέτειναςyou stretched outAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐκτείνωmain verb (second-person address)→ constative aorist (the decisive gesture)ἐκτείνω: 'stretch out / extend'; renders Hebrew נָטִיתָ ('you stretched out'); the gesture of the outstretched hand is the leitmotif of the sea-event (Moses stretches out his hand, 14:21, 26–27), here ascribed to the LORD himself.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δεξιάνright handAccusativedirect object of ἐξέτεινας→ object specificationδεξιά (sc. χείρ): 'right hand'; renders Hebrew יְמִינְךָ; recalls the glorified right hand of v. 6 — the hand that crushes the foe now stretches out to consummate the judgment.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κατέπιενswallowed upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταπίνωmain verb (subject γῆ)→ constative aorist (the engulfing of the foe)καταπίνω: 'gulp down / swallow up / engulf'; renders Hebrew תִּבְלָעֵמוֹ ('it swallows them'); the same verb used of the earth swallowing Korah (Num 16:32) — here the 'earth' (or seabed/underworld) gulps down the Egyptian host; the verb of the sea-monster swallowing Jonah (Jonah 2:1 LXX).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of κατέπιεν→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of κατέπιεν.
γῆearth / landNominativesubject of κατέπιεν→ participant prominenceγῆ: 'earth / land / ground'; renders Hebrew אֶרֶץ; the surprising substitution of 'earth' for 'sea' as the swallowing agent reflects the Hebrew and may evoke the underworld (the realm of the dead) or the seabed; in either case the foe is engulfed and gone.
13
ὡδήγησας τῇ δικαιοσύνῃ σου τὸν λαόν σου τοῦτον ὃν ἐλυτρώσω παρεκάλεσας τῇ ἰσχύι σου εἰς κατάλυμα ἅγιόν σου
You guided in your righteousness this people of yours whom you redeemed; you encouraged them by your strength toward your holy abode.
The hymn pivots from the destruction of the enemy (vv. 1–12) to the salvation of Israel (vv. 13–17). The redemption-vocabulary ἐλυτρώσω ('you redeemed') and the goal εἰς κατάλυμα ἅγιον ('to your holy abode') begin the proleptic movement toward the land and sanctuary that climaxes at v. 17. The couplet pairs ὡδήγησας ('you guided') with παρεκάλεσας ('you led on / encouraged').
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ὡδήγησαςyou guided / ledAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ὁδηγέωmain verb (second-person address)→ constative aorist (the act of leading the people)ὁδηγέω: 'lead / guide along the way' (from ὁδός + ἡγέομαι); renders Hebrew נָחִיתָ ('you led'); the LORD as shepherd-guide of the redeemed people; the verb anticipates the wilderness guidance (the pillar of cloud and fire) and ultimately the entry to the land.
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δικαιοσύνῃrighteousnessDativedative of manner/instrument ('in/by your righteousness')→ sphere or referenceδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness / justice'; renders Hebrew חֶסֶד ('steadfast love / covenant loyalty') — a notable LXX choice rendering 'covenant-love' as 'righteousness', perhaps reading God's saving faithfulness as his righteous fidelity to the covenant; the guidance flows from God's just and faithful character.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ὡδήγησας→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; renders Hebrew עַם; the standard LXX term for Israel as covenant community; 'this people of yours' stresses the LORD's ownership of the redeemed.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying λαόν)→ participant referenceοὗτος: the demonstrative 'this' (people) has a deictic, almost pointing force — the very people present and singing; cf. the same demonstrative with λαός at v. 16.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐλυτρώσω)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun 'whom'; introduces the relative clause defining the people as the redeemed.
ἐλυτρώσωyou redeemedAor Mid Indic 2 Sg · λυτρόωverb of relative clause (defining the people)→ constative aorist (the accomplished act of redemption)λυτρόω (mid. λυτρόομαι): 'redeem / ransom / set free (by payment of a price)'; renders Hebrew גָּאַל ('redeem as kinsman'); a key exodus-redemption term — the LORD as kinsman-redeemer who buys back his enslaved people; the root of the NT λύτρον / ἀπολύτρωσις vocabulary.
παρεκάλεσαςyou encouraged / led onAor Act Indic 2 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb (parallel to ὡδήγησας)→ constative aorist (the act of strengthening/leading the people on)παρακαλέω: 'call alongside / encourage / comfort / exhort'; renders Hebrew נֵהַלְתָּ ('you guided / led with care'); the LXX's choice 'you encouraged/comforted' brings out the pastoral, sustaining care of the guidance; the verb is the root of the Paraclete title (παράκλητος).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἰσχύιstrengthDativedative of instrument ('by your strength')→ sphere or referenceἰσχύς: 'strength / might'; renders Hebrew עֹז; recalls ἐν ἰσχύι of v. 6 — the same strength that glorified the right hand now sustains the redeemed on their journey.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰςto / towardpreposition + accusative (goal of the guidance)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of the guidance).
κατάλυμαabode / lodging-placeAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal: 'to your holy abode')→ object specificationκατάλυμα: 'lodging-place / resting-place / abode' (from καταλύω, 'unyoke, halt for the night'); renders Hebrew נָוֶה ('pasture / abode'); 'your holy abode' looks ahead to the sanctuary/Zion — the goal of the redemptive guidance; the same noun is the 'inn / guest-room' of Luke 2:7; 22:11.
ἅγιόνholyAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying κατάλυμα)→ object specificationἅγιος: 'holy / set apart'; renders Hebrew קֹדֶשׁ; the 'holy abode' is the dwelling of the holy God, the destination toward which redemption tends; bears a second accent (ἅγιόν) from the following enclitic σου.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
14
ἤκουσαν ἔθνη καὶ ὠργίσθησαν ὠδῖνες ἔλαβον κατοικοῦντας Φυλιστιιμ
The nations heard and were enraged; birth-pangs seized the inhabitants of Philistia.
The hymn now looks beyond Egypt to the peoples of Canaan and Transjordan who will hear the report of the sea-event and be paralyzed with terror — the dread that will precede Israel's conquest (cf. Josh 2:9–11). The ὠδῖνες ('birth-pangs') image, a stock metaphor for sudden, gripping anguish, opens a series of terror-verbs (ὠργίσθησαν, ἔλαβον, ἔσπευσαν, ἐτάκησαν).
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
ἤκουσανheardAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (subject ἔθνη)→ constative aorist (the nations' hearing of the report)ἀκούω: 'hear'; renders Hebrew שָׁמְעוּ ('they heard'); the nations hear the report of the LORD's deed at the sea — hearing that triggers terror; cf. Rahab's words, 'we have heard' (Josh 2:10).
ἔθνηnations / peoplesNominativesubject of ἤκουσαν→ participant prominenceἔθνος (pl. ἔθνη): 'nation / people (gentile)'; renders Hebrew עַמִּים; the surrounding peoples who hear of the exodus-deliverance and tremble; the term that later denotes 'the Gentiles'.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὠργίσθησανwere enraged / agitatedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ὀργίζωmain verb (subject ἔθνη)→ ingressive aorist passive (came to be in agitation)ὀργίζω (pass. ὀργίζομαι): 'be angry / be agitated / tremble with passion'; renders Hebrew רָגַז ('tremble / be agitated / quake'); the LXX's 'were enraged/agitated' captures the violent emotional disturbance — anger born of fear — that grips the nations.
ὠδῖνεςbirth-pangs / anguishNominativesubject of ἔλαβον→ participant prominenceὠδίς (pl. ὠδῖνες): 'birth-pang / labor-pain / pang of anguish'; renders Hebrew חִיל ('writhing / anguish'); the stock metaphor of labor-pains for sudden, gripping, inescapable terror (cf. Isa 13:8; 1 Thess 5:3).
ἔλαβονseized / took hold ofAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (subject ὠδῖνες)→ constative aorist (the seizing grip of terror)λαμβάνω: 'take / seize / lay hold of'; renders Hebrew אָחַז ('seized'); the birth-pangs 'seized' the Philistines — terror grips them as labor seizes a woman; cf. ἔλαβεν αὐτοὺς τρόμος at v. 15.
κατοικοῦνταςinhabitants / dwellersPres Act Ptc Acc Masc Pl · κατοικέωsubstantival participle (direct object of ἔλαβον)→ imperfective participle (settled, habitual dwelling)κατοικέω (ptc.): 'dwell / settle / inhabit'; the substantival participle 'the inhabitants (of Philistia)'; renders Hebrew יֹשְׁבֵי ('dwellers of'); the present aspect marks settled habitation; cf. οἱ κατοικοῦντες Χανααν at v. 15.
ΦυλιστιιμPhilistia / the Philistinesgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'inhabitants of Philistia')→ participant identificationΦυλιστιιμ: transliteration of Hebrew פְּלָשֶׁת / פְּלִשְׁתִּים ('Philistia / Philistines'); indeclinable in the LXX (a transliterated plural form); here functions as genitive defining the κατοικοῦντες; the first of the trembling nations named.
15
τότε ἔσπευσαν ἡγεμόνες Εδωμ καὶ ἄρχοντες Μωαβιτῶν ἔλαβεν αὐτοὺς τρόμος ἐτάκησαν πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες Χανααν
Then the chiefs of Edom hastened in alarm, and the rulers of the Moabites; trembling seized them; all the inhabitants of Canaan melted away.
The terror spreads geographically along Israel's future route: Edom and Moab (Transjordan) and all Canaan. The adverb τότε ('then') marks narrative sequence within the prophetic vision. The verbs build a crescendo of panic: ἔσπευσαν ('were thrown into alarmed haste'), ἔλαβεν … τρόμος ('trembling seized'), ἐτάκησαν ('melted away').
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
τότεthentemporal adverb (sequence within the vision)→ adverbial qualificationτότε: 'then / at that time'; renders Hebrew אָז; echoes the τότε that opened the chapter (v. 1), now marking the sequence of the nations' terror.
ἔσπευσανhastened / were alarmedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · σπεύδωmain verb (subject ἡγεμόνες)→ ingressive aorist (were thrown into alarmed haste)σπεύδω: 'hasten / hurry / be in alarmed haste'; renders Hebrew נִבְהֲלוּ ('were dismayed / terrified'); the LXX 'hastened' conveys the panicked, agitated haste of the dismayed chiefs — terror that drives to flustered action.
ἡγεμόνεςchiefs / leadersNominativesubject of ἔσπευσαν→ participant prominenceἡγεμών: 'leader / chief / governor'; renders Hebrew אַלּוּפֵי ('chiefs / clan-leaders of Edom'); the term used of the Edomite tribal chieftains (cf. Gen 36:15ff. LXX).
ΕδωμEdomgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'chiefs of Edom')→ participant identificationΕδωμ: transliteration of Hebrew אֱדוֹם; indeclinable in the LXX; Edom, descended from Esau, lay on Israel's southeastern route; here genitive defining ἡγεμόνες.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἄρχοντεςrulersNominativesubject (coordinate with ἡγεμόνες)→ participant prominenceἄρχων: 'ruler / leader / prince'; renders Hebrew אֵילֵי ('leaders / mighty ones of Moab'); the Moabite chiefs, parallel to the Edomite ἡγεμόνες.
Μωαβιτῶνof the MoabitesGenitivegenitive (modifying ἄρχοντες: 'rulers of the Moabites')→ relational specificationΜωαβίτης (pl. gen. Μωαβιτῶν): 'Moabite'; the gentilic (here declined, unlike the indeclinable place-names) renders Hebrew מוֹאָב; Moab lay east of the Dead Sea on Israel's route to Canaan.
ἔλαβενseizedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (subject τρόμος)→ constative aorist (the gripping of terror)λαμβάνω: 'take / seize'; echoes ἔλαβον of v. 14; here the singular agrees with the singular subject τρόμος — 'trembling seized them'.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἔλαβεν.
τρόμοςtremblingNominativesubject of ἔλαβεν→ participant prominenceτρόμος: 'trembling / quaking'; renders Hebrew רַעַד ('trembling'); the physical shaking of dread; cf. the pairing φόβος καὶ τρόμος at v. 16 (and Phil 2:12).
ἐτάκησανmelted / melted awayAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · τήκωmain verb (subject πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες)→ ingressive aorist passive (came to be melted with fear)τήκω (pass. τήκομαι): 'melt / dissolve / waste away'; renders Hebrew נָמֹגוּ ('melted away'); the idiom of the heart 'melting' in fear (cf. Josh 2:11, 'our hearts melted'); courage dissolves like wax before fire.
πάντεςallNominativeadjective (modifying οἱ κατοικοῦντες)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the totality 'all the inhabitants of Canaan' — none is exempt from the dread; renders Hebrew כֹּל.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with κατοικοῦντες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατοικοῦντεςinhabitants / dwellersPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Pl · κατοικέωsubstantival participle (subject of ἐτάκησαν)→ imperfective participle (settled dwelling)κατοικέω (ptc.): 'dwell / inhabit'; substantival 'the dwellers (of Canaan)'; echoes κατοικοῦντας of v. 14; renders Hebrew יֹשְׁבֵי.
ΧαναανCanaangenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'inhabitants of Canaan')→ participant identificationΧανααν: transliteration of Hebrew כְּנַעַן; indeclinable in the LXX; the land promised to Israel, whose inhabitants melt in fear — the climax of the terror-list, since Canaan is the goal of the journey.
16
ἐπιπέσοι ἐπ᾿ αὐτοὺς φόβος καὶ τρόμος μεγέθει βραχίονός σου ἀπολιθωθήτωσαν ἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ ὁ λαός σου κύριε ἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ ὁ λαός σου οὗτος ὃν ἐκτήσω
May fear and trembling fall upon them; by the greatness of your arm let them be turned to stone, until your people pass by, O LORD, until this people of yours pass by, whom you acquired.
The terror-section turns to petition: the optative ἐπιπέσοι ('may [fear] fall') and imperative ἀπολιθωθήτωσαν ('let them be turned to stone') ask that the nations be paralyzed until Israel passes through to the land. The repeated ἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ ὁ λαός σου ('until your people pass by') is staircase parallelism, the second time expanded with οὗτος ('this') and ὃν ἐκτήσω ('whom you acquired') — covenant-possession language matching ἐλυτρώσω (v. 13).
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
ἐπιπέσοιmay fall uponAor Act Opt 3 Sg · ἐπιπίπτωmain verb (optative of wish; subject φόβος καὶ τρόμος)→ volitive (optative of wish/petition)ἐπιπίπτω: 'fall upon / come upon'; the rare aorist optative ἐπιπέσοι expresses a wish/petition ('may it fall'); renders Hebrew תִּפֹּל ('let fall'); the optative marks the shift from description to imprecatory prayer.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + accusative (elided before vowel; direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (elided before vowel; direction).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the nations)→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί (the nations).
φόβοςfearNominativesubject of ἐπιπέσοι→ participant prominenceφόβος: 'fear / terror'; renders Hebrew אֵימָתָה ('dread'); paired with τρόμος in the stock phrase 'fear and trembling' (cf. v. 15; Phil 2:12; 1 Cor 2:3).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τρόμοςtremblingNominativesubject (coordinate with φόβος)→ participant prominenceτρόμος: 'trembling'; renders Hebrew פַּחַד ('dread'); the doublet φόβος καὶ τρόμος intensifies the petition for paralyzing terror.
μεγέθειby the greatnessDativedative of cause/instrument ('by the greatness of your arm')→ sphere or referenceμέγεθος: 'greatness / magnitude'; renders Hebrew גְּדֹל ('greatness'); the instrumental dative — it is the sheer greatness of God's arm that petrifies the nations.
βραχίονόςarmGenitivegenitive (modifying μεγέθει: 'greatness of your arm')→ relational specificationβραχίων: 'arm'; renders Hebrew זְרוֹעַ; 'the arm' is the classic OT idiom for the LORD's saving, mighty power (cf. 'with an outstretched arm', Deut 4:34); bears a second accent (βραχίονός) from the following enclitic σου.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἀπολιθωθήτωσανlet them be turned to stoneAor Pass Impv 3 Pl · ἀπολιθόωmain verb (third-person imperative; the nations)→ imperatival aorist passive (petition that they be petrified)ἀπολιθόω: 'turn to stone / petrify' (from λίθος, 'stone'); a rare, vivid verb; renders Hebrew יִדְּמוּ ('let them be still / silent / motionless'); the LXX heightens 'be still' into 'be turned to stone' — total, statue-like immobility of terror; cf. the stone-simile of vv. 5, 10, now applied to the foe's paralysis.
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunction (with ἄν + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: 'until'; with ἄν and the aorist subjunctive marks the terminus of the petrified state — until Israel has safely passed.
ἂν(modal particle)modal particle (with ἕως + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle lending contingency to the temporal clause; ἕως ἄν + subjunctive = 'until (such time as)'.
παρέλθῃpasses by / passes throughAor Act Subj 3 Sg · παρέρχομαιverb of temporal clause (subjunctive with ἕως ἄν)→ aorist subjunctive (the contemplated completed passing)παρέρχομαι: 'pass by / pass through / go past'; renders Hebrew יַעֲבֹר ('passes over'); the people 'pass by/through' the petrified nations unharmed; the verb may also resonate with the Passover (πάσχα) crossing-imagery.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόςpeopleNominativesubject of παρέλθῃ→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; 'your people' — the redeemed nation passing safely through hostile territory.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κύριεO LORDVocativevocative of address→ direct addressκύριος (voc. κύριε): the vocative sustains the prayer-address to YHWH at the center of the petition.
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunction (repeated, staircase parallelism)→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: repeated to form the staircase parallelism ἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ … ἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ; the second member expands and intensifies the first.
ἂν(modal particle)modal particle (with ἕως + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἂν: meaning '(modal particle)'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρέλθῃpasses byAor Act Subj 3 Sg · παρέρχομαιverb of temporal clause (repeated)→ aorist subjunctive (the contemplated passing)παρέρχομαι: the repeated verb completes the staircase parallelism; the safe passage of the people is the goal of the whole petition.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόςpeopleNominativesubject of the second παρέλθῃ→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the repeated subject, now expanded with οὗτος and the relative clause.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative adjective (modifying λαός)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the deictic 'this people of yours' (cf. τοῦτον at v. 13) points to the present singing community as the very people God redeemed and acquired.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐκτήσω)→ participant referenceὅς: relative 'whom'; introduces the possession-clause defining the people.
ἐκτήσωyou acquired / purchasedAor Mid Indic 2 Sg · κτάομαιverb of relative clause (defining the people)→ constative aorist (the accomplished acquisition)κτάομαι: 'acquire / get / purchase as one's own'; renders Hebrew קָנִיתָ ('you acquired / created'); parallel to ἐλυτρώσω (v. 13) — Israel is the people God has redeemed and made his own possession (cf. λαὸς εἰς περιποίησιν, 1 Pet 2:9); the verb of Acts 20:28 (the church 'acquired' by Christ's blood).
17
εἰσαγαγὼν καταφύτευσον αὐτοὺς εἰς ὄρος κληρονομίας σου εἰς ἕτοιμον κατοικητήριόν σου ὃ κατειργάσω κύριε ἁγίασμα κύριε ὃ ἡτοίμασαν αἱ χεῖρές σου
Having brought them in, plant them on the mountain of your inheritance, in your prepared dwelling-place which you fashioned, O LORD — a sanctuary, O LORD, which your hands prepared.
The song's climactic petition projects far beyond the sea: the LORD will bring Israel in and 'plant' them on the mountain of his inheritance — the prepared dwelling, the sanctuary his hands established. The dense cluster ὄρος κληρονομίας / ἕτοιμον κατοικητήριον / ἁγίασμα reads the song proleptically toward Zion and the temple. The agricultural metaphor καταφυτεύω ('plant') images Israel as a vine rooted in the land (cf. Ps 79[80] LXX; Isa 5).
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
εἰσαγαγὼνhaving brought inAor Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · εἰσάγωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action to καταφύτευσον)→ aoristic participle (action prior to the main imperative: 'bring in, then plant')εἰσάγω: 'bring in / lead into'; the aorist participle εἰσαγαγών ('having brought in') renders Hebrew תְּבִאֵמוֹ ('you will bring them in'); the LXX subordinates the 'bringing in' to the 'planting'; the verb of leading Israel into the promised land (cf. Deut 6:10).
καταφύτευσονplantAor Act Impv 2 Sg · καταφυτεύωmain verb (aorist imperative; petition to the LORD)→ imperatival aorist (petition for a single decisive act)καταφυτεύω: 'plant firmly / plant down' (intensive of φυτεύω); renders Hebrew תִּטָּעֵמוֹ ('you will plant them'); the agricultural metaphor images Israel as a vine/tree to be rooted permanently in the land — settled, established, fruitful (cf. 2 Sam 7:10; Jer 24:6; the vineyard of Isa 5:1–7).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of καταφύτευσον (and εἰσαγαγών)→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of καταφύτευσον (and εἰσαγαγών).
εἰςinto / onpreposition + accusative (goal of planting)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of planting).
ὄροςmountainAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the place of planting)→ object specificationὄρος: 'mountain'; renders Hebrew הַר; 'the mountain of your inheritance' (ὄρος κληρονομίας) anticipates Mount Zion / the temple mount — the LXX reads the song's geography as pointing to the central sanctuary (cf. Ps 77[78]:54).
κληρονομίαςinheritanceGenitivegenitive (modifying ὄρος: 'mountain of inheritance')→ relational specificationκληρονομία: 'inheritance / heritage / allotted portion'; renders Hebrew נַחֲלָה; the land (and ultimately the sanctuary-mountain) is the LORD's 'inheritance' which he gives Israel to inherit; a key OT and NT theological term (cf. Eph 1:14, 18).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (parallel goal-phrase)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (parallel goal-phrase).
ἕτοιμονprepared / readyAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying κατοικητήριον)→ object specificationἕτοιμος: 'ready / prepared'; renders Hebrew מָכוֹן ('established place'); the 'prepared dwelling' is the sanctuary the LORD himself has established — preparation that precedes and guarantees Israel's arrival; echoes the ἑτοιμ- root again in ἡτοίμασαν below.
κατοικητήριόνdwelling-place / habitationAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (parallel to ὄρος)→ object specificationκατοικητήριον: 'dwelling-place / habitation'; renders Hebrew מָכוֹן לְשִׁבְתְּךָ ('place for your dwelling'); God's own dwelling-place, i.e. the sanctuary; the same noun for God's dwelling in the Spirit (Eph 2:22) and the demonic 'habitation' (Rev 18:2); bears a second accent (κατοικητήριόν) from the following enclitic σου.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of κατειργάσω)→ participant referenceὅς (neut. ὅ): relative 'which'; refers to the κατοικητήριον — the dwelling 'which you fashioned'.
κατειργάσωyou fashioned / wroughtAor Mid Indic 2 Sg · κατεργάζομαιverb of relative clause (the LORD's making of the sanctuary)→ constative aorist (the accomplished fashioning)κατεργάζομαι: 'work out / accomplish / fashion / produce'; renders Hebrew פָּעַלְתָּ ('you made'); the LORD himself 'wrought' his dwelling — the sanctuary is divine workmanship, not merely human construction; cf. the same verb in Paul (Phil 2:12).
κύριεO LORDVocativevocative of address→ direct addressκύριος (voc. κύριε): the repeated vocative (×2 in this verse) sustains the prayer-address through the climactic petition.
ἁγίασμαsanctuary / holy placeAccusativeaccusative in apposition (to κατοικητήριον: 'a sanctuary')→ object specificationἁγίασμα: 'sanctuary / holy thing / consecrated place'; renders Hebrew מִקְדָּשׁ ('sanctuary'); makes explicit that the LORD's dwelling is the sanctuary — the temple toward which the whole exodus-redemption tends; the term recurs for the temple throughout the LXX (cf. Ps 73[74]:7).
κύριεO LORDVocativevocative of address (repeated)→ direct addressκύριε: meaning 'O LORD'; it serves as vocative of address (repeated).
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἡτοίμασαν)→ participant referenceὅς (neut. ὅ): relative 'which'; refers to ἁγίασμα — the sanctuary 'which your hands prepared'.
ἡτοίμασανpreparedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἑτοιμάζωverb of relative clause (subject αἱ χεῖρες)→ constative aorist (the accomplished preparing)ἑτοιμάζω: 'prepare / make ready'; renders Hebrew כּוֹנְנוּ ('established'); echoes ἕτοιμον above (figura etymologica); 'your hands prepared' — divine handiwork establishes the sanctuary (cf. 'a building from God, a house not made with hands', 2 Cor 5:1).
αἱtheNominativearticle (with χεῖρες)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖρέςhandsNominativesubject of ἡτοίμασαν→ participant prominenceχείρ (pl. χεῖρες): 'hands'; renders Hebrew יָדֶיךָ; 'your hands prepared it' — the anthropomorphism of divine hands fashioning the sanctuary, parallel to the right hand of vv. 6, 12; bears a second accent (χεῖρές) from the following enclitic σου.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
18
κύριος βασιλεύων τὸν αἰῶνα καὶ ἐπ᾿ αἰῶνα καὶ ἔτι
The LORD reigning for the age, and beyond the age, and still.
The song's final acclamation: the divine-kingship formula. The participial κύριος βασιλεύων ('the LORD reigning') with the threefold extension τὸν αἰῶνα καὶ ἐπ᾽ αἰῶνα καὶ ἔτι ('for the age, and beyond the age, and still') piles up expressions of unending duration. This acclamation supplies the diction echoed in the throne-acclamations of Revelation (11:15, 'he shall reign εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων'; cf. 19:6).
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of the verbless/participial acclamation→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton; the LORD whose victory the whole song celebrates is acclaimed as eternal king.
βασιλεύωνreigning / who reignsPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · βασιλεύωpredicate participle (with implied 'is': 'the LORD reigns / is reigning')→ imperfective participle (continuous, unending reign)βασιλεύω: 'be king / reign / rule'; the present participle renders Hebrew יִמְלֹךְ ('will reign / reigns'); the imperfective aspect suits the eternal, unceasing kingship; the participle functions as a timeless predicate — 'the LORD is the one reigning forever'; the kingship-acclamation underlies the malkuyot tradition and the NT throne-hymns.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with αἰῶνα, accusative of extent of time)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἰῶναage / eternityAccusativeaccusative of extent of time ('for the age')→ object specificationαἰών: 'age / long duration / eternity'; renders Hebrew עֹלָם; the accusative of temporal extent τὸν αἰῶνα ('for the age / forever'); the first member of the threefold eternity-formula.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπ᾿upon / untopreposition + accusative (elided; temporal extension)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'unto / for (a further duration)'; ἐπ᾽ αἰῶνα ('beyond the age / unto a further age') extends the duration yet further; renders Hebrew וָעֶד ('and beyond / and ever').
αἰῶναage / eternityAccusativeaccusative with ἐπί (second member of the formula)→ object specificationαἰών: the repeated αἰών extends the reign 'beyond the age' — the second of the three duration-expressions.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔτιstill / yet beyondadverb (final intensifier of the eternity-formula)→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet / further'; renders Hebrew וָעֶד ('and beyond'); the third and climactic member — 'and still (more)' — pushes the reign past any conceivable horizon; the cumulative τὸν αἰῶνα καὶ ἐπ᾽ αἰῶνα καὶ ἔτι is the LXX's emphatic rendering of 'forever and ever'.
19
ὅτι εἰσῆλθεν ἵππος Φαραω σὺν ἅρμασιν καὶ ἀναβάταις εἰς θάλασσαν καὶ ἐπήγαγεν ἐπ᾿ αὐτοὺς κύριος τὸ ὕδωρ τῆς θαλάσσης οἱ δὲ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ἐπορεύθησαν διὰ ξηρᾶς ἐν μέσῳ τῆς θαλάσσης
For Pharaoh's horse went into the sea with chariots and riders, and the LORD brought back upon them the water of the sea; but the sons of Israel walked on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
The narrator resumes prose, recapitulating the sea-event of ch. 14 to ground the song just sung. The causal ὅτι ('for') ties the recapitulation back to the song's celebration. The δέ-clause sets the sharp antithesis that is the heart of the whole event: Egypt's horse drowned in the sea, but Israel walked διὰ ξηρᾶς ('on dry ground') in the midst of it (cf. 14:22, 29).
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (grounding the song)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for / because / that'; here causal, grounding the recapitulation that explains the song just sung; renders Hebrew כִּי.
εἰσῆλθενwent in / enteredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (subject ἵππος)→ constative aorist (the entering of the sea)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go in'; renders Hebrew בָא ('came / went in'); Pharaoh's cavalry 'entered' the sea-bed in pursuit — and never came out; recapitulates 14:23.
ἵπποςhorse / cavalryNominativesubject of εἰσῆλθεν (collective)→ participant prominenceἵππος: 'horse'; here collective ('the horse / cavalry'); echoes ἵππον of v. 1; renders Hebrew סוּס; the Egyptian mounted force as a single body.
ΦαραωPharaohgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'Pharaoh's horse')→ participant identificationΦαραω: indeclinable; genitive modifying ἵππος.
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingσύν: 'with / together with'; takes the dative; 'with chariots and riders' specifies the full cavalry force that entered the sea.
ἅρμασινchariotsDativedative with σύν (accompaniment)→ sphere or referenceἅρμα (pl. dat. ἅρμασιν): 'chariot'; echoes ἅρματα of v. 4; renders Hebrew רֶכֶב.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναβάταιςriders / horsemenDativedative with σύν (coordinate with ἅρμασιν)→ sphere or referenceἀναβάτης (pl. dat. ἀναβάταις): 'rider / mounted man'; echoes ἀναβάτην of vv. 1, 21 and ἀναβάτας of v. 4; renders Hebrew פָּרָשִׁים.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
θάλασσανseaAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal of entry)→ object specificationθάλασσα: 'sea'; the sea into which the cavalry entered and was destroyed.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπήγαγενbrought back / brought uponAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπάγωmain verb (subject κύριος)→ constative aorist (the act of returning the waters)ἐπάγω: 'bring upon / bring back / lead against'; renders Hebrew וַיָּשֶׁב ('he brought back'); the LORD 'brought back upon them' the waters that had stood as a wall — the same compound used of bringing plagues (cf. ἐπάξω, 11:1); the sea returns to its place and engulfs the foe (cf. 14:26–28).
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + accusative (elided; hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (elided; hostile direction).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the Egyptians)→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί (the Egyptians).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐπήγαγεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton; the LORD is the explicit agent who returns the waters — divine sovereignty over the sea-judgment.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of ἐπήγαγεν→ object specificationὕδωρ: 'water'; renders Hebrew מֵי ('waters of'); the sea-water that the LORD brought back upon the Egyptians.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θαλάσσηςseaGenitivegenitive (modifying ὕδωρ: 'water of the sea')→ relational specificationθάλασσα: 'sea'; the genitive 'of the sea' specifies the returning waters.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive; marks the antithesis)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; here strongly adversative — 'but the sons of Israel' — setting the saved against the drowned; the hinge of the whole event.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἐπορεύθησαν→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ('the sons of Israel') as at v. 1; the saved community in antithesis to the drowned Egyptians.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'sons of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; genitive modifying υἱοί.
ἐπορεύθησανwalked / wentAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (subject οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ)→ constative aorist (the safe passage through the sea)πορεύομαι: 'go / walk / journey'; the deponent aorist ἐπορεύθησαν; renders Hebrew הָלְכוּ ('they walked'); Israel 'walked on dry ground' where Egypt drowned — the same event means death for one and life for the other.
διὰthrough / onpreposition + genitive (path traversed)→ spatial or relational framingδιά + gen.: 'through'; with ξηρᾶς, 'through/along dry ground'.
ξηρᾶςdry land / dry groundGenitivegenitive with διά (substantivized: 'dry ground')→ relational specificationξηρός (fem. ξηρά, sc. γῆ): 'dry / dry land'; renders Hebrew יַבָּשָׁה ('dry ground'); the substantivized 'the dry' — the miraculous dry path through the sea (cf. 14:22, 29); the same word for the 'dry land' of creation (Gen 1:9 LXX).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
μέσῳmidstDativedative of place (idiomatic: 'in the midst of')→ sphere or referenceμέσος: 'middle / midst'; ἐν μέσῳ τῆς θαλάσσης ('in the midst of the sea') repeats the phrase of v. 8; the dry path ran through the very heart of the sea.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θαλάσσηςseaGenitivegenitive with μέσῳ ('midst of the sea')→ relational specificationθάλασσα: 'sea'; the same sea is grave to Egypt and highway to Israel.
20
λαβοῦσα δὲ Μαριαμ ἡ προφῆτις ἡ ἀδελφὴ Ααρων τὸ τύμπανον ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτῆς καὶ ἐξήλθοσαν πᾶσαι αἱ γυναῖκες ὀπίσω αὐτῆς μετὰ τυμπάνων καὶ χορῶν
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, taking the timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and dances.
The narrative introduces the women's antiphonal response led by Miriam. The δέ marks the new scene. The participle λαβοῦσα ('taking') with the finite ἐξήλθοσαν yields a slightly loose construction (the participle's clause lacks its own finite verb, resumed by the women's going out). The titles ἡ προφῆτις ('the prophetess') and ἡ ἀδελφὴ Ααρων ('the sister of Aaron') mark Miriam's stature.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
λαβοῦσαhaving taken / takingAor Act Ptc Nom Fem Sg · λαμβάνωcircumstantial participle (attendant action, modifying Μαριαμ)→ aoristic participle (action coincident with/prior to the main scene)λαμβάνω (fem. aor. ptc.): 'take / take up'; renders Hebrew וַתִּקַּח ('and she took'); Miriam takes up the timbrel to lead the women's dance — the participle sets the scene resumed by ἐξήλθοσαν.
δὲand / nownarrative continuative (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; marks the transition to the new scene of Miriam and the women.
ΜαριαμMiriamsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΜαριαμ: transliteration of Hebrew מִרְיָם; indeclinable in the LXX (the same form underlies NT Μαρία/Μαριάμ, 'Mary'); Moses' and Aaron's sister (cf. Num 26:59), here leading the women's praise.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with προφῆτις)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προφῆτιςprophetessNominativenominative in apposition (title of Miriam)→ participant prominenceπροφῆτις: 'prophetess'; renders Hebrew נְבִיאָה; Miriam is the first woman called 'prophetess' in Scripture; the title marks her authority to lead the inspired antiphon (cf. Mic 6:4, where she stands with Moses and Aaron; Anna the προφῆτις, Luke 2:36).
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ἀδελφή)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὴsisterNominativenominative in apposition (second title of Miriam)→ participant prominenceἀδελφή: 'sister'; renders Hebrew אֲחוֹת; 'the sister of Aaron' (and Moses) locates Miriam within the leading family; the designation 'of Aaron' (rather than Moses) may reflect her role alongside the priestly line.
ΑαρωνAarongenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'sister of Aaron')→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliteration of Hebrew אַהֲרֹן; indeclinable in the LXX; here genitive defining ἀδελφή.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with τύμπανον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τύμπανονtimbrel / hand-drumAccusativedirect object of λαβοῦσα→ object specificationτύμπανον: 'timbrel / tambourine / hand-drum'; renders Hebrew תֹּף; the percussion instrument that accompanied women's victory-dances (cf. Judg 11:34; 1 Sam 18:6); the root of English 'tympanum'.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with χειρί)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρὶhandDativedative of place (locative: 'in her hand')→ sphere or referenceχείρ: 'hand'; renders Hebrew בְּיָדָהּ ('in her hand'); the locative phrase.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession (Miriam's hand)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Miriam's hand).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (resuming the participial clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: 'and'; resumes the loosely-constructed sentence — after the participle λαβοῦσα, the narrative continues with the finite ἐξήλθοσαν; a Hebraizing parataxis.
ἐξήλθοσανwent outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (subject πᾶσαι αἱ γυναῖκες)→ constative aorist (the procession out)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / come out'; the Hellenistic alpha-aorist ἐξήλθοσαν (for ἐξῆλθον); renders Hebrew וַתֵּצֶאןָ ('and they went out'); the women process out after Miriam in celebratory dance.
πᾶσαιallNominativeadjective (modifying αἱ γυναῖκες)→ participant prominenceπᾶς (fem. pl. πᾶσαι): 'all'; 'all the women' joined the dance — the whole female community in celebration; renders Hebrew כָל.
αἱtheNominativearticle (with γυναῖκες)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυναῖκεςwomenNominativesubject of ἐξήλθοσαν→ participant prominenceγυνή (pl. γυναῖκες): 'woman'; renders Hebrew הַנָּשִׁים; the women of Israel who follow Miriam in the dance.
ὀπίσωafter / behindimproper preposition + genitive (following)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after / behind'; takes the genitive; renders Hebrew אַחֲרֶיהָ ('after her'); the women process 'after Miriam' as their leader.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive with ὀπίσω (object: 'after her')→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive with ὀπίσω (object: 'after her').
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
τυμπάνωνtimbrelsGenitivegenitive with μετά (accompaniment)→ relational specificationτύμπανον (pl. gen. τυμπάνων): 'timbrels'; the instruments of the celebration; renders Hebrew בְּתֻפִּים.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
χορῶνdances / dancingGenitivegenitive with μετά (coordinate with τυμπάνων)→ relational specificationχορός (pl. gen. χορῶν): 'dance / round-dance / band of dancers'; renders Hebrew מְחֹלֹת ('dances'); the timbrels-and-dances pairing is the standard idiom for festive victory-celebration (cf. 1 Sam 18:6); the root of English 'chorus / choir'.
21
ἐξῆρχεν δὲ αὐτῶν Μαριαμ λέγουσα ᾄσωμεν τῷ κυρίῳ ἐνδόξως γὰρ δεδόξασται ἵππον καὶ ἀναβάτην ἔρριψεν εἰς θάλασσαν
And Miriam led them off, saying: 'Let us sing to the LORD, for he has been gloriously glorified; horse and rider he hurled into the sea.'
Miriam 'leads off' the antiphon, and her words are the verbatim incipit of v. 1 — ᾄσωμεν τῷ κυρίῳ, ἐνδόξως γὰρ δεδόξασται, ἵππον καὶ ἀναβάτην ἔρριψεν εἰς θάλασσαν. This exact repetition closes the inclusio that frames the whole hymn (vv. 1–21): Moses' opening line becomes Miriam's refrain, and many scholars regard this couplet as the most ancient kernel of the entire song around which the longer poem grew.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἐξῆρχενled off / began (the song)Impf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξάρχωmain verb (subject Μαριαμ)→ inceptive/customary imperfect (began and continued leading the antiphon)ἐξάρχω: 'lead off / begin / take the lead (in song)'; the imperfect ἐξῆρχεν depicts Miriam leading the responsive singing; renders Hebrew וַתַּעַן ('and she answered/sang in response'); the verb is the technical term for the precentor who 'leads off' an antiphon, the rest responding.
δὲand / nownarrative continuative (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; continues the Miriam-scene.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἐξῆρχεν ('led off for them / led them')→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): 'them'; ἐξάρχω takes the genitive of those being led — Miriam 'led off for them' the responsive song; refers to the women of v. 20.
ΜαριαμMiriamsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΜαριαμ: indeclinable; the prophetess leading the women's antiphon.
λέγουσαsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Fem Sg · λέγωparticiple of speech (introducing the quoted refrain)→ imperfective participle (attendant manner of ἐξῆρχεν)λέγω (fem. ptc.): 'saying'; the recitative participle introduces the direct quotation of the refrain; renders Hebrew לֵאמֹר ('saying').
ᾄσωμενlet us singAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ᾄδωhortatory subjunctive (opening of the refrain)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (volitive exhortation)ᾄδω: the hortatory ᾄσωμεν repeats verbatim the opening of v. 1 — the inclusio that frames the whole song; renders the Hebrew imperative שִׁירוּ ('sing!') of Miriam's couplet (Exod 15:21).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative of indirect object (addressee of praise)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton; repeats τῷ κυρίῳ of v. 1.
ἐνδόξωςgloriouslyadverb of manner (fronted, with cognate verb)→ clausal contributionἐνδόξως: 'gloriously'; repeats the figura etymologica ἐνδόξως … δεδόξασται of v. 1.
γὰρforcausal particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; grounds the exhortation, exactly as in v. 1.
δεδόξασταιhe has been glorifiedPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · δοξάζωmain verb of the γάρ-clause→ intensive/resultative perfect (abiding state of glory)δοξάζω: 'glorify'; the perfect δεδόξασται repeats v. 1 verbatim; the keyword of the hymn returns one last time to seal the inclusio.
ἵππονhorseAccusativedirect object of ἔρριψεν (fronted)→ object specificationἵππος: 'horse'; repeats v. 1; the cavalry-and-rider that opened the song closes it.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναβάτηνriderAccusativedirect object of ἔρριψεν (coordinate with ἵππον)→ object specificationἀναβάτης: 'rider'; repeats v. 1; the pair ἵππον καὶ ἀναβάτην closes the inclusio.
ἔρριψενhe hurled / castAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ῥίπτωmain verb (the LORD as agent)→ constative aorist (the decisive casting)ῥίπτω: 'hurl / cast'; repeats v. 1; the verb that frames the whole hymn — the LORD hurled the foe into the sea.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
θάλασσανseaAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal)→ object specificationθάλασσα: 'sea'; the closing word of the refrain and of the song proper, returning to where v. 1 began.
22
ἐξῆρεν δὲ Μωυσῆς τοὺς υἱοὺς Ισραηλ ἀπὸ θαλάσσης ἐρυθρᾶς καὶ ἤγαγεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν ἔρημον Σουρ καὶ ἐπορεύοντο τρεῖς ἡμέρας ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ οὐχ ηὕρισκον ὕδωρ ὥστε πιεῖν
And Moses led the sons of Israel away from the Red Sea, and brought them into the wilderness of Sur; and they journeyed three days in the wilderness and were finding no water to drink.
The narrative shifts from triumph to trial. The δέ marks the new movement (vv. 22–27). The journey-summary (three days, no water) sets up the first wilderness crisis. The imperfects ἐπορεύοντο ('they were journeying') and ηὕρισκον ('they kept finding [none]') depict the protracted, grinding thirst — the abrupt counterpoint to the song's exuberance.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
ἐξῆρενled away / set outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξαίρωmain verb (subject Μωυσῆς)→ constative aorist (the act of setting the people in motion)ἐξαίρω: 'lift up / remove / lead out / set out (on a journey)'; renders Hebrew וַיַּסַּע ('he made [them] set out / decamp'); the technical term for breaking camp and beginning a march; Moses leads Israel away from the sea into the wilderness.
δὲand / nownarrative continuative (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; marks the major transition from song (vv. 1–21) to wilderness narrative (vv. 22–27).
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject of ἐξῆρεν→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: as the leader, Moses sets Israel on the march; the same name that opened the chapter (v. 1).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with υἱούς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object of ἐξῆρεν→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; τοὺς υἱοὺς Ισραηλ ('the sons of Israel') as object — the people Moses leads.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; genitive modifying υἱούς.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (point of departure)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (point of departure).
θαλάσσηςseaGenitivegenitive with ἀπό (point of departure)→ relational specificationθάλασσα: 'sea'; the Red Sea, now left behind as the journey to Sinai begins.
ἐρυθρᾶςRedGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying θαλάσσης)→ relational specificationἐρυθρός: 'red'; ἀπὸ θαλάσσης ἐρυθρᾶς ('from the Red Sea'); the LXX's standard rendering of יַם סוּף, as at v. 4.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤγαγενled / broughtAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἄγωmain verb (subject Μωυσῆς)→ constative aorist (the act of leading into the wilderness)ἄγω: 'lead / bring'; renders Hebrew וַיֵּצְאוּ / וַיּוֹלֵךְ; Moses leads the people into the desert of Sur — the second verb of leading, completing the departure from the sea to the wilderness.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἤγαγεν→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἤγαγεν.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἔρημον)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔρημονwilderness / desertAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal)→ object specificationἔρημος: 'wilderness / desert / wasteland'; renders Hebrew מִדְבַּר; the wilderness of Sur, the first stretch of the wilderness wanderings; the place of testing and provision.
ΣουρSur / Shurgenitive of apposition/place-name (indeclinable: 'wilderness of Sur')→ participant identificationΣουρ: transliteration of Hebrew שׁוּר; indeclinable in the LXX; the wilderness east of Egypt toward the Sinai peninsula; named also at Gen 16:7; 25:18.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύοντοthey journeyed / kept goingImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (subject: the people)→ durative imperfect (the protracted march)πορεύομαι: 'go / journey'; the imperfect ἐπορεύοντο ('they kept journeying') depicts the protracted three-day march; renders Hebrew וַיֵּלְכוּ; the same verb as Israel's safe passage at v. 19, now the wearying desert trek.
τρεῖςthreeAccusativenumeral (modifying ἡμέρας, accusative of duration)→ measure or countτρεῖς: 'three'; renders Hebrew שְׁלֹשֶׁת; the three waterless days measure the severity of the trial; 'three days' journey' is a recurrent wilderness measure (cf. 3:18; 8:27).
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of duration of time→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the accusative of extent — 'for three days'; renders Hebrew יָמִים.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἐρήμῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place (locative: 'in the wilderness')→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness'; the locative repeats the setting — the people journey within the desert without water.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐχnotnegative particle (with ηὕρισκον; aspirated before rough breathing)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ (form οὐχ before rough breathing): negative 'not'; the aspirated form before ηὕρισκον (which has a rough breathing).
ηὕρισκονthey were findingImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb (subject: the people)→ durative imperfect (kept finding none, throughout the march)εὑρίσκω: 'find'; the imperfect ηὕρισκον (double augment) with οὐχ — 'they kept finding no water'; renders Hebrew וְלֹא מָצְאוּ; the durative aspect stresses the prolonged, hopeless searching that made the thirst a crisis.
ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of ηὕρισκον→ object specificationὕδωρ: 'water'; renders Hebrew מַיִם; the object of the fruitless search; water becomes the keyword of the Marah-episode (vv. 23–27).
ὥστεso as to / toconjunction introducing infinitive of result/purpose→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε: 'so as to / so that'; here with the infinitive πιεῖν expressing the intended use — '(water) to drink'; renders the Hebrew purposive sense.
πιεῖνto drinkAor Act Inf · πίνωinfinitive of result/purpose (with ὥστε)→ aorist infinitive (the act of drinking)πίνω: 'drink'; the aorist infinitive πιεῖν; renders Hebrew לִשְׁתּוֹת; 'water to drink' — the lack that drives the crisis at Marah; the verb recurs at v. 23.
23
ἦλθον δὲ εἰς Μερρα καὶ οὐκ ἠδύναντο πιεῖν ἐκ Μερρας πικρὸν γὰρ ἦν διὰ τοῦτο ἐπωνομάσθη τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ τόπου ἐκείνου πικρία
And they came to Marah, and they could not drink from Marah, for it was bitter; therefore the name of that place was called Bitterness.
The thirst-crisis reaches its sharpest point: water at last, but undrinkably bitter. The verse provides a name-etiology (διὰ τοῦτο … ἐπωνομάσθη … πικρία) explaining the place-name Μερρα (Marah) by the Greek πικρία ('Bitterness'); the LXX makes explicit the Hebrew wordplay between מָרָה (Marah) and מָר ('bitter').
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ἦλθονthey cameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (subject: the people)→ constative aorist (the arrival at Marah)ἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; the aorist ἦλθον; renders Hebrew וַיָּבֹאוּ ('they came'); the people arrive at Marah — water at last, but bitter.
δὲandnarrative continuative (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal of arrival)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of arrival).
ΜερραMarahaccusative of place (indeclinable place-name: goal of ἦλθον)→ participant identificationΜερρα: transliteration of Hebrew מָרָה ('Marah', lit. 'bitterness'); indeclinable in the LXX; the place named for its bitter water; the etymology is unpacked by πικρία at the verse's end.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἠδύναντο)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ (form οὐκ before smooth breathing): negative 'not'.
ἠδύναντοthey were ableImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb (subject: the people; with complementary πιεῖν)→ durative imperfect (the continuing inability to drink)δύναμαι: 'be able / can'; the imperfect ἠδύναντο (with augment η-) 'they were not able'; renders Hebrew וְלֹא יָכְלוּ; takes the complementary infinitive πιεῖν.
πιεῖνto drinkAor Act Inf · πίνωcomplementary infinitive (with ἠδύναντο)→ aorist infinitiveπίνω: 'drink'; complementary to ἠδύναντο; repeats πιεῖν of v. 22.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
ΜερραςMarahgenitive with ἐκ (source; here inflected with -ς ending)→ participant identificationΜερρα (gen. Μερρας): 'Marah'; here given a Greek genitive ending (-ας), the LXX occasionally inflecting the place-name; 'from Marah' = from the water there; treated as 'x' (transliterated proper name) functioning as genitive of source.
πικρὸνbitterNominativepredicate adjective (with ἦν: 'it was bitter')→ participant prominenceπικρός: 'bitter / sharp / pungent'; renders Hebrew מָרִים ('bitter'); the water's bitterness is the crux of the episode; the cognate of πικρία ('Bitterness') below — the LXX preserves the Hebrew מָרָה/מַר wordplay through πικρός/πικρία.
γὰρforcausal particle (post-positive; explains the inability)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; gives the reason they could not drink — the water was bitter.
ἦνit wasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (subject: the water)→ durative imperfect (the abiding bitter state)εἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect ἦν ('it was'); renders Hebrew הָיוּ / כִּי מָרִים הֵם; the copula of the explanatory clause.
διὰbecause of / thereforepreposition + accusative (with τοῦτο: 'on account of this')→ spatial or relational framingδιά + acc.: 'because of'; διὰ τοῦτο ('therefore / for this reason') introduces the name-etiology; renders Hebrew עַל־כֵּן.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (object of διά: 'because of this')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; διὰ τοῦτο is the standard etiological formula introducing the naming.
ἐπωνομάσθηwas named / was calledAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐπονομάζωmain verb (subject τὸ ὄνομα)→ constative aorist passive (the act of naming)ἐπονομάζω: 'name / call by a name / give a surname'; the aorist passive ἐπωνομάσθη ('was named'); renders Hebrew קָרָא (Niphal, 'was called'); the standard LXX verb in naming-etiologies.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with ὄνομα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject of ἐπωνομάσθη→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; renders Hebrew שֵׁם; the 'name of that place' that was called Bitterness.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with τόπου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπουplaceGenitivegenitive (modifying ὄνομα: 'name of the place')→ relational specificationτόπος: 'place / location'; renders Hebrew מָקוֹם; the genitive specifying which name.
ἐκείνουthatGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying τόπου)→ relational specificationἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the remote demonstrative 'that place'; renders Hebrew הַהוּא.
πικρίαBitternessNominativepredicate nominative (the name given: 'Bitterness')→ participant prominenceπικρία: 'bitterness'; here the proper name given to the place — the Greek translation of the Hebrew מָרָה (Marah); the LXX renders the name itself into Greek (πικρία) to make the etymology transparent, while transliterating it as Μερρα elsewhere; the word is the root of the NT 'root of bitterness' (Heb 12:15).
24
καὶ διεγόγγυζεν ὁ λαὸς ἐπὶ Μωυσῆν λέγοντες τί πιόμεθα
And the people murmured against Moses, saying, 'What shall we drink?'
The first of the wilderness murmurings against Moses (cf. 16:2; 17:3; Num 14). The verb διαγογγύζω ('murmur thoroughly / grumble') is the LXX's characteristic term for Israel's faithless complaint; Paul recalls these murmurings as a warning (1 Cor 10:10). The terse question τί πιόμεθα ('what shall we drink?') captures the bald desperation. Note the constructio ad sensum: the singular ὁ λαός governs the plural participle λέγοντες.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διεγόγγυζενwas murmuring / grumblingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · διαγογγύζωmain verb (subject ὁ λαός)→ durative/iterative imperfect (the rising, sustained complaint)διαγογγύζω: 'murmur (throughout) / grumble / complain'; the onomatopoeic γογγύζω intensified by διά; the imperfect διεγόγγυζεν depicts the swelling grumbling; renders Hebrew וַיִּלֹּנוּ ('they murmured'); the keyword of the wilderness rebellions (cf. Num 14:2; 1 Cor 10:10, μηδὲ γογγύζετε).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of διεγόγγυζεν (collective singular)→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the same redeemed λαός of the song (vv. 13, 16) now grumbles — the sharp irony of the wilderness narrative; collective singular governing a plural participle (λέγοντες).
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction: 'against')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'against'; here in the hostile sense — the murmuring is directed 'against Moses'; renders Hebrew עַל.
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (target of the complaint)→ object specificationΜωυσῆς (acc. Μωυσῆν): 'Moses'; the people's grumbling against Moses is, as he later notes, ultimately against the LORD (cf. 16:8).
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Pl · λέγωparticiple of speech (constructio ad sensum, plural with collective λαός)→ imperfective participle (attendant manner of the murmuring)λέγω (ptc.): 'saying'; the plural participle λέγοντες agrees ad sensum with the collective ὁ λαός (a plural sense in a singular noun); introduces the quoted complaint.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (direct object of πιόμεθα)→ participant referenceτίς (neut. τί): interrogative 'what?'; renders Hebrew מַה; the object of the verb — 'what shall we drink?'
πιόμεθαshall we drinkFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · πίνωmain verb of the quoted complaint (deliberative future)→ deliberative future (urgent, desperate questioning)πίνω: 'drink'; the future middle πιόμεθα ('shall we drink'); renders Hebrew מַה־נִּשְׁתֶּה; the deliberative force ('what are we to drink?') voices the people's desperate thirst — the same root πι- that runs through vv. 22–24.
25
ἐβόησεν δὲ Μωυσῆς πρὸς κύριον καὶ ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ κύριος ξύλον καὶ ἐνέβαλεν αὐτὸ εἰς τὸ ὕδωρ καὶ ἐγλυκάνθη τὸ ὕδωρ ἐκεῖ ἔθετο αὐτῷ δικαιώματα καὶ κρίσεις καὶ ἐκεῖ ἐπείρασεν αὐτὸν
And Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree, and he cast it into the water, and the water was made sweet. There he established for him statutes and judgments, and there he tested him.
Moses' cry and the LORD's provision resolve the crisis. The ξύλον ('wood / tree') cast into the bitter water to sweeten it (ἐγλυκάνθη) became a fixed locus of patristic typology — the tree/wood of the cross transforming the bitter waters (e.g. Tertullian, Origen). The episode then issues in covenant: the LORD 'established statutes and judgments' (δικαιώματα καὶ κρίσεις) and 'tested' (ἐπείρασεν) the people — Marah as a place of both grace and probation.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
ἐβόησενcried outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βοάωmain verb (subject Μωυσῆς)→ constative aorist (the single act of crying out)βοάω: 'cry out / call aloud (for help)'; renders Hebrew וַיִּצְעַק ('he cried out'); Moses' intercessory cry to the LORD — the proper response to crisis, in contrast to the people's murmuring (v. 24).
δὲand / sonarrative continuative (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; here marks Moses' response over against the people's complaint.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject of ἐβόησεν→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: Moses turns the people's grievance into prayer — the mediator role that defines his ministry.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of the cry)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of the cry).
κύριονLORDAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the one cried to)→ object specificationκύριος (acc. κύριον): rendering of the Tetragrammaton; Moses cries 'to the LORD' — the deliverer of the sea is also the provider in the wilderness.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδειξενshowedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δείκνυμιmain verb (subject κύριος)→ constative aorist (the act of showing)δείκνυμι: 'show / point out / reveal'; renders Hebrew וַיּוֹרֵהוּ ('he showed/instructed him'); the LORD reveals the remedy — the tree — answering Moses' cry; the verb implies divine instruction, not mere pointing.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object (Moses)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (Moses).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἔδειξεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the LORD is the explicit agent who reveals the sweetening tree — the remedy is divine gift, not human discovery.
ξύλονwood / treeAccusativedirect object of ἔδειξεν→ object specificationξύλον: 'wood / piece of wood / tree'; renders Hebrew עֵץ ('tree / wood'); the tree cast into the bitter water — the great patristic type of the cross (the wood that transforms bitterness into sweetness); ξύλον is also the LXX/NT word for the cross itself (Acts 5:30; 1 Pet 2:24) and the tree of life (Rev 22:2).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνέβαλενcast in / threw inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐμβάλλωmain verb (subject: Moses)→ constative aorist (the act of casting in)ἐμβάλλω: 'throw in / cast into / insert'; renders Hebrew וַיַּשְׁלֵךְ ('he threw'); Moses casts the tree into the water — the act of obedient faith that effects the miracle.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of ἐνέβαλεν (the tree)→ participant referenceαὐτός (neut. αὐτό): 'it'; refers to the ξύλον.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ὕδωρ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδωρwaterAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal)→ object specificationὕδωρ: 'water'; the bitter water of Marah into which the tree is cast.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγλυκάνθηwas made sweetAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γλυκαίνωmain verb (subject τὸ ὕδωρ)→ constative aorist passive (the transformation of the water)γλυκαίνω: 'make sweet / sweeten'; the aorist passive ἐγλυκάνθη ('was sweetened'); renders Hebrew וַיִּמְתְּקוּ ('they became sweet'); the bitter (πικρόν) water becomes sweet — the reversal that names the whole episode; the contrast πικρός/γλυκύς underlies Jas 3:11 (bitter and sweet from the same spring).
τὸtheNominativearticle (with ὕδωρ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδωρwaterNominativesubject of ἐγλυκάνθη→ participant prominenceὕδωρ: 'water'; now the subject — the once-bitter water made sweet and drinkable.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (at Marah)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; renders Hebrew שָׁם; locates the giving of the statute at Marah — the place of provision becomes the place of covenant-instruction; repeated for emphasis below.
ἔθετοestablished / setAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (subject κύριος, implied)→ constative aorist middle (the act of laying down statutes)τίθημι (mid. ἔθετο): 'set / place / establish (for oneself)'; renders Hebrew שָׂם ('he set/appointed'); the LORD 'laid down for him' statute and judgment — the middle voice suggesting the LORD's own ordaining; the idiom for legislating (τίθημι νόμον).
αὐτῷfor him / for itDativedative of indirect object/advantage (for the people)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): 'for him'; the dative of advantage — the statute is given 'for him' (the people, collectively); renders Hebrew לוֹ.
δικαιώματαstatutes / ordinancesAccusativedirect object of ἔθετο→ object specificationδικαίωμα (pl. δικαιώματα): 'statute / righteous ordinance / requirement'; renders Hebrew חֹק ('statute'); the LXX's standard term for divine ordinances (cf. v. 26); the anticipatory giving of law at Marah, before Sinai, frames the wilderness journey as a school of obedience.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κρίσειςjudgments / ordinancesAccusativedirect object (coordinate with δικαιώματα)→ object specificationκρίσις (pl. κρίσεις): 'judgment / legal decision / ordinance'; renders Hebrew מִשְׁפָּט ('judgment / ordinance'); the pair δικαιώματα καὶ κρίσεις ('statutes and judgments') is a fixed LXX legal doublet (cf. Deut 4:1, 5).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (repeated, emphatic)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; the repeated 'there' (ἐκεῖ … ἐκεῖ) binds the giving of the statute and the testing to the single place, Marah.
ἐπείρασενtested / triedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πειράζωmain verb (subject κύριος, implied)→ constative aorist (the act of testing)πειράζω: 'test / try / prove'; renders Hebrew נִסָּהוּ ('he tested him'); the LORD 'tested' the people — Marah is a place of probation, to see whether they will trust and obey (cf. Deut 8:2, 16); the same verb for the testing of Abraham (Gen 22:1) and the wilderness 'testing' recalled at Heb 3:8–9.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐπείρασεν (the people)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. αὐτόν): 'him'; the collective people as object of the testing.
26
καὶ εἶπεν ἐὰν ἀκοῇ ἀκούσῃς τῆς φωνῆς κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ σου καὶ τὰ ἀρεστὰ ἐναντίον αὐτοῦ ποιήσῃς καὶ ἐνωτίσῃ ταῖς ἐντολαῖς αὐτοῦ καὶ φυλάξῃς πάντα τὰ δικαιώματα αὐτοῦ πᾶσαν νόσον ἣν ἐπήγαγον τοῖς Αἰγυπτίοις οὐκ ἐπάξω ἐπὶ σέ ἐγὼ γάρ εἰμι κύριος ὁ ἰώμενός σε
And he said: 'If by hearing you hear the voice of the LORD your God, and do what is pleasing before him, and give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, every disease that I brought upon the Egyptians I will not bring upon you; for I am the LORD who heals you.'
The Marah-episode culminates in a conditional covenant. The protasis stacks four obedience-conditions (hear, do, give ear, keep); the apodosis promises exemption from the Egyptian diseases. The cognate construction ἀκοῇ ἀκούσῃς ('by hearing you hear') is a Hebraism rendering the infinitive absolute שָׁמוֹעַ תִּשְׁמַע. The whole climaxes in the self-revelation ἐγὼ … εἰμι κύριος ὁ ἰώμενός σε ('I am the LORD who heals you').
Word-by-word analysis· 45 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction; subject: the LORD)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; the LORD now speaks directly, giving the terms of the covenant; the implied subject is κύριος (from v. 25).
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (introducing the protasis; with subjunctives)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the conditional protasis (third-class condition) with the aorist subjunctives that follow; renders Hebrew אִם.
ἀκοῇby hearing / with hearingDativecognate dative (Hebraism: rendering of infinitive absolute)→ sphere or referenceἀκοή: 'hearing / report'; the cognate dative ἀκοῇ ἀκούσῃς ('by hearing you hear' = 'you truly/diligently hear') is a Hebraism calquing the emphatic infinitive absolute שָׁמוֹעַ תִּשְׁמַע; the same construction-type as ἐκβαλεῖ … ἐκβολῇ (11:1); it intensifies the condition — genuine, attentive obedience.
ἀκούσῃςyou hear / heedAor Act Subj 2 Sg · ἀκούωverb of the protasis (first condition)→ aorist subjunctive (the contemplated act of obedient hearing)ἀκούω: 'hear / heed / obey'; the aorist subjunctive with ἐάν; renders Hebrew תִּשְׁמַע; 'hearing' in the Hebraic sense includes obeying — the foundational covenant disposition (cf. the Shema, Deut 6:4).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with φωνῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνῆςvoiceGenitivegenitive object of ἀκούσῃς (the thing heard)→ relational specificationφωνή: 'voice / sound'; renders Hebrew קוֹל; ἀκούω takes the genitive of the source heard — 'hear the voice of the LORD'; obedience to the divine voice is the covenant condition.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive (modifying φωνῆς: 'voice of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): rendering of the Tetragrammaton; 'the voice of the LORD your God'.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with θεοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive in apposition (to κυρίου: 'the LORD your God')→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ σου ('the LORD your God') is the standard covenant formula (rendering יהוה אֱלֹהֶיךָ); the personal 'your' grounds the relationship.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (with θεοῦ)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (with θεοῦ).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining second condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ἀρεστά)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀρεστὰpleasing thingsAccusativedirect object of ποιήσῃς (substantivized: 'the pleasing things')→ object specificationἀρεστός: 'pleasing / acceptable'; the neuter plural τὰ ἀρεστά ('the things pleasing'); renders Hebrew הַיָּשָׁר ('the right / upright'); 'do what is pleasing in his sight' — covenant obedience as pleasing God (cf. ἀρεστὸν ἐνώπιον, 1 John 3:22).
ἐναντίονbefore / in the sight ofimproper preposition + genitive (Hebraism: 'before him')→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: 'before / in the presence of / in the eyes of'; Hebraism rendering בְּעֵינָיו ('in his eyes'); the standard LXX idiom for moral evaluation 'in the sight of' God (cf. 11:3).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίον (the LORD)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐναντίον (the LORD).
ποιήσῃςyou doAor Act Subj 2 Sg · ποιέωverb of the protasis (second condition)→ aorist subjunctive (the contemplated act of doing)ποιέω: 'do / make'; the aorist subjunctive with ἐάν; renders Hebrew תַּעֲשֶׂה; doing what pleases God is the active complement to hearing his voice.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining third condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνωτίσῃyou give ear / heedAor Mid Subj 2 Sg · ἐνωτίζομαιverb of the protasis (third condition)→ aorist subjunctive (the contemplated act of attending)ἐνωτίζομαι: 'give ear / listen attentively' (from ἐν + οὖς, 'in the ear'); renders Hebrew הַאֲזִין ('give ear'); a vivid Hebraizing coinage — 'to take into the ear'; the poetic synonym for attentive obedience (cf. Ps 5:2; Isa 1:2).
ταῖςtheDativearticle (with ἐντολαῖς)→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐντολαῖςcommandmentsDativedative object of ἐνωτίσῃ (the thing heeded)→ sphere or referenceἐντολή (pl. ἐντολαῖς): 'commandment / precept'; renders Hebrew מִצְוֹת; the dative governed by ἐνωτίζομαι; the divine commandments to which Israel must give ear.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the LORD's commandments)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the LORD's commandments).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining fourth condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φυλάξῃςyou keep / guardAor Act Subj 2 Sg · φυλάσσωverb of the protasis (fourth condition)→ aorist subjunctive (the contemplated act of keeping)φυλάσσω: 'guard / keep / observe'; the aorist subjunctive with ἐάν; renders Hebrew שָׁמַרְתָּ ('you keep'); 'keep all his statutes' — the culminating, comprehensive condition; the standard covenant verb for observing the law.
πάνταallAccusativeadjective (modifying τὰ δικαιώματα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; 'all his statutes' — total, not selective, obedience; renders Hebrew כָּל.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with δικαιώματα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δικαιώματαstatutes / ordinancesAccusativedirect object of φυλάξῃς→ object specificationδικαίωμα (pl.): 'statute / ordinance'; repeats δικαιώματα of v. 25; the statutes 'established there' are now the object of the keeping; renders Hebrew חֻקָּיו.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
πᾶσανeveryAccusativeadjective (modifying νόσον; object fronted in apodosis)→ object specificationπᾶς (fem. acc. πᾶσαν): 'every / all'; 'every disease' — the fronted object of the apodosis, emphasizing the totality of the promised exemption; renders Hebrew כָּל.
νόσονdisease / sicknessAccusativedirect object of ἐπάξω (fronted; the apodosis begins)→ object specificationνόσος: 'disease / sickness / plague'; renders Hebrew מַחֲלָה; 'every disease that I brought on the Egyptians' refers to the plagues; the promise is exemption from the judgments that fell on Egypt, conditional on obedience.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐπήγαγον)→ participant referenceὅς (fem. acc. ἥν): relative 'which'; introduces the relative clause defining the diseases as the Egyptian plagues.
ἐπήγαγονI brought uponAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐπάγωverb of relative clause (subject: the LORD, first person)→ constative aorist (the completed bringing of the plagues)ἐπάγω: 'bring upon'; the aorist ἐπήγαγον ('I brought upon'); renders Hebrew שַׂמְתִּי; the same compound that names the plague-bringing throughout Exodus (cf. ἐπάξω, 11:1); here looking back on the plagues now completed.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with Αἰγυπτίοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑἰγυπτίοιςEgyptiansDativedative of disadvantage (those on whom the diseases came)→ sphere or referenceΑἰγύπτιος (pl. dat. Αἰγυπτίοις): 'Egyptian'; the dative of disadvantage — the plagues were brought 'upon the Egyptians'; renders Hebrew בְּמִצְרַיִם.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἐπάξω)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ (form οὐκ): negative 'not'; negates the apodosis verb — the diseases will not be brought on an obedient Israel.
ἐπάξωI will bring uponFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐπάγωmain verb of the apodosis (the LORD's promise)→ predictive future (the promised non-infliction)ἐπάγω: 'bring upon'; the future ἐπάξω with οὐκ — 'I will not bring (these diseases) on you'; the same form as the plague-announcement of 11:1, here negated as covenant promise; renders Hebrew לֹא־אָשִׂים.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
σέyouAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the people, sg.)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σέ): 'you'; the accented form for emphasis — 'upon you' (Israel), set against 'the Egyptians'; renders Hebrew עָלֶיךָ.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun in the self-revelation formula)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; the fronted ἐγώ … εἰμι is the divine self-identification formula (rendering אֲנִי יהוה), the 'I am' that grounds the covenant promise; cf. the recognition-formula throughout Exodus (6:7; 7:5).
γάρforcausal particle (post-positive; grounds the promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; gives the ground of the healing-promise — the LORD's very identity as healer guarantees it.
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula (in the self-revelation formula 'I am the LORD')→ stative present (timeless divine self-predication)εἰμί: 'be'; the present εἰμι in the self-identification ἐγὼ … εἰμι κύριος ('I am the LORD'); the formula that echoes the divine Name of 3:14 (ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ὤν) and recurs in the great 'I am' sayings.
κύριοςLORDNominativepredicate nominative (the self-revelation)→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton; 'I am the LORD' — the self-naming that authenticates the whole covenant word.
ὁtheNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle ἰώμενος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἰώμενόςwho heals / the healerPres Mid Ptc Nom Masc Sg · ἰάομαιsubstantival participle (in apposition: 'the one who heals you')→ imperfective participle (characteristic, ongoing activity)ἰάομαι: 'heal / cure'; the present participle ὁ ἰώμενος ('the one healing / the healer'); renders Hebrew רֹפְאֶךָ ('your healer', from רָפָא); the divine title 'the LORD who heals you' (YHWH-Rophe) — the LORD reveals himself as healer in the very episode of the sweetened water; bears a second accent (ἰώμενός) from the following enclitic σε.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of ἰώμενος (the people, sg.)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σε): 'you'; the object of the healing — 'the LORD who heals you'; the enclitic completes the divine title that crowns the Marah-covenant.
27
καὶ ἤλθοσαν εἰς Αιλιμ καὶ ἦσαν ἐκεῖ δώδεκα πηγαὶ ὑδάτων καὶ ἑβδομήκοντα στελέχη φοινίκων παρενέβαλον δὲ ἐκεῖ παρὰ τὰ ὕδατα
And they came to Elim, and there were there twelve springs of waters and seventy trunks of palm trees; and they camped there beside the waters.
The chapter closes with the abundance of Elim — a deliberate counterpoint to the thirst of Marah. The numbers twelve (springs) and seventy (palms) are evocative (the twelve tribes, the seventy elders/nations) and were richly developed in later allegory. The camp 'beside the waters' (παρὰ τὰ ὕδατα) ends the chapter on rest and provision, the water-motif of vv. 22–27 resolved in plenty.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤλθοσανthey cameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (subject: the people)→ constative aorist (the arrival at Elim)ἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; the Hellenistic alpha-aorist ἤλθοσαν (for ἦλθον); renders Hebrew וַיָּבֹאוּ ('they came'); the people arrive at the oasis of Elim, water in abundance after Marah.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
ΑιλιμElimaccusative of place (indeclinable place-name: goal of ἤλθοσαν)→ participant identificationΑιλιμ: transliteration of Hebrew אֵילִם ('Elim', perhaps 'great trees / terebinths'); indeclinable in the LXX; the oasis of twelve springs and seventy palms, the next stage after Marah (cf. Num 33:9).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (existential: 'there were')→ durative imperfect (the abiding presence of springs and palms)εἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect ἦσαν in existential use ('there were'); renders Hebrew וְשָׁם ('and there [were]'); describes the standing features of the oasis.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; renders Hebrew שָׁם; locates the springs and palms at Elim; repeated below with the camping.
δώδεκαtwelveNominativeindeclinable numeral (modifying πηγαί)→ participant prominenceδώδεκα: 'twelve'; indeclinable numeral; renders Hebrew שְׁתֵּים עֶשְׂרֵה; the twelve springs were readily read as the twelve tribes in later Jewish and Christian allegory (one spring per tribe).
πηγαὶsprings / fountainsNominativesubject of ἦσαν→ participant prominenceπηγή: 'spring / fountain / well'; renders Hebrew עֵינֹת ('springs'); the abundant living water of Elim, the antithesis of Marah's single bitter source.
ὑδάτωνof watersGenitivegenitive (modifying πηγαί: 'springs of waters')→ relational specificationὕδωρ (pl. gen. ὑδάτων): 'water'; the genitive 'of waters' — abundant water sources; renders Hebrew מַיִם.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἑβδομήκονταseventyNominativeindeclinable numeral (modifying στελέχη)→ measure or countἑβδομήκοντα: 'seventy'; indeclinable numeral; renders Hebrew שִׁבְעִים; the seventy palms evoke the seventy elders (Exod 24:1) and the seventy nations (Gen 10) in later interpretation; 'the Seventy' (LXX) takes its name from this number-tradition.
στελέχηtrunks / treesNominativesubject of ἦσαν (coordinate with πηγαί)→ participant prominenceστέλεχος (pl. στελέχη): 'trunk / stem / tree'; renders Hebrew (the construct of) תְּמָרִים; 'seventy trunks of palms' — the LXX's στέλεχος emphasizes the mature, standing trunks; the palms mark the oasis as a place of shade and fruit.
φοινίκωνof palm treesGenitivegenitive (modifying στελέχη: 'trunks of palms')→ relational specificationφοῖνιξ (pl. gen. φοινίκων): 'palm tree / date-palm'; renders Hebrew תְּמָרִים; the date-palm, emblem of the fertile oasis; the same word for the palm-branches of John 12:13.
παρενέβαλονthey camped / encampedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · παρεμβάλλωmain verb (subject: the people)→ constative aorist (the act of pitching camp)παρεμβάλλω: 'encamp / pitch camp / draw up'; renders Hebrew וַיַּחֲנוּ ('they camped'); the technical term for Israel's encampment on the march (cf. the noun παρεμβολή, 'camp'); the people rest by the abundant waters — the chapter ends in provision and repose.
δὲand / sonarrative continuative (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; rounds off the narrative with the encampment.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (repeated)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; the repeated 'there' (ἦσαν ἐκεῖ … παρενέβαλον ἐκεῖ) frames Elim as the place of rest.
παρὰbeside / bypreposition + accusative (position: 'beside the waters')→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + acc.: 'beside / alongside'; the camp lay 'beside the waters' — the resolution of the water-motif that drove vv. 22–27; renders Hebrew עַל.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὕδατα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδαταwatersAccusativeaccusative object of παρά (position)→ object specificationὕδωρ (pl. ὕδατα): 'water'; the abundant waters of Elim beside which Israel camps — the chapter that began with the sea-waters of judgment ends with the sweet waters of rest.