1
καὶ ποιήσεις θυσιαστήριον θυμιάματος ἐκ ξύλων ἀσήπτων καὶ ποιήσεις αὐτὸ
And you shall make an altar of incense from incorruptible wood, and you shall make it.
The chapter opens, like the preceding furniture-instructions, with the legislative future ποιήσεις ('you shall make'), addressed to Moses but governing the artisans' work. The object θυσιαστήριον θυμιάματος ('altar of incense') names the fifth and final piece of sacred furniture in the inner tent; its placement here, after the priestly investiture of ch. 29, is one of the points where the LXX sequence is debated against the MT.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis introducing new ordinance)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσειςyou shall makeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (legislative future addressed to Moses)→ legislative future (command rendered as indicative: 'you are to make')ποιέω: 'make / do / fashion'; renders Hebrew עָשָׂה; the second-person future ποιήσεις is the standard LXX rendering of the Hebrew weqatal of cultic command (וְעָשִׂיתָ), an instruction with the force of an imperative; it governs the entire construction sequence of the incense altar (vv. 1–5).
θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativedirect object of ποιήσεις→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar' (lit. 'place of sacrifice'); a distinctively Jewish-Greek coinage (from θυσιάζω) that the LXX reserves for the legitimate altar of YHWH, as opposed to βωμός used for pagan altars; renders Hebrew מִזְבֵּחַ.
θυμιάματοςof incenseGenitivegenitive of purpose/description (defining the altar's function)→ relational specificationθυμίαμα: 'incense / fragrant offering'; from θυμιάω ('to burn / make smoke'); renders Hebrew קְטֹרֶת; the genitive θυσιαστήριον θυμιάματος ('altar of incense') distinguishes this inner-tent altar from the bronze altar of burnt offering (θυσιαστήριον τῶν ὁλοκαυτωμάτων, v. 28).
ἐκfrom / ofpreposition + genitive (material)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (material).
ξύλωνwood / timbersGenitivegenitive of material (object of ἐκ)→ relational specificationξύλον (pl. ξύλα): 'wood / timber / piece of wood'; renders Hebrew עֵץ; the plural with ἀσήπτων is the standard LXX phrase for the acacia-wood (Hebrew עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים) of the tabernacle furniture (cf. 25:5; 25:10).
ἀσήπτωνincorruptible / unrottingGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ξύλων)→ relational specificationἄσηπτος: 'not liable to rot / incorruptible'; from alpha-privative + σήπω ('to rot'); the LXX's regular rendering of Hebrew שִׁטָּה (acacia), chosen for the wood's durability; the choice of a rot-proof timber for the sanctuary may carry overtones of the imperishability proper to holy things.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσειςyou shall makeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (resumptive legislative future)→ legislative future (resumptive command)ποιέω: the repetition καὶ ποιήσεις αὐτό ('and you shall make it') is a Hebraism resuming the command with the pronominal object; such resumptive repetition is characteristic of the LXX's literal rendering of the construction-instructions.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object (resuming θυσιαστήριον)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the neuter αὐτό agrees with θυσιαστήριον (neuter); the resumptive pronoun closes the verse, marking the altar as the focus of all that follows.
2
πήχεος τὸ μῆκος καὶ πήχεος τὸ εὖρος τετράγωνον ἔσται καὶ δύο πήχεων τὸ ὕψος ἐξ αὐτοῦ ἔσται τὰ κέρατα αὐτοῦ
A cubit shall be its length and a cubit its breadth; it shall be square, and two cubits its height; its horns shall be of one piece with it.
v. 2 gives the measurements in the asyndetic, list-like style typical of the construction-instructions: length, breadth, height, and the integral horns. The genitives of measure (πήχεος, δύο πήχεων) render the Hebrew construct of dimension; the closing clause ἐξ αὐτοῦ ἔσται τὰ κέρατα αὐτοῦ ('its horns shall be from it') specifies that the horns are not attached but worked from the same block — significant for the atonement rite of v. 10.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
πήχεοςof a cubitGenitivegenitive of measure (predicative: 'a cubit in length')→ relational specificationπῆχυς (gen. πήχεος): 'cubit / forearm'; renders Hebrew אַמָּה; the genitive of measure expresses dimension; the cubit (c. 44–52 cm) is the standard tabernacle unit; the small one-cubit footprint marks the incense altar as far smaller than the bronze altar (5 cubits square, 27:1).
τὸtheNominativearticle (with μῆκος)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μῆκοςlengthNominativesubject (nominative of the thing measured)→ participant prominenceμῆκος: 'length'; renders Hebrew אֹרֶךְ; the nominative τὸ μῆκος is the subject of which πήχεος is predicated ('the length [is] of a cubit').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πήχεοςof a cubitGenitivegenitive of measure (parallel: 'a cubit in breadth')→ relational specificationπήχεος: meaning 'of a cubit'; it serves as genitive of measure (parallel: 'a cubit in breadth').
τὸtheNominativearticle (with εὖρος)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὖροςbreadth / widthNominativesubject (nominative of the thing measured)→ participant prominenceεὖρος: 'breadth / width'; renders Hebrew רֹחַב; the equal length and breadth establish the square plan made explicit by τετράγωνον.
τετράγωνονsquare / four-corneredNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται: 'it shall be square')→ participant prominenceτετράγωνος: 'four-cornered / square'; from τέτρα- + γωνία ('angle'); renders Hebrew רָבוּעַ; the squareness of both altars (cf. 27:1) reflects the geometric regularity proper to sacred objects; the same adjective describes the high-priest's breastplate (28:16).
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb (predicating τετράγωνον of the altar)→ legislative future (prescriptive 'shall be')εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; the future ἔσται in these instructions has prescriptive force, rendering the Hebrew imperfect of specification ('it is to be').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δύοtwoGenitiveindeclinable numeral (with πήχεων: 'of two cubits')→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; indeclinable here in the genitive phrase of measure; the height of two cubits makes the incense altar twice as tall as it is wide, a slender pillar-like form.
πήχεωνof cubitsGenitivegenitive of measure (height specification)→ relational specificationπῆχυς (gen. pl. πήχεων): 'cubit'; the genitive plural with δύο gives the height; the LXX preserves the Hebrew construct-of-measure idiom throughout the dimensions.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with ὕψος)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕψοςheightNominativesubject (nominative of the thing measured)→ participant prominenceὕψος: 'height'; renders Hebrew קוֹמָה; completes the three-dimensional specification of the altar's body before the horns are described.
ἐξfrom / ofpreposition + genitive (source/integral origin)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ (ἐξ before vowel): here marks integral origin — the horns proceed 'out of' the altar itself, not added separately; renders Hebrew מִמֶּנּוּ ('from it').
αὐτοῦitGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ ('of one piece with it')→ relational specificationαὐτός: the genitive ἐξ αὐτοῦ ('from it') indicates that the horns are worked from the same block as the altar body, a single integral structure.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb (with τὰ κέρατα as subject)→ legislative future (prescriptive 'shall be')εἰμί (fut.): the singular ἔσται with the neuter plural subject τὰ κέρατα follows the regular Greek rule (neuter plural takes singular verb), here also matching the Hebrew.
τὰtheNominativearticle (with κέρατα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κέραταhornsNominativesubject of ἔσται (neuter plural)→ participant prominenceκέρας (pl. κέρατα): 'horn'; renders Hebrew קֶרֶן; the four projecting horns at the altar's corners are the focal point of the atonement rite (v. 10, ἐπὶ τῶν κεράτων); blood applied to the horns is a recurrent motif of LXX sacrificial law (cf. Lev 4:7).
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying κέρατα)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying κέρατα).
3
καὶ καταχρυσώσεις αὐτὰ χρυσίῳ καθαρῷ τὴν ἐσχάραν αὐτοῦ καὶ τοὺς τοίχους αὐτοῦ κύκλῳ καὶ τὰ κέρατα αὐτοῦ καὶ ποιήσεις αὐτῷ στρεπτὴν στεφάνην χρυσῆν κύκλῳ
And you shall gild them with pure gold — its grate and its sides round about and its horns — and you shall make for it a twisted molding of gold round about.
v. 3 prescribes the gold overlay of the altar's surfaces and the twisted gold molding (στρεπτὴν στεφάνην) that crowns it, matching the same feature on the ark and table (25:11, 25:24). The plural αὐτά is then unpacked by an appositional list (grate, sides, horns), a paratactic specification characteristic of the LXX's literal rendering.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταχρυσώσειςyou shall gild / overlay with goldFut Act Indic 2 Sg · καταχρυσόωmain verb (legislative future)→ legislative future (command to overlay)καταχρυσόω: 'gild / overlay completely with gold'; the perfective compound κατα- intensifies χρυσόω ('to gild'); renders Hebrew צִפָּה zָהָב ('overlay with gold'); the same verb governs the gilding of the carrying-poles in v. 5.
αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object (proleptic plural, unpacked by the following list)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the neuter plural αὐτά anticipates the three items named in apposition (grate, sides, horns); the proleptic pronoun followed by an explanatory list is a Hebraizing construction.
χρυσίῳwith goldDativedative of material/instrument→ sphere or referenceχρυσίον: 'gold' (often of wrought or refined gold, diminutive in form but not in sense); renders Hebrew זָהָב; the dative of material specifies what the overlay consists of.
καθαρῷpureDativeattributive adjective (modifying χρυσίῳ)→ sphere or referenceκαθαρός: 'pure / clean / unalloyed'; renders Hebrew טָהוֹר; 'pure gold' (χρυσίον καθαρόν) is the standard material for the innermost sacred furniture, distinguishing the holiest objects from those of bronze or alloyed metal.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἐσχάραν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐσχάρανgrate / hearthAccusativeaccusative in apposition to αὐτά (first item gilded)→ object specificationἐσχάρα: 'hearth / brazier / grate'; in classical Greek the fire-pan or hearth; here the LXX uses it for the top surface of the incense altar (Hebrew גָּג, 'roof / top'); the term ties the altar to the burning of fire and incense upon it.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending the list)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with τοίχους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τοίχουςwalls / sidesAccusativeaccusative in apposition to αὐτά (second item gilded)→ object specificationτοῖχος: 'wall / side (of a structure)'; renders Hebrew קִיר; the vertical sides of the altar's body are to be gilded along with the top and horns, leaving no ungilded surface.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κύκλῳround about / all aroundDativeadverbial dative (of place: 'all around')→ sphere or referenceκύκλος (dat. κύκλῳ): used adverbially, 'round about / on all sides'; renders Hebrew סָבִיב; specifies that the gilding and (below) the molding encircle the whole altar.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending the list)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with κέρατα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κέραταhornsAccusativeaccusative in apposition to αὐτά (third item gilded)→ object specificationκέρας (pl. κέρατα): the horns too are gilded, so that the blood of atonement (v. 10) will be applied to a golden surface; the integral, gilded horns unify the altar's holiness.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσειςyou shall makeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (legislative future)→ legislative future (command to make)ποιέω: here governs the making of the decorative molding; the same verb structures every sub-command of the altar's construction.
αὐτῷfor itDativedative of advantage ('for it')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): the dative of advantage, 'for the altar'; the molding is made as an ornament belonging to it.
στρεπτὴνtwisted / wreathedAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying στεφάνην)→ object specificationστρεπτός: 'twisted / plaited / wreathed'; verbal adjective from στρέφω ('to twist'); describes the molding as a twisted or cabled rim; the same phrase στρεπτὴ στεφάνη describes the moldings of the ark and table (cf. 25:11, 25:24).
στεφάνηνmolding / rim / crownAccusativedirect object of ποιήσεις→ object specificationστεφάνη: 'rim / border / molding' (related to στέφανος, 'crown'); renders Hebrew זֵר; an ornamental gold border encircling the top of the altar, both decorative and a finishing edge.
χρυσῆνgoldenAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying στεφάνην)→ object specificationχρυσοῦς (contracted χρυσῆ): 'golden / of gold'; renders Hebrew זָהָב; the gold molding matches the gilded surfaces, completing the altar's uniform golden appearance.
κύκλῳround aboutDativeadverbial dative (of place: 'all around')→ sphere or referenceκύκλῳ: the molding, like the gilding, encircles the altar entirely; the repetition of κύκλῳ frames the verse's two halves (gilding and molding) with the same encompassing motif.
4
καὶ δύο δακτυλίους χρυσοῦς καθαροὺς ποιήσεις ὑπὸ τὴν στρεπτὴν στεφάνην αὐτοῦ εἰς τὰ δύο κλίτη ποιήσεις ἐν τοῖς δυσὶ πλευροῖς καὶ ἔσονται ψαλίδες ταῖς σκυτάλαις ὥστε αἴρειν αὐτὸ ἐν αὐταῖς
And you shall make two rings of pure gold under its twisted molding, at its two corners; you shall make them on its two sides, and they shall be holders for the carrying-poles, so as to lift it by them.
v. 4 prescribes the gold rings beneath the molding that receive the carrying-poles, making the altar portable for the wilderness march. The fronted object δύο δακτυλίους and the doubled ποιήσεις reflect the Hebrew syntax; ψαλίδες ('holders / clasps') is a vivid technical term for the ring-sockets that grip the poles.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δύοtwoAccusativeindeclinable numeral (modifying δακτυλίους)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; the two rings (one per side) suffice for a small altar carried by a single pair of poles, fewer than the four rings of the larger ark (25:12).
δακτυλίουςringsAccusativedirect object of ποιήσεις (fronted)→ object specificationδακτύλιος: 'ring' (lit. 'finger-ring', from δάκτυλος); renders Hebrew טַבַּעַת; the rings are the sockets through which the carrying-poles pass; the term is used throughout the tabernacle furniture-instructions.
χρυσοῦςgoldenAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying δακτυλίους)→ object specificationχρυσοῦς: 'golden / of gold'; renders Hebrew זָהָב; the rings, like all the altar's fittings, are of gold to maintain the purity of the holy object.
καθαροὺςpureAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying δακτυλίους)→ object specificationκαθαρός: 'pure / unalloyed'; the pairing χρυσοῦς καθαρός ('of pure gold') reinforces that even the functional fittings are of the highest-grade metal.
ποιήσειςyou shall makeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (legislative future)→ legislative future (command to make)ποιέω: governs the making of the rings; its repetition later in the verse (a second ποιήσεις) is a resumptive Hebraism.
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (position: 'under')→ spatial or relational framingὑπό + acc.: 'under / beneath'; locates the rings below the decorative molding, where they are unobtrusive yet structurally placed for the poles.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with στεφάνην)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στρεπτὴνtwistedAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying στεφάνην)→ object specificationστρεπτός: 'twisted / wreathed'; refers back to the molding of v. 3, beneath which the rings are positioned.
στεφάνηνmolding / rimAccusativeaccusative object of ὑπό→ object specificationστεφάνη: the gold molding of v. 3; the rings are set just beneath it so the poles run along the altar's upper body.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰςat / topreposition + accusative (location: 'at the two corners')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: here marking position/placement, 'at'; the rings are set at the two corners or sides of the altar.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with κλίτη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δύοtwoAccusativeindeclinable numeral (modifying κλίτη)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; the two corners/sides correspond to the two rings and the single pair of poles.
κλίτηcorners / sidesAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationκλίτος (pl. κλίτη): 'side / flank / corner'; renders Hebrew צֵלָע / צַד; designates the two opposite sides of the altar where the rings are attached.
ποιήσειςyou shall makeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (resumptive legislative future)→ legislative future (resumptive command)ποιέω: the second ποιήσεις resumes the command, clarifying the placement 'on the two sides'; such repetition mirrors the Hebrew construction-style.
ἐνon / inpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with πλευροῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δυσὶtwoDativenumeral (dative, modifying πλευροῖς)→ sphere or referenceδύο (dat. δυσί): 'two'; the dative plural form agrees with πλευροῖς, restating the two-sided symmetry of the ring placement.
πλευροῖςsides / flanksDativedative object of ἐν (location)→ sphere or referenceπλευρόν (pl. πλευρά / πλευροῖς): 'side / rib / flank'; renders Hebrew צֵלָע; near-synonymous with κλίτη above, here specifying the two flanks of the altar on which the rings sit.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσονταιthey shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb (with ψαλίδες as predicate)→ legislative future (prescriptive 'shall serve as')εἰμί (fut. ἔσονται): 'be'; the future of purpose-result ('and they shall be holders'), explaining the rings' function as sockets for the poles.
ψαλίδεςholders / claspsNominativepredicate nominative (with ἔσονται)→ participant prominenceψαλίς (pl. ψαλίδες): 'clasp / arch / ring-socket'; in this technical sense the part that grips or holds the carrying-pole; the LXX uses it for the ring-housings that receive the σκυτάλαι; the term conveys the secure, gripping function of the rings.
ταῖςfor theDativearticle (with σκυτάλαις)→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκυτάλαιςfor the poles / stavesDativedative of advantage/purpose ('holders for the poles')→ sphere or referenceσκυτάλη: 'staff / pole / carrying-bar'; renders Hebrew בַּד; the poles inserted through the rings for transporting the altar; the same term is used of the ark's and table's poles (25:13–14).
ὥστεso as toresult/purpose conjunction (+ infinitive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε: 'so that / so as to'; with the infinitive αἴρειν it expresses the intended result — the purpose of the rings and poles is portability.
αἴρεινto lift / carryPres Act Inf · αἴρωcomplementary infinitive (with ὥστε: result/purpose)→ present infinitive (ongoing action of carrying)αἴρω: 'lift up / take up / carry'; renders Hebrew נָשָׂא; the present infinitive denotes the repeated act of carrying the altar on the march; the rings-and-poles design recurs for all the portable furniture.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of αἴρειν (the altar)→ participant referenceαὐτός: neuter αὐτό agreeing with θυσιαστήριον, the object lifted.
ἐνby / withpreposition + dative (instrumental)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: here instrumental, 'by means of them'; a Hebraizing instrumental use of ἐν rendering בְּ.
αὐταῖςthemDativedative object of ἐν (instrumental: 'by them', the poles)→ sphere or referenceαὐτός (dat. fem. pl. αὐταῖς): refers to the σκυτάλαι (feminine), the poles by which the altar is borne.
5
καὶ ποιήσεις σκυτάλας ἐκ ξύλων ἀσήπτων καὶ καταχρυσώσεις αὐτὰς χρυσίῳ
And you shall make the poles of incorruptible wood, and you shall gild them with gold.
v. 5 completes the transport-apparatus: the poles, like the altar itself, are of acacia wood overlaid with gold. The verse echoes v. 1's καὶ ποιήσεις … ἐκ ξύλων ἀσήπτων, framing the construction-unit (vv. 1–5) with the same materials-formula.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσειςyou shall makeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (legislative future)→ legislative future (command to make)ποιέω: 'make'; the repeated construction-verb, here governing the carrying-poles; the same wood-and-gold formula recurs from v. 1.
σκυτάλαςpoles / stavesAccusativedirect object of ποιήσεις→ object specificationσκυτάλη (pl. σκυτάλας): 'staff / carrying-pole'; renders Hebrew בַּד; the poles named in v. 4 as inserted through the rings are now themselves specified as to material.
ἐκfrom / ofpreposition + genitive (material)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (material).
ξύλωνwood / timbersGenitivegenitive of material (object of ἐκ)→ relational specificationξύλον (pl. ξύλα): 'wood'; the acacia wood of the whole tabernacle furniture, the same as the altar's body.
ἀσήπτωνincorruptible / unrottingGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying ξύλων)→ relational specificationἄσηπτος: 'not liable to rot'; the LXX's regular rendering of Hebrew שִׁטָּה (acacia); cf. v. 1.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταχρυσώσειςyou shall gild / overlay with goldFut Act Indic 2 Sg · καταχρυσόωmain verb (legislative future)→ legislative future (command to overlay)καταχρυσόω: 'overlay completely with gold'; the same verb as in v. 3, applied now to the poles, so that even the transport-fittings share the altar's golden purity.
αὐτὰςthemAccusativedirect object (the poles)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. fem. pl. αὐτάς): refers to the σκυτάλαι (feminine), which are to be gilded.
χρυσίῳwith goldDativedative of material/instrument→ sphere or referenceχρυσίον: 'gold'; the dative of material; the poles are gilded like the altar itself.
6
καὶ θήσεις αὐτὸ ἀπέναντι τοῦ καταπετάσματος τοῦ ὄντος ἐπὶ τῆς κιβωτοῦ τῶν μαρτυρίων ἐν οἷς γνωσθήσομαί σοι ἐκεῖθεν
And you shall set it before the veil that is over the ark of the testimonies, where I will make myself known to you from there.
v. 6 fixes the altar's position: before the veil (καταπέτασμα) that screens the ark of the testimony, the place of divine self-revelation (γνωσθήσομαί σοι). The incense altar thus stands at the threshold of the Most Holy Place, mediating between the priest's daily service and the hidden presence of YHWH above the mercy-seat.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θήσειςyou shall set / placeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (legislative future)→ legislative future (command to place)τίθημι (fut. θήσεις): 'set / place / put'; renders Hebrew נָתַן / שִׂים; the verb of installation locates each piece of furniture in its appointed place within the tent.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object (the altar)→ participant referenceαὐτός: neuter αὐτό = the incense altar (θυσιαστήριον).
ἀπέναντιbefore / oppositeimproper preposition + genitive (position: 'opposite')→ spatial or relational framingἀπέναντι: 'opposite / in front of / over against'; renders Hebrew לִפְנֵי; locates the altar directly before the veil, on the Holy-Place side.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with καταπετάσματος)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καταπετάσματοςveil / curtainGenitivegenitive object of ἀπέναντι→ relational specificationκαταπέτασμα: 'curtain / veil'; from καταπετάννυμι ('spread down over'); renders Hebrew פָּרֹכֶת; the inner veil dividing the Holy from the Most Holy Place; the same term, in NT use, is the veil torn at the crucifixion (Matt 27:51; Heb 9:3).
τοῦthatGenitivearticle (substantivizing the participle ὄντος)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄντοςbeing / that isPres Act Ptcp Gen Sg Neut · εἰμίattributive participle (modifying καταπετάσματος: 'the veil that is')→ stative present participle (describing the veil's standing position)εἰμί (ptcp. ὄν, gen. ὄντος): 'being'; the articular participle τοῦ ὄντος ('which is') introduces a relative-like description of the veil's position over the ark; a common LXX way of rendering the Hebrew relative אֲשֶׁר.
ἐπὶover / uponpreposition + genitive (position: 'over')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: 'over / upon'; locates the veil as hanging over (in front of) the ark; the LXX conceives the veil as screening the ark from the Holy Place.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with κιβωτοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτοῦark / chestGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί→ relational specificationκιβωτός: 'box / chest / ark'; renders Hebrew אֲרוֹן; the LXX's term both for the ark of the covenant and (in Genesis) for Noah's ark; here the sacred chest containing the testimony.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with μαρτυρίων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίωνof the testimoniesGenitivegenitive of content (defining the ark: 'ark of the testimonies')→ relational specificationμαρτύριον (pl. μαρτυρίων): 'testimony / witness'; renders Hebrew עֵדוּת; designates the tablets of the law deposited in the ark; the genitive plural here is a LXX variant of the more usual singular κιβωτὸς τοῦ μαρτυρίου ('ark of the testimony').
ἐνin / wherepreposition + dative (locative-relative: 'in which / where')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: introducing a relative clause of place, 'in which / where'; the antecedent is the place of the ark and veil, the locus of revelation.
οἷςwhichDativerelative pronoun (dative, object of ἐν: 'where')→ participant reference or interestὅς (dat. pl. οἷς): relative pronoun; the plural agrees loosely with μαρτυρίων / the sacred precincts; ἐν οἷς = 'where / in which place' I will reveal myself.
γνωσθήσομαίI will be known / make myself knownFut Pass Indic 1 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb of relative clause (divine self-revelation)→ predictive future passive (with reflexive sense: 'I will reveal myself')γινώσκω (fut. pass. γνωσθήσομαι): 'be known / make oneself known'; renders Hebrew נוֹעַד / יָדַע (Niphal); the passive carries a reflexive-revelatory force — YHWH will cause himself to be known from above the ark (cf. 25:22, the place of meeting and speaking); the incense altar stands at the very threshold of this divine self-disclosure.
σοιto youDativedative of indirect object (Moses as recipient of revelation)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): 'to you' (Moses); the revelation is addressed personally to Moses as mediator, at the ark above which YHWH meets him.
ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (source of the revelation)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there / thence'; renders Hebrew מִשָּׁם; pinpoints the source of divine speech — from above the mercy-seat between the cherubim; the same locative emphasis recurs at v. 36 (ἐκεῖθεν).
7
καὶ θυμιάσει ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῦ Ααρων θυμίαμα σύνθετον λεπτόν τὸ πρωὶ πρωί ὅταν ἐπισκευάζῃ τοὺς λύχνους θυμιάσει ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῦ
And Aaron shall burn upon it a compounded, fine incense; every morning, when he trims the lamps, he shall burn it upon it.
v. 7 turns from construction to use: Aaron is to burn the compounded incense each morning, synchronized with the tending of the lamps. The reduplicated τὸ πρωὶ πρωί ('morning by morning') is a Hebraism (בַּבֹּקֶר בַּבֹּקֶר) for daily regularity; the verse and the next (evening) establish the perpetual twice-daily incense.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θυμιάσειshall burn (incense)Fut Act Indic 3 Sg · θυμιάωmain verb (cultic prescription)→ legislative future (prescribing recurrent duty)θυμιάω: 'burn incense / make smoke offering'; cognate with θυμίαμα and θυσιαστήριον θυμιάματος; renders Hebrew הִקְטִיר; the future has gnomic-prescriptive force, denoting Aaron's standing daily obligation.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + genitive (position: 'upon it')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: 'upon'; the incense is burned on the surface of the altar; ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῦ frames the verse, opening and closing it.
αὐτοῦitGenitivegenitive object of ἐπ᾿ (the altar)→ relational specificationαὐτός: the altar; the incense is offered on its golden hearth (ἐσχάρα, v. 3).
ΑαρωνAaronsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliteration of Hebrew אַהֲרֹן; indeclinable in the LXX; Aaron as high priest is the designated officiant of the incense offering; his sole right to it underlies the later judgment on Korah and on Uzziah (Num 16; 2 Chr 26:16–21).
θυμίαμαincenseAccusativedirect object of θυμιάσει→ object specificationθυμίαμα: 'incense'; the cognate object of θυμιάσει; the specific compound is detailed in vv. 34–35.
σύνθετονcompounded / mixedAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying θυμίαμα)→ object specificationσύνθετος: 'compounded / put together'; from συντίθημι ('combine'); renders Hebrew סַמִּים or the notion of a blended preparation; marks the incense as a specially blended composition, not a single substance — anticipating the recipe of vv. 34–35.
λεπτόνfine / finely-groundAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying θυμίαμα)→ object specificationλεπτός: 'fine / thin / finely powdered'; from λέπω ('to peel / pound'); the incense is finely beaten, as confirmed by συγκόψεις … λεπτόν at v. 36; the fineness ensures even burning and fragrant smoke.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with πρωὶ, adverbial-temporal accusative)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωὶmorningAccusativeadverbial accusative of time (with reduplication: 'morning by morning')→ object specificationπρωί: 'early / in the morning'; the articular τὸ πρωί functions as a temporal phrase; renders Hebrew בֹּקֶר.
πρωίmorningAccusativeadverbial accusative (reduplicating πρωί: distributive 'every morning')→ object specificationπρωί: the reduplication τὸ πρωὶ πρωί is a Hebraism rendering בַּבֹּקֶר בַּבֹּקֶר ('morning by morning'), expressing daily, unbroken regularity of the incense rite.
ὅτανwhenever / whentemporal conjunction (+ subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅταν: 'when(ever)'; with the subjunctive ἐπισκευάζῃ it marks the recurring occasion — the incense is timed to coincide with the daily lamp-service.
ἐπισκευάζῃhe trims / tends / preparesPres Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐπισκευάζωverb of temporal clause (subjunctive with ὅταν)→ customary present subjunctive (recurrent action)ἐπισκευάζω: 'prepare / make ready / set in order / trim'; here of dressing or trimming the lamps (cf. Hebrew הֵיטִיב, 'tend / dress'); the present subjunctive denotes the regularly recurring morning lamp-care to which the incense is joined.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with λύχνους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λύχνουςlampsAccusativedirect object of ἐπισκευάζῃ→ object specificationλύχνος (pl. λύχνους): 'lamp'; renders Hebrew נֵר; the lamps of the golden lampstand (λυχνία, v. 27); the synchronizing of incense with lamp-tending unites the two daily priestly acts in the Holy Place.
θυμιάσειhe shall burn (incense)Fut Act Indic 3 Sg · θυμιάωmain verb (resumptive prescription)→ legislative future (resumptive)θυμιάω: the resumptive θυμιάσει ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῦ at the verse's end restates the duty after the temporal clause, a Hebraizing repetition framing the morning rite.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + genitive (position: 'upon it')→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position: 'upon it').
αὐτοῦitGenitivegenitive object of ἐπ᾿ (the altar)→ relational specificationαὐτός: the altar, on which the morning incense is offered.
8
καὶ ὅταν ἐξάπτῃ Ααρων τοὺς λύχνους ὀψέ θυμιάσει ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῦ θυμίαμα ἐνδελεχισμοῦ διὰ παντὸς ἔναντι κυρίου εἰς γενεὰς αὐτῶν
And when Aaron kindles the lamps in the evening, he shall burn it upon it — a perpetual incense, continually before the LORD throughout their generations.
v. 8 completes the twice-daily rhythm with the evening offering, again synchronized with the lamps (now kindled rather than trimmed). The phrase θυμίαμα ἐνδελεχισμοῦ διὰ παντός ('incense of perpetuity, continually') and εἰς γενεὰς αὐτῶν ('throughout their generations') sets the rite as an unbroken institution — the LXX background to the 'continual' worship language of Hebrews.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὅτανwhen / whenevertemporal conjunction (+ subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅταν: 'when(ever)'; with ἐξάπτῃ marks the recurring evening occasion, parallel to ὅταν ἐπισκευάζῃ of v. 7.
ἐξάπτῃhe kindles / lightsPres Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐξάπτωverb of temporal clause (subjunctive with ὅταν)→ customary present subjunctive (recurrent action)ἐξάπτω: 'kindle / set alight / fasten on'; the compound ἐξ- intensifies ἅπτω ('kindle'); here of lighting the lamps at dusk; renders Hebrew הֶעֱלָה ('cause to go up / light'); the evening lighting balances the morning trimming of v. 7.
ΑαρωνAaronsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑαρων: the high priest; again the sole officiant of the lamp-and-incense service.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with λύχνους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λύχνουςlampsAccusativedirect object of ἐξάπτῃ→ object specificationλύχνος: 'lamp'; the lamps of the lampstand, kindled at evening to burn through the night (cf. 27:20–21).
ὀψέin the evening / at duskadverb of time (temporal: 'late / at evening')→ clausal contributionὀψέ: 'late / in the evening'; renders Hebrew בֵּין הָעַרְבַּיִם ('between the two evenings'); marks the second of the two daily incense-times, balancing τὸ πρωὶ πρωί of v. 7.
θυμιάσειhe shall burn (incense)Fut Act Indic 3 Sg · θυμιάωmain verb (cultic prescription)→ legislative future (prescribing recurrent duty)θυμιάω: 'burn incense'; the evening offering parallel to the morning one of v. 7, completing the twice-daily rite.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + genitive (position: 'upon it')→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position: 'upon it').
αὐτοῦitGenitivegenitive object of ἐπ᾿ (the altar)→ relational specificationαὐτός: the altar.
θυμίαμαincenseAccusativedirect object of θυμιάσει→ object specificationθυμίαμα: 'incense'; here qualified by the genitive ἐνδελεχισμοῦ ('of perpetuity').
ἐνδελεχισμοῦof perpetuity / of continuanceGenitivegenitive of quality (defining θυμίαμα: 'perpetual incense')→ relational specificationἐνδελεχισμός: 'continuance / perpetuity'; from ἐνδελεχής ('continuous'); the standard LXX rendering of Hebrew תָּמִיד ('continual'); θυμίαμα ἐνδελεχισμοῦ is the 'perpetual incense', the technical term for the unceasing daily offering (cf. the ὁλοκαύτωσις ἐνδελεχισμοῦ, the 'continual burnt-offering', Exod 29:42).
διὰthrough / throughoutpreposition + genitive (in idiom διὰ παντός: 'continually')→ spatial or relational framingδιά + gen.: in the idiom διὰ παντός ('through all [time]'), 'continually / always'; reinforces the perpetuity already named by ἐνδελεχισμοῦ.
παντὸςall / continuallyGenitivesubstantive in idiom διὰ παντός ('continually')→ relational specificationπᾶς (gen. παντός): 'all'; in διὰ παντός = 'continually / perpetually'; the doubled perpetuity-language (ἐνδελεχισμοῦ … διὰ παντός) underscores that the incense must never lapse.
ἔναντιbefore / in the presence ofimproper preposition + genitive (presence: 'before the LORD')→ spatial or relational framingἔναντι: 'before / in the presence of'; renders Hebrew לִפְנֵי; the incense rises perpetually in the immediate divine presence, a constant token of acceptable worship (cf. Ps 140[141]:2, incense as prayer).
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἔναντι→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): the LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; ἔναντι κυρίου ('before the LORD') marks the incense as offered directly to the divine presence at the veil.
εἰςfor / throughoutpreposition + accusative (extent: 'throughout the generations')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: marking temporal extent, 'unto / throughout'; the phrase εἰς γενεάς signals the perpetual, trans-generational force of the ordinance.
γενεὰςgenerationsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (temporal extent)→ object specificationγενεά (pl. γενεάς): 'generation'; renders Hebrew דּוֹר; εἰς γενεὰς αὐτῶν ('throughout their generations') is a standard LXX perpetuity-formula institutionalizing the rite for all future Israel.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying γενεάς)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): 'their' (the Israelites'); the perpetual incense belongs to all their generations, binding successive priesthoods to the same daily service.
9
καὶ οὐκ ἀνοίσεις ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῦ θυμίαμα ἕτερον κάρπωμα θυσίαν καὶ σπονδὴν οὐ σπείσεις ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῦ
And you shall not offer upon it strange incense, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice; and a libation you shall not pour upon it.
v. 9 guards the incense altar's exclusive function: no 'strange' incense, no burnt offering or grain offering, no libation may be brought on it. The two negated futures (οὐκ ἀνοίσεις … οὐ σπείσεις) frame a prohibition that protects the altar's holiness, anticipating the deadly 'strange fire' of Nadab and Abihu (Lev 10:1).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἀνοίσεις)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ (οὐκ before vowel): objective negative; with the legislative future it forms a categorical prohibition, 'you shall not'.
ἀνοίσειςyou shall offer up / bring upFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀναφέρωmain verb (prohibitive legislative future)→ prohibitive future (categorical 'you shall not offer')ἀναφέρω (fut. ἀνοίσω): 'bring up / offer up'; the cultic term for presenting an offering on the altar (rendering Hebrew הֶעֱלָה); the negated future bars any offering on the incense altar other than the prescribed incense.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position).
αὐτοῦitGenitivegenitive object of ἐπ᾿ (the altar)→ relational specificationαὐτός: the altar.
θυμίαμαincenseAccusativedirect object of ἀνοίσεις→ object specificationθυμίαμα: 'incense'; here qualified as ἕτερον ('other / strange'), i.e. incense not of the prescribed composition.
ἕτερονother / strangeAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying θυμίαμα)→ object specificationἕτερος: 'other / different / strange'; renders Hebrew זָרָה ('strange / unauthorized'); θυμίαμα ἕτερον is 'strange incense', any blend other than the holy compound; the prohibition parallels the 'strange fire' (πῦρ ἀλλότριον) condemned at Lev 10:1.
κάρπωμαburnt offeringAccusativeaccusative (further prohibited offering, asyndetic)→ object specificationκάρπωμα: 'burnt offering / fruit-offering'; from καρπόω ('offer in sacrifice'); a LXX cultic term for an offering wholly consumed by fire (rendering Hebrew עֹלָה / אִשֶּׁה); such fire-offerings belong on the bronze altar, not on the incense altar.
θυσίανsacrifice / grain offeringAccusativeaccusative (further prohibited offering, asyndetic)→ object specificationθυσία: 'sacrifice / offering'; renders Hebrew מִנְחָה / זֶבַח; the grain or slain offering, likewise barred from the incense altar; the asyndetic list (incense, burnt offering, sacrifice) excludes every alternative use.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the libation prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σπονδὴνlibation / drink offeringAccusativedirect object of σπείσεις (fronted)→ object specificationσπονδή: 'libation / drink-offering'; renders Hebrew נֶסֶךְ; the poured offering of wine; its cognate verb σπένδω follows immediately, forming a figura etymologica ('a libation you shall not pour').
οὐnotnegative particle (with σπείσεις)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: the second categorical negative, barring the libation.
σπείσειςyou shall pour outFut Act Indic 2 Sg · σπένδωmain verb (prohibitive legislative future)→ prohibitive future (categorical 'you shall not pour')σπένδω (fut. σπείσω): 'pour out a libation'; cognate with σπονδή, forming the cognate construction σπονδὴν … σπείσεις; renders Hebrew נָסַךְ; the incense altar admits no poured offering, only the fragrant smoke of incense.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position).
αὐτοῦitGenitivegenitive object of ἐπ᾿ (the altar)→ relational specificationαὐτός: the altar; the repeated ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῦ at the close reinforces that the restriction applies wholly to this one altar.
10
καὶ ἐξιλάσεται ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸ Ααρων ἐπὶ τῶν κεράτων αὐτοῦ ἅπαξ τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ αἵματος τοῦ καθαρισμοῦ τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν τοῦ ἐξιλασμοῦ ἅπαξ τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ καθαριεῖ αὐτὸ εἰς τὰς γενεὰς αὐτῶν ἅγιον τῶν ἁγίων ἐστὶν κυρίῳ
And once a year Aaron shall make atonement on its horns; from the blood of purification for sins, of the atonement, once a year he shall cleanse it throughout their generations; it is most holy to the LORD.
v. 10 closes the incense-altar unit with the once-a-year atonement rite on its horns, performed with the blood of purification — the Day-of-Atonement background developed in Heb 9. The doubled ἅπαξ τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ ('once a year') brackets the rite, and the closing declaration ἅγιον τῶν ἁγίων ἐστὶν κυρίῳ ('it is most holy to the LORD') seals the altar's supreme sanctity.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξιλάσεταιshall make atonementFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐξιλάσκομαιmain verb (cultic prescription)→ legislative future (prescribing the annual rite)ἐξιλάσκομαι: 'make atonement / propitiate / expiate'; the standard LXX rendering of Hebrew כִּפֶּר (Piel of כפר); the middle voice presents Aaron as performing the rite that purges the altar; the verb and its noun ἐξιλασμός dominate the atonement vocabulary of the Pentateuch (cf. Lev 16).
ἐπ᾿upon / forpreposition + accusative (object of atonement: 'upon it')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: here 'upon / for'; ἐξιλάσκομαι ἐπί = 'make atonement upon/for'; the altar itself is the object purified by the rite.
αὐτὸitAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπ᾿ (the altar atoned for)→ participant referenceαὐτός: neuter αὐτό = the altar; the object of the annual purgation.
ΑαρωνAaronsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑαρων: the high priest, sole performer of the atonement rite; the annual purgation of the incense altar parallels the Day-of-Atonement cleansing of the sanctuary (Lev 16:18–19).
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (place of blood-application)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: 'on / upon'; specifies the horns as the precise site where the atoning blood is daubed.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with κεράτων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεράτωνhornsGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (place of blood-application)→ relational specificationκέρας (gen. pl. κεράτων): 'horn'; the four integral horns (vv. 2–3) receive the atoning blood; blood on the horns of the altar is the focal gesture of the purification offering (cf. Lev 4:7, 18), here applied to the incense altar annually.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying κεράτων)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying κεράτων).
ἅπαξonceadverb of frequency (with τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ: 'once a year')→ clausal contributionἅπαξ: 'once / one time'; the phrase ἅπαξ τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ ('once a year') is the LXX background to Heb 9:7 (ἅπαξ τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ … ὁ ἀρχιερεύς) and to the 'once for all' (ἐφάπαξ) Christology of Hebrews; here it marks the unique annual frequency of the rite.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἐνιαυτοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνιαυτοῦyearGenitivegenitive of time (with ἅπαξ: 'once in the year')→ relational specificationἐνιαυτός: 'year'; renders Hebrew שָׁנָה; the genitive of time within which the single annual atonement occurs.
ἀπὸfrom / withpreposition + genitive (source/means: 'from the blood')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό + gen.: here partitive-instrumental, 'with [some] of the blood'; the atonement is effected by applying a portion of the sacrificial blood.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with αἵματος)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἵματοςbloodGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (means of atonement)→ relational specificationαἷμα: 'blood'; renders Hebrew דָּם; the blood as the agent of purgation embodies the principle of Lev 17:11 (the blood makes atonement by the life it carries).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with καθαρισμοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καθαρισμοῦof purification / cleansingGenitivegenitive of description (defining αἵματος: 'blood of purification')→ relational specificationκαθαρισμός: 'cleansing / purification'; from καθαρίζω ('to cleanse'); renders Hebrew the כפר/חטא purgation idiom; 'the blood of purification' is the blood of the sin/purification offering whose function is to cleanse the sanctuary from defilement.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ἁμαρτιῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁμαρτιῶνof sinsGenitiveobjective genitive (the sins purged by the blood)→ relational specificationἁμαρτία (gen. pl. ἁμαρτιῶν): 'sin'; renders Hebrew חַטָּאת (which means both 'sin' and 'sin-offering'); the genitive defines the purification as directed against sins — the altar is cleansed of the people's accumulated defilement.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with ἐξιλασμοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξιλασμοῦof atonement / propitiationGenitivegenitive of description (defining the rite: 'of the atonement')→ relational specificationἐξιλασμός: 'atonement / propitiation / expiation'; the noun cognate with ἐξιλάσεται at the verse's head; renders Hebrew כִּפֻּרִים; 'the blood … of the atonement' names the Day-of-Atonement blood (cf. Lev 23:27–28); the term frames the whole rite as the great purgation.
ἅπαξonceadverb of frequency (resumptive: 'once a year')→ clausal contributionἅπαξ: the repeated ἅπαξ τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ brackets the atonement instruction, emphasizing its singular annual occurrence; the repetition is a Hebraizing inclusio.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἐνιαυτοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνιαυτοῦyearGenitivegenitive of time (with ἅπαξ: 'once in the year')→ relational specificationἐνιαυτός: 'year'; the second occurrence completing the resumptive 'once a year' formula.
καθαριεῖhe shall cleanse / purifyFut Act Indic 3 Sg · καθαρίζωmain verb (resumptive prescription)→ legislative future (prescribing the annual cleansing)καθαρίζω (fut. καθαριεῖ): 'cleanse / purify'; cognate with καθαρισμός above; the future restates the annual purgation as the verb of result — the altar is rendered clean once a year for all generations.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of καθαριεῖ (the altar)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the altar, the object cleansed.
εἰςthroughoutpreposition + accusative (temporal extent)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: 'unto / throughout'; with τὰς γενεάς marks the perpetual scope of the rite.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with γενεὰς)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γενεὰςgenerationsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (temporal extent)→ object specificationγενεά (pl. γενεάς): 'generation'; the perpetuity-formula εἰς τὰς γενεὰς αὐτῶν makes the annual atonement a standing institution for all Israel.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying γενεάς)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): 'their' (Israel's).
ἅγιονholyNominativepredicate adjective (with ἐστίν: 'it is holy')→ participant prominenceἅγιος: 'holy / set apart'; renders Hebrew קֹדֶשׁ; in the superlative idiom ἅγιον τῶν ἁγίων ('holy of holies / most holy') it ascribes the highest degree of sanctity to the altar.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ἁγίων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁγίωνof holy thingsGenitivepartitive genitive (superlative idiom: 'most holy')→ relational specificationἅγιος (gen. pl. ἁγίων): the construction ἅγιον τῶν ἁγίων is a Semitic superlative (Hebrew קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים) meaning 'most holy'; it ranks the incense altar with the holiest sancta, those of restricted access and supreme sanctity.
ἐστὶνit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb (declaring the altar's status)→ gnomic present (timeless declaration of sanctity)εἰμί (pres. ἐστίν): 'is'; the declarative present states the abiding sacral status of the altar, not a temporary condition.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of relation/possession ('holy to the LORD')→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): the LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the dative marks the altar as belonging in sanctity to YHWH — 'most holy to the LORD' — the standard formula of dedicated holiness.
11
καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν λέγων
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
v. 11 is the standard LXX speech-introduction καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν λέγων ('and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying'), marking a fresh divine ordinance. It segments the chapter, opening the census-ransom legislation (vv. 11–16); the same formula recurs at vv. 17 and 22.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing new divine speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single completed speech-act)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders Hebrew דִּבֶּר; the aorist ἐλάλησεν in the formula καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν is the standard Pentateuchal opening of a new divine legislative unit (cf. Lev 1:1).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the nominative subject of the speech-formula marks unmediated divine speech.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (recipient of speech)→ object specificationΜωυσῆς (acc. Μωυσῆν): transliteration of Hebrew מֹשֶׁה; declined as a first/third-declension hybrid in the LXX; the accusative as directional object of πρός.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introducing direct speech)→ present participle (Hebraizing complementizer 'saying')λέγω (ptcp. λέγων): 'saying'; renders Hebrew לֵאמֹר; the redundant participle functions as a quotation-marker introducing the divine words that follow — a hallmark Hebraism of LXX narrative.
12
ἐὰν λάβῃς τὸν συλλογισμὸν τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ ἐν τῇ ἐπισκοπῇ αὐτῶν καὶ δώσουσιν ἕκαστος λύτρα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ἐν αὐτοῖς πτῶσις ἐν τῇ ἐπισκοπῇ αὐτῶν
If you take the reckoning of the sons of Israel in their numbering, then each shall give a ransom for his soul to the LORD, and there shall be no plague among them in their numbering.
v. 12 opens the atonement-money law with a conditional protasis (ἐάν + subjunctive: 'if you take the census') and a double apodosis: each must give a λύτρα τῆς ψυχῆς ('ransom for his soul'), and so no πτῶσις ('plague / fall') will strike them. The danger associated with census-taking (cf. 2 Sam 24) is averted by the ransom; the verse is the lexical crux behind the temple-tax of Matt 17:24.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (+ subjunctive: protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; with the subjunctive introduces the conditional case-law (rendering Hebrew כִּי); the construction frames the legislation as applying whenever a census is taken.
λάβῃςyou takeAor Act Subj 2 Sg · λαμβάνωverb of protasis (subjunctive with ἐάν)→ aorist subjunctive (single contemplated act of census-taking)λαμβάνω (aor. subj. λάβῃς): 'take / receive'; the idiom λαμβάνω τὸν συλλογισμόν ('take the reckoning') renders Hebrew נָשָׂא אֶת־רֹאשׁ ('lift the head / take a census'); the aorist subjunctive views the census as a single contemplated event.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with συλλογισμὸν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συλλογισμὸνreckoning / sum / censusAccusativedirect object of λάβῃς→ object specificationσυλλογισμός: 'computation / reckoning / counting up'; from συλλογίζομαι ('reckon together'); here 'the census / numbering' of Israel; renders the Hebrew idiom for taking a head-count; the LXX uses an abstract accounting-term for the muster of the people.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with υἱῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive (those numbered: 'of the sons of Israel')→ relational specificationυἱός (gen. pl. υἱῶν): 'son'; the phrase οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ('the sons of Israel') is the standard LXX designation of the people; renders Hebrew בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; here functioning as a genitive 'of Israel' qualifying υἱῶν.
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (temporal/circumstantial: 'in their numbering')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: here temporal-circumstantial, 'at the time of / in the course of'; locates the ransom within the act of mustering.
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἐπισκοπῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπισκοπῇnumbering / visitation / musterDativedative object of ἐν (circumstantial)→ sphere or referenceἐπισκοπή: 'visitation / inspection / numbering'; from ἐπισκέπτομαι ('inspect / muster'); renders Hebrew פְּקֻדָּה / פָּקַד; the term carries the double sense of 'mustering' (counting) and 'visitation' (divine reckoning), so that the census is itself a moment of divine accounting — hence the need for ransom; in the NT the cognate ἐπισκοπή acquires the sense of 'office / oversight' (cf. Acts 1:20).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ἐπισκοπῇ)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying ἐπισκοπῇ).
καὶthen / andcoordinate conjunction (introducing apodosis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here functioning as the apodotic 'and / then', introducing the consequence of the protasis — a Hebraizing apodosis-marker (waw of apodosis).
δώσουσινthey shall giveFut Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb of apodosis (distributive with ἕκαστος)→ legislative future (prescribed obligation)δίδωμι (fut. δώσουσιν): 'give'; renders Hebrew נָתַן; the plural verb with the singular distributive subject ἕκαστος ('each will give') is a constructio ad sensum, applying the obligation to every individual Israelite.
ἕκαστοςeach oneNominativedistributive subject ('each man')→ participant prominenceἕκαστος: 'each / every one'; distributive, emphasizing that the ransom is an individual, universal obligation — no Israelite numbered is exempt; the same egalitarian principle is spelled out in v. 15 (rich and poor alike).
λύτραa ransom / ransom-priceAccusativedirect object of δώσουσιν→ object specificationλύτρον (pl. λύτρα): 'ransom / price of release'; from λύω ('loose / set free'); renders Hebrew כֹּפֶר ('ransom / covering-price'); λύτρα τῆς ψυχῆς ('ransom for the life/soul') is the price that redeems the numbered person from the danger inherent in being counted; the term anchors the NT λύτρον-saying of Mark 10:45 (δοῦναι τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ λύτρον ἀντὶ πολλῶν).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with ψυχῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχῆςof his soul / lifeGenitiveobjective genitive (the life ransomed)→ relational specificationψυχή: 'soul / life / self'; renders Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ; the genitive λύτρα τῆς ψυχῆς ('ransom of the soul') means a price paid on behalf of one's own life; ψυχή here is the whole living person, not a disembodied soul.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ψυχῆς)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying ψυχῆς).
τῷto theDativearticle (with κυρίῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of indirect object (recipient of the ransom)→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): the LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the ransom is paid to YHWH, framing the census-tax as a sacred due, not a civil levy.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second apodotic clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἔσται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ (οὐκ): the negative governing ἔσται — the assured absence of plague is the benefit of the ransom.
ἔσταιthere shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential verb (with πτῶσις as subject)→ predictive future (assured outcome of the ransom)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; here existential, 'there will be'; the negated future promises immunity from the plague that an unransomed census would provoke.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (location: 'among them')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location: 'among them').
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative object of ἐν ('among them')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. pl. αὐτοῖς): 'them' (the Israelites); the plague is averted from the whole numbered community.
πτῶσιςplague / downfall / destructionNominativesubject of ἔσται→ participant prominenceπτῶσις: 'fall / downfall / calamity'; from πίπτω ('to fall'); here 'plague / destroying blow'; renders Hebrew נֶגֶף ('plague / stroke'); the term recalls the lethal danger of an unransomed census (cf. the plague of 2 Sam 24:15); the ransom 'covers' each life so that no destroying blow falls.
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (temporal/circumstantial)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal/circumstantial).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἐπισκοπῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπισκοπῇnumbering / musterDativedative object of ἐν (circumstantial, repeated)→ sphere or referenceἐπισκοπή: the repeated ἐν τῇ ἐπισκοπῇ αὐτῶν frames the verse, binding the promise of safety specifically to the moment of mustering — the danger and its remedy both belong to the census.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying ἐπισκοπῇ)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): 'their'; closes the verse with the same possessive as its opening, an inclusio around the census-danger.
13
καὶ τοῦτό ἐστιν ὃ δώσουσιν ὅσοι ἂν παραπορεύωνται τὴν ἐπίσκεψιν τὸ ἥμισυ τοῦ διδράχμου ὅ ἐστιν κατὰ τὸ δίδραχμον τὸ ἅγιον εἴκοσι ὀβολοὶ τὸ δίδραχμον τὸ δὲ ἥμισυ τοῦ διδράχμου εἰσφορὰ κυρίῳ
And this is what they shall give, all who pass over to the numbering: the half of the didrachm, which is by the holy didrachm — the didrachm is twenty obols — and the half of the didrachm is a contribution to the LORD.
v. 13 fixes the ransom's amount: τὸ ἥμισυ τοῦ διδράχμου ('the half of the didrachm') by the sanctuary standard, with a parenthetical conversion (twenty obols to the didrachm). This is the precise vocabulary behind the temple-tax episode of Matt 17:24 (τὰ δίδραχμα); the half-shekel becomes the annual sanctuary due of later Judaism.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῦτόthisNominativedemonstrative subject (cataphoric: 'this is what...')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the cataphoric τοῦτο points forward to the specification that follows (the half-didrachm); a common LXX way of introducing a precise stipulation.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb (with τοῦτο)→ gnomic present (defining the stipulation)εἰμί (pres. ἐστίν): 'is'; the copula of definition, equating 'this' with the prescribed payment.
ὃwhat / whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of δώσουσιν)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. neut. ὅ): relative pronoun, 'that which'; introduces the relative clause defining the payment.
δώσουσινthey shall giveFut Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιverb of relative clause→ legislative future (prescribed obligation)δίδωμι (fut. δώσουσιν): 'give'; the verb of the prescribed contribution, picking up δώσουσιν of v. 12.
ὅσοιas many as / all whoNominativecorrelative relative pronoun (subject of παραπορεύωνται)→ participant referenceὅσος (pl. ὅσοι): 'as many as / all who'; the correlative includes every person registered in the census without exception.
ἂν(particle)modal particle (with subjunctive in indefinite relative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle; with the subjunctive παραπορεύωνται it generalizes the relative clause ('whoever passes over'), rendering the Hebrew indefinite construction.
παραπορεύωνταιpass over / cross to be countedPres Mid Subj 3 Pl · παραπορεύομαιverb of indefinite relative clause (subjunctive with ἄν)→ customary present subjunctive (recurrent registration)παραπορεύομαι: 'pass by / pass over / go alongside'; here in the census-idiom 'pass over [to be numbered]', rendering Hebrew עָבַר עַל הַפְּקֻדִים ('pass over to those numbered'); the imagery is of each person passing before the counter; the same verb recurs in v. 14.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἐπίσκεψιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπίσκεψινnumbering / census / inspectionAccusativeaccusative of respect/goal (the muster passed over to)→ object specificationἐπίσκεψις: 'inspection / mustering / census'; from ἐπισκέπτομαι; near-synonym of ἐπισκοπή (v. 12); the accusative with παραπορεύομαι denotes the muster into which each person passes to be enrolled.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἥμισυ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἥμισυhalfAccusativeappositional accusative (the actual sum given: 'the half')→ object specificationἥμισυς (neut. ἥμισυ): 'half'; renders Hebrew מַחֲצִית; τὸ ἥμισυ τοῦ διδράχμου ('the half of the didrachm') = the half-shekel; this fixed, modest sum is the ransom-tax, equal for all.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with διδράχμου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διδράχμουdidrachm / two-drachma coinGenitivepartitive genitive (the coin of which half is given)→ relational specificationδίδραχμον: 'didrachm / double-drachma'; the LXX's standard equivalent for the Hebrew שֶׁקֶל (shekel); τὸ ἥμισυ τοῦ διδράχμου is thus the half-shekel; the plural τὰ δίδραχμα names the temple-tax in Matt 17:24, making this verse its direct Septuagintal background.
ὅwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of the parenthetical ἐστιν)→ participant referenceὅς (nom. neut. ὅ): relative pronoun introducing the explanatory clause that defines the half-didrachm by the sanctuary standard.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb (parenthetical definition)→ gnomic present (defining the standard)εἰμί (pres.): the copula introducing the conversion to the sanctuary standard.
κατὰaccording to / bypreposition + accusative (standard/norm)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to / by the standard of'; κατὰ τὸ δίδραχμον τὸ ἅγιον = 'by the holy didrachm', i.e. reckoned by the sanctuary weight-standard (Hebrew בְּשֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with δίδραχμον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δίδραχμονdidrachmAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (the standard coin)→ object specificationδίδραχμον: here the standard reference-coin by which the ransom is measured; 'the holy didrachm' is the sanctuary shekel, heavier or more precisely defined than the common shekel.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἅγιον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἅγιονholyAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying δίδραχμον)→ object specificationἅγιος: 'holy'; τὸ δίδραχμον τὸ ἅγιον ('the holy didrachm') is the sanctuary standard-shekel, distinguished from commercial weights; renders Hebrew שֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ.
εἴκοσιtwentyindeclinable numeral (predicate: 'twenty obols')→ measure or countεἴκοσι: 'twenty'; indeclinable; the parenthetical conversion 'twenty obols [make] the didrachm' renders the Hebrew gloss that the shekel is twenty gerahs (Hebrew גֵּרָה).
ὀβολοὶobolsNominativesubject of the implied verb (predicate equation)→ participant prominenceὀβολός (pl. ὀβολοί): 'obol' (a small Greek coin/weight); the LXX uses it to render Hebrew גֵּרָה ('gerah'), the smallest weight-unit; twenty obols = one didrachm, glossing the shekel's subdivision in Greek monetary terms.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with δίδραχμον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δίδραχμονdidrachmNominativepredicate equation ('twenty obols [are] the didrachm')→ participant prominenceδίδραχμον: completing the conversion-formula 'twenty obols [make] the didrachm', clarifying the value of the shekel in Greek terms.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with ἥμισυ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲand / nowmild connective (post-positive, resuming the main point)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive connective; here resumes the principal statement after the parenthetical conversion, returning to 'the half of the didrachm'.
ἥμισυhalfNominativesubject (resuming: 'the half of the didrachm')→ participant prominenceἥμισυς: 'half'; the resumed subject, now equated with the εἰσφορά ('contribution').
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with διδράχμου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διδράχμουdidrachmGenitivepartitive genitive (the coin of which half is the contribution)→ relational specificationδίδραχμον: the third occurrence in the verse fixes the half-shekel as the precise amount of the sacred contribution.
εἰσφορὰcontribution / levyNominativepredicate nominative ('is a contribution')→ participant prominenceεἰσφορά: 'contribution / payment / levy'; from εἰσφέρω ('bring in'); a term for a tax or impost paid in; here the half-shekel as the sacred levy 'to the LORD'; the term governs the unit (vv. 13–16) as the technical name for the census-tax.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of recipient ('contribution to the LORD')→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): the LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the levy is rendered to YHWH, underscoring its sacred, non-civil character.
14
πᾶς ὁ παραπορευόμενος εἰς τὴν ἐπίσκεψιν ἀπὸ εἰκοσαετοῦς καὶ ἐπάνω δώσουσιν τὴν εἰσφορὰν κυρίῳ
Everyone who passes over to the numbering, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the contribution to the LORD.
v. 14 sets the age-threshold: every male from twenty years and upward is liable to the contribution. The fronted πᾶς ὁ παραπορευόμενος ('everyone who passes over') universalizes the obligation within the qualifying age; the singular participial subject with plural verb δώσουσιν is a constructio ad sensum.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
πᾶςevery / allNominativesubject (with articular participle: 'everyone who...')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / every'; πᾶς ὁ παραπορευόμενος ('everyone who passes over') makes the levy universal for the qualifying group, leaving no exemption by status.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παραπορευόμενοςpassing over / being countedPres Mid Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · παραπορεύομαιsubstantival participle (subject: 'the one who passes over')→ customary present participle (anyone registered)παραπορεύομαι (ptcp.): 'pass over [to be counted]'; the articular participle ὁ παραπορευόμενος designates the registrant; same census-idiom as v. 13.
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (goal of the passing-over)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: 'into / to'; marks the muster as the goal of the passing-over.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ἐπίσκεψιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπίσκεψινnumbering / censusAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the muster)→ object specificationἐπίσκεψις: 'mustering / census'; the enrollment into which each liable person passes; cf. v. 13.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (lower age-limit)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό + gen.: 'from'; with εἰκοσαετοῦς sets the lower age-boundary of liability.
εἰκοσαετοῦςtwenty years oldGenitivegenitive of age (object of ἀπό: 'from twenty years')→ relational specificationεἰκοσαετής: 'twenty years old'; from εἴκοσι ('twenty') + ἔτος ('year'); renders Hebrew בֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה; twenty is the age of military and civic majority in Israel (cf. Num 1:3), the threshold for census-liability.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάνωupward / aboveadverb (with ἀπό: 'from twenty and upward')→ clausal contributionἐπάνω: 'above / upward'; renders Hebrew וָמַעְלָה ('and upward'); the formula ἀπὸ εἰκοσαετοῦς καὶ ἐπάνω ('from twenty years old and above') is the standard LXX census age-bracket (cf. Num 1:3).
δώσουσινthey shall giveFut Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb (constructio ad sensum with πᾶς)→ legislative future (prescribed obligation)δίδωμι (fut. δώσουσιν): 'give'; the plural verb construed with the collective singular subject πᾶς ('all shall give'), a Hebraizing agreement by sense.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with εἰσφορὰν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἰσφορὰνcontribution / levyAccusativedirect object of δώσουσιν→ object specificationεἰσφορά: 'contribution / levy'; the technical term for the census-tax established in v. 13; the article τὴν εἰσφοράν refers back to that defined payment.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of recipient→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): the LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the levy is paid to YHWH.
15
ὁ πλουτῶν οὐ προσθήσει καὶ ὁ πενόμενος οὐκ ἐλαττονήσει ἀπὸ τοῦ ἡμίσους τοῦ διδράχμου ἐν τῷ διδόναι τὴν εἰσφορὰν κυρίῳ ἐξιλάσασθαι περὶ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν
The rich shall not add and the poor shall not diminish from the half of the didrachm, in giving the contribution to the LORD, to make atonement for your souls.
v. 15 enforces equality: rich and poor pay exactly the same half-shekel — no more, no less. The antithetical pair ὁ πλουτῶν / ὁ πενόμενος ('the rich / the poor') with the matched negatives οὐ προσθήσει / οὐκ ἐλαττονήσει makes the ransom strictly uniform; the closing purpose-infinitive ἐξιλάσασθαι ('to make atonement') names the levy's expiatory function.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantivizing πλουτῶν)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πλουτῶνthe rich / one who is richPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · πλουτέωsubstantival participle (subject: 'the rich')→ stative present participle (the one being wealthy)πλουτέω (ptcp. ὁ πλουτῶν): 'be rich'; the articular participle 'the rich man'; renders Hebrew הֶעָשִׁיר; paired antithetically with ὁ πενόμενος to assert economic equality before the sacred levy.
οὐnotnegative particle (with προσθήσει)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: the categorical negative barring any increase by the rich.
προσθήσειshall addFut Act Indic 3 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (prohibitive future)→ prohibitive future (categorical 'shall not add')προστίθημι (fut. προσθήσει): 'add / increase'; renders Hebrew יַרְבֶּה ('multiply / make more'); the rich may not pay more, lest the ransom become a measure of wealth rather than a uniform atonement-price.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the antithetical clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantivizing πενόμενος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πενόμενοςthe poor / one who is needyPres Mid Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · πένομαιsubstantival participle (subject: 'the poor')→ stative present participle (the one being poor)πένομαι (ptcp. ὁ πενόμενος): 'be poor / be in want / toil for one's living'; the articular participle 'the poor man'; renders Hebrew הַדַּל; the poor man's half-shekel is no less than the rich man's — the atonement-price is one for all.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἐλαττονήσει)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ (οὐκ): the categorical negative barring any reduction by the poor.
ἐλαττονήσειshall diminish / give lessFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐλαττονέωmain verb (prohibitive future)→ prohibitive future (categorical 'shall not give less')ἐλαττονέω: 'make less / fall short / diminish'; from ἐλάττων ('less'); renders Hebrew יַמְעִיט ('make less'); the same verb describes Israel's gathering of manna 'no less' (Exod 16:18, cited at 2 Cor 8:15); here the poor may not pay below the fixed half-shekel.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (the standard from which neither deviates)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό + gen.: 'from'; the fixed half-shekel is the standard from which neither rich nor poor may depart.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἡμίσους)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμίσουςhalfGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (the fixed half-shekel)→ relational specificationἥμισυς (gen. ἡμίσους): 'half'; the genitive of the half-didrachm as the immovable standard amount; cf. τὸ ἥμισυ of v. 13.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with διδράχμου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διδράχμουdidrachmGenitivepartitive genitive (the coin of which half is the fixed amount)→ relational specificationδίδραχμον: the half of which is the uniform ransom; the repeated διδράχμου maintains the precise monetary reference throughout the unit.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (articular infinitive: 'in the giving')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: with the articular infinitive (τῷ διδόναι) forms a temporal/circumstantial clause, 'in/when giving' — a characteristic LXX construction rendering Hebrew בְּ + infinitive.
τῷtheDativearticle (with infinitive διδόναι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διδόναιto give / givingPres Act Inf · δίδωμιarticular infinitive (with ἐν: temporal/circumstantial)→ present infinitive (the act of giving the levy)δίδωμι (pres. inf. διδόναι): 'give'; the articular infinitive ἐν τῷ διδόναι ('in giving / when they give') sets the equality-rule within the very act of paying the contribution.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with εἰσφορὰν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἰσφορὰνcontribution / levyAccusativedirect object of διδόναι→ object specificationεἰσφορά: 'contribution / levy'; the census-tax of vv. 13–14, given to the LORD.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of recipient→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): the LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the levy is rendered to YHWH.
ἐξιλάσασθαιto make atonementAor Mid Inf · ἐξιλάσκομαιinfinitive of purpose ('to make atonement')→ aorist infinitive of purpose (the expiatory goal of the levy)ἐξιλάσκομαι (aor. inf. ἐξιλάσασθαι): 'make atonement / expiate'; the same atonement-verb as v. 10; the purpose-infinitive declares the census-money expiatory — the half-shekel functions as a ransom 'for your souls', linking this civic levy to the sacrificial theology of atonement.
περὶfor / concerningpreposition + genitive (object of atonement: 'for your souls')→ spatial or relational framingπερί + gen.: 'concerning / for'; the regular LXX construction ἐξιλάσκομαι περί ('make atonement for'), rendering Hebrew כִּפֶּר עַל; specifies the persons on whose behalf atonement is made.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ψυχῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχῶνsouls / livesGenitivegenitive object of περί (those atoned for)→ relational specificationψυχή (gen. pl. ψυχῶν): 'soul / life'; renders Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ; 'for your souls' = for your lives; the half-shekel ransoms the life of each numbered Israelite, picking up λύτρα τῆς ψυχῆς of v. 12.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (shift to 2nd person plural)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): 'your'; the shift to second-person plural ('your souls') addresses the Israelite community directly, drawing the hearers into the atoning transaction.
16
καὶ λήμψῃ τὸ ἀργύριον τῆς εἰσφορᾶς παρὰ τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ καὶ δώσεις αὐτὸ εἰς κάτεργον τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου καὶ ἔσται τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ μνημόσυνον ἔναντι κυρίου ἐξιλάσασθαι περὶ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν
And you shall take the silver of the contribution from the sons of Israel and give it for the service of the tent of witness, and it shall be for the sons of Israel a memorial before the LORD, to make atonement for your souls.
v. 16 directs the collected silver to the service of the tent of witness and declares it a μνημόσυνον ('memorial') before the LORD. The unit closes by repeating the atonement-purpose of v. 15 (ἐξιλάσασθαι περὶ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν), so that the money becomes a perpetual memorial of the ransomed community — the background to the half-shekel temple-tax of Second-Temple Judaism and Matt 17:24.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λήμψῃyou shall take / receiveFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (legislative future, addressed to Moses)→ legislative future (command to collect)λαμβάνω (fut. mid. λήμψῃ): 'take / receive'; renders Hebrew לָקַח; Moses is to collect the silver from the people; the future-as-imperative returns to the second-person address (cf. v. 12).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἀργύριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀργύριονsilver / moneyAccusativedirect object of λήμψῃ→ object specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; renders Hebrew כֶּסֶף; the collected half-shekels, here called 'the silver of the contribution', become the material support of the sanctuary's service.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with εἰσφορᾶς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἰσφορᾶςof the contributionGenitivegenitive of source/description (the levy's silver)→ relational specificationεἰσφορά (gen. εἰσφορᾶς): 'contribution / levy'; the census-tax of vv. 13–15; 'the silver of the contribution' is the aggregate of the collected half-shekels.
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source: 'from the sons of Israel')→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + gen.: 'from (the side of)'; marks the people as the source from whom the silver is received.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with υἱῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive object of παρά (source)→ relational specificationυἱός (gen. pl. υἱῶν): 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ, the people from whom the levy is gathered.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; here genitive 'of Israel' qualifying υἱῶν.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δώσειςyou shall give / assignFut Act Indic 2 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (legislative future)→ legislative future (command to allocate)δίδωμι (fut. δώσεις): 'give / assign / put'; renders Hebrew נָתַן; Moses is to allocate the silver to the upkeep of the sanctuary.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of δώσεις (the silver)→ participant referenceαὐτός: neuter αὐτό = the silver (ἀργύριον).
εἰςfor / untopreposition + accusative (purpose/destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: 'for / toward'; marks the purpose to which the silver is dedicated — the service of the tent.
κάτεργονservice / work / fabricationAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose: 'for the service')→ object specificationκάτεργον: 'work done / task / service' (related to κατεργάζομαι, 'accomplish / fabricate'); here the operational service or maintenance-work of the sanctuary; renders Hebrew עֲבֹדָה ('service / labor'); the census-silver funds the tabernacle's ongoing work.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with σκηνῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtent / tabernacleGenitivegenitive of relationship (the tent whose service is funded)→ relational specificationσκηνή: 'tent / tabernacle'; renders Hebrew אֹהֶל / מִשְׁכָּן; ἡ σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου ('the tent of witness') is the standard LXX name for the tabernacle, the dwelling of YHWH among Israel.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with μαρτυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουof witness / testimonyGenitivegenitive of description (defining the tent)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'testimony / witness'; renders Hebrew מוֹעֵד (in the LXX construed as if עֵדוּת); σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου = 'tent of witness', the LXX's regular designation of the meeting-tent.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb (with μνημόσυνον as predicate)→ predictive future (declaring the silver's enduring significance)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; the future declares the abiding memorial-function of the contribution before YHWH.
τοῖςfor theDativearticle (with υἱοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative of advantage ('for the sons of Israel')→ sphere or referenceυἱός (dat. pl. υἱοῖς): 'son'; the memorial is reckoned to the benefit of the Israelites, keeping their atonement perpetually in remembrance before God.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; 'of Israel' qualifying υἱοῖς.
μνημόσυνονmemorial / remembranceNominativepredicate nominative (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceμνημόσυνον: 'memorial / remembrance / record'; from μιμνῄσκομαι ('remember'); renders Hebrew זִכָּרוֹן; the silver stands as a perpetual reminder before YHWH that the people have been ransomed and atoned for; the memorial-motif recurs with the priestly stones (28:12) and offerings (Lev 2:2).
ἔναντιbefore / in the presence ofimproper preposition + genitive (presence)→ spatial or relational framingἔναντι: 'before / in the presence of'; renders Hebrew לִפְנֵי; the memorial stands perpetually in YHWH's presence.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἔναντι→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): the LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the memorial is set before YHWH himself.
ἐξιλάσασθαιto make atonementAor Mid Inf · ἐξιλάσκομαιinfinitive of purpose (echoing v. 15)→ aorist infinitive of purpose (the expiatory goal restated)ἐξιλάσκομαι (aor. inf. ἐξιλάσασθαι): 'make atonement'; the repetition of the purpose-infinitive from v. 15 frames the census-unit, sealing the levy's expiatory meaning: the silver is both a memorial and an instrument of atonement.
περὶfor / concerningpreposition + genitive (object of atonement)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + gen.: 'for'; the construction ἐξιλάσκομαι περί ('make atonement for'); cf. v. 15.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ψυχῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχῶνsouls / livesGenitivegenitive object of περί (those atoned for)→ relational specificationψυχή (gen. pl. ψυχῶν): 'soul / life'; the lives of the Israelites, ransomed by the half-shekel; cf. v. 15.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (2nd person plural address)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): 'your'; the second-person plural again draws the community into the atoning transaction, closing the unit as it ended in v. 15.
17
καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν λέγων
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
v. 17 repeats the speech-introduction formula, marking the transition to the third ordinance: the bronze laver (vv. 17–21). The recurrence of the identical formula at vv. 11, 17, and 22 segments the chapter into its constituent legislative units.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing new divine speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single completed speech-act)λαλέω: 'speak'; the aorist in the standard formula καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν opening a new legislative unit; cf. v. 11.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the unmediated divine speaker.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (recipient of speech)→ object specificationΜωυσῆς (acc. Μωυσῆν): transliteration of Hebrew מֹשֶׁה; the directional object of πρός.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introducing direct speech)→ present participle (Hebraizing complementizer 'saying')λέγω (ptcp. λέγων): 'saying'; renders Hebrew לֵאמֹר; the redundant quotation-marker participle introducing the divine words.
18
ποίησον λουτῆρα χαλκοῦν καὶ βάσιν αὐτῷ χαλκῆν ὥστε νίπτεσθαι καὶ θήσεις αὐτὸν ἀνὰ μέσον τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου καὶ ἐκχεεῖς εἰς αὐτὸν ὕδωρ
Make a bronze laver and a bronze base for it, for washing; and you shall set it between the tent of witness and the altar, and you shall pour water into it.
v. 18 commands the bronze laver and its base, fixes its position between the tent of witness and the bronze altar, and orders it filled with water. The opening aorist imperative ποίησον (rather than the future ποιήσεις) gives a sharp, direct command; the laver, of bronze rather than gold, belongs to the courtyard zone of ablution before approach to the holy.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
ποίησονmakeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (aorist imperative command)→ ingressive aorist imperative (decisive command to make)ποιέω (aor. impv. ποίησον): 'make'; the aorist imperative gives a direct, single command, slightly more peremptory than the legislative future ποιήσεις used elsewhere; here it opens the laver-instruction.
λουτῆραlaver / wash-basinAccusativedirect object of ποίησον→ object specificationλουτήρ: 'laver / washing-basin'; from λούω ('to wash'); renders Hebrew כִּיּוֹר; the large bronze basin for the priests' ablutions; its placement and use define the holiness-boundary of approach to the altar and tent.
χαλκοῦνof bronze / brazenAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying λουτῆρα)→ object specificationχαλκοῦς: 'of bronze / copper'; renders Hebrew נְחֹשֶׁת; the laver's bronze (not gold) places it with the courtyard furniture (the bronze altar), the zone of preparation rather than the golden inner sancta.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βάσινbase / standAccusativedirect object of ποίησον (second item)→ object specificationβάσις: 'base / pedestal / stand'; from βαίνω ('to step'); renders Hebrew כֵּן; the stand on which the laver rests, raising the basin for use; the same word is used of the bases of the tabernacle's framework.
αὐτῷfor itDativedative of advantage ('a base for it')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): 'for it'; the base belongs to the laver, made as its support.
χαλκῆνof bronze / brazenAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying βάσιν)→ object specificationχαλκοῦς (fem. χαλκῆ): 'of bronze'; the base too is of bronze, matching the laver.
ὥστεfor / so as toresult/purpose conjunction (+ infinitive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε: 'so as to / for'; with the infinitive νίπτεσθαι expresses the laver's purpose — it is made for washing.
νίπτεσθαιto wash (oneself)Pres Mid Inf · νίπτωcomplementary infinitive (with ὥστε: purpose)→ present infinitive (ongoing/repeated washing)νίπτω (mid. νίπτεσθαι): 'wash (part of the body) / wash oneself'; renders Hebrew רָחַץ; the middle/reflexive denotes the priests washing themselves; the present infinitive marks the repeated ablution; the same verb recurs throughout the unit (vv. 19, 21).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θήσειςyou shall set / placeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (legislative future)→ legislative future (command to place)τίθημι (fut. θήσεις): 'set / place'; the installation-verb (cf. v. 6), now fixing the laver's position in the court.
αὐτὸνitAccusativedirect object of θήσεις (the laver, masc.)→ participant referenceαὐτός: masculine αὐτόν agreeing with λουτῆρα (masc.); the laver is the object placed.
ἀνὰ(in the midst)preposition (in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον: 'between')→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: in the idiom ἀνὰ μέσον ('in the midst of / between'), a fixed LXX phrase rendering Hebrew בֵּין; locates the laver between two reference-points.
μέσονmidst / betweenAccusativesubstantive in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον ('between')→ object specificationμέσος (neut. μέσον): 'middle'; ἀνὰ μέσον … καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον = 'between … and', placing the laver in the courtyard space between tent and altar.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with σκηνῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtent / tabernacleGenitivegenitive object of ἀνὰ μέσον (first reference-point)→ relational specificationσκηνή: 'tent'; ἡ σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, the tent of witness; the laver stands on the approach between the bronze altar and the tent's entrance.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with μαρτυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουof witness / testimonyGenitivegenitive of description (defining the tent)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'witness / testimony'; σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, the standard LXX name of the tabernacle; cf. v. 16.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the second reference-point)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰ(in the midst)preposition (repeated idiom ἀνὰ μέσον: 'and between')→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: the repeated ἀνὰ μέσον completes the 'between … and …' construction.
μέσονmidst / betweenAccusativesubstantive in idiom ἀνὰ μέσον (second member)→ object specificationμέσος (neut. μέσον): the second 'between', marking the altar as the other reference-point.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with θυσιαστηρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστηρίουaltarGenitivegenitive object of ἀνὰ μέσον (second reference-point)→ relational specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; here the bronze altar of burnt offering in the court; the laver stands between it and the tent, on the priest's path of approach — washing intervenes between sacrifice and entry.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκχεεῖςyou shall pour out / pour inFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐκχέωmain verb (legislative future)→ legislative future (command to fill with water)ἐκχέω (fut. ἐκχεεῖς): 'pour out'; renders Hebrew נָתַן ('put / place [water]'); here of filling the laver with water; the same root (ἐκχέω) is used of pouring out blood and libations, but here it is the everyday filling of the wash-basin.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction: 'into it')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: 'into it').
αὐτὸνitAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the laver)→ participant referenceαὐτός: masculine αὐτόν = the laver, into which water is poured.
ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of ἐκχεεῖς→ object specificationὕδωρ: 'water'; renders Hebrew מַיִם; the water of the laver is the means of the priests' ritual washing, the medium of cultic purity for approach to the holy.
19
καὶ νίψεται Ααρων καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ ἐξ αὐτοῦ τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τοὺς πόδας ὕδατι
And Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet from it with water.
v. 19 prescribes the priests' ablution: Aaron and his sons wash hands and feet from the laver with water. The specific pairing 'hands and feet' (τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τοὺς πόδας) marks the extremities used in handling offerings and in treading the holy precincts; the washing is the indispensable preparation for service.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νίψεταιshall washFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · νίπτωmain verb (cultic prescription; singular with compound subject)→ legislative future (prescribed recurrent ablution)νίπτω (fut. mid. νίψεται): 'wash (extremities) / wash oneself'; renders Hebrew רָחַץ; the singular verb agrees with the nearer subject Ααρων though the subject is compound (Aaron and his sons), a common Greek/Hebrew agreement-pattern.
ΑαρωνAaronsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑαρων: the high priest, named first among those who must wash; the laver-law binds the whole priestly house.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the second subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοὶ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (second member of compound subject)→ participant prominenceυἱός (pl. υἱοί): 'son'; Aaron's sons, the ordinary priests; the obligation to wash extends to the whole officiating priesthood, not the high priest alone.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying υἱοί)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his' (Aaron's); the priestly sons descend from Aaron.
ἐξfrom / out ofpreposition + genitive (source: 'from it')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ (ἐξ): 'from / out of'; the priests draw the washing-water from the laver.
αὐτοῦitGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ (the laver as source)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'it' = the laver (λουτήρ), the source of the water.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραςhandsAccusativedirect object of νίψεται (what is washed)→ object specificationχείρ (pl. χεῖρας): 'hand'; renders Hebrew יָד; the hands handle the offerings, so they must be ritually clean before service.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with πόδας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόδαςfeetAccusativedirect object of νίψεται (what is washed)→ object specificationπούς (pl. πόδας): 'foot'; renders Hebrew רֶגֶל; the feet tread the holy ground (cf. 3:5); 'hands and feet' is a merism for the whole acting body, here ritually purified for sanctuary service.
ὕδατιwith waterDativedative of instrument/means ('with water')→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ (dat. ὕδατι): 'water'; the dative of means; the water from the laver is the medium of the priests' purification.
20
ὅταν εἰσπορεύωνται εἰς τὴν σκηνὴν τοῦ μαρτυρίου νίψονται ὕδατι καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀποθάνωσιν ἢ ὅταν προσπορεύωνται πρὸς τὸ θυσιαστήριον λειτουργεῖν καὶ ἀναφέρειν τὰ ὁλοκαυτώματα κυρίῳ
Whenever they enter into the tent of witness, they shall wash with water, and they shall not die; or whenever they approach the altar to minister and to offer up the whole burnt offerings to the LORD.
v. 20 specifies the occasions of washing — entering the tent and approaching the altar to minister — and attaches the death-sanction (καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀποθάνωσιν, 'that they not die'). The emphatic double negative οὐ μή with the aorist subjunctive is the strongest LXX denial; unwashed approach to the holy is lethal, marking the absolute boundary between cultic purity and the divine presence.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ὅτανwhenevertemporal conjunction (+ subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅταν: 'when(ever)'; with the subjunctive marks the recurring occasion of entry that requires prior washing.
εἰσπορεύωνταιthey enter / go inPres Mid Subj 3 Pl · εἰσπορεύομαιverb of temporal clause (subjunctive with ὅταν)→ customary present subjunctive (recurrent entry)εἰσπορεύομαι: 'enter / go into'; renders Hebrew בּוֹא; the recurring priestly entry into the tent; the present subjunctive denotes the habitual occasion.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction of entry)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of entry).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with σκηνὴν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνὴνtent / tabernacleAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (place entered)→ object specificationσκηνή: 'tent'; the tent of witness, entry to which demands prior washing.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with μαρτυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουof witness / testimonyGenitivegenitive of description (defining the tent)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'witness'; σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, the tent of witness; cf. vv. 16, 18.
νίψονταιthey shall washFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · νίπτωmain verb (apodosis of the temporal clause)→ legislative future (prescribed ablution)νίπτω (fut. mid. νίψονται): 'wash'; the prescribed washing that must precede entry; the future has the force of obligation.
ὕδατιwith waterDativedative of instrument/means→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ (dat. ὕδατι): 'water'; the means of washing, from the laver.
καὶand / socoordinate conjunction (introducing the consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here consequential, 'and [so]'; links the washing to its life-preserving effect.
οὐnotnegative particle (part of emphatic οὐ μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: with μή forms the emphatic double negative.
μὴnot (emphatic)negative particle (with subjunctive: emphatic denial)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: with οὐ and the aorist subjunctive forms οὐ μὴ ἀποθάνωσιν, the strongest form of negation in Greek — 'they shall certainly not die'; the washing guarantees their survival in the holy presence.
ἀποθάνωσινthey dieAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωverb with οὐ μή (emphatic negated subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctive of emphatic denial (with οὐ μή)ἀποθνῄσκω (aor. subj. ἀποθάνωσιν): 'die'; renders Hebrew מוּת; the death-threat for unwashed approach marks the laver's washing as a matter of life and death — the holy is lethal to the ritually unprepared (cf. the deaths of Nadab and Abihu, Lev 10; Uzzah, 2 Sam 6).
ἢordisjunctive conjunction (introducing the alternative occasion)→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; introduces the second occasion requiring washing — approaching the altar to minister — as an alternative to entering the tent.
ὅτανwhenevertemporal conjunction (+ subjunctive, second occasion)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅταν: 'whenever'; introduces the parallel temporal clause for the altar-service.
προσπορεύωνταιthey approach / draw nearPres Mid Subj 3 Pl · προσπορεύομαιverb of temporal clause (subjunctive with ὅταν)→ customary present subjunctive (recurrent approach)προσπορεύομαι: 'come to / approach / draw near'; the compound προσ- marks approach toward the altar; renders Hebrew נָגַשׁ / קָרַב; the cultic verb for drawing near to perform sacrifice, which likewise demands prior washing.
πρὸςto / towardpreposition + accusative (direction of approach)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of approach).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with θυσιαστήριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the altar approached)→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; here the bronze altar of burnt offering; approaching it to minister requires the same washing as entering the tent.
λειτουργεῖνto minister / perform sacred servicePres Act Inf · λειτουργέωinfinitive of purpose (purpose of approach)→ present infinitive (ongoing priestly service)λειτουργέω: 'minister / serve (in a public/cultic capacity)'; from λειτουργός; renders Hebrew שֵׁרֵת; the technical verb for priestly cultic service, the root of English 'liturgy'; the present infinitive denotes the ongoing ministry at the altar.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the second infinitive)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναφέρεινto offer up / bring upPres Act Inf · ἀναφέρωinfinitive of purpose (parallel to λειτουργεῖν)→ present infinitive (ongoing offering)ἀναφέρω: 'bring up / offer up'; the cultic term for presenting offerings on the altar (cf. v. 9); renders Hebrew הִקְטִיר / הֶעֱלָה; here of offering the whole burnt offerings.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὁλοκαυτώματα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁλοκαυτώματαwhole burnt offeringsAccusativedirect object of ἀναφέρειν→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωμα: 'whole burnt offering'; from ὅλος ('whole') + καίω ('burn'); renders Hebrew עֹלָה; the offering wholly consumed by fire on the altar; the term gives English 'holocaust'; the priests offering these must first have washed.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of recipient (the offering's addressee)→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): the LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the burnt offerings are offered up to YHWH.
21
νίψονται τὰς χεῖρας καὶ τοὺς πόδας ὕδατι ὅταν εἰσπορεύωνται εἰς τὴν σκηνὴν τοῦ μαρτυρίου νίψονται ὕδατι ἵνα μὴ ἀποθάνωσιν καὶ ἔσται αὐτοῖς νόμιμον αἰώνιον αὐτῷ καὶ ταῖς γενεαῖς αὐτοῦ μετ᾿ αὐτόν
They shall wash their hands and their feet with water; whenever they enter into the tent of witness, they shall wash with water, that they not die; and it shall be for them a perpetual ordinance, for him and for his generations after him.
v. 21 recapitulates the washing and the death-sanction (ἵνα μὴ ἀποθάνωσιν) and closes the laver-unit with the perpetuity formula νόμιμον αἰώνιον ('a perpetual ordinance') for Aaron and his descendants. The repetition of νίψονται ὕδατι frames the law as an unbreakable, generation-spanning institution.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
νίψονταιthey shall washFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · νίπτωmain verb (prescription, recapitulating v. 19)→ legislative future (prescribed ablution)νίπτω (fut. mid. νίψονται): 'wash'; recapitulates the washing of v. 19; the future of standing obligation.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with χεῖρας)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραςhandsAccusativedirect object of νίψονται→ object specificationχείρ (pl. χεῖρας): 'hand'; cf. v. 19; the hands again named with the feet as what must be washed.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with πόδας)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόδαςfeetAccusativedirect object of νίψονται→ object specificationπούς (pl. πόδας): 'foot'; cf. v. 19; the merism 'hands and feet' for the whole acting body.
ὕδατιwith waterDativedative of instrument/means→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ (dat. ὕδατι): 'water'; the means of washing.
ὅτανwhenevertemporal conjunction (+ subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅταν: 'whenever'; introduces the recurring occasion of entry, as in v. 20.
εἰσπορεύωνταιthey enter / go inPres Mid Subj 3 Pl · εἰσπορεύομαιverb of temporal clause (subjunctive with ὅταν)→ customary present subjunctive (recurrent entry)εἰσπορεύομαι: 'enter'; the recurring priestly entry; cf. v. 20.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction of entry)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of entry).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with σκηνὴν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνὴνtent / tabernacleAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (place entered)→ object specificationσκηνή: 'tent'; the tent of witness; cf. v. 20.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with μαρτυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουof witness / testimonyGenitivegenitive of description (defining the tent)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'witness'; σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, the tent of witness.
νίψονταιthey shall washFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · νίπτωmain verb (resumptive prescription)→ legislative future (resumptive)νίπτω (fut. mid.): the resumptive νίψονται ὕδατι restates the obligation after the temporal clause, a Hebraizing repetition framing the law.
ὕδατιwith waterDativedative of instrument/means→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ (dat. ὕδατι): 'water'; the means of washing, repeated.
ἵναthat / so thatpurpose conjunction (+ subjunctive: negative purpose with μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: 'that / in order that'; with μή introduces a negative purpose clause, 'lest they die'; a slightly different construction from the οὐ μή of v. 20 but to the same lethal effect.
μὴnotnegative particle (with ἵνα: negative purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative of the purpose clause, 'lest'.
ἀποθάνωσινthey dieAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωverb of negative purpose clause (subjunctive with ἵνα μή)→ aorist subjunctive (negative purpose: 'lest they die')ἀποθνῄσκω (aor. subj. ἀποθάνωσιν): 'die'; the death-sanction restated; unwashed approach remains lethal, the law's enforcing motive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb (with νόμιμον as predicate)→ legislative future (declaring perpetual statute)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; the future declares the abiding statutory force of the law.
αὐτοῖςfor themDativedative of advantage/reference ('for them')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. pl. αὐτοῖς): 'for them' (the priests); the statute binds Aaron and his sons.
νόμιμονordinance / statuteNominativepredicate nominative (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceνόμιμον: 'statute / ordinance / lawful custom'; substantivized neuter of νόμιμος ('lawful'); renders Hebrew חֹק; νόμιμον αἰώνιον ('perpetual ordinance') is the standard LXX formula for a permanent cultic statute (cf. Lev 3:17).
αἰώνιονperpetual / everlastingNominativeattributive adjective (modifying νόμιμον)→ participant prominenceαἰώνιος: 'everlasting / perpetual'; from αἰών ('age'); renders Hebrew עוֹלָם; marks the laver-law as binding for all time, not a temporary provision.
αὐτῷfor himDativedative of advantage (Aaron)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): 'for him' (Aaron); the statute is reckoned to Aaron personally and to his line.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ταῖςfor theDativearticle (with γενεαῖς)→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γενεαῖςgenerationsDativedative of advantage ('for his generations')→ sphere or referenceγενεά (dat. pl. γενεαῖς): 'generation'; the perpetuity-formula extends the statute to Aaron's descendants; cf. εἰς γενεάς in v. 8.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying γενεαῖς)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his' (Aaron's); the generations belong to his line.
μετ᾿afterpreposition + accusative (temporal succession: 'after him')→ spatial or relational framingμετά + acc.: 'after'; μετ᾿ αὐτόν ('after him') stresses the successive transmission of the priestly statute through the generations following Aaron.
αὐτόνhimAccusativeaccusative object of μετ᾿ ('after him')→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. αὐτόν): 'him' (Aaron); the statute passes to the generations that come after Aaron, binding the whole future priesthood.
22
καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν λέγων
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
v. 22 repeats the speech-introduction, opening the fourth ordinance: the holy anointing oil (vv. 22–33). The threefold recurrence of the formula (vv. 11, 17, 22) and the variant καὶ εἶπεν at v. 34 mark the chapter's five-part structure.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing new divine speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single completed speech-act)λαλέω: 'speak'; the aorist of the standard speech-formula opening the anointing-oil legislation; cf. vv. 11, 17.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the unmediated divine speaker.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (recipient of speech)→ object specificationΜωυσῆς (acc. Μωυσῆν): transliteration of Hebrew מֹשֶׁה; the directional object of πρός.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introducing direct speech)→ present participle (Hebraizing complementizer 'saying')λέγω (ptcp. λέγων): 'saying'; renders Hebrew לֵאמֹר; the quotation-marker participle.
23
καὶ σὺ λαβὲ ἡδύσματα τὸ ἄνθος σμύρνης ἐκλεκτῆς πεντακοσίους σίκλους καὶ κινναμώμου εὐώδους τὸ ἥμισυ τούτου διακοσίους πεντήκοντα καὶ καλάμου εὐώδους διακοσίους πεντήκοντα
And you, take spices: the flower of choice myrrh, five hundred shekels; and of sweet cinnamon, half of this, two hundred fifty; and of sweet calamus, two hundred fifty;
v. 23 begins the recipe for the holy anointing oil with the emphatic καὶ σὺ ('and you yourself') and the aorist imperative λαβέ, listing the first three aromatic ingredients with their precise weights by the sanctuary shekel. The measures (500 / 250 / 250) establish the proportions of the sacred compound, the perfumer's formula that follows in v. 25.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σὺyouNominativeemphatic subject pronoun (with imperative λαβέ)→ participant referenceσύ: the emphatic personal pronoun 'you yourself'; renders Hebrew וְאַתָּה; stresses Moses' personal responsibility for compounding the holy oil, paralleling λαβὲ σεαυτῷ of v. 34 (the incense).
λαβὲtakeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (aorist imperative command)→ ingressive aorist imperative (decisive command to take)λαμβάνω (aor. impv. λαβέ): 'take'; renders Hebrew קַח; the direct imperative to gather the ingredients; the same imperative opens the incense-recipe at v. 34.
ἡδύσματαspices / aromaticsAccusativedirect object of λαβέ (the spices, then itemized)→ object specificationἥδυσμα (pl. ἡδύσματα): 'sweet spice / seasoning / aromatic'; from ἡδύνω ('to make sweet/pleasant'); renders Hebrew בְּשָׂמִים; the general term for the fragrant ingredients now itemized; the same word opens the incense-recipe (v. 34).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἄνθος)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθοςflower / finest partAccusativeappositional accusative (first spice: 'the flower of myrrh')→ object specificationἄνθος: 'flower / bloom'; here metaphorically 'the finest / choicest part', the flowing first-quality myrrh; the phrase τὸ ἄνθος σμύρνης renders Hebrew מָר־דְּרוֹר ('flowing/liquid myrrh'), the purest grade.
σμύρνηςof myrrhGenitivegenitive of material (the spice: 'flower of myrrh')→ relational specificationσμύρνα: 'myrrh'; the aromatic resin of Commiphora; renders Hebrew מֹר; a costly perfume and embalming-spice; in the NT myrrh is brought to the infant Jesus (Matt 2:11) and offered at his death (John 19:39), framing the Christ whose very title means 'the anointed one'.
ἐκλεκτῆςchoice / selectGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying σμύρνης)→ relational specificationἐκλεκτός: 'chosen / choice / select'; from ἐκλέγομαι ('choose out'); marks the myrrh as the finest grade; the holy oil admits only the best ingredients.
πεντακοσίουςfive hundredAccusativenumeral adjective (modifying σίκλους)→ object specificationπεντακόσιοι: 'five hundred'; the weight of myrrh, the largest single quantity in the recipe, double that of the cinnamon and calamus.
σίκλουςshekelsAccusativeaccusative of measure (weight of the myrrh)→ object specificationσίκλος: 'shekel'; a transliteration of Hebrew שֶׁקֶל, used here (rather than δίδραχμον) as a weight-unit for the spices; the measure is 'of the sanctuary' (v. 24), the holy standard.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second ingredient)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κινναμώμουof cinnamonGenitivegenitive of material (second spice)→ relational specificationκιννάμωμον: 'cinnamon'; renders Hebrew קִנְּמָן (a Semitic loanword underlying the Greek); the fragrant bark-spice; the genitive of material continues the itemized recipe.
εὐώδουςsweet-smelling / fragrantGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying κινναμώμου)→ relational specificationεὐώδης: 'sweet-smelling / fragrant'; from εὖ ('well') + ὄζω ('smell'); renders Hebrew בֹּשֶׂם; specifies the aromatic quality of the cinnamon; cognate with εὐωδία ('fragrance'), a term Paul applies to acceptable sacrifice (Eph 5:2; Phil 4:18).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ἥμισυ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἥμισυhalfAccusativeappositional accusative (proportion: 'half of this')→ object specificationἥμισυς (neut. ἥμισυ): 'half'; τὸ ἥμισυ τούτου ('half of this') sets the cinnamon at half the myrrh's weight, i.e. 250 shekels; the proportional reckoning structures the recipe.
τούτουof thisGenitivepartitive genitive (referring to the myrrh's 500)→ relational specificationοὗτος (gen. τούτου): 'this'; the genitive refers back to the 500 shekels of myrrh, of which the cinnamon is to be half.
διακοσίουςtwo hundredAccusativenumeral adjective (the cinnamon's weight)→ object specificationδιακόσιοι: 'two hundred'; with πεντήκοντα makes 250, the explicit figure for 'half of this'.
πεντήκονταfiftyindeclinable numeral (with διακοσίους: 'two hundred fifty')→ measure or countπεντήκοντα: 'fifty'; indeclinable; διακοσίους πεντήκοντα = 250 shekels, the cinnamon's weight stated numerically alongside 'half of this'.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (third ingredient)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καλάμουof calamus / sweet caneGenitivegenitive of material (third spice)→ relational specificationκάλαμος: 'reed / cane / calamus'; renders Hebrew קָנֶה (קְנֵה־בֹשֶׂם, 'aromatic cane'); the fragrant sweet-cane; the genitive of material continues the recipe.
εὐώδουςsweet-smelling / fragrantGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying καλάμου)→ relational specificationεὐώδης: 'fragrant'; κάλαμος εὐώδης = 'sweet calamus'; the aromatic specification matching the cinnamon.
διακοσίουςtwo hundredAccusativenumeral adjective (the calamus's weight)→ object specificationδιακόσιοι: 'two hundred'; with πεντήκοντα, the calamus's 250-shekel weight, equal to the cinnamon's.
πεντήκονταfiftyindeclinable numeral (with διακοσίους: 'two hundred fifty')→ measure or countπεντήκοντα: 'fifty'; completing the calamus's 250-shekel measure; the symmetry of cinnamon and calamus (both 250) balances the recipe against the 500 of myrrh.
24
καὶ ἴρεως πεντακοσίους σίκλους τοῦ ἁγίου καὶ ἔλαιον ἐξ ἐλαίων ιν
and of iris, five hundred shekels of the sanctuary; and olive oil, a hin.
v. 24 completes the recipe with iris (cassia) at 500 shekels 'of the sanctuary' standard and a hin of olive oil as the base. The phrase τοῦ ἁγίου ('of the holy [shekel]') confirms the sanctuary weight-standard, and the closing measure ιν (= a hin) is a transliterated Hebrew liquid-unit, a frequent LXX device for untranslated technical measures.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (fourth ingredient)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἴρεωςof iris / cassiaGenitivegenitive of material (fourth spice)→ relational specificationἶρις (gen. ἴρεως): 'iris'; the LXX's rendering of Hebrew קִדָּה (cassia), here by the fragrant iris-root; one of the four aromatic solids of the oil, weighed like the myrrh at 500 shekels.
πεντακοσίουςfive hundredAccusativenumeral adjective (modifying σίκλους)→ object specificationπεντακόσιοι: 'five hundred'; the iris, like the myrrh, is weighed at 500 shekels, the largest measure.
σίκλουςshekelsAccusativeaccusative of measure (weight of the iris)→ object specificationσίκλος: 'shekel'; the weight-unit, here qualified as 'of the sanctuary' (τοῦ ἁγίου).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with ἁγίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁγίουof the sanctuary / holyGenitivesubstantival genitive (the sanctuary-standard: 'of the holy')→ relational specificationἅγιος (gen. ἁγίου): 'holy'; the substantival τοῦ ἁγίου = 'of the sanctuary [shekel]'; renders Hebrew שֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ; confirms that all the spice-weights follow the sacred standard, as with the census-shekel (v. 13).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (the oil-base)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαιονoil / olive oilAccusativedirect object (continuing λαβέ: the base of the compound)→ object specificationἔλαιον: 'olive oil'; renders Hebrew שֶׁמֶן; the liquid base into which the four spices are compounded; oil is the medium of anointing throughout the OT (kings, priests, prophets), giving the χρῖσμα its anointing-character.
ἐξfrom / ofpreposition + genitive (source/material)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ (ἐξ): 'from / of'; ἔλαιον ἐξ ἐλαίων ('oil from olives') specifies the oil as pressed from olives, a Hebraizing genitive of source rendering שֶׁמֶן זַיִת.
ἐλαίωνof olivesGenitivegenitive of source (object of ἐξ: 'from olives')→ relational specificationἐλαία (gen. pl. ἐλαιῶν): 'olive / olive-tree'; the source of the oil; the phrase ἔλαιον ἐξ ἐλαίων distinguishes genuine olive oil as the proper anointing-base.
ινa hinindeclinable measure (transliterated liquid-unit: 'a hin')→ clausal contributionιν (hin): a transliteration of Hebrew הִין, a liquid measure (c. 3.6 litres); the LXX frequently leaves such technical measures untranslated as transliterated indeclinables; here it fixes the quantity of olive oil — one hin — for the compound.
25
καὶ ποιήσεις αὐτὸ ἔλαιον χρῖσμα ἅγιον μύρον μυρεψικὸν τέχνῃ μυρεψοῦ ἔλαιον χρῖσμα ἅγιον ἔσται
And you shall make it a holy anointing oil, a perfumed unguent compounded by the perfumer's art; it shall be a holy anointing oil.
v. 25 names the product: ἔλαιον χρῖσμα ἅγιον ('a holy anointing oil'), a perfumer's unguent. The phrase is built on the χρῖσμα / χρίω word-group — the very root of Χριστός ('the anointed one'). The framing repetition (ἔλαιον χρῖσμα ἅγιον … ἔλαιον χρῖσμα ἅγιον ἔσται) is a Hebraizing inclusio stressing the oil's sacred identity; this is the chapter's principal Christological crux.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσειςyou shall makeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (legislative future)→ legislative future (command to compound)ποιέω (fut. ποιήσεις): 'make'; here of compounding the spices into the finished oil; the production-verb returns after the imperatival λαβέ of vv. 23–24.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of ποιήσεις (the oil)→ participant referenceαὐτός: neuter αὐτό referring to ἔλαιον ('oil', neuter); the object to be compounded.
ἔλαιονoilAccusativeobject complement (predicating what the product is)→ object specificationἔλαιον: 'oil'; the predicate complement naming what αὐτό is to become — a holy anointing oil; the base of v. 24 now identified as the finished sacred product.
χρῖσμαanointing / unctionAccusativeappositional accusative (defining the oil: 'anointing')→ object specificationχρῖσμα: 'anointing / unguent / that with which one anoints'; from χρίω ('to anoint'); renders Hebrew מִשְׁחָה; the term is the root of Χριστός ('Christ, the Anointed One') and of the NT χρῖσμα of the believer (1 John 2:20, 27); ἔλαιον χρῖσμα ἅγιον is 'the holy anointing oil'.
ἅγιονholyAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying χρῖσμα)→ object specificationἅγιος: 'holy / set apart'; the oil is holy, reserved exclusively for sacred anointing; its holiness is the basis of the prohibitions of vv. 32–33.
μύρονperfume / ointmentAccusativeappositional accusative (further defining the oil)→ object specificationμύρον: 'sweet oil / perfume / ointment'; a costly aromatic unguent; in the NT the μύρον with which Jesus is anointed (Mark 14:3; John 12:3); here it characterizes the holy oil as a fragrant perfumed compound.
μυρεψικὸνperfumed / compounded as ointmentAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying μύρον)→ object specificationμυρεψικός: 'of the perfumer's compounding / made as ointment'; from μυρεψός ('perfumer'); describes the oil as prepared by the perfumer's craft; cf. the cognate noun following.
τέχνῃby the art / craftDativedative of means/manner ('by the art of')→ sphere or referenceτέχνη: 'skill / craft / art'; the dative of means; τέχνῃ μυρεψοῦ ('by the perfumer's art') marks the compounding as expert work, not casual mixing; the same phrase recurs of the incense (v. 35, ἔργον μυρεψοῦ).
μυρεψοῦof a perfumer / ointment-makerGenitivegenitive of the agent/craftsman ('the perfumer's art')→ relational specificationμυρεψός: 'perfumer / ointment-maker'; from μύρον + ἕψω ('boil / compound'); renders Hebrew רֹקֵחַ ('compounder of perfume'); the skilled artisan who blends the spices into the oil; the holy oil is a work of the perfumer's specialized craft.
ἔλαιονoilAccusativepredicate (resumptive: 'a holy anointing oil it shall be')→ object specificationἔλαιον: the resumptive repetition ἔλαιον χρῖσμα ἅγιον frames the verse, an inclusio underscoring the oil's holy character.
χρῖσμαanointing / unctionAccusativeappositional accusative (resumptive)→ object specificationχρῖσμα: the resumed 'anointing'; the doubled ἔλαιον χρῖσμα ἅγιον is a Hebraizing emphasis on the oil's identity.
ἅγιονholyAccusativeattributive adjective (resumptive, with ἔσται)→ object specificationἅγιος: 'holy'; the repeated 'holy' seals the declaration of the oil's sanctity.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb (declaring the oil's status)→ legislative future (prescriptive declaration)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; the prescriptive future closes the verse with the declared status of the compound — 'it shall be a holy anointing oil'.
26
καὶ χρίσεις ἐξ αὐτοῦ τὴν σκηνὴν τοῦ μαρτυρίου καὶ τὴν κιβωτὸν τοῦ μαρτυρίου
And you shall anoint with it the tent of witness and the ark of the testimony,
v. 26 begins the catalogue of what the oil consecrates, headed by the verb χρίσεις ('you shall anoint') — the cognate of χρῖσμα and root of Χριστός. The anointing begins with the most sacred objects (the tent and the ark) and proceeds outward through vv. 27–28; the partitive ἐξ αὐτοῦ ('with [some] of it') marks the oil as applied from the prepared compound.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
χρίσειςyou shall anointFut Act Indic 2 Sg · χρίωmain verb (legislative future)→ legislative future (command to anoint)χρίω (fut. χρίσεις): 'anoint / smear'; renders Hebrew מָשַׁח; the verb at the root of χρῖσμα (v. 25) and Χριστός; here of consecrating the sacred objects by anointing; the same verb anoints Aaron and his sons in v. 30, and underlies the NT confession of Jesus as the χριστός, the anointed one (cf. Acts 10:38, 'God anointed [ἔχρισεν] him').
ἐξwith / frompreposition + genitive (partitive/instrumental: 'with some of it')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ (ἐξ): here partitive-instrumental, 'with [some] of it'; the anointing uses a portion of the prepared oil.
αὐτοῦitGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ (the oil)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'it' = the holy oil (ἔλαιον), the means of anointing.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with σκηνὴν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνὴνtent / tabernacleAccusativedirect object of χρίσεις (first anointed object)→ object specificationσκηνή: 'tent'; the tent of witness itself is anointed, consecrating the whole sanctuary-structure; the anointing extends holiness to the entire dwelling of YHWH.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with μαρτυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουof witness / testimonyGenitivegenitive of description (defining the tent)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'witness'; σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, the tent of witness.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second object)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κιβωτὸν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτὸνark / chestAccusativedirect object of χρίσεις (second anointed object)→ object specificationκιβωτός: 'ark / chest'; the ark of the testimony, holiest of the furniture; its anointing consecrates the very center of the sanctuary; cf. v. 6.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with μαρτυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουof testimony / witnessGenitivegenitive of content (defining the ark)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'testimony'; ἡ κιβωτὸς τοῦ μαρτυρίου, the ark of the testimony, containing the tablets of the law.
27
καὶ τὴν λυχνίαν καὶ πάντα τὰ σκεύη αὐτῆς καὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον τοῦ θυμιάματος
and the lampstand and all its vessels, and the altar of incense,
v. 27 continues the anointing-catalogue with the lampstand and its vessels and the incense altar (the very altar legislated in vv. 1–10). The list proceeds by καί-parataxis, each item an additional accusative object of χρίσεις (v. 26), extending the oil's consecration to all the Holy-Place furniture.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with λυχνίαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λυχνίανlampstandAccusativedirect object of χρίσεις (continued list)→ object specificationλυχνία: 'lampstand / candelabrum'; from λύχνος ('lamp', cf. v. 7); renders Hebrew מְנוֹרָה (menorah); the seven-branched golden lampstand of the Holy Place, here anointed and consecrated with the rest.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταallAccusativeadjective (modifying σκεύη: 'all its vessels')→ object specificationπᾶς (neut. pl. πάντα): 'all'; the anointing extends to every accessory of the lampstand, not the stand alone — the consecration is comprehensive.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκεύη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηvessels / implementsAccusativedirect object of χρίσεις (the lampstand's accessories)→ object specificationσκεῦος (pl. σκεύη): 'vessel / implement / utensil'; renders Hebrew כֵּלִים; the lampstand's snuffers, trays, and the like; all are consecrated by the anointing.
αὐτῆςitsGenitivegenitive of possession (the lampstand's, fem.)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. fem. αὐτῆς): 'its' (the lampstand's, λυχνία being feminine).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with θυσιαστήριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativedirect object of χρίσεις (the incense altar)→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; here the incense altar, defined by the genitive τοῦ θυμιάματος; the very altar of vv. 1–10 is itself consecrated by the holy oil.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with θυμιάματος)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυμιάματοςof incenseGenitivegenitive of description (defining the altar: 'of incense')→ relational specificationθυμίαμα: 'incense'; θυσιαστήριον τοῦ θυμιάματος ('altar of incense') distinguishes it from the bronze altar of burnt offering named next (v. 28); cf. v. 1.
28
καὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον τῶν ὁλοκαυτωμάτων καὶ πάντα αὐτοῦ τὰ σκεύη καὶ τὴν τράπεζαν καὶ πάντα τὰ σκεύη αὐτῆς καὶ τὸν λουτῆρα καὶ τὴν βάσιν αὐτοῦ
and the altar of whole burnt offerings and all its vessels, and the table and all its vessels, and the laver and its base.
v. 28 completes the catalogue with the bronze altar of burnt offerings and its vessels, the table (of the bread of the Presence) and its vessels, and the laver with its base (the very laver of vv. 17–21). The full inventory — inner sancta, Holy-Place furniture, and courtyard vessels — is thereby brought under the single consecrating anointing.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with θυσιαστήριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativedirect object of χρίσεις (the bronze altar)→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; here the great bronze altar, defined by τῶν ὁλοκαυτωμάτων ('of the burnt offerings'); the courtyard altar is consecrated along with the inner furniture.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ὁλοκαυτωμάτων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁλοκαυτωμάτωνof whole burnt offeringsGenitivegenitive of description (defining the altar)→ relational specificationὁλοκαύτωμα (gen. pl. ὁλοκαυτωμάτων): 'whole burnt offering'; θυσιαστήριον τῶν ὁλοκαυτωμάτων = the bronze altar of burnt offering, distinguished from the incense altar of v. 27; cf. v. 20.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταallAccusativeadjective (modifying σκεύη: 'all its vessels')→ object specificationπᾶς (neut. pl. πάντα): 'all'; the altar's full set of implements is consecrated.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession (the altar's, neut.)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'its' (the altar's, θυσιαστήριον being neuter).
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκεύη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηvessels / implementsAccusativedirect object of χρίσεις (the altar's accessories)→ object specificationσκεῦος (pl. σκεύη): 'vessel / implement'; the altar's pans, forks, shovels, and basins (cf. 27:3); all anointed.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with τράπεζαν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τράπεζανtableAccusativedirect object of χρίσεις (the table)→ object specificationτράπεζα: 'table'; renders Hebrew שֻׁלְחָן; the table of the bread of the Presence (the showbread) in the Holy Place (cf. 25:23–30); consecrated by the anointing.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταallAccusativeadjective (modifying σκεύη: 'all its vessels')→ object specificationπᾶς (neut. pl. πάντα): 'all'; the table's full set of dishes and vessels is consecrated.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with σκεύη)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηvessels / implementsAccusativedirect object of χρίσεις (the table's accessories)→ object specificationσκεῦος (pl. σκεύη): 'vessel'; the table's dishes, spoons, bowls, and flagons (cf. 25:29); all anointed.
αὐτῆςitsGenitivegenitive of possession (the table's, fem.)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. fem. αὐτῆς): 'its' (the table's, τράπεζα being feminine).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with λουτῆρα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λουτῆραlaver / wash-basinAccusativedirect object of χρίσεις (the laver)→ object specificationλουτήρ: 'laver'; the bronze washing-basin of vv. 17–21, here itself consecrated by the anointing oil; the object of one ordinance becomes the object of another.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with βάσιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βάσινbase / standAccusativedirect object of χρίσεις (the laver's base)→ object specificationβάσις: 'base / stand'; the laver's bronze base (v. 18); the catalogue ends, as the laver-instruction did, with the basin and its support — the full inventory is now consecrated.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession (the laver's, masc.)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'its' (the laver's, λουτήρ being masculine).
29
καὶ ἁγιάσεις αὐτά καὶ ἔσται ἅγια τῶν ἁγίων πᾶς ὁ ἁπτόμενος αὐτῶν ἁγιασθήσεται
And you shall sanctify them, and they shall be most holy; everyone who touches them shall be made holy.
v. 29 states the effect of the anointing: the objects become ἅγια τῶν ἁγίων ('most holy'), and their holiness is contagious — πᾶς ὁ ἁπτόμενος αὐτῶν ἁγιασθήσεται ('everyone who touches them shall be made holy'). The threefold sound-play on the ἅγ- root (ἁγιάσεις … ἅγια τῶν ἁγίων … ἁγιασθήσεται) drives home the transfer of sanctity through contact.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἁγιάσειςyou shall sanctify / consecrateFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἁγιάζωmain verb (legislative future)→ legislative future (command to consecrate)ἁγιάζω (fut. ἁγιάσεις): 'make holy / consecrate / set apart'; from ἅγιος; renders Hebrew קִדֵּשׁ; the anointing effects consecration — the objects are transferred from common to holy status; the verb governs the holiness-theme that dominates the verse.
αὐτάthemAccusativedirect object of ἁγιάσεις (the anointed objects)→ participant referenceαὐτός (neut. pl. αὐτά): 'them' = the anointed furniture of vv. 26–28.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιthey shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb (with neuter plural subject αὐτά, predicate ἅγια)→ legislative future (declaring resultant status)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; the singular with the implied neuter plural subject follows the Greek rule; declares the resultant holiness of the consecrated objects.
ἅγιαholyNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται: 'they shall be holy')→ participant prominenceἅγιος (neut. pl. ἅγια): 'holy'; in the idiom ἅγια τῶν ἁγίων ('holy of holies / most holy') ascribing the highest sanctity; the same superlative as in v. 10.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ἁγίων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁγίωνof holy thingsGenitivepartitive genitive (superlative idiom: 'most holy')→ relational specificationἅγιος (gen. pl. ἁγίων): the Semitic superlative ἅγια τῶν ἁγίων (Hebrew קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים), 'most holy'; the anointed objects attain the supreme grade of sanctity.
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubject (with articular participle: 'everyone who touches')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every / all'; πᾶς ὁ ἁπτόμενος ('everyone who touches') universalizes the rule of contagious holiness.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁπτόμενοςtouching / who touchesPres Mid Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἅπτωsubstantival participle (subject: 'the one who touches')→ customary present participle (anyone who touches)ἅπτω (mid. ἅπτομαι): 'touch / take hold of'; the middle 'touch' takes a genitive object (αὐτῶν); renders Hebrew נָגַע; the principle of contagious holiness (cf. 29:37; Lev 6:18) — contact with the most holy transmits holiness, with corresponding danger to the unconsecrated.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἁπτόμενος (what is touched)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): 'them' = the most holy objects; the genitive is governed by the middle ἅπτομαι.
ἁγιασθήσεταιshall be made holy / sanctifiedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἁγιάζωmain verb (consequence of contact)→ predictive future passive (resultant sanctification)ἁγιάζω (fut. pass. ἁγιασθήσεται): 'be made holy'; the passive marks the toucher as acted upon — holiness is transmitted by contact; the threefold ἁγ- root in the verse (ἁγιάσεις, ἅγια, ἁγιασθήσεται) underlines the diffusion of sanctity from the anointed objects.
30
καὶ Ααρων καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ χρίσεις καὶ ἁγιάσεις αὐτοὺς ἱερατεύειν μοι
And Aaron and his sons you shall anoint, and you shall sanctify them to serve me as priests.
v. 30 turns from objects to persons: Aaron and his sons are anointed and consecrated to the priesthood. The same verbs (χρίσεις, ἁγιάσεις) that consecrated the furniture now consecrate the priests, and the purpose-infinitive ἱερατεύειν μοι ('to serve me as priests') names the end of the anointing — the very ritual that, in Israel's idiom, makes one a χριστός ('anointed one'), the OT background to the priestly Christology of Hebrews.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑαρωνAarondirect object of χρίσεις (fronted, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: the high priest; his anointing (cf. the oil poured on his head, Ps 132[133]:2) institutes the high-priestly office.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with υἱοὺς)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object of χρίσεις (Aaron's sons)→ object specificationυἱός (pl. υἱούς): 'son'; Aaron's sons, the priests, anointed with him; the priestly anointing extends to the whole consecrated line.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying υἱούς)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his' (Aaron's).
χρίσειςyou shall anointFut Act Indic 2 Sg · χρίωmain verb (legislative future)→ legislative future (command to anoint)χρίω (fut. χρίσεις): 'anoint'; the same anointing-verb as v. 26, now applied to persons; the priestly anointing is the rite that makes Aaron and his sons 'anointed ones' (cf. ὁ ἱερεὺς ὁ χριστός, 'the anointed priest', Lev 4:5 LXX), prefiguring the Anointed One, Χριστός.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἁγιάσειςyou shall sanctify / consecrateFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἁγιάζωmain verb (legislative future)→ legislative future (command to consecrate)ἁγιάζω (fut. ἁγιάσεις): 'consecrate / make holy'; the anointing of the priests, like that of the objects (v. 29), effects their consecration — they are set apart for divine service.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἁγιάσεις (Aaron and his sons)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. pl. αὐτούς): 'them' = the priests being consecrated.
ἱερατεύεινto serve as priests / ministerPres Act Inf · ἱερατεύωinfinitive of purpose ('to serve me as priests')→ present infinitive of purpose (ongoing priestly service)ἱερατεύω: 'serve as priest / officiate'; from ἱερεύς ('priest'); renders Hebrew כִּהֵן; the purpose-infinitive names the goal of the anointing — priestly service to YHWH; the present tense marks the ongoing exercise of the office.
μοιto me / for meDativedative of advantage/reference (the one served)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. μοι): 'to me' (YHWH speaking); the priests serve YHWH himself; the first-person dative marks the divine speaker as the one for whom the priesthood ministers.
31
καὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ λαλήσεις λέγων ἔλαιον ἄλειμμα χρίσεως ἅγιον ἔσται τοῦτο ὑμῖν εἰς τὰς γενεὰς ὑμῶν
And to the sons of Israel you shall speak, saying: This shall be for you a holy oil of anointing-unction throughout your generations.
v. 31 commissions Moses to proclaim the oil's status to all Israel: it is ἔλαιον ἄλειμμα χρίσεως ἅγιον ('a holy oil of anointing-unction') in perpetuity. The phrase varies the χρῖσμα of v. 25 with ἄλειμμα χρίσεως, both from the anointing word-group; the perpetuity-formula εἰς τὰς γενεὰς ὑμῶν binds the oil's sanctity to all future Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῖςto theDativearticle (with υἱοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative of indirect object (addressees of the speech)→ sphere or referenceυἱός (dat. pl. υἱοῖς): 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ, the people to whom Moses must proclaim the oil's status.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; 'of Israel' qualifying υἱοῖς.
λαλήσειςyou shall speakFut Act Indic 2 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (legislative future: command to proclaim)→ legislative future (command to speak)λαλέω (fut. λαλήσεις): 'speak'; Moses is to communicate the ordinance to the people; the future-as-imperative continues the second-person address.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introducing direct speech)→ present participle (Hebraizing complementizer 'saying')λέγω (ptcp. λέγων): 'saying'; renders Hebrew לֵאמֹר; introduces the words Moses is to speak to Israel.
ἔλαιονoilNominativepredicate nominative (with ἔσται: 'this shall be a holy oil')→ participant prominenceἔλαιον: 'oil'; the holy anointing oil, here proclaimed to the people as a perpetual sacred possession.
ἄλειμμαunguent / ointmentNominativeappositional nominative (defining ἔλαιον)→ participant prominenceἄλειμμα: 'anything used for anointing / unguent / ointment'; from ἀλείφω ('anoint / smear'); a near-synonym of χρῖσμα, varying the anointing-vocabulary; ἔλαιον ἄλειμμα χρίσεως = 'oil, an unguent of anointing'.
χρίσεωςof anointingGenitivegenitive of purpose/description (defining ἄλειμμα)→ relational specificationχρίσις: 'anointing / the act of anointing'; from χρίω; the genitive defines the unguent's purpose — it is for anointing; another member of the χρι- word-group (χρίω, χρῖσμα, χρίσις, Χριστός) that pervades the unit.
ἅγιονholyNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔλαιον)→ participant prominenceἅγιος: 'holy'; the oil's holiness, proclaimed to all Israel, grounds the prohibitions of vv. 32–33.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb (with τοῦτο and predicate ἔλαιον)→ legislative future (prescriptive declaration of status)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; declares the oil's enduring sacred status for Israel.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative subject ('this [oil]')→ participant referenceοὗτος (neut. τοῦτο): 'this'; refers to the prepared oil; the subject of the declaration of perpetual holiness.
ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of advantage/reference ('for you', 2nd pl.)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): 'for you' (Israel); the shift to second-person plural addresses the whole people directly.
εἰςthroughoutpreposition + accusative (temporal extent)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + acc.: 'unto / throughout'; with τὰς γενεάς marks the oil's perpetual sanctity.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with γενεὰς)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γενεὰςgenerationsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (temporal extent)→ object specificationγενεά (pl. γενεάς): 'generation'; εἰς τὰς γενεὰς ὑμῶν, the perpetuity-formula institutionalizing the oil's holiness for all future Israel; cf. vv. 10, 21.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying γενεάς)→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): 'your' (Israel's); the generations of the people, to whom the holy oil perpetually belongs.
32
ἐπὶ σάρκα ἀνθρώπου οὐ χρισθήσεται καὶ κατὰ τὴν σύνθεσιν ταύτην οὐ ποιήσετε ὑμῖν ἑαυτοῖς ὡσαύτως ἅγιόν ἐστιν καὶ ἁγίασμα ἔσται ὑμῖν
Upon a human's flesh it shall not be poured, and according to this composition you shall not make any like it for yourselves; it is holy, and it shall be a holy thing for you.
v. 32 forbids two profanations: anointing ordinary human flesh with the oil and reproducing its composition for private use. The two negated futures (οὐ χρισθήσεται … οὐ ποιήσετε) protect the oil's exclusivity; the closing declaration ἅγιόν ἐστιν καὶ ἁγίασμα ἔσται ὑμῖν grounds the prohibition in the oil's intrinsic holiness, and prepares the karet-sanction of v. 33.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (application: 'upon flesh')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'upon'; the oil may not be applied upon ordinary human flesh — its anointing is reserved for the consecrated.
σάρκαfleshAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (what may not be anointed)→ object specificationσάρξ (acc. σάρκα): 'flesh / body'; renders Hebrew בָּשָׂר; here ordinary, common human flesh, as opposed to the consecrated priesthood; the holy oil is not for profane bodily use.
ἀνθρώπουof a human / manGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying σάρκα: 'a man's flesh')→ relational specificationἄνθρωπος (gen. ἀνθρώπου): 'human being / person'; renders Hebrew אָדָם; 'a man's flesh' — any ordinary person, in contrast to the anointed priests of v. 30.
οὐnotnegative particle (with χρισθήσεται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: the categorical negative barring profane anointing.
χρισθήσεταιshall be anointed / poured onFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · χρίωmain verb (prohibitive future passive)→ prohibitive future passive (categorical 'shall not be anointed')χρίω (fut. pass. χρισθήσεται): 'anoint / smear'; the passive 'it shall not be applied/poured on'; the anointing-verb now in a prohibition — the holy χρῖσμα must not touch common flesh.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm: 'according to this composition')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; bars reproducing the oil 'according to this composition' — its recipe is not to be imitated.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with σύνθεσιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σύνθεσινcomposition / compound / formulaAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (the recipe)→ object specificationσύνθεσις: 'composition / compounding / mixture'; from συντίθημι ('put together'); the specific formula of the oil; cognate with σύνθετον (the 'compounded' incense, v. 7); reproducing the σύνθεσις for private use is forbidden, as also for the incense (v. 37).
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying σύνθεσιν)→ participant referenceοὗτος (acc. fem. ταύτην): 'this'; points to the specific recipe of vv. 23–25, which may not be copied.
οὐnotnegative particle (with ποιήσετε)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: the categorical negative barring imitation.
ποιήσετεyou shall makeFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (prohibitive future, 2nd person plural)→ prohibitive future (categorical 'you shall not make')ποιέω (fut. ποιήσετε): 'make'; the shift to second-person plural addresses all Israel; the prohibition bars anyone from compounding the like of the holy oil for private use.
ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of advantage ('for yourselves')→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): 'for you'; with ἑαυτοῖς reinforces the prohibition of self-serving manufacture.
ἑαυτοῖςfor yourselvesDativereflexive pronoun (dative of advantage, reinforcing ὑμῖν)→ participant reference or interestἑαυτοῦ (dat. pl. ἑαυτοῖς): 'yourselves'; the reflexive ὑμῖν ἑαυτοῖς ('for your own selves') stresses that no one may appropriate the holy oil to personal, profane ends.
ὡσαύτωςlikewise / in like manneradverb of manner ('any like it')→ clausal contributionὡσαύτως: 'in the same way / likewise'; from ὡς + αὐτως; here 'anything like it' — no imitation of the same kind may be made; the same adverb recurs in the karet-clauses (vv. 33, 38).
ἅγιόνholyNominativepredicate adjective (with ἐστιν: 'it is holy')→ participant prominenceἅγιος: 'holy'; the declaration ἅγιόν ἐστιν grounds the prohibition — the oil's holiness is the reason it may not be profaned or imitated.
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb (declaring the oil's holiness)→ gnomic present (timeless declaration)εἰμί (pres. ἐστίν): 'is'; the declarative present states the oil's abiding sacred nature.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἁγίασμαa holy thing / sanctuary-objectNominativepredicate nominative (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἁγίασμα: 'holy thing / consecrated object / sanctuary'; from ἁγιάζω; renders Hebrew קֹדֶשׁ; a thing set apart as holy; the oil is not merely 'holy' (adjective) but a ἁγίασμα, a sacred object in its own right, demanding reverent restriction.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb (with ἁγίασμα as predicate)→ legislative future (prescriptive declaration)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; declares the oil's standing as a holy object for Israel.
ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of advantage/reference ('for you')→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): 'for you' (Israel); the oil is a holy thing reckoned to the whole people, to be guarded from common use.
33
ὃς ἂν ποιήσῃ ὡσαύτως καὶ ὃς ἂν δῷ ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἀλλογενεῖ ἐξολεθρευθήσεται ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ
Whoever makes any like it, and whoever gives of it to a foreigner, shall be utterly destroyed from his people.
v. 33 closes the anointing-oil unit with the karet-sanction: whoever imitates the oil or gives it to a foreigner ἐξολεθρευθήσεται ('shall be utterly destroyed / cut off') from his people. The double indefinite relative (ὃς ἂν … ὃς ἂν) with the emphatic ἐξολεθρευθήσεται is the LXX's standard 'cutting-off' formula (rendering Hebrew וְנִכְרַת); the same sanction caps the incense unit at v. 38 (ἀπολεῖται).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ὃςwhoever / whoNominativeindefinite relative pronoun (subject)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; with ἄν and the subjunctive forms the indefinite 'whoever', the standard opening of a casuistic karet-law.
ἂν(particle)modal particle (with subjunctive in indefinite relative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle generalizing the relative clause; 'whoever' (ὃς ἄν + subjunctive).
ποιήσῃmakesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of indefinite relative clause (subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctive (any single act of imitation)ποιέω (aor. subj. ποιήσῃ): 'make'; here 'make [the like of it]'; the offence is reproducing the holy oil's composition — the imitation forbidden in v. 32.
ὡσαύτωςlikewise / in like manneradverb of manner ('makes any like it')→ clausal contributionὡσαύτως: 'in the same way / likewise'; here 'the like of it'; cf. v. 32; the term recurs in the incense karet-clause (v. 38).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the second offence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὃςwhoever / whoNominativeindefinite relative pronoun (subject, second clause)→ participant referenceὅς: the second indefinite relative, governing the offence of giving the oil to an outsider.
ἂν(particle)modal particle (with subjunctive δῷ)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle; 'whoever' (ὃς ἄν + subjunctive).
δῷgivesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of indefinite relative clause (subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctive (any single act of giving)δίδωμι (aor. subj. δῷ): 'give'; the second offence — giving the holy oil to an unauthorized person; the oil must remain within the consecrated sphere.
ἀπ᾿of / frompreposition + genitive (partitive: 'of it')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό (ἀπ᾿): here partitive, 'some of it'; giving away any portion of the holy oil to a foreigner is the offence.
αὐτοῦitGenitivegenitive object of ἀπ᾿ (partitive: the oil)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'it' = the holy oil; the partitive marks any amount given away as a violation.
ἀλλογενεῖto a foreigner / one of another raceDativedative of indirect object (recipient: 'to a stranger')→ sphere or referenceἀλλογενής: 'of another race / foreigner / stranger'; from ἄλλος ('other') + γένος ('race'); renders Hebrew זָר ('stranger / unauthorized person'); a distinctively LXX/Jewish-Greek coinage; here anyone outside the consecrated priesthood — the same word marks the 'foreigner' barred from the temple and appears on the Herodian temple-warning inscription.
ἐξολεθρευθήσεταιshall be utterly destroyed / cut offFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐξολεθρεύωmain verb (apodosis: the karet-penalty)→ predictive future passive (divine penalty of cutting-off)ἐξολεθρεύω (fut. pass. ἐξολεθρευθήσεται): 'utterly destroy / root out / exterminate'; the intensive compound ἐξ-ολεθρεύω; the standard LXX rendering of the Hebrew karet-formula וְנִכְרַת ('he shall be cut off'); the passive with no human agent implies divine action — the offender is removed from the covenant community; cited in this sense at Acts 3:23 (ἐξολεθρευθήσεται ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ).
ἐκfrom / out ofpreposition + genitive (separation: 'from his people')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'from / out of'; marks the separation of the offender from the covenant people — the essence of the karet-penalty.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with λαοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (the people cut off from)→ relational specificationλαός: 'people'; renders Hebrew עַם; ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ ('from his people') is the karet-formula's object — exclusion from the covenant community of Israel.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying λαοῦ)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his' (the offender's own people); the cutting-off is from one's own kin — the severest social-covenantal penalty.
34
καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν λαβὲ σεαυτῷ ἡδύσματα στακτήν ὄνυχα χαλβάνην ἡδυσμοῦ καὶ λίβανον διαφανῆ ἴσον ἴσῳ ἔσται
And the LORD said to Moses, 'Take for yourself spices: stacte, onycha, fragrant galbanum, and clear frankincense; it shall be equal part for part.'
v. 34 opens the fifth and final ordinance — the sacred incense (vv. 34–38) — with the variant speech-formula καὶ εἶπεν (rather than ἐλάλησεν) and the imperative λαβὲ σεαυτῷ ('take for yourself'), paralleling the oil-recipe of v. 23. Four aromatic ingredients are listed in equal proportion (ἴσον ἴσῳ, 'part for part'), constituting the holy incense compounded in v. 35.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing new divine speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single completed speech-act)λέγω (aor. εἶπεν): 'say'; the variant formula καὶ εἶπεν κύριος (rather than ἐλάλησεν, vv. 11, 17, 22) opens the incense-unit; the variation may reflect a different source-stratum or simply stylistic variety.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the unmediated divine speaker.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (recipient of speech)→ object specificationΜωυσῆς (acc. Μωυσῆν): transliteration of Hebrew מֹשֶׁה; the directional object of πρός.
λαβὲtakeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (aorist imperative command)→ ingressive aorist imperative (decisive command to take)λαμβάνω (aor. impv. λαβέ): 'take'; renders Hebrew קַח; the direct command to gather the incense-ingredients, paralleling λαβέ of v. 23 (the oil).
σεαυτῷfor yourselfDativereflexive dative (of advantage: 'for yourself')→ sphere or referenceσεαυτοῦ (dat. σεαυτῷ): 'for yourself'; the reflexive dative renders the Hebrew ethical dative לְךָ ('take you'), a personal commission to Moses; cf. the emphatic σύ of v. 23.
ἡδύσματαspices / aromaticsAccusativedirect object of λαβέ (then itemized)→ object specificationἥδυσμα (pl. ἡδύσματα): 'sweet spice / aromatic'; the general term for the fragrant ingredients now listed; cf. v. 23.
στακτήνstacte / myrrh-dropsAccusativeappositional accusative (first incense-ingredient)→ object specificationστακτή: 'stacte / drops (of myrrh or storax)'; from στάζω ('to drip'); renders Hebrew נָטָף ('drops'); the first aromatic of the incense, a fragrant resin that exudes in drops.
ὄνυχαonychaAccusativeappositional accusative (second incense-ingredient)→ object specificationὄνυξ (acc. ὄνυχα): lit. 'claw / nail', here 'onycha', the aromatic operculum of a mollusc; renders Hebrew שְׁחֵלֶת; the second ingredient, a pungent shell-derived aromatic burned in the incense.
χαλβάνηνgalbanumAccusativeappositional accusative (third incense-ingredient)→ object specificationχαλβάνη: 'galbanum'; a strong-smelling gum-resin; renders Hebrew חֶלְבְּנָה (the Greek is a Semitic loanword); the third ingredient, qualified as ἡδυσμοῦ ('of sweetness/fragrance').
ἡδυσμοῦof fragrance / sweetnessGenitivegenitive of quality (modifying χαλβάνην: 'fragrant galbanum')→ relational specificationἡδυσμός: 'sweetening / fragrance / sweet spice'; from ἡδύνω; the genitive qualifies the galbanum as fragrant/sweet — χαλβάνη ἡδυσμοῦ, 'galbanum of fragrance', i.e. the sweet/aromatic kind.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (fourth ingredient)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λίβανονfrankincenseAccusativeappositional accusative (fourth incense-ingredient)→ object specificationλίβανος: 'frankincense'; the aromatic gum-resin of Boswellia; renders Hebrew לְבֹנָה (the Greek is a Semitic loanword); the fourth ingredient and the chief perfume of the incense; in the NT frankincense (λίβανος) is among the magi's gifts (Matt 2:11).
διαφανῆtransparent / pure / clearAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying λίβανον)→ object specificationδιαφανής: 'transparent / clear / translucent'; from διά + φαίνω ('shine through'); renders Hebrew זַכָּה ('pure / clear'); marks the frankincense as the pure, translucent grade — the finest quality.
ἴσονequalNominativepredicate (in idiom ἴσον ἴσῳ: 'part for part')→ participant prominenceἴσος (neut. ἴσον): 'equal'; the idiom ἴσον ἴσῳ ('equal to equal / part for part') specifies that the four ingredients are combined in equal proportions; renders the Hebrew בַּד בְּבַד ('part for part / in equal weight').
ἴσῳwith equalDativedative in idiom ἴσον ἴσῳ ('part for part')→ sphere or referenceἴσος (dat. ἴσῳ): 'equal'; the dative completes the idiom ἴσον ἴσῳ, 'each in equal measure'; the equal proportions contrast with the graduated weights of the anointing oil (vv. 23–24).
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb (prescribing the equal proportion)→ legislative future (prescriptive 'shall be')εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; prescribes that the mixture be in equal parts — ἴσον ἴσῳ ἔσται, 'it shall be part for part'.
35
καὶ ποιήσουσιν ἐν αὐτῷ θυμίαμα μυρεψικὸν ἔργον μυρεψοῦ μεμιγμένον καθαρόν ἔργον ἅγιον
And they shall make with it incense, a perfumed compound, a perfumer's work, salted, pure, a holy work.
v. 35 directs the compounding of the four spices into incense — a perfumer's work (ἔργον μυρεψοῦ), salted/seasoned, pure, and holy. The string of asyndetic qualifiers (μυρεψικόν … μεμιγμένον καθαρόν … ἅγιον) characterizes the incense as expertly prepared and sacrally pure, paralleling the description of the holy oil (v. 25).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσουσινthey shall makeFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (legislative future, 3rd person plural)→ legislative future (command to compound)ποιέω (fut. ποιήσουσιν): 'make'; the third-person plural ('they' = the perfumers/artisans) directs the compounding of the incense; cf. ποιήσεις of the oil (v. 25).
ἐνwith / frompreposition + dative (instrumental/material: 'with it')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: here instrumental, 'with [these]'; ἐν αὐτῷ refers to the spice-mixture from which the incense is made; a Hebraizing instrumental ἐν rendering בְּ.
αὐτῷit / themDativedative object of ἐν (the spice-mixture)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): 'it' = the combined spices of v. 34, the material of the incense.
θυμίαμαincenseAccusativedirect object of ποιήσουσιν→ object specificationθυμίαμα: 'incense'; the product to be compounded; the same incense burned on the golden altar (vv. 7–8).
μυρεψικὸνperfumed / compounded as ointmentAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying θυμίαμα)→ object specificationμυρεψικός: 'of the perfumer's compounding'; the incense, like the oil (v. 25), is a perfumer's preparation; from μυρεψός.
ἔργονwork / productAccusativeappositional accusative (defining the incense: 'a work')→ object specificationἔργον: 'work / deed / product'; here the crafted product; ἔργον μυρεψοῦ ('a perfumer's work') parallels τέχνῃ μυρεψοῦ of the oil (v. 25).
μυρεψοῦof a perfumerGenitivegenitive of the craftsman ('a perfumer's work')→ relational specificationμυρεψός: 'perfumer / ointment-maker'; the skilled artisan; renders Hebrew רֹקֵחַ; the incense is expert craft, not casual mixing; cf. v. 25.
μεμιγμένονmixed / salted / seasonedPerf Pass Ptcp Acc Sg Neut · μείγνυμιattributive participle (modifying θυμίαμα: 'thoroughly mixed')→ perfect passive participle (resultant state of being blended)μείγνυμι (perf. pass. ptcp. μεμιγμένον): 'mix / blend together'; the perfect passive denotes the resultant blended state; renders Hebrew מְמֻלָּח ('salted / seasoned / well-mixed'), an obscure term the LXX takes as thorough mixing; the incense is fully blended into a homogeneous compound.
καθαρόνpure / cleanAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying θυμίαμα)→ object specificationκαθαρός: 'pure / clean / unadulterated'; renders Hebrew טָהוֹר; the incense must be ritually pure, free of any profane admixture.
ἔργονworkAccusativeappositional accusative (resumptive: 'a holy work')→ object specificationἔργον: the resumptive ἔργον ἅγιον ('a holy work') frames the verse, declaring the finished incense a sacred product.
ἅγιονholyAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔργον)→ object specificationἅγιος: 'holy'; the incense, like the oil, is intrinsically holy — the basis of the prohibition and karet-sanction of vv. 37–38.
36
καὶ συγκόψεις ἐκ τούτων λεπτὸν καὶ θήσεις ἀπέναντι τῶν μαρτυρίων ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου ὅθεν γνωσθήσομαί σοι ἐκεῖθεν ἅγιον τῶν ἁγίων ἔσται ὑμῖν
And you shall beat some of it fine, and set it before the testimonies in the tent of witness, from where I will make myself known to you; it shall be most holy for you.
v. 36 directs that the incense be beaten fine and placed before the testimony in the tent — the place of divine self-revelation — and declares it ἅγιον τῶν ἁγίων ('most holy'). The verse deliberately echoes v. 6 (the altar's placement, γνωσθήσομαί σοι ἐκεῖθεν) and v. 10 (ἅγιον τῶν ἁγίων), binding the incense to the locus and grade of supreme holiness at the heart of the sanctuary.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συγκόψειςyou shall beat fine / pound togetherFut Act Indic 2 Sg · συγκόπτωmain verb (legislative future)→ legislative future (command to pulverize)συγκόπτω (fut. συγκόψεις): 'beat together / pound up / crush fine'; the compound συν- + κόπτω ('strike'); renders Hebrew שָׁחַק ('beat / grind fine'); the incense is pulverized, matching the λεπτόν ('fine') of v. 7.
ἐκof / frompreposition + genitive (partitive: 'some of it')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: here partitive, 'some of these'; a portion of the compounded incense is pulverized and placed before the testimony.
τούτωνthese / of theseGenitivepartitive genitive (object of ἐκ: the incense)→ relational specificationοὗτος (gen. pl. τούτων): 'these'; the compounded ingredients/incense, of which a portion is beaten fine.
λεπτὸνfine / finely-groundAccusativeadverbial/object accusative (result of beating: 'fine')→ object specificationλεπτός: 'fine / thin / finely powdered'; the result of συγκόπτω; the incense is reduced to a fine powder, as in v. 7 (θυμίαμα … λεπτόν).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θήσειςyou shall set / placeFut Act Indic 2 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (legislative future)→ legislative future (command to place)τίθημι (fut. θήσεις): 'set / place'; the placement-verb (cf. vv. 6, 18); the fine incense is set before the testimony.
ἀπέναντιbefore / oppositeimproper preposition + genitive (position: 'before')→ spatial or relational framingἀπέναντι: 'opposite / before'; renders Hebrew לִפְנֵי; locates the incense before the testimony, echoing the altar's placement (v. 6).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with μαρτυρίων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίωνtestimoniesGenitivegenitive object of ἀπέναντι ('before the testimonies')→ relational specificationμαρτύριον (pl. μαρτυρίων): 'testimony'; the plural (as in v. 6) refers to the tablets/testimony in the ark; the incense is placed before this innermost token of the covenant.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle (with σκηνῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῇtent / tabernacleDativedative object of ἐν (locative: 'in the tent')→ sphere or referenceσκηνή (dat. σκηνῇ): 'tent'; the tent of witness, where the incense is placed before the testimony.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with μαρτυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουof witness / testimonyGenitivegenitive of description (defining the tent)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'witness'; σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, the tent of witness; cf. vv. 6, 16, 18.
ὅθενfrom where / whencerelative adverb of place (introducing the revelation-clause)→ clausal contributionὅθεν: 'from where / whence'; introduces the relative clause of place — the tent is the place from which YHWH reveals himself; echoes ἐν οἷς … ἐκεῖθεν of v. 6.
γνωσθήσομαίI will be known / make myself knownFut Pass Indic 1 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb of relative clause (divine self-revelation)→ predictive future passive (reflexive sense: 'I will reveal myself')γινώσκω (fut. pass. γνωσθήσομαι): 'make oneself known'; the reflexive-revelatory passive (cf. v. 6); YHWH reveals himself from the tent — the incense is placed at the very threshold of divine self-disclosure.
σοιto youDativedative of indirect object (Moses as recipient)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): 'to you' (Moses); the revelation is addressed to Moses, as in v. 6.
ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (source of the revelation, resumptive)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there'; renders Hebrew מִשָּׁם; the resumptive ὅθεν … ἐκεῖθεν ('from where … from there') is a Hebraizing redundancy, both terms marking the tent as the locus of divine speech; cf. v. 6.
ἅγιονholyNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται: 'it shall be holy')→ participant prominenceἅγιος: 'holy'; in the superlative idiom ἅγιον τῶν ἁγίων ('most holy'), ascribing supreme sanctity to the incense, as to the altar (v. 10).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ἁγίων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁγίωνof holy thingsGenitivepartitive genitive (superlative idiom: 'most holy')→ relational specificationἅγιος (gen. pl. ἁγίων): the Semitic superlative ἅγιον τῶν ἁγίων (Hebrew קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים), 'most holy'; the incense ranks with the holiest sancta; cf. vv. 10, 29.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb (declaring the incense's status)→ legislative future (prescriptive declaration of sanctity)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; declares the incense's supreme sacred status for Israel.
ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of advantage/reference ('for you', 2nd pl.)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): 'for you' (Israel); the incense is most holy with respect to the whole people, to be guarded from common use, as the prohibitions of vv. 37–38 enforce.
37
θυμίαμα κατὰ τὴν σύνθεσιν ταύτην οὐ ποιήσετε ὑμῖν αὐτοῖς ἁγίασμα ἔσται ὑμῖν κυρίῳ
Incense according to this composition you shall not make for yourselves; it shall be for you a holy thing to the LORD.
v. 37 forbids reproducing the incense's composition for private use, exactly paralleling the oil-prohibition of v. 32 (κατὰ τὴν σύνθεσιν ταύτην οὐ ποιήσετε). The closing ἁγίασμα ἔσται ὑμῖν κυρίῳ ('it shall be for you a holy thing to the LORD') declares the incense YHWH's exclusive property, preparing the karet-sanction of v. 38.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
θυμίαμαincenseAccusativedirect object of ποιήσετε (fronted)→ object specificationθυμίαμα: 'incense'; the fronted object — incense of this composition is what may not be made for profane use.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (norm: 'according to this composition')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; bars reproducing the incense by its prescribed formula; exactly as with the oil (v. 32).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with σύνθεσιν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σύνθεσινcomposition / compound / formulaAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (the recipe)→ object specificationσύνθεσις: 'composition / compounding'; the specific formula of the incense (v. 34); cognate with σύνθετον (v. 7) and identical to the oil-prohibition's term (v. 32); its imitation is forbidden.
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying σύνθεσιν)→ participant referenceοὗτος (acc. fem. ταύτην): 'this'; points to the specific incense-recipe of vv. 34–35, which may not be copied.
οὐnotnegative particle (with ποιήσετε)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: the categorical negative barring private manufacture.
ποιήσετεyou shall makeFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (prohibitive future, 2nd person plural)→ prohibitive future (categorical 'you shall not make')ποιέω (fut. ποιήσετε): 'make'; the second-person plural prohibition addresses all Israel; no one may compound the like of the holy incense for personal use; exactly parallel to v. 32.
ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of advantage ('for yourselves')→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): 'for you'; with αὐτοῖς reinforces the prohibition of self-serving manufacture.
αὐτοῖςyourselvesDativeintensive pronoun (reinforcing ὑμῖν: 'for your own selves')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. pl. αὐτοῖς): 'yourselves'; the emphatic ὑμῖν αὐτοῖς ('for your own selves') stresses that the incense may not be appropriated to private ends; cf. ὑμῖν ἑαυτοῖς of v. 32.
ἁγίασμαa holy thing / consecrated objectNominativepredicate nominative (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἁγίασμα: 'holy thing / consecrated object / sanctuary'; from ἁγιάζω; renders Hebrew קֹדֶשׁ; the incense is a sacred object set apart for YHWH, demanding reverent restriction; cf. v. 32 (the oil).
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb (with ἁγίασμα as predicate)→ legislative future (prescriptive declaration)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; declares the incense's standing as a holy object reserved to YHWH.
ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of advantage/reference ('for you')→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): 'for you' (Israel); the incense is a holy thing reckoned to the people, yet belonging to YHWH (κυρίῳ).
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of relation/possession ('holy to the LORD')→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): the LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; ἁγίασμα … κυρίῳ ('a holy thing to the LORD') marks the incense as YHWH's exclusive property, profanation of which incurs the karet-penalty of v. 38.
38
ὃς ἂν ποιήσῃ ὡσαύτως ὥστε ὀσφραίνεσθαι ἐν αὐτῷ ἀπολεῖται ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ
Whoever makes any like it, so as to enjoy its fragrance, shall perish from his people.
v. 38 closes the incense-unit and the chapter with the karet-sanction: whoever imitates the incense to enjoy its fragrance ἀπολεῖται ('shall perish') from his people. The structure mirrors the oil-sanction of v. 33 (ὃς ἂν ποιήσῃ ὡσαύτως … ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ), but with ἀπολεῖται ('perish') for ἐξολεθρευθήσεται ('be cut off'); the purpose-clause ὥστε ὀσφραίνεσθαι ('so as to smell/enjoy') specifies the profaning intent — appropriating the sacred fragrance for private pleasure.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ὃςwhoever / whoNominativeindefinite relative pronoun (subject)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; with ἄν and the subjunctive forms the indefinite 'whoever', opening the karet-law; identical to v. 33.
ἂν(particle)modal particle (with subjunctive in indefinite relative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle generalizing the relative clause; 'whoever' (ὃς ἄν + subjunctive).
ποιήσῃmakesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of indefinite relative clause (subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctive (any single act of imitation)ποιέω (aor. subj. ποιήσῃ): 'make'; here 'make [the like of it]'; the offence is reproducing the holy incense for private use, as in v. 33 (the oil).
ὡσαύτωςlikewise / in like manneradverb of manner ('makes any like it')→ clausal contributionὡσαύτως: 'in the same way / likewise'; 'the like of it'; cf. vv. 32, 33.
ὥστεso as toresult/purpose conjunction (+ infinitive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε: 'so as to'; with the infinitive ὀσφραίνεσθαι expresses the profaning purpose — to enjoy the sacred fragrance privately.
ὀσφραίνεσθαιto smell / enjoy the fragrancePres Mid Inf · ὀσφραίνομαιcomplementary infinitive (with ὥστε: purpose/result)→ present infinitive (ongoing enjoyment of the scent)ὀσφραίνομαι: 'smell / catch the scent of / enjoy a fragrance'; renders Hebrew הֵרִיחַ ('smell'); the offence is appropriating the holy incense's fragrance for private sensory pleasure — treating the sacred as common.
ἐνin / bypreposition + dative (object of smelling: 'in/by it')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dat.: here the object of the smelling, 'in/by it'; a Hebraizing construction (ὀσφραίνομαι ἐν) rendering הֵרִיחַ בְּ.
αὐτῷitDativedative object of ἐν (the incense smelled)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): 'it' = the incense, whose fragrance is illicitly enjoyed.
ἀπολεῖταιshall perish / be destroyedFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀπόλλυμιmain verb (apodosis: the karet-penalty)→ predictive future middle (divine penalty of perishing)ἀπόλλυμι (fut. mid. ἀπολεῖται): 'perish / be destroyed / be lost'; renders the Hebrew karet-formula וְנִכְרַת ('he shall be cut off'); a variant of the ἐξολεθρευθήσεται of v. 33, with the same force — removal from the covenant community by divine penalty; the middle 'shall perish' presents the destruction as the offender's own fate.
ἐκfrom / out ofpreposition + genitive (separation: 'from his people')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'from / out of'; marks the separation of the offender from the covenant people; the karet-formula's preposition; cf. v. 33.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with λαοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (the people cut off from)→ relational specificationλαός: 'people'; ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ ('from his people'), the karet-formula's object — exclusion from the covenant community; the chapter ends, as the oil-unit did (v. 33), with this sanction.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying λαοῦ)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. αὐτοῦ): 'his' (the offender's own people); the cutting-off is from one's own kin, the severest covenantal penalty, sealing the chapter's twofold protection of the sacred oil and incense.