1
Καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν· Ἰδοὺ δέδωκά σε θεὸν Φαραω, καὶ Ααρων ὁ ἀδελφός σου ἔσται σου προφήτης.
And the Lord said to Moses, 'Behold, I have made you a god to Pharaoh, and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet.'
The formulaic Καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν inaugurates the plague cycle's commissioning speech. δέδωκά σε θεὸν Φαραω is a perfect indicative of present-effective state: the appointment stands complete and operative. The double accusative (σε + θεόν) expresses appointment to a role; Moses is constituted as the one who stands in the place of divine authority before Pharaoh. Correspondingly, Ααρων is titled προφήτης — the Greek term for one who speaks on behalf of another — casting the whole Moses–Aaron–Pharaoh confrontation in prophetic-ambassadorial terms that echo the classical prophetic call.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential-paratactic)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of speech-introduction→ constative aorist (reporting speech act)λέγω: standard verb of verbal communication; Καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν is the formulaic introduction to the divine oracle throughout the Exodus plague narrative.
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the divine name יהוה (YHWH); nominative subject of εἶπεν throughout the Exodus plague cycle.
πρὸςtopreposition governing accusative (direction / recipient of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (direction / recipient of speech).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeobject of πρὸς (recipient of speech)→ object specificationΜωυσῆς: declinable Greek form of the Hebrew name מֹשֶׁה; accusative singular after πρός.
Ἰδοὺbeholdattention-marker / deictic particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδοὺ: interjection calquing Hebrew הִנֵּה; signals the solemn declaration or divine announcement that follows.
δέδωκάI have made / appointedPf Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb of divine appointment (governing double accusative)→ perfect of present-effective state: the appointment is complete and operative at the moment of speechδίδωμι: 'give, set, appoint, constitute'; here δέδωκά σε θεόν = 'I have set/constituted you as god.' Hebraism: renders נְתַתִּיךָ אֱלֹהִים (Exod 7:1 MT). The perfect tense underscores that Moses enters the confrontation already invested with divine authority.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of δέδωκά (person appointed)→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of δέδωκά (person appointed).
θεὸνa godAccusativepredicate accusative (role / status appointed by double-accusative construction)→ object specificationθεός: without the article, used as a predicate of status — Moses is given the positional authority of deity relative to Pharaoh. The LXX reproduces the MT's anarthrous אֱלֹהִים without softening.
Φαραωto Pharaohdative of reference (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΦαραω: Greek transliteration of Egyptian pr-ʿꜣ ('great house'), title of the Egyptian king; indeclinable in Greek throughout the LXX.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑαρωνAaronsubject of ἔσται (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliteration of Hebrew אַהֲרֹן; indeclinable in Greek.
ὁtheNominativearticle with ἀδελφός (appositive phrase to Ααρων)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφόςbrotherNominativeappositive to Ααρων→ participant prominenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; the apposition ὁ ἀδελφός σου identifies Aaron's relationship to Moses and is repeated throughout the plague narrative to underscore their divinely ordained partnership.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive with ἀδελφός→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with ἀδελφός.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (prophetic-predictive future)→ predictive future with modal force of divine decreeεἰμί: copula; the future ἔσται here carries the weight of a divine appointment — 'shall be your prophet' — not a mere prediction but an investiture.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive with προφήτης→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with προφήτης.
προφήτηςprophetNominativepredicate nominative (Aaron's appointed role)→ participant prominenceπροφήτης: 'prophet, spokesperson'; applied to Aaron as Moses' mouthpiece before Pharaoh, just as a prophet speaks on behalf of the divine. Renders Hebrew נָבִיא (nāḇîʾ). The term frames the entire plague confrontation in prophetic-commission categories; cf. Exod 7:2, where Aaron 'speaks' everything Moses says.
2
σὺ δὲ λαλήσεις αὐτῷ πάντα ὅσα σοι ἐντέλλομαι· ὁ δὲ Ααρων ὁ ἀδελφός σου λαλήσει πρὸς Φαραω ὥστε ἐξαποστεῖλαι τοὺς υἱοὺς Ισραηλ ἐκ τῆς γῆς αὐτοῦ.
But you shall speak to him everything that I command you, and Aaron your brother shall speak to Pharaoh so as to send away the sons of Israel from his land.
The verse elaborates the functional division established in v.1: Moses serves as the conduit of divine command (he relays everything God orders), while Aaron is the public voice before Pharaoh. The telic infinitive ὥστε ἐξαποστεῖλαι states the purpose of the entire commission — that Pharaoh send Israel out. The verb ἐξαποστεῖλαι (compound: ἐκ + ἀπο + στέλλω) conveys full release 'out from' the land.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun — Moses specifically)→ participant referenceσὺ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (emphatic pronoun — Moses specifically).
δὲbut / andpostpositive particle (mild adversative / continuative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λαλήσειςyou shall speakFut Act Indic 2 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (Moses' appointed role)→ predictive-imperatival future (divine instruction)λαλέω: 'speak, communicate'; here and in λαλήσει (Aaron's action) the verb is the workhorse of the prophetic chain — Moses speaks to Aaron, Aaron speaks to Pharaoh.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (Aaron, implied from context)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Aaron, implied from context).
πάνταeverythingAccusativedirect object of λαλήσεις (substantival adjective)→ object specificationπᾶς (neut pl): used substantivally — 'all things, everything.' The scope underlines that Moses is a transparent conduit: no private editorial.
ὅσαwhich / thatAccusativecorrelative relative pronoun (introducing extent clause)→ participant referenceὅσα: 'as many things as, everything that'; neut pl correlative pronoun, antecedent πάντα — Moses is to speak all things that God commands.
σοιto youDativeindirect object of ἐντέλλομαι→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object of ἐντέλλομαι.
ἐντέλλομαιI commandPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐντέλλωmain verb of relative clause (ongoing divine commandment)→ progressive present (God's commanding is continuous, not a past event)ἐντέλλω: 'command, charge, enjoin'; the present tense marks the ongoing, authoritative mandate from God to Moses that underlies the entire plague narrative.
ὁtheNominativearticle with Ααρων (resumptive second subject clause)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲand / butpostpositive particle (introducing second subject — Aaron)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑαρωνAaronsubject of λαλήσει (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of λαλήσει (indeclinable).
ὁtheNominativearticle with ἀδελφός→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφόςbrotherNominativeappositive to Ααρων→ participant prominenceἀδελφός: meaning 'brother'; it serves as appositive to Ααρων.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive with ἀδελφός→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with ἀδελφός.
λαλήσειshall speakFut Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (Aaron's appointed role)→ predictive-imperatival futureλαλέω: see λαλήσεις above; the parallelism (Moses speaks to Aaron / Aaron speaks to Pharaoh) structures the chain of communication that defines the prophetic embassy.
πρὸςtopreposition governing accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (direction of speech).
ΦαραωPharaohobject of πρὸς (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of πρὸς (indeclinable).
ὥστεso as to / in order toconsecutive-purposive particle (introducing telic infinitive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε + infinitive: expresses the intended result or purpose — 'so as to send away.' The goal of the entire commission is formulated here.
ἐξαποστεῖλαιto send away / to releaseAor Act Inf · ἐξαποστέλλωinfinitive of purpose with ὥστε→ aorist infinitive (single act of release)ἐξαποστέλλω: compound of ἐκ + ἀπο + στέλλω, 'send out / send away fully'; the compounding emphasizes complete departure from the land. This verb recurs as the keyword of Pharaoh's refusal throughout the plague cycle.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with υἱούς→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object of ἐξαποστεῖλαι→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ is the standard LXX designation for the people of Israel as a collective — 'the sons of Israel.'
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive qualifier (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in Greek.
ἐκout of / frompreposition governing genitive (source / separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing genitive (source / separation).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with γῆς→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitiveobject of ἐκ (the territory Israel is to leave)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land, earth, ground'; here the land of Egypt from which Israel is to be sent.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive with γῆς (Pharaoh's land)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with γῆς (Pharaoh's land).
3
ἐγὼ δὲ σκληρυνῶ τὴν καρδίαν Φαραω καὶ πληθυνῶ τὰ σημεῖά μου καὶ τὰ τέρατά μου ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτου.
But I will harden the heart of Pharaoh, and I will multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
The emphatic ἐγώ (I, for my part) places God's sovereign action in deliberate contrast to the commissioning of Moses and Aaron: even while dispatching his ambassadors, God announces that he will harden Pharaoh's heart — making the confrontation a divinely orchestrated demonstration. σκληρυνῶ (active, 'I will harden') is the first instance of the hardening-language that runs through Exodus 7–14 in alternating active and passive forms. The combination σημεῖα ('signs') and τέρατα ('wonders') is the standard LXX pair for the divine portents of the Exodus tradition.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun — God's own action foregrounded)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic first-person pronoun; the explicit subject underlines that the hardening is God's active initiative, not a secondary effect.
δὲbut / andpostpositive particle (adversative-contrastive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σκληρυνῶI will hardenFut Act Indic 1 Sg · σκληρύνωmain verb (divine hardening — active)→ predictive future (certain divine act)σκληρύνω: 'harden, make stiff/obstinate'; renders Hebrew חָזַק / כָּבֵד in the hardening passages. Here God is the active agent (cf. 7:22 where the passive ἐσκληρύνθη registers the same reality from the other side). The active form is one of the most theologically charged formulas in the Exodus narrative.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with καρδίαν→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίανheartAccusativedirect object of σκληρυνῶ→ object specificationκαρδία: 'heart'; in Semitic idiom (Hebrew לֵב) the heart is the seat of will and decision, not merely emotion — 'hardening the heart' means hardening the will to refuse.
Φαραωof Pharaohpossessive genitive (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as possessive genitive (indeclinable proper noun).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πληθυνῶI will multiplyFut Act Indic 1 Sg · πληθύνωcoordinate main verb→ predictive futureπληθύνω: 'multiply, increase'; here the multiplication of signs and wonders serves a double purpose — demonstrating divine power and exposing the futility of resistance.
τὰtheAccusativearticle with σημεῖά→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σημεῖάsignsAccusativedirect object of πληθυνῶ→ object specificationσημεῖον: 'sign, portent'; in the Exodus tradition, σημεῖα are acts that point beyond themselves to divine identity and power. The pairing σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα is the standard LXX hendiadys for the Exodus miracles (cf. Deut 4:34; 7:19; Acts 7:36).
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive with σημεῖά→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with σημεῖά.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle with τέρατά→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τέρατάwondersAccusativedirect object of πληθυνῶ (coordinate with σημεῖά)→ object specificationτέρας: 'wonder, portent, marvel'; as the second member of the hendiadys σημεῖα καὶ τέρατα, τέρατα emphasizes the astonishing, awe-producing quality of the divine acts.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive with τέρατά→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with τέρατά.
ἐνinpreposition governing dative (locative sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing dative (locative sphere).
γῇlandDativeobject of ἐν (locative dative)→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as object of ἐν (locative dative).
Αἰγύπτουof EgyptGenitivegenitive qualifying γῇ (place-name)→ relational specificationΑἴγυπτος: Greek name for Egypt; the genitive form after γῇ identifies the theater of the signs.
4
καὶ οὐκ εἰσακούσεται ὑμῶν Φαραω· καὶ ἐπιβαλῶ τὴν χεῖρά μου ἐπ᾿ Αἴγυπτον καὶ ἐξάξω σὺν δυνάμει μεγάλῃ τὸν λαόν μου τοὺς υἱοὺς Ισραηλ ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου σὺν ἐκδικήσει μεγάλῃ.
And Pharaoh will not listen to you, and I will lay my hand upon Egypt and lead out my people, the sons of Israel, from the land of Egypt with great power and with great vengeance.
This verse draws the logical consequence of the hardening (v.3): Pharaoh will not listen (οὐκ εἰσακούσεται), whereupon God will intervene directly. The two consequent divine actions — ἐπιβαλῶ (I will lay my hand) and ἐξάξω (I will lead out) — move in sequence from judgment on Egypt to salvation of Israel. The paired σύν phrases (σὺν δυνάμει μεγάλῃ … σὺν ἐκδικήσει μεγάλῃ) are Hebraizing instrumentals typical of the Exodus tradition.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegation particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσακούσεταιwill listen toFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰσακούωmain verb (Pharaoh's predicted refusal)→ predictive futureεἰσακούω: 'listen to, heed, obey' (εἰς + ἀκούω); with genitive of person (ὑμῶν) — 'will not hear you.' The compound verb implies not merely hearing but heeding; refusal is total.
ὑμῶνyou (pl.)Genitivegenitive object of εἰσακούσεται (genitive of person after verb of hearing)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you (pl.)'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of εἰσακούσεται (genitive of person after verb of hearing).
ΦαραωPharaohsubject (indeclinable; postposed for emphasis)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable; postposed for emphasis).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing divine response)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιβαλῶI will lay / stretch outFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐπιβάλλωmain verb (first divine act of judgment)→ predictive futureἐπιβάλλω: 'lay upon, put upon'; ἐπιβαλῶ τὴν χεῖρά μου ἐπ᾿ Αἴγυπτον calques Hebrew נָתַתִּי יָד עַל ('I will lay my hand upon') — the idiom of sovereign judgment.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with χεῖρά→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖράhandAccusativedirect object of ἐπιβαλῶ→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the 'hand of God' (χεὶρ κυρίου / χείρ μου) is a stock metaphor for divine power in judgment — the extended hand strikes Egypt.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive with χεῖρά→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with χεῖρά.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition governing accusative (direction of judgment)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί (elided before smooth breathing): 'upon, against'; here with accusative = direction of hostile action.
ΑἴγυπτονEgyptAccusativeobject of ἐπ᾿ (land under judgment)→ object specificationΑἴγυπτον: meaning 'Egypt'; it serves as object of ἐπ᾿ (land under judgment).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξάξωI will lead outFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐξάγωmain verb (divine act of deliverance)→ predictive futureἐξάγω: 'lead out, bring out'; the Exodus-verb par excellence — it is used throughout the LXX to denote the great act of deliverance (cf. Deut 6:12; 8:14; Ps 80:9 LXX). Renders Hebrew יָצָא (Hiphil) = 'cause to go out.'
σὺνwithpreposition governing dative (instrumental / accompanying circumstance)→ spatial or relational framingσύν: 'with, together with'; here instrumental/modal — 'with great power.' The doubling of σύν-phrases (σὺν δυνάμει … σὺν ἐκδικήσει) is a Hebraizing construction calquing the Hebrew prefix ב ('in/with').
δυνάμειpowerDativeobject of σύν (instrumental dative)→ sphere or referenceδύναμις: 'power, might, force'; the great power with which God leads Israel out is a key Exodus-theology concept.
μεγάλῃgreatDativeattributive adjective with δυνάμει→ sphere or referenceμεγάλῃ: meaning 'great'; it serves as attributive adjective with δυνάμει.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with λαόν→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἐξάξω→ object specificationλαός: 'people, nation'; τὸν λαόν μου — 'my people' — is the covenant designation of Israel as God's own people; the possessive μου is weighty.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive with λαόν (covenant designation)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with λαόν (covenant designation).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with υἱούς (appositive phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeappositive to λαόν→ object specificationυἱοὺς: meaning 'sons'; it serves as appositive to λαόν.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive qualifier (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive qualifier (indeclinable proper noun).
ἐκout ofpreposition governing genitive (source / separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing genitive (source / separation).
γῆςlandGenitiveobject of ἐκ→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as object of ἐκ.
Αἰγύπτουof EgyptGenitivegenitive qualifying γῆς→ relational specificationΑἰγύπτου: meaning 'of Egypt'; it serves as genitive qualifying γῆς.
σὺνwithpreposition governing dative (second instrumental phrase)→ spatial or relational framingσὺν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing dative (second instrumental phrase).
ἐκδικήσειvengeance / judgmentDativeobject of σύν (instrumental dative)→ sphere or referenceἐκδίκησις: 'vengeance, punishment, execution of justice'; renders Hebrew שְׁפָטִים (Exod 7:4 MT, 'judgments'). The term frames the Exodus plagues as divine juridical acts against Egypt.
μεγάλῃgreatDativeattributive adjective with ἐκδικήσει→ sphere or referenceμεγάλῃ: meaning 'great'; it serves as attributive adjective with ἐκδικήσει.
5
καὶ γνώσονται πάντες οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος, ἐκτείνων τὴν χεῖρά μου ἐπ᾿ Αἴγυπτον καὶ ἐξάγων τοὺς υἱοὺς Ισραηλ ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν.
And all the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, as I stretch out my hand upon Egypt and lead out the sons of Israel from their midst.
This verse states the ultimate purpose of the hardening, the signs, and the judgment: γνώσονται — 'they shall know' — that the God of Israel is κύριος. The two present participles ἐκτείνων and ἐξάγων are circumstantial-modal, describing the manner in which the knowledge is mediated. The 'knowledge of YHWH' formula (ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος) recurs as a theological refrain throughout the plagues and is a key Exodus-theology motif (cf. vv. 17, 8:18).
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γνώσονταιshall knowFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb (purpose-result: the knowledge produced by the plagues)→ predictive future (certain outcome)γινώσκω: 'know, come to know, recognize'; the future middle here carries the force of coming to experiential acknowledgment — the plagues will compel Egypt's recognition of divine sovereignty.
πάντεςallNominativesubject (substantival adjective — all, sc. the Egyptians)→ participant prominenceπάντες: meaning 'all'; it serves as subject (substantival adjective — all, sc. the Egyptians).
οἱtheNominativearticle with Αἰγύπτιοι→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑἰγύπτιοιEgyptiansNominativesubject (in apposition to / specification of πάντες)→ participant prominenceΑἰγύπτιος: 'Egyptian'; substantival adjective denoting the inhabitants of Αἴγυπτος; nominative subject.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect statement (object clause of γνώσονται)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγώINominativesubject of εἰμι (emphatic)→ participant referenceἐγώ: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject of εἰμι (emphatic).
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula of identity formula→ present of permanent factεἰμί: the formula ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος calques Hebrew אֲנִי יהוה ('I am YHWH'), the divine self-identification formula that drives the Exodus plague theology — each plague is a demonstration of who God is.
κύριοςthe LordNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the Lord'; it serves as predicate nominative.
ἐκτείνωνstretching outPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἐκτείνωcircumstantial participle of manner / means (modifying implied subject ἐγώ)→ progressive present participle (ongoing action of judgment)ἐκτείνω: 'stretch out, extend'; with χεῖρά the idiom 'stretch out the hand' is the standard Exodus gesture of divine judgment and power (cf. 7:19; 8:1, 2).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with χεῖρά→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖράhandAccusativedirect object of ἐκτείνων→ object specificationχεῖρά: meaning 'hand'; it serves as direct object of ἐκτείνων.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive with χεῖρά→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with χεῖρά.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition governing accusative (direction of judgment)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (direction of judgment).
ΑἴγυπτονEgyptAccusativeobject of ἐπ᾿→ object specificationΑἴγυπτον: meaning 'Egypt'; it serves as object of ἐπ᾿.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (linking two participles)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξάγωνleading outPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἐξάγωcircumstantial participle (coordinate with ἐκτείνων)→ progressive present participleἐξάγω: the Exodus-verb (see v.4); here as a participle it pairs with ἐκτείνων to describe the two simultaneous acts — judgment on Egypt and deliverance of Israel — that together constitute the revelation of divine identity.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with υἱούς→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object of ἐξάγων→ object specificationυἱοὺς: meaning 'sons'; it serves as direct object of ἐξάγων.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive qualifier (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive qualifier (indeclinable).
ἐκfrompreposition governing genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing genitive (separation).
μέσουmidstGenitiveobject of ἐκ (idiomatic: 'from among them')→ relational specificationμέσος: 'middle, midst'; ἐκ μέσου αὐτῶν calques Hebrew מִתּוֹכָם ('from their midst') — Israel is embedded within Egypt's population and must be led out.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive with μέσου (the Egyptians)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive with μέσου (the Egyptians).
6
ἐποίησεν δὲ Μωυσῆς καὶ Ααρων καθάπερ ἐνετείλατο αὐτοῖς κύριος, οὕτως ἐποίησαν.
And Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord commanded them; so they did.
The verse is a standard commissioning-compliance formula: the double ἐποίησαν (they did / so they did) calques a Hebrew narrative redundancy that is characteristic of the Priestly source. The formula marks the closure of the commissioning speech (vv.1–5) and transitions to the biographical parenthesis of v.7. The kaige-style parataxis is evident.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ἐποίησενdidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (obedience report; singular agreeing with nearer subject Μωυσῆς)→ constative aorist (single act of compliance)ποιέω: 'do, make, act'; here the commissioning-obedience formula: they did as commanded. The singular ἐποίησεν with compound subject (Moses and Aaron) follows the rule of agreement with the nearer subject.
δὲandpostpositive conjunction (narrative continuation)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject (first of compound subject)→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: meaning 'Moses'; it serves as subject (first of compound subject).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑαρωνAaronsecond subject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as second subject (indeclinable).
καθάπερjust asconformity conjunction (introducing the standard of obedience)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθάπερ: 'exactly as, just as'; stronger than ὡς; the word underlines exact conformity to the divine command.
ἐνετείλατοcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλωverb of the comparative clause (the standard set)→ constative aoristἐντέλλω: 'command, charge'; the middle voice with dative (αὐτοῖς) = 'charged them'; this is the recurrent verb of divine commissioning (cf. v.2).
αὐτοῖςthemDativeindirect object of ἐνετείλατο→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object of ἐνετείλατο.
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubject of ἐνετείλατο→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the Lord'; it serves as subject of ἐνετείλατο.
οὕτωςso / thusresumptive adverb (introducing the repeated confirmation)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus, in this way'; the resumptive formula οὕτως ἐποίησαν after the comparative clause is a Hebraizing redundancy (כֵּן עָשׂוּ) that emphasizes thoroughgoing compliance.
ἐποίησανthey didAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (resumptive compliance statement; now plural)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עָשָׂה; the aorist summarizes the Philistines' treatment of Saul's body in vv. 9–10, which the Jabeshites now hear of and resolve to redress.
7
Μωυσῆς δὲ ἦν ἐτῶν ὀγδοήκοντα, Ααρων δὲ ἦν ἐτῶν ὀγδοήκοντα καὶ τριῶν, ἡνίκα ἐλάλησαν πρὸς Φαραω.
Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron was eighty-three years old when they spoke to Pharaoh.
The narrator inserts the ages of Moses and Aaron at the moment of commissioning — a detail characteristic of the Priestly source's interest in chronology. The genitive of age (ἐτῶν + numeral) is a standard Greek construction. Moses at 80 and Aaron at 83 present the two men as at the height of their matured judgment and authority; Moses' life divides into three forty-year periods (Acts 7:23, 30, 36).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: meaning 'Moses'; it serves as subject.
δὲnowpostpositive particle (introducing biographical note)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ imperfect of state (describing standing condition at that time)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.
ἐτῶνyears oldGenitivegenitive of age (idiomatic construction: 'of years')→ relational specificationἔτος: 'year'; the partitive/descriptive genitive ἐτῶν + numeral is the standard Greek expression of age, calquing Hebrew בֶּן־שְׁמֹנִים שָׁנָה ('son of eighty years').
ὀγδοήκονταeightynumeral (indeclinable) specifying age→ measure or countὀγδοήκοντα: meaning 'eighty'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
ΑαρωνAaronsubject of second clause (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of second clause (indeclinable).
δὲandpostpositive conjunction (coordinate clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (second clause)→ imperfect of stateεἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.
ἐτῶνyears oldGenitivegenitive of age→ relational specificationἐτῶν: meaning 'years old'; it serves as genitive of age.
ὀγδοήκονταeightynumeral→ measure or countὀγδοήκοντα: meaning 'eighty'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (adding three to eighty)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τριῶνthreeGenitivegenitive numeral (coordinate with ὀγδοήκοντα: eighty-three years)→ relational specificationτριῶν: meaning 'three'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ἡνίκαwhentemporal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἡνίκα: 'when, at the time when'; introduces the temporal clause specifying the moment of the commission.
ἐλάλησανthey spokeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαλέωmain verb of temporal clause→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak'; the servants carry out Saul's command of v. 22, conveying the flattering overture to David.
πρὸςtopreposition governing accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative.
ΦαραωPharaohobject of πρὸς (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of πρὸς (indeclinable).
8
Καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν καὶ Ααρων λέγων·
And the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:
The formulaic Καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς … λέγων opens a new unit — God now addresses both Moses and Aaron together, transitioning from the commissioning speech (vv.1–7) to the specific instructions about the rod-sign (vv.9–12). The pleonastic λέγων ('saying') after a verb of speaking is a standard Hebraism (לֵאמֹר), ubiquitous in the Exodus narrative.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential, scene-opening)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaid / spokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of speech-introduction→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the Lord'; it serves as subject.
πρὸςtopreposition governing accusative (recipients)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (recipients).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativefirst object of πρὸς→ object specificationΜωυσῆν: meaning 'Moses'; it serves as first object of πρὸς.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑαρωνAaronsecond object of πρὸς (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as second object of πρὸς (indeclinable).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λέγωredundant participle of manner (Hebraism: calques לֵאמֹר)→ progressive present participle (modal / pleonastic)λέγω: the participle λέγων after a verb of speaking is a direct calque of Hebrew לֵאמֹר, a standard formula for introducing quoted speech; it adds no new semantic content but is a fixed Hebraism of the LXX narrative style.
9
ἐὰν λαλήσῃ πρὸς ὑμᾶς Φαραω λέγων Δότε ἡμῖν σημεῖον ἢ τέρας, καὶ ἐρεῖς Ααρων τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου Λαβὲ τὴν ῥάβδον καὶ ῥῖψον αὐτὴν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἐναντίον Φαραω καὶ τῶν θεραπόντων αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἔσται δράκων.
If Pharaoh speaks to you saying, 'Give us a sign or a wonder,' then you shall say to Aaron your brother, 'Take the rod and throw it upon the ground before Pharaoh and before his servants,' and it shall become a dragon.
The verse is a conditional instruction: God pre-scripts the response to Pharaoh's expected demand for a sign. The climactic word is δράκων — the LXX's choice of 'dragon' (not ὄφις, 'snake') is theologically deliberate. δράκων in the LXX tradition connotes the chaos-serpent (cf. Isa 27:1; 51:9; Ezek 29:3), and the use here invests the rod-sign with cosmic-combat overtones: the divine agent's rod overpowers the chaos-monster. The same word is taken up in Revelation 12 for Satan, creating a canonical chain.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (introducing third-class condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if' + subjunctive = third-class condition (future possible); God anticipates Pharaoh's probable demand and pre-authorizes the response.
λαλήσῃshould speakAor Act Subj 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of conditional protasis→ aorist subjunctive (future contingency)λαλέω (aor. subj. λαλήσῃ): 'speak / say'; in the generalizing relative clause it covers any pronouncement of the seer — all of which prove true.
πρὸςtopreposition governing accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative.
ὑμᾶςyou (pl.)Accusativeobject of πρὸς→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you (pl.)'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of πρὸς.
ΦαραωPharaohsubject of λαλήσῃ (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of λαλήσῃ (indeclinable).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of manner (Hebraism: introducing quoted speech)→ circumstantial present participle (Hebraistic 'saying')λέγω (pres. ptc. λέγων): the redundant participle-of-saying rendering לֵאמֹר.
ΔότεGiveAor Act Impv 2 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb of Pharaoh's quoted demand (imperative)→ aorist imperative (single urgent request)δίδωμι: 'give'; here in Pharaoh's demanded speech — 'Give us a sign or wonder.' The demand frames the contest as a negotiation: Pharaoh wants proof of divine authority.
ἡμῖνusDativeindirect object of Δότε→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object of Δότε.
σημεῖονa signAccusativedirect object of Δότε→ object specificationσημεῖον: meaning 'a sign'; it serves as direct object of Δότε.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τέραςa wonderAccusativecoordinate direct object (alternative to σημεῖον)→ object specificationτέρας: meaning 'a wonder'; it serves as coordinate direct object (alternative to σημεῖον).
καὶthen / andapodotic conjunction (introducing the response clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'then'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐρεῖςyou shall sayFut Act Indic 2 Sg · λέγωmain verb of apodosis (Moses' instructed response)→ predictive-imperatival futureλέγω (fut. ἐρεῖς): 'you will say'; the future has imperatival force — Joab tells the messenger the exact words to deliver once the king's anger flares: the news of Uriah's death, which will silence the rebuke.
ΑαρωνAarondative indirect object of ἐρεῖς (indeclinable, functioning as dative)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative indirect object of ἐρεῖς (indeclinable, functioning as dative).
τῷtheDativearticle with ἀδελφῷ→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφῷbrotherDativeappositive to Ααρων (in dative by attraction)→ sphere or referenceἀδελφῷ: meaning 'brother'; it serves as appositive to Ααρων (in dative by attraction).
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive with ἀδελφῷ→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with ἀδελφῷ.
ΛαβὲTakeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαμβάνωimperative (first command in Aaron's instruction)→ aorist imperative (single action)λαμβάνω: 'take, grasp'; the rod is to be taken up as an instrument of divine authority.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with ῥάβδον→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδονrod / staffAccusativedirect object of Λαβὲ→ object specificationῥάβδος: 'rod, staff, wand'; the rod is the instrument of the divine signs throughout Exodus; it becomes the dragon (δράκων) as a demonstration of divine power over chaos.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ῥῖψονthrowAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ῥίπτωimperative (second command in Aaron's instruction)→ aorist imperativeῥίπτω: 'throw, cast, hurl'; the act of throwing the rod is the performative sign-gesture.
αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object of ῥῖψον (referring to ῥάβδον)→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ῥῖψον (referring to ῥάβδον).
ἐπὶupon / ontopreposition governing genitive (direction onto surface)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing genitive (direction onto surface).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with γῆς→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςgroundGenitiveobject of ἐπί (onto the ground)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'ground'; it serves as object of ἐπί (onto the ground).
ἐναντίονbefore / in front ofpreposition governing genitive (spatial: in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: 'before, in front of, in the presence of'; the sign is performed publicly before Pharaoh and his court — its efficacy depends on being witnessed.
ΦαραωPharaohobject of ἐναντίον (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of ἐναντίον (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with θεραπόντων→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεραπόντωνservantsGenitivecoordinate object of ἐναντίον→ relational specificationθεράπων: 'servant, attendant, courtier'; the plural θεράποντες Φαραω = Pharaoh's court, the assembled witnesses of the sign.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive with θεραπόντων→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with θεραπόντων.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit shall become / beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of result clause (the transformation)→ predictive future (certain divine transformation)εἰμί: used here to express transformation — 'it shall be a dragon,' i.e., it will have become a dragon. The future of εἰμί as a verb of resultant state is a Greek rendering of the Hebrew וְהָיָה.
δράκωνa dragonNominativepredicate nominative (the transformed state of the rod)→ participant prominenceδράκων: 'dragon, sea-serpent, great serpent'; the LXX uses δράκων here (and in vv.10, 12) rather than ὄφις ('snake'), the word used at 4:3 for the same rod-sign. The switch to δράκων elevates the sign from a common snake-trick to an act of cosmic-level power; the word connects to the tradition of YHWH's victory over the chaos-dragon (Ps 74:13–14 LXX; Isa 51:9) and anticipates Revelation 12's beast. NT echo: Rev 12:3, 4, 7, 9 uses δράκων for the eschatological adversary.
10
εἰσῆλθεν δὲ Μωυσῆς καὶ Ααρων ἐναντίον Φαραω καὶ τῶν θεραπόντων αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐποίησαν οὕτως, καθάπερ ἐνετείλατο κύριος· καὶ ἔρριψεν Ααρων τὴν ῥάβδον ἐναντίον Φαραω καὶ ἐναντίον τῶν θεραπόντων αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐγένετο δράκων.
And Moses and Aaron went in before Pharaoh and his servants and did thus, just as the Lord commanded; and Aaron threw the rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a dragon.
The verse pairs the obedience report (καθάπερ ἐνετείλατο κύριος) with the specific narration of the sign's execution. The repetition of ἐναντίον Φαραω καὶ τῶν θεραπόντων αὐτοῦ (before Pharaoh and his servants) in both halves of the verse emphasizes the public, witnessed character of the sign. The climactic καὶ ἐγένετο δράκων mirrors the predictive formula of v.9 exactly, confirming fulfillment.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
εἰσῆλθενwent inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (entry into Pharaoh's presence; singular with compound subject)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'go in, enter'; the approach to Pharaoh's court requires formal entry — the verb marks the physical entry into the royal presence.
δὲandpostpositive conjunction (narrative continuation)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject (first of compound subject)→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: meaning 'Moses'; it serves as subject (first of compound subject).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑαρωνAaronsecond subject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as second subject (indeclinable).
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition governing genitive (in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing genitive (in the presence of).
ΦαραωPharaohobject of ἐναντίον (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of ἐναντίον (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with θεραπόντων→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεραπόντωνservantsGenitivecoordinate object of ἐναντίον→ relational specificationθεραπόντων: meaning 'servants'; it serves as coordinate object of ἐναντίον.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησανthey didAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (obedience summary)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עָשָׂה; the aorist summarizes the Philistines' treatment of Saul's body in vv. 9–10, which the Jabeshites now hear of and resolve to redress.
οὕτωςthus / soadverb of conformity→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: meaning 'thus'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
καθάπερjust asconformity conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθάπερ: meaning 'just as'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνετείλατοcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλωverb of comparative clause→ constative aoristἐντέλλω: 'command, charge'; the middle voice with dative (αὐτοῖς) = 'charged them'; this is the recurrent verb of divine commissioning (cf. v.2).
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubject of ἐνετείλατο→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the Lord'; it serves as subject of ἐνετείλατο.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the specific action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔρριψενthrewAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ῥίπτωmain verb (the sign-action performed)→ constative aoristῥίπτω: see v.9 ῥῖψον; the narrative now reports Aaron's execution of the commanded gesture.
ΑαρωνAaronsubject (indeclinable; Aaron now acts individually as the sign-performer)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable; Aaron now acts individually as the sign-performer).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with ῥάβδον→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδονrodAccusativedirect object of ἔρριψεν→ object specificationῥάβδον: meaning 'rod'; it serves as direct object of ἔρριψεν.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition (in the presence of — repeated from the first clause for emphasis)→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (in the presence of — repeated from the first clause for emphasis).
ΦαραωPharaohobject of ἐναντίον (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of ἐναντίον (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition (second occurrence — before the servants)→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (second occurrence — before the servants).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with θεραπόντων→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεραπόντωνservantsGenitiveobject of second ἐναντίον→ relational specificationθεραπόντων: meaning 'servants'; it serves as object of second ἐναντίον.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit becameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (the transformation of the rod)→ constative aorist (instantaneous transformation)γίνομαι: 'become'; the verb of transformation — the rod becomes a dragon. The exact fulfillment of the prediction in v.9 (ἔσται δράκων) is confirmed here by ἐγένετο δράκων.
δράκωνa dragonNominativepredicate nominative (the transformed state)→ participant prominenceδράκων: meaning 'a dragon'; it serves as predicate nominative (the transformed state).
11
συνεκάλεσεν δὲ Φαραω τοὺς σοφοὺς Αἰγύπτου καὶ τοὺς φαρμακούς, καὶ ἐποίησαν καὶ οἱ ἐπαοιδοὶ τῶν Αἰγυπτίων ταῖς φαρμακείαις αὐτῶν ὡσαύτως·
And Pharaoh summoned the wise men of Egypt and the sorcerers, and the enchanters of Egypt also did likewise with their sorceries.
Pharaoh responds by summoning three overlapping groups — σοφοί ('wise men'), φαρμακοί ('sorcerers / drug-masters'), and ἐπαοιδοί ('enchanters / spellers') — all of whom replicate the dragon-sign through φαρμακεία ('sorcery, drugcraft'). The vocabulary of magical technique (φαρμακεῖαι) is the LXX's standard term for illicit occult practice. The Jannes-and-Jambres tradition (2 Tim 3:8) identifies two named Egyptian practitioners and attaches to this very episode.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
συνεκάλεσενsummonedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συγκαλέωmain verb (Pharaoh's counter-move)→ constative aoristσυγκαλέω: 'call together, summon'; the prefix συν- emphasizes the assembling of a group. Pharaoh musters his entire magical establishment in response to the sign.
δὲand / butpostpositive conjunction (adversative nuance: Pharaoh's counter-move)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΦαραωPharaohsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with σοφούς→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σοφοὺςwise menAccusativedirect object of συνεκάλεσεν (first group summoned)→ object specificationσοφός: 'wise, skilled, expert'; here Egypt's learned class — those with arcane knowledge. Renders Hebrew חֲכָמִים.
Αἰγύπτουof EgyptGenitivegenitive qualifying σοφούς→ relational specificationΑἰγύπτου: meaning 'of Egypt'; it serves as genitive qualifying σοφούς.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with φαρμακούς→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φαρμακούςsorcerersAccusativedirect object of συνεκάλεσεν (second group)→ object specificationφαρμακός: 'sorcerer, one who uses drugs or potions in magic'; related to φάρμακον ('drug, poison, potion'). The term designates those who practice φαρμακεία — a category firmly condemned in Jewish and NT ethics (Rev 21:8; 22:15).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the action of the enchanters)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησανdid / actedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (the enchanters' replication of the sign)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עָשָׂה; the aorist summarizes the Philistines' treatment of Saul's body in vv. 9–10, which the Jabeshites now hear of and resolve to redress.
καὶalsoadverbial καί ('also, even') — intensifying the scope of replication→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'also'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle with ἐπαοιδοί→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπαοιδοὶenchantersNominativesubject of ἐποίησαν (third group — the chanters/spell-workers)→ participant prominenceἐπαοιδός: 'enchanter, spell-singer, one who chants incantations'; from ἐπ᾿ + ᾠδή ('song over'). This is the third distinct magical category named; the term marks those who use spoken formulas and incantations. The tradition of named enchanters (Jannes and Jambres) was current in Jewish tradition (cf. 2 Tim 3:8; CD 5.19).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with Αἰγυπτίων→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑἰγυπτίωνEgyptiansGenitivegenitive qualifying ἐπαοιδοί→ relational specificationΑἰγυπτίων: meaning 'Egyptians'; it serves as genitive qualifying ἐπαοιδοί.
ταῖςwith theDativearticle with φαρμακείαις (instrumental dative phrase)→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φαρμακείαιςsorceriesDativeinstrumental dative (the means by which the replication was achieved)→ sphere or referenceφαρμακεία: 'sorcery, drug-craft, magic art'; the abstract noun from φάρμακον. This is the technique employed — not genuine miracle but magical technique. The term is condemned in Gal 5:20 (NT 'works of the flesh') and Rev 18:23.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive with φαρμακείαις→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with φαρμακείαις.
ὡσαύτωςlikewise / in the same manneradverb of manner (the sorcerers replicate the same result)→ clausal contributionὡσαύτως: 'in the same way, likewise'; confirms that the Egyptian magicians produced the same apparent result as Aaron's sign.
12
καὶ ἔρριψαν ἕκαστος τὴν ῥάβδον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐγένοντο δράκοντες· καὶ κατέπιεν ἡ ῥάβδος ἡ Ααρων τὰς ῥάβδους αὐτῶν.
And each one threw his rod, and they became dragons; and the rod of Aaron swallowed their rods.
The climax of the rod-sign unit: despite the magicians' replication (ἐγένοντο δράκοντες — 'they became dragons,' the plural confirming each rod became a dragon), Aaron's rod-dragon swallows all theirs (κατέπιεν). The verb κατεσθίω / καταπίνω ('swallow down') expresses total annihilation of the opposition. Structurally this verse declares the supremacy of the divine sign over all magical replication; yet — as v.13 immediately shows — Pharaoh's heart remains hard.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔρριψανthrewAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ῥίπτωmain verb (the magicians' replication gesture)→ constative aoristῥίπτω: 'throw / cast / fling'; the guards fling out the slain (the bodies are cast outside); contemptuous disposal of the Baalists' corpses.
ἕκαστοςeach oneNominativedistributive subject ('each one threw his [own] rod')→ participant prominenceἕκαστος: 'each, every one'; distributive pronoun — each individual magician threw his own rod, so the plural of ἔρριψαν is individuated.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with ῥάβδον→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδονrodAccusativedirect object of ἔρριψαν→ object specificationῥάβδον: meaning 'rod'; it serves as direct object of ἔρριψαν.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (each magician's own rod)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (each magician's own rod).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένοντοthey becameAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (the transformation — plural)→ constative aorist (instantaneous transformation)γίνομαι: see v.10; now plural ἐγένοντο δράκοντες — each rod became a dragon, so there are now multiple dragons.
δράκοντεςdragonsNominativepredicate nominative (plural — one dragon per rod)→ participant prominenceδράκοντες: meaning 'dragons'; it serves as predicate nominative (plural — one dragon per rod).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the decisive reversal)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέπιενswallowedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταπίνωmain verb (the climactic act: Aaron's rod devours the others)→ constative aorist (decisive single act)καταπίνω: 'swallow down, devour, consume'; the compound (κατά + πίνω) implies total ingestion. The sovereign sign swallows the magical replications — a narrative declaration that the divine power supersedes all magical technique. The verb reappears in 1 Cor 15:54 (death swallowed in victory) and Rev 12:16 (earth swallows the dragon's flood).
ἡtheNominativearticle with ῥάβδος→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδοςrodNominativesubject (Aaron's rod as the agent of swallowing)→ participant prominenceῥάβδος: meaning 'rod'; it serves as subject (Aaron's rod as the agent of swallowing).
ἡtheNominativearticle with Ααρων (defining which rod: the rod of Aaron)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑαρωνAaron'sgenitive qualifier (indeclinable; the rod belonging to Aaron)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive qualifier (indeclinable; the rod belonging to Aaron).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle with ῥάβδους→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδουςrodsAccusativedirect object of κατέπιεν (the rods of the magicians)→ object specificationῥάβδους: meaning 'rods'; it serves as direct object of κατέπιεν (the rods of the magicians).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive (the magicians' rods)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (the magicians' rods).
13
καὶ κατίσχυσεν ἡ καρδία Φαραω, καὶ οὐκ εἰσήκουσεν αὐτῶν, καθάπερ ἐλάλησεν κύριος.
And the heart of Pharaoh grew strong, and he did not listen to them, just as the Lord had said.
The first full instance of the hardening refrain: κατίσχυσεν ἡ καρδία ('the heart grew strong / was strengthened') uses a different verb from the active σκληρύνω of v.3, but the sense is the same — Pharaoh's will stiffened in refusal. The formula καθάπερ ἐλάλησεν κύριος confirms that the hardening is not a surprise but the exact fulfillment of divine prediction. This refrain structure recurs throughout the plague cycle.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατίσχυσενgrew strong / hardenedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατισχύωmain verb (hardening of Pharaoh's heart)→ constative aoristκατισχύω: 'grow strong, prevail, harden'; κατ᾿ ισχύω = 'be or become strong against.' Here ἡ καρδία κατίσχυσεν — 'the heart prevailed / was hardened.' The verb varies with σκληρύνω and καρδία βεβάρηται across the plague texts, each nuancing the hardening differently.
ἡtheNominativearticle with καρδία→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαheartNominativesubject of κατίσχυσεν→ participant prominenceκαρδία: meaning 'heart'; it serves as subject of κατίσχυσεν.
Φαραωof Pharaohpossessive genitive (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as possessive genitive (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegation particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσήκουσενlistened to / heededAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσακούωmain verb (Pharaoh's refusal to heed)→ constative aoristεἰσακούω: see v.4; 'listen to, heed'; + genitive of person. The refusal to listen is the behavioral expression of the hardened heart.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of εἰσήκουσεν (Moses and Aaron)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of εἰσήκουσεν (Moses and Aaron).
καθάπερjust asconformity conjunction (introducing the fulfillment formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθάπερ: meaning 'just as'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησενhad saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb of fulfillment clause→ constative aorist (the prior divine word now fulfilled)λαλέω: 'speak, say'; the fulfillment formula καθάπερ ἐλάλησεν κύριος confirms that Pharaoh's refusal is not a setback but the precise outcome foretold in v.3.
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubject of ἐλάλησεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the Lord'; it serves as subject of ἐλάλησεν.
14
Εἶπεν δὲ κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν· Βεβάρηται ἡ καρδία Φαραω τοῦ μὴ ἐξαποστεῖλαι τὸν λαόν.
And the Lord said to Moses, 'The heart of Pharaoh is burdened so that he will not send the people away.'
God's speech begins the first plague unit (vv.14–25). The divine diagnosis Βεβάρηται ἡ καρδία Φαραω uses a different hardening term: βεβάρηται (perfect passive of βαρύνω, 'burden, weigh down') — 'the heart of Pharaoh has become burdened / is laden.' The perfect passive describes a state that has resulted and persists. The telic genitive of the articular infinitive (τοῦ μὴ ἐξαποστεῖλαι) expresses the result or purpose of the burdening: his refusal to release Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ΕἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of speech-introduction→ constative aoristΕἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲandpostpositive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the Lord'; it serves as subject.
πρὸςtopreposition governing accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative.
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeobject of πρὸς→ object specificationΜωυσῆν: meaning 'Moses'; it serves as object of πρὸς.
Βεβάρηταιhas become burdened / is ladenPf Pass Indic 3 Sg · βαρύνωmain verb of divine diagnosis (perfect passive of resulting state)→ perfect of present state (the burdening is complete and operative)βαρύνω: 'burden, weigh down, make heavy'; the perfect passive Βεβάρηται describes a condition that has come about and now stands — Pharaoh's heart is in a state of heaviness. A distinct term from σκληρύνω (harden) and κατισχύω (grow strong); the triad of hardening-verbs (σκληρύνω, κατισχύω, βαρύνω) reflects the varied Hebrew vocabulary (חָזַק, כָּבֵד).
ἡtheNominativearticle with καρδία→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαheartNominativesubject of Βεβάρηται→ participant prominenceκαρδία: meaning 'heart'; it serves as subject of Βεβάρηται.
Φαραωof Pharaohpossessive genitive (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as possessive genitive (indeclinable).
τοῦso as not toGenitivearticle with negated infinitive (telic / result genitive of articular infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ μή + infinitive: the genitive articular infinitive of purpose or result — 'so that he [will] not release the people.' A standard Greek construction for expressing the outcome or purpose of an action.
μὴnotnegation with infinitive→ clausal qualification or emphasisμὴ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἐξαποστεῖλαιto send awayAor Act Inf · ἐξαποστέλλωinfinitive of telic genitive phrase→ aorist infinitive (single act of release withheld)ἐξαποστέλλω: see v.2; the Exodus-keyword of release; here negated — the burdened heart results in Pharaoh's refusal to release Israel.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with λαόν→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἐξαποστεῖλαι→ object specificationλαόν: meaning 'people'; it serves as direct object of ἐξαποστεῖλαι.
15
βάδιζε πρὸς Φαραω τὸ πρωΐ· ἰδοὺ αὐτὸς ἐκπορεύεται ἐπὶ τὸ ὕδωρ, καὶ στήσῃ εἰς ἀπάντησιν αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸ χεῖλος τοῦ ποταμοῦ, καὶ τὴν ῥάβδον τὴν στραφεῖσαν εἰς ὄφιν λήμψῃ ἐν τῇ χειρί σου.
Go to Pharaoh in the morning; behold, he goes out to the water, and you shall take your stand to meet him on the bank of the river, and you shall take in your hand the rod that was turned into a snake.
The verse gives Moses' tactical instructions for the first plague confrontation. The morning visit to the river is historically plausible — Pharaoh's daily inspection of the Nile was a ritual act. Notably the rod here is described as στραφεῖσαν εἰς ὄφιν ('turned into a snake' / ὄφις) rather than δράκων — a distinction that has puzzled commentators; the same rod-sign is called ὄφις at 4:3 (the private commissioning) and δράκων here in the public confrontations (vv.9–12). Whether the LXX translator intended a meaningful distinction or used both terms for the same object is a textual crux.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
βάδιζεgo / walkPres Act Impv 2 Sg · βαδίζωmain imperative (divine command — Moses sent to Pharaoh)→ present imperative (urgent ongoing action)βαδίζω: 'go, walk, proceed'; a somewhat colloquial term for going, slightly less formal than πορεύομαι; the present imperative carries urgency — 'go now.'
πρὸςtopreposition governing accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (direction).
ΦαραωPharaohobject of πρὸς (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of πρὸς (indeclinable).
τὸtheAccusativearticle with πρωΐ (temporal accusative phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωΐmorningAccusativetemporal accusative ('in the morning')→ object specificationπρωΐ: 'early morning, dawn'; the temporal accusative τὸ πρωΐ specifies the time of the encounter — Pharaoh's morning excursion to the Nile.
ἰδοὺbeholdattention-marker (deictic particle)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδοὺ: meaning 'behold'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativesubject (emphatic — 'he himself goes out')→ participial qualificationαὐτὸς: meaning 'he himself'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as subject (emphatic — 'he himself goes out').
ἐκπορεύεταιgoes outPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκπορεύομαιmain verb (Pharaoh's habitual morning action)→ progressive/habitual present ('he goes out [regularly]')ἐκπορεύομαι: 'go out, come out'; the present tense captures Pharaoh's habitual ritual — his morning visit to the Nile was likely a cultic act of reverence to the river-god.
ἐπὶto / towardpreposition governing accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (direction).
τὸtheAccusativearticle with ὕδωρ→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδωρwaterAccusativeobject of ἐπί (the Nile)→ object specificationὕδωρ: 'water'; here the Nile — the river (ποταμός) that follows.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
στήσῃyou shall stand / take your standFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (Moses instructed to position himself)→ predictive-imperatival futureἵστημι: 'stand, place oneself, take a stand'; στήσῃ εἰς ἀπάντησιν = 'you shall stand to meet him' — the position of confrontation on the river bank.
εἰςfor / topreposition governing accusative (purpose / direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (purpose / direction).
ἀπάντησινmeeting / encounterAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose: to meet him)→ object specificationἀπάντησις: 'meeting, encounter'; εἰς ἀπάντησιν = 'to meet, for the purpose of meeting.' The term can denote a formal greeting-procession but here simply the confrontational encounter with Pharaoh.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive with ἀπάντησιν ('to meet him' = Pharaoh)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive with ἀπάντησιν ('to meet him' = Pharaoh).
ἐπὶon / uponpreposition governing accusative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (location).
τὸtheAccusativearticle with χεῖλος→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖλοςbank / lipAccusativeobject of ἐπί (the river bank)→ object specificationχεῖλος: literally 'lip'; used for the bank or edge of a river — 'the lip of the river.' A vivid metonym.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with ποταμοῦ→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποταμοῦriverGenitivegenitive qualifying χεῖλος (the Nile)→ relational specificationποταμός: 'river'; ὁ ποταμός without further qualifier = the Nile in the Exodus context; it becomes the target of the first plague.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with ῥάβδον→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδονrodAccusativedirect object of λήμψῃ→ object specificationῥάβδον: meaning 'rod'; it serves as direct object of λήμψῃ.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with participial phrase (identifying which rod)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στραφεῖσανturned / transformedAor Pass Ptc Acc Sg Fem · στρέφωattributive participle (identifying the rod by its earlier transformation)→ aorist passive participle (completed transformation referred to)στρέφω: 'turn, transform'; aorist passive 'having been turned.' The participle identifies the rod as the one that was previously turned into an ὄφις — the same rod-sign, here called ὄφις rather than δράκων. The switch between ὄφις and δράκων in the different Exodus scenes is a notable lexical crux.
εἰςintopreposition governing accusative (transformation: into what it became)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (transformation: into what it became).
ὄφινa snakeAccusativeobject of εἰς (result of the transformation)→ object specificationὄφις: 'snake, serpent'; here contrasting with δράκων (vv.9–12). This may reflect different Hebrew source terms (נָחָשׁ vs. תַּנִּין) or the same sign viewed in different contexts. The serpent/dragon distinction carries freight in later biblical imagery.
λήμψῃyou shall takeFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (Moses instructed to carry the rod)→ predictive-imperatival futureλαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; the future middle λήμψῃ instructs Saul to accept the offered loaves — receiving tribute, a royal prerogative anticipated.
ἐνinpreposition governing dative (instrumental / locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing dative (instrumental / locative).
τῇtheDativearticle with χειρί→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρίhandDativeobject of ἐν (instrumental/locative: 'in your hand')→ sphere or referenceχειρί: meaning 'hand'; it serves as object of ἐν (instrumental/locative: 'in your hand').
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive with χειρί→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with χειρί.
16
καὶ ἐρεῖς αὐτῷ· Κύριος ὁ θεὸς τῶν Ἑβραίων ἀπέσταλκέν με πρὸς σέ λέγων Ἐξαπόστειλον τὸν λαόν μου, ἵνα μοι λατρεύσωσιν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ· ἰδοὺ δὲ οὐκ εἰσήκουσάς μου ἕως τοῦ νῦν.
And you shall say to him, 'The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to you, saying: Send my people away so that they may worship me in the wilderness; but behold, you have not listened to me until now.'
Moses is to deliver the full herald formula before the plague act: the divine sender is identified (Κύριος ὁ θεὸς τῶν Ἑβραίων), the mission cited (ἀπέσταλκέν με — perfect: the commission stands), the demand restated (Ἐξαπόστειλον), and the purpose given (ἵνα λατρεύσωσιν — worship in the wilderness). The perfect ἀπέσταλκέν (God has sent and the sending stands) grounds Moses' authority. The indictment οὐκ εἰσήκουσάς μου ἕως τοῦ νῦν sets up the justification for the plague that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐρεῖςyou shall sayFut Act Indic 2 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Moses' instructed speech)→ predictive-imperatival futureλέγω (fut. ἐρεῖς): 'you will say'; the future has imperatival force — Joab tells the messenger the exact words to deliver once the king's anger flares: the news of Uriah's death, which will silence the rebuke.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (Pharaoh)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Pharaoh).
ΚύριοςThe LordNominativesubject of ἀπέσταλκέν (the divine sender — emphatic opening of the herald formula)→ participant prominenceΚύριος: meaning 'The Lord'; it serves as subject of ἀπέσταλκέν (the divine sender — emphatic opening of the herald formula).
ὁtheNominativearticle with θεός→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativeappositive to Κύριος→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as appositive to Κύριος.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle with Ἑβραίων→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἙβραίωνHebrewsGenitivegenitive qualifying θεός ('God of the Hebrews')→ relational specificationἙβραῖος: 'Hebrew'; the designation ὁ θεὸς τῶν Ἑβραίων is used specifically in diplomatic speech before Pharaoh (cf. 3:18; 5:3; 7:16; 9:1; 9:13; 10:3) — it identifies the god by his people, a standard ancient Near Eastern convention.
ἀπέσταλκένhas sentPf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb of the herald formula (divine commissioning as present fact)→ perfect of present-effective state (the sending stands operative)ἀποστέλλω: 'send, dispatch (with authority)'; the perfect ἀπέσταλκέν establishes Moses as a currently authorized envoy — not merely 'he sent me once' but 'I am his sent ambassador and remain so.' This grounds Moses' authority to speak and act.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of ἀπέσταλκέν (Moses as the sent one)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἀπέσταλκέν (Moses as the sent one).
πρὸςtopreposition governing accusative (direction of sending)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (direction of sending).
σέyouAccusativeobject of πρὸς (Pharaoh addressed directly)→ participant referenceσέ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of πρὸς (Pharaoh addressed directly).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of manner (Hebraism: לֵאמֹר, introducing quoted content)→ circumstantial present participle (Hebraistic 'saying')λέγω (pres. ptc. λέγων): the redundant participle-of-saying rendering לֵאמֹר.
ἘξαπόστειλονSend away / ReleaseAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐξαποστέλλωmain imperative (the repeated divine demand)→ aorist imperative (urgent, single decisive act demanded)ἐξαποστέλλω: see v.2; the Exodus-keyword of release — 'Send away, release, let go.' The aorist imperative underlines the urgency and finality of the demand.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with λαόν→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόνpeopleAccusativedirect object of Ἐξαπόστειλον→ object specificationλαόν: meaning 'people'; it serves as direct object of Ἐξαπόστειλον.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive (covenant designation: 'my people')→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (covenant designation: 'my people').
ἵναso that / in order thatpurpose conjunction (introducing the goal of the release)→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: 'in order that'; introduces a purpose clause with subjunctive — the release of Israel has a specific goal: worship of God in the wilderness.
μοιmeDativedative of advantage / indirect object with λατρεύσωσιν (worship rendered to the one God)→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage / indirect object with λατρεύσωσιν (worship rendered to the one God).
λατρεύσωσινthey may worship / serveAor Act Subj 3 Pl · λατρεύωverb of purpose clause→ aorist subjunctive (purposive)λατρεύω: 'worship, serve (as a cult-servant)'; the standard term for Israel's covenantal service to God — liturgical, sacrificial worship. The release is not merely political but theological: Israel is to worship God.
ἐνinpreposition governing dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle with ἐρήμῳ→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativeobject of ἐν (locative: the place of worship)→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'desert, wilderness, uninhabited land'; the destination of Israel's worship — the Sinai wilderness where the covenant will be given.
ἰδοὺbeholdattention-marker (introducing the indictment)→ clausal contributionἰδοὺ: meaning 'behold'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
δὲbutadversative particle (contrasting demand with reality)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegation particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσήκουσάςyou have listened / heededAor Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰσακούωmain verb of the indictment clause→ constative aorist (the whole period of refusal summarized)εἰσακούω: see v.4; + genitive of person = 'you have not heeded me.' The aorist summarizes the entire history of Pharaoh's refusal up to this point.
μουmeGenitivegenitive object of εἰσήκουσάς (Pharaoh has not heeded God)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of εἰσήκουσάς (Pharaoh has not heeded God).
ἕωςuntiltemporal preposition governing genitive (up to a limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: meaning 'until'; here it marks the relation signaled by temporal preposition governing genitive (up to a limit).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with νῦν (substantivized adverb)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νῦνnowGenitivesubstantivized adverb (ἕως τοῦ νῦν = 'until now, up to this moment')→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; substantivized with the article, ἕως τοῦ νῦν = 'until now' — a temporal limit marker emphasizing that Pharaoh's repeated refusals have reached a terminal point.
17
τάδε λέγει κύριος· Ἐν τούτῳ γνώσῃ ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος· ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ τύπτω τῇ ῥάβδῳ τῇ ἐν τῇ χειρί μου ἐπὶ τὸ ὕδωρ τὸ ἐν τῷ ποταμῷ, καὶ μεταβαλεῖ εἰς αἷμα·
Thus says the Lord: By this you shall know that I am the Lord; behold, I strike the water that is in the river with the rod that is in my hand, and it shall change into blood.
The herald formula τάδε λέγει κύριος ('thus says the Lord') — calquing Hebrew כֹּה אָמַר יהוה — is the signature introduction of the prophetic oracle, confirming the prophetic character of Moses' mission established in v.1. The plague sign is framed as an epistemological act: Ἐν τούτῳ γνώσῃ ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος ('by this you will know that I am the Lord') — the plague is not merely punitive but revelatory. The verb μεταβαλεῖ ('it shall change into') renders the transformation as a total substance-change.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
τάδεthus / these thingsAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of λέγει in the messenger formula)→ participant referenceτάδε: 'these things, thus'; τάδε λέγει κύριος = 'thus says the Lord,' a fixed messenger formula (Hebrew כֹּה אָמַר יהוה), identifying what follows as the divine oracle.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of messenger formula (oracular present)→ oracular present (the speaking is the oracle-delivery event itself)λέγω: the present tense in the messenger formula functions as an 'oracular present' — the divine word is delivered as a live speech-act.
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the Lord'; it serves as subject.
Ἐνby / throughpreposition governing dative (instrumental: 'by means of this')→ spatial or relational framingἘν: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing dative (instrumental: 'by means of this').
τούτῳthisDativedemonstrative pronoun (instrumental dative: 'by this sign')→ participant reference or interestτοῦτο: 'this'; Ἐν τούτῳ = 'by means of this [sign]' — the plague sign is the instrument of knowledge.
γνώσῃyou shall knowFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (epistemological goal addressed to Pharaoh)→ predictive future (certain outcome of the plague)γινώσκω: see v.5; directed to Pharaoh singular — the plague is designed to force his personal recognition of divine sovereignty.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect statement (object of γνώσῃ)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγώINominativeemphatic subject of εἰμι→ participant referenceἐγώ: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as emphatic subject of εἰμι.
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula of divine self-identification formula→ present of permanent factεἰμί: see v.5; ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος — the divine self-disclosure formula of the Exodus plague theology.
κύριοςthe LordNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the Lord'; it serves as predicate nominative.
ἰδοὺbeholdattention-marker (introducing the plague act)→ clausal contributionἰδοὺ: meaning 'behold'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject (the divine agent of the plague)→ participant referenceἐγὼ: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as emphatic subject (the divine agent of the plague).
τύπτωstrikePres Act Indic 1 Sg · τύπτωmain verb (vivid present of imminent action)→ futuristic present / dramatic present (the blow is as good as already happening)τύπτω: 'strike, beat, hit'; the dramatic present ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ τύπτω portrays the divine action as immediately impending — the blow is poised.
τῇtheDativearticle with ῥάβδῳ (instrumental dative phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδῳrodDativeinstrumental dative (the instrument of the blow)→ sphere or referenceῥάβδῳ: meaning 'rod'; it serves as instrumental dative (the instrument of the blow).
τῇtheDativearticle with participial phrase (identifying the rod)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition governing dative (locative: in my hand)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing dative (locative: in my hand).
τῇtheDativearticle with χειρί→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρίhandDativeobject of ἐν (the rod is in God's hand — via Moses)→ sphere or referenceχειρί: meaning 'hand'; it serves as object of ἐν (the rod is in God's hand — via Moses).
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive with χειρί→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with χειρί.
ἐπὶuponpreposition governing accusative (direction of the blow)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (direction of the blow).
τὸtheAccusativearticle with ὕδωρ→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of τύπτω (the Nile water to be struck)→ object specificationὕδωρ: meaning 'water'; it serves as direct object of τύπτω (the Nile water to be struck).
τὸtheAccusativearticle with participial phrase (identifying which water)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition (locative: the water that is in the river)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (locative: the water that is in the river).
τῷtheDativearticle with ποταμῷ→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποταμῷriverDativeobject of ἐν (the Nile)→ sphere or referenceποταμῷ: meaning 'river'; it serves as object of ἐν (the Nile).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the result of the blow)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μεταβαλεῖit shall change / turnFut Act Indic 3 Sg · μεταβάλλωmain verb (the transformation of the Nile to blood)→ predictive future (the promised result of striking)μεταβάλλω: 'change, transform, turn into'; used for a total substance-change — the water is transformed into blood (αἷμα). The verb is stronger than a mere colorization; it implies actual metamorphosis.
εἰςintopreposition governing accusative (the new state / substance)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (the new state / substance).
αἷμαbloodAccusativeobject of εἰς (result of transformation)→ object specificationαἷμα: 'blood'; the water of the Nile — Egypt's lifeblood — becomes actual blood. The plague reverses the life-sustaining role of the river. NT echo: Rev 8:8 (second trumpet, sea turned to blood); 16:3–4 (second and third bowls).
18
καὶ οἱ ἰχθύες οἱ ἐν τῷ ποταμῷ τελευτήσουσιν, καὶ ἐξόζει ὁ ποταμός, καὶ οὐ δυνήσονται οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι πιεῖν ὕδωρ ἐκ τοῦ ποταμοῦ.
And the fish that are in the river shall die, and the river shall stink, and the Egyptians shall not be able to drink water from the river.
The verse catalogues three consequences of the blood-plague in ascending severity: the fish die (ecological), the river stinks (sensory assault on Egypt's great river), and Egyptians cannot drink (humanitarian crisis). The sequence moves from the natural world to human survival. ἐξόζει (a strong verb for stench) captures the horror of a putrid river.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle with ἰχθύες→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἰχθύεςfishNominativesubject of τελευτήσουσιν→ participant prominenceἰχθύς: 'fish'; the Nile's fish were an important food source for Egypt; their death is an economic and ecological catastrophe.
οἱtheNominativearticle with participial phrase (identifying which fish)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition governing dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle with ποταμῷ→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποταμῷriverDativeobject of ἐν→ sphere or referenceποταμῷ: meaning 'river'; it serves as object of ἐν.
τελευτήσουσινshall dieFut Act Indic 3 Pl · τελευτάωmain verb (first consequence: the fish perish)→ predictive futureτελευτάω: 'come to an end, die, expire'; a somewhat formal term for dying, used of both humans and animals. The completeness of the verb (cf. τελευτή, 'end, death') emphasizes total mortality.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξόζειshall stinkFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξόζωmain verb (second consequence: the river stinks)→ predictive futureἐξόζω: 'stink out, reek strongly'; a compound of ἐκ + ὄζω ('smell') — 'to stink out/forth.' A vivid verb for the overwhelming stench of the blood-plague, reminiscent of putrefaction. The stink of the Nile was one of the most visceral aspects of the first plague.
ὁtheNominativearticle with ποταμός→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποταμόςriverNominativesubject of ἐξόζει (the Nile itself stinks)→ participant prominenceποταμός: meaning 'river'; it serves as subject of ἐξόζει (the Nile itself stinks).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegation particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δυνήσονταιshall be ableFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb of impossibility clause→ predictive futureδύναμαι: 'be able, have the power'; the negated future οὐ δυνήσονται frames the consequence as a practical impossibility — Egypt's water supply is destroyed.
οἱtheNominativearticle with Αἰγύπτιοι→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑἰγύπτιοιEgyptiansNominativesubject of δυνήσονται→ participant prominenceΑἰγύπτιοι: meaning 'Egyptians'; it serves as subject of δυνήσονται.
πιεῖνto drinkAor Act Inf · πίνωcomplementary infinitive with δυνήσονται→ aorist infinitive (the act of drinking made impossible)πίνω: 'drink'; the impossibility of drinking from the Nile collapses Egypt's primary water supply — a humanitarian catastrophe.
ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of πιεῖν→ object specificationὕδωρ: meaning 'water'; it serves as direct object of πιεῖν.
ἐκfrompreposition governing genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing genitive (source).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with ποταμοῦ→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποταμοῦriverGenitiveobject of ἐκ (the Nile as source now made inaccessible)→ relational specificationποταμοῦ: meaning 'river'; it serves as object of ἐκ (the Nile as source now made inaccessible).
19
εἶπεν δὲ κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν· Εἰπὸν Ααρων τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου Λαβὲ τὴν ῥάβδον σου καὶ ἔκτεινον τὴν χεῖρά σου ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς ποταμοὺς αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ τὰς διώρυγας αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ τὰ ἕλη αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπὶ πᾶν συνεστηκὸς ὕδωρ αὐτῶν, καὶ ἔσται αἷμα· καὶ ἐν πάσῃ γῇ Αἰγύπτου, ἔν τε τοῖς ξυλίνοις σκεύεσιν καὶ ἐν τοῖς λιθίνοις.
And the Lord said to Moses, 'Say to Aaron your brother, Take your rod and stretch out your hand over the waters of Egypt, over their rivers and over their canals and over their marshes and over every body of standing water of theirs, and it shall become blood; and throughout all the land of Egypt, even in wooden vessels and in stone vessels.'
This verse expands the plague's scope from the Nile to all water in Egypt through a fourfold catalogue: ὕδατα Αἰγύπτου (the waters generally), ποταμοί (rivers), διώρυγες (canals — a key feature of Egyptian irrigation), ἕλη (marshes), and πᾶν συνεστηκὸς ὕδωρ (every body of standing water). The final clause extends even to water stored in wooden and stone vessels — every water source is targeted. This thoroughness underlines the comprehensiveness of the divine judgment.
Word-by-word analysis· 61 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of speech-introduction→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲandpostpositive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the Lord'; it serves as subject.
πρὸςtopreposition governing accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative.
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeobject of πρὸς→ object specificationΜωυσῆν: meaning 'Moses'; it serves as object of πρὸς.
ΕἰπὸνSay / TellAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λέγωmain imperative (Moses commanded to instruct Aaron)→ aorist imperativeλέγω: imperative Εἰπόν — 'say, tell'; Moses is the conduit who relays the command to Aaron, maintaining the prophetic chain.
ΑαρωνAaronindirect object of Εἰπόν (indeclinable, functioning as dative)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indirect object of Εἰπόν (indeclinable, functioning as dative).
τῷtheDativearticle with ἀδελφῷ→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφῷbrotherDativeappositive to Ααρων (dative)→ sphere or referenceἀδελφῷ: meaning 'brother'; it serves as appositive to Ααρων (dative).
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive with ἀδελφῷ→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with ἀδελφῷ.
ΛαβὲTakeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαμβάνωimperative (Aaron's first action)→ aorist imperativeλαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; the aorist imperative is urgent and decisive — no present durative 'keep taking.' The three imperatives structure the command as a sequence: take, go, offer.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with ῥάβδον→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδονrodAccusativedirect object of Λαβέ→ object specificationῥάβδον: meaning 'rod'; it serves as direct object of Λαβέ.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive with ῥάβδον→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with ῥάβδον.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔκτεινονstretch outAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐκτείνωimperative (Aaron's second action — the plague gesture)→ aorist imperativeἐκτείνω: 'stretch out, extend'; the extended hand is the divine-judgment gesture (cf. v.5); here Aaron performs it over all Egyptian water sources.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with χεῖρά→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖράhandAccusativedirect object of ἔκτεινον→ object specificationχεῖρά: meaning 'hand'; it serves as direct object of ἔκτεινον.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive with χεῖρά→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with χεῖρά.
ἐπὶover / uponpreposition governing accusative (repeated fourfold — the scope of the plague gesture)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (repeated fourfold — the scope of the plague gesture).
τὰtheAccusativearticle with ὕδατα→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδαταwatersAccusativeobject of ἐπί (first element: the waters of Egypt generally)→ object specificationὕδωρ (pl.): the general category — 'the waters of Egypt' encompasses all that follows.
Αἰγύπτουof EgyptGenitivegenitive qualifying ὕδατα→ relational specificationΑἰγύπτου: meaning 'of Egypt'; it serves as genitive qualifying ὕδατα.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (first in a fourfold list)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶoverpreposition (second in catalogue)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (second in catalogue).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with ποταμούς→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποταμοὺςriversAccusativeobject of ἐπί (second element: rivers / the Nile branches)→ object specificationποταμός: 'river'; the Nile's multiple distributaries in the Delta.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive (Egypt's rivers)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Egypt's rivers).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶoverpreposition (third in catalogue)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (third in catalogue).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle with διώρυγας→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διώρυγαςcanalsAccusativeobject of ἐπί (third element: irrigation canals)→ object specificationδιῶρυξ: 'canal, dug channel'; Egypt's irrigation system depended on an elaborate network of canals; the plague targets even these artificial water-ways.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶoverpreposition (fourth in catalogue)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (fourth in catalogue).
τὰtheAccusativearticle with ἕλη→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἕληmarshesAccusativeobject of ἐπί (fourth element: swamps and wetlands)→ object specificationἕλος: 'marsh, swamp, wetland'; the Nile delta had extensive papyrus marshes; these too are targeted by the plague.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶoverpreposition (fifth: every standing water)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (fifth: every standing water).
πᾶνeveryAccusativedistributive adjective with ὕδωρ→ object specificationπᾶν: meaning 'every'; it serves as distributive adjective with ὕδωρ.
συνεστηκὸςstanding / collectedPf Act Ptc Acc Sg Neut · συνίστημιattributive participle qualifying ὕδωρ ('standing water')→ perfect participle (state of collection / stagnation)συνίστημι: 'stand together, be collected'; the perfect participle συνεστηκός = 'having been gathered / standing' — every pool or collected body of water.
ὕδωρwaterAccusativeobject of ἐπί (every body of standing water)→ object specificationὕδωρ: meaning 'water'; it serves as object of ἐπί (every body of standing water).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit shall be / becomeFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of result (the water becomes blood)→ predictive future (the transformation covering all water sources)εἰμί (fut.): copula.
αἷμαbloodNominativepredicate nominative (the state the water shall become)→ participant prominenceαἷμα: meaning 'blood'; it serves as predicate nominative (the state the water shall become).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending scope to stored water)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition governing dative (locative — the plague reaches stored water)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing dative (locative — the plague reaches stored water).
πάσῃallDativeattributive adjective with γῇ→ sphere or referenceπάσῃ: meaning 'all'; it serves as attributive adjective with γῇ.
γῇlandDativeobject of ἐν (throughout all the land of Egypt)→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as object of ἐν (throughout all the land of Egypt).
Αἰγύπτουof EgyptGenitivegenitive qualifying γῇ→ relational specificationΑἰγύπτου: meaning 'of Egypt'; it serves as genitive qualifying γῇ.
ἔνinpreposition (specifying the vessels: in wooden and stone containers)→ spatial or relational framingἔν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (specifying the vessels: in wooden and stone containers).
τεbothcorrelative particle (ἔν τε … καί = 'both … and')→ discourse linkage or contrastτε: meaning 'both'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῖςtheDativearticle with ξυλίνοις σκεύεσιν→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξυλίνοιςwoodenDativeattributive adjective with σκεύεσιν→ sphere or referenceξύλινος: 'of wood, wooden'; the adjective modifies σκεύη ('vessels, containers'). Even stored water in wooden jars becomes blood.
σκεύεσινvesselsDativeobject of ἔν (stored vessels)→ sphere or referenceσκεῦος: 'vessel, container, implement'; here water-storage jars are targeted — no stored water is exempt.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (completing the correlative ἔν τε … καί)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition governing dative→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing dative.
τοῖςtheDativearticle with λιθίνοις→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λιθίνοιςstone (vessels)Dativesubstantival adjective (stone containers; σκεύεσιν implied)→ sphere or referenceλίθινος: 'of stone, stone'; stone storage jars — the plague leaves no material of construction immune.
20
καὶ ἐποίησεν οὕτως Μωυσῆς καὶ Ααρων, καθάπερ ἐνετείλατο αὐτοῖς κύριος· καὶ ἐπάρας τῇ ῥάβδῳ ἐπάταξεν τὸ ὕδωρ τὸ ἐν τῷ ποταμῷ ἐναντίον Φαραω καὶ ἐναντίον τῶν θεραπόντων αὐτοῦ, καὶ μετέβαλεν πᾶν τὸ ὕδωρ τὸ ἐν τῷ ποταμῷ εἰς αἷμα.
And Moses and Aaron did so, just as the Lord commanded them; and raising the rod he struck the water that was in the river before Pharaoh and before his servants, and all the water that was in the river was changed into blood.
The execution of the first plague follows the pattern established in v.10 (the dragon sign): obedience report (καθάπερ ἐνετείλατο κύριος) followed by the specific action narrated (ἐπάρας τῇ ῥάβδῳ ἐπάταξεν… μετέβαλεν). The participle ἐπάρας ('having raised / lifting') describes the gesture; ἐπάταξεν ('struck') the blow; μετέβαλεν πᾶν τὸ ὕδωρ ('all the water was changed') the result. The word πᾶν ('all') echoes the comprehensive scope of v.19 and confirms total fulfillment.
Word-by-word analysis· 39 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησενdidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (obedience summary)→ constative aoristποιέω: summarises the king's deeds.
οὕτωςthusadverb of conformity→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: meaning 'thus'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: meaning 'Moses'; it serves as subject.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑαρωνAaronsecond subject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as second subject (indeclinable).
καθάπερjust asconformity conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθάπερ: meaning 'just as'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνετείλατοcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλωverb of the comparative clause→ constative aoristἐντέλλω: 'command, charge'; the middle voice with dative (αὐτοῖς) = 'charged them'; this is the recurrent verb of divine commissioning (cf. v.2).
αὐτοῖςthemDativeindirect object of ἐνετείλατο→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object of ἐνετείλατο.
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubject of ἐνετείλατο→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the Lord'; it serves as subject of ἐνετείλατο.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the specific action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάραςhaving raised / liftingAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἐπαίρωattendant-circumstance participle (the gesture before the blow)→ aorist participle (prior action: the rod is raised before the strike)ἐπαίρω: 'raise up, lift'; the gesture of raising the rod (ἐπάρας τῇ ῥάβδῳ) is the preparatory action before the strike — the rod is lifted and then brought down.
τῇtheDativearticle with ῥάβδῳ (instrumental dative)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδῳrodDativeinstrumental dative (raised by means of the rod / with the rod)→ sphere or referenceῥάβδῳ: meaning 'rod'; it serves as instrumental dative (raised by means of the rod / with the rod).
ἐπάταξενstruckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb of the action (the blow that initiates the plague)→ constative aorist (decisive single blow)πατάσσω: 'strike, smite, hit'; a forceful verb used for divine judgment-blows throughout the LXX (cf. Exod 12:29; Num 14:12). The subject is Aaron (performing the action) or Moses (as the commander); the ambiguity reflects the interchangeability of their roles.
τὸtheAccusativearticle with ὕδωρ→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of ἐπάταξεν→ object specificationὕδωρ: meaning 'water'; it serves as direct object of ἐπάταξεν.
τὸtheAccusativearticle with participial phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition governing dative→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing dative.
τῷtheDativearticle with ποταμῷ→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποταμῷriverDativeobject of ἐν (the Nile)→ sphere or referenceποταμῷ: meaning 'river'; it serves as object of ἐν (the Nile).
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition (the blow performed publicly)→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (the blow performed publicly).
ΦαραωPharaohobject of ἐναντίον (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of ἐναντίον (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition (second witness-group)→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (second witness-group).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with θεραπόντων→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεραπόντωνservantsGenitiveobject of second ἐναντίον→ relational specificationθεραπόντων: meaning 'servants'; it serves as object of second ἐναντίον.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μετέβαλενwas changed / changedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μεταβάλλωmain verb (the plague's fulfillment: total transformation)→ constative aorist (the transformation is complete)μεταβάλλω: see v.17 (μεταβαλεῖ); the aorist now reports the fulfilled transformation. The active voice (not passive) emphasizes the efficacy of the blow — the water changes in response to the strike.
πᾶνallNominativesubject modifier (emphasizing totality)→ attributive qualificationπᾶν: meaning 'all'; it serves as subject modifier (emphasizing totality).
τὸtheNominativearticle with ὕδωρ→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδωρwaterNominativesubject of μετέβαλεν→ participant prominenceὕδωρ: meaning 'water'; it serves as subject of μετέβαλεν.
τὸtheNominativearticle with participial phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition.
τῷtheDativearticle with ποταμῷ→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποταμῷriverDativeobject of ἐν→ sphere or referenceποταμῷ: meaning 'river'; it serves as object of ἐν.
εἰςintopreposition governing accusative (the new state)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (the new state).
αἷμαbloodAccusativeobject of εἰς (the substance into which the water is transformed)→ object specificationαἷμα: 'blood'; the final word of the verse confirms that the transformation is total — all the Nile water is now blood, exactly as predicted in v.17.
21
καὶ οἱ ἰχθύες οἱ ἐν τῷ ποταμῷ ἐτελεύτησαν, καὶ ἐπώζεσεν ὁ ποταμός· καὶ οὐκ ἠδύναντο οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι πιεῖν ὕδωρ ἐκ τοῦ ποταμοῦ· καὶ ἦν τὸ αἷμα ἐν πάσῃ γῇ Αἰγύπτου.
And the fish that were in the river died, and the river stank; and the Egyptians could not drink water from the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.
This verse narrates the realized consequences predicted in v.18, now in the aorist (past). The structure exactly mirrors the prediction: fish die → river stinks → Egyptians cannot drink. The climactic closing statement — καὶ ἦν τὸ αἷμα ἐν πάσῃ γῇ Αἰγύπτου — goes beyond v.18 to affirm the total extent of the plague, confirming the scope commanded in v.19. The imperfect ἦν ('there was') describes the ongoing state of blood across the land.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle with ἰχθύες→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἰχθύεςfishNominativesubject of ἐτελεύτησαν→ participant prominenceἰχθύες: meaning 'fish'; it serves as subject of ἐτελεύτησαν.
οἱtheNominativearticle with locative phrase (identifying the fish)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition governing dative→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing dative.
τῷtheDativearticle with ποταμῷ→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποταμῷriverDativeobject of ἐν→ sphere or referenceποταμῷ: meaning 'river'; it serves as object of ἐν.
ἐτελεύτησανdiedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · τελευτάωmain verb (fulfillment of v.18 prediction)→ constative aorist (total and complete mortality)τελευτάω: see v.18; the aorist now reports the fulfilled death of all the Nile's fish.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπώζεσενstankAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπόζωmain verb (second consequence: the river's stench)→ constative aoristἐπόζω: 'stink, emit a foul smell'; cf. ἐξόζει in v.18 (future); now the aorist reports the stench as realized. The variant prefix ἐπ- vs. ἐξ- is a textual variation without substantial difference in meaning.
ὁtheNominativearticle with ποταμός→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποταμόςriverNominativesubject of ἐπώζεσεν→ participant prominenceποταμός: meaning 'river'; it serves as subject of ἐπώζεσεν.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegation particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἠδύναντοwere ableImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb (third consequence: the impotence of the Egyptians)→ imperfect of ongoing inability (throughout the duration of the plague)δύναμαι: 'be able'; the imperfect ἠδύναντο describes the sustained incapacity — throughout the plague, they kept not being able to drink.
οἱtheNominativearticle with Αἰγύπτιοι→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑἰγύπτιοιEgyptiansNominativesubject of ἠδύναντο→ participant prominenceΑἰγύπτιοι: meaning 'Egyptians'; it serves as subject of ἠδύναντο.
πιεῖνto drinkAor Act Inf · πίνωcomplementary infinitive with ἠδύναντο→ aorist infinitive (the act of drinking)πίνω (aor. inf. πιεῖν): 'drink'; renders שָׁתָה; the second pleasure refused — ironic, since David will in fact make Uriah drunk in v. 13.
ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of πιεῖν→ object specificationὕδωρ: meaning 'water'; it serves as direct object of πιεῖν.
ἐκfrompreposition governing genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing genitive (source).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with ποταμοῦ→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποταμοῦriverGenitiveobject of ἐκ (the Nile)→ relational specificationποταμοῦ: meaning 'river'; it serves as object of ἐκ (the Nile).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the climactic scope-statement)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνthere wasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential verb (the blood pervades the whole land)→ imperfect of continuous state (the blood condition persisted)εἰμί: existential use — 'there was blood.' The imperfect ἦν describes the ongoing condition of blood throughout Egypt.
τὸtheNominativearticle with αἷμα (subject of ἦν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἷμαbloodNominativesubject of ἦν→ participant prominenceαἷμα: meaning 'blood'; it serves as subject of ἦν.
ἐνinpreposition governing dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing dative (locative).
πάσῃallDativeattributive adjective with γῇ (the total scope of the plague)→ sphere or referenceπάσῃ: meaning 'all'; it serves as attributive adjective with γῇ (the total scope of the plague).
γῇlandDativeobject of ἐν→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as object of ἐν.
Αἰγύπτουof EgyptGenitivegenitive qualifying γῇ→ relational specificationΑἰγύπτου: meaning 'of Egypt'; it serves as genitive qualifying γῇ.
22
ἐποίησαν δὲ ὡσαύτως καὶ οἱ ἐπαοιδοὶ τῶν Αἰγυπτίων ταῖς φαρμακείαις αὐτῶν· καὶ ἐσκληρύνθη ἡ καρδία Φαραω, καὶ οὐκ εἰσήκουσεν αὐτῶν, καθάπερ εἶπεν κύριος.
And the enchanters of Egypt also did likewise with their sorceries; and the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not listen to them, just as the Lord had said.
The magicians replicate the blood-plague (a remarkable claim), and then the hardening refrain appears in its second full form — now with the passive ἐσκληρύνθη ('was hardened') rather than the active κατίσχυσεν of v.13. The passive may indicate that Pharaoh's hardening has become an entrenched state rather than a fresh act of will; or the alternation of active and passive simply reflects the available Hebrew vocabulary. The fulfillment formula (καθάπερ εἶπεν κύριος) closes the unit exactly as in v.13.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ἐποίησανdidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (the magicians' replication of the blood-plague)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עָשָׂה; the aorist summarizes the Philistines' treatment of Saul's body in vv. 9–10, which the Jabeshites now hear of and resolve to redress.
δὲand / butpostpositive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὡσαύτωςlikewiseadverb of manner (same manner as Aaron's action)→ clausal contributionὡσαύτως: meaning 'likewise'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
καὶalso / evenadverbial καί ('also, even' — reinforcing the extent of the replication)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'also'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle with ἐπαοιδοί→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπαοιδοὶenchantersNominativesubject (the same group as v.11)→ participant prominenceἐπαοιδοὶ: meaning 'enchanters'; it serves as subject (the same group as v.11).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with Αἰγυπτίων→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑἰγυπτίωνEgyptiansGenitivegenitive qualifying ἐπαοιδοί→ relational specificationΑἰγυπτίων: meaning 'Egyptians'; it serves as genitive qualifying ἐπαοιδοί.
ταῖςwith theDativearticle with φαρμακείαις (instrumental dative)→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φαρμακείαιςsorceriesDativeinstrumental dative (the means of replication)→ sphere or referenceφαρμακείαις: meaning 'sorceries'; it serves as instrumental dative (the means of replication).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive with φαρμακείαις→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with φαρμακείαις.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the hardening refrain)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐσκληρύνθηwas hardenedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · σκληρύνωmain verb (hardening refrain — passive voice)→ constative aorist passive (the hardening as a resulting state)σκληρύνω: 'harden'; the divine active from v.3 (σκληρυνῶ) now appears as the theological passive — Pharaoh's heart was hardened (by God, or by his own stubborn will, depending on how one reads the passivum divinum). The passive form underlines the inexorable nature of the hardening.
ἡtheNominativearticle with καρδία→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαheartNominativesubject of ἐσκληρύνθη→ participant prominenceκαρδία: meaning 'heart'; it serves as subject of ἐσκληρύνθη.
Φαραωof Pharaohpossessive genitive (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as possessive genitive (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegation particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσήκουσενlistened to / heededAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσακούωmain verb (refusal to heed)→ constative aoristεἰσακούω: 'listen to / heed / obey'; the compound εἰσ- intensifies attentive hearing; renders שָׁמַע; David 'did not heed our voice' — he would not be consoled while the child lived.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of εἰσήκουσεν→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of εἰσήκουσεν.
καθάπερjust asconformity conjunction (fulfillment formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθάπερ: meaning 'just as'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of fulfillment clause (the prior divine word now fulfilled)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the Lord'; it serves as subject of εἶπεν.
23
καὶ ἐπιστρέψας Φαραω εἰσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ καὶ οὐδὲ τοῦτο προσέθετο τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ.
And Pharaoh turned and went into his house, and he did not take even this to heart.
Pharaoh's dismissal of the blood-plague is captured in a psychologically acute phrase: οὐδὲ τοῦτο προσέθετο τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ — 'he did not set even this to his heart,' meaning he took no notice, drew no lesson. The phrase is a Hebraism: שִׂים עַל-לֵב ('set upon the heart') means to take note, take to heart. The negation with οὐδέ ('not even this') implies that Pharaoh was dismissing a dramatic demonstration he could hardly have missed. His turn homeward (ἐπιστρέψας … εἰσῆλθεν) is a gesture of contempt.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιστρέψαςturningAor Act Ptc Nom Sg Masc · ἐπιστρέφωattendant-circumstance participle (Pharaoh turns away from the scene)→ aorist participle (prior to entering the house)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn, turn around, return'; here Pharaoh literally turns away from the spectacle — a gesture of dismissal and disdain.
ΦαραωPharaohsubject of εἰσῆλθεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of εἰσῆλθεν (indeclinable).
εἰσῆλθενwent in / enteredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (Pharaoh's withdrawal from the scene)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter, go in'; Pharaoh's entry into his house after dismissing the plague is a narrative marker of his contemptuous non-response.
εἰςintopreposition governing accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with οἶκον→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativeobject of εἰς (Pharaoh's palace)→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house, home, palace'; here the royal palace — Pharaoh goes home without further engagement.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive with οἶκον→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with οἶκον.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐδὲnot evenintensified negation ('not even this')→ clausal contributionοὐδέ: 'not even, nor yet'; stronger than οὐ — the adverb underlines the completeness of Pharaoh's dismissal: not even this spectacular plague moved him.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (direct object of προσέθετο — the plague-sign just witnessed)→ participant referenceτοῦτο: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative pronoun (direct object of προσέθετο — the plague-sign just witnessed).
προσέθετοset / putAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb of the dismissal idiom→ constative aoristπροστίθημι: 'add, set, put'; the idiom προστίθεμι πρὸς / ἐπὶ τὴν καρδίαν = 'set to the heart, take to heart' (Hebrew שִׁית לֵב). Its negation means complete inattentiveness — he paid no mind.
τῇtheDativearticle with καρδίᾳ→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίᾳheartDativedative of direction / idiom-complement (set to his heart)→ sphere or referenceκαρδίᾳ: meaning 'heart'; it serves as dative of direction / idiom-complement (set to his heart).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive with καρδίᾳ→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with καρδίᾳ.
24
ὤρυξαν δὲ πάντες οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι κύκλῳ τοῦ ποταμοῦ ὕδωρ ὥστε πιεῖν· οὐ γὰρ ἠδύναντο πιεῖν ἐκ τοῦ ὕδατος τοῦ ποταμοῦ.
And all the Egyptians dug around the river for water to drink; for they were not able to drink from the water of the river.
While Pharaoh remains unmoved, the population of Egypt suffers: all the Egyptians (πάντες) must dig beside the Nile for groundwater, because the river itself is blood. The explanatory γάρ clause gives the reason — they could not drink from the river (cf. vv.18, 21). ὤρυξαν (aorist of ὀρύσσω, 'dig') is the only occurrence of this verb in the immediate context; it describes the emergency measure of digging beside the river to access groundwater filtered through the bank.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ὤρυξανdugAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὀρύσσωmain verb (the Egyptians' emergency response to the plague)→ constative aoristὀρύσσω: 'dig, excavate'; here digging beside the Nile to find drinkable groundwater that has been filtered through the bank — a well-attested Egyptian practice. The aorist captures the immediate desperate response of the population.
δὲand / butpostpositive conjunction (contrasting the people's suffering with Pharaoh's indifference)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativesubject modifier (the entire Egyptian population)→ attributive qualificationπάντες: meaning 'all'; it serves as subject modifier (the entire Egyptian population).
οἱtheNominativearticle with Αἰγύπτιοι→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑἰγύπτιοιEgyptiansNominativesubject of ὤρυξαν→ participant prominenceΑἰγύπτιοι: meaning 'Egyptians'; it serves as subject of ὤρυξαν.
κύκλῳaroundDativelocative dative (adverbial: 'around the river')→ sphere or referenceκύκλος (dat. κύκλῳ): 'circle, around'; κύκλῳ τοῦ ποταμοῦ = 'around / beside the river.' The preposition-free dative is an adverbial locative: they dug in the perimeter of the Nile.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with ποταμοῦ→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποταμοῦriverGenitivegenitive with κύκλῳ (around the river)→ relational specificationποταμοῦ: meaning 'river'; it serves as genitive with κύκλῳ (around the river).
ὕδωρwaterAccusativedirect object of ὤρυξαν (what they dug for — water)→ object specificationὕδωρ: meaning 'water'; it serves as direct object of ὤρυξαν (what they dug for — water).
ὥστεso as to / in order toconsecutive / purposive particle (introducing infinitive of purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε: meaning 'so as to'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πιεῖνto drinkAor Act Inf · πίνωinfinitive of purpose with ὥστε→ aorist infinitive (single act of drinking sought)πίνω (aor. inf. πιεῖν): 'drink'; renders שָׁתָה; the second pleasure refused — ironic, since David will in fact make Uriah drunk in v. 13.
οὐnotnegation particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γὰρforpostpositive explanatory conjunction (giving the reason for digging)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for, because'; the explanatory clause provides the reason for the digging — the river-water was undrinkable.
ἠδύναντοwere ableImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb of explanatory clause (impossibility repeated)→ imperfect of sustained inabilityδύναμαι: 'be able'; οὐκ ἠδύναντο φαγεῖν ('they could not eat') marks the food as inedible — death has rendered the famine-relief useless, until the prophet acts.
πιεῖνto drinkAor Act Inf · πίνωcomplementary infinitive with ἠδύναντο→ aorist infinitive (the act of drinking)πίνω (aor. inf. πιεῖν): 'drink'; renders שָׁתָה; the second pleasure refused — ironic, since David will in fact make Uriah drunk in v. 13.
ἐκfrompreposition governing genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing genitive (source).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with ὕδατος→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδατοςwaterGenitiveobject of ἐκ→ relational specificationὕδατος: meaning 'water'; it serves as object of ἐκ.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with ποταμοῦ→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποταμοῦriverGenitivegenitive qualifying ὕδατος (the river water = blood)→ relational specificationποταμοῦ: meaning 'river'; it serves as genitive qualifying ὕδατος (the river water = blood).
25
ἐπληρώθησαν δὲ ἑπτὰ ἡμέραι μετὰ τὸ πατάξαι κύριον τὸν ποταμόν.
And seven days were fulfilled after the Lord struck the river.
The seven-day notice closes the first plague unit and creates a formal boundary between the blood-plague and the frog-announcement that follows in vv.26–29. The passive ἐπληρώθησαν ('were fulfilled') is the standard formula for elapsed time (cf. Acts 2:1). The articular infinitive μετὰ τὸ πατάξαι κύριον τὸν ποταμόν ('after the Lord struck the river') specifies the starting point. Seven days is significant — whether a literal week or a formulaic round number signifying completion.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἐπληρώθησανwere fulfilled / were completedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πληρόωmain verb (temporal formula: days elapsed)→ constative aorist passive (the days ran their course)πληρόω: 'fill, fulfill, complete'; in temporal expressions ἐπληρώθησαν ἡμέραι = 'the days were completed / fulfilled.' The passive may echo the sense of a divinely measured span.
δὲandpostpositive conjunction (narrative continuation)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἑπτὰsevennumeral (indeclinable) modifying ἡμέραι→ measure or countἑπτά: 'seven'; a sacred number in Israelite tradition and in ancient Near Eastern time-reckoning; seven days may indicate a complete week or a round number for the plague's duration.
ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubject of ἐπληρώθησαν→ participant prominenceἡμέραι: meaning 'days'; it serves as subject of ἐπληρώθησαν.
μετὰafterpreposition governing accusative (temporal: after the event)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (temporal: after the event).
τὸtheAccusativearticle with articular infinitive (μετὰ τὸ + inf. = 'after doing')→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατάξαιto strike / strikingAor Act Inf · πατάσσωarticular infinitive with μετά (temporal: 'after the Lord struck')→ aorist infinitive (the completed act as the starting reference point)πατάσσω: see v.20; 'strike, smite'; here in the articular infinitive construction — μετὰ τὸ πατάξαι = 'after the striking.'
κύριονthe LordAccusativeaccusative subject of the articular infinitive (subject of infinitive in oblique case)→ object specificationκύριος: the subject of the infinitive appears in the accusative in Greek — 'after the Lord [acc.] struck the river.' A standard Greek construction.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with ποταμόν→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποταμόνriverAccusativedirect object of πατάξαι (the Nile, the object of the plague-blow)→ object specificationποταμόν: meaning 'river'; it serves as direct object of πατάξαι (the Nile, the object of the plague-blow).
26
Εἶπεν δὲ κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν· Εἴσελθε πρὸς Φαραω καὶ ἐρεῖς αὐτῷ· Τάδε λέγει κύριος· Ἐξαπόστειλον τὸν λαόν μου, ἵνα μοι λατρεύσωσιν·
And the Lord said to Moses, 'Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, Thus says the Lord: Send my people away so that they may worship me;'
The new divine speech opens the second plague announcement (the frogs), which corresponds to English 8:1–4. The LXX chapter numbers this as 7:26–29. The renewed demand formula (Ἐξαπόστειλον τὸν λαόν μου, ἵνα μοι λατρεύσωσιν) is nearly identical to v.16, establishing the rhythmic refrain of the plague cycle: each new plague begins with a restatement of the demand followed by the threat.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ΕἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of speech-introduction→ constative aoristΕἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲandpostpositive conjunction (opening new unit)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the Lord'; it serves as subject.
πρὸςtopreposition governing accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative.
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeobject of πρὸς→ object specificationΜωυσῆν: meaning 'Moses'; it serves as object of πρὸς.
ΕἴσελθεGo inAor Act Impv 2 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain imperative (Moses sent to Pharaoh again)→ aorist imperativeεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter, go in'; Εἴσελθε πρὸς Φαραω = 'go in to Pharaoh' — a direct audience is demanded, unlike the morning river-bank encounter of v.15.
πρὸςtopreposition governing accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (direction).
ΦαραωPharaohobject of πρὸς (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as object of πρὸς (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐρεῖςyou shall sayFut Act Indic 2 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Moses instructed to deliver the herald formula)→ predictive-imperatival futureλέγω (fut. ἐρεῖς): 'you will say'; the future has imperatival force — Joab tells the messenger the exact words to deliver once the king's anger flares: the news of Uriah's death, which will silence the rebuke.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object of ἐρεῖς (Pharaoh)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object of ἐρεῖς (Pharaoh).
ΤάδεThusAccusativedemonstrative pronoun in messenger formula→ participant referenceΤάδε: meaning 'Thus'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative pronoun in messenger formula.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωoracular present of messenger formula→ oracular presentλέγω: the present λέγει in the citation-formula gives the divine word present authority — 'the LORD says (now)'.
κύριοςthe LordNominativesubject of λέγει→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the Lord'; it serves as subject of λέγει.
ἘξαπόστειλονSend away / ReleaseAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐξαποστέλλωmain imperative of the divine demand (repeated refrain)→ aorist imperative (urgent, decisive)ἐξαποστέλλω: see vv.2, 14, 16; the recurring Exodus demand-verb; its repetition at the opening of each new plague unit creates the plague cycle's characteristic rhythm.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with λαόν→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόνpeopleAccusativedirect object of Ἐξαπόστειλον→ object specificationλαόν: meaning 'people'; it serves as direct object of Ἐξαπόστειλον.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive (the covenant designation 'my people')→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (the covenant designation 'my people').
ἵναso thatpurpose conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: meaning 'so that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μοιmeDativedative of advantage with λατρεύσωσιν ('worship me')→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage with λατρεύσωσιν ('worship me').
λατρεύσωσινthey may worship / serveAor Act Subj 3 Pl · λατρεύωverb of purpose clause→ aorist subjunctive (purposive)λατρεύω: see v.16; the covenantal service-worship that is the purpose of Israel's release.
27
εἰ δὲ μὴ βούλει ἐξαποστεῖλαι, ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ τύπτω πάντα τὰ ὅρια σου τοῖς βατράχοις·
But if you do not wish to send them away, behold, I strike all your territory with frogs;
The conditional εἰ δὲ μὴ βούλει ('but if you do not wish') frames the frog-plague as contingent on Pharaoh's ongoing refusal — the rhetoric presupposes he has the choice, even as the narrative has shown his heart hardened by God. The dramatic present ἐγὼ τύπτω repeats the idiom of v.17 (the blow is as good as already falling). The word βατράχοις ('frogs') appears here for the first time; it will close the chapter in v.29.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
εἰifconditional conjunction (introducing first-class / indicative condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if' + indicative = first-class condition (condition assumed as real for the sake of argument).
δὲbutadversative postpositive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴnotnegation with βούλει (in conditional clause)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμὴ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
βούλειyou wish / are willingPres Mid Indic 2 Sg · βούλομαιmain verb of conditional protasis→ present of ongoing unwillingnessβούλομαι: 'wish, want, be willing'; the verb of intentional will rather than mere ability — Pharaoh is confronted with his own willful choice: he does not want to release Israel.
ἐξαποστεῖλαιto send awayAor Act Inf · ἐξαποστέλλωcomplementary infinitive with βούλει→ aorist infinitive (the act of release)ἐξαποστέλλω: 'send away / dismiss'; here the technical sense 'divorce' (renders שִׁלַּח, the divorce-verb, cf. Deut 24:1); the man who tried to be rid of his wife by slander is denied the very release he sought.
ἰδοὺbeholdattention-marker (introducing the divine threat)→ clausal contributionἰδοὺ: meaning 'behold'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject (the divine agent of the plague)→ participant referenceἐγὼ: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as emphatic subject (the divine agent of the plague).
τύπτωstrikePres Act Indic 1 Sg · τύπτωdramatic present (the blow poised and imminent)→ futuristic / dramatic presentτύπτω: see v.17; ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ τύπτω — the same dramatic formula as in the blood-plague announcement, presenting the divine blow as already in motion.
πάνταallAccusativedirect object modifier (the full extent of territory targeted)→ attributive qualificationπάντα: meaning 'all'; it serves as direct object modifier (the full extent of territory targeted).
τὰtheAccusativearticle with ὅρια→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅριαterritory / bordersAccusativedirect object of τύπτω ('I strike your whole territory')→ object specificationὅριον: 'boundary, territory, borders'; πάντα τὰ ὅρια σου = 'all your territory' — the entire land of Egypt is threatened with the frog invasion.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive with ὅρια (Pharaoh's territory)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with ὅρια (Pharaoh's territory).
τοῖςtheDativearticle with βατράχοις (instrumental dative phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βατράχοιςfrogsDativeinstrumental dative (the frogs as the instrument of judgment)→ sphere or referenceβάτραχος: 'frog'; this is the first appearance of the word in the chapter; it will recur in v.28 and v.29. The frog invasion of the entire Egyptian territory is the second plague. The word appears in the NT only in Rev 16:13 (three unclean spirits like frogs).
28
καὶ ἐξερεύξεται ὁ ποταμὸς βατράχους, καὶ ἀναβάντες εἰσελεύσονται εἰς τοὺς οἴκους σου καὶ εἰς τὰ ταμεῖα τῶν κοιτώνων σου καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν κλινῶν σου καὶ εἰς τοὺς οἴκους τῶν θεραπόντων σου καὶ τοῦ λαοῦ σου καὶ ἐν τοῖς φυράμασίν σου καὶ ἐν τοῖς κλιβάνοις σου·
And the river shall teem with frogs, and going up they shall enter into your houses and into the inner chambers of your bedrooms and upon your beds and into the houses of your servants and of your people and into your kneading-troughs and into your ovens;
The verse catalogues the frog invasion with rhetorical escalation through seven spatial spheres, moving from the public (the river, the houses) to the intimate (bedrooms, beds) and the domestic (kneading-troughs, ovens). The verb ἐξερεύξεται ('shall belch forth, teem with') is viscerally evocative — the Nile vomiting frogs. The participial ἀναβάντες ('having gone up' / as they come up) captures the upward movement of the frogs from the river into habitation. This verse ends with a semicolon pointing forward to v.29.
Word-by-word analysis· 45 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξερεύξεταιshall teem with / belch forthFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐξερεύγομαιmain verb (the river producing frogs in vast numbers)→ predictive futureἐξερεύγομαι: 'belch out, teem with, pour out in abundance'; a viscerally expressive verb — the river vomits or disgorges frogs in overwhelming quantity. The middle voice adds reflexive force.
ὁtheNominativearticle with ποταμός→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποταμὸςriverNominativesubject of ἐξερεύξεται (the Nile as the source of the frog plague)→ participant prominenceποταμός: the Nile again, the same river that became blood in the first plague, now generates the second plague — the frogs come from the same corrupted source.
βατράχουςfrogsAccusativedirect object of ἐξερεύξεται (the frogs the river produces)→ object specificationβατράχους: meaning 'frogs'; it serves as direct object of ἐξερεύξεται (the frogs the river produces).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the frog invasion)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναβάντεςgoing up / coming upAor Act Ptc Nom Pl Masc · ἀναβαίνωattendant-circumstance participle (the frogs ascend from the river before entering)→ aorist participle (prior action: they go up, then enter)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up, ascend, come up'; the frogs go up from the river (out of it and onto the land) before entering the houses. The verb ἀναβαίνω is picked up in the climactic v.29: ἀναβήσονται οἱ βάτραχοι.
εἰσελεύσονταιshall enter / go inFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb of the invasion (the frogs entering every space)→ predictive futureεἰσέρχομαι: 'enter, go into'; the verb used for entry into the most intimate spaces of Egyptian life — every sphere is penetrated.
εἰςintopreposition governing accusative (direction — first of seven spatial spheres)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (direction — first of seven spatial spheres).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with οἴκους→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκουςhousesAccusativeobject of εἰς (first sphere: Pharaoh's palace/houses)→ object specificationοἴκους: meaning 'houses'; it serves as object of εἰς (first sphere: Pharaoh's palace/houses).
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive (Pharaoh's houses)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Pharaoh's houses).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰςintopreposition (second sphere)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (second sphere).
τὰtheAccusativearticle with ταμεῖα→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ταμεῖαinner chambersAccusativeobject of εἰς (second sphere: the inner rooms / storerooms)→ object specificationταμεῖον: 'inner room, storeroom, treasury, private chamber'; the most secluded interior rooms — the frogs penetrate even the private spaces of the palace.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with κοιτώνων→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κοιτώνωνbedroomsGenitivegenitive qualifying ταμεῖα (inner chambers of the bedrooms)→ relational specificationκοιτών: 'bedroom, sleeping chamber'; the genitive identifies the ταμεῖα as the private rooms adjacent to the bedrooms — the most intimate domestic space.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶuponpreposition governing genitive (third sphere: upon the beds — contact / surface)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing genitive (third sphere: upon the beds — contact / surface).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with κλινῶν→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κλινῶνbedsGenitiveobject of ἐπί (third sphere: upon the beds)→ relational specificationκλίνη: 'bed, couch'; the frogs invade even the royal bed — the ultimate intimate violation.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰςintopreposition (fourth sphere: the houses of servants and people)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (fourth sphere: the houses of servants and people).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with οἴκους→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκουςhousesAccusativeobject of εἰς (fourth sphere: the houses of the population)→ object specificationοἴκους: meaning 'houses'; it serves as object of εἰς (fourth sphere: the houses of the population).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with θεραπόντων→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεραπόντωνservantsGenitivepossessive genitive (the servants' houses)→ relational specificationθεραπόντων: meaning 'servants'; it serves as possessive genitive (the servants' houses).
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with λαοῦ→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive (the people's houses — shared object with θεραπόντων)→ relational specificationλαοῦ: meaning 'people'; it serves as genitive (the people's houses — shared object with θεραπόντων).
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition governing dative (fifth sphere: into the kneading-troughs)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing dative (fifth sphere: into the kneading-troughs).
τοῖςtheDativearticle with φυράμασίν→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φυράμασίνkneading-troughs / doughDativeobject of ἐν (fifth sphere: in the food-preparation vessels)→ sphere or referenceφύραμα: 'kneaded dough, kneading-trough'; the vessel in which bread dough was prepared — the frogs contaminate even the food supply at the point of preparation.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition governing dative (sixth sphere: ovens)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing dative (sixth sphere: ovens).
τοῖςtheDativearticle with κλιβάνοις→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κλιβάνοιςovensDativeobject of ἐν (sixth sphere: the baking ovens)→ sphere or referenceκλίβανος: 'oven, earthen baking vessel'; the frogs penetrate even the oven — every stage of food production is contaminated. The word recurs at Matt 6:30 (the grass thrown into the oven), though in a different context.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive (the ovens of Pharaoh)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (the ovens of Pharaoh).
29
καὶ ἐπὶ σὲ καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν λαόν σου καὶ ἐπὶ πάντας τοὺς θεράποντάς σου ἀναβήσονται οἱ βάτραχοι.
And upon you and upon your people and upon all your servants the frogs shall come up.
The chapter's final verse — LXX 7:29 = English 8:4 — is the rhetorical climax of the frog announcement. After cataloguing the invasion of the spaces (v.28), the threat is now directed personally at Pharaoh himself, his people, and his servants, in a tricolon of ascending personal address (ἐπὶ σέ / ἐπὶ τὸν λαόν σου / ἐπὶ πάντας τοὺς θεράποντάς σου). The chapter ends on the verb ἀναβήσονται οἱ βάτραχοι — 'the frogs shall come up' — a suspended future threat, creating dramatic tension as the chapter closes without yet narrating the plague's execution. The verb ἀναβαίνω here echoes ἀναβάντες in v.28, completing an inclusio.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (climactic, resuming the list from v.28)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶuponpreposition governing accusative (first in tricolon — directed at Pharaoh personally)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition governing accusative (first in tricolon — directed at Pharaoh personally).
σὲyouAccusativeobject of ἐπί (Pharaoh himself — the personal culmination of the threat)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σέ): the threat personalizes — 'upon you' (Pharaoh singular) — after cataloguing the spaces and the people, the frog invasion reaches the king himself.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second member of tricolon)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶuponpreposition (second in tricolon)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (second in tricolon).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with λαόν→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόνpeopleAccusativeobject of ἐπί (second member: Pharaoh's people)→ object specificationλαόν: meaning 'people'; it serves as object of ἐπί (second member: Pharaoh's people).
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive with λαόν→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with λαόν.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (third member of tricolon)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶuponpreposition (third in tricolon)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (third in tricolon).
πάνταςallAccusativemodifier of θεράποντάς (totality — all servants without exception)→ attributive qualificationπάντας: meaning 'all'; it serves as modifier of θεράποντάς (totality — all servants without exception).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with θεράποντάς→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεράποντάςservantsAccusativeobject of ἐπί (third member: Pharaoh's entire court)→ object specificationθεράπων: see v.9; 'servant, courtier'; πάντας τοὺς θεράποντάς σου — 'all your servants' — the entire court and household. No one is exempt.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive with θεράποντάς→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive with θεράποντάς.
ἀναβήσονταιshall come upFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (climactic — postposed for emphasis at the end of the chapter)→ predictive future (the threat suspended but certain)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up, come up, ascend'; ἀναβήσονται οἱ βάτραχοι — 'the frogs shall come up' — is the chapter's final declaration, a future tense that does not yet describe the plague's execution. The verb picks up ἀναβάντες of v.28 (the frogs' ascending movement) and turns it into the chapter-closing climax. Postposing the verb to the end of the sentence (after the three ἐπί-phrases) is a rhetorical device that suspends the chapter on the image of the ascending frogs.
οἱtheNominativearticle with βάτραχοι→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βάτραχοιfrogsNominativesubject of ἀναβήσονται (postposed subject — the chapter's final word is the plague agent)→ participant prominenceβάτραχος: see v.27; the frogs are the chapter's closing image — they have been announced (v.27), their mode of invasion catalogued (v.28), and now in the final verse they stand as the subject of the future verb that closes the LXX chapter. The chapter ends in suspense: the frogs are coming up, and we await the next chapter's execution.