Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 1ΓΕΝΕΣΙΣ Α′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Genesis is the first book of the LXX Pentateuch, translated in Alexandria probably in the third century BCE; its Greek is notably fluent — less woodenly literal than the kaige-style books — while still reflecting the Hebrew Vorlage closely.

Translation & textual notes

The Greek text of Genesis 1 follows the standard critical text of the Septuagint as established in the Rahlfs–Hanhart edition (Septuaginta, rev. ed. 2006), an ancient and public-domain text; the critical apparatus is not reproduced. Genesis is the first book of the LXX Pentateuch, translated in Alexandria probably in the third century BCE; its Greek is notably fluent — less woodenly literal than the kaige-style books — while still reflecting the Hebrew Vorlage closely. The opening verse (1:1) reads Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν, which became the template for John 1:1 (Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος) and is echoed in 2 Cor 4:6. The celebrated rendering of the formless void (Hebrew תֹּהוּ וָבֹהוּ, tōhû wābōhû) as ἀόρατος καὶ ἀκατασκεύαστος ('invisible and unformed', 1:2) departs from a strictly literalistic approach and opens an afterlife in Platonic and patristic cosmology: Theophilus of Antioch and Origen both read the phrase in dialogue with Plato's Timaeus. At 1:2 the spirit of God over the waters is ἐπεφέρετο (imperfect of ἐπιφέρω, 'was being borne / carried upon') — a more dynamic rendering than the MT's מְרַחֶפֶת ('hovering'), and one that Justin Martyr and Basil the Great found suggestive. The refrain of divine approval — καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι καλόν — appears on days one (1:4), three (1:10, 12), four (1:18), five (1:21), and six (1:25), with the climactic expansion καλὰ λίαν ('very good') at 1:31. Notably, the LXX also supplies the refrain at the end of day two (v.8, absent in the MT), making day two the exception that the MT preserves and that a number of ancient witnesses and patristic commentators reflect; this is one of the most discussed LXX–MT divergences in the chapter. At 1:26 the LXX renders the divine self-address as ποιήσωμεν ἄνθρωπον κατ᾿ εἰκόνα ἡμετέραν καὶ καθ᾿ ὁμοίωσιν, preserving both the cohortative plural ('let us make') and the full image-likeness pair (εἰκών / ὁμοίωσις) that became central in patristic theology of the imago Dei; Irenaeus distinguished the two terms as a key move in his theology of recapitulation. The LXX reads ἐν εἰκόνι θεοῦ ἐποίησεν αὐτόν at 1:27 (against MT's בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים, which LXX renders identically). The word θεός (without article in the LXX convention for אֱלֹהִים in Gen 1) occurs thirty-two times in the chapter. The translation throughout this data file renders the Greek LXX text; English equivalents sometimes differ from translations of the MT.

1

Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν.

In the beginning God made the heaven and the earth.

Absolute opening statementasyndeton
Asyndeton: no connective, the most weighty possible opening. The sentence is the cosmological thesis of the entire chapter — and of the entire Bible. The aorist ἐποίησεν asserts the totality of creation as a single completed act. The phrase Ἐν ἀρχῇ became the template for John 1:1 (Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος) and 1 John 1:1; it is also echoed in 2 Cor 4:6.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
Ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal: 'in the beginning')→ spatial or relational framingἘν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal: 'in the beginning').
ἀρχῇbeginningDativedative of time (anarthrous: absolute, not 'a' beginning)→ sphere or referenceἀρχή: 'beginning / origin / first principle'; anarthrous here, indicating the absolute beginning of all things rather than a beginning within an existing sequence. The word has both temporal and ontological weight; Philo and the NT exploit both senses.
ἐποίησενmadeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (creation predicate)→ constative aorist (the total act of creation viewed as a whole)ποιέω: 'make / do / create'; here renders Hebrew בָּרָא (bārāʾ), the specifically divine verb of creation used only with God as subject in the OT. LXX uses ποιέω rather than κτίζω (the NT's preferred term for creation) throughout Gen 1.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεός: renders אֱלֹהִים (ʾĕlōhîm); articulated here (ὁ θεός) against general LXX practice in which θεός for אֱלֹהִים often lacks the article, though Gen 1 is somewhat inconsistent. The use of the plural Hebrew name (ʾĕlōhîm = 'gods') rendered by the singular θεός suppresses the morphological plurality in Hebrew, a common patristic apologetic point.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with direct object→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανὸνheavenAccusativedirect object (first of a hendiadys pair)→ object specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven / sky'; renders שָׁמַיִם (šāmayim, a Hebrew dual form); the pairing τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν is a merism (heaven and earth = everything). The word recurs as God's name for the firmament in 1:8.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (merism: 'and everything between')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with direct object→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνearthAccusativedirect object (second of the merism pair)→ object specificationγῆ: 'earth / land / ground'; renders אֶרֶץ (ʾereṣ); as a merism-pair with οὐρανός, the two nouns encompass the totality of the created order.
2

ἡ δὲ γῆ ἦν ἀόρατος καὶ ἀκατασκεύαστος, καὶ σκότος ἐπάνω τῆς ἀβύσσου, καὶ πνεῦμα θεοῦ ἐπεφέρετο ἐπάνω τοῦ ὕδατος.

But the earth was invisible and unformed, and darkness was over the abyss, and the Spirit of God was being borne upon the water.

Adversative/circumstantial backgroundδέ
The δέ marks a narrative contrast or background: having stated the cosmic act (v.1), the narrator now describes the initial chaotic state. Three parallel nominative-clause descriptions (ἀόρατος καὶ ἀκατασκεύαστος; σκότος ἐπάνω; πνεῦμα ἐπεφέρετο) paint the formless precondition. The imperfect ἐπεφέρετο is the only verb in v.2 (against the aorists of v.1), heightening the sense of pre-creation stasis.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
ἡtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbut / andpostpositive particle (adversative contrast with v.1)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: mild adversative or transitional; here signals the background-description clause that contrasts with the completed act of v.1.
γῆearthNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceγῆ: meaning 'earth'; it serves as subject (nominative).
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (predicate of state)→ imperfect: continuous state of affairs before God begins to orderεἰμί: copulative 'to be'; the imperfect marks the ongoing pre-ordering condition, distinct from the aorist acts of creation in vv.1 and 3ff.
ἀόρατοςinvisibleNominativepredicate adjective (first of double description)→ participant prominenceἀόρατος: alpha-privative of ὁράω ('see') + -τος verbal adjective; 'not able to be seen / invisible'; renders תֹּהוּ (tōhû, 'formless, void'). The choice of ἀόρατος is notable: rather than a word for formlessness, the LXX renders tōhû in terms of visibility — the pre-creation earth has no visible form. Patristic writers (e.g. Theophilus, Origen) read this through Platonic categories of the invisible substrate of matter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκατασκεύαστοςunformedNominativepredicate adjective (second of double description)→ participant prominenceἀκατασκεύαστος: alpha-privative of κατασκευάζω ('construct, furnish, prepare'); 'unprepared / unfurnished / unformed'; renders בֹּהוּ (bōhû, 'void, emptiness'). Together ἀόρατος καὶ ἀκατασκεύαστος translate תֹּהוּ וָבֹהוּ; the pair became a philosophical catch-phrase for primordial matter in patristic cosmology (Theophilus Ad Autolycum 2.10; cf. Plato's Timaeus 52d).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (paratactic addition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σκότοςdarknessNominativesubject of implied copula (anarthrous existential clause)→ participant prominenceσκότος: 'darkness'; renders חֹשֶׁךְ (ḥōšek); anarthrous, indicating absence of the definite entity 'light' rather than a named thing. In the NT the word carries a moral-theological freight (John 1:5; 1 John 1:5).
ἐπάνωabove / uponpreposition + genitive (locative: 'over the abyss')→ spatial or relational framingἐπάνω: 'upon / above'; used twice in this verse (also with τοῦ ὕδατος); renders עַל (ʿal).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with object of preposition→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀβύσσουabyssGenitivegenitive object of ἐπάνω (locative: 'over the deep')→ relational specificationἄβυσσος: 'abyss / the deep'; renders תְּהוֹם (tĕhôm), the primordial deep ocean; a word with resonances in Ancient Near Eastern mythology (Tiamat). In the NT ἄβυσσος becomes the place of the demonic (Luke 8:31; Rev 9:1–2; 20:1–3).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (paratactic addition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πνεῦμαSpiritNominativesubject (anarthrous; existential/predicative force)→ participant prominenceπνεῦμα: 'spirit / wind / breath'; renders רוּחַ (rûaḥ), which can mean wind, breath, or spirit; the genitive θεοῦ ('of God') favors 'Spirit of God' over 'wind of God', though both readings existed in antiquity. Patristic writers (Basil of Caesarea, Hexaemeron 2.6) read this as the Holy Spirit, while some moderns prefer 'mighty wind' (cf. the LXX's own use of πνεῦμα for divine agency in Gen 6:3; 41:38).
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of possession / description (subjective genitive: the Spirit that belongs to God)→ relational specificationθεοῦ: meaning 'of God'; it serves as genitive of possession / description (subjective genitive: the Spirit that belongs to God).
ἐπεφέρετοwas being borneImpf Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιφέρωmain verb (imperfect of continuous action)→ imperfect: progressive/continuous motion upon the waters before creation beginsἐπιφέρω: 'carry upon / bring to bear upon'; the imperfect passive ἐπεφέρετο ('was being borne') renders מְרַחֶפֶת (the Hebrew piel participle of רָחַף, 'hover / flutter'), which the MT uses for an eagle hovering over young (Deut 32:11). The LXX's choice of ἐπιφέρω is more forceful — a bringing-to-bear rather than mere hovering — and the passive adds a sense of divine support. Justin Martyr (Apol. 1.60) and Basil exploit this reading.
ἐπάνωuponpreposition + genitive (locative: 'upon the water')→ spatial or relational framingἐπάνω: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative: 'upon the water').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with object of preposition→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδατοςwaterGenitivegenitive object of ἐπάνω→ relational specificationὕδωρ: 'water'; anarthrous in MT Hebrew (הַמָּיִם), articulated in LXX; the primordial waters will be divided on day two (vv.6–8) and gathered on day three (vv.9–10).
3

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός Γενηθήτω φῶς. καὶ ἐγένετο φῶς.

And God said, 'Let there be light.' And there was light.

Narrative sequence: first divine speech actκαὶ εἶπεν
The formula καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός inaugurates the pattern repeated throughout chapter 1 (ten divine speech acts total). Each speech act is followed by an ἐγένετο reporting fulfillment. The brevity of this verse — two clauses — is its power; Ps 33:9 LXX draws on exactly this model: αὐτὸς εἶπεν καὶ ἐγενήθησαν. The jussive Γενηθήτω ('let it become / let there be') is the LXX's rendering of the Hebrew cohortative יְהִי (yĕhî), 'let there be'; the passive form emphasizes that light comes into existence by divine fiat.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing parataxis; sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (narrative: speech introduction)→ constative aorist (single act of speech)λέγω: 'say / speak'; the divine word (ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ) as creative instrument is implicit here and is the foundation for the Logos theology of John 1:1–3.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
Γενηθήτωlet there beAor Pass Impv 3 Sg · γίνομαιjussive / imperative (divine creative command: 3rd-person imperative)→ aorist imperative: point-action command producing instantaneous resultγίνομαι: 'become / come to be'; the 3rd-person aorist passive imperative Γενηθήτω ('let it become') renders the Hebrew jussive יְהִי. It is the first word of direct speech in the Bible. The passive voice signals that light comes into being not by its own agency but by the divine word bearing upon it.
φῶςlightNominativesubject/predicate of jussive (existential: 'let light exist')→ participant prominenceφῶς: 'light'; renders אוֹר (ʾôr); this light precedes the creation of the luminaries (1:14–18) and is not identical with them. Patristic writers (Origen, Basil) debated its nature; some identified it with the divine Logos. In John 1:4–5 φῶς becomes the defining attribute of the Logos.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (reporting fulfillment of command)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (existential: immediate fulfillment of divine command)→ constative aorist (instantaneous creation)γίνομαι: 'come to be / come into existence'; the terse καὶ ἐγένετο φῶς directly mirrors the command — word and fulfillment are grammatically parallel, enacting the effortless efficacy of divine speech. Ps 33:9 LXX generalizes the pattern.
φῶςlightNominativesubject (existential: 'light came into being')→ participant prominenceφῶς: meaning 'light'; it serves as subject (existential: 'light came into being').
4

καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ φῶς ὅτι καλόν· καὶ διεχώρισεν ὁ θεὸς ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ φωτὸς καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ σκότους.

And God saw the light, that it was good; and God separated between the light and between the darkness.

Narrative sequence: divine evaluation and ordering actκαὶ εἶδεν
The divine approval formula καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι καλόν ('and God saw that it was good') appears here for the first time; it will recur on days three, four, five, and six. The ὅτι introduces an indirect statement of quality. The second clause moves from evaluation to separation — ἀνὰ μέσον ('between') used twice for Hebraistic emphasis, calquing the Hebrew בֵּין … וּבֵין.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (evaluation formula)→ constative aorist (single act of divine perception/judgment)ὁράω: 'see / perceive'; divine seeing is not merely visual but judicial-evaluative: God perceives and pronounces the goodness of what he made. The refrain καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι καλόν appears six times in the chapter (vv.4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25) and is climactically expanded to καλὰ λίαν in v.31.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
τὸtheAccusativearticle with direct object→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φῶςlightAccusativedirect object (accusative)→ object specificationφῶς: meaning 'light'; it serves as direct object (accusative).
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect statement (content of seeing)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: recitative-declarative here, introducing the content of the divine perception: 'he saw [that] it was good.'
καλόνgoodNominativepredicate adjective (in indirect statement: 'that [it was] good')→ participant prominenceκαλός: 'beautiful / good / fitting'; renders טוֹב (ṭôb); in the context of creation the word denotes suitability, completeness, and beauty. The neuter singular καλόν ('a good thing') matches the anarthrous φῶς. On day six the verdict is amplified to καλὰ λίαν ('exceedingly good', v.31).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential act)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διεχώρισενseparatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διαχωρίζωmain verb (act of separation/ordering)→ constative aorist (completed act of division)διαχωρίζω: 'to separate thoroughly, to divide'; the compound (δια- + χωρίζω) intensifies the separating force; renders Hebrew הִבְדִּיל (hibdîl, hiphil of בָּדַל, 'to separate / distinguish'). The verb of separation recurs at vv.6, 7, 14, 18 as the organizing principle of God's creative ordering.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (distributive with μέσον: 'through the middle of')→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ μέσον: idiom meaning 'between'; Hebraizing calque of בֵּין; the LXX uses this phrase consistently for the Hebrew preposition of separation.
μέσονmiddleAccusativeaccusative (with ἀνά: idiomatic 'in the midst of')→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as accusative (with ἀνά: idiomatic 'in the midst of').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive object of idiom→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωτὸςlightGenitivegenitive (complement of ἀνὰ μέσον: 'between the light')→ relational specificationφωτὸς: meaning 'light'; it serves as genitive (complement of ἀνὰ μέσον: 'between the light').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (joining the two poles of the separation)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (second member of the separating pair)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (second member of the separating pair).
μέσονmiddleAccusativeaccusative (second ἀνὰ μέσον idiom; Hebraism: בֵּין … וּבֵין)→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as accusative (second ἀνὰ μέσον idiom; Hebraism: בֵּין … וּבֵין).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive object→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκότουςdarknessGenitivegenitive (second complement: 'and between the darkness')→ relational specificationσκότος: 'darkness'; the separation of light from darkness is the first organizing act of creation, establishing the fundamental duality that will be named Day and Night in v.5.
5

καὶ ἐκάλεσεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ φῶς ἡμέραν καὶ τὸ σκότος ἐκάλεσεν νύκτα. καὶ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα καὶ ἐγένετο πρωί, ἡμέρα μία.

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, day one.

Narrative sequence: divine naming and day-close formulaκαὶ ἐκάλεσεν
God's naming of light and darkness as Day and Night completes the work of day one. The naming formula (ἐκάλεσεν … + double accusative: accusative of object + accusative of name) follows the pattern used again in vv.8, 10. The closing ἡμέρα μία ('day one') uses the cardinal numeral (μία = 'one'), not the ordinal πρώτη ('first'), matching the Hebrew יוֹם אֶחָד (yôm ʾeḥāḏ) — a well-noted LXX peculiarity suggesting 'the unique/singular day' rather than simply 'the first.'
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάλεσενcalledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (naming act: double accusative construction)→ constative aorist (single act of naming / establishing)καλέω: 'call / name'; the naming of things is an exercise of sovereign authority over them; cf. the naming of the animals by Adam (2:19–20). The double-accusative (object + predicate) is standard for naming constructions in Greek.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
τὸtheAccusativearticle with direct object→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φῶςlightAccusativedirect object of naming (first accusative)→ object specificationφῶς: meaning 'light'; it serves as direct object of naming (first accusative).
ἡμέρανDayAccusativepredicate accusative (the name given: 'called the light Day')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the name assigned to light; its antonym νύξ ('night') is assigned to darkness. The word ἡμέρα is used both as a proper name here (Day) and as the common noun in the day-close formula.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (introducing second naming)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheAccusativearticle with direct object→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκότοςdarknessAccusativedirect object of second naming (first accusative)→ object specificationσκότος: meaning 'darkness'; it serves as direct object of second naming (first accusative).
ἐκάλεσενcalledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (second naming act; subject God implied)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call / summon'; David calls one of his retinue to carry out the sentence.
νύκταNightAccusativepredicate accusative (name given: 'called [the darkness] Night')→ object specificationνύξ: 'night'; renders לַיְלָה (laylāh); the naming of night completes the cosmic time-frame.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (day-close formula: first member)→ constative aorist (beginning of evening)γίνομαι: 'come to be'; the formula καὶ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα καὶ ἐγένετο πρωί appears (with day number) at the close of each of the six days.
ἑσπέραeveningNominativesubject (existential: 'evening came to be')→ participant prominenceἑσπέρα: 'evening'; renders עֶרֶב (ʿereb); in the Hebrew reckoning, the day runs from evening to evening (evening first, then morning), so the formula marks the close of the daylight creative period.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (second member of day-close formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (day-close formula: second member)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
πρωίmorningadverbial/predicate (temporal: 'morning came')→ clausal contributionπρωί: 'morning'; adverbial, indeclinable; renders בֹּקֶר (bōqer); completes the evening-morning formula marking the end of a creative day.
ἡμέραdayNominativenominative absolute / apposition (day-numbering formula)→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: 'day'; here the common noun, appended with the numeral μία to designate the ordinal; the cardinal numeral is used (not πρώτη) following the Hebrew יוֹם אֶחָד.
μίαoneNominativepredicate adjective / day-numeral (cardinal 'one' for ordinal 'first')→ measure or countεἷς/μία/ἕν: the cardinal 'one' rather than the ordinal 'first' (πρώτη); renders Hebrew אֶחָד (ʾeḥāḏ). Patristic writers noted this as possibly signifying the unique, transcendent day of creation distinct from the numbered sequence of vv.8, 13, 19, 23, 31.
6

Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός Γενηθήτω στερέωμα ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ ὕδατος, καὶ ἔστω διαχωρίζον ἀνὰ μέσον ὕδατος καὶ ὕδατος. καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως.

And God said, 'Let a firmament come to be in the middle of the water, and let it be separating between water and water.' And it was so.

Narrative sequence: second divine speech act (day two)Καὶ εἶπεν
Day two begins with the same formula as day one (Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός). The command has two parts: the jussive Γενηθήτω ('let there be') creating the στερέωμα, and the parallel ἔστω ('let it be') with a participial predicate specifying its function. The phrase 'water and water' (ὕδατος καὶ ὕδατος) is Hebraistic, rendering the MT's מַיִם לְמַיִם. The closing καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως ('and it was so') is a fulfillment formula; the LXX places it at the end of v.6 (after the commands) whereas the MT spreads the fulfillment over vv.6–7.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (parataxis; new day begins)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction formula)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
Γενηθήτωlet there beAor Pass Impv 3 Sg · γίνομαιjussive imperative (divine creative command)→ aorist imperative: point-action creation commandγίνομαι: same jussive form as v.3 (Γενηθήτω φῶς); now commanding the existence of the firmament.
στερέωμαfirmamentNominativesubject of jussive (the entity commanded to exist)→ participant prominenceστερέωμα: 'solid expanse / firmament'; renders רָקִיעַ (rāqîaʿ, 'beaten-out expanse'); from στερεόω ('make solid / firm'); the LXX word implies a solid dome over the earth. The Vulgate translates firmamentum, giving English 'firmament.' Patristic cosmology built on this solid-sky reading. In LXX Psalms and Ezekiel the word renders the Hebrew rāqîaʿ consistently.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: 'in the middle of the water')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'in the middle of the water').
μέσῳmiddleDativedative of place (locative: 'in the midst of')→ sphere or referenceμέσῳ: meaning 'middle'; it serves as dative of place (locative: 'in the midst of').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδατοςwaterGenitivegenitive (partitive: 'in the middle of the water-mass')→ relational specificationὕδατος: meaning 'water'; it serves as genitive (partitive: 'in the middle of the water-mass').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adding second clause of command)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστωlet it bePres Act Impv 3 Sg · εἰμίjussive imperative (second command: ongoing function of the firmament)→ present imperative: durative ongoing functionεἰμί: 'be'; present imperative ἔστω assigns an ongoing function to the firmament: 'let it be [a thing that is] separating.'
διαχωρίζονseparatingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Neut · διαχωρίζωpredicate participle (with ἔστω: 'let it be [a] separating [thing]')→ present participle: continuous separation as defining functionδιαχωρίζω: same verb as v.4 (separation of light from darkness); now applied to waters above and below; the firmament's structural purpose is division.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (ἀνὰ μέσον idiom: 'between')→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (ἀνὰ μέσον idiom: 'between').
μέσονmiddleAccusativeaccusative (with ἀνά: idiomatic 'between')→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as accusative (with ἀνά: idiomatic 'between').
ὕδατοςwaterGenitivegenitive (first term of the separation: 'between water')→ relational specificationὕδατος: meaning 'water'; it serves as genitive (first term of the separation: 'between water').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (joining the two terms of the separation)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὕδατοςwaterGenitivegenitive (second term: 'and water'; Hebraism: מַיִם לְמַיִם)→ relational specificationThe repetition ὕδατος καὶ ὕδατος (water and water) is Hebraistic, identifying two distinct bodies — the waters below and the waters above the firmament — without yet naming them explicitly.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (fulfillment clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (fulfillment formula: 'and it came to be so')→ constative aorist (immediate fulfillment of command)γίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
οὕτωςsoadverb (content of the fulfillment: 'it happened as commanded')→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / so / in this way'; the standard fulfillment formula summarizer, rendering Hebrew וַיְהִי כֵן.
7

καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ στερέωμα, καὶ διεχώρισεν ὁ θεὸς ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ ὕδατος, ὃ ἦν ὑποκάτω τοῦ στερεώματος, καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ ὕδατος τοῦ ἐπάνω τοῦ στερεώματος.

And God made the firmament, and God separated between the water that was beneath the firmament and between the water that was above the firmament.

Narrative sequence: execution of day-two commandsκαὶ ἐποίησεν
The verse narrates the making and the separation in three paratactic clauses (all καί-joined), Hebraistically mirroring the Hebrew. The relative clause ὃ ἦν ὑποκάτω / τοῦ ἐπάνω distinguishes the two water-bodies by their position relative to the στερέωμα. This execution report is more detailed than the similar execution reports elsewhere, establishing the two-tier cosmology (waters above and waters below) that recurs in the flood narrative (Gen 7:11) and in Ps 148:4.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησενmadeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (creative act)→ constative aorist (completed making)ποιέω: 'make'; the same word used in v.1 for the overarching creation; here a specific act within it.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
τὸtheAccusativearticle with direct object→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στερέωμαfirmamentAccusativedirect object (accusative)→ object specificationστερέωμα: meaning 'firmament'; it serves as direct object (accusative).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (second clause: separation act)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διεχώρισενseparatedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διαχωρίζωmain verb (act of separation, as in v.4)→ constative aoristδιαχωρίζω: same verb of division as v.4; the firmament performs the separation of waters above from waters below.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative; God named again for emphasis)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative; God named again for emphasis).
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (ἀνὰ μέσον idiom)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (ἀνὰ μέσον idiom).
μέσονmiddleAccusativeaccusative (idiom: 'between')→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as accusative (idiom: 'between').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδατοςwaterGenitivegenitive (first water-body: beneath firmament)→ relational specificationὕδατος: meaning 'water'; it serves as genitive (first water-body: beneath firmament).
ὃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (nominative, referring to τοῦ ὕδατος; relative clause of description)→ participant referenceὃ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (nominative, referring to τοῦ ὕδατος; relative clause of description).
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula in relative clause (locative predication)→ imperfect: ongoing state / locationεἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.
ὑποκάτωbeneathpreposition + genitive (locative: 'beneath the firmament')→ spatial or relational framingὑποκάτω: 'underneath / below'; renders מִתַּחַת (mittaḥat); the sublunar waters.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive of preposition→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στερεώματοςfirmamentGenitivegenitive (object of ὑποκάτω: 'beneath the firmament')→ relational specificationστερεώματος: meaning 'firmament'; it serves as genitive (object of ὑποκάτω: 'beneath the firmament').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second ἀνὰ μέσον member)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (second member of ἀνὰ μέσον pair)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (second member of ἀνὰ μέσον pair).
μέσονmiddleAccusativeaccusative (with ἀνά: second ἀνὰ μέσον idiom)→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as accusative (with ἀνά: second ἀνὰ μέσον idiom).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδατοςwaterGenitivegenitive (second water-body: above the firmament)→ relational specificationὕδατος: meaning 'water'; it serves as genitive (second water-body: above the firmament).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle modifying articular adverb (τοῦ ἐπάνω = 'the [water] above')→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπάνωaboveadverbial preposition used substantivally (with article τοῦ: 'the one above')→ noun-phrase markingἐπάνω: same word as v.2 for the Spirit over the water; here distinguishes the celestial waters above the solid dome. These supra-firmamental waters appear again in Ps 148:4 LXX ('the waters above the heavens').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στερεώματοςfirmamentGenitivegenitive (reference point for the celestial waters: 'above the firmament')→ relational specificationστερεώματος: meaning 'firmament'; it serves as genitive (reference point for the celestial waters: 'above the firmament').
8

καὶ ἐκάλεσεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ στερέωμα οὐρανόν. καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι καλόν. καὶ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα καὶ ἐγένετο πρωί, ἡμέρα δευτέρα.

And God called the firmament Heaven. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, day two.

Narrative sequence: naming, evaluation, and day-close for day twoκαὶ ἐκάλεσεν
Three paratactic clauses close day two: naming (ἐκάλεσεν), evaluation (εἶδεν ὅτι καλόν), and the day-close formula. The LXX's inclusion of καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι καλόν after the naming of the firmament is a significant LXX–MT divergence: the MT lacks this approval refrain for day two, while the LXX supplies it. Patristic and text-critical discussion has noted this; many LXX manuscripts include it, though its absence in the MT has led some scholars to treat it as a harmonizing expansion. Regardless, in the Rahlfs text it stands, and the LXX creation narrative thereby pronounces day two good along with all the others.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάλεσενcalledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (naming act, as in v.5)→ constative aorist (naming = sovereignty over the thing named)καλέω: 'call / summon'; David calls one of his retinue to carry out the sentence.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
τὸtheAccusativearticle with direct object→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στερέωμαfirmamentAccusativedirect object (first accusative of double-accusative naming construction)→ object specificationστερέωμα: meaning 'firmament'; it serves as direct object (first accusative of double-accusative naming construction).
οὐρανόνHeavenAccusativepredicate accusative (name assigned: 'called the firmament Heaven')→ object specificationοὐρανός: the word used in v.1 as the first object of God's creation; now assigned as the name of the firmament. The identification of the firmament with 'heaven' is a cosmological move: the visible sky is the solid dome separating the waters.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing approval formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (approval formula: LXX addition absent in MT for day two)→ constative aoristὁράω: the standard refrain formula; its presence here in the LXX but not the MT is the major textual crux of this verse. The question whether the LXX translator added it by analogy with the other days, or whether the MT lost it by homoioteleuton, is unresolved.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect statement→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καλόνgoodNominativepredicate adjective (in indirect statement: 'that it was good')→ participant prominenceκαλόν: meaning 'good'; it serves as predicate adjective (in indirect statement: 'that it was good').
καὶandnarrative conjunction (day-close formula begins)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (day-close formula: evening)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
ἑσπέραeveningNominativesubject (existential)→ participant prominenceἑσπέρα: meaning 'evening'; it serves as subject (existential).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (day-close formula: morning)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
πρωίmorningadverbial (temporal)→ clausal contributionπρωί: meaning 'morning'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ἡμέραdayNominativenominative (day-numbering formula)→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: meaning 'day'; it serves as nominative (day-numbering formula).
δευτέραsecondNominativepredicate adjective (ordinal numeral: 'day two')→ participant prominenceδεύτερος: 'second'; from day two onward the LXX uses ordinals (δευτέρα, τρίτη, etc.) rather than the cardinal μία used on day one; cf. the note on v.5.
9

Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός Συναχθήτω τὸ ὕδωρ τὸ ὑποκάτω τοῦ οὐρανοῦ εἰς συναγωγὴν μίαν, καὶ ὀφθήτω ἡ ξηρά. καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως. καὶ συνήχθη τὸ ὕδωρ τὸ ὑποκάτω τοῦ οὐρανοῦ εἰς τὰς συναγωγὰς αὐτῶν, καὶ ὤφθη ἡ ξηρά.

And God said, 'Let the water beneath the heaven be gathered into one gathering, and let the dry land appear.' And it was so. And the water beneath the heaven was gathered into their gatherings, and the dry land appeared.

Narrative sequence: third divine speech act and execution (day three, first act)Καὶ εἶπεν
Day three's first creative act: gathering the waters to expose dry land. The command (two jussives: Συναχθήτω … ὀφθήτω) is followed by the fulfillment formula καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως and then a more detailed execution report repeating the action. The LXX's singular συναγωγὴν μίαν ('one gathering') in the command becomes the plural τὰς συναγωγὰς αὐτῶν ('their gatherings') in the execution — a small but notable shift, possibly reflecting the underlying Hebrew (אֶל מָקוֹם אֶחָד vs. later mention of seas). The passive jussives (Συναχθήτω, ὀφθήτω) maintain the pattern of creation by divine command.
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction formula)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
Συναχθήτωlet be gatheredAor Pass Impv 3 Sg · συνάγωjussive imperative (divine command: passive gathering of waters)→ aorist imperative: point-action fiatσυνάγω: 'gather together / collect'; renders יִקָּווּ (niphal of קָוָה, 'to be collected'); the gathering of waters into basins is the condition for dry land to emerge.
τὸtheNominativearticle with subject of passive jussive→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδωρwaterNominativesubject of the passive jussive (the thing commanded to gather itself)→ participant prominenceὕδωρ: meaning 'water'; it serves as subject of the passive jussive (the thing commanded to gather itself).
τὸtheNominativearticle with attributive participle/phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑποκάτωbeneathattributive adverb with article (τὸ ὑποκάτω = 'the [water] beneath')→ noun-phrase markingὑποκάτω: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitivegenitive (reference: 'beneath the heaven'; the firmament just named)→ relational specificationοὐρανοῦ: meaning 'heaven'; it serves as genitive (reference: 'beneath the heaven'; the firmament just named).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction / goal: 'into one gathering')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction / goal: 'into one gathering').
συναγωγὴνgatheringAccusativeaccusative of goal (place/collection: 'into a gathering')→ object specificationσυναγωγή: 'gathering / assembly / collection'; renders מָקוֹם אֶחָד (māqôm ʾeḥāḏ, 'one place'). The LXX translates semantically rather than literally, using a word that emphasizes the act of collecting rather than a fixed location. The same word will be used in the plural (τὰς συναγωγάς) in the execution clause.
μίανoneAccusativeattributive adjective modifying συναγωγήν (cardinal: 'into one gathering')→ measure or countμίαν: meaning 'one'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second jussive command)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀφθήτωlet appearAor Pass Impv 3 Sg · ὁράωjussive imperative (divine command: passive appearing of dry land)→ aorist imperative: instantaneous appearanceὁράω: passive of 'see' = 'be seen / appear'; renders תֵּרָאֶה (niphal of רָאָה, 'be seen / appear'); the dry land was always present beneath the waters — it 'appears' when the waters recede.
ἡtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξηράdry landNominativesubject of passive jussive (that which is to appear)→ participant prominenceξηρά: 'dry [land]'; feminine adjective used substantivally; renders הַיַּבָּשָׁה (hayyabbāšāh, 'the dry ground'); a term for solid land as opposed to water-covered surface.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (fulfillment formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (fulfillment formula: 'and it was so')→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
οὕτωςsoadverb (fulfillment marker)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: meaning 'so'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (execution report begins)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συνήχθηwas gatheredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · συνάγωmain verb (execution of the gathering command)→ constative aorist (completed act of gathering)συνάγω: passive: 'was gathered'; fulfills Συναχθήτω above; the near-echo of the jussive form demonstrates fidelity-of-execution typical of Gen 1's pattern.
τὸtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδωρwaterNominativesubject (nominative) of the passive→ participant prominenceὕδωρ: meaning 'water'; it serves as subject (nominative) of the passive.
τὸtheNominativearticle with descriptive phrase→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑποκάτωbeneathattributive adverb with article→ noun-phrase markingὑποκάτω: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitivegenitive of reference ('beneath the heaven')→ relational specificationοὐρανοῦ: meaning 'heaven'; it serves as genitive of reference ('beneath the heaven').
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle with plural object→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συναγωγὰςgatheringsAccusativeaccusative of goal (plural in execution vs. singular in command)→ object specificationσυναγωγή: plural τὰς συναγωγάς contrasts with the singular μίαν in the command; the plural acknowledges that the seas are many collections though commanded as one; or the LXX harmonizes with the idea of multiple sea basins.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (attributive: 'their own gatherings/places')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (attributive: 'their own gatherings/places').
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὤφθηappearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (execution of the ὀφθήτω command: dry land comes into view)→ constative aorist (land became visible)ὁράω passive: 'was seen / appeared'; mirrors the jussive ὀφθήτω exactly, completing the command-execution ring of this verse.
ἡtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξηράdry landNominativesubject of the passive (land appearing)→ participant prominenceξηρά: meaning 'dry land'; it serves as subject of the passive (land appearing).
10

καὶ ἐκάλεσεν ὁ θεὸς τὴν ξηρὰν γῆν, καὶ τὰ συστήματα τῶν ὑδάτων ἐκάλεσεν θαλάσσας. καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι καλόν.

And God called the dry land Earth, and the collections of the waters he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

Narrative sequence: naming and evaluation (day three, between the two acts)καὶ ἐκάλεσεν
Day three's naming act and first evaluation. The LXX uses συστήματα ('gatherings / systems / collections') for the gathered waters, a word distinct from συναγωγάς in v.9 — possibly reflecting the translator's variation or a different source for the naming clause. The first καὶ εἶδεν ὅτι καλόν of day three appears here between the two day-three creative acts; a second will appear after the vegetation command (v.12). Day three is unique in having two separate creative commands with two separate approvals.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάλεσενcalledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (naming act: double-accusative construction)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call / summon'; David calls one of his retinue to carry out the sentence.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with direct object→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξηρὰνdry landAccusativedirect object (first accusative; referent being named)→ object specificationξηρὰν: meaning 'dry land'; it serves as direct object (first accusative; referent being named).
γῆνEarthAccusativepredicate accusative (name assigned: 'called the dry land Earth')→ object specificationγῆ: now assigned as the proper name of the dry land; the same word used in v.1 in the merism (heaven and earth). The naming of the dry land as γῆ ('Earth') connects v.1 retrospectively: the earth of v.1 is now formally identified.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second naming)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle with direct object→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συστήματαcollectionsAccusativedirect object (first accusative of second naming: 'the collections of waters')→ object specificationσύστημα: 'system / collection / gathering'; renders מִקְוֵה (miqwēh, 'collected water / reservoir'); distinct from συναγωγή used in v.9, perhaps for stylistic variation or reflecting translator's choice; the word implies an organized, gathered body.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑδάτωνwatersGenitivegenitive (partitive or descriptive: 'collections of the waters')→ relational specificationὑδάτων: meaning 'waters'; it serves as genitive (partitive or descriptive: 'collections of the waters').
ἐκάλεσενcalledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (second naming act; subject implied from context)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call / summon'; David calls one of his retinue to carry out the sentence.
θαλάσσαςSeasAccusativepredicate accusative (name assigned: 'called [them] Seas')→ object specificationθάλασσα: 'sea'; plural θαλάσσας; renders יַמִּים (yammîm, plural of יָם, 'sea'); the naming acknowledges multiple seas. The word θάλασσα carries cosmological weight in Revelation (21:1: 'the sea was no more') and in LXX Psalms.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (approval formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (approval formula: first of day three's two approvals)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / perceive / realize'; renders רָאָה; here in the sense of grasping their plight, governing the ὅτι-clause.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect statement→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καλόνgoodNominativepredicate adjective (in indirect statement: 'that it was good')→ participant prominenceκαλόν: meaning 'good'; it serves as predicate adjective (in indirect statement: 'that it was good').
11

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός Βλαστησάτω ἡ γῆ βοτάνην χόρτου, σπεῖρον σπέρμα κατὰ γένος καὶ καθ᾿ ὁμοιότητα, καὶ ξύλον κάρπιμον ποιοῦν καρπόν, οὗ τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ κατὰ γένος ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως.

And God said, 'Let the earth sprout vegetation — a plant of grass bearing seed according to kind and according to likeness, and a fruit-bearing tree producing fruit, of which its seed is in it according to kind, upon the earth.' And it was so.

Narrative sequence: day three's second creative command (vegetation)καὶ εἶπεν
The second act of day three: God commands vegetation. The command is elaborated with two categories — grass-herb bearing seed, and fruit-tree bearing fruit — each with the refrain κατὰ γένος ('according to kind'), which will recur through the creation of animals in vv.21, 24, 25. The phrase καθ᾿ ὁμοιότητα ('according to likeness') appears here alongside κατὰ γένος; the LXX uses ὁμοιότης (likeness / resemblance) rather than simply repeating γένος. The self-containing seed phrase ('of which its seed is in it') emphasizes reproductive self-sufficiency as a created property of plant life.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction formula)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
Βλαστησάτωlet sproutAor Act Impv 3 Sg · βλαστάνωjussive imperative (divine command: earth to bring forth plants)→ aorist imperative: point-action creative commandβλαστάνω: 'sprout / germinate / bring forth'; renders תַּדְשֵׁא (hiphil of דָּשָׁא, 'cause to sprout'); the earth is commanded to actively produce plant life, as a secondary creative agent.
ἡtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆearthNominativesubject of jussive (the earth commanded to act)→ participant prominenceγῆ: meaning 'earth'; it serves as subject of jussive (the earth commanded to act).
βοτάνηνvegetationAccusativeaccusative (direct object / product: what the earth is to produce)→ object specificationβοτάνη: 'herb / pasture plant / vegetation'; renders דֶּשֶׁא (dešeʾ, 'tender green shoots / vegetation'); the collective category for low-growing plants.
χόρτουof grassGenitivegenitive (appositional or partitive: 'vegetation of grass / grass-herb')→ relational specificationχόρτος: 'grass / hay / herbage'; renders עֵשֶׂב (ʿēśeb, 'grass / herb'); the genitive χόρτου specifies the type of βοτάνη, i.e., grass-type herbage.
σπεῖρονbearingPres Act Ptcp Acc Sg Neut · σπείρωattributive participle (modifying βοτάνην χόρτου: 'vegetation that bears seed')→ present participle: ongoing generative function as created propertyσπείρω: 'sow / scatter seed'; the participle renders מַזְרִיעַ זֶרַע (hiphil participle: 'seed-producing'); the self-seeding property is presented as part of the created design.
σπέρμαseedAccusativedirect object of participle (the seed being scattered)→ object specificationσπέρμα: 'seed'; renders זֶרַע (zeraʿ); the word recurs throughout Gen 1 as the principle of biological reproduction; in Gen 3:15 it becomes theologically loaded ('the seed of the woman').
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard of conformity: 'according to kind')→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (standard of conformity: 'according to kind').
γένοςkindAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (the taxonomic norm)→ object specificationγένος: 'kind / race / type'; renders מִין (mîn, 'species / kind'); κατὰ γένος ('according to kind') recurs seven times in Gen 1 and marks each created kind as reproducing true to its own type, the created basis of biological taxonomy.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καθ᾿according topreposition + accusative (elided κατά before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingκαθ᾿: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (elided κατά before vowel).
ὁμοιότηταlikenessAccusativeaccusative object of κατά ('according to likeness / resemblance')→ object specificationὁμοιότης: 'likeness / resemblance'; this word is distinctive in the LXX — it renders דְּמוּת (dĕmût) in 1:26 as well (see καθ᾿ ὁμοίωσιν); its use here in the vegetation context (alongside κατὰ γένος) is unusual and may reflect a doublet in the underlying text or the translator's expansion.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second vegetation category)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ξύλονtreeAccusativeaccusative (second category in apposition to βοτάνην: 'and a tree')→ object specificationξύλον: 'wood / tree'; renders עֵץ (ʿēṣ, 'tree / wood'); the word is later used for the trees of the garden (2:9; 3:1ff.) and in the NT for the cross (Acts 5:30; Gal 3:13).
κάρπιμονfruit-bearingAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ξύλον: 'a fruit-bearing tree')→ object specificationκάρπιμος: 'fruit-bearing / fruitful'; renders פְּרִי (pĕrî, 'fruit') used adjectivally; the LXX uses the derived adjective to describe the tree's primary function.
ποιοῦνproducingPres Act Ptcp Acc Sg Neut · ποιέωattributive participle (modifying ξύλον: 'a tree that produces fruit')→ present participle: ongoing fruit production as designed functionποιέω: 'make / produce / do'; the same verb as the main creation verb in v.1; here applied to the tree's ongoing making of fruit.
καρπόνfruitAccusativedirect object of participle→ object specificationκαρπός: 'fruit'; renders פְּרִי (pĕrî); a word of enormous NT resonance (Matt 3:10; John 15:2; Gal 5:22ff.).
οὗof whichGenitiverelative pronoun genitive (referring to ξύλον: 'of which [the tree]…')→ relational specificationοὗ: meaning 'of which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun genitive (referring to ξύλον: 'of which [the tree]…').
τὸtheNominativearticle with subject of relative clause→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπέρμαseedNominativesubject of relative clause→ participant prominenceσπέρμα: meaning 'seed'; it serves as subject of relative clause.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession (attributive: 'its seed')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (attributive: 'its seed').
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: 'in it')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'in it').
αὐτῷitDativedative of place (reflexive reference: the seed contained within the fruit)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of place (reflexive reference: the seed contained within the fruit).
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (standard).
γένοςkindAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (second κατὰ γένος in the verse)→ object specificationγένος: meaning 'kind'; it serves as accusative object of κατά (second κατὰ γένος in the verse).
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative: 'upon the earth')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative: 'upon the earth').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (object of ἐπί: location of the vegetation)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (object of ἐπί: location of the vegetation).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (fulfillment formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (fulfillment formula)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
οὕτωςsoadverb (fulfillment marker)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: meaning 'so'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
12

καὶ ἐξήνεγκεν ἡ γῆ βοτάνην χόρτου, σπεῖρον σπέρμα κατὰ γένος καὶ καθ᾿ ὁμοιότητα, καὶ ξύλον κάρπιμον ποιοῦν καρπόν, οὗ τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ ἐν αὐτῷ κατὰ γένος ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι καλόν.

And the earth brought forth vegetation — a plant of grass bearing seed according to kind and according to likeness, and a fruit-bearing tree producing fruit, of which its seed is in it according to kind, upon the earth. And God saw that it was good.

Narrative sequence: execution of the vegetation command + second approvalκαὶ ἐξήνεγκεν
The execution report mirrors the command of v.11 almost word for word, a standard Gen 1 pattern. The main verb ἐξήνεγκεν ('brought forth') replaces the command's βλαστησάτω ('let it sprout') — the earth fulfills by producing rather than merely germinating. The second approval refrain (καὶ εἶδεν ὅτι καλόν) closes day three's second act, making day three the only day with two explicit approvals.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξήνεγκενbrought forthAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκφέρωmain verb (earth's productive action: execution of command)→ constative aorist (completed bringing forth)ἐκφέρω: 'bring out / carry forth / produce'; renders וַתּוֹצֵא (hiphil of יָצָא, 'cause to go out'); the earth acts as secondary cause in obedience to the divine command.
ἡtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆearthNominativesubject (nominative; earth as secondary agent of creation)→ participant prominenceγῆ: meaning 'earth'; it serves as subject (nominative; earth as secondary agent of creation).
βοτάνηνvegetationAccusativedirect object (product: the two vegetation categories follow as in v.11)→ object specificationβοτάνην: meaning 'vegetation'; it serves as direct object (product: the two vegetation categories follow as in v.11).
χόρτουof grassGenitivegenitive (appositional: 'vegetation of grass')→ relational specificationχόρτου: meaning 'of grass'; it serves as genitive (appositional: 'vegetation of grass').
σπεῖρονbearingPres Act Ptcp Acc Sg Neut · σπείρωattributive participle→ present participle: ongoing seed-bearing functionσπείρω: meaning 'bearing'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as attributive participle.
σπέρμαseedAccusativedirect object of participle→ object specificationσπέρμα: meaning 'seed'; it serves as direct object of participle.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard of conformity)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (standard of conformity).
γένοςkindAccusativeaccusative object of κατά→ object specificationγένος: meaning 'kind'; it serves as accusative object of κατά.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καθ᾿according topreposition + accusative (elided κατά)→ spatial or relational framingκαθ᾿: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (elided κατά).
ὁμοιότηταlikenessAccusativeaccusative object of κατά→ object specificationὁμοιότητα: meaning 'likeness'; it serves as accusative object of κατά.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ξύλονtreeAccusativeaccusative (second vegetation category)→ object specificationξύλον: meaning 'tree'; it serves as accusative (second vegetation category).
κάρπιμονfruit-bearingAccusativeattributive adjective→ object specificationκάρπιμον: meaning 'fruit-bearing'; it serves as attributive adjective.
ποιοῦνproducingPres Act Ptcp Acc Sg Neut · ποιέωattributive participle→ present participle: ongoing productionποιέω: meaning 'producing'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as attributive participle.
καρπόνfruitAccusativedirect object of participle→ object specificationκαρπόν: meaning 'fruit'; it serves as direct object of participle.
οὗof whichGenitiverelative pronoun genitive→ relational specificationοὗ: meaning 'of which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun genitive.
τὸtheNominativearticle with subject of relative clause→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπέρμαseedNominativesubject of relative clause→ participant prominenceσπέρμα: meaning 'seed'; it serves as subject of relative clause.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
αὐτῷitDativedative of place→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of place.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
γένοςkindAccusativeaccusative object of κατά→ object specificationγένος: meaning 'kind'; it serves as accusative object of κατά.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (object of ἐπί)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (object of ἐπί).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (approval formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (approval formula: second of day three)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / perceive / realize'; renders רָאָה; here in the sense of grasping their plight, governing the ὅτι-clause.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect statement→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καλόνgoodNominativepredicate adjective (indirect statement: 'that it was good')→ participant prominenceκαλόν: meaning 'good'; it serves as predicate adjective (indirect statement: 'that it was good').
13

καὶ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα καὶ ἐγένετο πρωί, ἡμέρα τρίτη.

And there was evening and there was morning, day three.

Narrative sequence: day-close formula for day threeκαὶ ἐγένετο
The closing formula for day three, identical in structure to the formulas for all six days. Day three stands out in the chapter as the only day with two separate creative acts (vv.9–10 and 11–12) and two separate approval refrains.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (day-close formula: evening)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
ἑσπέραeveningNominativesubject (existential)→ participant prominenceἑσπέρα: meaning 'evening'; it serves as subject (existential).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (day-close formula: morning)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
πρωίmorningadverbial (temporal)→ clausal contributionπρωί: meaning 'morning'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ἡμέραdayNominativenominative (day-numbering formula)→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: meaning 'day'; it serves as nominative (day-numbering formula).
τρίτηthirdNominativepredicate adjective (ordinal numeral: 'day three')→ participant prominenceτρίτος: 'third'; ordinal, as from day two onward; day three is unique for its two acts and two approvals.
14

Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός Γενηθήτωσαν φωστῆρες ἐν τῷ στερεώματι τοῦ οὐρανοῦ εἰς φαῦσιν τῆς γῆς τοῦ διαχωρίζειν ἀνὰ μέσον τῆς ἡμέρας καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τῆς νυκτός, καὶ ἔστωσαν εἰς σημεῖα καὶ εἰς καιροὺς καὶ εἰς ἡμέρας καὶ εἰς ἐνιαυτούς.

And God said, 'Let luminaries come to be in the firmament of heaven to give light upon the earth, to separate between the day and between the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and for years.'

Narrative sequence: fourth divine speech act (day four, part 1 — the command)Καὶ εἶπεν
Day four's command is the most elaborated in the chapter. The plural jussive Γενηθήτωσαν ('let there be') commands the luminaries as a class. Their fourfold purpose is specified: (1) to illuminate the earth (εἰς φαῦσιν τῆς γῆς); (2) to separate day from night (τοῦ διαχωρίζειν — articular infinitive of purpose); (3) to serve as signs and seasons (εἰς σημεῖα καὶ εἰς καιρούς); and (4) to mark days and years (εἰς ἡμέρας καὶ εἰς ἐνιαυτούς). The deliberate absence of the names 'sun' and 'moon' (they appear only as 'the great light' and 'the lesser light' in v.16) is widely read as a polemic against the deification of the celestial bodies in surrounding cultures.
Word-by-word analysis· 39 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech formula)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
Γενηθήτωσανlet there beAor Pass Impv 3 Pl · γίνομαιjussive imperative plural (divine creative command for multiple luminaries)→ aorist imperative: point-action fiatγίνομαι: plural form (Γενηθήτωσαν) because the luminaries are a class; contrasts with the singular Γενηθήτω used for light (v.3) and firmament (v.6).
φωστῆρεςluminariesNominativesubject of jussive plural (the entities commanded to exist)→ participant prominenceφωστήρ: 'luminary / light-giver'; renders מְאֹרֹת (mĕʾōrōt, plural of מָאוֹר, 'luminary / lamp'); a deliberate functional description rather than the sun's or moon's proper names; in Phil 2:15 Paul uses φωστῆρες for believers shining in the world.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: location of the luminaries)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: location of the luminaries).
τῷtheDativearticle with dative→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στερεώματιfirmamentDativedative of place (locative: 'in the firmament of heaven')→ sphere or referenceστερέωμα: same word as vv.6–8; the luminaries are set inside the solid dome of heaven.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitivegenitive (description: 'the firmament of heaven')→ relational specificationοὐρανοῦ: meaning 'heaven'; it serves as genitive (description: 'the firmament of heaven').
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose: 'to give light')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: 'to give light').
φαῦσινshiningAccusativeaccusative of purpose (first purpose: illumination of earth)→ object specificationφαῦσις: 'shining / illumination'; renders לְהָאִיר (hiphil infinitive of אוֹר, 'to give light'); the functional purpose of the luminaries stated first.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (object of φαῦσιν: 'light of/for the earth')→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (object of φαῦσιν: 'light of/for the earth').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with articular infinitive (genitive of purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαχωρίζεινto separatePres Act Inf · διαχωρίζωarticular infinitive (genitive of purpose: 'for the purpose of separating')→ present infinitive: ongoing, repeated separating functionδιαχωρίζω: same separation verb as vv.4, 6, 7; the luminaries perform daily and nightly the cosmic separation first enacted on day one.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (ἀνὰ μέσον idiom)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (ἀνὰ μέσον idiom).
μέσονmiddleAccusativeaccusative (idiom: 'between')→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as accusative (idiom: 'between').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive (first term of separation: 'between the day')→ relational specificationἡμέρας: meaning 'day'; it serves as genitive (first term of separation: 'between the day').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (joining the two terms of the separation)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (second ἀνὰ μέσον member)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (second ἀνὰ μέσον member).
μέσονmiddleAccusativeaccusative (second idiom member)→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as accusative (second idiom member).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νυκτόςnightGenitivegenitive (second term: 'and between the night')→ relational specificationνύξ: echoes the Day/Night naming of v.5; the luminaries institutionalize on an ongoing basis the separation first made on day one.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (third purpose clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστωσανlet them bePres Act Impv 3 Pl · εἰμίjussive imperative plural (present: ongoing function assigned)→ present imperative: continuous calendrical roleεἰμί: plural ἔστωσαν; assigns a permanent functional role to the luminaries as cosmic timekeepers.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose: first of four εἰς-phrases)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: first of four εἰς-phrases).
σημεῖαsignsAccusativeaccusative of purpose (first function: 'for signs')→ object specificationσημεῖον: 'sign / marker'; renders אֹתֹת (ʾōtōt, plural of אוֹת); the luminaries as cosmic signs of divine order; in the NT σημεῖον becomes central to John's Gospel and Revelation.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (second purpose)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (second purpose).
καιροὺςseasonsAccusativeaccusative of purpose (second function: 'for seasons')→ object specificationκαιρός: 'appointed time / season'; renders מוֹעֲדִים (môʿăḏîm, 'appointed seasons / festival times'); the calendrical function — especially for the religious festivals of Israel — is embedded in the creation of the luminaries.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (third purpose)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (third purpose).
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of purpose (third function: 'for days')→ object specificationἡμέρας: meaning 'days'; it serves as accusative of purpose (third function: 'for days').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (fourth purpose)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (fourth purpose).
ἐνιαυτούςyearsAccusativeaccusative of purpose (fourth function: 'for years')→ object specificationἐνιαυτός: 'year'; renders שָׁנִים (šānîm, 'years'); the full sweep of time — signs, seasons, days, years — is governed by the luminaries, making Gen 1:14 the cosmological foundation of the biblical calendar.
15

καὶ ἔστωσαν εἰς φαῦσιν ἐν τῷ στερεώματι τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, ὥστε φαίνειν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς. καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως.

And let them be for shining in the firmament of heaven, so as to give light upon the earth. And it was so.

Narrative continuation of day-four command + fulfillmentκαὶ ἔστωσαν
Verse 15 continues and closes the divine command of v.14 with a restatement of illumination purpose, then adds the fulfillment formula καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως. The ὥστε + infinitive (ὥστε φαίνειν) is a result/purpose clause ('so as to shine'), giving the final telos of the luminaries' existence. The verse bridges the command (vv.14–15) and the execution report (vv.16–18).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (continuing command from v.14)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστωσανlet them bePres Act Impv 3 Pl · εἰμίjussive imperative plural (restatement of assigned function)→ present imperative: ongoing functionεἰμί: 'be'; the third-person imperative 'let [your eyes and ears] be open' — the summarizing plea for attentiveness.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose).
φαῦσινshiningAccusativeaccusative of purpose ('for giving light')→ object specificationφαῦσις: same word as v.14; re-emphasizing illumination as the luminaries' defining role.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle with dative→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στερεώματιfirmamentDativedative of place (location: 'in the firmament')→ sphere or referenceστερεώματι: meaning 'firmament'; it serves as dative of place (location: 'in the firmament').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitivegenitive (description: 'of heaven')→ relational specificationοὐρανοῦ: meaning 'heaven'; it serves as genitive (description: 'of heaven').
ὥστεso as toconjunction of result/purpose (+ infinitive: 'so as to shine')→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε: 'so that / so as to'; with infinitive expressing purpose or result; renders לְהָאִיר again; the final telos of the luminaries' presence in the firmament.
φαίνεινto shinePres Act Inf · φαίνωinfinitive of purpose (with ὥστε: 'so as to give light')→ present infinitive: ongoing action of shiningφαίνω: 'shine / appear / give light'; renders אוֹר in its hiphil-derived sense; in John 1:5 φαίνει ('it shines') picks up the creation-light imagery directly.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative: 'upon the earth')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative: 'upon the earth').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (object of ἐπί: the recipient of the light)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (object of ἐπί: the recipient of the light).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (fulfillment formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (fulfillment formula)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
οὕτωςsoadverb (fulfillment marker)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: meaning 'so'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
16

καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς τοὺς δύο φωστῆρας τοὺς μεγάλους, τὸν φωστῆρα τὸν μέγαν εἰς ἀρχὰς τῆς ἡμέρας καὶ τὸν φωστῆρα τὸν ἐλάσσω εἰς ἀρχὰς τῆς νυκτός, καὶ τοὺς ἀστέρας.

And God made the two great luminaries — the greater luminary for ruling the day and the lesser luminary for ruling the night — and the stars.

Narrative sequence: execution of day-four command (the making of the luminaries)καὶ ἐποίησεν
The execution report names the two luminaries not as sun and moon but as 'the greater luminary' and 'the lesser luminary' — a deliberate avoidance of their common names (ἥλιος, σελήνη), which carried divine associations in the surrounding world. The phrase εἰς ἀρχάς ('for rulings / for dominion') renders לְמֶמְשֶׁלֶת (lĕmemšelet, 'for dominion'); the LXX here uses ἀρχή in its authority-sense ('rule / dominion') rather than its temporal sense ('beginning'). The stars are added almost as an afterthought (καὶ τοὺς ἀστέρας), a single phrase that contrasts with the elaborate treatment of the luminaries and implicitly demotes the stars from divine status.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησενmadeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (creative act: execution of the command)→ constative aoristποιέω: summarises the king's deeds.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with direct object→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δύοtwoAccusativenumeral (modifying φωστῆρας: 'the two')→ measure or countδύο: meaning 'two'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
φωστῆραςluminariesAccusativedirect object (accusative)→ object specificationφωστήρ: same word as v.14; the two great luminaries are described by function and relative size, not by name.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with adjective (attributive with μεγάλους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μεγάλουςgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying τοὺς δύο φωστῆρας: 'the two great luminaries')→ object specificationμέγας: 'great / large'; the pair הַמָּאוֹר הַגָּדֹל / הַמָּאוֹר הַקָּטֹן ('the great light / the lesser light') is the MT's deliberate functional description, avoiding הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ ('the sun') and הַיָּרֵחַ ('the moon').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with direct object (specifying the first luminary)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωστῆραluminaryAccusativedirect object (in apposition to the pair: 'the great luminary')→ object specificationφωστῆρα: meaning 'luminary'; it serves as direct object (in apposition to the pair: 'the great luminary').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with adjective (attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μέγανgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (the greater of the two)→ object specificationμέγαν: meaning 'great'; it serves as attributive adjective (the greater of the two).
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose: ruling the day)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: ruling the day).
ἀρχὰςdominionsAccusativeaccusative of purpose (ἀρχή = 'rule / dominion')→ object specificationἀρχή: here in the sense of 'rule / dominion / authority'; plural ἀρχάς; renders מֶמְשֶׁלֶת (memšelet, 'rule, dominion'); the same word elsewhere means 'beginning' (v.1) — the LXX uses the same lexeme for both senses, creating a subtle resonance.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive (object of ἀρχάς: 'for dominion of the day')→ relational specificationἡμέρας: meaning 'day'; it serves as genitive (object of ἀρχάς: 'for dominion of the day').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with direct object (second luminary)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωστῆραluminaryAccusativedirect object (the lesser luminary)→ object specificationφωστῆρα: meaning 'luminary'; it serves as direct object (the lesser luminary).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with adjective→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐλάσσωlesserAccusativeattributive adjective (comparative: 'the lesser [luminary]')→ object specificationἐλάσσων: comparative of μικρός, 'smaller / lesser'; renders הַקָּטֹן (haqqāṭōn, 'the small one'); the moon is described purely by relative size, demoting it from divine status.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose: ruling the night)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: ruling the night).
ἀρχὰςdominionsAccusativeaccusative of purpose (second ἀρχάς: 'for dominion of the night')→ object specificationἀρχὰς: meaning 'dominions'; it serves as accusative of purpose (second ἀρχάς: 'for dominion of the night').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νυκτόςnightGenitivegenitive (object of ἀρχάς: 'dominion of the night')→ relational specificationνυκτός: meaning 'night'; it serves as genitive (object of ἀρχάς: 'dominion of the night').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adding stars as a brief afterthought)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle with direct object→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀστέραςstarsAccusativedirect object (accusative; added tersely alongside the two luminaries)→ object specificationἀστήρ: 'star'; renders כּוֹכָבִים (kôkābîm); the stars are created as a group with a single word, contrasting with the elaborate description of the two great luminaries; this brevity implicitly demotes the stars from the divine status they held in Babylonian religion.
17

καὶ ἔθετο αὐτοὺς ὁ θεὸς ἐν τῷ στερεώματι τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, ὥστε φαίνειν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς

And God set them in the firmament of heaven, so as to shine upon the earth,

Narrative continuation: placement of the luminaries in the firmamentκαὶ ἔθετο
The verse narrates the placement (ἔθετο, 'set / placed') of the luminaries in the firmament — the execution of the command implicit in vv.14–15. The purpose clause ὥστε φαίνειν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ('so as to shine upon the earth') echoes v.15 exactly, completing a ring back to the command. Verse 17 flows continuously into v.18 (no full stop between them in the Greek).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔθετοsetAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (placement: God sets the luminaries in the firmament)→ constative aorist (completed act of placement)τίθημι: 'place / set / put'; middle form ἔθετο; renders נָתַן (nātan, 'give / set / place'); the physical placing of the luminaries in the solid dome of the sky, consistent with the ancient cosmological picture.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object (accusative; referent: the luminaries and stars of v.16)→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (accusative; referent: the luminaries and stars of v.16).
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle with dative→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στερεώματιfirmamentDativedative of place (the location of placement)→ sphere or referenceστερεώματι: meaning 'firmament'; it serves as dative of place (the location of placement).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitivegenitive (description: 'of heaven')→ relational specificationοὐρανοῦ: meaning 'heaven'; it serves as genitive (description: 'of heaven').
ὥστεso as toconjunction of purpose/result (+ infinitive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε: meaning 'so as to'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φαίνεινto shinePres Act Inf · φαίνωinfinitive of purpose (with ὥστε: echoing v.15)→ present infinitive: ongoing shiningφαίνω: echoes v.15 exactly; the placement and the shining are the two aspects of the luminaries' role.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (object of ἐπί)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (object of ἐπί).
18

καὶ ἄρχειν τῆς ἡμέρας καὶ τῆς νυκτὸς καὶ διαχωρίζειν ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ φωτὸς καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ σκότους. καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι καλόν.

and to rule over the day and the night and to separate between the light and between the darkness. And God saw that it was good.

Narrative continuation: the ruling function of the luminaries + approvalκαὶ ἄρχειν
Verse 18 continues v.17 with two more infinitives of purpose (ἄρχειν, διαχωρίζειν): the luminaries are installed to rule and to divide — 'rule' language that Ps 135:8–9 LXX echoes. The approval refrain καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι καλόν closes the work of the day.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (continuing infinitival series from v.17)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἄρχεινto rulePres Act Inf · ἄρχωinfinitive of purpose (parallel with φαίνειν of v.17)→ present infinitive: ongoing ruling functionἄρχω: 'rule / govern / begin'; renders לִמְשֹׁל (limšōl, qal infinitive of מָשַׁל, 'to rule'); the luminaries exercise divine authority over the divisions of time.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive (object of ἄρχειν: the domain ruled)→ relational specificationἡμέρας: meaning 'day'; it serves as genitive (object of ἄρχειν: the domain ruled).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νυκτὸςnightGenitivegenitive (second domain: 'and of the night')→ relational specificationνυκτὸς: meaning 'night'; it serves as genitive (second domain: 'and of the night').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adding second infinitive of purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διαχωρίζεινto separatePres Act Inf · διαχωρίζωinfinitive of purpose (third infinitive in the series: ongoing separation)→ present infinitive: ongoing separation as daily functionδιαχωρίζω: the separating verb from vv.4, 6, 7, 14; the luminaries perpetuate the primordial order of day one on a daily basis.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (ἀνὰ μέσον idiom)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (ἀνὰ μέσον idiom).
μέσονmiddleAccusativeaccusative (idiom)→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as accusative (idiom).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωτὸςlightGenitivegenitive (first term of separation: 'between the light')→ relational specificationφωτὸς: meaning 'light'; it serves as genitive (first term of separation: 'between the light').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (second ἀνὰ μέσον member)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (second ἀνὰ μέσον member).
μέσονmiddleAccusativeaccusative (idiom)→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as accusative (idiom).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκότουςdarknessGenitivegenitive (second term: 'and between the darkness')→ relational specificationσκότους: meaning 'darkness'; it serves as genitive (second term: 'and between the darkness').
καὶandnarrative conjunction (approval formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (approval formula)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / perceive / realize'; renders רָאָה; here in the sense of grasping their plight, governing the ὅτι-clause.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect statement→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καλόνgoodNominativepredicate adjective (indirect statement)→ participant prominenceκαλόν: meaning 'good'; it serves as predicate adjective (indirect statement).
19

καὶ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα καὶ ἐγένετο πρωί, ἡμέρα τετάρτη.

And there was evening and there was morning, day four.

Narrative sequence: day-close formula for day fourκαὶ ἐγένετο
The closing formula for day four, identical in structure to the formulas for the other days: the doubled ἐγένετο renders the Hebrew wayhi pair, and the anarthrous ἡμέρα τετάρτη counts the day.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (day-close formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (day-close: evening)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
ἑσπέραeveningNominativesubject (existential)→ participant prominenceἑσπέρα: meaning 'evening'; it serves as subject (existential).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (day-close: morning)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
πρωίmorningadverbial (temporal)→ clausal contributionπρωί: meaning 'morning'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ἡμέραdayNominativenominative (day-numbering formula)→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: meaning 'day'; it serves as nominative (day-numbering formula).
τετάρτηfourthNominativepredicate adjective (ordinal: 'day four')→ participant prominenceτέταρτος: 'fourth'; ordinal numeral.
20

Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός Ἐξαγαγέτω τὰ ὕδατα ἑρπετὰ ψυχῶν ζωσῶν καὶ πετεινὰ πετόμενα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς κατὰ τὸ στερέωμα τοῦ οὐρανοῦ. καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως.

And God said, 'Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures and birds flying above the earth along the firmament of heaven.' And it was so.

Narrative sequence: fifth divine speech act (day five — command for water creatures and birds)Καὶ εἶπεν
Day five commands the waters to produce two classes of creatures: ἑρπετὰ ψυχῶν ζωσῶν ('creeping things of living souls' — i.e., swarming creatures with life) and πετεινὰ πετόμενα ('birds/flying things flying'). The phrase ψυχῶν ζωσῶν introduces the key term ψυχή ζῶσα ('living soul'), which recurs in v.20 (execution) and at 2:7 for the human being breathed into by God. The flying birds are located κατὰ τὸ στερέωμα ('along / across the firmament'), beneath the solid dome. The fulfillment formula καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως ends the command section; the execution follows in v.20.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech formula)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
Ἐξαγαγέτωlet bring forthAor Act Impv 3 Sg · ἐξάγωjussive imperative (divine command: waters as secondary agent)→ aorist imperative: point-action creative commandἐξάγω: 'bring out / lead forth'; renders יִשְׁרְצוּ (qal jussive of שָׁרַץ, 'swarm'); the waters, like the earth in vv.11–12, are commanded to act as secondary creative agents.
τὰtheNominativearticle with subject of jussive→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδαταwatersNominativesubject of jussive (waters commanded to produce creatures)→ participant prominenceὕδατα: meaning 'waters'; it serves as subject of jussive (waters commanded to produce creatures).
ἑρπετὰswarming creaturesAccusativedirect object (first category of creature: water-swarming things)→ object specificationἑρπετόν: 'creeping / swarming thing'; renders שֶׁרֶץ (šereṣ, 'swarm of small creatures'); the word can mean both 'reptile' and any small swarming creature — here the latter, as the context is aquatic.
ψυχῶνof soulsGenitivegenitive (partitive or descriptive: 'creeping things that are living souls')→ relational specificationψυχή: 'soul / life / breath'; renders נֶפֶשׁ (nep̄eš, 'living being / breath-soul'); ψυχὴ ζῶσα ('living soul') is the phrase used of the animals and of Adam in 2:7; it marks animate life as distinguished from plant life.
ζωσῶνlivingPres Act Ptcp Gen Pl Fem · ζάωattributive participle (genitive plural modifying ψυχῶν: 'of living souls')→ present participle: ongoing living qualityζάω: 'live / be alive'; the present participle as attributive adjective: 'living'; the phrase ψυχῶν ζωσῶν = 'of living souls' / 'of life-souls'; this is the first occurrence of ψυχή in the Bible.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second category)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πετεινὰbirdsAccusativedirect object (second category: flying creatures)→ object specificationπετεινόν: 'bird / flying creature'; renders עוֹף (ʿôp̄, 'bird / winged creature'); the word is used for any flying creature.
πετόμεναflyingPres Mid Ptcp Acc Pl Neut · πέτομαιattributive participle (modifying πετεινά: 'birds that are flying')→ present participle: ongoing flight as defining activityπέτομαι: 'fly'; the participle with the noun πετεινά creates a figura etymologica: 'flying-things flying.'
ἐπὶabovepreposition + genitive (locative: 'above/upon the earth')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'above'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative: 'above/upon the earth').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (object of ἐπί)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (object of ἐπί).
κατὰalongpreposition + accusative (distributive/locative: 'along the firmament')→ spatial or relational framingκατά: here with the meaning 'along / across / in the extent of'; the birds fly in the space beneath the solid dome.
τὸtheAccusativearticle with object of preposition→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στερέωμαfirmamentAccusativeaccusative (object of κατά: the upper boundary of bird-flight)→ object specificationστερέωμα: meaning 'firmament'; it serves as accusative (object of κατά: the upper boundary of bird-flight).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitivegenitive (description: 'of heaven')→ relational specificationοὐρανοῦ: meaning 'heaven'; it serves as genitive (description: 'of heaven').
καὶandnarrative conjunction (fulfillment formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (fulfillment formula)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
οὕτωςsoadverb (fulfillment marker)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: meaning 'so'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
21

καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς τὰ κήτη τὰ μεγάλα καὶ πᾶσαν ψυχὴν ζῴων ἑρπετῶν, ἃ ἐξήγαγεν τὰ ὕδατα κατὰ γένη αὐτῶν, καὶ πᾶν πετεινὸν πτερωτὸν κατὰ γένος. καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι καλόν.

And God made the great sea monsters and every living creature of swarming things, which the waters brought forth according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to kind. And God saw that it was good.

Narrative sequence: execution of day-five command + approvalκαὶ ἐποίησεν
The execution report specifies the three categories God made: (1) τὰ κήτη τὰ μεγάλα ('the great sea monsters'), (2) every living creature of the swarming things the waters produced, and (3) every winged bird. The great sea monsters (Hebrew תַּנִּינִים, tannînîm) may be an implicit polemic against the sea-monster mythology of Canaan and Babylon (Leviathan, Tiamat); by naming them as created objects, Genesis denies them divine status. The approval formula closes the execution report.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησενmadeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (creative act)→ constative aoristποιέω: summarises the king's deeds.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
τὰtheAccusativearticle with direct object→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κήτηsea monstersAccusativedirect object (first category: the great sea creatures)→ object specificationκῆτος: 'sea monster / great fish / whale'; renders תַּנִּינִים (tannînîm, 'sea serpents / sea monsters'); these are the creatures of chaos mythology (Leviathan/Tiamat) demoted to created status; cf. Job 41; Ps 74:13–14 LXX.
τὰtheAccusativearticle with adjective→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μεγάλαgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying κήτη: 'great sea monsters')→ object specificationμεγάλα: meaning 'great'; it serves as attributive adjective (modifying κήτη: 'great sea monsters').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second category)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶσανeveryAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ψυχήν: 'every living soul')→ object specificationπᾶσαν: meaning 'every'; it serves as attributive adjective (modifying ψυχήν: 'every living soul').
ψυχὴνsoulAccusativedirect object (second category: 'every living creature')→ object specificationψυχή: 'life / soul'; cf. v.19 note; ψυχὴ ζῴων = 'soul of living creatures' (or 'the life of animals'); the LXX construction of ψυχή + genitive of the creature-class is characteristic.
ζῴωνof living creaturesGenitivegenitive (partitive/descriptive: 'soul of living creatures')→ relational specificationζῷον: 'living creature / animal'; renders חַיָּה (ḥayyāh, 'living thing'); the genitive specifies the type of ψυχή.
ἑρπετῶνof swarming thingsGenitivegenitive (second genitive: further specifying the water-creatures: 'swarming living creatures')→ relational specificationἑρπετόν: same word as v.19; here genitive plural, further defining the class of creatures the waters produced.
ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative neuter plural; referring to ἑρπετά; in relative clause of origin)→ participant referenceἃ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (accusative neuter plural; referring to ἑρπετά; in relative clause of origin).
ἐξήγαγενbrought forthAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξάγωmain verb of relative clause (execution of the ἐξαγαγέτω command of v.19)→ constative aoristἐξάγω: 'bring forth'; same verb as the jussive in v.19, closing the command-execution ring.
τὰtheNominativearticle with subject of relative clause→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδαταwatersNominativesubject of relative clause (waters as secondary agent; echoes v.19)→ participant prominenceὕδατα: meaning 'waters'; it serves as subject of relative clause (waters as secondary agent; echoes v.19).
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard of conformity)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (standard of conformity).
γένηkindsAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (plural of γένος: 'according to kinds')→ object specificationγένος: plural γένη; cf. vv.11, 12; the κατὰ γένος/γένη refrain continues into the water-creatures.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (attributive: 'according to their kinds')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (attributive: 'according to their kinds').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (third category)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶνeveryAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying πετεινόν)→ object specificationπᾶν: meaning 'every'; it serves as attributive adjective (modifying πετεινόν).
πετεινὸνbirdAccusativedirect object (third category: birds)→ object specificationπετεινόν: same word as v.19; direct object.
πτερωτὸνwingedAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying πετεινόν: 'winged bird')→ object specificationπτερωτός: 'winged / feathered'; renders כָּנָף (kānāp̄, 'wing'); the adjective specifies that these are birds with wings, as distinct from wingless creatures.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard: κατὰ γένος)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (standard: κατὰ γένος).
γένοςkindAccusativeaccusative (the 'according to kind' refrain for birds)→ object specificationγένος: meaning 'kind'; it serves as accusative (the 'according to kind' refrain for birds).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (approval formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (approval formula)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / perceive / realize'; renders רָאָה; here in the sense of grasping their plight, governing the ὅτι-clause.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect statement→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καλόνgoodNominativepredicate adjective (indirect statement: 'that it was good')→ participant prominenceκαλόν: meaning 'good'; it serves as predicate adjective (indirect statement: 'that it was good').
22

καὶ εὐλόγησεν αὐτὰ ὁ θεὸς λέγων Αὐξάνεσθε καὶ πληθύνεσθε καὶ πληρώσατε τὰ ὕδατα ἐν ταῖς θαλάσσαις, καὶ τὰ πετεινὰ πληθυνέσθωσαν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.

And God blessed them, saying, 'Grow and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply upon the earth.'

Narrative sequence: first divine blessing in the Bibleκαὶ εὐλόγησεν
This is the first use of εὐλογέω ('bless') in the Bible, anticipating the blessing of humanity in v.28 and the Sabbath blessing in 2:3. The blessing is spoken to living creatures (αὐτά), not merely commanded as a creation act; it is an endowment of fruitful vitality. The triad Αὐξάνεσθε καὶ πληθύνεσθε καὶ πληρώσατε ('grow and multiply and fill') will be repeated to humanity in v.28, where a fourth element is added (dominion). In the NT, the blessing-fruitfulness pattern resonates with the Parable of the Sower and John 15:1ff.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὐλόγησενblessedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εὐλογέωmain verb (first blessing in the Bible)→ constative aorist (a single inaugural act of blessing)εὐλογέω: 'bless / speak well of'; renders בָּרַךְ (bārak); the first occurrence of this root in the Bible; divine blessing here is a performative utterance that endows creatures with reproductive vitality. The word will recur at 1:28 (human blessing) and 2:3 (Sabbath blessing).
αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object (accusative; referent: the sea creatures and birds of v.20)→ participant referenceαὐτὰ: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (accusative; referent: the sea creatures and birds of v.20).
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωattendant circumstance participle (manner of blessing: 'by saying')→ present participle: simultaneous with the blessing actλέγω: the participle λέγων specifies that the blessing is conveyed through speech; the blessing is a divine speech act.
ΑὐξάνεσθεgrowPres Pass Impv 2 Pl · αὐξάνωimperative (divine command: first member of the blessing triad)→ present imperative: ongoing, continuous growth commandedαὐξάνω: 'grow / increase'; renders פְּרוּ (qal imperative of פָּרָה, 'be fruitful'); the first member of the fertility command. In the NT αὐξάνω is used for spiritual growth and the growth of the gospel (1 Cor 3:6; 2 Cor 9:10; Eph 4:15).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πληθύνεσθεmultiplyPres Pass Impv 2 Pl · πληθύνωimperative (second member of blessing triad)→ present imperative: ongoing multiplicationπληθύνω: 'multiply / increase in number'; renders רְבוּ (qal imperative of רָבָה, 'multiply'); the command to multiply is the mechanism of the divine blessing.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πληρώσατεfillAor Act Impv 2 Pl · πληρόωimperative (third member of blessing triad: telic completion)→ aorist imperative: point-action goal ('fill up')πληρόω: 'fill / fill up / complete'; renders מִלְאוּ (qal imperative of מָלֵא, 'fill'); the aorist distinguishes this from the ongoing commands (present imperatives) — the filling of the seas is presented as a telic goal to be achieved.
τὰtheAccusativearticle with direct object→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδαταwatersAccusativedirect object (what is to be filled)→ object specificationὕδατα: meaning 'waters'; it serves as direct object (what is to be filled).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative or sphere: 'fill the waters in the seas')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative or sphere: 'fill the waters in the seas').
ταῖςtheDativearticle with dative→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θαλάσσαιςseasDativedative (locative: the realm to be filled)→ sphere or referenceθάλασσα: same word named in v.10; the blessing commands the sea creatures to fill the seas named on day three.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second clause of the blessing: birds)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πετεινὰbirdsNominativesubject of the jussive (birds commanded to multiply)→ participant prominenceπετεινὰ: meaning 'birds'; it serves as subject of the jussive (birds commanded to multiply).
πληθυνέσθωσανlet them multiplyPres Pass Impv 3 Pl · πληθύνωjussive imperative 3rd person plural (command for birds: parallel to the 2nd-person commands for sea creatures)→ present imperative: ongoing multiplicationπληθύνω: same verb as πληθύνεσθε above but in the 3rd-person plural jussive; the shift from 2nd to 3rd person may reflect the direct address to sea creatures vs. the narrative report of the bird-command, or a Hebraism.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative: 'upon the earth')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative: 'upon the earth').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (object of ἐπί: the birds' domain)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (object of ἐπί: the birds' domain).
23

καὶ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα καὶ ἐγένετο πρωί, ἡμέρα πέμπτη.

And there was evening and there was morning, day five.

Narrative sequence: day-close formula for day fiveκαὶ ἐγένετο
The closing formula for day five; identical in structure to the formulas for days two, three, four. Day five is the first day featuring a divine blessing, marking a new level of intentionality in the creation narrative.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (day-close: evening)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
ἑσπέραeveningNominativesubject (existential)→ participant prominenceἑσπέρα: meaning 'evening'; it serves as subject (existential).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (day-close: morning)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
πρωίmorningadverbial (temporal)→ clausal contributionπρωί: meaning 'morning'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ἡμέραdayNominativenominative (day-numbering formula)→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: meaning 'day'; it serves as nominative (day-numbering formula).
πέμπτηfifthNominativepredicate adjective (ordinal: 'day five')→ participant prominenceπέμπτος: 'fifth'.
24

Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός Ἐξαγαγέτω ἡ γῆ ψυχὴν ζῶσαν κατὰ γένος, τετράποδα καὶ ἑρπετὰ καὶ θηρία τῆς γῆς κατὰ γένος. καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως.

And God said, 'Let the earth bring forth a living soul according to kind — four-footed animals and creeping things and wild animals of the earth according to kind.' And it was so.

Narrative sequence: sixth divine speech act (day six, first act — land animals)Καὶ εἶπεν
Day six opens with the command for land animals (vv.23–25) before the climactic creation of humanity (vv.26–28). Three categories of land animals are specified: τετράποδα ('four-footed animals'), ἑρπετά ('creeping things'), and θηρία ('wild/fierce animals'). Each is created κατὰ γένος. The phrase ψυχὴν ζῶσαν ('a living soul') has the same wording used for the sea creatures in vv.19–20, showing land animals receive the same order of creaturely life. The fulfillment formula closes this command unit.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech formula)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
Ἐξαγαγέτωlet bring forthAor Act Impv 3 Sg · ἐξάγωjussive imperative (divine command: earth as secondary agent, as in vv.11–12)→ aorist imperative: point-action creative commandἐξάγω: same verb as v.19 (for waters producing sea creatures); now the earth is commanded to produce land animals, maintaining the pattern of mediated creation.
ἡtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆearthNominativesubject of jussive (earth as secondary creative agent)→ participant prominenceγῆ: meaning 'earth'; it serves as subject of jussive (earth as secondary creative agent).
ψυχὴνsoulAccusativedirect object (what the earth is to produce: a living soul / living creature)→ object specificationψυχή: 'soul / life'; cf. v.19; the same phrase ψυχὴν ζῶσαν ('living soul') is used for land animals as for sea creatures, showing equal creaturely status.
ζῶσανlivingPres Act Ptcp Acc Sg Fem · ζάωattributive participle (modifying ψυχήν: 'a living soul')→ present participle: ongoing life as defining qualityζάω: 'live'; same participle form as v.19; the phrase ψυχὴν ζῶσαν is the creature's defining characteristic.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard: κατὰ γένος)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (standard: κατὰ γένος).
γένοςkindAccusativeaccusative (taxonomic standard)→ object specificationγένος: meaning 'kind'; it serves as accusative (taxonomic standard).
τετράποδαfour-footed animalsAccusativedirect object (first land-animal category, in apposition to ψυχήν)→ object specificationτετράπους: 'four-footed'; renders בְּהֵמָה (bĕhēmāh, 'cattle / domestic animal'); the LXX's τετράποδα is a functional-anatomical description rather than the semantic content of the Hebrew.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἑρπετὰcreeping thingsAccusativedirect object (second land-animal category)→ object specificationἑρπετόν: same word as vv.19–20; here the land-creeping animals (reptiles, small crawling creatures).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θηρίαwild animalsAccusativedirect object (third land-animal category)→ object specificationθηρίον: 'wild animal / beast'; renders חַיַּת (ḥayyat, construct of חַיָּה, 'living creature / wild animal'); in Revelation θηρίον becomes the 'beast' of apocalyptic imagery.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (description: 'animals of the earth')→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (description: 'animals of the earth').
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
γένοςkindAccusativeaccusative (second κατὰ γένος in the verse: applied to all three categories together)→ object specificationγένος: meaning 'kind'; it serves as accusative (second κατὰ γένος in the verse: applied to all three categories together).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (fulfillment formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (fulfillment formula)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
οὕτωςsoadverb (fulfillment marker)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: meaning 'so'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
25

καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς τὰ θηρία τῆς γῆς κατὰ γένος καὶ τὰ κτήνη κατὰ γένος καὶ πάντα τὰ ἑρπετὰ τῆς γῆς κατὰ γένος αὐτῶν. καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς ὅτι καλόν.

And God made the wild animals of the earth according to kind and the cattle according to kind and all the creeping things of the earth according to their kind. And God saw that it was good.

Narrative sequence: execution of the land-animal command + approvalκαὶ ἐποίησεν
The execution report for land animals mirrors the command of v.23 but with variation: τὰ κτήνη ('the cattle') appears in the middle position (where the command had τετράποδα first), and the three categories are each marked with κατὰ γένος. The approval refrain closes the first act of day six, before the climactic human creation. Day six thus has the same structure as day three: two creative acts, two approvals.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησενmadeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (execution of land-animal command)→ constative aoristποιέω: summarises the king's deeds.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
τὰtheAccusativearticle with direct object→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θηρίαwild animalsAccusativedirect object (first land-animal category)→ object specificationθηρία: meaning 'wild animals'; it serves as direct object (first land-animal category).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (description: 'of the earth')→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (description: 'of the earth').
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (standard).
γένοςkindAccusativeaccusative (κατὰ γένος refrain)→ object specificationγένος: meaning 'kind'; it serves as accusative (κατὰ γένος refrain).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle with direct object→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτήνηcattleAccusativedirect object (second land-animal category: domestic animals)→ object specificationκτῆνος: 'cattle / livestock / domestic animal'; renders בְּהֵמָה (bĕhēmāh); corresponds to τετράποδα in the command (v.23); the LXX uses both words interchangeably for the same Hebrew term.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
γένοςkindAccusativeaccusative (second κατὰ γένος)→ object specificationγένος: meaning 'kind'; it serves as accusative (second κατὰ γένος).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying τὰ ἑρπετά: 'all the creeping things')→ object specificationπάντα: meaning 'all'; it serves as attributive adjective (modifying τὰ ἑρπετά: 'all the creeping things').
τὰtheAccusativearticle with direct object→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑρπετὰcreeping thingsAccusativedirect object (third land-animal category)→ object specificationἑρπετὰ: meaning 'creeping things'; it serves as direct object (third land-animal category).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (description: 'of the earth')→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (description: 'of the earth').
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
γένοςkindAccusativeaccusative→ object specificationγένος: meaning 'kind'; it serves as accusative.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (reflexive: 'according to their kind')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (reflexive: 'according to their kind').
καὶandnarrative conjunction (approval formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (approval formula: first of day six)→ constative aoristὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / perceive / realize'; renders רָאָה; here in the sense of grasping their plight, governing the ὅτι-clause.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect statement→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καλόνgoodNominativepredicate adjective (indirect statement: 'that it was good')→ participant prominenceκαλόν: meaning 'good'; it serves as predicate adjective (indirect statement: 'that it was good').
26

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός Ποιήσωμεν ἄνθρωπον κατ᾿ εἰκόνα ἡμετέραν καὶ καθ᾿ ὁμοίωσιν, καὶ ἀρχέτωσαν τῶν ἰχθύων τῆς θαλάσσης καὶ τῶν πετεινῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ τῶν κτηνῶν καὶ πάσης τῆς γῆς καὶ πάντων τῶν ἑρπετῶν τῶν ἑρπόντων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.

And God said, 'Let us make a human being according to our image and according to likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of heaven and the cattle and all the earth and all the creeping things that creep upon the earth.'

Narrative sequence: seventh and climactic divine speech act — the creation of humanityκαὶ εἶπεν
The creation of humanity is introduced by the unique plural deliberative: Ποιήσωμεν ('let us make') — the divine cohortative that generated vast patristic discussion (Trinity? Angels? Royal plural?). The image-likeness pair (κατ᾿ εἰκόνα ἡμετέραν καὶ καθ᾿ ὁμοίωσιν) is the theological heart of the verse; εἰκών (image) and ὁμοίωσις (likeness) became distinct categories in Irenaeus and later patristic theology. The dominion command (ἀρχέτωσαν, 'let them rule') covers a fivefold domain: fish, birds, cattle, all the earth, creeping things. The verse is among the most theologically productive in the entire Bible.
Word-by-word analysis· 39 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech formula)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
Ποιήσωμενlet us makeAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ποιέωhortatory subjunctive (deliberative 1st-person plural: the divine 'let us make')→ aorist subjunctive: decisive single creative act proposedποιέω: 'make'; hortatory subjunctive Ποιήσωμεν ('let us make') renders Hebrew נַעֲשֶׂה (naʿăśeh, qal cohortative of עָשָׂה); the 1st-person plural has been interpreted as (1) the Trinity (dominant patristic reading; Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Theophilus); (2) a deliberative plural of divine majesty; (3) God addressing a divine council or the angels; (4) a 'plural of deliberation.' The LXX's ἡμετέραν ('our' — emphatic possessive pronoun) emphasizes the plural and makes interpretation (1) or (3) more natural.
ἄνθρωπονa human beingAccusativedirect object (accusative: the being to be created)→ object specificationἄνθρωπος: 'human being / person'; renders אָדָם (ʾāḏām), the generic term for humanity; at this point the text does not yet differentiate male and female (that comes in v.27). The anarthrous ἄνθρωπον ('a human being') emphasizes the category rather than a specific individual.
κατ᾿according topreposition + accusative (standard/conformity: elided κατά before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingκατ᾿: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (standard/conformity: elided κατά before vowel).
εἰκόναimageAccusativeaccusative (object of κατά: 'according to image')→ object specificationεἰκών: 'image / likeness / representation'; renders צֶלֶם (ṣelem, 'image / likeness / shadow'); in the NT εἰκών is used for Christ as the image of God (2 Cor 4:4; Col 1:15; Heb 1:3) and for the renewed human being in God's image (Col 3:10). Irenaeus argued that εἰκών refers to the body (or reason) and ὁμοίωσις to the spirit or moral likeness lost in the fall.
ἡμετέρανourAccusativeattributive adjective/pronoun (first-person plural possessive: 'our image')→ participant referenceἡμέτερος: 'our' (emphatic possessive adjective, first-person plural); renders Hebrew בְּצַלְמֵנוּ (bĕṣalmēnû, 'in our image'); the emphatic pronoun clinches the plural address in Ποιήσωμεν.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adding the second member of the image-likeness pair)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καθ᾿according topreposition + accusative (elided κατά)→ spatial or relational framingκαθ᾿: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (elided κατά).
ὁμοίωσινlikenessAccusativeaccusative (object of κατά: 'and according to likeness')→ object specificationὁμοίωσις: 'likeness / resemblance'; renders דְּמוּת (dĕmût, 'likeness / form'); the LXX pair εἰκών / ὁμοίωσις became the foundation of the imago Dei doctrine. Notably, in v.26 both terms appear (κατ᾿ εἰκόνα ἡμετέραν καὶ καθ᾿ ὁμοίωσιν), but in v.27 the execution only uses εἰκών, a detail that patristic exegetes debated: did humanity fully receive the likeness?
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adding the dominion command)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀρχέτωσανlet them rulePres Act Impv 3 Pl · ἄρχωjussive imperative 3rd-person plural (dominion command: ongoing rule over creatures)→ present imperative: ongoing, continuous dominionἄρχω: 'rule / govern'; renders יִרְדּוּ (qal jussive of רָדָה, 'have dominion'); the dominion command is inseparably linked to the image — humanity rules as the image-bearer of the divine ruler. This generates the concept of humanity as 'royal representative' of God on earth.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with genitive (first domain of dominion)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἰχθύωνfishGenitivegenitive (object of ἀρχέτωσαν: 'rule over the fish')→ relational specificationἰχθύς: 'fish'; renders דְּגַת (dĕgat, construct of דָּג, 'fish'); the first domain of the five-part dominion assignment.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θαλάσσηςseaGenitivegenitive (description: 'fish of the sea')→ relational specificationθαλάσσης: meaning 'sea'; it serves as genitive (description: 'fish of the sea').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with genitive (second domain)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πετεινῶνbirdsGenitivegenitive (second domain of dominion: 'birds')→ relational specificationπετεινῶν: meaning 'birds'; it serves as genitive (second domain of dominion: 'birds').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitivegenitive (description: 'birds of heaven')→ relational specificationοὐρανοῦ: meaning 'heaven'; it serves as genitive (description: 'birds of heaven').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with genitive (third domain)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτηνῶνcattleGenitivegenitive (third domain: 'cattle')→ relational specificationκτηνῶν: meaning 'cattle'; it serves as genitive (third domain: 'cattle').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάσηςallGenitiveattributive adjective/pronoun modifying τῆς γῆς→ relational specificationπάσης: meaning 'all'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as attributive adjective/pronoun modifying τῆς γῆς.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive (fourth domain)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (fourth domain: 'all the earth')→ relational specificationγῆ: the sweeping fourth domain extends dominion to the whole earth; the breadth is notable and theologically significant for creation-care readings.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive adjective/pronoun modifying τῶν ἑρπετῶν→ relational specificationπάντων: meaning 'all'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as attributive adjective/pronoun modifying τῶν ἑρπετῶν.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with genitive (fifth domain)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑρπετῶνcreeping thingsGenitivegenitive (fifth domain: 'all the creeping things')→ relational specificationἑρπετῶν: meaning 'creeping things'; it serves as genitive (fifth domain: 'all the creeping things').
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with attributive participle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑρπόντωνcreepingPres Act Ptcp Gen Pl Neut · ἕρπωattributive participle (modifying ἑρπετῶν: 'creeping things that creep'; figura etymologica)→ present participle: the ongoing creeping as defining activityἕρπω: 'creep / crawl'; the participle ἑρπόντων is a figura etymologica with the noun ἑρπετῶν, matching the Hebrew הָרֹמֶשֶׂת עַל הָאָרֶץ ('that moves upon the earth'); the double root reinforces the category definition.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (object of ἐπί: the terrain of the fifth domain)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (object of ἐπί: the terrain of the fifth domain).
27

καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν ἄνθρωπον, κατ᾿ εἰκόνα θεοῦ ἐποίησεν αὐτόν, ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ ἐποίησεν αὐτούς.

And God made the human being; according to the image of God he made him; male and female he made them.

Narrative sequence: execution of the human-creation command — the pinnacle of day sixκαὶ ἐποίησεν
Verse 26 is the execution of the command of v.25. The verse uses a three-fold chiastic structure, repeating ἐποίησεν three times in a ring. The middle clause (κατ᾿ εἰκόνα θεοῦ ἐποίησεν αὐτόν) shifts from ἡμετέραν ('our image') in the command to θεοῦ ('of God') — the theologian's move from divine deliberation to divine act. Crucially, the execution omits ὁμοίωσιν and uses only εἰκών — a detail exploited by Irenaeus. The final clause introduces the male/female duality (ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ), which is then elaborated in the blessing of v.27. Jesus quotes this verse in Mark 10:6 / Matt 19:4 in the discussion of marriage and divorce.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησενmadeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (first of three: overarching act of creation)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'make'; the first of the three-fold repetition in this verse; the repetition enacts the gravity of the moment.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle with direct object (now articulated — the human being is definite)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωπονhuman beingAccusativedirect object (the human being: now τὸν ἄνθρωπον, definite, after the anarthrous v.25)→ object specificationἄνθρωπος: same word as v.25; now with the article τὸν, making 'the human being' (the species/type); the creation of the definite human is the execution of the command for humanity-as-such.
κατ᾿according topreposition + accusative (standard: 'according to image')→ spatial or relational framingκατ᾿: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (standard: 'according to image').
εἰκόναimageAccusativeaccusative (object of κατά: the standard of creation)→ object specificationεἰκών: the execution uses only εἰκόνα, without ὁμοίωσιν (contrast the command in v.25); the execution clause shifts the possessive from ἡμετέραν ('our image') to the genitive θεοῦ ('of God'). This is one of the most discussed micro-divergences in the chapter.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source/possession (whose image: 'God's image')→ relational specificationθεός: genitive θεοῦ; 'image of God' rather than 'our image'; the shift from 1st-person plural to 3rd-person shifts perspective from divine deliberation to reported act.
ἐποίησενmadeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (second: restatement with the image phrase)→ constative aoristποιέω: summarises the king's deeds.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object (singular pronoun: the human as type/individual)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (singular pronoun: the human as type/individual).
ἄρσενmaleAccusativepredicate accusative (double accusative with ἐποίησεν: 'made them male and female')→ object specificationἄρσεν: 'male'; neuter adjective used substantivally; renders זָכָר (zākār, 'male'); Jesus quotes the pair ἄρσεν καὶ θῆλυ directly in Matt 19:4 / Mark 10:6 to ground the one-flesh union of marriage in creation order. Paul uses the pair in Gal 3:28 to declare their irrelevance for union in Christ.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (male-female pair)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θῆλυfemaleAccusativepredicate accusative (second of the pair: 'and female')→ object specificationθῆλυ: 'female'; neuter adjective; renders נְקֵבָה (nĕqēbāh, 'female'); the neuter gender of both words in the LXX (rather than masculine/feminine) may emphasize the category (male-kind / female-kind) rather than specific gendered individuals.
ἐποίησενmadeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (third: application to both together)→ constative aoristποιέω: summarises the king's deeds.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object (plural pronoun: both male and female together)→ participant referenceThe shift from αὐτόν (singular, v.26b) to αὐτούς (plural, v.26c) moves from the human species to the gendered plurality: 'made them [male and female].'
28

καὶ εὐλόγησεν αὐτοὺς ὁ θεὸς λέγων Αὐξάνεσθε καὶ πληθύνεσθε καὶ πληρώσατε τὴν γῆν καὶ κατακυριεύσατε αὐτῆς καὶ ἄρχετε τῶν ἰχθύων τῆς θαλάσσης καὶ τῶν πετεινῶν τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ πάντων τῶν κτηνῶν καὶ πάσης τῆς γῆς καὶ πάντων τῶν ἑρπετῶν τῶν ἑρπόντων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.

And God blessed them, saying, 'Grow and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of heaven and all the cattle and all the earth and all the creeping things that creep upon the earth.'

Narrative sequence: the blessing of humanity — the second blessing in the Bibleκαὶ εὐλόγησεν
The human blessing repeats and expands the creature-blessing of v.21: Αὐξάνεσθε καὶ πληθύνεσθε καὶ πληρώσατε recurs, but now applied to the earth (τὴν γῆν) rather than the waters, and two further commands are added: κατακυριεύσατε ('subdue it') and ἄρχετε ('rule', a second form of the dominion command). The fivefold domain of dominion from v.25 is repeated. The blessing is the same form as v.21 (εὐλόγησεν … λέγων), forging a structural parallel between sea-creature blessing and human blessing. The dominion command in both the image passage and the blessing is distinctive to humanity, marking them as the pinnacle of the created order.
Word-by-word analysis· 44 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὐλόγησενblessedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εὐλογέωmain verb (second divine blessing: parallel to v.21)→ constative aoristεὐλογέω: second use in the chapter (cf. v.21); here applied to humanity; the divine blessing upon humanity is a performative endowment of fruitful vitality and dominion authority.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object (referent: both male and female, from v.26)→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (referent: both male and female, from v.26).
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωattendant circumstance participle (manner: blessing by saying)→ present participle: simultaneous with blessingλέγω (pres. ptcp.): renders the quotative לֵאמֹר ('saying').
ΑὐξάνεσθεgrowPres Pass Impv 2 Pl · αὐξάνωimperative (first member of the fertility triad, as in v.21)→ present imperative: ongoing growthαὐξάνω: meaning 'grow'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as imperative (first member of the fertility triad, as in v.21).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πληθύνεσθεmultiplyPres Pass Impv 2 Pl · πληθύνωimperative (second member of fertility triad)→ present imperativeπληθύνω: meaning 'multiply'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as imperative (second member of fertility triad).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πληρώσατεfillAor Act Impv 2 Pl · πληρόωimperative (third member of fertility triad)→ aorist imperative: telic completion commandπληρόω: meaning 'fill'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as imperative (third member of fertility triad).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle with direct object→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνearthAccusativedirect object (the earth, vs. the waters in v.21: humans fill the land)→ object specificationγῆ: 'the earth' replaces 'the waters in the seas' of v.21; humanity's domain of filling is the dry land.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adding the subduing command)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατακυριεύσατεsubdue itAor Act Impv 2 Pl · κατακυριεύωimperative (command to subdue the earth — distinctive to the human blessing)→ aorist imperative: decisive act of taking dominionκατακυριεύω: 'subdue / exercise mastery over'; compound of κατά + κυριεύω ('be lord over'); renders כִּבְשֻׁהָ (kib-šūhā, qal imperative of כָּבַשׁ, 'subdue / bring into subjection'); a forceful term implying active, ordered management of the earth. This verse is central to debates about the theology of creation care and human responsibility.
αὐτῆςitGenitivegenitive (object of κατακυριεύσατε: 'subdue it [the earth]')→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (object of κατακυριεύσατε: 'subdue it [the earth]').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adding the dominion command)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἄρχετεrulePres Act Impv 2 Pl · ἄρχωimperative (dominion command: present — ongoing exercise of authority)→ present imperative: ongoing ruleἄρχω: 'rule / govern'; cf. v.25 (ἀρχέτωσαν); the same root used for the luminaries' rule (vv.16, 18) is now applied to humanity's creaturely dominion, suggesting structural parallelism between the luminaries' ordering of time and humanity's ordering of the earth.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with genitive (first domain)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἰχθύωνfishGenitivegenitive (first domain of dominion: fish of the sea)→ relational specificationἰχθύων: meaning 'fish'; it serves as genitive (first domain of dominion: fish of the sea).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θαλάσσηςseaGenitivegenitive (description: 'of the sea')→ relational specificationθαλάσσης: meaning 'sea'; it serves as genitive (description: 'of the sea').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with genitive (second domain)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πετεινῶνbirdsGenitivegenitive (second domain)→ relational specificationπετεινῶν: meaning 'birds'; it serves as genitive (second domain).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitivegenitive (description: 'of heaven')→ relational specificationοὐρανοῦ: meaning 'heaven'; it serves as genitive (description: 'of heaven').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive adjective/pronoun→ relational specificationπάντων: meaning 'all'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as attributive adjective/pronoun.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with genitive (third domain)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτηνῶνcattleGenitivegenitive (third domain)→ relational specificationκτηνῶν: meaning 'cattle'; it serves as genitive (third domain).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάσηςallGenitiveattributive adjective/pronoun→ relational specificationπάσης: meaning 'all'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as attributive adjective/pronoun.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive (fourth domain)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (fourth domain: 'all the earth')→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (fourth domain: 'all the earth').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντωνallGenitiveattributive adjective/pronoun→ relational specificationπάντων: meaning 'all'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as attributive adjective/pronoun.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with genitive (fifth domain)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑρπετῶνcreeping thingsGenitivegenitive (fifth domain)→ relational specificationἑρπετῶν: meaning 'creeping things'; it serves as genitive (fifth domain).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle with attributive participle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑρπόντωνcreepingPres Act Ptcp Gen Pl Neut · ἕρπωattributive participle (figura etymologica with ἑρπετῶν, as in v.25)→ present participleἕρπω: meaning 'creeping'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as attributive participle (figura etymologica with ἑρπετῶν, as in v.25).
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (object of ἐπί)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (object of ἐπί).
29

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεός Ἰδοὺ δέδωκα ὑμῖν πᾶν χόρτον σπόριμον σπεῖρον σπέρμα, ὅ ἐστιν ἐπάνω πάσης τῆς γῆς, καὶ πᾶν ξύλον ὃ ἔχει ἐν ἑαυτῷ καρπὸν σπέρματος σπορίμου· ὑμῖν ἔσται εἰς βρῶσιν·

And God said, 'Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing grass that bears seed, which is upon all the earth, and every tree that has in itself the fruit of seed-bearing seed; they shall be to you for food;'

Narrative sequence: God assigns food to humanityκαὶ εἶπεν
God's final speech act before the comprehensive evaluation (v.31) assigns food for humanity: all seed-bearing plants and fruit trees. The verb is the perfect δέδωκα ('I have given'), the only perfect-tense verb in Gen 1, giving this gift a note of settled, permanent provision. The provision of food for humanity anticipates the garden narrative of chapter 2, and the limitation to plant food (before flesh is permitted in Gen 9:3) has been important in discussions of the original created order. The parallel provision for the animals follows in v.29.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech formula: final divine speech in the chapter)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
Ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (drawing attention to the gift: 'look!')→ participant identificationἰδού: 'behold / look / see'; the imperative of ὁράω used as a presentative particle; renders הִנֵּה (hinnēh); introduces the provision with a note of solemnity and generous announcement. The LXX uses ἰδού extensively for the Hebrew presentative.
δέδωκαI have givenPrf Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb of the speech (perfect: established, permanent gift)→ perfect: the gift is complete and its effects standδίδωμι: 'give'; the perfect δέδωκα ('I have given [and it stands]') is the only perfect-tense verb in the entire chapter; it marks the food provision as a settled endowment rather than a mere command. In contrast to the aorists of narrative and the imperatives of command, the perfect signals permanent gift.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of indirect object (the recipients of the gift: humanity)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (the recipients of the gift: humanity).
πᾶνeveryAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying χόρτον)→ object specificationπᾶν: meaning 'every'; it serves as attributive adjective (modifying χόρτον).
χόρτονgrassAccusativedirect object (first food category: seed-bearing plants)→ object specificationχόρτος: same word as vv.11–12; here in the context of food provision.
σπόριμονseed-bearingAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying χόρτον)→ object specificationσπόριμος: 'suitable for sowing / seed-bearing'; renders זֹרֵעַ זֶרַע ('seed-seeding'); the adjective characterizes edible grain-plants.
σπεῖρονbearingPres Act Ptcp Acc Sg Neut · σπείρωattributive participle (modifying χόρτον: 'grass that bears seed')→ present participle: ongoing seed-productionσπείρω: meaning 'bearing'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as attributive participle (modifying χόρτον: 'grass that bears seed').
σπέρμαseedAccusativedirect object of participle→ object specificationσπέρμα: meaning 'seed'; it serves as direct object of participle.
ὅwhichNominativerelative pronoun (nominative neuter: referring to χόρτον; relative clause of location)→ participant referenceὅ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (nominative neuter: referring to χόρτον; relative clause of location).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula in relative clause→ present: ongoing location/existenceεἰμί: copula.
ἐπάνωuponpreposition + genitive (locative: 'upon all the earth')→ spatial or relational framingἐπάνω: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative: 'upon all the earth').
πάσηςallGenitiveattributive adjective/pronoun→ relational specificationπάσης: meaning 'all'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as attributive adjective/pronoun.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (object of ἐπάνω: 'upon all the earth')→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (object of ἐπάνω: 'upon all the earth').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second food category)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶνeveryAccusativeattributive adjective→ object specificationπᾶν: meaning 'every'; it serves as attributive adjective.
ξύλονtreeAccusativedirect object (second food category: fruit trees)→ object specificationξύλον: 'tree'; anticipates the trees of the garden in Gen 2:9; the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil will be singled out from this class.
ὃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (nominative neuter: 'which [tree]')→ participant referenceὃ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (nominative neuter: 'which [tree]').
ἔχειhasPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb of relative clause (tree described by its seed-content)→ present: ongoing state of having seedἔχω: 'have / hold'; ἔχει τὴν ἐλπίδα ('he holds/sets his hope') renders נֹשֵׂא אֶת־נַפְשׁוֹ ('he lifts up his soul/life to it'); the Hebrew idiom of longing is rendered by the language of hope — the laborer's whole expectation hangs on this pay.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ἑαυτῷitselfDativedative of place (reflexive: 'in itself')→ sphere or referenceἑαυτοῦ: 'oneself'; the seed-within-the-fruit motif, picking up the imagery of vv.11–12.
καρπὸνfruitAccusativedirect object of ἔχει (what the tree has in itself)→ object specificationκαρπὸν: meaning 'fruit'; it serves as direct object of ἔχει (what the tree has in itself).
σπέρματοςof seedGenitivegenitive (descriptive: 'fruit of seed')→ relational specificationσπέρματος: meaning 'of seed'; it serves as genitive (descriptive: 'fruit of seed').
σπορίμουsowing-worthyGenitiveattributive adjective genitive (modifying σπέρματος: 'of seed-bearing seed')→ relational specificationσπόριμος: same adjective as above; the tree contains in its fruit the seed of future trees; self-propagating abundance.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of indirect object / dative of advantage (fronted for emphasis)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object / dative of advantage (fronted for emphasis).
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (declarative future: the gift's intended use)→ predictive future: the food is divinely designated for human useεἰμί: the future ἔσται declares the intended purpose of the gift — 'it shall be for you for food'; a divine decree of provision.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose/designation: 'for food')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose/designation: 'for food').
βρῶσινfoodAccusativeaccusative of purpose (the designated use: 'for eating / for food')→ object specificationβρῶσις: 'eating / food'; renders אָכְלָה (ʾoklāh, 'food'); in John 4:32 and 6:27 Jesus uses βρῶσις for the food that sustains eternal life, echoing the creation provision.
30

καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς θηρίοις τῆς γῆς καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς πετεινοῖς τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ παντὶ ἑρπετῷ τῷ ἕρποντι ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ὃ ἔχει ἐν ἑαυτῷ ψυχὴν ζωῆς, πάντα χόρτον χλωρὸν εἰς βρῶσιν. καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως.

And to all the wild animals of the earth and to all the birds of heaven and to every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth, that has in itself a soul of life — every green herb for food. And it was so.

Narrative continuation: God assigns food to the animalsκαὶ
The food provision continues from v.28 (the speech begun there continues through v.29). Animals — wild, birds, and creeping — receive 'every green herb' as their food. The phrase ψυχὴν ζωῆς ('a soul of life') characterizes the animals as living beings with soul-life. The restriction to green plants (no flesh eating) reflects the original created order; Gen 9:3 later permits flesh after the flood. The fulfillment formula καὶ ἐγένετο οὕτως closes both the food-provision section and the divine speech.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (continuation of God's speech: food for animals)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶσιallDativeattributive adjective/pronoun (dative: 'to all')→ participant reference or interestπᾶσι: meaning 'all'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as attributive adjective/pronoun (dative: 'to all').
τοῖςtheDativearticle with dative (first animal category)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θηρίοιςwild animalsDativedative of indirect object (first recipient: wild animals)→ sphere or referenceθηρίον: same word as vv.23–24.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (description: 'of the earth')→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (description: 'of the earth').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶσιallDativeattributive adjective/pronoun→ participant reference or interestπᾶσι: meaning 'all'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as attributive adjective/pronoun.
τοῖςtheDativearticle with dative (second animal category)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πετεινοῖςbirdsDativedative of indirect object (second recipient: birds)→ sphere or referenceπετεινοῖς: meaning 'birds'; it serves as dative of indirect object (second recipient: birds).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitivegenitive (description: 'of heaven')→ relational specificationοὐρανοῦ: meaning 'heaven'; it serves as genitive (description: 'of heaven').
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παντὶeveryDativeattributive adjective/pronoun (dative: third animal category)→ participant reference or interestπαντὶ: meaning 'every'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as attributive adjective/pronoun (dative: third animal category).
ἑρπετῷcreeping thingDativedative of indirect object (third recipient: creeping things)→ sphere or referenceἑρπετῷ: meaning 'creeping thing'; it serves as dative of indirect object (third recipient: creeping things).
τῷtheDativearticle with attributive participle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἕρποντιcreepingPres Act Ptcp Dat Sg Neut · ἕρπωattributive participle (figura etymologica: 'creeping thing that creeps')→ present participleἕρπω: meaning 'creeping'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as attributive participle (figura etymologica: 'creeping thing that creeps').
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle with genitive→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (object of ἐπί)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (object of ἐπί).
ὃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (nominative neuter; referring back to the animal categories collectively)→ participant referenceὃ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (nominative neuter; referring back to the animal categories collectively).
ἔχειhasPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωmain verb of relative clause (describing the animals as soul-bearers)→ present: ongoing stateἔχω: 'have / hold'; ἔχει τὴν ἐλπίδα ('he holds/sets his hope') renders נֹשֵׂא אֶת־נַפְשׁוֹ ('he lifts up his soul/life to it'); the Hebrew idiom of longing is rendered by the language of hope — the laborer's whole expectation hangs on this pay.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ἑαυτῷitselfDativedative of place (reflexive)→ sphere or referenceἑαυτῷ: meaning 'itself'; it serves as dative of place (reflexive).
ψυχὴνsoulAccusativedirect object of ἔχει ('has in itself a soul of life')→ object specificationψυχή: 'soul / life'; the animals are characterized as soul-bearers: they have ψυχὴ ζωῆς ('a soul of life'), marking them as more than mere mechanisms — they have creaturely life in the fullest sense the text recognizes below humanity.
ζωῆςof lifeGenitivegenitive (epexegetical or descriptive: 'soul of life')→ relational specificationζωή: 'life'; renders חַיִּים (ḥayyîm, 'life'); the genitive specifies the type of ψυχή — the living kind of soul, as opposed to a merely vegetative existence.
πάνταeveryAccusativeattributive adjective/pronoun (modifying χόρτον)→ participant referenceπάντα: meaning 'every'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as attributive adjective/pronoun (modifying χόρτον).
χόρτονherbAccusativedirect object (the food given to animals: every green herb)→ object specificationχόρτος: 'grass / herb'; the food assigned to animals is green vegetation (χλωρόν), the most basic plant category.
χλωρὸνgreenAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying χόρτον: 'every green herb')→ object specificationχλωρός: 'green / fresh / pale'; renders יֶרֶק (yereq, 'green / verdure'); the word for the green color of living plants; in Rev 8:7 and 9:4 χλωρός grass is used in apocalyptic judgment scenes.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose: 'for food')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: 'for food').
βρῶσινfoodAccusativeaccusative of purpose (as in v.28: 'for eating')→ object specificationβρῶσιν: meaning 'food'; it serves as accusative of purpose (as in v.28: 'for eating').
καὶandnarrative conjunction (fulfillment formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (fulfillment formula: the food provision is established)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
οὕτωςsoadverb (fulfillment marker)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: meaning 'so'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
31

καὶ εἶδεν ὁ θεὸς τὰ πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησεν, καὶ ἰδοὺ καλὰ λίαν. καὶ ἐγένετο ἑσπέρα καὶ ἐγένετο πρωί, ἡμέρα ἕκτη.

And God saw all the things that he had made, and behold — very good. And there was evening and there was morning, day six.

Narrative sequence: the comprehensive divine evaluation of all creation — culminating climaxκαὶ εἶδεν
The climactic verse of the chapter's creation narrative. The divine evaluation is escalated from the individual καλόν ('good') refrains to the comprehensive τὰ πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησεν ('all the things that he made') with the intensified verdict ἰδοὺ καλὰ λίαν ('behold — very good'). The ἰδού ('behold') marks a moment of heightened declaration. The plural καλά ('good things') embraces the totality. λίαν ('exceedingly / very') is the intensifier that elevates the final evaluation above all the partial ones. The day-six close formula then seals the chapter's narrative arc. Note that this verse in the LXX follows what would be v.31 in some numberings; the LXX verse numbers here match the standard critical text.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (climactic and comprehensive approval formula)→ constative aorist (single comprehensive act of divine perception and judgment)ὁράω: the final and most comprehensive use of the εἶδεν ὅτι formula in the chapter; this time encompassing ALL that God made (τὰ πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησεν) rather than individual acts.
ὁtheNominativearticle with subject→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (nominative)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (nominative).
τὰtheAccusativearticle with πάντα (direct object)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πάνταallAccusativedirect object (accusative: 'all things')→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the neuter plural τὰ πάντα is the most comprehensive scope possible — the totality of creation. This is the only verse in the chapter where God's evaluation takes in the whole rather than a part.
ὅσαwhich / as many asAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative neuter plural: introducing the relative clause of specification)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as / all that'; the relative clause 'which he made' specifies that the evaluation covers the full scope of the creative acts.
ἐποίησενhe had madeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb of relative clause (recapitulating the creative acts of the six days)→ constative aorist (all the acts of making viewed as a whole)ποιέω: the creation verb that opened v.1 (ἐποίησεν) recurs here in the final evaluation, creating a ring around the entire chapter.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (introducing the exclamation)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (presentative: marking the climactic moment of the verdict)→ clausal contributionἰδού: same presentative particle as in v.28; here it introduces the final verdict of the entire creation narrative with dramatic force.
καλὰgoodNominativepredicate adjective (plural: 'good things'; the comprehensive verdict)→ participant prominenceκαλός: here in the plural neuter καλὰ, 'good things'; the shift from singular καλόν (the earlier refrains) to plural καλά brings the totality of created things into the verdict. The plural may also reflect the Hebrew construction טוֹב מְאֹד.
λίανveryadverb (intensifier: 'exceedingly / very much')→ clausal contributionλίαν: 'very / exceedingly'; renders מְאֹד (mĕʾōḏ, 'very / exceedingly'); the intensification of the refrain from καλόν to καλὰ λίαν marks the end of the six days of ordered creation and the unique goodness of the completed whole. The phrase καλὰ λίαν has no equivalent in any of the earlier day-refrains.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (day-close formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (day-close formula: evening)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
ἑσπέραeveningNominativesubject (existential)→ participant prominenceἑσπέρα: meaning 'evening'; it serves as subject (existential).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (day-close formula: morning)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
πρωίmorningadverbial (temporal)→ clausal contributionπρωί: meaning 'morning'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ἡμέραdayNominativenominative (day-numbering formula)→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: meaning 'day'; it serves as nominative (day-numbering formula).
ἕκτηsixthNominativepredicate adjective (ordinal numeral: 'day six')→ participant prominenceἕκτος: 'sixth'; with the definite article in the Hebrew (הַיּוֹם הַשִּׁשִּׁי, 'the sixth day'), which the LXX renders ἡμέρα ἕκτη without an article; the MT's use of the definite article only for day six (and not for days two through five) has been noted and debated.