1
Αὗται δὲ αἱ γενέσεις τῶν υἱῶν Νωε, Σημ, Χαμ, Ιαφεθ, καὶ ἐγενήθησαν αὐτοῖς υἱοὶ μετὰ τὸν κατακλυσμόν.
Now these are the generations of the sons of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Japheth; and sons were born to them after the flood.
The δέ marks a new major section of Genesis; the toledoth formula Αὗται αἱ γενέσεις (= אֵלֶּה תּוֹלְδֹת) is the organizing spine of the book (cf. 2:4; 5:1; 6:9; 11:10 etc.). The final clause — 'sons were born to them after the flood' — functions as the warrant for the genealogical expansion that fills the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ΑὗταιtheseNominativesubject (demonstrative pronoun, predicate-nominative construction)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this / these'; the feminine plural αὗται agrees with γενέσεις; the demonstrative opens the toledoth-heading and points forward to the list that follows.
δὲnowpost-positive particle (transition / mild contrast with preceding narrative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γενέσειςgenerationsNominativepredicate nominative (with αὗται as subject)→ participant prominenceγένεσις: 'origin / generation / genealogy'; renders תּוֹלְדֹת (toledoth), the genealogical and narrative structuring term of Genesis; LXX uses γενέσεις throughout as the standing equivalent. The word gives the book its Greek name ΓΕΝΕΣΙΣ.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive of relationship (sons of Noah)→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; the genitive chain τῶν υἱῶν Νωε names the three figures whose descendants fill the chapter.
ΝωεNoahindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship (sons of Noah)→ participant identificationΝωε: indeclinable transliteration of נֹחַ; the name tradition associates with נָחַם ('rest/comfort', Gen 5:29); the post-flood patriarch who stands at the head of all humanity in the Table of Nations.
ΣημShemindeclinable proper noun, apposition to τῶν υἱῶν Νωε→ participant identificationΣημ: transliteration of שֵׁם ('name / renown'); the eldest son and ancestor of the Semitic peoples; receives the longest genealogy and the honorific 'father of all the sons of Eber' at v.21.
ΧαμHamindeclinable proper noun, apposition→ participant identificationΧαμ: transliteration of חָם; possibly related to חֹם ('heat') or to Egyptian Km.t ('black land'); ancestor of the African and Canaanite peoples in the Table; was cursed through Canaan in 9:25–27.
ΙαφεθJaphethindeclinable proper noun, apposition→ participant identificationΙαφεθ: transliteration of יֶפֶת; traditionally associated with יָפָה ('may he enlarge/make beautiful', Gen 9:27 in the blessing of Noah); ancestor of the northern and western (Indo-European and Aegean) peoples.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθησανwere bornAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (existential-passive: 'there were born to them')→ constative aorist (summary statement of post-flood reproduction)γίνομαι: passive 'be born / come into being'; renders נוֹלַד; the constative aorist summarizes the whole subsequent genealogical expansion in a single clause.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of advantage / dative of the person concerned ('born to them')→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage / dative of the person concerned ('born to them').
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (of ἐγενήθησαν)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (of ἐγενήθησαν).
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal: 'after the flood')→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (temporal: 'after the flood').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατακλυσμόνfloodAccusativeobject of μετά (temporal: post-flood setting)→ object specificationκατακλυσμός: 'flood / inundation'; renders מַבּוּל; a loanword into English ('cataclysm') via Latin; the LXX uses this term consistently for the Noahic flood (cf. 6:17; 7:6–7 etc.), distinguishing it from ordinary river-flooding (πλημμύρα).
2
υἱοὶ δὲ Ιαφεθ· Γαμερ καὶ Μαγωγ καὶ Μαδαι καὶ Ιαυαν καὶ Ελισα καὶ Θοβελ καὶ Μοσοχ καὶ Θειρας.
And the sons of Japheth: Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Elisha and Tubal and Meshech and Tiras.
The δέ introduces the first of the three son-genealogies. The verse is a bare name-list in asyndeton-within-καί: each name is joined by καί, the standard LXX convention for Hebrew וְ. The grammar is minimalist — the names are the substance.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (predicate nominative: 'the sons of Japheth are …')→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (predicate nominative: 'the sons of Japheth are …').
δὲandpost-positive particle (introducing new sub-section)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙαφεθJaphethindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΙαφεθ: see v.1; the genealogy now unfolds his line first — Japheth's primacy here is geographical (northern/western peoples) not necessarily birth-order; Shem is the eldest (v.21 'elder brother of Japheth').
ΓαμερGomerindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΓαμερ: transliteration of גֹּמֶר; associated with the Cimmerians (Akkadian Gimir) who occupied the Black Sea region; appears again in Ezek 38:6 as part of Gog's coalition.
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΜαγωγMagogindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΜαγωγ: transliteration of מָגוֹג; the land or people 'of Gog' (מַ + גּוֹג); associated in later tradition (Ezek 38–39; Rev 20:8) with eschatological enemies from the far north; possibly the Scythians in the original context.
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΜαδαιMadaiindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΜαδαι: transliteration of מָדַי; the Medes, a major Iranian people east of the Zagros mountains, prominent in Assyrian and later Babylonian-era sources; Mede-Persia becomes a world power in the 6th c. BCE.
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙαυανJavanindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΙαυαν: transliteration of יָוָן; the LXX's rendering of the Greeks (Ionians, יְוָנִים); the Greeks knew themselves as Ἰάϝονες / Ἴωνες; in later prophetic texts (Isa 66:19; Ezek 27:13; Dan 8:21) יָוָן = Greece. A striking self-naming moment: the LXX translators were themselves Hellenistic Jews, rendering 'their own civilization's ancestor.'
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΕλισαElishaindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΕλισα: transliteration of אֱלִישָׁה; traditionally identified with Alashiya (Cyprus or the Aegean coast); from Elisha come purple and scarlet dyes (Ezek 27:7).
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΘοβελTubalindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΘοβελ: transliteration of תֻּבַל; associated with the Tibareni of Anatolia (near the Black Sea); paired with Μεσεχ / Μοσοχ in Ezekiel (27:13; 38:2–3; 39:1) as a northern coalition; possibly the Tabali of Assyrian records.
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΜοσοχMeshechindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΜοσοχ: transliteration of מֶשֶׁךְ; the Mushki/Phrygians of central Anatolia; paired with Tubal as traders in bronze vessels and slaves (Ezek 27:13); reappears as a northern threat in Ezek 38–39.
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΘειραςTirasindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΘειρας: transliteration of תִּירָס; traditionally associated with the Thracians or the Sea Peoples (Tursha/Tyrseni = Etruscans?); the identification remains disputed.
3
υἱοὶ δὲ Γαμερ· Ασχαναζ καὶ Ριφαθ καὶ Θοργαμα.
And the sons of Gomer: Ashkenaz and Riphath and Togarmah.
The formula υἱοὶ δέ + genitive repeats throughout the chapter for second-generation listings. Gomer's three sons correspond to peoples in the northern Aegean-Anatolian zone.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (predicate nominative, list-heading formula)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (predicate nominative, list-heading formula).
δὲandpost-positive particle (advancing the list)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΓαμερGomerindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΓαμερ: see v.2.
ΑσχαναζAshkenazindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΑσχαναζ: transliteration of אַשְׁכְּנַז; Akkadian Aškuza = the Scythians; in rabbinic tradition later applied to Germany (hence 'Ashkenazi' Jews); in the original context a northern steppe people.
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΡιφαθRiphathindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΡιφαθ: transliteration of רִיפַת (or דִּיפַת in 1 Chr 1:6); possibly the Paphlagonians of northern Anatolia; identification uncertain.
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΘοργαμαTogarmahindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΘοργαμα: transliteration of תֹּגַרְמָה; associated with horse-trading peoples of Anatolia (Ezek 27:14 — 'horses, war horses, and mules'); possibly the Tegarama of Hittite texts, located in eastern Anatolia (modern Gürun).
4
υἱοὶ δὲ Ιαυαν· Ελισα καὶ Θαρσις, Κιττιειμ καὶ Ροδιειμ.
And the sons of Javan: Elisha and Tarshish, the Kittim and the Dodanim.
Javan's sons represent the Greek/Aegean world: Elisha (Cyprus/Aegean), Tarshish (western Mediterranean), Kittim (Cyprus), Rodanim (Rhodes or Aegean Dodecanese). The LXX plurals Κιττιειμ and Ροδιειμ (–ειμ = Hebrew gentilic plural) signal that these names denote peoples rather than individual eponyms.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (predicate nominative, list-heading formula)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (predicate nominative, list-heading formula).
δὲandpost-positive particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙαυανJavanindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΙαυαν: see v.2; the Greek peoples' ancestor.
ΕλισαElishaindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΕλισα: appears both as a son of Japheth (v.2, LXX variant) and here as a son of Javan; the text-critical tradition varies; in context an Aegean/Cypriot people.
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΘαρσιςTarshishindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΘαρσις: transliteration of תַּרְשִׁישׁ; the distant sea-trading port of the western Mediterranean — possibly Tartessos in Spain or Tarsus in Cilicia; 'ships of Tarshish' = ocean-going vessels (1 Kgs 10:22; Isa 2:16); Jonah's flight destination (Jon 1:3).
ΚιττιειμKittimindeclinable proper noun (gentilic plural form), member of list→ participant identificationΚιττιειμ: transliteration of כִּתִּיִּים; the Hebrew –ים gentilic plural is preserved in the LXX spelling; Kittim = Kition (Cyprus) in its primary reference, though later texts use it for Rome (Dan 11:30; 1 Macc 1:1) or western sea-powers generally.
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΡοδιειμDodanim / Rodanimindeclinable proper noun (gentilic plural form), member of list→ participant identificationΡοδιειμ: transliteration of רֹדָנִים (= 'Dodanim' in MT, but 1 Chr 1:7 reads דֹּדָנִים; the LXX form Ροδιειμ = 'Rhodians' suggests the translators read or interpreted this as Rhodes); if original, this would be the people of the island of Rhodes in the Aegean.
5
ἀπὸ τούτων ἀφωρίσθησαν νῆσοι τῶν ἐθνῶν ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτῶν, ἕκαστος κατὰ γλῶσσαν ἐν ταῖς φυλαῖς αὐτῶν καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν αὐτῶν.
From these the islands of the nations were separated in their land, each according to his language, in their tribes and in their nations.
This summary formula closes the Japheth section; the verb ἀφωρίσθησαν ('were separated/apportioned') renders נִפְרְדוּ and describes the providential distribution of peoples across the earth. The fourfold organization — land, language, tribe, nation — is the chapter's taxonomic framework. The refrain recurs at v.20 and v.31 to close Ham's and Shem's sections.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source: 'from these')→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: 'from these').
τούτωνtheseGenitivegenitive of source (object of ἀπό)→ relational specificationτούτων: meaning 'these'; it serves as genitive of source (object of ἀπό).
ἀφωρίσθησανwere separated / were apportionedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἀφορίζωmain verb (divine-passive: God separates/distributes the peoples)→ constative aorist (the completed distribution of peoples at Babel/post-flood)ἀφορίζω: 'set apart / separate / apportion'; renders נִפְרַד (Niphal of פָּרַד); the divine passive implies that the dispersion of nations is ordered by Providence; the same root will recur in the Babel narrative (11:8–9) with a more negative valence.
νῆσοιislands / coastlandsNominativesubject (of ἀφωρίσθησαν)→ participant prominenceνῆσος: 'island / coastal region'; renders אִיִּים which in Hebrew can mean 'islands' or more broadly 'coastlands / distant shores'; in LXX usage νῆσοι τῶν ἐθνῶν = the far-flung territories of the Japhethite nations in the Aegean and Mediterranean.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐθνῶνnationsGenitivegenitive of apposition (islands = the nations)→ relational specificationἔθνος: 'nation / people / gentile nation'; renders גּוֹיִם; throughout the LXX ἔθνη becomes the term for 'Gentiles' in contrast to Israel as λαός; here it is simply the universal term for the world's peoples.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheirDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῇlandDativedative of place (locative: 'in their land')→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land / earth'; each nation-group occupies its own territory — the chapter's geography is as important as its genealogy.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἕκαστοςeach / each oneNominativesubject (distributive: 'each according to his language')→ participant prominenceἕκαστος: 'each / every one'; distributive pronoun; the individuating note — each group has its own language — anticipates the Babel narrative where the multiplicity of languages is the key event.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard of distribution)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (standard of distribution).
γλῶσσανlanguage / tongueAccusativeobject of κατά (standard: 'according to language')→ object specificationγλῶσσα: 'tongue / language'; renders לָשׁוֹן; the four-part formula (land, language, tribe, nation) organizes the Table's taxonomy; the mention of language here is notable since before Babel (ch.11) humanity is said to have had one language (11:1) — a tension the ancient reader was presumably aware of.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
ταῖςtheirDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φυλαῖςtribesDativedative of sphere ('in their tribes')→ sphere or referenceφυλή: 'tribe / clan'; renders מִשְׁפָּחָה ('clan / family-group'); the term recurs at v.32 (αἱ φυλαί) in the closing formula, forming an inclusio.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
τοῖςtheirDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔθνεσινnationsDativedative of sphere ('in their nations')→ sphere or referenceἔθνος: see above; the fourfold closing formula (land / language / tribe / nation) of v.5 becomes the chapter's structural refrain.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
6
υἱοὶ δὲ Χαμ· Χους καὶ Μεσραιμ καὶ Φουδ καὶ Χανααν.
And the sons of Ham: Cush and Mizraim and Put and Canaan.
The Ham section opens with the same υἱοὶ δέ formula. The four sons correspond to major regions: Χους = Cush/Ethiopia/Nubia, Μεσραιμ = Egypt, Φουδ = Put/Libya, Χανααν = Canaan. The order — Africa/Arabia, Egypt, Libya, Canaan — reflects a roughly geographical arc from northeast Africa through the Levant.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (predicate nominative, list-heading formula)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (predicate nominative, list-heading formula).
δὲandpost-positive particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΧαμHamindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΧαμ: see v.1; ancestor of the Hamitic peoples (African and Canaanite in the Table's geography); his line is the longest and includes the theologically charged Nimrod pericope.
ΧουςCushindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΧους: transliteration of כּוּשׁ; primarily = Nubia / Ethiopia (the land south of Egypt); also used more broadly for Arabia/Mesopotamia in some texts (cf. the Cushite wife of Moses, Num 12:1). Nimrod is a son of Χους (v.8), which places the Mesopotamian empire-builder within the Cushite/Ethiopian line — a geographical and genealogical puzzle often noted in commentaries.
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΜεσραιμMizraim / Egyptindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΜεσραιμ: the LXX's hellenization of מִצְרַיִם (the dual form of Egypt); the dual מִצְרַיִם reflects the 'Two Lands' (Upper and Lower Egypt); the LXX renders it as a personal name-eponym Μεσραιμ rather than the toponym Αἴγυπτος in genealogical contexts, though Αἴγυπτος is the standard term for the country. This makes Μεσραιμ a unique LXX translation choice marking the genealogical-eponym register.
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΦουδPutindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΦουδ: transliteration of פּוּט; associated with Libya or Somalia in most ancient sources; appears as a warrior-people in Ezek 27:10; 30:5; Nah 3:9 alongside Egypt and Cush.
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΧανααν: transliteration of כְּנַעַן; the land and peoples of the Levantine coast and hinterland, subject of the curse in 9:25–27; the theological significance of Canaan appearing as a son of Ham rather than Shem ties the curse-narrative (ch.9) directly to the Table of Nations.
7
υἱοὶ δὲ Χους· Σαβα καὶ Ευιλα καὶ Σαβαθα καὶ Ρεγμα καὶ Σαβακαθα. υἱοὶ δὲ Ρεγμα· Σαβα καὶ Δαιδαν.
And the sons of Cush: Seba and Havilah and Sabtah and Raamah and Sabteca. And the sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan.
The verse contains two sub-lists: Cush's five sons, then Raamah's two sons. The names Σαβα and Δαιδαν (Sheba and Dedan) appear again in the Shem-line (v.28), a duplication that may reflect overlapping traditions about the Arabian peoples. Sheba and Dedan are well-attested north Arabian trading peoples in the prophetic literature.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (list-heading formula)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (list-heading formula).
δὲandpost-positive particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΧουςCushindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΧους: see v.6.
ΣαβαSebaindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΣαβα: transliteration of סְבָא; associated with Meroe/Nubia or south Arabia; to be distinguished from Σαβα (Sheba/Seba) of the Shem line (v.28), though the names overlap in tradition.
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΕυιλαHavilahindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΕυιλα: transliteration of חֲוִילָה; a region known for gold (Gen 2:11); the name appears in both the Ham and Shem genealogies (cf. v.29), suggesting the term covers a wide stretch of Arabia.
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαβαθαSabtahindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΣαβαθα: transliteration of סַבְתָּה; possibly Shabwat, capital of ancient Hadramawt (south Arabia); location uncertain.
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΡεγμαRaamahindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΡεγμα: transliteration of רַעְמָה; a trading city in southwestern Arabia (Ezek 27:22 — Raamah traded spices, precious stones, and gold with Tyre).
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαβακαθαSabtecaindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΣαβακαθα: transliteration of סַבְתְּכָא; possibly a south Arabian location; identification disputed.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (second sub-list within the verse)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (second sub-list within the verse).
δὲandpost-positive particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΡεγμαRaamahindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΡεγμα: see above.
ΣαβαShebaindeclinable proper noun, member of sub-list→ participant identificationΣαβα: in this sub-list = Sheba (שְׁבָא), the famous trading kingdom of south Arabia (1 Kgs 10 — the Queen of Sheba visits Solomon).
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΔαιδανDedanindeclinable proper noun, member of sub-list→ participant identificationΔαιδαν: transliteration of דְּדָן; a north Arabian trading people (Ezek 27:15, 20; Isa 21:13; Jer 49:8); the name appears in both the Ham and Shem lines (see v.28), evidence of the complexity of ancient Arabian ethnic memory.
8
Χους δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Νεβρωδ· οὗτος ἤρξατο εἶναι γίγας ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.
And Cush fathered Nimrod; he began to be a giant upon the earth.
The verse shifts from list-formula to narrative prose — the only proper narrative pericope in the chapter. The LXX's rendering ἤρξατο εἶναι γίγας ('began to be a giant') is exegetically significant: it explicitly makes Nimrod a γίγας, linking him to the γίγαντες of 6:4, whereas the Hebrew גִּבֹּר means only 'mighty man / warrior.' The LXX choice creates a theological thread connecting the post-flood Nimrod to the antediluvian giants.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ΧουςCushsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΧους: see v.6; Nimrod is son of Cush — this places a Mesopotamian power-figure within the Cushite/African genealogical line, a geographical tension that ancient interpreters tried to resolve by positing an Arabian Cush.
δὲandpost-positive particle (introducing special narrative entry)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγέννησενfathered / begatAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (genealogical begetting formula)→ constative aorist (single completed act of fathering)γεννάω: 'beget / father'; the standard genealogical verb in LXX Genesis; renders הוֹלִיד (Hiphil of יָלַד).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (marking a specific, notable individual)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΝεβρωδNimrodindeclinable proper noun, object of ἐγέννησεν→ participant identificationΝεβρωδ: LXX transliteration of נִמְרֹד; the name's etymology is disputed — the LXX form suggests a Hebrew root מָרַד ('rebel'), giving the popular etymology 'let us rebel.' Nimrod is the first empire-builder in Genesis, founding Babylon and the great Mesopotamian cities. Jewish tradition (e.g., Pseudo-Philo, Josephus, later midrash) expands his role as a rebel against God, making him the instigator of the Tower of Babel project. The LXX's γίγας identification amplifies his threatening stature.
οὗτοςthis one / heNominativesubject (demonstrative, resumptive: 'this one — Nimrod — began…')→ participant referenceοὗτος: the resumptive demonstrative signals that what follows is a special note about Nimrod specifically, not merely a continuation of the list.
ἤρξατοbeganAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἄρχωmain verb (inceptive auxiliary: 'began to be')→ ingressive aorist (onset of his giant-status / dominion)ἄρχω (mid.): 'begin'; the ingressive aorist ἤρξατο + infinitive is a classic inceptive construction; renders הֵחֵל (Hiphil of חָלַל, 'begin'); the incipit implies Nimrod was the first of a new type — the post-flood γίγας.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίcomplementary infinitive (with ἤρξατο)→ progressive/durative infinitive (ongoing state)εἰμί: 'be'; the infinitive εἶναι + predicate noun γίγας is a predicate-nominative construction with the infinitive as the linking verb — 'began to be [as] a giant.'
γίγαςgiantNominativepredicate nominative (with εἶναι: 'to be a giant')→ participant prominenceγίγας: 'giant'; renders Hebrew גִּבֹּר ('mighty warrior'), but the LXX chose γίγας — the same word used at 6:4 for the Nephilim/heroes born of the sons of God and daughters of men. This is a major interpretive move: the LXX makes Nimrod a representative of the giant-tradition, suggesting the γίγαντες-problem did not end with the flood. Later tradents (including Jubilees, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and early Christian writers) developed this connection.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (spatial: 'upon the earth')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (spatial: 'upon the earth').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive with ἐπί (spatial: 'upon the earth')→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth / land'; 'upon the earth' makes Nimrod's giant-stature a universal, not merely local, phenomenon.
9
οὗτος ἦν γίγας κυνηγὸς ἐναντίον κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ· διὰ τοῦτο ἐροῦσιν· Ὡς Νεβρωδ γίγας κυνηγὸς ἐναντίον κυρίου.
This one was a giant hunter before the Lord God; therefore they will say: 'Like Nimrod, a giant hunter before the Lord.'
The verse expands Nimrod's characterization with the double appellation γίγας κυνηγός ('giant hunter') and the phrase ἐναντίον κυρίου ('before the Lord'). The LXX adds τοῦ θεοῦ after κυρίου, making the divine reference doubly explicit. The proverbial formula (διὰ τοῦτο ἐροῦσιν) grounds the giant-hunter epithet in living popular speech — Nimrod became a byword.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
οὗτοςthis oneNominativesubject (demonstrative, resumptive)→ participant referenceοὗτος: meaning 'this one'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (demonstrative, resumptive).
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copulative-descriptive)→ imperfect of continuous state (Nimrod's enduring characterization)εἰμί: the imperfect ἦν vs. the aorist ἤρξατο of v.8 signals ongoing identity rather than a moment of beginning — 'was (by nature/reputation) a giant hunter.'
γίγαςgiantNominativepredicate nominative (first element of compound predicate)→ participant prominenceγίγας: see v.8; the repetition of γίγας from v.8 hammers home the connection to the antediluvian giant-tradition.
κυνηγὸςhunterNominativepredicate nominative (second element: 'giant hunter')→ participant prominenceκυνηγός: 'hunter' (lit. 'dog-leader,' from κύων + ἄγω); renders Hebrew צַיִד ('hunter / game'); in antiquity a skilled hunter was a figure of power and provision — but the phrase 'before the Lord' has an ambivalent force: does it mean 'renowned before God' (as a superlative) or 'in defiance of God'? The LXX leaves the tension open.
ἐναντίονbefore / in the face ofpreposition + genitive (relational: 'before the LORD')→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: 'before / in the presence of / in opposition to'; renders לִפְנֵי (panim, 'before the face of'); the phrase is ambiguous: it can mean 'in God's sight' (i.e., a superlative: 'a mighty hunter by God's reckoning') or 'against/in defiance of God.' Rabbinic and patristic tradition generally adopted the adversarial reading, connecting Nimrod's hunting prowess to political hubris and the Babel project.
κυρίουthe LordGenitivegenitive with ἐναντίον (object of the prepositional phrase)→ spatial or relational framingκύριος: LXX rendering of יהוה (Tetragrammaton); see Ruth 1:6 etc. for the convention. Here LXX adds τοῦ θεοῦ after κυρίου — a fuller divine name than the MT's לִפְנֵי יְהוָה alone.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive in apposition to κυρίου (LXX addition: 'the LORD God')→ relational specificationθεός: the LXX appends τοῦ θεοῦ here, making the formula 'before the Lord God' — a LXX-specific amplification not in the MT. It emphasizes the theological register of Nimrod's characterization.
διὰtherefore / because of thispreposition + accusative (causal/inferential: 'therefore')→ spatial or relational framingδιὰ: meaning 'therefore'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (causal/inferential: 'therefore').
τοῦτοthisAccusativeobject of διά (inferential formula: διὰ τοῦτο = 'therefore')→ participant referenceτοῦτο: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of διά (inferential formula: διὰ τοῦτο = 'therefore').
ἐροῦσινthey will sayFut Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (gnomic / proverbial future: 'people say / will say')→ gnomic future (ongoing proverbial use)λέγω: 'say'; the future ἐροῦσιν is gnomic-customary ('they say' as a proverb), not strictly future tense; the formula introduces a popular proverb crystallizing Nimrod's legendary status.
Ὡςlike / ascomparative particle (introducing the proverbial comparison)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; introduces the proverb — 'Like Nimrod, a giant hunter before the Lord' became a proverbial expression for a supremely bold or imposing hunter.
ΝεβρωδNimrodindeclinable proper noun, subject of the proverb→ participant identificationΝεβρωδ: see v.8; the name within the proverb — to be 'like Nimrod' was the supreme accolade (or, in the adversarial reading, a warning) for a powerful man.
γίγαςgiantNominativepredicate (within the proverb)→ participant prominenceγίγας: third occurrence in vv.8–9; the insistence marks this as a deliberate LXX theological linkage to 6:4.
κυνηγὸςhunterNominativepredicate (within the proverb: 'giant hunter')→ participant prominenceκυνηγός: see above; the proverbial form exactly repeats the characterization of the verse's opening clause, creating a stylistic echo (anaphora-like).
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive (relational: within the proverb)→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (relational: within the proverb).
κυρίουthe LordGenitivegenitive with ἐναντίον→ relational specificationκύριος: within the proverb the LXX does not repeat τοῦ θεοῦ — the proverb quotes the concise form from the MT, while the preceding narrative sentence added the LXX expansion.
10
καὶ ἐγένετο ἀρχὴ τῆς βασιλείας αὐτοῦ Βαβυλών καὶ Ορεχ καὶ Αρχαδ καὶ Χαλαννη ἐν τῇ γῇ Σεναρ.
And the beginning of his kingdom was Babylon and Erech and Accad and Calneh in the land of Shinar.
The καὶ ἐγένετο formula is the LXX's standard narrative opener (calquing Hebrew וַיְהִי). The verse maps Nimrod's empire in Mesopotamia: Babylon, Erech, Accad, and Calneh in Shinar. Βαβυλών (= בָּבֶל) is the LXX's standard rendering of Babel, anticipating the tower-narrative of ch.11 and making the connection between Nimrod's empire and the Babel event explicit.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοwas / came to beAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (existential / narrative formula)→ constative aorist (the established fact of Nimrod's kingdom)γίνομαι: 'become / come to be'; καὶ ἐγένετο calques וַיְהִי; here used existentially — 'the beginning of his kingdom came to be / was …'
ἀρχὴbeginning / startNominativesubject (of ἐγένετο)→ participant prominenceἀρχή: 'beginning / origin / rule'; renders רֵאשִׁית; the term implies both the start and the chief city of the kingdom.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλείαςkingdomGenitivegenitive of relationship (the beginning of his kingdom)→ relational specificationβασιλεία: 'kingdom / reign'; renders מַמְלָכָה; this is the first occurrence of 'kingdom' in Genesis — Nimrod is the first king mentioned in the Bible, the prototype of imperial power.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Nimrod's kingdom)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Nimrod's kingdom).
ΒαβυλώνBabylonindeclinable proper noun, predicate nominative (= the beginning of his kingdom)→ participant identificationΒαβυλών: the LXX's rendering of בָּבֶל (Babel); the Greek form Βαβυλών matches the Akkadian Bab-ilim ('gate of god/s') and is the standard LXX name for the city. The appearance here creates a direct link to 11:9 where בָּבֶל / Βαβυλών is named in the Babel narrative, suggesting the narrator presents Nimrod as the founder of that city and implicitly its tower project. Babylon becomes the symbolic capital of anti-God empire throughout the prophetic and apocalyptic tradition.
καὶandconnective (list of cities)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΟρεχErechindeclinable proper noun, member of city list→ participant identificationΟρεχ: transliteration of אֶרֶךְ; = Uruk (Sumerian Unug), one of the great city-states of ancient Sumer; modern Warka in southern Iraq; legendary home of the hero Gilgamesh.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑρχαδAccadindeclinable proper noun, member of city list→ participant identificationΑρχαδ: transliteration of אַכַּד; = Akkad, capital of Sargon of Akkad's empire (c. 2334–2279 BCE), the world's first known empire; the Akkadian language and civilization dominated the ancient Near East for two millennia.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΧαλαννηCalnehindeclinable proper noun, member of city list→ participant identificationΧαλαννη: transliteration of כַּלְנֵה; a Mesopotamian city; identification disputed (possibly Nippur, or a north Syrian site); appears as an arrogant power in Amos 6:2 and Isa 10:9.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: 'in the land of Shinar')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'in the land of Shinar').
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῇlandDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land'; renders אֶרֶץ.
ΣεναρShinarindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location ('land of Shinar')→ participant identificationΣεναρ: transliteration of שִׁנְעָר; = Sumer/Babylonia, the alluvial plain of southern Mesopotamia between the Tigris and Euphrates; the same geographical designation recurs at 11:2 in the Babel narrative: 'they traveled east and found a plain in Shinar' — the verbal link nails Nimrod's cities to the Babel site.
11
ἐκ τῆς γῆς ἐκείνης ἐξῆλθεν Ασσουρ καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν τὴν Νινευη καὶ τὴν Ροωβωθ πόλιν καὶ τὴν Χαλαχ
From that land Asshur went out and built Nineveh and the city Rehoboth-Ir and Calah,
The verse is a textual crux: the Hebrew can be read either as 'from that land he (Nimrod) went out into Asshur' or as 'from that land Asshur went out.' The LXX takes the latter reading (Ασσουρ as subject), making Asshur a distinct agent. The cities built — Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah — are the great cities of the later Assyrian empire, especially Nineveh (the capital of the Assyrian empire at its height under Sennacherib and Ashurbanipal).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἐκfrom / out ofpreposition + genitive (ablative: point of origin)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (ablative: point of origin).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive with ἐκ (ablative: 'from that land')→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; refers back to the land of Shinar mentioned in v.10.
ἐκείνηςthatGenitivegenitive demonstrative adjective (anaphoric: 'that [previously mentioned] land')→ relational specificationἐκεῖνος: 'that [over there / previously mentioned]'; anaphoric back-reference to Σεναρ of v.10.
ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (narrative action: migration/expansion)→ constative aorist (completed migration)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / depart'; renders יָצָא; in the LXX reading Asshur is the subject — he departs from Shinar to found the Assyrian heartland cities.
ΑσσουρAsshurindeclinable proper noun, subject of ἐξῆλθεν→ participant identificationΑσσουρ: transliteration of אַשּׁוּר; both the eponymous ancestor and the land of Assyria; a son of Shem (v.22), not Ham — yet he appears here in the Ham-Nimrod pericope because Asshur built Assyrian cities that Nimrod's kingdom (Shinar) expanded into. The text-critical ambiguity (subject vs. locative) is ancient.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ᾠκοδόμησενbuiltAor Act Indic 3 Sg · οἰκοδομέωmain verb (city-building action)→ constative aorist (completed building activity)οἰκοδομέω: 'build / construct'; renders בָּנָה; city-building is the mark of civilization and empire in Genesis (cf. Cain's city, 4:17; the Babel tower, 11:4–5).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (marking specific, famous city)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΝινευηNinevehindeclinable proper noun, object of ᾠκοδόμησεν→ participant identificationΝινευη: transliteration of נִינְוֵה; the great capital of the Assyrian empire, famous for its size ('three days' walk,' Jonah 3:3), its libraries (Ashurbanipal's library), and its eventual destruction in 612 BCE; subject of the book of Jonah and of Nahum's oracle of doom.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΡοωβωθRehoboth-Irindeclinable proper noun, object of ᾠκοδόμησεν→ participant identificationΡοωβωθ: transliteration of רְחֹבֹת; 'Rehoboth-Ir' = 'broad places / city-streets'; possibly a quarter of Nineveh rather than a separate city; location disputed.
πόλινcityAccusativeobject in apposition to Ροωβωθ (explaining it as a city)→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; the LXX renders עִיר with πόλιν here as a clarifying gloss on the proper name Ροωβωθ.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧαλαχCalahindeclinable proper noun, object of ᾠκοδόμησεν→ participant identificationΧαλαχ: transliteration of כָּלַח; = Kalhu (Nimrud), a major Assyrian city rebuilt by Ashurnasirpal II (c. 879 BCE) as his new capital; modern Tell Nimrud in northern Iraq — the modern Arabic name preserving the memory of Nimrod.
12
καὶ τὴν Δασεμ ἀνὰ μέσον Νινευη καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον Χαλαχ· αὕτη ἡ πόλις ἡ μεγάλη.
and Resen between Nineveh and Calah; that is the great city.
The verse completes the Nimrod/Asshur city-building sequence with Resen (Δασεμ) and the editorial note 'that is the great city' (αὕτη ἡ πόλις ἡ μεγάλη). The antecedent of αὕτη is disputed: does it refer to Resen, or to the whole complex of cities (Nineveh–Calah–Resen seen as one urban agglomeration)? The greatness epithet anticipates Nineveh's repeated characterization in the prophets and in Jonah.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandconnective (continuing v.11)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔασεμResenindeclinable proper noun, object of ᾠκοδόμησεν (carried from v.11)→ participant identificationΔασεμ: LXX transliteration of רֶסֶן; a city between Nineveh and Calah; location not certainly identified; the LXX form Δασεμ differs from expected *Ρεσεν, possibly reflecting a different Hebrew vocalization or transmission variant.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition + accusative (locative: ἀνὰ μέσον = 'between')→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: 'between' in the idiom ἀνὰ μέσον + genitive; a standard LXX locative idiom rendering בֵּין … וּבֵין.
μέσονmiddle / betweenAccusativeobject of ἀνά (idiomatic: 'between')→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as object of ἀνά (idiomatic: 'between').
ΝινευηNinevehindeclinable proper noun, first term of spatial relation→ participant identificationΝινευη: see v.11.
καὶandconnective (within the locative phrase 'between X and Y')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (second leg of the ἀνὰ μέσον … ἀνὰ μέσον construction)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (second leg of the ἀνὰ μέσον … ἀνὰ μέσον construction).
μέσονmiddleAccusativeobject of ἀνά→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as object of ἀνά.
ΧαλαχCalahindeclinable proper noun, second term of spatial relation→ participant identificationΧαλαχ: see v.11.
αὕτηthat / thisNominativesubject (demonstrative: identifying the great city)→ participant referenceοὗτος (fem. αὕτη): demonstrative identifying the referent of 'the great city'; the antecedent is ambiguous — Resen, or the whole Nineveh–Resen–Calah complex.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλιςcityNominativepredicate nominative (with αὕτη)→ participant prominenceπόλις: 'city'; the great city of the Assyrian empire; Nineveh is later described as 'exceedingly great' in Jonah 3:3 (πόλις μεγάλη τῷ θεῷ).
ἡtheNominativearticle (attributive)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μεγάληgreatNominativeattributive adjective (modifying πόλις: 'the great city')→ participant prominenceμέγας: 'great / large'; renders גְּדֹלָה; the 'great city' epithet elevates Nineveh/the Assyrian complex to a place of world-historical significance, making this brief genealogical note a preview of Assyria's imperial role in later biblical history.
13
καὶ Μεσραιμ ἐγέννησεν τοὺς Λουδιειμ καὶ τοὺς Νεφθαλιειμ καὶ τοὺς Ενεμετιειμ καὶ τοὺς Λαβιειμ
And Mizraim fathered the Ludim and the Naphtuhim and the Anamim and the Lehabim,
Μεσραιμ (= Egypt) generates a list of north-African or related peoples, most with the LXX –ειμ gentilic plural ending (transliterating Hebrew –ִים). The peoples correspond to groups living in or around Egypt: the Ludim (possibly Lydian/Libyan), Naphtuhim (lower Egypt or delta region), Anamim and Lehabim (Libya or Cyrene area).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΜεσραιμMizraim / Egyptsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΜεσραιμ: see v.6; Egypt as eponymous ancestor generating a genealogy of dependent peoples.
ἐγέννησενfatheredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (genealogical begetting formula)→ constative aoristγεννάω: see v.8.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with gentilic plural nouns)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΛουδιειμLudimindeclinable proper noun (gentilic plural), object of ἐγέννησεν→ participant identificationΛουδιειμ: transliteration of לוּדִים; the Ludim are a north African or Aegean people; to be distinguished from Lud son of Shem (v.22); associated with archers in Jer 46:9; Ezek 27:10.
καὶandconnective (list conjunction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΝεφθαλιειμNaphtuhimindeclinable proper noun (gentilic plural), object of ἐγέννησεν→ participant identificationΝεφθαλιειμ: transliteration of נַפְתֻּחִים; associated with lower (northern) Egypt; possibly related to Egyptian nȝ ptḥ ('of Ptah'), the region around Memphis.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΕνεμετιειμAnamimindeclinable proper noun (gentilic plural), object of ἐγέννησεν→ participant identificationΕνεμετιειμ: transliteration of עֲנָמִים; location and identification uncertain; possibly a Libyan or oasis people.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΛαβιειμLehabimindeclinable proper noun (gentilic plural), object of ἐγέννησεν→ participant identificationΛαβιειμ: transliteration of לְהָבִים; possibly the Libyans (cf. לוּב = Libya), or more specifically a Berber people west of Egypt.
14
καὶ τοὺς Νεφθαλιειμ καὶ τοὺς Χασλωνιειμ, ὅθεν ἐξῆλθον ἐκεῖθεν Φυλιστιιμ, καὶ τοὺς Καφθοριειμ.
and the Naphtuhim and the Casluhim, from whom the Philistines went out, and the Caphthorim.
The verse continues Mizraim's line with the Casluhim and Caphtorim, and inserts a parenthetical clause identifying the Philistines as coming from the Casluhim. The LXX renders the origin-clause with ὅθεν ἐξῆλθον ἐκεῖθεν, a characteristically Hebraizing redundancy ('from where they went out from there'). The Philistines (Φυλιστιιμ) are Israel's most persistent enemies in the period of the judges and early monarchy.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΝεφθαλιειμNaphtuhimindeclinable proper noun (gentilic plural), object of ἐγέννησεν (carried from v.13)→ participant identificationΝεφθαλιειμ: appears to be repeated from v.13 in the LXX (a textual variant or dittography not in the MT), or the LXX includes an additional entry; see v.13.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧασλωνιειμCasluhimindeclinable proper noun (gentilic plural), object of ἐγέννησεν→ participant identificationΧασλωνιειμ: transliteration of כַּסְלֻחִים; the people from whom the Philistines derived according to this text; location disputed (possibly a coastal or island people of the eastern Mediterranean).
ὅθενfrom where / from whomrelative adverb (causal-source: 'from which people')→ clausal contributionὅθεν: 'whence / from where'; introduces the parenthetical ethnographic note; the Hebraizing redundancy ὅθεν … ἐκεῖθεν ('from where … from there') calques the Hebrew אֲשֶׁר … מִשָּׁם.
ἐξῆλθονwent out / originatedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb of parenthetical clause (ethnographic origin-note)→ constative aorist (completed historical emergence of the Philistines)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / emerge'; the verb frames the Philistines' origin as an emigration from the Casluhim, giving an etiological explanation of their presence in Canaan.
ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (redundant Hebraism: ὅθεν … ἐκεῖθεν)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there'; the pleonastic ὅθεν … ἐκεῖθεν calques the Hebrew idiom מֵאֲשֶׁר מִשָּׁם — a Hebraizing double marker of source.
ΦυλιστιιμPhilistinessubject of ἐξῆλθον (indeclinable gentilic name)→ participant identificationΦυλιστιιμ: transliteration of פְּלִשְׁתִּים; the Philistines, the sea-peoples who settled the coastal plain of Canaan (Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, Ekron) c. 1200 BCE; Israel's archetypal adversary in Judges and Samuel.
καὶandconnective (resuming the list after the parenthesis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΚαφθοριειμCaphthorimindeclinable proper noun (gentilic plural), object of ἐγέννησεν→ participant identificationΚαφθοριειμ: transliteration of כַּפְתֹּרִים; Caphtor = Crete (or the Aegean islands), the homeland from which the Philistines also came according to Amos 9:7 and Deut 2:23; the interplay of Casluhim and Caphtorim as Philistine origins reflects complex traditions about the Sea Peoples' migration.
15
Χανααν δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Σιδῶνα πρωτότοκον αὐτοῦ καὶ τὸν Χετταῖον
And Canaan fathered Sidon his firstborn and the Hittite,
The Canaan genealogy is of particular theological weight for Israel: these are the peoples of the promised land whom Israel was to dispossess. Σιδών is listed as Canaan's firstborn — the great Phoenician port city. The list that follows catalogues the seven (or ten, depending on tradition) nations of Canaan.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ΧαναανCanaansubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΧανααν: see v.6; his descendants are the peoples of the promised land; the chapter maps their territory precisely in vv.19–20.
δὲandpost-positive particle (introducing new sub-section)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγέννησενfatheredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (genealogical begetting)→ constative aoristγεννάω: see v.8.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣιδῶναSidonAccusativeobject of ἐγέννησεν (partially declined Greek form of a Semitic name)→ object specificationΣιδών: the great Phoenician port city (modern Saida, Lebanon), here personified as Canaan's firstborn son; throughout the OT Sidon is paired with Tyre as the Phoenician cities par excellence (Isa 23; Ezek 28; Joel 3:4); Σιδών is declined in the accusative here (–ωνα), reflecting partial Hellenization of the name.
πρωτότοκονfirstbornAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Σιδῶνα (designating birth-order / status)→ object specificationπρωτότοκος: 'firstborn'; renders בְּכֹרוֹ ('his firstborn'); Sidon's priority within Canaan's line reflects its ancient prominence as the leading Phoenician city before Tyre's rise.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of relationship (Sidon as his — Canaan's — firstborn)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship (Sidon as his — Canaan's — firstborn).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Χετταῖονthe HittiteAccusativeobject of ἐγέννησεν (declined ethnic/gentilic name: 'Heth' personified)→ object specificationΧετταῖος: the Hittite; LXX renders חֵת (Heth) as Χετταῖος, a Hellenized gentilic adjective; the Hittites (or 'sons of Heth') appear in the patriarchal narratives as inhabitants of Hebron (Abraham buys the cave of Machpelah from them, Gen 23); not identical with the Anatolian Hittite empire, but a Canaanite group using the same name.
16
καὶ τὸν Ιεβουσαῖον καὶ τὸν Αμορραῖον καὶ τὸν Γεργεσαῖον
and the Jebusite and the Amorite and the Girgashite,
Three more descendants of Canaan — the Jebusite (inhabitants of Jerusalem before David), the Amorite (widespread highland Canaanites), and the Girgashite (less well-attested). The LXX renders these as declined Greek gentilic adjectives (–αῖος ending), not bare transliterations.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Ιεβουσαῖονthe JebusiteAccusativeobject of ἐγέννησεν (gentilic adjective declined in Greek)→ object specificationΙεβουσαῖος: renders יְבוּסִי; the Jebusites inhabited the Jebusite stronghold later called Jerusalem (Jebus, Judg 19:10–11); David captured it and made it his capital (2 Sam 5:6–9).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Αμορραῖονthe AmoriteAccusativeobject of ἐγέννησεν (gentilic adjective)→ object specificationΑμορραῖος: renders אֱמֹרִי; the Amorites were a widespread Canaanite-speaking people of the highlands; kings Sihon and Og whom Israel defeated east of the Jordan are called Amorite kings (Num 21:21–35); in broader usage 'Amorite' can stand for all Canaanite peoples.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Γεργεσαῖονthe GirgashiteAccusativeobject of ἐγέννησεν (gentilic adjective)→ object specificationΓεργεσαῖος: renders גִּרְגָּשִׁי; among the seven nations of Canaan listed in Deut 7:1; Ugaritic texts mention a grgsh clan, suggesting a historically real Canaanite group.
17
καὶ τὸν Ευαῖον καὶ τὸν Αρουκαῖον καὶ τὸν Ασεννναῖον
and the Hivite and the Arkite and the Sinite,
Three further Canaanite peoples: Hivite (associated with Shechem and the Gibeonites), Arkite (Tell Arqa in northern Lebanon), and Sinite (a northern Phoenician/Lebanese group). The list continues the systematic mapping of the pre-Israelite population of the land.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Ευαῖονthe HiviteAccusativeobject of ἐγέννησεν (gentilic adjective)→ object specificationΕυαῖος: renders חִוִּי; the Hivites appear in the Shechem narrative (Gen 34:2, Hamor is a Hivite), in the Gibeonite deception (Josh 9:7), and in the list of nations to be expelled (Deut 7:1); often associated with the Mount Hermon/Lebanon region (Judg 3:3).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Αρουκαῖονthe ArkiteAccusativeobject of ἐγέννησεν (gentilic adjective)→ object specificationΑρουκαῖος: renders עַרְקִי; the people of Arqa (Tell Arqa), a site in northern Lebanon north of Tripoli; a Phoenician/Aramaic border people.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Ασεννναῖονthe SiniteAccusativeobject of ἐγέννησεν (gentilic adjective)→ object specificationΑσενναῖος: renders סִינִי; identified with Sin (Sinna), a site in northern Lebanon (Strabo mentions Sinnes near Arqa); or possibly associated with the Sinaitic peninsula in an alternative tradition.
18
καὶ τὸν Αρουαδαῖον καὶ τὸν Σαμαραῖον καὶ τὸν Αμαθαῖον· καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα διεσπάρησαν αἱ φυλαὶ τῶν Χαναναίων.
and the Arvadite and the Zemarite and the Hamathite; and after these things the tribes of the Canaanites were scattered.
The final three descendants of Canaan (Arvad, Zemar, Hamath — all Phoenician/Syrian coastal cities) are followed by the first use of the scattering verb διεσπάρησαν in the chapter (distinct from the ἀφωρίσθησαν of v.5). The placement here — before the full closing formula of v.20 — provides a preview of the chapter's Leitwort and a link to the Babel narrative's κατεσκόρπισεν (11:8–9).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Αρουαδαῖονthe ArvaditeAccusativeobject of ἐγέννησεν (gentilic adjective)→ object specificationΑρουαδαῖος: renders עַרְוָדִי; the people of Arvad (modern Ruad Island off the Syrian coast), an important Phoenician maritime city-state (Ezek 27:8, 11).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Σαμαραῖονthe ZemariteAccusativeobject of ἐγέννησεν (gentilic adjective)→ object specificationΣαμαραῖος: renders צְמָרִי; the people of Sumur/Zemar, a Phoenician coast city north of Byblos; not to be confused with Samaria (Σαμάρεια).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Αμαθαῖονthe HamathiteAccusativeobject of ἐγέννησεν (gentilic adjective)→ object specificationΑμαθαῖος: renders חֲמָתִי; the people of Hamath (modern Hama, Syria), a major north Syrian city on the Orontes; the 'entrance of Hamath' marks the northern boundary of the promised land (Num 34:8; 1 Kgs 8:65).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (transitional: 'and after these things…')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal: 'after these things')→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (temporal: 'after these things').
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativeobject of μετά (temporal formula μετὰ ταῦτα = 'after this')→ object specificationταῦτα: meaning 'these things'; it serves as object of μετά (temporal formula μετὰ ταῦτα = 'after this').
διεσπάρησανwere scattered / dispersedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · διασπείρωmain verb (divine-passive: the scattering of the Canaanite tribes)→ constative aorist (completed dispersion)διασπείρω: 'scatter / disperse'; renders נָפֹץ (Niphal, 'be scattered'); this is the first occurrence of the root in the chapter; the same root closes the chapter in v.32 (διεσπάρησαν ἔθνη) and anticipates 11:8–9 (the Babel scattering). The diaspora-theme is the chapter's theological climax.
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φυλαὶtribesNominativesubject (of διεσπάρησαν)→ participant prominenceφυλή: 'tribe / clan'; the same term that appears in the closing formula of v.5 and v.32; forms the inclusio of the chapter's scattering-theme.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧαναναίωνCanaanitesGenitivegenitive of possession / relationship (the Canaanite tribes)→ relational specificationΧαναναῖος: 'Canaanite'; the gentilic of Χανααν; the reference to the Canaanite tribes being scattered is the Table's way of accounting for the diverse Canaanite peoples of the promised land whom Israel later encountered.
19
καὶ ἐγένοντο τὰ ὅρια τῶν Χαναναίων ἀπὸ Σιδῶνος ἕως ἐλθεῖν εἰς Γεραρα καὶ Γάζαν, ἕως ἐλθεῖν εἰς Σοδομα καὶ Γομορρα καὶ Αδαμα καὶ Σεβωιμ ἕως Δασα.
And the borders of the Canaanites were from Sidon until you come to Gerara and Gaza, until you come to Sodom and Gomorrah and Admah and Zeboiim, as far as Dasha.
The verse is the chapter's fullest geographical note, mapping Canaan's territory by its boundaries. The formula 'from X until you come to Y' (ἀπό … ἕως ἐλθεῖν εἰς) is a standard LXX territorial-boundary idiom. The appearance of Σοδομα and Γομορρα is theologically charged: these cities, later destroyed in ch.19, are here placed within the settled geography of Canaan — they are part of the created order before their judgment.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένοντοwere / came to beAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (existential: 'the borders were')→ constative aorist (the established territorial fact)γίνομαι: 'be / exist'; in the formula καὶ ἐγένοντο τὰ ὅρια the aorist describes the settled geographic reality of Canaan's land.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅριαborders / boundariesNominativesubject (of ἐγένοντο)→ participant prominenceὅριον: 'boundary / border territory'; renders גְּבוּל; the boundary description defines the extent of the land promised to Israel (a land to be taken from the Canaanites).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧαναναίωνCanaanitesGenitivegenitive of possession (the Canaanites' borders)→ relational specificationΧαναναῖος: see v.18.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (ablative: start of boundary)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (ablative: start of boundary).
ΣιδῶνοςSidonGenitivegenitive with ἀπό (northern boundary point)→ relational specificationΣιδών: the Phoenician port city (see v.15); mentioned first because it is Canaan's firstborn (v.15), and here it anchors the northern boundary of Canaanite territory.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + infinitive (limit of boundary: 'until you come to')→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / as far as'; with ἐλθεῖν (aorist infinitive) forms the boundary-formula ἕως ἐλθεῖν εἰς = 'as far as coming to / until you come to.'
ἐλθεῖνcoming / to comeAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιinfinitive (with ἕως: boundary formula 'until arriving at')→ constative aorist infinitive (goal of the trajectory)ἔρχομαι: 'come / go'; the aorist infinitive in the boundary formula is idiomatic — it renders the Hebrew עַד בֹּאֲךָ ('until your coming to').
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (terminus of movement)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (terminus of movement).
ΓεραραGerarindeclinable proper noun, object of εἰς→ participant identificationΓεραρα: transliteration of גְּרָר; a Philistine city south of Gaza where Abraham (Gen 20) and Isaac (Gen 26) sojourned; associated with the Negeb region.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΓάζανGazaAccusativeobject of εἰς (declined form: Gaza)→ object specificationΓάζα: the great southern Philistine city, declined in Greek (Γάζαν); at the southwestern extremity of Canaan; becomes a key city in the Samson narratives (Judg 16) and later Hellenistic history.
ἕωςuntilpreposition (second boundary formula: eastern boundary toward the cities of the plain)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: meaning 'until'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (second boundary formula: eastern boundary toward the cities of the plain).
ἐλθεῖνcomingAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιinfinitive (boundary formula)→ constative aorist infinitiveἔρχομαι: 'come'; the articular infinitive ἕως τοῦ ἐλθεῖν με ('until my coming') marks the endpoint of Saul's wait.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
ΣοδομαSodomindeclinable proper noun, object of εἰς→ participant identificationΣοδομα: transliteration of סְדֹם; the infamous city of the plain, destroyed by divine fire in Gen 19; its very mention here — in a neutral boundary description — is an anticipatory irony: the reader knows what fate awaits this city and the 'valley of Siddim' where it stood.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΓομορραGomorrahindeclinable proper noun, object of εἰς→ participant identificationΓομορρα: transliteration of עֲמֹרָה; paired with Sodom as the paradigmatic sinful cities throughout the prophets and NT (Isa 1:9; Matt 10:15; 2 Pet 2:6; Jude 7); the pairing Σοδομα καὶ Γομορρα becomes the fixed rhetorical couplet for divine judgment.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑδαμαAdmahindeclinable proper noun, object of εἰς→ participant identificationΑδαμα: transliteration of אַדְמָה; one of the five cities of the plain (Gen 14:2, 8); destroyed with Sodom (Deut 29:23); Hosea 11:8 uses Admah as a parallel to Sodom.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣεβωιμZeboiimindeclinable proper noun→ participant identificationΣεβωιμ: transliteration of צְבֹיִים; the fourth city of the plain, destroyed with Sodom (Deut 29:23); Neh 11:34 seems to preserve a different Zeboiim in Benjamin.
ἕωςas far aspreposition (final boundary marker)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: meaning 'as far as'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (final boundary marker).
ΔασαDasha / Lashaindeclinable proper noun, limit of boundary→ participant identificationΔασα: LXX transliteration of לָשַׁע (Lasha); a place at the southeastern boundary of Canaan, possibly Callirrhoe on the eastern shore of the Dead Sea; identified by Targum Pseudo-Jonathan with Banias (Caesarea Philippi) or with a hot spring near the Dead Sea.
20
οὗτοι υἱοὶ Χαμ ἐν ταῖς φυλαῖς αὐτῶν κατὰ γλώσσας αὐτῶν ἐν ταῖς χώραις αὐτῶν καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν αὐτῶν.
These are the sons of Ham, in their tribes, according to their languages, in their territories and in their nations.
The closing formula mirrors v.5 (end of Japheth section) but substitutes χώρα ('territory/country') for γῆ ('land'). The fourfold organization (tribes, languages, territories, nations) anchors each people-group in social, linguistic, and geographic categories. This refrain will be echoed at v.31 to close the Shem section.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
οὗτοιtheseNominativesubject (demonstrative pronoun, summary reference)→ participant referenceοὗτοι: meaning 'these'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (demonstrative pronoun, summary reference).
υἱοὶsonsNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as predicate nominative.
ΧαμHamindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΧαμ: see vv.1, 6.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere: 'in their tribes')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere: 'in their tribes').
ταῖςtheirDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φυλαῖςtribesDativedative of sphere (tribal organization)→ sphere or referenceφυλή: see v.5; the refrain element.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard of organization)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (standard of organization).
γλώσσαςlanguagesAccusativeobject of κατά (linguistic criterion)→ object specificationγλῶσσα: see v.5.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; 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).
ταῖςtheirDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χώραιςterritories / regionsDativedative of place (territorial organization; cf. γῇ at v.5)→ sphere or referenceχώρα: 'land / region / country'; slightly broader than γῆ ('earth/land') — used here and at v.31 in the Shem refrain; the variation from v.5's γῆ may be stylistic or reflect different source materials.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative.
τοῖςtheirDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔθνεσινnationsDativedative of sphere (national organization)→ sphere or referenceἔθνος: see v.5.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
21
καὶ τῷ Σημ ἐγενήθη καί αὐτῷ, πατρὶ πάντων τῶν υἱῶν Εβερ, ἀδελφῷ Ιαφεθ τοῦ μείζονος.
And to Shem also, the father of all the sons of Eber, the elder brother of Japheth — sons were born.
The Shem section begins with a distinctive honorific not given to Ham or Japheth: Shem is πατὴρ πάντων τῶν υἱῶν Εβερ ('father of all the sons of Eber'). This flags the Eber line as theologically primary — from Eber descend the Hebrews (Ἑβραῖοι). The phrase 'elder brother of Japheth' (ἀδελφῷ Ιαφεθ τοῦ μείζονος) clarifies birth order: Shem is the eldest son of Noah, though his genealogy is listed last.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the Shem section)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtoDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣημShemdative indirect object of ἐγενήθη (sons were born to Shem)→ participant identificationΣημ: see v.1; the eldest son of Noah and ancestor of the Semitic peoples; his line includes the patriarchal family from which Abraham will descend (see the Shem genealogy of 11:10–26).
ἐγενήθηwere bornAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (existential-passive: sons were born)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: the singular ἐγενήθη (agreeing with an implied singular subject) introduces the Shem genealogy; the phrasing καί αὐτῷ echoes v.1's 'sons were born to them.'
καίalsoadverbial particle ('also': Shem also received sons, just as Ham and Japheth did)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: meaning 'also'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of advantage (redundant resumptive: 'to him also')→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (redundant resumptive: 'to him also').
πατρὶfatherDativedative in apposition to Σημ / τῷ Σημ (honorific title in apposition)→ sphere or referenceπατήρ: 'father'; the honorific πατὴρ πάντων τῶν υἱῶν Εβερ elevates Shem to patriarchal status within the genealogy, foregrounding the theological importance of the Eber line.
πάντωνallGenitivegenitive of scope (father of all the sons of Eber)→ relational specificationπάντων: meaning 'all'; it serves as genitive of scope (father of all the sons of Eber).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationυἱῶν: meaning 'sons'; it serves as genitive of relationship.
ΕβερEberindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship (sons of Eber)→ participant identificationΕβερ: transliteration of עֵבֶר; from עָבַר ('cross over / pass through'); the eponymous ancestor of the Ἑβραῖοι (Hebrews); Eber appears in the genealogy at v.24 as son of Shelah and grandson of Arphaxad; the honorific 'father of all the sons of Eber' makes Shem the primogenitor of the Hebrew people in a special theological sense.
ἀδελφῷbrotherDativedative in apposition to Σημ (second honorific title)→ sphere or referenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; the phrase ἀδελφῷ Ιαφεθ τοῦ μείζονος clarifies the birth-order question: Shem is the elder brother of Japheth.
ΙαφεθJaphethindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship (Shem's brother)→ participant identificationΙαφεθ: see v.1.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μείζονοςelder / greaterGenitivegenitive adjective in apposition to Ιαφεθ (or to Σημ — the syntax is ambiguous)→ relational specificationμείζων: comparative of μέγας, 'greater / elder'; the referent is ambiguous: is Shem the elder brother of Japheth, or is Japheth the elder? Most interpreters read τοῦ μείζονος as referring to Shem (i.e., 'Japheth the younger / Shem who is the elder'), though the Greek syntax allows the opposite reading. The LXX preserves the ambiguity of the Hebrew.
22
υἱοὶ Σημ· Αιλαμ καὶ Ασσουρ καὶ Αρφαξαδ καὶ Λουδ καὶ Αραμ καὶ Καιναν.
The sons of Shem: Elam and Asshur and Arphaxad and Lud and Aram and Kenan.
Shem's six sons correspond to major Semitic-speaking peoples: Elam (southwest Iran), Asshur (Assyria), Arphaxad (the line to Abraham), Lud (Lydians?), Aram (Arameans/Syria), and Κανάν (LXX adds Καιναν, not in the MT at this point — it appears in the LXX genealogy as a second Cainan between Arphaxad and Shelah, cf. Luke 3:36). The LXX here lists six sons against the MT's five, the additional Καιναν being the famous LXX variant.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (predicate nominative, list-heading formula)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (predicate nominative, list-heading formula).
ΣημShemindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΣημ: see v.1.
ΑιλαμElamindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΑιλαμ: transliteration of עֵילָם; the region of Elam (southwest Iran, capital Susa); an ancient civilization rivaling Mesopotamia; Elamites are present at Pentecost (Acts 2:9).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑσσουρAsshurindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΑσσουρ: Assyria, listed here as a son of Shem (cf. vv.11–12 where Asshur builds the Assyrian cities — hence the text-critical ambiguity discussed at v.11).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑρφαξαδArphaxadindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΑρφαξαδ: transliteration of אַרְפַּכְשַׁד; the ancestor of the patriarchal line through Shelah, Eber, Peleg, and eventually Abraham (Gen 11:10–26); the etymology is uncertain (Chaldeans? Urartians? Arrapachitis?). The LXX genealogy in Gen 11 inserts a second Cainan (Καιναν) as son of Arphaxad, which accounts for the additional generation in Luke 3:36.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΛουδLudindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΛουδ: transliteration of לוּד; distinct from the Hamite Λουδιειμ (v.13); associated with Lydia (Luddu in Assyrian texts), a western Anatolian kingdom famous for its gold and coinage, and for Croesus.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑραμAramindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΑραμ: transliteration of אֲרָם; the Arameans of Syria; Aramaic became the lingua franca of the Near East from the 8th c. BCE onward; the patriarchs are called 'wandering Arameans' (Deut 26:5); the ancestor of the Aramean kingdoms of Damascus, Zobah, and Paddan-aram (where Laban lives).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΚαινανKenan / Cainanindeclinable proper noun, member of list (LXX addition)→ participant identificationΚαιναν: a significant LXX variant — the MT does not include a Cainan in Shem's son-list at this point, but the LXX adds him both here (v.22) and in the Gen 11 genealogy as a generation between Arphaxad and Shelah. Luke 3:36 follows the LXX: 'the son of Arphaxad, the son of Cainan' — this LXX Kenan is the basis for the extra generation in Luke's genealogy of Jesus, absent from Matthew's (Matt 1:3–6 does not include him). The origin of the LXX's Cainan remains uncertain: it may reflect an independent Hebrew tradition, a scribal confusion with the antediluvian Cainan (Gen 5:9–14), or a theologically motivated harmonization.
23
υἱοὶ δὲ Αραμ· Ους καὶ Ουλ καὶ Γαθερ καὶ Μοσοχ.
And the sons of Aram: Uz and Hul and Gether and Meshech.
Aram's four sons represent Aramean sub-groups. Ους (Uz) is notable as the homeland of Job (Job 1:1 — 'in the land of Uz'); the other three are less prominent.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (list-heading formula)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (list-heading formula).
δὲandpost-positive particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑραμAramindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΑραμ: see v.22.
ΟυςUzindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant referenceΟυς: transliteration of עוּץ; the land of Uz is the setting of the book of Job (Job 1:1); associated with the Aramean/Arabian borderlands east of Israel.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΟυλHulindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΟυλ: transliteration of חוּל; possibly a region in southern Armenia or northern Syria; uncertain identification.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΓαθερGetherindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΓαθερ: transliteration of גֶּתֶר; uncertain identification; some associate it with a region in northern Mesopotamia.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΜοσοχMeshech / Mashindeclinable proper noun, member of list→ participant identificationΜοσοχ: LXX renders מַשׁ (MT) as Μοσοχ (also the form for Meshech son of Japheth, v.2); the MT of 1 Chr 1:17 reads מֶשֶׁךְ; the LXX's Μοσοχ here creates an apparent duplication with v.2's Japhethite Μοσοχ — a name shared by different traditions or a scribal assimilation.
24
καὶ Αρφαξαδ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Καιναν, καὶ Καιναν ἐγέννησεν τὸν Σαλα, καὶ Σαλα ἐγέννησεν τὸν Εβερ.
And Arphaxad fathered Kenan, and Kenan fathered Shelah, and Shelah fathered Eber.
The verse traces the three-generation descent from Arphaxad to Eber. Note the LXX's extra Καιναν generation (absent in the MT here, but present in LXX Gen 11:12–13 and Luke 3:36). Εβερ is the goal of the chain — the eponymous ancestor of the Hebrews — making this the most theologically weighted genealogical sequence in the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑρφαξαδArphaxadsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑρφαξαδ: see v.22.
ἐγέννησενfatheredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (genealogical begetting, first link in chain)→ constative aoristγεννάω: see v.8.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΚαινανKenan / Cainanobject of ἐγέννησεν (first)→ participant identificationΚαιναν: the LXX-specific Cainan (see v.22 note); not present in the MT of Gen 10:24, but present in the LXX and echoed in Luke 3:36. The additional generation places the Arphaxad-to-Eber chain one step further from Noah than the MT reckons.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (chaining the genealogy)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΚαινανKenansubject (second link: Kenan → Shelah)→ participant identificationΚαιναν: see above.
ἐγέννησενfatheredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (second genealogical link)→ constative aoristγεννάω: see v.8.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαλαShelahobject of ἐγέννησεν (second)→ participant identificationΣαλα: transliteration of שֶׁלַח; appears in the genealogy of Gen 11:13–15 as ancestor of Eber; etymology disputed ('dart / branch?').
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαλαShelahsubject (third link: Shelah → Eber)→ participant identificationΣαλα: see above.
ἐγέννησενfatheredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (third genealogical link)→ constative aoristγεννάω: see v.8.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΕβερEberobject of ἐγέννησεν (goal of the genealogical chain)→ participant identificationΕβερ: see v.21; the climax of this sub-chain — the eponymous ancestor of the Hebrews; the chain Arphaxad → (Kenan →) Shelah → Eber → Peleg → … → Abraham is the backbone of the Semitic/Abrahamic genealogy.
25
καὶ τῷ Εβερ ἐγενήθησαν δύο υἱοί· ὄνομα τῷ ἑνὶ Φαλεκ, ὅτι ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις αὐτοῦ διεμερίσθη ἡ γῆ, καὶ ὄνομα τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ Ιεκταν.
And to Eber were born two sons; the name of the one was Peleg, because in his days the earth was divided, and the name of his brother was Joktan.
The chapter's second narrative digression (after the Nimrod pericope) and its only explicit etymology: Φαλεκ (Peleg) is named because ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις αὐτοῦ διεμερίσθη ἡ γῆ ('in his days the earth was divided'). The LXX renders the name-wordplay on פֶּלֶג / פָּלַג ('divide / split') accurately with διαμερίζω. This division is most naturally linked to the Babel scattering event of ch.11, placing Peleg as a chronological marker for that defining moment in human history.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtoDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΕβερEberdative indirect object of ἐγενήθησαν (sons born to Eber)→ participant identificationΕβερ: see vv.21, 24.
ἐγενήθησανwere bornAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (existential-passive: births)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: see v.1.
δύοtwonumeral adjective (modifying υἱοί)→ measure or countδύο: meaning 'two'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
υἱοίsonsNominativesubject (of ἐγενήθησαν)→ participant prominenceυἱοί: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (of ἐγενήθησαν).
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject of implied ἦν (name-giving formula: 'the name to the one was…')→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the name-giving formula ὄνομα τῷ ἑνί = 'the name to/of the one was…' is a Hebraism (שֵׁם הָאֶחָד); names in Genesis often carry etiological weight.
τῷto / ofDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑνὶthe oneDativedative of reference (the one son)→ sphere or referenceεἷς: 'one'; in the formula ὄνομα τῷ ἑνί … ὄνομα τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ — the two-son contrast structure is typical of Genesis name-giving sequences (cf. Jacob / Esau, Perez / Zerah).
ΦαλεκPelegpredicate (the name = Peleg)→ participant identificationΦαλεκ: transliteration of פֶּלֶג; from פָּלַג ('split / divide'); the LXX renders the etymology with διαμερίζω ('divide') — an accurate word-play on the Hebrew root; Peleg represents the moment of geographical-linguistic fragmentation (the Babel event of ch.11).
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (introducing the name-etymology)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / that'; in the name-etymology formula ὅτι always introduces the reason for the name (cf. Gen 4:25; 5:29; 11:9).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal: 'in his days')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal: 'in his days').
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραιςdaysDativedative of time (temporal: 'in the days of him')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the temporal phrase 'in his days' anchors the Babel event to a specific generation within the Shem genealogy.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
διεμερίσθηwas dividedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · διαμερίζωmain verb of causal clause (divine-passive: God divides the earth)→ constative aorist (the completed division of humanity at Babel)διαμερίζω: 'divide / distribute / apportion'; renders נִפְלְגָה (Niphal of פָּלַג); the passive voice implies divine agency — the division is not merely human but providentially ordered; the same verb is used in Acts 2:3 for the divided tongues of fire at Pentecost, which reverses the Babel division.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆearth / landNominativesubject of διεμερίσθη→ participant prominenceγῆ: 'earth'; the division of γῆ here refers to the division of humanity across the earth (a national-geographic division), not a geological splitting; the Hebrew אֶרֶץ has the same ambiguity.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the second son)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄνομαnameNominativesubject of name-giving formula (second son)→ participant prominenceὄνομα: meaning 'name'; it serves as subject of name-giving formula (second son).
τοῦofGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivegenitive of relationship (Peleg's brother)→ relational specificationἀδελφός: 'brother'; Joktan is identified as Peleg's brother, and his descendants (vv.26–29) represent the southern Arabian peoples.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ΙεκτανJoktanpredicate (the name = Joktan)→ participant identificationΙεκταν: transliteration of יָקְטָן; the ancestor of the south Arabian peoples (vv.26–29); the name may be related to Arabic yaqtan ('to be small / diminish'); his thirteen sons (vv.26–29) correspond to south Arabian tribes and regions.
26
Ιεκταν δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ελμωδαδ καὶ τὸν Σαλεφ καὶ τὸν Ασαρμωθ καὶ τὸν Ιαρα
And Joktan fathered Almodad and Sheleph and Hazarmaveth and Jerah,
Joktan's thirteen sons (vv.26–29) form the longest son-list in the chapter and correspond to south Arabian peoples and tribes. The names are primarily attested in ancient south Arabian inscriptions and in place-names of the Arabian Peninsula. This list signals the extent of 'Semitic' territory southward into Arabia.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ΙεκτανJoktansubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙεκταν: see v.25.
δὲandpost-positive particle (introducing Joktan's sub-list)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγέννησενfatheredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (genealogical begetting)→ constative aoristγεννάω: see v.8.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΕλμωδαδAlmodadobject of ἐγέννησεν, member of list→ participant identificationΕλμωδαδ: transliteration of אַלְמוֹדָד; a south Arabian people; etymology uncertain ('God is a friend'?).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαλεφShelephobject of ἐγέννησεν, member of list→ participant identificationΣαλεφ: transliteration of שָׁלֶף; associated with a south Arabian tribe (Salafites?).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑσαρμωθHazarmavethobject of ἐγέννησεν, member of list→ participant identificationΑσαρμωθ: transliteration of חֲצַרְמָוֶת ('court of death'); = Hadhramawt, the famous south Arabian region (modern Yemen/Hadramawt); attested in ancient south Arabian inscriptions as H. ḍrmwt.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙαραJerahobject of ἐγέννησεν, member of list→ participant identificationΙαρα: transliteration of יָרַח ('moon'); a south Arabian tribe connected with moon-worship; cf. the Sabaean moon-god Almaqah.
27
καὶ τὸν Δωδανιμ καὶ τὸν Αιζαλ καὶ τὸν Δεκλα
and Hadoram and Uzal and Diklah,
Three more Joktanite sons: Hadoram, Uzal, and Diklah. Αιζαλ (Uzal) is associated with Sanaa, the capital of Yemen. The short verse continues the Arabian name-parade.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔωδανιμHadoramobject of ἐγέννησεν, member of list→ participant identificationΔωδανιμ: LXX transliteration of הֲדוֹרָם (Hadoram); a south Arabian tribe; the LXX form Δωδανιμ is unusual and may reflect a variant Hebrew text.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑιζαλUzalobject of ἐγέννησεν, member of list→ participant identificationΑιζαλ: transliteration of אוּזָל; traditionally identified with Sanaa (the capital of Yemen, ancient name Awzal/Azal); Ezek 27:19 mentions Uzal as a trading partner of Tyre.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΔεκλαDiklahobject of ἐγέννησεν, member of list→ participant identificationΔεκλα: transliteration of דִּקְלָה; possibly related to the Arabic word for date-palm (daqal); an unidentified south Arabian location.
28
καὶ τὸν Αβιμεηλ καὶ τὸν Σαβευ
and Abimael and Sheba,
Αβιμεηλ and Σαβευ (Sheba) continue the south Arabian list. Sheba appearing here (as a Joktanite) alongside the Hamite Sheba (v.7, son of Raamah) illustrates the complex overlapping traditions about the Arabian peoples in the Table of Nations.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβιμεηλAbimaelobject of ἐγέννησεν, member of list→ participant identificationΑβιμεηλ: transliteration of אֲבִימָאֵל ('my father is God' or 'God is my father'); a south Arabian tribe name; attested in epigraphic Sabaean.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαβευShebaobject of ἐγέννησεν, member of list→ participant identificationΣαβευ: transliteration of שְׁבָא; = Sheba, the south Arabian kingdom famous for spices, gold, and the Queen of Sheba (1 Kgs 10); appears here as a Joktanite Semite, and also as a Hamite son of Raamah (v.7) — the two traditions are often treated as representing different branches of the Sabaean people.
29
καὶ τὸν Ουφιρ καὶ τὸν Ευιλα καὶ τὸν Ιωβαβ· πάντες οὗτοι υἱοὶ Ιεκταν.
and Ophir and Havilah and Jobab; all these were the sons of Joktan.
The final three Joktanite sons — Ophir, Havilah, Jobab — are named and the sub-list is closed with 'all these were the sons of Joktan.' Ουφιρ (Ophir) is famous as the distant source of Solomon's gold (1 Kgs 9:28; 10:11; Ps 45:9).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΟυφιρOphirobject of ἐγέννησεν, member of list→ participant identificationΟυφιρ: transliteration of אוֹפִיר; the legendary land of gold, reached by Solomon's merchant fleet from Ezion-geber (1 Kgs 9:28); location debated — candidates include southwest Arabia (Yemen), east Africa (Somalia/Zimbabwe), or India; 'gold of Ophir' became a byword for the finest gold (Job 28:16; Isa 13:12).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΕυιλαHavilahobject of ἐγέννησεν, member of list→ participant identificationΕυιλα: transliteration of חֲוִילָה; appears also in the Cushite line (v.7); here a Joktanite Semitic people; Havilah is known for gold and precious stones (Gen 2:11–12).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙωβαβJobabobject of ἐγέννησεν, member of list→ participant identificationΙωβαβ: transliteration of יוֹבָב; a south Arabian tribe; some ancient traditions (LXX additions to Job) identified Jobab with Job himself — 'and Jobab who is called Job' appears in LXX Job 42:17 as a legendary identification.
πάντεςallNominativesubject (adjective used substantively: 'all these')→ participant prominenceπάντες: meaning 'all'; it serves as subject (adjective used substantively: 'all these').
οὗτοιtheseNominativesubject (demonstrative, closing summary formula)→ participant prominenceοὗτοι: meaning 'these'; it serves as subject (demonstrative, closing summary formula).
υἱοὶsonsNominativepredicate nominative (with πάντες οὗτοι as subject)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as predicate nominative (with πάντες οὗτοι as subject).
ΙεκτανJoktanindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship (sons of Joktan)→ participant identificationΙεκταν: see v.25; the sub-list summary closes the Joktanite branch.
30
καὶ ἐγένετο ἡ κατοίκησις αὐτῶν ἀπὸ Μασση ἕως ἐλθεῖν εἰς Σωφηρα, ὄρος ἀνατολῶν.
And their dwelling was from Mesha until you come to Sephar, a mountain of the east.
The geographical frame for the Joktanite peoples: from Mesha (northwest Arabia) to Sephar (east Arabia, possibly Ẓafar in Hadramawt). The phrase ὄρος ἀνατολῶν ('mountain of the east') locates this as a far eastern territory in the ancient world-view. The brief geographical note mirrors the more elaborate boundary description of Canaan in v.19.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοwas / came to beAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (existential: 'their dwelling was')→ constative aoristγίνομαι: see v.10.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατοίκησιςdwelling / settlementNominativesubject (of ἐγένετο)→ participant prominenceκατοίκησις: 'dwelling / habitation'; renders מוֹשָׁב; the term describes the territorial settlement pattern of the Joktanite peoples.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (ablative: start of range)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (ablative: start of range).
ΜασσηMeshaindeclinable proper noun, object of ἀπό (western boundary)→ participant identificationΜασση: transliteration of מֵשָׁא; a location in northwest Arabia; possibly Mash'al or a region in the Hejaz.
ἕωςuntil / as far aspreposition (boundary formula: ἕως ἐλθεῖν εἰς)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: meaning 'until'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (boundary formula: ἕως ἐλθεῖν εἰς).
ἐλθεῖνcoming / to comeAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιinfinitive (boundary formula)→ constative aorist infinitiveἔρχομαι: 'come'; the articular infinitive ἕως τοῦ ἐλθεῖν με ('until my coming') marks the endpoint of Saul's wait.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (terminus)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (terminus).
ΣωφηραSepharindeclinable proper noun, eastern boundary→ participant identificationΣωφηρα: transliteration of סְפָרָה; possibly Ẓafar in south Arabia (ancient capital of Himyar, modern Yemen); or related to Arabic Ṣafar; the 'mountain of the east' confirms an eastern Arabian or south Arabian location.
ὄροςmountainNominativesubject in apposition (describing Σωφηρα: 'a mountain of the east')→ participant prominenceὄρος: 'mountain / hill'; the description ὄρος ἀνατολῶν ('mountain of the east') locates Sephar in the eastern reaches of the ancient world-map — the far edge of the Joktanites' territory.
ἀνατολῶνof the eastGenitivegenitive of location (eastern direction)→ relational specificationἀνατολή: 'rising / east'; renders קֶדֶם ('east / ancient times'); 'mountain of the east' — the phrase ὄρος ἀνατολῶν frames the Joktanite heartland as the distant east, the far edge of the known world.
31
οὗτοι υἱοὶ Σημ ἐν ταῖς φυλαῖς αὐτῶν κατὰ γλώσσας αὐτῶν ἐν ταῖς χώραις αὐτῶν καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν αὐτῶν.
These are the sons of Shem, in their tribes, according to their languages, in their territories and in their nations.
The closing formula for the Shem section is identical to that of the Ham section (v.20), using the same fourfold taxonomy: tribes, languages, territories, nations. Together with v.5 (Japheth refrain) and v.32 (whole-chapter summary), these three formulae give the chapter its rhythmic, liturgical structure.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
οὗτοιtheseNominativesubject (demonstrative pronoun)→ participant referenceοὗτοι: meaning 'these'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (demonstrative pronoun).
υἱοὶsonsNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as predicate nominative.
ΣημShemindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΣημ: see v.1.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
ταῖςtheirDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φυλαῖςtribesDativedative of sphere→ sphere or referenceφυλή: see vv.5, 18, 32.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (standard).
γλώσσαςlanguagesAccusativeobject of κατά→ object specificationγλῶσσα: see v.5.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνinpreposition + dative→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative.
ταῖςtheirDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χώραιςterritoriesDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceχώρα: see v.20.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative.
τοῖςtheirDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔθνεσινnationsDativedative of sphere→ sphere or referenceἔθνος: see v.5.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
32
αὗται αἱ φυλαὶ υἱῶν Νωε κατὰ γενέσεις αὐτῶν κατὰ ἔθνη αὐτῶν· ἀπὸ τούτων διεσπάρησαν ἔθνη ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς μετὰ τὸν κατακλυσμόν.
These are the tribes of the sons of Noah according to their generations, according to their nations; from these the nations were scattered over the earth after the flood.
The chapter's final verse is its theological climax and structural close. αὗται αἱ φυλαί directly echoes αὗται αἱ γενέσεις of v.1, forming a tight envelope-structure. The diaspora-formula ἀπὸ τούτων διεσπάρησαν ἔθνη ('from these the nations were scattered') in its fullest form — adding ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ('upon the earth') and μετὰ τὸν κατακλυσμόν ('after the flood') — provides the narrative rationale for the Babel story that follows immediately in ch.11. The nations exist, they are many, they occupy all the earth — and their story of proud city-building and linguistic fragmentation is the subject of the very next chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
αὗταιtheseNominativesubject (demonstrative pronoun, toledoth-close echo of v.1)→ participant referenceοὗτος (fem. pl. αὗται): see v.1; the demonstrative closes the chapter exactly as it opened it — 'these are … the generations/tribes of Noah's sons.'
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φυλαὶtribesNominativepredicate nominative (with αὗται: 'these are the tribes')→ participant prominenceφυλή: the chapter's Leitwort in its final occurrence — φυλαί ('tribes') in v.32 corresponds to γενέσεις ('generations') in v.1, and the same word has recurred at vv.5, 18, 20, 31. The closing verse crowns the term with its most universal scope.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive of relationship (tribes of Noah's sons)→ relational specificationυἱῶν: meaning 'sons'; it serves as genitive of relationship (tribes of Noah's sons).
ΝωεNoahindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΝωε: see v.1; the structural echo with the opening verse is exact — αὗται αἱ γενέσεις τῶν υἱῶν Νωε (v.1) / αὗται αἱ φυλαὶ υἱῶν Νωε (v.32).
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard of organization)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (standard of organization).
γενέσειςgenerationsAccusativeobject of κατά (genealogical criterion)→ object specificationγένεσις: see v.1; the reappearance of this word in the closing formula creates a further verbal inclusio with v.1.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (second standard)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (second standard).
ἔθνηnationsAccusativeobject of κατά (national criterion)→ object specificationἔθνος: see vv.5, 20; the penultimate use in the chapter before the Leitmotiv diaspora-formula.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source: diaspora-formula)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: diaspora-formula).
τούτωνtheseGenitivegenitive of source (object of ἀπό: 'from these [peoples]')→ relational specificationτούτων: meaning 'these'; it serves as genitive of source (object of ἀπό: 'from these [peoples]').
διεσπάρησανwere scattered / dispersedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · διασπείρωmain verb (divine-passive: the providential scattering of the nations)→ constative aorist (the completed post-flood dispersion of humanity)διασπείρω: see v.18; the chapter's Leitmotiv verb in its climactic occurrence; the same root will echo in 11:8–9 (κατεσκόρπισεν / διέσπειρεν) where the Babel scattering receives its narrative explanation. The verb's passive voice here is theologically pointed — the scattering is providentially ordered, not merely an accident of human migration. This is the 'diaspora' in its etymological sense: the nations are dispersed across the earth as God's design.
ἔθνηnationsNominativesubject (of διεσπάρησαν)→ participant prominenceἔθνος: the final use of ἔθνη in the chapter — 'the nations were scattered'; all the peoples enumerated in the preceding 31 verses are gathered under this one noun as the subject of the diaspora-event.
ἐπὶupon / overpreposition + genitive (spatial: 'over the earth')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (spatial: 'over the earth').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive with ἐπί (spatial: 'over/upon the earth')→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth'; the universal scope — the nations are scattered not just in Canaan or Mesopotamia but ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, 'over all the earth'; this anticipates 11:4, 8–9 where the same phrase recurs.
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal: 'after the flood')→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (temporal: 'after the flood').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατακλυσμόνfloodAccusativeobject of μετά (temporal: post-flood scattering)→ object specificationκατακλυσμός: see v.1; the chapter began with the post-flood setting (μετὰ τὸν κατακλυσμόν, v.1) and ends with it, making the flood the temporal horizon that frames the entire Table of Nations. The repetition is exact: v.1's μετὰ τὸν κατακλυσμόν = v.32's μετὰ τὸν κατακλυσμόν — a perfect verbal inclusio across the whole chapter.