1
Καὶ κύριος ἐπεσκέψατο τὴν Σαρραν καθὰ εἶπεν, καὶ ἐποίησεν κύριος τῇ Σαρρᾳ καθὰ ἐλάλησεν.
And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had spoken.
The chapter opens with Hebraizing καί-parataxis. The double fulfillment formula — καθὰ εἶπεν / καθὰ ἐλάλησεν — frames the verse as promise-fulfillment pointing back to 18:10, 14 and the covenant of 17:19. The verb ἐπεσκέψατο is the chapter's theological keynote: a divine visitation that inaugurates the Abrahamic promise and becomes the vocabulary of Lucan eschatology.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: standard LXX rendering of the divine name יהוה (YHWH); the chapter opens with κύριος as the agent of the long-promised visitation (18:10, 14).
ἐπεσκέψατοvisitedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπισκέπτομαιmain verb→ constative aorist (single completed divine visitation)ἐπισκέπτομαι: 'visit / attend to'; renders Hebrew פקד (pāqad), the covenantal visitation verb. NT echo: Luke 1:68 (εὐλόγητος κύριος ὁ θεὸς τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, ὅτι ἐπεσκέψατο) and Luke 7:16 (ἐπεσκέψατο ὁ θεὸς τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ) both draw on this LXX formula. The divine visitation marks the narrative turning point toward which the whole Abram-Sarah story since 12:1–3 has been moving.
τὴν—Accusativearticle (direct object marker)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαρρανSarahAccusativedirect object (proper name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΣαρρα: LXX transliteration of Hebrew שרה (Śārāh = 'princess'); indeclinable; the name change from Σαραι was effected at Gen 17:15 LXX.
καθὰascomparative conjunction ('according as / just as')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθὰ: crasis of καθ᾿ ἅ = 'according to what'; renders Hebrew כאשר; the fulfillment formula καθὰ εἶπεν / καθὰ ἐλάλησεν is a Hebraism of standard biblical promise-fulfillment rhetoric.
εἶπενhe had saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb in comparative clause (refers back to 18:10, 14)→ constative aorist (referring to prior announcement)λέγω: 'say / speak'; the aorist looks back to the LORD's promise at 18:10, 14: κατὰ τὸν καιρὸν τοῦτον εἰς ὥρας ἕξει Σαρρα υἱόν.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (parallel second clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησενdidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (second clause)→ constative aorist (completed divine act)ποιέω: 'do / make / perform'; the pair εἶπεν / ἐποίησεν (said / did) is classic LXX promise-fulfillment rhetoric; cf. Num 23:19: ἐλάλησεν, οὐχὶ ποιήσει;
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject (repeated in second clause for emphasis)→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the LORD'; it serves as subject (repeated in second clause for emphasis).
τῇ—Dativearticle with dative (indirect object marker)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣαρρᾳSarahDativedative of advantage (indirect object: 'to/for Sarah')→ participant identificationΣαρρᾳ: dative form of the indeclinable proper name; marks Sarah as the recipient of the divine act.
καθὰascomparative conjunction (parallel fulfillment formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθὰ: meaning 'as'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησενhe had spokenAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb in comparative clause→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak'; near-synonym of λέγω with emphasis on the act of utterance; the pair εἶπεν / ἐλάλησεν in v.1 is a Hebraizing synonymous parallelism calquing Hebrew אמר / דבר, underscoring the double fulfillment.
2
καὶ συλλαβοῦσα ἔτεκεν Σαρρα τῷ Αβρααμ υἱὸν εἰς τὸ γῆρας, εἰς τὸν καιρὸν καθὰ ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ κύριος.
And Sarah conceived and bore Abraham a son in his old age, at the appointed time as the LORD had spoken to him.
The καί-chain continues. The participle συλλαβοῦσα ('having conceived') names what was humanly impossible (18:11) as the antecedent act; ἔτεκεν gives the climactic event. The phrase εἰς τὸν καιρόν echoes the λμועד ('appointed time') of 18:14, marking this as a divinely scheduled birth.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (paratactic continuation)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συλλαβοῦσαhaving conceivedAor Act Part Nom Sg Fem · συλλαμβάνωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action: 'having conceived, she bore')→ inceptive aorist participle (onset of pregnancy)συλλαμβάνω: 'conceive / take'; the participle highlights the double miracle — first conception (previously impossible: 18:11, ἐξέλιπεν ... τῇ Σαρρᾳ), then birth. The same participle governs the annunciation to Mary at Luke 1:31 (συλλήμψῃ ἐν γαστρί).
ἔτεκενboreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίκτωmain verb→ constative aorist (single completed birth)τίκτω: 'give birth to / bear'; the birth of Isaac is the narrative climax toward which the whole Abram cycle since 12:1–3 has moved.
ΣαρραSarahNominativesubject (proper name, indeclinable, nominative by position)→ participant identificationΣαρρα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (proper name, indeclinable, nominative by position).
τῷtoDativearticle with dative (indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβρααμAbrahamDativedative of advantage (indirect object: 'to/for Abraham')→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: LXX form of Hebrew אברהם; the name change from Αβραμ ('exalted father') was made at 17:5 LXX; indeclinable.
υἱὸνa sonAccusativedirect object→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; the birth of the son (בן) fulfils the Abrahamic seed-promise of Gen 15:4; 17:19.
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (temporal: 'in his old age')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (temporal: 'in his old age').
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆραςold ageAccusativeaccusative of time ('in old age')→ object specificationγῆρας: 'old age'; neuter noun; renders Hebrew לזקניו; qualifies the miraculous character — the child born to a hundred-year-old father (v.5) and a ninety-year-old mother (17:17).
εἰςatpreposition + accusative (temporal: 'at the time')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (temporal: 'at the time').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καιρὸνappointed timeAccusativeaccusative of time→ object specificationκαιρός: 'appointed time / season'; renders Hebrew למועד; the term carries overtones of sacred assembly and covenantal appointment — cf. 17:21; 18:14 (κατὰ τὸν καιρὸν τοῦτον εἰς ὥρας).
καθὰascomparative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθὰ: meaning 'as'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησενhad spokenAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb in comparative clause→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak'; renders דִּבֶּר; 'all that the LORD spoke' refers to the ḥērem command of v. 3; the same verb recurs at vv. 16 (ἐλάλησεν κύριος).
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object (anaphoric: to Abraham)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (anaphoric: to Abraham).
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of comparative clause→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the LORD'; it serves as subject of comparative clause.
3
καὶ ἐκάλεσεν Αβρααμ τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ τοῦ γενομένου αὐτῷ, ὃν ἔτεκεν αὐτῷ Σαρρα, Ισαακ.
And Abraham called the name of his son who was born to him, whom Sarah bore him, Isaac.
The standard LXX naming formula ἐκάλεσεν τὸ ὄνομα records Abraham's fulfillment of the divine command of 17:19 (καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ισαακ). The two relative clauses — τοῦ γενομένου αὐτῷ and ὃν ἔτεκεν αὐτῷ Σαρρα — are formally redundant but rhetorically emphasize the double parentage of this child. The name Ισαακ is placed emphatically at the end of the verse.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάλεσενcalled / namedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb→ constative aorist (single naming act)καλέω: 'call / name'; the naming formula ἐκάλεσεν τὸ ὄνομα is the standard LXX birth-naming convention (cf. Gen 4:26; 11:9); Abraham performs the act commanded at 17:19.
ΑβρααμAbrahamNominativesubject (proper name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (proper name, indeclinable).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect object→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name'; the calling of a name (קרא שם) is the father's covenantal act; the name given was specified by divine command (17:19).
τοῦofGenitivearticle with genitive (of possession)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive of possession ('the name of his son')→ relational specificationυἱοῦ: meaning 'son'; it serves as genitive of possession ('the name of his son').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (pronoun)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (pronoun).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with attributive participle)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γενομένουborn / who was bornAor Mid Part Gen Sg Masc · γίνομαιattributive participle ('the one born to him')→ participial qualificationγίνομαι: the participle τοῦ γενομένου αὐτῷ is the standard LXX phrase for 'born to' a parent (cf. Gen 4:18; 5:3); the genitive links the participle as attribute to υἱοῦ.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of advantage (with participle: 'born to him')→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (with participle: 'born to him').
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative, masculine, object of ἔτεκεν)→ participant referenceὃν: meaning 'whom'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (accusative, masculine, object of ἔτεκεν).
ἔτεκενboreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίκτωverb in relative clause→ constative aoristτίκτω (aor. ἔτεκεν): 'bear / give birth'; renders יָלַד; the long-awaited birth that resolves the chapter's central crisis.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of advantage in relative clause→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage in relative clause.
ΣαρραSarahNominativesubject of relative clause→ participant identificationΣαρρα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of relative clause.
ΙσαακIsaacAccusativepredicate name (apposition: the name given, placed emphatically last)→ participant identificationΙσαακ: LXX transliteration of Hebrew יצחק (Yiṣḥāq); the name means 'he laughs' (root צחק, ṣāḥaq), recalling the laughter of Abraham (17:17) and Sarah (18:12–15); Sarah's speech in v.6 voices the etymology.
4
περιέτεμεν δὲ Αβρααμ τὸν Ισαακ τῇ ὀγδόῃ ἡμέρᾳ, καθὰ ἐνετείλατο αὐτῷ ὁ θεός.
And Abraham circumcised Isaac on the eighth day, as God had commanded him.
The postpositive δέ marks sequential continuation. The verse is a formal obedience notation — καθὰ ἐνετείλατο αὐτῷ ὁ θεός is the LXX's standard compliance formula (cf. Gen 6:22; Ex 12:50), here signaling that Abraham enacts the covenant-seal (17:10–12) without delay or deviation.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
περιέτεμενcircumcisedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · περιτέμνωmain verb→ constative aorist (single completed covenantal act)περιτέμνω: 'circumcise'; renders Hebrew מול; this obedient act enacts the covenant-sign mandated at 17:10–12 (τῇ ὀγδόῃ ἡμέρᾳ περιτμηθήσεται ὑμῖν πᾶν ἀρσενικόν); cf. Phil 3:5 (Paul's self-description: περιτομῇ ὀκταήμερος).
δὲandpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑβρααμAbrahamNominativesubject (proper name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (proper name, indeclinable).
τὸν—Accusativearticle (direct object marker)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙσαακIsaacAccusativedirect object (proper name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as direct object (proper name, indeclinable).
τῇtheDativearticle with dative of time→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀγδόῃeighthDativeordinal adjective (dative, modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceὄγδοος: 'eighth'; renders Hebrew בן-שמנת ימים; the eighth day is the divinely mandated date of 17:12; see also Lev 12:3; Phil 3:5.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time ('on the eighth day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρᾳ: meaning 'day'; it serves as dative of time ('on the eighth day').
καθὰascomparative conjunction (compliance formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθὰ: meaning 'as'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνετείλατοhad commandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb in comparative clause→ constative aorist (referring to covenant command of ch. 17)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / enjoin'; the compliance formula καθὰ ἐνετείλατο αὐτῷ ὁ θεός is the LXX's standard obedience affirmation (cf. Gen 6:22; 7:9; Ex 12:50); here it rings with particular force since 17:23 noted Abraham's same-day obedience to the original command.
αὐτῷhimDativedative of indirect object (to Abraham)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (to Abraham).
ὁ—Nominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativesubject of comparative clause→ participant prominenceθεός: used (rather than κύριος) in the compliance formula; the alternation κύριος / θεός in vv.1–4 reflects the underlying Hebrew יהוה / אלהים alternation.
5
Αβρααμ δὲ ἦν ἑκατὸν ἐτῶν, ἡνίκα ἐγένετο αὐτῷ Ισαακ ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ.
Abraham was a hundred years old when Isaac his son was born to him.
A parenthetical narrator's note, indented as secondary to the main narrative line. The imperfect ἦν with a genitive of age is the standard LXX formula for recording a patriarch's age at a key event (cf. Gen 12:4; 17:1). The note underlines the miraculous nature of the birth and fulfills the divine specification at 17:17 (ἔσται Αβρααμ ἑκατὸν ἐτῶν).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
ΑβρααμAbrahamNominativesubject (proper name, fronted for emphasis)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (proper name, fronted for emphasis).
δὲnowpostpositive continuative/resumptive particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImperf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ descriptive imperfect (Abraham's age at the moment of the birth)εἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect ἦν with genitive of age is the standard LXX age-notation formula (cf. Gen 5:32; 12:4; 17:24); Abraham's age of 100 was specified at 17:17 as the marker of the impossible.
ἑκατὸνa hundrednumeral (predicate)→ measure or countἑκατὸν: meaning 'a hundred'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
ἐτῶνyearsGenitivegenitive of measure (age: 'a hundred years old')→ relational specificationἔτος: 'year'; genitive of measure with the numeral; Abraham's age at Isaac's birth (100) vs. Sarah's (90; 17:17) confirms the doubly miraculous character.
ἡνίκαwhentemporal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἡνίκα: meaning 'when'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοwas bornAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb of temporal clause→ constative aorist (birth as punctiliar event)γίνομαι: 'come to be / be born'; ἐγένετο αὐτῷ = 'was born to him' — the dative αὐτῷ is a Hebraism of the Hebrew לו ילד construction.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of advantage (Hebraism: 'born to him')→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (Hebraism: 'born to him').
ΙσαακIsaacNominativesubject of temporal clause→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of temporal clause.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with appositive)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositive to Ισαακ→ participant prominenceυἱὸς: meaning 'son'; it serves as appositive to Ισαακ.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
6
εἶπεν δὲ Σαρρα Γέλωτά μοι ἐποίησεν κύριος· ὃς γὰρ ἂν ἀκούσῃ, συγχαρεῖταί μοι.
And Sarah said, 'The LORD has made laughter for me; for whoever hears will rejoice with me.'
Sarah's speech is the chapter's theological and literary climax for the birth unit. The pun on γέλως / Ισαακ (laughter / 'he laughs') names the child through the mother's joy. The generalizing relative clause ὃς γὰρ ἂν ἀκούσῃ ('whoever hears') extends the joy to the community — a social proclamation of divine grace. NT echo: Paul alludes to Isaac's birth in Gal 4:28–29 (ἡμεῖς δέ, ἀδελφοί, κατὰ Ισαακ ἐπαγγελίας τέκνα ἐσμέν).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲandpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαρραSarahNominativesubject of speech→ participant identificationΣαρρα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of speech.
ΓέλωτάlaughterAccusativedirect object of ἐποίησεν (proleptic, fronted for emphasis)→ object specificationγέλως: 'laughter'; accusative fronted for emphasis; renders Hebrew שחק / צחק. The pun is the key to the name Ισαακ (יצחק = 'he laughs'). Sarah had laughed inwardly in disbelief (18:12) and denied it (18:15); now her laughter is transformed into joyful proclamation. NT anchor: Gal 4:28–29 builds the two-covenant allegory on this Isaac birth.
μοιfor meDativedative of advantage ('has made laughter for me')→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'for me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage ('has made laughter for me').
ἐποίησενhas madeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb of direct speech→ constative aorist (the completed divine gift)ποιέω: 'make / do'; γέλωτά ... ἐποίησεν renders Hebrew שחק עשה לי — 'has made laughter for me'; the LXX preserves the accusative-object construction of the Hebrew.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of Sarah's exclamation→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the LORD'; it serves as subject of Sarah's exclamation.
ὃςwhoeverNominativerelative pronoun (generalizing: 'whoever')→ participant referenceὃς: meaning 'whoever'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (generalizing: 'whoever').
γὰρforpostpositive explanatory particle→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἂν—modal particle (with subjunctive: generalizing condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastἂν: meaning '—'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκούσῃhearsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀκούωverb in generalizing relative clause (indefinite: 'whoever hears')→ gnomic / generalizing aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; the generalizing ὃς ἂν + subjunctive extends Sarah's personal joy to any hearer — a communal proclamation. The verb ἀκούω resonates with the name Ishmael (v.17): both sons' stories in this chapter turn on the theme of divine and human hearing.
συγχαρεῖταίwill rejoice withFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · συγχαίρωmain verb of relative clause (apodosis)→ predictive future (assured joyful response)συγχαίρω: 'rejoice together with / congratulate'; compound of σύν + χαίρω; cf. Luke 1:58 (συνέχαιρον αὐτῇ — the neighbours rejoice with Elizabeth at John's birth), a deliberate verbal echo of this LXX verse.
μοιwith meDativedative of association (with συγχαίρω)→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'with me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of association (with συγχαίρω).
7
καὶ εἶπεν Τίς ἀναγγελεῖ τῷ Αβρααμ ὅτι θηλάζει παιδίον Σαρρα; ὅτι ἔτεκον υἱὸν ἐν γήρᾳ αὐτοῦ.
And she said, 'Who would have told Abraham that Sarah nurses a child? For I bore a son in his old age.'
The rhetorical question Τίς ἀναγγελεῖ ('who would have told?') is a Hebraism of wonder — the future indicative carries the force of an incredulous perfect: 'who could ever have announced to Abraham...?' The shift from third-person (v.6 κύριος) to first-person (ἔτεκον) in the closing clause marks the climax of Sarah's self-narrating wonder.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (continuation of speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΤίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (subject of rhetorical question)→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative pronoun; the rhetorical question expects the answer 'no one could have' — a Hebraism of wonder common in the LXX Psalms and prophecy.
ἀναγγελεῖwill announceFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb of rhetorical question→ incredulous future ('who could possibly announce?')ἀναγγέλλω: 'announce / report'; the future here carries the force of a wish or incredulous hypothetical — 'who would/could have announced?' The verb anticipates the proclamation-motif in the surrounding verses.
τῷtoDativearticle with dative (indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβρααμAbrahamDativedative of indirect object→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative of indirect object.
ὅτιthatsubordinating conjunction (content clause: 'that Sarah nurses a child')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θηλάζειnursesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · θηλάζωverb in content clause→ descriptive present (ongoing nursing of the newborn)θηλάζω: 'suckle / nurse'; the present tense depicts Sarah in the very act of nursing — a vivid detail that grounds the miracle in embodied reality.
παιδίονa childAccusativedirect object→ object specificationπαιδίον: 'child / infant'; diminutive; renders Hebrew ילד; used of the infant through the weaning period in this chapter.
ΣαρραSarahNominativesubject (proper name, placed after object for rhetorical punch)→ participant identificationΣαρρα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (proper name, placed after object for rhetorical punch).
ὅτιforcausal conjunction ('for / because')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔτεκονI boreAor Act Indic 1 Sg · τίκτωmain verb of causal clause (shift to first person)→ constative aoristτίκτω: the shift to ἔτεκον (first person: 'I bore') is the emotional climax of Sarah's speech — she owns the miracle personally.
υἱὸνa sonAccusativedirect object→ object specificationυἱὸν: meaning 'a son'; it serves as direct object.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal: 'in his old age')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal: 'in his old age').
γήρᾳold ageDativedative of time→ sphere or referenceγῆρας: 'old age'; cf. v.2 εἰς τὸ γῆρας; the same miracle-marker closes and frames this two-verse speech.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (referring to Abraham)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (referring to Abraham).
8
καὶ ηὐξήθη τὸ παιδίον καὶ ἀπεγαλακτίσθη· καὶ ἐποίησεν Αβρααμ δοχὴν μεγάλην ᾗ ἡμέρᾳ ἀπεγαλακτίσθη Ισαακ.
And the child grew and was weaned; and Abraham made a great feast on the day Isaac was weaned.
The unit closes with a temporal jump: ηὐξήθη / ἀπεγαλακτίσθη summarize the first years in two aorists. The great feast (δοχὴ μεγάλη) on the weaning day is the formal marker of the child's transition from infancy to childhood — an occasion of public celebration. The use of the proper name Ισαακ (rather than τὸ παιδίον) in the closing clause gives the narrative a formal, solemn close.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ηὐξήθηgrewAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · αὐξάνωmain verb→ constative aorist (summarizing growth through infancy)αὐξάνω: 'grow / increase'; the passive renders Hebrew ויגדל; the same verb is used of the growing Ishmael at v.20 (ηὐξήθη), creating a deliberate parallel between the two sons' biographies.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδίονchildNominativesubject→ participant prominenceπαιδίον: meaning 'child'; it serves as subject.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεγαλακτίσθηwas weanedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀπογαλακτίζωmain verb (second clause)→ constative aorist (completion of nursing period)ἀπογαλακτίζω: 'wean'; renders Hebrew גמל; a hapax in the LXX; the weaning of an ancient Near Eastern child typically occurred at two or three years. The feast on the weaning day (δοχὴ μεγάλη) was a recognized social celebration.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησενmadeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb→ constative aoristποιέω: summarises the king's deeds.
ΑβρααμAbrahamNominativesubject→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
δοχὴνfeastAccusativedirect object→ object specificationδοχή: 'banquet / reception'; renders Hebrew משתה; used for formal hospitality-feasts (cf. Gen 19:3; 26:30); the adjective μεγάλην marks this as a significant social event.
μεγάληνgreatAccusativeattributive adjective→ object specificationμεγάλην: meaning 'great'; it serves as attributive adjective.
ᾗon whichDativerelative pronoun (dative of time: 'on the day on which')→ participant reference or interestᾗ: meaning 'on which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (dative of time: 'on the day on which').
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (head of relative clause)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρᾳ: meaning 'day'; it serves as dative of time (head of relative clause).
ἀπεγαλακτίσθηwas weanedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀπογαλακτίζωverb in relative clause→ constative aoristἀπογαλακτίζω: meaning 'was weaned'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verb in relative clause.
ΙσαακIsaacNominativesubject of relative clause (proper name, closing the unit with solemnity)→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of relative clause (proper name, closing the unit with solemnity).
9
ἰδοῦσα δὲ Σαρρα τὸν υἱὸν Αγαρ τῆς Αἰγυπτίας, ὃς ἐγένετο τῷ Αβρααμ, παίζοντα μετὰ Ισαακ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτῆς,
But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, who was born to Abraham, playing with Isaac her son,
The adversative δέ marks the narrative turn from celebration to conflict. The verse is a long participial construction suspended without a main verb (the main verb εἶπεν falls in v.10), building narrative tension. The participle παίζοντα echoes the laughter-root of Isaac's name (παίζω / Ισαακ / γέλως), making the scene a narrative irony: Ishmael 'plays' using the very root of Isaac's name — which Sarah immediately reads as a threat.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἰδοῦσαhaving seenAor Act Part Nom Sg Fem · ὁράωcircumstantial participle (antecedent to main verb in v.10)→ constative aorist participleὁράω: 'see / perceive'; the participle ἰδοῦσα suspends the narrative, prolonging Sarah's act of observation before her speech erupts in v.10; the LXX uses this participle-then-speech construction frequently.
δὲbutpostpositive adversative-continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαρραSarahNominativesubject of participle (and of main verb in v.10)→ participant identificationΣαρρα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of participle (and of main verb in v.10).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (direct object of participle)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸνsonAccusativedirect object of participial verb ἰδοῦσα→ object specificationυἱὸν: meaning 'son'; it serves as direct object of participial verb ἰδοῦσα.
ΑγαρHagarGenitivegenitive of source / possession ('son of Hagar')→ participant identificationΑγαρ: LXX transliteration of Hebrew הגר; indeclinable; in Gal 4:24–25 Paul makes Hagar an allegory of the Sinai covenant and the Jerusalem below.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (attributive with Αἰγυπτίας)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑἰγυπτίαςEgyptianGenitivegenitive adjective (ethnic epithet, attributive to Αγαρ)→ relational specificationΑἰγύπτιος: 'Egyptian'; the ethnic marker repeatedly distances Hagar and her son from the Abrahamic promise; cf. 16:1 (Αγαρ ἡ Αἰγυπτία).
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of relative clause)→ participant referenceὃς: meaning 'who'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (subject of relative clause).
ἐγένετοwas bornAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιverb in relative clause ('who was born to Abraham')→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
τῷtoDativearticle with dative (indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβρααμAbrahamDativedative of advantage ('born to Abraham')→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative of advantage ('born to Abraham').
παίζονταplayingPres Act Part Acc Sg Masc · παίζωsupplementary participle (object complement with ἰδοῦσα: 'saw him playing')→ descriptive present (ongoing play at the moment of Sarah's observation)παίζω: 'play / sport'; renders Hebrew מצחק (piʿel of צחק); the root is the same as Isaac's name (יצחק) and the laughter of v.6 — a deliberate etymological pun in the Hebrew text preserved by the LXX participle. The LXX adds μετὰ Ισαακ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτῆς (absent from MT), clarifying the identity and perhaps heightening the possessive tension.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association: 'with Isaac')→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (association: 'with Isaac').
ΙσαακIsaacGenitivegenitive of association→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of association.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with appositive)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῦsonGenitiveappositive genitive to Ισαακ ('her son')→ relational specificationυἱοῦ: meaning 'son'; it serves as appositive genitive to Ισαακ ('her son').
αὐτῆςherGenitivepossessive genitive (referring to Sarah)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (referring to Sarah).
10
εἶπεν τῷ Αβρααμ Ἔκβαλε τὴν παιδίσκην ταύτην καὶ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς· οὐ γὰρ κληρονομήσει ὁ υἱὸς τῆς παιδίσκης ταύτης μετὰ τοῦ υἱοῦ μου Ισαακ.
She said to Abraham, 'Cast out this slave woman and her son; for the son of this slave woman shall not inherit with my son Isaac.'
Asyndeton: Sarah speaks without connective, the command bursting out directly. The speech is legally precise and structurally chiastic: Ἔκβαλε (imperative) + grounds (οὐ ... κληρονομήσει). The verse is quoted verbatim at Gal 4:30 (λέγει γὰρ ἡ γραφή, Ἔκβαλε τὴν παιδίσκην καὶ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς), where Paul applies the LXX text to the allegory of law and gospel. Hebraism: παιδίσκη (lit. 'slave-girl') renders Hebrew אמה.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction, resuming the suspended participle of v.9)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
τῷtoDativearticle with dative (indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβρααμAbrahamDativedative of indirect object (addressee of Sarah's demand)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative of indirect object (addressee of Sarah's demand).
Ἔκβαλεcast outAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐκβάλλωmain verb of direct speech (imperative command)→ urgent aorist imperative (immediate single action demanded)ἐκβάλλω: 'cast out / expel'; aorist imperative signals urgency and finality. This exact form is quoted at Gal 4:30 (ἡ γραφή, Ἔκβαλε τὴν παιδίσκην καὶ τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς) — Paul cites the LXX verbatim and applies it allegorically: cast out the Sinai covenant, for the slave-woman's son shall not inherit with the son of the free woman. NT echo: Gal 4:30.
τὴνthisAccusativearticle (direct object marker)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδίσκηνslave womanAccusativedirect object→ object specificationπαιδίσκη: 'slave girl / maidservant'; renders Hebrew אמה; the repeated use of παιδίσκη (vv.10, 12, 13) vs. the masculine παιδίον (the child) is a deliberate status-marker. Paul uses the same term at Gal 4:22–31 (ἐκ τῆς παιδίσκης).
ταύτηνthisAccusativedeictic demonstrative pronoun (intensifying the dismissal)→ participant referenceταύτην: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as deictic demonstrative pronoun (intensifying the dismissal).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ 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.
υἱὸνsonAccusativedirect object (coordinated with παιδίσκην)→ object specificationυἱὸν: meaning 'son'; it serves as direct object (coordinated with παιδίσκην).
αὐτῆςherGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
οὐnotnegation (indicative mode: strong denial)→ participant referenceοὐ: meaning 'not'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as negation (indicative mode: strong denial).
γὰρforpostpositive explanatory particle (grounds the command)→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κληρονομήσειshall inheritFut Act Indic 3 Sg · κληρονομέωmain verb (legal assertion: inheritance denied)→ predictive future (declarative legal sentence)κληρονομέω: 'inherit'; renders Hebrew ירש; the inheritance theme is the legal crux of the chapter — the exclusion of the slave-woman's son from the Abrahamic inheritance. The same verb and theme run through Gal 4:30 and Rom 4:13–14.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸςsonNominativesubject→ participant prominenceυἱὸς: meaning 'son'; it serves as subject.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδίσκηςslave womanGenitivegenitive of source / possession ('son of the slave woman')→ relational specificationπαιδίσκης: meaning 'slave woman'; it serves as genitive of source / possession ('son of the slave woman').
ταύτηςthisGenitivedeictic demonstrative (contemptuous pointing)→ relational specificationταύτης: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as deictic demonstrative (contemptuous pointing).
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (association: 'together with')→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (association: 'together with').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive of association (with μετά)→ relational specificationυἱοῦ: meaning 'son'; it serves as genitive of association (with μετά).
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive (first person; Sarah's claim of ownership)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (first person; Sarah's claim of ownership).
ΙσαακIsaacGenitiveappositive to τοῦ υἱοῦ μου (proper name, emphatically last)→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as appositive to τοῦ υἱοῦ μου (proper name, emphatically last).
11
σκληρὸν δὲ ἐφάνη τὸ ῥῆμα σφόδρα ἐναντίον Αβρααμ περὶ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ.
But the matter appeared very hard before Abraham on account of his son.
An interior-state notation by the narrator, indented as secondary. σκληρὸν ... σφόδρα emphasizes the severity of Abraham's emotional conflict: the word περὶ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ is deliberately unspecified — the reader knows this refers to his son by Hagar (not Isaac). The verse sets up the divine intervention of v.12.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
σκληρὸνhardNominativepredicate adjective (fronted for emphasis: 'hard it appeared')→ participant prominenceσκληρός: 'hard / harsh / grievous'; renders Hebrew ירע; the fronted predicate adjective signals the emotional weight — Sarah's demand has struck Abraham as a hard thing.
δὲbutpostpositive adversative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐφάνηappearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · φαίνωmain verb (existential: 'it seemed / appeared')→ constative aorist (the experience of hardness)φαίνω: 'appear / seem'; passive form with an adjective predicate ('it appeared hard') is the LXX idiom for an emotional evaluation (cf. Gen 38:10; Num 11:10).
τὸtheNominativearticle (subject marker)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαword / matterNominativesubject→ participant prominenceῥῆμα: 'word / matter / thing'; renders Hebrew דבר; here it refers to Sarah's demand — 'the matter appeared very hard to Abraham.'
σφόδραveryintensifying adverb→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'exceedingly / very'; a common LXX intensifier rendering Hebrew מאד; its placement emphasizes the degree of Abraham's distress.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive (locative: 'in the sight of / before')→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: 'before / in the face of'; renders Hebrew לפני / בעיני; the idiom ἐναντίον + person ('before Abraham') is a Hebraism for 'in the judgment/eyes of.'
ΑβρααμAbrahamGenitivegenitive with ἐναντίον (the one before whom it appeared hard)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive with ἐναντίον (the one before whom it appeared hard).
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference: 'on account of / concerning')→ spatial or relational framingπερὶ: meaning 'concerning'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (reference: 'on account of / concerning').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive of reference ('concerning his son')→ relational specificationυἱός: the unspecified 'his son' (τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ) refers to Hagar's son, not to Isaac; the ambiguity in the pronoun is deliberate — Abraham's fatherly love extends to both sons.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
12
εἶπεν δὲ ὁ θεὸς τῷ Αβρααμ Μὴ σκληρὸν ἔστω τὸ ῥῆμα ἐναντίον σου περὶ τοῦ παιδίου καὶ περὶ τῆς παιδίσκης· πάντα ὅσα ἐὰν εἴπῃ σοι Σαρρα, ἄκουε τῆς φωνῆς αὐτῆς, ὅτι ἐν Ισαακ κληθήσεταί σοι σπέρμα.
But God said to Abraham, 'Let not the matter be hard before you concerning the child and the slave woman; whatever Sarah says to you, listen to her voice, for in Isaac shall your offspring be named.'
God's speech directly addresses Abraham's distress (σκληρόν — echo of v.11) and reframes it. The prohibition Μὴ σκληρὸν ἔστω mirrors v.11's language. The command ἄκουε τῆς φωνῆς αὐτῆς is reinforced by the theological ground: ἐν Ισαακ κληθήσεταί σοι σπέρμα (cited at Rom 9:7; Heb 11:18). The promise-bearing lineage runs through Isaac alone, but God's mercy toward the other son follows in v.13.
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲbutpostpositive adversative particle (divine counter to human distress)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁ—Nominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject→ participant prominenceθεός: the use of θεός (rather than κύριος) for the divine agent in vv.12–13 may reflect the underlying Hebrew אלהים; God speaks in both vv.12 and 13 as the arbiter of the two lines.
τῷtoDativearticle with dative (indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβρααμAbrahamDativedative of indirect object (addressee)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative of indirect object (addressee).
Μὴlet notnegation (with prohibitive imperative)→ clausal qualification or emphasisΜὴ: meaning 'let not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
σκληρὸνhardNominativepredicate adjective (echoing v.11: 'let it not be hard')→ participant prominenceσκληρὸν: meaning 'hard'; it serves as predicate adjective (echoing v.11: 'let it not be hard').
ἔστωlet it bePres Act Impv 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of direct speech (prohibitive imperative: 'let not ... be')→ prohibitive present imperativeεἰμί: the third-person imperative ἔστω in a prohibition (Μὴ ... ἔστω) is the standard LXX form for 'let not X be' — a command addressed to the inner disposition rather than to an external agent.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαmatterNominativesubject (resuming v.11's language)→ participant prominenceῥῆμα: meaning 'matter'; it serves as subject (resuming v.11's language).
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive (locative: 'before you')→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative: 'before you').
σουyouGenitivegenitive with ἐναντίον ('before you')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive with ἐναντίον ('before you').
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference)→ spatial or relational framingπερὶ: meaning 'concerning'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (reference).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδίουchildGenitivegenitive of reference (Hagar's son)→ relational specificationπαιδίον: 'child'; God uses the neutral term παιδίον (rather than 'son of the slave woman') — a subtle compassion for Hagar's boy in the divine address.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference: parallel to previous περί)→ spatial or relational framingπερὶ: meaning 'concerning'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (reference: parallel to previous περί).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδίσκηςslave womanGenitivegenitive of reference (Hagar)→ relational specificationπαιδίσκης: meaning 'slave woman'; it serves as genitive of reference (Hagar).
πάνταeverything / allAccusativeaccusative (proleptic object of ἄκουε: 'everything ... listen to')→ object specificationπάντα: meaning 'everything'; it serves as accusative (proleptic object of ἄκουε: 'everything ... listen to').
ὅσαwhateverAccusativerelative pronoun (neuter plural, object: 'whatever things she says')→ participant referenceὅσα: meaning 'whatever'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (neuter plural, object: 'whatever things she says').
ἐὰνif / wheneverconditional particle (with subjunctive: generalizing)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'if'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἴπῃshe saysAor Act Subj 3 Sg · λέγωverb in generalizing relative clause→ gnomic / indefinite futureλέγω: 'say'; the aorist subjunctive in the conditional clause.
σοιto youDativedative of indirect object→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object.
ΣαρραSarahNominativesubject of relative clause→ participant identificationΣαρρα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of relative clause.
ἄκουεlisten toPres Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (imperative command: 'listen to her voice')→ continuous present imperative (ongoing heeding)ἀκούω: 'hear / listen to / obey'; ἄκουε + genitive (τῆς φωνῆς) is the Hebraism of שמע בקול — 'obey / heed'; cf. the Shema (Deut 6:4). The same construction in v.17 (ἤκουσεν ὁ θεὸς τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ παιδίου) creates a verbal link between divine obedience to Hagar's son and Abraham's commanded obedience to Sarah.
τῆςherGenitivearticle (genitive object of ἄκουε)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνῆςvoiceGenitivegenitive of direct object (with ἄκουε: Hebraism of שמע בקול)→ relational specificationφωνή: 'voice'; the Hebraism ἄκουε τῆς φωνῆς = 'obey'; the same φωνή vocabulary echoes through v.17 (φωνῆς τοῦ παιδίου), creating a thematic link between Sarah's voice that must be obeyed and the child's voice that God hears.
αὐτῆςherGenitivepossessive genitive (referring to Sarah)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (referring to Sarah).
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (grounds the command)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (instrumental / locative: 'through / in Isaac')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental / locative: 'through / in Isaac').
ΙσαακIsaacDativedative of instrument / sphere ('in / through Isaac')→ participant identificationΙσαακ: the divine restriction of the seed-promise to Isaac is the theological ground for obeying Sarah's demand. The phrase ἐν Ισαακ κληθήσεταί σοι σπέρμα is quoted at Rom 9:7 (ἐν Ισαακ κληθήσεταί σοι σπέρμα) and Heb 11:18, where Paul and the author of Hebrews read it as the definitive statement of election within Abraham's family. NT echo: Rom 9:7; Heb 11:18.
κληθήσεταίshall be named / calledFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (divine passive: 'shall be called' = God will call)→ predictive future / divine passive (God names the lineage)καλέω: 'call / name'; the passive κληθήσεταί is a divine passive — God himself will designate the lineage; renders Hebrew יקרא; the phrase declares the restriction of covenant descent to Isaac's line.
σοιto youDativedative of advantage ('shall be named as your offspring')→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage ('shall be named as your offspring').
σπέρμαoffspring / seedNominativesubject→ participant prominenceσπέρμα: 'seed / offspring'; renders Hebrew זרע; the Abrahamic seed-promise of 12:7; 13:15; 15:5; 17:7 is here restricted to the Isaanic line. Paul in Gal 3:16 makes the singular σπέρμα a christological reading.
13
καὶ τὸν υἱὸν δὲ τῆς παιδίσκης εἰς ἔθνος μέγα ποιήσω αὐτόν, ὅτι σπέρμα σόν ἐστιν.
And also the son of the slave woman I will make into a great nation, for he is your offspring.
The combination καὶ ... δέ ('and ... also') is a Hebraism of the Hebrew gam construction — 'and also.' The verse extends divine provision beyond the promise-line: Ishmael, too, will become a great nation (echoing 16:10; 17:20). The ground clause ὅτι σπέρμα σόν ἐστιν secures Ishmael's destiny in his biological link to Abraham.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶand alsoadditive conjunction (with δέ: Hebraism of גם = 'also')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and also'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (direct object marker, fronted for emphasis)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸνsonAccusativedirect object (fronted for emphasis: 'the son of the slave woman also')→ object specificationυἱὸν: meaning 'son'; it serves as direct object (fronted for emphasis: 'the son of the slave woman also').
δὲalsopostpositive additive particle (with καὶ: Hebraism of גם, 'and also')→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'also'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδίσκηςslave womanGenitivegenitive of source ('son of the slave woman')→ relational specificationπαιδίσκης: meaning 'slave woman'; it serves as genitive of source ('son of the slave woman').
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (result: 'I will make him into a great nation')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (result: 'I will make him into a great nation').
ἔθνοςnationAccusativeaccusative of result / predicate with ποιήσω→ object specificationἔθνος: 'nation'; renders Hebrew גוי; the promise to make Ishmael εἰς ἔθνος μέγα echoes 17:20 (δώδεκα ἔθνη γεννήσει), where God promised twelve princes. The LXX uses ἔθνος for Israel (16:10; 17:20) and for Gentile nations — here it forecasts the Arab peoples.
μέγαgreatAccusativeattributive adjective→ object specificationμέγα: meaning 'great'; it serves as attributive adjective.
ποιήσωI will makeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (divine promise, first person)→ predictive future (divine commitment)ποιέω: 'make'; the first-person future divine promise ποιήσω echoes 17:20 (ποιήσω αὐτὸν εἰς ἔθνος μέγα); God binds himself to Ishmael's future despite his exclusion from the covenant line.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object (resumptive: refers to τὸν υἱόν, fronted)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (resumptive: refers to τὸν υἱόν, fronted).
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σπέρμαoffspring / seedNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceσπέρμα: 'seed / offspring'; Ishmael's claim on God's providential care rests on his biological descent from Abraham; the same word used of Isaac in v.12 is here applied to Ishmael.
σόνyourNominativepossessive pronoun adjective (predicate nominative)→ participant referenceσόν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive pronoun adjective (predicate nominative).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.
14
ἀναστὰς δὲ Αβρααμ τὸ πρωὶ ἔλαβεν ἄρτους καὶ ἀσκὸν ὕδατος καὶ ἔδωκεν Αγαρ, καὶ ἐπέθηκεν ἐπὶ τὸν ὦμον καὶ τὸ παιδίον καὶ ἀπέστειλεν αὐτήν. ἀπελθοῦσα δὲ ἐπλανᾶτο ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ κατὰ τὸ φρέαρ τοῦ ὅρκου.
And Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave them to Hagar, placing them on her shoulder together with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness toward the well of the oath.
The rapid aorist chain ἀναστὰς ... ἔλαβεν ... ἔδωκεν ... ἐπέθηκεν ... ἀπέστειλεν depicts Abraham's early-morning compliance without editorial comment — the obedience is swift and wordless. The switch to the imperfect ἐπλανᾶτο in the second sentence signals the beginning of a sustained, directionless wandering, contrasted with the determined action verbs. The LXX adds κατὰ τὸ φρέαρ τοῦ ὅρκου (toward the well of the oath) as a geographical marker, anticipating the naming of 21:31.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
ἀναστὰςhaving risenAor Act Part Nom Sg Masc · ἀνίστημιcircumstantial participle (antecedent action: 'having risen early')→ constative aorist participleἀνίστημι: 'rise / get up'; the participle ἀναστάς + τὸ πρωί ('having risen in the morning') is the standard LXX formula for early-morning action (cf. Gen 19:27; 22:3); here it signals immediate obedient compliance.
δὲandpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑβρααμAbrahamNominativesubject→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with πρωί: 'in the morning')→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωὶmorningtemporal adverb / noun (accusative of time: 'in the morning')→ clausal contributionπρωΐ: 'early / in the morning'; renders Hebrew בבקר; the combination τὸ πρωί with ἀναστάς is a stereotyped early-morning action formula.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (narrative action)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; see v. 10.
ἄρτουςbreadAccusativedirect object (plural: loaves)→ object specificationἄρτος: 'bread / loaf'; the provision of bread and water is the minimal survival kit — just enough, not generous.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀσκὸνskinAccusativedirect object (a leather water-skin)→ object specificationἀσκός: 'skin / wineskin'; a leather container for water; the same ἀσκός is exhausted at v.15, precipitating the crisis.
ὕδατοςof waterGenitivegenitive of content ('a skin of water')→ relational specificationὕδατος: meaning 'of water'; it serves as genitive of content ('a skin of water').
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; in the idiom ἔδωκεν ἐν χειρί ('gave into the hand of') it denotes the formal transfer of command authority to Abishai.
ΑγαρHagarDativedative of indirect object (recipient)→ participant identificationΑγαρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative of indirect object (recipient).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέθηκενplacedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb→ constative aoristἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon'; the image of Abraham placing supplies on Hagar's shoulder is one of pathos; the syntax of καὶ τὸ παιδίον ('and the child') is somewhat harsh — some commentators read it as meaning he also set the child on her shoulder.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (locative: 'onto her shoulder')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (locative: 'onto her shoulder').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὦμονshoulderAccusativeaccusative of place ('onto the shoulder')→ object specificationὦμος: 'shoulder'; the physical detail grounds the pathos — a woman alone carrying bread, water, and her child into the desert.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδίονchildAccusativedirect object (coordinated with ὦμον: placed upon her together with the child)→ object specificationπαιδίον: meaning 'child'; it serves as direct object (coordinated with ὦμον: placed upon her together with the child).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστειλενsent awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (climactic action: the expulsion completed)→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send away / dismiss'; the formal verb of dismissal; renders Hebrew שלח; the same verb will be used at v.18 (ἀπόστειλον) — a verbal echo framing the wilderness episode.
αὐτήνherAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτήν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ἀπελθοῦσαhaving departedAor Act Part Nom Sg Fem · ἀπέρχομαιcircumstantial participle (beginning the new scene: Hagar alone)→ constative aorist participleἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; the participle shifts the narrative focus to Hagar as the new subject.
δὲandpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπλανᾶτοwanderedImperf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · πλανάωmain verb (new scene: Hagar's wandering)→ descriptive imperfect (ongoing, directionless wandering)πλανάω: 'wander / go astray'; the imperfect ἐπλανᾶτο captures the sustained, aimless movement of a person lost in the desert — a marked contrast to the purposeful aorists describing Abraham's actions. The verb recurs in Heb 11:38 of the heroes of faith who 'wandered in deserts.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness / desert'; renders Hebrew מדבר; the wilderness is the locus of divine encounter throughout the patriarchal and Mosaic narratives.
κατὰtowardpreposition + accusative (directional: 'toward / in the direction of')→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'toward'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: 'toward / in the direction of').
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φρέαρwellAccusativeaccusative of direction→ object specificationφρέαρ: 'well / cistern'; used here to geographically orient the wandering toward the Beersheba region — the same φρέαρ that will be named Φρέαρ ὁρκισμοῦ at v.31.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅρκουoathGenitivegenitive of attribute ('well of the oath')→ relational specificationὅρκος: 'oath'; the phrase φρέαρ τοῦ ὅρκου anticipates the naming of the place at v.31; this geographical detail is the LXX's way of anchoring the wilderness scene in the Beersheba locale.
15
ἐξέλιπεν δὲ τὸ ὕδωρ ἐκ τοῦ ἀσκοῦ, καὶ ἔρριψεν τὸ παιδίον ὑποκάτω μιᾶς ἐλάτης.
And the water in the skin ran out, and she cast the child under one of the bushes.
The crisis arrives with brutal conciseness: two verbs, no comment. The word ἔρριψεν ('cast / threw') is harsh — Hagar does not gently place the child, she throws him under the shrub. The verb captures the physical and emotional extremity of a mother who has given up hope. ἐλάτη ('fir / shrub') renders Hebrew שיח.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ἐξέλιπενran out / failedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκλείπωmain verb→ constative aorist (complete exhaustion of water)ἐκλείπω: 'run out / fail / expire'; renders Hebrew ויכל; the verb is used of failing light (Jer 8:16 LXX), of fading strength (Ps 70:9 LXX), and here of exhausted water — a word of terminal depletion.
δὲandpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδωρwaterNominativesubject→ participant prominenceὕδωρ: meaning 'water'; it serves as subject.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation: 'from the skin')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation: 'from the skin').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀσκοῦskinGenitivegenitive of separation ('the water from the skin')→ relational specificationἀσκός: same word as v.14; the skin given by Abraham is now empty — the minimal provision has proven insufficient for desert survival.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔρριψενcast / threwAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ῥίπτωmain verb→ constative aorist (desperate single action)ῥίπτω: 'throw / cast'; a strong verb — not 'placed' or 'set down' but 'threw'; renders Hebrew ותשלך; captures the mother's despair and physical exhaustion; cf. Ex 1:22 (ῥίπτω of casting children into the Nile).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδίονchildAccusativedirect object→ object specificationπαιδίον: meaning 'child'; it serves as direct object.
ὑποκάτωunder / beneathpreposition + genitive (locative: 'under the shrub')→ spatial or relational framingὑποκάτω: 'underneath'; a compound of ὑπό + κάτω; renders Hebrew תחת; the position of the child under a bush for shade in the desert heat adds physical concreteness.
μιᾶςoneGenitivegenitive (partitive / numeral: 'one of the shrubs')→ relational specificationμιᾶς: meaning 'one'; it serves as genitive (partitive / numeral: 'one of the shrubs').
ἐλάτηςshrub / firGenitivegenitive of place (with ὑποκάτω)→ relational specificationἐλάτη: 'fir tree / shrub'; renders Hebrew שיח ('shrub / bush'); the term is also used of the desert shrubs of 1 Kings 19:4 LXX (where Elijah sits under a ῥοδανή and asks to die — a remarkable parallel).
16
ἀπελθοῦσα δὲ ἐκάθητο ἀπέναντι αὐτοῦ μακρόθεν ὡσεὶ τόξου βολήν· εἶπεν γάρ Οὐ μὴ ἴδω τὸν θάνατον τοῦ παιδίου μου. καὶ ἐκάθισεν ἀπέναντι αὐτοῦ, ἀναβοήσασα δὲ ἔκλαυσεν.
And she went and sat down opposite him at a distance of about a bowshot; for she said, 'Let me not see the death of my child.' And she sat down opposite him and cried out and wept.
The verse depicts Hagar's anguish with precise spatial detail (bowshot distance) and double verbs of sitting and weeping. The speech Οὐ μὴ ἴδω ('I will not see') is a strong LXX prohibition formula using the subjunctive. The doubling of ἐκάθητο / ἐκάθισεν is characteristic LXX repetition-for-emphasis. ἀναβοήσασα ('having cried out') signals desperate lamentation, and ἔκλαυσεν ('wept') closes the movement before the divine intervention.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
ἀπελθοῦσαhaving gone awayAor Act Part Nom Sg Fem · ἀπέρχομαιcircumstantial participle (antecedent action: she moved away, then sat)→ constative aorist participleἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; the feminine aorist participle agrees with the divorced wife; her departure from the first household is the necessary antecedent of the new union.
δὲandpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάθητοsatImperf Mid Indic 3 Sg · κάθημαιmain verb→ descriptive imperfect (sustained seated position: she sat and kept sitting)κάθημαι: 'sit / be seated'; the imperfect portrays Hagar as settled in her grief — not passing through but remaining; the same word recurs as ἐκάθισεν at the end of the verse.
ἀπέναντιopposite / facingpreposition + genitive (locative: 'opposite him')→ spatial or relational framingἀπέναντι: 'opposite / in front of'; renders Hebrew מנגד; the spatial relationship — close enough to see, far enough not to watch — is psychologically precise.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive with ἀπέναντι (refers to the child)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive with ἀπέναντι (refers to the child).
μακρόθενfrom far offadverb (distance: 'from afar')→ clausal contributionμακρόθεν: 'from far off'; renders Hebrew מרחק; the word is used of those who watch from a distance at moments of tragedy (cf. Ps 37:12 LXX; Mark 15:40 of the women at the cross — μακρόθεν θεωροῦσαι).
ὡσεὶabout / as ifcomparative particle (approximation: 'about [the distance of]')→ discourse linkage or contrastὡσεὶ: meaning 'about'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τόξουof a bowGenitivegenitive of measure (with βολήν: 'bowshot')→ relational specificationτόξον: 'bow'; τόξου βολή = 'a bowshot' — an approximate distance; ironic, since Ishmael will become a τοξότης ('archer') at v.20.
βολήνshot / throwAccusativeaccusative of measure (approximate distance)→ object specificationβολήν: meaning 'shot'; it serves as accusative of measure (approximate distance).
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing interior speech: 'for she said')→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
γάρforpostpositive explanatory particle (explaining why she sat so far away)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
Οὐnotnegation (with Μή + subjunctive: strong prohibition)→ participant referenceΟὐ: meaning 'not'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as negation (with Μή + subjunctive: strong prohibition).
μὴ—negation (Οὐ μή + subjunctive = emphatic denial)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμὴ: meaning '—'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἴδωI seeAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb of speech (Οὐ μή + aorist subjunctive = strongest LXX negation)→ emphatic prohibition / strong denialὁράω: 'see'; Οὐ μὴ + aorist subjunctive is the strongest form of negation in LXX Greek (rendering Hebrew לא with emphatic reinforcement); 'I will absolutely not see' — the self-protective distancing of a mother who cannot bear to watch her child die.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θάνατονdeathAccusativedirect object→ object specificationθάνατος: 'death'; the stark word θάνατον makes explicit what her action of v.15 implied — she has left the child to die. The verse is among the most emotionally intense passages in the Pentateuch.
τοῦofGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδίουchildGenitivegenitive of possession ('the death of my child')→ relational specificationπαιδίου: meaning 'child'; it serves as genitive of possession ('the death of my child').
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive (first person; Hagar's claim of motherhood)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (first person; Hagar's claim of motherhood).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (resuming external narration)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάθισενsat downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καθίζωmain verb→ constative aorist (the act of sitting down)καθίζω: 'sit down'; the resumption of the sitting action (ἐκάθησε / ἐκάθισεν) after the explanatory speech is a characteristic LXX narrative ring, creating a verbal bracket around her speech.
ἀπέναντιoppositepreposition + genitive (repeating the spatial position)→ spatial or relational framingἀπέναντι: meaning 'opposite'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (repeating the spatial position).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive with ἀπέναντι→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive with ἀπέναντι.
ἀναβοήσασαcrying outAor Act Part Nom Sg Fem · ἀναβοάωcircumstantial participle (antecedent action: she cried out, then wept)→ constative aorist participleἀναβοάω: 'cry out / shout'; the compound ἀνα- gives the verb an upward or intensifying force — a loud, desperate cry; renders Hebrew ותשא את קלה; cf. Lam 3:8 LXX.
δὲandpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔκλαυσενweptAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κλαίωmain verb (the culmination of grief)→ constative aoristκλαίω: 'weep / cry'; the combination ἀναβοάω + κλαίω is the LXX lamentation doublet (cf. Gen 27:38; Judg 2:4); it marks the peak of grief before the divine intervention that follows in v.17.
17
εἰσήκουσεν δὲ ὁ θεὸς τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ παιδίου ἐκ τοῦ τόπου οὗ ἦν, καὶ ἐκάλεσεν ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ τὴν Αγαρ ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῇ Τί ἐστιν, Αγαρ; μὴ φοβοῦ· εἰσήκουσεν γὰρ ὁ θεὸς τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ παιδίου σου, ἐκ τοῦ τόπου οὗ ἐστιν.
And God heard the voice of the child from the place where he was, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, 'What is it, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of your child from the place where he is.'
The chapter's theological pivot: εἰσήκουσεν ὁ θεὸς τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ παιδίου plays on the name יִשְׁמָעֵאל (Yišmāʿēʾl = 'God hears'), first announced at 16:11. The phrase is repeated verbatim within the same verse (first as narrator's report, then as the angel's declaration) — a rhetorical doubling that underlines the divine hearing as the decisive event. The angel speaks not of Ishmael by name but of τοῦ παιδίου σου, preserving the name-play without explicit etymology.
Word-by-word analysis· 45 words
εἰσήκουσενheardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσακούωmain verb→ constative aorist (God's decisive act of hearing)εἰσακούω: 'hear fully / heed / listen to'; compound of εἰς + ἀκούω, implying effective hearing that results in action (cf. Ps 17:7 LXX: εἰσήκουσεν ἐκ ναοῦ ἁγίου αὐτοῦ τῆς φωνῆς μου). The verb plays on the name יִשְׁמָעֵאל ('God hears') and answers the name's promise of 16:11. This is the verse that vindicates the child's name.
δὲandpostpositive continuative particle (marks the divine response to Hagar's weeping)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁ—Nominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (genitive of direct object with εἰσακούω)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνῆςvoiceGenitivegenitive of direct object (with εἰσακούω: 'heard the voice of')→ relational specificationφωνή: 'voice / sound / cry'; εἰσακούω + genitive of person/voice is the Hebraism of שמע בקול — to hear and act upon a voice. The φωνή of the child triggers the divine response; compare the φωνὴ ... κλαίοντος of 21:16.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδίουchildGenitivegenitive (whose voice was heard)→ relational specificationπαιδίον: the child is unnamed throughout vv.15–19; his name (יִשְׁמָעֵאל = 'God hears') is the implicit pun that the narrative enacts — the child whose name means 'God hears' is heard by God.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (locative: 'from the place')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative: 'from the place').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπουplaceGenitivegenitive of place ('from the place where he was')→ relational specificationτόπος: 'place'; God hears the child ἐκ τοῦ τόπου οὗ ἦν ('from the place where he was') — a phrase emphasizing omniscient divine hearing that crosses any physical distance.
οὗwhereGenitiverelative adverb / pronoun (locative genitive: 'where')→ relational specificationοὗ: meaning 'where'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative adverb / pronoun (locative genitive: 'where').
ἦνwasImperf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb in relative clause→ descriptive imperfectεἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'was / continued to be'; the imperfect marks David's renewed, ongoing presence at court.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential divine action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκάλεσενcalledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (the angelic calling from heaven)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call / summon'; the angelic call from heaven (ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ) to a person below is a standard theophany formula (cf. Gen 22:11, 15; Ex 3:4).
ἄγγελοςangel / messengerNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἄγγελος: 'messenger / angel'; ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ ('angel of God') = Hebrew מַלְאַךְ הָאֱלֹהִים; the same figure appears at Gen 22:11 (ἄγγελος κυρίου) and in multiple theophany contexts; the relationship of the angel of God to God himself is characteristically left undefined.
τοῦofGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship ('angel of God')→ relational specificationθεοῦ: meaning 'God'; it serves as genitive of relationship ('angel of God').
τὴν—Accusativearticle (direct object marker)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑγαρHagarAccusativedirect object (proper name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑγαρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as direct object (proper name, indeclinable).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (locative: 'from heaven')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative: 'from heaven').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦheavenGenitivegenitive of place (with ἐκ: 'from heaven')→ relational specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven / sky'; ἐκ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ marks the theophany as originating from the divine sphere — a mark of legitimacy and authority.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτῇto herDativedative of indirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'to her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object.
Τίwhatinterrogative particle (in exclamation: 'what is it?' / 'what ails you?')→ discourse linkage or contrastτί: the opening question Τί ἐστιν; ('What is it?') is a standard LXX theophany opener (cf. Gen 16:8; 1 Kings 19:9); it draws the distressed party into speech and indicates divine awareness.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (existential / interrogative)→ gnomic / interrogative presentεἰμί: copula.
ΑγαρHagarVocativevocative (direct address: the angel names her)→ participant identificationΑγαρ in vocative: the angel addresses her by name — a mark of divine personal knowledge; Hagar is the only woman in Genesis addressed by name by a divine messenger.
μὴdo notnegation (with imperative: prohibitive)→ clausal qualification or emphasisμὴ: meaning 'do not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
φοβοῦfearPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · φοβέομαιmain verb (prohibitive imperative: 'do not be afraid')→ prohibitive present imperative (cease fearing)φοβέομαι: 'fear / be afraid'; Μὴ φοβοῦ is the standard divine comfort formula of LXX theophany (Gen 15:1; 26:24; 46:3; Luke 1:30; 2:10); its presence here confirms the episode as a genuine divine encounter, not merely an angelic message.
εἰσήκουσενhas heardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσακούωmain verb (grounds the comfort: 'for God has heard')→ constative aorist (completed divine hearing)εἰσακούω: repeated from the narrator's opening clause, now as the angel's declaration — the same verb, the same divine act, confirmed twice. The repetition enacts the play on Ishmael's name.
γὰρforpostpositive explanatory particle (grounds Μὴ φοβοῦ)→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁ—Nominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνῆςvoiceGenitivegenitive of direct object (with εἰσήκουσεν)→ relational specificationφωνῆς: meaning 'voice'; it serves as genitive of direct object (with εἰσήκουσεν).
τοῦofGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδίουchildGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationπαιδίου: meaning 'child'; it serves as genitive of possession.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive (Hagar's child)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Hagar's child).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (locative: 'from the place')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative: 'from the place').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπουplaceGenitivegenitive of place→ relational specificationτόπου: meaning 'place'; it serves as genitive of place.
οὗwhereGenitiverelative adverb (locative: 'where he is')→ relational specificationοὗ: meaning 'where'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative adverb (locative: 'where he is').
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb in relative clause→ descriptive presentεἰμί: copula.
18
ἀναστᾶσα ἆρον τὸ παιδίον καὶ κράτησον τῇ χειρί σου αὐτό· εἰς γὰρ ἔθνος μέγα ποιήσω αὐτόν.
Rise, take up the child and hold him fast with your hand; for I will make him into a great nation.
Asyndeton continues the divine speech without a new introduction. The three imperatives ἀναστᾶσα / ἆρον / κράτησον are a rising triple command: first rise, then lift the child, then hold him firmly. The promise εἰς ἔθνος μέγα ποιήσω αὐτόν directly echoes v.13 (God's word to Abraham), confirming that God's mercy announced to Abraham is now enacted at the point of the child's near-death.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ἀναστᾶσαriseAor Act Part Nom Sg Fem · ἀνίστημιparticiple used as imperative (attendant circumstance: 'rise and take')→ imperatival aorist participleἀνίστημι: 'rise'; the participle ἀναστᾶσα used imperativally echoes 16:9 (the angel's prior command to Hagar: ἀνάστρεφε) and anticipates Abraham's ἀναστὰς of 22:3.
ἆρονtake up / liftAor Act Impv 2 Sg · αἴρωmain verb (imperative command: 'lift up the child')→ urgent aorist imperativeαἴρω: 'take up / lift'; the command to lift the child is the reversal of ἔρριψεν (v.15: 'she threw him down') — the angel commands her to undo her act of despair.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδίονchildAccusativedirect object→ object specificationπαιδίον: meaning 'child'; it serves as direct object.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κράτησονhold fastAor Act Impv 2 Sg · κρατέωmain verb (imperative: 'hold him firmly')→ urgent aorist imperativeκρατέω: 'grasp / hold fast'; the command to hold the child strongly with her hand is the antithesis of her earlier casting him aside; the verb implies a firm, mother's grip of protection.
τῇwithDativearticle with dative of instrument→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρίhandDativedative of instrument ('with your hand')→ sphere or referenceχείρ: 'hand'; τῇ χειρί σου ('with your hand') renders Hebrew בידך; the hand is the instrument of protection and guidance.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive (with χειρί)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with χειρί).
αὐτόhimAccusativedirect object of κράτησον (resumptive pronoun)→ participant referenceαὐτό: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of κράτησον (resumptive pronoun).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (result: 'I will make him into a great nation')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (result: 'I will make him into a great nation').
γὰρforpostpositive explanatory particle (grounds the commands with the promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔθνοςnationAccusativeaccusative of result→ object specificationἔθνος: meaning 'nation'; it serves as accusative of result.
μέγαgreatAccusativeattributive adjective→ object specificationμέγα: meaning 'great'; it serves as attributive adjective.
ποιήσωI will makeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (divine promise, verbatim echo of v.13)→ predictive future (divine commitment)ποιέω: 'do / make'; the idiom ποιέω ἔλεος μετά τινος renders עָשָׂה חֶסֶד עִם ('show covenant-loyalty toward'); the future expresses David's settled resolve to reciprocate the kindness once shown him by Nahash.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
19
καὶ ἀνέῳξεν ὁ θεὸς τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῆς, καὶ εἶδεν φρέαρ ὕδατος ζῶντος· καὶ ἐπορεύθη καὶ ἔπλησεν τὸν ἀσκὸν ὕδατος καὶ ἐπότισεν τὸ παιδίον.
And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of living water; and she went and filled the skin with water and gave the child a drink.
The divine opening of eyes (ἀνέῳξεν ὁ θεὸς τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς) is a theophanic formula (cf. Num 22:31; 2 Kings 6:17) signaling a supernatural disclosure. The phrase φρέαρ ὕδατος ζῶντος ('a well of living water') is theologically significant: ὕδωρ ζῶν ('living water') is the same term used in Gen 26:19 and the basis of the NT metaphor in John 4:10–11; 7:38. The rapid καί-chain of ἐπορεύθη / ἔπλησεν / ἐπότισεν depicts Hagar's swift, purposeful response to divine provision.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέῳξενopenedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνοίγωmain verb→ constative aorist (single divine act of disclosure)ἀνοίγω: 'open'; ἀνέῳξεν ὁ θεὸς τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς ('God opened her eyes') is the standard LXX theophanic disclosure formula (cf. Num 22:31: ἀπεκάλυψεν κύριος τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς Βαλααμ; 2 Kings 6:17: ἀνοίξας κύριος τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς). It signals not the physical opening of physically closed eyes but the supernatural enabling of sight of what was already there.
ὁ—Nominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (direct object marker)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativedirect object→ object specificationὀφθαλμοὺς: meaning 'eyes'; it serves as direct object.
αὐτῆςherGenitivepossessive genitive (Hagar's eyes)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Hagar's eyes).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result of divine act)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb→ constative aorist (single disclosure)ὁράω: 'see'; the contrast with Οὐ μὴ ἴδω ('I will not see') of v.16 is deliberate — the mother who refused to see her child's death now sees the means of his life.
φρέαρwellAccusativedirect object→ object specificationφρέαρ: 'well / cistern'; the same word as in v.14 (φρέαρ τοῦ ὅρκου) and v.31 (Φρέαρ ὁρκισμοῦ); the wilderness well becomes the vehicle of divine rescue.
ὕδατοςof waterGenitivegenitive of content ('a well of water')→ relational specificationὕδατος: meaning 'of water'; it serves as genitive of content ('a well of water').
ζῶντοςlivingPres Act Part Gen Sg Neut · ζάωattributive participle ('living / running water')→ gnomic / descriptive present (enduring quality)ζάω: 'live'; ὕδωρ ζῶν = 'living / fresh / flowing water' (as opposed to stagnant cistern water); renders Hebrew מים חיים; the phrase is theologically loaded — cf. John 4:10, 11; 7:38 (Jesus offers ὕδωρ ζῶν); Jer 2:13 LXX (God as πηγὴ ὕδατος ζωῆς). The well of living water in the wilderness is a type of divine life-giving.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (beginning the rapid action sequence)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι (aor. pass. dep.): 'go / travel / journey'; renders הָלַךְ; the messenger sets out from the front to Jerusalem with Joab's report.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔπλησενfilledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πίμπλημιmain verb→ constative aoristπίμπλημι: 'fill'; the object is the same ἀσκός (skin) of vv.14–15 — the skin emptied by the wilderness is now refilled by the well of divine provision.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀσκὸνskinAccusativedirect object→ object specificationἀσκὸν: meaning 'skin'; it serves as direct object.
ὕδατοςwith waterGenitivegenitive of content ('filled the skin with water')→ relational specificationὕδατος: meaning 'with water'; it serves as genitive of content ('filled the skin with water').
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπότισενgave drink toAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποτίζωmain verb (climactic action: the child is saved)→ constative aoristποτίζω: 'give to drink / water'; the causative verb ('she gave him drink') is the narrative climax of the wilderness episode — the child who was dying of thirst drinks. The verb echoes the ἐπότισεν of Elijah's wilderness provision (1 Kings 17 LXX) and prefigures the NT theme of giving water in the desert.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδίονchildAccusativedirect object→ object specificationπαιδίον: meaning 'child'; it serves as direct object.
20
καὶ ἦν ὁ θεὸς μετὰ τοῦ παιδίου· καὶ ηὐξήθη καὶ κατῴκησεν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, ἐγένετο δὲ τοξότης.
And God was with the child; and he grew and dwelt in the wilderness, and he became an archer.
The divine-presence formula ἦν ὁ θεὸς μετὰ τοῦ παιδίου is the standard LXX formula for providential accompaniment (cf. Gen 26:3; 39:2, 3, 21, 23 of Joseph). The three aorists summarize Ishmael's growth, settlement, and vocation (ηὐξήθη / κατῴκησεν / ἐγένετο τοξότης) in rapid succession. The word τοξότης ('archer') echoes the τόξου βολή ('bowshot') of v.16 — the very unit of measure at his near-death becomes his vocation.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImperf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb→ descriptive imperfect (ongoing divine presence)εἰμί: the formula ἦν ὁ θεὸς μετά + genitive marks a sustained divine accompaniment that shapes the recipient's whole life; cf. Gen 21:22 (Ὁ θεὸς μετά σου, acknowledged by Abimelech of Abraham); Gen 39:2 (of Joseph); Acts 10:38 (of Jesus: ὁ θεὸς ἦν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ).
ὁ—Nominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment: 'with the child')→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment: 'with the child').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδίουchildGenitivegenitive of association (with μετά)→ relational specificationπαιδίου: meaning 'child'; it serves as genitive of association (with μετά).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ηὐξήθηgrewAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · αὐξάνωmain verb→ constative aorist (summarizing growth)αὐξάνω: 'grow / increase'; same verb used of Isaac's growth in v.8 (ηὐξήθη τὸ παιδίον) — the two sons share the same verb of growth, binding their biographies in parallel.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατῴκησενdwelt / settledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατοικέωmain verb→ constative aorist (permanent settlement)κατοικέω: 'dwell / settle permanently'; renders Hebrew ישב; the verb marks a definitive settlement — Ishmael takes up permanent residence in the wilderness (as elaborated in v.21).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceἐρήμῳ: meaning 'wilderness'; it serves as dative of place.
ἐγένετοbecameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb→ ingressive aorist (entering a new state / vocation)γίνομαι: 'become'; ἐγένετο τοξότης = 'became an archer'; the profession marks Ishmael's characteristic identity; cf. the archery traditions of the Arabian tribal groups that later tradition associated with Ishmael's descendants.
δὲandpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοξότηςarcherNominativepredicate nominative (vocation: 'became an archer')→ participant prominenceτοξότης: 'archer / bowman'; renders Hebrew רבה קשת ('great with the bow'); the root τόξον ('bow') echoes the τόξου βολήν ('bowshot') of v.16 — a verbal ring uniting Ishmael's near-death and his vocation.
21
κατῴκησεν δὲ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ τῇ Φαραν, καὶ ἔλαβεν αὐτῷ ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ γυναῖκα ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου.
He dwelt in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
The unit closes with two acts marking Ishmael's adulthood: his permanent settlement in the wilderness of Paran (cf. Num 10:12; 12:16) and the Egyptian marriage arranged by his mother Hagar. The mother's role in choosing his wife is a final note on Hagar's agency — after all she has endured, she arranges her son's future. The choice of an Egyptian wife echoes Hagar's own Egyptian origin (16:1), closing the biographical unit with a return to origins.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
κατῴκησενdweltAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατοικέωmain verb (resuming from v.20 with specification)→ constative aorist (permanent settlement)κατοικέω: verbal repetition from v.20; here specified with the location τῇ ἐρήμῳ τῇ Φαραν.
δὲandpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceἐρήμῳ: meaning 'wilderness'; it serves as dative of place.
τῇtheDativearticle (in attributive position with Φαραν)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΦαρανParanDativedative proper name (identifying the wilderness region)→ participant identificationΦαραν: LXX transliteration of Hebrew פארן; the wilderness of Paran is located in the northern Sinai / Negev region; it features as a wilderness station in Num 10:12; 12:16, and is mentioned in Deut 33:2; Hab 3:3 LXX as the territory of the divine theophany.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (marriage arrangement)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; ἔλαβεν ... γυναῖκα is the standard LXX formula for marriage (cf. Gen 4:19; 6:2); here the mother acts as marriage-broker, an unusual but attested role in ancient Near Eastern custom.
αὐτῷfor himDativedative of advantage (his mother took a wife for him)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'for him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (his mother took a wife for him).
ἡtheNominativearticle (subject marker)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μήτηρmotherNominativesubject→ participant prominenceμήτηρ: 'mother'; Hagar, named only by relationship here, remains the agent of Ishmael's future. The mother-chosen wife ties the family back to Egypt — Hagar's homeland.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (his mother)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (his mother).
γυναῖκαwifeAccusativedirect object ('took a wife for him')→ object specificationγυνή: 'woman / wife'; the taking of a wife marks Ishmael's transition to full adult status.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (origin: 'from the land of Egypt')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (origin: 'from the land of Egypt').
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of origin→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of origin.
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive proper name (the land of origin)→ participant identificationΑἴγυπτος: the choice of an Egyptian wife echoes Hagar's own origin as ἡ Αἰγυπτία (16:1; 21:9); Ishmael's lineage thus runs back to Egypt on his mother's side and to the wife she chose.
22
Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ καὶ εἶπεν Αβιμελεχ καὶ Φικολ ὁ ἀρχιστράτηγος τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ πρὸς Αβρααμ λέγων Ὁ θεὸς μετά σου ἐν πᾶσιν οἷς ἐὰν ποιῇς.
And it came to pass at that time that Abimelech and Phicol the commander of his army said to Abraham, 'God is with you in all that you do.'
The Ἐγένετο δέ formula marks a new scene within the chapter. The temporal indicator ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ ('at that time') connects this episode to the Ishmael unit. The acknowledgment Ὁ θεὸς μετά σου is the diplomatic formula of recognition of divine favour — the same expression echoed in v.20 of Ishmael (ἦν ὁ θεὸς μετὰ τοῦ παιδίου), binding the two biographical units thematically.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
Ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (scene-opening formula: Ἐγένετο δέ)→ constative aorist (inaugurating the new scene)γίνομαι: 'come to pass'; Ἐγένετο δέ (with δέ rather than καί) is the scene-opening formula for new episodes within the Abrahamic narrative (cf. 14:1; 22:1); the narrative frame parallels the Ἐγένετο δέ of 14:1.
δὲandpostpositive continuative/scene-opening particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνin / atpreposition + dative (temporal: 'at that time')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal: 'at that time').
τῷtheDativearticle with dative of time→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καιρῷtimeDativedative of time→ sphere or referenceκαιρός: 'time / occasion'; renders Hebrew בעת ההיא; the phrase ἐν τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ ('at that time') is a standard LXX temporal marker for a related but new narrative episode.
ἐκείνῳthatDativedeictic demonstrative adjective (temporal reference)→ sphere or referenceἐκείνῳ: meaning 'that'; it serves as deictic demonstrative adjective (temporal reference).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (resuming the narrative within the frame)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechNominativesubject (proper name, indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: LXX transliteration of Hebrew אבימלך ('my father is king'); the Philistine king of Gerar who appeared in Gen 20 in the Sarah incident; now he approaches Abraham for a treaty, acknowledging divine favour.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΦικολPhicolNominativesubject (proper name, indeclinable — compound subject with Αβιμελεχ)→ participant identificationΦικολ: LXX transliteration of Hebrew פיכל; the commander of Abimelech's army; he appears again at Gen 26:26 with Abimelech in a parallel treaty with Isaac.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with title)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀρχιστράτηγοςcommanderNominativeappositive to Φικολ (title)→ participant prominenceἀρχιστράτηγος: 'commander-in-chief / supreme general'; compound of ἀρχι- + στρατηγός; renders Hebrew שר הצבא ('chief of the army'); the same title appears at Gen 26:26 and Josh 5:14–15 of the divine warrior.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δυνάμεωςarmy / forceGenitivegenitive of possession ('of his army')→ relational specificationδύναμις: 'power / army / force'; here renders Hebrew צבא ('army / host'); one of the most semantically rich words in the LXX — elsewhere used of the heavenly hosts (κύριος τῶν δυνάμεων).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (Abimelech's army)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Abimelech's army).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (addressee of speech: 'to Abraham')→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (addressee of speech: 'to Abraham').
ΑβρααμAbrahamAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (addressee)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (addressee).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · λέγωsupplementary participle (introducing direct speech: 'saying')→ descriptive presentλέγω: the participle λέγων is a Hebraism of לאמר — the standard Hebrew speech-introduction formula that the LXX frequently renders with a participle.
Ὁ—Nominativearticle (subject marker in direct speech)→ noun-phrase markingὉ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of direct speech→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject of direct speech.
μετάwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετά: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
σουyouGenitivegenitive of association (with μετά: 'with you')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of association (with μετά: 'with you').
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere: 'in all that you do')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere: 'in all that you do').
πᾶσινallDativedative plural adjective (with οἷς: 'in all that')→ sphere or referenceπᾶσιν: meaning 'all'; it serves as dative plural adjective (with οἷς: 'in all that').
οἷςwhich / whatDativerelative pronoun (dative, instrument: 'in whatever you do')→ participant reference or interestοἷς: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (dative, instrument: 'in whatever you do').
ἐὰνwheneverconditional / generalizing particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'whenever'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιῇςyou doPres Act Subj 2 Sg · ποιέωverb in generalizing relative clause→ gnomic / indefinite presentποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עשׂה; the iterative subjunctive embraces all Israel's ongoing labors as the sphere of divine blessing, closing the chapter.
23
νῦν οὖν ὄμοσόν μοι τὸν θεὸν μὴ ἀδικήσειν με μηδὲ τὸ σπέρμα μου μηδὲ τὸ ὄνομά μου· ἀλλὰ κατὰ τὴν δικαιοσύνην, ἣν ἐποίησα μετὰ σοῦ, ποιήσεις μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ καὶ τῇ γῇ, ᾗ παρῴκησας ἐν αὐτῇ.
Now therefore swear to me by God that you will not deal falsely with me or with my offspring or with my posterity; but according to the loyalty which I have shown you, you shall show to me and to the land where you have sojourned.
Asyndeton: Abimelech continues without connective, the request urgent and formal. The triple negative μηδέ structure (me, my seed, my name) is a formulaic guarantee of non-aggression. The appeal to the δικαιοσύνη ('loyalty / righteousness') already shown by Abraham is the basis of reciprocity — Abimelech invokes the covenant principle of κατὰ τὴν δικαιοσύνην. The mention of 'the land where you have sojourned' acknowledges Abraham's guest-status.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (logical inference: 'given this recognition, now...')→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: meaning 'now'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunction (drawing consequence from Ὁ θεὸς μετά σου of v.22)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὖν: meaning 'therefore'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄμοσόνswearAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ὀμνύωmain verb (diplomatic imperative command)→ urgent aorist imperative (formal oath request)ὀμνύω: 'swear an oath'; the aorist imperative here is the formal legal request for a sworn treaty; the oath is sworn τὸν θεόν ('by God'), with God as the guarantor of the covenant obligation.
μοιto meDativedative of indirect object→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object.
τὸνbyAccusativearticle (accusative of oath-reference with ὀμνύω: 'swear by God')→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸνGodAccusativeaccusative of oath-object (with ὀμνύω: 'swear by God')→ object specificationθεός: the accusative of the deity sworn by is the standard LXX construction with ὀμνύω (cf. 22:16; 24:3); renders Hebrew באלהים.
μὴnotnegation (with infinitive in negative oath: 'not to wrong')→ clausal qualification or emphasisμὴ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἀδικήσεινto wrong / deal falselyAor Act Inf · ἀδικέωcomplementary infinitive (content of oath: 'swear not to wrong me')→ constative aorist infinitiveἀδικέω: 'wrong / injure / act unjustly toward'; renders Hebrew שקר ('deal falsely / deceive'); the legal vocabulary of treaty obligation.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of infinitive→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of infinitive.
μηδὲnornegative coordinating conjunction (extending the prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastμηδὲ: meaning 'nor'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπέρμαoffspring / seedAccusativedirect object (coordinated prohibition)→ object specificationσπέρμα: 'seed / offspring'; Abimelech's request extends across three generations (me, my seed, my name/posterity), a standard ancient Near Eastern treaty formulation.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
μηδὲnornegative coordinating conjunction (third element of prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastμηδὲ: meaning 'nor'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομάname / posterityAccusativedirect object (the third protected entity: name / reputation / lineage)→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name'; here extends to mean 'my name' = 'my lineage / posterity'; renders Hebrew זרע; the triad 'me / my seed / my name' is a comprehensive protection clause.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
ἀλλὰbut ratheradversative conjunction (contrastive positive: 'but / rather')→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλὰ: meaning 'but rather'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard of action: 'in accordance with')→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (standard of action: 'in accordance with').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δικαιοσύνηνloyalty / righteousnessAccusativeaccusative of standard ('according to the loyalty I showed you')→ object specificationδικαιοσύνη: 'righteousness / justice / loyalty'; renders Hebrew חסד or צדקה; in treaty contexts it denotes the covenant loyalty already demonstrated — here Abimelech's prior good treatment of Abraham (Gen 20:14–16) is invoked as the basis of reciprocal obligation.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative, feminine: object of ἐποίησα)→ participant referenceἣν: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (accusative, feminine: object of ἐποίησα).
ἐποίησαI have shown / doneAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωverb in relative clause (Abimelech's prior act of loyalty)→ constative aorist (completed act of loyalty)ποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עָשָׂה; refers to the completed act of numbering the people.
μετὰwith / towardpreposition + genitive (association: 'toward you')→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (association: 'toward you').
σοῦyouGenitivegenitive with μετά→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive with μετά.
ποιήσειςyou will do / showFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb of apodosis (the reciprocal obligation)→ predictive future (expected covenantal response)ποιέω: the correspondence ἐποίησα / ποιήσεις ('I showed / you will show') is the grammatical expression of covenantal reciprocity — 'as I did to you, so you will do to me.'
μετ᾿towardpreposition + genitive (association)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'toward'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (association).
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive with μετά→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as genitive with μετά.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῇtheDativearticle (with γῇ: dative of indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῇlandDativedative of advantage ('to the land')→ sphere or referenceγῆ: the inclusion of 'the land' as a beneficiary of the oath acknowledges that Abraham's actions affect the territorial sovereignty of the Philistines; Abraham is a sojourner whose covenant commitments have geopolitical weight.
ᾗin whichDativerelative pronoun (dative of place)→ participant reference or interestᾗ: meaning 'in which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (dative of place).
παρῴκησαςyou have sojournedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · παροικέωverb in relative clause→ constative aorist (completed sojourning)παροικέω: 'sojourn / dwell as a resident alien'; renders Hebrew גור; Abraham's status as a גֵּר ('sojourner / alien') is a key thread of the patriarchal narrative and the theological backdrop of Israel's own later sojourning in Egypt.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
αὐτῇitDativedative of place (resumptive pronoun: referring to γῇ)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of place (resumptive pronoun: referring to γῇ).
24
καὶ εἶπεν Αβρααμ Ἐγὼ ὀμοῦμαι.
And Abraham said, 'I will swear.'
A single-sentence response: Ἐγὼ ὀμοῦμαι ('I will swear'). The brevity is striking — the narrative does not linger on Abraham's agreement but moves immediately to his counter-complaint in v.25. The emphatic pronoun Ἐγώ asserts Abraham's personal commitment. The future indicative ὀμοῦμαι expresses willingness.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΑβρααμAbrahamNominativesubject→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
ἘγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun (asserts personal commitment)→ participant referenceἘγὼ: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as emphatic subject pronoun (asserts personal commitment).
ὀμοῦμαιwill swearFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ὀμνύωmain verb (assertion of intent)→ predictive future (expressed willingness to take the oath)ὀμνύω: 'swear'; the future middle indicates Abraham's personal readiness to take the requested oath; the actual oath is not narrated separately but is implicit in the covenant ceremony of v.27.
25
καὶ ἤλεγξεν Αβρααμ τὸν Αβιμελεχ περὶ τοῦ φρέατος τοῦ ὕδατος, οὗ ἀφείλαντο οἱ παῖδες τοῦ Αβιμελεχ.
And Abraham reproached Abimelech concerning the well of water that the servants of Abimelech had seized.
Before the covenant is concluded, Abraham lodges a formal grievance about the seized well. The verb ἤλεγξεν ('reproved / reproached') is legally precise — it is the vocabulary of formal complaint or accusation (cf. Lev 19:17 LXX). The well is the substance of the dispute that will become the etiology of Beersheba (v.31). The placing of this grievance within the covenant-making process ensures the well's ownership is formally recognized.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤλεγξενreproved / reproachedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐλέγχωmain verb (legal complaint)→ constative aorist (formal complaint lodged)ἐλέγχω: 'reprove / rebuke / expose'; legal vocabulary — to lodge a formal complaint or bring a charge; renders Hebrew הוכיח; the same verb is used at Lev 19:17 LXX ('you shall reprove your neighbour'), Matt 18:15, and John 16:8 (the Spirit ἐλέγχει the world). Here it marks Abraham's formal protest.
ΑβρααμAbrahamNominativesubject→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
τὸν—Accusativearticle (direct object marker)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechAccusativedirect object (the one reproved)→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as direct object (the one reproved).
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference: 'about the well')→ spatial or relational framingπερὶ: meaning 'concerning'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (reference: 'about the well').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φρέατοςwellGenitivegenitive of reference ('concerning the well')→ relational specificationφρέαρ: 'well'; the dispute over this well is the etiology of the place-name Φρέαρ ὁρκισμοῦ ('well of the oath') at v.31; control of wells was a matter of survival in the Negev.
τοῦofGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδατοςwaterGenitivegenitive of content ('the well of water')→ relational specificationὕδατος: meaning 'water'; it serves as genitive of content ('the well of water').
οὗwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive; refers to φρέατος)→ relational specificationοὗ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (genitive; refers to φρέατος).
ἀφείλαντοhad seized / taken awayAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἀφαιρέωverb in relative clause→ constative aorist (completed seizure)ἀφαιρέω: 'take away / seize'; middle form; renders Hebrew גזל ('seize / rob'); the middle voice may emphasize that the servants took it for themselves. The verb establishes the legal wrong.
οἱtheNominativearticle (subject marker)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδεςservants / boysNominativesubject of relative clause→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / boy'; renders Hebrew עבד ('servant'); the seizure was done by Abimelech's servants, not Abimelech himself — a detail Abimelech will use in his defense at v.26.
τοῦofGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechGenitivegenitive of possession ('Abimelech's servants')→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of possession ('Abimelech's servants').
26
καὶ εἶπεν Αβιμελεχ Οὐκ ἔγνων τίς ἐποίησεν τὸ πρᾶγμα τοῦτο, οὐδὲ σύ μοι ἀπήγγειλας, οὐδὲ ἐγὼ ἤκουσα ἀλλ᾿ ἢ σήμερον.
And Abimelech said, 'I do not know who did this thing; neither did you tell me, nor did I hear of it until today.'
Abimelech's response is a triple denial structured around three negative statements: Οὐκ ἔγνων / οὐδέ μοι ἀπήγγειλας / οὐδὲ ἤκουσα ἀλλ᾿ ἢ σήμερον. The structure is forensically appropriate: a denial of prior knowledge, a denial of notification, and a denial of report. The temporal marker σήμερον ('today') restricts any knowledge to the present conversation.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechNominativesubject→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
Οὐκnotnegation (strong indicative denial)→ clausal qualification or emphasisΟὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἔγνωνdid I knowAor Act Indic 1 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (first denial: no prior knowledge)→ constative aoristγινώσκω: 'know'; Οὐκ ἔγνων = 'I did not know' — the aorist denies any completed act of knowing; Abimelech pleads ignorance of his servants' action.
τίςwhoNominativeinterrogative pronoun (indirect question: 'who did this')→ participant referenceτίς: meaning 'who'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as interrogative pronoun (indirect question: 'who did this').
ἐποίησενdidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb in indirect question→ constative aoristποιέω: summarises the king's deeds.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρᾶγμαthing / matterAccusativedirect object→ object specificationπρᾶγμα: 'thing / deed / matter'; renders Hebrew דבר; used of the legal matter in dispute.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedeictic demonstrative (referring to the seizure of the well)→ participant referenceτοῦτο: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as deictic demonstrative (referring to the seizure of the well).
οὐδὲnornegative coordinating conjunction (second denial)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδὲ: meaning 'nor'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σύyouNominativeemphatic subject pronoun (second denial directed at Abraham)→ participant referenceσύ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as emphatic subject pronoun (second denial directed at Abraham).
μοιto meDativedative of indirect object→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object.
ἀπήγγειλαςtold / reportedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (second denial: 'you did not tell me')→ constative aoristἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / tell / announce'; the compound ἀπο- suggests reporting from a source; Abimelech shifts responsibility to Abraham's silence.
οὐδὲnornegative coordinating conjunction (third denial)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδὲ: meaning 'nor'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun (first person in third denial)→ participant referenceἐγὼ: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as emphatic subject pronoun (first person in third denial).
ἤκουσαheardAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (third denial: 'nor have I heard of it')→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; the triple structure (ἔγνων / ἀπήγγειλας / ἤκουσα) is a complete exculpation — Abimelech did not know, was not told, and heard nothing until now.
ἀλλ᾿exceptadversative conjunction (with ἤ: restrictive exception 'except / but only')→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλ᾿: meaning 'except'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἢthan / butdisjunctive particle (with ἀλλά: 'except only')→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'than'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb (limiting the knowledge to the present conversation)→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; restricts any hearing to the present day — i.e., to Abraham's complaint just now lodged; the word closes the denial with a temporal limit.
27
καὶ ἔλαβεν Αβρααμ πρόβατα καὶ μόσχους καὶ ἔδωκεν τῷ Αβιμελεχ· καὶ διέθεντο ἀμφότεροι διαθήκην.
And Abraham took sheep and oxen and gave them to Abimelech; and the two of them made a covenant.
The covenant ceremony proceeds without narrated resolution of the well dispute — the dispute is settled by the legal testimony of the seven ewe-lambs in vv.28–30. The gift of sheep and oxen is the conventional covenant-sealing gift (cf. Gen 26:30). The phrase διέθεντο ἀμφότεροι διαθήκην is the formal LXX covenant-making formula: διατίθεμαι διαθήκην renders כרת ברית ('cut a covenant').
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; see v. 10.
ΑβρααμAbrahamNominativesubject→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
πρόβαταsheepAccusativedirect object→ object specificationπρόβατον: 'sheep'; renders Hebrew צאן; the gift of livestock is the conventional medium for sealing a treaty in the patriarchal narratives (cf. Gen 20:14).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μόσχουςoxen / calvesAccusativedirect object (coordinated)→ object specificationμόσχος: 'calf / young bull'; renders Hebrew בקר ('cattle'); the two animals together represent the full range of Abraham's livestock gift.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; in the idiom ἔδωκεν ἐν χειρί ('gave into the hand of') it denotes the formal transfer of command authority to Abishai.
τῷtoDativearticle with dative (indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechDativedative of indirect object (recipient of gift)→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative of indirect object (recipient of gift).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result of gift-giving)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διέθεντοmade / cutAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · διατίθεμαιmain verb (covenant-making formula)→ constative aorist (single completed covenant act)διατίθεμαι: 'make a covenant / dispose / arrange'; middle voice; renders Hebrew כרת (lit. 'cut') in the formula כרת ברית ('cut a covenant'); the LXX uses διατίθεμαι διαθήκην as its standard covenant-making formula throughout the patriarchal narratives (cf. Gen 15:18; 17:2; 26:28).
ἀμφότεροιboth / both of themNominativesubject (compound: 'both of them')→ participant prominenceἀμφότεροι: 'both'; marks the bilateral character of the covenant — a mutual obligation, not a unilateral grant.
διαθήκηνcovenantAccusativedirect object (cognate accusative with διατίθεμαι)→ object specificationδιαθήκη: 'covenant / treaty / will'; the key term of biblical covenantal theology; in this context it denotes a binding treaty between two parties — a political covenant, not the theological covenant of circumcision or Sinai; the same word is used for both in LXX.
28
καὶ ἔστησεν Αβρααμ ἑπτὰ ἀμνάδας προβάτων μόνας.
And Abraham set apart seven ewe lambs of the flock by themselves.
Abraham sets apart a subset of his gift — seven ewe-lambs — in a manner that attracts Abimelech's attention (v.29). The number seven (ἑπτά) is the key to the place-name etymology: Beersheba = 'well of the seven' or 'well of the oath' (שְׁבַע = both 'seven' and 'swear'). The seven lambs function as legal witnesses to the ownership of the well.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστησενset apart / placedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb→ constative aorist (deliberate, purposeful act of separation)ἵστημι: 'set / place / stand'; the transitive use (ἔστησεν) means 'caused to stand' = set apart; the conspicuous separation of the seven lambs from the main gift is a calculated legal act.
ΑβρααμAbrahamNominativesubject→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
ἑπτὰsevenAccusativenumeral (attributive with ἀμνάδας)→ measure or countἑπτά: 'seven'; the number that contains the oath-pun of Beersheba (בְּאֵר שָׁבַע = 'well of the seven / oath'); the LXX translates the name as Φρέαρ ὁρκισμοῦ ('well of the oath') at v.31, foregrounding the oath-sense and leaving the seven-sense as the implied etymological background.
ἀμνάδαςewe lambsAccusativedirect object→ object specificationἀμνάς: 'ewe lamb'; a female lamb; renders Hebrew כבשות; the female gender of the lambs is specific — not rams but ewes, marking a particular kind of gift.
προβάτωνof the flockGenitivegenitive of source / material ('ewe lambs from the flock')→ relational specificationπροβάτων: meaning 'of the flock'; it serves as genitive of source / material ('ewe lambs from the flock').
μόναςalone / by themselvesAccusativepredicate adjective (adverbial: 'by themselves / set apart')→ object specificationμόνος: 'alone / only'; the separation of the seven from the rest of the gift is the conspicuous act that provokes Abimelech's question in v.29; μόνας signals deliberate isolation.
29
καὶ εἶπεν Αβιμελεχ τῷ Αβρααμ Τί εἰσὶν αἱ ἑπτὰ ἀμνάδες αὗται αἱ προβάτων, ἃς ἔστησας μόνας;
And Abimelech said to Abraham, 'What are these seven ewe lambs of the flock that you have set apart by themselves?'
Abimelech's question (Τί εἰσὶν...) opens the explanation that will give the site its name. The deictic αὗται ('these') points physically to the conspicuously separated lambs. The question sets up Abraham's answer in v.30 which converts the lambs into legal testimony.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechNominativesubject→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
τῷtoDativearticle with dative (indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβρααμAbrahamDativedative of indirect object (addressee)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative of indirect object (addressee).
Τίwhatinterrogative pronoun (predicate of question)→ participant referenceΤί: meaning 'what'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as interrogative pronoun (predicate of question).
εἰσὶνarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula (interrogative: 'what are...')→ gnomic / descriptive presentεἰμί (pres. εἰσίν): 'are / there are'; existential use in the protasis: 'if there are … loaves on hand.'
αἱtheNominativearticle (subject marker)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑπτὰsevenNominativenumeral→ measure or countἑπτὰ: meaning 'seven'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
ἀμνάδεςewe lambsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀμνάδες: meaning 'ewe lambs'; it serves as subject.
αὗταιtheseNominativedeictic demonstrative pronoun (pointing to the separated lambs)→ participant referenceαὗται: meaning 'these'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as deictic demonstrative pronoun (pointing to the separated lambs).
αἱtheNominativearticle (in partitive phrase: 'of the flock')→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προβάτωνof the flockGenitivegenitive of source (partitive)→ relational specificationπροβάτων: meaning 'of the flock'; it serves as genitive of source (partitive).
ἃςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative, feminine: object of ἔστησας)→ participant referenceἃς: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (accusative, feminine: object of ἔστησας).
ἔστησαςyou have setAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἵστημιverb in relative clause (referring to Abraham's act of v.28)→ constative aoristἵστημι: meaning 'you have set'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verb in relative clause (referring to Abraham's act of v.28).
μόναςby themselvesAccusativepredicate adjective (adverbial: 'by themselves')→ object specificationμόνας: meaning 'by themselves'; it serves as predicate adjective (adverbial: 'by themselves').
30
καὶ εἶπεν Αβρααμ ὅτι Τὰς ἑπτὰ ἀμνάδας ταύτας λήμψῃ παρ᾿ ἐμοῦ, ἵνα ὦσίν μοι εἰς μαρτύριον ὅτι ἐγὼ ὤρυξα τὸ φρέαρ τοῦτο.
And Abraham said, 'You shall take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, so that they may be a witness for me that I dug this well.'
Abraham's answer converts the gift of seven ewe-lambs into a legal transaction. The purpose clause ἵνα ὦσίν μοι εἰς μαρτύριον ('that they may serve as a witness for me') is legally precise: the lambs function as material witnesses (עֵדָה) attesting the ownership of the well. The word μαρτύριον ('testimony / witness') is the legal term that will recur in LXX covenant and sanctuary contexts.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΑβρααμAbrahamNominativesubject→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
ὅτι—subordinating conjunction (recitative ὅτι introducing direct speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι recitativum: a Hebraism (כי) used to introduce direct speech after a verb of saying — equivalent to quotation marks in modern usage; does not add meaning.
ΤὰςtheAccusativearticle (direct object marker, fronted for emphasis)→ noun-phrase markingΤὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑπτὰsevenAccusativenumeral→ measure or countἑπτὰ: meaning 'seven'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
ἀμνάδαςewe lambsAccusativedirect object (fronted: 'these seven ewe lambs you shall take')→ object specificationἀμνάδας: meaning 'ewe lambs'; it serves as direct object (fronted: 'these seven ewe lambs you shall take').
ταύταςtheseAccusativedeictic demonstrative (pointing to the separated lambs)→ object specificationταύτας: meaning 'these'; it serves as deictic demonstrative (pointing to the separated lambs).
λήμψῃyou will takeFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb of direct speech (statement of terms)→ predictive future (constitutive / declaratory: laying out the legal arrangement)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; the future indicative here states the terms of the legal arrangement: 'you shall take them' as the price and acknowledgment of ownership.
παρ᾿frompreposition + genitive (source: 'from my hand')→ spatial or relational framingπαρ᾿: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: 'from my hand').
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive with παρά (source: 'from me')→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as genitive with παρά (source: 'from me').
ἵναso thatsubordinating conjunction (purpose: 'so that they may be a witness')→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: meaning 'so that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὦσίνmay bePres Act Subj 3 Pl · εἰμίverb in purpose clause (subjunctive)→ purposive / prospective subjunctiveεἰμί: meaning 'may be'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verb in purpose clause (subjunctive).
μοιfor meDativedative of advantage ('a witness for me')→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'for me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage ('a witness for me').
εἰςas / forpreposition + accusative (predicate: 'as / serving as a witness')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'as'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (predicate: 'as / serving as a witness').
μαρτύριονwitness / testimonyAccusativeaccusative predicate (with εἰς: 'to serve as testimony')→ object specificationμαρτύριον: 'testimony / witness / memorial'; renders Hebrew עדה; the word is the legal key-term — the lambs will function as material testimony of the transaction. The same word is used for the 'tent of meeting' (σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου), which is the physical testimony of God's covenant presence.
ὅτιthatsubordinating conjunction (content of testimony: 'that I dug this well')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun (asserting personal ownership: 'I myself dug')→ participant referenceἐγὼ: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as emphatic subject pronoun (asserting personal ownership: 'I myself dug').
ὤρυξαdugAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὀρύσσωmain verb of content clause→ constative aorist (first-person legal claim of prior action)ὀρύσσω: 'dig'; renders Hebrew חפר; the first-person aorist ὤρυξα makes this a formal legal claim of ownership by right of digging — the one who digs the well in the ancient Near East owns it.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φρέαρwellAccusativedirect object→ object specificationφρέαρ: meaning 'well'; it serves as direct object.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedeictic demonstrative (pointing to the contested well)→ participant referenceτοῦτο: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as deictic demonstrative (pointing to the contested well).
31
διὰ τοῦτο ἐπωνόμασεν τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ τόπου ἐκείνου Φρέαρ ὁρκισμοῦ· ὅτι ἐκεῖ ὤμοσαν ἀμφότεροι.
Therefore that place was named Well of the Oath, for there the two of them swore an oath.
The causal conjunction διὰ τοῦτο ('therefore / for this reason') introduces the standard LXX etiological formula for place-name origin. The name Φρέαρ ὁρκισμοῦ ('Well of the Oath') is the LXX's translation of the Hebrew בְּאֵר שָׁבַע — which can mean either 'well of seven' or 'well of the oath.' The LXX chooses the oath-sense (ὁρκισμοῦ from ὅρκος, 'oath') and ignores the seven-sense, translating rather than transliterating. This is one of the notable instances in the LXX Pentateuch where a place-name is rendered interpretively rather than by transliteration. Hebraism flagged: LXX translates rather than transliterates.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
διὰforpreposition + accusative (causal: 'for this reason')→ spatial or relational framingδιὰ: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (causal: 'for this reason').
τοῦτοthisAccusativeaccusative pronoun (with διά: causal: 'therefore')→ participant referenceτοῦτο: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative pronoun (with διά: causal: 'therefore').
ἐπωνόμασενnamedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπονομάζωmain verb (etiological naming formula)→ constative aorist (founding act of naming)ἐπονομάζω: 'call by name / give a name to'; compound of ἐπί + ὀνομάζω; renders Hebrew קרא שם ('call a name'); the etiological formula ἐπωνόμασεν τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ τόπου ἐκείνου is the standard LXX place-name origin formula (cf. Gen 11:9; 16:14; 26:33; 28:19).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect object→ object specificationὄνομα: meaning 'name'; it serves as direct object.
τοῦofGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπουplaceGenitivegenitive of possession ('the name of that place')→ relational specificationτόπου: meaning 'place'; it serves as genitive of possession ('the name of that place').
ἐκείνουthatGenitivedeictic demonstrative adjective (pointing to the named site)→ relational specificationἐκείνου: meaning 'that'; it serves as deictic demonstrative adjective (pointing to the named site).
ΦρέαρWellAccusativepredicate name (the name given: 'Well of the Oath')→ object specificationφρέαρ: 'well'; the LXX's rendition of Beersheba as Φρέαρ ὁρκισμοῦ translates the oath-etymology of the Hebrew name (שבע = swear / oath) rather than transliterating it — a deliberate interpretive choice that makes the name's meaning transparent to Greek readers. This is one of the notable LXX toponym translations in Genesis; contrast the transliterations elsewhere (e.g., Φαραν at v.21; Βηρσαβεε at 26:33 where Rahlfs opts for transliteration).
ὁρκισμοῦof the oathGenitivegenitive of attribute ('well of the oath')→ relational specificationὁρκισμός: 'oath-taking / swearing'; derives from ὅρκος ('oath'); the genitive gives the well its defining characteristic — the oath sworn there.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (explaining the name)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκεῖtherelocative adverb ('there / at that place')→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: meaning 'there'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
ὤμοσανsworeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὀμνύωmain verb of causal clause→ constative aorist (the completed oath-swearing event)ὀμνύω: 'swear an oath'; the founding oath of the two parties gives the site its name; the verb echoes ὀμοῦμαι (v.24) and ὄμοσόν (v.23), completing the oath-vocabulary arc of the covenant episode.
ἀμφότεροιbothNominativesubject ('both of them': Abraham and Abimelech)→ participant prominenceἀμφότεροι: meaning 'both'; it serves as subject ('both of them': Abraham and Abimelech).
32
καὶ διέθεντο διαθήκην ἐν τῷ Φρέατι τοῦ ὅρκου· ἀνέστη δὲ Αβιμελεχ καὶ Φικολ ὁ ἀρχιστράτηγος αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπέστρεψαν εἰς τὴν γῆν τῶν Φυλιστιιμ.
And they made a covenant at the Well of the Oath; and Abimelech and Phicol his commander arose and returned to the land of the Philistines.
The verse provides the double closure of the covenant episode: the covenant is formally made at the named location (Φρέατι τοῦ ὅρκου, echoing the new name of v.31), and the Philistines depart. The naming of their destination (γῆν τῶν Φυλιστιιμ) marks the closure of the territorial episode. The same phrase recurs verbatim in v.34 (ἐν τῇ γῇ τῶν Φυλιστιιμ), framing Abraham's sojourning in the Philistines' land.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διέθεντοmade / cutAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · διατίθεμαιmain verb (covenant-making formula, resuming from v.27)→ constative aoristδιατίθεμαι: repeated from v.27; the repetition of the covenant-making formula at the now-named site seals the action geographically and legally.
διαθήκηνcovenantAccusativedirect object (cognate accusative)→ object specificationδιαθήκην: meaning 'covenant'; it serves as direct object (cognate accusative).
ἐνatpreposition + dative (locative: 'at the Well of the Oath')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'at the Well of the Oath').
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΦρέατιWellDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceφρέαρ: the first use of the named location (τοῦ ὅρκου = 'of the oath') after the naming of v.31; the name is now anchored in the narrative.
τοῦofGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅρκουoathGenitivegenitive of attribute→ relational specificationὅρκου: meaning 'oath'; it serves as genitive of attribute.
ἀνέστηaroseAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (departure action)→ constative aorist (formal rising to depart)ἀνίστημι: 'rise / get up'; the formal act of rising to depart is the standard LXX signal of the close of a diplomatic meeting; cf. Gen 23:3, 7 of Abraham at Sarah's burial negotiations.
δὲandpostpositive continuative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑβιμελεχAbimelechNominativesubject→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΦικολPhicolNominativesubject (compound with Αβιμελεχ)→ participant identificationΦικολ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (compound with Αβιμελεχ).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with title)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀρχιστράτηγοςcommanderNominativeappositive to Φικολ (title repeated from v.22)→ participant prominenceἀρχιστράτηγος: meaning 'commander'; it serves as appositive to Φικολ (title repeated from v.22).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (Abimelech's commander)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Abimelech's commander).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέστρεψανreturnedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (departure completed)→ constative aoristἐπιστρέφω: 'return / turn back'; renders Hebrew שוב; the return of the Philistines to their own land formally closes the diplomatic episode.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction: 'to the land of the Philistines')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: 'to the land of the Philistines').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative of direction→ object specificationγῆν: meaning 'land'; it serves as accusative of direction.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΦυλιστιιμPhilistinesGenitivegenitive proper name (indeclinable: 'of the Philistines')→ participant identificationΦυλιστιιμ: LXX transliteration of Hebrew פְּלִשְׁתִּים (pĕlištîm = Philistines); the double iota (ιιμ) preserves the ending of the Hebrew plural. The same form recurs at v.34, framing Abraham's sojourning within Philistine territory.
33
καὶ ἐφύτευσεν Αβρααμ ἄρουραν ἐπὶ τῷ Φρέατι τοῦ ὅρκου καὶ ἐπεκαλέσατο ἐκεῖ τὸ ὄνομα κυρίου θεὸς αἰώνιος.
And Abraham planted a tamarisk at the Well of the Oath and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.
Two acts that together establish a permanent claim: planting a tree (a lasting marker of tenure) and calling on the name of the LORD with the divine epithet θεὸς αἰώνιος ('Everlasting God'). The divine title renders El Olam (אֵל עֹולָם), occurring only here in Genesis LXX. The tree-planting + worship combination at a sacred site is attested at Gen 12:7–8 (Abram at Shechem and Bethel) — here it is enacted at the third patriarchal sacred site, Beersheba. The conjunction of the eternal God and the covenant land-claim is theologically charged.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐφύτευσενplantedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φυτεύωmain verb→ constative aorist (single founding act of planting)φυτεύω: 'plant'; renders Hebrew נטע; the planting of a tree at a site marks a lasting claim of presence and ownership — the tree will outlive the planter. Jesus uses this vocabulary in Matt 15:13 (πᾶσα φυτεία ἣν οὐκ ἐφύτευσεν ὁ πατήρ μου ὁ οὐράνιος ἐκριζωθήσεται).
ΑβρααμAbrahamNominativesubject→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
ἄρουρανtamariskAccusativedirect object (the tree planted)→ object specificationἄρουρα: primarily 'ploughed field / arable land'; here used to render Hebrew אֵשֶׁל (ʾēšel), which most scholars identify as the tamarisk tree (Tamarix aphylla), a large desert tree planted for shade and as a permanent landmark. The LXX rendering ἄρουρα ('field') is unusual and may reflect an alternative understanding of אֵשֶׁל; most modern versions translate 'tamarisk.' Some manuscripts read ἄρουραν (field) while others have ἀρούρας (fields). This is a noted LXX translation oddity.
ἐπὶatpreposition + dative (locative: 'at the Well of the Oath')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'at the Well of the Oath').
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΦρέατιWellDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceΦρέατι: meaning 'Well'; it serves as dative of place.
τοῦofGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅρκουoathGenitivegenitive of attribute→ relational specificationὅρκου: meaning 'oath'; it serves as genitive of attribute.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπεκαλέσατοcalled uponAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπικαλέωmain verb (act of worship / invocation)→ constative aorist (founding act of worship at this site)ἐπικαλέω: 'call upon / invoke'; middle voice; ἐπεκαλέσατο τὸ ὄνομα κυρίου renders Hebrew קרא בשם יהוה ('call on the name of YHWH'); the standard LXX formula for patriarchal worship at a holy site (Gen 12:8; 13:4; 26:25); cf. Acts 2:21 (πᾶς ὃς ἂν ἐπικαλέσηται τὸ ὄνομα κυρίου σωθήσεται, quoting Joel 3:5 LXX); Rom 10:13.
ἐκεῖtherelocative adverb ('there / at that place')→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: meaning 'there'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect object (the name invoked)→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name'; the invocation of the divine name (קרא בשם) is the founding act of patriarchal worship at holy sites (12:8; 13:4; 26:25); cf. the eschatological 'calling on the name' in Joel 3:5 LXX / Rom 10:13.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession ('the name of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: the divine name YHWH; the full phrase τὸ ὄνομα κυρίου is the standard LXX rendering of שם יהוה.
θεὸςGodNominativepredicate nominative (divine title in apposition: 'the LORD [who is] the Everlasting God')→ participant prominenceθεός: in the phrase θεὸς αἰώνιος this is the predicate nominative of a divine title ('the LORD — [namely] the Everlasting God'); renders Hebrew אֵל עֹולָם (El Olam).
αἰώνιοςeverlastingNominativeattributive adjective (in divine title: 'the Everlasting God')→ participant prominenceαἰώνιος: 'everlasting / eternal'; renders Hebrew עֹולָם (ʿôlām = 'everlasting / of old'); the divine title θεὸς αἰώνιος = El Olam occurs only here in Genesis LXX; it pairs the eternal character of God with the covenant made at this site. The same epithet ὁ θεὸς ὁ αἰώνιος appears at Rom 16:26 in Paul's doxological close. The title grounds the treaty and the land-claim in God's eternal character.
34
καὶ παρῴκησεν Αβρααμ ἐν τῇ γῇ τῶν Φυλιστιιμ ἡμέρας πολλάς.
And Abraham sojourned in the land of the Philistines many days.
The chapter closes with a territorial summary: Abraham's extended sojourning in the land of the Philistines. The verb παρῴκησεν ('sojourned') echoes the vocabulary of v.23 (παρῴκησας) and frames Abraham as a righteous alien in the land — neither owner nor exile, but a resident stranger in a land promised but not yet possessed. The phrase ἡμέρας πολλάς ('many days') is the LXX formula for an extended but unspecified duration. The closing note places Abraham in the exact location — ἐν τῇ γῇ τῶν Φυλιστιιμ — that Abimelech and Phicol departed for at v.32, completing the geographical ring.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρῴκησενsojournedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παροικέωmain verb→ constative aorist (summary of extended sojourning period)παροικέω: 'sojourn / dwell as a resident alien'; renders Hebrew גור; the term denotes living in a land without full citizen rights — Abraham is always a גֵּר ('sojourner') in the land of promise (Heb 11:9: ἐν γῇ τῆς ἐπαγγελίας ὡς ἀλλοτρίᾳ κατῴκησεν). The echo of παρῴκησας in v.23 creates a verbal ring across the covenant episode. The verb recurs in Acts 13:17 (ἐν τῇ παροικίᾳ ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτου) as the characterization of Israel's sojourning.
ΑβρααμAbrahamNominativesubject→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῇlandDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land'; ἐν τῇ γῇ τῶν Φυλιστιιμ is the exact phrase from v.32 (εἰς τὴν γῆν τῶν Φυλιστιιμ), now applied to Abraham's sojourning — a verbal ring that closes the Abimelech-Beersheba episode and frames Abraham as a righteous alien within Philistine territory.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΦυλιστιιμPhilistinesGenitivegenitive proper name (indeclinable: 'of the Philistines')→ participant identificationΦυλιστιιμ: same form as v.32; the repetition of the exact phrase closes the geographical ring and frames the chapter's final movement within Philistine territory — the land in which Abraham is simultaneously guest, covenant partner, and righteous stranger.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of duration ('for many days')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; accusative of time extension; the phrase ἡμέρας πολλάς ('many days') is the standard LXX durational formula (cf. Gen 26:8; 37:34; 1 Sam 29:3 LXX) for an extended but narratively unspecified period.
πολλάςmanyAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέρας)→ object specificationπολλάς: meaning 'many'; it serves as attributive adjective (modifying ἡμέρας).