Genesis 26 — Greek, Translation, Interlinear & Discourse

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

Ἐγένετο δὲ λιμὸς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς χωρὶς τοῦ λιμοῦ τοῦ πρότερον τοῦ ἐν τῷ χρόνῳ τοῦ Αβρααμ· ἐπορεύθη δὲ Ισαακ πρὸς Αβιμελεχ βασιλέα Φυλιστιιμ εἰς Γεραρα.

And there was a famine in the land, besides the former famine that was in the time of Abraham; and Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, to Gerar.

Narrative frame / scene-settingἘγένετο δέ

The ἐγένετο δέ formula opens a new episode, calquing Hebrew וַיְהִי; δέ distinguishes this famine from the preceding Abraham narrative. The explicit cross-reference to the Abrahamic famine (χωρὶς τοῦ λιμοῦ τοῦ πρότερον) anchors events in sacred history and signals that Isaac's story runs parallel to his father's.

Word-by-word analysis· 26 words

Ἐγένετοthere wasAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (existential)→ ingressive aorist (onset of the famine)γίνομαι: 'come to be / come to pass'; the ἐγένετο formula calques Hebrew וַיְהִי, the standard narrative episode-opener (cf. Ruth 1:1; Gen 12:10 LXX); signals a new scene within the Isaanic cycle.

δὲnow / andnarrative particle (new episode marker)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

λιμὸςfamineNominativesubject (predicate nominative with existential verb)→ participant prominenceλιμός: 'famine / hunger'; renders Hebrew רָעָב; famines are structural crisis-markers in the ancestral narratives (12:10; 41:27–30), driving migrations that echo this one; the word's anarthrous use here signals a new, distinct famine.

ἐπὶupon / overpreposition + genitive (locative: upon/over the land)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative: upon/over the land).

τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γῆςlandGenitivegenitive (object of ἐπί: locative)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land / earth'; the phrase λιμὸς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς echoes Gen 12:10 (λιμὸς δὲ ἐγένετο ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς) verbally, setting up the deliberate parallel and contrast.

χωρὶςbesides / apart frompreposition + genitive (exceptionive / additive: 'besides')→ spatial or relational framingχωρίς: primarily 'without / apart from,' but here in the additive sense 'besides / in addition to'; renders Hebrew מִלְּבַד; the distinction from the prior Abrahamic famine is part of the narrator's typological framing.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with λιμοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λιμοῦfamineGenitivegenitive object of χωρίς→ relational specificationλιμός: second occurrence; now articular (τοῦ λιμοῦ), identifying the specific, known famine of Abraham's time. The word-repetition (λιμὸς … τοῦ λιμοῦ) creates an implicit comparison of the two famines.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (attributive with πρότερον)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πρότερονformerGenitiveattributive adjective (genitive: modifying λιμοῦ)→ relational specificationπρότερος: 'former / earlier'; renders Hebrew הָרִאשׁוֹן ('the first'); used as a genitive attributive to specify the Abrahamic famine of Gen 12:10.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with the prepositional phrase ἐν τῷ χρόνῳ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal: 'in the time of')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal: 'in the time of').

τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

χρόνῳtime / daysDativedative of time (temporal frame: 'in the time of Abraham')→ sphere or referenceχρόνος: 'time / period'; the phrase ἐν τῷ χρόνῳ τοῦ Αβρααμ renders Hebrew בִּימֵי אַבְרָהָם ('in the days of Abraham') and precisely locates the prior famine in the Abrahamic era.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with proper noun Αβρααμ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΑβρααμAbrahamindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relation (time of Abraham)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: the patriarch whose famine-driven sojourn in Egypt (12:10–20) and in Gerar (20:1–18) are the typological precedents for this episode; the name anchors the chapter's typological reading.

ἐπορεύθηwent / journeyedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (narrative action: Isaac's journey)→ constative aorist (single completed journey)πορεύομαι: 'go / travel'; deponent; renders Hebrew וַיֵּלֶךְ; the direction to Gerar rather than Egypt is significant — the divine prohibition of v.2 is presumably operative even before it is stated (cf. the narrative logic of 20:1).

δὲandnarrative particle (sequential continuation)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliteration of Hebrew יִצְחַק ('he laughs'); the name will be etymologically activated by the wordplay in v.8 (παίζοντα, 'sporting / playing').

πρὸςto / towardpreposition + accusative (direction: toward a person)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: toward a person).

ΑβιμελεχAbimelechindeclinable proper noun, object of πρός (person visited)→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: the Philistine king; in Gen 20 an Abimelech received Abraham and Sarah; whether this is the same individual or a dynastic title is debated; the LXX does not disambiguate.

βασιλέαkingAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Αβιμελεχ→ object specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; the royal title establishes Abimelech's authority and anticipates his legal decree protecting Isaac in v.11.

Φυλιστιιμof the Philistinesindeclinable proper noun, genitive of attribution (king of the Philistines)→ participant identificationΦυλιστιιμ: LXX transliteration of Hebrew פְּלִשְׁתִּים; the presence of 'Philistines' in the Middle Bronze Age patriarchal era is a recognized anachronism; the LXX follows the MT without comment.

εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (goal of motion)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of motion).

ΓεραραGerarindeclinable proper noun, goal of εἰς→ participant identificationΓεραρα: the city of Gerar in the northern Negev region; Abraham also sojourned there (Gen 20); it is the setting for the entire first half of this chapter.

Ὤφθη δὲ αὐτῷ κύριος καὶ εἶπεν· Μὴ καταβῇς εἰς Αἴγυπτον· κατοίκησον δὲ ἐν τῇ γῇ, ᾗ ἂν εἴπω σοι.

And the LORD appeared to him and said: 'Do not go down to Egypt; but dwell in the land of which I shall tell you.'

Divine intervention / commandὬφθη δέ

The divine passive Ὤφθη is the standard LXX theophanic formula (renders Hebrew וַיֵּרָא); the appearance redirects Isaac away from Egypt — explicitly prohibiting the pattern of Abraham's famine response (12:10) — and opens the promise-renewal speech of vv.2b–5.

Word-by-word analysis· 19 words

ὬφθηappearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (theophanic formula)→ divine passive aorist (the LORD making himself visible)ὁράω: 'see'; the passive 'was seen / appeared' (Ὤφθη) is the standard LXX theophanic verb translating Hebrew נִרְאָה (Niphal of רָאָה); it occurs at every major Abrahamic theophany (12:7; 17:1; 18:1) and now transfers the pattern to Isaac.

δὲand / nownarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

αὐτῷto himDativedative of personal interest (indirect object of theophanic verb)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of personal interest (indirect object of theophanic verb).

κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: LXX rendering of the divine name יהוה (YHWH); the convention is universal in the LXX and governs this chapter's theology; all subsequent promises and blessings are κύριος-acts.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (linking appearance and speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of speech (introducing divine discourse)→ constative aorist (single speech act)λέγω: 'say / speak'; the aorist εἶπεν introduces the extended divine discourse of vv.2b–5, the longest divine speech to Isaac in Genesis.

Μὴnotnegative particle (prohibition with aorist subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastΜὴ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

καταβῇςgo downAor Act Subj 2 Sg · καταβαίνωnegated aorist subjunctive (prohibition)→ prohibitive aorist subjunctive (categorical prohibition)καταβαίνω: 'go down'; the verb is directionally significant — Egypt lies 'down' from Canaan; the prohibition inverts what Abraham did in 12:10 (κατέβη εἰς Αἴγυπτον) and redirects the type-scene.

εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (goal of motion)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of motion).

ΑἴγυπτονEgyptindeclinable proper noun, goal of εἰς→ participant identificationΑἴγυπτον: Egypt; the destination of Abraham's famine-flight in 12:10; its prohibition here differentiates Isaac's path from his father's and keeps the patriarch within the promised land.

κατοίκησονdwell / settleAor Act Imper 2 Sg · κατοικέωaorist imperative (positive divine command)→ ingressive-aorist imperative (begin and continue settling)κατοικέω: 'dwell / settle in a place'; renders Hebrew שְׁכֹן; the command to stay in the land is the positive counterpart to the prohibition; the suffix -οικ- puns etymologically on 'house' (οἶκος), underscoring settlement versus sojourning.

δὲbut / andnarrative particle (mild contrast: prohibition → positive command)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; 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.

γῇlandDativedative of place (locative: dwell in the land)→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as dative of place (locative: dwell in the land).

ᾗwhichDativerelative pronoun (dative of place, antecedent τῇ γῇ)→ participant reference or interestὅς: the relative pronoun picks up τῇ γῇ and introduces the indefinite relative clause; the vagueness ('the land of which I shall tell you') presupposes further divine guidance and preserves narrative suspense.

ἂν(indefinite modal particle)modal particle (making the relative clause indefinite / contingent)→ discourse linkage or contrastἂν: meaning '(indefinite modal particle)'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἴπωI shall tell / sayAor Act Subj 1 Sg · λέγωaorist subjunctive in indefinite relative clause (future reference)→ futuristic aorist subjunctive (divine promise of future specification)λέγω: 'say / tell'; the subjunctive with ἄν marks an open, future divine speech act; the construction leaves the precise location open and binds Isaac to ongoing obedience to the divine word.

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.

Παρόικει ἐν τῇ γῇ ταύτῃ, καὶ ἔσομαι μετὰ σοῦ καὶ εὐλογήσω σε· σοὶ γὰρ καὶ τῷ σπέρματί σου δώσω πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ταύτην καὶ στήσω τὸν ὅρκον μου, ὃν ὤμοσα Αβρααμ τῷ πατρί σου.

Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and bless you; for to you and to your seed I will give all this land, and I will confirm the oath that I swore to Abraham your father.

Command + promise (continuation of divine speech)Παρόικει

The opening imperative Παρόικει continues the divine speech from v.2b; the verse pivots from command to promise (ἔσομαι … εὐλογήσω … δώσω … στήσω), four first-person divine commitments. The γάρ grounds the promise in the sworn oath to Abraham, formally transferring the covenant to the next generation.

Word-by-word analysis· 34 words

Παρόικειsojourn / dwell as a strangerPres Act Imper 2 Sg · παροικέωpresent imperative (continuing divine command)→ progressive-present imperative (ongoing sojourning enjoined)παροικέω: 'reside as a foreigner / sojourn'; the παρ- prefix marks alien or temporary residence (παρά + οἰκέω); renders Hebrew גּוּר; the verb marks Isaac as a גֵּר ('resident alien') even in Gerar, not a full citizen. The same root governs Abraham's sojourning in the ancestral narratives (12:10; 20:1; 21:23).

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 (locative)→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as dative of place (locative).

ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjective (dative, modifying γῇ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative makes concrete the land just referenced in v.2 (ἐν τῇ γῇ ᾗ ἂν εἴπω σοι) — now identified as 'this land' in which Isaac already finds himself.

καὶandconjunction (linking command to promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔσομαιI will beFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (divine promise: first of four futures)→ predictive future (divine commitment)εἰμί: 'be'; the divine formula εἰμί μετά τινος ('I will be with you') is the covenant-presence formula recurring throughout Genesis (26:3, 24; 28:15; 31:3); renders Hebrew וְהָיִיתִי עִמָּךְ.

μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment / presence)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment / presence).

σοῦyouGenitivegenitive of accompaniment (object of μετά)→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of accompaniment (object of μετά).

καὶandconjunction (linking first and second divine promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εὐλογήσωI will blessFut Act Indic 1 Sg · εὐλογέωmain verb (divine promise: second future)→ predictive future (divine blessing commitment)εὐλογέω: 'bless'; the Abrahamic blessing (εὐλογέω occurs 13 times in the Abraham cycle) now transfers to Isaac; the word-group εὐλογία/εὐλογέω is the narrative thread connecting the patriarchal covenants.

σεyouAccusativeaccusative direct object of εὐλογήσω→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of εὐλογήσω.

σοὶto youDativedative of advantage (emphatic, fronted: 'to you and to your seed')→ participant reference or interestσοὶ: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (emphatic, fronted: 'to you and to your seed').

γὰρforcausal conjunction (grounding the promise in the Abrahamic oath)→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

καὶandconjunction (σοί … καὶ τῷ σπέρματί σου: dual beneficiary)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σπέρματίseed / offspringDativedative of advantage (coordinate with σοί)→ sphere or referenceσπέρμα: 'seed / offspring / descendants'; renders Hebrew זֶרַע; the term is theologically central to the Abrahamic covenant (12:7; 13:15–16; 15:5, 13, 18; 17:7–8); Paul reads it as a collective singular pointing to Christ at Gal 3:16.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (your seed)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (your seed).

δώσωI will giveFut Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (divine promise: third future, land-grant)→ predictive future (divine land-grant commitment)δίδωμι: 'give'; the land-grant formula δώσω … πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ταύτην echoes 12:7; 13:15; 15:18; 17:8; the verb makes explicit the unconditional divine donation.

πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjective (accusative, modifying γῆν)→ object specificationπᾶσαν: meaning 'all'; it serves as attributive adjective (accusative, modifying γῆν).

τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative direct object of δώσω→ object specificationγῆν: meaning 'land'; it serves as accusative direct object of δώσω.

ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (accusative, modifying γῆν)→ participant referenceταύτην: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative adjective (accusative, modifying γῆν).

καὶandconjunction (linking third and fourth divine promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

στήσωI will confirm / establishFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (divine promise: fourth future, oath-confirmation)→ predictive future (divine covenantal confirmation)ἵστημι (causative): 'cause to stand / establish / confirm'; στήσω τὸν ὅρκον renders Hebrew וַהֲקִמֹתִי אֶת־שְׁבֻעָתִי ('and I will establish my oath'); the verb marks the solemn ratification of the pre-existing Abrahamic commitment.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὅρκονoathAccusativeaccusative direct object of στήσω→ object specificationὅρκος: 'oath / sworn agreement'; renders Hebrew שְׁבוּעָה; the same root that will appear as the well-name Ὅρκος in v.33, forming a structural bracket in the chapter.

μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (my oath)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (my oath).

ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative, antecedent τὸν ὅρκον)→ participant referenceὃν: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (accusative, antecedent τὸν ὅρκον).

ὤμοσαI sworeAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὄμνυμιrelative clause verb (identifying which oath)→ constative aorist (the completed swearing at the Aqedah, Gen 22:16–18)ὄμνυμι: 'swear'; the aorist refers to the oath at the Aqedah (Gen 22:16–18: κατ᾿ ἐμαυτοῦ ὤμοσα, 'by myself I have sworn') — the most solemn Abrahamic oath in Genesis, now formally transferred to Isaac.

ΑβρααμAbrahamindeclinable proper noun, dative of indirect object (to Abraham)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, dative of indirect object (to Abraham).

τῷtheDativearticle (with πατρί)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πατρίfatherDativedative in apposition to Αβρααμ (your father)→ sphere or referenceπατήρ: 'father'; the apposition τῷ πατρί σου establishes Isaac's covenant-legitimacy as the heir to Abraham's promise — a motif critical to the Jacob–Esau election-narrative that follows.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of relation (your father)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relation (your father).

καὶ πληθυνῶ τὸ σπέρμα σου ὡς τοὺς ἀστέρας τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ δώσω τῷ σπέρματί σου πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ταύτην, καὶ ἐνευλογηθήσονται ἐν τῷ σπέρματί σου πάντα τὰ ἔθνη τῆς γῆς,

and I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and I will give to your seed all this land; and in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed,

Promise continuation (paratactic expansion)καί

The verse continues the divine promise-list from v.3 without syntactic break (καί-parataxis). The star-multiplication simile (ὡς τοὺς ἀστέρας τοῦ οὐρανοῦ) echoes 15:5 and 22:17. The universal blessing-formula (ἐνευλογηθήσονται ἐν τῷ σπέρματί σου πάντα τὰ ἔθνη) is the global horizon of the entire covenant; Paul cites it at Gal 3:8 and Acts 3:25 cites it as the charter of the Gentile mission.

Word-by-word analysis· 30 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (continuing the divine promise list)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πληθυνῶI will multiplyFut Act Indic 1 Sg · πληθύνωmain verb (divine promise: seed-multiplication)→ predictive future (divine commitment)πληθύνω: 'multiply / increase greatly'; renders Hebrew וְהִרְבֵּיתִי; the same verb at 22:17 (πληθύνων πληθυνῶ τὸ σπέρμα σου) in the Aqedah promise; the cognate noun πλῆθος ('multitude') governs Abraham's name-change at 17:5.

τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σπέρμαseed / offspringAccusativeaccusative direct object of πληθυνῶ→ object specificationσπέρμα: meaning 'seed'; it serves as accusative direct object of πληθυνῶ.

σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.

ὡςas / likecomparative particle (introducing the star-simile)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: meaning 'as'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀστέραςstarsAccusativeaccusative (object of comparative ὡς)→ object specificationἀστήρ: 'star'; renders Hebrew כּוֹכָבֵי; the star-simile appears in 15:5 (first promise to Abraham), 22:17 (Aqedah), and now 26:4 — a covenantal triad transferring the stellar promise to each successive generation. Paul's application of seed-promise to Christ (Gal 3:16) reads this singular σπέρμα as the key.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

οὐρανοῦheaven / skyGenitivegenitive of source (stars of the heaven)→ relational specificationοὐρανός: 'heaven / sky'; the phrase τοὺς ἀστέρας τοῦ οὐρανοῦ is a standing biblical image for uncountable multitude; the genitive is appositional-partitive (stars belonging to the expanse of heaven).

καὶandconjunction (continuing the promise list)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

δώσωI will giveFut Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (divine land-grant promise)→ predictive future (divine commitment)δίδωμι (fut. δώσω): 'give'; Hannah's promise to give the child back to the LORD; the same verb δίδωμι runs through the chapter (gift/give/lend vocabulary), binding petition and dedication.

τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σπέρματίseed / offspringDativedative of advantage (indirect object: to your seed)→ sphere or referenceσπέρματί: meaning 'seed'; it serves as dative of advantage (indirect object: to your seed).

πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjective (accusative, modifying γῆν)→ object specificationπᾶσαν: meaning 'all'; it serves as attributive adjective (accusative, modifying γῆν).

τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative direct object of δώσω→ object specificationγῆν: meaning 'land'; it serves as accusative direct object of δώσω.

καὶandconjunction (introducing the universal-blessing clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐνευλογηθήσονταιshall be blessed inFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐνευλογέωmain verb (divine promise: universal-blessing formula)→ predictive future passive (the nations receiving blessing mediated through the seed)ἐνευλογέω: 'be blessed in / through'; the ἐν-compound is characteristic of the LXX universal-blessing formula, rendering Hebrew וְהִתְבָּרְכוּ (Niphal, 'bless themselves') or (Hitpael) 'be blessed'; either reading yields a passive reception of Abrahamic blessing. The verb is cited verbatim at Acts 3:25 (ἐνευλογηθήσονται … πᾶσαι αἱ πατριαὶ τῆς γῆς) and paraphrased at Gal 3:8 (ἐνευλογηθήσονται ἐν σοὶ πάντα τὰ ἔθνη), making it one of the most consequential LXX coinages for the NT theology of the Abrahamic inheritance.

ἐνin / throughpreposition + dative (instrument / mediation: 'in/through your seed')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrument / mediation: 'in/through your seed').

τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σπέρματίseed / offspringDativedative of instrument / mediation (the seed as the channel of blessing)→ sphere or referenceσπέρμα: third occurrence in the divine speech (vv.3, 4a, 4b); the three-fold repetition underscores that the seed-promise is the covenant's central content. Paul reads ἐν τῷ σπέρματί σου collectively and christologically at Gal 3:16.

πάνταallNominativeattributive adjective (nominative, modifying ἔθνη)→ participant prominenceπάντα: meaning 'all'; it serves as attributive adjective (nominative, modifying ἔθνη).

τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἔθνηnations / GentilesNominativesubject of ἐνευλογηθήσονται→ participant prominenceἔθνος: 'nation / people'; in the LXX often contrasted with ὁ λαός (Israel specifically) vs. τὰ ἔθνη (the peoples of the world); here πάντα τὰ ἔθνη τῆς γῆς is maximal universality — no people excluded.

τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γῆςearthGenitivegenitive of source (nations of the earth)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive of source (nations of the earth).

ἀνθ᾿ ὧν ὑπήκουσεν Αβρααμ τῆς ἐμῆς φωνῆς καὶ ἐφύλαξεν τὰ προστάγματά μου καὶ τὰς ἐντολάς μου καὶ τὰ δικαιώματά μου καὶ τοὺς νόμους μου.

because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my ordinances and my commandments and my statutes and my laws.

Causal ground (warrant for the promise)ἀνθ᾿ ὧν

This verse supplies the stated reason (ἀνθ᾿ ὧν = 'because') for transferring the promise to Isaac. The fourfold legal list — προστάγματα, ἐντολαί, δικαιώματα, νόμοι — reads distinctively Mosaic Torah vocabulary back onto the pre-Sinai patriarch, with no parallel in the other patriarchal promise passages. The anachronism is theologially intentional: it roots the Sinai legislation in the Abrahamic covenant and frames Abraham's obedience as paradigmatic Torah-keeping before the Torah.

Word-by-word analysis· 24 words

ἀνθ᾿because of / in return forpreposition + genitive (causal: 'because of the fact that')→ spatial or relational framingἀντί: primarily 'instead of / in place of / in return for'; with ὧν (genitive relative), ἀνθ᾿ ὧν = 'because / for which reason'; renders Hebrew עֵקֶב אֲשֶׁר ('because / on account of the fact that'). The causal sense grounds the promise in Abraham's specific obedience.

ὧνwhich (things)Genitiverelative pronoun (genitive, object of ἀντί; antecedent = the following actions)→ relational specificationὧν: meaning 'which (things)'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (genitive, object of ἀντί; antecedent = the following actions).

ὑπήκουσενobeyed / heededAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑπακούωmain verb (Abraham's obedience as warrant)→ constative aorist (summarizing Abraham's life of obedience)ὑπακούω: 'listen under / obey'; the ὑπό- prefix adds submission to hearing; renders Hebrew שָׁמַע בְּקֹלִי ('hear/obey my voice'); the same phrase governs the Aqedah blessing in 22:18 (ἀνθ᾿ ὧν ὑπήκουσας τῆς ἐμῆς φωνῆς), creating a precise verbal echo and tying this verse to the oath sworn there.

ΑβρααμAbrahamindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.

τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἐμῆςmyGenitivepossessive adjective (genitive, modifying φωνῆς; attributive)→ relational specificationἐμός: emphatic possessive pronoun ('my own'); the emphasis on τῆς ἐμῆς φωνῆς ('my very voice') stresses the personal, direct divine address to Abraham — not a transmitted law but the spoken word of God.

φωνῆςvoiceGenitivegenitive direct object of ὑπακούω (obedience to the voice)→ relational specificationφωνή: 'voice / sound'; ὑπακούω governs the genitive in classical and Koine Greek; 'my voice' = the divine speech-acts of command and promise given to Abraham throughout the ancestral narratives.

καὶandconjunction (adding the second part of Abraham's obedience)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐφύλαξενkept / guardedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φυλάσσωmain verb (Abraham's keeping of the laws)→ constative aorist (Abraham's life-long law-keeping summarized)φυλάσσω: 'guard / keep / observe'; renders Hebrew שָׁמַר ('keep / observe'); the verb is the standard term for observing Torah commandments (cf. Deut 5:12; 6:25 LXX), here read back onto Abraham. The collocation ὑπήκουσεν … ἐφύλαξεν mirrors the Shema's dual emphasis on hearing and doing.

τὰtheAccusativearticle (with προστάγματα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

προστάγματάordinances / decreesAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐφύλαξεν (first law-term)→ object specificationπρόσταγμα: 'ordinance / injunction / decree'; verbal noun from προστάσσω ('command / enjoin'); renders Hebrew מִשְׁמֶרֶת ('charge / watch / custody obligations'); the term appears in Deuteronomy for the general body of divine injunctions. This is the first of four legal terms in this verse reading Sinaitic law back onto Abraham.

μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.

καὶandconjunction (linking the law-terms)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with ἐντολάς)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἐντολάςcommandmentsAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐφύλαξεν (second law-term)→ object specificationἐντολή: 'commandment / charge'; the standard NT and LXX term for divine commandments (Matt 22:36–40; John 14:15; 1 John 2:3–4); renders Hebrew מִצְוֹתַי ('my commandments'); the ἐν- prefix stresses divine authorization. The word's frequency in Deut and the Johannine corpus reflects its importance as the defining term for covenant obligation.

καὶandconjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὰtheAccusativearticle (with δικαιώματα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

δικαιώματάstatutes / righteous requirementsAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐφύλαξεν (third law-term)→ object specificationδικαίωμα: 'righteous requirement / legal statute'; from δίκαιος ('just / righteous'); renders Hebrew חֻקּוֹתַי ('my statutes / fixed laws'); Paul uses the cognate noun and concept at Rom 1:32; 2:26; 8:4 (τὸ δικαίωμα τοῦ νόμου). The term connotes legal codification: what is 'just' by definition in the divine law-system.

καὶandconjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with νόμους)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

νόμουςlaws / teachingsAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐφύλαξεν (fourth law-term)→ object specificationνόμος: 'law / teaching / instruction'; in the LXX the standard rendering of Hebrew תּוֹרָה (Tôrāh, 'instruction / law'); renders here תּוֹרֹתָי ('my laws / teachings'). The Pauline antithesis of νόμος and πίστις (faith) in Galatians 3 is foregrounded by this verse: Paul argues (Gal 3:17–18) that the covenant-promise to Abraham antedates the νόμος by 430 years and cannot be annulled by it — the irony being that Gen 26:5 reads νόμος back into Abraham's obedience.

Κατῴκησεν δὲ Ισαακ ἐν Γεραροις.

And Isaac dwelt in Gerar.

Narrative transition (obedient settlement)Κατῴκησεν δέ

The brief sentence marks Isaac's compliant settlement following the divine commands of vv.2–3; the contrast with κατοίκησον (imperative, v.2) and Κατῴκησεν (indicative here) signals obedient execution. The verse functions as a hinge between the promise-section (vv.1–5) and the sister-wife episode (vv.7–11).

Word-by-word analysis· 5 words

Κατῴκησενdwelt / settledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατοικέωmain verb (narrative: Isaac's obedient settlement)→ ingressive aorist (beginning of the Gerar sojourn)κατοικέω: 'dwell / settle'; the same root as κατοίκησον in v.2; the narrative fulfillment of the divine command; renders Hebrew וַיֵּשֶׁב ('and he dwelt / remained').

δὲandnarrative particle (continuation)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).

ΓεραροιςGerarindeclinable proper noun (locative dative), place of dwelling→ participant identificationΓεραρα / Γεραροις: the LXX uses Γεραρα for motion toward (εἰς Γεραρα, v.1) and the dative form Γεραροις for location (ἐν Γεραροις, vv.6, 17), a standard distinction; Gerar is the chapter's central geographical anchor.

Ἐπηρώτησαν δὲ οἱ ἄνδρες τοῦ τόπου περὶ Ρεβεκκας τῆς γυναικὸς αὐτοῦ. καὶ εἶπεν· Ἀδελφή μού ἐστιν· ἐφοβήθη γὰρ εἰπεῖν ὅτι Γυνή μού ἐστιν, μήποτε ἀποκτείνωσιν αὐτὸν οἱ ἄνδρες τοῦ τόπου περὶ Ρεβεκκας, ὅτι ὡραία τῇ ὄψει ἦν.

And the men of the place asked about Rebekah his wife. And he said: 'She is my sister'; for he was afraid to say 'She is my wife,' lest the men of the place kill him on account of Rebekah, because she was beautiful in appearance.

Complication (narrative crisis)Ἐπηρώτησαν δέ

The men's inquiry triggers Isaac's deception. The narrator provides his inner rationale (ἐφοβήθη γὰρ) — a parenthetical explanation exactly as in the Gen 20 version. The reason given (ὡραία τῇ ὄψει) echoes the praise of Sarah at 12:11 and 20:2; the type-scene is precisely replicated to invite comparison.

Word-by-word analysis· 37 words

Ἐπηρώτησανasked / inquiredAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπερωτάωmain verb (the men's inquiry)→ constative aorist (single interrogative event)ἐπερωτάω: 'inquire / question'; the ἐπί- prefix adds emphasis or directness to ἐρωτάω ('ask'); renders Hebrew וַיִּשְׁאֲלוּ; the subject is implied plural ('the men') — social pressure from the community is what endangers Isaac.

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man / husband'; the collective 'men of the place' represent the social power-group that could act against a foreigner; the phrase repeats later in the verse for narrative emphasis.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

τόπουplace / localityGenitivegenitive of attribution (men of the place = the locals)→ relational specificationτόπος: 'place'; renders Hebrew הַמָּקוֹם; the phrase οἱ ἄνδρες τοῦ τόπου contrasts Isaac's alien status (he is a παρόικος, v.3) with the community's native authority.

περὶabout / concerningpreposition + genitive (topic of inquiry)→ spatial or relational framingπερὶ: meaning 'about'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (topic of inquiry).

ΡεβεκκαςRebekahindeclinable proper noun, object of περί→ participant identificationΡεβεκκα: the patriarch's wife; introduced at 24:15–67; her beauty (ὡραία τῇ ὄψει, end of this verse) places her in the same category as Sarah in the earlier type-scenes.

τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γυναικὸςwife / womanGenitivegenitive in apposition to Ρεβεκκας (defining her as wife)→ relational specificationγυνή: 'woman / wife'; the apposition τῆς γυναικὸς αὐτοῦ tells the reader her actual status before Isaac's deception; this narrative irony is standard in the type-scene.

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.

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 of speech (Isaac's lie)→ constative aorist (single speech act)εἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

ἈδελφήsisterNominativepredicate nominative (Isaac's deceptive claim)→ participant prominenceἀδελφή: 'sister'; the deceptive use of kinship terminology (ἀδελφή instead of γυνή) is the hinge of all three sister-wife type-scenes; the same formulation was used by Abraham in 12:13 and 20:2.

μούmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμού: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.

ἐστινshe isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopular verb (predicate clause)→ gnomic present (statement of alleged fact)εἰμί: copula.

ἐφοβήθηhe was afraidAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · φοβέομαιmain verb (narrator's inner explanation)→ constative aorist (the fear that motivated the deception)φοβέομαι: 'fear'; deponent; renders Hebrew וַיִּירָא; the narrator's parenthetical explanation of Isaac's motivation; fear of death mirrors Abraham's identical reasoning at 12:12 and 20:11.

γὰρforcausal conjunction (introducing the motivation clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἰπεῖνto sayAor Act Inf · λέγωcomplementary infinitive (object of ἐφοβήθη: 'afraid to say')→ complementary aorist infinitiveλέγω: meaning 'to say'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as complementary infinitive (object of ἐφοβήθη: 'afraid to say').

ὅτιthatcomplementizer (introducing indirect speech after εἰπεῖν)→ clausal contributionὅτι: meaning 'that'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.

ΓυνήwifeNominativepredicate nominative (the truth Isaac feared to state)→ participant prominenceΓυνή: meaning 'wife'; it serves as predicate nominative (the truth Isaac feared to state).

ἐστινshe isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopular verb→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.

μήποτεlestnegative purpose conjunction (introducing the feared consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastμήποτε: 'lest / for fear that'; renders Hebrew פֶּן; introduces a feared negative outcome; the clause expresses Isaac's worst-case scenario — that beauty and foreign status together invite lethal violence.

ἀποκτείνωσινthey killAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀποκτείνωaorist subjunctive in negative-purpose clause (lest they kill)→ prohibitive aorist subjunctive (feared action)ἀποκτείνω: 'kill'; the feared act echoes Abraham's same fear in 12:12 (ἀποκτενοῦσίν με) — the type-scene fear motivating all three ruse-episodes.

αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἀποκτείνωσιν→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of ἀποκτείνωσιν.

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject of ἀποκτείνωσιν (the same phrase repeated from the verse-opening)→ participant prominenceἄνδρες: meaning 'men'; it serves as subject of ἀποκτείνωσιν (the same phrase repeated from the verse-opening).

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

τόπουplaceGenitivegenitive of attribution→ relational specificationτόπου: meaning 'place'; it serves as genitive of attribution.

περὶon account of / because ofpreposition + genitive (causal: on account of Rebekah)→ spatial or relational framingπερὶ: meaning 'on account of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (causal: on account of Rebekah).

ΡεβεκκαςRebekahindeclinable proper noun, object of περί→ participant identificationΡεβεκκας: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, object of περί.

ὅτιbecause / forcausal conjunction (explaining the danger: because she was beautiful)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'because'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὡραίαbeautifulNominativepredicate adjective (describing Rebekah)→ participant prominenceὡραῖος: 'beautiful / fair' (literally 'seasonable / at the right hour'); renders Hebrew טוֹבַת מַרְאֶה ('good of appearance'); the same formulation praises Sarah at 12:11 and 20:2, creating a deliberate typological parallel between Rebekah and Sarah.

τῇtheDativearticle (with dative of respect)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὄψειappearance / sightDativedative of respect (beautiful in appearance)→ sphere or referenceὄψις: 'appearance / face / sight'; τῇ ὄψει is a dative of respect: 'with respect to appearance'; renders Hebrew מַרְאֶה ('appearance'); the phrase recurs across the type-scene tradition.

ἦνwasImperf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopular verb (description in background imperfect)→ progressive imperfect (Rebekah's beauty as a standing condition)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'was / continued to be'; the imperfect marks David's renewed, ongoing presence at court.

Ἐγένετο δὲ πολυχρόνιος ἐκεῖ. καὶ παρακύψας Αβιμελεχ ὁ βασιλεὺς Φυλιστιιμ διὰ τῆς θυρίδος εἶδεν τὸν Ισαακ παίζοντα μετὰ Ρεβεκκας τῆς γυναικὸς αὐτοῦ.

And it came about that he was there a long time. And Abimelech king of the Philistines, peering through the window, saw Isaac sporting with Rebekah his wife.

Narrative development (the discovery)Ἐγένετο δέ

The ἐγένετο δέ formula marks a new narrative moment: the extended sojourn (πολυχρόνιος) makes the deception untenable. The peering-through-the-window scene (παρακύψας … διὰ τῆς θυρίδος) is the episode's visual pivot, and the key word παίζοντα puns on the name Ισαακ ('he laughs / plays'), so that Isaac's very name unmasks his identity through the word for the intimate play that reveals his relationship to Rebekah.

Word-by-word analysis· 22 words

Ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (narrative frame: temporal development)→ constative aorist (period of time now registered)γίνομαι: narrative ἐγένετο marking a new stage in the episode; the long stay (πολυχρόνιος) sets up the discovery that follows.

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πολυχρόνιοςlong-abiding / of long timeNominativepredicate adjective (describing Isaac's extended stay)→ participant prominenceπολυχρόνιος: 'of many times / prolonged'; compound of πολύς + χρόνος; hapax in Genesis; the extended sojourn removes the short-term justification of the ruse and makes the intimate scene more plausible.

ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (at Gerar)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: meaning 'there'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the discovery scene)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

παρακύψαςpeering / leaning to lookAor Act Part Nom Sg Masc · παρακύπτωattendant-circumstance participle (the means of discovery)→ constative aorist participle (a single glance)παρακύπτω: 'stoop / lean to look / peer'; παρά + κύπτω ('bend'); renders Hebrew וַיַּשְׁקֵף ('and he looked down from'); the word connotes a deliberate, sidelong glance — Abimelech's inadvertent observation produces the ruse's collapse.

ΑβιμελεχAbimelechindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΑβιμελεχ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

βασιλεὺςkingNominativenominative in apposition to Αβιμελεχ→ participant prominenceβασιλεὺς: meaning 'king'; it serves as nominative in apposition to Αβιμελεχ.

Φυλιστιιμof the Philistinesindeclinable proper noun, genitive of attribution→ participant identificationΦυλιστιιμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of attribution.

διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means / path: 'through the window')→ spatial or relational framingδιὰ: meaning 'through'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (means / path: 'through the window').

τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θυρίδοςwindowGenitivegenitive (object of διά: through the window)→ relational specificationθυρίς: 'small door / window'; diminutive of θύρα ('door'); renders Hebrew הַחַלּוֹן ('the window'); a domestic detail that reinforces the intimate, private nature of the scene Abimelech accidentally observes.

εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (the discovery: Abimelech's observation)→ constative aorist (single act of seeing)ὁράω: 'see'; the same verb as the theophanic Ὤφθη (v.2) in a startlingly secular application — the king sees what God has been witnessing all along.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable proper noun, accusative object of εἶδεν→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, accusative object of εἶδεν.

παίζονταsporting / playingPres Act Part Acc Sg Masc · παίζωparticiple in indirect perception construction (accusative + participle after εἶδεν: 'saw Isaac sporting')→ progressive participle (ongoing intimate play, continuous action caught in the moment)παίζω: 'play / sport / jest'; renders Hebrew מְצַחֵק (Piel participle of צָחַק, 'laugh / play'); the word is a deliberate pun on the name Ισαακ (< יִצְחַק, 'he laughs / will laugh'). The Piel of צָחַק can carry overtones of sexual intimacy (cf. 39:14, 17 LXX: παίζειν = to mock/dally), and the context here (with 'his wife') unmistakably signals conjugal affection. Isaac's name thus performs its own etymology within the scene: the very act of 'Isaac-ing' (laughing/playing) exposes him.

μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment: 'sporting with Rebekah')→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment: 'sporting with Rebekah').

ΡεβεκκαςRebekahindeclinable proper noun, object of μετά→ participant identificationΡεβεκκας: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, object of μετά.

τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γυναικὸςwifeGenitivegenitive in apposition to Ρεβεκκας (her true status now revealed to Abimelech)→ relational specificationγυναικὸς: meaning 'wife'; it serves as genitive in apposition to Ρεβεκκας (her true status now revealed to Abimelech).

Ἐκάλεσεν δὲ Αβιμελεχ τὸν Ισαακ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· Ἄρα γε γυνή σού ἐστιν· τί ὅτι εἶπας· Ἀδελφή μού ἐστιν; εἶπεν δὲ αὐτῷ Ισαακ· Εἶπα γάρ, ὅτι μήποτε ἀποθάνω δι᾿ αὐτήν.

And Abimelech called Isaac and said to him: 'So she is indeed your wife! Why did you say, "She is my sister"?' And Isaac said to him: 'Because I said, lest I die on account of her.'

Confrontation dialogueἘκάλεσεν δέ

The royal summons and double question (Ἄρα γε … τί ὅτι …) move from shocked recognition to moral challenge. Isaac's single-sentence reply — bare and confessional — gives no mitigation: only the naked logic of fear. The contrast with Abimelech's more extended rebukes in chs.12 and 20 gives this scene a stripped, terse quality.

Word-by-word analysis· 30 words

Ἐκάλεσενcalled / summonedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (royal summons)→ constative aorist (single act of calling)καλέω: 'call / summon'; renders Hebrew וַיִּקְרָא; the verb marks formal, authoritative address — Abimelech exercises his royal prerogative to summon Isaac for account.

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: 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.

ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable proper noun, accusative object of ἐκάλεσεν→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, accusative object of ἐκάλεσεν.

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 of speech→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object.

Ἄραso / theninferential particle (expressing surprised realization: 'so then!')→ discourse linkage or contrastἄρα: inferential-conclusive particle; here expresses the sudden inference drawn from the observed evidence — 'so she IS your wife after all!'

γε(intensive particle)emphatic particle (intensifying Ἄρα: 'so indeed!')→ discourse linkage or contrastγε: meaning '(intensive particle)'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

γυνήwifeNominativepredicate nominative (Abimelech's recognition)→ participant prominenceγυνή: meaning 'wife'; it serves as predicate nominative (Abimelech's recognition).

σούyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσού: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.

ἐστινshe isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopular verb→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.

τίwhyinterrogative pronoun (introducing the rhetorical question of moral challenge)→ participant referenceτί: meaning 'why'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as interrogative pronoun (introducing the rhetorical question of moral challenge).

ὅτιthat / whycomplementizer (τί ὅτι = 'why is it that')→ clausal contributionτί ὅτι: a Hebraizing idiom for 'why?' (renders Hebrew מַה־זֶּה); the double interrogative introduces a formal moral accusation: 'Why ever did you say …?'

εἶπαςdid you sayAor Act Indic 2 Sg · λέγωmain verb of the accusatory question→ constative aoristλέγω (2 sg. εἶπας): 'did you say?'; the question imputes to David a decree he never made, compelling its disavowal.

ἈδελφήsisterNominativepredicate nominative (Isaac's quoted false claim)→ participant prominenceἈδελφή: meaning 'sister'; it serves as predicate nominative (Isaac's quoted false claim).

ἐστινshe isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopular verb (the lie, now quoted in accusation)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of speech (Isaac's reply)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.

ΕἶπαI saidAor Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Isaac's self-report)→ constative aoristλέγω: meaning 'I said'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb (Isaac's self-report).

γάρfor / becausecausal conjunction (explaining the motive for the lie)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὅτιthat / lestcomplementizer (introducing indirect speech: his inner reasoning)→ clausal contributionὅτι: meaning 'that'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.

μήποτεlestnegative purpose particle (the feared outcome)→ discourse linkage or contrastμήποτε: meaning 'lest'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀποθάνωI dieAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωaorist subjunctive in negative-purpose clause→ prohibitive aorist subjunctive (Isaac's feared death)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; Isaac's self-concern — 'lest I die' — echoes Abraham's identical logic in 12:12 and 20:11, showing how the same fear drives the repeated type-scene.

δι᾿on account ofpreposition + accusative (causal: on account of her beauty)→ spatial or relational framingδι᾿: meaning 'on account of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (causal: on account of her beauty).

αὐτήνherAccusativeaccusative object of διά (the cause of the feared danger)→ participant referenceαὐτήν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of διά (the cause of the feared danger).

εἶπεν δὲ αὐτῷ Αβιμελεχ· Τί τοῦτο ἐποίησας ἡμῖν; μικροῦ ἐκοιμήθη τις τοῦ γένους μου μετὰ τῆς γυναικός σου, καὶ ἐπήγαγες ἐφ᾿ ἡμᾶς ἄγνοιαν.

And Abimelech said to him: 'What is this you have done to us? One of my clan nearly lay with your wife, and you would have brought guilt upon us.'

Moral rebukeεἶπεν δέ

Abimelech's rebuke parallels his rebuke of Abraham at 20:9–10 but is briefer. The key term ἄγνοιαν ('unwitting sin / guilt from ignorance') renders Hebrew אָשָׁם ('guilt-offering / guilt'); it is the technical term for a sin committed in ignorance that still requires expiation — Abimelech identifies Isaac as the one who has endangered the community's moral standing.

Word-by-word analysis· 23 words

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΤίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun, accusative object of ἐποίησας→ participant referenceΤί: meaning 'what'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as interrogative pronoun, accusative object of ἐποίησας.

τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (appositive to τί: 'what is this thing?')→ participant referenceτοῦτο: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative pronoun (appositive to τί: 'what is this thing?').

ἐποίησαςdid you doAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (the moral accusation)→ constative aorist (the completed deception)ποιέω: 'do / make'; τί τοῦτο ἐποίησας is the standard OT rebuke formula (cf. 3:13; 4:10; 12:18; 20:9) translating Hebrew מַה־זֹּאת עָשִׂיתָ; it functions as a moral charge requiring an account.

ἡμῖνto usDativedative of disadvantage ('done to us')→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'to us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of disadvantage ('done to us').

μικροῦalmost / nearlyGenitivegenitive of degree (idiomatic: 'by a small thing = almost')→ relational specificationμικρός: 'small / little'; the genitive μικροῦ is idiomatic for 'almost / nearly' (cf. Ps 72:2 LXX); renders Hebrew כִּמְעַט ('almost'); the near-miss is the basis for the moral outrage.

ἐκοιμήθηlay with / slept withAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κοιμάομαιmain verb (the near-disaster stated euphemistically)→ constative aorist (the hypothetical completed act almost realized)κοιμάομαι: 'sleep / lie down'; as a euphemism for sexual intercourse (cf. 19:32–35 LXX); renders Hebrew שָׁכַב ('lie with'); the use of the passive may indicate the 'lying with' would have been involuntary for the woman.

τιςsomeone / oneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun: some unnamed member of Abimelech's clan)→ participant referenceτις: meaning 'someone'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (indefinite pronoun: some unnamed member of Abimelech's clan).

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γένουςclan / race / peopleGenitivepartitive genitive (one from my clan)→ relational specificationγένος: 'race / clan / family'; renders Hebrew עַמִּי ('my people'); Abimelech claims communal solidarity — any member of his community could have been the guilty party.

μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment in euphemistic sense)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment in euphemistic sense).

τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γυναικόςwifeGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationγυναικός: meaning 'wife'; it serves as genitive object of μετά.

καὶandconjunction (appending the moral consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐπήγαγεςbrought upon / introducedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐπάγωmain verb (the moral consequence of Isaac's deception)→ constative aorist (Isaac's action seen as already having introduced guilt)ἐπάγω: 'bring upon / bring against'; the ἐπί- prefix denotes bringing something down onto a person or community; renders Hebrew וְהֵבֵאתָ ('and you would have brought'); Abimelech treats the potential guilt as already Isaac's responsibility.

ἐφ᾿uponpreposition + accusative (goal of the guilt brought upon)→ spatial or relational framingἐφ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of the guilt brought upon).

ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the community at risk)→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί (the community at risk).

ἄγνοιανguilt from ignorance / unwitting sinAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐπήγαγες→ object specificationἄγνοια: 'ignorance / unwitting sin'; from ἀ- + γνώσκω ('not knowing'); renders Hebrew אָשָׁם ('guilt / guilt-offering'); in cultic and legal contexts, ἄγνοια is guilt incurred unintentionally but requiring expiation (cf. Lev 4–5 LXX; Acts 3:17; 17:30). Abimelech's community would have been guilty even in ignorance.

συνέταξεν δὲ Αβιμελεχ παντὶ τῷ λαῷ αὐτοῦ λέγων· Πᾶς ὁ ἁπτόμενος τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τούτου ἢ τῆς γυναικὸς αὐτοῦ θανάτῳ ἔνοχος ἔσται.

And Abimelech commanded all his people, saying: 'Every one who touches this man or his wife shall surely be put to death.'

Royal decree (legal protection extended)συνέταξεν δέ

Abimelech's decree converts royal rebuke into official protection. The capital-penalty formula θανάτῳ ἔνοχος ἔσται is juridical; ἔνοχος ('liable / subject to') with a dative of penalty is a standard Greek legal formula. The irony is that the foreign king provides better protection for the patriarch than the deception did.

Word-by-word analysis· 21 words

συνέταξενcommanded / orderedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συντάσσωmain verb (royal decree issued to all the people)→ constative aorist (the decree as a single formal act)συντάσσω: 'order together / command officially'; renders Hebrew וַיְצַו ('and he commanded'); the συν- prefix may suggest a formal, collective ordering; the verb marks the official character of the edict.

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

παντὶall / everyDativedative adjective (distributive: to every member of the people)→ sphere or referenceπαντὶ: meaning 'all'; it serves as dative adjective (distributive: to every member of the people).

τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

λαῷpeopleDativedative of indirect object (the decree addressed to the whole people)→ sphere or referenceλαός: 'people / nation'; renders Hebrew עַמּוֹ ('his people'); the royal decree is addressed publicly to the entire community, not just officials.

λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of manner (introducing the direct content of the decree)→ progressive participle (the speaking through which the decree is enacted)λέγω: the Hebraizing participial construction λέγων after a verb of speaking introduces direct discourse (renders Hebrew לֵאמֹר); standard in LXX narrative.

Πᾶςevery / allNominativesubject (universal quantifier: every person)→ participant prominenceΠᾶς: meaning 'every'; it serves as subject (universal quantifier: every person).

ὁtheNominativearticle (with substantival participle ἁπτόμενος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἁπτόμενοςwho touches / who harmsPres Mid Part Nom Sg Masc · ἅπτωsubstantival participle (subject complement: every one who touches)→ progressive participle (any future act of touching / harming)ἅπτω: 'touch / handle / harm'; in legal contexts often means 'touch with hostile intent / harm'; renders Hebrew הַנֹּגֵעַ ('the one touching/striking'); the decree is the broadest possible protection for Isaac and Rebekah.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀνθρώπουman / personGenitivegenitive object of ἅπτω (the person protected: Isaac)→ relational specificationἀνθρώπου: meaning 'man'; it serves as genitive object of ἅπτω (the person protected: Isaac).

τούτουthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (genitive, pointing to Isaac as the one in view)→ relational specificationτούτου: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative adjective (genitive, pointing to Isaac as the one in view).

ἢordisjunctive conjunction (either … or: both Isaac and Rebekah protected)→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; 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.

γυναικὸςwifeGenitivegenitive object of ἅπτω (second person protected: Rebekah)→ relational specificationγυναικὸς: meaning 'wife'; it serves as genitive object of ἅπτω (second person protected: Rebekah).

θανάτῳby death / to deathDativedative of penalty (the punishment: death)→ sphere or referenceθάνατος: 'death'; in the formula θανάτῳ ἔνοχος / ἀποθανεῖται, the dative marks the type of punishment (dative of penalty); renders Hebrew מוּת יוּמָת ('he shall surely die'), the standard capital-punishment formula of Leviticus and Numbers.

ἔνοχοςliable / guiltyNominativepredicate adjective (liable: subject complement with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἔνοχος: 'subject to / liable for'; legal term from ἐν + ἔχω ('held in'); the formula ἔνοχος θανάτῳ recurs in the NT at Matt 26:66 (the Sanhedrin's verdict on Jesus: ἔνοχος θανάτου) — the juridical phrase carries across both Testaments.

ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopular verb (the legal consequence stated as a future fact)→ predictive future (the decree's binding force)εἰμί (fut.): copula.

Ἔσπειρεν δὲ Ισαακ ἐν τῇ γῇ ἐκείνῃ καὶ εὗρεν ἐν τῷ ἐνιαυτῷ ἐκείνῳ ἑκατοστεύουσαν κριθήν· εὐλόγησεν δὲ αὐτὸν κύριος.

And Isaac sowed in that land and found in that year a hundredfold of barley; and the LORD blessed him.

Narrative transition (prosperity begins)Ἔσπειρεν δέ

The narrative shifts from the sister-wife episode to Isaac's agricultural prosperity. The hundredfold yield (ἑκατοστεύουσαν κριθήν) in the year of the famine (v.1) is a deliberate paradox, resolved only by the closing note εὐλόγησεν δὲ αὐτὸν κύριος. The divine blessing is the explicit cause; the prosperity is the effect.

Word-by-word analysis· 19 words

ἜσπειρενsowedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σπείρωmain verb (Isaac's agricultural activity)→ ingressive aorist (beginning of the sowing season)σπείρω: 'sow / plant seed'; renders Hebrew וַיִּזְרַע; the sowing during a famine year is itself an act of faith — and the hundredfold result is the divine vindication of that faith.

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, 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 (locative: in that land = Gerar)→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as dative of place (locative: in that land = Gerar).

ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (dative, referring back to Gerar)→ sphere or referenceἐκείνῃ: meaning 'that'; it serves as demonstrative adjective (dative, referring back to Gerar).

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εὗρενfound / receivedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωmain verb (the harvest result)→ constative aorist (the completed harvest)εὑρίσκω: 'find / discover / obtain'; here used for the agricultural yield received; renders Hebrew וַיִּמְצָא; the 'finding' frames the hundredfold as a discovery, underlining its unexpected, gift-like character.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).

τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἐνιαυτῷyearDativedative of time (in that year = the famine year of v.1)→ sphere or referenceἐνιαυτός: 'year / cycle'; renders Hebrew הַשָּׁנָה הַהִוא ('that year'); the temporal marker ties the miraculous yield to the very year of the famine — an explicit sign of divine blessing overcoming the natural conditions.

ἐκείνῳthatDativedemonstrative adjective (dative, referring to the famine year)→ sphere or referenceἐκείνῳ: meaning 'that'; it serves as demonstrative adjective (dative, referring to the famine year).

ἑκατοστεύουσανa hundredfoldPres Act Part Acc Sg Fem · ἑκατοστεύωparticiple used as noun / adjective (object of εὗρεν: 'a hundredfold yield')→ progressive participle (the crop in the very act of multiplying a hundredfold)ἑκατοστεύω: 'produce a hundredfold'; denominative from ἑκατόν ('hundred'); renders Hebrew מֵאָה שְׁעָרִים ('a hundred gates / measures'); the hundredfold yield is a miraculous multiplier echoed in the parable of the sower (Matt 13:8, 23: ἑκατόν) — Jesus's parable may deliberately recall this LXX episode as the archetype of blessing-harvest.

κριθήνbarleyAccusativeaccusative direct object (the crop: a hundredfold of barley)→ object specificationκριθή: 'barley'; the staple grain of the ancient Near East; some MSS read σῖτον ('wheat') following the MT's שְׂעֹרִים vs. חִטִּים — Rahlfs reads κριθήν following the best LXX witnesses.

εὐλόγησενblessedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εὐλογέωmain verb (the theological explanation of the harvest)→ constative aorist (the divine blessing as the operative cause)εὐλογέω: 'bless'; the narrator's editorial comment explains the hundredfold as divine blessing (cf. v.3: εὐλογήσω σε); the prosperity is not Isaac's achievement but the promise of vv.3–4 in action.

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative direct object of εὐλόγησεν→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of εὐλόγησεν.

κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the LORD'; it serves as subject.

καὶ ηὐξήθη ὁ ἄνθρωπος καὶ προέβαινεν μεγαλυνόμενος ἕως οὗ μέγας ἐγένετο σφόδρα.

And the man grew and kept advancing in greatness, until he became exceedingly great.

Narrative expansion (triple prosperity crescendo)καί

The verse traces Isaac's prosperity in a threefold verbal crescendo: ηὐξήθη (growth), προέβαινεν μεγαλυνόμενος (progressive advance), μέγας ἐγένετο σφόδρα (superlative arrival). The imperfect προέβαινεν signals ongoing progress while the aorist ἐγένετο marks its culmination. The pattern echoes Abraham's similar prosperity note at 13:2.

Word-by-word analysis· 12 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (continuing the prosperity sequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ηὐξήθηgrew / increasedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · αὐξάνωmain verb (first stage of prosperity)→ ingressive aorist (the beginning of Isaac's growth phase)αὐξάνω: 'grow / increase'; passive 'was made to grow' — the divine causation implied; renders Hebrew וַיִּגְדַּל ('and he grew great'); the same root at 26:22 (ηὔξησεν ἡμᾶς κύριος, 'the LORD has increased us') ties the two sections together.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἄνθρωποςman / the manNominativesubject (Isaac referred to by the narrative as 'the man')→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man'; Isaac is now referred to as 'the man' rather than by name, which in Hebrew narrative marks social prominence ('the man' = a notable figure).

καὶandnarrative conjunction (advancing to the second stage)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

προέβαινενkept advancing / was going forwardImperf Act Indic 3 Sg · προβαίνωmain verb (second stage: ongoing progressive advancement)→ progressive imperfect (continuous forward movement in prosperity)προβαίνω: 'go before / advance'; renders Hebrew הָלוֹךְ וְגָדֵל ('going and growing great'); the imperfect tense captures the sustained, ongoing character of the growth — a deliberate contrast with the single aorists on either side.

μεγαλυνόμενοςbecoming great / magnifiedPres Pass Part Nom Sg Masc · μεγαλύνωattendant-circumstance / manner participle (describing the character of the advancing)→ progressive participle (ongoing magnification accompanying the advance)μεγαλύνω: 'magnify / make great'; passive 'being magnified / growing in greatness'; renders Hebrew וְגָדֵל; the word is used of God's acts of magnification (Ps 34:3 LXX; Luke 1:46 Magnificat: μεγαλύνει ἡ ψυχή μου τὸν κύριον).

ἕωςuntilsubordinating conjunction (temporal: until the endpoint)→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: meaning 'until'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οὗwhich (= that point)Genitivegenitive relative pronoun (ἕως οὗ = 'until the time when')→ relational specificationοὗ: meaning 'which (= that point)'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive relative pronoun (ἕως οὗ = 'until the time when').

μέγαςgreatNominativepredicate adjective (the superlative endpoint: 'great exceedingly')→ participant prominenceμέγας: meaning 'great'; it serves as predicate adjective (the superlative endpoint: 'great exceedingly').

ἐγένετοbecameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (third stage: the culminating achievement of greatness)→ culminative aorist (arrival at the endpoint of prosperity)γίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.

σφόδραexceedingly / greatlyadverb of degree (intensifying μέγας: 'very greatly')→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'exceedingly / greatly'; renders Hebrew מְאֹד ('very / exceedingly'); a superlative intensifier in the LXX used at the apex of descriptions of greatness (cf. 12:14; 13:13; 17:2).

ἐγένετο δὲ αὐτῷ κτήνη προβάτων καὶ κτήνη βοῶν καὶ γεωργία πολλή· ἐζήλωσαν δὲ αὐτὸν οἱ Φυλιστιιμ.

And he had flocks of sheep and herds of cattle and much farming; and the Philistines envied him.

Elaboration of prosperity (wealth catalogue)ἐγένετο δέ

The wealth catalogue (flocks, herds, farmland) specifies the prosperity of v.13. The final clause — ἐζήλωσαν δὲ αὐτὸν οἱ Φυλιστιιμ — marks the social consequence: envy is the narrative trigger for the well-stopping of v.15. The pattern mirrors Abraham's wealth and its social effects at 13:5–7.

Word-by-word analysis· 16 words

ἐγένετοthere was / he hadAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (existential: listing of possessions)→ ingressive aorist (the accumulation registered as a new state)γίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

αὐτῷto him / for himDativedative of possession (he had: ἐγένετο αὐτῷ = 'there was for him')→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of possession (he had: ἐγένετο αὐτῷ = 'there was for him').

κτήνηlivestock / flocksNominativesubject (existential: listing the possessions)→ participant prominenceκτῆνος: 'livestock / domestic animal'; renders Hebrew מִקְנֵה ('herd / livestock'); the plural κτήνη covers the category of domesticated animals broadly.

προβάτωνof sheepGenitivepartitive genitive (specifying the type of livestock: sheep)→ relational specificationπρόβατον: 'sheep'; renders Hebrew צֹאן ('flock / sheep'); the partitive genitive identifies the first wealth category.

καὶandconjunction (linking the three wealth items)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

κτήνηlivestock / herdsNominativesubject (second livestock category)→ participant prominenceκτήνη: meaning 'livestock'; it serves as subject (second livestock category).

βοῶνof cattle / oxenGenitivepartitive genitive (specifying: cattle)→ relational specificationβοῦς: 'ox / cattle'; renders Hebrew בָּקָר ('cattle / herd'); the pair προβάτων … βοῶν is the standard biblical pair for pastoral wealth (cf. 12:16; 13:2).

καὶandconjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

γεωργίαfarming / agricultural holdingsNominativesubject (third wealth category: arable farming)→ participant prominenceγεωργία: 'farming / agriculture / tillage'; from γῆ + ἔργον ('land-work'); renders Hebrew עֲבֻדָּה רַבָּה ('much labor / many servants'); the LXX shifts the meaning toward the agricultural enterprise rather than the workforce.

πολλήmuch / greatNominativepredicate adjective (modifying γεωργία)→ participant prominenceπολλή: meaning 'much'; it serves as predicate adjective (modifying γεωργία).

ἐζήλωσανenviedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ζηλόωmain verb (the social consequence of Isaac's prosperity)→ constative aorist (envy as the registered social response)ζηλόω: 'be zealous / envious'; renders Hebrew וַיְקַנְּאוּ ('and they were jealous'); in this context the envy of the Philistines is explicitly the motivation for the hostile acts of v.15. The same word-group governs the 'jealousy' motif in Joseph's story (37:11) and Paul's mission theology (Rom 11:11–14).

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐζήλωσαν→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of ἐζήλωσαν.

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΦυλιστιιμPhilistinesindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΦυλιστιιμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.

καὶ πάντα τὰ φρέατα, ἃ ὤρυξαν οἱ παῖδες τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ χρόνῳ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ Αβρααμ, ἐνέφραξαν αὐτὰ οἱ Φυλιστιιμ καὶ ἔπλησαν αὐτὰ γῆς.

And all the wells that the servants of his father had dug in the time of his father Abraham — the Philistines stopped them up and filled them with earth.

Hostile action (motivated by envy)καί

The Philistines' response to Isaac's prosperity is to destroy the means of it: water rights in the arid Negev are existentially vital. The explicit connection to Abraham's wells (the servants of his father) makes this an act of erasing the patriarchal inheritance. The verse is structured as an accusative-before-verb construction, fronting the wells for emphasis.

Word-by-word analysis· 26 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πάνταallAccusativeaccusative adjective (fronted for emphasis: 'all the wells')→ object specificationπάντα: meaning 'all'; it serves as accusative adjective (fronted for emphasis: 'all the wells').

τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

φρέαταwellsAccusativeaccusative direct object (fronted; resumed by αὐτά later)→ object specificationφρέαρ: 'well / cistern'; renders Hebrew בְּאֵרֹת; water wells in the Negev were the primary life-sustaining resource; their destruction is an act of economic and existential warfare. The word recurs as the chapter's key noun (vv.15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 32, 33).

ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative, antecedent φρέατα)→ participant referenceἃ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (accusative, antecedent φρέατα).

ὤρυξανdugAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὀρύσσωrelative clause verb (the original digging by Abraham's servants)→ constative aorist (the completed digging in Abraham's time)ὀρύσσω: 'dig / excavate'; renders Hebrew חָפַר; the verb is the chapter's key term for well-digging (vv.15, 18, 19, 21, 22, 25, 32); the digging and filling of wells structures the entire second half of the chapter.

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject of ὤρυξαν (the ones who dug: Abraham's servants)→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'child / servant'; here 'servants'; renders Hebrew עֲבָדֵי ('servants of'); the Abrahamic household's servants are the rightful diggers of these wells, establishing the patriarchal claim.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive of relation (the father's servants = Abraham's servants)→ relational specificationπατρὸς: meaning 'father'; it serves as genitive of relation (the father's servants = Abraham's servants).

ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).

τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

χρόνῳtimeDativedative of time ('in the time of his father Abraham')→ sphere or referenceχρόνῳ: meaning 'time'; it serves as dative of time ('in the time of his father Abraham').

τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with πατρός Αβρααμ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive of relation (his father Abraham)→ relational specificationπατρὸς: meaning 'father'; it serves as genitive of relation (his father Abraham).

ΑβρααμAbrahamindeclinable proper noun, in apposition to πατρός (his father Abraham)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, in apposition to πατρός (his father Abraham).

ἐνέφραξανstopped up / blockedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐμφράσσωmain verb (the hostile action: stopping the wells)→ constative aorist (the completed act of stopping up)ἐμφράσσω: 'block / stop up'; renders Hebrew סִתְּמוּם ('they stopped up'); the ἐν- compound intensifies the filling-in; the destruction of wells was a recognized act of warfare in the ancient Near East — economic sabotage.

αὐτὰthemAccusativeaccusative direct object (resuming the fronted φρέατα)→ participant referenceαὐτὰ: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object (resuming the fronted φρέατα).

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (adding the second hostile act)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔπλησανfilledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πίμπλημιmain verb (the second hostile act: filling with earth)→ constative aorist (the completed filling)πίμπλημι: 'fill'; renders Hebrew וַיְמַלְאוּם ('and they filled them'); the two verbs (blocked + filled) describe the complete destruction of the wells — blocked at the top, filled solid with earth.

αὐτὰthemAccusativeaccusative direct object→ participant referenceαὐτὰ: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object.

γῆςwith earth / dirtGenitivegenitive of material (filled with earth: partitive genitive after πίμπλημι)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'with earth'; it serves as genitive of material (filled with earth: partitive genitive after πίμπλημι).

εἶπεν δὲ Αβιμελεχ τῷ Ισαακ· Ἄπελθε ἀφ᾿ ἡμῶν, ὅτι δυνατώτερος ἡμῶν ἐγένου σφόδρα.

And Abimelech said to Isaac: 'Depart from us, for you have become far more powerful than we.'

Expulsion orderεἶπεν δέ

Abimelech's expulsion of Isaac is framed as a defensive political act: δυνατώτερος ἡμῶν ('more powerful than us') acknowledges Isaac's superiority. The irony is that the king who provided legal protection in v.11 now expels the man he protected. The expulsion is the narrative hinge leading to the well-digging sequence.

Word-by-word analysis· 13 words

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable proper noun, dative of indirect address→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, dative of indirect address.

Ἄπελθεdepart / go awayAor Act Imper 2 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιaorist imperative (the expulsion command)→ ingressive-aorist imperative (begin and carry out the departure)ἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; renders Hebrew לֵךְ מֵעִמָּנוּ ('go from us'); the command is blunt and abrupt — no softening explanation precedes the imperative.

ἀφ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation: from us)→ spatial or relational framingἀφ᾿: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation: from us).

ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive of separation (object of ἀπό)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of separation (object of ἀπό).

ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (giving the reason for expulsion)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

δυνατώτεροςmore powerfulNominativepredicate comparative adjective (Isaac is more powerful than they)→ participant prominenceδυνατός: 'powerful / able'; comparative δυνατώτερος; renders Hebrew עָצַמְתָּ מִמֶּנּוּ ('you have grown mightier than we'); the word acknowledges Isaac's supremacy — an admission that makes the expulsion an acknowledgment of patriarchal blessing rather than a judgment.

ἡμῶνthan usGenitivegenitive of comparison (object of the comparative: more powerful than us)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'than us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of comparison (object of the comparative: more powerful than us).

ἐγένουyou have becomeAor Mid Indic 2 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (the stated reason for expulsion)→ culminative aorist (arrival at a state of superior power)γίνομαι (aor. ἐγένου): 'become'; ἐγένου αὐτοῖς εἰς θεόν ('you became their God') is the covenant-relationship formula (cf. Exod 6:7, ἔσομαι ὑμῶν θεός), reciprocal to Israel's becoming his people; the predicative εἰς (Hebraism) parallels the father-son formula of v. 14.

σφόδραexceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying the comparative: 'far more powerful')→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: meaning 'exceedingly'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.

Καὶ ἀπῆλθεν ἐκεῖθεν Ισαακ καὶ κατεστρατοπέδευσεν ἐν τῇ φάραγγι Γεραρων καὶ κατῴκησεν ἐκεῖ.

And Isaac departed from there and encamped in the wadi of Gerar and dwelt there.

Narrative movement (Isaac's compliant departure)Καί

Isaac's response to expulsion is immediate and uncomplaining obedience: ἀπῆλθεν ἐκεῖθεν. The three sequential verbs (departed, encamped, dwelt) trace a staged settlement. His choice of the wadi of Gerar — adjacent territory rather than a distant land — keeps him near the contested wells of vv.15 and 18.

Word-by-word analysis· 13 words

Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπῆλθενdepartedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (Isaac's departure from Gerar city)→ constative aorist (completed journey away)ἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; the same verb as the imperative Ἄπελθε in v.16 — the narrator signals that Isaac executes the expulsion immediately and fully.

ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (point of departure: from Gerar)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: meaning 'from there'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.

ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

κατεστρατοπέδευσενencampedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταστρατοπεδεύωmain verb (Isaac's temporary settlement)→ ingressive aorist (setting up camp)καταστρατοπεδεύω: 'pitch camp / encamp'; military / nomadic term from στρατόπεδον ('army camp'); renders Hebrew וַיִּחַן ('and he encamped'); the term conveys semi-permanent nomadic settlement — Isaac is between locations.

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.

φάραγγιwadi / ravineDativedative of place (the specific location of encampment)→ sphere or referenceφάραγξ: 'ravine / gorge / wadi'; renders Hebrew נַחַל; in the arid Negev, a wadi (seasonal watercourse) is the natural locus for well-digging — the choice of this location motivates the well-digging of vv.19–22.

Γεραρωνof Gerarindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location (the wadi of Gerar)→ participant identificationΓεραρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of location (the wadi of Gerar).

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 (longer-term settlement following the encampment)→ ingressive aorist (beginning of the wadi-Gerar sojourn)κατοικέω: 'settle / dwell'; the third verb in the sequence; the progression (ἀπῆλθεν → ἐστρατοπέδευσεν → κατῴκησεν) moves from departure through temporary camp to settled dwelling.

ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (at the wadi of Gerar)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: meaning 'there'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.

καὶ πάλιν Ισαακ ὤρυξεν τὰ φρέατα τοῦ ὕδατος, ἃ ὤρυξαν οἱ παῖδες Αβρααμ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐνέφραξαν αὐτὰ οἱ Φυλιστιιμ μετὰ τὸ ἀποθανεῖν Αβρααμ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐπωνόμασεν αὐτοῖς ὀνόματα κατὰ τὰ ὀνόματα, ἃ ἐπωνόμασεν Αβρααμ ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ.

And Isaac again dug the wells of water that the servants of Abraham his father had dug, and the Philistines had stopped them up after the death of Abraham his father; and he gave them names according to the names that Abraham his father had given them.

Restoration of the Abrahamic heritageκαί

The re-digging and re-naming of Abraham's wells is a deliberate act of patriarchal continuity: Isaac claims his inheritance by restoring what was destroyed (v.15). The double use of ἐπωνόμασεν … κατὰ τὰ ὀνόματα ἃ ἐπωνόμασεν Αβρααμ frames the re-naming as covenantal fidelity — Isaac preserves his father's nomenclature as an act of remembering and re-claiming.

Word-by-word analysis· 41 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πάλινagainadverb (resumptive: Isaac doing again what Abraham did)→ adverbial qualificationπάλιν: 'again / back'; renders Hebrew וַיָּשָׁב ('and he returned to'); signals the restoration of the Abrahamic activity halted by the Philistine destruction.

ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.

ὤρυξενdugAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀρύσσωmain verb (Isaac's well-restoration project)→ constative aorist (completed re-digging)ὀρύσσω: the chapter's key well-digging verb, recurring throughout vv.18–25; each re-digging is simultaneously a physical act and a patriarchal claim.

τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

φρέαταwellsAccusativeaccusative direct object (the wells re-dug)→ object specificationφρέατα: meaning 'wells'; it serves as accusative direct object (the wells re-dug).

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὕδατοςwaterGenitivegenitive of content (wells of water)→ relational specificationὕδωρ: 'water'; in this arid context, 'wells of water' specifies living-water sources as opposed to empty cisterns; the phrase anticipates φρέαρ ὕδατος ζῶντος in v.19.

ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (antecedent φρέατα)→ participant referenceἃ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (antecedent φρέατα).

ὤρυξανhad dugAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὀρύσσωrelative clause verb (the prior Abrahamic digging)→ constative aorist (the completed prior digging by Abraham's servants)ὀρύσσω: 'dig, excavate'; here digging beside the Nile to find drinkable groundwater that has been filtered through the bank — a well-attested Egyptian practice. The aorist captures the immediate desperate response of the population.

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject of ὤρυξαν (Abraham's servants as the original diggers)→ participant prominenceπαῖδες: meaning 'servants'; it serves as subject of ὤρυξαν (Abraham's servants as the original diggers).

ΑβρααμAbrahamindeclinable proper noun, genitive (servants of Abraham)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive (servants of Abraham).

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive in apposition to Αβρααμ→ relational specificationπατρὸς: meaning 'father'; it serves as genitive in apposition to Αβρααμ.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐνέφραξανstopped upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐμφράσσωmain verb (the Philistine hostile act, restated from v.15 for context)→ constative aoristἐμφράσσω (aor. ἐνέφραξαν): 'block / stop up'; the same verb as ἐμφράξετε (v. 19), now accomplished — the springs are dammed/blocked.

αὐτὰthemAccusativeaccusative direct object (the wells)→ participant referenceαὐτὰ: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object (the wells).

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal: after Abraham's death)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (temporal: after Abraham's death).

τὸtheAccusativearticle (articular infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀποθανεῖνdying / the death ofAor Act Inf · ἀποθνῄσκωarticular infinitive (temporal: after the dying of Abraham)→ aorist infinitive (the completed event of Abraham's death)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; μετὰ τὸ + infinitive = 'after the X-ing'; this phrase anchors the Philistine hostility historically — they waited until Abraham died to act.

ΑβρααμAbrahamindeclinable proper noun, subject of the infinitive→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject of the infinitive.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive in apposition (his father Abraham)→ relational specificationπατρὸς: meaning 'father'; it serves as genitive in apposition (his father Abraham).

καὶandnarrative conjunction (adding the naming action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐπωνόμασενnamed / gave namesAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπονομάζωmain verb (Isaac's re-naming of the wells)→ constative aorist (the completed act of naming)ἐπονομάζω: 'give a name to / name'; from ἐπί + ὄνομα + -άζω; renders Hebrew וַיִּקְרָא לָהֶן שֵׁמוֹת ('and he called to them names'); the naming is an act of patriarchal appropriation.

αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of indirect object (the wells receiving the names)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (the wells receiving the names).

ὀνόματαnamesAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐπωνόμασεν→ object specificationὀνόματα: meaning 'names'; it serves as accusative direct object of ἐπωνόμασεν.

κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard / norm: 'according to the names')→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (standard / norm: 'according to the names').

τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὀνόματαnamesAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (the standard: Abraham's original names)→ object specificationὀνόματα: meaning 'names'; it serves as accusative object of κατά (the standard: Abraham's original names).

ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (antecedent ὀνόματα)→ participant referenceἃ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (antecedent ὀνόματα).

ἐπωνόμασενhad namedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπονομάζωrelative clause verb (Abraham's original naming)→ constative aoristἐπονομάζω (aor.): 'named / called'; the aorist ἐπωνόμασεν gives the Amorite name as a settled past designation, paired with the present-tense Phoenician usage.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πατὴρfatherNominativenominative in apposition to Αβρααμ (his father)→ participant prominenceπατὴρ: meaning 'father'; it serves as nominative in apposition to Αβρααμ (his father).

καὶ ὤρυξαν οἱ παῖδες Ισαακ ἐν τῇ φάραγγι Γεραρων καὶ εὗρον ἐκεῖ φρέαρ ὕδατος ζῶντος.

And the servants of Isaac dug in the wadi of Gerar and found there a well of living water.

New discovery (introducing the contested-well sequence)καί

The new well (not a restoration but a fresh discovery) triggers the disputes of vv.20–21. The key phrase φρέαρ ὕδατος ζῶντος ('a well of living water') — water flowing from a spring rather than from rain collection — is theologically charged: ὕδωρ ζῶν ('living water') is the OT metaphor for divine life (Jer 2:13; Zech 14:8) and the Johannine image of Christ (John 4:10–11; 7:38).

Word-by-word analysis· 15 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὤρυξανdugAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὀρύσσωmain verb (the servants' digging)→ constative aoristὀρύσσω: 'dig, excavate'; here digging beside the Nile to find drinkable groundwater that has been filtered through the bank — a well-attested Egyptian practice. The aorist captures the immediate desperate response of the population.

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceπαῖδες: meaning 'servants'; it serves as subject.

ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable proper noun, genitive of belonging (Isaac's servants)→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of belonging (Isaac's servants).

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.

φάραγγιwadiDativedative of place (the wadi of Gerar as the digging site)→ sphere or referenceφάραγγι: meaning 'wadi'; it serves as dative of place (the wadi of Gerar as the digging site).

Γεραρωνof Gerarindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location→ participant identificationΓεραρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of location.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εὗρονfoundAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb (the discovery)→ constative aorist (completed discovery)εὑρίσκω: 'find / discover'; the discovery language frames the spring as a providential gift; the same verb was used of the miraculous harvest in v.12.

ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (at the wadi)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: meaning 'there'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.

φρέαρwellAccusativeaccusative direct object of εὗρον→ object specificationφρέαρ: meaning 'well'; it serves as accusative direct object of εὗρον.

ὕδατοςof waterGenitivegenitive of content (a well of water)→ relational specificationὕδατος: meaning 'of water'; it serves as genitive of content (a well of water).

ζῶντοςliving / flowingPres Act Part Gen Sg Neut · ζάωattributive participle (genitive, modifying ὕδατος: 'living water')→ progressive participle (the water as continuously flowing / alive)ζάω: 'live'; ὕδωρ ζῶν ('living water') = freshwater from a spring (vs. rainwater in a cistern); renders Hebrew מַיִם חַיִּים ('living / running waters'); the phrase is the chapter's most theologically resonant: Jeremiah uses it of God himself (2:13 LXX: 'they have forsaken me, the spring of living water'); Jesus appropriates it explicitly (John 4:10; 7:38).

καὶ ἐμαχέσαντο οἱ ποιμένες Γεραρων μετὰ τῶν ποιμένων Ισαακ λέγοντες ὅτι Ἡμέτερόν ἐστιν τὸ ὕδωρ· καὶ ἐκάλεσεν τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ φρέατος Ἀδικία· ἠδίκησαν γὰρ αὐτόν.

And the shepherds of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's shepherds, saying, 'The water is ours'; and he called the name of the well Injustice, for they had wronged him.

Conflict and naming (first translated well-name)καί

The naming of the well Ἀδικία is the chapter's most distinctive LXX feature: Hebrew עֵשֶׂק ('Esek / contention') is translated rather than transliterated, making the theological content transparent. The name is immediately explained by the etymological note ἠδίκησαν γὰρ αὐτόν ('for they wronged him'), a Hebraistic folk-etymology formula. The LXX's translation strategy here signals that the three well-names form a deliberate theological arc.

Word-by-word analysis· 25 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐμαχέσαντοquarreled / foughtAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · μάχομαιmain verb (the conflict over the well)→ ingressive aorist (the quarrel as a new event)μάχομαι: 'fight / quarrel / dispute'; deponent; renders Hebrew וַיָּרִיבוּ ('and they contended'); the verb is the LXX's standard term for interpersonal conflict and legal dispute; the same root governs the Hebrew name (רִיב = 'contend') behind Ἀδικία.

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ποιμένεςshepherdsNominativesubject (the Gerar shepherds as aggressors)→ participant prominenceποιμήν: 'shepherd / herdsman'; renders Hebrew רֹעֵי; both parties are herdsmen competing for water rights in the Negev — a perennial source of conflict in pastoral economics.

Γεραρωνof Gerarindeclinable proper noun, genitive of attribution (Gerar's shepherds)→ participant identificationΓεραρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of attribution (Gerar's shepherds).

μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment in conflict: 'quarreled with')→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment in conflict: 'quarreled with').

τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ποιμένωνshepherdsGenitivegenitive object of μετά (Isaac's shepherds as the other party)→ relational specificationποιμένων: meaning 'shepherds'; it serves as genitive object of μετά (Isaac's shepherds as the other party).

ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession.

λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Part Nom Pl Masc · λέγωparticiple of manner (introducing the content of the dispute-claim)→ progressive participleλέγω (pres. ptc.): the participle λέγοντες ('saying') introduces direct quotation, a standard LXX way of attaching the words of a song or speech to the verb of utterance.

ὅτιthatcomplementizer (introducing the direct claim: recitative ὅτι)→ clausal contributionὅτι: meaning 'that'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.

ἩμέτερόνoursNominativepredicate adjective (the ownership claim, fronted for emphasis)→ participant prominenceἡμέτερος: 'our / ours'; renders Hebrew לָנוּ ('ours / to us'); the emphatic fronting (Ἡμέτερον ἐστιν τὸ ὕδωρ rather than τὸ ὕδωρ ἡμέτερόν ἐστιν) captures the assertiveness of the claim.

ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopular verb (ownership assertion)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.

τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὕδωρwaterNominativesubject of ἐστιν (the disputed resource)→ participant prominenceὕδωρ: meaning 'water'; it serves as subject of ἐστιν (the disputed resource).

καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the naming)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκάλεσενcalled / namedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (Isaac's act of naming the well)→ constative aorist (the completed naming)καλέω: 'call / name'; renders Hebrew וַיִּקְרָא; the naming is the chapter's distinctive LXX feature — three well-names are translated, not transliterated.

τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὄνομαnameAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐκάλεσεν→ object specificationὄνομα: meaning 'name'; it serves as accusative direct object of ἐκάλεσεν.

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

φρέατοςwellGenitivegenitive (the name of the well = the well's name)→ relational specificationφρέατος: meaning 'well'; it serves as genitive (the name of the well = the well's name).

ἈδικίαInjusticeNominativepredicate nominative (the translated well-name)→ participant prominenceἈδικία: 'injustice / unrighteousness'; from ἀ- + δίκη ('justice'); renders Hebrew עֵשֶׂק (Esek, 'contention / oppression'). This is the LXX's distinctive translation strategy: instead of transliterating, the translator renders the Hebrew semantically, so Greek readers encounter the theology of the name directly. The choice of ἀδικία rather than φιλονεικία or ἔρις emphasizes the moral wrong done rather than merely the factual dispute.

ἠδίκησανthey wronged / treated unjustlyAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀδικέωmain verb (the etymological explanation of the well-name)→ constative aorist (the wrong as a completed act)ἀδικέω: 'wrong / injure / treat unjustly'; cognate with Ἀδικία; the etymological note ἠδίκησαν γὰρ αὐτόν explains the name by repeating its root — a standard Hebraistic naming formula (cf. v.21: Ἐχθρία / ἐκρίνοντο). The folk-etymology format is consistent across all three names.

γὰρforcausal conjunction (introducing the etymological explanation)→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

αὐτόνhimAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἠδίκησαν (Isaac wronged)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of ἠδίκησαν (Isaac wronged).

ἀπάρας δὲ ἐκεῖθεν ὤρυξεν φρέαρ ἕτερον· ἐκρίνοντο δὲ καὶ περὶ ἐκείνου· καὶ ἐπωνόμασεν τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἐχθρία.

And departing from there he dug another well; and they also disputed about that one; and he named it Enmity.

Escalation (second well-dispute and naming)ἀπάρας δέ

The participial ἀπάρας ἐκεῖθεν is the chapter's transitional formula for each well-move. The second dispute produces the second translated name Ἐχθρία ('Enmity'), rendering Hebrew שִׂטְנָה (Sitnah), which shares a root with שָׂטָן ('adversary / accuser'). The escalation from Ἀδικία (unjust taking) to Ἐχθρία (hostile opposition) signals a deepening conflict before the resolution in v.22.

Word-by-word analysis· 17 words

ἀπάραςdepartingAor Act Part Nom Sg Masc · ἀπαίρωattendant-circumstance participle (Isaac's movement before digging)→ constative aorist participle (single departure)ἀπαίρω: 'depart / set out'; renders Hebrew וַיֵּלֶךְ; the repeated participial ἀπάρας ἐκεῖθεν (here and v.22) is the structural formula marking each well-episode transition.

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (from the Ἀδικία location)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: meaning 'from there'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.

ὤρυξενdugAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀρύσσωmain verb (the second digging)→ constative aoristὀρύσσω: meaning 'dug'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb (the second digging).

φρέαρwellAccusativeaccusative direct object→ object specificationφρέαρ: meaning 'well'; it serves as accusative direct object.

ἕτερονanotherAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying φρέαρ: a different well)→ object specificationἕτερος: 'another / different'; distinguishes this new well from the previous contested one.

ἐκρίνοντοdisputed / contendedImperf Mid Indic 3 Pl · κρίνωmain verb (the continued dispute over the second well)→ progressive imperfect (ongoing dispute)κρίνω (middle): 'go to law / dispute / contend'; renders Hebrew רָבוּ ('they contended'); the imperfect marks the dispute as ongoing — the conflict was not a single event but a sustained claim.

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

καὶalso / evenadditive particle ('also about that one')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'also'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

περὶabout / concerningpreposition + genitive (topic of the dispute)→ spatial or relational framingπερὶ: meaning 'about'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (topic of the dispute).

ἐκείνουthat oneGenitivegenitive object of περί (referring to the second well)→ relational specificationἐκείνου: meaning 'that one'; it serves as genitive object of περί (referring to the second well).

καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the naming)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐπωνόμασενnamedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπονομάζωmain verb (Isaac's naming of the second well)→ constative aoristἐπονομάζω (aor.): 'named / called'; the aorist ἐπωνόμασεν gives the Amorite name as a settled past designation, paired with the present-tense Phoenician usage.

τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὄνομαnameAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐπωνόμασεν→ object specificationὄνομα: meaning 'name'; it serves as accusative direct object of ἐπωνόμασεν.

αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession (the well's name)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the well's name).

ἘχθρίαEnmityNominativepredicate nominative (the second translated well-name)→ participant prominenceἘχθρία: 'enmity / hostility'; from ἔχθρα ('hostile opposition'); renders Hebrew שִׂטְנָה (Sitnah), cognate with שָׂטָן ('adversary / opposer / accuser'). The LXX translates rather than transliterates, making the escalation from v.20's Ἀδικία ('Injustice' = unfair seizure) to Ἐχθρία ('Enmity' = active hostility) explicit for Greek readers. The Sitnah-root in Hebrew is significant: the same root gives the NT Σατανᾶς (transliteration) and ὁ ἀντίδικος (translation) — the 'Accuser / Adversary'; Gen 26:21 LXX stands in the same semantic tradition.

ἀπάρας δὲ ἐκεῖθεν ὤρυξεν φρέαρ ἕτερον, καὶ οὐκ ἐκρίνοντο περὶ αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐπωνόμασεν τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Εὐρυχωρία, λέγων ὅτι Νῦν ἐπλάτυνεν κύριος ἡμῖν καὶ ηὔξησεν ἡμᾶς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.

And departing from there he dug another well, and they did not dispute about it; and he named it Broad-place, saying: 'Now the LORD has made room for us and has increased us upon the earth.'

Resolution (third well-name: divine provision)ἀπάρας δέ

The undisputed third well resolves the escalating sequence and occasions the chapter's most exultant speech: ἐπλάτυνεν … ηὔξησεν ('broadened … increased'). Both verbs are divine actions; the name Εὐρυχωρία ('Broad-place') renders Rehoboth (רְחֹבֹות, 'broad places'). The LXX's translation strategy — semantic rendering of all three names — is most visible here, since εὐρυ- ('broad') directly reflects the Hebrew root רחב. The speech echoes vv.3–4, closing the well-sequence by returning to the promise vocabulary.

Word-by-word analysis· 29 words

ἀπάραςdepartingAor Act Part Nom Sg Masc · ἀπαίρωattendant-circumstance participle (structural transition formula)→ constative aorist participleἀπαίρω: meaning 'departing'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as attendant-circumstance participle (structural transition formula).

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: meaning 'from there'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.

ὤρυξενdugAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀρύσσωmain verb (the third digging)→ constative aoristὀρύσσω: meaning 'dug'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb (the third digging).

φρέαρwellAccusativeaccusative direct object→ object specificationφρέαρ: meaning 'well'; it serves as accusative direct object.

ἕτερονanotherAccusativeattributive adjective→ object specificationἕτερον: meaning 'another'; it serves as attributive adjective.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οὐκnotnegative particle (negating ἐκρίνοντο: the resolution)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκρίνοντοdisputedImperf Mid Indic 3 Pl · κρίνωmain verb (negated: no dispute this time)→ progressive imperfect (absence of ongoing dispute: a contrast with vv.20–21)κρίνω: meaning 'disputed'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb (negated: no dispute this time).

περὶaboutpreposition + genitive→ spatial or relational framingπερὶ: meaning 'about'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive.

αὐτοῦitGenitivegenitive object of περί (the third well)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of περί (the third well).

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐπωνόμασενnamedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπονομάζωmain verb (Isaac's naming of the third well)→ constative aoristἐπονομάζω (aor.): 'named / called'; the aorist ἐπωνόμασεν gives the Amorite name as a settled past designation, paired with the present-tense Phoenician usage.

τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὄνομαnameAccusativeaccusative direct object→ object specificationὄνομα: meaning 'name'; it serves as accusative direct object.

αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.

ΕὐρυχωρίαBroad-placeNominativepredicate nominative (the third translated well-name)→ participant prominenceΕὐρυχωρία: 'broad-place / spaciousness'; from εὐρύς ('broad') + χώρα ('place / space'); renders Hebrew רְחֹבֹות (Rehoboth = 'broad-places / open spaces'). The LXX's εὐρύ- directly mirrors the Hebrew rḥb root ('be wide / broad'). This third name breaks the sequence of conflict with divine expansion: God has 'broadened' (ἐπλάτυνεν) the space. NT resonance: Luke 12:16 (πεδίον εὐρύχωρος — though different) and the image of divine generosity as spatial expansion.

λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple of manner (introducing Isaac's naming-speech)→ progressive participleλέγω (part.): λέγων = the quotative (see v. 12).

ὅτιthatcomplementizer (recitative: introducing direct speech)→ clausal contributionὅτι: meaning 'that'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.

Νῦνnowadverb of time (the moment of divine resolution)→ adverbial qualificationΝῦν: meaning 'now'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.

ἐπλάτυνενbroadened / made roomAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πλατύνωmain verb (divine broadening: echoing the well-name Εὐρυχωρία)→ constative aorist (the completed divine act of making space)πλατύνω: 'broaden / widen'; cognate with πλατύς ('broad / wide') and with the prefix εὐρύ- of Εὐρυχωρία; renders Hebrew הִרְחִיב ('he has made wide'); the verb is a verbal echo of the well-name itself, making the name both descriptive and doxological.

κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject (the LORD as the one who broadens)→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the LORD'; it serves as subject (the LORD as the one who broadens).

ἡμῖνfor usDativedative of advantage (the broadening done for Isaac's benefit)→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'for us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (the broadening done for Isaac's benefit).

καὶandconjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ηὔξησενincreased / multipliedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · αὐξάνωmain verb (divine increase: parallel to ἐπλάτυνεν)→ constative aorist (completed divine multiplication)αὐξάνω: 'increase / grow'; the same verb as ηὐξήθη in v.13 (Isaac was made to grow); now Isaac explicitly attributes the increase to the LORD — the promised blessing of vv.3–4 is being explicitly acknowledged.

ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative direct object of ηὔξησεν→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of ηὔξησεν.

ἐπὶupon / overpreposition + genitive (locative: upon the earth)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative: upon the earth).

τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γῆςearth / landGenitivegenitive (object of ἐπί: upon the earth)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (object of ἐπί: upon the earth).

Ἀνέβη δὲ ἐκεῖθεν εἰς Βηρσαβεε.

And he went up from there to Beersheba.

Geographical transitionἈνέβη δέ

The brief verse is a narrative hinge, moving Isaac from the wadi-Gerar dispute-zone to Beersheba, the patriarchal holy place par excellence (cf. 21:31–34; 28:10). The upward direction (ἀνέβη = 'went up') may be literal (from the lower wadi to higher ground) or thematically significant (ascent to the sacred site).

Word-by-word analysis· 5 words

Ἀνέβηwent upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (Isaac's ascent to Beersheba)→ constative aorist (single completed journey)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; renders Hebrew וַיַּעַל; the ἀνά- prefix marks upward movement — from the Negev wadi to the higher ground of Beersheba, the site of Abraham's oath (21:31) and Jacob's future departure (46:1).

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (from the Εὐρυχωρία location)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: meaning 'from there'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.

εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (goal of motion)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of motion).

ΒηρσαβεεBeershebaindeclinable proper noun, goal of εἰς→ participant identificationΒηρσαβεε: LXX transliteration of Hebrew בְּאֵר שָׁבַע; the name is etymologized in v.33 as φρέαρ ὅρκου ('well of oath'), supplying the LXX's Beersheba etymology from the event of this chapter rather than from 21:31; Beersheba is the major patriarchal holy site on the southern edge of Canaan.

Ὤφθη δὲ αὐτῷ κύριος ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ἐκείνῃ καὶ εἶπεν· Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ θεὸς Αβρααμ τοῦ πατρός σου· μὴ φοβοῦ, μετὰ σοῦ γάρ εἰμι καὶ εὐλόγησά σε καὶ πληθυνῶ τὸ σπέρμα σου διὰ Αβρααμ τὸν πατέρα σου.

And the LORD appeared to him that same night and said: 'I am the God of Abraham your father; do not fear, for I am with you, and I have blessed you and will multiply your seed for the sake of Abraham your father.'

Divine confirmation at the sacred siteὬφθη δέ

The nocturnal theophany at Beersheba directly confirms the move: the LORD ratifies Isaac's arrival with the foundational self-introduction formula (Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ θεὸς Αβρααμ), the covenant-presence formula (μετὰ σοῦ εἰμι), and renewed multiplication of seed. The divine speech interweaves the past (εὐλόγησά σε — already done) with the future (πληθυνῶ), grounding both in the Abrahamic precedent.

Word-by-word analysis· 37 words

ὬφθηappearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (theophanic formula: second appearance in the chapter)→ divine passive aorist (the LORD making himself visible)ὁράω: 'see'; Ὤφθη is the standard theophanic passive, as in v.2 and in the Abrahamic theophanies (12:7; 17:1; 18:1); the repetition of Ὤφθη within a single chapter (vv.2 and 24) structurally brackets the entire episode.

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

αὐτῷto himDativedative of personal interest (recipient of the theophany)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of personal interest (recipient of the theophany).

κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the LORD'; it serves as subject.

ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).

τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

νυκτὶnightDativedative of time (the nocturnal setting)→ sphere or referenceνύξ: 'night'; nocturnal divine appearances are theologically significant in the patriarchal narrative (cf. 15:12–17; 32:22–30); the night setting underscores the personal, intimate character of the covenant appearance.

ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (dative: that very night — the night of arrival at Beersheba)→ sphere or referenceἐκείνῃ: meaning 'that'; it serves as demonstrative adjective (dative: that very night — the night of arrival at Beersheba).

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 of speech (the divine address)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

ἘγώINominativeemphatic personal pronoun, subject (the divine self-identification)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic first-person pronoun; the formula Ἐγώ εἰμι is the standard LXX translation of אֲנִי אֵל / אֲנִי יהוה ('I am the LORD / I am God'); in John's Gospel, Ἐγώ εἰμι becomes the absolute divine name (John 8:58).

εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopular verb (the divine identity formula)→ gnomic present (eternal self-identification)εἰμί: 'be'; ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος renders אֲנִי יהוה.

ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός, making it definite: 'the God of Abraham')→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θεὸςGodNominativepredicate nominative (in apposition to Ἐγώ εἰμι)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the formula ὁ θεὸς Αβρααμ τοῦ πατρός σου is the exact self-identification used at the burning bush (Exod 3:6: ὁ θεὸς Αβρααμ … ὁ θεὸς Ισαακ … ὁ θεὸς Ιακωβ), cited by Jesus at Matt 22:32 as proof of resurrection.

ΑβρααμAbrahamindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relation (the God of Abraham)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of relation (the God of Abraham).

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πατρόςfatherGenitivegenitive in apposition to Αβρααμ (the God of Abraham your father)→ relational specificationπατρός: meaning 'father'; it serves as genitive in apposition to Αβρααμ (the God of Abraham your father).

σουyourGenitivegenitive of relation (your father Abraham)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relation (your father Abraham).

μὴnotnegative particle (with imperative: prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastμὴ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

φοβοῦfearPres Mid Imper 2 Sg · φοβέομαιpresent imperative (prohibition: stop fearing)→ durative-present imperative with μή (prohibiting ongoing fear)φοβέομαι: 'fear'; μὴ φοβοῦ ('do not fear') is the standard theophanic reassurance formula (cf. 15:1; 21:17; 26:24; 46:3); its frequency marks it as a covenant-speech genre element — the divine presence abolishes fear.

μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (the covenant-presence formula)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (the covenant-presence formula).

σοῦyouGenitivegenitive of accompaniment (I am with you)→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of accompaniment (I am with you).

γάρforcausal conjunction (grounding the 'do not fear' in the divine presence)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἰμιI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (the covenant-presence assertion: μετὰ σοῦ εἰμι)→ gnomic present (the eternal divine accompaniment)εἰμί: 'be'; ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος renders אֲנִי יהוה.

καὶandconjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εὐλόγησάI have blessedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · εὐλογέωmain verb (the past blessing confirmed)→ constative aorist (the completed act of prior blessing — the harvest of v.12 already given)εὐλογέω: 'bless'; the aorist here is significant: it refers to the blessing already enacted in v.12 (εὐλόγησεν δὲ αὐτὸν κύριος); the LORD now owns that act retroactively, confirming it as intentional covenant blessing.

σεyouAccusativeaccusative direct object→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object.

καὶandconjunction (linking past blessing to future multiplication)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πληθυνῶI will multiplyFut Act Indic 1 Sg · πληθύνωmain verb (the future promise of seed multiplication)→ predictive future (the divine commitment to multiply the seed)πληθύνω: echoing v.4 (πληθυνῶ τὸ σπέρμα σου); the night-theophany speech deliberately echoes the opening promise-speech, structurally bracketing the chapter's central section.

τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σπέρμαseed / offspringAccusativeaccusative direct object of πληθυνῶ→ object specificationσπέρμα: meaning 'seed'; it serves as accusative direct object of πληθυνῶ.

διὰfor the sake of / because ofpreposition + accusative (causal: on account of Abraham)→ spatial or relational framingδιά + accusative: 'because of / for the sake of'; renders Hebrew בַּעֲבוּר ('on account of / for the sake of'); the seed-multiplication is explicitly grounded in the Abrahamic oath — Isaac benefits as Abraham's heir, not yet on his own merits.

ΑβρααμAbrahamindeclinable proper noun, object of διά→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, object of διά.

τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πατέραfatherAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Αβρααμ→ object specificationπατέρα: meaning 'father'; it serves as accusative in apposition to Αβρααμ.

καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν ἐκεῖ θυσιαστήριον καὶ ἐπεκαλέσατο τὸ ὄνομα κυρίου καὶ ἔπηξεν ἐκεῖ τὴν σκηνὴν αὐτοῦ· ὤρυξαν δὲ ἐκεῖ οἱ παῖδες Ισαακ φρέαρ.

And he built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD, and he pitched his tent there; and the servants of Isaac dug a well there.

Patriarchal response to theophany (three-part foundation)καί

Isaac's threefold response to the theophany — altar, invocation, tent-pitching — precisely mirrors Abraham's threefold foundation act at Mamre (13:18) and at Bethel (12:8). The sequence is the patriarchal holy-site consecration formula. The servants' well-digging added as a fourth act continues the chapter's well-motif and creates the pivot to the Abimelech covenant of vv.26–33.

Word-by-word analysis· 22 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ᾠκοδόμησενbuiltAor Act Indic 3 Sg · οἰκοδομέωmain verb (first patriarchal act: altar-building)→ constative aoristοἰκοδομέω: 'build / construct'; from οἶκος + δέμω; renders Hebrew וַיִּבֶן; altar-building by the patriarch marks a site as a permanent locus of divine encounter (cf. 12:7–8; 13:18; 22:9; 35:7).

ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (at Beersheba)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: meaning 'there'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.

θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativeaccusative direct object of ᾠκοδόμησεν→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; from θύω ('sacrifice') + -ιαστήριον (place-suffix); renders Hebrew מִזְבֵּחַ; the altar at Beersheba marks Isaac's covenantal consecration of this southern sanctuary site.

καὶandconjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐπεκαλέσατοcalled upon / invokedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπικαλέωmain verb (second patriarchal act: invocation of the divine name)→ constative aorist (completed act of worship)ἐπικαλέω: 'call upon / invoke'; renders Hebrew וַיִּקְרָא בְּשֵׁם יהוה ('and he called in the name of YHWH'); this phrase in the LXX is the technical term for prayer/worship at a holy site; it is the same formula at 12:8 (Abraham at Bethel) and 4:26 (first worship of YHWH). Paul cites it as defining the universal criterion of salvation: 'everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved' (Rom 10:13 citing Joel 3:5 LXX).

τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὄνομαnameAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐπεκαλέσατο→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name'; the 'name of the LORD' in OT theology represents the divine self-disclosure and presence; to call on the name is to enter the sphere of covenant relationship.

κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (the name belonging to the LORD)→ relational specificationκυρίου: meaning 'of the LORD'; it serves as genitive of possession (the name belonging to the LORD).

καὶandconjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔπηξενpitched / fixedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πήγνυμιmain verb (third patriarchal act: tent-pitching)→ constative aoristπήγνυμι: 'fix firmly / pitch'; renders Hebrew וַיֶּט ('and he spread / stretched'); the tent-pitching alongside the altar is the nomadic version of the Abrahamic foundation act — compare Abraham pitching his tent at Bethel (12:8: ἔπηξεν τὴν σκηνὴν αὐτοῦ, exact verbal match).

ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: meaning 'there'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σκηνὴνtentAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἔπηξεν→ object specificationσκηνή: 'tent / tabernacle'; renders Hebrew אֹהֶל; the term later designates the Tabernacle of the Exodus; its patriarchal use here echoes the nomadic character of the covenant people.

ὤρυξανdugAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὀρύσσωmain verb (the servants' well-digging as a fourth foundational act)→ constative aoristὀρύσσω: 'dig, excavate'; here digging beside the Nile to find drinkable groundwater that has been filtered through the bank — a well-attested Egyptian practice. The aorist captures the immediate desperate response of the population.

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (Beersheba)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: meaning 'there'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject (the servants rather than Isaac personally)→ participant prominenceπαῖδες: meaning 'servants'; it serves as subject (the servants rather than Isaac personally).

φρέαρwellAccusativeaccusative direct object (the well that becomes the chapter's oath-well in v.33)→ object specificationφρέαρ: this unnamed well will be named Ὅρκος ('Oath') in v.33, completing the chapter's well-naming arc and supplying the Beersheba etymology.

Καὶ Αβιμελεχ ἐπορεύθη πρὸς αὐτὸν ἀπὸ Γεραρων καὶ Οχοζαθ ὁ νυμφαγωγὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ Φικολ ὁ ἀρχιστράτηγος τῆς δυνάμεως αὐτοῦ.

And Abimelech came to him from Gerar, with Ochozath his companion and Phicol the commander-in-chief of his army.

New scene (Abimelech's embassy arrives)Καί

The arrival of a three-person embassy — Abimelech, his companion Ochozath, and his military commander Phicol — mirrors the embassy of Gen 21:22 (Abraham at Beersheba, with Phicol). The repetition of the same names in both covenant scenes signals a deliberate structural parallel and may suggest a dynastic or formulaic rendering.

Word-by-word analysis· 19 words

Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐπορεύθηcame / wentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (Abimelech's approach)→ constative aorist (completed journey from Gerar to Beersheba)πορεύομαι: 'go / travel'; deponent; renders Hebrew וַיֵּלֶךְ; the king's initiative — he travels to Isaac — marks a formal reversal of the chapter's power dynamics.

πρὸςto / towardpreposition + accusative (direction: toward Isaac)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: toward Isaac).

αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Isaac)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Isaac).

ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (point of origin: from Gerar)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (point of origin: from Gerar).

ΓεραρωνGerarindeclinable proper noun, genitive (object of ἀπό)→ participant identificationΓεραρων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive (object of ἀπό).

καὶandconjunction (accompanying persons)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΟχοζαθOchozathindeclinable proper noun, subject (one of the accompanying delegation)→ participant identificationΟχοζαθ: transliteration of Hebrew אַחֻזַּת ('Ahuzzath'); renders as the 'companion / friend of the king' (νυμφαγωγός); the same name in the parallel scene at 21:22.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

νυμφαγωγὸςcompanion / groomsmanNominativenominative in apposition to Οχοζαθ (his title)→ participant prominenceνυμφαγωγός: 'friend of the bridegroom / companion who conducts the bride'; from νύμφη + ἄγω; renders Hebrew מֵרֵעֵהוּ ('his companion / friend'); the LXX chooses a term from wedding contexts — possibly indicating Ochozath was Abimelech's close personal associate.

αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (his companion)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (his companion).

καὶandconjunction (third member of the delegation)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΦικολPhicolindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΦικολ: transliteration of Hebrew פִּיכֹל ('Phicol'); present also in the parallel Abraham-Abimelech scene at 21:22, 32; his role as military commander lends the embassy a formal, treaty-making character.

ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀρχιστράτηγοςcommander-in-chiefNominativenominative in apposition to Φικολ (his military title)→ participant prominenceἀρχιστράτηγος: 'chief general / commander-in-chief'; compound from ἀρχι- ('chief') + στράτηγος ('general / commander'); renders Hebrew שַׂר צְבָאֹו ('commander of his army'); the title appears again for the heavenly commander in Josh 5:14 LXX.

τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

δυνάμεωςforce / armyGenitivegenitive (object of ἀρχιστράτηγος: commander of the force)→ relational specificationδύναμις: 'power / force / army'; renders Hebrew צָבָא ('army / host'); the same word designates the heavenly armies (κύριος σαβαώθ = κύριος τῶν δυνάμεων, 'LORD of hosts / armies') — pointing backward to the cosmic scope of Abrahamic blessing.

εἶπεν δὲ αὐτοῖς Ισαακ· Ἱνατί ἤλθατε πρός με; ὑμεῖς γὰρ ἐμισήσατέ με καὶ ἀπεστείλατέ με ἀφ᾿ ὑμῶν.

And Isaac said to them: 'Why have you come to me? For you hated me and drove me away from you.'

Isaac's challenge (moral confrontation)εἶπεν δέ

Isaac's abrupt challenge (Ἱνατί ἤλθατε;) is not hostile aggression but covenantal moral clarity — he names what was done before entering any covenant. The two verbs ἐμισήσατέ and ἀπεστείλατέ are a pointed pair: 'you hated AND expelled' — both acts are now acknowledged before the covenant can be properly concluded.

Word-by-word analysis· 17 words

δὲandnarrative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of indirect object (the delegation)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (the delegation).

ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.

Ἱνατίwhyinterrogative adverb (ἵνα + τί: 'for what purpose?')→ participant identificationἱνατί: 'why? / for what reason?'; renders Hebrew לָמָּה; a compound interrogative (ἵνα + τί); used to challenge the unexpected or seemingly contradictory action of the party addressed.

ἤλθατεhave you comeAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb of the interrogative clause→ constative aoristἔρχομαι (aor. ἤλθατε): 'come'; the later sigmatic form; Moses announces that they have reached the land's edge — the moment of decision has arrived.

πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction: toward me)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: toward me).

μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.

ὑμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic personal pronoun, subject (contrasting 'you' with Isaac)→ participant referenceὑμεῖς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as emphatic personal pronoun, subject (contrasting 'you' with Isaac).

γὰρforcausal conjunction (the stated reason for the challenge)→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐμισήσατέhatedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · μισέωmain verb (the first charge: hatred)→ constative aorist (the completed act of showing enmity)μισέω: 'hate / show hostility toward'; renders Hebrew שְׂנֵאתֶם; the verb is strong — 'hated' captures the motivated enmity behind the well-stopping and expulsion, not mere indifference.

μεmeAccusativeaccusative direct object→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object.

καὶandconjunction (linking the two charges)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπεστείλατέdrove away / sent awayAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (the second charge: expulsion)→ constative aorist (the completed act of sending away)ἀποστέλλω: 'send out / dispatch / send away'; renders Hebrew וַתְּשַׁלְּחוּנִי; the verb is the standard commissioning/sending term; here used negatively for forced departure — the expulsion of v.16 is now named with the word that will, in NT usage, mean the sending of the apostles (ἀπόστολος).

μεmeAccusativeaccusative direct object→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object.

ἀφ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation: from you)→ spatial or relational framingἀφ᾿: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation: from you).

ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive of separation→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of separation.

καὶ εἶπαν· Ἰδόντες ἑωράκαμεν ὅτι ἦν κύριος μετὰ σοῦ, καὶ εἴπαμεν· Γενέσθω ὅρκος ἀνὰ μέσον ἡμῶν καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον σοῦ, καὶ διαθησόμεθά σοι διαθήκην·

And they said: 'We have seen plainly that the LORD was with you, and we said: Let there be an oath between us and you, and let us make a covenant with you;'

The embassy's appeal (covenant proposal motivated by divine blessing)καί

Abimelech's appeal concedes Isaac's point and grounds the covenant request in the recognition of divine blessing (ἑωράκαμεν ὅτι ἦν κύριος μετὰ σοῦ). The cognate absolute Ἰδόντες ἑωράκαμεν ('seeing we have seen') is a Hebraism (infinitive absolute + finite verb) intensifying the assertion: 'we have clearly, unmistakably seen.' The covenant proposal (ὅρκος … διαθήκη) uses both terms for formal agreement.

Word-by-word analysis· 24 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπανsaid / they saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb of speech (the delegation's collective reply)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπαν, Koine form): introduces the third invitation.

ἸδόντεςseeingAor Act Part Nom Pl Masc · ὁράωparticiple (cognate absolute construction with ἑωράκαμεν: Hebraism intensifying the seeing)→ constative aorist participleὁράω: 'see'; the Hebraizing cognate-absolute construction (Ἰδόντες ἑωράκαμεν = 'seeing we have seen') renders Hebrew רָאוֹ רָאִינוּ (infinitive absolute + finite verb = intensive affirmation: 'we have clearly seen'). This grammatical Hebraism appears throughout LXX narrative and in the NT (Luke 22:15 ἐπιθυμίᾳ ἐπεθύμησα).

ἑωράκαμενwe have seenPerf Act Indic 1 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (the appeal: 'we have perceived')→ intensive perfect (the abiding result of their observation — they have seen and the conclusion stands)ὁράω: the perfect tense carries the force of permanent, irreversible conclusion: their observation has led to a settled conviction about the LORD's presence with Isaac.

ὅτιthatcomplementizer (introducing the content of what they saw)→ clausal contributionὅτι: meaning 'that'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.

ἦνwasImperf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopular verb (the divine presence as Isaac's standing condition)→ progressive imperfect (the LORD's ongoing presence with Isaac throughout the events)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'was / continued to be'; the imperfect marks David's renewed, ongoing presence at court.

κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'the LORD'; it serves as subject.

μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (the covenant-presence formula, echoing v.3, v.24)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (the covenant-presence formula, echoing v.3, v.24).

σοῦyouGenitivegenitive of accompaniment→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of accompaniment.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the covenant proposal)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἴπαμενwe saidAor Act Indic 1 Pl · λέγωmain verb (reporting their internal decision to propose the covenant)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; the alpha-aorist εἴπαμεν (for εἴπομεν) is common Koine; introduces their deliberate resolve.

Γενέσθωlet there beAor Mid Imper 3 Sg · γίνομαιhortatory imperative (the formal covenant proposal)→ jussive aorist imperative (calling into existence the oath-agreement)γίνομαι: 'come to be / come into existence'; the third-person imperative (Γενέσθω = 'let there be / may there be') is a formula for formal institution — 'may an oath come into existence between us.'

ὅρκοςoathNominativesubject of Γενέσθω (the oath-agreement as the proposed new reality)→ participant prominenceὅρκος: 'oath'; the term that will become the well's name in v.33; the covenant is essentially an oath-exchange.

ἀνὰbetweenpreposition + accusative (partitive: ἀνὰ μέσον = 'between')→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ μέσον: idiomatic phrase meaning 'between'; renders Hebrew בֵּינֵינוּ ('between us'); literally 'in the midst of.'

μέσονmidstAccusativeaccusative (forming the idiom ἀνὰ μέσον = between)→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'midst'; it serves as accusative (forming the idiom ἀνὰ μέσον = between).

ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive (between us — the first party to the covenant)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (between us — the first party to the covenant).

καὶandconjunction (between … and)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀνὰbetweenpreposition + accusative (repeated: both sides of the covenant named)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (repeated: both sides of the covenant named).

μέσονmidstAccusativeaccusative (forming the idiom)→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'midst'; it serves as accusative (forming the idiom).

σοῦyouGenitivegenitive (between us and you — the second party)→ relational specificationσοῦ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (between us and you — the second party).

καὶandconjunction (continuing to the formal covenant proposal)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

διαθησόμεθάwe will makeFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · διατίθημιmain verb (the covenant-making proposal)→ predictive future (the act of covenant-making being proposed)διατίθημι (middle): 'make a covenant / dispose / arrange'; the middle voice in the covenant formula (διαθήκη) marks the personal, binding character of the agreement; the noun διαθήκη ('covenant') comes from the same root. The LXX uses this verb/noun pair for the covenant throughout Genesis and Exodus.

σοιwith youDativedative of association (with you)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'with you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of association (with you).

διαθήκηνcovenantAccusativeaccusative direct object of διαθησόμεθα→ object specificationδιαθήκη: 'covenant / testament / agreement'; the LXX's standard rendering of Hebrew בְּרִית ('covenant'); the term carries the full theological weight of the covenantal relationship — both the Noahic (9:9–17) and Abrahamic (15:18; 17:2) covenants use the same term.

μὴ ποιῆσαι μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν κακόν, καθότι ἡμεῖς σε οὐκ ἐβαρύναμεν, καὶ ὃν τρόπον ἐχρήσαμέν σοι καλῶς, καὶ ἀπελύσαμέν σε μετ᾿ εἰρήνης· καὶ νῦν σὺ εὐλογητὸς ὑπὸ κυρίου.

that you will do us no harm, just as we did not trouble you, and just as we treated you well and sent you away in peace — and now you are blessed by the LORD.

Covenant content (the terms of the proposed agreement) and doxological climax(continuation of covenant proposal from v.28)

This verse gives the substance of the covenant (the μή + infinitive clause) grounded in two symmetrical appeals: (1) we did not oppress you (οὐκ ἐβαρύναμεν), (2) we treated you well and sent you in peace. The closing declaration — σὺ εὐλογητὸς ὑπὸ κυρίου — is the theological summary of the entire chapter. The passive εὐλογητός ('blessed by the LORD') acknowledges that Isaac's prosperity derives from divine action, not human effort.

Word-by-word analysis· 27 words

μὴnotnegation (with infinitive: 'not to do')→ clausal qualification or emphasisμὴ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.

ποιῆσαιto doAor Act Inf · ποιέωinfinitive (content of the covenant: the oath 'not to do us harm')→ constative aorist infinitiveποιέω: 'do / make / prepare'; here 'prepare (a meal)' for the guest; the articular infinitive τοῦ ποιῆσαι expresses purpose — the meal of hospitality is the occasion of the theft.

μεθ᾿with / againstpreposition + genitive (with us: ποιῆσαι κακὸν μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν)→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (with us: ποιῆσαι κακὸν μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν).

ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.

κακόνevil / harmAccusativeaccusative direct object of ποιῆσαι→ object specificationκακόν: 'harm / evil / injury'; renders Hebrew רָעָה; the covenant's negative content: a non-hostility agreement.

καθότιjust as / becausecausal conjunction (grounding the covenant request in past behavior)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθότι: 'just as / in the same way as / because'; compound from κατά + ὅτι; here = 'just as'; a LXX Hebraism rendering כַּאֲשֶׁר.

ἡμεῖςweNominativeemphatic subject (the appeal to their own past conduct)→ participant referenceἡμεῖς: meaning 'we'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as emphatic subject (the appeal to their own past conduct).

σεyouAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐβαρύναμεν→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of ἐβαρύναμεν.

οὐκnotnegation→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.

ἐβαρύναμενburdened / oppressedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · βαρύνωmain verb (the Philistines' self-exoneration: 'we did not harm you')→ constative aoristβαρύνω: 'make heavy / burden / oppress'; renders Hebrew נְגַעְנוּךָ ('we did not touch / harm you'); the root βαρύς ('heavy') gives the image of pressing down with a heavy hand; the Philistines claim they did not mistreat Isaac, though they had expelled him (v.16 — a convenient moral reinterpretation).

καὶandconjunction (introducing the second ground)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun, accusative (object of τρόπον: 'in which manner')→ participant referenceὃν: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun, accusative (object of τρόπον: 'in which manner').

τρόπονmanner / wayAccusativeaccusative of manner (ὃν τρόπον = 'in the way that / just as')→ object specificationτρόπον: accusative of manner in an idiomatic phrase ὃν τρόπον = 'just as'; a LXX formula (appears also in Ruth 1:17 LXX and NT: Matt 23:37).

ἐχρήσαμένtreated / dealt withAor Act Indic 1 Pl · χράομαιmain verb (the Philistines' claim of good treatment)→ constative aoristχράομαι + dative: 'use / treat / deal with'; renders Hebrew עָשִׂינוּ עִמְּךָ ('we dealt with you'); the dative σοι ('with you') is the standard construction.

σοιyouDativedative of person treated (object of ἐχρήσαμεν)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of person treated (object of ἐχρήσαμεν).

καλῶςwell / rightlyadverb of manner→ clausal contributionκαλῶς: meaning 'well'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.

καὶandconjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπελύσαμένreleased / sent awayAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀπολύωmain verb (parallel act: the sending in peace)→ constative aoristἀπολύω: 'release / send away / dismiss'; renders Hebrew שִׁלַּחְנוּךָ; a softer term than the ἀποστέλλω of v.27 (where Isaac named it expulsion); the Philistines reframe the same act as a gracious release with peace.

μετ᾿with / inpreposition + genitive (μετ᾿ εἰρήνης = in peace)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (μετ᾿ εἰρήνης = in peace).

εἰρήνηςpeaceGenitivegenitive object of μετά (accompanying quality: in peace)→ relational specificationεἰρήνη: 'peace'; renders Hebrew שָׁלוֹם; the phrase μετ᾿ εἰρήνης ('in/with peace') is the standard LXX farewell formula; it echoes forward in vv.29 and 31, creating a deliberate inclusio around the covenant scene.

καὶandconjunction (pivoting to the doxological climax)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

νῦνnowtemporal adverb (καὶ νῦν = 'and now / therefore now')→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: meaning 'now'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.

σὺyouNominativeemphatic subject (you = Isaac)→ participant referenceσὺ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as emphatic subject (you = Isaac).

εὐλογητὸςblessedNominativepredicate nominative (σὺ εὐλογητός = 'you are blessed')→ participant prominenceεὐλογητός: 'blessed (by God)'; verbal adjective from εὐλογέω; renders Hebrew בְּרוּךְ יהוה ('blessed of YHWH'); this is the formal beatitude formula; the same adj. is applied to God himself in NT doxologies (2 Cor 1:3; Eph 1:3), showing the semantic range: 'worthy of blessing' or 'under the blessing of.'

ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agent: by the LORD)→ spatial or relational framingὑπὸ: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (agent: by the LORD).

κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive of agent (the one whose blessing rests on Isaac)→ relational specificationκυρίου: meaning 'the LORD'; it serves as genitive of agent (the one whose blessing rests on Isaac).

καὶ ἐποίησεν αὐτοῖς δοχήν, καὶ ἔφαγον καὶ ἔπιον.

And he made a feast for them, and they ate and drank.

Covenant ratification meal (narrative pivot: hospitality seals the agreement)καί

The covenant meal is the ancient near-eastern covenant ratification rite. Three coordinated aorists (ἐποίησεν — ἔφαγον — ἔπιον) present the meal as a completed, unified act. The terseness is deliberate — the covenant is sealed without ceremony; the three verbs are sufficient. Compare the covenant meal at Sinai (Exod 24:11: ἔφαγον καὶ ἔπιον).

Word-by-word analysis· 8 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐποίησενmade / preparedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (Isaac prepares the feast as host)→ constative aoristποιέω: summarises the king's deeds.

αὐτοῖςfor themDativedative of advantage (he prepared it for them)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'for them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (he prepared it for them).

δοχήνfeast / receptionAccusativeaccusative direct object→ object specificationδοχή: 'feast / reception / banquet'; from δέχομαι ('receive'); renders Hebrew מִשְׁתֶּה ('banquet / feast'); the term in classical Greek specifically denotes a formal reception-feast for guests. Isaac's hospitality to those who expelled him is a mark of covenantal magnanimity.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (linking the communal eating)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔφαγονateAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (the communal eating that seals the covenant)→ constative aoristἐσθίω (aor. ἔφαγον): 'eat'; Saul at last takes food (cf. his refusal, v. 23), restoring the strength he lacked (v. 20).

καὶandconjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔπιονdrankAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πίνωmain verb (the communal drinking completing the covenant meal)→ constative aoristπίνω: 'drink'; the pairing ἔφαγον καὶ ἔπιον mirrors the Sinai covenant ratification formula (Exod 24:11 LXX) and Passover covenant participation, anticipating sacramental patterns of covenant communion.

καὶ ἀναστάντες τὸ πρωὶ ὤμοσαν ἄνθρωπος τῷ πλησίον αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἀπέστειλεν αὐτοὺς Ισαακ, καὶ ἀπῴχοντο ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ μετ᾿ εἰρήνης.

And rising early in the morning they swore each to his neighbor; and Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace.

Covenant oath and dismissal (culmination of the covenant scene)καί

The morning oath formalizes what the meal ratified. The distributive ἄνθρωπος τῷ πλησίον αὐτοῦ ('each man to his neighbor') signals a mutual and reciprocal oath — both parties swear. The departure μετ᾿ εἰρήνης creates a verbal inclusio with the Philistines' own claim in v.29 (ἀπελύσαμέν σε μετ᾿ εἰρήνης), now fulfilled in fact.

Word-by-word analysis· 19 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀναστάντεςrisingAor Act Part Nom Pl Masc · ἀνίστημιparticiple of attendant circumstance (rising early before the oath)→ constative aorist participleἀνίστημι: 'rise / stand up'; renders Hebrew וַיַּשְׁכִּמוּ ('they rose early'); the participial phrase conveys the promptness of the formal oath-taking — morning is the time of solemn action in the OT.

τὸtheAccusativearticle (part of adverbial accusative with πρωί)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πρωὶmorningAccusativeadverbial accusative of time (in the morning / early)→ object specificationπρωΐ: 'early morning'; used as an adverb here; the morning setting is the proper time for covenant ratification (compare 22:3; 28:18).

ὤμοσανsworeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὀμνύωmain verb (the formal oath-swearing)→ constative aorist (the completed covenant oath)ὀμνύω: 'swear / take an oath'; renders Hebrew וַיִּשָּׁבְעוּ; the oath (ὅρκος, v.28; cf. v.33) is the verbal core of the covenant; the well of v.25 will be named for this act.

ἄνθρωποςeach manNominativedistributive subject (ἄνθρωπος τῷ πλησίον αὐτοῦ = each to his neighbor)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: used distributively here (renders Hebrew אִישׁ אֶת-רֵעֵהוּ, 'each man with his neighbor') — the mutual, bilateral character of the oath.

τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πλησίονneighborDativedative of indirect object (to his neighbor)→ sphere or referenceπλησίον: 'neighbor / the one near'; the key word for the mutual obligations of the covenant community; it becomes the central term in the Jesus discussion of the great commandment (Matt 22:39; Luke 10:29–37).

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 (Isaac formally dismisses the delegation)→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω (aor. ἀπέστειλεν): 'send out'; renders שָׁלַח; Saul sends the pieces of the oxen as a summons throughout Israel.

αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative direct object (the delegation)→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object (the delegation).

ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀπῴχοντοwent away / departedImperf Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἄπειμιmain verb (the departure of the delegation)→ ingressive imperfect (they began to depart / set out to leave)ἄπειμι: 'go away / depart'; renders Hebrew וַיֵּלְכוּ ('and they went'); the imperfect may suggest the process of departure rather than the single completed act.

ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation from Isaac)→ spatial or relational framingἀπ᾿: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation from Isaac).

αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive of separation→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of separation.

μετ᾿in / withpreposition + genitive→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive.

εἰρήνηςpeaceGenitivegenitive object of μετά (μετ᾿ εἰρήνης = in peace)→ relational specificationεἰρήνης: meaning 'peace'; it serves as genitive object of μετά (μετ᾿ εἰρήνης = in peace).

Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ καὶ παρεγενόμενοι οἱ παῖδες Ισαακ ἀπήγγειλαν αὐτῷ περὶ τοῦ φρέατος οὗ ὤρυξαν, καὶ εἶπαν· Εὕρομεν ὕδωρ.

And it came to pass on that very day that the servants of Isaac arrived and reported to him about the well they had dug, and they said: 'We have found water.'

Framing formula (new development on the same day: divine provision confirmed)Καὶ ἐγένετο

The LXX formula Καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ('And it came to pass on that very day') is a synchronizing marker emphasizing the simultaneity of the covenant and the water discovery — the same day the covenant was made, God confirms his provision. Εὕρομεν ὕδωρ ('we have found water') is the terse report that provides the well's name in v.33.

Word-by-word analysis· 22 words

Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιexistential verb (LXX formula: Καὶ ἐγένετο + temporal clause)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: the LXX formula Καὶ ἐγένετο renders Hebrew וַיְהִי ('and it was / and it came to pass'); a standard framing formula for new narrative scenes in Hebrew narrative.

ἐνin / onpreposition + dative (temporal: on that day)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal: on that day).

τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (on the day)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρᾳ: meaning 'day'; it serves as dative of time (on the day).

ἐκείνῃthatDativedative demonstrative attributive (that specific day — the same day as the covenant)→ sphere or referenceἐκείνῃ: meaning 'that'; it serves as dative demonstrative attributive (that specific day — the same day as the covenant).

καὶandresumptive conjunction (resuming the narrative after the temporal frame)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

παρεγενόμενοιhaving arrivedAor Mid Part Nom Pl Masc · παραγίνομαιparticiple of attendant circumstance (arriving to report)→ constative aorist participleπαραγίνομαι: 'arrive / come to a place'; renders Hebrew וַיָּבֹאוּ ('and they came'); the participle before the main verb marks the arrival as logically prior to the report.

οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceπαῖδες: meaning 'servants'; it serves as subject.

ἀπήγγειλανreported / announcedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (the formal report to Isaac)→ constative aoristἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / announce / bring news'; renders Hebrew וַיַּגִּדוּ ('and they told'); the compound (ἀπό + ἀγγέλλω) emphasizes the formal communication of news.

αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object (to Isaac)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (to Isaac).

περὶabout / concerningpreposition + genitive (topic of the report)→ spatial or relational framingπερὶ: meaning 'about'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (topic of the report).

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

φρέατοςwellGenitivegenitive object of περί (the well as topic of the report)→ relational specificationφρέατος: meaning 'well'; it serves as genitive object of περί (the well as topic of the report).

οὗwhichGenitivegenitive relative pronoun (relative clause modifying τοῦ φρέατος)→ relational specificationοὗ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive relative pronoun (relative clause modifying τοῦ φρέατος).

ὤρυξανthey had dugAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὀρύσσωverb of the relative clause (the well that was dug in v.25)→ constative aorist (referring back to the digging of v.25)ὀρύσσω: 'dig, excavate'; here digging beside the Nile to find drinkable groundwater that has been filtered through the bank — a well-attested Egyptian practice. The aorist captures the immediate desperate response of the population.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the content of the report)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εἶπανthey saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb of speech→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπαν, Koine form): introduces the third invitation.

Εὕρομενwe have foundAor Act Indic 1 Pl · εὑρίσκωmain verb (the discovery that occasions the well's naming)→ constative aorist (the completed discovery)εὑρίσκω: 'find / discover'; renders Hebrew מָצָאנוּ ('we have found'); this two-word report (Εὕρομεν ὕδωρ) is the etymological basis for the well-name in v.33: the servants 'found' water, and the place is named for the oath sworn over that water — Ὅρκος ('Oath', → Beersheba).

ὕδωρwaterAccusativeaccusative direct object of Εὕρομεν→ object specificationὕδωρ: meaning 'water'; it serves as accusative direct object of Εὕρομεν.

καὶ ἐκάλεσεν αὐτὸ Ὅρκος· διὰ τοῦτο ἐκάλεσεν τὸ ὄνομα τῆς πόλεως ἐκείνης Φρέαρ ὅρκου ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας.

And he called it 'Oath.' Therefore the name of that city was called Well of Oath until this present day.

Etymological foundation narrative (the naming of Beersheba)καί

The well is named Ὅρκος ('Oath'), providing the Greek Beersheba etymology: φρέαρ ὅρκου = 'well of oath.' In Hebrew, Beersheba (בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע) means either 'well of seven' (from שֶׁבַע, 'seven,' referring to the seven ewes of 21:28–32) or 'well of oath' (from שְׁבֻעָה, 'oath'). The LXX consistently follows the 'oath' etymology (as here and at 21:31). The closing formula ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας ('until this present day') is the standard LXX etiology formula anchoring the narrative to the reader's own time.

Word-by-word analysis· 18 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 (Isaac names the well)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call / summon'; David calls one of his retinue to carry out the sentence.

αὐτὸitAccusativeaccusative direct object (the well)→ participant referenceαὐτὸ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object (the well).

ὍρκοςOathNominativepredicate nominative (the name assigned: 'Oath')→ participant prominenceὍρκος: 'oath'; the LXX's translation of Hebrew שֶׁבַע (from שָׁבַע, 'to swear an oath'); this gives the Beersheba etymology as 'well of the oath.' The same word appeared in v.28 (Γενέσθω ὅρκος) as the covenant formula — the well's name memorializes that specific oath-exchange.

διὰbecause of / thereforepreposition + accusative (causal: διὰ τοῦτο = 'therefore')→ spatial or relational framingδιὰ: meaning 'because of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (causal: διὰ τοῦτο = 'therefore').

τοῦτοthisAccusativeaccusative object of διά (the reason just stated: the oath)→ participant referenceτοῦτο: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of διά (the reason just stated: the oath).

ἐκάλεσενcalled / namedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (the naming of the city — the etiological formula)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call / summon'; David calls one of his retinue to carry out the sentence.

τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὄνομαnameAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐκάλεσεν→ object specificationὄνομα: meaning 'name'; it serves as accusative direct object of ἐκάλεσεν.

τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive of possession (the name of the city)→ relational specificationπόλεως: meaning 'city'; it serves as genitive of possession (the name of the city).

ἐκείνηςthatGenitivegenitive demonstrative attributive→ relational specificationἐκείνης: meaning 'that'; it serves as genitive demonstrative attributive.

ΦρέαρWellNominativepredicate nominative (the city-name: 'Well of Oath')→ participant prominenceΦρέαρ ὅρκου: 'Well of Oath' = the LXX rendering of Hebrew בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע ('Beersheba'); the LXX translates the name rather than transliterating it, following the 'oath' etymology of שֶׁבַע.

ὅρκουof oathGenitivegenitive of quality (the well characterized by the oath sworn at it)→ relational specificationὅρκου: meaning 'of oath'; it serves as genitive of quality (the well characterized by the oath sworn at it).

ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal: until the present day)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: meaning 'until'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (temporal: until the present day).

τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

σήμερονtodayadverb / genitive of time (modifying ἡμέρας: the today-day = this present day)→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; here used as an attributive in the genitive phrase τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας = 'of the present day'; the formula ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας is the standard LXX etiology conclusion, anchoring the narrative to the reader's present (compare 26:33b, 32:32; Josh 5:9).

ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (until the present day)→ relational specificationἡμέρας: meaning 'day'; it serves as genitive object of ἕως (until the present day).

Ἦν δὲ Ησαυ ἐτῶν τεσσαράκοντα· καὶ ἔλαβεν γυναῖκα Ιουδιν θυγατέρα Βεηρ τοῦ Χετταίου καὶ Βασεμμαθ θυγατέρα Αιλων τοῦ Εὐαίου.

Now Esau was forty years old, and he took as wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Ailon the Hivite.

Narrative appendix (introducing the Esau complication)Ἦν δέ

The sudden shift to Esau at the close of the chapter is a narrative surprise — the chapter ends not on the Beersheba covenant but on the shadow of a future conflict. Esau's taking of Hittite (and Hivite) wives contrasts with the careful endogamy of the Abraham-Isaac-Jacob family line (compare 24:3: Abraham's oath that Isaac must not marry a Canaanite woman). The LXX reads one wife's father as τοῦ Εὐαίου ('the Hivite') where MT reads 'the Hittite' for both — a significant textual variant.

Word-by-word analysis· 19 words

ἮνwasImperf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopular verb (Esau's age at marriage)→ progressive imperfect (his state of being forty years old at the time)Ἦν: meaning 'was'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as copular verb (Esau's age at marriage).

δὲnownarrative particle (mild disjunction introducing a new subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΗσαυEsauindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΗσαυ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.

ἐτῶνof yearsGenitivegenitive of measure / age (forty years old)→ relational specificationἔτος: 'year'; the genitive of age formula (ἐτῶν N = 'of N years') is the standard LXX age formula; at forty, Esau mirrors Isaac (24:67; 25:20 — Isaac was forty when he married Rebekah).

τεσσαράκονταfortyindeclinable numeral (modifying ἐτῶν)→ measure or countτεσσαράκοντα: meaning 'forty'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.

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 (the marriage formula: ἔλαβεν γυναῖκα = 'took as wife')→ constative aorist (the completed act of marriage)λαμβάνω γυναῖκα: the standard OT marriage formula; renders Hebrew וַיִּקַּח אִשָּׁה ('and he took a woman / wife'); the construction occurs at 25:20 for Isaac and at 4:19 for Lamech.

γυναῖκαwife / womanAccusativeaccusative direct object (the marriage-formula object)→ object specificationγυναῖκα: meaning 'wife'; it serves as accusative direct object (the marriage-formula object).

ΙουδινJudithindeclinable proper noun, accusative in apposition to γυναῖκα→ participant identificationΙουδιν: LXX transliteration of Hebrew יְהוּדִית ('Judith / Jehudith'); from יְהוּדָה ('Judah') — the irony of a Hittite woman named 'the Judean/praised one.'

θυγατέραdaughterAccusativeaccusative in apposition (specifying Judith's parentage)→ object specificationθυγατέρα: meaning 'daughter'; it serves as accusative in apposition (specifying Judith's parentage).

ΒεηρBeeriindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΒεηρ: LXX transliteration of Hebrew בְּאֵרִי ('Beeri' = 'my well').

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΧετταίουHittiteGenitivegenitive in apposition to Βεηρ (his ethnic identity)→ relational specificationΧετταῖος: 'Hittite'; renders Hebrew חִתִּי; the Hittites are consistently listed among the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Canaan; their land is associated with the territory that will be given to Israel (15:20; Josh 1:4). Esau's marriages into Hittite families signal his alienation from the covenant line.

καὶandconjunction (adding the second wife)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΒασεμμαθBasemathindeclinable proper noun, accusative in apposition to the second wife→ participant identificationΒασεμμαθ: LXX transliteration of Hebrew בָּשְׂמַת ('Basemath' = 'fragrant / spice'); listed in ch.36 as a daughter of Elon the Hittite.

θυγατέραdaughterAccusativeaccusative in apposition (specifying Basemath's parentage)→ object specificationθυγατέρα: meaning 'daughter'; it serves as accusative in apposition (specifying Basemath's parentage).

ΑιλωνAilonindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relationship→ participant identificationΑιλων: LXX transliteration of Hebrew אֵילֹן ('Elon' = 'oak tree').

τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΕὐαίουHiviteGenitivegenitive in apposition to Αιλων (his ethnic identity)→ relational specificationΕὐαῖος: 'Hivite'; renders Hebrew חִוִּי; a significant textual variant from the MT (which reads חִתִּי 'Hittite' for both fathers); the LXX identifies Ailon as a Hivite rather than a Hittite, possibly reflecting a different Vorlage or a scribal confusion between ח-י-ת-י and ח-ו-י. The Hivites are also Canaanites (34:2; Josh 9:7).

καὶ ἦσαν ἐρίζουσαι τῷ Ισαακ καὶ τῇ Ρεβεκκᾳ.

And they were contentious with Isaac and Rebekah.

Chapter-closing shadow (ominous note anticipating the family strife of ch.27)καί

The final verse is a deliberate narrative shadow cast over the chapter's covenant triumph. After the peaceful resolution at Beersheba (vv.26–33), the chapter ends abruptly with Esau's Hittite wives as a source of bitter strife. The periphrastic construction ἦσαν ἐρίζουσαι ('were contentious / were quarreling') renders Hebrew מֹרַת רוּחַ ('bitterness of spirit') — the LXX interprets the abstract Hebrew phrase as an active, ongoing contentiousness. The verb ἐρίζω ('quarrel / contend') is lexically linked to Ἔρις ('Strife') — the same root as the well-name Ἐχθρία (v.21), weaving the household strife into the chapter's well-naming leitmotif. This verse is the hinge to ch.27: Rebekah's grievance against Esau's wives motivates her scheme to secure Jacob's blessing.

Word-by-word analysis· 8 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἦσανwereImperf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίperiphrastic auxiliary (ἦσαν + participle = ongoing state)→ progressive imperfect (the wives' habitual contentiousness — a permanent condition, not a single incident)εἰμί (imperf. ἦσαν): 'were'; the copula linking ᾠδαὶ αὐτοῦ to the predicate numeral πεντακισχίλιαι.

ἐρίζουσαιcontentious / quarrelingPres Act Part Nom Pl Fem · ἐρίζωparticiple in periphrastic construction with ἦσαν (ἦσαν ἐρίζουσαι = 'were [engaged in] quarreling')→ progressive / iterative present participle (describing a repeated, habitual action)ἐρίζω: 'quarrel / contend / strive'; renders Hebrew מֹרַת (from מָרָה, 'be bitter / rebel'); the LXX interprets the Hebrew 'bitterness' as active contention; the root ἔρις ('strife / discord') is the same root found in the well-name Ἐχθρία (v.21), embedding the domestic strife in the chapter's well-naming leitmotif. In Hesiod and Homer ἔρις is personified as the goddess of strife; Paul lists ἔρις among the works of the flesh (Gal 5:20) and the vices of the godless (Rom 1:29).

τῷwithDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable proper noun, dative of opposition (contentious with Isaac)→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, dative of opposition (contentious with Isaac).

καὶandconjunction (adding Rebekah as the second person targeted)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ΡεβεκκᾳRebekahindeclinable proper noun, dative of opposition (contentious with Rebekah)→ participant identificationΡεβεκκα: LXX transliteration of Hebrew רִבְקָה ('Rebekah'); her grief over these marriages (27:46) is the stated motivation for the Jacob-Esau deception of ch.27.

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 26ΓΕΝΕΣΙΣ ΚϚ′

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Translation & textual notes