Genesis 35 — 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.

Εἶπεν δὲ ὁ θεὸς πρὸς Ιακωβ· Ἀναστὰς ἀνάβηθι εἰς τὸν τόπον Βαιθηλ καὶ οἴκει ἐκεῖ, καὶ ποίησον ἐκεῖ θυσιαστήριον τῷ θεῷ τῷ ὀφθέντι σοι ἐν τῷ ἀποδιδράσκειν σε ἀπὸ προσώπου Ησαυ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου.

And God said to Jacob: 'Arise, go up to the place Bethel and dwell there, and make there an altar to the God who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother.'

Divine command (narrative opening)Εἶπεν δέ

The chapter opens with direct divine speech to Jacob — no vision or dream frame, just the unmediated imperative. The three commands (ἀνάβηθι, οἴκει, ποίησον) constitute the divine agenda for the chapter. The summons reaches back to Gen 28 and forward to the theophany of 35:9–15, creating a frame around the central Bethel unit.

Word-by-word analysis· 34 words

ΕἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (divine speech introduction)→ constative aorist (single speech act)λέγω: 'say'; the direct divine speech formula without the longer prophetic messenger-formula; in the patriarchal narratives God speaks directly and personally.

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

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

θεὸςGodNominativesubject→ participant prominenceθεός: renders אֱלֹהִים (Elohim); the same divine actor who gave the Bethel promise at Gen 28:13–15 now commands Jacob to return; the chapter will alternate between θεός and its equivalents.

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).

ΙακωβJacobindeclinable proper noun, object of πρός (addressee)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: indeclinable LXX transliteration of יַעֲקֹב; though renamed Ισραηλ at 32:28, the text uses both names in ch. 35, preserving the patriarch's dual identity.

Ἀναστὰςhaving arisenAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἀνίστημιadverbial participle (attendant circumstance: prior act of rising)→ constative aorist (single preparatory act)ἀνίστημι: 'rise up'; the participle + imperative ἀνάβηθι forms a biblical double-motion formula ('arise and go', cf. Gen 13:17; 28:2); the rising signals decisive departure.

ἀνάβηθιgo upAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (first divine imperative)→ ingressive aorist (begin the ascent)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; the ἀνα- prefix marks upward movement toward the elevated cultic site; the same verb later describes pilgrimage ascent to Jerusalem.

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

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

τόπονplaceAccusativedirect object of ἀνάβηθι (destination)→ object specificationτόπος: 'place'; the articular τόπον recalls the same word at 28:11, 16, 17 — the sacred place of the ladder-theophany; by now it has a recognized identity, hence the article.

ΒαιθηλBethelindeclinable proper noun in apposition to τόπον→ participant identificationΒαιθηλ: LXX transliteration of בֵּית אֵל ('house of God'); at 28:19 the LXX translated the name as Οἶκος θεοῦ; here and in 35:3, 6, 7, 8, 15 the text transliterates — a within-chapter consistency that differs from 28:19.

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (links the three imperatives)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οἴκειdwellPres Act Impv 2 Sg · οἰκέωsecond imperative (command of continued settled residence)→ durative present (ongoing dwelling, not merely a visit)οἰκέω: 'dwell, inhabit'; the present tense contrasts with the flanking aorist imperatives — the ascending and altar-building are once-for-all acts, the dwelling is a continuing state of return.

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

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (third imperative follows)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ποίησονmakeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ποιέωthird imperative (cultic command)→ constative aorist (single definite act of altar construction)ποιέω: 'make, do'; standard LXX verb for constructing sacred objects; the altar fulfills Jacob's vow of 28:20–22 ('this stone shall be God's house') in its material form.

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

θυσιαστήριονan altarAccusativedirect object of ποίησον→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; from θύω ('sacrifice') + place-suffix; the LXX standard term for the sacrificial altar (Hebrew מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbēaḥ).

τῷto theDativearticle (introducing dative recipient phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θεῷGodDativeindirect object / dative of destination→ sphere or referenceθεός: the altar is dedicated to a specific God — identified by the following participial phrase as the one who appeared at Bethel.

τῷtheDativearticle (beginning articular participial phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὀφθέντιwho appearedAor Pass Ptcp Dat Sg Masc · ὁράωsubstantival participle, dative of reference ('to the one who appeared to you')→ constative aorist (the specific Bethel theophany of Gen 28)ὁράω: 'see'; the passive ὤφθη / ὀφθείς is the standard LXX form for divine self-disclosure to the patriarchs (Gen 12:7; 17:1; 26:2); in the NT the same passive form ὤφθη marks resurrection appearances (1 Cor 15:5–8), deliberately continuating the theophanic language.

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

ἐνwhenpreposition + articular infinitive (temporal clause)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'when'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + articular infinitive (temporal clause).

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

ἀποδιδράσκεινfleeingPres Act Inf · ἀποδιδράσκωarticular infinitive (temporal: 'when you fled / were fleeing')→ durative present (the whole period of flight)ἀποδιδράσκω: 'flee away, escape'; compound of ἀπό + διδράσκω; used specifically for Jacob's flight from Esau at Gen 27:43 LXX; God's recall of that flight grounds the Bethel promise in the moment of greatest vulnerability.

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

ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (ablative source; Hebraism: ἀπὸ προσώπου = 'from before the face of')→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (ablative source; Hebraism: ἀπὸ προσώπου = 'from before the face of').

προσώπουthe faceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (Hebraism: ἀπὸ προσώπου = 'from before')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face'; ἀπὸ προσώπου renders Hebrew מִפְּנֵי, a standard Hebraism throughout the LXX for 'fleeing before' the authority or threat of a person (Gen 16:6; 27:43).

ΗσαυEsauindeclinable proper noun, genitive after προσώπου→ participant identificationΗσαυ: transliteration of עֵשָׂו; the rival brother whose murderous threat (Gen 27:41) precipitated the flight; the callback reactivates the threat-context of the Bethel promise.

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

ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivegenitive of relationship (appositional to Ησαυ)→ relational specificationἀδελφός: 'brother'; the relational label explicitly reactivates the fraternal tension that frames the whole Jacob narrative from Gen 25 onward.

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

εἶπεν δὲ Ιακωβ τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ καὶ πᾶσιν τοῖς μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ· Ἄρατε τοὺς θεοὺς τοὺς ἀλλοτρίους τοὺς μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν ἐκ μέσου ὑμῶν καὶ καθαρίσθητε καὶ ἀλλάξατε τὰς στολὰς ὑμῶν·

And Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him: 'Remove the foreign gods that are among you from your midst, and purify yourselves, and change your garments.'

Human mediation of divine commandεἶπεν δέ

Jacob immediately transmits God's command to his household, functioning as a prophet-mediator. His three imperatives (Ἄρατε, καθαρίσθητε, ἀλλάξατε) mirror the three divine imperatives of v.1, showing exact obedience. The purge addresses what Gen 31:19, 34–35 left unresolved — Rachel's stolen household gods.

Word-by-word analysis· 29 words

εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (human speech, transmitting divine command)→ constative aoristλέγω: Jacob's speech-act immediately follows God's — no delay, no consultation; the patriarch acts as mediator between divine command and human compliance.

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

ΙακωβJacobsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).

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

οἴκῳhouseholdDativeindirect object (primary addressee)→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house / household'; encompasses family, servants, and concubines — the whole patriarchal encampment.

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

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (extending the addressees)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πᾶσινallDativedative adjective (extending the addressee group)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; the comprehensive address ensures no one and no idol is excluded from the purge.

τοῖςthoseDativearticle (with prepositional phrase: 'those with him')→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (association)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (association).

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

ἌρατεRemoveAor Act Impv 2 Pl · αἴρωmain imperative (first command: removal of idols)→ constative aorist (complete, thoroughgoing removal)αἴρω: 'take up, remove, carry away'; the plural imperative is addressed to the entire household; the aorist insists on decisive, complete removal, not gradual disengagement.

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

θεοὺςgodsAccusativedirect object of Ἄρατε→ object specificationθεός (pl.): 'gods'; here denotes the teraphim and household idols accumulated during the Laban years (cf. Rachel's theft, Gen 31:19); the word is identical to the word for God but the context is polytheistic possession.

τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with attributive adjective: 'foreign gods')→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἀλλοτρίουςforeignAccusativeattributive adjective (qualifying τοὺς θεούς)→ object specificationἀλλότριος: 'foreign, belonging to another'; the phrase τοὺς θεοὺς τοὺς ἀλλοτρίους is the standard LXX designation for non-Israelite deities, occurring in covenant-renewal contexts (Josh 24:20; Judg 10:16) — Jacob's command foreshadows those later purges.

τοὺςthat areAccusativearticle (with prepositional phrase as relative clause: 'the ones among you')→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

μεθ᾿amongpreposition + genitive (association: 'among you')→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾿: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (association: 'among you').

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

ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation: 'out from your midst')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation: 'out from your midst').

μέσουthe midstGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (Hebraism: ἐκ μέσου ὑμῶν = 'from your midst')→ relational specificationμέσος: 'middle, midst'; ἐκ μέσου ὑμῶν renders Hebrew מִקִּרְבְּכֶם, a spatial metaphor for communal separation from impurity.

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

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second imperative follows)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

καθαρίσθητεpurify yourselvesAor Pass Impv 2 Pl · καθαρίζωsecond imperative (ritual self-purification)→ constative aorist (thoroughgoing act of purification)καθαρίζω: 'purify, cleanse'; the passive-reflexive imperative summons self-purification before approaching the holy site; anticipates the Mosaic prescriptions of Exod 19:10, 14; the Hebrew Hithpael reflexive is rendered by the Greek passive.

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (third imperative follows)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀλλάξατεchangeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀλλάσσωthird imperative (change of garments as cultic marker)→ constative aorist (definite act of changing clothing)ἀλλάσσω: 'change, exchange'; the changing of garments is a physical marker of religious transition — putting off the old before encountering the holy (cf. Exod 19:10; Lev 16:24).

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

στολὰςgarmentsAccusativedirect object of ἀλλάξατε→ object specificationστολή: 'robe, garment'; from στέλλω ('equip'); used for honorific or cultic clothing throughout the LXX (cf. Gen 41:42; Exod 28); the change of garments alongside purification and idol-removal constitutes a full three-part rite of covenant renewal.

ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive possessive→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive possessive.

καὶ ἀναστάντες ἀναβῶμεν εἰς Βαιθηλ, καὶ ποιήσωμεν ἐκεῖ θυσιαστήριον τῷ θεῷ τῷ ἐπακούσαντί μοι ἐν ἡμέρᾳ θλίψεώς μου, ὃς ἦν μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ ᾗ ἐπορεύθην.

And having arisen let us go up to Bethel, and let us make there an altar to God who heard me in the day of my distress, who was with me on the way by which I journeyed.

Motivational elaboration (Jacob's personal testimony)καὶ ἀναστάντες

Jacob grounds his command in personal testimony: the God of Bethel 'heard me in the day of my distress and was with me on the way.' The hortatory subjunctives (ἀναβῶμεν, ποιήσωμεν) shift the voice from command to communal invitation, drawing the household into Jacob's own covenant story.

Word-by-word analysis· 27 words

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (continuing Jacob's speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἀναστάντεςhaving arisenAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl Masc · ἀνίστημιadverbial participle (attendant circumstance: communal rising together)→ constative aorist (single preparatory act)ἀνίστημι: the plural form marks the shift from Jacob's individual command (v.2) to the communal first-person 'let us go up' — the household as a body responds.

ἀναβῶμενlet us go upAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἀναβαίνωhortatory subjunctive (communal invitation to ascend)→ ingressive aorist (begin the ascent)ἀναβαίνω: the hortatory subjunctive echoes and democratizes the divine imperative of v.1 — what God commanded Jacob alone, Jacob now proposes as a communal project.

εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).

ΒαιθηλBethelindeclinable proper noun, object of εἰς→ participant identificationΒαιθηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, object of εἰς.

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

ποιήσωμενlet us makeAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ποιέωhortatory subjunctive (communal cultic act)→ constative aorist (single act of altar-building)ποιέω: the hortatory pair ἀναβῶμεν / ποιήσωμεν mirrors the divine imperatives of v.1, showing that Jacob's communal leadership is a faithful echo of the divine command.

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

θυσιαστήριονan altarAccusativedirect object of ποιήσωμεν→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: meaning 'an altar'; it serves as direct object of ποιήσωμεν.

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

θεῷGodDativeindirect object / dative of destination→ sphere or referenceθεός: identified by the following articular participle as the God who answered Jacob at Bethel — personal testimony shapes the cultic dedication.

τῷtheDativearticle (beginning articular participial phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἐπακούσαντίwho heardAor Act Ptcp Dat Sg Masc · ἐπακούωsubstantival participle, dative of reference ('to the one who heard me')→ constative aorist (the specific act of divine hearing at Bethel)ἐπακούω: 'hear attentively, listen and respond'; the compound ἐπι- intensifies — not mere perception but effective, responsive hearing; Jacob's theology of prayer is grounded in a past experience of God answering in crisis.

μοιmeDativedative of interest (pronoun)→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of interest (pronoun).

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

ἡμέρᾳthe dayDativedative of time→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; ἐν ἡμέρᾳ θλίψεώς μου ('in the day of my distress') is a Hebraistic temporal phrase (cf. Ps 77:3 LXX בְּיוֹם צָרָתִי).

θλίψεώςof distressGenitivegenitive of characterization ('of my distress / affliction')→ relational specificationθλῖψις: 'distress, affliction'; renders Hebrew צָרָה (ṣārāh); Jacob's 'day of distress' is the flight from Esau recounted in Gen 27; θλῖψις becomes a key NT term for tribulation (Rom 5:3; 2 Cor 1:4; Rev 7:14).

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

ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun, nominative singular (referring to θεῷ; antecedent: 'who was with me')→ participant referenceὅς: standard relative pronoun; the relative clause restates the divine accompaniment-promise of 28:15 ('I am with you and will keep you').

ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause→ progressive imperfect (continuous divine companionship throughout the journey)εἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect ἦν contrasted with the aorist participles marks a sustained state — God was continuously with Jacob throughout the twenty-year Laban sojourn.

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

ἐμοῦmeGenitiveemphatic first-person genitive after μετά→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as emphatic first-person genitive after μετά.

ἐνonpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; 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.

ὁδῷwayDativedative of place ('on the way / journey')→ sphere or referenceὁδός: 'way, road, journey'; the covenant-laden term for the route of divine escort; the whole Haran sojourn is summarized as 'the way I journeyed.'

ᾗby whichDativerelative pronoun, dative of manner/locative (referring to ὁδῷ)→ participant reference or interestᾗ: meaning 'by which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun, dative of manner/locative (referring to ὁδῷ).

ἐπορεύθηνI journeyedAor Pass Indic 1 Sg · πορεύομαιverb of embedded relative clause→ constative aorist (the whole journey summarized as a completed whole)πορεύομαι: 'go, travel'; deponent passive; the aorist summarizes Jacob's entire flight and twenty-year sojourn as one completed journey — the God who accompanied it deserves the altar.

καὶ ἔδωκαν τῷ Ιακωβ τοὺς θεοὺς τοὺς ἀλλοτρίους οἳ ἦσαν ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτῶν καὶ τὰ ἐνώτια τὰ ἐν τοῖς ὠσὶν αὐτῶν, καὶ κατέκρυψεν αὐτὰ Ιακωβ ὑπὸ τὴν τερέβινθον τὴν ἐν Σικίμοις.

And they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods that were in their hands and the earrings that were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the terebinth that is at Shechem.

Narrative fulfillment (the household complies)καὶ ἔδωκαν

The household's compliance is narrated with narrative economy: two classes of objects are surrendered (idols, earrings), and Jacob personally conceals them under the sacred terebinth at Shechem. The choice of Shechem — site of the Dinah crisis and of Abraham's first Canaanite altar (Gen 12:6) — for the burial of the foreign gods is a symbolic cleansing of the defiled site.

Word-by-word analysis· 32 words

καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis: action immediately follows command)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔδωκανgaveAor Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb (act of voluntary surrender)→ constative aorist (decisive, completed handing-over)δίδωμι: 'give'; the household voluntarily surrenders their idols — no coercion is mentioned, signaling genuine compliance with Jacob's authority.

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

ΙακωβJacobindeclinable proper noun, indirect object (recipient of the surrender)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, indirect object (recipient of the surrender).

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

θεοὺςgodsAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκαν (first item surrendered)→ object specificationθεός (pl.): the same τοὺς θεοὺς τοὺς ἀλλοτρίους of v.2 — the exact verbal repetition confirms complete fulfillment of the command.

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

ἀλλοτρίουςforeignAccusativeattributive adjective→ object specificationἀλλότριος: 'foreign'; the repeated phrase from v.2 signals exact command-fulfillment.

οἳwhichNominativerelative pronoun, nominative plural (antecedent: τοὺς θεούς)→ participant referenceὅς: the relative clause specifies the gods were physically held — portable figurines or amulets.

ἦσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίverb of relative clause→ progressive imperfect (prior habitual possession now surrendered)εἰμί: the imperfect underscores the ongoing possession that is decisively broken by the aorist ἔδωκαν.

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

ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

χερσὶνhandsDativedative of place ('in their hands')→ sphere or referenceχείρ: 'hand'; the gods 'in the hands' are personal portable idols; the physical specificity is literal, not metaphorical.

αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive possessive→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive possessive.

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second item added)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

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

ἐνώτιαearringsAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκαν (second item surrendered)→ object specificationἐνώτιον: 'earring'; compound ἐν + οὖς ('in-ear-thing'); renders Hebrew נֶזֶם (nézem); earrings in the ancient Near East often bore amulet inscriptions linked to deities, making their surrender part of the idol-purge (cf. Judg 8:24–27 where Midianite earrings produce Gideon's ephod).

τὰtheAccusativearticle (with relative locative: 'the ones in their ears')→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

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

τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὠσὶνearsDativedative of place ('in their ears')→ sphere or referenceοὖς: 'ear'; the phrase specifies the earrings by location, making clear these are worn ornaments surrendered along with the household gods.

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

κατέκρυψενhidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατακρύπτωmain verb (Jacob's personal act of concealment)→ constative aorist (definitive act of burial-concealment)κατακρύπτω: 'hide away, conceal beneath'; the κατα- prefix intensifies — 'buried completely'; the chosen location under a sacred tree follows the apotropaic practice of interring dangerous or impure objects at liminal sites.

αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object (neuter plural, referring collectively to idols and earrings)→ participant referenceαὐτὰ: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (neuter plural, referring collectively to idols and earrings).

ΙακωβJacobsubject of κατέκρυψεν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of κατέκρυψεν (indeclinable proper noun).

ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (spatial: 'under')→ spatial or relational framingὑπὸ: meaning 'under'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (spatial: 'under').

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

τερέβινθονterebinthAccusativeobject of ὑπό (the site of concealment)→ object specificationτερέβινθος: 'terebinth tree' (Pistacia terebinthus); the LXX rendering of Hebrew אֵלָה (ʾēlāh, a large shade tree); the same sacred tree near Shechem appears at Gen 12:6 LXX as δρῦς, where Abram built his first altar; burial under a sacred tree imbues the act with a ritual character — the unclean is interred under what is already set apart.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with locative prepositional phrase: 'the one at Shechem')→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

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

ΣικίμοιςShechemindeclinable proper noun, object of ἐν (location of the terebinth)→ participant identificationΣίκιμα / Σικίμοις: LXX transliteration of שְׁכֶם (Shechem); the city of the Dinah crisis (Gen 34); the burial of foreign gods at Shechem's terebinth is a symbolic ritual cleansing of the site before the ascent to Bethel.

Καὶ ἀπῇρεν Ισραηλ ἐκ Σικίμων, καὶ ἐγένετο φόβος θεοῦ ἐπὶ τὰς πόλεις τὰς κύκλῳ αὐτῶν, καὶ οὐ κατεδίωξαν ὀπίσω τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ.

And Israel set out from Shechem, and the terror of God came upon the cities around them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Israel.

Narrative action (divine protection on the journey)Καὶ ἀπῇρεν

The company departs and is protected not by military force but by the φόβος θεοῦ — the terror of God — that immobilizes the surrounding cities. This divine-warfare motif (cf. Exod 23:27; Josh 2:9) assures the reader that the God who commands the return is also the God who secures it.

Word-by-word analysis· 22 words

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

ἀπῇρενset outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαίρωmain verb (departure narrative)→ constative aorist (single act of departure)ἀπαίρω: 'depart, set out, break camp'; the standard LXX verb for patriarchal departure (cf. Gen 12:9; 26:17); here Israel departs Shechem for the last time — the site is left purified of its idols.

ΙσραηλIsraelsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the narrator now uses the covenant name (first given at Gen 32:28) for the departure, signaling that this journey is made in the patriarch's new identity.

ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (ablative: point of departure)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (ablative: point of departure).

ΣικίμωνShechemindeclinable proper noun, object of ἐκ→ participant identificationΣίκιμα / Σικίμων: the genitive plural form of Shechem; the city now left behind is the site of crisis (Gen 34) and purge (35:4).

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

ἐγένετοcame uponAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (existential: the terror 'came to be / fell upon')→ ingressive aorist (onset of the terror as the company departs)γίνομαι: 'come to be, happen, fall upon'; the ingressive aorist marks the moment the terror begins — simultaneous with Israel's departure, not prior to it; the parallel phrase at Exod 23:27 (φόβον ἀποστελῶ) uses a different construction but the same divine-warfare motif.

φόβοςterrorNominativesubject (the divine terror as a quasi-personified force)→ participant prominenceφόβος: 'fear, terror'; φόβος θεοῦ ('terror of God') renders Hebrew חִתַּת אֱלֹהִים — a divine panic that paralyzes enemies (Josh 2:9; Exod 15:16; 23:27); the genitive θεοῦ is subjective (God produces the terror) and qualitative (a terror of divine origin and magnitude).

θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source / subjective genitive (God sends the terror)→ relational specificationθεός: the genitive is simultaneously subjective (God is its source) and qualitative (a God-scale terror); the anarthrous construction (no article on θεοῦ) is a Hebraism rendering the construct-chain חִתַּת אֱלֹהִים.

ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction: the terror falls upon)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: the terror falls upon).

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

πόλειςcitiesAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the cities affected by the divine terror)→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; the plural encompasses the Canaanite city-states surrounding the route; the terror immobilizes not one city but the whole region.

τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with adverb κύκλῳ: 'the cities around them')→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

κύκλῳaroundDativeadverb of place ('round about / surrounding')→ sphere or referenceκύκλῳ: 'in a circle, round about'; the dative-adverbial form emphasizes the comprehensive geographic spread of the divine protection — no city in any direction could mount pursuit.

αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive of reference (the cities surrounding Israel's company)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of reference (the cities surrounding Israel's company).

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (result of the divine terror: no pursuit)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

οὐnotnegation→ participant referenceοὐ: meaning 'not'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as negation.

κατεδίωξανthey pursuedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καταδιώκωnegated main verb (the non-event: no pursuit)→ constative aorist (completed non-action: they refrained throughout the journey)καταδιώκω: 'pursue, chase after'; the compound κατα- intensifies — 'pursue hard after'; the negation οὐ κατεδίωξαν is the narrative proof that the divine terror worked.

ὀπίσωafteradverb of direction (with genitive: 'after / behind')→ clausal contributionὀπίσω: 'behind, after'; ὀπίσω + genitive renders Hebrew אַחֲרֵי, a standard Hebraism for pursuit.

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

υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσω (the group not pursued)→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; 'sons of Israel' is the LXX's standard ethnic designation for the Israelite people, here used proleptically — the company is already 'Israel' in name and in covenantal identity.

ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper noun, genitive after υἱῶν→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the use of the national-covenant name ('sons of Israel') at this early stage is proleptic — anticipating the people that will emerge from the twelve sons catalogued at 35:22–26.

Καὶ ἦλθεν Ιακωβ εἰς Λουζα, ἥ ἐστιν ἐν γῇ Χανααν — αὕτη ἐστὶν Βαιθηλ — αὐτὸς καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ὃς ἦν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ.

And Jacob came to Luz, which is in the land of Canaan — this is Bethel — he and all the people who were with him.

Narrative arrivalΚαὶ ἦλθεν

The arrival at Luz-Bethel is narrated with a parenthetical identification: 'this is Bethel.' The use of the name Luz preserves the pre-Israelite Canaanite toponym alongside the theophanic name Bethel (first given by Jacob at Gen 28:19), while 'all the people with him' registers the communal character of the pilgrimage.

Word-by-word analysis· 22 words

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

ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (arrival narrative)→ constative aorist (completed journey arriving at destination)ἔρχομαι: 'come, arrive'; the constative aorist views the entire journey as a single completed movement culminating in the arrival at Bethel.

εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction/destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction/destination).

ΛουζαLuzindeclinable proper noun, object of εἰς (the Canaanite toponym)→ participant identificationΛουζα: transliteration of Hebrew לוּז (Luz), the pre-Israelite Canaanite name of the site; previously noted in Gen 28:19 as the name before Jacob renamed it; the LXX preserves both Luz and Bethel as parallel names for the same place.

ἥwhichNominativerelative pronoun, nominative feminine (antecedent: Λουζα)→ participant referenceἥ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun, nominative feminine (antecedent: Λουζα).

ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (locative identification)→ gnomic present (permanent geographic fact)εἰμί: the present is gnomic — Luz is (permanently) located in Canaan; the relative clause anchors the patriarchal narrative in the land of promise.

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

γῇthe landDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land'; the anarthrous γῇ Χανααν ('land of Canaan') is the standard LXX formula for the promised territory; the identification anchors the return to the correct covenantal geography.

ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun, genitive after γῇ ('land of Canaan')→ participant identificationΧανααν: transliteration of כְּנַעַן; the land of promise repeatedly invoked as the covenant inheritance (Gen 12:5; 17:8; 31:18).

αὕτηthisNominativesubject of parenthetical identification clause→ participant referenceαὕτη: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject of parenthetical identification clause.

ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (parenthetical gloss: 'this is Bethel')→ gnomic presentεἰμί: the parenthetical αὕτη ἐστίν formula is the LXX's standard gloss-tag for toponym identifications (cf. 35:19 αὕτη ἐστὶν Βηθλεεμ).

ΒαιθηλBethelpredicate (the theophanic name: 'this is Bethel')→ participant identificationΒαιθηλ: the sacred name given by Jacob in Gen 28:19; the parenthetical identification bridges the Canaanite toponym (Luz) and the Israelite cultic name (Bethel).

αὐτὸςheNominativesubject in apposition to Ιακωβ (resumptive: 'he himself')→ participant prominenceαὐτὸς: meaning 'he'; it serves as subject in apposition to Ιακωβ (resumptive: 'he himself').

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (extending the subject: 'he and all the people')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

πᾶςallNominativeadjective (attributive with ὁ λαός: 'all the people')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the inclusive note registers the arrival as communal — this is not a solitary patriarch's return but an entire household's pilgrimage.

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

λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject (coordinate with αὐτός: 'he and all the people')→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people, folk'; used for the patriarchal encampment as a proto-national unit; the same term used for Israel as the covenant people throughout Exodus.

ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun, nominative singular (antecedent: ὁ λαός)→ participant referenceὃς: meaning 'who'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun, nominative singular (antecedent: ὁ λαός).

ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause→ progressive imperfect (continuous association throughout the journey)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.

μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (association)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (association).

Καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν ἐκεῖ θυσιαστήριον καὶ ἐκάλεσεν τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ τόπου ἐκείνου Βαιθηλ· ἐκεῖ γὰρ ἐπεφάνη αὐτῷ ὁ θεὸς ἐν τῷ ἀποδιδράσκειν αὐτὸν ἀπὸ προσώπου τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ.

And he built there an altar, and he called the name of that place Bethel; for there God appeared to him when he fled from the face of his brother.

Narrative fulfillment (the altar built, the name reconfirmed)Καὶ ᾠκοδόμησεν

The altar-building fulfills the divine command of v.1 and the vow of Gen 28:20–22. The narrator's explanatory γάρ ('for') clause recalls Gen 28's theophany, verbally echoing v.1's ἐν τῷ ἀποδιδράσκειν — the flight from the brother frames both the command (v.1) and its fulfillment (v.7).

Word-by-word analysis· 27 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 (cultic construction: the altar built)→ constative aorist (single completed act of building)οἰκοδομέω: 'build'; literally 'house-build'; used throughout the LXX for altar and sanctuary construction (Gen 8:20; 12:7; 26:25; 33:20); the act fulfills Jacob's vow at 28:22 ('this stone shall be God's house').

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

θυσιαστήριονan altarAccusativedirect object of ᾠκοδόμησεν→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: the altar commanded in v.1 and proposed in v.3 is now built — the narrative closes the command-fulfillment ring.

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

ἐκάλεσενcalledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (act of toponym-naming)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call, name'; the naming of places after divine encounters is a recurring patriarchal act (Gen 16:14; 21:31; 28:19; 32:30); the name Bethel is reconfirmed here, even though it was first given at Gen 28:19.

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

ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect object of ἐκάλεσεν→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name'; the object of naming is τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ τόπου ἐκείνου — the name of that particular place, making the toponym the content of the act.

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

τόπουplaceGenitivegenitive of reference ('the name of that place')→ relational specificationτόπος: for the fourth time in this chapter the theologically weighted word τόπος appears — the 'place' of divine encounter is named and sealed.

ἐκείνουthatGenitivedemonstrative adjective (attributive: 'of that place')→ relational specificationἐκείνου: meaning 'that'; it serves as demonstrative adjective (attributive: 'of that place').

ΒαιθηλBethelpredicate of naming (the name given to the place)→ participant identificationΒαιθηλ: the LXX transliterates here (as throughout ch. 35), whereas at 28:19 it had translated as Οἶκος θεοῦ; the transliteration presupposes that Greek readers know the name Bethel as a recognized sanctuary-name.

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

γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (γάρ: 'for / because')→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: introduces the narrator's explanatory retrospective — the place is called Bethel because God appeared there; the γάρ clause is the narrative's only explicit causal statement, grounding the toponym in the theophany.

ἐπεφάνηappearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιφαίνωmain verb of explanatory clause (divine self-disclosure)→ constative aorist (the single Bethel theophany)ἐπιφαίνω: 'appear, show oneself'; the ἐπι- compound intensifies the theophanic disclosure; the same verbal root underlies ἐπιφάνεια ('epiphany'), the NT term for Christ's appearing (2 Tim 1:10; Tit 2:13).

αὐτῷto himDativedative of interest (indirect object 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 interest (indirect object of the theophany).

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

θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ἐπεφάνη→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject of ἐπεφάνη.

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

ἀποδιδράσκεινfleeingPres Act Inf · ἀποδιδράσκωarticular infinitive (temporal: 'when he was fleeing')→ durative present (the whole period of flight)ἀποδιδράσκω: the exact phrase from v.1 — ἐν τῷ ἀποδιδράσκειν — is repeated verbatim; the verbal echo binds God's command (v.1) to the narrator's explanation (v.7), closing the literary ring of the chapter's first movement.

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

ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (ablative Hebraism: ἀπὸ προσώπου = 'from before')→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (ablative Hebraism: ἀπὸ προσώπου = 'from before').

προσώπουthe faceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (Hebraism: 'from before the face of')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: the same Hebraism ἀπὸ προσώπου as in v.1; the verbal repetition is deliberate — the flight that prompted the promise (v.1) and its fulfillment (v.7) share the same defining phrase.

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

ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationἀδελφός: Esau is not named here (contrast v.1 'Esau your brother') — the anonymizing 'his brother' softens the fraternal enmity at the moment of covenant fulfillment.

Ἀπέθανεν δὲ Δεββωρα ἡ τροφὸς Ρεββεκκας κατώτερον Βαιθηλ ὑπὸ τὴν βάλανον, καὶ ἐκάλεσεν Ιακωβ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτῆς Βάλανος πένθους.

And Deborah, Rebekah's nurse, died below Bethel under the oak, and Jacob called its name Oak of Weeping.

Narrative aside (death-notice and toponym)Ἀπέθανεν δέ

The death-notice of Deborah is the most puzzling in the patriarchal narratives — Rebekah's nurse has never been named before; she appears here only to die. The LXX translates Hebrew אַלּוֹן בָּכוּת as Βάλανος πένθους ('oak of weeping'), making the grief-toponym intelligible to Greek readers. The placement at the end of the Bethel arrival unit suggests Deborah was part of Jacob's entourage, perhaps rejoining him when he returned to Canaan.

Word-by-word analysis· 19 words

ἈπέθανενdiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (death-notice)→ constative aorist (the single event of death)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; compound ἀπο- + θνῄσκω; used for all human deaths in the patriarchal narratives; the sudden appearance and death of Deborah is not explained — the narrator records the fact with characteristic Hebraic terseness.

δὲandtransitional particle (mild contrast / new information)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΔεββωραDeborahsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΔεββωρα: LXX transliteration of דְּבֹרָה (Deborah, 'bee'); Rebekah's nurse — first mentioned at Gen 24:59 without name; she appears in no other narrative and her presence with Jacob's household is unexplained; the late Rebekah (who died unrecorded) may have sent her nurse to accompany her son.

ἡtheNominativearticle (with appositive noun: 'the nurse')→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

τροφὸςnurseNominativepredicate appositive (identifying Deborah's role)→ participant prominenceτροφός: 'nurse, wet-nurse'; from τρέφω ('nourish'); the identification of Deborah as τροφὸς Ρεββεκκας provides her only identity in scripture; Gen 24:59 says 'Rebekah and her nurse' set out without naming her.

Ρεββεκκαςof Rebekahindeclinable proper noun in genitive position (whose nurse)→ participant identificationΡεββεκκα: LXX transliteration of רִבְקָה (Rebekah), Jacob's mother; Rebekah herself dies unreported in Genesis — her nurse's death-notice here is the only indirect acknowledgment of the end of that generation.

κατώτερονbelowadverb / preposition (spatial: 'below, beneath')→ spatial or relational framingκατώτερον: comparative of κάτω ('lower, below'); the burial is located 'below Bethel' — at the foot of the hill on which the sanctuary stands.

ΒαιθηλBethelindeclinable proper noun (location reference: below Bethel)→ participant identificationΒαιθηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (location reference: below Bethel).

ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (spatial: beneath the tree)→ spatial or relational framingὑπὸ: meaning 'under'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (spatial: beneath the tree).

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

βάλανονoakAccusativeobject of ὑπό (the tree under which she was buried)→ object specificationβάλανος: 'acorn / oak tree'; Deborah is buried under a large oak, consistent with the honoring of notable dead beneath sacred trees in the ancient Near East (cf. 1 Sam 31:13; 1 Chr 10:12).

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (Jacob names the tree)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκάλεσενcalledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (act of naming)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call, name'; Jacob names the tree — not the site or the place — after the grief occasioned by the burial; the naming act memorializes the death within the sacred geography of Bethel.

ΙακωβJacobsubject of ἐκάλεσεν→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐκάλεσεν.

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

ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect object of ἐκάλεσεν→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name'; τὸ ὄνομα αὐτῆς — the feminine pronoun αὐτῆς refers to the βάλανος (feminine: the oak tree), not to Deborah.

αὐτῆςitsGenitivegenitive of reference (the name of the oak tree)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of reference (the name of the oak tree).

ΒάλανοςOakNominativepredicate of naming (the name given: 'Oak of Weeping')→ participant prominenceβάλανος: 'oak'; FLAGGED — the LXX TRANSLATES Hebrew אַלּוֹן בָּכוּת ('Allon-bacuth, oak of weeping') as Βάλανος πένθους rather than transliterating, making the grief-etymology transparent to Greek readers; this is one of the LXX's most striking translation choices in Genesis — preserving the mourning meaning rather than the foreign sound.

πένθουςof weepingGenitivegenitive of characterization ('oak of weeping / mourning')→ relational specificationπένθος: 'mourning, grief, lamentation'; renders Hebrew בְּכוּת (bĕḵût, 'weeping'); a strong word for public, expressed grief (cf. James 4:9; Rev 18:7–8 where πένθος signals deep communal mourning).

Ὤφθη δὲ ὁ θεὸς Ιακωβ πάλιν, ἡνίκα παρεγένετο ἐκ τῆς Μεσοποταμίας τῆς Συρίας, καὶ εὐλόγησεν αὐτόν.

And God appeared to Jacob again, when he came from Mesopotamia of Syria, and blessed him.

Narrative theophany (the second Bethel appearance)Ὤφθη δέ

The second Bethel theophany (cf. Gen 28:13–15) is introduced in a single verse: God appears, blesses. The adverb πάλιν ('again') explicitly links this to the first theophany, while the temporal clause 'when he came from Mesopotamia' establishes the covenantal frame: the God who commissioned the Bethel journey at its start (Gen 28) meets Jacob at its completion.

Word-by-word analysis· 16 words

ὬφθηappearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (divine self-disclosure)→ constative aorist (the single theophanic event)ὁράω: passive ὤφθη is the standard LXX form for divine theophanic appearance (Gen 12:7; 17:1; 18:1; 26:2; 35:1 ὀφθέντι); in NT usage the same form marks resurrection appearances (1 Cor 15:5–8), deliberately inheriting the patriarchal theophanic language.

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

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

θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ὤφθη→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject of ὤφθη.

ΙακωβJacobindeclinable proper noun, dative of interest (recipient of the appearance: 'to Jacob')→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, dative of interest (recipient of the appearance: 'to Jacob').

πάλινagainadverb of repetition ('again / once more')→ adverbial qualificationπάλιν: 'again'; this is the key word of the verse — the theophany is not new but a repetition of the Gen 28 encounter; the God of Bethel is faithful to repeat his self-disclosure when Jacob returns.

ἡνίκαwhentemporal conjunction ('when')→ discourse linkage or contrastἡνίκα: 'when, at the time when'; a Hebraistic temporal connective used in the LXX to mark synchronized narrative events.

παρεγένετοhe cameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · παραγίνομαιverb of temporal clause (Jacob's arrival from Mesopotamia)→ constative aorist (completed journey)παραγίνομαι: 'come, arrive, be present'; compound παρα- + γίνομαι; signals arrival at a destination; used in the NT for John's and Jesus's appearing (Matt 3:1; John 8:2).

ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (ablative: place of origin)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (ablative: place of origin).

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

ΜεσοποταμίαςMesopotamiaGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (place of origin: Jacob's sojourn with Laban)→ relational specificationΜεσοποταμία: 'Mesopotamia' (μέσος + ποταμός, 'between the rivers'); the LXX rendering of Hebrew פַּדַּן אֲרָם (Paddan-aram) at 35:9, 26; the twenty-year Laban sojourn is framed geographically by this term.

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

ΣυρίαςSyriaGenitivegenitive of specification (Mesopotamia of Syria — the LXX qualifier)→ relational specificationΣυρία: 'Syria'; the qualifier τῆς Συρίας distinguishes this Mesopotamia from the Babylonian region; the LXX phrase Μεσοποταμία τῆς Συρίας corresponds to Hebrew פַּדַּן אֲרָם (Aram-naharaim / Paddan-aram), the region of Harran.

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second divine act follows)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

εὐλόγησενblessedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εὐλογέωmain verb (second divine act: blessing)→ constative aoristεὐλογέω: 'bless'; the divine blessing here is the umbrella act under which the name-conferral and covenant-renewal of vv.10–12 are elaborated; God blesses Jacob at each major transition (28:13–15; 32:29; here).

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

Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ θεός· Τὸ ὄνομά σου Ιακωβ· οὐ κληθήσεται τὸ ὄνομά σου Ιακωβ ἔτι, ἀλλ' Ισραηλ ἔσται τὸ ὄνομά σου. Καὶ ἐκάλεσεν τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ισραηλ.

And God said to him: 'Your name is Jacob; your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel shall be your name.' And he called his name Israel.

Divine speech (name-conferral: Jacob → Israel)Καὶ εἶπεν

The formal renaming of Gen 32:28 (where the name was given at Peniel by the man-wrestler) is here repeated and confirmed by God directly at Bethel. The structure is chiastic: name named / name NOT to be called / name TO be called / name given. The narrator seals the divine speech with a performative summary ('and he called his name Israel'), closing the renaming sequence.

Word-by-word analysis· 28 words

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

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

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

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

θεόςGodNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject of εἶπεν.

ΤὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingΤὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ὄνομάnameNominativesubject of nominal clause ('your name is Jacob')→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; in the ancient Near East a person's name encoded their identity and destiny; the divine renaming is a re-creation of identity — Jacob the supplanter becomes Israel the one who prevails.

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

ΙακωβJacobpredicate of nominal clause (the current name acknowledged before the new one is given)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: the old name is acknowledged in the divine speech before it is replaced — an act of recognition before transformation.

οὐno longernegation→ participant referenceοὐ: meaning 'no longer'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as negation.

κληθήσεταιshall be calledFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (future negated: 'your name shall no longer be called Jacob')→ futuristic / predictive (permanent future prohibition)καλέω: 'call'; the future passive κληθήσεται signals a permanent new state — from this divine speech onward the name Jacob is superseded; the same passive form is used for the divine naming of children (Isa 7:14 LXX; Luke 1:31).

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

ὄνομάnameNominativesubject of κληθήσεται→ participant prominenceὄνομά: meaning 'name'; it serves as subject of κληθήσεται.

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

ΙακωβJacobpredicate nominative (the name being superseded)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as predicate nominative (the name being superseded).

ἔτιany longertemporal adverb with negation (οὐ … ἔτι = 'no longer')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still, yet, any longer'; with οὐ it forms the standard LXX negation of persistence; the permanent character of the renaming is linguistically marked.

ἀλλ'butadversative conjunction (contrast: old name vs. new name)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but, rather'; the strong adversative introduces the positive replacement — not 'not Jacob' merely but 'rather, Israel.'

ΙσραηλIsraelsubject (the new name, fronted for emphasis)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: LXX transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; the LXX does not translate the name ('he who strives with God / God strives') but transliterates; the name was first given at Gen 32:28 by the wrestling-man at Peniel; here God himself confirms it at Bethel.

ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (predicating the new permanent name)→ futuristic (permanent new identity)εἰμί: the future ἔσται completes the chiasm — not 'called Jacob' (future negated) but 'Israel shall be your name' (future affirmed).

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

ὄνομάnameNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceὄνομά: meaning 'name'; it serves as predicate nominative.

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

Καὶandnarrative conjunction (narrator's performative summary)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκάλεσενcalledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (narrator seals the divine speech in narrative act)→ constative aoristκαλέω: the narrator's performative summary ('and he called his name Israel') is the narrative enactment of the divine speech — God's word immediately takes effect.

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

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

ΙσραηλIsraelpredicate of naming (the new name now enacted)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as predicate of naming (the new name now enacted).

Εἶπεν δὲ αὐτῷ ὁ θεός· Ἐγὼ ὁ θεός σου· αὐξάνου καὶ πληθύνου· ἔθνη καὶ συναγωγαὶ ἐθνῶν ἔσονται ἐκ σοῦ, καὶ βασιλεῖς ἐκ τῆς ὀσφύος σου ἐξελεύσονται.

And God said to him: 'I am your God; grow and multiply; nations and assemblies of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come forth from your loins.'

Divine speech (covenant renewal: identity, fruitfulness, nations, kings)Εἶπεν δέ

The covenant speech of vv.11–12 is the theological heart of the chapter. The self-identification ἐγὼ ὁ θεός σου stands in place of El Shaddai — the LXX's regular substitution. The commands αὐξάνου καὶ πληθύνου echo the creation-blessing (Gen 1:28), the Noahic renewal (9:1), and the Abrahamic promise (17:2) — Jacob's covenant is the continuation of the primal divine design.

Word-by-word analysis· 26 words

ΕἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (continuation of divine speech: a second divine address)→ constative aoristΕἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.

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

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

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

θεόςGodNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject of εἶπεν.

ἘγὼINominativeemphatic subject (divine self-declaration)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic first-person pronoun signals a formal divine self-identification — the Ich-bin formula (ἐγώ + predicate) is the LXX's standard form for theophanic self-declaration (Gen 15:7; 17:1; 28:13; Exod 3:6).

ὁtheNominativearticle (with predicate noun: 'your God')→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

θεόςGodNominativepredicate nominative (divine self-identification: 'I am your God')→ participant prominenceθεός: FLAGGED — the LXX reads ἐγὼ ὁ θεός σου ('I am your God') where the Hebrew has אֵל שַׁדַּי (El Shaddai, 'God Almighty'); the LXX systematically substitutes the relational covenant formula for the divine name El Shaddai throughout Genesis (cf. 17:1; 28:3; 43:14; 48:3), rendering the name functionally rather than onomastically; the NT parallel ἐγώ εἰμι formulations (John 6:35; 8:12) inherit this LXX Ich-bin tradition.

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

αὐξάνουgrowPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · αὐξάνωfirst imperative (command of fruitful increase)→ durative present (ongoing and sustained multiplication)αὐξάνω: 'grow, increase, multiply'; the LXX's rendering of Hebrew פְּרֵה ('be fruitful'); the present imperative signals an ongoing state of growth rather than a single event; the same verb appears in the creation-blessing (Gen 1:28) and is echoed in Acts 6:7; 12:24 for the growth of the word of God.

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

πληθύνουmultiplyPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · πληθύνωsecond imperative (command of numerical multiplication)→ durative presentπληθύνω: 'multiply, increase in number'; renders Hebrew רְבֵה ('multiply'); the pair αὐξάνου καὶ πληθύνου occurs at Gen 1:28 (creation-blessing), 9:1 (Noahic renewal), and 17:2 (Abrahamic promise) — placing Jacob's covenant in the primal sequence of divine fruitfulness-blessings.

ἔθνηnationsNominativesubject of ἔσονται (the first promised outcome: nations)→ participant prominenceἔθνος: 'nation, people group'; the promise that 'nations' (plural) will come from Jacob echoes the Abrahamic promise of Gen 17:4–5 ('father of many nations'); the same word underlies NT references to 'the Gentiles' — the eschatological fulfillment of the patriarchal promise.

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

συναγωγαὶassembliesNominativesubject of ἔσονται (coordinate with ἔθνη: 'assemblies of nations')→ participant prominenceσυναγωγή: 'assembly, gathering'; renders Hebrew קְהַל (qāhāl, 'assembly'); the LXX uses συναγωγή for both the Israelite assembly and the gathering of nations; the combination ἔθνη καὶ συναγωγαὶ ἐθνῶν may distinguish political nations from covenant-assembly groupings.

ἐθνῶνof nationsGenitivegenitive of reference ('assemblies of nations')→ relational specificationἐθνῶν: meaning 'of nations'; it serves as genitive of reference ('assemblies of nations').

ἔσονταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (future promise: nations and assemblies shall come from Jacob)→ futuristic (eschatological promise)εἰμί: the future ἔσονται encodes the promise as certain future reality; the covenant promise is not conditional here but declarative.

ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source: 'from you')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: 'from you').

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

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adding the royal promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

βασιλεῖςkingsNominativesubject of ἐξελεύσονται (the second promised outcome: kings)→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the promise of kings from Jacob's loins is the Davidic promise in embryo (cf. Gen 17:6 to Abraham); in the NT the royal line culminates in Jesus as king of Israel (Matt 2:2; Rev 17:14).

ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source: 'from your loins')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: 'from your loins').

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

ὀσφύοςloinsGenitivegenitive of source (the anatomical metaphor for genealogical descent)→ relational specificationὀσφύς: 'loin, hip'; renders Hebrew חֲלָצַיִם (ḥălāṣayim, 'loins'); the anatomical idiom for biological descent — 'kings from your loins' means kings descended from Jacob; echoed in Heb 7:5 for Levi's descent from Abraham.

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

ἐξελεύσονταιshall come forthFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (future promise: kings will proceed from Jacob)→ futuristic (royal-genealogical promise)ἐξέρχομαι: 'come out, come forth'; with ἐκ τῆς ὀσφύος the verb renders the Hebrew genealogical idiom יָצָא מֵחֲלָצֶיךָ ('come out from your loins'); the same verb used at Heb 7:5 for Levi's descent from Abraham's loins.

Καὶ τὴν γῆν ἣν δέδωκα Ἀβρααμ καὶ Ισαακ, σοὶ δώσω αὐτήν, καὶ τῷ σπέρματί σου μετὰ σέ δώσω τὴν γῆν.

And the land which I have given to Abraham and Isaac — to you I will give it, and to your seed after you I will give the land.

Divine promise (land-covenant formally transferred to Jacob)Καὶ τὴν γῆν

The land-promise of Gen 12:7; 13:15; 17:8 is here formally transferred to Jacob by divine speech. The perfect δέδωκα ('I have given') casts the prior promises to Abraham and Isaac as already accomplished facts, while the future δώσω ('I will give') applies the same promise to Jacob and his seed. The verse closes the covenant-transfer from the first to the third generation.

Word-by-word analysis· 20 words

Καὶandcoordinating conjunction (continuing the divine speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

τὴνtheAccusativearticle (fronted for emphasis: the land as topic)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

γῆνlandAccusativedirect object (fronted topic: 'the land which I gave … I will give to you')→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the land of Canaan — the covenant inheritance promised to Abraham, Isaac, and now Jacob; the fronting (τὴν γῆν ἣν … σοὶ δώσω) is a Hebraism of topicalization: 'as for the land … to you I will give it.'

ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun, accusative feminine (antecedent: τὴν γῆν)→ participant referenceἣν: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun, accusative feminine (antecedent: τὴν γῆν).

δέδωκαI have givenPf Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιverb of relative clause (divine gift to prior patriarchs as accomplished fact)→ intensive / resultant perfect (the past gift has present ongoing validity)δίδωμι: 'give'; the perfect δέδωκα ('I have given and it stands given') treats the promises to Abraham and Isaac as already-accomplished facts with continuing validity; the rhetorical force: what God has given, God gives — the covenant is a perfect, irreversible divine act.

ἈβρααμAbrahamindeclinable proper noun, indirect object of δέδωκα (first recipient)→ participant identificationἈβρααμ: indeclinable LXX transliteration of אַבְרָהָם (Abraham); the first patriarch in the covenant chain; the land-promise was given to him at Gen 12:7; 13:15; 15:7, 18; 17:8.

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (joining the two prior recipients)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable proper noun, indirect object of δέδωκα (second recipient)→ participant identificationΙσαακ: the second patriarch; the covenant passed from Abraham to Isaac at Gen 26:3–5; now in the third generation Jacob receives it.

σοὶto youDativeemphatic dative (fronted: 'to you — I will give it'; emphatic contrast with the prior recipients)→ participant reference or interestσύ: the emphatic dative σοί (rather than σε or unemphatic form) is fronted before the verb — 'to you, specifically, I will give it'; Jacob's reception is the intended goal of the covenant chain.

δώσωI will giveFut Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (future promise: land given to Jacob)→ predictive future (certain covenant commitment)δίδωμι: the future δώσω echoes the perfect δέδωκα of the prior clause — what has been given to the fathers will be given to Jacob; the divine giving is continuous across the generations.

αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object (resumptive pronoun: the land)→ participant referenceαὐτήν: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (resumptive pronoun: the land).

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

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

σπέρματίseedDativeindirect object (the second beneficiary: 'to your seed after you')→ sphere or referenceσπέρμα: 'seed, offspring'; the covenant term for the line of descendants who inherit the promise (Gen 12:7; 13:15; 17:7–8); Paul presses the singular σπέρμα christologically at Gal 3:16, identifying the singular seed as Christ.

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

μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal: 'after you')→ spatial or relational framingμετά: 'after'; μετὰ σέ ('after you') is the standard covenantal phrase marking the intergenerational extension of the promise (Gen 9:9; 17:7, 8, 9).

σέyouAccusativeaccusative object of μετά→ participant referenceσέ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of μετά.

δώσωI will giveFut Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (repeated for the seed: same future promise)→ predictive futureδίδωμι: the repetition of δώσω from earlier in the verse creates a double divine commitment — to Jacob personally and to his seed; the repetition is emphatic, not merely stylistic.

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

γῆνlandAccusativedirect object (the land once more named at the close of the promise)→ object specificationγῆ: the verse begins and ends with τὴν γῆν — a syntactic inclusio enclosing the entire land-promise in its covenant term.

Καὶ ἀνέβη ὁ θεὸς ἀπ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἐκ τοῦ τόπου οὗ ἐλάλησεν μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ.

And God went up from him out of the place where he had spoken with him.

Narrative closure of the theophany (divine departure)Καὶ ἀνέβη

The theophany ends with God ascending — an anthropomorphic departure-formula that mirrors the closing of theophanic encounters in Gen 17:22; 18:33. The phrase 'the place where he had spoken with him' recurs in vv.14–15, creating a triple emphasis on the sacred τόπος as the locus of the divine covenant.

Word-by-word analysis· 13 words

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

ἀνέβηwent upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (divine departure formula)→ constative aorist (single completed divine withdrawal)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; in theophanic departure contexts the ascent-verb marks the end of the divine encounter (Gen 17:22; 18:33); here the same verb used for Jacob's ascent to Bethel (v.1 ἀνάβηθι) is used for God's ascending from it — a closing echo.

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

θεὸςGodNominativesubject→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject.

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

αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (the one from whom God departs: Jacob)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἀπό (the one from whom God departs: Jacob).

ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (ablative: the place of departure)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (ablative: the place of departure).

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

τόπουplaceGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (the sacred place of the encounter)→ relational specificationτόπος: 'place'; the fifth occurrence of this theologically charged word in the chapter (35:1, 7, 7, 13) — the τόπος is both the specific location and the sacred ground of divine presence.

οὗwhereGenitiverelative adverb / genitive of place ('where he had spoken with him')→ relational specificationοὗ: meaning 'where'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative adverb / genitive of place ('where he had spoken with him').

ἐλάλησενhe had spokenAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of relative clause (the prior divine speech)→ constative aorist (the completed speech of vv.10–12)λαλέω: 'speak'; the relative clause ties the place of God's departure to the place of his speech — the same ground (τόπος) that received the covenant words now releases the divine presence.

μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (association: 'with him')→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (association: 'with him').

αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά (Jacob, the recipient of the speech)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (Jacob, the recipient of the speech).

Καὶ ἔστησεν Ιακωβ στήλην ἐν τῷ τόπῳ οὗ ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ, στήλην λιθίνην, καὶ ἔσπεισεν ἐπ᾿ αὐτὴν σπονδὴν καὶ ἐπέχεεν ἐπ᾿ αὐτὴν ἔλαιον.

And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where God had spoken with him, a pillar of stone, and he poured a libation on it and poured oil on it.

Narrative response (Jacob's cultic memorial enacted)Καὶ ἔστησεν

Jacob's response to the theophany is cultic: a stone pillar anointed with oil and libation, echoing and deepening the Gen 28:18 pillar-anointing. The double libation (σπονδή and ἔλαιον) marks an advance beyond the oil-only anointing of Gen 28 — the return encounter warrants a fuller rite. The pillar at Bethel is the second of Jacob's stone memorials (the third will be Rachel's tomb, v.20).

Word-by-word analysis· 22 words

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

ἔστησενset upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (erection of the memorial pillar)→ constative aorist (single act of erection)ἵστημι: 'set up, erect, establish'; the transitive aorist ἔστησεν ('he caused to stand') marks the deliberate erection of the pillar; the same verb at Gen 28:18 (ἔστησεν αὐτὴν στήλην) — Jacob repeats the Bethel pillar-act as a second, now more elaborate, memorial.

στήληνa pillarAccusativedirect object of ἔστησεν (the memorial object)→ object specificationστήλη: 'pillar, standing stone'; renders Hebrew מַצֵּבָה (maṣṣēbāh), the erected stone serving as a cultic monument; in later Israelite tradition these were sometimes prohibited (Deut 16:22), but the patriarchal narratives record them positively as divine-encounter markers.

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

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

τόπῳplaceDativedative of place (the sacred site of the theophany)→ sphere or referenceτόπος: sixth occurrence in the chapter — the pillar is planted in the τόπος of divine speech, marking the ground permanently.

οὗwhereGenitiverelative adverb of place→ relational specificationοὗ: meaning 'where'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative adverb of place.

ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of relative clause (verbatim echo of v.13's ἐλάλησεν μετ' αὐτοῦ)→ constative aoristλαλέω: the verbatim repetition of ἐλάλησεν from v.13 ('where he had spoken with him') links the divine departure and Jacob's cultic response to exactly the same τόπος — the place of speech becomes the place of memorial.

αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object (variant of v.13's μετ' αὐτοῦ: to / with him)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (variant of v.13's μετ' αὐτοῦ: to / with him).

στήληνa pillarAccusativeappositional repetition (specifying the first στήλην as a stone pillar)→ object specificationστήλη: the repetition of στήλην before the adjective λιθίνην is emphatic — the appositional phrase ensures the reader understands this is a literal stone pillar, not a wooden post or earthen marker.

λιθίνηνof stoneAccusativeattributive adjective (material specification: 'of stone')→ object specificationλίθινος: 'made of stone'; the specification λιθίνην is rare — normally στήλη implies stone; the emphasis here may distinguish this pillar from a wooden one and echo the Gen 28:18 stone explicitly.

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (first anointing act)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἔσπεισενpoured a libationAor Act Indic 3 Sg · σπένδωmain verb (libation poured on the pillar)→ constative aoristσπένδω: 'pour a libation, make a drink offering'; the σπονδή (libation) is a liquid offering poured on an altar or sacred object; this is the first mention of a libation in the patriarchal narratives — Jacob advances beyond the oil-only anointing of Gen 28:18.

ἐπ᾿onpreposition + accusative (spatial: 'onto it')→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (spatial: 'onto it').

αὐτὴνitAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (referring to the pillar: στήλη, feminine)→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί (referring to the pillar: στήλη, feminine).

σπονδὴνa libationAccusativedirect object of ἔσπεισεν (the object poured)→ object specificationσπονδή: 'libation, drink offering'; a liquid (wine or oil) poured out as a sacred offering; the cognate accusative (ἔσπεισεν σπονδήν) is a Hebraism: נֶסֶךְ נָסַךְ ('poured a drink-offering'); Paul uses σπένδομαι metaphorically of his own martyrdom (Phil 2:17; 2 Tim 4:6).

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second anointing: oil)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐπέχεενpouredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιχέωmain verb (oil poured on the pillar)→ constative aoristἐπιχέω: 'pour upon'; compound ἐπι- + χέω; the same verb used at Gen 28:18 for the first anointing of the Bethel pillar; the repetition at Bethel on Jacob's return creates a liturgical continuity — the same anointing act that inaugurated the vow now seals its fulfillment.

ἐπ᾿onpreposition + accusative (spatial)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (spatial).

αὐτὴνitAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί.

ἔλαιονoilAccusativedirect object of ἐπέχεεν (the anointing substance)→ object specificationἔλαιον: 'olive oil'; renders Hebrew שֶׁמֶן (šemen); the anointing of stone pillars with oil marks them as sacred (consecrated); the same act was performed at Gen 28:18 when Jacob first encountered God at Bethel.

Καὶ ἐκάλεσεν Ιακωβ τὸ ὄνομα τοῦ τόπου ἐν ᾧ ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ ὁ θεὸς Βαιθηλ.

And Jacob called the name of the place where God had spoken with him Bethel.

Narrative closure (toponym confirmed for the third time in the chapter)Καὶ ἐκάλεσεν

The naming of the place Bethel closes the Bethel unit (vv.1–15) at the same point at which it opened: the τόπος named in God's initial command (v.1), now named by Jacob in fulfilled obedience. The phrase 'where God had spoken with him' (ἐν ᾧ ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ ὁ θεός) forms an inclusio with the same phrase in vv.13–14.

Word-by-word analysis· 14 words

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

ἐκάλεσενcalledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (toponym-naming, closing the Bethel unit)→ constative aoristκαλέω: the third naming act in the chapter (35:7 the altar named Bethel; 35:8 the oak named Βάλανος πένθους; 35:15 the place named Bethel) — Bethel is named twice (vv.7 and 15) as if to doubly seal both the altar (v.7) and the place (v.15) with the same name.

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

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

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

τόπουplaceGenitivegenitive of reference ('the name of the place')→ relational specificationτόπος: seventh and final occurrence of this theologically weighted word in the chapter; the whole chapter could be titled 'the naming of the τόπος.'

ἐνwherepreposition + relative pronoun (locative relative clause)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'where'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + relative pronoun (locative relative clause).

ᾧwhichDativerelative pronoun, dative (locative: 'in which')→ participant reference or interestᾧ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun, dative (locative: 'in which').

ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of relative clause (third echo of the divine speech phrase)→ constative aoristλαλέω: the phrase ἐν ᾧ ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ ὁ θεός echoes vv.13–14 exactly, forming a triple repetition that locks the τόπος, the divine speech, and the name Bethel together as a unified covenantal memory.

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.

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

θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ἐλάλησεν→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject of ἐλάλησεν.

ΒαιθηλBethelpredicate of naming (the name given: Bethel)→ participant identificationΒαιθηλ: the name with which the chapter opened (v.1) now closes the entire first major movement (vv.1–15); the chapter's first word after 'God said' was Βαιθηλ as destination; now Βαιθηλ is the name sealed by Jacob's act.

Καὶ ἀπῇρεν Ιακωβ ἐκ Βαιθηλ καὶ ἔπηξεν τὴν σκηνὴν αὐτοῦ ἐπέκεινα τοῦ πύργου Γαδερ. Καὶ ἐγένετο ἡνίκα ἤγγισεν Ιακωβ εἰς Εφραθα, ἔτεκεν Ραχηλ καὶ ἐδυστόκησεν ἐν τῷ τοκετῷ αὐτῆς.

And Jacob departed from Bethel, and he pitched his tent beyond the tower of Gader. And it came to pass when Jacob drew near to Ephratha that Rachel gave birth, and she had a difficult labor in her giving birth.

Narrative departure and crisis (the journey resumes; Rachel's labor begins)Καὶ ἀπῇρεν

The departure from Bethel launches the chapter's second major movement — Rachel's fatal labor. The geographic note (beyond the tower of Gader) and the temporal formula ἡνίκα ἤγγισεν ('when he drew near') together mark the onset of the crisis: Rachel's birth pangs begin precisely as the company approaches Ephratha-Bethlehem. The verb ἐδυστόκησεν ('she had a difficult labor') is a rare compound signaling the dangerous nature of the labor that will cost Rachel her life.

Word-by-word analysis· 29 words

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

ἀπῇρενdepartedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαίρωmain verb (departure from Bethel)→ constative aoristἀπαίρω: 'depart, set out'; the same verb as v.5 — Israel departed Shechem; now Jacob departs Bethel; the repetition of the verb marks the ongoing journey southward toward Hebron.

ΙακωβJacobsubject→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.

ΒαιθηλBethelindeclinable proper noun, object of ἐκ→ participant identificationΒαιθηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, object of ἐκ.

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

ἔπηξενpitchedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πήγνυμιmain verb (camp-pitching: intermediate stopping point)→ constative aorist (single act of setting up camp)πήγνυμι: 'fix, fasten, pitch (a tent)'; the standard LXX verb for pitching a tent (cf. Exod 40:2, 18 of the Tabernacle); the intermediate camp before Ephratha signals that the journey is in stages.

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

σκηνὴνtentAccusativedirect object of ἔπηξεν→ object specificationσκηνή: 'tent'; the portable dwelling of the patriarchal encampment; in Exodus σκηνή becomes the term for the Tabernacle (σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου); here it is simply the family tent.

ἐπέκειναbeyondpreposition + genitive (spatial: 'beyond, on the far side of')→ spatial or relational framingἐπέκεινα: 'beyond, on the other side'; renders Hebrew מִגְּדַּל (migdal, 'tower') in the compound place-name; the phrase ἐπέκεινα τοῦ πύργου Γαδερ locates the camp south of a watchtower named Gader.

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

πύργουtowerGenitivegenitive object of ἐπέκεινα (the landmark: 'tower of Gader')→ relational specificationπύργος: 'tower, watchtower'; the LXX renders Hebrew מִגְדַּל (migdāl, 'tower') — which in the Hebrew compound מִגְדַּל-עֵדֶר (Migdal Eder, 'tower of the flock') appears at 35:21; here the tower of Γαδερ may be a different structure on the same route south.

ΓαδερGaderindeclinable proper noun, genitive after πύργου (the place-name)→ participant identificationΓαδερ: LXX transliteration of a place-name on the route south from Bethel toward Bethlehem; the exact identification is uncertain; the tower served as a geographic landmark for the narrative.

Καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιframing formula (καὶ ἐγένετο + temporal clause: 'it came to pass when')→ constative aorist (inaugurating a new narrative episode)γίνομαι: the formula καὶ ἐγένετο ἡνίκα calques Hebrew וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר; it introduces a new crisis-episode with Hebraistic formality.

ἡνίκαwhentemporal conjunction ('when, at the time when')→ discourse linkage or contrastἡνίκα: meaning 'when'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἤγγισενdrew nearAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐγγίζωverb of temporal clause (the approach to Ephratha that triggers the labor)→ ingressive aorist (the moment of coming near)ἐγγίζω: 'draw near, approach'; the ingressive aorist marks the precise moment of approach to Ephratha as the trigger of Rachel's labor; ἐγγίζω is used in the NT for the approach of the Kingdom (Matt 3:2; 4:17).

ΙακωβJacobsubject of ἤγγισεν→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἤγγισεν.

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

ΕφραθαEphrathaindeclinable proper noun, object of εἰς (the destination)→ participant identificationΕφραθα: LXX transliteration of אֶפְרָתָה (Ephrathah); identified as Bethlehem in v.19 (αὕτη ἐστὶν Βηθλεεμ); Rachel's death and burial here gives this location a permanent role in Israel's memory, and Matt 2:18 draws on it explicitly.

ἔτεκενgave birthAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίκτωmain verb (the birth event)→ constative aorist (the completed act of birth)τίκτω: 'give birth to, bear'; the standard LXX birth-verb; the asyndeton (no καί before ἔτεκεν) creates a stark, immediate effect — without transition the labor begins.

ΡαχηλRachelsubject of ἔτεκεν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΡαχηλ: LXX transliteration of רָחֵל (Rachel), Jacob's beloved wife; she had previously been barren (Gen 29:31) and gave birth to Joseph with great difficulty (Gen 30:22–24); now her second birth is her last.

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

ἐδυστόκησενhad a difficult laborAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δυστοκέωmain verb (the perilous labor)→ constative aorist (the difficult labor as a single event)δυστοκέω: 'labor with difficulty, have a difficult delivery'; compound δυσ- ('difficult') + τόκος ('birth'); an extremely rare verb in Greek (only here in the LXX); renders Hebrew וַתְּקַשׁ בְּלִדְתָּהּ ('she was hard/difficult in her giving birth'); the rarity of the word signals the severity and narrative finality of what follows.

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

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

τοκετῷgiving birthDativedative of reference / manner ('in her giving birth')→ sphere or referenceτοκετός: 'childbirth, the process of giving birth'; from τίκτω; ἐν τῷ τοκετῷ αὐτῆς ('in her giving birth') specifies the difficulty as arising specifically in the labor-process itself.

αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive possessive→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive possessive.

Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ σκληρῶς αὐτὴν τίκτειν εἶπεν αὐτῇ ἡ μαῖα· θάρσει, καὶ γὰρ οὗτος υἱός σοί ἐστιν.

And it came to pass in her hard labor that the midwife said to her: 'Take courage, for this one also is a son for you.'

Narrative intensification (the midwife's encouragement in crisis)Ἐγένετο δέ

The midwife's address (θάρσει, 'take courage') is the only human speech in the Rachel-birth sequence. The καὶ γὰρ οὗτος υἱός σοί ἐστιν ('for this one also is a son') implies that Rachel had specifically desired sons (cf. Gen 30:24 'may the LORD add to me another son') — the midwife's words confirm the desire even as Rachel is dying.

Word-by-word analysis· 18 words

Ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιframing formula (ἐγένετο + articular infinitive = temporal clause)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ + infinitive is the standard LXX construction for 'and it came to pass when / in the act of' — a formulaic Hebraism.

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

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

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

σκληρῶςhard / with difficultyadverb (modifying τίκτειν: 'giving birth with difficulty')→ clausal contributionσκληρῶς: 'hard, harshly, with difficulty'; the adverb σκληρῶς τίκτειν renders Hebrew בְּקַשְׁתָּהּ בְּלִדְתָּהּ ('in her being difficult in her giving birth'); σκληρός ('hard') is the adjective underlying the hardness of Pharaoh's heart in Exodus — here applied to the labor itself.

αὐτὴνherAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive (Rachel laboring)→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative subject of the infinitive (Rachel laboring).

τίκτεινgiving birthPres Act Inf · τίκτωarticular infinitive (temporal: 'in her hard giving birth')→ durative present (the sustained painful process of labor)τίκτω: 'give birth to'; the present infinitive marks the sustained process — Rachel is in the midst of labor, not completed it; the same verb marks the birth in v.16 (aorist: completed) and here (present: ongoing process).

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

αὐτῇto herDativeindirect object (addressee: Rachel)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῇ: meaning 'to her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (addressee: Rachel).

ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

μαῖαmidwifeNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceμαῖα: 'midwife, birth-attendant'; the μαῖαι (midwives) play a key role in the later Exodus narrative (Exod 1:15–21, Shiphrah and Puah); here the midwife's role is to announce the birth even as the mother dies.

θάρσειtake couragePres Act Impv 2 Sg · θαρσέωimperative (encouragement in crisis)→ durative present (sustained courage called for)θαρσέω: 'be courageous, take heart'; a standard word of encouragement in crisis (Isa 41:10 LXX; Matt 9:2, 22; 14:27 — Jesus uses the same word to the sick, the frightened, and the disciples); the midwife echoes the divine comfort formula.

καὶforcoordinating conjunction with γάρ (connective-explanatory: 'for indeed')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

γὰρindeedexplanatory particle (giving the reason for courage)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; the καὶ γάρ combination is emphatic — 'for indeed, this one also is a son for you'; the καί implies there is a prior son (Joseph), and this second one fulfills Rachel's prayer at Gen 30:24.

οὗτοςthis oneNominativedemonstrative pronoun, subject of ἐστιν→ participant referenceοὗτος: meaning 'this one'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative pronoun, subject of ἐστιν.

υἱόςa sonNominativepredicate nominative ('is a son for you')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; in the ancient Near East a son was the wished-for outcome of birth; Rachel had prayed 'may the LORD add to me another son' (Gen 30:24 — יֹסֶף = 'may he add'): that prayer is now answered in Benjamin, though Rachel does not survive to enjoy the answer.

σοίfor youDativedative of advantage ('a son for you')→ participant reference or interestσοί: meaning 'for you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage ('a son for you').

ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.

Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ ἀφιέναι αὐτὴν τὴν ψυχήν — ἀπέθνῃσκεν γάρ — ἐκάλεσεν τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Υἱὸς ὀδύνης μου· ὁ δὲ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ ἐκάλεσεν αὐτὸν Βενιαμιν.

And it came to pass as she was giving up her soul — for she was dying — she called his name Son of my pain; but his father called him Benjamin.

Narrative climax (the dying mother names; the father renames)Ἐγένετο δέ

The theological crux of the unit: the dying Rachel names the child Υἱὸς ὀδύνης μου (LXX TRANSLATING Hebrew Ben-oni), while Jacob renames him Βενιαμιν (LXX TRANSLITERATING, not translating, Benjamin). The LXX preserves the exact translate-vs.-transliterate contrast that marks the two namings. Rachel's name encodes pain; Jacob's name encodes hope ('son of the right hand'). See crux row.

Word-by-word analysis· 24 words

Ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιframing formula (temporal)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: the third ἐγένετο formula in this sequence (vv.16, 17, 18) — each one tightening the focus as the crisis deepens.

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

ἐνaspreposition + articular infinitive (temporal: 'in the act of')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'as'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + articular infinitive (temporal: 'in the act of').

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

ἀφιέναιreleasing / giving upPres Act Inf · ἀφίημιarticular infinitive (temporal: 'as she was releasing her soul')→ durative present (the ongoing process of dying)ἀφίημι: 'release, let go, send forth'; ἐν τῷ ἀφιέναι αὐτὴν τὴν ψυχήν ('as she was releasing her soul') is the LXX's rendering of Hebrew בְּצֵאת נַפְשָׁהּ ('in the going out of her soul'); ψυχή as the soul/life-breath released at death is the same concept underlying John 10:11 ψυχὴν τίθησιν (the shepherd 'lays down his life').

αὐτὴνherAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative subject of the infinitive.

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

ψυχήνsoulAccusativedirect object of ἀφιέναι ('releasing her soul')→ object specificationψυχή: 'soul, life-breath'; renders Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ (nepeš), the life-principle; 'releasing the soul' = dying; the ψυχή as the vital life-force given at creation (Gen 2:7) and released at death is the theological basis for the NT's anthropology of soul and body.

ἀπέθνῃσκενwas dyingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωparenthetical explanation (narrator's aside: 'for she was dying')→ progressive imperfect (the process of dying, not its completion)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the imperfect ἀπέθνῃσκεν is arresting — 'she was in the process of dying' (not yet dead); the parenthetical γάρ-clause (ἀπέθνῃσκεν γάρ) explains why she was releasing her soul, and the imperfect marks the process still in progress as she speaks the name.

γάρforexplanatory particle (parenthetical narrator's aside)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκάλεσενcalledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (Rachel's dying naming act)→ constative aoristκαλέω: 'call, name'; the dying mother's final act is the naming of her child — a last assertion of identity and maternal claim even as life departs.

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

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

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

ΥἱὸςSonNominativepredicate of naming (first element of the name given by Rachel)→ participant prominenceυἱός: FLAGGED — the LXX TRANSLATES Hebrew בֶּן-אוֹנִי (Ben-oni, 'son of my sorrow / trouble / strength') as Υἱὸς ὀδύνης μου ('son of my pain'), making the grief-meaning explicit to Greek readers; the LXX chooses to translate rather than transliterate, a deliberate choice that prioritizes semantic transparency over sound-preservation.

ὀδύνηςof painGenitivegenitive of characterization (second element: 'of pain')→ relational specificationὀδύνη: 'pain, grief, anguish'; renders Hebrew אוֹן (ʾôn), which can mean 'sorrow' or 'strength/vigor' — the LXX reads it as pain/sorrow, not strength; ὀδύνη appears in Rom 9:2 for Paul's grief over Israel and 1 Tim 6:10 for the griefs of avarice.

μουmyGenitivegenitive possessive (third element: 'my pain' — Rachel's personal grief)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive possessive (third element: 'my pain' — Rachel's personal grief).

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

δὲbutadversative particle (sharp contrast: mother's name vs. father's name)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: here adversative — 'but his father called him Benjamin'; the contrast is between Rachel's grief-name and Jacob's hope-name, marked by the adversative δέ.

πατὴρfatherNominativesubject of the contrasting clause→ participant prominenceπατήρ: 'father'; Jacob is now named only as 'his father' — the relational identity rather than the personal name, as if to emphasize that the father's renaming is an act of paternal authority over the mother's dying wish.

ἐκάλεσενcalledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλέωmain verb (the father's renaming act)→ constative aoristκαλέω: the second ἐκάλεσεν in the verse — one naming by the mother, one by the father; the father's act supersedes the mother's, as was standard in ancient Near Eastern patriarchal practice.

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

ΒενιαμινBenjaminpredicate of naming (the name given by Jacob: 'Benjamin')→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: FLAGGED — the LXX TRANSLITERATES Hebrew בִּנְיָמִין (Benjamin, 'son of the right hand / of the south') without translating it; contrast with the preceding Υἱὸς ὀδύνης μου (translated); the LXX deliberately translates the mother's grief-name and transliterates the father's hope-name, preserving the semantic contrast while fixing Benjamin's canonical name in its Hebrew sound-form.

Ἀπέθανεν δὲ Ραχηλ καὶ ἐτάφη ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ Εφραθα, αὕτη ἐστὶν Βηθλεεμ.

And Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephratha — this is Bethlehem.

Narrative death-notice and toponym glossἈπέθανεν δέ

The most economically narrated death in the patriarchal narratives: two aorists (died, was buried) and a location. The parenthetical gloss αὕτη ἐστὶν Βηθλεεμ ('this is Bethlehem') is the LXX's most consequential geographic identifier — it ties Rachel's tomb to Bethlehem and furnishes the basis for Matt 2:18's citation of 'Rachel weeping for her children' at the site of the massacre of innocents.

Word-by-word analysis· 12 words

ἈπέθανενdiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (death-notice)→ constative aorist (the completed act of death)ἀποθνῄσκω: the aorist here completes the imperfect of v.18 (ἀπέθνῃσκεν: 'was dying') — the process has reached its end; Rachel is the only matriarch to die named and buried outside the cave of Machpelah.

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

ΡαχηλRachelsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΡαχηλ: LXX transliteration of רָחֵל; Jacob's beloved wife (Gen 29:18); she is buried on the road — not in the family tomb at Machpelah — perhaps because the urgency of the moment (or Jacob's later grief) left her burial at the site of death; Jeremiah 31:15 envisions Rachel weeping for the exiles from her roadside tomb (LXX Jer 38:15), cited at Matt 2:18.

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

ἐτάφηwas buriedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · θάπτωmain verb (burial notice)→ constative aoristθάπτω: 'bury'; the passive marks the burial as performed by others (Jacob and the household); Rachel's roadside burial distinguishes her from Sarah (Gen 23), Rebekah, and Leah — all buried at Machpelah.

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

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

ὁδῷroadDativedative of place ('on the road to Ephratha')→ sphere or referenceὁδός: 'way, road'; the burial is on the roadside — ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ Εφραθα = 'on the Ephratha road'; this roadside tomb becomes a landmark in later Israelite history.

ΕφραθαEphrathaindeclinable proper noun (genitive of direction / qualifier of ὁδῷ: 'the road to Ephratha')→ participant identificationΕφραθα: transliteration of אֶפְרָתָה (Ephrathah); the ancient name of the region around Bethlehem (Micah 5:2 LXX; Ruth 4:11); identified explicitly as Bethlehem in the following gloss.

ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (parenthetical gloss: 'this is Bethlehem')→ gnomic presentεἰμί: the αὕτη ἐστίν formula (cf. 35:6) identifies Ephratha with Bethlehem — the same town where David will be born (1 Sam 16:1; 17:12) and where Jesus will be born (Matt 2:1); Matt 2:18 cites Jer 31:15 LXX about Rachel's weeping using this location as the geographic anchor.

ΒηθλεεμBethlehempredicate (the identification: Ephratha = Bethlehem)→ participant identificationΒηθλεεμ: LXX transliteration of בֵּית לֶחֶם ('house of bread'); the city where Ruth gleans (Ruth 1:19; 2:4), David is born (1 Sam 16:1), and Jesus is born (Matt 2:1; Luke 2:4); the gloss here in Gen 35:19 is the LXX's earliest explicit identification of Ephratha as Bethlehem, furnishing the geographic basis for Matthew 2:18's Rachel-weeping citation.

Καὶ ἔστησεν Ιακωβ στήλην ἐπὶ τοῦ μνημείου αὐτῆς· αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ στήλη τοῦ μνημείου Ραχηλ ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας.

And Jacob set up a pillar on her tomb; this is the pillar of Rachel's tomb until this day.

Narrative memorial (Jacob's pillar on Rachel's tomb)Καὶ ἔστησεν

Jacob's third pillar-erection in the chapter (v.14 the Bethel pillar; v.20 Rachel's tomb pillar): the pillar-rite frames his journey. The etiological formula ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας ('until this day') signals a landmark recognizable to the narrator's readers — the tomb of Rachel was still visible as a memorial when this text was written.

Word-by-word analysis· 19 words

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

ἔστησενset upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (erection of the memorial pillar)→ constative aoristἵστημι: the same verb as v.14 (the Bethel pillar); the repetition of the pillar-erection act at Rachel's tomb creates a thematic pair — one pillar marks divine encounter, the other human bereavement.

ΙακωβJacobsubject→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.

στήληνa pillarAccusativedirect object of ἔστησεν→ object specificationστήλη: the standing stone as a grave marker; the Israelite practice of erecting a standing stone over graves (cf. 2 Sam 18:18, Absalom's pillar) is here grounded in Jacob's precedent.

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

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

μνημείουtombGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (the location: 'on her tomb')→ relational specificationμνημεῖον: 'tomb, monument, memorial'; from μνήμη ('memory'); the word encompasses both the physical burial site and the memorial function; the same word used in the NT for Jesus's tomb (Matt 27:60; John 20:1).

αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive possessive (Rachel's tomb)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive possessive (Rachel's tomb).

αὕτηthisNominativesubject of the etiological identification clause→ participant referenceαὕτη: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject of the etiological identification clause.

ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (etiological identification: 'this is the pillar…')→ gnomic present (the pillar still stands / is recognized)εἰμί: the etiological αὕτη ἐστίν formula signals a landmark the narrator identifies for readers — the pillar of Rachel's tomb was a recognized site in the narrator's own time.

ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

στήληpillarNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceστήλη: meaning 'pillar'; it serves as predicate nominative.

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

μνημείουtombGenitivegenitive of reference ('pillar of the tomb')→ relational specificationμνημείου: meaning 'tomb'; it serves as genitive of reference ('pillar of the tomb').

ΡαχηλRachelindeclinable proper noun, genitive after μνημείου ('Rachel's tomb')→ participant identificationΡαχηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive after μνημείου ('Rachel's tomb').

ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal: 'until')→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until, up to'; ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας ('until this day') is the standard LXX etiological formula signaling a landmark still recognizable in the narrator's time (cf. Josh 4:9; 10:27); it grounds the narrative in living memory.

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

σήμερονtodayGenitiveadverb used as genitive adjective (modifying ἡμέρας: 'this day')→ relational specificationσήμερον: meaning 'today'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.

ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive of time (object of ἕως: 'until today's day')→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας ('until this very day') — a Hebraism rendering עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה; the formula closes the death-and-memorial unit with a note of historical continuity.

Ἀπῇρεν δὲ Ισραηλ καὶ ἔπηξεν τὴν σκηνὴν αὐτοῦ ἐπέκεινα τοῦ πύργου Γαδερ.

And Israel set out and pitched his tent beyond the tower of Gader.

Narrative movement (the journey continues after Rachel's burial)Ἀπῇρεν δέ

The use of Ισραηλ (not Ιακωβ) as the subject marks the resumption of the journey under the patriarch's covenant name. The camp beyond the tower of Gader positions the company for the next scene — Reuben's violation of Bilhah.

Word-by-word analysis· 12 words

Ἀπῇρενset outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπαίρωmain verb (departure: journey resumes after Rachel's burial)→ constative aoristἀπαίρω: the same departure-verb as vv.5 and 16; the repeated ἀπαίρω-formulae mark the stages of the journey (from Shechem, from Bethel, and now from Rachel's tomb).

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

ΙσραηλIsraelsubject (indeclinable proper noun; the covenant name used after Rachel's death)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the switch from Ιακωβ (Rachel's burial, vv.19–20) to Ισραηλ here marks the moment the patriarch moves forward from personal grief into his covenantal role.

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

ἔπηξενpitchedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πήγνυμιmain verb (camp-pitching: a new encampment)→ constative aoristπήγνυμι: the same verb as v.16 — the parallel camp-pitching (v.16 before the birth, v.21 after the burial) frames the Rachel-episode.

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

σκηνὴνtentAccusativedirect object of ἔπηξεν→ object specificationσκηνὴν: meaning 'tent'; it serves as direct object of ἔπηξεν.

ἐπέκειναbeyondpreposition + genitive (spatial: 'beyond')→ spatial or relational framingἐπέκεινα: meaning 'beyond'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (spatial: 'beyond').

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

πύργουtowerGenitivegenitive object of ἐπέκεινα→ relational specificationπύργος: 'tower'; the tower of Γαδερ / Migdal Eder ('tower of the flock') is a landmark on the route from Bethlehem southward; Micah 4:8 LXX uses 'tower of the flock' (πύργος τοῦ ποιμνίου) eschatologically.

ΓαδερGaderindeclinable proper noun→ participant identificationΓαδερ: the place-name; in Hebrew מִגְדַּל-עֵדֶר (Migdal Eder, 'tower of the flock'); the LXX renders the second element Eder as Γαδερ (possibly a different tradition or transliteration variant).

Ἐγένετο δὲ ἡνίκα κατῴκει Ισραηλ ἐν τῇ γῇ ἐκείνῃ, ἐπορεύθη Ρουβην καὶ ἐκοιμήθη μετὰ Βαλλας τῆς παλλακῆς τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἤκουσεν Ισραηλ. Ἦσαν δὲ οἱ υἱοὶ Ιακωβ δώδεκα.

And it came to pass when Israel was dwelling in that land that Reuben went and lay with Bilhah his father's concubine, and Israel heard. And the sons of Jacob were twelve.

Narrative aside (Reuben's violation; transition to the twelve-sons list)Ἐγένετο δέ

The terseness of this verse is its most striking feature: 'and Israel heard' — nothing more. No punishment, no speech, no confrontation. The narrator leaves the silence to speak for itself, and the reader must wait for Gen 49:4 to hear Jacob's verdict. The verse then pivots immediately to the twelve-sons enumeration, as if the violation is bracketed by the larger covenantal structure.

Word-by-word analysis· 29 words

Ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιframing formula (temporal)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: Ἐγένετο δέ calques וַיְהִי, the standard biblical Hebrew narrative fulfilment-formula; the shift from preceding instructions (ἐντέλλομαι, ποιέω) to ἐγένετο signals the transition from ordinance to event.

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

ἡνίκαwhentemporal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἡνίκα: meaning 'when'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

κατῴκειwas dwellingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · κατοικέωverb of temporal clause (Israel's settled residence in that land)→ progressive imperfect (ongoing state of settlement)κατοικέω: 'dwell, settle, inhabit'; compound κατα- + οἰκέω; the imperfect marks the extended period during which the incident occurred — not a single moment but a season of settlement near the tower of Gader.

ΙσραηλIsraelsubject of κατῴκει→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of κατῴκει.

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

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

γῇlandDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land'; the anaphoric ἐκείνῃ ('that land') refers to the region near the tower of Gader just established in v.21.

ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (referring back to the previous location)→ sphere or referenceἐκείνῃ: meaning 'that'; it serves as demonstrative adjective (referring back to the previous location).

ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (Reuben's movement toward Bilhah)→ ingressive aorist (the decisive step that leads to the violation)πορεύομαι: 'go, travel'; deponent passive; the aorist ἐπορεύθη is sparse — no motive, no dialogue, no build-up; the narrator's stark economy mirrors the terseness of the Hebrew וַיֵּלֶךְ.

ΡουβηνReubensubject of ἐπορεύθη (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΡουβην: LXX transliteration of רְאוּבֵן (Reuben, 'See, a son!'); the firstborn of Jacob and Leah (Gen 29:32); his act here costs him the double-portion of the firstborn (Gen 49:4 — 'you shall not excel, for you went up to your father's bed').

καὶandcoordinating conjunction (the violation follows from the going)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἐκοιμήθηlay withAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κοιμάωmain verb (the sexual violation)→ constative aorist (the completed violation)κοιμάω: 'lie down, sleep'; the passive ἐκοιμήθη (literally 'was laid down' but used intransitively = 'lay down / slept') with μετά + genitive is the LXX's standard euphemism for sexual intercourse (cf. Gen 34:2; 39:7; Lev 20:11).

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

ΒαλλαςBilhahindeclinable proper noun, genitive after μετά (the person violated)→ participant identificationΒαλλα: LXX transliteration of בִּלְהָה (Bilhah); Rachel's maidservant, given to Jacob as a concubine (Gen 30:4); she is the mother of Dan and Naphtali (Gen 30:5–8); Reuben's sin is both sexual violation and an implicit assertion of the rights of the firstborn over his father's household.

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

παλλακῆςconcubineGenitivegenitive of appositional identification (Bilhah's status: 'the concubine of his father')→ relational specificationπαλλακή: 'concubine'; a woman in a secondary wife-status; the LXX renders Hebrew פִּילֶגֶשׁ (pîlegeš) consistently as παλλακή; Lev 20:11 specifically prohibits sexual relations with a father's wife.

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

πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship ('his father's concubine')→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; the key word — Reuben violates his own father's household; Absalom's later parallel act (2 Sam 16:22) uses the same principle of public shaming of the father.

καὶandnarrative conjunction (the one-clause reaction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ἤκουσενheardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (Israel's reception of the report — the only reaction given)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; καὶ ἤκουσεν Ισραηλ is one of the most understated verdict-statements in Genesis — the father hears and says nothing; the silence is deafening; the reader must wait for Gen 49:4 ('you shall not excel because you went up to your father's bed') for the deferred judgment.

ΙσραηλIsraelsubject of ἤκουσεν→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the use of the covenant name at the moment of hearing the violation gives the silence a weight beyond personal grief — the patriarch who has just had his covenant confirmed by God (vv.9–15) now hears that his own firstborn has violated his household.

ἮσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (transitional pivot: 'and the sons of Jacob were twelve')→ progressive imperfect (the ongoing fact of twelve sons as the stable background)εἰμί: the pivot-sentence 'the sons of Jacob were twelve' functions as a transition from the violation episode to the formal twelve-sons list; the imperfect frames twelve-ness as an ongoing, established fact.

δὲandtransitional 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.

υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἦσαν→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the twelve sons of Jacob will become the twelve tribes of Israel — the structural backbone of the covenant people; the number twelve is the organizational number of the people of God (twelve tribes, twelve apostles).

ΙακωβJacobindeclinable proper noun, genitive after υἱοί ('sons of Jacob')→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive after υἱοί ('sons of Jacob').

δώδεκαtwelvepredicate (the number of sons)→ clausal contributionδώδεκα: 'twelve'; an indeclinable numeral; the number twelve is the covenant-structural number — twelve sons produce twelve tribes; the parallel in the NT is the twelve apostles as the foundation of the new covenant community (Matt 10:1–2; Rev 21:14).

Υἱοὶ Λειας· Ρουβην ὁ πρωτότοκος Ιακωβ, καὶ Συμεων, καὶ Λευι, καὶ Ιουδας, καὶ Ισσαχαρ, καὶ Ζαβουλων.

The sons of Leah: Reuben the firstborn of Jacob, and Simeon, and Levi, and Judah, and Issachar, and Zebulon.

Catalog (Leah's six sons, birth-ordered)asyndeton

The four-group catalog (Leah, Rachel, Bilhah, Zilpah) organizes the twelve sons by matrilineal grouping, not by age. Reuben is singled out as ὁ πρωτότοκος Ιακωβ — a bitter irony given the immediately preceding notice of his violation. Judah appears fourth in the list but will receive the royal promise (Gen 49:8–12).

Word-by-word analysis· 16 words

ΥἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (catalog header: 'sons of Leah')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the catalog opens with Leah's six sons, the largest matrilineal group.

Λειαςof Leahindeclinable proper noun, genitive after Υἱοί ('sons of Leah')→ participant identificationΛεια: LXX transliteration of לֵאָה (Leah); Jacob's first wife, mother of six sons; her sons include the priestly tribe (Levi) and the royal tribe (Judah).

ΡουβηνReubenfirst named son (in apposition to Υἱοί)→ participant identificationΡουβην: named first as the firstborn, but the epithet ὁ πρωτότοκος immediately following the violation notice of v.22 is pointed — the firstborn who forfeited his birthright.

ὁtheNominativearticle (with appositive title: 'the firstborn')→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

πρωτότοκοςfirstbornNominativeappositive to Ρουβην (his title / status)→ participant prominenceπρωτότοκος: 'firstborn'; the title underscores Reuben's position — and its forfeiture; in the NT πρωτότοκος becomes a christological title (Col 1:15, 18; Heb 1:6; Rev 1:5).

Ιακωβof Jacobindeclinable proper noun, genitive after πρωτότοκος (whose firstborn)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive after πρωτότοκος (whose firstborn).

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

ΣυμεωνSimeonsecond named son→ participant identificationΣυμεων: LXX transliteration of שִׁמְעוֹן (Simeon, 'heard'); the second son of Leah; he and Levi together attacked Shechem (Gen 34:25–29) and were rebuked by Jacob (Gen 34:30); their violence is recalled in Gen 49:5–7.

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

ΛευιLevithird named son→ participant identificationΛευι: LXX transliteration of לֵוִי (Levi, 'joined'); ancestor of the priestly tribe; his descendants Moses, Aaron, and the Levitical priests will be consecrated to divine service (Exod 32:26–29; Num 3:6–9).

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

ΙουδαςJudahfourth named son→ participant identificationΙουδας: LXX transliteration of יְהוּדָה (Judah, 'praise'); fourth son of Leah, listed quietly here but destined for the royal promise (Gen 49:8–12); ancestor of David and, in the NT genealogies, of Jesus (Matt 1:2–3; Luke 3:33; Heb 7:14).

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

ΙσσαχαρIssacharfifth named son→ participant identificationΙσσαχαρ: LXX transliteration of יִשָּׂשכָר (Issachar, 'there is a reward'); fifth son of Leah, born of the mandrake-exchange episode (Gen 30:14–18).

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

ΖαβουλωνZebulonsixth named son (last of Leah's)→ participant identificationΖαβουλων: LXX transliteration of זְבוּלוּן (Zebulon, 'dwelling / exalted'); sixth and last son of Leah; his territory borders the sea (Gen 49:13) and the region is later associated with Galilee (Matt 4:13 citing Isa 9:1).

Υἱοὶ δὲ Ραχηλ· Ιωσηφ καὶ Βενιαμιν.

And the sons of Rachel: Joseph and Benjamin.

Catalog (Rachel's two sons)Υἱοὶ δέ

The shortest entry in the catalog — Rachel produced only two sons despite Jacob's greatest love for her. Benjamin's appearance here without the grief-name (Υἱὸς ὀδύνης μου) of v.18 confirms that Jacob's renaming has taken effect; the canonical name is Βενιαμιν.

Word-by-word analysis· 6 words

ΥἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (second catalog header)→ participant prominenceΥἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (second catalog header).

δὲandtransitional particle (moving to the next matrilineal group)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.

ΡαχηλRachelindeclinable proper noun, genitive after Υἱοί→ participant identificationΡαχηλ: the beloved wife; her entry is the briefest — only two sons — yet Joseph becomes the narrative's protagonist (Gen 37–50) and Benjamin the beloved youngest.

ΙωσηφJosephfirst named son (Rachel's firstborn)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: LXX transliteration of יוֹסֵף (Joseph, 'may he add'); Rachel's prayer at his birth was 'may the LORD add to me another son' (Gen 30:24); that prayer is fulfilled in Benjamin, though at the cost of Rachel's life.

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

ΒενιαμινBenjaminsecond named son (Rachel's second and last)→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: LXX transliteration of בִּנְיָמִין ('son of the right hand'); the father's name (v.18) confirmed here in the catalog; the canonical form is the father's transliteration, not the mother's translated grief-name.

Υἱοὶ δὲ Βαλλας τῆς παιδίσκης Ραχηλ· Δαν καὶ Νεφθαλι.

And the sons of Bilhah, the maidservant of Rachel: Dan and Naphtali.

Catalog (Bilhah's two sons)Υἱοὶ δέ

Bilhah is identified both by name and by her social status (παιδίσκη, maidservant) and her owner (Rachel), providing the relational context for her sons' place in the tribal structure. Dan and Naphtali, born of the surrogate arrangement of Gen 30:4–8, are full members of the twelve.

Word-by-word analysis· 9 words

ΥἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (third catalog header)→ participant prominenceΥἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (third catalog header).

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

ΒαλλαςBilhahindeclinable proper noun, genitive after Υἱοί→ participant identificationΒαλλα: Bilhah — just named in v.22 as the victim of Reuben's violation; her appearance here immediately after stabilizes her identity as mother of Dan and Naphtali rather than only as the violated concubine.

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

παιδίσκηςmaidservantGenitivegenitive appositive (Bilhah's social status)→ relational specificationπαιδίσκη: 'maidservant, slave-girl'; renders Hebrew שִׁפְחָה (šiphḥāh); a social designation indicating a secondary wife-surrogate; the same term is used for Hagar (Gen 16:2) and Zilpah.

ΡαχηλRachelindeclinable proper noun, genitive after παιδίσκης (whose maidservant)→ participant identificationΡαχηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive after παιδίσκης (whose maidservant).

ΔανDanfirst named son→ participant identificationΔαν: LXX transliteration of דָּן (Dan, 'he judged'); first son of Bilhah; Rachel named him at birth: 'God has judged me and listened to my voice' (Gen 30:6).

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

ΝεφθαλιNaphtalisecond named son→ participant identificationΝεφθαλι: LXX transliteration of נַפְתָּלִי (Naphtali, 'my wrestling'); second son of Bilhah; Rachel named him: 'wrestlings of God I have wrestled with my sister and prevailed' (Gen 30:8); the same root נפתל as Jacob's wrestling at Peniel (Gen 32:24–25).

Υἱοὶ δὲ Ζελφας τῆς παιδίσκης Λειας· Γαδ καὶ Ασηρ. Οὗτοι οἱ υἱοὶ Ιακωβ, οἳ ἐγεννήθησαν αὐτῷ ἐν Μεσοποταμίᾳ τῆς Συρίας.

And the sons of Zilpah, the maidservant of Leah: Gad and Asher. These are the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Mesopotamia of Syria.

Catalog (Zilpah's two sons) and closing frameΥἱοὶ δέ

Zilpah's sons complete the four-group catalog. The closing summary — 'these are the sons of Jacob who were born to him in Mesopotamia of Syria' — provides a geographic frame that closes the entire Laban-Haran cycle: all twelve sons are said to have been born in Mesopotamia, even Benjamin (born in Canaan). This may be an editorial simplification or it may reflect a tradition that places all the births in the Laban years.

Word-by-word analysis· 20 words

ΥἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (fourth catalog header)→ participant prominenceΥἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (fourth catalog header).

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

ΖελφαςZilpahindeclinable proper noun, genitive after Υἱοί→ participant identificationΖελφα: LXX transliteration of זִלְפָּה (Zilpah); Leah's maidservant, given to Jacob as surrogate (Gen 30:9); mother of Gad and Asher.

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

παιδίσκηςmaidservantGenitivegenitive appositive (Zilpah's social status)→ relational specificationπαιδίσκη: same designation as v.25 for Bilhah — the parallel structure marks the symmetry between the two maidservants.

ΛειαςLeahindeclinable proper noun, genitive after παιδίσκης→ participant identificationΛειας: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive after παιδίσκης.

ΓαδGadfirst named son→ participant identificationΓαδ: LXX transliteration of גָּד (Gad, 'fortune / troop'); first son of Zilpah; Leah named him 'Good fortune!' (Gen 30:11); his tribe settled east of the Jordan.

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

ΑσηρAshersecond named son→ participant identificationΑσηρ: LXX transliteration of אָשֵׁר (Asher, 'happy / blessed'); second son of Zilpah; Leah: 'happy am I! for women will call me blessed' (Gen 30:13); his blessing at Gen 49:20 emphasizes rich food and royal delicacies.

ΟὗτοιtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of the closing summary clause)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'these'; the anaphoric demonstrative gathers all twelve sons as the referent of the summary statement.

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

υἱοὶsonsNominativepredicate nominative (these are the sons of Jacob)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as predicate nominative (these are the sons of Jacob).

ΙακωβJacobindeclinable proper noun, genitive after υἱοί→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive after υἱοί.

οἳwhoNominativerelative pronoun, nominative plural (antecedent: υἱοί)→ participant referenceοἳ: meaning 'who'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun, nominative plural (antecedent: υἱοί).

ἐγεννήθησανwere bornAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · γεννάωverb of relative clause (the births summarized)→ constative aorist (the births as a completed historical whole)γεννάω: 'beget, bear, give birth to'; the passive marks the sons as born (to Jacob), with the agent implicit (their mothers); the aorist summarizes the entire birth-series as a completed covenantal event.

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

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

ΜεσοποταμίᾳMesopotamiaDativedative of place (the geographic frame for all twelve births)→ sphere or referenceΜεσοποταμία: the closing geographic frame identifies Mesopotamia as the birth-place of all twelve sons; Benjamin was in fact born near Bethlehem (v.16–18), so this is either an editorial summary of the Laban-period births or a tradition variant; it closes the Paddan-aram cycle.

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

ΣυρίαςSyriaGenitivegenitive of specification (Mesopotamia of Syria = Paddan-aram)→ relational specificationΣυρία: same qualifier as v.9 — the formula Μεσοποταμία τῆς Συρίας is the LXX's geographic frame for Paddan-aram, the region of Laban's household; its repetition closes the Laban cycle.

Ἦλθεν δὲ Ιακωβ πρὸς Ισαακ τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ εἰς Μαμβρη εἰς πόλιν τοῦ πεδίου — αὕτη ἐστὶν Χεβρων — ἐν γῇ Χανααν, οὗ παρῴκησεν Ἀβρααμ καὶ Ισαακ.

And Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre, to the city of the plain — this is Hebron — in the land of Canaan, where Abraham and Isaac had sojourned.

Narrative arrival (the final leg: Jacob reaches his father)Ἦλθεν δέ

Jacob's return to his father Isaac at Mamre-Hebron completes the journey that began when he fled Esau (Gen 27:43). The parenthetical αὕτη ἐστὶν Χεβρων identifies Mamre with Hebron, the patriarchal heartland (Abraham bought Machpelah nearby, Gen 23). The note that Abraham AND Isaac sojourned there frames Isaac's death in the following verses.

Word-by-word analysis· 25 words

ἮλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (arrival at his father's location)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: the arrival at Isaac at Mamre-Hebron completes the journey from Haran that began at Gen 28:10; Jacob has now returned to the land of his fathers.

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

ΙακωβJacobsubject→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction: 'to his father')→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: 'to his father').

ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable proper noun, object of πρός→ participant identificationΙσαακ: the aged patriarch, still alive; his death follows immediately in vv.28–29; Jacob's return before Isaac's death allows the two sons (Esau and Jacob) to bury him together (v.29).

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

πατέραfatherAccusativeappositive to Ισαακ (relational identification)→ object specificationπατήρ: 'father'; the explicit relational identification 'his father Isaac' underscores that the return is a filial homecoming.

εἰςatpreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).

ΜαμβρηMamreindeclinable proper noun, object of εἰς (the place of Isaac's dwelling)→ participant identificationΜαμβρη: LXX transliteration of מַמְרֵא (Mamre); the site of Abraham's first great theophany (Gen 18:1) and near the cave of Machpelah (Gen 23:17–20); identified with Hebron.

εἰςtopreposition + accusative (second destination specification)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (second destination specification).

πόλινthe cityAccusativeappositive to Μαμβρη (urban identification)→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; the LXX's rendering of the second element of Kiriath-arba (קִרְיַת הָאַרְבַּע) as 'city of the plain' (πόλιν τοῦ πεδίου) is a translation of קִרְיַת ('city') combined with a loose rendering of אַרְבַּע.

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

πεδίουplainGenitivegenitive of characterization ('city of the plain')→ relational specificationπεδίον: 'plain, flat ground'; the LXX's rendering of Hebrew אַרְבַּע (Arba, a personal name) as 'plain' may reflect a different vocalization or interpretive tradition.

αὕτηthisNominativesubject of parenthetical identification (the αὕτη ἐστίν formula)→ participant referenceαὕτη: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject of parenthetical identification (the αὕτη ἐστίν formula).

ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (parenthetical geographic identification)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: the αὕτη ἐστίν formula (cf. 35:6, 19) identifies Mamre-Kiriath-arba as Hebron — the city that will become the patriarchal burial site and David's first capital.

ΧεβρωνHebronpredicate (the identification: Mamre/Kiriath-arba = Hebron)→ participant identificationΧεβρων: LXX transliteration of חֶבְרוֹן (Hebron); the city of the patriarchal burying-ground (Machpelah, Gen 23); David's first capital (2 Sam 2:1–4); the identification here is the narrator's contemporizing gloss.

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

γῇthe landDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'the land'; it serves as dative of place.

ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun, genitive after γῇ ('land of Canaan')→ participant identificationΧανααν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive after γῇ ('land of Canaan').

οὗwhereGenitiverelative adverb of place ('where Abraham and Isaac had sojourned')→ relational specificationοὗ: meaning 'where'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative adverb of place ('where Abraham and Isaac had sojourned').

παρῴκησενhad sojournedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παροικέωverb of relative clause (the sojourning of both patriarchs at Mamre)→ constative aorist (the completed sojourn)παροικέω: 'sojourn, dwell as a stranger'; the LXX's key term for the patriarchal mode of existence in Canaan — they dwell in the land but own none of it (cf. Gen 12:10; 17:8); the verb underlies the NT's concept of Christians as παρεπίδημοι / πάροικοι ('strangers and aliens,' 1 Pet 2:11; Heb 11:9).

ἈβρααμAbrahamfirst subject of παρῴκησεν (in compound subject: 'Abraham and Isaac')→ participant identificationἈβρααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as first subject of παρῴκησεν (in compound subject: 'Abraham and Isaac').

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

ΙσαακIsaacsecond subject of παρῴκησεν→ participant identificationΙσαακ: both patriarchs sojourned at Mamre; the note grounds Jacob's return in the covenantal geography of his fathers — he returns to the precise spot where the covenant-chain was forged.

Ἐγένοντο δὲ αἱ ἡμέραι Ισαακ, ἃς ἔζησεν, ἔτη ἑκατὸν ὀγδοήκοντα.

And the days of Isaac which he lived were one hundred and eighty years.

Chronological note (Isaac's lifespan)Ἐγένοντο δέ

The patriarchal lifespan formula is identical in structure to Abraham's (Gen 25:7: 'the days of Abraham's life were 175 years') and will appear for Jacob at Gen 47:28 (147 years). Isaac's 180 years places him between Abraham (175) and Jacob (147), forming a descending patriarchal triptych.

Word-by-word analysis· 10 words

ἘγένοντοwereAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (existential: 'the days were / amounted to')→ constative aorist (the whole life summed in one completed total)γίνομαι: 'be, come to be, amount to'; the formula ἐγένοντο αἱ ἡμέραι … ἔτη X is the standard LXX patriarchal lifespan formula (Gen 5; 25:7); it summarizes a life as a completed number of days.

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

αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.

ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubject of ἐγένοντο→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: 'day'; 'the days of X' is the patriarchal idiom for the span of a life; Genesis reckons life in days, not merely years — each day has covenant weight.

Ισαακof Isaacindeclinable proper noun, genitive after ἡμέραι (whose days)→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive after ἡμέραι (whose days).

ἃςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun, accusative feminine plural (antecedent: ἡμέραι; direct object of ἔζησεν)→ participant referenceἃς: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun, accusative feminine plural (antecedent: ἡμέραι; direct object of ἔζησεν).

ἔζησενhe livedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωverb of relative clause ('which he lived')→ constative aorist (the whole life as completed)ζάω: 'live'; the relative clause ἃς ἔζησεν ('which he lived') is a Hebraism rendering אֲשֶׁר-חַי — the days he actively lived, not merely the days that passed.

ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of measure / extent (the number of years)→ object specificationἔτος: 'year'; the accusative plural ἔτη is the LXX's standard measure for patriarchal lifespans; the lifespan formula provides the chronological backbone for Genesis.

ἑκατὸνone hundrednumeral (first component of 180)→ measure or countἑκατόν: 'one hundred'; indeclinable numeral; with ὀγδοήκοντα = 180.

ὀγδοήκονταeightynumeral (second component: 100 + 80 = 180 total)→ measure or countὀγδοήκοντα: 'eighty'; indeclinable; 180 years = the full patriarchal lifespan of Isaac, longer than Jacob (147) but shorter than Abraham (175); the descending triptych reflects the narrative's movement toward the Egyptian sojourn.

Καὶ ἐκλιπὼν Ισαακ ἀπέθανεν καὶ προσετέθη πρὸς τὸ γένος αὐτοῦ πρεσβύτερος καὶ πλήρης ἡμερῶν· καὶ ἔθαψαν αὐτὸν Ησαυ καὶ Ιακωβ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ.

And Isaac expired and died and was gathered to his kindred, old and full of days; and Esau and Jacob his sons buried him.

Death-and-burial notice (patriarchal closure formula)Καὶ ἐκλιπών

Isaac's death is narrated with the full patriarchal death-formula: three verbs (ἐκλιπών, ἀπέθανεν, προσετέθη), two epithets (πρεσβύτερος, πλήρης ἡμερῶν), and a burial by both sons. The joint burial of Isaac by Esau and Jacob mirrors Abraham's joint burial by Isaac and Ishmael (Gen 25:9), presenting a pattern of reconciling reunions at the patriarchal grave.

Word-by-word analysis· 23 words

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

ἐκλιπὼνhaving expiredAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἐκλείπωadverbial participle (attendant circumstance of dying: 'having breathed his last')→ constative aorist (the completed expiration)ἐκλείπω: 'fail, expire, cease'; used for the failing of breath or life; renders Hebrew וַיִּגְוַע ('he breathed out / expired'); the participle before ἀπέθανεν distinguishes the moment of expiration from the state of death — ἐκλιπών is the leaving of breath, ἀπέθανεν is the resulting death.

ΙσαακIsaacsubject of all three verbs→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of all three verbs.

ἀπέθανενdiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (death-notice: first of three)→ constative aoristἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the central death-verb; the patriarchal death-formula uses three verbs (expire / die / be gathered) to mark death as a multi-stage process: expiration, death, and incorporation into the ancestral community.

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

προσετέθηwas gatheredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (death-notice: third formula — gathering to the ancestors)→ constative aoristπροστίθημι: 'add, append'; in the death-formula προσετέθη πρὸς τὸ γένος ('was added/gathered to his people') renders the Hebrew נֶאֱסַף אֶל-עַמָּיו ('gathered to his people'); the phrase envisions reunion with the ancestral community at death, a theology of afterlife-solidarity that underlies later Jewish hope (cf. Heb 11:13–16).

πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of the gathering)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of the gathering).

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

γένοςkindredAccusativeobject of πρός (the ancestral group to which Isaac is gathered)→ object specificationγένος: 'race, kindred, kin-group'; renders Hebrew עַם ('people'); πρὸς τὸ γένος αὐτοῦ = 'to his kindred / people'; the expression posits a post-mortem community of the dead ancestors (cf. the same formula for Abraham, Gen 25:8, and Jacob, Gen 49:33).

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

πρεσβύτεροςoldNominativepredicate nominative (first epithet of the fulfilled death: 'old')→ participant prominenceπρεσβύτερος: 'old, elder'; the comparative used as a simple positive ('old'); the same epithet appears for Abraham (Gen 25:8); a patriarchal death at old age is a sign of covenantal blessing.

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

πλήρηςfullNominativepredicate nominative (second epithet: 'full of days')→ participant prominenceπλήρης: 'full'; πλήρης ἡμερῶν ('full of days') renders the Hebrew שְׂבַע יָמִים ('sated with days' = having lived to fullness); the same expression is used of Abraham (Gen 25:8) and Job (Job 42:17 LXX); it signals a life completed rather than cut short.

ἡμερῶνof daysGenitivegenitive of content ('full of days')→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the genitive of content after πλήρης — 'filled with days' — is the ultimate patriarchal blessing: a life measured out in its full complement.

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

ἔθαψανburiedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · θάπτωmain verb (the burial by both sons)→ constative aoristθάπτω: 'bury'; the active plural 'they buried him' names both sons as the agents; the same construction at Gen 25:9 ('Isaac and Ishmael his sons buried him') for Abraham's burial — a deliberate pattern of reconciled sons burying estranged fathers.

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

ΗσαυEsaufirst subject of ἔθαψαν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΗσαυ: named first — perhaps reflecting birth order (the elder) or the narrative's gracious inclusion of the estranged brother in the act of burial; the joint burial implies a minimal reconciliation.

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

ΙακωβJacobsecond subject of ἔθαψαν→ participant identificationΙακωβ: the chapter opened with God's command to Jacob (v.1) and closes with Jacob burying his father — the two 'sonship' poles of the narrative: sonship to God (Bethel covenant) and sonship to Isaac (filial duty); the parallel with Abraham's joint burial by Isaac and Ishmael (Gen 25:9) forms a deliberate structural echo.

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

υἱοὶsonsNominativeappositive (identifying both subjects: 'his sons')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the appositional phrase 'his sons' (οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ) brings the two estranged brothers under the unifying category of filial relation — they are first of all sons of Isaac, only secondarily rivals.

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 35ΓΕΝΕΣΙΣ ΛΕ′

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Translation & textual notes