1
Ἰδὼν δὲ Ιακωβ ὅτι ἔστιν πρᾶσις ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ, εἶπεν Ιακωβ τοῖς υἱοῖς αὐτοῦ· Ἵνα τί ῥᾳθυμεῖτε;
And Jacob, seeing that there was a sale of grain in Egypt, said to his sons: 'Why are you idle?'
The participial clause (Ἰδὼν δέ) provides the causal premise for Jacob's imperative in vv.2–3; the chapter opens with economics, not theology. The LXX renders MT הִתְרָאוּ ('you look at one another') with ῥᾳθυμεῖτε ('you are idle'), a functional substitution that shifts the scene from paralytic mutual gazing to a charge of negligence — Jacob does not see inaction and empathize with it; he reproves it.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ἸδὼνseeingAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · ὁράωtemporal/causal participle (circumstance of εἶπεν)→ antecedent action (completed perception before the speech act)ὁράω → ἰδεῖν: the aorist participle of sight here carries causal force — Jacob's economic perception precipitates the imperative dispatch; the participial opening anticipates the ἐμνήσθη of 42:9 (Joseph's memory of his dreams), both using perception to trigger action.
δὲandnarrative connective (mild adversative / continuation)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙακωβJacobsubject (anticipatory nominative, resumed after participial phrase)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: the patriarch appears twice in v.1 — first as perceiver (Ἰδὼν δὲ Ιακωβ) and then as speaker (εἶπεν Ιακωβ) — concentrating both observation and authority in him before the chapter moves beyond his knowledge.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect statement (content of seeing)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential main verb of ὅτι-clause→ existential present (ongoing condition — the sale is in progress)εἰμί: existential 'there is'; the present tense indicates that the sale is ongoing rather than a past event — Jacob acts on current intelligence.
πρᾶσιςa saleNominativesubject of existential ἔστιν→ participant prominenceπρᾶσις: 'a sale / selling'; from πιπράσκω; renders Hebrew שֶׁבֶר (grain for purchase). FLAGGED: the LXX opens with the commercial term rather than the commodity (σῖτος comes at v.2), naming the transaction before the goods — an economically precise framing that underlines the organized market Joseph has created (cf. 41:56).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΑἰγύπτῳEgyptDativedative of place (locative — in Egypt)→ sphere or referenceΑἴγυπτος: standard LXX rendering of מִצְרַיִם; the dative locative establishes the destination toward which all the chapter's movement is directed.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain narrative verb (direct speech frame)→ constative aorist (single speech act)εἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΙακωβJacobsubject (repeated for emphasis — same patriarch, now as speaker)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (repeated for emphasis — same patriarch, now as speaker).
τοῖςtheDativearticle with noun (dative indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative indirect object (addressees of εἶπεν)→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; the ten brothers who will descend (v.3); Benjamin is withheld at v.4.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
Ἵναwhyinterrogative particle (ἵνα τί = 'for what reason? / why?')→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα τί: a Hebraizing idiom calquing לָמָּה; using a final-clause formula as an interrogative is a characteristic LXX-Greek usage derived from the Hebrew interrogative construction.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of ἵνα in idiomatic interrogative)→ participant referenceτί: meaning 'what'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as interrogative pronoun (object of ἵνα in idiomatic interrogative).
ῥᾳθυμεῖτεare you idlePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ῥᾳθυμέωmain verb of rhetorical question→ progressive present (ongoing state of inaction being charged)ῥᾳθυμέω: 'be idle / slothful / remiss'; the LXX renders MT הִתְרָאוּ ('you look at one another' — Hithpael of רָאָה, reflexive: mutual gazing in helpless paralysis) with ῥᾳθυμεῖτε — a functional substitution that transforms the image of paralytic mutual gazing into a charge of negligence. The rhetorical question functions as an imperative: get moving. HEBRAISM flagged.
2
Ἰδοὺ ἀκήκοα ὅτι ἔστιν σῖτος ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ· κατάβητε ἐκεῖ καὶ πρίασθε ἡμῖν μικρὰ βρώματα, ἵνα ζῶμεν καὶ μὴ ἀποθάνωμεν.
Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy for us a little food, that we may live and not die.
Jacob's speech unfolds in two movements: a report of intelligence (ἰδοὺ ἀκήκοα, perfect tense marking reliable present knowledge from completed hearing), then two imperatives (κατάβητε / πρίασθε) grounded in the existential purpose clause (ἵνα ζῶμεν καὶ μὴ ἀποθάνωμεν). The life/death antithesis compresses the entire economic crisis into a survival binary.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
Ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (emphatic attention-getter)→ participant identificationἰδού: exclamatory particle derived from the aorist imperative of ὁράω; LXX calque of הִנֵּה (hinneh), used to introduce important or new information. The Hebraizing particle is extremely frequent in LXX narrative.
ἀκήκοαI have heardPf Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (first-person report of intelligence)→ intensive perfect (completed hearing whose result stands as certain knowledge)ἀκούω: the perfect tense stresses Jacob's present certainty grounded in completed hearing — the news is reliable. The perfect of ἀκούω is a Semitism that mirrors Hebrew perfect-of-certainty forms.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect statement (content of hearing)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential verb in ὅτι-clause→ existential presentεἰμί: 'be'; οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῖς = 'which do not have.'
σῖτοςgrainNominativesubject of existential ἔστιν→ participant prominenceσῖτος: 'grain / wheat'; the commodity Jacob has heard about, contrasting with πρᾶσις (v.1) — first the commercial activity, now the physical substance. The word recurs throughout the chapter (vv.3, 19, 25, 26) as the practical object of the mission.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΑἰγύπτῳEgyptDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceΑἰγύπτῳ: meaning 'Egypt'; it serves as dative of place.
κατάβητεgo downAor Act Impv 2 Pl · καταβαίνωmain imperative (first command: directional descent)→ ingressive aorist imperative (begin the descent)καταβαίνω: 'go down / descend'; the direction is both literal (Egypt lies lower than Canaan) and narratologically charged — the descent toward Egypt inaugurates the chapter's spatial axis of descent/return, echoing Abraham's descent in Gen 12:10 (also famine-driven).
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (locative 'there' = Egypt)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: meaning 'there'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (linking imperatives)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πρίασθεbuyAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · ὠνέομαιmain imperative (second command: the commercial transaction)→ constative aorist imperative (a single transactional act)πρίασθαι (ὠνέομαι): 'buy / purchase'; the middle voice of the commercial verb reflects a transaction conducted on one's own behalf. The verb links v.2 (imperative) to v.3 (execution) and v.5 (narrative purpose-infinitive), creating a verbal chain of command and compliance.
ἡμῖνfor usDativedative of advantage→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'for us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage.
μικρὰa littleAccusativeattributive adjective modifying βρώματα→ object specificationμικρός: 'small / a little'; Jacob's self-deprecating understatement — 'a little food' — reflects the Hebrew idiom מְעַט of modest petition, a polite rhetorical diminutive common in ancient Near Eastern request language.
βρώματαfoodAccusativedirect object of πρίασθε→ object specificationβρῶμα: 'food / provisions'; from βιβρώσκω ('eat'); the plural 'foodstuffs' is standard; broader than σῖτος (grain alone), embracing all purchased provisions.
ἵναthatfinal conjunction introducing purpose clause→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ζῶμενwe may livePres Act Subj 1 Pl · ζάωmain verb of positive purpose clause→ futuristic present subjunctive (ongoing living as the desired outcome)ζάω: 'live / be alive'; the purpose — survival — is stark. The life/death antithesis (ζῶμεν / ἀποθάνωμεν) frames the entire descent as existential necessity; the same pair will recur structurally in Joseph's conditional ultimatums at vv.18, 20.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (linking parallel purpose verbs)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴnotnegation particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμὴ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποθάνωμενdieAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἀποθνήσκωverb of negative purpose clause ('and not die')→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (avoid entering death)ἀποθνήσκω: 'die / perish'; the aorist captures the entry into death as a feared event; the verb pair ζῶμεν / ἀποθάνωμεν is a merism framing the journey as a matter of life and death.
3
Κατέβησαν δὲ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ Ιωσηφ οἱ δέκα πρίασθαι σῖτον ἐκ τῆς Αἰγύπτου.
And the ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain from Egypt.
The verse is a single compact narrative sentence confirming obedience: the same verb καταβαίνω used as imperative in v.2 now appears as indicative aorist, signalling immediate compliance. The narrator identifies the group as 'the brothers of Joseph' rather than 'the sons of Jacob,' foregrounding the fratricide-relationship that will structure the entire encounter.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
Κατέβησανwent downAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καταβαίνωmain narrative verb (the descent, fulfilling v.2 imperative)→ ingressive aorist (beginning of the journey to Egypt)καταβαίνω: fulfils Jacob's command of v.2 (κατάβητε); the repetition of the same verb as indicative after imperative marks narrative compliance. The descent to Egypt is a recurring ancestral-story trope (Gen 12:10; 26:2 [forbidden]; 46:3–4).
δὲandnarrative connective (sequential continuation)→ 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.
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativesubject (of καταβαίνω)→ participant prominenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; the narrator names them 'brothers of Joseph' rather than 'sons of Jacob' — the fratricide relationship is established as the defining lens before they even arrive. The word ἀδελφός is the most loaded noun in the Joseph cycle.
Ιωσηφof Josephgenitive of relationship (indeclinable proper noun — identifying whose brothers)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: Joseph's name appears in the genitive relationship before the encounter — the reader knows more than the brothers do.
οἱtheNominativearticle (anaphoric, specifying the numeral)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δέκαtennumeral in apposition (specifying which brothers went)→ measure or countδέκα: 'ten'; the count excludes Benjamin (withheld, v.4) and Joseph (present, unknown to them) — ten go down while the narrative implies the other two are separated but not absent. The three-way numerical drama (10 + Benjamin + Joseph) drives the whole chapter.
πρίασθαιto buyAor Mid Inf · ὠνέομαιinfinitive of purpose ('in order to buy')→ constative aorist (intended single commercial transaction)πρίασθαι: the same commercial verb as v.2 (imperative πρίασθε), now as purpose infinitive — command fulfilled by purpose-driven action.
σῖτονgrainAccusativedirect object of πρίασθαι→ object specificationσῖτος: 'grain'; the object of the purchasing mission, repeated from v.2.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (ablative: source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (ablative: source).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive of source (from Egypt)→ relational specificationΑἴγυπτος: the source country; ἐκ τῆς Αἰγύπτου confirms Egypt as the grain supplier, validating Jacob's intelligence of v.2.
4
τὸν δὲ Βενιαμιν τὸν ἀδελφὸν Ιωσηφ οὐκ ἀπέστειλεν μετὰ τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ· εἶπεν γάρ· Μήποτε συμβῇ αὐτῷ μαλακία.
But Benjamin the brother of Joseph he did not send with his brothers, for he said: 'Lest harm befall him.'
The fronting of τὸν δὲ Βενιαμιν (accusative before the verb) is a Hebraizing emphasis construction marking the exception from the group. The identification τὸν ἀδελφὸν Ιωσηφ is crucial: Benjamin is Joseph's only full brother (both born of Rachel), a bond that makes him both uniquely precious to Jacob and uniquely significant for Joseph's test. The parenthetical εἶπεν γάρ explains Jacob's reasoning directly.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (accusative object, fronted for emphasis)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbutmild adversative (introducing the exception to v.3)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΒενιαμινBenjamindirect object of ἀπέστειλεν (fronted for topical prominence)→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: 'Benjamin'; Rachel's surviving son, Jacob's youngest; his withholding is the narrative pivot — until he appears before Joseph, the test cannot be resolved. The fronted accusative (τὸν δὲ Βενιαμιν ... οὐκ ἀπέστειλεν) is a Hebraizing emphasis construction.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (introducing appositive phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativeappositive to Βενιαμιν (identifying relational status)→ object specificationἀδελφός: 'brother'; the apposition τὸν ἀδελφὸν Ιωσηφ uniquely marks Benjamin as Joseph's full brother (both Rachel's sons), distinguishing him from the ten half-brothers. This identification will become central when Joseph weeps at 43:30 and finally reveals himself at 45:1.
Ιωσηφof Josephgenitive of relationship (identifying the fraternal bond)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (identifying the fraternal bond).
οὐκnotnegation particle (with indicative: emphatic denial of action)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστειλενdid sendAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (Jacob's deliberate act of withholding Benjamin)→ constative aorist (single decisive authoritative decision)ἀποστέλλω: 'send / dispatch'; the same verb used for sending agents on missions; Jacob's choice not to send Benjamin is an authoritative paternal act with plot-determining consequences — it introduces the condition (bring Benjamin) that Joseph will exploit.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (associative comitative)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (associative comitative).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφῶνbrothersGenitivegenitive of association ('with his brothers')→ relational specificationἀδελφῶν: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as genitive of association ('with his brothers').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (his brothers = Benjamin's brothers)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (his brothers = Benjamin's brothers).
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωparenthetical verb of speaking (Jacob's stated reasoning)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
γάρforexplanatory conjunction ('for / because')→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
Μήποτεlestnegative fear particle (introducing feared outcome)→ discourse linkage or contrastμήποτε: 'lest / in case'; introduces a negative fear-clause expressing an outcome to be avoided. The Hebrew equivalent פֶּן similarly introduces feared consequences after a decision not to act. Jacob's fear is that Benjamin will perish as Joseph did (Gen 37:33).
συμβῇbefallAor Act Subj 3 Sg · συμβαίνωverb of fear-avoidance clause ('lest harm befall him')→ constative aorist subjunctive (feared single calamitous event)συμβαίνω: 'happen / befall / come upon'; the impersonal use ('harm might befall him') is a euphemism for mortal danger. The same phrase συμβήσεταί αὐτῷ μαλακία recurs verbatim in Jacob's refusal at 42:38, creating a verbal frame around the chapter.
αὐτῷhimDativedative of reference (to him = to Benjamin)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of reference (to him = to Benjamin).
μαλακίαharmNominativesubject of συμβῇ (the feared occurrence)→ participant prominenceμαλακία: 'weakness / sickness / harm / calamity'; the word's primary sense is physical weakness or illness but in this context functions as a euphemism for mortal misfortune. The same term recurs at v.38 (Jacob's climactic refusal), forming a verbal inclusio around the chapter's paternal-anxiety theme.
5
ἦλθον δὲ οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ἀγοράζειν μετὰ τῶν ἐρχομένων· ἦν γὰρ ὁ λιμὸς ἐν γῇ Χανααν.
And the sons of Israel came to buy along with those who were coming, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.
The verse broadens the scene: the brothers arrive not as a distinctive group but anonymously, mixed among the general crowd of purchasers. The name shift from 'brothers of Joseph' (v.3) to 'sons of Israel' is theologically loaded — Israel is the covenant name — and the anonymous blending into the crowd anticipates the irony that the ruler they approach is their own brother. The causal γάρ-clause explains the migration as universal crisis, not private ambition.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ἦλθονcameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain narrative verb (arrival in Egypt)→ constative aorist (single completed journey)ἔρχομαι: 'come / arrive'; where v.3 used καταβαίνω (descent) to describe the journey, v.5 uses ἦλθον to describe the arrival — the spatial axis from descent to arrival is complete.
δὲandnarrative connective→ 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→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the designation 'sons of Israel' uses the covenant/patriarch name rather than 'brothers of Joseph' (v.3), marking a slight narrative distancing — they arrive as a family group, not yet as the fratricides.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable proper noun — whose sons)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the covenant name of Jacob (given at Gen 32:28; 35:10); its use here rather than Ιακωβ marks the brothers as bearers of the covenant family name — and emphasizes the irony that it is the covenant sons who must bow before their brother.
ἀγοράζεινto buyPres Act Inf · ἀγοράζωinfinitive of purpose ('in order to buy')→ progressive infinitive (ongoing commercial activity in the market)ἀγοράζω: 'buy / purchase in the market (ἀγορά)'; distinct from πρίασθαι (vv.2–3) — ἀγοράζω evokes the market setting while πρίασθαι is more generically commercial.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (associative comitative)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (associative comitative).
τῶνthoseGenitivearticle (with substantival participle)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρχομένωνcomingPres Mid Ptcp Gen Pl M · ἔρχομαιsubstantival participle (object of μετά — the crowd of other buyers)→ progressive (ongoing stream of buyers)ἔρχομαι: the present participle τῶν ἐρχομένων pictures a continuous stream of buyers from many nations (cf. 41:57 — πάντα τὰ ἔθνη ἤρχοντο ἀγοράσαι); the brothers are anonymous in this crowd.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential verb in explanatory causal clause→ descriptive imperfect (ongoing background condition)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.
γάρforexplanatory conjunction (causal: giving reason for the journey)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: meaning 'for'; 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.
λιμὸςfamineNominativesubject of existential ἦν→ participant prominenceλιμός: 'famine / hunger'; the same word used in Ruth 1:1 (LXX) for the Bethlehemite famine; the ancestral narrative pattern — famine → descent to Egypt → providential encounter — recurs here in compressed form.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
γῇlandDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land'; without article, anarthrous — 'in [a] land of Canaan,' using land as a geographic category.
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun (genitive of region — 'of Canaan')→ participant identificationΧανααν: the promised land, now under famine; the irony is sharp — the land of promise has nothing while the land of slavery has grain.
6
Ιωσηφ δὲ ἦν ἄρχων τῆς γῆς· οὗτος ἐπώλει παντὶ τῷ λαῷ τῆς γῆς. ἐλθόντες δὲ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ Ιωσηφ προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν.
Now Joseph was ruler over the land; he was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And when the brothers of Joseph came, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground.
The verse is a pivot of dramatic irony: the narrator introduces Joseph as supreme authority (ἄρχων τῆς γῆς) before the brothers arrive, and the reader sees before the brothers can what they cannot — the man they bow before is Joseph. The prostration (προσεκύνησαν αὐτῷ ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν) directly fulfils Joseph's dream of Gen 37:7 (the sheaves bowing down), and the narrator's structural placement makes the fulfilment wordless but unmistakable.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ΙωσηφJosephsubject (fronted for topical introduction)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: the chapter's pivot character is introduced by name as the new scene-subject; the fronting (Ιωσηφ δὲ ἦν) is a standard LXX topic-shift construction.
δὲnownarrative connective (scene-shift: introducing new topic)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb (stative: Joseph's ongoing status)→ descriptive imperfect (persistent state of office)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.
ἄρχωνrulerNominativepredicate nominative (Joseph's official title)→ participant prominenceἄρχων: 'ruler / official / governor'; renders Hebrew הַשַּׁלִּיט — the supreme administrator appointed by Pharaoh (41:41–43). The LXX uses ἄρχων rather than the more specific titles used later; the word denotes political authority over the entire land.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of reference (scope of authority: 'ruler of the land')→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of reference (scope of authority: 'ruler of the land').
οὗτοςheNominativesubject (emphatic resumptive: 'this one / he himself')→ participant referenceοὗτος: the emphatic resumptive pronoun reinforces that it is specifically Joseph — the ἄρχων just described — who sold grain to everyone; the emphasis heightens the irony of the brothers' imminent encounter.
ἐπώλειwas sellingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · πωλέωmain verb (Joseph's ongoing commercial function)→ progressive/iterative imperfect (habitual ongoing activity)πωλέω: 'sell'; the imperfect describes the ongoing grain-distribution function Joseph exercised; cf. 41:56 where the same function is described. Joseph sold grain to all nations — including, as the verse immediately shows, to his own brothers.
παντὶto allDativedative of recipient (adjective used substantivally: 'to all')→ sphere or referenceπαντὶ: meaning 'to all'; it serves as dative of recipient (adjective used substantivally: 'to all').
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαῷpeopleDativedative indirect object (recipients of the grain sales)→ sphere or referenceλαός: 'people'; παντὶ τῷ λαῷ τῆς γῆς = 'to all the people of the land' — all Egypt and by extension (cf. 41:57) all nations.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of relationship ('of the land')→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of relationship ('of the land').
ἐλθόντεςhaving comeAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · ἔρχομαιtemporal participle (attendant circumstance of προσεκύνησαν: 'when they came')→ antecedent action (arrival precedes prostration)ἔρχομαι: meaning 'having come'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as temporal participle (attendant circumstance of προσεκύνησαν: 'when they came').
δὲandnarrative connective→ 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.
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativesubject of προσεκύνησαν→ participant prominenceἀδελφοὶ: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as subject of προσεκύνησαν.
Ιωσηφof Josephgenitive of relationship (identifying whose brothers)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (identifying whose brothers).
προσεκύνησανbowed downAor Act Indic 3 Pl · προσκυνέωmain narrative verb (the prostration before Joseph)→ constative aorist (single completed act of obeisance)προσκυνέω: 'bow down / prostrate in worship or homage'; + dative (αὐτῷ). This is the direct fulfilment of Joseph's first dream (Gen 37:7 — the sheaves bowed: προσεκύνησαν). The verb signals the dream has begun to be realized, though neither party yet perceives it explicitly.
αὐτῷto himDativedative with verb of prostration (the person honoured)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative with verb of prostration (the person honoured).
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (positional: 'upon the ground')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (positional: 'upon the ground').
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (idiomatic: 'face to the ground')→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face'; ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν renders Hebrew אַפַּיִם אַרְצָה — a Hebraizing idiom for full prostration with the face pressed to the earth, the deepest form of obeisance.
ἐπὶtopreposition + accusative (directional: 'to the ground')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: 'to the ground').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνgroundAccusativeaccusative of place (the surface prostrated upon)→ object specificationγῆν: meaning 'ground'; it serves as accusative of place (the surface prostrated upon).
7
Ἰδὼν δὲ Ιωσηφ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ ἐπέγνω καὶ ἠλλοτριοῦτο ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν καὶ ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς σκληρά· εἶπεν δὲ αὐτοῖς· Πόθεν ἥκετε; οἱ δὲ εἶπαν· Ἐκ γῆς Χανααν ἀγοράσαι βρώματα.
And Joseph, seeing his brothers, recognized them; but he acted as a stranger to them and spoke harshly to them. He said to them: 'Where have you come from?' And they said: 'From the land of Canaan, to buy food.'
The verse stages the recognition paradox: Joseph recognizes (ἐπέγνω) and immediately masks (ἠλλοτριοῦτο — the iterative/progressive imperfect capturing ongoing deliberate concealment). The opening participial frame (Ἰδὼν δὲ Ιωσηφ, echoing v.1's Ἰδὼν δὲ Ιακωβ) creates a structural echo — both chapters open with perception by a patriarch that triggers action. The question Πόθεν ἥκετε; is rhetorical: Joseph knows exactly where they are from.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
ἸδὼνseeingAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · ὁράωtemporal participle (attendant to ἐπέγνω — simultaneous with recognition)→ coincident action (seeing and recognizing are simultaneous)ὁράω → ἰδεῖν: echoes the participial opening of v.1 (Ἰδὼν δὲ Ιακωβ), creating a structural parallel between Jacob's famine-perception and Joseph's brother-recognition — both use sight as the trigger for consequential action.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject of ἐπέγνω→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐπέγνω.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (object of participial seeing)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativedirect object of ἰδεῖν (what Joseph saw)→ object specificationἀδελφοὺς: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as direct object of ἰδεῖν (what Joseph saw).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐπέγνωrecognizedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιγινώσκωmain narrative verb (Joseph's recognition of the brothers)→ constative aorist (instantaneous completed act of recognition)ἐπιγινώσκω: 'recognize / know fully'; the ἐπι-prefix intensifies γινώσκω, indicating thorough, certain recognition. FLAGGED: this is the first occurrence of the ἐπιγινώσκω pair; v.8 states the asymmetry explicitly — Joseph recognized them (ἐπέγνω, v.7 and v.8), they did not recognize him (οὐκ ἐπέγνωσαν, v.8). The cognate pair in a single sentence at v.8 is the chapter's central literary device.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (linking contrasting actions)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἠλλοτριοῦτοacted as a strangerImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀλλοτριόωmain verb (deliberate masking — iterative/progressive imperfect)→ conative/progressive imperfect (ongoing deliberate act of self-concealment)ἀλλοτριόω: 'estrange / treat as a stranger'; middle voice indicates Joseph treated himself as a stranger to them. The imperfect tense captures the sustained, ongoing performance of strangeness — a deliberate disguise of recognition. The word renders Hebrew וַיִּתְנַכֵּר ('he disguised himself').
ἀπ᾽frompreposition + genitive (separation: 'from them')→ spatial or relational framingἀπ᾽: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation: 'from them').
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (the people from whom Joseph estranged himself)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἀπό (the people from whom Joseph estranged himself).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain narrative verb (the harsh speech)→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak / say'; used with σκληρά — 'spoke harsh things'; λαλέω tends to emphasize the act of speaking rather than the content, which is then supplied by εἶπεν.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of address (indirect object)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of address (indirect object).
σκληράharsh thingsAccusativecognate/adverbial accusative (manner or content of speech: 'harshly')→ object specificationσκληρός: 'harsh / hard / rough'; the neuter plural accusative σκληρά functions adverbially ('spoke harshly') or as the content-object ('spoke harsh things'); renders Hebrew קָשׁוֹת. The same term appears in the brothers' report to Jacob at v.30 (σκληρά).
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb introducing direct speech→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲandnarrative connective (introducing the specific question)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of address→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of address.
Πόθενfrom whereinterrogative adverb (question of origin)→ participant identificationπόθεν: 'from where'; the interrogative is deliberately brusque and official — the tone of an official interrogating foreigners; Joseph knows the answer but performs ignorance.
ἥκετεhave you comePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἥκωmain verb of the rhetorical question→ perfect-present (ἥκω expresses arrival as a present state: 'you are come')ἥκω: 'have come / are here'; a perfect-meaning present — 'you have come' / 'where do you come from?' The verb is slightly more formal than ἔρχομαι.
οἱtheyNominativearticle used as pronoun (= 'they', resuming the brothers as subject)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ δέ: the article + δέ construction is a standard LXX/Greek narrative device for shifting subject ('they on their part said'); renders Hebrew וַיֹּאמְרוּ.
δὲandnarrative connective (subject-shift marker)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb of brothers' reply→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπαν, Koine form): introduces the third invitation.
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).
γῆςthe landGenitivegenitive of source (anarthrous — 'land of Canaan')→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'the land'; it serves as genitive of source (anarthrous — 'land of Canaan').
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun (genitive of region)→ participant identificationΧανααν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (genitive of region).
ἀγοράσαιto buyAor Act Inf · ἀγοράζωinfinitive of purpose ('in order to buy')→ constative aorist (single commercial purpose)ἀγοράζω: meaning 'to buy'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as infinitive of purpose ('in order to buy').
βρώματαfoodAccusativedirect object of ἀγοράσαι→ object specificationβρώματα: meaning 'food'; it serves as direct object of ἀγοράσαι.
8
ἐπέγνω δὲ Ιωσηφ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ, αὐτοὶ δὲ οὐκ ἐπέγνωσαν αὐτόν.
And Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him.
FLAGGED — the ἐπιγινώσκω pair. This single-sentence verse is the chapter's epistemological crux: ἐπέγνω (Joseph recognized them) is immediately countered by οὐκ ἐπέγνωσαν (they did not recognize him), with the same verb used twice in the same sentence with opposite subjects and opposing outcomes. The antithesis (Ιωσηφ ... αὐτοὶ δέ) governs all dramatic irony in chapters 42–44 until the revelation of 45:1–3. The brevity of the sentence amplifies its weight — the narrator does not explain or elaborate, leaving the stark double statement to resonate.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ἐπέγνωrecognizedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιγινώσκωmain verb (Joseph's complete recognition of brothers)→ constative aorist (instantaneous, certain recognition)ἐπιγινώσκω: 'recognize / know fully / identify'; the ἐπι-prefix intensifies cognition to full, certain knowledge. FLAGGED: this verse contains the ἐπιγινώσκω antithesis that is the chapter's central irony — ἐπέγνω (Joseph) vs. οὐκ ἐπέγνωσαν (the brothers). The verb will echo into the NT: ἐπιγινώσκω is the vocabulary of theological recognition in 1 Cor 13:12 (τότε δὲ ἐπιγνώσομαι καθὼς καὶ ἐπεγνώσθην) and Luke 24:16, 31 (the Emmaus recognition scene, where the same asymmetry — one sees, others do not — is operative).
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject of ἐπέγνω→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐπέγνω.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativedirect object of ἐπέγνω→ object specificationἀδελφοὺς: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as direct object of ἐπέγνω.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
αὐτοὶtheyNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun — 'they themselves' — contrastive with Ιωσηφ)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the intensive/emphatic pronoun here is contrastive — 'they on their part' / 'they themselves.' The chiastic structure Ιωσηφ ... ἀδελφούς :: αὐτοὶ ... αὐτόν mirrors the reversal of subject and object across the recognition gap.
δὲbutmild adversative (the contrast pivot of the verse)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegation particle (with indicative — strong denial)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέγνωσανrecognizedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιγινώσκωmain verb (brothers' failure to recognize Joseph)→ constative aorist (the failure of recognition as a completed non-event)ἐπιγινώσκω: the same verb as ἐπέγνω, now negated and with plural subject — the antithetical pair in a single sentence. The brothers' non-recognition is not presented as excusable (he was transformed, wore Egyptian dress) but as a bare fact, whose moral weight accumulates through the guilt-speech of v.21.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐπέγνωσαν (the one not recognized = Joseph)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐπέγνωσαν (the one not recognized = Joseph).
9
καὶ ἐμνήσθη Ιωσηφ τῶν ἐνυπνίων ὧν εἶδεν αὐτός, καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Κατάσκοποί ἐστε· κατανοῆσαι τὰ ἴχνη τῆς γῆς ἥκατε.
And Joseph remembered the dreams that he himself had seen, and said to them: 'You are spies; you have come to observe the vulnerabilities of the land.'
The ἐμνήσθη clause is the narrative engine of the accusation: Joseph's memory of his dreams (Gen 37:5–11) is the hermeneutical frame through which he interprets the brothers' arrival. The accusation κατάσκοποί ἐστε functions simultaneously as a strategy — a false charge that gives Joseph leverage — and as a test. The infinitive κατανοῆσαι ('to observe/spy out') with τὰ ἴχνη τῆς γῆς ('the vulnerabilities/footprints of the land') uses military-intelligence vocabulary.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential: Joseph's inner response follows the prostration)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐμνήσθηrememberedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · μιμνήσκομαιmain verb (Joseph's recollection — triggering the test)→ constative aorist (the moment of recall)μιμνήσκομαι: 'remember / recall'; passive form with active meaning. FLAGGED: ἐμνήσθη is the narrative trigger for everything that follows in ch.42–44 — Joseph's memory of his dreams (Gen 37:5–11) gives him the interpretive key to the brothers' arrival and motivates his test. The word echoes Gen 8:1 (ἐμνήσθη δὲ ὁ θεὸς τοῦ Νωε) — both are pivotal divine/providential 'remembering' moments.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with genitive object of μιμνήσκομαι)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνυπνίωνdreamsGenitivegenitive object of ἐμνήσθη (verb of remembering takes genitive)→ relational specificationἐνύπνιον: 'dream'; the plural refers to the two dreams of Gen 37:5–11 (the sheaves bowing; the sun, moon and eleven stars). The ἐνύπνιον-vocabulary is standard LXX for prophetic/ominous dreams; Joseph is the book's premier dream-interpreter, now perceiving the dreams' fulfilment before him.
ὧνwhichGenitivegenitive relative pronoun (attracted into genitive of antecedent ἐνυπνίων)→ relational specificationὧν: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive relative pronoun (attracted into genitive of antecedent ἐνυπνίων).
εἶδενhe had seenAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωverb of relative clause ('which he himself had seen')→ constative aorist (the original dream-visions of Gen 37)ὁράω (aor. εἶδεν): 'see / perceive / realize'; renders רָאָה; here in the sense of grasping their plight, governing the ὅτι-clause.
αὐτόςhe himselfNominativeemphatic pronoun (intensive — 'he himself had seen')→ participant referenceαὐτός: intensive/reflexive use — stressing that Joseph was the dreamer, i.e. he himself was the original subject of the visions now being realized.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (sequential: memory leads to speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of speech (introducing the accusation)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of address→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of address.
ΚατάσκοποίSpiesNominativepredicate nominative (accusation: 'you are spies')→ participant prominenceκατάσκοπος: 'spy / scout'; from κατά + σκοπέω ('look down upon / observe'). The word is the chapter's structural refrain — it occurs or is echoed at vv.9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 30, 31, 34. The accusation is juridically structured: stated (v.9), denied (vv.10–11), reasserted (v.12), repeated under oath (v.14, 16), reported to Jacob (v.30–31), and formally cleared by Benjamin's appearance (v.34).
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb (predicate: categorical accusation)→ gnomic/declarative present (asserting a state as a fact)εἰμί: 'be'; the present ἐστε σήμερον ('you are today') sets the fulfilled present against the past act of multiplication — the promise is realized now before their eyes.
κατανοῆσαιto observeAor Act Inf · κατανοέωinfinitive of purpose ('you have come in order to observe')→ constative aorist (the alleged single reconnaissance mission)κατανοέω: 'observe carefully / scrutinize / spy out'; the compound (κατά + νοέω) implies intensive, strategic observation — the vocabulary of military reconnaissance. The infinitive gives the alleged purpose of the brothers' journey.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἴχνηvulnerabilitiesAccusativedirect object of κατανοῆσαι→ object specificationἴχνος: literally 'footprint / track'; rendered here as 'vulnerabilities / exposed parts' — a military metaphor for the undefended spots in a territory. Renders Hebrew עֶרְוַת ('nakedness / exposure') of the land; the LXX uses a less explicit term.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of specification ('of the land')→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of specification ('of the land').
ἥκατεyou have comePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἥκωmain verb of the purpose clause (your actual arrival, alleged as spy-mission)→ perfect-present (arrival as a current state)ἥκω: meaning 'you have come'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb of the purpose clause (your actual arrival, alleged as spy-mission).
10
οἱ δὲ εἶπαν· Οὐχί, κύριε· οἱ παῖδές σου ἤλθομεν ἀγοράσαι βρώματα.
But they said: 'No, lord; your servants have come to buy food.'
The brothers' denial is immediate and emphatic (Οὐχί). The self-designation οἱ παῖδές σου ('your servants') is a respectful address-formula denoting subordination; it also begins the threefold self-identification strategy (servants of one man, v.11; twelve brothers, v.13) designed to establish their peaceful bona fides. The denial launches a legal-style exchange that continues through v.16.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
οἱtheyNominativearticle used as pronoun (= 'they' — subject-shift from Joseph)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ δέ: standard LXX subject-shift device; renders Hebrew וַיֹּאמְרוּ.
δὲbutmild adversative (subject-shift marker)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb of the brothers' reply→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπαν, Koine form): introduces the third invitation.
ΟὐχίNoemphatic negative particle (denial of accusation)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐχί: the emphatic form of οὐ, stronger than a simple negation — an indignant or emphatic denial. The word opens the brothers' defense with a clear repudiation.
κύριεlordVocativevocative of address (polite title for the official)→ direct addressκύριος: 'lord / master / sir'; the vocative κύριε is the respectful address of a subject to an authority; the brothers address Joseph as an Egyptian official whom they do not recognize as their brother.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδέςservantsNominativesubject (self-designation: 'your servants' = we)→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / slave / child'; οἱ παῖδές σου is a deferential self-designation ('we your servants') common in petitions to authority; renders Hebrew עֲבָדֶיךָ. The brothers deploy this form repeatedly (vv.10, 11, 13) to signal social subordination.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (your servants — addressing Joseph)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (your servants — addressing Joseph).
ἤλθομενcameAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (stating the brothers' actual purpose — the true alternative to the spy-accusation)→ constative aorist (the single journey)ἔρχομαι (aor. ἤλθομεν): 'come / arrive'; the journey reaches its goal at Kadesh-barnea — the very threshold of the land, and the site of the coming crisis.
ἀγοράσαιto buyAor Act Inf · ἀγοράζωinfinitive of purpose (the real reason for coming)→ constative aoristἀγοράζω: meaning 'to buy'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as infinitive of purpose (the real reason for coming).
βρώματαfoodAccusativedirect object of ἀγοράσαι→ object specificationβρώματα: meaning 'food'; it serves as direct object of ἀγοράσαι.
11
πάντες ἐσμεν υἱοὶ ἑνὸς ἀνθρώπου· εἰρηνικοί ἐσμεν, οὐκ εἰσὶν οἱ παῖδές σου κατάσκοποι.
We are all sons of one man; we are peaceful men; your servants are not spies.
Three terse asyndetic clauses form the brothers' defense: (1) common origin — sons of one man (the patriarch implied); (2) peaceful intent — εἰρηνικοί ἐσμεν; (3) flat denial — κατάσκοποι is explicitly negated. The asyndeton quickens pace and gives the defense its emphatic, staccato character. The term εἰρηνικοί will become the test-word — Joseph uses it as his criterion in vv.19, 33–34.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
πάντεςallNominativeadjective in predicate position (attributive of the subject)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; πάντες ἐσμεν — 'we are all'; the universalizing adjective emphasizes that every member of the group shares the same origin, precluding conspiracy.
ἐσμενarePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb (first identity claim)→ gnomic present (statement of permanent identity)εἰμί: 'be'; the present ἐσμεν in the rhetorical question 'what are we?' underscores the disproportion between the human mediators and the divine target of the complaint.
υἱοὶsonsNominativepredicate nominative (what they claim to be — sons of one man)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the claim 'sons of one man' establishes family unity and implicitly names a single father (Jacob/Israel), though his name is withheld until v.13.
ἑνὸςoneGenitivegenitive of relationship with numeral (one man's sons)→ relational specificationἑνὸς: meaning 'one'; it serves as genitive of relationship with numeral (one man's sons).
ἀνθρώπουmanGenitivegenitive of possession/relationship ('sons of one man')→ relational specificationἄνθρωπος: the generic 'man' rather than ἀνήρ; the father is not yet named (named as 'your servant' in v.13) — a deferential withholding that also heightens suspense.
εἰρηνικοίpeacefulNominativepredicate adjective (second claim: peaceful intent)→ participant prominenceεἰρηνικός: 'peaceable / peaceful'; from εἰρήνη. FLAGGED: this word becomes the test-criterion in Joseph's conditional releases (v.19 εἰ εἰρηνικοί ἐστε; v.33 εἰρηνικοί ἐστε). The brothers' self-designation as εἰρηνικοί is ironically charged — these are the brothers who sold Joseph into slavery.
ἐσμενarePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb (second identity claim)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: 'be'; the present ἐσμεν in the rhetorical question 'what are we?' underscores the disproportion between the human mediators and the divine target of the complaint.
οὐκnotnegation particle (negating the predicate nominative)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσὶνarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb (third claim — explicit denial of spy-status)→ gnomic presentεἰμί (pres. εἰσίν): 'are / there are'; existential use in the protasis: 'if there are … loaves on hand.'
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδέςservantsNominativesubject (self-designation: 'your servants')→ participant prominenceπαῖδές: meaning 'servants'; it serves as subject (self-designation: 'your servants').
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κατάσκοποιspiesNominativepredicate nominative (negated — 'not spies')→ participant prominenceκατάσκοπος: the term from v.9 now explicitly denied; the repetition enacts a formal legal-style counter-assertion: Joseph charges κατάσκοποί ἐστε (v.9); brothers respond οὐκ εἰσὶν ... κατάσκοποι (v.11).
12
εἶπεν δὲ αὐτοῖς· Οὐχί, ἀλλὰ τὰ ἴχνη τῆς γῆς ἥκατε ἰδεῖν.
But he said to them: 'No, but you have come to see the vulnerabilities of the land.'
Joseph's second accusation mirrors his first (v.9) but strips away the explicit κατάσκοποι label and substitutes the purposive infinitive ἰδεῖν for κατανοῆσαι — slightly different vocabulary, same substance. The structure Οὐχί, ἀλλά ('No, but rather') formally contradicts the brothers' denial of v.10 and reasserts the charge, pushing the confrontation toward the oath-test of v.15. The brevity of Joseph's reply heightens official authority.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain narrative verb (Joseph's counter-assertion)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲbutmild adversative (Joseph's reply against the brothers' denial)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of address→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of address.
ΟὐχίNoemphatic negative (rejecting the brothers' denial)→ participant identificationοὐχί: emphatic 'no'; Joseph rejects the brothers' Οὐχί (v.10) with his own Οὐχί — a direct lexical counter. The dialogue form is that of legal disputation.
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative (introducing the counter-claim: 'no, but rather')→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: strong adversative, corrective — 'no, on the contrary.' Pairs with Οὐχί to form a full rejection-plus-counter formula.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἴχνηvulnerabilitiesAccusativedirect object of ἰδεῖν (what they allegedly came to see)→ object specificationἴχνος: repeats the same accusation-vocabulary as v.9 (τὰ ἴχνη τῆς γῆς); the repetition reinforces that Joseph is not improvising — he has a fixed, formal charge.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of specification→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of specification.
ἥκατεyou have comePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἥκωmain verb (the brothers' alleged arrival-purpose)→ perfect-presentἥκω: meaning 'you have come'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb (the brothers' alleged arrival-purpose).
ἰδεῖνto seeAor Act Inf · ὁράωinfinitive of purpose (why they allegedly came)→ constative aoristὁράω: 'see'; the purposive infinitive ἰδεῖν replaces κατανοῆσαι (v.9) — both mean 'spy-reconnaissance' in context, but ἰδεῖν is simpler and more damning: 'you came to see [the land's weakness]' strips away any innocent interpretation.
13
οἱ δὲ εἶπαν· Δώδεκά ἐσμεν οἱ παῖδές σου ἀδελφοὶ ἐν γῇ Χανααν, καὶ ἰδοὺ ὁ νεώτερος μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν σήμερον, ὁ δὲ ἕτερος οὐχ ὑπάρχει.
But they said: 'Your servants are twelve brothers in the land of Canaan, and behold, the youngest is with our father today, but the other one is no more.'
The brothers move from the claim of shared origin (v.11) to detailed family disclosure: twelve brothers; youngest at home with father; one 'no more.' They do not know they are speaking this report to Joseph himself. The phrase ὁ δὲ ἕτερος οὐχ ὑπάρχει is a studied evasion — 'the other is no more' neither says 'dead' nor 'sold' but uses the negation of existence (ὑπάρχω = subsist/exist). Joseph hears them confess his own absence.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
οἱtheyNominativearticle as pronoun (subject-shift: the brothers replying)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbutadversative connective (subject-shift)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb of reply→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπαν, Koine form): introduces the third invitation.
Δώδεκάtwelvefronted numeral (predicate of ἐσμεν — specifying total family size)→ participant identificationδώδεκα: 'twelve'; the fronted number is the key datum — it establishes the full family count (12 brothers = all tribes of Israel), immediately prompting Joseph's mental arithmetic: ten here + Benjamin at home + Joseph himself = twelve. The number carries proto-tribal weight.
ἐσμενwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb (identity claim: 'we are twelve')→ gnomic presentεἰμί: 'be'; the present ἐσμεν in the rhetorical question 'what are we?' underscores the disproportion between the human mediators and the divine target of the complaint.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδέςservantsNominativepredicate nominative (self-designation, subject of ἐσμεν)→ participant prominenceπαῖδές: meaning 'servants'; it serves as predicate nominative (self-designation, subject of ἐσμεν).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (your servants = we)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (your servants = we).
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativepredicate nominative in apposition (further identifying the servants as 'brothers')→ participant prominenceἀδελφός: the word that the narrator has used consistently — and that Joseph hears applied to the group from which he was excluded.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
γῇlandDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as dative of place.
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun (region)→ participant identificationΧανααν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (region).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (introducing further particulars)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (presenting the current state of the youngest brother)→ clausal contributionἰδού: the presentation-particle draws attention to the specific current situation of the youngest — he is with the father now. Cf. Jacob's ἰδού in v.2.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νεώτεροςyoungestNominativesubject (the youngest brother, i.e. Benjamin)→ participant prominenceνεώτερος: 'younger / youngest' (comparative of νέος); ὁ νεώτερος = 'the youngest one.' Benjamin is unnamed — he is identified only relationally, consistent with Jacob's protective instinct (v.4).
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (associative)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (associative).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive object of μετά (with our father)→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; the father is unnamed before Joseph — 'our father' (τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν) rather than Ιακωβ or Ισραηλ; the unnamed patriarch is the one Joseph is listening to hear about.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb (specifying the current, present moment)→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today / at this moment'; emphasizes that the youngest is currently with the father — not dead, not absent by choice, but deliberately kept home.
ὁtheNominativearticle (introducing the contrasting subject)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbutadversative (contrasting the two absent brothers: youngest present with father; other 'no more')→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἕτεροςother oneNominativesubject (the other brother — Joseph himself, unknown to the brothers)→ participant prominenceἕτερος: 'the other / another'; refers to Joseph without naming him. The brothers' use of 'the other one' rather than a name is either delicacy (avoiding the painful story) or evasion. Joseph hears himself described as 'no more.'
οὐχnotnegation particle (with ὑπάρχει)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐχ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὑπάρχειexistsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑπάρχωmain verb (existential negated: 'does not exist / is no more')→ gnomic present (ongoing state of non-existence in the brothers' knowledge)ὑπάρχω: 'exist / subsist / be present'; οὐχ ὑπάρχει is a studied euphemism — not 'he is dead' (ἀπέθανεν) but 'he no longer exists / is no more.' The evasion encodes the brothers' guilt: they do not say 'he died,' because they know the truth.
14
εἶπεν δὲ αὐτοῖς Ιωσηφ· Τοῦτό ἐστιν ὃ εἴρηκα ὑμῖν λέγων ὅτι κατάσκοποί ἐστε.
And Joseph said to them: 'This is exactly what I told you — saying that you are spies.'
Joseph's third spy-accusation now invokes his own previous speech: Τοῦτό ἐστιν ὃ εἴρηκα ὑμῖν ('this is what I told you') uses the perfect εἴρηκα — 'I have said and it stands' — giving the accusation a juridical finality. The brothers' elaborate self-identification (v.13) is simply dismissed. The accusation moves from assertion (v.9) to refutation-rejected (vv.10–12) to sworn oath-test (vv.15–16).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain narrative verb→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of address→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of address.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject (post-positioned for emphasis after the speech verb)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (post-positioned for emphasis after the speech verb).
ΤοῦτόThisNominativesubject (demonstrative pronoun — 'this is the thing')→ participant referenceοὗτος: the neuter demonstrative τοῦτο points to the accusation itself as a thing already established — 'this [that I am about to quote] is what I told you.'
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlinking verb (identifying the referent of τοῦτο)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.
ὃwhatAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative, object of εἴρηκα — 'what I have said')→ participant referenceὃ: meaning 'what'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (accusative, object of εἴρηκα — 'what I have said').
εἴρηκαI have saidPf Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb of relative clause (Joseph's statement about his previous accusation)→ intensive perfect (stated and standing — the accusation is on the record)λέγω: the perfect εἴρηκα ('I have said and it stands') gives the accusation juridical permanence — it is a matter of record, not to be argued away by the brothers' self-defense.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of address (those who received the previous speech)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of address (those who received the previous speech).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · λέγωparticiple of manner (how Joseph told them — 'saying [these words]')→ simultaneous actionλέγω: the participle λέγων is a redundant speech-participle, a Hebraism calquing לֵאמֹר (le'mor), which regularly precedes quoted speech in Hebrew narrative; the LXX reproduces this pattern extensively.
ὅτιthatrecitative ὅτι (introducing direct-speech quotation: 'namely that')→ clausal contributionὅτι: meaning 'that'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
κατάσκοποίspiesNominativepredicate nominative (the substance of the charge — third iteration)→ participant prominenceκατάσκοποί: meaning 'spies'; it serves as predicate nominative (the substance of the charge — third iteration).
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb (categorical accusation, third iteration: spy-refrain)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: 'be'; the present ἐστε σήμερον ('you are today') sets the fulfilled present against the past act of multiplication — the promise is realized now before their eyes.
15
ἐν τούτῳ φανεῖσθε· νὴ τὴν ὑγίειαν Φαραω, οὐ μὴ ἐξέλθητε ἐντεῦθεν ἐὰν μὴ ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν ὁ νεώτερος ἔλθῃ ὧδε.
By this you shall be proved: by the health of Pharaoh, you shall by no means go out from here unless your youngest brother comes here.
FLAGGED — the νὴ τὴν ὑγίειαν Φαραω oath. The verse pivots from accusation to test: ἐν τούτῳ φανεῖσθε ('by this you shall be proved') announces the criterion before the oath is sworn. The oath νὴ τὴν ὑγίειαν Φαραω renders MT בְּחֵי פַרְעֹה ('by the life of Pharaoh') — the LXX uses ὑγίεια ('health') rather than ζωή ('life'), an unusual choice. The οὐ μή + subjunctive construction is emphatic double negation expressing categorical impossibility.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἐνbypreposition + dative (instrumental: 'by this [means]')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental: 'by this [means]').
τούτῳthisDativedative of means (the test mechanism)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: the dative neuter τούτῳ points forward to the test-condition just about to be specified (Benjamin's arrival) — 'by this [following test]' you will be proved.
φανεῖσθεyou shall be provedFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · φαίνωmain verb (the test's outcome — you will be shown for what you are)→ predictive future (the certain result of the test)φαίνω: 'appear / be shown / be proved'; the future middle φανεῖσθε = 'you will be shown [to be truthful or not].' The verb introduces the epistemological frame of the test: the true character of the brothers will become φανερόν (manifest).
νὴbyoath particle (introducing the Egyptian oath formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastνή: the Greek positive oath particle (contrasting with μά, the negative oath particle); used in oaths of the form 'by X, I swear.' FLAGGED: the LXX oath formula νὴ τὴν ὑγίειαν Φαραω translates MT בְּחֵי פַרְעֹה ('by the life of Pharaoh'). The substitution of ὑγίεια ('health') for ζωή ('life') is distinctive — the LXX translator may have understood חַי differently or preferred a less theologically loaded term for the Egyptian oath.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with object of oath)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑγίειανhealthAccusativeaccusative (object of oath particle νή: 'by the health of Pharaoh')→ discourse linkage or contrastὑγίεια: 'health / soundness'; renders Hebrew חַיִּים (life/vitality of Pharaoh). FLAGGED: the LXX renders the Egyptian oath בְּחֵי פַרְעֹה with ὑγίεια rather than the expected ζωή — a unique translation choice found only here and at v.16 in the LXX corpus.
Φαραωof Pharaohindeclinable proper noun (genitive of possession — whose health is invoked)→ participant identificationΦαραω: the Egyptian royal title; invoking Pharaoh's health as an oath-guarantee is an authentically Egyptian-style formula. Joseph speaks as an Egyptian official swearing by his king's life.
οὐnotnegation particle (first element of emphatic double negation οὐ μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴnotnegation particle (second element of emphatic double negation)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ μή: the emphatic double negation + aorist subjunctive is the strongest Greek expression of categorical impossibility — 'you shall by no means / absolutely not.' The construction is rare in classical prose but frequent in LXX and NT (Matt 5:18; 24:35).
ἐξέλθητεgo outAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb of emphatic negative oath-clause→ aorist subjunctive in οὐ μή construction (categorical impossibility)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / depart'; the act of departure from Egypt is categorically denied unless the test-condition is met.
ἐντεῦθενfrom hereadverb of place (specifying the point from which departure is blocked)→ clausal contributionἐντεῦθεν: meaning 'from here'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ἐὰνunlessconditional particle (introducing the exception: 'unless')→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'unless'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴnotnegation with conditional (ἐὰν μή = 'unless')→ clausal qualification or emphasisμὴ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativesubject of conditional (Benjamin — the test-condition)→ participant prominenceἀδελφὸς: meaning 'brother'; it serves as subject of conditional (Benjamin — the test-condition).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with substantival adjective νεώτερος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νεώτεροςyoungestNominativeadjective in predicate (specifying which brother: the youngest = Benjamin)→ participant prominenceνεώτερος: 'younger / youngest'; picks up the brothers' own designation of Benjamin in v.13 (ὁ νεώτερος) — Joseph uses their own word back at them as the test-criterion.
ἔλθῃcomesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιverb of conditional clause (the condition enabling departure)→ constative aorist subjunctive (a single future arrival as the condition)ἔρχομαι: 'come'; 'his day comes' = the arrival of his appointed death; the subjunctive continues under the oath-construction.
ὧδεhereadverb of place (the required destination: Egypt, before Joseph)→ clausal contributionὧδε: meaning 'here'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
16
ἀποστείλατε ἐξ ὑμῶν ἕνα καὶ λάβετε τὸν ἀδελφὸν ὑμῶν· ὑμεῖς δὲ ἀπάχθητε ἕως τοῦ φανερὰ γενέσθαι τὰ ῥήματα ὑμῶν, εἰ ἀληθεύετε ἢ οὔ· εἰ δὲ μή, νὴ τὴν ὑγίειαν Φαραω, ἦ μὴν κατάσκοποί ἐστε.
Send one from among yourselves and let him bring your brother; but you yourselves be kept in custody until your words are proved, whether you speak truth or not. If not, by the health of Pharaoh, you are indeed spies.
The verse states the original terms before Joseph modifies them on the third day (v.18): one goes for Benjamin, the rest stay. The oath is repeated (νὴ τὴν ὑγίειαν Φαραω) reinforcing v.15 with the emphatic affirmative particles ἦ μήν — 'you are indeed spies.' On the third day Joseph softens this to letting all but one return (v.19), retaining Simeon as pledge. The ἀληθεύετε / οὔ conditional mirrors a judicial truth-test.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
ἀποστείλατεsendAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀποστέλλωmain imperative (first command: send one brother)→ ingressive aorist imperativeἀποστέλλω: 'send / dispatch'; the imperative issues the test-terms as commands.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (partitive: 'from among yourselves')→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive: 'from among yourselves').
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepartitive genitive (the group from which one is to be selected)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as partitive genitive (the group from which one is to be selected).
ἕναoneAccusativedirect object of ἀποστείλατε (the one to be sent)→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; ἐξ ὑμῶν ἕνα — 'one from among you'; on the third day (v.18) Joseph reverses the ratio: one stays (Simeon), the others go.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λάβετεbringAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λαμβάνωmain imperative (second command: fetch the brother)→ constative aorist imperative (single retrieval action)λαμβάνω: 'take / bring / fetch'; the command is to fetch Benjamin from Canaan.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativedirect object of λάβετε (the brother to be brought = Benjamin)→ object specificationἀδελφὸν: meaning 'brother'; it serves as direct object of λάβετε (the brother to be brought = Benjamin).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic subject (you yourselves — contrastive with the one sent)→ participant referenceὑμεῖς: emphatic pronoun; contrasts with the one sent: he goes, you stay.
δὲbutadversative connective (distinguishing two parties' actions)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπάχθητεbe keptAor Pass Impv 2 Pl · ἀπάγωmain imperative (third command: the brothers are to be detained)→ constative aorist passive imperative (a single act of detention)ἀπάγω: 'lead away / take away'; the passive ἀπάχθητε = 'be led away [to custody]'; the same verb used for being taken to prison or execution. The command signals official authority.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive infinitive (temporal: 'until the time of proving')→ spatial or relational framingἕως: meaning 'until'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive infinitive (temporal: 'until the time of proving').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with articular infinitive (genitive of articular infinitive after ἕως)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φανερὰplain / provedAccusativepredicate adjective of infinitive construction→ object specificationφανερός: 'manifest / clear / proved'; φανερὰ γενέσθαι τὰ ῥήματα = 'until your words become manifest/proved' — the test is an epistemological process leading to φανερόν (clarity).
γενέσθαιbecomeAor Mid Inf · γίνομαιarticular infinitive (object of ἕως — temporal clause: 'until the becoming manifest')→ constative aorist (the single moment of verdict)γίνομαι: 'become / happen / come to be'; complementary infinitive in the 'do-again' idiom.
τὰtheNominativearticle (subject of infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματαwordsNominativesubject of infinitive (what must be proved: 'your words')→ participant prominenceῥῆμα: 'word / statement / matter'; the brothers' claim of peaceful intent and family composition — these ῥήματα are the content to be verified.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰwhetherconditional particle (introducing indirect question: 'whether you speak truth')→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: meaning 'whether'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀληθεύετεyou speak truthPres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀληθεύωverb of indirect question (the thing to be proved)→ progressive present (ongoing truthfulness in question)ἀληθεύω: 'speak truth / be truthful'; renders the judicial test-criterion. The same verb appears in Eph 4:15 (ἀληθεύοντες δὲ ἐν ἀγάπῃ). Here it is purely forensic.
ἢordisjunctive particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὔnotnegative alternative (completing the disjunction: 'or not')→ participant referenceοὔ: meaning 'not'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as negative alternative (completing the disjunction: 'or not').
εἰifconditional particle (introducing the negative outcome: 'if not')→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: meaning 'if'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δὲandconnective (continuing the conditional)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μήnotnegation in conditional (εἰ δὲ μή = 'but if not')→ clausal qualification or emphasisμή: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
νὴbyoath particle (second oath, reinforcing v.15)→ discourse linkage or contrastνὴ: meaning 'by'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑγίειανhealthAccusativeaccusative object of oath (νὴ τὴν ὑγίειαν Φαραω — second occurrence)→ object specificationὑγίειαν: meaning 'health'; it serves as accusative object of oath (νὴ τὴν ὑγίειαν Φαραω — second occurrence).
Φαραωof Pharaohindeclinable proper noun (genitive of possession in oath)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (genitive of possession in oath).
ἦindeedemphatic affirmative particle (introducing the sworn conclusion)→ discourse linkage or contrastἦ: emphatic oath-affirmative particle, paired with μήν to form ἦ μήν ('surely / indeed / most certainly'); a solemn asseverative formula in oath contexts.
μὴνsurelyasseverative particle (with ἦ: 'indeed / certainly')→ discourse linkage or contrastμήν: 'truly / indeed'; ἦ μήν is a strong affirmative formulaic pair in solemn speech, often in oaths. Renders Hebrew אִם as an oath-particle (אִם in Hebrew oaths introduces the sworn content).
κατάσκοποίspiesNominativepredicate nominative (the sworn conclusion — fourth iteration of the refrain)→ participant prominenceκατάσκοποί: meaning 'spies'; it serves as predicate nominative (the sworn conclusion — fourth iteration of the refrain).
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb (the oath-backed categorical accusation)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: 'be'; the present ἐστε σήμερον ('you are today') sets the fulfilled present against the past act of multiplication — the promise is realized now before their eyes.
17
καὶ ἔθετο αὐτοὺς ἐν φυλακῇ ἡμέρας τρεῖς.
And he put them in custody for three days.
The compressed verse closes the confrontation scene with a single decisive action: custody (φυλακή). The three-day period matches biblical patterns of liminal waiting (Gen 22:4; Exod 19:11; Jonah 2:1; Matt 12:40) and creates the narrative gap during which both Joseph and the brothers must reckon with what has occurred. On the third day Joseph's terms change significantly.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action following the oath)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔθετοputAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · τίθημιmain narrative verb (the act of detention)→ constative aorist (single completed act of custody)τίθημι: 'put / place / set'; the middle voice ἔθετο ('he put them for himself') has official authority; the same construction is used for placing people under official detention elsewhere in Genesis (40:3: ἔθετο αὐτοὺς ἐν φυλακῇ — the same phrase for the cupbearer and baker).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object (the ten brothers)→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (the ten brothers).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: the place of detention)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: the place of detention).
φυλακῇcustodyDativedative of place (the prison / place of detention)→ sphere or referenceφυλακή: 'custody / prison / watch'; the same word used for the prison where the cupbearer and baker were held (40:3, 4, 7). Joseph puts the brothers in the same prison where he himself was once confined — a structural irony the text leaves unstated.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of duration ('for three days')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the accusative of duration with a numeral expresses extent of time. Three days is the standard LXX liminal period (Gen 40:13; Exod 19:11; Josh 1:11).
τρεῖςthreeAccusativenumeral in accusative of duration→ measure or countτρεῖς: 'three'; the three-day period creates a structural parallel with Gen 40:13 (the cupbearer restored after three days) and anticipates biblical three-day liminal patterns of judgment and reversal.
18
εἶπεν δὲ αὐτοῖς τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ· Τοῦτο ποιήσατε καὶ ζήσεσθε· τὸν θεὸν γὰρ ἐγὼ φοβοῦμαι.
And he said to them on the third day: 'Do this and you will live; for I fear God.'
The third-day shift is structurally decisive: Joseph modifies his initial terms (all stay, one goes for Benjamin — v.16) to a more merciful arrangement (all but one go home, one stays as pledge — vv.19–20). The stated motivation — τὸν θεὸν γὰρ ἐγὼ φοβοῦμαι ('for I fear God') — is Joseph's single explicit theological self-disclosure in the chapter. The life/death antithesis (ζήσεσθε echoes v.2's ζῶμεν / ἀποθάνωμεν) frames the chapter's existential stakes.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain narrative verb (the third-day announcement)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of address→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of address.
τῇtheDativearticle (dative temporal phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (temporal: 'on the day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρᾳ: meaning 'day'; it serves as dative of time (temporal: 'on the day').
τῇtheDativearticle (attributive with ordinal adjective)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρίτῃthirdDativeordinal numeral adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ: 'on the third day')→ sphere or referenceτρίτος: 'third'; τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ τρίτῃ — the double-article construction is the formal LXX way to specify a particular day in a series. Three days of liminal waiting ends in a reversal.
ΤοῦτοThisAccusativedirect object of ποιήσατε (the following conditions, anticipatory reference)→ participant referenceΤοῦτο: meaning 'This'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ποιήσατε (the following conditions, anticipatory reference).
ποιήσατεdoAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ποιέωmain imperative (commanding compliance with the modified terms)→ ingressive aorist imperativeποιέω: 'do / perform'; the command introduces the new terms of vv.19–20.
καὶandconsecutive coordinating conjunction ('and then / and as a result')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here with consecutive or resultative force — 'do this, and [as a result] you will live.' The structure imperative + καί + future is a standard biblical conditional-result construction.
ζήσεσθεyou will liveFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ζάωmain verb of result clause ('and then you will live')→ predictive future (the certain outcome of compliance)ζάω: 'live'; echoes the life/death antithesis of v.2 (ζῶμεν / ἀποθάνωμεν) and v.20 (ἀποθανεῖσθε), forming a thematic frame: Jacob wants his household to live (v.2); Joseph holds their lives in his hands.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (fronted object — θεόν is emphasized by fronting before the verb)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸνGodAccusativedirect object of φοβοῦμαι (fronted for emphasis: 'God [is whom] I fear')→ object specificationθεός: 'God'; the fronting of τὸν θεόν before ἐγὼ φοβοῦμαι is emphatic — 'it is God that I fear.' Joseph's declaration of God-fear (θεοφόβεια) is his only explicit theological self-disclosure in ch.42 and is the stated reason for the mercy in his modified terms. The phrase τὸν θεὸν φοβεῖσθαι is covenantal language (Deut 6:13; cf. Acts 10:2 — Cornelius φοβούμενος τὸν θεόν).
γάρforexplanatory conjunction (giving the reason for the mercy: 'for I fear God')→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic personal pronoun (Joseph identifies himself as the God-fearer)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic first-person — 'I myself fear God' — distinguishing Joseph from a ruler who would act on pure political calculation.
φοβοῦμαιfearPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · φοβέομαιmain verb (Joseph's self-disclosure of God-fear as motivation for mercy)→ progressive present (ongoing disposition of reverence)φοβέομαι: 'fear / revere'; + accusative. The divine-fear declaration is Joseph's Leitmotiv — the man who fears God treats people mercifully. The phrase echoes the fear-of-God declarations of Genesis (20:11; 22:12) and foreshadows Pharaoh's own praise in 41:38 (a man in whom the divine spirit is).
19
εἰ εἰρηνικοί ἐστε, ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν εἷς κατασχεθήτω ἐν τῇ φυλακῇ· αὐτοὶ δὲ βαδίσατε καὶ ἀπαγάγετε τὸν ἀγορασμὸν τῆς σιτοδοσίας ὑμῶν
If you are peaceful, let one of your brothers be held in the prison; but you yourselves go and bring the purchase of your grain-allotment
The verse reverses the initial terms of v.16 (send one, all stay) to (one stays, all go). The key test-word εἰρηνικοί appears as the conditional hypothesis — 'if you are peaceful' — making the brothers' own self-designation (v.11) the criterion for the test. The verse continues directly into v.20 without a sentence-end, as the imperative chain (βαδίσατε / ἀπαγάγετε / ἀγάγετε, v.20) forms a single command-complex.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
εἰifconditional particle (introducing the test-condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: meaning 'if'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰρηνικοίpeacefulNominativepredicate adjective in conditional clause (the brothers' claimed identity put as hypothesis)→ participant prominenceεἰρηνικός: 'peaceful'; Joseph's use of the brothers' own self-designation (v.11 εἰρηνικοί ἐσμεν) as the conditional hypothesis is rhetorically precise — their claim of peace is exactly what is being tested.
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb in conditional protasis→ gnomic presentεἰμί: 'be'; the present ἐστε σήμερον ('you are today') sets the fulfilled present against the past act of multiplication — the promise is realized now before their eyes.
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativesubject of κατασχεθήτω (the one to be detained)→ participant prominenceἀδελφὸς: meaning 'brother'; it serves as subject of κατασχεθήτω (the one to be detained).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepartitive genitive ('one of your brothers')→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as partitive genitive ('one of your brothers').
εἷςoneNominativenumeral adjective (limiting: 'one brother — not all')→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; the reversal from v.16 (one goes, all stay → one stays, all go) is encapsulated in this numeral. Simeon (named v.24) will be the one.
κατασχεθήτωbe heldAor Pass Impv 3 Sg · κατέχωthird-person imperative (the detention-command)→ constative aorist passive imperative (a single act of official detention)κατέχω: 'hold / detain / keep back'; the passive imperative is the official command for Simeon's detention. The same verb used at Acts 27:40 for 'holding course' — the nautical metaphor of restraint.
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.
φυλακῇprisonDativedative of place (where Simeon is to be held)→ sphere or referenceφυλακῇ: meaning 'prison'; it serves as dative of place (where Simeon is to be held).
αὐτοὶyou yourselvesNominativeemphatic subject (contrastive: the rest go free while one is detained)→ participant prominenceαὐτός: emphatic — 'you yourselves [i.e. the rest of you]' contrasting with the one detained.
δὲbutadversative (contrasting the detained one vs. the released nine)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βαδίσατεgoAor Act Impv 2 Pl · βαδίζωmain imperative (the release command: go home)→ ingressive aorist imperativeβαδίζω: 'go / walk / proceed'; a less formal verb of motion than πορεύομαι, common in ordinary speech; here the informal command adds to the relative mercy of the modified terms.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (linking the imperatives)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπαγάγετεbringAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀπάγωmain imperative (take / bring the purchased grain home)→ constative aorist imperativeἀπάγω: 'lead away / take / bring'; here: 'bring/take back [the grain purchase] to your household.'
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγορασμὸνpurchaseAccusativedirect object of ἀπαγάγετε→ object specificationἀγορασμός: 'purchase / that which has been bought'; a LXX word for the grain transaction's product — the purchased grain itself.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σιτοδοσίαςgrain-allotmentGenitivegenitive of content (the purchase is of grain-allotment)→ relational specificationσιτοδοσία: 'grain-distribution / grain-allotment'; from σῖτος + δόσις; a compound found mainly in LXX contexts of organized grain distribution — the administrative term for the rationed grain Joseph distributes.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
20
καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν ὑμῶν τὸν νεώτερον ἀγάγετε πρός με, καὶ πιστευθήσεται τὰ ῥήματα ὑμῶν· εἰ δὲ μή, ἀποθανεῖσθε. ἐποίησαν δὲ οὕτως.
and bring your youngest brother to me, and your words will be believed; but if not, you will die." And they did so.
The verse completes the command-chain of v.19 and closes with the terse narrative summary ἐποίησαν δὲ οὕτως ('and they did so'), which marks the brothers' compliance with the test-terms. The death-threat (ἀποθανεῖσθε) closes the life/death frame opened in v.2 and picked up in v.18. The brothers' compliance (ἐποίησαν δὲ οὕτως) is immediate — they have no alternative.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (continuing the command-chain from v.19)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (fronted object of ἀγάγετε)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativedirect object of ἀγάγετε (fronted for emphasis: Benjamin is the key demand)→ object specificationἀδελφὸν: meaning 'brother'; it serves as direct object of ἀγάγετε (fronted for emphasis: Benjamin is the key demand).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νεώτερονyoungestAccusativeadjective (specifying which brother: the youngest = Benjamin)→ object specificationνεώτερον: meaning 'youngest'; it serves as adjective (specifying which brother: the youngest = Benjamin).
ἀγάγετεbringAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἄγωmain imperative (the central demand: bring Benjamin to Joseph)→ constative aorist imperativeἄγω: 'lead / bring'; the final imperative in the command sequence is the central demand — bring the youngest. This demand drives the plot of ch.43.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (directional: 'to me')→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: 'to me').
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Joseph as the destination)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Joseph as the destination).
καὶandconsecutive conjunction ('and then / and as a result')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πιστευθήσεταιwill be believedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · πιστεύωmain verb (the result of compliance: words will be credited)→ predictive future (the certain outcome if Benjamin arrives)πιστεύω: 'believe / trust / credit'; the future passive πιστευθήσεται ('will be believed') frames the test as an epistemological verification — bringing Benjamin is the evidence that makes the brothers' words credible.
τὰtheNominativearticle (subject of πιστευθήσεται)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματαwordsNominativesubject of passive verb (their words / claims)→ participant prominenceῥῆμα: 'word / statement'; the brothers' claims about their family composition (twelve brothers, father at home, youngest with him) — these are the ῥήματα to be verified.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰifconditional particle (introducing the negative alternative)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: meaning 'if'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δὲbutadversative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μήnotnegation (εἰ δὲ μή = 'but if not')→ clausal qualification or emphasisμή: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἀποθανεῖσθεyou will dieFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἀποθνήσκωmain verb of the negative alternative (the death-sentence if Benjamin is not brought)→ predictive future (the certain consequence of non-compliance)ἀποθνήσκω: 'die'; the future middle form; the death-threat closes the life/death frame (v.2 ζῶμεν / ἀποθάνωμεν; v.18 ζήσεσθε). The irony is sharp: the brothers went to Egypt to live and not die (v.2), and now the ruler has the power to make that conditional.
ἐποίησανdidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain narrative verb (the brothers' compliance: 'they did so')→ constative aorist (single completed act of compliance)ποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עָשָׂה; the aorist summarizes the Philistines' treatment of Saul's body in vv. 9–10, which the Jabeshites now hear of and resolve to redress.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὕτωςsoadverb of manner (confirming compliance with the stated terms)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'so / thus'; the compliance-formula ἐποίησαν δὲ οὕτως is a standard LXX narrative closure for obedience to commands (cf. Exod 7:6; 12:28).
21
καὶ εἶπεν ἕκαστος πρὸς τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ· Ναί, ἐν ἁμαρτίᾳ γάρ ἐσμεν περὶ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ ἡμῶν, ὅτι ὑπερείδομεν τὴν θλῖψιν τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ, ὅτε παρεκάλει ἡμᾶς, καὶ οὐκ εἰσηκούσαμεν αὐτοῦ· ἕνεκεν τούτου ἐπῆλθεν ἐφ᾽ ἡμᾶς ἡ θλῖψις αὕτη.
And each said to his brother: 'Yes, for we are guilty in respect of our brother, because we disregarded the anguish of his soul when he pleaded with us, and we did not listen to him; that is why this distress has come upon us.'
The guilt-speech is addressed by each brother to the others — a private intra-group conversation they believe Joseph cannot hear (revealed in v.23). The confession uses the same word θλῖψις twice: first of Joseph's anguish (τὴν θλῖψιν τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ — 'the distress of his soul'), then of their own present predicament (ἡ θλῖψις αὕτη — 'this distress'), making an explicit moral equation: the distress you gave him has now come upon you. The ψυχή-vocabulary makes the brother's suffering a soul-level cry, not merely a physical complaint.
Word-by-word analysis· 38 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential: following the compliance of v.20)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain narrative verb (introducing the guilt-speech)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ἕκαστοςeachNominativesubject (distributive: each brother spoke to his fellow)→ participant prominenceἕκαστος: 'each / every one'; the distributive subject establishes that the guilt-recognition is corporate and mutual — not a spokesman's speech but each brother saying the same thing to the others.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech: to one's brother)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech: to one's brother).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativeobject of πρός (each to his brother)→ object specificationἀδελφός: the word that has pervaded the chapter — the brothers address each other as ἀδελφός even as they confess their guilt toward the ἀδελφός they wronged.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (referring back to ἕκαστος — each to his own brother)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (referring back to ἕκαστος — each to his own brother).
ΝαίYesaffirmative particle (confirming the perceived guilt — an admission)→ discourse linkage or contrastναί: strong affirmative 'yes / indeed'; the opening ναί is a moment of corporate moral consent — they all agree they are guilty. The word carries confessional weight.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere/manner: 'in sin / guilty of sin')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere/manner: 'in sin / guilty of sin').
ἁμαρτίᾳsinDativedative of sphere (ἐν ἁμαρτίᾳ = 'in a state of sin / guilty')→ sphere or referenceἁμαρτία: 'sin / wrongdoing'; the brothers use the LXX's primary sin-word for their offense; ἐν ἁμαρτίᾳ ἐσμεν renders Hebrew אֲשֵׁמִים אֲנַחְנוּ ('we are guilty'). This is the only place in the Joseph narrative where the brothers explicitly call their action ἁμαρτία.
γάρforexplanatory conjunction (supporting the confession with a specific charge)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐσμενwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb (stative: the present condition of guilt)→ gnomic present (persistent state of moral guilt)εἰμί: 'be'; the present ἐσμεν in the rhetorical question 'what are we?' underscores the disproportion between the human mediators and the divine target of the complaint.
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (reference: 'in regard to / concerning our brother')→ spatial or relational framingπερὶ: meaning 'concerning'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (reference: 'in regard to / concerning our brother').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivegenitive object of περί (the brother wronged = Joseph, unnamed)→ relational specificationἀδελφός: 'brother'; the brothers speak of Joseph as 'our brother' — they do not name him. Joseph is standing within earshot hearing himself called 'our brother' in a confession of guilt.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (specifying the content of the guilt)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'because'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὑπερείδομενwe disregardedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ὑπεροράωmain verb of causal clause (the specific act of culpable indifference)→ constative aorist (the single past act of ignoring Joseph's plea)ὑπεροράω: 'look over / disregard / overlook with contempt'; the compound ὑπέρ + ὁράω suggests looking past something as though it were beneath notice. The brothers 'overlooked' / 'disregarded' Joseph's anguish — a willful act of callousness rendered explicit. The LXX verb is stronger than simply 'not hearing.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θλῖψινanguishAccusativedirect object of ὑπερείδομεν (what they disregarded: the distress)→ object specificationθλῖψις: 'distress / affliction / anguish'; the first of two occurrences of θλῖψις in this verse — first of Joseph's soul-distress (τὴν θλῖψιν τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ), then of their own (ἡ θλῖψις αὕτη). The repetition enacts a lex talionis principle: the anguish they gave him has returned upon them. NT: θλῖψις is Paul's word for the sufferings of the present age (Rom 5:3; 8:35).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχῆςsoulGenitivegenitive of source/reference ('the anguish of his soul')→ relational specificationψυχή: 'soul / life / self'; τὴν θλῖψιν τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ — 'the anguish of his soul' renders Hebrew צָרַת נַפְשׁוֹ. The use of ψυχή rather than a physical term elevates the suffering to the inmost level of personhood; the brothers' guilt was not just against Joseph's body but against his whole being.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὅτεwhentemporal conjunction (specifying the time of Joseph's plea)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτε: meaning 'when'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρεκάλειwas pleadingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · παρακαλέωverb of temporal clause (Joseph's repeated pleading — imperfect)→ progressive imperfect (ongoing, repeated pleading ignored each time)παρακαλέω: 'call alongside / beg / entreat / plead'; the imperfect παρεκάλει is vivid — Joseph kept pleading, repeatedly, and they kept ignoring him. The word is the same verb used for the Paraclete (John 14:16); here it is the cry of a victim.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative object (the ones Joseph was pleading to)→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object (the ones Joseph was pleading to).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegation particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσηκούσαμενwe listenedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰσακούωmain verb (the brothers' refusal to hear — the specific act of culpable deafness)→ constative aorist (the completed act of not-listening)εἰσακούω: 'hear / listen to / heed'; the eis-prefix gives 'listen attentively / comply with a request.' The negative οὐκ εἰσηκούσαμεν αὐτοῦ — 'we did not listen to him' — is the brothers' specific self-indictment: they heard him but did not heed. The same verb is used for God's heedful hearing of prayer (LXX Ps 17:7; 21:5).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of εἰσακούω (the one not heeded)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of εἰσακούω (the one not heeded).
ἕνεκενbecause ofpreposition + genitive (causal: 'on account of this')→ spatial or relational framingἕνεκεν: 'because of / for the sake of / on account of'; introducing the moral consequence.
τούτουthisGenitivegenitive demonstrative (ἕνεκεν τούτου = 'for this reason / that is why')→ relational specificationτούτου: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive demonstrative (ἕνεκεν τούτου = 'for this reason / that is why').
ἐπῆλθενhas comeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπέρχομαιmain verb (the distress coming upon them as retribution)→ constative aorist (the arrival of retributive distress)ἐπέρχομαι: 'come upon / arrive upon'; with ἐφ᾽ ἡμᾶς the sense is of a hostile visitation — the distress has come upon them. The same verb used for the Spirit coming upon (Luke 1:35; Acts 1:8).
ἐφ᾽uponpreposition + accusative (directional: upon us)→ spatial or relational framingἐφ᾽: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: upon us).
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the recipients of the retributive distress)→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί (the recipients of the retributive distress).
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θλῖψιςdistressNominativesubject (the distress that has come upon them)→ participant prominenceθλῖψις: second occurrence — now their own distress. The verbal echo (Joseph's θλῖψις τῆς ψυχῆς → this θλῖψις) makes retributive causation explicit: their current predicament is the moral mirror of what they did to Joseph.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative adjective (pointing to the present predicament: 'this distress')→ participant referenceαὕτη: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative adjective (pointing to the present predicament: 'this distress').
22
ἀποκριθεὶς δὲ Ρουβην εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Οὐκ ἐλάλησα ὑμῖν λέγων· Μὴ ἀδικήσητε τὸ παιδάριον; καὶ οὐκ εἰσηκούσατέ μου· καὶ ἰδοὺ τὸ αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐκζητεῖται.
And Reuben answered them: 'Did I not tell you, saying: Do not wrong the child? But you would not listen to me; and behold, his blood is required.'
FLAGGED — ἐκζητεῖται: the blood-requital formula. Reuben's speech has two functions: it establishes his prior innocence (I warned you) and pronounces the blood-requital verdict (τὸ αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐκζητεῖται). The verb ἐκζητέω renders Hebrew דָּרַשׁ in the forensic-covenantal sense of 'require / exact' — as God exacted Abel's blood from Cain (Gen 9:5 ἐκζητήσω τὸ αἷμα ὑμῶν). Reuben speaks as a theological analyst, not merely a lamenting brother.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ἀποκριθεὶςansweringAor Pass Ptcp Nom Sg M · ἀποκρίνομαιparticiple of attendant circumstance (Hebraizing speech-introduction formula)→ coincident actionἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer / reply'; the participial speech-opener ἀποκριθεὶς ... εἶπεν is a Hebraism calquing וַיַּעַן ... וַיֹּאמֶר — extremely common in LXX narrative (occurs hundreds of times); it marks a formal reply to what has been said.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΡουβηνReubensubject (Reuben intervenes with a dissociation speech)→ participant identificationΡουβην: the firstborn; at Gen 37:21–22, 29 Reuben had tried to save Joseph and planned to restore him to Jacob. His speech here establishes his moral distinction from the other brothers — a distinction relevant to his later pledge of vv.37–38.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain narrative verb→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of address→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of address.
ΟὐκDid notnegation (with rhetorical question expecting 'yes' answer)→ clausal qualification or emphasisΟὐκ: meaning 'Did not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἐλάλησαI toldAor Act Indic 1 Sg · λαλέωmain verb of rhetorical question ('Did I not tell you?')→ constative aorist (reference to Reuben's prior speech at Gen 37:21–22)λαλέω: 'speak / say'; Reuben refers to his actual warning at Gen 37:21–22 (LXX: μὴ ἐκχέητε αἷμα).
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of address (the brothers who were warned)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of address (the brothers who were warned).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · λέγωHebraizing speech-participle (introducing quoted speech: 'saying')→ simultaneousλέγω: the participial λέγων is a Hebraism (לֵאמֹר) introducing the direct-speech content of the previous warning.
ΜὴDo notprohibitive negation (with aorist subjunctive: 'do not wrong')→ clausal qualification or emphasisΜὴ: meaning 'Do not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἀδικήσητεwrongAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἀδικέωverb of prohibitive clause (the original warning: 'do not wrong the child')→ constative aorist subjunctive (prohibition of a single harmful act)ἀδικέω: 'do wrong / harm / act unjustly'; the verb encapsulates the moral gravity of what they did. The warning μὴ ἀδικήσητε τὸ παιδάριον is the LXX's rendering of Reuben's plea not to shed blood at Gen 37:21–22.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδάριονchildAccusativedirect object of ἀδικήσητε (the one not to be wronged = Joseph as a boy)→ object specificationπαιδάριον: 'child / young boy'; diminutive of παῖς — Reuben recalls Joseph as a παιδάριον, a youngster, evoking vulnerability and innocence. The diminutive amplifies moral pathos.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegation→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
εἰσηκούσατέyou listenedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰσακούωmain verb (the brothers' refusal to heed Reuben's warning)→ constative aorist (the completed act of not-heeding)εἰσακούω: repeats the same verb as v.21 (οὐκ εἰσηκούσαμεν αὐτοῦ — 'we did not listen to him') — now directed at Reuben: 'you did not listen to me.' The chain of ignored pleas (Joseph's plea → Reuben's warning) is verbally linked.
μουmeGenitivegenitive object of εἰσακούω (the one not heeded = Reuben)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of εἰσακούω (the one not heeded = Reuben).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (introducing the forensic consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (drawing attention to the present verdict)→ clausal contributionἰδού: the presentation-particle introduces the forensic result as a present visible reality: 'and now, look — his blood is being required.'
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἷμαbloodNominativesubject of ἐκζητεῖται (the blood that is being required)→ participant prominenceαἷμα: 'blood'; τὸ αἷμα αὐτοῦ is an idiom for a person's life held in accountability: 'his blood' = his life, his death, the moral debt owed for his destruction. The phrase evokes Gen 4:10 (the blood of Abel crying from the ground) and Gen 9:5 (God requiring blood).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (whose blood: Joseph's)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (whose blood: Joseph's).
ἐκζητεῖταιis requiredPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐκζητέωmain verb (the blood-requital formula — present passive: 'is being required')→ futuristic/gnomic present (the requital is imminent and certain)ἐκζητέω: 'require / exact / demand back'; ἐκ-prefix intensifies: 'require out / demand back.' FLAGGED: ἐκζητεῖται renders Hebrew דָּרַשׁ in its forensic-covenantal meaning of blood-requital — God exacting the blood-debt (Gen 9:5: ἐκζητήσω τὸ αἷμα ὑμῶν; cf. Ezek 3:18; 33:6). The present passive suggests an ongoing process — 'the blood is at this very moment being required.' NT echo: Acts 17:27 (ζητεῖν τὸν θεόν).
23
αὐτοὶ δὲ οὐκ ᾔδεισαν ὅτι ἀκούει Ιωσηφ· ὁ γὰρ ἑρμηνευτὴς ἀνὰ μέσον αὐτῶν ἦν.
But they did not know that Joseph was listening, for the interpreter was between them.
FLAGGED — ὁ ἑρμηνευτής. The narrator steps outside the dialogue to explain the irony: the brothers spoke freely because they assumed a language barrier. The ἑρμηνευτής is unique in the Joseph narrative — not mentioned in the MT. His presence makes the guilt-speech of vv.21–22 comprehensible as an overheard confession: Joseph was listening all along (ἀκούει, present tense — he continues to hear). The word ἑρμηνευτής is rare in the LXX; in the NT, Herm. is related to 'Hermeneutics.'
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
αὐτοὶtheyNominativeemphatic subject (contrastive: 'they on their part')→ participant prominenceαὐτός: the emphatic pronoun marks the contrast — Joseph knew everything; they knew nothing.
δὲbutadversative connective (contrasting with Joseph's comprehension)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegation particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ᾔδεισανknewPlupf Act Indic 3 Pl · οἶδαmain verb (the brothers' ignorance — pluperfect for completed state of non-knowing)→ pluperfect (state of not-knowing that existed prior to and during the speech)οἶδα: 'know'; the pluperfect ᾔδεισαν functions as an imperfect of the perfect-form verb — 'they did not know' as an ongoing condition. This is the epistemic antithesis to v.8 (Joseph knew; they did not know him); now: they did not know Joseph was listening.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect statement (content of the not-knowing)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκούειis listeningPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωverb of indirect statement (Joseph's ongoing listening, portrayed vividly)→ progressive present (Joseph was actively hearing throughout the conversation)ἀκούω: 'hear / listen'; the present tense ἀκούει is a historic present vivifying the scene — Joseph is hearing every word in real time. The verb creates the narrative irony: the brothers confess freely because they do not know the judge is listening.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject of ἀκούει (the hearer unknown to the brothers)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἀκούει (the hearer unknown to the brothers).
ὁtheNominativearticle (the definite interpreter — a known figure in the scenario)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γάρforexplanatory conjunction (giving the reason for their ignorance)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἑρμηνευτὴςinterpreterNominativesubject (the interpreter between them — the person through whom Joseph had been speaking)→ participant prominenceἑρμηνευτής: 'interpreter / translator'; from ἑρμηνεύω, related to Ἑρμῆς (Hermes, messenger-deity; cf. Acts 14:12 — Paul called Hermes because he was the chief speaker). FLAGGED: the ἑρμηνευτής is unique to the LXX's Joseph narrative in this scene — the MT equivalent implies interpretation was happening but does not name the interpreter explicitly. The LXX makes the mediating role concrete and named: an ἑρμηνευτής stood between them, which is why the brothers spoke openly in Hebrew, not realizing Joseph understood every word.
ἀνὰinpreposition (ἀνὰ μέσον = 'in the middle / between')→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: in the expression ἀνὰ μέσον ('in the midst / between'); a fixed idiom in LXX Greek for spatial interposition — the interpreter physically stood between Joseph and the brothers as the communication channel.
μέσονmiddleAccusativeaccusative (object of ἀνά in the idiom ἀνὰ μέσον = 'between')→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as accusative (object of ἀνά in the idiom ἀνὰ μέσον = 'between').
αὐτῶνthemGenitivepartitive genitive (whose midst: between them = between Joseph and the brothers)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as partitive genitive (whose midst: between them = between Joseph and the brothers).
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (stative: the interpreter's ongoing position)→ descriptive imperfect (the interpreter's continuous presence throughout the encounter)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.
24
ἀποστραφεὶς δὲ ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν ἔκλαυσεν· καὶ πάλιν ἦλθεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· καὶ ἔλαβεν τὸν Συμεων ἀπ᾽ αὐτῶν καὶ ἔδησεν αὐτὸν ἐναντίον αὐτῶν.
And he turned away from them and wept; and he returned to them and spoke to them; and he took Simeon from them and bound him before their eyes.
The verse combines Joseph's private emotional response (turning away, weeping — the first of his four weepings in the cycle: 42:24; 43:30; 45:2; 50:1) with the official act of binding Simeon. The direct speech εἶπεν αὐτοῖς is empty of content — the narrator focuses on what was done, not what was said, shifting immediately to the binding. The juxtaposition of tears (private) and bonds (public) encapsulates the chapter's tension between Joseph's inner experience and his official performance.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ἀποστραφεὶςturning awayAor Pass Ptcp Nom Sg M · ἀποστρέφωtemporal/attendant participle (preceding the weeping: 'having turned away')→ antecedent action (Joseph turned, then wept)ἀποστρέφω: 'turn away'; the passive form ἀποστραφείς is used reflexively — 'turned himself away.' The act of turning away from the brothers before weeping is a gesture of emotional concealment: Joseph maintains his official persona in front of them.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπ᾽frompreposition + genitive (separation: away from them)→ spatial or relational framingἀπ᾽: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation: away from them).
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (from the brothers)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἀπό (from the brothers).
ἔκλαυσενweptAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κλαίωmain narrative verb (Joseph's private weeping, hidden from the brothers)→ constative aorist (a single episode of weeping)κλαίω: 'weep / cry'; the first of four weeping scenes in the Joseph-brothers reunion arc (42:24; 43:30; 45:2; 50:1). Joseph's tears are real and hidden — he maintains the official performance of suspicion while inwardly overcome. The weeping validates his identity as the Joseph of ch.37 despite his transformed external role.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential: return after weeping)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάλινagainadverb of repetition (Joseph returns to them after his private grief)→ adverbial qualificationπάλιν: 'again'; the adverb signals the emotional/physical sequence: Joseph left (weeping), then returns (πάλιν ἦλθεν). The return is a composed, official re-entry.
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain narrative verb (Joseph's return to the brothers)→ constative aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; here 'came to pass / were realized'; the singular verb with the neuter plural subject πάντα τὰ σημεῖα follows the regular Greek rule.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (directional: to them)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: to them).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain narrative verb (speech whose content is not given — narrative economy)→ constative aoristλέγω: the narrator records that Joseph spoke (εἶπεν αὐτοῖς) but gives no content — the focus shifts immediately to the physical act of binding. The empty speech-reference is a literary ellipsis focusing attention on the deed.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of address→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of address.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the binding)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain narrative verb (Joseph's official act of taking Simeon)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; see v. 10.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣυμεωνSimeondirect object of ἔλαβεν (the brother chosen as pledge)→ participant identificationΣυμεων: the second son of Jacob (Leah's son); the LXX does not explain why Simeon is chosen over others. Extra-canonical traditions suggest Simeon was known for violence (Gen 34:25 — he and Levi massacred Shechem). The choice may encode a judgment on specific prior sin.
ἀπ᾽frompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπ᾽: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (taken from the group of brothers)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἀπό (taken from the group of brothers).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδησενboundAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δέωmain narrative verb (the act of binding Simeon)→ constative aorist (single completed act of binding)δέω: 'bind / tie'; the binding of Simeon is the official pledge — a hostage. The act reverses the bondage Joseph himself suffered (Gen 37:24 — thrown into the pit; 39:20 — imprisoned). Simeon is bound as Joseph was bound; the wheel of retributive justice has begun to turn.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἔδησεν (Simeon, bound)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἔδησεν (Simeon, bound).
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive (locative: in the sight of / before)→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: 'before / in front of / in the sight of'; ἐναντίον αὐτῶν = 'in their sight / in front of their eyes.' The binding is performed as a public act witnessed by all the brothers — a deliberate show of authority and a message.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίον (before them = the watching brothers)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐναντίον (before them = the watching brothers).
25
ἐνετείλατο δὲ Ιωσηφ ἐμπλῆσαι τὰ ἄγγη αὐτῶν σίτου καὶ ἀποδοῦναι τὸ ἀργύριον ἑκάστου εἰς τὸν σάκκον αὐτοῦ καὶ δοῦναι αὐτοῖς ἐπισιτισμὸν εἰς τὴν ὁδόν· καὶ ἐγενήθη αὐτοῖς οὕτως.
And Joseph commanded that their vessels be filled with grain, and each man's silver be returned to his sack, and that provisions be given to them for the road; and it was done for them so.
Joseph's command has three parts: (1) fill their sacks with grain — the stated purpose; (2) return each man's silver to his sack — the concealed test; (3) provide road-provisions — extra mercy. The silver-return is the chapter's most suspenseful act: Joseph gives back their payment without their knowledge, ensuring the discovery will terrify them. The compliance formula (ἐγενήθη αὐτοῖς οὕτως) marks full execution of the order.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
ἐνετείλατοcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιmain narrative verb (official command)→ constative aorist (single authoritative order)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / give orders'; mid. the official command verb for a ruler's instructions to subordinates; used throughout LXX for Moses's commandments and God's instructions.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
ἐμπλῆσαιto fillAor Act Inf · ἐμπίμπλημιinfinitive (object of ἐντέλλομαι — first command: 'to fill their vessels')→ constative aoristἐμπίμπλημι: 'fill up / fill full'; the command to fill their vessels to capacity is the official grain-distribution; what makes it extraordinary is the silver secretly returned alongside.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄγγηvesselsAccusativedirect object of ἐμπλῆσαι (the containers to be filled)→ object specificationἄγγος: 'vessel / container / sack'; here the grain-containers; the word varies with σάκκος (sack) throughout the chapter.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
σίτουgrainGenitivegenitive of content (fill with grain)→ relational specificationσίτου: meaning 'grain'; it serves as genitive of content (fill with grain).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (linking infinitives of the command)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποδοῦναιto returnAor Act Inf · ἀποδίδωμιinfinitive (second command: return the silver)→ constative aoristἀποδίδωμι: 'give back / return / repay'; the ἀπο-prefix marks restitution — giving back what was given. Joseph's secret return of the silver is simultaneously generous and frightening: the brothers had not yet discovered it would terrify them.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀργύριονsilverAccusativedirect object of ἀποδοῦναι→ object specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money / silver coins'; the payment the brothers had brought. The silver was the price of Joseph's sale by the brothers to the Midianites (Gen 37:28 — twenty pieces of silver); its return is laden with symbolic resonance.
ἑκάστουof eachGenitivepartitive genitive (each man's silver — distributed individually)→ relational specificationἕκαστος: 'each'; every man's silver is returned individually to his own sack — a precise, organized concealment.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction: into his sack)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: into his sack).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σάκκονsackAccusativeaccusative (destination of the silver: into the sack)→ object specificationσάκκος: 'sack / bag'; the grain-sack into which both grain and silver are placed. σάκκος also means sackcloth (the garment of mourning — cf. Gen 37:34 where Jacob wore sackcloth for Joseph).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (linking the third command)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δοῦναιto giveAor Act Inf · δίδωμιinfinitive (third command: give road-provisions)→ constative aoristδίδωμι (aor. inf. δοῦναι): 'give'; in the construction τοῦ μὴ δοῦναι ('so as not to give'), the negated articular infinitive states the effect of the LORD's closing — Hannah remains without a child.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of advantage (provisions given to them)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (provisions given to them).
ἐπισιτισμὸνprovisionsAccusativedirect object of δοῦναι→ object specificationἐπισιτισμός: 'provisions / food for a journey'; from σῖτος; a compound term for travel-rations. Joseph provides not just the purchased grain but additional road-food — a concrete mercy beyond the commercial transaction.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose: for the road)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: for the road).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδόνroadAccusativeaccusative of purpose (provisions for the journey home)→ object specificationὁδόν: meaning 'road'; it serves as accusative of purpose (provisions for the journey home).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing compliance closure)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθηit was doneAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (compliance formula: 'and it was done for them so')→ constative aorist (completed execution of the command)γίνομαι: passive ἐγενήθη = 'it came to be / it was done'; the impersonal passive with αὐτοῖς and οὕτως is the LXX compliance-formula for command-execution.
αὐτοῖςfor themDativedative of advantage (done for their benefit)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'for them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (done for their benefit).
οὕτωςsoadverb of manner (compliance confirmation: 'so')→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: meaning 'so'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
26
ἐπιθέντες δὲ τὸν σῖτον ἐπὶ τοὺς ὄνους αὐτῶν ἀπῆλθον ἐκεῖθεν.
And having loaded the grain on their donkeys, they departed from there.
A brief transitional verse marking the departure. The participial construction (ἐπιθέντες ... ἀπῆλθον) compresses the loading and departure into a single narrative beat. The grain is loaded (and unknown to them, the silver too — v.25); they depart from Egypt (ἐκεῖθεν) moving toward the discovery scene of vv.27–28.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἐπιθέντεςhaving loadedAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · ἐπιτίθημιtemporal/attendant participle (loading before departure)→ antecedent action (loading precedes departure)ἐπιτίθημι: 'put on / load upon'; ἐπί + τίθημι — 'place upon [the donkeys].' The aorist participle compresses the logistical preparation into a single prior action.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σῖτονgrainAccusativedirect object of ἐπιθέντες (the loaded cargo)→ object specificationσῖτον: meaning 'grain'; it serves as direct object of ἐπιθέντες (the loaded cargo).
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (position upon the donkeys)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (position upon the donkeys).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνουςdonkeysAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the beasts of burden)→ object specificationὄνος: 'donkey / ass'; the standard pack-animal for carrying grain in the ancient Near East; the donkeys serve as the narrative vehicle through which the silver is transported back (and discovered).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἀπῆλθονdepartedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπέρχομαιmain narrative verb (the departure from Egypt)→ ingressive aorist (the beginning of the return journey)ἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; ἐκεῖθεν ('from there') marks the movement away from Egypt toward Canaan — the return axis of the spatial narrative.
ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (ablative: departing from Egypt)→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: meaning 'from there'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
27
λύσας δὲ εἷς τὸν σάκκον αὐτοῦ δοῦναι χορτάσματα τοῖς ὄνοις αὐτοῦ οὗ κατέπαυσαν, εἶδεν τὸν δεσμὸν τοῦ ἀργυρίου αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἦν ἐπάνω τοῦ στόματος τοῦ σάκκου αὐτοῦ.
And one of them, opening his sack to give fodder to his donkeys where they lodged, saw the bundle of his silver; and it was on top of the mouth of his sack.
The scene is precisely observed: a mundane action (feeding donkeys at the lodging place) leads to an unexpected discovery. The silver is at the top of the sack's mouth (ἐπάνω τοῦ στόματος) — unmistakably visible. The word δεσμός ('bundle / tied parcel') specifies that the silver is still in the tied parcel it came in, making the return unmistakable. The one who discovers is unnamed — the discovery is representative of all.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
λύσαςopeningAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · λύωtemporal participle (opening the sack precedes seeing the silver)→ antecedent actionλύω: 'loosen / open / untie'; the participle captures the casual, utilitarian act of opening the sack for fodder — the discovery is incidental to a mundane task.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἷςoneNominativesubject (one of the brothers — unnamed representative)→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; the anonymous 'one of them' (εἷς is used without ἐξ αὐτῶν but contextually = one of the brothers) prevents the naming of a specific individual — the discovery is representative.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σάκκονsackAccusativedirect object of λύσας (the sack opened to feed the donkeys)→ object specificationσάκκον: meaning 'sack'; it serves as direct object of λύσας (the sack opened to feed the donkeys).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
δοῦναιto giveAor Act Inf · δίδωμιinfinitive of purpose ('to give fodder')→ constative aoristδίδωμι (aor. inf. δοῦναι): 'give'; in the construction τοῦ μὴ δοῦναι ('so as not to give'), the negated articular infinitive states the effect of the LORD's closing — Hannah remains without a child.
χορτάσματαfodderAccusativedirect object of δοῦναι (the fodder/feed for the donkeys)→ object specificationχόρτασμα: 'fodder / feed / provender'; from χορτάζω ('feed to satisfaction'); specifically animal fodder rather than human food. The mundane context — feeding donkeys — makes the silver-discovery all the more startling.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνοιςdonkeysDativedative indirect object of δοῦναι (give to the donkeys)→ sphere or referenceὄνοις: meaning 'donkeys'; it serves as dative indirect object of δοῦναι (give to the donkeys).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
οὗwheregenitive relative adverb (locative: 'where they lodged')→ participant referenceοὗ: 'where' (genitive of place); οὗ κατέπαυσαν = 'where they rested / lodged for the night.'
κατέπαυσανthey lodgedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καταπαύωverb of relative clause (the place of overnight lodging)→ constative aorist (the single overnight stop)καταπαύω: 'stop / rest / lodge'; + the idea of a night-camp on the road. The lodging stop is the spatial context for the discovery.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain narrative verb (the moment of discovery)→ constative aorist (the single visual encounter with the silver)ὁράω: 'see'; the verb of sight — the same used throughout the chapter for consequential seeing (v.1 ἰδών; v.6 ἰδών) — now marks the discovery that triggers the theological crisis of v.28.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δεσμὸνbundleAccusativedirect object of εἶδεν (what was seen: the tied bundle of silver)→ object specificationδεσμός: 'bond / bundle / tied parcel'; from δέω ('bind'); the silver is still in the tied bundle (δεσμός) in which it was packed for payment — its return is unmistakable because the bundle is intact.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀργυρίουsilverGenitivegenitive of content ('bundle of silver')→ relational specificationἀργυρίου: meaning 'silver'; it serves as genitive of content ('bundle of silver').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (his silver — the payment he had brought)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (his silver — the payment he had brought).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the descriptive aside)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential/locative verb (describing the silver's position)→ descriptive imperfect (ongoing location of the silver)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.
ἐπάνωon top ofadverb/preposition (positional: on top of — the highest position in the sack)→ spatial or relational framingἐπάνω: 'on top of / above'; the silver was placed at the very mouth of the sack — immediately visible when opened. This positioning (ἐπάνω τοῦ στόματος) is suspicious in itself: grain would be below; payment-silver at the top is out of place.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στόματοςmouthGenitivegenitive of reference (the opening/top of the sack)→ relational specificationστόμα: 'mouth / opening'; τὸ στόμα τοῦ σάκκου = 'the mouth of the sack' — the opening at the top. The silver is placed right at the top: unmissable.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σάκκουsackGenitivegenitive of reference (the sack whose mouth holds the silver)→ relational specificationσάκκου: meaning 'sack'; it serves as genitive of reference (the sack whose mouth holds the silver).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
28
καὶ εἶπεν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτοῦ· Ἀπεδόθη τὸ ἀργύριόν μου, καὶ ἰδοὺ οὗτος ἐν τῷ σάκκῳ μου· καὶ ἐξέστη ἡ καρδία αὐτῶν, καὶ ἐταράχθησαν πρὸς ἀλλήλους λέγοντες· Τί τοῦτο ὁ θεὸς ἐποίησεν ἡμῖν;
And he said to his brothers: 'My silver has been returned, and behold, it is in my sack.' And their heart failed them, and they were troubled toward one another, saying: 'What is this that God has done to us?'
The verse stages the brothers' emotional collapse in three steps: report (the silver is returned), physical reaction (ἐξέστη ἡ καρδία αὐτῶν — 'their heart went out of them'), and theological bewilderment (Τί τοῦτο ὁ θεὸς ἐποίησεν ἡμῖν;). The cry 'What is this God has done to us?' is the chapter's theological climax: the brothers interpret the inexplicable return of silver not as good fortune but as divine judgment. Their guilt (v.21) has primed them to read mysterious events as God's action against them.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (the man reports to his brothers)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain narrative verb (the man's report to the others)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῖςbrothersDativedative of address (the ones told)→ sphere or referenceἀδελφοῖς: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as dative of address (the ones told).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
Ἀπεδόθηhas been returnedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποδίδωμιmain verb of direct speech (the passive divine-passive: 'my silver was returned')→ constative aorist (completed act of return)ἀποδίδωμι: 'return / give back'; the aorist passive ἀπεδόθη could be a 'divine passive' — the silver was returned [by someone/God?]. The man does not say who returned it; the passive allows for divine agency, which the closing question makes explicit.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀργύριόνsilverNominativesubject of ἀπεδόθη (the returned payment)→ participant prominenceἀργύριόν: meaning 'silver'; it serves as subject of ἀπεδόθη (the returned payment).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (pointing to the silver's visible presence)→ clausal contributionἰδοὺ: meaning 'behold'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
οὗτοςitNominativedemonstrative subject (pointing to the silver: 'here it is')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this one / it'; the demonstrative points to the silver as a physically present, visible reality — 'here it is / behold this.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in my sack)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in my sack).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σάκκῳsackDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceσάκκῳ: meaning 'sack'; it serves as dative of place.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the brothers' reaction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξέστηwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξίστημιmain verb (the brothers' heart-reaction — 'their heart left them')→ constative aorist (the sudden shock)ἐξίστημι: 'put out of its place / stand outside / be beside oneself'; ἐξέστη ἡ καρδία αὐτῶν = 'their heart went out of them / they were astounded / their heart failed.' The compound (ἐκ + ἵστημι) expresses radical displacement of the inner self — a visceral shock reaction.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαheartNominativesubject of ἐξέστη (the seat of inner life — 'their heart')→ participant prominenceκαρδία: 'heart'; the LXX's standard term for the inner person, the seat of emotion and moral life; ἐξέστη ἡ καρδία αὐτῶν is a Hebraism rendering the idiom of the heart 'going out' in shock — the heart leaves its normal state of composure.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐταράχθησανwere troubledAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ταράσσωmain verb (the brothers' second panic reaction — being troubled)→ constative aorist (onset of disturbance)ταράσσω: 'trouble / disturb / throw into confusion'; the passive ἐταράχθησαν = 'they were thrown into confusion / troubled.' The same verb used in John 11:33 (Jesus ἐτάραξεν ἑαυτόν at Lazarus's tomb) and John 14:1, 27 (μὴ ταρασσέσθω ὑμῶν ἡ καρδία).
πρὸςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction of mutual speech/reaction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'toward'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of mutual speech/reaction).
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativeaccusative reciprocal pronoun (troubled toward one another — mutual bewilderment)→ participant referenceἀλλήλων: 'one another / each other'; πρὸς ἀλλήλους = 'toward each other' — the brothers turn to each other in mutual bewilderment.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · λέγωparticiple of manner (introducing the theological question)→ simultaneousλέγω: meaning 'saying'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as participle of manner (introducing the theological question).
ΤίWhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (subject/predicate of the theological question)→ participant referenceΤί: meaning 'What'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as interrogative pronoun (subject/predicate of the theological question).
τοῦτοthisNominativesubject (or object) of the rhetorical question→ participant referenceτοῦτο: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (or object) of the rhetorical question.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ἐποίησεν (God as the agent of the mysterious action)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the brothers instinctively attribute the inexplicable return of silver to divine action. Their prior guilt (v.21) makes them read any mysterious event as God's judgment. The question Τί τοῦτο ὁ θεὸς ἐποίησεν ἡμῖν; is the chapter's theological center of gravity — guilt converted into theological bewilderment.
ἐποίησενhas doneAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (God's mysterious action — the question's pivot)→ constative aorist (the completed divine act now under question)ποιέω: 'do / make'; the brothers attribute to God (ὁ θεὸς ἐποίησεν) what is actually Joseph's secret command (v.25). The irony is layered: the narrator knows it was Joseph; the brothers attribute it to God; in the larger narrative, God's providence is working through Joseph — so both interpretations are true.
ἡμῖνto usDativedative of disadvantage (against us / to us = in our situation)→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'to us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of disadvantage (against us / to us = in our situation).
29
ἦλθον δὲ πρὸς Ιακωβ τὸν πατέρα αὐτῶν εἰς γῆν Χανααν καὶ ἀπήγγειλαν αὐτῷ πάντα τὰ συμβάντα αὐτοῖς λέγοντες·
And they came to Jacob their father in the land of Canaan and reported to him all that had happened to them, saying:
The verse is a transitional bridge: the brothers have completed their journey; now Jacob enters the scene. The verb ἀπήγγειλαν ('reported') introduces the extended speech of vv.30–34, which recapitulates the Egypt encounter from the brothers' perspective. The imperfect participle λέγοντες ('saying') introduces extended direct speech. The spatial notation εἰς γῆν Χανααν closes the Egypt-departure narrative and opens the Canaan-reception scene.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἦλθονcameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain narrative verb (the brothers' arrival in Canaan)→ constative aorist (completed journey)ἔρχομαι (aor. ἦλθον): 'come / go'; the messengers carry Saul's promise back to the besieged city.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction: to Jacob)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: to Jacob).
ΙακωβJacobaccusative object of πρός (the destination — their father)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: the patriarch who stayed behind reappears at the scene where the consequences of the Egypt mission must be disclosed.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (appositive phrase with πατέρα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativeappositive to Ιακωβ (identifying his relational role)→ object specificationπατήρ: 'father'; the apposition τὸν πατέρα αὐτῶν re-establishes the family relationship before the difficult disclosure.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (locative directional: into the land of Canaan)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (locative directional: into the land of Canaan).
γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative (place arrived at)→ object specificationγῆν: meaning 'land'; it serves as accusative (place arrived at).
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun (specifying the land)→ participant identificationΧανααν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (specifying the land).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (linking the two verbs: came and reported)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπήγγειλανreportedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀπαγγέλλωmain narrative verb (the brothers' report to Jacob)→ constative aorist (the single report-act)ἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / announce / bring a message back'; the ἀπό-prefix marks the report as a bringing-back of news — a messenger-report from a completed mission.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of address (Jacob as recipient of the report)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of address (Jacob as recipient of the report).
πάνταallAccusativeadjective (accusative, modifying τὰ συμβάντα — everything that happened)→ object specificationπάντα: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (accusative, modifying τὰ συμβάντα — everything that happened).
τὰthe thingsAccusativearticle with substantival participle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συμβάνταthat happenedAor Act Ptcp Acc Pl N · συμβαίνωsubstantival participle (the things that happened = the events of the chapter)→ antecedent (completed events being reported)συμβαίνω: 'happen / befall'; the same verb used in v.4 (Μήποτε συμβῇ αὐτῷ μαλακία — 'lest harm befall him'). Jacob's feared word συμβαίνω now appears in the brothers' actual report — what did befall them.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of reference (what happened to them — the brothers)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of reference (what happened to them — the brothers).
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · λέγωparticiple of manner (Hebraizing speech-introduction for the following report)→ simultaneousλέγω: the participial λέγοντες introduces the extended direct speech of vv.30–34, functioning like the Hebrew לֵאמֹר before reported speech.
30
Λελάληκεν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ κύριος τῆς γῆς πρὸς ἡμᾶς σκληρὰ καὶ ἔθετο ἡμᾶς ἐν φυλακῇ ὡς κατασκοπεύοντας τὴν γῆν.
'The man, the lord of the land, spoke harshly to us and put us in custody as ones who were spying out the land.'
The brothers begin their account with the most alarming item: the harsh treatment and imprisonment. The description of Joseph as ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ κύριος τῆς γῆς ('the man, the lord of the land') echoes the narrator's description in v.6 (Ιωσηφ δὲ ἦν ἄρχων τῆς γῆς), but through the brothers' unknowing eyes. The use of the perfect tense Λελάληκεν ('has spoken') gives Joseph's words ongoing relevance — they are still reverberating.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
Λελάληκενhas spokenPf Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (opening the report — perfect for ongoing relevance of Joseph's words)→ intensive perfect (the harsh speech stands on the record with present consequences)λαλέω: 'speak'; the perfect Λελάληκεν ('has spoken') gives Joseph's harsh speech ongoing epistemic weight — the words are still in effect, still consequential.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject (Joseph referred to anonymously — 'the man')→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man'; the brothers describe Joseph only as 'the man' — they do not know his name or identity. The anonymous description is the brothers' honest unknowing.
ὁtheNominativearticle (introducing appositive phrase)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριοςlordNominativepredicate nominative / appositive (his official title: 'lord of the land')→ participant prominenceκύριος: 'lord / master'; ὁ κύριος τῆς γῆς = 'the lord of the land'; a secular title for the supreme official. The word is the same used for God elsewhere — here it is used of Joseph, the earthly lord.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of reference→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of reference.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech: spoke to us)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech: spoke to us).
ἡμᾶςusAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
σκληρὰharshlyAccusativeaccusative of manner/content ('spoke harsh things')→ object specificationσκληρός: repeats the narrator's word from v.7 (ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς σκληρά) — the brothers report Joseph's speech to Jacob using the same adjective the narrator used, confirming accuracy.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔθετοputAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (the custody — echoing v.17's ἔθετο αὐτοὺς ἐν φυλακῇ)→ constative aoristτίθημι: the same verb as v.17, confirming that the brothers' report is accurate.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object (the ones put in custody)→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (the ones put in custody).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
φυλακῇcustodyDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceφυλακῇ: meaning 'custody'; it serves as dative of place.
ὡςascomparative particle ('as if / as being') — giving the alleged reason for custody→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / as if / because'; ὡς + participle gives the reason alleged by the official — 'as [men who were] spying.' The brothers present themselves as innocent of the charge.
κατασκοπεύονταςspying outPres Act Ptcp Acc Pl M · κατασκοπεύωparticiple (object of ὡς — 'as men spying out the land')→ progressive (the alleged ongoing spy-activity)κατασκοπεύω: 'spy out / reconnoiter'; a verbal form of κατάσκοπος (vv.9, 11, 12, 14, 16); the compound encapsulates the accusation in participial form.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of κατασκοπεύοντας→ object specificationγῆν: meaning 'land'; it serves as direct object of κατασκοπεύοντας.
31
εἴπαμεν δὲ αὐτῷ· Εἰρηνικοί ἐσμεν, οὐκ ἐσμὲν κατάσκοποι·
'And we said to him: We are peaceful, we are not spies;'
The brothers reproduce their defense to Jacob, condensing vv.10–11 into the two core claims: εἰρηνικοί ἐσμεν and οὐκ ἐσμὲν κατάσκοποι. The verse ends without a sentence-period because the family-identification continues in v.32. The repeated-speech structure validates the brothers' account: their report to Jacob matches the narrator's account.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
εἴπαμενwe saidAor Act Indic 1 Pl · λέγωmain verb (introducing the brothers' quoted reply to Joseph)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; the alpha-aorist εἴπαμεν (for εἴπομεν) is common Koine; introduces their deliberate resolve.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of address (what they said to Joseph)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of address (what they said to Joseph).
ΕἰρηνικοίPeacefulNominativepredicate adjective (first self-identification: 'we are peaceful')→ participant prominenceεἰρηνικός: repeated from v.11; the brothers accurately report their own defense-words to Jacob.
ἐσμενwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb→ gnomic presentεἰμί: 'be'; the present ἐσμεν in the rhetorical question 'what are we?' underscores the disproportion between the human mediators and the divine target of the complaint.
οὐκnotnegation→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἐσμὲνwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb (second negative claim: not spies)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: meaning 'we are'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as linking verb (second negative claim: not spies).
κατάσκοποιspiesNominativepredicate nominative (negated: 'not spies' — final denial of the charge)→ participant prominenceκατάσκοποι: meaning 'spies'; it serves as predicate nominative (negated: 'not spies' — final denial of the charge).
32
δώδεκά ἐσμεν ἀδελφοί, υἱοὶ τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν· ὁ εἷς οὐχ ὑπάρχει, ὁ δὲ νεώτερος μετὰ τοῦ πατρὸς ἡμῶν σήμερον ἐν γῇ Χανααν.
'We are twelve brothers, sons of our father; one is no more, and the youngest is with our father today in the land of Canaan.'
The verse continues the brothers' quoted defense without a connective, in asyndeton — tight continuation. This is the family-disclosure they made before Joseph (cf. v.13), now reported to Jacob. Crucially, the brothers describe Joseph as 'the one who is no more' (ὁ εἷς οὐχ ὑπάρχει) to a father who already mourns him as dead — Jacob must hear his beloved son described as non-existent in a report from the very brothers who caused that absence.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
δώδεκάtwelvefronted numeral predicate (establishing the full family count)→ clausal contributionδώδεκά: meaning 'twelve'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ἐσμενwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb (identity claim: twelve brothers)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: 'be'; the present ἐσμεν in the rhetorical question 'what are we?' underscores the disproportion between the human mediators and the divine target of the complaint.
ἀδελφοίbrothersNominativepredicate nominative (what they are: brothers — twelve of them)→ participant prominenceἀδελφοί: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as predicate nominative (what they are: brothers — twelve of them).
υἱοὶsonsNominativepredicate nominative (further identification: sons of our father)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as predicate nominative (further identification: sons of our father).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship (sons of our father)→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; the brothers identify their father before Jacob himself — the father they describe to Joseph is the same one they are now reporting to. The report's content is the brothers' defense-speech about their family; Jacob hears himself described.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὁtheNominativearticle (introducing the absent one)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἷςoneNominativesubject (the one who is no more = Joseph, unnamed)→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; ὁ εἷς = 'the one' (specific, anaphoric) — the brother they described to Joseph as 'the other one who is no more' (v.13). Jacob must hear his son described as non-existent.
οὐχnotnegation→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐχ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ὑπάρχειexistsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑπάρχωmain verb (existential negated: 'the one is no more')→ gnomic present (ongoing state of Joseph's 'non-existence' in their account)ὑπάρχω: repeats the euphemism of v.13; the evasion is the same: 'is no more' rather than 'is dead.' The brothers maintain the same evasive formula before Jacob as before Joseph.
ὁtheNominativearticle (contrasting subject: the youngest)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbutadversative (contrasting the two absent ones)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νεώτεροςyoungestNominativesubject (Benjamin = the youngest, currently with Jacob)→ participant prominenceνεώτερος: meaning 'youngest'; it serves as subject (Benjamin = the youngest, currently with Jacob).
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (associative)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (associative).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive object of μετά (with our father)→ relational specificationπατρὸς: meaning 'father'; it serves as genitive object of μετά (with our father).
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
σήμερονtodaytemporal adverb→ clausal contributionσήμερον: meaning 'today'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
γῇlandDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as dative of place.
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun (locative region)→ participant identificationΧανααν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (locative region).
33
εἶπεν δὲ ἡμῖν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ κύριος τῆς γῆς· Ἐν τούτῳ γνώσομαι ὅτι εἰρηνικοί ἐστε· ἀδελφὸν ἕνα ἄφετε ὧδε μετ᾽ ἐμοῦ, τὸν δὲ ἀγορασμὸν τῆς σιτοδοσίας ὑμῶν λαβόντες ἀπέλθετε
'And the man, the lord of the land, said to us: By this I will know that you are peaceful: leave one brother here with me, and take the purchase of your grain-allotment and go;'
The verse recaps Joseph's third-day conditions (vv.18–19), filtered through the brothers' report. The slight variation from vv.18–20 (word order, vocabulary) marks this as remembered speech rather than verbatim quotation, naturalizing the narrative. The verb γνώσομαι ('I will know') introduces the epistemological framing of the test: proof, not just assertion. The verse continues directly into v.34 without a period (the speech continues).
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing Joseph's quoted conditions)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡμῖνto usDativedative of address→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'to us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of address.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: meaning 'man'; it serves as subject.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριοςlordNominativeappositive to ἄνθρωπος→ participant prominenceκύριος: meaning 'lord'; it serves as appositive to ἄνθρωπος.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of reference→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of reference.
ἘνBypreposition + dative (instrumental: 'by this [means]')→ spatial or relational framingἘν: meaning 'By'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental: 'by this [means]').
τούτῳthisDativedative of means (the test mechanism, pointing forward to the conditions)→ participant reference or interestτούτῳ: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of means (the test mechanism, pointing forward to the conditions).
γνώσομαιI will knowFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (Joseph's epistemological criterion for the test)→ predictive future (the certain knowledge that will come from the test)γινώσκω: 'know / come to know'; the future γνώσομαι frames the test as a process of verified knowledge — Joseph will know by the outcome. The same verb twice (here and v.34) brackets the conditions with the goal: knowing the brothers' truthfulness.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect statement (what will be known)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰρηνικοίpeacefulNominativepredicate adjective (what will be known: you are peaceful)→ participant prominenceεἰρηνικός: the test-criterion word for the fourth time in the narrative — εἰρηνικοί occurs at vv.11, 19, 31, 33. Its recurrence defines the epistemological goal of Joseph's test.
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb→ gnomic presentεἰμί: 'be'; the present ἐστε σήμερον ('you are today') sets the fulfilled present against the past act of multiplication — the promise is realized now before their eyes.
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativedirect object of ἄφετε (the brother to be left)→ object specificationἀδελφὸν: meaning 'brother'; it serves as direct object of ἄφετε (the brother to be left).
ἕναoneAccusativenumeral adjective (modifying ἀδελφόν: one brother)→ measure or countἕνα: meaning 'one'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
ἄφετεleaveAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀφίημιmain imperative (leave one brother as pledge)→ constative aorist imperativeἀφίημι: 'leave / let go / release'; here 'leave [one] behind / leave in place.' The command to leave one brother is the detention-condition.
ὧδεhereadverb of place (where the brother is to remain)→ clausal contributionὧδε: meaning 'here'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
μετ᾽withpreposition + genitive (associative)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾽: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (associative).
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of μετά (in Joseph's custody)→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as genitive object of μετά (in Joseph's custody).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲandmild adversative (transitioning to the second command)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀγορασμὸνpurchaseAccusativedirect object of λαβόντες (the grain purchase to be taken home)→ object specificationἀγορασμὸν: meaning 'purchase'; it serves as direct object of λαβόντες (the grain purchase to be taken home).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σιτοδοσίαςgrain-allotmentGenitivegenitive of content→ relational specificationσιτοδοσίας: meaning 'grain-allotment'; it serves as genitive of content.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
λαβόντεςhaving takenAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · λαμβάνωattendant participle (taking the grain purchase before departing)→ antecedent actionλαμβάνω: meaning 'having taken'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as attendant participle (taking the grain purchase before departing).
ἀπέλθετεgoAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀπέρχομαιmain imperative (the departure command)→ ingressive aorist imperativeἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; the aorist imperative dismisses the assembly for the interval of deliberation.
34
καὶ ἀγάγετε πρός με τὸν ἀδελφὸν ὑμῶν τὸν νεώτερον· καὶ γνώσομαι ὅτι οὐ κατάσκοποί ἐστε, ἀλλ᾽ ὅτι εἰρηνικοί ἐστε· καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν ὑμῶν ὑμῖν ἀποδώσω καὶ τῇ γῇ ἐμπορεύεσθε.
'and bring your youngest brother to me; and I will know that you are not spies, but that you are peaceful; and I will restore your brother to you, and you shall trade in the land.'
The verse concludes the brothers' report of Joseph's conditions with two promises: (1) he will restore Simeon (τὸν ἀδελφὸν ὑμῶν ὑμῖν ἀποδώσω — 'I will give back your brother to you'); (2) free commercial access (τῇ γῇ ἐμπορεύεσθε). The double use of γνώσομαι in vv.33–34 (I will know you are peaceful; I will know you are not spies) parallels the ἐπέγνω/οὐκ ἐπέγνωσαν of v.8 — the whole chapter is structured around knowing and not-knowing.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (continuing the command-sequence from v.33)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀγάγετεbringAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἄγωmain imperative (the central demand: bring Benjamin)→ constative aorist imperativeἄγω: 'bring / lead'; the same verb as v.20 (ἀγάγετε πρός με) — the brothers accurately reproduce Joseph's demand.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativedirect object of ἀγάγετε→ object specificationἀδελφὸν: meaning 'brother'; it serves as direct object of ἀγάγετε.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νεώτερονyoungestAccusativeadjective (Benjamin — the youngest brother demanded)→ object specificationνεώτερον: meaning 'youngest'; it serves as adjective (Benjamin — the youngest brother demanded).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γνώσομαιI will knowFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (the epistemological outcome — 'I will come to know')→ predictive futureγινώσκω: second use of γνώσομαι (cf. v.33) — this time in the negative form (not spies) followed by the positive (peaceful). The chiastic structure of the two γνώσομαι-clauses mirrors the ἐπέγνω/οὐκ ἐπέγνωσαν antithesis of v.8.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect statement→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; 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.
κατάσκοποίspiesNominativepredicate nominative (negated: not spies — the charge's final resolution)→ participant prominenceκατάσκοπος: the spy-refrain's final occurrence in the chapter (vv.9, 11, 12, 14, 16, 30, 31, 34) — here in its promised resolution. Benjamin's arrival will end the spy-accusation permanently.
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb→ gnomic presentεἰμί: 'be'; the present ἐστε σήμερον ('you are today') sets the fulfilled present against the past act of multiplication — the promise is realized now before their eyes.
ἀλλ᾽butstrong adversative (introducing the positive counterpart)→ clausal contributionἀλλ᾽: meaning 'but'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ὅτιthatconjunction (second indirect-statement clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰρηνικοίpeacefulNominativepredicate adjective (the positive outcome: you are peaceful)→ participant prominenceεἰρηνικοί: meaning 'peaceful'; it serves as predicate adjective (the positive outcome: you are peaceful).
ἐστεyou arePres Act Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίlinking verb→ gnomic presentεἰμί: 'be'; the present ἐστε σήμερον ('you are today') sets the fulfilled present against the past act of multiplication — the promise is realized now before their eyes.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (introducing Joseph's promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὸνbrotherAccusativedirect object of ἀποδώσω (Simeon, to be restored)→ object specificationἀδελφὸν: meaning 'brother'; it serves as direct object of ἀποδώσω (Simeon, to be restored).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of advantage (given back to you)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (given back to you).
ἀποδώσωI will restoreFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποδίδωμιmain verb (Joseph's promise to return Simeon)→ predictive futureἀποδίδωμι: 'give back / restore'; the same verb as v.25 (ἀποδοῦναι — return the silver). Joseph's promise to 'give back' (ἀποδώσω) the detained brother uses the same restitution-verb as the silver-return, linking the two acts of hidden generosity.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῇlandDativedative of place (the land in which trading will occur)→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as dative of place (the land in which trading will occur).
ἐμπορεύεσθεtradePres Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἐμπορεύομαιmain imperative (the promise of free commercial access)→ progressive present imperative (ongoing trading activity permitted)ἐμπορεύομαι: 'trade / do commerce / travel as a merchant'; from ἔμπορος (merchant). The promise of free trade in the land is the restoration of normal commercial relations — the brothers will no longer be suspects but recognized traders.
35
ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν τῷ κατακενοῦν αὐτοὺς τοὺς σάκκους αὐτῶν, καὶ ἦν ἑκάστου ὁ δεσμὸς τοῦ ἀργυρίου ἐν τῷ σάκκῳ αὐτοῦ· εἶδον δὲ οἱ δεσμοὶ τοῦ ἀργυρίου αὐτῶν αὐτοὶ καὶ ὁ πατὴρ αὐτῶν καὶ ἐφοβήθησαν.
And it came to pass, when they emptied their sacks, that each man's bundle of silver was in his sack; and they themselves and their father saw the bundles of their silver and were afraid.
The καὶ ἐγένετο formula launches a new scene: the full discovery of all the returned silver, witnessed not by one brother at the lodging place (v.27) but by all brothers and Jacob together. The double subject (αὐτοὶ καὶ ὁ πατὴρ αὐτῶν) specifies that Jacob himself sees the silver — setting up his fearful response in v.36. The fear (ἐφοβήθησαν) intensifies the already-fearful response of v.28.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
ἐγένετοit came to passAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain narrative verb (καὶ ἐγένετο formula — introducing a new event)→ constative aorist (narrative scene-opener)γίνομαι: the ἐγένετο formula (LXX calque of וַיְהִי) marks a scene-transition; here it introduces the silver-discovery at home.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνwhenpreposition + articular infinitive (temporal: 'in the emptying')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'when'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + articular infinitive (temporal: 'in the emptying').
τῷtheDativearticle with infinitive (articular infinitive construction)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατακενοῦνemptyingPres Act Inf · κατακενόωarticular infinitive (temporal clause: 'when they were emptying their sacks')→ progressive (the ongoing action of unloading grain sacks)κατακενόω: 'empty out / empty completely'; the compound κατά-prefix intensifies the emptying — all the way down. The casual act of emptying grain sacks leads to the silver discovery.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative subject of infinitive.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σάκκουςsacksAccusativedirect object of κατακενοῦν (the grain sacks being emptied)→ object specificationσάκκους: meaning 'sacks'; it serves as direct object of κατακενοῦν (the grain sacks being emptied).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the discovery)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential/locative verb (describing the silver's presence in each sack)→ descriptive imperfectεἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.
ἑκάστουof eachGenitivepartitive genitive (each man's — distributive)→ relational specificationἑκάστου: meaning 'of each'; it serves as partitive genitive (each man's — distributive).
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δεσμὸςbundleNominativesubject of ἦν (each man's bundle of silver)→ participant prominenceδεσμός: 'bundle / tied parcel'; repeating v.27's term — the silver is still in its original tied bundle in every sack.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀργυρίουsilverGenitivegenitive of content→ relational specificationἀργυρίου: meaning 'silver'; it serves as genitive of content.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in his sack)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in his sack).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σάκκῳsackDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceσάκκῳ: meaning 'sack'; it serves as dative of place.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἶδονsawAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (the collective seeing — brothers and father together)→ constative aorist (the moment of collective discovery)ὁράω: sight triggers the fear; the chapter began with Jacob's sight (Ἰδὼν δὲ Ιακωβ, v.1) and now ends with a composite act of seeing — father and sons witness the silver together.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with demonstrative function — subject shift: 'they')→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δεσμοὶbundlesNominativesubject of εἶδον (the bundles of silver — used metonymically?)→ participant prominenceδεσμός: Here the LXX text is slightly unusual — 'the bundles of their silver ... they and their father saw'; it may be that εἶδον has two subjects (the δεσμοί being seen, not seeing). The grammar is somewhat compressed. αὐτοί and ὁ πατήρ are the true subjects seeing the bundles.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀργυρίουsilverGenitivegenitive of content→ relational specificationἀργυρίου: meaning 'silver'; it serves as genitive of content.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
αὐτοὶtheyNominativeemphatic subject (the brothers as witnesses of the silver)→ participant prominenceαὐτοὶ: meaning 'they'; it serves as emphatic subject (the brothers as witnesses of the silver).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (adding Jacob to the witnessing group)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: 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.
πατὴρfatherNominativesubject (Jacob — the father witnesses the silver alongside his sons)→ participant prominenceπατήρ: 'father'; Jacob's inclusion as a witness (αὐτοὶ καὶ ὁ πατήρ) is crucial — he sees the silver directly, making his emotional response in v.36 a reaction to personal evidence, not just a report.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (introducing the reaction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐφοβήθησανwere afraidAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · φοβέομαιmain verb (the collective fear-reaction of brothers and father)→ ingressive aorist (onset of fear)φοβέομαι: 'fear / be afraid'; the aorist passive ἐφοβήθησαν = 'were seized by fear.' The fear is theologically charged — they see the silver as divine judgment (v.28) and its discovery before Jacob adds the terror of his reaction to their own.
36
εἶπεν δὲ αὐτοῖς Ιακωβ ὁ πατὴρ αὐτῶν· Ἐμὲ ἠτεκνώσατε· Ιωσηφ οὐκ ἔστιν, Συμεων οὐκ ἔστιν, καὶ τὸν Βενιαμιν λήμψεσθε· ἐπ᾽ ἐμὲ ἐγένετο πάντα ταῦτα.
And Jacob their father said to them: 'You have bereaved me: Joseph is no more, Simeon is no more, and now you would take Benjamin; all these things are against me.'
Jacob's speech is the emotional climax of section F. The verb ἠτεκνώσατε ('you have bereaved me') is rare and powerful — it charges the brothers directly with his childlessness. The three names in asyndeton (Joseph ... Simeon ... Benjamin) descend in the sequence of loss: Joseph (believed dead), Simeon (detained), Benjamin (demanded). The closing ἐπ᾽ ἐμὲ ἐγένετο πάντα ταῦτα ('all these things have come against me') is the expression of total paternal devastation — an echo of Job-like suffering rhetoric.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain narrative verb→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of address→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of address.
ΙακωβJacobsubject→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
ὁtheNominativearticle (introducing appositive)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατὴρfatherNominativeappositive (identifying Jacob's relational role before his speech)→ participant prominenceπατήρ: 'father'; the title before the speech grounds Jacob's grief in his specific paternal identity — he speaks as their father, not merely as a patriarch.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἘμὲMeAccusativeemphatic direct object (fronted for pathos: 'me you have bereaved')→ participant referenceἐγώ: the accusative ἐμέ is fronted — 'me — me you have bereaved!' The emphatic fronting directs the entire force of the loss at the speaker.
ἠτεκνώσατεyou have bereavedAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀτεκνόωmain verb (the accusation: you have made me childless)→ constative aorist (the completed act of bereavement)ἀτεκνόω: 'bereave of children / make childless'; from ἄτεκνος (childless). The verb is rare and powerful — it is a denominative of ἄτεκνος and frames the brothers' actions as a process of stripping Jacob of his children. The verb choice elevates the grief to a formal declaration of childlessness.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject of οὐκ ἔστιν (first loss named)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: the first name in the grief-triad; Jacob believes Joseph is dead; he does not know his son is ruling Egypt.
οὐκnotnegation→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential verb (negated: Joseph no longer exists for Jacob)→ gnomic present (Jacob's ongoing reality of loss)εἰμί: the stark οὐκ ἔστιν — 'is not' — renders Jacob's understanding that Joseph is dead. The phrase echoes the brothers' ὁ δὲ ἕτερος οὐχ ὑπάρχει (v.13) — now Jacob uses the same existential negation about his own son.
ΣυμεωνSimeonsubject of οὐκ ἔστιν (second loss named)→ participant identificationΣυμεων: the second son named in the triad; currently detained in Egypt — for Jacob this amounts to a second loss.
οὐκnotnegation→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίexistential verb (negated: Simeon is no more for Jacob)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: 'be'; οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῖς = 'which do not have.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (introducing the third, threatened loss)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (fronted object — Benjamin is emphasized)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒενιαμινBenjamindirect object of λήμψεσθε (Benjamin — the third son threatened)→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: the third name — not yet lost, but threatened. Jacob uses the future λήμψεσθε ('you will take'), treating the demand as already a fait accompli; his resistance is grief, not argument.
λήμψεσθεyou will takeFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (the feared third loss — 'you will take Benjamin [from me]')→ predictive future (Jacob's fear as virtual certainty)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; the future is Jacob's resigned or despairing anticipation — he speaks of Benjamin's taking as though it is inevitable.
ἐπ᾽uponpreposition + accusative (hostile/adversative: 'against me')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: here with adversative sense — 'against me / to my detriment.'
ἐμὲmeAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the one all this has come against)→ participant referenceἐμὲ: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί (the one all this has come against).
ἐγένετοhave comeAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (the adversative coming of all these things upon Jacob)→ constative aorist (the accumulated weight of all the losses)γίνομαι: 'come upon / happen to'; ἐπ᾽ ἐμὲ ἐγένετο — 'has come upon me / has befallen me.' The phrase is a lament-formula expressing total overwhelm.
πάνταallNominativesubject (all these things)→ participant prominenceπάντα: meaning 'all'; it serves as subject (all these things).
ταῦταthese thingsNominativedemonstrative (the accumulated losses: Joseph, Simeon, Benjamin's threatened departure, the silver)→ participant prominenceοὗτος: πάντα ταῦτα — 'all these things'; the comprehensive sweeping reference to the multiple crises of the chapter and the broader pattern of Jacob's losses.
37
εἶπεν δὲ Ρουβην τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ λέγων· Τοὺς δύο υἱούς μου ἀπόκτεινον, ἐὰν μὴ ἀγάγω αὐτὸν πρός σε· δός αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν χεῖρά μου, κἀγὼ ἀποστρέψω αὐτόν σοι.
And Reuben said to his father: 'Kill my two sons if I do not bring him back to you; put him in my hand and I will bring him back to you.'
Reuben's offer to pledge his own sons as surety for Benjamin's return is extraordinary and slightly naive. The pledge of one's own children as surety is attested in ancient Near Eastern contract law; Reuben offers the maximum possible collateral. Jacob's terse refusal in v.38 implicitly judges even this insufficient — he cannot afford to lose any more sons. The λέγων participle is a Hebraism calquing לֵאמֹר, marking the speech introduction. Reuben's inability to prevail here sets up Judah's stronger personal guarantee in Gen 43:9 (ἐγὼ ἐγγυῶμαι αὐτόν), which eventually persuades Jacob.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain narrative verb→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΡουβηνReubensubject→ participant identificationΡουβην: the firstborn who had tried (and failed) to save Joseph (37:22, 29–30) now steps forward again as would-be rescuer. His offer of his sons as surety is earnest but carries no authority with the grieving Jacob.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὶfatherDativedative of address→ sphere or referenceπατρὶ: meaning 'father'; it serves as dative of address.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · λέγωattendant participle (Hebraism — לֵאמֹר calque introducing direct speech)→ simultaneous actionλέγω: the λέγων + direct speech construction is a systematic LXX calque of the Hebrew לֵאמֹר ('saying'), used to introduce direct speech after a verb of speaking. It appears hundreds of times in the LXX and is almost never used this way in classical Greek; it is one of the most diagnostic Hebraisms in LXX narrative.
ΤοὺςtheAccusativearticle (fronted accusative object — emphasis on the surety pledge)→ noun-phrase markingΤοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δύοtwoAccusativenumeral adjective→ measure or countδύο: meaning 'two'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
υἱούςsonsAccusativedirect object of ἀπόκτεινον (his own two sons pledged as forfeit)→ object specificationυἱούς: meaning 'sons'; it serves as direct object of ἀπόκτεινον (his own two sons pledged as forfeit).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (Reuben's own sons as surety)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Reuben's own sons as surety).
ἀπόκτεινονkillAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀποκτείνωmain imperative (the forfeiture command: kill my sons if I fail)→ constative aorist imperative (hypothetical penalty)ἀποκτείνω: 'kill / put to death'; Reuben grants Jacob authority to execute his own grandsons as penalty for failure. The offer represents the maximum possible surety a man could offer — his own children.
ἐὰνifconditional particle (introducing the protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'if'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴnotnegation in conditional clause→ clausal qualification or emphasisμὴ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἀγάγωbringAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ἄγωverb in protasis (conditional subjunctive: if I do not bring him back)→ aorist subjunctive in future conditionἄγω: meaning 'bring'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verb in protasis (conditional subjunctive: if I do not bring him back).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἀγάγω (Benjamin)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἀγάγω (Benjamin).
πρόςtopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
σεyouAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Jacob)→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Jacob).
δόςgiveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · δίδωμιmain imperative (the request: give Benjamin into my custody)→ ingressive aorist imperativeδίδωμι: 'give / entrust'; δός αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν χεῖρά μου — 'give him into my hand' is the idiom of formal custodial transfer. The 'hand' (χείρ) represents personal guaranty.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of δός (Benjamin)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of δός (Benjamin).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal / custodial transfer)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal / custodial transfer).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖράhandAccusativeaccusative of goal (εἰς τὴν χεῖρά μου = into my custody / responsibility)→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; εἰς τὴν χεῖρά + genitive is a fixed idiom of guardianship — transferring responsibility to the guarantor. Reuben's acceptance of personal guardianship here is later surpassed by Judah's stronger guarantee in Gen 43:9.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (my hand = my responsibility)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (my hand = my responsibility).
κἀγὼand Iemphatic coordinating pronoun (crasis of καί + ἐγώ — 'and I for my part')→ participant referenceκἀγώ: crasis of καί + ἐγώ — the emphatic self-designation of the guarantor taking personal responsibility.
ἀποστρέψωwill bring backFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποστρέφωmain verb (the personal guarantee of return)→ predictive futureἀποστρέφω: 'bring back / return'; the compound with ἀπό- stresses the full return to the point of origin. Reuben's guarantee is earnest but insufficient to move Jacob.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ἀποστρέψω (Benjamin)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἀποστρέψω (Benjamin).
σοιto youDativedative of advantage (returning Benjamin to Jacob)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (returning Benjamin to Jacob).
38
ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Οὐ καταβήσεται ὁ υἱός μου μεθ᾽ ὑμῶν, ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ ἀπέθανεν, καὶ αὐτὸς μόνος καταλέλειπται· καὶ συμβήσεταί αὐτῷ μαλακία ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ ᾗ ἂν πορεύησθε, καὶ κατάξετέ μου τὸ γῆρας μετὰ λύπης εἰς ᾅδου.
But he said: 'My son shall not go down with you, for his brother is dead and he alone is left; and if harm should come to him on the road you travel, you will bring my old age down with sorrow to Hades.'
Jacob's refusal is the chapter's final and devastating word. The ὁ δέ without naming Jacob is a classical narrative device — the response needs no identification. The three-part structure: (1) the absolute prohibition (Οὐ καταβήσεται — the indicative negation is the strongest grammatical refusal possible); (2) the reason (ὅτι ὁ ἀδελφὸς αὐτοῦ ἀπέθανεν — 'his brother is dead,' the tragic misunderstanding sustaining the whole narrative); (3) the ᾅδης-clause, the chapter's emotional and theological climax. The verb κατάξετε picks up καταβήσεται — both spatial-descent verbs link Benjamin's possible descent to Egypt with Jacob's feared descent into death. The chapter that opened with Jacob's eyes on Egypt (Ἰδὼν δέ, v.1) closes with Jacob's eyes on the underworld — a narrative arc from sight to grief.
Word-by-word analysis· 38 words
ὁheNominativearticle as pronoun (referring to Jacob — the unnamed subject)→ noun-phrase markingThe use of ὁ δέ as a pronoun without naming the subject is a classical narrative convention for a response from the most recent conversational participant. It heightens the weight of Jacob's reply by making his identity implicit.
δὲbutadversative connective (Jacob's refusal against Reuben's offer)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain narrative verb→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
Οὐnotnegation (absolute indicative negation — the strongest grammatical refusal)→ participant referenceοὐ: the indicative negation (not μή) is the strongest grammatical refusal — an absolute declarative 'will not' rather than a conditional 'lest.' Jacob is not negotiating.
καταβήσεταιshall go downFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (the prohibition — 'shall not go down to Egypt')→ prohibitive future (future indicative with οὐ = absolute prohibition)καταβαίνω: 'go down / descend'; geographically appropriate (Canaan to Egypt is descent in the Hebrew geographical imagination) and theologically ominous — the same spatial root as κατάξετε (end of v.38), where Jacob fears his own descent into Hades. The two κατά-compound verbs frame the whole verse in a spatial metaphor of descent.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱόςsonNominativesubject (Benjamin — 'my son')→ participant prominenceυἱός: meaning 'son'; it serves as subject (Benjamin — 'my son').
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (ὁ υἱός μου = my son — emphatic possessive)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (ὁ υἱός μου = my son — emphatic possessive).
μεθ᾽withpreposition + genitive (associative)→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾽: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (associative).
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction (introducing the stated reason for refusal)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'for'; 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.
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativesubject (Benjamin's brother = Joseph, believed dead by Jacob)→ participant prominenceἀδελφὸς: meaning 'brother'; it serves as subject (Benjamin's brother = Joseph, believed dead by Jacob).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (his brother = Joseph)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: 'his'; the brother is Joseph — Jacob believes him dead. The tragic irony of the entire chapter concentrates here: Jacob refuses to let Benjamin go because Joseph 'is dead,' not knowing that Joseph lives and is himself the man demanding Benjamin's presence.
ἀπέθανενhas diedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (Jacob's stated reason — Joseph's death, believed true but false)→ constative aorist (the decisive past event as Jacob understands it)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the aorist ἀπέθανεν — 'has died / is dead' — is the tragic misunderstanding at the heart of Gen 37–50. Joseph is not dead; Jacob's grief rests on the lie told by his sons twenty-two years earlier. Every refusal Jacob makes from this point forward is built on this false premise.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτὸςheNominativeemphatic subject (Benjamin alone is left)→ participant prominenceαὐτός: emphatic — 'he alone'; the intensive pronoun heightens the isolation of Benjamin as the sole surviving Rachel-son in Jacob's perception.
μόνοςaloneNominativepredicate adjective (he alone remains — sole survivor of Rachel)→ participant prominenceμόνος: 'alone / only'; αὐτὸς μόνος καταλέλειπται — 'he alone has been left.' The perfect καταλέλειπται gives this the weight of a settled, abiding state.
καταλέλειπταιhas been leftPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · καταλείπωexistential linking verb (perfect: Benjamin's aloneness is a completed and abiding state)→ intensive perfect (the permanent condition of isolation)καταλείπω: 'leave behind / leave remaining'; the perfect passive καταλέλειπται — 'has been left behind' — is an intensive perfect expressing a permanent state: Benjamin exists as the permanent sole survivor of Rachel's line in Jacob's consciousness.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (introducing the feared consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συμβήσεταίshould come toFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · συμβαίνωmain verb (the feared scenario: harm befalling Benjamin on the journey)→ predictive future (Jacob's fear projected as virtual certainty)συμβαίνω: 'happen / befall'; συμβήσεταί αὐτῷ μαλακία — 'harm will befall him.' The verb is neutral (what 'happens') but paired with μαλακία it signals catastrophic misfortune. The future indicative (not subjunctive) projects Jacob's fear as near-certain.
αὐτῷhimDativedative of disadvantage (befalling him = to his harm)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of disadvantage (befalling him = to his harm).
μαλακίαharmNominativesubject of συμβήσεταί (what will befall Benjamin)→ participant prominenceμαλακία: 'weakness / sickness / misfortune / harm'; covers physical weakness, illness, and catastrophic misfortune — generalized harm. The LXX uses it as a broad harm-term; Gen 44:29 uses the parallel καὶ κατάξετέ μου τὸ γῆρας μετὰ λύπης εἰς ᾅδου with the same ᾅδης-clause, confirming the formulaic status of this lament.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (locative: on the road)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: on the road).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδῷroadDativedative of place (the road to Egypt — the locus of danger)→ sphere or referenceὁδός: 'road / way / journey'; the road as the locus of danger reflects real ancient vulnerability in inter-regional travel. The road to Egypt (the descent route) is the physical correlate of the underworld descent Jacob fears for himself.
ᾗwhichDativerelative pronoun (dative of place — 'on which you travel')→ participant reference or interestᾗ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (dative of place — 'on which you travel').
ἂνevermodal particle with subjunctive (indefinite relative: 'whatever road you might take')→ discourse linkage or contrastἂν: meaning 'ever'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πορεύησθεyou goPres Mid Subj 2 Pl · πορεύομαιverb in indefinite relative clause (indefinite subjunctive: 'whatever road you might travel')→ present subjunctive with ἄν (indefinite relative — generalizing the danger across any journey)πορεύομαι: 'go / travel / proceed'; ᾗ ἂν πορεύησθε — 'on whatever road you travel' — generalizes the danger beyond any specific route: wherever the brothers go, Benjamin is at risk. Jacob's fear is total and comprehensive.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (introducing the ᾅδης-clause — the chapter's climax)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατάξετέyou will bring downFut Act Indic 2 Pl · κατάγωmain verb — the ᾅδης-clause: 'you will bring my old age down to Hades'→ predictive future (Jacob's fear as the virtual certainty of his own grief-death)FLAGGED — ᾅδης-clause: κατάγω: 'bring down / lead down'; the compound with κατά- specifies descent. κατάξετέ μου τὸ γῆρας μετὰ λύπης εἰς ᾅδου — 'you will bring my old age down with sorrow to Hades' — is the chapter's closing anchor. The verb picks up καταβήσεται (v.38 opening), linking Benjamin's possible descent to Egypt with Jacob's feared descent into death through grief. The identical formula recurs at Gen 44:31 when Judah pleads for Benjamin, confirming this as Jacob's standing lament.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (my old age — Jacob's most vulnerable self)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (my old age — Jacob's most vulnerable self).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆραςold ageAccusativedirect object of κατάξετέ (what is brought down — Jacob's aged self, by metonymy)→ object specificationγῆρας: 'old age'; a neuter s-stem noun (γῆρας, γήρως). The phrase τὸ γῆρας μου is a metonym for Jacob himself in his most mortal, vulnerable state. The identical phrase recurs at Gen 44:29 — the ᾅδης-clause is Jacob's formulaic lament for any loss of a son. The Hebrew שֵׂיבָה ('grey hair / old age') is rendered as γῆρας throughout LXX Genesis, making the metaphor of the grief-broken elder vivid.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (manner: with / accompanied by)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (manner: with / accompanied by).
λύπηςsorrowGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the manner of descent: with grief)→ relational specificationλύπη: 'grief / sorrow / pain'; μετὰ λύπης — 'with sorrow / in grief.' Jacob's death will not be the peaceful 'gathered to his people' of Gen 35:29 but a descent broken by grief. The Hebrew בְּרָעָה ('with evil / with misery') is rendered as μετὰ λύπης — a more interior, emotional word, heightening the pathos of the image.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (directional: down to Hades)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: down to Hades).
ᾅδουHadesGenitivegenitive of place (εἰς ᾅδου = 'to [the house of] Hades' — standard suppressed-noun idiom)→ relational specificationFLAGGED — ᾅδης (Hades): the Greek underworld, used consistently by the LXX to render Hebrew שְׁאֹל (Sheol). The genitive εἰς ᾅδου is the standard idiom for 'to Hades' — the full form is εἰς [οἶκον] ᾅδου ('to the house of Hades'), with the noun suppressed. This is the chapter's mandatory closing anchor: κατάξετέ μου τὸ γῆρας μετὰ λύπης εἰς ᾅδου. The image is Jacob's grief-vision of his own death: sorrow carrying the old man down into the realm of the dead. The formula recurs verbatim at Gen 44:31 (Judah's plea), making this the defining lament of the second Egypt-journey. NT resonance: ᾅδης appears at Matt 16:18 (πύλαι ᾅδου), Luke 16:23, Rev 1:18, 6:8, 20:13–14 — always the realm of the dead in contrast with the living God.