1
Καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο Ιωσηφ ἀνέχεσθαι πάντων τῶν παρεστηκότων αὐτῷ, ἀλλ᾿ εἶπεν· Ἐξαποστείλατε πάντας ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ. καὶ οὐ παρειστήκει οὐδεὶς αὐτῷ, ἡνίκα ἀνεγνωρίζετο Ιωσηφ τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτοῦ.
And Joseph was not able to restrain himself before all who stood by him, but he said: 'Send everyone away from me.' And no one stood by him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers.
The opening Καί connects this chapter directly to the preceding Judah-speech of ch.44; the emotional threshold crossed by that speech (44:18–34) now detonates Joseph's composure. The conative imperfect ἠδύνατο frames a man straining against himself; the dismissal of all Egyptians clears the stage for a private disclosure. The recognition act proper (ἀνεγνωρίζετο, inceptive imperfect) begins only when the room is emptied, heightening both the intimacy and the theological gravity of vv.3–8.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (paratactic opening, connecting to ch.44)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegating particle (with imperfect ἠδύνατο)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἠδύνατοwas ableImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb (head of the opening clause)→ conative imperfect (sustained striving against self-control that finally gives way)δύναμαι: 'be able / have power'; the imperfect conative captures a man who tried again and again to hold himself together and finally could not; the same construction recurs at v.3 (ἠδύναντο) with the brothers as subject — Joseph's inability to restrain himself meets their inability to answer him.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
ἀνέχεσθαιto restrain himself / to hold himself backPres Mid Inf · ἀνέχομαιcomplementary infinitive (object of ἠδύνατο)→ progressive infinitive (continuous self-restraint proving impossible)ἀνέχομαι: 'endure / hold oneself back / bear with'; in emotional contexts 'to contain oneself'; the middle voice is reflexive — Joseph cannot contain himself. The verb sets the register: this is not a diplomatic mask slipping but a physiological overpowering by grief and love.
πάντωνallGenitivegenitive of attendant circumstance ('in the presence of all')→ relational specificationπάντων: meaning 'all'; it serves as genitive of attendant circumstance ('in the presence of all').
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with substantival participle)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεστηκότωνwho stood byPf Act Ptcp Gen Pl M · παρίστημιattributive participle substantivized ('those who stood by him')→ perfect participle (settled, established station of the court attendants)παρίστημι: 'stand beside / present oneself at court'; the perfect participle marks permanent official position — these are not bystanders but Joseph's retinue. Their presence is precisely what must be removed before the disclosure: the recognition is too sacred and too dangerous to perform before Egyptian witnesses.
αὐτῷhimDativedative of personal reference (those stationed with him)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of personal reference (those stationed with him).
ἀλλ᾿butstrong adversative conjunction (turning from inner state to outer command)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλ᾿: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing the command)→ constative aorist (single decisive speech act)εἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
Ἐξαποστείλατεsend awayAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐξαποστέλλωmain imperative (command to all attendants)→ constative aorist imperative (decisive, immediate dismissal — not a process but a single act)ἐξαποστέλλω: compound 'send out completely / send away from' (ἐξ- intensifying ἀπό-); renders Hebrew הוֹצִיאוּ; the compounding emphasizes complete clearance of the room rather than mere withdrawal.
πάνταςeveryoneAccusativedirect object (of dismissal)→ object specificationπάντας: meaning 'everyone'; it serves as direct object (of dismissal).
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπ᾿: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive of separation (object of ἀπό: away from me)→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as genitive of separation (object of ἀπό: away from me).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (continuing the scene)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegating particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρειστήκειstood byPlpf Act Indic 3 Sg · παρίστημιmain verb (result clause: the room is now empty)→ pluperfect (state fully completed before the disclosure began)παρίστημι: pluperfect 'had stood / was standing by'; the pluperfect signals a state of emptiness now established — before Joseph speaks the disclosure, the narrator confirms that no one remained. The only pluperfect of παρίστημι in the LXX Joseph narrative.
οὐδεὶςno oneNominativesubject (compound negation with οὐ)→ participant prominenceοὐδεὶς: meaning 'no one'; it serves as subject (compound negation with οὐ).
αὐτῷhimDativedative of personal reference→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of personal reference.
ἡνίκαwhentemporal conjunction (subordinating the recognition to the emptied room)→ discourse linkage or contrastἡνίκα: 'at the time when'; temporal subordinator relatively rare in the LXX outside Pentateuchal narrative.
ἀνεγνωρίζετοmade himself knownImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀναγνωρίζωmain verb of temporal clause (the recognition scene proper)→ inceptive imperfect (the disclosure act is beginning — it is now commencing)ἀναγνωρίζω: 'recognize / make oneself known'; middle is reflexive — 'was making himself known' (active disclosure by Joseph, not passive recognition by the brothers); the compound ἀνα- suggests re-cognition, the recovery of a hidden identity. The cognate noun ἀναγνωρισμός is the Aristotelian term for the dramatic recognition scene (Poetics 1452a). Stephen quotes this moment in Acts 7:13 (ἀνεγνωρίσθη Ιωσηφ τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτοῦ).
ΙωσηφJosephsubject (repeated for clarity after the temporal clause)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (repeated for clarity after the temporal clause).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῖςbrothersDativedative of indirect object (persons to whom he reveals himself)→ sphere or referenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; the ten brothers of the prior chapters; the same word is picked up in v.4 (ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν) as part of Joseph's expanded self-identification.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
2
καὶ ἀφῆκεν φωνὴν μετὰ κλαυθμοῦ· ἤκουσαν δὲ πάντες οἱ Αἰγύπτιοι, καὶ ἀκουστὸν ἐγένετο εἰς τὸν οἶκον Φαραω.
And he raised his voice in weeping; and all the Egyptians heard, and it was heard throughout the house of Pharaoh.
The inarticulate cry precedes verbal disclosure; Joseph weeps before he speaks. The sound's penetration into Pharaoh's house (v.2b) anticipates Pharaoh's active involvement in vv.16–20 and signals that the private reconciliation has public, political consequences. The cry that cannot be contained echoes the inability of v.1.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀφῆκενraised / let outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀφίημιmain verb (the cry released)→ constative aorist (single release of voice)ἀφίημι: 'let go / release / utter'; the idiom φωνὴν ἀφίημι = 'give forth a voice / cry out'; renders Hebrew וַיִּתֵּן אֶת-קֹלוֹ; the verb's basic sense of 'releasing' captures the involuntary nature of the cry — Joseph releases, or is released by, his voice.
φωνὴνhis voice / a cryAccusativedirect object (voice raised)→ object specificationφωνή: 'voice / sound / cry'; the anarthrous noun denotes the cry as an event rather than identifying his particular voice — a loud public sound, not a whisper.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (manner)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (manner).
κλαυθμοῦweepingGenitivegenitive of manner (accompanying weeping)→ relational specificationκλαυθμός: 'weeping / lamentation' (from κλαίω); denotes audible, vocal weeping as opposed to silent tears (δάκρυα); recurs at vv.14–15 — the chapter is bound together by repeated κλαυθμός and κλαίω.
ἤκουσανheardAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (consequence: the sound carries)→ constative aoristἀκούω: 'hear'; renders שָׁמַע; the report of the Philistine flight reaches the hidden Israelites and rouses them.
δὲandnarrative connective (mild contrast: the private becomes public)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativesubject adjective ('all the Egyptians')→ participant prominenceπάντες: meaning 'all'; it serves as subject adjective ('all the Egyptians').
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑἰγύπτιοιEgyptiansNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΑἰγύπτιος: 'Egyptian'; the collective 'all the Egyptians' underlines how public the sound was — Joseph had dismissed his court but the palace walls cannot contain the disclosure.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (further consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκουστὸνheard / audibleNominativepredicate adjective (with ἐγένετο: 'it became audible')→ participant prominenceἀκουστός: verbal adjective from ἀκούω ('heard / audible'); used predicatively — 'it came to be heard throughout…'; relatively rare in the LXX.
ἐγένετοit becameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιcopulative main verb (with ἀκουστόν)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (directional: penetration into the house)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: penetration into the house).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouse / palaceAccusativedirectional accusative (object of εἰς)→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / household / palace'; here the palace complex; the cry of recognition penetrates institutional walls, anticipating Pharaoh's personal response in v.16.
ΦαραωPharaohindeclinable proper noun (genitive of possession: the house belonging to Pharaoh)→ participant identificationΦαραω: Egyptian royal title, LXX indeclinable proper noun (Hebrew פַּרְעֹה); Pharaoh's active involvement from v.16 shows that Joseph's family reunion is simultaneously a matter of Egyptian state.
3
εἶπεν δὲ Ιωσηφ πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ· Ἐγώ εἰμι Ιωσηφ· ἔτι ὁ πατήρ μου ζῇ; καὶ οὐκ ἠδύναντο οἱ ἀδελφοὶ ἀποκριθῆναι αὐτῷ· ἐταράχθησαν γάρ.
And Joseph said to his brothers: 'I am Joseph! Is my father still living?' And his brothers were not able to answer him, for they were terrified.
The disclosure formula Ἐγώ εἰμι Ιωσηφ is the theological and dramatic crown of the recognition arc begun at 42:8. The three-word sentence achieves in Greek the same density as the Hebrew אֲנִי יוֹסֵף. The immediate follow-up question — 'Is my father still living?' — reveals that behind the statesman's repeated demands for Benjamin lay not strategy alone but a son's grief for his father. The brothers' paralysis (ἐταράχθησαν) is the natural response to the upending of the entire prior narrative.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing the disclosure speech)→ 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.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativeaccusative of person addressed (object of πρός)→ object specificationἀδελφοὺς: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as accusative of person addressed (object of πρός).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
ἘγώINominativesubject (emphatic: identity-disclosure formula)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic first-person pronoun initiates the disclosure formula Ἐγώ εἰμι; the collocation with a name is the standard LXX self-identification idiom, but carries — for Greek readers saturated with the LXX — the resonance of Exod 3:14 (Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ὤν) and Isa 43:10–11 LXX (Ἐγώ εἰμι), where the formula is used for divine self-disclosure.
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopulative verb (identity-disclosure formula)→ gnomic / existential present (permanent identity: 'I am and always have been Joseph')εἰμί: copula of identity; in the disclosure formula the present asserts a truth that has been hidden but never ceased to obtain — he always was Joseph, even when the brothers did not know it.
ΙωσηφJosephpredicate (indeclinable proper noun: the identity disclosed)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: the name concealed throughout chs.42–44 is spoken openly; in Hebrew יוֹסֵף ('may he add,' from יָסַף). The disclosure of the name is the act of recognition itself.
ἔτιstilladverb of continuation (modifying ζῇ)→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet'; the question 'is my father still living?' is the emotional underside of every interrogation of chs.42–44; Joseph's repeated demand for Benjamin masked this deeper filial anxiety.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατήρfatherNominativesubject (of the question clause)→ participant prominenceπατήρ: 'father'; Joseph does not say 'Jacob' or 'Israel' but 'my father' — the relational title most charged with emotion and most continuously denied him by the circumstances of his exile.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (interrogative clause)→ progressive present (ongoing life — is he still alive, right now?)ζάω: 'live'; recurs at 45:26 (ζῇ — 'your son Joseph is living') and 45:28 (ζῇ — 'if my son Joseph still lives'), forming a ζάω-inclusio of life across the chapter; the fear of death underlying the Joseph cycle is resolved only when Jacob/Israel can say his son is alive.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (continuing the scene)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegating particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἠδύναντοwere ableImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb (brothers' paralysis)→ conative imperfect (tried but could not — inability sustained over the moment of the speech)δύναμαι: conative imperfect — the brothers are trying to answer but cannot; the imperfect mirrors v.1 (ἠδύνατο, Joseph cannot restrain himself): Joseph cannot hold back, the brothers cannot respond. The recognition scene is enacted through paired incapacities.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀδελφοὶ: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as subject.
ἀποκριθῆναιto answerAor Pass Inf · ἀποκρίνομαιcomplementary infinitive (object of ἠδύναντο)→ constative aorist infinitive (the single act of answering they cannot perform)ἀποκρίνομαι: 'answer / respond'; deponent passive form in LXX idiom; the brothers' silence is eloquent — they had confessed guilt throughout chs.42–44, but face-to-face with the revealed Joseph, speech is impossible.
αὐτῷhimDativedative of indirect object (person they cannot answer)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (person they cannot answer).
ἐταράχθησανthey were terrifiedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ταράσσωmain verb (explanatory clause giving the cause of the silence)→ constative aorist (sudden onset of terror at the disclosure)ταράσσω: 'trouble / agitate / terrify'; the passive renders the brothers as overwhelmed by an external force — the disclosure itself 'troubles' them; the same verb describes recognition-shock elsewhere in Scripture (cf. Matt 2:3 ἐταράχθη of Herod; John 11:33 ἐτάραξεν of Jesus at Lazarus's tomb).
γάρforexplanatory conjunction (reason for the silence)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
4
εἶπεν δὲ Ιωσηφ πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ· Ἐγγίσατε πρός με. καὶ ἤγγισαν. καὶ εἶπεν· Ἐγώ εἰμι Ιωσηφ ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν, ὃν ἀπέδοσθε εἰς Αἴγυπτον.
And Joseph said to his brothers: 'Come near to me.' And they came near. And he said: 'I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.'
Joseph repeats the disclosure — Ἐγώ εἰμι Ιωσηφ — now with two additions: ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν ('your brother') restores the kinship bond, and ὃν ἀπέδοσθε εἰς Αἴγυπτον ('whom you sold into Egypt') names the specific act without making it an accusation. The brothers are drawn closer physically before the expanded identification is spoken — proximity prepares for emotional reconnection. The naming of the sale sets up the theological reframing of vv.5–8.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain 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.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativeaccusative of person addressed→ object specificationἀδελφοὺς: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as accusative of person addressed.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
Ἐγγίσατεcome nearAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐγγίζωmain imperative (invitation to physical approach)→ constative aorist imperative (single decisive movement invited)ἐγγίζω: 'draw near / approach'; the command to physical proximity prepares for an act of disclosure requiring face-to-face intimacy and also moves the frozen brothers back into motion. The same verb is used in the NT for the approach of the kingdom (Mark 1:15 ἤγγικεν) and of suppliants to God (Heb 7:25; Jas 4:8).
πρόςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction of movement)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'toward'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of movement).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (goal of approach)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (goal of approach).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (reporting compliance)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤγγισανthey came nearAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐγγίζωmain verb (narrative compliance with the command)→ constative aorist (immediate response)ἐγγίζω: the brothers' approach is reported in a single aorist — silent obedience from men who cannot speak. The minimal report ἤγγισαν is the narrative's most eloquent moment of wordless movement.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the expanded disclosure)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ἘγώINominativesubject (emphatic: disclosure formula repeated)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the disclosure formula Ἐγώ εἰμι is repeated a second time (cf. v.3); the repetition is both rhetorical (ensuring stunned brothers hear it) and has the weight of a double testimony confirming the identity claim.
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopulative verb (identity formula)→ gnomic present (permanent identity)εἰμί: 'be'; ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος renders אֲנִי יהוה.
ΙωσηφJosephpredicate (identity disclosed)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as predicate (identity disclosed).
ὁtheNominativearticle (introducing appositive noun phrase)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφὸςbrotherNominativepredicate nominative in apposition (restoring the kinship title)→ participant prominenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; the apposition ὁ ἀδελφὸς ὑμῶν is programmatic — Joseph presents himself not as the Egyptian viceroy but as their brother; the relational identity supersedes the political; the same word is key in vv.14–15 as the brothers are embraced one by one.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative direct object of ἀπέδοσθε)→ participant referenceὅς: the relative clause naming the act of sale is syntactically subordinate but rhetorically central — it is not a reproach but a historical datum enabling the theology of vv.5–8.
ἀπέδοσθεyou soldAor Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἀποδίδωμιmain verb of relative clause (act of sale named)→ constative aorist (completed past act, stated without accusation)ἀποδίδωμι: 'give back / pay / sell'; the middle voice (ἀπέδοσθε) renders the act of selling for one's own profit; the same verb appeared at 37:28 LXX (ἀπέδοντο τὸν Ιωσηφ); naming the sale openly brings it into the light where the theology of vv.5–8 can reframe it as divine providence.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction of sale)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of sale).
ΑἴγυπτονEgyptAccusativeaccusative of direction (the destination of the sale)→ object specificationΑἴγυπτος: the destination is named — Egypt, the place where God's providence was at work; the same phrase εἰς Αἴγυπτον recurs in reverse as Jacob's family is invited down (vv.9, 13).
5
νῦν οὖν μὴ λυπεῖσθε μηδὲ σκληρὸν ὑμῖν φανήτω ὅτι ἀπέδοσθέ με ὧδε· εἰς γὰρ ζωὴν ἀπέστειλέν με ὁ θεὸς ἔμπροσθεν ὑμῶν.
Now then, do not grieve, and let it not seem hard to you that you sold me here; for it is for life that God sent me before you.
The transitional νῦν οὖν marks a pivot from the act of recognition to its theological interpretation. Joseph's first pastoral move after the disclosure is to relieve the brothers' guilt; the threefold providence-statement (vv.5, 7, 8) is his systematic reframing of the sale as divine action. The terse εἰς ζωήν ('for life') condenses the entire theology: God's goal in sending Joseph was the preservation of life — the brothers' act, however intended, served that purpose.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (transitional: moving from disclosure to interpretation)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: meaning 'now'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
οὖνthereforeinferential particle (drawing consequence from the disclosure)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὖν: meaning 'therefore'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴnotnegating particle (with present imperative: cease from the action)→ discourse linkage or contrastμὴ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λυπεῖσθεgrieve / be distressedPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · λυπέωmain imperative (command to cease grieving)→ progressive present imperative (stop grieving — desist from the ongoing state)λυπέω: 'grieve / pain / distress'; the present imperative μὴ λυπεῖσθε = 'stop grieving' (cease from what is already in progress); the brothers have been under crushing guilt since 42:21–22; Joseph's first pastoral act after disclosure is to relieve that guilt with theology.
μηδὲnorcoordinating negative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastμηδὲ: meaning 'nor'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σκληρὸνhard / grievousNominativesubject of φανήτω (predicate adjective used substantivally)→ participant prominenceσκληρός: 'hard / harsh / grievous'; in the phrase σκληρὸν φανήτω = 'let it not appear grievous'; the underlying Hebrew קָשָׁה carries the sense of something oppressive and difficult to bear; LXX renders with the standard σκληρός.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference (to whom it seems hard)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of reference (to whom it seems hard).
φανήτωlet it appear / seemAor Pass Impv 3 Sg · φαίνωmain imperative (impersonal: 'let it not seem hard')→ constative aorist imperative (decisive cessation from viewing the act as grievous)φαίνω: 'shine / appear / seem'; the aorist passive imperative is impersonal — 'let it not seem'; the construction is a Hebraism calquing יִחַר-בְּעֵינֵיכֶם ('let it not burn in your eyes / seem hard to you').
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing substantival ὅτι-clause (subject of φανήτω)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέδοσθέyou soldAor Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἀποδίδωμιmain verb of ὅτι-clause→ constative aorist (the completed act of sale)ἀποδίδωμι: meaning 'you sold'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb of ὅτι-clause.
μεmeAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ὧδεhereadverb of place ('sold me to this place')→ clausal contributionὧδε: meaning 'here'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
εἰςfor / untopreposition + accusative (telic: for the purpose of life)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (telic: for the purpose of life).
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (introducing the theological ground)→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ζωὴνlifeAccusativeaccusative of purpose (εἰς ζωήν — 'for life')→ object specificationζωή: 'life'; the terse εἰς ζωήν condenses Joseph's entire theology of the famine crisis: God's goal was life-preservation, not vendetta; the phrase anticipates NT usage of ζωή as the eschatological gift (John 10:10 ζωὴν ἔχωσιν); here it is thoroughly concrete — physical survival through famine.
ἀπέστειλένsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (divine sending stated for the first time)→ constative aorist (single decisive historical act of divine sending)ἀποστέλλω: 'send / commission / dispatch'; the verb recurs at v.7 (ἀπέστειλεν) and is countered at v.8 (ἀπεστάλκατε); the three occurrences build the chapter's central theological claim in a rising crescendo: God sent me (v.5) → God sent me for a purpose (v.7) → not you but God sent me (v.8).
μεmeAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (divine agency named explicitly and emphatically)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the explicit naming of God as the agent of the sending is the chapter's theological fulcrum; the brothers thought they were the agents of Joseph's descent to Egypt; Joseph insists God was the real agent all along.
ἔμπροσθενbefore / ahead ofimproper preposition + genitive (spatial: 'ahead of you' — as vanguard and preparer)→ spatial or relational framingἔμπροσθεν: 'before / in front of / ahead of'; here spatial-temporal: God sent Joseph 'before' the brothers arrived, as an advance agent; the language of going before echoes the LXX exodus vocabulary (ἔμπροσθεν in the pillar-of-cloud texts, Exod 13:21–22).
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of ἔμπροσθεν→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἔμπροσθεν.
6
τοῦτο γὰρ δεύτερον ἔτος λιμὸς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, καὶ ἔτι λοιπὰ πέντε ἔτη, ἐν οἷς οὐκ ἔσται ἀροτρίασις οὐδὲ ἄμητος.
For this is now the second year of famine upon the land, and there are still five more years to come in which there will be neither ploughing nor harvest.
The explanatory γάρ grounds the sending-theology in the concrete crisis: two years of famine have passed but five remain — and those five years will permit neither agriculture nor harvest, only total dependence on stored grain (i.e., on Joseph). The detail establishes the temporal horizon of the preservation narrative and explains why the invitation to Egypt (vv.9–11) is urgent.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
τοῦτοthisNominativesubject (demonstrative: 'this [is] the second year')→ participant referenceτοῦτο: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (demonstrative: 'this [is] the second year').
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δεύτερονsecondNominativepredicate adjective (ordinal: 'the second year')→ participant prominenceδεύτερος: 'second'; the cardinal numbering of the famine years (two elapsed, five remaining) gives Joseph's theological claims a factual basis — the need is real and verifiable.
ἔτοςyearNominativepredicate nominative (verbless clause: 'this is the second year of famine')→ participant prominenceἔτος: 'year'; the verbless predicate is Hebraistic — LXX regularly omits εἰμί in such clauses.
λιμὸςfamineNominativepredicate nominative in apposition (specifying what kind of year)→ participant prominenceλιμός: 'famine / hunger'; the seventh word of the Joseph cycle's crisis (first at 41:30); the structural marker that drives the entire narrative; its recurrence here anchors Joseph's theological retrospective in lived crisis.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςland / earthGenitivegenitive of place (the famine is upon the land)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of place (the famine is upon the land).
καὶandadditive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔτιstill / yetadverb of continuation→ clausal contributionἔτι: meaning 'still'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
λοιπὰremainingNominativepredicate adjective (modifying πέντε ἔτη: 'five remaining years')→ participant prominenceλοιπός: 'remaining / rest of'; the word signals the years not yet elapsed — the crisis is not nearly over.
πέντεfivecardinal numeral (modifying ἔτη)→ measure or countπέντε: meaning 'five'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
ἔτηyearsNominativesubject (of the second verbless clause)→ participant prominenceἔτη: meaning 'years'; it serves as subject (of the second verbless clause).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (temporal).
οἷςwhichDativerelative pronoun (dative of time: 'in which years')→ participant reference or interestοἷς: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (dative of time: 'in which years').
οὐκnotnegating particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (future: the coming sterility of the land)→ predictive future (certain future outcome)εἰμί (fut.): copula.
ἀροτρίασιςploughingNominativesubject of ἔσται (first of the pair)→ participant prominenceἀροτρίασις: 'act of ploughing'; from ἀροτριάω ('to plough'); renders Hebrew חָרִישׁ; the absence of ploughing signals total agricultural cessation — not just crop failure but the impossibility of sowing.
οὐδὲnorcoordinating negative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδὲ: meaning 'nor'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἄμητοςharvestNominativesubject of ἔσται (second of the pair)→ participant prominenceἄμητος: 'harvest / reaping' (from ἀμάω 'to reap'); renders Hebrew קָצִיר; the pair ἀροτρίασις οὐδὲ ἄμητος (ploughing nor harvest) covers the full agricultural cycle — beginning and end of the growing year are both eliminated.
7
ἀπέστειλεν γάρ με ὁ θεὸς ἔμπροσθεν ὑμῶν, ὑπολείπεσθαι ὑμῶν κατάλειμμα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐκθρέψαι ὑμῶν κατάλειψιν μεγάλην.
For God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant upon the earth and to sustain for you a great remnant.
The second occurrence of ἀπέστειλεν ... ὁ θεὸς ἔμπροσθεν ὑμῶν (cf. v.5) intensifies the claim by adding the purpose clause with the double remnant vocabulary (κατάλειμμα / κατάλειψις). The concentration of remnant language activates OT prophetic usage and identifies Joseph's story as paradigmatic of God's pattern of preserving a faithful remnant through catastrophe — a pattern Stephen will invoke in Acts 7.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (divine sending stated for the second time)→ constative aorist (decisive single act in the past)ἀποστέλλω: the second occurrence of the sending-verb (cf. v.5); the repetition is emphatic — Joseph is insisting on the theological point: God was the sender, not accident and not human malice.
γάρforexplanatory conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μεmeAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject.
ἔμπροσθενbefore / ahead ofimproper preposition + genitive (spatial: 'before you as vanguard')→ spatial or relational framingἔμπροσθεν: meaning 'before'; here it marks the relation signaled by improper preposition + genitive (spatial: 'before you as vanguard').
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of ἔμπροσθεν→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἔμπροσθεν.
ὑπολείπεσθαιto preserve / to leave behindPres Mid Inf · ὑπολείπωinfinitive of purpose (God's goal in the sending)→ progressive infinitive of purpose (continuous preservation through the ongoing famine)ὑπολείπω: 'leave remaining / preserve / allow to survive'; the middle is reflexive-purposive; the compound ὑπό- suggests leaving something beneath / under the catastrophe — what survives the disaster. LXX uses the verb for survival through divine agency.
ὑμῶνfor you / of youGenitivegenitive of advantage (God preserves a remnant that belongs to you)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'for you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of advantage (God preserves a remnant that belongs to you).
κατάλειμμαremnantAccusativedirect object of ὑπολείπεσθαι→ object specificationκατάλειμμα: 'remnant / what is left over' (from κατα-λείπω); in OT prophetic usage (LXX Isa 10:20–22; Amos 5:15; Rom 9:27 quoting Isa) κατάλειμμα denotes the eschatological survivor-community preserved through judgment; its appearance in Joseph's retrospective theology identifies his story as a paradigmatic providence-of-the-remnant narrative — the same pattern Stephen invokes in Acts 7:13–14.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearth / landGenitivegenitive of place→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive of place.
καὶandadditive conjunction (second purpose clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκθρέψαιto nourish / to sustainAor Act Inf · ἐκτρέφωinfinitive of purpose (second divine goal: not only preserve but fully sustain)→ constative aorist infinitive of purpose (a single comprehensive act of nourishment)ἐκτρέφω: 'bring up / nourish / sustain abundantly' (ἐκ- of completion); in the Joseph context specifically 'to feed through the famine years'; recurs at v.11 (ἐκθρέψω) as Joseph's first-person promise to his father — the divine purpose stated here becomes Joseph's personal pledge there.
ὑμῶνfor youGenitivegenitive of advantage→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'for you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of advantage.
κατάλειψινremnant / preservationAccusativedirect object of ἐκθρέψαι→ object specificationκατάλειψις: 'a leaving-behind / preservation / remnant'; near-synonym of κατάλειμμα in the same verse; the double remnant vocabulary (κατάλειμμα … κατάλειψιν) within a single verse is emphatic and theologically deliberate, activating the prophetic remnant-tradition.
μεγάληνgreat / largeAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying κατάλειψιν: a great remnant)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great / large'; the size of the preserved remnant is itself a theological statement — this is not mere survival but abundant preservation; μεγάλη κατάλειψις anticipates the family of seventy-five souls (Acts 7:14).
8
νῦν οὖν οὐχ ὑμεῖς με ἀπεστάλκατε ὧδε, ἀλλ᾿ ἢ ὁ θεός· καὶ ἐποίησέν με ὡς πατέρα Φαραω καὶ κύριον παντὸς τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ καὶ ἄρχοντα πάσης γῆς Αἰγύπτου.
So then, it was not you who sent me here but God; and he has made me as father to Pharaoh and lord of his entire house and ruler of all the land of Egypt.
The third and strongest statement of the providence-theology uses the emphatic contrast οὐχ ὑμεῖς … ἀλλ᾿ ἢ ὁ θεός, the definitive answer to the question who was the real agent of the sale. The perfect ἀπεστάλκατε (second person) stands against the aorists ἀπέστειλεν (vv.5, 7); the perfect denies the brothers not just the act but the ongoing attribution. The threefold role-description (father / lord / ruler) establishes Joseph's authority as the practical means by which God's purpose of preservation will be executed.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (transitional)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: meaning 'now'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
οὖνthereforeinferential particle (drawing the conclusion from vv.5–7)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὖν: meaning 'therefore'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐχnotnegating particle (emphatically negating the subject ὑμεῖς)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐχ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun: foregrounded for the contrast 'not YOU but God')→ participant referenceὑμεῖς: emphatic second-person pronoun placed immediately after the negation for maximum rhetorical force — the entire sentence turns on this contrast of agents.
μεmeAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ἀπεστάλκατεhave sentPf Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (the perfect denying the brothers' agency)→ extensive perfect (the act of sending in its ongoing result — Joseph is here now, but not because of you)ἀποστέλλω: perfect second person deliberately contrasted with aorist third person (ἀπέστειλεν, vv.5, 7); the perfect tense denies the brothers not merely the past act but the present standing as senders — they do not and cannot own this result; only God does.
ὧδεhereadverb of place→ clausal contributionὧδε: meaning 'here'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ἀλλ᾿butstrong adversative (introducing the counter-claim)→ clausal contributionἀλλ᾿: meaning 'but'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ἢthan / but rathercorrelative particle (ἀλλ᾿ ἤ = 'but rather / except')→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: in the combination ἀλλ᾿ ἤ the particle strengthens the adversative — 'but rather, and only rather'; a Hebraism calquing כִּי אִם.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativesubject (the true and only agent of the sending)→ participant prominenceθεός: the final naming of God as agent concludes the three-statement providence-theology; it is also a deeply personal theological claim — Joseph did not become a stoic about his suffering but a theologian of divine purpose.
καὶandadditive conjunction (moving to the consequent divine appointment)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησένhe has madeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (God's act of appointment)→ constative aorist (completed act of divine elevation)ποιέω: 'make / do / appoint'; in the LXX idiom ποιέω + accusative + predicate = 'appoint someone as something'; the appointment is God's act, not Pharaoh's alone.
μεmeAccusativedirect object (person appointed)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (person appointed).
ὡςascomparative particle (introducing the threefold role-description)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: meaning 'as'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πατέραfatherAccusativepredicate accusative (first role: father of Pharaoh)→ object specificationπατήρ: 'father'; the title 'father of Pharaoh' (πατέρα Φαραω) is a formal Egyptian court title denoting the chief counsellor and protector of the king; LXX renders the Hebrew אָב לְפַרְעֹה with the Greek kinship term but the institutional sense is intended.
ΦαραωPharaohindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relation)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (genitive of relation).
καὶandadditive (second role)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κύριονlordAccusativepredicate accusative (second role: lord of Pharaoh's house)→ object specificationκύριος: 'lord / master'; the same title used for the God of Israel in LXX; here of Joseph's authority over the royal household — the entire palace apparatus.
παντὸςentire / allGenitivegenitive (modifying οἴκου: 'of his entire house')→ relational specificationπαντὸς: meaning 'entire'; it serves as genitive (modifying οἴκου: 'of his entire house').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκουhouse / householdGenitivegenitive of possession (object of κύριον)→ relational specificationοἴκου: meaning 'house'; it serves as genitive of possession (object of κύριον).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (Pharaoh's house)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Pharaoh's house).
καὶandadditive (third role)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἄρχονταrulerAccusativepredicate accusative (third and highest role: ruler of all Egypt)→ object specificationἄρχων: 'ruler / leader / prince'; the highest title in the ascending sequence; ἄρχοντα πάσης γῆς Αἰγύπτου matches the language of the original appointment at 41:41–44; the threefold ascendancy (father / lord / ruler) captures the totality of Joseph's Egyptian authority and demonstrates his capacity to bring the family safely to Egypt.
πάσηςallGenitivegenitive (modifying γῆς: 'of all the land')→ relational specificationπάσης: meaning 'all'; it serves as genitive (modifying γῆς: 'of all the land').
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of extent→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of extent.
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive of location (the land that is Egypt)→ relational specificationΑἴγυπτος: 'Egypt'; the geographic scope — 'all the land of Egypt' — is the widest possible, establishing Joseph's authority as coextensive with the richest and most powerful nation known to the patriarchal world.
9
σπεύσαντες οὖν ἀνάβητε πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ εἴπατε αὐτῷ· Τάδε λέγει ὁ υἱός σου Ιωσηφ· Ἐποίησέν με ὁ θεὸς κύριον πάσης γῆς Αἰγύπτου· κατάβηθι πρός με καὶ μὴ μείνῃς.
Hasten therefore and go up to my father and say to him: 'Thus says your son Joseph: God has made me lord of all the land of Egypt; come down to me and do not delay.'
The theological reassurance of vv.5–8 now issues in urgent practical commands. Joseph employs the Hebrew messenger formula τάδε λέγει ('thus says') — the standard LXX rendering of כֹּה אָמַר, used for divine oracles — lending his message quasi-prophetic authority. The imperatives cascade: hasten, go up, say, come down, do not delay — born of both filial longing and the five remaining famine years.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
σπεύσαντεςhasteningAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · σπεύδωattendant circumstance participle (urgency: 'make haste and go up')→ antecedent action (hasten first, then undertake the journey)σπεύδω: 'hasten / hurry'; the aorist participle of urgency; σπεύδω is a verb of emotional urgency common in narrative contexts where delay would be catastrophic.
οὖνthereforeinferential particle (consequence of the theological disclosure)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὖν: meaning 'therefore'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνάβητεgo upAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain imperative (command to depart for Canaan)→ constative aorist imperative (single decisive journey)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; in Egyptian-Canaanite geography travel from Egypt to Canaan is always 'going up' (ἀνα-); the verb encodes the topographic and cultural hierarchy.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of travel)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of travel).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativeaccusative of direction (goal of the journey)→ object specificationπατήρ: Joseph's consistent designation for Jacob throughout vv.9–13 — 'my father' (seven occurrences in four verses) — signals that the mission's real goal is the restoration of the father-son bond severed by the sale of ch.37.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandadditive conjunction (second command)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἴπατεsayAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λέγωmain imperative (command to deliver the message)→ constative aorist imperativeλέγω: 'say / tell'; relays the instruction to the people.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object (Jacob as recipient)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (Jacob as recipient).
ΤάδεthusAccusativedemonstrative (messenger formula: τάδε λέγει = 'thus says')→ object specificationτάδε: neuter plural demonstrative; the formula τάδε λέγει ('thus says') is the standard LXX rendering of כֹּה אָמַר, used for oracular and royal pronouncements; Joseph adopts the prophetic messenger formula.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of messenger formula (epistolary present)→ epistolary presentλέγω: the present λέγει in the citation-formula gives the divine word present authority — 'the LORD says (now)'.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱόςsonNominativesubject of messenger formula→ participant prominenceυἱός: Joseph identifies himself to Jacob specifically as 'your son' — the relational title the deception of ch.37 had effectively extinguished.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject in apposition (identifying the son by name)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject in apposition (identifying the son by name).
Ἐποίησένhas madeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb of quoted message (divine appointment stated to Jacob)→ constative aorist (completed act of divine elevation)ποιέω: meaning 'has made'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb of quoted message (divine appointment stated to Jacob).
μεmeAccusativedirect object→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (God as the agent relayed to Jacob)→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject (God as the agent relayed to Jacob).
κύριονlordAccusativepredicate accusative (Joseph's title relayed to Jacob)→ object specificationκύριον: meaning 'lord'; it serves as predicate accusative (Joseph's title relayed to Jacob).
πάσηςallGenitivegenitive (modifying γῆς)→ relational specificationπάσης: meaning 'all'; it serves as genitive (modifying γῆς).
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of extent→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of extent.
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive of location→ relational specificationΑἰγύπτου: meaning 'Egypt'; it serves as genitive of location.
κατάβηθιcome downAor Act Impv 2 Sg · καταβαίνωdirect command to Jacob (singular imperative)→ constative aorist imperative (decisive single journey invited)καταβαίνω: 'go down'; travel from Canaan to Egypt is always 'going down' in LXX idiom (cf. 12:10; 42:2–3); the invitation raises the theological question — addressed in 46:2–4 — of whether this descent is divinely sanctioned.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
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.
καὶandadditive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴnotnegating particle (with aorist subjunctive: prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastμὴ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μείνῃςdelay / remainAor Act Subj 2 Sg · μένωaorist subjunctive in prohibition (μὴ + aor subj = prohibiting a specific act)→ constative aorist (do not make the single choice to linger)μένω: 'remain / stay / delay'; the prohibition μὴ μείνῃς = 'do not stay / do not delay coming'; the urgency flows from both filial longing and the five remaining famine years.
10
καὶ κατοικήσεις ἐν γῇ Γεσεμ τῆς Ἀραβίας καὶ ἔσῃ ἐγγύς μου, σὺ καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν υἱῶν σου, τά τε πρόβατά σου καὶ οἱ βόες σου καὶ ὅσα σοί ἐστιν.
And you shall dwell in the land of Goshen of Arabia and shall be near to me — you and your sons and your sons' sons, your flocks and your cattle and all that you have.
Joseph specifies both the location (Goshen of Arabia) and the relational closeness (ἐγγύς μου). The LXX's addition 'of Arabia' (τῆς Ἀραβίας) to Goshen is a distinctive LXX plus absent from the MT, reflecting the translator's identification of Goshen with the eastern delta region adjacent to what Greek writers called Arabia. The enumeration of Jacob's household, flocks, and cattle covers the full scope of a patriarchal household.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατοικήσειςyou shall dwellFut Act Indic 2 Sg · κατοικέωmain verb (promise of future settlement)→ predictive futureκατοικέω: 'dwell / settle / inhabit permanently'; compound κατα- suggesting established, permanent dwelling (contrast the sojourning παροικέω of the earlier patriarchs); the promise signals a new stable phase — not sojourning but settling.
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.
ΓεσεμGoshenindeclinable proper noun (the region specified)→ participant identificationΓεσεμ: LXX transliteration of גֹּשֶׁן (Goshen); the fertile region of the eastern Nile delta; the Israelites' allotted territory in Egypt (45:10; 46:28–34; 47:1–6, 27).
τῆςofGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἈραβίαςArabiaGenitivegenitive of location (LXX plus: 'Goshen of Arabia')→ relational specificationἈραβία: a distinctive LXX addition absent from the MT; the translator identifies Goshen with the eastern-delta region adjacent to what Greek geographers called Arabia, reflecting Hellenistic-Egyptian geographic knowledge.
καὶandadditive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσῃyou shall beFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (second promise: proximity)→ predictive futureεἰμί: 'be'; ἵλεως ἔσῃ, 'you will be gracious.'
ἐγγύςnearpredicate adverb (proximity to Joseph)→ clausal contributionἐγγύς: 'near / close'; ἐγγύς μου ('near me') complements the geographic settling — not merely a location but personal proximity, reversing the separation of Gen 37.
μουmeGenitivegenitive of proximity→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of proximity.
σὺyouNominativesubject (enumeration begins: first person)→ participant referenceσὺ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (enumeration begins: first person).
καὶandadditive→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: 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.
υἱοίsonsNominativesubject (second generation)→ participant prominenceυἱοί: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (second generation).
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandadditive→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: 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 (third generation: grandchildren)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (third generation: grandchildren).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive of possession (sons of your sons = grandchildren)→ relational specificationυἱῶν: meaning 'sons'; it serves as genitive of possession (sons of your sons = grandchildren).
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
τάtheNominativearticle (with τε: τά τε ... καί)→ noun-phrase markingτά: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τεbothenclitic connective (τε … καί = 'both … and'; marking transition to livestock)→ discourse linkage or contrastτε: meaning 'both'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πρόβατάflocks / sheepNominativesubject (livestock: small livestock)→ participant prominenceπρόβατον: 'sheep / small livestock'; renders Hebrew צֹאן (flocks); a patriarch's wealth is measured in flocks.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandadditive→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: 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.
βόεςcattle / oxenNominativesubject (livestock: large livestock)→ participant prominenceβοῦς: 'ox / cow / cattle'; renders Hebrew בָּקָר; the pair πρόβατα + βόες is the standard LXX idiom for all herding animals.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandadditive (catch-all)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὅσαall thatNominativerelative pronoun used substantivally ('all that you have')→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much as / all that'; the catch-all covers any possession not individually named — the invitation is comprehensive.
σοίyoursDativedative of possession→ participant reference or interestσοί: meaning 'yours'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of possession.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential: 'all that is yours')→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.
11
καὶ ἐκθρέψω σε ἐκεῖ· ἔτι γὰρ πέντε ἔτη λιμός· ἵνα μὴ ἐκτριβῇς σύ, καὶ οἱ υἱοί σου καὶ πάντα τὰ ὑπάρχοντά σου.
And I will sustain you there, for there are still five years of famine, lest you and your sons and all your possessions be destroyed.
Joseph's first-person pledge ἐκθρέψω σε ('I will sustain you') enacts the divine purpose stated in v.7 (ἐκθρέψαι ὑμῶν κατάλειψιν μεγάλην) — God sent Joseph to sustain a remnant; Joseph personally undertakes that sustaining. The negative purpose clause (ἵνα μὴ ἐκτριβῇς — 'lest you be destroyed') is stark: without this migration the family faces annihilation in the five remaining famine years.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandadditive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκθρέψωI will sustain / nourishFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐκτρέφωmain verb (first-person promise)→ predictive future (Joseph's personal pledge)ἐκτρέφω: 'nourish / sustain completely'; compound ἐκ- of completeness; fulfills v.7's ἐκθρέψαι (divine purpose → Joseph's personal pledge), creating a promise-fulfillment structure within the speech.
σεyouAccusativedirect object (Jacob personally)→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (Jacob personally).
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (in Goshen)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: meaning 'there'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
ἔτιstilladverb of continuation (the famine has not ended)→ clausal contributionἔτι: meaning 'still'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (grounding the promise in the ongoing crisis)→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πέντεfivecardinal numeral→ measure or countπέντε: meaning 'five'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
ἔτηyearsNominativesubject of verbless clause→ participant prominenceἔτη: meaning 'years'; it serves as subject of verbless clause.
λιμόςfamineNominativepredicate nominative (verbless: 'five years [of] famine [remain]')→ participant prominenceλιμός: meaning 'famine'; it serves as predicate nominative (verbless: 'five years [of] famine [remain]').
ἵναlestfinal / negative-purpose conjunction (with μή: 'lest')→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: meaning 'lest'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴnotnegating particle (with ἵνα: negative purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastμὴ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκτριβῇςbe destroyedAor Pass Subj 2 Sg · ἐκτρίβωmain verb of purpose clause (outcome to be avoided)→ constative aorist subjunctive (negative purpose: a single catastrophic outcome)ἐκτρίβω: 'rub out / wear away / destroy utterly'; ἐκ- is exhaustive — without migration the family faces annihilation, not merely hardship.
σύyouNominativesubject (Jacob: the primary person named)→ participant referenceσύ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (Jacob: the primary person named).
καὶandadditive (widening the scope)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: 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.
υἱοίsonsNominativesubject (coordinate: sons)→ participant prominenceυἱοί: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (coordinate: sons).
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandadditive→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταallNominativeadjective (modifying ὑπάρχοντα)→ participant prominenceπάντα: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (modifying ὑπάρχοντα).
τὰtheNominativearticle (with substantival participle)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑπάρχοντάyour possessionsPres Act Ptcp Nom Pl N · ὑπάρχωsubstantival participle ('all that is yours / all your possessions')→ progressive participle (what currently exists as yours)ὑπάρχω: 'exist / belong to'; τὰ ὑπάρχοντα as a substantival participle = 'one's possessions'; common in LXX and NT for the totality of one's goods (cf. Luke 8:3; 12:33).
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
12
ἰδοὺ οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ ὑμῶν βλέπουσιν καὶ οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ μου Βενιαμιν ὅτι τὸ στόμα μου τὸ λαλοῦν πρὸς ὑμᾶς.
Behold, your own eyes see — and the eyes of my brother Benjamin — that it is my own mouth that speaks to you.
After the theological proclamations of vv.5–11, Joseph offers visual-oral authentication: the brothers — and Benjamin in particular — can see with their own eyes that it is truly Joseph speaking. The mention of Benjamin is affectively charged: it was for him that the whole crisis of chs.42–44 was staged. The clause τὸ στόμα μου τὸ λαλοῦν ('my own mouth that is speaking') is a Hebraism contrasting with the interpreter of 42:23.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (directing attention to the visible authentication)→ clausal contributionἰδού: LXX calque of הִנֵּה; directs the hearer's attention to a visible or significant fact.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοὶeyesNominativesubject (the brothers' direct visual perception)→ participant prominenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the direct sensory organ of authentication — 'your eyes see' establishes personal witness rather than secondhand report.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
βλέπουσινseePres Act Indic 3 Pl · βλέπωmain verb (visual authentication)→ progressive present (seeing right now — simultaneous with the speech)βλέπω: 'see / look'; the progressive present makes the visual authentication simultaneous with the speech — they are in the act of seeing as Joseph speaks.
καὶandadditive (adding the second witness)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: 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.
ὀφθαλμοὶeyesNominativesubject (coordinate: Benjamin's eyes)→ participant prominenceὀφθαλμοὶ: meaning 'eyes'; it serves as subject (coordinate: Benjamin's eyes).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἀδελφός: Joseph's explicit claim 'my brother Benjamin' — the first time he has publicly claimed Benjamin as 'my brother'; a verbal act of full-brotherly reunion.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive (Joseph's brother)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Joseph's brother).
ΒενιαμινBenjaminindeclinable proper noun (identifying the second witness)→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: LXX transliteration of בִּנְיָמִן ('son of the right hand'); indeclinable; Benjamin's presence as witness is the narrative's culmination — it was for him that Judah offered himself as surety in 44:33.
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect statement (content of what they see)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with articular noun phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στόμαmouthNominativesubject ('it is my own mouth')→ participant prominenceστόμα: 'mouth'; metonymic for the speaking person — 'my own mouth speaks to you' means 'this is truly I speaking, in person, with no interpreter.'
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive (emphatic: my own mouth)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (emphatic: my own mouth).
τὸtheNominativearticle (with attributive participle)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαλοῦνspeakingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg N · λαλέωattributive participle (τὸ στόμα τὸ λαλοῦν = 'the mouth that is speaking — my own voice')→ progressive participle (speaking right now)λαλέω: 'speak / talk'; the attributive participle creates a Hebraistic nominal clause; contrasts with the ἑρμηνευτής of 42:23 — this is direct, unmediated, first-person address.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός.
13
ἀπαγγείλατε οὖν τῷ πατρί μου πᾶσαν τὴν δόξαν μου τὴν ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ καὶ ὅσα εἴδετε, καὶ ταχύνατε καὶ καταγάγετε τὸν πατέρα μου ὧδε.
Report therefore to my father all my glory in Egypt and all that you have seen, and make haste and bring my father down here.
The commission speech (vv.9–13) closes with a double command: report all Joseph's glory (δόξα), and hasten to bring the father. The word δόξα ('glory / honour') is striking — Joseph's elevation is not personal pride but a theological fact to be communicated to Jacob, who has been grieving him as dead. The paired imperatives ταχύνατε καὶ καταγάγετε compress the urgency: every day's delay is another day of needless grief and famine.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ἀπαγγείλατεreportAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀπαγγέλλωmain imperative (command to report)→ constative aorist imperative (a single decisive act of reporting)ἀπαγγέλλω: 'report / announce / proclaim'; compound ἀπό- of departure — carry the message away from here to him; the verb is used for messenger reports of significant news.
οὖνthereforeinferential particle (consequence of the visual authentication in v.12)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὖν: meaning 'therefore'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρίfatherDativedative of indirect object (recipient of the report)→ sphere or referenceπατήρ: 'father'; 'my father' appearing again for the seventh time in the commission speech, underscoring the emotional center of gravity.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
πᾶσανallAccusativeadjective modifying δόξαν (the entirety of Joseph's glory)→ object specificationπᾶσαν: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective modifying δόξαν (the entirety of Joseph's glory).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δόξανglory / honourAccusativedirect object (what is to be reported)→ object specificationδόξα: 'glory / honour / reputation'; here Joseph's God-given elevation in Egypt; the word choice is theologically charged — δόξα links Joseph's status to the divine honour vocabulary of the LXX; it is not merely 'success' (εὐτυχία) but recognition of God-given standing. For Jacob, this news transforms his mourning into theophany.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with following prepositional phrase: 'the [glory that is] in Egypt')→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: 'in Egypt')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: 'in Egypt').
ΑἰγύπτῳEgyptDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceΑἰγύπτῳ: meaning 'Egypt'; it serves as dative of place.
καὶandadditive (a second object for the report)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὅσαall thatAccusativerelative pronoun used substantivally (second object of ἀπαγγείλατε)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as / all that'; encompasses everything witnessed by the brothers in Egypt — not just words but observable facts.
εἴδετεyou have seenAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ὁράωmain verb of relative clause (the brothers' firsthand witness)→ constative aorist (completed act of seeing that they now carry as testimony)ὁράω: 'see / perceive'; the aorist εἴδετε = 'what you have seen / the things you have witnessed'; the brothers' eyewitness testimony will validate the report to Jacob, who will be more credulous when he sees the wagons (v.27).
καὶandadditive (second command unit)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ταχύνατεmake hasteAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ταχύνωmain imperative (speed commanded)→ constative aorist imperative (decisive urgency)ταχύνω: 'hasten / hurry'; the urgency of ταχύνατε echoes σπεύσαντες of v.9 — the entire commission is framed by language of urgency; every day's delay is a day of needless grief for Jacob and needless exposure to famine.
καὶandadditive (second imperative of this unit)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταγάγετεbring downAor Act Impv 2 Pl · κατάγωmain imperative (the goal of the haste)→ constative aorist imperativeκατάγω: 'lead down / bring down'; the compound κατα- encodes the topographic descent from Canaan to Egypt; the same verb at v.27 (ὥστε ἀναλαβεῖν αὐτόν) frames the wagons as the instrument of this bringing-down.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativedirect object (the goal of the mission)→ object specificationπατέρα: meaning 'father'; it serves as direct object (the goal of the mission).
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
ὧδεhereadverb of place (the destination: Joseph's presence in Egypt)→ clausal contributionὧδε: meaning 'here'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
14
καὶ ἐπιπεσὼν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον Βενιαμιν τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ αὐτοῦ ἔκλαυσεν· καὶ Βενιαμιν ἔκλαυσεν ἐπὶ τῷ τραχήλῳ αὐτοῦ.
And falling upon the neck of his brother Benjamin he wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.
After the long theological and commissioning speech, the narrative returns to physical gesture — the most economical expression of what words cannot say. The embrace is first the full-brother pair (Joseph and Benjamin, both sons of Rachel), then all the brothers (v.15). The verb ἐπιπίπτω ('fall upon') combined with τράχηλος ('neck') is the standard LXX idiom for the neck-embrace of intense reunion (cf. 46:29; Luke 15:20 of the prodigal father).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιπεσὼνfalling uponAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · ἐπιπίπτωattendant circumstance participle (the embrace preceding the weeping)→ antecedent action (Joseph falls first, then weeps)ἐπιπίπτω: 'fall upon / rush upon'; in the LXX specifically the idiom ἐπιπίπτω ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον ('fall upon the neck') = the neck-embrace of intense emotional reunion; cf. 46:29 (Joseph on Jacob's neck); Luke 15:20 (father on prodigal son's neck — a direct LXX echo).
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (the target of the embrace)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (the target of the embrace).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τράχηλονneckAccusativeaccusative of direction (neck as site of embrace)→ object specificationτράχηλος: 'neck'; the standard LXX site for the reunion embrace; the noun recurs at v.14b (τραχήλῳ) and v.15 (ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῖς for all brothers) — together these form the chapter's embrace sequence.
ΒενιαμινBenjaminindeclinable proper noun (genitive of possession: Benjamin's neck)→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: the full-brother, son of Rachel; his embrace comes first because the Joseph-Benjamin bond is the most intimate — it was for Benjamin's sake that Joseph staged the entire trial of chs.42–44.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with appositive: 'his brother Benjamin')→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivegenitive in apposition to Βενιαμιν (identifying the relationship)→ relational specificationἀδελφοῦ: meaning 'brother'; it serves as genitive in apposition to Βενιαμιν (identifying the relationship).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
ἔκλαυσενweptAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κλαίωmain verb (the weeping over Benjamin)→ constative aorist (the single act of weeping in the embrace)κλαίω: 'weep / cry'; the verb has occurred already at v.2 (κλαυθμός) and will recur at vv.14b and 15; the chapter is woven together by the repeated verb — weeping as the language of reunion.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (reciprocal action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΒενιαμινBenjaminsubject (the reciprocal weeping)→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (the reciprocal weeping).
ἔκλαυσενweptAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κλαίωmain verb (Benjamin's reciprocal weeping)→ constative aoristκλαίω: the repetition of the verb with both names as subject — Joseph weeps on Benjamin's neck, Benjamin weeps on his — enacts the bilateral restoration of the full-brother bond.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + dative (on Joseph's neck)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (on Joseph's neck).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τραχήλῳneckDativedative of place (on his neck)→ sphere or referenceτραχήλῳ: meaning 'neck'; it serves as dative of place (on his neck).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (Joseph's neck)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Joseph's neck).
15
καὶ καταφιλήσας πάντας τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ ἔκλαυσεν ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῖς· καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα ἐλάλησαν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ πρὸς αὐτόν.
And kissing all his brothers he wept over them; and after this his brothers spoke with him.
The embrace sequence moves from the Rachel-brothers (v.14) to all the brothers (v.15). Only after the double weeping (on Benjamin, over all) does speech become possible: the brothers' silence, which has lasted from v.3, finally breaks in 'after this his brothers spoke with him.' The inversion of the normal speech-action sequence is deliberate — the body (tears, kisses, embraces) speaks first; words follow only when the heart has been unlocked.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταφιλήσαςkissingAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · καταφιλέωattendant circumstance participle (the kiss preceding the weeping)→ antecedent action (kiss first, then weep)καταφιλέω: 'kiss earnestly / kiss repeatedly'; the compound κατα- intensifies — not a single formal kiss but an earnest, repeated kissing; the verb appears at Luke 15:20 (the father who kisses the prodigal 'earnestly') — another echo of the Joseph reunion in the NT.
πάνταςallAccusativeadjective modifying ἀδελφούς (the entire group)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the universality is theologically significant — Joseph's reconciliation extends to all ten brothers, not only those he loved or trusted; the restoration is complete and indiscriminate.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativedirect object (of kissing)→ object specificationἀδελφοὺς: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as direct object (of kissing).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
ἔκλαυσενweptAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κλαίωmain verb (weeping over all the brothers)→ constative aorist (single act of weeping encompassing all)κλαίω: the third occurrence in vv.14–15; the accumulated weeping — Joseph and Benjamin's bilateral tears, then Joseph's tears over all — is the narrative's ritual of reconciliation.
ἐπ᾿over / uponpreposition + dative (direction of emotional weeping: 'over them')→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (direction of emotional weeping: 'over them').
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative of reference (the brothers wept over)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of reference (the brothers wept over).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (transition to the restored speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal: 'after these things')→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (temporal: 'after these things').
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativeaccusative of time (the kisses and tears just described)→ object specificationμετὰ ταῦτα: 'after these things'; the temporal phrase signals that the silence of vv.3–15a is now over — only after the bodily reconciliation (tears, kisses) does speech become possible again.
ἐλάλησανspokeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαλέωmain verb (the brothers' first speech since v.3)→ constative aorist (the restored capacity for speech)λαλέω: 'speak / talk'; the aorist marks the brothers' speech as a newly recovered ability after the paralysis of vv.3–4 (οὐκ ἠδύναντο ἀποκριθῆναι); their silence has lasted twelve verses; reconciliation unlocks their tongues.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἀδελφοὶ: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as subject.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
πρὸςwith / topreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτόνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Joseph)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Joseph).
16
καὶ διεβοήθη ἡ φωνὴ εἰς τὸν οἶκον Φαραω λέγοντες· Ἥκασιν οἱ ἀδελφοὶ Ιωσηφ· ἐχάρη δὲ Φαραω καὶ ἡ θεραπεία αὐτοῦ.
And the report was spread into the house of Pharaoh, saying: 'The brothers of Joseph have come.' And Pharaoh rejoiced, and his household.
The scene shifts from the private tearful reunion to the official response. The report's penetration into the palace (cf. the weeping of v.2) triggers Pharaoh's pleasure — and his active engagement in vv.17–20 follows directly. The joy is both personal (Pharaoh genuinely pleased for Joseph) and political (stable succession of the vizier's position). The phrase ἡ θεραπεία αὐτοῦ ('his household / servants') includes the entire palace retinue.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διεβοήθηwas spread / was proclaimedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · διαβοάωmain verb (the report spreading through the palace)→ constative aorist (single event of news-spreading)διαβοάω: 'shout through / proclaim loudly / spread'; compound δια- of thoroughness — the news permeates the entire house; the passive expresses the uncontrolled spread of rumor/news rather than official announcement.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνὴvoice / report / newsNominativesubject (the report that spreads)→ participant prominenceφωνή: 'voice / sound / report'; here metonymic for 'the news / the report' — the same word used in v.2 for the cry of Joseph's weeping; the φωνή that leaked out of the private room in v.2 has now become official news in the palace.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (directional penetration)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional penetration).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouse / palaceAccusativedirectional accusative→ object specificationοἶκον: meaning 'house'; it serves as directional accusative.
ΦαραωPharaohindeclinable proper noun (genitive of possession)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (genitive of possession).
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · λέγωparticiple of manner (the content of the report, spoken in the palace)→ progressive participle (the words of the report as they are being spread)λέγοντες: nominative plural masculine; the subject is impersonal — the people/messengers spreading the news; the participle introduces the content of the report in direct speech.
Ἥκασινhave come / are herePf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἥκωmain verb of reported speech (announcement of arrival)→ extensive perfect (the brothers have arrived and are present — a present-state announcement)ἥκω: a verb whose present functions as a perfect in classical Greek ('be here / have arrived'); here in a true perfect form ἥκασιν; the announcement 'the brothers of Joseph are here' is news that matters to Pharaoh as state business.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativesubject of the reported speech→ participant prominenceἀδελφοὶ: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as subject of the reported speech.
ΙωσηφJosephindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relation: Joseph's brothers)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (genitive of relation: Joseph's brothers).
ἐχάρηrejoicedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · χαίρωmain verb (Pharaoh's response)→ constative aorist (single emotional reaction)χαίρω: 'rejoice / be glad'; the passive form ἐχάρη is standard LXX idiom for 'was made glad / rejoiced'; Pharaoh's joy sets the tone for his generous offer in vv.17–20.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΦαραωPharaohsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
καὶandadditive (extending Pharaoh's joy to his household)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεραπείαhousehold / servants / retinueNominativesubject (coordinate with Φαραω: the entire court rejoices)→ participant prominenceθεραπεία: 'service / serving / household'; here Pharaoh's retinue and household servants collectively; the word can also mean 'healing' (cf. Luke 9:11; Rev 22:2) but in this administrative context means 'those who attend / serve'; the whole palace apparatus shares Pharaoh's joy.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
17
εἶπεν δὲ Φαραω πρὸς Ιωσηφ· εἰπὸν τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς σου· Τοῦτο ποιήσατε· γεμίσατε τὰ σκεύη ὑμῶν σίτου καὶ ἀπέλθατε εἰς γῆν Χανααν·
And Pharaoh said to Joseph: 'Say to your brothers: Do this — load your vessels with grain and depart to the land of Canaan;'
Pharaoh's speech (vv.17–20) converts Joseph's personal invitation into an official royal command. The structure is significant: Pharaoh speaks through Joseph — underscoring Joseph's mediating role. The three imperatives (say / load / depart) are crisp and directive; Pharaoh adds the wagon-command (v.19) and the dismissal of material concern (v.20) as royal magnanimity.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain 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.
ΦαραωPharaohsubject→ participant identificationΦαραω: Pharaoh's direct speech is pivotal — his word carries royal authority; what Joseph proposed in vv.9–13 is now endorsed by the king.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΙωσηφJosephaccusative object of πρός (the intermediary)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (the intermediary).
εἰπὸνsayAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λέγωmain imperative (Pharaoh commanding Joseph to relay the message)→ constative aorist imperativeλέγω: the singular imperative addresses Joseph alone — Pharaoh's chain of command; Joseph mediates between Pharaoh and the brothers throughout.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῖςbrothersDativedative of indirect object→ sphere or referenceἀδελφοῖς: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as dative of indirect object.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
ΤοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (anticipatory: 'do this — namely:')→ participant referenceτοῦτο: anticipatory demonstrative introducing the specific commands that follow; LXX/Semitic idiom for 'here is what you must do.'
ποιήσατεdoAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ποιέωmain imperative (the general command to act)→ constative aorist imperativeποιέω: 'make / prepare'; the command to construct/ready a new cart for the ark's conveyance.
γεμίσατεload / fillAor Act Impv 2 Pl · γεμίζωmain imperative (first specific action: load the vessels)→ constative aorist imperativeγεμίζω: 'fill / load'; compound of γέμω ('be full'); used of loading pack animals or containers; the imperative signals immediate, complete loading.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηvessels / sacks / baggageAccusativedirect object→ object specificationσκεῦος: 'vessel / container'; here the brothers' sacks and baggage for grain transport.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
σίτουgrainGenitivegenitive of content ('fill with grain')→ relational specificationσῖτος: 'grain / wheat'; the commodity Joseph controls; genitive of content.
καὶandadditive (second imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέλθατεdepartAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀπέρχομαιmain imperative (second action: depart)→ constative aorist imperativeἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; compound ἀπό- marks departure from Egypt.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative of direction→ object specificationγῆν: meaning 'land'; it serves as accusative of direction.
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun (land of destination)→ participant identificationΧανααν: LXX transliteration of כְּנַעַן; indeclinable; the brothers must return there to accomplish Pharaoh's command.
18
καὶ παραλαβόντες τὸν πατέρα ὑμῶν καὶ τὰ ὑπάρχοντα ὑμῶν ἥκετε πρός με· καὶ δώσω ὑμῖν πάντων τῶν ἀγαθῶν Αἰγύπτου καὶ φάγεσθε τὸ μεδυλλίον τῆς γῆς.
And taking your father and your possessions, come to me; and I will give you all the good things of Egypt, and you shall eat the fat of the land.
Pharaoh's promise escalates from practical provision (grain) to royal extravagance: 'all the good things of Egypt' and 'the fat of the land' (τὸ μεδυλλίον τῆς γῆς). The hapax μεδυλλίον renders Hebrew חֵלֶב הָאָרֶץ ('the fat of the land') — the richest, most prized portion. The double promise (δώσω … φάγεσθε) covers provision and enjoyment.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandadditive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παραλαβόντεςtaking alongAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · παραλαμβάνωattendant circumstance participle (bring father as first priority)→ antecedent action (take the father first, then come)παραλαμβάνω: 'take along / bring with'; compound παρα- marks accompaniment; the same verb in NT for taking someone on a journey (Matt 1:20; 2:13).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativedirect object (Jacob, the primary person to be brought)→ object specificationπατέρα: meaning 'father'; it serves as direct object (Jacob, the primary person to be brought).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandadditive→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑπάρχονταpossessionsPres Act Ptcp Acc Pl N · ὑπάρχωsubstantival participle (all their goods to be transported)→ progressive participleὑπάρχω: τὰ ὑπάρχοντα = 'possessions'; the instruction to bring everything is reinforced by v.20's reassurance that Egypt will provide more.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
ἥκετεcomePres Act Impv 2 Pl · ἥκωmain imperative (the goal: arrive at Joseph in Egypt)→ present imperative (durative: keep traveling until you arrive)ἥκω: 'come / arrive'; present imperative ἥκετε denotes the journey until arrival.
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.
καὶandadditive (introducing the promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δώσωI will giveFut Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (Pharaoh's first promise)→ predictive future (royal pledge)δίδωμι: 'give / grant'; first-person future = royal pledge; not a loan but a benefaction.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of indirect object→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object.
πάντωνallGenitivepartitive genitive ('from all the good things')→ relational specificationπάντων: meaning 'all'; it serves as partitive genitive ('from all the good things').
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγαθῶνgood thingsGenitivegenitive of content (what is given)→ relational specificationἀγαθός: τὰ ἀγαθὰ Αἰγύπτου = 'the choicest goods of Egypt'; Egypt as source of all good things is a recurring LXX motif.
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive of source→ relational specificationΑἰγύπτου: meaning 'Egypt'; it serves as genitive of source.
καὶandadditive (second promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (Pharaoh's second promise: enjoyment)→ predictive futureἐσθίω: 'eat'; the second future adds enjoyment to provision.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μεδυλλίονfat / marrow / best partAccusativedirect object (the choicest portion)→ object specificationμεδυλλίον: a rare LXX hapax rendering Hebrew חֵלֶב הָאָרֶץ ('the fat of the land' — the richest portion); possibly related to μυελός ('marrow'); a Hebraism for absolute abundance — the best of everything.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of source→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of source.
19
σὺ δὲ ἔντειλαι ταῦτα· λάβετε ἑαυτοῖς ἁμάξας ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου τοῖς παιδίοις ὑμῶν καὶ ταῖς γυναιξὶν ὑμῶν· καὶ ἀναλαβόντες τὸν πατέρα ὑμῶν παρεύεσθε.
And you yourself command these things: 'Take wagons for yourselves from the land of Egypt for your children and your wives; and taking your father, travel on.'
The emphatic σύ distinguishes this command from the general instructions of vv.17–18 — Pharaoh now addresses Joseph directly with a supplementary royal order. The wagons (ἁμάξαι) are the chapter's material symbol of Pharaoh's sincerity and the instrument of Jacob's revival (v.27: seeing the wagons, Jacob's spirit revives). They represent official Egyptian support for the migration.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic: 'you yourself, Joseph')→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic personal pronoun singles out Joseph for an additional command distinct from what was to be relayed to the brothers.
δὲandnarrative connective (addressing Joseph personally)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔντειλαιcommandAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιmain imperative (Pharaoh formally commanding Joseph to issue the order)→ constative aorist imperativeἐντέλλομαι: 'command / order / charge'; the middle aorist imperative is formally directive — Pharaoh is not suggesting but commanding.
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativedirect object (the specific commands that follow)→ object specificationταῦτα: meaning 'these things'; it serves as direct object (the specific commands that follow).
λάβετεtakeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λαμβάνωmain imperative (the brothers' action: take wagons)→ constative aorist imperativeλαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; Egypt provides the transport, demonstrating that the migration is under official royal auspices.
ἑαυτοῖςfor yourselvesDativedative of advantage (reflexive: 'for your own use')→ sphere or referenceἑαυτοῖς: meaning 'for yourselves'; it serves as dative of advantage (reflexive: 'for your own use').
ἁμάξαςwagonsAccusativedirect object (the wagons to be taken)→ object specificationἅμαξα: 'wagon / cart'; the ἁμάξαι are the chapter's material symbol of Pharaoh's sincerity; seeing them, Jacob's spirit revives (v.27). Wagons are unusual in the Levantine context and mark Egyptian official provision — their existence proves the story came from Egypt's apparatus.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of source→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of source.
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive of location→ relational specificationΑἰγύπτου: meaning 'Egypt'; it serves as genitive of location.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδίοιςchildrenDativedative of advantage (wagons for the children to ride)→ sphere or referenceπαιδίον: 'child / young child'; the inclusion of children and wives signals the comprehensiveness of the invitation — the entire family migrates.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandadditive→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυναιξὶνwivesDativedative of advantage (coordinate with παιδίοις)→ sphere or referenceγυνή: 'woman / wife'; plural covers the women of the household.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandadditive (final command)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναλαβόντεςtaking upAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · ἀναλαμβάνωattendant circumstance participle (taking the father as the central cargo)→ antecedent action (take the father first, then travel)ἀναλαμβάνω: 'take up / take along / lift'; compound ἀνα- may suggest lifting Jacob into the wagon; the same verb at v.27 (ὥστε ἀναλαβεῖν αὐτόν — the wagons 'to take him up').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativedirect object (Jacob as the primary 'cargo' of the wagons)→ object specificationπατέρα: meaning 'father'; it serves as direct object (Jacob as the primary 'cargo' of the wagons).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
παρεύεσθεtravel onPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · παρεύομαιmain imperative (the onward journey commanded)→ present imperative (durative: keep traveling)παρεύομαι: a rare LXX form, possibly a dialectal or scribal variant of πορεύομαι ('travel / proceed'); the present imperative suggests the sustained journey.
20
καὶ μὴ φείδεσθε τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ὑμῶν τῶν σκευῶν· τὰ γὰρ πάντα ἀγαθὰ Αἰγύπτου ὑμέτερά ἐστιν.
And do not let your eyes spare your possessions, for all the good things of Egypt are yours.
The final element of Pharaoh's speech removes the practical obstacle to wholesale migration: attachment to the goods of Canaan. The idiom μὴ φείδεσθε τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ('do not spare with your eyes') is a Hebraism meaning 'do not look back with regret.' The assurance τὰ ἀγαθὰ Αἰγύπτου ὑμέτερά ἐστιν anticipates the abundant provision of ch.47.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandadditive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μὴnotnegating particle (with present imperative: desist)→ discourse linkage or contrastμὴ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φείδεσθεsparePres Mid Impv 2 Pl · φείδομαιmain imperative (negative: stop sparing your eyes on possessions)→ progressive present imperative (desist from the ongoing reluctance to leave things behind)φείδομαι: 'spare / be reluctant to give up'; the idiom φείδεσθε τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς renders Hebrew אַל-תָּחֹס עֵינְכֶם = 'do not look back with regret'; a Hebraism using the eye as the organ of covetous reluctance.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with dative of instrument)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοῖςeyesDativedative of instrument (Hebraism: 'do not spare with your eyes')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the eye as the organ of desire and regret — the idiom means 'do not cast a longing or regretful backward glance at the things you leave in Canaan.'
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκευῶνpossessions / goodsGenitivegenitive of respect (the things not to be regarded with regret)→ relational specificationσκεῦος: 'vessel / possessions'; here broadly 'your household goods in Canaan'; the instruction is to leave them without regret.
τὰtheNominativearticle (subject of the assurance)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (grounding the command in Pharaoh's promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταallNominativeadjective (modifying ἀγαθά: 'all the good things')→ participant prominenceπάντα: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (modifying ἀγαθά: 'all the good things').
ἀγαθὰgood thingsNominativesubject (the good things of Egypt)→ participant prominenceἀγαθός: τὰ πάντα ἀγαθὰ Αἰγύπτου echoes v.18; the repetition reinforces Pharaoh's pledge.
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive of source→ relational specificationΑἰγύπτου: meaning 'Egypt'; it serves as genitive of source.
ὑμέτεράyoursNominativepredicate adjective (emphatic: '[they are] yours')→ participant prominenceὑμέτερος: emphatic second-person possessive adjective (ὑμέτερα rather than simple genitive ὑμῶν) stresses transfer of ownership — Egypt's goods are already yours by royal decree.
ἐστινarePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copulative: '[they] are yours')→ gnomic present (a standing royal truth)εἰμί: copula.
21
ἐποίησαν δὲ οὕτως οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ· ἔδωκεν δὲ Ιωσηφ αὐτοῖς ἁμάξας κατὰ τὰ εἰρημένα ὑπὸ Φαραω τοῦ βασιλέως, καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς ἐπισιτισμὸν εἰς τὴν ὁδόν.
And the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them wagons according to what was commanded by Pharaoh the king, and gave them provisions for the road.
The brief compliance report ἐποίησαν δὲ οὕτως ('and they did so') closes the command sequence with narrative obedience. The chapter now shifts from speech to action: Joseph personally distributes wagons (the material authentication), provisions, clothing, and gifts. The mention of Φαραω τοῦ βασιλέως — with the title βασιλεύς added — emphasizes the official royal sanction of the wagons, preparing for v.27 where the sight of the wagons convinces Jacob.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ἐποίησανdidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (narrative compliance with all commands)→ constative aorist (single completed act of obedience)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.
οὕτωςso / thusadverb of manner (linking back to the commands of vv.17–20)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'in this way / so'; the brief compliance formula closes the entire command sequence; the narrative economy is characteristic of LXX compliance reports.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject.
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper noun (genitive of relation: sons of Israel)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the name 'Israel' is used here rather than 'Jacob' for the sons as a collective — signaling that the compliance marks a new phase in the history of the people Israel, not just the family of Jacob. LXX uses Ισραηλ consistently for the patriarchal collective.
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (Joseph's distribution)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; in the idiom ἔδωκεν ἐν χειρί ('gave into the hand of') it denotes the formal transfer of command authority to Abishai.
δὲandnarrative connective (transition: Joseph now acts)→ 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.
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative of indirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object.
ἁμάξαςwagonsAccusativedirect object (the wagons as commanded)→ object specificationἅμαξα: the wagons now materially distributed — they will later (v.27) be the visual proof that revives Jacob's spirit; their distribution is the narrative's hinge between the Egyptian episode and the Canaanite response.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (conformity: 'according to what was commanded')→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (conformity: 'according to what was commanded').
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with substantival perfect participle)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἰρημέναwhat was commanded / saidPf Pass Ptcp Acc Pl N · λέγωsubstantival participle ('the things having been said / commanded')→ perfect participle (the commands now standing as completed directives to be followed)λέγω: the perfect passive participle τὰ εἰρημένα = 'the things that have been commanded / decreed'; the perfect emphasizes that Pharaoh's word stands as authoritative — Joseph's distribution is in explicit conformity with royal command.
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agent of the passive participle)→ spatial or relational framingὑπὸ: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (agent of the passive participle).
ΦαραωPharaohindeclinable proper noun (agent of the command)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (agent of the command).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with βασιλέως in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέωςkingGenitivegenitive in apposition (title: 'Pharaoh the king')→ relational specificationβασιλεύς: 'king'; the explicit addition of the royal title βασιλεύς after Φαραω here (absent elsewhere in this passage) emphasizes the official, regal authority behind the wagon provision — these are royal wagons, not a private gift.
καὶandadditive (second distribution)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (second gift: provisions)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; in the idiom ἔδωκεν ἐν χειρί ('gave into the hand of') it denotes the formal transfer of command authority to Abishai.
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative of indirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object.
ἐπισιτισμὸνprovisions / food for the journeyAccusativedirect object (travel provisions)→ object specificationἐπισιτισμός: 'provisions for a journey / travel food'; compound ἐπι- + σῖτος ('food'); a logistical necessity for the multi-day journey from Egypt to Canaan; the word emphasizes Joseph's practical care for his brothers' physical needs.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose: provisions for the road)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: provisions for the road).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδόνroad / journeyAccusativeaccusative of purpose ('for the road')→ object specificationὁδός: 'road / way / journey'; εἰς τὴν ὁδόν = 'for the road' — the standard LXX idiom for travel provisions; the same word recurs in v.24 (ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ) in the parting charge.
22
καὶ πᾶσιν αὐτοῖς ἔδωκεν δισσὰς στολάς· τῷ δὲ Βενιαμιν ἔδωκεν τριακοσίους χρυσοῦς καὶ πέντε στολὰς ἐξαλλάσσουσας.
And to all of them he gave two changes of clothing; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred gold pieces and five changes of clothing.
The distribution follows two tiers: all the brothers receive δισσὰς στολάς ('double robes / two changes'), but Benjamin receives five changes of clothing plus 300 gold pieces. The asymmetry signals Benjamin's special status as Joseph's full brother. The LXX reads τριακοσίους χρυσοῦς (300 gold pieces) where the MT has 300 of silver — a distinctive variant that upgrades the gift.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandadditive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶσινallDativedative of indirect object (all ten brothers)→ sphere or referenceπᾶσιν: meaning 'all'; it serves as dative of indirect object (all ten brothers).
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative of indirect object (coordinate with πᾶσιν)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (coordinate with πᾶσιν).
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (distribution to all brothers)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; in the idiom ἔδωκεν ἐν χειρί ('gave into the hand of') it denotes the formal transfer of command authority to Abishai.
δισσὰςdouble / twoAccusativeadjective modifying στολάς (two changes of clothing each)→ object specificationδισσός: 'double / twofold'; here specifying two changes of clothing — a mark of honour and practical provision for the journey.
στολάςrobes / changes of clothingAccusativedirect object (the clothing given)→ object specificationστολή: 'robe / set of clothing / festal garment'; δισσὰς στολάς = 'two changes of clothing' — enough for the journey and for presentation at home; the verb δίδωμι + στολή echoes the earlier coats-of-many-colours motif (37:3).
τῷthe / toDativearticle (dative of indirect object: to Benjamin)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbutadversative connective (contrasting Benjamin's superior gift)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'but'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΒενιαμινBenjaminindeclinable proper noun (the recipient of the special gift)→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: the singling out of Benjamin for a superior gift signals the full-brother bond and anticipates Jacob's question about Joseph (v.28); the asymmetric gift recalls the earlier distinction at Jacob's table (43:34) where Benjamin received five portions.
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (distribution to Benjamin specifically)→ constative aoristδίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; in the idiom ἔδωκεν ἐν χειρί ('gave into the hand of') it denotes the formal transfer of command authority to Abishai.
τριακοσίουςthree hundredAccusativeaccusative adjective modifying χρυσοῦς (quantity)→ object specificationτριακόσιοι: 'three hundred'; the number is specific and large; the LXX text reads χρυσοῦς (gold) where the MT reads כֶּסֶף (silver) — a distinctive LXX variant that upgrades the gift from silver to gold coins.
χρυσοῦςgold piecesAccusativedirect object (gold coins / gold pieces)→ object specificationχρυσοῦς: 'gold / gold coin / gold piece' (χρύσεος adj. used substantivally as a monetary unit); the LXX reads τριακοσίους χρυσοῦς (300 gold pieces) where MT has 300 silver pieces (שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת כָּסֶף) — the LXX upgrade reflects either a different Vorlage or the translator's enhancement of the gift's value.
καὶandadditive (adding the clothing to the gold)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πέντεfivecardinal numeral (modifying στολάς: five changes)→ measure or countπέντε: 'five'; Benjamin's five changes of clothing echo the five portions he received at Joseph's table (43:34) — a consistent pattern of fivefold honour for the full brother.
στολὰςrobes / changes of clothingAccusativedirect object (five changes of clothing for Benjamin)→ object specificationστολή: five changes versus the two given to each brother — the asymmetry is the narrative's marking of Benjamin's special status.
ἐξαλλάσσουσαςchanging / exchangeablePres Act Ptcp Acc Pl F · ἐξαλλάσσωattributive participle (modifying στολάς: 'changes of clothing')→ progressive participle (garments suitable for exchange / rotation)ἐξαλλάσσω: 'change / exchange'; the participial use here = 'changes of clothing / garments to change into'; the underlying Hebrew חֲלִיפֹת שְׂמָלֹת means exactly 'changes of garments'; the same phrase was used at 45:22 for the brothers' two changes — Benjamin gets five.
23
καὶ τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ ἀπέστειλεν κατὰ τὰ αὐτά· καὶ δέκα ὄνους αἴροντας ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἀγαθῶν Αἰγύπτου καὶ δέκα ἡμιόνους αἰρούσας ἄρτους τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ εἰς ὁδόν.
And to his father he sent likewise; and ten donkeys bearing from all the good things of Egypt, and ten she-mules bearing bread for his father for the journey.
Joseph's gift for Jacob is dispatched by caravan before Jacob even arrives: ten donkeys laden with the good things of Egypt (luxury goods), and ten she-mules laden with bread (staple provisions). The gift both communicates Joseph's love and practically prepares Jacob's migration. The enumeration κατὰ τὰ αὐτά ('likewise') links Jacob's gift to the brothers' gift, but the specificity of the animal caravan amplifies its grandeur.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandadditive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtheDativearticle (dative: gift addressed to the father)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὶfatherDativedative of indirect object (recipient of the gift)→ sphere or referenceπατήρ: Joseph's father Jacob; the consistent use of 'father' rather than 'Jacob' sustains the emotional register of filial love throughout the chapter.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (dispatch of the gift caravan)→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: 'send / dispatch'; the same verb used in vv.5, 7, 8 for God's sending of Joseph; now Joseph sends — the divine mission issues in a human mission of provision.
κατὰlikewise / according topreposition + accusative (conformity / correspondence)→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'likewise'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (conformity / correspondence).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αὐτάsame thingsAccusativeaccusative of manner (κατὰ τὰ αὐτά = 'in the same manner / likewise')→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'same'; the phrase κατὰ τὰ αὐτά links the father's gift to the brothers' gifts as similarly generous.
καὶandadditive (specifying the gift)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δέκαtencardinal numeral (modifying ὄνους)→ measure or countδέκα: meaning 'ten'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
ὄνουςdonkeysAccusativedirect object (ten donkeys as part of the gift caravan)→ object specificationὄνος: 'donkey / ass'; the standard pack animal for goods transport in the ancient Near East; ten donkeys carrying luxury goods signals a royal-scale gift.
αἴρονταςbearing / carryingPres Act Ptcp Acc Pl M · αἴρωattributive participle (describing the donkeys: 'bearing from all the good things')→ progressive participle (actively carrying as they travel)αἴρω: 'lift / carry / bear'; the participle specifies what the donkeys are doing — carrying Egypt's luxury goods northward to Canaan.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source: from all Egypt's goods)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: from all Egypt's goods).
πάντωνallGenitivegenitive of the whole (partitive)→ relational specificationπάντων: meaning 'all'; it serves as genitive of the whole (partitive).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγαθῶνgood thingsGenitivegenitive of content (what is carried: Egypt's finest goods)→ relational specificationἀγαθός: τὰ ἀγαθὰ Αἰγύπτου recurs from vv.18, 20 — the phrase's third occurrence ties the narrative together: what Pharaoh promised Jacob's family will receive is now literally being loaded onto donkeys.
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive of source→ relational specificationΑἰγύπτου: meaning 'Egypt'; it serves as genitive of source.
καὶandadditive (second part of the caravan)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δέκαtencardinal numeral (modifying ἡμιόνους)→ measure or countδέκα: meaning 'ten'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
ἡμιόνουςshe-mulesAccusativedirect object (second part of the caravan: mules)→ object specificationἡμίονος: 'mule / half-donkey' (ἥμι- + ὄνος); a sturdy pack animal; the gender-distinction (ὄνους masc. for donkeys, ἡμιόνους fem. for she-mules) may reflect different roles or simply different herds; ten mules of bread balance the ten donkeys of luxury goods — provision and abundance.
αἰρούσαςbearing / carryingPres Act Ptcp Acc Pl F · αἴρωattributive participle (feminine to agree with ἡμιόνους)→ progressive participleαἴρω: feminine participial form agreeing with ἡμιόνους; the gender change in the participle (αἴροντας → αἰρούσας) mirrors the gender change in the noun (ὄνους m. → ἡμιόνους f.).
ἄρτουςbread / loavesAccusativedirect object (what the mules carry: bread for the journey)→ object specificationἄρτος: 'bread / loaf'; the staple provision for the journey home; contrasts with τὰ ἀγαθά (luxury goods) — Joseph sends both luxuries and staples, covering the full spectrum of need.
τῷtheDativearticle (dative: for his father)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὶfatherDativedative of advantage (for his father's use)→ sphere or referenceπατρὶ: meaning 'father'; it serves as dative of advantage (for his father's use).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose: for the journey)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: for the journey).
ὁδόνroad / journeyAccusativeaccusative of purpose (provisions for the road)→ object specificationὁδόν: meaning 'road'; it serves as accusative of purpose (provisions for the road).
24
καὶ ἐξαπέστειλεν τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Μὴ ὀργίζεσθε ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ.
And he sent his brothers away, and they departed; and he said to them: 'Do not be angry on the road.'
The parting word μὴ ὀργίζεσθε ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ is one of the chapter's most debated clauses. The Hebrew אַל-תִּרְגְּזוּ (al-tirgezû) means 'do not tremble / be agitated / quarrel'; the verb רָגַז (rāgaz) covers both emotional agitation and interpersonal conflict. The LXX renders with ὀργίζεσθε ('be angry'), pulling toward the quarrel-interpretation: perhaps Joseph fears the brothers will argue on the road about their guilt. But the full range of the Hebrew includes simple 'do not be anxious / agitated' — possibly 'do not rush anxiously.' The interpretive ambiguity is characteristic of the Joseph narrative's emotional complexity.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξαπέστειλενsent awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξαποστέλλωmain verb (the formal dismissal)→ constative aorist (single act of sending away)ἐξαποστέλλω: 'send away completely'; the same compound verb used at v.1 for dismissing the Egyptians (Ἐξαποστείλατε); the chapter is framed by ἐξαποστέλλω — dismissal of Egyptians opens the recognition, dismissal of brothers closes it.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativedirect object (the brothers dismissed)→ object specificationἀδελφοὺς: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as direct object (the brothers dismissed).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (reporting their departure)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθησανthey departedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (narrative departure)→ constative aorist (single completed departure)πορεύομαι: 'travel / go / depart'; deponent passive form; the brief report ἐπορεύθησαν — 'and they departed' — does not linger on the farewell; the narrative's economy leaves the emotional weight of the parting in the reader's imagination.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the parting word)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (the parting charge)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of indirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object.
Μὴnotnegating particle (with present imperative: prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastΜὴ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀργίζεσθεbe angry / quarrelPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · ὀργίζωmain imperative (the parting charge: do not be angry on the road)→ progressive present imperative (desist from or do not enter into anger)ὀργίζω: 'make angry / be angry'; the LXX renders Hebrew אַל-תִּרְגְּזוּ (al-tirgezû, from רָגַז) with ὀργίζεσθε ('be angry'). The Hebrew רָגַז covers trembling agitation, violent emotion, and interpersonal quarreling; ὀργίζεσθε captures one sense (anger/quarrel) but not the full range. The clause is a crux: (1) 'do not quarrel with each other about the guilt of the sale' (most common reading); (2) 'do not be anxious / agitated on the journey'; (3) 'do not be afraid / trembling.' The LXX's rendering pulls toward the first interpretation, perhaps reflecting the translator's reading that the brothers' guilt might erupt into mutual recrimination.
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.
ὁδῷroad / wayDativedative of place ('on the road')→ sphere or referenceὁδός: 'road / way'; the chapter's final use of ὁδός (cf. εἰς τὴν ὁδόν of v.21) — the journey home is the scene of the potential anger/agitation; the parting word encloses the return journey in a pastoral charge before it even begins.
25
καὶ ἀνέβησαν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου καὶ παρεγένοντο εἰς γῆν Χανααν πρὸς Ιακωβ τὸν πατέρα αὐτῶν.
And they went up from Egypt and came to the land of Canaan, to their father Jacob.
The travel report is compressed into a single verse — the narrative is impatient to reach Jacob's reaction. The expected phrase ἀνέβησαν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου ('they went up from Egypt') uses the standard directional idiom and reverses the κατέβησαν εἰς Αἴγυπτον pattern of chs.42–43. The arrival πρὸς Ιακωβ ('to Jacob') focuses attention immediately on the father as the recipient of the news.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέβησανwent upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (the journey northward from Egypt)→ constative aorist (the journey completed in a single narrative step)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; the standard directional verb for travel from Egypt to Canaan — the reverse of καταβαίνω ('go down') used for descents to Egypt; the geography encodes a cultural and theological hierarchy.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (point of departure)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (point of departure).
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive of departure (from Egypt)→ relational specificationΑἰγύπτου: meaning 'Egypt'; it serves as genitive of departure (from Egypt).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result of the journey)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρεγένοντοcame / arrivedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · παραγίνομαιmain verb (arrival at the destination)→ constative aorist (the arrival completed)παραγίνομαι: 'arrive / come to / reach'; compound παρα- of arrival alongside; the verb is used for significant arrivals (cf. John the Baptist's παρεγένετο, Matt 3:1; Jesus' παραγίνεται, Mark 1:9) — here the brothers' arrival is the narrative climax for Jacob.
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (direction of arrival)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of arrival).
γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative of direction→ object specificationγῆν: meaning 'land'; it serves as accusative of direction.
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun (the land of arrival)→ participant identificationΧανααν: the land of promise and of Jacob's residence; the arrival reverses the departure of v.17 (ἀπέλθατε εἰς γῆν Χανααν) — the commission is now accomplished.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (personal direction: to the person)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (personal direction: to the person).
ΙακωβJacobindeclinable proper noun (personal destination: the father)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: the patriarch now becomes the scene's focal point; the narrative has moved from Joseph (vv.1–24) to the brothers in transit (v.25) to Jacob as the recipient of transformative news (vv.26–28).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πατέρα in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Ιακωβ (identifying the relationship)→ object specificationπατήρ: 'father'; the narrative consistently places Jacob in the father-role; the return 'to their father' links the chapter back to Joseph's repeated 'my father' in vv.9–13.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive (their father)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (their father).
26
καὶ ἀνήγγειλαν αὐτῷ λέγοντες ὅτι Ιωσηφ ὁ υἱός σου ζῇ καὶ αὐτός ἐστιν ἄρχων πάσης γῆς Αἰγύπτου· καὶ ἐξέστη ἡ διάνοια Ιακωβ, οὐ γὰρ ἐπίστευσεν αὐτοῖς.
And they reported to him, saying: 'Joseph your son is alive, and he is ruler of all the land of Egypt.' And the mind of Jacob was overwhelmed, for he did not believe them.
The news Joseph your son lives (ζῇ — the same verb from v.3, now applied to Joseph himself) is the reversal of everything Jacob has believed since ch.37. His immediate reaction is not joy but ἐξέστη ἡ διάνοια — his mind was overwhelmed / went out of itself. The explanatory clause (οὐ γὰρ ἐπίστευσεν αὐτοῖς) reveals that unbelief rather than joy is the first response. Only the physical evidence of the wagons (v.27) will overcome this paralysis.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνήγγειλανreportedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb (the delivery of the news)→ constative aorist (single completed act of reporting)ἀναγγέλλω: 'report / announce / declare'; compound ἀνα- of recounting; the verb is used for formal, complete reports of important events; here the brothers' report delivers the most astonishing news Jacob has heard since the bloodied coat of ch.37.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object (Jacob as recipient)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (Jacob as recipient).
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · λέγωparticiple of manner (introducing direct speech)→ progressive participle (the speaking accompanying the report)λέγω: meaning 'saying'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as participle of manner (introducing direct speech).
ὅτιthatrecitative conjunction (introducing direct/indirect speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: here either recitative (introducing direct speech verbatim) or indirect statement; both readings yield the same content: Joseph is alive.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject (indeclinable proper noun: the name spoken aloud to Jacob)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: the name Jacob last heard reported in connection with grief; now spoken as the subject of ζῇ ('lives') — one of the most emotionally loaded three words in the chapter.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱόςsonNominativesubject in apposition (Joseph identified relationally)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; addressing Jacob as 'your son' directly — the relational title that Jacob has been grieving as forever severed.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (the proclamation of Joseph's life)→ progressive present (Joseph is alive right now — the news is present-tense reality)ζάω: 'live'; the ζῇ-inclusio: Joseph asked 'is my father still ζῇ?' (v.3); now the brothers report 'Joseph ζῇ' (v.26); Jacob responds 'if Joseph ζῇ' (v.28) — the word 'lives' is the theological hinge of the entire chapter.
καὶandadditive (adding the second fact: his authority)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτόςhe / himselfNominativesubject (emphatic: 'he himself is ruler')→ participant prominenceαὐτός: intensive pronoun — 'he himself'; the addition of αὐτός stresses the identity claim: this same Joseph, your son, is now ruler.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (copulative: 'he is ruler')→ gnomic present (his present standing)εἰμί: copula.
ἄρχωνrulerNominativepredicate nominative (Joseph's title: ruler)→ participant prominenceἄρχων: 'ruler / leader'; the same title as in v.8; reporting Joseph's authority to Jacob demonstrates that the news is credible and magnificent — not just alive but ruling all Egypt.
πάσηςallGenitivegenitive (modifying γῆς)→ relational specificationπάσης: meaning 'all'; it serves as genitive (modifying γῆς).
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of extent→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of extent.
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive of location→ relational specificationΑἰγύπτου: meaning 'Egypt'; it serves as genitive of location.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing Jacob's reaction)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξέστηwas overwhelmed / was astonishedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξίστημιmain verb (Jacob's stunned reaction)→ constative aorist (sudden onset of mental overwhelm)ἐξίστημι: 'stand outside oneself / be astounded / lose one's reason'; the intransitive aorist ἐξέστη = 'was beside himself / was overwhelmed'; not a gentle surprise but a complete failure of rational processing; the same verb describes the apostolic crowd's astonishment at Pentecost (Acts 2:7, 12) and the reactions to Jesus' mighty works (Mark 2:12; 5:42).
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διάνοιαmind / understandingNominativesubject (what was overwhelmed: his rational faculty)→ participant prominenceδιάνοια: 'mind / understanding / faculty of reasoning'; the specific word choice is precise: it is not his emotions (θυμός, καρδία) but his διάνοια — his capacity for rational apprehension — that is overwhelmed; the news exceeds his intellectual framework.
ΙακωβJacobindeclinable proper noun (genitive of possession: Jacob's mind)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (genitive of possession: Jacob's mind).
οὐnotnegating particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (giving the reason for the overwhelm)→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπίστευσενbelievedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πιστεύωmain verb (the reason for the paralysis: disbelief)→ constative aorist (he simply did not believe — a completed failure of faith)πιστεύω: 'believe / trust'; the aorist negated — 'he did not believe them'; this is not stubborn unbelief but the natural incapacity of grief to process resurrection-news; Jacob has grieved Joseph as dead for decades; the news is too good to be credible without physical evidence.
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative of indirect object (the brothers as the source he cannot trust)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: the same brothers who presented Joseph's coat soaked in blood (37:32–33) — their historical credibility with Jacob is compromised, which explains why he cannot simply believe their report.
27
εἶπαν δὲ αὐτῷ πάντα τὰ ῥήματα Ιωσηφ ὅσα εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· ἰδὼν δὲ τὰς ἁμάξας ἃς ἀπέστειλεν Ιωσηφ ὥστε ἀναλαβεῖν αὐτόν, ἀνεζωπύρησεν τὸ πνεῦμα Ιακωβ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν.
And they told him all the words of Joseph, as many as he had said to them; and seeing the wagons that Joseph had sent to take him up, the spirit of their father Jacob was rekindled.
The two-stage revival: first the words (the full report of Joseph's speech), then the visual — the wagons. The wagons (ἁμάξαι) that Joseph sent in vv.19, 21 are here the instrument of Jacob's revival: they are too official, too material, too Egyptian to be fabricated. The climactic verb ἀνεζωπύρησεν τὸ πνεῦμα Ιακωβ ('the spirit of Jacob was rekindled') deploys ἀναζωπυρέω — a compound meaning 'rekindle a fire / bring a smouldering fire back to life' — shared with 2 Tim 1:6 (ἀναζωπυρεῖν τὸ χάρισμα, 'rekindle the gift of God'), the NT's only other occurrence.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
εἶπανtoldAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (the full report delivered)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπαν, Koine form): introduces the third invitation.
δὲandnarrative connective (the brothers respond to disbelief with a fuller report)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object.
πάνταallAccusativeadjective (modifying ῥήματα: 'all the words')→ object specificationπάντα: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (modifying ῥήματα: 'all the words').
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματαwords / sayingsAccusativedirect object (the entire content of Joseph's speech)→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / saying / utterance'; the brothers report not just the headline (v.26: 'Joseph lives') but all the words (πάντα τὰ ῥήματα) — the full theological explanation of vv.5–13; the comprehensive repetition is the antidote to disbelief.
ΙωσηφJosephindeclinable proper noun (genitive of source: the words that come from Joseph)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (genitive of source: the words that come from Joseph).
ὅσαas many as / all thatAccusativerelative pronoun used substantivally (specifying the scope of the words)→ participant referenceὅσα: meaning 'as many as'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun used substantivally (specifying the scope of the words).
εἶπενhad saidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of relative clause (the words Joseph said to them in Egypt)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of indirect object (the brothers as recipients of Joseph's speech)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (the brothers as recipients of Joseph's speech).
ἰδὼνseeingAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · ὁράωtemporal/causal participle (Jacob's seeing the wagons — the visual tipping point)→ antecedent action (seeing leads to the rekindling)ὁράω: 'see / perceive'; the aorist participle marks perception as the trigger — it is the sight (not just the hearing) of the wagons that produces the result; cf. v.12 where 'your own eyes see' was the authentication for the brothers; now Jacob needs his own eyes.
δὲandnarrative connective (pivoting to the visual evidence)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁμάξαςwagonsAccusativedirect object of ἰδών (the wagons as visual proof)→ object specificationἅμαξα: the wagons dispatched in vv.19, 21 now serve their crucial narrative function — they are the irrefutable, material evidence that the story comes from Egypt's official apparatus; no forger in Canaan could produce Egyptian wagons. The wagon-sight is the moment of Jacob's faith.
ἃςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative direct object of ἀπέστειλεν)→ participant referenceἃς: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (accusative direct object of ἀπέστειλεν).
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb of relative clause (Joseph's dispatch of the wagons)→ constative aoristἀποστέλλω: the sending-verb here applied to the wagons — a material extension of the divine sending-theology of vv.5–8; Joseph sends wagons as God sent Joseph.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject of ἀπέστειλεν (Joseph as the sender of the wagons)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἀπέστειλεν (Joseph as the sender of the wagons).
ὥστεin order to / so as toconsecutive/final conjunction (introducing the purpose of sending the wagons)→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε + infinitive: indicates purpose or result; here the purpose for which Joseph sent the wagons: to take Jacob up.
ἀναλαβεῖνto take upAor Act Inf · ἀναλαμβάνωinfinitive of purpose (the goal of the wagons: to take Jacob up to Egypt)→ constative aorist infinitiveἀναλαμβάνω: 'take up / lift up / take along'; the compound ἀνα- ('up') is topographically meaningful — the wagons will take Jacob 'up' from Canaan and then 'down' into Egypt; the verb in the NT is used for the Ascension (Acts 1:2, 11 — Jesus ἀνελήμφθη).
αὐτόνhimAccusativeaccusative object of ἀναλαβεῖν (Jacob as the one to be taken up)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἀναλαβεῖν (Jacob as the one to be taken up).
ἀνεζωπύρησενwas rekindledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναζωπυρέωmain verb (the climactic rekindling of Jacob's spirit)→ constative aorist (single pivotal moment of rekindling)ἀναζωπυρέω: 'rekindle / fan back into flame / bring a smouldering fire back to life' (ἀνα- + ζωπυρέω, from ζωπυρεῖον 'fire-pot'); the metaphor is of embers brought back to flame. The NT's only other occurrence is 2 Tim 1:6 (ἀναζωπυρεῖν τὸ χάρισμα τοῦ θεοῦ — 'rekindle the gift of God'), where Paul uses precisely this image for Timothy's ministry; the shared verb makes Jacob's revived spirit a type of the theological pattern of rekindled grace. The subject is τὸ πνεῦμα Ιακωβ — Jacob's spirit, the deep animating principle of the man.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with πνεῦμα as subject)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πνεῦμαspiritNominativesubject (what is rekindled: Jacob's spirit)→ participant prominenceπνεῦμα: 'spirit / breath / animating life-force'; here the deep personal spirit of Jacob, the essential vitality that has been smouldering under grief since ch.37; the rekindling at the sight of the wagons is the narrative's most theologically resonant moment before v.28.
ΙακωβJacobindeclinable proper noun (genitive of possession: Jacob's spirit)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (genitive of possession: Jacob's spirit).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with πατρός in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive in apposition to Ιακωβ (identifying him as their father)→ relational specificationπατήρ: the apposition 'their father' (τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν) at the moment of the rekindling is theologically rich — it is as father that Jacob's spirit revives, not only as the patriarch or as Israel; fatherly love reignites first.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive (the brothers' father)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (the brothers' father).
28
εἶπεν δὲ Ισραηλ· Μέγα μοί ἐστιν εἰ ἔτι Ιωσηφ ὁ υἱός μου ζῇ· πορευθεὶς ὄψομαι αὐτὸν πρὶν ἀποθανεῖν με.
And Israel said: 'It is great for me if my son Joseph is still alive; I will go and see him before I die.'
The chapter closes on the patriarch's own lips — now designated Ισραηλ rather than Ιακωβ, the name of his ultimate identity before God. The acclamation Μέγα μοί ἐστιν ('it is great for me') renders Hebrew רַב ('great / enough'); the LXX choice of μέγας expresses the overwhelming magnitude of the news. The εἰ clause ('if Joseph is still alive') is not a condition of doubt but an ecstatic 'if indeed it is so' — a form of the exclamatory conditional. The closing vow (πορευθεὶς ὄψομαι αὐτὸν πρὶν ἀποθανεῖν με — 'I will go and see him before I die') is Israel's personal commitment: his life has a goal it lacked for years. This verse anchors v.28's content exactly as assigned: Μέγα μοί ἐστιν, εἰ ἔτι Ιωσηφ ὁ υἱός μου ζῇ.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Israel's closing speech)→ 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.
ΙσραηλIsraelsubject (indeclinable proper noun: the patriarch's covenant name)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the use of 'Israel' rather than 'Jacob' at this verse is deliberate and theologically charged — the man speaks now in his covenant identity, as Israel the patriarch of the people, not merely Jacob the grieving father. The name change at this pivotal moment signals that the revival of spirit (v.27) is a renewal of his calling as Israel.
Μέγαgreat / it is greatNominativepredicate adjective (subject of ἐστιν: 'it is great')→ participant prominenceμέγας: 'great / large / mighty'; the LXX renders Hebrew רַב ('great / enough / abundant') with μέγας; the choice of μέγας over ἱκανός ('enough') elevates the register — this is not a sigh of relief ('enough') but an exclamation of magnitude ('how great a thing!').
μοίfor meDativedative of advantage ('great for me')→ participant reference or interestἐγώ: the dative μοί makes the greatness personal — it is Israel's individual experience of the news; the news is cosmically significant and personally transformative.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopulative verb→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.
εἰifconditional particle (ecstatic conditional: 'if indeed it is so / since')→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; here used in an exclamatory conditional — not a condition of genuine uncertainty but an ecstatic 'if it is really true that…'; the LXX's εἰ (for Hebrew עוֹד 'still') produces a conditional structure where MT has a direct assertion: 'Joseph my son is still alive' (MT) vs. 'it is great for me if my son Joseph is still alive' (LXX); the LXX reading keeps open the possibility of disbelief while the speaker's heart is already convinced.
ἔτιstilladverb of continuation (Joseph is still living — present, ongoing life)→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet'; the word links this verse back to v.3 (ἔτι ὁ πατήρ μου ζῇ — 'is my father still living?') — Joseph and Jacob are each the object of the other's 'still alive?' question; the ἔτι-chain ties the chapter's beginning and end together.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject of ζῇ (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ζῇ (indeclinable proper noun).
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱόςsonNominativesubject in apposition to Ιωσηφ (relational title)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; Israel speaks the relational title 'my son' — the same title Joseph uses for his father ('my father') throughout the chapter; the father-son bond, broken by the sale of ch.37, is proclaimed restored from both sides.
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
ζῇlivesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb of conditional clause (Joseph's living: the theological center)→ progressive present (Joseph is alive right now — ongoing present reality)ζάω: 'live'; the ζῇ-inclusio culminates here: Joseph asked about his father (v.3: ζῇ;), the brothers reported Joseph (v.26: ζῇ), and now Israel proclaims it (v.28: ζῇ); the chapter is enclosed by the verb 'live' and stands under its sign.
πορευθεὶςgoing / having goneAor Pass Ptcp Nom Sg M · πορεύομαιattendant circumstance participle (the journey preceding the seeing)→ antecedent action (go first, then see — the journey as means to the goal)πορεύομαι: 'go / travel'; the deponent aorist passive participle; the going is subsidiary to the seeing — Israel's focus is entirely on ὄψομαι ('I will see him'), the goal that justifies the journey.
ὄψομαιI will seeFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (Israel's personal vow: to see Joseph)→ predictive future (Israel's determined resolve: this will happen)ὁράω: 'see'; the future ὄψομαι is Israel's personal commitment — 'I will see him'; the seeing is not casual but the culmination of years of mourning; it anticipates the reunion of ch.46 (46:29 — Joseph weeping on his neck). The ζῇ-ὄψομαι pairing ('lives … I will see') is Israel's resurrection-faith in miniature.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object (Joseph: the one Israel will see)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (Joseph: the one Israel will see).
πρὶνbeforetemporal conjunction (before + infinitive: 'before dying')→ discourse linkage or contrastπρίν: 'before'; introduces the temporal limit of Israel's goal — to see Joseph before death; the clause carries the poignancy of an old man's final wish; cf. Simeon's Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2:29–30: 'now you dismiss your servant … for my eyes have seen your salvation') — the same pattern of a dying patriarch's deepest longing finally fulfilled.
ἀποθανεῖνto dieAor Act Inf · ἀποθνήσκωinfinitive with πρίν (temporal: 'before dying')→ constative aorist infinitive (the single event of death as temporal limit)ἀποθνήσκω: 'die / die off'; the infinitive with πρίν constitutes a temporal clause: 'before I die'; Israel's horizon is defined by death, but the dying is now postponed by a reason for living — he must see Joseph first.
μεmeAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive (Israel as the one who will die)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative subject of the infinitive (Israel as the one who will die).