Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 46ΓΕΝΕΣΙΣ ΜϚ′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

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

Theme

The chapter opens with Israel halting at the Well of the Oath (φρέαρ τοῦ ὅρκου — LXX name for Beer-sheba, recalling the patriarchal oaths of Gen 21:31 and 26:33 and Jacob's vow at 28:22) to sacrifice to the God of his father Isaac (46:1); the night-vision that follows (46:2–4) is the last theophany in the Jacob narrative.

Translation & textual notes

The Greek text of Genesis 46 follows the standard critical text of the Septuagint as established in the Rahlfs–Hanhart edition (Septuaginta, rev. ed. 2006), an ancient and public-domain text; the critical apparatus is not reproduced. The chapter opens with Israel halting at the Well of the Oath (φρέαρ τοῦ ὅρκου — LXX name for Beer-sheba, recalling the patriarchal oaths of Gen 21:31 and 26:33 and Jacob's vow at 28:22) to sacrifice to the God of his father Isaac (46:1); the night-vision that follows (46:2–4) is the last theophany in the Jacob narrative. The divine self-identification Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ θεός σου ὁ θεὸς τῶν πατέρων σου (46:3) echoes the burning-bush formula of Exod 3:6, quoted verbatim at Acts 7:32. The promise of 46:4 is structurally threefold: God will go down with Jacob (καταβήσομαι μετά σου), will bring him up at the end (ἀναβιβάσω σε εἰς τέλος — εἰς τέλος renders the Hebrew cognate-infinitive absolute עָלֹה יַעַלְךָ and adds a temporal-comprehensive nuance: 'finally' or 'all the way through', anticipating both the Exodus and the repatriation of Jacob's bones in Josh 24:32), and Joseph will close his eyes (the funerary laying-of-hands). At 46:27 the LXX records the total as ἑβδομήκοντα πέντε — seventy-five persons of Jacob's house who entered Egypt — against the MT's seventy. The LXX achieves the higher count by appending in v.20 additional descendants of Joseph: children of Manasseh by his Syrian concubine (Makir, and Makir's son Gilead) and further descendants of Ephraim (Shuthelah, Taam, and Edom). Stephen quotes this number verbatim at Acts 7:14, aligning the NT directly with the LXX against the MT at a numerically specific point. At 46:29 Joseph falls on Israel's neck — ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ — the identical formula deployed at Luke 15:20 (the father running to the prodigal) and Acts 20:37 (the Ephesian elders weeping over Paul's departure). At 46:30 Israel's ἀποθανοῦμαι ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν ('I can die now, since I have seen your face') is the Genesis antecedent of the Nunc Dimittis: Simeon's νῦν ἀπολύεις τὸν δοῦλόν σου (Luke 2:29–30) deliberately echoes this structure — the old man sees the face of the promised one and judges his life complete. At 46:34 the settlement strategy turns on βδέλυγμά ἐστιν Αἰγυπτίοις πᾶς ποιμὴν προβάτων: βδέλυγμα is the standard LXX term for cultic abomination (תּוֹעֵבָה), used throughout Deuteronomy, Proverbs, Ezekiel, and Revelation (e.g. Rev 17:4–5).

1

Ἀπάρας δὲ Ισραηλ αὐτὸς καὶ πάντα τὰ αὐτοῦ ἦλθεν ἐπὶ τὸ φρέαρ τοῦ ὅρκου καὶ ἔθυσεν θυσίαν τῷ θεῷ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ Ισαακ.

And Israel set out, he and all that was his, and came to the Well of the Oath, and he sacrificed a sacrifice to the God of his father Isaac.

Narrative transition (decisive departure toward Egypt)Ἀπάρας δέ
The participial opening Ἀπάρας δέ launches the chapter as a hinge between Gen 45's reunion preparations and the Egypt-entry of Gen 46–47. The destination φρέαρ τοῦ ὅρκου (Beer-sheba) is the last Canaanite sacred site before the Egyptian border; Israel's sacrifice there invokes the theophany Isaac received at this very location (Gen 26:24–25: 'do not fear, for I am with you'), establishing the theological premise for the night-vision that immediately follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
Ἀπάραςsetting outAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · ἀπαίρωtemporal/circumstantial participle (antecedent action to ἦλθεν)→ antecedent action (departure prior to arrival)ἀπαίρω: 'depart, break camp, set out'; a standard LXX narrative-transition participle (cf. Gen 12:9; 35:5; Num 10:12); Israel does not merely 'go' but formally breaks camp — the participle frames the whole enterprise as purposeful and complete.
δὲandnarrative connective (mild continuation)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙσραηλIsraelnominative subject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the patriarch is named by his covenant name (given at Gen 32:28; confirmed 35:10) rather than Ιακωβ, emphasizing that the covenantal heir is the one making this momentous departure; the divine speech of vv.2–3 will revert to the personal name Ιακωβ.
αὐτὸςhimselfNominativeintensive pronoun (subject in apposition to Ισραηλ: 'he himself')→ participant referenceαὐτὸς: meaning 'himself'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as intensive pronoun (subject in apposition to Ισραηλ: 'he himself').
καὶandconnective (enumerative: 'he and all his things')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταallAccusativeaccusative (substantival adjective, neuter plural: 'all [his] things')→ object specificationπᾶς: neuter plural πάντα τὰ αὐτοῦ ('all things belonging to him') echoes the comprehensive departure-language of Gen 12:5 (Abraham departing Haran) and 36:6 (Esau taking his whole house); the entire household is in motion.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing αὐτοῦ: 'the things of him')→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (with τά: 'all that was his')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (with τά: 'all that was his').
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (narrative arrival)→ constative aorist (completed journey to Beer-sheba)ἔρχομαι: standard narrative arrival verb; the destination marks Beer-sheba as the boundary of the ancestral land — a liminal threshold before Egypt.
ἐπὶtopreposition + accusative (direction / destination)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction / destination).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φρέαρwellAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (destination: the Well of the Oath)→ object specificationφρέαρ: 'well, cistern'; φρέαρ τοῦ ὅρκου is the LXX's consistent rendering of Beer-sheba (בְּאֵר שֶׁבַע, 'well of the oath/seven'). The LXX translates rather than transliterates, keeping the covenantal dimension in Greek: every occurrence of Beer-sheba in the patriarchal narrative becomes 'the well of the oath', recalling the sworn covenants of Abraham (Gen 21:31) and Isaac (Gen 26:33).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅρκουoathGenitivegenitive of characterisation / appellation ('well of the oath')→ relational specificationὅρκος: 'oath, sworn pledge'; the genitive names the well by the defining covenantal act; at Beer-sheba both Abraham (Gen 21:22–34) and Isaac (Gen 26:23–33) swore oaths, and Isaac received divine theophany and promise there (Gen 26:24).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔθυσενsacrificedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θύωmain verb (cultic action at the sacred site)→ constative aorist (single completed sacrifice)θύω: 'sacrifice, offer'; the patriarchal practice of altar-sacrifice at significant sites (Gen 12:7–8; 26:25; 35:7) marks this as a formal covenant-renewal act before departure from the land.
θυσίανa sacrificeAccusativecognate accusative (direct object: 'sacrificed a sacrifice')→ object specificationθυσία: 'sacrifice, offering'; the cognate object (θύω + θυσίαν) is a standard LXX Hebraism calquing the Hebrew cognate-infinitive absolute (זָבַח זֶבַח); the construction intensifies the verbal idea.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεῷGodDativedative of recipient (indirect object of sacrifice)→ sphere or referenceθεός: the sacrifice is directed specifically to 'the God of his father Isaac' — not Abraham, not the patriarchs generically; this precision recalls Beer-sheba theophany of Gen 26:24 ('I am the God of Abraham your father'), the last divine address to Isaac at this very location.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship ('God of his father')→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; the designation 'the God of his father Isaac' anchors the sacrifice in the specific generational covenantal link: Isaac is the mediating figure between Abrahamic promise and Jacobite fulfilment.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (his father)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (his father).
ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable appositive to πατρός (proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσαακ: LXX transliteration of יִצְחָק; indeclinable; the naming of Isaac rather than Abraham deliberately recalls Gen 26:24–25, where God appeared to Isaac at Beer-sheba with the promise 'do not fear, for I am with you' — a promise that the night-vision of 46:3–4 will re-instantiate for Jacob.
2

εἶπεν δὲ ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ ἐν ὁράματι τῆς νυκτὸς εἴπας· Ιακωβ Ιακωβ. ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Τί ἐστιν;

And God spoke to Israel in a vision of the night, saying: 'Jacob, Jacob.' And he said: 'What is it?'

Theophany introduction (divine speech initiated in night vision)εἶπεν δέ
The doubled vocative Ιακωβ Ιακωβ is a formulaic marker of divine urgency in the LXX: Αβρααμ Αβρααμ (Gen 22:11), Μωυσῆ Μωυσῆ (Exod 3:4), Σαμουηλ Σαμουηλ (1 Sam 3:10); each instance marks a pivotal covenantal commission. Jacob's minimal response Τί ἐστιν; is the standard formula of readiness before the divine word (cf. ἰδοὺ ἐγώ at Gen 22:1, 7, 11; 1 Sam 3:4–6).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech act — introducing divine address)→ constative aorist (single speech event)λέγω: standard speech-introduction verb; with ὁ θεός as subject it introduces direct divine speech — a theophany.
δὲandnarrative connective (continuation)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ: 'the God of Israel' — definite article marks identity)→ noun-phrase markingθεός: the LXX uses the definite article with θεός when referring to the God of Israel; ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ marks the speaker as Israel's own covenant God.
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable genitive (relational: 'the God of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable genitive (relational: 'the God of Israel').
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere / medium of revelation)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere / medium of revelation).
ὁράματιa visionDativedative of means (in a vision — medium of theophany)→ sphere or referenceὅραμα: 'vision (seen thing)'; ὅραμα τῆς νυκτός = night vision; a standard theophany medium in the LXX (Gen 15:1; 26:24; Dan 7:1–2); distinct from ὄναρ (dream) — ὅραμα implies a quasi-waking experience of divine sight.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νυκτὸςnightGenitivegenitive of time / characterisation ('night vision')→ relational specificationνύξ: 'night'; the night-setting of revelation is consistent in the LXX patriarchal narratives (Gen 15:5; 26:24; 28:11–12; 32:22–30) — night theophanies precede pivotal transitions.
εἴπαςsayingAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · λέγωcircumstantial participle (manner: introducing direct speech)→ coincident aorist participleλέγω: εἴπας as a speech-formula participle is a LXX Hebraism calquing לֵאמֹר — the Hebrew infinitive-construct routinely appended after verbs of speaking to introduce direct discourse; it is grammatically redundant but idiomatically standard.
ΙακωβJacobvocative (doubled divine address — first call)→ participant identificationΙακωβ (first): the personal name used in the divine address, not the covenant name Ισραηλ — God calls him by his personal name, establishing intimacy.
ΙακωβJacobvocative (doubled divine address — repetition for urgency)→ participant identificationΙακωβ (second): the doubled vocative is a formulaic marker of divine urgency and commissioning: Αβρααμ Αβρααμ (Gen 22:11), Μωυσῆ Μωυσῆ (Exod 3:4), Σαμουηλ Σαμουηλ (1 Sam 3:10), Σαοὺλ Σαοὺλ (Acts 9:4); each signals a pivotal covenantal address.
ὁheNominativearticle used as pronoun (resumptive subject: 'he', i.e. Jacob)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲandconnective (narrative switch of speaker)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Jacob's response — speech act)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΤίWhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (predicate nominative: 'what is it?')→ participant referenceτίς: 'who/what'; Τί ἐστιν; is Jacob's formula of availability — simple readiness before the word, paralleling ἰδοὺ ἐγώ ('here I am') at Gen 22:1, 7, 11 and 1 Sam 3:4–6.
ἐστινis itPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (existential question)→ stative presentεἰμί: copula.
3

ὁ δὲ εἶπεν· Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ θεός σου ὁ θεὸς τῶν πατέρων σου· μὴ φοβοῦ καταβῆναι εἰς Αἴγυπτον· εἰς γὰρ ἔθνος μέγα ποιήσω σε ἐκεῖ.

And he said: 'I am your God, the God of your fathers; do not be afraid to go down into Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there.'

Divine speech: self-identification + commission + promiseὁ δέ
The tripartite structure — self-identification (Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ θεός σου), command (μὴ φοβοῦ καταβῆναι), promise (ποιήσω σε εἰς ἔθνος μέγα) — is the standard LXX theophany schema (Gen 26:24; 28:13–15; Exod 3:6–10). The formula Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ θεός σου ὁ θεὸς τῶν πατέρων σου echoes the burning-bush formula of Exod 3:6, quoted at Acts 7:32.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ὁheNominativearticle as pronoun (resumptive subject: God)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲandnarrative connective (continuation / speaker switch)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (divine speech act)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ἘγώINominativeemphatic subject pronoun (divine self-identification: 'I myself am')→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic pronoun in the divine formula Ἐγώ εἰμι parallels the burning-bush formula of Exod 3:14 (ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ὤν) and the Johannine ἐγώ εἰμι sayings (John 6:35; 8:12; 11:25); here it marks the speaker's identity as the ground of the command and promise that follow.
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula (divine self-identification: 'I am')→ stative present (timeless identification)εἰμί: the copula in the formula is not a mere grammatical link but an identity-claim; Ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ θεός σου echoes Gen 26:24 (ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ θεὸς Αβρααμ τοῦ πατρός σου) and Exod 3:6 (ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ θεὸς τοῦ πατρός σου).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with first θεός — predicate nominative)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativepredicate nominative (first designation: 'your God')→ participant prominenceθεός: first in a double self-identification: ὁ θεός σου ('your God' — personal covenant relationship) + ὁ θεὸς τῶν πατέρων σου ('the God of your fathers' — the ancestral covenant chain); both are required for the full covenantal identity.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive ('your God')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive ('your God').
ὁtheNominativearticle (second predicate nominative in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativepredicate nominative (second designation: 'the God of your fathers')→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as predicate nominative (second designation: 'the God of your fathers').
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέρωνfathersGenitivegenitive of relationship ('God of your fathers')→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; τῶν πατέρων σου = the patriarchal line Abraham–Isaac; the phrase is quoted at Acts 7:32 (ὁ θεὸς τῶν πατέρων σου) as the burning-bush formula, making Gen 46:3 a structural precedent for the Mosaic call.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
μὴdo notnegative particle (prohibitive with present imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: prohibitive negative with present imperative (μὴ φοβοῦ) = 'stop fearing' (ongoing state to be halted); the same command recurs at virtually every LXX theophany (Gen 15:1; 21:17; 26:24; Exod 3:11–12; Isa 41:10).
φοβοῦfearPres Mid Impv 2 Sg · φοβέομαιmain verb (prohibitive imperative: 'do not be afraid')→ progressive present (ongoing fear commanded to cease)φοβέομαι: 'fear, be afraid'; the object is the complementary infinitive καταβῆναι — Jacob is to stop fearing this specific act of descent; divine accompaniment (v.4) is the ground of the reassurance.
καταβῆναιto go downAor Act Inf · καταβαίνωcomplementary infinitive (object of φοβοῦ: 'do not fear to descend')→ aorist infinitive (action viewed as a whole: the descent)καταβαίνω: 'go down, descend'; theologically loaded: Abraham 'went down' to Egypt in famine (Gen 12:10) and Isaac was explicitly told not to go down to Egypt (Gen 26:2); Jacob's descent thus required explicit divine authorization.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction: into Egypt)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: into Egypt).
ΑἴγυπτονEgyptAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ participant identificationΑἴγυπτος: LXX form of מִצְרַיִם; Egypt appears throughout the patriarchal narratives as the place of both refuge and risk; now it is the site of covenanted nation-formation.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (result / transformation: 'into a great nation')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (result / transformation: 'into a great nation').
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (causal: grounds for the command not to fear)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: the promise of nation-making is the reason not to fear the descent — divine purpose transforms the frightening migration into covenantal fulfilment.
ἔθνοςnationAccusativeaccusative predicate (object of ποιήσω with εἰς: 'make you into a nation')→ object specificationἔθνος: 'nation, people'; ἔθνος μέγα = 'a great nation', the Abrahamic promise-formula (Gen 12:2: ποιήσω σε εἰς ἔθνος μέγα καὶ εὐλογήσω σε); the promise is re-activated at the moment of departure, confirming that Egypt is not an abandonment of the Abrahamic trajectory but its theatre.
μέγαgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔθνος)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great, large'; the phrase ἔθνος μέγα precisely recalls Gen 12:2, God's first promise to Abraham; its restatement here, as Jacob enters Egypt, confirms that the time of national growth (the 430 years of Exod 12:40) is about to begin.
ποιήσωI will makeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (divine promise: future indicative)→ predictive future (divine performative commitment)ποιέω: 'make, do'; the future first-person singular is the grammatical form of the divine promise throughout the LXX patriarchal narratives; God's 'I will make' carries performative force — it constitutes what it names.
σεyouAccusativeaccusative direct object (Jacob: object of ποιήσω)→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object (Jacob: object of ποιήσω).
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (in Egypt — specifying the site of nation-formation)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; specifies Egypt as the site of Israel's nation-formation, fulfilling the Abrahamic prophecy of Gen 15:13–14 (your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land 400 years, then depart with great possessions).
4

ἐγὼ δὲ καταβήσομαι μετά σου εἰς Αἴγυπτον καὶ ἐγὼ ἀναβιβάσω σε εἰς τέλος, καὶ Ιωσηφ ἐπιβαλεῖ τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς σου.

I myself will go down with you into Egypt, and I myself will bring you up at the end, and Joseph will lay his hands upon your eyes.

Divine speech: threefold promise — accompaniment, return, and good deathἐγὼ δέ
The triple promise — I will go down with you (accompaniment), I will bring you up εἰς τέλος (return), Joseph will close your eyes (good death in family) — is the rhetorical climax of the theophany. The double ἐγώ ('I myself … I myself') is emphatic and unusual; εἰς τέλος is a key crux, rendering the Hebrew cognate-infinitive absolute עָלֹה יַעַלְךָ ('he will surely bring you up again') with a temporal-comprehensive phrase.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun (first of the double ἐγώ: 'I myself')→ participant referenceἐγώ: the double ἐγώ (here and before ἀναβιβάσω) is not strictly necessary; its repetition is intensifying — God himself, and no merely delegated power, will descend and ascend with Israel. The first ἐγώ marks the accompaniment-promise.
δὲandconnective (continuation of divine speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταβήσομαιwill go downFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (divine promise: first — accompaniment in descent)→ predictive future (divine commitment to go down with Israel)καταβαίνω: God's 'going down' into Egypt (καταβήσομαι μετά σου) is remarkable — God accompanies Israel into the foreign land; the same language of divine descent recurs at Exod 3:8 (κατέβην ἐξελέσθαι αὐτοὺς = 'I have come down to deliver them'), suggesting the descent with Jacob is the beginning of the trajectory that culminates in the Exodus.
μετάwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + genitive: 'with, together with'; μετά σου ('with you') is the standard LXX divine-presence formula (Gen 26:24; 28:15; Josh 1:5); the promise of divine accompaniment is one of the most repeated theological assurances in the LXX.
σουyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά (accompaniment)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (accompaniment).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction: into Egypt)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: into Egypt).
ΑἴγυπτονEgyptAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ participant identificationΑἴγυπτον: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of εἰς.
καὶandconnective (introducing second promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun (second of the double ἐγώ)→ participant referenceἐγὼ: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as emphatic subject pronoun (second of the double ἐγώ).
ἀναβιβάσωwill bring upFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀναβιβάζωmain verb (divine promise: second — return from Egypt)→ predictive future (divine commitment to eventual bringing-up)ἀναβιβάζω: 'bring up, cause to ascend' (causative of ἀναβαίνω); contrasts with the simple καταβαίνω — God descends with Israel but causatively brings him up, pointing toward the Exodus and the repatriation of Jacob's bones (Gen 50:25–26; Exod 13:19; Josh 24:32).
σεyouAccusativeaccusative direct object (Jacob: object of ἀναβιβάσω)→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object (Jacob: object of ἀναβιβάσω).
εἰςatpreposition + accusative (temporal/comprehensive idiom: εἰς τέλος)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (temporal/comprehensive idiom: εἰς τέλος).
τέλοςthe endAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (idiomatic: 'at the end / completely')→ object specificationτέλος: 'end, completion, goal'; εἰς τέλος has a range of meanings in the LXX — (a) 'at the end, finally' (temporal); (b) 'completely, entirely' (comprehensive). Here it renders the Hebrew cognate-infinitive absolute עָלֹה יַעַלְךָ ('he will surely bring you up again') — the MT's infinitive absolute expresses certainty; the LXX shifts to εἰς τέλος, adding a temporal-comprehensive nuance anticipating both the Exodus and Jacob's bones being carried up to Canaan. The phrase recurs in eschatological contexts: Matt 10:22 (ὁ δὲ ὑπομείνας εἰς τέλος); 1 Thess 2:16.
καὶandconnective (introducing third and final promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωσηφJosephnominative subject (indeclinable proper noun: Joseph as agent of the third promise)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: named as the agent of Jacob's good death; the promise that Joseph's hand will close Jacob's eyes is the deepest expression of filial love and faithful presence — the son who was thought dead will perform the last tender act.
ἐπιβαλεῖwill layFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιβάλλωmain verb (third promise — funerary act by Joseph)→ predictive future (divine guarantee of a good death)ἐπιβάλλω: 'lay upon, place on'; ἐπιβαλεῖ τὰς χεῖρας ἐπὶ τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς σου = 'will lay his hands upon your eyes' — the act of closing the eyelids of the deceased, performed by the nearest loved one; cf. Gen 50:1 where Joseph indeed weeps over Jacob's face; the cultural practice is attested in Homer (Iliad 11.452–453) and throughout the ancient Near East.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραςhandsAccusativeaccusative direct object (τὰς χεῖρας αὐτοῦ — his hands)→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; Joseph's hands on Jacob's eyes convert mourning into care — the promised reversal of the earlier hand-related imagery where the coat of blood falsely announced Joseph's death.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (Joseph's hands)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Joseph's hands).
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (placement: hands upon eyes)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (placement: hands upon eyes).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμούςeyesAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the eyes — funerary act)→ object specificationὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; the promise that Joseph will close Jacob's eyes is the divine guarantee that Jacob will not die alone — he will die with the 'dead' son present, having seen his face (cf. v.30: 'now I can die, since I have seen your face').
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive (your eyes — Jacob's)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (your eyes — Jacob's).
5

ἀνέστη δὲ Ιακωβ ἀπὸ τοῦ φρέατος τοῦ ὅρκου· καὶ ἀνέλαβον οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ τὸν πατέρα αὐτῶν Ιακωβ καὶ τὴν ἀποσκευὴν αὐτῶν καὶ τὰς γυναῖκας αὐτῶν ἐπὶ τὰς ἁμάξας, ἃς ἀπέστειλεν Ιωσηφ ἀγαγεῖν αὐτόν.

And Jacob arose from the Well of the Oath; and the sons of Israel took up their father Jacob and their baggage and their wives upon the wagons, which Joseph had sent to bring him.

Narrative resumption (departure executed after the theophany)ἀνέστη δέ
Jacob's rising (ἀνέστη) after the night-vision mirrors the standard LXX post-theophany departure formula (cf. Gen 22:3: ἀναστὰς Αβρααμ after the binding of Isaac; 28:18: ἀναστὰς δὲ Ιακωβ after the ladder); the vision accomplished, the journey resumes. The sons of Israel — not Jacob alone — take up the household: the whole extended family (father, baggage, wives) is loaded onto Joseph's own wagons (ἁμάξας, ἃς ἀπέστειλεν Ιωσηφ), a detail that emphasizes Joseph's provision and foresight.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
ἀνέστηaroseAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (narrative action: rising after the theophany)→ ingressive aorist (onset of rising / setting out)ἀνίστημι: 'rise, stand up, arise'; the ingressive aorist marks the decisive moment of departure after the theophany; in the LXX patriarchal narratives ἀναστάς / ἀνέστη after a divine encounter signals obedient response (Gen 22:3; 28:18; 31:17).
δὲandnarrative connective (continuation)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙακωβJacobnominative subject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative subject (indeclinable proper noun).
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (ablative: point of departure)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (ablative: point of departure).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φρέατοςwellGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (departure point: the Well of the Oath)→ relational specificationφρέαρ: see v.1; the repetition of the φρέαρ τοῦ ὅρκου as the departure point closes the Beer-sheba frame (arrival in v.1, departure here), marking the theophany as the structural core of this unit.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅρκουoathGenitivegenitive of characterisation ('well of the oath')→ relational specificationὅρκου: meaning 'oath'; it serves as genitive of characterisation ('well of the oath').
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέλαβονtook upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναλαμβάνωmain verb (action: the sons load the household onto wagons)→ constative aorist (completed loading)ἀναλαμβάνω: 'take up, pick up, lift'; the sons of Israel are the actors — a detail that highlights the generational transfer of responsibility: the sons who once bore false news of Joseph's death now bear their father toward Joseph.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (the sons of Israel)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (the sons of Israel).
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable genitive (possessive: 'sons of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable genitive (possessive: 'sons of Israel').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativedirect object (their father — first of three objects of ἀνέλαβον)→ object specificationπατήρ: 'father'; the sons carry their father — a reversal of the earlier grief in which Jacob was carried by news of Joseph's death; now he is physically carried toward Joseph.
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).
ΙακωβJacobindeclinable appositive to πατέρα (proper noun identifying the father)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable appositive to πατέρα (proper noun identifying the father).
καὶandconnective (second object in enumeration)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀποσκευὴνbaggageAccusativedirect object (second object of ἀνέλαβον: the baggage)→ object specificationἀποσκευή: 'baggage, belongings, equipment'; the term covers movable property — the household goods that are loaded onto the wagons; it denotes the practical, material aspect of the migration.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive (their baggage)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (their baggage).
καὶandconnective (third object in enumeration)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: 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.
γυναῖκαςwivesAccusativedirect object (third object of ἀνέλαβον: the wives)→ object specificationγυνή: 'woman, wife'; the wives of the sons are loaded onto Joseph's wagons, completing the picture of a full household migration.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive (their wives)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (their wives).
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (placement: onto the wagons)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (placement: onto the wagons).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁμάξαςwagonsAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the wagons — means of transport)→ object specificationἅμαξα: 'wagon, cart'; Joseph's wagons sent to Canaan (Gen 45:19, 21) are now the vehicles of the whole household's migration; their Egyptian origin — Pharaoh's gift through Joseph — means that Egypt itself provides the conveyance for the entry into Egypt.
ἃςwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative: antecedent ἁμάξας — 'wagons which')→ participant referenceἃς: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (accusative: antecedent ἁμάξας — 'wagons which').
ἀπέστειλενhad sentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωverb in relative clause (pluperfect sense: Joseph had sent them)→ constative aorist (prior completed action)ἀποστέλλω: 'send, dispatch'; the aorist has pluperfect sense here — Joseph had already dispatched the wagons in Gen 45:21; this backreference confirms that the wagons now in use are Joseph's provision.
ΙωσηφJosephnominative subject of relative clause (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative subject of relative clause (indeclinable proper noun).
ἀγαγεῖνto bringAor Act Inf · ἄγωinfinitive of purpose (to bring him — the purpose of sending the wagons)→ aorist infinitive (action viewed as a whole: the bringing)ἄγω: 'lead, bring, bring along'; the purpose of the wagons was ἀγαγεῖν αὐτόν — 'to bring him', i.e. Jacob; the pronoun refers to the patriarch, confirming Joseph's personal stake in securing his father's safe journey.
αὐτόνhimAccusativeaccusative object of ἀγαγεῖν (Jacob)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἀγαγεῖν (Jacob).
6

καὶ ἀναλαβόντες τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτῶν καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν κτῆσιν, ἣν ἐκτήσαντο ἐν γῇ Χανααν, εἰσῆλθον εἰς Αἴγυπτον Ιακωβ καὶ πᾶν τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ μετ' αὐτοῦ·

And taking their possessions and all the property which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, they came into Egypt — Jacob and all his seed with him;

Narrative continuation (the entry into Egypt described)καὶ ἀναλαβόντες
The participial ἀναλαβόντες continues from v.5 — taking everything with them as they go; εἰσῆλθον εἰς Αἴγυπτον is the climactic main verb of the unit, the entry that the whole chapter has been building toward. The phrase 'Jacob and all his seed with him' (πᾶν τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ) uses the Abrahamic covenant-term σπέρμα ('seed/offspring'), which echoes God's promise at Gen 12:7; 13:15; 17:7 — the seed promised to the patriarchs is now whole and entering Egypt.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (continuation)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναλαβόντεςtakingAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · ἀναλαμβάνωcircumstantial participle (temporal/modal: 'taking up [their things] they entered')→ antecedent action (taking precedes the entry)ἀναλαμβάνω: see v.5; here the plural participle (the whole household as subject) frames the comprehensive gathering of possessions before the single main-verb entry.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὑπάρχοντα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑπάρχονταpossessionsPres Act Ptcp Acc Pl N · ὑπάρχωsubstantival participle (direct object of ἀναλαβόντες: 'their existing things / possessions')→ stative present (things that exist / that they possess)ὑπάρχω: 'exist, be at one's disposal'; τὰ ὑπάρχοντα as a substantive = 'possessions, resources, belongings'; a standard LXX term for movable property (cf. Luke 12:15, 33; Acts 2:45).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive (their possessions)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (their possessions).
καὶandconnective (second object in enumeration)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶσανallAccusativeaccusative adjective (modifying κτῆσιν: 'all the property')→ object specificationπᾶσαν: meaning 'all'; it serves as accusative adjective (modifying κτῆσιν: 'all the property').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτῆσινpropertyAccusativedirect object (second object of ἀναλαβόντες: 'all the property they had acquired')→ object specificationκτῆσις: 'possession, acquired property'; the term covers the acquired livestock, land-produce, and wealth — 'which they had acquired in the land of Canaan' echoes Gen 12:5 (the possessions Abraham acquired in Haran) and 36:6 (Esau taking all his κτῆσις), placing Jacob's migration in the pattern of the great ancestral moves.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative: antecedent κτῆσιν)→ participant referenceἣν: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (accusative: antecedent κτῆσιν).
ἐκτήσαντοthey had acquiredAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · κτάομαιverb in relative clause (prior acquisition)→ constative aorist (completed acquisition in Canaan)κτάομαι: 'acquire, gain, possess'; the middle voice marks the acquisition as accomplished for their own benefit; the Canaanite origin of the property will be left behind — the future is in Egypt.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in the land of Canaan)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in the land of Canaan).
γῇlandDativedative of place (locative: 'in the land of Canaan')→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land'; the phrase ἐν γῇ Χανααν names the land they are leaving — the promised land is being temporarily vacated; the return (εἰς τέλος, v.4) is implied.
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location ('land of Canaan')→ participant identificationΧανααν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of location ('land of Canaan').
εἰσῆλθονcameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (the entry into Egypt — climactic narrative event)→ constative aorist (the completed entry)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter, come into'; εἰσῆλθον εἰς Αἴγυπτον is the chapter's pivotal main-clause event toward which the whole unit has been moving; the entry fulfils the divine authorization of vv.3–4.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction: into Egypt)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: into Egypt).
ΑἴγυπτονEgyptAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ participant identificationΑἴγυπτον: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of εἰς (destination).
ΙακωβJacobnominative (in apposition to the understood subject of εἰσῆλθον: naming the leader of the entry)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: the name reverts from Ισραηλ (v.5) to the personal name — the patriarch is named as the one who leads the entry, and the sentence continues with 'all his seed with him'; the alternation Ισραηλ/Ιακωβ in this passage is stylistically notable.
καὶandconnective (enumerating the whole seed with him)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶνallNominativeadjective modifying σπέρμα (subject appositional: 'all his seed')→ participant prominenceπᾶν: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective modifying σπέρμα (subject appositional: 'all his seed').
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπέρμαseedNominativesubject in apposition ('all his seed / offspring')→ participant prominenceσπέρμα: 'seed, offspring, descendants'; the Abrahamic covenant-term (Gen 12:7; 13:15; 17:7–8); its use here confirms that the 'seed' whose fate was at stake throughout the covenant-promises is now, as a whole, entering Egypt — the fulfilment-phase has begun.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (his seed)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (his seed).
μετ'withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment: 'with him')→ spatial or relational framingμετ': meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment: 'with him').
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά (Jacob)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (Jacob).
7

υἱοὶ καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ τῶν υἱῶν αὐτοῦ μετ' αὐτοῦ, θυγατέρες καὶ θυγατέρες τῶν υἱῶν αὐτοῦ, καὶ πᾶν τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ ἤγαγεν εἰς Αἴγυπτον.

Sons and the sons of his sons with him, daughters and the daughters of his sons — and all his seed he brought into Egypt.

Asyndeton expansion (detailing the household that entered Egypt)asyndeton
The asyndeton and chiastic enumeration (sons → sons' sons, daughters → daughters' sons' wives) unpacks the collective 'seed' of v.6 into its generational components. The summary clause πᾶν τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ ἤγαγεν εἰς Αἴγυπτον closes the unit — 'all his seed he brought' — using the same covenant-term (σπέρμα) before the genealogical register begins in v.8.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject in apposition (expanding πᾶν τὸ σπέρμα of v.6)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject in apposition (expanding πᾶν τὸ σπέρμα of v.6).
καὶandconnective (enumerative)→ 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 (sons of his sons — the grandsons)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (sons of his sons — the grandsons).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive of relationship ('sons of his sons')→ relational specificationυἱῶν: meaning 'sons'; it serves as genitive of relationship ('sons of his sons').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (Jacob's sons)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Jacob's sons).
μετ'withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment: 'with him')→ spatial or relational framingμετ': meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment: 'with him').
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά (Jacob)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (Jacob).
θυγατέρεςdaughtersNominativesubject in apposition (daughters — continuing the enumeration)→ participant prominenceθυγάτηρ: 'daughter'; the list mentions daughters separately from sons, making the enumeration gender-inclusive; Dinah is named at v.15 as Jacob's daughter, the only named female in the register.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θυγατέρεςdaughtersNominativesubject (daughters of his sons — granddaughters)→ participant prominenceθυγατέρες: meaning 'daughters'; it serves as subject (daughters of his sons — granddaughters).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive of relationship ('daughters of his sons')→ relational specificationυἱῶν: meaning 'sons'; it serves as genitive of relationship ('daughters of his sons').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (Jacob's sons)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Jacob's sons).
καὶandconnective (introducing summary clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶνallAccusativeadjective (modifying σπέρμα — object of ἤγαγεν)→ object specificationπᾶν: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (modifying σπέρμα — object of ἤγαγεν).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπέρμαseedAccusativedirect object of ἤγαγεν (all his seed — the covenant-term closing the frame)→ object specificationσπέρμα: 'seed, offspring'; third occurrence in vv.6–7; the repetition is emphatic — the register about to begin (vv.8–27) is the full enumeration of this 'seed', and the verb ἤγαγεν (Jacob 'brought') makes him the active agent of the fulfilment.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (his seed)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (his seed).
ἤγαγενhe broughtAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἄγωmain verb (summary: Jacob brought all his seed into Egypt)→ constative aorist (completed bringing)ἄγω: 'lead, bring'; with Jacob as subject and 'all his seed' as object, the verb frames Jacob as the active shepherd-patriarch who leads his entire line into Egypt — setting up the irony that a man who sacrificed at Beer-sheba and received divine accompaniment is the one who 'brings' the whole seed into the foreign land.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction: into Egypt)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: into Egypt).
ΑἴγυπτονEgyptAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ participant identificationΑἴγυπτον: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of εἰς.
8

ταῦτα δὲ τὰ ὀνόματα τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ τῶν εἰσελθόντων εἰς Αἴγυπτον· Ιακωβ καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ· πρωτότοκος Ιακωβ Ρουβην.

Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who came into Egypt — Jacob and his sons. The firstborn of Jacob: Reuben.

Register heading (formal genealogical introduction)ταῦτα δέ
The formula ταῦτα δὲ τὰ ὀνόματα introduces the formal genealogical register (cf. Exod 1:1: ταῦτα δὲ τὰ ὀνόματα τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ τῶν εἰσεληλυθότων εἰς Αἴγυπτον, virtually identical). The repetition of the formula confirms that the list in Gen 46:8–27 is the literary source for Exod 1:1–5. Reuben is named separately as πρωτότοκος ('firstborn') — his position is acknowledged even though his blessing was curtailed (Gen 49:3–4).
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
ταῦταtheseNominativesubject (demonstrative pronoun: 'these are')→ participant referenceοὗτος: demonstrative pronoun, neuter plural; ταῦτα δέ introduces a formal list or record in biblical Greek (cf. Gen 2:4 αὕτη ἡ βίβλος; Exod 1:1); the formula signals a shift from narrative to register-genre.
δὲnowconnective (transitional: 'now')→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'now'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheNominativearticle (with ὀνόματα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀνόματαnamesNominativepredicate nominative (these are the names)→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; the formula ταῦτα τὰ ὀνόματα is virtually identical to Exod 1:1, making this verse the literary antecedent of the Exodus opening; the names that follow are the genealogical foundation of Israel's national identity in Egypt.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive of relationship (the sons of Israel — those named)→ relational specificationυἱῶν: meaning 'sons'; it serves as genitive of relationship (the sons of Israel — those named).
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable genitive (possessive: 'sons of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable genitive (possessive: 'sons of Israel').
τῶνthe onesGenitivearticle (with articular participle: 'those who entered')→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἰσελθόντωνwho cameAor Act Ptcp Gen Pl M · εἰσέρχομαιarticular participle (attributive: specifying which sons — those who entered Egypt)→ constative aorist (completed entry)εἰσέρχομαι: the articular participle τῶν εἰσελθόντων εἰς Αἴγυπτον is the exact phrase reused at Exod 1:1 (τῶν εἰσεληλυθότων — a perfect form there), linking the Exodus opening explicitly to this Genesean register.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΑἴγυπτονEgyptAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ participant identificationΑἴγυπτον: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of εἰς.
ΙακωβJacobnominative (first entry in the register: the head of the family)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (first entry in the register: the head of the family).
καὶandconnective (Jacob and his sons)→ 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 (his sons — the twelve)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (his sons — the twelve).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (Jacob's sons)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Jacob's sons).
πρωτότοκοςfirstbornNominativepredicate nominative / appositive (Reuben named as firstborn)→ participant prominenceπρωτότοκος: 'firstborn'; the formal designation of Reuben's birth-order position before listing his sons; despite the loss of his double-portion right (Gen 49:3–4; 1 Chr 5:1), he retains the title.
ΙακωβJacobgenitive in idiom (firstborn of Jacob — the father specified)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive in idiom (firstborn of Jacob — the father specified).
ΡουβηνReubennominative (indeclinable proper noun: the firstborn named)→ participant identificationΡουβην: LXX form of רְאוּבֵן; the eldest son of Jacob and Leah; his sons follow in v.9.
9

υἱοὶ δὲ Ρουβην· Ενωχ καὶ Φαλλους καὶ Ασρων καὶ Χαρμι.

And the sons of Reuben: Enoch and Pallu and Hezron and Carmi.

Register entry (Reuben's sons)υἱοὶ δέ
The genealogical formula υἱοὶ δέ + proper name + list of names is the structural unit repeated for each tribe through v.25. Reuben's four sons correspond to the MT (Num 26:5–7; 1 Chr 5:3).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (sons of Reuben — register heading)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (sons of Reuben — register heading).
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΡουβηνReubengenitive (indeclinable proper noun: 'sons of Reuben')→ participant identificationΡουβην: LXX form of רְאוּבֵן; eldest son of Leah and Jacob.
ΕνωχEnochnominative (first son listed)→ participant identificationΕνωχ: LXX form of חֲנוֹךְ (Hanoch); not to be confused with the antediluvian Enoch of Gen 5:18–24.
καὶandconnective (enumerative)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΦαλλουςPallunominative (second son)→ participant identificationΦαλλους: LXX form of פַּלּוּא (Pallu).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑσρωνHezronnominative (third son)→ participant identificationΑσρων: LXX form of חֶצְרוֹן (Hezron); this Reubenite Hezron should not be confused with Judah's son Hezron (Ασρων, v.12), who appears in the genealogy of David and Christ (Matt 1:3; Luke 3:33).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΧαρμιCarminominative (fourth son)→ participant identificationΧαρμι: LXX form of כַּרְמִי (Carmi); ancestor of Achan (Josh 7:1).
10

υἱοὶ δὲ Συμεων· Ιεμουηλ καὶ Ιαμιν καὶ Αωδ καὶ Ιαχιν καὶ Σααρ καὶ Σαουλ ὁ ἐκ τῆς Χανανίτιδος.

And the sons of Simeon: Jemuel and Jamin and Ohad and Jachin and Zohar and Saul the son of the Canaanite woman.

Register entry (Simeon's sons)υἱοὶ δέ
Six sons of Simeon; the last is identified ethnically as ὁ ἐκ τῆς Χανανίτιδος ('the one from the Canaanite woman'), a distinctive genealogical marker that sets him apart and flags exogamous union — the only such ethnic notation in the register outside of Joseph's Egyptian wife.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (register heading)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (register heading).
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣυμεωνSimeongenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Simeon')→ participant identificationΣυμεων: LXX form of שִׁמְעוֹן; second son of Leah and Jacob; held as pledge in Egypt (Gen 42:24).
ΙεμουηλJemuelnominative (first son)→ participant identificationΙεμουηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (first son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙαμινJaminnominative (second son)→ participant identificationΙαμιν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (second son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑωδOhadnominative (third son)→ participant identificationΑωδ: LXX form of אוֹהַד (Ohad); not mentioned in the later tribal census (Num 26:12–14), suggesting early extinction of the sub-clan.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙαχινJachinnominative (fourth son)→ participant identificationΙαχιν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (fourth son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣααρZoharnominative (fifth son)→ participant identificationΣααρ: LXX form of צֹחַר (Zohar/Zerah in Num 26:13).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαουλSaulnominative (sixth son)→ participant identificationΣαουλ: LXX form of שָׁאוּל (Shaul); the ethnic marker that follows distinguishes him.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle used as demonstrative pronoun (with following phrase: 'the one from the Canaanite woman')→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (origin / maternal descent)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'from, out of'; marks maternal origin — 'the one of the Canaanite woman'; the phrase identifies Saul as the son of an unnamed Canaanite mother, the only member of the twelve tribes' direct ancestry explicitly identified as born of a Canaanite woman in this register.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧανανίτιδοςCanaanite womanGenitivegenitive of source / identification (a Canaanite woman — his mother)→ relational specificationΧανανῖτις: 'Canaanite woman'; the ethnic adjective in the feminine genitive; the notation is remarkable — it marks Simeon's union with a Canaanite as something requiring mention, perhaps in light of the prohibition on Canaanite intermarriage (Gen 24:3; 28:1).
11

υἱοὶ δὲ Λευι· Γεδσων, Κααθ καὶ Μεραρι.

And the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Register entry (Levi's sons)υἱοὶ δέ
The three sons of Levi are the founders of the priestly-Levitical clans: Gershon (Γεδσων), Kohath (Κααθ), and Merari (Μεραρι). Moses and Aaron are descendants of Kohath → Amram (Exod 6:16–20). The Levites are not counted in the later military census because they have no territorial allotment (Num 1:47–49).
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (register heading)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (register heading).
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΛευιLevigenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Levi')→ participant identificationΛευι: LXX form of לֵוִי; third son of Leah and Jacob; ancestor of the priesthood.
ΓεδσωνGershonnominative (first son)→ participant identificationΓεδσων: LXX form of גֵּרְשׁוֹן (Gershon/Gershom); founder of the Gershonite Levitical clan.
ΚααθKohathnominative (second son)→ participant identificationΚααθ: LXX form of קְהָת (Kohath); from Kohath descends Amram → Moses and Aaron (Exod 6:18–20); the priestly line of Aaron is Kohathite.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΜεραριMerarinominative (third son)→ participant identificationΜεραρι: LXX form of מְרָרִי (Merari); founder of the third Levitical clan.
12

υἱοὶ δὲ Ιουδα· Ηρ καὶ Αυναν καὶ Σηλωμ καὶ Φαρες καὶ Ζαρα. ἀπέθανον δὲ Ηρ καὶ Αυναν ἐν γῇ Χανααν. ἐγένοντο δὲ υἱοὶ Φαρες· Ασρων καὶ Ιαμουηλ.

And the sons of Judah: Er and Onan and Shelah and Perez and Zerah. And Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sons of Perez were: Hezron and Hamul.

Register entry (Judah's sons — with embedded death-notice and sub-list)υἱοὶ δέ
Judah's entry is the most complex in the register: five sons are listed, but two (Er/Ηρ and Onan/Αυναν) are immediately noted as having died in Canaan — a back-reference to Gen 38:6–10 — and Perez/Φαρες is extended with his own two sons, Hezron (Ασρων) and Hamul (Ιαμουηλ). Perez and Zerah are the twin sons of Judah and Tamar (Gen 38:29–30), and Hezron/Ασρων appears in the genealogy of David (Ruth 4:18), the Matthaean genealogy (Matt 1:3), and Luke's (Luke 3:33).
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (register heading)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (register heading).
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙουδαJudahgenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Judah')→ participant identificationΙουδα: LXX form of יְהוּדָה; fourth son of Leah; the tribe from whom the sceptre will not depart (Gen 49:10); ancestor of David.
ΗρErnominative (first son)→ participant identificationΗρ: LXX form of עֵר (Er); firstborn of Judah; struck down by God for wickedness (Gen 38:7); his death in Canaan is noted at v.12b.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑυνανOnannominative (second son)→ participant identificationΑυναν: LXX form of אוֹנָן (Onan); killed by God for refusing levirate duty to Tamar (Gen 38:8–10); the term 'onanism' derives from his name.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣηλωμShelahnominative (third son)→ participant identificationΣηλωμ: LXX form of שֵׁלָה (Shelah); the surviving son who was withheld from Tamar (Gen 38:11, 14).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΦαρεςPereznominative (fourth son)→ participant identificationΦαρες: LXX form of פֶּרֶץ (Perez); twin son of Judah and Tamar (Gen 38:29); ancestor of David (Ruth 4:18–22) and of Christ (Matt 1:3; Luke 3:33); his name appears in the blessing of Boaz at Ruth 4:12.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΖαραZerahnominative (fifth son)→ participant identificationΖαρα: LXX form of זֶרַח (Zerah); twin of Perez (Gen 38:30); the scarlet thread was tied on his wrist first, but Perez broke through ahead of him — a reversal of birth-order that echoes Jacob/Esau.
ἀπέθανονdiedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (death-notice: Er and Onan died in Canaan)→ constative aorist (completed deaths)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the death-notice within the genealogical register is unusual and marks Er and Onan as absent from the seventy-five count; both died before the migration.
δὲandconnective (introducing death-notice)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΗρErsubject (first of the two who died)→ participant identificationΗρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (first of the two who died).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑυνανOnansubject (second of the two who died)→ participant identificationΑυναν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (second of the two who died).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in the land of Canaan)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in the land of Canaan).
γῇlandDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as dative of place (locative).
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable genitive (location: 'land of Canaan')→ participant identificationΧανααν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable genitive (location: 'land of Canaan').
ἐγένοντοwereAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (introducing Perez's sub-list: 'and the sons of Perez were')→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become, be born, come to be'; ἐγένοντο υἱοί = 'there were born as sons'; the sub-list of Perez's sons is important because it adds two more souls to the count, contributing to the LXX's total of 75.
δὲandconnective (introducing sub-list)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject ('sons of Perez were')→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject ('sons of Perez were').
ΦαρεςPerezgenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Perez')→ participant identificationΦαρες: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Perez').
ΑσρωνHezronnominative (first son of Perez)→ participant identificationΑσρων: LXX form of חֶצְרוֹן (Hezron); son of Perez; appears in the genealogy of David at Ruth 4:18–19 (Φαρες ἐγέννησεν τὸν Ασρων), in Matt 1:3, and in Luke 3:33.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙαμουηλHamulnominative (second son of Perez)→ participant identificationΙαμουηλ: LXX form of חָמוּל (Hamul); the LXX has Ιαμουηλ where the MT has חָמוּל; the two sons of Perez add to the LXX's count in v.27.
13

υἱοὶ δὲ Ισσαχαρ· Θωλα καὶ Φουα καὶ Ιασουβ καὶ Σαμβραν.

And the sons of Issachar: Tola and Puvah and Iasub and Shimron.

Register entry (Issachar's sons)υἱοὶ δέ
Four sons of Issachar; the LXX names vary slightly from MT (יוֹב / Ιοβ in some MT traditions vs. Ιασουβ here; שִׁמְרוֹן / Σαμβραν).
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (register heading)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (register heading).
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙσσαχαρIssachargenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Issachar')→ participant identificationΙσσαχαρ: LXX form of יִשָּׂשכָר; fifth son of Leah and Jacob.
ΘωλαTolanominative (first son)→ participant identificationΘωλα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (first son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΦουαPuvahnominative (second son)→ participant identificationΦουα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (second son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙασουβIasubnominative (third son)→ participant identificationΙασουβ: LXX form; MT has יוֹב (Job) in Gen 46:13 but יָשׁוּב (Jashub) in Num 26:24; the LXX has Ιασουβ, closer to the Num 26 form.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαμβρανShimronnominative (fourth son)→ participant identificationΣαμβραν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (fourth son).
14

υἱοὶ δὲ Ζαβουλων· Σερεδ καὶ Αλλων καὶ Αλωηλ.

And the sons of Zebulun: Sered and Allon and Ahleel.

Register entry (Zebulun's sons)υἱοὶ δέ
Three sons of Zebulun; LXX Αλλων and Αλωηλ correspond to MT אֵלוֹן (Elon) and יַחְלְאֵל (Jahleel).
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (register heading)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (register heading).
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΖαβουλωνZebulungenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Zebulun')→ participant identificationΖαβουλων: LXX form of זְבוּלוּן; sixth son of Leah and Jacob.
ΣερεδSerednominative (first son)→ participant identificationΣερεδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (first son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑλλωνAllonnominative (second son)→ participant identificationΑλλων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (second son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑλωηλAhleelnominative (third son)→ participant identificationΑλωηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (third son).
15

οὗτοι υἱοὶ Λειας, οὓς ἔτεκεν τῷ Ιακωβ ἐν Μεσοποταμίᾳ τῆς Συρίας, καὶ Δινα ἡ θυγάτηρ αὐτοῦ· πᾶσαι αἱ ψυχαὶ υἱοὶ καὶ θυγατέρες τριάκοντα τρεῖς.

These are the sons of Leah, whom she bore to Jacob in Mesopotamia of Syria, and Dinah his daughter — all the souls, sons and daughters, thirty-three.

Register subtotal (Leah's children counted: 33)οὗτοι
The subtotal formula closes the Leah-section. The mention of Δινα (Dinah) as 'his daughter' is notable — she is the only named daughter in the entire register, reflecting her special narrative role in Gen 34 (Shechem incident). The count of 33 includes Leah's sons, grandsons listed above, and Dinah. The parenthetical 'in Mesopotamia of Syria' (ἐν Μεσοποταμίᾳ τῆς Συρίας) distinguishes Leah's children born in Laban's household from those born in Canaan.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
οὗτοιtheseNominativesubject (demonstrative: 'these are the sons of Leah')→ participant prominenceοὗτοι: meaning 'these'; it serves as subject (demonstrative: 'these are the sons of Leah').
υἱοὶsonsNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as predicate nominative.
ΛειαςLeahGenitivegenitive (indeclinable treated as gen: 'sons of Leah')→ participant identificationΛεια: LXX form of לֵאָה; the first wife of Jacob; mother of six sons and Dinah.
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative: antecedent υἱοί)→ participant referenceοὓς: meaning 'whom'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (accusative: antecedent υἱοί).
ἔτεκενshe boreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίκτωverb in relative clause (Leah bore them to Jacob)→ constative aoristτίκτω: 'bear, give birth to'; the verb is the standard genealogical-birth verb in the LXX.
τῷtoDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙακωβJacobdative of advantage (to/for Jacob — the father)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative of advantage (to/for Jacob — the father).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in Mesopotamia of Syria)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in Mesopotamia of Syria).
ΜεσοποταμίᾳMesopotamiaDativedative of place (locative)→ participant identificationΜεσοποταμία: 'land between rivers'; LXX rendering of אֲרַם נַהֲרַיִם / פַּדַּן אֲרָם (Paddan-Aram); the region of Haran where Jacob served Laban.
τῆςofGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣυρίαςSyriaGenitivegenitive of location (Mesopotamia of Syria — LXX geographical phrase)→ relational specificationΣυρία: LXX rendering of אֲרָם (Aram); the LXX often renders Aram as Συρία or Μεσοποταμία.
καὶandconnective (adding Dinah)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΔιναDinahNominativenominative (proper noun: Dinah added to the count)→ participant identificationΔινα: LXX form of דִּינָה; the only named daughter in the register; her story in Gen 34 (Shechem) and the violence of Simeon and Levi explain why she is specially noted here.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with θυγάτηρ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγάτηρdaughterNominativeappositive to Δινα ('Dinah his daughter')→ participant prominenceθυγάτηρ: meaning 'daughter'; it serves as appositive to Δινα ('Dinah his daughter').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (Jacob's daughter)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Jacob's daughter).
πᾶσαιallNominativeadjective (modifying αἱ ψυχαί: 'all the souls')→ participant prominenceπᾶσαι: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (modifying αἱ ψυχαί: 'all the souls').
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχαὶsoulsNominativesubject (subtotal formula: 'all the souls … thirty-three')→ participant prominenceψυχή: 'soul, person, life'; the LXX uses ψυχή as a counting unit for persons (= Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ); this is the subtotal formula that closes each maternal group and culminates in the grand totals of vv.26–27.
υἱοὶsonsNominativeappositive (specifying what the souls are: sons and daughters)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as appositive (specifying what the souls are: sons and daughters).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θυγατέρεςdaughtersNominativeappositive (daughters — included in the 33)→ participant prominenceθυγατέρες: meaning 'daughters'; it serves as appositive (daughters — included in the 33).
τριάκονταthirtynumeral (part of total)→ measure or countτριάκοντα: meaning 'thirty'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
τρεῖςthreenumeral (thirty-three: Leah's subtotal)→ measure or countτριάκοντα τρεῖς: 33 souls from Leah's line: Reuben + 4 sons; Simeon + 6 sons; Levi + 3 sons; Judah + 3 living sons + 2 sons of Perez; Issachar + 4 sons; Zebulun + 3 sons = 34 descendants, minus the 2 who died (Er, Onan) = 32, plus Dinah = 33.
16

υἱοὶ δὲ Γαδ· Σαφων καὶ Αγγης καὶ Σαυνης καὶ Θασοβαν καὶ Αηδης καὶ Αροηδης καὶ Αρεηλης.

And the sons of Gad: Ziphion and Haggi and Shuni and Ezbon and Eri and Arodi and Areli.

Register entry (Gad's sons — Zilpah's first son)υἱοὶ δέ
Seven sons of Gad; the LXX name-forms differ somewhat from the MT (Num 26:15–18): LXX Σαφων = MT Zephon; Αγγης = Haggi; Σαυνης = Shuni; the remaining names show typical LXX transliteration variations.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (register heading)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (register heading).
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΓαδGadgenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Gad')→ participant identificationΓαδ: LXX form of גָּד; first son of Zilpah (Leah's maid) and Jacob.
ΣαφωνZiphionnominative (first son)→ participant identificationΣαφων: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (first son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑγγηςHagginominative (second son)→ participant identificationΑγγης: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (second son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαυνηςShuninominative (third son)→ participant identificationΣαυνης: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (third son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΘασοβανEzbonnominative (fourth son)→ participant identificationΘασοβαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (fourth son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑηδηςErinominative (fifth son)→ participant identificationΑηδης: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (fifth son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑροηδηςArodinominative (sixth son)→ participant identificationΑροηδης: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (sixth son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑρεηληςArelinominative (seventh son)→ participant identificationΑρεηλης: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (seventh son).
17

υἱοὶ δὲ Ασηρ· Ιεμνα καὶ Ιεσουα καὶ Ιεουηλ καὶ Βαριαδης καὶ Σαρα ἀδελφὴ αὐτῶν. υἱοὶ δὲ Βαριαδης· Χοβορ καὶ Μελχιηλ.

And the sons of Asher: Imnah and Ishvah and Ishvi and Beriah, and Sarah their sister. And the sons of Beriah: Heber and Malchiel.

Register entry (Asher's sons — Zilpah's second son, with named daughter)υἱοὶ δέ
Asher's entry is notable for naming a daughter (Σαρα, 'Sarah') as his sister — one of the extremely rare named female members of the register. Beriah's sons (Heber and Malchiel) are included, extending the sub-list as with Perez and Gad.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (register heading)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (register heading).
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑσηρAshergenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Asher')→ participant identificationΑσηρ: LXX form of אָשֵׁר; second son of Zilpah and Jacob.
ΙεμναImnahnominative (first son)→ participant identificationΙεμνα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (first son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙεσουαIshvahnominative (second son)→ participant identificationΙεσουα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (second son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙεουηλIshvinominative (third son)→ participant identificationΙεουηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (third son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΒαριαδηςBeriahnominative (fourth son)→ participant identificationΒαριαδης: LXX form of בְּרִיעָה (Beriah); his sons Heber and Malchiel are listed below.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣαραSarahnominative (named daughter in the register)→ participant identificationΣαρα: LXX form of שָׂרָה (Serah); a named daughter — extremely rare in the register; cf. Num 26:46 where she also appears; some traditions hold that Serah/Sarah was the one who informed Jacob that Joseph was alive (a post-biblical haggadah).
ἀδελφὴsisterNominativeappositive to Σαρα ('their sister')→ participant prominenceἀδελφή: 'sister'; the designation ἀδελφὴ αὐτῶν ('their sister') identifies Serah as the sister of Asher's sons.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive (the sons' sister)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (the sons' sister).
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (sub-list heading: 'sons of Beriah')→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (sub-list heading: 'sons of Beriah').
δὲandconnective (introducing Beriah's sub-list)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΒαριαδηςBeriahgenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Beriah')→ participant identificationΒαριαδης: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Beriah').
ΧοβορHebernominative (first son of Beriah)→ participant identificationΧοβορ: LXX form of חֶבֶר (Heber); his wife is the famous Jael who killed Sisera (Judg 4:17–21).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΜελχιηλMalchielnominative (second son of Beriah)→ participant identificationΜελχιηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (second son of Beriah).
18

οὗτοι υἱοὶ Ζελφας, ἣν ἔδωκεν Λαβαν Λεια τῇ θυγατρὶ αὐτοῦ, ἣ ἔτεκεν τούτους τῷ Ιακωβ· δεκαέξ ψυχάς.

These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and she bore these to Jacob — sixteen souls.

Register subtotal (Zilpah's children: 16)οὗτοι
The Zilpah subtotal closes with the number 16: Gad (7 sons) + Asher (4 sons + 1 daughter + 2 sons of Beriah) = 16 persons. The formula identifies Zilpah by her origin — given by Laban to Leah — tracing the maidservant line to its source.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
οὗτοιtheseNominativesubject (demonstrative: closing formula)→ participant prominenceοὗτοι: meaning 'these'; it serves as subject (demonstrative: closing formula).
υἱοὶsonsNominativepredicate nominative ('these are the sons of Zilpah')→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as predicate nominative ('these are the sons of Zilpah').
ΖελφαςZilpahGenitivegenitive (Zilpah's sons)→ participant identificationΖελφα: LXX form of זִלְפָּה; Leah's maidservant given to Jacob as a secondary wife (Gen 29:24; 30:9–13).
ἣνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (antecedent Ζελφας)→ participant referenceἣν: meaning 'whom'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (antecedent Ζελφας).
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb in relative clause (Laban gave Zilpah to Leah)→ 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.
ΛαβανLabannominative subject of relative clause (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΛαβαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative subject of relative clause (indeclinable).
ΛειαLeahdative (indirect object: given to Leah)→ participant identificationΛεια: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative (indirect object: given to Leah).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατρὶdaughterDativedative appositive (Leah — his daughter)→ sphere or referenceθυγατρὶ: meaning 'daughter'; it serves as dative appositive (Leah — his daughter).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (Laban's daughter)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Laban's daughter).
ἣwhoNominativerelative pronoun (antecedent Λεια: Leah who bore them)→ participant referenceἣ: meaning 'who'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (antecedent Λεια: Leah who bore them).
ἔτεκενboreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίκτωverb in relative clause (Zilpah bore these to Jacob)→ constative aoristτίκτω (aor. ἔτεκεν): 'bear / give birth'; renders יָלַד; the long-awaited birth that resolves the chapter's central crisis.
τούτουςtheseAccusativedirect object (the children of Zilpah)→ object specificationτούτους: meaning 'these'; it serves as direct object (the children of Zilpah).
τῷtoDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙακωβJacobdative of advantage (to/for Jacob)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative of advantage (to/for Jacob).
δεκαέξsixteennumeral (Zilpah's subtotal: 16 souls)→ clausal contributionδεκαέξ: meaning 'sixteen'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
ψυχάςsoulsAccusativeaccusative (counting-unit in the subtotal)→ object specificationψυχή: 'soul, person'; see v.15; the accusative ψυχάς (rather than nominative as in v.15) is a minor stylistic variation in the subtotal formula.
19

υἱοὶ δὲ Ραχηλ γυναικὸς Ιακωβ· Ιωσηφ καὶ Βενιαμιν.

And the sons of Rachel the wife of Jacob: Joseph and Benjamin.

Register entry (Rachel's sons — named as 'the wife of Jacob')υἱοὶ δέ
Rachel is specifically identified as 'the wife of Jacob' (γυναικὸς Ιακωβ) rather than merely 'of Rachel' — distinguishing her status from Leah and the concubines Zilpah and Bilhah. Only two sons are named (Joseph and Benjamin) but the section extends through v.22 with their descendants.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (register heading)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (register heading).
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΡαχηλRachelgenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Rachel')→ participant identificationΡαχηλ: LXX form of רָחֵל; the beloved wife of Jacob; her sons Joseph and Benjamin are the children of his old age.
γυναικὸςwifeGenitivegenitive in apposition (identifying Rachel as 'wife of Jacob')→ relational specificationγυνή: 'wife'; the specific designation γυναικὸς Ιακωβ distinguishes Rachel's status as the primary wife from the maidservants.
ΙακωβJacobindeclinable genitive (husband: 'wife of Jacob')→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable genitive (husband: 'wife of Jacob').
ΙωσηφJosephnominative (first son of Rachel)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: the central figure of the entire Joseph narrative; his descendants are enumerated in the expanded LXX list of v.20.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΒενιαμινBenjaminnominative (second son of Rachel)→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: LXX form of בִּנְיָמִין; the youngest son, whose retention in Canaan was the condition Joseph imposed on the brothers (Gen 42:20, 37); now he makes the journey with all.
20

ἐγένοντο δὲ υἱοὶ Ιωσηφ ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτου, οὓς ἔτεκεν αὐτῷ Ασεννεθ θυγάτηρ Πετεφρη ἱερέως Ηλιουπόλεως, Μανασση καὶ Εφραιμ. ἐγένοντο δὲ υἱοὶ Μανασση, οὓς ἔτεκεν αὐτῷ ἡ παλλακὴ ἡ Σύρα· Μαχιρ. ἐγένετο δὲ υἱὸς Μαχιρ· Γαλααδ. ἐγένοντο δὲ υἱοὶ Εφραιμ ἀδελφοῦ Μανασση· Σουταλααμ καὶ Τααμ. υἱοὶ δὲ Σουταλααμ· Εδεμ.

And the sons of Joseph who were born to him in the land of Egypt, whom Asenath daughter of Petephres the priest of Heliopolis bore to him: Manasseh and Ephraim. And the sons of Manasseh, whom his Syrian concubine bore to him: Machir. And the son of Machir: Gilead. And the sons of Ephraim the brother of Manasseh: Shuthelah and Taam. And the sons of Shuthelah: Edom.

Register entry (Joseph's expanded Egyptian family — the source of the LXX's additional five souls over MT)ἐγένοντο δέ
This verse is the crux of the 75 vs. 70 discrepancy. The MT (Gen 46:20) lists only Manasseh and Ephraim as Joseph's sons. The LXX adds: Manasseh's son by a Syrian concubine = Machir (1); Machir's son = Gilead (1); Ephraim's sons = Shuthelah and Taam (2); Shuthelah's son = Edom (1). That is 5 additional souls, raising the total from MT's 70 to LXX's 75. Stephen quotes ἑβδομήκοντα πέντε at Acts 7:14, following the LXX. The identification of Asenath as daughter of Petephres the priest of Heliopolis (Ηλιούπολις = 'city of the sun' = On, רָאֳ) echoes Gen 41:45, 50.
Word-by-word analysis· 48 words
ἐγένοντοwere bornAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (introductory: 'there were born to Joseph')→ ingressive aorist (births)γίνομαι: 'be born, come to be'; the standard LXX birth-formula.
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject ('sons of Joseph were born')→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject ('sons of Joseph were born').
ΙωσηφJosephgenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Joseph')→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Joseph').
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in Egypt)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in Egypt).
γῇlandDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as dative of place.
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive of location ('land of Egypt')→ participant identificationthe phrase ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτου emphasizes that Joseph's sons were born in Egypt — this is the rationale for including them in the count of those who 'came into Egypt' with Jacob; they are already there.
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (antecedent υἱοί)→ participant referenceοὓς: meaning 'whom'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (antecedent υἱοί).
ἔτεκενboreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίκτωverb in relative clause (Asenath bore them)→ constative aoristτίκτω (aor. ἔτεκεν): 'bear / give birth'; renders יָלַד; the long-awaited birth that resolves the chapter's central crisis.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of advantage (to Joseph)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (to Joseph).
ΑσεννεθAsenathnominative subject of relative clause (Asenath — Joseph's Egyptian wife)→ participant identificationΑσεννεθ: LXX form of אָסְנַת (Asenath); given to Joseph by Pharaoh as wife (Gen 41:45); her name is Egyptian (possibly 'belonging to [the goddess] Neith').
θυγάτηρdaughterNominativeappositive (Asenath — daughter of Petephres)→ participant prominenceθυγάτηρ: meaning 'daughter'; it serves as appositive (Asenath — daughter of Petephres).
ΠετεφρηPetephresgenitive (Asenath's father: indeclinable)→ participant identificationΠετεφρη: LXX form of פּוֹטִיפֶרַע (Potiphera); Asenath's father, priest of On/Heliopolis; distinct from Potiphar (Πετεφρης, Gen 37:36), though the names are related.
ἱερέωςpriestGenitivegenitive in apposition (Petephres 'priest of Heliopolis')→ relational specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; Petephres is a priest of the sun-god cult at Heliopolis (Ηλιούπολις = Hebrew אוֹן, On); Joseph's father-in-law holds the highest religious office in the most prestigious Egyptian cult-centre.
ΗλιουπόλεωςHeliopolisGenitivegenitive of location ('priest of Heliopolis')→ relational specificationΗλιούπολις: 'city of the sun'; LXX rendering of Hebrew עוֹן (On); the great sun-temple city of Lower Egypt, centre of the Ra/Re cult.
ΜανασσηManassehnominative (first son of Joseph by Asenath)→ participant identificationΜανασση: LXX form of מְנַשֶּׁה; firstborn son of Joseph; his tribe receives the northernmost allotment in Canaan (Num 26:29–34); in Gen 48 Jacob crosses his hands to bless Ephraim over Manasseh.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΕφραιμEphraimnominative (second son of Joseph by Asenath)→ participant identificationΕφραιμ: LXX form of אֶפְרַיִם; second son of Joseph; blessed ahead of Manasseh by Jacob (Gen 48:14–20); the dominant northern tribe that gives its name to the northern kingdom.
ἐγένοντοwereAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (sub-list: sons of Manasseh born of Syrian concubine)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become'; the days 'became twenty years', a summation of the elapsed period.
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject.
ΜανασσηManassehgenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Manasseh')→ participant identificationΜανασση: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Manasseh').
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (whom the Syrian concubine bore)→ participant referenceοὓς: meaning 'whom'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (whom the Syrian concubine bore).
ἔτεκενboreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίκτωverb in relative clause→ constative aoristτίκτω (aor. ἔτεκεν): 'bear / give birth'; renders יָלַד; the long-awaited birth that resolves the chapter's central crisis.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of advantage (to Manasseh)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (to Manasseh).
ἡtheNominativearticle (with παλλακή)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παλλακὴconcubineNominativesubject of relative clause (the Syrian concubine of Manasseh)→ participant prominenceπαλλακή: 'concubine, secondary wife'; Manasseh's Syrian concubine is unnamed; the sub-list she produces (Machir → Gilead) contributes 2 extra souls to the LXX count.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣύραSyrian womanNominativepredicate adjective / ethnic identifier (she is Syrian)→ participant prominenceΣύρα: 'Syrian woman'; an Aramean concubine of Manasseh; the ethnic identification is part of the LXX's addition to the MT text.
ΜαχιρMachirnominative (son of Manasseh by concubine — first LXX addition)→ participant identificationΜαχιρ: LXX form of מָכִיר (Machir); son of Manasseh; father of Gilead (1 Chr 7:14–15); the Machirites are a significant Manassite clan (Num 26:29; 32:39–40).
ἐγένετοwas bornAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (singular: Machir's one son — Gilead)→ ingressive aoristγίνομαι: καὶ ἐγένετο, narrative time-marker.
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
υἱὸςsonNominativesubject ('son of Machir')→ participant prominenceυἱὸς: meaning 'son'; it serves as subject ('son of Machir').
ΜαχιρMachirgenitive (indeclinable: 'son of Machir')→ participant identificationΜαχιρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive (indeclinable: 'son of Machir').
ΓαλααδGileadnominative (son of Machir — second LXX addition)→ participant identificationΓαλααδ: LXX form of גִּלְעָד (Gilead); son of Machir and grandson of Manasseh; the region Gilead east of the Jordan is named for him; his clan is central to the Transjordanian settlement (Num 26:29–30; 32:39–40).
ἐγένοντοwere bornAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (introducing Ephraim's sons)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become'; the days 'became twenty years', a summation of the elapsed period.
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject ('sons of Ephraim')→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject ('sons of Ephraim').
ΕφραιμEphraimgenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Ephraim')→ participant identificationΕφραιμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Ephraim').
ἀδελφοῦbrotherGenitivegenitive appositive (Ephraim 'the brother of Manasseh')→ relational specificationἀδελφός: the unusual appositive 'brother of Manasseh' distinguishes Ephraim from Manasseh in this sub-list and may highlight the two-brother parallel to the Jacob/Esau and Perez/Zerah patterns.
ΜανασσηManassehgenitive (indeclinable: Ephraim brother of Manasseh)→ participant identificationΜανασση: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive (indeclinable: Ephraim brother of Manasseh).
ΣουταλααμShuthelahnominative (first son of Ephraim — third LXX addition)→ participant identificationΣουταλααμ: LXX form of שֻׁתֶּלַח (Shuthelah); first-listed son of Ephraim; his son Edom is listed below.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΤααμTaamnominative (second son of Ephraim — fourth LXX addition)→ participant identificationΤααμ: LXX form; corresponds roughly to MT בֶּרֶד (Bered, Num 26:35) or Tahath; the LXX name-form diverges noticeably from MT traditions.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (sub-list: sons of Shuthelah)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (sub-list: sons of Shuthelah).
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣουταλααμShuthelahgenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Shuthelah')→ participant identificationΣουταλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Shuthelah').
ΕδεμEdomnominative (son of Shuthelah — fifth LXX addition)→ participant identificationΕδεμ: LXX form; son of Shuthelah and great-grandson of Joseph through Ephraim; this is the fifth extra soul in the LXX count (Machir + Gilead + Shuthelah + Taam + Edom = 5), raising the total from MT's 70 to LXX's 75 at v.27.
21

υἱοὶ δὲ Βενιαμιν· Βαλα καὶ Χοβωρ καὶ Ασβηλ. ἐγένοντο δὲ υἱοὶ Βαλα· Γηρα καὶ Νοεμαν καὶ Αγχεις καὶ Ρως καὶ Μαμφιμ. Γηρα δὲ ἐγέννησεν τὸν Αραδ.

And the sons of Benjamin: Bela and Becher and Ashbel. And the sons of Bela were: Gera and Naaman and Ahiram and Rosh and Muppim. And Gera begat Ard.

Register entry (Benjamin's sons with sub-lists)υἱοὶ δέ
Benjamin's entry is notably shorter in the LXX (three direct sons) than in the MT (ten in Gen 46:21; Num 26:38–41 lists five). The sub-lists of Bela's sons and Gera's son expand the Benjaminite genealogy. The LXX count includes these sub-list members in the 16 total for Rachel's line (v.22).
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (register heading)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (register heading).
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΒενιαμινBenjamingenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Benjamin')→ participant identificationΒενιαμιν: LXX form of בִּנְיָמִין; youngest son of Rachel and Jacob; the tribe of Benjamin is the tribe of Saul and Paul (Phil 3:5).
ΒαλαBelanominative (first son)→ participant identificationΒαλα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (first son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΧοβωρBechernominative (second son)→ participant identificationΧοβωρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (second son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑσβηλAshbelnominative (third son)→ participant identificationΑσβηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (third son).
ἐγένοντοwereAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (introducing Bela's sub-list)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: 'become'; the days 'became twenty years', a summation of the elapsed period.
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject ('sons of Bela')→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject ('sons of Bela').
ΒαλαBelagenitive (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive (indeclinable).
ΓηραGeranominative (first son of Bela)→ participant identificationΓηρα: LXX form of גֵּרָא (Gera); ancestor of Ehud the judge (Judg 3:15) and of Shimei who cursed David (2 Sam 16:5).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΝοεμανNaamannominative (second son of Bela)→ participant identificationΝοεμαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (second son of Bela).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑγχειςAhiramnominative (third son of Bela)→ participant identificationΑγχεις: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (third son of Bela).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΡωςRoshnominative (fourth son of Bela)→ participant identificationΡως: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (fourth son of Bela).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΜαμφιμMuppimnominative (fifth son of Bela)→ participant identificationΜαμφιμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (fifth son of Bela).
ΓηραGeranominative subject (Gera begat Ard)→ participant identificationΓηρα: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative subject (Gera begat Ard).
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγέννησενbegatAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γεννάωmain verb (Gera begat Ard)→ constative aoristγεννάω: 'beget, give birth to'; the standard genealogical verb for paternal generation.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑραδArdaccusative direct object (Gera's son)→ participant identificationΑραδ: LXX form of אַרְדְּ (Ard); included in the Benjaminite total.
22

οὗτοι υἱοὶ Ραχηλ, οὓς ἔτεκεν τῷ Ιακωβ· πᾶσαι ψυχαὶ δεκαέξ.

These are the sons of Rachel, whom she bore to Jacob — all souls, sixteen.

Register subtotal (Rachel's descendants: 16)οὗτοι
The Rachel subtotal: Joseph (1) + Manasseh and Ephraim (2) + Manasseh's concubine-line additions (Machir + Gilead = 2) + Ephraim's sons and grandson (Shuthelah + Taam + Edom = 3) + Benjamin (1) + Bela's sons (Gera + Naaman + Ahiram + Rosh + Muppim = 5) + Gera's son Ard (1) = 15 beyond Joseph and Benjamin = 16 total for Rachel's line in the LXX count. The subtotal cements the LXX's expanded count.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
οὗτοιtheseNominativesubject (demonstrative: closing formula)→ participant prominenceοὗτοι: meaning 'these'; it serves as subject (demonstrative: closing formula).
υἱοὶsonsNominativepredicate nominative ('these are the sons of Rachel')→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as predicate nominative ('these are the sons of Rachel').
ΡαχηλRachelgenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Rachel')→ participant identificationΡαχηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Rachel').
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (antecedent υἱοί)→ participant referenceοὓς: meaning 'whom'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (antecedent υἱοί).
ἔτεκενshe boreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίκτωverb in relative clause→ constative aoristτίκτω (aor. ἔτεκεν): 'bear / give birth'; renders יָלַד; the long-awaited birth that resolves the chapter's central crisis.
τῷtoDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙακωβJacobdative of advantage (to/for Jacob)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative of advantage (to/for Jacob).
πᾶσαιallNominativeadjective (modifying ψυχαί)→ participant prominenceπᾶσαι: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (modifying ψυχαί).
ψυχαὶsoulsNominativesubject (subtotal formula)→ participant prominenceψυχαὶ: meaning 'souls'; it serves as subject (subtotal formula).
δεκαέξsixteennumeral (Rachel's subtotal: 16)→ clausal contributionδεκαέξ: meaning 'sixteen'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
23

υἱοὶ δὲ Δαν· Ασομ.

And the sons of Dan: Hushim.

Register entry (Dan's son — Bilhah's first son)υἱοὶ δέ
Dan is recorded with only one son, Hushim (Ασομ = MT חֻשִׁים). The brevity is notable — despite this single named son, the tribe of Dan grows into a populous tribe (Num 26:42–43: 64,400). The name Hushim in MT (singular) vs. Shuham (Σαμαρ in some LXX traditions) represents a minor text-critical variation.
Word-by-word analysis· 4 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (register heading)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (register heading).
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΔανDangenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Dan')→ participant identificationΔαν: LXX form of דָּן; first son of Bilhah (Rachel's maid) and Jacob.
ΑσομHushimnominative (Dan's only listed son)→ participant identificationΑσομ: LXX form corresponding to MT חֻשִׁים (Hushim) or שׁוּחָם (Shuham, Num 26:42); the single son is notable.
24

υἱοὶ δὲ Νεφθαλι· Ασιηλ καὶ Γωυνι καὶ Ισσααρ καὶ Σελλημ.

And the sons of Naphtali: Jahzeel and Guni and Jezer and Shillem.

Register entry (Naphtali's sons — Bilhah's second son)υἱοὶ δέ
Four sons of Naphtali; the LXX names correspond closely to the MT forms in Num 26:48–50. The Bilhah-section concludes with v.25.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (register heading)→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject (register heading).
δὲandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΝεφθαλιNaphtaligenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Naphtali')→ participant identificationΝεφθαλι: LXX form of נַפְתָּלִי; second son of Bilhah and Jacob.
ΑσιηλJahzeelnominative (first son)→ participant identificationΑσιηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (first son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΓωυνιGuninominative (second son)→ participant identificationΓωυνι: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (second son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙσσααρJezernominative (third son)→ participant identificationΙσσααρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (third son).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΣελλημShillemnominative (fourth son)→ participant identificationΣελλημ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative (fourth son).
25

οὗτοι υἱοὶ Βαλλας, ἣν ἔδωκεν Λαβαν Ραχηλ τῇ θυγατρὶ αὐτοῦ, ἣ ἔτεκεν τούτους τῷ Ιακωβ· πᾶσαι ψυχαὶ ἑπτά.

These are the sons of Bilhah, whom Laban gave to Rachel his daughter, and she bore these to Jacob — all souls, seven.

Register subtotal (Bilhah's children: 7)οὗτοι
The Bilhah subtotal: Dan (1 son: Hushim) + Naphtali (4 sons) = 5, plus the two sons themselves = 7 total. The closing formula parallels v.18 (Zilpah's subtotal).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
οὗτοιtheseNominativesubject (demonstrative: closing formula)→ participant prominenceοὗτοι: meaning 'these'; it serves as subject (demonstrative: closing formula).
υἱοὶsonsNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as predicate nominative.
ΒαλλαςBilhahGenitivegenitive (LXX Βαλλα — 'sons of Bilhah')→ participant identificationΒαλλα: LXX form of בִּלְהָה; Rachel's maidservant given to Jacob as concubine (Gen 29:29; 30:3–8); mother of Dan and Naphtali.
ἣνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (antecedent Βαλλας)→ participant referenceἣν: meaning 'whom'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (antecedent Βαλλας).
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb in relative clause (Laban gave Bilhah to Rachel)→ 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.
ΛαβανLabannominative subject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΛαβαν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative subject (indeclinable).
ΡαχηλRacheldative (indirect object: given to Rachel)→ participant identificationΡαχηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative (indirect object: given to Rachel).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατρὶdaughterDativedative appositive (Rachel — his daughter)→ sphere or referenceθυγατρὶ: meaning 'daughter'; it serves as dative appositive (Rachel — his daughter).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (Laban's daughter)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Laban's daughter).
ἣwhoNominativerelative pronoun (antecedent Ραχηλ: Rachel who bore them)→ participant referenceἣ: meaning 'who'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (antecedent Ραχηλ: Rachel who bore them).
ἔτεκενboreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τίκτωverb in relative clause→ constative aoristτίκτω (aor. ἔτεκεν): 'bear / give birth'; renders יָלַד; the long-awaited birth that resolves the chapter's central crisis.
τούτουςtheseAccusativedirect object (Bilhah's children)→ object specificationτούτους: meaning 'these'; it serves as direct object (Bilhah's children).
τῷtoDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙακωβJacobdative of advantage (to/for Jacob)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative of advantage (to/for Jacob).
πᾶσαιallNominativeadjective (with ψυχαί: 'all the souls')→ participant prominenceπᾶσαι: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (with ψυχαί: 'all the souls').
ψυχαὶsoulsNominativesubject (subtotal formula)→ participant prominenceψυχαὶ: meaning 'souls'; it serves as subject (subtotal formula).
ἑπτάsevennumeral (Bilhah's subtotal: 7)→ measure or countἑπτά: meaning 'seven'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
26

πᾶσαι δὲ ψυχαὶ αἱ εἰσελθοῦσαι μετὰ Ιακωβ εἰς Αἴγυπτον, αἱ ἐξελθοῦσαι ἐκ τῶν μηρῶν αὐτοῦ, χωρὶς τῶν γυναικῶν υἱῶν Ιακωβ, πᾶσαι ψυχαὶ ἑξήκοντα ἕξ.

And all the souls who came with Jacob into Egypt, those who came out of his loins, apart from the wives of Jacob's sons — all souls, sixty-six.

Subtotal (all souls from Jacob's loins, excluding wives: 66)πᾶσαι δέ
The sub-total of 66 counts only those descended from Jacob's own loins (αἱ ἐξελθοῦσαι ἐκ τῶν μηρῶν αὐτοῦ), explicitly excluding daughters-in-law. This subtotal builds toward the grand total of v.27: 66 + Joseph already in Egypt + Jacob himself + Joseph's nine descendants = 75 (LXX) or 70 (MT). The 'loins' idiom (ἐκ τῶν μηρῶν) is the standard biblical expression for biological descent.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
πᾶσαιallNominativeadjective (modifying αἱ ψυχαί)→ participant prominenceπᾶσαι: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (modifying αἱ ψυχαί).
δὲandconnective (transitional: moving to grand totals)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ψυχαὶsoulsNominativesubject (all the souls who came)→ participant prominenceψυχή: 'soul, person'; the counting term for persons throughout the register; here the articular participial phrase αἱ εἰσελθοῦσαι identifies which souls are being totalled.
αἱthe onesNominativearticle (with articular participle: 'those who entered')→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἰσελθοῦσαιwho enteredAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl F · εἰσέρχομαιarticular participle (attributive: identifying the souls — those who entered Egypt)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: meaning 'who entered'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as articular participle (attributive: identifying the souls — those who entered Egypt).
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment: with Jacob)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment: with Jacob).
ΙακωβJacobgenitive (indeclinable: 'with Jacob')→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive (indeclinable: 'with Jacob').
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction: into Egypt)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: into Egypt).
ΑἴγυπτονEgyptAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ participant identificationΑἴγυπτον: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of εἰς.
αἱthoseNominativearticle (with second articular participle)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξελθοῦσαιwho came outAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl F · ἐξέρχομαιarticular participle (attributive: those who came from his loins — biological descendants)→ constative aoristἐξέρχομαι: 'come out, go out'; the phrase 'those who came out of his loins' (ἐκ τῶν μηρῶν αὐτοῦ) is the standard LXX idiom for biological paternal descent (cf. Gen 35:11; Judg 8:30).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source: 'out of his loins')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: 'out of his loins').
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μηρῶνloinsGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ ('loins — source of biological descent')→ relational specificationμηρός: 'thigh, loins'; ἐκ τῶν μηρῶν = 'from the loins' — biblical Hebrew idiom (יָצָא מִיֶּרֶךְ) for biological descent, used of patriarchal generations (Gen 35:11); signals that only blood-descendants, not in-laws, are counted here.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (Jacob's loins)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Jacob's loins).
χωρὶςapart frompreposition + genitive (exclusion: 'apart from / not counting')→ spatial or relational framingχωρίς: 'apart from, separately, without'; here marks the exclusion of daughters-in-law from the count — the total 66 is for blood-descendants only.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυναικῶνwivesGenitivegenitive object of χωρίς (the wives — excluded from the count)→ relational specificationγυναικῶν: meaning 'wives'; it serves as genitive object of χωρίς (the wives — excluded from the count).
υἱῶνsons'Genitivegenitive of relationship ('wives of Jacob's sons')→ relational specificationυἱῶν: meaning 'sons'; it serves as genitive of relationship ('wives of Jacob's sons').
ΙακωβJacobgenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Jacob')→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Jacob').
πᾶσαιallNominativeadjective (resumptive: 'all the souls — sixty-six')→ participant prominenceπᾶσαι: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (resumptive: 'all the souls — sixty-six').
ψυχαὶsoulsNominativesubject (subtotal formula)→ participant prominenceψυχαὶ: meaning 'souls'; it serves as subject (subtotal formula).
ἑξήκονταsixtynumeral (part of total)→ measure or countἑξήκοντα: meaning 'sixty'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
ἕξsixnumeral (sixty-six: total from Jacob's loins, excluding wives and Joseph's Egyptian family)→ clausal contributionἑξήκοντα ἕξ: 66 = Leah (33) + Zilpah (16) + Rachel's line without Joseph/Benjamin/their wives but with Benjamin's sub-descendants (16) + Bilhah (7) = 72? The exact arithmetic varies by tradition; the LXX gives 66 here as the sub-total of those from Jacob's own body who entered Egypt, excluding Joseph and his children who were already there, and then adds those to reach 75 in v.27.
27

υἱοὶ δὲ Ιωσηφ οἱ γενόμενοι αὐτῷ ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτου ψυχαὶ ἐννέα· πᾶσαι δὲ αἱ ψυχαὶ οἴκου Ιακωβ αἱ εἰσελθοῦσαι εἰς Αἴγυπτον ἑβδομήκοντα πέντε.

And the sons of Joseph who were born to him in the land of Egypt, nine souls; and all the souls of the house of Jacob who came into Egypt — seventy-five.

Grand total: seventy-five souls (the central LXX–MT divergence, quoted in Acts 7:14)υἱοὶ δέ
CENTRAL CRUX — FLAGGED. The grand total ἑβδομήκοντα πέντε ('seventy-five') is the LXX's most famous divergence from the MT: the MT gives שִׁבְעִים ('seventy') at Gen 46:27 and Exod 1:5. The LXX achieves 75 by counting nine descendants of Joseph already in Egypt (the MT counts two: Manasseh and Ephraim; the LXX's expanded v.20 adds five more: Machir, Gilead, Shuthelah, Taam, Edom; plus the two sons Manasseh and Ephraim = 7; the nine figure may include additional unnamed descendants). Stephen quotes ἑβδομήκοντα πέντε verbatim at Acts 7:14: 'Joseph sent for his father Jacob and all his kindred, seventy-five persons in all' — aligning the NT with the LXX against the MT at a numerically specific and publicly verifiable point. The 75 is the Hellenistic Jewish tradition; the 70 is the Masoretic.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject ('the sons of Joseph … nine souls')→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject ('the sons of Joseph … nine souls').
δὲandconnective (building toward the grand total)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωσηφJosephgenitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Joseph')→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive (indeclinable: 'sons of Joseph').
οἱthe onesNominativearticle (with articular participle)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γενόμενοιwho were bornAor Mid Ptcp Nom Pl M · γίνομαιarticular participle (attributive: those born to him in Egypt)→ constative aoristγίνομαι: meaning 'who were born'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as articular participle (attributive: those born to him in Egypt).
αὐτῷto himDativedative of advantage (born to Joseph)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (born to Joseph).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in Egypt)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in Egypt).
γῇlandDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as dative of place.
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive of location→ participant identificationΑἰγύπτου: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of location.
ψυχαὶsoulsNominativepredicate nominative (nine persons: counting formula)→ participant prominenceψυχαὶ: meaning 'souls'; it serves as predicate nominative (nine persons: counting formula).
ἐννέαninenumeral (Joseph's Egyptian-born descendants: 9 in the LXX)→ measure or countἐννέα: 'nine'; the LXX counts nine souls born to Joseph in Egypt — Manasseh and Ephraim (the MT's two) plus seven additional descendants added in v.20 (Machir, Gilead, Shuthelah, Taam, Edom = 5 more, plus perhaps two others to reach nine); the exact reckoning varies in different LXX manuscripts. The key point is that these nine, added to the 66 of v.26, yield the grand total of 75.
πᾶσαιallNominativeadjective (with αἱ ψυχαί: grand total formula)→ participant prominenceπᾶσαι: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (with αἱ ψυχαί: grand total formula).
δὲandconnective (introducing the grand total)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχαὶsoulsNominativesubject (grand total: all the souls of the house of Jacob)→ participant prominenceψυχή: the grand total formula πᾶσαι αἱ ψυχαὶ οἴκου Ιακωβ αἱ εἰσελθοῦσαι εἰς Αἴγυπτον is quoted almost verbatim in Exod 1:5 (LXX), confirming that this register is the literary source for the Exodus opening.
οἴκουof the houseGenitivegenitive of relationship ('the house of Jacob')→ relational specificationοἶκος: 'house, household'; the phrase 'house of Jacob' (οἶκος Ιακωβ) is the standard LXX / NT term for the community of Israel (cf. Acts 7:46; Luke 1:33; Isa 2:5).
ΙακωβJacobgenitive (indeclinable: 'house of Jacob')→ participant identificationΙακωβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive (indeclinable: 'house of Jacob').
αἱthe onesNominativearticle (with articular participle)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εἰσελθοῦσαιwho enteredAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl F · εἰσέρχομαιarticular participle (attributive: identifying the total — those who entered Egypt)→ constative aoristεἰσέρχομαι: meaning 'who entered'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as articular participle (attributive: identifying the total — those who entered Egypt).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΑἴγυπτονEgyptAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ participant identificationΑἴγυπτον: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of εἰς.
ἑβδομήκονταseventynumeral (part of the grand total)→ measure or countἑβδομήκοντα: meaning 'seventy'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
πέντεfivenumeral (seventy-five: the LXX grand total — CRUX, quoted at Acts 7:14)→ measure or countἑβδομήκοντα πέντε: 'seventy-five' — the LXX's grand total, against the MT's seventy (שִׁבְעִים). FLAGGED: Stephen quotes this number verbatim at Acts 7:14 (μετεκαλέσατο Ιωσηφ τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ Ιακωβ καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν συγγένειαν ἐν ψυχαῖς ἑβδομήκοντα πέντε), aligning the NT with the LXX against the MT at a numerically specific, publicly verifiable point. This divergence between LXX (75) and MT (70) is one of the most discussed text-critical discrepancies in Scripture, and the fact that Acts follows the LXX confirms that the early church's scriptural text was the Septuagint.
28

τὸν δὲ Ιουδαν ἀπέστειλεν ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ πρὸς Ιωσηφ συναντῆσαι αὐτῷ εἰς Ἡρώων πόλιν εἰς γῆν Γεσεμ.

And he sent Judah before him to Joseph to meet him at the city of Heroes, to the land of Gesem.

Narrative resumption (Judah dispatched as advance envoy to Joseph)τὸν δέ
The narrative resumes after the genealogical register. Judah — who in Gen 44:18–34 made the climactic intercession for Benjamin and whose leadership has been increasingly foregrounded — is sent ahead as the family's representative to arrange the rendezvous with Joseph. The LXX geographical name Ἡρώων πόλις ('city of Heroes') corresponds to the Hebrew גֹּשֶׁן approach-route; this is probably Pithom-Heroopolis in the eastern Nile delta, the administrative entry-point for the Wadi Tumilat region. Γεσεμ is the LXX form of Goshen — the fertile delta-region assigned to Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Ιουδαν: object moved to front for emphasis)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲandnarrative connective (resumption after register)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙουδανJudahAccusativeaccusative direct object (fronted: 'Judah he sent')→ participant identificationΙουδαν: LXX accusative form of Ιουδα; Judah is chosen as the advance representative — his earlier intercession speech (Gen 44:18–34) has established him as the most articulate and committed of the brothers; he is effectively the family's spokesperson.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (Israel sent Judah ahead)→ constative aorist (single completed dispatch)ἀποστέλλω: 'send (as an envoy), dispatch'; the verb carries a sense of commissioned sending rather than mere 'going' — Judah is sent with a specific purpose.
ἔμπροσθενbeforeadverb (ahead of / in advance of the main party)→ clausal contributionἔμπροσθεν: 'before, in front of, ahead of'; the advance dispatch of Judah ensures that Joseph will have time to prepare for the arrival and direct the settlement.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of ἔμπροσθεν (before Jacob — the one who sent)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἔμπροσθεν (before Jacob — the one who sent).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction: to Joseph)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: to Joseph).
ΙωσηφJosephaccusative object of πρός (the destination: Joseph)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (the destination: Joseph).
συναντῆσαιto meetAor Act Inf · συναντάωinfinitive of purpose ('to meet him')→ aorist infinitive (action viewed as a whole: the meeting)συναντάω: 'meet, encounter'; the purpose of Judah's advance mission is to arrange a formal meeting between Joseph and the family; the verb anticipates the emotional reunion of v.29.
αὐτῷhimDativedative object of συναντῆσαι (to meet Joseph)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of συναντῆσαι (to meet Joseph).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination: city of Heroes)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination: city of Heroes).
ἩρώωνHeroes'Genitivegenitive of characterisation ('city of Heroes')→ relational specificationἥρως: 'hero'; Ἡρώων πόλις = 'the city of Heroes' (Heroopolis), the LXX's geographical designation for the administrative entry to the Goshen region; corresponds to modern Tell el-Maskhuta or the area of ancient Pithom in the eastern Nile delta.
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination: the city of Heroes)→ object specificationπόλιν: meaning 'city'; it serves as accusative object of εἰς (destination: the city of Heroes).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (further specification: 'into the land of Gesem')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (further specification: 'into the land of Gesem').
γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς ('land of Gesem')→ object specificationγῆ: the fertile eastern delta region; Gesem / Goshen is the best pastureland of Egypt, ideal for shepherds — its assignment to Israel fulfils both pastoral and strategic purposes.
ΓεσεμGesemindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location ('land of Gesem / Goshen')→ participant identificationΓεσεμ: LXX transliteration of גֹּשֶׁן (Goshen); the region of Wadi Tumilat in the eastern Nile delta; the LXX name Gesem appears consistently (Gen 45:10; 46:28–29, 34; 47:1–6, 27; 50:8) as the homeland of Israel in Egypt.
29

ζεύξας δὲ Ιωσηφ τὸ ἅρμα αὐτοῦ ἀνέβη εἰς συνάντησιν Ισραηλ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ καθ' Ἡρώων πόλιν· καὶ ὀφθεὶς αὐτῷ ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔκλαυσεν κλαυθμῷ πλείονι.

And Joseph, having harnessed his chariot, went up to meet Israel his father at the city of Heroes; and appearing before him, he fell upon his neck and wept with great weeping.

Narrative climax (the reunion between Joseph and Israel — fall on the neck)ζεύξας δέ
The reunion is narrated with concentrated brevity: Joseph harnesses his own chariot (not a servant's act — a sign of personal urgency), rides out, and the whole encounter is captured in two verbs: ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον ('fell upon his neck') and ἔκλαυσεν ('wept'). The phrase ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ is verbatim the LXX formula used at Luke 15:20 (the father running to the prodigal son: ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ καὶ κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν) and Acts 20:37 (the Ephesian elders parting from Paul: ἐπέπεσον ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον τοῦ Παύλου). The NT parable's father is deliberately echoing this patriarchal reunion.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
ζεύξαςhaving harnessedAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · ζεύγνυμιtemporal participle (antecedent action: harnessing precedes the ride out)→ antecedent action (completed before the main verb)ζεύγνυμι: 'yoke, harness'; Joseph harnesses his own chariot — not delegating to a groom — expressing personal urgency in going out to meet his father.
δὲandnarrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωσηφJosephnominative subject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative subject (indeclinable).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἅρμαchariotAccusativedirect object of ζεύξας (his chariot — harnessed for the ride)→ object specificationἅρμα: 'chariot'; Joseph's riding out in his chariot signals his status as second-in-Egypt — only Pharaoh ranked higher (Gen 41:43); the chariot is here an expression both of power and of love: the man of highest Egyptian rank rides out in person to receive his aged shepherd-father.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (Joseph's chariot)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Joseph's chariot).
ἀνέβηwent upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (Joseph went up / rode out to meet Israel)→ constative aorist (completed journey)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up, ascend, ride up'; the verb may indicate that Joseph rode from the capital (lower Egypt) northward/eastward to the delta region, or simply that he mounted and rode out.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination: the meeting)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination: the meeting).
συνάντησινmeetingAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose-destination: 'to meet')→ object specificationσυνάντησις: 'meeting, encounter'; εἰς συνάντησιν + genitive is the standard LXX idiom for 'going out to meet' someone (cf. Exod 4:27; 1 Sam 13:10); here the eagerness of Joseph's ride-out is captured in this formal-meeting vocabulary.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive (indeclinable: 'to meet Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the covenant name is used at the reunion — the father meets the son not as Jacob but as Israel.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive appositive ('Israel his father')→ relational specificationπατρὸς: meaning 'father'; it serves as genitive appositive ('Israel his father').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (Joseph's father)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Joseph's father).
καθ'atpreposition + accusative (location: at the city of Heroes)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + accusative: here locative = 'at, in the vicinity of'; κατ' Ἡρώων πόλιν = at/near the city of Heroes.
ἩρώωνHeroes'Genitivegenitive of characterisation ('city of Heroes')→ relational specificationἩρώων: meaning 'Heroes'; it serves as genitive of characterisation ('city of Heroes').
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (location)→ object specificationπόλιν: meaning 'city'; it serves as accusative object of κατά (location).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀφθεὶςappearingAor Pass Ptcp Nom Sg M · ὁράωtemporal participle (antecedent: Joseph appeared / made himself visible to Israel — then fell on his neck)→ antecedent action (appearing precedes the fall)ὁράω: the aorist passive ὀφθεὶς αὐτῷ = 'having appeared to him / having been seen by him'; the passive of seeing is the standard LXX phrase for appearing or manifesting oneself (cf. ὤφθη at theophany texts); here it marks the moment of visual recognition between father and son.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object (appeared to Israel)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (appeared to Israel).
ἐπέπεσενfellAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιπίπτωmain verb (Joseph fell on Israel's neck — the reunion embrace)→ constative aorist (single vivid embrace)ἐπιπίπτω: 'fall upon, throw oneself upon'; ἐπέπεσεν ἐπὶ τὸν τράχηλον αὐτοῦ is the exact phrase of Luke 15:20 (the father embracing the prodigal) and Acts 20:37 (the Ephesian elders at Paul's farewell). FLAGGED: the Lukan parable of the Prodigal Son deliberately echoes this LXX phrase, casting the father as a Joseph-figure who runs to meet the returning child.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (contact: upon the neck)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (contact: upon the neck).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τράχηλονneckAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the neck — the embrace)→ object specificationτράχηλος: 'neck, throat'; falling on someone's neck is the ancient idiom for an embrace of intense emotion (cf. Gen 33:4 — Esau fell on Jacob's neck; 45:14 — Joseph fell on Benjamin's neck); it reappears at Luke 15:20 and Acts 20:37 in LXX-echoing form.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (Israel's neck)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Israel's neck).
καὶandconnective (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔκλαυσενweptAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κλαίωmain verb (Joseph wept)→ constative aorist (single outpouring of tears)κλαίω: 'weep, cry'; the cognate dative κλαυθμῷ πλείονι ('with great weeping') is the standard LXX intensification formula for weeping — cf. Gen 45:2 (ἔκλαυσεν δὲ τῇ φωνῇ); the intensified weeping marks the emotional climax of the entire Joseph narrative.
κλαυθμῷweepingDativedative of manner / cognate dative (intensifying: 'wept with weeping')→ sphere or referenceκλαυθμός: 'weeping, lamentation'; the cognate dative with κλαίω calques the Hebrew cognate-absolute construction (בָּכָה בְּכִי) — standard LXX intensification; πλείονι ('great, abundant') heightens the emotional weight.
πλείονιgreatDativedative adjective (modifying κλαυθμῷ: 'with great weeping')→ sphere or referenceπλείων: 'more, greater, abundant'; πλείονι = 'with abundant weeping'; one of Joseph's most emotional moments in the narrative — he has wept before (42:24; 43:30; 45:2, 14–15) but this final reunion weeping is presented as the greatest.
30

εἶπεν δὲ Ισραηλ πρὸς Ιωσηφ· ἀποθανοῦμαι ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν, ἐπεὶ ἑώρακα τὸ πρόσωπόν σου, ὅτι ἔτι σὺ ζῇς.

And Israel said to Joseph: 'I can die from now on, since I have seen your face, that you are still alive.'

Israel's response: the Nunc Dimittis structure (life complete, death accepted)εἶπεν δέ
Israel's declaration ἀποθανοῦμαι ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν — 'I can die from now on' — is the Genesis antecedent of the Nunc Dimittis pattern. FLAGGED: Simeon's canticle at Luke 2:29–30 (νῦν ἀπολύεις τὸν δοῦλόν σου ... ὅτι εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου τὸ σωτήριόν σου) deliberately echoes this structure: the old man has seen the face of the promised one and judges his life complete. The parallel is structural and lexical: (a) temporal adverb of present moment (ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν / νῦν); (b) seeing the face (ἑώρακα τὸ πρόσωπόν σου / εἶδον ... τὸ σωτήριόν σου); (c) death / release as satisfaction (ἀποθανοῦμαι / ἀπολύεις).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech act — Israel's response to the reunion)→ 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.
ΙσραηλIsraelnominative subject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative subject (indeclinable).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech: to Joseph)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech: to Joseph).
ΙωσηφJosephaccusative object of πρός (addressee)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (addressee).
ἀποθανοῦμαιI will dieFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (Israel's declaration: 'I can die from now on')→ predictive future (satisfaction of life's purpose — willingness to die)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the future ἀποθανοῦμαι is not a threat or a fear but a statement of satisfaction: 'I am now ready to die.' FLAGGED: this is the Genesis antecedent of the Nunc Dimittis pattern at Luke 2:29–30. The parallel is: (a) ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν / νῦν; (b) ἑώρακα τὸ πρόσωπόν σου / εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου; (c) ἀποθανοῦμαι / ἀπολύεις τὸν δοῦλόν σου.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (temporal: 'from now on')→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (temporal: 'from now on').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with νῦν: ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν = 'from now on')→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νῦνnowadverb of time (articular: τοῦ νῦν = 'the now / this present moment')→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; ἀπὸ τοῦ νῦν = 'from this moment on' — the hinge-point of satisfied existence; the articular νῦν is a notable LXX construction that marks the present moment as a turning-point. Cf. Luke 2:29: νῦν ἀπολύεις τὸν δοῦλόν σου.
ἐπεὶsincecausal conjunction (giving the reason: 'since I have seen')→ discourse linkage or contrastἐπεί: 'since, because, inasmuch as'; introduces the causal basis for Israel's readiness to die — the seeing of Joseph's face is the reason.
ἑώρακαI have seenPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (perfect of completed action with present effect: 'I have seen — and this seeing is now a fact')→ intensive perfect (the seeing as an achieved state — now possessing the vision of Joseph)ὁράω: 'see'; the perfect tense ἑώρακα ('I have seen') is the perfect of achievement — the seeing of Joseph's face is presented not as a past event but as a present possession; 'I have seen your face' = 'I now hold in myself the sight of you.' FLAGGED: this echoes the Nunc Dimittis structure of Luke 2:30 (εἶδον οἱ ὀφθαλμοί μου = 'my eyes have seen') — both Simeon and Israel express life-satisfaction through the language of completed seeing.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρόσωπόνfaceAccusativedirect object of ἑώρακα (the face of Joseph — the object of the life-completing sight)→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face, countenance'; τὸ πρόσωπόν σου = 'your face'; seeing the face of a beloved person — especially one presumed dead — is the fullest expression of restored relationship. The idiom 'seeing the face of' carries both the literal and the covenantal-relational weight (cf. Gen 32:30: 'I have seen God face to face'; 33:10: 'seeing your face is like seeing the face of God').
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive (Joseph's face)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Joseph's face).
ὅτιthatconjunction (content clause: explaining what he has seen — that Joseph is still alive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: here introducing an appositional content clause: 'I have seen your face, namely that you are still alive' — the content of the seeing is Joseph's aliveness.
ἔτιstilladverb (temporal: 'still, yet')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still, yet'; the adverb ἔτι σὺ ζῇς captures the core of Israel's amazement — not merely that Joseph exists but that he is still alive, after years of believing him dead.
σὺyouNominativeemphatic subject pronoun (you — not someone else, but you, Joseph)→ participant referenceσὺ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as emphatic subject pronoun (you — not someone else, but you, Joseph).
ζῇςlivePres Act Indic 2 Sg · ζάωmain verb of content clause (Joseph is alive)→ stative present (ongoing state: you are alive)ζάω: 'live, be alive'; the present indicative ζῇς asserts Joseph's living reality; the declaration ἔτι σὺ ζῇς completes the arc of Gen 37:35 (Jacob's lament 'I will go down to my son mourning into Hades') — the father who could not be comforted over the dead son now possesses the living face.
31

εἶπεν δὲ Ιωσηφ πρὸς τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτοῦ· ἀναβὰς ἀπαγγελῶ τῷ Φαραω καὶ ἐρῶ αὐτῷ· Οἱ ἀδελφοί μου καὶ ὁ οἶκος τοῦ πατρός μου, οἳ ἦσαν ἐν γῇ Χανααν, ἥκασιν πρός με.

And Joseph said to his brothers: 'Going up, I will announce to Pharaoh and say to him: My brothers and my father's house, who were in the land of Canaan, have come to me.'

Joseph's instruction: the planned Pharaoh-audience speechεἶπεν δέ
Joseph addresses his brothers to plan the audience with Pharaoh. The speech within the speech (Joseph's proposed words to Pharaoh) is the first part of the settlement strategy. The perfect ἥκασιν ('have come') — a present-perfect of arrival — frames the brothers' coming as a present accomplished fact that Pharaoh will be asked to respond to.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech act)→ 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.
ΙωσηφJosephnominative subject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative subject (indeclinable).
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 object of πρός (his brothers — addressees)→ object specificationἀδελφοὺς: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as accusative object of πρός (his brothers — addressees).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivepossessive genitive (Joseph's brothers)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Joseph's brothers).
ἀναβὰςgoing upAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · ἀναβαίνωtemporal participle (antecedent: going up precedes the report to Pharaoh)→ antecedent action (ascending to Pharaoh's court)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; ἀναβάς refers to the upcoming ascent to Pharaoh's audience chamber — the court was in the capital, accessible by 'going up' through the administrative hierarchy.
ἀπαγγελῶI will announceFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀπαγγέλλωmain verb (Joseph's plan: first action — announce to Pharaoh)→ predictive future (Joseph's stated intention)ἀπαγγέλλω: 'announce, report, declare'; the formal verb of reporting to authority; Joseph is the intermediary between his family and Pharaoh — his controlled management of the audience will secure the best outcome.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΦαραωPharaohdative (indirect object: to Pharaoh — the recipient of the announcement)→ participant identificationΦαραω: LXX transliteration of פַּרְעֹה; the Egyptian throne-title (not a personal name); throughout the Joseph narrative Pharaoh appears as a powerful but responsive ruler who honors Joseph's advice.
καὶandconnective (second action: say)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐρῶI will sayFut Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (second action: Joseph will speak to Pharaoh)→ predictive futureλέγω: 'say, tell'; the double-verb structure (ἀπαγγελῶ ... καὶ ἐρῶ) introduces the planned speech verbatim — the reader is given Joseph's exact script for the Pharaoh-audience.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object (to Pharaoh)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (to Pharaoh).
ΟἱtheNominativearticle (with ἀδελφοί: 'my brothers')→ noun-phrase markingΟἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοίbrothersNominativesubject (of the planned speech: 'my brothers … have come')→ participant prominenceἀδελφοί: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as subject (of the planned speech: 'my brothers … have come').
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive (my brothers)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (my brothers).
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκοςhouseNominativesubject (in the planned speech: 'my father's house')→ participant prominenceοἶκος: 'house, household'; 'my father's house' is the family unit; Joseph will present the migration as a family reunion, not as a refugee influx.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρόςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship ('my father's house')→ relational specificationπατρός: meaning 'father'; it serves as genitive of relationship ('my father's house').
μουmyGenitivepossessive genitive (my father)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (my father).
οἳwhoNominativerelative pronoun (antecedent: brothers and father's house)→ participant referenceοἳ: meaning 'who'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (antecedent: brothers and father's house).
ἦσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίverb in relative clause (they were in Canaan — prior location)→ imperfect (ongoing past state: they had been in Canaan)εἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect ἦσαν with the perfect participle ἠτιμασμένοι forms a periphrastic pluperfect-like construction ('had been / were in a state of being dishonored'), stressing the men's continuing condition of shame.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in the land of Canaan)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in the land of Canaan).
γῇlandDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as dative of place.
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable genitive (location: 'land of Canaan')→ participant identificationΧανααν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable genitive (location: 'land of Canaan').
ἥκασινhave comePerf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἥκωmain verb of planned speech (perfect: they have arrived — present accomplished fact)→ intensive perfect (arrival as a present state: they are now here)ἥκω: 'have come, have arrived' (perfect-like in meaning; ἥκω functions as a perfect of 'come'); ἥκασιν πρός με = 'they have come to me' — the arrival is presented to Pharaoh as a fait accompli requiring a response.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction: to me)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: to me).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Joseph — they have come to him)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Joseph — they have come to him).
32

οἱ δὲ ἄνδρες εἰσὶ ποιμένες· ἄνδρες γὰρ κτηνοτρόφοι ἦσαν, καὶ τὰ κτήνη αὐτῶν καὶ τοὺς βόας αὐτῶν καὶ πάντα τὰ αὐτῶν ἀγηόχασιν.

And the men are shepherds; for they were livestock-herders, and they have brought their livestock and their cattle and all that is theirs.

Joseph's speech (continued): description of the brothers as shepherdsοἱ δέ
The planned description of the brothers as ποιμένες ('shepherds') and κτηνοτρόφοι ('livestock-herders') is the foundation of the settlement strategy: precisely because shepherds are abominable to Egyptians (v.34), they will be settled in Gesem, away from Egyptian population centres. The strategy is elegant — exploit the cultural taboo to secure the best land and cultural separation.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄνδρες: 'the men')→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲandconnective (continuation of planned speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject ('the men are shepherds')→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man, male'; the description of the brothers as men first and shepherds second is a respectful framing for the Pharaoh-audience.
εἰσὶarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula (predicate: 'the men are shepherds')→ stative present (their occupation)εἰμί: meaning 'are'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as copula (predicate: 'the men are shepherds').
ποιμένεςshepherdsNominativepredicate nominative (occupation: shepherds)→ participant prominenceποιμήν: 'shepherd'; the word that triggers the Egyptian βδέλυγμα of v.34; Joseph's deliberate identification of his brothers as shepherds — the very thing that makes them abominable to Egyptians — is the strategic key to securing their settlement in Gesem. The word will recur at v.34 in the settlement-rationale clause.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (resumptive: the men were livestock-herders)→ participant prominenceἄνδρες: meaning 'men'; it serves as subject (resumptive: the men were livestock-herders).
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction (expanding the shepherd-description)→ discourse linkage or contrastγὰρ: meaning 'for'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κτηνοτρόφοιlivestock-herdersNominativepredicate nominative (more specific occupation: livestock-herders)→ participant prominenceκτηνοτρόφος: 'livestock-herder, one who raises animals'; a compound of κτῆνος ('livestock, beast') + τρέφω ('raise, feed'); a broader term than ποιμήν (shepherd of flocks specifically) — covering herders of all large animals; the two terms together cover both the cultural abomination angle and the economic identity.
ἦσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula (imperfect: they had been livestock-herders by profession)→ descriptive imperfect (continuous past occupation)εἰμί: 'be'; the imperfect ἦσαν with the perfect participle ἠτιμασμένοι forms a periphrastic pluperfect-like construction ('had been / were in a state of being dishonored'), stressing the men's continuing condition of shame.
καὶandconnective (introducing the possessions they have brought)→ 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.
κτήνηlivestockAccusativedirect object of ἀγηόχασιν (their livestock — first possession)→ object specificationκτῆνος: 'livestock, domesticated animal'; the livestock are listed first — the very animals whose herding makes them abominable to Egyptians.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βόαςcattleAccusativedirect object of ἀγηόχασιν (their cattle — second possession)→ object specificationβοῦς: 'ox, cattle'; distinguished from the κτήνη (smaller livestock/flocks); the full listing of livestock + cattle + all else reinforces the comprehensive migration.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
καὶandconnective→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταallAccusativedirect object of ἀγηόχασιν (everything they own)→ object specificationπάντα: meaning 'all'; it serves as direct object of ἀγηόχασιν (everything they own).
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing αὐτῶν: 'all the things of theirs')→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivepossessive genitive→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive.
ἀγηόχασινthey have broughtPerf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἄγωmain verb (perfect: they have brought — and their possessions are now present)→ intensive perfect (the bringing is complete; the things are now here)ἄγω: 'lead, bring'; the perfect ἀγηόχασιν ('they have brought and it is here') presents the family's possessions as a fait accompli — Joseph is telling Pharaoh not just that the family is coming but that they have already arrived with everything.
33

ἐὰν οὖν καλέσῃ ὑμᾶς Φαραω καὶ εἴπῃ ὑμῖν· Τί τὸ ἔργον ὑμῶν ἐστίν;

So then, if Pharaoh calls you and says to you: 'What is your occupation?'

Conditional instruction (Joseph anticipates Pharaoh's question — the setup for the scripted answer of v.34)ἐὰν οὖν
The conditional ἐὰν + subjunctive (καλέσῃ … εἴπῃ) sets up the scripted response of v.34. Joseph is coaching his brothers in the exact exchange expected from a Pharaonic audience. The question Τί τὸ ἔργον ὑμῶν ἐστίν; is the standard administrative question about occupation — the answer to which will determine where in Egypt the family is settled.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (with subjunctive: 'if … should call')→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: the conditional conjunction (ἐί + ἄν) with subjunctive mood; the construction marks the condition as contingent (not certain) — Joseph anticipates but cannot guarantee that Pharaoh will personally question them.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunction (drawing out the practical consequence of vv.31–32)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὖν: 'therefore, then'; draws the practical application from the preceding description — 'so then, here is what you should do when Pharaoh asks'.
καλέσῃcallsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · καλέωverb in conditional clause (subjunctive: contingent call)→ aorist subjunctive (contingent single event)καλέω: 'call, summon'; if Pharaoh summons them to audience — a formal royal summons.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative direct object (the brothers — called by Pharaoh)→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object (the brothers — called by Pharaoh).
ΦαραωPharaohnominative subject of conditional clause (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as nominative subject of conditional clause (indeclinable).
καὶandconnective (second conditional verb)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἴπῃsaysAor Act Subj 3 Sg · λέγωverb in conditional clause (subjunctive: contingent speech)→ aorist subjunctiveλέγω: 'say'; the aorist subjunctive in the conditional clause.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of indirect object (to you — Pharaoh speaking to the brothers)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (to you — Pharaoh speaking to the brothers).
ΤίWhatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (predicate nominative: 'what is your work?')→ participant referenceτίς: the administrative occupation-question; the answer to Τί τὸ ἔργον ὑμῶν; determines one's taxation, residence, and social status in Egypt.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with ἔργον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔργονworkNominativesubject of indirect question ('what is your occupation')→ participant prominenceἔργον: 'work, deed, occupation'; τὸ ἔργον ὑμῶν = 'your occupation' — the administrative category that will determine the brothers' settlement.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivepossessive genitive (your occupation)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (your occupation).
ἐστίνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (question: 'what is your occupation?')→ stative presentεἰμί: copula.
34

ἐρεῖτε· Ἄνδρες κτηνοτρόφοι ἐσμεν οἱ παῖδές σου ἐκ παιδὸς ἕως τοῦ νῦν, καὶ ἡμεῖς καὶ οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν· ἵνα οἰκῆτε ἐν γῇ Γεσεμ· βδέλυγμα γάρ ἐστιν Αἰγυπτίοις πᾶς ποιμὴν προβάτων.

You shall say: 'We your servants are livestock-herders, from childhood until now, both we and our fathers' — so that you may dwell in the land of Gesem; for every shepherd of flocks is an abomination to the Egyptians.

Joseph's scripted answer + rationale (the settlement strategy justified by the shepherd-abomination)ἐρεῖτε
The scripted answer identifies the brothers as κτηνοτρόφοι ('livestock-herders') and stakes their claim to generational occupation ('from childhood until now, we and our fathers'). The ἵνα clause (v.34a) reveals Joseph's purpose: that they may dwell in Gesem. The explanatory γάρ clause (v.34b) discloses the strategy: the Egyptian cultural taboo (βδέλυγμα — every shepherd of flocks is an abomination) is exploited to secure geographic isolation in the best pastureland. FLAGGED: βδέλυγμα is the standard LXX term for תּוֹעֵבָה ('abomination'), used throughout Deuteronomy (Deut 7:25–26; 12:31), Proverbs, Ezekiel, and prominently in Revelation (Rev 17:4–5; 21:27) for cultic abomination.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
ἐρεῖτεyou shall sayFut Act Indic 2 Pl · λέγωmain verb (imperatival future: 'you shall say' — Joseph's instruction to his brothers)→ imperatival future (command expressed as future indicative)λέγω: the future indicative ἐρεῖτε is used as a command — 'you shall say' (= say this!); a standard Hebrew-influenced construction (cf. Exod 3:14: εἰπὸν τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ; the future as command is common in LXX legal and instructional texts).
ἌνδρεςmenNominativesubject in apposition (we are men who are livestock-herders)→ participant prominenceἌνδρες: meaning 'men'; it serves as subject in apposition (we are men who are livestock-herders).
κτηνοτρόφοιlivestock-herdersNominativepredicate nominative (occupation identity in the scripted answer)→ participant prominenceκτηνοτρόφος: see v.32; the word is repeated from Joseph's planned report (v.32) into the brothers' scripted answer — a deliberate echo that frames the whole settlement strategy around a single occupation-identity.
ἐσμενwe arePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίcopula (first-person plural: 'we are livestock-herders')→ stative present (identity statement)εἰμί: 'be'; the present ἐσμεν in the rhetorical question 'what are we?' underscores the disproportion between the human mediators and the divine target of the complaint.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with παῖδές: 'we your servants')→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδέςservantsNominativesubject in apposition (identifying themselves as Pharaoh's servants — respectful address)→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant, child, boy'; in the address to Pharaoh, οἱ παῖδές σου = 'your servants' — the conventional self-designation of subjects before a sovereign; the brothers present themselves as Pharaoh's loyal subjects even as they request settlement.
σουyourGenitivepossessive genitive (Pharaoh's servants)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (Pharaoh's servants).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (temporal starting-point: 'from childhood')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (temporal starting-point: 'from childhood').
παιδὸςchildhoodGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (from childhood — the starting point of their occupation)→ relational specificationπαῖς: 'child / childhood'; ἐκ παιδός = 'from childhood / from youth' — a standard Greek idiom (cf. Mark 9:21: ἐκ παιδόθεν); the brothers are claiming a lifelong, hereditary occupation, not a new one.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal endpoint: 'until now')→ spatial or relational framingἕως: meaning 'until'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (temporal endpoint: 'until now').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with νῦν: ἕως τοῦ νῦν = 'until now')→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νῦνnowadverb (articular: ἕως τοῦ νῦν = 'until the present moment')→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; ἕως τοῦ νῦν = 'up to the present' — the temporal frame ἐκ παιδὸς ἕως τοῦ νῦν ('from childhood until now') asserts that livestock-herding is not a recent adopted trade but their lifelong family heritage, adding to the legitimacy of their request for permanent settlement.
καὶandconnective (extending the claim to both we and our fathers)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡμεῖςweNominativeemphatic subject pronoun (resumptive: both we and our fathers)→ participant referenceἡμεῖς: meaning 'we'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as emphatic subject pronoun (resumptive: both we and our fathers).
καὶandconnective (kai…kai: 'both … and')→ 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.
πατέρεςfathersNominativesubject in apposition (our fathers — also livestock-herders)→ participant prominenceπατήρ: 'father'; the claim that their fathers were also livestock-herders stretches the family occupation back to the patriarchal period — Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were all shepherds-herdsmen; the appeal to ancestral practice strengthens the settlement case.
ἡμῶνourGenitivepossessive genitive (our fathers)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as possessive genitive (our fathers).
ἵναso thatpurpose conjunction (ἵνα + subjunctive: the purpose of the strategy)→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: purpose/result conjunction; the whole settlement strategy — identifying as shepherds and invoking the taboo — has this telos: ἵνα οἰκῆτε ἐν γῇ Γεσεμ ('so that you may dwell in the land of Gesem').
οἰκῆτεyou may dwellPres Act Subj 2 Pl · οἰκέωverb of purpose clause (subjunctive: the desired outcome — dwelling in Gesem)→ progressive present subjunctive (ongoing settlement)οἰκέω: 'dwell, inhabit, settle'; the purpose of the whole strategy is permanent settlement (οἰκῆτε = 'that you may dwell / take up residence') in Gesem — not a temporary sojourn but an established dwelling.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in the land of Gesem)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in the land of Gesem).
γῇlandDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as dative of place (locative).
ΓεσεμGesemindeclinable proper noun, genitive of location ('land of Gesem')→ participant identificationΓεσεμ: Goshen — the fertile eastern delta region; see v.28; this is the divinely-intended dwelling-place that was specifically mentioned in Joseph's original invitation (Gen 45:10) and confirmed now as the settlement goal.
βδέλυγμαabominationNominativesubject (predicate: 'every shepherd of flocks is an abomination to Egyptians')→ participant prominenceβδέλυγμα: 'abomination, detestable thing'; the standard LXX term for Hebrew תּוֹעֵבָה — cultic or cultural abomination. FLAGGED: βδέλυγμα is the word used throughout Deuteronomy (7:25–26; 12:31; 18:12; 27:15), Proverbs (3:32; 11:1), Ezekiel (passim), and Revelation (17:4–5; 21:27) for what is utterly repugnant to God or to a people's cultural identity; here it describes the Egyptian taboo against shepherds — possibly connected to the Hyksos rule of Egypt (shepherd-kings who occupied Egypt ca. 1650–1550 BC) or simply to the lowly status of herders in Egyptian society.
γάρforexplanatory conjunction (causal: disclosing the rationale for the strategy)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for, because'; introduces the reason why identifying as shepherds will lead to settlement in Gesem — the Egyptian taboo against shepherds means Pharaoh will want them separated from Egyptian population centres, conveniently achieving Israel's goal.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (βδέλυγμα ἐστιν: 'is an abomination')→ stative present (ongoing cultural fact)εἰμί: copula.
Αἰγυπτίοιςto EgyptiansDativedative of reference / disadvantage ('an abomination to / in the eyes of Egyptians')→ sphere or referenceΑἰγύπτιος: 'Egyptian'; the dative marks the cultural perspective — the abomination is defined by Egyptian cultural norms, not by Israelite ones; Joseph is exploiting an Egyptian social prejudice for Israel's benefit.
πᾶςeveryNominativesubject modifier (universal: 'every shepherd')→ attributive qualificationπᾶς: 'all, every'; πᾶς ποιμὴν προβάτων = 'every shepherd of flocks' — the universal formulation makes it a general cultural law, not a case-by-case judgment.
ποιμὴνshepherdNominativesubject (every shepherd of flocks — the culturally abominable occupation)→ participant prominenceποιμήν: 'shepherd'; recalling v.32 (ποιμένες) — the word frames both Joseph's planned report and the chapter's close; the cultural information is the mechanism of Israel's settlement strategy. The word ποιμήν carries its full theological freight in the NT: Jesus as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11), Hebrews 13:20 (the great shepherd of the sheep), 1 Pet 2:25; the chapter that uses the term as a cultural abomination is the same tradition that will eventually be subverted by Israel's royal shepherd-king David and redeemed by the Shepherd of Shepherds.
προβάτωνof flocksGenitivegenitive of object / characterisation (shepherd of flocks — the specific category)→ relational specificationπρόβατον: 'sheep, flock animal'; the genitive προβάτων specifies that it is specifically shepherds of flocks (not herdsmen of cattle or other animals) who are abominable — though βόες (cattle) were also kept by the brothers (v.32); the sheep-shepherd relationship is the specific Egyptian taboo.