1
Καὶ ἐπιπεσὼν Ιωσηφ ἐπὶ τὸ πρόσωπον τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ ἔκλαυσεν ἐπ' αὐτὸν καὶ ἐφίλησεν αὐτόν.
And Joseph fell upon his father's face and wept over him and kissed him.
The chapter opens with a participial phrase of embodied grief — ἐπιπεσὼν ἐπὶ τὸ πρόσωπον ('falling upon the face') — before the main verb ἔκλαυσεν ('wept'). The sequence of weeping and kissing is the traditional Near Eastern gesture of mourning over the dead; Jacob's death has been anticipated since 47:29–31 and 48:21, making this moment the culmination of the entire death-preparation arc.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (καί-parataxis, Hebraizing sequential opener)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιπεσὼνhaving fallen uponAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · ἐπιπίπτωcircumstantial participle of manner (antecedent to ἔκλαυσεν)→ antecedent action (the fall precedes and frames the weeping)ἐπιπίπτω: 'fall upon / throw oneself upon'; the compound ἐπί + πίπτω expresses the prostration of grief over the body; cf. Acts 20:37 (the Ephesian elders fell on Paul's neck weeping at his departure). The gesture is the ancient Near Eastern mourning posture.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (spatial: contact)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (spatial: contact).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (spatial terminus of falling)→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence / countenance'; renders Hebrew פָּנִים; the phrase ἐπὶ τὸ πρόσωπον is a Hebraism (עַל־פָּנָיו) — falling on the face as an act of extreme mourning or reverence.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship (possessive: 'his father's face')→ relational specificationπατήρ: the repeated reference to Jacob as ὁ πατήρ throughout Gen 50 keeps the filial bond central even in death — Joseph acts as son, not merely as Egyptian viceroy.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive).
ἔκλαυσενweptAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κλαίωmain verb (culminating action of grief)→ constative aorist (the whole act of weeping viewed as a single event)κλαίω: 'weep / wail'; Joseph's weeping is a recurring marker of emotional intensity throughout the Joseph story (42:24; 43:30; 45:2, 14–15; 46:29); here it is the final and most complete expression of grief, over his father's corpse.
ἐπ'overpreposition + accusative (weeping over the body)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ': meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (weeping over the body).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the body wept over)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of ἐπί (the body wept over).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐφίλησενkissedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φιλέωmain verb (second act of mourning, coordinated with ἔκλαυσεν)→ constative aorist (single completed act of farewell-kissing)φιλέω: 'kiss / love'; the farewell kiss on the dead was standard in the ancient world (cf. Gen 48:10 where Jacob kisses Joseph's sons; Acts 20:37). The word carries warmth — φιλέω is affectionate love — distinguishing it from the formal kiss of greeting.
αὐτόνhimAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐφίλησεν→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of ἐφίλησεν.
2
Καὶ προσέταξεν Ιωσηφ τοῖς παισὶν αὐτοῦ τοῖς ἐνταφιασταῖς ἐνταφιάσαι τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐνεταφίασαν οἱ ἐνταφιασταὶ τὸν Ισραηλ.
And Joseph commanded his servants the embalmers to embalm his father; and the embalmers embalmed Israel.
The double use of ἐνταφιάζω / ἐνταφιασταί in this verse is not only narrative but lexically significant: this word-group (derived from ἐν + τάφος, 'in the tomb') is the same vocabulary the Gospels deploy for Jesus' burial-preparation (Matt 26:12; John 19:40) — FLAGGED. Joseph acts with Egyptian protocol (professional embalmers) while the object is named both as ὁ πατήρ (relational) and Ισραηλ (covenantal identity).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσέταξενcommandedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προστάσσωmain verb (executive order)→ constative aorist (single decisive command)προστάσσω: 'command / order / charge'; the compound προς- adds the sense of directing toward someone; here Joseph exercises his authority as viceroy to commission the state embalmers for a private family duty.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
τοῖςtheDativearticle with dative indirect object→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παισὶνservantsDativedative indirect object of προσέταξεν (recipient of command)→ sphere or referenceπαῖς: 'servant / slave / boy'; here the professional servants of Joseph's household, further defined by the appositional τοῖς ἐνταφιασταῖς. The term denotes subordinates who execute their master's instructions.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive).
τοῖςtheDativearticle (apposition marker)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνταφιασταῖςembalmersDativedative in apposition to τοῖς παισίν (specifying their professional role)→ sphere or referenceἐνταφιαστής: 'embalmer'; derived from ἐν + τάφος ('in the tomb') via ἐνταφιάζω; a specialist in preparing corpses. FLAGGED — NT echo: the same verb ἐνταφιάζω occurs at Matt 26:12 (Jesus says the woman's anointing is εἰς τὸ ἐνταφιάσαι με, 'to prepare me for burial') and John 19:40 (καθὼς ἔθος ἐστὶν τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις ἐνταφιάζειν). The word-group thus bridges Jacob's embalming and Jesus' burial.
ἐνταφιάσαιto embalmAor Act Inf · ἐνταφιάζωcomplementary infinitive (purpose/content of the command)→ aorist infinitive (action to be completed: the embalming as a single task)ἐνταφιάζω: 'to embalm / to prepare for burial'; the Egyptian practice of embalming (Hebrew חָנַט) is described in ancient sources as a forty-day process; LXX uses this verb-group throughout Gen 50:2–3 for the process.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐνταφιάσαι→ object specificationπατέρα: meaning 'father'; it serves as accusative direct object of ἐνταφιάσαι.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential fulfilment)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνεταφίασανembalmedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐνταφιάζωmain verb (narrating fulfilment of the command)→ constative aorist (the completed embalming process)ἐνταφιάζω: third occurrence of the root in two verses (verb + noun + verb); the density signals the LXX translator's deliberate use of this Hellenistic word-group rather than alternatives, making Jacob's burial a recognizable Egyptian ritual of honour.
οἱtheNominativearticle (subject marker)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνταφιασταὶembalmersNominativesubject of ἐνεταφίασαν→ participant prominenceἐνταφιασταὶ: meaning 'embalmers'; it serves as subject of ἐνεταφίασαν.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper noun, accusative direct object of ἐνεταφίασαν→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: the name shifts from 'his father' (τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ) in the command to 'Israel' in the execution — a deliberate narrative move restoring the covenantal identity of the patriarch at the moment his body undergoes Egyptian preservation.
3
καὶ ἐπληρώθησαν αὐτῷ τεσσαράκοντα ἡμέραι· οὕτως γὰρ καταριθμοῦνται αἱ ἡμέραι τῆς ταφῆς· καὶ ἐπένθησεν αὐτὸν Αἴγυπτος ἑβδομήκοντα ἡμέρας.
And forty days were fulfilled for him; for thus are the days of burial counted; and Egypt mourned him seventy days.
A double time-notice: forty days for embalming (confirmed with the explanatory γάρ-clause as the standard Egyptian count) and seventy days of national mourning. The seventy days is close to the traditional period of mourning for a Pharaoh (which ancient sources give as 72 days), signalling Jacob's quasi-royal standing in Egypt. The narrator addresses the reader directly (οὕτως γὰρ καταριθμοῦνται — 'for this is how they count') — a rare editorial aside.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπληρώθησανwere fulfilledAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πληρόωmain verb (temporal completion: the days were completed)→ constative aorist (the full forty-day period viewed as accomplished)πληρόω: 'fill / fulfil / complete'; the passive ἐπληρώθησαν ('were fulfilled') with a time-object is a Hebraism (מלא ימים, 'the days were filled') marking the completion of an appointed period. The same construction occurs at Luke 2:6 (ἐπλήσθησαν αἱ ἡμέραι) for Mary's days of delivery.
αὐτῷfor himDativedative of reference (the forty days were for him, i.e. on his behalf)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'for him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of reference (the forty days were for him, i.e. on his behalf).
τεσσαράκονταfortynumeral (cardinal, modifying ἡμέραι)→ measure or countτεσσαράκοντα: 'forty'; forty is the standard biblical number of completion or trial (forty years in the wilderness; forty days of flood; forty days of Jesus' testing); here it marks the embalming period as a completed, culturally recognized process.
ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubject of ἐπληρώθησαν→ participant prominenceἡμέραι: meaning 'days'; it serves as subject of ἐπληρώθησαν.
οὕτωςthusadverb of manner (introducing explanatory note)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: meaning 'thus'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
γὰρforpostpositive explanatory conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: introduces the narrator's parenthetical explanation of why forty days are specified — a rare editorial aside addressed to the reader, explaining Egyptian embalming custom.
καταριθμοῦνταιare countedPres Pass Indic 3 Pl · καταριθμέωmain verb of explanatory clause (generic present: 'this is the count')→ gnomic present (universal Egyptian practice stated as a custom)καταριθμέω: 'count up / reckon / enumerate'; a compound of κατά + ἀριθμέω; used here for the official counting of embalming days as per Egyptian funerary protocol. The gnomic present implies this is standard, known practice.
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubject of καταριθμοῦνται→ participant prominenceἡμέραι: meaning 'days'; it serves as subject of καταριθμοῦνται.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ταφῆςburialGenitivegenitive of reference (the days that belong to the burial process)→ relational specificationταφή: 'burial / interment'; from θάπτω; the cognate noun of the verb used throughout this chapter; distinct from the embalming (ἐνταφιάζω) — ταφή is the formal burial-period as a cultural institution.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (adding the mourning period)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπένθησενmournedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πενθέωmain verb (collective mourning with national subject)→ constative aorist (the full seventy-day mourning viewed as a single completed act)πενθέω: 'mourn / grieve / lament'; the verb takes a collective singular subject (Αἴγυπτος) — Egypt as a whole mourns. The word-group (πενθέω, πένθος) will recur at 50:10–11 for the threshing-floor mourning and the place-name Πένθος Αἰγύπτου.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐπένθησεν→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of ἐπένθησεν.
ΑἴγυπτοςEgyptNominativesubject (collective national entity)→ participant prominenceΑἴγυπτος: the country personified as a collective mourner; the seventy days of mourning for Jacob mirrors (or nearly matches) the 72-day mourning for a Pharaoh according to ancient Egyptian sources, giving Jacob virtual royal status in his adopted land.
ἑβδομήκονταseventynumeral (cardinal, modifying ἡμέρας)→ measure or countἑβδομήκοντα: 'seventy'; the seventy days of mourning for Jacob surpasses the forty of embalming — a deliberate escalation marking the intensity of the national grief and the patriarch's elevated standing.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of duration (time over which the mourning extends)→ object specificationἡμέρας: meaning 'days'; it serves as accusative of duration (time over which the mourning extends).
4
Ἐπεὶ δὲ παρῆλθον αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ πένθους, ἐλάλησεν Ιωσηφ πρὸς τὸν οἶκον Φαραω λέγων· Εἰ εὗρον χάριν ἐναντίον ὑμῶν, λαλήσατε περὶ ἐμοῦ εἰς τὰ ὦτα Φαραω λέγοντες·
And when the days of mourning had passed, Joseph spoke to Pharaoh's household, saying: 'If I have found favour in your eyes, speak on my behalf into the ears of Pharaoh, saying:'
The temporal clause Ἐπεὶ δὲ παρῆλθον αἱ ἡμέραι τοῦ πένθους pivots the narrative from mourning to action. Joseph addresses Pharaoh's household rather than Pharaoh directly — a mark of protocol; he is still constrained by the official mourning status. The court formula 'if I have found favour in your eyes' (εἰ εὗρον χάριν ἐναντίον ὑμῶν) is the standard petitionary opening (cf. Gen 18:3; 33:10; 47:29). The idiom 'speak into the ears' (εἰς τὰ ὦτα) is a Hebraism (בְּאָזְנֵי), flagged.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
Ἐπεὶwhentemporal conjunction (introducing temporal protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐπεί: temporal 'when / after'; introduces the temporal clause marking the end of the mourning period as the trigger for Joseph's action.
δὲandpostpositive connective (mild continuation from v.3)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρῆλθονhad passedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · παρέρχομαιverb of temporal clause (the days passed)→ constative aorist (the whole period of mourning is now complete)παρέρχομαι: 'pass by / pass away / elapse'; of time, 'to pass.' The aorist marks the mourning period as definitively over, creating the narrative space for Joseph's petition.
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubject of παρῆλθον→ participant prominenceἡμέραι: meaning 'days'; it serves as subject of παρῆλθον.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πένθουςmourningGenitivegenitive of description (qualifying 'days')→ relational specificationπένθος: 'mourning / grief'; the root that will generate the place-name Πένθος Αἰγύπτου at 50:11; here it marks the official mourning period of 70 days noted in v.3.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (speech act initiating the petition)→ constative aorist (a single speech act)λαλέω: 'speak / talk'; used here and in the λέγων / λέγοντες participles as the standard LXX verb of communication; the root recurs in 50:21 (ἐλάλησεν αὐτῶν εἰς τὴν καρδίαν) for Joseph's tender speech to his brothers.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseholdAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (addressees: Pharaoh's household officials)→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / household'; ὁ οἶκος Φαραω ('the household of Pharaoh') denotes the palace officials and courtiers who have access to Pharaoh — the appropriate intermediaries for a petition, especially during mourning when direct approach may be restricted.
ΦαραωPharaohindeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession (Pharaoh's household)→ participant identificationΦαραω: Egyptian title פַּרְעֹה; indeclinable in LXX Greek; the title rather than a personal name is used throughout the Joseph story, a historical practice consistent with Egyptian royal titulature.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · λέγωparticiple of manner (introducing the content of Joseph's speech)→ simultaneous action (ongoing as he speaks)λέγω: standard speech-introducing participle in LXX narrative, calquing Hebrew לֵאמֹר; the participle follows the main verb and introduces direct speech.
Εἰifconditional particle (introducing the petitionary formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: the conditional εἰ + aorist indicative (εὗρον) constructs the formal court petition 'if I have found favour' — a fixed idiom of Semitic protocol rendered in Greek; the condition is rhetorically softened, not genuinely uncertain.
εὗρονI have foundAor Act Indic 1 Sg · εὑρίσκωverb of conditional protasis→ simple aorist (the finding of favour as a completed prior state)εὑρίσκω: 'find / discover'; the phrase εὑρεῖν χάριν ἐναντίον / ἐνώπιον ('to find favour before') is a Hebraism (מָצָא חֵן בְּעֵינֵי), a fixed expression of social petition recurring throughout Genesis (6:8; 18:3; 19:19; 32:5; 33:8, 10, 15; 39:4; 47:25, 29).
χάρινfavourAccusativeaccusative direct object of εὗρον→ object specificationχάρις: 'grace / favour / goodwill'; here in the social-diplomatic sense of royal goodwill; the LXX's standard rendering of Hebrew חֵן. The same term takes on the theological weight of divine grace in the NT (cf. John 1:14; Eph 2:8).
ἐναντίονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (= 'in the eyes of': Hebraism)→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: 'before / in the presence of'; with genitive, a Hebraism for בְּעֵינֵי ('in the eyes of'); the LXX uses ἐναντίον and ἐνώπιον interchangeably to render this idiom.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive after ἐναντίον (the household officials addressed)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive after ἐναντίον (the household officials addressed).
λαλήσατεspeakAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λαλέωmain verb of the petition (the requested action)→ aorist imperative (a single, decisive act of intercession requested)λαλέω: the aorist imperative requesting a one-time act of intercession; the shift from λαλέω to εἰς τὰ ὦτα marks the intimate, oral character of the requested communication.
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (topic of the intercession)→ spatial or relational framingπερὶ: meaning 'concerning'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (topic of the intercession).
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive pronoun (object of περί)→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (object of περί).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (directional: speech directed into Pharaoh's ears)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: speech directed into Pharaoh's ears).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὦταearsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (terminus of speaking)→ object specificationοὖς (pl. ὦτα): 'ear'; εἰς τὰ ὦτα ('into the ears') is a Hebraism for the idiom בְּאָזְנֵי ('in the ears of'), meaning 'speak privately and directly to'; FLAGGED as Hebraism. The idiom signals intimate, personal communication — not a formal petition but a word in the ear.
ΦαραωPharaohindeclinable proper noun, genitive with εἰς τὰ ὦτα→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive with εἰς τὰ ὦτα.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · λέγωparticiple of manner (introducing the content of what they are to say to Pharaoh)→ simultaneous actionλέγω: second speech-introducing participle in the verse, now in the plural (agreeing with the plural imperative λαλήσατε); it introduces the exact words they are to relay to Pharaoh, given in v.5.
5
Ὁ πατήρ μου ὥρκισέν με λέγων· Ἐν τῷ ὀρύγματι ᾧ ὤρυξα ἐμαυτῷ ἐν γῇ Χανααν, ἐκεῖ με θάψεις. νῦν οὖν ἀναβὰς θάψω τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ ἐπιστρέψω.
My father made me swear, saying: 'In the tomb which I dug for myself in the land of Canaan, there you shall bury me.' Now therefore I will go up and bury my father and return.
This verse is the content of the message Joseph asked to be relayed to Pharaoh (v.4's λέγοντες). The ὀρύγμα (tomb/pit, derived from ὀρύσσω 'to dig') is unusual vocabulary — the more common LXX word for a sepulchre is μνημεῖον or τάφος; the choice of ὀρύγμα emphasises the physical act of digging. Joseph's request closes with the concessive promise ἐπιστρέψω ('I will return'), assuring Pharaoh that the leave of absence is not a flight to Canaan.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
ὉtheNominativearticle (subject marker)→ noun-phrase markingὉ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατήρfatherNominativesubject of ὥρκισεν→ participant prominenceπατήρ: meaning 'father'; it serves as subject of ὥρκισεν.
μουmyGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive).
ὥρκισένmade swearAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁρκίζωmain verb (causative: 'caused me to swear')→ constative aorist (the single past act of oath-binding)ὁρκίζω: 'put under oath / adjure'; causative of ὅρκος ('oath'); Jacob's deathbed oath to Joseph (Gen 47:29–31) is the event referred to. The same verb recurs at 50:25 where Joseph binds the sons of Israel by oath concerning his bones.
μεmeAccusativeaccusative direct object of ὥρκισεν (the one placed under oath)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of ὥρκισεν (the one placed under oath).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · λέγωparticiple of manner (introducing the content of the oath)→ simultaneous actionλέγω: meaning 'saying'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as participle of manner (introducing the content of the oath).
Ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: place of burial)→ spatial or relational framingἘν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: place of burial).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀρύγματιtombDativedative object of ἐν (the place of burial)→ sphere or referenceὄρυγμα: 'dug place / pit / tomb'; verbal noun from ὀρύσσω ('to dig'); unusual for sepulchral contexts where τάφος or μνημεῖον are more common; the choice emphasizes the physical labour of preparation — Jacob personally prepared this grave. The Machpelah cave (purchased by Abraham, Gen 23) is the family tomb in Hebron.
ᾧwhichDativerelative pronoun (dative of place, antecedent: ὀρύγματι)→ participant reference or interestᾧ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (dative of place, antecedent: ὀρύγματι).
ὤρυξαI dugAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὀρύσσωrelative clause verb (the digging as a past act of Jacob)→ constative aorist (the completed preparation of the tomb)ὀρύσσω: 'dig'; the cognate with ὄρυγμα in the same phrase creates a figura etymologica (ὀρύγματι … ὤρυξα), a Hebraism calquing the Hebrew idiom קָבַר כָּרִיתִי ('the grave I dug').
ἐμαυτῷfor myselfDativedative of advantage (reflexive: dug for my own use)→ sphere or referenceἐμαυτῷ: reflexive pronoun dative; 'for myself' — the tomb was prepared by Jacob for his own burial, an act of personal foresight and resolve consistent with his deathbed insistence.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
γῇlandDativedative object of ἐν (locative: land of Canaan)→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as dative object of ἐν (locative: land of Canaan).
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun, in apposition to γῇ (specifying the land)→ participant identificationΧανααν: the promised land; indeclinable in LXX. The insistence on Canaan as the burial place is theologically significant: Jacob refuses to be wholly absorbed into Egypt, insisting his bones belong in the land of promise.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (resumptive: picking up the ἐν clause)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: meaning 'there'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
μεmeAccusativeaccusative direct object of θάψεις→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of θάψεις.
θάψειςyou shall buryFut Act Indic 2 Sg · θάπτωmain verb of the oath-content (future as imperatival command)→ futuristic indicative with oath-force ('you are bound to bury me there')θάπτω: 'bury / inter'; the future indicative in an oath-context functions as an imperatival obligation — Jacob's wish becomes Joseph's sworn duty. The root recurs throughout Gen 50 as the chapter's key burial-verb.
νῦνnowadverb of time (marking the transition to Joseph's own request)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: meaning 'now'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
οὖνthereforeinferential conjunction (drawing the practical consequence from the oath)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὖν: inferential 'therefore / accordingly'; νῦν οὖν is a standard transitional formula in LXX prose, linking premise (the oath) to its consequence (Joseph's request for leave).
ἀναβὰςgoing upAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · ἀναβαίνωcircumstantial participle of means (going up in order to bury)→ antecedent action (the ascent precedes the burial)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; the standard LXX verb for travelling from Egypt to Canaan (geographic ascent); cf. ἀναβήσομαι in Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams (41:22) and throughout the patriarchal narratives.
θάψωI will buryFut Act Indic 1 Sg · θάπτωmain verb of Joseph's apodosis (his intended action)→ futuristic indicative (planned, determined action)θάπτω: meaning 'I will bury'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as main verb of Joseph's apodosis (his intended action).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativeaccusative direct object of θάψω→ object specificationπατέρα: meaning 'father'; it serves as accusative direct object of θάψω.
μουmyGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (coordinating two future actions)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιστρέψωI will returnFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (second future: the reassuring pledge of return)→ futuristic indicative (reassuring promise: 'I will come back')ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; the promise to return to Egypt is politically necessary — it reassures Pharaoh that Joseph is not using the burial as cover for a permanent departure to Canaan; it also signals Joseph's acceptance of his role in Egypt as continuing.
6
Εἶπεν δὲ Φαραω· Ἀνάβηθι, θάψον τὸν πατέρα σου καθάπερ ὥρκισέν σε.
And Pharaoh said: 'Go up and bury your father, just as he made you swear.'
Pharaoh's reply is notably brief — two imperatives and a comparison clause. The brevity conveys authority without elaboration. The formula καθάπερ ὥρκισέν σε ('just as he made you swear') grants the request on its own terms, acknowledging the binding force of the oath. Pharaoh thereby implicitly honours the Israelite institution of death-oath, which is theologically significant.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ΕἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single speech act)Εἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲandpostpositive connective (continuing the narrative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΦαραωPharaohsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable proper noun).
Ἀνάβηθιgo upAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (imperative: royal command granting leave)→ aorist imperative (a single decisive act of departure authorized)ἀναβαίνω: the royal echo of Joseph's own proposed ἀναβάς in v.5; Pharaoh mirrors Joseph's language, granting exactly what was requested in the terms in which it was framed.
θάψονburyAor Act Impv 2 Sg · θάπτωmain verb (second imperative: the specific task authorized)→ aorist imperative (a single, completed act of burial commanded)θάπτω: the command mirrors the oath-content of v.5 (θάψεις, θάψω) — Pharaoh's imperative confirms the chain: oath → request → grant.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativeaccusative direct object of θάψον→ object specificationπατέρα: meaning 'father'; it serves as accusative direct object of θάψον.
σουyourGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive).
καθάπερjust ascomparative conjunction (introducing the conformity clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθάπερ: 'just as / exactly as'; a strengthened form of καθώς; Pharaoh grants the request in the precise terms of the oath, honouring the binding force of Jacob's deathbed charge.
ὥρκισένhe made swearAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁρκίζωverb of comparative clause (echoing the ὥρκισέν of v.5)→ constative aoristὁρκίζω: meaning 'he made swear'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as verb of comparative clause (echoing the ὥρκισέν of v.5).
σεyouAccusativeaccusative direct object of ὥρκισεν→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of ὥρκισεν.
7
Καὶ ἀνέβη Ιωσηφ θάψαι τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ· καὶ συνανέβησαν αὐτῷ πάντες οἱ παῖδες Φαραω καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντες οἱ πρεσβύτεροι τῆς γῆς Αἰγύπτου
And Joseph went up to bury his father; and all Pharaoh's servants went up with him, and the elders of his household, and all the elders of the land of Egypt,
The verse opens the funeral-procession description (vv.7–9), which is remarkable for its length — five groups are named. The listing of Pharaoh's servants, his household elders, and all Egypt's elders before Joseph's own family (in v.8) is rhetorically deliberate: it establishes the magnitude of the state honour accorded to Jacob before turning to the family. The verb συνανέβησαν ('went up together with') marks corporate participation.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέβηwent upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (narrative action: the departure)→ constative aorist (the single journey upward from Egypt to Canaan)ἀναβαίνω: the journey from Egypt to Canaan is consistently described as 'going up' (ἀναβαίνω) throughout the patriarchal narratives; geographically and theologically Canaan is always 'up' relative to Egypt.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
θάψαιto buryAor Act Inf · θάπτωinfinitive of purpose (the goal of the ascent)→ aorist infinitive (the burial as a single completed act to be accomplished)θάπτω: 'bury'; renders קָבַר; the articular infinitive τοῦ θάψαι expresses the purpose of the return; the burial-motif dominates vv. 29–31.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativeaccusative direct object of θάψαι→ object specificationπατέρα: meaning 'father'; it serves as accusative direct object of θάψαι.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (listing accompaniers)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συνανέβησανwent up togetherAor Act Indic 3 Pl · συναναβαίνωmain verb (corporate action of escort)→ constative aorist (the whole procession viewed as a single event)συναναβαίνω: 'go up together with'; double compound of σύν + ἀνά + βαίνω; the prefix σύν marks corporate solidarity — they go with Joseph, not merely alongside him. The verb appears elsewhere of disciples who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee (Acts 13:31).
αὐτῷwith himDativedative of accompaniment→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'with him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of accompaniment.
πάντεςallNominativeadjective (universal quantifier over Pharaoh's servants)→ participant prominenceπάντες: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (universal quantifier over Pharaoh's servants).
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖδεςservantsNominativesubject of συνανέβησαν (first group: Pharaoh's servants)→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / official'; here the senior court officials of Pharaoh — their participation signals official royal patronage of the funeral.
ΦαραωPharaohindeclinable proper noun, genitive (possession: Pharaoh's servants)→ participant identificationΦαραω: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive (possession: Pharaoh's servants).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (listing second group)→ 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.
πρεσβύτεροιeldersNominativesubject of συνανέβησαν (second group: elders of Pharaoh's household)→ participant prominenceπρεσβύτερος: 'elder / senior official'; in LXX usage renders Hebrew זָקֵן ('elder'), a figure of authority; the elders of Pharaoh's household are senior palace administrators.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκουhouseholdGenitivegenitive of belonging (the household to which the elders belong)→ relational specificationοἴκου: meaning 'household'; it serves as genitive of belonging (the household to which the elders belong).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive: Pharaoh's household)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive: Pharaoh's household).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (listing third group)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativeadjective (universal quantifier)→ participant prominenceπάντες: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (universal quantifier).
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρεσβύτεροιeldersNominativesubject of συνανέβησαν (third group: all Egypt's elders)→ participant prominenceπρεσβύτεροι: meaning 'elders'; it serves as subject of συνανέβησαν (third group: all Egypt's elders).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of belonging→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of belonging.
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive (specifying the land)→ relational specificationΑἰγύπτου: meaning 'Egypt'; it serves as genitive (specifying the land).
8
καὶ πᾶσα ἡ οἰκία Ιωσηφ καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ πᾶσα ἡ οἰκία τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ· τὴν δὲ κατασκευὴν καὶ τὰ πρόβατα καὶ τοὺς βόας ὑπέλιπον ἐν γῇ Γεσεμ.
and all the household of Joseph and his brothers and all the household of his father; but the equipment and the flocks and the cattle they left behind in the land of Goshen.
Verse 8 is the continuation of the procession-list from v.7 (no new main verb — the subject continues from συνανέβησαν). The δέ-adversative at 'but the equipment' signals a parenthetical qualification: the departure is total in terms of people but not livestock and possessions, which remain in Goshen as a pledge of return (cf. Joseph's promise ἐπιστρέψω, v.5). The mention of Goshen anchors the family in their assigned Egyptian territory (cf. Gen 45:10; 47:1).
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (continuing the list from v.7)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶσαallNominativeadjective (universal quantifier, feminine agreeing with οἰκία)→ participant prominenceπᾶσα: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (universal quantifier, feminine agreeing with οἰκία).
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἰκίαhouseholdNominativesubject of συνανέβησαν (continued from v.7; fourth group: Joseph's household)→ participant prominenceοἰκία: 'house / household'; used alongside οἶκος (v.7) for Pharaoh's household; here the family group of Joseph himself — all who depended on him domestically.
ΙωσηφJosephindeclinable proper noun, genitive (possessive: Joseph's household)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive (possessive: Joseph's household).
καὶandconjunction (listing next group)→ 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.
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativesubject of συνανέβησαν (fifth group: the brothers)→ participant prominenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; the brothers are listed separately from Joseph's household, preserving their distinct identity as the sons of Israel; they will figure prominently in the fear-speech of vv.15–18.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive: his brothers)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive: his brothers).
καὶandconjunction (listing next group)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶσαallNominativeadjective (universal quantifier)→ participant prominenceπᾶσα: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (universal quantifier).
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἰκίαhouseholdNominativesubject (sixth group: the paternal household)→ participant prominenceοἰκία: meaning 'household'; it serves as subject (sixth group: the paternal household).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive of belonging (Jacob's household — the wider clan)→ relational specificationπατρὸς: meaning 'father'; it serves as genitive of belonging (Jacob's household — the wider clan).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (marking the adversative subject)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbutpostpositive mild adversative (contrasting what was left behind)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: mild adversative — 'but the equipment they left.' The contrast functions as an implicit pledge of return: leaving livestock and goods in Goshen signals that the departure is temporary.
κατασκευὴνequipmentAccusativeaccusative direct object of ὑπέλιπον (proleptic: fronted for contrast)→ object specificationκατασκευή: 'equipment / furnishings / possessions'; renders Hebrew טַף ('children') in some traditions or household goods generally; the LXX reads as movable property left behind, consistent with the temporary-absence framing.
καὶandconjunction (listing items left behind)→ 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.
πρόβαταflocksAccusativeaccusative direct object of ὑπέλιπον→ object specificationπρόβατον: 'sheep / flock'; the wealth of a pastoralist household; left behind in Goshen as a material anchor of residence.
καὶandconjunction→ 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.
βόαςcattleAccusativeaccusative direct object of ὑπέλιπον→ object specificationβοῦς: 'ox / cattle'; the standard large livestock of Near Eastern herding; alongside the πρόβατα, these represent the economic substance of the Israelite family.
ὑπέλιπονleft behindAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὑπολείπωmain verb of the parenthetical adversative clause→ constative aorist (a single decisive act of leaving things behind)ὑπολείπω: 'leave behind / leave remaining'; the compound ὑπό + λείπω ('leave under/behind'); the act of leaving livestock signals temporary absence rather than permanent emigration.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
γῇlandDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceγῇ: meaning 'land'; it serves as dative of place.
ΓεσεμGoshenindeclinable proper noun (the land of Goshen, assigned territory of Israel in Egypt)→ participant identificationΓεσεμ: the LXX transliteration of Hebrew גֹּשֶׁן (Goshen); the fertile land in the eastern Nile Delta assigned to the Israelites by Pharaoh (Gen 45:10; 47:1, 4, 6). Its mention anchors the family in their Egyptian home and will be recalled at the Exodus (Exod 8:22; 9:26).
9
καὶ συνανέβη αὐτῷ ἅρματα καὶ ἱππεῖς, καὶ ἐγένετο ἡ παρεμβολὴ μεγάλη σφόδρα.
And chariots and horsemen went up with him; and the company was very great.
The addition of chariots and horsemen transforms the funeral procession into a near-royal military cavalcade. παρεμβολή ('camp / company') is a military term — the procession is described as an army on the march. The closing μεγάλη σφόδρα ('very great') is an intensifying formula common in LXX narrative; it underscores the unprecedented scale of this burial honour.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συνανέβηwent up with himAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συναναβαίνωmain verb (singular agreeing with ἅρματα as collective subject)→ constative aoristσυναναβαίνω: same compound as v.7's συνανέβησαν; here singular with the collective military complement; the repetition knits vv.7–9 as a unified procession-description.
αὐτῷwith himDativedative of accompaniment→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'with him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of accompaniment.
ἅρματαchariotsNominativesubject of συνανέβη (military vehicles of the escort)→ participant prominenceἅρμα: 'chariot'; the standard Egyptian military vehicle; their presence signals that Pharaoh has sent official state military honour guard for the burial of Jacob — an extraordinary mark of distinction.
καὶandconjunction (coordinating second military element)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἱππεῖςhorsemenNominativesubject of συνανέβη (cavalry)→ participant prominenceἱππεύς: 'horseman / cavalry rider'; from ἵππος ('horse'); the cavalry and chariots together constitute the full Egyptian military honour; cf. Pharaoh's forces pursuing Israel at the Exodus (Exod 14:9: ἅρμα καὶ ἱππεῖς).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result / summary)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοbecameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (existential: 'the company was')→ ingressive aorist (the procession becoming a great company as it assembled)γίνομαι: existential 'become / be'; ἐγένετο + predicate adjective is a standard LXX formulation for describing a resulting state.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολὴcompanyNominativesubject of ἐγένετο→ participant prominenceπαρεμβολή: 'camp / company / army'; a military term for an armed encampment or retinue; its use for the funeral procession portrays Jacob's burial as a military-state occasion, not merely a family ceremony.
μεγάληgreatNominativepredicate adjective→ participant prominenceμεγάλη: meaning 'great'; it serves as predicate adjective.
σφόδραveryintensifying adverb (modifying μεγάλη)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'very / exceedingly'; a characteristic LXX intensifier, rendering Hebrew מְאֹד; its pairing with μεγάλη emphasises the extraordinary scale of the procession.
10
Καὶ ἦλθον ἕως ἅλωνος Ἀτάδ, ὅ ἐστιν πέραν τοῦ Ιορδάνου· καὶ ἐκόψαντο αὐτὸν κοπετὸν μέγαν καὶ ἰσχυρὸν σφόδρα· καὶ ἐποίησεν τὸ πένθος τῷ πατρὶ αὐτοῦ ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας.
And they came as far as the threshing floor of Atad, which is beyond the Jordan; and they lamented him with a great and very strong lamentation; and he made mourning for his father seven days.
Two distinct acts: (1) the lamentation at Atad — ἐκόψαντο κοπετόν, a figura etymologica calquing Hebrew סָפַד מִסְפֵּד ('lamented a lamentation'); (2) seven days of mourning (ἐποίησεν τὸ πένθος, singular — Joseph alone 'made mourning,' distinct from the corporate lamentation). The figure ἅλων Ἀτάδ will generate the place-name Πένθος Αἰγύπτου in v.11.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦλθονthey cameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (arrival at the stopping-point)→ constative aorist (the journey to Atad as a completed event)ἔρχομαι (aor. ἦλθον): 'come / go'; the messengers carry Saul's promise back to the besieged city.
ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (terminus of travel)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / as far as'; with genitive of place, marks the terminal point of the journey — Atad's threshing floor is the halting-place for the lamentation before the final leg to Machpelah.
ἅλωνοςthreshing floorGenitivegenitive of place with ἕως→ relational specificationἅλων: 'threshing floor'; renders Hebrew גֹּרֶן; threshing floors in the OT are significant liminal spaces — cf. Ruth 3 (the threshing floor as the site of Boaz's encounter with Ruth); 2 Sam 6:6 (Nachon's threshing floor where Uzzah touched the ark); 1 Chr 21:18–26 (Araunah's threshing floor, the future Temple Mount).
ἈτάδAtadindeclinable proper noun (name of the threshing floor)→ participant identificationἈτάδ: transliteration of Hebrew אָטָד ('bramble / thornbush'); the name of the threshing floor that will be renamed Πένθος Αἰγύπτου ('Mourning of Egypt') in v.11. The location 'beyond the Jordan' is geographically puzzling for a journey from Egypt to Hebron, suggesting either a northern route or a traditional place-name.
ὅwhichNominativerelative pronoun (neuter, referring to ἅλωνος as a place)→ participant referenceὅ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (neuter, referring to ἅλωνος as a place).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (locating Atad)→ present (permanent geographical fact)εἰμί: copula.
πέρανbeyondimproper preposition + genitive (locative: across the Jordan)→ spatial or relational framingπέραν: 'beyond / on the other side'; consistently used in LXX/NT for 'the other side of the Jordan' (πέραν τοῦ Ιορδάνου = עֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן); the same phrase at v.11.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνουJordanGenitivegenitive after πέραν (the Jordan River)→ relational specificationΙορδάνης: the Jordan River; the boundary of the promised land for the wilderness generation; its mention here anticipates the boundary-crossing that the bones-oath (50:25) will eventually accomplish at the Exodus.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (second act: the lamentation)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκόψαντοthey lamentedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · κόπτωmain verb (corporate lamentation)→ constative aorist (the lament as a complete event)κόπτω (mid.): 'beat oneself / lament'; the middle voice of κόπτω ('to beat / strike') denotes self-directed striking as a mourning gesture (beating the breast or head); middle κόπτομαι = 'mourn by striking oneself.' The cognate noun κοπετός follows immediately.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative direct object (the one mourned for)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object (the one mourned for).
κοπετὸνlamentationAccusativecognate accusative with ἐκόψαντο (figura etymologica: 'lamented a lamentation')→ object specificationκοπετός: 'beating / lamentation'; verbal noun from κόπτω; the cognate accusative ἐκόψαντο κοπετόν is a figura etymologica calquing Hebrew סָפַד מִסְפֵּד — FLAGGED as Hebraism. Such constructions intensify the action by means of the cognate noun.
μέγανgreatAccusativeadjective modifying κοπετόν→ object specificationμέγαν: meaning 'great'; it serves as adjective modifying κοπετόν.
καὶandconjunction (coordinating second adjective)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰσχυρὸνstrongAccusativeadjective modifying κοπετόν (double qualification of the lamentation)→ object specificationἰσχυρός: 'strong / mighty / intense'; modifying a noun of grief, it denotes the force and intensity of the mourning — a strong, powerful lamentation.
σφόδραveryintensifying adverb→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: meaning 'very'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (third clause: seven days of mourning)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησενmadeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (Joseph specifically making mourning: singular after plural ἐκόψαντο)→ constative aoristποιέω: 'make / do'; ποιέω + πένθος = 'make mourning / observe mourning'; the shift from plural (ἐκόψαντο) to singular (ἐποίησεν) marks Joseph as the chief mourner who formally observed the seven-day rite.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πένθοςmourningAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐποίησεν→ object specificationπένθος: 'mourning / grief'; this noun will generate the place-name Πένθος Αἰγύπτου in v.11 — the mourning at this very spot becomes memorialized in the toponym.
τῷfor theDativearticle with dative of advantage→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὶfatherDativedative of advantage (the mourning is on behalf of the father)→ sphere or referenceπατρὶ: meaning 'father'; it serves as dative of advantage (the mourning is on behalf of the father).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive).
ἑπτὰsevennumeral (cardinal, modifying ἡμέρας)→ measure or countἑπτά: 'seven'; the seven-day mourning period is the standard OT period of intense grief (cf. Job 2:13; Sir 22:12); it stands within the larger seventy-day Egyptian mourning of v.3 as its focal culminating rite at the burial site.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of duration→ object specificationἡμέρας: meaning 'days'; it serves as accusative of duration.
11
Καὶ εἶδον οἱ κάτοικοι τῆς γῆς Χανααν τὸ πένθος ἐν ἅλωνι Ἀτάδ καὶ εἶπαν· Πένθος μέγα τοῦτό ἐστιν τοῖς Αἰγυπτίοις· διὰ τοῦτο ἐκάλεσαν τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Πένθος Αἰγύπτου, ὅ ἐστιν πέραν τοῦ Ιορδάνου.
And the inhabitants of the land of Canaan saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad and said: 'This is a great mourning for the Egyptians.' Therefore they called its name Mourning of Egypt, which is beyond the Jordan.
A classic LXX etiological aside: the place gets its name because of this event as observed by outsiders. The Canaanites see (εἶδον) the mourning, interpret it as Egyptian grief (Πένθος μέγα τοῦτό ἐστιν τοῖς Αἰγυπτίοις), and the narrator confirms: therefore they called it Πένθος Αἰγύπτου ('Mourning of Egypt'). FLAGGED — the LXX translates the Hebrew place-name Abel-mizraim (אָבֵל מִצְרַיִם, literally 'meadow/mourning of Egypt') as Πένθος Αἰγύπτου, choosing interpretation over transliteration.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδονsawAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (the Canaanites' observation)→ constative aoristὁράω: seeing functions as the trigger for the naming — the place-name memorial preserves what outside witnesses observed.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κάτοικοιinhabitantsNominativesubject of εἶδον (the local Canaanite population)→ participant prominenceκάτοικος: 'inhabitant / resident'; from κατοικέω ('dwell in'); the Canaanites who live in the region observe the Egyptian display of mourning as outsiders, which is what makes their naming of the site significant — it is the Gentile testimony to the greatness of the grief.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of place→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive of place.
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun→ participant identificationΧανααν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πένθοςmourningAccusativeaccusative direct object of εἶδον→ object specificationπένθος: meaning 'mourning'; it serves as accusative direct object of εἶδον.
ἐνatpreposition + dative (locative: at the threshing floor)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: at the threshing floor).
ἅλωνιthreshing floorDativedative of place (where the mourning was observed)→ sphere or referenceἅλωνι: meaning 'threshing floor'; it serves as dative of place (where the mourning was observed).
ἈτάδAtadindeclinable proper noun→ participant identificationἈτάδ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech-introducing: the Canaanite interpretation)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπαν, Koine form): introduces the third invitation.
ΠένθοςMourningNominativesubject of ἐστιν (predicate nominative construction)→ participant prominenceπένθος: The Canaanites read the scene as specifically Egyptian — they attribute the mourning to the Egyptian contingent of the procession. The irony is that it is Jacob — an Israelite patriarch — who is being mourned, but so thoroughly has Joseph adopted Egyptian protocol that the Canaanites see only Egypt.
μέγαgreatNominativepredicate adjective modifying πένθος→ participant prominenceμέγα: meaning 'great'; it serves as predicate adjective modifying πένθος.
τοῦτόthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun, subject of ἐστιν→ participant referenceτοῦτό: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative pronoun, subject of ἐστιν.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (identifying this as the Egyptians' mourning)→ present (factual identification)εἰμί: copula.
τοῖςof theDativearticle with dative of possession→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑἰγυπτίοιςEgyptiansDativedative of possession / reference (this mourning belongs to the Egyptians)→ sphere or referenceΑἰγύπτιος: 'Egyptian'; the Canaanite naming treats the procession as Egyptian — a perception that ironically erases Jacob's Israelite identity while simultaneously creating a Gentile testimony to the magnitude of the grief.
διὰthereforepreposition + accusative (causal: 'on account of this')→ spatial or relational framingδιὰ: meaning 'therefore'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (causal: 'on account of this').
τοῦτοthisAccusativeaccusative object of διά (causal demonstrative: because of this naming)→ participant referenceδιὰ τοῦτο: 'therefore / on account of this'; the standard etiological formula in LXX narratives — the name reflects the event. Cf. Gen 2:24; 10:9; 26:33.
ἐκάλεσανcalledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καλέωmain verb (the naming act: etiological climax)→ constative aorist (the single act of naming)καλέω: 'call / name'; the naming formula ἐκάλεσαν τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ is the standard LXX etiological formula (cf. Gen 26:33; 28:19; 32:30; 33:20).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομαnameAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐκάλεσαν (the thing being named)→ object specificationὄνομα: meaning 'name'; it serves as accusative direct object of ἐκάλεσαν (the thing being named).
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive pronoun (referring to the threshing floor)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (referring to the threshing floor).
ΠένθοςMourningindeclinable toponym (the new name: first element)→ participant identificationΠένθος Αἰγύπτου: FLAGGED — the LXX translates Hebrew אָבֵל מִצְרַיִם ('Abel-mizraim') as Πένθος Αἰγύπτου ('Mourning of Egypt'), choosing a semantic translation over transliteration. Hebrew אָבֵל can mean both 'meadow/water-course' and 'mourning' (from אָבַל); the LXX opts for the mourning sense, creating an interpretive rendering that makes the etymology transparent in Greek.
Αἰγύπτουof EgyptGenitivegenitive of description / possession (second element of the toponym)→ relational specificationΑἰγύπτου: meaning 'of Egypt'; it serves as genitive of description / possession (second element of the toponym).
ὅwhichNominativerelative pronoun (neuter, locating the site geographically)→ participant referenceὅ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (neuter, locating the site geographically).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίlocative copula of the relative clause→ presentεἰμί: copula.
πέρανbeyondpreposition + genitive (same phrase as v.10: beyond the Jordan)→ spatial or relational framingπέραν: meaning 'beyond'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (same phrase as v.10: beyond the Jordan).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνουJordanGenitivegenitive after πέραν (the Jordan River)→ relational specificationΙορδάνου: meaning 'Jordan'; it serves as genitive after πέραν (the Jordan River).
12
Ἐποίησαν δὲ αὐτῷ οὕτως οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ.
And his sons did to him thus.
A brief confirmatory note — the sons fulfilled Jacob's instructions exactly (οὕτως, 'thus'). The verse bridges the account of the great procession and mourning (vv.7–11) with the burial proper (v.13). Its brevity is rhetorically significant: all the foregoing — the chariots, the elders, the seven-day lamentation — is compressed into a single sentence of filial compliance.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
ἘποίησανdidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (the sons' act of fulfilment)→ constative aorist (the fulfilment of Jacob's instructions viewed as a completed whole)ποιέω: 'do / make / perform'; ποιέω + οὕτως ('do thus / accordingly') is a standard compliance formula in LXX narrative, typically recording that instructions were carried out exactly as given.
δὲandpostpositive connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτῷfor himDativedative of reference / advantage (done on Jacob's behalf)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'for him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of reference / advantage (done on Jacob's behalf).
οὕτωςthusadverb of manner (referencing Jacob's deathbed instructions)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / so / in this way'; the adverb summarises all the instructions of 47:29–31 and 49:29–32 in a single word of obedience. The brevity is artful — the narrative does not need to itemise what has just been shown.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἐποίησαν→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the sons are the collective subject — Jacob's twelve sons acting in concert as the obedient children who honour their father's dying wish. The reference sets up the shift in v.13 to a description of the burial itself.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive: Jacob's sons)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive: Jacob's sons).
13
καὶ ἀνέλαβον αὐτὸν οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ εἰς γῆν Χανααν καὶ ἔθαψαν αὐτὸν ἐν τῷ σπηλαίῳ τοῦ ἀγροῦ τοῦ διπλοῦ, ὃ ἐκτήσατο Αβρααμ τὸ σπήλαιον ἐν κτήσει τάφου παρὰ Εφρων τοῦ Χετταίου ἀπέναντι Μαμβρη.
And his sons carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave of the double field, which Abraham bought as a burial-possession, the cave, from Ephron the Hittite, opposite Mamre.
The burial notice is heavily filigreed with the Machpelah land-purchase tradition (Gen 23): ὃ ἐκτήσατο Αβρααμ … ἐν κτήσει τάφου παρὰ Εφρων τοῦ Χετταίου ἀπέναντι Μαμβρη recalls the exact legal terminology of Gen 23. The legal precision (κτῆσις τάφου, 'burial-possession') insists on the legitimacy of Israel's claim to this particular plot of Canaanite ground — their only freehold in the promised land. ὁ ἀγρὸς ὁ διπλοῦς ('the double field') is the LXX's rendering of שְׂדֵה הַמַּכְפֵּלָה (the field of Machpelah, from כָּפַל 'double').
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέλαβονcarriedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναλαμβάνωmain verb (carrying the body northward)→ constative aoristἀναλαμβάνω: 'take up / carry / receive'; the compound ἀνά + λαμβάνω suggests lifting and carrying upward — consistent with the ἀναβαίνω framing of the entire journey. The body of Jacob is borne by his sons in an act of filial duty.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative direct object→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἀνέλαβον→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject of ἀνέλαβον.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (directional: toward Canaan)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: toward Canaan).
γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationγῆν: meaning 'land'; it serves as accusative object of εἰς.
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun→ participant identificationΧανααν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔθαψανburiedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · θάπτωmain verb (the burial itself)→ constative aorist (the completed act of interment)θάπτω: the chapter's key burial-verb, fulfilling the chain of oath (v.5), command (v.6), and journey (v.13) — the actual burial is narrated in a single word of completion.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative direct object→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in the cave)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in the cave).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπηλαίῳcaveDativedative of place (the specific tomb)→ sphere or referenceσπήλαιον: 'cave'; the Machpelah cave, purchased in Gen 23, is the only plot of Canaanite land that the patriarchs own outright; it contains Abraham and Sarah (23:19), Isaac and Rebekah, and Leah (49:31); Jacob insists on joining them there.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγροῦfieldGenitivegenitive of belonging (the cave belonging to the field)→ relational specificationἀγρός: 'field'; the cave was part of the purchased field (Gen 23:17–20); the legal insistence on ἀγρός as the unit of purchase is important for the land-title.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διπλοῦdoubleGenitiveattributive adjective (the 'double field')→ relational specificationδιπλοῦς: 'double / twofold'; LXX translation of Hebrew מַכְפֵּלָה (Machpelah), from כָּפַל ('double'); the LXX consistently renders the Hebrew place-name with the Greek adjective rather than transliterating, making the meaning transparent: the 'double cave' — perhaps a two-chambered cavern, or a field with a doubled price.
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative, antecedent: the cave/field)→ participant referenceὃ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (accusative, antecedent: the cave/field).
ἐκτήσατοboughtAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · κτάομαιverb of relative clause (the purchase by Abraham)→ constative aorist (single completed purchase transaction)κτάομαι: 'acquire / buy / possess'; middle voice consistently used for property acquisition; the purchase narrative of Gen 23 is the legal foundation for Israel's claim to the cave. The perfect-past purchase is invoked here to legitimize the burial.
ΑβρααμAbrahamsubject of ἐκτήσατο (the original purchaser)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: indeclinable; the founding patriarch whose land-purchase in Gen 23 is now fulfilled — his great-grandson is interred in the family tomb he secured.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (resumptive: the cave)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπήλαιονcaveAccusativeaccusative in apposition to ὅ (specifying the purchased item: the cave itself)→ object specificationσπήλαιον: meaning 'cave'; it serves as accusative in apposition to ὅ (specifying the purchased item: the cave itself).
ἐνaspreposition + dative (modal/instrumental: the terms of purchase)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'as'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (modal/instrumental: the terms of purchase).
κτήσειpossessionDativedative after ἐν (the category of acquisition: 'as a burial-possession')→ sphere or referenceκτῆσις: 'possession / property'; legal term for acquired property; ἐν κτήσει τάφου = 'as a sepulchral possession' — a precise legal formula reflecting the sales language of Gen 23:17–20. The legal insistence on κτῆσις underlines that the patriarchs own this ground by legitimate purchase.
τάφουof burialGenitivegenitive of purpose (a possession for burial)→ relational specificationτάφος: 'tomb / grave / burial'; the cognate noun of θάπτω; the purchase was explicitly for burial purposes (cf. Gen 23:4: δότε μοι κτῆσιν τάφου μεθ' ὑμῶν).
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source of purchase: from Ephron)→ spatial or relational framingπαρὰ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source of purchase: from Ephron).
ΕφρωνEphronindeclinable proper noun (the seller)→ participant identificationΕφρων: transliteration of Hebrew עֶפְרוֹן (Ephron); the Hittite landowner of Gen 23 who sold the Machpelah cave to Abraham for 400 shekels of silver.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧετταίουHittiteGenitivegenitive of identity (gentilic: Ephron's ethnic origin)→ relational specificationΧετταῖος: 'Hittite'; renders Hebrew חִתִּי; the Hittites appear in the patriarchal narratives as landowners in Canaan (cf. Gen 23:3–20; 26:34; 27:46).
ἀπέναντιoppositepreposition + genitive (locative: facing Mamre)→ spatial or relational framingἀπέναντι: 'opposite / in front of / facing'; the standard LXX rendering of Hebrew עַל־פְּנֵי ('before the face of'). The location 'opposite Mamre' pins Machpelah to the Hebron district where Abraham pitched his tent and where God appeared to him (Gen 13:18; 18:1).
ΜαμβρηMamreindeclinable proper noun (the landmark)→ participant identificationΜαμβρη: transliteration of Hebrew מַמְרֵא; the sacred grove near Hebron associated with Abraham's covenant experiences (Gen 13:18; 14:13; 18:1) and consistently named in burial contexts as the locating landmark.
14
Καὶ ἀπέστρεψεν Ιωσηφ εἰς Αἴγυπτον αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντες οἱ συναναβάντες θάψαι τὸν πατέρα αὐτοῦ.
And Joseph returned to Egypt, he and his brothers and all who had gone up with him to bury his father.
The return fulfils Joseph's promise in v.5 (ἐπιστρέψω). The resumptive αὐτός ('he himself') after Ιωσηφ emphasises Joseph's personal agency in the return; the listing of his brothers and all the companions echoes vv.7–8 in reverse, framing the burial unit as a complete round trip.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστρεψενreturnedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστρέφωmain verb (the return to Egypt)→ constative aorist (the completed journey back)ἀποστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; the cognate of ἐπιστρέφω (ἐπιστρέψω, v.5); the compound ἀπο- underlines return to point of origin. The return vindicates Joseph's promise to Pharaoh that he would come back.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction of return)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of return).
ΑἴγυπτονEgyptAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the destination of return)→ object specificationΑἴγυπτον: meaning 'Egypt'; it serves as accusative object of εἰς (the destination of return).
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativeintensive pronoun (resumptive emphasis on Joseph's personal return)→ participant referenceαὐτός: intensive use ('he himself'), not merely a pronoun; stresses Joseph's personal compliance with the promise to return (ἐπιστρέψω, v.5) — he himself, no less, returned.
καὶandconjunction (listing accompanying parties)→ 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.
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativesubject of ἀπέστρεψεν (coordinated: the brothers also return)→ participant prominenceἀδελφοὶ: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as subject of ἀπέστρεψεν (coordinated: the brothers also return).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive).
καὶandconjunction (final group)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάντεςallNominativeadjective (universal quantifier)→ participant prominenceπάντες: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (universal quantifier).
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συναναβάντεςthose who had gone upAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · συναναβαίνωsubstantival participle (articular: 'all who had gone up together')→ antecedent action (the ascent is prior to the return)συναναβαίνω: the same compound as v.7 (συνανέβησαν) and v.9 (συνανέβη); the articular participle makes it a noun-phrase: 'the ones who had come up together' — the entire retinue.
θάψαιto buryAor Act Inf · θάπτωinfinitive of purpose (the reason for the ascent)→ aorist infinitive (the burial as the completed purpose)θάπτω: 'bury'; renders קָבַר; the articular infinitive τοῦ θάψαι expresses the purpose of the return; the burial-motif dominates vv. 29–31.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativeaccusative direct object of θάψαι→ object specificationπατέρα: meaning 'father'; it serves as accusative direct object of θάψαι.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive).
15
Ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ Ιωσηφ ὅτι τέθνηκεν ὁ πατὴρ αὐτῶν, εἶπαν· Μήποτε μνησικακήσῃ ἡμῖν Ιωσηφ καὶ ἀνταποδώσῃ ἡμῖν πάντα τὰ κακὰ ἃ ἐνεδειξάμεθα αὐτῷ.
And Joseph's brothers, seeing that their father was dead, said: 'Perhaps Joseph will bear a grudge against us and repay us all the evils that we inflicted on him.'
The brothers' fear erupts once the protective cover of Jacob's presence is gone. The chapter pivots from burial narrative to relational drama. The verbs are significant: μνησικακέω ('bear a grudge / remember evil against') and ἀνταποδίδωμι ('repay / give back in return') frame their anxiety in economic-legal terms of repayment. The brothers' self-description ἐνεδειξάμεθα ('we inflicted / displayed against') deploys the same word used earlier in the narrative (42:20; 43:6) for their harmful actions.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ἸδόντεςseeingAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · ὁράωcircumstantial participle of cause (the perception triggers the fear)→ antecedent action (seeing came before the speaking)ὁράω: here, as in 42:1 (Ἰδὼν δὲ Ιακωβ), the aorist participiple of ὁράω opens a new scene by establishing the perception that drives the action; 'seeing that their father had died' is the causal premise for the speech that follows.
δὲandpostpositive narrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativesubject of εἶπαν→ participant prominenceἀδελφοὶ: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as subject of εἶπαν.
ΙωσηφJosephindeclinable proper noun, genitive (specifying whose brothers these are)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive (specifying whose brothers these are).
ὅτιthatconjunction introducing indirect perception-content→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'that'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τέθνηκενhad diedPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · θνῄσκωverb of the ὅτι-clause (the ongoing state of Jacob's death)→ intensive perfect (the death is a completed event with ongoing state: 'is dead')θνῄσκω: 'die'; the perfect τέθνηκεν ('is dead') rather than the aorist ἀπέθανεν ('died') underlines the state of death as currently real to the brothers — Jacob is not just 'gone'; he is 'dead, and staying dead.' The perfect functions as a stark realization.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατὴρfatherNominativesubject of τέθνηκεν→ participant prominenceπατὴρ: meaning 'father'; it serves as subject of τέθνηκεν.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive).
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech act: the brothers' fear voiced)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπαν, Koine form): introduces the third invitation.
Μήποτεperhapsnegative purpose particle (expressing feared possibility)→ discourse linkage or contrastμήποτε: 'lest / perhaps'; here not a prohibition but a feared eventuality — 'perhaps Joseph will…'; the brothers' speech is structured as anxious anticipation rather than certainty. μήποτε + subjunctive expresses the fear of what might happen.
μνησικακήσῃbear a grudgeAor Act Subj 3 Sg · μνησικακέωverb of feared subordinate clause (μήποτε + subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctive (the feared single act of retributive memory)μνησικακέω: 'bear a grudge / remember evil / harbor resentment'; compound of μιμνήσκω ('remember') + κακόν ('evil'); a precise term for nursing a grievance — to remember the harm done and hold it against someone. This is what the brothers fear Joseph has been doing for years.
ἡμῖνagainst usDativedative of disadvantage (the grudge directed against them)→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'against us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of disadvantage (the grudge directed against them).
ΙωσηφJosephsubject of μνησικακήσῃ→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of μνησικακήσῃ.
καὶandconjunction (coordinating the second feared action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνταποδώσῃrepayAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀνταποδίδωμιverb of feared subordinate clause (second subjunctive after μήποτε)→ aorist subjunctive (feared retributive act)ἀνταποδίδωμι: 'repay / give back in return / recompense'; a compound of ἀντί ('in return') + ἀπό + δίδωμι; carries the sense of exact equivalence — they fear Joseph will give back precisely what they gave him. The same verb appears at Rom 12:19 (ἐμοὶ ἐκδίκησις, ἐγὼ ἀνταποδώσω) quoting Deut 32:35.
ἡμῖνto usDativedative indirect object of ἀνταποδώσῃ→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'to us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object of ἀνταποδώσῃ.
πάνταallAccusativeadjective (quantifying τὰ κακά)→ object specificationπάντα: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (quantifying τὰ κακά).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κακὰevilsAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἀνταποδώσῃ→ object specificationκακόν: 'evil / harm'; the τὰ κακά they fear repayment of are the evils of Gen 37 — throwing Joseph in the pit, selling him to the Ishmaelites, bringing his coat to Jacob dipped in goat's blood. The word echoes v.20 (εἰς πονηρά, 'for evil') and will be answered by God's providential counter-plan.
ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative, antecedent: τὰ κακά)→ participant referenceἃ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (accusative, antecedent: τὰ κακά).
ἐνεδειξάμεθαwe inflictedAor Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἐνδείκνυμιverb of relative clause (the brothers' own admission of wrongdoing)→ constative aorist (the whole act of cruelty toward Joseph)ἐνδείκνυμι: 'show / display / inflict'; the middle ἐνεδειξάμεθα ('we displayed / inflicted on') is a striking verbal choice — the brothers use a verb that implies deliberate, overt demonstration of harm, not merely accidental wrongdoing. The word recurs at 2 Tim 4:14 (ἀλέξανδρος … πολλά μοι κακὰ ἐνεδείξατο, 'Alexander did me great harm').
αὐτῷhimDativedative indirect object (to Joseph)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (to Joseph).
16
Καὶ παρεγένοντο πρὸς Ιωσηφ λέγοντες· Ὁ πατήρ σου ὥρκισεν πρὸ τοῦ ἀποθανεῖν αὐτὸν λέγων·
And they came to Joseph, saying: 'Your father gave orders before he died, saying:'
The brothers approach Joseph (παρεγένοντο, 'came to / presented themselves') with a message they claim is from their father. The question of whether this was a real deathbed command or a fabrication has occupied commentators (the deathbed scene of Gen 47–49 contains no such explicit instruction about forgiving the brothers). The verb ὥρκισεν ('made swear / commanded under oath') is the same used for Joseph's own burial-oath (vv.5, 6, 25), creating an implicit parallel: Jacob's sworn command to bury him and this claimed sworn command to forgive the brothers. The verse 'introduces' a direct speech that will occupy v.17.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρεγένοντοcameAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · παραγίνομαιmain verb (the brothers presenting themselves to Joseph)→ constative aoristπαραγίνομαι: 'come to / arrive at / present oneself'; the compound παρά + γίνομαι suggests arriving alongside, presenting oneself before someone in authority; the same verb is used of John the Baptist's public appearance (Matt 3:1) and of witnesses coming forward.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction toward Joseph)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction toward Joseph).
ΙωσηφJosephindeclinable proper noun, accusative object of πρός→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, accusative object of πρός.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Pl M · λέγωparticiple of manner (introducing their speech)→ simultaneous actionλέγω: meaning 'saying'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as participle of manner (introducing their speech).
ὉtheNominativearticle (subject marker)→ noun-phrase markingὉ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατήρfatherNominativesubject of ὥρκισεν→ participant prominenceπατήρ: meaning 'father'; it serves as subject of ὥρκισεν.
σουyourGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive: your father — addressing Joseph)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive: your father — addressing Joseph).
ὥρκισενgave ordersAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁρκίζωmain verb (the claimed deathbed command)→ constative aoristὁρκίζω: 'put under oath / charge solemnly'; the same verb as vv.5, 6, 25 for Jacob's burial-oath — the brothers invoke the same binding authority. Whether Jacob actually said this is left ambiguous by the text; the LXX does not mark it as fabricated.
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (temporal: before the death)→ spatial or relational framingπρό: 'before / prior to'; with articular infinitive (τοῦ ἀποθανεῖν) it forms a temporal clause: 'before his dying' — a standard LXX construction.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle with infinitive (genitive articular infinitive after πρό)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀποθανεῖνdyingAor Act Inf · ἀποθνῄσκωarticular infinitive (temporal clause: πρὸ τοῦ ἀποθανεῖν = 'before dying')→ aorist infinitive (the death as a completed event looked back upon)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the compound ἀπό + θνῄσκω; with πρό + articular genitive infinitive, the construction renders a temporal sense: 'before his death.' The brothers claim the deathbed command as their most powerful leverage.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative subject of articular infinitive (the dying one = Jacob)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative subject of articular infinitive (the dying one = Jacob).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · λέγωparticiple of manner (introducing the content of the order, given in v.17)→ simultaneous actionλέγω: meaning 'saying'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as participle of manner (introducing the content of the order, given in v.17).
17
Οὕτως εἴπατε Ιωσηφ· Ἄφες αὐτοῖς τὴν ἀδικίαν καὶ τὴν ἁμαρτίαν αὐτῶν, ὅτι πονηρά σοι ἐνεδείξαντο. καὶ νῦν δέξαι τὴν ἀδικίαν τῶν θεραπόντων τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ πατρός σου. καὶ ἔκλαυσεν Ιωσηφ λαλούντων αὐτῶν πρὸς αὐτόν.
Say thus to Joseph: Forgive them their wrongdoing and their sin, because they inflicted evil on you. And now receive the wrongdoing of the servants of the God of your father. And Joseph wept as they spoke to him.
The brothers relay a three-part petition: (1) ἄφες τὴν ἀδικίαν ('forgive the wrongdoing') — using ἀδικία and ἁμαρτία, the standard LXX doublet for moral failure; (2) a grounds-clause (ὅτι πονηρά … ἐνεδείξαντο) admitting the evil; (3) an appeal to receive (δέξαι) their wrongdoing on behalf of the servants of Jacob's God. The formula 'servants of the God of your father' is the most theologically loaded element: it grounds the forgiveness request not in Joseph's magnanimity but in their common covenant relationship. Joseph's weeping (ἔκλαυσεν) is the third of his documented weeping-episodes in Gen 50 (see also v.1) — here a weeping of emotion or of tender recognition, not of grief.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
Οὕτωςthusadverb of manner (introducing the relayed speech)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / so / in these words'; standard formula for relaying a message verbatim — cf. Gen 45:9 (οὕτως εἴπατε τῷ πατρί μου).
εἴπατεsayAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λέγωmain verb (imperative addressed to the brothers: the message-relay instruction)→ aorist imperative (a single, decisive act of communication requested)λέγω: the aorist imperative εἴπατε ('say / tell') in message-relay contexts instructs the messenger to deliver the exact wording that follows — the most authoritative form of oral communication in the ancient Near East.
ΙωσηφJosephdative indirect object of εἴπατε (the one to be told)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative indirect object of εἴπατε (the one to be told).
ἌφεςforgiveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀφίημιmain verb of the petition (the core request: forgiveness)→ aorist imperative (a single definitive act of forgiveness requested)ἀφίημι: 'release / forgive / let go'; the standard LXX and NT verb for forgiveness; ἄφες τὴν ἀδικίαν ('forgive the wrongdoing') uses the same verb as the Lord's Prayer (ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, Matt 6:12) and the cry from the cross (πάτερ, ἄφες αὐτοῖς, Luke 23:34). The resonance is striking.
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative indirect object of ἄφες (those to be forgiven)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object of ἄφες (those to be forgiven).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδικίανwrongdoingAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἄφες→ object specificationἀδικία: 'wrongdoing / injustice / unrighteousness'; from ἄδικος ('unjust'); the standard LXX rendering of Hebrew עָוֹן ('iniquity / guilt'). The pairing ἀδικία + ἁμαρτία is the LXX doublet for moral failure, rendering the Hebrew hendiadys עָוֹן וְחַטָּאת.
καὶandconjunction (coordinating second noun of petition)→ 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.
ἁμαρτίανsinAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἄφες (second element of the forgiveness petition)→ object specificationἁμαρτία: 'sin / offense / missing the mark'; from ἁμαρτάνω; the most theologically dense word for moral failure in Greek, especially in NT usage (Rom 3:9, 23; John 1:29 ὁ αἴρων τὴν ἁμαρτίαν τοῦ κόσμου). Its pairing with ἀδικία here covers both the legal dimension (wrong) and the moral-theological dimension (sin).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive: their wrongdoing and sin)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive: their wrongdoing and sin).
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (grounding the request in the acknowledged wrong)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: meaning 'because'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πονηράevilAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐνεδείξαντο (the evil inflicted)→ object specificationπονηρός: 'evil / wicked / harmful'; neuter accusative plural here as a substantival adjective ('evil things'); cf. v.20 where ὑμεῖς ἐβουλεύσασθε … εἰς πονηρά — the same word links the brothers' confession here with Joseph's theological summary.
σοιyouDativedative of disadvantage (the evil inflicted against Joseph)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of disadvantage (the evil inflicted against Joseph).
ἐνεδείξαντοthey inflictedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐνδείκνυμιverb of causal clause (the admitted wrong)→ constative aoristἐνδείκνυμι: same verb as v.15 (ἐνεδειξάμεθα); now the brothers use the 3rd person ('they inflicted'), shifting from first-person confession (v.15: 'we inflicted') to reporting the claimed message — distancing themselves from the original guilt in the relay context, or the message itself uses the third-person perspective.
καὶandconjunction (second element of the petition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowadverb of time (transitioning to the second request)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: meaning 'now'; it shapes time, manner, location, or discourse flow in the clause.
δέξαιreceiveAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · δέχομαιmain verb (second petition imperative: 'accept / bear')→ aorist imperativeδέχομαι: 'receive / accept / bear'; the petition to 'receive' (δέξαι) the wrongdoing is a request for Joseph to take it upon himself rather than exact vengeance — an anticipation of the atonement idea.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδικίανwrongdoingAccusativeaccusative direct object of δέξαι→ object specificationἀδικίαν: meaning 'wrongdoing'; it serves as accusative direct object of δέξαι.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεραπόντωνservantsGenitivegenitive of possession (the wrongdoers: the brothers as servants)→ relational specificationθεράπων: 'servant / minister / attendant'; a more honourable term than δοῦλος — a free servant who ministers voluntarily; the choice elevates the brothers' status even as they confess guilt: they are servants not of Joseph but of God.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship (the God they serve)→ relational specificationθεός: the appeal to 'the God of your father' grounds the forgiveness-request in the shared covenant — the brothers invoke Jacob's God as the framework within which the forgiveness makes sense.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρόςfatherGenitivegenitive of possession (qualifying θεοῦ: the God of your father = Jacob's God)→ relational specificationπατρός: meaning 'father'; it serves as genitive of possession (qualifying θεοῦ: the God of your father = Jacob's God).
σουyourGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive: addressed to Joseph)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive: addressed to Joseph).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (transitioning from speech to narrative)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔκλαυσενweptAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κλαίωmain verb (Joseph's emotional response)→ constative aoristκλαίω: Joseph's weeping is the third instance in this chapter (v.1; v.17); throughout the Joseph story weeping marks the moments of highest emotional authenticity (42:24; 43:30; 45:2, 14–15; 46:29). Here it is tender grief at his brothers' fear of him — they have misunderstood his heart.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
λαλούντωνas they spokePres Act Ptcp Gen Pl M · λαλέωgenitive absolute (temporal: simultaneous with Joseph's weeping)→ simultaneous action (the speaking and the weeping coincide)λαλέω: a genitive absolute (λαλούντων αὐτῶν) expresses simultaneous action — Joseph wept while they were speaking. The genitive absolute is a hallmark of educated Hellenistic prose and appears extensively in the NT (e.g. Matt 17:5; Acts 10:44).
αὐτῶνtheyGenitivegenitive subject of the genitive absolute→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'they'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive subject of the genitive absolute.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτόνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the one spoken to: Joseph)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (the one spoken to: Joseph).
18
Παραγενόμενοι δὲ καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔπεσον ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπαν· Ἰδοὺ ἡμεῖς σοί ἐσμεν οἰκέται.
And they themselves also came and fell before him and said: 'Behold, we are your slaves.'
The brothers' prostration (ἔπεσον ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ) is the final and most complete fulfilment of Joseph's boyhood dreams (Gen 37:5–9: the sheaves bowing, the stars bowing). The self-designation οἰκέται ('household slaves') is stronger than the θεράπων ('servants') of v.17 — they now offer themselves as Joseph's personal property. The ἰδοὺ ('behold') commands Joseph's attention before the declaration.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
Παραγενόμενοιhaving comeAor Mid Ptcp Nom Pl M · παραγίνομαιcircumstantial participle of antecedent action (coming before the falling)→ antecedent actionπαραγίνομαι: same verb as v.16; the brothers present themselves before Joseph in person, not just via messenger.
δὲandpostpositive connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καὶalsoadverbial (emphatic: 'they also themselves')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adverbial-emphatic ('also / even'), modifying αὐτοί — they themselves also come in person, intensifying the submission beyond the relayed message.
αὐτοὶthemselvesNominativeintensive pronoun (emphatic: they in person)→ participant referenceαὐτοὶ: meaning 'themselves'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as intensive pronoun (emphatic: they in person).
ἔπεσονfellAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πίπτωmain verb (the prostration — fulfilment of the dreams of Gen 37)→ constative aorist (the single act of falling prostrate)πίπτω: 'fall'; ἔπεσον ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ ('fell before him') is the standard LXX formula for prostration (πίπτω + ἐνώπιον); this is the final and most complete realisation of Joseph's dreams — the brothers prostrate before him in absolute submission.
ἐνώπιονbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (presence: before his face)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; a Hebraism (לִפְנֵי) common in LXX and NT, denoting presence before a superior or deity.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive after ἐνώπιον (Joseph, before whom they prostrate)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive after ἐνώπιον (Joseph, before whom they prostrate).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech act from the ground)→ constative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπαν, Koine form): introduces the third invitation.
Ἰδοὺbeholdinterjection (attention-getter: 'look!')→ participant identificationἰδού: the interjection / particle (LXX rendering of הִנֵּה, hinneh); a Hebraism used to focus the hearer's attention on a striking declaration; FLAGGED as Hebraism. In this context it precedes a self-offering of servitude.
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic: 'we ourselves')→ participant referenceἡμεῖς: meaning 'we'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (emphatic: 'we ourselves').
σοίyourDativedative of possession (we belong to you as slaves)→ participant reference or interestσοί: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of possession (we belong to you as slaves).
ἐσμενarePres Act Indic 1 Pl · εἰμίcopula of self-identification→ present (current, permanent state of servitude offered)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.
οἰκέταιslavesNominativepredicate nominative (what they declare themselves to be)→ participant prominenceοἰκέτης: 'household slave'; from οἶκος; a slave who belongs to the household and person of the master; a stronger submission-term than θεράπων (v.17) — they offer themselves as personal property. The self-designation fulfils the dream-imagery (Gen 37:7–9) without the narrator needing to comment.
19
Εἶπεν δὲ αὐτοῖς Ιωσηφ· Μὴ φοβεῖσθε· τοῦ γὰρ θεοῦ εἰμι ἐγώ.
And Joseph said to them: 'Do not fear; for I belong to God.'
FLAGGED — major LXX/MT divergence. The MT reads: הֲתַחַת אֱלֹהִים אָנֹכִי ('Am I in the place of God?'), a rhetorical question disclaiming divine prerogative to punish. The LXX reads τοῦ γὰρ θεοῦ εἰμι ἐγώ ('for I am of God / belong to God') — a positive theological affiliation, not a question. The shift is profound: the MT Joseph declines the role of divine judge; the LXX Joseph grounds his non-vengeance in his positive belonging to God. The genitive τοῦ θεοῦ with εἰμί ('I am of God') is a Johannine construction (cf. John 8:47 ὁ ὢν ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ).
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ΕἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introducing)→ constative aoristΕἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲandpostpositive connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative indirect object of εἶπεν→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object of εἶπεν.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
Μὴdo notnegative particle with imperative (prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: standard negative with present imperative, expressing a prohibition to stop an ongoing action — 'stop fearing.'
φοβεῖσθεfearPres Mid/Pass Impv 2 Pl · φοβέομαιmain verb (imperative prohibition: 'do not fear')→ present imperative (ceasing an ongoing fear)φοβέομαι: 'fear / be afraid'; the prohibition μὴ φοβεῖσθε ('do not fear') is the most frequent reassurance formula in the Bible, appearing at key theophanic and commissioning moments (Gen 15:1; 26:24; Isa 41:10; Luke 1:30; 2:10; Rev 1:17). Here it opens Joseph's forgiveness-speech.
τοῦofGenitivearticle in genitive construction (predicate genitive with εἰμί)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γὰρforpostpositive explanatory conjunction (giving the ground for 'do not fear')→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: explanatory — 'do not fear, for…'; the γάρ introduces the theological reason for the prohibition: Joseph's belonging to God is what makes his forgiveness theologically coherent.
θεοῦGodGenitivepredicate genitive with εἰμί (belonging: 'I am of God')→ relational specificationθεός: FLAGGED — LXX/MT divergence. MT: הֲתַחַת אֱלֹהִים אָנֹכִי ('Am I in the place of God?'), a rhetorical disclaimer. LXX: τοῦ γὰρ θεοῦ εἰμι ἐγώ ('for I belong to God'), a positive theological affiliation. The genitive τοῦ θεοῦ with εἰμί functions as a possessive/partitive genitive: 'I am God's man / I belong to God' — cf. John 8:47 ὁ ὢν ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ ('the one who is from God').
εἰμιI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula with predicate genitive (identity/belonging)→ present (permanent, characteristic state)εἰμί: with the genitive, 'to be of / to belong to'; the construction τοῦ θεοῦ εἰμι ('I am God's') expresses ownership and allegiance — Joseph declares himself God's property and agent, not a free agent of vengeance.
ἐγώINominativeemphatic personal pronoun (subject of εἰμι, emphatically placed at the end)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic postpositive personal pronoun; its end-of-clause placement gives it maximum force: the sentence climaxes on 'I' — τοῦ γὰρ θεοῦ εἰμι ἐγώ, 'for it is God's that I am.' The word order itself performs the theological claim.
20
ὑμεῖς ἐβουλεύσασθε κατ' ἐμοῦ εἰς πονηρά, ὁ δὲ θεὸς ἐβουλεύσατο περὶ ἐμοῦ εἰς ἀγαθά, ὅπως ἂν γενηθῇ καθὰ σήμερόν ἐστιν, ἵνα διατραφῇ λαὸς πολύς.
You planned evil against me, but God planned concerning me for good, so that it might come to pass as it is today — that a numerous people be kept alive.
FLAGGED — the theological summit of the entire Joseph narrative and of the book of Genesis. The antithesis is built on the exact repetition of βουλεύομαι ('plan / intend') with contrasting subjects (ὑμεῖς / ὁ θεός), contrasting prepositions (κατ' ἐμοῦ vs. περὶ ἐμοῦ — 'against me' vs. 'concerning me'), and contrasting goals (εἰς πονηρά vs. εἰς ἀγαθά — 'for evil' vs. 'for good'). This is among the most carefully constructed sentences in the Pentateuch. Rom 8:28 (πάντα συνεργεῖ εἰς ἀγαθόν) reads as a NT theological distillation of exactly this verse; Heb 11:22 and Acts 7:9–16 recall Joseph as a type of providential reversal. The final purpose clause ἵνα διατραφῇ λαὸς πολύς ('that a numerous people be kept alive') reveals the scope: it is not just Joseph's survival but the survival of the people of the promise.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ὑμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic subject (fronted for contrast with ὁ θεός)→ participant referenceὑμεῖς: fronted emphatic pronoun, juxtaposed with ὁ δὲ θεός — 'you … but God'; the antithetical pair drives the verse's theological architecture.
ἐβουλεύσασθεplannedAor Mid Indic 2 Pl · βουλεύομαιmain verb (the brothers' deliberate human planning against Joseph)→ constative aorist (the planning as a single completed decision)βουλεύομαι: 'plan / deliberate / decide'; the middle voice implies deliberate personal decision-making — a council, a resolution. The verb repeats in ἐβουλεύσατο (God's planning), creating the central antithesis: the same deliberate planning, but with opposite subjects and ends.
κατ'againstpreposition + genitive (hostile direction: against Joseph)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + genitive: adversative, 'against'; contrasted with περί + genitive ('concerning') for God's planning; the preposition change is not incidental — κατ' ἐμοῦ is hostile, περὶ ἐμοῦ is beneficent.
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of κατά→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as genitive object of κατά.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (goal/result: 'for evil')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + accusative of goal: 'for / with the result of'; the same εἰς construction governs both πονηρά and ἀγαθά — parallel structures highlighting the antithesis.
πονηράevilAccusativeaccusative of goal (the brothers' intended outcome: harm to Joseph)→ object specificationπονηρός: 'evil'; substantival neuter accusative; the brothers' plan had evil as its end (cf. Gen 37:18–20); the word links back to v.17 (πονηρά σοι ἐνεδείξαντο) and the LXX/MT divergence at v.19.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbutpostpositive adversative connective (marking the antithesis)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: adversative — 'but'; the δέ following ὑμεῖς … marks the crucial pivot from human malice to divine providence, the theological spine of the verse.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject (counter-posed to ὑμεῖς)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the divine subject whose planning (ἐβουλεύσατο) directly counteracts and overrides the brothers' planning; ὁ θεός appears without further qualification because the antithesis itself is the theological argument: human wickedness vs. divine goodness.
ἐβουλεύσατοplannedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · βουλεύομαιmain verb (God's deliberate providential planning)→ constative aorist (God's plan as a completed, sovereign decision)βουλεύομαι: the same verb as ἐβουλεύσασθε — the repetition is exact and deliberate. God's βουλή ('plan / counsel') against human βουλή is the theological thesis: the brothers' council was overruled by God's prior and sovereign council. Cf. Isa 46:10 (LXX: ἡ βουλή μου μενεῖ); Acts 2:23 (τῇ ὡρισμένῃ βουλῇ … τοῦ θεοῦ).
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (beneficent direction: concerning / on behalf of Joseph)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + genitive: 'concerning / on behalf of'; the contrast with κατ' ἐμοῦ is stark — the brothers' plan was against Joseph; God's plan was concerning him, oriented toward his good.
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of περί→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as genitive object of περί.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (goal of God's plan)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of God's plan).
ἀγαθάgoodAccusativeaccusative of goal (God's intended outcome: good for Joseph and Israel)→ object specificationἀγαθός: 'good / beneficial'; the counterpart to πονηρά; FLAGGED — NT resonance: Rom 8:28 (πάντα συνεργεῖ εἰς ἀγαθόν, 'all things work together for good') is widely read as a theological echo of this precise formulation; the same εἰς ἀγαθά construction appears in both. The Joseph story is the paradigm case for Paul's providential axiom.
ὅπωςso thatpurpose conjunction (introducing the telos of God's plan)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅπως: 'so that / in order that'; introduces the purpose clause explaining why God planned good — the ultimate goal is the preservation of a people.
ἂνmightmodal particle (with subjunctive: contingency within purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle making the subjunctive (γενηθῇ) a contingent purpose rather than a certainty — 'so that it might come about'; the modality acknowledges that the outcome required a chain of events to align.
γενηθῇcome to passAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · γίνομαιverb of purpose clause (the event to be brought about)→ aorist subjunctive (the realisation as a single completed outcome)γίνομαι: 'become / come to be / happen'; the aorist passive subjunctive with ὅπως ἄν expresses the purpose toward which God's plan was directed.
καθὰascomparative conjunction (correlating the purpose with present reality)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθά: 'just as / as'; comparative particle linking the purpose of the plan to its visible current result — 'as it is today.'
σήμερόνtodayadverb of time (the present visible result)→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; the deictic adverb anchors the fulfilment in present observable reality — Joseph points to the current situation (the famine-survivors, the Israelites in Egypt) as the visible proof that God's plan succeeded.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (existential: 'as it is today')→ present (the current state of affairs)εἰμί: copula.
ἵναthatpurpose/result conjunction (introducing the ultimate aim)→ discourse linkage or contrastἵνα: introduces the final telos of God's plan: the preservation of a great people; the double purpose structure (ὅπως ἄν … ἵνα) moves from immediate result to ultimate purpose.
διατραφῇbe kept aliveAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · διατρέφωverb of final purpose clause (the ultimate aim of the whole providential chain)→ aorist passive subjunctive (the nourishment as a completed, accomplished act)διατρέφω: 'nourish / sustain / keep alive'; the passive διατραφῇ ('be nourished / be kept alive') underlines that the people are recipients of God's provision, not self-sustained; the same root as διαθρέψω ('I will nourish') in v.21, linking Joseph's personal provision to the divine plan.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of διατραφῇ→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people / nation'; in LXX usage λαός is often the covenant people of Israel (cf. Exod 3:7: τοῦ λαοῦ μου τοῦ ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ), though here it may also encompass the wider populations Joseph fed through the famine. The ambiguity is perhaps intentional — the survival of Israel within the survival of the nations.
πολύςnumerousNominativepredicate adjective (agreeing with λαός: a numerous people)→ participant prominenceπολύς: 'many / great / numerous'; λαὸς πολύς ('a great / numerous people') echoes the Abrahamic promise of Gen 17:4–5 (πολλῶν ἐθνῶν) and 22:17 (πληθυνῶ τὸ σπέρμα σου); the Joseph story ends with Joseph recognizing that his suffering served the multiplication-promise made to Abraham.
21
Καὶ νῦν μὴ φοβεῖσθε· ἐγὼ διαθρέψω ὑμᾶς καὶ τὰς οἰκίας ὑμῶν. καὶ παρεκάλεσεν αὐτοὺς καὶ ἐλάλησεν αὐτῶν εἰς τὴν καρδίαν.
And now do not fear; I will nourish you and your households. And he comforted them and spoke to their heart.
The verse applies the theology of v.20 to the immediate future: Joseph pledges personal provision (διαθρέψω) for his brothers and their households. The closing phrase ἐλάλησεν αὐτῶν εἰς τὴν καρδίαν is a Hebraism (לֵב / עַל־לִבָּם, 'speak to the heart') — a phrase of tender consolation: he spoke to reassure their innermost selves. FLAGGED as Hebraism — the construction is unique to the LXX calque (cf. Hos 2:16 LXX; Ruth 2:13) and carries overtones of the lover's speech in Cant 1–2 and God's speech to Israel in Isa 40:2 (λαλήσατε εἰς τὴν καρδίαν Ιερουσαλημ). παρεκάλεσεν ('comforted') is the LXX verb for divine and human consolation, cognate with NT παράκλητος.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowadverb of time (transitioning from theological principle to practical pledge)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; Καὶ νῦν is the standard LXX transitional formula connecting a theological premise to its practical consequence (cf. Gen 44:10; Exod 19:5).
μὴdo notnegative with imperative→ clausal qualification or emphasisμὴ: meaning 'do not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
φοβεῖσθεfearPres Mid/Pass Impv 2 Pl · φοβέομαιmain verb (repeated prohibition from v.19: 'do not fear')→ present imperative (ongoing prohibition: stop fearing)φοβέομαι: the repetition of μὴ φοβεῖσθε from v.19 forms a bracket around the theological explanation of vv.19–20, returning to the pastoral word of reassurance.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject (Joseph personally commits to nourishing them)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic personal pronoun; the promise 'I will nourish' is Joseph's personal pledge; the first person singular underscores that this is his individual commitment — not a general assurance but a specific provision he will make.
διαθρέψωwill nourishFut Act Indic 1 Sg · διατρέφωmain verb (the promise of provision)→ futuristic indicative (a definite, committed future action)διατρέφω: 'nourish / sustain / feed continuously'; the compound διά + τρέφω adds a sense of ongoing, thorough nourishment; the same root as διατραφῇ in v.20 (God's purpose to keep the people alive) — Joseph presents himself as the human agent of God's providential nourishment.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative direct object of διαθρέψω→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of διαθρέψω.
καὶandconjunction (extending the provision to their households)→ 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.
οἰκίαςhouseholdsAccusativeaccusative direct object of διαθρέψω (second object: the whole household)→ object specificationοἰκία: 'household'; the care extends beyond the brothers themselves to their entire domestic units — wives, children, servants. Joseph's provision is comprehensive.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive: your households)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive: your households).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (transition to narrative from speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παρεκάλεσενcomfortedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παρακαλέωmain verb (act of consolation)→ constative aorist (the comfort as a completed act)παρακαλέω: 'comfort / exhort / console'; the prefix παρά ('alongside') suggests coming alongside to aid; the LXX uses this verb for human and divine consolation. Its noun cognate παράκλητος ('Comforter / Advocate') is the NT title for the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 26) and for Christ as advocate (1 John 2:1).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeaccusative direct object of παρεκάλεσεν→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of παρεκάλεσεν.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (second act of consolation)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (tender speech to the brothers' heart)→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak'; here with the Hebraistic construction εἰς τὴν καρδίαν — 'spoke to the heart' = spoke tenderly and reassuringly to their innermost selves; cf. λαλήσατε εἰς τὴν καρδίαν Ιερουσαλημ (Isa 40:2 LXX).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive with εἰς τὴν καρδίαν — 'their heart')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive with εἰς τὴν καρδίαν — 'their heart').
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (directional: speech directed into the heart)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (directional: speech directed into the heart).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίανheartAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (terminus of the comforting speech)→ object specificationκαρδία: 'heart'; εἰς τὴν καρδίαν ('to the heart / into the heart') is a Hebraism of עַל־לֵב / אֶל־לֵב — FLAGGED. The Hebrew idiom means 'to speak tenderly / reassuringly'; it appears in contexts of consolation (Isa 40:2), love (Cant 1–2), and covenantal restoration (Hos 2:16). Joseph's speech to his brothers' heart is the chapter's pastoral climax.
22
Καὶ κατῴκησεν Ιωσηφ ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ, αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ ἀδελφοὶ αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἔζησεν Ιωσηφ ἔτη ἑκατὸν δέκα.
And Joseph dwelt in Egypt, he and his brothers; and Joseph lived a hundred and ten years.
A transitional biographical notice: Joseph's dwelling in Egypt is settled, final — κατῴκησεν ('settled, took up permanent residence') as opposed to a temporary stay. The lifespan of 110 years is significant in Egyptian tradition as the ideal age for a blessed life; that Joseph achieved exactly this marks him as having received complete divine blessing in the land of his captivity. The repetition of Ιωσηφ (twice in the verse) gives the notice solemnity.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατῴκησενdweltAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατοικέωmain verb (settled, permanent residence)→ constative aorist (the whole period of Joseph's Egyptian dwelling viewed as a completed unit)κατοικέω: 'settle / dwell / inhabit permanently'; the compound κατά + οἰκέω suggests establishing permanent residence (as opposed to the temporary παροικέω 'sojourn'); Joseph's settling in Egypt is now definitive — Canaan must wait for the bones-oath.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΑἰγύπτῳEgyptDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceΑἰγύπτῳ: meaning 'Egypt'; it serves as dative of place.
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativeintensive pronoun (resumptive: he, personally)→ participant referenceαὐτὸς: meaning 'he himself'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as intensive pronoun (resumptive: he, personally).
καὶandconjunction (coordinating brothers as also dwelling in Egypt)→ 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.
ἀδελφοὶbrothersNominativesubject of κατῴκησεν (coordinated: the brothers also dwell)→ participant prominenceἀδελφοὶ: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as subject of κατῴκησεν (coordinated: the brothers also dwell).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (the lifespan notice)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔζησενlivedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (lifespan summary)→ constative aorist (the whole life as a completed unit)ζάω: 'live'; the standard LXX verb for reporting a patriarch's lifespan; ἔζησεν + accusative of duration (ἔτη ἑκατὸν δέκα) is the standard formula (cf. Gen 5 passim; 25:7; 35:28; 47:28).
ΙωσηφJosephsubject→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of duration→ object specificationἔτος: 'year'; accusative of duration; ἑκατὸν δέκα ἔτη ('110 years') is the ideal lifespan in Egyptian tradition — the age of perfect fulfillment; Joseph's achieving this in Egypt marks his life as divinely blessed within his place of exile.
ἑκατὸνhundrednumeral (first element of the compound age: 100 + 10)→ measure or countἑκατὸν: meaning 'hundred'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
δέκαtennumeral (second element: 10; total = 110)→ measure or countδέκα: 'ten'; ἑκατὸν δέκα = 110, the Egyptian ideal lifespan, confirming Joseph's complete divine blessing in life.
23
Καὶ εἶδεν Ιωσηφ Εφραιμ παιδία ἕως τρίτης γενεᾶς· καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ Μαχιρ υἱοῦ Μανασση ἐτέχθησαν ἐπὶ τῶν μηρῶν Ιωσηφ.
And Joseph saw the children of Ephraim to the third generation; and the children of Machir, the son of Manasseh, were born upon the knees of Joseph.
To see your grandchildren to the third generation is the ultimate form of ancestral blessing in the ancient Near East (cf. Ps 128:6). The idiom ἐπὶ τῶν μηρῶν Ιωσηφ ('upon the knees of Joseph') is a Hebraism (עַל־בִּרְכֵּי יוֹסֵף) for being born into the patriarch's acknowledgment — the knee-gesture of adoption and recognition (cf. Gen 48:12 where Joseph sets his sons upon Jacob's knees). Joseph receives the sons of Machir as he himself was received by Jacob.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδενsawAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (living to see grandchildren: the highest blessing)→ constative aorist (seeing grandchildren as an achieved blessing)ὁράω: 'see'; to 'see' grandchildren in LXX idiom means to live long enough to witness their generation — a mark of divine blessing (cf. Ps 127:6 LXX; Job 42:16).
ΙωσηφJosephsubject→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
ΕφραιμEphraimindeclinable proper noun (genitive relationship with παιδία: Ephraim's children)→ participant identificationΕφραιμ: Joseph's younger son, the one Jacob deliberately blessed above Manasseh (Gen 48:19); his line is followed here to the third generation, perhaps reflecting Ephraim's prominence in later Israelite tradition.
παιδίαchildrenAccusativeaccusative direct object of εἶδεν (the children Joseph lived to see)→ object specificationπαιδίον: 'small child / young child'; the plural here 'Ephraim's children' spans across the three generations.
ἕωςtopreposition + genitive (extent: as far as / to the point of the third generation)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'as far as / to the point of'; with genitive of degree: 'to the third generation.'
τρίτηςthirdGenitiveordinal adjective (modifying γενεᾶς: the third generation)→ relational specificationτρίτης: meaning 'third'; it serves as ordinal adjective (modifying γενεᾶς: the third generation).
γενεᾶςgenerationGenitivegenitive of extent with ἕως→ relational specificationγενεά: 'generation'; to see a third generation implies exceptional longevity — great-grandchildren; a generational depth that the OT consistently presents as the blessing of a life in divine favour (cf. Job 42:16: Job saw his children and grandchildren to the fourth generation).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (adding Manasseh's line)→ 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 of ἐτέχθησαν→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject of ἐτέχθησαν.
ΜαχιρMachirindeclinable proper noun, genitive (Machir's sons)→ participant identificationΜαχιρ: firstborn of Manasseh (cf. Num 26:29; 32:39–40; Judg 5:14); his sons being 'born upon Joseph's knees' signals Joseph's patriarchal adoption of this line.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive of parentage (Machir's father: Manasseh)→ relational specificationυἱοῦ: meaning 'son'; it serves as genitive of parentage (Machir's father: Manasseh).
ΜανασσηManassehindeclinable proper noun→ participant identificationΜανασση: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun.
ἐτέχθησανwere bornAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · τίκτωmain verb (their birth into Joseph's household)→ constative aoristτίκτω: 'give birth'; the passive ἐτέχθησαν ('were born') is used rather than an active construction, perhaps underlining the natural event as the circumstance of patriarchal recognition.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (contact/position: upon the knees)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (contact/position: upon the knees).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μηρῶνkneesGenitivegenitive of contact with ἐπί (the knees as the place of adoption)→ relational specificationμηρός: 'thigh / knee'; ἐπὶ τῶν μηρῶν ('upon the knees') is a Hebraism of עַל־בִּרְכַּיִם — FLAGGED. The gesture of placing a child upon the patriarch's knees signifies adoption and recognition into the family (cf. Gen 30:3; 48:12). Joseph the patriarch receives these children as his own.
ΙωσηφJosephindeclinable proper noun, genitive (Joseph's knees)→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive (Joseph's knees).
24
Εἶπεν δὲ Ιωσηφ τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτοῦ· Ἐγὼ ἀποθνῄσκω· ἐπισκοπῇ δὲ ἐπισκέψεται ὑμᾶς ὁ θεὸς καὶ ἀνάξει ὑμᾶς ἐκ τῆς γῆς ταύτης εἰς τὴν γῆν ἣν ὤμοσεν τοῖς πατράσιν ἡμῶν Αβρααμ, Ισαακ καὶ Ιακωβ.
And Joseph said to his brothers: 'I am dying; but God will surely visit you and bring you up from this land to the land which he swore to our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.'
FLAGGED — the cognate construction ἐπισκοπῇ ἐπισκέψεται ('by visitation he will surely visit'), calquing the Hebrew infinitive absolute פָּקֹד יִפְקֹד, is among the most solemn oath-forms in the LXX. The verb ἐπισκέπτομαι ('visit / come to the aid of') denotes God's decisive salvific intervention — the same verb used at the Exodus (Exod 3:16: ἐπισκοπῇ ἐπεσκέψαμαι ὑμᾶς, where God says 'I have surely visited you'). The cognate absolute is repeated verbatim at v.25. Heb 11:22 cites this as the paradigm act of faith: 'by faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.' The promise anchors the whole Joseph story in the Abrahamic land-promise, rehearsing all three patriarchal names in the oath.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
ΕἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introducing)→ constative aoristΕἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
δὲandpostpositive narrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῖςbrothersDativedative indirect object of εἶπεν (the audience of the deathbed speech)→ sphere or referenceἀδελφοῖς: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as dative indirect object of εἶπεν (the audience of the deathbed speech).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive).
ἘγὼINominativeemphatic subject (Joseph's personal dying-declaration)→ participant referenceἘγὼ: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as emphatic subject (Joseph's personal dying-declaration).
ἀποθνῄσκωam dyingPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (the deathbed self-declaration)→ futuristic present ('I am about to die' — process in motion)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the present tense ἀποθνῄσκω as a futuristic present ('I am dying / I am about to die') is the standard deathbed formula in the patriarchal narratives (cf. Gen 48:21 ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἀποθνῄσκω); it signals that what follows is a last will and testament of theological weight.
ἐπισκοπῇby visitationDativedative cognate with ἐπισκέψεται (cognate absolute construction: figura etymologica)→ sphere or referenceἐπισκοπή: 'visitation / inspection / oversight'; the dative ἐπισκοπῇ with the cognate verb ἐπισκέψεται creates a figura etymologica calquing Hebrew פָּקֹד יִפְקֹד ('visiting he will visit'). FLAGGED — the cognate absolute is a Hebraism expressing certainty and emphasis: 'God will SURELY visit you.' The same construction recurs at Exod 3:16 and 13:19.
δὲbutpostpositive adversative (contrasting Joseph's death with God's future intervention)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: mild adversative — 'I am dying, but God will visit you'; the contrast is between Joseph's ending and God's continuing work.
ἐπισκέψεταιwill visitFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπισκέπτομαιmain verb (God's promised salvific visitation)→ futuristic indicative (a certain future intervention declared as prophetic promise)ἐπισκέπτομαι: 'visit / come to the aid of / muster'; the LXX verb for God's decisive salvific intervention (cf. Exod 3:16; 4:31; Luke 1:68, 78: ἐπεσκέψατο … ὁ θεός — Zechariah's canticle uses this same Exodus-visitation verb). The cognate absolute ἐπισκοπῇ ἐπισκέψεται is the highest form of divine-promise rhetoric in the OT.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐπισκέψεται→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of ἐπισκέψεται.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ἐπισκέψεται and ἀνάξει→ participant prominenceθεός: the subject of both actions (visit and bring up) — God, not Joseph or any human leader, is the agent of the coming deliverance. Joseph's prophecy looks entirely beyond himself to divine action.
καὶandconjunction (coordinating the second promised action: the exodus)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνάξειwill bring upFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνάγωmain verb (the promised exodus from Egypt to Canaan)→ futuristic indicative (the certain future event of the Exodus)ἀνάγω: 'lead up / bring up'; the ἀνά- prefix marks the upward direction from Egypt to Canaan; the same verb used at Exod 3:17 (ἀνάξω ὑμᾶς ἐκ τῆς κακώσεως Αἰγύπτου) — God promises to bring Israel up from Egypt; Joseph here anticipates Exod 3 exactly.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἀνάξει→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of ἀνάξει.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (ablative: from Egypt)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (ablative: from Egypt).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive after ἐκ (Egypt, the land of sojourn)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'land'; it serves as genitive after ἐκ (Egypt, the land of sojourn).
ταύτηςthisGenitivedemonstrative pronoun modifying γῆς (deictically pointing to Egypt)→ relational specificationταύτης: 'this' (gen.); the deictic 'this land' points to Egypt as the current location from which departure is promised — Joseph speaks from within Egypt about leaving Egypt.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction: to the promised land)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: to the promised land).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the promised land as destination)→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; ἡ γῆ … ἣν ὤμοσεν ('the land which he swore') is the standard formula for the land of the Abrahamic promise (cf. Gen 15:7, 18; 17:8; 26:3; 28:13).
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative, antecedent: τὴν γῆν)→ participant referenceἣν: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (accusative, antecedent: τὴν γῆν).
ὤμοσενsworeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀμνύωverb of relative clause (God's oath to the patriarchs)→ constative aorist (the completed past oath as the foundation of the promise)ὀμνύω: 'swear / take an oath'; God's sworn oath to the patriarchs is the ultimate ground of the exodus-hope — not a new promise but the fulfilment of an ancient commitment; cf. Gen 15:7–21; 22:16–18; 26:3; 28:13; Heb 6:13–18.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατράσινfathersDativedative indirect object of ὤμοσεν (those to whom God swore)→ sphere or referenceπατήρ: 'father / ancestor'; the plural οἱ πατέρες ('the fathers') is the standard LXX designation for the patriarchal generation — Abraham, Isaac, Jacob — whose names follow immediately.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive: our fathers — Joseph includes himself in the covenant community)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive: our fathers — Joseph includes himself in the covenant community).
ΑβρααμAbrahamindeclinable proper noun (first patriarch named)→ participant identificationΑβρααμ: the covenant-founding patriarch; to swear to Abraham is to invoke the Abrahamic covenant of Gen 15 and 22.
ΙσαακIsaacindeclinable proper noun (second patriarch)→ participant identificationΙσαακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun (second patriarch).
καὶandconjunction (completing the threefold patriarchal formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙακωβJacobindeclinable proper noun (third patriarch; Jacob's name closes the invocation, connecting to the burial of the previous section)→ participant identificationΙακωβ: the last patriarch named — whose burial has just been narrated (vv.1–14); ending the promise-formula with Jacob links the bones-oath of v.25 back to Jacob's own burial-oath in Gen 47:29. The three names together are the formula of the covenant (cf. Exod 3:6, 15, 16; Acts 3:13).
25
Καὶ ὥρκισεν Ιωσηφ τοὺς υἱοὺς Ισραηλ λέγων· Ἐν τῇ ἐπισκοπῇ ᾗ ἐπισκέψεται ὑμᾶς ὁ θεός, καὶ συνανοίσετε τὰ ὀστᾶ μου ἐντεῦθεν μεθ' ὑμῶν.
And Joseph bound the sons of Israel by oath, saying: 'At the visitation when God visits you, you shall carry my bones with you from here.'
FLAGGED — Heb 11:22 cites this verse explicitly as the paradigm of Josephine faith: 'by faith Joseph, dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel and gave orders about his bones.' The cognate construction ἐν τῇ ἐπισκοπῇ ᾗ ἐπισκέψεται ('in the visitation in which God visits') repeats and intensifies the ἐπισκοπῇ ἐπισκέψεται of v.24, now used as the temporal marker for the oath-condition. The bones-oath is fulfilled at Exod 13:19 (Moses carries up the bones of Joseph) and at Josh 24:32 (they bury him at Shechem). The verb ὀρκίζω ('bind by oath') recurs from vv.5, 6 — Joseph ends his life performing the same oath-act that Jacob performed over him.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὥρκισενbound by oathAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁρκίζωmain verb (Joseph administering an oath to the sons of Israel)→ constative aoristὁρκίζω: 'put under oath / adjure / make swear'; the same verb as Jacob's oath over Joseph (vv.5, 6) — Joseph now mirrors his father's deathbed act, placing the same binding obligation upon the next generation. The chain: Jacob binds Joseph → Joseph binds Israel.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeaccusative direct object of ὥρκισεν (those placed under oath)→ object specificationυἱοὺς: meaning 'sons'; it serves as accusative direct object of ὥρκισεν (those placed under oath).
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper noun, genitive with υἱούς (the sons of Israel = the tribal ancestors)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: 'Israel'; the addressees are designated as 'sons of Israel' (not 'his brothers') — a shift from family to nation; the oath is no longer fraternal but covenantal, binding the entire future people of Israel to carry Joseph's bones.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg M · λέγωparticiple of manner (introducing the oath-content)→ simultaneous actionλέγω: meaning 'saying'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as participle of manner (introducing the oath-content).
Ἐνatpreposition + dative (temporal: 'at the visitation')→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dative of time: temporal use, 'in / at the time of'; the construction ἐν τῇ ἐπισκοπῇ ('at the visitation') creates the temporal condition for the oath-obligation.
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπισκοπῇvisitationDativedative of time with ἐν (the divine visitation as the moment for the oath-condition)→ sphere or referenceἐπισκοπή: 'visitation / divine oversight'; the same word as the cognate-absolute formula in v.24; here it is the temporal frame — 'when the visitation comes, you shall carry my bones.' The noun anchors the bones-oath to the exodus-promise of v.24.
ᾗin whichDativerelative pronoun (dative, agreeing with ἐπισκοπῇ)→ participant reference or interestᾗ: meaning 'in which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (dative, agreeing with ἐπισκοπῇ).
ἐπισκέψεταιwill visitFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπισκέπτομαιverb of relative clause (repeating the visitation-promise of v.24)→ futuristic indicative (the certain divine visit)ἐπισκέπτομαι: the repetition from v.24 is exact and deliberate — the bones-oath is tied directly to the exodus-visitation; when that event happens, the oath activates. This creates a verbal interlocking of the two verses.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative direct object of ἐπισκέψεται→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object of ἐπισκέψεται.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόςGodNominativesubject of ἐπισκέψεται→ participant prominenceθεός: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject of ἐπισκέψεται.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the content of the oath-obligation)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συνανοίσετεyou shall carry upFut Act Indic 2 Pl · συναναφέρωmain verb of the oath-content (the obligation binding on the sons of Israel)→ futuristic indicative with oath-force ('you are bound to carry up')συναναφέρω: 'carry up together / bring up with'; double compound σύν + ἀνά + φέρω — 'carry upward together with you'; the σύν- prefix ensures the bones travel with Israel rather than being transported separately. Fulfilled at Exod 13:19 (Μωυσῆς … ἀνέλαβεν τὰ ὀστᾶ Ιωσηφ). FLAGGED — Heb 11:22 (ἐντειλάμενος περὶ τῶν ὀστέων αὐτοῦ).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀστᾶbonesAccusativeaccusative direct object of συνανοίσετε→ object specificationὀστοῦν: 'bone'; τὰ ὀστᾶ μου ('my bones') is the object of the oath — Joseph's embalmed body, to be carried up at the Exodus. The bones are the physical promise that Joseph's personal participation in the land-inheritance is not forfeited by dying in Egypt. Cf. Ezek 37 (the valley of dry bones) where Israel's bones become the vehicle of national resurrection.
μουmyGenitivegenitive pronoun (possessive: Joseph's bones)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive pronoun (possessive: Joseph's bones).
ἐντεῦθενfrom hereadverb of place (Egypt, the place of current sojourn — deictically pointed)→ clausal contributionἐντεῦθεν: 'from here / from this place'; the deictic 'from here' points emphatically to Egypt as the place of temporary sojourn; the bones must leave here — Egypt is not the final home.
μεθ'withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment: the bones travel with the people)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + genitive: 'together with / in company with'; the bones are to travel with the people — not in a separate cortège but as part of the corporate body of Israel on the march.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά.
26
Ἀπέθανεν δὲ Ιωσηφ ἐτῶν ἑκατὸν δέκα· καὶ ἔθαψαν αὐτὸν καὶ ἔθηκαν αὐτὸν ἐν τῇ σορῷ ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ.
And Joseph died at a hundred and ten years; and they embalmed him and placed him in the coffin in Egypt.
FLAGGED — the book's final verse and its final word. ἡ σορός ('the coffin') is the last word of the LXX text of Genesis. Joseph is embalmed and coffined in Egypt — the embalming mentioned echoes the ἐνταφιάζω of v.2 (and the Gospels' burial-preparation language), while the coffin itself is the image of deferred hope. Jacob was buried in Canaan; Joseph's coffin stays in Egypt, waiting. The MT equally ends with 'in a coffin in Egypt' (בָּאָרוֹן בְּמִצְרָיִם). The book opens with creation and closes with a coffin — from the garden to the grave; but the coffin is not a symbol of defeat: it is a time capsule of the exodus-promise, the physical guarantee that Joseph's bones will be carried home. The sorrow-note of ἡ σορός is inseparable from the faith-note of v.25.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἈπέθανενdiedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (the death-notice: the completed event of Joseph's death)→ constative aorist (the death as a single completed event)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the compound ἀπο- marks finality (contrast with the futuristic present ἀποθνῄσκω in v.24); ἀπέθανεν is the simple past-completed death. Joseph himself used the futuristic present 'I am dying' in v.24; now the narrator records the accomplished fact.
δὲandpostpositive narrative connective→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙωσηφJosephsubject→ participant identificationΙωσηφ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject.
ἐτῶνof yearsGenitivegenitive of age (Joseph's age at death: 110 years)→ relational specificationἔτος: 'year'; the genitive of age (ἐτῶν ἑκατὸν δέκα = 'of one hundred and ten years') is the standard LXX death-notice formula (cf. Gen 23:1 Σαρρα ἐτῶν ἑκατὸν εἴκοσι ἑπτά; Gen 25:7); it mirrors v.22's ἔτη ἑκατὸν δέκα in the lifespan-summary, creating a bracket around the final years.
ἑκατὸνhundrednumeral (first element: 100)→ measure or countἑκατὸν: meaning 'hundred'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
δέκαtennumeral (second element: 10; total = 110 — the Egyptian ideal lifespan)→ measure or countδέκα: meaning 'ten'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the burial actions)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔθαψανburiedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · θάπτωmain verb (the first act after death: burial preparation)→ constative aoristθάπτω: 'bury'; here likely in the sense of embalming / preparing the body for burial (cf. the ἐνταφιάζω of v.2 for Jacob); the verb is the chapter's repeated burial-word now applied to Joseph himself — the one who buried his father is himself buried.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative direct object→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (second act: placing in the coffin)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔθηκανplacedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · τίθημιmain verb (the final act: placing in the coffin)→ constative aorist (the completed placement — the book's final action)τίθημι: 'place / put / lay'; the combination ἔθηκαν ἐν τῇ σορῷ ('placed in the coffin') is the book's closing gesture; τίθημι of laying a body in a tomb recurs in the NT crucifixion narratives (Matt 27:60 ἔθηκεν αὐτὸ ἐν τῷ καινῷ αὐτοῦ μνημείῳ).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativeaccusative direct object→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative direct object.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in the coffin)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in the coffin).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σορῷcoffinDativedative of place (the coffin as the locus of the body's rest)→ sphere or referenceσορός: 'coffin / bier / urn'; the book's FINAL WORD. FLAGGED — ἡ σορός ('the coffin') is the last word of Genesis in the LXX (and in the MT: בָּאָרוֹן, 'in the coffin'). The word σορός properly denotes an Egyptian mummification-chest or sarcophagus. Genesis opens with God creating heaven and earth (Gen 1:1); it closes with a coffin in Egypt. The trajectory from garden to coffin is the story of human mortality — yet the coffin is not the final word theologically: the bones-oath of v.25 (Heb 11:22) has already made it a vessel of hope and promised resurrection. The coffin waits for the exodus.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in Egypt — the final place-marker)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in Egypt — the final place-marker).
ΑἰγύπτῳEgyptDativedative of place (Egypt as the final location of the coffin — the book's last word in context)→ sphere or referenceΑἴγυπτος: 'Egypt'; the final geographical word of Genesis confirms that the patriarchal story ends not in Canaan but in Egypt — the place of sojourn, the place of the promise's delay. It is the setting for the next book, Exodus. Genesis ends looking forward to an escape it cannot yet narrate.