Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Genesis, Chapter 9ΓΕΝΕΣΙΣ Θ′

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

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

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

Theme

Genesis 9 is one of the densest theological chapters in the primeval history, encompassing the Noachic covenant, the establishment of its visible sign, the prohibition of blood, the lex talionis on homicide, the episode of Noah's drunkenness and the curse and blessings on his sons, and finally Noah's death notice.

Translation & textual notes

The Greek text of Genesis 9 follows the standard critical text of the Septuagint as established in the Rahlfs–Hanhart edition (Septuaginta, rev. ed. 2006), an ancient and public-domain text; the critical apparatus is not reproduced. Genesis 9 is one of the densest theological chapters in the primeval history, encompassing the Noachic covenant, the establishment of its visible sign, the prohibition of blood, the lex talionis on homicide, the episode of Noah's drunkenness and the curse and blessings on his sons, and finally Noah's death notice. The LXX translation is broadly faithful to the Hebrew Vorlage, with a few notable divergences. The chapter opens with a renewal of the Adamic blessing: εὐλόγησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν Νωε, and the imperative pair Αὐξάνεσθε καὶ πληθύνεσθε (9:1) directly echoes Gen 1:28 LXX, creating a deliberate new-creation frame after the flood — Noah as a second Adam, humanity re-commissioned to fill the earth. The grant of all moving things for food (9:3), with the single exception of flesh in its blood (κρέας ἐν αἵματι ψυχῆς, 9:4), inaugurates the Noachic dietary code; the LXX renders the blood-prohibition idiom κρέας ἐν αἵματι ψυχῆς ('flesh in the blood of its life'), making ψυχή the seat of life lodged in the blood — a formulation that echoes into Acts 15:20 and 15:29 (the Apostolic Decree), where abstention from blood (αἵματος) is among the four requirements placed on Gentile believers, almost certainly derived from this Noachic baseline rather than from the Levitical purity code. At 9:6 the lex talionis on bloodshed — ὅτι ἐν εἰκόνι θεοῦ ἐποίησα τὸν ἄνθρωπον — grounds the prohibition of murder in the divine image (εἰκών): the LXX renders the Hebrew בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים with ἐν εἰκόνι θεοῦ, introducing εἰκών into the Greek vocabulary of imago Dei (cf. 1 Cor 11:7; Col 1:15; 3:10). The covenant (διαθήκη) is the dominant theological category of vv.8–17; the word occurs seven times and the LXX uses διαθήκη throughout as the standard rendering of Hebrew בְּרִית — a significant lexical choice, since διαθήκη in Greek normally denotes a 'testament / last will,' importing a legal-dispensing frame that Paul exploits in Gal 3:15–17. The sign of the covenant is τόξον (9:13, 14, 16) — the bow. Crucially, τόξον is the standard Greek word for a war-bow; the image evokes a warrior hanging up his weapon, the bow set in the cloud as a declaration of ceasefire between heaven and earth. The LXX has no separate word for 'rainbow'; τόξον alone carries both meanings, and the reader must supply the 'in the cloud' context from v.13's τὸ τόξον μου τίθημι ἐν τῇ νεφέλῃ ('I am placing my bow in the cloud'). The verb τίθημι (present: 'I am placing') rather than a perfect gives the action an immediate, solemn, declarative character. At 9:20 Noah is called ἄνθρωπος γεωργὸς γῆς ('a man, tiller of the ground'), echoing the Adam of Gen 3:23 (ἐργάζεσθαι τὴν γῆν); the resumption of agriculture after the flood parallels and contrasts with the post-Eden expulsion. The nakedness episode (9:21–23) uses γυμνόω / γυμνός in deliberate echo of the Eden nakedness narrative (Gen 2:25; 3:7, 10, 11). At 9:25 the curse falls on Χανααν (not on Χαμ himself — the LXX is precise here: παῖς οἰκέτης, 'a household slave,' echoing a more servile status than simple 'servant'); the LXX curses Canaan explicitly, three times (vv.25, 26, 27), a pattern that shaped later interpretive traditions. The double blessing on Σημ and Ιαφεθ (9:26–27) has a significant wordplay in the Hebrew — the verb פָּרַה ('enlarge') in the blessing of Japheth (יַפְתְּ אֱלֹהִים לְיֶפֶת) puns on the name יֶפֶת (Japheth): 'may God enlarge Japheth.' The LXX renders this as πλατύναι ὁ θεὸς τῷ Ιαφεθ ('may God make wide/broad for Japheth'), using πλατύνω where the Hebrew pun on Japheth's name (יֶפֶת / יַפְתְּ) is entirely lost in Greek — there is no phonological connection between πλατύνω and Ιαφεθ; the wordplay is a Hebrew-only feature and vanishes in translation. The chapter closes with Noah's death notice at 9:29: all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years, καὶ ἀπέθανεν — the formulaic close used for antediluvian patriarchs in Gen 5.

1

Καὶ εὐλόγησεν ὁ θεὸς τὸν Νωε καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· Αὐξάνεσθε καὶ πληθύνεσθε καὶ πληρώσατε τὴν γῆν καὶ κατακυριεύσατε αὐτῆς.

And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them: 'Increase and multiply and fill the earth and have dominion over it.'

New-creation commissioning / blessingΚαὶ εὐλόγησεν
The verse deliberately mirrors Gen 1:28 LXX (εὐλόγησεν αὐτοὺς ὁ θεός … Αὐξάνεσθε καὶ πληθύνεσθε), casting Noah as a second Adam re-commissioned after the flood. The fourfold imperative sequence (Αὐξάνεσθε … πληθύνεσθε … πληρώσατε … κατακυριεύσατε) reproduces the Adamic mandate almost word for word, signalling a new-creation beginning.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εὐλόγησενblessedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εὐλογέωmain verb (divine speech act)→ constative aorist (single decisive act of blessing)εὐλογέω: 'bless'; renders Hebrew בָּרַךְ; the same verb and the same divine subject open the blessing of Gen 1:28 and Gen 5:2 — the triad frames Noah's blessing as the third great divine commissioning of humanity.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject→ participant prominenceθεός: the LXX uses ὁ θεός here (= אֱלֹהִים) rather than κύριος ὁ θεός, as in the flood's close; the Elohistic strand resumes.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (direct object)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΝωεNoahindeclinable proper noun, direct object (primary recipient of blessing)→ participant identificationΝωε: indeclinable LXX transliteration of Hebrew נֹחַ (Noach); the name's meaning ('rest / comfort') underlies the Lamech naming-oracle of Gen 5:29 but is not exploited here.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (extending object)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (direct object)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object (co-recipient of blessing)→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; the blessing is extended to Noah's three sons — Σημ, Χαμ, and Ιαφεθ — establishing the covenant's scope as the totality of post-flood humanity.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (introducing speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aorist (single speech act)λέγω: renders וַיֹּאמֶר; the divine speech that follows conveys the substance of the blessing in imperative form.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of indirect object (addressees of speech)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'to them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (addressees of speech).
ΑὐξάνεσθεincreasePres Pass Impv 2 Pl · αὐξάνωimperative (divine mandate — first of the Noachic re-commissioning series)→ progressive imperative (ongoing command to grow)αὐξάνω: 'grow, increase'; the same verb in the same form opens Gen 1:28's mandate — the echo is verbatim and theologically deliberate. The passive form (αὐξάνεσθε) is a deponent/middle-passive common in biological and agricultural growth contexts.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (linking imperatives)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πληθύνεσθεmultiplyPres Pass Impv 2 Pl · πληθύνωimperative (divine mandate — second of series)→ progressive imperative (ongoing command to multiply)πληθύνω: 'multiply, make numerous'; renders Hebrew פָּרוּ / רְבוּ; paired with αὐξάνω here as in Gen 1:28, 9:7, 35:11 — the formula becomes the standard LXX fertility blessing.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (linking imperatives)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πληρώσατεfillAor Act Impv 2 Pl · πληρόωimperative (divine mandate — third of series, telic)→ aorist imperative (punctiliar goal: complete the filling)πληρόω: 'fill, complete'; renders וּמִלְאוּ; the aorist aspect points toward the completion of the task (the earth fully peopled), contrasting with the progressive aspects of αὐξάνεσθε and πληθύνεσθε.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνearthAccusativedirect object of πληρώσατε→ object specificationγῆ: 'earth / land'; the goal of the filling mandate; echoes Gen 1:28 verbatim.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (linking imperatives)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατακυριεύσατεhave dominion overAor Act Impv 2 Pl · κατακυριεύωimperative (divine mandate — fourth of series: dominion)→ aorist imperative (decisive exercise of authority)κατακυριεύω: 'exercise lordship over, subdue'; renders Hebrew וְכִבְשֻׁהָ ('subdue it'); the compound κατα- intensifies the dominion sense. In Gen 1:28 the same imperative occurs with αὐτῆς as object — here the object is embedded in αὐτῆς.
αὐτῆςitGenitivegenitive object of κατακυριεύσατε (object of dominion)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of κατακυριεύσατε (object of dominion).
2

Καὶ ὁ τρόμος ὑμῶν καὶ ὁ δέος ὑμῶν ἔσται ἐπὶ πᾶσι τοῖς θηρίοις τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐπὶ πάντα τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ καὶ ἐπὶ πάντα τὰ κινούμενα ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ ἐπὶ πάντας τοὺς ἰχθύας τῆς θαλάσσης· ὑπὸ χεῖρας ὑμῖν δέδονται.

And the dread of you and the fear of you shall be upon all the wild animals of the earth and upon all the birds of the sky and upon all that moves on the earth and upon all the fish of the sea; they have been given into your hands.

Elaboration of dominion mandateΚαὶ
Elaborates the κατακυριεύσατε of v.1 by specifying the experiential dimension of human dominion: the animals will experience τρόμος and δέος toward humanity. The perfect δέδονται ('they have been given') states the grant as an accomplished divine fact undergirding the mandate.
Word-by-word analysis· 41 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (continuing divine speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with τρόμος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρόμοςdread / tremblingNominativesubject (first of double subject)→ participant prominenceτρόμος: 'trembling, dread'; renders Hebrew מוֹרַאֲכֶם; paired with δέος ('fear') to render the hendiadys of the Hebrew — the two Greek nouns together carry what one Hebrew abstract noun conveys.
ὑμῶνof youGenitivegenitive of source (objective genitive: the dread caused by you)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'of you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of source (objective genitive: the dread caused by you).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (double subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with δέος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δέοςfearNominativesubject (second of double subject)→ participant prominenceδέος: 'fear, awe, reverence'; renders the same underlying Hebrew construct (חִתְּכֶם) — the LXX splits the Hebrew into two Greek nouns to represent the compound idea. The word occurs in classical Greek of the reverential fear of gods (cf. Heb 12:28).
ὑμῶνof youGenitivegenitive of source (parallel to first ὑμῶν)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'of you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of source (parallel to first ὑμῶν).
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (future predictive / promissory)→ predictive future (divine promise of universal animal deference)εἰμί: the future ἔσται here makes a divine declaration about the altered state of animal-human relations post-flood — God constitutes this fear as a providential reality, not merely a consequence.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + dative/accusative (repeated for each animal category)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative/accusative (repeated for each animal category).
πᾶσιallDativeadjective (distributive, modifying θηρίοις)→ sphere or referenceπᾶσι: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (distributive, modifying θηρίοις).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θηρίοιςwild animalsDativedative of sphere (those upon whom dread falls — first category)→ sphere or referenceθηρίον: 'wild animal / beast'; renders Hebrew חַיַּת; contrasts with κτήνη (domesticated animals) — the wild are mentioned first as the primary domain of instinctive animal fear.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive of location (animals of the earth)→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive of location (animals of the earth).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (extending the list)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (second category)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (second category).
πάνταallAccusativeadjective (distributive)→ object specificationπάντα: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (distributive).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πετεινὰbirdsAccusativeaccusative (second category: birds of the sky)→ object specificationπετεινός: 'bird / winged creature'; renders Hebrew עוֹף; the taxonomy of four categories (wild animals, birds, creeping things, fish) mirrors the creation taxonomy of Gen 1.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οὐρανοῦsky / heavenGenitivegenitive of location (birds of the sky)→ relational specificationοὐρανοῦ: meaning 'sky'; it serves as genitive of location (birds of the sky).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (third category)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (third category).
πάνταallAccusativeadjective (distributive)→ object specificationπάντα: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (distributive).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κινούμεναmoving thingsPres Pass Ptcp Acc Pl Neut · κινέωsubstantival participle (third category: everything that moves on earth)→ progressive participle (ongoing locomotion as defining characteristic)κινέω: 'move'; the participle renders Hebrew הָרֹמֵשׂ, the creeping-swarming things of Gen 1:24–26; the LXX uses κινούμενα here rather than ἑρπετά (cf. Gen 1:24) as a broader category covering all terrestrial movement.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (location: on the earth)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location: on the earth).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive of location→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive of location.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (fourth category)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
πάνταςallAccusativeadjective (distributive, masculine with ἰχθύας)→ object specificationπάντας: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (distributive, masculine with ἰχθύας).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἰχθύαςfishAccusativeaccusative (fourth category: fish of the sea)→ object specificationἰχθύς: 'fish'; renders Hebrew דְּגֵי; the inclusion of the sea-fish in the dominion-of-fear grant extends human dominion across all creation domains.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θαλάσσηςseaGenitivegenitive of location→ relational specificationθάλασσα: 'sea'; renders Hebrew הַיָּם.
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (expressing subjection)→ spatial or relational framingὑπὸ: meaning 'under'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (expressing subjection).
χεῖραςhandsAccusativeaccusative object of ὑπό (under your hands = into your power)→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the idiom ὑπὸ χεῖράς τινι ('under someone's hands') renders the Hebrew בְּיֶדְכֶם ('into your hand') — a Hebraism expressing transfer of power and ownership.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of advantage (beneficiary of the grant)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (beneficiary of the grant).
δέδονταιthey have been givenPerf Pass Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb (perfect passive: completed divine grant with present validity)→ intensive perfect (the act of giving is complete; the state of subjection persists)δίδωμι: 'give'; the perfect passive δέδονται states that God has already definitively granted all living things into human power — the present tense of the grant is grounded in an act whose effects are permanent.
3

Καὶ πᾶν ἑρπετὸν ὅ ἐστιν ζῶν, ὑμῖν ἔσται εἰς βρῶσιν· ὡς λάχανα χόρτου δέδωκα ὑμῖν τὰ πάντα.

And every creeping thing that is alive shall be food for you; as the green herbs I have given you all things.

Extension of dietary grantΚαὶ
Expands the dominion mandate into an explicit dietary provision: all living creatures — not merely plants — are now granted as food. The comparison ὡς λάχανα χόρτου ('as the green herbs') anchors the new provision against the prior vegetarian baseline of Gen 1:29, marking the post-flood order as a genuine dietetic expansion.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (continuing grant)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶνeveryNominativeadjective (universal quantifier, subject)→ participant prominenceπᾶν: meaning 'every'; it serves as adjective (universal quantifier, subject).
ἑρπετὸνcreeping thingNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἑρπετόν: 'creeping / crawling thing'; renders Hebrew הָרֹמֵשׂ; covers all moving creatures — in this context used broadly for all fauna that move (not restricted to reptiles), as the category stands for all animal life granted for food.
ὅwhichNominativerelative pronoun, nominative subject of relative clause→ participant referenceὅ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun, nominative subject of relative clause.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (existential: 'which is living')→ gnomic present (characteristic state)εἰμί: copula.
ζῶνliving / alivePres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ζάωpredicate participle (completes ἐστιν: 'which is alive')→ gnomic participle (characterising all living movement)ζάω: 'live'; the restriction 'which is alive' distinguishes the grant from carrion — the permission covers living animals taken fresh. The participle ζῶν anticipates the blood-prohibition of v.4, where the ψυχή / life is located in the blood of the living creature.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of advantage (beneficiaries of the food grant)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (beneficiaries of the food grant).
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (promissory future)→ predictive future (divine declaration of new food order)εἰμί (fut.): copula.
εἰςfor / aspreposition + accusative (predicative / purpose: 'shall be for food')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + accusative used predicatively is a Hebraism calquing Hebrew לְ ('shall be as / shall serve as'); common in LXX idiom (cf. Gen 1:14, εἰς σημεῖα).
βρῶσινfood / eatingAccusativeaccusative (predicate of ἔσται εἰς: 'shall be for food')→ object specificationβρῶσις: 'eating / food'; renders Hebrew לְאָכְלָה; the verbal noun (from βιβρώσκω) conveys the act of eating as the purpose of the grant.
ὡςas / likecomparative conjunction (introduces analogy with vegetable food)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: meaning 'as'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λάχαναherbs / vegetablesAccusativeaccusative (term of comparison: 'as the green herbs')→ object specificationλάχανον: 'herb, vegetable, garden plant'; renders Hebrew עֵשֶׂב יָרוֹק ('green herb'); the comparison to the original vegetable grant (Gen 1:29) is deliberate — meat is now as freely granted as plants were before the flood.
χόρτουof grass / herbGenitivegenitive of material/kind (herbs of grass: green vegetation)→ relational specificationχόρτος: 'grass, herbage'; renders Hebrew יֶרֶק; the genitive construction λάχανα χόρτου reflects Hebrew appositive / construct-state idiom.
δέδωκαI have givenPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (divine speaker — intensive perfect: the gift is permanent)→ intensive perfect (completed giving with abiding result)δίδωμι: 'give'; the perfect δέδωκα mirrors δέδονται in v.2 — both deploy the perfect to emphasise the permanent, enacted character of the divine grants. God's gift of food and dominion is not conditional or provisional.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of indirect object (recipients of the grant)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (recipients of the grant).
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with πάντα: 'all things')→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πάνταall thingsAccusativedirect object (universal scope of the food grant)→ object specificationπᾶς + article: 'all things' — the comprehensiveness of the dietary grant is underscored; no category of living creature is excluded except as specified in v.4.
4

Πλὴν κρέας ἐν αἵματι ψυχῆς οὐ φάγεσθε.

But flesh with the blood of its life you shall not eat.

Exception / restriction (adversative)Πλήν
Πλήν introduces the single caveat to the broad food grant of v.3 — a strong adversative that carves out the one prohibition: blood. The idiom κρέας ἐν αἵματι ψυχῆς ('flesh in the blood of its life') locates the ψυχή (life-principle) in the blood, anticipating Lev 17:14. This formulation echoes into the Apostolic Decree of Acts 15:20, 29.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
Πλὴνbut / exceptadversative / exceptive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastπλήν: strong adversative / exceptive particle, rendering Hebrew אַךְ ('only, however'); introduces the sole exception to the sweeping dietary grant — a restriction whose theological weight the NT will invoke directly.
κρέαςflesh / meatAccusativedirect object of φάγεσθε (that which is prohibited)→ object specificationκρέας: 'meat, flesh'; renders Hebrew בָּשָׂר; in the construction κρέας ἐν αἵματι ψυχῆς, the prepositional phrase qualifies what kind of flesh is prohibited — flesh in the state of containing its life-blood (i.e., undrained). The formulation is the Noachic blood prohibition from which Lev 17:10–14 and the Apostolic Decree of Acts 15:20 derive their substance.
ἐνin / withpreposition + dative (locative / instrumental: flesh containing its blood)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative / instrumental: flesh containing its blood).
αἵματιbloodDativedative object of ἐν (the blood in which the life resides)→ sphere or referenceαἷμα: 'blood'; the central prohibited substance; the LXX idiom αἷμα ψυχῆς renders Hebrew דָּם־נַפְשׁוֹ ('the blood of its life / soul'). Acts 15:20 names αἵματος ('blood') as one of the four Apostolic restrictions, almost certainly traceable to this Noachic law.
ψυχῆςof life / of the soulGenitivegenitive of apposition / content (the blood which is the life)→ relational specificationψυχή: 'life, soul'; renders Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ; the phrase ψυχή ἐν τῷ αἵματι ('the life is in the blood') is made explicit in Lev 17:11 LXX. Here the genitive construction places the ψυχή as the essential content of the blood — to consume the blood is to consume the life-principle itself, which belongs to God alone.
οὐnotnegation (with indicative future: prohibition)→ participant referenceοὐ: meaning 'not'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as negation (with indicative future: prohibition).
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (future indicative used as prohibition)→ prohibitory future (ou + future indicative = categorical prohibition, as in Exod 20's Decalogue)ἐσθίω: 'eat'; the construction οὐ + future indicative is the standard LXX-Greek way of expressing a categorical prohibition (a calque of Hebrew לֹא + imperfect), identical to the Decalogue's οὐ φονεύσεις, οὐ μοιχεύσεις (Exod 20:13–14).
5

Καὶ γὰρ τὸ ὑμέτερον αἷμα τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν ἐκζητήσω· ἐκ χειρὸς πάντων τῶν θηρίων ἐκζητήσω αὐτό, καὶ ἐκ χειρὸς ἀνθρώπου ἀδελφοῦ ἐκζητήσω τὴν ψυχὴν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου.

And indeed your blood, belonging to your lives, I will require; from the hand of every wild animal I will require it, and from the hand of a person, of a brother, I will require the life of the person.

Ground / motivation for blood prohibitionΚαὶ γάρ
Καὶ γάρ ('and indeed / for') provides the theological rationale behind the blood prohibition: God himself will seek an accounting for human blood. The triple repetition of ἐκζητήσω ('I will require / seek') creates a solemn rhetorical emphasis — from beasts, from humans, from brothers — escalating to the murder of a fellow human being.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
Καὶandconjunction (with γάρ: emphatic-causal 'and indeed')→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γὰρindeed / forexplanatory / emphatic particle (causal-emphatic combination καὶ γάρ)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: the combination καὶ γάρ gives both continuation and explanation; the particle signals that what follows grounds the prohibition of v.4 in divine reckoning.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with αἷμα: proleptic / fronted object)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑμέτερονyourAccusativepossessive adjective (attributive, modifying αἷμα)→ object specificationὑμέτερον: meaning 'your'; it serves as possessive adjective (attributive, modifying αἷμα).
αἷμαbloodAccusativedirect object (fronted for emphasis: 'your blood specifically')→ object specificationαἷμα: 'blood'; the fronting of τὸ ὑμέτερον αἷμα is a Hebraism of topic-prominence, placing the object first to stress what God will specifically account for — human blood.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχῶνlives / soulsGenitivegenitive of apposition / content (blood of your lives = the blood that is your life)→ relational specificationψυχή: 'life, soul'; parallel construction to v.4; the genitive τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν specifies that it is the life-blood — the blood as seat of the ψυχή — that God will demand accounting for.
ὑμῶνof youGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'of you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐκζητήσωI will require / seek outFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐκζητέωmain verb (first of three — divine promise of reckoning)→ predictive future (solemn divine declaration of accountability)ἐκζητέω: 'seek out, require, demand'; renders Hebrew אֶדְרֹשׁ (from דָּרַשׁ, 'to seek / hold accountable'); the compound ἐκ- intensifies the seeking — 'seek out completely, demand strict accounting.' The triple occurrence of ἐκζητήσω creates a rhetorical anaphora of divine accountability.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source of accountability: from the hand of)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source of accountability: from the hand of).
χειρὸςhandGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (hand = instrument / agency)→ relational specificationχείρ: 'hand'; ἐκ χειρός is a Hebraism rendering Hebrew מִיַּד ('from the hand of') — hand as metonym for agent and moral responsibility.
πάντωνall / everyGenitivegenitive (universal scope: every beast)→ relational specificationπάντων: meaning 'all'; it serves as genitive (universal scope: every beast).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θηρίωνwild animalsGenitivegenitive (held accountable — animals that kill humans)→ relational specificationθηρίον: even animals that kill humans will be held to account by God — a remarkable extension of divine moral governance to the animal realm, reflecting the Noachic code's universal scope.
ἐκζητήσωI will requireFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐκζητέωmain verb (second occurrence — anaphora of divine reckoning)→ predictive futureἐκζητέω: 'seek out / require / demand'; the idiom ἐκζητεῖν τὸ αἷμα ἐκ χειρός ('require blood at the hand of', cf. Gen 9:5; Ezek 33:6) is the legal formula for exacting blood-vengeance/accountability for unlawful killing; David holds the murderers accountable.
αὐτόitAccusativedirect object (resuming τὸ αἷμα of the opening)→ participant referenceαὐτό: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (resuming τὸ αἷμα of the opening).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (extending reckoning to humans)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive.
χειρὸςhandGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (human agent)→ relational specificationχειρὸς: meaning 'hand'; it serves as genitive object of ἐκ (human agent).
ἀνθρώπουa person / human beingGenitivegenitive (from the hand of a human being)→ relational specificationἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; the shift from animals to humans marks the escalating gravity of the reckoning; murder by a fellow human is the gravest violation.
ἀδελφοῦof a brotherGenitivegenitive of apposition (the human is specified as 'brother' — all humanity is kin)→ relational specificationἀδελφός: 'brother'; renders Hebrew אָחִיו; the appositive specifies that every human being stands in fraternal relation to every other — to murder is to murder a brother, and God will require an accounting. This fraternal language anticipates the Cain/Abel echo.
ἐκζητήσωI will requireFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐκζητέωmain verb (third occurrence — anaphoric climax)→ predictive future (divine declaration at its most solemn)ἐκζητέω: 'seek out / require / demand'; the idiom ἐκζητεῖν τὸ αἷμα ἐκ χειρός ('require blood at the hand of', cf. Gen 9:5; Ezek 33:6) is the legal formula for exacting blood-vengeance/accountability for unlawful killing; David holds the murderers accountable.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχὴνlife / soulAccusativedirect object of ἐκζητήσω (the life that must be accounted for)→ object specificationψυχή: 'life'; the shift from αἷμα ('blood') to ψυχή ('life') as the object of divine reckoning makes explicit that what God demands is an account for the life — not merely the blood as substance — of the murdered person.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνθρώπουperson / human beingGenitivegenitive of possession (the life belonging to the person who was killed)→ relational specificationἀνθρώπου: meaning 'person'; it serves as genitive of possession (the life belonging to the person who was killed).
6

Ὁ ἐκχέων αἷμα ἀνθρώπου, ἀντὶ τοῦ αἵματος αὐτοῦ ἐκχυθήσεται· ὅτι ἐν εἰκόνι θεοῦ ἐποίησα τὸν ἄνθρωπον.

Whoever sheds the blood of a human being, in exchange for that blood it shall be shed; for in the image of God I made the human being.

Lex talionis / theological grounding of the homicide prohibitionὉ ἐκχέων
This verse is one of the most theologically dense in the primeval history: the lex talionis formulation (blood for blood) is grounded not in tribal law but in the divine image (εἰκόνι θεοῦ). The reason-clause (ὅτι … ἐποίησα) is God's own declaration, making the prohibition absolute. The εἰκών language echoes Gen 1:26–27 LXX and reverberates through 1 Cor 11:7; Col 1:15; 3:10.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
Ὁthe one whoNominativearticle (substantivizing the following participle)→ noun-phrase markingὉ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐκχέωνsheddingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἐκχέωsubstantival participle, subject (the one who pours out / sheds blood)→ gnomic present participle (any and every case of homicide)ἐκχέω: 'pour out, shed'; renders Hebrew שֹׁפֵךְ; the compound ἐκ- intensifies the outpouring. The 'shedding of blood' (αἷμα ἐκχεῖν) is the standard LXX idiom for homicide, continuing the blood-vocabulary of vv.4–5. NT echo: Matt 23:35; Rev 16:6 use the same idiom.
αἷμαbloodAccusativedirect object of participle ἐκχέων→ object specificationαἷμα: meaning 'blood'; it serves as direct object of participle ἐκχέων.
ἀνθρώπουof a human beingGenitivegenitive (whose blood is shed — objective genitive)→ relational specificationἄνθρωπος: the victim is specified as ἄνθρωπος ('human being') rather than a more restricted term — every human being, as image-bearer, is equally protected by the prohibition.
ἀντὶin exchange for / instead ofpreposition + genitive (expressing substitution / equivalence: lex talionis)→ spatial or relational framingἀντί: 'instead of, in exchange for'; the preposition captures the retributive logic — blood for blood. This is the clearest statement of lex talionis in the OT grounded in divine image rather than social contract.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἵματοςbloodGenitivegenitive object of ἀντί (the blood in exchange for which)→ relational specificationαἵματος: meaning 'blood'; it serves as genitive object of ἀντί (the blood in exchange for which).
αὐτοῦhis / itsGenitivegenitive of possession (the murderer's blood, now forfeit)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the murderer's blood, now forfeit).
ἐκχυθήσεταιit shall be shedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐκχέωmain verb (divine passive: God or divinely-authorized agent will shed it)→ predictive future (divine law operating as certainty)ἐκχέω: the divine passive ἐκχυθήσεται ('it will be shed') leaves the agent unspecified — God, the community, or a designated agent will exact the penalty; the passive frames execution as divinely ordained rather than merely humanly enacted.
ὅτιbecause / forcausal conjunction (introducing the ground clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: causal 'because'; the clause that follows is the entire theological basis for the lex talionis — it is not mere retribution but is grounded in the indelible worth of the human person as God's image.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (expressing manner / sphere: 'in the image')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (expressing manner / sphere: 'in the image').
εἰκόνιimageDativedative of manner / sphere (in God's image — the mode of creation)→ sphere or referenceεἰκών: 'image, likeness'; renders Hebrew צֶלֶם; the LXX uses εἰκών at Gen 1:26–27 and here (not ὁμοίωσις, which rendered דְּמוּת at 1:26). The term becomes the standard Greek for imago Dei and is foundational to NT anthropology: 1 Cor 11:7 (man as εἰκὼν θεοῦ); Col 1:15 (Christ as εἰκὼν τοῦ θεοῦ τοῦ ἀοράτου); 3:10 (the new self renewed κατ᾿ εἰκόνα τοῦ κτίσαντος).
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of source / definition (whose image it is)→ relational specificationθεοῦ: meaning 'of God'; it serves as genitive of source / definition (whose image it is).
ἐποίησαI madeAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb of causal clause (God the first-person speaker)→ constative aorist (the single act of creation as the basis for all that follows)ποιέω: 'make, create'; the first-person singular ἐποίησα ('I made') — God speaking — anchors the prohibition in the act of creation itself. The aorist looks back to Gen 1:26–27 and declares the image permanent; murder is therefore an assault on God's creative act.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωπονhuman beingAccusativedirect object of ἐποίησα (the created being)→ object specificationἄνθρωπος: the article specifies the human as a class ('humankind') — every instance of ἄνθρωπος is made in God's image, making every murder an ontological offence against the Creator.
7

Ὑμεῖς δὲ αὐξάνεσθε καὶ πληθύνεσθε καὶ πληρώσατε τὴν γῆν καὶ πληθύνεσθε ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς.

But you — increase and multiply and fill the earth and multiply on it.

Resumptive command / bracket closureὙμεῖς δέ
The emphatic pronoun Ὑμεῖς with δέ ('but you') returns from the solemn blood-reckoning material (vv.5–6) to the positive commissioning mandate with which the section opened (v.1), forming a bracket. The repetition of Αὐξάνεσθε καὶ πληθύνεσθε closes the unit as a literary inclusio.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ὙμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic subject pronoun (contrastive: 'but you, for your part')→ participant referenceThe emphatic Ὑμεῖς is contrastive after the death-and-reckoning discourse of vv.5–6 — it pivots back to the life-giving mandate for humanity.
δὲbut / andmild adversative / transitional particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: transitional-adversative, here marking the pivot back from the solemn lex talionis to the fertility blessing.
αὐξάνεσθεincreasePres Pass Impv 2 Pl · αὐξάνωimperative (resuming the mandate of v.1)→ progressive imperative (ongoing command)αὐξάνω: verbatim echo of v.1 — the closing bracket of the commissioning unit.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πληθύνεσθεmultiplyPres Pass Impv 2 Pl · πληθύνωimperative (second mandate)→ progressive imperativeπληθύνω: meaning 'multiply'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as imperative (second mandate).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πληρώσατεfillAor Act Impv 2 Pl · πληρόωimperative (third mandate: telic filling of the earth)→ aorist imperative (goal-oriented: complete the filling)πληρόω: meaning 'fill'; it carries the action, process, or state of the clause; here it functions as imperative (third mandate: telic filling of the earth).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνearthAccusativedirect object of πληρώσατε→ object specificationγῆν: meaning 'earth'; it serves as direct object of πληρώσατε.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πληθύνεσθεmultiplyPres Pass Impv 2 Pl · πληθύνωimperative (fourth and closing mandate, with locative complement)→ progressive imperativeπληθύνω: the second occurrence of this imperative in the verse reinforces the fertility mandate with a locative complement ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς ('on it') — populate not just in general but specifically on the earth.
ἐπ᾿on / uponpreposition + genitive (locative: on the earth)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative: on the earth).
αὐτῆςitGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (the earth as the sphere of multiplication)→ relational specificationαὐτῆς: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐπί (the earth as the sphere of multiplication).
8

Καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεὸς τῷ Νωε καὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς αὐτοῦ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ λέγων·

And God spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying:

New divine address / covenant preambleΚαὶ εἶπεν
A new divine-speech introduction opens the covenant section (vv.8–17). The redundant participial λέγων after εἶπεν is a Hebraism calquing לֵאמֹר (saying), the standard Hebrew speech-introducing infinitive; the LXX renders it as a participial form throughout Genesis. The addressees — Noah and sons — establish the covenant's human parties.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing parataxis: new scene)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaid / spokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: standard narrative formula εἶπεν + indirect object to introduce divine speech; renders וַיֹּאמֶר.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject.
τῷtoDativearticle (dative of indirect object with Νωε)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΝωεNoahindeclinable proper noun, dative of indirect object (primary addressee)→ participant identificationΝωε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, dative of indirect object (primary addressee).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (extending addressees)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative of indirect object (co-addressees)→ sphere or referenceυἱοῖς: meaning 'sons'; it serves as dative of indirect object (co-addressees).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (expressing accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (expressing accompaniment).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the sons were with Noah)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (the sons were with Noah).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωredundant participial speech-introducer (Hebraism: calque of לֵאמֹר)→ Hebraistic participial construction (not aspectually significant)λέγω: the redundant λέγων after εἶπεν is a characteristic LXX Hebraism rendering the Hebrew infinitive absolute לֵאמֹר that routinely follows אָמַר in direct speech introductions; it adds no new semantic content but marks the text's translation idiom.
9

Καὶ ἐγὼ ἰδοὺ ἀνίστημι τὴν διαθήκην μου ὑμῖν καὶ τῷ σπέρματι ὑμῶν μεθ᾿ ὑμᾶς,

And I — behold, I am establishing my covenant with you and with your seed after you,

Covenant inauguration (solemn declaration)Καὶ ἐγὼ ἰδοὺ
The emphatic first-person Ἐγὼ with the attention-marker ἰδοὺ (behold!) marks the covenant declaration as a supreme and solemn act. The verb ἀνίστημι ('raise up, establish') renders Hebrew מֵקִים, the same root used in 6:18 for the covenant promise to Noah before the flood — here its fulfilment. The incomplete sentence (ending in a comma) continues through v.11.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (opening the covenant speech)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun (God as covenant-maker)→ participant referenceThe emphatic ἐγὼ is the divine self-presentation formula common to covenant-making in the OT (cf. Gen 17:4; Exod 6:6–8); it stresses God's unilateral initiative in the covenant.
ἰδοὺbeholdattention particle (presentative: directing focus to the declaration)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδοὺ: 'behold / look'; renders Hebrew הִנְנִי ('here I am / look'); the particle alerts the audience that something momentous follows — a standard marker of the divine-word formula in the LXX.
ἀνίστημιI am establishingPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (performative present: the covenant is being established in the act of speaking)→ performative / instantaneous present (the declaration constitutes the reality)ἀνίστημι: 'raise up, establish, confirm'; renders Hebrew הֵקִים (Hiphil of קוּם); in covenant contexts the Hiphil means 'to put into effect, to confirm, to cause to stand.' The present ἀνίστημι is performative — God's speaking establishes the covenant.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with διαθήκην)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηνcovenantAccusativedirect object of ἀνίστημι (the covenant being established)→ object specificationδιαθήκη: 'covenant / testament'; renders Hebrew בְּרִית; the key theological term of vv.8–17, occurring seven times. In Greek usage διαθήκη normally denotes a 'last will and testament' — a unilateral legal disposition of property; this is precisely the force in the covenant context: God unilaterally disposes blessings and obligations. Paul exploits this meaning in Gal 3:15–17 to argue that the Abrahamic covenant-testament cannot be annulled.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (God's covenant)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (God's covenant).
ὑμῖνwith youDativedative of advantage (covenant parties: Noah and sons)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'with you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (covenant parties: Noah and sons).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (extending covenant to posterity)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῷtheDativearticle (with σπέρματι)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπέρματιseed / descendantsDativedative of advantage (second covenant party: all descendants)→ sphere or referenceσπέρμα: 'seed, offspring, descendants'; renders Hebrew זַרְעֲכֶם; the covenant extends beyond the immediate generation to all Noah's descendants — in effect, all humanity post-flood. Paul later deploys σπέρμα in covenant argumentation in Gal 3:16, 19 (though there referring to the Abrahamic σπέρμα).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (your seed)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (your seed).
μεθ᾿afterpreposition + accusative (temporal: after you = in subsequent generations)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + accusative: 'after'; renders Hebrew אַחֲרֵיכֶם ('after you'); the temporal phrase marks the covenant as multi-generational — an unconditional, eternal disposition rather than a single-generation arrangement.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative object of μετά (temporal: generations coming after you)→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of μετά (temporal: generations coming after you).
10

καὶ πάσῃ ψυχῇ τῇ ζώσῃ μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν, ἀπὸ ὀρνέων καὶ ἀπὸ κτηνῶν καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς θηρίοις τῆς γῆς, ὅσα ἐξῆλθεν ἐκ τῆς κιβωτοῦ, καὶ πᾶσι τοῖς θηρίοις τῆς γῆς.

and to every living soul that is with you, from the birds and from the cattle and to all the wild animals of the earth — as many as came out of the ark — and to all the wild animals of the earth.

Extension of covenant parties (continuation from v.9)καὶ πάσῃ
Continues the catalogue of covenant parties begun in v.9. The extraordinary scope of the Noachic covenant is displayed: not only Noah's human descendants but every living animal (ψυχὴ ζῶσα) that came out of the ark is included. The phrase ψυχὴ ζῶσα echoes Gen 1:20–21 LXX (creation of living creatures), marking the covenant as a re-creation agreement with the whole living world.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (continuing the dative list of covenant parties)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάσῃeveryDativeadjective (modifying ψυχῇ, distributive)→ sphere or referenceπάσῃ: meaning 'every'; it serves as adjective (modifying ψυχῇ, distributive).
ψυχῇsoul / living beingDativedative of advantage (extending covenant to every living being)→ sphere or referenceψυχή: 'life, living being'; renders Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה ('living soul / living being'); the phrase ψυχὴ ζῶσα echoes Gen 1:20, 21, 24 LXX — the covenant is established with the same categories of creatures that were created in the beginning.
τῇtheDativearticle (with ζώσῃ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ζώσῃlivingPres Act Ptcp Dat Sg Fem · ζάωattributive participle (modifying ψυχῇ: every living soul)→ gnomic present participle (characteristic living state)ζάω: 'live'; the attributive participle in the dative agrees with ψυχῇ and limits the covenant parties to actually living creatures — not to abstractions.
μεθ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment: with you — the animals in human company)→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment: with you — the animals in human company).
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.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (partitive: drawn from the following species)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive: drawn from the following species).
ὀρνέωνbirdsGenitivegenitive (first species category)→ relational specificationὄρνεον: 'bird'; renders Hebrew הָעוֹף; alongside the earlier πετεινά (v.2), ὄρνεα is the standard LXX word for birds in the ark and covenant context.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (second species)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (second species).
κτηνῶνcattle / livestockGenitivegenitive (second species category: domesticated animals)→ relational specificationκτῆνος: 'cattle, livestock, domesticated animal'; renders Hebrew הַבְּהֵמָה; distinguished from the wild θηρία — the covenant's animal parties span both tame and wild.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶσιallDativeadjective (distributive, with θηρίοις)→ sphere or referenceπᾶσι: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (distributive, with θηρίοις).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θηρίοιςwild animalsDativedative of advantage (third species category: wild fauna)→ sphere or referenceθηρίοις: meaning 'wild animals'; it serves as dative of advantage (third species category: wild fauna).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive of location→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive of location.
ὅσαas many as / all thatNominativerelative pronoun (neuter plural: referring back to all the animal categories)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as, all that'; the relative clause specifies the referent of the covenant animals as those that came out of the ark — grounding the covenant in the ark narrative and establishing its scope as all post-flood fauna.
ἐξῆλθενcame outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιverb of relative clause (singular despite plural antecedent — distributive collective)→ constative aorist (single completed event: the disembarking from the ark)ἐξέρχομαι: 'come out, go out'; the singular verb ἐξῆλθεν with plural ὅσα is a collective construction; it looks back to the disembarkation scene of Gen 8:18–19.
ἐκfrom / out ofpreposition + genitive (source: from inside the ark)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: from inside the ark).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτοῦarkGenitivegenitive of separation (from the ark)→ relational specificationκιβωτός: 'ark'; the same term used in Gen 6–8 for Noah's vessel (and in Heb 11:7; 1 Pet 3:20 by the NT). The ark thus functions as the locus from which all post-flood covenant parties emerged.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (resuming / summarising the list)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶσιallDativeadjective (summarising closure)→ sphere or referenceπᾶσι: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (summarising closure).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θηρίοιςwild animalsDativedative of advantage (resumptive summary: all wild animals of the earth)→ sphere or referenceThe phrase is repeated from earlier in the verse — a Hebraistic resumptive repetition (Wiederaufnahme) that closes the enumeration by restating the broadest category.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive of location→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive of location.
11

καὶ στήσω τὴν διαθήκην μου πρὸς ὑμᾶς, καὶ οὐκ ἀποθανεῖται πᾶσα σὰρξ ἔτι ἀπὸ τοῦ ὕδατος τοῦ κατακλυσμοῦ, καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ἔτι κατακλυσμὸς ὕδατος τοῦ καταφθεῖραι πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν.

and I will establish my covenant with you, and all flesh shall no longer perish from the waters of the flood, and there shall no longer be a flood of water to destroy all the earth.

Covenant content: negative promiseκαὶ στήσω
The covenant's content is stated in two parallel negative promises using οὐκ … ἔτι ('no longer'). The first concerns the death of all flesh; the second the destruction of the earth itself. The double negation underscores the covenant's comprehensiveness and permanence. The verb στήσω ('I will make stand / establish') renders Hebrew הֲקִמֹתִי and finalises the covenant announced in v.9.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (completing the suspended sentence from v.9)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
στήσωI will establishFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (divine commitment: the covenant is confirmed)→ predictive future (divine promise with the force of a solemn declaration)ἵστημι: 'cause to stand, establish, confirm'; renders Hebrew הֲקִמֹתִי (Hiphil of קוּם); a near synonym with ἀνίστημι (v.9) — both render the Hebrew covenantal 'confirming' of the בְּרִית. The covenant 'stands' as an immovable reality.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηνcovenantAccusativedirect object of στήσω→ object specificationδιαθήκη: second occurrence of the covenant term in the passage; the repetition emphasises the formality of the enactment.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
πρὸςwith / towardpreposition + accusative (expressing the covenant relationship: directed toward you)→ spatial or relational framingπρός + accusative: 'toward, with'; here replaces the dative construction of v.9 (ὑμῖν) — variation in the covenant relationship preposition is common in the LXX.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (covenant parties)→ participant referenceὑμᾶς: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (covenant parties).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (introducing first negative promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegation→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἀποθανεῖταιwill die / will perishFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (negative promise: no more mass death from flood)→ predictive future (covenantal guarantee)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the future middle ἀποθανεῖται is the standard LXX death-future; with οὐκ … ἔτι it expresses an absolute and permanent prohibition on such mass destruction.
πᾶσαallNominativeadjective (universal subject: every/all flesh)→ participant prominenceπᾶσα: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (universal subject: every/all flesh).
σὰρξfleshNominativesubject (all living flesh = all animate life)→ participant prominenceσάρξ: 'flesh'; renders Hebrew כָּל־בָּשָׂר ('all flesh'); in the flood context σὰρξ encompasses all animate life — the same phrase was used in Gen 6:12, 13, 17; 7:21 to mark the flood's total scope; here its negation marks the covenant's total protection.
ἔτιstill / any longertemporal adverb (with negation: 'no longer')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'yet, still, any more'; with οὐκ becomes 'no longer' — the temporal adverb is crucial: it is the change from the flood situation that the covenant guarantees.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (cause / means: by means of / from the waters)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (cause / means: by means of / from the waters).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδατοςwaterGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (the waters as instrument of death)→ relational specificationὕδατος: meaning 'water'; it serves as genitive object of ἀπό (the waters as instrument of death).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with κατακλυσμοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατακλυσμοῦfloodGenitivegenitive of apposition (the water of the flood)→ relational specificationκατακλυσμός: 'flood, inundation'; the standard LXX term for Noah's flood (Gen 6:17; 7:6, 7, 10, 17; 9:11, 15); directly inherited by the NT (Matt 24:38–39; Luke 17:27; 2 Pet 2:5). The specific term marks the promise as directed against this unique event.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second negative promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegation→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἔσταιthere will beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (negative existential: no such flood will exist again)→ predictive future (covenantal guarantee)εἰμί (fut.): copula.
ἔτιany longertemporal adverb (parallel to first ἔτι: reinforcing permanence)→ clausal contributionἔτι: meaning 'any longer'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
κατακλυσμὸςfloodNominativesubject of ἔσται (what will not exist)→ participant prominenceκατακλυσμὸς: meaning 'flood'; it serves as subject of ἔσται (what will not exist).
ὕδατοςof waterGenitivegenitive of material / content (a flood consisting of water)→ relational specificationὕδατος: meaning 'of water'; it serves as genitive of material / content (a flood consisting of water).
τοῦtoGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive: genitive of purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καταφθεῖραιto destroy / to corruptAor Act Inf · καταφθείρωarticular infinitive of purpose (genitive: 'to destroy all the earth')→ aorist infinitive (complete, decisive destruction as the denied purpose)καταφθείρω: 'destroy, corrupt, ruin completely'; renders Hebrew לְשַׁחֵת; the same root (φθορά / φθείρω) appears in the NT for eschatological destruction (1 Cor 15:42; 2 Pet 2:12). The covenant's promise is specifically that this destructive purpose will never again be enacted against all the earth.
πᾶσανallAccusativeadjective (universal scope of the protection)→ object specificationπᾶσαν: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (universal scope of the protection).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνearthAccusativedirect object of καταφθεῖραι (what will not be destroyed)→ object specificationγῆν: meaning 'earth'; it serves as direct object of καταφθεῖραι (what will not be destroyed).
12

Καὶ εἶπεν κύριος ὁ θεὸς πρὸς Νωε· Τοῦτο τὸ σημεῖον τῆς διαθήκης, ὃ ἐγὼ δίδωμι ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ ὑμῶν καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον πάσης ψυχῆς ζώσης ἥ ἐστιν μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν, εἰς γενεὰς αἰωνίους.

And the LORD God said to Noah: 'This is the sign of the covenant which I am giving between me and you and between every living soul which is with you, for everlasting generations.'

Declaration of the covenant signΚαὶ εἶπεν
A new speech introduction (with κύριος ὁ θεός — the double title returned for the declaration of the sign) introduces the σημεῖον. The sign is described relationally: ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ ὑμῶν ('between me and you') — it is a visible marker of the bilateral relationship, not merely a reminder for humanity but for God himself (v.16: 'I will remember').
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
κύριοςLordNominativesubject (divine speaker, with full title κύριος ὁ θεός)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the LXX returns to the full double title κύριος ὁ θεός for this solemn declaration of the covenant sign, underscoring the moment's gravity.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativeappositive to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as appositive to κύριος.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (indirect object of speech: addressed to Noah)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (indirect object of speech: addressed to Noah).
ΝωεNoahindeclinable proper noun, accusative object of πρός (addressee)→ participant identificationΝωε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, accusative object of πρός (addressee).
ΤοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun, subject (what is being presented as the sign)→ participant referenceΤοῦτο: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative pronoun, subject (what is being presented as the sign).
τὸtheNominativearticle (with σημεῖον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σημεῖονsignNominativepredicate nominative (this is the sign)→ participant prominenceσημεῖον: 'sign, token, marker'; renders Hebrew אוֹת; the standard LXX word for covenant signs (circumcision at Gen 17:11; Sabbath at Exod 31:13) and miraculous signs. Here the σημεῖον is the bow (τόξον, vv.13–16) — a visible, recurring celestial marker of the covenant's permanence.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηςcovenantGenitivegenitive of relation (sign belonging to / representing the covenant)→ relational specificationδιαθήκη: third occurrence of the key term in the passage.
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative: direct object of δίδωμι in the relative clause)→ participant referenceὃ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (accusative: direct object of δίδωμι in the relative clause).
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun (God as giver of the sign)→ participant referenceἐγὼ: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as emphatic subject pronoun (God as giver of the sign).
δίδωμιam givingPres Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιverb of relative clause (performative present: the giving is occurring now)→ performative present (the sign is being given in the act of declaration)δίδωμι: 'give'; the present tense δίδωμι is performative — the declaration constitutes the giving.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (with μέσον: distributive 'between')→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ μέσον: 'between'; renders Hebrew בֵּין; the repeated phrase ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ ὑμῶν ('between me and you') is the covenant-making formula that recurs in Gen 15:17; 17:2, 7, 10, 11 — the bilateral character of the covenant relationship is expressed spatially.
μέσονmiddleAccusativeadverbial accusative (idiom: ἀνὰ μέσον = between)→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as adverbial accusative (idiom: ἀνὰ μέσον = between).
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive (first party: God)→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as genitive (first party: God).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive (second party: Noah and his sons)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (second party: Noah and his sons).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (extending to third party)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (repeated: second between-clause)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (repeated: second between-clause).
μέσονmiddleAccusativeadverbial accusative→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as adverbial accusative.
πάσηςevery / allGenitiveadjective (modifying ψυχῆς)→ relational specificationπάσης: meaning 'every'; it serves as adjective (modifying ψυχῆς).
ψυχῆςsoul / living beingGenitivegenitive (third party: every living creature)→ relational specificationψυχῆς: meaning 'soul'; it serves as genitive (third party: every living creature).
ζώσηςlivingPres Act Ptcp Gen Sg Fem · ζάωattributive participle (modifying ψυχῆς: every living soul)→ gnomic present participleζάω: meaning 'living'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as attributive participle (modifying ψυχῆς: every living soul).
ἥwhichNominativerelative pronoun (referring to ψυχῆς ζώσης: which is with you)→ participant referenceἥ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (referring to ψυχῆς ζώσης: which is with you).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (existential: which exists with you)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.
μεθ᾿withpreposition + genitive→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά (animals in human company)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (animals in human company).
εἰςfor / untopreposition + accusative (temporal extent: for everlasting generations)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (temporal extent: for everlasting generations).
γενεὰςgenerationsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (duration: for generations)→ object specificationγενεά: 'generation, age'; renders Hebrew לְדֹרֹת; the plural with εἰς marks the covenant's temporal scope — it extends through every future generation.
αἰωνίουςeverlasting / eternalAccusativeadjective modifying γενεάς (everlasting generations)→ object specificationαἰώνιος: 'everlasting, age-long'; renders Hebrew עוֹלָם; the phrase εἰς γενεὰς αἰωνίους ('for everlasting generations') makes the covenant perpetual — it cannot be revoked or superseded.
13

τὸ τόξον μου τίθημι ἐν τῇ νεφέλῃ, καὶ ἔσται εἰς σημεῖον διαθήκης ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ τῆς γῆς.

I am placing my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth.

Declaration of the covenant sign (content)τὸ τόξον μου τίθημι
The sign is now named: τόξον, the war-bow. The present tense τίθημι ('I am placing') is performative — God declares the act as it occurs. The bow is placed ἐν τῇ νεφέλῃ ('in the cloud'), making it a celestial / meteorological sign. The meaning is that of a warrior hanging up his weapon — the bow set in the cloud declares that God's martial wrath toward the earth is suspended. There is no separate Greek word for 'rainbow'; τόξον alone must carry the sense.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with τόξον: fronted object for emphasis)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόξονbowAccusativedirect object (fronted for emphasis: 'my bow specifically')→ object specificationτόξον: 'bow' (the weapon); renders Hebrew קַשְׁתִּי ('my bow'); the word is the standard Greek for a warrior's bow (cf. Homer Il. 1.49; LXX Ps 7:13; 44:6). In Greek there is no distinct word for 'rainbow' — τόξον serves double duty. The image of God placing his bow in the cloud is that of a warrior who has fought (the flood as divine judgment) hanging up his weapon as a declaration of ceasefire. The patristic tradition (Ambrose, Augustine, Chrysostom) read the rainbow as precisely this: the weapon of divine wrath laid aside, pointing toward the heavenly peace.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (God's bow)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (God's bow).
τίθημιI am placingPres Act Indic 1 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (performative present: God places the bow in the act of declaration)→ performative / instantaneous present (the placing is accomplished in the speech act)τίθημι: 'place, set, put'; renders Hebrew נָתַתִּי (past tense in MT: 'I have set / I set'); the LXX uses the present tίθημι rather than a past form, giving the declaration an immediate, here-and-now quality — the covenant sign is being given as the words are spoken.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in the cloud)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in the cloud).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νεφέλῃcloudDativedative of location (where the bow is placed)→ sphere or referenceνεφέλη: 'cloud'; renders Hebrew עָנָן; the cloud is the medium in which the bow appears — the standard divine theophanic vehicle in the OT (Exod 13:21; 1 Kgs 8:10; Dan 7:13). Setting the bow in the cloud gives the covenant sign a cosmic, celestial character.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (introducing the sign's function)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (promissory future: the bow's function going forward)→ predictive future (divine promise)εἰμί (fut.): copula.
εἰςas / forpreposition + accusative (predicative: 'shall be as a sign'; Hebraism: εἰς + accusative as predicate complement)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'as'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (predicative: 'shall be as a sign'; Hebraism: εἰς + accusative as predicate complement).
σημεῖονsignAccusativeaccusative predicate complement of ἔσται εἰς (function: sign)→ object specificationσημεῖον: 'sign'; the bow's function is to serve as the σημεῖον τῆς διαθήκης — the token that the covenant is in force.
διαθήκηςcovenantGenitivegenitive of relation (sign of the covenant — the covenant it signifies)→ relational specificationδιαθήκη: fourth occurrence in the passage.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (with μέσον: between)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (with μέσον: between).
μέσονmiddleAccusativeadverbial accusative (idiom)→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as adverbial accusative (idiom).
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive (first party: God)→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as genitive (first party: God).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (second party: 'the earth' — broader than humanity, encompassing all creation)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth / land'; the covenant here is between God and 'the earth' itself — broader even than ψυχή ζῶσα (v.12). The Noachic covenant has a cosmological scope: it is God's commitment to the created order as a whole.
14

καὶ ἔσται ἐν τῷ συννεφεῖν με νεφέλας ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ὀφθήσεται τὸ τόξον μου ἐν τῇ νεφέλῃ,

And it shall be, when I bring clouds over the earth, that my bow shall appear in the cloud,

Specification of the sign's occasionsκαὶ ἔσται ἐν τῷ
The idiomatic καὶ ἔσται ἐν τῷ + infinitive is the LXX equivalent of Hebrew וְהָיָה בְּ + infinitive construct — a temporal clause ('and it shall be when …'). The verse specifies when the sign will be seen: every time God brings clouds over the earth, the bow will appear — linking the sign to the very atmospheric conditions associated with rain and potential flood. The passive ὀφθήσεται ('shall be seen') is theologically neutral but may carry a divine-passive sense: God causes the bow to appear.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of framing clause (Hebraistic: καὶ ἔσται ἐν τῷ + inf = 'when …')→ predictive future (iterative: each time this occurs)The construction ἔσται ἐν τῷ + infinitive is a Hebraism calquing וְהָיָה בְּ + infinitive construct, introducing a temporal condition; it recurs throughout the LXX at narrative turning-points (cf. Gen 24:14; 27:40).
ἐνin / whenpreposition introducing articular infinitive (temporal condition)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition introducing articular infinitive (temporal condition).
τῷtheDativearticle with infinitive (dative articular infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συννεφεῖνto gather clouds / to cloud overPres Act Inf · συννεφέωarticular infinitive (temporal: 'when I bring clouds over')→ progressive infinitive (iterative: each time clouds gather)συννεφέω: 'bring clouds together, cloud over'; a relatively rare compound verb rendering Hebrew עֲנָנִי עָב ('in my bringing cloud over'); the word is chosen to match the specific meteorological event that makes the sign visible.
μεI / meAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive (God is the subject of cloud-bringing)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'I'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative subject of infinitive (God is the subject of cloud-bringing).
νεφέλαςcloudsAccusativedirect object of συννεφεῖν→ object specificationνεφέλας: meaning 'clouds'; it serves as direct object of συννεφεῖν.
ἐπὶover / uponpreposition + accusative (direction: over the earth)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: over the earth).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνearthAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the earth over which clouds come)→ object specificationγῆν: meaning 'earth'; it serves as accusative object of ἐπί (the earth over which clouds come).
ὀφθήσεταιshall be seen / shall appearFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb of apodosis (the bow's appearing is the result of cloud-gathering)→ predictive future (iterative: each time it shall appear)ὁράω: 'see'; the passive ὀφθήσεται ('shall be seen / shall appear') is the standard LXX appearance verb for divine/significant appearances (cf. ὤφθη θεός, 'God appeared'); here it frames the bow's appearing as a divinely orchestrated visibility.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with τόξον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόξονbowNominativesubject of ὀφθήσεται (the bow that appears)→ participant prominenceτόξον: second occurrence; the definite article with τόξον μου ('my bow') links back to v.13's identification of the sign.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in the cloud)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in the cloud).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νεφέλῃcloudDativedative of location→ sphere or referenceνεφέλῃ: meaning 'cloud'; it serves as dative of location.
15

καὶ μνησθήσομαι τῆς διαθήκης μου, ἥ ἐστιν ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ ὑμῶν καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον πάσης ψυχῆς ζώσης ἐν πάσῃ σαρκί· καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ἔτι τὸ ὕδωρ εἰς κατακλυσμὸν ὥστε ἐξαλεῖψαι πᾶσαν σάρκα.

and I will remember my covenant which is between me and you and between every living soul in all flesh; and the water shall no longer be a flood to wipe out all flesh.

God's pledged remembrance and renewed negative promiseκαὶ μνησθήσομαι
The divine μνησθήσομαι ('I will remember') is the theological heart of the covenant sign's function: the bow is not merely for human memory but for God's own memorial of the covenant. Divine 'remembering' in the OT is not a cognitive act but an active, salvific response (cf. Gen 8:1; Exod 2:24; Luke 1:72). The verse then repeats the negative promise of v.11 — 'no longer a flood to wipe out all flesh' — as the content of what is remembered.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μνησθήσομαιI will rememberFut Pass Indic 1 Sg · μιμνῄσκωmain verb (divine pledge: God's remembering the covenant)→ predictive future (solemn divine pledge, iterative: each time the bow appears)μιμνῄσκω: 'remember, call to mind'; renders Hebrew וְזָכַרְתִּי (Qal imperfect: 'and I will remember'); divine 'remembering' in OT theology is performative — when God 'remembers' a covenant he acts to fulfil it. The passive form of μιμνῄσκω in the LXX is deponent with active meaning. Compare Gen 8:1 (ἐμνήσθη δὲ ὁ θεὸς τοῦ Νωε, 'God remembered Noah') and Exod 2:24 (ἐμνήσθη ὁ θεὸς τῆς διαθήκης αὐτοῦ).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with διαθήκης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηςcovenantGenitivegenitive object of μνησθήσομαι (what God will remember)→ relational specificationδιαθήκη: fifth occurrence in the passage; the verb μιμνῄσκω + genitive is the standard construction for remembering a covenant (cf. Ps 104:8 LXX; Luke 1:72 ἐμνήσθη διαθήκης ἁγίας αὐτοῦ).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἥwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of relative clause: specifying the covenant)→ participant referenceἥ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (subject of relative clause: specifying the covenant).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (existential)→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (with μέσον: between)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (with μέσον: between).
μέσονmiddleAccusativeadverbial accusative (idiom: ἀνὰ μέσον)→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as adverbial accusative (idiom: ἀνὰ μέσον).
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive (first covenant party: God)→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as genitive (first covenant party: God).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive (second covenant party: Noah and sons)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (second covenant party: Noah and sons).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (extending to all living)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition.
μέσονmiddleAccusativeadverbial accusative→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as adverbial accusative.
πάσηςeveryGenitiveadjective→ relational specificationπάσης: meaning 'every'; it serves as adjective.
ψυχῆςsoul / living beingGenitivegenitive (third covenant party: every living soul)→ relational specificationψυχῆς: meaning 'soul'; it serves as genitive (third covenant party: every living soul).
ζώσηςlivingPres Act Ptcp Gen Sg Fem · ζάωattributive participle (modifying ψυχῆς)→ gnomic present participleζάω: meaning 'living'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as attributive participle (modifying ψυχῆς).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere: within all flesh)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere: within all flesh).
πάσῃallDativeadjective (modifying σαρκί)→ sphere or referenceπάσῃ: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (modifying σαρκί).
σαρκίfleshDativedative of location / sphere (every living soul existing within all flesh = all animate creatures)→ sphere or referenceσάρξ: 'flesh'; the phrase ψυχὴ ζῶσα ἐν πάσῃ σαρκί encompasses every living being of any corporeal kind — the covenant's scope is total.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (introducing renewed negative promise)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegation→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (negative promise: the water shall no longer be a flood)→ predictive future (covenantal guarantee)εἰμί (fut.): copula.
ἔτιany longertemporal adverb (with negation: 'no longer')→ clausal contributionἔτι: meaning 'any longer'; it shapes the local clause or phrase relation in this passage.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδωρwaterNominativesubject (the water that will no longer become a flood)→ participant prominenceὕδωρ: meaning 'water'; it serves as subject (the water that will no longer become a flood).
εἰςas / forpreposition + accusative (predicative: 'shall be as a flood'; Hebraism)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'as'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (predicative: 'shall be as a flood'; Hebraism).
κατακλυσμὸνfloodAccusativeaccusative predicate complement (what the water will no longer be)→ object specificationκατακλυσμὸν: meaning 'flood'; it serves as accusative predicate complement (what the water will no longer be).
ὥστεso as toconsecutive conjunction + infinitive (expressing result/purpose denied: so as to wipe out)→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε + infinitive: 'so as to, with the result of'; renders the purpose that will never again be fulfilled — ὥστε ἐξαλεῖψαι marks the denied purpose of the no-longer-flood.
ἐξαλεῖψαιto wipe out / to blot outAor Act Inf · ἐξαλείφωinfinitive of denied result (what the flood will no longer accomplish)→ aorist infinitive (decisive, complete annihilation as the denied purpose)ἐξαλείφω: 'wipe out, obliterate, blot out'; renders Hebrew לְשַׁחֵת; the same verb is used in Gen 6:7 and 7:23 for the flood's annihilation — its recurrence here marks the absolute reversal: what was done once will never be done again.
πᾶσανallAccusativeadjective (universal scope: all flesh)→ object specificationπᾶσαν: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (universal scope: all flesh).
σάρκαfleshAccusativedirect object of ἐξαλεῖψαι (what will not be wiped out)→ object specificationσάρκα: meaning 'flesh'; it serves as direct object of ἐξαλεῖψαι (what will not be wiped out).
16

καὶ ἔσται τὸ τόξον ἐν τῇ νεφέλῃ, καὶ ὄψομαι αὐτὸ τοῦ μνησθῆναι διαθήκην αἰώνιον ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον πάσης ψυχῆς ζώσης ἐν πάσῃ σαρκὶ ἥ ἐστιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.

And the bow shall be in the cloud, and I will see it to remember the eternal covenant between me and between every living soul in all flesh that is upon the earth.

Divine pledge: God sees the bow as a memorialκαὶ ἔσται
The verse introduces the remarkable theological claim that the covenant sign is primarily for God's remembrance, not humanity's: ὄψομαι αὐτὸ τοῦ μνησθῆναι ('I will see it to remember'). The articular infinitive τοῦ μνησθῆναι expresses purpose — the bow functions as a divine aide-mémoire. The covenant is now specified as αἰώνιον (eternal) — the Noachic covenant is unconditional and permanent.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (predictive: the bow's permanent location in the cloud)→ predictive future (ongoing state)εἰμί (fut.): copula.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόξονbowNominativesubject (the bow in its permanent sign-function)→ participant prominenceτόξον: third occurrence; no possessive pronoun now — the bow has been given its sign-status and is referred to definitively.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νεφέλῃcloudDativedative of location→ sphere or referenceνεφέλῃ: meaning 'cloud'; it serves as dative of location.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (introducing the divine looking)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄψομαιI will seeFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (divine act of seeing the bow as covenant-memorial)→ predictive future (iterative: each time God looks at the bow)ὁράω: 'see'; the first-person divine ὄψομαι is theologically startling: God will see his own sign in order to remember his covenant. Divine 'seeing' and 'remembering' are covenant-activating acts in the OT (cf. Gen 8:1 ἐμνήσθη; Exod 2:25 εἶδεν ὁ θεός). The bow is thus a divine memorial as much as a human one.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of ὄψομαι (the bow as the object of divine seeing)→ participant referenceαὐτὸ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ὄψομαι (the bow as the object of divine seeing).
τοῦto / in order toGenitivearticle with articular infinitive (genitive of purpose: 'to remember')→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μνησθῆναιto rememberAor Pass Inf · μιμνῄσκωarticular infinitive of purpose (why God sees the bow: to remember)→ aorist infinitive (the remembering is a decisive act)μιμνῄσκω: divine remembering as covenant-activation; the genitive articular infinitive τοῦ μνησθῆναι expresses the purpose of the seeing — God sees in order to remember.
διαθήκηνcovenantAccusativedirect object of μνησθῆναι (what God remembers)→ object specificationδιαθήκη: sixth occurrence; now without article (anarthrous) — 'an eternal covenant' as a category, stressing its character.
αἰώνιονeternal / everlastingAccusativeadjective modifying διαθήκην (the covenant's permanence)→ object specificationαἰώνιος: 'eternal'; renders Hebrew עוֹלָם; the Noachic covenant is here explicitly labelled eternal (διαθήκη αἰώνιος), making it the first formally eternal covenant in the OT narrative — subsequently the Abrahamic (Gen 17:7, 13, 19) and Davidic (2 Sam 23:5) covenants will share this epithet.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (with μέσον: between)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (with μέσον: between).
μέσονmiddleAccusativeadverbial accusative→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as adverbial accusative.
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive (God as party)→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as genitive (God as party).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (with μέσον)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (with μέσον).
μέσονmiddleAccusativeadverbial accusative→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as adverbial accusative.
πάσηςeveryGenitiveadjective→ relational specificationπάσης: meaning 'every'; it serves as adjective.
ψυχῆςsoul / living beingGenitivegenitive (covenant party: all living beings)→ relational specificationψυχῆς: meaning 'soul'; it serves as genitive (covenant party: all living beings).
ζώσηςlivingPres Act Ptcp Gen Sg Fem · ζάωattributive participle→ gnomic present participleζάω: meaning 'living'; it contributes descriptive or attendant verbal force; here it functions as attributive participle.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
πάσῃallDativeadjective→ sphere or referenceπάσῃ: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective.
σαρκὶfleshDativedative of sphere (all animate creatures)→ sphere or referenceσαρκὶ: meaning 'flesh'; it serves as dative of sphere (all animate creatures).
ἥwhich / thatNominativerelative pronoun (referring to σαρκί: which is upon the earth)→ participant referenceἥ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (referring to σαρκί: which is upon the earth).
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative: upon the earth)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative: upon the earth).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive of location→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive of location.
17

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεὸς τῷ Νωε· Τοῦτο τὸ σημεῖον τῆς διαθήκης, ἣν διεθέμην ἀνὰ μέσον ἐμοῦ καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον πάσης σαρκὸς ἥ ἐστιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς.

And God said to Noah: 'This is the sign of the covenant which I have made between me and between all flesh that is upon the earth.'

Covenant summary / formal closureκαὶ εἶπεν
The covenant section is formally closed with a summary declaration echoing v.12. The verb διεθέμην (Aor Mid of διατίθημι, 'to establish a covenant/disposition') is the technical term for covenant-making, directly related to διαθήκη — 'the covenant that I covenanted.' The section thus closes with the word-root of the covenant term: God has established (διεθέμην) the covenant (διαθήκη).
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (closing the covenant section)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as subject.
τῷtoDativearticle (dative of indirect object)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΝωεNoahindeclinable proper noun, dative of indirect object→ participant identificationΝωε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, dative of indirect object.
ΤοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun, subject→ participant referenceΤοῦτο: meaning 'this'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative pronoun, subject.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σημεῖονsignNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceσημεῖον: meaning 'sign'; it serves as predicate nominative.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηςcovenantGenitivegenitive of relation→ relational specificationδιαθήκη: seventh and final occurrence in the covenant passage (vv.8–17).
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative: direct object of διεθέμην)→ participant referenceἣν: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (accusative: direct object of διεθέμην).
διεθέμηνI have made / I covenantedAor Mid Indic 1 Sg · διατίθημιverb of relative clause (God as covenant-maker, with cognate-object construction)→ constative aorist (single decisive act of covenant-making)διατίθημι: 'arrange, dispose, make a covenant / testament'; the middle voice is the standard form for covenant-making in the LXX (cf. Gen 15:18; Exod 24:8; Jer 31:31–34; Heb 8:10; 10:16). The cognate accusative construction ἣν διεθέμην (the covenant that I covenanted) is a Hebraism of the absolute-infinitive pattern (כָּרַת … אֶת בְּרִית) making the covenant-act emphatic. The word διεθέμην shares the root with διαθήκη — the verse closes the section with a deliberate etymology: the covenant is what God 'disposed / arranged.'
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (with μέσον)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (with μέσον).
μέσονmiddleAccusativeadverbial accusative→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as adverbial accusative.
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive (God)→ relational specificationἐμοῦ: meaning 'me'; it serves as genitive (God).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (with μέσον)→ spatial or relational framingἀνὰ: meaning 'between'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition (with μέσον).
μέσονmiddleAccusativeadverbial accusative→ object specificationμέσον: meaning 'middle'; it serves as adverbial accusative.
πάσηςallGenitiveadjective→ relational specificationπάσης: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective.
σαρκὸςfleshGenitivegenitive (all flesh as covenant party)→ relational specificationσαρκὸς: meaning 'flesh'; it serves as genitive (all flesh as covenant party).
ἥwhichNominativerelative pronoun→ participant referenceἥ: meaning 'which'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause→ gnomic presentεἰμί: copula.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive of location→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive of location.
18

Ἦσαν δὲ οἱ υἱοὶ Νωε οἱ ἐξελθόντες ἐκ τῆς κιβωτοῦ Σημ, Χαμ, Ιαφεθ. Χαμ δὲ ἦν πατὴρ Χανααν.

Now the sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham, Japheth. And Ham was the father of Canaan.

Narrative transition / character introductionἮσαν δέ
The δέ marks a transition from the covenant section to the narrative. The three sons are listed, and immediately — in a parenthetical aside — Χαμ is identified as πατὴρ Χανααν. This proleptic note prepares the reader for the curse of v.25 and answers the puzzle of why Canaan rather than Ham is cursed: Canaan is Ham's progeny, the lineage through which the dishonour flows.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἮσανwereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (existential imperfect: setting the scene)→ descriptive imperfect (background state: this is who the sons were)εἰμί: the imperfect ἦσαν introduces the sons as established background characters after the covenant narrative — a narrative shift from direct divine speech to third-person narrative.
δὲnow / andtransitional particle (marking shift from covenant speech to narrative)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: mild adversative / transitional; marks the pivot from the covenant discourse to the narrative of Noah's sons.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as subject.
Νωεof Noahindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relation (whose sons they are)→ participant identificationΝωε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of relation (whose sons they are).
οἱthe ones whoNominativearticle (substantivizing the following participle)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξελθόντεςhaving come outAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl Masc · ἐξέρχομαιsubstantival / attributive participle (the ones who came out of the ark)→ constative aorist participle (the disembarking as the defining event)ἐξέρχομαι: 'come out'; the participial phrase οἱ ἐξελθόντες ἐκ τῆς κιβωτοῦ identifies the sons by the defining event — their emergence from the ark — underscoring that all post-flood humanity descends from these three. Compare Gen 10:1 (αἱ γενέσεις τῶν υἱῶν Νωε).
ἐκout of / frompreposition + genitive (separation: from the ark)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation: from the ark).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτοῦarkGenitivegenitive of separation→ relational specificationκιβωτοῦ: meaning 'ark'; it serves as genitive of separation.
ΣημShemindeclinable proper noun, predicate nominative (first son named)→ participant identificationΣημ: LXX form of Hebrew שֵׁם ('name'); traditionally the ancestor of the Semitic peoples; indeclinable in Greek.
ΧαμHamindeclinable proper noun, predicate nominative (second son)→ participant identificationΧαμ: LXX form of Hebrew חָם; traditionally ancestor of African / Egyptian peoples. Named second but singled out in the next clause — the list order anticipates the narrative's focus on his action.
ΙαφεθJaphethindeclinable proper noun, predicate nominative (third son)→ participant identificationΙαφεθ: LXX form of Hebrew יֶפֶת; traditionally ancestor of Indo-European / northern peoples; the subject of the wordplay-blessing in 9:27.
ΧαμHamindeclinable proper noun, subject of second sentence→ participant identificationΧαμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject of second sentence.
δὲand / nowtransitional particle (introducing the critical aside about Ham)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (existential: establishing Ham's defining relationship)→ descriptive imperfect (background state)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): the copula of the name-gloss.
πατὴρfatherNominativepredicate nominative (Ham's role as Canaan's father)→ participant prominenceπατήρ: the proleptic identification of Ham as Canaan's father is theologically pivotal — when Noah later curses Canaan (v.25), the reader already understands the genealogical connection, making the displacement of the curse (onto the son rather than the guilty father) narratively comprehensible.
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relation (whose father Ham is)→ participant identificationΧανααν: LXX form of Hebrew כְּנַעַן; the land and people later dispossessed by Israel; the curse of v.25 — παῖς οἰκέτης — will apply to these Canaanites, making this genealogical aside a theological and political statement about the Canaanite peoples from the LXX's perspective.
19

Τρεῖς οὗτοί εἰσιν οἱ υἱοὶ Νωε· ἀπὸ τούτων διεσπάρησαν ἐπὶ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν.

These three are the sons of Noah; from these the whole earth was scattered.

Summary / table-of-nations bridgeΤρεῖς οὗτοί
A brief narrative summary bridging from the named sons to the implications of their scattering. The passive διεσπάρησαν ('were scattered') renders Hebrew נָפְצָה (Niphal of נָפַץ, 'spread out'); the passive frames the scattering as an event, without specifying the agent — it looks ahead to the Table of Nations in Gen 10.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
ΤρεῖςthreeNominativepredicate numeral (number of sons)→ measure or countΤρεῖς: meaning 'three'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
οὗτοίtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun, subject→ participant referenceοὗτοί: meaning 'these'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as demonstrative pronoun, subject.
εἰσινarePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (equative: identifying the three as Noah's sons)→ gnomic present (permanent identification)εἰμί: see v.11.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceυἱοὶ: meaning 'sons'; it serves as predicate nominative.
Νωεof Noahindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relation→ participant identificationΝωε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of relation.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source / origin)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source / origin).
τούτωνtheseGenitivegenitive of origin (from these three — all humanity derives)→ relational specificationτούτων: meaning 'these'; it serves as genitive of origin (from these three — all humanity derives).
διεσπάρησανwere scatteredAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · διασπείρωmain verb (passive: the scattering of humanity over the earth)→ constative aorist (the single great scattering event)διασπείρω: 'scatter, disperse'; renders Hebrew נָפְצָה; the noun διασπορά ('Diaspora') is cognate — the verb here encapsulates the ethnographic claim: from Noah's three sons all humanity dispersed. The verb recurs in the NT for the dispersal of believers (Acts 8:1, 4; 11:19).
ἐπὶover / acrosspreposition + accusative (direction of scattering)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of scattering).
πᾶσανallAccusativeadjective (universal scope)→ object specificationπᾶσαν: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (universal scope).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνearthAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the whole earth as the scope of scattering)→ object specificationγῆν: meaning 'earth'; it serves as accusative object of ἐπί (the whole earth as the scope of scattering).
20

Καὶ ἤρξατο Νωε ἄνθρωπος γεωργὸς γῆς καὶ ἐφύτευσεν ἀμπελῶνα.

And Noah began — a man, a tiller of the soil — and planted a vineyard.

Narrative resumption / new episode introductionΚαὶ ἤρξατο
The verse opens the vineyard episode. Noah is introduced with the appositive phrase ἄνθρωπος γεωργὸς γῆς ('a man, a tiller of the ground'), echoing the Adamic identity of Gen 3:23 (ἐργάζεσθαι τὴν γῆν) and the naming-oracle of 5:29 ('this one will comfort us from the toil of our hands and the ground which the Lord God cursed'). The resumed agricultural work after the flood is a marker of new-creation normalcy — but the vineyard will immediately bring trouble.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing parataxis: new episode)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤρξατοbeganAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἄρχωmain verb (ingressive: Noah begins a new activity)→ ingressive aorist (the onset of Noah's agricultural career)ἄρχω: 'begin'; the middle ἤρξατο ('he began') renders Hebrew וַיָּחֶל (Hiphil of חָלַל or Qal of יָחַל); the same construction — ἤρξατο + infinitive — marks the beginning of new narrative phases in Genesis (cf. 4:26; 6:1; 9:20; 11:6).
ΝωεNoahindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΝωε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.
ἄνθρωποςa man / personNominativeappositive to Νωε (first element of double appositive: identifying Noah's humanity)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'human being'; anarthrous, functioning as a character descriptor. The double appositive ἄνθρωπος γεωργὸς γῆς ('a man, a tiller of the ground') renders Hebrew אִישׁ הָאֲדָמָה ('a man of the ground'); the first noun stresses humanity, the second vocation. The echo of Gen 3:23 (Adam expelled to till the ground) and 4:2 (Cain an ἐργαζόμενος τὴν γῆν) is deliberate.
γεωργὸςfarmer / tillerNominativeappositive to Νωε (second element: specifying occupation)→ participant prominenceγεωργός: 'farmer, agricultural worker'; renders Hebrew הָאֲדָמָה (in construct: 'man of the ground'); the compound γεω- (earth) + ἐργ- (work) captures the sense perfectly. The same word appears in the Parable of the Tenants (Matt 21:33–41) and in John 15:1 (God as ὁ γεωργός).
γῆςof the ground / earthGenitivegenitive of relation / object (farmer of the ground — what he tills)→ relational specificationγῆ: the genitive γῆς specifies the sphere of γεωργός's work; together, γεωργὸς γῆς is a rendering of the Hebrew אִישׁ הָאֲדָמָה that preserves the adamah/adam wordplay subterraneanly, though the Greek γεωργὸς γῆς lacks the phonological echo.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (narrating Noah's first action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐφύτευσενplantedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · φυτεύωmain verb (the specific agricultural act: planting a vineyard)→ constative aorist (single completed act of planting)φυτεύω: 'plant'; renders Hebrew וַיִּטַּע; the same verb is used in the parable tradition (Matt 21:33; Luke 13:6; 20:9), and the Noah vineyard is the primeval archetype of the vineyard in biblical imagery. The planting of a vineyard after surviving the flood recalls the Song of Songs' vineyard and Isaiah's vineyard parable (Isa 5:1–7).
ἀμπελῶναvineyardAccusativedirect object of ἐφύτευσεν→ object specificationἀμπελών: 'vineyard'; renders Hebrew כָּרֶם; the first vineyard in Scripture. The planting of a vineyard marks a transition to a more settled, agricultural mode of civilization — and introduces the wine (οἶνος) that will immediately create a moral crisis.
21

καὶ ἔπιεν ἐκ τοῦ οἴνου καὶ ἐμεθύσθη καὶ ἐγυμνώθη ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτοῦ.

And he drank of the wine and became drunk and was uncovered in his house.

Narrative complicationκαὶ ἔπιεν
Three aorists in rapid succession narrate the crisis: he drank, he became drunk, he was uncovered. The passive ἐγυμνώθη ('was uncovered / became naked') echoes the Eden narrative (Gen 2:25 ἦσαν γυμνοί; 3:7, 10, 11 γυμνός) — the same vocabulary of nakedness and shame is reactivated after the flood's new creation. The 'house' (οἶκος) is the tent (הָאֹהֶל in MT).
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔπιενdrankAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πίνωmain verb (first in a three-verb narrative sequence)→ constative aorist (single act)πίνω: 'drink'; renders Hebrew וַיֵּשְׁתְּ; the drinking of the vineyard's first wine inaugurates the crisis.
ἐκof / frompreposition + genitive (partitive: he drank some of the wine)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive: he drank some of the wine).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴνουwineGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (partitive: some of the wine)→ relational specificationοἶνος: 'wine'; renders Hebrew יַיִן; the first mention of wine in the OT narrative. The drinking is not depicted as sinful in itself but as the occasion for what follows — the text is descriptive, not condemnatory of wine per se.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐμεθύσθηbecame drunkAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · μεθύσκωmain verb (second: ingressive aorist — onset of drunkenness)→ ingressive aorist (the onset of the intoxicated state)μεθύσκω: 'make drunk / become drunk'; renders Hebrew וַיִּשְׁכַּר; the passive ἐμεθύσθη is intransitive/reflexive ('became drunk'). The resulting incapacitation is the condition that enables the following episode.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγυμνώθηwas uncovered / became nakedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γυμνόωmain verb (third: the crisis — nakedness exposed)→ resultant aorist (the state of nakedness as a result of the drunkenness)γυμνόω: 'strip, lay bare, expose'; renders Hebrew וַיִּתְגַּל ('he uncovered himself'); the passive form is ambiguous — it may mean 'he was stripped' (accidentally, or by someone) or 'he became uncovered' (fell asleep uncovered). Either way, the vocabulary γυμνόω / γυμνός is the exact Eden-nakedness terminology (Gen 2:25; 3:7, 10, 11 LXX), deliberately reactivating the Eden shame motif.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in his house / tent)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in his house / tent).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκῳhouse / tentDativedative of location→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house, dwelling'; renders Hebrew אֹהֶל ('tent'); LXX renders the Hebrew tent as 'house,' generalising the dwelling. The nakedness happens in a private domestic space, making Ham's entry and seeing a transgression of domestic privacy.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
22

καὶ εἶδεν Χαμ ὁ πατὴρ Χανααν τὴν γύμνωσιν τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐξελθὼν ἀνήγγειλεν τοῖς δυσὶν ἀδελφοῖς αὐτοῦ ἔξω.

And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and went out and reported it to his two brothers outside.

Transgression narratedκαὶ εἶδεν
The act is narrated with stark economy: Ham 'saw' (εἶδεν) and 'reported' (ἀνήγγειλεν) the nakedness. The 'seeing' of nakedness in the OT is often sexually fraught (cf. Lev 18:6–19 where 'uncovering nakedness' = sexual violation). The text does not specify what Ham did, which has generated extensive interpretive tradition. The notice 'father of Canaan' (repeated from v.18) links the transgression directly to the genealogical line that will bear the curse.
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 (the transgressive act: looking at the father's nakedness)→ constative aorist (single act with consequential weight)ὁράω: 'see'; renders Hebrew וַיַּרְא; the seeing of parental nakedness in Levitical law code (Lev 18:7–8) implies sexual transgression. Whether the LXX here intends simply 'looking' or something more is deliberately ambiguous — the text provides no more than εἶδεν.
ΧαμHamindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΧαμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with πατήρ: appositional)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατὴρfatherNominativeappositive to Χαμ (identifying him by his relation to the cursed line)→ participant prominenceπατήρ: the repetition of the appositive ὁ πατὴρ Χανααν (already used in v.18) is emphatic and deliberate — it keeps the Canaan-connection in view at the moment of transgression, clarifying why Canaan bears the curse.
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relation→ participant identificationΧανααν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of relation.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γύμνωσινnakednessAccusativedirect object of εἶδεν (what Ham saw)→ object specificationγύμνωσις: 'nakedness, exposure'; renders Hebrew עֶרְוָת (construct: 'nakedness of'); this noun (rather than the adjective γυμνός) is the LXX's preferred term in the Levitical nakedness laws (Lev 18:6–19 uses ἀποκαλύψαι ἀσχημοσύνην / ἀποκαλύψαι τὴν γύμνωσιν alternately).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive (whose nakedness it was — objective genitive)→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; the nakedness of a father carries the full weight of the parent–child honour code; looking at it — far less publicising it — is a profound violation.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξελθὼνhaving gone outAor Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἐξέρχομαιattendant circumstance participle (he left and then reported)→ attendant circumstance aorist (sequential action preceding the main verb)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out'; the departure from the tent precedes the public announcement — Ham's choice to go and tell, rather than cover, is the moral failure.
ἀνήγγειλενreported / announcedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb (the act of publicising the father's shame)→ constative aoristἀναγγέλλω: 'report, announce, declare'; renders Hebrew וַיַּגֵּד ('and he told'); the prefix ἀνα- intensifies the reporting — a public declaration. Ham brings the matter outside the private space of the tent into the social sphere of his brothers, publicising his father's dishonour.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ἀδελφοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δυσὶνtwoDativenumeral adjective (modifying ἀδελφοῖς)→ sphere or referenceδυσὶν: meaning 'two'; it serves as numeral adjective (modifying ἀδελφοῖς).
ἀδελφοῖςbrothersDativedative of indirect object (the ones Ham told)→ sphere or referenceἀδελφοῖς: meaning 'brothers'; it serves as dative of indirect object (the ones Ham told).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἔξωoutsideadverb of place (the brothers are outside the tent)→ clausal contributionἔξω: 'outside'; the adverb marks the spatial contrast: Ham moves from inside (where he saw) to outside (where he tells) — from private witness to public disclosure.
23

Καὶ λαβόντες Σημ καὶ Ιαφεθ τὸ ἱμάτιον ἐπέθεντο ἐπὶ τὰ δύο νῶτα αὐτῶν καὶ ἐπορεύθησαν ὀπισθοφανῶς καὶ συνεκάλυψαν τὴν γύμνωσιν τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν· τὸ δὲ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν ὀπισθοφανές, καὶ τὴν γύμνωσιν τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτῶν οὐκ εἶδον.

And Shem and Japheth took the garment and laid it upon both their backs and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father; and their face was turned backward, and they did not see the nakedness of their father.

Filial piety contrasted with Ham's transgressionΚαὶ λαβόντες
The contrasting action of Shem and Japheth is narrated with attention to their posture: they walked ὀπισθοφανῶς ('facing backward') and covered their father without seeing him. The rare adverb ὀπισθοφανῶς (and the corresponding adjective ὀπισθοφανές) is an unusual LXX word that underscores the intentional avoidance of sight — a deliberate moral counter to Ham's looking.
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
Καὶandnarrative conjunction (contrasting with Ham's action)→ discourse linkage or contrastΚαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λαβόντεςhaving takenAor Act Ptcp Nom Pl Masc · λαμβάνωattendant circumstance participle (took the garment, then put it)→ attendant circumstance aorist participleλαμβάνω: 'take'; the participle indicates the preparatory action before the covering.
ΣημShemindeclinable proper noun, subject (joint agent)→ participant identificationΣημ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject (joint agent).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (joint subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΙαφεθJaphethindeclinable proper noun, subject (joint agent with Σημ)→ participant identificationΙαφεθ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject (joint agent with Σημ).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱμάτιονgarment / cloakAccusativedirect object of λαβόντες→ object specificationἱμάτιον: 'garment, cloak'; renders Hebrew הַשִּׂמְלָה ('the garment'); the instrument of covering — an outer garment laid across their backs and used to cover Noah. The same word group underlies the NT's garment metaphors (cf. Rev 3:4–5, 18).
ἐπέθεντοplaced upon / laidAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb (the act of placing the garment on their backs)→ constative aoristἐπιτίθημι: 'put upon, place upon'; the middle voice ἐπέθεντο emphasises their joint, deliberate action — they placed it on themselves (across their own backs) in preparation for the backward walk.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction: placed upon their backs)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: placed upon their backs).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δύοtwoAccusativenumeral adjective (both their backs — the garment is spread across both)→ measure or countδύο: meaning 'two'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
νῶταbacksAccusativeaccusative (what the garment was placed upon)→ object specificationνῶτος: 'back'; renders Hebrew שִׁכְמָם ('their shoulders'); the garment is draped across both brothers' shoulders/backs, held between them as they walk backward — a carefully choreographed covering act.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθησανwentAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · πορεύομαιmain verb (the deliberate backward movement toward the father)→ constative aoristπορεύομαι: 'go'; deponent passive form; renders Hebrew וַיֵּלְכוּ ('and they went').
ὀπισθοφανῶςbackward / facing backwardadverb of manner (how they walked: facing backward to avoid seeing)→ clausal contributionὀπισθοφανῶς: 'facing backward, with the face turned back'; a rare LXX compound (ὄπισθεν 'behind' + φαίνω 'appear/face'); renders Hebrew אֲחֹרַנִּית ('backward'). The word appears only here and in the next clause (as the adjective ὀπισθοφανές) in the LXX — a deliberate choice to underline the moral contrast with Ham's uninhibited looking.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συνεκάλυψανcoveredAor Act Indic 3 Pl · συγκαλύπτωmain verb (the climactic act of covering the father's nakedness)→ constative aorist (the decisive act of covering)συγκαλύπτω: 'cover completely'; the compound συν- intensifies the covering — 'cover up together'; renders Hebrew וַיְכַסּוּ. The complete covering restores the father's honour.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γύμνωσινnakednessAccusativedirect object (what was covered)→ object specificationγύμνωσιν: meaning 'nakedness'; it serves as direct object (what was covered).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive (whose nakedness was covered)→ relational specificationπατρὸς: meaning 'father'; it serves as genitive (whose nakedness was covered).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with πρόσωπον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲand / nowmild adversative (introducing the narrative aside on their face)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πρόσωπονfaceNominativesubject of the aside (their faces were turned backward)→ participant prominenceπρόσωπον: 'face'; the narrator specifies the orientation of their faces as a confirmation that they did not look — the face (πρόσωπον) was ὀπισθοφανές (backward-facing).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὀπισθοφανέςturned backward / facing awayNominativepredicate adjective (their face was facing backward)→ participant prominenceὀπισθοφανής: 'backward-facing'; the adjective form of the adverb used above; the narrator's aside confirms the brothers' intention — their faces were physically turned away.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (final confirming negative)→ 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.
γύμνωσινnakednessAccusativedirect object of οὐκ εἶδον (what they explicitly did not see)→ object specificationγύμνωσιν: meaning 'nakedness'; it serves as direct object of οὐκ εἶδον (what they explicitly did not see).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρὸςfatherGenitivegenitive→ relational specificationπατρὸς: meaning 'father'; it serves as genitive.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
οὐκnotnegation→ clausal qualification or emphasisοὐκ: meaning 'not'; it negates or qualifies the assertion of the clause.
εἶδονthey sawAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (negated: they did not see — the explicit contrast with Ham's εἶδεν in v.22)→ constative aorist (negated: the non-seeing as a deliberate moral act)ὁράω: 'see'; the negated aorist οὐκ εἶδον stands in direct antithetical parallelism with εἶδεν Χαμ (v.22) — the same verb, the same act denied. The moral contrast is stark and deliberate.
24

Ἐξένηψεν δὲ Νωε ἀπὸ τοῦ οἴνου καὶ ἔγνω ὅσα ἐποίησεν αὐτῷ ὁ υἱὸς αὐτοῦ ὁ νεώτερος.

And Noah sobered from the wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him.

Recovery and knowledgeἘξένηψεν δέ
The δέ marks the pivot: Noah recovers and learns what happened. The verb ἔγνω ('he knew') is comprehensive — the exact content of Ham's action is left unstated in the text, but Noah's knowledge of it triggers the curse. The phrase 'his youngest son' identifies Ham as the youngest, though later genealogical tradition sometimes treats Japheth as youngest.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
Ἐξένηψενsobered / became soberAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκνήφωmain verb (ingressive: the onset of sobriety)→ ingressive aorist (the onset of sobriety after drunkenness)ἐκνήφω: 'sober up, come to one's senses'; renders Hebrew וַיִּיקֶץ ('and he awoke'); the LXX paraphrases the Hebrew 'awoke from wine' with the more specific 'sobered from wine.' The compound ἐκ- ('out of') signals emergence from a state.
δὲand / nowtransitional particle→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΝωεNoahindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΝωε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (ablative: from the wine — the cause of the stupor)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (ablative: from the wine — the cause of the stupor).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴνουwineGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (that from which he sobered)→ relational specificationοἴνου: meaning 'wine'; it serves as genitive object of ἀπό (that from which he sobered).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔγνωhe knew / learnedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (Noah's knowledge of the transgression)→ ingressive aorist (coming to know what was done)γινώσκω: 'know, come to know'; renders Hebrew וַיֵּדַע; the aorist is ingressive — Noah 'came to know' (presumably from Shem and Japheth's report or from waking and perceiving). The knowledge is the trigger for the pronouncements that follow.
ὅσαwhat / all thatAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative: direct object of ἔγνω — what Noah learned)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much as, all that'; here introduces an indirect question-relative clause specifying the content of Noah's knowledge.
ἐποίησενhad doneAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause (what was done to Noah)→ constative aorist (the completed transgressive act)ποιέω: 'do'; the indefinite ὅσα ἐποίησεν ('what he had done') does not specify the act, preserving the narrative's studied ambiguity about the exact nature of Ham's transgression.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of disadvantage (done to Noah's detriment)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of disadvantage (done to Noah's detriment).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with υἱός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸςsonNominativesubject of relative clause (Ham identified as youngest son)→ participant prominenceυἱὸς: meaning 'son'; it serves as subject of relative clause (Ham identified as youngest son).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with νεώτερος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νεώτεροςyoungest / youngerNominativeadjective (superlative/comparative: identifying Ham as the youngest son)→ participant prominenceνέος / νεώτερος: 'young / younger / youngest'; renders Hebrew הַקָּטָן ('the small / youngest'); the superlative or elative use of the comparative form is a LXX-Greek feature. The identification of Ham as the youngest is narratively significant — the youngest dishonours the eldest, inverting the familial honour hierarchy.
25

καὶ εἶπεν· Ἐπικατάρατος Χανααν· παῖς οἰκέτης ἔσται τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτοῦ.

And he said: 'Cursed be Canaan; a household slave shall he be to his brothers.'

Curse pronouncementκαὶ εἶπεν
The curse is dramatically displaced: it falls on Χανααν, not on Χαμ. The LXX preserves this precisely (as does the MT). The double noun παῖς οἰκέτης ('a household slave') is emphatic — παῖς = 'boy / slave'; οἰκέτης = 'household servant / domestic slave.' The double term reinforces the degraded status. The curse is addressed to Canaan directly, as a prophetic pronouncement of future social status.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction: Noah's prophetic pronouncement)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ἘπικατάρατοςcursedNominativepredicate adjective (verbless curse formula: 'Canaan is cursed')→ participant prominenceἐπικατάρατος: 'cursed'; renders Hebrew אָרוּר ('cursed'); the compound ἐπι- intensifies the curse — 'thoroughly cursed.' The LXX uses this term in the formulaic curse-pronouncements of Deut 27–28; cf. Gal 3:10, 13 where Paul cites LXX Deut 27:26 (ἐπικατάρατος πᾶς ὃς οὐκ ἐμμένει …) — the curse formula is a fixed LXX expression.
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun, subject of the curse (who is cursed)→ participant identificationΧανααν: the curse falls on Canaan, not Ham — the reason for this displacement has generated extensive comment. One explanation: Canaan is already cursed proleptically because Ham's act may have involved Canaan in some way; another: the curse functions as a theological warrant for Israel's later conquest and dispossession of Canaan. The LXX preserves the MT's focus on Canaan without attempting to resolve the puzzle.
παῖςslave / servant / boyNominativepredicate nominative (first element of double noun: what Canaan shall be)→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'boy, slave, servant'; renders Hebrew עֶבֶד ('slave'); the double noun παῖς οἰκέτης renders the single Hebrew עֶבֶד with a double term that emphasises the servile, domestic-household dimension of the status. Cf. the same word used in NT of the servant/slave of a master (Matt 8:6–13 — the centurion's παῖς).
οἰκέτηςhousehold slave / domestic servantNominativepredicate nominative (second element: specifying domestic servitude)→ participant prominenceοἰκέτης: 'household slave, domestic servant'; from οἶκος ('house'); the term specifies a slave within a household — a domestic rather than a field slave. The double term παῖς οἰκέτης renders a single Hebrew word with compounded emphasis, stressing the degraded status in vivid terms.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (prophetic future: the curse as a prediction of social destiny)→ predictive / prophetic future (the curse constitutes the future reality)εἰμί: the future ἔσται gives the curse a prophetic-predictive force — Noah is pronouncing what Canaan's social status will be, as a patriarch's blessing or curse is understood in Genesis to be effective and irreversible.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with ἀδελφοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοῖςbrothersDativedative (to whom Canaan will be a slave: his brothers = Shem and Japheth's lines)→ sphere or referenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; the brothers are Shem and Japheth's descendants — Canaan's subservience is to their lineages. The curse has been read historically as a warrant for Israelite (Shem's line) domination of Canaan.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Canaan's brothers)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Canaan's brothers).
26

καὶ εἶπεν· Εὐλογητὸς κύριος ὁ θεὸς τοῦ Σημ, καὶ ἔσται Χανααν παῖς αὐτοῦ.

And he said: 'Blessed be the LORD God of Shem, and Canaan shall be his slave.'

Blessing of Shemκαὶ εἶπεν
The blessing of Shem is notably indirect — God himself (κύριος ὁ θεὸς τοῦ Σημ, 'the LORD God of Shem') is blessed, not Shem directly. This formulation makes Shem's greatness a consequence of his special relationship with YHWH — Shem's blessing is theological, not merely material. The repeated curse of Canaan ('Canaan shall be his slave') confirms the threefold curse pattern of vv.25, 26, 27.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech introduction: second prophetic pronouncement)→ constative aoristεἶπεν: verbal form rendered 'said' here; its aspect and clause role are specified by the parse and syntax fields.
ΕὐλογητὸςblessedNominativepredicate adjective (doxological blessing formula: verbless)→ participant prominenceεὐλογητός: 'blessed, praised'; renders Hebrew בָּרוּךְ ('blessed'); the verbal adjective with passive sense ('worthy of praise'). This form is used in LXX doxologies (cf. Ps 67:19 LXX; Gen 14:20; Luke 1:68; 2 Cor 1:3; Eph 1:3) — always of God being praised, never of humans receiving blessing (where εὐλογημένος is used instead). The blessing is directed toward God in relation to Shem, making Shem's greatness derivative of divine election.
κύριοςLordNominativesubject of the blessing (God as the one blessed/praised)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the use of κύριος (the LXX's standard rendering of יְהוָה) for Shem's God is theologically significant — it identifies Shem's lineage as the line through which YHWH will be particularly known and worshipped. This is the first connection of the divine name κύριος with a specific patrilineal strand, anticipating the Abrahamic election.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativeappositive to κύριος→ participant prominenceθεὸς: meaning 'God'; it serves as appositive to κύριος.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with Σημ: genitive of relation)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣημShemindeclinable proper noun, genitive of relation (whose God YHWH is)→ participant identificationΣημ: the identification of YHWH as specifically 'the God of Shem' (κύριος ὁ θεὸς τοῦ Σημ) has deep significance — it establishes the Semitic (Shemitic) peoples as the line of divine self-disclosure, a typological pointer toward Abraham, Israel, and eventually the NT's understanding of Jesus as the seed of Abraham (Shem's descendant).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (introducing the repeated curse on Canaan)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (prophetic future: the curse repeated)→ predictive / prophetic futureεἰμί (fut.): copula.
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun, subject (the cursed one, repeated)→ participant identificationΧανααν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject (the cursed one, repeated).
παῖςslaveNominativepredicate nominative (second curse occurrence: the curse is repeated after Shem's blessing)→ participant prominenceπαῖς: only one noun this time, not the double παῖς οἰκέτης of v.25; the single term in vv.26–27 may indicate a slight degree less of emphasis than the double in v.25, though the curse itself is equivalent.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (slave of Shem / Shem's line)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (slave of Shem / Shem's line).
27

πλατύναι ὁ θεὸς τῷ Ιαφεθ, καὶ κατοικησάτω ἐν τοῖς οἴκοις τοῦ Σημ, καὶ γενηθήτω Χανααν παῖς αὐτῶν.

May God make room for Japheth, and may he dwell in the houses of Shem, and may Canaan become their slave.

Blessing of Japhethπλατύναι
The blessing of Japheth is expressed in optative / jussive forms (πλατύναι … κατοικησάτω … γενηθήτω). Crucially, πλατύναι ὁ θεὸς τῷ Ιαφεθ ('may God make wide/broad for Japheth') renders Hebrew יַפְתְּ אֱלֹהִים לְיֶפֶת, where the verb יַפְתְּ (expand/enlarge) puns on the name יֶפֶת (Japheth). The LXX uses πλατύνω (to broaden) which carries no phonological resemblance to Ιαφεθ — the Hebrew wordplay is entirely lost in Greek translation. This is flagged as a major translation crux.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
πλατύναιmay he make broad / make roomAor Act Opt 3 Sg · πλατύνωmain verb (optative of wish: the blessing of Japheth)→ optative of wish (expressing a benedictory hope / prayer)πλατύνω: 'broaden, make wide / spacious, make room'; renders Hebrew יַפְתְּ (Hiphil of פָּתָה or פָּתַח, 'open / enlarge'); the LXX choice of πλατύνω renders the semantic content (spatial enlargement) but entirely loses the phonological pun יַפְתְּ / יֶפֶת that is the verse's primary literary feature in Hebrew. In Greek, πλατύνω bears no resemblance to Ιαφεθ; the wordplay is a Hebrew-only feature. Cf. the same root in Ps 118:32 LXX (ἐπλάτυνας τὴν καρδίαν μου, 'you broadened my heart') and Isa 54:2 (πλάτυνον τὸν τόπον τῆς σκηνῆς σου, 'broaden the space of your tent').
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός: subject of optative)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of optative (God as the one who enlarges Japheth)→ participant prominenceθεός: note that Japheth's blessing invokes ὁ θεός (generic 'God'), not κύριος ὁ θεός as for Shem — a subtle distinction that may reflect the different theological relationship of the two lineages.
τῷforDativearticle (dative of advantage with Ιαφεθ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙαφεθJaphethindeclinable proper noun, dative of advantage (God enlarges for Japheth's benefit)→ participant identificationΙαφεθ: the name in the dative construction τῷ Ιαφεθ does not echo πλατύναι in Greek — the Hebrew etymological play (יַפְתְּ … יֶפֶת) is phonologically untranslatable. This is one of the clearest examples in the Pentateuch of the LXX translator's inability to reproduce a Hebrew pun: the Greek reader receives no hint that the verb was chosen because it sounds like the name.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (second jussive: dwelling in Shem's tents)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατοικησάτωlet him dwellAor Act Impv 3 Sg · κατοικέωimperative (jussive 3rd singular: wish / command for Japheth's dwelling)→ jussive / precative imperative (a blessing expressed as a command)κατοικέω: 'dwell, inhabit, settle'; the subject is ambiguous — either Japheth (he shall dwell in the houses of Shem) or God (God shall dwell in the tents of Shem). Most modern interpreters take Japheth as the subject: Japheth's peoples will eventually dwell in Shem's territories. An alternative reading (patristic tradition including Irenaeus and Justin Martyr) takes God as the subject, treating the verse as a prophecy of the Incarnation — God dwelling among the Semitic peoples.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative: in the houses of Shem)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative: in the houses of Shem).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκοιςhouses / tentsDativedative of location (the dwelling place of Shem's line)→ sphere or referenceοἶκος: 'house / dwelling'; renders Hebrew אֹהֳלֵי ('tents') — the LXX renders 'tents of Shem' as 'houses of Shem,' using the post-nomadic, urbanised term.
τοῦofGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣημShemindeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession (Shem's tents / houses)→ participant identificationΣημ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession (Shem's tents / houses).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (third repetition of curse on Canaan)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γενηθήτωlet … becomeAor Pass Impv 3 Sg · γίνομαιimperative (jussive: the curse on Canaan expressed as a command/wish)→ jussive / precative imperative (the curse as a pronounced destiny)γίνομαι: 'become'; the jussive γενηθήτω ('let him become') frames the curse as a wished-for / declared destiny. The threefold repetition of the Canaan-curse (vv.25, 26, 27) creates a formal solemn pattern: every major pronouncement ends with Canaan's servitude.
ΧαναανCanaanindeclinable proper noun, subject (third and final Canaan-curse)→ participant identificationΧανααν: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject (third and final Canaan-curse).
παῖςslaveNominativepredicate nominative (what Canaan shall become — third curse)→ participant prominenceπαῖς: meaning 'slave'; it serves as predicate nominative (what Canaan shall become — third curse).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (slave of them — Shem and Japheth's lines)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: the shift from singular αὐτοῦ ('his slave' — v.26, of Shem) to plural αὐτῶν ('their slave' — v.27, of both Shem and Japheth) universalises the curse: Canaan will serve both blessed lineages.
28

Ἔζησεν δὲ Νωε μετὰ τὸν κατακλυσμὸν τριακόσια πεντήκοντα ἔτη.

And Noah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty years.

Chronological notice (post-flood life span)Ἔζησεν δέ
The δέ marks the transition from the blessing/curse speech to the closing chronological data. The formulaic pattern ἔζησεν … ἔτη parallels the antediluvian genealogy of Gen 5, incorporating Noah into the primeval lifespan tradition and preparing for the final death notice of v.29.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
ἜζησενlivedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ζάωmain verb (chronological statement: length of post-flood life)→ constative aorist (the total span of post-flood life treated as a single completed period)ζάω: 'live'; the aorist ἔζησεν is the standard LXX form for the lifespan formula of the patriarchal genealogies (Gen 5; 11); it treats the total years as a completed unit.
δὲand / nowtransitional particle (shifting to chronological summary)→ discourse linkage or contrastδὲ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΝωεNoahindeclinable proper noun, subject→ participant identificationΝωε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, subject.
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal: after the flood)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'after'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (temporal: after the flood).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατακλυσμὸνfloodAccusativeaccusative object of μετά (temporal: after the flood event)→ object specificationκατακλυσμός: the final occurrence of the flood term in the chapter; its appearance here situates the closing chronology within the flood-chapter's frame.
τριακόσιαthree hundredAccusativenumeral (first element of the post-flood lifespan)→ object specificationτριακόσια: meaning 'three hundred'; it serves as numeral (first element of the post-flood lifespan).
πεντήκονταfiftyAccusativenumeral (second element: 300 + 50 = 350 years)→ measure or countπεντήκοντα: meaning 'fifty'; numeral expression contributing count or measure in context.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of extent of time (the duration: 350 years after the flood)→ object specificationἔτος: 'year'; accusative of duration of time is the standard Greek construction for temporal extent; renders Hebrew שָׁנָה. Noah's post-flood life (350 years) exceeds the entire lifespans of later post-Babel patriarchs.
29

καὶ ἐγένοντο πᾶσαι αἱ ἡμέραι Νωε ἐννακόσια πεντήκοντα ἔτη, καὶ ἀπέθανεν.

And all the days of Noah were nine hundred and fifty years, and he died.

Formulaic death notice (closing the Noah narrative)καὶ ἐγένοντο
The verse reproduces the exact formula of Gen 5's antediluvian genealogy: καὶ ἐγένοντο πᾶσαι αἱ ἡμέραι … καὶ ἀπέθανεν. The death notice καὶ ἀπέθανεν ('and he died') is the final word of the Noah narrative before the Table of Nations. Noah's total lifespan of 950 years (600 before the flood + 350 after) places him among the longest-lived patriarchs — surpassed only by Methuselah (969 years, Gen 5:27).
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the total lifespan formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένοντοwere / becameAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (existential: the total days amounted to)→ constative aorist (the completed total span of life)γίνομαι: 'become, be'; the formula καὶ ἐγένοντο πᾶσαι αἱ ἡμέραι is the precise LXX rendering of the Hebrew וַיִּהְיוּ כָּל-יְמֵי ('and all the days of … were') — the antediluvian genealogy formula of Gen 5, reproduced here to incorporate Noah into the patriarchal chronology before the Table of Nations.
πᾶσαιallNominativeadjective (modifying ἡμέραι: all the days — the totality of Noah's life)→ participant prominenceπᾶσαι: meaning 'all'; it serves as adjective (modifying ἡμέραι: all the days — the totality of Noah's life).
αἱtheNominativearticle (with ἡμέραι)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubject of ἐγένοντο (Noah's total days = his lifespan)→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the phrase πᾶσαι αἱ ἡμέραι ('all the days') is a Hebraism for total lifespan — the same formula used for each antediluvian patriarch in Gen 5 (e.g., 5:5 ἐγένοντο πᾶσαι αἱ ἡμέραι Αδαμ, 5:8 Σηθ, etc.).
Νωεof Noahindeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession (whose days are counted)→ participant identificationΝωε: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as indeclinable proper noun, genitive of possession (whose days are counted).
ἐννακόσιαnine hundredNominativenumeral (first element of Noah's total lifespan)→ participant prominenceἐννακόσια: meaning 'nine hundred'; it serves as numeral (first element of Noah's total lifespan).
πεντήκονταfiftyNominativenumeral (second element: 900 + 50 = 950 years total)→ measure or countThe LXX gives 950 years as Noah's total lifespan, in agreement with the MT (תֵּשַׁע מֵאוֹת שָׁנָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים שָׁנָה = 950 years). This is one of the cases where the LXX and MT agree on the patriarchal lifespans (they diverge for many of the antediluvian patriarchs in Gen 5, where the LXX has different numbers, likely reflecting a distinct Vorlage).
ἔτηyearsNominativepredicate nominative (the total years of Noah's life)→ participant prominenceἔτος: 'year'; here nominative as predicate of ἐγένοντο ('were') rather than accusative of duration — the standard Gen 5 formula: 'all the days of X were Y years.'
καὶandnarrative conjunction (final word: the death notice)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέθανενhe diedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (death notice — formulaic close of the Noah narrative)→ constative aorist (the single fact of death as the punctuation of a life)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; καὶ ἀπέθανεν is the exact formulaic death-notice of Gen 5 (used for Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Methuselah, Lamech — Enoch is the exception). The two-word formula closes the Noah narrative with solemn finality: whatever was said about the covenant, the sign, the vineyard, the nakedness, and the blessings and curses — Noah died. The formula places him within the mortal lineage of humanity, and the chapter ends as Gen 5 ends: with a death.