1
καὶ Ιεριχω συγκεκλεισμένη καὶ ὠχυρωμένη καὶ οὐθεὶς ἐξεπορεύετο ἐξ αὐτῆς οὐδὲ εἰσεπορεύετο
And Jericho was shut up and fortified, and no one went out of it nor came in.
The chapter opens with a nominal/periphrastic clause: the perfect passive participles συγκεκλεισμένη ('having been shut up') and ὠχυρωμένη ('having been fortified') describe Jericho's settled state of total closure, with an implied 'was'. The καί-fronting of the place-name Ιεριχω foregrounds the city as the obstacle; the doubled clause 'no one went out … nor came in' (imperfects of customary action) stresses an absolute, ongoing blockade — the human impossibility against which the LORD's word in v. 2 will stand.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis, opening the episode)καί: the paratactic 'and' rendering Hebrew waw; here it opens the Jericho episode by fronting the city-name, a Hebraic word-order foregrounding the topic.
ΙεριχωJerichosubject (indeclinable place-name, fronted as topic)Ιεριχω: transliteration of Hebrew יְרִיחוֹ; indeclinable in the LXX (hence case ''); the fortified city guarding the approach into Canaan, the first conquest west of the Jordan and the showcase of conquest by faith (Heb 11:30).
συγκεκλεισμένηshut upPerf Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Fem Sg · συγκλείωpredicate participle (periphrastic perfect with implied ἦν: 'was shut up')→ resultative perfect (a settled, completed state of closure)συγκλείω: 'shut up / close completely / lock in'; the compound συν- intensifies the enclosure; renders Hebrew סֹגֶרֶת וּמְסֻגֶּרֶת; the perfect participle presents Jericho as fixed in a state of total lock-down before Israel, a humanly impregnable barrier.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the two predicate participles)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ὠχυρωμένηfortifiedPerf Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Fem Sg · ὀχυρόωpredicate participle (second member of the periphrastic perfect)→ resultative perfect (a settled state of fortification)ὀχυρόω: 'fortify / make strong / secure with defences'; from ὀχυρός ('strong, fortified'); paired with συγκεκλεισμένη it doubles the sense of impregnability — Jericho is both sealed and militarily strong, so that its fall can only be attributed to divine power.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the consequence clause)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
οὐθεὶςno oneNominativesubject (negative pronoun)οὐθείς: Hellenistic by-form of οὐδείς ('no one / nobody'), with -θ- common in the Koine and frequent in the LXX; the absolute negation underlines that the blockade was total — neither egress nor ingress was possible.
ἐξεπορεύετοwent outImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐκπορεύομαιmain verb (customary imperfect: 'used to go out')→ customary/iterative imperfect (an ongoing state of affairs)ἐκπορεύομαι: 'go out / proceed out'; the imperfect describes a habitual, continuing reality — the gates stayed shut, so going out had simply ceased; paired antithetically with εἰσεπορεύετο below.
ἐξout ofpreposition + genitive (source: 'out of it')ἐξ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτῆςitGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ (referring to Jericho, fem.)αὐτός: the feminine genitive αὐτῆς refers to Ιεριχω (cities are construed as feminine); 'out of it' = out of the shut-up city.
οὐδὲnornegative coordinate conjunction (correlating with οὐθείς)οὐδέ: 'and not / nor'; couples the second clause to the first, completing the merism of total closure — neither out nor in.
εἰσεπορεύετοcame inImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰσπορεύομαιmain verb (customary imperfect, parallel to ἐξεπορεύετο)→ customary/iterative imperfect (ongoing state of blockade)εἰσπορεύομαι: 'go in / enter'; the antithetical pair ἐξεπορεύετο … εἰσεπορεύετο ('went out … came in') is a Hebraic merism (יוֹצֵא וּבָא) for all normal traffic; its negation paints Jericho as hermetically sealed against Israel.
2
καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Ἰησοῦν ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ παραδίδωμι ὑποχείριόν σου τὴν Ιεριχω καὶ τὸν βασιλέα αὐτῆς τὸν ἐν αὐτῇ δυνατοὺς ὄντας ἐν ἰσχύι
And the LORD said to Joshua, 'Behold, I am giving into your hand Jericho and its king who is in it, who are mighty in strength.'
The standard LXX speech-formula introduces the decisive oracle. The deictic ἰδού and the emphatic ἐγώ thrust the LORD forward as sole agent; the present παραδίδωμι ('I am handing over') presents the gift of the city as already in progress — the conquest is announced as a fait accompli before the march even begins. The predicate accusative ὑποχείριόν σου ('subject to your hand') frames the whole campaign as the LORD's grant, not Israel's achievement.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single completed speech-act)λέγω: the aorist εἶπεν introduces direct YHWH-speech; the formula εἶπεν κύριος πρός marks unmediated divine address to the leader, as to Moses before (Exod 6:1) and now to his successor Joshua.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (divine speaker)κύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the nominative subject marks this as unmediated YHWH-speech — the battle-plan is the LORD's own.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἸησοῦνJoshuaAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (recipient of the oracle)Ἰησοῦς: the LXX form of Hebrew יְהוֹשֻׁעַ ('YHWH saves'); unlike the wholly indeclinable Semitic names, it is declined as a contract noun (gen. Ἰησοῦ, acc. Ἰησοῦν), hence the explicit accusative case; the same Greek name borne by Jesus, a typological link the early church exploited (cf. Heb 4:8).
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (drawing attention to the divine act)ἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders Hebrew הִנֵּה; a presentative deictic that heightens immediacy, here announcing the LORD's surrender of the city as a present reality before Joshua's eyes.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic first-person pronoun)ἐγώ: the emphatic personal pronoun stresses that YHWH himself is the giver of the city; the victory will be his act, not the army's — the theological key to the whole chapter (cf. Heb 11:30).
παραδίδωμιI am giving overPres Act Indic 1 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb (divine first-person announcement)→ futuristic/performative present (a grant announced as already underway)παραδίδωμι: 'hand over / deliver up / give into the power of'; renders Hebrew נָתַן בְּיָד; the present tense presents the conquest as already accomplished in the divine intention — Jericho is being handed over now, before a blow is struck; the same verb describes the LORD's giving of enemies throughout Joshua (cf. 8:1; 10:8).
ὑποχείριόνsubject (under hand)Accusativepredicate accusative (adjective: 'as subject to your hand')ὑποχείριος: 'under the hand / subject / in one's power'; a predicate accusative anticipating the object — 'I give Jericho (as something) under your hand'; renders the Hebrew בְּיָד idiom of total subjugation; the 'hand' is the seat of power, so the city passes wholly into Joshua's control.
σουyourGenitivegenitive (possessive, with ὑποχείριον: 'your hand')σύ: the genitive σου specifies whose 'hand' — Joshua's; the leader stands as the agent through whom the LORD's grant takes effect.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with the object Ιεριχω)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙεριχωJerichodirect object of παραδίδωμι (indeclinable; case carried by the article τήν)Ιεριχω: indeclinable place-name (hence case ''); though the noun is uninflected, the accusative article τήν marks it as the object being handed over — the city itself is the LORD's gift.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (adding the king to the object)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with βασιλέα)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βασιλέαkingAccusativedirect object (coordinate with Ιεριχω)βασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; Jericho's king is handed over with his city — the king-lists of Joshua (ch. 12) tally each defeated ruler, beginning here, as proof that the LORD subdues the rulers of Canaan.
αὐτῆςitsGenitivegenitive of possession ('its king')αὐτός: feminine genitive referring to Ιεριχω; the king belongs to the city now being surrendered.
τὸνthe (one)Accusativearticle (substantizing the prepositional phrase: 'the one in it')ὁ: the article + ἐν αὐτῇ forms an attributive phrase, 'the (king) who is in it,' locating the king within the besieged city.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτῇitDativedative object of ἐν (locative: 'in it')αὐτός: feminine dative referring to Jericho; 'who is in it' marks the king as trapped within his own shut-up stronghold.
δυνατοὺςmighty (men)Accusativepredicate accusative (with ὄντας: '(those) being mighty')δυνατός: 'mighty / powerful / capable in war'; substantized here for Jericho's warriors; renders גִּבּוֹרֵי הַחַיִל; the construction shifts to the plural to embrace the king's fighting force, all of whom are likewise handed over.
ὄνταςbeingPres Act Ptcp Acc Masc Pl · εἰμίcircumstantial participle (concessive/descriptive: 'though mighty in strength')→ descriptive present participle (characterizing the warriors' condition)εἰμί (ptcp.): 'being'; the participle with δυνατοὺς … ἐν ἰσχύι describes the defenders as men 'who are mighty in strength' — a concessive note underscoring that even Jericho's strongest are no obstacle to the LORD's grant.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (respect/sphere: 'in strength')ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἰσχύιstrengthDativedative of respect (with δυνατούς: 'mighty in strength')ἰσχύς: 'strength / might / force'; renders חַיִל; 'mighty in strength' magnifies the human power of Jericho's defenders precisely so that their fall may magnify the LORD who hands them over (cf. πεσεῖται αὐτόματα, v. 5).
3
σὺ δὲ περίστησον αὐτῇ τοὺς μαχίμους κύκλῳ
But you, station the fighting men around it in a circle.
The emphatic σὺ δέ ('but you') turns from the LORD's announced gift (v. 2) to Joshua's assigned task: he is to dispose the warriors around the city. The aorist imperative περίστησον commands a single decisive deployment; κύκλῳ ('round about') introduces the circular, processional motif that governs the whole chapter — the army does not assault but encircles.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic personal pronoun, contrastive)σύ: the emphatic 'you,' set against the LORD's 'I' of v. 2; the division of labor is explicit — the LORD gives the city, Joshua deploys the men.
δὲbutmild adversative / developmental particle (post-positive)δέ: post-positive; here marks the turn from divine declaration to human assignment within the same oracle.
περίστησονstation aroundAor Act Impv 2 Sg · περιΐστημιmain verb (divine command to Joshua)→ ingressive aorist imperative (a single decisive deployment)περιΐστημι: 'set/place around, station round about'; the transitive aorist 'cause to stand around'; the compound περι- prefigures the circular march; Joshua is to ring the city with troops, the disposition that becomes the daily procession.
αὐτῇaround itDativedative complement of περιΐστημι (the city encircled)αὐτός: feminine dative referring to Jericho; with περιΐστημι it marks the object encircled — the men are stationed 'around it.'
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with μαχίμους)τοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαχίμουςfighting menAccusativedirect object (warriors to be deployed)μάχιμος: 'fit for battle / warrior'; substantized adjective 'the fighting men'; renders the Hebrew אַנְשֵׁי הַמִּלְחָמָה / חָלוּץ; the same term recurs through the chapter (vv. 7, 9, 13) for the armed escort of the ark.
κύκλῳround aboutadverb (adverbial dative: 'in a circle, all around')κύκλῳ: dative of κύκλος used adverbially, 'round about / in a circle'; the keyword of the chapter's processional strategy — Israel will encircle (περιελθεῖν, κυκλῶσαι) rather than storm the wall, and κύκλῳ recurs at the climactic collapse (ἔπεσεν … τὸ τεῖχος κύκλῳ, v. 20).
5
καὶ ἔσται ὡς ἂν σαλπίσητε τῇ σάλπιγγι ἀνακραγέτω πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἅμα καὶ ἀνακραγόντων αὐτῶν πεσεῖται αὐτόματα τὰ τείχη τῆς πόλεως καὶ εἰσελεύσεται πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ὁρμήσας ἕκαστος κατὰ πρόσωπον εἰς τὴν πόλιν
And it shall be, when you sound the trumpet, let all the people shout together; and when they have shouted, the walls of the city shall fall of themselves, and all the people shall enter, each one rushing straight ahead into the city.
The LXX jumps from v. 3 to v. 5 — there is no verse 4 in the Greek (the MT's trumpet-rubric is not separately versified here). The formula καὶ ἔσται ὡς ἄν + subjunctive (rendering וְהָיָה כִּי / כְּ) frames the prophecy: at the trumpet-signal and the people's united shout, the walls will fall αὐτόματα ('of themselves'), and Israel will rush straight in. The adverbial-adjective αὐτόματα is the theological heart of the verse — the wall falls by no siege-engine but by divine act, the very 'falling' Heb 11:30 ascribes to faith.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the prophetic formula)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of the prophetic formula (καὶ ἔσται: 'and it shall come to pass')→ predictive future (introducing a certain future event)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): the formula καὶ ἔσται renders Hebrew וְהָיָה, the standard LXX opening of a temporal-conditional prophecy; it sets up the protasis (ὡς ἂν σαλπίσητε) and apodosis (the wall's fall) that follow.
ὡςwhentemporal conjunction (with ἄν + subjunctive: 'whenever / as soon as')ὡς: 'as / when'; with ἄν and the subjunctive it forms an indefinite temporal clause, 'when(ever) you sound'; renders the Hebrew כְּ / כִּי-temporal.
ἂν(whenever)modal particle (with subjunctive in indefinite temporal clause)ἄν: the modal particle that, with the subjunctive, gives the temporal clause its indefinite 'whenever' force — the exact moment is fixed by the signal, not the calendar.
σαλπίσητεyou sound the trumpetAor Act Subj 2 Pl · σαλπίζωverb of the temporal protasis (subjunctive with ὡς ἄν)→ aorist subjunctive (a single signal-act conceived as the trigger)σαλπίζω: 'sound the trumpet / give a blast'; denominative from σάλπιγξ; renders Hebrew תָּקַע בַּשּׁוֹפָר; the trumpet-blast is the cue that unleashes the shout — the liturgical, not military, signal that brings the wall down (cf. vv. 8, 13, 16, 20).
τῇtheDativearticle (with σάλπιγγι)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σάλπιγγιtrumpetDativedative of instrument (with σαλπίσητε: 'sound with the trumpet')σάλπιγξ: 'trumpet'; renders שׁוֹפָר (ram's-horn) / חֲצֹצְרָה; the cognate dative σαλπίσητε … τῇ σάλπιγγι ('blast with the trumpet') has a Hebraic ring; the seven trumpets borne by the priests (vv. 8, 13) are the chapter's signature instrument.
ἀνακραγέτωlet shoutAor Act Impv 3 Sg · ἀνακράζωmain verb of the apodosis (third-person command to the people)→ ingressive aorist imperative (raise the shout decisively)ἀνακράζω: 'cry out / shout aloud'; the compound ἀνα- ('up') gives the sense of a great upward shout; renders Hebrew הֵרִיעַ תְּרוּעָה; the war-shout here is not an assault-cry but the response of obedient faith to the trumpet, joined to the LORD's act of toppling the wall.
πᾶςallNominativeadjective (modifying ὁ λαός: 'all the people')πᾶς: 'all / whole'; the shout must be unanimous — πᾶς ὁ λαός, the whole people in one voice, a corporate act of faith.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἀνακραγέτωλαός: 'people'; the standard LXX term for Israel as covenant community (rendering עַם); the whole people, not the warriors alone, brings down the wall by its shout.
ἅμαtogetheradverb (manner: 'all at once, in unison')ἅμα: 'at the same time / together'; renders יַחַד; stresses the simultaneity of the shout — a single, unified cry, not a scattered noise (echoed at v. 20, ἠλάλαξεν … ἅμα).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the genitive-absolute clause)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνακραγόντωνhaving shoutedAor Act Ptcp Gen Masc Pl · ἀνακράζωgenitive absolute (temporal: 'when they have shouted')→ antecedent aorist participle (the shout precedes the wall's fall)ἀνακράζω (ptcp.): the genitive absolute ἀνακραγόντων αὐτῶν ('when they have shouted') makes the people's cry the antecedent condition; the fall of the wall follows directly upon the obedient shout — sequence, not cause-by-force.
αὐτῶνtheyGenitivesubject of the genitive absolute (referring to the people)αὐτός: genitive plural, the subject of the absolute construction — 'when they (the people) have shouted.'
πεσεῖταιshall fallFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb (the central prophecy: the wall's collapse)→ predictive future (the certain divine act of demolition)πίπτω: 'fall / collapse'; renders נָפַל; the singular agrees with the neuter-plural subject τὰ τείχη (Attic rule); this is the verb Heb 11:30 echoes (ἔπεσεν τὰ τείχη Ἰεριχώ) for the paradigm of conquest by faith; the OG announces it here as future and reports its fulfilment at v. 20.
αὐτόματαof themselvesNominativepredicate adjective (modifying τὰ τείχη: 'fall of their own accord')αὐτόματος: 'of itself / spontaneously / without external cause'; neuter plural agreeing with τὰ τείχη; the theological crux of the verse — the walls fall by no battering-ram or human force but 'of themselves,' i.e. by the unseen hand of God; the same word describes spontaneous, God-given growth at Mark 4:28 and Peter's miraculous release at Acts 12:10.
τὰtheNominativearticle (with τείχη)τὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τείχηwallsNominativesubject of πεσεῖται (neuter plural)τεῖχος: 'wall / city-wall / fortification'; renders חוֹמָה; the neuter plural τὰ τείχη ('the walls'); their fall is the single event the NT remembers as the triumph of faith (Heb 11:30); at v. 20 the singular ἅπαν τὸ τεῖχος reports the collapse of the whole circuit.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with πόλεως)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλεωςcityGenitivegenitive of possession ('the walls of the city')πόλις: 'city'; renders עִיר; 'the walls of the city' = Jericho's defences; πόλις recurs as the chapter's spatial focus, the object both of encircling and of the ban.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the consequence: the entry)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἰσελεύσεταιshall enterFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (consequence: the people's entry over the fallen wall)→ predictive future (the assured result of the collapse)εἰσέρχομαι: 'go in / enter'; renders בּוֹא; the singular agrees with the collective subject πᾶς ὁ λαός; with the wall flat, entry is immediate and unopposed — the fulfilment is narrated at v. 20 (ἀνέβη πᾶς ὁ λαὸς εἰς τὴν πόλιν).
πᾶςallNominativeadjective (with ὁ λαός: 'all the people')πᾶς: again the whole people; the same totality that shouted now enters, underscoring the corporate character of the conquest.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of εἰσελεύσεταιλαός: 'people'; see above; the repetition πᾶς ὁ λαός frames the verse (shout … enter) as the act of the whole congregation.
ὁρμήσαςrushingAor Act Ptcp Nom Masc Sg · ὁρμάωcircumstantial participle (manner: 'rushing in')→ coincident aorist participle (the manner of the entry)ὁρμάω: 'rush / charge / set off impetuously'; renders עָלָה / נָגַשׁ in headlong sense; the singular participle agrees with ἕκαστος, distributing the rush to each individual — a sudden, eager storming of the breached city.
ἕκαστοςeach oneNominativesubject of ὁρμήσας (distributive: 'each man')ἕκαστος: 'each / every one'; distributive pronoun; the entry is both corporate (πᾶς ὁ λαός) and individual (ἕκαστος) — every man charges straight ahead at the point before him.
κατὰstraight atpreposition + accusative (in the phrase κατὰ πρόσωπον: 'straight ahead')κατά + acc.: in the idiom κατὰ πρόσωπον, 'straight before one's face / directly ahead'; renders Hebrew נֶגֶד / אִישׁ נֶגְדּוֹ; each man rushes in at the nearest point of the fallen wall, without circuitous approach.
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (idiom: 'straight ahead, before one's face')πρόσωπον: 'face / front'; in κατὰ πρόσωπον the noun is idiomatic for the direction one faces — each soldier advances straight in front of himself, so the whole army pours in at once around the circuit.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction of entry)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal of entry)πόλις: 'city'; the goal of the rush; with the wall fallen, the city that was 'shut up' (v. 1) now lies open — the inclusio of closure and entry frames the LORD's victory.
6
καὶ εἰσῆλθεν Ἰησοῦς ὁ τοῦ Ναυη πρὸς τοὺς ἱερεῖς
And Joshua the son of Nun went in to the priests.
The narrative resumes with Joshua's compliance: he goes to the priests, who bear the ark and trumpets, making them the pivot of the liturgical strategy. The patronymic ὁ τοῦ Ναυη ('the [son] of Nun') identifies Joshua formally as Moses' successor at the head of the campaign.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἰσῆλθενwent inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (narrative aorist)→ constative aorist (a single completed movement)εἰσέρχομαι: 'go in / enter / come to'; here of Joshua approaching the priests to issue his orders; the same verb that will describe the people's entry into the fallen city (v. 5).
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: the LXX form of יְהוֹשֻׁעַ; declined (gen. Ἰησοῦ, acc. Ἰησοῦν); the leader of the conquest, named the 'son of Nun' to mark his Mosaic succession.
ὁthe (son)Nominativearticle (substantizing the patronymic genitive: 'the [son] of Nun')ὁ: the article with a following genitive (ὁ τοῦ Ναυη) is the standard Greek idiom for 'the son of —'; the word 'son' (υἱός) is left implicit.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with the patronymic Ναυη)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΝαυηNun (Naue)genitive of relationship (indeclinable patronymic: 'of Nun')Ναυη: the LXX transliteration of Hebrew נוּן (Nun), Joshua's father; indeclinable (hence case ''); the Greek form Ναυη reflects a reading of the Hebrew name and is consistent across LXX Joshua.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction toward)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἱερεῖς)τοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖςpriestsAccusativeaccusative object of πρόςἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the priests, not the soldiers, are the protagonists of the strategy — they bear the seven trumpets and the ark, making the conquest a sacral procession (cf. vv. 7–9, 12–13).
7
καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς λέγων παραγγείλατε τῷ λαῷ περιελθεῖν καὶ κυκλῶσαι τὴν πόλιν καὶ οἱ μάχιμοι παραπορευέσθωσαν ἐνωπλισμένοι ἐναντίον κυρίου
And he said to them, 'Charge the people to go around and encircle the city, and let the fighting men march past, armed, before the LORD.'
The pleonastic εἶπεν … λέγων (a Hebraism rendering וַיֹּאמֶר … לֵאמֹר) introduces Joshua's command. The twin infinitives περιελθεῖν καὶ κυκλῶσαι ('to go around and to encircle') establish the processional tactic; the armed warriors march ἐναντίον κυρίου ('before the LORD'), i.e. before the ark, framing the march as a cultic parade in the divine presence.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω: Joshua is the speaker; the aorist introduces his marching orders to the priests.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative indirect object (the priests)αὐτός: dative plural referring to the priests of v. 6, the immediate addressees of Joshua's command.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Sg · λέγωredundant participle of speech (Hebraism: εἶπεν … λέγων)→ circumstantial present participle (pleonastic speech-marker)λέγω (ptcp.): the pleonastic λέγων after εἶπεν renders the Hebrew לֵאמֹר ('saying'), the standard particle introducing direct discourse; idiomatic in the LXX and carried over into NT Greek.
παραγγείλατεcharge / commandAor Act Impv 2 Pl · παραγγέλλωmain verb of direct speech (command to the priests)→ ingressive aorist imperative (issue the order decisively)παραγγέλλω: 'give orders / charge / pass along a command'; a military term for transmitting orders down the line; renders Hebrew צִוָּה; the priests are to relay Joshua's directive to the whole people.
τῷtheDativearticle (with λαῷ)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαῷpeopleDativedative indirect object of παραγγείλατε (those charged)λαός: 'people'; the recipients of the order to march; the chapter's keyword for the whole congregation that encircles the city.
περιελθεῖνto go aroundAor Act Inf · περιέρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (content of the charge)→ aorist infinitive (the action commanded)περιέρχομαι: 'go around / go about / circle'; the compound περι- of the processional motif; renders סָבַב; the first of the paired infinitives describing the daily circuit of the city.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the infinitives)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
κυκλῶσαιto encircleAor Act Inf · κυκλόωcomplementary infinitive (coordinate with περιελθεῖν)→ aorist infinitive (the action commanded)κυκλόω: 'encircle / surround / go round'; from κύκλος; the doubled περιελθεῖν καὶ κυκλῶσαι intensifies the encircling tactic; the same root (κύκλῳ) describes both the deployment (v. 3) and the wall's collapse (v. 20); the verb Heb 11:30 uses for the seven-day encircling (κυκλωθέντα).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object of the infinitives (the city encircled)πόλις: 'city'; Jericho, the object of the encircling march.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the warriors' instruction)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with μάχιμοι)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μάχιμοιfighting menNominativesubject of παραπορευέσθωσανμάχιμος: 'warrior / fighting man'; the armed escort of the ark (cf. v. 3); they march but do not fight — their role is processional, not assaulting.
παραπορευέσθωσανlet them march pastPres Mid Impv 3 Pl · παραπορεύομαιmain verb (third-person imperative to the warriors)→ durative present imperative (an ongoing, processional movement)παραπορεύομαι: 'march past / go alongside / pass by'; the compound παρα- ('beside/past') fits the processional file moving before the ark; the present imperative frames it as a continuous, orderly advance.
ἐνωπλισμένοιarmedPerf Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Masc Pl · ἐνοπλίζωcircumstantial participle (state: 'in arms')→ resultative perfect participle (a settled state of being armed)ἐνοπλίζομαι: 'arm oneself / be equipped with weapons'; from ἐν + ὅπλον; the perfect participle describes the warriors as fully armed and ready — yet their weapons stay sheathed throughout the march, since the wall falls by the LORD's act, not theirs.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)ἐναντίον: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism rendering לִפְנֵי; 'before the LORD' = before the ark of the covenant, the visible token of the divine presence leading the procession.
κυρίουLORDGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίον (the LORD, present in the ark)κύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; 'before the LORD' identifies the march as conducted in the divine presence — the ark, not the army, leads the conquest.
8
καὶ ἑπτὰ ἱερεῖς ἔχοντες ἑπτὰ σάλπιγγας ἱερὰς παρελθέτωσαν ὡσαύτως ἐναντίον τοῦ κυρίου καὶ σημαινέτωσαν εὐτόνως καὶ ἡ κιβωτὸς τῆς διαθήκης κυρίου ἐπακολουθείτω
And let seven priests bearing seven sacred trumpets pass on likewise before the LORD, and let them sound a vigorous blast; and let the ark of the covenant of the LORD follow after.
The sevenfold motif now appears: seven priests with seven sacred trumpets. The third-person imperatives παρελθέτωσαν … σημαινέτωσαν … ἐπακολουθείτω order the cultic file — priests sounding the trumpets ahead, the ark of the covenant following. The number seven (perfection/completeness) saturates the chapter (seven priests, seven trumpets, seven days, seven circuits).
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἑπτὰsevennumeral (modifying ἱερεῖς; indeclinable)ἑπτά: 'seven'; indeclinable numeral (hence case ''); renders שֶׁבַע; the chapter's governing number — seven priests, seven trumpets, the seventh day, seven circuits — connoting completeness and the sacral, sabbatical rhythm of the conquest.
ἱερεῖςpriestsNominativesubject of παρελθέτωσανἱερεύς: 'priest'; the seven priests bearing the trumpets lead the procession before the ark — the conquest's frontline is liturgical.
ἔχοντεςbearingPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Pl · ἔχωcircumstantial participle (attendant: 'having/bearing trumpets')→ descriptive present participle (the priests' equipment)ἔχω (ptcp.): 'have / hold / bear'; the participle describes the priests as trumpet-bearers; the present aspect presents the holding as continuous through the march.
ἑπτὰsevennumeral (modifying σάλπιγγας; indeclinable)ἑπτά: 'seven'; the seven trumpets match the seven priests, intensifying the sacral symbolism.
σάλπιγγαςtrumpetsAccusativedirect object of ἔχοντεςσάλπιγξ: 'trumpet'; here the sacred ram's-horn trumpets (Hebrew שׁוֹפְרוֹת הַיּוֹבְלִים, 'trumpets of jubilee'); the instrument that signals the shout and the wall's fall.
ἱερὰςsacredAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying σάλπιγγας: 'sacred trumpets')ἱερός: 'holy / sacred / consecrated'; marks the trumpets as cultic instruments, not military signal-horns — underscoring that the whole operation is an act of worship-warfare.
παρελθέτωσανlet them pass onAor Act Impv 3 Pl · παρέρχομαιmain verb (third-person imperative to the priests)→ ingressive aorist imperative (let them advance/pass forward)παρέρχομαι: 'pass by / go forward / advance'; here of the priests proceeding in the file before the ark; the aorist marks the decisive taking-up of their station.
ὡσαύτωςlikewiseadverb (manner: 'in like manner')ὡσαύτως: 'likewise / in the same way'; aligns the priests' advance with that of the armed men in v. 7 — all move in coordinated procession before the LORD.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)ἐναντίον: 'before / in the presence of'; rendering לִפְנֵי; again the procession is 'before the LORD,' i.e. ahead of the ark.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with κυρίου)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίουLORDGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίονκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the articular τοῦ κυρίου here marks the LORD present in the ark, before whom the trumpet-priests advance.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
σημαινέτωσανlet them soundPres Act Impv 3 Pl · σημαίνωmain verb (third-person imperative: sound the signal)→ durative present imperative (sustained trumpet-blast)σημαίνω: 'give a signal / sound / make known by sign'; of the trumpet-blast; renders תָּקַע; the present imperative calls for a continuous, sustained sounding as the procession moves.
εὐτόνωςvigorouslyadverb (manner: 'forcefully, with full intensity')εὐτόνως: 'vigorously / vehemently / with full force'; from εὔτονος ('well-strung, intense'); the blast is to be loud and strenuous — the same adverb describes Apollos refuting opponents 'powerfully' at Acts 18:28.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the ark's instruction)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with κιβωτός)ἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτὸςarkNominativesubject of ἐπακολουθείτωκιβωτός: 'box / chest / ark'; renders אֲרוֹן; the same word for Noah's ark — here the ark of the covenant, the throne-seat of the LORD's presence, the true protagonist of the procession around which the whole army is arranged.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with διαθήκης)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηςcovenantGenitivegenitive (defining: 'ark of the covenant')διαθήκη: 'covenant / testament'; renders בְּרִית; 'the ark of the covenant' identifies the ark as the seat of the covenant-LORD; its central place makes the conquest the outworking of covenant promise (cf. the land sworn to the fathers).
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession ('the covenant of the LORD')κύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the covenant belongs to the LORD; the full title 'the ark of the covenant of the LORD' recurs as the chapter's solemn refrain (vv. 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13).
ἐπακολουθείτωlet it follow afterPres Act Impv 3 Sg · ἐπακολουθέωmain verb (third-person imperative to the ark-bearers)→ durative present imperative (continuous following)ἐπακολουθέω: 'follow after / come behind'; the compound ἐπ- gives 'follow close upon'; the ark comes behind the trumpet-priests, with the rear-guard behind it (v. 9), forming the ordered processional column.
9
οἱ δὲ μάχιμοι ἔμπροσθεν παραπορευέσθωσαν καὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς οἱ οὐραγοῦντες ὀπίσω τῆς κιβωτοῦ τῆς διαθήκης κυρίου πορευόμενοι καὶ σαλπίζοντες
And let the fighting men march in front, and the priests who bring up the rear behind the ark of the covenant of the LORD, marching and sounding the trumpets.
The procession is now fully ordered: armed men in the van, the trumpet-priests and ark in the center, and a priestly rear-guard (οἱ οὐραγοῦντες) behind, marching and blasting. The δέ distributes the column; the participles πορευόμενοι καὶ σαλπίζοντες capture the continuous double action — moving and trumpeting — that fills the six days.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
οἱtheNominativearticle (with μάχιμοι)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲanddevelopmental particle (post-positive, distributing the column)δέ: post-positive; here marks the next element in the marching order rather than contrast — 'and the fighting men …'.
μάχιμοιfighting menNominativesubject of παραπορευέσθωσανμάχιμος: 'warrior'; the armed van of the procession (cf. vv. 3, 7); their forward position frames the sacred center without engaging in combat.
ἔμπροσθενin frontadverb of place (the vanguard's position)ἔμπροσθεν: 'in front / before / ahead'; renders לִפְנֵי; sets the warriors at the head of the column, opposite the rear-guard (ὀπίσω) of the priests.
παραπορευέσθωσανlet them marchPres Mid Impv 3 Pl · παραπορεύομαιmain verb (third-person imperative to the vanguard)→ durative present imperative (continuous processional march)παραπορεύομαι: 'march alongside / go past'; the same verb as v. 7, binding the orders together; the present aspect keeps the movement ongoing through each daily circuit.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the rear-guard)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεῖς)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖςpriestsNominativesubject (a second body of priests, the rear-guard)ἱερεύς: 'priest'; besides the seven trumpet-priests, a further priestly contingent forms the rear-guard behind the ark.
οἱthe (ones)Nominativearticle (substantizing the participle οὐραγοῦντες)ὁ: the article with the participle, 'those who bring up the rear,' an attributive substantival construction defining this body of priests by their position.
οὐραγοῦντεςbringing up the rearPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Pl · οὐραγέωsubstantival participle (defining the rear-guard priests)→ descriptive present participle (their continuous rear position)οὐραγέω: 'bring up the rear / act as rear-guard'; from οὐρά ('tail') + ἄγω; a military term for those marching last; here the priests close the column behind the ark, the sacred center thus flanked fore and aft.
ὀπίσωbehindpreposition + genitive (position: 'behind the ark')ὀπίσω: 'behind / after'; with the genitive τῆς κιβωτοῦ; renders אַחֲרֵי; sets the rear-guard priests behind the ark, opposite the vanguard's ἔμπροσθεν.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with κιβωτοῦ)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτοῦarkGenitivegenitive object of ὀπίσωκιβωτός: 'ark'; the genitive κιβωτοῦ governed by ὀπίσω; the ark remains the spatial reference point of the entire column.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with διαθήκης)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηςcovenantGenitivegenitive (defining: 'ark of the covenant')διαθήκη: 'covenant'; the recurring solemn title 'the ark of the covenant of the LORD' (cf. v. 8).
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possessionκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; completes the title.
πορευόμενοιmarchingPres Mid Ptcp Nom Masc Pl · πορεύομαιcircumstantial participle (manner: 'going along')→ durative present participle (continuous movement)πορεύομαι: 'go / proceed / march'; the present participle paired with σαλπίζοντες captures the simultaneous, sustained double action of the rear-guard — moving forward while the trumpets sound.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the two participles)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
σαλπίζοντεςsounding the trumpetsPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Pl · σαλπίζωcircumstantial participle (manner: 'trumpeting as they go')→ durative present participle (continuous trumpet-blast)σαλπίζω: 'sound the trumpet'; the present participle makes the trumpeting continuous throughout the march; the relentless blast, not the clash of arms, is the soundtrack of the conquest.
10
τῷ δὲ λαῷ ἐνετείλατο Ἰησοῦς λέγων μὴ βοᾶτε μηδὲ ἀκουσάτω μηθεὶς ὑμῶν τὴν φωνήν ἕως ἂν ἡμέραν αὐτὸς διαγγείλῃ ἀναβοῆσαι καὶ τότε ἀναβοήσετε
But to the people Joshua gave command, saying, 'Do not cry out, nor let any of you let his voice be heard, until the day he himself gives the command to shout aloud; and then you shall shout.'
The fronted dative τῷ δὲ λαῷ shifts focus to the people's role: absolute silence. The negated imperatives μὴ βοᾶτε … μηδὲ ἀκουσάτω enforce a discipline of restraint; only at Joshua's word may they shout (ἀναβοῆσαι). The withheld voice heightens the drama and makes the eventual shout (v. 20) an act of timed obedience — faith expressed first as silence, then as the cry that topples the wall.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
τῷtheDativearticle (with λαῷ, fronted for emphasis)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbutdevelopmental particle (post-positive, shifting to the people)δέ: marks the turn from the priests' and warriors' orders to the people's instruction of silence.
λαῷpeopleDativedative indirect object of ἐνετείλατολαός: 'people'; here the whole congregation, charged to keep silence until the signal.
ἐνετείλατοcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιmain verb (Joshua's authoritative charge)→ constative aorist (a single authoritative command)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / charge / give injunction'; renders צִוָּה; a weighty verb for authoritative instruction; the middle voice is the LXX's regular form; Joshua commands the people as Moses commanded Israel.
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: the commander whose word alone may release the shout.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Sg · λέγωredundant participle of speech (Hebraism introducing direct discourse)→ circumstantial present participle (pleonastic speech-marker)λέγω (ptcp.): the pleonastic λέγων rendering לֵאמֹר; introduces the content of the command.
μὴnotnegative particle (prohibition with present imperative)μή: the negative of prohibition with the imperative; μὴ βοᾶτε = 'stop / do not (keep) crying out.'
βοᾶτεcry outPres Act Impv 2 Pl · βοάωmain verb (prohibition: 'do not shout')→ durative present imperative (a sustained prohibition of noise)βοάω: 'cry out / shout / call aloud'; renders רוּעַ / קָרָא; the present prohibition demands continuous silence — no premature shouting through all the days of marching.
μηδὲnornegative coordinate conjunction (adding a second prohibition)μηδέ: 'and not / nor'; couples the second prohibition to the first, extending the silence to every individual.
ἀκουσάτωlet hearAor Act Impv 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (third-person prohibition: 'let no one cause to be heard')→ ingressive aorist imperative (negated: not a sound to be uttered)ἀκούω: 'hear'; here with μηθεὶς … τὴν φωνήν, 'let no one of you make his voice heard'; the construction (someone causing the voice to be heard) renders the Hebrew Hiphil sense of שָׁמַע — utter not a sound.
μηθεὶςno oneNominativesubject (negative pronoun)μηθείς: Hellenistic by-form of μηδείς ('no one'), with -θ- as in οὐθείς (v. 1); the absolute negation makes the silence total — not one voice.
ὑμῶνof youGenitivepartitive genitive (with μηθείς: 'none of you')σύ (pl.): the partitive genitive ὑμῶν specifies the group — 'no one of you'; the command binds every member of the people.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with φωνήν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνήνvoiceAccusativedirect object of ἀκουσάτω ('let his voice be heard')φωνή: 'voice / sound'; renders קוֹל; the suppressed φωνή of the people contrasts with the trumpet's φωνή that they will hear at v. 20 — the human voice waits on the divine signal.
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunction (with ἄν + subjunctive: 'until')ἕως: 'until'; with ἄν and the subjunctive marks the terminus of the silence — until Joshua gives the word.
ἂν(whenever)modal particle (with subjunctive in indefinite temporal clause)ἄν: the modal particle giving the temporal clause its 'until the (indefinite) day when' force.
ἡμέρανdayAccusativeaccusative of time (the day on which the command falls)ἡμέρα: 'day'; the accusative ἡμέραν within the temporal clause designates the appointed day of the shout — the seventh (v. 15).
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativesubject (intensive pronoun: 'he himself', i.e. Joshua)αὐτός: the intensive 'himself' stresses that only Joshua's own command may release the shout — the timing is the leader's prerogative under God.
διαγγείλῃgives the commandAor Act Subj 3 Sg · διαγγέλλωverb of the temporal clause (subjunctive with ἕως ἄν)→ aorist subjunctive (the decisive announcement)διαγγέλλω: 'announce / proclaim / pass the word through'; the compound δια- ('throughout') fits a command relayed to the whole assembly; here Joshua's signal to begin the shout.
ἀναβοῆσαιto shout aloudAor Act Inf · ἀναβοάωcomplementary infinitive (content of the command: to shout)→ aorist infinitive (the act commanded)ἀναβοάω: 'cry out / shout aloud'; the compound ἀνα- ('up') intensifies; the infinitive names the act the people await — the great upward shout that, with the trumpet, brings down the wall.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the apodosis)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τότεthentemporal adverb (the appointed moment)τότε: 'then / at that time'; pinpoints the moment of release — only then, at the signal, does the long silence break into the shout.
ἀναβοήσετεyou shall shoutFut Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀναβοάωmain verb (the permitted future shout)→ predictive/permissive future (the sanctioned shout at the signal)ἀναβοάω (fut.): the same verb as the infinitive above; the future indicative grants the shout for the appointed moment — silence reverses into a unanimous cry, the act of faith fulfilled at v. 20.
11
καὶ περιελθοῦσα ἡ κιβωτὸς τῆς διαθήκης τοῦ θεοῦ τὴν πόλιν εὐθέως ἀπῆλθεν εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν καὶ ἐκοιμήθη ἐκεῖ
And the ark of the covenant of God, having gone around the city, went away at once into the camp, and lodged there.
The orders enacted: the ark (subject of the sentence — the true agent of the campaign) completes its circuit and returns to camp. The participle περιελθοῦσα picks up the infinitive περιελθεῖν of v. 7. The personifying ἐκοιμήθη ('lodged / slept') of the ark gives the sacred object the role of resting like the army — the day's liturgical work done.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
περιελθοῦσαhaving gone aroundAor Act Ptcp Nom Fem Sg · περιέρχομαιcircumstantial participle (temporal: 'when it had circled')→ antecedent aorist participle (the circuit precedes the return)περιέρχομαι: 'go around / circle'; the feminine participle agrees with ἡ κιβωτός; it realizes the command περιελθεῖν (v. 7) — the ark, borne by the priests, has now made the day's single circuit of the city.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with κιβωτός)ἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτὸςarkNominativesubject of ἀπῆλθεν and ἐκοιμήθηκιβωτός: 'ark'; strikingly made the grammatical subject — the narrative casts the ark, the seat of the divine presence, as the protagonist of the circuit and the return.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with διαθήκης)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηςcovenantGenitivegenitive (defining: 'ark of the covenant')διαθήκη: 'covenant'; the title here reads 'the ark of the covenant of God' (τοῦ θεοῦ), a slight variation on the usual 'of the LORD.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with θεοῦ)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of possession ('the covenant of God')θεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the variant title 'ark of the covenant of God' (beside the more frequent 'of the LORD') underscores that the campaign is conducted under the covenant-God's own presence.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object of περιελθοῦσα (the city circled)πόλις: 'city'; Jericho, the object of the daily encircling.
εὐθέωςat onceadverb (manner/time: 'immediately')εὐθέως: 'immediately / at once'; the circuit done, the ark returns without delay — the day's prescribed action is single and complete.
ἀπῆλθενwent awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (the return to camp)→ constative aorist (the completed withdrawal)ἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; the ark withdraws to the camp after the circuit; the same verb opens v. 14's report of the daily pattern (ἀπῆλθεν πάλιν).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (destination)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with παρεμβολήν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολὴνcampAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination of the withdrawal)παρεμβολή: 'camp / encampment / army in array'; renders מַחֲנֶה; the Israelite camp to which the ark returns each day; later in the chapter Rahab's people are settled outside this camp (v. 23).
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐκοιμήθηlodgedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κοιμάωmain verb (the ark 'rested' overnight in the camp)→ constative aorist (the overnight stay)κοιμάω (aor. pass.): 'lie down / sleep / lodge / spend the night'; the passive ἐκοιμήθη here means 'spent the night / rested'; applied to the ark it personifies the sacred object, which 'lodges' in the camp as the army does — the divine presence at rest among the people between circuits.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place ('there', in the camp)ἐκεῖ: 'there'; locates the ark's overnight rest in the camp, completing the day's cycle of circuit-and-return.
12
καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ δευτέρᾳ ἀνέστη Ἰησοῦς τὸ πρωί καὶ ἦραν οἱ ἱερεῖς τὴν κιβωτὸν τῆς διαθήκης κυρίου
And on the second day Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
The day-marker τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ δευτέρᾳ opens the repeated pattern that will run through the six days (summarized in v. 14). Joshua rises early (τὸ πρωί), and the priests take up the ark — the daily resumption of the procession, emphasizing the patient, faith-filled repetition that Heb 11:30 compresses into 'encircled for seven days.'
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (when: 'on the second day')ἡμέρα: 'day'; the dative of time marks the second of the six days of circuit; the daily count builds toward the climactic seventh.
τῇtheDativearticle (with δευτέρᾳ)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δευτέρᾳsecondDativeattributive ordinal adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)δεύτερος: 'second'; the ordinal marking the second day; the chapter counts the days deliberately (second … seventh, vv. 12, 15) to highlight the seven-day rhythm.
ἀνέστηroseAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (Joshua rises to resume the march)→ constative aorist (the morning rising)ἀνίστημι (intrans. aor.): 'rise / stand up / get up'; of rising in the morning to resume the daily procession; the same root recurs at v. 15 (ἀνέστησαν ὄρθρου) for the seventh-day dawn rising.
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: the leader, rising early each day to direct the repeated circuit.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with πρωί, forming the adverbial phrase 'in the morning')τὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωίearly / morningadverb of time (τὸ πρωί: 'early in the morning')πρωί: 'early / in the morning'; an indeclinable temporal adverb; τὸ πρωί ('at dawn / early') marks the day's beginning, conveying eager, diligent obedience to the divine plan.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἦρανtook upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · αἴρωmain verb (the priests lift the ark)→ constative aorist (the act of taking up the ark)αἴρω: 'lift / take up / carry'; renders נָשָׂא; the priests take up the ark to resume the day's circuit; the verb of bearing the sacred object, proper to the priestly office (cf. Deut 10:8).
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεῖς)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖςpriestsNominativesubject of ἦρανἱερεύς: 'priest'; the ark-bearers, resuming their station at the head of the procession each morning.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with κιβωτόν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτὸνarkAccusativedirect object of ἦρανκιβωτός: 'ark'; the accusative κιβωτόν as the object lifted by the priests; the sacred center taken up again for the day's march.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with διαθήκης)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηςcovenantGenitivegenitive (defining: 'ark of the covenant')διαθήκη: 'covenant'; the solemn title resumes (cf. vv. 8–9).
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possessionκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; completes the recurring title 'the ark of the covenant of the LORD.'
13
καὶ οἱ ἑπτὰ ἱερεῖς οἱ φέροντες τὰς σάλπιγγας τὰς ἑπτὰ προεπορεύοντο ἐναντίον κυρίου καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα εἰσεπορεύοντο οἱ μάχιμοι καὶ ὁ λοιπὸς ὄχλος ὄπισθε τῆς κιβωτοῦ τῆς διαθήκης κυρίου καὶ οἱ ἱερεῖς ἐσάλπισαν ταῖς σάλπιγξι καὶ ὁ λοιπὸς ὄχλος ἅπας περιεκύκλωσε τὴν πόλιν ἐγγύθεν
And the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets went on before the LORD, and after them went the fighting men, and the rest of the multitude behind the ark of the covenant of the LORD; and the priests sounded with the trumpets, and the whole rest of the multitude encircled the city, keeping close.
The marching order is narrated as enacted: seven trumpet-priests in front, then the warriors and the multitude behind the ark, with the priests blasting and the whole crowd encircling the city 'closely' (ἐγγύθεν). The verse rehearses in narrative the orders of vv. 7–9; the imperfects (προεπορεύοντο, εἰσεπορεύοντο) describe the customary daily action, the pattern that v. 14 says continued for six days.
Word-by-word analysis· 44 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεῖς)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑπτὰsevennumeral (modifying ἱερεῖς; indeclinable)ἑπτά: 'seven'; the seven trumpet-priests of v. 8, here at the head of the marching column.
ἱερεῖςpriestsNominativesubject of προεπορεύοντοἱερεύς: 'priest'; the seven trumpet-bearers leading the procession.
οἱthe (ones)Nominativearticle (substantizing the participle φέροντες)ὁ: article forming the attributive participial phrase 'those bearing the trumpets.'
φέροντεςbearingPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Pl · φέρωattributive participle (defining the priests as trumpet-bearers)→ descriptive present participle (continuous bearing)φέρω: 'carry / bear'; here of carrying the trumpets (synonymous with ἔχοντες, v. 8); the present aspect keeps the bearing continuous through the march.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with σάλπιγγας)τὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σάλπιγγαςtrumpetsAccusativedirect object of φέροντεςσάλπιγξ: 'trumpet'; the seven trumpets borne by the priests.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with the postpositive numeral ἑπτά)τὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑπτὰsevennumeral (in attributive position: 'the seven trumpets')ἑπτά: 'seven'; the articular attributive τὰς σάλπιγγας τὰς ἑπτά ('the seven trumpets') reiterates the sacred number.
προεπορεύοντοwent on beforeImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · προπορεύομαιmain verb (customary imperfect: the daily forward march)→ customary/iterative imperfect (the repeated daily procession)προπορεύομαι: 'go before / march in front'; the compound προ- ('before') places the trumpet-priests at the head; the imperfect signals the habitual, repeated action of the six days.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)ἐναντίον: 'before / in the presence of'; the procession goes 'before the LORD' — ahead of the ark.
κυρίουLORDGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίονκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the LORD present in the ark.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (sequence: 'after these')μετά + acc.: 'after'; μετὰ ταῦτα ('after these things / after them') marks the order of the column — the warriors follow the trumpet-priests.
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of μετά: 'after these')οὗτος: the neuter plural ταῦτα in the formula μετὰ ταῦτα marks sequence in the marching order ('next, after them').
εἰσεπορεύοντοwent / followed inImpf Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰσπορεύομαιmain verb (customary imperfect: the warriors' procession)→ customary/iterative imperfect (the repeated daily movement)εἰσπορεύομαι: 'go in / proceed'; here of the warriors moving into the processional file behind the trumpet-priests; the imperfect again marks the recurring pattern.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with μάχιμοι)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μάχιμοιfighting menNominativesubject of εἰσεπορεύοντομάχιμος: 'warrior'; the armed contingent following the trumpet-priests in the column.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ὄχλος)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λοιπὸςrest ofNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ὄχλος: 'the rest of the crowd')λοιπός: 'remaining / rest'; ὁ λοιπὸς ὄχλος = 'the rest of the multitude,' the non-combatant body of the people following behind the ark.
ὄχλοςmultitudeNominativesubject (the rear body of the people)ὄχλος: 'crowd / multitude / throng'; the great mass of the people accompanying the ark; the whole nation, not an elite force, participates in the encircling.
ὄπισθεbehindpreposition + genitive (position: 'behind the ark')ὄπισθε(ν): 'behind / after'; with the genitive τῆς κιβωτοῦ; locates the multitude in the rear of the column, behind the sacred center.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with κιβωτοῦ)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κιβωτοῦarkGenitivegenitive object of ὄπισθεκιβωτός: 'ark'; again the spatial reference for the whole column.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with διαθήκης)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηςcovenantGenitivegenitive (defining: 'ark of the covenant')διαθήκη: 'covenant'; the recurring title.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possessionκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεῖς)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖςpriestsNominativesubject of ἐσάλπισανἱερεύς: 'priest'; the trumpet-priests, now reported actually sounding the blast as they march.
ἐσάλπισανsoundedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · σαλπίζωmain verb (the priests blew the trumpets)→ constative aorist (the trumpet-sounding of the day)σαλπίζω: 'sound the trumpet'; the aorist reports the actual blasting; the same verb recurs at the climax (ἐσάλπισαν … v. 16; v. 20).
ταῖςtheDativearticle (with σάλπιγξι)ταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σάλπιγξιtrumpetsDativedative of instrument (with ἐσάλπισαν: 'with the trumpets')σάλπιγξ: 'trumpet'; the dative of instrument; the cognate phrase ἐσάλπισαν ταῖς σάλπιγξι ('trumpeted with the trumpets') has a Hebraic ring (cf. v. 20).
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ὄχλος)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λοιπὸςrest ofNominativeattributive adjective (with ὄχλος)λοιπός: 'remaining / rest'; repeated to specify the body that encircled the city.
ὄχλοςmultitudeNominativesubject of περιεκύκλωσεὄχλος: 'crowd / multitude'; the great mass of the people that completes the encircling of the city.
ἅπαςwholeNominativeadjective (intensive: 'the whole rest of the multitude')ἅπας: 'all / the whole' (intensified form of πᾶς); stresses totality — the entire remaining multitude joins the encircling, leaving none out; the same word describes the whole wall's fall (ἅπαν τὸ τεῖχος, v. 20).
περιεκύκλωσεencircledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · περικυκλόωmain verb (the multitude ringed the city)→ constative aorist (the completed encircling)περικυκλόω: 'encircle completely / surround on all sides'; the double compound περι- + κυκλ- intensifies the encircling motif (cf. κυκλῶσαι v. 7); the whole crowd rings the city — the tactic that Heb 11:30 names (κυκλωθέντα ἐπὶ ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object of περιεκύκλωσεπόλις: 'city'; Jericho, ringed by the whole multitude.
ἐγγύθενkeeping closeadverb (manner/place: 'from near, close by')ἐγγύθεν: 'from nearby / close at hand'; the multitude encircles the city at close range — pressing near the wall, intensifying the sense of an inexorable, tightening ring before the collapse.
14
καὶ ἀπῆλθεν πάλιν εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν οὕτως ἐποίει ἐπὶ ἓξ ἡμέρας
And it went away again into the camp. Thus he did for six days.
The verse closes the daily cycle (return to camp) and then summarizes: οὕτως ἐποίει … ἐπὶ ἓξ ἡμέρας ('thus he did for six days'). The customary imperfect ἐποίει gathers the whole repetition into a single iterative statement, setting up the contrast with the climactic seventh day (v. 15). This six-day patience is exactly what Heb 11:30 highlights as faith's endurance ('encircled for seven days').
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀπῆλθενwent awayAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀπέρχομαιmain verb (the return to camp; subject = the ark/procession)→ constative aorist (the completed daily withdrawal)ἀπέρχομαι: 'go away / depart'; the same verb as v. 11, marking the daily return to camp; subject is the ark (or the procession as a whole).
πάλινagainadverb (repetition: 'again, as before')πάλιν: 'again / once more'; signals the repetition of the v. 11 pattern — each day ends with the same withdrawal to camp.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (destination)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with παρεμβολήν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολήνcampAccusativeaccusative object of εἰςπαρεμβολή: 'camp'; the Israelite encampment, the daily point of return (cf. v. 11).
οὕτωςthusadverb of manner (summarizing the pattern: 'in this way')οὕτως: 'thus / in this manner'; the summarizing adverb gathers the whole described procedure into a repeated pattern.
ἐποίειhe didImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (customary/iterative imperfect: 'he kept doing')→ customary/iterative imperfect (the repeated six-day action)ποιέω: 'do / make / perform'; the imperfect ἐποίει ('he used to do / kept doing') compresses the six identical days into one iterative statement; the subject is Joshua, directing the daily circuit.
ἐπὶforpreposition + accusative (extent of time: 'for six days')ἐπί + acc.: 'for / over (a span of time)'; ἐπὶ ἓξ ἡμέρας = 'for six days,' the extent of the repeated procession before the seventh-day climax.
ἓξsixnumeral (modifying ἡμέρας; indeclinable)ἕξ: 'six'; indeclinable numeral (hence case ''); the six days of single circuits set the rhythm completed by the sevenfold seventh day; the six-plus-one pattern echoes the creation/sabbath week.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time (with ἐπί: 'for six days')ἡμέρα: 'day'; the accusative of temporal extent; the six days of patient marching that Heb 11:30 sums up in the seven-day encircling of faith.
15
καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ἀνέστησαν ὄρθρου καὶ περιήλθοσαν τὴν πόλιν ἑξάκις
And on the seventh day they rose at dawn and went around the city seven times.
The decisive day-marker τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ('the seventh day') breaks the six-day pattern: they rise at dawn (ὄρθρου) and circle the city not once but seven times (ἑξάκις — here 'seven times' in the Greek reckoning of the seven-fold circuit). The intensification of the sacred number readies the climactic shout and collapse of vv. 16–20.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (when: 'on the seventh day')ἡμέρα: 'day'; the climactic seventh day, set off from the preceding six (v. 14).
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἑβδόμῃ)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑβδόμῃseventhDativeattributive ordinal adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)ἕβδομος: 'seventh'; renders שְׁבִיעִי; the seventh day is the chapter's hinge — the sabbatical, perfecting day on which the encircling reaches its sevenfold fullness and the city falls.
ἀνέστησανthey roseAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀνίστημιmain verb (the people rise for the decisive day)→ constative aorist (the dawn rising)ἀνίστημι (intrans. aor.): 'rise / get up'; the plural here (contrast the singular ἀνέστη Ἰησοῦς, v. 12) gathers the whole people for the climactic day; rising 'at dawn' marks heightened urgency.
ὄρθρουat dawnGenitivegenitive of time (within which: 'at dawn / in the early morning')ὄρθρος: 'dawn / daybreak / early morning'; the genitive of time ὄρθρου ('at dawn') marks an earlier, more eager rising than the simple τὸ πρωί of v. 12 — the people press to begin the decisive day at first light.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
περιήλθοσανwent aroundAor Act Indic 3 Pl · περιέρχομαιmain verb (the sevenfold circuit)→ constative aorist (the completed sevenfold encircling)περιέρχομαι: 'go around / circle'; the form περιήλθοσαν shows the Hellenistic/LXX 3rd-plural aorist ending -οσαν (for Attic -ον); realizes the command περιελθεῖν (v. 7) in its intensified seventh-day form.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object of περιήλθοσανπόλις: 'city'; Jericho, now circled seven times in one day.
ἑξάκιςseven times (sevenfold circuit)numeral adverb (frequency: how many circuits)ἑξάκις: properly 'six times'; in the LXX of this verse it stands within the seventh-day sevenfold-circuit tradition (the MT specifies seven circuits, שֶׁבַע פְּעָמִים); whether the Greek reckons the six additional circuits beyond the daily one or reflects a variant count, the narrative force is the climactic, intensified encircling of the seventh day that immediately precedes the trumpet and shout (v. 16).
16
καὶ τῇ περιόδῳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ἐσάλπισαν οἱ ἱερεῖς καὶ εἶπεν Ἰησοῦς τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ κεκράξατε παρέδωκεν γὰρ κύριος ὑμῖν τὴν πόλιν
And at the seventh circuit the priests sounded the trumpets, and Joshua said to the sons of Israel, 'Shout! for the LORD has given you the city.'
At the seventh circuit the trumpets sound and Joshua releases the long-withheld shout (κεκράξατε), grounding it in the causal γάρ: 'for the LORD has given you the city.' The aorist παρέδωκεν ('has handed over') echoes the present παραδίδωμι of v. 2 — what was announced as in progress is now declared accomplished; the shout is an act of faith in an already-granted victory.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τῇtheDativearticle (with περιόδῳ)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
περιόδῳcircuitDativedative of time (when: 'at the seventh circuit')περίοδος: 'circuit / going around / lap'; from περι- + ὁδός ('way'); the noun for one full circling of the city; the seventh περίοδος is the decisive lap at which the shout is given.
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἑβδόμῃ)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑβδόμῃseventhDativeattributive ordinal adjective (modifying περιόδῳ)ἕβδομος: 'seventh'; the seventh circuit on the seventh day — the doubled seven marking the moment of fulfilment.
ἐσάλπισανsoundedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · σαλπίζωmain verb (the trumpet-blast at the decisive circuit)→ constative aorist (the climactic trumpet-sounding)σαλπίζω: 'sound the trumpet'; the blast that triggers the shout (cf. the protasis ὡς ἂν σαλπίσητε, v. 5), now narrated as fact at the seventh circuit.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεῖς)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖςpriestsNominativesubject of ἐσάλπισανἱερεύς: 'priest'; the trumpet-priests sounding the signal-blast.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Joshua's command at the climax)→ constative aorist (the decisive command)λέγω: the aorist introduces Joshua's release of the shout — the signal-word the people have awaited since v. 10.
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: the commander who alone may release the shout (cf. v. 10).
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with υἱοῖς)τοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative indirect object (the addressees: 'to the sons of Israel')υἱός: 'son'; the phrase οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ('the sons of Israel') renders בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, the standard designation of the covenant people; the whole nation is addressed.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Israel')Ισραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX (hence case ''); 'the sons of Israel' = the covenant nation, now poised to receive the city.
κεκράξατεshout!Aor Act Impv 2 Pl · κράζω (reduplicated κεκραγ-/κεκραξ- form)main verb of direct speech (the command to shout)→ ingressive aorist imperative (raise the shout now)κράζω: 'cry out / shout'; the imperatival form κεκράξατε combines perfect-style reduplication (κε-) with a sigmatic-aorist ending, a recognized LXX/Koine imperative meaning simply 'shout!'; this is the long-withheld cry released at last — the act of faith joined to the LORD's toppling of the wall (v. 20; Heb 11:30).
παρέδωκενhas given overAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιmain verb of the causal clause (ground for the shout)→ constative/resultative aorist (the city already handed over)παραδίδωμι: 'hand over / deliver up'; the aorist παρέδωκεν declares as accomplished what v. 2 announced as in process (παραδίδωμι); the shout rests on a victory already given — faith responds to the divine word, not to visible conquest.
γὰρforcausal particle (post-positive, grounding the command)γάρ: 'for / because'; gives the reason for the shout — not human triumph but the LORD's prior gift of the city; the theological key to conquest by faith.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of παρέδωκενκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the LORD, not Israel, is the giver of the city — the agent of the conquest.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative indirect object (recipients of the city)σύ (pl.): the dative ὑμῖν marks Israel as the recipient of the LORD's gift — they receive, they do not seize.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object of παρέδωκεν (the city handed over)πόλις: 'city'; Jericho, declared already given into Israel's hand.
17
καὶ ἔσται ἡ πόλις ἀνάθεμα αὐτὴ καὶ πάντα ὅσα ἐστὶν ἐν αὐτῇ κυρίῳ σαβαωθ πλὴν Ρααβ τὴν πόρνην περιποιήσασθε αὐτὴν καὶ ὅσα ἐστὶν ἐν τῷ οἴκῳ αὐτῆς
And the city shall be devoted to destruction, it and all that is in it, to the LORD of hosts; only Rahab the prostitute — spare her alive, and all that is in her house.
Joshua pronounces the herem: the city and all in it are ἀνάθεμα ('devoted to destruction') to κύριος σαβαωθ ('the LORD of hosts'). The single exception (πλήν) is Rahab the prostitute and her household, to be spared (περιποιήσασθε) — the first hint of the deliverance fulfilled in vv. 22–25 and celebrated at Heb 11:31; Jas 2:25; Matt 1:5. The verse holds together total judgment and particular mercy.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (continuing Joshua's speech)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (declaration of the ban)→ predictive/decretal future (the city's appointed status)εἰμί (fut.): 'shall be'; here a decretal future pronouncing the city's irrevocable status as ἀνάθεμα — a verdict, not a mere prediction.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with πόλις)ἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλιςcityNominativesubject of ἔσταιπόλις: 'city'; Jericho, now declared wholly devoted to destruction.
ἀνάθεμαdevoted to destructionNominativepredicate nominative (the city's status: 'a devoted/accursed thing')ἀνάθεμα: 'a thing devoted (to God), set apart for destruction, accursed'; the LXX's standard rendering of Hebrew חֵרֶם (herem) — the irrevocable consecration-by-destruction of a captured city and its goods to the LORD; the term and concept underlie Paul's ἀνάθεμα at Rom 9:3; Gal 1:8–9; 1 Cor 16:22; here Jericho, as firstfruits of the conquest, is wholly given over to God.
αὐτὴitNominativeintensive pronoun (in apposition to ἡ πόλις: 'it itself')αὐτός: the intensive nominative αὐτή ('it, itself') reinforces that the city as such — not merely its inhabitants — is devoted; paired with what follows ('and all that is in it') it stresses totality.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
πάνταallNominativesubject (substantival: 'all things')πᾶς: 'all / everything'; the neuter plural πάντα extends the ban to all the city's contents — the totality of the herem.
ὅσαwhateverNominativerelative pronoun (defining πάντα: 'as much as is in it')ὅσος: 'as much/many as / whatever'; the relative πάντα ὅσα ('all, whatever') is an emphatic totalizing idiom rendering כֹּל אֲשֶׁר — nothing in the city is exempt from the ban.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of the relative clause ('whatever is in it')→ stative present (present existence within the city)εἰμί: 'be / exist'; the present in the relative clause embraces all that is currently in the city.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτῇitDativedative object of ἐν (locative: 'in it')αὐτός: feminine dative referring to the city; 'all that is in it.'
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of advantage/recipient ('devoted to the LORD')κύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the dative marks the LORD as the one to whom the city is devoted — the herem is a consecration to God, who alone disposes of its destruction.
σαβαωθof hosts (Sabaoth)indeclinable appositional title (with κυρίῳ: 'the LORD of hosts')σαβαωθ: transliteration of Hebrew צְבָאוֹת ('hosts / armies'); indeclinable (hence case ''); κύριος σαβαωθ = 'the LORD of hosts/armies,' the warrior-title fitting the conquest context; the same Hebraism appears at Rom 9:29 and Jas 5:4 (κύριος σαβαωθ) carried over untranslated into the NT.
πλὴνexceptexceptive particle (introducing the Rahab-exception)πλήν: 'except / only / nevertheless'; renders רַק; marks the single exemption from the total ban — Rahab and her household; the hinge between universal judgment and particular mercy.
ΡααβRahabaccusative object (anticipating περιποιήσασθε; indeclinable)Ρααβ: transliteration of Hebrew רָחָב; indeclinable (hence case ''); the Canaanite prostitute of Jericho who hid the spies (Josh 2); spared here and praised as a heroine of faith (Heb 11:31), justified by works (Jas 2:25), and named in the Messiah's genealogy (Matt 1:5).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόρνην, in apposition to Ρααβ)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόρνηνprostituteAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Ρααβ ('Rahab the prostitute')πόρνη: 'prostitute / harlot'; renders זוֹנָה; the epithet is not softened in the LXX or NT (Heb 11:31; Jas 2:25 both read ἡ πόρνη) — her deliverance magnifies grace, sparing the least likely of Jericho and grafting her into Israel and the messianic line.
περιποιήσασθεspare aliveAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · περιποιέωmain verb of direct speech (command to preserve Rahab)→ ingressive aorist imperative (preserve her, keep her alive)περιποιέω (mid.): 'preserve / save alive / keep for oneself'; the middle 'keep alive / spare' renders Hebrew חָיָה (Piel, 'let live'); the very verb of preservation amid the herem — Rahab and hers are 'kept alive' out of the destruction (cf. ἐζώγρησεν, v. 25).
αὐτὴνherAccusativedirect object of περιποιήσασθε (resumptive: 'spare her')αὐτός: the accusative αὐτήν resumes Ρααβ as the object of the sparing — a redundant resumptive pronoun, Hebraic in flavor.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending the sparing to her household)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ὅσαwhateverNominativerelative pronoun (object-content: 'all that is in her house')ὅσος: 'as much as / whatever'; extends the exemption to all in Rahab's house — her family and possessions share her deliverance (cf. Josh 2:18–19).
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of the relative clause ('whatever is in her house')→ stative present (present contents of the house)εἰμί: 'be / exist'; the present embraces all currently in Rahab's house, all of whom are to be spared.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῷtheDativearticle (with οἴκῳ)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἴκῳhouseDativedative object of ἐν (locative: 'in the house')οἶκος: 'house / household'; renders בַּיִת; Rahab's house — both the building marked by the scarlet cord (Josh 2:18) and, by extension, her household/family that is saved with her.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession ('her house')αὐτός: feminine genitive, 'her house'; the house of Rahab, the place of refuge for all who shelter with her.
18
ἀλλὰ ὑμεῖς φυλάξασθε σφόδρα ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀναθέματος μήποτε ἐνθυμηθέντες ὑμεῖς αὐτοὶ λάβητε ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀναθέματος καὶ ποιήσητε τὴν παρεμβολὴν τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ ἀνάθεμα καὶ ἐκτρίψητε ἡμᾶς
But you, guard yourselves strictly from the devoted thing, lest you yourselves, coveting, take from the devoted thing and make the camp of the sons of Israel a devoted thing, and destroy us.
The strong adversative ἀλλά and emphatic ὑμεῖς turn from the Rahab-exception to a stern warning. The herem is dangerous: to take from the ἀνάθεμα is to become ἀνάθεμα, contaminating the whole camp (the danger realized in Achan, ch. 7). The negative-purpose μήποτε clause spells out the catastrophe — coveting, taking, defiling the camp, and bringing ruin (ἐκτρίψητε ἡμᾶς) on all Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunctionἀλλά: 'but / rather'; the strong adversative sets the warning over against the sparing of Rahab — mercy for her, but strict danger in the ban-goods.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic personal pronoun)σύ (pl.): the emphatic ὑμεῖς ('you, for your part') presses personal responsibility on the whole people to keep clear of the devoted things.
φυλάξασθεguard yourselvesAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · φυλάσσωmain verb (command of self-protective vigilance)→ ingressive aorist imperative (be on your guard, decisively)φυλάσσω (mid.): 'guard / keep watch / beware'; the middle φυλάξασθε ('guard yourselves / beware') renders Hebrew שָׁמַר (Niphal, 'take heed'); a solemn caution to keep wholly away from the herem.
σφόδραstrictlyadverb of degree (intensifying the warning)σφόδρα: 'exceedingly / strictly'; renders מְאֹד; intensifies the command — the people must be utterly scrupulous about the ban.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation: 'keep away from')ἀπό: with φυλάσσω, 'guard oneself from / keep away from'; the spatial sense reinforces total separation from the devoted goods.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἀναθέματος)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀναθέματοςdevoted thingGenitivegenitive of separation (the ban-goods to be avoided)ἀνάθεμα: 'devoted/accursed thing' (herem); here concretely the banned plunder; to touch it is to share its doom — the principle violated by Achan (Josh 7:1, 11–12), bringing defeat and death on Israel.
μήποτεlestnegative-purpose conjunction (introducing the feared outcome)μήποτε: 'lest / so that not / for fear that'; introduces the dreaded consequence; takes the subjunctive (λάβητε … ποιήσητε … ἐκτρίψητε).
ἐνθυμηθέντεςcovetingAor Pass Ptcp Nom Masc Pl · ἐνθυμέομαιcircumstantial participle (cause/manner: 'through desiring')→ antecedent aorist participle (the inward coveting that precedes the taking)ἐνθυμέομαι: 'ponder / set one's heart on / covet'; the deponent aorist participle here carries the sense of inward desire for the forbidden plunder — the covetous thought that leads to the act of taking (the very sequence of Achan, who 'saw … coveted … took,' Josh 7:21).
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic, with intensive αὐτοί)σύ (pl.): repeated emphatic 'you,' reinforced by αὐτοί — 'you yourselves' bear the guilt and the danger.
αὐτοὶyourselvesNominativeintensive pronoun (with ὑμεῖς: 'you yourselves')αὐτός: intensive nominative plural; 'you yourselves' — those who take the ban-goods become themselves devoted to destruction, the chilling logic of the herem.
λάβητεtakeAor Act Subj 2 Pl · λαμβάνωverb of the μήποτε clause (the feared act of taking)→ aorist subjunctive (the dreaded act conceived as a single deed)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; renders לָקַח; the act of taking from the banned spoil — precisely Achan's transgression (Josh 7:1).
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (partitive/source: 'from the devoted thing')ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἀναθέματος)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀναθέματοςdevoted thingGenitivepartitive genitive (the banned goods)ἀνάθεμα: the banned plunder; taking even a portion defiles the taker and the camp.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (continuing the μήποτε clause)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ποιήσητεmakeAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ποιέωverb of the μήποτε clause (the feared result: defiling the camp)→ aorist subjunctive (the dreaded consequence)ποιέω: 'make / render'; here with double accusative ('make the camp [into] a devoted thing'); the contagion of the herem spreads from the stolen object to the whole community.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with παρεμβολήν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολὴνcampAccusativedirect object of ποιήσητε (the camp that would be defiled)παρεμβολή: 'camp'; the whole Israelite encampment, endangered by one person's theft — the corporate solidarity of guilt in the herem (cf. Josh 7:11–12, where Israel cannot stand before its enemies until the devoted thing is removed).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with υἱῶν)τῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive of relationship ('the camp of the sons of Israel')υἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ, the covenant people whose whole camp would fall under the ban through one transgression.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Israel')Ισραηλ: transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable (hence case '').
ἀνάθεμαa devoted thingAccusativepredicate accusative (with ποιήσητε: 'make the camp a devoted thing')ἀνάθεμα: here the predicate of the double-accusative construction — the camp itself would become 'devoted to destruction,' i.e. liable to the same doom as Jericho; the dreadful reciprocity of the ban.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (final consequence)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐκτρίψητεdestroyAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἐκτρίβωverb of the μήποτε clause (the ultimate feared outcome)→ aorist subjunctive (the dreaded ruin)ἐκτρίβω: 'rub out / wear away / utterly destroy / annihilate'; the compound ἐκ- gives 'destroy completely'; renders Hebrew עָכַר ('bring trouble/ruin upon') / כָּרַת; the violator would bring total ruin upon all Israel — the grim outcome averted only by removing the devoted thing (ch. 7).
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of ἐκτρίψητε (all Israel, including the speaker)ἐγώ (pl.): the accusative ἡμᾶς ('us') includes Joshua and the whole people — the transgression of one imperils all; corporate solidarity in both blessing and curse.
19
καὶ πᾶν ἀργύριον ἢ χρυσίον ἢ χαλκὸς ἢ σίδηρος ἅγιον ἔσται τῷ κυρίῳ εἰς θησαυρὸν κυρίου εἰσενεχθήσεται
And all silver or gold or bronze or iron shall be holy to the LORD; it shall be brought into the treasury of the LORD.
The one form the devoted goods may take is consecration: the precious metals are ἅγιον ('holy') to the LORD and are to enter his treasury (εἰς θησαυρὸν κυρίου). The herem does not enrich Israel; it is wholly given to God. The future passive εἰσενεχθήσεται ('shall be brought in') prescribes the disposition fulfilled at v. 24.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
πᾶνallNominativeadjective (modifying the metal-list: 'all silver…')πᾶς: 'all / every'; the neuter πᾶν governs the whole series of metals — the entirety of the precious spoil is reserved for the LORD.
ἀργύριονsilverNominativesubject (first of the metal-list)ἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; renders כֶּסֶף; the first of the four metals consecrated to the LORD; later, with gold, bronze, and iron, it goes into the treasury (v. 24).
ἢordisjunctive conjunction (listing the metals)ἤ: 'or'; here distributive in a list, 'silver or gold or bronze or iron' — every kind of precious or useful metal.
χρυσίονgoldNominativesubject (second of the metal-list)χρυσίον: 'gold'; renders זָהָב; the silver-and-gold pairing is the classic biblical merism for portable wealth, all of it devoted to God.
ἢordisjunctive conjunctionἢ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
χαλκὸςbronzeNominativesubject (third of the metal-list)χαλκός: 'bronze / copper'; renders נְחֹשֶׁת; a metal of practical and cultic value, also reserved for the LORD's treasury.
ἢordisjunctive conjunctionἢ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
σίδηροςironNominativesubject (fourth of the metal-list)σίδηρος: 'iron'; renders בַּרְזֶל; completes the fourfold list of metals; even iron, a common but strategic metal, is consecrated rather than kept as private plunder.
ἅγιονholyNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται: 'shall be holy')ἅγιος: 'holy / set apart / consecrated'; renders קֹדֶשׁ; the metals are not destroyed (like the rest of the herem) but consecrated — 'holy to the LORD,' set apart for his sanctuary-treasury; the herem here means consecration, not annihilation.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (decree of the metals' status)→ decretal future (the appointed consecration)εἰμί (fut.): 'shall be'; the future of decree — the metals are appointed holy to the LORD by Joshua's command.
τῷtheDativearticle (with κυρίῳ)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of advantage ('holy to the LORD')κύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the metals are holy 'to the LORD' — his property, devoted to his sanctuary.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (destination)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
θησαυρὸνtreasuryAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination of the metals)θησαυρός: 'treasury / storehouse / treasure'; renders אוֹצָר; the LORD's treasury (the sanctuary store) receives the consecrated metals (cf. v. 24); the conquest's spoil enriches the worship of God, not the warriors.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession ('the treasury of the LORD')κύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the treasury belongs to the LORD.
εἰσενεχθήσεταιshall be brought inFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · εἰσφέρωmain verb (prescribing the metals' disposition)→ decretal future passive (the appointed conveyance into the treasury)εἰσφέρω (fut. pass.): 'bring in / carry into'; the passive prescribes that the metals 'shall be brought in' to the LORD's treasury; fulfilled at v. 24 (ἔδωκαν εἰς θησαυρὸν κυρίου εἰσενεχθῆναι).
20
καὶ ἐσάλπισαν ταῖς σάλπιγξιν οἱ ἱερεῖς ὡς δὲ ἤκουσεν ὁ λαὸς τὴν φωνὴν τῶν σαλπίγγων ἠλάλαξεν πᾶς ὁ λαὸς ἅμα ἀλαλαγμῷ μεγάλῳ καὶ ἰσχυρῷ καὶ ἔπεσεν ἅπαν τὸ τεῖχος κύκλῳ καὶ ἀνέβη πᾶς ὁ λαὸς εἰς τὴν πόλιν
And the priests sounded with the trumpets; and when the people heard the sound of the trumpets, all the people shouted together with a great and mighty shout, and the whole wall fell down all around, and all the people went up into the city.
The decisive fulfilment of the prophecy of v. 5. The sequence trumpet → shout → collapse → entry is told in swift coordinated aorists. ἔπεσεν ἅπαν τὸ τεῖχος κύκλῳ ('the whole wall fell all around') is the very event Heb 11:30 names as faith's triumph: τῷ πίστει τὰ τείχη Ἰεριχὼ ἔπεσαν, κυκλωθέντα ἐπὶ ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας ('by faith the walls of Jericho fell, having been encircled for seven days'). The wall falls not to siege-engines but to obedient faith — the same πίπτω the OG foretold (πεσεῖται, v. 5).
Word-by-word analysis· 38 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐσάλπισανsoundedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · σαλπίζωmain verb (the climactic trumpet-blast)→ constative aorist (the decisive sounding)σαλπίζω: 'sound the trumpet'; the blast that, with the shout, brings down the wall; the fulfilment of the protasis ὡς ἂν σαλπίσητε (v. 5).
ταῖςtheDativearticle (with σάλπιγξιν)ταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σάλπιγξινtrumpetsDativedative of instrument (with ἐσάλπισαν: 'with the trumpets')σάλπιγξ: 'trumpet'; the cognate phrase ἐσάλπισαν ταῖς σάλπιγξιν ('trumpeted with the trumpets') has a Hebraic resonance (cf. v. 13).
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεῖς)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖςpriestsNominativesubject of ἐσάλπισανἱερεύς: 'priest'; the trumpet-priests sounding the decisive blast.
ὡςwhentemporal conjunction ('when, as soon as')ὡς: 'when / as soon as'; with the aorist ἤκουσεν marks the precise moment the people heard the blast and responded.
δὲanddevelopmental particle (post-positive, advancing the action)δέ: post-positive; moves the narrative from the trumpet to the people's response.
ἤκουσενheardAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωverb of the temporal clause (the hearing of the blast)→ constative aorist (the moment of hearing)ἀκούω: 'hear'; the people's hearing of the trumpet is the cue for the shout — the disciplined silence of v. 10 now breaks at the appointed signal.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἤκουσενλαός: 'people'; the whole congregation hearing the signal.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with φωνήν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνὴνsoundAccusativedirect object of ἤκουσεν ('the sound of the trumpets')φωνή: 'voice / sound'; renders קוֹל; the φωνή of the trumpets that the people were forbidden to anticipate with their own φωνή (v. 10) — now heard, it releases the shout.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with σαλπίγγων)τῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σαλπίγγωνtrumpetsGenitivegenitive of source ('the sound of the trumpets')σάλπιγξ: 'trumpet'; the genitive of source — the sound issuing from the trumpets.
ἠλάλαξενshoutedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀλαλάζωmain verb (the great war-shout)→ constative aorist (the single decisive shout)ἀλαλάζω: 'raise a war-cry / shout aloud / cry alala'; an onomatopoetic verb (cf. the cognate ἀλαλαγμός); renders רוּעַ תְּרוּעָה; the great shout of the whole people, the act of faith joined to the trumpet that topples the wall (Heb 11:30).
πᾶςallNominativeadjective (with ὁ λαός: 'all the people')πᾶς: 'all'; the shout is unanimous — the whole people, as v. 5 commanded (ἀνακραγέτω πᾶς ὁ λαός).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἠλάλαξενλαός: 'people'; the whole congregation shouting in unison.
ἅμαtogetheradverb (manner: 'all at once, in unison')ἅμα: 'at the same time / together'; fulfils the ἅμα of v. 5 — a single, simultaneous cry, not a scattered noise.
ἀλαλαγμῷwith a shoutDativecognate dative (with ἠλάλαξεν: 'shouted with a shout')ἀλαλαγμός: 'a loud cry / war-shout / shout of triumph'; the cognate dative ἠλάλαξεν … ἀλαλαγμῷ ('shouted with a shout') is a Hebraism intensifying the cry (rendering הֵרִיעוּ תְּרוּעָה גְדוֹלָה); the same noun marks festal/triumphal shouting elsewhere (cf. 1 Sam 4:5; Ps 32:3 LXX).
μεγάλῳgreatDativeattributive adjective (modifying ἀλαλαγμῷ)μέγας: 'great / loud'; the shout is great in volume — the sound that accompanies the wall's collapse.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the two adjectives)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἰσχυρῷmightyDativeattributive adjective (coordinate with μεγάλῳ)ἰσχυρός: 'strong / mighty / powerful'; the doubled 'great and mighty' magnifies the shout to its utmost — the climactic cry of obedient faith.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the wall's collapse)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔπεσενfellAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb (the climactic collapse of the wall)→ constative aorist (the decisive, instantaneous fall)πίπτω: 'fall / collapse'; the fulfilment of the prophecy πεσεῖται (v. 5); ἔπεσεν ἅπαν τὸ τεῖχος is precisely the event Heb 11:30 celebrates (ἔπεσαν, of the same walls) as the paradigm of conquest by faith — the wall falls at a shout, by God's power, not by assault.
ἅπανthe wholeNominativeadjective (with τὸ τεῖχος: 'the entire wall')ἅπας: 'all / the whole / entire' (intensive of πᾶς); 'the whole wall' — the collapse is total, not a breach; the entire circuit comes down at once.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with τεῖχος)τὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τεῖχοςwallNominativesubject of ἔπεσεντεῖχος: 'wall / city-wall'; renders חוֹמָה; the singular ἅπαν τὸ τεῖχος ('the whole wall') sums up what v. 5 announced in the plural (τὰ τείχη); the iconic wall whose fall Heb 11:30 names as faith's triumph.
κύκλῳall aroundadverb (adverbial dative: 'round about, on every side')κύκλῳ: 'round about / all around'; the keyword of the encircling march (vv. 3, 7, 13) returns at the collapse — the wall that was circled κύκλῳ now falls κύκλῳ, the encircling answered by the all-around fall.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the entry)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνέβηwent upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (the people's entry over the fallen wall)→ constative aorist (the completed entry)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; the people 'go up' into the city over the flattened wall — fulfilling εἰσελεύσεται … ὁρμήσας (v. 5); with the wall down, the shut-up city (v. 1) is finally entered.
πᾶςallNominativeadjective (with ὁ λαός: 'all the people')πᾶς: 'all'; the whole people enters, matching the corporate shout — the entire congregation shares the victory.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with λαός)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἀνέβηλαός: 'people'; the whole congregation entering the fallen city.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction of entry)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (goal of entry)πόλις: 'city'; Jericho, once 'shut up and fortified' (v. 1), now open and entered — the inclusio of the chapter's opening closure resolved by the LORD's victory.
21
καὶ ἀνεθεμάτισεν αὐτὴν Ἰησοῦς καὶ ὅσα ἦν ἐν τῇ πόλει ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς καὶ ἕως γυναικός ἀπὸ νεανίσκου καὶ ἕως πρεσβύτου καὶ ἕως μόσχου καὶ ὑποζυγίου ἐν στόματι ῥομφαίας
And Joshua devoted it to destruction, and all that was in the city, from man even to woman, from young man even to old man, and even to calf and donkey, by the edge of the sword.
The ban announced in v. 17 is carried out: Joshua 'devotes' (ἀνεθεμάτισεν) the city to destruction. The merism ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς … ἕως … ἕως μόσχου καὶ ὑποζυγίου ('from man to woman … to calf and donkey') maps total destruction across every category of life; ἐν στόματι ῥομφαίας ('by the edge of the sword') is the Hebraism for putting to the sword. The herem is complete — only Rahab's household (vv. 22–25) is excepted.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνεθεμάτισενdevoted to destructionAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναθεματίζωmain verb (the execution of the ban)→ constative aorist (the completed act of devoting/destroying)ἀναθεματίζω: 'devote to destruction / put under the ban / make ἀνάθεμα'; the denominative verb from ἀνάθεμα; renders Hebrew הֶחֱרִים (Hiphil of חָרַם); Joshua executes the herem decreed in v. 17 — the city and its living things destroyed as devoted to the LORD; the same verb is used of cursing/oaths in the NT (Acts 23:12, 14, 21; Mark 14:71).
αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object of ἀνεθεμάτισεν (the city)αὐτός: feminine accusative referring to the city (πόλις); Jericho is the object devoted to destruction.
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: the leader who carries out the LORD's ban on the city.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending the object)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ὅσαwhateverNominativerelative pronoun (object-content: 'all that was in the city')ὅσος: 'as much as / whatever'; 'all that was in the city' — the totality of its inhabitants and living things, devoted along with it.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of the relative clause ('all that was in the city')→ descriptive imperfect (what was present in the city)εἰμί (impf.): 'was'; the imperfect describes all that existed within the city at the time of its fall, all of it now devoted.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῇtheDativearticle (with πόλει)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλειcityDativedative object of ἐν (locative: 'in the city')πόλις: 'city'; Jericho, whose entire contents fall under the ban.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (start of the merism)ἀπό: the construction ἀπό … ἕως ('from … to') forms a totalizing merism — every category of inhabitant, none spared.
ἀνδρὸςmanGenitivegenitive (first term of the merism)ἀνήρ: 'man / male / husband'; renders אִישׁ; the first pole of the destruction-merism (man), paired with woman.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἕωςtopreposition + genitive (end of the first merism-pair)ἕως: 'as far as / to / until'; with ἀπό marks the span 'from … to,' embracing all between.
γυναικόςwomanGenitivegenitive (end of the first merism-pair)γυνή: 'woman / wife'; renders אִשָּׁה; 'from man to woman' — both sexes destroyed; the comprehensiveness of the herem.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (start of the second merism-pair)ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
νεανίσκουyoung manGenitivegenitive (second merism-pair, start)νεανίσκος: 'young man / youth'; renders נַעַר; the young paired with the old — every age, like every sex, falls under the ban.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἕωςtopreposition + genitive (end of second merism-pair)ἕως: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
πρεσβύτουold manGenitivegenitive (end of second merism-pair)πρεσβύτης: 'old man / elder'; renders זָקֵן; 'from young to old' — the destruction spans all ages.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending the merism to animals)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἕωςtopreposition + genitive (extending to livestock)ἕως: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
μόσχουcalf / oxGenitivegenitive (animal term of the merism)μόσχος: 'calf / young bull / ox'; renders שׁוֹר; the destruction extends even to the livestock — the herem embraces the whole living economy of the city (cf. 1 Sam 15:3).
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ὑποζυγίουdonkeyGenitivegenitive (final animal term of the merism)ὑποζύγιον: 'beast of burden / donkey' (lit. 'that under the yoke'); renders חֲמוֹר; the donkey completes the catalogue of the devoted — every living thing in the city, from man to beast, is given to destruction.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (instrument/means: 'by the edge of the sword')ἐν: instrumental, in the idiom ἐν στόματι ῥομφαίας ('by the mouth/edge of the sword').
στόματιedge (mouth)Dativedative of instrument (in the idiom 'edge of the sword')στόμα: 'mouth'; in the idiom στόμα ῥομφαίας ('mouth of the sword') it means the sword's edge; renders לְפִי חֶרֶב; the standard Hebraism for putting to the sword (cf. Gen 34:26; Deut 13:15).
ῥομφαίαςswordGenitivegenitive (defining: 'the edge of the sword')ῥομφαία: 'sword / large broad-bladed sword'; renders חֶרֶב; the instrument of the ban's execution; the same word for the eschatological sword in Revelation (e.g. Rev 1:16) and the sword that would pierce Mary's soul (Luke 2:35).
22
καὶ τοῖς δυσὶν νεανίσκοις τοῖς κατασκοπεύσασιν εἶπεν Ἰησοῦς εἰσέλθατε εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν τῆς γυναικὸς καὶ ἐξαγάγετε αὐτὴν ἐκεῖθεν καὶ ὅσα ἐστὶν αὐτῇ
And to the two young men who had spied out the land Joshua said, 'Go into the house of the woman and bring her out from there, and all that belongs to her.'
Amid the destruction, Joshua honors the spies' pledge to Rahab (Josh 2:14). The fronted dative τοῖς δυσὶν νεανίσκοις identifies the two who had reconnoitered Jericho as the agents of her rescue. The imperatives εἰσέλθατε … ἐξαγάγετε command her deliverance and that of all hers — mercy enacted within the herem, the fulfilment of the exception of v. 17.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (with νεανίσκοις, fronted)τοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δυσὶνtwoDativenumeral (modifying νεανίσκοις)δύο: 'two'; the dative δυσί(ν); the two spies of Joshua 2 who lodged with Rahab and swore to spare her; their commission is now honored.
νεανίσκοιςyoung menDativedative indirect object of εἶπεννεανίσκος: 'young man / youth'; here the two scouts (the LXX calls the spies νεανίσκοι); they alone may enter Rahab's house and lead her out.
τοῖςthe (ones)Dativearticle (substantizing the participle κατασκοπεύσασιν)ὁ: article forming the attributive participial phrase 'who had spied out.'
κατασκοπεύσασινwho had spied outAor Act Ptcp Dat Masc Pl · κατασκοπεύωattributive participle (defining the young men as the former spies)→ antecedent aorist participle (their prior reconnaissance)κατασκοπεύω: 'spy out / reconnoiter'; renders רִגֵּל; identifies the two as the scouts of Joshua 2 who explored Jericho and were hidden by Rahab; their earlier mission grounds her present deliverance.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Joshua's command)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω: introduces Joshua's order to rescue Rahab.
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: the leader who keeps the spies' oath, ensuring Rahab's safety.
εἰσέλθατεgo inAor Act Impv 2 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb of direct speech (command to enter)→ ingressive aorist imperative (enter, decisively)εἰσέρχομαι: 'go in / enter'; the form εἰσέλθατε shows the Koine first-aorist imperative ending (-ατε for classical -ετε); the spies are to enter Rahab's house to bring her out.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction of entry)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with οἰκίαν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἰκίανhouseAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (Rahab's house)οἰκία: 'house / dwelling'; Rahab's house in the wall (Josh 2:15), marked for deliverance by the scarlet cord (2:18); the place of refuge for her household.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with γυναικός)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυναικὸςwomanGenitivegenitive of possession ('the woman's house')γυνή: 'woman'; here Rahab, designated simply 'the woman' (cf. v. 17 'Rahab the prostitute'); her house is the object of the rescue mission.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐξαγάγετεbring outAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐξάγωmain verb of direct speech (command to lead Rahab out)→ ingressive aorist imperative (lead her out, decisively)ἐξάγω: 'lead out / bring out'; renders יָצָא (Hiphil); the spies are to extract Rahab from the doomed city before its destruction — the verb of rescue/exodus.
αὐτὴνherAccusativedirect object of ἐξαγάγετε (Rahab)αὐτός: feminine accusative referring to Rahab; she is the one to be led to safety.
ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (source: 'out of there')ἐκεῖθεν: 'from there / thence'; from the doomed city — Rahab is brought out of the place given over to destruction.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending the rescue to her belongings)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ὅσαwhateverNominativerelative pronoun ('all that belongs to her')ὅσος: 'as much as / whatever'; extends the rescue to all that is Rahab's — her family and goods, per the spies' oath (Josh 2:18).
ἐστὶνis / belongsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of the relative clause (with dative of possession: 'all that is hers')→ stative present (present possession)εἰμί: 'be'; with the dative αὐτῇ it expresses possession ('all that is to her' = all she has).
αὐτῇto herDativedative of possession ('belonging to her')αὐτός: dative of possession; 'all that is hers' — her whole household and property to be brought out with her.
23
καὶ εἰσῆλθον οἱ δύο νεανίσκοι οἱ κατασκοπεύσαντες τὴν πόλιν εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν τῆς γυναικὸς καὶ ἐξηγάγοσαν Ρααβ τὴν πόρνην καὶ τὸν πατέρα αὐτῆς καὶ τὴν μητέρα αὐτῆς καὶ τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς αὐτῆς καὶ πάντα ὅσα ἦν αὐτῇ καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν συγγένειαν αὐτῆς καὶ κατέστησαν αὐτὴν ἔξω τῆς παρεμβολῆς Ισραηλ
And the two young men who had spied out the city went into the house of the woman and brought out Rahab the prostitute, and her father, and her mother, and her brothers, and all that was hers, and all her kindred, and they set her outside the camp of Israel.
The order of v. 22 enacted: the spies bring out Rahab with father, mother, brothers, all her kindred, and goods, and station them safely outside the camp. The piling of καί-phrases (father, mother, brothers, all hers, all her kindred) stresses the completeness of the deliverance — the whole household saved through one woman's faith (cf. Heb 11:31; Jas 2:25).
Word-by-word analysis· 48 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἰσῆλθονwent inAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (the spies enter Rahab's house)→ constative aorist (the completed entry)εἰσέρχομαι: 'go in / enter'; the spies obey the command εἰσέλθατε (v. 22) and enter to rescue Rahab.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with νεανίσκοι)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δύοtwonumeral (modifying νεανίσκοι; indeclinable here)δύο: 'two'; the two spies, here in the nominative phrase (δύο is invariable in this case); the agents of Rahab's deliverance.
νεανίσκοιyoung menNominativesubject of εἰσῆλθον and ἐξηγάγοσαννεανίσκος: 'young man'; the two scouts of Joshua 2, now Rahab's rescuers.
οἱthe (ones)Nominativearticle (substantizing the participle κατασκοπεύσαντες)ὁ: article forming the attributive phrase 'who had spied out the city.'
κατασκοπεύσαντεςwho had spied outAor Act Ptcp Nom Masc Pl · κατασκοπεύωattributive participle (defining the young men)→ antecedent aorist participle (their prior reconnaissance)κατασκοπεύω: 'spy out / reconnoiter'; the same description as v. 22; their earlier mission (Josh 2) is the basis of their present errand of mercy.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object of κατασκοπεύσαντες (the city spied out)πόλις: 'city'; Jericho, the object of the earlier reconnaissance.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction of entry)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with οἰκίαν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἰκίανhouseAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (Rahab's house)οἰκία: 'house'; Rahab's house, entered to bring out her household.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with γυναικός)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυναικὸςwomanGenitivegenitive of possession ('the woman's house')γυνή: 'woman'; Rahab.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐξηγάγοσανbrought outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐξάγωmain verb (the spies lead out Rahab and her household)→ constative aorist (the completed rescue)ἐξάγω: 'lead out / bring out'; the form ἐξηγάγοσαν shows the Hellenistic/LXX 3rd-plural aorist ending -οσαν; fulfils the command ἐξαγάγετε (v. 22) — Rahab and all hers are led to safety.
ΡααβRahabdirect object of ἐξηγάγοσαν (indeclinable)Ρααβ: transliteration of רָחָב; indeclinable (hence case ''); the prostitute spared and led out — the heroine of faith (Heb 11:31), justified by works (Jas 2:25), ancestress of David and of the Messiah (Matt 1:5).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόρνην, in apposition to Ρααβ)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόρνηνprostituteAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Ρααβπόρνη: 'prostitute'; the epithet retained even in her deliverance (as in Heb 11:31; Jas 2:25), magnifying the grace that saves and exalts the unlikeliest of Jericho.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πατέρα)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατέραfatherAccusativedirect object (coordinate with Ρααβ)πατήρ: 'father'; Rahab's father, brought out with her per the spies' oath (Josh 2:18); the household saved through her faith.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of relationship ('her father')αὐτός: feminine genitive, 'her'; recurring through the list of Rahab's saved relatives.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with μητέρα)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μητέραmotherAccusativedirect object (coordinate)μήτηρ: 'mother'; Rahab's mother, likewise delivered.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of relationship ('her mother')αὐτῆς: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle (with ἀδελφούς)τοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀδελφοὺςbrothersAccusativedirect object (coordinate)ἀδελφός: 'brother'; Rahab's brothers, part of the household saved with her.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of relationship ('her brothers')αὐτῆς: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
πάνταallAccusativesubstantival adjective (object: 'all that was hers')πᾶς: 'all'; the neuter plural πάντα embraces all Rahab's possessions, saved along with her people.
ὅσαwhateverNominativerelative pronoun (defining πάντα: 'as much as was hers')ὅσος: 'whatever / as much as'; totalizing — all that belonged to her was brought out.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of the relative clause (with dative of possession)→ descriptive imperfect (what belonged to her)εἰμί (impf.): 'was'; with the dative αὐτῇ, 'all that was hers' — her property delivered with her.
αὐτῇhersDativedative of possession ('all that was to her')αὐτός: dative of possession; 'all that was hers.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
πᾶσανallAccusativeadjective (modifying συγγένειαν: 'all her kindred')πᾶς: 'all / whole'; the feminine πᾶσαν agrees with συγγένειαν — the entirety of Rahab's extended family saved.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with συγγένειαν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συγγένειανkindredAccusativedirect object (coordinate: 'all her kindred')συγγένεια: 'kindred / relatives / clan'; renders מִשְׁפָּחָה / מוֹלֶדֶת; Rahab's whole extended family is saved — the deliverance reaches beyond her immediate house to all her relations who took refuge with her.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of relationship ('her kindred')αὐτῆς: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
κατέστησανset / placedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καθίστημιmain verb (the spies station Rahab's household in safety)→ constative aorist (the completed placing)καθίστημι: 'set / place / establish'; here 'set / station' Rahab's company in a safe location outside the camp; the verb of establishing in a fixed position — they are settled apart, not yet incorporated, until the camp is purified.
αὐτὴνherAccusativedirect object of κατέστησαν (Rahab, with her company)αὐτός: feminine accusative referring to Rahab (representing her whole company); she and hers are placed outside the camp.
ἔξωoutsidepreposition + genitive (place: 'outside the camp')ἔξω: 'outside / out of'; with the genitive τῆς παρεμβολῆς; Rahab's people, being Canaanite and not yet ritually incorporated, are settled just outside the camp until v. 25 reports their dwelling 'in Israel.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with παρεμβολῆς)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῆςcampGenitivegenitive object of ἔξω ('outside the camp')παρεμβολή: 'camp'; the camp of Israel (cf. vv. 11, 14); Rahab's household is placed outside it, a transitional location before full incorporation.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Israel')Ισραηλ: transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable (hence case ''); 'the camp of Israel,' the covenant community Rahab will soon join (v. 25).
24
καὶ ἡ πόλις ἐνεπρήσθη ἐμπυρισμῷ σὺν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἐν αὐτῇ πλὴν ἀργυρίου καὶ χρυσίου καὶ χαλκοῦ καὶ σιδήρου ἔδωκαν εἰς θησαυρὸν κυρίου εἰσενεχθῆναι
And the city was burned with fire together with all that was in it, except the silver and gold and bronze and iron, which they gave to be brought into the treasury of the LORD.
The herem completed: the city is burned with all in it. The exception (πλήν) is the precious metals, consecrated as v. 19 prescribed — they are given 'to be brought into the treasury of the LORD' (εἰς θησαυρὸν κυρίου εἰσενεχθῆναι), the passive infinitive echoing the future passive εἰσενεχθήσεται of v. 19. The conquest enriches God's sanctuary, not the soldiers.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with πόλις)ἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλιςcityNominativesubject of ἐνεπρήσθηπόλις: 'city'; Jericho, now burned to complete its devotion to destruction.
ἐνεπρήσθηwas burnedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐμπίμπρημιmain verb (the burning of the city)→ constative aorist passive (the completed conflagration)ἐμπίμπρημι (ἐμπρήθω): 'set on fire / burn up'; renders שָׂרַף בָּאֵשׁ; the passive 'was burned'; fire completes the herem, reducing the devoted city to ash (cf. Deut 13:16).
ἐμπυρισμῷwith fireDativecognate dative (with ἐνεπρήσθη: 'burned with burning')ἐμπυρισμός: 'a burning / conflagration'; the cognate dative ἐνεπρήσθη … ἐμπυρισμῷ ('burned with fire/burning') is a Hebraism intensifying the act (rendering שָׂרְפוּ … בָּאֵשׁ); the total incineration of the devoted city.
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment: 'together with')σύν: 'with / together with'; the city is burned 'with all that is in it' — the totality of the herem.
πᾶσινallDativesubstantival adjective (with σύν: 'with all things')πᾶς: 'all'; the dative πᾶσιν, 'all (the things),' burned with the city.
τοῖςthe (things)Dativearticle (substantizing the phrase 'the things in it')ὁ: article forming the substantival phrase 'the things in it' (τοῖς ἐν αὐτῇ).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτῇitDativedative object of ἐν (locative: 'in it')αὐτός: feminine dative referring to the city; 'all that was in it' burned with it.
πλὴνexceptexceptive particle (introducing the spared metals)πλήν: 'except / only'; marks the one exception to the burning — the precious metals, consecrated rather than destroyed (cf. πλήν of the Rahab-exception, v. 17).
ἀργυρίουsilverGenitivegenitive (with πλήν: 'except the silver')ἀργύριον: 'silver'; the first of the four metals reserved for the LORD's treasury (cf. v. 19).
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
χρυσίουgoldGenitivegenitive (with πλήν)χρυσίον: 'gold'; the second metal consecrated to the LORD.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
χαλκοῦbronzeGenitivegenitive (with πλήν)χαλκός: 'bronze / copper'; the third metal reserved for the treasury.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
σιδήρουironGenitivegenitive (with πλήν)σίδηρος: 'iron'; the fourth metal; completing the list of v. 19, all given to the LORD's treasury rather than burned or kept.
ἔδωκανthey gaveAor Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb (the consecration of the metals)→ constative aorist (the completed giving)δίδωμι: 'give'; the metals are 'given' to the LORD's treasury — the fulfilment of the decree of v. 19; the spoil is dedicated to God, not divided as plunder.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (destination)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
θησαυρὸνtreasuryAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination of the metals)θησαυρός: 'treasury / storehouse'; the LORD's treasury, as prescribed in v. 19.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession ('the treasury of the LORD')κύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the treasury belongs to the LORD.
εἰσενεχθῆναιto be brought inAor Pass Inf · εἰσφέρωinfinitive of purpose (with ἔδωκαν: 'gave to be brought in')→ aorist passive infinitive (the purpose of the giving)εἰσφέρω (aor. pass. inf.): 'bring in / carry into'; the infinitive of purpose echoes the future passive εἰσενεχθήσεται of v. 19 — what was decreed there is now done: the metals are given precisely so as to be brought into the LORD's treasury.
25
καὶ Ρααβ τὴν πόρνην καὶ πάντα τὸν οἶκον τὸν πατρικὸν αὐτῆς ἐζώγρησεν Ἰησοῦς καὶ κατῴκησεν ἐν τῷ Ισραηλ ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας διότι ἔκρυψεν τοὺς κατασκοπεύσαντας οὓς ἀπέστειλεν Ἰησοῦς κατασκοπεῦσαι τὴν Ιεριχω
And Rahab the prostitute and all her father's house Joshua kept alive; and she dwelt in Israel until this day, because she hid the spies whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
The Rahab narrative reaches its conclusion: Joshua 'kept her alive' (ἐζώγρησεν) with all her father's house, and she 'dwelt in Israel until this day' — full incorporation into the covenant people. The causal διότι gives the reason: 'because she hid the spies' (ἔκρυψεν τοὺς κατασκοπεύσαντας). Her act of faith (Heb 11:31: 'she received the spies in peace') and works (Jas 2:25) is rewarded with life and inclusion (Matt 1:5).
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ΡααβRahabdirect object of ἐζώγρησεν (fronted; indeclinable)Ρααβ: transliteration of רָחָב; indeclinable (hence case ''); the saved prostitute, here granted permanent life and a home in Israel.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόρνην, in apposition to Ρααβ)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόρνηνprostituteAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Ρααβπόρνη: 'prostitute'; the epithet retained to the end (as in Heb 11:31; Jas 2:25), so that her transformation from doomed Canaanite harlot to member of Israel and ancestress of the Messiah magnifies divine grace.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
πάνταallAccusativeadjective (modifying οἶκον: 'all her father's house')πᾶς: 'all / whole'; the masculine πάντα agrees with οἶκον — the entirety of Rahab's father's house spared.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with οἶκον)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativedirect object (coordinate with Ρααβ)οἶκος: 'house / household'; Rahab's father's house — her whole family, kept alive with her.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with πατρικόν, attributive)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρικὸνpaternalAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying οἶκον: 'father's house')πατρικός: 'paternal / of one's father / ancestral'; ὁ οἶκος ὁ πατρικός = 'the father's house,' the ancestral household; renders בֵּית אָב; all of it preserved through Rahab.
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession ('her father's house')αὐτός: feminine genitive, 'her'; Rahab's ancestral house.
ἐζώγρησενkept aliveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ζωγρέωmain verb (Joshua spares Rahab's household)→ constative aorist (the completed preservation)ζωγρέω: 'take alive / spare / keep alive' (lit. 'catch alive'); from ζωός + ἀγρέω; renders חָיָה (Hiphil, 'let live'); fulfils the command περιποιήσασθε (v. 17) — Rahab and hers are kept alive amid the herem; the same verb is used of Jesus' promise that Peter will 'catch men alive' (Luke 5:10).
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: the leader who keeps the oath and preserves Rahab's household alive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
κατῴκησενshe dweltAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατοικέωmain verb (Rahab's permanent settlement in Israel)→ constative/ingressive aorist (she took up residence)κατοικέω: 'dwell / settle / inhabit'; renders יָשַׁב; Rahab — earlier set 'outside the camp' (v. 23) — now 'dwells in Israel,' fully incorporated into the covenant people; the Canaanite harlot becomes a permanent member of God's people (cf. Matt 1:5, where she is grandmother of Boaz).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῷtheDativearticle (with Ισραηλ, substantizing the indeclinable name)ὁ: the article articulates the indeclinable Ισραηλ, marking its dative-locative function ('in Israel').
ΙσραηλIsraelobject of ἐν (locative; indeclinable, case via the article τῷ)Ισραηλ: transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable (hence case ''); 'in Israel' = within the covenant people, into which Rahab is now received.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal extent: 'until this day')ἕως: 'until / as far as'; in the formula ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας ('until this day'), a narratorial marker of an enduring state at the time of writing.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with ἡμέρας)τῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σήμερονpresent (today)adverb used attributively (with ἡμέρας: 'the present day')σήμερον: 'today'; the indeclinable adverb used attributively in the idiom ἡ σήμερον ἡμέρα ('the present day'); renders הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה; the etiological formula 'to this day' attests Rahab's descendants living in Israel when Joshua was composed.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive of time (with ἕως: 'until this day')ἡμέρα: 'day'; in the formula ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας, marking the abiding presence of Rahab's line in Israel.
διότιbecausecausal conjunction (giving the ground of her deliverance)διότι: 'because / for the reason that'; introduces the explicit ground of Rahab's salvation — her hiding of the spies; the narrative's theological note that her deliverance rewards her faith-act (cf. Heb 11:31; Jas 2:25).
ἔκρυψενshe hidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κρύπτωmain verb of the causal clause (Rahab's saving act)→ constative aorist (the decisive act of concealment)κρύπτω: 'hide / conceal'; renders חָבָא / צָפַן; Rahab's hiding of the spies (Josh 2:4–6) is the very deed Heb 11:31 (δεξαμένη τοὺς κατασκόπους) and Jas 2:25 (ὑποδεξαμένη … ἐκβαλοῦσα) praise as faith made effective in works.
τοὺςthe (ones)Accusativearticle (substantizing the participle κατασκοπεύσαντας)ὁ: article forming the substantival phrase 'the ones who spied out' = the spies.
κατασκοπεύσανταςthe spiesAor Act Ptcp Acc Masc Pl · κατασκοπεύωsubstantival participle (direct object of ἔκρυψεν: 'those who had spied')→ antecedent aorist participle (their prior spying)κατασκοπεύω: 'spy out / reconnoiter'; the substantival participle 'the spies'; the very men Rahab concealed and protected, securing her household's deliverance.
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀπέστειλεν)ὅς: the relative οὕς ('whom') introduces the clause identifying the spies as Joshua's own emissaries — tying Rahab's act to Joshua's mission.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωverb of the relative clause (Joshua's sending of the spies)→ constative aorist (the completed sending)ἀποστέλλω: 'send / send out (with a commission)'; renders שָׁלַח; Joshua's dispatch of the spies (Josh 2:1); the verb of commissioned sending, root of ἀπόστολος.
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubject of ἀπέστειλενἸησοῦς: the one who sent the spies whom Rahab hid.
κατασκοπεῦσαιto spy outAor Act Inf · κατασκοπεύωinfinitive of purpose (with ἀπέστειλεν: 'sent to spy out')→ aorist infinitive (the purpose of the sending)κατασκοπεύω: 'spy out / reconnoiter'; the infinitive of purpose; the spies were sent to reconnoiter Jericho (Josh 2:1) — the mission in which Rahab sheltered them.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with Ιεριχω; carries the accusative)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙεριχωJerichodirect object of κατασκοπεῦσαι (indeclinable; case via the article τήν)Ιεριχω: indeclinable place-name (hence case ''); the object of the spies' reconnaissance, the city now fallen — the chapter returns to the name with which it opened (v. 1).
26
καὶ ὥρκισεν Ἰησοῦς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐκείνῃ ἐναντίον κυρίου λέγων ἐπικατάρατος ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὃς οἰκοδομήσει τὴν πόλιν ἐκείνην ἐν τῷ πρωτοτόκῳ αὐτοῦ θεμελιώσει αὐτὴν καὶ ἐν τῷ ἐλαχίστῳ αὐτοῦ ἐπιστήσει τὰς πύλας αὐτῆς καὶ οὕτως ἐποίησεν Οζαν ὁ ἐκ Βαιθηλ ἐν τῷ Αβιρων τῷ πρωτοτόκῳ ἐθεμελίωσεν αὐτὴν καὶ ἐν τῷ ἐλαχίστῳ διασωθέντι ἐπέστησεν τὰς πύλας αὐτῆς
And on that day Joshua swore an oath before the LORD, saying, 'Cursed be the man who rebuilds that city: at the cost of his firstborn he shall lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest he shall set up its gates.' And so did Hozan of Bethel: at the cost of Abiron his firstborn he laid its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest, who survived, he set up its gates.
Joshua swears a curse before the LORD on whoever rebuilds Jericho: it will cost him his firstborn and his youngest sons. The OG of this verse contains a unique expansion (with no MT counterpart) recording the curse's fulfilment — 'so did Hozan of Bethel … in Abiron his firstborn … in his youngest who survived.' This anticipates and matches the historical fulfilment in Hiel of Bethel at 1 Kgs 16:34 (where the LXX likewise names the sons), making the Greek text its own cross-reference.
Word-by-word analysis· 56 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ὥρκισενswore an oathAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁρκίζωmain verb (Joshua pronounces a solemn oath-curse)→ constative aorist (the single solemn adjuration)ὁρκίζω: 'put under oath / adjure / cause to swear'; renders שָׁבַע (Hiphil) / אָלָה; here Joshua binds Israel by an oath-curse against rebuilding Jericho; the verb of solemn adjuration (cf. Matt 26:63; Acts 19:13).
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: the leader pronouncing the prophetic curse on the city's would-be rebuilder.
ἐνin / onpreposition + dative (temporal)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἡμέρᾳ)τῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (when: 'on that day')ἡμέρα: 'day'; the day of Jericho's fall, marked as the occasion of the solemn curse.
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ: 'that day')ἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the demonstrative fixes the curse to the very day of the conquest.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)ἐναντίον: 'before / in the presence of'; the oath is sworn 'before the LORD,' invoking him as witness and guarantor of the curse.
κυρίουLORDGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίονκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the LORD is invoked as the enforcer of the oath-curse.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Masc Sg · λέγωredundant participle of speech (Hebraism introducing direct discourse)→ circumstantial present participle (pleonastic speech-marker)λέγω (ptcp.): the pleonastic λέγων rendering לֵאמֹר; introduces the words of the curse.
ἐπικατάρατοςcursedNominativepredicate adjective (the curse-formula: 'cursed [be] the man')ἐπικατάρατος: 'accursed / under a curse'; renders אָרוּר; the standard LXX curse-formula adjective (cf. Deut 27:15ff.); Paul cites ἐπικατάρατος twice at Gal 3:10, 13 (of the law's curse and of Christ becoming a curse); here it dooms whoever would rebuild the devoted city.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἄνθρωπος)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject of the curse-formula (the one cursed)ἄνθρωπος: 'man / person'; the indefinite 'man who rebuilds' — anyone who would dare reverse the LORD's judgment by refounding Jericho.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of οἰκοδομήσει)ὅς: the relative defining the cursed man as the one who would rebuild the city.
οἰκοδομήσειshall rebuildFut Act Indic 3 Sg · οἰκοδομέωverb of the relative clause (the cursed act)→ predictive/conditional future (whoever shall build)οἰκοδομέω: 'build / rebuild / construct'; renders בָּנָה; to rebuild Jericho would be to undo its devotion to destruction; the curse falls on this act, fulfilled in Hiel (1 Kgs 16:34).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with πόλιν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object of οἰκοδομήσειπόλις: 'city'; Jericho, whose rebuilding is forbidden under curse.
ἐκείνηνthatAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying πόλιν: 'that city')ἐκεῖνος: 'that'; deictically marks Jericho as the specific city under the ban — 'that (accursed) city.'
ἐνat the cost ofpreposition + dative (price/cost: 'at the cost of')ἐν: instrumental/price dative here, 'at the cost of / by means of'; ἐν τῷ πρωτοτόκῳ = 'at the price of his firstborn' — the curse exacts the builder's sons.
τῷtheDativearticle (with πρωτοτόκῳ)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωτοτόκῳfirstbornDativedative of price/cost (with ἐν: 'at the cost of his firstborn')πρωτότοκος: 'firstborn'; renders בְּכוֹר; the curse's terms — the foundation laid at the death of the firstborn; fulfilled when Hiel's firstborn Abiram died as he refounded Jericho (1 Kgs 16:34).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his firstborn')αὐτός: genitive, 'his'; the builder's own firstborn.
θεμελιώσειshall lay the foundationFut Act Indic 3 Sg · θεμελιόωmain verb of the curse (the cost of founding the city)→ predictive future (the certain penalty)θεμελιόω: 'lay the foundation / found'; from θεμέλιος; renders יָסַד; the laying of the foundation will cost the builder his firstborn — the price of the curse.
αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object of θεμελιώσει (the city)αὐτός: feminine accusative referring to the city; 'lay its foundation.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐνat the cost ofpreposition + dative (price/cost)ἐν: again the price-dative, 'at the cost of his youngest.'
τῷtheDativearticle (with ἐλαχίστῳ)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐλαχίστῳyoungest / leastDativedative of price/cost (with ἐν: 'at the cost of his youngest')ἐλάχιστος: 'least / smallest / youngest' (superlative of μικρός/ἐλαχύς); renders צָעִיר ('youngest'); the curse's second term — the gates set up at the death of the youngest son (cf. Hiel's youngest Segub, 1 Kgs 16:34).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his youngest')αὐτός: genitive, 'his'; the builder's youngest son.
ἐπιστήσειshall set upFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐφίστημιmain verb of the curse (setting up the gates)→ predictive future (the certain penalty)ἐφίστημι: 'set up / place upon / station'; here transitively 'set up (the gates)'; renders הִצִּיב; the hanging of the city's gates will cost the builder his youngest son.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with πύλας)τὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύλαςgatesAccusativedirect object of ἐπιστήσειπύλη: 'gate'; renders דֶּלֶת / שַׁעַר; the city-gates, whose setting-up completes the rebuilding and exacts the second death.
αὐτῆςitsGenitivegenitive of possession ('its gates')αὐτός: feminine genitive referring to the city; 'its gates.'
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the LXX fulfilment-notice)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
οὕτωςsoadverb of manner ('thus, in accordance with the curse')οὕτως: 'thus / so'; introduces the OG's unique fulfilment-notice — 'and so it happened,' recording that the curse was carried out exactly as pronounced.
ἐποίησενdidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (the fulfilment: the rebuilder acted)→ constative aorist (the accomplished fulfilment)ποιέω: 'do / make'; the aorist reports the historical fulfilment in the OG plus — the man did indeed rebuild Jericho and suffered the curse; this notice has no MT counterpart, the Greek anticipating 1 Kgs 16:34.
ΟζανHozansubject of ἐποίησεν (indeclinable proper name)Οζαν: an indeclinable proper name (hence case '') found only in this OG plus; the rebuilder of Jericho identified as 'Hozan of Bethel'; corresponds to Hiel (Ahiel) of Bethel of 1 Kgs 16:34 (LXX 3 Kgdms 16:34), where the same curse-fulfilment is recorded.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (substantizing the prepositional phrase: 'the one from Bethel')ὁ: article with ἐκ Βαιθηλ, 'the one from Bethel' — identifying the rebuilder's origin.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (origin: 'from Bethel')ἐκ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΒαιθηλBethelgenitive object of ἐκ (indeclinable place-name)Βαιθηλ: transliteration of Hebrew בֵּית אֵל ('house of God'); indeclinable (hence case ''); the home of the rebuilder, matching Hiel 'of Bethel' (1 Kgs 16:34).
ἐνat the cost ofpreposition + dative (price/cost)ἐν: the price-dative again, in the fulfilment-notice: 'at the cost of Abiron his firstborn.'
τῷtheDativearticle (with Αβιρων)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑβιρωνAbirondative of price/cost (indeclinable proper name, articulated by τῷ)Αβιρων: transliteration of Hebrew אֲבִירָם (Abiram); indeclinable (hence case '', case carried by the article τῷ); the firstborn son who died as the foundation was laid — named explicitly in the OG (cf. Abiram in 1 Kgs 16:34 LXX).
τῷtheDativearticle (with πρωτοτόκῳ, in apposition to Αβιρων)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωτοτόκῳfirstbornDativedative in apposition to Αβιρων ('Abiron his firstborn')πρωτότοκος: 'firstborn'; identifies Abiron as the firstborn son — the first casualty of the curse, exactly as pronounced (v. 26a).
ἐθεμελίωσενhe laid the foundationAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θεμελιόωmain verb of the fulfilment (the founding accomplished)→ constative aorist (the accomplished founding)θεμελιόω: 'lay the foundation'; the aorist reports the fulfilment of the predicted θεμελιώσει (v. 26a) — the rebuilder laid the foundation, and his firstborn died.
αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object of ἐθεμελίωσεν (the city)αὐτός: feminine accusative referring to the city; 'laid its foundation.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐνat the cost ofpreposition + dative (price/cost)ἐν: the price-dative, 'at the cost of his youngest.'
τῷtheDativearticle (with ἐλαχίστῳ)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐλαχίστῳyoungestDativedative of price/cost (with ἐν: 'at the cost of his youngest')ἐλάχιστος: 'youngest / least'; the second son whose death attended the setting-up of the gates; fulfils ἐν τῷ ἐλαχίστῳ (v. 26a).
διασωθέντιwho survivedAor Pass Ptcp Dat Masc Sg · διασῴζωattributive participle (modifying ἐλαχίστῳ: 'his youngest, who survived')→ antecedent aorist passive participle (having been kept alive [until then])διασῴζω: 'bring safely through / preserve / rescue'; the passive participle διασωθέντι ('who had survived / been kept safe') notes that the youngest had until then survived — heightening the pathos of the curse, which claims even the last surviving son; the same verb of being 'brought safely through' (cf. Acts 27:44; 1 Pet 3:20).
ἐπέστησενhe set upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐφίστημιmain verb of the fulfilment (the gates set up)→ constative aorist (the accomplished setting-up)ἐφίστημι: 'set up / place'; the aorist reports the fulfilment of ἐπιστήσει (v. 26a) — the rebuilder set up the gates, and his youngest son died.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with πύλας)τὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύλαςgatesAccusativedirect object of ἐπέστησενπύλη: 'gate'; the city-gates set up at the cost of the youngest son — the curse fully discharged.
αὐτῆςitsGenitivegenitive of possession ('its gates')αὐτός: feminine genitive referring to the city; 'its gates' — closing the fulfilment-notice and the curse together.
27
καὶ ἦν κύριος μετὰ Ἰησοῦ καὶ ἦν τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ κατὰ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν
And the LORD was with Joshua, and his name was throughout all the land.
The chapter closes with a double summary: the LORD was with Joshua (the fulfilment of the commissioning promise, Josh 1:5, 9, 'as I was with Moses, so I will be with you'), and his fame spread throughout all the land. The conquest of Jericho vindicates Joshua's leadership and seals the victory as the LORD's accomplishment — the divine presence, not military might, is the source of his renown.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (statement of the LORD's abiding presence)→ durative imperfect (the LORD's continuing presence)εἰμί (impf.): 'was'; the imperfect ἦν marks a continuing state — the LORD was (and remained) with Joshua, fulfilling the promise of his commission (Josh 1:5).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἦνκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the LORD's presence with Joshua is the chapter's final word on the source of the victory — the conquest was God's own work.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment: 'with Joshua')μετά + gen.: 'with / in company with'; the idiom 'the LORD was with him' (renders יְהוָה אֶת) denotes divine accompaniment and help — the assurance given at Joshua's commissioning, now demonstrated.
ἸησοῦJoshuaGenitivegenitive object of μετάἸησοῦς: the LXX form of יְהוֹשֻׁעַ; here the genitive Ἰησοῦ; the leader whom the LORD accompanies, as he had Moses (cf. Josh 1:5).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the two summary clauses)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (statement of Joshua's spreading fame)→ durative imperfect (his continuing renown)εἰμί (impf.): 'was'; the imperfect again marks an enduring state — Joshua's name 'was' (i.e. resounded) throughout the land.
τὸtheNominativearticle (with ὄνομα)τὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομαname / fameNominativesubject of the second ἦνὄνομα: 'name / reputation / fame'; renders שֵׁם; here 'his name (fame) was throughout all the land' — the conquest of Jericho makes Joshua renowned, a renown rooted in the LORD's presence with him (cf. the parallel of Josh 4:14, where the LORD 'exalted Joshua').
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his name')αὐτός: genitive, 'his'; Joshua's name/fame.
κατὰthroughoutpreposition + accusative (extent: 'throughout all the land')κατά + acc.: 'throughout / over the whole of'; κατὰ πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν = 'throughout all the land' — the distributive 'over the whole extent of' marking the spread of Joshua's fame.
πᾶσανallAccusativeadjective (modifying γῆν: 'all the land')πᾶς: 'all / whole'; the feminine πᾶσαν agrees with γῆν — the entirety of the land, throughout which Joshua's name resounded.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with γῆν)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (extent of Joshua's fame)γῆ: 'land / earth / ground'; renders אֶרֶץ; here the land of Canaan, where the fall of Jericho spread Joshua's fame and struck terror into the inhabitants (cf. Josh 2:9–11; 5:1) — the conquest's first city now magnifies the LORD's leader throughout the promised land.