1
καὶ ἐπλημμέλησαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ πλημμέλειαν μεγάλην καὶ ἐνοσφίσαντο ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀναθέματος καὶ ἔλαβεν Αχαρ υἱὸς Χαρμι υἱοῦ Ζαμβρι υἱοῦ Ζαρα ἐκ τῆς φυλῆς Ιουδα ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀναθέματος καὶ ἐθυμώθη ὀργῇ κύριος τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ
And the sons of Israel committed a great trespass and pilfered from the devoted thing; and Achar son of Charmi, son of Zambri, son of Zara, of the tribe of Judah, took from the devoted thing; and the LORD was angered with wrath against the sons of Israel.
The chapter opens abruptly with a cognate-accusative Hebraism (ἐπλημμέλησαν … πλημμέλειαν μεγάλην) that establishes the corporate dimension of the sin: the subject is plural — 'the sons of Israel' — even though the offending act is committed by a single man, Αχαρ. The narrator withholds the offender's name until after the collective indictment, then identifies him by a four-generation genealogy and tribal affiliation, fixing responsibility. The verse closes with the burning of the LORD's anger against the whole people, the engine of the chapter's corporate-solidarity theology.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπλημμέλησανcommitted a trespassAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πλημμελέωmain verb (collective subject 'sons of Israel')→ constative aorist (single corporate offense viewed as a whole)πλημμελέω: 'commit a fault / offend / be guilty of a trespass'; renders Hebrew מָעַל ('act unfaithfully, commit sacrilege'); in the LXX the verb and its cognate noun πλημμέλεια are the standard cultic terms for a breach of sacred obligation (cf. Lev 5:15); the cognate-accusative construction with πλημμέλειαν μεγάλην reproduces the Hebrew emphatic idiom מָעַל מַעַל.
οἱtheNominativearticleοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (collective: Israel as covenant community)υἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ('the sons of Israel') renders בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, the standard designation of the covenant people; the plural subject is theologically pointed — the trespass of one man (named only later) is reckoned as the trespass of all, the chapter's corporate-solidarity premise.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable proper noun: 'sons of Israel')Ισραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; here functioning as an adnominal genitive with υἱοί.
πλημμέλειανa trespassAccusativecognate accusative (Hebraism with ἐπλημμέλησαν)πλημμέλεια: 'fault / trespass / sacrilege'; the cognate accusative with its own verb (ἐπλημμέλησαν πλημμέλειαν) reproduces the Hebrew infinitive-absolute/cognate construction מָעַל מַעַל, intensifying the offense; in cultic contexts πλημμέλεια designates a guilt requiring reparation (the πλημμέλεια-offering, Lev 5).
μεγάληνgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying πλημμέλειαν)μέγας: 'great / serious'; renders גָּדוֹל; qualifies the trespass as grave precisely because it touches the ἀνάθεμα — the devoted thing that belongs irrevocably to the LORD.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (explicating the trespass)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐνοσφίσαντοthey pilferedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · νοσφίζομαιmain verb (specifying the nature of the trespass)→ constative aorist (the act of misappropriation)νοσφίζομαι: 'set apart for oneself / purloin / embezzle'; renders מָעַל here in the sense of secret misappropriation of sacred property; strikingly, the same verb describes Ananias and Sapphira's withholding of proceeds in Acts 5:2–3 (ἐνοσφίσατο), a deliberate echo of the Achar episode and its corporate judgment.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (partitive source)ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τοῦtheGenitivearticleτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀναθέματοςdevoted thingGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (the herem of Jericho)ἀνάθεμα: 'devoted thing / accursed thing'; the LXX rendering of Hebrew חֵרֶם, the spoil of Jericho irrevocably consecrated to destruction (6:17–18); ἀνάθεμα is the keyword of the chapter (vv. 1, 11, 12, 13, 15), denoting both the object stolen and the contagion of guilt it transmits to the whole community; Paul reuses the term in the sense of accursed devotion (Rom 9:3; 1 Cor 16:22; Gal 1:8–9).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the named offender)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (singular: the individual act behind the corporate guilt)→ constative aorist (the decisive act of taking)λαμβάνω: 'take / seize'; the shift from plural verbs (ἐπλημμέλησαν, ἐνοσφίσαντο) to the singular ἔλαβεν pinpoints the actual offender within the corporate indictment — Israel trespassed because Achar took.
ΑχαρAcharsubject (indeclinable proper noun)Αχαρ: the LXX form of the offender's name; the Masoretic Text reads עָכָן ('Achan'), but the Greek transliteration Αχαρ assimilates the name to the etiology of the Valley of Achor (Αχωρ, עָכוֹר 'trouble') in vv. 24–26 (cf. 1 Chr 2:7, where MT itself reads עָכָר 'Achar, the troubler of Israel'); indeclinable in the LXX.
υἱὸςsonNominativeapposition to Αχαρ (head of genealogy)υἱός: 'son'; introduces the four-generation patronymic genealogy that fixes Achar's tribal and clan identity, preparing for the lot-casting narrowing of vv. 16–18.
Χαρμιof Charmigenitive of relationship (indeclinable name: father)Χαρμι: transliteration of Hebrew כַּרְמִי ('Carmi'); indeclinable in the LXX; Achar's father.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition (continuing genealogy)υἱός: here in the genitive, continuing the chain 'son of Charmi, son of Zambri.'
Ζαμβριof Zambrigenitive of relationship (indeclinable name: grandfather)Ζαμβρι: transliteration of Hebrew זַבְדִּי ('Zabdi'); the Greek form reflects a variant vocalization; indeclinable in the LXX.
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition (continuing genealogy)υἱοῦ: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
Ζαραof Zaragenitive of relationship (indeclinable name: great-grandfather, clan-eponym)Ζαρα: transliteration of Hebrew זֶרַח ('Zerah'), son of Judah (Gen 38:30); indeclinable in the LXX; the clan of Ζαρα (the Ζαραϊ of v. 17) is the link between Achar and the tribe of Judah.
ἐκof / frompreposition + genitive (tribal origin)ἐκ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῆςtheGenitivearticleτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φυλῆςtribeGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (tribal affiliation)φυλή: 'tribe / clan'; renders מַטֶּה / שֵׁבֶט; the tribal designation is decisive for the lot-casting, where the lot first falls on the φυλή of Judah (v. 16).
Ιουδαof Judahgenitive of relationship (indeclinable name: 'tribe of Judah')Ιουδα: transliteration of Hebrew יְהוּדָה ('Judah'); indeclinable in the LXX; the irony is sharp — the foremost tribe, later the royal and messianic line, is the one through which the trespass enters.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (partitive source, resumptive)ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τοῦtheGenitivearticleτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀναθέματοςdevoted thingGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (resumptive: 'from the devoted thing')ἀνάθεμα: the repetition of ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀναθέματος brackets the genealogy, returning emphatically to the nature of the offense — it is the touching of the herem that constitutes the crime.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (consequence)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐθυμώθηwas angeredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · θυμόωmain verb (divine reaction to the trespass)→ ingressive aorist (the kindling of divine wrath)θυμόω (aor. pass.): 'be angered / become enraged'; renders חָרָה אַף ('the nose/anger burned'); the passive deponent form regularly expresses the kindling of the LORD's anger in the LXX; paired with the cognate dative ὀργῇ it forms an emphatic 'was angered with wrath,' a Hebraism reproducing the doubled Hebrew construction.
ὀργῇwith wrathDativedative of manner / cognate-like dative (intensifying ἐθυμώθη)ὀργή: 'wrath / anger'; the dative ὀργῇ with the cognate-sense verb ἐθυμώθη is a Hebraizing intensification ('was angered with anger'); the noun reappears in the closing formula of v. 26 (τοῦ θυμοῦ τῆς ὀργῆς), forming an inclusio around the chapter's wrath-theme.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject (the LORD)κύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the nominative subject of ἐθυμώθη makes the divine wrath the climactic and determinative reaction; this anger is the unseen cause of the defeat at Ai that follows.
τοῖςagainst theDativearticleτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative of disadvantage ('angered against the sons of Israel')υἱός (dat. pl.): the dative τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ marks the whole people as the object of the divine anger — not merely Achar; the corporate-solidarity logic is complete: one man's sin draws wrath upon all (cf. 1 Cor 5:6).
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'sons of Israel')Ισραηλ: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
2
καὶ ἀπέστειλεν Ἰησοῦς ἄνδρας εἰς Γαι ἥ ἐστιν κατὰ Βαιθηλ λέγων κατασκέψασθε τὴν Γαι καὶ ἀνέβησαν οἱ ἄνδρες καὶ κατεσκέψαντο τὴν Γαι
And Joshua sent men to Ai, which is near Bethel, saying, 'Spy out Ai.' And the men went up and spied out Ai.
The narrative proceeds with Joshua acting in good faith, ignorant of the trespass just disclosed to the reader in v. 1. The dramatic irony is acute: the reconnaissance mission and its confident report (v. 3) are doomed not by military miscalculation but by the unseen ἀνάθεμα in the camp. The geographic note 'which is near Bethel' anchors Ai topographically.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (Joshua dispatches the scouts)→ constative aorist (single completed dispatch)ἀποστέλλω: 'send / dispatch (with a commission)'; renders שָׁלַח; the compound ἀπο- stresses sending away on a mission; the same verb recurs at v. 22 when Joshua sends messengers to recover the spoil.
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: the Greek form of Hebrew יְהוֹשֻׁעַ ('Joshua / Yehoshua', 'YHWH saves'); unlike the indeclinable Hebrew names, Ἰησοῦς is declined as a contracted noun in the LXX (gen./dat. Ἰησοῦ, acc. Ἰησοῦν, also Ἰησοῖ at v. 20); the same name borne by Jesus of Nazareth (cf. Heb 4:8, where the LXX Ἰησοῦς creates a typological link).
ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object (the scouts)ἀνήρ: 'man'; renders אֲנָשִׁים; here the reconnaissance party, parallel to the spies of Joshua 2.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΓαιAiaccusative object of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)Γαι: transliteration of Hebrew הָעַי ('the Ai', 'the ruin / heap'); indeclinable in the LXX; the city east of Bethel whose name ironically foreshadows the heap of stones (σωρὸν λίθων, v. 26) that will close the chapter.
ἥwhichNominativerelative pronoun (feminine, agreeing with the city)ὅς, ἥ, ὅ: relative pronoun; the feminine ἥ agrees with the city understood as πόλις; introduces the locating clause 'which is near Bethel.'
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula of relative clause (geographic note)→ gnomic/descriptive present (standing geographic fact)εἰμί: 'be'; the present tense gives the narrator's standing geographic identification of Ai relative to Bethel.
κατὰnear / oppositepreposition + accusative (spatial: 'over against')κατά + acc.: 'near / opposite / over against'; here a locating sense, situating Ai in the vicinity of Bethel (cf. Gen 12:8).
ΒαιθηλBethelaccusative object of κατά (indeclinable place-name)Βαιθηλ: transliteration of Hebrew בֵּית־אֵל ('Bethel', 'house of God'); indeclinable in the LXX.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Masc Sg · λέγωparticiple of attendant circumstance (introducing direct speech)→ imperfective participle (Hebraizing speech-introducer 'saying')λέγω (pres. part.): the participle λέγων is the standard LXX rendering of Hebrew לֵאמֹר, introducing the content of a command or speech; here it conveys Joshua's instruction to the scouts.
κατασκέψασθεspy outAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · κατασκέπτομαιmain verb of direct speech (command to the scouts)→ ingressive aorist imperative (carry out the reconnaissance)κατασκέπτομαι: 'reconnoiter / spy out / inspect'; renders רָגַל / תּוּר; the compound κατα- intensifies ('inspect thoroughly'); the same verb is repeated in its indicative form (κατεσκέψαντο) to report the mission's completion.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with the place-name Γαι, treated as feminine)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΓαιAidirect object of κατασκέψασθε (indeclinable, with feminine article)Γαι: though indeclinable, the place-name takes the feminine article τήν (agreeing with the implied πόλις).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνέβησανwent upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (the scouts execute the order)→ constative aorist (completed ascent)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; renders עָלָה; the verb of military advance in this chapter (vv. 2, 3, 4); Ai sits in the hill country, so approaching it is literally 'going up.'
οἱtheNominativearticleοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (the scouts)ἀνήρ: 'man'; the same scouts now perform the reconnaissance commanded.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
κατεσκέψαντοspied outAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · κατασκέπτομαιmain verb (mission accomplished)→ constative aorist (completed reconnaissance)κατασκέπτομαι (aor. indic.): the indicative answering the imperative κατασκέψασθε, reporting that the command was carried out — a typical LXX command-fulfillment pairing.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (feminine, with Γαι)τὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΓαιAidirect object of κατεσκέψαντο (indeclinable)Γαι: function word shaping the local clause or phrase relation in this oracle.
3
καὶ ἀνέστρεψαν πρὸς Ἰησοῦν καὶ εἶπαν πρὸς αὐτόν μὴ ἀναβήτω πᾶς ὁ λαός ἀλλ᾿ ὡς δισχίλιοι ἢ τρισχίλιοι ἄνδρες ἀναβήτωσαν καὶ ἐκπολιορκησάτωσαν τὴν πόλιν μὴ ἀναγάγῃς ἐκεῖ τὸν λαὸν πάντα ὀλίγοι γάρ εἰσιν
And they returned to Joshua and said to him, 'Let not all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and storm the city; do not lead all the people up there, for they are few.'
The scouts return overconfident, advising a token force of two or three thousand and dismissing Ai's defenders as 'few' (ὀλίγοι). Their assessment is militarily sound but spiritually blind: it reckons without the ἀνάθεμα in the camp. The prohibitive subjunctives (μὴ ἀναβήτω, μὴ ἀναγάγῃς) and third-person imperatives frame their recommendation.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνέστρεψανreturnedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναστρέφωmain verb (the scouts return)→ constative aorist (completed return)ἀναστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; renders שׁוּב; the compound ἀνα- ('back') marks the return from the reconnaissance to report.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἸησοῦνJoshuaAccusativeaccusative object of πρόςἸησοῦς (acc. Ἰησοῦν): the declined accusative of the leader's name.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω: the Koine/LXX aorist εἶπαν (with -αν ending rather than classical εἶπον) introduces the scouts' report and counsel.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὐτόνhimAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Joshua)αὐτός: the personal pronoun referring to Joshua.
μὴnotnegative particle (with prohibitive imperative)μή: the negative used with non-indicative moods; here negating the third-person imperative ἀναβήτω.
ἀναβήτωlet go upAor Act Impv 3 Sg · ἀναβαίνωprohibitive third-person imperative ('let not all the people go up')→ ingressive aorist imperative (negated: no general mobilization)ἀναβαίνω (aor. impv.): the third-person imperative with μή gives a prohibition addressed to the collective body — the whole people need not go up.
πᾶςallNominativeadjective (modifying ὁ λαός)πᾶς: 'all / whole'; πᾶς ὁ λαός = 'all the people / the whole army'; the scouts judge a full mobilization unnecessary.
ὁtheNominativearticleὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόςpeopleNominativesubject of ἀναβήτωλαός: 'people'; here the people as the fighting force of Israel.
ἀλλ᾿butstrong adversative conjunction (elided ἀλλά)ἀλλά: 'but / rather'; introduces the positive counter-proposal after the prohibition.
ὡςaboutadverb (approximation with numerals: 'about')ὡς: here used with numerals in the sense 'approximately / about,' qualifying the recommended troop strength.
δισχίλιοιtwo thousandNominativenumeral adjective (modifying ἄνδρες)δισχίλιοι: 'two thousand'; renders אַלְפַּיִם; the lower estimate of the proposed force.
ἢordisjunctive conjunctionἤ: 'or'; offering an alternative figure.
τρισχίλιοιthree thousandNominativenumeral adjective (alternative figure)τρισχίλιοι: 'three thousand'; renders שְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים; the figure actually deployed in v. 4 (ὡσεὶ τρισχίλιοι).
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject of ἀναβήτωσανἀνήρ: 'man'; here fighting men.
ἀναβήτωσανlet them go upAor Act Impv 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωthird-person imperative (the positive recommendation)→ ingressive aorist imperative (let the detachment advance)ἀναβαίνω (aor. impv. 3 pl.): the recommended advance of the limited force.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐκπολιορκησάτωσανlet them stormAor Act Impv 3 Pl · ἐκπολιορκέωthird-person imperative (the objective: capture the city)→ effective aorist imperative (take the city by siege)ἐκπολιορκέω: 'take by siege / storm / reduce a city'; the compound ἐκ- denotes carrying the siege through to capture; the scouts assume Ai will fall to a small detachment — a confidence the ἀνάθεμα will overturn.
τὴνtheAccusativearticleτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόλινcityAccusativedirect object of ἐκπολιορκησάτωσανπόλις: 'city'; renders עִיר; here Ai.
μὴdo notnegative particle (with prohibitive subjunctive)μή: negating the aorist subjunctive ἀναγάγῃς in a prohibition addressed directly to Joshua.
ἀναγάγῃςlead upAor Act Subj 2 Sg · ἀνάγωprohibitive subjunctive (μή + aor. subj.: direct address to Joshua)→ prohibitive aorist subjunctive (do not undertake to lead up)ἀνάγω: 'lead up / bring up'; renders עָלָה (Hiphil); the μή + aorist subjunctive is the standard prohibition against initiating an action — 'do not lead the whole people up there.'
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (to Ai)ἐκεῖ: 'there'; deictic adverb pointing to Ai.
τὸνtheAccusativearticleτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἀναγάγῃςλαός: here again the people as the army.
πάνταallAccusativeadjective (modifying λαόν: 'all the people')πᾶς: 'all'; the whole people, whom the scouts deem unnecessary to mobilize.
ὀλίγοιfewNominativepredicate adjective (with εἰσιν: 'they are few')ὀλίγος: 'few / small in number'; renders מְעַט; the scouts' fatal underestimation of Ai's defenders — sound arithmetic, blind to the hidden cause of coming defeat.
γάρforcausal conjunction (post-positive: giving the reason)γάρ: 'for'; post-positive causal particle introducing the rationale for the limited deployment.
εἰσινthey arePres Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula (predicate: 'they [the men of Ai] are few')→ descriptive present (the scouts' assessment)εἰμί: 'be'; the present states the scouts' confident appraisal of the enemy's small numbers.
4
καὶ ἀνέβησαν ὡσεὶ τρισχίλιοι ἄνδρες καὶ ἔφυγον ἀπὸ προσώπου τῶν ἀνδρῶν Γαι
And about three thousand men went up, and they fled from before the men of Ai.
The terse report enacts the scouts' plan and immediately overturns it: the three thousand go up (ἀνέβησαν) only to flee (ἔφυγον). The reversal is stated without explanation here, heightening the shock; the Hebraism ἀπὸ προσώπου ('from the face of') is the idiom of military flight.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνέβησανwent upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (the detachment advances)→ constative aorist (completed advance)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; the limited force ascends to Ai as the scouts advised.
ὡσεὶaboutadverb of approximation (with numeral)ὡσεί: 'about / approximately'; a strengthened form of ὡς used before numerals; renders כְּ; qualifies the figure 'three thousand.'
τρισχίλιοιthree thousandNominativenumeral adjective (modifying ἄνδρες)τρισχίλιοι: 'three thousand'; the higher of the two figures proposed in v. 3 is the one actually deployed.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (the attacking force)ἀνήρ: 'man'; the three thousand fighting men of the detachment.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (adversative outcome)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔφυγονthey fledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · φεύγωmain verb (the rout)→ constative aorist (the flight as accomplished fact)φεύγω: 'flee / take flight'; renders נוּס; the shocking reversal — Israel, the conquering army of Jericho, now flees — signals that something is gravely wrong, though the cause is withheld until v. 11.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation, in the idiom 'from before')ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
προσώπουface / presenceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (Hebraism: 'from before')πρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; the idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου renders Hebrew מִפְּנֵי ('from the face of'), the standard expression for fleeing before an enemy; the same noun recurs in Joshua's prostration ἐπὶ πρόσωπον (v. 6) and the LORD's rebuke (v. 10).
τῶνtheGenitivearticleτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνδρῶνmenGenitivegenitive (of the men of Ai)ἀνήρ (gen. pl.): the defenders of Ai, before whom Israel flees.
Γαιof Aigenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'men of Ai')Γαι: the indeclinable place-name as an adnominal genitive, 'the men of Ai.'
5
καὶ ἀπέκτειναν ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν ἄνδρες Γαι εἰς τριάκοντα καὶ ἓξ ἄνδρας καὶ κατεδίωξαν αὐτοὺς ἀπὸ τῆς πύλης καὶ συνέτριψαν αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ τοῦ καταφεροῦς καὶ ἐπτοήθη ἡ καρδία τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ ἐγένετο ὥσπερ ὕδωρ
And the men of Ai killed about thirty-six men of them, and pursued them from the gate and crushed them on the slope; and the heart of the people was terrified and became as water.
The defeat is detailed: thirty-six fall, the pursuit drives Israel from the city gate, and the rout culminates 'on the slope' (ἐπὶ τοῦ καταφεροῦς). The decisive note is psychological-theological: ἐπτοήθη ἡ καρδία τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ ἐγένετο ὥσπερ ὕδωρ ('the heart of the people was terrified and became as water'), reversing Rahab's testimony that the Canaanites' hearts had melted before Israel (2:11). The covenant promise of victory has lapsed because the ἀνάθεμα remains.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀπέκτεινανkilledAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποκτείνωmain verb (the men of Ai inflict casualties)→ constative aorist (the killing as accomplished)ἀποκτείνω: 'kill / put to death'; renders נָכָה / הָרַג; the subject is the men of Ai — a stunning inversion in which the defenders of a small town slay Israelites.
ἀπ᾿ofpreposition + genitive (partitive: 'of them')ἀπό (elided ἀπ᾿): here partitive, 'some of them' — i.e. some of the Israelites.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivepartitive genitive (of the Israelites)αὐτός (gen. pl.): the Israelite force, from which the casualties are drawn.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (the men of Ai)ἀνήρ: 'man'; ἄνδρες Γαι, the defenders of Ai, the agents of the rout.
Γαιof Aigenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'men of Ai')Γαι: indeclinable place-name as adnominal genitive.
εἰςto / aboutpreposition + accusative (idiomatic with numeral: 'amounting to')εἰς: with a numeral here in the sense 'to the number of / about,' rendering the Hebrew counting idiom; introduces the casualty figure.
τριάκονταthirtynumeral (indeclinable, with ἄνδρας)τριάκοντα: 'thirty'; indeclinable cardinal; renders שְׁלֹשִׁים; with ἓξ ('six') gives the precise toll of thirty-six men.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining numerals)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἓξsixnumeral (indeclinable, with ἄνδρας)ἕξ: 'six'; indeclinable cardinal; renders שִׁשָּׁה; with τριάκοντα completes the figure 'thirty-six,' a small but spiritually catastrophic loss.
ἄνδραςmenAccusativedirect object of ἀπέκτειναν (the slain)ἀνήρ (acc. pl.): the thirty-six Israelite men who fell at Ai.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
κατεδίωξανpursuedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καταδιώκωmain verb (the pursuit)→ constative aorist (the chase as a completed action)καταδιώκω: 'pursue closely / chase down'; renders רָדַף; the compound κατα- intensifies the pursuit; the men of Ai drive the fleeing Israelites from their own attack position.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object (the fleeing Israelites)αὐτός (acc. pl.): the routed Israelite force.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (point of departure of the pursuit)ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῆςtheGenitivearticleτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πύληςgateGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (the city gate of Ai)πύλη: 'gate'; renders שַׁעַר; the gate is where the Israelites had pressed their attack; the pursuit drives them back from it.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
συνέτριψανcrushedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · συντρίβωmain verb (the defeat completed)→ constative aorist (the shattering of the force)συντρίβω: 'shatter / crush / break in pieces'; renders נָכָה / שָׁבַר; a vivid verb of total defeat — the Israelite force is broken on the descent; the same verb describes the breaking of enemies in the holy-war narratives.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect objectαὐτοὺς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (location of the rout)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with substantivized adjective)τοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καταφεροῦςslope / descentGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (substantivized: 'on the steep descent')καταφερής: 'sloping downward / steep'; here substantivized (τὸ καταφερές, 'the descent / slope'); renders Hebrew מּוֹרָד ('the going down, the descent'); the downhill ground turns the orderly retreat into a deadly rout.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the morale-collapse)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπτοήθηwas terrifiedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πτοέωmain verb (the collapse of Israel's courage)→ ingressive aorist passive (struck with sudden terror)πτοέω (aor. pass.): 'terrify / dismay / make to quail'; renders מָסַס (Niphal, 'melt') here in the sense of panic; the heart of the people 'was terrified' — a dramatic reversal of the divine promise that no one would stand before Israel (1:5).
ἡtheNominativearticleἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρδίαheartNominativesubject of ἐπτοήθηκαρδία: 'heart'; renders לֵב / לֵבָב, the seat of courage and will; 'the heart of the people' melting is the Deuteronomic idiom for loss of martial resolve (cf. Deut 20:8).
τοῦtheGenitivearticleτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive (possessive: 'the people's heart')λαός: 'people'; the whole nation's morale collapses — the corporate consequence of one man's hidden sin.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐγένετοbecameAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (predicate: 'became as water')→ constative aorist (the transformation of resolve into panic)γίνομαι: 'become'; with the simile ὥσπερ ὕδωρ ('as water') it renders the Hebrew idiom וַיְהִי … לְמַיִם — the heart dissolving like spilled water, the very image Rahab used of the Canaanites' terror before Israel (2:11), now turned upon Israel itself.
ὥσπερas / likecomparative particle (introducing simile)ὥσπερ: 'just as / like'; introduces the simile of dissolving water for the people's failed courage.
ὕδωρwaterNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐγένετο: 'became as water')ὕδωρ: 'water'; renders מַיִם; the image of the heart 'becoming as water' depicts total loss of firmness and courage — fear poured out and irrecoverable.
6
καὶ διέρρηξεν Ἰησοῦς τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔπεσεν Ἰησοῦς ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ἐναντίον κυρίου ἕως ἑσπέρας αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι Ισραηλ καὶ ἐπεβάλοντο χοῦν ἐπὶ τὰς κεφαλὰς αὐτῶν
And Joshua tore his garments and fell to the ground on his face before the LORD until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they cast dust upon their heads.
Joshua's response is the conventional triad of Israelite mourning: rending the garments, prostration before the LORD (before the ark, cf. v. 6 context), and the casting of dust on the head. The all-day prostration (ἕως ἑσπέρας) with the elders signals corporate grief and intercession, setting the stage for the lament that follows in vv. 7–9.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
διέρρηξενtoreAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διαρρήγνυμιmain verb (the mourning gesture)→ constative aorist (the act of rending)διαρρήγνυμι: 'tear apart / rend'; renders קָרַע; rending one's garments is the standard biblical sign of grief, alarm, or distress (cf. Gen 37:34; 2 Sam 1:11); the compound δια- intensifies ('tear right through').
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: the leader, here in lament rather than command.
τὰtheAccusativearticleτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱμάτιαgarmentsAccusativedirect object of διέρρηξενἱμάτιον: 'garment / cloak'; renders בֶּגֶד / שִׂמְלָה; the plural τὰ ἱμάτια denotes his clothes generally; ironic contrast with the stolen ψιλή (garment) of v. 21.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔπεσενfellAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb (prostration)→ constative aorist (the act of falling down)πίπτω: 'fall / fall down'; renders נָפַל; the prostration ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ('on the face') is the posture of worship and abject petition before God; note the LORD's pointed allusion in v. 10 (ἵνα τί … πέπτωκας ἐπὶ πρόσωπόν σου).
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubject (repeated for emphasis)Ἰησοῦς: the repetition of the name (a Hebraizing trait) keeps the lamenting leader in focus.
ἐπὶto / uponpreposition + accusative (direction of falling)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὴνtheAccusativearticleτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνground / earthAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (to the ground)γῆ: 'earth / ground / land'; renders אֶרֶץ / אֲדָמָה; here the ground onto which Joshua prostrates himself.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (manner of prostration: 'on his face')ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (idiom: 'on his face')πρόσωπον: 'face'; the idiom ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον renders נָפַל עַל־פָּנָיו ('fell on his face'), the deepest gesture of submission and supplication before God.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive (before the LORD / the ark)ἐναντίον: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism for לִפְנֵי; here the prostration is before the LORD, i.e. before the ark of the covenant, the locus of the divine presence.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίονκύριος (gen.): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the prostration ἐναντίον κυρίου marks Joshua's act as worship and intercessory petition before God himself.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal endpoint)ἕως: 'until'; with ἑσπέρας marks the duration of the prostration through the whole day.
ἑσπέραςeveningGenitivegenitive of time (with ἕως: 'until evening')ἑσπέρα: 'evening'; renders עֶרֶב; the day-long prostration underscores the gravity of the crisis and the depth of Joshua's distress.
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativeintensive pronoun (subject, in apposition to Joshua)αὐτός: the intensive 'he himself,' joining Joshua with the elders in the act of mourning.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
οἱtheNominativearticleοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρεσβύτεροιeldersNominativesubject (joined with Joshua in mourning)πρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; renders זָקֵן; the leadership council of Israel; their joint participation makes the lament a corporate act of national distress.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'elders of Israel')Ισραηλ: indeclinable, as adnominal genitive with πρεσβύτεροι.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπεβάλοντοthey castAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιβάλλωmain verb (the dust-casting mourning gesture)→ constative aorist (the act of casting dust)ἐπιβάλλω (aor. mid.): 'throw upon / cast on'; the middle voice ('cast upon themselves') with χοῦν ἐπὶ τὰς κεφαλάς renders the mourning rite of putting dust/ashes on the head (cf. 1 Sam 4:12; Job 2:12; Lam 2:10; Ezek 27:30), a sign of grief and self-abasement.
χοῦνdustAccusativedirect object of ἐπεβάλοντοχοῦς: 'dust / loose earth'; renders עָפָר; the dust cast on the head is the classic gesture of mourning and humiliation in the face of calamity.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὰςtheAccusativearticleτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὰςheadsAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπίκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; the head is the focus of the mourning rite of dust-casting.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτῶν: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
7
καὶ εἶπεν Ἰησοῦς δέομαι κύριε ἵνα τί διεβίβασεν ὁ παῖς σου τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον τὸν Ιορδάνην παραδοῦναι αὐτὸν τῷ Αμορραίῳ ἀπολέσαι ἡμᾶς καὶ εἰ κατεμείναμεν καὶ κατῳκίσθημεν παρὰ τὸν Ιορδάνην
And Joshua said, 'I beseech you, Lord, why did your servant bring this people over the Jordan, to deliver him to the Amorite, to destroy us? Would that we had remained and settled beyond the Jordan!'
Joshua's lament follows the Mosaic intercessory-complaint pattern (ἵνα τί …; 'why?'; cf. Exod 5:22; 32:11). The reproachful question — why bring the people over the Jordan only to be destroyed? — verges on the wish that Israel had never crossed (καὶ εἰ κατεμείναμεν, 'would that we had remained'). The reference to 'the Amorite' as the destroyer echoes the wilderness fear of Num 14:3 and Deut 1:27.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 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 introducing the lament)λέγω: introduces Joshua's prayer of complaint to the LORD.
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
δέομαιI beseechPres Mid Indic 1 Sg · δέομαιmain verb of entreaty (introducing the petition)→ performative present (the act of beseeching as spoken)δέομαι: 'beg / entreat / pray'; renders בִּי / אָנָּא (particles of entreaty); the deponent first-person δέομαι κύριε ('I beseech you, Lord') is a deferential opening to a bold complaint, softening the reproach that follows.
κύριεLordVocativevocative of addressκύριος (voc. κύριε): the vocative addressing the LORD directly; in this petition κύριε is the address of a servant to his master (note ὁ παῖς σου, 'your servant,' following) as much as the rendering of the divine name.
ἵναwhyinterrogative particle (with τί: 'why / to what end')ἵνα: in the fixed interrogative phrase ἵνα τί ('why? for what purpose?') it renders לָמָּה; the construction frames Joshua's complaint as a question about divine purpose, not mere cause.
τίwhy / whatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (in the phrase ἵνα τί)τίς, τί: interrogative pronoun; here the neuter τί in ἵνα τί ('for what?') forms the lament's reproachful 'why?' — the cry of the bewildered intercessor.
διεβίβασενbrought acrossAor Act Indic 3 Sg · διαβιβάζωmain verb of the interrogative clause→ constative aorist (the completed crossing now questioned)διαβιβάζω: 'cause to pass over / bring across'; renders עָבַר (Hiphil); the verb of the Jordan crossing (ch. 3–4); Joshua questions the very act that had been the LORD's mighty triumph, now seemingly turned to ruin.
ὁtheNominativearticleὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παῖςservantNominativesubject of διεβίβασεν (Joshua of himself)παῖς: 'servant / child / attendant'; renders עֶבֶד; Joshua refers to himself in the third person as ὁ παῖς σου ('your servant'), a deferential self-designation that also subtly shifts agency — the crossing was undertaken at the LORD's command, so the 'why' is addressed back to God.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession ('your servant')σύ (gen. σου): the possessive pronoun binding Joshua to the LORD as his servant.
τὸνtheAccusativearticleτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of διεβίβασενλαός: 'people'; the object of the crossing — Israel led over Jordan.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative (modifying λαόν: 'this people')οὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον ('this people') is an emphatic, slightly distancing reference, characteristic of the complaint-genre.
τὸνtheAccusativearticleτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνηνJordanAccusativeaccusative of extent / object crossed ('over the Jordan')Ιορδάνης: 'Jordan'; the river name, declined in the LXX (acc. Ιορδάνην); renders הַיַּרְדֵּן; here the accusative of the thing crossed with διαβιβάζω.
παραδοῦναιto deliverAor Act Inf · παραδίδωμιinfinitive of result/purpose (the dreaded outcome)→ infinitive expressing (ironic) purpose/result of the crossingπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over / deliver up'; renders נָתַן (in the sense of giving into the hand of an enemy); the infinitive sarcastically/bitterly construes the crossing as if its purpose were to hand Israel over to the Amorite — a reversal of the conquest promise.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of παραδοῦναι (the people, collective sg.)αὐτός: refers back to τὸν λαόν, treated as a collective singular ('it / him').
τῷto theDativearticleτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμορραίῳAmoriteDativedative indirect object of παραδοῦναι ('to the Amorite')Ἀμορραῖος: 'Amorite'; gentilic adjective/noun, declined in the LXX (dat. Αμορραίῳ); renders אֱמֹרִי; the Amorite stands as a representative term for the Canaanite peoples; the fear of being 'delivered to the Amorite' echoes the wilderness generation's dread (Num 14:3; Deut 1:27).
ἀπολέσαιto destroyAor Act Inf · ἀπόλλυμιinfinitive of result/purpose (parallel to παραδοῦναι)→ infinitive expressing (ironic) purpose/result: 'to destroy us'ἀπόλλυμι: 'destroy / ruin / cause to perish'; renders אָבַד (Hiphil); the second infinitive intensifies the bitter complaint — as though the whole crossing were aimed at Israel's destruction.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of ἀπολέσαιἐγώ (acc. pl. ἡμᾶς): the shift to first-person plural ('us') draws Joshua personally into the people's peril.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the wish)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἰwould that / if onlyparticle introducing a wish/optative-sense clauseεἰ: 'if'; here in the idiom καὶ εἰ … expressing an unrealizable wish ('would that we had remained'), rendering the Hebrew וְלוּ / לוּ ('if only'); the construction voices the lament's regret over the crossing.
κατεμείναμενwe had remainedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · καταμένωverb of the wish-clause (unrealized past wish)→ aorist of unrealized wish (would that we had stayed)καταμένω: 'remain / stay / abide'; the compound κατα- ('settle down'); the aorist in the wish-construction expresses regret that Israel did not stay east of the Jordan.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
κατῳκίσθημενwe had settledAor Pass Indic 1 Pl · κατοικίζωverb of the wish-clause (parallel to κατεμείναμεν)→ aorist passive of unrealized wish (would that we had been settled)κατοικίζω: 'cause to dwell / settle'; the passive κατῳκίσθημεν ('we had been settled') with God as implied agent intensifies the wish — that the LORD had simply let them stay beyond the Jordan rather than bring them to this defeat.
παρὰbeyond / bypreposition + accusative (location: 'beside / beyond the Jordan')παρά + acc.: 'beside / along / by'; here 'beyond the Jordan' (the Transjordan region settled by Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh), the land Joshua wishes they had not left.
τὸνtheAccusativearticleτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνηνJordanAccusativeaccusative object of παράΙορδάνης (acc. Ιορδάνην): the river name; παρὰ τὸν Ιορδάνην ('by/beyond the Jordan') refers to the eastern bank.
8
καὶ τί ἐρῶ ἐπεὶ μετέβαλεν Ισραηλ αὐχένα ἀπέναντι τοῦ ἐχθροῦ αὐτοῦ
And what shall I say, since Israel has turned its neck before its enemy?
Joshua's lament continues with a rhetorical question of helpless shame: 'what shall I say?' The idiom μετέβαλεν … αὐχένα ('turned the neck') depicts ignominious flight — Israel has shown its back to the enemy, the ultimate disgrace for the covenant army; the theme recurs in the LORD's words at v. 12 (αὐχένα ἐπιστρέψουσιν).
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of ἐρῶ)τίς, τί: interrogative pronoun; 'what shall I say?' — the cry of one at a loss before the disgrace of defeat.
ἐρῶshall I sayFut Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγω (ἐρῶ)main verb (deliberative-sense future question)→ deliberative future (helpless 'what am I to say?')λέγω / εἶπον / ἐρῶ: the suppletive future ἐρῶ ('I will say') serves as the future of λέγω; the deliberative question τί ἐρῶ expresses Joshua's bewildered helplessness in the face of the defeat and its implications for the LORD's reputation.
ἐπεὶsincecausal conjunction (introducing the ground of the lament)ἐπεί: 'since / when / because'; here causal, giving the reason for Joshua's speechless distress.
μετέβαλενturnedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · μεταβάλλωmain verb of the causal clause→ constative aorist (the act of turning in flight)μεταβάλλω: 'turn about / turn around'; the idiom μετέβαλεν αὐχένα ('turned the neck') depicts turning the back in flight — the shameful retreat of the army; renders the Hebrew of fleeing before enemies (cf. הָפַךְ עֹרֶף).
ΙσραηλIsraelsubject (indeclinable proper noun)Ισραηλ: indeclinable; here the collective subject of the verb of flight.
αὐχέναneckAccusativedirect object of μετέβαλεν (idiom: 'turned the neck/back')αὐχήν: 'neck / nape'; the idiom 'to turn the neck' = to flee, showing the back of the neck to the pursuing enemy; the same noun recurs in the LORD's diagnosis at v. 12 (αὐχένα ἐπιστρέψουσιν).
ἀπέναντιbefore / in front ofpreposition + genitive (confronting position: 'before the enemy')ἀπέναντι: 'before / over against / in the presence of'; Hebraism for לִפְנֵי / נֶגֶד; here the position before which Israel turned its back in flight.
τοῦtheGenitivearticleτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθροῦenemyGenitivegenitive object of ἀπέναντιἐχθρός: 'enemy / hostile one'; renders אֹיֵב; the singular (collective) 'its enemy' = the men of Ai, and by extension all the Canaanite foes who will be emboldened (v. 9).
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession (Israel's enemy)αὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
9
καὶ ἀκούσας ὁ Χαναναῖος καὶ πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες τὴν γῆν περικυκλώσουσιν ἡμᾶς καὶ ἐκτρίψουσιν ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς καὶ τί ποιήσεις τὸ ὄνομά σου τὸ μέγα
And when the Canaanite and all the inhabitants of the land hear of it, they will surround us and wipe us out from the land; and what will you do for your great name?
Joshua's lament reaches its theological climax: the news of Israel's defeat will embolden the Canaanites to encircle and annihilate Israel — and then what becomes of the LORD's 'great name'? The argument is the classic Mosaic intercessory appeal to God's reputation among the nations (cf. Exod 32:12; Num 14:13–16; Deut 9:28); the bare τί ποιήσεις τὸ ὄνομά σου ('what will you do for your great name?') makes the divine honor the decisive stake.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative/logical conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀκούσαςhaving heardAor Act Part Nom Masc Sg · ἀκούωcircumstantial/temporal participle (agreeing with ὁ Χαναναῖος)→ antecedent aorist participle ('when he has heard')ἀκούω: 'hear / hear of'; renders שָׁמַע; the participle ἀκούσας marks the trigger — the report of the defeat reaching the Canaanites; the singular participle agrees with the collective ὁ Χαναναῖος but governs the plural verbs that follow (constructio ad sensum).
ὁtheNominativearticleὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧαναναῖοςCanaaniteNominativesubject (collective singular: the Canaanite peoples)Χαναναῖος: 'Canaanite'; gentilic adjective/noun, declined in the LXX; renders כְּנַעֲנִי; the collective singular ὁ Χαναναῖος ('the Canaanite') stands for all the indigenous peoples whose terror (cf. 2:9–11; 5:1) the defeat at Ai would now reverse.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
πάντεςallNominativeadjective (modifying οἱ κατοικοῦντες)πᾶς: 'all'; extends the subject to every inhabitant of the land, universalizing the threat.
οἱtheNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)οἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατοικοῦντεςinhabitingPres Act Part Nom Masc Pl · κατοικέωsubstantivized participle (subject: 'the inhabitants')→ imperfective participle (habitual dwelling)κατοικέω: 'dwell / inhabit'; renders יָשַׁב; the articular participle οἱ κατοικοῦντες τὴν γῆν ('the inhabitants of the land') is a stock LXX phrase for the Canaanite population destined for dispossession.
τὴνtheAccusativearticleτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of κατοικοῦντεςγῆ: 'land'; here the land of Canaan, inhabited by the peoples Israel was to dispossess.
περικυκλώσουσινwill surroundFut Act Indic 3 Pl · περικυκλόωmain verb (the feared encirclement)→ predictive future (the dreaded consequence)περικυκλόω: 'encircle / surround on all sides'; the double-prefixed περι-κυκλο- intensifies ('hem in completely'); Joshua foresees the emboldened Canaanites converging to surround Israel.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect objectἐγώ (acc. pl. ἡμᾶς): Joshua includes himself and all Israel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐκτρίψουσινwill wipe outFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκτρίβωmain verb (the feared annihilation)→ predictive future (total destruction feared)ἐκτρίβω: 'rub out / wipe out / utterly destroy'; the compound ἐκ- denotes complete extermination; renders כָּרַת / שָׁמַד; Joshua fears the obliteration of Israel's very name from the land — the same fate Israel was to inflict on the Canaanites.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect objectἡμᾶς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῆςtheGenitivearticleτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςland / earthGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (separation: 'from the land')γῆ: here 'the land/earth' from which Israel would be wiped out — the loss of the very inheritance just entered.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the climactic appeal)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of ποιήσεις)τίς, τί: interrogative; 'what will you do (for) your great name?' — the appeal to divine honor that crowns the lament.
ποιήσειςwill you doFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (the appeal addressed to the LORD)→ deliberative/challenging future ('what then will you do?')ποιέω: 'do / make / act'; renders עָשָׂה; the question τί ποιήσεις τὸ ὄνομά σου τὸ μέγα presses the LORD to act for the sake of his own reputation — the Mosaic intercessory logic (cf. Exod 32:12; Num 14:15–16).
τὸtheAccusativearticleτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομάnameAccusativeaccusative of respect / object ('for your name')ὄνομα: 'name'; renders שֵׁם; in OT theology the divine 'name' is the LORD's revealed reputation and honor among the nations; its endangerment by Israel's destruction is Joshua's most potent argument.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possessionσου: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with the attributive adjective μέγα)τὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μέγαgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (second-attributive position: 'your name, the great one')μέγας: 'great'; the second-attributive construction τὸ ὄνομά σου τὸ μέγα ('your great name') is a Hebraizing word order (cf. שִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל), emphasizing the magnitude of the LORD's name that would be diminished by Israel's annihilation.
10
καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Ἰησοῦν ἀνάστηθι ἵνα τί τοῦτο σὺ πέπτωκας ἐπὶ πρόσωπόν σου
And the LORD said to Joshua, 'Arise! Why is it that you have fallen on your face?'
The LORD answers not with reassurance but with a brisk command and counter-question. ἀνάστηθι ('arise!') cuts short the prostration; the rebuking question ἵνα τί … πέπτωκας ('why have you fallen?') deliberately echoes Joshua's posture from v. 6 (ἔπεσεν … ἐπὶ πρόσωπον), redirecting attention from lament to the hidden sin that must be purged. The perfect πέπτωκας stresses the continuing state of prostration.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (divine speech-introduction)→ constative aorist (single divine speech-act)λέγω: introduces the LORD's reply to Joshua's lament — a reply that diagnoses rather than consoles.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubjectκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the LORD himself answers the appeal to his 'great name' — but by exposing the sin in the camp.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἸησοῦνJoshuaAccusativeaccusative object of πρόςἸησοῦς (acc. Ἰησοῦν): the recipient of the divine rebuke.
ἀνάστηθιariseAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb of command (imperative cutting short the lament)→ ingressive aorist imperative (get up at once)ἀνίστημι (aor. impv. ἀνάστηθι): 'rise / stand up'; renders קוּם; the curt imperative ends Joshua's prostration — this is no time to lie weeping but to act; the same root reappears as the participle ἀναστάς at v. 13 ('arise and sanctify').
ἵναwhyinterrogative particle (with τί)ἵνα: in ἵνα τί ('why?'), rendering לָמָּה; here the rebuking 'why?' turned back on Joshua's own posture.
τίis it that / whyAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (in ἵνα τί)τίς, τί: interrogative pronoun in the phrase ἵνα τί τοῦτο ('why is it that...?').
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (emphasizing the rebuke: 'why this?')οὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative τοῦτο intensifies the question — 'why this (behavior), that you have fallen on your face?'; the abrupt rebuke contrasts with Joshua's lengthy lament.
σὺyouNominativeemphatic subject pronounσύ: the emphatic 'you' singles out Joshua — the leader should be acting, not prostrate; the prominence implies the misplacement of his grief.
πέπτωκαςhave fallenPerf Act Indic 2 Sg · πίπτωmain verb of the rebuking question→ resultative perfect (you have fallen and remain prostrate)πίπτω (perf. πέπτωκα): 'fall / have fallen'; the perfect stresses the abiding state of prostration — Joshua is still lying on his face; the verb deliberately echoes ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον (v. 6), framing the rebuke as a direct response to that posture.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (position)ἐπὶ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
πρόσωπόνfaceAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί ('on your face')πρόσωπον: 'face'; the idiom ἐπὶ πρόσωπον (on the face) for prostration; the divine question turns Joshua's worship-posture into the object of rebuke — prayer alone will not remove the ἀνάθεμα.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possessionσου: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
11
ἡμάρτηκεν ὁ λαὸς καὶ παρέβη τὴν διαθήκην ἣν διεθέμην πρὸς αὐτούς καὶ κλέψαντες ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀναθέματος ἐνέβαλον εἰς τὰ σκεύη αὐτῶν
The people have sinned and transgressed the covenant which I established with them; and having stolen from the devoted thing, they put it among their own belongings.
The LORD's answer states the cause Joshua could not see, in a chain of charges: the people have sinned (perfect ἡμάρτηκεν, abiding guilt), transgressed the covenant, stolen from the devoted thing, and concealed it among their goods. The collective subject ὁ λαός maintains the corporate-solidarity framing of v. 1, even though the participle κλέψαντες and the plural ἐνέβαλον point to the actual thief and his concealment.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ἡμάρτηκενhas sinnedPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἁμαρτάνωmain verb (the fundamental charge, fronted for emphasis)→ resultative perfect (a sin committed and still defiling)ἁμαρτάνω (perf. ἡμάρτηκα): 'sin / miss the mark / offend'; renders חָטָא; the perfect stresses the enduring guilt — the sin stands as an abiding fact polluting the camp; the verb is fronted (ἡμάρτηκεν ὁ λαός) for maximum emphasis, the blunt answer to Joshua's 'why?'
ὁtheNominativearticleὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject (collective: the whole people charged)λαός: 'people'; the collective subject ὁ λαός keeps the corporate guilt in view — though one man sinned, 'the people' have sinned, the principle that drives the whole chapter (cf. 1 Cor 5:6).
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
παρέβηtransgressedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παραβαίνωmain verb (second charge: covenant-breaking)→ constative aorist (the act of transgression)παραβαίνω: 'transgress / go aside / overstep'; renders עָבַר (in the sense of violating); the compound παρα- ('beside / past') pictures stepping beyond the covenant boundary; the same verb is repeated at v. 15 (παρέβη τὴν διαθήκην κυρίου).
τὴνtheAccusativearticleτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηνcovenantAccusativedirect object of παρέβηδιαθήκη: 'covenant / testament'; renders בְּרִית; in the LXX διαθήκη (rather than συνθήκη, 'compact between equals') stresses the sovereignly imposed covenant; the herem ban (6:18) was a covenant stipulation, so taking from the ἀνάθεμα is covenant-breaking.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of διεθέμην)ὅς, ἥ, ὅ: relative pronoun; the feminine accusative ἥν agrees with διαθήκην and is the object of διεθέμην.
διεθέμηνI establishedAor Mid Indic 1 Sg · διατίθημιverb of relative clause (the covenant-making)→ constative aorist (the covenant ratified in the past)διατίθημι (mid. διατίθεμαι): 'arrange / ordain / make (a covenant)'; the idiom διαθήκην διατίθεμαι renders כָּרַת בְּרִית ('cut a covenant'); the first-person διεθέμην ('which I established') marks the LORD himself as the covenant-maker whose stipulation has been violated.
πρὸςwithpreposition + accusative (covenant partner: 'with them')πρός + acc.: 'with / toward'; here marking the covenant partners; διαθήκην … πρὸς αὐτούς = 'a covenant with them.'
αὐτούςthemAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the people as covenant partners)αὐτός (acc. pl.): the people of Israel, with whom the LORD made the covenant now broken.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
κλέψαντεςhaving stolenAor Act Part Nom Masc Pl · κλέπτωcircumstantial participle (means/antecedent action: 'by stealing')→ antecedent aorist participle (a completed theft preceding the concealment)κλέπτω: 'steal / take secretly'; renders גָּנַב; the plural participle κλέψαντες (constructio ad sensum with the collective λαός) names the act bluntly as theft — the property of the LORD, devoted to destruction, was stolen for private use.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (partitive source)ἀπὸ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τοῦtheGenitivearticleτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀναθέματοςdevoted thingGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (what was stolen)ἀνάθεμα: the keyword resumes (cf. v. 1) — the devoted spoil of Jericho, the LORD's by right of the ban, is the very thing stolen.
ἐνέβαλονthey putAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐμβάλλωmain verb (the concealment)→ constative aorist (the act of hiding the spoil)ἐμβάλλω: 'throw in / put in'; the compound ἐν- ('into'); renders שִׂים / שָׂם; the plural verb (with the collective subject) describes the stolen herem being mingled with the offenders' own possessions — sacred and profane illegitimately joined.
εἰςamong / intopreposition + accusative (place into which)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὰtheAccusativearticleτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκεύηbelongings / goodsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (their own gear)σκεῦος (pl. σκεύη): 'vessel / implement / baggage / belongings'; renders כְּלִי; here the offenders' own gear/baggage, among which the devoted spoil was illicitly hidden — concretely the tent and its contents of vv. 21–22.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτῶν: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
12
οὐ μὴ δύνωνται οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ὑποστῆναι κατὰ πρόσωπον τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτῶν αὐχένα ἐπιστρέψουσιν ἔναντι τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτῶν ὅτι ἐγενήθησαν ἀνάθεμα οὐ προσθήσω ἔτι εἶναι μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν ἐὰν μὴ ἐξάρητε τὸ ἀνάθεμα ἐξ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν
The sons of Israel will not be able to stand before their enemies; they will turn their neck before their enemies, because they have become a devoted thing. I will no longer be with you, unless you remove the devoted thing from among yourselves.
The LORD draws the consequence with an emphatic negation (οὐ μή + subjunctive): Israel cannot stand before its enemies but will flee (αὐχένα ἐπιστρέψουσιν, echoing Joshua's lament in v. 8), because they themselves have become ἀνάθεμα — the contagion of the devoted thing has spread to the whole community. The withdrawal of the divine presence (οὐ προσθήσω … εἶναι μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν) is conditioned on a single remedy (ἐὰν μὴ ἐξάρητε): the devoted thing must be purged.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
οὐnotnegative particle (part of emphatic οὐ μή)οὐ: with μή forms the emphatic double negation οὐ μή + subjunctive, the strongest denial of a future possibility.
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive: emphatic denial)μή: the second member of οὐ μή; the construction expresses absolute certainty that Israel will not be able to stand.
δύνωνταιthey are ablePres Mid Subj 3 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb (in emphatic-denial construction οὐ μή + subj.)→ emphatic future denial (they shall by no means be able)δύναμαι: 'be able / have power'; renders יָכֹל; the present subjunctive with οὐ μή gives a categorical denial of capacity — without the LORD's presence Israel simply cannot prevail.
οἱtheNominativearticleοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ)υἱός: οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ('the sons of Israel'), the covenant people who can no longer stand because the ἀνάθεμα is among them.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)Ισραηλ: indeclinable, adnominal genitive with υἱοί.
ὑποστῆναιto stand / withstandAor Act Inf · ὑφίστημιcomplementary infinitive (with δύνωνται)→ effective aorist infinitive (to make a stand)ὑφίστημι (aor. inf. ὑποστῆναι): 'stand firm / withstand / hold one's ground'; renders עָמַד / קוּם; the military sense of holding one's position against an enemy — precisely what Israel can no longer do; cf. the parallel οὐ δυνήσεσθε ἀντιστῆναι at v. 13.
κατὰbefore / againstpreposition + accusative (in the phrase κατὰ πρόσωπον: 'before')κατά + acc.: in the idiom κατὰ πρόσωπον ('in the face of / before'), a Hebraism for לִפְנֵי; here the position before the enemy that Israel cannot hold.
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeaccusative in the prepositional idiom κατὰ πρόσωπονπρόσωπον: 'face'; in κατὰ πρόσωπον τῶν ἐχθρῶν ('before/in the face of their enemies').
τῶνtheGenitivearticleτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθρῶνenemiesGenitivegenitive (with κατὰ πρόσωπον: 'before their enemies')ἐχθρός: 'enemy'; renders אֹיֵב; the foes before whom Israel can no longer stand while defiled.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτῶν: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
αὐχέναneckAccusativedirect object of ἐπιστρέψουσιν (idiom: 'turn the neck/back')αὐχήν: 'neck'; the idiom αὐχένα ἐπιστρέψουσιν ('they will turn the neck') = they will flee, showing their backs; deliberately picks up Joshua's lament μετέβαλεν Ισραηλ αὐχένα (v. 8) — the LORD confirms and explains the flight.
ἐπιστρέψουσινthey will turnFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (the certain future flight)→ predictive future (the inevitable rout while defiled)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn / turn back'; renders פָּנָה / שׁוּב; here transitive with αὐχένα ('turn the neck') = take to flight; the future asserts that, unpurged, Israel will keep on fleeing before its enemies.
ἔναντιbeforepreposition + genitive ('before their enemies')ἔναντι: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism for לִפְנֵי; synonym of ἐναντίον / ἀπέναντι, here marking the foes before whom Israel flees.
τῶνtheGenitivearticleτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθρῶνenemiesGenitivegenitive object of ἔναντιἐχθρός: 'enemy'; the repeated τῶν ἐχθρῶν αὐτῶν underlines the reversal — those who should fear Israel now put Israel to flight.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτῶν: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (giving the reason)ὅτι: 'because / that'; introduces the cause of the defeat — Israel itself has become ἀνάθεμα.
ἐγενήθησανthey have becomeAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb of the causal clause (predicate: 'became a devoted thing')→ constative aorist (the resultant defiled status)γίνομαι (aor. pass. ἐγενήθην): 'become'; the chilling predication ἐγενήθησαν ἀνάθεμα ('they have become a devoted/accursed thing') shows the contagion of the ban: by harboring stolen herem, Israel itself has fallen under the ban and is now subject to destruction (cf. Deut 7:26).
ἀνάθεμαa devoted / accursed thingNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐγενήθησαν)ἀνάθεμα: here in its most ominous sense — Israel has itself become 'a thing under the ban,' liable to the very destruction decreed for Jericho's spoil; the corporate solidarity is now lethal (cf. Paul's ἀνάθεμα-language, 1 Cor 16:22; Gal 1:8).
οὐnotnegative particle (with προσθήσω)οὐ: negates the divine declaration of continued presence.
προσθήσωI will continueFut Act Indic 1 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (Hebraizing auxiliary: 'I will not again/continue')→ predictive future (the threatened withdrawal of presence)προστίθημι: 'add / proceed to do again'; the idiom οὐ προσθήσω … εἶναι ('I will not continue/again to be') renders the Hebrew auxiliary use of יָסַף ('do again / continue'), here a threat to withdraw the divine presence from Israel — the gravest possible sanction (cf. Exod 33:3).
ἔτιany longeradverb (temporal: 'no longer')ἔτι: 'still / yet / any longer'; with the negated προσθήσω it sharpens the threat — the LORD will be with Israel no more.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίcomplementary infinitive (with προσθήσω: 'to be with you')→ imperfective infinitive (continued presence)εἰμί (inf. εἶναι): 'be'; εἶναι μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν ('to be with you') is the language of the divine accompanying presence promised to Joshua (1:5, 9); its threatened removal is the heart of the sanction.
μεθ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided μετά)μετά (elided μεθ᾿) + gen.: 'with'; the covenant-presence formula 'be with you.'
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά (shift to direct 2nd-person address)σύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): the shift from third-person ('they') to second-person ('you') makes the threat directly confrontational to Joshua and Israel.
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (with μή: 'unless')ἐάν: 'if'; with μή ('unless') it introduces the sole condition under which the divine presence may be restored — the purging of the ban.
μὴnotnegative particle (with ἐάν: 'unless')μή: negating the protasis; ἐὰν μή = 'unless / except.'
ἐξάρητεyou removeAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἐξαίρωverb of the conditional clause (the required remedy)→ effective aorist subjunctive (the decisive purging act)ἐξαίρω: 'remove / take away / put away'; renders בָּעַר / סוּר (Hiphil); the Deuteronomic 'purge-the-evil' formula (cf. Deut 13:5; 17:7); the aorist subjunctive in the protasis names the one act that can restore Israel — removing the devoted thing from the camp; repeated at v. 13.
τὸtheAccusativearticleτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνάθεμαdevoted thingAccusativedirect object of ἐξάρητεἀνάθεμα: the devoted thing — both the stolen spoil and, by extension, the offender bound up with it — must be removed to lift the ban from Israel.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (separation)ἐκ (ἐξ before vowel): 'out of / from'; marks removal from the midst of the people.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of ἐξσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): 'from you'; the devoted thing must be taken out from among the people.
αὐτῶνyourselvesGenitiveintensive genitive (ὑμῶν αὐτῶν: 'from your own selves')αὐτός: the intensive ὑμῶν αὐτῶν ('your very selves') stresses that the contamination is internal — the ban must be purged from within the community itself.
13
ἀναστὰς ἁγίασον τὸν λαὸν καὶ εἰπὸν ἁγιασθῆναι εἰς αὔριον τάδε λέγει κύριος ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ τὸ ἀνάθεμα ἐν ὑμῖν ἐστιν οὐ δυνήσεσθε ἀντιστῆναι ἀπέναντι τῶν ἐχθρῶν ὑμῶν ἕως ἂν ἐξάρητε τὸ ἀνάθεμα ἐξ ὑμῶν
Arise, sanctify the people, and say, 'Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow.' Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: 'The devoted thing is among you; you will not be able to stand against your enemies until you remove the devoted thing from among yourselves.'
The LORD turns from diagnosis to prescription. The participle ἀναστάς ('arise') answers Joshua's earlier prostration and the imperative ἀνάστηθι of v. 10. The command to sanctify (ἁγίασον) prepares the people for a sacral procedure of discovery; the messenger-formula τάδε λέγει κύριος ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ lends it covenantal authority. The bald declaration τὸ ἀνάθεμα ἐν ὑμῖν ἐστιν ('the devoted thing is among you') and the conditional ἕως ἂν ἐξάρητε set the agenda for vv. 14–26.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
ἀναστὰςhaving arisenAor Act Part Nom Masc Sg · ἀνίστημιcircumstantial participle of attendant circumstance (with ἁγίασον: 'arise and sanctify')→ antecedent aorist participle, imperatival in force ('get up and...')ἀνίστημι (aor. part. ἀναστάς): 'rise / stand up'; the participle takes on the imperatival force of the main verb it precedes — a Hebraizing 'arise and sanctify' (קוּם + imperative); directly answers Joshua's prostration (v. 6) and the LORD's ἀνάστηθι (v. 10).
ἁγίασονsanctifyAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἁγιάζωmain verb of command (Joshua to sanctify the people)→ effective aorist imperative (consecrate them)ἁγιάζω: 'sanctify / consecrate / make holy'; renders קָדַשׁ (Piel); the people must be ritually prepared to come before the LORD for the procedure of discovery (cf. the sanctification before theophany at Exod 19:10); the holiness required underscores the gravity of the breach of holiness committed against the herem.
τὸνtheAccusativearticleτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἁγίασονλαός: 'people'; the whole congregation to be consecrated for the morrow's solemn assembly.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἰπὸνsayAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λέγωmain verb of command (introducing the message to the people)→ effective aorist imperative (proclaim this)λέγω (aor. impv. εἰπόν): 'say / tell'; the LXX/Koine imperative εἰπόν (for classical εἰπέ); Joshua is to relay the divine summons to the people.
ἁγιασθῆναιto be sanctifiedAor Pass Inf · ἁγιάζωinfinitive of indirect command (content of εἰπόν: 'sanctify yourselves')→ effective aorist passive infinitive (let yourselves be consecrated)ἁγιάζω (aor. pass. inf.): the passive 'be sanctified / sanctify yourselves'; as an infinitive of indirect command it conveys Joshua's instruction to the people to consecrate themselves in preparation for the morrow.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (temporal goal: 'for tomorrow')εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
αὔριονtomorrowadverb of time (with εἰς: 'for the morrow')αὔριον: 'tomorrow'; indeclinable adverb; renders מָחָר; εἰς αὔριον ('for tomorrow') sets the appointed day for the lot-casting assembly.
τάδεthusAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of λέγει: content of the oracle)ὅδε, τόδε: 'this / these'; the messenger-formula τάδε λέγει κύριος renders כֹּה אָמַר יהוה, lending prophetic/covenantal authority to the words that follow.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of the messenger-formula (historic/vivid present)→ vivid present (the LORD's standing pronouncement)λέγω (pres.): the present in the citation-formula τάδε λέγει κύριος presents the divine word as immediately authoritative.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of λέγεικύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the speaker of the covenantal oracle.
ὁtheNominativearticle (in apposition to κύριος)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativeapposition to κύριος ('the LORD, the God of Israel')θεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the title κύριος ὁ θεὸς Ισραηλ ('the LORD, the God of Israel') is the solemn covenant designation, stressing that the offended party is Israel's own covenant God.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'God of Israel')Ισραηλ: indeclinable, adnominal genitive with θεός.
τὸtheNominativearticleτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνάθεμαdevoted thingNominativesubject of ἐστινἀνάθεμα: the keyword again; here subject of the blunt declaration 'the devoted thing is among you' — the diagnosis the people must now act upon.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (location: 'in your midst')ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ὑμῖνyouDativedative object of ἐν (locative: 'among you')σύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): 'among you'; the devoted thing is within the community itself — the contamination is internal.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (predicate: 'is among you')→ stative present (the present reality of the hidden ban)εἰμί: 'be'; the present asserts the abiding presence of the devoted thing in the camp — the unremoved cause of defeat.
οὐnotnegative particle (with δυνήσεσθε)οὐ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δυνήσεσθεyou will be ableFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · δύναμαιmain verb (the consequence: inability to stand)→ predictive future (categorical inability while defiled)δύναμαι: 'be able'; the negated future οὐ δυνήσεσθε ('you will not be able') restates v. 12's οὐ μὴ δύνωνται in direct second-person address — Israel cannot stand while the ban remains.
ἀντιστῆναιto stand againstAor Act Inf · ἀνθίστημιcomplementary infinitive (with δυνήσεσθε)→ effective aorist infinitive (to make a stand against)ἀνθίστημι (aor. inf. ἀντιστῆναι): 'withstand / resist / stand against'; renders עָמַד / קוּם בִּפְנֵי; the military sense of resisting an enemy assault; synonym of ὑποστῆναι (v. 12).
ἀπέναντιbeforepreposition + genitive ('before your enemies')ἀπέναντι: 'before / over against'; Hebraism for לִפְנֵי; the position before the enemy that Israel cannot hold while defiled.
τῶνtheGenitivearticleτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθρῶνenemiesGenitivegenitive object of ἀπέναντιἐχθρός: 'enemy'; the foes before whom Israel will keep failing until the purge.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possessionὑμῶν: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunction (with ἂν + subjunctive: 'until')ἕως: 'until'; with ἄν and the aorist subjunctive marks the indefinite future point at which the condition is met — i.e. when the ban is purged.
ἂν(ever)modal particle (with ἕως + subjunctive)ἄν: modal particle marking the indefiniteness of the temporal clause.
ἐξάρητεyou removeAor Act Subj 2 Pl · ἐξαίρωverb of the temporal clause (the required purge)→ effective aorist subjunctive (the decisive removal)ἐξαίρω: 'remove / put away'; the Deuteronomic purge-formula (cf. v. 12); repeated here to make the remedy unmistakable — only the removal of the devoted thing will restore Israel's ability to stand.
τὸtheAccusativearticleτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνάθεμαdevoted thingAccusativedirect object of ἐξάρητεἀνάθεμα: the devoted thing to be removed from the people's midst.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (separation)ἐξ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ὑμῶνyourselvesGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ ('from among you')σύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): 'from you'; the ban must be taken out from the midst of the people.
14
καὶ συναχθήσεσθε πάντες τὸ πρωὶ κατὰ φυλάς καὶ ἔσται ἡ φυλή ἣν ἂν δείξῃ κύριος προσάξετε κατὰ δήμους καὶ τὸν δῆμον ὃν ἐὰν δείξῃ κύριος προσάξετε κατ᾿ οἶκον καὶ τὸν οἶκον ὃν ἐὰν δείξῃ κύριος προσάξετε κατ᾿ ἄνδρα
And in the morning you shall all be gathered by tribes; and it shall be that the tribe which the LORD indicates you shall bring near by clans; and the clan which the LORD indicates you shall bring near by household; and the household which the LORD indicates you shall bring near man by man.
The LORD prescribes the procedure of discovery: a fourfold narrowing — tribe, clan, household, man — in which the LORD himself 'indicates' (δείξῃ) the guilty unit at each stage by the sacred lot. The repeated structure (ἣν/ὃν … δείξῃ κύριος, προσάξετε κατά …) builds an inexorable funnel of divine detection, leaving no possibility of escape and dramatizing the omniscience that exposes the hidden sin.
Word-by-word analysis· 38 words
καὶandnarrative/instructional conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
συναχθήσεσθεyou shall be gatheredFut Pass Indic 2 Pl · συνάγωmain verb (the convening of the assembly)→ predictive/jussive future (an instruction in future form)συνάγω (fut. pass.): 'gather / assemble'; renders אָסַף / קָרַב; the future passive functions as a command to convene the whole people for the lot-casting at dawn.
πάντεςallNominativesubject (in apposition: 'all of you')πᾶς: 'all'; the whole nation must present itself — no one is exempt from the scrutiny.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with the adverbial πρωί: accusative of time)τὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωὶmorningadverb of time (substantivized with τό: 'in the morning')πρωί: 'early / in the morning'; indeclinable adverb; renders בַּבֹּקֶר; with the neuter article (τὸ πρωί) it functions as an accusative of time — 'in the morning,' fulfilled at v. 16 (ὤρθρισεν, 'rose early').
κατὰbypreposition + accusative (distributive: 'by tribes')κατά + acc.: distributive 'by / according to'; κατὰ φυλάς = 'tribe by tribe,' the first stage of the narrowing.
φυλάςtribesAccusativeaccusative in distributive phrase (κατὰ φυλάς)φυλή: 'tribe'; renders שֵׁבֶט / מַטֶּה; the largest unit in the narrowing procedure.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (Hebraizing 'and it shall be that...')→ predictive future (the apodosis-introducing formula)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): the formula καὶ ἔσται renders the Hebrew וְהָיָה ('and it shall come to pass'), a standard introducer of the conditional sequence that follows.
ἡtheNominativearticleἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φυλήtribeNominativecasus pendens / topic ('the tribe which...')φυλή: the tribe singled out by the lot; the nominative is a hanging topic resumed by the following construction (a Hebraizing casus pendens).
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of δείξῃ)ὅς, ἥ, ὅ: relative pronoun; the feminine accusative ἥν is the object of δείξῃ ('which [tribe] the LORD indicates').
ἂν(ever)modal particle (with subjunctive in indefinite relative clause)ἄν: modal particle marking indefiniteness ('whichever').
δείξῃindicatesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · δείκνυμιverb of indefinite relative clause (divine designation by lot)→ effective aorist subjunctive (the LORD's act of pointing out)δείκνυμι: 'show / point out / indicate'; renders לָכַד (Niphal, 'be taken/caught by lot') here interpreted as the LORD's revealing — the lot is not chance but divine designation; the verb recurs at each stage of the narrowing.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of δείξῃκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the LORD himself is the agent of the lot — the detection is a divine, not human, act.
προσάξετεyou shall bring nearFut Act Indic 2 Pl · προσάγωmain verb (the next stage of narrowing)→ jussive future (instruction to bring forward)προσάγω: 'bring near / present'; renders קָרַב (Hiphil); the cultic term for bringing forward before the LORD; here the procedural verb advancing the inquiry from tribe to clan to household.
κατὰbypreposition + accusative (distributive: 'by clans')κατὰ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
δήμουςclansAccusativeaccusative in distributive phraseδῆμος: 'clan / district / family-group'; renders מִשְׁפָּחָה; the subdivision of the tribe — the second stage of the narrowing.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τὸνtheAccusativearticleτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δῆμονclanAccusativecasus pendens / fronted object ('the clan which...')δῆμος: 'clan'; the clan singled out, here as fronted accusative object resumed in the procedure.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of δείξῃ)ὅς: relative pronoun; the masculine accusative ὅν agrees with δῆμον.
ἐὰν(ever)modal particle (ἐάν = ἂν in indefinite relative clause)ἐάν: here used as the equivalent of ἄν after a relative, marking indefiniteness ('whichever clan').
δείξῃindicatesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · δείκνυμιverb of indefinite relative clause (second stage)→ effective aorist subjunctiveδείκνυμι: the LORD's designation of the guilty clan.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of δείξῃκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; again the divine agent of the lot.
προσάξετεyou shall bring nearFut Act Indic 2 Pl · προσάγωmain verb (third stage of narrowing)→ jussive futureπροσάγω: bringing forward by household — the next narrowing.
κατ᾿bypreposition + accusative (distributive, elided κατά: 'by household')κατ᾿: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
οἶκονhouseholdAccusativeaccusative in distributive phrase (κατ᾿ οἶκον)οἶκος: 'house / household'; renders בַּיִת; the household unit — the third stage of the narrowing.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τὸνtheAccusativearticleτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseholdAccusativecasus pendens / fronted object ('the household which...')οἶκος: the household singled out by the lot.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of δείξῃ)ὅς: relative pronoun agreeing with οἶκον.
ἐὰν(ever)modal particle (indefinite relative)ἐάν: = ἄν, marking indefiniteness ('whichever household').
δείξῃindicatesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · δείκνυμιverb of indefinite relative clause (third stage)→ effective aorist subjunctiveδείκνυμι: the LORD's designation of the guilty household.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of δείξῃκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the divine agent at the final stage too.
προσάξετεyou shall bring nearFut Act Indic 2 Pl · προσάγωmain verb (final stage: man by man)→ jussive futureπροσάγω: the final bringing-forward, individual by individual, until the offender is exposed.
κατ᾿bypreposition + accusative (distributive: 'man by man')κατ᾿: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἄνδραmanAccusativeaccusative in distributive phrase (κατ᾿ ἄνδρα: 'man by man')ἀνήρ: 'man'; renders גֶּבֶר / אִישׁ; κατ᾿ ἄνδρα ('man by man') is the last and most individual stage — the funnel narrows to the single guilty person.
15
καὶ ὃς ἂν ἐνδειχθῇ κατακαυθήσεται ἐν πυρὶ καὶ πάντα ὅσα ἐστὶν αὐτῷ ὅτι παρέβη τὴν διαθήκην κυρίου καὶ ἐποίησεν ἀνόμημα ἐν Ισραηλ
And whoever is pointed out shall be burned with fire, he and all that belongs to him, because he transgressed the covenant of the LORD and committed a lawless deed in Israel.
The instruction closes with the verdict: the one exposed by the lot (ὃς ἂν ἐνδειχθῇ) is to be burned with fire, together with all that is his — the corporate liability extending to the offender's whole household and property (cf. vv. 24–25). The double charge (παρέβη τὴν διαθήκην … ἐποίησεν ἀνόμημα ἐν Ισραηλ) frames the act as both covenant-breach and a 'lawless deed' staining the holy community.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative/instructional conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ὃςwhoeverNominativeindefinite relative pronoun (subject: 'the one who...')ὅς (with ἄν): 'whoever'; the indefinite relative ὃς ἂν + subjunctive ('whoever is pointed out') generalizes the sentence to apply to the offender, whoever he proves to be.
ἂν(ever)modal particle (with subjunctive)ἄν: modal particle in the indefinite relative construction.
ἐνδειχθῇis pointed outAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ἐνδείκνυμιverb of indefinite relative clause (the one detected by lot)→ effective aorist passive subjunctive (be designated/exposed)ἐνδείκνυμι (aor. pass. ἐνδειχθῇ): 'point out / mark out / show'; the passive 'be pointed out' = be exposed by the lot; cognate with δείκνυμι (v. 14) but with the prefix ἐν-; the same verb reports the outcome at vv. 16–18 (ἐνεδείχθη).
κατακαυθήσεταιshall be burned upFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · κατακαίωmain verb (the sentence: death by fire)→ predictive future (the prescribed penalty)κατακαίω (fut. pass. κατακαυθήσεται): 'burn up / consume with fire'; the compound κατα- denotes complete burning; renders שָׂרַף בָּאֵשׁ; the burning is the prescribed fate of what is under the ban (cf. v. 25, where stoning precedes/accompanies the burning); fire consumes what is wholly devoted/accursed.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental: 'with fire')ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
πυρὶfireDativedative of means (ἐν πυρί: 'with fire')πῦρ: 'fire'; renders אֵשׁ; the instrument of the herem-execution; ἐν πυρί ('with fire') reflects the Hebraizing instrumental use of ἐν (בְּ).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending the penalty)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
πάνταallNominativesubject (extending the burning: 'all that is his')πᾶς: 'all'; the neuter plural πάντα ('all things') extends the penalty to the offender's entire property — the corporate liability enacted in vv. 24–25.
ὅσαwhateverNominativerelative pronoun (correlative: 'as much as')ὅσος: 'as much/many as / whatever'; πάντα ὅσα ἐστὶν αὐτῷ = 'all that belongs to him,' the totality of his possessions.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (possession: 'belongs to him')→ stative present (the dative of possession)εἰμί: 'be'; with the dative (ἐστὶν αὐτῷ) it expresses possession ('belongs to him') — the idiom of the dative of possession.
αὐτῷto him / hisDativedative of possession (with ἐστίν: 'that belongs to him')αὐτός (dat.): the dative of possession marking the offender as owner of all that will be destroyed with him.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (the ground of the sentence)ὅτι: 'because'; introduces the justification for the severe penalty.
παρέβηtransgressedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · παραβαίνωmain verb of the causal clause (first charge)→ constative aorist (the act of transgression)παραβαίνω: 'transgress / overstep'; repeats the charge of v. 11 (παρέβη τὴν διαθήκην); the offense is fundamentally a violation of the covenant the LORD himself made.
τὴνtheAccusativearticleτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηνcovenantAccusativedirect object of παρέβηδιαθήκη: 'covenant'; renders בְּרִית; the covenant of the LORD, whose herem-stipulation (6:18) the offender violated.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of relationship ('the covenant of the LORD')κύριος (gen.): rendering of the Tetragrammaton; 'the covenant of the LORD' identifies the offended party as God himself.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second charge)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐποίησενcommittedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb of the causal clause (second charge)→ constative aorist (the act of committing the deed)ποιέω: 'do / make / commit'; renders עָשָׂה; ἐποίησεν ἀνόμημα ('committed a lawless deed') frames the act not only as covenant-breach but as an outrage against the holiness of the community.
ἀνόμημαa lawless deedAccusativedirect object of ἐποίησενἀνόμημα: 'lawless act / transgression / outrage'; renders נְבָלָה ('disgraceful/senseless folly') or similar; the term marks the deed as a flagrant breach of covenant law done 'in Israel' — a defilement of the holy people; cf. the recurring formula 'such a thing ought not to be done in Israel' (Gen 34:7; 2 Sam 13:12).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative/sphere: 'in Israel')ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΙσραηλIsraeldative-sphere object of ἐν (indeclinable: 'in Israel')Ισραηλ: indeclinable; the phrase ἐν Ισραηλ ('in Israel') marks the deed as a scandal within the covenant community, the sphere of holiness it defiled.
16
καὶ ὤρθρισεν Ἰησοῦς καὶ προσήγαγεν τὸν λαὸν κατὰ φυλάς καὶ ἐνεδείχθη ἡ φυλὴ Ιουδα
And Joshua rose early and brought the people near by tribes, and the tribe of Judah was pointed out.
Joshua carries out the LORD's instructions exactly. The verb ὤρθρισεν ('rose early') fulfills the τὸ πρωί ('in the morning') of v. 14. The first stage of the narrowing yields the result: ἐνεδείχθη ἡ φυλὴ Ιουδα ('the tribe of Judah was pointed out'), the passive verb tacitly attributing the designation to the LORD. The irony noted at v. 1 deepens — Judah, the leading and messianic tribe, is exposed.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ὤρθρισενrose earlyAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀρθρίζωmain verb (fulfilling 'in the morning' of v. 14)→ constative aorist (the prompt obedient action)ὀρθρίζω: 'rise early / do at dawn'; renders שָׁכַם (Hiphil); the verb fulfills the τὸ πρωί of v. 14 and conveys Joshua's prompt, resolute obedience — no delay in confronting the sin.
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: the leader executing the divinely prescribed procedure.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
προσήγαγενbrought nearAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσάγωmain verb (presenting the people for the lot)→ constative aorist (the act of bringing forward)προσάγω: 'bring near / present'; the indicative answering the future-imperatival προσάξετε of v. 14 — the command is carried out tribe by tribe before the LORD.
τὸνtheAccusativearticleτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of προσήγαγενλαός: 'people'; the whole congregation brought forward for the scrutiny of the lot.
κατὰbypreposition + accusative (distributive: 'by tribes')κατά + acc.: distributive 'by'; κατὰ φυλάς as prescribed in v. 14.
φυλάςtribesAccusativeaccusative in distributive phraseφυλή: 'tribe'; the first stage of the narrowing now enacted.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the result)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐνεδείχθηwas pointed outAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐνδείκνυμιmain verb (the lot's result: divine passive)→ constative aorist passive (the designation by lot)ἐνδείκνυμι (aor. pass. ἐνεδείχθη): 'be pointed out / be designated'; renders לָכַד (Niphal, 'be taken by lot'); the passive tacitly identifies the LORD as the one who points out (cf. δείξῃ κύριος, v. 14) — the lot is divine detection, not chance.
ἡtheNominativearticleἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φυλὴtribeNominativesubject of ἐνεδείχθηφυλή: 'tribe'; the tribe designated at the first stage.
Ιουδαof Judahgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'tribe of Judah')Ιουδα: indeclinable; the tribe of Judah is the first to be singled out — the foremost tribe (and later the royal/messianic line) is the channel of the trespass, sharpening the irony introduced at v. 1.
17
καὶ προσήχθη κατὰ δήμους καὶ ἐνεδείχθη δῆμος ὁ Ζαραϊ καὶ προσήχθη κατὰ ἄνδρα
And it was brought near by clans, and the clan of Zarai was pointed out; and it was brought near man by man.
The narrowing proceeds: the tribe of Judah is brought forward by clans, and 'the clan of Zarai' (the descendants of Zara/Zerah, named in v. 1) is pointed out; then that clan is brought forward man by man. The repeated passives (προσήχθη, ἐνεδείχθη) keep the LORD as the unseen agent of detection, tightening the funnel toward the individual.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
προσήχθηwas brought nearAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · προσάγωmain verb (the clan brought forward; impersonal/passive)→ constative aorist passive (the bringing-forward)προσάγω (aor. pass. προσήχθη): 'be brought near'; the passive (with the tribe of Judah as implied subject) reports the second stage — Judah brought forward clan by clan.
κατὰbypreposition + accusative (distributive: 'by clans')κατὰ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
δήμουςclansAccusativeaccusative in distributive phraseδῆμος: 'clan'; renders מִשְׁפָּחָה; the second-stage unit.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the result)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐνεδείχθηwas pointed outAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐνδείκνυμιmain verb (the clan designated)→ constative aorist passive (divine designation)ἐνδείκνυμι (aor. pass.): the clan of Zarai is 'pointed out' by the lot — the LORD's detection at the second stage.
δῆμοςclanNominativesubject of ἐνεδείχθηδῆμος: 'clan'; the clan designated within Judah.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with the indeclinable clan-name)ὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
Ζαραϊof Zarai / Zerahiteappositive clan-name (indeclinable: 'the Zarai/Zerahite clan')Ζαραϊ: gentilic form of Ζαρα (Zerah, Gen 38:30), 'the Zerahite (clan)'; indeclinable in the LXX; renders הַזַּרְחִי; the clan descended from Zara named in Achar's genealogy (v. 1), now singled out.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
προσήχθηwas brought nearAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · προσάγωmain verb (the clan brought forward man by man)→ constative aorist passiveπροσάγω (aor. pass.): the third stage — the clan of Zarai brought forward individually; in the LXX the household stage is compressed, moving directly to κατὰ ἄνδρα.
κατὰbypreposition + accusative (distributive: 'man by man')κατὰ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἄνδραmanAccusativeaccusative in distributive phrase (κατὰ ἄνδρα)ἀνήρ: 'man'; κατὰ ἄνδρα ('man by man') — the final, individual stage, about to expose Achar.
18
καὶ ἐνεδείχθη Αχαρ υἱὸς Ζαμβρι υἱοῦ Ζαρα
And Achar son of Zambri, son of Zara, was pointed out.
The funnel reaches its end: the single offender is named. The genealogy (abbreviated from v. 1) confirms the identity — Achar son of Zambri son of Zara — and the passive ἐνεδείχθη again marks the LORD as the detector. The omniscient God who saw the hidden spoil in v. 11 now publicly exposes the man.
Word-by-word analysis· 7 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐνεδείχθηwas pointed outAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐνδείκνυμιmain verb (the offender designated by lot)→ constative aorist passive (the climactic divine designation)ἐνδείκνυμι (aor. pass.): the fourth and final 'pointing out' — now of the individual man; the verb that has marked each stage (vv. 14–17) reaches its goal in the exposure of Achar.
ΑχαρAcharsubject (indeclinable proper noun)Αχαρ: the LXX name of the offender (MT עָכָן 'Achan'), assimilated to the etiology of the Valley of Achor (vv. 24–26); the man whose hidden sin defiled all Israel is now named openly.
υἱὸςsonNominativeapposition to Αχαρ (genealogy)υἱός: 'son'; the abbreviated genealogy confirms the identity established in v. 1.
Ζαμβριof Zambrigenitive of relationship (indeclinable name: father/grandfather)Ζαμβρι: transliteration of Hebrew זַבְדִּי; indeclinable; in v. 1 named as Achar's grandfather (here the chain is compressed, omitting Charmi).
υἱοῦsonGenitivegenitive in apposition (continuing genealogy)υἱός (gen.): continuing the chain 'son of Zambri, son of Zara.'
Ζαραof Zaragenitive of relationship (indeclinable: clan-eponym)Ζαρα: transliteration of Hebrew זֶרַח (Zerah, son of Judah); the clan-eponym linking Achar to the Ζαραϊ clan (v. 17) and the tribe of Judah.
19
καὶ εἶπεν Ἰησοῦς τῷ Αχαρ δὸς δόξαν σήμερον τῷ κυρίῳ θεῷ Ισραηλ καὶ δὸς τὴν ἐξομολόγησιν καὶ ἀνάγγειλόν μοι τί ἐποίησας καὶ μὴ κρύψῃς ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ
And Joshua said to Achar, 'Give glory today to the LORD, the God of Israel, and make confession, and declare to me what you did, and do not hide it from me.'
Joshua addresses the exposed offender not with immediate condemnation but with a solemn adjuration: 'Give glory to the LORD … and make confession.' The idiom δὸς δόξαν τῷ κυρίῳ ('give glory to the LORD') is a formula of truth-telling under oath (cf. John 9:24); to confess the truth is itself an act of honoring God. The series of imperatives (δός … δός … ἀνάγγειλόν … μὴ κρύψῃς) presses for full and unconcealed disclosure.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 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: introduces Joshua's adjuration to the exposed Achar.
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
τῷtoDativearticle (with the indeclinable Αχαρ: dative of address)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑχαρAchardative (indirect object: 'to Achar', indeclinable with article τῷ)Αχαρ: indeclinable; the dative is marked by the article τῷ ('to Achar').
δὸςgiveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb of command (the adjuration formula)→ effective aorist imperative (render glory now)δίδωμι (aor. impv. δός): 'give'; the idiom δὸς δόξαν τῷ κυρίῳ ('give glory to the LORD') renders שִׂים … כָבוֹד / תֵּן כָבוֹד and functions as a solemn adjuration to tell the truth — to confess is to honor God's omniscience and justice (cf. John 9:24, where the same idiom adjures truthful testimony).
δόξανgloryAccusativedirect object of δόςδόξα: 'glory / honor'; renders כָּבוֹד; giving glory to the LORD here means acknowledging his exposure of the truth by full confession.
σήμερονtodayadverb of timeσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; stresses the immediacy of the required confession — this very day, the day of exposure; the word recurs in the verdict of v. 25.
τῷto theDativearticleτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative indirect object of δός ('to the LORD')κύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the recipient of the glory that truthful confession renders.
θεῷGodDativeapposition to κυρίῳ ('the LORD, the God of Israel')θεός (dat.): 'God'; the title κυρίῳ θεῷ Ισραηλ ('the LORD, the God of Israel') invokes the covenant God whose holiness Achar violated.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'God of Israel')Ισραηλ: indeclinable, adnominal genitive with θεῷ.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
δὸςgive / makeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb of command (parallel imperative)→ effective aorist imperative (make confession)δίδωμι (aor. impv. δός): repeated; here δὸς τὴν ἐξομολόγησιν ('give/make the confession') — render the acknowledgment that truth demands.
τὴνtheAccusativearticleτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐξομολόγησινconfessionAccusativedirect object of δόςἐξομολόγησις: 'confession / acknowledgment / open avowal'; renders תּוֹדָה; the cognate verb ἐξομολογέομαι is the standard LXX term for confessing sin or giving praise; the noun here denotes the full open avowal of the deed that honors God's justice.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνάγγειλόνdeclareAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀναγγέλλωmain verb of command (demand for disclosure)→ effective aorist imperative (report fully)ἀναγγέλλω: 'report / declare / announce'; renders נָגַד (Hiphil); the imperative presses Achar to tell exactly what he did — full, specific disclosure, not vague admission.
μοιto meDativedative indirect object of ἀνάγγειλόνἐγώ (dat. μοι): 'to me'; Joshua as the recipient of the confession, acting on the LORD's behalf.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of ἐποίησας, in indirect question)τίς, τί: interrogative pronoun; 'what you did' — the content of the demanded disclosure.
ἐποίησαςyou didAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωverb of the indirect question (the deed to be confessed)→ constative aorist (the completed deed)ποιέω: 'do / commit'; τί ἐποίησας ('what you did') demands the specific account of the theft.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
μὴnotnegative particle (with prohibitive subjunctive)μή: negating the prohibitive aorist subjunctive κρύψῃς.
κρύψῃςhideAor Act Subj 2 Sg · κρύπτωprohibitive subjunctive (μή + aor. subj.: 'do not hide')→ prohibitive aorist subjunctive (conceal nothing)κρύπτω: 'hide / conceal'; renders כָּחַד / סָתַר; the prohibition μὴ κρύψῃς ('do not hide') is pointed — Achar had hidden (cf. ἐγκέκρυπται, κέκρυπται, v. 21) the spoil in the earth; now nothing may be concealed from Joshua.
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation, elided ἀπό)ἀπ᾿: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό ('from me')ἐγώ (gen. ἐμοῦ): the emphatic genitive 'from me'; Joshua, as the LORD's representative, must be told all.
20
καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Αχαρ τῷ Ἰησοῖ καὶ εἶπεν ἀληθῶς ἥμαρτον ἐναντίον κυρίου θεοῦ Ισραηλ οὕτως καὶ οὕτως ἐποίησα
And Achar answered Joshua and said, 'Truly I have sinned before the LORD, the God of Israel; thus and thus I did.'
Achar confesses without evasion: ἀληθῶς ἥμαρτον ('truly I have sinned'), acknowledging the offense as committed 'before the LORD, the God of Israel' — recognizing that the sin was ultimately against God. The vague οὕτως καὶ οὕτως ('thus and thus') is a summarizing formula that the following verse will fill out with the specific inventory of stolen goods.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (Achar's response)→ constative aorist (the act of answering)ἀποκρίνομαι (aor. pass. ἀπεκρίθη): 'answer / reply'; renders עָנָה; the deponent aorist passive ἀπεκρίθη is the standard LXX/Koine form; introduces Achar's confession in response to Joshua's adjuration.
ΑχαρAcharsubject (indeclinable proper noun)Αχαρ: the offender, now confessing.
τῷtoDativearticle (with the dative Ἰησοῖ)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἸησοῖJoshuaDativedative indirect object of ἀπεκρίθη ('answered Joshua')Ἰησοῦς (dat. Ἰησοῖ): the dative form of the leader's name; Achar answers Joshua, who stands as the LORD's representative.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (introducing the confession proper)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω: the pleonastic ἀπεκρίθη … καὶ εἶπεν ('answered and said') is a Hebraism (וַיַּעַן … וַיֹּאמֶר) introducing direct speech.
ἀληθῶςtrulyadverb (affirming the truth of the confession)ἀληθῶς: 'truly / in truth'; renders אָמְנָה / אָכֵן; the adverb opens the confession with unqualified admission — Achar concedes the charge fully, giving the 'glory to the LORD' Joshua demanded.
ἥμαρτονI have sinnedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἁμαρτάνωmain verb of the confession (first-person admission)→ constative aorist (the acknowledged sin)ἁμαρτάνω: 'sin'; renders חָטָא; the first-person ἥμαρτον ('I have sinned') is the classic confession formula (cf. 2 Sam 12:13; Ps 50[51]:6); Achar owns the very charge laid against 'the people' in v. 11.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive ('before the LORD')ἐναντίον: 'before / in the sight of'; Hebraism for לִפְנֵי; Achar recognizes that his theft, though committed in secret, was 'before the LORD' — an offense against God himself.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίονκύριος (gen.): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the one against whom the sin was ultimately committed.
θεοῦGodGenitiveapposition to κυρίου ('the LORD, the God of Israel')θεός (gen.): 'God'; κυρίου θεοῦ Ισραηλ ('the LORD, the God of Israel') echoes Joshua's adjuration (v. 19) — Achar confesses to the same covenant God.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'God of Israel')Ισραηλ: indeclinable, adnominal genitive with θεοῦ.
οὕτωςthusadverb of manner (summarizing formula)οὕτως: 'thus / in this way'; the doubled οὕτως καὶ οὕτως ('thus and thus / so and so') is a summarizing idiom (cf. 2 Sam 17:15) standing in for the detailed account that follows in v. 21.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the doubled adverb)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
οὕτωςthusadverb of manner (second member of the doubled formula)οὕτως: the second 'thus' completing the idiom οὕτως καὶ οὕτως.
ἐποίησαI didAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (the deed admitted)→ constative aorist (the completed act now confessed)ποιέω: 'do'; the first-person ἐποίησα ('I did') answers Joshua's τί ἐποίησας (v. 19) — Achar admits the deed and prepares to specify it.
21
εἶδον ἐν τῇ προνομῇ ψιλὴν ποικίλην καλὴν καὶ διακόσια δίδραχμα ἀργυρίου καὶ γλῶσσαν μίαν χρυσῆν πεντήκοντα διδράχμων καὶ ἐνθυμηθεὶς αὐτῶν ἔλαβον καὶ ἰδοὺ αὐτὰ ἐγκέκρυπται ἐν τῇ γῇ ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ μου καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον κέκρυπται ὑποκάτω αὐτῶν
I saw in the spoil a fine multicolored cloak and two hundred didrachmas of silver and one golden tongue of fifty didrachmas, and I coveted them and took them; and behold, they are hidden in the earth in my tent, and the silver is hidden underneath them.
Achar's confession fills out the οὕτως καὶ οὕτως of v. 20 with a precise inventory and a textbook anatomy of sin: εἶδον … ἐνθυμηθεὶς … ἔλαβον ('I saw … I coveted … I took') — the same see-desire-take sequence as Eve (Gen 3:6) and David (2 Sam 11:2–4). The stolen goods are a fine multicolored cloak, two hundred didrachmas of silver, and a golden 'tongue' (wedge) of fifty didrachmas; the perfects ἐγκέκρυπται / κέκρυπται stress the abiding concealment in the earth beneath his tent.
Word-by-word analysis· 38 words
εἶδονI sawAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (first step of the sin: seeing)→ constative aorist (the act of seeing)ὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see'; renders רָאָה; the first verb of the see–covet–take sequence (εἶδον … ἐνθυμηθεὶς … ἔλαβον) that mirrors the paradigmatic temptation-sins of Eve (Gen 3:6: εἶδεν … ἔλαβεν) and David (2 Sam 11).
ἐνin / amongpreposition + dative (locative: 'in the spoil')ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῇtheDativearticleτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προνομῇspoil / plunderDativedative object of ἐν (the booty of Jericho)προνομή: 'spoil / booty / plunder'; renders שָׁלָל / בַּז; the plunder of Jericho, all of which was devoted (ἀνάθεμα) and so forbidden to private appropriation; Achar saw and seized from what belonged wholly to the LORD.
ψιλὴνa cloakAccusativedirect object of εἶδον (first item: a fine garment)ψιλή: lit. 'a bare/smooth (cloth)'; here substantivized for a woven garment or rug; the LXX ψιλὴν ποικίλην ('a multicolored ψιλή') renders Hebrew אַדֶּרֶת שִׁנְעָר ('a mantle of Shinar / a Babylonian garment'); the Greek interprets the prized imported cloak as a fine variegated weave.
ποικίληνmulticoloredAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ψιλήν)ποικίλος: 'many-colored / variegated / embroidered'; renders the sense of an ornate, luxurious weave; the same adjective describes Joseph's special robe in some traditions and the rich fabrics of the tabernacle — a token of coveted luxury.
καλὴνbeautiful / fineAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ψιλήν)καλός: 'beautiful / good / fine'; renders טוֹב / יָפֶה; the desirability of the garment (καλήν) is precisely what made it the object of covetous desire (cf. Gen 3:6, καλὸν … εἰς βρῶσιν).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining inventory items)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
διακόσιαtwo hundredAccusativenumeral adjective (modifying δίδραχμα)διακόσιοι: 'two hundred'; the quantity of silver coins/weights taken — a substantial sum.
δίδραχμαdidrachmasAccusativedirect object of εἶδον (second item: silver)δίδραχμον: 'double-drachma / two-drachma piece'; the LXX standard rendering of the Hebrew שֶׁקֶל (shekel); 'two hundred didrachmas of silver' = two hundred shekels of silver.
ἀργυρίουof silverGenitivegenitive of material (with δίδραχμα: 'didrachmas of silver')ἀργύριον: 'silver / silver-money'; renders כֶּסֶף; the genitive of material specifies the metal of the coins/weights.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
γλῶσσανtongue / wedgeAccusativedirect object of εἶδον (third item: gold)γλῶσσα: 'tongue'; here a 'tongue (-shaped ingot) of gold,' a literal rendering of the Hebrew לְשׁוֹן זָהָב ('a tongue/wedge of gold'); the metaphor for an oblong bar/ingot is preserved in the Greek; the famous 'wedge of gold' of the confession.
μίανoneAccusativenumeral adjective (modifying γλῶσσαν)εἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; the single golden ingot — γλῶσσαν μίαν χρυσῆν.
χρυσῆνgoldenAccusativeattributive adjective (material: 'of gold')χρυσοῦς: 'made of gold'; renders זָהָב; the gold ingot is the most precious of the three stolen items.
πεντήκονταfiftynumeral (indeclinable, with διδράχμων: weight of the gold)πεντήκοντα: 'fifty'; indeclinable cardinal; renders חֲמִשִּׁים; the weight of the gold ingot, fifty didrachmas (shekels).
διδράχμωνof didrachmasGenitivegenitive of measure (weight of the gold: 'of fifty didrachmas')δίδραχμον (gen. pl. διδράχμων): the genitive of measure gives the weight of the gold ingot — fifty shekels' weight.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐνθυμηθεὶςhaving covetedAor Pass Part Nom Masc Sg · ἐνθυμέομαιcircumstantial participle (the second step of the sin: desire)→ antecedent aorist participle ('having set my heart on them')ἐνθυμέομαι (aor. pass. ptc. ἐνθυμηθείς): 'ponder / set one's heart on / covet'; renders חָמַד ('desire / covet'); the middle step of the see–covet–take sequence; the verb names the inner covetousness that drove the theft — the breach of the tenth commandment (Exod 20:17) underlying the act.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἐνθυμηθείς (object of desire)αὐτός (gen. pl.): the genitive object of ἐνθυμέομαι ('coveted them') — the desirable spoil.
ἔλαβονI tookAor Act Indic 1 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (the third step: the act of taking)→ constative aorist (the decisive theft)λαμβάνω (aor. ἔλαβον): 'take'; the climax of the sin-sequence; the first-person ἔλαβον openly confesses the act reported in the third person at v. 1 (ἔλαβεν Αχαρ).
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (drawing attention)ἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; the presentative particle directs attention to the disclosure of the hiding place — the confession becomes actionable.
αὐτὰthey / these thingsNominativesubject of ἐγκέκρυπται (the stolen goods)αὐτός (nom. neut. pl.): 'these things' — the stolen items, the subject of the verb of hiding (neut. pl. with sg. verb, normal Greek concord).
ἐγκέκρυπταιhas been hiddenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐγκρύπτωmain verb (the concealment; neut. pl. subject with sg. verb)→ resultative perfect (hidden and still concealed)ἐγκρύπτω (perf. pass. ἐγκέκρυπται): 'hide in / conceal within'; the compound ἐν- ('in'); the perfect stresses the abiding concealment — the goods are buried and remain so; pointedly answers Joshua's μὴ κρύψῃς (v. 19), the same root κρυπτ-.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῇtheDativearticleτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῇearth / groundDativedative of place (locative: 'in the earth')γῆ: 'earth / ground'; renders אֶרֶץ / אֲדָמָה; the goods buried in the ground beneath the tent floor.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)ἐν: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῇtheDativearticleτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῇtentDativedative of place (locative: 'in my tent')σκηνή: 'tent / dwelling'; renders אֹהֶל; Achar's own tent, the scene of the concealment and (vv. 22–23) the recovery.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession ('my tent')ἐγώ (gen. μου): 'my'; the tent belongs to Achar — the locus of personal guilt.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τὸtheNominativearticleτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀργύριονsilverNominativesubject of κέκρυπταιἀργύριον: 'silver'; the silver hidden beneath the other items — the deepest layer of the cache.
κέκρυπταιhas been hiddenPerf Pass Indic 3 Sg · κρύπτωmain verb (the silver's concealment)→ resultative perfect (hidden and still concealed)κρύπτω (perf. pass. κέκρυπται): 'hide / conceal'; the simplex of ἐγκρύπτω; the perfect again stresses the persisting concealment of the silver beneath the rest.
ὑποκάτωunderneathimproper preposition + genitive (position: 'beneath them')ὑποκάτω: 'underneath / below'; renders תַּחַת; the silver lies at the bottom of the buried cache, beneath the garment and the gold.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ὑποκάτω ('beneath them')αὐτός (gen. pl.): the other items, beneath which the silver is hidden.
22
καὶ ἀπέστειλεν Ἰησοῦς ἀγγέλους καὶ ἔδραμον εἰς τὴν σκηνὴν εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν καὶ ταῦτα ἦν ἐγκεκρυμμένα εἰς τὴν σκηνήν καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον ὑποκάτω αὐτῶν
And Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent in the camp; and these things were hidden in the tent, and the silver underneath them.
Joshua acts at once to verify the confession. The urgency is marked by ἔδραμον ('they ran'). The narrator confirms Achar's words verbatim: the periphrastic ἦν ἐγκεκρυμμένα ('were hidden') and the repeated τὸ ἀργύριον ὑποκάτω αὐτῶν exactly match v. 21, demonstrating the truthfulness of the confession and the justice of what follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (Joshua dispatches messengers)→ constative aorist (the dispatch)ἀποστέλλω: 'send / dispatch'; the same verb as v. 2; Joshua sends messengers to verify the confession by recovering the spoil.
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
ἀγγέλουςmessengersAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλενἄγγελος: 'messenger / envoy'; renders מַלְאָךְ; here human messengers (not angels) sent to the tent to retrieve the cache.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔδραμονthey ranAor Act Indic 3 Pl · τρέχωmain verb (the messengers hasten)→ constative aorist (the act of running)τρέχω (aor. ἔδραμον): 'run'; renders רוּץ; the verb conveys the urgency with which the messengers hurry to verify the confession — no delay in dealing with the ἀνάθεμα.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὴνtheAccusativearticleτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνὴνtentAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)σκηνή: 'tent'; Achar's tent, as specified in his confession (v. 21).
εἰςin / intopreposition + accusative (locating the tent within the camp)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τὴνtheAccusativearticleτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολήνcampAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the camp where the tent stood)παρεμβολή: 'camp / encampment / army-camp'; renders מַחֲנֶה; the Israelite camp, where Achar's tent stood — the place defiled by the hidden ban.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the verification)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ταῦταthese thingsNominativesubject (the stolen goods)οὗτος (nom. neut. pl. ταῦτα): 'these things' — the stolen items, confirmed in their hiding place exactly as confessed.
ἦνwereImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίauxiliary of periphrastic pluperfect (with ἐγκεκρυμμένα)→ imperfect auxiliary (forming the periphrastic 'had been hidden')εἰμί (impf. ἦν): the imperfect with the perfect participle ἐγκεκρυμμένα forms a periphrastic pluperfect ('had been hidden / were lying hidden'); the singular verb with neuter-plural subject (ταῦτα) is normal Greek concord.
ἐγκεκρυμμέναhiddenPerf Pass Part Nom Neut Pl · ἐγκρύπτωparticiple of periphrastic pluperfect (predicate: 'were hidden')→ resultative perfect participle (in concealed state)ἐγκρύπτω (perf. pass. ptc.): 'hidden within'; with ἦν forms the periphrastic pluperfect; the narrator's verb matches Achar's ἐγκέκρυπται (v. 21), confirming the confession point for point.
εἰςinpreposition + accusative (with verb of rest: locative 'in the tent')εἰς: here used with a verb of rest in the locative sense 'in' (= ἐν), a Koine/LXX blurring of εἰς and ἐν; 'hidden in the tent.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticleτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνήνtentAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (locative: 'in the tent')σκηνή: 'tent'; the place of concealment, confirmed.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τὸtheNominativearticleτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀργύριονsilverNominativesubject (with implied 'was', echoing v. 21)ἀργύριον: 'silver'; found exactly where Achar said — beneath the rest, confirming his confession.
ὑποκάτωunderneathimproper preposition + genitive (position: 'beneath them')ὑποκάτω: 'underneath'; repeats v. 21 verbatim, the narrator confirming the location of the silver.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ὑποκάτωαὐτός (gen. pl.): the other items, beneath which the silver lay.
23
καὶ ἐξήνεγκαν αὐτὰ ἐκ τῆς σκηνῆς καὶ ἤνεγκαν πρὸς Ἰησοῦν καὶ τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους Ισραηλ καὶ ἔθηκαν αὐτὰ ἔναντι κυρίου
And they brought them out of the tent and carried them to Joshua and the elders of Israel, and laid them before the LORD.
The recovered goods are brought out, carried to Joshua and the elders, and 'laid before the LORD' (ἔθηκαν αὐτὰ ἔναντι κυρίου) — the devoted things returned to their rightful owner, the LORD, from whom they had been stolen. The placing before the LORD readies them for the herem-execution that follows, and signals that the trespass is now openly adjudicated in the divine presence.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐξήνεγκανthey brought outAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκφέρωmain verb (extraction of the cache)→ constative aorist (the act of bringing out)ἐκφέρω (aor. ἐξήνεγκαν): 'carry out / bring out'; the compound ἐκ- ('out'); the messengers exhume the buried goods from the tent.
αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object (the stolen goods)αὐτός (acc. neut. pl.): the recovered items.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)ἐκ: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
τῆςtheGenitivearticleτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtentGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (source: 'out of the tent')σκηνή: 'tent'; the place from which the spoil is extracted.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἤνεγκανcarriedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · φέρωmain verb (conveyance to Joshua)→ constative aorist (the act of carrying)φέρω (aor. ἤνεγκαν): 'bring / carry'; the simplex of ἐκφέρω; the goods are conveyed to Joshua and the elders for public adjudication.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)πρὸς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ἸησοῦνJoshuaAccusativeaccusative object of πρόςἸησοῦς (acc. Ἰησοῦν): the leader before whom the recovered spoil is brought.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticleτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρεσβυτέρουςeldersAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (parallel to Ἰησοῦν)πρεσβύτερος: 'elder'; the leadership who shared Joshua's mourning (v. 6) now witness the recovery and adjudication.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'elders of Israel')Ισραηλ: indeclinable, adnominal genitive with πρεσβυτέρους.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔθηκανlaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · τίθημιmain verb (the placing before the LORD)→ constative aorist (the act of setting down)τίθημι (aor. ἔθηκαν): 'place / set / lay'; the devoted things are laid 'before the LORD' — restored to their rightful owner and presented for the herem-judgment.
αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object of ἔθηκαναὐτός (acc. neut. pl.): the recovered devoted goods.
ἔναντιbeforepreposition + genitive ('before the LORD')ἔναντι: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism for לִפְנֵי; the spoil is laid in the divine presence — what was stolen from the LORD is returned to him for judgment.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἔναντικύριος (gen.): rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the devoted things, his by right of the ban, are set before him.
24
καὶ ἔλαβεν Ἰησοῦς τὸν Αχαρ υἱὸν Ζαρα καὶ ἀνήγαγεν αὐτὸν εἰς φάραγγα Αχωρ καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰς θυγατέρας αὐτοῦ καὶ τοὺς μόσχους αὐτοῦ καὶ τὰ ὑποζύγια αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντα τὰ πρόβατα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν σκηνὴν αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντα τὰ ὑπάρχοντα αὐτοῦ καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀνήγαγεν αὐτοὺς εἰς Εμεκαχωρ
And Joshua took Achar son of Zara and brought him up to the Valley of Achor, and his sons and his daughters and his calves and his beasts of burden and all his sheep and his tent and all his possessions, and all the people with him; and he brought them up to Emek-Achor.
The corporate liability of the herem is enacted in full: not only Achar but his children, livestock, tent, and all his goods are brought up — the offender and all that is his, as decreed in v. 15 (πάντα ὅσα ἐστὶν αὐτῷ). The destination is named twice: φάραγγα Αχωρ ('the Valley of Achor') and Εμεκαχωρ (a transliteration of the same Hebrew עֵמֶק עָכוֹר), preparing the etiological wordplay of vv. 25–26.
Word-by-word analysis· 54 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (Joshua takes the offender)→ constative aorist (the act of taking)λαμβάνω: 'take / seize'; the same verb used of Achar's theft (ἔλαβεν, v. 1) now describes his being taken for judgment — a fitting lex talionis echo: the taker is taken.
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with the indeclinable Αχαρ)τὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑχαρAchardirect object of ἔλαβεν (indeclinable, with article τόν)Αχαρ: indeclinable; the offender, taken for execution; the accusative is marked by the article τόν.
υἱὸνsonAccusativeapposition to Αχαρ (genealogical tag)υἱός: 'son'; the abbreviated patronymic (son of Zara) recalls the full genealogy of v. 1.
Ζαραof Zaragenitive of relationship (indeclinable: clan-eponym)Ζαρα: indeclinable; Zerah, the clan-eponym linking Achar to Judah.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνήγαγενbrought upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνάγωmain verb (the procession to the valley)→ constative aorist (the act of bringing up)ἀνάγω: 'lead up / bring up'; renders עָלָה (Hiphil); the offender and all that is his are led up to the place of execution; the verb is repeated at the verse's end (ἀνήγαγεν αὐτούς).
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἀνήγαγεναὐτός (acc.): Achar, led up to the valley.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
φάραγγαvalley / ravineAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the place of execution)φάραγξ: 'ravine / valley / gorge'; renders עֵמֶק ('valley'); φάραγγα Αχωρ ('the Valley of Achor') is the place of judgment; the same place is named in transliterated form (Εμεκαχωρ) at the verse's end and at v. 26.
ΑχωρAchorgenitive of relationship (indeclinable place-name: 'Valley of Achor')Αχωρ: transliteration of Hebrew עָכוֹר ('Achor', 'trouble / disaster'); indeclinable; the name etymologically connected with the verb עָכַר ('to trouble / bring disaster'), playing on Achar's name (Αχαρ) and the wordplay of v. 25 (ὠλέθρευσας / ἐξολεθρεύσαι); cf. Hos 2:15, where the Valley of Achor becomes 'a door of hope.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending the objects taken up)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticleτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object (extending ἀνήγαγεν: 'his sons')υἱός: 'son'; the offender's sons share his fate — the corporate liability of the herem extends to his household (cf. Deut 24:16 in tension with this older corporate principle).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τὰςtheAccusativearticleτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυγατέραςdaughtersAccusativedirect object (his daughters)θυγάτηρ: 'daughter'; renders בַּת; the daughters too are included in the comprehensive household-judgment.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticleτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μόσχουςcalves / oxenAccusativedirect object (his cattle)μόσχος: 'calf / young bull / ox'; renders שׁוֹר / בָּקָר; the livestock included in the herem-judgment along with the household.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τὰtheAccusativearticleτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑποζύγιαbeasts of burdenAccusativedirect object (his donkeys/pack-animals)ὑποζύγιον: 'beast of burden / donkey'; lit. 'animal under the yoke'; renders חֲמוֹר ('donkey'); the pack-animals among the offender's possessions.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
πάνταallAccusativeadjective (modifying τὰ πρόβατα)πᾶς: 'all'; the comprehensive 'all his sheep' — nothing is spared.
τὰtheAccusativearticleτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρόβαταsheepAccusativedirect object (his flock)πρόβατον: 'sheep'; renders צֹאן; the flock among the possessions destroyed.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
τὴνtheAccusativearticleτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνὴνtentAccusativedirect object (his tent)σκηνή: 'tent'; the very tent where the spoil was hidden (v. 21) is itself brought up for destruction.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandcoordinate conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
πάνταallAccusativeadjective (modifying τὰ ὑπάρχοντα)πᾶς: 'all'; the summarizing 'all his possessions' gathers up the entire estate — fulfilling πάντα ὅσα ἐστὶν αὐτῷ (v. 15).
τὰtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing the participle)τὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὑπάρχονταpossessionsPres Act Part Acc Neut Pl · ὑπάρχωsubstantivized participle (direct object: 'his belongings')→ imperfective participle (what is at hand / belongs)ὑπάρχω: 'be / exist / belong'; the substantivized participle τὰ ὑπάρχοντα ('the things belonging, possessions') is the standard LXX/Koine idiom for property/goods (cf. Luke 12:33); here the totality of Achar's estate.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possessionαὐτοῦ: pronominal form marking person, possession, or reference within the clause.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the accompanying assembly)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
πᾶςallNominativeadjective (modifying ὁ λαός)πᾶς: 'all'; πᾶς ὁ λαός ('all the people') accompany the procession — the whole community participates in purging the ban from its midst.
ὁtheNominativearticleὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject (nominative, loosely attached: 'and all the people [went] with him')λαός: 'people'; the nominative πᾶς ὁ λαός is loosely construed (the people accompanying), the whole congregation present for the corporate act of purging.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided μετά)μετά (elided μετ᾿) + gen.: 'with'; 'all the people with him.'
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετάαὐτός (gen.): refers to Joshua (or the offender), accompanied by all the people.
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἀνήγαγενbrought upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνάγωmain verb (resumptive: the bringing-up completed)→ constative aorist (the completed ascent to the valley)ἀνάγω: 'bring up'; the resumptive repetition (cf. earlier in the verse) closes the procession-clause, naming the destination in its transliterated form.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object (the offender and all that is his)αὐτός (acc. pl.): the whole company brought up to the valley.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)εἰς: preposition governing its complement and marking the relation specified by the clause.
ΕμεκαχωρEmek-Achoraccusative object of εἰς (indeclinable place-name)Εμεκαχωρ: a transliterated calque of Hebrew עֵמֶק עָכוֹר ('Valley of Achor'); indeclinable in the LXX; the same place named with the Greek φάραγγα Αχωρ earlier in the verse; the name encapsulates the etiology made explicit at v. 26 (ἐπωνόμασεν αὐτὸ Εμεκαχωρ).
25
καὶ εἶπεν Ἰησοῦς τῷ Αχαρ τί ὠλέθρευσας ἡμᾶς ἐξολεθρεύσαι σε κύριος καθὰ καὶ σήμερον καὶ ἐλιθοβόλησαν αὐτὸν λίθοις πᾶς Ισραηλ
And Joshua said to Achar, 'Why have you destroyed us? May the LORD destroy you, as also today.' And all Israel stoned him with stones.
Joshua pronounces the verdict with a deliberate paronomasia: τί ὠλέθρευσας ἡμᾶς; ἐξολεθρεύσαι σε κύριος ('why have you destroyed us? — may the LORD destroy you'). The Greek wordplay on the ὀλεθρ-/ἐξολεθρ- root renders the Hebrew play on עָכַר ('trouble') that gives the valley its name (Αχωρ). The optative ἐξολεθρεύσαι is a curse-wish handing the offender over to divine destruction; the corporate execution — πᾶς Ισραηλ stoning him — completes the purge.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction: the verdict)→ constative aorist (the pronouncement)λέγω: introduces Joshua's verdict over the offender at the place of execution.
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubjectἸησοῦς: lexical item interpreted according to its local syntactic role in this passage.
τῷtoDativearticle (with the dative Αχαρ)τῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑχαρAchardative (indirect object: 'to Achar', indeclinable with article τῷ)Αχαρ: indeclinable; the dative marked by the article τῷ.
τίwhyAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (adverbial accusative: 'why?')τίς, τί: interrogative; 'why have you brought destruction on us?' — the reproachful question opening the verdict.
ὠλέθρευσαςhave you destroyedAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ὀλεθρεύωmain verb of the question (the offender's effect on Israel)→ constative aorist (the harm done to the community)ὀλεθρεύω: 'destroy / ruin / bring to ruin'; renders עָכַר ('trouble / bring disaster on'); the simplex paired with the compound ἐξολεθρεύω creates the paronomasia (ὠλέθρευσας … ἐξολεθρεύσαι) that mirrors the Hebrew wordplay on עָכַר / עָכוֹר (Achor); Achar 'troubled/destroyed' Israel — hence the valley's name.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of ὠλέθρευσαςἐγώ (acc. pl. ἡμᾶς): 'us' — all Israel, whom the one man's sin brought to ruin (the corporate-solidarity theme).
ἐξολεθρεύσαιmay he destroyAor Act Opt 3 Sg · ἐξολεθρεύωmain verb (optative of wish/curse)→ optative of wish (curse-wish: 'may the LORD destroy you')ἐξολεθρεύω (aor. opt. ἐξολεθρεύσαι): 'utterly destroy / exterminate'; the compound ἐξ- intensifies to total destruction; the optative is a curse-wish ('may the LORD destroy you'), handing the offender over to divine judgment; the same verb (and its noun) recurs in the herem-laws (cf. Deut 7); the paronomasia ὠλέθρευσας / ἐξολεθρεύσαι enacts the lex talionis — the destroyer is destroyed.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of ἐξολεθρεύσαισύ (acc. σε): 'you' — Achar, the object of the curse-wish.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ἐξολεθρεύσαι (the agent of destruction)κύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the LORD is invoked as the agent of the offender's destruction — the execution is framed as divine judgment, not merely human vengeance.
καθὰjust ascomparative conjunction ('as / according as')καθά: 'just as / according as'; renders כַּאֲשֶׁר; introduces the comparison 'as also today' — the destruction is enacted this very day.
καὶalsoadverbial/ascensive conjunction ('also / even')καί: here ascensive 'also / even,' in the phrase καθὰ καὶ σήμερον ('as also today').
σήμερονtodayadverb of timeσήμερον: 'today'; renders הַיּוֹם; the destruction is realized 'this very day' — the curse-wish takes immediate effect; echoes σήμερον of the adjuration (v. 19).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the execution)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐλιθοβόλησανstonedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λιθοβολέωmain verb (the corporate execution)→ constative aorist (the act of stoning)λιθοβολέω: 'stone / pelt with stones'; renders רָגַם / סָקַל; stoning is the standard communal mode of execution for offenses against the covenant community (cf. Lev 20:2; Deut 13:10), enacting the corporate purge — all Israel together removes the ban.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐλιθοβόλησαναὐτός (acc.): Achar, the one stoned.
λίθοιςwith stonesDativedative of instrument (with ἐλιθοβόλησαν)λίθος: 'stone'; the dative of means λίθοις ('with stones') is a cognate-like reinforcement of ἐλιθοβόλησαν, a Hebraizing pleonasm; the stones become the heap of v. 26.
πᾶςallNominativeadjective (modifying Ισραηλ: 'all Israel')πᾶς: 'all'; πᾶς Ισραηλ ('all Israel') as the collective subject stresses that the whole community executes the purge — the corporate solidarity that bore the guilt now removes it.
ΙσραηλIsraelsubject (indeclinable proper noun)Ισραηλ: indeclinable; the whole nation as the agent of the stoning.
26
καὶ ἐπέστησαν αὐτῷ σωρὸν λίθων μέγαν καὶ ἐπαύσατο κύριος τοῦ θυμοῦ τῆς ὀργῆς διὰ τοῦτο ἐπωνόμασεν αὐτὸ Εμεκαχωρ ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης
And they set over him a great heap of stones; and the LORD ceased from the fury of his anger. Therefore he named it Emek-Achor, to this day.
The chapter closes with three movements: the memorial heap of stones over the offender (σωρὸν λίθων μέγαν, echoing the heaped ruin of Ai, 8:29); the abating of the divine wrath (ἐπαύσατο κύριος τοῦ θυμοῦ τῆς ὀργῆς), forming an inclusio with the kindling of that wrath in v. 1 (ἐθυμώθη ὀργῇ κύριος); and the etiological naming of the place as Emek-Achor ('Valley of Trouble') 'to this day,' anchoring the narrative in the audience's geography. The purge accomplished, the LORD's presence and favor can return (cf. ch. 8).
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunctionκαὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπέστησανthey set upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐφίστημιmain verb (raising the memorial heap)→ constative aorist (the act of setting up)ἐφίστημι (aor. ἐπέστησαν): 'set over / place upon / erect'; renders קוּם / הֵקִים; the people raise a heap of stones over the executed offender — a permanent memorial-cairn marking the place of judgment (cf. the same gesture at Ai, 8:29, and over Absalom, 2 Sam 18:17).
αὐτῷover himDativedative (locative/disadvantage: 'over him')αὐτός (dat.): 'over/upon him'; the dative marks the place where the heap was raised — over Achar's body.
σωρὸνheapAccusativedirect object of ἐπέστησανσωρός: 'heap / pile'; renders גַּל; the cairn of stones over the offender; the 'great heap' is a lasting monument to the judgment, ironically recalling the name Γαι ('the ruin/heap') whose defeat occasioned the whole episode.
λίθωνof stonesGenitivegenitive of material (with σωρόν: 'heap of stones')λίθος: 'stone'; the stones of the execution (v. 25) now form the memorial heap.
μέγανgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying σωρόν)μέγας: 'great / large'; the size of the cairn underscores the gravity of the judgment and the permanence of the memorial.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the resolution)καὶ: connective element linking clauses, phrases, or discourse developments in the passage.
ἐπαύσατοceasedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · παύωmain verb (the abating of divine wrath)→ ingressive/constative aorist (the wrath comes to an end)παύω (mid. παύομαι): 'cease / stop / desist'; renders שׁוּב (of anger turning away); the middle ἐπαύσατο with the genitive (τοῦ θυμοῦ) means 'ceased from' — the LORD's fierce anger, kindled in v. 1, now subsides, forming the chapter's inclusio; the purge has lifted the ban from Israel.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ἐπαύσατοκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the LORD, whose anger drove the defeat, now turns from it once the devoted thing is purged.
τοῦtheGenitivearticleτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυμοῦfury / fierce angerGenitivegenitive of separation (with ἐπαύσατο: 'ceased from his fury')θυμός: 'wrath / fury / hot anger'; renders חָרוֹן / חֵמָה; the genitive of separation after παύομαι; the combination θυμοῦ τῆς ὀργῆς ('the fury of the anger') is a Hebraizing doubling (חֲרוֹן אַף) intensifying the divine wrath now abated; cf. the cognate ἐθυμώθη ὀργῇ of v. 1.
τῆςtheGenitivearticleτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀργῆςanger / wrathGenitivegenitive (epexegetic/possessive: 'fury of [his] wrath')ὀργή: 'wrath / anger'; the doubled θυμοῦ τῆς ὀργῆς renders the emphatic Hebrew חֲרוֹן אַף ('burning of anger'); the noun ὀργή recalls the ὀργῇ of v. 1, closing the wrath-inclusio that frames the chapter.
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (causal: 'on account of this')διά + acc.: 'because of / on account of'; in διὰ τοῦτο ('therefore / for this reason'), the standard etiological connective introducing the place-name explanation.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (object of διά: 'because of this')οὗτος: 'this'; διὰ τοῦτο ('therefore') links the naming of the place to the events of trouble/destruction just narrated.
ἐπωνόμασενnamedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπονομάζωmain verb (the etiological naming)→ constative aorist (the act of naming)ἐπονομάζω: 'name / give a name to / call'; renders קָרָא שֵׁם; the standard etiological verb; the (impersonal/Joshua) subject names the place — the cairn-site becomes a permanent geographic memorial of the trouble Achar brought.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of ἐπωνόμασεν (the place)αὐτός (acc. neut.): 'it' — the place/valley, given its enduring name.
ΕμεκαχωρEmek-Achorpredicate accusative / name (indeclinable place-name)Εμεκαχωρ: a transliterated calque of Hebrew עֵמֶק עָכוֹר ('Valley of Achor / Valley of Trouble'); indeclinable; the etiological climax — the place bears forever the name of the 'trouble' (עָכַר) Achar brought on Israel; cf. Hos 2:15 (Eng.), where the Valley of Achor is transformed into 'a door of hope.'
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal extent: 'to this day')ἕως: 'until / up to'; in the formula ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης ('to this day'), the standard etiological tag attesting the name's persistence to the narrator's own time.
τῆςtheGenitivearticleτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive of time (with ἕως: 'to this day')ἡμέρα: 'day'; renders יוֹם; ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης ('to this day') is the recurring etiological formula in Joshua (cf. 4:9; 5:9; 8:28–29), grounding the tradition in present geography.
ταύτηςthisGenitivedemonstrative (modifying ἡμέρας: 'this day')οὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative completes the formula 'to this very day,' attesting the enduring witness of the name and the memorial heap.