1
καὶ ἀνεκάλεσεν Μωυσῆν καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος αὐτῷ ἐκ τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου λέγων
And he called Moses, and the LORD spoke to him from the tent of witness, saying,
Leviticus opens with καί, joining seamlessly to the end of Exodus: the tent has just been completed and filled with the glory of the LORD (Exod 40:34–35), and now its purpose is realized as the LORD speaks from within it. The Hebrew opening וַיִּקְרָא gives the book its Hebrew title; the LXX's ἀνεκάλεσεν renders the divine summons. The phrase ἐκ τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου locates revelation in the newly inaugurated cult, and the participle λέγων (Hebraizing לֵאמֹר) introduces the direct speech that runs through the sacrificial code.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (book-opening, Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: the opening conjunction binds Leviticus to the close of Exodus; rendering the waw-consecutive of וַיִּקְרָא, it signals continuity — the sacrificial legislation flows directly from the construction and glory-filling of the tent (Exod 40).
ἀνεκάλεσενhe calledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνακαλέωmain verb (divine summons of Moses)→ constative aorist (single completed summons)ἀνακαλέω: 'call up / summon / call to oneself'; renders Hebrew וַיִּקְרָא ('and he called'), the opening word that names the book in Hebrew (Wayyiqra); the compound ἀνα- may suggest a calling-up or summoning; the unexpressed subject is the LORD, named explicitly in the next clause, so that the call issues from the glory-filled tent of Exod 40:34–35.
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativedirect object of ἀνεκάλεσεν→ object specificationΜωυσῆς: transliteration of Hebrew מֹשֶׁה; declined as a second-declension noun in Rahlfs' LXX (gen. Μωυσῆ, acc. Μωυσῆν); accusative here as the one summoned; Moses remains the sole mediator of cultic revelation throughout Leviticus.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (divine speech-act)→ constative aorist (single completed speech-act)λαλέω: 'speak / talk'; renders דִּבֶּר (Piel of דבר); the pairing of 'call' (ἀνεκάλεσεν) and 'speak' (ἐλάλησεν) is characteristic of the LXX revelation-formula, the summons preceding the address; κύριος now becomes the explicit subject.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (of both verbs)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the nominative names the divine speaker explicitly after the unexpressed subject of ἀνεκάλεσεν, marking this as unmediated YHWH-speech issuing from the tent of witness.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of indirect object (recipient of the speech)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of indirect object (recipient of the speech).
ἐκfrom / out ofpreposition + genitive (source of the divine voice)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'from / out of'; the LORD speaks ἐκ τῆς σκηνῆς — the voice issues from within the tent, the place of meeting; this fulfils the promise of Exod 25:22 that God would speak from above the mercy seat.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtentGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (source)→ relational specificationσκηνή: 'tent / tabernacle'; renders אֹהֶל; with τοῦ μαρτυρίου it forms the standard LXX designation σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου ('tent of witness/meeting', אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד); this is the just-erected tent of Exod 40, now functioning as the locus of revelation and sacrifice.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουof witness / of meetingGenitivegenitive (attributive: defining the tent)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'witness / testimony'; the LXX renders Hebrew מוֹעֵד ('appointed meeting') by μαρτύριον ('witness'), apparently associating מוֹעֵד with עֵדוּת ('testimony', the tablets housed in the ark); thus the LXX construes the tent as the place of the divine 'witness', the standing testimony of the covenant.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Nom Masc Sg · λέγωcircumstantial participle (Hebraizing speech-introducer, agreeing with κύριος)→ imperfective participle introducing direct discourseλέγω (pres. ptc.): the participle λέγων renders the Hebrew infinitive לֵאמֹר ('saying'), the standard formula introducing direct speech in the LXX; though nominally agreeing with κύριος, it functions as a fixed quotation-marker opening the divine address that follows.
2
λάλησον τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτούς ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ὑμῶν ἐὰν προσαγάγῃ δῶρα τῷ κυρίῳ ἀπὸ τῶν κτηνῶν ἀπὸ τῶν βοῶν καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν προβάτων προσοίσετε τὰ δῶρα ὑμῶν
Speak to the sons of Israel, and you shall say to them: A person from among you, if he brings gifts to the LORD from the cattle — from the herds and from the flocks shall you bring your gifts.
The double command λάλησον … καὶ ἐρεῖς ('speak … and you shall say') is the standard LXX commissioning formula (rendering דַּבֵּר … וְאָמַרְתָּ) that transmits the divine word through Moses to Israel. The case-law protasis ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ὑμῶν ἐὰν προσαγάγῃ ('a person from you, if he brings') opens the casuistic legislation of the whole sacrificial code; the source of the gift is specified up front — domesticated herds and flocks — narrowing the scope before the three offering-classes of the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
λάλησονspeakAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (divine imperative to Moses)→ ingressive aorist imperative (commissioned speech-act)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders the Piel imperative דַּבֵּר; the aorist imperative commissions Moses to deliver the law as a single decisive act; paired with the future ἐρεῖς, it forms the transmission-formula of priestly legislation.
τοῖςto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative of indirect object (addressees of λάλησον)→ sphere or referenceυἱός (pl. υἱοῖς): 'son'; the phrase οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ renders בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל ('sons/children of Israel'), the standard designation of the covenant people as the recipients of the law.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable proper noun: 'sons of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; here functioning as a genitive defining υἱοῖς ('sons of Israel'), the whole covenant nation to whom the sacrificial law is addressed.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐρεῖςyou shall sayFut Act Indic 2 Sg · λέγωmain verb (legislative future continuing the command)→ jussive/legislative future (rendering Hebrew weqatal of command)λέγω (fut. ἐρῶ): 'say'; the future ἐρεῖς renders the Hebrew weqatal וְאָמַרְתָּ ('and you shall say') with directive force; in the LXX the future indicative frequently carries the weight of a command in legal contexts, equivalent to an imperative.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτούςthemAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the addressees)→ participant referenceαὐτούς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (the addressees).
ἄνθρωποςa person / anyoneNominativesubject of the casuistic protasis (generic 'anyone')→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'human being / person'; renders אָדָם; the generic ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ὑμῶν ('a person from among you') opens the case-law in the broadest possible terms — the offering is open to any Israelite, anticipating the social range that culminates in the bird offering of the poor (v. 14).
ἐξfrom amongpreposition + genitive (partitive: 'from among you')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ/ἐξ: 'from / out of'; partitive here — ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ὑμῶν, 'a person from among you', identifying the offerer as any member of the covenant community.
ὑμῶνyou (pl.)Genitivegenitive object of ἐξ (partitive)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you (pl.)'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐξ (partitive).
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (introducing casuistic protasis, + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; with the subjunctive προσαγάγῃ it forms the conditional protasis characteristic of casuistic (case-) law, rendering the Hebrew כִּי / אִם of legal stipulation; the apodosis follows in the prescriptive futures of the chapter.
προσαγάγῃhe brings / presentsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · προσάγωverb of conditional protasis (subjunctive with ἐάν)→ aorist subjunctive (the act of offering envisaged as a single event)προσάγω: 'bring near / present / offer'; renders הִקְרִיב (Hiphil of קרב, 'cause to draw near'); a technical sacrificial verb of cultic approach; the aorist subjunctive presents the act of bringing the gift as a single completed condition triggering the legislation.
δῶραgifts / offeringsAccusativedirect object of προσαγάγῃ→ object specificationδῶρον (pl. δῶρα): 'gift / offering'; renders קָרְבָּן ('that which is brought near', the general term for an offering); the LXX's choice of δῶρον frames the sacrifice fundamentally as a gift presented to God; cf. the same word in Jesus' altar-saying at Matt 5:23–24.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative of recipient (the offering's destination)→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): rendering the Tetragrammaton; the dative marks the LORD as the recipient of the gift — the sacrifice is directed Godward, not merely a communal meal; the phrase δῶρα τῷ κυρίῳ fixes the vertical orientation of the cult.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source of the offering)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; the repeated ἀπό (from the cattle, from the herds, from the flocks) progressively specifies the permitted source-categories of the victim — domesticated, clean livestock only.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτηνῶνcattle / livestockGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (general category of domestic animals)→ relational specificationκτῆνος (pl. κτηνῶν): 'beast / domestic animal / livestock'; renders בְּהֵמָה; the broad category of domesticated animals, here subdivided into herds (βόες) and flocks (πρόβατα); wild game is thereby excluded from the burnt offering.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (first sub-category)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (first sub-category).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βοῶνherds / oxenGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (the bovine herd)→ relational specificationβοῦς (pl. βοῶν): 'ox / head of cattle'; renders בָּקָר ('herd'); the first and costliest source-category, treated in vv. 3–9; the bovine offering represents the most substantial gift available to the worshipper.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (second sub-category)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (second sub-category).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προβάτωνflocks / sheepGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (the flock)→ relational specificationπρόβατον (pl. προβάτων): 'sheep / small cattle'; renders צֹאן ('flock', covering sheep and goats); the second source-category, treated in vv. 10–13; the flock offering is the more accessible alternative to the costly bull.
προσοίσετεyou shall bring / presentFut Act Indic 2 Pl · προσφέρωmain verb of the apodosis (legislative future, 2nd plural)→ legislative future (prescriptive: how the offering is to be brought)προσφέρω: 'bring to / present / offer'; renders הִקְרִיב; the principal LXX verb for cultic presentation; the shift to second-person plural (προσοίσετε … τὰ δῶρα ὑμῶν) addresses the whole community directly, stipulating that the gifts must be drawn from these approved categories.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δῶραgifts / offeringsAccusativedirect object of προσοίσετε→ object specificationδῶρον (pl. δῶρα): 'gift / offering'; the repetition (τὰ δῶρα ὑμῶν, 'your gifts') resumes the opening δῶρα and frames the whole stipulation as a law about how Israel's gifts to God are to be sourced and presented.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying δῶρα)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying δῶρα).
3
ἐὰν ὁλοκαύτωμα τὸ δῶρον αὐτοῦ ἐκ τῶν βοῶν ἄρσεν ἄμωμον προσάξει πρὸς τὴν θύραν τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου προσοίσει αὐτὸ δεκτὸν ἐναντίον κυρίου
If his gift is a whole burnt offering from the herd, he shall present a male without blemish; he shall bring it to the door of the tent of witness, present it as acceptable before the LORD.
The first specific case (ἐάν + nominal clause) names the offering-type: a ὁλοκαύτωμα ('whole burnt offering') from the herd. Two requirements are fixed at once — ἄρσεν ('male') and ἄμωμον ('without blemish') — and the place of presentation is the tent door (πρὸς τὴν θύραν τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου). The verdict δεκτὸν ἐναντίον κυρίου ('acceptable before the LORD') establishes the goal of the whole rite: divine acceptance of the worshipper through the offering.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (introducing the first offering-class)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the first specific case within the general law of v. 2, here with a nominal predicate (ὁλοκαύτωμα τὸ δῶρον αὐτοῦ) rather than a verb — 'if his gift is a whole burnt offering …'.
ὁλοκαύτωμαwhole burnt offeringNominativepredicate nominative (defining the gift)→ participant prominenceὁλοκαύτωμα: 'whole burnt offering' (lit. 'that which is wholly burned', ὅλος + καίω); renders עֹלָה ('that which goes up [in smoke]'); the defining feature is that the entire victim is consumed on the altar, none eaten by priest or offerer — the most complete form of self-surrender to God; the term enters NT usage at Mark 12:33 and Heb 10:6–8 (citing Ps 40).
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δῶρονgift / offeringNominativesubject of the nominal clause ('his gift')→ participant prominenceδῶρον: 'gift / offering'; renders קָרְבָּן; resumes the δῶρα of v. 2, now individualized (τὸ δῶρον αὐτοῦ, 'his gift') as the law turns to the particular worshipper's offering.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying δῶρον)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying δῶρον).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source of the victim)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source of the victim).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βοῶνherd / oxenGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (source: the bovine herd)→ relational specificationβοῦς (pl. βοῶν): 'ox / cattle'; renders בָּקָר; the herd is the source of this first and costliest class of burnt offering (vv. 3–9).
ἄρσενa maleAccusativeaccusative (the required victim: object of προσάξει)→ object specificationἄρσην (neut. ἄρσεν): 'male'; renders זָכָר; the burnt offering from herd or flock must be male — the requirement of maleness (with ἄμωμον) marks the offering's special value; cf. the male lamb of the Passover (Exod 12:5).
ἄμωμονwithout blemishAccusativeattributive adjective (qualifying ἄρσεν)→ object specificationἄμωμος (neut. ἄμωμον): 'unblemished / without defect'; renders תָּמִים ('whole / perfect / unblemished'); the victim must be physically flawless — a requirement the NT applies to Christ as the ἀμνὸς ἄμωμος (1 Pet 1:19; cf. Heb 9:14) and to the church (Eph 5:27).
προσάξειhe shall presentFut Act Indic 3 Sg · προσάγωmain verb (legislative future: the act of presentation)→ legislative future (prescriptive ritual instruction)προσάγω: 'bring near / present'; renders הִקְרִיב; the prescriptive future states what the offerer is to do; the same root as προσαγάγῃ (v. 2), here in the legislative future that governs the ritual sequence of the chapter.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction: to the door)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: to the door).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύρανdoor / entranceAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (place of presentation)→ object specificationθύρα: 'door / entrance'; renders פֶּתַח; the offering is brought πρὸς τὴν θύραν τῆς σκηνῆς, the entrance of the tent court where the altar of burnt offering stood (Exod 40:6) — the appointed place of approach to God.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtentGenitivegenitive (with θύραν: 'door of the tent')→ relational specificationσκηνή: 'tent / tabernacle'; renders אֹהֶל; the recurring phrase σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου fixes the cultic locus; the door is the threshold between profane and sacred space.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουof witnessGenitivegenitive (attributive: defining the tent)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'witness / testimony'; LXX rendering of מוֹעֵד (see v. 1); the tent of witness is the appointed meeting-place where the offering is brought into the divine presence.
προσοίσειhe shall bring / offerFut Act Indic 3 Sg · προσφέρωmain verb (legislative future, resuming the act of offering)→ legislative future (prescriptive ritual instruction)προσφέρω: 'bring to / present / offer'; renders הִקְרִיב; the doubling of presentation verbs (προσάξει … προσοίσει) emphasises the deliberate act of bringing the victim into God's presence; προσφέρω is the dominant offering-verb of Hebrews (e.g. 9:14; 10:12).
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of προσοίσει (the victim)→ participant referenceαὐτὸ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of προσοίσει (the victim).
δεκτὸνacceptableAccusativepredicate adjective (the offering presented 'as acceptable')→ object specificationδεκτός: 'acceptable / welcome'; renders רָצוֹן / לְרָצוֹן ('for acceptance / favor'); the goal of the rite is that the offering be received with divine favor, securing the worshipper's standing; the cognate noun-idea recurs in the NT 'acceptable year of the Lord' (ἐνιαυτὸς δεκτός, Luke 4:19) and the 'acceptable sacrifice' (Phil 4:18; 1 Pet 2:5).
ἐναντίονbefore / in the sight ofpreposition + genitive (evaluative perspective: Hebraism)→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism rendering לִפְנֵי; the acceptance is reckoned ἐναντίον κυρίου, 'before the LORD' — divine evaluation, not human, determines the offering's validity.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίον (the one before whom it is acceptable)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): rendering the Tetragrammaton; the offering's acceptability is determined in the LORD's own presence, the consistent locus of cultic evaluation throughout Leviticus.
4
καὶ ἐπιθήσει τὴν χεῖρα ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν τοῦ καρπώματος δεκτὸν αὐτῷ ἐξιλάσασθαι περὶ αὐτοῦ
And he shall lay his hand upon the head of the burnt offering, acceptable for him, to make atonement concerning him.
The hand-laying (ἐπιθήσει τὴν χεῖρα ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλήν) is the theological heart of the burnt-offering rite: by laying his hand on the victim's head the offerer identifies with it, so that what happens to the animal is reckoned to him. The clause δεκτὸν αὐτῷ ἐξιλάσασθαι περὶ αὐτοῦ ('acceptable for him, to make atonement concerning him') introduces the atonement verb ἐξιλάσκομαι for the first time in Leviticus, defining the offering's substitutionary function — it is received in his place and effects expiation on his behalf.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative/ritual sequence conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιθήσειhe shall lay / putFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb (legislative future: the gesture of hand-laying)→ legislative future (prescriptive ritual gesture)ἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon / lay on'; renders סָמַךְ ('lean / press', the technical term for the laying-on of the hand); the same verb (ἐπιθήσει τὴν χεῖρα / τὰς χεῖρας) becomes the standard LXX expression for cultic hand-laying and, in the NT, for blessing, healing, and ordination (Mark 6:5; Acts 6:6; 1 Tim 4:14).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραhandAccusativedirect object of ἐπιθήσει→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; renders יָד; the singular χεῖρα ('the hand', Hebrew יָדוֹ) is the instrument of ritual identification — the offerer's hand on the victim's head transfers, in symbol, his own person and guilt to the substitute.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (placement: 'upon the head')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (placement: 'upon the head').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the place of hand-laying)→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; the head is the locus of the identification-gesture; laying the hand 'on the head' concentrates the symbolic transfer of identity onto the whole animal as represented by its head.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καρπώματοςburnt offering / fire-offeringGenitivegenitive (with κεφαλήν: 'head of the burnt offering')→ relational specificationκάρπωμα: 'burnt offering / fruit-offering' (from καρπόω, 'offer in sacrifice / cause to bear fruit'); a distinctively LXX cultic term rendering אִשֶּׁה ('fire-offering') and sometimes עֹלָה; here it designates the same victim called ὁλοκαύτωμα in v. 3, viewed as that which is offered up by fire; the word recurs in the aroma-refrain (vv. 9, 13, 17).
δεκτὸνacceptableAccusativepredicate adjective (resuming v. 3: the offering 'acceptable for him')→ object specificationδεκτός: 'acceptable'; renders לְרָצוֹן; the repetition from v. 3 binds acceptance to the hand-laying — the rite is δεκτὸν αὐτῷ, 'acceptable on his behalf', the favor accruing to the worshipper through his identification with the victim.
αὐτῷfor himDativedative of advantage (the offerer benefited: 'acceptable for him')→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'for him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (the offerer benefited: 'acceptable for him').
ἐξιλάσασθαιto make atonementAor Mid Inf · ἐξιλάσκομαιinfinitive of purpose (the goal of the hand-laying rite)→ aorist infinitive expressing purpose (atonement as the rite's intended effect)ἐξιλάσκομαι: 'make atonement / expiate / propitiate'; renders כִּפֶּר (Piel of כפר, 'cover / wipe / atone'); the first occurrence in Leviticus of the central atonement verb that dominates the book (and Yom Kippur, ch. 16); the purpose-infinitive ἐξιλάσασθαι περὶ αὐτοῦ defines the burnt offering's substitutionary aim — to effect expiation on the offerer's behalf; the cognate ἱλαστήριον/ἱλασμός underlies the NT atonement vocabulary (Rom 3:25; 1 John 2:2; Heb 2:17).
περὶconcerning / on behalf ofpreposition + genitive (the beneficiary of atonement)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + genitive: 'concerning / on behalf of'; the idiom ἐξιλάσασθαι περί τινος ('make atonement concerning/for someone') renders כִּפֶּר עַל; it marks the offerer as the one for whom expiation is made, the same construction used of Christ's offering 'for sins' (περὶ ἁμαρτίας, Rom 8:3; Heb 10:6).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of περί (the one atoned for)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of περί (the one atoned for).
5
καὶ σφάξουσι τὸν μόσχον ἔναντι κυρίου καὶ προσοίσουσιν οἱ υἱοὶ Ααρων οἱ ἱερεῖς τὸ αἷμα καὶ προσχεοῦσιν τὸ αἷμα ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον κύκλῳ τὸ ἐπὶ τῶν θυρῶν τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου
And they shall slaughter the calf before the LORD, and the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall present the blood and pour the blood around upon the altar that is at the door of the tent of witness.
The rite advances to slaughter and blood. The offerer slaughters (σφάξουσι, generalized plural) the bull ἔναντι κυρίου, but the blood-handling is reserved to the priesthood: οἱ υἱοὶ Ααρων οἱ ἱερεῖς present it and pour it ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον κύκλῳ ('around the altar'). The division of labor — laity slaughter, priests manipulate blood — is fixed here for the sacrificial system; the blood dashed 'all around' the altar is the means by which atonement is applied (cf. Lev 17:11).
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandritual-sequence conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σφάξουσιthey shall slaughterFut Act Indic 3 Pl · σφάζωmain verb (legislative future: the act of slaughter)→ legislative future (prescriptive ritual instruction)σφάζω: 'slay / slaughter (by cutting the throat)'; renders שָׁחַט, the technical verb for ritual slaughter; the generalized plural (lit. 'they shall slaughter') leaves the agent indefinite — primarily the offerer; σφάζω is the verb used of the slain Lamb in Revelation (ἀρνίον … ἐσφαγμένον, Rev 5:6).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μόσχονcalf / young bullAccusativedirect object of σφάξουσι→ object specificationμόσχος: 'calf / young bull'; renders בֶּן הַבָּקָר / פַּר; specifies the herd-victim of v. 3 as a young bull; the same word is used of the fatted calf (Luke 15:23) and of the bulls-and-goats that 'cannot take away sins' (Heb 9:12; 10:4).
ἔναντιbeforepreposition + genitive (locative: in the LORD's presence)→ spatial or relational framingἔναντι: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; a near-synonym of ἐναντίον (v. 3); the slaughter takes place ἔναντι κυρίου, 'before the LORD', i.e. at the altar in the tent court, marking the act as a sacred transaction conducted in the divine presence.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἔναντι→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): rendering the Tetragrammaton; the slaughter is performed in YHWH's presence, underscoring that the whole rite is Godward.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσοίσουσινthey shall present / bringFut Act Indic 3 Pl · προσφέρωmain verb (legislative future: priestly presentation of the blood)→ legislative future (prescriptive priestly action)προσφέρω: 'bring to / present / offer'; renders הִקְרִיב; now with the priests as explicit subject — the blood is 'presented' to the altar; the shift of agent from the indefinite slaughterers to the named priests marks the transition to the properly priestly portion of the rite.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοὶ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (of προσοίσουσιν / προσχεοῦσιν)→ participant prominenceυἱός (pl. υἱοὶ): 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ααρων ('the sons of Aaron') designates the Aaronide priesthood established in Exod 28–29; only they may handle the blood at the altar, a prerogative central to the priestly system.
Ααρωνof Aarongenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'sons of Aaron')→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliteration of Hebrew אַהֲרֹן; indeclinable in the LXX; here a genitive defining υἱοί; Aaron is the high priest, his sons the officiating priesthood; the phrase οἱ υἱοὶ Ααρων recurs as the technical designation of the priests throughout the chapter (vv. 7, 8, 11).
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεῖς, in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖςpriestsNominativenominative in apposition to οἱ υἱοὶ Ααρων→ participant prominenceἱερεύς (pl. ἱερεῖς): 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the appositive οἱ ἱερεῖς specifies the official role of Aaron's sons as those authorized to perform the altar-rites; ἱερεύς is the term applied to Christ's priesthood in Hebrews (e.g. 7:17).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἷμαbloodAccusativedirect object of προσοίσουσιν→ object specificationαἷμα: 'blood'; renders דָּם; the blood is the carrier of life (Lev 17:11, 'the life of the flesh is in the blood') and thus the agent of atonement; its presentation and manipulation at the altar is the priestly core of every blood-sacrifice; the NT reads the cultic αἷμα Christologically (Heb 9:12–14; 1 Pet 1:19).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσχεοῦσινthey shall pour / dashFut Act Indic 3 Pl · προσχέωmain verb (legislative future: blood-application)→ legislative future (prescriptive priestly action)προσχέω: 'pour upon / dash against'; renders זָרַק ('throw / dash'); the priests dash the blood against the sides of the altar; the verb captures the forceful application of blood to the altar's surface, the decisive atoning gesture of the burnt offering.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἷμαbloodAccusativedirect object of προσχεοῦσιν→ object specificationαἷμα: 'blood'; the repetition (present … pour the blood) underscores the centrality of blood-manipulation; the doubled τὸ αἷμα keeps the focus on the substance through which atonement is effected.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (against/upon the altar)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (against/upon the altar).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the altar of burnt offering)→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar' (lit. 'place of sacrifice', from θυσιάζω); a LXX coinage rendering מִזְבֵּחַ; here the bronze altar of burnt offering at the tent door (Exod 27:1–8; 40:6); the term is consistently reserved in the LXX for the legitimate altar of YHWH (as opposed to βωμός, used of pagan altars).
κύκλῳall aroundDativeadverbial dative (manner: 'round about')→ sphere or referenceκύκλῳ: 'in a circle / round about'; an adverbial dative of κύκλος; renders סָבִיב; the blood is dashed against all sides of the altar, encompassing it — the comprehensive application signifying complete atonement at the place of sacrifice.
τὸthe (one)Accusativearticle (substantizing the following phrase, modifying θυσιαστήριον)→ noun-phrase markingτό: the article here introduces an attributive phrase qualifying the altar — 'the [altar] that is at the door' — a Greek construction (article + prepositional phrase) specifying which altar is meant: the one stationed at the tent entrance.
ἐπὶat / bypreposition + genitive (location of the altar)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location of the altar).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυρῶνdoors / entranceGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (location of the altar)→ relational specificationθύρα (pl. θυρῶν): 'door / entrance'; renders פֶּתַח; the plural locates the altar 'at the door(s)' of the tent of witness, i.e. in the forecourt before the entrance (Exod 40:6, 29), the place where the burnt offering is wholly consumed.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtentGenitivegenitive (with θυρῶν: 'door of the tent')→ relational specificationσκηνή: 'tent / tabernacle'; the standing phrase σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου locates the altar within the sacred precinct.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουof witnessGenitivegenitive (attributive: defining the tent)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'witness'; LXX rendering of מוֹעֵד (see v. 1); completes the locative phrase fixing the altar at the entrance of the tent of witness.
6
καὶ ἐκδείραντες τὸ ὁλοκαύτωμα μελιοῦσιν αὐτὸ κατὰ μέλη
And having flayed the whole burnt offering, they shall cut it into its pieces.
After the blood-rite, the carcass is prepared for burning: it is flayed (the participle ἐκδείραντες) and then jointed κατὰ μέλη ('limb by limb'). The aorist participle of antecedent action sets the skinning before the dividing; the dismemberment readies the whole animal for total consumption on the altar, the defining mark of the ὁλοκαύτωμα.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
καὶandritual-sequence conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκδείραντεςhaving flayed / skinnedAor Act Ptc Nom Masc Pl · ἐκδέρωcircumstantial participle of antecedent action (modifying the implied priests/offerers)→ aoristic participle (action prior to the main verb: skinning precedes jointing)ἐκδέρω: 'flay / skin'; renders הִפְשִׁיט ('strip off [the hide]'); the aorist participle marks the flaying as the step preceding the jointing; the hide of the burnt offering was, by later law, given to the officiating priest (Lev 7:8).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁλοκαύτωμαwhole burnt offeringAccusativedirect object of ἐκδείραντες→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωμα: 'whole burnt offering'; renders עֹלָה; resumes the technical term of v. 3; the victim is now named by its sacrificial category as it is processed for total burning.
μελιοῦσινthey shall cut into pieces / dismemberFut Act Indic 3 Pl · μελίζωmain verb (legislative future: jointing the carcass)→ legislative future (prescriptive ritual instruction)μελίζω: 'divide into limbs / dismember'; a denominative from μέλος ('limb'); renders נִתַּח ('cut in pieces'); the cognate-figura with the following κατὰ μέλη ('limb by limb') is a stylistic intensification stressing the orderly, complete dismemberment of the victim.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of μελιοῦσιν (the burnt offering)→ participant referenceαὐτὸ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of μελιοῦσιν (the burnt offering).
κατὰaccording to / bypreposition + accusative (distributive: 'limb by limb')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + accusative: 'by / according to'; distributive force here — κατὰ μέλη, 'limb by limb / into its pieces'; the construction renders the Hebrew לִנְתָחֶיהָ ('into its pieces').
μέληlimbs / piecesAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (the resulting pieces)→ object specificationμέλος (pl. μέλη): 'limb / member / piece'; renders נְתָחִים; the jointed pieces are then arranged on the altar fire (v. 8); the same word μέλος becomes Paul's term for the 'members' of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12; Rom 12:4–5).
7
καὶ ἐπιθήσουσιν οἱ υἱοὶ Ααρων οἱ ἱερεῖς πῦρ ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον καὶ ἐπιστοιβάσουσιν ξύλα ἐπὶ τὸ πῦρ
And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall put fire upon the altar and shall stack wood upon the fire.
Attention turns to the altar itself: the priests lay fire on it and stack wood upon the fire. The same priestly agents (οἱ υἱοὶ Ααρων οἱ ἱερεῖς) who handled the blood now prepare the pyre that will consume the offering, the indispensable medium by which the victim 'goes up' to God as a whole burnt offering.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandritual-sequence conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιθήσουσινthey shall put / layFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb (legislative future: placing fire on the altar)→ legislative future (prescriptive priestly action)ἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon / lay on'; renders נָתַן ('put / give'); the same verb used of hand-laying in v. 4, here of laying fire on the altar; the repeated ἐπι-τίθημι gives the ritual a vocabulary of deliberate placement at each stage.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοὶ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceυἱός (pl. υἱοὶ): 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ααρων again designates the officiating priesthood; the explicit naming of the priests as agents of the fire-laying keeps the altar-rites within priestly hands.
Ααρωνof Aarongenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'sons of Aaron')→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliteration of אַהֲרֹן; indeclinable; genitive defining υἱοί.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεῖς, in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖςpriestsNominativenominative in apposition to οἱ υἱοὶ Ααρων→ participant prominenceἱερεύς (pl. ἱερεῖς): 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the appositive reaffirms their priestly office in handling the altar fire.
πῦρfireAccusativedirect object of ἐπιθήσουσιν→ object specificationπῦρ: 'fire'; renders אֵשׁ; the altar fire is the medium that 'sends up' the offering as smoke to God; the fire on the altar was to burn perpetually (Lev 6:12–13); fire is also a recurrent image of divine presence and judgment (cf. Heb 12:29).
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (placement on the altar)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (placement on the altar).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; renders מִזְבֵּחַ; the fire is laid on the bronze altar of burnt offering.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιστοιβάσουσινthey shall stack / pile in orderFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιστοιβάζωmain verb (legislative future: arranging the wood)→ legislative future (prescriptive priestly action)ἐπιστοιβάζω: 'pile up / stack in order upon' (from στοιβή, 'a layer/heap'); renders עָרַךְ ('arrange in order'); a vivid, relatively rare verb stressing the orderly arrangement of the wood; the same verb is used in v. 8 and v. 12 for arranging the pieces, lending the altar-rite a sense of careful, ordered construction.
ξύλαwood / pieces of woodAccusativedirect object of ἐπιστοιβάσουσιν→ object specificationξύλον (pl. ξύλα): 'wood / timber'; renders עֵצִים; the wood is the fuel arranged on the altar fire; ξύλον later carries the special NT sense of the cross/tree (Acts 5:30; 1 Pet 2:24), but here it is simply the altar-wood.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (placement on the fire)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (placement on the fire).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πῦρfireAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationπῦρ: 'fire'; the wood is stacked 'upon the fire' to build the pyre that will consume the offering.
8
καὶ ἐπιστοιβάσουσιν οἱ υἱοὶ Ααρων οἱ ἱερεῖς τὰ διχοτομήματα καὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν καὶ τὸ στέαρ ἐπὶ τὰ ξύλα τὰ ἐπὶ τοῦ πυρὸς τὰ ὄντα ἐπὶ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου
And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall stack the cut pieces and the head and the fat upon the wood that is on the fire that is upon the altar.
The jointed body parts — the cut pieces, the head, and the fat — are arranged (the repeated ἐπιστοιβάσουσιν) on the wood that lies on the fire on the altar. The triple nested relative phrase (τὰ ξύλα τὰ ἐπὶ τοῦ πυρὸς τὰ ὄντα ἐπὶ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου) carefully layers wood, fire, and altar, emphasising the precise ordering of the burnt offering for total combustion.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandritual-sequence conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιστοιβάσουσινthey shall stack / arrangeFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιστοιβάζωmain verb (legislative future: arranging the pieces)→ legislative future (prescriptive priestly action)ἐπιστοιβάζω: 'pile up in order upon'; renders עָרַךְ; the repetition from v. 7 binds the arranging of the wood and the arranging of the flesh into one ordered act of preparation; the priests lay the dismembered victim methodically on the prepared fire.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοὶ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceυἱός (pl. υἱοὶ): 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ααρων, the officiating priests, are again the explicit subject of the altar-arrangement.
Ααρωνof Aarongenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliteration of אַהֲרֹן; indeclinable; genitive defining υἱοί.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεῖς, in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖςpriestsNominativenominative in apposition to οἱ υἱοὶ Ααρων→ participant prominenceἱερεύς (pl. ἱερεῖς): 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the appositive again specifies the priestly office.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διχοτομήματαcut pieces / divided portionsAccusativedirect object of ἐπιστοιβάσουσιν→ object specificationδιχοτόμημα: 'a piece cut through' (from διχοτομέω, 'cut in two'); renders נְתָחִים ('pieces'); the jointed portions produced by the dismemberment of v. 6; the term emphasises the thoroughgoing division of the carcass.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativedirect object (coordinate with διχοτομήματα)→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; the head — the same part on which the hand was laid (v. 4) — is now placed on the fire; the explicit listing (pieces, head, fat) ensures that the whole animal is accounted for in the total burning.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στέαρfat / suetAccusativedirect object (coordinate with διχοτομήματα)→ object specificationστέαρ: 'fat / suet'; renders פֶּדֶר / חֵלֶב; the fat is specified because it was regarded as the choicest portion, belonging to the LORD (Lev 3:16); in the whole burnt offering, unlike other sacrifices, it too is wholly consumed on the altar.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (placement on the wood)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (placement on the wood).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξύλαwoodAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationξύλον (pl. ξύλα): 'wood'; the altar-wood stacked in v. 7; the pieces are laid directly on it for burning.
τὰthat (which is)Accusativearticle (introducing attributive prepositional phrase: 'the [wood] on the fire')→ noun-phrase markingτά: article + prepositional phrase ('the wood that is on the fire'), a Greek attributive construction nesting wood within fire; the layering specifies the exact position of the flesh in the pyre.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (location: on the fire)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location: on the fire).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πυρὸςfireGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί→ relational specificationπῦρ (gen. πυρός): 'fire'; the altar fire on which the wood is laid; the second link in the nested chain wood-on-fire-on-altar.
τὰthat (which is)Accusativearticle (introducing the participial phrase τὰ ὄντα: 'the [wood/fire] being on the altar')→ noun-phrase markingτά: the article governs the participle ὄντα, forming an attributive phrase ('that which is upon the altar'), the third link in the locative chain.
ὄνταbeing / that isPres Act Ptc Acc Neut Pl · εἰμίattributive participle (with τά: 'the things being upon the altar')→ imperfective participle (ongoing state: 'being / situated')εἰμί (pres. ptc. ὄντα): 'be / exist'; the attributive participle τὰ ὄντα ἐπὶ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου ('the things that are on the altar') closes the nested locative description, anchoring wood and fire to the altar itself.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (location: on the altar)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location: on the altar).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστηρίουaltarGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (the altar)→ relational specificationθυσιαστήριον (gen. θυσιαστηρίου): 'altar'; renders מִזְבֵּחַ; the foundation of the whole arrangement — wood on fire on altar, with the flesh laid on top for total burning.
9
τὰ δὲ ἐγκοίλια καὶ τοὺς πόδας πλυνοῦσιν ὕδατι καὶ ἐπιθήσουσιν οἱ ἱερεῖς τὰ πάντα ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον κάρπωμά ἐστιν θυσία ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας τῷ κυρίῳ
But the entrails and the feet they shall wash with water, and the priests shall place all of it upon the altar; it is a burnt offering, a sacrifice, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
The δέ marks the final distinct step for the herd offering: the entrails and feet are washed before burning. Then the priests place 'all of it' (τὰ πάντα) on the altar — the totality is essential to the ὁλοκαύτωμα. The closing nominal verdict κάρπωμά ἐστιν θυσία ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας τῷ κυρίῳ ('it is a fire-offering, a sacrifice, a pleasing aroma to the LORD') is the chapter's refrain (also vv. 13, 17); the phrase ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας is the great cultic crux, applied to Christ's self-offering at Eph 5:2.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbut / andmild adversative/developmental particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive particle; here marking a distinct step set off from the arranging of the main pieces — the washing of the parts that require cleansing before they may go on the altar.
ἐγκοίλιαentrails / inner partsAccusativedirect object of πλυνοῦσιν (fronted for emphasis)→ object specificationἐγκοίλια (neut. pl.): 'inward parts / entrails / viscera' (from ἐν + κοιλία, 'cavity'); renders קֶרֶב ('inner parts'); these must be washed because of their impurity before being burned, ensuring the whole offering is fit for the altar.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόδαςfeet / legsAccusativedirect object of πλυνοῦσιν (coordinate with ἐγκοίλια)→ object specificationπούς (pl. πόδας): 'foot / leg'; renders כְּרָעַיִם ('legs / lower limbs'); the legs, soiled in handling and slaughter, are washed along with the entrails so that the entire animal may be presented clean.
πλυνοῦσινthey shall washFut Act Indic 3 Pl · πλύνωmain verb (legislative future: washing the parts)→ legislative future (prescriptive ritual instruction)πλύνω: 'wash (objects, not persons) / cleanse'; renders רָחַץ; the cleansing of the entrails and legs ensures ritual fitness before they join the rest on the altar; πλύνω is the verb of washing robes 'in the blood of the Lamb' (Rev 7:14).
ὕδατιwith waterDativedative of instrument/means (the washing medium)→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ (dat. ὕδατι): 'water'; renders מַיִם; the instrumental dative specifies water as the cleansing agent; ritual washing with water is pervasive in the cult and feeds the NT theology of cleansing (Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιθήσουσινthey shall placeFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb (legislative future: placing all on the altar)→ legislative future (prescriptive priestly action)ἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon / lay on'; renders הִקְטִיר / נָתַן; the priests place the whole offering on the altar to be burned; the recurring ἐπιτίθημι unifies the ritual gestures (hand, fire, flesh) under one verb of deliberate placement.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεῖς)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖςpriestsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἱερεύς (pl. ἱερεῖς): 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the priests alone perform the final placing of the offering on the altar, the culminating priestly act of the burnt offering.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πάνταall (of it)Accusativesubstantival adjective (direct object: 'all the parts')→ object specificationπᾶς (neut. pl. πάντα): 'all / everything'; τὰ πάντα ('the whole') captures the defining trait of the ὁλοκαύτωμα — nothing is withheld or eaten; the entire victim is consumed, the complete gift to God.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (placement on the altar)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (placement on the altar).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; renders מִזְבֵּחַ; the place of total consumption where the whole offering 'goes up' to God.
κάρπωμάa burnt offering / fire-offeringNominativepredicate nominative (verdict: 'it is a fire-offering')→ participant prominenceκάρπωμα: 'burnt offering / fire-offering'; renders אִשֶּׁה ('fire-gift'); opens the closing verdict-formula; the completed rite is declared, by its nature, a gift made over to God by fire.
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (linking the offering to its predicates)→ stative present (the offering's settled cultic character)εἰμί: 'be'; the copula ἐστιν in the verdict-formula declares the cultic identity of the completed offering — what it is in God's reckoning: a fire-offering, a sacrifice, a pleasing aroma.
θυσίαa sacrificeNominativepredicate nominative (apposition: 'a sacrifice')→ participant prominenceθυσία: 'sacrifice / offering'; renders זֶבַח and related cultic terms; in apposition to κάρπωμα, classing the burnt offering within the broad category of sacrifice; θυσία is taken up in the NT for the 'living sacrifice' (Rom 12:1) and Christ's once-for-all θυσία (Heb 10:12).
ὀσμὴaroma / smellNominativepredicate nominative (apposition: 'an aroma')→ participant prominenceὀσμή: 'smell / odor / fragrance'; renders רֵיחַ; the smoke ascending from the altar is perceived as a 'smell' reaching God; combined with εὐωδίας it forms the great cultic phrase ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας, applied by Paul to Christ's self-offering (Eph 5:2) and to Christian gifts (Phil 4:18; cf. 2 Cor 2:14–16).
εὐωδίαςof pleasing fragranceGenitivegenitive of quality (Hebraic: 'a pleasing aroma')→ relational specificationεὐωδία: 'fragrance / sweet smell' (εὖ + ὄζω); the genitive of quality ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας renders רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ ('a soothing/pleasing aroma'), an anthropomorphic idiom for divine acceptance and rest (cf. Gen 8:21); not that God needs the smell, but that the obedient offering is well-pleasing to him; the phrase is the chapter's theological refrain and a key NT atonement-image.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative of recipient/advantage (the aroma is 'to the LORD')→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): rendering the Tetragrammaton; the aroma ascends τῷ κυρίῳ — the offering's whole orientation is Godward, terminating in his pleasure and acceptance of the worshipper.
10
ἐὰν δὲ ἀπὸ τῶν προβάτων τὸ δῶρον αὐτοῦ τῷ κυρίῳ ἀπό τε τῶν ἀρνῶν καὶ τῶν ἐρίφων εἰς ὁλοκαύτωμα ἄρσεν ἄμωμον προσάξει αὐτὸ καὶ ἐπιθήσει τὴν χεῖρα ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ
But if his gift to the LORD is from the flock — from the lambs and the kids — for a whole burnt offering, he shall present it a male without blemish, and he shall lay his hand upon its head.
The δέ + ἐάν opens the second offering-class, parallel in form to v. 3 but for a flock victim. The conditions are identical — ἄρσεν ἄμωμον ('male without blemish') and the hand-laying (ἐπιθήσει τὴν χεῖρα ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλήν) — showing that the flock offering, though less costly, is equally valid. The pair ἀρνῶν … ἐρίφων ('lambs … kids') specifies sheep or goats as the permitted small-cattle victims.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (introducing the second offering-class)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the second case, the flock offering, structurally parallel to v. 3; with the implied verb in the nominal protasis ('if his gift … is from the flock').
δὲbut / anddevelopmental particle (post-positive, marking the new class)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; marks the transition from the herd offering (vv. 3–9) to the flock offering, a parallel but distinct case.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source of the victim)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source of the victim).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προβάτωνflock / sheepGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (source: the flock)→ relational specificationπρόβατον (pl. προβάτων): 'sheep / small cattle'; renders צֹאן (flock = sheep and goats); the second source-category, more accessible than the herd; the flock-imagery undergirds the NT 'lamb' Christology and shepherd-motifs (John 1:29; 10:11).
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δῶρονgift / offeringNominativesubject of the nominal protasis ('his gift')→ participant prominenceδῶρον: 'gift / offering'; renders קָרְבָּן; resumes the framing of vv. 2–3, now for the flock-offerer's gift.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying δῶρον)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying δῶρον).
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative of recipient (the gift's destination)→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): rendering the Tetragrammaton; the flock-gift, like the herd-gift, is directed to the LORD.
ἀπόfrompreposition + genitive (specifying the flock sub-types)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; with the following τε … καί it enumerates the two acceptable flock-victims: lambs and kids.
τεboth / andcoordinating enclitic (τε … καί: 'both lambs and kids')→ discourse linkage or contrastτε: enclitic coordinating particle; the τε … καί construction ('both … and') closely links the two flock options, lambs and kids, as jointly permissible.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀρνῶνlambsGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (first flock sub-type)→ relational specificationἀρήν (gen. pl. ἀρνῶν): 'lamb / young sheep'; renders כְּשָׂבִים / כְּבָשִׂים; the lamb is the paradigmatic sacrificial animal, central to Passover and to NT Lamb-Christology (ἀμνός/ἀρνίον, John 1:29; Rev 5:6).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (τε … καί)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρίφωνkids / young goatsGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (second flock sub-type)→ relational specificationἔριφος (gen. pl. ἐρίφων): 'kid / young goat'; renders עִזִּים ('goats'); the goat is the alternative flock-victim; the sheep/goat pair appears at the judgment of Matt 25:32–33 (πρόβατα / ἔριφοι).
εἰςfor / aspreposition + accusative (purpose/result: 'for a burnt offering')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς + accusative: 'for / as'; expressing purpose — the flock animal is brought εἰς ὁλοκαύτωμα, designated for use as a whole burnt offering; this 'εἰς of purpose' is common in the LXX cultic legislation.
ὁλοκαύτωμαwhole burnt offeringAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the purpose of the offering)→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωμα: 'whole burnt offering'; renders עֹלָה; the flock-victim is offered as the same type of sacrifice as the bull — the type, not the cost, determines the rite.
ἄρσενa maleAccusativeaccusative (the required victim: object of προσάξει)→ object specificationἄρσην (neut. ἄρσεν): 'male'; renders זָכָר; the same requirement as v. 3 — the flock-victim too must be male, underscoring the parity of the two classes.
ἄμωμονwithout blemishAccusativeattributive adjective (qualifying ἄρσεν)→ object specificationἄμωμος (neut. ἄμωμον): 'unblemished'; renders תָּמִים; the flock-victim must likewise be flawless — the standard of perfection applies across all classes of burnt offering.
προσάξειhe shall presentFut Act Indic 3 Sg · προσάγωmain verb (legislative future: presentation)→ legislative future (prescriptive ritual instruction)προσάγω: 'bring near / present'; renders הִקְרִיב; the prescriptive future parallels v. 3, stating the offerer's act of presenting the flock-victim.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of προσάξει→ participant referenceαὐτὸ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of προσάξει.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιθήσειhe shall layFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb (legislative future: the hand-laying)→ legislative future (prescriptive ritual gesture)ἐπιτίθημι: 'lay on'; renders סָמַךְ; the hand-laying of v. 4 is repeated for the flock offering, again establishing the offerer's identification with the substitute victim.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραhandAccusativedirect object of ἐπιθήσει→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; renders יָד; the gesture of ritual identification, as in v. 4.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (placement on the head)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (placement on the head).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the place of hand-laying)→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; the locus of the identification-gesture, as in v. 4.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying κεφαλήν: 'its head')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying κεφαλήν: 'its head').
11
καὶ σφάξουσιν αὐτὸ ἐκ πλαγίων τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου πρὸς βορρᾶν ἔναντι κυρίου καὶ προσχεοῦσιν οἱ υἱοὶ Ααρων οἱ ἱερεῖς τὸ αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον κύκλῳ
And they shall slaughter it on the side of the altar, toward the north, before the LORD, and the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall pour its blood around upon the altar.
The slaughter and blood-rite parallel v. 5, but here a new locative detail is specified: the flock-victim is killed ἐκ πλαγίων τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου πρὸς βορρᾶν ('on the side of the altar, to the north'). The priests again perform the blood-dashing (προσχεοῦσιν … κύκλῳ). The fixed northern location for slaughter becomes a standing rule (cf. Lev 6:25; 7:2 for sin- and guilt-offerings).
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandritual-sequence conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σφάξουσινthey shall slaughterFut Act Indic 3 Pl · σφάζωmain verb (legislative future: slaughter)→ legislative future (prescriptive ritual instruction)σφάζω: 'slay / slaughter'; renders שָׁחַט; parallel to v. 5, but here with a specified location (the north side); the generalized plural again leaves the primary agent the offerer.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of σφάξουσιν (the flock-victim)→ participant referenceαὐτὸ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of σφάξουσιν (the flock-victim).
ἐκon / frompreposition + genitive (location: 'on the side')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'from / on'; in the idiom ἐκ πλαγίων ('on the side[s] of'), it marks position relative to the altar; the LXX uses this locative ἐκ for spatial relations.
πλαγίωνthe sides / flankGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (substantival: 'the side[s]')→ relational specificationπλάγιος (neut. pl. πλάγια): 'side / flank / slanting'; substantival here, 'the side(s)'; renders יֶרֶךְ / צַד; specifies the slaughter-spot beside the altar on its northern flank.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστηρίουaltarGenitivegenitive (with πλαγίων: 'the side of the altar')→ relational specificationθυσιαστήριον (gen. θυσιαστηρίου): 'altar'; renders מִזְבֵּחַ; the slaughter takes place beside the altar of burnt offering.
πρὸςtowardpreposition + accusative (direction: 'toward the north')→ spatial or relational framingπρός + accusative: 'toward'; with βορρᾶν it gives the compass direction of the slaughter-spot.
βορρᾶνnorthAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (direction)→ object specificationβορρᾶς (acc. βορρᾶν): 'north / north wind'; renders צָפוֹן; the north side of the altar is the fixed place for slaughtering the flock burnt offering (and later the sin- and guilt-offerings, Lev 6:25; 7:2).
ἔναντιbeforepreposition + genitive (locative: in the LORD's presence)→ spatial or relational framingἔναντι: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the slaughter, though on the altar's side, is still ἔναντι κυρίου, conducted in the divine presence.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἔναντι→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): rendering the Tetragrammaton.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσχεοῦσινthey shall pour / dashFut Act Indic 3 Pl · προσχέωmain verb (legislative future: blood-application)→ legislative future (prescriptive priestly action)προσχέω: 'pour upon / dash against'; renders זָרַק; the priests dash the blood around the altar exactly as in v. 5, confirming the parity of the flock rite with the herd rite.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοὶ)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceυἱός (pl. υἱοὶ): 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ααρων, the priesthood, again perform the blood-rite.
Ααρωνof Aarongenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliteration of אַהֲרֹן; indeclinable; genitive defining υἱοί.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεῖς, in apposition)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖςpriestsNominativenominative in apposition to οἱ υἱοὶ Ααρων→ participant prominenceἱερεύς (pl. ἱερεῖς): 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the appositive again marks the priestly office over the blood.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἷμαbloodAccusativedirect object of προσχεοῦσιν→ object specificationαἷμα: 'blood'; renders דָּם; the carrier of life and means of atonement (Lev 17:11), here the flock-victim's blood.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying αἷμα: 'its blood')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying αἷμα: 'its blood').
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (against the altar)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (against the altar).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; renders מִזְבֵּחַ; the surface against which the blood is dashed.
κύκλῳall aroundDativeadverbial dative (manner: 'round about')→ sphere or referenceκύκλῳ: 'round about'; adverbial dative; renders סָבִיב; the blood is dashed against all sides of the altar, as in v. 5, signifying complete atonement.
12
καὶ διελοῦσιν αὐτὸ κατὰ μέλη καὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν καὶ τὸ στέαρ καὶ ἐπιστοιβάσουσιν αὐτὰ οἱ ἱερεῖς ἐπὶ τὰ ξύλα τὰ ἐπὶ τοῦ πυρὸς τὰ ἐπὶ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου
And they shall divide it into its pieces, with the head and the fat, and the priests shall stack them upon the wood that is on the fire that is upon the altar.
Parallel to vv. 6 and 8 (the herd rite), but compressed: the victim is divided κατὰ μέλη, with head and fat, and the priests arrange the parts on the wood-on-fire-on-altar. The flaying step (v. 6) is not repeated here, but the verb διαιρέω replaces μελίζω for the dividing; the nested locative phrase (τὰ ξύλα τὰ ἐπὶ τοῦ πυρὸς τὰ ἐπὶ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου) again layers wood, fire, and altar.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandritual-sequence conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διελοῦσινthey shall divideFut Act Indic 3 Pl · διαιρέωmain verb (legislative future: dividing the victim)→ legislative future (prescriptive ritual instruction)διαιρέω: 'divide / distribute / separate'; renders נִתַּח ('cut in pieces'); a near-synonym of μελίζω (v. 6) for the dismembering of the carcass; διαιρέω is also used of the Spirit's distributing of gifts (1 Cor 12:11) and the dividing of property (Luke 15:12).
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of διελοῦσιν→ participant referenceαὐτὸ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of διελοῦσιν.
κατὰaccording to / bypreposition + accusative (distributive: 'limb by limb')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + accusative: 'by'; κατὰ μέλη, 'into its pieces', as in v. 6; renders לִנְתָחֶיהָ.
μέληlimbs / piecesAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (the resulting pieces)→ object specificationμέλος (pl. μέλη): 'limb / piece'; renders נְתָחִים; the jointed portions of the flock-victim.
καὶand / withcoordinate conjunction (adding head and fat to the pieces)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativeaccusative (coordinate with μέλη: the head)→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; listed separately from the body-pieces, as in v. 8, to ensure the whole animal is arranged for burning.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στέαρfat / suetAccusativeaccusative (coordinate with μέλη and κεφαλήν)→ object specificationστέαρ: 'fat / suet'; renders פֶּדֶר / חֵלֶב; the choicest portion, here too wholly burned in the ὁλοκαύτωμα, as in v. 8.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιστοιβάσουσινthey shall stack / arrangeFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιστοιβάζωmain verb (legislative future: arranging the pieces)→ legislative future (prescriptive priestly action)ἐπιστοιβάζω: 'pile up in order upon'; renders עָרַךְ; the priests arrange the flock-pieces on the altar fire exactly as in v. 8, the verb again stressing orderly placement.
αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object of ἐπιστοιβάσουσιν (the pieces, head, and fat)→ participant referenceαὐτὰ: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐπιστοιβάσουσιν (the pieces, head, and fat).
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεῖς)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖςpriestsNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἱερεύς (pl. ἱερεῖς): 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the priests perform the arrangement; here named simply οἱ ἱερεῖς (without οἱ υἱοὶ Ααρων), a stylistic abbreviation.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (placement on the wood)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (placement on the wood).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξύλαwoodAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationξύλον (pl. ξύλα): 'wood'; the altar-wood on which the pieces are laid, as in v. 8.
τὰthat (which is)Accusativearticle (introducing attributive phrase: 'the [wood] on the fire')→ noun-phrase markingτά: article + prepositional phrase ('the wood that is on the fire'), the same nested attributive construction as v. 8.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (location: on the fire)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location: on the fire).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πυρὸςfireGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί→ relational specificationπῦρ (gen. πυρός): 'fire'; the altar fire under the wood; second link in the nested locative chain.
τὰthat (which is)Accusativearticle (introducing attributive phrase: 'the [wood/fire] on the altar')→ noun-phrase markingτά: article + prepositional phrase ('that which is on the altar'); third link in the locative chain; here without the participle ὄντα (cf. v. 8), a slight stylistic variation.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (location: on the altar)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location: on the altar).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστηρίουaltarGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί→ relational specificationθυσιαστήριον (gen. θυσιαστηρίου): 'altar'; renders מִזְבֵּחַ; the base of the wood-fire-altar arrangement.
13
καὶ τὰ ἐγκοίλια καὶ τοὺς πόδας πλυνοῦσιν ὕδατι καὶ προσοίσει ὁ ἱερεὺς τὰ πάντα καὶ ἐπιθήσει ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον κάρπωμά ἐστιν θυσία ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας τῷ κυρίῳ
And the entrails and the feet they shall wash with water, and the priest shall present all of it and place it upon the altar; it is a burnt offering, a sacrifice, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
The flock offering concludes exactly as the herd offering (v. 9): entrails and legs washed, all presented and placed on the altar, and the same closing verdict κάρπωμά ἐστιν θυσία ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας τῷ κυρίῳ. A small variation: here the singular ὁ ἱερεύς ('the priest') performs the act, and ἐπιθήσει ('he shall place') replaces the plural — but the aroma-refrain is verbatim, making the flock offering as fully 'pleasing to the LORD' as the bull.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandritual-sequence conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐγκοίλιαentrails / inner partsAccusativedirect object of πλυνοῦσιν (fronted)→ object specificationἐγκοίλια (neut. pl.): 'inward parts / entrails'; renders קֶרֶב; washed before burning, as in v. 9.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόδαςfeet / legsAccusativedirect object of πλυνοῦσιν (coordinate with ἐγκοίλια)→ object specificationπούς (pl. πόδας): 'foot / leg'; renders כְּרָעַיִם; washed with the entrails, as in v. 9.
πλυνοῦσινthey shall washFut Act Indic 3 Pl · πλύνωmain verb (legislative future: washing)→ legislative future (prescriptive ritual instruction)πλύνω: 'wash / cleanse'; renders רָחַץ; the cleansing of entrails and legs, identical to v. 9.
ὕδατιwith waterDativedative of instrument/means→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ (dat. ὕδατι): 'water'; renders מַיִם; the cleansing medium, as in v. 9.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσοίσειhe shall presentFut Act Indic 3 Sg · προσφέρωmain verb (legislative future, singular: the priest presents)→ legislative future (prescriptive priestly action)προσφέρω: 'bring to / present / offer'; renders הִקְרִיב; here singular (the individual priest) rather than the plural of v. 9, but functionally equivalent; the priest brings the whole offering to the altar.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativesubject (singular: 'the priest')→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the singular ὁ ἱερεύς ('the [officiating] priest') individualizes the agent, as becomes standard in the bird offering (vv. 15–17).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πάνταall (of it)Accusativesubstantival adjective (direct object: 'all the parts')→ object specificationπᾶς (neut. pl. πάντα): 'all'; τὰ πάντα again marks the totality of the burnt offering — the whole animal goes on the altar, as in v. 9.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιθήσειhe shall placeFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb (legislative future: placing on the altar)→ legislative future (prescriptive priestly action)ἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon'; renders הִקְטִיר; the priest places the whole offering on the altar to be burned; singular here, paralleling v. 9's plural ἐπιθήσουσιν.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (placement on the altar)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (placement on the altar).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; renders מִזְבֵּחַ; the place of total consumption.
κάρπωμάa burnt offering / fire-offeringNominativepredicate nominative (verdict-formula)→ participant prominenceκάρπωμα: 'burnt offering / fire-offering'; renders אִשֶּׁה; opens the verdict-refrain, identical to v. 9.
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (verdict-formula)→ stative present (settled cultic character)εἰμί: 'be'; the copula of the verdict-formula, declaring the flock offering's cultic identity, as in v. 9.
θυσίαa sacrificeNominativepredicate nominative (apposition)→ participant prominenceθυσία: 'sacrifice / offering'; renders זֶבַח; in apposition to κάρπωμα, as in v. 9.
ὀσμὴaroma / smellNominativepredicate nominative (apposition)→ participant prominenceὀσμή: 'smell / fragrance'; renders רֵיחַ; with εὐωδίας the great cultic phrase repeated verbatim from v. 9; the flock offering is as 'pleasing' as the herd offering.
εὐωδίαςof pleasing fragranceGenitivegenitive of quality (Hebraic: 'a pleasing aroma')→ relational specificationεὐωδία: 'fragrance / sweet smell'; ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας renders רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ ('a soothing aroma'); the refrain of divine acceptance, applied to Christ at Eph 5:2; its repetition across vv. 9, 13, 17 unifies all three offering-classes under one verdict of pleasing acceptance.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative of recipient/advantage→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): rendering the Tetragrammaton; the aroma ascends to the LORD, the offering's Godward terminus.
14
ἐὰν δὲ ἀπὸ τῶν πετεινῶν κάρπωμα προσφέρῃς δῶρον τῷ κυρίῳ καὶ προσοίσει ἀπὸ τῶν τρυγόνων ἢ ἀπὸ τῶν περιστερῶν τὸ δῶρον αὐτοῦ
But if you offer a burnt offering from the birds as a gift to the LORD, then he shall bring his gift from the turtledoves or from the pigeons.
The third and final class (ἐὰν δέ) provides for a bird offering — turtledoves or pigeons (τρυγόνων ἢ … περιστερῶν). This is the offering of the poor (cf. Lev 5:7; 12:8), making the burnt offering accessible to all; it is the very offering Mary and Joseph bring at Luke 2:24. A notable grammatical shift to second-person προσφέρῃς ('if you offer') within the casuistic frame personalizes the address before reverting to the third-person προσοίσει.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (introducing the third offering-class)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the third case, the bird offering, parallel to vv. 3 and 10; here with the subjunctive προσφέρῃς.
δὲbut / anddevelopmental particle (post-positive, marking the new class)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; marks the transition from the flock offering to the bird offering, the least costly class.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source of the victim)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source of the victim).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πετεινῶνbirds / winged creaturesGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (source: the birds)→ relational specificationπετεινόν (pl. πετεινῶν): 'bird / flying creature' (from πέτομαι, 'fly'); renders עוֹף ('flying things'); the third permitted source-category, accommodating worshippers who cannot afford herd or flock; cf. τὰ πετεινὰ τοῦ οὐρανοῦ, 'the birds of the air' (Matt 6:26).
κάρπωμαa burnt offeringAccusativeaccusative in apposition / predicate to δῶρον (the offering-type)→ object specificationκάρπωμα: 'burnt offering / fire-offering'; renders אִשֶּׁה / עֹלָה; designates the bird as a burnt offering, the same sacrificial type as bull and sheep, again showing that the type is independent of the victim's cost.
προσφέρῃςyou offer / presentPres Act Subj 2 Sg · προσφέρωverb of conditional protasis (subjunctive with ἐάν, 2nd person)→ imperfective present subjunctive (the act of offering envisaged in process)προσφέρω: 'bring to / present / offer'; renders הִקְרִיב; the second-person subjunctive προσφέρῃς ('if you offer') momentarily addresses the worshipper directly within the case-law, a stylistic shift from the third-person protases of vv. 3 and 10 before reverting to προσοίσει.
δῶρονa gift / offeringAccusativedirect object of προσφέρῃς (the gift offered)→ object specificationδῶρον: 'gift / offering'; renders קָרְבָּן; the bird offering is still a δῶρον, a true gift to God, no less than the costlier classes.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative of recipient (the gift's destination)→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): rendering the Tetragrammaton; the bird-gift, like the others, is directed to the LORD.
καὶand / thenconjunction introducing the apodosis (Hebraizing apodotic καί)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here apodotic — introducing the consequence of the condition ('if you offer … then he shall bring'); a Hebraism reflecting the waw of the Hebrew apodosis.
προσοίσειhe shall bringFut Act Indic 3 Sg · προσφέρωmain verb of apodosis (legislative future)→ legislative future (prescriptive ritual instruction)προσφέρω: 'bring to / present'; renders הִקְרִיב; the apodosis reverts to the third person, stipulating the source of the bird-gift: turtledoves or pigeons.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (first bird option)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (first bird option).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρυγόνωνturtledovesGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (first bird option)→ relational specificationτρυγών (gen. pl. τρυγόνων): 'turtledove'; renders תֹּר; one of the two permitted birds for the poor person's burnt offering; the pair 'turtledoves or pigeons' is exactly the offering Mary brings at Jesus' presentation (Luke 2:24, citing Lev 12:8).
ἢordisjunctive conjunction (offering the alternative bird)→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; the disjunctive marks the two interchangeable bird options, turtledoves or pigeons, giving the poor worshipper flexibility.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (second bird option)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (second bird option).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
περιστερῶνpigeons / dovesGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (second bird option)→ relational specificationπεριστερά (gen. pl. περιστερῶν): 'pigeon / dove'; renders יוֹנָה / בְּנֵי יוֹנָה ('young pigeons'); the second permitted bird; the dove is also the form in which the Spirit descends at Jesus' baptism (ὡς περιστεράν, Mark 1:10).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δῶρονgift / offeringAccusativedirect object of προσοίσει (the bird-gift)→ object specificationδῶρον: 'gift / offering'; renders קָרְבָּן; τὸ δῶρον αὐτοῦ ('his gift') resumes the framing of the whole chapter, marking even the poorest bird as a genuine gift to God.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (modifying δῶρον)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (modifying δῶρον).
15
καὶ προσοίσει αὐτὸ ὁ ἱερεὺς πρὸς τὸ θυσιαστήριον καὶ ἀποκνίσει τὴν κεφαλήν καὶ ἐπιθήσει ὁ ἱερεὺς ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον καὶ στραγγιεῖ τὸ αἷμα πρὸς τὴν βάσιν τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου
And the priest shall bring it to the altar and shall wring off the head, and the priest shall place it upon the altar and drain the blood out against the base of the altar.
Because a bird is too small for slaughter-and-dashing by the offerer, the priest himself performs the entire rite: he brings the bird, wrings off the head (ἀποκνίσει), places it on the altar, and drains (στραγγιεῖ) the blood against the altar's base (βάσιν). The blood is not dashed but drained — a procedural adaptation for the small victim, yet still applied to the altar so that the atoning function of the blood is preserved.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
καὶandritual-sequence conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσοίσειhe shall bringFut Act Indic 3 Sg · προσφέρωmain verb (legislative future: the priest brings the bird)→ legislative future (prescriptive priestly action)προσφέρω: 'bring to / present'; renders הִקְרִיב; here the priest, not the offerer, brings the bird to the altar — for the bird offering the priest performs nearly the whole rite.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of προσοίσει (the bird)→ participant referenceαὐτὸ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of προσοίσει (the bird).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the singular ὁ ἱερεύς is the consistent agent throughout the bird offering, since the worshipper does not slaughter so small a victim.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction: to the altar)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: to the altar).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (destination)→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; renders מִזְבֵּחַ; the bird is brought directly to the altar by the priest.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποκνίσειhe shall wring off / pinch offFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκνίζωmain verb (legislative future: removing the head)→ legislative future (prescriptive ritual instruction)ἀποκνίζω: 'nip off / pinch off / wring off'; renders מָלַק ('wring/nip the neck'); a rare and vivid verb describing the priest's method of killing the bird by wringing/pinching off its head — the avian counterpart to the slaughter (σφάζω) of the larger victims.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλήνheadAccusativedirect object of ἀποκνίσει (the bird's head)→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; the head is wrung off and burned; the bird's head, like the larger victims' heads (vv. 8, 12), is part of the whole that goes on the altar.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιθήσειhe shall placeFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb (legislative future: placing on the altar)→ legislative future (prescriptive priestly action)ἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon'; renders הִקְטִיר; the priest places the head (and bird) on the altar to be burned, as with the larger offerings.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativesubject (repeated for clarity)→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; the repeated ὁ ἱερεύς keeps the priest explicitly in view as the sole agent of the bird rite.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (placement on the altar)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (placement on the altar).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; renders מִזְבֵּחַ; the place where the bird's head is burned.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
στραγγιεῖhe shall drain out / squeeze outFut Act Indic 3 Sg · στραγγίζωmain verb (legislative future: draining the blood)→ legislative future (prescriptive ritual instruction)στραγγίζω: 'drain off / squeeze out (drop by drop)'; renders נִמְצָה ('be drained/wrung out'); a rare verb describing the gentle draining of the bird's small quantity of blood against the altar's base — the avian adaptation of the blood-dashing (προσχέω) of the larger victims.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἷμαbloodAccusativedirect object of στραγγιεῖ→ object specificationαἷμα: 'blood'; renders דָּם; even the small quantity of bird-blood is applied to the altar, preserving the atoning blood-rite essential to every burnt offering.
πρὸςagainst / atpreposition + accusative (direction: against the base)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: against the base).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βάσινbase / footAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the altar's base)→ object specificationβάσις: 'base / foot / pedestal' (from βαίνω, 'step'); renders קִיר ('wall/side') or יְסוֹד ('base'); the blood is drained against the base of the altar — for the bird, applied low rather than dashed against the sides; βάσις occurs in the NT of the healed man's 'feet' (Acts 3:7).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστηρίουaltarGenitivegenitive (with βάσιν: 'the base of the altar')→ relational specificationθυσιαστήριον (gen. θυσιαστηρίου): 'altar'; renders מִזְבֵּחַ; the base of the altar of burnt offering, where the bird's blood is drained.
16
καὶ ἀφελεῖ τὸν πρόλοβον σὺν τοῖς πτεροῖς καὶ ἐκβαλεῖ αὐτὸ παρὰ τὸ θυσιαστήριον κατὰ ἀνατολὰς εἰς τὸν τόπον τῆς σποδοῦ
And he shall remove the crop with its feathers and cast it beside the altar toward the east, into the place of the ashes.
A step unique to the bird offering: the priest removes the crop (πρόλοβον) with its feathers — the part containing undigested food and refuse — and casts it to the ash-place east of the altar (κατὰ ἀνατολὰς εἰς τὸν τόπον τῆς σποδοῦ). The cleansing-by-removal of the crop is the bird's counterpart to the washing of entrails and legs in the larger offerings (vv. 9, 13); the ash-place east of the altar is the designated site for the removed refuse.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandritual-sequence conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀφελεῖhe shall remove / take awayFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀφαιρέωmain verb (legislative future: removing the crop)→ legislative future (prescriptive ritual instruction)ἀφαιρέω: 'take away / remove'; renders הֵסִיר; the priest removes the crop and feathers as the unclean/inedible refuse; ἀφαιρέω is used in Hebrews of the impossibility that bull-and-goat blood should 'take away' sins (ἀφαιρεῖν, Heb 10:4).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρόλοβονcrop / crawAccusativedirect object of ἀφελεῖ→ object specificationπρόλοβος: 'crop / craw (of a bird)' — the pouch where a bird stores food; renders מֻרְאָה ('crop'); removed because it holds undigested food and filth, unfit for the altar; a precise zoological term reflecting careful attention to the bird's anatomy.
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (accompaniment: 'with the feathers')→ spatial or relational framingσύν: 'with / together with'; joins the feathers to the crop as the refuse removed together.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πτεροῖςfeathers / plumageDativedative object of σύν (accompaniment)→ sphere or referenceπτερόν (pl. πτεροῖς): 'feather / wing'; renders נֹצָה ('plumage/feathers'); the feathers are removed with the crop as part of the refuse cast to the ash-place; distinguished from πτέρυξ ('wing', v. 17).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκβαλεῖhe shall cast out / throwFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκβάλλωmain verb (legislative future: disposing of the refuse)→ legislative future (prescriptive ritual instruction)ἐκβάλλω: 'throw out / cast away'; renders הִשְׁלִיךְ ('throw / cast'); the crop and feathers are cast aside to the ash-place, separated from the holy offering; the same verb of expulsion used in Exod 11:1 and frequently in the Gospels (e.g. casting out demons, Mark 1:34).
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of ἐκβαλεῖ (the crop with feathers)→ participant referenceαὐτὸ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐκβαλεῖ (the crop with feathers).
παρὰbeside / bypreposition + accusative (location: beside the altar)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + accusative: 'beside / by'; the refuse is cast παρὰ τὸ θυσιαστήριον, to the side of the altar, in the designated direction.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativeaccusative object of παρά→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; renders מִזְבֵּחַ; the refuse is cast beside it, not on it.
κατὰtoward / topreposition + accusative (direction: 'toward the east')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + accusative: 'toward / in the direction of'; κατὰ ἀνατολάς, 'toward the east', gives the compass direction of the ash-place.
ἀνατολὰςeast / sunriseAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (direction)→ object specificationἀνατολή (pl. ἀνατολάς): 'rising (of the sun) / east'; renders קֶדֶם / מִזְרָח; the east side of the altar is the place for the ashes; ἀνατολή is later applied messianically to 'the dayspring/rising from on high' (Luke 1:78) and the star in the east (Matt 2:2).
εἰςinto / topreposition + accusative (destination: 'into the place')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination: 'into the place').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τόπονplaceAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationτόπος: 'place / location'; renders מָקוֹם; the designated 'place of the ashes' where altar-refuse was deposited (cf. Lev 6:10–11).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σποδοῦashesGenitivegenitive (with τόπον: 'the place of the ashes')→ relational specificationσποδός: 'ashes'; renders דֶּשֶׁן ('fatty ashes of sacrifice'); the place of the ashes is where the burnt-offering remains and refuse are gathered; σποδός recurs in the NT in 'sackcloth and ashes' (Matt 11:21) and the purifying 'ashes of a heifer' (Heb 9:13).
17
καὶ ἐκκλάσει αὐτὸ ἐκ τῶν πτερύγων καὶ οὐ διελεῖ καὶ ἐπιθήσει αὐτὸ ὁ ἱερεὺς ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον ἐπὶ τὰ ξύλα τὰ ἐπὶ τοῦ πυρός κάρπωμά ἐστιν θυσία ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας τῷ κυρίῳ
And he shall break it open by the wings but shall not divide it, and the priest shall place it upon the altar, upon the wood that is on the fire; it is a burnt offering, a sacrifice, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.
The bird is split open by its wings but not severed (καὶ οὐ διελεῖ) — a deliberate contrast with the dismemberment of the larger victims (vv. 6, 12); the small bird is kept essentially whole. The priest places it on the altar wood, and the chapter closes with the verdict-refrain a third time: κάρπωμά ἐστιν θυσία ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας τῷ κυρίῳ. The threefold repetition across the three classes (vv. 9, 13, 17) makes the climactic point: herd, flock, and the poor person's bird are all equally 'a pleasing aroma to the LORD.'
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandritual-sequence conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκκλάσειhe shall break open / splitFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκκλάωmain verb (legislative future: splitting the bird)→ legislative future (prescriptive ritual instruction)ἐκκλάω: 'break out / break open / split'; renders שִׁסַּע ('tear/split'); the priest tears the bird open at the wings without fully severing it; the simplex κλάω ('break') is the verb of breaking bread (Luke 24:30; 1 Cor 11:24).
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of ἐκκλάσει (the bird)→ participant referenceαὐτὸ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐκκλάσει (the bird).
ἐκby / frompreposition + genitive (means/place: 'by the wings')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'from / by'; here marking the point at which the bird is split — ἐκ τῶν πτερύγων, 'by the wings', the bird being opened out from the wing-joints.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πτερύγωνwingsGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (the point of splitting)→ relational specificationπτέρυξ (gen. pl. πτερύγων): 'wing'; renders כְּנָפַיִם ('wings'); distinguished from πτερόν ('feather', v. 16); the bird is split open at the wings but left in one piece; πτέρυξ recurs in 'under his wings' imagery (Matt 23:37).
καὶand / butcoordinate conjunction (adversative force here)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegative particle (negating διελεῖ)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: 'not'; the objective negative of fact; οὐ διελεῖ ('he shall not divide [it]') prohibits the full dismemberment applied to the larger victims — the small bird is kept essentially whole.
διελεῖhe shall divide / severFut Act Indic 3 Sg · διαιρέωmain verb (negated legislative future: prohibition of severing)→ legislative future (prescriptive prohibition)διαιρέω: 'divide / separate'; renders הִבְדִּיל / נִתַּח; the same verb used positively for the flock-victim's dismemberment (v. 12) is here negated — the bird is split but not severed into pieces, a deliberate procedural contrast preserving the small victim's wholeness.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιθήσειhe shall placeFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb (legislative future: placing on the altar)→ legislative future (prescriptive priestly action)ἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon'; renders הִקְטִיר; the priest places the split bird on the altar wood to be burned, completing the bird rite as the larger offerings were completed (vv. 9, 13).
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of ἐπιθήσει (the bird)→ participant referenceαὐτὸ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐπιθήσει (the bird).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἱερεύς)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the priest remains the sole agent of the bird offering through its final step.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (placement on the altar)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (placement on the altar).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; renders מִזְבֵּחַ; the place where the bird is wholly burned.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (further specification: on the wood)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (further specification: on the wood).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξύλαwoodAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationξύλον (pl. ξύλα): 'wood'; the altar-wood, as in vv. 8, 12; the bird is laid on the wood for burning.
τὰthat (which is)Accusativearticle (introducing attributive phrase: 'the [wood] on the fire')→ noun-phrase markingτά: article + prepositional phrase ('the wood that is on the fire'), the nested attributive construction of vv. 8 and 12, here abbreviated (no further 'on the altar' link).
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (location: on the fire)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location: on the fire).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πυρόςfireGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί→ relational specificationπῦρ (gen. πυρός): 'fire'; the altar fire on which the wood and bird are laid.
κάρπωμάa burnt offering / fire-offeringNominativepredicate nominative (closing verdict-formula)→ participant prominenceκάρπωμα: 'burnt offering / fire-offering'; renders אִשֶּׁה; opens the verdict-refrain for the third and final time (cf. vv. 9, 13), now sealing the whole chapter.
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (verdict-formula)→ stative present (settled cultic character)εἰμί: 'be'; the copula of the verdict-formula, declaring the bird offering's identity exactly as the herd and flock offerings.
θυσίαa sacrificeNominativepredicate nominative (apposition)→ participant prominenceθυσία: 'sacrifice / offering'; renders זֶבַח; in apposition to κάρπωμα, as in vv. 9, 13.
ὀσμὴaroma / smellNominativepredicate nominative (apposition)→ participant prominenceὀσμή: 'smell / fragrance'; renders רֵיחַ; with εὐωδίας the cultic phrase repeated a third time; the poor person's bird ascends to God as the same 'pleasing aroma' as the costliest bull — the chapter's egalitarian theological climax.
εὐωδίαςof pleasing fragranceGenitivegenitive of quality (Hebraic: 'a pleasing aroma')→ relational specificationεὐωδία: 'fragrance / sweet smell'; ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας renders רֵיחַ נִיחוֹחַ; the threefold refrain (vv. 9, 13, 17) culminates here; Paul applies the phrase to Christ's self-offering (Eph 5:2, ὀσμὴν εὐωδίας) and to the Philippians' gift (Phil 4:18), reading the Levitical aroma Christologically and ecclesially.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative of recipient/advantage→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat. κυρίῳ): rendering the Tetragrammaton; the final word of the chapter directs the whole sacrificial system Godward — every offering, great or small, terminates in the LORD's acceptance.