1
καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν καὶ Ααρων λέγων
And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,
The standard Levitical speech-introduction καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν, here uniquely extended to καὶ Ααρων — both Moses and Aaron are addressed, anticipating the priestly relevance of the clean/unclean legislation (Lev 10:10, the priests' charge to distinguish ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν ἁγίων καὶ τῶν βεβήλων καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν ἀκαθάρτων καὶ τῶν καθαρῶν, sets up ch. 11).
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single completed speech-act)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דִּבֶּר (Piel); the formula καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν is the recurring header of Levitical legal units (cf. 1:1; 4:1; 6:1), marking each new divine instruction.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the nominative subject of the speech-formula marks this as unmediated YHWH-speech.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (recipient of speech)→ object specificationΜωυσῆς: transliteration of Hebrew מֹשֶׁה; declined as a second-declension noun in Rahlfs' LXX (gen. Μωυσῆ, acc. Μωυσῆν).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑαρωνAaronaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun, co-recipient)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliteration of Hebrew אַהֲרֹן; indeclinable in the LXX; the joint address to Moses and Aaron signals the priestly bearing of the dietary law — the priest must teach Israel to distinguish clean from unclean (Lev 10:10–11).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Masc Sg · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introducing direct speech)→ imperfective participle (attendant circumstance to ἐλάλησεν)λέγω (pres. part.): the participle λέγων renders the Hebrew infinitive לֵאמֹר, a stereotyped quotation-marker introducing the content of the divine word.
2
λαλήσατε τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ λέγοντες ταῦτα τὰ κτήνη ἃ φάγεσθε ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν κτηνῶν τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς
Speak to the sons of Israel, saying: These are the animals that you shall eat from among all the beasts that are upon the earth.
The plural imperative λαλήσατε addresses both Moses and Aaron; the headline ταῦτα τὰ κτήνη ἃ φάγεσθε ('these are the animals you shall eat') frames the whole chapter as a positive permission-list whose negative counterparts then follow. ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν κτηνῶν τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς restricts the scope first to land animals (vv. 2–8) before the chapter moves through water, air, and swarming creatures.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
λαλήσατεspeakAor Act Impv 2 Pl · λαλέωmain verb (divine imperative to Moses and Aaron)→ ingressive aorist imperative (commissioned proclamation)λαλέω: 'speak'; the 2nd-person plural imperative addresses both Moses and Aaron together (cf. v.1); renders דַּבְּרוּ; the form commissions a single decisive act of authoritative proclamation.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative indirect object (addressees of the proclamation)→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; the phrase οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ renders בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, the standard designation of the covenant people as the addressee of the law.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'sons of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; here functioning as a genitive defining the υἱοί.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Part Nom Masc Pl · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introducing direct speech)→ imperfective participle (attendant circumstance to λαλήσατε)λέγω (pres. part., pl.): the plural λέγοντες agrees with the dual addressees of λαλήσατε; renders the quotation-marker לֵאמֹר.
ταῦταtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of the nominal clause: 'these are the animals')→ participant referenceοὗτος: the neuter plural ταῦτα is the predicate-fronted demonstrative of a copula-less nominal clause ('these [are] the animals'); it points forward to the criteria of v.3.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτήνηanimalsNominativepredicate nominative (the permitted animals)→ participant prominenceκτῆνος (pl. κτήνη): 'animal / beast / livestock'; renders בְּהֵמָה; the term denotes primarily domesticated quadrupeds but here heads the broader category of land animals subject to the dietary test.
ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative object of φάγεσθε)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; neuter plural ἃ agrees with κτήνη and serves as the object of φάγεσθε.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωverb of relative clause (permission)→ permissive future (legal allowance)ἐσθίω (fut. mid. φάγομαι): 'eat'; renders תֹּאכֵלוּ; the future indicative functions as legal permission ('these you may eat'), the positive counterpart to the prohibitive οὐ φάγεσθε of v.4.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (partitive: 'from among')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: here partitive, marking the larger category from which the edible animals are selected.
πάντωνallGenitivegenitive attributive (modifying κτηνῶν)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the partitive 'from all the beasts' sets the universal field that the criteria of v.3 will narrow.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτηνῶνbeastsGenitivegenitive (partitive: the whole class of land beasts)→ relational specificationκτῆνος (gen. pl. κτηνῶν): the repetition of κτῆνος frames the dietary test as operating within the category of land quadrupeds.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (attributive, governing the prepositional phrase ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (locative: 'upon the earth')→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth / land / ground'; the qualifier τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς distinguishes land animals from the water (v.9) and air (v.13) creatures treated later.
3
πᾶν κτῆνος διχηλοῦν ὁπλὴν καὶ ὀνυχιστῆρας ὀνυχίζον δύο χηλῶν καὶ ἀνάγον μηρυκισμὸν ἐν τοῖς κτήνεσιν ταῦτα φάγεσθε
Every animal that parts the hoof and makes claws of two hooves and brings up the cud among the beasts — these you shall eat.
The verse states the twofold test that defines a clean land animal: it must both διχηλεῖν ('part the hoof' into two ὀνυχιστῆρες) and ἀνάγειν μηρυκισμόν ('bring up the cud'). The three participles διχηλοῦν … ὀνυχίζον … ἀνάγον stack the criteria, and the resumptive ταῦτα φάγεσθε closes the protasis with permission. The double criterion is what the four test-cases of vv.4–7 each fail.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
πᾶνeveryNominativeadjective (distributive, modifying κτῆνος)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every / all'; neuter πᾶν agrees with κτῆνος; the distributive 'every animal that…' frames the criteria as universally applicable.
κτῆνοςanimalNominativesubject (nominative absolute, resumed by ταῦτα)→ participant prominenceκτῆνος: 'animal / beast'; the casus pendens subject is resumed at the clause's end by ταῦτα ('these'), a Hebraizing left-dislocation.
διχηλοῦνparting the hoofPres Act Part Nom Neut Sg · διχηλέωattributive participle (first criterion, modifying κτῆνος)→ imperfective participle (characteristic, defining property)διχηλέω: 'have a divided/cloven hoof, part the hoof'; a compound of δίχα ('in two') + ὁπλή/χηλή ('hoof'); renders Hebrew מַפְרֶסֶת פַּרְסָה ('dividing the hoof'); one of the two diagnostic criteria for a clean quadruped, with ἀνάγειν μηρυκισμόν.
ὁπλὴνhoofAccusativedirect object of διχηλοῦν→ object specificationὁπλή: 'hoof'; renders פַּרְסָה; the object of the splitting — the animal divides its single hoof into two.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀνυχιστῆραςclaws / hoof-divisionsAccusativedirect object of ὀνυχίζον→ object specificationὀνυχιστήρ: 'claw / hoof-division'; a rare term (from ὄνυξ, 'nail/claw') denoting the divided portions of a cloven hoof; the LXX uses it to spell out the parting of the hoof into two distinct horny parts.
ὀνυχίζονmaking clawsPres Act Part Nom Neut Sg · ὀνυχίζωattributive participle (elaborating the hoof-criterion)→ imperfective participle (characteristic property)ὀνυχίζω: 'divide into claws/nails, form a cloven hoof'; denominative from ὄνυξ; the participle restates and intensifies διχηλοῦν, making explicit that the cleft produces two distinct horny divisions.
δύοtwonumeral (indeclinable, modifying χηλῶν)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; indeclinable here; specifies that the cloven hoof is split into exactly two parts — the defining shape of the clean hoof.
χηλῶνof hoovesGenitivegenitive (partitive/material: 'of two hooves')→ relational specificationχηλή: 'hoof / cloven hoof / talon'; a synonym of ὁπλή; the genitive δύο χηλῶν ('of two hooves') describes the resulting double-hoofed form.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the second criterion)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνάγονbringing upPres Act Part Nom Neut Sg · ἀνάγωattributive participle (second criterion, modifying κτῆνος)→ imperfective participle (characteristic property)ἀνάγω: 'bring up / lead up'; with μηρυκισμόν it renders Hebrew מַעֲלַת גֵּרָה ('bringing up the cud'); the second diagnostic criterion — the animal must be a ruminant that regurgitates and re-chews its food.
μηρυκισμὸνcudAccusativedirect object of ἀνάγον→ object specificationμηρυκισμός: 'cud, the chewing of the cud'; from μηρυκάομαι ('chew the cud, ruminate'); renders גֵּרָה; the object of ἀνάγειν — the regurgitated food the animal re-chews.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere: 'among the beasts')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere: 'among the beasts').
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτήνεσινbeastsDativedative object of ἐν (sphere within which the criteria apply)→ sphere or referenceκτῆνος (dat. pl. κτήνεσιν): 'beasts'; ἐν τοῖς κτήνεσιν situates the test within the general category of land animals.
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (resumptive object of φάγεσθε)→ participant referenceοὗτος: the neuter plural ταῦτα resumes the dislocated subject πᾶν κτῆνος, gathering up all that meet the double criterion as the object of φάγεσθε.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (permission)→ permissive future (legal allowance)ἐσθίω (fut. mid.): 'eat'; the permissive future closes the apodosis — animals meeting both criteria 'these you may eat.'
4
πλὴν ἀπὸ τούτων οὐ φάγεσθε ἀπὸ τῶν ἀναγόντων μηρυκισμὸν καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν διχηλούντων τὰς ὁπλὰς καὶ ὀνυχιζόντων ὀνυχιστῆρας τὸν κάμηλον ὅτι ἀνάγει μηρυκισμὸν τοῦτο ὁπλὴν δὲ οὐ διχηλεῖ ἀκάθαρτον τοῦτο ὑμῖν
But of these you shall not eat — of those that bring up the cud or of those that part the hoof and make claws: the camel, because it brings up the cud but does not part the hoof — this is unclean to you.
πλήν ('except / however') opens the list of creatures that satisfy only one of the two criteria and are therefore unclean. The first test-case is the camel (κάμηλος): a ruminant (ἀνάγει μηρυκισμόν) that fails the hoof-test (ὁπλὴν δὲ οὐ διχηλεῖ). The verdict-formula ἀκάθαρτον τοῦτο ὑμῖν ('this is unclean to you') recurs verbatim for each of the four test-cases (vv.4–7), giving the unit a litany-like rhythm.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
πλὴνbut / exceptadversative adverb (introducing exception)→ clausal contributionπλήν: 'except / nevertheless / only'; renders אַךְ; here it marks the adversative turn from the permission of v.3 to the exclusion of single-criterion animals.
ἀπὸof / frompreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
τούτωνtheseGenitivedemonstrative pronoun (partitive genitive object of ἀπό)→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'these'; the genitive plural points forward to the test-cases about to be named.
οὐnotnegative particle (with φάγεσθε)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (prohibition)→ prohibitive future (legal interdiction)ἐσθίω (fut. mid.): 'eat'; the future with οὐ functions as a categorical legal prohibition ('you shall not eat'), the negative counterpart to the permissive φάγεσθε of v.3.
ἀπὸofpreposition + genitive (partitive, specifying the disqualified groups)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive, specifying the disqualified groups).
τῶνthoseGenitivearticle (substantivizing the participle ἀναγόντων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀναγόντωνthose bringing upPres Act Part Gen Masc Pl · ἀνάγωsubstantival participle (genitive: 'those that bring up [the cud]')→ imperfective participle (characteristic property)ἀνάγω (pres. part.): substantivized 'the ones bringing up'; the cud-chewers that nonetheless fail the hoof-test.
μηρυκισμὸνcudAccusativedirect object of ἀναγόντων→ object specificationμηρυκισμός: 'cud'; the object of the chewing — see v.3.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπὸofpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
τῶνthoseGenitivearticle (substantivizing διχηλούντων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διχηλούντωνthose parting the hoofPres Act Part Gen Masc Pl · διχηλέωsubstantival participle (genitive: 'those that part the hoof')→ imperfective participle (characteristic property)διχηλέω (pres. part.): substantivized 'the hoof-parters'; the second group of single-criterion animals — those that part the hoof but (in the pig's case, v.7) do not chew the cud.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁπλὰςhoovesAccusativedirect object of διχηλούντων→ object specificationὁπλή (acc. pl. ὁπλάς): 'hooves'; the object of the parting.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀνυχιζόντωνmaking clawsPres Act Part Gen Masc Pl · ὀνυχίζωsubstantival participle (coordinate with διχηλούντων)→ imperfective participle (characteristic property)ὀνυχίζω (pres. part.): 'forming claws/cloven divisions'; restates the hoof-criterion as in v.3.
ὀνυχιστῆραςclawsAccusativedirect object of ὀνυχιζόντων→ object specificationὀνυχιστήρ: 'claw / hoof-division'; see v.3.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κάμηλονcamelAccusativeaccusative in apposition (the first named test-case)→ object specificationκάμηλος: 'camel'; renders גָּמָל; a loanword of Semitic origin but a fully declined Greek noun; the first of the four classic unclean test-cases — a ruminant that does not part the hoof.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (giving the disqualifying reason)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the reason the camel is unclean — it meets only one criterion.
ἀνάγειit brings upPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνάγωverb of causal clause (states the one criterion met)→ customary present (habitual physiological trait)ἀνάγω (pres. indic.): 'brings up'; the camel does ruminate (ἀνάγει μηρυκισμόν), satisfying the cud-criterion.
μηρυκισμὸνcudAccusativedirect object of ἀνάγει→ object specificationμηρυκισμός: 'cud'; see v.3.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (resumptive subject: 'this [animal]')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the neuter τοῦτο refers back to the camel (treated as a neuter κτῆνος), introducing the disqualifying clause and the verdict.
ὁπλὴνhoofAccusativedirect object of διχηλεῖ (fronted for contrast)→ object specificationὁπλή: 'hoof'; fronted before its verb to stress the failed criterion.
δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: the adversative marks the contrast between the criterion met (cud) and the one failed (hoof).
οὐnotnegative particle (with διχηλεῖ)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διχηλεῖit parts the hoofPres Act Indic 3 Sg · διχηλέωverb of contrast clause (states the failed criterion)→ customary present (habitual physiological trait)διχηλέω (pres. indic.): 'parts the hoof'; the camel's foot, with its soft padded sole, fails the cloven-hoof test, disqualifying it despite being a ruminant.
ἀκάθαρτονuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (verdict: 'unclean')→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean / impure'; renders טָמֵא; the key negative pole of the chapter's binary καθαρόν/ἀκάθαρτον; the verdict-formula ἀκάθαρτον τοῦτο ὑμῖν recurs for each test-case (vv.4–7).
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of verdict clause)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; subject of the copula-less verdict 'this [is] unclean to you.'
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference ('unclean for you')→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl. ὑμῖν): the dative of reference frames the uncleanness as a relation to Israel — these things are unclean for you, the covenant people set apart.
5
καὶ τὸν δασύποδα ὅτι ἀνάγει μηρυκισμὸν τοῦτο καὶ ὁπλὴν οὐ διχηλεῖ ἀκάθαρτον τοῦτο ὑμῖν
And the hare, because it brings up the cud but does not part the hoof — this is unclean to you.
The second test-case parallels the camel exactly: the hare (δασύπους) is reckoned a ruminant (ἀνάγει μηρυκισμόν — the ancient classification, based on its constant jaw-motion, though zoologically the hare is not a true ruminant) that fails the hoof-test. The verdict-formula ἀκάθαρτον τοῦτο ὑμῖν repeats unchanged.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (adding the second test-case)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δασύποδαhareAccusativeaccusative object (continuing the οὐ φάγεσθε of v.4)→ object specificationδασύπους: 'hare' (lit. 'rough-/hairy-foot', from δασύς + πούς); a Greek descriptive compound rendering Hebrew אַרְנֶבֶת; the second classic unclean test-case — counted among the cud-chewers in ancient zoology but lacking a cloven hoof.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the disqualifying reason, as in v.4.
ἀνάγειit brings upPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνάγωverb of causal clause (criterion met)→ customary present (habitual trait)ἀνάγω: 'brings up'; the hare is classed as bringing up the cud, satisfying the first criterion.
μηρυκισμὸνcudAccusativedirect object of ἀνάγει→ object specificationμηρυκισμός: 'cud'; see v.3.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (resumptive: 'this [animal]')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; neuter, referring to the hare as a κτῆνος.
καὶbutcoordinating conjunction (adversative in force: 'and yet')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here with adversative nuance ('and yet'), contrasting the criterion met with the one failed.
ὁπλὴνhoofAccusativedirect object of διχηλεῖ (fronted)→ object specificationὁπλή: 'hoof'; see v.3.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διχηλεῖit parts the hoofPres Act Indic 3 Sg · διχηλέωverb of contrast clause (criterion failed)→ customary present (habitual trait)διχηλέω: 'parts the hoof'; the hare's clawed foot fails the cloven-hoof test, disqualifying it.
ἀκάθαρτονuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (verdict)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean'; the recurring verdict-term.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of verdict)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; subject of the verdict-formula.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): dative of reference — 'unclean for you.'
6
καὶ τὸν χοιρογρύλλιον ὅτι ἀνάγει μηρυκισμὸν τοῦτο καὶ ὁπλὴν οὐ διχηλεῖ ἀκάθαρτον τοῦτο ὑμῖν
And the hyrax, because it brings up the cud but does not part the hoof — this is unclean to you.
The third test-case again follows the camel/hare pattern: the χοιρογρύλλιος (rock-hyrax/rock-badger) is classed among the cud-chewers yet fails the hoof-test. The verbatim repetition of the formula across vv.4–6 builds the litany rhythm before the pig (v.7) inverts the pattern (parts the hoof but does not chew the cud).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χοιρογρύλλιονhyrax / rock-badgerAccusativeaccusative object (continuing οὐ φάγεσθε)→ object specificationχοιρογρύλλιος: 'rock-hyrax / rock-badger' (a compound suggesting 'pig-grunter', χοῖρος + γρύλλος); renders Hebrew שָׁפָן; the small rock-dwelling mammal (Procavia) of the Levant; the third unclean test-case — a constant chewer that lacks a cloven hoof.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the disqualifying reason.
ἀνάγειit brings upPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνάγωverb of causal clause (criterion met)→ customary present (habitual trait)ἀνάγω: 'brings up'; the hyrax is classed as a cud-bringer.
μηρυκισμὸνcudAccusativedirect object of ἀνάγει→ object specificationμηρυκισμός: 'cud'; see v.3.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (resumptive)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; neuter, referring to the hyrax.
καὶbutcoordinating conjunction (adversative in force)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: 'and yet'; adversative nuance.
ὁπλὴνhoofAccusativedirect object of διχηλεῖ (fronted)→ object specificationὁπλή: 'hoof'; see v.3.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διχηλεῖit parts the hoofPres Act Indic 3 Sg · διχηλέωverb of contrast clause (criterion failed)→ customary present (habitual trait)διχηλέω: 'parts the hoof'; the hyrax's padded toes fail the test.
ἀκάθαρτονuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (verdict)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean'; the recurring verdict-term.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of verdict)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): dative of reference.
7
καὶ τὸν ὗν ὅτι διχηλεῖ ὁπλὴν τοῦτο καὶ ὀνυχίζει ὄνυχας ὁπλῆς καὶ τοῦτο οὐκ ἀνάγει μηρυκισμόν ἀκάθαρτον τοῦτο ὑμῖν
And the pig, because it parts the hoof and makes claws of a hoof, yet this one does not bring up the cud — this is unclean to you.
The pig (ὗς) inverts the pattern of the previous three: it satisfies the hoof-criterion (διχηλεῖ ὁπλὴν … ὀνυχίζει ὄνυχας ὁπλῆς) but fails the cud-criterion (οὐκ ἀνάγει μηρυκισμόν). The same verdict-formula closes the list. The pig became the paradigmatic unclean animal in later Jewish identity (cf. 1 Macc 1:47; 2 Macc 6:18–7:42), which sharpens the force of Peter's vision (Acts 10) and Mark 7:19.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὗνpig / swineAccusativeaccusative object (continuing οὐ φάγεσθε)→ object specificationὗς (acc. ὗν): 'pig / swine'; renders Hebrew חֲזִיר; the fourth and climactic test-case — uniquely it parts the hoof but does not ruminate; in Second-Temple Judaism the pig became the emblematic unclean animal.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the (here inverted) reasoning.
διχηλεῖit parts the hoofPres Act Indic 3 Sg · διχηλέωverb of causal clause (criterion met: hoof)→ customary present (habitual trait)διχηλέω: 'parts the hoof'; the pig does have a cloven hoof, satisfying that criterion.
ὁπλὴνhoofAccusativedirect object of διχηλεῖ→ object specificationὁπλή: 'hoof'; see v.3.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (resumptive: 'this one')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; neuter, referring to the pig.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀνυχίζειit makes clawsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀνυχίζωverb (elaborating the hoof-criterion met)→ customary present (habitual trait)ὀνυχίζω: 'forms claws/cloven divisions'; restates that the pig's hoof is genuinely cloven into two.
ὄνυχαςclawsAccusativedirect object of ὀνυχίζει→ object specificationὄνυξ (acc. pl. ὄνυχας): 'nail / claw / hoof-division'; the base noun from which ὀνυχιστήρ and ὀνυχίζω derive.
ὁπλῆςof a hoofGenitivegenitive (source/material: 'claws of a hoof')→ relational specificationὁπλή (gen. ὁπλῆς): 'hoof'; the genitive specifies that the claws are the divisions of the hoof itself.
καὶyetcoordinating conjunction (adversative in force)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: 'and yet'; adversative nuance, pivoting to the failed criterion.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of ἀνάγει: 'this one')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; fronted subject of the negated cud-clause.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνάγειit brings upPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνάγωverb of contrast clause (criterion failed: cud)→ customary present (habitual trait)ἀνάγω: 'brings up'; the pig does not ruminate, failing the cud-criterion — the inverse of the camel/hare/hyrax.
μηρυκισμόνcudAccusativedirect object of ἀνάγει→ object specificationμηρυκισμός: 'cud'; see v.3.
ἀκάθαρτονuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (verdict)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean'; the recurring verdict-term, now closing the four-fold list.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of verdict)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): dative of reference.
8
ἀπὸ τῶν κρεῶν αὐτῶν οὐ φάγεσθε καὶ τῶν θνησιμαίων αὐτῶν οὐχ ἅψεσθε ἀκάθαρτα ταῦτα ὑμῖν
Of their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall not touch; these are unclean to you.
A double prohibition closes the land-animal section: neither eating their flesh (κρεῶν) nor touching their carcasses (θνησιμαίων) is permitted. θνησιμαῖον ('carcass / that which dies of itself') is introduced here and becomes the governing term of the contagion-legislation in vv.24–40. The plural verdict ἀκάθαρτα ταῦτα ὑμῖν generalises the singular formula of vv.4–7.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
ἀπὸof / frompreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κρεῶνflesh / meatGenitivepartitive genitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationκρέας (gen. pl. κρεῶν): 'flesh / meat'; renders בָּשָׂר; the edible-meat prohibition extends to all four unclean test-cases just named.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (referring to the unclean animals)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): 'their'; the possessive pronoun refers back to the camel, hare, hyrax, and pig.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (prohibition)→ prohibitive future (legal interdiction)ἐσθίω (fut. mid.): 'eat'; the future with οὐ is categorical prohibition.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the second prohibition)→ 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.
θνησιμαίωνcarcassesGenitivegenitive object of ἅψεσθε (ἅπτομαι takes the genitive)→ relational specificationθνησιμαῖον: 'carcass / dead body / that which dies of itself'; renders Hebrew נְבֵלָה; the key contagion-term of vv.24–40; touching such a carcass transmits ritual impurity.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their'; refers to the unclean animals.
οὐχnotnegative particle (before rough breathing)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐχ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἅψεσθεyou shall touchFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἅπτωmain verb (second prohibition)→ prohibitive future (legal interdiction)ἅπτομαι (mid.): 'touch / take hold of'; governs the genitive (θνησιμαίων); renders נָגַע; the contact-prohibition introduces the contagion theme that vv.24–40 will develop in detail.
ἀκάθαρταuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (plural verdict)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος (nom. neut. pl. ἀκάθαρτα): 'unclean'; the plural generalises the singular verdict-formula of vv.4–7 to the whole group.
ταῦταtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of verdict)→ participant referenceοὗτος (nom. neut. pl. ταῦτα): 'these'; subject of the copula-less verdict.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): dative of reference — 'unclean for you.'
9
καὶ ταῦτα ἃ φάγεσθε ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἐν τοῖς ὕδασιν πάντα ὅσα ἐστὶν αὐτοῖς πτερύγια καὶ λεπίδες ἐν τοῖς ὕδασιν καὶ ἐν ταῖς θαλάσσαις καὶ ἐν τοῖς χειμάρροις ταῦτα φάγεσθε
And these you shall eat from all that are in the waters: everything that has fins and scales in the waters and in the seas and in the torrents — these you shall eat.
The chapter moves from land (vv.2–8) to water. The single positive criterion is πτερύγια καὶ λεπίδες ('fins and scales'); any aquatic creature possessing both — in seas (θαλάσσαις) or torrents/wadis (χειμάρροις) — may be eaten. The framing ταῦτα … ταῦτα φάγεσθε mirrors the inclusio of v.3.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (new section)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ταῦταtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of nominal clause)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'these'; fronted predicate-demonstrative pointing forward to the fins-and-scales criterion.
ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of φάγεσθε)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, neuter plural, object of the permission-verb.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωverb of relative clause (permission)→ permissive future (legal allowance)ἐσθίω (fut. mid.): 'eat'; permissive future heading the water-creature allowance.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
πάντωνallGenitivegenitive (partitive: 'from all that are in the waters')→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the partitive field is all aquatic creatures.
τῶνthoseGenitivearticle (substantivizing the prepositional phrase ἐν τοῖς ὕδασιν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδασινwatersDativedative object of ἐν (locative)→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ (dat. pl. ὕδασιν): 'water'; renders מַיִם; the general habitat-term for aquatic life.
πάνταeverythingNominativeadjective (distributive, resuming as subject of the criterion-clause)→ participant prominenceπᾶς (nom. neut. pl. πάντα): 'everything'; subject of the relative criterion-clause ὅσα ἐστὶν αὐτοῖς …
ὅσαas many asNominativerelative pronoun (introducing the criterion-clause)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as / whatever'; the quantitative relative introduces the defining condition (having fins and scales).
ἐστὶνthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of possession-construction (dative of possessor)→ stative present (existing characteristic)εἰμί: 'be'; the construction ἐστὶν αὐτοῖς πτερύγια ('there are to them fins') is the Greek dative-of-possession idiom = 'which have fins.'
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of possession ('which have')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. pl. αὐτοῖς): the dative of possessor with ἐστίν — 'to/for them are fins.'
πτερύγιαfinsNominativesubject of ἐστίν (the thing possessed)→ participant prominenceπτερύγιον: 'fin' (lit. 'little wing', diminutive of πτέρυξ); renders Hebrew סְנַפִּיר; the first half of the aquatic criterion.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λεπίδεςscalesNominativesubject of ἐστίν (coordinate with πτερύγια)→ participant prominenceλεπίς: 'scale' (from λέπω, 'peel'); renders Hebrew קַשְׂקֶשֶׂת; the second half of the aquatic criterion — both fins and scales are required.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδασινwatersDativedative object of ἐν (locative)→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ: 'water'; see above.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θαλάσσαιςseasDativedative object of ἐν (locative)→ sphere or referenceθάλασσα: 'sea'; renders יָם; the salt-water habitat.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειμάρροιςtorrentsDativedative object of ἐν (locative)→ sphere or referenceχείμαρρος: 'torrent / wadi / winter-stream' (χεῖμα + ῥέω, 'winter-flowing'); renders נַחַל; the seasonal freshwater habitat, completing the merism of all bodies of water.
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (resumptive object of φάγεσθε)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'these'; resumptive object closing the permission, as in v.3.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (permission)→ permissive future (legal allowance)ἐσθίω (fut. mid.): 'eat'; permissive future closing the aquatic allowance.
10
καὶ πάντα ὅσα οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῖς πτερύγια οὐδὲ λεπίδες ἐν τῷ ὕδατι ἢ ἐν ταῖς θαλάσσαις καὶ ἐν τοῖς χειμάρροις ἀπὸ πάντων ὧν ἐρεύγεται τὰ ὕδατα καὶ ἀπὸ πάσης ψυχῆς ζώσης τῆς ἐν τῷ ὕδατι βδέλυγμά ἐστιν
But everything that does not have fins nor scales, in the water or in the seas and in the torrents, of all that the waters bring forth and of every living soul that is in the water — it is an abomination.
The negative obverse of v.9: any water creature lacking fins and scales is βδέλυγμα ('an abomination'). The phrase ὧν ἐρεύγεται τὰ ὕδατα ('which the waters bring/belch forth') and πάσης ψυχῆς ζώσης ('every living soul') sweep in every aquatic life-form — molluscs, crustaceans, eels — that fails the test. βδέλυγμα is a stronger term than ἀκάθαρτος, marking ritual loathsomeness.
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
καὶand / butcoordinate conjunction (introducing the negative counterpart)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταeverythingNominativeadjective (distributive subject)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'everything'; subject of the criterion-clause.
ὅσαas many asNominativerelative pronoun (introducing criterion-clause)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as / whatever'; introduces the negated condition.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of possession-construction (negated)→ stative present (existing characteristic)εἰμί: 'be'; οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῖς = 'which do not have.'
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of possession→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: dative of possessor — see v.9.
πτερύγιαfinsNominativesubject of ἔστιν→ participant prominenceπτερύγιον: 'fin'; see v.9.
οὐδὲnornegative coordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδέ: 'and not / nor'; pairs the two missing features.
λεπίδεςscalesNominativesubject of ἔστιν (coordinate)→ participant prominenceλεπίς: 'scale'; see v.9.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδατιwaterDativedative object of ἐν (locative)→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ (dat. sg. ὕδατι): 'water.'
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; here loosely coordinating the habitats.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θαλάσσαιςseasDativedative object of ἐν (locative)→ sphere or referenceθάλασσα: 'sea'; see v.9.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειμάρροιςtorrentsDativedative object of ἐν (locative)→ sphere or referenceχείμαρρος: 'torrent / wadi'; see v.9.
ἀπὸofpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
πάντωνallGenitivegenitive (partitive)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; partitive of the creatures the waters produce.
ὧνwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive by attraction, object of ἐρεύγεται)→ relational specificationὅς: relative pronoun, genitive by attraction to πάντων; object of ἐρεύγεται.
ἐρεύγεταιbring forthPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐρεύγομαιverb of relative clause (the waters as subject)→ customary present (habitual production)ἐρεύγομαι: 'belch / spew / pour forth'; here 'bring forth / teem with'; a vivid term picturing the waters disgorging their swarm of creatures (cf. Ps 18[19]:3 LXX for the verb's wider use); the singular agrees with neuter plural τὰ ὕδατα.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδαταwatersNominativesubject of ἐρεύγεται→ participant prominenceὕδωρ (nom. pl. ὕδατα): 'waters'; subject of the producing-verb.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπὸofpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
πάσηςeveryGenitivegenitive attributive (modifying ψυχῆς)→ relational specificationπᾶς (gen. fem. sg. πάσης): 'every'; with ψυχῆς ζώσης = 'every living creature.'
ψυχῆςsoul / living thingGenitivegenitive (partitive, parallel to πάντων)→ relational specificationψυχή: 'soul / life / living being'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; here in the OT sense of an animate creature; ψυχὴ ζῶσα ('living soul/creature') echoes the creation language of Gen 1:20–21.
ζώσηςlivingPres Act Part Gen Fem Sg · ζάωattributive participle (modifying ψυχῆς)→ imperfective participle (ongoing state of life)ζάω (pres. part. ζῶσα): 'live / be alive'; the attributive participle with ψυχή renders the Hebrew phrase נֶפֶשׁ חַיָּה ('living soul/creature').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (attributive, with ἐν τῷ ὕδατι)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδατιwaterDativedative object of ἐν (locative: 'that is in the water')→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ: 'water'; the attributive phrase 'the [creature] in the water.'
βδέλυγμάabominationNominativepredicate nominative (verdict)→ participant prominenceβδέλυγμα: 'abomination / detestable thing'; from βδελύσσομαι ('feel loathing'); renders Hebrew שֶׁקֶץ; stronger than ἀκάθαρτος — these creatures are objects of ritual disgust, not merely forbidden.
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (verdict clause)→ stative present (declared status)εἰμί: 'be'; copula of the verdict.
11
καὶ βδελύγματα ἔσονται ὑμῖν ἀπὸ τῶν κρεῶν αὐτῶν οὐκ ἔδεσθε καὶ τὰ θνησιμαῖα αὐτῶν βδελύξεσθε
And they shall be abominations to you; of their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses you shall abhor.
The verdict of v.10 is applied: the scaleless water creatures are βδελύγματα; their flesh must not be eaten and their carcasses are to be actively abhorred. The cognate construction βδελύγματα … βδελύξεσθε ('abominations … you shall abhor') drives the loathing home as both a status (the things are abominations) and a required disposition (you shall treat them as such).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βδελύγματαabominationsNominativepredicate nominative (with ἔσονται)→ participant prominenceβδέλυγμα (nom. pl. βδελύγματα): 'abominations'; the plural generalises the verdict to all such creatures.
ἔσονταιthey shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula (future declaration of status)→ future of settled status (legal declaration)εἰμί (fut. ἔσομαι): 'be'; the future copula declares the abiding status of these creatures for Israel.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): 'for you'; dative of reference.
ἀπὸofpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κρεῶνfleshGenitivepartitive genitive object of ἔδεσθε→ relational specificationκρέας (gen. pl. κρεῶν): 'flesh / meat'; see v.8.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their'; refers to the abominable water creatures.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (prohibition)→ prohibitive future (legal interdiction)ἐσθίω (alternative fut. mid. ἔδομαι): 'eat'; the older future stem ἔδεσθε is synonymous with φάγεσθε; the future with οὐκ is categorical prohibition.
καὶandcoordinate 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.
θνησιμαῖαcarcassesAccusativedirect object of βδελύξεσθε→ object specificationθνησιμαῖον (acc. pl. θνησιμαῖα): 'carcasses'; see v.8.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their.'
βδελύξεσθεyou shall abhorFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · βδελύσσομαιmain verb (commanded disposition)→ imperatival future (commanded abhorrence)βδελύσσομαι: 'loathe / abhor / hold in disgust'; cognate with βδέλυγμα; the imperatival future commands Israel to treat these carcasses with active revulsion, not mere avoidance.
12
καὶ πάντα ὅσα οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῖς πτερύγια καὶ λεπίδες τῶν ἐν τῷ ὕδατι βδέλυγμα τοῦτό ἐστιν ὑμῖν
And everything that does not have fins and scales among those in the water — this is an abomination to you.
A terse third statement of the fins-and-scales criterion closes the aquatic section, restating the verdict βδέλυγμα τοῦτό ἐστιν ὑμῖν. The threefold repetition (vv.9, 10, 12) makes the single positive test maximally clear before the chapter turns to the birds.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταeverythingNominativeadjective (distributive subject)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'everything'; subject of the criterion-clause.
ὅσαas many asNominativerelative pronoun (introducing criterion-clause)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as / whatever.'
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of possession-construction (negated)→ stative present (existing characteristic)εἰμί: 'be'; οὐκ ἔστιν αὐτοῖς = 'which do not have.'
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative of possession→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: dative of possessor.
πτερύγιαfinsNominativesubject of ἔστιν→ participant prominenceπτερύγιον: 'fin'; see v.9.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λεπίδεςscalesNominativesubject of ἔστιν (coordinate)→ participant prominenceλεπίς: 'scale'; see v.9.
τῶνof thoseGenitivearticle (partitive: 'of those in the water')→ noun-phrase markingὁ (gen. pl. τῶν): substantivizing 'of those [creatures]' in the water — partitive.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδατιwaterDativedative object of ἐν (locative)→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ: 'water.'
βδέλυγμαabominationNominativepredicate nominative (verdict)→ participant prominenceβδέλυγμα: 'abomination'; see v.10.
τοῦτόthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of verdict)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; subject of the verdict-clause.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present (declared status)εἰμί: 'be'; copula of the verdict.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): dative of reference.
13
καὶ ταῦτα βδελύξεσθε ἀπὸ τῶν πετεινῶν καὶ οὐ βρωθήσεται βδέλυγμά ἐστιν τὸν ἀετὸν καὶ τὸν γρύπα καὶ τὸν ἁλιαίετον
And these you shall abhor among the birds, and they shall not be eaten, it is an abomination: the eagle and the griffon-vulture and the sea-eagle,
The bird section gives no diagnostic criterion (unlike land and water creatures) but a simple list of prohibited species, opening with the verdict-cluster βδελύξεσθε … οὐ βρωθήσεται … βδέλυγμά ἐστιν. The list runs by accusatives (τὸν ἀετόν …) loosely governed by βδελύξεσθε. The named birds are overwhelmingly raptors and carrion-eaters — creatures associated with blood and death.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (new section)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of βδελύξεσθε)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'these'; the proleptic object pointing forward to the bird-list.
βδελύξεσθεyou shall abhorFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · βδελύσσομαιmain verb (commanded disposition)→ imperatival future (commanded abhorrence)βδελύσσομαι: 'abhor / loathe'; see v.11; commands revulsion toward the listed birds.
ἀπὸamong / frompreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πετεινῶνbirdsGenitivepartitive genitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationπετεινόν: 'bird / winged creature' (from πέτομαι, 'fly'); renders עוֹף; the general category-term for the airborne creatures of this section.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βρωθήσεταιshall be eatenFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · βιβρώσκωmain verb (prohibition, passive)→ prohibitive future (legal interdiction)βιβρώσκω (fut. pass. βρωθήσεται): 'eat / devour'; the passive 'shall not be eaten' is an impersonal legal prohibition; cognate with βρῶμα ('food', cf. v.34) and βρῶσις.
βδέλυγμάabominationNominativepredicate nominative (verdict)→ participant prominenceβδέλυγμα: 'abomination'; see v.10.
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (verdict clause)→ stative present (declared status)εἰμί: 'be'; copula of the verdict.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀετὸνeagleAccusativeaccusative (first item of the bird-list, governed by βδελύξεσθε)→ object specificationἀετός: 'eagle'; renders נֶשֶׁר; heads the list of unclean birds — the great raptor, a bird of prey and carrion.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list-linker)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γρύπαgriffon-vultureAccusativeaccusative (second list-item)→ object specificationγρύψ (acc. γρύπα): 'griffon-vulture / vulture' (the word also denotes the mythical griffin); renders Hebrew פֶּרֶס ('bearded vulture / ossifrage'); a carrion-feeder.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list-linker)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁλιαίετονsea-eagleAccusativeaccusative (third list-item)→ object specificationἁλιαίετος: 'sea-eagle / osprey' (ἅλς, 'sea' + ἀετός, 'eagle'); renders Hebrew עָזְנִיָּה; a fish-hunting raptor.
14
καὶ τὸν γύπα καὶ ἰκτῖνα καὶ τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ
and the vulture and the kite and the ones like it,
The list continues. The recurring formula καὶ τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ ('and the ones like it') renders Hebrew לְמִינוֹ ('according to its kind'), extending each named bird to all related species — a taxonomic catch-all that prevents loophole-hunting.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list-linker)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γύπαvultureAccusativeaccusative (list-item)→ object specificationγύψ (acc. γύπα): 'vulture'; renders Hebrew דָּאָה / רָאָה (a bird of prey, possibly the kite/buzzard); a carrion-feeder.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list-linker)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰκτῖναkiteAccusativeaccusative (list-item)→ object specificationἰκτῖνος (acc. ἰκτῖνα): 'kite'; renders Hebrew אַיָּה; a small bird of prey.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὅμοια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅμοιαlike onesAccusativesubstantival adjective ('the ones like it')→ object specificationὅμοιος: 'like / similar'; τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ ('the things like it') renders לְמִינוֹ ('according to its kind'), extending the prohibition to related species.
αὐτῷto itDativedative of similarity (with ὅμοια)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. sg. αὐτῷ): 'to it'; ὅμοιος governs the dative — 'similar to it.'
15
καὶ κόρακα καὶ τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ
and the raven and the ones like it,
The raven (κόραξ) with its kind. The raven is the archetypal unclean carrion-bird (cf. its scavenging role at Gen 8:7); the kind-extension formula τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ covers all corvids.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list-linker)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κόρακαravenAccusativeaccusative (list-item)→ object specificationκόραξ (acc. κόρακα): 'raven / crow'; renders Hebrew עֹרֵב; a carrion-feeder; in the OT the raven scavenges (Gen 8:7) yet is also miraculously made a feeder of Elijah (3 Kgdms 17:4–6).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὅμοια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅμοιαlike onesAccusativesubstantival adjective (kind-extension)→ object specificationὅμοιος: 'like'; τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ = 'according to its kind'; see v.14.
αὐτῷto itDativedative of similarity→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to it'; dative with ὅμοιος.
16
καὶ στρουθὸν καὶ γλαῦκα καὶ λάρον καὶ τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ καὶ ἱέρακα καὶ τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ
and the ostrich and the owl and the gull and the ones like it, and the hawk and the ones like it,
A cluster of four named birds — ostrich, owl, gull, hawk — two of them (gull and hawk) carrying the kind-extension formula τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ. The mix of desert (ostrich), nocturnal (owl), shore (gull), and raptor (hawk) species shows the list is not strictly taxonomic but covers diverse 'unclean' birds.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list-linker)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
στρουθὸνostrichAccusativeaccusative (list-item)→ object specificationστρουθός: 'ostrich' (the word can also mean 'sparrow', but here renders Hebrew בַּת הַיַּעֲנָה, the ostrich of the desert wastes).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γλαῦκαowlAccusativeaccusative (list-item)→ object specificationγλαύξ (acc. γλαῦκα): 'owl' (the little owl, sacred to Athena); renders a Hebrew night-bird (תַּחְמָס or similar); a nocturnal hunter.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λάρονgullAccusativeaccusative (list-item)→ object specificationλάρος: 'gull / seabird'; renders Hebrew שַׁחַף; a fish-eating shore-bird.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὅμοια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅμοιαlike onesAccusativesubstantival adjective (kind-extension)→ object specificationὅμοιος: 'like'; kind-extension formula; see v.14.
αὐτῷto itDativedative of similarity→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to it.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἱέρακαhawkAccusativeaccusative (list-item)→ object specificationἱέραξ (acc. ἱέρακα): 'hawk / falcon'; renders Hebrew נֵץ; a daytime raptor.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὅμοια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅμοιαlike onesAccusativesubstantival adjective (kind-extension)→ object specificationὅμοιος: 'like'; kind-extension formula.
αὐτῷto itDativedative of similarity→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to it.'
17
καὶ νυκτικόρακα καὶ καταρράκτην καὶ ἶβιν
and the night-raven and the cormorant and the ibis,
Three more unclean birds — a nocturnal owl-type (night-raven), a diving fish-eater (cormorant), and the ibis. The cluster continues the pattern of birds linked to night, water, and carrion.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list-linker)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νυκτικόρακαnight-ravenAccusativeaccusative (list-item)→ object specificationνυκτικόραξ (acc. νυκτικόρακα): 'night-raven / long-eared owl' (νύξ, 'night' + κόραξ, 'raven'); renders Hebrew כּוֹס; a nocturnal bird (cf. Ps 101[102]:7 LXX, the lament-bird of desolation).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταρράκτηνcormorantAccusativeaccusative (list-item)→ object specificationκαταρράκτης (acc. καταρράκτην): 'cormorant / plunging seabird' (from καταρράσσω, 'dash down'); named for its diving plunge; renders Hebrew שָׁלָךְ; a fish-hunter.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἶβινibisAccusativeaccusative (list-item)→ object specificationἶβις (acc. ἶβιν): 'ibis'; renders Hebrew יַנְשׁוּף (often an owl); the Greek translators chose the Egyptian marsh-bird (the ibis was sacred in Egypt), a water-feeder.
18
καὶ πορφυρίωνα καὶ πελεκᾶνα καὶ κύκνον
and the purple gallinule and the pelican and the swan,
Three water-associated birds — the purple gallinule (water-hen), the pelican, and the swan — continuing the predominance of wetland and fish-eating species among the unclean birds.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list-linker)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πορφυρίωναpurple gallinuleAccusativeaccusative (list-item)→ object specificationπορφυρίων (acc. πορφυρίωνα): 'purple gallinule / water-hen' (named for its purple, πορφύρα, plumage); renders Hebrew רָחָם / תִּנְשֶׁמֶת; a marsh-bird.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πελεκᾶναpelicanAccusativeaccusative (list-item)→ object specificationπελεκάν (acc. πελεκᾶνα): 'pelican'; renders Hebrew קָאַת; a large fish-eating water-bird (cf. Ps 101[102]:7 LXX, πελεκὰν ἐρημικός, the pelican of the wilderness).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κύκνονswanAccusativeaccusative (list-item)→ object specificationκύκνος: 'swan'; renders a Hebrew water-bird (perhaps תִּנְשֶׁמֶת, 'white owl' or 'water-hen'); a large white waterfowl.
19
καὶ γλαῦκα καὶ ἐρωδιὸν καὶ χαραδριὸν καὶ τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ καὶ ἔποπα καὶ νυκτερίδα
and the owl and the heron and the plover and the ones like it, and the hoopoe and the bat.
The bird-list closes with owl, heron, plover (with its kind), hoopoe, and — notably — the bat (νυκτερίς). The bat, a flying mammal, is grouped with the birds by its mode of locomotion (flight) rather than its biology, illustrating that the LXX categories follow observable behaviour, not modern taxonomy.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (list-linker)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γλαῦκαowlAccusativeaccusative (list-item)→ object specificationγλαύξ (acc. γλαῦκα): 'owl'; see v.16; here a second owl-type appears in the list (the Hebrew distinguishes several owl species).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐρωδιὸνheronAccusativeaccusative (list-item)→ object specificationἐρωδιός: 'heron'; renders Hebrew אֲנָפָה; a long-legged wading water-bird.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
χαραδριὸνploverAccusativeaccusative (list-item)→ object specificationχαραδριός: 'plover / stone-curlew' (a bird of ravines, χαράδρα); renders a Hebrew wading-bird; in folklore the bird whose gaze was thought to cure jaundice.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὅμοια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅμοιαlike onesAccusativesubstantival adjective (kind-extension)→ object specificationὅμοιος: 'like'; kind-extension formula; see v.14.
αὐτῷto itDativedative of similarity→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to it.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔποπαhoopoeAccusativeaccusative (list-item)→ object specificationἔποψ (acc. ἔποπα): 'hoopoe'; renders Hebrew דּוּכִיפַת; a crested bird that feeds among refuse, hence its association with uncleanness.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νυκτερίδαbatAccusativeaccusative (final list-item)→ object specificationνυκτερίς (acc. νυκτερίδα): 'bat' (from νύκτωρ, 'by night'); renders Hebrew עֲטַלֵּף; though a mammal, it is listed among the πετεινά because it flies — the categories follow locomotion, not biology.
20
καὶ πάντα τὰ ἑρπετὰ τῶν πετεινῶν ἃ πορεύεται ἐπὶ τέσσαρα βδελύγματά ἐστιν ὑμῖν
And all the winged swarming creatures that go on four feet are abominations to you.
A new category: τὰ ἑρπετὰ τῶν πετεινῶν ('the swarming things of the winged ones') = winged insects that walk on (apparently) four legs. As a class they are βδελύγματα; the exception will follow in v.21. ἑρπετόν ('crawling/swarming thing') is the keyword of vv.20–23 and again vv.29–44.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (new sub-section)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάνταallNominativeadjective (modifying ἑρπετά)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the whole class of winged swarmers.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑρπετὰswarming creaturesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἑρπετόν: 'creeping/swarming thing' (from ἕρπω, 'creep'); renders Hebrew שֶׁרֶץ ('swarming thing'); here τὰ ἑρπετὰ τῶν πετεινῶν = the winged swarmers (insects); the key term of this and the later ground-swarmer sections.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πετεινῶνwinged onesGenitivegenitive (defining: 'of the winged ones')→ relational specificationπετεινόν: 'winged creature'; the genitive specifies the swarmers that fly — i.e. insects.
ἃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of πορεύεται)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, neuter plural, subject of the relative clause.
πορεύεταιgoes / walksPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιverb of relative clause (mode of locomotion)→ customary present (habitual locomotion)πορεύομαι: 'go / walk / travel'; the singular agrees with neuter plural ἑρπετά; here describes insects that move 'on four [feet]' — the disqualifying mode of locomotion.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (manner of going)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (manner of going).
τέσσαραfourAccusativenumeral (object of ἐπί: 'on four [feet]')→ measure or countτέσσαρες (acc. neut. τέσσαρα): 'four'; ἐπὶ τέσσαρα ('on four [legs]') describes the crawling gait that marks the creature as a swarmer rather than a clean leaping insect.
βδελύγματάabominationsNominativepredicate nominative (verdict)→ participant prominenceβδέλυγμα (nom. pl.): 'abominations'; see v.10.
ἐστινthey arePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (verdict clause; singular with neuter plural subject)→ stative present (declared status)εἰμί: 'be'; the Greek singular verb with a neuter plural subject (τὰ ἑρπετά) is standard syntax.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): dative of reference.
21
ἀλλὰ ταῦτα φάγεσθε ἀπὸ τῶν ἑρπετῶν τῶν πετεινῶν ἃ πορεύεται ἐπὶ τέσσαρα ἃ ἔχει σκέλη ἀνώτερον τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ πηδᾶν ἐν αὐτοῖς ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς
But these you may eat from the winged swarming creatures that go on four feet: those that have legs above their feet, to leap with them on the ground.
ἀλλά ('but') introduces the single exception to the winged-swarmer prohibition: insects equipped with jointed leaping legs (σκέλη ἀνώτερον τῶν ποδῶν, 'legs above their feet') for hopping on the ground — the locust family. The leaping mode of locomotion, distinct from mere crawling 'on four,' is what makes them clean. This is the legal basis for John the Baptist's diet of locusts (Mark 1:6 ἀκρίδες).
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ἀλλὰbutadversative conjunction (introducing exception)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but / rather'; the strong adversative marks the exception to the blanket prohibition of v.20.
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of φάγεσθε)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'these'; proleptic object pointing to the leaping insects of v.22.
φάγεσθεyou may eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (permission)→ permissive future (legal allowance)ἐσθίω (fut. mid.): 'eat'; permissive future opening the locust-exception.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑρπετῶνswarming creaturesGenitivepartitive genitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationἑρπετόν (gen. pl. ἑρπετῶν): 'swarming/creeping thing'; see v.20.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πετεινῶνwinged onesGenitivegenitive (defining: 'the winged swarmers')→ relational specificationπετεινόν: 'winged creature'; see v.20.
ἃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of πορεύεται)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, neuter plural.
πορεύεταιgoesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιverb of relative clause→ customary present (habitual locomotion)πορεύομαι: 'go / walk'; see v.20.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (manner of going)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (manner of going).
τέσσαραfourAccusativenumeral (object of ἐπί: 'on four')→ measure or countτέσσαρες (acc. neut. τέσσαρα): 'four'; see v.20.
ἃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἔχει; second relative clause stating the qualifying feature)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun introducing the defining feature — the leaping legs.
ἔχειhasPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔχωverb of relative clause (possession of leaping legs)→ stative present (possessed feature)ἔχω: 'have / hold'; the possession of jointed hind-legs is the positive qualification for clean insects.
σκέληlegsAccusativedirect object of ἔχει→ object specificationσκέλος (acc. pl. σκέλη): 'leg / shank'; here the long jointed hind-legs of the locust used for leaping.
ἀνώτερονabovecomparative adverb + genitive ('higher than / above the feet')→ clausal contributionἀνώτερον: 'higher / above' (comparative of ἄνω); governs the genitive τῶν ποδῶν; describes the locust's hind-legs set above its walking-feet — the anatomical mark of a leaper.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποδῶνfeetGenitivegenitive with ἀνώτερον ('above the feet')→ relational specificationπούς (gen. pl. ποδῶν): 'foot'; the ordinary walking-feet, above which the leaping legs rise.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'its'; refers to the insect.
πηδᾶνto leapPres Act Inf · πηδάωinfinitive of purpose ('in order to leap')→ imperfective infinitive (purpose: the function of the legs)πηδάω: 'leap / spring'; the purpose-infinitive states the function of the special legs — leaping, the defining behaviour that distinguishes clean insects from mere crawlers.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental: 'with them')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental: 'with them').
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative of instrument (with the legs)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. pl. αὐτοῖς): 'them'; instrumental dative — leaping by means of the legs.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςgroundGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (locative)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth / ground'; the surface across which the insect leaps.
22
καὶ ταῦτα φάγεσθε ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν τὸν βροῦχον καὶ τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ καὶ τὸν ἀττάκην καὶ τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν ἀκρίδα καὶ τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῇ καὶ τὸν ὀφιομάχην καὶ τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ
And these of them you may eat: the wingless locust and the ones like it, and the attacus-locust and the ones like it, and the locust and the ones like it, and the snake-fighter and the ones like it.
Four named members of the locust family — βροῦχος, ἀττάκης, ἀκρίς, ὀφιομάχης — each with its kind (τὰ ὅμοια αὐτῷ / αὐτῇ). These are the only clean 'swarming things,' and the only members of the entire chapter's prohibited classes (insects, swarmers) explicitly permitted as food.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (object of φάγεσθε)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'these'; proleptic object naming the permitted species.
φάγεσθεyou may eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (permission)→ permissive future (legal allowance)ἐσθίω (fut. mid.): 'eat'; permissive future.
ἀπ᾿of / frompreposition + genitive (partitive, elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἀπ᾿: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive, elided before vowel).
αὐτῶνthemGenitivepartitive genitive (of the leaping insects)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl.): 'them'; refers to the leaping insects of v.21.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βροῦχονwingless locustAccusativeaccusative (first permitted species)→ object specificationβροῦχος: 'wingless locust / locust-larva'; renders a Hebrew locust-name (סָלְעָם); one stage/species of the locust swarm (cf. Joel 1:4 LXX, where βροῦχος is one of four locust-terms).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὅμοια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅμοιαlike onesAccusativesubstantival adjective (kind-extension)→ object specificationὅμοιος: 'like'; kind-extension formula; see v.14.
αὐτῷto itDativedative of similarity→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to it.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀττάκηνattacus-locustAccusativeaccusative (second permitted species)→ object specificationἀττάκης (acc. ἀττάκην): 'attacus / a kind of wingless locust'; renders Hebrew חַרְגֹּל; another member of the locust family.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὅμοια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅμοιαlike onesAccusativesubstantival adjective (kind-extension)→ object specificationὅμοιος: 'like'; kind-extension formula.
αὐτῷto itDativedative of similarity→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to it.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (feminine, with ἀκρίδα)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀκρίδαlocustAccusativeaccusative (third permitted species)→ object specificationἀκρίς (acc. ἀκρίδα): 'locust / grasshopper'; renders Hebrew אַרְבֶּה; the common locust — the staple of John the Baptist's diet (Mark 1:6; Matt 3:4, ἀκρίδες καὶ μέλι ἄγριον), licit precisely by this verse.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὅμοια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅμοιαlike onesAccusativesubstantival adjective (kind-extension)→ object specificationὅμοιος: 'like'; kind-extension formula.
αὐτῇto itDativedative of similarity (feminine, agreeing with ἀκρίς)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. fem. sg. αὐτῇ): 'to it'; the feminine form agrees with the feminine ἀκρίς.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφιομάχηνsnake-fighterAccusativeaccusative (fourth permitted species)→ object specificationὀφιομάχης (acc. ὀφιομάχην): 'snake-fighter' (ὄφις, 'snake' + μάχομαι, 'fight'); a kind of locust/mantis reputed to attack serpents; renders Hebrew חָגָב; the fourth clean leaping insect.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ὅμοια)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὅμοιαlike onesAccusativesubstantival adjective (kind-extension)→ object specificationὅμοιος: 'like'; kind-extension formula.
αὐτῷto itDativedative of similarity→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to it.'
23
πᾶν ἑρπετὸν ἀπὸ τῶν πετεινῶν οἷς ἐστιν τέσσαρες πόδες βδέλυγμά ἐστιν ὑμῖν
Every swarming creature among the winged ones that has four feet is an abomination to you.
A closing restatement: apart from the leaping locusts, every four-footed winged swarmer is βδέλυγμα. The relative οἷς ἐστιν τέσσαρες πόδες ('to which there are four feet') uses the dative-of-possession construction (cf. vv.9, 12) to define the disqualified group.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
πᾶνeveryNominativeadjective (modifying ἑρπετόν)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every'; distributive.
ἑρπετὸνswarming creatureNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἑρπετόν: 'swarming/creeping thing'; see v.20.
ἀπὸamong / frompreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πετεινῶνwinged onesGenitivepartitive genitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationπετεινόν: 'winged creature'; see v.20.
οἷςto whichDativerelative pronoun (dative of possession)→ participant reference or interestὅς (dat. pl. οἷς): relative pronoun in the dative-of-possession construction — 'which has four feet.'
ἐστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of possession-construction→ stative present (existing characteristic)εἰμί: 'be'; οἷς ἐστιν … πόδες = 'which have feet.'
τέσσαρεςfourNominativenumeral (modifying πόδες)→ measure or countτέσσαρες: 'four'; the four crawling feet that disqualify the creature (over against the leaping legs of v.21).
πόδεςfeetNominativesubject of ἐστιν (the thing possessed)→ participant prominenceπούς (nom. pl. πόδες): 'foot'; the four walking feet.
βδέλυγμάabominationNominativepredicate nominative (verdict)→ participant prominenceβδέλυγμα: 'abomination'; see v.10.
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (verdict clause)→ stative present (declared status)εἰμί: 'be'; copula of the verdict.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): dative of reference.
24
καὶ ἐν τούτοις μιανθήσεσθε πᾶς ὁ ἁπτόμενος τῶν θνησιμαίων αὐτῶν ἀκάθαρτος ἔσται ἕως ἑσπέρας
And by these you shall be defiled: everyone who touches their carcasses shall be unclean until evening.
The chapter pivots from diet to ritual contagion. The verb μιαίνω ('defile') is introduced, with the recurring formula ἀκάθαρτος ἔσται ἕως ἑσπέρας ('shall be unclean until evening') that punctuates vv.24–40. Touching a carcass (θνησιμαῖον) transmits a temporary, evening-bounded impurity — the mildest grade, cleansed by the passage of the day.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (new section)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (instrumental/causal: 'by these')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: here instrumental/causal — 'by means of / through these [creatures] you become defiled.'
τούτοιςtheseDativedemonstrative pronoun (dative object of ἐν)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος (dat. pl. τούτοις): 'these'; refers to the unclean creatures whose carcasses defile.
μιανθήσεσθεyou shall be defiledFut Pass Indic 2 Pl · μιαίνωmain verb (passive: contracting impurity)→ predictive future (consequence of contact)μιαίνω (fut. pass. μιανθήσεσθε): 'defile / pollute / render ritually impure'; renders Hebrew טָמֵא (Niphal); the passive marks the person as the recipient of defilement transmitted by contact; the contagion-keyword of vv.24–44.
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubject (with substantival participle)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'everyone / all'; with the articular participle ὁ ἁπτόμενος = 'everyone who touches.'
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁπτόμενοςwho touchesPres Mid Part Nom Masc Sg · ἅπτομαιsubstantival participle (subject: 'the one touching')→ imperfective participle (whoever does the touching)ἅπτομαι (pres. mid. part.): 'touch / take hold of'; governs the genitive; the articular participle ὁ ἁπτόμενος ('the toucher') is the standard subject of the contagion-rules; cf. Jesus' deliberate touching of the unclean (Mark 1:41; 5:41) reversing the flow of contagion into cleansing.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θνησιμαίωνcarcassesGenitivegenitive object of ἁπτόμενος→ relational specificationθνησιμαῖον: 'carcass / dead body'; see v.8; the source of contagion.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their'; refers to the unclean creatures.
ἀκάθαρτοςuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean'; the resulting ritual state of the person.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (future of resulting state)→ predictive future (duration of impurity)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; states the duration of the contracted impurity.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until'; marks the temporal boundary of the impurity.
ἑσπέραςeveningGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (temporal)→ relational specificationἑσπέρα: 'evening'; ἕως ἑσπέρας ('until evening') — the impurity lapses at sundown, the close of the ritual day; the recurring time-limit of the carcass-contagion rules.
25
καὶ πᾶς ὁ αἴρων τῶν θνησιμαίων αὐτῶν πλυνεῖ τὰ ἱμάτια καὶ ἀκάθαρτος ἔσται ἕως ἑσπέρας
And everyone who carries any of their carcasses shall wash his garments and shall be unclean until evening.
Carrying (αἴρων) a carcass entails a heavier obligation than mere touching (v.24): the person must also launder his garments (πλυνεῖ τὰ ἱμάτια). The pair touch/carry with the laundering escalation recurs at vv.27–28 and 39–40.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubject (with substantival participle)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'everyone'; with ὁ αἴρων = 'everyone who carries.'
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἴρωνwho carriesPres Act Part Nom Masc Sg · αἴρωsubstantival participle (subject: 'the one carrying')→ imperfective participle (whoever does the carrying)αἴρω (pres. act. part.): 'lift / take up / carry'; carrying a carcass involves more sustained contact than touching, hence the added laundering requirement.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θνησιμαίωνcarcassesGenitivepartitive genitive object of αἴρων ('any of their carcasses')→ relational specificationθνησιμαῖον: 'carcass'; see v.8.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their.'
πλυνεῖshall washFut Act Indic 3 Sg · πλύνωmain verb (required cleansing act)→ imperatival future (commanded laundering)πλύνω: 'wash / launder (clothing)'; renders Hebrew כִּבֵּס; distinct from λούομαι ('bathe the body', v.40); the laundering is the prescribed purification for the heavier carrying-contagion.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱμάτιαgarmentsAccusativedirect object of πλυνεῖ→ object specificationἱμάτιον (acc. pl. ἱμάτια): 'garment / cloak'; renders Hebrew בֶּגֶד; the clothing must be washed because it too contracted impurity through contact with the carrier.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκάθαρτοςuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (duration of impurity)→ predictive future (duration of impurity)εἰμί (fut.): 'be'; the recurring duration-formula.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until.'
ἑσπέραςeveningGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (temporal)→ relational specificationἑσπέρα: 'evening'; see v.24.
26
ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς κτήνεσιν ὅ ἐστιν διχηλοῦν ὁπλὴν καὶ ὀνυχιστῆρας ὀνυχίζει καὶ μηρυκισμὸν οὐ μαρυκᾶται ἀκάθαρτα ἔσονται ὑμῖν πᾶς ὁ ἁπτόμενος τῶν θνησιμαίων αὐτῶν ἀκάθαρτος ἔσται ἕως ἑσπέρας
Among all the beasts, whatever parts the hoof and makes claws but does not chew the cud — these shall be unclean to you; everyone who touches their carcasses shall be unclean until evening.
The contagion-rule is applied to land beasts that meet only the hoof-criterion but fail the cud-criterion (the pattern of the pig, v.7), now using the rarer verb μαρυκάομαι ('chew the cud') alongside the earlier μηρυκισμός. Such beasts are unclean, and their carcasses defile by touch — folding the dietary verdict back into the contagion-law.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
πᾶσινallDativeadjective (modifying κτήνεσιν)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς (dat. pl. πᾶσιν): 'all.'
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτήνεσινbeastsDativedative object of ἐν (sphere)→ sphere or referenceκτῆνος (dat. pl.): 'beasts'; see v.2.
ὅwhateverNominativerelative pronoun (subject of the criterion-clause)→ participant referenceὅς (nom. neut. sg. ὅ): relative pronoun, 'that which / whatever.'
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (with predicate participle διχηλοῦν)→ stative present (characteristic)εἰμί: 'be'; periphrastic with the participle διχηλοῦν.
διχηλοῦνparting the hoofPres Act Part Nom Neut Sg · διχηλέωpredicate participle (periphrastic with ἐστιν)→ imperfective participle (characteristic property)διχηλέω: 'part the hoof'; see v.3; here the periphrasis ἐστιν … διχηλοῦν = 'is hoof-parting.'
ὁπλὴνhoofAccusativedirect object of διχηλοῦν→ object specificationὁπλή: 'hoof'; see v.3.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀνυχιστῆραςclawsAccusativedirect object of ὀνυχίζει→ object specificationὀνυχιστήρ: 'claw / hoof-division'; see v.3.
ὀνυχίζειit makes clawsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀνυχίζωverb (continuing the hoof-criterion)→ customary present (habitual trait)ὀνυχίζω: 'form claws/cloven divisions'; see v.3.
καὶbutcoordinating conjunction (adversative in force)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: 'and yet'; adversative nuance, pivoting to the failed criterion.
μηρυκισμὸνcudAccusativedirect object of μαρυκᾶται (fronted)→ object specificationμηρυκισμός: 'cud'; see v.3.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μαρυκᾶταιit chews the cudPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · μαρυκάομαιverb of contrast clause (criterion failed)→ customary present (habitual trait)μαρυκάομαι (variant of μηρυκάομαι): 'chew the cud / ruminate'; the verbal form (cf. the noun μηρυκισμός) — the beast does not ruminate, failing the second criterion.
ἀκάθαρταuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (plural verdict)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος (nom. neut. pl.): 'unclean.'
ἔσονταιthey shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula (future declaration of status)→ future of settled status (legal declaration)εἰμί (fut. pl.): 'be'; declares the abiding unclean status.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): dative of reference.
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubject (with substantival participle)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'everyone.'
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁπτόμενοςwho touchesPres Mid Part Nom Masc Sg · ἅπτομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ imperfective participle (whoever touches)ἅπτομαι (pres. mid. part.): 'touch'; see v.24.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θνησιμαίωνcarcassesGenitivegenitive object of ἁπτόμενος→ relational specificationθνησιμαῖον: 'carcass'; see v.8.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their.'
ἀκάθαρτοςuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (duration of impurity)→ predictive future (duration of impurity)εἰμί (fut.): 'be.'
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until.'
ἑσπέραςeveningGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (temporal)→ relational specificationἑσπέρα: 'evening'; see v.24.
27
καὶ πᾶς ὃς πορεύεται ἐπὶ χειρῶν ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς θηρίοις ἃ πορεύεται ἐπὶ τέσσαρα ἀκάθαρτα ἔσται ὑμῖν πᾶς ὁ ἁπτόμενος τῶν θνησιμαίων αὐτῶν ἀκάθαρτος ἔσται ἕως ἑσπέρας
And every one that goes on its paws, among all the animals that go on four feet, shall be unclean to you; everyone who touches their carcasses shall be unclean until evening.
The rule extends to four-footed animals that go ἐπὶ χειρῶν ('on hands/paws') — i.e. padded-footed carnivores and the like (as opposed to hoofed beasts). These are unclean and their carcasses defile by touch. The repeated contagion-formula keeps the evening-limit in view.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςevery oneNominativesubject (with relative clause)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every one'; antecedent of the relative ὅς.
ὃςthatNominativerelative pronoun (subject of πορεύεται)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, 'who/that.'
πορεύεταιgoesPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιverb of relative clause (mode of locomotion)→ customary present (habitual locomotion)πορεύομαι: 'go / walk'; here 'goes on its paws' — the gait of plantigrade/digitigrade animals.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (manner)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (manner).
χειρῶνpaws / handsGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί ('on its paws')→ relational specificationχείρ (gen. pl. χειρῶν): 'hand'; here of animal forepaws (rendering Hebrew כַּף, 'paw'); ἐπὶ χειρῶν ('on paws') describes soft-footed quadrupeds, contrasted with the hoofed clean animals.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
πᾶσιallDativeadjective (modifying θηρίοις)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς (dat. pl. πᾶσι): 'all.'
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θηρίοιςanimals / beastsDativedative object of ἐν (sphere)→ sphere or referenceθηρίον: 'wild animal / beast'; renders Hebrew חַיָּה; distinct from κτῆνος (domestic livestock) — the wild quadrupeds.
ἃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of πορεύεται)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, neuter plural.
πορεύεταιgoPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιverb of relative clause→ customary present (habitual locomotion)πορεύομαι: 'go'; see v.20; singular with neuter plural subject.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (manner)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (manner).
τέσσαραfourAccusativenumeral (object of ἐπί: 'on four')→ measure or countτέσσαρες (acc. neut. τέσσαρα): 'four'; see v.20.
ἀκάθαρταuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (plural verdict)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος (nom. neut. pl.): 'unclean.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (singular with neuter plural subject)→ future of settled status (legal declaration)εἰμί (fut.): 'be'; the singular ἔσται with neuter plural ἀκάθαρτα is regular Greek.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): dative of reference.
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubject (with substantival participle)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'everyone.'
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁπτόμενοςwho touchesPres Mid Part Nom Masc Sg · ἅπτομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ imperfective participle (whoever touches)ἅπτομαι: 'touch'; see v.24.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θνησιμαίωνcarcassesGenitivegenitive object of ἁπτόμενος→ relational specificationθνησιμαῖον: 'carcass'; see v.8.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their.'
ἀκάθαρτοςuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (duration of impurity)→ predictive future (duration of impurity)εἰμί (fut.): 'be.'
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until.'
ἑσπέραςeveningGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (temporal)→ relational specificationἑσπέρα: 'evening'; see v.24.
28
καὶ ὁ αἴρων τῶν θνησιμαίων αὐτῶν πλυνεῖ τὰ ἱμάτια καὶ ἀκάθαρτος ἔσται ἕως ἑσπέρας ἀκάθαρτα ταῦτα ὑμῖν ἐστιν
And the one who carries any of their carcasses shall wash his garments and shall be unclean until evening; these are unclean to you.
Parallel to v.25: the carrier of a paw-walker's carcass must launder and remains unclean until evening. The unit closes with the summary verdict ἀκάθαρτα ταῦτα ὑμῖν ἐστιν ('these are unclean to you').
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἴρωνwho carriesPres Act Part Nom Masc Sg · αἴρωsubstantival participle (subject)→ imperfective participle (whoever carries)αἴρω: 'carry / take up'; see v.25.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θνησιμαίωνcarcassesGenitivepartitive genitive object of αἴρων→ relational specificationθνησιμαῖον: 'carcass'; see v.8.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their.'
πλυνεῖshall washFut Act Indic 3 Sg · πλύνωmain verb (required cleansing act)→ imperatival future (commanded laundering)πλύνω: 'launder'; see v.25.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱμάτιαgarmentsAccusativedirect object of πλυνεῖ→ object specificationἱμάτιον: 'garment'; see v.25.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκάθαρτοςuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (duration of impurity)→ predictive future (duration of impurity)εἰμί (fut.): 'be.'
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until.'
ἑσπέραςeveningGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (temporal)→ relational specificationἑσπέρα: 'evening'; see v.24.
ἀκάθαρταuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (plural verdict)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος (nom. neut. pl.): 'unclean'; the closing summary verdict.
ταῦταtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of verdict)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'these.'
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): dative of reference.
ἐστινarePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (verdict clause)→ stative present (declared status)εἰμί: 'be'; copula of the verdict.
29
καὶ ταῦτα ὑμῖν ἀκάθαρτα ἀπὸ τῶν ἑρπετῶν τῶν ἑρπόντων ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἡ γαλῆ καὶ ὁ μῦς καὶ ὁ κροκόδειλος ὁ χερσαῖος
And these are unclean to you among the swarming things that creep upon the earth: the weasel and the mouse and the land-crocodile,
A list of small ground-creatures (Hebrew הַשֶּׁרֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵץ עַל הָאָרֶץ), whose carcasses are the most pervasive everyday source of household defilement (vv.32–38). The list opens with weasel, mouse, and land-crocodile (a large lizard), and continues in v.30.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ταῦταtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of nominal clause)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'these'; proleptic subject pointing to the list.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): dative of reference.
ἀκάθαρταuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (verdict)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος (nom. neut. pl.): 'unclean.'
ἀπὸamong / frompreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑρπετῶνswarming thingsGenitivepartitive genitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationἑρπετόν: 'swarming/creeping thing'; see v.20; here the ground-swarmers.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (attributive, with ἑρπόντων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑρπόντωνthat creepPres Act Part Gen Neut Pl · ἕρπωattributive participle (modifying ἑρπετῶν)→ imperfective participle (characteristic locomotion)ἕρπω (pres. act. part.): 'creep / crawl'; the cognate participle with ἑρπετόν is a figura etymologica ('the creepers that creep'), rendering the Hebrew cognate phrase הַשֶּׁרֶץ הַשֹּׁרֵץ.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (locative)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth / ground'; the habitat of the swarmers.
ἡtheNominativearticle (feminine, with γαλῆ)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γαλῆweaselNominativenominative (first list-item, in apposition to ταῦτα)→ participant prominenceγαλῆ: 'weasel / marten'; renders Hebrew חֹלֶד; a small carnivorous mammal (some take the Hebrew as 'mole-rat').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μῦςmouseNominativenominative (list-item)→ participant prominenceμῦς: 'mouse / rat'; renders Hebrew עַכְבָּר; a small rodent (cf. Isa 66:17 LXX, where mouse-eating is condemned).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κροκόδειλοςcrocodile / great lizardNominativenominative (list-item)→ participant prominenceκροκόδειλος: 'crocodile / large lizard'; renders Hebrew צָב; qualified by ὁ χερσαῖος ('of the dry land') to denote the great land-lizard (monitor) rather than the Nile crocodile.
ὁtheNominativearticle (attributive, with χερσαῖος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χερσαῖοςland / of the dry landNominativeattributive adjective (modifying κροκόδειλος)→ participant prominenceχερσαῖος: 'of the dry land / terrestrial' (from χέρσος, 'dry land'); distinguishes the land-lizard from the aquatic crocodile.
30
μυγαλῆ καὶ χαμαιλέων καὶ καλαβώτης καὶ σαύρα καὶ ἀσπάλαξ
the shrew and the chameleon and the spotted lizard and the lizard and the mole.
The list completes the eight ground-swarmers with five more small creatures — shrew, chameleon, and three lizard/mole types. The grouping of small reptiles and burrowing mammals reflects the chapter's behaviour-based taxonomy of 'creepers.'
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
μυγαλῆshrewNominativenominative (list-item)→ participant prominenceμυγαλῆ: 'shrew-mouse' (μῦς + γαλῆ, 'mouse-weasel'); renders Hebrew אֲנָקָה; a small insectivore.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
χαμαιλέωνchameleonNominativenominative (list-item)→ participant prominenceχαμαιλέων: 'chameleon' (χαμαί, 'on the ground' + λέων, 'lion'); renders Hebrew כֹּחַ; a colour-changing lizard.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καλαβώτηςspotted lizard / newtNominativenominative (list-item)→ participant prominenceκαλαβώτης: 'spotted lizard / gecko / newt'; renders Hebrew לְטָאָה; a small lizard.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σαύραlizardNominativenominative (list-item)→ participant prominenceσαύρα: 'lizard'; renders Hebrew חֹמֶט; the common lizard.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀσπάλαξmoleNominativenominative (final list-item)→ participant prominenceἀσπάλαξ (= σπάλαξ): 'mole / mole-rat'; renders Hebrew תִּנְשֶׁמֶת; a blind burrowing mammal, closing the list of eight.
31
ταῦτα ἀκάθαρτα ὑμῖν ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν ἑρπετῶν τῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς πᾶς ὁ ἁπτόμενος αὐτῶν τεθνηκότων ἀκάθαρτος ἔσται ἕως ἑσπέρας
These are unclean to you among all the swarming things that are upon the earth; everyone who touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until evening.
The list is sealed with the verdict and the by-now-standard contagion-rule: touching their dead bodies (αὐτῶν τεθνηκότων, a perfect participle stressing the resultant state of death) renders one unclean until evening. The genitive-absolute-like τεθνηκότων specifies that it is the carcass, not the living creature, that defiles.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ταῦταtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'these'; resuming the list of vv.29–30.
ἀκάθαρταuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (verdict)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος (nom. neut. pl.): 'unclean.'
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): dative of reference.
ἀπὸamong / frompreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
πάντωνallGenitivegenitive attributive (modifying ἑρπετῶν)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑρπετῶνswarming thingsGenitivepartitive genitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationἑρπετόν: 'swarming thing'; see v.20.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (attributive, with ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (locative)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth.'
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubject (with substantival participle)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'everyone.'
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁπτόμενοςwho touchesPres Mid Part Nom Masc Sg · ἅπτομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ imperfective participle (whoever touches)ἅπτομαι: 'touch'; see v.24.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἁπτόμενος→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'them'; refers to the swarmers.
τεθνηκότωνwhen deadPerf Act Part Gen Neut Pl · θνῄσκωcircumstantial participle (agreeing with αὐτῶν: 'them being dead')→ perfect participle (resultant state of death)θνῄσκω (perf. act. part. τεθνηκώς): 'be dead / have died'; the perfect stresses the abiding state — it is the dead carcass, not the living animal, that defiles; agrees with αὐτῶν.
ἀκάθαρτοςuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (duration of impurity)→ predictive future (duration of impurity)εἰμί (fut.): 'be.'
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until.'
ἑσπέραςeveningGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (temporal)→ relational specificationἑσπέρα: 'evening'; see v.24.
32
καὶ πᾶν ἐφ᾿ ὃ ἂν ἐπιπέσῃ ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν τεθνηκότων αὐτῶν ἀκάθαρτον ἔσται ἀπὸ παντὸς σκεύους ξυλίνου ἢ ἱματίου ἢ δέρματος ἢ σάκκου πᾶν σκεῦος ὃ ἐὰν ποιηθῇ ἔργον ἐν αὐτῷ εἰς ὕδωρ βαφήσεται καὶ ἀκάθαρτον ἔσται ἕως ἑσπέρας καὶ καθαρὸν ἔσται
And everything on which any of them falls when they are dead shall be unclean — every wooden vessel or garment or skin or sack; every vessel in which work is done shall be dipped in water, and it shall be unclean until evening, and then it shall be clean.
The contagion now passes to objects a carcass falls on. Porous but washable items — wooden vessels, cloth, leather, sacking — are remediable: dipped in water (εἰς ὕδωρ βαφήσεται), they are unclean until evening and then καθαρὸν ἔσται ('shall be clean'). The cleansing-by-immersion language (βάπτω) is part of the OT background to baptismal vocabulary.
Word-by-word analysis· 41 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶνeverythingNominativesubject (antecedent of the relative)→ participant prominenceπᾶς (nom. neut. sg.): 'everything.'
ἐφ᾿uponpreposition + accusative (elided; 'onto which')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί (elided ἐφ᾿ before rough breathing): 'upon / onto.'
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐπί: 'onto which')→ participant referenceὅς (acc. neut. sg. ὅ): relative pronoun governed by ἐπί.
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive in indefinite relative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle marking the relative clause as indefinite/contingent ('whatever it may fall on').
ἐπιπέσῃfalls uponAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐπιπίπτωverb of indefinite relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (contingent event)ἐπιπίπτω: 'fall upon'; the subjunctive with ἄν expresses the contingent case of a carcass falling onto an object; the contagion is transmitted by the falling-contact.
ἀπ᾿ofpreposition + genitive (partitive, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἀπ᾿: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive, elided).
αὐτῶνthemGenitivepartitive genitive ('any of them')→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'them'; the swarmers.
τεθνηκότωνwhen deadPerf Act Part Gen Neut Pl · θνῄσκωcircumstantial participle (agreeing with αὐτῶν)→ perfect participle (resultant state of death)θνῄσκω (perf. part.): 'be dead'; see v.31.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive (resumptive/possessive, Hebraizing redundancy)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their'; the doubled αὐτῶν reflects a Hebraizing resumptive construction.
ἀκάθαρτονuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ predictive future (resulting state)εἰμί (fut.): 'be.'
ἀπὸnamely / ofpreposition + genitive (specifying the range of objects)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: here specifying ('whether of…') the categories of washable objects.
παντὸςeveryGenitiveadjective (modifying σκεύους)→ relational specificationπᾶς (gen. sg. παντός): 'every.'
σκεύουςvesselGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationσκεῦος (gen. σκεύους): 'vessel / implement / article'; renders Hebrew כְּלִי; the general term for household objects.
ξυλίνουwoodenGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying σκεύους)→ relational specificationξύλινος: 'wooden / of wood' (from ξύλον); a porous but washable material.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or.'
ἱματίουgarmentGenitivegenitive (coordinate object of ἀπό)→ relational specificationἱμάτιον: 'garment / cloth'; see v.25.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or.'
δέρματοςskin / leatherGenitivegenitive (coordinate object of ἀπό)→ relational specificationδέρμα (gen. δέρματος): 'skin / hide / leather'; renders Hebrew עוֹר; a washable material.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or.'
σάκκουsack / sackclothGenitivegenitive (coordinate object of ἀπό)→ relational specificationσάκκος: 'sackcloth / coarse cloth'; renders Hebrew שָׂק; a Semitic loanword; rough goat-hair fabric used for bags and mourning.
πᾶνeveryNominativeadjective (modifying σκεῦος; resuming as new subject)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every.'
σκεῦοςvesselNominativesubject (antecedent of the relative ὃ)→ participant prominenceσκεῦος: 'vessel / implement'; here a working utensil.
ὃin whichNominativerelative pronoun (resumed by ἐν αὐτῷ: 'in which')→ participant referenceὅς (nom. neut. sg. ὅ): relative pronoun, resumed by the prepositional ἐν αὐτῷ — a Hebraizing resumptive relative.
ἐὰνeverconditional particle (with subjunctive, indefinite)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if / whenever'; here equivalent to ἄν in the indefinite relative clause.
ποιηθῇis doneAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of indefinite relative clause (passive)→ aorist subjunctive (contingent)ποιέω (aor. pass. subj.): 'make / do'; ἔργον ποιηθῇ ('work be done') — any working vessel; the passive with ἔργον as subject.
ἔργονworkNominativesubject of ποιηθῇ (cognate: 'work is worked')→ participant prominenceἔργον: 'work / task'; ἔργον ποιεῖν is a cognate idiom ('do work'); renders Hebrew מְלָאכָה.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative, resuming the relative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative, resuming the relative).
αὐτῷitDativedative (resumptive pronoun: 'in it')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. sg. αὐτῷ): 'it'; resumes the relative ὃ in Hebraizing fashion.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ὕδωρwaterAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (into water)→ object specificationὕδωρ: 'water'; the medium of purification.
βαφήσεταιshall be dippedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · βάπτωmain verb (prescribed cleansing)→ imperatival future (commanded immersion)βάπτω (fut. pass. βαφήσεται): 'dip / immerse'; renders Hebrew בּוֹא בַמַּיִם ('be put in water'); the immersion-cleansing of objects; cognate with βαπτίζω, part of the OT background to NT baptismal language.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκάθαρτονuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (duration of impurity)→ predictive future (duration of impurity)εἰμί (fut.): 'be.'
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until.'
ἑσπέραςeveningGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (temporal)→ relational specificationἑσπέρα: 'evening'; see v.24.
καὶand thencoordinate conjunction (consecutive)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: 'and (then)'; marks the result after sundown — restoration to cleanness.
καθαρὸνcleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceκαθαρός: 'clean / pure'; renders Hebrew טָהוֹר; the positive pole of the chapter's binary; the object is restored to cleanness once washed and the day has passed.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (restored state)→ predictive future (restored state)εἰμί (fut.): 'be'; the future of restored cleanness.
33
καὶ πᾶν σκεῦος ὀστράκινον εἰς ὃ ἐὰν πέσῃ ἀπὸ τούτων ἔνδον ὅσα ἐὰν ἔνδον ᾖ ἀκάθαρτα ἔσται καὶ αὐτὸ συντριβήσεται
And every earthenware vessel into which any of these falls — whatever is inside it shall be unclean, and the vessel itself shall be broken.
Earthenware (ὀστράκινον) cannot be purified by washing because its porous, unglazed clay absorbs impurity irremediably; therefore it must be smashed (συντριβήσεται). This contrasts sharply with the washable items of v.32 and reflects a coherent material logic: porous-but-cleanable vs. porous-but-uncleanable.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶνeveryNominativeadjective (modifying σκεῦος)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every.'
σκεῦοςvesselNominativesubject (antecedent of the relative)→ participant prominenceσκεῦος: 'vessel'; see v.32.
ὀστράκινονearthenwareNominativeattributive adjective (modifying σκεῦος)→ participant prominenceὀστράκινος: 'of earthenware / clay' (from ὄστρακον, 'potsherd'); renders Hebrew כְּלִי חֶרֶשׂ; porous clay that absorbs impurity and cannot be cleansed — hence it must be destroyed (cf. the metaphor of 2 Cor 4:7, ἐν ὀστρακίνοις σκεύεσιν).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἰς)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. neut. sg.): relative pronoun governed by εἰς ('into which').
ἐὰνeverconditional particle (with subjunctive, indefinite)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'whenever'; indefinite relative.
πέσῃfallsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · πίπτωverb of indefinite relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (contingent event)πίπτω (aor. subj. πέσῃ): 'fall'; the contingent falling of a carcass into the vessel.
ἀπὸofpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
τούτωνtheseGenitivepartitive genitive ('any of these')→ relational specificationοὗτος (gen. pl. τούτων): 'these'; the swarmers.
ἔνδονinsideadverb of place (within the vessel)→ clausal contributionἔνδον: 'within / inside'; locates the contamination of the vessel's contents.
ὅσαwhateverNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ᾖ)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'whatever'; introduces the contents-clause.
ἐὰνeverconditional particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'whenever.'
ἔνδονinsideadverb of place→ clausal contributionἔνδον: 'inside'; the contents within.
ᾖisPres Act Subj 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of indefinite relative clause→ present subjunctive (contingent state)εἰμί (pres. subj. ᾖ): 'be'; 'whatever may be inside.'
ἀκάθαρταuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (plural verdict)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος (nom. neut. pl.): 'unclean'; the contents are defiled.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (singular with neuter plural subject)→ predictive future (resulting state)εἰμί (fut.): 'be.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτὸitNominativeintensive pronoun (subject: 'the vessel itself')→ participant referenceαὐτός (nom. neut. sg. αὐτό): 'itself'; the vessel itself, emphatic.
συντριβήσεταιshall be brokenFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · συντρίβωmain verb (prescribed destruction)→ imperatival future (commanded destruction)συντρίβω (fut. pass. συντριβήσεται): 'shatter / break in pieces'; renders Hebrew שָׁבַר; the irremediably-defiled clay vessel must be smashed rather than washed.
34
καὶ πᾶν βρῶμα ὃ ἔσθεται εἰς ὃ ἐὰν ἐπέλθῃ ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸ ὕδωρ ἀκάθαρτον ἔσται καὶ πᾶν ποτόν ὃ πίνεται ἐν παντὶ ἀγγείῳ ἀκάθαρτον ἔσται
And every food that is eaten, upon which water comes, shall be unclean; and every drink that is drunk in any vessel shall be unclean.
The defilement spreads to foodstuffs: food that has had water on it (the moisture being the medium of contagion) and any drink in a contaminated vessel become unclean. The role of water as a conductor of impurity is a key principle later elaborated in rabbinic law; here it explains why moistened food is vulnerable where dry food (v.37) is not.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶνeveryNominativeadjective (modifying βρῶμα)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every.'
βρῶμαfoodNominativesubject→ participant prominenceβρῶμα: 'food'; from βιβρώσκω (cf. v.13); renders Hebrew אֹכֶל; the same word Jesus uses at Mark 7:19 (καθαρίζων πάντα τὰ βρώματα, 'cleansing all foods'), the decisive NT reversal of these very categories.
ὃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἔσθεται)→ participant referenceὅς (nom. neut. sg.): relative pronoun.
ἔσθεταιis eatenPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωverb of relative clause (passive: edible food)→ customary present (general characterization)ἐσθίω (pres. pass. ἔσθεται): 'be eaten'; the passive defines βρῶμα as 'food that is [normally] eaten.'
εἰςuponpreposition + accusative (relative: 'onto which')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: here 'onto / upon' (overlapping with ἐπί in Koine).
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἰς, resumed by ἐπ᾿ αὐτό)→ participant referenceὅς (acc. neut. sg.): relative pronoun, resumed by the prepositional ἐπ᾿ αὐτό.
ἐὰνeverconditional particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'whenever.'
ἐπέλθῃcomes uponAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐπέρχομαιverb of indefinite relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (contingent event)ἐπέρχομαι (aor. subj. ἐπέλθῃ): 'come upon'; of water coming onto the food — the moisture that makes it susceptible to defilement.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + accusative (resuming the relative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (resuming the relative).
αὐτὸitAccusativeresumptive pronoun ('onto it')→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. neut. sg. αὐτό): 'it'; resumes the relative — Hebraizing redundancy.
ὕδωρwaterNominativesubject of ἐπέλθῃ→ participant prominenceὕδωρ: 'water'; the conductor of contagion to the food.
ἀκάθαρτονuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ predictive future (resulting state)εἰμί (fut.): 'be.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶνeveryNominativeadjective (modifying ποτόν)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every.'
ποτόνdrinkNominativesubject→ participant prominenceποτόν: 'drink / beverage' (from πίνω); renders Hebrew מַשְׁקֶה; the liquid counterpart to βρῶμα.
ὃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of πίνεται)→ participant referenceὅς (nom. neut. sg.): relative pronoun.
πίνεταιis drunkPres Pass Indic 3 Sg · πίνωverb of relative clause (passive)→ customary present (general characterization)πίνω (pres. pass. πίνεται): 'be drunk'; defines ποτόν as 'drink that is drunk.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
παντὶanyDativeadjective (modifying ἀγγείῳ)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς (dat. sg. παντί): 'any / every.'
ἀγγείῳvesselDativedative object of ἐν (locative)→ sphere or referenceἀγγεῖον: 'vessel / container'; renders Hebrew כְּלִי; a near-synonym of σκεῦος, here the drinking-vessel.
ἀκάθαρτονuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ predictive future (resulting state)εἰμί (fut.): 'be.'
35
καὶ πᾶν ὃ ἐὰν πέσῃ ἀπὸ τῶν θνησιμαίων αὐτῶν ἐπ᾿ αὐτό ἀκάθαρτον ἔσται κλίβανοι καὶ κυθρόποδες καθαιρεθήσονται ἀκάθαρτα ταῦτά ἐστιν καὶ ἀκάθαρτα ταῦτα ὑμῖν ἔσονται
And everything on which any of their carcasses falls shall be unclean; ovens and stove-stands shall be torn down — they are unclean and shall be unclean to you.
Built clay installations — ovens (κλίβανοι) and stove-stands (κυθρόποδες) — like the earthenware vessel of v.33, cannot be cleansed and must be demolished (καθαιρεθήσονται). The double declaration ἀκάθαρτά … ἐστιν … ἀκάθαρτα … ἔσονται emphatically seals their permanent uncleanness.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶνeverythingNominativesubject (antecedent of relative)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'everything.'
ὃon whichNominativerelative pronoun (resumed by ἐπ᾿ αὐτό)→ participant referenceὅς (nom. neut. sg.): relative pronoun, resumed by ἐπ᾿ αὐτό.
ἐὰνeverconditional particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'whenever.'
πέσῃfallsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · πίπτωverb of indefinite relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (contingent event)πίπτω (aor. subj.): 'fall'; see v.33.
ἀπὸofpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θνησιμαίωνcarcassesGenitivepartitive genitive→ relational specificationθνησιμαῖον: 'carcass'; see v.8.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their.'
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + accusative (resuming relative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (resuming relative).
αὐτόitAccusativeresumptive pronoun→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. neut. sg.): 'it'; resumes the relative.
ἀκάθαρτονuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ predictive future (resulting state)εἰμί (fut.): 'be.'
κλίβανοιovensNominativesubject (of καθαιρεθήσονται)→ participant prominenceκλίβανος: 'oven / furnace'; renders Hebrew תַּנּוּר; a clay baking-oven, a fixed installation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κυθρόποδεςstove-standsNominativesubject (coordinate with κλίβανοι)→ participant prominenceκυθρόπους (= χυτρόπους, nom. pl. κυθρόποδες): 'pot-stand / stove' (χύτρα, 'pot' + πούς, 'foot'); renders Hebrew כִּירַיִם; a clay cooking-range or pot-support.
καθαιρεθήσονταιshall be torn downFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · καθαιρέωmain verb (prescribed demolition)→ imperatival future (commanded destruction)καθαιρέω (fut. pass. καθαιρεθήσονται): 'take down / demolish / destroy'; renders Hebrew נָתַץ; the irremediably-defiled clay installations must be broken down, as with the earthenware vessel of v.33.
ἀκάθαρταuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (verdict)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος (nom. neut. pl.): 'unclean.'
ταῦτάtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of verdict)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'these.'
ἐστινarePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (verdict clause)→ stative present (declared status)εἰμί: 'be.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκάθαρταuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (emphatic repetition)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean'; the doubled declaration underscores the permanence of the impurity.
ταῦταtheseNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'these.'
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): dative of reference.
ἔσονταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopula (future of settled status)→ future of settled status (legal declaration)εἰμί (fut. pl.): 'be.'
36
πλὴν πηγῶν ὑδάτων καὶ λάκκου καὶ συναγωγῆς ὕδατος ἔσται καθαρόν ὁ δὲ ἁπτόμενος τῶν θνησιμαίων αὐτῶν ἀκάθαρτος ἔσται
Only a spring of waters and a cistern and a gathering of water shall be clean; but the one who touches their carcasses shall be unclean.
πλήν ('only / except') introduces an exception: natural and stored water-sources — springs, cisterns, reservoirs — remain καθαρόν even if a carcass falls in, because the abundant flowing/collected water is not rendered impure the way a small vessel's contents are. Yet the person who handles the carcass itself is still defiled (the δέ-clause re-asserts the personal contagion).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
πλὴνonly / exceptadverb (introducing exception)→ clausal contributionπλήν: 'except / only'; see v.4; here introduces the exemption of water-sources.
πηγῶνspringsGenitivegenitive (of exception, with πλήν)→ relational specificationπηγή (gen. pl. πηγῶν): 'spring / fountain'; renders Hebrew מַעְיָן; a source of living (flowing) water.
ὑδάτωνof watersGenitivegenitive (defining: 'springs of waters')→ relational specificationὕδωρ (gen. pl. ὑδάτων): 'waters.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λάκκουcisternGenitivegenitive (of exception, coordinate)→ relational specificationλάκκος: 'cistern / pit / reservoir'; renders Hebrew בּוֹר; a dug water-store (the same word for the 'pit' into which Joseph was thrown, Gen 37:24 LXX).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
συναγωγῆςgathering / reservoirGenitivegenitive (of exception, coordinate)→ relational specificationσυναγωγή: 'gathering / collection'; here a collection of water (rendering Hebrew מִקְוֵה מַיִם); the same noun later denotes the assembly/synagogue, but here it is a reservoir.
ὕδατοςof waterGenitivegenitive (defining: 'gathering of water')→ relational specificationὕδωρ (gen. sg. ὕδατος): 'water.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ predictive future (declared state)εἰμί (fut.): 'be.'
καθαρόνcleanNominativepredicate adjective (verdict)→ participant prominenceκαθαρός: 'clean'; see v.32; the water-sources are exempted from defilement.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: the adversative re-asserts personal contagion despite the exemption of the water itself.
ἁπτόμενοςwho touchesPres Mid Part Nom Masc Sg · ἅπτομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ imperfective participle (whoever touches)ἅπτομαι: 'touch'; see v.24.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θνησιμαίωνcarcassesGenitivegenitive object of ἁπτόμενος→ relational specificationθνησιμαῖον: 'carcass'; see v.8.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their.'
ἀκάθαρτοςuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ predictive future (resulting state)εἰμί (fut.): 'be.'
37
ἐὰν δὲ ἐπιπέσῃ τῶν θνησιμαίων αὐτῶν ἐπὶ πᾶν σπέρμα σπόριμον ὃ σπαρήσεται καθαρὸν ἔσται
But if any of their carcasses falls upon any seed for sowing that is to be sown, it shall be clean.
Dry seed-grain intended for sowing (σπέρμα σπόριμον) is not defiled by a carcass falling on it — the contrast with v.38 (wetted seed) makes clear that the operative factor is moisture: dry seed is clean, moistened seed is not. The principle that water conducts impurity governs this whole sub-section (vv.34, 37–38).
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; introduces the conditional case.
δὲbutmild adversative (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: marks the contrast with the preceding contagion-cases.
ἐπιπέσῃfalls uponAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐπιπίπτωverb of protasis (conditional subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctive (contingent event)ἐπιπίπτω (aor. subj.): 'fall upon'; see v.32.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θνησιμαίωνcarcassesGenitivepartitive genitive (subject of ἐπιπέσῃ: 'any of their carcasses')→ relational specificationθνησιμαῖον: 'carcass'; the partitive genitive as subject is a Hebraizing construction ('[some] of their carcasses').
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their.'
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
πᾶνanyAccusativeadjective (modifying σπέρμα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'any / every.'
σπέρμαseedAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationσπέρμα: 'seed'; renders Hebrew זֶרַע; here seed-grain for planting.
σπόριμονfor sowingAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying σπέρμα)→ object specificationσπόριμος: 'sowable / for sowing' (from σπείρω); specifies seed kept dry for planting, not for eating.
ὃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of σπαρήσεται)→ participant referenceὅς (nom. neut. sg.): relative pronoun.
σπαρήσεταιis to be sownFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · σπείρωverb of relative clause (passive)→ predictive future (intended use)σπείρω (fut. pass. σπαρήσεται): 'sow / scatter seed'; the future passive defines the seed as destined for sowing, hence dry and uncontaminated.
καθαρὸνcleanNominativepredicate adjective (verdict)→ participant prominenceκαθαρός: 'clean'; see v.32; dry seed is exempt from defilement.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ predictive future (declared state)εἰμί (fut.): 'be.'
38
ἐὰν δὲ ἐπιχυθῇ ὕδωρ ἐπὶ πᾶν σπέρμα καὶ ἐπιπέσῃ τῶν θνησιμαίων αὐτῶν ἐπ᾿ αὐτό ἀκάθαρτόν ἐστιν ὑμῖν
But if water is poured upon any seed, and any of their carcasses falls upon it, it is unclean to you.
The explicit counter-case: once water has been poured on seed (ἐπιχυθῇ ὕδωρ), a falling carcass does defile it. The juxtaposition of vv.37–38 isolates moisture as the precise condition under which contagion is transmitted — the same logic as v.34.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if.'
δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: marks the contrast with v.37.
ἐπιχυθῇis poured uponAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ἐπιχέωverb of protasis (passive subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctive (contingent event)ἐπιχέω (aor. pass. subj. ἐπιχυθῇ): 'pour upon'; the wetting of the seed is the precondition that makes it susceptible to defilement.
ὕδωρwaterNominativesubject of ἐπιχυθῇ→ participant prominenceὕδωρ: 'water'; the conductor of contagion.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
πᾶνanyAccusativeadjective (modifying σπέρμα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'any.'
σπέρμαseedAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationσπέρμα: 'seed'; see v.37.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second protasis-clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιπέσῃfalls uponAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐπιπίπτωverb of protasis (conditional subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctive (contingent event)ἐπιπίπτω: 'fall upon'; see v.32.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θνησιμαίωνcarcassesGenitivepartitive genitive (subject of ἐπιπέσῃ)→ relational specificationθνησιμαῖον: 'carcass'; see v.37.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their.'
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
αὐτόitAccusativepronoun (the wetted seed)→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. neut. sg.): 'it'; refers to the moistened seed.
ἀκάθαρτόνuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (apodosis verdict)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean.'
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (apodosis)→ stative present (declared status)εἰμί: 'be.'
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): dative of reference.
39
ἐὰν δὲ ἀποθάνῃ τῶν κτηνῶν ὅ ἐστιν ὑμῖν τοῦτο φαγεῖν ὁ ἁπτόμενος τῶν θνησιμαίων αὐτῶν ἀκάθαρτος ἔσται ἕως ἑσπέρας
But if any of the beasts that you may eat dies, the one who touches its carcass shall be unclean until evening.
A crucial extension: even a clean (edible) animal, if it dies of itself (ἀποθάνῃ) rather than being properly slaughtered, becomes a defiling θνησιμαῖον. Its carcass conveys impurity by touch — the basis for the later distinction between slaughtered meat and נְבֵלָה (carrion), and for the apostolic decree's prohibition of πνικτόν / αἷμα (Acts 15:20, 29).
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if.'
δὲbutmild adversative (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: marks the new case — a clean animal.
ἀποθάνῃdiesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωverb of protasis (conditional subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctive (contingent event)ἀποθνῄσκω (aor. subj. ἀποθάνῃ): 'die'; here of an animal dying naturally (not slaughtered) — making even a clean beast a θνησιμαῖον (carrion).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτηνῶνbeastsGenitivepartitive genitive (subject of ἀποθάνῃ: 'one of the beasts')→ relational specificationκτῆνος: 'beast'; the partitive genitive as subject — 'one of the [clean] livestock.'
ὅwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐστιν)→ participant referenceὅς (nom. neut. sg. ὅ): relative pronoun, defining the clean beasts.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (with infinitive: 'which is [permitted] to you to eat')→ stative present (permission)εἰμί: 'be'; ἐστιν ὑμῖν … φαγεῖν = 'which is for you to eat' (i.e. permitted).
ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of advantage/possession→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): 'for you'; the dative with the impersonal-permission construction.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (resumptive)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; resumes the relative ὅ — Hebraizing redundancy.
φαγεῖνto eatAor Act Inf · ἐσθίωepexegetic infinitive (with ἐστιν: 'to eat')→ aorist infinitive (the permitted act)ἐσθίω (aor. inf. φαγεῖν): 'eat'; the epexegetic infinitive completes the permission-construction — 'which is yours to eat.'
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁπτόμενοςwho touchesPres Mid Part Nom Masc Sg · ἅπτομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ imperfective participle (whoever touches)ἅπτομαι: 'touch'; see v.24.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θνησιμαίωνcarcassGenitivegenitive object of ἁπτόμενος→ relational specificationθνησιμαῖον: 'carcass'; here the carcass of the clean animal that died of itself.
αὐτῶνitsGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'its / their.'
ἀκάθαρτοςuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (duration of impurity)→ predictive future (duration of impurity)εἰμί (fut.): 'be.'
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until.'
ἑσπέραςeveningGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (temporal)→ relational specificationἑσπέρα: 'evening'; see v.24.
40
καὶ ὁ ἐσθίων ἀπὸ τῶν θνησιμαίων τούτων πλυνεῖ τὰ ἱμάτια καὶ ἀκάθαρτος ἔσται ἕως ἑσπέρας καὶ ὁ αἴρων ἀπὸ θνησιμαίων αὐτῶν πλυνεῖ τὰ ἱμάτια καὶ λούσεται ὕδατι καὶ ἀκάθαρτος ἔσται ἕως ἑσπέρας
And the one who eats of these carcasses shall wash his garments and be unclean until evening; and the one who carries any of their carcasses shall wash his garments and bathe in water and be unclean until evening.
Closing the carcass-section: eating carrion (ὁ ἐσθίων) requires laundering; carrying it (ὁ αἴρων) requires both laundering and bodily bathing (λούσεται ὕδατι) — the fullest purification short of the irremediable cases. The pairing of πλύνω (launder clothes) and λούω (bathe the body) is the standard two-stage cleansing of OT purity law.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐσθίωνwho eatsPres Act Part Nom Masc Sg · ἐσθίωsubstantival participle (subject)→ imperfective participle (whoever eats)ἐσθίω (pres. act. part.): 'eat'; one who eats carrion — itself a transgression — also contracts contagion requiring laundering.
ἀπὸofpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θνησιμαίωνcarcassesGenitivepartitive genitive→ relational specificationθνησιμαῖον: 'carcass'; see v.8.
τούτωνtheseGenitivedemonstrative pronoun (attributive)→ relational specificationοὗτος (gen. pl. τούτων): 'these'; the carcasses just discussed.
πλυνεῖshall washFut Act Indic 3 Sg · πλύνωmain verb (required cleansing act)→ imperatival future (commanded laundering)πλύνω: 'launder'; see v.25.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱμάτιαgarmentsAccusativedirect object of πλυνεῖ→ object specificationἱμάτιον: 'garment'; see v.25.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκάθαρτοςuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (duration of impurity)→ predictive future (duration of impurity)εἰμί (fut.): 'be.'
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until.'
ἑσπέραςeveningGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (temporal)→ relational specificationἑσπέρα: 'evening'; see v.24.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἴρωνwho carriesPres Act Part Nom Masc Sg · αἴρωsubstantival participle (subject)→ imperfective participle (whoever carries)αἴρω: 'carry / take up'; see v.25.
ἀπὸofpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (partitive).
θνησιμαίωνcarcassesGenitivepartitive genitive→ relational specificationθνησιμαῖον: 'carcass'; see v.8.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their.'
πλυνεῖshall washFut Act Indic 3 Sg · πλύνωmain verb (required cleansing act)→ imperatival future (commanded laundering)πλύνω: 'launder'; see v.25.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱμάτιαgarmentsAccusativedirect object of πλυνεῖ→ object specificationἱμάτιον: 'garment'; see v.25.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λούσεταιshall batheFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · λούωmain verb (required bodily cleansing)→ imperatival future (commanded bathing)λούω (mid. λούσεται): 'bathe / wash the body'; renders Hebrew רָחַץ; distinct from πλύνω (launder clothing); the two together form the full purification; cf. the NT play on λούω/καθαρός at John 13:10.
ὕδατιwith waterDativedative of instrument (means of bathing)→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ (dat. sg. ὕδατι): 'water'; instrumental dative — bathing by means of water.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκάθαρτοςuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος: 'unclean.'
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (duration of impurity)→ predictive future (duration of impurity)εἰμί (fut.): 'be.'
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal limit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until.'
ἑσπέραςeveningGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (temporal)→ relational specificationἑσπέρα: 'evening'; see v.24.
41
καὶ πᾶν ἑρπετόν ὃ ἕρπει ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς βδέλυγμα τοῦτο ἔσται ὑμῖν οὐ βρωθήσεται
And every swarming thing that creeps upon the earth — this shall be an abomination to you; it shall not be eaten.
After the contagion-digression, the chapter returns to diet with a sweeping prohibition: every ground-swarmer is βδέλυγμα and not to be eaten. The cognate figure ἑρπετόν … ἕρπει ('swarmer that swarms') recurs from v.29. This sets up the climactic holiness rationale of vv.43–45.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶνeveryNominativeadjective (modifying ἑρπετόν)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every.'
ἑρπετόνswarming thingNominativesubject (antecedent of relative)→ participant prominenceἑρπετόν: 'swarming/creeping thing'; see v.20.
ὃwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἕρπει)→ participant referenceὅς (nom. neut. sg.): relative pronoun.
ἕρπειcreepsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἕρπωverb of relative clause→ customary present (habitual locomotion)ἕρπω: 'creep / crawl'; cognate with ἑρπετόν — see v.29.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (locative)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth.'
βδέλυγμαabominationNominativepredicate nominative (verdict)→ participant prominenceβδέλυγμα: 'abomination'; see v.10.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject of verdict, resuming ἑρπετόν)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; resumes the subject.
ἔσταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (future declaration)→ future of settled status (legal declaration)εἰμί (fut.): 'be.'
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): dative of reference.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βρωθήσεταιshall be eatenFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · βιβρώσκωmain verb (prohibition, passive)→ prohibitive future (legal interdiction)βιβρώσκω (fut. pass.): 'be eaten'; see v.13; the impersonal prohibition.
42
καὶ πᾶς ὁ πορευόμενος ἐπὶ κοιλίας καὶ πᾶς ὁ πορευόμενος ἐπὶ τέσσαρα διὰ παντός ὃ πολυπληθεῖ ποσὶν ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἑρπετοῖς τοῖς ἕρπουσιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς οὐ φάγεσθε αὐτό ὅτι βδέλυγμα ὑμῖν ἐστιν
And everything that goes on its belly, and everything that always goes on four feet, and whatever has many feet among all the swarming things that creep upon the earth — you shall not eat it, for it is an abomination to you.
The prohibition is itemised by mode of locomotion: belly-crawlers (snakes/worms), four-footed swarmers, and many-footed creatures (πολυπληθεῖ ποσίν, centipedes and the like). The threefold listing exhausts the swarming domain. The 'belly'-crawler (ἐπὶ κοιλίας) recalls the serpent's curse at Gen 3:14, lending the swarmers a faint association with the primal curse.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςeverythingNominativesubject (with substantival participle)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'everything.'
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πορευόμενοςthat goesPres Mid Part Nom Masc Sg · πορεύομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ imperfective participle (characteristic locomotion)πορεύομαι (pres. part.): 'go'; here 'that goes on its belly' — the crawling serpent/worm.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (manner)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (manner).
κοιλίαςbellyGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί ('on its belly')→ relational specificationκοιλία: 'belly / stomach'; renders Hebrew גָּחוֹן; ἐπὶ κοιλίας ('on the belly') echoes the serpent's curse of Gen 3:14 (ἐπὶ τῷ στήθει σου καὶ τῇ κοιλίᾳ).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶςeverythingNominativesubject (with substantival participle)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'everything.'
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πορευόμενοςthat goesPres Mid Part Nom Masc Sg · πορεύομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ imperfective participle (characteristic locomotion)πορεύομαι (pres. part.): 'go'; here 'that goes on four [feet].'
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (manner)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (manner).
τέσσαραfourAccusativenumeral (object of ἐπί: 'on four')→ measure or countτέσσαρες (acc. neut. τέσσαρα): 'four'; see v.20.
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (in the idiom διὰ παντός, 'continually')→ spatial or relational framingδιά: in διὰ παντός ('continually / always'), an adverbial idiom.
παντόςall / alwaysGenitivegenitive (in the temporal idiom διὰ παντός)→ relational specificationπᾶς (gen. sg. παντός): 'all'; διὰ παντός = 'continually / at all times'; modifies the habitual crawling.
ὃwhateverNominativerelative pronoun (subject of πολυπληθεῖ)→ participant referenceὅς (nom. neut. sg.): relative pronoun, 'whatever.'
πολυπληθεῖhas manyPres Act Indic 3 Sg · πολυπληθέωverb of relative clause ('is many in feet')→ stative present (characteristic feature)πολυπληθέω: 'be very numerous / abound' (πολύς + πλῆθος); with ποσίν ('in feet') = 'has many feet' — the many-legged creatures (centipedes, millipedes).
ποσὶνin feetDativedative of respect (with πολυπληθεῖ: 'many in feet')→ sphere or referenceπούς (dat. pl. ποσίν): 'foot'; dative of respect — abounding with respect to feet.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (sphere)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere).
πᾶσινallDativeadjective (modifying ἑρπετοῖς)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς (dat. pl.): 'all.'
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑρπετοῖςswarming thingsDativedative object of ἐν (sphere)→ sphere or referenceἑρπετόν (dat. pl.): 'swarming things'; see v.20.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (attributive, with ἕρπουσιν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἕρπουσινthat creepPres Act Part Dat Neut Pl · ἕρπωattributive participle (modifying ἑρπετοῖς)→ imperfective participle (characteristic locomotion)ἕρπω (pres. part., dat. pl.): 'creep'; cognate with ἑρπετόν — see v.29.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (locative)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth.'
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (prohibition)→ prohibitive future (legal interdiction)ἐσθίω (fut. mid.): 'eat'; categorical prohibition.
αὐτόitAccusativedirect object of φάγεσθε→ participant referenceαὐτός (acc. neut. sg.): 'it'; the swarming creature.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; gives the reason — its abominable status.
βδέλυγμαabominationNominativepredicate nominative (causal clause)→ participant prominenceβδέλυγμα: 'abomination'; see v.10.
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. pl.): dative of reference.
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (causal clause)→ stative present (declared status)εἰμί: 'be.'
43
καὶ οὐ μὴ βδελύξητε τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ἑρπετοῖς τοῖς ἕρπουσιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς καὶ οὐ μιανθήσεσθε ἐν τούτοις καὶ οὐκ ἀκάθαρτοι ἔσεσθε ἐν αὐτοῖς
And you shall not make your souls abominable with any of the swarming things that creep upon the earth, and you shall not be defiled by them, nor become unclean by them.
The emphatic οὐ μὴ + subjunctive ('you shall by no means') warns against self-pollution of the ψυχή ('soul / self') through the swarmers. The three negated verbs — βδελύξητε / μιανθήσεσθε / ἀκάθαρτοι ἔσεσθε — chain together abomination, defilement, and uncleanness, building directly to the ὅτι-clause of v.44 that grounds the whole law in God's holiness.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegative particle (emphatic with μή)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ μή: the double negative + aorist subjunctive expresses the strongest prohibition ('you shall by no means').
μὴnotnegative particle (emphatic with οὐ)→ discourse linkage or contrastμὴ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βδελύξητεyou make abominableAor Act Subj 2 Pl · βδελύσσωmain verb (emphatic prohibition with οὐ μή)→ aorist subjunctive of prohibition (categorical interdiction)βδελύσσω (act.): 'make detestable / render abominable'; the active (here) means 'make abominable', i.e. defile oneself; the reflexive object τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν makes the warning self-directed.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχὰςsouls / selvesAccusativedirect object of βδελύξητε (reflexive: 'yourselves')→ object specificationψυχή (acc. pl. ψυχάς): 'soul / self / life'; renders Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ; τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν is reflexive ('yourselves') — to eat the abominable is to make one's very self detestable.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl. ὑμῶν): 'your.'
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental).
πᾶσιanyDativeadjective (modifying ἑρπετοῖς)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς (dat. pl. πᾶσι): 'all / any.'
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑρπετοῖςswarming thingsDativedative object of ἐν (instrumental)→ sphere or referenceἑρπετόν (dat. pl.): 'swarming things'; see v.20.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (attributive, with ἕρπουσιν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἕρπουσινthat creepPres Act Part Dat Neut Pl · ἕρπωattributive participle (modifying ἑρπετοῖς)→ imperfective participle (characteristic locomotion)ἕρπω (pres. part., dat. pl.): 'creep'; see v.29.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (locative)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μιανθήσεσθεyou shall be defiledFut Pass Indic 2 Pl · μιαίνωmain verb (prohibitive future, passive)→ prohibitive future (commanded avoidance of defilement)μιαίνω (fut. pass.): 'be defiled'; see v.24.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (instrumental)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental).
τούτοιςtheseDativedemonstrative pronoun (dative object of ἐν)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος (dat. pl. τούτοις): 'these.'
καὶnor / andcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'nor'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκάθαρτοιuncleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσεσθε)→ participant prominenceἀκάθαρτος (nom. masc. pl.): 'unclean'; here of persons.
ἔσεσθεyou shall beFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίcopula (prohibitive future)→ prohibitive future (commanded avoidance)εἰμί (fut. 2 pl. ἔσεσθε): 'be'; the same form that anchors the holiness command of vv.44–45 (ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε).
ἐνbypreposition + dative (instrumental)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental).
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative object of ἐν (instrumental)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. pl. αὐτοῖς): 'them'; the swarming creatures.
44
ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν καὶ ἁγιασθήσεσθε καὶ ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε ὅτι ἅγιός εἰμι ἐγὼ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν καὶ οὐ μιανεῖτε τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ἑρπετοῖς τοῖς κινουμένοις ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς
For I am the LORD your God; and you shall sanctify yourselves and be holy, because I am holy, I the LORD your God; and you shall not defile your souls with any of the swarming things that move upon the earth.
The chapter's theological summit. The dietary distinctions are grounded not in hygiene or biology but in the very being of God: ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε ὅτι ἅγιός εἰμι ἐγὼ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν ('you shall be holy, for I am holy, I the LORD your God'). The self-predication ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος frames both ends. This verse is quoted at 1 Pet 1:16 (ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε, ὅτι ἐγὼ ἅγιος) as the abiding ground of Christian sanctification — even as the NT releases the food laws themselves (Mark 7:19; Acts 10:9–16; Rom 14). Israel's holiness is to be like God's: imitative, derivative, and total.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
ὅτιforcausal conjunction (grounding the whole prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the theological ground of the entire dietary law — the divine self-identification.
ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic personal pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic pronoun heads the self-predication formula ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος ('I am the LORD'), rendering Hebrew אֲנִי יהוה, the signature self-revelation of the Holiness Code (Lev 17–26).
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula (divine self-predication)→ stative present (timeless divine self-identification)εἰμί (1 sg. εἰμι): 'be'; ἐγώ εἰμι echoes the divine name-revelation of Exod 3:14 (ἐγώ εἰμι ὁ ὤν); the self-identification formula authorises the entire law.
κύριοςLORDNominativepredicate nominative (the divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the covenant name grounding the holiness demand.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativepredicate nominative (in apposition to κύριος)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders Hebrew אֱלֹהִים; κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν ('the LORD your God') binds the divine name to the covenant relationship with Israel.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship ('your God')→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl.): 'your'; the covenant possessive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the command)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἁγιασθήσεσθεyou shall be sanctifiedFut Pass Indic 2 Pl · ἁγιάζωmain verb (imperatival future, passive/reflexive)→ imperatival future (commanded consecration)ἁγιάζω (fut. pass. ἁγιασθήσεσθε): 'sanctify / make holy / consecrate'; renders Hebrew הִתְקַדֵּשׁ (Hithpael, 'consecrate yourselves'); the passive carries reflexive force — Israel is to set itself apart in response to God's holiness.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἅγιοιholyNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσεσθε)→ participant prominenceἅγιος (nom. masc. pl.): 'holy / set apart'; renders Hebrew קָדוֹשׁ; ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε ('you shall be holy') is the headline imperative of the verse, quoted at 1 Pet 1:16.
ἔσεσθεyou shall beFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίcopula (imperatival future)→ imperatival future (commanded state of holiness)εἰμί (fut. 2 pl.): 'be'; ἅγιοι ἔσεσθε — the imperatival future commands an enduring state, not a single act; 1 Pet 1:16 cites this exact phrase.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (grounding the holiness command)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; the imitatio Dei logic — Israel's holiness is grounded in and patterned on God's own holiness.
ἅγιόςholyNominativepredicate adjective (with εἰμι)→ participant prominenceἅγιος (nom. masc. sg.): 'holy'; the divine self-predication ἅγιός εἰμι ἐγώ ('I am holy') is the ground of Israel's holiness; 1 Pet 1:16 renders it ὅτι ἐγὼ ἅγιος.
εἰμιI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula (divine self-predication of holiness)→ stative present (timeless divine attribute)εἰμί (1 sg.): 'be'; the timeless present declares God's essential, unchanging holiness.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic personal pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic pronoun reinforces the self-identification, repeated as a frame around the holiness command.
κύριοςLORDNominativepredicate nominative (the divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; repeated to seal the holiness rationale.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativepredicate nominative (in apposition)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the full title κύριος ὁ θεὸς ὑμῶν repeated, framing the command.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl.): 'your.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μιανεῖτεyou shall defileFut Act Indic 2 Pl · μιαίνωmain verb (prohibitive future, active)→ prohibitive future (commanded avoidance of self-defilement)μιαίνω (fut. act. μιανεῖτε): 'defile'; the active with the reflexive object τὰς ψυχὰς ὑμῶν — 'you shall not defile yourselves'; recalls the warning of v.43.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχὰςsouls / selvesAccusativedirect object of μιανεῖτε (reflexive)→ object specificationψυχή (acc. pl.): 'soul / self'; reflexive — 'yourselves'; see v.43.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl.): 'your.'
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (instrumental).
πᾶσινanyDativeadjective (modifying ἑρπετοῖς)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς (dat. pl.): 'all / any.'
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑρπετοῖςswarming thingsDativedative object of ἐν (instrumental)→ sphere or referenceἑρπετόν (dat. pl.): 'swarming things'; see v.20.
τοῖςtheDativearticle (attributive, with κινουμένοις)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κινουμένοιςthat movePres Mid Part Dat Neut Pl · κινέωattributive participle (modifying ἑρπετοῖς)→ imperfective participle (characteristic movement)κινέω (pres. mid. part., dat. pl.): 'move / stir'; here a variation on ἕρπω ('creep') for the swarmers' movement; renders Hebrew רָמַשׂ ('move / creep').
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (locative)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth.'
45
ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος ὁ ἀναγαγὼν ὑμᾶς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου εἶναι ὑμῶν θεός καὶ ἔσεσθε ἅγιοι ὅτι ἅγιός εἰμι ἐγὼ κύριος
For I am the LORD who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God; and you shall be holy, because I am holy, I the LORD.
The holiness command is now grounded in the redemptive act: ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος ὁ ἀναγαγὼν ὑμᾶς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου ('I am the LORD who brought you up out of Egypt'). Holiness is the goal (εἶναι ὑμῶν θεός, 'to be your God') and the response to redemption — the same logic Peter applies to the redeemed church (1 Pet 1:15–19, where holiness follows from being ransomed). The verse closes the unit with the holiness refrain a second time (ἔσεσθε ἅγιοι ὅτι ἅγιός εἰμι ἐγὼ κύριος).
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; grounds the holiness demand in the exodus deliverance.
ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic personal pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic pronoun; the self-predication formula again (cf. v.44).
εἰμιamPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula (divine self-predication)→ stative present (timeless self-identification)εἰμί (1 sg.): 'be'; ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος, the covenant self-revelation.
κύριοςLORDNominativepredicate nominative (the divine name)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle ἀναγαγών)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀναγαγὼνwho brought upAor Act Part Nom Masc Sg · ἀνάγωsubstantival participle (in apposition to κύριος: 'the one who brought up')→ constative aorist participle (the completed exodus deliverance)ἀνάγω (aor. act. part. ἀναγαγών): 'bring up / lead up'; the exodus-deliverance formula ὁ ἀναγαγὼν ὑμᾶς ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου ('who brought you up out of Egypt'); the same verb used earlier in the prosaic sense 'bring up the cud' (vv.3–7) is here elevated to the great salvation-historical 'bringing up' from Egypt.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object of ἀναγαγών→ participant referenceσύ (acc. pl. ὑμᾶς): 'you'; the redeemed people.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'out of / from'; marks the place of deliverance.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (source)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; ἐκ γῆς Αἰγύπτου ('from the land of Egypt') is the standard exodus formula.
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive (defining: 'land of Egypt')→ relational specificationΑἴγυπτος (gen. Αἰγύπτου): standard LXX form of Hebrew מִצְרַיִם; here declined as a regular second-declension noun.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive of purpose ('in order to be your God')→ imperfective infinitive (purpose of the deliverance)εἰμί (pres. inf. εἶναι): 'be'; the purpose-infinitive states the goal of the exodus — covenant relationship, 'to be your God'; cf. the covenant formula of Exod 6:7; Lev 26:12.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship (predicate: 'your God')→ relational specificationσύ (gen. pl.): 'your.'
θεόςGodNominativepredicate nominative (with εἶναι: 'to be God')→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the purpose of redemption is the covenant bond ('to be your God').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the command)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσεσθεyou shall beFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · εἰμίcopula (imperatival future)→ imperatival future (commanded state of holiness)εἰμί (fut. 2 pl.): 'be'; ἔσεσθε ἅγιοι — the holiness command repeated (cf. v.44).
ἅγιοιholyNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσεσθε)→ participant prominenceἅγιος (nom. masc. pl.): 'holy'; see v.44; the refrain quoted at 1 Pet 1:16.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (grounding holiness in God's holiness)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; the imitatio Dei ground, as in v.44.
ἅγιόςholyNominativepredicate adjective (with εἰμι)→ participant prominenceἅγιος (nom. masc. sg.): 'holy'; the divine self-predication of holiness.
εἰμιI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula (divine self-predication of holiness)→ stative present (timeless divine attribute)εἰμί (1 sg.): 'be'; declares God's essential holiness.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic personal pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic pronoun closing the holiness refrain.
κύριοςLORDNominativepredicate nominative (the divine name, sealing the unit)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the chapter's holiness section closes, as it opened, on the divine name.
46
οὗτος ὁ νόμος περὶ τῶν κτηνῶν καὶ τῶν πετεινῶν καὶ πάσης ψυχῆς τῆς κινουμένης ἐν τῷ ὕδατι καὶ πάσης ψυχῆς ἑρπούσης ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς
This is the law concerning the beasts and the birds and every living thing that moves in the water and every living thing that creeps upon the earth,
The summarising subscription οὗτος ὁ νόμος ('this is the law', rendering Hebrew זֹאת תּוֹרַת) gathers the chapter's four domains — beasts, birds, water-creatures, ground-swarmers — into a single Torah of clean and unclean. The colophon formula is characteristic of Leviticus (cf. 6:9; 7:1; 14:54), marking the close of a legal unit.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative pronoun (subject)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the colophon-opening, pointing back over the whole chapter.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with νόμος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νόμοςlawNominativepredicate nominative (subscription)→ participant prominenceνόμος: 'law / instruction'; renders Hebrew תּוֹרָה; οὗτος ὁ νόμος is the standard Levitical colophon formula closing a legal section.
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (topic)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + genitive: 'concerning / about'; introduces the law's subject-matter.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κτηνῶνbeastsGenitivegenitive object of περί (first domain: land animals)→ relational specificationκτῆνος: 'beast'; the land-animal domain (vv.2–8).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ 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.
πετεινῶνbirdsGenitivegenitive object of περί (second domain: birds)→ relational specificationπετεινόν: 'bird'; the bird domain (vv.13–19).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάσηςeveryGenitiveadjective (modifying ψυχῆς)→ relational specificationπᾶς (gen. fem. sg. πάσης): 'every.'
ψυχῆςliving thingGenitivegenitive object of περί (third domain: water-creatures)→ relational specificationψυχή: 'soul / living creature'; see v.10; the water-domain (vv.9–12).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (attributive, with κινουμένης)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κινουμένηςthat movesPres Mid Part Gen Fem Sg · κινέωattributive participle (modifying ψυχῆς)→ imperfective participle (characteristic movement)κινέω (pres. mid. part., gen. fem. sg.): 'move'; the participle describes the water-creatures' movement; see v.44.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὕδατιwaterDativedative object of ἐν (locative)→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ: 'water.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πάσηςeveryGenitiveadjective (modifying ψυχῆς)→ relational specificationπᾶς (gen. fem. sg.): 'every.'
ψυχῆςliving thingGenitivegenitive object of περί (fourth domain: ground-swarmers)→ relational specificationψυχή: 'living creature'; the ground-swarmer domain (vv.29–43).
ἑρπούσηςthat creepsPres Act Part Gen Fem Sg · ἕρπωattributive participle (modifying ψυχῆς)→ imperfective participle (characteristic locomotion)ἕρπω (pres. act. part., gen. fem. sg.): 'creep'; see v.29; describes the ground-swarmers.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (locative).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (locative)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'earth.'
47
διαστεῖλαι ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν ἀκαθάρτων καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν καθαρῶν καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν ζωογονούντων τὰ ἐσθιόμενα καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν ζωογονούντων τὰ μὴ ἐσθιόμενα
to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the living creatures that are eaten and the living creatures that are not eaten.
The chapter ends on its governing purpose: διαστεῖλαι ('to make a distinction'), rendering Hebrew לְהַבְדִּיל — the same verb of separation used at creation (Gen 1:4 LXX, διεχώρισεν) and of the priestly task (Lev 10:10). The fourfold ἀνὰ μέσον ('between … and between') is a Hebraism (בֵּין … וּבֵין) structuring the clean/unclean and edible/inedible binaries. The capacity to discern these distinctions is itself the heart of Israel's vocation to holiness — the discernment that 1 Cor 10:25–26 and Rom 14 reframe for the church in Christ.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
διαστεῖλαιto make a distinctionAor Act Inf · διαστέλλωinfinitive of purpose (the goal of the law)→ aorist infinitive (purpose: the discriminating function)διαστέλλω (aor. inf. διαστεῖλαι): 'separate / distinguish / set apart'; renders Hebrew לְהַבְדִּיל ('to divide / distinguish'); the purpose-infinitive names the law's aim — discernment between holy and common, clean and unclean; the same vocabulary of separation belongs to creation (Gen 1) and to the priestly charge (Lev 10:10).
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (in the idiom ἀνὰ μέσον, 'between')→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: in the idiom ἀνὰ μέσον ('in the midst of / between'), a Hebraism rendering בֵּין.
μέσονthe midstAccusativeaccusative (in the prepositional idiom ἀνὰ μέσον)→ spatial or relational framingμέσος (acc. neut. μέσον): 'middle / midst'; ἀνὰ μέσον … καὶ ἀνὰ μέσον renders the Hebrew בֵּין … וּבֵין ('between … and between'), the standard idiom for distinguishing two categories.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀκαθάρτωνuncleanGenitivesubstantival adjective (genitive with ἀνὰ μέσον: 'the unclean')→ relational specificationἀκάθαρτος (gen. pl. ἀκαθάρτων): 'unclean'; the negative pole of the binary.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (in the idiom ἀνὰ μέσον)→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: see above.
μέσονthe midstAccusativeaccusative (in the prepositional idiom)→ spatial or relational framingμέσος: 'midst'; see above.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καθαρῶνcleanGenitivesubstantival adjective (genitive with ἀνὰ μέσον: 'the clean')→ relational specificationκαθαρός (gen. pl. καθαρῶν): 'clean'; the positive pole of the binary; see v.32.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (in the idiom ἀνὰ μέσον)→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: see above.
μέσονthe midstAccusativeaccusative (in the prepositional idiom)→ spatial or relational framingμέσος: 'midst'; see above.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (substantivizing ζωογονούντων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ζωογονούντωνliving creaturesPres Act Part Gen Neut Pl · ζωογονέωsubstantival participle (genitive with ἀνὰ μέσον: 'the living creatures')→ imperfective participle (the living things, as a class)ζωογονέω (pres. act. part.): 'bring forth alive / be a living creature' (ζῷον + γεννάω/γόνος); here substantivized for the living animals; the phrase τῶν ζωογονούντων τὰ ἐσθιόμενα = 'the living creatures, the ones that are eaten.'
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ἐσθιόμενα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐσθιόμεναthat are eatenPres Pass Part Acc Neut Pl · ἐσθίωsubstantival participle (in apposition: the edible creatures)→ imperfective participle (passive: the things [permitted to be] eaten)ἐσθίω (pres. pass. part. ἐσθιόμενα): 'be eaten'; τὰ ἐσθιόμενα ('the things eaten') specifies the edible creatures — the permitted class.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (in the idiom ἀνὰ μέσον)→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: see above.
μέσονthe midstAccusativeaccusative (in the prepositional idiom)→ spatial or relational framingμέσος: 'midst'; see above.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (substantivizing ζωογονούντων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ζωογονούντωνliving creaturesPres Act Part Gen Neut Pl · ζωογονέωsubstantival participle (genitive with ἀνὰ μέσον)→ imperfective participle (the living things, as a class)ζωογονέω (pres. act. part.): 'be a living creature'; see above; here the inedible class.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (with ἐσθιόμενα)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μὴnotnegative particle (with the participle ἐσθιόμενα)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: 'not'; the negative used with the participle (rather than οὐ) — τὰ μὴ ἐσθιόμενα ('the things not eaten'), the inedible class, closing the chapter on the clean/unclean binary.
ἐσθιόμεναthat are eatenPres Pass Part Acc Neut Pl · ἐσθίωsubstantival participle (the inedible creatures)→ imperfective participle (passive: the things [not permitted to be] eaten)ἐσθίω (pres. pass. part.): 'be eaten'; τὰ μὴ ἐσθιόμενα ('the things not eaten') — the forbidden class; the chapter's final word leaves Israel with the abiding task of discernment between what may and may not be eaten.