1
καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν λέγων
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:
The formula καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν λέγων is the recurrent Levitical introduction to divine legislation (cf. 4:1; 5:14; 6:1, etc.); the καί-parataxis and the redundant participle λέγων both reflect the Hebrew וַיְדַבֵּר יהוה … לֵאמֹר. Its placement here opens the Holiness Code (chs. 17–26).
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: renders the Hebrew waw-consecutive וַ; the paratactic 'and' chains the legislative units of Leviticus into a continuous divine discourse.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single completed speech-act)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דִּבֶּר (Piel of דבר); the aorist ἐλάλησεν introduces authoritative divine legislation; the formula recurs at every new oracle-unit in Leviticus.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the nominative subject of the speech-formula marks this as unmediated YHWH-speech delivered through Moses.
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 first/third-declension hybrid in Rahlfs' LXX (acc. Μωυσῆν); accusative here as the directional object of πρός.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple (pleonastic, introducing direct speech)→ imperfective participle (attendant circumstance: introducing quoted speech)λέγω: the redundant participle λέγων renders the Hebrew infinitive לֵאמֹר ('saying'), a Semitic quotation-marker; it adds nothing semantically beyond signalling that direct speech follows.
2
λάλησον πρὸς Ααρων καὶ πρὸς τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ καὶ πρὸς πάντας υἱοὺς Ισραηλ καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτούς τοῦτο τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐνετείλατο κύριος λέγων
Speak to Aaron and to his sons and to all the sons of Israel, and you shall say to them: This is the word which the LORD has commanded, saying:
The threefold address — Aaron, his sons (the priests), and all the sons of Israel — makes the blood-statute binding on priest and layperson alike. The double speech-verb λάλησον … καὶ ἐρεῖς and the citation-formula τοῦτο τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐνετείλατο κύριος frame what follows as direct, authoritative legislation.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
λάλησονspeakAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (divine imperative to Moses)→ ingressive aorist imperative (commissioned speech-act)λαλέω: 'speak'; the aorist imperative λάλησον renders דַּבֵּר (Piel imperative), framing the proclamation as a single decisive commissioned act.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΑαρωνAaronaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliteration of Hebrew אַהֲרֹן; indeclinable in the LXX; as high priest he heads the list of addressees, since the blood-statute bears directly on the cult he administers.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ααρων is the standard Levitical designation of the priests; renders בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Aaron's sons)→ relational specificationαὐτός: possessive genitive referring to Aaron.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying υἱοὺς Ισραηλ)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / every'; πάντας makes the address comprehensive — the statute binds the whole nation, not only the priesthood.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationυἱός: in the phrase υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ('sons of Israel') renders בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, the standard designation of the covenant people.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; here functions as an adnominal genitive with υἱούς.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐρεῖςyou shall sayFut Act Indic 2 Sg · λέγω (ἐρῶ)main verb (volitive future functioning as command)→ volitive future (command introducing the quoted statute)λέγω (fut. ἐρῶ): 'say'; the future indicative with imperatival force renders the Hebrew weqatal וְאָמַרְתָּ ('and you shall say'); it introduces the direct citation of the divine word.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
αὐτούςthemAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the addressees)→ participant referenceαὐτός: anaphoric personal pronoun, resuming Aaron, his sons, and all Israel.
τοῦτοthisNominativedemonstrative (predicate: 'this is the word')→ participant referenceοὗτος: the demonstrative τοῦτο points forward (cataphoric) to the statute about to be quoted; τοῦτο τὸ ῥῆμα renders זֶה הַדָּבָר.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαword / matterNominativesubject (predicate nominative with implied copula)→ participant prominenceῥῆμα: 'word / utterance / matter'; renders דָּבָר; in the LXX ῥῆμα often denotes a commanded matter or affair, here the divine statute that follows.
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐνετείλατο)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun, neuter accusative agreeing with ῥῆμα as the object of the commanding verb.
ἐνετείλατοcommandedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐντέλλομαιverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (authoritative legislative act)ἐντέλλομαι: 'command / give injunction'; deponent middle; renders צִוָּה (Piel of צוה); the standard LXX verb for divine commandment, stressing the binding authority of the statute.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐνετείλατο→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton; the divine name as subject grounds the statute's authority in YHWH himself.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · λέγωparticiple (pleonastic, introducing direct speech)→ imperfective participle (attendant circumstance: quotation-marker)λέγω: redundant participle rendering לֵאמֹר; introduces the quoted statute of vv. 3ff.
3
ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ ἢ τῶν προσηλύτων τῶν προσκειμένων ἐν ὑμῖν ὃς ἂν σφάξῃ μόσχον ἢ πρόβατον ἢ αἶγα ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ καὶ ὃς ἂν σφάξῃ ἔξω τῆς παρεμβολῆς
Any man whatsoever of the sons of Israel, or of the proselytes attached among you, who slaughters a calf or a sheep or a goat in the camp, or who slaughters outside the camp,
The doubled ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος renders the Hebrew distributive idiom אִישׁ אִישׁ ('any man whatsoever'), a hallmark of the Holiness Code (recurring at vv. 8, 10, 13). The two parallel relative clauses (ὃς ἂν σφάξῃ … ἐν τῇ παρεμβολῇ / … ἔξω τῆς παρεμβολῆς) set up the protasis whose apodosis falls in v. 4: any slaughter not brought to the tent incurs bloodguilt.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
ἄνθρωποςa manNominativesubject (first member of distributive doubling)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man / person'; renders אִישׁ; the doubling ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος (see next word) is the LXX's calque of the Hebrew distributive אִישׁ אִישׁ.
ἄνθρωποςany man whatsoeverNominativesubject (distributive doubling: 'any man at all')→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: the repeated noun forms the distributive idiom ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος = 'each and every man,' rendering אִישׁ אִישׁ; a characteristic Hebraism of Leviticus 17–22 marking the law's universal individual application.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (partitive genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivepartitive genitive ('any man of the sons of Israel')→ relational specificationυἱός: partitive genitive τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ identifies the man as a member of the covenant people.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; adnominal genitive with υἱῶν.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; introduces the second category of person bound by the law — the resident alien.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (partitive genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσηλύτωνproselytes / sojournersGenitivepartitive genitive (parallel to υἱῶν)→ relational specificationπροσήλυτος: lit. 'one who has come to (a place),' 'incomer / resident alien'; the standard LXX rendering of גֵּר; in the Holiness Code the proselyte is bound by the same cultic-ethical norms as the native Israelite (cf. vv. 8, 10, 12, 13, 15).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (attributive, with participle)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσκειμένωνattached / sojourningPres Mid/Pass Ptcp Gen Pl Masc · πρόσκειμαιattributive participle (modifying προσηλύτων)→ imperfective participle (ongoing state of attachment/residence)πρόσκειμαι: 'lie near / be attached to / adhere'; the participle οἱ προσκείμενοι ('those who are attached') renders הַגָּר ('the one who sojourns'); it describes the alien's settled residence among Israel.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (association)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (association).
ὑμῖνyouDativedative object of ἐν (2nd person plural)→ participant reference or interestσύ (pl.): 'you'; the phrase ἐν ὑμῖν ('among you') locates the proselyte within the Israelite community addressed.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of σφάξῃ)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun introducing the conditional-relative clause ὃς ἂν + subjunctive ('whoever').
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive in indefinite relative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: the modal particle generalizing the relative clause to 'whoever' (ὃς ἄν + subj.); renders the Hebrew אֲשֶׁר in a conditional sense.
σφάξῃslaughtersAor Act Subj 3 Sg · σφάζωverb of indefinite relative clause (protasis)→ aorist subjunctive (indefinite/conditional: 'whoever slaughters')σφάζω: 'slaughter / kill (by cutting the throat)'; renders שָׁחַט, the technical verb for ritual slaughter; the aorist subjunctive with ὃς ἄν frames a hypothetical individual case.
μόσχονcalf / oxAccusativedirect object of σφάξῃ→ object specificationμόσχος: 'calf / young bull / ox'; renders שׁוֹר; the first of the three clean sacrificial animals listed (ox, sheep, goat).
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πρόβατονsheepAccusativedirect object of σφάξῃ (alternative)→ object specificationπρόβατον: 'sheep'; renders כֶּשֶׂב / שֶׂה; the second sacrificial animal.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αἶγαgoatAccusativedirect object of σφάξῃ (alternative)→ object specificationαἴξ (acc. αἶγα): 'goat'; renders עֵז; the third sacrificial animal; the triad ox–sheep–goat covers the permissible domestic offerings.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῇcampDativedative of place (locative: 'in the camp')→ sphere or referenceπαρεμβολή: 'camp / encampment'; renders מַחֲנֶה; in the wilderness context the camp is the ordered space around the tent of meeting; slaughter 'in the camp' is contrasted with slaughter 'outside' it.
καὶorcoordinate conjunction (here disjunctive in force)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: though normally 'and,' here it joins the second relative clause as an alternative case ('or who slaughters outside'), reflecting the Hebrew waw.
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of second σφάξῃ)→ participant referenceὅς: introduces the parallel conditional-relative clause for slaughter outside the camp.
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: generalizing particle, as above.
σφάξῃslaughtersAor Act Subj 3 Sg · σφάζωverb of second indefinite relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (indefinite/conditional)σφάζω: as above; the repetition covers slaughter both inside and outside the camp, leaving no loophole.
ἔξωoutsideimproper preposition + genitive (place)→ spatial or relational framingἔξω: 'outside'; here governing the genitive τῆς παρεμβολῆς; renders מִחוּץ; designates slaughter in the open, away from the sanctuary.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῆςcampGenitivegenitive governed by ἔξω ('outside the camp')→ relational specificationπαρεμβολή: as above; ἔξω τῆς παρεμβολῆς ('outside the camp') marks the prohibited locus of profane open-field slaughter.
4
καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν θύραν τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου μὴ ἐνέγκῃ ὥστε ποιῆσαι αὐτὸ εἰς ὁλοκαύτωμα ἢ σωτήριον κυρίῳ δεκτὸν εἰς ὀσμὴν εὐωδίας καὶ ὃς ἂν σφάξῃ ἔξω καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν θύραν τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου μὴ ἐνέγκῃ αὐτὸ ὥστε μὴ προσενέγκαι δῶρον κυρίῳ ἀπέναντι τῆς σκηνῆς κυρίου καὶ λογισθήσεται τῷ ἀνθρώπῳ ἐκείνῳ αἷμα αἷμα ἐξέχεεν ἐξολεθρευθήσεται ἡ ψυχὴ ἐκείνη ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτῆς
and does not bring it to the door of the tent of meeting so as to offer it as a whole burnt offering or a peace offering to the LORD, acceptable for a sweet-smelling savor — and whoever slaughters outside and does not bring it to the door of the tent of meeting so as to present it as a gift to the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD — blood shall be reckoned to that man: he has shed blood; that life shall be cut off from its people.
The negated subjunctive μὴ ἐνέγκῃ completes the protasis (failure to bring the animal to the tent), and the apodosis falls in the climactic clause αἷμα … ἐξέχεεν ('he has shed blood') with the sentence ἐξολεθρευθήσεται ἡ ψυχὴ ἐκείνη ('that life shall be cut off'). The doubled αἷμα αἷμα (nom. of verdict + acc. with the verb) is a Hebraism: profane slaughter away from the altar is reckoned as murder.
Word-by-word analysis· 63 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (continuing the protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶtopreposition + accusative (direction toward)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'to / up to'; here of bringing the animal to the door of the tent.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύρανdoorAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (destination)→ object specificationθύρα: 'door / entrance'; ἡ θύρα τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου renders פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד ('the entrance of the tent of meeting'), the prescribed locus of legitimate sacrifice.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtentGenitivegenitive (of the tent)→ relational specificationσκηνή: 'tent / tabernacle'; renders אֹהֶל / מִשְׁכָּן; the σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου is the central sanctuary.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουof meeting / of witnessGenitivegenitive (defining the tent)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'testimony / witness'; the LXX renders מוֹעֵד ('meeting') by μαρτύριον ('witness'), apparently associating it with עֵדוּת ('testimony'); thus 'tent of meeting' becomes σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, the standard LXX designation.
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: negates the subjunctive ἐνέγκῃ in the conditional clause.
ἐνέγκῃhe bringsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · φέρωverb of negated conditional clause (completing protasis)→ aorist subjunctive (conditional, negated: 'and does not bring')φέρω (aor. ἤνεγκον): 'bring / carry'; renders הֵבִיא (Hiphil of בוא); the failure to bring the slaughtered animal to the tent is the offense that triggers the bloodguilt verdict.
ὥστεso as toconjunction introducing infinitive of purpose/result→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε: 'so as to / so that'; here with the infinitive ποιῆσαι expressing intended purpose of the bringing.
ποιῆσαιto make / offerAor Act Inf · ποιέωinfinitive of purpose (with ὥστε)→ aorist infinitive (purpose: to perform the sacrifice)ποιέω: 'make / do'; in cultic contexts 'offer / perform (a sacrifice)'; renders עָשָׂה; ποιῆσαι … εἰς ὁλοκαύτωμα = 'to offer it as a burnt offering.'
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of ποιῆσαι (the slaughtered animal)→ participant referenceαὐτός: neuter pronoun referring to the slaughtered animal.
εἰςas / forpreposition + accusative (predicative: 'as a burnt offering')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: predicative use, 'as / for,' a Hebraism rendering לְ; 'offer it as (εἰς) a burnt offering.'
ὁλοκαύτωμαwhole burnt offeringAccusativeaccusative (predicative complement of ποιῆσαι)→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωμα: 'whole burnt offering'; renders עֹלָה; the sacrifice wholly consumed on the altar; the first legitimate offering-type named.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σωτήριονpeace offeringAccusativeaccusative (predicative complement, alternative to ὁλοκαύτωμα)→ object specificationσωτήριον: lit. 'thing pertaining to salvation / deliverance'; the LXX's standard rendering of שְׁלָמִים ('peace / well-being offerings'); the shared sacrifice of communion with God.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of recipient (the offering is made to YHWH)→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat.): rendering of the Tetragrammaton; the dative marks YHWH as the sole legitimate recipient of the sacrifice.
δεκτὸνacceptableAccusativepredicate adjective (modifying the offering)→ object specificationδεκτός: 'acceptable / well-pleasing'; verbal adjective of δέχομαι; renders רָצוֹן / לְרָצוֹן; describes a sacrifice fit to be received with divine favor.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose/result)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose/result).
ὀσμὴνodor / savorAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationὀσμή: 'smell / odor'; ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας ('a smell of sweetness') renders רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ ('a soothing aroma'), the recurring sacrificial formula (cf. Gen 8:21; Lev 1:9).
εὐωδίαςof sweetness / fragranceGenitivegenitive of quality (modifying ὀσμήν)→ relational specificationεὐωδία: 'fragrance / sweet smell'; the genitive ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας is a Hebraizing construct ('odor of sweetness') for the pleasing aroma of acceptable sacrifice.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (resuming the parallel case)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὃςwhoeverNominativerelative pronoun (subject; resumes the outside-slaughter case)→ participant referenceὅς: introduces the parallel restatement for slaughter ἔξω ('outside'), reinforcing the comprehensiveness of the law.
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: generalizing particle.
σφάξῃslaughtersAor Act Subj 3 Sg · σφάζωverb of indefinite relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (indefinite/conditional)σφάζω: as in v. 3; here resuming the case of slaughter outside the sanctuary.
ἔξωoutsideadverb of place→ clausal contributionἔξω: 'outside'; here used absolutely (without τῆς παρεμβολῆς), 'outside (the camp).'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύρανdoorAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationθύρα: as above; the door of the tent of meeting.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtentGenitivegenitive→ relational specificationσκηνή: as above.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουof meetingGenitivegenitive (defining the tent)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: as above.
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμὴ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνέγκῃhe bringsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · φέρωverb of negated conditional clause→ aorist subjunctive (conditional, negated)φέρω: as above; the repeated 'does not bring it' restates the offense.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of ἐνέγκῃ→ participant referenceαὐτός: the slaughtered animal.
ὥστεso as toconjunction introducing infinitive (negated purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastὥστε: with μὴ προσενέγκαι, 'so as not to present.'
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμὴ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσενέγκαιto present / offerAor Act Inf · προσφέρωinfinitive (with ὥστε μή: negated purpose)→ aorist infinitive (purpose: to present the gift)προσφέρω: 'bring to / present / offer'; the technical cultic verb for presenting an offering, rendering הִקְרִיב (Hiphil of קרב); the compound προσ- stresses approach to the altar.
δῶρονgift / offeringAccusativedirect object of προσενέγκαι→ object specificationδῶρον: 'gift / offering'; renders קָרְבָּן ('that which is brought near'); the general term for a sacrificial gift presented to YHWH.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of recipient→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat.): rendering of the Tetragrammaton; the legitimate recipient of the δῶρον.
ἀπέναντιbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (place)→ spatial or relational framingἀπέναντι: 'opposite / before / in front of'; renders לִפְנֵי; locates the legitimate offering 'before the tabernacle of the LORD.'
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtabernacle / tentGenitivegenitive governed by ἀπέναντι→ relational specificationσκηνή: as above; ἀπέναντι τῆς σκηνῆς κυρίου = 'before the tabernacle of the LORD.'
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (the LORD's tabernacle)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen.): rendering of the Tetragrammaton; possessive genitive.
καὶthenapodotic conjunction (introducing the apodosis/verdict)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here apodotic, rendering the Hebrew apodosis-waw; introduces the legal consequence ('then blood shall be reckoned...').
λογισθήσεταιshall be reckonedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · λογίζομαιmain verb of apodosis (juridical reckoning)→ predictive/legal future (the verdict imposed)λογίζομαι: 'reckon / count / impute'; renders חָשַׁב (Niphal); the juridical passive λογισθήσεται … αἷμα ('blood shall be reckoned [to him]') treats illicit slaughter as the legal equivalent of bloodguilt; the same verb undergirds the imputation language of Gen 15:6 and Rom 4.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνθρώπῳmanDativedative of disadvantage (the one charged with bloodguilt)→ sphere or referenceἄνθρωπος (dat.): 'to the man'; the dative of (dis)advantage marks the offender to whom bloodguilt is imputed.
ἐκείνῳthatDativedemonstrative (modifying ἀνθρώπῳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the demonstrative singles out the specific offender of the protasis.
αἷμαblood (-guilt)Nominativesubject of λογισθήσεται ('blood shall be reckoned')→ participant prominenceαἷμα: 'blood'; here in the extended sense 'bloodguilt / liability for bloodshed'; renders דָּם in its legal-culpability sense; profane slaughter is charged as if it were murder.
αἷμαbloodAccusativedirect object of ἐξέχεεν (cognate-type accusative)→ object specificationαἷμα: the second αἷμα is the object of ἐξέχεεν ('he has shed blood'); the juxtaposition αἷμα αἷμα ἐξέχεεν is a Hebraism (דָּם … דָּם שָׁפָךְ) emphatically declaring the offender a shedder of blood.
ἐξέχεενhe has shedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκχέωmain verb (declarative verdict)→ constative aorist (declarative: the deed is treated as accomplished bloodshed)ἐκχέω: 'pour out / shed'; renders שָׁפַךְ; αἷμα ἐξέχεεν ('he has shed blood') is the standard idiom for murder/bloodguilt (cf. Gen 9:6); illicit slaughter is here equated with it.
ἐξολεθρευθήσεταιshall be utterly cut offFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐξολεθρεύωmain verb (the karet-penalty)→ predictive future (decreed penalty: extirpation from the people)ἐξολεθρεύω (also spelled ἐξολοθρεύω): 'destroy utterly / extirpate'; the LXX's rendering of the karet-formula נִכְרַת ('be cut off'), Niphal of כרת; the passive ἐξολεθρευθήσεται denotes removal from the covenant community — whether by death, excommunication, or divine act; recurs at vv. 9, 14.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχὴlife / soul / personNominativesubject of ἐξολεθρευθήσεται→ participant prominenceψυχή: 'life / soul / living person'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; in the karet-formula ἡ ψυχὴ ἐκείνη ('that person/life') the term denotes the individual as a living being; this concrete Hebraic sense of ψυχή is foundational for the blood-rationale of vv. 11, 14.
ἐκείνηthatNominativedemonstrative (modifying ψυχή)→ participant prominenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; singles out the offending individual.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'from / out of'; marks the separation of the offender from the covenant community.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (separation: 'from its people')→ relational specificationλαός: 'people'; renders עַם; the covenant community from which the offender is cut off.
αὐτῆςits / herGenitivegenitive of possession (agreeing with ψυχή, fem.)→ relational specificationαὐτός: the feminine αὐτῆς agrees grammatically with ψυχή ('that life ... from its [own] people').
5
ὅπως ἀναφέρωσιν οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ τὰς θυσίας αὐτῶν ὅσας ἂν αὐτοὶ σφάξουσιν ἐν τοῖς πεδίοις καὶ οἴσουσιν τῷ κυρίῳ ἐπὶ τὰς θύρας τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου πρὸς τὸν ἱερέα καὶ θύσουσιν θυσίαν σωτηρίου τῷ κυρίῳ αὐτά
so that the sons of Israel may bring their sacrifices, all that they slaughter in the open fields, and may bring them to the LORD to the doors of the tent of meeting, to the priest, and they shall sacrifice them as a peace offering to the LORD.
ὅπως + subjunctive states the rationale of vv. 3–4: the law against open-field slaughter exists so that Israel will instead bring its sacrifices to the priest at the tent. The shift from subjunctive ἀναφέρωσιν to the futures σφάξουσιν / οἴσουσιν / θύσουσιν reflects the LXX's loose handling of mood in subordinate clauses; the field (ἐν τοῖς πεδίοις) is the very site of illicit cult condemned in v. 7.
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
ὅπωςso thatconjunction introducing purpose clause (+ subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅπως: 'so that / in order that'; with the subjunctive expresses the purpose of the foregoing prohibition; renders לְמַעַן.
ἀναφέρωσινthey may bring / offer upPres Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀναφέρωverb of purpose clause→ imperfective subjunctive (purpose: continual practice)ἀναφέρω: 'bring up / offer (on the altar)'; renders הֶעֱלָה / הֵבִיא; a technical sacrificial verb (the ἀνά- 'up' suiting the altar); the purpose is that Israel habitually bring its offerings to the sanctuary.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἀναφέρωσιν→ participant prominenceυἱός: οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ, the covenant people as the subject of the legitimate cult.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; adnominal genitive with υἱοί.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσίαςsacrificesAccusativedirect object of ἀναφέρωσιν→ object specificationθυσία: 'sacrifice / offering'; renders זֶבַח; the general term for slaughtered offerings now to be centralized at the tent.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: possessive genitive, 'their sacrifices.'
ὅσαςas many as / all thatAccusativerelative pronoun (object of σφάξουσιν)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much/many as'; the relative ὅσας ἄν generalizes: 'whatever sacrifices they slaughter.'
ἂνevermodal particle (generalizing the relative)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: generalizing particle with the relative ὅσας.
αὐτοὶthey themselvesNominativeintensive pronoun (subject of σφάξουσιν)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the intensive nominative αὐτοί ('they themselves') stresses the people's own former practice of slaughtering in the fields.
σφάξουσινthey slaughter / will slaughterFut Act Indic 3 Pl · σφάζωverb of relative clause→ future indicative (generalizing within the relative clause)σφάζω: as in vv. 3–4; the future with ὅσας ἄν reflects the LXX's mixing of future and subjunctive in indefinite relative clauses; the slaughtering 'in the open fields' is what the law redirects to the sanctuary.
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.
πεδίοιςopen fields / plainsDativedative of place (locative)→ sphere or referenceπεδίον: 'plain / open field'; renders שָׂדֶה ('field'); ἐν τοῖς πεδίοις ('in the open field') is the place of profane and idolatrous slaughter (cf. the goat-demons, v. 7) that the centralizing law abolishes.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἴσουσινthey shall bringFut Act Indic 3 Pl · φέρωcoordinate main verb (within purpose construction)→ predictive future (the required redirection)φέρω (fut. οἴσω): 'bring / carry'; the suppletive future of φέρω; the command is that the offerings be brought to the priest at the tent rather than offered in the field.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative of recipient→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat.): rendering of the Tetragrammaton; the sacrifices are to be brought 'to the LORD.'
ἐπὶtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύραςdoorsAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (destination)→ object specificationθύρα: 'door / entrance'; here plural θύρας ('doors / entrance') of the tent of meeting, the legitimate place of offering.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtentGenitivegenitive→ relational specificationσκηνή: as above; the tent of meeting.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουof meetingGenitivegenitive (defining the tent)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: as above; σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου = 'tent of meeting.'
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερέαpriestAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the priest at the tent is the mediator who alone may handle the blood at the altar (v. 6).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θύσουσινthey shall sacrificeFut Act Indic 3 Pl · θύωcoordinate main verb→ predictive future (the prescribed action)θύω: 'sacrifice / offer'; renders זָבַח; the cognate noun-phrase θύσουσιν θυσίαν ('they shall sacrifice a sacrifice') is a figura etymologica reflecting the Hebrew.
θυσίανa sacrificeAccusativecognate accusative (object of θύσουσιν)→ object specificationθυσία: as above; cognate object of θύω; θυσίαν σωτηρίου = 'a peace/well-being offering.'
σωτηρίουof peace / of well-beingGenitivegenitive of quality (defining the sacrifice)→ relational specificationσωτήριον: as in v. 4; θυσία σωτηρίου renders זֶבַח שְׁלָמִים, the communion/peace offering shared between offerer, priest, and God.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative of recipient→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat.): rendering of the Tetragrammaton.
αὐτάthemAccusativedirect object (the sacrifices)→ participant referenceαὐτός: neuter plural pronoun resuming τὰς θυσίας ('them'), the offerings now to be sacrificed properly at the tent.
6
καὶ προσχεεῖ ὁ ἱερεὺς τὸ αἷμα ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον κύκλῳ ἀπέναντι κυρίου παρὰ τὰς θύρας τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου καὶ ἀνοίσει τὸ στέαρ εἰς ὀσμὴν εὐωδίας κυρίῳ
And the priest shall pour the blood upon the altar round about, before the LORD beside the doors of the tent of meeting, and shall offer up the fat as a sweet-smelling savor to the LORD.
The priest alone manipulates the blood — προσχεεῖ … ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον κύκλῳ ('pours it round about the altar') — and burns the fat as ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας. This verse establishes the proper, altar-bound destiny of blood that the prohibition of vv. 10–12 presupposes: blood belongs on the altar, not in the field or the throat.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσχεεῖshall pour / dashFut Act Indic 3 Sg · προσχέωmain verb (priestly blood-manipulation)→ predictive/legal future (the prescribed cultic act)προσχέω: 'pour upon / dash against'; renders זָרַק ('throw / sprinkle'); the technical verb for dashing the sacrificial blood against the altar (cf. Lev 1:5); the compound προσ- marks application 'to' the altar.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativesubject of προσχεεῖ→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; only the priest may apply blood to the altar — a key point for the blood-theology: blood's legitimate use is mediated and cultic.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἷμαbloodAccusativedirect object of προσχεεῖ→ object specificationαἷμα: 'blood'; renders דָּם; here the sacrificial blood that is dashed against the altar — its proper, atoning destination (cf. v. 11).
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction onto)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction onto).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστήριονaltarAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar' (lit. 'place of sacrifice'); a LXX coinage rendering מִזְבֵּחַ; the altar is the appointed locus where blood effects atonement.
κύκλῳround aboutadverbial dative (manner/place: 'all around')→ clausal contributionκύκλῳ: 'in a circle / round about'; adverbial dative of κύκλος; renders סָבִיב; the blood is dashed against all sides of the altar.
ἀπέναντιbeforeimproper preposition + genitive (place)→ spatial or relational framingἀπέναντι: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the act is performed coram Deo, in YHWH's presence.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive governed by ἀπέναντι→ relational specificationκύριος (gen.): rendering of the Tetragrammaton; 'before the LORD.'
παρὰbesidepreposition + accusative (place: 'beside')→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + acc.: 'beside / along'; locates the altar-rite at the entrance of the tent.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύραςdoorsAccusativeaccusative object of παρά→ object specificationθύρα: as above; 'beside the doors of the tent of meeting.'
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtentGenitivegenitive→ relational specificationσκηνή: as above.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουof meetingGenitivegenitive (defining the tent)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: as above.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνοίσειshall offer upFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναφέρωcoordinate main verb (burning of the fat)→ predictive/legal future (the prescribed offering of the fat)ἀναφέρω (fut. ἀνοίσω): 'bring up / offer up (in smoke)'; renders הִקְטִיר / הֶעֱלָה; the fat is burned upon the altar, ascending as a pleasing aroma.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στέαρfatAccusativedirect object of ἀνοίσει→ object specificationστέαρ: 'fat / suet'; renders חֵלֶב; like the blood, the fat belongs to YHWH and is burned on the altar (cf. Lev 3:16–17), not consumed by the offerer.
εἰςfor / aspreposition + accusative (purpose)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose).
ὀσμὴνodor / savorAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς→ object specificationὀσμή: as in v. 4; ὀσμὴ εὐωδίας, the pleasing aroma of acceptable sacrifice.
εὐωδίαςof sweetnessGenitivegenitive of quality (modifying ὀσμήν)→ relational specificationεὐωδία: as in v. 4; the genitive of quality 'a savor of sweetness' = רֵיחַ נִיחֹחַ.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of recipient→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat.): rendering of the Tetragrammaton.
7
καὶ οὐ θύσουσιν ἔτι τὰς θυσίας αὐτῶν τοῖς ματαίοις οἷς αὐτοὶ ἐκπορνεύουσιν ὀπίσω αὐτῶν νόμιμον αἰώνιον ἔσται ὑμῖν εἰς τὰς γενεὰς ὑμῶν
And they shall no longer sacrifice their sacrifices to the vain ones, after whom they go whoring. This shall be a perpetual statute for you throughout your generations.
The negated future οὐ … ἔτι ('no longer') states the polemical heart of vv. 1–7: the centralization of slaughter is aimed against the open-field cult τοῖς ματαίοις ('to the vain ones / goat-demons'). The verb ἐκπορνεύουσιν ('go whoring') casts idolatry as adultery against YHWH. The unit closes with the perpetuity formula νόμιμον αἰώνιον … εἰς τὰς γενεὰς ὑμῶν.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnot / no longernegative particle (with future indicative)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: negates the future θύσουσιν; with ἔτι, 'they shall no longer sacrifice.'
θύσουσινthey shall sacrificeFut Act Indic 3 Pl · θύωmain verb (prohibition expressed by negated future)→ prohibitive future (legal prohibition: 'they shall not sacrifice')θύω: 'sacrifice'; the negated future has the force of a binding prohibition (Hebrew לֹא + imperfect); the object of the prohibition is the illicit field-cult.
ἔτιany longertemporal adverb ('still / any longer')→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / yet / any longer'; renders עוֹד; implies a former practice now to cease — Israel had been sacrificing in the open to the demons.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσίαςsacrificesAccusativedirect object of θύσουσιν→ object specificationθυσία: as above; the very sacrifices that should go to YHWH had been diverted to the demons.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: possessive genitive.
τοῖςto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ματαίοιςvain ones / idols (goat-demons)Dativedative of recipient (the false objects of the cult)→ sphere or referenceμάταιος: 'vain / empty / worthless'; the substantive οἱ μάταιοι ('the vain ones') renders שְׂעִירִים ('he-goats / goat-demons,' the satyr-like field spirits); the LXX interprets the demons as 'empty nothings,' a standard polemic against idols (cf. Deut 32:21; the apostolic preaching at Acts 14:15 calls idols μάταια).
οἷςafter whomDativerelative pronoun (with ἐκπορνεύουσιν ὀπίσω)→ participant reference or interestὅς: relative pronoun, dative by attraction / construction with the verb of whoring 'after' them; antecedent is οἱ μάταιοι.
αὐτοὶthey themselvesNominativeintensive pronoun (subject of ἐκπορνεύουσιν)→ participant referenceαὐτός: intensive nominative emphasizing the people's own complicity in the idolatrous cult.
ἐκπορνεύουσινthey go whoringPres Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐκπορνεύωverb of relative clause→ iterative/customary present (habitual apostasy)ἐκπορνεύω: 'commit fornication / go whoring (after)'; renders זָנָה; the prophetic metaphor of idolatry as adultery against YHWH (cf. Exod 34:15–16; Hos 1–3); the intensive ἐκ- and the present tense mark a persistent, ongoing betrayal.
ὀπίσωafterimproper preposition + genitive (direction of pursuit)→ spatial or relational framingὀπίσω: 'after / behind'; renders אַחֲרֵי; ἐκπορνεύειν ὀπίσω ('whore after') is the idiom for chasing after false gods.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive governed by ὀπίσω→ relational specificationαὐτός: genitive after ὀπίσω, referring to the μάταιοι.
νόμιμονa statute / ordinanceNominativepredicate nominative (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceνόμιμον: 'that which is lawful / a statute'; substantive of νόμιμος; renders חֻקָּה; νόμιμον αἰώνιον is the recurring Levitical formula for a perpetual binding ordinance (cf. Lev 3:17; 16:34).
αἰώνιονperpetual / everlastingNominativeattributive adjective (modifying νόμιμον)→ participant prominenceαἰώνιος: 'eternal / perpetual'; renders עוֹלָם; marks the statute as binding for all time, not a temporary measure.
ἔσταιshall beFut Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (main verb of perpetuity formula)→ predictive future (durative: it will stand permanently)εἰμί (fut. ἔσομαι): 'be'; the copula of the perpetuity formula, asserting the abiding validity of the statute.
ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of advantage/reference (to/for whom the statute binds)→ participant reference or interestσύ (pl.): 'you'; dative marking those bound by the perpetual statute.
εἰςthroughout / forpreposition + accusative (temporal extent)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: here of temporal extent, 'throughout (your generations)'; renders לְ in the formula לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γενεὰςgenerationsAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (temporal extent)→ object specificationγενεά: 'generation'; εἰς τὰς γενεὰς ὑμῶν ('throughout your generations') renders לְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם, the standard formula extending the law to all descendants.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσύ (pl.): possessive genitive, 'your generations.'
8
καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτούς ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ καὶ ἀπὸ τῶν υἱῶν τῶν προσηλύτων τῶν προσκειμένων ἐν ὑμῖν ὃς ἂν ποιήσῃ ὁλοκαύτωμα ἢ θυσίαν
And you shall say to them: Any man whatsoever of the sons of Israel, or of the sons of the proselytes attached among you, who offers a whole burnt offering or a sacrifice,
The renewed speech-formula καὶ ἐρεῖς opens section B (vv. 8–9), restating the centralizing rule in fully general terms — any offering (ὁλοκαύτωμα ἢ θυσίαν) by Israelite or proselyte. The doubled ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος and the προσήλυτος-clause echo v. 3, setting up the karet-apodosis in v. 9.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐρεῖςyou shall sayFut Act Indic 2 Sg · λέγω (ἐρῶ)main verb (volitive future introducing new statute)→ volitive future (command introducing the quoted law)λέγω (fut. ἐρῶ): as in v. 2; the imperatival future renders וְאָמַרְתָּ, introducing the extended statute.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative.
αὐτούςthemAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ participant referenceαὐτός: anaphoric pronoun, the addressees of v. 2.
ἄνθρωποςa manNominativesubject (first member of distributive doubling)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: as in v. 3.
ἄνθρωποςany man whatsoeverNominativesubject (distributive doubling: 'any man at all')→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: the distributive doubling ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος = אִישׁ אִישׁ, as in v. 3; reasserts the law's individual application.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (partitive genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivepartitive genitive ('of the sons of Israel')→ relational specificationυἱός: τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ, the native Israelite.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; adnominal genitive.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the second category)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπὸfrom / ofpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: here partitive, 'from among'; equivalent to the partitive genitive marking the second class of persons.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationυἱός: 'sons (of the proselytes)'; extends the law even to the descendants of resident aliens.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσηλύτωνproselytes / sojournersGenitivegenitive (defining υἱῶν: 'sons of the proselytes')→ relational specificationπροσήλυτος: as in v. 3; renders גֵּר; the resident alien, here with his descendants, bound by the same law.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (attributive, with participle)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσκειμένωνattached / sojourningPres Mid/Pass Ptcp Gen Pl Masc · πρόσκειμαιattributive participle (modifying προσηλύτων)→ imperfective participle (ongoing state of residence)πρόσκειμαι: as in v. 3; 'those who are attached/sojourning among you.'
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (association)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (association).
ὑμῖνyouDativedative object of ἐν→ participant reference or interestσύ (pl.): 'among you.'
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ποιήσῃ)→ participant referenceὅς: introduces the conditional-relative protasis ὃς ἄν + subjunctive.
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: generalizing particle.
ποιήσῃoffers / makesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of indefinite relative clause (protasis)→ aorist subjunctive (indefinite/conditional)ποιέω: 'make / do / offer'; in cultic context 'offer (a sacrifice)'; renders עָשָׂה; ποιεῖν ὁλοκαύτωμα = 'make/offer a burnt offering.'
ὁλοκαύτωμαwhole burnt offeringAccusativedirect object of ποιήσῃ→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωμα: as in v. 4; renders עֹלָה.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θυσίανa sacrificeAccusativedirect object of ποιήσῃ (alternative)→ object specificationθυσία: as above; the pairing ὁλοκαύτωμα ἢ θυσίαν covers the full range of animal offerings, making the centralization comprehensive.
9
καὶ ἐπὶ τὴν θύραν τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου μὴ ἐνέγκῃ ποιῆσαι αὐτὸ τῷ κυρίῳ ἐξολεθρευθήσεται ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτοῦ
and does not bring it to the door of the tent of meeting to offer it to the LORD — that man shall be utterly cut off from his people.
The negated subjunctive μὴ ἐνέγκῃ completes the protasis of v. 8, and the karet-verdict ἐξολεθρευθήσεται ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος ('that man shall be utterly cut off') is the apodosis — parallel in form to v. 4 but applied now to any offering brought outside the sanctuary, by native or alien.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (continuing protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύρανdoorAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationθύρα: as above; the door of the tent of meeting.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtentGenitivegenitive→ relational specificationσκηνή: as above.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουof meetingGenitivegenitive (defining the tent)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: as above.
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμὴ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνέγκῃhe bringsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · φέρωverb of negated conditional clause (protasis)→ aorist subjunctive (conditional, negated)φέρω: as in v. 4; failure to bring the offering to the tent is the offense.
ποιῆσαιto offerAor Act Inf · ποιέωinfinitive of purpose→ aorist infinitive (purpose: to perform the offering)ποιέω: as in v. 4; 'to offer it (as a sacrifice) to the LORD.'
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of ποιῆσαι→ participant referenceαὐτός: the offering.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίῳLORDDativedative of recipient→ sphere or referenceκύριος (dat.): rendering of the Tetragrammaton.
ἐξολεθρευθήσεταιshall be utterly cut offFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐξολεθρεύωmain verb (the karet-penalty: apodosis)→ predictive future (decreed penalty: extirpation)ἐξολεθρεύω: as in v. 4; the karet-formula נִכְרַת; removal from the covenant community for cultic transgression.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject of ἐξολεθρευθήσεται→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: the offending individual; here masculine ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος (contrast the feminine ἡ ψυχὴ ἐκείνη of v. 4).
ἐκεῖνοςthatNominativedemonstrative (modifying ἄνθρωπος)→ participant prominenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; singles out the offender.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: separation from the community.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ→ relational specificationλαός: as in v. 4; the covenant community.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (agreeing with ἄνθρωπος, masc.)→ relational specificationαὐτός: masculine αὐτοῦ agreeing with ὁ ἄνθρωπος, 'his people.'
10
καὶ ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ ἢ τῶν προσηλύτων τῶν προσκειμένων ἐν ὑμῖν ὃς ἂν φάγῃ πᾶν αἷμα καὶ ἐπιστήσω τὸ πρόσωπόν μου ἐπὶ τὴν ψυχὴν τὴν ἔσθουσαν τὸ αἷμα καὶ ἀπολῶ αὐτὴν ἐκ τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτῆς
And any man whatsoever of the sons of Israel, or of the proselytes attached among you, who eats any blood — I will set my face against the person that eats the blood, and I will destroy it from among its people.
Section C (vv. 10–12) shifts from where one may sacrifice to the absolute ban on consuming blood. The protasis (ὃς ἂν φάγῃ πᾶν αἷμα) is answered not by the impersonal karet-passive but by emphatic first-person divine action: ἐπιστήσω τὸ πρόσωπόν μου ('I will set my face against') and ἀπολῶ αὐτήν ('I will destroy it') — YHWH himself executes the penalty.
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἄνθρωποςa manNominativesubject (first member of distributive doubling)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: as in vv. 3, 8.
ἄνθρωποςany man whatsoeverNominativesubject (distributive doubling)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: distributive doubling = אִישׁ אִישׁ; here the third occurrence in the chapter, introducing the blood-prohibition.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (partitive genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivepartitive genitive→ relational specificationυἱός: τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ, the native Israelite.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (partitive genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσηλύτωνproselytes / sojournersGenitivepartitive genitive→ relational specificationπροσήλυτος: as in vv. 3, 8; the blood-ban binds the resident alien too.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (attributive, with participle)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσκειμένωνattached / sojourningPres Mid/Pass Ptcp Gen Pl Masc · πρόσκειμαιattributive participle (modifying προσηλύτων)→ imperfective participle (ongoing residence)πρόσκειμαι: as in vv. 3, 8.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative.
ὑμῖνyouDativedative object of ἐν→ participant reference or interestσύ (pl.): 'among you.'
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of φάγῃ)→ participant referenceὅς: introduces the conditional-relative protasis; left grammatically suspended (casus pendens), resumed by the divine first-person clauses.
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: generalizing particle.
φάγῃeatsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐσθίωverb of indefinite relative clause (protasis)→ aorist subjunctive (indefinite/conditional)ἐσθίω (aor. ἔφαγον): 'eat'; renders אָכַל; φαγεῖν αἷμα ('to eat blood') is the precise act prohibited; the aorist subjunctive frames the hypothetical offender.
πᾶνanyAccusativeadjective (modifying αἷμα: 'any blood at all')→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / any'; πᾶν αἷμα ('any blood whatsoever') makes the prohibition absolute — no quantity or kind of blood is exempt; cf. Lev 3:17; 7:26–27.
αἷμαbloodAccusativedirect object of φάγῃ→ object specificationαἷμα: 'blood'; renders דָּם; the forbidden food, because the life (ψυχή) resides in it (v. 11).
καὶand / thenapodotic conjunction (introducing the divine penalty)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic, introducing YHWH's first-person response to the casus pendens.
ἐπιστήσωI will set / directFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐφίστημιmain verb (first-person divine action)→ predictive future (decreed divine act of judgment)ἐφίστημι (fut. ἐπιστήσω): 'set upon / set against / station'; here in the idiom ἐπιστήσω τὸ πρόσωπόν μου ἐπί ('I will set my face against'), rendering נָתַתִּי פָנַי בְּ ('I will set my face against'), an expression of hostile divine attention against the offender (cf. Lev 20:3, 5–6; 26:17).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρόσωπόνfaceAccusativedirect object of ἐπιστήσω→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / countenance'; renders פָּנִים; 'setting the face against' someone is an idiom of judicial hostility — the inverse of the priestly blessing's 'lift up his face upon you' (Num 6:26).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἐγώ: possessive genitive, 'my face.'
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: here hostile, 'against.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχὴνperson / lifeAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the offender)→ object specificationψυχή: 'soul / person / life'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; here 'the person who eats the blood'; note the irony — the ψυχή (life) that consumes blood is judged, because blood itself is ψυχή (v. 11).
τὴνthe (one)Accusativearticle (with attributive participle)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔσθουσανeatingPres Act Ptcp Acc Sg Fem · ἔσθωattributive participle (modifying ψυχήν)→ imperfective participle (characterizing: the blood-eating person)ἔσθω (poetic/Hellenistic byform of ἐσθίω): 'eat'; the articular participle τὴν ἔσθουσαν ('the one eating') defines the ψυχή under judgment as the habitual blood-consumer.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἷμαbloodAccusativedirect object of ἔσθουσαν→ object specificationαἷμα: as above; the object of the forbidden eating.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπολῶI will destroyFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀπόλλυμιcoordinate main verb (divine penalty)→ predictive future (decreed divine destruction)ἀπόλλυμι (fut. ἀπολῶ): 'destroy utterly / cause to perish'; renders הִכְרִית / אָבַד; here YHWH himself, rather than the community, executes the karet — the strongest possible sanction against blood-eating.
αὐτὴνit / herAccusativedirect object of ἀπολῶ (the ψυχή)→ participant referenceαὐτός: feminine αὐτήν agreeing with ψυχήν, the offending person.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: separation from the community.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ→ relational specificationλαός: the covenant community.
αὐτῆςits / herGenitivegenitive of possession (agreeing with ψυχή, fem.)→ relational specificationαὐτός: feminine, 'its [own] people,' agreeing with ψυχή.
11
ἡ γὰρ ψυχὴ πάσης σαρκὸς αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐστιν καὶ ἐγὼ δέδωκα αὐτὸ ὑμῖν ἐπὶ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου ἐξιλάσκεσθαι περὶ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν τὸ γὰρ αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἀντὶ τῆς ψυχῆς ἐξιλάσεται
For the life of all flesh is its blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your lives; for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life.
The double γάρ frames the chapter's theological center. The first clause states the ontological reason for the ban: ἡ ψυχὴ … αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐστιν ('the life is its blood'). The second states the cultic counterpart: YHWH has given the blood ἐπὶ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου ('upon the altar') ἐξιλάσκεσθαι ('to make atonement'). The closing τὸ γὰρ αἷμα … ἀντὶ τῆς ψυχῆς ἐξιλάσεται ('the blood makes atonement by/in place of the life') articulates substitutionary atonement — the OT basis for Heb 9:22 and the apostolic decree of Acts 15:20, 29.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γὰρforcausal conjunction (post-positive, grounding the prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; renders כִּי; introduces the explanatory rationale for why blood may not be eaten.
ψυχὴlife / soulNominativesubject (predicate: 'the life ... is the blood')→ participant prominenceψυχή: 'life / soul'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; here in its concrete Hebraic sense of the vital life-principle, not an immaterial 'soul'; the identification of life with blood is the axiom underlying the whole chapter (restated v. 14).
πάσηςof allGenitiveattributive (modifying σαρκός)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all / every'; πάσης σαρκός ('of all flesh') universalizes the principle to every living creature.
σαρκὸςfleshGenitivegenitive (possessive: 'the life of all flesh')→ relational specificationσάρξ: 'flesh'; renders בָּשָׂר; here 'all flesh' = every living animal; the genitive πάσης σαρκός denotes the creature whose life is bound up in its blood.
αἷμαbloodNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐστιν)→ participant prominenceαἷμα: 'blood'; the predicate of the identification 'the life ... is its blood' (ἡ ψυχή ... αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐστιν), rendering כִּי נֶפֶשׁ הַבָּשָׂר בַּדָּם הִוא; the LXX makes blood the very seat of life.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession (referring to σάρξ/flesh)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'its'; the blood belongs to the flesh whose life it is — 'its blood.'
ἐστινisPres Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (equating life and blood)→ stative present (timeless identification)εἰμί: 'be'; the copula of the timeless theological axiom equating ψυχή and αἷμα.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun (YHWH)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic first-person pronoun stresses that the atoning function of blood is YHWH's own gracious provision — 'I myself have given it.'
δέδωκαhave givenPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (divine gift of the blood for atonement)→ perfect (settled, abiding gift with continuing validity)δίδωμι (perf. δέδωκα): 'give'; renders נָתַתִּי; the perfect tense marks the blood's atoning ordinance as a standing, abiding gift — God has appointed blood for the altar; the verse thus grounds both the prohibition (don't eat it) and the provision (it atones).
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of δέδωκα (the blood)→ participant referenceαὐτός: neuter, referring to αἷμα; 'I have given it [the blood] to you.'
ὑμῖνto youDativedative of recipient/advantage→ participant reference or interestσύ (pl.): the blood is given 'to you' (Israel) for your benefit — as the appointed means of atonement.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (place: 'upon the altar')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + gen.: 'upon / on'; locating the atoning use of blood at the altar.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστηρίουaltarGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί→ relational specificationθυσιαστήριον: as in v. 6; the altar is the appointed locus where blood effects atonement — its only legitimate destiny, hence the ban on eating it.
ἐξιλάσκεσθαιto make atonementPres Mid Inf · ἐξιλάσκομαιinfinitive of purpose (the aim of the gift of blood)→ imperfective infinitive (purpose: ongoing atoning function)ἐξιλάσκομαι: 'make atonement / expiate / propitiate'; the technical cultic term of the LXX Pentateuch, rendering כִּפֶּר (Piel of כפר); the intensive compound ἐξ- and the middle voice express the effecting of atonement; the purpose-infinitive states why God gave blood for the altar.
περὶfor / on behalf ofpreposition + genitive (on behalf of)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + gen.: 'concerning / on behalf of'; renders עַל; the atonement is made 'for your lives.'
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχῶνlives / soulsGenitivegenitive object of περί→ relational specificationψυχή: as above; τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν ('your lives'); the blood atones 'for your lives' — life given for life, the substitutionary logic spelled out in the next clause.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσύ (pl.): possessive genitive, 'your lives.'
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γὰρforcausal conjunction (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: the second γάρ grounds the atoning gift: blood atones because it is the bearer of life.
αἷμαbloodNominativesubject of ἐξιλάσεται→ participant prominenceαἷμα: 'blood'; the subject of the atoning verb — 'the blood itself makes atonement.'
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'its blood,' i.e. the creature's own blood offered on the altar.
ἀντὶin place of / bypreposition + genitive (substitution/exchange)→ spatial or relational framingἀντί: 'instead of / in exchange for'; renders בְּ here in the sense 'by means of / at the price of'; the construction αἷμα ἀντὶ τῆς ψυχῆς ('blood in place of / by the life') is the key substitutionary phrase — life ransoms life; ἀντί is precisely the preposition of substitution underlying NT ransom-theology (cf. Mark 10:45 λύτρον ἀντὶ πολλῶν).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχῆςlife / soulGenitivegenitive governed by ἀντί→ relational specificationψυχή: as above; ἀντὶ τῆς ψυχῆς ('by/in place of the life'); the blood atones precisely because the life is in it — the slain creature's life stands in for the offerer's.
ἐξιλάσεταιshall make atonementFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐξιλάσκομαιmain verb (the atoning function of blood)→ gnomic/predictive future (the abiding efficacy of blood-atonement)ἐξιλάσκομαι: as above; the future ἐξιλάσεται states the standing efficacy of sacrificial blood; this clause is the OT foundation cited at Heb 9:22 (χωρὶς αἱματεκχυσίας οὐ γίνεται ἄφεσις) and grounds the apostolic 'abstain from blood' (Acts 15:20, 29).
12
διὰ τοῦτο εἴρηκα τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ πᾶσα ψυχὴ ἐξ ὑμῶν οὐ φάγεται αἷμα καὶ ὁ προσήλυτος ὁ προσκείμενος ἐν ὑμῖν οὐ φάγεται αἷμα
Therefore I have said to the sons of Israel: No person among you shall eat blood, and the proselyte attached among you shall not eat blood.
διὰ τοῦτο ('therefore') draws the practical conclusion from the blood-rationale: because blood is life and belongs to the altar, no one — native (πᾶσα ψυχὴ ἐξ ὑμῶν) or proselyte (ὁ προσήλυτος) — may eat it. The doubled οὐ φάγεται restates the absolute prohibition for both classes, binding alien and Israelite identically.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (causal: 'for this reason')→ spatial or relational framingδιά + acc.: 'because of / on account of'; διὰ τοῦτο ('therefore') draws the inference from v. 11.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (object of διά: 'because of this')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; refers back to the rationale of v. 11 (life is in the blood).
εἴρηκαI have saidPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (divine pronouncement with abiding force)→ perfect (a settled, standing decree)λέγω (perf. εἴρηκα): 'have said / spoken'; the perfect denotes a pronouncement made and still in force — YHWH's standing word to Israel; renders אָמַרְתִּי.
τοῖςto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative of recipient (indirect object of εἴρηκα)→ sphere or referenceυἱός: τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ, the recipients of the standing decree.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
πᾶσαeveryNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ψυχή)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every / all'; πᾶσα ψυχή with the negative οὐ … φάγεται = 'no person at all shall eat' (Hebraic 'all ... not' = 'none').
ψυχὴperson / soulNominativesubject of φάγεται→ participant prominenceψυχή: 'soul / person / living being'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; here = 'person'; πᾶσα ψυχή … οὐ φάγεται is the idiom 'no one shall eat.'
ἐξof / from amongpreposition + genitive (partitive)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ/ἐξ: partitive, 'of / from among you.'
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ (partitive)→ relational specificationσύ (pl.): 'from among you,' i.e. of the Israelite community.
οὐnotnegative particle (with future)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: with the future φάγεται forms an emphatic prohibition (Hebrew לֹא + imperfect).
φάγεταιshall eatFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (prohibition by negated future)→ prohibitive future (binding negative command)ἐσθίω (fut. mid. φάγομαι): 'eat'; the negated future οὐ φάγεται has the force of an apodictic prohibition — 'shall not eat.'
αἷμαbloodAccusativedirect object of φάγεται→ object specificationαἷμα: the forbidden food.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending ban to the proselyte)→ 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.
προσήλυτοςproselyte / sojournerNominativesubject of the second φάγεται→ participant prominenceπροσήλυτος: as in vv. 3, 8, 10; the resident alien is bound by the blood-ban exactly as the native — a key indication that the prohibition is grounded in creation/life-theology, not merely covenant membership.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (with attributive participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσκείμενοςattached / sojourningPres Mid/Pass Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · πρόσκειμαιattributive participle (modifying προσήλυτος)→ imperfective participle (ongoing residence)πρόσκειμαι: as in vv. 3, 8, 10; here singular ὁ προσκείμενος ('the one sojourning').
ἐνamongpreposition + dative→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative.
ὑμῖνyouDativedative object of ἐν→ participant reference or interestσύ (pl.): 'among you.'
οὐnotnegative particle (with future)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: prohibitive negative.
φάγεταιshall eatFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (prohibition repeated for the proselyte)→ prohibitive futureἐσθίω: as above; the repetition οὐ φάγεται αἷμα for the proselyte underscores the universality of the ban.
αἷμαbloodAccusativedirect object of φάγεται→ object specificationαἷμα: the forbidden food, repeated for emphasis.
13
καὶ ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ καὶ τῶν προσηλύτων τῶν προσκειμένων ἐν ὑμῖν ὃς ἂν θηρεύσῃ θήρευμα θηρίον ἢ πετεινόν ὃ ἔσθεται καὶ ἐκχεεῖ τὸ αἷμα καὶ καλύψει αὐτὸ τῇ γῇ
And any man whatsoever of the sons of Israel, or of the proselytes attached among you, who hunts a catch — a beast or a bird that may be eaten — shall pour out its blood and cover it with the earth.
Section D (vv. 13–16) addresses game taken in the hunt — animals not brought to the altar. Since such blood cannot be dashed against the altar, it must instead be poured out and covered with earth (ἐκχεεῖ … καλύψει αὐτὸ τῇ γῇ). The doubled ἄνθρωπος ἄνθρωπος (fourth occurrence) again binds native and proselyte alike.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἄνθρωποςa manNominativesubject (first member of distributive doubling)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: as in vv. 3, 8, 10.
ἄνθρωποςany man whatsoeverNominativesubject (distributive doubling)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: distributive doubling = אִישׁ אִישׁ; the fourth and last occurrence in the chapter.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (partitive genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivepartitive genitive→ relational specificationυἱός: τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
καὶand / orcoordinate conjunction (joining the second class)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: joins the proselytes to the native Israelites as equally bound.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (partitive genitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσηλύτωνproselytes / sojournersGenitivepartitive genitive→ relational specificationπροσήλυτος: as throughout the chapter.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (attributive, with participle)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσκειμένωνattached / sojourningPres Mid/Pass Ptcp Gen Pl Masc · πρόσκειμαιattributive participle (modifying προσηλύτων)→ imperfective participle (ongoing residence)πρόσκειμαι: as in vv. 3, 8, 10.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative.
ὑμῖνyouDativedative object of ἐν→ participant reference or interestσύ (pl.): 'among you.'
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of θηρεύσῃ)→ participant referenceὅς: introduces the conditional-relative protasis.
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: generalizing particle.
θηρεύσῃhunts / catchesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · θηρεύωverb of indefinite relative clause (protasis)→ aorist subjunctive (indefinite/conditional)θηρεύω: 'hunt / catch (game)'; renders צוּד; the cognate construction θηρεύσῃ θήρευμα ('hunts a catch') is a figura etymologica calquing the Hebrew.
θήρευμαgame / catch / preyAccusativecognate accusative (object of θηρεύσῃ)→ object specificationθήρευμα: 'that which is hunted, prey, game'; cognate object of θηρεύω; renders צַיִד; the catch is then specified as a beast or bird.
θηρίονbeast / wild animalAccusativeaccusative in apposition to θήρευμα→ object specificationθηρίον: 'wild beast / animal'; renders חַיָּה; in apposition to θήρευμα, specifying the kind of game.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πετεινόνbird / fowlAccusativeaccusative (alternative to θηρίον)→ object specificationπετεινόν: 'bird / flying creature'; renders עוֹף; the other category of huntable game, both subject to the blood-covering rule.
ὃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (subject of ἔσθεται; neuter)→ participant referenceὅς: neuter relative agreeing with θηρίον/πετεινόν, restricting the rule to clean (edible) game.
ἔσθεταιmay be eatenPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἔσθωverb of relative clause (permissibility)→ stative/gnomic present (permissibility: 'that may be eaten')ἔσθω (mid./pass.): 'be eaten / may be eaten'; the rule applies only to clean game whose flesh is permitted as food; renders the Hebrew אֲשֶׁר יֵאָכֵל.
καὶand / thenapodotic conjunction (introducing the requirement)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic, introducing the prescribed action.
ἐκχεεῖshall pour outFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκχέωmain verb (the required disposal of blood)→ predictive/legal future (the prescribed act)ἐκχέω: 'pour out'; renders שָׁפַךְ; for game not offered at the altar, the blood must be poured out on the ground — a reverent disposal acknowledging that the life belongs to God; contrast αἷμα ἐξέχεεν of murder/bloodguilt (v. 4).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αἷμαbloodAccusativedirect object of ἐκχεεῖ→ object specificationαἷμα: the blood of the hunted creature, to be poured out and covered, never eaten.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καλύψειshall coverFut Act Indic 3 Sg · καλύπτωcoordinate main verb→ predictive/legal future (the prescribed act)καλύπτω: 'cover / conceal'; renders כִּסָּה; covering the poured-out blood with earth completes the reverent disposal, returning the life to the ground from which the creature came.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of καλύψει (the blood)→ participant referenceαὐτός: neuter, referring to τὸ αἷμα.
τῇwith theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῇearth / soilDativedative of instrument ('with earth')→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'earth / ground / soil'; dative of means; renders עָפָר ('dust'); the blood is covered with earth as an act of reverence for the life it carries.
14
ἡ γὰρ ψυχὴ πάσης σαρκὸς αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐστιν καὶ εἶπα τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ αἷμα πάσης σαρκὸς οὐ φάγεσθε ὅτι ἡ ψυχὴ πάσης σαρκὸς αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐστιν πᾶς ὁ ἔσθων αὐτὸ ἐξολεθρευθήσεται
For the life of all flesh is its blood; and I said to the sons of Israel, You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, because the life of all flesh is its blood; everyone who eats it shall be utterly cut off.
v. 14 reiterates the v. 11 axiom (ἡ ψυχὴ … αἷμα αὐτοῦ ἐστιν), now stated three times in a single verse for maximal emphasis, and reattaches it to the explicit prohibition (αἷμα … οὐ φάγεσθε) and the karet-penalty (πᾶς ὁ ἔσθων αὐτὸ ἐξολεθρευθήσεται). The triple repetition of the life-in-the-blood formula makes this the doctrinal climax of the chapter.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γὰρforcausal conjunction (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: grounding the blood-covering rule of v. 13 in the life-in-blood axiom.
ψυχὴlife / soulNominativesubject (predicate: 'the life ... is its blood')→ participant prominenceψυχή: as in v. 11; the life-principle, here repeated to ground the hunting-blood rule.
πάσηςof allGenitiveattributive (modifying σαρκός)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; πάσης σαρκός, as in v. 11.
σαρκὸςfleshGenitivegenitive (possessive: 'the life of all flesh')→ relational specificationσάρξ: as in v. 11.
αἷμαbloodNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐστιν)→ participant prominenceαἷμα: the predicate of the identification, as in v. 11.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'its blood.'
ἐστινisPres Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (equating life and blood)→ stative present (timeless identification)εἰμί: the copula of the axiom, as in v. 11.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπαI saidAor Act Indic 1 Sg · λέγωmain verb (divine pronouncement)→ constative aorist (the decree as a completed pronouncement)λέγω (aor. εἶπα, Hellenistic 1st-aorist form): 'said'; YHWH recalls his own decree to Israel; the aorist εἶπα complements the perfect εἴρηκα of v. 12.
τοῖςto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative of recipient→ sphere or referenceυἱός: τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ, the recipients of the decree.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
αἷμαbloodAccusativedirect object of φάγεσθε (fronted for emphasis)→ object specificationαἷμα: the forbidden food; fronted before the verb for emphasis — 'blood ... you shall not eat.'
πάσηςof allGenitiveattributive (modifying σαρκός)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; 'the blood of all flesh.'
σαρκὸςfleshGenitivegenitive (defining αἷμα: 'blood of all flesh')→ relational specificationσάρξ: as above; the prohibition embraces the blood of every creature.
οὐnotnegative particle (with future)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: with the future φάγεσθε forms an apodictic prohibition.
φάγεσθεyou shall eatFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · ἐσθίωmain verb (prohibition by negated future, 2nd person)→ prohibitive future (apodictic command)ἐσθίω (fut. mid. φάγομαι): 'eat'; the 2nd-person plural negated future οὐ φάγεσθε ('you shall not eat') is the direct apodictic prohibition, addressing Israel directly.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (introducing the repeated rationale)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; renders כִּי; reintroduces the life-in-blood rationale for the third time in the verse.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχὴlife / soulNominativesubject (predicate identification, repeated)→ participant prominenceψυχή: the third statement of the axiom in this verse — the threefold repetition is the rhetorical climax of the chapter's blood-theology.
πάσηςof allGenitiveattributive (modifying σαρκός)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all.'
σαρκὸςfleshGenitivegenitive (possessive)→ relational specificationσάρξ: as above.
αἷμαbloodNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceαἷμα: the predicate, as above.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'its blood.'
ἐστινisPres Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present (timeless identification)εἰμί: the copula of the thrice-stated axiom.
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubject (with articular participle: 'everyone who eats')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'everyone'; πᾶς ὁ ἔσθων ('everyone who eats') universalizes the karet-penalty to every blood-eater without exception.
ὁthe (one)Nominativearticle (with attributive participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔσθωνeating / who eatsPres Act Ptcp Nom Sg Masc · ἔσθωsubstantival participle (subject: 'the one who eats')→ imperfective participle (characterizing: the habitual blood-eater)ἔσθω: as in v. 10; the substantival participle ὁ ἔσθων ('the one eating') with πᾶς designates every offender.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of ἔσθων (the blood)→ participant referenceαὐτός: neuter, referring to αἷμα.
ἐξολεθρευθήσεταιshall be utterly cut offFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐξολεθρεύωmain verb (the karet-penalty)→ predictive future (decreed penalty: extirpation)ἐξολεθρεύω: as in vv. 4, 9; the karet-formula נִכְרַת; here closing the doctrinal core — to eat blood is to incur being cut off from the people.
15
καὶ πᾶσα ψυχή ἥτις φάγεται θνησιμαῖον ἢ θηριάλωτον ἐν τοῖς αὐτόχθοσιν ἢ ἐν τοῖς προσηλύτοις πλυνεῖ τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ καὶ λούσεται ὕδατι καὶ ἀκάθαρτος ἔσται ἕως ἑσπέρας καὶ καθαρὸς ἔσται
And every person, whether among the natives or among the proselytes, who eats a carcass or an animal torn by beasts, shall wash his garments and bathe in water, and shall be unclean until evening, and then shall be clean.
vv. 15–16 treat the lesser case of eating an animal that died of itself (θνησιμαῖον) or was torn by beasts (θηριάλωτον) — flesh whose blood was not properly drained. This is not a karet-offense but a defilement requiring washing, bathing, and uncleanness until evening; the rule binds native (αὐτόχθων) and proselyte alike.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πᾶσαeveryNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ψυχή)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every'; πᾶσα ψυχή ('every person').
ψυχήperson / soulNominativesubject (antecedent of ἥτις)→ participant prominenceψυχή: 'soul / person'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; here = 'person.'
ἥτιςwhoever / whoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of φάγεται)→ participant referenceὅστις: indefinite relative 'whoever'; feminine ἥτις agreeing with ψυχή; introduces the conditional case.
φάγεταιeatsFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωverb of relative clause→ future indicative (conditional sense within the relative clause)ἐσθίω (fut. mid. φάγεται): 'eat'; the future in the relative clause expresses the hypothetical case of eating tainted flesh.
θνησιμαῖονa carcass / what died of itselfAccusativedirect object of φάγεται→ object specificationθνησιμαῖον: 'a dead body / carcass; an animal that died of itself'; renders נְבֵלָה; flesh from which the blood was not ritually drained, hence defiling (cf. Lev 11:39–40; 22:8).
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θηριάλωτονan animal torn by beastsAccusativedirect object of φάγεται (alternative)→ object specificationθηριάλωτος: lit. 'caught/seized by a wild beast' (θηρίον + ἁλίσκομαι); renders טְרֵפָה ('torn flesh'); like the carcass, its blood remains in the flesh, rendering the eater unclean (cf. Exod 22:31).
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (class membership)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (class membership).
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αὐτόχθοσινnatives / native-bornDativedative object of ἐν (first class)→ sphere or referenceαὐτόχθων: 'native / sprung from the land itself'; renders אֶזְרָח ('native-born'); the standard LXX term for the native Israelite, paired with προσήλυτος (the alien).
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἢ: meaning 'or'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσηλύτοιςproselytes / sojournersDativedative object of ἐν (second class)→ sphere or referenceπροσήλυτος: as throughout; the αὐτόχθων–προσήλυτος pairing makes the purification rule binding on native and alien equally.
πλυνεῖshall washFut Act Indic 3 Sg · πλύνωmain verb (prescribed purification)→ predictive/legal future (the required act)πλύνω: 'wash (clothes)'; renders כִּבֵּס; the washing of garments is the standard first step of ritual purification.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱμάτιαgarmentsAccusativedirect object of πλυνεῖ→ object specificationἱμάτιον: 'garment / clothing'; renders בֶּגֶד; washing garments is required to remove ritual defilement.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: possessive genitive, 'his garments.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λούσεταιshall batheFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · λούωcoordinate main verb (purification)→ predictive/legal future (the required act)λούω (mid. λούσεται): 'bathe / wash oneself'; renders רָחַץ; the middle voice ('bathe oneself') denotes washing the whole body, the second purification step.
ὕδατιwith waterDativedative of means/instrument→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ: 'water'; dative of means; renders בַּמַּיִם; bathing 'in/with water' is the ordinary purification medium.
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 / impure'; renders טָמֵא; the eater remains ritually unclean until evening even after washing — the defilement runs its appointed course.
ἔσταιshall beFut Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (predicate: 'shall be unclean')→ predictive future (the resulting state)εἰμί (fut. ἔσομαι): 'be'; the copula of the impurity-status clause.
ἕωςuntilimproper preposition + genitive (temporal terminus)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until'; ἕως ἑσπέρας ('until evening') is the standard duration of minor ritual impurity (cf. Lev 11:24ff.).
ἑσπέραςeveningGenitivegenitive governed by ἕως (temporal)→ relational specificationἑσπέρα: 'evening'; renders עֶרֶב; uncleanness lapses at sundown, when the new day begins.
καὶand thencoordinate conjunction (consecutive)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: consecutive, 'and then he shall be clean.'
καθαρὸςcleanNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceκαθαρός: 'clean / pure'; renders טָהֵר; once evening passes and the washing is done, ritual purity is restored.
ἔσταιshall beFut Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (predicate: 'shall be clean')→ predictive future (restored state)εἰμί: the copula of the restored-purity clause.
16
ἐὰν δὲ μὴ πλύνῃ τὰ ἱμάτια καὶ τὸ σῶμα μὴ λούσηται ὕδατι καὶ λήμψεται ἀνόμημα αὐτοῦ
But if he does not wash his garments and does not bathe his body in water, then he shall bear his iniquity.
The closing ἐάν-clause states the consequence of neglecting the purification of v. 15: λήμψεται ἀνόμημα αὐτοῦ ('he shall bear his iniquity'), the formula for assuming personal liability for guilt. The chapter ends not with karet but with this milder yet real sanction, rounding off the Holiness Code's opening unit on blood.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (+ subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; with the subjunctive introduces the protasis of a conditional sanction; renders אִם.
δὲbutmild adversative (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: 'but'; marks the contrast with the obedient case of v. 15.
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: negates the subjunctive πλύνῃ.
πλύνῃhe washesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · πλύνωverb of conditional clause (protasis)→ aorist subjunctive (conditional, negated)πλύνω: as in v. 15; the failure to wash the garments is the condition that incurs guilt.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱμάτιαgarmentsAccusativedirect object of πλύνῃ→ object specificationἱμάτιον: as in v. 15.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σῶμαbodyAccusativedirect object of λούσηται→ object specificationσῶμα: 'body'; renders בָּשָׂר ('flesh / body') here; the body must be bathed as in v. 15 (where λούσεται is used absolutely).
μὴnotnegative particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: negates λούσηται.
λούσηταιhe bathesAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · λούωverb of conditional clause (protasis, coordinate)→ aorist subjunctive (conditional, negated)λούω (mid. λούσηται): as in v. 15; failure to bathe the body completes the condition of neglect.
ὕδατιwith waterDativedative of means/instrument→ sphere or referenceὕδωρ: as in v. 15; the medium of bathing.
καὶthenapodotic conjunction (introducing the consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: apodotic, rendering the Hebrew apodosis-waw; 'then he shall bear...'
λήμψεταιhe shall bear / incurFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb of apodosis (assumption of guilt)→ predictive/legal future (the resulting liability)λαμβάνω (fut. mid. λήμψεται): 'take / receive / bear'; the idiom λαμβάνειν ἀνόμημα ('bear iniquity') renders נָשָׂא עָוֹן, meaning to be held personally liable for one's guilt; the one who neglects purification carries the consequence himself.
ἀνόμημαiniquity / guiltAccusativedirect object of λήμψεται→ object specificationἀνόμημα: 'lawless deed / iniquity / guilt'; renders עָוֹן ('iniquity / guilt / punishment for guilt'); λήμψεται ἀνόμημα αὐτοῦ = 'he shall bear his own iniquity,' the formula of personal culpability that closes the chapter.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: possessive genitive, 'his iniquity' — the guilt is his own to bear.