1
καὶ ἀναλαβοῦσα πᾶσα ἡ συναγωγὴ ἔδωκεν φωνήν καὶ ἔκλαιεν ὁ λαὸς ὅλην τὴν νύκτα ἐκείνην
And all the congregation, taking up its voice, gave a cry, and the people wept all that night.
The chapter opens with the people's collective grief as the immediate reaction to the spies' discouraging report. The Hebraizing idiom ἀναλαβοῦσα … ἔδωκεν φωνήν ('lifting up, gave a voice') renders נָתַן קוֹל, and the durative imperfect ἔκλαιεν with ὅλην τὴν νύκτα stresses the night-long lament that sets the emotional stage for the rebellion.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναλαβοῦσαtaking upAor Act Ptc Fem Nom Sg · ἀναλαμβάνωcircumstantial participle (agreeing with συναγωγή)→ antecedent aorist participle (action prior to the main verb)ἀναλαμβάνω: 'take up / lift up'; here with φωνήν it forms the idiom 'lift up the voice', rendering Hebrew נָשָׂא קוֹל / נָתַן קוֹל; the feminine participle agrees with the collective subject ἡ συναγωγή.
πᾶσαallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying συναγωγή)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; the emphatic πᾶσα ἡ συναγωγή ('the whole congregation') stresses the totality of the rebellion — not a faction but the entire assembled people.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συναγωγὴcongregationNominativesubject→ participant prominenceσυναγωγή: 'assembly / congregation / gathering'; renders Hebrew עֵדָה, the standard term for the assembled covenant community of Israel in the wilderness; the word dominates this chapter as the corporate agent of rebellion.
ἔδωκενgaveAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb→ constative aorist (single completed act)δίδωμι: 'give'; the idiom ἔδωκεν φωνήν ('gave voice / uttered a cry') renders נָתַן קוֹל; the aorist marks the corporate outcry as a single decisive act.
φωνήνa voice / cryAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκεν→ object specificationφωνή: 'voice / sound / cry'; in the idiom ἔδωκεν φωνήν it denotes a loud collective cry of distress, here the wail of grief and fear after the spies' report.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔκλαιενwas weepingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · κλαίωmain verb (durative)→ durative imperfect (ongoing weeping through the night)κλαίω: 'weep / wail / lament'; renders בָּכָה; the imperfect ἔκλαιεν portrays the weeping as continuous and prolonged, matched by the temporal phrase ὅλην τὴν νύκτα ('all that night').
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἔκλαιεν→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the covenant term for Israel (rendering עַם); here parallel to συναγωγή, the weeping people stand collectively as the subject of the rebellion.
ὅληνwholeAccusativeattributive adjective (accusative of duration, modifying νύκτα)→ object specificationὅλος: 'whole / entire'; the accusative of extent of time ὅλην τὴν νύκτα ('all that night / the whole night') quantifies the duration of the lament.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νύκταnightAccusativeaccusative of duration of time→ object specificationνύξ: 'night'; the accusative of extent expresses the span of the weeping; the night-long grief frames the rebellion that erupts at daybreak.
ἐκείνηνthatAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying νύκτα)→ object specificationἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the distal demonstrative marks the specific night following the spies' report as the decisive turning-point of the wilderness generation.
2
καὶ διεγόγγυζον ἐπὶ Μωυσῆν καὶ Ααρων πάντες οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ καὶ εἶπαν πρὸς αὐτοὺς πᾶσα ἡ συναγωγή ὄφελον ἀπεθάνομεν ἐν γῇ Αἰγύπτῳ ἢ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ταύτῃ εἰ ἀπεθάνομεν
And all the sons of Israel were murmuring against Moses and Aaron, and all the congregation said to them, 'Would that we had died in the land of Egypt, or in this wilderness — if only we had died!'
The durative imperfect διεγόγγυζον (the intensive compound δια- of γογγύζω) marks the rebellion's characteristic verb, 'murmuring' — the leitmotif of the wilderness narrative (Exod 16; Num 14; cf. 1 Cor 10:10). The optative-equivalent ὄφελον introduces a death-wish, doubled by the wistful εἰ ἀπεθάνομεν, expressing the people's despairing preference for death over the conquest.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
διεγόγγυζονwere murmuringImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · διαγογγύζωmain verb (durative)→ durative imperfect (sustained collective murmuring)διαγογγύζω: 'murmur / grumble throughout'; the intensive compound of γογγύζω (an onomatopoeic LXX verb rendering לוּן in the Niphal/Hiphil); the imperfect portrays the grumbling as the ongoing, defining sin of the wilderness generation (cf. v. 27, 29, 36; 1 Cor 10:10).
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: here in a hostile sense, 'against'; the murmuring is directed against the human leaders Moses and Aaron, though ultimately (v. 27) it is reckoned as murmuring against YHWH.
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ object specificationΜωυσῆς: transliteration of Hebrew מֹשֶׁה; declined as a first/second-declension noun in Rahlfs' LXX (acc. Μωυσῆν).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑαρωνAaronobject of ἐπί (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliteration of Hebrew אַהֲרֹן; indeclinable in the LXX; Aaron stands beside Moses as the joint object of the people's complaint and, with him, falls on his face in v. 5.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying υἱοί)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; again stressing universality — the murmuring embraces all the sons of Israel.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of διεγόγγυζον→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the phrase οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ('the sons of Israel') renders בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, the standard designation of the covenant nation.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; functions here as a genitive ('of Israel') qualifying υἱοί.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aorist (collective speech-act)λέγω: 'say'; the late/Koine aorist form εἶπαν (for classical εἶπον) is standard in the LXX; introduces the people's death-wish complaint.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativeobject of πρός (Moses and Aaron)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'he / it / they'; here the accusative plural refers to Moses and Aaron, the addressees of the complaint.
πᾶσαallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying συναγωγή)→ participant prominenceπᾶσα: meaning 'all'; it serves as attributive adjective (modifying συναγωγή).
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συναγωγήcongregationNominativesubject of εἶπαν→ participant prominenceσυναγωγή: 'congregation' (עֵדָה); the repeated πᾶσα ἡ συναγωγή keeps the whole assembly as the corporate speaker.
ὄφελονwould thatparticle introducing an unattainable wish→ discourse linkage or contrastὄφελον: a fixed particle (originally aorist of ὀφείλω) introducing a wish for the unreal past, 'would that / if only'; here with the aorist indicative ἀπεθάνομεν it expresses the despairing wish 'would that we had died.'
ἀπεθάνομενwe had diedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωverb of the unreal wish (with ὄφελον)→ aorist of unattainable wish (past counterfactual)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; with ὄφελον the aorist indicative expresses a wish about the past that did not happen; the death-wish renders the Hebrew לוּ־מַתְנוּ and voices the rebellion's rejection of the Exodus itself.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
γῇlandDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceγῆ: 'land / earth'; γῇ Αἰγύπτῳ ('land of Egypt') is appositional, the place of former bondage now perversely idealized.
ΑἰγύπτῳEgyptDativedative in apposition to γῇ (locative)→ sphere or referenceΑἴγυπτος: standard LXX form of Hebrew מִצְרַיִם; the people's nostalgia for death in Egypt rather than life in the promised land epitomizes their faithlessness.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; offers the alternative locale for the wished-for death, the wilderness.
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.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness / desert'; renders מִדְבָּר; ironically, the people's wish to die in the wilderness becomes the literal sentence of vv. 29, 32 — their carcasses will indeed fall in this wilderness.
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἐρήμῳ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this'; the proximal demonstrative ('this wilderness') makes the wish disturbingly concrete — the very place becomes their grave.
εἰif onlyparticle of wish (with aorist indicative)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: normally 'if', but here with the aorist indicative it functions as a wish-particle reinforcing ὄφελον, 'if only we had died' — a Hebraizing emphatic repetition of the death-wish (לוּ).
ἀπεθάνομενwe had diedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωverb of repeated wish (with εἰ)→ aorist of unattainable wish (emphatic repetition)ἀποθνῄσκω: the repetition of ἀπεθάνομεν frames the verse as an inclusio of death-longing, intensifying the people's despair to the point of refusing the gift of the land.
3
καὶ ἵνα τί κύριος εἰσάγει ἡμᾶς εἰς τὴν γῆν ταύτην πεσεῖν ἐν πολέμῳ αἱ γυναῖκες ἡμῶν καὶ τὰ παιδία ἔσονται εἰς διαρπαγήν νῦν οὖν βέλτιον ἡμῖν ἐστιν ἀποστραφῆναι εἰς Αἴγυπτον
And why does the LORD bring us into this land to fall in war? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder. Now therefore it is better for us to return to Egypt.
The complaint escalates from murmuring against Moses to a direct charge against κύριος: the rhetorical ἵνα τί ('to what end / why') accuses YHWH of leading them out only to destroy them. The threefold dread — falling in war, wives and children as plunder — culminates in the rebellious proposal βέλτιον … ἀποστραφῆναι εἰς Αἴγυπτον, a reversal of the Exodus that prepares for the leadership-plot of v. 4.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἵναto what endpart of the interrogative idiom ἵνα τί ('why?')→ clausal contributionἵνα τί: a fixed interrogative idiom, 'why? / for what purpose?' (lit. 'in order that what?'), rendering לָמָּה; here it accuses YHWH of a purpose that is destructive.
τίwhyinterrogative pronoun (with ἵνα)→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative; as part of ἵνα τί it forms the reproachful question 'why does the LORD bring us…?'
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of εἰσάγει→ participant prominenceκύριος: the LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; that the people name YHWH himself as the agent of their imagined destruction marks the seriousness of the rebellion.
εἰσάγειbrings inPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσάγωmain verb of the rhetorical question→ progressive present (the conquest viewed as already in motion)εἰσάγω: 'lead in / bring into'; renders הֵבִיא; the same verb is used positively by Caleb and Joshua in v. 8 (εἰσάξει ἡμᾶς) and by YHWH in vv. 24, 31 — the people pervert the leading-in into an accusation.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of εἰσάγει→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of εἰσάγει.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; 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.
γῆνlandAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the promised land, perceived by the unbelieving people not as gift but as death-trap.
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying γῆν)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the deictic 'this land' points to the land the spies surveyed.
πεσεῖνto fallAor Act Inf · πίπτωinfinitive of result/purpose (with εἰσάγει)→ aorist infinitive of result ('only to fall')πίπτω: 'fall'; the aorist infinitive πεσεῖν expresses the dreaded outcome of being brought in — to fall in battle; the verb πίπτω recurs throughout the chapter (the carcasses 'fall', vv. 29, 32; the people 'fall' before enemies, vv. 42–43).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (circumstance).
πολέμῳwarDativedative of circumstance (with πεσεῖν)→ sphere or referenceπόλεμος: 'war / battle'; renders מִלְחָמָה; the fear of falling 'in war' is the people's projection of the spies' report of fortified cities and giants (ch. 13).
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γυναῖκεςwivesNominativesubject of ἔσονται→ participant prominenceγυνή: 'woman / wife'; the dread for the women and children expresses the fear of captivity and despoliation in a conquered population.
ἡμῶνourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'our'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδίαlittle onesNominativesubject of ἔσονται (coordinate with γυναῖκες)→ participant prominenceπαιδίον: 'small child / little one'; renders טַף; the same παιδία reappear in YHWH's reversal at v. 31 — the very children the people feared would be plunder are the ones he will bring into the land.
ἔσονταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίmain verb (predictive)→ predictive future (feared outcome)εἰμί: 'be'; with εἰς διαρπαγήν it forms the Hebraizing idiom 'become for plunder' (הָיָה לְבַז), expressing transformation into a state.
εἰςfor / to becomepreposition + accusative (predicate of result: Hebraism)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: with εἰμί here renders the Hebrew לְ of product/result, 'become as plunder.'
διαρπαγήνplunderAccusativepredicate accusative (with εἰς: 'for plunder')→ object specificationδιαρπαγή: 'plundering / spoil / prey'; renders בַּז; the word recurs at v. 31 (ἐν διαρπαγῇ), where YHWH explicitly overturns the people's fear.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; with οὖν it draws the practical conclusion of the complaint.
οὖνthereforeinferential particle→ discourse linkage or contrastοὖν: 'therefore / then'; the inferential particle introduces the rebellious resolution that follows from the people's fear.
βέλτιονbetterNominativepredicate adjective (comparative, neuter, with ἐστιν)→ participant prominenceβελτίων (neut. βέλτιον): comparative 'better'; the impersonal βέλτιόν ἐστιν ('it is better') frames the proposal to return to Egypt as the supposedly reasonable course — the deepest expression of unbelief.
ἡμῖνfor usDativedative of advantage (with βέλτιον ἐστιν)→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'for us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (with βέλτιον ἐστιν).
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (impersonal)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the impersonal copula with βέλτιον and the epexegetical infinitive ἀποστραφῆναι.
ἀποστραφῆναιto returnAor Pass Inf · ἀποστρέφωepexegetical infinitive (subject of βέλτιον ἐστιν)→ aorist infinitive (proposed decisive act of return)ἀποστρέφω (aor. pass. ἀποστραφῆναι, intransitive 'turn back / return'): renders שׁוּב; the proposal to 'return to Egypt' is the antithesis of the Exodus and the covenant; the same root recurs in the rout of v. 45 (ἀπεστράφησαν εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΑἴγυπτονEgyptAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal of the proposed return)→ object specificationΑἴγυπτος: the land of bondage; the people's wish to return there reverses redemption and constitutes practical apostasy.
4
καὶ εἶπαν ἕτερος τῷ ἑτέρῳ δῶμεν ἀρχηγὸν καὶ ἀποστρέψωμεν εἰς Αἴγυπτον
And they said one to another, 'Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.'
The reciprocal idiom ἕτερος τῷ ἑτέρῳ ('one to another') depicts the rebellion spreading person to person. The hortatory subjunctives δῶμεν … ἀποστρέψωμεν crystallize the murmuring into a concrete counter-revolution: to appoint an ἀρχηγός in place of Moses and undo the Exodus — the act that provokes the divine wrath of vv. 11–12.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: the aorist εἶπαν introduces the seditious proposal exchanged among the people.
ἕτεροςoneNominativesubject (reciprocal construction)→ participant prominenceἕτερος: 'other / another'; the pairing ἕτερος τῷ ἑτέρῳ ('one to the other') is a reciprocal idiom rendering Hebrew אִישׁ אֶל־אָחִיו, portraying the mutual incitement among the people.
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑτέρῳotherDativedative (reciprocal: 'to the other')→ sphere or referenceἕτερος (dat.): completes the reciprocal idiom 'each to the other.'
δῶμενlet us appointAor Act Subj 1 Pl · δίδωμιhortatory subjunctive→ hortatory aorist subjunctive (collective resolve)δίδωμι: lit. 'let us give', here in the sense 'let us appoint / set up'; δῶμεν ἀρχηγόν ('let us appoint a leader') renders נִתְּנָה רֹאשׁ; the resolve to install a new head is open rebellion against Moses' divinely-given leadership.
ἀρχηγὸνa leaderAccusativedirect object of δῶμεν→ object specificationἀρχηγός: 'leader / chief / founder'; renders רֹאשׁ ('head'); the term (used elsewhere of military or covenant heads, and later christologically at Heb 2:10; 12:2) is here the would-be anti-Moses who would lead Israel back to slavery.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποστρέψωμενlet us returnAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἀποστρέφωhortatory subjunctive (coordinate with δῶμεν)→ hortatory aorist subjunctive (purpose of the appointment)ἀποστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; here transitive-reflexive 'let us turn back', the active counterpart to v. 3's ἀποστραφῆναι; the proposal to undo the Exodus is the rebellion's logical end and the direct provocation of the divine sentence.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΑἴγυπτονEgyptAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationΑἴγυπτος: the goal of the apostate plan; the repetition from v. 3 underlines that the rebellion's aim is nothing less than the reversal of redemption.
5
καὶ ἔπεσεν Μωυσῆς καὶ Ααρων ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ἐναντίον πάσης συναγωγῆς υἱῶν Ισραηλ
And Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the congregation of the sons of Israel.
Moses and Aaron's falling on their faces (ἔπεσεν … ἐπὶ πρόσωπον) is a gesture of intercessory humiliation and appeal — to God and before the people — in the face of the threatened apostasy; the same posture recurs at Num 16:4, 22, 45 in moments of impending judgment. The verb πίπτω here ironically anticipates the 'falling' of the carcasses (vv. 29, 32).
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔπεσενfellAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb (singular with compound subject)→ constative aorist (single decisive act of prostration)πίπτω: 'fall'; ἔπεσεν … ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ('fell on the face') renders נָפַל עַל־פָּנָיו, a gesture of prostrate appeal and intercession; the singular verb with the compound subject Μωυσῆς καὶ Ααρων follows common LXX/Hebrew agreement with the nearer subject.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: nominative subject; Moses leads the act of intercessory prostration that prefigures his great prayer in vv. 13–19.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑαρωνAaronsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑαρων: indeclinable; joins Moses in the prostration.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (direction of the gesture)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of the gesture).
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeobject of ἐπί (idiom: 'on the face')→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face'; in the idiom ἔπεσεν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον it denotes full prostration; renders פָּנִים.
ἐναντίονbeforepreposition + genitive (Hebraizing: 'in the presence of')→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: 'before / in the sight of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the prostration is public, before the whole congregation, an appeal both to God and a visible plea to the people.
πάσηςallGenitiveattributive adjective (modifying συναγωγῆς)→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all / whole'; πάσης συναγωγῆς keeps the corporate, total character of the assembly to which Moses and Aaron appeal.
συναγωγῆςcongregationGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίον→ relational specificationσυναγωγή: 'congregation' (עֵדָה); the assembled people of Israel.
υἱῶνof the sonsGenitivegenitive of relationship (modifying συναγωγῆς)→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; συναγωγῆς υἱῶν Ισραηλ ('congregation of the sons of Israel') is a standard LXX collocation for the covenant assembly.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; qualifies υἱῶν.
6
Ἰησοῦς δὲ ὁ τοῦ Ναυη καὶ Χαλεβ ὁ τοῦ Ιεφοννη τῶν κατασκεψαμένων τὴν γῆν διέρρηξαν τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτῶν
But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, of those who had spied out the land, tore their garments,
The δέ marks a sharp contrast: against the whole congregation, two of the twelve spies — Joshua and Caleb — stand apart. Tearing the garments (διέρρηξαν τὰ ἱμάτια) is the conventional gesture of grief, alarm, and protest at blasphemy or catastrophe (cf. Gen 37:29; 2 Kgs 18:37); here it dramatizes their horror at the people's apostasy and introduces their intercessory testimony of vv. 7–9.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἸησοῦς: the LXX form of Hebrew יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Joshua); the same Greek name later borne by Jesus; declined as a contracted noun (gen. Ἰησοῦ); leader of the faithful minority and Moses' successor.
δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: here strongly adversative, setting Joshua and Caleb over against the rebellious congregation.
ὁthe (son)Nominativearticle (with genitive of filiation: 'the [son] of Nun')→ noun-phrase markingὁ τοῦ Ναυη: the article + genitive idiom denotes filiation, 'the [son] of Nun', rendering Hebrew בִּן־נוּן.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (genitive of filiation)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΝαυηNungenitive of filiation (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΝαυη: LXX transliteration of Hebrew נוּן (Nun), Joshua's father; indeclinable.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΧαλεβCalebsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΧαλεβ: transliteration of Hebrew כָּלֵב (Caleb); indeclinable; the faithful spy of Judah singled out by YHWH for the inheritance in v. 24.
ὁthe (son)Nominativearticle (genitive of filiation)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τοῦofGenitivearticle (genitive of filiation)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙεφοννηJephunnehgenitive of filiation (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙεφοννη: transliteration of Hebrew יְפֻנֶּה (Jephunneh), Caleb's father; indeclinable.
τῶνof thoseGenitivearticle (partitive genitive with κατασκεψαμένων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατασκεψαμένωνwho had spied outAor Mid Ptc Masc Gen Pl · κατασκέπτομαιsubstantival participle (partitive genitive: 'of those who spied')→ antecedent aorist participle (completed reconnaissance)κατασκέπτομαι: 'spy out / reconnoiter / examine'; renders תּוּר; the participle identifies Joshua and Caleb as two of the twelve who had reconnoitered the land (ch. 13); the verb-root dominates this chapter (vv. 7, 34, 36, 38).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of κατασκεψαμένων→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the land of Canaan, object of the reconnaissance.
διέρρηξανtoreAor Act Indic 3 Pl · διαρρήγνυμιmain verb→ constative aorist (decisive gesture of protest)διαρρήγνυμι: 'tear apart / rend'; renders קָרַע; the rending of garments (διέρρηξαν τὰ ἱμάτια) is the standard biblical gesture of grief and protest at calamity or blasphemy (cf. Gen 37:29; 2 Kgs 18:37); here it signals Joshua and Caleb's anguish over the rebellion.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱμάτιαgarmentsAccusativedirect object of διέρρηξαν→ object specificationἱμάτιον: 'garment / cloak'; renders בֶּגֶד; the torn garments make their grief and protest publicly visible to the congregation they are about to address.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
7
καὶ εἶπαν πρὸς πᾶσαν συναγωγὴν υἱῶν Ισραηλ λέγοντες ἡ γῆ ἣν κατεσκεψάμεθα αὐτήν ἀγαθή ἐστιν σφόδρα σφόδρα
and they spoke to all the congregation of the sons of Israel, saying, 'The land which we spied out — it is exceedingly, exceedingly good.'
The faithful spies counter the majority report directly: the doubled adverb σφόδρα σφόδρα ('exceedingly, exceedingly') is an emphatic Hebraism (מְאֹד מְאֹד) intensifying the land's goodness against the people's despair. The resumptive pronoun αὐτήν after the relative ἥν ('the land which we spied it out') is a Hebraizing redundancy (resumptive/pleonastic pronoun).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανsaidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: aorist εἶπαν introduces the testimony of Joshua and Caleb.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying συναγωγήν)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / whole'; they address the entire assembly, not a faction.
συναγωγὴνcongregationAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationσυναγωγή: 'congregation' (עֵדָה).
υἱῶνof the sonsGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; standard collocation 'congregation of the sons of Israel.'
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Pl · λέγωredundant participle of speech (Hebraism: introduces direct discourse)→ imperfective participle (redundant λέγοντες marking direct speech)λέγω: the redundant participle λέγοντες after a finite verb of speaking renders the Hebrew לֵאמֹר, a quotation marker introducing direct discourse — a hallmark Septuagintalism.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆlandNominativesubject of ἐστιν (topicalized, resumed by αὐτήν)→ participant prominenceγῆ: 'land'; the land of Canaan, here proclaimed exceedingly good against the spies' evil report.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of κατεσκεψάμεθα)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; introduces the relative clause describing the land, with redundant resumptive αὐτήν following.
κατεσκεψάμεθαwe spied outAor Mid Indic 1 Pl · κατασκέπτομαιverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (completed reconnaissance)κατασκέπτομαι: 'spy out / examine'; the first-person plural identifies the speakers as eyewitnesses, lending authority to their favorable verdict.
αὐτήνitAccusativeresumptive pronoun (Hebraizing pleonasm after relative ἥν)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the resumptive/pleonastic pronoun 'it' redundantly repeats the relative's antecedent ('the land which we spied it out'), a calque of the Hebrew resumptive pronoun (אֲשֶׁר … אֹתָהּ).
ἀγαθήgoodNominativepredicate adjective (with ἐστιν)→ participant prominenceἀγαθός: 'good'; renders טוֹב; the predicate 'good' answers directly to the divine evaluation of the land (cf. Deut 8:7) and stands against the spies' slander of v. 36–37.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; copula linking γῆ and ἀγαθή.
σφόδραexceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying ἀγαθή)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'very / exceedingly'; renders מְאֹד; the first of the doubled intensifier.
σφόδραexceedinglyadverb of degree (emphatic repetition)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: the doubling σφόδρα σφόδρα renders the Hebrew superlative reduplication מְאֹד מְאֹד ('very, very'), an emphatic affirmation of the land's surpassing goodness.
8
εἰ αἱρετίζει ἡμᾶς κύριος εἰσάξει ἡμᾶς εἰς τὴν γῆν ταύτην καὶ δώσει αὐτὴν ἡμῖν γῆ ἥτις ἐστὶν ῥέουσα γάλα καὶ μέλι
If the LORD favors us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us — a land which is flowing with milk and honey.
The conditional εἰ αἱρετίζει ('if the LORD delights in / chooses us') grounds the conquest not in Israel's military strength but in YHWH's election and favor. The land is described with the classic covenant formula ῥέουσα γάλα καὶ μέλι ('flowing with milk and honey'), the recurring LXX epithet for the promised land (Exod 3:8, 17; Lev 20:24).
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
εἰifconditional conjunction (introducing real condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; with the present indicative αἱρετίζει it frames a real/assumed condition — the assurance rests on YHWH's favor, which the faithful spies take as real.
αἱρετίζειfavors / choosesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · αἱρετίζωverb of the conditional protasis→ progressive present (YHWH's settled disposition of favor)αἱρετίζω: 'choose / prefer / delight in'; renders חָפֵץ ('delight in') / בָּחַר ('choose'); the verb (used of divine election, e.g. Ps 131[132]:13; Mal 3:17; Matt 12:18) grounds the conquest in YHWH's elective favor rather than Israel's prowess.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of αἱρετίζει→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of αἱρετίζει.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of αἱρετίζει→ participant prominenceκύριος: the LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; YHWH's favor is the sole condition of the inheritance.
εἰσάξειhe will bring inFut Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσάγωmain verb of the apodosis→ predictive future (assured outcome of YHWH's favor)εἰσάγω: 'bring in / lead in'; the faithful counterpart to the people's accusatory εἰσάγει in v. 3 — here YHWH's leading-in is salvation, not death; the verb anticipates v. 24 (εἰσάξω αὐτόν) and v. 31.
ἡμᾶςusAccusativedirect object of εἰσάξει→ participant referenceἡμᾶς: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of εἰσάξει.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; 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.
γῆνlandAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the promised inheritance.
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying γῆν)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; 'this land' which the spies have surveyed.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δώσειwill giveFut Act Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (coordinate with εἰσάξει)→ predictive future (gift of the land)δίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; the land is YHWH's gift, the fulfillment of the patriarchal promise (Gen 12:7; 15:18).
αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object of δώσει→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'it'; refers to the land.
ἡμῖνto usDativeindirect object (dative of recipient)→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'to us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (dative of recipient).
γῆa landNominativenominative in apposition (loose appositive describing the land)→ participant prominenceγῆ: 'land'; the nominative (rather than expected accusative) is a Hebraizing loose apposition, the noun standing in its citation form before the descriptive clause — 'a land which is flowing with milk and honey.'
ἥτιςwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐστὶν)→ participant referenceὅστις: indefinite/qualitative relative 'which (is of such a kind)'; introduces the descriptive clause characterizing the land.
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (with periphrastic participle ῥέουσα)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; with the participle ῥέουσα forms the periphrastic 'is flowing.'
ῥέουσαflowingPres Act Ptc Fem Nom Sg · ῥέωpredicate participle (periphrastic with ἐστὶν)→ imperfective participle (characteristic, ongoing abundance)ῥέω: 'flow'; the formula γῆ ῥέουσα γάλα καὶ μέλι ('a land flowing with milk and honey') renders אֶרֶץ זָבַת חָלָב וּדְבָשׁ, the classic covenant epithet of the land's fertility (Exod 3:8, 17; Lev 20:24; Deut 6:3); the participle agrees with γῆ.
γάλαmilkAccusativeaccusative of content (with ῥέουσα)→ object specificationγάλα: 'milk'; renders חָלָב; with μέλι forms the merism of pastoral and agricultural abundance.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μέλιhoneyAccusativeaccusative of content (with ῥέουσα)→ object specificationμέλι: 'honey'; renders דְּבַשׁ; completes the proverbial image of the land's surpassing fruitfulness.
9
ἀλλὰ ἀπὸ τοῦ κυρίου μὴ ἀποστάται γίνεσθε ὑμεῖς δὲ μὴ φοβηθῆτε τὸν λαὸν τῆς γῆς ὅτι κατάβρωμα ἡμῖν ἐστιν ἀφέστηκεν γὰρ ὁ καιρὸς ἀπ᾿ αὐτῶν ὁ δὲ κύριος ἐν ἡμῖν μὴ φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς
Only do not become rebels against the LORD; and do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us; their season has departed from them, but the LORD is among us — do not fear them.
The climax of the faithful testimony: a double prohibition — do not rebel against YHWH, do not fear the land's peoples — anchored by the central confession ὁ δὲ κύριος ἐν ἡμῖν ('the LORD is among us'). The triple negation (μὴ … μὴ … μὴ φοβηθῆτε) frames the people as κατάβρωμα ('food/prey') whose 'season' (καιρός, their protective fortune) has departed. The inclusio μὴ φοβηθῆτε … μὴ φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς brackets the appeal.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
ἀλλὰbut / onlystrong adversative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but / only / rather'; here pivots from the assurance of vv. 7–8 to the urgent exhortation, 'only do not rebel.'
ἀπὸfrom / againstpreposition + genitive (separation: 'apostates from')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; with ἀποστάται γίνεσθε it expresses revolt/defection 'from' the LORD; the Hebrew underlying is מָרַד בְּ ('rebel against').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κυρίουLORDGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; to fear the land's peoples is implicitly to rebel against YHWH, who is among Israel.
μὴnotnegative particle (with imperative γίνεσθε)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: negative of prohibition with the present imperative, 'do not keep on being / do not become.'
ἀποστάταιrebels / apostatesNominativepredicate nominative (with γίνεσθε)→ participant prominenceἀποστάτης: 'rebel / deserter / apostate'; renders the participial sense of מָרַד / סָרַר; the noun (used at 1 Esd 2:23; later technical for an apostate) names the very identity the people are courting by their plot to return to Egypt.
γίνεσθεbecomePres Mid Impv 2 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (prohibition)→ present imperative of prohibition (do not become / cease becoming)γίνομαι: 'become / be'; the present imperative with μή warns against the ongoing drift into rebellion already underway in the congregation.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ (pl. ὑμεῖς): the emphatic 'you' sets the addressed people over against the threatening nations — your fear is misplaced.
δὲandcontinuative particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: continuative, joining the second prohibition to the first.
μὴnotnegative particle (with φοβηθῆτε)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: prohibitive negative with the aorist subjunctive.
φοβηθῆτεfearAor Pass Subj 2 Pl · φοβέομαιprohibitive subjunctive (μή + aorist subjunctive)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive of prohibition (do not begin to fear)φοβέομαι: 'fear / be afraid'; the prohibition μὴ φοβηθῆτε ('do not fear') is the recurring summons to faith (cf. Exod 14:13; Deut 1:21; Josh 1:9); its repetition brackets the verse as an inclusio.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of φοβηθῆτε→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; here the inhabitants of Canaan whom the spies' report made fearsome.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of relationship (the people 'of the land')→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; ὁ λαὸς τῆς γῆς ('the people of the land') denotes the Canaanite population.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction (introducing reason for fearlessness)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the ground of the exhortation not to fear.
κατάβρωμαfood / preyNominativepredicate nominative (with ἐστιν)→ participant prominenceκατάβρωμα: 'food / something devoured / prey'; renders לֶחֶם ('bread', here metaphorically 'they are bread for us', i.e. easily consumed); the vivid image (cf. Num 24:8) means the Canaanites will be no more resistant than food to be eaten — Israel will devour them.
ἡμῖνfor usDativedative of advantage→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'for us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage.
ἐστινthey arePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (singular agreeing with predicate κατάβρωμα)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the singular agrees with the neuter predicate κατάβρωμα though the logical subject (the peoples) is plural.
ἀφέστηκενhas departedPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀφίστημιmain verb (perfect of state)→ stative perfect (a settled condition: has stood off and remains so)ἀφίστημι: 'stand away / depart / withdraw'; the intransitive perfect ἀφέστηκεν ('has departed and is gone') describes the Canaanites' καιρός — their protective fortune or appointed season — as having withdrawn; their divine protection has lapsed, leaving them vulnerable.
γὰρforcausal particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; gives the further ground: their 'season' has departed.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καιρὸςseason / timeNominativesubject of ἀφέστηκεν→ participant prominenceκαιρός: 'appointed time / season / opportune moment'; here the Canaanites' favorable season or protective fortune (perhaps their 'shadow/defense', rendering Hebrew צֵל 'shade/protection'); its departure signals that the time for their conquest has come.
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation, elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; marks the withdrawal of the καιρός from the Canaanites.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'them'; the Canaanite peoples.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: adversative, contrasting Israel's situation with the Canaanites' — they are abandoned, but YHWH is with Israel.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (verbless clause: 'the LORD [is] among us')→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the confession ὁ δὲ κύριος ἐν ἡμῖν ('but the LORD is among us') is the theological heart of the faithful testimony — the Immanuel-principle answering all fear (cf. v. 42, where the LORD is conversely 'not among them').
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (locative: 'among us')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: 'in / among'; ἐν ἡμῖν renders בְּתוֹכֵנוּ / עִמָּנוּ, YHWH's presence in the midst of his people.
ἡμῖνusDativeobject of ἐν→ participant reference or interestἡμῖν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐν.
μὴnotnegative particle (with φοβηθῆτε)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: prohibitive negative.
φοβηθῆτεfearAor Pass Subj 2 Pl · φοβέομαιprohibitive subjunctive (closing repetition)→ ingressive aorist subjunctive of prohibitionφοβέομαι: the repeated μὴ φοβηθῆτε αὐτούς closes the appeal as an inclusio, pressing the summons to faith against the terror that will instead carry the day.
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object of φοβηθῆτε→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'them'; the Canaanite peoples whom Israel is not to fear.
10
καὶ εἶπεν πᾶσα ἡ συναγωγὴ καταλιθοβολῆσαι αὐτοὺς ἐν λίθοις καὶ ἡ δόξα κυρίου ὤφθη ἐν νεφέλῃ ἐπὶ τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ
But all the congregation said to stone them with stones; and the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud upon the tent of meeting before all the sons of Israel.
The rebellion reaches its violent climax: the congregation answers the faithful testimony by resolving to stone Joshua and Caleb. The decisive καί introduces the divine intervention — the δόξα κυρίου ('glory of the LORD') appears in the cloud at the tent of meeting, the visible manifestation of YHWH's presence that halts the murder and inaugurates the judgment-dialogue of vv. 11ff.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶand / butnarrative conjunction (adversative force in context)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (singular with collective subject)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; here εἶπεν … καταλιθοβολῆσαι ('said to stone') = 'resolved / called to stone', a Hebraizing use of 'say' for 'command / propose'; the singular verb agrees with the collective συναγωγή.
πᾶσαallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying συναγωγή)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; the whole congregation, not a mob-faction, calls for the stoning — the apostasy is total.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συναγωγὴcongregationNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceσυναγωγή: 'congregation' (עֵדָה).
καταλιθοβολῆσαιto stoneAor Act Inf · καταλιθοβολέωcomplementary infinitive (object of εἶπεν: what they resolved)→ aorist infinitive (the proposed lethal act)καταλιθοβολέω: 'stone to death / kill by stoning'; the double-compound (κατα- + λιθο- + βολέω) intensifies λιθοβολέω; renders רָגַם / סָקַל; the congregation proposes the judicial execution of the very men who spoke truth — the inversion of justice that provokes the theophany.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of καταλιθοβολῆσαι (Joshua and Caleb)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'them'; Joshua and Caleb (and perhaps Moses and Aaron) are the intended victims.
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (instrumental)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: instrumental 'with', a Hebraizing rendering of בְּ; 'with stones.'
λίθοιςstonesDativedative of instrument→ sphere or referenceλίθος: 'stone'; the instrument of the threatened execution; the pleonastic 'stone … with stones' is a Hebraizing cognate construction.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (decisive turn to theophany)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δόξαgloryNominativesubject of ὤφθη→ participant prominenceδόξα: 'glory / splendor'; ἡ δόξα κυρίου renders כְּבוֹד יהוה, the visible manifestation of YHWH's presence (the kabod); its appearing at decisive moments (Exod 16:10; 24:16; Num 16:19, 42) signals divine intervention in judgment or vindication.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of source/possession (with δόξα)→ relational specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the glory belongs to YHWH and reveals his presence.
ὤφθηappearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (theophanic appearing)→ aorist passive (was seen / appeared — punctiliar manifestation)ὁράω (aor. pass. ὤφθη): 'be seen / appear'; the standard LXX verb for theophanic manifestation (cf. Gen 12:7; Exod 16:10); the passive 'was seen' frames the glory as objectively manifest to all Israel, interrupting the violence.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
νεφέλῃa cloudDativedative of place (the medium of the glory)→ sphere or referenceνεφέλη: 'cloud'; renders עָנָן; the cloud is the customary medium of the kabod (Exod 40:34–38); the glory 'in the cloud' marks YHWH's presence at the tent.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (position)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtentGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί→ relational specificationσκηνή: 'tent / tabernacle'; ἡ σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου ('the tent of witness/meeting') renders אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, the place of YHWH's appointed meeting with Israel and the locus of revelation.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουof witness / meetingGenitivegenitive of relationship (with σκηνῆς)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'testimony / witness'; the LXX renders מוֹעֵד ('appointed meeting') by μαρτύριον, perhaps associating it with עֵדוּת ('testimony'); 'the tent of witness' is the standard LXX designation of the tabernacle.
ἐνbefore / amongpreposition + dative (locative: 'in the presence of')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: here 'before / in the sight of', the glory manifest publicly 'among all the sons of Israel.'
πᾶσιallDativeattributive adjective (modifying υἱοῖς)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; the theophany is witnessed by the entire people, so that the divine response is public and unmistakable.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativeobject of ἐν (the witnessing people)→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; 'all the sons of Israel' as the assembled witnesses of the glory's appearing.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
11
καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν ἕως τίνος παροξύνει με ὁ λαὸς οὗτος καὶ ἕως τίνος οὐ πιστεύουσίν μοι ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς σημείοις οἷς ἐποίησα ἐν αὐτοῖς
And the LORD said to Moses, 'How long does this people provoke me, and how long do they not believe me, despite all the signs which I have done among them?'
YHWH's first response to the rebellion is a double rhetorical lament — ἕως τίνος … ἕως τίνος ('how long … how long') — pairing the verbs παροξύνει ('provoke') and οὐ πιστεύουσιν ('do not believe'). The indictment names the people's sin precisely as unbelief in the face of all YHWH's signs (σημεῖα), the theological root that the NT (Heb 3:19) identifies as the cause of the wilderness death.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (divine speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: 'say'; the formula εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν introduces unmediated YHWH-speech, here the indictment and threat.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the divine speaker.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationΜωυσῆς: the recipient of the divine word and the one who will intercede.
ἕωςhow (long)part of interrogative idiom ἕως τίνος ('until when / how long?')→ clausal contributionἕως τίνος: 'how long? / until when?', rendering עַד־אָנָה; a lament-formula expressing divine grief and forbearance stretched to its limit.
τίνοςwhenGenitiveinterrogative pronoun (genitive with ἕως)→ relational specificationτίς: interrogative; the genitive τίνος with ἕως forms the temporal question 'how long?'
παροξύνειprovokesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · παροξύνωmain verb of the rhetorical question→ progressive present (continual provocation)παροξύνω: 'provoke / irritate / exasperate'; renders נָאַץ ('spurn / despise') / כָּעַס; the verb (and its noun παροξυσμός) becomes a technical term for Israel's provocation of YHWH in the wilderness (cf. Ps 105[106]:7, 33; the cognate παραπικρασμός at Ps 94[95]:8, quoted in Heb 3:8, 15).
μεmeAccusativedirect object of παροξύνει→ participant referenceἐγώ: 'me'; YHWH himself is the object of the provocation.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of παροξύνει→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; ὁ λαὸς οὗτος ('this people') carries a note of distancing reproach, almost 'this lot.'
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative adjective (modifying λαός)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; with λαός it has a faintly disparaging tone, the rebellious generation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the parallel question)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἕωςhow (long)part of repeated interrogative idiom ἕως τίνος→ clausal contributionἕως τίνος: the repetition intensifies the lament — provocation and unbelief named as twin offenses.
τίνοςwhenGenitiveinterrogative pronoun (with ἕως)→ relational specificationτίς: interrogative; the second 'how long.'
οὐnotnegative particle (with πιστεύουσιν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: objective negation; negates the indicative πιστεύουσιν.
πιστεύουσίνthey believePres Act Indic 3 Pl · πιστεύωmain verb of the second question→ progressive present (persistent unbelief)πιστεύω: 'believe / trust / have faith'; renders אָמַן (Hiphil, 'believe / trust'); the people's refusal to believe YHWH despite his signs is the cardinal sin (cf. Deut 1:32; Ps 105[106]:24; Heb 3:19, 'they could not enter because of unbelief').
μοιmeDativedative object of πιστεύουσιν (object of trust)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ: dative 'me'; πιστεύω + dative = 'believe / trust in' a person; the failure is a failure to trust YHWH personally.
ἐνin / despitepreposition + dative (attendant circumstance: 'in/amid all the signs')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: here 'in the midst of / despite'; the unbelief persists 'amid all the signs', heightening its perversity.
πᾶσινallDativeattributive adjective (modifying σημείοις)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'all'; the totality of YHWH's signs makes the unbelief inexcusable.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σημείοιςsignsDativeobject of ἐν→ sphere or referenceσημεῖον: 'sign / wonder'; renders אוֹת; the signs of the Exodus and wilderness (plagues, sea, manna, pillar) that should have produced faith but were met with provocation.
οἷςwhichDativerelative pronoun (attracted to dative of antecedent σημείοις)→ participant reference or interestὅς: relative pronoun; its dative case is by attraction to the antecedent σημείοις (logically accusative object of ἐποίησα).
ἐποίησαI didAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the accomplished signs)ποιέω: 'do / make'; YHWH himself is the worker of the signs; the first-person underlines that the unbelief is directed against demonstrated divine power.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (locative: 'among them')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: 'among / in the presence of'; the signs were done in their very midst.
αὐτοῖςthemDativeobject of ἐν→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'them'; the people who witnessed yet did not believe.
12
πατάξω αὐτοὺς θανάτῳ καὶ ἀπολῶ αὐτοὺς καὶ ποιήσω σὲ καὶ τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρός σου εἰς ἔθνος μέγα καὶ πολὺ μᾶλλον ἢ τοῦτο
I will strike them with death and destroy them, and I will make of you and of your father's house a nation great and much mightier than this one.
YHWH announces judgment (πατάξω … ἀπολῶ) and then makes Moses the same offer once made to him at the golden calf (Exod 32:10): to begin again from him as a greater nation. The offer tests Moses' mediatorial heart; his refusal to accept personal aggrandizement at the cost of the people frames the intercession of vv. 13–19. The cognate-dative πατάξω … θανάτῳ ('strike with death') is a Hebraism for plague-death.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
πατάξωI will strikeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (divine threat)→ predictive future (threatened judicial act)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite'; renders נָכָה (Hiphil); with θανάτῳ ('with death/pestilence') it denotes lethal plague-judgment; the same verb describes the death of the spies in v. 37 and recurs in plague-narratives (Exod 12:29).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of πατάξω→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'them'; the rebellious people.
θανάτῳwith deathDativedative of instrument (Hebraizing cognate: 'strike with death')→ sphere or referenceθάνατος: 'death'; in the LXX θάνατος frequently renders דֶּבֶר ('pestilence/plague'), so πατάξω … θανάτῳ = 'strike with pestilence'; the dative of means calques the Hebrew construction.
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 · ἀπόλλυμιmain verb (coordinate with πατάξω)→ predictive future (total destruction)ἀπόλλυμι: 'destroy / ruin / blot out'; renders אָבַד (Hiphil) / יָרַשׁ (Hiphil, 'dispossess'); intensifies πατάξω — the threat is not mere chastisement but the annihilation of the rebellious generation.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἀπολῶ→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἀπολῶ.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the offer to Moses)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσωI will makeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (the divine offer)→ predictive future (offered new beginning)ποιέω: 'make / do'; ποιήσω σε εἰς ἔθνος μέγα ('I will make you into a great nation') echoes the Abrahamic promise (Gen 12:2) and the golden-calf offer (Exod 32:10) — YHWH offers to restart the covenant from Moses alone.
σὲyouAccusativedirect object of ποιήσω (emphatic)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic 'you' (Moses); the offer of personal exaltation that Moses will decline for the people's sake.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativedirect object of ποιήσω (coordinate with σέ)→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / household / lineage'; τὸν οἶκον τοῦ πατρός σου ('your father's house') denotes Moses' ancestral line, from which the new nation would spring.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατρόςfatherGenitivegenitive of relationship (with οἶκον)→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; 'the house of your father' = Moses' family line.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (predicate of result: Hebraism)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: with ποιέω, 'make into', renders the Hebrew לְ of product; 'make you into a nation.'
ἔθνοςa nationAccusativepredicate accusative (with εἰς)→ object specificationἔθνος: 'nation / people'; renders גּוֹי; the promise of a 'great nation' from Moses recapitulates the Abrahamic covenant, making Moses a new patriarch.
μέγαgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔθνος)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great'; renders גָּדוֹל; describes the size and might of the offered nation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πολὺmuchAccusativeadverbial accusative (intensifying the comparison: 'much greater')→ object specificationπολύς: 'much / many / great'; here adverbial 'much (more)', intensifying the comparison μᾶλλον ἤ — the new nation would be far mightier than the present Israel.
μᾶλλονmorecomparative adverb→ clausal contributionμᾶλλον: 'more / rather'; with ἤ forms the comparison 'greater than this one.'
ἢthanparticle of comparison→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'than'; introduces the standard of comparison (the present people).
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (the present nation, standard of comparison)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the neuter τοῦτο refers to the present ἔθνος of Israel, which the new nation would surpass.
13
καὶ εἶπεν Μωυσῆς πρὸς κύριον καὶ ἀκούσεται Αἴγυπτος ὅτι ἀνήγαγες τῇ ἰσχύι σου τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον ἐξ αὐτῶν
And Moses said to the LORD, 'But Egypt will hear that you brought up this people by your strength from among them,
Moses' great intercession opens not with appeal to the people's merit (there is none) but to YHWH's own reputation: the nations, beginning with Egypt, have witnessed the Exodus 'by your strength' (τῇ ἰσχύι σου). The argument is theocentric — the destruction of Israel would be misread by the watching nations as divine impotence. The initial καί has adversative force ('but / and yet').
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Moses' intercessory speech to YHWH (vv. 13–19), one of the great prayers of the Pentateuch.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: the mediator who, refusing the offer of v. 12, pleads for the people.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
κύριονLORDAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; Moses addresses YHWH directly in intercession.
καὶbut / and soconjunction (adversative/consequential force introducing the argument)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here with adversative or consequential nuance, 'but then / and so' — Moses raises the consequence YHWH's threatened action would have among the nations.
ἀκούσεταιwill hearFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (apprehended consequence)→ predictive future (the foreseen report among the nations)ἀκούω: 'hear'; the future middle ἀκούσεται frames Egypt's certain hearing of the news; the verb sets up the rhetoric of international report (cf. ἀκηκόασιν vv. 14, 15) that structures Moses' plea.
ΑἴγυπτοςEgyptNominativesubject of ἀκούσεται→ participant prominenceΑἴγυπτος: 'Egypt'; here the nation personified as the hearer/witness of YHWH's deeds — the first of the watching nations whose verdict Moses invokes.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing object clause of ἀκούσεται)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of what Egypt will hear.
ἀνήγαγεςyou brought upAor Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀνάγωverb of the ὅτι-clause→ constative aorist (the accomplished Exodus)ἀνάγω: 'lead up / bring up'; renders הֶעֱלָה, the standard Exodus verb 'bring up out of Egypt'; the second-person addresses YHWH as the acknowledged author of the deliverance.
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἰσχύιstrengthDativedative of means (with ἀνήγαγες)→ sphere or referenceἰσχύς: 'strength / might / power'; renders כֹּחַ; 'by your strength' attributes the Exodus to YHWH's power — the very power the nations would think had failed if Israel perished (v. 16); the noun reappears in v. 17 (ὑψωθήτω ἡ ἰσχύς σου).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἀνήγαγες→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον ('this people') — the same people YHWH offered to destroy, here pleaded for as the object of his redemptive act.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying λαόν)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative ties the plea to the concrete community under threat.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source: 'from among them')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'out of / from among'; the Exodus is 'from among them' (the Egyptians).
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ (the Egyptians)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'them'; refers to the Egyptians, from whose midst YHWH led Israel.
14
ἀλλὰ καὶ πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ταύτης ἀκηκόασιν ὅτι σὺ εἶ κύριος ἐν τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ ὅστις ὀφθαλμοῖς κατ᾿ ὀφθαλμοὺς ὀπτάζῃ κύριε καὶ ἡ νεφέλη σου ἐφέστηκεν ἐπ᾿ αὐτῶν καὶ ἐν στύλῳ νεφέλης σὺ πορεύῃ πρότερος αὐτῶν τὴν ἡμέραν καὶ ἐν στύλῳ πυρὸς τὴν νύκτα
but also all who dwell upon this land have heard that you are the LORD among this people, who are seen eye to eye, O LORD, and your cloud stands over them, and in a pillar of cloud you go before them by day, and in a pillar of fire by night.
The argument widens from Egypt to all the inhabitants of Canaan: they too have heard that YHWH is uniquely present 'among this people', seen face to face (ὀφθαλμοῖς κατ᾿ ὀφθαλμούς, a Hebraism, עַיִן בְּעַיִן), with the cloud overhead and the pillar of cloud/fire guiding them. The unique, visible divine presence is the very thing whose reputation Moses pleads YHWH to protect.
Word-by-word analysis· 47 words
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but'; with καί ('but also') it extends the witness from Egypt to the nations of Canaan.
καὶalsoadjunctive adverb ('also')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: 'also / even'; broadens the scope of witnesses.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying κατοικοῦντες)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; all the inhabitants of the land are witnesses to YHWH's presence with Israel.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with participle)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατοικοῦντεςdwellingPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Pl · κατοικέωsubstantival participle (subject: 'those who dwell')→ imperfective participle (settled habitation)κατοικέω: 'dwell / inhabit'; renders יָשַׁב; οἱ κατοικοῦντες ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ταύτης = 'the inhabitants of this land', the Canaanite peoples who have heard the report of YHWH's deeds (cf. Josh 2:9–11; Exod 15:14–16).
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; here the land of Canaan, whose peoples are the watching nations.
ταύτηςthisGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying γῆς)→ relational specificationοὗτος: 'this'; the land the people are poised to enter.
ἀκηκόασινhave heardPerf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωmain verb (perfect of abiding result)→ resultative perfect (have heard and the report stands)ἀκούω (perf. ἀκηκόασιν): 'have heard'; the perfect stresses the abiding effect — the report of YHWH's mighty acts is established knowledge among the nations (cf. Josh 2:10); recurs in v. 15.
ὅτιthatconjunction (object clause of ἀκηκόασιν)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces what the nations have heard.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic 'you' (YHWH); stresses YHWH's unique identity as the God present with this people.
εἶarePres Act Indic 2 Sg · εἰμίcopula (with σύ … κύριος)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; σὺ εἶ κύριος ('you are the LORD') is a confession of YHWH's identity and presence among Israel.
κύριοςLORDNominativepredicate nominative (with εἶ)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the nations know that the God of Israel is YHWH, present in their midst.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (locative: 'among this people')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: 'among / in'; YHWH's presence ἐν τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ ('among this people') is the unique fact known to the nations.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαῷpeopleDativeobject of ἐν→ sphere or referenceλαός: 'people'; the people in whose midst YHWH dwells visibly.
τούτῳthisDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying λαῷ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this'; the people Moses pleads for.
ὅστιςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (loosely referring to YHWH/the people: 'you who are seen')→ participant referenceὅστις: qualitative relative; the construction is elliptical — referring to YHWH who is seen eye to eye by this people (or the people to whom YHWH appears); renders a difficult Hebrew syntax (Num 14:14).
ὀφθαλμοῖςwith eyesDativedative of means (Hebraism: 'eye to eye')→ sphere or referenceὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; ὀφθαλμοῖς κατ᾿ ὀφθαλμούς ('with eyes against eyes / eye to eye') renders the Hebrew עַיִן בְּעַיִן, denoting direct, face-to-face revelation (cf. Num 12:8, στόμα κατὰ στόμα).
κατ᾿against / topreposition + accusative (in the idiom 'eye to eye')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: in the idiom ὀφθαλμοῖς κατ᾿ ὀφθαλμούς = 'eye to eye', expressing immediate, unmediated vision.
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativeobject of κατά (in the idiom)→ object specificationὀφθαλμός: 'eye'; completes the 'eye to eye' Hebraism of direct divine self-disclosure.
ὀπτάζῃyou appear / are seenPres Mid Indic 2 Sg · ὀπτάζομαιverb of the relative clause (addressed to YHWH)→ progressive present (continual self-manifestation)ὀπτάζομαι: 'appear / be seen / show oneself'; a rare LXX verb (cognate of ὀπτασία, 'vision'); the present 'you are seen / show yourself' describes YHWH's ongoing visible manifestation to Israel, the unique fact known to the nations.
κύριεO LORDVocativevocative (direct address)→ direct addressκύριος (voc. κύριε): the vocative address to YHWH within the prayer heightens its intercessory directness.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νεφέληcloudNominativesubject of ἐφέστηκεν→ participant prominenceνεφέλη: 'cloud'; ἡ νεφέλη σου ('your cloud') is the visible sign of YHWH's guiding and protecting presence (Exod 13:21–22); its standing over the people is part of the public testimony to YHWH's nearness.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐφέστηκενstands overPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐφίστημιmain verb (perfect of state)→ stative perfect (abiding position over the camp)ἐφίστημι: 'stand upon / over'; the intransitive perfect ἐφέστηκεν ('stands / is set over') describes the cloud's settled position above the people; the perfect underscores the constant, abiding presence.
ἐπ᾿overpreposition + genitive (position, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position, elided).
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'them'; the people over whom the cloud stands.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means/mode: 'in a pillar')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (means/mode: 'in a pillar').
στύλῳa pillarDativedative of means/manner (with πορεύῃ)→ sphere or referenceστῦλος: 'pillar / column'; renders עַמּוּד; ἐν στύλῳ νεφέλης ('in a pillar of cloud') and ἐν στύλῳ πυρός ('in a pillar of fire') describe YHWH's guiding theophany (Exod 13:21–22), the daily-and-nightly visible sign of his leadership.
νεφέληςof cloudGenitivegenitive of material/content (with στύλῳ)→ relational specificationνεφέλη: 'cloud'; the pillar's daytime substance.
σὺyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic 'you' (YHWH); it is YHWH himself who goes before the people in the pillar.
πορεύῃyou goPres Mid Indic 2 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (addressed to YHWH)→ progressive present (continual leading)πορεύομαι: 'go / journey / proceed'; renders הָלַךְ; YHWH 'goes before' (πρότερος αὐτῶν) the people as their vanguard, the visible leader of the march.
πρότεροςbeforeNominativepredicate adjective (of position: 'going ahead of them')→ participant prominenceπρότερος: 'former / earlier / ahead'; here positional, 'in front of / ahead of them'; renders לִפְנֵיהֶם; YHWH leads the column.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive of comparison/relation (with πρότερος)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'them'; the people whom YHWH precedes.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (accusative of time)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρανby dayAccusativeaccusative of time (duration/extent: 'during the day')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the accusative τὴν ἡμέραν ('by day') marks the time of the cloud-pillar's guidance.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means/mode)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (means/mode).
στύλῳa pillarDativedative of means/manner→ sphere or referenceστῦλος: 'pillar'; the nighttime fire-pillar, parallel to the day's cloud-pillar.
πυρὸςof fireGenitivegenitive of material/content (with στύλῳ)→ relational specificationπῦρ: 'fire'; renders אֵשׁ; the fiery pillar gives light and guidance by night (Exod 13:21).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (accusative of time)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νύκταby nightAccusativeaccusative of time (duration: 'during the night')→ object specificationνύξ: 'night'; the accusative τὴν νύκτα ('by night') marks the time of the fire-pillar's guidance, completing the day/night merism of constant divine presence.
15
καὶ ἐκτρίψεις τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον ὡσεὶ ἄνθρωπον ἕνα καὶ ἐροῦσιν τὰ ἔθνη ὅσοι ἀκηκόασιν τὸ ὄνομά σου λέγοντες
And if you should wipe out this people as one man, then the nations, as many as have heard your name, will say,
Moses presses the rhetorical hinge: to destroy Israel 'as one man' (ὡσεὶ ἄνθρωπον ἕνα, in a single stroke) would provoke the nations who have heard YHWH's name to a blasphemous conclusion — quoted in v. 16. The redundant λέγοντες introduces their reported speech. The argument anticipates Ezekiel's 'for my name's sake' theology (Ezek 20:9, 14).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandconjunction (introducing the conditional supposition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here with conditional/consequential force, 'and (if) you wipe out … then…'
ἐκτρίψειςyou will wipe outFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐκτρίβωmain verb (hypothetical destruction)→ predictive future in conditional supposition ('if you should destroy')ἐκτρίβω: 'rub out / destroy utterly / exterminate'; renders הִכְרִית / הִשְׁמִיד; the vivid 'wipe out' presents the total destruction YHWH threatened (v. 12), set as the protasis of the feared consequence.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἐκτρίψεις→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον, the people whose destruction is in view.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; ties the supposition to the concrete community.
ὡσεὶas / likecomparative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastὡσεί: 'as / like / as if'; renders כְּ; ὡσεὶ ἄνθρωπον ἕνα ('as one man') means in a single decisive stroke, all at once.
ἄνθρωπονmanAccusativeaccusative of comparison (with ὡσεί)→ object specificationἄνθρωπος: 'man / person'; the comparison 'as one man' stresses the simultaneity and ease of the threatened annihilation (cf. Judg 6:16).
ἕναoneAccusativeattributive numeral (modifying ἄνθρωπον)→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; emphasizes that the whole people would be destroyed as a single individual — in one act.
καὶthen / andconjunction (apodosis of the supposition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: introduces the consequence — 'then the nations will say.'
ἐροῦσινwill sayFut Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγω / εἶπονmain verb (the feared report)→ predictive future (the blasphemous verdict)λέγω (fut. ἐροῦσιν): 'will say'; introduces the nations' reported conclusion, quoted in v. 16 — the heart of Moses' theocentric argument.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔθνηnationsNominativesubject of ἐροῦσιν→ participant prominenceἔθνος: 'nation / gentile people'; renders גּוֹיִם; the nations are the audience whose theological verdict Moses fears for YHWH's honor.
ὅσοιas many asNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἀκηκόασιν)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much/many as'; ὅσοι ἀκηκόασιν ('as many as have heard') defines the nations precisely as those who have heard YHWH's reputation.
ἀκηκόασινhave heardPerf Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀκούωverb of relative clause (perfect of result)→ resultative perfect (the report abides)ἀκούω (perf.): 'have heard'; repeats v. 14 — the nations' established knowledge of YHWH's name is what makes the feared verdict so damaging to his reputation.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομάnameAccusativedirect object of ἀκηκόασιν→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name'; renders שֵׁם; YHWH's 'name' is his revealed reputation and character among the nations — the very thing Moses' prayer is concerned to safeguard (cf. Ezek 20:9; 36:22–23).
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Pl · λέγωredundant participle of speech (introducing the quotation of v. 16)→ imperfective participle (quotation marker)λέγω: the redundant λέγοντες (rendering לֵאמֹר) introduces the direct quotation of the nations' verdict that follows in v. 16.
16
παρὰ τὸ μὴ δύνασθαι κύριον εἰσαγαγεῖν τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον εἰς τὴν γῆν ἣν ὤμοσεν αὐτοῖς κατέστρωσεν αὐτοὺς ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ
'Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he swore to them, he slaughtered them in the wilderness.'
The quoted verdict of the nations is the rhetorical climax of Moses' argument: they would conclude that YHWH lacked the power (μὴ δύνασθαι) to fulfill his sworn promise and so destroyed Israel in the wilderness. The articular-infinitive causal construction παρὰ τὸ μὴ δύνασθαι ('because of his not being able') frames the slander; κατέστρωσεν ('laid them low / slaughtered') is the verb later applied to the actual judgment (cf. 1 Cor 10:5, κατεστρώθησαν).
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
παρὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative articular infinitive (causal)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + acc. articular infinitive: 'because of / on account of'; παρὰ τὸ μὴ δύνασθαι ('because of the not being able') expresses cause — the supposed reason for the destruction.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing the infinitive δύνασθαι)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μὴnotnegative particle (with infinitive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative used with the infinitive; 'not being able.'
δύνασθαιto be ablePres Mid Inf · δύναμαιarticular infinitive (object of παρά: the supposed inability)→ imperfective infinitive (state of inability)δύναμαι: 'be able / have power'; the imputed inability of YHWH is the blasphemy Moses dreads; the whole prayer turns on vindicating the divine δύναμις (cf. ἰσχύς, vv. 13, 17).
κύριονthe LORDAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive δύνασθαι→ object specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; subject of the infinitive in the nations' imagined statement.
εἰσαγαγεῖνto bring inAor Act Inf · εἰσάγωcomplementary infinitive (with δύνασθαι)→ aorist infinitive (the unaccomplished entry)εἰσάγω: 'bring in / lead into'; the very act YHWH purposed (cf. vv. 3, 8, 24, 31); the nations would say he could not accomplish it.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of εἰσαγαγεῖν→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; the people YHWH allegedly could not bring in.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this.'
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; 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.
γῆνlandAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the sworn land of promise.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ὤμοσεν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; introduces the clause recalling the divine oath to the fathers.
ὤμοσενhe sworeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀμνύωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the patriarchal oath)ὀμνύω: 'swear (an oath)'; renders נִשְׁבַּע; recalls YHWH's sworn promise of the land to the patriarchs (Gen 22:16–18); the same verb recurs in YHWH's counter-oath at v. 23 (ἣν ὤμοσα).
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative (indirect object of ὤμοσεν)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to them'; the recipients of the oath (the fathers / the people).
κατέστρωσενhe laid low / slaughteredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταστρώννυμιmain verb (the nations' charge)→ constative aorist (the imputed massacre)καταστρώννυμι: 'strew down / lay low / overthrow'; renders שָׁחַט ('slaughter'); the vivid 'laid them low / strewed their corpses' is the very verb Paul echoes for the actual judgment (κατεστρώθησαν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, 1 Cor 10:5); the nations would falsely ascribe this to divine weakness rather than righteous judgment.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of κατέστρωσεν→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'them'; the destroyed people.
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.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness'; the place where the nations would suppose YHWH abandoned and slaughtered his people; ironically the actual site of the just sentence (vv. 29, 32, 35).
17
καὶ νῦν ὑψωθήτω ἡ ἰσχύς σου κύριε ὃν τρόπον εἶπας λέγων
And now let your strength be exalted, O LORD, in the manner you spoke, saying:
The pivotal καὶ νῦν ('and now') turns from argument to petition. Strikingly, Moses asks that YHWH's strength (ἰσχύς, picking up v. 13) be 'exalted' (ὑψωθήτω) not by destruction but — as the citation formula ὃν τρόπον εἶπας ('as you said') makes clear — by the exercise of the merciful attributes about to be recited (v. 18). True divine power is shown in forgiveness.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandconjunction (with νῦν, transitional)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (transition to petition)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; καὶ νῦν marks the rhetorical turn from the argument (vv. 13–16) to the actual request (vv. 17–19), a standard feature of biblical prayers.
ὑψωθήτωlet be exaltedAor Pass Impv 3 Sg · ὑψόωmain verb (third-person imperative of petition)→ aorist passive imperative (petition that YHWH's power be magnified)ὑψόω: 'lift up / exalt / magnify'; renders רוּם / גָּדַל; Moses prays that YHWH's ἰσχύς be 'exalted' — paradoxically through mercy, not annihilation; the divine self-revelation that follows (v. 18) defines what such exaltation looks like.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἰσχύςstrengthNominativesubject of ὑψωθήτω→ participant prominenceἰσχύς: 'strength / might'; resumes v. 13 ('by your strength') — the very power the nations would doubt is here invoked to be magnified by the act of pardon.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κύριεO LORDVocativevocative (direct address)→ direct addressκύριος (voc. κύριε): direct address to YHWH in petition.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (in the idiom ὃν τρόπον: 'in the manner which')→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; ὃν τρόπον ('in which manner / just as') is an adverbial accusative idiom citing YHWH's own prior self-declaration.
τρόπονmannerAccusativeadverbial accusative (in the idiom ὃν τρόπον: 'as')→ object specificationτρόπος: 'manner / way'; ὃν τρόπον = 'in the way that / just as', the citation-formula introducing the quotation of the Exodus-34 self-revelation.
εἶπαςyou saidAor Act Indic 2 Sg · λέγωverb of the comparative clause→ constative aorist (YHWH's prior self-declaration)λέγω (aor. εἶπας): 'you said'; refers to YHWH's self-revelation of his name and attributes at Sinai (Exod 34:6–7), which Moses now cites back to YHWH as the ground of his appeal.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · λέγωredundant participle of speech (introducing the citation of v. 18)→ imperfective participle (quotation marker)λέγω: the redundant λέγων (rendering לֵאמֹר) introduces the recited divine self-description of v. 18.
18
κύριος μακρόθυμος καὶ πολυέλεος καὶ ἀληθινός ἀφαιρῶν ἀνομίας καὶ ἀδικίας καὶ ἁμαρτίας καὶ καθαρισμῷ οὐ καθαριεῖ τὸν ἔνοχον ἀποδιδοὺς ἁμαρτίας πατέρων ἐπὶ τέκνα ἕως τρίτης καὶ τετάρτης
'The LORD is longsuffering and very merciful and true, taking away iniquities and injustices and sins, and he will by no means acquit the guilty, repaying the sins of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.'
The theological centerpiece of the chapter: Moses recites YHWH's own self-revelation from Exod 34:6–7. The LXX renders the attributes as μακρόθυμος ('longsuffering'), πολυέλεος ('very merciful'), ἀληθινός ('true'), ἀφαιρῶν ἀνομίας … ('taking away iniquities…'), balanced by the justice-clause καθαρισμῷ οὐ καθαριεῖ τὸν ἔνοχον ('he will by no means acquit the guilty') and the generational visitation. Mercy and justice are held together; Moses appeals to the first while honoring the second.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (verbless predication of attributes)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the subject of the credal recitation, the God whose name and character were revealed at Sinai (Exod 34:6).
μακρόθυμοςlongsufferingNominativepredicate adjective→ participant prominenceμακρόθυμος: 'longsuffering / slow to anger / patient'; renders אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם ('long of nostrils', i.e. slow to wrath); the cardinal attribute of divine forbearance, the theological ground of the delay of judgment (cf. Rom 2:4; 2 Pet 3:9).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πολυέλεοςvery mercifulNominativepredicate adjective→ participant prominenceπολυέλεος: 'abounding in mercy / very merciful'; the compound (πολύς + ἔλεος) renders רַב־חֶסֶד ('great in lovingkindness'); the attribute Moses most directly appeals to in v. 19 (κατὰ τὸ μέγα ἔλεός σου).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀληθινόςtrueNominativepredicate adjective→ participant prominenceἀληθινός: 'true / faithful / reliable'; renders אֱמֶת ('faithfulness / truth'); YHWH's covenant fidelity, the ground of confidence that he keeps his sworn promise even while judging.
ἀφαιρῶνtaking awayPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · ἀφαιρέωattributive participle (describing YHWH's habitual action)→ imperfective participle (characteristic, ongoing forgiving)ἀφαιρέω: 'take away / remove'; renders נֹשֵׂא ('bearing / forgiving'); ἀφαιρῶν ἀνομίας ('taking away iniquities') describes YHWH's habitual removal of guilt — the divine forgiveness Moses invokes.
ἀνομίαςiniquitiesAccusativedirect object of ἀφαιρῶν (accusative plural)→ object specificationἀνομία: 'lawlessness / iniquity'; renders עָוֺן; the first of the triad of sin-terms YHWH removes.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀδικίαςinjusticesAccusativedirect object of ἀφαιρῶν→ object specificationἀδικία: 'unrighteousness / injustice'; renders פֶּשַׁע ('transgression / rebellion'); the second sin-term in the triad.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἁμαρτίαςsinsAccusativedirect object of ἀφαιρῶν→ object specificationἁμαρτία: 'sin / failure'; renders חַטָּאָה; the third sin-term; the comprehensive triad (ἀνομία / ἀδικία / ἁμαρτία) expresses the totality of human guilt that YHWH forgives.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the justice-clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καθαρισμῷby cleansingDativedative of means (Hebraizing cognate with καθαριεῖ: emphatic)→ sphere or referenceκαθαρισμός: 'cleansing / purification'; the cognate dative καθαρισμῷ οὐ καθαριεῖ ('cleansing he will not cleanse' = 'he will by no means acquit') renders the Hebrew infinitive-absolute construction נַקֵּה לֹא יְנַקֶּה, an emphatic negation.
οὐnotnegative particle (emphatic with καθαριεῖ)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: emphatic negation; with the cognate dative it gives 'by no means acquit.'
καθαριεῖwill acquit / cleanseFut Act Indic 3 Sg · καθαρίζωmain verb (the justice-clause)→ gnomic/predictive future (settled divine principle of justice)καθαρίζω: 'cleanse / purge / acquit'; renders נִקָּה ('hold innocent / acquit'); the emphatic καθαρισμῷ οὐ καθαριεῖ ('he will by no means acquit') affirms that forgiveness does not nullify justice — the guilty (ὁ ἔνοχος) are not simply let off; mercy and judgment coexist.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἔνοχονguilty oneAccusativedirect object of καθαριεῖ→ object specificationἔνοχος: 'liable / guilty / answerable'; the substantival adjective 'the guilty one'; YHWH does not acquit the unrepentant guilty — the justice-pole of the credal formula.
ἀποδιδοὺςrepayingPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · ἀποδίδωμιattributive participle (describing YHWH's just recompense)→ imperfective participle (characteristic just requital)ἀποδίδωμι: 'give back / repay / requite'; renders פֹּקֵד ('visiting'); ἀποδιδοὺς ἁμαρτίας πατέρων ('repaying the sins of fathers') expresses the generational solidarity in guilt and consequence (cf. Exod 20:5; Deut 5:9).
ἁμαρτίαςsinsAccusativedirect object of ἀποδιδοὺς→ object specificationἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the fathers' sins that are visited upon the descendants.
πατέρωνof fathersGenitivegenitive of source (whose sins)→ relational specificationπατήρ: 'father'; the ancestral generation whose guilt has consequences for the children.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction of the visitation)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of the visitation).
τέκναchildrenAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ object specificationτέκνον: 'child'; renders בָּנִים; the descendants upon whom the consequences fall.
ἕωςuntopreposition + genitive (extent: 'up to the third and fourth')→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / as far as'; with the ordinals marks the extent of the generational visitation.
τρίτηςthirdGenitiveordinal (genitive, sc. γενεᾶς: 'third generation')→ relational specificationτρίτος: 'third'; sc. γενεᾶς ('generation'); the visitation extends to the third generation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τετάρτηςfourthGenitiveordinal (genitive, sc. γενεᾶς: 'fourth generation')→ relational specificationτέταρτος: 'fourth'; the limit of the visitation, the third and fourth generation — notably shorter than the 'thousand generations' of mercy (Exod 34:7; Deut 7:9), so that even the justice-clause is bounded while mercy is vast.
19
ἄφες τὴν ἁμαρτίαν τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ κατὰ τὸ μέγα ἔλεός σου καθάπερ ἵλεως αὐτοῖς ἐγένου ἀπ᾿ Αἰγύπτου ἕως τοῦ νῦν
'Forgive the sin of this people according to your great mercy, just as you have been gracious to them from Egypt until now.'
The prayer reaches its single direct request: the aorist imperative ἄφες ('forgive / pardon'). The ground is twofold — κατὰ τὸ μέγα ἔλεός σου ('according to your great mercy', appealing to the πολυέλεος of v. 18) and the precedent of YHWH's consistent grace 'from Egypt until now' (ἀπ᾿ Αἰγύπτου ἕως τοῦ νῦν). Moses asks YHWH to act in character. The petition is answered in v. 20.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
ἄφεςforgiveAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀφίημιmain verb (the central petition)→ aorist imperative of entreaty (decisive plea for pardon)ἀφίημι: 'let go / forgive / pardon'; renders סְלַח ('forgive'); the aorist imperative ἄφες is the heart of the intercession — 'pardon the sin of this people'; the same root underlies the divine answer ἀφέωκα ('I have forgiven', cf. the parallel at Num 14:20 MT and the LXX's ἵλεως).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁμαρτίανsinAccusativedirect object of ἄφες→ object specificationἁμαρτία: 'sin'; renders עָוֺן ('iniquity'); the people's rebellion now named as the 'sin' to be forgiven.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαῷpeopleDativedative of advantage (the people for whom pardon is sought)→ sphere or referenceλαός: 'people'; the dative τῷ λαῷ τούτῳ ('to/for this people') marks the beneficiaries of the requested forgiveness.
τούτῳthisDativedemonstrative adjective→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this.'
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/norm)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; the norm of the petition is YHWH's own great mercy, not the people's worthiness.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μέγαgreatAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἔλεος)→ object specificationμέγας: 'great'; τὸ μέγα ἔλεός σου ('your great mercy') directly invokes the πολυέλεος of v. 18 as the measure of the requested pardon.
ἔλεόςmercyAccusativeobject of κατά→ object specificationἔλεος: 'mercy / lovingkindness'; renders חֶסֶד; YHWH's covenant mercy, the basis of Moses' plea and the attribute the whole prayer leans upon.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καθάπερjust ascomparative conjunction (introducing the precedent)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθάπερ: 'just as / even as'; appeals to YHWH's consistent past dealings as the precedent and pattern for present pardon.
ἵλεωςgraciousNominativepredicate adjective (with ἐγένου: 'you became gracious')→ participant prominenceἵλεως: 'gracious / propitious / merciful'; renders the sense of נָשָׂא / סָלַח; ἵλεως ἐγένου ('you have been gracious') describes YHWH's settled disposition of forgiveness; the same word opens his answer in v. 20 (ἵλεως αὐτοῖς εἰμι).
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative (object of ἵλεως: 'gracious to them')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to them'; the people who have been the objects of YHWH's grace throughout the wilderness journey.
ἐγένουyou have beenAor Mid Indic 2 Sg · γίνομαιverb of the comparative clause→ constative aorist (the established pattern of past grace)γίνομαι (aor. ἐγένου): 'became / have been'; with ἵλεως it states YHWH's consistent graciousness from the Exodus onward — the precedent Moses invokes.
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (temporal starting-point)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; marks the temporal span of YHWH's grace, beginning at the Exodus.
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (temporal: 'from [the time of] Egypt')→ relational specificationΑἴγυπτος: 'Egypt'; here the starting-point of the history of grace, the Exodus deliverance.
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal end-point)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until'; marks the present as the terminus of the unbroken history of YHWH's grace.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (substantivizing νῦν)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νῦνnowGenitivesubstantivized adverb (object of ἕως: 'the now / the present')→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; the articular τοῦ νῦν ('the present moment') closes the temporal span ἀπ᾿ Αἰγύπτου ἕως τοῦ νῦν — the whole journey as evidence of YHWH's persevering grace.
20
καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν ἵλεως αὐτοῖς εἰμι κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου
And the LORD said to Moses, 'I am gracious to them according to your word.'
YHWH's answer echoes Moses' own words back to him: ἵλεως (v. 19) and κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου ('according to your word'). The pardon is real and immediate — the intercession is effective — yet it is pardon from annihilation, not from all consequence, as the oath of vv. 21–23 will make clear. The efficacy of Moses' mediation prefigures later intercessory theology.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (divine speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces YHWH's gracious answer to the intercession.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the divine speaker who grants the pardon.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationΜωυσῆς: the mediator whose word is honored.
ἵλεωςgraciousNominativepredicate adjective (with εἰμι)→ participant prominenceἵλεως: 'gracious / propitious / merciful'; renders סָלַחְתִּי ('I have forgiven', Num 14:20 MT); the LXX's ἵλεως … εἰμι ('I am gracious / propitious') expresses the granting of pardon, picking up Moses' word from v. 19.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative (object of ἵλεως: 'gracious to them')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to them'; the pardoned people.
εἰμιI amPres Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula (with ἵλεως)→ stative present (declarative grant of pardon)εἰμί: 'be'; ἵλεως αὐτοῖς εἰμι ('I am gracious to them') is YHWH's performative declaration of forgiveness.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; the pardon is granted on the basis of Moses' interceding word.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμάwordAccusativeobject of κατά→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / saying / thing'; renders דָּבָר; κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου ('according to your word') acknowledges the efficacy of Moses' intercession — YHWH acts in response to his mediator's plea.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
21
ἀλλὰ ζῶ ἐγὼ καὶ ζῶν τὸ ὄνομά μου καὶ ἐμπλήσει ἡ δόξα κυρίου πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν
But as I live, and as my name is living, the glory of the LORD shall fill all the earth.
The pardon (v. 20) is followed by the oath of consequence, introduced by the solemn self-asseveration ζῶ ἐγώ ('as I live'), the strongest form of divine oath (cf. Num 14:28; Deut 32:40; frequent in Ezekiel). The doubled ζῶ … ζῶν ('I live … living is my name') reinforces it. The assurance that ἡ δόξα κυρίου will fill all the earth (cf. Isa 6:3; Hab 2:14) answers Moses' concern for YHWH's reputation — his glory will prevail regardless.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction (pardon qualified by oath)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but'; turns from the granted pardon to its qualification — forgiveness does not cancel the just consequence.
ζῶI livePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ζάωmain verb (oath-formula)→ performative present (self-asseveration oath: 'as I live')ζάω: 'live'; ζῶ ἐγώ ('as I live') is the divine oath-formula par excellence (Hebrew חַי־אָנִי), YHWH swearing by his own life — the most binding asseveration possible (cf. v. 28; Deut 32:40; Ezek 5:11; Rom 14:11).
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; YHWH swears by his own living self.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ζῶνlivingPres Act Ptc Neut Nom Sg · ζάωpredicate participle (with τὸ ὄνομά μου: 'my name is living')→ imperfective participle (the abiding life of the divine name)ζάω (ptc. ζῶν): 'living'; ζῶν τὸ ὄνομά μου ('living is my name') is a second, parallel asseveration unique to the LXX rendering, intensifying the oath by invoking the perpetual life of YHWH's name/reputation — the very thing Moses' prayer was concerned for.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομάnameNominativesubject (of ζῶν: 'my name is living')→ participant prominenceὄνομα: 'name'; YHWH's name, his revealed self and reputation, sworn to be eternally living — the reputation Moses pleaded to protect is itself the ground of the oath.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶand / indeedconjunction (introducing the content sworn)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here introducing the substance affirmed by the oath, 'surely / indeed.'
ἐμπλήσειshall fillFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐμπίμπλημιmain verb (content of the oath)→ predictive future (assured filling of the earth with glory)ἐμπίμπλημι: 'fill (full) / fill up'; renders מָלֵא; the assurance that ἡ δόξα κυρίου ('the glory of the LORD') shall fill all the earth (cf. Isa 6:3; Hab 2:14; Ps 71[72]:19) guarantees that YHWH's honor — Moses' very concern — will triumph universally regardless of this generation's fate.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δόξαgloryNominativesubject of ἐμπλήσει→ participant prominenceδόξα: 'glory'; ἡ δόξα κυρίου, the kabod that appeared at the tent (v. 10), here promised to fill the whole earth — the eschatological horizon of the divine reputation.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of source/possession→ relational specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the glory that is YHWH's own.
πᾶσανallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying γῆν)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / whole'; the universal scope — the whole earth — of the glory's future filling.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνearthAccusativedirect object of ἐμπλήσει→ object specificationγῆ: 'earth / land'; here the whole earth that YHWH's glory will fill — the cosmic scope answering the nations' doubt.
22
ὅτι πάντες οἱ ἄνδρες οἱ ὁρῶντες τὴν δόξαν μου καὶ τὰ σημεῖα ἃ ἐποίησα ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ καὶ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ταύτῃ καὶ ἐπείρασάν με τοῦτο δέκατον καὶ οὐκ εἰσήκουσάν μου τῆς φωνῆς
For all the men who saw my glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and in this wilderness, and yet tested me this tenth time, and did not hearken to my voice —
The ὅτι-clause states the ground of the sworn sentence (completed in v. 23): the men who both saw YHWH's glory and signs yet tested him 'this tenth time' (τοῦτο δέκατον) and disobeyed his voice. The phrase ἐπείρασάν με ('they tested me') names the wilderness sin (cf. Exod 17:7; Ps 94[95]:9, quoted in Heb 3:9); 'ten times' is a round number for repeated, complete provocation.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
ὅτιforcausal conjunction (ground of the oath)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / for'; introduces the reason for the sworn exclusion that follows in v. 23.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἄνδρες)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the totality of the guilty generation, none excepted (save Caleb and Joshua).
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνδρεςmenNominativesubject (left grammatically suspended; resumed by the verdict in v. 23)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man'; renders אֲנָשִׁים; the adult males of the rebellious generation, the bearers of responsibility, who are the subject of the oath of exclusion.
οἱthe (who)Nominativearticle (with participle ὁρῶντες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁρῶντεςseeingPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Pl · ὁράωattributive participle (describing the men: 'who saw')→ imperfective participle (eyewitness experience)ὁράω: 'see'; οἱ ὁρῶντες τὴν δόξαν μου ('who saw my glory') stresses the aggravating factor — these are eyewitnesses of YHWH's glory and signs, so their unbelief is inexcusable (cf. v. 11).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δόξανgloryAccusativedirect object of ὁρῶντες→ object specificationδόξα: 'glory'; YHWH's manifested glory, which they witnessed yet did not trust.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σημεῖαsignsAccusativedirect object of ὁρῶντες (coordinate with δόξαν)→ object specificationσημεῖον: 'sign / wonder'; the miracles of the Exodus and wilderness, witnessed yet met with unbelief (cf. v. 11).
ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐποίησα)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; introduces the clause specifying where the signs were done.
ἐποίησαI didAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the accomplished signs)ποιέω: 'do / make'; YHWH the worker of the signs in Egypt and the wilderness.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
ΑἰγύπτῳEgyptDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceΑἴγυπτος: 'Egypt'; the site of the plague-signs.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness'; the site of the wilderness signs (manna, water, the sea).
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἐρήμῳ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this'; the present wilderness of the wandering.
καὶand yetconjunction (adversative force: 'and yet')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative, 'and yet' — despite all they saw, they tested YHWH.
ἐπείρασάνtestedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πειράζωmain verb (the testing sin)→ constative aorist (the repeated provocation summed up)πειράζω: 'test / try / tempt'; renders נִסָּה; ἐπείρασάν με ('they tested me') names the cardinal wilderness sin of putting YHWH to the proof (cf. Exod 17:2, 7 Massah; Ps 94[95]:9, quoted in Heb 3:9; 1 Cor 10:9); 'this tenth time' counts the repeated provocations.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of ἐπείρασαν→ participant referenceἐγώ: 'me'; YHWH himself is the object of the testing.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (adverbial accusative with δέκατον: 'this tenth time')→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; with δέκατον forms the adverbial 'this tenth time.'
δέκατονtenth timeAccusativeadverbial accusative (ordinal: 'for the tenth time')→ object specificationδέκατος: 'tenth'; τοῦτο δέκατον ('this tenth time') renders זֶה עֶשֶׂר פְּעָמִים ('these ten times'); 'ten' is a round number denoting full, repeated provocation — the measure of patience is exhausted.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with εἰσήκουσαν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: objective negation.
εἰσήκουσάνthey listenedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰσακούωmain verb (coordinate with ἐπείρασαν)→ constative aorist (the persistent disobedience)εἰσακούω: 'listen to / heed / obey'; renders שָׁמַע בְּקוֹל ('hearken to the voice'); οὐκ εἰσήκουσάν μου τῆς φωνῆς ('they did not obey my voice') names disobedience as the complement of unbelief — the twin grounds of exclusion.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (with φωνῆς)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (with φωνῆς).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
φωνῆςvoiceGenitivegenitive object of εἰσήκουσαν (verb of hearing takes genitive)→ relational specificationφωνή: 'voice'; renders קוֹל; the divine voice they refused to obey; the genitive is governed by the verb of hearing.
23
ἦ μὴν οὐκ ὄψονται τὴν γῆν ἣν ὤμοσα τοῖς πατράσιν αὐτῶν ἀλλ᾿ ἢ τὰ τέκνα αὐτῶν ἅ ἐστιν μετ᾿ ἐμοῦ ὧδε ὅσοι οὐκ οἴδασιν ἀγαθὸν οὐδὲ κακόν πᾶς νεώτερος ἄπειρος τούτοις δώσω τὴν γῆν πάντες δὲ οἱ παροξύναντές με οὐκ ὄψονται αὐτήν
surely they shall not see the land which I swore to their fathers; but only their children, who are with me here, who do not know good or evil, every young and inexperienced one — to these I will give the land; but all who provoked me shall not see it.
The oath-content completes v. 22: the asseverative ἦ μήν ('surely / verily', the standard LXX oath-particle) introduces the sworn exclusion — the rebellious generation 'shall not see the land' (a phrase echoed at Heb 3:11; 4:3). The children, innocent of moral discernment (οὐκ οἴδασιν ἀγαθὸν οὐδὲ κακόν), will inherit instead. The verse closes with an emphatic restatement: πάντες … οἱ παροξύναντές με ('all who provoked me') shall not see it.
Word-by-word analysis· 42 words
ἦsurelyasseverative particle (with μήν, oath-formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastἦ μήν: a strong asseverative oath-formula, 'surely / verily / assuredly', rendering Hebrew אִם ('[I swear] that … not', the oath-negation); introduces the sworn content.
μὴνverilyasseverative particle (with ἦ)→ discourse linkage or contrastμήν: emphatic particle; with ἦ forms the solemn oath-asseveration.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ὄψονται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: the oath-negation; 'surely they shall NOT see.'
ὄψονταιthey shall seeFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (the sworn exclusion)→ predictive future under oath (definitive exclusion)ὁράω (fut. ὄψονται): 'see / behold'; οὐκ ὄψονται τὴν γῆν ('they shall not see the land') is the formula of exclusion from the inheritance (cf. Deut 1:35; echoed in the oath of Ps 94[95]:11 and Heb 3:11; 4:3, 'they shall not enter my rest').
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of ὄψονται→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the promised land they will not see.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ὤμοσα)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; recalls the sworn promise.
ὤμοσαI sworeAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ὀμνύωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the patriarchal oath)ὀμνύω: 'swear'; YHWH's oath to the fathers (Gen 22:16) is now set in tension with his counter-oath of exclusion — the promise holds for the seed, not this generation.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πατράσινfathersDativedative (indirect object of ὤμοσα)→ sphere or referenceπατήρ: 'father'; the patriarchs to whom the land was sworn.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἀλλ᾿butadversative conjunction (with ἤ: 'but only')→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but'; ἀλλ᾿ ἤ ('but only / except') introduces the exception — the children who will inherit.
ἢthan / onlyparticle (with ἀλλά: exceptive 'but only')→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: in the idiom ἀλλ᾿ ἤ = 'except / but only.'
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τέκναchildrenNominativesubject (the exception: those who will inherit)→ participant prominenceτέκνον: 'child'; the children — the very ones the people feared would be plunder (v. 3) — are the ones YHWH will bring in (cf. v. 31).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἅwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐστιν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun (neuter plural agreeing with τέκνα).
ἐστινarePres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (singular with neuter plural subject)→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; the singular verb with neuter plural subject (τέκνα … ἐστιν) follows the classical Greek rule (τὰ ζῷα τρέχει).
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + gen.: 'with'; the children are 'with me here' — under YHWH's protection and destined for the inheritance.
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationἐγώ: 'me'; the children are with YHWH.
ὧδεhereadverb of place→ clausal contributionὧδε: 'here'; the children present here, now, with YHWH.
ὅσοιas many as / whoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of οἴδασιν)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as'; defines the children further as those without moral discernment.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with οἴδασιν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: negation.
οἴδασινknowPerf Act Indic 3 Pl · οἶδαverb of relative clause (perfect with present sense)→ stative perfect (present-meaning: 'do not know')οἶδα: 'know' (perfect with present meaning); οὐκ οἴδασιν ἀγαθὸν οὐδὲ κακόν ('do not know good or evil') marks the children's moral innocence/immaturity — they bear no responsibility for the rebellion (cf. Deut 1:39).
ἀγαθὸνgoodAccusativedirect object of οἴδασιν→ object specificationἀγαθός: 'good'; the moral category the children cannot yet discern.
οὐδὲnornegative coordinating conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐδέ: 'nor / not even'; joins the second member of the merism.
κακόνevilAccusativedirect object of οἴδασιν (with ἀγαθόν, merism)→ object specificationκακός: 'evil / bad'; 'good or evil' is a merism for full moral discernment, which the children lack.
πᾶςeveryNominativeattributive adjective (in apposition: 'every young one')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'every'; distributive, summing up the children as a class.
νεώτεροςyoung oneNominativesubstantival adjective (comparative used as positive: 'the young')→ participant prominenceνέος (compar. νεώτερος): 'young / younger'; here the comparative functions as a simple positive 'young one / youth', the rising generation that will inherit.
ἄπειροςinexperiencedNominativeattributive adjective (modifying νεώτερος)→ participant prominenceἄπειρος: 'inexperienced / without knowledge'; reinforces οὐκ οἴδασιν — the young are innocent through inexperience, not yet morally accountable.
τούτοιςto theseDativedative (indirect object of δώσω, resuming the children)→ sphere or referenceοὗτος: 'these'; the children, the recipients of the land.
δώσωI will giveFut Act Indic 1 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (the positive grant to the children)→ predictive future (the assured gift to the next generation)δίδωμι: 'give'; YHWH will give the land to the children — the promise is not annulled but deferred to the faithful generation.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of δώσω→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the inheritance granted to the children.
πάντεςallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying the substantival participle)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; the emphatic restatement of the exclusion — all the provokers without exception.
δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: adversative, contrasting the excluded provokers with the inheriting children.
οἱthe (who)Nominativearticle (with participle)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παροξύναντέςwho provokedAor Act Ptc Masc Nom Pl · παροξύνωsubstantival participle (subject: 'those who provoked')→ constative aorist participle (the completed provocation)παροξύνω: 'provoke'; resumes v. 11 (παροξύνει με) — οἱ παροξύναντές με ('those who provoked me') are precisely the excluded; the participle defines the disqualifying sin.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of παροξύναντες→ participant referenceἐγώ: 'me'; YHWH, the object of the provocation.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ὄψονται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: negation.
ὄψονταιshall seeFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (emphatic closing restatement of exclusion)→ predictive future under oathὁράω (fut. ὄψονται): the repeated οὐκ ὄψονται αὐτήν ('they shall not see it') forms an inclusio with the verse's opening, sealing the exclusion of the provoking generation.
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object of ὄψονται (the land)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'it'; the land the provokers will never see.
24
ὁ δὲ παῖς μου Χαλεβ ὅτι ἐγενήθη πνεῦμα ἕτερον ἐν αὐτῷ καὶ ἐπηκολούθησέν μοι εἰσάξω αὐτὸν εἰς τὴν γῆν εἰς ἣν εἰσῆλθεν ἐκεῖ καὶ τὸ σπέρμα αὐτοῦ κληρονομήσει αὐτήν
But my servant Caleb, because a different spirit was in him and he followed after me, I will bring him into the land into which he entered, and his seed shall inherit it.
Against the sweeping exclusion stands the great exception, marked by δέ. Caleb is honored as YHWH's παῖς ('servant') because of two things: a 'different spirit' (πνεῦμα ἕτερον) within him and his wholehearted following (ἐπηκολούθησέν μοι). The reward is personal entry and a perpetual inheritance for his seed — grace meeting faithfulness amid universal judgment (Joshua is added in the parallel sentence of v. 30).
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: adversative, setting Caleb in sharp contrast to the excluded generation.
παῖςservantNominativesubject (in apposition with Χαλεβ)→ participant prominenceπαῖς: 'servant / child'; renders עֶבֶד; ὁ παῖς μου ('my servant') is an honorific title (used of Moses, the patriarchs, later the Servant of Isaiah); applied to Caleb it marks his special standing before YHWH.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ΧαλεβCalebsubject (indeclinable proper noun, in apposition to παῖς)→ participant identificationΧαλεβ: indeclinable; the faithful spy of Judah, here singled out for the inheritance by name.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (ground of the reward)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; gives the reason for Caleb's exemption — his different spirit and wholehearted following.
ἐγενήθηwas / came to beAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιverb of the causal clause→ constative aorist (the settled fact of Caleb's character)γίνομαι (aor. pass. ἐγενήθη): 'came to be / was'; ἐγενήθη πνεῦμα ἕτερον ἐν αὐτῷ ('a different spirit was in him') states the divine assessment of Caleb's inner disposition.
πνεῦμαspiritNominativesubject of ἐγενήθη→ participant prominenceπνεῦμα: 'spirit / breath / wind'; renders רוּחַ; πνεῦμα ἕτερον ('a different spirit') denotes Caleb's distinct inner disposition of faith and loyalty, set apart from the rebellious spirit of the people.
ἕτερονdifferentNominativeattributive adjective (modifying πνεῦμα)→ participant prominenceἕτερος: 'other / different'; the 'different spirit' marks Caleb's faith as qualitatively distinct from the unbelief that condemned his contemporaries.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
αὐτῷhimDativeobject of ἐν→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'him'; Caleb, in whom the different spirit dwelt.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπηκολούθησένhe followed afterAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπακολουθέωverb (coordinate ground in the causal clause)→ constative aorist (consistent wholehearted following)ἐπακολουθέω: 'follow after / follow closely'; renders מִלֵּא אַחֲרַי ('fully followed me'); Caleb's wholehearted following of YHWH (cf. Num 32:12; Josh 14:8–9, 'he wholly followed the LORD') is the second ground of his reward.
μοιmeDativedative object of ἐπηκολούθησεν→ participant reference or interestἐγώ: 'me'; YHWH, whom Caleb followed; the verb of following takes the dative.
εἰσάξωI will bring inFut Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰσάγωmain verb (the reward: personal entry)→ predictive future (assured personal entry)εἰσάγω: 'bring in'; the very leading-in the people doubted (v. 3) and that YHWH was charged with being unable to do (v. 16) is here promised to Caleb personally — faith is brought into the land.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of εἰσάξω→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'him'; Caleb.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; 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.
γῆνlandAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the land Caleb had reconnoitered and will now possess.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (with relative: 'into which')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (with relative: 'into which').
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἰσῆλθεν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; the land into which Caleb entered as a spy and will enter as an heir.
εἰσῆλθενhe enteredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (Caleb's earlier entry as spy)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go in'; recalls Caleb's entry into the land during the reconnaissance (ch. 13, esp. Hebron); the same root (εἰσ-) ties his spying to his promised possession; the verb 'enter' is the key term of the rest-theology of Heb 3–4.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (resumptive: 'into which he entered, there')→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; a resumptive adverb (Hebraizing pleonasm with the relative ἥν), 'the land into which he entered — there.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπέρμαseedNominativesubject of κληρονομήσει→ participant prominenceσπέρμα: 'seed / offspring'; renders זֶרַע; Caleb's descendants will inherit the land — the perpetuity of the reward (fulfilled in Caleb's possession of Hebron, Josh 14:13–14).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κληρονομήσειshall inheritFut Act Indic 3 Sg · κληρονομέωmain verb (the perpetual inheritance)→ predictive future (assured inheritance for the seed)κληρονομέω: 'inherit / take possession'; renders יָרַשׁ; the inheritance-language ties Caleb's reward to the covenant promise; recurs in v. 31 of the children's inheritance.
αὐτήνitAccusativedirect object of κληρονομήσει (the land)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'it'; the land Caleb's seed will possess.
25
ὁ δὲ Αμαληκ καὶ ὁ Χαναναῖος κατοικοῦσιν ἐν τῇ κοιλάδι αὔριον ἐπιστράφητε ὑμεῖς καὶ ἀπάρατε εἰς τὴν ἔρημον ὁδὸν θάλασσαν ἐρυθράν
Now Amalek and the Canaanite dwell in the valley; tomorrow turn back and set out for the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea.
The sentence is enacted geographically: since Amalek and the Canaanite hold the valley, the people are ordered to turn back (ἐπιστράφητε) and set out (ἀπάρατε) toward the wilderness 'by the way of the Red Sea' — a reversal of advance that embodies the sworn exclusion. This command is exactly what the people will defy in vv. 40–45, with disastrous result.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲnowcontinuative particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: continuative, introducing the geographical-tactical note.
ΑμαληκAmaleksubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑμαληκ: transliteration of Hebrew עֲמָלֵק (Amalek); indeclinable; Israel's archetypal desert enemy (Exod 17:8–16); here with the Canaanite holding the valley that bars advance.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧαναναῖοςCanaaniteNominativesubject (coordinate with Αμαληκ)→ participant prominenceΧαναναῖος: 'Canaanite'; gentilic from Χανααν (כְּנַעַן); the collective term for the land's inhabitants, here holding the lowland/valley.
κατοικοῦσινdwellPres Act Indic 3 Pl · κατοικέωmain verb (descriptive present)→ stative present (settled habitation)κατοικέω: 'dwell / inhabit'; the present states the current military reality — the enemies hold the valley, blocking any northward advance.
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.
κοιλάδιvalleyDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceκοιλάς: 'valley / hollow / lowland'; renders עֵמֶק; the valley the enemies control, making any attempt to advance directly suicidal (as vv. 44–45 prove).
αὔριονtomorrowtemporal adverb→ clausal contributionαὔριον: 'tomorrow'; sets the time for the commanded retreat.
ἐπιστράφητεturn backAor Pass Impv 2 Pl · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (command to retreat)→ aorist imperative (decisive command to turn back)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; the command ἐπιστράφητε ('turn yourselves back') enacts the sentence — the people must retreat from the border, away from the land they refused to enter.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ (pl. ὑμεῖς): emphatic 'you'; the people are commanded to turn back.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπάρατεset outAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀπαίρωmain verb (command to journey)→ aorist imperative (decisive command to depart)ἀπαίρω: 'depart / set out / break camp'; renders נָסַע ('pull up stakes / journey'); the standard wilderness-itinerary verb; the people are to march away into the wilderness.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: 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.
ἔρημονwildernessAccusativeobject of εἰς (destination of the retreat)→ object specificationἔρημος: 'wilderness'; the place of the forty-year wandering and death now becomes the appointed destination.
ὁδὸνby the wayAccusativeaccusative of route (adverbial: 'by the way of')→ object specificationὁδός: 'way / road'; the accusative ὁδόν is an adverbial accusative of route, 'by way of', rendering דֶּרֶךְ; specifies the direction of the retreat.
θάλασσανseaAccusativeaccusative (in the route-phrase: 'the way [toward] the Red Sea')→ object specificationθάλασσα: 'sea'; with ἐρυθράν it names the Red Sea (ἐρυθρὰ θάλασσα = יַם־סוּף); the retreat is back toward the very sea of the deliverance, a poignant reversal of the Exodus advance.
ἐρυθράνRedAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying θάλασσαν)→ object specificationἐρυθρός: 'red'; ἐρυθρὰ θάλασσα is the standard LXX name for the Red Sea (Hebrew יַם־סוּף, 'Sea of Reeds'); the way of the Red Sea marks the southward retreat into the wilderness.
26
καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν καὶ Ααρων λέγων
And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying:
A fresh speech-formula introduces YHWH's formal sentence (vv. 27–35), now addressed to both Moses and Aaron as the leaders who must announce it to the congregation. The redundant λέγων (= לֵאמֹר) introduces the oracle. This second divine speech turns the private oath (vv. 21–25) into a public verdict.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces the formal verdict to be relayed to the congregation.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the divine speaker.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationΜωυσῆς: co-recipient of the verdict-oracle.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑαρωνAaronobject of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑαρων: indeclinable; addressed with Moses as joint leader.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Sg · λέγωredundant participle of speech (introducing the verdict)→ imperfective participle (quotation marker)λέγω: the redundant λέγων (= לֵאמֹר) introduces the oracle that follows.
27
ἕως τίνος τὴν συναγωγὴν τὴν πονηρὰν ταύτην ἃ αὐτοὶ γογγύζουσιν ἐναντίον ἐμοῦ τὴν γόγγυσιν τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ ἣν ἐγόγγυσαν περὶ ὑμῶν ἀκήκοα
How long shall I bear this wicked congregation, what they murmur against me? The murmuring of the sons of Israel, which they have murmured concerning you, I have heard.
The verdict opens by echoing v. 11's lament ἕως τίνος ('how long?'), now applied to 'this wicked congregation' (τὴν συναγωγὴν τὴν πονηράν). The dense repetition of the γογγύζω/γόγγυσις word-group (the murmuring leitmotif) names the precise sin, and the emphatic perfect ἀκήκοα ('I have heard') closes the indictment — the murmuring against the leaders is murmuring YHWH has registered against himself.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
ἕωςhow (long)part of interrogative idiom ἕως τίνος→ clausal contributionἕως τίνος: 'how long?'; the lament-formula (cf. v. 11), here governing the verdict against the congregation.
τίνοςwhenGenitiveinterrogative pronoun (with ἕως)→ relational specificationτίς: interrogative; 'how long?'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συναγωγὴνcongregationAccusativeaccusative (object of an implied verb of bearing/enduring with ἕως τίνος)→ object specificationσυναγωγή: 'congregation' (עֵדָה); 'how long [shall I bear] this wicked congregation' — the accusative depends on an elided verb of forbearance.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (attributive position)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πονηρὰνwickedAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying συναγωγήν)→ object specificationπονηρός: 'evil / wicked'; renders רָע; τὴν συναγωγὴν τὴν πονηράν ('this wicked congregation') is YHWH's verdict-label for the rebellious assembly (repeated v. 35); the same adjective describes the spies' 'evil report' (vv. 36–37).
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying συναγωγήν)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this.'
ἃwhat / the things whichAccusativerelative pronoun (neuter plural: 'the things which they murmur')→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; ἃ … γογγύζουσιν ('the things which they murmur') specifies the content of the complaint.
αὐτοὶtheyNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceαὐτός: emphatic 'they themselves'; stresses the congregation as the agents of the murmuring.
γογγύζουσινthey murmurPres Act Indic 3 Pl · γογγύζωverb of relative clause→ progressive present (ongoing murmuring)γογγύζω: 'murmur / grumble'; the onomatopoeic LXX verb rendering לוּן; the present portrays the murmuring as continual; the verb and its noun γόγγυσις saturate this verse, naming the defining sin (cf. 1 Cor 10:10, μηδὲ γογγύζετε).
ἐναντίονbefore / againstpreposition + genitive (Hebraizing: 'in my presence/against me')→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: 'before / against'; the murmuring is done 'in YHWH's presence', i.e. against him.
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίον→ relational specificationἐγώ: 'me'; YHWH, before/against whom the murmuring rises.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γόγγυσινmurmuringAccusativedirect object of ἀκήκοα (fronted for emphasis)→ object specificationγόγγυσις: 'murmuring / grumbling'; the cognate noun of γογγύζω; renders תְּלֻנּוֹת; the fronted object 'the murmuring … I have heard' emphasizes that the complaint has reached YHWH.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive of source (whose murmuring)→ relational specificationυἱός: 'son'; the murmuring belongs to the sons of Israel.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (cognate object of ἐγόγγυσαν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; introduces the cognate-accusative clause 'which they murmured.'
ἐγόγγυσανthey murmuredAor Act Indic 3 Pl · γογγύζωverb of relative clause (cognate construction with γόγγυσιν)→ constative aorist (the completed act of murmuring)γογγύζω: the cognate construction τὴν γόγγυσιν … ἣν ἐγόγγυσαν ('the murmuring which they murmured') is a Hebraizing figura etymologica intensifying the indictment.
περὶconcerning / againstpreposition + genitive (reference: 'against you')→ spatial or relational framingπερί + gen.: 'concerning / about / against'; the murmuring is directed against Moses and Aaron (ὑμῶν).
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of περί (Moses and Aaron)→ relational specificationσύ (pl. ὑμῶν): 'you'; Moses and Aaron, against whom the people murmured.
ἀκήκοαI have heardPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb (emphatic perfect, climactic)→ resultative perfect (the murmuring stands heard and registered)ἀκούω (perf. ἀκήκοα): 'I have heard'; the emphatic perfect closes the indictment — the murmuring has reached and remains before YHWH; the verb of hearing (cf. vv. 14, 15) now turns against the people in judgment.
28
εἰπὸν αὐτοῖς ζῶ ἐγώ λέγει κύριος ἦ μὴν ὃν τρόπον λελαλήκατε εἰς τὰ ὦτά μου οὕτως ποιήσω ὑμῖν
Say to them, 'As I live, says the LORD, surely as you have spoken in my ears, so will I do to you:
Moses is commissioned (εἰπὸν αὐτοῖς, 'say to them') to deliver the oath. The renewed self-asseveration ζῶ ἐγώ ('as I live', cf. v. 21) with the messenger-formula λέγει κύριος and the asseverative ἦ μήν makes this a binding decree. The lex talionis principle is stark: 'as you have spoken in my ears, so will I do to you' — the people's own death-wish (v. 2) becomes their sentence (v. 29).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
εἰπὸνsayAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λέγωmain verb (commission to Moses)→ aorist imperative (commissioned proclamation)λέγω (aor. impv. εἰπόν): 'say / tell'; the LXX imperative form εἰπόν commissions Moses to relay the oath to the people.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative (indirect object of εἰπόν)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to them'; the congregation.
ζῶI livePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ζάωmain verb (oath-formula)→ performative present (self-asseveration: 'as I live')ζάω: ζῶ ἐγώ ('as I live'), the divine oath-formula (cf. v. 21), here introducing the binding sentence; YHWH swears by his own life that the people's words will become their fate.
ἐγώINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; YHWH swearing by himself.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb of messenger-formula (parenthetical)→ performative present (oracular speech-formula)λέγω (pres. λέγει): the formula λέγει κύριος renders נְאֻם יהוה ('oracle of the LORD'), the prophetic signature authenticating the divine word.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of λέγει (messenger-formula)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the speaker of the oath.
ἦsurelyasseverative particle (with μήν)→ discourse linkage or contrastἦ μήν: the asseverative oath-formula 'surely / verily' (cf. v. 23); reinforces the binding force of the sentence.
μὴνverilyasseverative particle (with ἦ)→ discourse linkage or contrastμήν: emphatic particle completing the oath-asseveration.
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (in idiom ὃν τρόπον: 'in the manner which / just as')→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; ὃν τρόπον … οὕτως ('as … so') sets up the lex talionis correspondence.
τρόπονmannerAccusativeadverbial accusative (in idiom ὃν τρόπον: 'just as')→ object specificationτρόπος: 'manner / way'; ὃν τρόπον = 'in the way that / just as.'
λελαλήκατεyou have spokenPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · λαλέωverb of the comparative clause→ resultative perfect (the spoken words stand on record)λαλέω: 'speak'; the perfect λελαλήκατε ('you have spoken') stresses that the people's recorded words — the death-wish of v. 2 — remain as the basis of the sentence; 'into my ears' makes YHWH the witness.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (idiom: 'into my ears')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: in the idiom εἰς τὰ ὦτά μου ('into my ears'), rendering בְּאָזְנַי; the people's words were spoken in YHWH's hearing.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὦτάearsAccusativeobject of εἰς (idiom)→ object specificationοὖς (pl. ὦτα): 'ear'; the idiom 'spoke into my ears' marks YHWH as the direct hearer of the people's rebellious words.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
οὕτωςsoadverb (apodosis of the comparison: 'so will I do')→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / so'; completes the ὃν τρόπον … οὕτως correspondence of the lex talionis.
ποιήσωI will doFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (the sworn requital)→ predictive future under oath (the sentence executed)ποιέω: 'do / make'; οὕτως ποιήσω ὑμῖν ('so will I do to you') is the formula of measured requital — the people's words rebound as their fate (cf. v. 35).
ὑμῖνto youDativedative (indirect object of ποιήσω)→ participant reference or interestσύ (pl. ὑμῖν): 'to you'; the congregation, recipients of the sentence.
29
ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ταύτῃ πεσεῖται τὰ κῶλα ὑμῶν καὶ πᾶσα ἡ ἐπισκοπὴ ὑμῶν καὶ οἱ κατηριθμημένοι ὑμῶν ἀπὸ εἰκοσαετοῦς καὶ ἐπάνω ὅσοι ἐγόγγυσαν ἐπ᾿ ἐμοί
In this wilderness your carcasses shall fall, even all your muster, all of you who were numbered from twenty years old and upward, who murmured against me.
The content of the oath: 'your carcasses (τὰ κῶλα) shall fall in this wilderness' — the grim verb πίπτω (cf. v. 3, the feared 'falling in war') now applied to the whole numbered generation, all from twenty years upward (the census-age of Num 1). The wilderness they wished to die in (v. 2) becomes their graveyard; the phrase τὰ κῶλα … πεσεῖται echoes in Heb 3:17 (ὧν τὰ κῶλα ἔπεσεν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ).
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
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.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place (emphatically fronted)→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness'; ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ταύτῃ ('in this wilderness'), fronted for emphasis, names the place of death — the very locale of the people's death-wish (v. 2).
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἐρήμῳ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this'; the present wilderness becomes the graveyard.
πεσεῖταιshall fallFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb (singular with neuter plural subject τὰ κῶλα)→ predictive future (the sworn death)πίπτω: 'fall'; the singular πεσεῖται agrees with the neuter plural τὰ κῶλα (classical concord); 'your carcasses shall fall' is the formula of the wilderness death (cf. vv. 32, 43; Heb 3:17; 1 Cor 10:5).
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κῶλαcarcassesNominativesubject of πεσεῖται→ participant prominenceκῶλον: 'limb / dead body / carcass'; renders פֶּגֶר ('corpse'); τὰ κῶλα ὑμῶν ('your carcasses') is the stark designation of the rebellious dead; the noun is taken up verbatim in Heb 3:17 (ὧν τὰ κῶλα ἔπεσεν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶeven / andepexegetic conjunction ('that is, all your muster')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here epexegetic, specifying the carcasses as the whole numbered host.
πᾶσαallNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἐπισκοπή)→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / whole'; the entire muster, none excepted (save Caleb and Joshua).
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπισκοπὴmuster / numberingNominativesubject (in apposition with τὰ κῶλα)→ participant prominenceἐπισκοπή: 'visitation / numbering / muster'; renders פְּקֻדָּה; here the 'mustered number' — the whole census-host of fighting men (Num 1) — now condemned; the word's range (visitation/oversight) gives an ironic note: the muster becomes a death-roll.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱthe (who)Nominativearticle (with participle)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατηριθμημένοιwho were numberedPerf Mid/Pass Ptc Masc Nom Pl · καταριθμέωsubstantival participle (subject: 'those numbered')→ resultative perfect participle (registered in the census)καταριθμέω: 'count / number / enroll'; the perfect passive participle οἱ κατηριθμημένοι ('those who have been numbered') denotes the census-enrolled men; their very enrollment for war becomes their enrollment for death.
ὑμῶνof youGenitivepartitive genitive (with κατηριθμημένοι)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'of you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as partitive genitive (with κατηριθμημένοι).
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (age starting-point)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; with εἰκοσαετοῦς marks the lower age-bound of the census/sentence.
εἰκοσαετοῦςtwenty years oldGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (age-term)→ relational specificationεἰκοσαετής: 'twenty years old'; renders בֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה; twenty was the census-age for military service (Num 1:3), so the whole fighting generation is comprehended in the sentence.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάνωupwardadverb (age upper extension: 'and above')→ clausal contributionἐπάνω: 'above / upward'; ἀπὸ εἰκοσαετοῦς καὶ ἐπάνω ('from twenty years and upward') is the census-formula delimiting the condemned generation.
ὅσοιas many as / whoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐγόγγυσαν)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as'; defines the condemned precisely as the murmurers.
ἐγόγγυσανmurmuredAor Act Indic 3 Pl · γογγύζωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the murmuring that condemns)γογγύζω: 'murmur'; the disqualifying sin once more named — 'who murmured against me'; the murmuring word-group brackets the verdict.
ἐπ᾿againstpreposition + dative (hostile: 'against me', elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dat.: here 'against'; the murmuring was ultimately against YHWH.
ἐμοίmeDativedative object of ἐπί→ participant reference or interestἐγώ: 'me'; YHWH, the true object of the murmuring.
30
εἰ ὑμεῖς εἰσελεύσεσθε εἰς τὴν γῆν ἐφ᾿ ἣν ἐξέτεινα τὴν χεῖρά μου κατασκηνῶσαι ὑμᾶς ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς ἀλλ᾿ ἢ Χαλεβ υἱὸς Ιεφοννη καὶ Ἰησοῦς ὁ τοῦ Ναυη
Surely you shall not enter the land over which I stretched out my hand to settle you upon it — none except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.
The oath-negation εἰ ('[I swear] you shall NOT enter', the Hebraizing oath-formula אִם) restates the exclusion in terms of entry — the key verb of the rest-theology (εἰσέρχομαι, cf. Heb 3:18–19; 4:1–11). YHWH recalls his sworn gesture (ἐξέτεινα τὴν χεῖρά μου, 'I lifted/stretched out my hand', the oath-raising) to settle them there. Now Joshua is added beside Caleb as the second exception (cf. v. 24).
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
εἰsurely … notoath-negation particle (Hebraism: 'I swear you shall not')→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: in oaths the conditional εἰ renders the Hebrew oath-particle אִם, which in a positive oath-form means 'surely … not'; thus εἰ ὑμεῖς εἰσελεύσεσθε = 'you shall surely not enter' (cf. Ps 94[95]:11; Heb 3:11; 4:3, εἰ εἰσελεύσονται).
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ (pl. ὑμεῖς): emphatic 'you' — the rebellious generation, set against the children and the two faithful spies.
εἰσελεύσεσθεshall enterFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (the sworn exclusion)→ predictive future under oath (negated entry)εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go in'; the verb of entering the land (= entering 'rest'); the negated oath εἰ … εἰσελεύσεσθε is the very text behind Heb 3:18–19; 4:1–11, where 'they shall not enter my rest' grounds the warning against unbelief.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; 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.
γῆνlandAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the promised land they will not enter.
ἐφ᾿overpreposition + accusative (with relative: 'over which', elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'over / upon'; with the oath-gesture, 'the land over which I raised my hand.'
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of the prepositional phrase with ἐξέτεινα)→ spatial or relational framingὅς: relative pronoun; the land concerning which YHWH swore.
ἐξέτειναI stretched outAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐκτείνωverb of relative clause (oath-gesture)→ constative aorist (the sworn act)ἐκτείνω: 'stretch out / extend'; ἐξέτεινα τὴν χεῖρά μου ('I stretched out / raised my hand') is the gesture of solemn oath-taking (נָשָׂא יָד, 'lift the hand to swear', cf. Exod 6:8; Num 14:30; Ezek 20:5–6); YHWH had sworn to settle them in the land.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖράhandAccusativedirect object of ἐξέτεινα→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; the raised hand of the divine oath; renders יָד.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κατασκηνῶσαιto settleAor Act Inf · κατασκηνόωinfinitive of purpose (with the oath-gesture)→ aorist infinitive of purpose (the sworn intention)κατασκηνόω: 'cause to dwell / settle / encamp'; renders שִׁכֵּן; the purpose of the oath was 'to settle you upon it' — the very settlement now forfeited by the generation but kept for the children.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive κατασκηνῶσαι→ participant referenceσύ (pl. ὑμᾶς): 'you'; whom YHWH swore to settle in the land.
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + genitive (position, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position, elided).
αὐτῆςitGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (the land)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'it'; the land upon which they were to be settled.
ἀλλ᾿butadversative conjunction (with ἤ: 'but only / except')→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but'; ἀλλ᾿ ἤ ('except') introduces the two named exceptions.
ἢexceptparticle (with ἀλλά: exceptive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: in ἀλλ᾿ ἤ = 'except / but only.'
ΧαλεβCalebsubject of the exception (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΧαλεβ: indeclinable; the first named exception (cf. v. 24).
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositive (filiation: 'son of Jephunneh')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; υἱὸς Ιεφοννη identifies Caleb by patronymic.
ΙεφοννηJephunnehgenitive of filiation (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙεφοννη: indeclinable; Caleb's father.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubject of the exception (coordinate with Χαλεβ)→ participant prominenceἸησοῦς: 'Joshua'; here added beside Caleb as the second exception — the two faithful spies of vv. 6–9 are the only survivors of their generation.
ὁthe (son)Nominativearticle (genitive of filiation: 'the [son] of Nun')→ noun-phrase markingὁ τοῦ Ναυη: 'the [son] of Nun', the filiation-idiom (cf. v. 6).
τοῦofGenitivearticle (genitive of filiation)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΝαυηNungenitive of filiation (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΝαυη: indeclinable; Joshua's father, Nun.
31
καὶ τὰ παιδία ἃ εἴπατε ἐν διαρπαγῇ ἔσεσθαι εἰσάξω αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν γῆν καὶ κληρονομήσουσιν τὴν γῆν ἣν ὑμεῖς ἀπέστητε ἀπ᾿ αὐτῆς
But your little ones, whom you said would be for plunder, I will bring them into the land, and they shall inherit the land which you rejected.
YHWH directly overturns the people's complaint of v. 3: the παιδία they feared would become διαρπαγή ('plunder') are the ones he will bring in (εἰσάξω) to inherit (κληρονομήσουσιν) the very land the parents 'rejected' (ἀπέστητε). The lexical echoes (παιδία, διαρπαγή, εἰσάγω) make the reversal pointed — the children possess what the parents despised; ἀπέστητε frames the unbelief as apostasy.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶbut / andconjunction (adversative force: reversal)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative-contrastive, marking the reversal of the people's fear.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παιδίαlittle onesNominativesubject (topicalized; resumed by αὐτούς)→ participant prominenceπαιδίον: 'little child'; the very παιδία of v. 3 whom the people feared would be plunder; their fronting topicalizes the reversal.
ἃwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object/subject of the infinitive clause)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun (neuter plural agreeing with παιδία).
εἴπατεyou saidAor Act Indic 2 Pl · λέγωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the recorded complaint of v. 3)λέγω (aor. εἴπατε): 'you said'; directly recalls the people's words at v. 3 (ἔσονται εἰς διαρπαγήν), now quoted back to convict and to reverse.
ἐνfor / aspreposition + dative (predicate state: 'as plunder', Hebraism)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: here predicate 'as / for', ἐν διαρπαγῇ ἔσεσθαι ('to be for plunder'), a Hebraizing construction (cf. v. 3 εἰς διαρπαγήν).
διαρπαγῇplunderDativepredicate dative (with ἔσεσθαι)→ sphere or referenceδιαρπαγή: 'plunder / spoil'; the very word of the people's fear (v. 3) is overturned — the 'plunder' will be the heirs.
ἔσεσθαιto beFut Mid Inf · εἰμίinfinitive in indirect discourse (after εἴπατε)→ future infinitive (the feared outcome the people predicted)εἰμί (fut. inf. ἔσεσθαι): 'to be'; the future infinitive in indirect statement, 'you said [they] would be for plunder.'
εἰσάξωI will bring inFut Act Indic 1 Sg · εἰσάγωmain verb (the divine reversal)→ predictive future (the assured leading-in of the children)εἰσάγω: 'bring in'; the leading-in the people accused YHWH of (v. 3) and doubted he could do (v. 16) is here promised for the children — the same verb as Caleb's reward (v. 24).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of εἰσάξω (resuming τὰ παιδία)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'them'; the children (masculine αὐτούς by sense-construction, the children as persons).
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; 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.
γῆνlandAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the inheritance for the children.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κληρονομήσουσινthey shall inheritFut Act Indic 3 Pl · κληρονομέωmain verb (the children's possession)→ predictive future (assured inheritance)κληρονομέω: 'inherit / possess'; the children will possess the land — the inheritance-promise transferred from the rejecting generation to the faithful next one (cf. v. 24).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of κληρονομήσουσιν→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the possessed inheritance.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (with ἀπέστητε ἀπ᾿: 'from which you withdrew')→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; the land the parents rejected.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ (pl. ὑμεῖς): emphatic 'you', the rejecting generation, contrasted with the inheriting children.
ἀπέστητεyou rejected / withdrew fromAor Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀφίστημιverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the act of apostasy/rejection)ἀφίστημι: 'stand off / withdraw / revolt'; ἀπέστητε ἀπ᾿ αὐτῆς ('you withdrew/rejected from it') frames the unbelief as apostasy (cf. the noun ἀποστάτης, v. 9); the same root used of the Canaanites' departed protection (v. 9) now of Israel's defection from the land.
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; the land from which the generation withdrew in unbelief.
αὐτῆςitGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (the land)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'it'; the land rejected.
32
καὶ τὰ κῶλα ὑμῶν πεσεῖται ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ταύτῃ
But as for your carcasses, they shall fall in this wilderness.
A terse, emphatic restatement of v. 29, forming an inclusio around the children-promise of v. 31: over against the children who inherit, 'your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness.' The brevity drives the verdict home; τὰ κῶλα ὑμῶν is again the precise phrase echoed at Heb 3:17.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
καὶbut / andconjunction (adversative force: contrast with the children)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative-contrastive, 'but as for you.'
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κῶλαcarcassesNominativesubject of πεσεῖται→ participant prominenceκῶλον: 'carcass / dead body'; τὰ κῶλα ὑμῶν repeats v. 29 — the emphatic designation of the rebellious dead (cf. Heb 3:17).
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
πεσεῖταιshall fallFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · πίπτωmain verb (singular with neuter plural subject)→ predictive future (the sworn death restated)πίπτω: 'fall'; the restated sentence of death; the singular agrees with neuter plural τὰ κῶλα (classical concord).
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.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness'; the place of death, repeated from v. 29.
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἐρήμῳ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this'; the present wilderness, their grave.
33
οἱ δὲ υἱοὶ ὑμῶν ἔσονται νεμόμενοι ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ τεσσαράκοντα ἔτη καὶ ἀνοίσουσιν τὴν πορνείαν ὑμῶν ἕως ἂν ἀναλωθῇ τὰ κῶλα ὑμῶν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ
But your sons shall be shepherding in the wilderness forty years, and they shall bear your harlotry, until your carcasses are consumed in the wilderness.
The δέ contrasts the sons' fate with the parents': the periphrastic ἔσονται νεμόμενοι ('shall be shepherding / pasturing') depicts a generation of nomadic waiting. They will 'bear' (ἀνοίσουσιν) the parents' πορνεία ('harlotry' — the prophetic metaphor for covenant infidelity) for forty years until the carcasses are 'consumed' (ἀναλωθῇ). The forty-year span is fixed in v. 34.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbutadversative particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: adversative, contrasting the sons' long endurance with the parents' death.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject of ἔσονται νεμόμενοι→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the next generation, who endure the wilderness years bearing the consequence of their parents' sin.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of relationship.
ἔσονταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίauxiliary of periphrastic future (with νεμόμενοι)→ periphrastic future (durative: 'shall be shepherding')εἰμί: 'be'; with the participle νεμόμενοι forms a periphrastic future of duration, stressing the prolonged, ongoing wandering.
νεμόμενοιshepherding / pasturingPres Mid Ptc Masc Nom Pl · νέμωpredicate participle (periphrastic with ἔσονται)→ imperfective participle (continual nomadic pasturing)νέμω (mid. νέμομαι): 'pasture / graze / feed (flocks); roam'; renders רָעָה ('shepherd / be shepherds'); the sons will live as nomadic shepherds in the wilderness for forty years — a generation of waiting (cf. the shepherd-imagery of the wandering).
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.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness'; the place of the forty-year shepherding.
τεσσαράκονταfortynumeral (modifying ἔτη)→ measure or countτεσσαράκοντα: 'forty'; indeclinable numeral; the forty years correspond to the forty days of spying (v. 34) — the defining duration of the wilderness generation (cf. Ps 94[95]:10; Acts 7:36; Heb 3:9, 17).
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of duration of time→ object specificationἔτος: 'year'; the accusative of extent, 'for forty years.'
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνοίσουσινthey shall bearFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναφέρωmain verb (the sons bear the parents' guilt)→ predictive future (the borne consequence)ἀναφέρω: 'carry up / bear / take upon oneself'; renders נָשָׂא ('bear / carry'); ἀνοίσουσιν τὴν πορνείαν ὑμῶν ('they shall bear your harlotry') expresses the sons' carrying of the consequence of the parents' covenant infidelity (cf. Ezek 23:35).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πορνείανharlotryAccusativedirect object of ἀνοίσουσιν→ object specificationπορνεία: 'fornication / harlotry / infidelity'; renders זְנוּת; the prophetic metaphor for covenant unfaithfulness/idolatry (cf. Hos 1–3; Ezek 16; 23); the people's unbelief is reckoned as spiritual adultery against YHWH.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of source (whose harlotry)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of source (whose harlotry).
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunction (with ἄν + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: 'until'; with ἄν and the subjunctive marks the indefinite terminus — until the carcasses are consumed.
ἂν(ever)modal particle (with ἕως and subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle marking the indefiniteness of the temporal clause.
ἀναλωθῇare consumedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · ἀναλίσκωverb of the ἕως-clause (subjunctive)→ aorist passive subjunctive (the completed consumption)ἀναλίσκω: 'consume / use up / destroy'; renders תָּמַם ('be finished / consumed'); the carcasses are 'consumed' (decompose / are spent) in the wilderness — the gradual dying-off of the whole generation (cf. v. 35, ἐξαναλωθήσονται).
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κῶλαcarcassesNominativesubject of ἀναλωθῇ→ participant prominenceκῶλον: 'carcass'; the rebellious dead, whose consumption marks the end of the forty years.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
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.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness'; the recurring locale of death, closing the verse as it opened it.
34
κατὰ τὸν ἀριθμὸν τῶν ἡμερῶν ὅσας κατεσκέψασθε τὴν γῆν τεσσαράκοντα ἡμέρας ἡμέραν τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ λήμψεσθε τὰς ἁμαρτίας ὑμῶν τεσσαράκοντα ἔτη καὶ γνώσεσθε τὸν θυμὸν τῆς ὀργῆς μου
According to the number of the days in which you spied out the land, forty days, a day for a year, you shall bear your sins, forty years, and you shall know the fury of my anger.
The forty-year span is given its exact rationale: a measured correspondence (κατὰ τὸν ἀριθμόν, 'according to the number') of one year for each of the forty days of reconnaissance — ἡμέραν τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ ('a day for a year'). They will 'bear their sins' (λήμψεσθε τὰς ἁμαρτίας, a Hebraism for bearing guilt) and so come to 'know the fury of my anger' (τὸν θυμὸν τῆς ὀργῆς μου), an emphatic doubled wrath-formula.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard/measure)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'according to'; introduces the measured correspondence of days to years.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀριθμὸνnumberAccusativeobject of κατά→ object specificationἀριθμός: 'number / count'; renders מִסְפָּר; the basis of the symbolic correspondence — the number of spying-days fixes the number of wandering-years.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμερῶνdaysGenitivegenitive (with ἀριθμόν: 'the number of the days')→ relational specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the days of the reconnaissance, counted as the measure of the years of judgment.
ὅσαςas many as / in whichAccusativerelative pronoun (accusative of duration: 'during which')→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as'; ὅσας κατεσκέψασθε ('as many [days] as you spied') — the accusative of extent of time defines the forty-day period.
κατεσκέψασθεyou spied outAor Mid Indic 2 Pl · κατασκέπτομαιverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the completed reconnaissance)κατασκέπτομαι: 'spy out / reconnoiter'; recalls the forty-day mission of ch. 13 (Num 13:25); the spying-days become the template for the wandering-years.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of κατεσκέψασθε→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the land they reconnoitered.
τεσσαράκονταfortynumeral (modifying ἡμέρας)→ measure or countτεσσαράκοντα: 'forty'; indeclinable; the forty days of spying (Num 13:25).
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative (in apposition / of extent: 'forty days')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the forty days of reconnaissance.
ἡμέρανa dayAccusativedistributive accusative (in the idiom 'a day for a year')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the distributive ἡμέραν τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ ('a day for a year') renders יוֹם לַשָּׁנָה, the principle of one-day-equals-one-year (cf. Ezek 4:6).
τοῦfor theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐνιαυτοῦyearGenitivegenitive (in the distributive idiom: 'a day for a year')→ relational specificationἐνιαυτός: 'year'; renders שָׁנָה; ἡμέραν τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ fixes the day-for-year correspondence — forty days of sin become forty years of consequence.
λήμψεσθεyou shall bearFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (bearing of guilt)→ predictive future (the borne penalty)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; λήμψεσθε τὰς ἁμαρτίας ὑμῶν ('you shall take/bear your sins') is a Hebraism (נָשָׂא עָוֺן, 'bear iniquity') for carrying the punishment of guilt over the forty years.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁμαρτίαςsinsAccusativedirect object of λήμψεσθε→ object specificationἁμαρτία: 'sin'; the guilt whose consequence the generation bears for forty years.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
τεσσαράκονταfortynumeral (modifying ἔτη)→ measure or countτεσσαράκοντα: 'forty'; the forty years matching the forty days.
ἔτηyearsAccusativeaccusative of duration of time→ object specificationἔτος: 'year'; the forty years of bearing guilt, the duration of the wilderness sentence.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γνώσεσθεyou shall knowFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · γινώσκωmain verb (experiential knowledge of wrath)→ predictive future (the experiential knowing of divine anger)γινώσκω: 'know / come to know'; renders יָדַע; γνώσεσθε τὸν θυμόν ('you shall know the fury') is experiential — the generation will know YHWH's anger by suffering its effects (cf. the 'recognition formula' of Ezekiel).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυμὸνfuryAccusativedirect object of γνώσεσθε→ object specificationθυμός: 'fury / hot anger / wrath'; renders חֵמָה; with ὀργή it forms the doubled wrath-expression τὸν θυμὸν τῆς ὀργῆς μου ('the fury of my anger'), an emphatic Hebraizing genitive intensifying the divine displeasure.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀργῆςangerGenitivegenitive (with θυμόν: 'the fury of [my] anger')→ relational specificationὀργή: 'anger / wrath'; renders אַף; the genitive θυμὸν τῆς ὀργῆς is a Hebraizing intensification, piling the two wrath-words for maximal force.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
35
ἐγὼ κύριος ἐλάλησα ἦ μὴν οὕτως ποιήσω τῇ συναγωγῇ τῇ πονηρᾷ ταύτῃ τῇ ἐπισυνεσταμένῃ ἐπ᾿ ἐμέ ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ταύτῃ ἐξαναλωθήσονται καὶ ἐκεῖ ἀποθανοῦνται
I the LORD have spoken: surely I will do this to all this wicked congregation that has banded together against me; in this wilderness they shall be utterly consumed, and there they shall die.
The verdict is sealed with the self-authenticating formula ἐγὼ κύριος ἐλάλησα ('I the LORD have spoken', the Ezekielian signature of irrevocable decree) and the oath ἦ μήν. The congregation is again labeled πονηρά ('wicked', v. 27) and now described as ἐπισυνεσταμένη ('banded/conspired together against me'). The double finality — ἐξαναλωθήσονται ('utterly consumed') and ἐκεῖ ἀποθανοῦνται ('there they shall die') — closes the sentence.
Word-by-word analysis· 24 words
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; ἐγὼ κύριος ('I the LORD') is the self-identification authenticating the decree.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject (in apposition with ἐγώ)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; ἐγὼ κύριος ἐλάλησα ('I the LORD have spoken') is the formula of irrevocable divine decree (frequent in Ezekiel, e.g. 5:13, 15, 17).
ἐλάλησαhave spokenAor Act Indic 1 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (the authenticating decree)→ constative aorist (the spoken, settled word)λαλέω: 'speak'; the aorist 'I have spoken' seals the word as irrevocable — what YHWH has decreed will surely come to pass.
ἦsurelyasseverative particle (with μήν)→ discourse linkage or contrastἦ μήν: the oath-asseveration 'surely / verily' (cf. vv. 23, 28).
μὴνverilyasseverative particle (with ἦ)→ discourse linkage or contrastμήν: emphatic particle completing the asseveration.
οὕτωςso / thisadverb (object-complement of ποιήσω: 'do thus')→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / so'; οὕτως ποιήσω ('so will I do', cf. v. 28) refers back to the whole sentence just decreed.
ποιήσωI will doFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (the executed sentence)→ predictive future under oath (the certain execution)ποιέω: 'do / make'; the assured execution of the verdict, echoing v. 28.
τῇto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συναγωγῇcongregationDativedative (indirect object of ποιήσω: 'to this congregation')→ sphere or referenceσυναγωγή: 'congregation' (עֵדָה); the recipient of the executed sentence.
τῇtheDativearticle (attributive)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πονηρᾷwickedDativeattributive adjective (modifying συναγωγῇ)→ sphere or referenceπονηρός: 'wicked'; repeats the verdict-label of v. 27 (τὴν συναγωγὴν τὴν πονηράν).
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying συναγωγῇ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this.'
τῇthe (which)Dativearticle (with participle ἐπισυνεσταμένῃ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπισυνεσταμένῃbanded togetherPerf Mid/Pass Ptc Fem Dat Sg · ἐπισυνίστημιattributive participle (describing the congregation)→ resultative perfect participle (settled state of conspiracy)ἐπισυνίστημι: 'band together / conspire / rise up in concert'; the perfect participle ἐπισυνεσταμένῃ ('that has conspired/banded together against me') characterizes the congregation as a settled conspiracy against YHWH (cf. the rebellion of Korah, Num 16; the cognate at Num 16:3, 27:3).
ἐπ᾿againstpreposition + accusative (hostile: 'against me', elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'against'; the conspiracy is directed against YHWH himself.
ἐμέmeAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ participant referenceἐγώ: 'me'; YHWH, the object of the congregation's banding-together.
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.
ἐρήμῳwildernessDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceἔρημος: 'wilderness'; the recurring place of death (cf. vv. 29, 32, 33).
ταύτῃthisDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἐρήμῳ)→ participant reference or interestοὗτος: 'this.'
ἐξαναλωθήσονταιthey shall be utterly consumedFut Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἐξαναλίσκωmain verb (the final consumption)→ predictive future (total destruction)ἐξαναλίσκω: 'consume utterly / use up completely'; the double-compound (ἐξ- + ἀνα-) intensifies ἀναλίσκω (v. 33); 'they shall be utterly consumed' — the complete dying-off of the generation in the wilderness.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; emphasizes the wilderness as the final resting-place — there, not in the land, they will die.
ἀποθανοῦνταιthey shall dieFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (the closing finality)→ predictive future (the certain death)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the closing verb seals the sentence — and grimly fulfills the people's own death-wish of v. 2 (ἀπεθάνομεν): they wished to die in the wilderness, and there they shall.
36
καὶ οἱ ἄνθρωποι οὓς ἀπέστειλεν Μωυσῆς κατασκέψασθαι τὴν γῆν καὶ παραγενηθέντες διεγόγγυσαν κατ᾿ αὐτῆς πρὸς τὴν συναγωγὴν ἐξενέγκαι ῥήματα πονηρὰ περὶ τῆς γῆς
And the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land, and who on returning made all the congregation murmur against it by bringing out an evil report about the land —
The narrative returns to the ten spies whose report sparked the rebellion. The verse is a long subject-phrase (completed by the verb ἀπέθανον in v. 37): the men sent to reconnoiter who, on returning (παραγενηθέντες), incited the murmuring (διεγόγγυσαν) by 'bringing out an evil report' (ἐξενέγκαι ῥήματα πονηρά — the technical phrase for the slander of the land, Num 13:32).
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποιmenNominativesubject (resumed by ἀπέθανον in v. 37)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man'; the spies (the ten who brought the evil report); the subject of the death-by-plague in v. 37.
οὓςwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἀπέστειλεν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; introduces the clause identifying the men as Moses' commissioned spies.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the commissioning)ἀποστέλλω: 'send / commission'; recalls Moses' sending of the spies (Num 13:1–3, 17).
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject of ἀπέστειλεν→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: the one who commissioned the reconnaissance.
κατασκέψασθαιto spy outAor Mid Inf · κατασκέπτομαιinfinitive of purpose (with ἀπέστειλεν)→ aorist infinitive of purpose (the commissioned reconnaissance)κατασκέπτομαι: 'spy out / reconnoiter'; the purpose for which the men were sent.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of κατασκέψασθαι→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the object of the reconnaissance and of the slander.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παραγενηθέντεςhaving returnedAor Pass Ptc Masc Nom Pl · παραγίνομαιcircumstantial participle (temporal: 'on returning')→ antecedent aorist participle (their return)παραγίνομαι: 'arrive / come / return'; the participle 'having returned/arrived (from the mission)' sets the circumstance for their incitement of the people.
διεγόγγυσανmade murmurAor Act Indic 3 Pl · διαγογγύζωmain verb of the relative-subject clause (causative force)→ constative/causative aorist (they incited the murmuring)διαγογγύζω: 'murmur / cause to murmur'; here with causative force — the spies 'made [the congregation] murmur against it [the land]'; the murmuring leitmotif (vv. 2, 27, 29) traced to its source in the spies' report.
κατ᾿againstpreposition + genitive (hostile: 'against it', elided)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + gen.: 'against'; the murmuring was against the land.
αὐτῆςitGenitivegenitive object of κατά (the land)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'it'; the land, object of the murmuring.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction: to the congregation)→ spatial or relational framingπρός + acc.: 'to'; the spies directed their report to the assembled congregation.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συναγωγὴνcongregationAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationσυναγωγή: 'congregation'; the assembly the spies incited.
ἐξενέγκαιby bringing outAor Act Inf · ἐκφέρωepexegetic/instrumental infinitive (means of the murmuring)→ aorist infinitive (the act of spreading the report)ἐκφέρω: 'bring out / carry forth / spread'; ἐξενέγκαι ῥήματα πονηρά ('to bring out an evil report') renders הוֹצִיא דִבָּה ('spread a slander', Num 13:32); the technical phrase for the spies' defamation of the land.
ῥήματαreport / wordsAccusativedirect object of ἐξενέγκαι→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / saying / report'; ῥήματα πονηρά ('evil words / an evil report') is the slander against the land (cf. Num 13:32, the διαβολή).
πονηρὰevilAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ῥήματα)→ object specificationπονηρός: 'evil / wicked'; the same adjective applied to the congregation (vv. 27, 35); the evil report begets the wicked congregation.
περὶaboutpreposition + genitive (reference)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + gen.: 'about / concerning'; the report concerned the land.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive object of περί→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; the maligned land of promise.
37
καὶ ἀπέθανον οἱ ἄνθρωποι οἱ κατείπαντες κατὰ τῆς γῆς πονηρὰ ἐν τῇ πληγῇ ἔναντι κυρίου
the men who spoke evil against the land died by the plague before the LORD.
The sentence on the spies is executed at once: those who 'spoke evil against the land' (οἱ κατείπαντες κατὰ τῆς γῆς πονηρά) die ἐν τῇ πληγῇ ('by the plague') ἔναντι κυρίου ('before the LORD'). The death-verb ἀπέθανον resolves the long subject of v. 36; the plague-death (πληγή, cf. the threatened θάνατος of v. 12) is a foretaste and pledge of the whole generation's fate.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέθανονdiedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (resolving the subject of v. 36)→ constative aorist (the executed death-sentence)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the immediate death of the slandering spies executes a first installment of the wider sentence; the same verb closed v. 35 (ἀποθανοῦνται).
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποιmenNominativesubject of ἀπέθανον→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man'; the ten spies who brought the evil report (resuming v. 36).
οἱthe (who)Nominativearticle (with participle)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατείπαντεςwho spoke againstAor Act Ptc Masc Nom Pl · καταλέγω / κατεῖπονsubstantival participle (defining the men: 'who spoke evil against')→ constative aorist participle (the completed slander)κατεῖπον (aor. of καταγορεύω/καταλέγω): 'speak against / denounce / accuse'; οἱ κατείπαντες κατὰ τῆς γῆς πονηρά ('who spoke evil against the land') names the precise capital offense — defamation of YHWH's gift.
κατὰagainstpreposition + genitive (hostile)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + gen.: 'against'; the slander was against the land.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive object of κατά→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; the object of the slander.
πονηρὰevil thingsAccusativedirect object of κατείπαντες (neuter plural substantive)→ object specificationπονηρός: 'evil'; the neuter plural πονηρά ('evil things') as the content of the slander — recalling the ῥήματα πονηρά of v. 36.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (instrumental/circumstantial: 'by the plague')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: instrumental/circumstantial 'by / in'; ἐν τῇ πληγῇ = 'by the plague.'
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πληγῇplagueDativedative of means/circumstance→ sphere or referenceπληγή: 'blow / plague / stroke'; renders מַגֵּפָה ('plague'); the divine stroke that killed the spies (cf. the threatened θάνατος, v. 12); the same word for the Egyptian plagues (Exod 11:1).
ἔναντιbeforepreposition + genitive (Hebraizing: 'in the presence of')→ spatial or relational framingἔναντι: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the spies died 'before the LORD' — the death is a direct, public divine judgment at the sanctuary.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἔναντι→ relational specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the death occurs in YHWH's presence, marking it as his judicial act.
38
καὶ Ἰησοῦς υἱὸς Ναυη καὶ Χαλεβ υἱὸς Ιεφοννη ἔζησαν ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων ἐκείνων τῶν πεπορευμένων κατασκέψασθαι τὴν γῆν
But Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh lived, of those men who had gone to spy out the land.
Against the ten who died (v. 37) stands the contrast: Joshua and Caleb 'lived' (ἔζησαν). The verb of life, set against ἀπέθανον, vindicates the faithful minority and fulfills the promises of vv. 24, 30. The partitive ἀπὸ τῶν ἀνθρώπων … ('out of those men') marks them as the sole survivors of the twelve spies.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶbut / andconjunction (adversative force: contrast with the dead spies)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative-contrastive, setting the two survivors against the ten who perished.
ἸησοῦςJoshuaNominativesubject of ἔζησαν→ participant prominenceἸησοῦς: 'Joshua'; the faithful spy and future leader, who lives.
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositive (filiation)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; υἱὸς Ναυη identifies Joshua by patronymic.
ΝαυηNungenitive of filiation (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΝαυη: indeclinable; Joshua's father.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΧαλεβCalebsubject of ἔζησαν (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΧαλεβ: indeclinable; the faithful spy who lives, with Joshua.
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositive (filiation)→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; υἱὸς Ιεφοννη identifies Caleb by patronymic.
ΙεφοννηJephunnehgenitive of filiation (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙεφοννη: indeclinable; Caleb's father.
ἔζησανlivedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ζάωmain verb (the survival of the faithful)→ constative aorist (the preservation of the two)ζάω: 'live'; ἔζησαν ('they lived / survived') is the deliberate antithesis of ἀπέθανον (v. 37) — the faithful are kept alive while the slanderers die; the verb echoes the divine self-asseveration ζῶ ἐγώ (vv. 21, 28), the living God preserving his faithful.
ἀπὸof / from amongpreposition + genitive (partitive: 'out of those men')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from among'; partitive, marking Joshua and Caleb as the survivors out of the company of spies.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνθρώπωνmenGenitivegenitive (partitive, object of ἀπό)→ relational specificationἄνθρωπος: 'man'; the company of twelve spies, of whom only two lived.
ἐκείνωνthoseGenitivedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἀνθρώπων)→ relational specificationἐκεῖνος: 'those'; the spies just mentioned (vv. 36–37).
τῶνthe (who)Genitivearticle (with participle)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πεπορευμένωνwho had gonePerf Mid/Pass Ptc Masc Gen Pl · πορεύομαιattributive participle (describing the men: 'who had gone')→ resultative perfect participle (their having gone on the mission)πορεύομαι: 'go / journey'; the perfect participle 'who had gone (to spy)' recalls the reconnaissance mission; the two survivors had gone with the rest but did not share their sin or fate.
κατασκέψασθαιto spy outAor Mid Inf · κατασκέπτομαιinfinitive of purpose (with πεπορευμένων)→ aorist infinitive of purposeκατασκέπτομαι: 'spy out'; the purpose of their going — the reconnaissance from which only Joshua and Caleb emerged faithful and alive.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆνlandAccusativedirect object of κατασκέψασθαι→ object specificationγῆ: 'land'; the reconnoitered land.
39
καὶ ἐλάλησεν Μωυσῆς τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα πρὸς πάντας υἱοὺς Ισραηλ καὶ ἐπένθησεν ὁ λαὸς σφόδρα
And Moses spoke these words to all the sons of Israel, and the people mourned greatly.
Moses relays the divine sentence ('these words', τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα) to the people, who now mourn greatly (ἐπένθησεν … σφόδρα). The grief is belated and ironic — having wept the night before in faithless fear (v. 1), they now mourn the verdict their unbelief earned; their mourning sets up the presumptuous reversal of vv. 40–45.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (Moses relays the verdict)→ constative aoristλαλέω: 'speak'; Moses faithfully transmits the divine sentence to the people.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: the mediator-prophet relaying YHWH's word.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματαwordsAccusativedirect object of ἐλάλησεν→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / saying'; τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα ('these words') — the verdict of vv. 26–35; ironically the same word (ῥήματα) used of the spies' evil report (v. 36).
ταῦταtheseAccusativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ῥήματα)→ object specificationοὗτος: 'these'; the words of judgment just spoken.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying υἱούς)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the verdict is announced to the whole people.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeobject of πρός→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; the sons of Israel, the recipients of the verdict.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπένθησενmournedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πενθέωmain verb (the people's grief)→ ingressive aorist (broke into mourning)πενθέω: 'mourn / grieve / lament'; renders אָבַל; the people's great mourning (σφόδρα) is belated remorse over the irrevocable verdict — not the repentance of faith but grief at consequence (cf. the 'worldly grief' of 2 Cor 7:10; the rejected repentance of Heb 12:17).
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸςpeopleNominativesubject of ἐπένθησεν→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the mourning people, whose grief now mirrors the weeping of v. 1 but too late.
σφόδραgreatlyadverb of degree (intensifying ἐπένθησεν)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'greatly / exceedingly'; renders מְאֹד; the intensity of the mourning — yet remorse without obedience, as vv. 40–45 show.
40
καὶ ὀρθρίσαντες τὸ πρωὶ ἀνέβησαν εἰς τὴν κορυφὴν τοῦ ὄρους λέγοντες ἰδοὺ οἵδε ἡμεῖς ἀναβησόμεθα εἰς τὸν τόπον ὃν εἶπεν κύριος ὅτι ἡμάρτομεν
And rising early in the morning, they went up to the top of the mountain, saying, 'Behold, here we are; we will go up to the place of which the LORD spoke, for we have sinned.'
Mourning turns to presumption: rising early (ὀρθρίσαντες), the people now resolve to do precisely what they refused the day before — to 'go up' (ἀναβησόμεθα) and take the land. Their confession ὅτι ἡμάρτομεν ('for we have sinned') is real but their remedy is fresh disobedience: attempting the conquest after the LORD has forbidden it (v. 25). The deictic ἰδοὺ οἵδε ἡμεῖς ('behold, here we are') marks their rash self-confidence.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὀρθρίσαντεςrising earlyAor Act Ptc Masc Nom Pl · ὀρθρίζωcircumstantial participle (temporal: 'having risen early')→ antecedent aorist participle (the early rising)ὀρθρίζω: 'rise early / do early in the morning'; renders הִשְׁכִּים; the eager early rising underscores the people's rash determination to act on their own initiative.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (adverbial accusative of time)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωὶmorningAccusativeadverbial accusative of time (with ὀρθρίσαντες: 'early in the morning')→ object specificationπρωΐ: 'early / morning'; τὸ πρωΐ ('at dawn') reinforces ὀρθρίσαντες, the haste of their presumptuous resolve.
ἀνέβησανwent upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb→ constative aorist (the act of ascent)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up / ascend'; renders עָלָה; ἀναβαίνω is the key verb of this scene (vv. 40, 42, 44) — 'going up' to take the hill country; their belated ascent is the very thing they refused at the spies' report and that YHWH now forbids.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: 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.
κορυφὴνtopAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationκορυφή: 'top / summit / peak'; renders רֹאשׁ (here 'top of the mountain'); the height the people presume to take, where they will be routed (v. 44).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρουςmountainGenitivegenitive (with κορυφήν: 'the top of the mountain')→ relational specificationὄρος: 'mountain / hill country'; renders הַר; the hill country of the Amorites/Canaanites the people attempt to seize.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Pl · λέγωredundant participle of speech (introducing direct discourse)→ imperfective participle (quotation marker)λέγω: the redundant λέγοντες (= לֵאמֹר) introduces the people's presumptuous declaration.
ἰδοὺbeholddemonstrative interjection→ clausal contributionἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; a presentative particle drawing attention to the people's readiness — 'here we are.'
οἵδεhereNominativedemonstrative pronoun (with ἡμεῖς: 'here we [are]')→ participant referenceὅδε: 'this one here'; ἰδοὺ οἵδε ἡμεῖς ('behold, here we are') renders הִנֶּנּוּ, expressing the people's eager, self-confident presentation of themselves for the (now forbidden) task.
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceἡμεῖς: emphatic 'we'; the self-assertive 'we' undertaking the conquest on their own — the presumption that dooms them.
ἀναβησόμεθαwe will go upFut Mid Indic 1 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb of direct discourse (resolve)→ volitive/predictive future (their resolved intent)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; the people's resolve to 'go up' to the land — the obedience demanded earlier now offered too late, against YHWH's express command (v. 25).
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: 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.
τόπονplaceAccusativeobject of εἰς→ object specificationτόπος: 'place'; the place of which YHWH spoke — the promised land they had refused.
ὃνof whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἶπεν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; the place YHWH had spoken of.
εἶπενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of relative clause→ constative aoristλέγω: 'speak'; YHWH had spoken of the land as the promised destination — but now (vv. 25, 41) has forbidden this very ascent.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton.
ὅτιforcausal conjunction (introducing the confession)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for / because'; introduces the people's confession of sin as the motive for their (misguided) attempt.
ἡμάρτομενwe have sinnedAor Act Indic 1 Pl · ἁμαρτάνωverb of the causal clause (confession)→ constative aorist (acknowledgment of sin)ἁμαρτάνω: 'sin / miss the mark'; ἡμάρτομεν ('we have sinned') is a genuine confession (cf. Deut 1:41), yet unaccompanied by obedience — they confess the sin of refusing to go up, then sin again by going up when forbidden.
41
καὶ εἶπεν Μωυσῆς ἵνα τί ὑμεῖς παραβαίνετε τὸ ῥῆμα κυρίου οὐκ εὔοδα ἔσται ὑμῖν
And Moses said, 'Why do you transgress the word of the LORD? It will not prosper for you.'
Moses confronts the presumption with the reproachful ἵνα τί ('why?', as the people once reproached YHWH, v. 3): to go up now is to 'transgress the word of the LORD' (παραβαίνετε τὸ ῥῆμα κυρίου). The flat verdict οὐκ εὔοδα ἔσται ὑμῖν ('it will not prosper for you') anticipates the rout — obedience cannot be improvised after the day of grace has passed.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introduction)→ constative aoristλέγω: introduces Moses' warning against the presumptuous ascent.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: the prophet warning the people.
ἵναto what endpart of interrogative idiom ἵνα τί ('why?')→ clausal contributionἵνα τί: 'why? / for what purpose?'; the same reproachful idiom the people used against YHWH (v. 3), now turned on them by Moses.
τίwhyinterrogative pronoun (with ἵνα)→ participant referenceτίς: interrogative; with ἵνα, 'why?'
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)→ participant referenceσύ (pl. ὑμεῖς): emphatic 'you'; the presumptuous people.
παραβαίνετεtransgressPres Act Indic 2 Pl · παραβαίνωmain verb of the rhetorical question→ progressive present (the transgression in progress)παραβαίνω: 'transgress / overstep / disobey'; renders עָבַר (a command); to go up now 'transgresses the word of the LORD' — the people's very attempt at obedience is itself disobedience to the latest command (v. 25).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαwordAccusativedirect object of παραβαίνετε→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / command'; τὸ ῥῆμα κυρίου ('the word of the LORD') here the command to turn back (v. 25); to go up is to disobey it.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of source (with ῥῆμα)→ relational specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the word transgressed is YHWH's.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἔσται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: negation; 'it will NOT prosper.'
εὔοδαprosperous / successfulNominativepredicate adjective (neuter plural with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceεὔοδος: 'prospering / successful' (lit. 'of a good way'); the neuter plural οὐκ εὔοδα ἔσται ὑμῖν ('it will not be prosperous for you') renders לֹא תִצְלָח; Moses flatly predicts failure for the venture undertaken without YHWH.
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (impersonal predictive)→ predictive future (the foretold failure)εἰμί: 'be'; the impersonal 'it will [not] be prosperous' foretells the rout of vv. 44–45.
ὑμῖνfor youDativedative of advantage/reference→ participant reference or interestσύ (pl. ὑμῖν): 'for you'; the venture will not turn out well for the people.
42
μὴ ἀναβαίνετε οὐ γάρ ἐστιν κύριος μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν καὶ πεσεῖσθε πρὸ προσώπου τῶν ἐχθρῶν ὑμῶν
Do not go up, for the LORD is not among you, and you will fall before the face of your enemies.
The prohibition μὴ ἀναβαίνετε ('do not go up') reverses the people's resolve (v. 40). Its ground is the tragic inversion of Joshua and Caleb's confession (v. 9): there, ὁ κύριος ἐν ἡμῖν ('the LORD is among us'); here, οὐ … ἐστιν κύριος μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν ('the LORD is not among you'). Without his presence the ascent can only end in the very 'falling' (πεσεῖσθε) before enemies that the people had feared (v. 3).
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
μὴnotnegative particle (with imperative)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: prohibitive negative with the present imperative.
ἀναβαίνετεgo upPres Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb (prohibition)→ present imperative of prohibition (do not undertake the ascent)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; μὴ ἀναβαίνετε ('do not go up') directly forbids the venture of v. 40; the present imperative warns against the action they are about to take.
οὐnotnegative particle (with ἐστιν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: negation; 'the LORD is NOT among you.'
γάρforcausal particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; gives the reason for the prohibition — the absence of YHWH.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (verbless-clause verb: 'the LORD is [not] among you')→ stative presentεἰμί: 'be'; οὐ … ἐστιν κύριος μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν ('the LORD is not among you') is the precise negation of the faithful confession of v. 9 (ὁ δὲ κύριος ἐν ἡμῖν) — the divine presence that guarantees victory is now withdrawn.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἐστιν→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; his absence from the venture is the cause of its certain failure.
μεθ᾿among / withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + gen.: 'with / among'; μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν ('with you') — the divine presence the people now lack.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά→ relational specificationσύ (pl. ὑμῶν): 'you'; the people from whom YHWH's presence is withdrawn for this venture.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: introduces the consequence of the LORD's absence — defeat.
πεσεῖσθεyou will fallFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · πίπτωmain verb (predicted defeat)→ predictive future (the foretold rout)πίπτω: 'fall'; πεσεῖσθε ('you will fall') foretells defeat in battle — the very fate the people dreaded at v. 3 (πεσεῖν ἐν πολέμῳ) now comes upon them precisely because they act without YHWH.
πρὸbeforepreposition + genitive (in the idiom 'before the face of')→ spatial or relational framingπρό + gen.: 'before / in front of'; πρὸ προσώπου ('before the face of') renders לִפְנֵי, a Hebraism for 'in the presence of / before.'
προσώπουfaceGenitivegenitive (in the idiom πρὸ προσώπου: 'before the face of')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face'; in the idiom 'before the face of the enemies' = in their presence, defeated by them.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐχθρῶνenemiesGenitivegenitive (with προσώπου: 'the face of your enemies')→ relational specificationἐχθρός: 'enemy / hostile'; renders אֹיֵב; the Amalekites and Canaanites (v. 43) before whom Israel will fall.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
43
ὅτι ὁ Αμαληκ καὶ ὁ Χαναναῖος ἐκεῖ ἔμπροσθεν ὑμῶν καὶ πεσεῖσθε μαχαίρᾳ οὗ εἵνεκεν ἀπεστράφητε ἀπειθοῦντες κυρίῳ καὶ οὐκ ἔσται κύριος ἐν ὑμῖν
For Amalek and the Canaanite are there before you, and you will fall by the sword, because you have turned away, disobeying the LORD, and the LORD will not be among you.
Moses spells out the double cause of the coming disaster: the enemy is positioned ahead (Amalek and the Canaanite, ἔμπροσθεν ὑμῶν), and the deeper reason (οὗ εἵνεκεν, 'because') is the people's turning away in disobedience (ἀπεστράφητε ἀπειθοῦντες κυρίῳ). The verse closes by repeating the fatal fact: οὐκ ἔσται κύριος ἐν ὑμῖν ('the LORD will not be among you') — disobedience forfeits the divine presence.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
ὅτιforcausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'for / because'; introduces the reason the ascent will fail.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμαληκAmaleksubject (verbless clause; indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑμαληκ: indeclinable; Israel's desert foe, positioned to block the ascent (cf. v. 25).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧαναναῖοςCanaaniteNominativesubject (coordinate with Αμαληκ)→ participant prominenceΧαναναῖος: 'Canaanite'; the land's inhabitants, holding the heights against Israel.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (predicate of the verbless clause)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; the enemies are 'there' — in the hill country the people intend to assault.
ἔμπροσθενbefore / in front ofpreposition + genitive (position: 'ahead of you')→ spatial or relational framingἔμπροσθεν: 'in front of / before'; the enemies stand 'before you', blocking the way — a hostile front.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of ἔμπροσθεν→ relational specificationσύ (pl. ὑμῶν): 'you'; before whom the enemies are arrayed.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πεσεῖσθεyou will fallFut Mid Indic 2 Pl · πίπτωmain verb (predicted defeat)→ predictive future (the foretold slaughter)πίπτω: 'fall'; repeated from v. 42 — 'you will fall by the sword'; the falling is now specified as death by the sword.
μαχαίρᾳby the swordDativedative of instrument (with πεσεῖσθε)→ sphere or referenceμάχαιρα: 'sword / knife'; renders חֶרֶב; the dative of means, 'fall by the sword' — death in battle at the enemies' hands.
οὗof whichGenitiverelative pronoun (in the causal idiom οὗ εἵνεκεν: 'because')→ relational specificationὅς: relative pronoun; in the idiom οὗ εἵνεκεν ('for the reason that / because') it introduces the deeper cause.
εἵνεκενbecauseimproper preposition/conjunction (causal: 'because')→ spatial or relational framingἕνεκεν (here εἵνεκεν): 'on account of / because of'; with οὗ forms the causal 'because' — naming the moral cause of the defeat: their apostasy.
ἀπεστράφητεyou have turned awayAor Pass Indic 2 Pl · ἀποστρέφωverb of the causal clause→ constative aorist (the act of turning away)ἀποστρέφω: 'turn away / turn back / apostatize'; ἀπεστράφητε ('you have turned away') names the people's defection from YHWH — the same root as their proposal to 'return' to Egypt (vv. 3–4) and the rout's flight (v. 45); their apostasy is the root cause of defeat.
ἀπειθοῦντεςdisobeyingPres Act Ptc Masc Nom Pl · ἀπειθέωcircumstantial participle (manner: 'in disobedience to the LORD')→ imperfective participle (the ongoing disobedience)ἀπειθέω: 'disobey / be unpersuaded / refuse to believe'; renders מָרָה / סָרַר; ἀπειθοῦντες κυρίῳ ('disobeying the LORD') names the sin precisely as disobedience — the NT term for the wilderness generation's failure (cf. Heb 3:18, τοῖς ἀπειθήσασιν; 4:6, 11).
κυρίῳthe LORDDativedative object of ἀπειθοῦντες (verb of disobeying takes dative)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the one disobeyed; the dative is governed by ἀπειθέω.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἔσται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: negation; 'the LORD will NOT be among you.'
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (the withdrawn presence)→ predictive future (the absence of YHWH in the battle)εἰμί: 'be'; οὐκ ἔσται κύριος ἐν ὑμῖν ('the LORD will not be among you') repeats and seals v. 42 — the divine absence is the final, fatal fact; the inverse of v. 9's confession.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of ἔσται→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; absent from the venture.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative (locative: 'among you')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: 'among / in'; the divine presence ἐν ὑμῖν that the people forfeit.
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν→ participant reference or interestσύ (pl. ὑμῖν): 'you'; the people bereft of YHWH's presence.
44
καὶ διαβιασάμενοι ἀνέβησαν ἐπὶ τὴν κορυφὴν τοῦ ὄρους ἡ δὲ κιβωτὸς τῆς διαθήκης κυρίου καὶ Μωυσῆς οὐκ ἐκινήθησαν ἐκ τῆς παρεμβολῆς
But they forced their way up to the top of the mountain; yet the ark of the covenant of the LORD and Moses did not stir from the camp.
The people defy the warning: διαβιασάμενοι ('forcing their way / acting presumptuously') they go up. The decisive δέ-clause exposes the folly — the ark of the covenant (the throne of YHWH's presence) and Moses (the mediator) 'did not stir from the camp' (οὐκ ἐκινήθησαν ἐκ τῆς παρεμβολῆς). They ascend without the LORD, exactly as Moses warned, guaranteeing the rout of v. 45.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶbut / andnarrative conjunction (adversative force)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here adversative — despite the warning, they went up.
διαβιασάμενοιforcing their way / presumingAor Mid Ptc Masc Nom Pl · διαβιάζομαιcircumstantial participle (manner: 'presumptuously')→ antecedent/manner aorist participle (the act of forcing)διαβιάζομαι: 'force one's way through / act presumptuously / use violence'; the rare compound conveys the people's headstrong self-will (Hebrew וַיַּעְפִּלוּ, 'they presumed/were heedless'); they push ahead against both YHWH's word and Moses' warning.
ἀνέβησανwent upAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἀναβαίνωmain verb→ constative aorist (the presumptuous ascent)ἀναβαίνω: 'go up'; the fatal ascent the people were forbidden to make (vv. 41–42); the third occurrence of the verb in the scene (vv. 40, 42, 44).
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.
κορυφὴνtopAccusativeobject of ἐπί→ object specificationκορυφή: 'top / summit'; the mountain-top they presumed to take (cf. v. 40).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρουςmountainGenitivegenitive (with κορυφήν)→ relational specificationὄρος: 'mountain / hill country'; the height of the assault.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δὲbut / yetadversative particle (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: strongly adversative, exposing the fatal absence of the ark and Moses from the venture.
κιβωτὸςarkNominativesubject of ἐκινήθησαν→ participant prominenceκιβωτός: 'ark / chest'; renders אֲרוֹן; ἡ κιβωτὸς τῆς διαθήκης ('the ark of the covenant') is the throne-seat of YHWH's presence and the war-palladium that led Israel's advance (cf. Num 10:33–36); its remaining in camp signals YHWH's absence from the battle.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διαθήκηςcovenantGenitivegenitive of relationship (with κιβωτός)→ relational specificationδιαθήκη: 'covenant / testament'; renders בְּרִית; 'the ark of the covenant' embodies YHWH's covenant presence with Israel — present in camp, absent from the presumptuous assault.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession (with διαθήκης)→ relational specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; the covenant is YHWH's.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject (coordinate with κιβωτός)→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: the mediator; his staying in camp, with the ark, marks the venture as outside YHWH's leadership and Moses' sanction.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἐκινήθησαν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: negation; 'did NOT stir.'
ἐκινήθησανstirred / movedAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · κινέωmain verb (the ark and Moses remain)→ constative aorist (they did not move)κινέω: 'move / stir'; οὐκ ἐκινήθησαν ἐκ τῆς παρεμβολῆς ('did not move from the camp') — the ark and Moses stayed put; the divine presence and the mediator do not accompany the rebels' assault.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'out of / from'; the ark and Moses did not move 'from the camp.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολῆςcampGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ→ relational specificationπαρεμβολή: 'camp / encampment / army'; renders מַחֲנֶה; the Israelite camp, which the ark and Moses did not leave — and to which the routed people will flee back (v. 45).
45
καὶ κατέβη ὁ Αμαληκ καὶ ὁ Χαναναῖος ὁ ἐγκαθήμενος ἐν τῷ ὄρει ἐκείνῳ καὶ ἐτρέψαντο αὐτοὺς καὶ κατέκοψαν αὐτοὺς ἕως Ερμαν καὶ ἀπεστράφησαν εἰς τὴν παρεμβολήν
And Amalek and the Canaanite who dwelt in that mountain came down and routed them and cut them to pieces as far as Hormah; and they turned back to the camp.
The chapter ends in catastrophe exactly as foretold (vv. 42–43): the enemies 'come down' (κατέβη — answering the people's presumptuous 'going up'), rout (ἐτρέψαντο) and cut them down (κατέκοψαν) as far as Hormah (ἕως Ερμαν), and the survivors flee back (ἀπεστράφησαν) to the camp. The presumptuous ascent ends where unbelief always ends — in defeat and retreat; the verb ἀποστρέφω closes the chapter as it ran through it (vv. 3–4, 43).
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέβηcame downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καταβαίνωmain verb (singular with compound subject)→ constative aorist (the enemy descent)καταβαίνω: 'go down / descend'; κατέβη ('came down') is the deliberate antithesis of the people's ἀνέβησαν ('went up', v. 44) — the enemy descends upon the presumptuous attackers; the singular verb agrees with the nearer subject (Αμαληκ).
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμαληκAmaleksubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΑμαληκ: indeclinable; the desert enemy who routs Israel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΧαναναῖοςCanaaniteNominativesubject (coordinate with Αμαληκ)→ participant prominenceΧαναναῖος: 'Canaanite'; the land's inhabitants, joining Amalek in the rout.
ὁthe (who)Nominativearticle (with participle ἐγκαθήμενος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐγκαθήμενοςwho dwelt / was settledPres Mid Ptc Masc Nom Sg · ἐγκάθημαιattributive participle (describing the Canaanite: 'who dwelt')→ imperfective participle (settled habitation)ἐγκάθημαι: 'sit / dwell / lie in wait in'; the participle 'who was settled / dwelt in that mountain' locates the enemy in the very hill country the people assaulted; the verb can connote lying in ambush, fitting the sudden descent.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄρειmountainDativedative of place→ sphere or referenceὄρος: 'mountain / hill country'; the height held by the enemy.
ἐκείνῳthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ὄρει)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the specific mountain the people presumed to take.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐτρέψαντοroutedAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · τρέπωmain verb (the rout)→ constative aorist (the putting to flight)τρέπω (mid. τρέπομαι): 'turn / put to flight / rout'; the middle ἐτρέψαντο αὐτούς ('they routed them / put them to flight') is the technical military term for defeating and scattering an army.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἐτρέψαντο (the Israelites)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'them'; the routed Israelites.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέκοψανcut to piecesAor Act Indic 3 Pl · κατακόπτωmain verb (the slaughter)→ constative aorist (the cutting down)κατακόπτω: 'cut down / cut to pieces / strike repeatedly'; the intensive compound depicts a thorough slaughter; renders כָּתַת / הִכָּה; the people are cut down as far as Hormah.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of κατέκοψαν→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'them'; the slaughtered Israelites.
ἕωςas far aspreposition + genitive (extent of the pursuit)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / as far as'; marks the extent of the rout.
ΕρμανHormahgenitive of place (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕρμαν: LXX transliteration of Hebrew חָרְמָה (Hormah, lit. 'destruction / ban'); the name (from חֵרֶם, 'devotion to destruction') becomes a fitting marker of the rout; the place recurs at Num 21:3 and the parallel account at Deut 1:44.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεστράφησανthey turned backAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἀποστρέφωmain verb (the flight back)→ constative aorist (the retreat)ἀποστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; the routed survivors 'turned back to the camp' — the same verb that ran through the chapter's apostasy (vv. 3–4, the wish to return to Egypt; v. 43, turning from YHWH); the chapter ends with a defeated, backward turn, the bitter fruit of unbelief.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: 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.
παρεμβολήνcampAccusativeobject of εἰς (goal of the retreat)→ object specificationπαρεμβολή: 'camp / encampment'; the Israelite camp — from which the ark and Moses had not stirred (v. 44) — to which the defeated remnant flees; the chapter closes with the rebels back where they began, the conquest forfeited for forty years.