1
καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν
And the LORD said to Moses,
The bare speech-formula καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν opens the chapter mid-stream: it presupposes the swallowing of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and the fiery destruction of the 250 censer-bearers in ch. 16. In Rahlfs the verse-division here (17:1) corresponds to English 16:36; the LXX makes no break, the divine word about the censers flowing directly out of the judgment scene.
Word-by-word analysis· 5 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single completed speech-act)λέγω: 'say / speak'; the aorist εἶπεν introduces direct YHWH-speech; the formula καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν is the standard LXX hinge between narrative judgment and new divine instruction throughout Numbers.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the nominative subject of the speech-formula marks this as unmediated YHWH-speech.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (recipient of speech)→ object specificationΜωυσῆς: transliteration of Hebrew מֹשֶׁה; declined as a first/third-declension hybrid in Rahlfs' LXX (gen. Μωυσῆ, acc. Μωυσῆν); accusative here as the directional object of πρός.
2
καὶ πρὸς Ελεαζαρ τὸν υἱὸν Ααρων τὸν ἱερέα ἀνέλεσθε τὰ πυρεῖα τὰ χαλκᾶ ἐκ μέσου τῶν κατακεκαυμένων καὶ τὸ πῦρ τὸ ἀλλότριον τοῦτο σπεῖρον ἐκεῖ ὅτι ἡγίασαν
and to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest: 'Take up the bronze censers from the midst of those who have been burned up, and scatter the strange fire yonder, because they have become holy —
The instruction is directed not to Aaron (who must avoid corpse-defilement and the burnt remains) but to his son Eleazar, the priest who handles the residue of judgment. The censers of the destroyed rebels, having been brought before YHWH, are now charged with holiness (ἡγίασαν) and cannot revert to common use; they must be transformed into a permanent altar-fixture.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (extending the addressee of v.1)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΕλεαζαρEleazaraccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλεαζαρ: transliteration of Hebrew אֶלְעָזָר ('God has helped'); indeclinable in the LXX; Aaron's third son and eventual successor as high priest (Num 20:25–28); as the subordinate priest he handles the defiling aftermath of judgment.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with υἱόν, in apposition to Ελεαζαρ)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱὸνsonAccusativeaccusative in apposition to Ελεαζαρ→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; renders בֵּן; the appositional 'son of Aaron the priest' establishes Eleazar's priestly legitimacy — he acts by descent, in pointed contrast to the ἀλλογενής of v.5 who has no such claim.
ΑαρωνAarongenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'son of Aaron')→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliteration of Hebrew אַהֲרֹן; indeclinable in the LXX; Aaron is the high priest whose exclusive house the whole chapter vindicates.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with ἱερέα, qualifying Aaron)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερέαpriestAccusativeaccusative apposition (the priest)→ object specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the title is the theological keyword of the chapter — Korah's rebellion contested who may legitimately exercise the ἱερωσύνη, and the censers, the plague, and the budding rod all answer it.
ἀνέλεσθεtake upAor Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἀναιρέωmain verb (divine command, plural)→ ingressive aorist imperative (decisive act of gathering)ἀναιρέω (mid. ἀναιρέομαι): 'take up / pick up / remove'; the middle 'gather up for oneself'; renders הָרִים ('lift / take up'); the plural imperative addresses Eleazar together with assisting Levites; the censers must be retrieved from among the charred corpses.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πυρεῖαcensersAccusativedirect object of ἀνέλεσθε→ object specificationπυρεῖον: 'censer / fire-pan'; renders מַחְתָּה; the censer is the chapter's first key object — the instrument by which the 250 usurped the priestly prerogative of offering incense (16:17–18); their bronze becomes the altar's warning plating.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (attributive position with χαλκᾶ)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χαλκᾶof bronzeAccusativeattributive adjective (material: 'bronze')→ object specificationχαλκοῦς: 'made of bronze / copper'; renders נְחֹשֶׁת; the metal is durable and fire-resistant, fitting it to be beaten into an altar-covering that will outlast the generation it warns.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
μέσουmidstGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ ('from the midst of')→ relational specificationμέσος: 'middle / midst'; ἐκ μέσου renders מִתּוֹךְ; the censers lie among the burned bodies and must be separated from them — holy objects extracted from the locus of judgment.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατακεκαυμένωνthose who have been burned upPerf Mid/Pass Part Gen Pl · κατακαίωsubstantival participle (genitive: 'the burned ones')→ resultative perfect participle (settled state: those left burned)κατακαίω: 'burn up / consume with fire'; the intensive κατα- marks total combustion; renders שָׂרַף; the perfect participle presents the 250 as fixed in their burned condition (cf. 16:35, fire from YHWH consumed them); the censers survive the fire that destroyed their bearers.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πῦρfireAccusativedirect object of σπεῖρον→ object specificationπῦρ: 'fire'; renders אֵשׁ; here the still-glowing coals in the censers — designated ἀλλότριον ('strange / alien'), the same charge laid against the unauthorized fire of Nadab and Abihu (Lev 10:1).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (attributive with ἀλλότριον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀλλότριονstrange / alienAccusativeattributive adjective (qualifying πῦρ)→ object specificationἀλλότριος: 'belonging to another / strange / unauthorized'; renders זָר; πῦρ ἀλλότριον is the technical term for cultically illegitimate fire (Lev 10:1; Num 3:4); the rebels' fire is 'strange' because they had no priestly right to kindle it before YHWH.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (qualifying πῦρ)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the demonstrative points to the specific fire still in the retrieved censers, distinguishing it from the legitimate altar-fire that must be preserved.
σπεῖρονscatterAor Act Impv 2 Sg · σπείρωmain verb (singular command to Eleazar)→ ingressive aorist imperative (single decisive act)σπείρω: 'sow / scatter'; renders זָרָה here in the sense 'scatter / strew abroad'; the alien coals are to be dispersed away from the sanctuary, the holy censers retained but their illegitimate fire dispersed — a careful separation of holy vessel from profaned use.
ἐκεῖyonder / thereadverb of place (the place of scattering)→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there / in that place'; the deictic adverb directs the scattering away from the altar — at a distance, the alien fire is rendered harmless.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (introducing the reason for preserving the censers)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / that'; here causal, giving the theological rationale: the censers cannot be discarded because contact with YHWH's presence has rendered them holy.
ἡγίασανthey became holyAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἁγιάζωverb of causal clause (the censers as subject)→ constative aorist (the censers' acquired sanctity)ἁγιάζω: 'make holy / consecrate'; here intransitively/resultatively 'they have become holy' (the subject is τὰ πυρεῖα); renders קָדַשׁ; the doctrine of contagious holiness — objects brought before YHWH are charged with sanctity and cannot revert to common use (cf. Lev 6:18 [27]).
3
τὰ πυρεῖα τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν τούτων ἐν ταῖς ψυχαῖς αὐτῶν καὶ ποίησον αὐτὰ λεπίδας ἐλατάς περίθεμα τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ ὅτι προσηνέχθησαν ἔναντι κυρίου καὶ ἡγιάσθησαν καὶ ἐγένοντο εἰς σημεῖον τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ
the censers of these sinners against their own lives — and make them into beaten plates, a covering for the altar, because they were offered before the LORD and were made holy; and they have become a sign to the sons of Israel.'
The verse names the censers' owners as ἁμαρτωλοί 'against their own lives' (ἐν ταῖς ψυχαῖς αὐτῶν) — their rebellion was self-destructive. The command ποίησον … λεπίδας ἐλατάς turns the instruments of usurpation into a permanent περίθεμα, and the closing clause supplies the purpose: the plating is a σημεῖον, a standing warning to all Israel.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
τὰtheAccusativearticle (resuming τὰ πυρεῖα from v.2)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πυρεῖαcensersAccusativeaccusative (resumptive object, anticipating ποίησον αὐτά)→ object specificationπυρεῖον: the censers are named a second time for emphasis, framing the whole instruction around the transformation of these specific objects.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁμαρτωλῶνsinnersGenitivegenitive of possession ('censers of the sinners')→ relational specificationἁμαρτωλός: 'sinful / sinner'; renders חַטָּא / חוֹטֵא; the rebels are characterized as sinners whose offense was self-destructive — the term frames their incense-offering not as zeal but as transgression.
τούτωνtheseGenitivedemonstrative (qualifying ἁμαρτωλῶν)→ relational specificationοὗτος: the demonstrative ties the censers to the specific 250 just destroyed.
ἐνagainst / withpreposition + dative (sphere: 'at the cost of their lives')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: here marking the sphere in which the sin operated; ἐν ταῖς ψυχαῖς αὐτῶν renders בְּנַפְשֹׁתָם, idiom for 'at the cost of their own lives' — they sinned against themselves, forfeiting their lives in the act.
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχαῖςlives / soulsDativedative object of ἐν ('with/against their lives')→ sphere or referenceψυχή: 'soul / life / self'; renders נֶפֶשׁ; here 'life' in the concrete sense — the sinners' rebellion cost them their very lives, the censers a relic of a fatal trespass.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (resuming the command)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποίησονmakeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (command to Eleazar)→ ingressive aorist imperative (decisive act of fabrication)ποιέω: 'make / do'; renders עָשָׂה; the command transforms the censers — instruments of illegitimate worship — into a sanctioned cultic fixture, a theological reversal: the relic of rebellion becomes the warning against it.
αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object (the censers)→ participant referenceαὐτὰ: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (the censers).
λεπίδαςplatesAccusativeobject complement ('make them into plates')→ object specificationλεπίς: 'scale / thin plate / flake'; renders the sense of רִקֻּעֵי פַחִים ('beaten plates'); the censers are to be hammered flat into sheet-metal.
ἐλατάςbeaten / hammeredAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying λεπίδας)→ object specificationἐλατός: 'beaten / hammered out' (verbal adjective of ἐλαύνω, 'drive / forge'); renders רָקַע; the plates are produced by hammering — a deliberate, laborious refashioning of the censers into a flat covering.
περίθεμαcovering / platingAccusativeaccusative in apposition (the resulting object)→ object specificationπερίθεμα: 'that which is put around / covering / overlay'; from περιτίθημι ('place around'); renders צִפּוּי ('overlay'); the bronze sheet is to encase the altar — visible to every worshipper, a permanent sermon in metal.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστηρίῳaltarDativedative of advantage/destination ('covering for the altar')→ sphere or referenceθυσιαστήριον: 'altar / place of sacrifice'; the LXX coinage (from θυσιάζω) reserved for the legitimate altar of YHWH (as against βωμός for pagan altars); renders מִזְבֵּחַ; the altar so sheathed becomes the focal warning against unauthorized approach.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: causal, giving the reason the censers acquired holiness — their having been brought into YHWH's presence.
προσηνέχθησανthey were offeredAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · προσφέρωverb of causal clause (the censers as subject)→ constative aorist passive (completed act of being presented)προσφέρω: 'bring to / offer / present'; renders הִקְרִיב; the cultic technical term for presenting an offering before YHWH; even illegitimately offered, the censers were brought ἔναντι κυρίου and so acquired sanctity — a sobering doctrine of holiness independent of the offerer's worthiness.
ἔναντιbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἔναντι: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism rendering לִפְנֵי; locates the offering in YHWH's presence, the source of the contagious holiness.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἔναντι→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the censers became holy precisely by proximity to the divine presence, not by the rebels' intention.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡγιάσθησανthey were made holyAor Pass Indic 3 Pl · ἁγιάζωverb of causal clause (passive: 'were sanctified')→ constative aorist passive (resultant consecration)ἁγιάζω (pass.): 'be made holy / consecrated'; the passive (with YHWH's presence as implicit agent) complements the active ἡγίασαν of v.2; renders קָדַשׁ; the censers' sanctity is divinely conferred, requiring their preservation as a sacred fixture.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένοντοthey becameAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (resultative: 'they became a sign')→ constative aorist (achieved function)γίνομαι: 'become / come to be'; the construction ἐγένοντο εἰς σημεῖον is a Hebraism (הָיָה לְאוֹת) for 'serve as / function as a sign'; the censers' final purpose is didactic — a standing warning.
εἰςfor / aspreposition + accusative (Hebraistic predicate: 'as a sign')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: in the Hebraistic εἰς + accusative of result, 'so as to become' — the censer-plating functions as a permanent σημεῖον.
σημεῖονa signAccusativeaccusative of result/predicate ('a sign')→ object specificationσημεῖον: 'sign / token'; renders אוֹת; the same word will name the budding rod's function in v.25, binding the two episodes — both the censer-plating and the rod are σημεῖα warning against contesting the priesthood.
τοῖςto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative of advantage ('a sign for the sons of Israel')→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; the phrase οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ('the sons of Israel') is the standard LXX designation of the covenant people, here the audience the warning addresses.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'sons of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; the covenant nation whom the censer-sign is to instruct.
4
καὶ ἔλαβεν Ελεαζαρ υἱὸς Ααρων τοῦ ἱερέως τὰ πυρεῖα τὰ χαλκᾶ ὅσα προσήνεγκαν οἱ κατακεκαυμένοι καὶ προσέθηκαν αὐτὰ περίθεμα τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ
And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest took the bronze censers, all that those who had been burned up had offered, and they fastened them as a covering for the altar,
The verse reports the compliance: Eleazar takes the censers and they (he with assisting Levites) fasten them to the altar. The echo of vv.2–3 vocabulary (τὰ πυρεῖα τὰ χαλκᾶ … κατακεκαυμένοι … περίθεμα τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ) marks exact obedience, a recurrent LXX command/fulfilment pattern.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (Eleazar's compliance)→ constative aorist (completed act)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; renders לָקַח; Eleazar's taking of the censers fulfils the ἀνέλεσθε of v.2, the narrative confirming exact obedience to the divine command.
ΕλεαζαρEleazarsubject (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΕλεαζαρ: the priest who executes the command, named in full with his lineage to underscore his legitimate priestly standing.
υἱὸςsonNominativenominative in apposition to Ελεαζαρ→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the appositional 'son of Aaron the priest' again credentials Eleazar's authority to handle the holy censers.
ΑαρωνAarongenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: indeclinable; the high-priestly father whose line alone is authorized.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with ἱερέως, qualifying Aaron)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερέωςpriestGenitivegenitive in apposition to Ααρων ('Aaron the priest')→ relational specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; the genitive ties Eleazar's act to the legitimate priestly office his father holds.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πυρεῖαcensersAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβεν→ object specificationπυρεῖον: the censers, retrieved exactly as commanded.
τὰtheAccusativearticle (attributive with χαλκᾶ)→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χαλκᾶof bronzeAccusativeattributive adjective (material)→ object specificationχαλκοῦς: 'of bronze'; the durable metal repeated from v.2, marking the fulfilment.
ὅσαas many asAccusativerelative pronoun (quantitative: 'all that')→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as / all that'; the quantitative relative ensures every censet of the 250 is accounted for and incorporated into the altar-plating.
προσήνεγκανthey offeredAor Act Indic 3 Pl · προσφέρωverb of relative clause (the burned men as subject)→ constative aorist (the rebels' completed offering)προσφέρω: 'offer / present'; the active counterpart to the passive προσηνέχθησαν of v.3 — the rebels had themselves offered these censers, the act that both doomed them and sanctified the metal.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with the participle)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κατακεκαυμένοιthose who had been burned upPerf Mid/Pass Part Nom Pl · κατακαίωsubstantival participle (subject of προσήνεγκαν)→ resultative perfect participle (fixed state: the burned ones)κατακαίω: 'burn up'; the perfect participle (cf. v.2) presents the 250 in their settled burned condition; the grim subject of 'offered' — the dead rebels whose censers now warn the living.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσέθηκανthey fastened / addedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · προστίθημιmain verb (the fastening of the plating)→ constative aorist (completed fabrication)προστίθημι: 'add to / put to / affix'; the plural subject (Eleazar with assistants) fastens the beaten plates onto the altar; renders the affixing of the overlay; the fulfilment of ποίησον … περίθεμα (v.3).
αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object (the plates)→ participant referenceαὐτὰ: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (the plates).
περίθεμαa coveringAccusativeaccusative in apposition / result ('as a covering')→ object specificationπερίθεμα: 'overlay / covering'; the finished altar-sheathing, exactly as commanded in v.3 — the sign now physically in place.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστηρίῳaltarDativedative of destination ('covering for the altar')→ sphere or referenceθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; the bronze plating now permanently encases the altar of YHWH, a perpetual visual warning fulfilling the divine purpose of vv.2–3.
5
μνημόσυνον τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ ὅπως ἂν μὴ προσέλθῃ μηθεὶς ἀλλογενής ὃς οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκ τοῦ σπέρματος Ααρων ἐπιθεῖναι θυμίαμα ἔναντι κυρίου καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ὥσπερ Κορε καὶ ἡ ἐπισύστασις αὐτοῦ καθὰ ἐλάλησεν κύριος ἐν χειρὶ Μωυσῆ
a memorial to the sons of Israel, so that no outsider who is not of the seed of Aaron may approach to offer incense before the LORD, and so be not as Korah and his company — as the LORD spoke by the hand of Moses.
The verse states the sign's didactic intent: the plating is a μνημόσυνον enforcing the priestly boundary — no ἀλλογενής outside Aaron's line may offer incense, on pain of sharing Korah's fate. The closing formula καθὰ ἐλάλησεν κύριος ἐν χειρὶ Μωυσῆ stamps the whole arrangement with divine authorization.
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
μνημόσυνονa memorialAccusativeaccusative in apposition (the sign's function: a memorial)→ object specificationμνημόσυνον: 'memorial / reminder'; renders זִכָּרוֹן; the censer-plating is a permanent cultic reminder, like the stones of Josh 4 or the Passover; its purpose is mnemonic and admonitory — Israel is to remember Korah whenever they see the altar.
τοῖςto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative of advantage ('a memorial for the sons of Israel')→ sphere or referenceυἱός: the covenant people as the audience the memorial addresses.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the nation warned by the memorial.
ὅπωςso thatpurpose conjunction (introducing negative purpose clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅπως: 'so that / in order that'; with ἄν + subjunctive introduces the purpose of the memorial — the prevention of unauthorized priestly approach.
ἂν[modal]modal particle (with ὅπως + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle reinforcing the contingency of the purpose clause; ὅπως ἄν + subjunctive is a common LXX final construction.
μὴnotnegative particle (negating προσέλθῃ)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the negative proper to subjunctive/volitive clauses; here negating the approach of the outsider.
προσέλθῃmay approachAor Act Subj 3 Sg · προσέρχομαιverb of negative purpose clause→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (a single act of approach forbidden)προσέρχομαι: 'come near / approach'; renders קָרַב; the cultic technical sense of approaching the sanctuary to officiate; the whole Korah crisis turned on illegitimate קָרְבָה — drawing near to priestly functions one has no right to.
μηθεὶςno oneNominativesubject of προσέλθῃ (negative pronoun)→ participant referenceμηθείς (Hellenistic for μηδείς): 'no one / not one'; the θ-form is characteristic of Koine/LXX orthography; the absolute negation makes the priestly boundary exceptionless.
ἀλλογενήςoutsider / foreign-bornNominativeappositional subject ('no outsider')→ participant prominenceἀλλογενής: 'of another stock / alien-born / layman'; an LXX coinage (ἄλλος + γένος); renders זָר here in the cultic sense — not a foreigner ethnically but anyone outside the priestly line; the same boundary-word will recur in the temple inscription tradition (cf. Acts 21:28).
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἔστιν, qualifying ἀλλογενής)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun introducing the defining clause — the 'outsider' is precisely defined as one not descended from Aaron.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἔστιν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: the negative proper to the indicative ἔστιν.
ἔστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίverb of relative clause (defining descent)→ stative present (a settled fact of lineage)εἰμί: 'be'; the present states the abiding fact of (non-)descent — priestly legitimacy is a matter of fixed genealogy, not momentary zeal.
ἐκof / frompreposition + genitive (origin/descent)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: 'from / out of'; marking descent — to be 'of the seed of Aaron' is the sole credential for offering incense.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σπέρματοςseedGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ ('of the seed of Aaron')→ relational specificationσπέρμα: 'seed / offspring'; renders זֶרַע; the priesthood is hereditary, confined to Aaron's σπέρμα — the genealogical principle the budding rod will dramatically confirm (the rod of Levi alone buds).
Ααρωνof Aarongenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'seed of Aaron')→ participant identificationΑαρων: indeclinable; the priestly progenitor whose line alone may officiate.
ἐπιθεῖναιto offer / to lay onAor Act Inf · ἐπιτίθημιinfinitive of purpose (the forbidden act: 'to offer incense')→ aorist infinitive (the specific cultic act envisaged)ἐπιτίθημι: 'put on / place upon'; here of laying incense on the coals — the priestly act of θυμίαμα; renders the offering of קְטֹרֶת; the infinitive defines what the outsider must not approach to do.
θυμίαμαincenseAccusativedirect object of ἐπιθεῖναι→ object specificationθυμίαμα: 'incense / fragrant offering'; renders קְטֹרֶת; the very offering by which the 250 transgressed and by which (vv.11–12) Aaron will atone — incense is at once the means of usurpation and of legitimate intercession.
ἔναντιbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἔναντι: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism for לִפְנֵי; the incense is offered in YHWH's presence — a privilege reserved to the priesthood.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἔναντι→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the divine presence before whom only the legitimate priest may approach with incense.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἔσται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιhe will beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of consequence clause ('so be not as Korah')→ predictive future (the consequence the memorial averts)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; the negated future expresses the fate avoided — the outsider who heeds the warning will not share Korah's destruction; the verse turns on the alternative of obedience or judgment.
ὥσπερas / likecomparative particle ('as Korah')→ discourse linkage or contrastὥσπερ: 'just as / like'; introduces the cautionary paradigm — Korah and his company as the type of those who perish for usurping the priesthood.
ΚορεKorahobject of comparison (indeclinable proper noun)→ participant identificationΚορε: transliteration of Hebrew קֹרַח; indeclinable in the LXX; the Levite who led the revolt against Aaron's exclusive priesthood (ch. 16); his name becomes a byword for rebellion (cf. Jude 11, 'the gainsaying of Korah').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ἐπισύστασις)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπισύστασιςcompany / factionNominativenominative (second member of comparison: 'and his company')→ participant prominenceἐπισύστασις: 'a gathering against / conspiracy / faction'; from ἐπισυνίστημι ('band together against'); renders עֵדָה in its hostile sense; the same root described the congregation 'gathering against' Moses (cf. v.7 ἐπισυστρέφεσθαι) — the word for mob-formation against legitimate authority.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his company')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his company').
καθὰjust ascomparative conjunction (introducing authorization formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθά: 'just as / according as'; introduces the divine-authorization formula sealing the arrangement as YHWH's own word.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of comparison clause (the divine speaking)→ constative aorist (the completed divine word)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דִּבֶּר; the formula καθὰ ἐλάλησεν κύριος ἐν χειρὶ Μωυσῆ certifies that the censer-memorial is divinely commanded, not a human innovation.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ἐλάλησεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the divine author of the whole censer-ordinance.
ἐνbypreposition + dative (instrument/agency: 'by the hand of')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: instrumental, in the Hebraism ἐν χειρὶ ('by the hand of', rendering בְּיַד) — Moses as the mediating agent of the divine word.
χειρὶhandDativedative of instrument ('by the hand of Moses')→ sphere or referenceχείρ: 'hand'; the idiom ἐν χειρὶ Μωυσῆ ('by the hand of Moses', בְּיַד מֹשֶׁה) marks Moses as the authorized human conduit of divine revelation — the very mediatorship Korah had contested.
Μωυσῆof MosesGenitivegenitive of relationship ('hand of Moses')→ relational specificationΜωυσῆς (gen. Μωυσῆ): the mediator through whom the censer-ordinance was delivered, his authority here implicitly re-affirmed against the rebels.
6
καὶ ἐγόγγυσαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ τῇ ἐπαύριον ἐπὶ Μωυσῆν καὶ Ααρων λέγοντες ὑμεῖς ἀπεκτάγκατε τὸν λαὸν κυρίου
And on the next day the sons of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying, 'You have killed the people of the LORD!'
The very next day after the judgment on Korah, the congregation reverses the verdict in their own minds: rather than seeing the rebels as guilty, they blame Moses and Aaron for the deaths — 'you have killed the people of the LORD.' The verb γογγύζω opens the murmuring-motif (γογγυσμός) that forms the chapter's binding inclusio (cf. vv.20, 25).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγόγγυσανmurmuredAor Act Indic 3 Pl · γογγύζωmain verb (the congregation's complaint)→ constative aorist (the act of murmuring)γογγύζω: 'murmur / grumble / complain'; an onomatopoeic verb; renders לוּן (Niphal/Hiphil 'murmur'); the keyword of Israel's wilderness rebellions (Exod 16; Num 14); here it recoils onto Moses and Aaron the day after Korah's judgment, the murmuring the budding rod is meant to end (v.20).
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject ('the sons of Israel')→ participant prominenceυἱός: the whole congregation, not merely a faction, now murmurs — the rebellion has spread from Korah's 250 to the entire assembly.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the covenant nation now corporately implicated in the complaint.
τῇon theDativearticle (dative of time with ἐπαύριον)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπαύριονnext dayadverb (substantivized with τῇ: 'on the next day')→ clausal contributionἐπαύριον: 'on the morrow / the next day'; indeclinable adverb used substantivally with the feminine article (ἡμέρᾳ understood); the temporal note is pointed — the murmuring erupts immediately after the judgment, showing the people unchastened.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile: 'against')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: here hostile, 'against' — the murmuring is directed at Moses and Aaron as the supposed perpetrators of the deaths.
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationΜωυσῆς: the target of the complaint along with Aaron.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑαρωνAaronobject of ἐπί (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: indeclinable; ironically, the man the people accuse of killing them is the very one whose intercession (vv.11–13) will save them.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Part Nom Pl · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introducing direct speech)→ imperfective present participle (manner of the murmuring)λέγω: 'say'; the participle λέγοντες is the standard LXX speech-introducer attached to a verb of communication, rendering לֵאמֹר; it introduces the verbatim accusation.
ὑμεῖςyouNominativeemphatic subject pronoun ('you [yourselves]')→ participant referenceσύ (pl. ὑμεῖς): the emphatic second-person plural throws the blame squarely on Moses and Aaron — a stunning inversion that attributes YHWH's judgment to human malice.
ἀπεκτάγκατεyou have killedPerf Act Indic 2 Pl · ἀποκτείνωmain verb of direct speech (the accusation)→ resultative perfect (the standing charge: 'you stand guilty of killing')ἀποκτείνω: 'kill / put to death'; the perfect ἀπεκτάγκατε (with the distinctive Koine κ-perfect formation) presents the killing as an accomplished fact with abiding guilt — 'you stand as those who have killed'; the charge is theologically perverse, blaming the mediators for a divine judgment.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with λαόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἀπεκτάγκατε→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; renders עַם; the phrase τὸν λαὸν κυρίου ('the people of the LORD') is the murmurers' own loaded designation — they style the destroyed rebels as YHWH's own people, implicitly denying their guilt and indicting Moses and Aaron.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession ('the people of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the irony is sharp — the people invoke YHWH's name to protest a judgment YHWH himself had executed.
7
καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ ἐπισυστρέφεσθαι τὴν συναγωγὴν ἐπὶ Μωυσῆν καὶ Ααρων καὶ ὥρμησαν ἐπὶ τὴν σκηνὴν τοῦ μαρτυρίου καὶ τήνδε ἐκάλυψεν αὐτὴν ἡ νεφέλη καὶ ὤφθη ἡ δόξα κυρίου
And it happened, as the congregation gathered against Moses and Aaron, that they rushed toward the tent of testimony, and behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.
The καὶ ἐγένετο + articular-infinitive construction (a Hebraism rendering וַיְהִי) sets the scene: as the congregation masses against the leaders and surges toward the tent, YHWH's presence intervenes — the cloud covers the tent and the δόξα κυρίου appears, signalling imminent judgment (as at 16:19).
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit happenedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (impersonal narrative formula)→ constative aorist (the scene-setting 'and it came to pass')γίνομαι: 'become / happen'; the formula καὶ ἐγένετο ἐν τῷ + infinitive renders the Hebrew temporal frame וַיְהִי בְּ + infinitive ('and it came to pass when'), a hallmark LXX narrative device introducing a decisive turn.
ἐνin / aspreposition + dative articular infinitive (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with the articular infinitive expresses contemporaneous time ('as / while'); ἐν τῷ + infinitive is the standard LXX rendering of בְּ + infinitive construct.
τῷtheDativearticle (governing the infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπισυστρέφεσθαιgathering togetherPres Mid/Pass Inf · ἐπισυστρέφωarticular infinitive (temporal: 'as the congregation gathered')→ imperfective present infinitive (the massing in progress)ἐπισυστρέφω: 'gather together against / band into a mob'; the double prefix ἐπι-συν- intensifies — a hostile crowding-together against; cognate with ἐπισύστασις (v.5), painting the congregation's action as the same mob-formation that doomed Korah.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with συναγωγήν, accusative subject of the infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συναγωγὴνcongregationAccusativeaccusative subject of the articular infinitive→ object specificationσυναγωγή: 'gathering / congregation / assembly'; renders עֵדָה; here the whole community acting as a hostile mob — the term that elsewhere denotes the worshipping assembly is darkened by the verb of rebellion it governs.
ἐπὶagainstpreposition + accusative (hostile direction)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: 'against', the hostile sense continued from v.6.
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationΜωυσῆς: again the target of the congregation's hostility.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑαρωνAaronobject of ἐπί (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: indeclinable; with Moses, the focus of the mob's anger.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (apodosis of the ἐγένετο frame)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: the apodotic καί following the καὶ ἐγένετο… frame, a Hebraism (the apodosis-waw) introducing the main event.
ὥρμησανthey rushedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁρμάωmain verb (the violent surge of the crowd)→ ingressive aorist (the sudden onset of rushing)ὁρμάω: 'rush / set in violent motion / charge'; renders the sense of a sudden surge; the congregation does not merely murmur but physically storms toward the tent — escalation from word to mob-action.
ἐπὶtowardpreposition + accusative (direction of motion)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: here directional, 'toward / upon' — the crowd's movement against the sanctuary itself.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with σκηνήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνὴνtentAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (destination of the surge)→ object specificationσκηνή: 'tent / tabernacle'; renders אֹהֶל; the σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου ('tent of testimony') is the locus of YHWH's presence — the mob's rushing toward it is dangerously close to the holy.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with μαρτυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουtestimonyGenitivegenitive of relationship ('tent of testimony')→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'testimony / witness'; renders עֵדוּת; the LXX's σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου renders אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד ('tent of meeting') via the related sense of the testimony (the tablets) housed within; the term recurs throughout the chapter as the place of revelation (v.19).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τήνδεand behold itAccusativedemonstrative pronoun (proleptic accusative anticipating αὐτήν: the tent)→ participant referenceὅδε (acc. fem. τήνδε): 'this one (here)'; the deictic τήνδε points dramatically to the tent ('this very tent'), the resumptive αὐτήν following — a vivid, almost gestural construction heightening the sudden theophany.
ἐκάλυψενcoveredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · καλύπτωmain verb (the cloud's covering action)→ constative aorist (the decisive covering)καλύπτω: 'cover / conceal'; renders כָּסָה; the cloud's covering of the tent (cf. Exod 40:34) signals the manifest presence of YHWH — here ominously, as the prelude to judgment on the murmuring mob.
αὐτὴνitAccusativedirect object (resumptive of τήνδε: the tent)→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (resumptive of τήνδε: the tent).
ἡtheNominativearticle (with νεφέλη)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νεφέληcloudNominativesubject of ἐκάλυψεν→ participant prominenceνεφέλη: 'cloud'; renders עָנָן; the theophanic cloud, the visible token of YHWH's presence guiding and dwelling with Israel (Exod 13:21; 40:34–38); its descent here marks the divine intervention.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὤφθηappearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (the manifestation of the glory)→ constative aorist passive (the act of becoming visible)ὁράω (aor. pass. ὤφθη): 'be seen / appear'; the standard LXX verb of theophany (ὤφθη κύριος, 'the LORD appeared'); renders נִרְאָה; the glory's appearing is the visible sign that YHWH has come to act — here in defense of his mediators and against the mob.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with δόξα)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δόξαgloryNominativesubject of ὤφθη→ participant prominenceδόξα: 'glory / splendor'; renders כָּבוֹד; the δόξα κυρίου is the radiant manifestation of YHWH's presence (Exod 24:16–17); its appearance at the tent is the immediate prelude to the divine word of judgment in v.10.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession ('the glory of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the glory belongs to YHWH, whose presence now confronts the rebellious congregation.
8
καὶ εἰσῆλθεν Μωυσῆς καὶ Ααρων κατὰ πρόσωπον τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου
And Moses and Aaron went in, before the face of the tent of testimony.
While the congregation rushes the tent in rebellion, Moses and Aaron move to its forecourt to stand before YHWH — the legitimate mediators positioning themselves between the people and the manifest glory, anticipating the intercession of vv.11–13.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσῆλθενwent inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (singular with compound subject)→ constative aorist (the entering)εἰσέρχομαι: 'go in / enter'; renders בּוֹא; the singular verb with the compound subject (Μωυσῆς καὶ Ααρων) is normal Greek (and Hebrew) when the verb precedes; the mediators advance to the tent's forecourt to meet YHWH.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: the chief mediator, advancing toward the presence.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑαρωνAaronsecond member of the compound subject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: indeclinable; the high priest, soon to act as intercessor with the censer.
κατὰbefore / facingpreposition + accusative ('opposite / before the face of')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: 'before / opposite / in front of'; κατὰ πρόσωπον renders לִפְנֵי / אֶל־פְּנֵי, locating the mediators at the tent's entrance before YHWH's presence.
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (idiomatic: 'before the face of')→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / front / presence'; renders פָּנִים; the idiom κατὰ πρόσωπον τῆς σκηνῆς denotes the forecourt or entrance, the legitimate place of priestly approach to the divine presence.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with σκηνῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtentGenitivegenitive ('the face of the tent')→ relational specificationσκηνή: 'tent / tabernacle'; the dwelling of YHWH's presence, before which the mediators take their stand.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with μαρτυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουtestimonyGenitivegenitive of relationship ('tent of testimony')→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'testimony'; the tent so named for the testimony (the tablets) it houses; here the site of the impending divine word.
9
καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν καὶ Ααρων λέγων
And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,
From the manifest glory YHWH addresses Moses and Aaron — the participle λέγων (Hebraism for לֵאמֹר) introduces the threat of v.10. The divine word is directed to the two mediators, not to the rebellious congregation, marking them as the authorized recipients of revelation.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 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 (divine speech-introduction)→ constative aorist (single completed speech-act)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דִּבֶּר; the formula καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς is the LXX's standard introduction to divine instruction, here issued from the glory-cloud.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the speaker from the glory.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationΜωυσῆς: the primary addressee.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑαρωνAaronsecond addressee (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: indeclinable; addressed together with Moses as the legitimate mediators.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Sg · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introducing direct speech)→ imperfective present participle (Hebraistic speech-marker)λέγω: the participle λέγων renders the Hebrew infinitive לֵאמֹר, the fixed quotation-marker introducing the words that follow.
10
ἐκχωρήσατε ἐκ μέσου τῆς συναγωγῆς ταύτης καὶ ἐξαναλώσω αὐτοὺς εἰς ἅπαξ καὶ ἔπεσον ἐπὶ πρόσωπον αὐτῶν
'Withdraw from the midst of this congregation, and I will consume them in a moment.' And they fell on their faces.
YHWH commands the mediators to withdraw so that he may consume the congregation εἰς ἅπαξ ('in an instant') — the same threat issued before Korah's destruction (16:21). Moses and Aaron's response is not withdrawal but prostration (ἔπεσον ἐπὶ πρόσωπον), the posture of intercession that sets up Aaron's atoning run in v.11.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
ἐκχωρήσατεwithdrawAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ἐκχωρέωmain verb (divine command to the mediators)→ ingressive aorist imperative (decisive separation)ἐκχωρέω: 'withdraw / depart / make room'; the prefix ἐκ- marks separation 'out from'; YHWH orders Moses and Aaron to step clear of the congregation so judgment can fall — echoing the separation-command of 16:21, 24.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
μέσουmidstGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ ('from the midst of')→ relational specificationμέσος: 'middle / midst'; ἐκ μέσου renders מִתּוֹךְ; the mediators are to come out from among the doomed assembly.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with συναγωγῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συναγωγῆςcongregationGenitivegenitive ('this congregation')→ relational specificationσυναγωγή: 'congregation'; renders עֵדָה; the same assembly that 'gathered against' the leaders (v.7) is now the object of divine wrath.
ταύτηςthisGenitivedemonstrative (qualifying συναγωγῆς)→ relational specificationοὗτος: the demonstrative ('this congregation') marks the present rebellious assembly as the specific target of judgment.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (purpose/result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξαναλώσωI will consumeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐξαναλίσκωmain verb (divine threat, first person)→ predictive future (imminent total destruction)ἐξαναλίσκω: 'consume utterly / destroy completely'; the double prefix ἐξ-ανα- intensifies — total annihilation; renders כָּלָה; the verb of complete consumption that the people will throw back in terror at v.27 (ἐξανηλώμεθα).
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object (the congregation)→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (the congregation).
εἰςin / atpreposition + accusative (idiomatic with ἅπαξ: 'at once')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: in the idiom εἰς ἅπαξ, 'at one stroke / in a single instant'.
ἅπαξonce / in a momentadverb (with εἰς: 'in an instant')→ clausal contributionἅπαξ: 'once / a single time'; the phrase εἰς ἅπαξ ('at one go / in a moment') stresses the suddenness and totality of the threatened destruction — there would be no reprieve, were it not for the intercession that follows.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (response to the threat)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔπεσονthey fellAor Act Indic 3 Pl · πίπτωmain verb (the mediators' prostration)→ ingressive aorist (the act of falling down)πίπτω: 'fall'; renders נָפַל; ἔπεσον ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ('fell on their faces') is the posture of intercessory prostration (cf. 16:22, 'they fell on their faces and said, O God…'); instead of withdrawing, Moses and Aaron throw themselves down to plead for the people.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (position after falling)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (position after falling).
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί ('on their face')→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face'; the singular (collective) in the idiom πίπτειν ἐπὶ πρόσωπον; the prostration is at once humility before YHWH and intercession for the doomed.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession ('their face')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('their face').
11
καὶ εἶπεν Μωυσῆς πρὸς Ααρων λαβὲ τὸ πυρεῖον καὶ ἐπίθες ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸ πῦρ ἀπὸ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου καὶ ἐπίβαλε ἐπ᾿ αὐτὸ θυμίαμα καὶ ἀπένεγκε τὸ τάχος εἰς τὴν παρεμβολὴν καὶ ἐξίλασαι περὶ αὐτῶν ἐξῆλθεν γὰρ ὀργὴ ἀπὸ προσώπου κυρίου ἦρκται θραύειν τὸν λαόν
And Moses said to Aaron, 'Take the censer and put fire on it from the altar, and throw incense on it, and carry it quickly to the camp, and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from the presence of the LORD — the plague has begun!'
Moses commissions Aaron to a counter-incense — the very rite the rebels abused (vv.2–5) is now wielded for atonement. The chain of five imperatives (λαβέ, ἐπίθες, ἐπίβαλε, ἀπένεγκε, ἐξίλασαι) conveys breathless urgency, justified by the explanatory γάρ: wrath has already gone out, the θραῦσις has begun. This is the priestly-intercession crux — incense, the priest's prerogative, becomes the means of staying death.
Word-by-word analysis· 42 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 aorist (single speech-act)λέγω: Moses now speaks not to YHWH but to Aaron, translating his prostrate intercession into urgent action.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: the prophet directs the priest — the two offices acting in concert to save 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).
ΑαρωνAaronobject of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: indeclinable; the high priest, the only one whose incense can legitimately atone — the office vindicated against Korah.
λαβὲtakeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (first of five urgent imperatives)→ ingressive aorist imperative (immediate seizing)λαμβάνω: 'take'; the first command in the rapid imperatival chain; Aaron must seize the censer at once — the same instrument that doomed the rebels now becomes the vessel of rescue.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with πυρεῖον)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πυρεῖονcenserAccusativedirect object of λαβέ→ object specificationπυρεῖον: 'censer / fire-pan'; the same object as in vv.2–4, but now in legitimate priestly hands and for the opposite purpose — atonement rather than usurpation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπίθεςput onAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb (second imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (decisive placing)ἐπιτίθημι: 'put on / place upon'; the fire is to be placed in the censer — the same verb (ἐπιθεῖναι) used in v.5 of the forbidden lay-offering, now of Aaron's authorized act.
ἐπ᾿onpreposition + accusative (elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (elided before vowel).
αὐτὸitAccusativeobject of ἐπί (the censer)→ participant referenceαὐτὸ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐπί (the censer).
πῦρfireAccusativedirect object of ἐπίθες→ object specificationπῦρ: 'fire'; pointedly fire ἀπὸ τοῦ θυσιαστηρίου ('from the altar') — legitimate, sanctified fire, in deliberate contrast to the πῦρ ἀλλότριον ('strange fire') of v.2 that the rebels offered.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with θυσιαστηρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσιαστηρίουaltarGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό ('from the altar')→ relational specificationθυσιαστήριον: 'altar'; the legitimate altar (now sheathed in the censer-plating of v.4) supplies the holy fire — atonement draws on the very fixture that warns against false fire.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπίβαλεthrow onAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐπιβάλλωmain verb (third imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (quick action)ἐπιβάλλω: 'throw upon / put on'; the incense is to be cast onto the coals to produce the fragrant smoke of atonement; the same verb recurs in the fulfilment (v.12 ἐπέβαλεν).
ἐπ᾿onpreposition + accusative (elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (elided).
αὐτὸitAccusativeobject of ἐπί (the censer)→ participant referenceαὐτὸ: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as object of ἐπί (the censer).
θυμίαμαincenseAccusativedirect object of ἐπίβαλε→ object specificationθυμίαμα: 'incense'; renders קְטֹרֶת; the fragrant offering that here becomes the instrument of atonement — the very rite the rebels abused now stays the wrath, demonstrating that incense in legitimate hands intercedes, in illegitimate hands destroys.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπένεγκεcarry awayAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀποφέρωmain verb (fourth imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (urgent removal)ἀποφέρω: 'carry away / bring'; Aaron is to bear the smoking censer into the congregation; the urgency (τὸ τάχος, 'quickly') frames the race against the spreading plague.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with τάχος, adverbial accusative)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τάχοςquicklyAccusativeadverbial accusative ('quickly / with speed')→ object specificationτάχος: 'speed / quickness'; the accusative τὸ τάχος functions adverbially ('with all speed'); the breathless haste underscores that lives are being lost moment by moment — atonement cannot wait.
εἰςto / intopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with παρεμβολήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
παρεμβολὴνcampAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationπαρεμβολή: 'camp / encampment'; the standard LXX term for the Israelite wilderness camp (rendering מַחֲנֶה); Aaron must carry the atoning incense out among the dying people, into the very midst of the plague.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξίλασαιmake atonementAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐξιλάσκομαιmain verb (fifth and climactic imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (the act of atonement)ἐξιλάσκομαι: 'make atonement / propitiate / expiate'; the LXX's principal verb for כִּפֶּר ('atone'); the goal of the whole urgent sequence — Aaron's priestly office exists precisely to effect this ἐξιλασμός between God and people, the very prerogative Korah contested.
περὶfor / concerningpreposition + genitive (on behalf of)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + gen.: 'for / on behalf of'; the standard cultic idiom ἐξιλάσκεσθαι περί τινος, 'make atonement for someone'.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of περί ('for them')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of περί ('for them').
ἐξῆλθενhas gone outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb of causal clause (the wrath already loosed)→ constative aorist (the wrath's going-forth as accomplished)ἐξέρχομαι: 'go out / come forth'; the γάρ-clause gives the reason for haste — wrath ἐξῆλθεν, has already issued from YHWH's presence; the personified ὀργή going forth depicts judgment as an active force loosed upon the camp.
γὰρforcausal particle (post-positive, explaining the urgency)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; introduces the reason behind the five urgent imperatives — the plague is not threatened but already underway.
ὀργὴwrathNominativesubject of ἐξῆλθεν→ participant prominenceὀργή: 'wrath / anger'; renders קֶצֶף ('wrath / outburst'); here YHWH's judicial anger personified as having 'gone out' — a force already at work; cf. the rabbinic personification of the plague as a destroyer Aaron physically halts.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
προσώπουpresence / faceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό ('from the presence of')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; ἀπὸ προσώπου κυρίου renders מִלִּפְנֵי יְהוָה ('from before the LORD'); the wrath proceeds from the same manifest presence (the glory of v.7) — divine holiness is dangerous to the rebellious.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of source ('presence of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the source of the wrath now loosed.
ἦρκταιhas begunPerf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἄρχωmain verb (perfect of inceptive state)→ resultative perfect (the plague is already in progress)ἄρχω (mid. ἄρχομαι, 'begin'): the perfect ἦρκται ('it has begun [and is ongoing]') marks the plague as already underway — not future but present and spreading; the perfect aspect heightens the urgency that drives Aaron's run.
θραύεινto shatter / to smitePres Act Inf · θραύωcomplementary infinitive (with ἦρκται: 'has begun to smite')→ imperfective present infinitive (the ongoing smiting)θραύω: 'shatter / break / smite'; renders נָגַף; the cognate noun θραῦσις ('the plague / breaking', vv.12–15) names the devastation; the present infinitive depicts the smiting as an unfolding process Aaron races to halt.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with λαόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόνpeopleAccusativedirect object of θραύειν→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; the same λαός the murmurers claimed to defend (v.6) is now perishing under the very judgment their rebellion provoked — only priestly atonement can save them.
12
καὶ ἔλαβεν Ααρων καθάπερ ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ Μωυσῆς καὶ ἔδραμεν εἰς τὴν συναγωγήν καὶ ἤδη ἐνῆρκτο ἡ θραῦσις ἐν τῷ λαῷ καὶ ἐπέβαλεν τὸ θυμίαμα καὶ ἐξιλάσατο περὶ τοῦ λαοῦ
And Aaron took it, just as Moses had told him, and ran into the congregation — and the plague had already begun among the people — and he threw on the incense and made atonement for the people.
Aaron obeys instantly (καθάπερ ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ Μωυσῆς) and runs (ἔδραμεν) — the only place in the Pentateuch the aged high priest is said to run. The parenthetical 'the plague had already begun' (the pluperfect ἐνῆρκτο) heightens the drama: Aaron plunges into the midst of active dying to throw on the incense and atone.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (Aaron's obedience)→ constative aorist (the taking)λαμβάνω: 'take'; Aaron's taking of the censer fulfils Moses' first imperative (λαβέ, v.11), the narrative tracing exact obedience.
ΑαρωνAaronsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: indeclinable; the high priest now in action as intercessor — the role his office uniquely authorizes.
καθάπερjust ascomparative conjunction ('just as Moses had said')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθάπερ: 'just as / exactly as'; emphasizes the precision of Aaron's obedience to Moses' instructions.
ἐλάλησενhad said / spokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of comparison clause→ constative aorist (Moses' prior command)λαλέω: 'speak'; refers back to Moses' urgent commission of v.11, which Aaron now enacts to the letter.
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (of ἐλάλησεν)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (of ἐλάλησεν).
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject of ἐλάλησεν→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: the prophet whose word Aaron obeys.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδραμενranAor Act Indic 3 Sg · τρέχωmain verb (the high priest's running)→ ingressive aorist (the onset of running)τρέχω: 'run'; renders רוּץ; the detail that the high priest runs is striking and unique — the urgency of atonement overrides priestly decorum; Aaron races into the midst of death to halt it.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with συναγωγήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συναγωγήνcongregationAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationσυναγωγή: 'congregation'; Aaron runs into the very assembly under judgment — the intercessor places himself amid the condemned.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (parenthetical)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤδηalreadytemporal adverb (heightening the urgency)→ clausal contributionἤδη: 'already / now'; the adverb intensifies the parenthetical — by the time Aaron arrives, death is already at work; the race is desperate.
ἐνῆρκτοhad begunPlpf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἐνάρχομαιmain verb of parenthetical (pluperfect: 'had already begun')→ pluperfect (a state already in progress before Aaron's arrival)ἐνάρχομαι: 'begin (in)'; the pluperfect ἐνῆρκτο ('had begun and was in progress') sets the plague's onset as prior to and ongoing during Aaron's arrival; the aspect underscores that the intercession meets an emergency already underway.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with θραῦσις)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θραῦσιςplague / slaughterNominativesubject of ἐνῆρκτο→ participant prominenceθραῦσις: 'shattering / destruction / plague'; the cognate of θραύειν (v.11); the keyword for the deadly visitation (vv.13, 14, 15); renders מַגֵּפָה ('plague / blow'); the noun names the very thing Aaron's incense is to stop.
ἐνamong / inpreposition + dative (locative)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'among'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (locative).
τῷtheDativearticle (with λαῷ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαῷpeopleDativedative of place ('among the people')→ sphere or referenceλαός: 'people'; the plague is loose among the very λαός the murmurers had claimed (v.6).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (resuming the main action)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέβαλενthrew onAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιβάλλωmain verb (Aaron casts on the incense)→ constative aorist (the decisive act)ἐπιβάλλω: 'throw upon'; Aaron's casting of the incense fulfils Moses' imperative ἐπίβαλε (v.11) — the fragrant smoke rises as the means of atonement amid the dying.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with θυμίαμα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυμίαμαincenseAccusativedirect object of ἐπέβαλεν→ object specificationθυμίαμα: 'incense'; the priestly offering, here efficacious for atonement in Aaron's authorized hands — the climactic vindication of legitimate priesthood over Korah's usurpation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξιλάσατοmade atonementAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐξιλάσκομαιmain verb (the accomplished atonement)→ constative aorist (the completed act of expiation)ἐξιλάσκομαι: 'make atonement / propitiate'; the fulfilment of ἐξίλασαι (v.11); renders כִּפֶּר; the high priest's atoning act — the theological climax of episode B, demonstrating that the priesthood Korah contested is the very channel of Israel's life before God.
περὶforpreposition + genitive (on behalf of)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + gen.: 'on behalf of'; the cultic idiom ἐξιλάσκεσθαι περί, 'make atonement for'.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with λαοῦ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive object of περί ('for the people')→ relational specificationλαός: 'people'; the atonement is for the whole murmuring people — grace toward the very rebels who had accused the intercessor of murder (v.6).
13
καὶ ἔστη ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν τεθνηκότων καὶ τῶν ζώντων καὶ ἐκόπασεν ἡ θραῦσις
And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stayed.
The theological and dramatic apex of episode B: Aaron ἔστη ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν τεθνηκότων καὶ τῶν ζώντων ('stood between the dead and the living'), bodily interposing the atoning incense between judgment and the survivors — and ἐκόπασεν ἡ θραῦσις ('the plague ceased'). The priest is the living barrier through whom death is halted; the office Korah despised is shown to be the very means of Israel's preservation. The verse (LXX 17:13 = English Num 16:48) is a locus classicus for priestly mediation.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔστηstoodAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἵστημιmain verb (Aaron's decisive stand)→ ingressive aorist (took his stand / took up position)ἵστημι (2nd aor. ἔστη, intransitive): 'stand / take one's stand'; renders עָמַד; the high priest plants himself as a living barrier between the realm of the dead and that of the living — the posture of mediation incarnate, the censer the instrument of the rescue.
ἀνὰbetweenpreposition (with μέσον: distributive 'in the midst / between')→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: in the fixed phrase ἀνὰ μέσον, 'between / in the midst of'; renders בֵּין; the construction sets Aaron precisely at the boundary line of death.
μέσονmidstAccusativeaccusative ('between', with ἀνά and the two genitives)→ object specificationμέσος: 'middle / midst'; ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν τεθνηκότων καὶ τῶν ζώντων — the spatial image of the priest standing on the frontier between death and life, halting the advance of the plague at his own person.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with τεθνηκότων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τεθνηκότωνthe deadPerf Act Part Gen Pl · θνῄσκωsubstantival participle (genitive: 'the dead')→ resultative perfect participle (those in the state of death)θνῄσκω (perf. τέθνηκα, 'be dead'): the perfect participle τεθνηκότες denotes those already dead and remaining so — the fixed state of death; one side of the boundary Aaron occupies; the same form recurs in v.14 (the death-count) and contrasts with the present participle ζώντων.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the two genitive groups)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ζώντων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ζώντωνthe livingPres Act Part Gen Pl · ζάωsubstantival participle (genitive: 'the living')→ imperfective present participle (those in the ongoing state of life)ζάω: 'live / be alive'; the present participle ζῶντες denotes those still living — the other side of Aaron's stand; the antithesis τεθνηκότων / ζώντων (perfect dead / present living) sharply frames the priest as the barrier holding back death from the living.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκόπασενwas stayed / ceasedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κοπάζωmain verb (the plague's cessation)→ ingressive aorist (the onset of ceasing: 'died down')κοπάζω: 'grow weary / abate / cease'; renders the abating of a destructive force (cf. the storm 'ceasing', Jonah 1:11–12; Mark 4:39); the plague's abating at the moment of Aaron's stand certifies the efficacy of priestly atonement — the death-tide halts at the intercessor.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with θραῦσις)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θραῦσιςplagueNominativesubject of ἐκόπασεν→ participant prominenceθραῦσις: 'the plague / shattering'; the deadly visitation (cf. v.12) now halted at Aaron's stand; the noun frames vv.12–15, its cessation the climactic proof that atonement saves.
14
καὶ ἐγένοντο οἱ τεθνηκότες ἐν τῇ θραύσει τέσσαρες καὶ δέκα χιλιάδες καὶ ἑπτακόσιοι χωρὶς τῶν τεθνηκότων ἕνεκεν Κορε
And those who died in the plague were fourteen thousand and seven hundred, apart from those who died on account of Korah.
The narrator records the toll: 14,700 dead in this single plague, reckoned separately from those who perished in the original Korah judgment (the swallowed and the burned, ch. 16). The vast number measures both the gravity of the murmuring and, by contrast, the magnitude of what Aaron's intercession averted — the whole congregation would have been consumed εἰς ἅπαξ (v.10).
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένοντοwere / amounted toAor Mid Indic 3 Pl · γίνομαιmain verb (the tally)→ constative aorist (the completed reckoning)γίνομαι: 'become / come to be / amount to'; here the tally-verb 'they came to be [in number]'; introduces the death-count.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with τεθνηκότες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τεθνηκότεςthose who diedPerf Act Part Nom Pl · θνῄσκωsubstantival participle (subject: 'the dead')→ resultative perfect participle (those in the state of death)θνῄσκω (perf. part. τεθνηκότες): 'the dead'; the same form as v.13, here counted — the toll of the plague Aaron halted.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (circumstance)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (circumstance).
τῇtheDativearticle (with θραύσει)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θραύσειplagueDativedative ('in the plague')→ sphere or referenceθραῦσις: 'plague / destruction'; the deadly visitation in which the 14,700 perished.
τέσσαρεςfourNominativenumeral (with δέκα: 'fourteen')→ measure or countτέσσαρες: 'four'; with καὶ δέκα forms 'fourteen' (τέσσαρες καὶ δέκα χιλιάδες, '14 thousand'); the LXX renders the Hebrew compound number analytically.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (numeral compounding)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δέκαtennumeral (indeclinable; with τέσσαρες: 'fourteen')→ measure or countδέκα: 'ten'; indeclinable; τέσσαρες καὶ δέκα = 'fourteen', modifying χιλιάδες.
χιλιάδεςthousandNominativepredicate nominative ('fourteen thousand')→ participant prominenceχιλιάς: 'a thousand / group of a thousand'; the count of the dead, 14 χιλιάδες; renders אֶלֶף; the enormity of the toll measures the severity of corporate rebellion.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἑπτακόσιοιseven hundredNominativenumeral (added to the thousands: '...and seven hundred')→ participant prominenceἑπτακόσιοι: 'seven hundred'; completes the count — 14,700 dead in the plague, exclusive of the earlier Korah casualties.
χωρὶςapart frompreposition + genitive (exclusion)→ spatial or relational framingχωρίς: 'apart from / besides / without'; renders מִלְּבַד; marks the 14,700 as a separate reckoning from those already destroyed in the Korah judgment proper.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with τεθνηκότων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τεθνηκότωνthose who diedPerf Act Part Gen Pl · θνῄσκωsubstantival participle (genitive object of χωρίς)→ resultative perfect participle (those dead in the prior judgment)θνῄσκω: 'the dead'; here the earlier casualties of the Korah affair (the swallowed and the 250 burned, ch. 16), counted separately from the plague's 14,700.
ἕνεκενon account ofpreposition + genitive (cause)→ spatial or relational framingἕνεκεν: 'because of / on account of'; renders עַל־דְּבַר / בִּגְלַל; marks Korah as the cause of the prior deaths.
ΚορεKorahgenitive object of ἕνεκεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΚορε: indeclinable; the instigator whose rebellion set the whole tragic sequence in motion; the deaths 'on account of Korah' are the wages of contesting the priesthood.
15
καὶ ἐπέστρεψεν Ααρων πρὸς Μωυσῆν ἐπὶ τὴν θύραν τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου καὶ ἐκόπασεν ἡ θραῦσις
And Aaron returned to Moses at the door of the tent of testimony, and the plague was stayed.
Aaron returns to Moses at the tent door, his atoning mission accomplished; the repeated καὶ ἐκόπασεν ἡ θραῦσις ('the plague was stayed', echoing v.13) brackets the rescue and formally closes the censer-and-plague episode, transitioning to the budding-rod sign of vv.16–28.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπέστρεψενreturnedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιστρέφωmain verb (Aaron's return)→ constative aorist (the completed return)ἐπιστρέφω: 'turn back / return'; renders שׁוּב; Aaron returns to Moses' side at the tent door, his intercessory errand finished — the plague halted, the people spared.
ΑαρωνAaronsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: indeclinable; the vindicated intercessor, returning from the midst of death.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationΜωυσῆς: at whose word the intercession was undertaken; the two mediators reunite.
ἐπὶatpreposition + accusative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + acc.: here locational, 'at / by'.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with θύραν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύρανdoorAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί ('at the door')→ object specificationθύρα: 'door / entrance'; renders פֶּתַח; the entrance of the tent of testimony, the legitimate place of priestly station before YHWH — to which Aaron rightly returns.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle (with σκηνῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtentGenitivegenitive ('door of the tent')→ relational specificationσκηνή: 'tent / tabernacle'; the dwelling of YHWH, before which the priestly mediation began and now concludes.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with μαρτυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουtestimonyGenitivegenitive of relationship ('tent of testimony')→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'testimony'; the tent so named, the recurring locus of the chapter's divine action (vv.7, 8, 19, 22, 23).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (result/closure)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκόπασενwas stayedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κοπάζωmain verb (closing refrain: the plague ended)→ ingressive aorist (the plague's ceasing)κοπάζω: 'abate / cease'; the repeated ἐκόπασεν ἡ θραῦσις (cf. v.13) frames the rescue as fully accomplished — the deadly visitation is over, episode B closed on the note of priestly efficacy.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with θραῦσις)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θραῦσιςplagueNominativesubject of ἐκόπασεν→ participant prominenceθραῦσις: 'plague'; its final cessation here seals the deliverance; the last occurrence of the keyword that dominated vv.11–15.
16
καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν λέγων
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
The speech-formula opens the second major episode of the chapter (vv.16–28 = English Num 17:1–13): the sign of the budding rod. In Rahlfs this falls within ch. 17; in English Bibles it begins ch. 17. YHWH addresses Moses alone, inaugurating the definitive test of who holds the legitimate priesthood.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 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 (divine speech-introduction)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λαλέω: 'speak'; the formula καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν opens the new revelatory unit, the rod-test that will settle the priesthood question once for all.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the divine author of the rod-sign.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationΜωυσῆς: the sole addressee of the new instruction.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Sg · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introducing direct speech)→ imperfective present participle (Hebraistic speech-marker)λέγω: the participle λέγων renders לֵאמֹר, the fixed marker introducing the divine words of vv.17ff.
17
λάλησον τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ καὶ λαβὲ παρ᾿ αὐτῶν ῥάβδον ῥάβδον κατ᾿ οἴκους πατριῶν παρὰ πάντων τῶν ἀρχόντων αὐτῶν κατ᾿ οἴκους πατριῶν αὐτῶν δώδεκα ῥάβδους καὶ ἑκάστου τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἐπίγραψον ἐπὶ τῆς ῥάβδου αὐτοῦ
'Speak to the sons of Israel, and take from them a rod, a rod for each ancestral house, from all their leaders according to their ancestral houses, twelve rods; and inscribe each man's name on his rod.
The test is set up: one rod (ῥάβδον ῥάβδον, the distributive Hebraism 'rod by rod') per ancestral house, taken from each tribal prince, twelve in all, each inscribed with its bearer's name. The rod (ῥάβδος) is the symbol of tribal authority; the test will let YHWH's chosen rod declare itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
λάλησονspeakAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (divine command to Moses)→ ingressive aorist imperative (commissioned speech-act)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דַּבֵּר; the aorist imperative commissions Moses to convey the rod-instruction to the tribes.
τοῖςto theDativearticle (with υἱοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative indirect object ('to the sons of Israel')→ sphere or referenceυἱός: the covenant people, addressed through their tribal heads.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the nation whose tribal rods will be tested.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λαβὲtakeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (second command)→ ingressive aorist imperative (decisive collecting)λαμβάνω: 'take / receive'; renders לָקַח; Moses is to collect the rods from the tribal princes for the test.
παρ᾿frompreposition + genitive (source, elided)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + gen.: 'from (the side of)' — the rods are taken from the people through their leaders.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of παρά ('from them')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of παρά ('from them').
ῥάβδονa rodAccusativedirect object of λαβέ (first of the distributive pair)→ object specificationῥάβδος: 'rod / staff / scepter'; renders מַטֶּה, a word that means both 'staff' and 'tribe' — the pun is the test's foundation: the tribal staff stands for the tribe; renders also the budding-rod motif (cf. Heb 9:4).
ῥάβδονa rodAccusativedistributive repetition ('a rod, a rod' = 'one rod each')→ object specificationῥάβδος: the doubling ῥάβδον ῥάβδον is a Hebraism (מַטֶּה מַטֶּה) for distribution — 'a rod for each', one staff per tribal house.
κατ᾿according topreposition + accusative (distributive, elided)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: distributive, 'according to / for each'.
οἴκουςhousesAccusativeaccusative object of κατά ('for the houses')→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / household'; οἶκος πατριῶν ('ancestral house') renders בֵּית אָבוֹת, the standard term for the tribal/clan units; one rod represents each.
πατριῶνof fathersGenitivegenitive ('houses of [the] fathers' = ancestral houses)→ relational specificationπατριά: 'lineage / ancestral house / clan'; renders אָב in the phrase בֵּית אָבוֹת; the genitive specifies the tribal-ancestral basis of representation.
παρὰfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + gen.: 'from'; specifying that the rods come from the tribal leaders.
πάντωνallGenitivegenitive attributive ('all their leaders')→ relational specificationπᾶς: 'all'; every tribal prince participates — the test is comprehensive, leaving no tribe unrepresented.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with ἀρχόντων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀρχόντωνleaders / princesGenitivegenitive object of παρά ('from their leaders')→ relational specificationἄρχων: 'ruler / leader / prince'; renders נָשִׂיא; the tribal chiefs, each of whom contributes a rod bearing his name — the heads whose authority the test will subordinate to Aaron's.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κατ᾿according topreposition + accusative (distributive, elided)→ spatial or relational framingκατ᾿: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (distributive, elided).
οἴκουςhousesAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (repeated distributive phrase)→ object specificationοἶκος: repeated 'ancestral houses' — the careful reiteration stresses the orderly, tribe-by-tribe basis of the test.
πατριῶνof fathersGenitivegenitive ('ancestral houses')→ relational specificationπατριά: 'ancestral house'; repeated for emphasis.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
δώδεκαtwelvenumeral (indeclinable, with ῥάβδους)→ clausal contributionδώδεκα: 'twelve'; indeclinable; the number of the tribes — the totality of Israel represented in the test (Levi counted in via Aaron's rod, v.18).
ῥάβδουςrodsAccusativeaccusative in apposition (summing the total: 'twelve rods')→ object specificationῥάβδος: 'rod / staff'; the twelve tribal staffs gathered for the test.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἑκάστουof eachGenitivegenitive (distributive: 'each man's')→ relational specificationἕκαστος: 'each / every one'; distributive — each prince's own name on his own rod, so that the chosen rod will be individually identifiable.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ὄνομα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect object of ἐπίγραψον→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name'; renders שֵׁם; the inscribed name makes each rod a personal/tribal token, so that the budding will be an unmistakable, public verdict.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his name')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his name').
ἐπίγραψονinscribeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐπιγράφωmain verb (command to inscribe)→ ingressive aorist imperative (the act of inscribing)ἐπιγράφω: 'write upon / inscribe'; renders כָּתַב; each name is to be written on its rod — the legal labeling that makes the test verifiable and the verdict undeniable.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (surface)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (surface).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with ῥάβδου)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδουrodGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί ('on his rod')→ relational specificationῥάβδος: 'rod'; the labeled staff of each prince.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his rod')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his rod').
18
καὶ τὸ ὄνομα Ααρων ἐπίγραψον ἐπὶ τῆς ῥάβδου Λευι ἔστιν γὰρ ῥάβδος μία κατὰ φυλὴν οἴκου πατριῶν αὐτῶν δώσουσιν
And inscribe Aaron's name on the rod of Levi; for there is one rod for each head of their ancestral houses — they shall give them.
Levi's rod is to bear Aaron's name specifically — making the test directly about the high-priestly line. The explanatory γάρ clarifies the one-rod-per-house principle: each tribal head contributes a single rod, Aaron representing Levi.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with ὄνομα)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομαnameAccusativedirect object of ἐπίγραψον→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name'; Aaron's name in particular is to be inscribed — the test focuses on the high priest, not merely the tribe of Levi generically.
Ααρωνof Aarongenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'name of Aaron')→ participant identificationΑαρων: indeclinable; his name on Levi's rod makes the budding a direct divine endorsement of Aaron's priesthood.
ἐπίγραψονinscribeAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἐπιγράφωmain verb (command to inscribe)→ ingressive aorist imperative (the act of inscribing)ἐπιγράφω: 'inscribe'; the same command as v.17, now specifying Aaron for Levi.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (surface)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (surface).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with ῥάβδου)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδουrodGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί ('on the rod of Levi')→ relational specificationῥάβδος: 'rod'; the rod assigned to the tribe of Levi, bearing Aaron's name.
Λευιof Levigenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'rod of Levi')→ participant identificationΛευι: transliteration of Hebrew לֵוִי; indeclinable in the LXX; the priestly tribe, whose rod (Aaron's) will alone bud — vindicating the Levitical priesthood against Korah, himself a Levite.
ἔστινthere isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb of explanatory clause (existential)→ stative present (the standing rule)εἰμί: 'be / there is'; introduces the explanatory principle — one rod per ancestral head, Aaron standing for Levi.
γὰρforcausal particle (post-positive, explanatory)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; clarifies the one-rod-per-house arrangement, ensuring Levi is represented like every other tribe.
ῥάβδοςrodNominativesubject of ἔστιν ('one rod')→ participant prominenceῥάβδος: 'rod'; the single staff per ancestral head.
μίαoneNominativenumeral adjective ('one rod')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; the feminine μία agrees with ῥάβδος — strictly one rod per ancestral house, no more.
κατὰfor eachpreposition + accusative (distributive)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: distributive, 'for each / according to'.
φυλὴνtribeAccusativeaccusative object of κατά ('for each tribe')→ object specificationφυλή: 'tribe'; renders שֵׁבֶט / מַטֶּה; the basic representative unit — one rod per φυλή.
οἴκουof houseGenitivegenitive ('head of the house')→ relational specificationοἶκος: 'house'; οἶκος πατριῶν, the ancestral house, the basis of the one-rod rule.
πατριῶνof fathersGenitivegenitive ('ancestral houses')→ relational specificationπατριά: 'ancestral house'; the lineage-unit each rod represents.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
δώσουσινthey shall giveFut Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb (the tribes' compliance commanded)→ imperatival future (instruction: 'they are to give')δίδωμι: 'give'; renders נָתַן; the future here has imperatival force — the tribal heads shall hand over their rods for the test; the volitive future is common in LXX legislation.
19
καὶ θήσεις αὐτὰς ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου κατέναντι τοῦ μαρτυρίου ἐν οἷς γνωσθήσομαί σοι ἐκεῖ
And you shall lay them in the tent of testimony, before the testimony, where I will make myself known to you there.
The rods are to be laid before the testimony (the ark/tablets), in the very place YHWH meets Moses (ἐν οἷς γνωσθήσομαί σοι, 'where I will make myself known to you'). Locating the test at the point of divine self-revelation guarantees the verdict is YHWH's own.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θήσειςyou shall layFut Act Indic 2 Sg · τίθημιmain verb (imperatival future to Moses)→ imperatival future (instruction: 'place them')τίθημι: 'place / put / lay'; renders שִׂים / נוּחַ (hiph. 'set down'); the volitive future commands Moses to deposit the rods in the sanctuary, before the testimony, overnight.
αὐτὰςthemAccusativedirect object (the rods)→ participant referenceαὐτὰς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object (the rods).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῇtheDativearticle (with σκηνῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῇtentDativedative of place ('in the tent')→ sphere or referenceσκηνή: 'tent / tabernacle'; the rods are placed within the holy precinct, where only divine action can effect the budding.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with μαρτυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουtestimonyGenitivegenitive of relationship ('tent of testimony')→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'testimony'; the tent of the testimony, the meeting-place of God and Moses.
κατέναντιbefore / oppositepreposition + genitive (position: 'in front of')→ spatial or relational framingκατέναντι: 'opposite / before / in front of'; renders לִפְנֵי / נֶגֶד; locates the rods directly before the testimony (the ark), at the focal point of the divine presence.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with μαρτυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουtestimonyGenitivegenitive object of κατέναντι ('before the testimony')→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: here 'the testimony' in the narrower sense — the ark of the testimony / the tablets; the rods rest before the very seat of YHWH's covenant presence (cf. Heb 9:4, the budding rod in the ark).
ἐνin / wherepreposition + dative (relative locative: 'in which / where')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: with the relative οἷς, 'in which (place) / where' — locating the divine self-revelation.
οἷςwhich / whereDativerelative pronoun (locative: 'where')→ participant reference or interestὅς: relative pronoun; the dative plural ἐν οἷς functions as a locative relative ('in the place where'), rendering the Hebrew אֲשֶׁר … שָׁמָּה ('where … there').
γνωσθήσομαίI will make myself knownFut Pass Indic 1 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb of relative clause (divine self-revelation)→ predictive future passive (reflexive sense: 'I will be made known / reveal myself')γινώσκω (fut. pass. γνωσθήσομαι): 'be known'; here with reflexive/middle force, 'I will make myself known / reveal myself', rendering אִוָּעֵד ('I will meet') — YHWH designates the tent as the appointed place of his self-disclosure, guaranteeing the rod-verdict is his own word.
σοιto youDativedative indirect object ('known to you')→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): Moses, to whom YHWH reveals himself at the testimony.
ἐκεῖthereadverb of place (resumptive: 'there')→ adverbial qualificationἐκεῖ: 'there'; the resumptive adverb (Hebraism, doubling אֲשֶׁר … שָׁמָּה) reinforces the locative relative — 'where … there', the fixed place of meeting.
20
καὶ ἔσται ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὃν ἐὰν ἐκλέξωμαι αὐτόν ἡ ῥάβδος αὐτοῦ ἐκβλαστήσει καὶ περιελῶ ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ τὸν γογγυσμὸν τῶν υἱῶν Ισραηλ ἃ αὐτοὶ γογγύζουσιν ἐφ᾿ ὑμῖν
And it shall be that the man whom I choose — his rod shall sprout; and I will remove from upon me the murmuring of the sons of Israel, which they murmur against you.
YHWH states the test's logic and goal: the chosen man's rod will sprout (ἐκβλαστήσει), and by this sign YHWH will remove (περιελῶ) the murmuring (γογγυσμός) of Israel from himself. The verb βλαστάνω (here compounded ἐκβλαστάνω) anticipates the miracle of v.23, and γογγυσμός picks up the murmuring of v.6, forming the chapter's inclusio — the rebellion that brought the plague is to be ended by the rod.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίmain verb (introducing the predicted outcome)→ predictive future (the certain result of the test)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; καὶ ἔσται renders וְהָיָה, the Hebrew formula introducing a predicted state of affairs — here the budding of the chosen rod.
ὁtheNominativearticle (with ἄνθρωπος)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποςmanNominativesubject (nominative absolute / casus pendens, resumed by ἡ ῥάβδος αὐτοῦ)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος: 'man / person'; renders אִישׁ; the nominative is left hanging (a casus pendens) and resumed by 'his rod' — a Hebraic topic-comment construction: 'as for the man whom I choose, his rod…'.
ὃνwhomAccusativerelative pronoun (object of ἐκλέξωμαι)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; the antecedent ἄνθρωπος, the object of YHWH's choosing.
ἐὰνeverconditional particle (with subjunctive: 'whomever')→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if / -ever'; with the relative and subjunctive, ὃν ἐάν = 'whomever' — generalizing the relative; renders the Hebrew אֲשֶׁר with conditional nuance.
ἐκλέξωμαιI chooseAor Mid Subj 1 Sg · ἐκλέγομαιverb of relative-conditional clause (divine election)→ aorist subjunctive (the act of choosing, generalized)ἐκλέγομαι: 'choose / select out'; the middle 'choose for oneself'; renders בָּחַר; the verb of divine election — the budding rod will publicly manifest YHWH's sovereign choice of the priestly line (cf. Ps 105:26; the chosen one is Aaron).
αὐτόνhimAccusativeresumptive pronoun (redundant object, Hebraism)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the resumptive αὐτόν after the relative ὅν is a Hebraism (the 'resumptive pronoun' echoing אֹתוֹ), redundant in Greek but normal in translated Hebrew syntax.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ῥάβδος)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδοςrodNominativesubject of ἐκβλαστήσει (resuming the casus pendens)→ participant prominenceῥάβδος: 'rod'; the chosen man's staff, which alone will sprout — the visible token of election.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession ('his rod')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his rod').
ἐκβλαστήσειshall sproutFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκβλαστάνωmain verb (the predicted miracle)→ predictive future (the certain sign)ἐκβλαστάνω: 'sprout out / put forth'; the compound of βλαστάνω ('bud / sprout'), the chapter's signature verb (cf. ἐβλάστησεν v.23); renders פָּרַח ('bud / blossom'); a dead, cut staff bursting into growth is the unmistakable mark of divine election — life from deadness.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (purpose/result)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
περιελῶI will removeFut Act Indic 1 Sg · περιαιρέωmain verb (divine purpose: removing the murmuring)→ predictive future (the intended outcome of the sign)περιαιρέω: 'take away / remove all around / strip off'; renders הֲשִׁכֹּתִי / הֵסִיר ('cause to cease / remove'); YHWH will rid himself of the people's incessant grumbling by settling the priesthood question definitively through the rod.
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἀπ᾿: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation, elided).
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό ('from me / from upon me')→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. ἐμοῦ): the murmuring is removed 'from me' — YHWH represents the people's complaints as directed against himself, a burden he will lift by the sign.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with γογγυσμόν)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γογγυσμὸνmurmuringAccusativedirect object of περιελῶ→ object specificationγογγυσμός: 'murmuring / grumbling'; the noun cognate to ἐγόγγυσαν (v.6) and γογγύζουσιν (below); renders תְּלֻנּוֹת ('murmurings'); the keyword binding the two episodes — the murmuring that occasioned the plague is the very thing the rod is to end (cf. v.25).
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with υἱῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive ('murmuring of the sons of Israel')→ relational specificationυἱός: the covenant people, perpetually murmuring in the wilderness.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the murmuring nation.
ἃwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (neuter plural, cognate-accusative with γογγύζουσιν)→ participant referenceὅς: relative pronoun; the neuter plural ἅ (loosely agreeing with the idea of 'things murmured') is a cognate-accusative-like object of γογγύζουσιν — 'the murmurings which they murmur'.
αὐτοὶtheyNominativeemphatic subject pronoun ('they themselves')→ participant referenceαὐτός: emphatic 'they' — the people themselves are the source of the grumbling against Moses (and Aaron).
γογγύζουσινthey murmurPres Act Indic 3 Pl · γογγύζωverb of relative clause (the ongoing murmuring)→ imperfective present (habitual, ongoing grumbling)γογγύζω: 'murmur / grumble'; the present tense marks the murmuring as habitual and continuing — the chronic wilderness sin the rod-sign is meant to silence; cognate with ἐγόγγυσαν (v.6), framing the inclusio.
ἐφ᾿againstpreposition + dative (hostile, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dat.: 'against / concerning'; the murmuring is directed against Moses (and the leadership).
ὑμῖνyouDativedative object of ἐπί ('against you')→ participant reference or interestσύ (pl. ὑμῖν): the murmuring against 'you' (Moses and Aaron) — which YHWH treats as directed against himself (ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ above), so closely are his mediators identified with him.
21
καὶ ἐλάλησεν Μωυσῆς τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ καὶ ἔδωκαν αὐτῷ πάντες οἱ ἄρχοντες αὐτῶν ῥάβδον τῷ ἄρχοντι τῷ ἑνὶ ῥάβδον κατὰ ἄρχοντα κατ᾿ οἴκους πατριῶν αὐτῶν δώδεκα ῥάβδους καὶ ἡ ῥάβδος Ααρων ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν ῥάβδων αὐτῶν
And Moses spoke to the sons of Israel, and all their leaders gave him a rod — one rod for each leader, leader by leader, according to their ancestral houses — twelve rods; and Aaron's rod was among their rods.
Moses obeys; the princes hand over their rods, one per leader, twelve in all, Aaron's rod ἀνὰ μέσον τῶν ῥάβδων ('in the midst of their rods'). The phrase ἀνὰ μέσον deliberately echoes Aaron's stand 'between the dead and the living' (v.13) — the same priestly figure now placed among the tribal staffs awaiting the verdict.
Word-by-word analysis· 36 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' compliance)→ constative aorist (the completed speaking)λαλέω: 'speak'; Moses conveys the divine instruction to Israel, fulfilling the λάλησον of v.17.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: the obedient mediator.
τοῖςto theDativearticle (with υἱοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative indirect object ('to the sons of Israel')→ sphere or referenceυἱός: the people, addressed through their leaders.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδωκανgaveAor Act Indic 3 Pl · δίδωμιmain verb (the princes' compliance)→ constative aorist (the completed giving)δίδωμι: 'give'; the tribal leaders hand over their rods, fulfilling the δώσουσιν of v.18 — exact obedience to the divine instruction.
αὐτῷto himDativedative indirect object (to Moses)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative indirect object (to Moses).
πάντεςallNominativeattributive ('all the leaders')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all'; every prince participates — no tribe abstains, making the verdict comprehensive.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with ἄρχοντες)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄρχοντεςleadersNominativesubject of ἔδωκαν→ participant prominenceἄρχων: 'ruler / prince'; the tribal heads, each surrendering his rod for the test.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ῥάβδονa rodAccusativedirect object of ἔδωκαν→ object specificationῥάβδος: 'rod'; each prince gives one.
τῷfor theDativearticle (with ἄρχοντι, distributive)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄρχοντιleaderDativedative (distributive: 'for each leader')→ sphere or referenceἄρχων: 'ruler'; τῷ ἄρχοντι τῷ ἑνί ('for the one leader') = one rod per individual prince.
τῷtheDativearticle (with ἑνί)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑνὶoneDativenumeral adjective (distributive: 'each one')→ sphere or referenceεἷς (dat. ἑνί): 'one'; the distributive τῷ ἄρχοντι τῷ ἑνί stresses one rod per single leader — strict one-to-one correspondence.
ῥάβδονa rodAccusativeaccusative (repeated distributive object)→ object specificationῥάβδος: the repetition reinforces the one-rod-per-prince arrangement.
κατὰfor eachpreposition + accusative (distributive)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: distributive, 'leader by leader'.
ἄρχονταleaderAccusativeaccusative object of κατά ('leader by leader')→ object specificationἄρχων: 'ruler'; κατὰ ἄρχοντα, 'for each prince', the distributive idiom.
κατ᾿according topreposition + accusative (distributive, elided)→ spatial or relational framingκατ᾿: meaning 'according to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (distributive, elided).
οἴκουςhousesAccusativeaccusative object of κατά ('by ancestral houses')→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house'; the rods organized by ancestral house, as commanded.
πατριῶνof fathersGenitivegenitive ('ancestral houses')→ relational specificationπατριά: 'ancestral house'.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
δώδεκαtwelvenumeral (indeclinable, with ῥάβδους)→ clausal contributionδώδεκα: 'twelve'; indeclinable; the full tribal complement of rods gathered.
ῥάβδουςrodsAccusativeaccusative in apposition ('twelve rods')→ object specificationῥάβδος: 'rod'; the assembled twelve, ready for placement before the testimony.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ῥάβδος)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδοςrodNominativesubject (verbless clause: 'Aaron's rod [was] among them')→ participant prominenceῥάβδος: 'rod'; Aaron's staff, explicitly noted as included — the candidate the budding will single out.
Ααρωνof Aarongenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'Aaron's rod')→ participant identificationΑαρων: indeclinable; his rod, bearing his name (v.18), set among the twelve.
ἀνὰamongpreposition (with μέσον: 'in the midst of')→ spatial or relational framingἀνά: in ἀνὰ μέσον, 'among / in the midst of'; the same phrase as v.13 (Aaron 'between' the dead and living), now Aaron's rod 'among' the rods — a deliberate verbal echo binding the two episodes.
μέσονmidstAccusativeaccusative ('in the midst of', with ἀνά)→ object specificationμέσος: 'middle / midst'; Aaron's rod set amid the others, indistinguishable until the morning's verdict.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ῥάβδων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδωνrodsGenitivegenitive ('among their rods')→ relational specificationῥάβδος: 'rod'; the other eleven tribal staffs.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
22
καὶ ἀπέθηκεν Μωυσῆς τὰς ῥάβδους ἔναντι κυρίου ἐν τῇ σκηνῇ τοῦ μαρτυρίου
And Moses laid up the rods before the LORD in the tent of testimony.
Moses lays the rods ἔναντι κυρίου in the tent of testimony, exactly as instructed (v.19). The placing 'before the LORD' submits the verdict wholly to divine action — no human hand will produce the budding.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέθηκενlaid upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποτίθημιmain verb (Moses deposits the rods)→ constative aorist (the completed depositing)ἀποτίθημι: 'lay aside / store up / deposit'; renders הִנִּיחַ ('set down / lay up'); Moses stores the rods in the sanctuary overnight, fulfilling θήσεις (v.19); the same verb recurs in YHWH's command to keep Aaron's rod (v.25 ἀπόθες).
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: the obedient mediator, exactly carrying out the instruction.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with ῥάβδους)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδουςrodsAccusativedirect object of ἀπέθηκεν→ object specificationῥάβδος: 'rod'; the twelve tribal staffs, now deposited for the test.
ἔναντιbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἔναντι: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism for לִפְנֵי; the rods are placed in YHWH's immediate presence, submitting the verdict to him alone.
κυρίουthe LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἔναντι→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the divine presence before whom the test is conducted.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τῇtheDativearticle (with σκηνῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῇtentDativedative of place ('in the tent')→ sphere or referenceσκηνή: 'tent / tabernacle'; the holy place where the budding will occur overnight.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with μαρτυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουtestimonyGenitivegenitive of relationship ('tent of testimony')→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'testimony'; the recurring locus of revelation, where the divine verdict will be rendered.
23
καὶ ἐγένετο τῇ ἐπαύριον καὶ εἰσῆλθεν Μωυσῆς καὶ Ααρων εἰς τὴν σκηνὴν τοῦ μαρτυρίου καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐβλάστησεν ἡ ῥάβδος Ααρων εἰς οἶκον Λευι καὶ ἐξήνεγκεν βλαστὸν καὶ ἐξήνθησεν ἄνθη καὶ ἐβλάστησεν κάρυα
And it happened on the next day that Moses and Aaron went into the tent of testimony, and behold, the rod of Aaron, for the house of Levi, had budded; and it brought forth a shoot and blossomed blossoms and produced ripe almonds.
The climax of episode D: overnight, Aaron's rod alone has gone through a whole growth-cycle — budding (ἐβλάστησεν), shooting (βλαστόν), blossoming (ἐξήνθησεν ἄνθη), and fruiting ripe almonds (κάρυα). The threefold-plus progression compresses an entire season into one night, an unmistakable miracle: a dead staff bearing life. This is the divine attestation of the chosen priesthood, remembered in Heb 9:4 as 'Aaron's rod that budded' kept in the ark. The verb βλαστάνω (twice here) answers YHWH's promise of v.20.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγένετοit happenedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιmain verb (temporal narrative formula)→ constative aorist ('and it came to pass')γίνομαι: 'become / happen'; καὶ ἐγένετο τῇ ἐπαύριον renders וַיְהִי מִמָּחֳרָת, the Hebrew temporal frame introducing the morning's discovery.
τῇon theDativearticle (dative of time with ἐπαύριον)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπαύριονnext dayadverb (substantivized: 'on the next day')→ clausal contributionἐπαύριον: 'on the morrow'; indeclinable adverb; the same word as v.6 (the murmuring 'the next day') — the budding 'the next day' answers the murmuring 'the next day', tightening the inclusio.
καὶandapodotic narrative conjunction (after the ἐγένετο frame)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: the apodotic καί continuing the temporal frame (Hebraism).
εἰσῆλθενwent inAor Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (singular with compound subject)→ constative aorist (the entering)εἰσέρχομαι: 'go in / enter'; Moses and Aaron enter to inspect the rods — the verdict awaits inside.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: the mediator inspecting the test.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑαρωνAaronsecond member of compound subject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: indeclinable; the high priest whose rod is about to be vindicated.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with σκηνήν)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνὴνtentAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (destination)→ object specificationσκηνή: 'tent / tabernacle'; the place of the overnight miracle.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with μαρτυρίου)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουtestimonyGenitivegenitive of relationship ('tent of testimony')→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'testimony'; where the rods were laid up (v.22).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the discovery)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (drawing attention to the miracle)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; the deictic particle dramatizes the astonishing discovery — the eye is directed straight to the budded rod.
ἐβλάστησενhad buddedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βλαστάνωmain verb (the miracle: the rod sprouted)→ constative aorist (the accomplished budding, discovered as fact)βλαστάνω: 'bud / sprout / put forth'; renders פָּרַח; the chapter's signature verb, fulfilling YHWH's ἐκβλαστήσει (v.20); a severed, dead almond-staff has burst into living growth overnight — the unmistakable mark of divine election of Aaron's priesthood.
ἡtheNominativearticle (with ῥάβδος)→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδοςrodNominativesubject of ἐβλάστησεν→ participant prominenceῥάβδος: 'rod'; Aaron's staff alone, of all twelve, has budded — the singular verdict singling out the priestly line.
Ααρωνof Aarongenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'rod of Aaron')→ participant identificationΑαρων: indeclinable; his rod, the chosen one.
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (reference: 'for the house of Levi')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: here 'for / on behalf of / representing' — Aaron's rod stands for the whole house of Levi, so the budding vindicates the Levitical priesthood as such.
οἶκονhouseAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς ('for the house of Levi')→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / household'; the house of Levi, the priestly tribe, here divinely confirmed against Korah (himself a Levite who overreached toward the high priesthood).
Λευιof Levigenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'house of Levi')→ participant identificationΛευι: indeclinable; the priestly tribe vindicated by the budding rod.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (the growth-sequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξήνεγκενbrought forthAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκφέρωmain verb (second stage of the growth-sequence)→ constative aorist (the producing of a shoot)ἐκφέρω: 'bring forth / produce'; renders יָצָא (hiph. 'bring out'); the rod 'brought forth' a shoot — the second of the compressed growth-stages (bud → shoot → blossom → fruit) all occurring in one night.
βλαστὸνa shootAccusativedirect object of ἐξήνεγκεν→ object specificationβλαστός: 'shoot / sprout / bud'; the cognate noun of βλαστάνω; the new green growth on the dead staff — life visibly emerging.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξήνθησενblossomedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξανθέωmain verb (third stage of the sequence)→ constative aorist (the blossoming)ἐξανθέω: 'blossom / bloom forth'; renders צִיץ (hiph. 'put forth blossoms'); the staff bursts into flower — the third stage, the rod now in full bloom overnight.
ἄνθηblossomsAccusativedirect object / cognate accusative of ἐξήνθησεν→ object specificationἄνθος: 'flower / blossom'; the cognate object of ἐξήνθησεν ('blossomed blossoms'); the flowering stage of the almond, traditionally the earliest tree to bloom — a fitting image of vigilant divine election (cf. the almond-wordplay שָׁקֵד / שֹׁקֵד at Jer 1:11–12).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐβλάστησενproducedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · βλαστάνωmain verb (fourth and climactic stage)→ constative aorist (the bearing of fruit)βλαστάνω: 'bud / produce'; here transitively 'produced / yielded' the almonds — the signature verb repeated to crown the sequence; the staff has run the whole cycle to ripe fruit in a single night, the maximal proof of divine life-giving power and election.
κάρυαalmonds / nutsAccusativedirect object of ἐβλάστησεν→ object specificationκάρυον: 'nut / almond'; renders שָׁקֵד ('almond'); the ripe fruit is the climactic stage — not merely a sign of life but completed fruitfulness; the almond, first of trees to bud, signals YHWH's watchful, decisive choice of the priesthood.
24
καὶ ἐξήνεγκεν Μωυσῆς πάσας τὰς ῥάβδους ἀπὸ προσώπου κυρίου πρὸς πάντας υἱοὺς Ισραηλ καὶ εἶδον καὶ ἔλαβον ἕκαστος τὴν ῥάβδον αὐτοῦ
And Moses brought out all the rods from before the LORD to all the sons of Israel, and they looked, and each took his own rod.
Moses publicly displays all twelve rods to the whole nation, so that the budding is witnessed and undeniable; each prince takes back his own (dead) rod, while Aaron's (the living, fruited one) is retained as the standing sign (v.25). The public viewing (εἶδον) makes the divine verdict a matter of corporate knowledge.
Word-by-word analysis· 21 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξήνεγκενbrought outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκφέρωmain verb (Moses displays the rods)→ constative aorist (the bringing out)ἐκφέρω: 'bring out / carry forth'; the same verb used of the rod's 'bringing forth' a shoot (v.23) — here Moses 'brings out' the rods for public inspection, the verdict made visible to all.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: the mediator publishing the divine verdict to the nation.
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive ('all the rods')→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; every rod is shown, so the contrast between the eleven dead staffs and Aaron's living one is plain to all.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (with ῥάβδους)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδουςrodsAccusativedirect object of ἐξήνεγκεν→ object specificationῥάβδος: 'rod'; the twelve, displayed together for comparison.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
προσώπουpresence / faceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό ('from before the LORD')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; ἀπὸ προσώπου κυρίου renders מִלִּפְנֵי יְהוָה ('from before the LORD') — the rods are brought out from the divine presence where the verdict was rendered.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of source ('presence of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the divine presence, the source of the verdict.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
πάνταςallAccusativeattributive ('all the sons of Israel')→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the whole nation witnesses — the verdict is corporate and public, not private.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeaccusative object of πρός ('to the sons of Israel')→ object specificationυἱός: the covenant people, the witnesses of the sign.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶδονthey sawAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ὁράωmain verb (the people's witnessing)→ constative aorist (the act of seeing)ὁράω (aor. εἶδον): 'see'; renders רָאָה; the people see the budded rod for themselves — the verdict is empirically verified, removing any ground for further dispute.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔλαβονtookAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λαμβάνωmain verb (each prince retrieves his rod)→ constative aorist (the taking back)λαμβάνω: 'take'; the plural verb with the distributive ἕκαστος ('each one took') — each prince reclaims his own ordinary, dead staff, leaving Aaron's living rod as the unique sign.
ἕκαστοςeachNominativedistributive subject ('each one')→ participant prominenceἕκαστος: 'each / every one'; the distributive — every prince takes back his own rod, the contrast with Aaron's retained, fruited rod underscored.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ῥάβδον)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδονrodAccusativedirect object of ἔλαβον→ object specificationῥάβδος: 'rod'; each prince's own staff, unchanged — only Aaron's bore life.
αὐτοῦhis ownGenitivegenitive of possession ('his rod')→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his own'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('his rod').
25
καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν ἀπόθες τὴν ῥάβδον Ααρων ἐνώπιον τῶν μαρτυρίων εἰς διατήρησιν σημεῖον τοῖς υἱοῖς τῶν ἀνηκόων καὶ παυσάσθω ὁ γογγυσμὸς αὐτῶν ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀποθάνωσιν
And the LORD said to Moses, 'Lay up the rod of Aaron before the testimony, for safekeeping, a sign to the sons of the disobedient, that their murmuring may cease from upon me, and they may not die.'
YHWH commands that Aaron's rod be permanently kept before the testimony εἰς διατήρησιν ('for safekeeping') as a σημεῖον τοῖς υἱοῖς τῶν ἀνηκόων ('a sign to the sons of the disobedient'), so that the murmuring (γογγυσμός) may cease and the people not die. σημεῖον recalls the censer-sign (v.3), and γογγυσμός closes the murmuring-inclusio opened at v.6 — the rod is the permanent answer to rebellion. The kept rod is the budding rod later placed in the ark (Heb 9:4).
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (divine speech-introduction)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω: 'say'; YHWH gives the final command concerning the rod — to preserve it as an enduring witness.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationΜωυσῆς: the addressee of the command to preserve the rod.
ἀπόθεςlay upAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀποτίθημιmain verb (command to preserve the rod)→ ingressive aorist imperative (decisive act of storing)ἀποτίθημι: 'lay aside / store up / keep'; the same verb as ἀπέθηκεν (v.22); renders הָנַח / שִׂים; the rod is to be permanently stored before the testimony — the sign made perpetual; cf. Heb 9:4, the rod kept in the ark.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle (with ῥάβδον)→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδονrodAccusativedirect object of ἀπόθες→ object specificationῥάβδος: 'rod'; Aaron's budded staff, now a relic to be preserved as testimony.
Ααρωνof Aarongenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'rod of Aaron')→ participant identificationΑαρων: indeclinable; the vindicated high priest, his rod the permanent sign.
ἐνώπιονbeforepreposition + genitive (in the presence of)→ spatial or relational framingἐνώπιον: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism for לִפְנֵי; the rod is kept directly before the testimony, in the divine presence.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle (with μαρτυρίων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίωνtestimoniesGenitivegenitive object of ἐνώπιον ('before the testimony')→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'testimony'; the plural τῶν μαρτυρίων here denotes the testimony/the ark — the rod kept before the very seat of the covenant, the place of YHWH's self-revelation; the basis for the NT memory of the rod 'in the ark' (Heb 9:4).
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (purpose)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: 'for / unto'; expressing purpose, 'for safekeeping'.
διατήρησινsafekeepingAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose: 'for preservation')→ object specificationδιατήρησις: 'keeping / preservation / safekeeping'; from διατηρέω ('keep carefully'); renders מִשְׁמֶרֶת ('a thing kept / charge'); the rod is to be carefully preserved as a permanent token — not used up but kept as evidence in perpetuity.
σημεῖονa signAccusativeaccusative in apposition ('a sign')→ object specificationσημεῖον: 'sign / token'; renders אוֹת; the same word naming the censer-plating's function (v.3) — both episodes produce a σημεῖον against contesting the priesthood, binding the chapter together.
τοῖςto theDativearticle (with υἱοῖς)→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative of advantage ('a sign to the sons of the disobedient')→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; the idiom υἱοὶ τῶν ἀνηκόων ('sons of the disobedient') is a Hebraism (בְּנֵי מֶרִי, 'sons of rebellion') characterizing the people by their defining trait — rebelliousness.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle (with ἀνηκόων)→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνηκόωνdisobedient / rebelliousGenitivegenitive ('sons of the disobedient')→ relational specificationἀνήκοος: 'disobedient / unwilling to hear' (ἀ- + ἀκούω, 'not listening'); renders מֶרִי / מֹרִים ('rebellion / rebels'); the people are characterized as those who will not hear — the rod is a sign aimed precisely at their deafness to authority.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παυσάσθωlet ceaseAor Mid Impv 3 Sg · παύωmain verb (third-person imperative of purpose)→ ingressive aorist imperative (let the murmuring come to an end)παύω (mid. παύομαι, 'cease'): 'stop / cease'; the third-person imperative παυσάσθω ('let it cease'); renders the cessation of the תְּלֻנּוֹת; the rod's purpose is the ending of the chronic murmuring — the goal YHWH announced at v.20 (περιελῶ … τὸν γογγυσμόν).
ὁtheNominativearticle (with γογγυσμός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γογγυσμὸςmurmuringNominativesubject of παυσάσθω→ participant prominenceγογγυσμός: 'murmuring / grumbling'; the keyword (cf. vv.6, 20) closing the inclusio — the murmuring that began the chapter's troubles is here to be brought to a permanent end by the rod-sign.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession ('their murmuring')→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession ('their murmuring').
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (separation, elided)→ spatial or relational framingἀπ᾿: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation, elided).
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό ('from me')→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. ἐμοῦ): the murmuring is to cease 'from me' — as at v.20, YHWH bears the grumbling as directed against himself; the rod lifts that burden.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (purpose)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὐnotnegative particle (with μή, emphatic)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: with μή forms the emphatic double negation οὐ μή.
μὴnotnegative particle (emphatic οὐ μή + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the construction οὐ μή + aorist subjunctive expresses emphatic denial — 'they shall surely not die'; the strongest negation in Greek, here a divine guarantee of preservation if the rebellion ceases.
ἀποθάνωσινthey may dieAor Act Subj 3 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωverb of negative purpose clause (with οὐ μή)→ aorist subjunctive (emphatic future denial: 'they shall not die')ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; renders מוּת; the goal of the rod-sign is the people's survival — if the murmuring ceases, the deadly judgments (like the plague of v.13) need not recur; the verb anticipates the people's terror in vv.27–28.
26
καὶ ἐποίησεν Μωυσῆς καὶ Ααρων καθὰ συνέταξεν κύριος τῷ Μωυσῇ οὕτως ἐποίησαν
And Moses and Aaron did as the LORD had commanded Moses; so they did.
The stereotyped obedience-formula (καθὰ συνέταξεν κύριος … οὕτως ἐποίησαν, 'as the LORD commanded … so they did') closes the rod-episode on the note of perfect compliance — the contrast with the disobedient (ἀνήκοοι) people of v.25 is pointed: the mediators obey, the people rebel.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐποίησενdidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (singular with compound subject)→ constative aorist (the completed obedience)ποιέω: 'do / make'; the obedience-verb; the singular (with the compound subject following) is normal Greek/Hebrew word order; Moses and Aaron carry out the command exactly.
ΜωυσῆςMosesNominativesubject→ participant prominenceΜωυσῆς: the obedient mediator.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (compound subject)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΑαρωνAaronsecond member of compound subject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΑαρων: indeclinable; the high priest, obedient alongside Moses.
καθὰjust ascomparative conjunction (introducing obedience-formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαθά: 'just as / according as'; the standard LXX particle of the obedience-formula, rendering כַּאֲשֶׁר.
συνέταξενcommandedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συντάσσωverb of comparison clause (the divine command)→ constative aorist (the completed command)συντάσσω: 'order / arrange / command'; renders צִוָּה; the verb of authoritative divine instruction; the obedience-formula certifies that the rod-ordinance was done precisely as YHWH directed.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of συνέταξεν→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the divine commander.
τῷtoDativearticle (with Μωυσῇ)→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΜωυσῇMosesDativedative indirect object ('commanded Moses')→ sphere or referenceΜωυσῆς (dat. Μωυσῇ): the recipient of the command, whose obedience the formula records.
οὕτωςsoadverb of manner (resumptive: 'so / thus')→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / so'; renders כֵּן; the resumptive 'so they did' completes the obedience-formula (καθά … οὕτως, כַּאֲשֶׁר … כֵּן).
ἐποίησανthey didAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ποιέωmain verb (resumptive: 'so they did')→ constative aorist (the completed obedience)ποιέω: 'do'; the plural ἐποίησαν resumes the action with both subjects in view; the doubled ποιέω (ἐποίησεν … ἐποίησαν) frames the verse, stressing exact and full compliance.
27
καὶ εἶπαν οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ πρὸς Μωυσῆν λέγοντες ἰδοὺ ἐξανηλώμεθα ἀπολώλαμεν παρανηλώμεθα
And the sons of Israel spoke to Moses, saying, 'Behold, we are consumed, we have perished, we are utterly undone!'
The people, terrified by the lethal holiness manifested in the plague and the rod, cry out in despair, piling up three near-synonymous perfects of destruction (ἐξανηλώμεθα, ἀπολώλαμεν, παρανηλώμεθα) — 'we are consumed, perished, undone.' The verb ἐξαναλίσκω echoes YHWH's threat ἐξαναλώσω (v.10), now thrown back as the people's own dread; their cry sets up the closing dread of v.28.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανspoke / saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (the people's outcry)→ constative aorist (the act of speaking)λέγω: 'say'; the Hellenistic alpha-aorist εἶπαν (for classical εἶπον) is characteristic of LXX/Koine morphology; introduces the people's panicked confession.
οἱtheNominativearticle (with υἱοί)→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject ('the sons of Israel')→ participant prominenceυἱός: the people who had murmured (v.6) now cry out in terror — the murmuring turned to dread once the lethal holiness of God is seen.
Ισραηλof Israelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationΜωυσῆς: the mediator to whom the people now turn in fear — the same man they had accused of killing them (v.6), now their only recourse.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Part Nom Pl · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introducing direct speech)→ imperfective present participle (Hebraistic speech-marker)λέγω: the participle λέγοντες (rendering לֵאמֹר) introduces the verbatim outcry.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (introducing the lament)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; renders הֵן; the deictic particle opens the despairing confession with urgency.
ἐξανηλώμεθαwe are consumedPerf Mid/Pass Indic 1 Pl · ἐξαναλίσκωmain verb of direct speech (first of three perfects)→ resultative perfect (a settled state of being consumed)ἐξαναλίσκω: 'consume utterly / destroy completely'; the very verb of YHWH's threat ἐξαναλώσω (v.10), now in the people's mouths as a fearful perfect — 'we have been consumed and remain so'; their dread mirrors the judgment they had provoked.
ἀπολώλαμενwe have perishedPerf Act Indic 1 Pl · ἀπόλλυμιmain verb of direct speech (second perfect)→ resultative perfect (a settled state of ruin)ἀπόλλυμι (2nd perf. ἀπόλωλα, intransitive 'be ruined / perish'): 'perish / be lost / be destroyed'; renders אָבַד; the intensive perfect 'we are as good as dead' — the second of three heaped synonyms expressing total despair before God's holiness.
παρανηλώμεθαwe are utterly undonePerf Mid/Pass Indic 1 Pl · παραναλίσκωmain verb of direct speech (third, climactic perfect)→ resultative perfect (a settled state of utter destruction)παραναλίσκω: 'consume / use up / waste away utterly'; a rare compound intensifying the ἀναλίσκω root; the third in the triad of destruction-perfects (ἐξαναλ-, ἀπολ-, παραναλ-), piling synonym on synonym to voice the people's overwhelming terror — they feel themselves on the brink of annihilation.
28
πᾶς ὁ ἁπτόμενος τῆς σκηνῆς κυρίου ἀποθνῄσκει ἕως εἰς τέλος ἀποθάνωμεν
'Everyone who approaches the tent of the LORD dies! Are we to perish utterly, to the very end?'
The people's despair crystallizes into a fearful generalization: anyone who so much as approaches (ἁπτόμενος) the tent of YHWH dies — so are they all doomed to perish ἕως εἰς τέλος ('to the very end / utterly')? The chapter closes on this unresolved terror, which the following chapter's legislation (the priestly and Levitical guard of the sanctuary, ch. 18) is designed to answer — the priesthood that vindicated itself by the rod now becomes the people's protection.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
πᾶςeveryoneNominativesubject (substantival: 'everyone')→ participant prominenceπᾶς: 'all / everyone'; the universalizing subject voices the people's fear that the danger is total and inescapable — no one can safely come near.
ὁthe oneNominativearticle (substantivizing the participle)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁπτόμενοςwho approaches / touchesPres Mid Part Nom Sg · ἅπτομαιsubstantival participle (subject: 'the one who touches')→ imperfective present participle (general, ongoing: 'whoever touches')ἅπτομαι: 'touch / lay hold of / come into contact with'; takes the genitive (τῆς σκηνῆς); renders נָגַע / קָרַב; the people's dread is that mere contact with the holy tent is fatal — a terror of the sanctuary's lethal holiness that the priestly mediation is meant to manage.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle (with σκηνῆς)→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtentGenitivegenitive object of ἁπτόμενος ('touches the tent')→ relational specificationσκηνή: 'tent / tabernacle'; the dwelling of YHWH; its holiness is dangerous to the unauthorized — the very point of the priestly guard the next chapter institutes.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of possession ('the tent of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος: rendering of יהוה; the tent belongs to YHWH, and his holiness makes unmediated approach lethal.
ἀποθνῄσκειdiesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (gnomic statement of the people's fear)→ gnomic present (a general truth, as the people perceive it)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the gnomic present states the people's dread as a general rule — to touch the tent is to die; their terror reflects the demonstrated lethality of YHWH's holiness (the plague, the swallowed rebels).
ἕωςuntil / topreposition/adverb (with εἰς τέλος: 'to the very end')→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'until / as far as'; in the phrase ἕως εἰς τέλος, 'right to the end / utterly' — intensifying the dread of total annihilation.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (with τέλος: 'to the end')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: 'to / unto'; εἰς τέλος, 'to the end / completely / utterly'.
τέλοςendAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς ('to the end')→ object specificationτέλος: 'end / completion'; the phrase ἕως εἰς τέλος ('utterly, to the very last') intensifies the people's despairing question — are they all to be wiped out completely?
ἀποθάνωμενare we to perish / shall we dieAor Act Subj 1 Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωmain verb (deliberative subjunctive: 'are we to die?')→ deliberative aorist subjunctive (despairing question: 'must we all perish?')ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the deliberative subjunctive ἀποθάνωμεν ('are we to perish / shall we all die?') voices the people's anguished uncertainty; the chapter ends on this open question of doom — the answer comes in ch. 18, where the priesthood becomes the people's safeguard against the sanctuary's holiness.