Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Numbers, Chapter 22ΑΡΙΘΜΟΙ ΚΒ′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Numbers 22 opens the Balaam pericope (chs. 22–24), one of the most theologically and narratively dramatic units in the Pentateuch.

Translation & textual notes

The Greek text of Numbers 22 follows the standard critical text of the Septuagint as established in the Rahlfs–Hanhart edition (Septuaginta, rev. ed. 2006), an ancient and public-domain text; the critical apparatus is not reproduced. Numbers 22 opens the Balaam pericope (chs. 22–24), one of the most theologically and narratively dramatic units in the Pentateuch. Israel, encamped ἐπὶ δυσμῶν Μωαβ ('to the west of Moab', v. 1) on the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho, terrifies Balak son of Sepphor (Βαλακ υἱὸς Σεπφωρ), king of Moab, who recruits the elders of Moab and Midian and sends them with τὰ μαντεῖα ('the divination-fees', v. 7) to Balaam son of Beor (Βαλααμ υἱὸν Βεωρ) at Pethor on the River to curse Israel (ἄρασαί μοι τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον, v. 6). The chapter pivots on the theology of blessing and cursing: God forbids Balaam, οὐ πορεύσῃ μετ᾽ αὐτῶν οὐδὲ καταράσῃ τὸν λαόν· ἔστιν γὰρ εὐλογημένος ('you shall not go with them nor curse the people, for it is blessed', v. 12). A second, more honored embassy and a larger fee bring conditional permission to go, hedged by the controlling command ἀλλὰ τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἂν λαλήσω πρὸς σέ τοῦτο ποιήσεις ('but the word I speak to you, that you shall do', v. 20). The narrative core (vv. 22–35) is the episode of the donkey (ἡ ὄνος): God's anger kindles, the angel of the LORD (ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ / κυρίου) stands in the road ἐνδιαβάλλειν αὐτόν ('to oppose/accuse him') with a drawn sword (τὴν ῥομφαίαν / μάχαιραν ἐσπασμένην), and three times the donkey sees what the seer cannot and turns aside, is beaten, until the LORD opens the donkey's mouth (ἤνοιξεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ στόμα τῆς ὄνου, v. 28) and the animal rebukes the prophet. The episode is the headline crux of the chapter, cited at 2 Pet 2:16 (ὑποζύγιον ἄφωνον ἐν ἀνθρώπου φωνῇ φθεγξάμενον ἐκώλυσεν τὴν τοῦ προφήτου παραφρονίαν, 'a dumb beast of burden, speaking with a human voice, restrained the prophet's madness'), and the figure of Balaam recurs as a type of mercenary apostasy at Jude 11 ('the error of Balaam') and Rev 2:14 ('the teaching of Balaam'). The LXX heightens the seeing/blindness irony: the διορῶν ('seer') is blind to the angel his ὄνος perceives, until God opens his eyes (ἀπεκάλυψεν … τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς Βαλααμ, v. 31). The chapter closes (vv. 36–41) with Balaam reaching Balak at the city of Moab on the Arnon border, the binding word-formula ἐὰν βάλῃ ὁ θεὸς εἰς τὸ στόμα μου (v. 38) foreshadowing the oracles, and Balak leading Balaam up to the pillar of Baal (τὴν στήλην τοῦ Βααλ) to view the people.

1

καὶ ἀπάραντες οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ παρενέβαλον ἐπὶ δυσμῶν Μωαβ παρὰ τὸν Ιορδάνην κατὰ Ιεριχω

And the sons of Israel, having set out, encamped to the west of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho.

Narrative setting: itinerary notice opening the Balaam cycleκαὶ ἀπάραντες
The verse is a topographical hinge: the formulaic itinerary verb παρενέβαλον ('encamped') locates Israel on the plains of Moab opposite Jericho, the staging-ground for the conquest. The aorist participle ἀπάραντες ('having broken camp / set out') continues the march-notices of Numbers and sets the stage geographically for Balak's terror in the following verses.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπάραντεςhaving set outAor Act Ptcp Masc Nom Pl · ἀπαίρωcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance: breaking camp)→ antecedent aorist participle (action prior to the main verb)ἀπαίρω: 'lift off / depart / break camp'; renders Hebrew נָסַע ('pull up tent-pegs, set out'); the standard LXX itinerary verb in Numbers' march-notices (cf. Num 21:10–11); the aorist participle frames the encampment as the next stage of the wilderness journey.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὶsonsNominativesubject (with Ισραηλ: 'the sons of Israel')→ participant prominenceυἱός: 'son'; the construction οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ renders בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, the standard designation of the covenant people as a corporate body throughout Numbers.
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; here in genitive relation to υἱοί ('sons of Israel').
παρενέβαλονthey encampedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · παρεμβάλλωmain verb (itinerary notice)→ constative aorist (settled act of encamping)παρεμβάλλω: 'pitch camp / encamp'; renders חָנָה; the cognate noun παρεμβολή ('camp') is the standard LXX term for Israel's wilderness encampment; the verb completes the march-notice begun by ἀπάραντες.
ἐπὶto / towardpreposition + genitive (location: 'on the west side')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location: 'on the west side').
δυσμῶνthe westGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (locative: 'to the west of')→ relational specificationδυσμή (pl. δυσμαί): 'setting (of the sun), west'; renders עֲרָבוֹת/מַעֲרָב; the plural is idiomatic for the western quarter; ἐπὶ δυσμῶν Μωαβ situates Israel on the Moabite plains (Hebrew עַרְבוֹת מוֹאָב) by the Jordan.
Μωαβof Moabgenitive of relationship (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: transliteration of מוֹאָב; indeclinable in the LXX; the Transjordanian kingdom east of the Dead Sea, here naming both the territory and (by metonymy in vv. 3–4) its people and king.
παρὰby / besidepreposition + accusative (location: 'alongside')→ spatial or relational framingπαρὰ: meaning 'by'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (location: 'alongside').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΙορδάνηνJordanAccusativeaccusative object of παρά (the river bordering the camp)→ object specificationΙορδάνης: Greek form of הַיַּרְדֵּן; declined as a first-declension masculine in the LXX (gen. Ιορδάνου, acc. Ιορδάνην); the river marks the boundary Israel must cross to enter Canaan.
κατὰopposite / over againstpreposition + accusative (location: 'over against')→ spatial or relational framingκατά + acc.: here 'opposite / facing'; κατὰ Ιεριχω renders Hebrew יְרֵחוֹ ('over against Jericho'), fixing the camp directly across the Jordan from the first city of the conquest.
ΙεριχωJerichoaccusative object of κατά (indeclinable place-name)→ participant identificationΙεριχω: transliteration of יְרִיחוֹ; indeclinable in the LXX; naming Jericho here foreshadows the conquest narrative and underscores that Israel stands at the threshold of the land.
2

καὶ ἰδὼν Βαλακ υἱὸς Σεπφωρ πάντα ὅσα ἐποίησεν Ισραηλ τῷ Αμορραίῳ

And Balak son of Sepphor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorite,

Narrative: introduction of Balak and the trigger of his fearκαὶ ἰδὼν Βαλακ
The participial clause introduces the chapter's antagonist, Balak son of Sepphor, and supplies the motive for the fear stated in v. 3: he has witnessed (ἰδών) Israel's defeat of the Amorites (Sihon and Og, Num 21). The clause is grammatically suspended — its main verb is supplied by the resumptive narrative in v. 3 (ἐφοβήθη) — a Hebraizing construction in which the participle carries the temporal-causal weight.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδὼνhaving seenAor Act Ptcp Masc Nom Sg · ὁράωcircumstantial participle (causal: 'because he saw')→ antecedent aorist participle (perception prior to the resulting fear)ὁράω (aor. ptcp. ἰδών): 'see / perceive'; renders רָאָה; the participle is causal — Balak's terror springs from what he has seen; the verb of seeing opens a chapter saturated with the irony of sight and blindness (cf. the seer who cannot see the angel, vv. 23–31).
ΒαλακBalaksubject of the participial clause (indeclinable proper name)→ participant identificationΒαλακ: transliteration of בָּלָק; indeclinable in the LXX; king of Moab and the instigator of the attempt to curse Israel; his name recurs as a byword in Mic 6:5 and Rev 2:14.
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositional (patronymic: 'son of Sepphor')→ participant prominenceυἱός: here in the patronymic formula υἱὸς Σεπφωρ ('son of Sepphor'), the standard LXX rendering of בֶּן־צִפּוֹר identifying Balak's lineage.
Σεπφωρof Sepphorgenitive of relationship (indeclinable patronymic)→ participant identificationΣεπφωρ: transliteration of צִפּוֹר ('bird'); indeclinable; the father of Balak, named to fix his dynastic identity.
πάνταallAccusativedirect object of ἰδών (antecedent of ὅσα)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / everything'; the neuter plural πάντα is the comprehensive object of Balak's sight, gathering up the whole Amorite campaign of Num 21.
ὅσαas much asAccusativerelative pronoun (introducing relative clause: 'all that')→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much/many as'; the correlative πάντα ὅσα ('all that') is a standard LXX idiom rendering כֹּל אֲשֶׁר, summing up the totality of Israel's actions against the Amorites.
ἐποίησενdidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωverb of the relative clause→ constative aorist (completed deeds: the Amorite conquest)ποιέω: 'do / make'; renders עָשָׂה; the deeds in view are Israel's victories over Sihon king of the Amorites and Og of Bashan (Num 21:21–35), which struck terror into the surrounding peoples.
ΙσραηλIsraelsubject of ἐποίησεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: here construed as a collective singular subject ('Israel did'), as often in the LXX where the people are treated as a corporate agent.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΑμορραίῳAmoriteDativedative of disadvantage ('to/against the Amorite')→ sphere or referenceΑμορραῖος: 'Amorite'; gentilic rendering הָאֱמֹרִי; the collective singular τῷ Αμορραίῳ ('the Amorite') denotes the Amorite kingdoms of Sihon and Og whose defeat (Num 21) is the immediate cause of Moabite dread.
3

καὶ ἐφοβήθη Μωαβ τὸν λαὸν σφόδρα ὅτι πολλοὶ ἦσαν καὶ προσώχθισεν Μωαβ ἀπὸ προσώπου υἱῶν Ισραηλ

and Moab feared the people exceedingly, because they were many, and Moab was deeply vexed before the face of the sons of Israel.

Main clause: Moab's terror (resolving the participle of v. 2)καὶ ἐφοβήθη Μωαβ
The verse supplies the main clause for which v. 2's participle prepared: Moab (metonymy for Balak and his people) is gripped by fear (ἐφοβήθη … σφόδρα). The doublet ἐφοβήθη … προσώχθισεν ('feared … was vexed/loathing') intensifies the emotional response; the causal ὅτι πολλοὶ ἦσαν ('because they were many') echoes Pharaoh's earlier dread of Israel's numbers (Exod 1:9), framing Moab as a new Egypt.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐφοβήθηfearedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · φοβέομαιmain verb (Moab's fear)→ ingressive aorist (the onset of dread)φοβέομαι (aor. pass. dep.): 'fear / be afraid'; renders יָגָר/גּוּר; the deponent passive ἐφοβήθη governs the accusative τὸν λαόν ('feared the people'); the verb casts Moab in the role of a terrified nation echoing Egypt's dread at Exod 1:12.
ΜωαβMoabsubject (indeclinable, by metonymy for the nation/king)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: here the indeclinable name functions as a collective singular subject ('Moab feared'), the nation personified, as commonly in prophetic and narrative LXX usage.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἐφοβήθη (Israel as the feared people)→ object specificationλαός: 'people'; renders עַם; throughout this chapter ὁ λαός designates Israel as the object of Moab's fear and of Balaam's commissioned curse (cf. vv. 5, 6, 12).
σφόδραexceedinglyadverb of degree (intensifying ἐφοβήθη)→ clausal contributionσφόδρα: 'very much / exceedingly'; standard LXX rendering of מְאֹד; here it marks the superlative intensity of Moab's terror.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (giving ground of the fear)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because / that'; here causal, introducing the reason for Moab's dread — Israel's vast numbers.
πολλοὶmanyNominativepredicate adjective (with ἦσαν: 'they were many')→ participant prominenceπολύς: 'many / numerous'; renders רַב; the multitude of Israel is the recurring source of pagan dread (cf. Exod 1:9), and supplies the rationale for seeking a supernatural curse rather than open battle.
ἦσανthey wereImpf Act Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίverb of the causal clause (predication of number)→ stative imperfect (continuing state of being numerous)εἰμί (impf. ἦσαν): 'be'; the imperfect describes the ongoing reality of Israel's numerousness; the plural agrees with the collective sense of λαός.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσώχθισενwas vexed / loathedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσοχθίζωmain verb (second emotional response of Moab)→ ingressive aorist (onset of revulsion/dread)προσοχθίζω: 'be vexed / loathe / be disgusted'; renders קוּץ ('feel a sickening dread, loathe'); the LXX uses it of God's loathing of a wicked generation (Ps 94[95]:10); here Moab's revulsion before Israel's multitude pairs with ἐφοβήθη to express both fear and nausea.
ΜωαβMoabsubject (indeclinable, collective)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable, collective).
ἀπὸfrom / beforepreposition + genitive (in the idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (in the idiom ἀπὸ προσώπου).
προσώπουface / presenceGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (Hebraism: 'from before the face of')→ relational specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / presence'; the phrase ἀπὸ προσώπου renders מִפְּנֵי ('from before, because of'), a Hebraism in which 'face' marks confrontation or threatening presence; Moab loathes Israel 'in the face of' the encamped multitude.
υἱῶνsonsGenitivegenitive (with Ισραηλ: 'of the sons of Israel')→ relational specificationυἱός: here in the genitive plural of the standard formula υἱῶν Ισραηλ ('of the sons of Israel').
ΙσραηλIsraelgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: indeclinable; the genitive completes ἀπὸ προσώπου υἱῶν Ισραηλ ('before the face of the sons of Israel').
4

καὶ εἶπεν Μωαβ τῇ γερουσίᾳ Μαδιαμ νῦν ἐκλείξει ἡ συναγωγὴ αὕτη πάντας τοὺς κύκλῳ ἡμῶν ὡς ἐκλείξαι ὁ μόσχος τὰ χλωρὰ ἐκ τοῦ πεδίου καὶ Βαλακ υἱὸς Σεπφωρ βασιλεὺς Μωαβ ἦν κατὰ τὸν καιρὸν ἐκεῖνον

And Moab said to the council of elders of Midian, 'Now this assembly will lick up all those around us as the calf licks up the green things of the plain.' And Balak son of Sepphor was king of Moab at that time.

Direct speech (Moab to Midian's elders) + narratorial parentheticalκαὶ εἶπεν Μωαβ
Moab voices its dread to the elders of Midian in a vivid agrarian simile: Israel will 'lick up' the surrounding nations as an ox licks the grass bare (ὡς ἐκλείξαι ὁ μόσχος τὰ χλωρά). The verse closes with a narratorial parenthetical (καὶ Βαλακ … ἦν … κατὰ τὸν καιρὸν ἐκεῖνον) supplying the background datum that Balak reigned at that time — a circumstantial note grounding the embassy that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 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 (aor. εἶπεν): 'say'; the standard LXX narrative speech-introducer; here Moab addresses the Midianite elders, drawing Midian into the anti-Israel coalition.
ΜωαβMoabsubject (indeclinable, collective for the Moabite leadership)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable, collective for the Moabite leadership).
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γερουσίᾳcouncil of eldersDativeindirect object (addressees of Moab's speech)→ sphere or referenceγερουσία: 'council of elders / senate'; renders זִקְנֵי ('elders of'); the dative names the governing body of Midian; the alliance of Moab and Midian against Israel resurfaces in the Baal-Peor episode (Num 25; 31).
Μαδιαμof Midiangenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Midian')→ participant identificationΜαδιαμ: transliteration of מִדְיָן; indeclinable; the Midianites, here confederate with Moab; their elders carry the divination-fees with Moab's in v. 7.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (opening the direct speech)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; renders עַתָּה; here marking the present crisis that prompts the alarmed simile.
ἐκλείξειwill lick upFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκλείχωmain verb of the direct speech (predictive)→ predictive future (anticipated devastation)ἐκλείχω: 'lick out / lick clean / devour'; renders לָחַךְ ('lick up'); a vivid agrarian verb depicting total consumption — Israel will strip the surrounding peoples as bare as grazed ground; the same verb recurs in the simile (ἐκλείξαι).
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
συναγωγὴassemblyNominativesubject of ἐκλείξει (Israel as a gathered host)→ participant prominenceσυναγωγή: 'gathering / assembly / congregation'; renders קָהָל/עֵדָה; with the demonstrative αὕτη ('this assembly') Moab denotes the Israelite host with wary disdain — a vast gathered multitude poised to consume the region.
αὕτηthisNominativedemonstrative (attributive: 'this assembly')→ participant referenceοὗτος (fem. αὕτη): 'this'; the near demonstrative conveys Moab's anxious immediacy — 'this assembly right here on our border.'
πάνταςallAccusativedirect object of ἐκλείξει (substantival: 'all those')→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all'; the masculine accusative plural substantivizes with the article τούς to mean 'all those (peoples) around us.'
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantivizing the adverbial phrase κύκλῳ ἡμῶν)→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύκλῳaround / round aboutadverb (with ἡμῶν: 'round about us')→ clausal contributionκύκλῳ: 'in a circle / round about'; adverbial dative of κύκλος used as a quasi-preposition with the genitive ἡμῶν; 'all those round about us' = the neighboring nations Moab fears will be devoured.
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive (with κύκλῳ: 'around us')→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. pl. ἡμῶν): first-person plural; identifies the speaker collectively with the surrounding nations under threat.
ὡςascomparative particle (introducing the simile)→ discourse linkage or contrastὡς: 'as / like'; introduces the agrarian simile comparing Israel's devastation to an ox grazing a field bare.
ἐκλείξαιlicks upAor Act Inf · ἐκλείχωinfinitive of comparison (in the ὡς-simile)→ gnomic/comparative aorist infinitive (typical action of grazing)ἐκλείχω (aor. inf.): the comparative infinitive after ὡς renders the Hebrew infinitival simile כִּלְחֹךְ הַשּׁוֹר; the repetition of the verb (ἐκλείξει … ἐκλείξαι) binds the threat and its image into a single rhetorical figure.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μόσχοςcalf / oxNominativesubject of the infinitive (the grazing animal)→ participant prominenceμόσχος: 'young bull / calf / ox'; renders שׁוֹר; the grazing ox stripping a field is the homely but ominous image of Israel's total consumption of the land's resources and peoples.
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χλωρὰgreen thingsAccusativedirect object of the infinitive (the grass consumed)→ object specificationχλωρός: 'green / pale-green / fresh herbage'; substantivized neuter plural τὰ χλωρά ('the green things') renders יֶרֶק/דֶּשֶׁא; the fresh growth the ox licks up to nothing.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πεδίουplain / fieldGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (the field grazed)→ relational specificationπεδίον: 'plain / open field'; renders שָׂדֶה; the open grazing land from which the ox strips the green growth — the same word recurs at v. 23 where the donkey turns aside εἰς τὸ πεδίον.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing the parenthetical)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ΒαλακBalaksubject of the parenthetical clause (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλακ: in the narratorial aside identifying him as the reigning king of Moab at that time.
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositional patronymic→ participant prominenceυἱὸς: meaning 'son'; it serves as appositional patronymic.
Σεπφωρof Sepphorgenitive of relationship (indeclinable patronymic)→ participant identificationΣεπφωρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable patronymic).
βασιλεὺςkingNominativepredicate nominative (with ἦν: 'was king')→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; renders מֶלֶךְ; the parenthetical formally identifies Balak's royal office, grounding his authority to summon and reward Balaam.
Μωαβof Moabgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Moab')→ participant identificationΜωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'of Moab').
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula of the parenthetical clause→ stative imperfect (background circumstance)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'be'; the imperfect marks the parenthetical as background information ('Balak was king … at that time'), the standard LXX device for circumstantial narrative notes.
κατὰat / according topreposition + accusative (temporal: 'at that time')→ spatial or relational framingκατὰ: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (temporal: 'at that time').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
καιρὸνtime / seasonAccusativeaccusative object of κατά (temporal)→ object specificationκαιρός: 'time / appointed season'; the phrase κατὰ τὸν καιρὸν ἐκεῖνον ('at that time') renders בָּעֵת הַהִיא, the standard LXX temporal back-reference framing the parenthetical.
ἐκεῖνονthatAccusativedemonstrative (attributive: 'that time')→ object specificationἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the far demonstrative fixes the reign of Balak to the narrative present of the encampment.
5

καὶ ἀπέστειλεν πρέσβεις πρὸς Βαλααμ υἱὸν Βεωρ Φαθουρα ὅ ἐστιν ἐπὶ τοῦ ποταμοῦ γῆς υἱῶν λαοῦ αὐτοῦ καλέσαι αὐτὸν λέγων ἰδοὺ λαὸς ἐξελήλυθεν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἰδοὺ κατεκάλυψεν τὴν ὄψιν τῆς γῆς καὶ οὗτος ἐγκάθηται ἐχόμενός μου

And he sent envoys to Balaam son of Beor, to Pethor, which is on the River, in the land of the sons of his people, to summon him, saying, 'Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and behold, it has covered the face of the earth, and it has settled close beside me.'

Narrative: dispatch of the first embassy to Balaamκαὶ ἀπέστειλεν
Balak (subject carried from v. 4) sends πρέσβεις ('envoys') to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor on the Euphrates. The embedded message opens the diplomatic appeal with the doubled deictic ἰδού … ἰδού ('behold … behold'), heightening alarm. The participle of the eyewitness report (κατεκάλυψεν τὴν ὄψιν τῆς γῆς, 'covered the face of the earth') and the hostile ἐχόμενός μου ('settled right next to me') frame Israel as an overwhelming, encroaching presence.
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστειλενhe sentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (Balak dispatches envoys)→ constative aorist (single decisive act of sending)ἀποστέλλω: 'send forth / commission'; renders שָׁלַח; the verb of formal embassy; Balak commissions envoys with the authority of a king seeking a hired curse.
πρέσβειςenvoysAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλεν (the embassy)→ object specificationπρέσβυς (pl. πρέσβεις): 'elder / ambassador / envoy'; here 'ambassadors'; renders מַלְאָכִים ('messengers'); the LXX's choice of πρέσβεις dignifies the delegation as an official state embassy.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of sending)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of sending).
ΒαλααμBalaamaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable proper name)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliteration of בִּלְעָם; indeclinable in the LXX; the Mesopotamian diviner whose name becomes a NT byword for mercenary apostasy (2 Pet 2:15; Jude 11; Rev 2:14).
υἱὸνsonAccusativeappositional patronymic (in apposition to Βαλααμ)→ object specificationυἱός: here the patronymic υἱὸν Βεωρ ('son of Beor') renders בֶּן־בְּעוֹר; cf. 2 Pet 2:15 (Βαλααμ τοῦ Βοσορ/Βεωρ).
Βεωρof Beorgenitive of relationship (indeclinable patronymic)→ participant identificationΒεωρ: transliteration of בְּעוֹר; indeclinable; the father of Balaam.
Φαθουραto Pethorplace-name (destination, indeclinable: 'Pethor')→ participant identificationΦαθουρα: transliteration of פְּתוֹרָה ('to Pethor'); indeclinable; Pethor, a town on the upper Euphrates (Aram-Naharaim, Deut 23:4), the home of Balaam — far from Moab, underscoring his reputation as a renowned diviner sought from a great distance.
whichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐστιν, neuter by attraction to place)→ participant referenceὅς (neut. ὅ): relative pronoun; the neuter ὅ ἐστιν ('which is') introduces a geographical gloss locating Pethor on the River.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula of the relative clause (locative description)→ stative present (timeless geographical fact)εἰμί (pres. ἐστιν): 'is'; the present locates Pethor geographically as a standing fact ('which is on the River').
ἐπὶon / bypreposition + genitive (location: 'on/by the River')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location: 'on/by the River').
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ποταμοῦriverGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (the Euphrates)→ relational specificationποταμός: 'river'; ὁ ποταμός absolutely ('the River') renders הַנָּהָר, the standard biblical designation of the Euphrates (cf. Gen 31:21), locating Balaam in Mesopotamia.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive of place (in apposition: 'in the land of')→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land / earth'; γῆς υἱῶν λαοῦ αὐτοῦ ('the land of the sons of his people') renders אֶרֶץ בְּנֵי־עַמּוֹ, locating Balaam among his own kinsmen.
υἱῶνof the sonsGenitivegenitive (with λαοῦ: 'the sons of his people')→ relational specificationυἱός: here in the idiom υἱῶν λαοῦ αὐτοῦ ('the sons of his people'), a Hebraism (בְּנֵי־עַמּוֹ) denoting Balaam's own ethnic kin.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivegenitive (with αὐτοῦ: 'his people')→ relational specificationλαός: here of Balaam's own people, distinguishing his Mesopotamian kin from ὁ λαός = Israel elsewhere in the chapter.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (referring to Balaam)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (referring to Balaam).
καλέσαιto summonAor Act Inf · καλέωinfinitive of purpose (the aim of the embassy)→ telic aorist infinitive (purpose: to call him)καλέω: 'call / summon / invite'; the purpose infinitive καλέσαι αὐτόν ('to summon him') states the embassy's object; renders לִקְרֹא־לוֹ.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of καλέσαι (Balaam)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of καλέσαι (Balaam).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Masc Nom Sg · λέγωparticiple introducing direct speech (Hebraism: לֵאמֹר)→ circumstantial present participle (manner of summons)λέγω (pres. ptcp. λέγων): the participle λέγων is the LXX's standard rendering of לֵאמֹר, the Hebrew quotation-marker introducing the content of the message; it agrees in sense with the sender Balak.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (attention-marker)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold / look'; renders הִנֵּה; the presentative particle dramatizes the report; the doubled ἰδού … ἰδού in this verse heightens the sense of alarm at Israel's emergence and spread.
λαὸςa peopleNominativesubject of ἐξελήλυθεν (Israel, indefinite: 'a people')→ participant prominenceλαός: 'people'; the anarthrous λαός ('a people') depicts Israel from Moab's outsider perspective as an anonymous, threatening mass come out of Egypt.
ἐξελήλυθενhas come outPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb of the reported speech (Israel's exodus)→ resultative perfect (completed exodus with continuing presence)ἐξέρχομαι (perf. ἐξελήλυθεν): 'come/go out'; renders יָצָא; the perfect stresses the abiding result — Israel has emerged from Egypt and is now an established presence; the same perfect recurs verbatim in Balaam's report at v. 11.
ἐξout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ (place of origin)→ relational specificationΑἴγυπτος (gen. Αἰγύπτου): 'Egypt'; the exodus-origin of Israel is precisely what should warn Balak — this people is delivered by a God who overthrew Egypt.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (second occurrence)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδοὺ: meaning 'behold'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατεκάλυψενit has coveredAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κατακαλύπτωmain verb of the reported speech (Israel's spread)→ constative aorist (the accomplished overspreading)κατακαλύπτω: 'cover over / conceal'; renders כִּסָּה; the hyperbole 'covered the face of the earth' (τὴν ὄψιν τῆς γῆς) portrays Israel's multitude as blotting out the land's surface — Moab's terror exaggerated into apocalyptic imagery.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄψινface / appearanceAccusativedirect object of κατεκάλυψεν (the visible surface)→ object specificationὄψις: 'face / sight / appearance'; here 'surface'; τὴν ὄψιν τῆς γῆς ('the face of the earth') renders עֵין הָאָרֶץ, idiom for the land's visible expanse.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearth / landGenitivegenitive (with ὄψιν: 'face of the earth')→ relational specificationγῆ: here 'earth / land'; the whole visible expanse Israel is said to overspread.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὗτοςthis one / itNominativesubject of ἐγκάθηται (resumptive: the people)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this (one)'; the demonstrative resumes λαός as subject, conveying Moab's wary fixation on the encamped multitude 'right here.'
ἐγκάθηταιit sits / is encampedPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐγκάθημαιmain verb of the reported speech (Israel's settled threat)→ stative present (Israel's continuing menacing presence)ἐγκάθημαι: 'sit in / settle down / lie in wait'; renders יֹשֵׁב; the compound ἐν- with the sense of lodging close at hand carries a nuance of ominous entrenchment — Israel has not merely passed by but settled menacingly nearby.
ἐχόμενόςholding close to / next toPres Mid Ptcp Masc Nom Sg · ἔχωparticiple (adverbial: 'close beside me')→ circumstantial present participle (spatial proximity)ἔχω (mid. ptcp. ἐχόμενος): in the middle 'hold oneself next to, be adjacent'; the idiom ἐχόμενός μου ('clinging close to / right next to me') renders מִמֻּלִי ('opposite/over against me'); it conveys oppressive nearness — Israel presses right up against Moab's border.
μουmeGenitivegenitive (with ἐχόμενος: 'next to me')→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. μου): the first-person genitive; Balak speaks as the threatened neighbor against whom Israel is encamped.
6

καὶ νῦν δεῦρο ἄρασαί μοι τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον ὅτι ἰσχύει οὗτος ἢ ἡμεῖς ἐὰν δυνώμεθα πατάξαι ἐξ αὐτῶν καὶ ἐκβαλῶ αὐτοὺς ἐκ τῆς γῆς ὅτι οἶδα οὓς ἐὰν εὐλογήσῃς σύ εὐλόγηνται καὶ οὓς ἐὰν καταράσῃ σύ κεκατήρανται

And now, come, curse this people for me, for it is stronger than we; if we might be able, we will strike some of them, and I will drive them out of the land; for I know that whomever you bless are blessed, and whomever you curse are cursed.

Direct speech: Balak's commission to curse (the heart of the embassy)καὶ νῦν δεῦρο
καὶ νῦν ('and now') marks the transition from report to request — the pragmatic appeal. The imperative ἄρασαι ('curse for me') is the chapter's keyword, naming the whole project. Balak's theology of the efficacious word is stated explicitly: whomever Balaam blesses εὐλόγηνται and whomever he curses κεκατήρανται (both Hebraizing perfects), a magical view of the prophetic word that the narrative will overturn — only what the LORD puts in Balaam's mouth has force.
Word-by-word analysis· 37 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (with νῦν: transition to appeal)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (καὶ νῦν: rhetorical pivot to the request)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; the formula καὶ νῦν renders וְעַתָּה, the standard Hebrew discourse-marker turning from narrated grounds to the imperative appeal.
δεῦροcomeadverbial interjection (hortatory: 'come here!')→ clausal contributionδεῦρο: 'come here / come now'; an adverb used as a virtual imperative of summons; renders לְכָה/הָלְאָה; it urges Balaam's immediate journey to perform the curse.
ἄρασαίcurseAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἀράομαιmain verb of the request (imperatival: 'put a curse on')→ ingressive aorist imperative (decisive act of cursing)ἀράομαι: 'invoke / utter an imprecation / curse'; renders אָרַר/קָבַב; the cognate of ἀρά ('curse'); ἄρασαί μοι ('curse for me') names the entire commission Balak seeks; the middle voice marks the speaker's investment in the imprecation he wants pronounced on his behalf.
μοιfor meDativedative of advantage (the curse to benefit Balak)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. μοι): the dative of advantage — Balaam is to curse Israel on Balak's behalf and to his benefit.
τὸνthe / thisAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἄρασαι (Israel as the target of the curse)→ object specificationλαός: Israel as the object Balak wants cursed; the irony is that this λαός is εὐλογημένος (v. 12) and cannot be cursed.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative (attributive: 'this people')→ participant referenceοὗτος (acc. τοῦτον): 'this'; the near demonstrative isolates the encamped Israel as the specific object of imprecation.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (ground of the request)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces Balak's reason — Israel's superior strength forces him to seek supernatural rather than military means.
ἰσχύειis strong / prevailsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἰσχύωverb of the causal clause (comparison of strength)→ stative present (Israel's settled superior strength)ἰσχύω: 'be strong / be able / prevail'; renders עָצַם ('be mighty'); the comparative ἰσχύει οὗτος ἢ ἡμεῖς ('it is stronger than we') concedes Israel's military superiority, motivating recourse to a curse.
οὗτοςthis one / itNominativesubject of ἰσχύει (the people)→ participant referenceοὗτος: resumes Israel as subject of the comparison.
thancomparative particle (after ἰσχύει: 'stronger than')→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'than / or'; here the particle of comparison after the comparative-sense verb ἰσχύει ('is stronger than').
ἡμεῖςweNominativesecond member of the comparison (emphatic)→ participant referenceἐγώ (nom. pl. ἡμεῖς): emphatic 'we' — Balak and his people, conceding their inferiority to Israel.
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (introducing the protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; with the subjunctive δυνώμεθα forms a conditional of expectation — 'if we might be able.'
δυνώμεθαwe may be ablePres Mid Subj 1 Pl · δύναμαιverb of the protasis (conditional possibility)→ potential present subjunctive (contingent ability)δύναμαι: 'be able / be capable'; the subjunctive after ἐάν expresses the hoped-for possibility that, once cursed, Israel might be defeatable; cf. the parallel at v. 11 (εἰ ἄρα δυνήσομαι).
πατάξαιto strikeAor Act Inf · πατάσσωcomplementary infinitive (with δυνώμεθα: 'be able to strike')→ telic aorist infinitive (the hoped-for blow)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite / defeat'; renders נָכָה/הִכָּה; a military verb of inflicting a decisive blow; Balak imagines that a curse will make Israel vulnerable to attack.
ἐξof / from amongpreposition + genitive (partitive: 'some of them')→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: here partitive — 'strike some of them'; renders the Hebrew partitive בּוֹ.
αὐτῶνthemGenitivepartitive genitive (object of the striking)→ relational specificationαὐτός (gen. pl. αὐτῶν): 'them'; the partitive object — Balak hopes to defeat at least a portion of Israel.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκβαλῶI will drive outFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐκβάλλωmain verb (apodosis: Balak's intended expulsion)→ predictive future (Balak's plan contingent on the curse)ἐκβάλλω: 'throw out / expel / drive away'; renders גָּרַשׁ; Balak's goal — to expel Israel from the land; ironically the same verb the LXX uses for God driving out the nations before Israel (Exod 23:28), here turned on its head in a futile counter-hope.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἐκβαλῶ→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐκβαλῶ.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source: 'out of the land')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: 'out of the land').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (the territory)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; the territory Balak wishes to clear of Israel.
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction (ground of confidence in Balaam)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces Balak's stated reason for seeking Balaam specifically — his reputation for efficacious blessing and cursing.
οἶδαI knowPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · οἶδαmain verb (Balak's stated knowledge of Balaam's power)→ stative perfect with present sense (settled conviction)οἶδα: 'know'; the perfect-with-present-sense expresses Balak's settled conviction; what he 'knows' is a magical theory of the prophetic word that the narrative will expose as false — Balaam can pronounce only what God grants.
οὓςwhomeverAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εὐλογήσῃς: 'whom you bless')→ participant referenceὅς (acc. pl. οὕς): relative pronoun; the indefinite relative οὓς ἐάν ('whomever') with the subjunctive generalizes the claim about Balaam's blessing-power.
ἐὰνif (ever)particle with relative (indefinite: 'whomever')→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: here joined to the relative οὕς to form an indefinite relative clause ('whomever you bless').
εὐλογήσῃςyou blessAor Act Subj 2 Sg · εὐλογέωverb of the indefinite relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (generalized condition)εὐλογέω: 'bless / speak well of'; renders בֵּרַךְ; the subjunctive with ἐάν in the indefinite relative generalizes; the blessing/cursing antithesis (εὐλογέω / καταράομαι) is the theological axis of the chapter and recalls the Abrahamic promise (Gen 12:3).
σύyouNominativesubject (emphatic: 'you yourself bless')→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic 'you' — Balak attributes the power to Balaam personally, the error the narrative refutes.
εὐλόγηνταιare blessedPerf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Pl · εὐλογέωmain verb of the apodosis (resultant state)→ resultative perfect (settled blessed condition)εὐλογέω (perf. pass. εὐλόγηνται): 'have been blessed'; the resultative perfect ('they are/remain blessed') treats the blessing as an established, abiding state; the Hebraizing perfect renders the durative force of the pronounced word.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (antithetic parallel)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὓςwhomeverAccusativerelative pronoun (object of καταράσῃ: 'whom you curse')→ participant referenceοὓς: meaning 'whomever'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as relative pronoun (object of καταράσῃ: 'whom you curse').
ἐὰνif (ever)particle with relative (indefinite)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'if (ever)'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
καταράσῃyou curseAor Mid Subj 2 Sg · καταράομαιverb of the indefinite relative clause (antithetic to εὐλογήσῃς)→ aorist subjunctive (generalized condition)καταράομαι: 'curse / call down a curse'; renders אָרַר/קָלַל; the cognate of κατάρα ('curse'); paired antithetically with εὐλογέω, it states the second half of Balak's magical assumption.
σύyouNominativesubject (emphatic)→ participant referenceσύ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as subject (emphatic).
κεκατήρανταιare cursedPerf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Pl · καταράομαιmain verb of the apodosis (resultant state)→ resultative perfect (settled cursed condition)καταράομαι (perf. κεκατήρανται): 'have been cursed'; the resultative perfect mirrors εὐλόγηνται, completing the antithetic couplet; the Hebraizing perfect again expresses the abiding efficacy Balak ascribes to Balaam's word — an efficacy the LORD will commandeer.
7

καὶ ἐπορεύθη ἡ γερουσία Μωαβ καὶ ἡ γερουσία Μαδιαμ καὶ τὰ μαντεῖα ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτῶν καὶ ἦλθον πρὸς Βαλααμ καὶ εἶπαν αὐτῷ τὰ ῥήματα Βαλακ

And the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian went, with the divination-fees in their hands, and they came to Balaam and spoke to him the words of Balak.

Narrative: the embassy travels and delivers Balak's messageκαὶ ἐπορεύθη ἡ γερουσία
The verse executes the dispatch of v. 5: the joined councils of Moab and Midian travel bearing τὰ μαντεῖα ('the divination-fees / oracle-payments'). The detail that the fee is 'in their hands' marks the mercenary nature of the enterprise that Peter and Jude will condemn (2 Pet 2:15; Jude 11). The plural verbs ἦλθον … εἶπαν gather the two councils into a single acting body delivering Balak's commission verbatim (τὰ ῥήματα Βαλακ).
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (the embassy's journey; sg. agreeing with first subject)→ constative aorist (the completed journey)πορεύομαι (aor. pass. dep. ἐπορεύθη): 'go / travel / journey'; renders הָלַךְ; the singular verb agrees with the nearer compound subject ἡ γερουσία (a common LXX concord with the first of joined subjects).
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γερουσίαcouncil of eldersNominativesubject (the elders of Moab)→ participant prominenceγερουσία: 'council of elders'; here the senate of Moab travels as the official embassy; cf. v. 4 where the same body of Midian is addressed.
Μωαβof Moabgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the second council)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γερουσίαcouncil of eldersNominativesubject (the elders of Midian, joined to the first)→ participant prominenceγερουσία: the Midianite council; the Moab–Midian alliance against Israel here anticipates the seduction at Baal-Peor (Num 25; 31:16, where Balaam's counsel is implicated).
Μαδιαμof Midiangenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜαδιαμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
καὶand / withcoordinate conjunction (here circumstantial: 'and the fees in their hands')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὰtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαντεῖαdivination-feesNominativesubject of an implied verbal idea (the fees carried along)→ participant prominenceμαντεῖον: 'oracle / divination-fee / means of divination'; renders קְסָמִים ('fees for divination'); the term denotes the payment for a soothsayer's services; its presence ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτῶν marks the transaction as paid sorcery — the 'wages of unrighteousness' Peter ascribes to Balaam (2 Pet 2:15).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location: 'in their hands')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location: 'in their hands').
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χερσὶνhandsDativedative of place (with ἐν: 'in their hands')→ sphere or referenceχείρ (dat. pl. χερσίν): 'hand'; the idiom ἐν ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτῶν ('in their hands') renders בְּיָדָם, concretely picturing the carried payment.
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (the envoys' hands)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'their'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the envoys' hands).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦλθονthey cameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (the embassy reaches Balaam)→ constative aorist (completed arrival)ἔρχομαι (aor. ἦλθον): 'come / arrive'; the plural now gathers both councils into one acting body arriving at Balaam's dwelling.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (goal of motion)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of motion).
ΒαλααμBalaamaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανthey spokeAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (delivery of Balak's message)→ constative aorist (single act of reporting)λέγω (aor. εἶπαν, Hellenistic α-form): 'say / speak'; the envoys relay Balak's commission verbatim ('the words of Balak'), making themselves the king's mouthpiece.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (Balaam, recipient of the message)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Balaam, recipient of the message).
τὰtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥήματαwordsAccusativedirect object of εἶπαν (Balak's commission)→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / saying / matter'; renders דָּבָר; τὰ ῥήματα Βαλακ ('the words of Balak') are the message of v. 6; the noun ῥῆμα recurs as a key term in the chapter for the binding divine word Balaam must speak (vv. 8, 18, 20, 35, 38).
Βαλακof Balakgenitive of source (indeclinable: 'of Balak')→ participant identificationΒαλακ: the genitive of source — the words originate with the king and are conveyed by the embassy.
8

καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς καταλύσατε αὐτοῦ τὴν νύκτα καὶ ἀποκριθήσομαι ὑμῖν πράγματα ἃ ἐὰν λαλήσῃ κύριος πρός με καὶ κατέμειναν οἱ ἄρχοντες Μωαβ παρὰ Βαλααμ

And he said to them, 'Lodge here for the night, and I will answer you whatever matters the LORD may speak to me.' And the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

Direct speech: Balaam defers to the LORD's word; the envoys lodgeκαὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς
Balaam's reply already concedes the controlling principle of the whole episode: he can answer only ἃ ἐὰν λαλήσῃ κύριος ('whatever the LORD may speak'). The naming of κύριος (the Tetragrammaton) on the lips of the Mesopotamian seer is striking — even the pagan diviner must consult Israel's God. The closing narrative note (κατέμειναν … παρὰ Βαλααμ) marks the envoys' overnight stay, setting up the nocturnal divine consultation of v. 9.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 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 (Balaam's reply)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω (aor. εἶπεν): Balaam now speaks, deferring his answer until he can consult the LORD.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
αὐτούςthemAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the envoys)→ participant referenceαὐτούς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (the envoys).
καταλύσατεlodge / restAor Act Impv 2 Pl · καταλύωmain verb (Balaam's command to the envoys)→ ingressive aorist imperative (settle in for the night)καταλύω: lit. 'unloose / unyoke', hence 'find lodging, put up for the night'; renders לוּן ('lodge'); a traveler's verb (the unharnessing of animals at a halt); Balaam bids the embassy stay overnight while he seeks an oracle.
αὐτοῦhereadverb of place (locative: 'in this place')→ participant referenceαὐτοῦ: adverb 'here / in this very place' (distinct from the pronoun); renders פֹּה ('here'); fixes the lodging at Balaam's dwelling.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νύκταnightAccusativeaccusative of duration ('for the night')→ object specificationνύξ (acc. νύκτα): 'night'; the accusative of extent of time — 'spend the night here'; the night is when the divine word will come (v. 20).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀποκριθήσομαιI will answerFut Pass Indic 1 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (Balaam's promised reply)→ predictive future (deferred answer pending revelation)ἀποκρίνομαι (fut. pass. dep. ἀποκριθήσομαι): 'answer / reply'; renders הֵשִׁיב דָּבָר; Balaam's answer is explicitly conditioned on what the LORD speaks — he claims no autonomous authority.
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object (the envoys)→ participant reference or interestὑμῖν: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (the envoys).
πράγματαmatters / thingsAccusativedirect object of ἀποκριθήσομαι (the content of the answer)→ object specificationπρᾶγμα: 'deed / matter / thing'; renders דָּבָר ('word/matter'); the 'matters' Balaam will report are whatever the LORD discloses to him.
which / whateverAccusativerelative pronoun (object of λαλήσῃ: 'whatever the LORD speaks')→ participant referenceὅς (neut. pl. ἅ): relative pronoun; ἃ ἐάν ('whatever') with the subjunctive makes the answer wholly contingent on divine speech.
ἐὰνif (ever)particle with relative (indefinite: 'whatever')→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'if (ever)'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λαλήσῃmay speakAor Act Subj 3 Sg · λαλέωverb of the indefinite relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (contingent divine utterance)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דִּבֶּר; the subjunctive after ἐάν makes the LORD's speech the sole and as-yet-unknown determinant of Balaam's reply — the theological controlling motif of the chapter.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of λαλήσῃ (the divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; remarkably, the pagan diviner Balaam invokes Israel's covenant God by name as the only source of an authoritative oracle.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction of divine speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of divine speech).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Balaam as recipient)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Balaam as recipient).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (transition to closing note)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κατέμεινανstayed / remainedAor Act Indic 3 Pl · καταμένωmain verb (the envoys' overnight stay)→ constative aorist (settled act of lodging)καταμένω: 'remain / abide / stay'; the compound κατα- intensifies 'settle down'; the princes' staying sets the scene for God's nocturnal coming to Balaam in v. 9.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄρχοντεςprinces / rulersNominativesubject of κατέμειναν (the Moabite delegation)→ participant prominenceἄρχων (pl. ἄρχοντες): 'ruler / prince / official'; renders שָׂרִים; the embassy's elders are now styled 'princes', emphasizing their rank; ἄρχοντες becomes the chapter's standard term for Balak's envoys (vv. 13, 14, 21, 35).
Μωαβof Moabgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
παρὰwith / besidepreposition + dative (in company with: 'with Balaam')→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + dat.: 'beside / with / in the house of'; παρὰ Βαλααμ ('with Balaam') marks the envoys as guests lodging at the seer's dwelling.
ΒαλααμBalaamdative object of παρά (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative object of παρά (indeclinable).
9

καὶ ἦλθεν ὁ θεὸς πρὸς Βαλααμ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ τί οἱ ἄνθρωποι οὗτοι παρὰ σοί

And God came to Balaam and said to him, 'Who are these men with you?'

Divine initiative: God comes to Balaam in the nightκαὶ ἦλθεν ὁ θεὸς
God himself (ὁ θεός) initiates the encounter, coming to Balaam — a striking condescension to a pagan diviner. The interrogative τί … παρὰ σοί ('who/what are these men with you?') is not a request for information but, as in Gen 3:9 ('Where are you?') and Gen 4:9, a probing, judicial question that exposes Balaam's position and elicits his self-incriminating report.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (God's coming to Balaam)→ constative aorist (the divine visitation)ἔρχομαι (aor. ἦλθεν): 'come'; renders בּוֹא; the verb of God 'coming' to Balaam by night (cf. v. 20) marks a genuine, if extraordinary, revelatory encounter granted to a non-Israelite seer.
theNominativearticle (with θεός)→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ἦλθεν→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the chapter alternates ὁ θεός (vv. 9, 12, 20, 22) and κύριος (vv. 8, 18, 19, 28, 31): God deals with the pagan seer under the generic title while the covenant name κύριος marks the binding oracular word and the angelic confrontation.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of the coming)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of the coming).
ΒαλααμBalaamaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
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 (God's question)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces the probing divine question.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (Balaam)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Balaam).
τίwho / whatNominativeinterrogative pronoun (predicate: 'who are…?')→ participant referenceτίς (neut. τί): interrogative 'who / what / why'; the elliptical τί οἱ ἄνθρωποι οὗτοι ('what of these men? = who are these men?') is a Hebraizing nominal question (מִי הָאֲנָשִׁים הָאֵלֶּה); the probing form recalls God's judicial questions in Genesis.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποιmenNominativesubject of the nominal question→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος (pl. ἄνθρωποι): 'man / person'; renders אֲנָשִׁים; here the envoys; God's question forces Balaam to declare openly the purpose of their visit.
οὗτοιtheseNominativedemonstrative (attributive: 'these men')→ participant prominenceοὗτος (nom. pl. οὗτοι): 'these'; the near demonstrative points to the lodging envoys.
παρὰwithpreposition + dative ('with you / in your house')→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + dat.: 'beside / with you'; παρὰ σοί ('with you / at your place') echoes παρὰ Βαλααμ of v. 8.
σοίyouDativedative object of παρά (Balaam as host)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοί): 'you'; identifies Balaam as the host of the men whose presence God questions.
10

καὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ πρὸς τὸν θεόν Βαλακ υἱὸς Σεπφωρ βασιλεὺς Μωαβ ἀπέστειλεν αὐτοὺς πρός με λέγων

And Balaam said to God, 'Balak son of Sepphor, king of Moab, sent them to me, saying:'

Direct speech: Balaam's report answering God's questionκαὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ πρὸς τὸν θεόν
Balaam answers God's probe by naming Balak with his full titulature (son of Sepphor, king of Moab) and stating the fact of the embassy. The participle λέγων ('saying') hands off to the verbatim quotation of Balak's commission in v. 11 — Balaam relays the curse-request to God himself, a quietly damning self-disclosure.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 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 (Balaam's reply to God)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω (aor. εἶπεν): Balaam responds to the divine question, reporting the embassy.
ΒαλααμBalaamsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεόνGodAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the addressee of Balaam's reply)→ object specificationθεός: 'God'; Balaam reports to God himself the contents of Balak's curse-commission.
ΒαλακBalaksubject of ἀπέστειλεν (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἀπέστειλεν (indeclinable).
υἱὸςsonNominativeappositional patronymic→ participant prominenceυἱὸς: meaning 'son'; it serves as appositional patronymic.
Σεπφωρof Sepphorgenitive of relationship (indeclinable patronymic)→ participant identificationΣεπφωρ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable patronymic).
βασιλεὺςkingNominativeappositional (titular: 'king of Moab')→ participant prominenceβασιλεύς: 'king'; the full titulature (son of Sepphor, king of Moab) lends weight to Balaam's report, presenting the request as coming from royal authority.
Μωαβof Moabgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb of the reported speech (the dispatch)→ constative aorist (the completed act of sending)ἀποστέλλω: 'send / commission'; Balaam reports the fact of v. 5's dispatch back to God.
αὐτοὺςthemAccusativedirect object of ἀπέστειλεν (the envoys)→ participant referenceαὐτοὺς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἀπέστειλεν (the envoys).
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Balaam)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Balaam).
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptcp Masc Nom Sg · λέγωparticiple introducing direct speech (Hebraism: לֵאמֹר)→ circumstantial present participle (manner of the message)λέγω (pres. ptcp. λέγων): the quotation-marker λέγων (= לֵאמֹר) hands off to Balak's verbatim words quoted in v. 11.
11

ἰδοὺ λαὸς ἐξελήλυθεν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἰδοὺ κεκάλυφεν τὴν ὄψιν τῆς γῆς καὶ οὗτος ἐγκάθηται ἐχόμενός μου καὶ νῦν δεῦρο ἄρασαί μοι αὐτόν εἰ ἄρα δυνήσομαι πατάξαι αὐτὸν καὶ ἐκβαλῶ αὐτὸν ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς

'Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and behold, it has covered the face of the earth, and it has settled close beside me; and now, come, curse it for me—if perhaps I shall be able to strike it and drive it out of the land.'

Direct speech: Balaam re-quotes Balak's commission to Godἰδοὺ λαὸς ἐξελήλυθεν
Balaam reproduces Balak's message of vv. 5–6 almost verbatim, with abbreviation: the doubled ἰδού and the perfect ἐξελήλυθεν are retained, but the spread-verb shifts from κατεκάλυψεν (v. 5) to the simplex perfect κεκάλυφεν, and the certainty of v. 6 (ἐὰν δυνώμεθα) is rendered as the more hesitant εἰ ἄρα δυνήσομαι ('if perhaps I shall be able'). The omission of Balak's blessing/cursing theology (v. 6b) subtly de-emphasizes the magical claim before God.
Word-by-word analysis· 34 words
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; renders הִנֵּה; opens the re-quoted report with the same dramatic deixis as v. 5.
λαὸςa peopleNominativesubject of ἐξελήλυθεν (Israel, indefinite)→ participant prominenceλαός: anarthrous 'a people'; Israel as the anonymous threatening mass, exactly as in v. 5.
ἐξελήλυθενhas come outPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb of the reported speech→ resultative perfect (completed exodus, abiding result)ἐξέρχομαι (perf. ἐξελήλυθεν): repeated verbatim from v. 5; the perfect again stresses Israel's settled emergence from Egypt.
ἐξout ofpreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
ΑἰγύπτουEgyptGenitivegenitive object of ἐξ (place of origin)→ relational specificationΑἴγυπτος: the exodus-origin again named — the very fact that should warn against opposing this people.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (second occurrence)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδοὺ: meaning 'behold'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κεκάλυφενit has coveredPerf Act Indic 3 Sg · καλύπτωmain verb of the reported speech (Israel's spread)→ resultative perfect (abiding overspreading)καλύπτω (perf. κεκάλυφεν): 'cover'; here the simplex perfect replaces the compound aorist κατεκάλυψεν of v. 5, slightly varying Balak's wording in Balaam's mouth while keeping the hyperbole 'covered the face of the earth.'
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄψινface / surfaceAccusativedirect object of κεκάλυφεν→ object specificationὄψις: 'face / surface'; τὴν ὄψιν τῆς γῆς as in v. 5.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςearthGenitivegenitive (with ὄψιν: 'face of the earth')→ relational specificationγῆς: meaning 'earth'; it serves as genitive (with ὄψιν: 'face of the earth').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὗτοςit / this oneNominativesubject of ἐγκάθηται (resumptive)→ participant referenceοὗτος: resumes λαός as in v. 5.
ἐγκάθηταιit sits / is encampedPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐγκάθημαιmain verb of the reported speech→ stative present (continuing menacing presence)ἐγκάθημαι: 'settle in / lie in wait'; repeated from v. 5, conveying Israel's ominous entrenchment beside Moab.
ἐχόμενόςholding close to / next toPres Mid Ptcp Masc Nom Sg · ἔχωparticiple (adverbial: 'right beside me')→ circumstantial present participle (spatial proximity)ἔχω (mid. ptcp. ἐχόμενος): the idiom ἐχόμενός μου ('right next to me'), repeated from v. 5, of oppressive nearness.
μουmeGenitivegenitive (with ἐχόμενος)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive (with ἐχόμενος).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (with νῦν: transition to request)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (καὶ νῦν: pivot to the appeal)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: the formula καὶ νῦν (= וְעַתָּה) again turning from report to request, as in v. 6.
δεῦροcomeadverbial interjection (hortatory summons)→ clausal contributionδεῦρο: 'come here'; the summons of v. 6, here re-quoted.
ἄρασαίcurseAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἀράομαιmain verb of the request (imperatival)→ ingressive aorist imperative (decisive act of cursing)ἀράομαι: 'curse / imprecate'; the keyword imperative ἄρασαί μοι repeated from v. 6 — but here the object is the singular αὐτόν, abbreviating Balak's τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον.
μοιfor meDativedative of advantage→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'for me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage.
αὐτόνit / himAccusativedirect object of ἄρασαι (the people)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'it'; the singular pronoun stands for τὸν λαόν, the people Balak wants cursed.
εἰifconditional particle (introducing a tentative protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; with ἄρα and the future δυνήσομαι forms a tentative, hopeful condition — softer than v. 6's ἐὰν δυνώμεθα.
ἄραperhaps / theninferential/dubitative particle ('if perhaps')→ discourse linkage or contrastἄρα: 'then / perhaps'; with εἰ it lends the condition a note of uncertainty — Balak's hope that Israel might prove vulnerable is hedged.
δυνήσομαιI shall be ableFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · δύναμαιverb of the protasis (future of contingent ability)→ predictive future (hoped-for capability)δύναμαι (fut. δυνήσομαι): 'be able'; the first-person singular future (Balak speaking) replaces v. 6's first-plural subjunctive, individualizing the hope of victory.
πατάξαιto strikeAor Act Inf · πατάσσωcomplementary infinitive (with δυνήσομαι)→ telic aorist infinitive (the hoped-for blow)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite / defeat'; as in v. 6, the military blow Balak hopes a curse will enable.
αὐτὸνit / himAccusativedirect object of πατάξαι (the people)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of πατάξαι (the people).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐκβαλῶI will drive outFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐκβάλλωmain verb (Balak's intended expulsion)→ predictive future (Balak's plan)ἐκβάλλω: 'drive out / expel'; Balak's aim to expel Israel, repeated from v. 6, with the singular object αὐτόν.
αὐτὸνit / himAccusativedirect object of ἐκβαλῶ→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'it'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐκβαλῶ.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source: 'from the land')→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: here 'from / out of'; v. 6 had ἐκ τῆς γῆς, here ἀπὸ τῆς γῆς — a minor prepositional variation in the re-quotation.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
γῆςlandGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (the territory)→ relational specificationγῆ: 'land'; the land Balak wishes cleared of Israel.
12

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεὸς πρὸς Βαλααμ οὐ πορεύσῃ μετ᾿ αὐτῶν οὐδὲ καταράσῃ τὸν λαόν ἔστιν γὰρ εὐλογημένος

And God said to Balaam, 'You shall not go with them, nor shall you curse the people, for it is blessed.'

Divine verdict: the absolute prohibition (theological center)καὶ εἶπεν ὁ θεὸς
God's verdict is the theological heart of the chapter: a double prohibition (οὐ πορεύσῃ … οὐδὲ καταράσῃ) sealed by the decisive ground ἔστιν γὰρ εὐλογημένος ('for it is blessed'). The perfect-passive participle εὐλογημένος declares Israel's blessedness an accomplished, irrevocable divine state — Balak's whole premise (that a hired curse could prevail) is overthrown at the root. This is the LXX's restatement of the Abrahamic promise that those whom God blesses cannot be cursed (Gen 12:3).
Word-by-word analysis· 17 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 (God's verdict)→ constative aorist (decisive divine pronouncement)λέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces God's binding answer to Balaam's report.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the verdict comes from God himself, decisively overruling the pagan king's commission.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΒαλααμBalaamaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
οὐnotnegative particle (with πορεύσῃ: emphatic prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: the objective negative; with the future πορεύσῃ it forms an emphatic prohibition ('you shall not go') with the force of a command.
πορεύσῃyou shall goFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (prohibitive future)→ imperatival future (prohibition with binding force)πορεύομαι (fut. πορεύσῃ): 'go / travel'; the future indicative with οὐ functions as a categorical prohibition (a Hebraizing use of לֹא + imperfect for binding command); Balaam is forbidden to accompany the envoys at all.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided before vowel).
αὐτῶνthemGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the envoys)→ relational specificationαὐτῶν: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (the envoys).
οὐδὲnorcoordinating negative (adding the second prohibition)→ clausal contributionοὐδέ: 'and not / nor'; joins the second, weightier prohibition — Balaam must not curse the people.
καταράσῃyou shall curseFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · καταράομαιmain verb (second prohibitive future)→ imperatival future (binding prohibition)καταράομαι (fut. καταράσῃ): 'curse'; the prohibited act named with Balak's own keyword; the prohibition strikes at the very commission for which Balaam was hired.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαόνpeopleAccusativedirect object of καταράσῃ (Israel)→ object specificationλαός: Israel as the people that cannot be cursed because God has blessed it.
ἔστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (with εὐλογημένος: periphrastic predicate)→ stative present (the abiding fact of blessedness)εἰμί (pres. ἔστιν): 'is'; with the participle εὐλογημένος forms a periphrastic perfect-passive ('it has been/is blessed'), asserting Israel's blessedness as a present, settled reality grounding the prohibition (γάρ).
γὰρforcausal conjunction (post-positive: grounds the prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; supplies the decisive reason — Israel's blessedness is why no curse can stand; the theological hinge of the chapter.
εὐλογημένοςblessedPerf Mid/Pass Ptcp Masc Nom Sg · εὐλογέωpredicate participle (with ἔστιν: 'is blessed')→ resultative perfect participle (settled state of having been blessed)εὐλογέω (perf. pass. ptcp. εὐλογημένος): 'having been blessed / blessed'; the perfect-passive participle marks Israel's blessing as an accomplished and abiding divine act (cf. בָּרוּךְ הוּא); because God has already blessed this people, Balaam's curse is ontologically impossible — the foundation of the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 12:3) is invoked against Balak's scheme.
13

καὶ ἀναστὰς Βαλααμ τὸ πρωὶ εἶπεν τοῖς ἄρχουσιν Βαλακ ἀποτρέχετε πρὸς τὸν κύριον ὑμῶν οὐκ ἀφίησίν με ὁ θεὸς πορεύεσθαι μεθ᾿ ὑμῶν

And Balaam, rising in the morning, said to the princes of Balak, 'Hurry back to your lord; God does not permit me to go with you.'

Narrative: Balaam dismisses the first embassyκαὶ ἀναστὰς Βαλααμ
Balaam obeys the prohibition, rising early (τὸ πρωί) and dismissing the envoys with the curt ἀποτρέχετε ('run off / hurry back'). His report compresses the verdict: 'God does not permit me to go.' Notably he omits the weightier reason (Israel is blessed), reporting only the travel-ban — an economy of disclosure that leaves the door ajar for the second embassy. ὁ κύριος ὑμῶν ('your lord') = Balak; ὁ θεός = God.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναστὰςhaving risenAor Act Ptcp Masc Nom Sg · ἀνίστημιcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance: rising)→ antecedent aorist participle (action prior to speaking)ἀνίστημι (aor. act. ptcp. ἀναστάς): 'stand up / rise'; renders קוּם; the idiom ἀναστὰς … τὸ πρωί ('rising early in the morning') is a stock LXX formula for prompt action (cf. v. 21); here it signals Balaam's compliance with the prohibition.
ΒαλααμBalaamsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with πρωί, adverbial accusative)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωὶmorning / earlyadverb (temporal: 'in the morning')→ clausal contributionπρωΐ: 'early / in the morning'; the articular τὸ πρωί functions adverbially ('at dawn'); renders בַּבֹּקֶר; part of the rise-early formula.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Balaam's dismissal)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces Balaam's dismissal of the envoys.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄρχουσινprincesDativeindirect object (the envoys of Balak)→ sphere or referenceἄρχων (dat. pl. ἄρχουσιν): 'prince / ruler'; the envoys here called 'the princes of Balak', emphasizing their status as the king's official representatives.
Βαλακof Balakgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'Balak's princes')→ participant identificationΒαλακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'Balak's princes').
ἀποτρέχετεhurry back / run offPres Act Impv 2 Pl · ἀποτρέχωmain verb (Balaam's command to depart)→ durative present imperative (begin and continue going)ἀποτρέχω: 'run off / hurry away / return'; the brisk verb (lit. 'run away') gives the dismissal a curt, decisive tone — Balaam sends the envoys packing back to their king.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (goal of return)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of return).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κύριονlord / masterAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Balak)→ object specificationκύριος: here in the ordinary sense 'lord / master' (not the divine name), denoting Balak as the envoys' sovereign — 'your lord'; the same lexeme that renders the Tetragrammaton elsewhere is here secular.
ὑμῶνyourGenitivegenitive of possession (the envoys' lord)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the envoys' lord).
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἀφίησιν)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀφίησίνpermits / allowsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀφίημιmain verb (Balaam's report of the prohibition)→ durative present (the standing prohibition)ἀφίημι: 'let go / permit / allow'; here 'God does not permit me' — Balaam reports only the travel-ban, suppressing the deeper reason (Israel's blessedness, v. 12); the present tense states the prohibition as currently in force.
μεmeAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive πορεύεσθαι→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative subject of the infinitive πορεύεσθαι.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ἀφίησιν→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; named as the one who withholds permission, the authority above Balak that constrains Balaam.
πορεύεσθαιto goPres Mid Inf · πορεύομαιcomplementary infinitive (with ἀφίησιν: 'permit … to go')→ durative present infinitive (the act of journeying)πορεύομαι (pres. inf. πορεύεσθαι): 'go / travel'; the infinitive complement of ἀφίησιν names the forbidden journey.
μεθ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
ὑμῶνyouGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the envoys)→ relational specificationὑμῶν: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (the envoys).
14

καὶ ἀναστάντες οἱ ἄρχοντες Μωαβ ἦλθον πρὸς Βαλακ καὶ εἶπαν οὐ θέλει Βαλααμ πορευθῆναι μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν

And the princes of Moab, rising, came to Balak and said, 'Balaam is not willing to go with us.'

Narrative: the first embassy returns with the refusalκαὶ ἀναστάντες οἱ ἄρχοντες
The envoys return and report Balaam's refusal — but they reframe it. Where Balaam said 'God does not permit me' (v. 13), the princes tell Balak οὐ θέλει Βαλααμ ('Balaam is not willing'), recasting a divine prohibition as personal reluctance. This subtle misreport invites Balak's escalation in v. 15: if it is merely Balaam's reluctance, a larger honorarium might overcome it.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναστάντεςhaving risenAor Act Ptcp Masc Nom Pl · ἀνίστημιcircumstantial participle (attendant circumstance: setting out)→ antecedent aorist participle (rising before departing)ἀνίστημι (aor. ptcp. ἀναστάντες): 'rise / set out'; here of the envoys rising to begin their return journey to Balak.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄρχοντεςprincesNominativesubject of ἦλθον (the Moabite envoys)→ participant prominenceἄρχων (pl. ἄρχοντες): 'prince / ruler'; the returning delegation of Moab.
Μωαβof Moabgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
ἦλθονcameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (the envoys return to Balak)→ constative aorist (completed return)ἔρχομαι (aor. ἦλθον): 'come / arrive'; the envoys reach Balak to deliver the refusal.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (goal of motion)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of motion).
ΒαλακBalakaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπανthey saidAor Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (the envoys' report)→ constative aorist (single act of reporting)λέγω (aor. εἶπαν): the envoys report Balaam's answer — but reframed as personal unwillingness.
οὐnotnegative particle (with θέλει)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θέλειis willing / wishesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · θέλωmain verb of the reported speech (Balaam's alleged reluctance)→ durative present (a continuing disposition)θέλω: 'will / wish / be willing'; the envoys' οὐ θέλει Βαλααμ ('Balaam is unwilling') significantly recasts the divine prohibition of v. 13 as Balaam's own reluctance — a distortion that fuels Balak's renewed, sweetened appeal.
ΒαλααμBalaamsubject of θέλει (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of θέλει (indeclinable).
πορευθῆναιto goAor Pass Inf · πορεύομαιcomplementary infinitive (with θέλει: 'willing to go')→ aorist infinitive (the contemplated journey)πορεύομαι (aor. pass. inf. πορευθῆναι): 'go / travel'; the infinitive complement names the journey Balaam allegedly declines.
μεθ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμεθ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
ἡμῶνusGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the envoys)→ relational specificationἡμῶν: meaning 'us'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (the envoys).
15

καὶ προσέθετο Βαλακ ἔτι ἀποστεῖλαι ἄρχοντας πλείους καὶ ἐντιμοτέρους τούτων

And Balak again sent princes more numerous and more honorable than these.

Narrative: the second, escalated embassy is dispatchedκαὶ προσέθετο Βαλακ
Balak escalates: the Hebraizing προσέθετο … ἀποστεῖλαι ('he added to send' = 'he sent again') is a Septuagintal calque of יָסַף לִשְׁלֹחַ. The new envoys are πλείους καὶ ἐντιμοτέρους ('more numerous and more honored'), a double comparative raising the diplomatic stakes — Balak responds to the misreported 'unwillingness' (v. 14) with greater pressure and prestige rather than understanding the divine 'no'.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσέθετοhe again / he proceededAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (auxiliary in the Hebraizing 'again' idiom)→ constative aorist (the renewed act of sending)προστίθημι (aor. mid. προσέθετο): 'add / proceed to do again'; the idiom προσέθετο … ἀποστεῖλαι renders Hebrew יָסַף לִשְׁלֹחַ ('he sent again'), a Septuagintal calque in which 'add' + infinitive expresses repetition; here Balak renews the embassy.
ΒαλακBalaksubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ἔτιstill / againadverb (reinforcing the 'again' idiom)→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / further / again'; reinforces προσέθετο, underscoring the renewed and intensified attempt.
ἀποστεῖλαιto sendAor Act Inf · ἀποστέλλωcomplementary infinitive (with προσέθετο: 'sent again')→ telic aorist infinitive (the act of dispatching)ἀποστέλλω (aor. inf. ἀποστεῖλαι): 'send'; the infinitive completing the 'again' idiom — Balak dispatches a second, weightier delegation.
ἄρχονταςprincesAccusativedirect object of ἀποστεῖλαι (the new envoys)→ object specificationἄρχων (acc. pl. ἄρχοντας): 'prince / ruler'; the second embassy, distinguished from the first by number and rank.
πλείουςmore numerousAccusativecomparative adjective (attributive: 'more princes')→ object specificationπολύς (compar. πλείων, acc. pl. πλείους): 'more / more numerous'; the comparative escalates the embassy's size, signaling Balak's heightened resolve.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐντιμοτέρουςmore honorableAccusativecomparative adjective (attributive: 'more honored')→ object specificationἔντιμος (compar. ἐντιμότερος): 'honored / held in esteem'; the comparative 'more honorable' raises the delegation's prestige; the same root recurs in v. 17 (ἐντίμως … τιμήσω), binding the honor-theme of Balak's second appeal.
τούτωνthan theseGenitivegenitive of comparison (with the comparatives: 'than these')→ relational specificationοὗτος (gen. pl. τούτων): 'these'; the genitive of comparison referring to the first embassy — the new envoys outrank the former.
16

καὶ ἦλθον πρὸς Βαλααμ καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ τάδε λέγει Βαλακ ὁ τοῦ Σεπφωρ ἀξιῶ σε μὴ ὀκνήσῃς ἐλθεῖν πρός με

And they came to Balaam and say to him, 'Thus says Balak the son of Sepphor: I beg you, do not hesitate to come to me;'

Direct speech: the second embassy's appeal (messenger-formula)καὶ ἦλθον πρὸς Βαλααμ
The second delegation delivers Balak's appeal with the prophetic-style messenger-formula τάδε λέγει Βαλακ ('thus says Balak'), ironically casting the king's plea in the cadence of a divine oracle (τάδε λέγει κύριος). The historic present λέγουσιν heightens immediacy. Balak's plea ἀξιῶ σε ('I beg/urge you') and μὴ ὀκνήσῃς ('do not hesitate') are deferential, the tone of a suppliant who reads Balaam's refusal as negotiable reluctance.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦλθονthey cameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (the second embassy arrives)→ constative aorist (completed arrival)ἔρχομαι (aor. ἦλθον): the second delegation reaches Balaam.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (goal of motion)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of motion).
ΒαλααμBalaamaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λέγουσινthey sayPres Act Indic 3 Pl · λέγωmain verb (historic present: vivid speech-introduction)→ historic present (dramatizing the delivery of the appeal)λέγω (pres. λέγουσιν): the historic present vivifies the envoys' delivery of Balak's renewed plea, drawing the reader into the moment.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (Balaam)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Balaam).
τάδεthus / these thingsAccusativedemonstrative (object of λέγει: messenger-formula)→ object specificationὅδε (neut. pl. τάδε): 'these things / thus'; the formula τάδε λέγει ('thus says') renders כֹּה אָמַר, normally a prophetic oracle-marker (τάδε λέγει κύριος); applied here to Balak it lends his royal plea an ironic, quasi-divine solemnity.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωverb of the messenger-formula (citation-marker)→ historic/timeless present (formulaic citation)λέγω (pres. λέγει): the present of the citation-formula 'thus says Balak', presenting the king's words as authoritative pronouncement.
ΒαλακBalaksubject of λέγει (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of λέγει (indeclinable).
the (son)Nominativearticle (substantivizing the patronymic genitive)→ noun-phrase markingὁ τοῦ Σεπφωρ: the article + genitive 'the (son) of Sepphor' is a Greek idiom for patronymics; the article ὁ substantivizes τοῦ Σεπφωρ ('the [son] of Sepphor').
τοῦofGenitivearticle (with the patronymic Σεπφωρ)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΣεπφωρSepphorgenitive of relationship (indeclinable patronymic)→ participant identificationΣεπφωρ: the father's name in the Greek patronymic idiom ὁ τοῦ Σεπφωρ ('the son of Sepphor').
ἀξιῶI beg / I urgePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀξιόωmain verb of the appeal (Balak's entreaty)→ durative present (earnest, ongoing entreaty)ἀξιόω: 'deem worthy / request / beg / urge'; here 'I beg/entreat you'; a deferential verb of petition, casting the king as suppliant before the seer — the tone of one who believes the refusal is negotiable.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of ἀξιῶ (Balaam)→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἀξιῶ (Balaam).
μὴnotnegative particle (with the prohibitive subjunctive ὀκνήσῃς)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the subjective negative used with the aorist subjunctive to form a prohibition ('do not…').
ὀκνήσῃςhesitate / shrinkAor Act Subj 2 Sg · ὀκνέωprohibitive subjunctive (μὴ + aor. subj.: 'do not hesitate')→ ingressive aorist subjunctive (prohibition of even beginning to hesitate)ὀκνέω: 'shrink / hesitate / delay through reluctance'; renders the sense of holding back; μὴ ὀκνήσῃς ('do not hesitate to come') urges Balaam past his apparent reluctance — Balak still misdiagnoses a divine prohibition as personal hesitation.
ἐλθεῖνto comeAor Act Inf · ἔρχομαιcomplementary infinitive (with ὀκνήσῃς: 'hesitate to come')→ telic aorist infinitive (the journey urged)ἔρχομαι (aor. inf. ἐλθεῖν): 'come'; the infinitive complement names the visit Balak presses Balaam to make.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Balak)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Balak).
17

ἐντίμως γὰρ τιμήσω σε καὶ ὅσα ἐὰν εἴπῃς ποιήσω σοι καὶ δεῦρο ἐπικατάρασαί μοι τὸν λαὸν τοῦτον

'for I will honor you greatly, and whatever you say I will do for you; only come, curse this people for me.'

Direct speech: Balak's bribe and renewed curse-requestἐντίμως γὰρ τιμήσω σε
Balak sweetens the appeal with the cognate-accusative-style intensifier ἐντίμως … τιμήσω ('I will honor you with honor') and a blank check (ὅσα ἐὰν εἴπῃς ποιήσω σοι, 'whatever you say I will do'). The curse-imperative returns intensified: ἐπικατάρασαι (with double prefix ἐπι-κατα-) is stronger than the ἄρασαι of v. 6. The escalation of bribe and imprecation is precisely the 'wages of unrighteousness' that 2 Pet 2:15 condemns.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
ἐντίμωςhonorably / greatlyadverb of manner (intensifying τιμήσω)→ clausal contributionἐντίμως: 'with honor / lavishly'; the adverb intensifies the cognate verb τιμήσω ('I will honor with honor'), a figura etymologica heightening the promised reward; cf. ἐντιμοτέρους of v. 15.
γὰρforcausal conjunction (post-positive: grounds the plea of v. 16)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; introduces the inducement that grounds the entreaty 'do not hesitate to come.'
τιμήσωI will honorFut Act Indic 1 Sg · τιμάωmain verb (Balak's promise of reward)→ predictive future (the promised honorarium)τιμάω: 'honor / value / reward'; with ἐντίμως forms an emphatic promise of rich reward; 'honor' here shades toward material payment — the bribe at the heart of Balaam's temptation (cf. 2 Pet 2:15; Jude 11).
σεyouAccusativedirect object of τιμήσω (Balaam)→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of τιμήσω (Balaam).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὅσαwhateverAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἴπῃς: 'whatever you say')→ participant referenceὅσος (neut. pl. ὅσα): 'as much as / whatever'; with ἐάν and the subjunctive forms an open-ended promise ('whatever you say').
ἐὰνif (ever)particle with relative (indefinite: 'whatever')→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'if (ever)'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἴπῃςyou may sayAor Act Subj 2 Sg · λέγωverb of the indefinite relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (generalized condition)λέγω (aor. subj. εἴπῃς): 'say'; the subjunctive in the indefinite relative makes Balak's promise unconditional — anything Balaam names will be granted; ironically Balaam can name nothing but God's word (v. 18).
ποιήσωI will doFut Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (Balak's open-ended promise)→ predictive future (guaranteed compliance)ποιέω: 'do / make / perform'; Balak pledges to fulfill any condition Balaam sets — a blank check meant to overcome the seer's reluctance.
σοιfor youDativedative of advantage (Balaam as beneficiary)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'for you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage (Balaam as beneficiary).
καὶand / onlycoordinate conjunction (here resumptive: 'and so, come')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δεῦροcomeadverbial interjection (hortatory summons)→ clausal contributionδεῦρο: 'come here'; the renewed summons leading into the intensified curse-imperative.
ἐπικατάρασαίcurseAor Mid Impv 2 Sg · ἐπικαταράομαιmain verb of the request (intensified curse-imperative)→ ingressive aorist imperative (decisive imprecation)ἐπικαταράομαι: 'curse down upon / utterly curse'; the double-prefixed compound (ἐπι- + κατα- + ἀράομαι) intensifies the simple ἄρασαι of v. 6 — Balak's request grows more emphatic as his desperation mounts; the verb concentrates the imprecation 'down upon' Israel.
μοιfor meDativedative of advantage→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'for me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative of advantage.
τὸνthe / thisAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαὸνpeopleAccusativedirect object of ἐπικατάρασαι (Israel)→ object specificationλαός: Israel, the object Balak still seeks to have cursed despite God's verdict.
τοῦτονthisAccusativedemonstrative (attributive: 'this people')→ participant referenceοὗτος (acc. τοῦτον): the near demonstrative, as in v. 6, fixing Israel as the target.
18

καὶ ἀπεκρίθη Βαλααμ καὶ εἶπεν τοῖς ἄρχουσιν Βαλακ ἐὰν δῷ μοι Βαλακ πλήρη τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ ἀργυρίου καὶ χρυσίου οὐ δυνήσομαι παραβῆναι τὸ ῥῆμα κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ ποιῆσαι αὐτὸ μικρὸν ἢ μέγα ἐν τῇ διανοίᾳ μου

And Balaam answered and said to the princes of Balak, 'If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I shall not be able to transgress the word of the LORD God, to do it small or great in my own mind.'

Direct speech: Balaam's confession of the binding wordκαὶ ἀπεκρίθη Βαλααμ
Balaam's reply states the controlling principle in its strongest form: even a houseful of silver and gold cannot make him παραβῆναι τὸ ῥῆμα κυρίου ('transgress the word of the LORD'). The hyperbolic bribe-clause directly answers Balak's blank check (v. 17). Yet the very framing — measuring his obedience against a bribe — betrays the divided heart 2 Pet 2:15 will expose. ῥῆμα κυρίου (the binding divine word) is the chapter's load-bearing concept (cf. vv. 8, 20, 35, 38).
Word-by-word analysis· 36 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπεκρίθηansweredAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκρίνομαιmain verb (Balaam's reply)→ constative aorist (single act of answering)ἀποκρίνομαι (aor. pass. dep. ἀπεκρίθη): 'answer / reply'; the pleonastic ἀπεκρίθη … καὶ εἶπεν ('answered and said') is a Hebraism (וַיַּעַן … וַיֹּאמֶר) introducing a weighty response.
ΒαλααμBalaamsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (in the answer-and-say idiom)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (paired with ἀπεκρίθη: speech-introduction)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω (aor. εἶπεν): the second member of the Hebraizing answer-formula.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄρχουσινprincesDativeindirect object (the second embassy)→ sphere or referenceἄρχων (dat. pl. ἄρχουσιν): 'prince'; the envoys of Balak whom Balaam addresses.
Βαλακof Balakgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (introducing the hyperbolic protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; with the subjunctive δῷ forms a hypothetical condition — even the maximal bribe could not move him.
δῷshould giveAor Act Subj 3 Sg · δίδωμιverb of the protasis (hypothetical gift)→ aorist subjunctive (contingent, hyperbolic supposition)δίδωμι (aor. subj. δῷ): 'give'; the subjunctive supposes the extreme case — a house full of treasure — to assert that no bribe can override the divine word.
μοιto meDativeindirect object (Balaam)→ participant reference or interestμοι: meaning 'to me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Balaam).
ΒαλακBalaksubject of δῷ (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of δῷ (indeclinable).
πλήρηfullAccusativepredicate adjective (with τὸν οἶκον: 'his house full')→ object specificationπλήρης: 'full'; the proleptic predicate ('give his house [so that it is] full of silver and gold') governs the genitives of content ἀργυρίου καὶ χρυσίου; the image of a treasure-filled house is the maximal bribe.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
οἶκονhouseAccusativedirect object of δῷ (the gift imagined)→ object specificationοἶκος: 'house / household'; renders בַּיִת; the 'house full of silver and gold' is the extreme bribe Balaam disavows — yet his naming it betrays its allure.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Balak's house)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Balak's house).
ἀργυρίουof silverGenitivegenitive of content (with πλήρη: 'full of silver')→ relational specificationἀργύριον: 'silver / money'; renders כֶּסֶף; genitive of content after πλήρη; the silver-and-gold pair is the standard merism for total wealth (cf. Exod 11:2).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
χρυσίουof goldGenitivegenitive of content (with πλήρη: 'and gold')→ relational specificationχρυσίον: 'gold'; renders זָהָב; completes the merism of total wealth.
οὐnotnegative particle (with δυνήσομαι)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δυνήσομαιI shall be ableFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · δύναμαιmain verb (the apodosis: Balaam's incapacity)→ predictive future (settled inability before the divine word)δύναμαι (fut. δυνήσομαι): 'be able'; οὐ δυνήσομαι ('I shall not be able') asserts not mere unwillingness but real incapacity — the divine word sets an absolute limit on the seer's power; the same future recurs at v. 38.
παραβῆναιto transgress / overstepAor Act Inf · παραβαίνωcomplementary infinitive (with δυνήσομαι: 'be able to transgress')→ telic aorist infinitive (the forbidden overstepping)παραβαίνω: 'step beyond / transgress / violate'; renders עָבַר ('overstep'); to 'transgress the word of the LORD' is to go beyond the bounds God has set; Balaam confesses he cannot cross that line.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαwordAccusativedirect object of παραβῆναι (the binding divine word)→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word / utterance'; renders דָּבָר; τὸ ῥῆμα κυρίου ('the word of the LORD') is the chapter's controlling concept — the binding divine speech that no bribe or pressure can override (cf. vv. 8, 20, 35, 38).
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of source (the word's origin)→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): the Tetragrammaton; τὸ ῥῆμα κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ ('the word of the LORD God') names the covenant God as the source of the binding word; the double title κυρίου τοῦ θεοῦ renders יהוה אֱלֹהָי.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (in apposition: 'the LORD, [my] God')→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive in apposition to κυρίου ('the LORD God')→ relational specificationθεός (gen. θεοῦ): 'God'; in apposition with κυρίου, forming the solemn double designation 'the LORD God'; Balaam acknowledges Israel's God as the binding authority over his speech.
ποιῆσαιto do / makeAor Act Inf · ποιέωepexegetic infinitive (explaining παραβῆναι: 'to do it')→ telic aorist infinitive (the act of overstepping spelled out)ποιέω (aor. inf. ποιῆσαι): 'do / make'; the epexegetic infinitive specifies what transgressing would mean — acting on his own initiative; αὐτό ('it') refers to the contemplated curse.
αὐτὸitAccusativedirect object of ποιῆσαι (the act/word)→ participant referenceαὐτός (neut. αὐτό): 'it'; refers to the word/deed Balaam might be tempted to perform beyond God's mandate.
μικρὸνsmallAccusativeadjective (in the merism 'small or great')→ object specificationμικρός: 'small / little'; the polarity μικρὸν ἢ μέγα ('small or great') is a merism for 'anything at all' (cf. 1 Sam 22:15) — Balaam cannot deviate in the least from the divine word.
ordisjunctive particle (in the merism)→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; joins the polar pair 'small or great.'
μέγαgreatAccusativeadjective (second term of the merism)→ object specificationμέγας (neut. μέγα): 'great / large'; completes the merism 'small or great' = 'anything whatsoever.'
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere: 'in my mind')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (sphere: 'in my mind').
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
διανοίᾳmind / intentionDativedative of sphere (with ἐν: 'in my own mind/will')→ sphere or referenceδιάνοια: 'mind / understanding / intention'; the phrase ἐν τῇ διανοίᾳ μου ('on my own initiative / of my own mind') marks the sphere of autonomous decision Balaam disclaims — he cannot act from his own deliberation against God's word; the LXX expands the Hebrew here to stress inner volition.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (Balaam's mind)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Balaam's mind).
19

καὶ νῦν ὑπομείνατε αὐτοῦ καὶ ὑμεῖς τὴν νύκτα ταύτην καὶ γνώσομαι τί προσθήσει κύριος λαλῆσαι πρός με

'And now, you also remain here this night, and I will learn what the LORD will add to say to me.'

Direct speech: Balaam invites a second consultationκαὶ νῦν ὑπομείνατε
Balaam again defers (καὶ νῦν … ὑπομείνατε, 'remain here'), proposing to re-consult the LORD — but the wish to learn τί προσθήσει κύριος ('what the LORD will add') is telling: God's word was already final at v. 12. The seeking of a second oracle after a clear 'no' exposes the covetous heart; the καὶ ὑμεῖς ('you also') echoes the first embassy's overnight stay (v. 8). The permission of v. 20 will be a concession that the angel's confrontation (vv. 22ff) shows was already disapproved.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (with νῦν)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (καὶ νῦν: discourse pivot)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: the formula καὶ νῦν (= וְעַתָּה) turns to the practical proposal.
ὑπομείνατεremain / waitAor Act Impv 2 Pl · ὑπομένωmain verb (Balaam's invitation to stay)→ ingressive aorist imperative (settle in to wait)ὑπομένω: 'remain / wait / endure'; renders the sense of staying on; Balaam bids the second embassy wait overnight, as the first did (v. 8), while he seeks a further word.
αὐτοῦhereadverb of place (locative: 'in this place')→ participant referenceαὐτοῦ: adverb 'here'; as in v. 8, fixing the lodging at Balaam's dwelling.
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive: 'you also')→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: here ascensive 'also / too'; καὶ ὑμεῖς ('you also') aligns the second embassy with the first, who likewise stayed the night (v. 8).
ὑμεῖςyouNominativesubject (emphatic: 'you yourselves')→ participant referenceσύ (nom. pl. ὑμεῖς): emphatic 'you'; underlines the parallel with the prior delegation.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νύκταnightAccusativeaccusative of duration ('this night')→ object specificationνύξ (acc. νύκτα): 'night'; accusative of extent — 'spend this night'; the night again is the time of revelation (v. 20).
ταύτηνthisAccusativedemonstrative (attributive: 'this night')→ participant referenceοὗτος (fem. acc. ταύτην): 'this'; specifies the coming night of consultation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γνώσομαιI will know / learnFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · γινώσκωmain verb (Balaam's intent to consult further)→ predictive future (the hoped-for fresh disclosure)γινώσκω (fut. mid. γνώσομαι): 'know / come to know'; Balaam proposes to 'learn' a further word — but seeking more after God's clear verdict (v. 12) betrays his reluctance to accept the 'no.'
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of the indirect question)→ participant referenceτίς (neut. τί): 'what'; introduces the indirect question 'what the LORD will add to say.'
προσθήσειwill addFut Act Indic 3 Sg · προστίθημιverb of the indirect question→ predictive future (anticipated further word)προστίθημι (fut. προσθήσει): 'add'; τί προσθήσει … λαλῆσαι ('what he will add to speak') is again the Hebraizing 'add + infinitive' idiom (= יוֹסִיף לְדַבֵּר), here 'speak further'; the expectation of an addendum to a settled verdict is itself revealing.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject of προσθήσει (the divine speaker)→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton; Balaam again names Israel's covenant God as the sole authority over his oracle.
λαλῆσαιto say / speakAor Act Inf · λαλέωcomplementary infinitive (with προσθήσει: 'add to speak')→ telic aorist infinitive (the further utterance)λαλέω (aor. inf. λαλῆσαι): 'speak'; the infinitive completing the 'add to speak' idiom — the further divine word Balaam seeks.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Balaam)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Balaam).
20

καὶ ἦλθεν ὁ θεὸς πρὸς Βαλααμ νυκτὸς καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ εἰ καλέσαι σε πάρεισιν οἱ ἄνθρωποι οὗτοι ἀναστὰς ἀκολούθησον αὐτοῖς ἀλλὰ τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἂν λαλήσω πρὸς σέ τοῦτο ποιήσεις

And God came to Balaam by night and said to him, 'If these men have come to summon you, rise and follow them; but the word that I speak to you, that you shall do.'

Divine concession with a binding conditionκαὶ ἦλθεν ὁ θεὸς … νυκτός
God grants conditional permission — but tightly bounded: rise and follow, ἀλλὰ ('but') only the word I speak shall you do. The permission is a concession to Balaam's persistence, immediately hedged by the absolute clause τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἂν λαλήσω … τοῦτο ποιήσεις, which is the chapter's governing law and recurs verbatim at the angel's command (v. 35). The ensuing divine anger (v. 22) shows the permission was a granting-over to a desire God did not approve — a tension the LXX preserves.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦλθενcameAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιmain verb (God's nocturnal coming)→ constative aorist (the divine visitation)ἔρχομαι (aor. ἦλθεν): 'come'; as in v. 9, God comes to Balaam — here explicitly νυκτός ('by night'), the time of oracular dreams.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ἦλθεν→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the giver of the conditional permission.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
ΒαλααμBalaamaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
νυκτὸςby nightGenitivegenitive of time (when: 'during the night')→ relational specificationνύξ (gen. νυκτός): 'night'; the genitive of time ('by night') marks the revelation as a nocturnal one, the customary mode of oracular dreams (cf. Gen 20:3; 31:24).
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 (God's instruction)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces the conditional permission.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (Balaam)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Balaam).
εἰifconditional particle (protasis of the permission)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; with the present indicative πάρεισιν forms a real condition — 'if (as is the case) the men have come to call you.'
καλέσαιto summonAor Act Inf · καλέωinfinitive of purpose (the men's purpose in coming)→ telic aorist infinitive (purpose: to call him)καλέω (aor. inf. καλέσαι): 'call / summon'; the purpose infinitive states why the envoys came — to summon Balaam; cf. καλέσαι in v. 5 and v. 37.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of καλέσαι (Balaam)→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of καλέσαι (Balaam).
πάρεισινare present / have comePres Act Indic 3 Pl · πάρειμιverb of the protasis (the envoys' presence)→ stative present (they are here)πάρειμι: 'be present / have arrived'; renders בּוֹא in the sense of being on hand; the present states the envoys' standing presence as the ground of the permission.
οἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingοἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄνθρωποιmenNominativesubject of πάρεισιν (the envoys)→ participant prominenceἄνθρωπος (pl. ἄνθρωποι): 'man'; the envoys, as in v. 9.
οὗτοιtheseNominativedemonstrative (attributive: 'these men')→ participant prominenceοὗτος (nom. pl. οὗτοι): 'these.'
ἀναστὰςrisingAor Act Ptcp Masc Nom Sg · ἀνίστημιcircumstantial participle (attendant: 'rise and follow')→ antecedent aorist participle (rising before following)ἀνίστημι (aor. ptcp. ἀναστάς): 'rise'; the participle with the following imperative forms the idiom 'arise and…' (= קוּם + verb), a Hebraizing call to prompt action.
ἀκολούθησονfollowAor Act Impv 2 Sg · ἀκολουθέωmain verb (the conditional permission's command)→ ingressive aorist imperative (set out after them)ἀκολουθέω: 'follow / accompany'; renders הָלַךְ עִם; the permission to go — but as a follower of the envoys, subordinate to the binding word that follows.
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative object of ἀκολούθησον (the envoys)→ participant reference or interestαὐτοῖς: meaning 'them'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as dative object of ἀκολούθησον (the envoys).
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative (introducing the binding restriction)→ discourse linkage or contrastἀλλά: 'but'; the strong adversative sets the decisive limit on the permission — going is allowed, but only the divine word may be spoken.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαwordAccusativedirect object (fronted: the word to be done)→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word'; the binding divine word; the fronted τὸ ῥῆμα … τοῦτο ποιήσεις is the chapter's controlling law, repeated verbatim by the angel at v. 35.
whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of λαλήσω)→ participant referenceὅς (neut. ὅ): relative pronoun; ὃ ἂν λαλήσω ('whatever I speak') with the subjunctive generalizes — only the as-yet-unspoken divine word is authorized.
ἂνevermodal particle (with subjunctive in the relative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle marking the contingency of the relative clause ('whatever I may speak').
λαλήσωI speakAor Act Subj 1 Sg · λαλέωverb of the relative clause (the divine word)→ aorist subjunctive (contingent future utterance)λαλέω (aor. subj. λαλήσω): 'speak'; the divine first-person — only what God himself will speak may Balaam utter; the subjunctive keeps the content reserved to God's future choice.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
σέyouAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Balaam)→ participant referenceσέ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Balaam).
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (resumptive object of ποιήσεις)→ participant referenceοὗτος (neut. τοῦτο): 'this'; resumes τὸ ῥῆμα ('that very word') as the object of ποιήσεις — emphatic restriction to the divine word alone.
ποιήσειςyou shall doFut Act Indic 2 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (the binding command)→ imperatival future (binding obligation)ποιέω (fut. ποιήσεις): 'do'; the imperatival future seals the restriction — Balaam shall do only the divine word; this clause governs the whole Balaam cycle and recurs at v. 35 from the angel's mouth.
21

καὶ ἀναστὰς Βαλααμ τὸ πρωὶ ἐπέσαξεν τὴν ὄνον αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπορεύθη μετὰ τῶν ἀρχόντων Μωαβ

And Balaam, rising in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab.

Narrative: Balaam sets out (transition to the donkey episode)καὶ ἀναστὰς Βαλααμ τὸ πρωί
The rise-early formula (ἀναστὰς … τὸ πρωί) repeats v. 13, but now to act on the permission. The detail ἐπέσαξεν τὴν ὄνον αὐτοῦ ('saddled his donkey') introduces ἡ ὄνος, the unlikely protagonist of vv. 22–35 — the animal who will see what the seer cannot. The verse is the narrative hinge from the diplomacy of vv. 1–21 to the angel-and-donkey confrontation that follows.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀναστὰςhaving risenAor Act Ptcp Masc Nom Sg · ἀνίστημιcircumstantial participle (attendant: rising)→ antecedent aorist participle (rising before setting out)ἀνίστημι (aor. ptcp. ἀναστάς): 'rise'; the rise-early formula (cf. v. 13), here marking Balaam's prompt action on the permission to go.
ΒαλααμBalaamsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with πρωί, adverbial)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρωὶmorning / earlyadverb (temporal: 'in the morning')→ clausal contributionπρωΐ: 'early'; articular τὸ πρωί used adverbially, completing the rise-early formula.
ἐπέσαξενsaddledAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπισάσσωmain verb (Balaam prepares the donkey)→ constative aorist (the act of saddling)ἐπισάσσω: 'saddle / put a pack-saddle on'; renders חָבַשׁ ('bind on, saddle'); the homely verb introduces the donkey as a narrative figure; the act of mounting his own beast sets up the irony that the saddled animal sees what its rider cannot.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνονdonkeyAccusativedirect object of ἐπέσαξεν (the she-donkey)→ object specificationὄνος: 'donkey'; here feminine ἡ ὄνος ('she-donkey'), renders אָתוֹן; the donkey is the central figure of vv. 22–35 and the subject of 2 Pet 2:16 (ὑποζύγιον ἄφωνον … φθεγξάμενον); the gender matters — a humble she-ass shames the renowned male seer.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Balaam's donkey)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Balaam's donkey).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (Balaam sets out)→ constative aorist (the journey begun)πορεύομαι (aor. pass. dep. ἐπορεύθη): 'go / travel'; Balaam departs — the journey that will kindle God's anger (v. 22) and provoke the angelic confrontation.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀρχόντωνprincesGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the Moabite envoys)→ relational specificationἄρχων (gen. pl. ἀρχόντων): 'prince'; the Moabite envoys whom Balaam now accompanies.
Μωαβof Moabgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΜωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
22

καὶ ὠργίσθη θυμῷ ὁ θεὸς ὅτι ἐπορεύθη αὐτός καὶ ἀνέστη ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ ἐνδιαβάλλειν αὐτόν καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπιβεβήκει ἐπὶ τῆς ὄνου αὐτοῦ καὶ δύο παῖδες αὐτοῦ μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ

And God was angry with wrath because he went, and the angel of God rose up to oppose him; and he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

Narrative crux: divine anger and the angel's opposition (episode opens)καὶ ὠργίσθη θυμῷ ὁ θεός
The donkey episode opens with the cognate-dative Hebraism ὠργίσθη θυμῷ ('was angry with anger') — the tension with the permission of v. 20 marks Balaam's going as the granting-over of a disapproved desire. The infinitive ἐνδιαβάλλειν ('to oppose / accuse') is from the same root as διάβολος ('accuser'); the angel takes an adversarial, satan-like stance (the Hebrew here is לְשָׂטָן לוֹ, 'as an adversary to him'). The scene is set: the seer mounted (ἐπιβεβήκει) on the very animal who will see what he cannot. This headline crux is cited at 2 Pet 2:16; Jude 11; Rev 2:14.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὠργίσθηwas angryAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ὀργίζομαιmain verb (the kindling of divine anger)→ ingressive aorist (the onset of wrath)ὀργίζομαι (aor. pass. ὠργίσθη): 'be angry / be enraged'; renders חָרָה אַף; the cognate construction ὠργίσθη θυμῷ ('was angry with wrath') is a Hebraism intensifying the verb with its cognate dative; the divine anger despite the permission of v. 20 signals that Balaam's going was a granting-over to a disapproved intent (cf. the πορνεία-counsel implicated at Num 31:16).
θυμῷwith wrathDativecognate dative (Hebraism intensifying ὠργίσθη)→ sphere or referenceθυμός: 'anger / wrath / passion'; the cognate dative θυμῷ renders the Hebrew intensifying construction (חָרָה אַף, lit. 'his anger burned'); it heightens the force of the divine displeasure.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ὠργίσθη→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the angered one; the same God who permitted (v. 20) now opposes — the LXX preserves the theological tension without resolving it.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (ground of the anger)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; gives the reason for the wrath — Balaam's going.
ἐπορεύθηhe wentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιverb of the causal clause (Balaam's departure)→ constative aorist (the completed going)πορεύομαι (aor. pass. dep. ἐπορεύθη): 'go'; the emphatic αὐτός ('he himself') stresses that it was Balaam's own going that kindled the anger.
αὐτόςhe himselfNominativeintensive pronoun (emphasizing the subject of ἐπορεύθη)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the intensive 'he himself'; underlines Balaam's personal responsibility for the journey that provoked God.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀνέστηrose up / took his standAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνίστημιmain verb (the angel takes his position)→ ingressive aorist (took up his adversarial stance)ἀνίστημι (aor. act. intrans. ἀνέστη): 'stand up / rise / take one's stand'; here the angel 'takes his stand' to bar the way; the intransitive aorist conveys the deliberate assumption of an opposing position.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄγγελοςangel / messengerNominativesubject of ἀνέστη (the angel of God)→ participant prominenceἄγγελος: 'messenger / angel'; ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ renders מַלְאַךְ יהוה ('the angel of the LORD'); the figure embodies the divine presence barring Balaam's way; the seer's blindness to this ἄγγελος, visible to the donkey, is the chapter's central irony.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship ('angel of God')→ relational specificationθεός (gen. θεοῦ): 'God'; the angel belongs to and represents God; the LXX alternates ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ (vv. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 32, 35) with ὁ ἄγγελος κυρίου (vv. 31, 34).
ἐνδιαβάλλεινto oppose / accusePres Act Inf · ἐνδιαβάλλωinfinitive of purpose (the angel's adversarial aim)→ telic present infinitive (purpose: to act as adversary)ἐνδιαβάλλω: 'oppose / set oneself against / accuse'; cognate with διάβολος ('accuser, adversary'); renders לְשָׂטָן ('as an adversary'); the angel takes a satan-like, accusatory stance against Balaam — barring his way as a hostile opponent; the verbal root frames the angel as adversary, not annihilator.
αὐτόνhimAccusativedirect object of ἐνδιαβάλλειν (Balaam)→ participant referenceαὐτόν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐνδιαβάλλειν (Balaam).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (introducing circumstantial detail)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αὐτὸςheNominativesubject (Balaam, mounted)→ participant prominenceαὐτός: 'he'; resumes Balaam as the mounted rider, setting up the contrast with his unseeing donkey.
ἐπιβεβήκειwas riding / had mountedPlpf Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιβαίνωmain verb (background: Balaam's mounted posture)→ pluperfect (state resulting from prior mounting: was astride)ἐπιβαίνω (plpf. ἐπιβεβήκει): 'mount / get up upon'; the pluperfect describes Balaam's settled state — he 'had mounted and was riding' on the donkey; the background tense fixes the tableau in which the donkey will see the angel below the seer's notice.
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (position: 'upon the donkey')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (position: 'upon the donkey').
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνουdonkeyGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (the mount)→ relational specificationὄνος (gen. ὄνου): 'donkey'; the she-ass on which Balaam rides — the protagonist of the episode and of 2 Pet 2:16.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Balaam's donkey)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Balaam's donkey).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δύοtwoNominativenumeral (attributive: 'two servants')→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; indeclinable numeral; the two servants accompany Balaam — witnesses who, like their master, will not see the angel.
παῖδεςservants / boysNominativesubject (an implied 'were': the attendants)→ participant prominenceπαῖς (pl. παῖδες): 'servant / attendant / boy'; renders נְעָרִים ('young men, servants'); Balaam's two attendants travel with him.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Balaam's servants)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Balaam's servants).
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά (Balaam)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (Balaam).
23

καὶ ἰδοῦσα ἡ ὄνος τὸν ἄγγελον τοῦ θεοῦ ἀνθεστηκότα ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ τὴν ῥομφαίαν ἐσπασμένην ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐξέκλινεν ἡ ὄνος ἐκ τῆς ὁδοῦ καὶ ἐπορεύετο εἰς τὸ πεδίον καὶ ἐπάταξεν τὴν ὄνον τῇ ῥάβδῳ τοῦ εὐθῦναι αὐτὴν ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ

And the donkey, seeing the angel of God standing in the way with his sword drawn in his hand, turned aside out of the way and went into the field; and he struck the donkey with his staff to set her straight in the way.

Narrative: the first of three turnings (donkey sees, seer beats)καὶ ἰδοῦσα ἡ ὄνος
The first of three encounters. The participle ἰδοῦσα ('seeing') is the crux: the donkey sees (ὁράω) what Balaam, the διορῶν ('seer'), does not — the angel ἀνθεστηκότα ('standing against') in the ὁδός with τὴν ῥομφαίαν ἐσπασμένην ('drawn sword'). The donkey's sane self-preservation (turning into the field, εἰς τὸ πεδίον — the same πεδίον of v. 4's simile) is met with beating. The threefold pattern (vv. 23, 25, 27) builds the irony of the blind seer punishing the seeing beast.
Word-by-word analysis· 44 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοῦσαhaving seenAor Act Ptcp Fem Nom Sg · ὁράωcircumstantial participle (causal/temporal: 'when she saw')→ antecedent aorist participle (perception prior to turning)ὁράω (aor. ptcp. fem. ἰδοῦσα): 'see'; the feminine participle agrees with ἡ ὄνος; the donkey's seeing is the chapter's master-irony — the dumb beast perceives the divine messenger while the famed seer (cf. διορῶν, Num 24:3-4) is blind; the verb of seeing recurs at each turning (vv. 25, 27).
theNominativearticle (feminine: 'the she-donkey')→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνοςdonkeyNominativesubject of ἰδοῦσα and ἐξέκλινεν→ participant prominenceὄνος (fem. ἡ ὄνος): 'she-donkey'; renders אָתוֹן; the protagonist whose sight, turning, and eventual speech (v. 28) drive the episode; cf. 2 Pet 2:16 ὑποζύγιον.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄγγελονangelAccusativedirect object of ἰδοῦσα (the angel seen)→ object specificationἄγγελος: 'angel'; the divine messenger barring the road, visible to the donkey alone.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship ('angel of God')→ relational specificationθεοῦ: meaning 'God'; it serves as genitive of relationship ('angel of God').
ἀνθεστηκόταstanding against / opposingPerf Act Ptcp Masc Acc Sg · ἀνθίστημιparticiple (predicate complement of ἰδοῦσα: 'saw him standing')→ resultative perfect participle (settled adversarial stance)ἀνθίστημι (perf. act. ptcp. ἀνθεστηκότα): 'stand against / withstand / oppose'; the perfect describes the angel's fixed, planted opposition in the road; the same participle recurs at v. 31 when Balaam finally sees; cognate with the ἐνδιαβάλλειν ('oppose') of v. 22.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location: 'in the way')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location: 'in the way').
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδῷway / roadDativedative of place (the road blocked)→ sphere or referenceὁδός: 'way / road / journey'; renders דֶּרֶךְ; ἡ ὁδός is a leitmotif of the episode (vv. 23, 24, 26, 31, 32, 34) — the literal road the angel blocks, and figuratively Balaam's 'way' which the angel calls perverse (οὐκ ἀστεία ἡ ὁδός σου, v. 32).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (adding the second object of sight)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥομφαίανswordAccusativedirect object of ἰδοῦσα (the drawn sword)→ object specificationῥομφαία: 'sword / large broadsword'; renders חֶרֶב; the drawn ῥομφαία in the angel's hand signals lethal threat; at vv. 31 (Balaam's own sight) the LXX shifts to μάχαιρα for the same weapon — a lexical variation within the episode.
ἐσπασμένηνdrawnPerf Mid/Pass Ptcp Fem Acc Sg · σπάωparticiple (attributive: 'sword having been drawn')→ resultative perfect participle (the sword in a drawn state)σπάω (perf. pass. ptcp. ἐσπασμένην): 'draw (a sword) / pull out'; the perfect passive describes the blade as already unsheathed and ready; renders שְׁלוּפָה ('drawn'); the image of the bared sword recurs at v. 31.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location: 'in his hand')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location: 'in his hand').
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρὶhandDativedative of place (the angel's hand)→ sphere or referenceχείρ (dat. χειρί): 'hand'; the angel's hand grips the drawn sword.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the angel's hand)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the angel's hand).
καὶandnarrative conjunction (apodosis after the participial clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξέκλινενturned asideAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκκλίνωmain verb (the donkey's evasive turn)→ constative aorist (the act of turning off the road)ἐκκλίνω: 'turn aside / swerve / deviate'; renders נָטָה; the donkey's sensible turning to avoid the sword is treated by the blind seer as disobedience; the verb recurs at v. 33 (the angel: 'she turned aside from me').
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνοςdonkeyNominativesubject of ἐξέκλινεν (resumed)→ participant prominenceὄνος: the she-donkey, repeated as subject for clarity.
ἐκout ofpreposition + genitive (source of the turning)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'out of'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source of the turning).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδοῦwayGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (the road departed)→ relational specificationὁδός (gen. ὁδοῦ): 'way / road'; the road the donkey leaves to escape the angel's sword.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύετοwent / was goingImpf Mid Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (the donkey's movement into the field)→ progressive imperfect (the ongoing turning into the field)πορεύομαι (impf. ἐπορεύετο): 'go'; the imperfect depicts the donkey in the act of heading off into the field — durative, in contrast to the punctual ἐξέκλινεν.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (goal of movement)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of movement).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πεδίονfield / plainAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the open field)→ object specificationπεδίον: 'field / open plain'; renders שָׂדֶה; the donkey escapes into the open field — the same word that figured in Moab's grazing-simile (v. 4), a subtle verbal thread.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπάταξενhe struckAor Act Indic 3 Sg · πατάσσωmain verb (Balaam beats the donkey)→ constative aorist (the blow)πατάσσω: 'strike / smite / beat'; renders הִכָּה; the same verb Balak used of striking Israel (vv. 6, 11) now describes Balaam striking his innocent donkey — an ironic inversion: the would-be smiter of nations beats the beast that saved his life.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνονdonkeyAccusativedirect object of ἐπάταξεν (the beaten donkey)→ object specificationὄνος (acc. ὄνον): the she-donkey, here the object of the unjust beating.
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδῳstaff / rodDativedative of instrument (the staff used to beat)→ sphere or referenceῥάβδος: 'staff / rod / stick'; renders מַקֵּל; the instrument of the beating; the same ῥάβδος recurs at v. 27.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle (with articular infinitive of purpose)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐθῦναιto set straight / guideAor Act Inf · εὐθύνωarticular infinitive of purpose (τοῦ + inf.: 'to set her straight')→ telic aorist infinitive (purpose: to redirect her onto the road)εὐθύνω: 'make straight / guide / direct'; the articular infinitive τοῦ εὐθῦναι expresses purpose — Balaam beats her to force her back 'straight' onto the road; the irony: the 'straight' road leads toward the angel's sword, so the donkey's swerve, not the seer's correction, is the truly right path.
αὐτὴνherAccusativedirect object of εὐθῦναι (the donkey)→ participant referenceαὐτὴν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of εὐθῦναι (the donkey).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location: 'in the way')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location: 'in the way').
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδῷwayDativedative of place (the road he wants her on)→ sphere or referenceὁδός (dat. ὁδῷ): 'way'; the road Balaam tries to force her back onto — toward the unseen sword.
24

καὶ ἔστη ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν ταῖς αὔλαξιν τῶν ἀμπέλων φραγμὸς ἐντεῦθεν καὶ φραγμὸς ἐντεῦθεν

And the angel of God stood in the furrows of the vineyards, a wall on this side and a wall on that side.

Narrative: the second position — the narrowing vineyard pathκαὶ ἔστη ὁ ἄγγελος
The angel repositions to a narrower place: ἐν ταῖς αὔλαξιν τῶν ἀμπέλων ('in the furrows/lanes of the vineyards'), hemmed by a wall on each side (φραγμὸς ἐντεῦθεν καὶ φραγμὸς ἐντεῦθεν). The progressive constriction (open road → walled lane → no room at all, v. 26) tightens the trap, leaving the donkey ever less room to escape and forcing the escalation of crushing and beating in v. 25.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 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 (the angel takes the second position)→ ingressive aorist (took his stand)ἵστημι (aor. act. intrans. ἔστη): 'stand / take one's stand'; the angel plants himself anew in a constricted spot, narrowing the donkey's options.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄγγελοςangelNominativesubject of ἔστη→ participant prominenceἄγγελος: 'angel'; the messenger now in the vineyard lane.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship ('angel of God')→ relational specificationθεοῦ: meaning 'God'; it serves as genitive of relationship ('angel of God').
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location: 'in the furrows')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location: 'in the furrows').
ταῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingταῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
αὔλαξινfurrows / lanesDativedative of place (the narrow vineyard track)→ sphere or referenceαὖλαξ (dat. pl. αὔλαξιν): 'furrow / trench / narrow lane'; here the sunken path running between vineyard walls; the term evokes a confined track with no room to swerve, intensifying the trap.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀμπέλωνvineyardsGenitivegenitive of relationship (the vineyards' lanes)→ relational specificationἄμπελος (gen. pl. ἀμπέλων): 'vine / vineyard'; renders כְּרָמִים; the cultivated vineyards whose walled lanes box in the path.
φραγμὸςwall / fenceNominativenominative (in the 'wall on each side' tableau)→ participant prominenceφραγμός: 'fence / wall / hedge'; renders גָּדֵר; the vineyard wall hemming the lane; the doubling φραγμὸς ἐντεῦθεν καὶ φραγμὸς ἐντεῦθεν ('a wall here and a wall there') pictures the confined space.
ἐντεῦθενon this sideadverb of place (one side of the lane)→ clausal contributionἐντεῦθεν: 'from here / on this side'; in the idiom ἐντεῦθεν … ἐντεῦθεν ('on this side … on that side', = מִזֶּה … מִזֶּה) it frames the walls flanking the path.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φραγμὸςwall / fenceNominativenominative (the second wall)→ participant prominenceφραγμός: the second flanking wall.
ἐντεῦθενon that sideadverb of place (the other side of the lane)→ clausal contributionἐντεῦθεν: the second member of the 'on this side … on that side' idiom, completing the image of total enclosure.
25

καὶ ἰδοῦσα ἡ ὄνος τὸν ἄγγελον τοῦ θεοῦ προσέθλιψεν ἑαυτὴν πρὸς τὸν τοῖχον καὶ ἀπέθλιψεν τὸν πόδα Βαλααμ καὶ προσέθετο ἔτι μαστίξαι αὐτήν

And the donkey, seeing the angel of God, pressed herself against the wall and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall; and he proceeded to beat her again.

Narrative: the second turning — the donkey crushes Balaam's footκαὶ ἰδοῦσα ἡ ὄνος
The second encounter repeats ἰδοῦσα ἡ ὄνος ('seeing, the donkey') and escalates: trapped in the walled lane, she presses against the wall (προσέθλιψεν … πρὸς τὸν τοῖχον), crushing (ἀπέθλιψεν) Balaam's foot — the seer now feels physical pain yet still does not see. The Hebraizing προσέθετο … μαστίξαι ('he again beat') intensifies the violence (μαστίζω, 'to whip/scourge', is harsher than πατάσσω of v. 23).
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοῦσαhaving seenAor Act Ptcp Fem Nom Sg · ὁράωcircumstantial participle (temporal/causal: 'when she saw')→ antecedent aorist participle (perception before reacting)ὁράω (aor. ptcp. fem. ἰδοῦσα): 'see'; the donkey sees the angel a second time — the refrain underscores her persistent sight against Balaam's persistent blindness.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνοςdonkeyNominativesubject of ἰδοῦσα and προσέθλιψεν→ participant prominenceὄνος: the she-donkey.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄγγελονangelAccusativedirect object of ἰδοῦσα→ object specificationἄγγελος: the angel, seen now in the narrow lane.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationθεοῦ: meaning 'God'; it serves as genitive of relationship.
προσέθλιψενpressed / squeezedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσθλίβωmain verb (the donkey presses to the wall)→ constative aorist (the act of pressing against the wall)προσθλίβω: 'press against / squeeze toward'; the compound προσ- ('toward') + θλίβω ('press'); trapped by the walls, the donkey shoves herself against the wall to avoid the sword — a desperate evasive move; the cognate ἀπέθλιψεν follows immediately.
ἑαυτὴνherselfAccusativereflexive object of προσέθλιψεν (the donkey)→ object specificationἑαυτοῦ (fem. acc. ἑαυτήν): reflexive 'herself'; the donkey presses her own body to the wall.
πρὸςagainstpreposition + accusative (direction: 'against the wall')→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'against'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: 'against the wall').
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τοῖχονwallAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (the vineyard wall)→ object specificationτοῖχος: 'wall (of a building/enclosure)'; renders קִיר; the lane's side-wall against which the donkey squeezes; distinct from φραγμός (v. 24), here the solid wall that crushes the foot.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέθλιψενcrushed / squeezedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποθλίβωmain verb (the foot is crushed)→ constative aorist (the crushing of the foot)ἀποθλίβω: 'press hard / crush / squeeze off'; the compound ἀπο- intensifies the pressure; the donkey's evasion inadvertently crushes Balaam's foot against the wall — the seer now suffers bodily, yet still perceives nothing of the cause.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πόδαfootAccusativedirect object of ἀπέθλιψεν (Balaam's foot)→ object specificationπούς (acc. πόδα): 'foot'; renders רֶגֶל; the crushed foot is the physical sign of Balaam's predicament — pain without perception.
Βαλααμof Balaamgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'Balaam's foot')→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of possession (indeclinable: 'Balaam's foot').
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσέθετοhe again / proceededAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (auxiliary in the Hebraizing 'again' idiom)→ constative aorist (the renewed beating)προστίθημι (aor. mid. προσέθετο): 'proceed to do again'; the idiom προσέθετο … μαστίξαι ('he again beat') renders יָסַף לְהַכּוֹת; Balaam's repeated, escalating violence against the innocent animal.
ἔτιagain / stilladverb (reinforcing the 'again' idiom)→ clausal contributionἔτι: 'still / again'; reinforces the renewed beating.
μαστίξαιto beat / scourgeAor Act Inf · μαστίζωcomplementary infinitive (with προσέθετο: 'beat again')→ telic aorist infinitive (the renewed beating)μαστίζω: 'whip / scourge / flog'; harsher than πατάσσω (v. 23); the verb of scourging marks the intensification of Balaam's cruelty toward the donkey who is in fact saving his life.
αὐτήνherAccusativedirect object of μαστίξαι (the donkey)→ participant referenceαὐτήν: meaning 'her'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of μαστίξαι (the donkey).
26

καὶ προσέθετο ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ καὶ ἀπελθὼν ὑπέστη ἐν τόπῳ στενῷ εἰς ὃν οὐκ ἦν ἐκκλῖναι δεξιὰν οὐδὲ ἀριστεράν

And the angel of God went on further and, going ahead, stood in a narrow place, where there was no turning aside to the right or to the left.

Narrative: the third position — the place of no escapeκαὶ προσέθετο ὁ ἄγγελος
The angel takes the third and most constricting position: ἐν τόπῳ στενῷ ('in a narrow place') where there is no room to turn δεξιὰν οὐδὲ ἀριστεράν ('right or left'). The 'right or left' merism (cf. Deut 5:32) marks total enclosure — the trap is now absolute, leaving the donkey no option but to collapse beneath Balaam (v. 27), the climactic third turning that triggers the divine opening of her mouth.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσέθετοwent on further / againAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · προστίθημιmain verb (the angel moves to a third position)→ constative aorist (the renewed repositioning)προστίθημι (aor. mid. προσέθετο): 'do again / go on further'; the 'again' idiom now of the angel — he repositions a third time, matching the donkey's three sightings.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄγγελοςangelNominativesubject of προσέθετο and ὑπέστη→ participant prominenceἄγγελος: the angel, now taking the narrowest stand.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationθεοῦ: meaning 'God'; it serves as genitive of relationship.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπελθὼνgoing ahead / departingAor Act Ptcp Masc Nom Sg · ἀπέρχομαιcircumstantial participle (attendant: 'going on')→ antecedent aorist participle (moving ahead before taking his stand)ἀπέρχομαι (aor. ptcp. ἀπελθών): 'go away / go on ahead'; the angel moves further along the route to find the narrowest point at which to make his final stand.
ὑπέστηstood / took his standAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ὑφίστημιmain verb (the angel's third stand)→ ingressive aorist (took up the blocking position)ὑφίστημι (aor. act. intrans. ὑπέστη): 'place oneself under / stand firm / take a stand'; the angel plants himself in the narrowest passage, leaving no way past.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location).
τόπῳplaceDativedative of place (the narrow spot)→ sphere or referenceτόπος: 'place / spot'; renders מָקוֹם; the specific narrow location the angel chooses for the final, inescapable confrontation.
στενῷnarrowDativeattributive adjective (modifying τόπῳ: 'narrow place')→ sphere or referenceστενός: 'narrow / confined'; the narrowness (cf. the 'narrow gate', στενή πύλη, Matt 7:13–14) leaves no room to turn — the climax of the progressive constriction (road → lane → narrow place).
εἰςin / intopreposition + accusative (relative clause: 'in which')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (relative clause: 'in which').
ὃνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (referring to τόπῳ: 'in which place')→ participant referenceὅς (acc. ὅν): relative pronoun; εἰς ὅν ('into/in which') introduces the clause describing the impossibility of turning.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἦν: 'there was no…')→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦνwasImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίimpersonal main verb (with infinitive: 'it was not possible')→ stative imperfect (the standing impossibility)εἰμί (impf. ἦν): 'be'; the impersonal οὐκ ἦν + infinitive ('there was no [way] to turn') expresses impossibility — there was no room to deviate.
ἐκκλῖναιto turn asideAor Act Inf · ἐκκλίνωepexegetic infinitive (with οὐκ ἦν: 'no [room] to turn')→ telic aorist infinitive (the impossible turning)ἐκκλίνω (aor. inf. ἐκκλῖναι): 'turn aside / deviate'; the same verb as the donkey's evasions (v. 23) — but here there is no possibility of it; the narrowness forecloses escape.
δεξιὰνrightAccusativeaccusative of direction (substantival: 'to the right')→ object specificationδεξιός (fem. acc. δεξιάν): 'right (hand/side)'; the merism δεξιὰν οὐδὲ ἀριστεράν ('right or left', = יָמִין וּשְׂמֹאול) denotes every possible direction — total enclosure.
οὐδὲnorcoordinating negative (in the merism)→ clausal contributionοὐδέ: 'nor'; joins the two poles of the directional merism.
ἀριστεράνleftAccusativeaccusative of direction (substantival: 'to the left')→ object specificationἀριστερός (fem. acc. ἀριστεράν): 'left (hand/side)'; completes the 'right or left' merism for total impossibility of escape.
27

καὶ ἰδοῦσα ἡ ὄνος τὸν ἄγγελον τοῦ θεοῦ συνεκάθισεν ὑποκάτω Βαλααμ καὶ ἐθυμώθη Βαλααμ καὶ ἔτυπτεν τὴν ὄνον τῇ ῥάβδῳ

And the donkey, seeing the angel of God, lay down under Balaam; and Balaam was enraged and kept beating the donkey with his staff.

Narrative: the third turning — the donkey lies down, Balaam ragesκαὶ ἰδοῦσα ἡ ὄνος
The climactic third sighting: with no room to turn, the donkey simply collapses beneath Balaam (συνεκάθισεν ὑποκάτω Βαλααμ). Balaam's response is no longer mere correction but rage (ἐθυμώθη — the same θυμός-root as God's anger in v. 22, a damning echo) and sustained beating (the imperfect ἔτυπτεν, 'kept striking'). This third blow provokes the divine intervention of v. 28: the LORD opens the donkey's mouth.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοῦσαhaving seenAor Act Ptcp Fem Nom Sg · ὁράωcircumstantial participle (temporal: 'when she saw')→ antecedent aorist participle (perception before lying down)ὁράω (aor. ptcp. fem. ἰδοῦσα): 'see'; the donkey sees the angel a third time — the threefold refrain (vv. 23, 25, 27) completed; her sight remains constant where the seer's blindness persists.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνοςdonkeyNominativesubject of ἰδοῦσα and συνεκάθισεν→ participant prominenceὄνος: the she-donkey.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄγγελονangelAccusativedirect object of ἰδοῦσα→ object specificationἄγγελος: the angel in the narrow place.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationθεοῦ: meaning 'God'; it serves as genitive of relationship.
συνεκάθισενsat down / lay downAor Act Indic 3 Sg · συγκαθίζωmain verb (the donkey collapses)→ constative aorist (the act of sinking down)συγκαθίζω: 'sit down / crouch down (together with its load)'; renders רָבַץ ('crouch, lie down'); with no room to turn, the donkey collapses to the ground under her rider — the only remaining means of avoiding the sword.
ὑποκάτωunder / beneathimproper preposition + genitive ('underneath Balaam')→ spatial or relational framingὑποκάτω: 'underneath / below'; functions as a preposition with the genitive; the donkey sinks 'beneath Balaam', leaving the mounted seer ludicrously seated on a collapsed animal — the height of the irony.
Βαλααμof Balaamgenitive (with ὑποκάτω: 'under Balaam')→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive (with ὑποκάτω: 'under Balaam').
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐθυμώθηwas enragedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · θυμόωmain verb (Balaam's rage)→ ingressive aorist (flare-up of fury)θυμόω (aor. pass. ἐθυμώθη): 'be angry / be enraged'; the θυμός-root deliberately echoes God's ὠργίσθη θυμῷ (v. 22): Balaam's petty rage against his donkey ironically mirrors — and stands beneath — the divine wrath he cannot perceive.
ΒαλααμBalaamsubject of ἐθυμώθη (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἐθυμώθη (indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔτυπτενkept beatingImpf Act Indic 3 Sg · τύπτωmain verb (the sustained beating)→ iterative/durative imperfect (repeated, ongoing blows)τύπτω: 'strike / beat / hit'; the imperfect ἔτυπτεν ('kept beating') depicts repeated, sustained blows — Balaam's violence at its peak, the third and worst beating that finally occasions the donkey's miraculous speech.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνονdonkeyAccusativedirect object of ἔτυπτεν→ object specificationὄνος (acc. ὄνον): the donkey, beaten a third time.
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥάβδῳstaffDativedative of instrument (the staff)→ sphere or referenceῥάβδος (dat. ῥάβδῳ): 'staff / rod'; the same instrument as v. 23, again the means of the beating.
28

καὶ ἤνοιξεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ στόμα τῆς ὄνου καὶ λέγει τῷ Βαλααμ τί ἐποίησά σοι ὅτι πέπαικάς με τοῦτο τρίτον

And God opened the mouth of the donkey, and she says to Balaam, 'What have I done to you, that you have struck me this third time?'

Narrative crux: the LORD opens the donkey's mouth (2 Pet 2:16)καὶ ἤνοιξεν ὁ θεός
The miraculous heart of the chapter: ἤνοιξεν ὁ θεὸς τὸ στόμα τῆς ὄνου ('God opened the mouth of the donkey'). The donkey's plaintive question — τί ἐποίησά σοι; ('what have I done to you?') — is morally lucid where the seer is not. This is the verse 2 Pet 2:16 invokes: ὑποζύγιον ἄφωνον ἐν ἀνθρώπου φωνῇ φθεγξάμενον ἐκώλυσεν τὴν τοῦ προφήτου παραφρονίαν ('a dumb beast of burden, speaking with a human voice, restrained the prophet's madness'). The historic present λέγει heightens the marvel; τοῦτο τρίτον ('this third time') names the threefold pattern.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤνοιξενopenedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀνοίγωmain verb (the divine opening of the donkey's mouth)→ constative aorist (the miraculous act)ἀνοίγω (aor. ἤνοιξεν): 'open'; renders פָּתַח; the LORD's opening of the donkey's mouth is the central miracle; the same verb is used at v. 31 for the opening of Balaam's eyes — God opens the dumb beast's mouth before he opens the seer's eyes, a pointed sequence; the verse underlies 2 Pet 2:16.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ἤνοιξεν→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the explicit divine subject makes clear the speech is no mere prodigy but a direct act of God — the beast speaks because God enables it.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στόμαmouthAccusativedirect object of ἤνοιξεν (the donkey's mouth)→ object specificationστόμα: 'mouth'; renders פֶּה; the opened mouth of the donkey contrasts pointedly with Balaam's own mouth, into which God will put words (εἰς τὸ στόμα μου, v. 38) — both mouths are commandeered by God.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνουdonkeyGenitivegenitive of possession (the donkey's mouth)→ relational specificationὄνος (gen. ὄνου): 'donkey'; the she-ass whose mouth God opens; called ὑποζύγιον ('beast of burden') in 2 Pet 2:16.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λέγειshe saysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (historic present: the donkey speaks)→ historic present (vivid dramatization of the marvel)λέγω (pres. λέγει): the historic present makes the miraculous speech immediate and vivid — the dumb beast 'says' to Balaam; the present tense draws the reader into the astonishing moment.
τῷtoDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒαλααμBalaamdative indirect object (the one addressed; article marks case)→ noun-phrase markingΒαλααμ: here with the dative article τῷ marking him as the recipient of the donkey's rebuke.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of ἐποίησα)→ participant referenceτίς (neut. τί): 'what'; the donkey's question τί ἐποίησά σοι ('what have I done to you?') is morally probing — the beast reasons rightly where the seer rages blindly.
ἐποίησάhave I doneAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb of the donkey's question→ constative aorist (any wrong done)ποιέω (aor. ἐποίησα): 'do'; the donkey asks what offense she has committed to merit the beating — an appeal to justice from the innocent animal that exposes Balaam's irrationality.
σοιto youDativeindirect object (Balaam)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Balaam).
ὅτιthatconjunction (consecutive/causal: 'that / so that')→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: here 'that' introducing the consequence — 'what have I done that you have struck me?'
πέπαικάςyou have struckPerf Act Indic 2 Sg · παίωverb of the ὅτι-clause (the beating)→ resultative perfect (the accomplished, threefold beating)παίω (perf. πέπαικας): 'strike / smite / beat'; the perfect stresses the cumulative, completed result of the three beatings; the donkey reckons the blows as a settled wrong now standing against Balaam.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of πέπαικας (the donkey)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of πέπαικας (the donkey).
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (adverbial accusative: 'this [time]')→ participant referenceοὗτος (neut. τοῦτο): 'this'; in the idiom τοῦτο τρίτον ('this third time') the demonstrative is adverbial, counting the occasions; the threefold beating (= זֶה שָׁלֹשׁ רְגָלִים) is emphasized by the angel too (v. 32).
τρίτονthird timeAccusativeadverbial accusative (ordinal: 'a third time')→ object specificationτρίτος (neut. τρίτον): 'third'; the adverbial accusative 'this third time' names the three turnings/beatings (vv. 23, 25, 27); the threefold structure is the narrative backbone of the episode and is reiterated by the angel at v. 32–33.
29

καὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ τῇ ὄνῳ ὅτι ἐμπέπαιχάς μοι καὶ εἰ εἶχον μάχαιραν ἐν τῇ χειρί μου ἤδη ἂν ἐξεκέντησά σε

And Balaam said to the donkey, 'Because you have made a mockery of me; and if I had a sword in my hand, I would already have run you through.'

Direct speech: Balaam's furious, unwitting reply to the donkeyκαὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ τῇ ὄνῳ
The supreme irony: Balaam converses with a talking donkey without registering the marvel, answering as if a quarrel between equals. He accuses her of mockery (ἐμπέπαιχάς μοι) and wishes for a sword to kill her — unaware that a far greater Sword is drawn against him just ahead (vv. 23, 31). The contrary-to-fact wish εἰ εἶχον μάχαιραν … ἂν ἐξεκέντησα ('if I had a sword … I would have run you through') is darkly comic: he laments lacking the very weapon the angel holds.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 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 (Balaam answers the donkey)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω (aor. εἶπεν): Balaam replies — astonishingly, without any reaction to the impossibility of a speaking donkey, the measure of his spiritual obtuseness.
ΒαλααμBalaamsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τῇto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνῳdonkeyDativeindirect object (the donkey addressed)→ sphere or referenceὄνος (dat. ὄνῳ): 'donkey'; Balaam absurdly addresses the beast as a disputant, the dialogue underscoring his folly (παραφρονία, 2 Pet 2:16).
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (giving the ground of his anger)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces Balaam's grievance — the donkey has 'mocked' him; the elliptical reply ('[I beat you] because…') vents his rage.
ἐμπέπαιχάςyou have mockedPerf Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐμπαίζωverb of the causal clause (the alleged mockery)→ resultative perfect (a settled state of having made a fool of him)ἐμπαίζω (perf. ἐμπέπαιχας): 'mock / make sport of / trifle with'; renders הִתְעַלֵּל; Balaam charges the donkey with making a fool of him — ironically, it is his own conduct that is foolish; the verb is later used of the mocking of Christ (Matt 27:29), here of a seer who imagines himself mocked by his mount.
μοιme / at meDativedative object of ἐμπέπαιχας (the one mocked)→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. μοι): 'me'; ἐμπαίζω takes the dative of the person mocked.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the wish)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰifconditional particle (protasis of a contrary-to-fact condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; with the imperfect εἶχον and ἄν in the apodosis forms a present contrary-to-fact condition ('if I had … I would have').
εἶχονI hadImpf Act Indic 1 Sg · ἔχωverb of the protasis (contrary-to-fact: 'if I had')→ imperfect in unreal condition (present contrary to fact)ἔχω (impf. εἶχον): 'have / hold'; the imperfect in the unreal protasis — Balaam does not in fact have a sword; the irony is acute, since the angel before him does hold one (vv. 23, 31).
μάχαιρανsword / daggerAccusativedirect object of εἶχον (the wished-for weapon)→ object specificationμάχαιρα: 'sword / dagger / short blade'; renders חֶרֶב; Balaam wishes for the very weapon the angel wields (where v. 23 used ῥομφαία, here and at v. 31 the term is μάχαιρα) — he covets a sword to kill his donkey, blind to the sword poised to kill him.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location: 'in my hand')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location: 'in my hand').
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρίhandDativedative of place (Balaam's hand)→ sphere or referenceχείρ (dat. χειρί): 'hand'; ironically echoes the angel's hand that holds the drawn sword (ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ, vv. 23, 31).
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (Balaam's hand)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Balaam's hand).
ἤδηalready / by nowtemporal adverb (with the apodosis: 'I would already have…')→ clausal contributionἤδη: 'already / by now'; intensifies the vehemence of the wish — he would have killed her on the spot.
ἂνwouldmodal particle (marking the apodosis as contrary-to-fact)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: the modal particle with the aorist indicative ἐξεκέντησα forms the contrary-to-fact apodosis ('I would have run you through').
ἐξεκέντησάI would have run through / stabbedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐκκεντέωverb of the apodosis (contrary-to-fact wish)→ aorist in unreal condition (the unrealized killing)ἐκκεντέω: 'pierce through / stab / run through'; renders דָּקַר; the violent verb of fatal piercing (cf. Zech 12:10 LXX; John 19:37) expresses Balaam's murderous rage against his own life-saving donkey — the seer's blindness now shades into bloodlust.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of ἐξεκέντησα (the donkey)→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἐξεκέντησα (the donkey).
30

καὶ λέγει ἡ ὄνος τῷ Βαλααμ οὐκ ἐγὼ ἡ ὄνος σου ἐφ᾿ ἧς ἐπέβαινες ἀπὸ νεότητός σου ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας μὴ ὑπεροράσει ὑπεριδοῦσα ἐποίησά σοι οὕτως ὁ δὲ εἶπεν οὐχί

And the donkey says to Balaam, 'Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden from your youth until this very day? Was I ever in the habit of treating you in this way?' And he said, 'No.'

Direct speech: the donkey's reasoned appeal and Balaam's admissionκαὶ λέγει ἡ ὄνος
The donkey reasons from a lifetime of faithfulness (ἀπὸ νεότητός σου ἕως τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας, 'from your youth until this day'): her sudden balking is unprecedented and therefore meaningful. The rhetorical question μὴ … expects the answer 'no', which Balaam duly gives (ὁ δὲ εἶπεν οὐχί). The doubled ὑπεροράσει ὑπεριδοῦσα ('with disregard disregarding') is a Hebraizing cognate construction = 'have I ever been accustomed to…?'. The talking beast out-reasons the prophet, the climax of the παραφρονία 2 Pet 2:16 names.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λέγειsaysPres Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (historic present: the donkey replies)→ historic present (vivid continuation of the marvel)λέγω (pres. λέγει): the historic present sustains the vividness of the speaking-donkey dialogue.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνοςdonkeyNominativesubject of λέγει→ participant prominenceὄνος: the she-donkey, now reasoning with her master.
τῷtoDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒαλααμBalaamdative indirect object (article marks case)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as dative indirect object (article marks case).
οὐκnotnegative particle (in a question expecting 'yes')→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: the negative in the rhetorical question 'Am I not your donkey…?' (οὐκ … expects affirmative assent).
ἐγὼINominativesubject of the nominal question (emphatic)→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I'; the donkey presses her own identity — 'am I not the very donkey you have always ridden?'
theNominativearticle (predicate: 'your donkey')→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνοςdonkeyNominativepredicate nominative ('[am] I not your donkey')→ participant prominenceὄνος: the predicate of the nominal question — the donkey appeals to her settled relationship with Balaam.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (Balaam's donkey)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Balaam's donkey).
ἐφ᾿onpreposition + genitive (relative clause: 'on which', elided)→ spatial or relational framingἐφ᾿: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (relative clause: 'on which', elided).
ἧςwhichGenitiverelative pronoun (object of ἐφ᾿: 'on which you rode')→ relational specificationὅς (fem. gen. ἧς): relative pronoun; ἐφ᾽ ἧς ('upon which') introduces the clause of lifelong service.
ἐπέβαινεςyou used to rideImpf Act Indic 2 Sg · ἐπιβαίνωverb of the relative clause (habitual riding)→ customary imperfect (lifelong habit of riding)ἐπιβαίνω (impf. ἐπέβαινες): 'mount / ride upon'; the customary imperfect ('you used to ride') stresses a lifetime of faithful service; cf. the pluperfect ἐπιβεβήκει of v. 22 — the donkey appeals to that long record to argue her present balking is no caprice.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (temporal starting point)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (temporal starting point).
νεότητόςyouthGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (temporal: 'from your youth')→ relational specificationνεότης (gen. νεότητος): 'youth / early life'; the phrase ἀπὸ νεότητός σου ('from your youth') marks the long duration of the donkey's faithful service.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (Balaam's youth)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Balaam's youth).
ἕωςuntilpreposition + genitive (temporal end-point)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: meaning 'until'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (temporal end-point).
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σήμερονtodayadverb (attributive with ἡμέρας: 'this present day')→ clausal contributionσήμερον: 'today'; the idiom τῆς σήμερον ἡμέρας ('this present day') renders הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, marking the full span of service down to the present moment.
ἡμέραςdayGenitivegenitive object of ἕως (the end-point of the span)→ relational specificationἡμέρα (gen. ἡμέρας): 'day'; with σήμερον forms 'this very day', the terminus of the donkey's lifelong faithfulness.
μὴsurely notinterrogative particle (introducing a question expecting 'no')→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: the interrogative μή introduces a question anticipating a negative answer ('I was never accustomed…, was I?') — duly answered οὐχί.
ὑπεροράσειwith disregard / habituallyDativecognate dative (Hebraism intensifying ὑπεριδοῦσα)→ sphere or referenceὑπεόρασις/ὑπεροράσις (dat. ὑπεροράσει): 'overlooking / disregard / contempt'; the cognate dative with the participle ὑπεριδοῦσα renders a Hebrew infinitive-absolute construction (הַהַסְכֵּן הִסְכַּנְתִּי, 'have I ever been wont…?'); the doubling expresses habituality — 'was it ever my custom to treat you so?'
ὑπεριδοῦσαdisregardingAor Act Ptcp Fem Nom Sg · ὑπεροράωparticiple (cognate with ὑπεροράσει: 'disregarding')→ circumstantial aorist participle (in the cognate Hebraism)ὑπεροράω (aor. ptcp. fem. ὑπεριδοῦσα): 'overlook / disregard / despise'; the participle paired with its cognate dative ὑπεροράσει forms the figura etymologica rendering the Hebrew infinitive absolute; together they ask whether the donkey has ever been in the habit of slighting or defying Balaam — manifestly not, hence her present balking signifies something extraordinary.
ἐποίησάhave I done / treatedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ποιέωmain verb of the rhetorical question→ constative aorist (any such prior treatment)ποιέω (aor. ἐποίησα): 'do / act / treat'; ἐποίησά σοι οὕτως ('have I treated you thus?') completes the donkey's argument from precedent — never before has she acted so.
σοιto youDativeindirect object (Balaam)→ participant reference or interestσοι: meaning 'to you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Balaam).
οὕτωςthus / in this wayadverb of manner (with ἐποίησα: 'in this way')→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / so'; refers to the unprecedented balking — 'have I ever behaved like this before?'
heNominativearticle used as pronoun (subject of εἶπεν: 'and he')→ noun-phrase markingὁ δέ: the article with δέ functions as a pronoun ('and he'), a classical idiom marking change of speaker — Balaam now answers.
δὲand / butpost-positive particle (marking the change of speaker)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; with the article ὁ marks the shift back to Balaam as speaker.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Balaam's answer)→ constative aorist (single reply)λέγω (aor. εἶπεν): Balaam concedes the donkey's point with a single word.
οὐχίnoemphatic negative (Balaam's reply: 'No')→ clausal contributionοὐχί: emphatic 'no / not at all'; Balaam's admission that the donkey has never behaved so before — an unwitting concession that her balking is meaningful, granted to the very beast he had threatened to kill.
31

ἀπεκάλυψεν δὲ ὁ θεὸς τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς Βαλααμ καὶ ὁρᾷ τὸν ἄγγελον κυρίου ἀνθεστηκότα ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ καὶ τὴν μάχαιραν ἐσπασμένην ἐν τῇ χειρὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ κύψας προσεκύνησεν τῷ προσώπῳ αὐτοῦ

Then God uncovered the eyes of Balaam, and he sees the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his sword drawn in his hand; and bowing down he did obeisance with his face.

Narrative turning-point: Balaam's eyes opened (the seer finally sees)ἀπεκάλυψεν δὲ ὁ θεός
The decisive reversal: God 'uncovers' (ἀπεκάλυψεν) Balaam's eyes, and at last he sees (ὁρᾷ, historic present) what his donkey saw all along — the angel of the LORD ἀνθεστηκότα ('standing against') with drawn sword. The verb ἀποκαλύπτω ('reveal') is the language of apocalyptic disclosure: the seer who hires out his vision must have his own eyes opened by God. The verse pointedly parallels v. 28 (God opened the donkey's mouth / God opens the seer's eyes). Balaam's prostration (προσεκύνησεν) is the response of a man who finally perceives whom he has been resisting.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
ἀπεκάλυψενuncovered / revealedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποκαλύπτωmain verb (God opens Balaam's eyes)→ constative aorist (the act of unveiling)ἀποκαλύπτω: 'uncover / unveil / reveal'; renders גָּלָה (here גָּלָה אֶת־עֵינֵי, 'uncover the eyes'); the verb of apocalyptic disclosure; God must unveil the eyes of the professional 'seer' so he can see what the beast saw — the supreme irony of blindness and sight; parallels ἤνοιξεν (v. 28).
δὲthen / nownarrative particle (post-positive: marking the turning-point)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; here marks the decisive narrative turn from the donkey's speech to Balaam's enlightenment — a shift from the καί-paratactic chain to a δέ-marked pivot.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of ἀπεκάλυψεν→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the same God who opened the donkey's mouth now opens the seer's eyes — both acts of sovereign disclosure.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀφθαλμοὺςeyesAccusativedirect object of ἀπεκάλυψεν (Balaam's eyes)→ object specificationὀφθαλμός (pl. ὀφθαλμούς): 'eye'; renders עֵינַיִם; the opened eyes of the seer are the visual counterpart to the opened mouth of the donkey; Balaam will later describe himself as the man 'whose eyes are opened' (Num 24:3-4).
Βαλααμof Balaamgenitive of possession (indeclinable: 'Balaam's eyes')→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of possession (indeclinable: 'Balaam's eyes').
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὁρᾷhe seesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὁράωmain verb (historic present: Balaam now perceives)→ historic present (vivid: the moment of seeing)ὁράω (pres. ὁρᾷ): 'see / perceive'; the historic present dramatizes the instant of perception — at last Balaam sees the angel the donkey had seen three times; the same verb (ἰδοῦσα) was used of the donkey, binding the seer's belated sight to the beast's prior sight.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄγγελονangelAccusativedirect object of ὁρᾷ (the angel now seen)→ object specificationἄγγελος: 'angel'; here ὁ ἄγγελος κυρίου ('the angel of the LORD'), the LXX shifting from τοῦ θεοῦ (vv. 22–27) to κυρίου at the moment of Balaam's enlightenment and confession (vv. 31, 34).
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of relationship ('angel of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): the Tetragrammaton; ὁ ἄγγελος κυρίου renders מַלְאַךְ יהוה; the covenant name appears precisely as the seer is brought to recognition — the angel is no generic divine being but the messenger of Israel's covenant God.
ἀνθεστηκόταstanding against / opposingPerf Act Ptcp Masc Acc Sg · ἀνθίστημιparticiple (predicate complement of ὁρᾷ: 'standing')→ resultative perfect participle (the angel's fixed opposing stance)ἀνθίστημι (perf. ptcp. ἀνθεστηκότα): 'stand against / oppose'; the same perfect participle as v. 23 — what the donkey saw, Balaam now sees identically: the angel planted in adversarial opposition.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location: 'in the way')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location: 'in the way').
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδῷwayDativedative of place (the road)→ sphere or referenceὁδός (dat. ὁδῷ): 'way / road'; the leitmotif ὁδός — the very road Balaam travels, now revealed as blocked by the LORD's messenger.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (second object of sight)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μάχαιρανswordAccusativedirect object of ὁρᾷ (the drawn sword)→ object specificationμάχαιρα: 'sword'; here for the angel's weapon (v. 23 had ῥομφαία), the same term Balaam wished for in v. 29 — he now sees the very sword he had coveted, turned against himself; renders חֶרֶב.
ἐσπασμένηνdrawnPerf Mid/Pass Ptcp Fem Acc Sg · σπάωparticiple (attributive: 'sword drawn')→ resultative perfect participle (the sword in a drawn state)σπάω (perf. pass. ptcp. ἐσπασμένην): 'draw (a sword)'; the perfect passive — the blade already unsheathed, exactly as the donkey saw it (v. 23).
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location: 'in his hand')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location: 'in his hand').
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χειρὶhandDativedative of place (the angel's hand)→ sphere or referenceχείρ (dat. χειρί): 'hand'; the angel's hand grips the drawn sword, as in v. 23.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the angel's hand)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the angel's hand).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κύψαςbowing downAor Act Ptcp Masc Nom Sg · κύπτωcircumstantial participle (attendant: 'bowing')→ antecedent aorist participle (stooping before doing obeisance)κύπτω (aor. ptcp. κύψας): 'bend / stoop / bow down'; renders קָדַד; the physical stooping that precedes prostration — Balaam's body finally registers the divine presence he had blindly resisted.
προσεκύνησενdid obeisance / worshipedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · προσκυνέωmain verb (Balaam's prostration)→ constative aorist (the act of obeisance)προσκυνέω: 'do obeisance / prostrate oneself / worship'; renders הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה; the seer who came to curse now lies prostrate before the LORD's angel — a posture of submission anticipating his confession (v. 34).
τῷwith theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
προσώπῳfaceDativedative of manner/instrument ('with his face' = face to the ground)→ sphere or referenceπρόσωπον (dat. προσώπῳ): 'face'; the idiom προσεκύνησεν τῷ προσώπῳ αὐτοῦ ('bowed with his face [to the ground]') renders וַיִּשְׁתַּחוּ לְאַפָּיו ('bowed to his face'), the full prostration of reverent submission.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (Balaam's face)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Balaam's face).
32

καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ διὰ τί ἐπάταξας τὴν ὄνον σου τοῦτο τρίτον καὶ ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐξῆλθον εἰς διαβολήν σου ὅτι οὐκ ἀστεία ἡ ὁδός σου ἐναντίον μου

And the angel of God said to him, 'Why have you struck your donkey this third time? And behold, I came out to oppose you, because your way is not seemly before me.'

Direct speech: the angel's indictment of Balaamκαὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ ἄγγελος
The angel turns the donkey's question (τοῦτο τρίτον, v. 28) back on Balaam — διὰ τί ἐπάταξας …; ('why did you strike…?') — and declares his adversarial mission: ἐξῆλθον εἰς διαβολήν σου ('I came out to oppose/accuse you'), the noun διαβολή cognate with διάβολος and with the ἐνδιαβάλλειν of v. 22. The verdict οὐκ ἀστεία ἡ ὁδός σου ('your way is not seemly/proper') morally evaluates Balaam's ὁδός — his literal journey and his whole course of action — as crooked before God.
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 (the angel's address)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω (aor. εἶπεν): the angel now speaks, indicting Balaam.
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (Balaam)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Balaam).
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄγγελοςangelNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceἄγγελος: 'angel'; the LXX returns to ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ here (after κυρίου in v. 31).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationθεοῦ: meaning 'God'; it serves as genitive of relationship.
διὰbecause of / whypreposition + accusative (in the interrogative idiom διὰ τί)→ spatial or relational framingδιά + acc.: 'on account of'; in the idiom διὰ τί ('why? = on account of what?') it introduces the angel's reproachful question.
τίwhat / whyAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (with διά: 'why')→ participant referenceτίς (neut. τί): in διὰ τί ('why'), the angel demands the reason for the beating — turning the donkey's own complaint into an indictment.
ἐπάταξαςdid you strikeAor Act Indic 2 Sg · πατάσσωverb of the question (the beating of the donkey)→ constative aorist (the completed beatings)πατάσσω (aor. ἐπάταξας): 'strike / beat'; the angel uses the same verb of Balaam's beating (cf. vv. 23, 28) — the seer who would 'strike' Israel (vv. 6, 11) is rebuked for striking his innocent donkey.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνονdonkeyAccusativedirect object of ἐπάταξας (Balaam's donkey)→ object specificationὄνος (acc. ὄνον): the donkey Balaam struck.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (Balaam's donkey)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Balaam's donkey).
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (adverbial accusative: 'this [time]')→ participant referenceοὗτος (neut. τοῦτο): in τοῦτο τρίτον ('this third time'), echoing the donkey's words (v. 28) — the angel ratifies her complaint.
τρίτονthird timeAccusativeadverbial accusative (ordinal: 'a third time')→ object specificationτρίτος (neut. τρίτον): 'third'; the threefold beating again named, binding the angel's rebuke to the donkey's question.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (attention-marker)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; the angel directs Balaam's newly-opened sight to the meaning of the confrontation.
ἐγὼINominativesubject of ἐξῆλθον (emphatic: 'I myself')→ participant referenceἐγώ: emphatic 'I' — the angel asserts that it was he who came out to bar the way; Balaam's struggle was never with the donkey but with God's messenger.
ἐξῆλθονcame outAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (the angel's mission)→ constative aorist (the angel's coming forth)ἐξέρχομαι (aor. ἐξῆλθον): 'come/go out'; the angel 'came out' on a deliberate mission of opposition — his stand in the road was purposeful, not accidental.
εἰςfor / topreposition + accusative (purpose: 'for opposition')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: 'for opposition').
διαβολήνopposition / accusationAccusativeaccusative of purpose (with εἰς: 'to oppose you')→ object specificationδιαβολή: 'opposition / accusation / hostility'; cognate with διάβολος ('accuser') and the ἐνδιαβάλλειν of v. 22; renders שָׂטָן (the adversarial role); the angel came εἰς διαβολήν σου ('to be your adversary') — God's own messenger stands as accuser against the wayward seer.
σουof you / against youGenitiveobjective genitive (with διαβολήν: 'opposition to you')→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'of you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as objective genitive (with διαβολήν: 'opposition to you').
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (ground of the opposition)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; gives the reason for the angelic opposition — Balaam's way is perverse.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἀστεία)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀστείαseemly / properNominativepredicate adjective (with ἡ ὁδός: 'your way is not seemly')→ participant prominenceἀστεῖος: 'fit / proper / pleasing / seemly' (lit. 'of the city, refined'); the litotes οὐκ ἀστεία ('not seemly' = perverse) renders the Hebrew sense that Balaam's way 'is contrary' (יָרַט) before God; the moral evaluation of his ὁδός — both his journey and his whole disposition — as crooked.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδόςwayNominativesubject of the predicate clause (Balaam's way)→ participant prominenceὁδός: 'way / road / course of life'; the leitmotif now turned moral — ἡ ὁδός σου ('your way') is both the literal road and Balaam's whole course; its being 'not seemly before me' is the angel's verdict on the seer's compromised mission.
σουyourGenitivegenitive of possession (Balaam's way)→ relational specificationσου: meaning 'your'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Balaam's way).
ἐναντίονbefore / in the sight ofpreposition + genitive (evaluative: 'before me')→ spatial or relational framingἐναντίον: 'before / in the presence of'; Hebraism (לְנֶגְדִּי) of evaluation — Balaam's way is perverse 'before/over against' the angel, i.e. in God's judgment.
μουmeGenitivegenitive object of ἐναντίον (the angel as evaluator)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of ἐναντίον (the angel as evaluator).
33

καὶ ἰδοῦσά με ἡ ὄνος ἐξέκλινεν ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ τρίτον τοῦτο καὶ εἰ μὴ ἐξέκλινεν νῦν οὖν σὲ μὲν ἀπέκτεινα ἐκείνην δὲ περιεποιησάμην

'And the donkey, seeing me, turned aside from me these three times; and if she had not turned aside, then now I would have killed you, but her I would have preserved alive.'

Direct speech: the angel reveals the donkey saved Balaam's lifeκαὶ ἰδοῦσά με ἡ ὄνος
The angel completes the reversal: the donkey's seeing (ἰδοῦσά με — she saw the angel; Balaam did not) and turning aside (ἐξέκλινεν, the very act for which Balaam beat her) is what saved his life. The contrary-to-fact σὲ μὲν ἀπέκτεινα, ἐκείνην δὲ περιεποιησάμην ('you I would have killed, but her I would have spared') inverts Balaam's intent in v. 29: he wished to kill the donkey, but in truth the donkey saved him and he was the one marked for death. The μέν … δέ antithesis sharpens the irony.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἰδοῦσάhaving seenAor Act Ptcp Fem Nom Sg · ὁράωcircumstantial participle (causal: 'because she saw me')→ antecedent aorist participle (perception before turning)ὁράω (aor. ptcp. fem. ἰδοῦσα): 'see'; the angel attributes to the donkey the very seeing Balaam lacked — 'seeing me' — vindicating the beast's behavior.
μεmeAccusativedirect object of ἰδοῦσα (the angel)→ participant referenceἐγώ (acc. με): 'me'; the angel — what the donkey saw and Balaam could not.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνοςdonkeyNominativesubject of ἐξέκλινεν→ participant prominenceὄνος: the donkey, here vindicated by the angel as the life-saver.
ἐξέκλινενturned asideAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκκλίνωmain verb (the donkey's turning, now praised)→ constative aorist (the threefold turning)ἐκκλίνω (aor. ἐξέκλινεν): 'turn aside'; the same verb as v. 23 — but the angel now reframes the donkey's turning as the providential act that preserved Balaam's life; what the seer punished was in fact his salvation.
ἀπ᾿frompreposition + genitive (source: 'from me', elided)→ spatial or relational framingἀπ᾿: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source: 'from me', elided).
ἐμοῦmeGenitivegenitive object of ἀπό (the angel)→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. ἐμοῦ): emphatic 'me'; the donkey turned away 'from me' — the angel with the drawn sword.
τρίτονthird timeAccusativeadverbial accusative (ordinal: 'a third time')→ object specificationτρίτος (neut. τρίτον): 'third'; the threefold turning, matching the threefold beating — the structural backbone again invoked.
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (adverbial: 'these [three times]')→ participant referenceοὗτος (neut. τοῦτο): in τρίτον τοῦτο ('this third time / these three times'), counting the occasions.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the contrary-to-fact condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰifconditional particle (protasis of contrary-to-fact condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; with μή and the aorist ἐξέκλινεν forms the unreal protasis ('if she had not turned aside').
μὴnotnegative particle (with the protasis verb)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: negates the protasis in the contrary-to-fact condition.
ἐξέκλινενhad turned asideAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐκκλίνωverb of the protasis (contrary-to-fact)→ aorist in unreal condition (the turning that did happen)ἐκκλίνω (aor. ἐξέκλινεν): repeated — 'if she had not turned aside'; the unreal protasis whose contrary is the saving fact.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (with οὖν: 'now then')→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; with οὖν marks the inference drawn from the unreal condition — 'as things now stand.'
οὖνtherefore / theninferential particle (drawing the consequence)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὖν: 'therefore'; introduces the apodosis of the unreal condition — the outcome that would have followed.
σὲyouAccusativedirect object of ἀπέκτεινα (emphatic, with μέν)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σέ): 'you'; fronted with μέν in antithesis to ἐκείνην — 'you (Balaam) I would have killed.'
μὲνindeed (on the one hand)correlative particle (μέν … δέ antithesis)→ discourse linkage or contrastμέν: post-positive correlative; sets up the antithesis with δέ — 'you on the one hand … but her on the other.'
ἀπέκτειναI would have killedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποκτείνωverb of the apodosis (contrary-to-fact: 'I would have killed you')→ aorist in unreal apodosis (the unrealized killing of Balaam)ἀποκτείνω (aor. ἀπέκτεινα): 'kill / slay'; the unreal apodosis — Balaam, not the donkey, was the one marked for death; this overturns his murderous wish against the donkey in v. 29; the omission of ἄν in the apodosis is common in LXX unreal conditions.
ἐκείνηνher / that oneAccusativedirect object of περιεποιησάμην (antithetic to σέ, with δέ)→ object specificationἐκεῖνος (fem. acc. ἐκείνην): 'that one / her'; the donkey — set in antithesis to Balaam ('but her…'); the far demonstrative distinguishes the spared animal from the doomed seer.
δὲbut (on the other hand)correlative particle (completing the μέν … δέ antithesis)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive; completes the antithesis — 'but her I would have spared.'
περιεποιησάμηνI would have preserved / sparedAor Mid Indic 1 Sg · περιποιέωverb of the apodosis (contrary-to-fact: 'I would have spared her')→ aorist in unreal apodosis (the donkey's preservation)περιποιέω (aor. mid. περιεποιησάμην): 'preserve / keep alive / save for oneself'; renders חָיָה (Piel, 'let live'); the middle 'I would have kept her alive' — the angel would have spared the innocent beast and slain the guilty seer, the complete inversion of Balaam's intent.
34

καὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ τῷ ἀγγέλῳ κυρίου ἡμάρτηκα οὐ γὰρ ἠπιστάμην ὅτι σύ μοι ἀνθέστηκας ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ εἰς συνάντησιν καὶ νῦν εἰ μή σοι ἀρέσκει ἀποστραφήσομαι

And Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, 'I have sinned, for I did not know that you stood opposing me in the way to meet me; and now, if it does not please you, I will turn back.'

Direct speech: Balaam's confession and offer to turn backκαὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ τῷ ἀγγέλῳ κυρίου
Balaam confesses: ἡμάρτηκα ('I have sinned', perfect — a standing acknowledged guilt) and pleads ignorance (οὐ … ἠπιστάμην, 'I did not know'). His offer εἰ μή σοι ἀρέσκει ἀποστραφήσομαι ('if it displeases you, I will turn back') is submissive but conditional — he still leaves the decision to the angel rather than simply repenting of the journey. The address τῷ ἀγγέλῳ κυρίου (with the covenant name) marks his recognition of whose messenger he faces.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb (Balaam's confession)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces Balaam's confession to the angel.
ΒαλααμBalaamsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τῷto theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀγγέλῳangelDativeindirect object (the angel addressed)→ sphere or referenceἄγγελος (dat. ἀγγέλῳ): 'angel'; τῷ ἀγγέλῳ κυρίου ('the angel of the LORD') — Balaam now addresses him by the covenant name, acknowledging the divine authority he had resisted.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive of relationship ('angel of the LORD')→ relational specificationκύριος (gen. κυρίου): the Tetragrammaton; the covenant name again at the moment of confession (cf. v. 31).
ἡμάρτηκαI have sinnedPerf Act Indic 1 Sg · ἁμαρτάνωmain verb (Balaam's confession of guilt)→ resultative perfect (a standing, acknowledged guilt)ἁμαρτάνω (perf. ἡμάρτηκα): 'sin / miss the mark / do wrong'; renders חָטָאתִי; the perfect stresses an abiding state of guilt now confessed; Balaam's admission of sin, though the sincerity of his repentance is qualified by the conditional that follows.
οὐnotnegative particle (with ἠπιστάμην)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
γὰρforcausal conjunction (post-positive: grounds the confession)→ discourse linkage or contrastγάρ: 'for'; introduces Balaam's plea of ignorance as the explanation (and partial excuse) of his sin.
ἠπιστάμηνI knew / understoodImpf Mid Indic 1 Sg · ἐπίσταμαιverb of the causal clause (Balaam's prior ignorance)→ durative imperfect (his continuing state of not-knowing)ἐπίσταμαι (impf. ἠπιστάμην): 'know / understand / be aware'; the imperfect of his prior ignorance — 'I did not know that you were standing against me'; his plea, though true, hardly excuses a seer blind to what his donkey saw.
ὅτιthatconjunction (introducing the object clause of ἠπιστάμην)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces what Balaam did not know.
σύyouNominativesubject of ἀνθέστηκας (emphatic)→ participant referenceσύ: emphatic 'you'; Balaam recognizes the angel as the one who opposed him — the struggle was with God's messenger, not the donkey.
μοιme / against meDativedative of disadvantage (with ἀνθέστηκας: 'opposing me')→ participant reference or interestἐγώ (dat. μοι): 'me'; the dative of the one opposed.
ἀνθέστηκαςyou stood opposing / have opposedPerf Act Indic 2 Sg · ἀνθίστημιverb of the object clause (the angel's opposition)→ resultative perfect (the angel's fixed adversarial stance)ἀνθίστημι (perf. ἀνθέστηκας): 'stand against / oppose'; the same verb as the participle ἀνθεστηκότα (vv. 23, 31), now in Balaam's mouth — he acknowledges the angel's settled opposition that he had failed to perceive.
ἐνinpreposition + dative (location: 'in the way')→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'in'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location: 'in the way').
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁδῷwayDativedative of place (the road)→ sphere or referenceὁδός (dat. ὁδῷ): 'way / road'; the leitmotif ὁδός — the road where the angel stood, which the angel had called 'not seemly' (v. 32).
εἰςfor / topreposition + accusative (purpose: 'to meet/confront')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: 'to meet/confront').
συνάντησινa meeting / encounterAccusativeaccusative of purpose (with εἰς: 'to meet me')→ object specificationσυνάντησις: 'meeting / encounter'; the idiom εἰς συνάντησιν ('to meet', = לִקְרַאת) here of a confrontational encounter — the angel came to intercept Balaam; the same noun recurs at v. 36 of Balak going out 'to meet' Balaam.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (with νῦν: transition to the offer)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (καὶ νῦν: pivot to Balaam's offer)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: the formula καὶ νῦν (= וְעַתָּה) turning to Balaam's proposal to retreat.
εἰifconditional particle (real condition)→ discourse linkage or contrastεἰ: 'if'; with the present ἀρέσκει forms a real condition — 'if it (the journey) does not please you.'
μήnotnegative particle (with ἀρέσκει)→ discourse linkage or contrastμή: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σοιto youDativedative with ἀρέσκει (the one pleased)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): 'you'; ἀρέσκω takes the dative of the person pleased.
ἀρέσκειit pleasesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀρέσκωverb of the protasis (impersonal: 'if it pleases you')→ durative present (the angel's continuing disposition)ἀρέσκω: 'please / be pleasing'; renders the sense of רַע בְּעֵינֶיךָ ('evil in your eyes'); Balaam offers to turn back if his going displeases the angel — submissive, yet leaving the decision to the angel rather than repenting outright.
ἀποστραφήσομαιI will turn backFut Pass Indic 1 Sg · ἀποστρέφωmain verb (the apodosis: Balaam's offer to retreat)→ predictive future (the offered withdrawal)ἀποστρέφω (fut. pass. ἀποστραφήσομαι): 'turn back / return'; renders שׁוּב; Balaam's conditional offer to abandon the journey — the passive form here with reflexive/intransitive sense ('I will turn myself back').
35

καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ πρὸς Βαλααμ συμπορεύθητι μετὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων πλὴν τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐὰν εἴπω πρὸς σέ τοῦτο φυλάξῃ λαλῆσαι καὶ ἐπορεύθη Βαλααμ μετὰ τῶν ἀρχόντων Βαλακ

And the angel of God said to Balaam, 'Go on with the men; only the word that I speak to you, that you shall be careful to speak.' And Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

Divine permission reaffirmed with the binding word (closes the episode)καὶ εἶπεν ὁ ἄγγελος … πρὸς Βαλααμ
The angel reissues God's permission of v. 20 in nearly identical terms, sealing the episode: go, πλὴν ('only') the word I speak τοῦτο φυλάξῃ λαλῆσαι ('that you shall guard to speak'). The verb φυλάσσω ('guard, keep watchfully') intensifies the binding obligation beyond v. 20's ποιήσεις. The donkey episode thus ends where the permission began — Balaam may go, but he is now under no illusion about who controls his mouth. The closing narrative note (ἐπορεύθη … μετὰ τῶν ἀρχόντων Βαλακ) resumes the journey of v. 21.
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 (the angel's reissued permission)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω (aor. εἶπεν): the angel speaks the permission-with-restriction.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄγγελοςangelNominativesubject of εἶπεν→ participant prominenceἄγγελος: 'angel'; ὁ ἄγγελος τοῦ θεοῦ, now granting the conditional permission as God had at v. 20.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of relationship→ relational specificationθεοῦ: meaning 'God'; it serves as genitive of relationship.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΒαλααμBalaamaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
συμπορεύθητιgo along withAor Pass Impv 2 Sg · συμπορεύομαιmain verb (the angel's permission to proceed)→ ingressive aorist imperative (set out together with them)συμπορεύομαι (aor. pass. dep. impv. συμπορεύθητι): 'go together with / accompany'; the compound συν- ('with') stresses accompaniment; the angel grants Balaam leave to continue with the envoys — the permission of v. 20 reaffirmed after the confrontation.
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀνθρώπωνmenGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the envoys)→ relational specificationἄνθρωπος (gen. pl. ἀνθρώπων): 'man'; the envoys, as in v. 20.
πλὴνonly / neverthelessrestrictive adverb/conjunction (introducing the binding limit)→ discourse linkage or contrastπλήν: 'only / except / nevertheless'; the strong restrictive marker replaces v. 20's ἀλλά, setting the same decisive limit — Balaam may go, but his speech is wholly bound to the divine word.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαwordAccusativedirect object (fronted: the word to be spoken)→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word'; the binding divine word, repeated from v. 20 — the controlling concept of the whole Balaam cycle; here the object of φυλάξῃ λαλῆσαι.
whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εἴπω)→ participant referenceὅς (neut. ὅ): relative pronoun; ὃ ἐὰν εἴπω ('whatever I say') with the subjunctive generalizes — only the divine word.
ἐὰνif (ever)particle with relative (indefinite: 'whatever')→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'if (ever)'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἴπωI speakAor Act Subj 1 Sg · λέγωverb of the relative clause (the divine word)→ aorist subjunctive (contingent future utterance)λέγω (aor. subj. εἴπω): 'say'; the divine first-person — what the angel/God will speak; the subjunctive reserves the content to God's choosing, as at v. 20 (λαλήσω).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
σέyouAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Balaam)→ participant referenceσέ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Balaam).
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (resumptive object of φυλάξῃ)→ participant referenceοὗτος (neut. τοῦτο): 'this'; resumes τὸ ῥῆμα as the emphatic object — 'that very word you shall keep to speak.'
φυλάξῃyou shall keep / be carefulFut Mid Indic 2 Sg · φυλάσσωmain verb (the binding command)→ imperatival future (binding obligation to keep)φυλάσσω (fut. mid. φυλάξῃ): 'guard / keep / observe carefully'; renders שָׁמַר; stronger than v. 20's ποιήσεις — Balaam must 'watchfully keep' to speak only the divine word; the verb of covenant-keeping intensifies the binding restriction.
λαλῆσαιto speakAor Act Inf · λαλέωepexegetic infinitive (with φυλάξῃ: 'keep to speak')→ telic aorist infinitive (the speaking guarded)λαλέω (aor. inf. λαλῆσαι): 'speak'; the infinitive specifies what Balaam must keep — to speak only the word given; the speaking of the divine word is the sole act permitted.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (transition to closing note)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (Balaam resumes the journey)→ constative aorist (the journey continued)πορεύομαι (aor. pass. dep. ἐπορεύθη): 'go'; Balaam resumes his journey (cf. v. 21), now chastened and explicitly bound to the divine word.
ΒαλααμBalaamsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀρχόντωνprincesGenitivegenitive object of μετά (the envoys of Balak)→ relational specificationἄρχων (gen. pl. ἀρχόντων): 'prince'; the princes of Balak (here named with Balak rather than Moab), with whom Balaam completes the journey.
Βαλακof Balakgenitive of relationship (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable).
36

καὶ ἀκούσας Βαλακ ὅτι ἥκει Βαλααμ ἐξῆλθεν εἰς συνάντησιν αὐτῷ εἰς πόλιν Μωαβ ἥ ἐστιν ἐπὶ τῶν ὁρίων Αρνων ὅ ἐστιν ἐκ μέρους τῶν ὁρίων

And Balak, hearing that Balaam had come, went out to meet him at a city of Moab which is on the borders of Arnon, which is at the edge of the borders.

Narrative: Balak meets Balaam at the frontier (new scene)καὶ ἀκούσας Βαλακ
The scene shifts back to the diplomacy. Balak, on hearing of Balaam's arrival, goes out εἰς συνάντησιν ('to meet him') — the same phrase used of the angel's confrontation (v. 34), a subtle echo: Balaam, having been 'met' by God's adversary, is now 'met' by his patron. The locale is fixed precisely at the Arnon frontier (ἐπὶ τῶν ὁρίων Αρνων), the southern boundary of Moab, emphasizing that Balak comes to the very edge of his realm to receive the seer.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀκούσαςhaving heardAor Act Ptcp Masc Nom Sg · ἀκούωcircumstantial participle (temporal/causal: 'when/because he heard')→ antecedent aorist participle (hearing prior to going out)ἀκούω (aor. ptcp. ἀκούσας): 'hear'; renders שָׁמַע; Balak's hearing of the arrival prompts his going out to meet Balaam.
ΒαλακBalaksubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
ὅτιthatconjunction (object clause of ἀκούσας)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'that'; introduces the content of what Balak heard.
ἥκειhas come / is arrivingPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἥκωverb of the object clause (Balaam's arrival)→ stative present (Balaam is here / has arrived)ἥκω: 'have come / be present'; the present of ἥκω has perfective force ('has arrived and is here'); renders בָּא; the news that the seer has reached Moabite territory.
ΒαλααμBalaamsubject of ἥκει (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject of ἥκει (indeclinable).
ἐξῆλθενwent outAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐξέρχομαιmain verb (Balak goes out to meet him)→ constative aorist (the act of going out)ἐξέρχομαι (aor. ἐξῆλθεν): 'go out'; Balak goes out from his city to meet the arriving seer — a mark of honor and eagerness.
εἰςfor / topreposition + accusative (purpose: 'to meet')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose: 'to meet').
συνάντησινa meetingAccusativeaccusative of purpose (with εἰς: 'to meet him')→ object specificationσυνάντησις: 'meeting / encounter'; εἰς συνάντησιν αὐτῷ ('to meet him', = לִקְרָאתוֹ); the same idiom as v. 34 — Balaam who was 'met' by the angel is now 'met' by Balak, a pointed verbal echo.
αὐτῷhimDativedative (with συνάντησιν: 'to meet him')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός (dat. αὐτῷ): the one met — Balaam; συνάντησις takes the dative of the person encountered.
εἰςto / atpreposition + accusative (destination of the meeting)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination of the meeting).
πόλινcityAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the meeting-place)→ object specificationπόλις: 'city'; renders עִיר; a city of Moab (Ir-Moab, on the Arnon frontier) where Balak receives Balaam.
Μωαβof Moabgenitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'a city of Moab')→ participant identificationΜωαβ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive of relationship (indeclinable: 'a city of Moab').
whichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐστιν, fem. agreeing with πόλιν)→ participant referenceὅς (fem. ἥ): relative pronoun; introduces the geographical gloss locating the city on the Arnon.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula of the relative clause (locative)→ stative present (geographical fact)εἰμί (pres. ἐστιν): 'is'; locates the city geographically as a standing fact.
ἐπὶon / atpreposition + genitive (location: 'on the borders')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location: 'on the borders').
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁρίωνbordersGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (the territorial boundary)→ relational specificationὅριον (pl. ὅρια): 'boundary / border / territory'; renders גְּבוּל; the Arnon (the Wadi Mojib) was Moab's northern/southern frontier; the city sits 'on the borders of Arnon', at the very edge of the kingdom.
Αρνωνof Arnongenitive of relationship (indeclinable river-name)→ participant identificationΑρνων: transliteration of אַרְנוֹן; indeclinable; the Arnon gorge, the boundary river between Moab and the Amorite territory (Num 21:13); the city stands at this frontier.
whichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of second ἐστιν, neuter)→ participant referenceὅς (neut. ὅ): relative pronoun; introduces a further locative gloss — 'which is at the edge of the borders.'
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula of the second relative clause→ stative present (geographical fact)εἰμί (pres. ἐστιν): 'is'; the second locative gloss further fixes the frontier position.
ἐκat / frompreposition + genitive (location: 'at the edge')→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'at'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (location: 'at the edge').
μέρουςpart / edgeGenitivegenitive object of ἐκ (in the idiom 'at the edge of')→ relational specificationμέρος: 'part / portion / edge'; the idiom ἐκ μέρους τῶν ὁρίων ('at the edge/extremity of the borders') renders בִּקְצֵה הַגְּבוּל, pinpointing the city at the outermost limit of Moab's territory.
τῶνtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁρίωνbordersGenitivegenitive (with μέρους: 'edge of the borders')→ relational specificationὅριον (pl. ὁρίων): 'border / territory'; the frontier of Moab at whose extremity the city lies.
37

καὶ εἶπεν Βαλακ πρὸς Βαλααμ οὐχὶ ἀπέστειλα πρὸς σὲ καλέσαι σε διὰ τί οὐκ ἤρχου πρός με ὄντως οὐ δυνήσομαι τιμῆσαί σε

And Balak said to Balaam, 'Did I not send to you to summon you? Why did you not come to me? Am I really not able to honor you?'

Direct speech: Balak's reproach for the delayκαὶ εἶπεν Βαλακ πρὸς Βαλααμ
Balak greets Balaam not with welcome but with reproach: a triad of questions (οὐχὶ ἀπέστειλα …; διὰ τί οὐκ ἤρχου …; ὄντως οὐ δυνήσομαι τιμῆσαί σε;). The last is wounded pride dressed as a question — 'am I really unable to honor (= reward) you?' — implying Balaam's delay was a slight to Balak's capacity to pay. The honor/reward theme (τιμάω, cf. v. 17) resurfaces, underscoring the mercenary undertone the NT condemns.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 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 (Balak's reproach)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces Balak's reproachful greeting.
ΒαλακBalaksubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΒαλααμBalaamaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
οὐχὶdid notinterrogative negative (question expecting 'yes')→ clausal contributionοὐχί: emphatic 'not'; introducing a rhetorical question expecting affirmation — 'did I not indeed send…?'
ἀπέστειλαI sentAor Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀποστέλλωverb of the rhetorical question (Balak's prior embassy)→ constative aorist (the completed sending)ἀποστέλλω (aor. ἀπέστειλα): 'send'; Balak reminds Balaam of the embassies he dispatched (vv. 5, 15) — the reproach implies Balaam's slowness was inexcusable.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction).
σὲyouAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Balaam)→ participant referenceσὲ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Balaam).
καλέσαιto summonAor Act Inf · καλέωinfinitive of purpose (the embassy's aim)→ telic aorist infinitive (purpose: to call him)καλέω (aor. inf. καλέσαι): 'call / summon'; the purpose of the embassies (cf. vv. 5, 20) — to bring Balaam to Balak.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of καλέσαι (Balaam)→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of καλέσαι (Balaam).
διὰwhypreposition + accusative (in the idiom διὰ τί: 'why')→ spatial or relational framingδιὰ: meaning 'why'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (in the idiom διὰ τί: 'why').
τίwhat / whyAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (with διά: 'why')→ participant referenceτίς (neut. τί): in διὰ τί ('why'), Balak demands the reason for Balaam's delay.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἤρχου)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἤρχουyou were coming / did you comeImpf Mid Indic 2 Sg · ἔρχομαιverb of the question (Balaam's delay)→ durative imperfect (Balaam's failure to come promptly)ἔρχομαι (impf. ἤρχου): 'come'; the imperfect 'why were you not coming?' reproaches the protracted delay; Balak reads the slowness as reluctance, ignorant of the divine prohibition and the angelic confrontation.
πρόςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingπρός: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
μεmeAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Balak)→ participant referenceμε: meaning 'me'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Balak).
ὄντωςreally / trulyadverb (intensifying the indignant question)→ clausal contributionὄντως: 'really / truly / indeed'; lends the final question an indignant, wounded edge — 'am I truly incapable of honoring you?'
οὐnotnegative particle (with δυνήσομαι)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
δυνήσομαιI shall be ableFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · δύναμαιverb of the final question (Balak's capacity to reward)→ predictive future (Balak's assumed ability to honor)δύναμαι (fut. δυνήσομαι): 'be able'; the same verb Balaam used of his inability to transgress God's word (v. 18) — here ironically Balak boasts of his ability to reward; 'am I really not able to honor (reward) you?' presses the lure of payment, the very snare the NT condemns (2 Pet 2:15).
τιμῆσαίto honor / rewardAor Act Inf · τιμάωcomplementary infinitive (with δυνήσομαι: 'able to honor')→ telic aorist infinitive (the honoring/reward)τιμάω (aor. inf. τιμῆσαι): 'honor / reward / pay'; echoes the promise of v. 17 (ἐντίμως … τιμήσω σε); the honor in view is material reward — Balak reasserts his bribe as if Balaam's delay had questioned his solvency.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of τιμῆσαι (Balaam)→ participant referenceσε: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of τιμῆσαι (Balaam).
38

καὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ πρὸς Βαλακ ἰδοὺ ἥκω πρὸς σέ νῦν δυνατὸς ἔσομαι λαλῆσαί τι τὸ ῥῆμα ὃ ἐὰν βάλῃ ὁ θεὸς εἰς τὸ στόμα μου τοῦτο λαλήσω

And Balaam said to Balak, 'Behold, I have come to you now; shall I be able to say anything at all? The word that God puts in my mouth, that I will speak.'

Direct speech: Balaam's disclaimer — only God's word (foreshadows the oracles)καὶ εἶπεν Βαλααμ πρὸς Βαλακ
Balaam's first words to his patron deflate every expectation: though he has come, he disclaims all autonomous power of speech (δυνατὸς ἔσομαι λαλῆσαί τι; 'shall I have power to say anything?'). The governing principle is stated in its definitive form: ὃ ἐὰν βάλῃ ὁ θεὸς εἰς τὸ στόμα μου, τοῦτο λαλήσω ('whatever God puts in my mouth, that I will speak'). The image of God 'putting a word in the mouth' (cf. v. 28, God opening the donkey's mouth) seals the chapter's theology of the controlled prophetic word and sets up the blessings of chs. 23–24, where Balaam blesses rather than curses.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 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 (Balaam's disclaimer)→ constative aorist (single speech-act)λέγω (aor. εἶπεν): introduces Balaam's reply tempering Balak's expectations.
ΒαλααμBalaamsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΒαλακBalakaccusative object of πρός (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (indeclinable).
ἰδοὺbeholdpresentative particle (attention-marker)→ discourse linkage or contrastἰδού: 'behold'; Balaam presents himself — 'here I am, come to you' — but immediately qualifies his usefulness.
ἥκωI have comePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἥκωmain verb (Balaam's arrival)→ stative present with perfective force (I am here)ἥκω: 'have come / be present'; the present with perfective sense ('I have arrived and am here'); Balaam acknowledges his presence before disowning any independent power.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (goal)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal).
σέyouAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (Balak)→ participant referenceσέ: meaning 'you'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as accusative object of πρός (Balak).
νῦνnowtemporal adverb (with the disclaiming question)→ adverbial qualificationνῦν: 'now'; here marking the present reality — having come, can he in fact do anything?
δυνατὸςable / capableNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσομαι: 'shall I be able')→ participant prominenceδυνατός: 'able / powerful / capable'; the periphrasis δυνατὸς ἔσομαι ('shall I be able') disclaims autonomous power — Balaam can say nothing of his own; the question expects the answer 'no, not unless God grants it.'
ἔσομαιI shall beFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · εἰμίcopula (with δυνατός: 'shall I be able')→ predictive future (in the rhetorical question of capacity)εἰμί (fut. ἔσομαι): 'be'; with δυνατός forms the future periphrasis of capability — Balaam's power to speak is entirely contingent on God.
λαλῆσαίto say / speakAor Act Inf · λαλέωcomplementary infinitive (with δυνατὸς ἔσομαι: 'able to speak')→ telic aorist infinitive (the speaking in question)λαλέω (aor. inf. λαλῆσαι): 'speak'; the infinitive completing 'shall I be able to speak' — the disclaimer of independent prophetic speech.
τιanythingAccusativeindefinite pronoun (object of λαλῆσαι: 'anything')→ participant referenceτις (neut. τι): indefinite 'anything'; 'shall I be able to say anything [of my own]?' — the enclitic stresses that nothing originates with Balaam.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ῥῆμαwordAccusativedirect object (fronted: the word he will speak)→ object specificationῥῆμα: 'word'; the binding divine word — the chapter's governing concept (vv. 8, 18, 20, 35); only the God-given ῥῆμα will Balaam speak, foreshadowing the blessings of chs. 23–24.
which / whateverAccusativerelative pronoun (object of βάλῃ)→ participant referenceὅς (neut. ὅ): relative pronoun; ὃ ἐὰν βάλῃ ('whatever [God] may put') with the subjunctive generalizes — only the divinely-implanted word.
ἐὰνif (ever)particle with relative (indefinite: 'whatever')→ discourse linkage or contrastἐὰν: meaning 'if (ever)'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
βάλῃmay put / castAor Act Subj 3 Sg · βάλλωverb of the indefinite relative clause (God puts the word)→ aorist subjunctive (contingent divine implanting)βάλλω (aor. subj. βάλῃ): 'throw / put / place'; the image of God 'putting/casting a word into the mouth' (= שִׂים דָּבָר בְּפֶה, cf. Num 23:5, 12, 16; Deut 18:18) graphically depicts the prophet as the passive vessel of divine speech; it echoes God opening the donkey's mouth (v. 28) — both mouths commandeered by God.
theNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θεὸςGodNominativesubject of βάλῃ (the one who gives the word)→ participant prominenceθεός: 'God'; the sole author of the word Balaam will speak; the seer's mouth is at God's disposal.
εἰςintopreposition + accusative (direction: 'into my mouth')→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'into'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction: 'into my mouth').
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στόμαmouthAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (Balaam's mouth)→ object specificationστόμα: 'mouth'; renders פֶּה; the prophet's mouth into which God 'casts' his word — pointedly the same noun as the donkey's opened mouth (v. 28); the seer is as much God's instrument as the speaking beast.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (Balaam's mouth)→ relational specificationμου: meaning 'my'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (Balaam's mouth).
τοῦτοthisAccusativedemonstrative (resumptive object of λαλήσω)→ participant referenceοὗτος (neut. τοῦτο): 'this'; resumes τὸ ῥῆμα — 'that very word I will speak'; the emphatic restriction to the divine word alone.
λαλήσωI will speakFut Act Indic 1 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (Balaam's binding commitment)→ predictive future (the constrained prophetic speech)λαλέω (fut. λαλήσω): 'speak'; Balaam's settled commitment to utter only the God-given word — the very principle that will make him bless Israel against Balak's wishes (chs. 23–24), fulfilling God's verdict of v. 12.
39

καὶ ἐπορεύθη Βαλααμ μετὰ Βαλακ καὶ ἦλθον εἰς πόλεις ἐπαύλεων

And Balaam went with Balak, and they came to the cities of courts.

Narrative: the journey to the place of sacrificeκαὶ ἐπορεύθη Βαλααμ μετὰ Βαλακ
A brief itinerary notice: seer and king proceed together εἰς πόλεις ἐπαύλεων ('to the cities of courts/settlements', Hebrew Kiriath-Huzoth). The terse verse moves the narrative from the frontier meeting to the ritual preparations (vv. 40–41) that will lead into the first oracle of ch. 23.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπορεύθηwentAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · πορεύομαιmain verb (Balaam travels with Balak)→ constative aorist (the journey)πορεύομαι (aor. pass. dep. ἐπορεύθη): 'go / travel'; Balaam now accompanies Balak himself toward the place of sacrifice.
ΒαλααμBalaamsubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
μετὰwithpreposition + genitive (accompaniment)→ spatial or relational framingμετὰ: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment).
ΒαλακBalakgenitive object of μετά (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (indeclinable).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἦλθονthey cameAor Act Indic 3 Pl · ἔρχομαιmain verb (arrival at the city)→ constative aorist (completed arrival)ἔρχομαι (aor. ἦλθον): 'come'; the two arrive together at the cities of courts.
εἰςtopreposition + accusative (destination)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (destination).
πόλειςcitiesAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (the destination)→ object specificationπόλις (acc. pl. πόλεις): 'city'; the phrase πόλεις ἐπαύλεων ('cities of courts/settlements') renders the Hebrew place-name קִרְיַת חֻצוֹת (Kiriath-Huzoth, 'town of streets/courts'), which the LXX construes appellatively rather than as a proper name.
ἐπαύλεωνof courts / settlementsGenitivegenitive (with πόλεις: 'cities of courts')→ relational specificationἔπαυλις (gen. pl. ἐπαύλεων): 'farmstead / court / settlement / dwelling'; the genitive renders the Hebrew חֻצוֹת ('streets/courts'); the LXX translates the Hebrew toponym descriptively as 'cities of settlements/courts.'
40

καὶ ἔθυσεν Βαλακ πρόβατα καὶ μόσχους καὶ ἀπέστειλεν τῷ Βαλααμ καὶ τοῖς ἄρχουσι τοῖς μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ

And Balak sacrificed sheep and calves, and sent portions to Balaam and to the princes who were with him.

Narrative: Balak's sacrifice and sharing of portionsκαὶ ἔθυσεν Βαλακ
Balak performs sacrifices (ἔθυσεν πρόβατα καὶ μόσχους, 'sheep and calves') and sends portions to Balaam and his princes — an act of hospitality and, implicitly, of pagan ritual to secure the desired curse. The shared sacrificial meal binds host and seer in covenant fellowship before the oracles, even as the reader knows the curse cannot come.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔθυσενsacrificedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · θύωmain verb (Balak's sacrifice)→ constative aorist (the act of sacrificing)θύω: 'sacrifice / slaughter (for sacrifice)'; renders זָבַח; Balak offers sacrifices — an act of pagan worship intended to dispose the powers (and the seer) toward the desired curse; the sacrificial theme intensifies in ch. 23 (the seven altars).
ΒαλακBalaksubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
πρόβαταsheepAccusativedirect object of ἔθυσεν (the sacrificial sheep)→ object specificationπρόβατον (pl. πρόβατα): 'sheep'; renders צֹאן; part of the sacrificial offering.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μόσχουςcalves / oxenAccusativedirect object of ἔθυσεν (the sacrificial cattle)→ object specificationμόσχος (acc. pl. μόσχους): 'calf / young ox'; renders בָּקָר; the same noun as the grazing ox of v. 4's simile, here the sacrificial cattle.
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀπέστειλενsentAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀποστέλλωmain verb (Balak distributes portions)→ constative aorist (the act of sending portions)ἀποστέλλω (aor. ἀπέστειλεν): 'send'; here of sending portions of the sacrifice — the shared meal of hospitality binding host and guest; renders שָׁלַח (of sending portions, cf. Esth 9:19).
τῷtoDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒαλααμBalaamdative indirect object (article marks case)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: here with the dative article τῷ as recipient of the sacrificial portions.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἄρχουσιprincesDativeindirect object (the princes who shared the meal)→ sphere or referenceἄρχων (dat. pl. ἄρχουσι): 'prince'; the envoys who accompanied Balaam, included in the sacrificial hospitality.
τοῖςthe (who were)Dativearticle (attributive: 'the ones with him')→ noun-phrase markingὁ (dat. pl. τοῖς): the attributive article τοῖς μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ ('those with him') substantivizes the prepositional phrase, identifying the princes accompanying Balaam.
μετ᾿withpreposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided)→ spatial or relational framingμετ᾿: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (accompaniment, elided).
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of μετά (Balaam)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive object of μετά (Balaam).
41

καὶ ἐγενήθη πρωὶ καὶ παραλαβὼν Βαλακ τὸν Βαλααμ ἀνεβίβασεν αὐτὸν ἐπὶ τὴν στήλην τοῦ Βααλ καὶ ἔδειξεν αὐτῷ ἐκεῖθεν μέρος τι τοῦ λαοῦ

And it came to pass in the morning that Balak took Balaam and brought him up onto the pillar of Baal, and showed him from there a portion of the people.

Narrative: Balak leads Balaam up to view the people (sets up ch. 23)καὶ ἐγενήθη πρωί
The chapter closes by setting the stage for the oracles: at dawn Balak leads Balaam up to τὴν στήλην τοῦ Βααλ ('the pillar/high place of Baal', Hebrew Bamoth-Baal) to show him μέρος τι τοῦ λαοῦ ('a portion of the people'). The act of bringing the seer to a vantage point to 'see' Israel and pronounce a curse resumes the chapter's sight-motif — but the reader knows that what Balaam will see, by the word God puts in his mouth (v. 38), he will bless, not curse. The verse is the narrative bridge into Numbers 23.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγενήθηit came to passAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιimpersonal main verb (temporal formula: 'and it happened')→ constative aorist (the temporal transition)γίνομαι (aor. pass. ἐγενήθη): 'become / come to pass'; the impersonal καὶ ἐγενήθη πρωί ('and it came to pass in the morning') renders the Hebrew narrative formula וַיְהִי בַבֹּקֶר, a standard LXX time-transition opening a new scene.
πρωὶmorningadverb (temporal: 'in the morning')→ clausal contributionπρωΐ: 'early / in the morning'; renders בַּבֹּקֶר; the new day on which Balak brings Balaam to view Israel.
καὶandnarrative conjunction (resuming after the time-formula)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
παραλαβὼνhaving takenAor Act Ptcp Masc Nom Sg · παραλαμβάνωcircumstantial participle (attendant: 'taking Balaam')→ antecedent aorist participle (taking before leading up)παραλαμβάνω (aor. ptcp. παραλαβών): 'take along / take with'; renders לָקַח; Balak takes Balaam with him to lead him up to the high place — the conducting of the seer to his vantage point.
ΒαλακBalaksubject (indeclinable)→ participant identificationΒαλακ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as subject (indeclinable).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle (with Βαλααμ, marking the object)→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒαλααμBalaamaccusative object of παραλαβών (article marks case)→ participant identificationΒαλααμ: transliterated proper name rendered in Greek letters; here it functions as accusative object of παραλαβών (article marks case).
ἀνεβίβασενbrought up / led upAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἀναβιβάζωmain verb (Balak leads Balaam up to the high place)→ constative aorist (the act of bringing up)ἀναβιβάζω: 'bring up / cause to go up'; the causative of ἀναβαίνω; renders הֶעֱלָה; Balak leads the seer up onto the high place of Baal to overlook Israel — a vantage point for the intended curse.
αὐτὸνhimAccusativedirect object of ἀνεβίβασεν (Balaam)→ participant referenceαὐτὸν: meaning 'him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as direct object of ἀνεβίβασεν (Balaam).
ἐπὶonto / up topreposition + accusative (goal of the ascent)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'onto'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (goal of the ascent).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στήληνpillar / high placeAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (the cult-site)→ object specificationστήλη: 'pillar / standing-stone / high place'; renders בָּמוֹת ('high places') in the place-name בָּמוֹת בַּעַל (Bamoth-Baal); the LXX 'the pillar of Baal' denotes the Baal-cult high place to which Balaam is led — a pagan sanctuary, ironically the platform from which Israel will be blessed.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ΒααλBaalgenitive of relationship (indeclinable divine name)→ participant identificationΒααλ: transliteration of בַּעַל ('lord, Baal'); indeclinable; the Canaanite-Moabite deity whose high place serves as Balaam's vantage; the Baal connection foreshadows the apostasy at Baal-Peor (Num 25).
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἔδειξενshowedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · δείκνυμιmain verb (Balak shows Balaam the people)→ constative aorist (the act of showing)δείκνυμι (aor. ἔδειξεν): 'show / point out'; renders רָאָה (Hiphil, 'cause to see'); Balak shows Balaam the people so he may see them and curse — the sight-motif resumed at the chapter's close; but what the seer sees he will bless (chs. 23–24).
αὐτῷto himDativeindirect object (Balaam)→ participant reference or interestαὐτῷ: meaning 'to him'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as indirect object (Balaam).
ἐκεῖθενfrom thereadverb of place (source of the viewing: 'from that vantage')→ clausal contributionἐκεῖθεν: 'from there / thence'; from the high place of Baal Balaam is shown the people — the elevated vantage point for the planned curse.
μέροςpart / portionAccusativedirect object of ἔδειξεν (what Balak showed)→ object specificationμέρος: 'part / portion'; renders קְצֵה ('edge / outermost part'); Balak shows him μέρος τι τοῦ λαοῦ ('a portion of the people') — only the nearest part of Israel's vast camp is visible, hinting at the multitude that so terrified Moab (v. 3).
τιsome / a certainAccusativeindefinite pronoun (with μέρος: 'a certain portion')→ participant referenceτις (neut. τι): indefinite 'some / a certain'; μέρος τι ('some portion') marks that only a part of the people was within view.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
λαοῦpeopleGenitivepartitive genitive (with μέρος: 'a portion of the people')→ relational specificationλαός (gen. λαοῦ): 'people'; Israel — the λαός that is εὐλογημένος ('blessed', v. 12) and therefore cannot be cursed; the chapter ends with the seer poised to gaze on the blessed people, setting up the oracles of chs. 23–24.