1
καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν λέγων
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
The formula καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν λέγων is the standard Priestly speech-introduction (rendering וַיְדַבֵּר יְהוָה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר), recurring at every new legal unit in Leviticus–Numbers; here it opens the law of the Nazirite vow. It returns verbatim at v. 22 to introduce the priestly Benediction, framing the chapter in two divine commissions.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (Hebraizing καί-parataxis)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: the paratactic καί rendering Hebrew waw-consecutive; here it opens a fresh legislative unit rather than continuing a scene.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single completed speech-act)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דִּבֶּר (Piel); the aorist ἐλάλησεν introduces direct YHWH-speech in the recurring Priestly commission-formula (cf. Num 5:1, 11; 6:22).
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: the standard LXX rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the nominative subject marks this as unmediated YHWH-speech.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (recipient of speech)→ object specificationΜωυσῆς: transliteration of Hebrew מֹשֶׁה; declined as a first/third-declension noun in Rahlfs' LXX (gen. Μωυσῆ, acc. Μωυσῆν); accusative here as directional object of πρός.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Masc Sg · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introduces direct discourse)→ redundant participle of speaking (Hebraism)λέγω: the participle λέγων renders the Hebrew infinitive לֵאמֹר ('saying'), a fixed quotation-marker introducing the content of divine speech; a pleonastic Hebraism standard throughout the Pentateuch.
2
λάλησον τοῖς υἱοῖς Ισραηλ καὶ ἐρεῖς πρὸς αὐτούς ἀνὴρ ἢ γυνή ὃς ἐὰν μεγάλως εὔξηται εὐχὴν ἀφαγνίσασθαι ἁγνείαν κυρίῳ
Speak to the sons of Israel, and you shall say to them: A man or a woman who greatly vows a vow to dedicate himself in purity to the LORD,
The double command λάλησον … καὶ ἐρεῖς (aorist imperative + future as imperative) launches the casuistic law. The protasis ἀνὴρ ἢ γυνή ὃς ἐὰν … εὔξηται is the standard 'a man or a woman who…' formula opening case-law; the explicit inclusion of γυνή makes the Nazirite vow available to both sexes. μεγάλως εὔξηται εὐχήν is a cognate construction calquing the Hebrew emphatic infinitive absolute הַפְלִא לִנְדֹּר ('to make a special/great vow').
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
λάλησονspeakAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (divine imperative to Moses)→ ingressive aorist imperative (commissioned speech-act)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דַּבֵּר (Piel imperative); the aorist imperative frames the proclamation as a single decisive act of legislation.
τοῖςtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῖς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative indirect object (addressees of the law)→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ ('the sons of Israel') renders בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, the standard covenant-community designation; dative as the recipients of the legislation.
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper noun (genitival: 'of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of Hebrew יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable in the LXX; functions as a genitive of relationship with υἱοῖς.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐρεῖςyou shall sayFut Act Indic 2 Sg · λέγω (εἶπον)main verb (future-as-imperative, parallel to λάλησον)→ volitive future (command expressed as prediction)λέγω (fut. ἐρῶ): 'say'; the future ἐρεῖς renders the Hebrew weqatal וְאָמַרְתָּ used imperativally; the pairing 'speak … and you shall say' is a fixed Pentateuchal idiom for delivering a legal pronouncement.
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→ participant referenceαὐτός: the personal pronoun resuming οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ.
ἀνὴρa manNominativesubject of the casuistic protasis (nominativus pendens)→ participant prominenceἀνήρ: 'man / male'; renders אִישׁ; opens the case-law formula 'a man or a woman who…'; a hanging nominative resumed by the relative ὅς.
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; the disjunction ἀνὴρ ἢ γυνή deliberately extends the vow to both sexes, a notable feature of the Nazirite legislation.
γυνήa womanNominativesubject (second member of the disjunctive protasis)→ participant prominenceγυνή: 'woman / wife'; renders אִשָּׁה; its explicit inclusion shows that the Nazirite consecration was not gender-restricted (cf. later traditions of female Nazirites).
ὃςwhoNominativerelative pronoun (subject of εὔξηται)→ participant referenceὅς: the relative ὃς ἐάν ('whoever') introduces the conditional core of the case-law; masculine by default though the antecedent includes γυνή.
ἐὰνif / everconditional particle (ὃς ἐάν = 'whoever')→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: with the subjunctive forms the generalizing relative 'whoever vows'; renders Hebrew כִּי / אֲשֶׁר with imperfect in casuistic law.
μεγάλωςgreatlyadverb of degree (intensifying εὔξηται)→ clausal contributionμεγάλως: 'greatly / specially'; here it renders the Hebrew infinitive absolute הַפְלִא ('to make extraordinary / to set apart'), so that μεγάλως εὔξηται εὐχήν calques the emphatic Hebrew 'makes a special vow' — the LXX construes the Hebraism adverbially rather than as a cognate object alone.
εὔξηταιvowsAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · εὔχομαιverb of the conditional relative clause→ aorist subjunctive in a generalizing condition (whenever one vows)εὔχομαι: 'vow / pray'; renders נָדַר ('vow'); the deponent middle with cognate object εὐχήν ('vow a vow') reproduces the Hebrew נָדַר נֶדֶר; this verb-family (εὔχομαι, εὐχή, ηὐγμένος) is the lexical thread binding the whole Nazirite law.
εὐχὴνa vowAccusativecognate accusative (direct object of εὔξηται)→ object specificationεὐχή: 'vow / prayer'; renders נֶדֶר; the cognate accusative 'vow a vow' is a Semitic figura etymologica; εὐχὴ ναζιραίου is the technical term for the Nazirite vow, here unfolded in its content.
ἀφαγνίσασθαιto purify oneself / to dedicateAor Mid Inf · ἀφαγνίζωinfinitive of purpose / content (defining the vow)→ ingressive aorist infinitive (entering a state of consecrated purity)ἀφαγνίζω: 'purify / consecrate (by separation)'; the compound ἀφ- ('off, apart') with ἁγνίζω ('purify') captures the Hebrew נָזַר / לְהַזִּיר ('to separate, consecrate'), the very root of נָזִיר ('Nazirite'); the middle ἀφαγνίσασθαι is reflexive, 'to set oneself apart in purity for the LORD.'
ἁγνείανa purification / consecrationAccusativecognate accusative (object of ἀφαγνίσασθαι)→ object specificationἁγνεία: 'purity / ritual consecration'; renders Hebrew נֵזֶר ('consecration, separation'); a second figura etymologica ('purify a purification') intensifying the dedicatory force; the term also names the consecrated state itself (cf. v. 21, κατὰ νόμον ἁγνείας).
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of advantage / direction (the vow's recipient)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the dative κυρίῳ ('to the LORD') marks YHWH as the sole object of the consecration — the Nazirite is set apart not to a sanctuary office but directly to the deity.
3
ἀπὸ οἴνου καὶ σικερα ἁγνισθήσεται ἀπὸ οἴνου καὶ ὄξος ἐξ οἴνου καὶ ὄξος ἐκ σικερα οὐ πίεται καὶ ὅσα κατεργάζεται ἐκ σταφυλῆς οὐ πίεται καὶ σταφυλὴν πρόσφατον καὶ σταφίδα οὐ φάγεται
from wine and strong drink he shall consecrate himself; he shall drink no vinegar made from wine or vinegar made from strong drink, and whatever is produced from the grape he shall not drink, and fresh grapes and a raisin he shall not eat.
The first of the three Nazirite abstentions. The fronted ἀπὸ οἴνου καὶ σικερα ('from wine and strong drink') is emphatic; the prohibition then widens by stages — vinegar of wine, vinegar of σικερα, any vine-product as drink, then fresh grapes and dried raisins as food — an exhaustive ban covering every form of the grape, fermented or fresh, liquid or solid.
Word-by-word analysis· 31 words
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: 'from'; with ἁγνισθήσεται denotes the separation that is the essence of the vow — abstention 'from' wine.
οἴνουwineGenitivegenitive of separation (object of ἀπό)→ relational specificationοἶνος: 'wine'; renders יַיִן; the first and primary object of abstention; wine, as the festive drink of joy and the libation of worship, is renounced as a sign of total consecration.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σικεραstrong drinkindeclinable noun (genitive object of ἀπό, parallel to οἴνου)→ clausal contributionσικερα: an indeclinable loanword transliterating Hebrew שֵׁכָר ('intoxicating drink, beer'); the LXX retains the Semitic term untranslated; the pair οἶνος καὶ σικερα ('wine and strong drink') is a fixed merism for all alcoholic drink (cf. Lev 10:9; Luke 1:15 of John the Baptist).
ἁγνισθήσεταιhe shall consecrate himselfFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἁγνίζωmain verb (legal apodosis; passive in reflexive sense)→ gnomic / legislative future (standing requirement of the law)ἁγνίζω: 'purify / consecrate'; renders יַזִּיר ('he shall separate himself'); the future passive ἁγνισθήσεται functions reflexively, 'he shall keep himself consecrated' — the abstention is itself an act of sanctification.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation, resumptive)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation, resumptive).
οἴνουwineGenitivegenitive of separation (object of ἀπό)→ relational specificationοἶνος: the resumptive 'from wine' begins the detailed expansion of the abstention into vinegar and every vine-product.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄξοςvinegarAccusativedirect object of πίεται (with ἐξ οἴνου)→ object specificationὄξος: 'sour wine / vinegar'; renders חֹמֶץ; even the soured, undrinkable form of wine is forbidden — the ban reaches every derivative of the grape, however degraded.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source / material)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source / material).
οἴνουwineGenitivegenitive of source (vinegar 'from wine')→ relational specificationοἴνου: meaning 'wine'; it serves as genitive of source (vinegar 'from wine').
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὄξοςvinegarAccusativedirect object of πίεται (with ἐκ σικερα)→ object specificationὄξος: the second 'vinegar', now from σικερα, completing the parallel pair (vinegar of wine / vinegar of strong drink).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source / material)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source / material).
σικεραstrong drinkindeclinable noun (genitive of source)→ clausal contributionσικερα: indeclinable; here as the source of the second vinegar.
οὐnotnegative particle (with πίεται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: the absolute negative with the future indicative expresses a categorical legal prohibition ('he shall not drink').
πίεταιhe shall drinkFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · πίνωmain verb (prohibition)→ legislative future (prohibition: 'he shall not drink')πίνω (fut. mid. πίομαι): 'drink'; renders יִשְׁתֶּה; the deponent future with οὐ states the binding prohibition against any wine-derived drink.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ὅσαwhateverAccusativerelative pronoun (object of πίεται; antecedent of κατεργάζεται)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much as / whatever'; the neuter plural ὅσα generalizes the ban to 'whatever is produced from the grape', closing every loophole.
κατεργάζεταιis produced / is madePres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · κατεργάζομαιverb of relative clause (descriptive of vine-products)→ customary present (general characterization)κατεργάζομαι: 'work out / produce / manufacture'; here passive, 'whatever is processed from the grape'; renders the Hebrew idiom for anything made of the grapevine (מִכֹּל אֲשֶׁר יֵעָשֶׂה מִגֶּפֶן הַיַּיִן).
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source / material)→ spatial or relational framingἐκ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source / material).
σταφυλῆςthe grapeGenitivegenitive of source (object of ἐκ)→ relational specificationσταφυλή: 'bunch of grapes / grape'; renders עֵנָב; the source-term embracing all products of the vine, here as raw material of the forbidden drink.
οὐnotnegative particle (with πίεται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
πίεταιhe shall drinkFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · πίνωmain verb (prohibition, repeated)→ legislative future (prohibition)πίνω: the repeated οὐ πίεται underscores the comprehensiveness of the drinking-ban before the verse turns to food.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (transition to food prohibition)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σταφυλὴνgrapesAccusativedirect object of φάγεται→ object specificationσταφυλή: 'grape-cluster'; now as a forbidden food; with πρόσφατον = 'fresh grapes' as opposed to dried.
πρόσφατονfreshAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying σταφυλήν)→ object specificationπρόσφατος: 'fresh / newly made'; renders לַח ('moist, fresh'); 'fresh grapes' contrasts with the dried σταφίς, so that both fresh and preserved fruit are banned.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σταφίδαa raisinAccusativedirect object of φάγεται→ object specificationσταφίς: 'dried grape / raisin'; renders צִמּוּקִים; paired with fresh grapes to make the food-ban exhaustive — neither the fresh nor the dried fruit may be eaten.
οὐnotnegative particle (with φάγεται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγεταιhe shall eatFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (food prohibition)→ legislative future (prohibition: 'he shall not eat')ἐσθίω (fut. mid. φάγομαι): 'eat'; renders יֹאכַל; the shift from οὐ πίεται to οὐ φάγεται completes the vine-abstention across both drinking and eating.
4
πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς εὐχῆς αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ πάντων ὅσα γίνεται ἐξ ἀμπέλου οἶνον ἀπὸ στεμφύλων ἕως γιγάρτου οὐ φάγεται
All the days of his vow, from everything that comes from the vine — wine from the grape-skins to the grape-stone — he shall not eat.
The fronted accusative of extent of time πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ('all the days') opens a refrain that will recur at vv. 5, 6, 8 to mark the duration of the consecration. The abstention is now pressed to its furthest limit by the merism ἀπὸ στεμφύλων ἕως γιγάρτου ('from grape-skins to grape-stone') — from the outer pulp to the inner pip, nothing of the grape may be consumed.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (with ἡμέρας, accusative of extent of time)→ object specificationπᾶς: 'all / every'; πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας ('all the days') is the temporal refrain of the Nazirite law, renders כֹּל יְמֵי, marking the whole duration of the vow as governed by the abstentions.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time ('throughout all the days')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the accusative of temporal extent governs the whole clause; the 'days of his vow' constitute the bounded period of separation.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐχῆςvowGenitivegenitive of definition (the days 'of his vow')→ relational specificationεὐχή: 'vow'; renders נֶדֶר / נֵזֶר; the recurring 'days of the vow' fixes the vow as a temporally delimited consecration, not a lifelong status (contrast Samson, Samuel).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (his vow)→ relational specificationαὐτός: possessive genitive, individualizing the vow as the particular Nazirite's own commitment.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (separation)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (separation).
πάντωνeverythingGenitivegenitive of separation (object of ἀπό)→ relational specificationπᾶς: the neuter plural πάντων ('all things') with the relative ὅσα totalizes the abstention: every single product of the vine is in view.
ὅσαwhateverNominativerelative pronoun (subject of γίνεται)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as much as / whatever'; the neuter plural generalizes, 'whatever comes from the vine.'
γίνεταιcomes / is producedPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · γίνομαιverb of relative clause→ customary present (general characterization)γίνομαι: 'become / come to be / be produced'; here 'whatever is produced from the vine', echoing κατεργάζεται in v. 3; renders Hebrew אֲשֶׁר יֵעָשֶׂה.
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἐξ: meaning 'from'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (source).
ἀμπέλουthe vineGenitivegenitive of source (object of ἐξ)→ relational specificationἄμπελος: 'vine / grapevine'; renders גֶּפֶן; the comprehensive source-term, the plant itself, from which all the banned products derive.
οἶνονwineAccusativeaccusative in apposition / specifying object of φάγεται (loosely construed)→ object specificationοἶνος: 'wine'; the accusative here is awkwardly placed (the Greek somewhat woodenly follows the Hebrew מִיֵּין הַגֶּפֶן, 'wine of the vine'); it specifies the chief product included under 'everything that comes from the vine.'
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (first pole of merism)→ spatial or relational framingἀπό: with ἕως forms the merism ἀπὸ στεμφύλων ἕως γιγάρτου ('from skins to stone'), a totalizing figure embracing every part of the grape.
στεμφύλωνgrape-skinsGenitivegenitive of source (first pole of merism)→ relational specificationστέμφυλον (pl. στέμφυλα): 'pressed grape-skins / husks'; renders חַרְצַנִּים (or זָג); the outer refuse of the grape after pressing — the least edible part, yet still forbidden.
ἕωςtopreposition + genitive (second pole of merism)→ spatial or relational framingἕως: 'as far as / to'; completes the merism reaching to the innermost part of the fruit.
γιγάρτουgrape-stoneGenitivegenitive of end-point (second pole of merism)→ relational specificationγίγαρτον: 'grape-pip / seed'; renders זָג (or חַרְצָן); the innermost kernel of the grape; 'from skin to stone' is a Greek idiom for completeness — absolutely no part of the grape may be eaten.
οὐnotnegative particle (with φάγεται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
φάγεταιhe shall eatFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb (food prohibition)→ legislative future (prohibition)ἐσθίω (fut. mid. φάγομαι): 'eat'; the closing οὐ φάγεται seals the totalizing food-ban that spans the whole grape from husk to seed.
5
πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς εὐχῆς τοῦ ἁγνισμοῦ ξυρὸν οὐκ ἐπελεύσεται ἐπὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ ἕως ἂν πληρωθῶσιν αἱ ἡμέραι ὅσας ηὔξατο κυρίῳ ἅγιος ἔσται τρέφων κόμην τρίχα κεφαλῆς
All the days of the vow of his consecration a razor shall not come upon his head, until the days that he vowed to the LORD are fulfilled; he shall be holy, growing long the hair, the locks of his head.
The temporal refrain returns (πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας) to introduce the second consecration: no razor on the head until the vow's days are fulfilled. The verse climaxes in the positive declaration ἅγιος ἔσται ('he shall be holy') with the participial phrase τρέφων κόμην τρίχα κεφαλῆς ('letting grow the hair, the locks of his head') — the uncut hair is the visible badge of consecration, itself the נֵזֶר ('crown/consecration') worn on the head.
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (accusative of extent of time)→ object specificationπᾶς: the temporal refrain πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας resumes from v. 4, now governing the prohibition of shaving.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the bounded period of consecration during which the head stays unshaven.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐχῆςvowGenitivegenitive of definition→ relational specificationεὐχή: 'vow'; here qualified by τοῦ ἁγνισμοῦ, 'the vow of consecration.'
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἁγνισμοῦconsecration / purificationGenitivegenitive of definition (qualifying εὐχῆς)→ relational specificationἁγνισμός: 'purification / consecration'; renders נֵזֶר ('separation, consecration'); the abstract noun marks the vow precisely as a state of ritual set-apartness, the same root as ἀφαγνίσασθαι (v. 2).
ξυρὸνa razorNominativesubject of ἐπελεύσεται→ participant prominenceξυρόν: 'razor'; renders תַּעַר; the razor that may not touch the head; the prohibition makes the uncut hair the defining external mark of the Nazirite (cf. Samson, Judg 16:17).
οὐκnotnegative particle (with ἐπελεύσεται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: categorical negation of the legal future.
ἐπελεύσεταιshall come uponFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐπέρχομαιmain verb (prohibition)→ legislative future (prohibition: 'shall not come upon')ἐπέρχομαι: 'come upon / pass over'; renders יַעֲבֹר ('shall pass over'); the razor 'coming upon' the head is a vivid rendering — the implement, not the barber, is the grammatical agent forbidden to approach the consecrated head.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction onto)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction onto).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; the locus of the consecration — the head bears the נֵזֶר, the visible sign of the vow; the word recurs through vv. 5, 7, 9, 11, 18 as the focal point of the law.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἕωςuntiltemporal conjunction (ἕως ἄν + subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἕως: 'until'; with ἄν and the subjunctive marks the terminus of the prohibition — the ban holds only until the vow's days are completed.
ἂν[ever]modal particle (with subjunctive in temporal clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: modal particle generalizing the temporal clause.
πληρωθῶσινare fulfilledAor Pass Subj 3 Pl · πληρόωverb of temporal clause (ἕως ἄν + subjunctive)→ aorist subjunctive (completion of the appointed days)πληρόω: 'fill / fulfil / complete'; renders מָלֵא; the passive 'until the days are fulfilled' marks the divinely-appointed term of the vow; the same verb recurs at v. 13 (πληρώσῃ ἡμέρας) for the completion that triggers the closing rite.
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubject of πληρωθῶσιν→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the days of the vow whose completion ends the period of separation.
ὅσαςas many asAccusativerelative pronoun (cognate accusative with ηὔξατο)→ participant referenceὅσος: 'as many as'; the relative ὅσας ('which / however many') refers to the number of days the vower fixed in his vow.
ηὔξατοhe vowedAor Mid Indic 3 Sg · εὔχομαιverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the act of vowing that set the term)εὔχομαι: 'vow'; the aorist ηὔξατο points back to the moment the vow was made and its duration set; the verb-root continues the Nazirite vocabulary.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of advantage (the vow's recipient)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the vow is reckoned 'to the LORD', its sole beneficiary.
ἅγιοςholyNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἅγιος: 'holy / set apart'; renders קָדֹשׁ; the central theological predicate of the Nazirite — set apart to God; the declaration ἅγιος ἔσται κυρίῳ frames the whole consecration (cf. vv. 6, 8).
ἔσταιhe shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopular main verb (predicates ἅγιος)→ legislative future (declared status)εἰμί (fut. ἔσομαι): 'be'; the future copula declares the consecrated status of the Nazirite throughout the vow's duration.
τρέφωνgrowing / nourishingPres Act Part Nom Masc Sg · τρέφωcircumstantial participle (manner: the holiness expressed in the long hair)→ present participle of attendant manner (ongoing growth of the hair)τρέφω: 'nourish / let grow / rear'; here 'letting grow long' the hair; renders גַּדֵּל פֶּרַע ('letting the locks grow'); the participle expresses the visible manifestation of the holiness just declared — the consecration takes bodily form in the uncut hair.
κόμηνhair / long hairAccusativedirect object of τρέφων→ object specificationκόμη: 'hair (of the head), long hair'; renders פֶּרַע; specifically the flowing, unbarbered hair worn as a mark of consecration; the same word Paul uses of long hair in 1 Cor 11:15.
τρίχαthe locks / hairAccusativeaccusative in apposition to κόμην→ object specificationθρίξ (acc. τρίχα): 'hair'; in apposition, specifying the κόμη as 'the hair of the head'; the doubling κόμην τρίχα κεφαλῆς piles up the terms to stress that the whole growth of the head's hair is consecrated.
κεφαλῆςof the headGenitivegenitive of source / part (the hair 'of the head')→ relational specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; the genitive locates the consecrated hair on the head, the seat of the נֵזֶר; the hair will finally be shaved and burnt under the peace-offering at v. 18.
6
πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς εὐχῆς κυρίῳ ἐπὶ πάσῃ ψυχῇ τετελευτηκυίᾳ οὐκ εἰσελεύσεται
All the days of his vow to the LORD he shall not go in to any dead soul.
The third and gravest consecration, again opened by the temporal refrain: throughout the vow the Nazirite may not approach a corpse. The euphemism ψυχῇ τετελευτηκυίᾳ ('a deceased soul' = a dead body) renders the Hebrew נֶפֶשׁ מֵת; the perfect participle τετελευτηκυίᾳ stresses the abiding state of death as a source of ritual defilement.
Word-by-word analysis· 12 words
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (accusative of extent of time)→ object specificationπᾶς: the temporal refrain a third time, now governing the corpse-prohibition.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the whole duration of consecration.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐχῆςvowGenitivegenitive of definition→ relational specificationεὐχή: 'vow'; the consecration period during which corpse-contact is forbidden.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of advantage (the vow 'to the LORD')→ sphere or referenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the vow is reckoned wholly to the LORD, which is why even kin-mourning must yield to the holiness it confers.
ἐπὶto / uponpreposition + dative (with εἰσελεύσεται: approach to)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dative: here 'to / over'; the Nazirite shall not 'go in over / approach' a dead body — the construction renders the Hebrew עַל נֶפֶשׁ מֵת לֹא יָבֹא.
πάσῃanyDativeattributive adjective (modifying ψυχῇ)→ sphere or referenceπᾶς: 'every / any'; with the negative, 'not to any dead soul' — absolutely no corpse, however circumstanced.
ψυχῇsoul / personDativedative object of ἐπί→ sphere or referenceψυχή: 'soul / living being / person'; here, with τετελευτηκυίᾳ, the Hebrew idiom נֶפֶשׁ מֵת ('a dead soul') = a corpse; the LXX preserves the Semitic use of ψυχή for the person even in death.
τετελευτηκυίᾳdead / having diedPerf Act Part Dat Fem Sg · τελευτάωattributive participle (modifying ψυχῇ: 'a deceased soul')→ perfect participle (the abiding state of death)τελευτάω: 'die / come to an end'; the perfect participle τετελευτηκυίᾳ ('having died, now dead') stresses the settled, defiling condition of death; renders מֵת; the perfect tense underlines that it is the persisting state, not the moment of dying, that conveys impurity.
οὐκnotnegative particle (with εἰσελεύσεται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐκ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
εἰσελεύσεταιhe shall go inFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰσέρχομαιmain verb (prohibition)→ legislative future (prohibition: 'he shall not go in / approach')εἰσέρχομαι: 'enter / go in'; renders יָבֹא; 'he shall not go in to any dead body' forbids entering the room or presence of a corpse, the strictest of the three abstentions, surpassing even the high-priestly rule (Lev 21:11).
7
ἐπὶ πατρὶ καὶ ἐπὶ μητρὶ καὶ ἐπ᾿ ἀδελφῷ καὶ ἐπ᾿ ἀδελφῇ οὐ μιανθήσεται ἐπ᾿ αὐτοῖς ἀποθανόντων αὐτῶν ὅτι εὐχὴ θεοῦ αὐτοῦ ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ ἐπὶ κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ
Over father or over mother or over brother or over sister he shall not defile himself for them when they die, because the vow of his God is upon him, upon his head.
The corpse-prohibition is pressed to its hardest case: not even father, mother, brother, or sister may be mourned with the defiling contact. The fourfold ἐπί + dative lists the nearest blood-relations. The causal clause ὅτι εὐχὴ θεοῦ αὐτοῦ ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ ἐπὶ κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ gives the rationale: the consecration of God rests visibly 'upon his head' — the same נֵזֶר/crown worn by the holy hair — overriding even the deepest familial duty.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
ἐπὶoverpreposition + dative (occasion: 'in the case of')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dative: 'over / on account of'; the mourning idiom 'defile oneself over (a dead person)' renders the Hebrew לֹא יִטַּמָּא לְ.
πατρὶfatherDativedative object of ἐπί (first kin-member)→ sphere or referenceπατήρ: 'father'; renders אָב; the first and weightiest of the kin whose death may not defile the Nazirite — a duty that would otherwise be sacred.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶoverpreposition + dative→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative.
μητρὶmotherDativedative object of ἐπί (second kin-member)→ sphere or referenceμήτηρ: 'mother'; renders אֵם; the second nearest relation included in the prohibition.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπ᾿overpreposition + dative (elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (elided before vowel).
ἀδελφῷbrotherDativedative object of ἐπ᾿ (third kin-member)→ sphere or referenceἀδελφός: 'brother'; renders אָח; the third relation in the list of nearest kin.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπ᾿overpreposition + dative (elided before vowel)→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'over'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (elided before vowel).
ἀδελφῇsisterDativedative object of ἐπ᾿ (fourth kin-member)→ sphere or referenceἀδελφή: 'sister'; renders אָחוֹת; the fourth and last named relation; the full list (father, mother, brother, sister) covers the immediate family for whom defilement is normally permitted (cf. Lev 21:2) but here is forbidden.
οὐnotnegative particle (with μιανθήσεται)→ discourse linkage or contrastοὐ: meaning 'not'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μιανθήσεταιhe shall defile himselfFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · μιαίνωmain verb (prohibition; passive in reflexive/middle sense)→ legislative future (prohibition: 'he shall not defile himself')μιαίνω: 'defile / pollute'; renders טָמֵא; the future passive μιανθήσεται is reflexive, 'he shall not render himself unclean'; corpse-contact is the archetypal source of ritual impurity (Num 19), wholly incompatible with the Nazirite's holiness.
ἐπ᾿for / overpreposition + dative (resumptive: 'for them')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dative: resumes the mourning-occasion 'over them.'
αὐτοῖςthemDativedative object of ἐπ᾿ (resumptive of the four kin)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: resumes the four named relations collectively.
ἀποθανόντωνhaving diedAor Act Part Gen Masc Pl · ἀποθνῄσκωgenitive absolute (temporal: 'when they die')→ aorist participle (the event of their death)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; the genitive absolute ἀποθανόντων αὐτῶν ('when they have died') states the very circumstance — bereavement — under which the prohibition holds; even at a parent's death the Nazirite must keep his separation.
αὐτῶνtheyGenitivesubject of the genitive absolute→ relational specificationαὐτός: subject of the genitive absolute, the deceased kin.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction (introducing the rationale)→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; introduces the theological ground for the stringent rule.
εὐχὴthe vowNominativesubject of the verbless causal clause→ participant prominenceεὐχή: 'vow / consecration'; renders נֵזֶר; the 'vow of his God' is pictured as a sacred object resting on the head — the consecration itself, visible in the long hair.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive (the vow 'of his God')→ relational specificationθεός: 'God'; renders אֱלֹהִים; the vow belongs to God — εὐχὴ θεοῦ αὐτοῦ, 'the consecration of his God', stresses that the obligation is owed to the deity, outranking all human ties.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (his God)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (his God).
ἐπ᾿uponpreposition + dative (location: 'upon him')→ spatial or relational framingἐπ᾿: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (location: 'upon him').
αὐτῷhimDativedative object of ἐπ᾿ ('upon him')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'the consecration is upon him' — the vow rests on his person.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + genitive (specifying location: 'upon his head')→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'upon'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + genitive (specifying location: 'upon his head').
κεφαλῆςheadGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί (the consecration 'upon his head')→ relational specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; the closing ἐπὶ κεφαλῆς αὐτοῦ localizes the consecration precisely on the head, the seat of the holy hair — the same head that will be shaved at the vow's defilement (v. 9) or completion (v. 18).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (his head)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (his head).
8
πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς εὐχῆς αὐτοῦ ἅγιος ἔσται κυρίῳ
All the days of his vow he shall be holy to the LORD.
A terse summarizing refrain that gathers the three abstentions into a single declaration of status, forming an inclusio with the ἅγιος ἔσται of v. 5: the sum of the wine-, hair-, and corpse-rules is simply that the Nazirite is 'holy to the LORD' for the whole duration. The verse rounds off the positive section (A) before the law turns to the contingency of defilement (B).
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
πάσαςallAccusativeattributive adjective (accusative of extent of time)→ object specificationπᾶς: the temporal refrain a final time, summing up the whole period of consecration.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the full span of the vow.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐχῆςvowGenitivegenitive of definition→ relational specificationεὐχή: 'vow'; the consecration whose entire duration is summed up as holiness.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἅγιοςholyNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἅγιος: 'holy / set apart'; renders קָדֹשׁ; the defining predicate of the Nazirite repeated from v. 5, framing the abstentions as the content of a single holiness.
ἔσταιhe shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopular main verb (predicates ἅγιος)→ legislative future (declared status)εἰμί (fut. ἔσομαι): 'be'; the declarative future fixes the holy status for the vow's whole term.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of advantage (holy 'to the LORD')→ sphere or referenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; ἅγιος ... κυρίῳ ('holy to the LORD') is the formula later inscribed on the high priest's plate (Exod 28:36); here it is applied to the lay Nazirite, democratizing priestly holiness for the duration of the vow.
9
ἐὰν δέ τις ἀποθάνῃ ἐξάπινα ἐπ᾿ αὐτῷ παραχρῆμα μιανθήσεται ἡ κεφαλὴ εὐχῆς αὐτοῦ καὶ ξυρήσεται τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ ᾗ ἂν ἡμέρᾳ καθαρισθῇ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ἑβδόμῃ ξυρηθήσεται
But if someone dies suddenly beside him, the head of his vow shall be defiled at once, and he shall shave his head on whatever day he is cleansed; on the seventh day he shall be shaved.
δέ marks the turn from the ideal vow to the contingency that ruins it: an unforeseen death (ἐξάπινα, 'suddenly') beside the Nazirite. The double temporal markers ἐξάπινα and παραχρῆμα ('at once') stress the instantaneous, involuntary nature of the defilement; the consecrated head is rendered unclean in a moment, requiring shaving and a fresh start (vv. 10–12).
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (introducing protasis)→ discourse linkage or contrastἐάν: 'if'; with the subjunctive opens a new casuistic case; renders כִּי.
δέbutmild adversative (post-positive)→ discourse linkage or contrastδέ: post-positive particle marking the contrast between the ideal vow and the case of its inadvertent breach.
τιςsomeoneNominativesubject of ἀποθάνῃ (indefinite pronoun)→ participant referenceτις: 'someone / anyone'; the indefinite pronoun leaves the dead person unspecified — any sudden death nearby defiles the Nazirite.
ἀποθάνῃdiesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἀποθνῄσκωverb of conditional protasis→ aorist subjunctive (hypothetical event of death)ἀποθνῄσκω: 'die'; renders יָמוּת; the aorist subjunctive in the protasis frames the death as the contingent event triggering the law.
ἐξάπιναsuddenlyadverb of manner (temporal: 'all at once')→ clausal contributionἐξάπινα: 'suddenly / unexpectedly'; renders פֶּתַע פִּתְאֹם ('in sudden surprise'); stresses that the defilement is wholly unforeseen and outside the Nazirite's control.
ἐπ᾿beside / bypreposition + dative (proximity: 'beside him')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dative: 'by / beside'; renders עָלָיו ('by him'); the death occurs in the Nazirite's immediate presence, conveying corpse-impurity.
αὐτῷhimDativedative object of ἐπ᾿ ('beside him')→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: the Nazirite, beside whom the death occurs.
παραχρῆμαat once / immediatelyadverb of time (immediacy)→ clausal contributionπαραχρῆμα: 'immediately / on the spot'; pairs with ἐξάπινα to stress that defilement is instantaneous — the consecrated head is unclean the moment death occurs.
μιανθήσεταιshall be defiledFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · μιαίνωmain verb (apodosis)→ predictive/legislative future (the resulting defilement)μιαίνω: 'defile / pollute'; the true passive here — the head 'shall be defiled' through no intention of its own; the involuntary defilement is precisely what the following remedial rite addresses.
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴheadNominativesubject of μιανθήσεται→ participant prominenceκεφαλή: 'head'; renders רֹאשׁ; the consecrated head — bearer of the holy hair — is the very thing defiled, hence it must be shaved; ἡ κεφαλὴ εὐχῆς αὐτοῦ = 'the head of his vow', the head on which the consecration rests.
εὐχῆςof vowGenitivegenitive of definition (the head 'of his vow')→ relational specificationεὐχή: 'vow / consecration'; the head is defined by the vow it bears.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ξυρήσεταιhe shall shaveFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ξυράωmain verb (prescribed remedy)→ legislative future (required action)ξυράω: 'shave'; renders גִּלַּח; the middle ξυρήσεται ('he shall shave [himself])' prescribes the removal of the now-defiled hair — the same verb governs the completion-shaving at v. 18, but here it signals failure rather than fulfilment.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativedirect object of ξυρήσεται→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; the defiled head to be shaved clean.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ᾗon whichDativerelative pronoun (dative of time, with ἡμέρᾳ)→ participant reference or interestὅς: the relative ᾗ ('on which') with ἡμέρᾳ forms 'on whatever day', a dative of time.
ἂν[ever]modal particle (generalizing the relative clause)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: with the subjunctive καθαρισθῇ generalizes, 'on whatever day.'
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time (with the relative ᾗ)→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the day of cleansing on which the shaving occurs.
καθαρισθῇhe is cleansedAor Pass Subj 3 Sg · καθαρίζωverb of generalizing relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (the act of ritual cleansing)καθαρίζω: 'cleanse / purify'; renders טָהֵר; the passive 'on whatever day he is cleansed' refers to the purification from corpse-impurity (cf. the seven-day rite of Num 19); the shaving accompanies the restoration to purity.
τῇon theDativearticle (dative of time)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time ('on the seventh day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; specifies the day of shaving as the seventh, the terminal day of corpse-purification per Num 19:11–12.
τῇtheDativearticle (with ἑβδόμῃ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἑβδόμῃseventhDativeattributive ordinal adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἕβδομος: 'seventh'; renders הַשְּׁבִיעִי; the seventh day completes the standard corpse-purification cycle, on which the Nazirite is shaved clean before the eighth-day offerings.
ξυρηθήσεταιhe shall be shavedFut Pass Indic 3 Sg · ξυράωmain verb (restating the prescribed shaving)→ legislative future (required action, restated emphatically)ξυράω: 'shave'; the future passive ξυρηθήσεται restates the shaving with emphasis on its fixed day; the repetition (ξυρήσεται … ξυρηθήσεται) frames the whole act around the seventh day.
10
καὶ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῇ ὀγδόῃ οἴσει δύο τρυγόνας ἢ δύο νεοσσοὺς περιστερῶν πρὸς τὸν ἱερέα ἐπὶ τὰς θύρας τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου
And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest, to the doors of the tent of witness.
The day after the seventh-day shaving, the restored Nazirite brings the prescribed bird-offerings to the priest. The pair 'two turtledoves or two young pigeons' is the standard concession-offering of the poor (Lev 5:7; 12:8; cf. Luke 2:24), here required for the inadvertently defiled vower. The locale 'the doors of the tent of witness' (σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου = אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד) anchors the rite at the sanctuary entrance.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (sequential)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τῇon theDativearticle (dative of time)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time ('on the eighth day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the eighth day, following the seventh-day cleansing, is the appointed time for the restorative offerings.
τῇtheDativearticle (with ὀγδόῃ)→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὀγδόῃeighthDativeattributive ordinal adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceὄγδοος: 'eighth'; renders הַשְּׁמִינִי; the eighth day, a recurring marker of new beginnings and restored fellowship in Priestly law (cf. Lev 9:1; 14:10; 15:14).
οἴσειhe shall bringFut Act Indic 3 Sg · φέρωmain verb (prescribed action)→ legislative future (required offering)φέρω (fut. οἴσω): 'bring / carry'; renders יָבִיא; the bringing of the birds to the priest initiates the eighth-day restoration ritual.
δύοtwoAccusativenumeral (modifying τρυγόνας)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; indeclinable numeral; the pair of birds matches the two offerings (sin and whole-burnt) of v. 11.
τρυγόναςturtledovesAccusativedirect object of οἴσει→ object specificationτρυγών: 'turtledove'; renders תֹּר; one of the two acceptable bird-offerings; the turtledove–pigeon pair is the offering of those who cannot afford a lamb (Lev 5:7), the same brought by Mary at Jesus' presentation (Luke 2:24).
ἢordisjunctive conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastἤ: 'or'; offers the alternative bird, leaving the choice to availability.
δύοtwoAccusativenumeral (modifying νεοσσούς)→ measure or countδύο: 'two'; the alternative pair of pigeons.
νεοσσοὺςyoung / nestlingsAccusativedirect object (alternative to τρυγόνας)→ object specificationνεοσσός: 'young bird / nestling'; with περιστερῶν, 'young pigeons'; renders בְּנֵי יוֹנָה ('sons of the dove'); the young birds are the cheaper, more available alternative.
περιστερῶνof pigeons / dovesGenitivegenitive (partitive/descriptive: 'young of pigeons')→ relational specificationπεριστερά: 'pigeon / dove'; renders יוֹנָה; νεοσσοὺς περιστερῶν = 'young pigeons', the second acceptable bird-offering.
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction toward the priest)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction toward the priest).
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερέαpriestAccusativeaccusative object of πρός (recipient of the offering)→ object specificationἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the priest as the necessary mediator who performs the sacrificial portions of the restoration; the lay Nazirite brings, but the priest offers.
ἐπὶto / atpreposition + accusative (direction to a place)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction to a place).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύραςdoorsAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (place of presentation)→ object specificationθύρα: 'door / entrance'; renders פֶּתַח; 'the doors of the tent of witness' is the standard place of sacrificial presentation, the threshold between the camp and the sanctuary.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtentGenitivegenitive (the doors 'of the tent')→ relational specificationσκηνή: 'tent / tabernacle'; renders אֹהֶל; σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου ('tent of witness') is the LXX's standard rendering of אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד ('tent of meeting'), the portable sanctuary.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουwitness / testimonyGenitivegenitive of definition (qualifying σκηνῆς)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'witness / testimony'; the LXX read מוֹעֵד ('meeting') as though related to עֵד ('witness'), hence 'tent of witness' — the dwelling that testifies to YHWH's presence among Israel; the phrase recurs at vv. 13, 18.
11
καὶ ποιήσει ὁ ἱερεὺς μίαν περὶ ἁμαρτίας καὶ μίαν εἰς ὁλοκαύτωμα καὶ ἐξιλάσεται περὶ αὐτοῦ ὁ ἱερεὺς περὶ ὧν ἥμαρτεν περὶ τῆς ψυχῆς καὶ ἁγιάσει τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ
And the priest shall make one as a sin-offering and one as a whole-burnt-offering, and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning the things in which he sinned with respect to the dead soul, and he shall sanctify his head on that day.
The priest performs the two-bird ritual: one bird περὶ ἁμαρτίας ('for a sin-offering') and one εἰς ὁλοκαύτωμα ('for a whole-burnt-offering'), then makes atonement (ἐξιλάσεται). The defilement is treated as sin (ὧν ἥμαρτεν) incurred περὶ τῆς ψυχῆς ('with respect to the [dead] soul'), even though involuntary. The re-consecration (ἁγιάσει τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ) restores the holy status to the now-cleansed head, beginning the vow afresh.
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσειshall make / offerFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (priestly action)→ legislative future (required ritual act)ποιέω: 'make / do / offer'; renders עָשָׂה; in cultic contexts ποιέω + offering-name means 'offer / perform (a sacrifice)'; the priest 'makes' one bird a sin-offering and one a whole-burnt-offering.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the priest alone performs the sacrificial and atoning acts that the lay Nazirite cannot.
μίανoneAccusativesubstantival numeral (object: 'one [bird]')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; the feminine μίαν agrees with the implied bird (τρυγόνα / περιστεράν); 'one' bird becomes the sin-offering.
περὶfor / concerningpreposition + genitive (purpose of the offering)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + genitive: in cultic idiom 'as a (sin-)offering'; περὶ ἁμαρτίας ('for sin') is the LXX's regular phrase for the חַטָּאת.
ἁμαρτίαςsinGenitivegenitive object of περί ('for sin')→ relational specificationἁμαρτία: 'sin / sin-offering'; renders חַטָּאת; the first bird purges the impurity contracted by corpse-contact, here reckoned as a sin even though incurred involuntarily.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μίανoneAccusativesubstantival numeral (object: 'one [bird]')→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: the second bird, made a whole-burnt-offering.
εἰςfor / aspreposition + accusative (purpose)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: 'for / as'; εἰς ὁλοκαύτωμα ('for a whole-burnt-offering') marks the purpose of the second bird.
ὁλοκαύτωμαwhole-burnt-offeringAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose)→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωμα: 'whole-burnt-offering'; renders עֹלָה; the offering wholly consumed on the altar, expressing total dedication; with the sin-offering it completes the dual purification and re-dedication.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐξιλάσεταιshall make atonementFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ἐξιλάσκομαιmain verb (atoning action)→ legislative future (required atonement)ἐξιλάσκομαι: 'make atonement / propitiate'; renders כִּפֶּר (Piel); the LXX's standard verb for priestly atonement (cf. Lev 4–5; 16); the prefix ἐξ- intensifies; the priest effects reconciliation for the defiled vower.
περὶforpreposition + genitive (the one atoned for)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + genitive: 'on behalf of'; the atonement is made 'for him', the Nazirite.
αὐτοῦhimGenitivegenitive object of περί→ relational specificationαὐτός: the Nazirite, the beneficiary of the atonement.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativesubject (restated)→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; the repeated subject keeps the priest as the sole atoning agent in focus.
περὶconcerningpreposition + genitive (the matter atoned)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + genitive: 'concerning'; introduces the specific guilt covered by the atonement.
ὧνthe things whichGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive by attraction, object of ἥμαρτεν)→ relational specificationὅς: the relative ὧν ('the things in which'), attracted to the genitive of its antecedent; refers to the sin incurred by the defilement.
ἥμαρτενhe sinnedAor Act Indic 3 Sg · ἁμαρτάνωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist (the incurred guilt)ἁμαρτάνω: 'sin / err'; renders חָטָא; the corpse-defilement is reckoned as a 'sin', illustrating the Priestly conception of impurity as objective guilt requiring atonement, independent of intention.
περὶwith respect topreposition + genitive (occasion of the sin)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + genitive: 'with respect to'; specifies that the sin was incurred in connection with the dead body.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ψυχῆςsoul / dead bodyGenitivegenitive object of περί (the corpse)→ relational specificationψυχή: 'soul / person'; here, as in v. 6, the Hebrew idiom נֶפֶשׁ for a dead body — the corpse whose proximity defiled the Nazirite; 'with respect to the [dead] soul' names the source of the impurity.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἁγιάσειshall sanctifyFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἁγιάζωmain verb (re-consecration)→ legislative future (required re-consecration)ἁγιάζω: 'make holy / consecrate'; renders קִדֵּשׁ; after atonement the priest re-consecrates the head, restoring the holiness lost by defilement; the verb echoes ἅγιος of vv. 5, 8 — the vow is re-launched.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativedirect object of ἁγιάσει→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; the freshly-shaved head is re-consecrated, to grow the holy hair anew for the renewed term of the vow.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἐνonpreposition + dative (time)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (time).
ἐκείνῃthatDativedemonstrative adjective (modifying ἡμέρᾳ)→ sphere or referenceἐκεῖνος: 'that'; the re-consecration occurs 'on that day', the eighth day of the offerings.
τῇtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῇ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time ('on that day')→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the day of the offerings and re-consecration, marking the fresh start of the vow.
12
ᾗ ἡγιάσθη κυρίῳ τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς εὐχῆς καὶ προσάξει ἀμνὸν ἐνιαύσιον εἰς πλημμέλειαν καὶ αἱ ἡμέραι αἱ πρότεραι ἄλογοι ἔσονται ὅτι ἐμιάνθη κεφαλὴ εὐχῆς αὐτοῦ
on which he was sanctified to the LORD for the days of the vow; and he shall bring a year-old lamb for a trespass-offering, and the former days shall be discounted, because the head of his vow was defiled.
The verse completes the remedy: the day of re-consecration restarts the vow's count, and a year-old lamb is brought εἰς πλημμέλειαν ('as a trespass/guilt-offering'). The crux is αἱ ἡμέραι αἱ πρότεραι ἄλογοι ἔσονται — 'the former days shall be discounted/void' — the previously accumulated days of the vow are forfeited, because the consecrated head was defiled. The vow must be served afresh in full.
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
ᾗon whichDativerelative pronoun (dative of time, resuming 'that day')→ participant reference or interestὅς: the relative ᾗ ('on which [day]') resumes ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ of v. 11, linking the re-consecration to the renewed count.
ἡγιάσθηhe was sanctifiedAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · ἁγιάζωverb of relative clause→ constative aorist passive (the act of re-consecration)ἁγιάζω: 'make holy / consecrate'; the passive 'he was sanctified to the LORD' marks the day on which the renewed holiness begins; the same root that ran through vv. 5, 8, 11.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of advantage→ sphere or referenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the re-consecration, like the original vow, is 'to the LORD.'
τὰςtheAccusativearticle (accusative of extent of time)→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativeaccusative of extent of time ('for the days of the vow')→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the renewed full term of the vow that the re-consecrated Nazirite must now serve.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐχῆςvowGenitivegenitive of definition→ relational specificationεὐχή: 'vow'; the consecration that must be recommenced in full.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσάξειhe shall bringFut Act Indic 3 Sg · προσάγωmain verb (prescribed offering)→ legislative future (required offering)προσάγω: 'bring near / present (an offering)'; renders הִקְרִיב; the technical verb for presenting a sacrifice; here the year-old lamb of the trespass-offering.
ἀμνὸνlambAccusativedirect object of προσάξει→ object specificationἀμνός: 'lamb'; renders כֶּבֶשׂ; the male lamb required as the guilt-offering for the broken vow.
ἐνιαύσιονyear-oldAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἀμνόν)→ object specificationἐνιαύσιος: 'a year old / yearling'; renders בֶּן־שָׁנָה ('son of a year'); the prescribed age for many sacrificial victims (cf. v. 14).
εἰςfor / aspreposition + accusative (purpose)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: 'for / as'; marks the lamb's purpose as the trespass-offering.
πλημμέλειανtrespass / guilt-offeringAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose)→ object specificationπλημμέλεια: 'fault / trespass / guilt-offering'; renders אָשָׁם; the LXX's standard term for the guilt-offering that compensates for a breach; the defiled vow constitutes a 'fault' requiring this distinct sacrifice.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
αἱtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἡμέραιdaysNominativesubject of ἔσονται→ participant prominenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the previously served days of the vow, now declared void.
αἱtheNominativearticle (with πρότεραι)→ noun-phrase markingαἱ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρότεραιformerNominativeattributive adjective (modifying ἡμέραι)→ participant prominenceπρότερος: 'former / earlier'; renders הָרִאשֹׁנִים; the days of the vow served before the defilement, which are now forfeited.
ἄλογοιdiscounted / voidNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσονται)→ participant prominenceἄλογος: lit. 'without reckoning / not counted'; renders יִפְּלוּ ('shall fall / be void'); the LXX construes the Hebrew with the striking ἄλογοι — the former days 'shall be uncounted', i.e. they do not count toward the vow; not the usual sense 'irrational/speechless' but 'discounted, left out of the reckoning' (from ἀ- + λόγος as 'account').
ἔσονταιshall beFut Mid Indic 3 Pl · εἰμίcopular main verb (predicates ἄλογοι)→ legislative future (declared forfeiture)εἰμί (fut. ἔσονται): 'be'; the future copula declares the legal nullification of the prior days.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastὅτι: 'because'; gives the reason for the forfeiture.
ἐμιάνθηwas defiledAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · μιαίνωverb of causal clause→ constative aorist passive (the past defilement)μιαίνω: 'defile'; the aorist passive ἐμιάνθη ('was defiled') names the completed event that voided the vow; echoes μιανθήσεται of v. 9, closing the section on a note of accomplished pollution now remedied.
κεφαλὴheadNominativesubject of ἐμιάνθη→ participant prominenceκεφαλή: 'head'; the consecrated head whose defilement nullified the accumulated days; κεφαλὴ εὐχῆς αὐτοῦ, 'the head of his vow', repeats the phrase of v. 9.
εὐχῆςof vowGenitivegenitive of definition→ relational specificationεὐχή: 'vow'; the head defined by the consecration it bore.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
13
καὶ οὗτος ὁ νόμος τοῦ εὐξαμένου ᾗ ἂν ἡμέρᾳ πληρώσῃ ἡμέρας εὐχῆς αὐτοῦ προσοίσει αὐτὸς παρὰ τὰς θύρας τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου
And this is the law of the one who has vowed: on whatever day he fulfills the days of his vow, he himself shall bring an offering beside the doors of the tent of witness.
The heading οὗτος ὁ νόμος τοῦ εὐξαμένου ('this is the law of the one who has vowed') opens the third section, the ritual for the successful completion of the vow. The aorist participle τοῦ εὐξαμένου ('the one who vowed') anticipates ὁ ηὐγμένος ('the one who has vowed', vv. 18–20), the perfect-participial title that crowns the fulfilled Nazirite. The fulfilment-clause (πληρώσῃ ἡμέρας) answers the πληρωθῶσιν of v. 5.
Word-by-word analysis· 22 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative (subject of verbless clause)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the heading-formula οὗτος ὁ νόμος ('this is the law') introduces a discrete ritual prescription (cf. v. 21; Lev 6–7); renders זֹאת תּוֹרַת.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νόμοςlawNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceνόμος: 'law / instruction'; renders תּוֹרָה; here a specific ritual ordinance, the prescribed procedure for the completion of the Nazirite vow.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle (with the participle)→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐξαμένουthe one who has vowedAor Mid Part Gen Masc Sg · εὔχομαιsubstantival participle (genitive: 'of the vower')→ aorist participle substantivized (the one who made the vow)εὔχομαι: 'vow'; the substantival aorist participle ὁ εὐξάμενος ('the one who vowed') names the Nazirite by his defining act; renders הַנָּזִיר; the same designation heads the closing summary at v. 21.
ᾗon whichDativerelative pronoun (dative of time, with ἡμέρᾳ)→ participant reference or interestὅς: the relative ᾗ ('on which') with ἂν and ἡμέρᾳ forms 'on whatever day.'
ἂν[ever]modal particle (generalizing with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: generalizes the temporal clause.
ἡμέρᾳdayDativedative of time→ sphere or referenceἡμέρα: 'day'; the day on which the vow's term is completed.
πληρώσῃhe fulfillsAor Act Subj 3 Sg · πληρόωverb of generalizing temporal clause→ aorist subjunctive (completion of the appointed days)πληρόω: 'fill / complete / fulfil'; renders מָלֵא; 'when he completes the days of his vow' marks the successful end of the term, answering the πληρωθῶσιν of v. 5 and triggering the completion-offerings.
ἡμέραςdaysAccusativedirect object of πληρώσῃ→ object specificationἡμέρα: 'day'; the full count of days the vower pledged, now completed.
εὐχῆςof vowGenitivegenitive of definition→ relational specificationεὐχή: 'vow'; the days belonging to the consecration.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
προσοίσειhe shall bringFut Act Indic 3 Sg · προσφέρωmain verb (prescribed presentation)→ legislative future (required action)προσφέρω (fut. προσοίσω): 'bring near / present / offer'; renders הִקְרִיב; the technical verb for presenting offerings; the vower himself brings his completion-offerings to the sanctuary entrance.
αὐτὸςhe himselfNominativeintensive pronoun (emphasizing the subject)→ participant referenceαὐτός: the intensive 'he himself' stresses that the Nazirite personally presents the offering — a mark of the personal, voluntary character of the vow.
παρὰbesidepreposition + accusative (position: 'beside')→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + accusative: 'beside / alongside'; locates the presentation at the very threshold of the tent.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύραςdoorsAccusativeaccusative object of παρά→ object specificationθύρα: 'door / entrance'; renders פֶּתַח; the sanctuary entrance, the appointed place of presentation (as in v. 10).
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtentGenitivegenitive (the doors 'of the tent')→ relational specificationσκηνή: 'tent / tabernacle'; renders אֹהֶל; the dwelling of YHWH among Israel.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουwitnessGenitivegenitive of definition (qualifying σκηνῆς)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'witness / testimony'; σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου = 'tent of witness', the LXX rendering of אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד.
14
καὶ προσάξει τὸ δῶρον αὐτοῦ κυρίῳ ἀμνὸν ἐνιαύσιον ἄμωμον ἕνα εἰς ὁλοκαύτωσιν καὶ ἀμνάδα ἐνιαυσίαν ἄμωμον μίαν εἰς ἁμαρτίαν καὶ κριὸν ἕνα ἄμωμον εἰς σωτήριον
And he shall bring his gift to the LORD: one year-old unblemished male lamb for a whole-burnt-offering, and one year-old unblemished ewe-lamb for a sin-offering, and one unblemished ram for a peace-offering,
The completion-gift is a threefold sacrifice, each victim 'unblemished' (ἄμωμον): a male lamb for the whole-burnt-offering (ὁλοκαύτωσις), a ewe-lamb for the sin-offering (ἁμαρτία), and a ram for the peace-offering (σωτήριον). The triad — dedication, purification, communion — gathers the whole sacrificial system into the climax of the vow, with the σωτήριον (peace-offering) as the festive centerpiece under which the hair will be burnt (v. 18).
Word-by-word analysis· 25 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσάξειhe shall bringFut Act Indic 3 Sg · προσάγωmain verb (presentation of the gift)→ legislative future (required offering)προσάγω: 'bring near / present'; renders הִקְרִיב; the verb of sacrificial presentation, here introducing the threefold completion-gift.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
δῶρονgift / offeringAccusativedirect object of προσάξει→ object specificationδῶρον: 'gift / offering'; renders קָרְבָּן ('offering'); the collective term for the whole set of victims now itemized.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of advantage (the offering's recipient)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the gift is brought 'to the LORD', the addressee of the whole vow.
ἀμνὸνlambAccusativeaccusative in apposition to δῶρον (first victim)→ object specificationἀμνός: 'lamb (male)'; renders כֶּבֶשׂ; the male lamb designated for the whole-burnt-offering.
ἐνιαύσιονyear-oldAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἀμνόν)→ object specificationἐνιαύσιος: 'a year old'; renders בֶּן־שָׁנָה; the prescribed sacrificial age.
ἄμωμονunblemishedAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἀμνόν)→ object specificationἄμωμος: 'without blemish / spotless'; renders תָּמִים; the indispensable qualification of every sacrificial victim (cf. 1 Pet 1:19 of Christ as ἀμνὸς ἄμωμος); repeated for each of the three animals.
ἕναoneAccusativenumeral (modifying ἀμνόν)→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; the masculine ἕνα specifies a single male lamb.
εἰςfor / aspreposition + accusative (purpose)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: 'for / as'; marks the lamb's sacrificial purpose.
ὁλοκαύτωσινwhole-burnt-offeringAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose)→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωσις: 'whole-burnt-offering'; renders עֹלָה; a near-synonym of ὁλοκαύτωμα (v. 11); the offering wholly consumed, expressing total self-dedication — fitting for the climax of the vow of consecration.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἀμνάδαewe-lambAccusativeaccusative (second victim)→ object specificationἀμνάς: 'ewe-lamb (female)'; renders כִּבְשָׂה; the female lamb designated for the sin-offering; the feminine form distinguishes it from the male ἀμνός.
ἐνιαυσίανyear-oldAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἀμνάδα)→ object specificationἐνιαύσιος: 'a year old'; the feminine ἐνιαυσίαν agrees with ἀμνάδα.
ἄμωμονunblemishedAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἀμνάδα)→ object specificationἄμωμος: 'without blemish'; the same required perfection for the ewe-lamb.
μίανoneAccusativenumeral (modifying ἀμνάδα)→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; the feminine μίαν specifies a single ewe-lamb.
εἰςfor / aspreposition + accusative (purpose)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose).
ἁμαρτίανsin-offeringAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose)→ object specificationἁμαρτία: 'sin / sin-offering'; renders חַטָּאת; the ewe-lamb purges any inadvertent impurity, completing the purification before the communion-offering.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κριὸνramAccusativeaccusative (third victim)→ object specificationκριός: 'ram'; renders אַיִל; the ram is the largest of the three victims, designated for the peace-offering, the festive communal sacrifice that crowns the rite.
ἕναoneAccusativenumeral (modifying κριόν)→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; a single ram.
ἄμωμονunblemishedAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying κριόν)→ object specificationἄμωμος: 'without blemish'; the third repetition stresses the unblemished perfection of all the completion-victims.
εἰςfor / aspreposition + accusative (purpose)→ spatial or relational framingεἰς: meaning 'for'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (purpose).
σωτήριονpeace-offeringAccusativeaccusative object of εἰς (purpose)→ object specificationσωτήριον: 'offering of well-being / peace-offering'; renders שֶׁלֶם / שְׁלָמִים; the LXX renders the שֶׁלֶם by the abstract σωτήριον ('thing of salvation/well-being'); the shared meal of communion with God, under which the consecrated hair is burnt (v. 18) and from which the priest receives his portions (vv. 19–20).
15
καὶ κανοῦν ἀζύμων σεμιδάλεως ἄρτους ἀναπεποιημένους ἐν ἐλαίῳ καὶ λάγανα ἄζυμα κεχρισμένα ἐν ἐλαίῳ καὶ θυσία αὐτῶν καὶ σπονδὴ αὐτῶν
and a basket of unleavened bread of fine flour, loaves mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and their grain-offering and their drink-offering.
The animal triad is completed by the bread-offerings: a basket of unleavened fine-flour loaves mixed with oil and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, together with the standard grain- and drink-offerings (θυσία … σπονδή). The unleavened bread, the oil-mixed cakes, and the wafers form the cereal accompaniment of the peace-offering (cf. Lev 7:12); two of these items (a cake and a wafer) will be lifted as the priest's wave-portion in vv. 19–20.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
κανοῦνa basketAccusativeaccusative (continuing the object of προσάξει from v. 14)→ object specificationκανοῦν: 'basket'; renders סַל; the container of the bread-offerings; the basket itself becomes part of the presentation (cf. v. 17, ἐπὶ τῷ κανῷ).
ἀζύμωνof unleavened breadGenitivegenitive of content (a basket 'of unleavened things')→ relational specificationἄζυμος: 'unleavened'; the neuter plural τὰ ἄζυμα = 'unleavened bread/cakes'; renders מַצּוֹת; leaven, associated with corruption, is excluded from this holy offering.
σεμιδάλεωςof fine flourGenitivegenitive of material (the bread 'of fine flour')→ relational specificationσεμίδαλις: 'fine wheat flour'; renders סֹלֶת; the choicest flour, used for the most honorable cereal-offerings.
ἄρτουςloavesAccusativeaccusative in apposition to κανοῦν (specifying the contents)→ object specificationἄρτος: 'bread / loaf'; renders חַלּוֹת ('cakes'); the round loaves mixed with oil that form one component of the basket.
ἀναπεποιημένουςmixed / preparedPerf Mid/Pass Part Acc Masc Pl · ἀναποιέωattributive participle (modifying ἄρτους)→ perfect participle (the finished, oil-mixed state of the loaves)ἀναποιέω: 'work up / knead / mix'; the perfect passive participle 'kneaded/mixed (with oil)' renders בְּלוּלֹת בַּשֶּׁמֶן ('mingled with oil'); the perfect stresses the completed preparation of the loaves before presentation.
ἐνwith / inpreposition + dative (means / material)→ spatial or relational framingἐν + dative: instrumental, 'with oil.'
ἐλαίῳoilDativedative of means (the loaves mixed 'with oil')→ sphere or referenceἔλαιον: 'olive oil'; renders שֶׁמֶן; oil, a staple of cereal-offerings, both mixed into the loaves and spread on the wafers.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λάγαναwafersAccusativeaccusative (second bread-component)→ object specificationλάγανον: 'thin cake / wafer'; renders רְקִיקִים; flat, thin wafers, the second bread-component, distinguished from the thicker oil-mixed loaves.
ἄζυμαunleavenedAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying λάγανα)→ object specificationἄζυμος: 'unleavened'; the wafers too must be without leaven.
κεχρισμέναanointed / smearedPerf Mid/Pass Part Acc Neut Pl · χρίωattributive participle (modifying λάγανα)→ perfect participle (the finished, oil-anointed state of the wafers)χρίω: 'anoint / smear'; the perfect passive participle 'anointed (with oil)' renders מְשֻׁחִים בַּשָּׁמֶן; while the loaves are mixed with oil, the thin wafers are smeared on the surface — the same verb whose noun gives χριστός, 'anointed one.'
ἐνwithpreposition + dative (means)→ spatial or relational framingἐν: meaning 'with'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + dative (means).
ἐλαίῳoilDativedative of means (the wafers anointed 'with oil')→ sphere or referenceἔλαιον: 'olive oil'; the oil smeared on the wafers.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
θυσίαgrain-offering / sacrificeNominativenominative (loosely appended: 'and their grain-offering')→ participant prominenceθυσία: 'sacrifice / offering'; here the accompanying cereal-offering (מִנְחָה) that attends the animal sacrifices; the nominative case woodenly follows the Hebrew list-construction (וּמִנְחָתָם).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession (belonging to the sacrifices)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their'; the grain-offering pertains to the animal-victims as their prescribed accompaniment.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
σπονδὴdrink-offeringNominativenominative (loosely appended: 'and their drink-offering')→ participant prominenceσπονδή: 'libation / drink-offering'; renders נֶסֶךְ; the wine poured out with the sacrifices — a poignant detail, since the Nazirite himself may not drink wine until the rite is complete (v. 20).
αὐτῶνtheirGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'their'; the drink-offering accompanying the victims.
16
καὶ προσοίσει ὁ ἱερεὺς ἔναντι κυρίου καὶ ποιήσει τὸ περὶ ἁμαρτίας αὐτοῦ καὶ τὸ ὁλοκαύτωμα αὐτοῦ
And the priest shall bring them before the LORD, and shall offer his sin-offering and his whole-burnt-offering.
The action shifts from the lay vower to the priest, who 'brings before the LORD' (ἔναντι κυρίου) and performs the sin-offering and whole-burnt-offering. The order — sin-offering first (purification), then whole-burnt-offering (dedication) — follows the standard Priestly sequence; the peace-offering is held for separate treatment in v. 17 because of the special hair-burning rite attached to 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.
προσοίσειshall bringFut Act Indic 3 Sg · προσφέρωmain verb (priestly presentation)→ legislative future (required action)προσφέρω (fut. προσοίσω): 'bring near / present / offer'; the priest now takes over the presentation, the act reserved to his office.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; renders כֹּהֵן; the mediator who alone may present the offerings 'before the LORD.'
ἔναντιbefore / in the presence ofpreposition + genitive (presence)→ spatial or relational framingἔναντι: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the offerings are presented in the divine presence at the sanctuary, marking the act as cultically valid.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἔναντι→ relational specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; 'before the LORD' situates the rite in YHWH's presence.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσειshall offer / performFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (sacrificial performance)→ legislative future (required ritual act)ποιέω: 'make / do / offer'; in cultic idiom 'perform (a sacrifice)'; the priest 'makes' the sin- and whole-burnt-offerings.
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantivizing the περί-phrase)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
περὶfor / concerningpreposition + genitive (substantivized: 'the sin-offering')→ spatial or relational framingπερί + genitive: τὸ περὶ ἁμαρτίας ('the [offering] for sin') is the LXX's nominalized designation of the sin-offering.
ἁμαρτίαςsinGenitivegenitive object of περί→ relational specificationἁμαρτία: 'sin / sin-offering'; renders חַטָּאת; the ewe-lamb of v. 14, offered first for purification.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the Nazirite's offering)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the Nazirite's offering).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὁλοκαύτωμαwhole-burnt-offeringAccusativedirect object of ποιήσει→ object specificationὁλοκαύτωμα: 'whole-burnt-offering'; renders עֹלָה; the male lamb of v. 14, offered after the sin-offering as the act of total dedication.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
17
καὶ τὸν κριὸν ποιήσει θυσίαν σωτηρίου κυρίῳ ἐπὶ τῷ κανῷ τῶν ἀζύμων καὶ ποιήσει ὁ ἱερεὺς τὴν θυσίαν αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν σπονδὴν αὐτοῦ
And he shall offer the ram as a sacrifice of peace-offering to the LORD, upon the basket of unleavened bread, and the priest shall offer its grain-offering and its drink-offering.
The ram is offered as a θυσία σωτηρίου ('sacrifice of peace-offering'), presented 'upon the basket of unleavened bread' — the bread of v. 15 now joined to the communion-sacrifice. The priest also offers its grain- and drink-offerings. The peace-offering is the festive climax: it is the sacrifice under which the shaved hair will be burnt (v. 18) and from which the priest's wave-portions are taken (vv. 19–20).
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κριὸνramAccusativedirect object of ποιήσει (fronted for emphasis)→ object specificationκριός: 'ram'; renders אַיִל; the third victim of v. 14, now offered as the peace-offering; its fronting marks it as the focal sacrifice of the completion-rite.
ποιήσειshall offerFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (sacrificial performance)→ legislative future (required ritual act)ποιέω: 'make / do / offer'; cultic 'perform (a sacrifice)'; the ram is 'made' a peace-offering.
θυσίανa sacrificeAccusativepredicate accusative (the ram offered 'as a sacrifice')→ object specificationθυσία: 'sacrifice / offering'; renders זֶבַח; with σωτηρίου, the 'sacrifice of peace-offering', the slaughtered communion-victim shared in a sacred meal.
σωτηρίουof peace-offering / well-beingGenitivegenitive of definition (qualifying θυσίαν)→ relational specificationσωτήριον: 'well-being / peace-offering'; renders שְׁלָמִים; θυσία σωτηρίου is the LXX's regular phrase for the זֶבַח שְׁלָמִים, the fellowship-offering expressing peace and communion with God.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of advantage (the offering's recipient)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the peace-offering is made 'to the LORD', with whom the communion is celebrated.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + dative (position: 'upon the basket')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + dative: 'upon / together with'; the ram is offered 'upon the basket of unleavened bread', joining the cereal-offering to the communion-sacrifice.
τῷtheDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κανῷbasketDativedative object of ἐπί→ sphere or referenceκανοῦν (dat. κανῷ): 'basket'; the basket of unleavened bread from v. 15, now placed with the peace-offering.
τῶνof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῶν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀζύμωνunleavened breadGenitivegenitive of content (basket 'of unleavened bread')→ relational specificationἄζυμος: 'unleavened'; the τὰ ἄζυμα ('unleavened things') filling the basket.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ποιήσειshall offerFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ποιέωmain verb (repeated: offering the accompaniments)→ legislative future (required ritual act)ποιέω: 'offer / perform'; the priest also performs the cereal- and drink-offerings that accompany the ram.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; the officiant who performs the accompanying offerings.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσίανgrain-offeringAccusativedirect object of ποιήσει→ object specificationθυσία: here the cereal-offering (מִנְחָה) accompanying the ram; the priest performs it together with the libation.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession (the offering belonging to the ram)→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession (the offering belonging to the ram).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ 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.
σπονδὴνdrink-offeringAccusativedirect object of ποιήσει→ object specificationσπονδή: 'libation / drink-offering'; renders נֶסֶךְ; the wine poured out with the peace-offering, again poignant against the Nazirite's own wine-abstinence.
αὐτοῦitsGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'its'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
18
καὶ ξυρήσεται ὁ ηὐγμένος παρὰ τὰς θύρας τῆς σκηνῆς τοῦ μαρτυρίου τὴν κεφαλὴν τῆς εὐχῆς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπιθήσει τὰς τρίχας ἐπὶ τὸ πῦρ ὅ ἐστιν ὑπὸ τὴν θυσίαν τοῦ σωτηρίου
And the one who has vowed shall shave the head of his vow beside the doors of the tent of witness, and shall put the hair on the fire that is under the peace-offering sacrifice.
The climactic act: the Nazirite — now titled ὁ ηὐγμένος ('the one who has vowed', perfect participle), the fulfilled vower — shaves the consecrated head at the sanctuary door and lays the holy hair on the fire under the peace-offering. The uncut hair, grown as the visible נֵזֶר and 'holy to the LORD' (v. 5), is here surrendered into the sacrificial flame: the consecration is consummated by giving its bodily token back to 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.
ξυρήσεταιshall shaveFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · ξυράωmain verb (the completion-shaving)→ legislative future (required action)ξυράω: 'shave'; renders גִּלַּח; the middle ξυρήσεται ('shall shave [himself]'); here, unlike v. 9, the shaving is the joyful consummation of a vow fulfilled, not a remedy for defilement.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ηὐγμένοςthe one who has vowedPerf Mid/Pass Part Nom Masc Sg · εὔχομαιsubstantival participle (subject: 'the consecrated vower')→ perfect participle substantivized (the abiding state of one who stands under a fulfilled vow)εὔχομαι: 'vow'; the substantival perfect participle ὁ ηὐγμένος ('the one who has vowed / the consecrated one') is the technical title for the Nazirite at the climax of his vow; the perfect tense marks his settled, completed consecrated status; the term recurs at vv. 19, 20 and is rendered in some traditions 'the great-vowed one' (cf. text_note's 'ὁ ηὐγμένος').
παρὰbesidepreposition + accusative (position)→ spatial or relational framingπαρά + accusative: 'beside / at'; the shaving takes place at the sanctuary threshold, publicly and before the LORD.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θύραςdoorsAccusativeaccusative object of παρά→ object specificationθύρα: 'door / entrance'; renders פֶּתַח; the entrance of the tent, the place of the whole rite.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σκηνῆςtentGenitivegenitive (the doors 'of the tent')→ relational specificationσκηνή: 'tent / tabernacle'; renders אֹהֶל.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
μαρτυρίουwitnessGenitivegenitive of definition (qualifying σκηνῆς)→ relational specificationμαρτύριον: 'witness'; σκηνὴ τοῦ μαρτυρίου, the 'tent of witness' (אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד).
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativedirect object of ξυρήσεται→ object specificationκεφαλή: 'head'; the consecrated head, defined as 'the head of his vow', whose hair is now shaved off.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐχῆςvowGenitivegenitive of definition (the head 'of his vow')→ relational specificationεὐχή: 'vow / consecration'; ἡ κεφαλὴ τῆς εὐχῆς, 'the head of the vow' — the head set apart by the consecration, now surrendering its holy hair.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιθήσειshall put / layFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb (placing the hair on the fire)→ legislative future (required action)ἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon / lay on'; renders נָתַן; the same verb used at v. 23 for 'placing' the divine Name on Israel; here the holy hair is laid on the altar-fire, given back to God in the flame of the peace-offering.
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
τρίχαςthe hair / locksAccusativedirect object of ἐπιθήσει→ object specificationθρίξ (acc. pl. τρίχας): 'hair'; renders שֵׂעָר; the shaved locks, the consecrated growth of vv. 5, are laid on the fire — the hair was 'holy to the LORD' and so must be consumed in the sacred flame, not discarded.
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (onto)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (onto).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πῦρfireAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationπῦρ: 'fire'; renders אֵשׁ; the altar-fire under the peace-offering, into which the consecrated hair is placed and consumed.
ὅwhichNominativerelative pronoun (subject of ἐστιν)→ participant referenceὅς: the neuter relative ὅ agrees with τὸ πῦρ ('the fire which is…'), locating the fire under the peace-offering.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopular verb of relative clause→ stative present (locating the fire)εἰμί: 'be'; the present copula in the relative clause specifies the fire's location beneath the peace-offering.
ὑπὸunderpreposition + accusative (position: 'under')→ spatial or relational framingὑπό + accusative: 'under / beneath'; the fire lies beneath the peace-offering on the altar, so that the hair burns in the same flame that consumes the sacrifice.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
θυσίανsacrificeAccusativeaccusative object of ὑπό→ object specificationθυσία: 'sacrifice'; here the peace-offering on the altar, beneath which the fire burns.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
σωτηρίουpeace-offeringGenitivegenitive of definition (qualifying θυσίαν)→ relational specificationσωτήριον: 'peace-offering / well-being'; the communion-sacrifice of v. 17; under its fire the consecrated hair is given to God, uniting the bodily token of the vow with the sacrifice of fellowship.
19
καὶ λήμψεται ὁ ἱερεὺς τὸν βραχίονα ἑφθὸν ἀπὸ τοῦ κριοῦ καὶ ἄρτον ἕνα ἄζυμον ἀπὸ τοῦ κανοῦ καὶ λάγανον ἄζυμον ἓν καὶ ἐπιθήσει ἐπὶ τὰς χεῖρας τοῦ ηὐγμένου μετὰ τὸ ξυρήσασθαι αὐτὸν τὴν εὐχὴν αὐτοῦ
And the priest shall take the boiled shoulder from the ram, and one unleavened loaf from the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them on the hands of the one who has vowed, after he has shaved off his vow,
The priest takes three items — the boiled shoulder of the ram and one unleavened loaf and one wafer from the basket — and places them on the vower's hands. The temporal clause μετὰ τὸ ξυρήσασθαι ('after he has shaved off his vow') fixes the sequence: the hair-surrender (v. 18) precedes the wave-offering. The phrase ξυρήσασθαι τὴν εὐχήν ('to shave off his vow') is a vivid metonymy — shaving the hair is shaving off the vow itself.
Word-by-word analysis· 35 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λήμψεταιshall takeFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (priestly action)→ legislative future (required action)λαμβάνω (fut. mid. λήμψομαι): 'take / receive'; renders לָקַח; the priest takes the designated portions to place them on the vower's hands for the wave-offering.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; the officiant who selects and presents the portions.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βραχίοναshoulder / armAccusativedirect object of λήμψεται→ object specificationβραχίων: 'arm / foreleg / shoulder'; renders זְרֹעַ; the boiled shoulder of the ram, a choice priestly portion of the peace-offering (cf. Deut 18:3); the same word is used metaphorically of the LORD's mighty 'arm' in the Exodus.
ἑφθὸνboiledAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying βραχίονα)→ object specificationἑφθός: 'boiled / cooked'; renders בְּשֵׁלָה ('boiled'); the shoulder is cooked before being given — a detail of the peace-offering's shared meal.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: 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.
κριοῦramGenitivegenitive of source (the shoulder 'from the ram')→ relational specificationκριός: 'ram'; the peace-offering victim from which the shoulder is taken.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἄρτονloafAccusativedirect object of λήμψεται (second item)→ object specificationἄρτος: 'bread / loaf'; one of the oil-mixed loaves of v. 15, taken from the basket.
ἕναoneAccusativenumeral (modifying ἄρτον)→ measure or countεἷς: 'one'; a single loaf.
ἄζυμονunleavenedAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying ἄρτον)→ object specificationἄζυμος: 'unleavened'; the loaf is from the unleavened basket.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (source)→ spatial or relational framingἀπὸ: 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.
κανοῦbasketGenitivegenitive of source (the loaf 'from the basket')→ relational specificationκανοῦν (gen. κανοῦ): 'basket'; the basket of unleavened bread from v. 15.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
λάγανονwaferAccusativedirect object of λήμψεται (third item)→ object specificationλάγανον: 'thin cake / wafer'; one of the oil-anointed wafers of v. 15.
ἄζυμονunleavenedAccusativeattributive adjective (modifying λάγανον)→ object specificationἄζυμος: 'unleavened'; the wafer too is without leaven.
ἓνoneAccusativenumeral (modifying λάγανον)→ measure or countεἷς, μία, ἕν: 'one'; the neuter ἕν agrees with λάγανον; one wafer.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπιθήσειshall putFut Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb (placing portions on the hands)→ legislative future (required action)ἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon / lay on'; the priest lays the three portions on the vower's hands, preparing them to be 'waved' before the LORD (v. 20).
ἐπὶonpreposition + accusative (onto)→ spatial or relational framingἐπὶ: meaning 'on'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (onto).
τὰςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὰς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεῖραςhandsAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationχείρ: 'hand'; renders כַּף ('palms'); the vower holds the portions in his own hands for the wave-offering — a rare moment in which the layman shares physically in the elevation ritual.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ηὐγμένουthe one who has vowedPerf Mid/Pass Part Gen Masc Sg · εὔχομαιsubstantival participle (genitive: 'of the consecrated vower')→ perfect participle substantivized (the fulfilled Nazirite)εὔχομαι: 'vow'; ὁ ηὐγμένος ('the one who has vowed'), the technical title repeated from v. 18; on whose hands the portions are placed.
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal, with articular infinitive)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + accusative: 'after'; with the articular infinitive forms a temporal clause, 'after his shaving.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle (with the infinitive)→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ξυρήσασθαιto shave offAor Mid Inf · ξυράωarticular infinitive (temporal clause: 'after his shaving')→ aorist infinitive (the completed act of shaving)ξυράω: 'shave'; the articular infinitive μετὰ τὸ ξυρήσασθαι, 'after the shaving'; with τὴν εὐχήν as object it yields the vivid 'after he shaved off his vow' — the hair and the vow are so identified that to shave the one is to discharge the other.
αὐτὸνhe / himAccusativeaccusative subject of the infinitive→ participant referenceαὐτός: the accusative subject of the infinitive, the vower himself who does the shaving.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὴν: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐχὴνvowAccusativedirect object of ξυρήσασθαι (metonymy: the vow = the consecrated hair)→ object specificationεὐχή: 'vow / consecration'; the striking object 'to shave off the vow' is a metonymy whereby the consecrated hair stands for the whole vow; its removal marks the vow's discharge and the return to ordinary life.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
20
καὶ προσοίσει αὐτὰ ὁ ἱερεὺς ἐπίθεμα ἔναντι κυρίου ἅγιον ἔσται τῷ ἱερεῖ ἐπὶ τοῦ στηθυνίου τοῦ ἐπιθέματος καὶ ἐπὶ τοῦ βραχίονος τοῦ ἀφαιρέματος καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα πίεται ὁ ηὐγμένος οἶνον
And the priest shall present them as a wave-offering before the LORD; it shall be holy for the priest, together with the breast of the wave-offering and the shoulder of the contribution; and after this the one who has vowed may drink wine.
The priest 'waves' the portions before the LORD as an ἐπίθεμα ('wave-offering'); they become holy, the priest's due, along with the breast of the wave-offering and the shoulder of the contribution (the standard priestly dues of the peace-offering, Lev 7:34). The verse closes the completion-rite with the long-awaited release: μετὰ ταῦτα πίεται ὁ ηὐγμένος οἶνον — 'after this the one who has vowed may drink wine' — the vow over, the first abstention (v. 3) is lifted, and the Nazirite returns to ordinary life.
Word-by-word analysis· 30 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
προσοίσειshall presentFut Act Indic 3 Sg · προσφέρωmain verb (the wave-presentation)→ legislative future (required action)προσφέρω (fut. προσοίσω): 'bring near / present'; the priest elevates the portions as a wave-offering before the LORD.
αὐτὰthemAccusativedirect object (the three portions of v. 19)→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'them'; the shoulder, loaf, and wafer just placed on the vower's hands.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεὺςpriestNominativesubject→ participant prominenceἱερεύς: 'priest'; the officiant who performs the elevation.
ἐπίθεμαa wave-offeringAccusativepredicate accusative (presents them 'as a wave-offering')→ object specificationἐπίθεμα: 'that which is set on / wave-offering'; renders תְּנוּפָה ('elevation/wave-offering'); the gesture of lifting and presenting the portions before the LORD, dedicating them and constituting them holy.
ἔναντιbeforepreposition + genitive (presence)→ spatial or relational framingἔναντι: 'before / in the presence of'; renders לִפְנֵי; the wave-offering is made in the divine presence.
κυρίουof the LORDGenitivegenitive object of ἔναντι→ relational specificationκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the offering is waved 'before the LORD.'
ἅγιονholyNominativepredicate adjective (with ἔσται)→ participant prominenceἅγιος: 'holy / set apart'; renders קֹדֶשׁ; the waved portions become holy, hence the priest's by right; the same holiness-language that defined the Nazirite now passes to his offering.
ἔσταιit shall beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopular main verb (predicates ἅγιον)→ legislative future (declared status)εἰμί (fut. ἔσται): 'be'; declares the consecrated status of the portions and their assignment to the priest.
τῷfor theDativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῷ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἱερεῖpriestDativedative of possession / advantage (holy 'for the priest')→ sphere or referenceἱερεύς (dat. ἱερεῖ): 'priest'; the dative marks the portions as the priest's perquisite — his share of the peace-offering.
ἐπὶin addition to / together withpreposition + genitive (addition: 'besides')→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + genitive: here 'in addition to / besides'; the special Nazirite portions are the priest's over and above his ordinary peace-offering dues.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
στηθυνίουbreastGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί→ relational specificationστηθύνιον: 'breast'; renders חָזֶה; the breast of the peace-offering, the priest's standard wave-portion (Lev 7:34).
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἐπιθέματοςwave-offeringGenitivegenitive of definition (the breast 'of the wave-offering')→ relational specificationἐπίθεμα (gen. ἐπιθέματος): 'wave-offering'; the breast that is 'waved', τὸ στηθύνιον τοῦ ἐπιθέματος = the breast of the elevation.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐπὶtogether withpreposition + genitive (addition)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + genitive: 'besides / together with', extending the priest's dues to the shoulder.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
βραχίονοςshoulderGenitivegenitive object of ἐπί→ relational specificationβραχίων (gen. βραχίονος): 'shoulder / foreleg'; renders שׁוֹק ('thigh'); the shoulder/thigh of the peace-offering, the second standard priestly due.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ἀφαιρέματοςcontribution / heave-offeringGenitivegenitive of definition (the shoulder 'of the contribution')→ relational specificationἀφαίρεμα: 'that which is taken off / contribution'; renders תְּרוּמָה ('heave-offering, contribution'); the portion 'lifted off' and reserved for the priest; ὁ βραχίων τοῦ ἀφαιρέματος = the shoulder of the contribution.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (transition to the release)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
μετὰafterpreposition + accusative (temporal)→ spatial or relational framingμετά + accusative: 'after'; μετὰ ταῦτα ('after these things') marks the completion of the whole rite.
ταῦταthese thingsAccusativeaccusative object of μετά (temporal)→ object specificationοὗτος: 'these things'; the completed offerings and shaving; μετὰ ταῦτα signals the end of the consecration and the lifting of the abstentions.
πίεταιmay drinkFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · πίνωmain verb (the permitted action: release of the vow)→ permissive future (the abstention now lifted)πίνω (fut. mid. πίομαι): 'drink'; the same verb that bore the prohibition οὐ πίεται in v. 3 now, with the vow discharged, expresses permission — 'he may drink wine'; the lexical echo frames the whole law: the wine forbidden at the start is restored at the end.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ηὐγμένοςthe one who has vowedPerf Mid/Pass Part Nom Masc Sg · εὔχομαιsubstantival participle (subject)→ perfect participle substantivized (the now-discharged Nazirite)εὔχομαι: 'vow'; ὁ ηὐγμένος, 'the one who has vowed', here for the last time — his vow fulfilled and discharged, he resumes ordinary life with the cup of wine.
οἶνονwineAccusativedirect object of πίεται→ object specificationοἶνος: 'wine'; renders יַיִן; the very thing renounced at the vow's beginning (v. 3), now restored — the wine of ordinary joy, no longer incompatible with his state.
21
οὗτος ὁ νόμος τοῦ εὐξαμένου ὃς ἂν εὔξηται κυρίῳ δῶρον αὐτοῦ κυρίῳ περὶ τῆς εὐχῆς χωρὶς ὧν ἂν εὕρῃ ἡ χεὶρ αὐτοῦ κατὰ δύναμιν τῆς εὐχῆς αὐτοῦ ἣν ἂν εὔξηται κατὰ νόμον ἁγνείας
This is the law of the one who has vowed, whoever vows to the LORD his gift to the LORD for the vow, apart from whatever his hand may find, according to the capacity of his vow which he vows, according to the law of consecration.
The subscript οὗτος ὁ νόμος τοῦ εὐξαμένου closes the Nazirite legislation, forming an inclusio with the heading of v. 13. It allows for voluntary additions beyond the minimum (χωρὶς ὧν ἂν εὕρῃ ἡ χεὶρ αὐτοῦ, 'apart from whatever his hand can afford'), scaling the offering κατὰ δύναμιν ('according to capacity'), yet all 'according to the law of consecration' (κατὰ νόμον ἁγνείας) — the vow's substance is fixed even where its generosity is free.
Word-by-word analysis· 33 words
οὗτοςthisNominativedemonstrative (subject of verbless clause)→ participant referenceοὗτος: 'this'; the closing heading-formula, balancing v. 13; renders זֹאת תּוֹרַת.
ὁtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingὁ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
νόμοςlawNominativepredicate nominative→ participant prominenceνόμος: 'law / instruction'; renders תּוֹרָה; the summarizing ordinance of the whole Nazirite institution.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοῦ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐξαμένουthe one who has vowedAor Mid Part Gen Masc Sg · εὔχομαιsubstantival participle (genitive: 'of the vower')→ aorist participle substantivizedεὔχομαι: 'vow'; ὁ εὐξάμενος, 'the one who vowed', closing the law as it opened it (v. 13); renders הַנָּזִיר.
ὃςwhoeverNominativerelative pronoun (subject of εὔξηται)→ participant referenceὅς: the relative ὃς ἄν ('whoever') generalizes to every Nazirite.
ἂν[ever]modal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: generalizes the relative clause.
εὔξηταιvowsAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · εὔχομαιverb of generalizing relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (the act of vowing)εὔχομαι: 'vow'; the vow that brings the gift; the verb recurs a second time in the verse (ἣν ἂν εὔξηται), framing the whole subscript around the act of vowing.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of advantage→ sphere or referenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the vow's recipient.
δῶρονgiftAccusativedirect object (the offering vowed)→ object specificationδῶρον: 'gift / offering'; renders קָרְבָּן; the offering pledged in the vow, here the minimum prescribed in vv. 14–15.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κυρίῳto the LORDDativedative of advantage (resumptive)→ sphere or referenceκύριος: the repeated κυρίῳ underscores that the gift, in all its parts, is rendered to YHWH.
περὶfor / concerningpreposition + genitive (regarding the vow)→ spatial or relational framingπερί + genitive: 'for / concerning'; the gift is rendered 'for the vow.'
τῆςtheGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐχῆςvowGenitivegenitive object of περί→ relational specificationεὐχή: 'vow'; the consecration on whose behalf the gift is presented.
χωρὶςapart from / besidespreposition + genitive (exception)→ spatial or relational framingχωρίς: 'apart from / besides'; renders מִלְּבַד; introduces the allowance for freewill additions beyond the required offerings.
ὧνwhatGenitiverelative pronoun (genitive object of χωρίς / εὕρῃ)→ relational specificationὅς: the relative ὧν ('what things'), object of εὕρῃ; the extra that the vower can afford.
ἂν[ever]modal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: generalizes the relative clause.
εὕρῃmay find / affordAor Act Subj 3 Sg · εὑρίσκωverb of generalizing relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (whatever he can find)εὑρίσκω: 'find'; the idiom ὧν ἂν εὕρῃ ἡ χεὶρ αὐτοῦ ('whatever his hand finds') renders אֲשֶׁר תַּשִּׂיג יָדוֹ ('whatever his hand attains'), a Hebraism for 'whatever he can afford' (cf. Lev 14:30; Luke 2:24).
ἡtheNominativearticle→ noun-phrase markingἡ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
χεὶρhandNominativesubject of εὕρῃ→ participant prominenceχείρ: 'hand'; renders יָד; in the idiom 'his hand finds' = 'his means allow', the hand stands metonymically for the vower's financial capacity.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (measure / standard)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + accusative: 'according to'; introduces the measure of the freewill gift.
δύναμινcapacity / abilityAccusativeaccusative object of κατά→ object specificationδύναμις: 'power / ability / capacity'; renders the sense of 'as he is able'; the extra gift is scaled κατὰ δύναμιν, proportioned to the vower's resources — generosity is free, but it is measured.
τῆςof theGenitivearticle→ noun-phrase markingτῆς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
εὐχῆςvowGenitivegenitive (the capacity 'of his vow')→ relational specificationεὐχή: 'vow'; the capacity belongs to the vow — the scope of what is pledged.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
ἣνwhichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of εὔξηται)→ participant referenceὅς: the relative ἥν ('which') refers to the vow he vows.
ἂν[ever]modal particle (with subjunctive)→ discourse linkage or contrastἄν: generalizes the relative clause.
εὔξηταιhe vowsAor Mid Subj 3 Sg · εὔχομαιverb of generalizing relative clause→ aorist subjunctive (the act of vowing)εὔχομαι: 'vow'; the second occurrence in the verse, 'the vow which he vows', a figura etymologica sealing the Nazirite vocabulary that has run through the whole law.
κατὰaccording topreposition + accusative (standard)→ spatial or relational framingκατά + accusative: 'according to'; subordinates the whole vow to the fixed legal standard.
νόμονlawAccusativeaccusative object of κατά→ object specificationνόμος: 'law'; renders תּוֹרָה; the binding norm to which even the freewill vow must conform.
ἁγνείαςof consecration / purityGenitivegenitive of definition (the law 'of consecration')→ relational specificationἁγνεία: 'purity / consecration'; renders נֵזֶר; κατὰ νόμον ἁγνείας ('according to the law of consecration') closes the Nazirite law with the same root that opened it (ἀφαγνίσασθαι ἁγνείαν, v. 2), forming a verbal inclusio around the whole institution.
22
καὶ ἐλάλησεν κύριος πρὸς Μωυσῆν λέγων
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
The commission-formula returns verbatim from v. 1, opening the chapter's second great unit, the Aaronic Blessing. The repetition deliberately sets the priestly Benediction apart as a distinct revelation, on a par with the Nazirite law — two ways in which Israel is made holy and brought near to the Name of the LORD.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
καὶandnarrative conjunction (opening a new unit)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: paratactic, opening the second divine commission of the chapter.
ἐλάλησενspokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (speech-introducing formula)→ constative aorist (single completed speech-act)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דִּבֶּר; introduces the revelation of the priestly Benediction.
κύριοςLORDNominativesubject→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the divine author of the blessing, whose Name the priests will place on Israel (v. 23).
πρὸςtopreposition + accusative (direction of speech)→ spatial or relational framingπρὸς: meaning 'to'; here it marks the relation signaled by preposition + accusative (direction of speech).
ΜωυσῆνMosesAccusativeaccusative object of πρός→ object specificationΜωυσῆς: transliteration of מֹשֶׁה; the mediator who will transmit the blessing-formula to Aaron and his sons.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Masc Sg · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introduces direct discourse)→ redundant participle of speaking (Hebraism)λέγω: the participle λέγων renders לֵאמֹר, the fixed quotation-marker introducing the divine words that follow.
23
λάλησον Ααρων καὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς αὐτοῦ λέγων οὕτως εὐλογήσετε τοὺς υἱοὺς Ισραηλ λέγοντες αὐτοῖς καὶ ἐπιθήσουσιν τὸ ὄνομά μου ἐπὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς Ισραηλ καὶ ἐγὼ κύριος εὐλογήσω αὐτούς
Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying: Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel, saying to them — and they shall place my name upon the sons of Israel, and I, the LORD, will bless them.
Moses is to instruct Aaron and his sons in the fixed blessing-formula (οὕτως εὐλογήσετε, 'thus you shall bless'). The verse already contains what the Masoretic Text numbers as a separate v. 27: 'they shall place my name (ἐπιθήσουσιν τὸ ὄνομά μου) upon the sons of Israel, and I the LORD will bless them.' The blessing is thus an act of naming: the priests put the divine Name on Israel, and YHWH himself stands behind the words to effect the blessing (ἐγὼ κύριος εὐλογήσω αὐτούς).
Word-by-word analysis· 28 words
λάλησονspeakAor Act Impv 2 Sg · λαλέωmain verb (divine imperative to Moses)→ ingressive aorist imperative (commissioned speech-act)λαλέω: 'speak'; renders דַּבֵּר; the command to instruct the priests in the blessing.
ΑαρωνAaronindeclinable proper noun (dative sense: 'to Aaron')→ participant identificationΑαρων: transliteration of אַהֲרֹן; indeclinable in the LXX; Aaron, the high priest, with his sons the appointed agents of the blessing — the priestly office is here defined by its power to bless.
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.
υἱοῖςsonsDativedative indirect object ('to his sons')→ sphere or referenceυἱός: 'son'; the sons of Aaron, the priestly line who with him pronounce the blessing.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession→ relational specificationαὐτοῦ: meaning 'his'; pronoun marking person, possession, or reference within the clause; here it functions as genitive of possession.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Part Nom Masc Sg · λέγωcircumstantial participle (introduces instruction)→ participle of speaking (Hebraism)λέγω: the λέγων introducing the content of Moses' instruction to the priests.
οὕτωςthus / in this wayadverb of manner (introducing the fixed formula)→ adverbial qualificationοὕτως: 'thus / in this way'; renders כֹּה; 'thus you shall bless' marks the words that follow as a fixed, prescribed liturgical formula, not free composition — the priests must bless with these exact words.
εὐλογήσετεyou shall blessFut Act Indic 2 Pl · εὐλογέωmain verb (instruction as command)→ volitive future (prescription: 'you are to bless')εὐλογέω: 'bless / speak well of'; renders בֵּרַךְ; lit. 'speak good (εὖ + λόγος)'; the priestly blessing is performative speech — to bless is to invoke and convey divine good upon the people; the verb dominates this unit (vv. 23, 24, 27).
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativedirect object of εὐλογήσετε→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; οἱ υἱοὶ Ισραηλ, the whole covenant people, the recipients of the priestly blessing.
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper noun (genitival: 'of Israel')→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable.
λέγοντεςsayingPres Act Part Nom Masc Pl · λέγωcircumstantial participle (manner: 'with these words')→ present participle of attendant speechλέγω: the plural λέγοντες ('saying'), agreeing with the priests, introduces the very words of the blessing (vv. 24–26); the participle marks the blessing as spoken address.
αὐτοῖςto themDativedative indirect object (the people addressed)→ participant reference or interestαὐτός: 'to them', the sons of Israel addressed in the blessing.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (introducing the Name-theology)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: links the act of blessing to its theological effect — the placing of the Name.
ἐπιθήσουσινthey shall placeFut Act Indic 3 Pl · ἐπιτίθημιmain verb (the placing of the Name)→ predictive future (the effect of the blessing)ἐπιτίθημι: 'place upon / lay on'; renders שָׂם / וְשָׂמוּ; the priests 'shall place my name upon the sons of Israel' — the blessing is conceived as an act of naming, branding Israel with the divine Name; the same verb laid the holy hair on the altar (v. 18), here laying the Name on the people; this is the content the Masoretic Text numbers as v. 27.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
ὄνομάnameAccusativedirect object of ἐπιθήσουσιν→ object specificationὄνομα: 'name'; renders שֵׁם; 'my name' is the divine Name (the Tetragrammaton invoked thrice in the blessing); to place the Name on Israel is to mark them as YHWH's own and to mediate his presence and protection.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of possession (the divine 'my name')→ relational specificationἐγώ (gen. μου): 'my'; the Name belongs to YHWH himself, who speaks in the first person.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (onto)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: 'upon'; the Name is laid 'upon' Israel, as a possession-mark and a covering.
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτοὺς: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
υἱοὺςsonsAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί→ object specificationυἱός: 'son'; the sons of Israel on whom the Name is placed.
ΙσραηλIsraelindeclinable proper noun (genitival)→ participant identificationΙσραηλ: transliteration of יִשְׂרָאֵל; indeclinable.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction→ discourse linkage or contrastκαὶ: meaning 'and'; conjunction or particle linking this unit with the surrounding discourse.
ἐγὼINominativeemphatic subject pronoun (YHWH himself)→ participant referenceἐγώ: the emphatic 'I' stresses that YHWH himself, behind the priestly words, is the true source of the blessing — the priests pronounce, but God effects.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject in apposition to ἐγώ→ participant prominenceκύριος: the Tetragrammaton יהוה; ἐγὼ κύριος ('I, the LORD') is the self-identifying formula of divine authority; it guarantees the blessing's efficacy.
εὐλογήσωwill blessFut Act Indic 1 Sg · εὐλογέωmain verb (divine promise)→ predictive future (divine guarantee of blessing)εὐλογέω: 'bless'; the first-person εὐλογήσω ('I will bless') seals the priestly blessing with the divine first-person promise — the human benediction is ratified by God's own act; cf. the apostolic benedictions that echo this structure (2 Cor 13:13).
αὐτούςthemAccusativedirect object of εὐλογήσω→ participant referenceαὐτός: 'them', the sons of Israel, whom YHWH himself will bless.
24
εὐλογήσαι σε κύριος καὶ φυλάξαι σε
The LORD bless you and keep you;
The first of the three rising lines of the Aaronic Blessing, the shortest (Hebrew: יְבָרֶכְךָ יְהוָה וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ, three words). The LXX renders both Hebrew jussives by Greek aorist optatives of wish (εὐλογήσαι, φυλάξαι), each governing the singular σε ('you') — Israel addressed as a single covenant person. 'Bless' (gift) and 'keep/guard' (protection) form the foundational pair: God's goodness and God's guarding. This line, in Hebrew, is preserved on the Ketef Hinnom silver amulets (c. 600 BC), the oldest extant biblical text.
Word-by-word analysis· 6 words
εὐλογήσαιmay he blessAor Act Opt 3 Sg · εὐλογέωmain verb (optative of wish)→ optative of wish (benediction: 'may the LORD bless')εὐλογέω: 'bless'; renders the Hebrew jussive יְבָרֶכְךָ ('may he bless you'); the aorist optative εὐλογήσαι is the rare and solemn Greek optative of wish, the precise mood for a benediction; it heads the whole blessing and names its first and comprehensive gift — divine favor itself.
σεyouAccusativedirect object of εὐλογήσαι (singular)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σε): 'you' (sg.); the singular address, though spoken over the whole nation, treats Israel as one person before God — each member, and the people as a body, personally blessed.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of εὐλογήσαι→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the first of three invocations of the Name — one per line — that structure the blessing and constitute the 'placing of the Name' on Israel (v. 23).
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the two wishes)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: pairs 'bless' with 'keep', the two halves of the first line.
φυλάξαιmay he keepAor Act Opt 3 Sg · φυλάσσωmain verb (optative of wish, parallel to εὐλογήσαι)→ optative of wish (benediction: 'may the LORD keep')φυλάσσω: 'guard / keep / protect'; renders the jussive וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ ('may he keep you'); the aorist optative φυλάξαι matches εὐλογήσαι; 'keeping' is protective preservation — God not only gives good but guards the one he blesses (cf. Ps 121:7–8, where שָׁמַר/φυλάσσω governs the whole psalm).
σεyouAccusativedirect object of φυλάξαι (singular)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σε): 'you' (sg.); the repeated singular σε binds the two wishes to the same covenant addressee.
25
ἐπιφάναι κύριος τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ σὲ καὶ ἐλεήσαι σε
the LORD make his face to shine upon you and have mercy on you;
The second, longer line (Hebrew: יָאֵר יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ, five words). The idiom ἐπιφάναι … τὸ πρόσωπον ('make his face shine upon you') renders הָאֵר פָּנָיו — the shining face is the image of divine favor, warmth, and acceptance (cf. Ps 80:3,7,19; the verb ἐπιφαίνω gives ἐπιφάνεια, used of divine 'manifestation' in the NT, e.g. Titus 2:11). ἐλεήσαι ('have mercy / be gracious') renders חָנַן. Again two aorist optatives of wish over the singular σε.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
ἐπιφάναιmay he make to shineAor Act Opt 3 Sg · ἐπιφαίνωmain verb (optative of wish)→ optative of wish (benediction: 'may the LORD cause to shine')ἐπιφαίνω: 'show / make to shine / cause to appear'; renders the jussive יָאֵר ('may he make shine'); the aorist optative ἐπιφάναι governs τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ — 'may he make his face shine upon you'; the shining face is the supreme idiom of divine favor; the cognate noun ἐπιφάνεια ('manifestation, appearing') becomes a key NT term for the advent of God's saving presence in Christ (2 Tim 1:10; Titus 2:11).
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ἐπιφάναι→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the second of the three Name-invocations structuring the blessing.
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativedirect object of ἐπιφάναι→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / countenance / presence'; renders פָּנִים; the divine 'face' is the personal presence of God turned toward his people in favor; the shining face (this line) and the lifted face (v. 26) are the two great facial idioms of grace — the opposite of God's 'hiding' or 'setting' his face in judgment.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the LORD's face)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; the face belongs to the LORD — it is God's own personal countenance that shines.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction toward)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: 'upon / toward'; renders אֵל; the shining is directed 'upon you', the light of the divine face falling on Israel.
σὲyouAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (singular)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σέ): 'you' (sg.); the covenant addressee, on whom the divine face shines.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the two wishes)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: pairs the shining face with the gift of mercy.
ἐλεήσαιmay he have mercy onAor Act Opt 3 Sg · ἐλεέωmain verb (optative of wish, parallel to ἐπιφάναι)→ optative of wish (benediction: 'may the LORD be gracious')ἐλεέω: 'have mercy / show kindness / be gracious'; renders the jussive וִיחֻנֶּךָּ (from חָנַן, 'be gracious'); the aorist optative ἐλεήσαι; the shining of the face is unfolded as grace — God's favorable countenance is his mercy in action; the verb is the LXX root behind the NT cry ἐλέησον ('have mercy').
σεyouAccusativedirect object of ἐλεήσαι (singular)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σε): 'you' (sg.); the recipient of divine mercy, the same covenant person.
26
ἐπάραι κύριος τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ σὲ καὶ δῴη σοι εἰρήνην
the LORD lift up his face upon you and give you peace.
The third and longest line (Hebrew: יִשָּׂא יְהוָה פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם, seven words), the climax of the rising triad (3–5–7 words; one, two, then three divine acts culminating in peace). ἐπάραι … τὸ πρόσωπον ('lift up his face upon you') renders יִשָּׂא פָּנָיו — to 'lift the face' toward someone is to regard them with favor and attention (the opposite of 'falling' countenance). The blessing ends in εἰρήνη / שָׁלוֹם — the comprehensive well-being that gathers up all the preceding gifts. The whole triadic structure (Name thrice invoked, favor mounting to peace) is echoed in the NT benedictions, supremely the trinitarian grace of 2 Cor 13:13.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
ἐπάραιmay he lift upAor Act Opt 3 Sg · ἐπαίρωmain verb (optative of wish)→ optative of wish (benediction: 'may the LORD lift up')ἐπαίρω: 'lift up / raise'; renders the jussive יִשָּׂא ('may he lift'); the aorist optative ἐπάραι governs τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ — 'may he lift up his face upon you'; to lift the face toward someone is to turn full, favorable attention to them (contrast the 'fallen' face of displeasure, Gen 4:5–6); the climactic third facial idiom of the blessing.
κύριοςthe LORDNominativesubject of ἐπάραι→ participant prominenceκύριος: rendering of the Tetragrammaton יהוה; the third and final invocation of the Name — completing the threefold placing of the Name on Israel (v. 23).
τὸtheAccusativearticle→ noun-phrase markingτὸ: Greek article marking definiteness and the role of the accompanying noun phrase.
πρόσωπονfaceAccusativedirect object of ἐπάραι→ object specificationπρόσωπον: 'face / countenance / presence'; renders פָּנִים; the divine face now 'lifted' toward Israel, the third and most personal expression of the turning of God's presence in grace.
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession (the LORD's face)→ relational specificationαὐτός: 'his'; God's own countenance, lifted in favor.
ἐπὶuponpreposition + accusative (direction toward)→ spatial or relational framingἐπί + accusative: 'upon / toward'; renders אֵל; the lifted face is turned 'upon you.'
σὲyouAccusativeaccusative object of ἐπί (singular)→ participant referenceσύ (acc. σέ): 'you' (sg.); the covenant addressee on whom the divine face is lifted.
καὶandcoordinate conjunction (joining the climactic wish)→ discourse linkage or contrastκαί: leads into the culminating gift of peace.
δῴηmay he giveAor Act Opt 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (optative of wish, climax of the blessing)→ optative of wish (benediction: 'may the LORD give')δίδωμι: 'give'; renders the jussive וְיָשֵׂם ('may he set/give'); the aorist optative δῴη is the sixth and final optative of the blessing, governing the climactic object εἰρήνην; the optative δῴη (also spelled δῷη) is the classic Greek wish-form, here delivering the blessing's summit — the gift of peace.
σοιto youDativedative indirect object of δῴη (singular)→ participant reference or interestσύ (dat. σοι): 'to you' (sg.); the covenant addressee, now the recipient of peace; the case shifts to dative as the indirect object of 'give.'
εἰρήνηνpeaceAccusativedirect object of δῴη (the climactic gift)→ object specificationεἰρήνη: 'peace'; renders שָׁלוֹם — far more than absence of conflict: total well-being, wholeness, flourishing, and right relationship with God; as the last word of the blessing it gathers up all that precedes (blessing, keeping, shining face, mercy, lifted face) into a single comprehensive gift; the NT 'peace' (Rom 5:1; Phil 4:7) and the apostolic 'grace and peace' greetings draw on this Aaronic climax.