Σὺ δὲ λαλήσεις αὐτῷ πάντα ὅσα σοι ἐντέλλομαι ὁ δὲ Ααρων ὁ ἀδελφός σου λαλήσει πρὸς Φαραω ὥστε ἐξαποστεῖλαι τοὺς υἱοὺς Ισραηλ ἐκ τῆς γῆς αὐτοῦ (Exodus 7:2 LXX)
אַתָּ֣ה תְדַבֵּ֔ר אֵ֖ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֲצַוֶּ֑ךָּ וְאַהֲרֹ֤ן אָחִ֨יךָ֙ יְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֔ה וְשִׁלַּ֥ח אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מֵאַרְצֹֽו׃
Mediated Speech and Divine Command
Exodus 7:2 articulates the division of labor between Moshe and Aharon in their prophetic mission to Parʿo. The Hebrew frames Moshe as the recipient of divine command and Aharon as his spokesman. The Septuagint mirrors this structure closely, yet shifts verbal moods and phrase constructions to render the chain of communication in smoother Greek. Particularly notable is the use of the ὥστε + infinitive clause in the LXX, which introduces result or purpose in a style familiar to Hellenistic audiences.
Grammatical Focus: Imperatives, Infinitives, and Delegated Authority
In the Hebrew, the main verbs include a prefix conjugation for future/imperfect (תְדַבֵּר, יְדַבֵּר, וְשִׁלַּ֥ח) and a cohortative command אֲצַוֶּ֑ךָּ. The Greek adapts these with future or present indicative or infinitive forms. The translation stays close in meaning, but reorganizes the final clause with a **purpose/result** clause using ὥστε ἐξαποστεῖλαι, rather than preserving the consecutive verbal flow of Hebrew narrative.
Hebrew-Greek Morphological Comparison
| Hebrew Word | Greek Translation | Grammatical Notes | Translation Technique |
|---|---|---|---|
| אַתָּ֣ה תְדַבֵּ֔ר | σὺ δὲ λαλήσεις | Independent pronoun + imperfect (2ms) → emphatic pronoun + future indicative | Shift to future tense for clarity |
| אֵ֖ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֲצַוֶּ֑ךָּ | πάντα ὅσα σοι ἐντέλλομαι | Object + relative clause → fronted direct object + relative clause | Reordering and aspect shift (imperfect → present) |
| וְאַהֲרֹ֤ן אָחִ֨יךָ֙ יְדַבֵּ֣ר אֶל־פַּרְעֹ֔ה | ὁ δὲ Ααρων ὁ ἀδελφός σου λαλήσει πρὸς Φαραω | Vav + noun subject + imperfect → definite article + future indicative | Article-based apposition and verbal concordance |
| וְשִׁלַּ֥ח אֶת־בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מֵאַרְצֹֽו | ὥστε ἐξαποστεῖλαι τοὺς υἱοὺς Ισραηλ ἐκ τῆς γῆς αὐτοῦ | Wayyiqtol consecutive → ὥστε + infinitive of result | Purpose/result clause substitution |
Notable Interpretive and Syntactic Features
- Pronoun Emphasis: Hebrew אַתָּ֣ה is matched by emphatic Greek σὺ δὲ, maintaining contrast and directive clarity.
- Verb Choice: Hebrew uses דבר while Greek uses λαλέω, both meaning “to speak,” though the Greek emphasizes the act of speaking more than content.
- ὥστε Construction: The Greek introduces ὥστε ἐξαποστεῖλαι (“so that he might send”) instead of a third finite verb, reflecting Greek preference for subordinated purpose/result clauses.
- Article Usage: The Greek adds definite articles before Aharon’s name and title (ὁ Ααρων ὁ ἀδελφός σου), formalizing identity and status, whereas the Hebrew uses apposition.
The Grammatical Amen
This verse exemplifies how the Septuagint translators carefully rendered prophetic instruction with grammatical elegance. The delegation of speech between Moshe and Aharon is preserved in both languages, yet the Greek enhances clarity through syntax: finite verbs become infinitives of purpose, relative clauses are restructured, and articles are added for emphasis. What the Hebrew reveals through rhythm, the Greek secures through structure—a faithful echo of divine command adapted for Hellenistic ears.
