Σπεύσαντες οὖν ἀνάβητε πρὸς τὸν πατέρα μου καὶ εἴπατε αὐτῷ τάδε λέγει ὁ υἱός σου Ιωσηφ ἐποίησέν με ὁ θεὸς κύριον πάσης γῆς Αἰγύπτου κατάβηθι οὖν πρός με καὶ μὴ μείνῃς (Genesis 45:9 LXX)
Hasten, therefore, go up to my father and say to him, “Thus says your son Ioseph: God has made me lord of all the land of Egypt. Come down, therefore, to me, and do not delay.”
Grammar that Urges
When Joseph reveals himself to his brothers, his words cascade with urgency. The verse employs a participle plus imperatives (σπεύσαντες … ἀνάβητε), direct speech formulae (τάδε λέγει), and a final pair of commands (κατάβηθι … μὴ μείνῃς). The grammar not only conveys action but imparts emotional momentum: there is no time to waste.
The Participial Imperative: σπεύσαντες ἀνάβητε
σπεύσαντες is an aorist active participle nominative plural masculine of σπεύδω (“to hurry”). Combined with the main imperative ἀνάβητε (“go up”), it forms a common idiom in Greek: “Hasten and go up!” The participle intensifies the action by preceding it—before you even “go up,” do it with haste. This is urgency embedded in syntax.
The Formula of Authority: τάδε λέγει
The phrase τάδε λέγει (“thus says”) introduces direct speech in solemn or prophetic tone. Here Joseph adopts a formula often used in divine or royal pronouncements. The weight of authority is underscored by the title: ὁ υἱός σου Ιωσηφ (“your son Ioseph”). This familial yet exalted self-identification bridges intimacy and majesty.
The Theological Elevation: ἐποίησέν με ὁ θεὸς κύριον
The verb ἐποίησέν is aorist active indicative of ποιέω, emphasizing God’s completed act: He “made” Joseph κύριον πάσης γῆς Αἰγύπτου (“lord of all the land of Egypt”). The accusative κύριον is the complement of the verb, and the genitive phrase specifies dominion. The grammar proclaims theological truth: Joseph’s authority is not self-made but divinely appointed.
The Final Urging: κατάβηθι … μὴ μείνῃς
κατάβηθι is an aorist active imperative 2nd singular of καταβαίνω (“come down”). It is paired with a prohibition: μὴ μείνῃς (“do not remain/delay”), using the aorist subjunctive with μή in a negative command. Together, the commands frame Joseph’s appeal with both positive and negative urgency: “Come quickly, and don’t delay.”
Morphology Table: Key Forms
| Form | Parsing | Lemma | Meaning | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| σπεύσαντες | Aorist Active Participle Nom. Pl. Masc. | σπεύδω | Hurry | Participial modifier intensifying command |
| ἀνάβητε | Aorist Active Imperative 2nd Pl. | ἀναβαίνω | Go up | Main imperative of the command |
| ἐποίησέν | Aorist Active Indicative 3rd sg. | ποιέω | Make, appoint | Declares God’s completed action |
| κατάβηθι | Aorist Active Imperative 2nd sg. | καταβαίνω | Come down | Urgent command to father |
| μὴ μείνῃς | Aorist Active Subjunctive 2nd sg. with μή | μείνω | Remain, delay | Negative prohibition |
Grammar of Urgency, Grammar of Grace
Genesis 45:9 LXX is a tapestry of imperatives and participles woven into Joseph’s emotional plea. The grammar conveys both haste and authority: his brothers must go quickly, his father must come without delay. Yet beneath the urgency lies grace—Joseph is not summoning for judgment, but for reunion. The syntax of command becomes the language of reconciliation.
