Tag Archives: Genesis 45:1

Καὶ οὐκ ἠδύνατο Ιωσηφ ἀνέχεσθαι πάντων τῶν παρεστηκότων αὐτῷ ἀλλ᾽ εἶπεν ἐξαποστείλατε πάντας ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ καὶ οὐ παρειστήκει οὐδεὶς ἔτι τῷ Ιωσηφ ἡνίκα ἀνεγνωρίζετο τοῖς ἀδελφοῖς αὐτοῦ (Genesis 45:1 LXX)

In this emotionally charged verse from Genesis 45:1 LXX, we encounter a unique layering of participial and finite verb forms that collectively express psychological rupture, narrative suspense, and social movement. The opening phrase, οὐκ ἠδύνατο, employs the imperfect tense to show an ongoing inability—a durative struggle within Joseph. The infinitive ἀνέχεσθαι, governed by ἠδύνατο, provides the content of that inability: Joseph could no longer restrain himself. The genitive plural πάντων τῶν παρεστηκότων combines a genitive absolute force with a perfect participle, describing those who were “standing around him” as an ongoing state—reinforcing that their presence was continual and oppressive.… Learn Koine Greek