Τὸν βραχίονα τοῦ ἀφαιρέματος καὶ τὸ στηθύνιον τοῦ ἀφορίσματος ἐπὶ τῶν καρπωμάτων τῶν στεάτων προσοίσουσιν ἀφόρισμα ἀφορίσαι ἔναντι κυρίου καὶ ἔσται σοὶ καὶ τοῖς υἱοῖς σου καὶ ταῖς θυγατράσιν σου μετὰ σοῦ νόμιμον αἰώνιον ὃν τρόπον συνέταξεν Κύριος τῷ Μωυσῇ (Λευιτικόν 10:15 LXX)
The arm of the removal and the breast of the separation they shall bring upon the offerings of the fat portions as a separation to separate before the Lord, and it shall be for you and for your sons and for your daughters with you as a perpetual statute, as the LORD commanded Moshe.
Grammatical Insight
The verse of Leviticus 10:15 in the Septuagint is a masterclass in priestly syntax, revealing how grammatical structure mirrors sacred hierarchy. The coordinated accusatives τὸν βραχίονα (“the arm”) and τὸ στηθύνιον (“the breast”) serve as direct objects of the ritual act, linking human gesture to divine prescription. The genitives τοῦ ἀφαιρέματος and τοῦ ἀφορίσματος specify the ritual source of these portions, each belonging to its act of “removal” or “separation.” The repetition of these genitives creates a rhythmic precision that mirrors the repetition of liturgical movement. The future indicative προσοίσουσιν (from προσφέρω) binds the command into ongoing priestly practice, indicating a standing obligation. The infinitive ἀφορίσαι (“to set apart”) underlines the telic aim of sanctification—what is offered is meant to remain distinct before the LORD. The phrase νόμιμον αἰώνιον (“an eternal ordinance”) functions as a nominative predicate defining the result of obedience, while the relative clause ὃν τρόπον συνέταξεν κύριος τῷ Μωυσῇ (“as the Lord commanded Moshe”) seals the verse with divine authority. The syntax thus moves from act to order, from offering to law, uniting grammar and holiness.
Exploring the Verse as a Living Lesson
Imagine a priest standing before the altar, reciting each phrase of this verse as he performs the prescribed offering. The Greek wording itself becomes an instruction manual: every article, every genitive construction, every verb of offering serves as a guide to right worship. A student might ask, “Why two genitives—ἀφαιρέματος and ἀφορίσματος?” The teacher replies, “Because holiness is a double act—removal and separation. The one cleanses; the other consecrates.” The syntax leads worshipers to distinguish between what is taken away from the profane and what is set apart for the sacred. The participial logic embedded in ἀφορίσαι reveals a divine rhythm of sanctification: language itself performs the act of separation. Thus, grammatical clarity becomes ritual faithfulness, and linguistic structure mirrors spiritual order. What seems a mere legislative line unfolds as a theology of offering encoded in Greek syntax.
Where Syntax Meets Revelation
Here, theology and grammar intertwine. The verbal system of προσοίσουσιν projects a continuous obedience into Israel’s future—a grammar of faithfulness. The temporal force of the future tense promises that sacred order will persist as long as the covenant stands. The genitives of removal and separation reveal not only grammatical possession but divine ownership: what is set apart belongs to YHWH. The predicate phrase νόμιμον αἰώνιον transforms legal syntax into theological eternity, bridging grammar and grace. The Lord’s command, expressed in συνέταξεν (“He ordered”), makes divine speech the foundation of ritual law. Through morphology and syntax, the verse becomes a living testament to divine communication—language that orders, sanctifies, and sustains the covenant community.
Form and Function Table
| Greek Word | Root | Form | Lexical Meaning | Grammatical Role | Notes / Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| προσοίσουσιν | προσφέρω | Future Active Indicative 3rd Plural | they shall bring | Main verb | Conveys command as continuous ordinance. |
| ἀφορίσαι | ἀφορίζω | Aorist Active Infinitive | to set apart | Purpose infinitive | Expresses intentional separation before the Lord. |
| συνέταξεν | συντάσσω | Aorist Active Indicative 3rd Singular | commanded | Finite verb | Denotes divine commissioning of ritual law. |
Grammatical Echoes
In Leviticus 10:15, the sacred language of offering becomes a reflection of divine order. Every genitive, every future tense, every participle preserves the distinction between holy and common. The verse not only instructs priests but instructs readers in the logic of holiness itself—how language consecrates reality. The syntax models obedience; the morphology teaches devotion. Through its measured clauses, the text whispers an eternal principle: holiness depends on right distinction. Grammar, in this sacred economy, is not mere form—it is faith structured in words. As long as the words are spoken, the offering continues, echoing through time as a perpetual ordinance.
