| 1. Linguistic Exegesis The temporal conjunction hos {Ὡς | hōs} combined with the postpositive de {δὲ | dè} signals a narrative transition (“And when”). The impersonal passive ekrithē {ἐκρίθη | ek-rí-thē} introduces a decision, governing the genitive articular infinitive tou apoplein {τοῦ ἀποπλεῖν | toû a-po-plēîn} “that we should sail away,” with hēmas {ἡμᾶς | hḗ-mâs} as its object. The prepositional phrase eis tēn Italiān {εἰς τὴν Ἰταλίαν | eis tḗn i-ta-lí-ān} specifies the destination. The imperfect paredídoun {παρεδίδουν | pa-re-dí-doun} “they were handing over” portrays an ongoing process. Its coordinated objects ton te Paulon kai tinas heterous desmōtas {τόν τε Παῦλον καὶ τινὰς ἑτέρους δεσμώτας} highlight Paul alongside other prisoners. The double dative hekatontarchē onomati Iouliō {ἑκατοντάρχῃ ὀνόματι Ἰουλίῳ} identifies the centurion by rank and name. Finally, the genitive speirēs Sebastēs {σπείρης Σεβαστῆς} qualifies the military unit as the Augustan, indicating its connection to the emperor’s band. In translation, the aorist passive and articular infinitive are respectively rendered with an English “it had been decided that” clause and a “to” clause, while the imperfect is conveyed as past narrative, preserving the procedural nuance of handover. |