| 32. Linguistic Exegesis The verse functions as the counterfactual clause of a conditional illustration, with ei de mēge {εἰ δὲ μήγε | ei dè mē-ge} introducing “if not.” A genitive absolute autou porrō ontos {αὐτοῦ πόρρω ὄντος | au-toû pór-rō ón-tos} provides a circumstantial temporal clause “while he is still far off,” indicating when the subsequent action occurs. The participial phrase presbeian aposteilas {πρεσβείαν ἀποστείλας | pres-bei-án a-pos-tei-lás} expresses prior diplomatic action (“having sent a delegation”) before the main verb erōta {ἐρωτᾷ | er-ō-tā}, which takes the idiomatic object ta pros eirēnēn {τὰ πρὸς εἰρήνην | tà pròs ei-rē-nēn}, literally “the things toward peace,” rendered “terms of peace.” In translation, the genitive absolute becomes a temporal subordinate clause, and the participle is rendered as a finite form to maintain clear sequence of event timing. |