| 9. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the participle lypetheis {λυπηθεὶς | lypētheís} “having been grieved,” which precedes the subject ho basileus {ὁ βασιλεὺς | ho basileús} and sets the emotional scene before the main action. This fronted participle functions circumstantially, describing the king’s inner state when he acts. The causal prepositional phrase dia tous horkous {διὰ τοὺς ὅρκους | diá toús hórkous} “because of the oaths” explains one motivation, immediately joined by the coordinated phrase kai tous synanakeimenous {καὶ τοὺς συνανακειμένους | kaí toús synanakeiménous} “and those reclining with (him),” which introduces the social pressure exerted by the banquet guests. The main verb ekeleusen {ἐκέλευσεν | ekéleusen} “he commanded” governs the complementary infinitive dothenai {δοθῆναι | dothēnai} “to be given,” a common Greek construction where the infinitive expresses the content of the command. The absence of an explicit direct object leaves the referent implicit from the wider context, but the English rendering includes “it” to maintain idiomatic clarity. Word order places the king’s distress and the dual motivations (oaths and companions) before the decisive verb, highlighting the tension between personal reluctance and public obligation, which is reflected in the English by keeping the emotional and causal elements prominent before the command. |