Genesis 25:14

Posted on January 25, 2006 by Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus

Gn 25:14 Masma quoque, et Duma, et Massa,

also Masma, and Duma, and Massa,

# Latin Gloss Grammar Tag
1 Masma Mshma PROPN.NOM.SG.M
2 quoque also ADV
3 et and CONJ
4 Duma Dumah PROPN.NOM.SG.M
5 et and CONJ
6 Massa Massa PROPN.NOM.SG.M

Syntax

This short coordinate phrase continues the genealogical list of Ismael’s sons.
Each proper noun (Masma, Duma, Massa) stands in nominative case, functioning as a subject or as an appositive continuation to the preceding enumeration.
The adverb quoque (“also”) modifies the entire phrase, signifying inclusion.
The repeated conjunction et (“and”) links each name in a simple additive pattern typical of genealogical style in Latin narrative.

Morphology

  1. Masma — Lemma: Masma; Part of Speech: proper noun; Form: nominative singular masculine; Function: subject/appositive name; Translation: “Masma”; Notes: Listed among the descendants of Ismael.
  2. quoque — Lemma: quoque; Part of Speech: adverb; Form: indeclinable; Function: adverbial modifier; Translation: “also”; Notes: Indicates inclusion with the previously named sons.
  3. et — Lemma: et; Part of Speech: conjunction; Form: coordinating conjunction; Function: joins coordinate elements; Translation: “and”; Notes: Connects names in the genealogical list.
  4. Duma — Lemma: Duma; Part of Speech: proper noun; Form: nominative singular masculine; Function: coordinate subject; Translation: “Duma”; Notes: Second name in the series of Ismael’s sons.
  5. et — Lemma: et; Part of Speech: conjunction; Form: coordinating conjunction; Function: joins final element; Translation: “and”; Notes: Links the concluding name in the sequence.
  6. Massa — Lemma: Massa; Part of Speech: proper noun; Form: nominative singular masculine; Function: final coordinate name; Translation: “Massa”; Notes: Completes the triad of names in this verse.

 

About Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus

Born around 346 A.D. in Stridon, St. Jerome was a scholar fluent in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew whose ascetic discipline and deep engagement with Scripture prepared him for a monumental task: translating the Bible into Latin. Commissioned by Pope Damasus I around 382 A.D., Jerome began by revising the flawed Old Latin Gospels, then expanded his work to the entire Bible. For the New Testament, he corrected Latin texts using Greek manuscripts; for the Old Testament, he translated most books directly from Hebrew—a controversial but principled choice. His final Psalter, however, followed the Greek Septuagint tradition for liturgical use. This composite translation, later known as the Vulgate (editio vulgata), became the authoritative biblical text of the Western Church, formally endorsed at the Council of Trent in 1546. The Vulgate’s influence extends beyond theology into textual criticism and Latin education. As one of the earliest translations grounded in original-language scholarship, it offers a vital witness to the state of biblical texts in late antiquity. Jerome’s lexical and syntactic decisions are studied to trace manuscript history and assess variant readings. Its elegant Latin, consistent in grammar and rich in vocabulary, became a model for medieval and Renaissance learning, bridging classical and ecclesiastical Latin. More than a translation, the Vulgate helped define Christian doctrine, preserved the Latin language, and laid essential groundwork for the critical study of Scripture—remaining indispensable to students of Latin, theology, and textual history.
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