Genesis 49:5

Posted on February 18, 2006 by Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus

Gn 49:5 Simeon et Levi fratres: vasa iniquitatis bellantia.

Simeon and Levi are brothers: instruments of injustice, waging violence.

# Latin Gloss Grammar Tag
1 Simeon Simeon PN.NOM.SG.M
2 et and CONJ.COORD
3 Levi Levi PN.NOM.SG.M
4 fratres brothers N.NOM.PL.M
5 vasa instruments N.NEUT.NOM.PL
6 iniquitatis of injustice N.FEM.GEN.SG
7 bellantia fighting / waging war PRES.ACT.PTCP.NEUT.NOM.PL

Syntax

Nominative subject phrase: Simeon et Levi fratres functions as a full nominal sentence (“Simeon and Levi are brothers”).
fratres stands as predicate nominative identifying their kinship.

Second nominal clause: vasa iniquitatis bellantia is an independent predication describing their character.
vasa is the nominative head noun, modified by the genitive iniquitatis.
bellantia is a present active participle giving an active, violent quality.

The verse is composed of two parallel predicative declarations, each pronouncing judgment on Simeon and Levi.

Morphology

  1. Simeon — Lemma: Simeon; Part of Speech: proper noun; Form: nominative singular masculine; Function: subject; Translation: Simeon; Notes: one of Jacob’s sons.
  2. et — Lemma: et; Part of Speech: conjunction; Form: invariant; Function: joins Simeon and Levi; Translation: and; Notes: simple connective.
  3. Levi — Lemma: Levi; Part of Speech: proper noun; Form: nominative singular masculine; Function: subject; Translation: Levi; Notes: paired with Simeon.
  4. fratres — Lemma: frater; Part of Speech: noun; Form: nominative plural masculine; Function: predicate nominative; Translation: brothers; Notes: indicates familial unity.
  5. vasa — Lemma: vas; Part of Speech: noun; Form: nominative plural neuter; Function: subject of implied “sunt”; Translation: instruments; Notes: metaphorical use common in biblical language.
  6. iniquitatis — Lemma: iniquitas; Part of Speech: noun; Form: genitive singular feminine; Function: dependent genitive modifying vasa; Translation: of injustice; Notes: expresses moral corruption.
  7. bellantia — Lemma: bellor (or bello); Part of Speech: participle; Form: present active participle nominative plural neuter; Function: modifies vasa; Translation: waging war / fighting; Notes: gives dynamic sense of violence and aggression.

 

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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