Numeri 11:7 (Numbers 11:7)

Posted on May 8, 2006 by Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus

Nm 11:7 Erat autem Man quasi semen coriandri, coloris bdellii.

And the Manna was like seed of coriander, of the color of bdellium.

# Latin Gloss Grammar Tag
1 Erat was 3SG.IMP.ACT.IND
2 autem however ADV
3 Man Manna NOM.INDECL
4 quasi like ADV
5 semen seed NOM.SG.N
6 coriandri of coriander GEN.SG.N
7 coloris of color GEN.SG.M
8 bdellii of bdellium GEN.SG.N

Syntax

Main Clause: Man is the subject, Erat the copulative verb, and semen coriandri functions as a predicate nominative introduced by quasi expressing comparison.

Genitive Phrase: coriandri depends on semen, specifying the type of seed.

Descriptive Genitive: coloris bdellii further describes appearance, functioning as a genitive of quality indicating the characteristic color of the manna.

Particle: autem provides mild contrast or narrative transition.

Morphology

  1. Erat — Lemma: sum; Part of Speech: verb; Form: 3rd person singular imperfect active indicative; Function: copulative verb; Translation: was; Notes: imperfect tense provides descriptive background.
  2. autem — Lemma: autem; Part of Speech: adverb; Form: invariable; Function: connective particle; Translation: however; Notes: lightly contrasts or continues narrative flow.
  3. Man — Lemma: man; Part of Speech: noun; Form: nominative indeclinable; Function: subject of Erat; Translation: Manna; Notes: borrowed term referring to divine provision.
  4. quasi — Lemma: quasi; Part of Speech: adverb; Form: invariable; Function: introduces comparison; Translation: like; Notes: signals figurative description.
  5. semen — Lemma: semen; Part of Speech: noun; Form: nominative singular neuter, 3rd declension; Function: predicate nominative; Translation: seed; Notes: used metaphorically to describe appearance.
  6. coriandri — Lemma: coriandrum; Part of Speech: noun; Form: genitive singular neuter; Function: dependent genitive; Translation: of coriander; Notes: specifies type of seed.
  7. coloris — Lemma: color; Part of Speech: noun; Form: genitive singular masculine; Function: genitive of quality; Translation: of color; Notes: introduces descriptive attribute.
  8. bdellii — Lemma: bdellium; Part of Speech: noun; Form: genitive singular neuter; Function: modifies coloris; Translation: of bdellium; Notes: bdellium is a fragrant resin with a pale, translucent appearance.

 

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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