Numeri 20:28 (Numbers 20:28)

Posted on May 17, 2006 by Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus

Nm 20:28 Cumque Aaron spoliasset vestibus suis, induit eis Eleazarum filium eius.

And when Aaron had been stripped of his garments, he clothed Eleazar his son with them.

# Latin Gloss Grammar Tag
1 Cumque and when CONJ
2 Aaron Aaron NOM.SG.M
3 spoliasset had been stripped 3SG.PLUP.ACT.SUBJ
4 vestibus garments ABL.PL.F
5 suis his ABL.PL.F
6 induit he clothed 3SG.PERF.ACT.IND
7 eis with them ABL.PL.F
8 Eleazarum Eleazar ACC.SG.M
9 filium son ACC.SG.M
10 eius his GEN.SG.M

Syntax

Temporal Clause: Cumque Aaron spoliasset vestibus suis establishes the circumstance preceding the transfer of the priestly garments.

Subject: Aaron functions as the subject of spoliasset.

Ablative Phrase: vestibus suis expresses separation, indicating the garments removed from Aaron.

Main Clause: induit eis Eleazarum filium eius narrates the investiture of Eleazar into the priestly office.

Object: Eleazarum filium eius functions as the direct object of induit.

Instrumental Ablative: eis refers to the priestly garments used to clothe Eleazar.

Morphology

  1. Cumque — Lemma: cum; Part of Speech: conjunction; Form: indeclinable with enclitic conjunction; Function: introduces temporal clause; Translation: “and when”; Notes: the enclitic -que connects this action to the preceding narrative.
  2. Aaron — Lemma: Aaron; Part of Speech: proper noun; Form: nominative singular masculine; Function: subject of spoliasset; Translation: “Aaron”; Notes: refers to the high priest whose office is being transferred.
  3. spoliasset — Lemma: spolio; Part of Speech: verb; Form: third person singular pluperfect active subjunctive; Function: verb of temporal clause; Translation: “had been stripped”; Notes: in context the verb expresses removal of priestly garments before succession.
  4. vestibus — Lemma: vestis; Part of Speech: noun; Form: ablative plural feminine; Function: ablative of separation; Translation: “garments”; Notes: refers specifically to Aaron’s priestly vestments.
  5. suis — Lemma: suus; Part of Speech: adjective; Form: ablative plural feminine reflexive possessive; Function: modifies vestibus; Translation: “his”; Notes: reflexively refers back to Aaron.
  6. induit — Lemma: induo; Part of Speech: verb; Form: third person singular perfect active indicative; Function: main narrative verb; Translation: “he clothed”; Notes: describes the ceremonial transfer of priestly authority.
  7. eis — Lemma: is; Part of Speech: pronoun; Form: ablative plural feminine; Function: instrumental ablative; Translation: “with them”; Notes: refers back to the priestly garments.
  8. Eleazarum — Lemma: Eleazarus; Part of Speech: proper noun; Form: accusative singular masculine; Function: direct object of induit; Translation: “Eleazar”; Notes: refers to Aaron’s successor in the priesthood.
  9. filium — Lemma: filius; Part of Speech: noun; Form: accusative singular masculine; Function: apposition to Eleazarum; Translation: “son”; Notes: identifies Eleazar’s relationship to Aaron.
  10. eius — Lemma: is; Part of Speech: pronoun; Form: genitive singular masculine; Function: possessive genitive modifying filium; Translation: “his”; Notes: refers back to Aaron.

 

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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