Numeri 29:35 (Numbers 29:35)

Posted on May 26, 2006 by Eusebius Sophronius Hieronymus

Nm 29:35 Die octavo, qui est celeberrimus, omne opus servile non facietis,

On the eighth day, which is most solemn, you shall do no servile work,

# Latin Gloss Grammar Tag
1 Die on the day ABL.SG.M
2 octavo eighth ABL.SG.M
3 qui which NOM.SG.M.REL
4 est is 3SG.PRES.ACT.IND
5 celeberrimus most solemn NOM.SG.M.SUPER
6 omne any ACC.SG.N
7 opus work ACC.SG.N
8 servile servile ACC.SG.N
9 non not ADV
10 facietis you shall do 2PL.FUT.ACT.IND

Syntax

Temporal Phrase: Die octavo functions as an ablative of time when, specifying the day under discussion.

Relative Clause: qui est celeberrimus modifies Die octavo, describing the eighth day as especially solemn and distinguished.

Main Clause: facietis is the principal verb with an implied second-person plural subject.

Direct Object: omne opus servile serves as the direct object of facietis, while non negates the action.

Morphology

  1. Die — Lemma: dies; Part of Speech: Noun; Form: Ablative Singular Masculine; Function: Ablative of time when; Translation: “on the day”; Notes: Introduces the temporal setting of the command.
  2. octavo — Lemma: octavus; Part of Speech: Adjective; Form: Ablative Singular Masculine; Function: Modifies Die; Translation: “eighth”; Notes: Identifies the eighth day of the festival cycle.
  3. qui — Lemma: qui; Part of Speech: Relative Pronoun; Form: Nominative Singular Masculine; Function: Subject of est; Translation: “which”; Notes: Refers back to the eighth day.
  4. est — Lemma: sum; Part of Speech: Verb; Form: Third Person Singular Present Active Indicative; Function: Verb of the relative clause; Translation: “is”; Notes: Links the subject with its predicate description.
  5. celeberrimus — Lemma: celeber; Part of Speech: Adjective; Form: Nominative Singular Masculine Superlative Degree; Function: Predicate adjective; Translation: “most solemn”; Notes: The superlative emphasizes the exceptional importance of the day.
  6. omne — Lemma: omnis; Part of Speech: Adjective; Form: Accusative Singular Neuter; Function: Modifies opus; Translation: “any”; Notes: Indicates total prohibition without exception.
  7. opus — Lemma: opus; Part of Speech: Noun; Form: Accusative Singular Neuter; Function: Direct object of facietis; Translation: “work”; Notes: Refers to labor or occupational activity.
  8. servile — Lemma: servilis; Part of Speech: Adjective; Form: Accusative Singular Neuter; Function: Modifies opus; Translation: “servile”; Notes: Describes ordinary labor associated with daily occupation.
  9. non — Lemma: non; Part of Speech: Adverb; Form: Indeclinable; Function: Negates the verb; Translation: “not”; Notes: Creates the prohibition.
  10. facietis — Lemma: facio; Part of Speech: Verb; Form: Second Person Plural Future Active Indicative; Function: Main verb; Translation: “you shall do”; Notes: Expresses a future command prohibiting servile labor.

 

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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