Rom 3:13 | RWP | e4.org | Throat ( λαρυγξ ). Old word, larynx. Open sepulchre ( ταφος ανεωιγμενος ). Perfect passive participle of ανοιγω , "an opened grave." Their mouth (words) like the odour of a newly opened grave. "Some portions of Greek and Roman literature stink like a newly opened grave" (Shedd). They have used deceit ( εδολιουσαν ). Imperfect (not perfect or aorist as the English implies) active of δολιοω , only in LXX and here in the N.T. from the common adjective δολιος , deceitful ( ). The regular form would be εδολιουν . The -οσαν ending for third plural in imperfect and aorist was once thought to be purely Alexandrian because so common in the LXX, but it is common in the Boeotian and Aeolic dialects and occurs in ειχοσαν in the N.T. ( , ). "They smoothed their tongues" in the Hebrew. Poison ( ιος ). Old word both for rust ( ) and poison ( ). Of asps ( ασπιδων ). Common word for round bowl, shield, then the Egyptian cobra (a deadly serpent). Often in LXX. Only here in the N.T. The poison of the asp lies in a bag under the lips ( χειλη ), often in LXX, only here in N.T. Genitive case after γεμε (is full).

‏ Romans 3:13

Throat ( λαρυγξ ). Old word, larynx.

Open sepulchre ( ταφος ανεωιγμενος ). Perfect passive participle of ανοιγω, "an opened grave." Their mouth (words) like the odour of a newly opened grave. "Some portions of Greek and Roman literature stink like a newly opened grave" (Shedd).

They have used deceit ( εδολιουσαν ). Imperfect (not perfect or aorist as the English implies) active of δολιοω, only in LXX and here in the N.T. from the common adjective δολιος, deceitful (2Co 11:13). The regular form would be εδολιουν. The -οσαν ending for third plural in imperfect and aorist was once thought to be purely Alexandrian because so common in the LXX, but it is common in the Boeotian and Aeolic dialects and occurs in ειχοσαν in the N.T. (Joh 15:22, 24). "They smoothed their tongues" in the Hebrew.

Poison ( ιος ). Old word both for rust (Jas 5:3) and poison (Jas 3:8).

Of asps ( ασπιδων ). Common word for round bowl, shield, then the Egyptian cobra (a deadly serpent). Often in LXX. Only here in the N.T. The poison of the asp lies in a bag under the lips ( χειλη ), often in LXX, only here in N.T. Genitive case after γεμε (is full).