η 3588 T-NSF δε 1161 CONJ ηρωδιας 2266 N-NSF ενειχεν 1758 5707 V-IAI-3S αυτω 846 P-DSM και 2532 CONJ ηθελεν 2309 5707 V-IAI-3S αυτον 846 P-ASM αποκτειναι 615 5658 V-AAN και 2532 CONJ ουκ 3756 PRT-N ηδυνατο 1410 5711 V-INI-3S-ATT
Vincent's NT Word Studies
19. Had a quarrel against him (eneicen autw). There is some dispute about the rendering. The Rev. renders Set herself against him, with no alternative translation in the margin; and in Luke xi. 53, Press upon him vehemently, with set themselves against him in the margin. I see no objection to rendering was angry at him, taking ejneicen aujtw with an ellipsis of colon, anger. Very literally, had within herself (en) anger against him. So Herodotus, i., 118. Astyages concealing the anger (ton colon) which he felt toward him (oi eneice). vi. 119, ejneice sfi deinon colon, nourished a fierce anger against them. So Moulton, Grimm, and De Wette.Desired (hqelen). Imperfect tense, was desiring all along. Her demand for John's murder was the result of a long-cherished wish.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
6:19 {And Herodias set herself against him} (he de herwidias eneicen autwi). Dative of disadvantage. Literally, {had it in for him}. this is modern slang, but is in exact accord with this piece of vernacular _Koin_. No object of eicen is expressed, though orgen or colon may be implied. The tense is imperfect and aptly described the feelings of Herodias towards this upstart prophet of the wilderness who had dared to denounce her private relations with Herod Antipas. Gould suggests that she "kept her eye on him" or kept up her hostility towards him. She never let up, but bided her time which, she felt sure, would come. See the same idiom in #Ge 49:23. She {desired to kill him} (eqelen auton apokteinai). Imperfect again. {And she could not} (kai ouk edunato). kai here has an adversative sense, but she could not. That is, not yet. "The power was wanting, not the will" (Swete).
