ajhalpin wrote,
2 Corinthians 1:22
What is the literal meaning of this word taken from 2Corinthians in regards to an earnest or pledge. ἀῤῥαβών
Also, can anyone tell me the meaning of this transliterated phrase:
"teliki arrahbon dia"
Interesting word. A couple of months ago a speaker visiting my church spoke on the verse you cite and made a comment on the word, but in a measure of confusion gave the correct meaning of ἀρραβών but ascribed it to another word that appears in the verse, σφραγισάμενος. As you say, ἀρραβών means earnest or pledge. You'll find interesting information in Moulton and Milligan; it's well attested in the papyri. MM point out that in Modern Greek "ἡ ἀρραβῶνα is used for 'the engagement ring'".
ἀρραβών is used in the NT at 2 Cor 1:22, 2 Cor 5:5, and Eph 1:14. In the LXX it's found at 38:17, 18, 20, and in these instances it's used in a literal sense, so it may be helpful for you to check out those references.
LSJ gives: ἀρραβών, ῶνος, ὁ, earnest-money, caution-money, deposited by the purchaser and forfeited if the purchase is not completed, ἀ. δοῦναί τινος Is.8.20, cf. Arist.Pol.1259a12, Stilpo ap.D.L.2.118, BGU446.18 (ii A.D.): pl., deposits required from public contractors, IPE12.32 B 34 (Olbia).
2. generally, pledge, earnest, τὴν τέχνην ἔχοντες ἀ. τοῦ ζῶν Antiph.123.6; τοῦ δυστυχεῖν . . ἀ. ἔχειν Men.697, cf. Lxx. Ge.38.17, 18, Ep.Eph.1.14.
3. present, bribe, Plu.Galb.17. (Semitic, prob. Phoenician, word, Hebr. ‘rbn: freq. written ἀραβών, UPZ67.14 (ii B.C.), Ep.Eph. l.c., etc.)
II. ἀρραβών πρόδομα, καὶ ἄγκιστρον, Hsch. [pg 246]
Alex Hopkins
Melbourne, Australia