Jn 19:30 KLINAS THN KEFALHN

John M. Harkins smichael at bellatlantic.net
Tue Jun 29 12:25:52 EDT 1999



Carl Conrad wrote re PAREDWKEN TO PNEUMA:

Although I can find no instances of the phrase in LSJ or in lexical info
directly available to me, I think that L&N are right in claiming that
this is an "idiom".

19:30 b  KAI KLINAS THN KEFALHN PAREDWKEN TO PNEUMA

L&N also indicate that the words THN KEFALHN KLINW  also make an idiom
for "to lie down to sleep" (23.83).   However, L&N indicate that in Jn
19:30 these words must not be understood idiomatically but as a case of
literally bowing the head. (16.16)

I  have a mental block here of breaking an idiom and maintaining an
idiom with both idioms side by side. However the real help that I need
is to know that THN KEFALHN KLINW "to lie down to sleep" is not used as
a euphemism for dying.  So far as I can determine there is no such
euphemistic usage. If any one would know anything to the contrary, I
would appreciate also knowing.  Also any comment at all on this matter
would be gratefully received.


(Rev.) John M. Harkins




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