Does Mark 8:7 use an ‘imperative infinitive' ?

Jay Adkins JAdkins264 at aol.com
Sat May 8 10:10:09 EDT 1999


Dear B-Greekers,

While I can find no translation to support of use of an ‘imperative 
infinitive' in Mark 8:7, it seems to fit the context well. It appears to 
be
not without support from the function of the infinitive itself. 

The ‘imperative infinitive' is "especially frequent in Homer", and while it 
"is not of very frequent occurrence" in the NT, "Moulton thinks that its 
rarity in the New Testament is a "matter for surprise"(M. 180)." {Dana & 
Mantey, page 216} "An infinitive may be used in a predicate structure, 
serving the function of a finite verb such as an imperative (commanding 
use).  This is much more frequent in Greek outside of the NT...." {Porter, 
page 201}

Have I missed something about the use of the infinitive as an imperative in 
translating:

Mark 8:7 "KAI EICON ICQUDIA, KAI EULOGHSAS AUTA EIPEN KAI TAUTA 
PARATIQENIA"

As follows;

8:7 They also had a few small fish, having blessed them, He said, "Now 
serve these."

Jay Adkins,
Very Little Greek



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