Luke 11:35 MH

l. j. swain x99swain at wmich.edu
Sat Jul 15 12:58:32 EDT 2000




Cassian DelCogliano wrote:
> 
> Dear Greek Experts,
> 
> What would be the exact usage of MH in Luke 11:35, SKOPEI OUN MH PHWS TO EN
> SOI SKOTOS ESTIV. It is a case of MH + the indicative. From the grammars I
> consulted, I see three possibilites:
> 
> (1) as an expression of apprehension (cf. Blass Debrunner Funk 370(3)):
> "Take care, then, lest the light in you be darkness."
> 

MH is used with the subjunctive and imperative; it may also express with
those moods a "negative purpose", which I think it does here.  Lit.
"Look, then, so that the light in you is not darkness."  In modern
English I think we have unfortunately lost the sense of "lest", such a
good word.

Hope that helps.

Larry Swain



More information about the B-Greek mailing list