EPI as "near"

Mark Wilson emory2oo2 at hotmail.com
Wed Jan 3 00:08:41 EST 2001



Mark 2:26

EPI ABIAQAR ARCIEREWS

This problematic phrase is partly the subject of a recent article at 
bible.org by Dr. Wallace. Concerning the use of EPI + the Gen., the 
following is footnoted:

-----
The NET here is bolder than the NIV which implies a broader chronological 
timeframe: "In the days of Abiathar the high priest," even though the Greek 
most likely cannot be taken so broadly. And even the REB has "in the time of 
Abiathar the high priest." The NET Bible, in this instance, is identical to 
the NRSV’s rendering, even though fidelity to the meaning of the text is 
problematic for many evangelicals.
-----

The NET's translation of this verse is:

"how he entered the house of God when Abiathar was high priest and ate the 
sacred bread"


I certainly do not want to make light of this article, but is not EPI used 
quite often to
denote "near" or "in proximity to" something? And if so, why do we not 
simply understand
Mark as: "he entered the house of God NEAR THE TIME of Abiathar the high 
priest"?

In other words, I do not see how we get "when" out of EPI in this context.

Assuming that Ahimelech was indeed the high priest at the time of this 
incident, would not
EPI be a likely candidate to indicate a time "close or near to" the 
incident? I am not suggesting
that EPI is the most likely candidate, but certainly it is not a stretch to 
see it as one
a Koine writer/speaker could have chosen.

Perhaps Christ, who spoke these words (per Mark), thought that relating this 
incident to a time near the time of Abiathar was equally significant (for 
reasons unknown to us). Surely Abiathar was alive during this incident 
recorded in 1 Samuel, although he was not functioning as high priest yet.

Thank you,

Mark Wilson

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