RMark 8:12 Translation of EI in context

Harold R. Holmyard III hholmyard at ont.com
Wed Jan 24 19:27:16 EST 2001


Dear Michael,

You ask about EI in Mark 8:12

My understanding is that the EI is part of an unstated oath formula used by
the Jews. It would be something like: May God judge me if a sign shall be
given to this generation. It had perhaps become a dead metaphor, carrying
the idea of negative certitude without actually implying an oath. So the
connotation would have been to strongly deny the words after EI.

				Yours,
				Harold Holmyard
				Dallas, TX


>I used to struggle with this translation until the value of context
>finally dawned on me. The use of EI is one of several excellent examples
>demonstrating that the meaning of language is driven by the context
>rather than the lexicon.
>
>Mk 8:12
>ÝÝÝ KAI ANASTENAXAS TWi PNEUMATI AUTOU LEGEI, TI H GENEA AUTH ZHTEI
>SHMEION; AMHN LEGW UMIN EI DOQHSETAI THi GENEAi TAUTHi SHMEION.ÝÝ .ÝÝÝ
>.ÝÝÝÝ .ÝÝÝÝÝÝ .ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ .ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ .ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ .ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ
>.ÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ .
>8:13
>ÝÝÝ KAI AFEIS AUTOUS PALIN EMBAS APHLQEN EIS TO PERAN.
>
>ÝÝÝ The event describes a confrontation to which Jesus begins to answer
>with the protasis:
>"Truly I say to you if a sign shall be given to this generation . . . ."
>
>Normally there would be a conclusion/response (apodosis) to the protasis
>which is the initiating condition. Without a conclusion it becomes an
>aposeopesis. What we expect doesn't appear and without fully
>appreciating the circumstances some may tend to search for meaning where
>is doesn't exist. I tend to disagree with a number of resources listing
>EI as a "strong negation".
>
>ÝÝÝ If you will, the apodosis comes in the form of Jesus's departure, a
>'sign' of frustration also denying them the sign they sought. My
>students are working on this one and I'm hoping to add some thoughtful
>grist from the mill.
>
>ÝÝÝ If anyone has an idea or two. .Ý .ÝÝ .ÝÝÝ .ÝÝÝÝÝÝ .
>Ý
>
>Xaris
>
>Mike Watson
>NT Greek
>Biblion College
>Silverton, Oregon
>
>
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