Word order in Heb. 8:6
Jeff Smelser
jeffsmelser at ntgreek.net
Tue Nov 12 10:36:50 EST 2002
Steven R. Lo Vullo wrote -
> (a) In the first clause of 8.6 we also find a comparative adjective
> (DIAFORWTERAS) separated from the noun it qualifies (LEITOURGIAS) by
> the controlling verb of the clause (TETUCEN). There seems to be a
> symmetry here between DIAFORWTERAS ... LEITOURGIAS and KREITTONOS ...
> DIAQHKHS, with both split by the verb.
Right! I had struggled with the 1st clause as well, but was so focused on
the 2nd clause that I became oblivious to the 1st. The symmetry you note
seems to shore up justification for the usual translation, although I could
still be made more comfortable with it if someone could point me to a few
more examples of this sort of thing.
> (b) It is also important to note the relative clause introduced by
> hHTIS. The antecedent of hHTIS is no doubt DIAQHKHS. The covenant is
> said to have been enacted "on the basis of better promises" (EPI
> KREITTOSIN EPAGGELIAIS). This shows that what is in view is the
> comparative *quality* of this covenant viv-a-vis the Old Covenant. It
> is a better (KREITTONOS) covenant because it was enacted on the basis
> of better (KREITTOSIN) promises, not because it was enacted on behalf
> of a better person. And anyway, to whom would the author be comparing
> God in this context? Even the Old Covenant was enacted on behalf of God.
Exactly.
Thanks Steven, and thanks also, Barry, for your comments.
Jeff Smelser
jeffsmelser at ntgreek.net
www.ntgreek.net
www.centrevillechurchofchrist.org
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