[B-Greek] Subjunctive Aorist

Jonathan Robie jonathan.robie at datadirect-technologies.com
Tue Apr 29 14:22:32 EDT 2003


At 10:28 AM 4/29/2003 -0700, Greg - FD Staff wrote:
>Does anybody know whether or not a subjuctive aorist can ever be 
>translated as a future (will or would)? The Greek seems to imply that the 
>subjunctive aorist be translated as "should."

I am not sure how you are using the English term "should" here. Let me take 
a stab that may be corrected by others who know more. The aorist 
subjunctive often refers to the future - I think it vividly displays a 
future event without saying when it will occur.

>Specifically in terms of Phil. 2:10-11 where the newer translations say 
>every knee will bow and every tongue will confess while the older 
>translations have should bow and should confess. (See NASB 1995 ed. & NASB 
>1977 ed). The newer forms appear to be a form of "passionate" eisegesis.

Well, I think both of the following English translations are trying to 
convey the hINA and the Aorist Subjunctive together.

RSV:

Phl 2:9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name 
which is above every name,
Phl 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on 
earth and under the earth,
Phl 2:11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory 
of God the Father.

God has exalted him and bestowed this name on him SO THAT at the name of 
Jesus EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW. Vividly portrayed in some unspecified future.

NASB:

Phl 2:9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him 
the name which is above every name,
Phl 2:10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are 
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
Phl 2:11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to 
the glory of God the Father.

I think that English usage has evolved away from using "should" in this 
sense, so the above translation says "will" instead. It has the same meaning.

So I think that both translations are a fair rendering of the Greek.

Jonathan 



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