[B-Greek] Connotations of PAIS in Luke 7:7,Matt 8:5-13
Mark Fairpo
fairpo at breathemail.net
Fri May 9 07:37:46 EDT 2003
If this has done the rounds on B-Greek before then I apologise, but I feel that this may contribute new and confusing information...
>From Liddell-Scott's and Strong's Greek-English Lexicon and Vine's Expository Dictionary: The Greek word PAIS can variously mean (a) a child in relation to descent; (b) a boy or by analogy a girl in relation to age; (here) a slave, servant or attendant of all ages in relation to condition, (c) especially to a King, and (d) by eminence to God.**
Moulton & Milligan in The Vocabulary of the Greek NT state: 'the word [PAIS] is commonly applied to slaves as in Luke 7:7.'
>From dozens of English translations - just five explicitly translate its parallel in Matt 8:5-13 as a young servant: 'servant boy' (The Living Bible, 1971, Amplified Bible, 1965), 'slave boy' (TLB again, Analytical-Literal Translation, 2001), 'young servant' (New Living Translation, 1996 revision of TLB) and 'young man' (Young's Literal Translation, 1898). This is not the trend among more literal translations.
I am a novice paddling in B-Greek, but propose that PAIS is either:
1.. Synonymous with DOULOS (Moulton & Milligan??)
2.. Would signify a (Personal) Attendant in a job advert
3.. As per the NET Bible's Notes below
4.. Signifying a young servant is in a four-way competition - or five with MEAT PAIS CHIPS EN PEAS <G>
The NET Bible in its Notes for Matthew 8:6 states: 'PAIS, often used of a slave who was regarded with some degree of affection, possibly a personal servant (Luke 7:7 uses the more common term DOULOS). See L&N 87.77' (Louw & Nida, Greek-English ... Based on Semantic Domains, 1988) The degree of affection is neither strong emotions nor sexual relations - but nor fits with Herod's Attendants (Matt 14:2) given his history with PAIS.
My Greek NT uses PAIS in Luke 7:7 - is this a NET Bible typo or other manuscript(s)?
I cannot weigh their strengths or whether I am mixing Biblical (Koine) and Hellenic Greek, where PAIS can signify a man or maid-servant (as Luke 12:45 uses both PAIS and its maid-servant PAIDISKE).
All Bibles translate PAIS in Matt 8:5-13 as 'servant'. Does anyone have a textbook example like Moulton & Milligan's citing Luke 7:7 but using 'servant' for me to quote?
Confused,
Mark Fairpo
British Methodist
** References for PAIS (a) Matt 17:18 a son or Luke 8:54 Jarius's daughter (b) Matt 21:15 or 2:16 Herod slaying (c) Matt 14:2 Herod's attendants (d) Luke 1:54 for Israel or Jesus/angels/St.Paul elsewhere.
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