[B-Greek] PROSKUNEW (how to render)

Carl W. Conrad cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu
Thu Oct 9 07:06:21 EDT 2003


I am forwarding this message to the list; I think it was intended instead
of the "hollow" message sent by Oun Kwon to the list about the same time. I
note, however, that the focus here is upon the translation question
primarily and only secondarily upon the meaning of PROSKUNEW; evidently in
its earliest Greek usage the verb did refer to an act expressing homage to
a sovereign; insofar as such homage was deemed appropriate both for a human
and a divine sovereign, "worship" is appropriate as a translation for the
action when taken towards a divine being. On the other hand, the conception
of idolatry in Mosaic teaching would seem to include the notion of such an
act of homage to a human sovereign.
=================
Date: Wed, 08 Oct 2003 23:10:02 -0400
From: "Oun Kwon" <kwono at upstate.edu>

I have a comment regarding how to translate this word in NT.

Of course, when it is as to God and to the Lamb, the common word 'worship'
is used appropriately.

However, in some occurrnces, such as in Mt 21:12 (Visit of Magi) and others,
I do not feel comfortable.  The word 'worship' used as to Magi's and
Herod's, though the object here is Jesus (yet as a child)  and though it is
as to a king of Jews.

NWT renders as 'do obeisance' for these examples,  Though the English word
was unfamiliar to me at first, now I think this is accurate one.

The word 'worship' has now much cultural coloring on it.  Using worship =
PROSKUNEW it is to easily fall into an error of "Cotton Patch" translation.
As if it is as a case  of using 'chalice' for 'cup' for Passover (Lord's
Last Meal).  Here 'chalice' has too much coloring, restricting its mean and
image as to the communion service of Christian denominations, whereas the
original was strictly of Jewish setting.

Shalom,

Oun J Kwon, M.D.
SUNY Uptate Med University
Syracuse, NY
-- 

Carl W. Conrad
Department of Classics, Washington University (Emeritus)
1989 Grindstaff Road/Burnsville, NC 28714/(828) 675-4243
cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu
WWW: http://www.ioa.com/~cwconrad/



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