[B-Greek] Col 1.16 & Epanadiplosis
Mont Cessna
montc at earthlink.net
Fri Dec 10 01:21:12 EST 2004
Dear List,
I have some questions regarding Col. 1:16 and the figure epanadiplosis.
First the text:
hOTI EN OUTW EKTISQH TA PANTA EN TOIS OURANOS KAI EPI THS GHS, hORATA
KAI TA AORATA, EITE QRONOI EITE KURIOTHTES EITE ARCH EITE EXOUIAI TA
PANTA DI AUTOU KAI EIS AUTON EKTISTAI.
I listened to a teacher state that Col. 1:16 contained the figure of
speech epanadiplosis because it starts and ends with "all things being
created by him" and that what is in between these phrases is the subject
or in this case what was created, which would be the EITE QRONOI EITE
KURIOTHTES EITE ARCH EITE. I looked up epanadiplosis in my DeMoss
Pocket Dictionary, which just referred me to anaphora.
In E.W. Bullinger's figures of speech book, he gives the definition as:
"It means a doubling upon again, and the Figure is so called because the
first word of the sentence is included both at the beginning and at the
end of a sentence. The Latins called it INCLUSIO, inclusion: either
because the first word of the sentence is included at the end, or
because of the importance of the, matter which is thus included between
the two words. They called it also CYCLUS, form the Greek KUKLOS, a
circle, because the repetition concluded what is said, as in a circle.
When this figure is used, it marks what is said as being comprised in
one complete circle, this calling our attention to its solemnity; giving
completeness of the statement that is made, or to the truth enumerated,
this marking and emphasizing its importance."
Bullinger's definition with regard to INCLUSIO seems to fit in that what
was created - EITE QRONOI EITE KURIOTHTES EITE ARCH EITE EXOUIAI -
falls between the two phrases - EN OUTW EKTISQH TA PANTA and TA PANTA DI
AUTOU KAI EIS AUTON EKTISTAI.
Can anyone shed some light on this? Does it appear that this is a valid
way to view this verse?
Sincerely,
Mont Cessna, Sr.
Harrisburg, PA
montc at earthlink.net
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