[B-Greek] hHMERA in Acts 17:31

Polycarp66 at aol.com Polycarp66 at aol.com
Sun Jan 18 19:37:44 EST 2004


In a message dated 1/18/2004 5:04:47 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
tedsmath at yahoo.com writes:

> The word  hHMERA  usually means "day".  However, it appears 
> to mean  something like "judgment" at least once (in 1 Cor 4:3).
> 
> Many (all?) English versions translate  hHMERA  as "day" 
> in Acts 17:31.  But it looks like it might make decent 
> sense to translate it as "court" or "tribunal" or "judgment" 
> here.  I'm not saying that's my view: I'm asking.  
> What do you think?
> 
> Acts 17:31
> KAQOTI ESTHSEN hHMERAN EN hHi MELLEI KRINEIN THN
> OIKOUMENHN EN DIKAIOSUNHi EN ANDRI hWi hWRISEN, PISTIN
> PARASCWN PASIN ANASTHSAS AUTON EK NEKRWN
> 

________

It is frequently necessary to take into consideration the OT when 
understanding NT passages.  In this case "the day" was shorthand for "the day of the 
Lord" when used in conjunction with ideas of judgment.  This derives from such 
passages as Amos 5.18 ff

18 Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!  Why would you have the day of 
the Lord?  It is darkness, and not light; 19 as if a man fled from a lion, and 
a bear met him; or went into the house and leaned with his hand against the 
wall, and a serpent bit him. 20 Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not 
light, and gloom with no brightness in it?"

It thus is a reference to a day -- the day in which God will come in 
judgment.

gfsomsel



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