[B-Greek] More on AIONIOS
Steve Puluka
puluka at verizon.net
Thu Oct 28 08:16:48 EDT 2004
on 10/27/04 11:56 PM, Gabe Chesster at Chesster67 at aol.com wrote:
>
> <<<One really ought to read carefully the BDAG (or BAGD, if that's all you
> have access to) article in its entirety with its listing of passages under the
> three headings with listings of passages and an attempt at careful
> differentiation:
>
> 1. pert. to a long period of time, long ago
> 2. pert. to a period of time without beginning or end, eternal
> 3. pert. to a period of unending duration, without end>>>
>
>
> Could it be that definition #1 is the **basic meaning** of AIONIOS, and that
> the other two are glosses suited only to certain contexts?
Gabe,
This is a discussion of method, not an answer to you question. I believe
that this is a dangerous way to think about vocabulary. I'm just a student
myself, but words in all languages have more than one meaning that can only
be determined by context. I'd would NOT characterize one as being a "basic"
meaning. Perhaps a better term would be "most common" meaning.
With AINONIOS the various possibilities outlined by BDAG are at least
similar in nature. In some cases the difference among various meanings can
be dramatic. A quick read through the index volume of Louw and Nida's
"Greek English Lexicon based on Semantic Domains" would make the point. The
multiple possible meanings of many words can be widely separated in semantic
meaning.
For example, EKXEW gives a-Cause to flow out; b-scatter; c-give in
abundance; d-cause to fully experience. Looking at any of these in the
semantically arranged volume you will see each meaning shows different words
with similar meaning in their semantic domain. None of these would be a
"basic" meaning of the word, although one may be the most common usage. In
other words, you can't start with a basic definition and modify it for
context. You have to pick from among the possible meanings the one that
FITS the current context. This is obviously much more difficult with
AIONIOS than EKXEW.
An English example would be the word bank. This could be the side of a
river or an institution where you keep money. Which is the "basic" meaning?
--
Steve Puluka
Masters Student, SS Cyril & Methodius Seminary
Cantor, Holy Ghost Church, Mckees Rocks PA
http://www.puluka.com
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