[B-Greek] charakter (Hebrews 1:3

Beata Urbanek baurbanek at op.pl
Tue Mar 8 06:59:37 EST 2005


Thayer's Lexicon says:
CARAKTHR
1. properly: an instrument used in engraving or carving
2. the mark (figure or letters) stamped upon that instrument. Hence
universalyy: a mark or figure burned in (Lev 13:28) or stamped on, an
impression; the exact expression (the image)of any person or thing, precise
reproduction in every respect.
He also quotes examples from Philo, Clement of Rome, Ignatius.
So the word is used in LXX (aso in 2 Macc 4: 10 in a different meaning:
characteristic). I would't agree that we cannot say the meaning of the word.
It ocurrs also in my "lay" dictionary of ancient Greek and is translated as
stamp, characteristic, style, image.

Beata Urbanek
Poland

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "T HILL" <terry_sda at blueyonder.co.uk>
To: <B-Greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2005 8:32 AM
Subject: [B-Greek] charakter (Hebrews 1:3


Hello list



As a layperson who does not understand Greek I am dependant on my
understanding of Greek from concordances such as Strong's or on people such
as you therefore the following question.



It is with regards to the Greek  'CHARAKTER' that is translated in the KJV
as 'express image' (Hebrews 1:3).



I have always taken this word to mean 'the exact stamp or impression' but a
friend of mine has made the observation (in objection to my understanding)
that because in the scriptures this Greek word is only used this once
(meaning there is no other contextual evidence to consider) and because
there is no Greek dictionaries available to say what this Greek word then
meant, we cannot really be sure today what thought the writer of Hebrews
meant to convey by his use of this word. Can anyone help me here with this
dilemma? Any observations and thoughts would be appreciated.



Terry Hill

Lay person and student of the scriptures

Bristol, England
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