[B-Greek] GENNAW

william zeitler william at faithfulbible.com
Fri May 27 09:46:47 EDT 2005


For your consideration:

John 3:3 EAN MH TIS GENNHQH ANWQEN, OU DUNATAI IDEIN THN BASILEIAN TOU QEOU.

My question is about GENNHQH (GENNAW). The meaning seems rather 
straightforward. E.g. BDAG: 1) to become parent of, 2) give birth, 3) cause 
(something) to happen, bring forth, produce. Generally translated along the 
lines of 'to beget' when referring to the male activity in the reproductive 
process, and 'to give birth' when referring to the female.

So why is John 3:3ff invariably translated along the lines of 'unless a man be 
BORN again/from above...'

Why not 'unless a man be BEGOTTEN again/from above...'?

And so on for the rest of John 3.

I personally don't see any theology at issue with 'born' vs. 'begotten'. But 
it does put a different cast on the passage. And it might be more consistent 
with Jesus' characterization of our relationship with God as between child 
and Father.

So, why 'born' and not 'begotten'?

Thanx!

william zeitler



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