[B-Greek] Is GRAPH ever used as a proper noun in the NT?

Jason Hare jaihare at gmail.com
Tue Aug 15 12:03:35 EDT 2006


Leonard,

I do not know if I should even comment on this, but it is my opinion that
the GRAFH in the GT refers to the Tanakh, or to a part of it. These are the
Scriptures of the Jewish people, and they were the "Bible" to the early
Christians -- whether in Hebrew, in Aramaic (Targumim), or in Greek (LXX).

Regards,
Jason


On 8/15/06, Leonard Jayawardena <leonardj at sltnet.lk> wrote:
>
> In his article "The Terms 'scripture' and 'scriptures'" (in The
> Inspiration and Authority of the Bible), B. B. Warfield says that GRAPH is
> used as a proper name in the following passages:
>
> 2 Timothy 3:16: PASA GRAPH QEOPNEUSTOS
>
> 1 Peter 2:6: DIOTI PERIECEI EN GRAPHi
>
> 2 Peter 1:20: PASA PROFHTEIA GRAPHS IDIAS EPILUSEWS OU GINETAI
>
> Some translations, too, seem to reflect this view.
>
> What exactly is the basis for treating GRAPH in the above verses as a
> proper noun?  Warfield's argument seems to be that the word, either in the
> singular or plural, is always used in the NT in a technical sense to refer
> to the OT.  Is there a Greek rule covering this point?
>
> GRAPH occurs without the definite article in all these instances (plus
> John 19:37--hETERA GRAPH), whereas in all other 25 or so occurrences in the
> NT it is accompanied by the definite article (hH GRAPH). In all the cases
> where GRAPH occurs in the singular with the article it can be demonstrated
> that the word always refers to a single passage of the OT. I think GRAPH in
> 2 Tim. 3:16 can be understood as simply "writing" and in 1 Peter 2:6 it may
> be used indefinitely to mean a "a scripture."  The Twentieth Century New
> Testament translates this verse thus:"For there is a passage of Scripture
> that runs...."  Moffatt translates PROFHTEIA GRAPH in 2 Peter 1:20 as
> "prophetic scripture."
>
> If what I have said in the preceding paragraph is correct, is the view
> that GRAPH is used as a proper noun in the above three verses tenable?
>
> Leonard Jayawardena
>
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-- 
Jason A. Hare
jaihare at gmail.com
Joplin, Missouri (USA)



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