[B-Greek] ONOMA (was Re: MATTHEW 28:19)

Carl W. Conrad cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu
Fri Dec 8 10:16:03 EST 2006


On Dec 8, 2006, at 8:43 AM, Iver Larsen wrote:

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bill Yates" <bill.yates at tesco.net>
>
>
>> I have just subscribed to B-Greek so apologies if this query is  
>> misdirected.  I couldn't find any
>> link to a Discussion Forum.
>>
>> Matt 28:19 has the phrase, "baptize them in the name of the Father  
>> and of the Son and of the Holy
>> Ghost.
>>
>> My query concerns the Greek phrase in the Greek NT, 'EIS TO ONOMA'
>>
>> This clearly means 'into the name....'      However, I can find no  
>> English translation of the
>> Bible which uses this translation: they all state 'IN the name'
>> I can find no rationale for this as 'EV TW ONOMATI'  would be what  
>> I would expect to see.   Is it,
>> perhaps, because the Vulgate translates the phrase as 'in nomine  
>> Patris'  and this has just been
>> repeated in all the English translations?
>>
>> My query is based on the fact that the two English versions seem  
>> fundamentally different.  In the
>> name of suggests 'with the authority of' as, for example, 'I  
>> command you in the name of the
>> President of the United States'.
>>
>> Into, however, seems to suggests baptizing INTO the family of the  
>> Trinity.   In the same way as a
>> bridegroom invites his bride into the name of his family when they  
>> marry.
>>
>> So the query has two parts, really.   Why is a fairly  
>> straightforward Greek phrase been so
>> consistently translated 'incorrectly' into English?  I understand  
>> that translation requires some
>> degree of flexibility when a literal translation would not  
>> correctly portray the English meaning -
>> but this does not seem to apply here.
>>
>> The second part is the theological importance of the differences  
>> in the translation given in
>> English Bibles.
>
> Hi, Bill,
>
> We cannot go into the theological importance on this list. On your  
> first question, my answer is that
> the apparently incorrect translation is probably based on  
> theological tradition, so it is pretty
> impossible to discuss it on a purely linguistic ground.
>
> I will only quote what BAGD has to say under hONOMA:
> "The concept of dedication is also highly significant, in all  
> probability, for the understanding of
> the expression: BAPTIZEIN EIS TO hONOMA TINOS. Through baptism EIS  
> (TO) hONOMA TINOS,  the one who
> is baptized becomes the possession of and comes under the  
> protection of the one whose name he bears;
> he is under the control of the effective power of the name and the  
> One who bears the name, i.e., he
> is dedicated to them."

For what it's worth, I think it should be noted that the noun ONOMA  
has never had
a rough breathing.

>
> As far as English translations go, I noticed that NIV uses "in the  
> name" in Matt 29:19, but "into
> the name" in 1 Cor 1:13, where the same expression occurs. For this  
> last place, TEV says "Were you
> baptized as Paul's disciples?"

Carl W. Conrad
Department of Classics, Washington University (Retired)
1989 Grindstaff Road/Burnsville, NC 28714/(828) 675-4243
cwconrad2 at mac.com
WWW: http://www.ioa.com/~cwconrad/





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