[B-Greek] Help with 'Imperfect' Particple required (Mt 2:7)
Carlton Winbery
winberycl at earthlink.net
Fri Jan 20 19:25:23 EST 2006
>Dear B-Greek,
>
>I'm in need of some clarification re the tense of the present middle
>participle "fainomenou" as used in Mt 2:7.
>
>I know that participles do not exist in imperfect form and the present is
>used to convey imperfect past time - with context (tense of main verb)
>providing the indication of time - but this word has been classed as
>corresponding to 'perfect' (Max and Mary) AND 'imperfect' (by Gustav Teres
>who argues for the Star being visible on a nightly basis ever since its
>rising).
>
>Is this tense plain old simple 'present' or perfect or imperfect?
>
>As the main verb - "akribws" - is aorist active indicative singular it would
>be in contrast to the imperfect (on going action as it unfolds). So if I
>conclude that "fainomenou" cannot be imperfect in form in this instance,
>would I be right?
>
>All the Best,
We should get the text before us.
Mt. 2:7 TOTE hHRWiDHS LAQRAi KALESAS TOUS MAGOUS HKRIBWSEN PAR'
AUTWN TON CRONON TOU FAINOMENOU ASTEROS.
FAINOMENOU is the present middle participle in the genitive case. It
along with ASTEROS in the genitive define TON CRONON. "the time of
the appearing of the star." Technically the participle modifies
ASTEROS, the appearing star.
FAINOMENOU cannot be imperfect in form. HKRIBWSEN is aorist the
default form for narrative.
--
Carlton L. Winbery
Retired Professor of Religion
Louisiana College
318-448-6103
winberycl at earthlink.net
winbery at lacollege.edu
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