[B-Greek] Matthew 9:20, Matthew 14:36 (TOU KRASPEDOU) cf Malachi 4:2 (LXX 3:20) KANAPH/TAIS PTERUXIN
kgraham0938 at comcast.net
kgraham0938 at comcast.net
Thu Sep 7 12:13:03 EDT 2006
When looking up PTERUX in BDAG I noticed PTERUGION which BDAG says is diminutive of PTERUX and goes on to say that it serves to denote "the tip or extreminty of anything, end, edge. So if I am correct I would say one could argue that this can denote the same meaning as kaneph in Hebrew.
--
Kelton Graham
KGRAHAM0938 at comcast.net
-------------- Original message --------------
From: "William Ross" <woundedegomusic at gmail.com>
> We are all probably familiar with the many obvious indications that
> Matthew is dependent on the LXX, such as his quote of Isaiah 7:14 LXX,
> so I am surprised to see something that appears to me to be from the
> Hebrew rather than the LXX and I am wondering if I knew more about the
> etymology or extant usage of PTERUXIN that it would show that the
> Greek could have been his source for Matthew 9:20 and 14:36.
>
> It seems obvious to me that these verses:
>
> Mt 9:20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of
> blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his
> garment:
> Mt 14:36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his
> garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
>
> were inspired by Malachi 4:2 (LXX 3:20). Here is the KJV (from the
> Masoretic Hebrew text):
>
> Malachi 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of
> righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth,
> and grow up as calves of the stall.
>
> The word translated "wings" is KANAPH which has the following semantic range:
>
> 03671 Pnk kanaph kaw-nawf'
> from 03670; n f; {See TWOT on 1003 @@ '1003a'}
> AV-wing 74, skirt 14, borders 2, corners 2, ends 2, feathered 2, sort
> 2, winged 2, misc 8; 108
> 1) wing, extremity, edge, winged, border, corner, shirt
> 1a) wing
> 1b) extremity
> 1b1) skirt, corner (of garment)
>
> ISTM that it was originally penned to refer to the rays of the sun of
> righteousness. This could have had the double meaning of the coming
> Davidic ruler, the periphery of who's very garments would extend
> divine healing - and thus makes a natural background for Matthew's
> stories.
>
> But if Matthew was reading the LXX, which he obviously normally did,
> he would have encountered PTERUXIN rather than KANAPH. My question
> then is, would PTERUXIN have a similar usage in its semantic range?
> Could he get "hem of his garment" from PTERUXIN?
>
> If not, would anyone think he could have been astute enough to catch
> the idea that "the sun of righteousness" was a man and the "wings"
> were his garment fringe?
>
> I think he could have made the interpretation from the LXX reading,
> but I am thinking it would be an easier sell if PTERUXIN lent itself
> to that reading.
>
> Sorry for such a complex, lengthy question.
>
> William Ross
> VGB, Argentina
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