[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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