[B-Greek] AGIA and AGIA AGION in Hebrews chapter 9

Dave S m7feettall at yahoo.com
Mon Sep 18 22:17:54 EDT 2006


  I have some questions about the terms used to describe the holy place and most holy place in Hebrews 9. 
 
 
   
  9:2 SKÊNÊ GAR KATESKEUASTHÊ Ê PRÔTÊ EN Ê Ê TE LUCHNIA KAI Ê TRAPEZA KAI Ê PROTHESIS TÔN ARTÔN ÊTIS LEGETAI AGIA. 
  
 Here it reads AGIA. It could theoretically be  nominative, singular feminine or accusative, neuter, plural.
   
  It seems to make more sense that it is neuter plural since it seems to be in the accusative position, and I am not aware of LEGETAI being intransitive, etc. 
   
  But in reading some think it could be modifying SKENE. That seemed a bit strained to me, but could be wrong. 
   
   
  Also, verse 2 is an obvious reference to the first compartment, with verse 3 referencing the second. And the phrase fits that AGIA AGION (holies of holies? Most holy?).
   
  Why then does it seem to revert back to using just AGIA later when the implication seems to be from the text that Jesus entered into the Most Holy Place, in fulfillment of the OT Day of atonement ritual? 
   
  For instance in vs. 12 it says: 
   
  OUDE DI AIMATOS TRAGÔN KAI MOSCHÔN DIA DE TOU IDIOU AIMATOS EISÊLTHEN EPHAPAX EIS TA AGIA AIÔNIAN LUTRÔSIN EURAMENOS
   
  So I guess here are my questions: 
   
  Do you think AGIA in verse 2 is neuter plural or singular feminine? 
   
  If AGIA is neuter plural is it translated simply holy place? 
   
  Is the phrase in verse 2 particular to the first compartment or is it a more generic term referring to the whole temple? 
   
  Why doesn’t he use AGIA AGION later in the passage to re-emphasize that Christ entered into the equivalent of the second compartment, the presence of God?
   
  Is AGIA later in the passage a reference to all of the holy places (plural).
   
  Thanks in advance for the help!
   
   
  David Stuart
   
  
 		
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