[B-Greek] Hebrews 1:1-2 EN

Alderman, Jim jim.alderman at G3TP.com
Tue Dec 18 00:43:12 EST 2007


The parallel structure of the first two verses of Hebrews is quite
striking, especially if viewed in a diagram.  Here is a sentence tree of
these verses, albeit using Marshall's literal translation, which I am
using with a study group:
http://www.freewebs.com/jlaindy/Hebrews%20Mind%20Map/index.html.

 

My question is regarding the two phrases "by the prophets" (EN TOIS
PROFHTAIS) and "by a son" (EN hUIWi).  Both PROFHTAIS and hUIWi are
dative.  EN would literally be translated "in" but more naturally "by"
for readability in this context.  In a previous message
(http://lists.ibiblio.org/pipermail/b-greek/2004-July/030716.html), a
case was made for requiring EN to "bear the sense 'by means of' or
'through the instrumentality of.' "

 

With both occurrences of EN being in the same sentence, both with the
dative, both following the same verb root and hence resulting in such a
parallel construction, could there be any reasonable argument made for
translating them differently?  In other words, I am not concerned with
how EN is translated, but that both occurrences should be translated the
same way - not in general, but only in this specific situation.

 

I realize that this question might be toward the fringe area of topics
considered by this group but I would appreciate any responses.

 

James L. Alderman

Takton Systems, Inc.

Indianapolis, IN (USA)

 

Let all things be done decently and in order.

1 Corinthians 14:40

 




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