[B-Greek] A Christmas Question

Ron Bonica ron at bonica.org
Tue Dec 25 21:38:52 EST 2007


Folks,

The following are two seasonal questions:

1) In Luke 2:8, the shepherds are FULASSONTES FULAKAS (guarding guards?)
TES NUKTOS EPI TEN POIMNEN (in the night over sheep). In the next verse,
the shepherds EFOBETHESAN FOBON (feared fear) MEGAN (great).

The double verbs (guarding guard, feared fear) caught my attention. Is
this a common construct? Is it used to suggest emphasis (e.g., the
shepherds were *really* concentrating on their flocks and then they were
*really* frightened).

2) In Luke 2:19, Mary SUMBALLOUSA (throws together?) EN TE CARDIA AUTES
(in her heart). The image of throwing strikes me as being strange. Does
it suggest that she was under stress or confused or overwhelmed? Or am I
reading too much into the root "BALLW" (throw)?

                                          Merry Christmas,
                                            Ron



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