[B-Greek] Question For Discussion Abou EIMI

George F Somsel gfsomsel at yahoo.com
Wed Dec 26 17:17:48 EST 2007


Choosing only one of the EGW EIMI statements from the GoJ

εἶπεν αὐτοῖς Ἰησοῦς· ἀμὴν ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν, πρὶν Ἀβραὰμ γενέσθαι ἐγὼ εἰμί. 

EIPEN AUTOIS IHSOUS, "AMHN, AMHN, LEGW hUMIN, 'PRIN ABRAAM GENESQAI EGW EIMI'"

As regards what BDAG has to say regarding the use of EGW EIMI in the GoJ, it does classify the usage in Jn 8.58 as signifying existing or being on hand along with Heb 11.6 

χωρὶς δὲ πίστεως ἀδύνατον εὐαρεστῆσαι· πιστεῦσαι γὰρ δεῖ τὸν προσερχόμενον τῷ θεῷ ὅτι ἔστιν καὶ τοῖς ἐκζητοῦσιν αὐτὸν μισθαποδότης γίνεται. 

XWRIS DE PISTEWS ADUNATON EUARESTHSAI; PISTEUSAI GAR DEI TON PROSERXOMENON TWi QEWi hOTI ESTIN KAI TOIS EKZHTOUSIN AUTON

This is a rather old memory, and I can't recall whether it was Joachim Jeremias or Ethelbert Staufer, but I do recall a chapter in a collection of writings in which he was comparing the usage of EGW EIMI in John to that of Isaiah where in Hebrew we have ANI HU) or as in Is 43.10 LXX (again choosing only one example)

γένεσθέ μοι μάρτυρες, κἀγὼ μάρτυς, λέγει κύριος ὁ θεός, καὶ ὁ παῖς, ὃν ἐξελεξάμην, ἵνα γνῶτε καὶ πιστεύσητε καὶ συνῆτε ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι, ἔμπροσθέν μου οὐκ ἐγένετο ἄλλος θεὸς καὶ μετ̓ ἐμὲ οὐκ ἔσται, 

GENSQE MOI MARTURES, KA'GW MARTUS, LEGEI KURIOS hO QEOS, KAI hO PAIS, hON ECELECAMHN, hINA GNWTE KAI PISTEUSHTE hOTI EGW EIMI, EMPROSQEN MOU OUK EGENETO ALLOS QEOS KAI MET' EME OUK ESTAI.

Thus, he was contending that this was a theological claim to be equal to God.

george
gfsomsel
 
Therefore, O faithful Christian, search for truth, hear truth, 
learn truth, love truth, speak the truth, hold the truth, 
defend the truth till death.
 
- Jan Hus
_________



----- Original Message ----
From: Hugh Donohoe Jr. <justusjcmylord at yahoo.com>
To: blist greek <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 26, 2007 4:45:20 PM
Subject: [B-Greek] Question For Discussion Abou EIMI

I've wondered for a while now about the EGW EIMI
construction found in John's Gospel. It is used in a
variety ways. The phrase functions as our idiom "It's
me" in Jn. 6.20 and 8.58. In many other places it
functions in an enigmatic way. I'm sure much ink has
been spilled about its meaning. I cannot help but
think John has in mind the LXX translation of God's
memorial name EGW EIMI hO WN (or Jesus had the
Tetragramaton when he was speaking Aramaic). I was
wondering if EIMI being used in translation of God's
name warranted a mention in BDAG? I confess I am
traveling right now and only have the Shorter Lexicon.
But the contents are usually very similar. The Shorter
has a disclaimer: "There are obviously many other
possible translations of EIMI in various contexts".
Should "the name of God" be added to the usages of
EIMI in BDAG? I am not arguing for it, I just wondered
what others thought. Of course if the BDAG does in
fact mention this fact then my question is moot.


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