[B-Greek] ACTS 19:36 Syntax

Elizabeth Kline kline_dekooning at earthlink.net
Wed Feb 21 22:15:49 EST 2007


On Feb 21, 2007, at 4:23 PM, Carl W. Conrad wrote:

> On Feb 21, 2007, at 4:24 PM, Elizabeth Kline wrote:
>
>> ACTS 19:36 ANANTIRRHTWN OUN ONTWN TOUTWN DEON ESTIN hUMAS
>> KATESTALMENOUS hUPARCEIN KAI MHDEN PROPETES PRASSEIN.
>>
>> Syntax here seems a little overly ornate. A genitive absolute made up
>> of an equative clause, DEON used in periphrastic manner, two
>> infinitives for DEON.
>>
>> Seems like a lot of complexity packed into a small verbal space.
>
> Seems, in fact, a bit stuffy: note that these words are spoken by a  
> GRAMMATEUS; perhaps Luke(?) is trying to make him sound like a  
> professional speech-writer -- or in fact, a politician!  "Since  
> that is assuredly the case, it behooves you to settle down and not  
> do anything precipitate."

Carl,

Yes, sounds like someone who is impressed with himself. There are six  
verbs in this verse, nearly a verb for every two words. I cannot  
recall seeing a genitive absolute construction like this one  
ANANTIRRHTWN OUN ONTWN TOUTWN, EIMI participle with a verbal  
adjective (Zerwick #142) and furthermore DEON ESTIN ... seems like a  
prime candidate for parsing question in a NT Greek exam.

thank you,

Elizabeth Kline







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