[B-Greek] Matthew 19:11

Robert Dee rdee at coastalnow.net
Tue Jan 9 16:38:52 EST 2007


Any thoughts on translating the last word (a verb) in Matthew 19:11, "DEDOTAI"? (3rd Pers. Pass. Perf. Ind)
The entire last phrase is "ALL OIS DEDOTAI" ("but to whom it has been given")

A good number of translations read (literally): "has been given" (or "it is given" or similar)
        (KJV, ALT, NASB, Darby, many others)

A few read: "have the gift" (or similar)
        (CEV, Phillips, Moffat, etc) 

Is the last phrase considered an idiom by some? By itself, "have the gift" seems to 
emphasize the current possession of "the gift" (a noun), by the owner of it. Or does 
this illustrate the difference between 'literal' and 'thought equivalence' translation?

Thank you in advance
Robert J Dee
Walthourville, Ga USA
rdee at coastalnow.net




More information about the B-Greek mailing list