[B-Greek] Is this a semitism or normal Greek?
Albert Pietersma
albert.pietersma at sympatico.ca
Sun Feb 10 10:51:58 EST 2008
On Feb 10, 2008, at 8:43 AM, Barry wrote:
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Randall Buth" <randallbuth at gmail.com>
> To: "greek B-Greek" <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>; "Hugh Donohoe Jr."
> <justusjcmylord at yahoo.com>
> Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2008 6:02 AM
> Subject: [B-Greek] Is this a semitism or normal Greek?
>
>
>> When saying 'Semitic' it may be important to point out
>> that Mark does not reflect an Aramaic narrative style
>> with narrative tote (tote as a narrative conjunction),
>> contrary what to Casey leads people to believe.
>>
>> Yes, SYMPOSIA SYMPOSIA is a Hebraism,
>> but one that means, 'each and every, by each' rather
>> than simply 'many'. It is rather rare in Greek and
>> Aramaic, though attested in LXX.
If Randall's statement is meant to imply that because it appears in
the LXX it is Greek, I would respectfully have to disagree. Though
uncertainty about individual 'Semiticisms' will continue, we know
enough about Septuagint Greek to know that what one typically gets is
not straightforward use of Greek as language system. As a general
overview one might, for example, read James Barr's Typology of
Literalism. Barr not only points out that literalism is the baseline
of LXX Greek but also that literalism comes in at least six
varieties, including representation of the source text, in
distinction from translation of the source text.
Furthermore, a translation equivalent is scarcely an item for the
lexicon. Exegesis and lexicography are to be kept quite distinct. So
what does one mean when one states that a given word/phrase means
thus and so? Is one talking about the specifics of a given passage,
wart and all, or is one engaged in compiling a lexicon?
Al
>
> Randall, this is the common wisdom, and I don't doubt it for a
> moment, but
> would you mind citing examples from biblical Hebrew which use this
> example?
> I'd be interested in seeing how the LXX translates them.
>
> Thanks, no hurry, just curiosity.
>
> N.E. Barry Hofstetter
> Professor, WRTS
> http://www.wittenbergreformed.org
> Mentor, TNARS http://www.tnars.net/
> Classics Instructor, TAA
> http://www.theamericanacademy.net
>
> and me:
>
> http://mysite.verizon.net/nebarry
> http://my.opera.com/barryhofstetter/blog
>
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