[B-Greek] embrimaomai

Iver Larsen iver_larsen at sil.org
Thu Feb 14 00:27:43 EST 2008


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Elizabeth Kline" <kline_dekooning at earthlink.net>
To: "greek B-Greek" <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: 14. februar 2008 02:35
Subject: Re: [B-Greek] embrimaomai


>
> On Feb 11, 2008, at 3:12 PM, Elizabeth Kline wrote:
>>
>> JOHN 11:33 IHSOUS OUN hWS EIDEN AUTHN KLAIOUSAN KAI TOUS
>> SUNELQONTAS AUTHi IOUDAIOUS KLAIONTAS, ENEBRIMHSATO TWi PNEUMATI
>> KAI ETARAXEN hEAUTON
>>
>> JOHN 11:38 IHSOUS OUN PALIN EMBRIMWMENOS EN hEAUTWi ERCETAI EIS TO
>> MNHMEION: HN DE SPHLAION KAI LIQOS EPEKEITO EP' AUTWi.
>>
>
>
> I have spent some time on this over the last few days. Finding
> expressions like ENEBRIMHSATO TWi PNEUMATI or ETARAXEN hEAUTON isn't
> an easy task. Searching the LXX/GNT I wasn't able to find a single
> example of a middle verb with a dative reflexive pronoun which was
> coreferential with the subject of the verb. If you have some examples
> please post them.

Which of the two are you referring to, since the first expression has a middle but no reflexive, and 
the second is active with a reflexive pronoun as accusative object?
The first one is "he was frustrated in his spirit", the second "he disturbed himself".
I am not sure if you can say this second one in English, but I think you can say "don't disturb 
yourself (because/about of that matter)". For the positive expression in English, I suppose you 
would have to say something like "he was (deeply) concerned". Some Engllish versions use 
"deeply/greatly distressed", which is much better than "moved".

Concerning EMBRIMAOMAI, for the two places in John, Jesus did not take out the frustration that he 
felt, on others. He was frustrated "in his spirit" and "in himself". In the other places where the 
word occurs in the NT, the frustration is expressed towards other people by way of a warning or a 
rebuke.  The word should not be translated "moved". NCV is not bad: "he was upset and deeply 
troubled". I don't think it refers to anger or indignation as much as an inner frustration that may 
express itself in variius ways.

>
> TARASSW is common enough in the LXX as describing an internal
> emotional state but not in the active voice with a reflexive pronoun
> object. It is found in the passive voice. For these reasons I have
> doubts about this being a LXX idiom.

TARASSW is not uncommon in the NT in the active, even though it does not elsewhere occur with a 
reflexive.

Examples:
Act 15:24 TINES ...ETARAXAN hUMAS LOGOIS
Some have disturbed you by words, or: some have caused you to be troubled/upset by (their) words.

Gal 1:7 TINES EISIN hOI TARASSONTES hUMAS
there are some who are causing you to be unsettled/disturbed (in your minds/spirits)

TARASSW occurs 6 times in John (out of 17 in the NT), e.g.

14:1 MH TARASSESQW hUMWN hH KARDIA
Don't let your heart be disturbed.

This is close to "Don't disturb your heart" which is again close to "don't disturb yourself".

Iver Larsen




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