[B-Greek] Please help with LK 1:54

Iver Larsen iver_larsen at sil.org
Thu Dec 10 11:53:14 EST 2009


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jay Adkins" <jayadkins264 at gmail.com>
To: <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: 10. december 2009 14:35
Subject: [B-Greek] Please help with LK 1:54


Luke 1:54 ANTELABETO ISRAHL PAIDOS AUTOU, MNHSQHNAI ELEOUS

Dear BGreekers,

Please help me understand why this is not translated “He has helped His
servant child Israel to remember mercy.”  Other than the comma, which we all
know was added much later, I do not understand why most have translated as
the ESV “He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy,.”

I understand that
ANTELABETO is a Third Person, Singular, Aorist, Middle, Indicative &
MNHSQHNAI is an Aorist, Passive, Infinitive.

Thank you for your assistance.

Sola Gratia
Jay Adkins
-------------------------
Both ANTILAMBANW and MIMNHiSKW are MP forms that take their "objects" in 
genitive. It is somewhat akin to "he was reminded of mercy", i.e. he had 
promised to be merciful and now he has shown it.

It sounds awkward in Greek, but this is probably because it is translated from 
Hebrew or Aramaic.
Marshall comments. "God's action is seen to be in fulfillment of his covenant 
with Israel. Israel is his PAIS, ‘servant’ (Is. 41:8f.;  42:1;  44:21; cf. 49:3; 
Je. 26:27f.), whom he has promised to help (ANTILAMBANOMAI Is. 41:9;  42:1; cf. 
9:6; Acts 20:35; 1 Tim. 6:2 **). The loosely added infinitive MNHSQHNAI (‘to 
remember’, 1:72; 16:25; 23:42; 24:6, 8*; Acts 10:31;  11:16*) gives the sense, 
‘and he remembered’ (BD 391.4)."

Compare also Luke 1:72 where God showed mercy to the fathers and "remembered" 
his covenant. "Remember" in the OT often refers to taking action and intervene 
for the benefit of somebody. It does not imply that God has forgotten anything.

Gen 9:16 has a similar construction:
I will look upon it and remember the everlasting covenant (RSV)
More literally from Hebrew: I will see it for to remember...
The word "remember" is in the infinitive in Hebrew and also in the LXX.

Iver Larsen 




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