[B-Greek] TW AGGELW in Rev. 2:1
Blue Meeksbay
bluemeeksbay at yahoo.com
Fri Jan 29 17:26:29 EST 2010
One last thing to close out this thread since Elizabeth Kline asked the question – “Can you provide an example from Second Temple Judaism where AGGELOI function as [semantic] agents of GRAFWV?”
After a few days of mulling this over, I have not been able to think of any extra-biblical examples that fit your parameters. I was thinking of the “Letter to Aristeas,” but that didn’t pan out. In the Bible, of course, there is Acts 15:22-23, where certain ones were sent out with a letter which became part of Scripture, but that doesn’t really fit since they are not called AGGELOI, and also, of course, we know of LXX Malachi. 1:1 which says, LHMMA LOGOU KURIOU EPI TON ISRAHL EN CEIRI AGGELOU AUTOU QESQE DH EPI TAS KARDIAS UMWN , but, again, that doesn’t really fit your parameters, although he does later "speak" forth the "Word of the Lord" as an “AGGELOS.” And, then, of course, there is the well known passage in James 2:25 where the twelve spies were called AGGELOI, but, as with the examples given by George Somsel, (Lk 7.18-35 // Mt 11.2-19), it seems all these do meet, as George concluded, “your requirements.” So I would
have to say, No, I cannot think of any example, but let me know if you run across any. It would be interesting to compare with Rev. 2ff.
And Iver also said: But the difficulty you are seeing comes from the assumption that AGGELOS here means "messenger". If you drop that assumption, there is no real alternative to "writing to the AGGELOS", whether this term refers to the leader/bishop of the church or something else.
I agree. The only way such an understanding can be maintained is if one begins with an assumption AGGELOS means a human messenger. Take that assumption away and it seems the most probable alternative is your alternative. Thanks!
Sincerely,B.Harris
________________________________
From: Elizabeth Kline <kline_dekooning at earthlink.net>
To: greek B-Greek <b-greek at lists.ibiblio.org>
Sent: Wed, January 27, 2010 1:19:26 PM
Subject: Re: [B-Greek] TW AGGELW in Rev. 2:1
Can you provide an example from Second Temple Judaism where AGGELOI function as [semantic] agents of GRAFWV?
Perhaps, Daniel chapter seven??
Elizabeth Kline
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