Re: ANQRWPOS in Jn2:25-3:1

From: Mary A. Moody (marmoody@usaor.net)
Date: Wed Jun 25 1997 - 21:40:49 EDT


>A lurker brought up in a private email, but intended for the entire
>list, the issue of rendering ANQRWPOS in Jn2:25 --
>
>KAI OTI OU CREIAN EICEN hINA TIS MARTURHSH PERI TOU ANQRWPOU
>AUTOS GAR EGINWSKEN TI HN EN TWi ANQRWPWi.
>
>Unfortunately, my reference books are packed away, so I will ask:
>why does ANQRWPOS take a definite article in this verse?
>
>In terms of rendering ANQRWPOS here, the bold side of me proposes
>"human nature" ("and because he did not need anyone to testify
>about human nature, for he knew what is in human nature"), and the
>timid side of me suggests "man," without the article as rendered
>by the NASB. (The NIV uses "a man," which is not quite right, here.)
>I've looked at plural constructions "people," but that approach
>seems to lose some of the stylistic force in switching from the
>plural of vv23-24 to the singular of v25.
>
>Thoughts anyone?

Stephen and all,

Thank you for your prompt answer - especially in the middle of a move.

I wonder if the intended word play isn't lost if we translate using
non-offensive language and drop "man" - yes, human nature surely is
intended. But what about the tying of the "man" of the Pharisees to the man
of those to whem Jesus did not trust himself and the man whom he knew.
Person would work in each place, but sounds terribly strained in, "Now
there was a person of the Pharisees"

KAI OTI OU CREIAN EICEN hINA TIS MARTURHSH PERI TOU ANQRWPOU
AUTOS GAR EGINWSKEN TI HN EN TWi ANQRWPWi.
HN DE ANQRWPOS EK TWN FARISAIWN NIKODHMOS

Any thoughts? How do we preserve the word play and satisfy modern English?

Peace.

mary

Mary A. Moody marmoody@usaor.net
Leetsdale, PA,

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge Prov 1.7a



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