Re: John 8:58 (Does anybody have anything NEW to say?)

From: Rod Whitacre (rodwhitacre@home.com)
Date: Wed Dec 29 1999 - 11:25:02 EST


>I have always considered the phrase PRIN ABRAAM GENESQAI to be an
>adverbial subordinate clause which modifies the principal clause of
>EGW EIMI. I tag this as a adverbial clause because PRIN is the
>subordinating conjunction. To me this means that the question
>being answered is a temporal one, that of "when," not "who" or
>"what."
>
>This seems to be in line with the question asked in verse 57 as
>to how someone not yet 50 years old could have seen Abraham.
>
>I am interested in your comment that EGW EIMI is a form of the
>divine name. Where is EGW EIMI used in this fashion?
>
>Sincerely,
>Dan
>
>
>--
>Dan Parker stoixein@sdf.lonestar.org

Dan,

I agree that the context suggests that PRIN ABRAAM GENESQAI refers to time,
but if it were simply an adverbial clause modifying EGW EIMI, or simply a
predicate complement, I would expect not ãI amä (EIMI), but ãI wasä or ãI
have beenä (EGW HMHN, EGW EGENOMHN, EGW GEGONA, or some equivalent).

Regarding EGW EIMI as a reference to the Divine Name, the texts I listed
(Dt. 32.39; Isa. 41.4; 43.10; 46.4 and 48.12) are the main ones I know of
which might provide background, though there is still a jump between them
and the usage in Jn 8.58. Still of value, I think, is the study by Philip
B. Harner, The ÎI Amâ of the Fourth Gospel: A Study in Johnannine Usage and
Thought. Facet Books, Biblical Series 26. Philadelphia: Fortress, 1970.
Since this particular aspect of the question is not about the Greek as such
I suppose further discussion should take place off the list.

Cheers.

Rod

The Rev. Dr. Rodney A. Whitacre
Professor of Biblical Studies
Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry
311 Eleventh Street
Ambridge, PA 15143
USA
RodWhitacre@TESM.edu

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