[b-greek] Matthew 15:24

From: L. J. Swain (larry.swain@wmich.edu)
Date: Mon Dec 17 2001 - 15:17:07 EST


In Matthew's episode of the Syro-Phoenician woman, Jesus says:

"OUK APESTALHN EI MH EIS TA PROBATA TA APOLWLOTA OIKOU ISRAHL"

My question is the "EI MH", I've looked in several grammars to confirm
my understanding that EI MH is best translated as "except" or "if not",
thus the above statement is "I was not sent except to the lost sheep of
the house of Israel." But I've noted that the NASB, NIV, and RSV all
translate "I was sent ONLY to the....." and it is the use of that "only"
which is my sticking point. Unless I've missed something about the
nature of "EI MH" and its nuance, "only" seems to me to be making Jesus
say something stronger than what Matthew has him say. I note that the
Vulgate also has good ol' "nisi" for "EI MH", which for me confirms the
issue.

So B-Greekers, what have I missed?

Larry Swain

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