[b-greek] Re: Matthew 19:9

From: Iver Larsen (iver_larsen@sil.org)
Date: Fri Nov 16 2001 - 17:04:05 EST


> With regard to ASCHMON PRAGMA (LXX). That is more of a
> paraphrase, whereas
> Jesus' LOGOU PORNEIAS is more like a literal translation of the
> Hebrew, for
> what it's worth. In either case, it's a euphemism.

In order to try to check whether PORNEIA could be a literal translation of
the Hebrew nakedness word, I looked up the parallel versions I have of the
LXX and the Hebrew text. As far as I could find out, this Hebrew word is
never translated by anything like PORNEIA, but often with words that are
cognate to ASCHMON.
Based on this, I find it difficult to see PORNEIA as a translation of the
Hebrew word. ASCHMON PRAGMA appears to be a better and also more literal
translation. Of course we don't know which Hebrew word Jesus used, assuming
he spoke in Hebrew, but I would expect he would use the word that is
normally translated with Greek PORNEIA, that is the root ZNH.
Therefore, it seems to me that Jesus is not directly quoting or translating
this phrase, but interpreting the intended meaning of it. Fornication is
much more specific than "indecent" and I would not call it a euphemism.

I am not a Hebrew scholar, so I am may be wrong. I am relying on how the LXX
translated it.

Iver Larsen

---
B-Greek home page: http://metalab.unc.edu/bgreek
You are currently subscribed to b-greek as: [jwrobie@mindspring.com]
To unsubscribe, forward this message to leave-b-greek-327Q@franklin.oit.unc.edu
To subscribe, send a message to subscribe-b-greek@franklin.oit.unc.edu


This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.4 : Mon Feb 11 2002 - 18:40:48 EST