[b-greek] RE: Hendiadys

From: Iver Larsen (iver_larsen@sil.org)
Date: Sat Jul 28 2001 - 03:23:41 EDT


> Can we have hendiadys with an embedded adjective?
>
> For example,
> <noun> KAI PASHi <noun>
>
> I'll give a specific example, but I'd like the answer to be in
> terms of the more general question above.
>
> Phil. 1:9
>
> EPIGNWSEI KAI PASHi AISQHSEI

My answer would be: yes, we can. Hendiadys describes the semantic
relationship between two noun phrases, not just two simple nouns. I think
the label hendiadys was invented because the function of Greek KAI is
different from the function of English "and". The English "and" implies that
the two coordinated noun phrases are semantically disjunct, that is, they
have very little, if any, overlap in meaning. This constraint does not apply
to the Greek KAI. The two noun phrases may have significant semantic
overlap. The Greek KAI is an "additive", more than a disjunctive, and it can
add a different aspect or fuller explanation to the same idea. This is
especially common in Hebraic Greek. I am not so sure about other varieties
of Greek.

For instance, we could look at Mark 15:1 and Matt 21:5 which I am quoting
here in a literal English rendering to save me a bit of time:

"the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the
whole council"
(The elders and scribes mentioned are part of the whole council, not
separate entities.)

"mounted on a donkey and on a colt, the foul of a donkey"
(the donkey and the colt refer to the same entity, the second being a more
specific description. A generic reference followed by a more specific,
detailed reference is very basic to Hebrew structure. This is one instance
where the English "and" is clearly misleading.)

Iver Larsen


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