Re: Luke 2:14: en uyistois qew, en anqrwpois eudokias
James H. Vellenga (jhv0@viewlogic.com)
Wed, 20 Nov 96 08:41:07 EST
> From: "Stephen C. Carlson" <scarlson@washdc.mindspring.com>
>
> At 06:15 11/20/96 -0600, Carl W. Conrad wrote:
> >At 5:49 AM -0600 11/20/96, Jonathan Robie wrote:
> >>OK, I thought I could parse this, and then someone pointed out that UYISTOIS
> >>is plural. Why plural?
> >>
> >>Any hints?
> >
> >Here's a couple stabs at it:
> >
> >(1) It's a neuter plural generalizing phrase, of a sort well-exemplified
> >elsewhere in the NT: TA EPOURANIA, TA EPIGAIA.
>
...
>
> >(2) Semitic (Hebrew at least) has a plural (dual?) for Heaven: ha
> >Shamayim,which seems to be represented at some points in the NT with the
> >plural hOI OURANOI.
>
> There's also an intriguing reference in 2Co12:2 to a "third heaven."
> Any experts here in ancient cosmology?
>
One might also contrast the phrase Carl mentioned above --
TA EPOURANIA -- which occurs commonly in Ephesians. I'm
not sure what it means, but etymologically it looks something
like "the overheavens." Is Paul here distinguishing mere
sky (OURANOS) from a more spiritual realm (EPOURANIA)?
Regards,
j.v.
James H. Vellenga | jvellenga@viewlogic.com
Viewlogic Systems, Inc. __|__ 508-303-5491
293 Boston Post Road West | FAX: 508-460-8213
Marlboro, MA 01752-4615 |
http://www.viewlogic.com
"We all work with partial information."