Non-use of the Article in TSKS Impersonal Constructions

Wes.Williams@twcable.com
Wed, 12 Mar 97 10:17:12 MST

Several of us on the list enjoyed a recent offline discussion regarding the TSKS
construction in Luke 1:6 TAIS ENTOLAIS KAI DIKAIWMASIN "the commandments and
righteous requirements." Might the Jews during this period have regarded
"commandments" and "righteous/legal requirements of the Lord" as distinct
things? Or did Luke neglect the article before the second noun because he so
closely associated the two in his mind? (I accept the latter but am testing the
former).

As for the TSKS contruction (with impersonals), Zerwick cites 1 Thess 1:7 EN TH
Macedonia KAI EN TH Achaia, showing they are two distinct provinces. In the next
verse, Paul use a TSKS construction EN TH Macedonia KAI Achaia. This of course
does not mean that they were the same province, but Zerwick suggests that Paul
may have dropped the second article to contrast the two provinces with ALL' EN
PANTI TOPWi(v.8 "in every place"). His thought is that the two provinces are
closely associated in contrast with 'everywhere.' It seems to make sense,
although I have not fully thought through the possibility of dropping the second
article in v.8 due to the immediate reference in v.7. The article is quite a
challenge unto itself and sometimes just reflects style, I think.

Any thoughts on the TAIS ENTOLAIS KAI DIKAIWMASIN of Luke 1:6 or the lack of the
second article in 1 Thess 1:8?

Sincerely,
Wes