Re: Aorists in 'performative-type' expressions?
Carlton Winbery (winberyc@popalex1.linknet.net)
Tue, 22 Jul 1997 08:23:03 +0400
Carl Conrad responded to Johathan;
>>>Actually my broader search is for examples of aorist forms that might be
>>>taken as references to 'instaneous' or 'punctiliar' events in present time.
>>>This would not be a usual use or the aorist, but perhaps legitimate in
>>>certain contexts?
>>
>>How about this one?
>>
>>Luke 16:4 EGNWN TI POIHSW!
>
>After more modem trouble that knocked me out of touch with e-mail for
>several more days, I am back and trying to catch up. Upon noticing this, I
>am wondering if this isn't out of the same concerns that led to last week's
>discussion of the form IATAI in Mk 5:19, i.e.: KAI EUQUS EQERAPEUQH ... KAI
>EGNW TWi SWMATI hOTI IATAI APO THS MASTIGOS. For EGNW here certainoly falls
>into this category of 'instantaneous' or 'punctiliar' events in present
>time, doesn't it--and the more so if IATAI really is a present rather than
>a perfect tense?
>
I would comment that the perspective for the use of the language is the
writers not the woman. The writer is saying "she knew in her body that she
had been healed from . . ." Its the writer's perspective that she had
come into an existing result. Combined with the aorist the whole statement
functions like a pluperfect. Its a perfect way to get across to his
readers his point that the healing was successful and her faith was
vindicated.
Carlton Winbery
LA College