>>>>>>>>>>>>
EIS TON AIWNA (or the plural, EIS TOUS AIWNAS) is a common NT idiom; I had
assumed that this reflected the Jewish concept of the age to come, but was
somewhat surprised to note that BAGD lists a number of classical references
to the same phrase (p. 27).
Any observations as to how extensive this phrase is in classical literature
and or the relationship of the classical use to the Jewish and/or biblical
concept?
(Neither TDNT nor NIDNTT have much to say about AIWN in classical--less
than they usually provide--and neither one comments on the idioms EIS TON
AIWNA, etc.)
>>>>>>>>>>>
Rod
I took a look in BAGD, LSJ, L&Nida , Spicq, Lust Eynikel Hauspie, EDNT, the
commentaries by H.B. Swete, and R.H. Charles. I didn't check Kittels since you
already looked there.
The longest discussion I found on classical usage of AIWN was in EDNT (vol 1,
p44), but the exact phrase EIS TWN AIWNA is not cited from pre-Christian
literature except for LXX. The phrase EIS hAPANTA TON AIWNA is quoted
from Lycurgus 106. The longest list of classical sources for EIS TWN AIWNA
was in BAGD which you already know about.
I did the research and have found nothing illuminating on your topic.
This little exercise lends support to the argument that Edward has stressed
repeatedly. Use your BAGD and LSJ! There is a lot of good information stuffed
into these reference books. Takes a little patience to get it out however.
Clay Bartholomew
Three Tree Point
Postscript:
Some of you on the list might have good enough memories to recall that I
stated in a previous discussion that I was not about to purchase
Lust-Eynikel-Hauspie on the LXX. I have not reneged on this statement.
However a hypertext version of the dictionary has come over the transom
and I am using it.