Re: John 1:1a - in *the* beginning

Harry J. Staiti (a0003192@mail.airmail.net)
Tue, 28 Oct 97 05:36:50 PST

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> On Mon 27 Oct 97 (21:14:59), jwrobie@mindspring.com wrote:
> >ÊWhen I read John 1:1a, I always read EN ARCH as "in the beginning". Of
> >Êcourse, there is no article, but I've never heard anybody translateÊthis as
> >Ê"in a beginning". Is it the meaning of ARCH that makes it definite,Êsince
> >Êthere is only one beginning in the biblical world view? Or is there
> >Êsomething else that should tip me off that this is definite and not
> >Êindefinite?

> Would a comparison with Mark 1:1 be helpful? ARCH TOU EUAGGELIOU IHSOU
> CRISTOU, ktl.

> I've never heard any suggestion that we translate this "A beginning of the
> Gospel of Jesus Christ, etc". My mentors told me that Mark 1:1 is like a
> headline in a newspaper, when very large type is used and articles omitted
> for stark brevity. Hmmmm.

I also was instructed in this manner at seminary.

It is if ARCH TOU EUAGGELIOU IHSOU CRISTOU is to say, "this is no ordinary story." It is obviously confessional language which made it to the text.

--


Harry Staiti
a0003192@mail.airmail.net
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Olympus/2587/post-lib.html


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