From: Steven Craig Miller (stevencraigmiller@home.com)
Date: Sun Jan 28 2001 - 15:10:58 EST
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To: Kevin L. Barney,
<< [If your particular interest is NT, you should also try to get the
classic study by Nils Lund, _Chiasmus in the New Testament_ (Chapel Hill).
Unfortunately, I believe this book has long been out of print; you might
try E-Bay. >>
I use bookfinder.com in order to find used books. But I have a copy of
Lund's "Chiasmus in the New Testament," mine is a reprint from Hendrickson,
so maybe it is still in print. I don't know. Anyway, it shouldn't be too
hard to find. Unfortunately, it doesn't really address the issue of a
"Syntaxctical Chiasmmus." It doesn't even list the Philemon 5 example most
likely because Philemon 5 isn't a real chiasmus. It does mention the
Matthew 7:6 example. But it doesn't really discuss the issue of Greek
syntax. My question is not whether or not there are examples of chiasmus in
Greek texts, obviously there are, rather my question is whether or not a
chiasmus can effect Greek syntax.
Can a chiasmus effect Greek Syntax?
At Philemon 5, the NRSV translates: "because I hear of your love for all
the saints and your faith toward the Lord Jesus," whereas a more literal
translation might be: "because I hear of your love and faith[fulness],
which you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints."
The Greek text has:
(A) AKOUWN
(B) SOU THN AGAPHN
(C) KAI THN PISTIN,
(D) hHN EXEIS
(E) PROS TON KURION IHSOUN
(F) KAI EIS PANTAS TOUS hAGIOUS.
The NRSV has taken B and joined it with F and taken C and joined it with E
based on (what I call) a "Syntactical Chiasmus," whereas a more normal
reading of this syntax would take B + C as dependent upon A, and E + F and
dependent on D. What justification is there for NRSV's understanding of
Greek syntax at Philemon 5?
Similarly, at Matthew 7:6, the CEV translates "Don't give to dogs what
belongs to God. They will only turn and attack you. Don't throw pearls down
in front of pigs. They will trample all over them," whereas a more literal
translation might be: "Do not give what is holy to dogs; and do not throw
your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under foot and turn and
maul you" (NRSV).
A more traditional understanding of this syntax would assume that both the
dogs and the pigs might "trample them under foot and turn and maul you";
but the CEV has taken the phrase which comes at the end "They will only
turn and attack you" and moved it forward so that it now ONLY applies to
the dogs. What justification is there in GREEK SYNTAX for such a translation?
(1) Does any of the major reference grammars mention or approve of this syntax?
(2) Are there any non-biblical examples of this syntax (such as might be
found in classical Greek)?
(3) Are there any other biblical examples (in the NT or LXX) of this syntax?
(4) Does this syntax appear legitimate to you?
(5) Has there been any articles written which attempts to justify or
discuss this syntax?
Any help on this issue will be greatly appreciated.
-Steven Craig Miller
Alton, Illinois (USA)
stevencraigmiller@home.com
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