No More Itch: (2 Tim 4.3)
The majority of translations and commentaries render the phrase knēthomenoi tēn akoēn in 2 Tim 4.3 as ‘having itching ears’ (or something to the same effect). Many commentaries and lexica claim, furthermore, that this figure of speech expresses curiosity. The present study demonstrates that the phra...
| Published in: | New Testament studies |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Cambridge Univ. Press
[2018]
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| In: |
New Testament studies
Year: 2018, Volume: 64, Issue: 1, Pages: 81-93 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Bible. Timotheusbrief 2. 4,3
/ Phraseology
/ Curiosity
/ Amusement
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| IxTheo Classification: | CD Christianity and Culture HC New Testament |
| Further subjects: | B
Pastoral Epistles
B Polemic B Opponents B Curiosity B figure of speech B 2 Timothy |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | The majority of translations and commentaries render the phrase knēthomenoi tēn akoēn in 2 Tim 4.3 as ‘having itching ears’ (or something to the same effect). Many commentaries and lexica claim, furthermore, that this figure of speech expresses curiosity. The present study demonstrates that the phrase found in 2 Tim 4.3 is an idiom that occurs quite frequently in first- and second-century ce literature. Contemporary usage of this expression suggests, first, that the translation at 2 Tim 4.3 should be ‘having their ears tickled’, rather than ‘having itching ears’, and, second, that the idiom refers primarily to the experience of pleasure rather than curiosity. This translation and interpretation of knēthomenoi tēn akoēn fits the context of 2 Timothy better than other commonly proposed readings and is significant for how we understand the author's portrayal of his opponents and their appeal to the believers. |
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| ISSN: | 1469-8145 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: New Testament studies
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1017/S0028688517000236 |