’Ενευλογηθήσονται as a Speech Action Middle in Genesis 12:3b LXX
Interpreters unanimously read ἐνευλογηθήσονται in Gen 12:3b LXX as a passive. Good evidence, however, exists to challenge and problematize this conclusion. Recent linguistic studies on the ancient Greek middle voice reveal that aorist and future -θη- forms express a semantically middle domain. When...
| Subtitles: | eneulogēthēsontai as a Speech Action Middle in Genesis 12:3b LXX |
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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
2024
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| In: |
Harvard theological review
Year: 2024, Volume: 117, Issue: 1, Pages: 21-42 |
| Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains: | B
Bible. Genesis 12,3
/ Old Testament
/ Passive mood
/ Medium (Linguistics)
/ Speech act
/ Blessing
B Bible. Genesis 12,3 / Old Testament / Reception / Philo, Alexandrinus 25 BC-40 / New Testament |
| IxTheo Classification: | HB Old Testament HC New Testament HD Early Judaism |
| Further subjects: | B
Abraham
B ἐνευλογηθήσονται B middle voice B Gen 12:3 B Septuagint (LXX) |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (kostenfrei) Volltext (kostenfrei) |
| Summary: | Interpreters unanimously read ἐνευλογηθήσονται in Gen 12:3b LXX as a passive. Good evidence, however, exists to challenge and problematize this conclusion. Recent linguistic studies on the ancient Greek middle voice reveal that aorist and future -θη- forms express a semantically middle domain. When we reexamine the word ἐνευλογέομαι within this light, a better option emerges for seeing its -θη- forms as manifestations of speech actions within this middle domain. In their own unique ways, the LXX as well as Philo, Paul, and Acts further corroborate this alternative. As a result, we may read ἐνευλογηθήσονται in Gen 12:3b LXX as a speech action middle: "to pronounce blessings." The proposed reading promotes a better understanding of Abraham within Genesis LXX. Rather than a means to an end, Abraham remains at the center of God’s blessing as the earth’s families cry out: "God make me like Abraham!" |
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| ISSN: | 1475-4517 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Harvard theological review
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1017/S0017816023000433 |