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First Clement 7.5

Posted: October 21st, 2018, 9:38 pm
by Brett Williams
Text from 1 Clement 7.5

διελθωμεν εις τας γενεας πασας και καταμαθωμεν οτι εν γενεα μετανοιας τοπον εδωκεν ο δεσποτης τοις βουλομενοις επιστραφηναι επ αυτον.

Let us review all the generations in turn, and learn how from generation to generation the Master hath given a place for repentance unto them that desire to turn to Him. - JB LIghtfoot

Another translation I came across has a different ending. It reads, "...to turn FROM him."

What could be the basis for translating επιστραφηναι επ αυτον as "to turn FROM him"

Re: First Clement 7.5

Posted: October 21st, 2018, 10:06 pm
by Barry Hofstetter
There would be no basis for that translation as the text stands. It can only be an error of some sort.

Re: First Clement 7.5

Posted: October 22nd, 2018, 9:28 pm
by Shirley Rollinson
Brett Williams wrote: October 21st, 2018, 9:38 pm Text from 1 Clement 7.5

διελθωμεν εις τας γενεας πασας και καταμαθωμεν οτι εν γενεα μετανοιας τοπον εδωκεν ο δεσποτης τοις βουλομενοις επιστραφηναι επ αυτον.

Let us review all the generations in turn, and learn how from generation to generation the Master hath given a place for repentance unto them that desire to turn to Him. - JB LIghtfoot

Another translation I came across has a different ending. It reads, "...to turn FROM him."

What could be the basis for translating επιστραφηναι επ αυτον as "to turn FROM him"
αυτον is Accusative - so indicates "motion towards" rather than "motion away from" :-)

Re: First Clement 7.5

Posted: October 23rd, 2018, 10:30 am
by Barry Hofstetter
Shirley Rollinson wrote: October 22nd, 2018, 9:28 pm αυτον is Accusative - so indicates "motion towards" rather than "motion away from" :-)
The fact also that it's ἐπ´ αὐτόν. Could there be a manuscript variant with ἀπ᾽ αὐτοῦ? But that would make no sense in the context at all.