FWIW, I have always assumed that it was a face to face confrontation. When Peter struck at Malchus, perhaps lunging at him, then Malchus likely reacted by side stepping the blow, possibly moving to the left (if Peter was right handed) so that the blow only caught his right ear. Seems to me Peter was going for the jugular.Stephen Carlson wrote: The detail in Luke and John that ear was the right one might suggest that he was attacked from behind or from an angle.)
Matt 26:51 μάχαιρα
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Please quote the Greek text you are discussing directly in your post if it is reasonably short - do not ask people to look it up. This is not a beginner's forum, competence in Greek is assumed.
Please quote the Greek text you are discussing directly in your post if it is reasonably short - do not ask people to look it up. This is not a beginner's forum, competence in Greek is assumed.
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Matt 26:51 μάχαιρα
Scott Lawson
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Re: Matt 26:51 τὸν δοῦλον τοῦ ἀρχιερέως, the high priest's s
I've always assumed that the μάχαιρα was a single-edged sword/knife used for slashing, and I'm having a tough time seeing how a lunge could miss and take off an ear. I've envisioned Malchus moving just enough for his skull. but not his ear, to avoid the blade of a downward slash.Scott Lawson wrote:FWIW, I have always assumed that it was a face to face confrontation. When Peter struck at Malchus, perhaps lunging at him, then Malchus likely reacted by side stepping the blow, possibly moving to the left (if Peter was right handed) so that the blow only caught his right ear. Seems to me Peter was going for the jugular.Stephen Carlson wrote: The detail in Luke and John that ear was the right one might suggest that he was attacked from behind or from an angle.)
Stephen C. Carlson, Ph.D.
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne, Australia
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Re: Matt 26:51 τὸν δοῦλον τοῦ ἀρχιερέως, the high priest's s
Assuming a downward blow it puzzles me that there is no mention of injury to Malchus' shoulder. I suppose clothing could be enough to protect him. The μάχαιρα is also pointy, I assume for the purpose of stabbing.Stephen Carlson wrote: I've envisioned Malchus moving just enough for his skull. but not his ear, to avoid the blade of a downward slash.
Scott Lawson
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Re: Matt 26:51 τὸν δοῦλον τοῦ ἀρχιερέως, the high priest's s
It probably depends on the heft of the weapon. I'm thinking the size of a large carving knife. To go for the jugular as you earlier suggested, I would still envision a slashing rather than a stabbing motion.Scott Lawson wrote:Assuming a downward blow it puzzles me that there is no mention of injury to Malchus' shoulder. I suppose clothing could be enough to protect him. The μάχαιρα is also pointy, I assume for the purpose of stabbing.Stephen Carlson wrote: I've envisioned Malchus moving just enough for his skull. but not his ear, to avoid the blade of a downward slash.
Stephen C. Carlson, Ph.D.
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne, Australia
Re: Matt 26:51 τὸν δοῦλον τοῦ ἀρχιερέως, the high priest's s
Or maybe Peter just wanted his ear off. How would we ever know?Scott Lawson wrote:Assuming a downward blow it puzzles me that there is no mention of injury to Malchus' shoulder. I suppose clothing could be enough to protect him. The μάχαιρα is also pointy, I assume for the purpose of stabbing.Stephen Carlson wrote: I've envisioned Malchus moving just enough for his skull. but not his ear, to avoid the blade of a downward slash.
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Re: Matt 26:51 μάχαιρα
I'm envisioning something like this:Stephen Carlson wrote: It probably depends on the heft of the weapon. I'm thinking the size of a large carving knife. To go for the jugular as you earlier suggested, I would still envision a slashing rather than a stabbing motion.
ἐξίσταντο δὲ πάντες καὶ διηποροῦντο, ἄλλος πρὸς ἄλλον λέγοντες, τί θέλει τοῦτο εἶναι;
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