Meaning of Prytaneis kosmou

How do I work out the meaning of a Greek text? How can I best understand the forms and vocabulary in this particular text?
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Pere Porta
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Joined: June 7th, 2011, 11:20 pm

Meaning of Prytaneis kosmou

Post by Pere Porta »

In Wisdom 13:2 we find πρυτανεις κοσμου.
Whait does this really mean in this verse?

Pere Porta
(Barcelona, Catalonia, Northeastern Spain)
Ken M. Penner
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Re: Meaning of Prytaneis kosmou

Post by Ken M. Penner »

It seems to be accusative, in context: people mistakenly thought natural phenomena were gods, rulers of the universe.
Ken M. Penner
Professor and Chair of Religious Studies, St. Francis Xavier University
Co-Editor, Digital Biblical Studies
General Editor, Lexham English Septuagint
Co-Editor, Online Critical Pseudepigrapha pseudepigrapha.org
Pere Porta
Posts: 2
Joined: June 7th, 2011, 11:20 pm

Re: Meaning of Prytaneis kosmou

Post by Pere Porta »

Yes, Ken. this is so form a literal viewpoint.
Now.... does it make sense that the wind or the light air (between others) are "rulers of the universe"?

Pere Porta
(Barcelona, Catalonia, Northeastern Spain)
Ken M. Penner
Posts: 881
Joined: May 12th, 2011, 7:50 am
Location: Antigonish, NS, Canada
Contact:

Re: Meaning of Prytaneis kosmou

Post by Ken M. Penner »

Pere Porta wrote:Yes, Ken. this is so form a literal viewpoint.
Now.... does it make sense that the wind or the light air (between others) are "rulers of the universe"?
I'm not sure what you think doesn't make sense.
Are you objecting that these physical substances and phenomena are not personal? Or that they do not "rule"?
Regarding the first objection, see now (probably) Origen's homily on Psalm 76, at http://mapoulos.wordpress.com/2012/06/1 ... ionpart-3/
Regarding the second, would "govern" or "preside over" work better than "rule"? The pyrtanis was like a president or member of a governing council.
Ken M. Penner
Professor and Chair of Religious Studies, St. Francis Xavier University
Co-Editor, Digital Biblical Studies
General Editor, Lexham English Septuagint
Co-Editor, Online Critical Pseudepigrapha pseudepigrapha.org
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