[B-Greek] EGW EIMI (Was: Re: HQELON OUN LABEIN AUTON EIS TO PLOION Jn 6:21)

Elizabeth Kline kline_dekooning at earthlink.net
Mon Jun 2 13:03:14 EDT 2008


On Jun 2, 2008, at 12:43 AM, Iver Larsen wrote:

> Just as you will not find any English version that translates EGW  
> EIMI with "I am" in John 6:21 ...

However, it has been suggested more than once that what we have here  
in Jn 6:16-21 (Matt. 14:22-27Mk 6:45-62) is a theophany and that the  
language of Jn 6:20 EGW EIMI has a primary and a secondary function/ 
meaning. The primary function is to identify himself to the twelve.  
The secondry function is use the language of deity within a theophanic  
event. It certainly isn't neccessairy to point out that this language  
is so used in the LXX.

For discussions of this see R.E.Brown (John AB, v1 p533) and  
G.R.Beasley-Murray (John WBC, pp 63, 89-90). Also C.H.Dodd is quoted  
in L.Morris (NICNT John 1971, p350, n43) as recognizing this primary  
and secondary function/meaning of EGW EIMI in Jn 6:20.


Elizabeth Kline







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