[b-greek] Re: Lluke 24:15

From: Polycarp66@aol.com
Date: Wed Apr 10 2002 - 01:23:42 EDT


In a message dated 4/10/2002 12:38:11 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
cc.constantine@worldnet.att.net writes:

This is not a dumb question. I take AUTOUS as the subject of the infinitive
hOMILEIN. I could be wrong.
___________________________

No, you're absolutely correct. Wallace, p. 193 has

5. Accusative Subject of the Infinitive
a. Definition
The accusative substantive frequently functions semantically as the subject
of the infinitive. Though older grammars insist that technically this is an
accusative of respect, from a descriptive and functional perspective, it is
better to treat it as subject. This is a common use of the accusative,
especially with personal pronouns.
b. Clarification

Normally the subject of the infinitive is the same as the subject of the main
verb and thus is in the nominative case. For example, in Luke 19:47 we read
hOI GRAMMATEIS EZHTOUN AUTON APOLESAI (“the scribes were seeking to kill
him”).59 But when the infinitive requires a different agent, it is almost
always put in the accusative case.60

1) English Analogies

Though this usage of the accusative is difficult to grasp, it is not without
some parallels in English. In the sentence “She wanted me to learn
something,” “me” is both the direct object of “wanted” and the subject of
“to learn.” Greek usage is similar, though more varied (that is to say, the
subject of an infinitive is not always going to do double-duty as a direct
object, too). Note, for example, Phil 1:12–13: GINWSKEIN DE hUMAS BOULOMAI .
. . hWSTE TOUS DESMOUS MOU FANEROUS . . . GENESQAI (“now I want you to know…
so that my bonds have become manifest”). In v 12 the accusative is both
object of the verb

george

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