First Clement 7.5

Discussion of Greek texts that do not fall into the other categories, including texts in other dialects or texts from other periods.
Forum rules
This is not a beginner's forum, competence in Greek is assumed.
Post Reply
Brett Williams
Posts: 2
Joined: January 6th, 2018, 6:39 am

First Clement 7.5

Post 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"
Barry Hofstetter
Posts: 2159
Joined: May 6th, 2011, 1:48 pm

Re: First Clement 7.5

Post by Barry Hofstetter »

There would be no basis for that translation as the text stands. It can only be an error of some sort.
N.E. Barry Hofstetter, M.A., Th.M.
Ph.D. Student U of FL
Instructor of Latin
Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy
καὶ σὺ τὸ σὸν ποιήσεις κἀγὼ τὸ ἐμόν. ἆρον τὸ σὸν καὶ ὕπαγε.
Shirley Rollinson
Posts: 415
Joined: June 4th, 2011, 6:19 pm
Location: New Mexico
Contact:

Re: First Clement 7.5

Post 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" :-)
Barry Hofstetter
Posts: 2159
Joined: May 6th, 2011, 1:48 pm

Re: First Clement 7.5

Post 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.
N.E. Barry Hofstetter, M.A., Th.M.
Ph.D. Student U of FL
Instructor of Latin
Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy
καὶ σὺ τὸ σὸν ποιήσεις κἀγὼ τὸ ἐμόν. ἆρον τὸ σὸν καὶ ὕπαγε.
Post Reply

Return to “Other Greek Texts”