From: Henry T. Carmichael (HTC@ctronsoft.com)
Date: Mon Jan 13 1997 - 13:44:52 EST
Dear B-Greek Listers:
I'm working through Hebrews, and am arrived at 2:17, which says, in part,
<... eis to Hilaskesqai tas Hamartias tou laou.>
I saw <Hilaskesqai> as a passive infinitive, but A.T. Robertson "Word
Pictures ..." has it a middle, and who am I to argue with him? But I
cheated, and looked in the "New Analytical Greek Dictionary" (sorry,
Prof. Winbery) which has it a passive.
Is this another of the dual-voice verbs, or is it really a passive. And
if it is, how might it be rendered in English?
Middle: "for to expiate, Himself, the sins of the people" (archaic, I
know), or "for His expiating the sins of the people".
Passive: "for the sins of the people to be expiated"
I see that the 1885 RV and Darby have "to make atonement for the sins of
the people" - translating it as an active, and Charles B. Williams
has, "to atone for the people's sins", also an active.
I know it is difficult to convey the force of the middle in English, but
I frequently try to do it - but it makes for rather awkward reading.
I would appreciate any help on this.
In Christ
Henry
htc@ctronsoft.com
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