Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Newby question
#1
Hi, my first time on, I never post anywhere. I resently received a Peshitta as a gift and I love it. I never knew much about it before, and I am very excited. I have very little knowledge on the Peshitta. My first question is this (I have a friend who I argue with about certain N.T. verses, and thought the problems may not exist in the Aramaic), in John 1:1 my friend argues it should read "a god" because of the lack of definate article. Also, he argues when Proskuneo is used on Jesus it should say obesience instead of worship. I would love to hear what the Aramaic has to say. I now prefer the Peshitta. Thankyou for a wonderful forum, and I have a great amount of respect for the knowledge all you folks have.
Reply
#2
Hi, is your friend a jehovah witness, as they try to say that in john 1:1 it should say "a god" to support their false theories about jesus?
As far as the greek translation goes, my greek friend saids that the original translation is accurate, that 'the word was God",or in ither words Jesus is God and He is our wonderful saviour and the almighty God,Isaiah 9-6.
Reply
#3
There are no definite articles in Aramaic, therefore grammar does not restrict rendering it as a god. But you must discern which determiner it is by context and training.
Contextually (that is, with respect to TaNaKh), it cannot read a god because "YHWH [is] our Elohim, YHWH [is] one" (Deuteronomy 6:4). Peshitta TaNaKh provides further cognation between Hebrew Elohim (which is in plural form) and Aramaic Alaha (which is in singular form).
What would one prove by saying that it should be rendered a god? Yes it is a god that created everything...but for practical purposes a=the, since there is none else (Isaiah 46:9).
Reply
#4
Shlama,


weclome to the forum...we're all students of the Word and the Spirit here, so as long as you keep an open mind to searching out the truth, you'll be at home!

as to the first part of your question: "Alaha" is really the emphatic state, so you are basically saying THE ALAHA when you say "Alaha." if it is not in the emphatic state, you get "alah," a generalized term for deity found a couple times in the Peshitta NT, and is indeed in those instances best meant "a god" (not referencing THE Creator), as your friend is inappropriately trying to force the text to read. it really doesn' work in the Peshitta. THE ALAHA/THE GOD is how you should read it in Yuwkhanan 1:1 if you wanted to note the emphatic state of the title.

hope that helps with your "argument!" <!-- sWink --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/wink1.gif" alt="Wink" title="Wink" /><!-- sWink --> my pillow calleth, so that's all for tonight... <!-- sSleepy --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/sleepy.gif" alt="Sleepy" title="Sleepy" /><!-- sSleepy -->


Chayim b'Moshiach,
Jeremy
Reply
#5
Thanks for the info, it really helps. I will keep studying and learning, the Peshitta has opened a whole new world. I really love the rendering of John 1:1-3. Thanks again.
Reply


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)