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Matthew 24:30 sign, mark, banner
#1
An intereresting difference between Greek and Aramaic is the existance of a word that just exists at two places in the Aramaic text.

It's at Matthew 24:30 and Phillipians 3:14.
In Greek it is 'semeion' (it is used at +/- 77 places).

The ARamaic word -could- mean 'sign' however, it also means 'standard' or banner.

The corresponding verses where semeion is used, is ata (Aramaic) and semeion (Greek).

In both verses, matthew and Philippians we see that there is not mention of a 'miracle' or a 'sign' (as in miracle) but a simple 'mark' as in an army, that uses banners and in a Greek running match, a ribbon.

I'm not sure however if Paul really meant a competion ribbon as if he 'ran' to the ribbon. If this was meant as written in the ARamaic, we have a unique rendering and a cultural detail which is missing in the Greek text.

Any thoughts?
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#2
Shlama akhi,

this may just be a translational choice, but i did use "banner" when translating for my own personal reading of Philippians last year. here's how i rendered it:

3:14 and I run straight towards the banner, that I might receive the victory of the calling of Alaha, in Yeshuwa the Anointed One.

my reason: Paul knew exactly where he was running. i don't see it as a "victory" marker as in a race, but the rallying-banner showing us where Messiah is at -- he had his eyes fixated on the Redeemer and nothing would allow him to veer left or right.

i think it would also work well in regards to the placement in Matthew, instead of the normal "sign." here's my reasons: we know Messiah returns from the EAST, and that the tribe of Yehudah was positioned in the wilderness encampment on the Eastern-most side of the camp, and every tribe contained their own specific banner for a rallying-point, so it would seem logical that when Messiah returns, and we are gathered in the air in resurrection to meet Him, that the rallying-point could indeed be something like a banner. interestingly, Isaiah 11:10 & 12 makes mention of the "banner" in relation to the Messiah specifically, using the Hebrew cognate of the Aramaic NEESHA -- NEYS.

those are my two shekels worth!


Chayim b'Moshiach,
Jeremy
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#3
Burning one Wrote:this may just be a translational choice, but i did use "banner" when translating for my own personal reading of Philippians last year. here's how i rendered it:


Chayim b'Moshiach,
Jeremy

Thank you for sharing this invaluable information.
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#4
Shlama akhi,

if it was helpful at all, then praise Yah! <!-- sSmile --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /><!-- sSmile -->


Chayim b'Moshiach,
Jeremy
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#5
I also like the idea of running to the banner ("Rally 'round the flag, boys" was a Civil War song). This would be consistent with the theme I find in the words written in red regarding competition. Jesus did not seem particularly keen on competition. A race is a competitive situation and I don't see it as the right analogy. But racing to the rallying point, now that makes sense.

Just a thought from a newbie to this web site...which has been extremely helpful!
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