Herein, we come to the end of our discussion of the semantics of σκύβαλον and how it relates to English taboo words.
Σκύβαλον in agricultural contexts
This piece picks up from Obscenity in Paul? The Question of σκύβαλον, examining how the word σκύβαλον is used in agricultural contexts. Philo, particular, is rich in such examples and makes for fruitful discussion. I'm using the digital edition of Philo, with the Loeb Greek text in Logos Bible Software. The translations are my own and not... Continue Reading →
Obscenity in Paul? The Question of σκύβαλον
Is there profanity in Paul? It's sort of an old question. There's a certain appeal to the idea for some perhaps and the fact that σκύβαλον can be glossed 'dung' or 'manure' likely encourages the possibility to extend its English rendering a little further.
Conclusion to “Greek Prohibitions” in GVR
I examined the question of Greek prohibitions and the question of the much argued about expressions: stop doing X (imperfective aspect) and do not start X (perfective aspect).
The Divergent Senses of λύω
What to do when a word seems to mean completely different things?
Comparing Usage: δύναμαι vs. ἰσχύω
Languages often have multiple means of communicating the same thing. Lexical inventories overlap; grammatical forms might share related functions.
SBL Proposal Accepted: The case of water-drinking
Compounding and Cogntive Processes in Word Formation with ὑδροποτέω and its relatives: Discussions of lexical semantics often make assumptions about how meaning works: that the meaning of a word is compositional, the sum-total of its parts. Sometimes this assumption is intentional (structuralist semantics). Other times, it is merely a result of a folk understanding of... Continue Reading →
Active+Reflexive vs. Middle Voice: What’s the Difference?
What reasons are there for a Greek speaker to use a reflexive pronoun with a verb rather than the middle voice?
Linguistics & Biblical Exegesis (Lexham Methods Series) in Print
The introductory volume on linguistics and exegesis to which I contributed two chapters is finally in print. Linguistics & Biblical Exegesis (Lexham Methods Series) edited by Douglas Mangum & Josh Westbury (Amazon) If I can whet your appetite at all, here's a bit of an excerpt from my discussion of semantics and Greek lexicons/dictionaries: “These... Continue Reading →
