Glory Be to Jesus Christ!
🌞
Since in the works published at the following links:
https://churchandsociety.org.ua/pdf/projects/zbirnyk.pdf
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/17082024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/27112024.html
it is written that the use of prepositions is important for the correct understanding of important and actual issues, in particular the issue of power, I am writing commentaries on the use of these prepositions. As a piece of advice on how to read the text, you can read the verse in translation and/or in the original (if you have the opportunity), and then the commentary on prepositions here. Next, you need to understand which part of the verse the commentary refers to, and consider what it affirms — or less often, denies — that is essential to understanding. This thoughtful reading helps to deepen understanding and protects against the mistakes mentioned above.
As Lent is coming to an end, the readings from the New Testament are replaced by readings from the Old Testament to encourage people to repentance.
Since I am commenting on several Ancient Greek (koine) prepositions, I will continue to comment on the Old Testament readings by looking at the first complete translation into Ancient Greek, the Septuagint.
In the 6th hour:
Isaiah LXVI, 10 — ‘ἐν αὐτῇ’ - ‘en aute’ - ‘with it; in it’. This refers to Jerusalem.
Isaiah LXVI, 11 — ‘ἀπὸ μαστοῦ παρακλήσεως αὐτῆς’ - ‘apo mastou parakleseos autes’ - ‘from the breasts of its consolation’. The preposition ‘apo’ indicates here that it is a gift. ‘ἀπὸ εἰσόδου δόξης αὐτῆς’ - ‘apo eisodou doxes autes’ - ‘from the entrance of its glory’. Similar to the previous one.
Isaiah LXVI, 12 — ‘ἐγὼ ἐκκλίνω εἰς αὐτοὺς ὡς ποταμὸς εἰρήνης’ - ‘ego ekklino eis autous hos potamos eirenes’ - ‘I turn to them like a river of peace’. That is, the Lord will reveal the ultimate peace in the Kingdom of God with people.
Isaiah LXVI, 13 — ‘ἐν Ιερουσαλημ’ - ‘en Ierousalem’ - ‘in Jerusalem; by Jerusalem’. Both translations are possible, the first indicating the participants in the Kingdom of God, the second indicating that the New Jerusalem will be incomparably better than the current one.
Isaiah LXVI, 15 — ‘ἐν θυμῷ’ - ‘en thymo’ - ‘with anger; in wrath’. ‘ἐν φλογὶ πυρός’ - ‘en phlogi pyros’ - ‘in flaming fire; with flaming fire’.
Isaiah LXVI, 16 — ‘ἐν γὰρ τῷ πυρὶ’ - ‘en gar to pyri’ - ‘for with fire’. ‘ἐν τῇ ῥομφαίᾳ’ - ‘en te romphaia’ - ‘with the sword’. ‘ὑπὸ κυρίου’ - ‘hypo kyriou’ - ‘through the Lord’. The preposition ‘hypo’ is here with the genitive case and indicates through Whom all this will be accomplished.
Isaiah LXVI, 17 — ‘εἰς τοὺς κήπους’ - ‘eis tous kepous’ - ‘for the gardens’. Perhaps the implication is that the Gentiles ‘sanctify themselves’ for pagan shrines in the gardens. ‘ἐν τοῖς προθύροις’ - ‘en tois prothyrois’ - ‘in the rooms before the doors’. That is, as a snack, without any formal necessity, frivolously.
Isaiah LXVI, 19 — ‘ἐξ αὐτῶν σεσῳσμένους εἰς τὰ ἔθνη εἰς Θαρσις καὶ Φουδ καὶ Λουδ καὶ Μοσοχ καὶ Θοβελ καὶ εἰς τὴν Ἑλλάδα καὶ εἰς τὰς νήσους τὰς πόρρω οἳ οὐκ ἀκηκόασίν μου τὸ ὄνομα’ - ‘ex auton sesosmenous eis ta ethno eis Tharsis kai Phoud kai Loud kai Mosokh kai Thobel kai eis ten Ellada kai eis tas nosous tas porros hoi ouk akekoasin mou to onoma’ - ‘of them that were saved to the nations (Gentiles) - to Tarshish, and Pul, and Lud, and Meshech, and Tubal, and Greece, and the far islands, which have not heard My name.’ The preposition ‘ek’ in its form before the following vowel indicates that the selection is from a group of people and that these people are to some extent representatives of that group. ‘ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν’ - ‘en tois ethnesin’ - ‘in those nations (among those Gentiles)’.
Isaiah LXVI, 20 — ‘ἐκ πάντων τῶν ἐθνῶν’ - ‘ek panton ton ethnon’ - ‘of all those nations’. That is, actually from all the nations, including those far away. ‘ἐν λαμπήναις’ - ‘en lampenais’ - ‘in glitter’ (referring to the reflection of the true light of God's glory). ‘εἰς τὴν ἁγίαν πόλιν Ἱερουσαλήμ’ - ‘eis ten hagian polin Ierousalem’ - ‘in the holy city of Jerusalem’. ‘εἰς τὸν οἶκον κυρίου’ - ‘eis ton oikon kyriou’ - ‘into the house of the Lord’.
Isaiah LXVI, 21 — ‘ἀπ’ αὐτῶν λήμψομαι ἐμοὶ ἱερεῖς καὶ Λευίτας' - ap auton lempsomai emoi hiereis kai Leuitas
- from them I will take priests and Levites (ministers) for Myself
. The preposition ‘apo’ in its form before the next vowel indicates here that it is a matter of selection from a group of people and separation from the rest, i.e. a special group.
Isaiah LXVI, 23 — ‘μῆνα ἐκ μηνὸς καὶ σάββατον ἐκ σαββάτου’ - ‘mena ek menos kai sabbaton ek sabbaton’ - ‘month from month and sabbath from sabbath’. Here the meaning is 'regularly, constantly, always, uninterruptedly'. ‘ἐν Ιερουσαλημ’ - ‘en Ierousalem’ - ‘in Jerusalem’.
Isaiah LXVI, 24 — ‘ἐν ἐμοί’ - ‘en emoi’ - ‘from Me’. This refers to those who have apostatised from God. ‘εἰς ὅρασιν’ - ‘eis horasin’ - ‘by manifestation; by appearances; visible’. That is, they will be visible. The description is given in order to affirm the reality and eternity of eternal torment, and to arouse the desire to avoid it. This is not an attempt to frighten, but a serious warning.
For more on the reading, please refer to the following links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/07042023.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/26042024.html
At vespers:
Genesis L, 4 — ‘εἰς τὰ ὦτα Φαραω’ - ‘eis ta ota Pharao’ - ‘into the ears of Pharaoh'.
Genesis L, 5 — ‘ἐν τῷ μνημείῳ’ - ‘en to mnemeio’ - ‘in the tomb’. ‘ἐν γῇ Χανααν’ - ‘en ge Khanaan’ - ‘in the land of Canaan’.
Genesis L, 8 — ‘ἐν γῇ Γεσεμ’ - ‘en ge Gesem’ - ‘in the land of Goshen’.
Genesis L, 11 — ‘ἐν ἅλωνι Αταδ’ - ‘en haloni Atad’ - ‘in Goren-Atad'.
Genesis L, 13 — ‘εἰς γῆν Χανααν’ - ‘eis gen Khanaan’ - ‘to the land of Canaan’. ‘εἰς τὸ σπήλαιον τὸ διπλοῦν’ - ‘eis to spelaion to diploun’ - ‘into the double cave’. ‘ἐν κτήσει μνημείου’ - ‘en ktesei mnemeiou’ - ‘into the possession of the tomb’. That is, for burial. ‘παρὰ Εφρων τοῦ Χετταίου’ - ‘para Ephron tou Khettaiou’ - ‘from beside Ephron, the Chythean’. The preposition ‘para’ here is with the genitive case. The same construction is used in reference to the proceeding of the Holy Spirit from the Father and in reference to the human nature of Jesus Christ. See more about this at the following links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/09042025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/03042025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/27032025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/25032025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/21032025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/18032025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/17032025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/14032025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/08032025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/31072024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/06082024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/24102024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/03112024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/05112024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/06112024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/10112024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/28112024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/30112024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/04122024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/13122024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/24122024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/27122024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/19022025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/21022025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/04032025.html
Here it indicates that the purchase, as well as Abraham's settlement there, were of the Holy Spirit and points to the Incarnation of the Son of God.
Genesis L, 14 — ‘εἰς Αἴγυπτον’ - ‘eis Aigypton’ - ‘to Egypt’.
Genesis L, 20 — ‘εἰς πονηρά’ - ‘eis ponera’ - ‘for evil (deeds); for evil’. ‘εἰς ἀγαθά’ - ‘eis agatha’ - ‘for good (deeds); for good’. The preposition ‘eis’ indicates the purpose.
Genesis L, 21 — ‘εἰς τὴν καρδίαν’ - ‘eis ten kardian’ - ‘into the heart; to the heart’. That is, where he knocked and to what he addressed.
Genesis L, 22 — ‘ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ’ - ‘en Aigypto’ - ‘in Egypt’.
Genesis L, 24 — ‘ἐκ τῆς γῆς ταύτης εἰς τὴν γῆν’ - ‘ek tes ges tautes eis ten gen’ - ‘from this land to the land’. From where and to where. A typical combination of prepositions ‘ek’-‘eis’.
Genesis L, 25 — ‘ἐν τῇ ἐπισκοπῇ’ - ‘en te episkope’ - ‘in the overview'. It means that Joseph ‘saw’ the future, i.e. it is a prophecy.
Genesis L, 26 — ‘ἐν τῇ σορῷ ἐν Αἰγύπτῳ’ - ‘en te soro en Aigypto’ - ‘in the open coffin in Egypt’. Together, these are the prototypes of the veneration of the imperishable relics of saints.
For more information about the reading, please refer to the following links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/07042023.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/26042024.html
Proverbs XXXI, 15 — ‘ἐκ νυκτῶν’ - ‘ek nykton’ - ‘from the night’. That is, early in the morning.
Proverbs XXXI, 16, 31 — ‘ἀπὸ δὲ καρπῶν χειρῶν αὐτῆς’ - ‘apo de karpou kheiron autes’ - ‘from the fruits of her hands’. The preposition ‘apo’ indicates that it is not so much the direct result of her work as it is God's gift and blessing for it to be so.
Proverbs XXXI, 17 — ‘εἰς ἔργον’ - ‘eis ergon’ - ‘for works’.
Proverbs XXXI, 19 — ‘εἰς ἄτρακτον’ - ‘eis atrakton’ - ‘for the spindle’.
Proverbs XXXI, 21 — ‘τῶν ἐν οἴκῳ’ - ‘ton en oiko’ - ‘those in the house’. That is, the domestic ones. ‘οἱ παρ’ αὐτῆς' - hoi par autes
- those who are from beside her
. The preposition ‘para’ in its form before the following vowel is here with the genitive case. The same construction is used in reference to the Holy Spirit's proceeding from the Father and in reference to the human nature of Jesus Christ. See more at the following links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/09042025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/03042025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/27032025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/25032025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/21032025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/18032025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/17032025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/14032025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/08032025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/31072024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/06082024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/24102024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/03112024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/05112024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/06112024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/10112024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/28112024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/30112024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/04122024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/13122024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/24122024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/27122024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/19022025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/21022025.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/04032025.html
Here it indicates that this is both a description of a wonderful woman and a prophecy about the Church (symbolically the Church is represented by this godly woman; there is a similar interpretation of the Song of Solomon as a story about the Church). See also:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/25032025.html
Proverbs XXXI, 22 — ‘ἐκ δὲ βύσσου καὶ πορφύρας ἑαυτῇ ἐνδύματα’ - ‘ek de byssou kai porphyras heaute endymata’ - ‘of fine linen and purple her own garments are’. These are precious fabrics worn by kings, priests, and angels in appearances.
Proverbs XXXI, 23, 31 — ‘ἐν πύλαις’ - ‘en pylais’ - ‘at the door; at the gate’. That is, in places of assembly and judgement, decision-making. ‘ἐν συνεδρίῳ’ - ‘en synedrio’ - ‘in the Sanhedrin; in the assembly’.
Proverbs XXXI, 26 — ‘ἐν ἡμέραις ἐσχάταις’ - ‘en hemerais eskhatais’ - ‘in the last days’.
For more information about the reading, please refer to the following links:
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/07042024.html
https://oleksandr-zhabenko.github.io/en/commentaries/26042024.html
Glory be to Thee, our God, glory be to Thee!