[B-Greek] Word for Seventh . . . something?

Harold Holmyard hholmyard at ont.com
Thu Mar 8 13:10:16 EST 2007


Dear Glenn,
>    
>   This is my first post to your discussion group.  I am somewhat familiar with Biblical Greek, but not really a Greek scholar.  I need some help in regard to a certain word which appears in an historical document which could help me make sense of some texts of Scripture.  The word is 
>    
>   Hebdomatikon
>    
>   This word is not found in Scripture, but instead in the writings of Josephus--and it appears to be refering to a "seventh" (sabbatical) cyear.  Most of the time, Josephus calls this a HEBDOMOS year--but twice he calls it a HEBDOMATICAN year.  The closest word I can find is HEBDOMACONTA, as found in the Septuagent under Daniel 9:24 and other similar texts.  Obviously, both of these words are from the word for "seven," but not a single reference work I investigated was able to clariffy for me what this word (hebdomatican) means EXACTLY.  Is there someone here that can help me, with 1)  A varifable meaning.  2) Documented source of meaning, and 3)  Other reference works where I might be able to give me more detailed information.
>    
>   The citation from Josephus is located in two places:
>    
>   Antiquities of the Jews, translated by William Whiston, Book 14, Chapter 16, Section 2 and Book 15, Chapter 1, Section 2.
>    
>   Thank you for any help you can give me.
>   

HH: It seems to mean "seventh." The word is hEBDOMATIKOS in LSJ, a Greek 
lexicon. In the copy of Antiquities I checked, I believe the phrase was 
translated as "Sabbatic year" in both sections you cited. The sabbatic 
year occurred every seventh year.

Yours,
Harold Holmyard
>  



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