Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Harold Holmyard <hholmyard3 AT earthlink.net>]

Rolf Furuli wrote:
> I am sorry that I overlooked your question. At present I cannot give you a 
> definite answer regarding the meaning of Greek perfect, simply because I 
> have not analysed all the verbs of the NT, and the meaning of perfect is 
> more complicated than in the case of the aorist. One example of this is 
> Hebrews 11:17, where the force of the perfect is difficult. When the NIV 
> render the perfect "offered," this is factually wrong and contradicts its 
> rendering "was about to sacrifice". 

HH: In one sense the perfect verb translation is not factually wrong, 
because Abraham did offer his son, but God declined the offer, even 
though he had commanded it, because he was only testing Abraham. So he 
stopped the proceedings, but Abraham passed the test and had been in the 
process of putting his son to death, obeying God.

> The NWT is factually correct and there 
> is no contradiction between the rendering of the two verbs, but one can 
> discuss whether "as good as offered up" is the real force of the perfect. As 
> for Hebrew NT´s, the UBS translation renders both Greek verbs with a QATAL, 
> while Delitzsch´s translation renders the Greek perfect with  HYH + 
> participle, and the Greek imperfect with Hebrew YIQTOL
>
> NIV: By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered (PERFECT) Isaac as a 
> sacrifice. He who received the promises was about to sacrifice (IMPERFECT) 
> his one and only son
>
> NWT: NIV: By faith Abraham, when he was tested, as good as offered up 
> (PERFECT) Isaac, and the man that had gladly received the promises attempted 
> to offer up (IMPERFECT) (his) only-begotten (son).
>   

HH: There are other theories about the perfect verb in Heb 11:17. The 
BAGD lexicon, under PROSFERW, indicates that the perfect in Heb 11:17 
denotes what "stands written" in Scripture. They refer the reader to J. 
H. Moulton, A Grammar of the NT, vol. 1, Prolegomena, pp. 129, 142, 238. 
In spiritual terms, the act of Abraham continues to have value and 
exists as a spiritual feat of faith testified to by Scripture. Abraham, 
who still lives, has done this.

Yours,
Harold Holmyard