Corpus-Paul

["Mark D. Nanos" <nanosmd AT comcast.net>]

on 8/19/02 12:10 PM, rfellows AT intergate.ca at rfellows AT intergate.ca wrote:

> It is interesting to find here three generations of archisynagogoi in the 
> same
> family. Is it possible that it was usual for all the archisynagogoi of a
> particular synagogue to belong to the same family?

That inscription and one other attest to a situation that could happen at
certain places at certain times, wherein the office or title passes on. It
is far from clear that this case was "usual." Moreover, the attributes of
the office vary.

> [snip]
> To put the issue another way: Can Acts 18:17 together with 1 Cor 1:1 be used
> as evidence that the title of archisynagogos was held by members of only one
> family at a time?

No.

> [snip]
> I would also like listers' advice on a related issue: would an 
> archisynagogos
> be given that title even after defecting to Paul's camp?

The answer would depend upon a prior decision to see "Paul's camp" as the
kind of group having such titles or positions at any given time or place. To
the degree that they are or remain Jewish groups, synagogues, yes.

Epiphanius refers to the archisynagogues of the Ebionites.

The title sometimes seems to refer to a patron, benefactor, donor of a
synagogue, or other such honored person, and at other times and places to a
religious post, like a head or heads of a synagogue, and the same person
could hold several titles and positions, including posts related to
non-Jewish communal functions. And as noted in an earlier post, in several
cases more than one person is attested as holding the title/office at the
same time and place.

Regards,
Mark
-- 
Mark D. Nanos, Ph.D.
313 NE Landings Dr.
Lee's Summit, MO 64064
USA
nanosmd AT comcast.net