Acts 7:46

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The Semantic Range of the Dative Case in Koine Greek: A Case Study of Acts 7:46-49

This exegetical study of The Semantic Range of the Dative Case in Koine Greek: A Case Study of Acts 7:46-49 is based on a b-greek discussion concerning the dative case. The initial query explores the interpretive challenge of distinguishing between a dative of advantage or purpose (“for X“) and a dative indicating an indirect object or direction (“to X“) in Koine Greek, particularly when functioning adverbially with a verb. The default assumption for the querist has been “to X,” unless the verb’s semantics explicitly preclude such an interpretation, raising questions about the sole reliance on the verb for determining dative function.

The main exegetical issue at hand is the inherent polysemy of the dative case in Koine Greek and the methodological challenges in accurately discerning its specific semantic function within a given context. While the dative frequently serves as an indirect object, it also encompasses a broad range of meanings, including but not limited to advantage or disadvantage (dative of interest), possession, means, instrument, manner, time, and location. The query specifically highlights the ambiguity between a dative of advantage/purpose and a dative of destination/recipient, especially when a verb might logically admit both interpretations. This necessitates a careful analysis that extends beyond mere verbal valency, incorporating contextual cues, the semantic field of associated nouns, broader rhetorical purposes, and intertextual connections to arrive at the most probable and grammatically sound understanding.

Greek text (Nestle 1904)

Acts 7:46 ὃς εὗρεν χάριν παρὰ τῷ θεῷ καὶ ᾐτήσατο εὑρεῖν σκήνωμα τῷ θεῷ Ἰακώβ.
Acts 7:47 Σολομὼν δὲ ᾠκοδόμησεν αὐτῷ οἶκον.
Acts 7:48 ἀλλ’ ὁ ὕψιστος οὐκ ἐν χειροποιήτοις κατοικεῖ· ὡς ὁ προφήτης λέγει,
Acts 7:49 Ὁ οὐρανός μοι θρόνος, ἡ δὲ γῆ ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν μου· ποῖον οἶκον οἰκοδομήσετέ μοι, ἢ τίς τόπος τῆς καταπαύσεώς μου;

Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):

• Acts 7:46: Nestle 1904 reads `παρὰ τῷ θεῷ` (with the dative), whereas SBLGNT 2010 has `ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ` (with the genitive), both translating to “favor with God” but using different prepositions and cases.
• Acts 7:48: Nestle 1904 uses `ὡς` (“as”), while SBLGNT 2010 prefers `καθώς` (“just as” or “according to”). Both are conjunctions introducing a comparison or quotation.
• Acts 7:49: Nestle 1904 presents `ὁ δὲ γῆ` (masculine article `ὁ`), while SBLGNT 2010 correctly uses `ἡ δὲ γῆ` (feminine article `ἡ`) to agree with the feminine noun `γῆ` (earth).

Textual Criticism (NA28), Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG): The textual variants between Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT 2010, particularly `παρὰ τῷ θεῷ` vs. `ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ` in 7:46, reflect minor scribal variations, with NA28 (28th edition) generally preferring readings supported by stronger manuscript evidence, often aligning with the SBLGNT in cases like `ἐνώπιον τοῦ θεοῦ`, `καθώς`, and `ἡ δὲ γῆ`. Lexically, the dative forms in question involve θεός (God), αὐτός (him), and ἐγώ (I/me). BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, Gingrich, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature) provides comprehensive entries for these terms, outlining their various uses. For θεός, BDAG confirms dative uses for indirect object, advantage, or reference. Similarly, for the personal pronouns αὐτῷ and μοι, BDAG lists possibilities including indirect object, dative of advantage/disadvantage, and dative of possession. KITTEL (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament) offers in-depth theological and historical semantic analyses, further clarifying the nuances of how these terms, especially θεός, function in specific theological contexts, reinforcing that the dative case often carries a beneficiary or purpose-oriented sense when related to divine activity or provision.

Translation Variants

An analysis of the dative forms in Acts 7:46-49 reveals a consistent pattern of dative of advantage or purpose, rather than a simple indirect object or direction.

• In Acts 7:46, “ᾐτήσατο εὑρεῖν σκήνωμα τῷ θεῷ Ἰακώβ” (he asked to find a dwelling place for the God of Jacob), the dative τῷ θεῷ Ἰακώβ refers to the intended beneficiary or purpose of the tabernacle. It is not a tabernacle *to* the God of Jacob in the sense of being handed over, but *for* His habitation and worship.
• Acts 7:47 states, “Σολομὼν δὲ ᾠκοδόμησεν αὐτῷ οἶκον” (But Solomon built him a house). Here, αὐτῷ (referring to God) clearly indicates the beneficiary for whom the house was constructed. The house serves God’s purpose, making it a dative of advantage.
• In Acts 7:49, the phrase “Ὁ οὐρανός μοι θρόνος” (Heaven is a throne for me) uses μοι as a dative of possession or interest. It signifies that the heaven belongs to God as His throne, or is designated *for His use*. A “throne to me” would be an unusual English construction.
• Later in 7:49, “ποῖον οἶκον οἰκοδομήσετέ μοι” (what kind of house will you build for me?) parallels the earlier instance with Solomon. The dative μοι again functions as the dative of advantage, specifying God as the beneficiary of the proposed dwelling.

Rhetorically, the consistent use of the dative of advantage underscores the theological point of Stephen’s speech: God does not dwell in man-made structures *for man’s sake*, but rather structures, if built, must be *for Him* and according to His will, emphasizing divine sovereignty and presence. The dative consistently points to God as the ultimate recipient of honor, service, or as the one for whom these things are purposed. The context of building a dwelling or a throne strongly biases the interpretation towards “for X” rather than “to X,” as these are places or objects *used by* or *benefiting* the divine subject.

Conclusions and Translation Suggestions

The analysis of Acts 7:46-49 demonstrates that the determination of a dative’s function requires a nuanced approach, integrating grammatical possibilities with semantic context and rhetorical purpose. While a dative can indeed function as a simple indirect object (“to X”), the specific verbs and nouns in this passage (e.g., “find a dwelling place,” “build a house,” “be a throne”) strongly favor an interpretation of advantage, purpose, or possession (“for X”). The context of divine habitation and sovereign rule reinforces that these structures or designations are for God’s use or benefit, not merely directed to Him as a recipient in a transfer.

1. “…and requested to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.”
   This translation emphasizes the purpose and benefit of the dwelling place, indicating it is intended for God’s presence and worship, aligning with a dative of advantage.
2. “Solomon, however, built a house for him.”
   Here, the dative highlights God as the intended beneficiary or proprietor of the house, which was constructed specifically for His use or honor.
3. “Heaven is a throne for me… what kind of house will you build for me?”
   These instances of the dative convey possession, purpose, or intended beneficiary, underscoring God’s ownership of the heavens as His throne and posing the rhetorical question about human-made dwellings in relation to His divine nature.

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