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The Semantic Range of Spatial Prepositions in Select New Testament Passages
This exegetical study of The Semantic Range of Spatial Prepositions in Select New Testament Passages is based on a b-greek discussion from January 27th, 2017. The initial thread explores the meaning of the Greek phrase εἰς τὸ μέσον, proposing that it signifies a dynamic movement towards becoming a central point of visibility. This interpretation suggests a reorientation of onlookers’ attention, effectively establishing a “new middle” or “focus” for perception.
The main exegetical issue under consideration is the nuanced understanding of various spatial prepositions in Koine Greek, particularly ἐν μέσῳ, εἰς τὸ μέσον, and ἐνώπιον, within both narrative and visionary contexts. The discussion delves into how these terms convey not only static location but also subjective observer perspective, varying degrees of proximity, and dynamic shifts in focus or centrality within a scene. This analysis integrates insights from extra-biblical Greek texts and examines their implications for translation in passages such as Revelation 1:12-13, 4:6, and Luke 21:21.
Greek Text (Nestle 1904)
Revelation 4:6
Καὶ ἐνώπιον τοῦ θρόνου ὡς θάλασσα ὑαλίνη, ὁμοία κρυστάλλῳ. Καὶ ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ θρόνου καὶ κύκλῳ τοῦ θρόνου τέσσαρα ζῷα γέμοντα ὀφθαλμῶν ἔμπροσθεν καὶ ὄπισθεν.Revelation 1:12-13
Καὶ ἐπέστρεψα βλέπειν τὴν φωνὴν ἥτις ἐλάλει μετ’ ἐμοῦ· καὶ ἐπιστρέψας εἶδον ἑπτὰ λυχνίας χρυσᾶς, καὶ ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ἑπτὰ λυχνιῶν ὅμοιον υἱῷ ἀνθρώπου, ἐνδεδυμένον ποδήρη, καὶ περιεζωσμένον πρὸς τοῖς μαστοῖς ζώνην χρυσῆν.Luke 21:21
Τότε οἱ ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ φευγέτωσαν εἰς τὰ ὄρη, καὶ οἱ ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῆς ἐκχωρείτωσαν, καὶ οἱ ἐν ταῖς χώραις μὴ εἰσερχέσθωσαν εἰς αὐτήν.
Key differences with SBLGNT (2010):
- For Revelation 4:6, no significant textual variants are present between Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT 2010 concerning the spatial prepositions under discussion.
- In Revelation 1:12, Nestle 1904 uses a semicolon (
·) after μετ’ ἐμοῦ, while SBLGNT 2010 uses a comma (,). This is a minor punctuation difference and does not affect the semantic meaning or exegetical interpretation. - For Luke 21:21, both Nestle 1904 and SBLGNT 2010 present identical Greek text and punctuation for the relevant phrases.
Textual Criticism (NA28) and Lexical Notes (KITTEL, BDAG)
Textual variants for the core prepositional phrases discussed (ἐν μέσῳ, εἰς τὸ μέσον, ἐνώπιον) are generally minimal in critical editions like NA28, as these are fundamental grammatical structures rather than frequently disputed lexical items. The exegetical focus thus shifts to the semantic range and contextual application of these terms.
- ἐν μέσῳ (BDAG 3rd ed.): This prepositional phrase carries various senses, including “in the midst, in the middle, among” (locative) and “between” (with genitive). The discussion highlights its capacity to denote varying distances or specific sub-regions within a larger scene, not merely being universally surrounded. KITTEL (TDNT) would further elucidate that μέσος (middle) can refer not only to a physical center but also to a state of being in between, shared space, or an essential core, thereby enriching the interpretative possibilities.
- εἰς τὸ μέσον (BDAG): Defined as “into the midst, into the middle, in public, publicly.” The proposed interpretation in the discussion emphasizes a dynamic entry into prominence or public visibility, suggesting a shift in attention rather than solely a physical trajectory to a static center.
- ἐνώπιον (BDAG): Primarily means “before, in the presence of, in front of.” The analysis suggests it can denote “a short distance in the foreground,” providing a spatial differentiation from ἐν μέσῳ.
- ἐπιστρέφειν (BDAG): The discussion explicitly references BDAG’s distinctions for this verb: (1) and (3) for transitive/intransitive “turn around/return”; (2) specifically for “to turn the head” when paired with a verb of seeing; and (4) for metaphorical uses. This precise differentiation is crucial for understanding the narrator’s action in Revelation 1:12, where the context strongly suggests a physical (albeit visionary) turning of the head.
Translation Variants and Grammatical & Rhetorical Analysis
The nuanced understanding of these spatial prepositions reveals significant implications for translation:
- εἰς τὸ μέσον: The interpretation “and become the middle” or “so everybody can see you” emphasizes a dynamic entry into a state of visibility and prominence. This contrasts with a purely static “into the middle” and underscores a reorientation of the audience’s focus. This dynamic sense is crucial when a subject actively seeks to become central to attention.
- ἐν μέσῳ: The discussion differentiates this from merely being “surrounded.” In Revelation 4:6 (Καὶ ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ θρόνου καὶ κύκλῳ τοῦ θρόνου), it is posited that ἐν μέσῳ indicates a “middle distance” from the throne, perhaps beyond the “glassy sea,” while ἐν κύκλῳ describes the circular arrangement. This challenges a singular, static “in the middle” and suggests a more complex spatial relationship, potentially tied to the observer’s perspective within a visionary scene. Similarly, in Luke 21:21, the distinction between οἱ ἐν τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ and οἱ ἐν μέσῳ αὐτῆς suggests that ἐν μέσῳ refers to a differentiated, possibly more remote, or specific region *within* Judea, rather than the immediate core. This aligns with the extra-biblical example from Asclepiodotus’s Tactica (1.3), where τὸ δὲ μέσον refers to a specific section of troops at a certain distance from the frontline, supporting a non-central “middle” interpretation.
- ἐνώπιον: This term is understood to denote a “short distance in the foreground,” establishing a clear spatial relationship distinct from the more distant implications of certain uses of ἐν μέσῳ.
- Revelation 1:12-13 (Καὶ ἐπέστρεψα βλέπειν τὴν φωνὴν… Καὶ ἐπιστρέψας εἶδον…): The analysis of ἐπιστρέφειν is critical. When coupled with a verb of seeing (βλέπειν, εἶδον), it is best understood as “to turn the head” rather than a broader “turn around and come/go back.” This nuance precisely describes John’s immediate physical action within the vision, shaping how the narrator’s experience of the vision is portrayed. It implies a conscious, directed gaze rather than a general change of direction.
Conclusions and Translation Suggestions
The analysis underscores that spatial prepositions in Koine Greek, such as ἐν μέσῳ, εἰς τὸ μέσον, and ἐνώπιον, convey a richer semantic range than simple English equivalents might suggest. Their meaning is highly dependent on context, encompassing not only static location but also dynamic movement, shifts in focus or prominence, and the subjective perspective of an observer, particularly in visionary narratives. The differentiation of ἐπιστρέφειν to mean “to turn the head” when associated with a verb of seeing (as in Rev 1:12) highlights the precise nature of John’s physical experience within the vision, rather than a general “turning back.” Furthermore, ἐν μέσῳ can denote varying degrees of proximity or specific sub-regions rather than just being universally surrounded, as shown in Luke 21:21 and the Asclepiodotus example. These nuances are crucial for accurate translation and interpretation, impacting how readers understand spatial relationships and narrative action in the New Testament.
Here are three suggested translations for Revelation 1:12-13, highlighting different exegetical emphases:
- “And I turned my head to see the voice that was speaking with me; and having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands, and standing amidst the seven lampstands there was one like a son of man, clothed in a long robe, and girded at the chest with a golden sash.”
This translation emphasizes John’s internal, immediate physical action of “turning his head” within the vision, and places the “son of man” figure in the central space of the lampstands, without explicitly defining the exact distance or arrangement.
- “And I turned to discern the voice speaking to me; and having reoriented my gaze, I saw seven golden lampstands, and positioned among the seven lampstands was one like a son of man, dressed in a robe, with a golden sash around his chest.”
This option maintains the idea of John’s reorientation of attention (using “to discern” and “reoriented my gaze”) while using “among” to convey the general centrality of the figure without forcing a specific spatial geometry.
- “And I turned to perceive the voice which spoke with me; and having turned, I beheld seven golden lampstands, and at the center of the seven lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clad in a flowing garment, and having a golden belt at his breasts.”
This rendering uses “at the center” to convey the focal point created by the “son of man” figure, aligning with the “new middle” concept discussed for εἰς τὸ μέσον, and uses “beheld” for εἶδον to imply a more profound observation suitable for a vision.
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