Paul Danove, «The Interpretation and Translation of Verbs of "Giving" in the New Testament», Vol. 23 (2010) 109-127
This article resolves the occurrences of the thirteen NT verbs of “giving” into seven usages and considers the interpretation and translation of the verbs with each usage. The introductory discussion develops the semantic and syntactic criteria for identifying verbal usages and the distinguishing characteristics of verbs of “giving”. The study identifies the semantic, syntactic, and lexical properties of all occurrences of each verb with each usage, clarifies potential difficulties for interpretation, and proposes procedures for translation that accommodate the interpretive constraints with each usage. The concluding discussion distinguishes the function of complements with the same lexical realizations in different usages.
116 Paul Danove
But the one handing over [[for them]] him [[who became theirs]] ((to
them)) gave [[for them]] to them a sign [[which became theirs]]
(Matt 26,48)
ὁ δὲ παραδιδοὺς αὐτὸν ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς σημεῖον
Although the rule for retrieving the Benefactive of the action itself
consistently applies, δίδωμi twice licenses +animate Benefactive adjuncts
realized by an ἀντί (on behalf of, in exchange for) and by an εἰς (on behalf
of, for) prepositional phrase (P/ἀντί and P/εἰς). In both occurrences, the
action itself is for the referent of the +animate Goal; but the action in its
entirety, including making the +animate Goal entity the Benefactive of the
Theme, occurs for the +animate referents of the prepositional adjuncts:
You will find a stater: taking that give [[for them]] ((the stater)) [[which
will be theirs]] to them for me and you (Matt 17,27)
εὑρήσεις στατῆρα· ἐκεῖνον λαβὼν δὸς αὐτοῖς ἀντὶ ἐμοῦ καὶ σοῦ
…the plan of God’s grace [[which became mine]] given [[for me]] to me
for you (Eph 3,2)
…τὴν οἰκονομίαν τῆς χάριτος τοῦ θεοῦ τῆς δοθείσης μοι εἰς ὑμᾶς
In Matt 17,27 Peter’s action makes “them” (the collectors of the Temple
tax, cf. Matt 17,14) the Benefactive of the giving and of the stater. In
its entirety, however, this action, which removes the scrutiny of the tax
collectors, is for the benefit of Jesus and Peter. In Eph 3,2 God’s action
makes “me” (Paul) the Benefactive of the giving and of God’s grace; but
action in its entirety is for “you” (the Ephesians), the beneficiaries of the
grace given to Paul.
3. Transference Terminating in a Locative
Two of the verbs (δίδωμι and παραδίδωμι) appear with the usage of
Transference Terminating in a Locative. With this usage, the verbs require
completion by an Agent, a Theme, and a Locative (the literal or figurative
place in which an entity is situated or an event occurs). The Locative
usage arises when the Goal of transference takes on the interpretation of
the abiding locale of the Theme at the termination of transference. With
this usage, verbs of “giving” make (1) the +animate Locative entity the
Benefactive of the action and Theme or (2) the +animate Benefactive of
the –animate Locative entity the Benefactive of the action and Theme.
With this usage, all –animate Locative entities require completion by a
+animate Benefactive.