The scriptures use many terms to refer to the first man, Adam. In translation these are usually, man, the man, the first man, and—most rare—the name Adam. If the scriptures in question were originally authored in Hebrew (as opposed to Greek), then the given name designation is nearly impossible to distinguish from man as a general term as they are one in the same: אדם adam.
That this term could have proved a stumbling stone to ancient translators was a consideration not lost upon the prophet Joseph Smith. More could be said about that and evidences could be brought to bear, but that would be a very long (though very interesting) post. For now let's consider some of the interesting exegetical implications. Following are just a small sample of verses that read quite a bit differently if the word used for man in general is replaced with a man in specific—namely Adam, the first man:
Mark 2:27 – 28
King James Bible:
"The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath."
Greek original:
Καὶ εἰσελθὼν πάλιν εἰς Καφαρναοὺμ δι’ ἡμερῶν ἠκούσθη ὅτι ἐν οἴκῳ ἐστίν.
My translation:
"It was the Sabbath that was established by the authority of Adam, not Adam that was established by the authority of the Sabbath: therefore, the Son of Adam also has authority over the Sabbath."
“The
Τὸ(To)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
Sabbath
σάββατον(sabbaton)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4521: The Sabbath, a week.
was made
ἐγένετο(egeneto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.
for
διὰ(dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.
man,
ἄνθρωπον(anthrōpon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.
not
οὐχ(ouch)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.
man
ἄνθρωπος(anthrōpos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.
for
διὰ(dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.
the
τὸ(to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
Sabbath.
σάββατον(sabbaton)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4521: The Sabbath, a week.
Therefore,
ὥστε(hōste)
Conjunction
Strong's 5620: So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore.
the
ὁ(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
Son
Υἱὸς(Huios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.
of Man
ἀνθρώπου(anthrōpou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.
is
ἐστιν(estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.
Lord
κύριός(kyrios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2962: Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.
even
καὶ(kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.
of the
τοῦ(tou)
Article - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.
Sabbath.”
σαββάτου(sabbatou)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4521: The Sabbath, a week.
Comments