The Inspiration for Lukeâs Wordplay on the Etymology of Proper Names

Steve Reece

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ChapterÂ 5 The Inspiration for Lukeâs Wordplay on the Etymology of Proper Names

In: Wordplay on Proper Names in Luke-Acts

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Steve Reece

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Type:: Chapter

Pages:: 186â214

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004746428_006

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Abstract

This chapter attempts to identify the inspiration for Lukeâs wordplays, a question that has already arisen several times in previous chapters in treatments of specific wordplays. The Hebrew Bible contains well over one hundred examples of wordplays on the etymologies of proper names; hundreds more can be found in the various forms of Classical and Hellenistic Greek literature that preceded and surrounded Luke. A safe and easy answer, and one that would perhaps be satisfying to many, is that Luke was drawing here upon both Hebrew and Greek literary traditions. I evaluate this âsafe and easyâ answer by offering a thorough treatment of the device in the Hebrew Bible (117 examples) and in the Greek literary tradition (many times more examples). I observe that Lukeâs wordplays are almost all implicitly rather than explicitly expressed, like those in the Greek literary tradition, and unlike those in the Bible. Further, Luke was familiar with the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, and not with the Hebrew original, and in the Septuagint most of the etymological wordplays that appear so explicitly and prominently in the Hebrew text are utterly effaced by the process of translation. Put simply, the Septuagint would not have provided models for the types of etymological wordplay that Luke practices. On the other hand, in favor of the assumption that Luke drew his inspiration from the Greek literary tradition is the likelihood that he enjoyed a Greek education at least through the primary and secondary levels, where a substantial component of the curriculum was devoted specifically to the study and memorization of lists of proper namesâdeities, heroes and heroines, months, etc.âincluding consideration of their etymologies.

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Wordplay on Proper Names in Luke-Acts

Series:Â Novum Testamentum, Supplements, Volume: 197

E-Book ISBN:: 9789004746428

Publisher:: Brill

Print Publication Date:: 15 Oct 2025

Subjects
- Biblical Studies

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ChapterÂ 5 The Inspiration for Lukeâs Wordplay on the Etymology of Proper Names

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Wordplay on Proper Names in Luke-Acts

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ChapterÂ 5 The Inspiration for Lukeâs Wordplay on the Etymology of Proper Names