Man generic and specific

[nikolai_42]

Just a quick question - can anthropos ever be properly used to specify a single individual? Is there ever such a clear usage in scripture where it is used to identify a specific individual? A single, specific man? Generally, isn't the term meant to speak of a class or subset of man (or man himself as a class set apart from non-humans)?

Just to advance the thought, would a specific man (i.e. an individual or specific individuals) be indicated by tis?

[RonC]

Just a quick question - can anthropos ever be properly used to specify a single individual? Is there ever such a clear usage in scripture where it is used to identify a specific individual? A single, specific man? Generally, isn't the term meant to speak of a class or subset of man (or man himself as a class set apart from non-humans)?

Just to advance the thought, would a specific man (i.e. an individual or specific individuals) be indicated by tis?

A quick answer -- which will surely be flawed as are all quick answers when it comes to Biblical Languages!

With regard to “anthropos”… in classical Greek some hold that it is used both generically and with regard to individuals… but the term itself seems to be generic… Look at Matthew 9:9 or Matthew 12:10… if you can substitute “human being” instead of man, is it individual?

Regarding “tis”, it too can be used individually -- see Mark 1:24 "I know you, who you are..." but context rules...

[John Reece]

Just a quick question - can anthropos ever be properly used to specify a single individual? Is there ever such a clear usage in scripture where it is used to identify a specific individual? A single, specific man? Generally, isn't the term meant to speak of a class or subset of man (or man himself as a class set apart from non-humans)?

Just to advance the thought, would a specific man (i.e. an individual or specific individuals) be indicated by tis?

Mat. 11:8 Then what did you go out to see? A man (anthrōpos) wearing fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces.

Mat. 25:24 Last came forward the man who had the single talent. “Sir,” said he, “I had heard you were a hard man (anthrōpos), reaping where you had not sown and gathering where you had not scattered"

Luke 19:21-22 because I was afraid of you; for you are an exacting man (anthrōpos): you gather in what you have not laid out and reap what you have not sown.” 22 He said to him, “You wicked servant! Out of your own mouth I condemn you. So you knew that I was an exacting man (anthrōpos), gathering in what I have not laid out and reaping what I have not sown?

Mat. 19:5 and that he said: This is why a man (anthrōpos) leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and the two become one flesh?

Eph. 5:31 This is why a man (anthrōpos) leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and the two become one flesh.

1 Cor. Now for the questions about which you wrote. Yes, it is a good thing for a man (anthrōpos) not to touch a woman.

τίς (tis) : an interrogative referring to someone or something, who? which (one)? what?

τὶς (tis) : a reference to someone or something indefinite, anyone, anything; someone, something; many a one/thing, a certain one.

[nikolai_42]

Mat. 11:8 Then what did you go out to see? A man (anthrōpos) wearing fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothes are to be found in palaces.

Mat. 25:24 Last came forward the man who had the single talent. “Sir,” said he, “I had heard you were a hard man (anthrōpos), reaping where you had not sown and gathering where you had not scattered"

Luke 19:21-22 because I was afraid of you; for you are an exacting man (anthrōpos): you gather in what you have not laid out and reap what you have not sown.” 22 He said to him, “You wicked servant! Out of your own mouth I condemn you. So you knew that I was an exacting man (anthrōpos), gathering in what I have not laid out and reaping what I have not sown?

Mat. 19:5 and that he said: This is why a man (anthrōpos) leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and the two become one flesh?

Eph. 5:31 This is why a man (anthrōpos) leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and the two become one flesh.

1 Cor. Now for the questions about which you wrote. Yes, it is a good thing for a man (anthrōpos) not to touch a woman.

τίς (tis) : an interrogative referring to someone or something, who? which (one)? what?

τὶς (tis) : a reference to someone or something indefinite, anyone, anything; someone, something; many a one/thing, a certain one.

I've been told (and I have only partially confirmed) that the term "a certain man" and equivalents would never use anthropos but would rather be limited to tis. It sounds to me like you would agree with that (based on your last rendering).

[John Reece]

I've been told (and I have only partially confirmed) that the term "a certain man" and equivalents would never use anthropos but would rather be limited to tis. It sounds to me like you would agree with that (based on your last rendering).

1 Sam 1:1 (LXX): ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) ἦν ἐξ Αρμαθαιμ Σιφα ἐξ ὄρους Εφραιμ καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῷ Ελκανα υἱὸς Ιερεμεηλ υἱοῦ Ηλιου υἱοῦ Θοκε ἐν Νασιβ Εφραιμ

1 Sam 1:1 (NIV): There was a certain man [ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos)] from Ramathaim, a Zuphite [a] from the hill country of Ephraim, whose name was Elkanah son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, an Ephraimite.

Judges 13:2 (LXX): καὶ ἐγένετο ἀνὴρ ('anēr) ἐκ Σαραα ἐκ τῆς φυλῆς τοῦ Δαν καὶ ὄνομα αὐτῷ Μανωε καὶ ἡ γυνὴ αὐτοῦ στεῖρα καὶ οὐκ ἔτικτεν

Judges 13:2 (NIV): A certain man [ἀνὴρ ('anēr)] of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was sterile and remained childless.