Nielsen’s Nook

Nielsen’s Nook
Nielsen’s Nook
Contemplative, reflective, and irenic we pray.
Print Print

Translation and Commentary on The Martyrdom of Polycarp §2.4

Will Nielsen
November 21st, 2007
Tags: • • • • • • • • • •

Translation

4 And likewise also those who were condemned [1] to wild animals [2] endured patiently terrible punishments, being laid out on top of trumpet shells [3] and beaten [4] with other manifold sorts of torture, so that the devil might, if possible, through the persistence of punishment turn them to denial [5] - for he contrives much against them.

[1] κριθέντες (κρίνω) i.e., condemned by courtly decision.

[2] θηρία (θηρίον) These were the wild animals bred for fighting in the arenas.

[3] κήρυκας comes from the familiar κῆρυξ (herald, preacher); however, in this form (acc. pl. masc.) and context it refers to the “trumpet-shell,” which is a “large, sharp seashell, used in torturing.” (BAGD, 431) Here, one would suspect that the subjects here were stretched out over broken shards of trumpet-shells.

[4] For NT usage of κολαφίζω see Mt 26:67; Mk 14:65; 1 Cor 4:11; 1 Pt 2:20.

[5] i.e., a denial of faith.

Something to say?

View blog authority