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Translation and Commentary on The Martyrdom of Polycarp §5.2

Will Nielsen
December 6th, 2007
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Translation

2 While praying he had become entranced [1] three days before his arrest and he saw his pillow [2] being consumed upon the fire. After he turned to those who were with him, he said, “Burning me alive is required.”

[1] lit. ἐν ὀπτασίᾳ γέγονεν.

[2] προσκεφάλαιον has been translated as pillow and etymologically appears to be a pillow for the head (κεφάλη). However, Ezekiel 13:18(20) uses the word as something that is sewn upon elbows. Οὐαὶ ταῖς συρραπτούσαις προσκεφάλαια ἐπὶ πάντα ἀγκῶνα χειρὸς - Woe! To those women who sew pillows upon every arm’s elbow (author’s translation). προσκεφάλαια in the LXX apparently translates the Hebrew כֶּ֫סֶת, which may be rendered “cushion, bolster, pillow” or as BDB further suggests “bands.” Perhaps, in the case of Polycarp this pillow is one used for the knees while praying.

One Response to “Translation and Commentary on The Martyrdom of Polycarp §5.2”

[...] See §5.2 for the vision of the [...]

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