Papers by Robert Van Niekerk
HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, 2018
This article traces the meaning of κατάλυμά and πανδοχεῖον in available Roman-Egypt papyri, the L... more This article traces the meaning of κατάλυμά and πανδοχεῖον in available Roman-Egypt papyri, the LXX, early-Jewish literature, and Greek writings to determine the meaning of πανδοχεῖον [inn] used in Luke 10:34. It is argued that a lexical study of κατάλυμά and πανδοχεῖον and available information on travel in the ancient world indicate that there is no evidence for the so-called non-commercial inns in the ancient world and that commercial inns and innkeepers, in principle, were all ‘bad’. In conclusion, the implications of this understanding of πανδοχεῖον and πανδοκεύς (Lk 10:34, 35) for the possible intended meaning of the parable are discussed, a conclusion that begs further research regarding the identity of the protagonist in the parable.
Verbum et Ecclesia, 2017
The aim of this article is twofold. First, the article presents a comprehensive study of the mean... more The aim of this article is twofold. First, the article presents a comprehensive study of the meaning of the term ἀναίδειαν in extant papyrological evidence. The conclusion reached is that the term, as is the case in early Jewish and patristic writings, the LXX, Graeco–Roman literature and in early Christian writings, always carries a negative and pejorative meaning. This meaning of the term is then used the interpret the occurrence of ἀναίδειαν in the parable of the Friend at Midnight. Second, as part of a publication that celebrates the centenary of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Pretoria, a few remarks are made with regards to the Faculty of Theology’s Faculty Research Theme (Oikodome: Life in its fullness) and the attitude of ἀναίδειαν as depicted in the parable.
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Papers by Robert Van Niekerk