So @AlFinlandi tries to refute the claim that the "small boys" (i.e., children) in 2 Kings 2:23 weren't really "small boys". He appealed to both the Hebrew and Greek (LXX) terms "na'ar" and "paidarion", arguing that these terms are "ambiguous" (in a way they are).
But let's see what the scholarly sources say. I will cite here authoritative lexicons (both Hebrew and Greek) and the church leaders to show that it is clear that the "small boys" were not "servants" or "young men" etc. They were children.
First, let's look at the Hebrew. The "Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament" (HALOT) defines "na'ar" in the context of 2 Kings 2:23 as a "young boy".
As for the word "qatan" (translated it as "young" in most English Bibles), the HALOT defines it as "small, meaning young" and cites 2 Kings 2:23 as an example. So, the group of "na'ar" in the verse were "small (young" boys).
Now let's look at the Greek LXX. The boys are described as "mikros" (translation of qatan in Hebrew) and "paidarion" (from na'ar in Hebrew).
The "Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament" (ALGNT) defines "mikros" as "small, little", "of physical size small, little" and "of age young, little", but does not cite 2 Kings 2:23 from the LXX as an example (obviously since it is for the New Testament primarily).
As for "paidarion", it defines it as "little boy" and "child". So, it seems clear that the LXX also describes the boys as young children.
But this may not be enough for Finlandi. As brother @OneofYoda already pointed out (see the above thread), Finlandi's own church "tradition" described the boys as "children". Yoda cited Tertullian and Augustine as examples. I will add here two more examples.
In the "Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture", Volume 5 (2008), scholars cite the views of 2 "saints": Ephrem the Syrian and Caesarius of Arles. Both referred to the "boys" as "children". Caesarius referred to "the Jewish children to be torn to pieces".
So, it seems pretty clear that both the linguistics and church tradition are against Finlandi.
And Allah knows best!
And Allah knows best!
Loading suggestions...