Acts 2:2
Footnote:
| 7 | Breath/Exhale The Greek noun πνοή (pnoē, fem.) is frequently glossed as "wind" in translations, but this is an imprecise rendering. Deriving from the verb πνέω ("to blow" or "to breathe"), πνοή more accurately denotes a blast, breath, exhalation, or current of air, typically associated with a source or agent. Unlike ἄνεμος, which refers specifically to natural or meteorological wind, πνοή connotes directed or purposeful motion of air—such as the breath of a living being, the blast of bellows, the exhalation of fire or incense, or airflow through musical instruments (e.g., Pi. N. 3.79; Il. 21.355; Eur. Tr. 815). In poetic and philosophical contexts, it may also serve metaphorically for divine inspiration or spiritual force. For instance, here in Acts 2:2 (ἦχος... ὥσπερ φερομένης πνοῆς βιαίας), the phrase is better rendered not as "a rushing wind" but as "a violent exhalation" or "a mighty blast." See LSJ s.v. πνοή. Carried (Like an Ark) The participle φερομένης "she who is carried" derives from φέρω, which classically denotes “to bear,” “to carry,” or “to be borne” (cf. LSJ s.v. φέρω). The participle in the passive or middle voices (as here) connotes being transported or moved with no implication of speed or force. The rendering of φερομένης as “rushing” in the modern translations reflects interpretive interpolation based on the modifying adjective βιαίας (“violent”), rather than lexical integrity or necessity. There is no inherent sense of “rushing” in φέρω or its participial forms absent contextual augmentation. Rushing? "Rushing" is an english idiomatic rendering of a usage of φερόμενοι in participial form combined with other verbs of motion, denoting a sweeping away, a rapid or forceful approach or fall:
(cf. LSJ φέρω B.I.2) |