Luke 17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage,

Spoken to
Apostles

Jesus says this to his followers after telling them what is will be like when he returns. 

KJV

Luke 17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

NIV

Luke 17:27 People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.

LISTENERS HEARD

They ate. They drank. They married. They were married. Until the day Noah entered into the ark, and it came, the flood, and destroyed everyone.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Four past tense verbs begin this verse. The last verb is passive or the middle voice. Men married. Women were married or gave themselves in marriage. 

MY TAKE

Life goes on normally on the eve of destruction. 

GREEK ORDER

 

ἤσθιον,    ἔπινον,        ἐγάμουν,        ἐγαμίζοντο,            ἄχρι ἧς  ἡμέραςεἰσῆλθεν Νῶε   εἰς τὴν κιβωτόν,” 
They ate. They drank. They married. They were married. Until the day        entered   Noah into  the ark, 

καὶ  ἦλθεν        κατακλυσμὸς καὶ ἀπώλεσεν πάντας
and it came, the flood,             and destroyed everyone.

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
3

 They did eat, they drank, they married wives(IW), they were given in marriage, until the day that(IW) Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them(IW) all.

  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "wives" doesn't exist in the source.
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "that" doesn't exist in the source.
  •  IW - Inserted Word-- The "them " doesn't exist in the source.

 

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
9
People(IW) were eating(WF), drinking(WF), marrying(WF) and(IW) being(WF) given in marriage up to the day Noah entered (MW) the ark. Then(WW) the flood came and destroyed them(IW) all.
 
 
  • IW - Inserted Word-- The "people" doesn't exist in the source.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not a participle,  but an active verb, "ate." 
  •  WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not a participle,  but an active verb, "drank." 
  •  WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not a participle,  but an active verb, "married." 
  •  IW - Inserted Word-- The "and " doesn't exist in the source.
  • WF -- Wrong Form -  This is not a participle,  but an active verb, "were."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "into"  at the beginning of the sentence is not shown in the English translation. 
  • WW --Wrong Word -- The word translated as "then" should be something more like "and."
  •  IW - Inserted Word-- The "them " doesn't exist in the source.
EACH WORD of KJV

 They -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

did -- This helping verb is used to create questions, commands, negative statements, and smooth word flow in English.

eat, -- The word translated as "eat" means "eat" but it also means "fret," as we say "something is eating me up."

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

 drank,  -- The word "drink" is the Greek for meaning to "drink." It also has a double meaning. "To drink" also means "to celebrate."

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

married -- The word translated as "married" means, for a man, "to take a wife" and for a woman, to "give yourself in marriage."  

 wives,-- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

they -- This is from the third-person, plural form of the verb.

were -- This helping verb "were" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. This could also be a middle voice, "gave themselves." 

given in marriage, - The verb translated as "given in marriage" is used nowhere else in Greek besides the NT. It is from the same root as the above "marry," the Greek noun that means "wedding." 

until  - "Until" is from another uncommon word that means "until," but unlike the more common word for "until," it also has the sense of "continually until." 

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

day  -- The Greek word translated as "day" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime."

that -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

Noe - "Noah" is the Greek spelling of the Hebrew name. 

entered -- "Enter" is a word that means "enter," "go or come into" of an accuse "come into court," and has the double meaning of "coming into one's mind."--

into  -- The word translated as "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position),  "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object. Used with the Greek "from" it means "from...to."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

ark, -- "The ark" is translated from a Greek word that means a "box", "chest," and "coffer." The Hebrew word translated as "ark" both for the boat Noah built and the papyrus boat of the baby Moses also means "box" or "coffin".

and  -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

 flood - The word translated as "flood" also means "deluge."

came, -- The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Jesus usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Technically, it is in the middle voice meaning the subject acts on himself. In English, this is assumed in our words "come" and "go." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.

and  -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

destroyed -- The word translated as "destroyed " means to "destroy" or "demolish" and means "perish" in the passive. However, it can also mean to "lose" things. Its literal meaning from its root is "destroy from" or "ruin from." It is often used in the middle voice to describe people losing or destroying themselves.

them -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

all. -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."

EACH WORD of NIV

People -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source

were --  This helping verb indicates the past tense of the verb. 

eating, -- (WF) The word translated as "eat" means "eat" but it also means "fret," as we say "something is eating me up." This is not a participle forming a progressive or continuous tense,  but an active verb, "ate."

drinking,  --  (WF) The word "drink" is the Greek for meaning to "drink." It also has a double meaning. "To drink" also means "to celebrate." This is not a participle forming a progressive or continuous tense,  but an active verb, "drank."

marrying -- (WF) The word translated as "married" means, for a man, "to take a wife" and for a woman, to "give yourself in marriage."  This is not a participle forming a progressive or continuous tense,  but an active verb, "married."

 and -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

being  -- (WF) This helping verb "being" indicates that the verb is passive. Helping or auxiliary verbs are needed to translate the Greek verb forms into English. This is not a participle forming a progressive or continuous tense,  but an active verb, "were."  

given in marriage, - The verb translated as "given in marriage" is used nowhere else in Greek besides the NT. It is from the same root as the above "marry," the Greek noun that means "wedding." 

up to -- "Up to" is from another uncommon word that means "until," but unlike the more common word for "until," it also has the sense of "continually until." 

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

day  -- The Greek word translated as "day" also means "time," in general, and refers specifically to the "daytime."

Noah - "Noah" is the Greek spelling of the Hebrew name. 

entered -- "Enter" is a word that means "enter," "go or come into" of an accuse "come into court," and has the double meaning of "coming into one's mind."--

missing "into  "  -- (MW) The untranslated word   "into" means "into" a place, "towards" as a direction, "in" (a position),  "as much as (of measure or limit)," "in regards to" a subject, "up to" limits in measures, "until" in reference to time, "within" a time limit, and "for" a purpose or object. Used with the Greek "from" it means "from...to."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

ark, -- "The ark" is translated from a Greek word that means a "box", "chest," and "coffer." The Hebrew word translated as "ark" both for the boat Noah built and the papyrus boat of the baby Moses also means "box" or "coffin".

Then -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "then" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." This word doesn't mean "then."  

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, "the," which usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more. 

 flood - The word translated as "flood" also means "deluge."

came, -- The word translated as "come" primarily means "to start out" but Jesus usually uses it to mean "come" but not always. It indicates movement, especially its beginning, without indicating a direction toward or away from anything, so it works either as "start," "come," or "go," but it is more like our phrase "being underway." Technically, it is in the middle voice meaning the subject acts on himself. In English, this is assumed in our words "come" and "go." Our English word "show up" captures both the "start" and "come" ideas. See this article for more.

and  -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

destroyed -- The word translated as "destroyed " means to "destroy" or "demolish" and means "perish" in the passive. However, it can also mean to "lose" things. Its literal meaning from its root is "destroy from" or "ruin from." It is often used in the middle voice to describe people losing or destroying themselves.

them -- (IW) This word is not in the Greek source.

all. -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all," "the whole," "every," and similar ideas. When it is used as a noun, we would say "everything." As an adverb, it means "in every way," "on every side," and "altogether."

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

ἤσθιον, [30 verses] ( verb 3rd pl imperf ind act) "They did eat" is esthio, which means "to eat," "devour," "fret," "vex," and to "take in one's mouth." It is also a metaphor for decay and erosion. 

ἔπινον ,[36 verses]  ( verb 3rd pl imperf ind act ) "They drank" is  pino, which means "to drink," "to celebrate," and "soak up."

ἐγάμουν, [12 verses](verb 3rd pl imperf ind act) "They married wives"   is from gameo, which mean "to marry" and "to take a wife." For a woman, it means "to give yourself in marriage." It can also mean to "take a lover.

ἐγαμίζοντο, [6 verses] ( verb 3rd pl imperf ind mp ) "They gave wives in marriage" is gamizo, which mean "to give a daughter in marriage."  

ἄχρι [3 verses] (prep, adv) "Until" is from achri, which means "until," "continually," "as far is," "so long as," and "as far as." 

ἧς [821 verses](article sg  fem gen)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").   It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."  

ἡμέρας [96 verses] (noun sg fem gen)  "Day" is hemera, which, as a noun, means "day" "a state or time of life," "a time (poetic)," "day break" and "day time." It is also and also has a second meaning, of "quiet," "tame (animals)," "cultivated (crops)," and "civilized (people)."

εἰσῆλθεν [68 verses] ( verb 3rd sg aor ind act) "Entered" is eiserchomai which means both "to go into," "to come in," "to enter," "to enter an office," "to enter a charge," (as in court) and "to come into one's mind." 

Νῶε, [4 verses](Hebrew name) "Of Noah" is Noe, which is the Greek form of the name of Noah.  

εἰς [325 verses](prep) "Into" is eis, which means "into (of place)," "up to (of time)," "until (of time)," "in" (a position),  "as much as (of measure or limit)," "as far as (of measure or limit)," "towards (to express relation)," "in regard to (to express relation)," "of an end or limit," and "for (of purpose or object)."With verbs of speaking, it is the person spoken "to." With time, a limit "until," or a duration "for," "throughout," or a date, "on," "at." Used with ek, it means "from...to."

τὴν [821 verses](article sg fem acc)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").   It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."  

κιβωτόν,” [2 verses](noun sg fem acc) "Ark" is from kibotos, which means "box", "chest", and "coffer". The Greek word translated from the Hebrew tebah, which means "box" or "coffin". 

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

ἦλθεν [198 verses] ( verb 3rd sg aor ind act ) "Came" is  erchomai, which means "to start," "to set out," "to come," "to go," and any kind of motion. It means both "to go" on a journey and "to arrive" at a place. 

[821 verses](article sg masc nom)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").   It usually precedes a noun or changes the word it precedes (adjective, infinitive, participle, etc.) to act like a noun. When not preceding a a word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones."  

κατακλυσμὸς  [3 verses](noun sg masc nom) "Flood" is kataklysmos, which means "flood," "inundation," and "deluge."  

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just." In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

ἀπώλεσεν [43 verses] ( verb 3rd sg aor ind act ) "Destroyed" is apollymi, which means "to demolish," "to lay waste," "to lose" things, "to perish," "to die," "to cease to exist," and "to be undone." Its literal meaning from its root is "destroy from" or "ruin from." The passive, "to be lost" is formed by the middle voice.  

πάντας [212 verses](adj pl masc acc) "All" is pas, which means "all," "the whole," "every," "anyone," "all kinds," and "anything." In the adverbial form, it means "every way," "on every side," "in every way," and "altogether." 

parallel comparison

This verse combines what is said in Matthew 24:38  and Matthew 24:39 putting it more succinctly.

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