Galatians 2:7
Footnote:
| 3 | The Akro-Bystia Strong's #G203 ἀκροβυστία akro-bystia. "head depth, peak depth, deep point" This is a word modified from the normal Classical Greek ἀκροποσθία akro-posthia (tip of foreskin) because posthia/peos (ποσθία/πέος) referred to the male penis and/or foreskin. The first part ἀκρο "akro" means "end, farthest point, tip, limb, extremity, rim, crest." It also can mean "citadel built on a steep rock overhanging a town."
Absent any signification in this compound for the male "membrum virile" we are left with βυστία bystia. What is this? No one seems to know, and the assumption was that it came from a different pronunciation of "posthia." There does seem to be a word play here pos-thia vs. bys-tia. The prefix βύσ- in Greek is often associated with depth or something deep. This understanding helps clarify the meaning of βύστος/βυστία in this context. It is the prefix that forms "Abyss" ἄβυσσος (ábyssos) usually translated as "the Deep." The Diccionario Griego-Español (DGE) provides a brief and uncertain meaning of the word βύστος (bystos), suggesting that it might mean "submerged in the depths" and notes its association with the term "καμπτός" (bent, curved) and its heavy-sounding nature, as explained in the context of the name "Ἥφαιστος" (Hephaestus) (cf. DGE βύστος). Strongs #G899 βάθος is a word meaning depth and is used in either direction: depth, height — (accusative, as measured down or up) as in "deep into the mountain" and hence, Ω (omega) depth of the riches! Also of wisdom and knowledge... (Romans 11:33 RBT) the deep ones of the God. (1 Corinthians 2:10 RBT) If the author were really after "uncircumcision" he could easily have used ἀπεριτομῆς "without circumcision/cutting around." |