Luke 21:29 Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

Spoken to
audience

Jesus describes the end of Jerusalem offering a parable. 

KJV

Luke 21:29  Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

NIV

Luke 21:29 Look at the fig tree and all the trees.

LISTENERS HEARD

See the fig tree and all the trees.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

The Greek word translated as "behold" and "look at" is the most common form of the verb "to see" in the form of a command. 

 

 

 

MY TAKE

We had a fig tree when I was growing up. 

GREEK ORDER

 

Ἴδετε τὴν  συκῆν  καὶ  πάντα τὰ   δένδρα:
See    the   fig tree and  all        the trees.

 

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
0

 Behold the fig tree, and all the trees;

# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
0

Look at the fig tree and all the trees.

EACH WORD of KJV

Behold - The verb translated as "behold" means "to see" but it is used like we use the word "see" to mean "to know" or "to perceive".

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. 

fig tree -- "Fig tree" is the Greek word that means "fig tree".

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

all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all", "the whole", "every" and similar ideas.

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. 

trees -- The word for "tree" most commonly means fruit bearing trees. The tree was a symbol for the naturally productive assets of nature as opposed to fields which must be planted each year.

EACH WORD of NIV

Look at -- - The verb translated as "Look at" means "to see" but it is used like we use the word "see" to mean "to know" or "to perceive".

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. 

fig tree -- "Fig tree" is the Greek word that means "fig tree".

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

all -- The word translated as "all" is the Greek adjective meaning "all", "the whole", "every" and similar ideas.

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. 

trees -- The word for "tree" most commonly means fruit bearing trees. The tree was a symbol for the naturally productive assets of nature as opposed to fields which must be planted each year.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

Ἴδετε ( verb 2nd pl aor imperat act ) "Behold" is eido which means "to see", "to examine", "to perceive", "to behold", "to know how to do", "to see with the mind's eye" and "to know".

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 word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".

συκῆν [8 verses] (noun sg fem acc) "Fig tree" is from syke, which means "fig tree".

καὶ (conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and" or "but". 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".

πάντα (adj pl neut acc/nom) "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".

τὰ   [821 verses](article  pl neut acc/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 word that can become a noun, takes the meaning of "the one" or, in the plural, "the ones".

δένδρα: ( noun pl neut acc/nom ) "Tree" is dendron (more commonly spelled dendreon), which means "tree", "fruit-tree", "tall plants" (such as rattan) "stick" and "timber".

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