Calling All Greek Scholars - John 1:14

[En Kristo]

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us

John 1:14 Καὶ ὁ λόγος σὰρξ ἐγένετο καὶ ἐσκήνωσεν ἐν ἡμῖν

Is there any reason that this verse couldn't be translated, "And the Word became flesh and tabernacled in us"?

 

[MChase]

Context. The location of his taking on flesh is not ‘in us’.

 

[Contra_Mundum]

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us

John 1:14 Καὶ ὁ λόγος σὰρξ ἐγένετο καὶ ἐσκήνωσεν ἐν ἡμῖν

Is there any reason that this verse couldn't be translated, "And the Word became flesh and Tabernacled in us"?

Greek prepositions function not so differently than prepositions in English. We use them like workhorses, and so did the ancient Greeks. So, the little word "en" (in) may be translated in a variety of senses. First, consider how the English use is not monolithic.
1) four runs batted in
2) Get in here!
3) in like manner
4) in a few months

Those are four very different senses for the preposition "in." If translating each into another language, especially the more colloquial expressions, a linguist might use their most direct equivalent of "in" for only one.

The Greek "en" can have a spatial sense, "inside." Other senses include instrumental, often translated with the English "by." Another typical sense is "among," as Jn.1:14 is commonly rendered. A translator must judge each sentence and sometimes even more context, or a particular human author's apparent preference of words, and their semantic range, so as to supply readers a reliable and generally accessible rendering of the original expression.

The concept John seems intent on teaching is that the incarnate Second Person of the Trinity took on that flesh in order to dwell in close proximity, near to his people. The word (verb) "to tabernacle" immediately brings to mind the OT fact of God's redemption of his people out of Egypt, for the express purpose of forming them into a corporate body in whose midst he would dwell. The Tabernacle was the symbol of that Presence, translated from the mountain top of Sinai into the center of the nation. It was the royal pavilion, the place of the throne. In due time it was replaced by the Temple, serving the same purpose--God with us.

There is an individualist analogy to the location of God among the corporate body. The believer is understood to have the blessing of God so near him, that God is "in" his heart, his individual body. True this is, but it is probably not directly intended by John's prologue. Our hearts have become so many temples of the Holy Spirit (who are the people of God), but John seems more focused on the Incarnation, and that the flesh-and-blood Christ came for to be surrounded and among his disciples. Taking that body to himself, he could be seen and handled (as John writes in 1Jn.1:1), he was truly Emmanuel--and still is, of course, through his Word and Spirit among his militant saints; but will be once again bodily present with all only perfectly in the age to come.

Rev.21:3, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God."

 

[En Kristo]

Rev. Buchanan, thank you for your very thoughtful and informative reply. It was downright devotional and edifying to meditate on. Of course, you had some pretty good raw material with which to work - the incarnation. I have been meditating on that for years.

Thanks,
Roy Phillips