Abstract
In a lecture delivered in 1965 and published in 1967, I argued that the Greek expression ‘son of man’ in the Gospels represented an Aramaic phrase which in the context of a monologue or dialogue stood as an exclusive but veiled reference to the speaker. The published paper, based on examples collected mostly from Galilean rabbinic Aramaic texts, was followed by a substantial debate in which Maurice Casey and Barnabas Lindars introduced the idea of a generic expression also including the speaker. J. A. Fitzmyer objected to the use of late rabbinic literature and championed biblical and Qumran Middle Aramaic as the only valid comparative material. Finally, Paul Owen and David Shepherd concluded their survey of the Aramaic evidence by asserting that the examples supplied by me did not provide solid linguistic ground for my thesis. This article, re-examining 50 years of debate, sets out to refute the objections and reformulate the self-reference theory.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
