The art of biblical storytelling of the Greeks

[Kunigunde Kreuzerin]

1) The LXX-translator/author of the Book of Genesis used the word „ἀναβλέπω“ (anablepó – look up) as a textmarker to show important stations in the fulfillment of God's Promise to Abraham.

Often the people who “look up” to do not fully understand what they see (for example Gn 24:64)

- Abraham in Gn 13:14; 15:5; 18:2; 22:2; 22:13
- Rebekah and Isaac in Gn 24:63; 24:64
- Jacob in Gn 31:12; 32:2; Jacob and Esau in Gn 33:1; 33:5
- brother's of Joseph in Gn 37:25
- Joseph and Benjamin in Gn 43:29

note: No use of „ἀναβλέπω“ in other Genesis-stories in contrast to the Hebrew equivalent in the Masoretic text.


2) The LXX-translators/authors of the Books of Exodus, Deuteronomy and Iesous have partially understood this use of „ἀναβλέπω“.

- out of Egypt in Ex 14:10
- revelation to Moses before the conquest of Canaan in Dt 3:27
- arrival of the commander of the Lord’s army in LXX-Iesous 5:13


3) The LXX-translator/author of the Book of Esaias connected „ἀναβλέπω“ with themes of hope of God and hunger (Isa 8:21), seeing the power and works of God (Isa 40:26), blindness, guiding the deaf and the blind on a new way (Isa 42:18)


4) Mark (the true heir) has understood this use of „ἀναβλέπω“. He used „ἀναβλέπω“ (anablepó – look up) as a textmarker to show important stations in the fulfillment of isaianic themes.

Mark 6:41 – feeding the hungry
Mark 7:34 – healing of the deaf and dumb
Mark 8:24 – healing of the blind
Mark 10:51, 10:52 – seeing God's will
Mark 16:4 – universal salvation

note: No use of „ἀναβλέπω“ in other stories

note Mark 16:4 – “And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back”
The women see the result of God's work, but do not understand what they see as Rebekah.

So as I write in Peter's for your profit, I send my message before your face, preparing your way. The voice of one crying about the wilderness of CBS. Make ready the way in which "Mark" ... was created, make straight the path between The Jewish Bible and GMark"

Look up!