[Greek] παρατίθεμαι (paratithemai), [Latin] parenthesis

[Greek]παρατίθεμαι (paratithemai), [Latin] parenthesis: to set aside (to place inside parentheses), to place before, to set before, to place beside, to entrust, to place at one’s disposal, to be entrusted, to be responsible for, to tell a parable; Mt.13:24,31, Mk.6:41, Mk.8:6,7, Lk.9:16, Lk.10:8, Lk.11:6,Lk.12:48, Lk.23:46, Lk.23:46, Acts 14:23, Acts 16:34, Acts 17:3, Acts 20:32, 1Cor.10:27, 1Tim.1:18, 2Tim.2:2, 1Pet.4:19

Raguel Blessing His Daughter Sarah in Matrimony: painting by Andrea Vacarro (1640)

Background Information:

Greek Hellenism:This term, used in many ways, means to set (place) something before someone, to entrust someone, to be entrusted, to provide, to place side by side, to place at someone’s disposal, and to explain. Generally, legal provisions are made for the transfer and safekeeping of the entrusted goods (deposit). These legal provisions existed in the Greek, Roman, and Jewish cultures. Because of the importance of keeping the object free, unused, and undamaged, severe penalties and the gods’ wrath were invoked. Therefore, the trustworthiness of the trust was of great importance in this transaction. This transaction was identified as a deposit, goods placed in trust, trust agreement, and an agreement in respect of entrusted goods.

Herodotus’The Histories 6.86b.1 states, “Thus spoke the stranger who had come from Miletus, and Glaucus received the trust according to the agreement.” Xenophon’s Cyropaedia 1.6.14 states, “And when you had made it clear to me that tactics were only a small part of generalship, I asked you if you could teach me any of these things.” Lysias’ Against Diogeiton states, “And you thought fit to turn these, the children of your daughter, out of their own house, in worn-out clothes, without shoes or attendant or bedding or cloaks; without the furniture which their father bequeathed to them, and without the money which he had deposited with you.”

Old Testament: This term can mean to set before (foods), to lay down, to furnish, to send, to give money to someone for safekeeping, and to establish. Like the Greco-Roman era, transfer and custodianship of goods (deposits) were highly valued. The trustee’s responsibility was explicitly stated in Exo.22:7-13. Josephus and Philo, Jewish Hellenistic philosophers, viewed the deposit like a sacred and divine thing. Money belonging to widows and orphans was laid up in the temple treasury. In the Jewish betrothal tradition, the daughter and the dowry were both viewed as entrusted possessions. 

Then he got some curds, milk and the steer, and he set these before them (Gen.18:8). This is the law which Moses set before the Israelites (Deut.4:44). Storing up weapons and provisions, and depositing there the plunder they had collected from Jerusalem (1Macc.1:35). He was embalmed and laid to rest in a coffin in Egypt (Gen.50:26). The high priest explained that part of the money was care fund for widows and orphans (2Macc.3:10) Raguel then promptly handed over to Tobiah his daughter Sarah with half of all his property: male and female slaves, oxen and sheep, donkeys and camels, clothing, money, and household goods (Tob.10:10).

New Testament : This term means to tell a parable, to place (or set) food, to entrust (be entrusted), and to show to be true. In addition to Jesus providing bread and loaves to the multitudes, the disciples are instructed to accept (eat) the food placed before them. Providing a meal also becomes a part of Christian hospitality. Jesus proposes a parable of the weeds and wheat to convey that good and bad may be difficult to distinguish. Only God can make this decision. Jesus’ Spirit, presbyters, and the martyrs’ souls are entrusted to God. Paul entrusts Timothy with the deposit of faith (teachings). Much will be required from those who have been entrusted with much (more).

Scripture:

“Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is before you.” Lk.10:8

Offering and receiving hospitality are part of Christian service toward others.

“Expounding and demonstrating that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead, and that ‘This is the Messiah, Jesus, whom I proclaim to you.”

Paul explains and shows to be true that Jesus will suffer and rise.

“I entrust this charge to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with prophetic words once spoken about you. Through them you may fight a good fight.” 1Tim.1:18

Paul entrusts the deposit of faith (oral tradition) to Timothy. Paul is entrusting Timothy (and others) to pass on this oral tradition faithfully to others.

Conclusion:

Parenthesis, parentheses, parenthetical

I was surprised by the many meanings of this term in the Greco-Roman era. This term was used quite frequently regarding the importance of the transfer and custodianship of the deposit (goods) in legal transactions. This term was also used for the purposes of teaching.

In the Old Testament, the transfer and custodianship of deposits also becomes a sacred and divine thing. As in other traditional times, the children, having very limited rights, were essentially considered like property. So it is not surprising in how we get the expression “the father giving away the bride.” The marriage betrothal was an important legal transaction between two families. In Tobit 10:10-13 the bride (Raguel’s daughter) was “given away” along with slaves, livestock, and household goods in the marriage betrothal.

In the New Testament, this term is most importantly used in teaching (telling the truth and parables) and entrusting someone or something (souls, Spirit, presbyters, deposit of faith). Essentially, oral tradition is the handing over of the deposit of faith to subsequent generations. There existed a history of oral tradition long before a record of written scriptures. Christianity flourished as a result of the transmission of the Christian faith. It is also important to note that the Church (people) has always preceded New Testament scripture. The approved canonized New Testament scriptures will be determined centuries later. The only scriptures that existed at the time of Jesus was the Old Testament. This illustrates the great importance of the oral Tradition as part of the deposit of faith.

A parenthetical statement (one that explains or qualifies something) usually contains words inside parentheses. (Did you see what I just did here?) ☺☺☺