1Cor 10:9 | RWP | e4.org | Neither let us tempt the Lord ( μηδε εκπειραζωμεν τον Κυριον ). So the best MSS. instead of Christ. This compound occurs in LXX and in N.T. always about Christ (here and ; ; ). Let us cease sorely ( εκ- ) tempting the Lord by such conduct. And perished by the serpents ( κα υπο των οφεων απωλλυντο ). Vivid imperfect middle (cf. aorist middle απωλοντο in verse ), were perishing day by day. The story is told in . The use of υπο for agent with the intransitive middle of απολλυμ is regular. Note the Ionic uncontracted genitive plural οφεων rather than οφων .

‏ 1 Corinthians 10:9

Neither let us tempt the Lord ( μηδε εκπειραζωμεν τον Κυριον ). So the best MSS. instead of Christ. This compound occurs in LXX and in N.T. always about Christ (here and Mt 4:7; Lu 4:12; 10:25). Let us cease sorely ( εκ- ) tempting the Lord by such conduct.

And perished by the serpents ( κα υπο των οφεων απωλλυντο ). Vivid imperfect middle (cf. aorist middle απωλοντο in verse 10), were perishing day by day. The story is told in Nu 21:6. The use of υπο for agent with the intransitive middle of απολλυμ is regular. Note the Ionic uncontracted genitive plural οφεων rather than οφων.