2 Peter 2:7, The Town of Selge (Σέλγη) and its Supposed Moral Excellence

Hi, JeremiahA--

Why respond to yourself rather than to my comment along this thread? Doing so makes it difficult for me to respond in a timely way.

You say: ““In 2 Peter 2:7, Lot was “oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipld (sic) men.” The word for “sensual” does come from the name of a city whose citizens excelled in strictness of morals and, with the negative particle, is translated as “licentiousness,” sensual,” or “sensuality.””

Despite your unattributed quote of Thayer’s Lexicon, you haven’t demonstrated that the citizens of Σέλγη “excelled in strictness of morals.” Indeed, if the residents of Σέλγη excelled in “morals” as you and Thayer say, why are they and their affiliated tribes renowned for piracy? [1]

Furthermore, as Spartans, the citizens of Σέλγη openly embraced extramarital relations [2]

As I said in a prior post, there is nothing in the ancient sources that supports Thayer’s comment, or gives credence to the notion that Σέλγη was noted for its sexual primness, or the translation of “ἀσελγής” as having anything to do with the notions of “sensual” or, “sensuality.”

If you can produce primary source evidence from Classical Greek or first-century Talmudic literature to the contrary, please give it. Otherwise, your position concerning 2 Peter 2:7 doesn’t have a leg to stand on.

--ez duz it Copyright © 04-23-2011

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[1] ΣΤΡΑΒΟΝΟΣ: Γεωγραφικών ΙB'  XII, 7, §3 - http://remacle.org/bloodwolf/erudits/strabon/livre127.htm 

[2] ΞΕΝΟΦΩΝ: Λακεδαιμονίων Πολιτεία 1, §7-9, http://remacle.org/bloodwolf/historiens/xenophon/lacedemoniens.htm