7:26a

she was a Greek woman: The word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as Greek indicates that the woman was a Gentile (as in the Revised Standard Version), not a Jew. This word normally refers to someone who spoke the Greek language and was of Greek culture. It does not necessarily indicate that the person was from Greece. This woman was not from Greece, as 7:26b indicates.

Here are some other ways to translate this term:

• As the specific term Greek. For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

The woman was Greek

• As the generic term Gentile. For example, the New Living Translation says:

she was a Gentile

• As the term non-Jew.

she was a non-Jew

7:26b

of Syrophoenician origin: The word Syrophoenician refers to a part of the province of Syria called Phoenicia. This was where the city of Tyre was located. For example, the Contemporary English Version says:

born in the part of Syria known as Phoenicia

General Comment on 7:25a–26b

In some languages it may be necessary for all background information to be ordered first in the story. For example:

26aThere was a certain Gentile woman there 26bwho had been born in Syrian Phoenicia. 25aShe had a daughter who was possessed by an evil spirit. 25bAs soon as the woman heard about Jesus, 25cshe immediately came to him and fell at his feet.

7:26c

she kept asking: The form of the Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as she kept asking indicates that the woman asked again and again. She did not only ask once. She repeatedly asked Jesus to cause the demon to leave.

drive the demon out: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as drive…out is literally “cast/throw out.” To drive…out demons means to cause evil spirits to stop controlling a person. See the notes at 1:34b and 6:13a for translation suggestions.

demon: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible transliterates as demon refers to the same being as the term “unclean spirit” in 7:25a. You may need to use the same term in this context as you used there. See evil spirit in the Glossary.

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