Meaning of Dominari

Latin Learning Latin
1

In thinking about the meaning of authentein in that disputed verse of 1 Timothy 2:12 ‘I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority (authentein) over a man’, I have begun to look at some of the ‘Old Latin’ versions to see how it is translated there. Not just in the Vulgate, but in Codex Claromontanus, for example, it is rendered as dominari.
So, some questions.
Does the use of the deponent present infinitive dominari, rather than dominare, change the meaning, and if so how?
Would it, for example, give a hint to the impact of the use of authority, beneficial or otherwise, on the woman as the subject of the clause, in the text above? An echo of the Greek middle voice?

Further, there seem to be different connotations to dominari. One is neutral or positive; rule, rule over, be a master.
The other is negative; dominate, be a despot. Is there any way of determining which connotation is to be preferred here, or are we just down to reading the text in the light of our own presumptions?

2

I’m not sure if I understand that part of the question correctly, but the verb “dominari” just is a deponent, the active form “dominare” you suggest doesn’t exist, as far as I know (Well, Forcellini names one example, but that’s an exception). So this is not a choice by the translator but just the way the word works in Latin, and thus I’d argue it can’t really “change” the meaning.

3

Thank you Laurentius. The dictionary gave both forms, dominari and dominare, so that was behind the question, but what you say is interesting.

4

It’s not only interesting, it’s correct. The active form is a rare collateral form (at least during the ancient period), and would mean nothing different than the deponent.

5

Thank you Barry.

6

There are other examples of verbs which have a deponent and non deponent form. I was making a list but I mislayed. Nearly always context makes the meaning clear. I’d love to hazard one verto, vertor springs to mind. Though whether this is deponent or a figure of speech is debatable. The fact is, if you read Latin from BC to modern, Avellanus anyone? The variety is impressive.

7

There are other examples of verbs which have a deponent and non deponent form. I was making a list but I mislayed. Nearly always context makes the meaning clear. I’d love to hazard one verto, vertor springs to mind. Though whether this is deponent or a figure of speech is debatable. The fact is, if you read Latin from BC to modern, Avellanus anyone? The variety is impressive.