/bin/sh: syntax error: `(' unexpected

[Kurt Miller]

I'm having a problem with a makefile that is hard to track down. I'm
using GNU Make 3.80 on OpenBSD/i386 3.4-current to build the Sun java
jdk 1.3.1. Here is the error I'm seeing:

# gmake
/bin/sh: syntax error: `(' unexpected
/bin/sh: syntax error: `(' unexpected
/bin/sh: syntax error: `(' unexpected
/bin/sh: syntax error: `(' unexpected
/bin/sh: syntax error: `(' unexpected
/bin/sh: syntax error: `(' unexpected
gmake: *** [all] Error 1

I think the problem is during phase one or immediate expansion because
I'm not given any information about where the problem is occurring. Also
because I get the errors before any commands are executed when issuing a
gmake -n:

# gmake -n  
/bin/sh: syntax error: `(' unexpected
/bin/sh: syntax error: `(' unexpected
/bin/sh: syntax error: `(' unexpected
/bin/sh: syntax error: `(' unexpected
/bin/sh: syntax error: `(' unexpected
echo  Intel Pentium III (Coppermine) ("GenuineIntel" 686-class) "Build started: 
 " 1.3.1-p8-root-031125-10:50
/bin/sh ./tools/sanityck
for i in java javax org sun sunw com mkdemo ; do \
    echo  ">>>Recursively making "$i" "all" @ `/bin/date` ..."; \
    cd  $i; gmake all RELEASE=1.3.1-p8 FULL_VERSION=1.3.1-p8-root-031125-10:50 \
            || exit 1; cd  ..; \
    echo  "<<<Finished Recursively making "$i" "all" @ `/bin/date`." ; \
done
>>>Recursively making java all @ Tue Nov 25 10:50:59 EST 2003 ...
gmake[1]: Entering directory 
`/usr/ports/myports/1.3/w-jdk-1.3.1/j2sdk1.3.1/make/java'

I've tried various make options to get more information, but nothing
useful is returned. I've also googled around and read bits of the gnu
make documentation, but haven't made any progress.

Can anyone suggest how to track down this error?

Thanks in advance,
-Kurt