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Greek Lessons
- The Grammar of Greeting: Sanctified Salutations in Philippians 4:21
- Stumbling Blocks and Subjunctives: Volitional Grammar in 1 Corinthians 8:13
- Divine Encounters in Aorist and Indicative: A Grammatical Glimpse into Matthew 19:2
- The Origin of the Date of Pascha: A Historical and Theological Examination
- Judge for Yourselves: Divine Obedience in Acts 4:19
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Category
The Literary Ambition of ἀνατάξασθαι: Aorist Middle Infinitive in Luke 1:1
Introduction: Historiography and the Greek Infinitive
The Gospel of Luke opens not with theology or miracle, but with a polished historiographical prologue. The evangelist uses elevated Greek to establish credibility and intent. Central to this literary self-positioning is the verb ἀνατάξασθαι Study more .....
“ἐσπαργάνωσεν”: The Aorist Active Verb of Swaddling and Symbol in Luke 2:7
Introduction: The Hands that Wrapped the Word
In Luke 2:7, immediately following the birth of Yeshuʿ, we are told:
καὶ ἐσπαργάνωσεν αὐτόν — “and she swaddled him.”
This act, grammatically represented by the aorist active indicative verb ἐσπαργάνωσεν {esparganōsen}, Study more .....
“τὸν πρωτότοκον”: Substantival-Adjectival Function and Theological Weight in Luke 2:7
Introduction: Firstborn in Form and Fulfillment
In Luke 2:7, we read the terse, solemn line:
Καὶ ἔτεκε τὸν υἱὸν αὐτῆς τὸν πρωτότοκον —
“And she gave birth to her son, the firstborn.”
The participial-adjectival form πρωτότοκος {prōtótokos} Study more .....
“τίς με κατέστησε δικαστὴν ἢ μεριστὴν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς;”: Appointed Authority and Predicate Accusatives in Luke 12:14
Introduction: Who Made Me Judge Over You?
Jesus responds to a man seeking arbitration over an inheritance:
Ὁ δὲ εἶπεν αὐτῷ· ἄνθρωπε, τίς με κατέστησε δικαστὴν ἢ μεριστὴν ἐφ’ ὑμᾶς;
“But he said to him, ‘Man, who appointed Study more .....
Vocabulary Building in New Testament Greek: Beyond the Basics
Learning New Testament Greek opens up a world of discovery, revealing layers of meaning in Scripture that are often obscured by translation. Vocabulary acquisition is one of the most exciting aspects of mastering the language. However, while words like ἀγάπη often take the spotlight, there is a Study more .....
Posted in Bible Scholars
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Like Nonsense: Grammatical Dismissal and Resurrection Doubt in Luke 24:11
Words Dismissed: Literary and Theological Context of Luke 24:11
Luke 24:11 — καὶ ἐφάνησαν ἐνώπιον αὐτῶν ὡσεὶ λῆρος τὰ ῥήματα αὐτῶν, καὶ ἠπίστουν αὐταῖς.
(“And their words appeared to them as nonsense, and they did Study more .....
Understanding NT Greek Particles: Their Functions and Uses
Greek particles are an essential part of understanding New Testament Greek, as they modify or add nuance to sentences. Particles in Koine Greek often lack a direct English translation because they perform a variety of subtle grammatical and rhetorical functions. Here's a comprehensive look at key particles Study more .....
Posted in Grammar
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Grammatical Harmony: Imperatives and Unity in 2 Corinthians 13:11
Λοιπόν, ἀδελφοί, χαίρετε, καταρτίζεσθε, παρακαλεῖσθε, τὸ αὐτὸ φρονεῖτε, εἰρηνεύετε, καὶ ὁ Θεὸς τῆς ἀγάπης καὶ εἰρήνης ἔσται μεθ’ ὑμῶν. — 2 Corinthians 13:11
The Grammar Study more .....
Hebrews 8:4 and the Greek of Priesthood and Legal Qualification
Hebrews 8:4
εἰ μὲν γὰρ ἦν ἐπὶ γῆς, οὐδ’ ἂν ἦν ἱερεύς, ὄντων τῶν ἱερέων τῶν προσφερόντων κατὰ τὸν νόμον τὰ δῶρα,
Literal English Translation
For if indeed he were on earth, he would not even be a priest, Study more .....
Judicial Inquiry and Conditional Form in Acts 7:1: Syntax and Rhetorical Structure in the Opening of Stephen’s Defense
Εἶπε δὲ ὁ ἀρχιερεύς· εἰ ἄρα ταῦτα οὕτως ἔχει;
Main Narrative Verb and Speaker Identification: Εἶπε δὲ ὁ ἀρχιερεύς
Εἶπε: Aorist active indicative, 3rd person singular of λέγω, "he said."
Aorist marks a completed Study more .....
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Greek Grammar Lesson from Galatians 6:17
Galatians 6:17
Τοῦ λοιποῦ κόπους μοι μηδεὶς παρεχέτω· ἐγὼ γὰρ τὰ στίγματα τοῦ κυρίου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ σώματί μου βαστάζω.
Focus Topic: The Genitive Absolute and Possessive Genitive with Emphasis on Identity
This Study more .....
Posted in Grammar
Tagged Galatians 6:17, genitive absolute, possessive genitive, βαστάζω
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When Heaven Gave Rain: Aorist Verbs and the Power of Prayer in James 5:18
καὶ πάλιν προσηύξατο, καὶ ὁ οὐρανὸς ὑετὸν ἔδωκε καὶ ἡ γῆ ἐβλάστησε τὸν καρπὸν αὐτῆς. — James 5:18
The Aorist and the Answered Prayer
In this verse, James concludes his illustration of the prophet Elijah’s powerful Study more .....
Greek Grammar and Syntax Analysis of Luke 24:53
καὶ ἦσαν διὰ παντὸς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ, αἰνοῦντες καὶ εὐλογοῦντες τὸν Θεόν.
Sentence Structure and Clausal Composition
The verse Luke 24:53 is the final sentence of the Gospel of Luke and contains a rich interplay of Greek participial syntax Study more .....
Revelation 4:4 and the Symbolic Grammar of Glory
Revelation 4:4
καὶ κυκλόθεν τοῦ θρόνου θρόνοι εἴκοσι τέσσαρες, καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς θρόνους τοὺς εἴκοσι τέσσαρας πρεσβυτέρους καθημένους, περιβεβλημένους ἐν ἱματίοις Study more .....
Posted in Ancient Greek
Tagged accusative plural participle, Revelation 4:4, καθημένους, στεφάνους
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Heaven’s Council and Crowns: A Greek Look at Revelation 4:4
Revelation 4:4
καὶ κυκλόθεν τοῦ θρόνου θρόνοι εἴκοσι τέσσαρες, καὶ ἐπὶ τοὺς θρόνους τοὺς εἴκοσι τέσσαρας πρεσβυτέρους καθημένους, περιβεβλημένους ἐν ἱματίοις Study more .....
“οὔπω ἥκει ἡ ὥρα μου”: The Perfect Tense of Divine Timing in John 2:4
Introduction: Not Yet, But Coming
In response to Mary’s implied request, Yeshuʿ continues:
οὔπω ἥκει ἡ ὥρα μου —
“My hour has not yet come.”
This sentence is the first of many references in John’s Gospel to “the hour”—a recurring symbol for the divinely appointed Study more .....
“τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί, γύναι;”: The Dative-Dative Idiom of Divine Priority in John 2:4
Introduction: What Is This Between Us?
At the Cana wedding, Mary informs Yeshuʿ that the wine has run out. His enigmatic response begins with the phrase:
τί ἐμοὶ καὶ σοί, γύναι;
Literally, “What to me and to you, woman?”
This construction, grammatically known as a dative-dative Study more .....
“ἦν… ἐκεῖ”: The Imperfect Tense of Presence in John 2:1
Introduction: The Mother Was There
The clause καὶ ἦν ἡ μήτηρ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐκεῖ appears understated, yet its grammatical structure offers insightful narrative and theological signals. The use of ἦν {ēn}, the imperfect tense of εἰμί, and the adverb ἐκεῖ {ekeī}, Study more .....
From Temple to Teaching: Grammatical Movement and Eschatological Signaling in Matthew 24:1
Turning from the Temple: Narrative and Theological Context of Matthew 24:1
Matthew 24:1 — Καὶ ἐξελθὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐπορεύετο ἀπὸ τοῦ ἱεροῦ· καὶ προσῆλθον οἱ μαθηταὶ αὐτοῦ ἐπιδεῖξαι αὐτῷ τὰς οἰκοδομὰς Study more .....
Clarity in the Coming Age: A Greek Look at 1 Corinthians 13:12
1 Corinthians 13:12
βλέπομεν γὰρ ἄρτι δι’ ἐσόπτρου ἐν αἰνίγματι, τότε δὲ πρόσωπον πρὸς πρόσωπον· ἄρτι γινώσκω ἐκ μέρους, τότε δὲ ἐπιγνώσομαι καθὼς καὶ ἐπεγνώσθην.
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