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NA27 reads ην but Logos mouseover reveals ειμι

Posted: November 24th, 2024, 9:39 pm
by MikeMcGuire
The subject says it all. I'm just starting my Greek study and am already confused at John 1:1!

Re: NA27 reads ην but Logos mouseover reveals ειμι

Posted: November 26th, 2024, 3:34 pm
by Jason Hare
MikeMcGuire wrote: November 24th, 2024, 9:39 pm The subject says it all. I'm just starting my Greek study and am already confused at John 1:1!
Because ἦν means “he/she/it was” (past tense) and εἰμί means “I am” (present tense). Most dictionaries use the present tense to refer to a verb. So that ἐδύνατο “he/she/it was able” is listed as δύναμαι “I am able.”

John 1:1 reads: «Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος....» (“In the beginning was the Logos....”) Obviously, it requires the past tense for “he [the Logos] was” and not the present tense for “I am.”

Re: NA27 reads ην but Logos mouseover reveals ειμι

Posted: November 26th, 2024, 3:55 pm
by MikeMcGuire
Thank you so much!

Re: NA27 reads ην but Logos mouseover reveals ειμι

Posted: November 26th, 2024, 4:25 pm
by Jason Hare
χαίρω τὴν σὴν εὐχαριστίαν δεχόμενος καὶ ὧδε ἀσπάζομαί σε ἐν τῇ κοινῇ ἐλπίδι ἡμῶν, ὦ φίλε Μιχαήλ.
“I happily receive your thanks and welcome you here in our common hope, dear Michael.”


Are you starting to use a specific grammar as you enter the world of the language of the New Testament (Koinē Greek, or ἡ κοινὴ διάλεκτος)?