[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]
Word Order in John 1:1-2
May I suggest that the pattern in John 1:1 extends through verse 2.
The following illustrates it:
X en Y
& Y en pros ton Z
& Z en Y
y en X pros ton Z
where X is En archEi, Y is ho logos, Z is theos/n, y is houtos, and & is kai.
Here 1 and 3 share endings, as do 2 and 4.
There is also a chiastic pattern ( X Y Y Z Z Y y X ) with a Z left over.
The change from ho logos to houtos is probably motivated by a rule of discourse
grammar that, roughly stated, says that concepts are introduced with nouns or
noun phrases, continued with pronouns, and finally reduced to verb endings.
I realize there is a case in vv. 9-10 where ho kosmos is repeated four times
as a noun, but that is highly unusual.
********************************************************************************
Bruce Terry E-MAIL: terry@bible.acu.edu
Box 8426, ACU Station Phone: 915/674-3759
Abilene, Texas 79699 Fax: 915/674-3769
********************************************************************************