This article was inspired by a question from Jane Allen about David Bivin’s Hebrew Nuggets, Lesson 1: Jesus’ Hebrew Name (Part 1). |
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In a statement about the continuing validity of the Torah, Jesus uses a difficult-to-understand idiom. The Greek reads: ἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ, ἰῶτα ἓν ἢ μία κεραία οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου (“…until pass away the heaven and the earth, iota one or one point by no means will pass way from the law…”; Matt. 5:18).
Most English translations have not helped readers understand the idiom:
“Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law…” (KJV)
“…till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law…” (RSV)
“…until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law…” (ESV)
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