| 18. Linguistic Exegesis The adjective gnōsta {γνωστὰ | gnō-stà} ‘known’ appears in the nominative neuter plural as a verbless predicate, followed by the prepositional phrase ap’ aionos {ἀπ᾽ αἰῶνος | ap ai-ô-nos} ‘from of old,’ with ap’ governing the genitive aionos to mark temporal origin. Greek omits an explicit subject and verb in elliptical declarations, using the neuter plural predicate to focus on the enduring state. Placing gnōsta first centers attention on what is recognized, while the phrase ap’ aionos signals its ancient provenance. The formal rendering restores the implied subject and copula, and the dynamic uses a perfect structure to convey ongoing continuity. |