| 27. Linguistic Exegesis The verse opens with the passive indicative epachynthe {Ἐπαχύνθη | Epachýnthē} linked to the subject phrase hē kardia tou laou toutou {ἡ καρδία τοῦ λαοῦ τούτου | hē kardía tou laoû toútou}, portraying this people’s inner life as having been thickened or rendered insensitive. The postpositive gar {γὰρ | gár} connects this diagnosis causally to the preceding context of unbelief. A sequence of instrumental datives—first tois osin {τοῖς ὠσίν | toîs ōsín} “with their ears,” then tois ophthalmois {τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς | toîs ophthalmóis} “with their eyes”—highlights the sensory channels intended for receiving revelation, while baréōs ekousan {βαρέως ἤκουσαν | baréōs ḗkousan} depicts their hearing as laborious. The aorist ekammysan {ἐκάμμυσαν | ekámmysan} “they closed” indicates deliberate action, completing a triad of heart, ears, and eyes that mirrors a Semitic pattern of total spiritual dullness. The particle mēpote {μήποτε | mḗpote} introduces a negative purpose clause with a chain of subjunctives—idōsin {ἴδωσιν | ídōsin}, akousosin {ἀκούσωσιν | akoúsōsin}, synōsin {συνῶσιν | synōsin}, epistrepsōsin {ἐπιστρέψωσιν | epistrépsōsin}—detailing the potential sequence of perception, understanding, and turning that remains unrealized. The final future middle iasomai {ἰάσομαι | iásomai} “I will heal” stands in stark contrast to their resistance, underlining that healing is assured if they respond. The English renditions preserve the repeated “and” to reflect the cumulative Greek coordination and to show how each missed step results in the withheld experience of healing. |