| 17. Linguistic Exegesis The Greek comparative predicate eukopoteron {εὐκοπώτερον | eu-kopōteron} ‘easier’ combines with estin {ἐστιν | éstin} ‘it is’ to assert the main claim. The infinitive parelthein {παρελθεῖν | pareltheîn} ‘to pass away’ takes the accusative τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν {τὸν οὐρανὸν καὶ τὴν γῆν | tòn ouranón kaí tḗn gē̂n} ‘the heaven and the earth’ as its subject in an accusative-and-infinitive construction. The comparative conjunction ē {ἢ | ḗ} ‘than’ introduces a parallel infinitival clause where the genitive νόμου {νόμου | nó-mou} ‘law’ modifies the accusative μίαν κεραίαν {μίαν κεραίαν | míān keraían} ‘one stroke’, which functions as the subject of the infinitive pesein {πεσεῖν | peseîn} ‘to fall’. This juxtaposition of cosmic dissolution with the loss of even the smallest written element intensifies the assertion of the law’s enduring authority. |