| 38. Linguistic Exegesis The clause begins with the nominative theos {θεὸς | the-ós} “God” emphasized by its front position, followed by the postpositive coordinating conjunction de {δὲ | dè} “but” and the negation ouk {οὐκ | ouk} combined with the verb estin {ἔστιν | éstin} “is,” denying that God is characterized by the genitive nekrōn {νεκρῶν | ne-krōn} “of the dead.” The adversative conjunction alla {ἀλλὰ | allà} “but” introduces a parallel genitive zōntōn {ζώντων | zōn-tōn} “of the living,” setting up an antithesis that highlights God’s living relationship to the patriarchs. The causal conjunction gar {γὰρ | gàr} “for” introduces a reason: the substantive pantes {πάντες | pán-tes} “all” serves as the subject of the verb zōsin {ζῶσιν | zô-sin} “they live,” which takes the dative autō {αὐτῷ | au-tō} “to Him” to express orientation toward God. The present tense underscores the ongoing reality of life in relation to God, reinforcing the contrast between death and life in the resurrection context. |