OET interlinear MAT 5:18

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

γὰρ

for

Here, the word For introduces a reason or basis for Jesus’ statement that he did not come to destroy the Scriptures but to fulfill them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces a reason or basis for a claim, or you could leave For untranslated. Alternate translation: [In fact,] or [That is because,]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ

until ¬wishfully /may/_pass_away ¬the heaven and ¬the earth

Here Jesus refers to how the heaven and the earth that currently exist will pass away, and God will either renew them or make new ones. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [until this world ends] or [until God recreates the heaven and the earth]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / merism

ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ

¬the heaven and ¬the earth

Here, Jesus is referring to all of the created world by naming the parts that are at the extreme ends of it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [all creation] or [the universe]

Note 4 topic: translate-unknown

ἰῶτα ἓν ἢ μία κερέα

Iota one or one (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν ἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ ἰῶτα ἓν ἢ μία κεραία οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου ἕως ἂν πάντα γένηται)

A jot is a very small letter or character used in writing. A tittle is a small part of a letter or character. If your readers would not be familiar with these terms, you could use the names of the smallest parts of the writing system in your area or you could use more general terms. Alternate translation: [one word or one part of a word] or [one character or stroke in a character]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

ἰῶτα ἓν ἢ μία κερέα

Iota one or one (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἀμὴν γὰρ λέγω ὑμῖν ἕως ἂν παρέλθῃ ὁ οὐρανὸς καὶ ἡ γῆ ἰῶτα ἓν ἢ μία κεραία οὐ μὴ παρέλθῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ νόμου ἕως ἂν πάντα γένηται)

The terms jot and tittle mean similar things. Jesus is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [one jot] or [one tittle]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / doublenegatives

οὐ μὴ

by_no_means not

The words translated certainly not are two negative words. In this construction, the second negative does not cancel the first to create a positive meaning. Instead, it gives greater emphasis to the negative. If your language can use two negatives that do not cancel one another to create a positive meaning, you could use a double negative here. If your language does not use two negatives in that way, you could translate with one strong negative, as the ULT does. Alternate translation: [by no means]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τοῦ νόμου

the law

Here, the phrase the law could refer to: (1) the Old Testament Scriptures in general, just as the phrases “the law” and “the prophets” in 5:17 refer to the Old Testament Scriptures. Alternate translation: [the law and the prophets] or [the Old Testament] (2) just the law, which is the first five books of the Old Testament. Alternate translation: [the Old Testament law] or [the law in the Scriptures]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

πάντα γένηται

all_‹things› /may/_become

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, you could use an indefinite subject. Alternate translation: [all things take place] or [they accomplish all things]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

πάντα

all_‹things›

Here, the phrase all things could refer to: (1) everything that is written in the law. Alternate translation: [all things written in the law] (2) everything that God has planned for this world and history. Alternate translation: [all things that God has planned] or [all things that will happen in this world]