[B-Greek] Aorist as an 'x' rather than a '.' (dot)

Eddie Mishoe edmishoe at yahoo.com
Mon Aug 1 17:52:20 EDT 2005


AORISTOS CRONOS (from hORIZW define ; unlimited,
indefinite, or undefined time) is so named because it
does not show the limitations (hOPOS) of continuance
(expressed by the imperfect) or of the completion with
permanent results (expressed by the perfect).


This is from Smyth (p 414). Of course, Smyth is more
so concerned with Classical Greek, but my question
deals with why most grammarians, including Smyth
himself, want to define the verbal aspect of the
Aorist as a point or dot. This would seem to imply
"completion," which seems more suitable for the domain
of the Perfect. Why is it generally taught that the
Aorist portrays the event in its entirety or as a
whole? Rather than the Aorist being portrayed by a dot
or period, which implies completion, would it not be
more accurate to label it with an "x" ? That way, we
avoid putting something definite with an indefinite
concept. 


Eddie Mishoe
Pastor

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