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Who was Alexander the Great in relation to the language of the New Testament?

Answered by Gene Cunningham, Basic Training Bible Ministries · from The Basics

Alexander the Great devised Koine Greek for the purpose of conquering the world. He recognized that he could not conquer the world until he conquered the tongue, as the Greek city-states spoke different versions of the language, such as the classical eloquence of Attic Greek and the monosyllabic grunts of Doric Greek.

To ensure his soldiers understood instructions immediately in combat situations, Alexander created a clear, easy-to-understand language. This resulted in Koine, or "common" Greek, which was the street language of the people.

Because Alexander had been taught by Aristotle to think with mathematical precision, his desire for clarity and accuracy produced a language that was the perfect medium for communicating absolute truth. This is the language through which God communicated the New Testament message.

Also asked: What was the role of Alexander the Great in creating Koine Greek, the language of the New Testament? · Who influenced Alexander the Great to create a simple and clear language for communication in battle? · How did Alexander the Great's background in mathematics influence the development of Koine Greek as a language of truth?

Source: The Basics The Basics -- Subject Index entry 'Alexander the Great' (printed pp. 24, 25) · Read this lesson in the book →

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