John 1:1a

Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος

In the beginning was the Word (John 1:1a)


 * Ἐν ἀρχῇ - ἀρχῇ is feminine dative singular because the preposition Ἐν takes a dative
 * ἀρχῇ - translated as the beginning. Prepositional phrases can imply definiteness with the inclusion of the article. John was alluding to the Septuagint usage in Genesis 1:1 which also does not use the article, mimicking Hebrew syntax.
 * ἦν - imperfect form of εἰμί. The Word was pre-existing, ongoing.
 * ὁ λόγος - the article tells us this is the subject. Greek philosophical allusions and concepts were being brought into play.
 * In the beginning, the Word was-ing