02A.05.6. Translating Pre Ind 3rd Sing

Sixth, another printing format of the KJV continued by the ASV but dropped by most other modern versions were the verbs with the suffix "-eth". Most modern translators say the "-eth" ending sound archaic. (Such as goeth, doeth, abideth.) But there was a reason behind the KJV use of this form. The Merriam-Webster New Collegiate Dictionary says the "-eth" was "The Middle English ending of the present indicative third person singular." (P. 283). The Greek present tense was the tense of continuous (or linear ----> ) action, while the aorist showed punctiliar (•) action. The distinction between the present and aorist is sometimes lost in some modern translations. Others, intent on showing the continuous action of the present indicative use an English participle (i.e. "doing" "going" "abiding"). But then, how will you show the Greek present participle? The KJV clearly is superior for the student who wants the distinction between the present indicative, the aorist, and the present participle. The KJV is a scholarly translation.