The Onoma Rule.

The paper presents an unnoticed "rule" governing the presence or absence of the article with ővoμα in naming-constructions of the type "the name of x is JV." It arises from the survival of an archaic pattern with the dative and no article, alongside a newer pattern with the genitive and the article. The "rule" is shown to operate not only in the LXX and NT but in ancient Greek generally, from Homer to Koine Greek. Observance of the "rule" indicates the LXX translators' and the NT authors' familiarity with idiomatic Greek. The "rule" can also contribute to resolving textual questions, notably Luke 1:63. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]