Article Usage

[Franky_sondakh@yahoo.com]

Dear Teacher,

I have a question regarding article usage. I read the following line in the bible:

"So pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested."

I looked up in the dictionary that the word "sentence" in this line is considered as a countable noun. My question why there is no article--a or an--in front of the word. Shouldn't there be an article in front of it?

Thank you for your answer.

Sincerely,

Franky sondakh

[Casiopea]

the bible:

"So pilate gave sentence that it should be as they requested."

Given the translation, it appears that "gave sentence" is similar in structure to "give forth". No article required.

In Modern English "sentence" requires an article or would be used as a verb,

EX: The judge sent down the sentence.
EX: The judge sentenced the criminal to 2 months in prison.