Greek Glossary
With grammatical notes
Absolute.
A noun, verb, participle .... standing alone in a sentence.
Genitive absolute.
Formed by a genitive noun or pronoun + a genitive participle.
Nominative absolute
Formed by an independent substantive.
Abstract Nouns:
In Greek they often carry an article which is not translated into English:
hJ doxa kai hJ sofia
"Glory and wisdom", not "the glory and the wisdom."
Accusative Case:
The undefined / default case for the New Testament
Object - the direct object of a transitive verb
Object complement double accusative construction
Adverbial uses of the accusative:
Manner.
Measure - "for the extent of ..."; of time, "for the duration of ..."
Reference / respect - "with respect to ..."
Location, locative.
Appositional accusative:
Specifies or defines a clause or something in it
Active voice.
The active voice of a verb is used where the subject performs, produces or experiences the action. The subject may perform the action, or cause the action (causative), or simply be in the centre of the action ("In the beginning was the Word")
Adjective:
Primarily serves to limit a noun:
Attributive: limits by modifying the noun.
Predicate; Limits by asserting something about the noun.
Adjectivizer.
The use of an article with a phrase or clause to make it an attributive modifier, limiting a noun, or a substantival infinitive or participle.
Adnominal.
Something related to a noun.
Advancement.
Where a dative indirect object takes the place of an accusative direct object and adopts the accusative case.
Adversative.
Expressing opposition, or at least a contrast, "but", "rather than"
alla is the most common adversative; Note:
An accessory idea for "an additional point in an emphatic way", BDF
"furthermore / not only that, but .."
It may introduce the apodosis of a conditional clause for emphasis.
With ge for emphasis
After a negative "rather, on the contrary"
Used in a counterpoint construction,
ou / ouc ...... alla .. "not ...... but ...."
de. Transitional.
This conjunction may also function as an adversative / contrastive, but primarily it is transitional, a marker of narrative transition, indicating a step in the argument, narrative or dialogue, ie., a paragraph marker. Sometimes translated "Now ...." Other usages include:
Coordinative: "and"
Copulative: "having the force of concluding something", Betz.
Epexegetic: introducing an explanation or parenthesis; "that is ....."
Inferential: "then ...";
Usually not translated when introducing a new literary unit.
Emphatic: de kai
mallon de. "but rather" - Introducing an alternative that is preferred.
nun de. Adversative statement of fact, "but now in fact ....."
palin, "again";
Sometimes as an adversative / contrastive:
"nevertheless", "on the other hand."
Agent.
The person or thing performing the action
Anacoluthon.
A broken or irregular syntactical construction where the author looses track of the syntax.
Anaphoric.
Particularly of an article or demonstrative pronoun referring back. cf. 2Cor.5:4
in THIS tent
en tw/ skhnei
Anarthrous.
Without an article
Antecedent.
A word (the previous referent) referred to later in the sentence
Aorist.
A verb with punctiliar action, having perfective verbal aspect:
Constative = the point of action;
Ingressive = the point at which the action begins
Culminative = the point at which the action ends
Gnomic = expressing a universal truth
Epistolary = the action is expressed in the time-frame of the reader.
Dramatic = used to express dramatic effect
Futuristic / a prophetic perfect =
an action in the future that is certain to occur
Apodosis.
The "then" clause that corresponds to the "if" clause, the protasis, in a conditional sentence.
Aposiopesis.
A conditional clause / sentence which omits the apodosis.
Apposition.
Two nouns, side by side, where the second further defines the first.
Usually in the same case, sometimes the second is genitive
Articular.
With an article
An article will sometimes function as a personal pronoun.
This is particularly evident in the gospels:
oJ = autoV, "he"
oiJ = autoi, "they"
Ascensive.
Climactic.
Aspect.
Verbal aspect defines the action of the verb:
Perfective - aorist tense:
where the action is viewed by the author as a whole, complete
Imperfective - present, imperfect tenses:
where the action is viewed by the author as in progress, unfolding
Stative - perfect, pluperfect tenses:
where the action is viewed by the author as a complex state of affairs:
eg., past action extending into the present - perfect, pluperfect tense
Campbell, Verbal Aspect, classifies it as a prominent imperfective
Asyndeton.
The grammatically incorrect omission of a conjunction, both coordinating or adversative
Attraction.
A relative pronoun that has improperly taken on the case of ("attracted" to) its antecedent or predicate
a man whom we appointed
en andri wJ/ (oJn) wJrisen
Where the relative pronoun and its antecedent is governed by the same preposition (eg., en), the preposition is omitted in the relative clause, cf., Matt.24:50. This looks like attraction, but isn't.
Attributive and Predicative adjectives.
An attributive adjective directly modifies a substantive, as opposed to a predicative adjective which modifies a substantive indirectly, cf., Wallace:
Attributive positions - "The good man"
1st. oJ agaqoV anqrwpoV,
2nd. oJ anqrwpoV oJ agaqoV,
3rd. anqrwpoV oJ agaqoV
Predicate positions - "The man is good"
1st. agaqoV oJ anqrwpoV,
2nd. oJ anqrwpoV agaqoV
Augment.
The prefix e
Brachylogy.
An overly concise expression
Canon of Apollonius.
With two nouns, where one is depending on the other, either both have an article or both lack it. This rule is not always evident in the NT especially when the first noun follows a preposition.
in the Spirit of God
en tw/ pneumati tou qeou
Case
There are five cases in Greek: Nominative, Vocative, Accusative, Genitive and Dative. Following A.T. Robertson's grammar, 1934, some today still argue for an eight-case system, distinguishing the locative and instrumental forms from the dative case, and the ablative form from the genitive case.
Casus Pendens.Referring to a noun phrase standing outside a clause and replaced in the clause by a resumptive pronoun. eg. "The God of the Hebrews, HE has created the world."
Catachresis.
A word or phrase that is alien to the context
put to death therefore,
[your] LIMBS on the earth =
whatever in you is earthly, NRSV
nekrwsate oun ta melh ta epi thV ghV
Cataphoric.
Particularly of a demonstrative pronoun pointing forward
"In THIS is love, namely that ...."
Causal Clause.
Expressing the reason for the action of the main verb.; "because, so ...."
Formed by an infinitive (see Infinitives), Genitive absolute, or a participle
Prepositions sometimes expressing cause:
apo, dia + acc., eiV (rare), ek, en, epi, anq (anti) w|n
Particles can be causal + ind.
oJti, epei, ef, wJ/ dioti, epeidh
gar is primarily causal, answering the question "Why?"
Sometimes it is:
Explanatory, answering the question "How?", giving a reason, "for"
Emphatic: emphasising a point:
just gar by itself, or kai gar, "and indeed"
Transitional; a stitching device, connective, resumptive.
Inferential: establishing a logical connection.
Conclusive: Used in questions, "what THEN I pray ..."
Ground / Basis: "on the ground that ...."
oJti is also primarily causal.
Often used to introduce an adverbial clause of cause / reason.
Its other functions are as follows:
Introducing an object clause / dependent statement,
used in place of an accusative infinitive
Epexegetic: serving to introduce a explanatory clause,
used in place of iJna + subj.
Interrogative: ti oJti, "what is that?" After 2nd. person verbs.
Why did you go up to Jerusalem?
dia ti, "because why? / why?" - A causal interrogative.
Causative.
A verb expressing cause
Chiasmus.
A Chiastic construction is one where the word order is inverted. Possibly Semitic in origin. eg Matt.9:17.
Cognate.
Two words with the same root meaning, "I love love."
Cognate accusative.
In "I love love", the accusative object of the verb "to love" is one.
Colwell's Rule.
Definite predicate nouns that follow the verb usually take the article.
Definite predicate nouns that precede the verb usually lack the article.
Comparative / Contrastive.
Serving to compare or contrast
Comparative clauses, with a protasis and apodosis.
The characteristics of one element are compared with another:
Adversative comparative / contrastive construction:
men ......... de ..... "on the one hand ........ but on the other hand ......."
This construction contrasts one thought with another in a series.
It does so without emphasising contrast, cf. BAGD 504.1c.
Disjunctive comparative / contrastive construction:
eite ..... eite ...., "either ...... or ....."
Negated disjunctive comparative / contrastive construction:
oute ...... oute .... "neither ..... nor ....."
Other comparative / contrastive constructions:
kaqwV ....... ouJtwV, "just as ........ so ......."
wJsper ...... ouJtwV kai, "just as ....... so also ......"
ouJtwV ...... wJV, "thus ....... as ...."
kaqaper ..... ouJtwV ...., "just as ....... so ......"
wJV will often introduce a comparative clause:
"like, as, even as, as if, as it were".
Other functions include:
Adverbial:
Modal, introducing an adverbial clause of manner;
"in the manner of, is that of"
Temporal; "while"
Causal: Used instead of oJti or epei; "because"
Consecutive: "so that"
Final: "in order that"
Like eJwV, used to introduce a dependent statement instead of oJti.
Used with numerals to express approximation, "about"
Exclamation. "How!"
Used with a participle to express consideration, cf., BDF 425[3];
"with the assertion that, on the pretext that, with the thought that."
Introducing a concrete example: wJV Sarra, "Sarah, for example."
Indicating a characteristic quality or standard:
"exactly as / in accordance with":
Why am I still considered wJV, "AS", a sinner (not LIKE a sinner)
Why am I still considered a sinner?
ie., used instead of the Hebrew predicate accusative.
kaqwV will often introduce a comparative clause,
"as, just as, even as", but has other functions
Used to establish basis, cause, reason, cf., BDF 236
As a loose connective. Sometimes used this way in Paul's letters.
Used to introduce a conditional clause
Indicating a characteristic quality, or standard,
"exactly as / in accordance with"
Temporal (rare)
ouJtwV can make a comparison with what precedes, "in the same way";
Its other syntactical functions are mostly adverbial:
As an absolute; "simply, without further ado."
Manner; "for in this way."
Referring to what follows, "thus" (not in the sense of "therefore")
Interrogative; "How?"
Degree / intensity / elative; "an earthquake SO great"
mallon can serve as a comparative, "rather than".
It has other functions as well:
Intensive / elative, "by all means, certainly"
Adversative, "instead, preferably"
Complement
A word or phrase that adds to the sense of another word in the sentence. A verb may take a complement, either a word of phrase, to complete predication. Nouns, adverbs, and adjectives may take a genitive complement, eg., axia plhgwn, "worthy of punishment." In this case the genitive noun virtually functions as if an objective genitive. The direct object of a verb may take a complement, see Object Complement.
Compound verb
A verb with a prepositional prefix.
ballw, "I throw"
ekballw, "I throw out"
Conative.
Action that is attempted
Concessive Clause.
A clause expressing a concession which implies that the action of the main verb is true despite the concession. Usually translated, "though", "although".
A participle will often form a concessive clause.
May be introduced by ei kai, ean kai, kai ei, kai ean
Sometimes formed by kaiper + part.
Concomitant.
An action occurring at the same time
Concord.
Where words in a sentence agree in number etc.
Conditional.
Expressing a supposition
ei (also an, ean) usually indicates a conditional clause.
Its other functions:
Interrogative:
Introducing a direct or indirect question:
epei ..... ti, "given ......... why ...."
Rhetorical question expecting a negative answer:
ei + ind., + ou/ouk, BDF 428i.
Hypothetical result,
"but if indeed not - otherwise": ei de mhge, ei de mh, ei mh
Exceptive clause expressing a contrast by designating an exception:
ei mh "except".
After a negative joined to a noun it may just be adversative, "but"
Adverbial clauses: eiper, ei
Indefinite
Concessive "although ..... yet ...", ei kai, "otherwise", epei
Causal "since .... then ..."
Temporal.
The condensed elliptical protasis for a conditional clause:
epei "for otherwise".
Dependent statement of doubtful expectation:
ei ara . Used instead of oJti
Conditional clause.
Made up of an "if" clause, the protasis, and a "then" clause, the apodosis:
1st. class = the proposed condition is assumed to be true:
ei + ind. in the protasis; "if, as is the case, ..... then ...."
2nd. class / contrary to fact =
The proposed condition is assumed to be not true / contrary to fact:
ei + past tense ind. in the protasis and
a[n + past tense ind. in the apodosis;
"if, as is not the case, ..... then ....."
3rd. class =
The proposed condition is assumed to be a future possibility:
ean or a[n + subj. in the protasis; "if, as may be the case, ..... then ......"
4th. class =
the proposed condition is assumed to be a remote future possibility:
ei + opt. in the protasis, and a[n + opt. in the apodosis;
"if, as should possibly happen to be the case, .. then .."
In the NT only incomplete examples exist.
Other conditional constructions:
ei kai or ean kai, "if even",
Often with concessive force: "although .......... yet ......"
ean mh + subj. - Introducing a subordinate clause of negated condition.
oJtan + imperf. is used in a temporal conditional clause.
Sometimes only an or ean + subj..
ei + ind. without the apodosis / "then" clause = an unfulfilled condition.
"That which is anticipated by the "if" clause is expressed as
a hope, desire, even purpose", Burton. cf., Rom.11:14.
Connective.
Used to join together two words, phrases, clauses, sentences,
eg. de, kai, gar
te is often used to join two clauses in a close relationship
te ..... te. "as .... so", "not only .... but also"
te kai. "and" - a close connection of concepts;
"both Jews and Greeks."
Consecutive clause.
Expressing the results of the action of the main verb.
wJste, tou, eiV to, proV, wJV, en tw/ + inf.
iJna + subj.,
wJste + ind.
A participle
Constructio ad sensum
"a construction according to sense".
Where a clause etc. follows good sense rather than good grammar.
Content Clause.
See Object Clause.
Contrastive.
Establishing a contrast or comparison. eg.
de sometimes introduces a contrastive clause.
At other times adversative, or simply connective.
Coordinative.
Two clauses of similar weight, joined by a coordinating conjunction
kai is the most common coordinative conjunction.
Other functions for kai:
Adjunctive: "also"
Ascensive: "even"
Adversative, contrastive: "but"
Concessive, "and yet"
Emphatic; "indeed, in fact"
Epexegetic: explaining, specifying, "that is, namely"
Transitional: indicating a step in the argument, or narrative
(used instead of de)
Final: wJste kai = "so then"
Consecutive, often after an imperative:
"so that, with the result that, and as a consequence"
Additive. Introducing a clause which provides more information.
Inferential: establishing a logical connection, "and so."
Sequential: introducing an important point
Also for a concluding an argument;
"and so"
kai nun. "And now"
te ..... kai .... Forming a coordinate series.
Copulative.
An intensive verb that connects the subject and the predicate.
The main linking verbs
eimi, ginomai, uJparcw, kalew
Correlative constructions.
Words, phrases and clauses that correspond to each other. They express either comparison, or contrast, or an alternative, or association, or disjunction. The intended sense is usually determined by context
kai ... kai , "both ..... and ....." - association.
eite .... eite "whether ..... or whether ..." - disjunction.
h[ ...... h[ . "either ..... or ..." - disjunction
men ..... de "on the one hand ..... but on the other ..."
alternative = adversative comparative / contrastive
kaqwV .... ouJtwV "just as ..... so ..." - comparison, association
wJV ..... ouJtwV "as ...... so ..." - comparison, association
wJsper .... ouJtwV kai "just as ..... so also" - comparison, association
mhte .... mhte "neither .... nor .." - contrast
oi|oV .... toioutoV "of what sort ...... such .." - comparison
te .... kai "both .... and .." - association.
pote .... nun "once .... now ..." - contrast
te .... te "as .... so ..." - comparison, association.
Crasis.
The joining of two words with the loss of a vowel from the first
kai + moi = kamoi
Dative Case:
The case of personal interest indicating advantage or disadvantage.
The Pure Dative:
Dative of indirect object;
Dative of interest: Advantage or disadvantage;
Dative of reference / respect / representation;
Dative of possession;
Dative of feeling / ethical dative
Dative of recipient.
Local Dative (Locative):
Dative of space, sphere, or state;
Dative of time (temporal;
Dative of rule - "in conformity with";
Dative of destination - "traveling to."
Instrumental Dative - expressing means:
Dative of means - "by means of."
Dative of cause - "on the basis of."
Dative of manner - "He speaks in = WITH boldness = boldly."
Dative of measure;
Dative of agency, "by ....";
Dative of content.
The dative of that which is followed = "which you have followed"
Dative of direct object:
Normally the direct object stands in the accusative case, but some verbs, particularly verbs with a prepositional prefix, eg., sun, will take a dative.
Dative complement:
Some nouns, adjectives or pronouns, take a dative complement, eg., oJmoiV, "like, similar", although sometimes classified as a dative of the thing compared.
tini eisin oJmoioi;
"they are like WHAT?" = "what are they like?"
gar in Matthew it often takes a dative personal pronoun.
Deliberative.
Asks a question
Dependent statement / Object clause.
An object clause of direct or indirect speech, perception, or action expressing the content of what was said, seen, thought, or done, of a verb of saying, thinking, or doing. Such a clause is formed by an infinitive, oJti + ind., iJna + subj., oJpwV + subj., eJwV, and rarely an optative verb. A participle may also be used to form a dependent statement of perception. Note oida + inf. Introducing a dependent statement of perception expressing manner rather than content, so Robinson; so not "know THAT", but "know HOW."
After qelw a subjunctive verb can follow without iJna
What do you want me to do for you
What do you wish THAT I MAY DO for you
ti soi qeleiV poihsw
Dependent statements introduced by an infinitive,
Direct speech (recitative): Infinitive, iJna + subj, oJti
Indirect speech:
Stating, entreating, questioning, requesting, promising, swearing.
Infinitive, iJna + subj, oJti, oJpwV + subj., opt.
Expression - "he wrote THAT", iJna = subj., or inf.
Perception - sensation and cognition:
Thinking, feeling, wondering, knowing, perceiving, hoping, wishing
Infinitive, iJna + subj., oJti, and sometimes a participle.
Cause: Striving, effecting, achieving, ....
Infinitive, iJna + subj., oJpwV + subj., eJwV, or fut.
About what is said (rather than what is said), is expressed by pwV.
aphggeilen de hJmin pwV eiden aggelon
and he reported HOW he saw an angel
Fear: mh + subj.
In answer to a question: oJti
Deponent verb.
Defined by older Grammars as verbs that have only middle / passive ending, but are active in meaning. This definition is no longer widely held; see Middle Voice
Disjunctive.
Indicating a choice between two mutually exclusive possibilities.
h[, "or" - sometimes expresses comparison.
Distributive expression:
The preposition kata is used adverbially as a distributive.
"According to name" = "name by name" = "individually"
kata de eJorthn
but/and according to festival
"Now, at each celebration of this festival."
Double Accusative Construction:
A clause where the verb takes an accusative direct object + an accusative complement. The complement states a fact about the object.
There are two forms:
i] Person and thing: both objects limit the verb and are unrelated to each other:
"I will teach you (accusative direct object of didaxai) all things (accusative complement)
ii] Primary and secondary:
Both objects are related, with the secondary / predicate object standing in apposition to the primary object, ie., the secondary object predicates something about the primary object. The secondary object may be a noun, an adjective, an infinitive, or a participle
Sometimes wJV is supplied, but translated "as, to be, that is, namely"
If you have me (a direct object) a partner (accusative complement)
It you consider me as a partner.
Dialogue.
In a dialogue between two parties, the dialogue shift is often indicated by the use of de
Ecbatic.
Expressing result.
Elative superlative.
The absolute use of the superlative where there is no comparison
very/extremely small
elacistoV
Elision.
The dropping of the final vowel of a word. Identified by an apostrophe.
through
di'... dia
Ellipsis.
The omission of words from a sentence that are significant, but can still be determined from the context.
the [LETTER] from laodicea
thn ek LaodikeiaV
Emphatic.
Emphasising a point. Usually achieved by the placement of the word at the beginning of a sentence or by the use of an unnecessary personal pronoun
Epexegetic.
Explanatory, explaining the meaning of - reason rather than cause
Epidiorthosis.
A correction of a previous statement or impression
Epistolary / Royal plural.
A singular writer refers to himself using a plural number
Exceptive clause
A clause which establishes a contrast by designating an exception
ei mh + subj. "except ....."
In a conditional clause
ei mh + ind. = "if not = unless ...."
ean mh + subj. = "if not = unless ...."
Sometimes ei mh is used to express a hypothetical result
After a negative joined to a noun ei mh may just be an adversative; "but"
Final clause / Telic.
Expressing purpose - an intended result
tou, eiV to, proV to, wJste, wJV + inf. = purpose
iJna + subj. commonly introduces a purpose clause expressing end-view.
Sometimes iJna expresses result, or hypothetical result.
iJna + subj. proceeded by ouJpwV forms an epexegetic clause
mhpote +subj. expresses negated purpose
Also hesitation, a hoped for outcome;
"lest, perhaps."
wJste can be used to introduce a final clause expressing purpose
It can also be:
Consecutive, expressing result.
Inferential, when used at the beginning of a new sentence.
oJpwV / pwV + subj./fut. can express purpose
A future tense can sometimes express purpose, so Moule.
A purpose clause may also be be formed by
a present or future participle,
a relative clause with fut. verb.
Future tense.
Action in the future relative to the writer:
Predictive. The action will take place, either:
progressively (linear),
repeatedly (iterative), or
in a single action (punctiliar).
Imperatival. Used for a command
Deliberative. Asking a question or implying doubt.
Gnomic. Action that will always happen within certain parameters.
Genitive Case:
In the NT, primarily adjectival in function. It serves to limit a substantive by describing, defining, specifying, or qualifying it.
Descriptive Genitive:
Attributive. Limits by supplying a specific attribute or innate quality;
Attributed. The lead noun serves as the attributive adjective.
Idiomatic / General (aporetic):
A genitive that serves as a general limiting descriptive.
A genitive that displays semantic density / Semitic short-talk.
Idiomatic classifications tend to be arbitrary rather than fixed.
Movement: "The way of the Lord" = "The way the Lord travels";
Subordination. "The ruler of demons" = "The ruler of over demons";
Material: "a heard of swine" = "a heard consisting of swine."
Content: "a net of fish" = "a net full of fish";
Local: "Cana of Galilee" = "Cana which is located in Galilee";
Identification:
"Zerepath of Sidon" = "Zerepath which is in the region of Sidon";
Destination: "Paths of life" = "paths which lead to life";
Producer / Product: "the end which is the product of faith";
Price: "Bought of silver" = "bought for a certain amount of silver";
Time / temporal;
"The time of visitation" = "the time when God visited you."
Source / Origin / Agent: "The Word (which is) from God."
Separation: "(which is) away from."
Epexegetic (Appositional) - a genitive of definition.
A genitive of definition limits a head noun by specifying it - defining, explaining, clarifying. Translation: = "namely, that is, which is, consisting of, ..." An unnecessary distinction is sometimes drawn between an epexegetic genitive and an appositional genitive, when in function they are one in the same. The only technical difference is that an appositional genitive restates a previous genitive, eg., the second example below.
The sign OF CIRCUMCISION
The sign namely / that is / which is / consisting of CIRCUMCISION
shmeion peritomhV
he is the head of the body OF THE CHURCH
he is the head of the body namely / that is / which is THE CHURCH
autoV estin hJ kefalh tou swmatoV, thV ekklhsiaV
Qualifying Genitive:
Possessive;
Identifying the possession of:
A dependent status
A derivative characteristic; "pertaining to."
Relational: "Simon son of John."
Partitive / Wholative.
Identifying the whole of which the substantive is a part / all of.
Verbal Genitive.
A verbal genitive, either subjective, or objective, limits a substantive of action by complementing it (verbal nouns such as: orgh, agaph, dehsiV....). Sometimes both ideas are present = Plenary or Full Genitive. Moulton argues that the interpretation of these genitives is more a matter of exegesis than grammar, the final arbiter being the context. For example, "the love of Christ constrains us" - is that our love for Christ, or Christ's love for us? ie., is it objective or subjective. This classification now has its critics, particularly the objective genitive, and this because important issues hang on the classification, eg.,
dia pistewV Ihsou Cristou, Gal.2:16
Verbal genitive, objective =
justified through faith IN JESUS CHRIST
Possessive genitive =
justified by the faithfulness OF JESUS CHRIST
Subjective genitive (Active genitive)
It produces the action implied by the verbal noun
Often classified as adjectival, possessive.
apekdidtamenoi ton plaion anqrwpon sun taiV praxesin autou
you have put off the old self with ITS practices / the practices OF IT
Possessive: practices THAT CHARACTERIZED IT
Subjective: practices THAT EXPRESSED IT
Objective genitive
It receives the action implied by the verbal noun
Usually expressed by:
about / for / concerning / toward placed before the genitive
the report OF HIM
the report CONCERNING / ABOUT HIM
hJ akoh autou
Ablative Genitive:
The ablative genitive indicates separation, either static or movement from, or comparison with. In Koine Greek the ablative was in the process of being replaced by the use of a preposition + gen. See note below.
Separation: "he has ceased of sin = from doing sin."
Comparison: "more value of many sparrows = than many sparrows."
Source / origin: "a letter of Christ = from Christ."
Adverbial Genitive: Where a genitive substantive serves to modify a verb.
Time;
Measure;
Space.
Means;
Agency;
Result;
Reference / respect, "about, for" - may also modify a noun or adjective;
Association, "with" - may also modify a noun or adjective.
Genitive of direct object;
A genitive, following certain verbs, rather than an accusative.
Genitive Complement:
Certain adjectives, nouns and adverbs take a genitive complement.
Genitive Absolute:
A genitive noun or pronoun + an anarthrous genitive participle
standing by themselves at the beginning of a sentence
will usually be temporal in meaning.
Generalising plural.
A plural used for a singular example of the same.
Herod
oiJ zhtounteV
Generic singular.
A singular noun that refers to multiple examples of the same
Gnomic.
Expressing a general truth.
Granville Sharp's Rule (Modified).
With respect to two coordinated nouns (singular, personal, and not proper nouns), the repetition of the article distinguishes them, while a single article associates them.
Hapax Legomenon.
A once only use in the New Testament
Hendiadys.
A single idea expressed through two separate words joined by "and", kai:
rejoicing and seeing = rejoice to see
cairwn kai blepwn
Historic / Narrative Present Tense:
A present tense verb which is logically translated in English into the past tense. They are mainly found in the Gospels (not many in Luke) and the Revelation. Most introduce speech, and some 25% introduce verbs of motion. They seem primarily to function as paragraph markers; indicating a step in the narrative. The default tense in narrative is aorist, with the present tense indicating a change in speaker, a new scene, etc., ie., they indicate narrative transition. The particle de (or oun in John's gospel) can perform a similar function.
Hortatory.
An exhortation
eg. a subjunctive, or afeV + subj. = "Let us ....."
Hyperbaton.
An inversion of the normal word order. Often where the subject or object of a subordinate clause is displaced such that it becomes the subject or object of another clause, usually, the main clause.
Hysteron-proteron. "Last first".
The reversal of a natural order to give emphasis to the first item.
threi kai metanohson
"hold fast (keep) and repent."
The natural order would be "repent" and then "hold fast."
Idiolect.
Indicates the particular style of an author, eg., John's use of the demonstrative pronoun for a personal pronoun.
Imperfect tense.
Expressing linear action, usually in the past, a past/remote process, in indicative mood only:
Descriptive.
Progressive action that took place at some point of time in the past.
Durative.
Action over a long period of time, but is now complete.
Inceptive / ingressive. Where the beginning of the action is emphasised.
Customary. Habitual recurring activity in the past.
Iterative. Repeated action in the past, "they used to do ...."
Tendential. Unrealised attempted action.
Voluntative. A desire to attempt a certain action
I could wish that I myself were present with you right now
hqelon pareinai proV uJmaV arti
Imperative.
A command or instruction. Normally expressed by an imperative verb:
Perfective aspect (aor. imperative) urges activity as a whole action
Imperfective aspect (pres., imperf. imperative)
Urges activity as an ongoing progress
Some linguists still argue that:
A perfective imperative prohibits the commencement of activity
An imperfective imperative prohibits action in progress
Future imperative:
A future indicative is often used as an emphatic command
ou mh + fut. = "he must never .....", cf., Burton.
It is very easy to mistakenly ascribe a future imperative
ouk ep artw monw zhsetai oJ anqrwpoV
not by bread alone will man live
Man shall not live by bread alone, AV. (as an imperative)
Man does not live by bread alone, NET.
(as a statement - more in line with Deut.8:3.)
Imperfective.
The verbal aspect of action in progress, usually represented by a present or imperfect tense.
Improper prepositions
A preposition never used as a prefix for a verb
Usually an adverb serving as a preposition, eg.,
ojpisw, adv. "afterward"
ojpisw + gen. "after", as a preposition
Inceptive.
Denoting the beginning of an action; "began to".
Indefinite.
Not referring to a specific person or thing
ti will often introduce an indefinite expression,
"a certain one, anyone" / "any, anything."
an, or ean, is often used to shape an indefinite expression, often + subj.
A relative pronoun + an, or ean:
"an independent relative clause which
makes a general assertion or assumption", BDF 380.1
oJstiV, "whoever"
o}V an + ind., "whoever" - the an is an unnecessary addition.
o}V an, ean + subj. = "whoever / whosoever".
Neut. "wherever / whenever"
oJsoi an + subj. = "whoever" -
Used to form an indefinite relative clause
(+ imperf. = durative action)
aiJtineV an indefinite pronoun with some particular functions:
Simple: "who, what"
Generic: "whoever, whichever"
Qualitative: "the very one who, the very thing that"
kan = kai ean, "if only, even just"
oJpou an + subj., "wherever".
Used to form an indefinite local adverbial clause.
Inferential:
oun is primarily inferential:
Drawing a logical conclusion: "so, therefore"
Establishing a logical connection: "so, consequently, accordingly."
men oun, "so then ..."
tote oun, "finally ..."
Sometimes oun is:
Resumptive, transitional, sequential; "now, then, subsequently, ....".
Common in John's gospel.
Responsive: Especially after a verb of exhortation.
Adversative, drifting toward concessive; "yet, however"
wJste is primarily inferential, "thus", but can also express:
Purpose - final, "in order that"
Result - consecutive
"with the result that", hypothetical result, "so that".
Comparison / likeness (wJV + te = "and so"), "likewise"
dia touto. Inferential, "therefore", rather than causal, "because of this".
See Discourse Grammar, Runge.
Infinitive:
An indeclinable verbal substantive with either verbal force or substantival force. There is disagreement among grammarians as to the classification of an infinitive with an impersonal verb such as dei, existin, dokei, etc. Traditionally the infinitive was classified as a substantive, subject of the verb, but they are often classified today as complementary.
Substantival / Nominal Infinitives:
As a substantive. Always singular, neuter, with or without an article.
Subject:
For me, TO LIVE is Christ and TO DIE is gain
emoi gar to zhn CristoV kai to apaqanein kerdoV
Subject of an impersonal verb:
dei luqhnai auton mikron cronon
It is necessary TO RELEASE him for a short time.
TO RELEASE him for a time is necessary
Direct Object:
An infinitive may form a nominal phrase or clause,
accusative direct object of a finite verb.
Complementary
Classed as a substantive object
A very common helper (completive) verb.
Completes the sense of verbs such as
dunamai, arcomai, boulomai, epitrepw, zhtew, qelw, mellw
Epexegetic / Appositional
An epexegetic infinitive limits a noun, pronoun or adjective
It limits by specifying or defining it
Dependent statements / object clause
An infinitive used to form an object clause to express content,
dependent on a verb of saying, thinking, or doing.
A dependent statement may also be formed by a clause introduced by
oJti + ind., iJna + subj., oJpwV + subj., eJwV, or a participle,
on rare occasions an optative.
See Dependent Statements / Object clause.
Adverbial Infinitives:
An infinitive may modify the main verb, or function as a verb
Purpose: Introducing a final clause
Expressing the the aim or purpose of the action.
Usually in conjunction with:
tou + inf. Genitive articular infinitive = purpose in Matt. Lk. Act.
tou mh + inf. = separation following a verb of hindering or stopping.
eiV to, proV to, wJste, wJV + inf. = purpose
Result; Introducing a consecutive clause
Expressing the results of the action of the main verb.
Usually in conjunction with:
wJste most common; wJV, en tw/. Rare
tou, (eiV to) proV to + inf.
Time: Introducing a temporal clause
Expressing the relative time at which the action took place.
Also in conjunction with:
Antecedent time. "before". pro tou + inf., prin + acc. + inf.
Contemporaneous time. "while, during" en tw/ + inf.
Note Heb.8:13, causal
Subsequent time. "after" (See Wallace p594) meta to + inf.
Future time. "until" eJwV tou + inf.
Cause: An infinitive may form causal clause
Expressing the reason for the action of the main verb.
Also formed by dia to + inf., or a dative article + inf.
[tw/, eJneken tou, + inf. Rare]
Imperative - Infinitive of Command.
An infinitive functioning as an imperative. Rare
Often formed by a iJna + subj. construction
to what we have already attained, LET US LIVE up to it
eiV oJ efqasamen, tw/ autw stoicein
Means (Instrumental).
Describes the way in which the action of the main verb is accomplished.
Is with or without an article, but usually en tw/ + inf.
Very similar to the verbal infinitives of purpose or result.
Translate "by means of / by"
to bless you BY TURNING
eulogounta uJmaV en tw/ apostreqein
Manner (Modal)
Absolute
An infinitive that stands alone in a sentence
It has no relationship with the sentence, cf. Phil.3:16, Rom.12:15
James to the twelve tribes in the dispersion. GREETING
JakwboV ... taiV dwdeka fulaiV taiV en th/ diaspora/ cairein
Ingressive.
Expressing the beginning of an action
Instrumental / Means
Describes the way in which the action of the main verb is accomplished.
en tw/ + inf. forms a instrumental clause.
A participle may form an instrumental clause expressing means.
May be introduced by an instrumental preposition, eg.,
en, dia, ek, uJpo
Intensive.
Indicating that the word has a heightened force, emphatic
Interjection.
An exclamation
Interrogative.
A word or phrase used to ask a direct or indirect question.
Formed by an interrogative pronoun, eg. tiv, posoV, poiV
Formed by an interrogative adverb, eg. pote, e{wV o{pwV pwV o{pou poqen
pwV. Introducing a direct, indirect, or rhetorical question
+ subj. where deliberation is implied,
ie., an unstated interrogative clause
Other uses include:
Modal expressing manner, "somehow, in some way, perhaps",
also eipwV, and mhpwV, "lest somehow"
Exclamation
Introducing a dependent statement
Expressing something ABOUT what is said.
mh or ara are used with a question expecting a negative answer
ou is used with a question expecting a positive answer
dia tiv. Introducing a question asking the reason for an action; "why"
iJna tiv. Introducing a question asking the purpose for an action.
Intransitive.
A verb whose action ends with the subject and does not "go over" to a direct object. It makes complete sense in itself. eg. "I run".
Iterative.
Repeated or habitual action
Linear.
Action that is continuous or durative
Litotes. (Meiosis)
A negated understatement used to state the opposite
a debate [of] no little [proportion] = a whopping big argument
zhthsewV ouk olighV
Locative.
Expressing location, place
Local Clause.
A clause expresses the locality where the action of the main verb takes place. "Where", "there".
A definite place takes the indicative mood;
An indefinite place,
some place, an + ind. past tense;
a place where the action will occur, an, ean + subj.
Local clauses may be introduced by: ou|, oJpou, oJqen, .....
Metonym.
The substitution of one term for another for which it is associated
Mediopassive Voice.
Of the three voices, active, middle and passive, the passive voice is often mediopassive, expressing a middle sense rather than a passive sense. So for example, the passive efobhqhsan, "they were afraid", expresses an internalised middle action.
Middle Voice.
Used when the subject is intimately affected by it's own action. Deponent verbs, such as decomai, were once viewed as middle in form, but active in meaning, but this is not how the Greeks viewed the action of such verbs. There are three ways to define the action of a middle verb: i] The subject is acting in relation to itself, or for itself, or by itself - ergazomai, "I work [for myself]", cf., 1Thess.2:9. ii] The subject is affected by the verbal action (see Rutger Allan) - ercomai "I go", the subject acts for itself. iii] The subject is internal to the verbal activity, eg., arguing, cf, Mark 9:33. So, middle form indicates middle function. In the middle voice there is an overlap of the active and the passive voice. It is like "the active voice in that the subject performs the action, but it is also like the passive in that the subject is affected by, or is the focus of the action", Sue Kmetko.
Modal clause.
Expressing the manner in which the action of the verb is carried out.
Participles commonly form modal clauses, rarely an infinitive
Modifier.
A word or phrase that qualifies or restricts another word
Negations.
With the indicative: ou - before a rough breathing ouc and before a smooth breathing ouk.
With other moods: mh. "If ou denies the fact, mh denies the idea", BAGD.
Neuter gender.
The gender things. Note that a neuter plural subject will often take a singular verb.
Nominal.
Nominal describes the usage of parts of speech in a sentence forming a noun, noun phrase, or clause functioning as a noun. Such words, or groups of words, can also be called substantives.
Nominalizer.
The use of an article with a phrase or clause to make it a noun phrase or clause to serve as the subject or object of a verb. An article is similarly used to make an adjective or a participle a noun.
Nominative Case:
The nominative is the case of specific designation, most often as subject, predicate, or in apposition.
Independent / hanging nominatives
Nominative Absolute
Functioning in the sentence without any grammatical connections.
eg. Titles, addresses, salutations
Pendent nominative
Linked to the rest of the sentence by a pronoun.
Identify by beginning the sentence: "With reference to ....
THE ONE WHO OVERCOMES, I will make HIM a pillar
oJ nikwn poihsw auton stulon
Parenthetic Nominative
The subject of an independent parenthetic clause
The sentence may or may not have a different subject.
There came a man sent from God; his NAME was John
egeneto anqrwpoV apestalmenoV para qeou, onoma autw/ IwannhV
Object.
A substantive that receives or is affected by the action of a verb.
Object / content clause.
A noun clause standing as the object of a verb of saying, thinking, effecting, striving, caring, fearing; usually introduced by an infinitive, or iJna + subj., sometimes oJpwV + subj. or oJti.
Object Complement.
The complement to the object in a sentence completes the verbal idea and so forms a double accusative construction, eg. "I named my son John." "John" is the complement of the direct object "son".
Parataxis.
Placed side by side
Paronomasia.
The placement of words together that sound alike
that in everything always all
so that by always [having] enough [of everything]
iJna en panti pantote pasan
Participle
A verbal adjective possessing some of the characteristics of a verb as well as an adjective
Substantival / Nominal Participle:
A participle functioning as a substantive, or a nominal phrase or clause
Independent substantive:
A participle, not accompanied by a noun, that functions as a substantive.
BELIEVERS (ONES BELIEVING) were added to the Lord
prosetiqento pisteuontaV tw/ kuriw/
Nominative Absolute (Hanging nominative):
A substantival participle functioning as a nominative pendens
the ONE WHO CONQUERS
oJ nikwn
Dependent statement of perception
A participle introducing an object clause
After verbs of feeling, seeing, or knowing
An accusative infinitive construction,
A clause introduced by oJti + ind. verb, or by iJna + subj.
Object Complement / Complementary:
Used to complement the direct object of a verb.
It usually predicates / states something about the accusative object.
With the direct object
it forms an object complement double accusative construction.
Adjectival Participle:
A participle that functions like an adjective (a verbal adjective)
Attributive:
A participle that describes, modifies, or limits a substantive.
The LIVING water
to uJdwr to zwn
Predicative:
An adjectival participle that predicates
ie., it asserts / states something about a substantive.
participle, substantive (anarthrous)... Participle emphatic
substantive, participle (anarthrous) ... Substantive emphatic
It may be differentiated from an object complement by the following:
Always anarthrous
Always in the nominative case.
Usually requiring a translation with an assumed verb to-be.
the word of God IS LIVING
zwn oJ logoV tou qeou
The distinction between the two classifications is often ignored.
Verbal Participle - verbal aspect is prominent:
Adverbial (Circumstantial) - forms a clause modifying a verb:
Time (Temporal):
Identifying the time when the action of the main verb is accomplished
Manner (Modal):
Identifying the manner of the action of the main verb.
Means (Instrumental):
Identifying the means or agent = "by means of"
Reason (Causal):
Identifying the ground by which the action is accomplished.
Condition (Conditional):
Identifying a condition on which the fulfilment of the main verb depends
Concession (Concessive):
Identifying a concession.
Purpose (final, telic)
Identifying the end-view intended by the main verb.
Result (consecutive):
Identifying the result (outcome) of the action of the main verb
Attendant Circumstance (Parallel):
Identifying an action that accompanies the action of the main verb.
An attendant participle takes on the mood of the verb it relates to:
eg., With an imperative verb the attendant participle is imperative:
poreuqenteV eJtoimasate
HAVING GONE prepare
"Go and prepare"
An attendant participle expresses a separate but related action to the main verb. Technically, in a statement like aithsaV ... legwn, "he asked SAYING", the participle "saying" is expressing the same action as the verb, and so should properly be classified as adverbial, modal, expressing the manner of the request. None-the-less, such constructions are commonly used to introduce direct speech and as such, are a product of Semitic idiom. A classification of redundant (pleonastic) attendant circumstance seems more appropriate.
"He asked SAYING"
"He asked and said"
"He asked."
Periphrastic: A round-about way of expressing a simple verbal idea
The verb to-be + an anarthrous (without the article) participle
The Periphrastic Present
present verb to-be + present participle
The Periphrastic Imperfect
imperfect verb to-be + present participle
The Periphrastic Future
future verb to-be + present participle
The Periphrastic Perfect
present verb to-be + perfect participle
The Periphrastic Pluperfect
imperfect verb to-be + perfect participle
Supplementary (Complementary / Predicative in Koine Gk.)
A classical classification not widely used today.
A participle that supplements the thought of the main verb.
An infinitive would usually perform this task.
They continued TO QUESTION him
They continued QUESTIONING him
epemonon erwtwnteV auton
Imperatival
Functions as if a finite verb in the imperative mood. Rare
It must be independent of the main verb to be an imperatival participle
Indicative Finite Verb
An independent proper / absolute participle . Very rare
HE HAD a name
ecwn onoma
Future Participle
A verb in the future tense with a participle ending. Very rare
Passive Voice.
With the passive voice, the subject is acted upon, or receives the action expressed by the verb. In the NT, the passive voice is often used of someone, or something, at the receiving end of God's action; this is known as a divine, or theological passive. It is also important to note that in NT Greek, a passive verb is often middle in sense; see Mediopassive Voice.
Pendent Nominative.
Similar to a Nominative Absolute, but, standing at the beginning of a sentence, it is taken up again in the sentence by a resumptive pronoun. eg. "The one who overcomes, I will make HIM a pillar". The pronoun takes on the syntax demanded of the sentence rather than that of the Pendent Nominative.
Perfect tense.
Usually stative, expressing an action in the past which continues, or is repeated into the present with an ongoing state or relevance. The aspect is determined by context:
55% are stative,
35% ongoing relevance,
10% indistinguishable from an aorist.
Forms:
Intensive. Emphasising the present results or state of a past action.
Extensive (Consummative).
Emphasising a past completed action from which has some abiding results.
Iterative. An extensive perfect where the past event was repeated.
those whom I SENT to you (in succession)
tina wJn apestalka proV uJmaV
Dramatic. The action is vividly portrayed in the present.
I GOT no relief
ouk eschka anesin
Gnomic. Describes a custom or generally held truth
a wife IS BOUND as long as her husband is living
gunh dedetai ef oJson cronon zh oJ anhr authV
Futuristic. The results of an action are still in the future.
the one who loves his neighbour HAS FULFILLED the law
oJ agapwn ton eJteron nomon peplhrwken
Allegorical (Perfect of Allegory, Moule p14.)
Expressing an Old Testament event that has contemporary significance
eg. Jn.6:32, Act.7:35, Gal.3:18, 4:23, Heb.7:6,9, 8:5
by faith HE HAS KEPT the passover
pistei pepoihken to pasca
Aoristic. Where resulted action is not present.
Perfect present tense.
Such stative verbs occurring in the perfect tense are read as present
oida, eJsthka, pepoiqa, memnhmai
Periphrastic construction.
A roundabout way of expressing a simple verbal idea, possibly used to emphasise verbal aspect - the verb to-be + a participle. On many occasions a participle will serve as a finite verb. Technically it should be classified as part of a periphrastic construction which is missing the verb to-be.
Perfective.
The verbal aspect of a completed action, mainly represented by the aorist tense. The verb may be weak or strong.
Periphrasis.
A roundabout way of speaking
Permissive.
A word or phrase that gives permission.
Phrase
A phrase consists of a number of words which make a unit acting as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. Unlike a clause, it does not contain a finite verb, but it may contain an indefinite part of a verb, such as a participle or an infinitive.
Pleonasm.
The use of a redundant word
Pluperfect tense.
Expressing a past state which issued from a previous action.
Intensive. Emphasising the abiding results.
Extensive. Emphasis is placed on the completed action.
Polysyndton.
The piling up of connectives for emphatic effect.
Postpositive.
A Gk. word that never leads a clause or sentence, eg. gar, de, .....
Potential optative:
Expressing a modest assertion; to tiV, "who .."
Predicate.
The verb plus its complements or modifiers
Pregnant construction.
A clause that carries an implied expression, eg. Lk.6:8
Stand into the centre = COME into the centre and stand here
sthqi eiV to meson
Present Tense.
Expressing linear action, not necessarily in the present.
Descriptive / Progressive. Action taking place at the stated moment.
Durative. Action commenced in the past and continuing into the present.
Iterative. Repeated action.
Tendential / Conative. Action being contemplated.
Gnomic. Action that always exists.
Historical. Past action graphically described.
Futuristic. Future action confidently expected.
Aoristic. Undefined action.
Perfective. Action in the present which commenced in the past.
Preterit.
Expresses action that occurred in the past
Privative.
A word with the prefix a serving to negate the word. Before a vowel = an
Proclitic.
A word that has no accent of its own, eg:
eiV, wJV, ou
Prodiorthosis.
An anticipatory correction of an expression or impression.
I wish you would bear with me in a little foolishness
ofelon aneicesqe mou mikron ti afrosunhV
Prohibitions
mh + present imperative = stop an action already in progress
mh + aorist subjunctive = stop the beginning of an action
Proleptic
Where a future event is spoken of as having already occurred because of the certainty of its occurrence.
lit. unless someone remains in me he WAS CAST OUT
whoever does not abide in me will be thrown away.
ean mh tiV menh/ en moi eblhqh
Pronoun:
A word which stands for, or in the place of, or instead of a noun. It refers to either the participants in the discourse or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse - personal, "he, she"; impersonal, "it"; indefinite, "who, whoever." The major classes of pronouns are as follows:
Personal - egw, "I";
Demonstrative - close, ou|toV, "this"; distant, ekeinoV, "that";
Relative - a pronoun referring back to an antecedent;
eimi o{ eimi
I am what I am.
Interrogative - tiv, "what?";
Indefinite - tiV, "a certain = anyone", tinoV, "someone";
Possessive (adjectival);
Intensive - autoV, "Jesus himself";
Reflexive:
eJmautou, "of myself", seautou, "of yourself", eJautwn, "of themselves";
Reciprocal - allhlwn, "of one another";
Note the personal pronoun autoV and the sense of the genitive by position:
tou stomatoV autou = "the mouth OF HIM" = "his mouth"
tou autou stomatoV = "the SAME mouth"
outou tou stomatoV = "the mouth ITSELF
A headless relative clause. A relative pronoun may introduce a clause where there is no expressed antecedent.
Proper prepositions
Prepositions that may serve as the prefix of a verb.
eg., ek as in ekballw
Prospective.
Pointing toward the future
Punctiliar.
Instantaneous or momentary action
Purpose.
See Final.
Questions.
A semicolon indicates a question, but they are not original to the text ;
Interrogatives will often introduce a question: tivV, ei, poioV, pote, pwV, ....
The negation ou in a question implies an affirmative answer, "Yes".
The negation mh in a question implies a negative answer, "No".
It may also imply a cautious and tentative suggestion, "Maybe".
A subjunctive is often used to express a deliberative question;
ton basilea umwn staurwsw
Shall I crucify your King?
qeleiV or qelete + subj. is used to express a doubtful question.
tina qelete apo twn duo apolusw uJmin
Which of the two do you want me to release to you?
oJpwV
This adverb of manner, "how", can sometimes be used to indicate an indirect question asking the manner in which the action may be played out, or + iJna to indicate the purpose of the request, but it also has other functions, eg., it can be used to introduce a dependent statement instead of an infinitive.
oJpwV + subj., an oJpwV + subj. serving to introduce a purpose clauses.
a]n + optative introduces an indirect potential question, cf., BDF #386[1]
dilaloun tiv a]n poihsaien tw/ Ihsou
Discussed what they might do to Jesus
ei is sometimes use to introduce an indirect question
Qualification.
Commonly introduced by plhn, "nevertheless, none-the-less" - implying validity
Recitative.
Direct or indirect speech. Often introduced by oJti, or an infinitive, sometimes iJna + subj., or oJpwV + subj.
Reflective.
Where the action of the subject comes back on itself
eJautouV "yourselves". But not it can be reciprocal, "one another"
Relative Pronoun.
Used to relate one substantive to another. It is often attracted to the case of its antecedent although treated as retaining its own case function.
The antecedent is often not expressed:
o}V ouk estin kaq uJmwn
He WHO is not against you
A neuter relative pronoun is sometimes used in place of a masc/fem when obviously not neuter:
o} gar apeqanen th/ aJmartia/
for HE died to sin
Semantic density
A condensed Greek text / Semitic "short-talk", often associated with a genitive requiring an expanded adjectival, or ablative translation.
Semitism.
A Greek linguistic feature that demonstrates a Hebrew or Aramaic influence
Solecism. A grammatical mistake
Stative.
The verbal aspect of a previous action with repeated or ongoing action, usually represented by the perfect and pluperfect tenses. The verb may be weak or strong.
Spatial / Spacial.
A local classification referencing an area of space, eg., the preposition en, when local, may express space / place (spatial) or sphere.
Subjunctive:
The subjunctive is the mood of doubtful assertions
Subjunctive constructions:
Hortatory subjunctive: Used to urge, encourage, ... an action
Subjunctive of prohibition: Used to forbid an action
Deliberative subjunctive: Used to ask a question - interrogative
Subjunctive of emphatic negation:
Used to strongly negate an action; ou mh + subj.
The subjunctive is commonly used in a full range of adverbial clauses:
iJna + subj. = Purpose, or result:
"in order that, so that", "with the result that"
an, ean + subj. = Condition
ean + subj. Concessive, "although"
oJpou an + subj = Indefinite local, "wherever"
eJwV, acri, ewV oJtou, ...... + subj. Indefinite temporal clause, "whenever"
Relative clauses
pronoun + subj.; "you SHOULD do ....."
Noun clauses, as a subject or object clause / dependent statement
iJna + subj.
mh + subj. after a verb of warning or fear, eg., "watch out".
Note, this is not a subjunctive of prohibition:
"watch out THAT no one leads you astray.
Subordination.
Where one clause is subordinate to another. Often a hina clause
Substantive.
A noun or anything that functions as a noun
A relative neuter pronoun is often used for an obvious substantive in a clause
Superlative.
The third degree of comparison - positive, comparative and superlative.
Synecdoche.
Designating the whole by reference to a part of the whole
in the heart of you = in your HEART = in your WHOLE BEING
en taiV kardiaiV uJmwn
Tautology.
Repetition of words and ideas that adds nothing to the sense.
Telic.
Expressing purpose.
Temporal Clause.
Expressing the relative time at which the action took place.
An infinitive, often + a preposition commonly forms a temporal clause.
See Infinitive, time.
oJte, wJV, eJwV (eJwV ouJ, eJwV oJtou), rarely oJti, iJna use:
Definite time: oJte or wJV + ind.
Indefinite time:
Present time: oJte + imperf.
"during the time when / "while", en w|/ / ef oJson; see Fink.
"Whenever", epan = epei an + subj.
Past time: an, or ean + aor.
Future time: oJte an + subj.
"From the time when / since", af ou|
Indefinite time up to / extension expressed by eJwV
Same time in relation to the main verb:
eJwV + ind., "while"
Past time in relation to the main verb:
eJwV + past tense, "until"
Future time in relation to the main verb:
eJwV an + subj., eJwV ou\, "until"
In the NT eJwV was beginning to replace oJti,
cf., 1Thess.1:9 to introduce a dependent statement.
eJwV proV, "as far as / to the neighbourhood of"
Other particles often replace eJwV, eg.:
acri, acri ouJ, acri hJV hJmeraV, mecri, mecriV ouJ
Adverbial participles often form a temporal clause
A genitive absolute participle usually forms a temporal clause.
Theological Passive.
A use of the passive voice when God is the implied agent.
Time:
Time can sometimes be deduced from the use of a perfective (punctiliar - aorist tense), or imperfective (durative - present tense) tense, but is more likely to be expressed by a dative, accusative or genitive:
Dative = punctiliar, a point in time.
Accusative = a period of time.
Genitive = durative, ongoing time.
Transitional.
The conjunction de is primarily used to indicate transition in an argument, narrative or dialogue / a step in the argument or narrative, ie., for the English reader it serves as a paragraph marker. Sometimes kai serves this function, especially in Revelation, as do temporal constructions such as meta tauta, "after these things." It seems likely that in the gospels the narrative / historic present tense often serves to indicate narrative transition.
Transitive.
A verb whose action does not end with the subject, but "goes over" to a direct object. It requires an object to make sense of it. eg, "I buy" = "I buy my vegetables".
Vocative case.
The case used for addressing someone.
Volitive Future.
A future tense used to express a command. "You shall ....."
Voluntative.
Expressing a wish or a prayer
Zeugma.
Two nouns or clauses joined by a single verb that only suits one of them
milk I gave you TO DRINK not solid food (can't drink solid food!)
gala uJmaV epotisa ou brwma
A note on the Genitive
In English, we tend to modify a substantive with an adjective, whereas in Koine Greek, influenced as it is by its Aramaic roots, an author will often use a genitive. These genitives are primarily adjectival; they limit a substantive by specifying it, describing it, qualifying it, defining it - they are particularising the substantive for us.
When it comes to classifying a genitive, we traditionally group them by function. A genitive may function to describe (Attributive, Attributed, General / Idiomatic), or to define (Epexegetic), or to qualify (Possessive, Relational, Partitive), it may express action (Verbal, either Subjective or Objective), or separation (Ablative), and even sometimes modify a verb (Adverbial). Other than a true ablative or an adverbial genitive, genitives function adjectivally, modifying / limiting a substantive.
Grammatical classifications are by nature arbitrary; they are always in a state of flux, with the tendency today to simplify. So, take for example the ablative of source / origin. Culy and company use the tag genitive of source for one of the possible classification of oJ logoV tou qeou, "the word of God" = "the word from / that comes from God" - a simple and uncomplicated classification. The ablative notion of separation may well be in mind here, which is why a classification of "ablative, source / origin", is often used, even though Wallace Gk. argues that ablatives of source, and also separation, are actually rare, and this because a true ablative carries an adverbial sense. Yet, for Koine Greek, even if the authors were to use a preposition like ek +, or apo + , "from", to express separation, an adjectival function is still often in mind, limiting a substantive like "God" by class or category; they want us to know what "word" is in mind. We may classify this genitive as possessive, "the word that belongs to God", "God's Word", or verbal, objective, "the word sent by / which is sent by God", but if we think the context implies source / origin, "the word from / that comes from God", these days I tend to classify it as descriptive, idiomatic / source, rather than ablative, source / origin.
Take for example the phrase thn tou qeou dikiosunhn, "the righteousness of God." This phrase does, in a sense, express separation, but the genitive is primarily functioning to limit the head noun "righteousness", specifying it, telling us something about the "righteousness" in mind, and so it is adjectival, either possessive, the righteousness that belongs to God" (possession of a derivative characteristic, "pertaining to God"), or verbal, subjective, "the righteousness bestowed by God", or descriptive, idiomatic / general (aporetic), "the righteousness from / that is from / which comes from God." Of course, this just reminds us that knowing the mind of an author, when they use a genitive, is fraught. Sure, "Jerusalem of Judea" is easy enough = "The city of Jerusalem situated in the province of Judea" (ie., descriptive, idiomatic / local), but "the righteousness of God", now that's a problem.
Often the question we face with a genitive of source / origin / agent is whether it is subjective, or ablative. This is usually determined by judging whether the substantive is verbal or otherwise. Yet, either way, it will limit the substantive, which is why a classification descriptive, idiomatic / source, rather than ablative, source / origin, and/or verbal, subjective, better reflect what the genitive is actually doing.
As for the classification "Idiomatic", it simply serves as my own personal cue to a descriptive genitive which Harris Gk. classifies as "General", ie., an adjectival genitive that builds out a general description of a substantive to specify / limit it. Some of these are more common than others and so have widely accepted classifications, eg., subordination, producer, content, local, ....., but for others, they are just idiomatic, ie., the author just drops in the genitive and says to us, "you know what I mean." Well! Everyone back then knew what they meant; it was just part of local idiom. For us, the idiomatic becomes somewhat of a guess.
Finally, the so-called verbal genitive, either subjective or objective. It too serves to limit a substantive, in this case an active noun, by specifying the action implied by the noun. With the subjective genitive, it is often hard to determine what is in the author's mind. Active or not, possession is the dominant idea, eg., orgh qeou, "the wrath of God"; does our author intend "the wrath exercised by God" (verbal, subjective), or "the wrath possessed by God as a derivative characteristic" (possessive)? I suspect possession is dominant. As for the objective genitive, it remains a classification with the potential to mislead. Sometimes, what may seem to be an objective genitive would be better handled as an attributed genitive.
A classic example of how an assumed objective genitive can mislead is dia thV pistewV autou "the faith / faithfulness of him (Jesus Christ)." The active noun "faith", when used with the genitive "him / Jesus Christ", is often understood as "a committal of oneself to Christ on the basis of the acceptance of the message concerning him", Burton, ie.,verbal, objective. This classification is doctrinally foundational: "Faith in Christ is the sole and sufficient means of justification", Fung, which statement, of course, is true.
The trouble is that pistiV in Gk. at the time, and in the Septuagint (the Gk. OT), didn't mean "faith / trust" directed toward someone, but rather "reliability / fidelity / firmness / faithfulness / trustworthiness." This sense seems also to dominate the NT, including Paul's letters. Although not widely accepted, it is more than likely that the "faith" here is actually generated by Christ (ie., a subjective genitive - see Wallace 115 who argues that the vast majority of personal or impersonal genitives with pistiV are subjective), or belongs to Christ (possessive), or generally describes Christ's character (descriptive). So, our right-standing before God rests on Christ's "faith / faithfulness" to the will of God expressed in his obedience to the way of the cross on our behalf, which faithfulness we put our faith / trust in.
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