Greek Grammar

Nouns and Verbs

Gender

Feminine - Masculine - Neuter

Number

Singular - Plural

Case

The case of the noun, identified by its morphology, indicates the function of a noun and its relationship to other words in a sentence 

Nominative Case

always identifies the noun performing the action of the verb (subject) “the dog chased the ball”

Two nominatives in apposition

the second noun further describes the first “Paul, an apostle”

Predicate Nominative

a noun equated with the subject “you are the Messiah”

Genitive Case

X-OF-Y, modifies or describes the head noun

Possessive Genitive

x belongs to y “sword of Peter”

Genitive of Relation

x is related to y “servant of the Lord”

Attributive or Descriptive Genitive

x is a quality of y “judge of unrighteousness” / “unjust judge”

Verbal Genitive

objective (→) and subjective (←)

Verbal Objective Genitive

The noun is receiving the action “blasphemy against/of the Spirit”

Verbal Subjective Genitive

The noun is performing the action “the coming of the Son of Man”

The Dative Case

often identifies the noun that is indirectly affected by the action of a verb (indirect object) “the teacher gave the students a lecture”

Dative of Reference/Respect

indicates the thing/person in reference to which something is presented as true “died [in respect to] sin” 

Dative of Interest

indicates the person interested in the verbal action; FOR WHOM?; for advantage (benefit) or disadvantage (harm)

Dative of Means/Instrument

indicates the means by which an action is accomplished “I went by bus”

Dative of Location

specifies the location of an action “appear in God’s presence”

Dative of Time

indicates the point in time of an action “heal on the Sabbath”

The Accusative Case

always marks the noun receiving the action of a verb (direct object) “the kids ate cake”

The Double Accusative

some verbs effectively take two direct objects, one a person and the other a thing “will teach you all things”

The Vocative Case

used in direct address “you foolish Galatians!”

Preposition

linking words like in, at, to, then; governs case of an object

Article

English equivalent of “the” or “a/an” but is singular in Greek. adj→noun. “good things out of the good” - used to conceptualise / identify things

Noun Cases

Genitive - Nominative - Accusative - Dative - Vocative

Types of Genitive Nouns

Possessive - Relational - Attributive - Verbal

Types of Dative Nouns

Reference / Respect - Interest - Means / Instrument - Location - Time

Verb Tense

Involves aspect* and time

Aspect

What kind of action?

Time

When is it happening?

Imperfective Aspect

ongoing, in progress

Perfective Aspect

not ongoing

Tense indicates time…

…only in the indicative mood.

Nouns involve

Case - Number - Gender

Verbs involve

Tense - Mood - Voice - Person - Number

Mood

The relationship of the action to reality

Indicative Mood

real action “I eat”

Subjunctive Mood

potential action “I may eat”

Imperative Mood

commanded action “EAT!”

Optative Mood

wishful thinking “may you be filled”

Present Tense

actually presently happening and ongoing “no one practices sin”

Aorist Tense

simple past time; past action carried out “our ancestors worshiped”

Imperfect Tense

continuous / progressive action in the past “they were going up to him”

Perfect Tense

states completed action with continuing results, w/o reference to change / progress “it is written”

Pluperfect Tense

stating an action already completed in the past “Lazarus was laid”

Future Tense

future action with perfective aspect “he will rise”

Voice

Is the subject acting or being acted upon?

Active Voice

Subject is acting “I throw”

Passive Voice

Subject is being acted upon “I am thrown”

Middle Voice

The subject somehow participates in the action “I throw myself” / “I speak on my own behalf”

Person

Who is the subject?

Me - You - She/He/It

1st - 2nd - 3rd

Number

How many subjects are there?

Singular - Plural

one - more than one