Accusative Case

The Accusative Case

The case of limitation or extension.

The Accusative of Direct Object

The most common use of the Accusative is as the object of a transitive verb (a verb whose action passes over to the noun). This use is also described as the Accusative with Transitive Verbs.

The Adverbial Accusative

In this use, the Accusative limits in an indirect way. It functions as an adverbial modifier. It modifies a verb rather than serving as a direct object. It is sometimes referred to as “the Accusative of General Reference.” This is not very common in the N.T. except in the case of the pure adverb.

The Adverbial Accusative of Measure

The word in the Accusative indicates how the action of the verb takes place. It answers the question “how?”.

The Adverbial Accusative of Reference

The word in the Accusative indicates what the action of the verb refers to by answering the question “with reference to what?” This use also includes the Accusative of General Reference, i.e. a word in the Accusative used much like a subject with an infinitive.

The Cognate Accusative

In this usage, the verb and its object are derived from the same root. It is used sometimes for emphasis. Basically, it repeats and explains more fully the idea expressed by the verb.

The Double Accusative

Some verbs require two objects to complete their meaning. This use is really an expansion of the Accusative of Direct Object from one object to two objects. Sometimes it may even use three Accusatives.

The Double Accusative with a Personal and Impersonal Object

This is sometimes referred to as the Accusative of the person or of the thing.

The Double Accusative and a Direct and Predicate Object

This use […]

Accusative CaseLuther Walker2023-12-11T12:15:34-08:00

Dative Case

The Dative Case

The case of personal interest. It expresses the indirect object.

The Dative of Indirect Object

This use is closest to the root idea of personal interest. The one from whom or in whose interest an act is done is indicated.

The Dative of Advantage or Disadvantage

This use is very similar to the Dative of Indirect Object. The personal interest expressed by the indirect object is intensified. The Dative of Advantage indicates the person for whose benefit something is done. The Dative of Disadvantage indicates the person who will be adversely affected as the result of the action. “Against” will often be used in this translation of the Dative of Disadvantage, “for” the Dative of Advantage and “to” the indirect object. This is sometimes referred to as the “Ethical Dative”.

Dative of Possession

Personal interest is particularized to the point of ownership. There is no exact equivalent in English.

The Dative of Reference

The idea of personal interest is reduced to mere reference. This use deals mostly with things, though occasionally it may deal with people. it may be rendered “in the interest of,” “with reference to,” “concerning.” or “about.”

The Dative with Nouns

The Dative is used with nouns only where personal interest is expressed.

The Dative of Adjectives

When used with adjective, the Dative has the personal flavor just like it does with nouns.

The Dative with Prepositions and Adverbs

The Dative with prepositions and adverbs is rare in the N.T.

The Dative with Verbs

The Dative is most frequently used with verbs. The idea of personal interest is clear with many verbs.

The Dative with Intransitive Verbs […]

Dative CaseLuther Walker2023-12-11T12:16:03-08:00

Genitive Case

The case of definition or description.

The Genitive of Description

This use is closest to the root idea of the case. The genitive limits a noun much like an adjective. It falls under this classification when it does not fit any other. This use is also referred to as “the Attributive Genitive” or “the Qualitative Genitive.” It emphasizes kind.

The Genitive of Possession

The Genitive frequently defines, describes, and limits by denoting ownership.

The Genitive of Relationship

The Genitive may describe a person having some genital or marital relationship with another person. This relationship may extend to a household. In this usage the noun is omitted because it is clear from the context or it is well known to the recipients. The definite article usually occurs in the proper gender along with the Genitive of the person related.

The Adverbial Genitive

The Adverbial Genitive is used to describe, define, and limit as to kind of – time, place, general reference, and measure. The emphasis is this kind and not that kind.

Genitive of Time

Kind of time is defined. It may answer the question “what kind of time?” it is this kind of time in which something takes place, it is this time and not that time.

Genitive of Place

The kind of place is defined. The idea of contact is prominent. It may answer the question “what kind of place?” The emphasis is on kind, i.e. the kind of place within which an event takes place. It is “here and not there.” It limits to a kind of place. This use does not occur frequently in the N.T., since place is usually described by the Locative.

Genitive of Reference

The […]

Genitive CaseLuther Walker2023-12-11T12:16:23-08:00

Infinitive

The Use of the Infinitive

A verbal noun used in place of the verb to express more forcefully the action. The use of a definite article with the infinitive has no major effect upon its variations in use; rather, it restores the noun aspect of the word over its verbal characteristics. It also carries some grammatical significance in the natural use of the article with the cases and prepositions. As a result of its dual nature, the infinitive is one of the most widely used parts of speech in the Koine because it can perform a large number and variations of functions.

Verbal Use of the Infinitive

This aspect of the infinitive looks at its use within context by its verbal characteristics – its function in the sentence as a finite verb. Like a verb it uses voice and tense, takes an object, and is qualified by an adverb.

Purpose

The infinitive is used to express action that is denoted by a finite verb.

The purpose is expressed by:

The simple infinitive

The infinitive with τοῦ, εἰς, πρός, ὣστε, ὡς

Result

The infinitive is clearly used to signify results.

The result may be expressed by:

The simple infinitive

The infinitive with τοῦ, εἰς, ὣστε

Time

The infinitive is used as the equivalent of a temporal clause.

The infinitive with πρίν or πρίν ἥ is used to expresses antecedent time

The infinitive with ἐν τῶ is used to express contemporaneous time.

The infinitive with μετά τό is used to express subsequent time.

Cause

The accusative infinitive with διά is a very natural construction for the expression of cause.

Command

The imperatival use of the infinitive

Noun Use of the Infinitive

It has a relation to cases, can be accompanied by a preposition, used […]

InfinitiveLuther Walker2023-12-11T12:17:07-08:00

Nouns, Articles, and Cases

Nouns, Articles, and Case Endings

Case is determined by function, not form

In the Greek language, it is important to understand that the relationship of the noun to the other words in the sentence always governs the case. Hence, although Genitive and Ablative share the same endings, they are clearly distinguished within the context and function of the sentence. There are eight cases in the Greek language: Nominative, Genitive, Ablative, Dative, Locative, Instrumental, Accusative, and Vocative.

Vocative Case

The case of direct address.

The Nominative Case

The case of specific designation, the naming case.

The Genitive Case

The case of definition or description.

The Dative Case

The case of personal interest. It expresses the indirect object.

The Locative Case

The case of position or location.

The Instrumental Case

The case of means or association.