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

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

Locative Case

The Locative Case

The case of position or location.

Locative of Place

The Locative is used to express spatial limitations. It locates within a spot or an area. It occurs either with or without prepositions.

The Locative of Time

The Locative expresses time as a point of time, not as duration (the accusative case – extent of) or time within which (the genitive case- kind of time). Position is clear in that it indicates the time at which, i.e. at this point of time.

The Locative of Sphere

This use is often listed under the Locative of place. It is the figurative or metaphorical use. It locates within logically rather than within spatial or temporal limits. This use is used with nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

The Locative with Nouns

The Locative may occur with nouns.

The Locative with Verbs

The Locative may occur with verbs.

The Locative with Adjectives

The Locative may also occur with adjectives.

The Pregnant use of the Locative

The Locative is used where we would expect to find ei” with the accusative after verbs of motion or rest. In the N.T. it always occurs with a preposition. While the Accusative emphasizes extension, the Locative emphasizes location. This use is common in the N.T. with ἐν. It also occurs with πάρα and ἐπί with ἐν in composition.

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Locative CaseLuther Walker2023-12-11T12:15:54-08:00

Ablative Case

The Ablative Case

The case of separation.

The Ablative of Separation

The basic idea of the Ablative is that of separation. It is that from which something departs or is separated.

The Ablative of Source

The idea of origin or source is implied when a word in the Ablative implies the personal agent or means performing the action that is expressed by a verb, usually in the passive voice, or by the verbal adjective. Some refer to this as “the Ablative of Agency.” (Direct agency or ultimate source is usually expressed by ὐπό with the Ablative, intermediate agency by διά with the Genitive and means by the Instrumental with or without ἐν). The Ablative usually is used to express personal agency or means, while the Instrumental usually expressed impersonal means.

The Ablative of Means

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 Ablative of Comparison

Comparison implied difference, distinction or separation in degree. The Ablative may also be used with the superlative degree.

The Partitive Ablative

The Ablative is used to indicate the removal of a part from the whole. It is often used with έκ or άπὀ. The emphasis is on separation, while the Genitive emphasizes kind.

The Ablative with Prepositions

The Ablative with prepositions is very common in the N.T. in every occurrence the idea of separation is prevalent. The comparative idea is involved […]

Ablative CaseLuther Walker2023-12-11T12:16:13-08:00

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.