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Optative Mood

The Optative Mood

The mood of strong contingency or possibility. It expresses no definite anticipation of realization, rather, it only presents the action as conceivable.

The Volitive Optative (Wishes)

This use denotes a wish. It is the ordinary verbal form for expressing wishes and is the most common use of the optative.

The Potential Optative (Futuristic)

This use signifies what would happen on the fulfillment of some supposed condition. It is used in a clause which implies condition. The particle ἄν usually occurs with this use. It simply states that a thing could, or might be possible.

The Deliberative Optative

The Optative is used a few times in the New Testament to express indirect questions. This use involves ἔιν (third person singular of the Present of εἰμίv). Normally an indirect question is expressed by the Indicative; however, the Optative gives the question a more tentative and cautious tone.

The Conditional Optative

This use, using ἄν or εί, is related to the potential Optative. The condition of the Optative is part of the fourth-class conditional sentence. Either the είv in the protasis with the Optative or the ἄν in the apodosis with the Optative will be found, but not both at the same time.

The Optative in Subordinate Clauses in Indirect Speech

 

The Optative is used in clauses introduced by πρίν ἥ.

Optative Mood = Not Likely (Wishful)

Present

Future

1st Aorist

2nd Aorist

1st Perfect

2nd Perfect

Future Perfect

© 2017 Luther Walker | All Rights Reserved | This book or any potion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations […]

Optative Mood2023-12-11T12:17:26-08:00

Verb

The Greek Verb

The verb is the part of a sentence that expresses the action or state of being. Some verbs require an object to complete the sentence where others do not due to their inherent meaning. Transitive or intransitive is a characteristic of the verb, not expressed or modified by the voice. Transitive verbs take a direct object. Intransitive verbs do not need a direct object to complete their meaning.

Five Identifying Features of the Greek Verb

The Greek verb has five identifying features: Mode (Mood), Tense, Voice, Person, Number.

Mode (Mood)

Represents the way in which the action is perceived. Two viewpoints are expressed: that which is actual and that which is possible.

Tense

Identifies type and time of action. The kind of action is the principle idea involved with the Greek tense, whereas the time of action is secondary. Kinds of actions are continuous, occurring, and completed.

Voice

Indicates how the subject relates to the action or state of the verb.

Active

The subject is producing the action or state expressed by the verb.

Middle

The subject participates in or directly benefits from the result of the action or state expressed in the verb.

Passive

The subject receives the action or state of the verb.

Person and Number

Person and number determine the relation of the subject to the action of the verb. The verb will always agree with its subject in person and number.

Deponent or Defective Verbs

Deponent means “to lay aside” and defective is used to imply that a word has no active voice. However, both terms are inadequate to describe the use of a middle or passive in place of the active voice. The active form did exist; however, through use dropped off because the middle or passive voice by the nature of the word and its use became predominate. However, to say it has “laid aside” its active voice is incorrect and contrary to the history of […]

Verb2023-12-11T12:19:31-08:00

Biblical Greek Year 1 Lesson 2

Introduction to Verbs

Class Notes

Introduction to Verbs

A verb is a word that represents an action, occurrence, or state of being. Verbs are one of the fundamental building blocks of grammar in most languages. They are crucial for constructing sentences and conveying actions or states.

There are several types of verbs used to express action or a state of being:

  1. Action Verbs: These describe specific actions performed by the subject. Examples: run, jump, write, speak.
  2. Linking Verbs: These verbs connect the subject of a sentence to additional information about the subject. They do not describe an action. Common linking verbs include forms of “to be” (is, am, are, was, were), seem, become, appear.
  3. Helping Verbs (Auxiliary Verbs): These verbs are used with main verbs to form different tenses, moods, or voices. Examples: have, do, will, shall, can, may, must.
  4. Transitive Verbs: These verbs require a direct object to complete their meaning. Example: “She reads a book.”
  5. Intransitive Verbs: These verbs do not require a direct object. Example: “He sleeps.”

The Greek verb system is complex and encompasses various components, including tense, voice, mood, person, and number.

Tense (Χρόνος)

In the majority of the tenses the kind of action is the primary focus. Only in the Indicated mode is time absolute.

  • Present (Ενεστώτας): Indicates a continuous or repeated action in the present time (e.g., “I am loosing”). 1 John 3:9, Does not “habitually” sin.
  • Imperfect (Παρατατικός): Indicates a continuous or repeated action in the past (e.g., “I was loosing”). John 1:1, the Word was before any beginning.
  • Future (Μέλλοντας): Indicates an action that will occur in the future (e.g., “I will loose”). Matthew 16:18, I will build My Church.
  • Aorist (Αόριστος): Indicates action […]
Biblical Greek Year 1 Lesson 22024-10-02T14:36:13-07:00

Present Tense

The Present Tense Verb

The Kind of Action of the Present Tense:

The present tense primarily expresses linear action; however, depending on context can focus on a point in time.  With the Greek verb the time is secondary to the type of action; therefore, the present tense is not restricted to only expressing action going on in the present time. The time element is expressed by the mode more than the tense; however, the progressive force of the present tense needs to be considered regardless of what mode it is used with, especially the Subjunctive and Optative modes.

The Aoristic  Present

Denotes point-in-time action in the present time; taking place at the moment of speaking or writing without reference to its progress.

And Peter said to him, “Aenea, Jesus the Christ heals you, stand up furnish for yourself and he immediately rose. Acts 9:34

The Gnomic Present

Represents that which is assumed to be true at all times; simply affirming that something does happen under given circumstances.

The Historical Present

Portrays a past action as though it were going on at the moment it was written. It expresses vividness in dramatic narration where the writer can still picture the events in his mind as though they were still happening and he is still involved in them.

The next day John seeing Jesus coming towards him and said, “Look with discernment, the Lamb of God, the One taking away the sin of the world. John 1:29

The Futuristic Present

Pictures a future event, which is so certain to the writer that he writes of it as though it was already taking place.

The Descriptive Present

Represents an […]

Present Tense2023-12-11T12:19:13-08:00
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