Prepositions

Prepositions

A word placed typically before a noun or pronoun used in place of a noun and indicates the relationships of that noun or pronoun to a verb, an adjective, or another noun or pronoun.

Prepositions Used with One Case

Preposition	Case	Translation
ἀνἀ	Accusative	up, again
ἀπὀ	Ablative	from, away from
έκ	Ablative	from, out from (source), out from within
είς	Accusative	into, unto, with reference to, because of, against (hostility)
πρό	Ablative	before

Prepositions Used with Two Case

Preposition	Case	Translation	Case	Translation
άντί	Ablative	instead of- substitution	Genitive	Against (opposed to)
έν	Locative	in, with in, among (in the plural)	Instrumental	by (means of), with
μετά	Genitive	with (loosely associated with, accompanied by)	Accusative	after
περί	Genitive	about, generally concerning	Accusative	around (position); about (specifically concerning)
σὐν	Dative	together with (intimately)	Locative	with (close association)
ὑπέρ	Genitive	On behalf of, for the sake of, in place of (substitution)	Accusative	over, above, beyond
ὑπο	Ablative	by (direct agency)	Accusative	under

Prepositions Used with Three Case

Preposition	Case	Translation	Case	Translation	Case	Translation
ἐπί	Genitive	upon, on (Emphatic, contact), at, by	Locative	upon, on, at, over (position)	Accusative	upon, on the basis of, on the occasion of, against (oppression). Up to (without going over)
διά	Ablative	possibly – through (source)	Genitive	through (intermediate agency)	Accusative	on account of, because of
κατά	Ablative	down from	Genitive	down upon, against (contrary to)	Accusative	according to, with reference to, as measured by
παρά	Ablative	from (The side of)	Locative	by the side of	Accusative	beside, beyond, against, (contrary to)
πρός

PrepositionsLuther Walker2023-12-11T12:15:24-08:00

The Instrumental Case

The case of means or association.

The Instrumental of Means

Usually this use expresses impersonal means. It is closest to the root idea of the case. This use may be determined by the ability to use the words “by means of” or “by” in the translation. Sometimes “with” may be used in translation with the idea of association. (cf. The Instrumental of Agency below).

The Instrumental of Cause

This use expresses cause, motive, or occasion. It goes behind the intermediate means to the original cause or factor producing a result. It may refer to an external cause and thus a motive. This use is determined by the ability to use the word “because” in the translation.

The Instrumental of Manner

This use indicates the method by means of which the action is carried out. A circumstance accompanying the action of the verb is indicated. This use may answer the question “how?” or “in what manner?”.

The Instrumental of Measure

The Instrumental is used to express measure in comparative phrases. Two points of time or space are separated by means of an intervening distance. It is used chiefly with reference to time in the N.T. (The locative indicates a definite point in time. The Instrumental indicates two points separated by an interval of time.).

The Instrumental of Association

The word in the Instrumental indicates that person(s) or thing(s) which accompany or take part in the action of the verb. The key to this use is to find a second party who furnishes the means of association. It often occurs with compounds of σύν. This use, which is also refered to as the “Commutative,” occurs frequently in the N.T. It […]

Instrumental CaseLuther Walker2023-12-11T12:15:45-08:00

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.

© 2017 Luther Walker | All Rights Reserved | ISBN-10: 0-9993211-0-2, ISBN-13: 978-0-9993211-0-2 | 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 in a book review or scholarly journal.

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

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

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

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