Introduction to Nouns: Second Declension Chapter 4

Inflection A changing of the form of a word to allow it to perform different functions. Speak – Speaking – Speaks – Spoke – Spoken Child – Children She – Her The inflection of a noun is called a declension

In Greek, nouns must be inflected (declined) since word order doesn’t necessarily determine their function. In English, word order, along with the use of prepositions, determines a noun’s function in the sentence. In other words, English word order, etc., takes the place of Greek declensions.

Exception: Weird English English does have a few case endings only when showing possession (student’s, book’s, et al.). That is, a few English words are declined.

Word Order Examples He is your father. (Note that “He” is the subject because “He” precedes the verb.) English will, on occasion, allow a “Yoda” moment. Stung by the bee he was. But this is rare, unusual, and still requires a helping verb.

Continued... The father gave the book to the library. (Note that “library” is the indirect object because “library” follows the preposition “to”.)

Case, in a Greek noun, indicates the form of the word needed to express that noun’s relationship to the other words of the sentence.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Subject Function Possession Indirect Object Men see apostles. Example The homes of men God gave wisdom to men. AccusativeDirect Object Apostles see men. VocativeAddress Forward, men! Greek Cases

Subject? Direct Object? Case, in a Greek noun, indicates the form of the word needed to express that noun’s relationship to the other words of the sentence. Word order isn’t as significant as case. ajkouvei a[vvvvnqrwpoV qeovn. ajkouvei a[nqrwpon qeovV.

There are 3 declensions for Greek nouns. Each group contains nouns with the same pattern of endings. Stems end with o. They are mostly masculine & neuter. 2 nd Declension 1st Declension 3rd Declension Stems end with a or h. They are primarily feminine. Stems end with a consonant.

ku,rioj Nom Sng Masculine Gen Sng ku,riou ku,rioi Nom Pl Gen Pl ku,riwn ku,rioij Dat Pl Acc Pl ku,riouj ku,riw| Dat Sng Acc Sng ku,rion Voc Sng ku,rie a lord of a lord to a lord a lord Lord! lords of lords to lords lords 2 nd Declension Voc Sng ku,rioi Lords!

dw/ron Nom Sng Neuter Gen Sng dw,rou dw/ra Nom Pl Gen Pl dw,rwn dw,roij Dat Pl Acc Pl dw/ra dw,rw| Dat Sng Acc Sng dw/ron Voc Sng dw/ron a gift of a gift to a gift a gift gifts of gifts to gifts gifts 2 nd Declension Voc Pl dw/ra gifts

ajkouvei tevkna lovgouV oi[kw/. Neuter plural nouns regularly take singular verbs. I don’t know why; they just do, OK?

Other Uses of the Genitive & Dative ablative genitive –indicates source (“from a house”) locative dative –indicates location (“in a field”) instrumental dative –indicates means (“by a word”) dative of personal advantage –indicates what something is for (“for a man”) You just have to learn them by seeing them.... over & over & over & over & over, & by the way, over

Holy Crap! Something just like English! Copulative verbs “link” subject and predicate –I am he. Both subject and object are in the nominative case because the verb “to be” links them. eijmiv is a copulative verb. As a result, the subject and object should both be in nominative case. –eijmiv ajdelfovV (not eijmiv ajdelfovn)

Masculine Feminine We aren’t quite ready to decline the definite article (“the”). For now, you need to know the following: oJ hJ Neuter tov

Coordinating Subordinating Conjunctions kaiv – and, also, even dev – now, but ajllav - but Coordinating conjunctions connect parallel words or clauses. Subordinating conjunctions introduce clauses dependent on some other clause. kaiv...kaiv – both...and

Coordinating Conjunctions dev is postpositive. e.g., douvlouV blevyeiV, ajnqrwvpouV de; blevyomen. ajllav elides. e.g., eijmiv ajpovstoloV, ajll= uiJoiv ejste.

Greek Word Order The subject normally goes after the verb in NT texts. gravfousin uiJoi; lovgouV. Likewise, the genitive normally follows its noun. gravfousin uiJoi; ajpostovlou lovgouV.

When word order alters from these general cases, emphasis is usually intended. ajpovstolon blevpei a[nqrwpoV. It is an apostle a man sees. eijmiv qeou: dou:loV. I am God’s servant.

jIhsouV Nom Sng Example of Irregular 2 nd Declension “Jesus” Gen Sng jIhsou: Dat Sng Acc Sng jIhsou:n Voc Sng jIhsou: Jesus of Jesus to Jesus JesusJesus!