THE SECOND DECLENSIONTHE SECOND DECLENSIONLesson 4Lesson 4

By J. Gresham MachenBy J. Gresham MachenNew Testament Greek for BeginnersNew Testament Greek for Beginners

Declensions, order of words, Declensions, order of words, articles, nouns, gendersarticles, nouns, genders

24. Vocabulary24. Vocabulary

adelpho’s, ho, adelpho’s, ho, a a brotherbrother

‘‘anthrwpos, ho, anthrwpos, ho, a a manman

apo’stolos, ho, apo’stolos, ho, an an apostleapostle

doulos, ho, doulos, ho, a a slave, a servantslave, a servant

tha’natos, ho, tha’natos, ho, a a deathdeath

hiero’n, to’, hiero’n, to’, a a templetemple

kai, conjunction, kai, conjunction, andand

lo’gos, ho, lo’gos, ho, a worda word no’mos, ho, no’mos, ho, a lawa law oi’kos, ho, oi’kos, ho, a housea house huio’s, ho, huio’s, ho, a sona son dw’ron, to, dw’ron, to, a gifta gift

25. A note about declensions25. A note about declensions

In Greek there are three In Greek there are three declensions.declensions.

The second declension is given The second declension is given before the first for purposes of before the first for purposes of convenience, since it is easier, convenience, since it is easier, and has a large number of and has a large number of common nouns (Machen, 23).common nouns (Machen, 23).

26. Articles26. Articles

There is no indefinite article in Greek, so in There is no indefinite article in Greek, so in translations such articles (as translations such articles (as aa and and anan) are ) are added if necessary.added if necessary.

ADELPHO’S either means “brother” or “a ADELPHO’S either means “brother” or “a brother” (usually the latter).brother” (usually the latter).

Greek however has a definite article. Greek however has a definite article. Where the article does not appear in the Where the article does not appear in the text, the definite article must not be text, the definite article must not be inserted in the English translation.inserted in the English translation.

‘‘ANTHRWPOI simply means “men”; it does ANTHRWPOI simply means “men”; it does not mean “the men.”not mean “the men.”

Machen, 23. Machen, 23.

PROPERTIES OF THE NOUNPROPERTIES OF THE NOUN

27. Greek noun has gender, number 27. Greek noun has gender, number and case.and case.

28. GENDERS are masculine, 28. GENDERS are masculine, feminine and neuter.feminine and neuter.

29. NUMBER is plural and singular. 29. NUMBER is plural and singular. Verbs agree with their subject in Verbs agree with their subject in number.number.

30. CASES: Nominative, genitive, 30. CASES: Nominative, genitive, dative, accusative and vocative.dative, accusative and vocative.

28. Gender of Nouns28. Gender of Nouns

28a. Gender of nouns must 28a. Gender of nouns must often be learned by observation often be learned by observation of the individual nouns.of the individual nouns.

28b. Nearly all nouns of the 28b. Nearly all nouns of the second declension ending in -second declension ending in -os os are masculine.are masculine.

28c. All nouns of the second 28c. All nouns of the second declension ending in –declension ending in –onon are are neuter.neuter.

28.Articles indicate the gender 28.Articles indicate the gender of nouns. of nouns. hoho indicates masculine gender. indicates masculine gender. ho ho

‘anthrwpos‘anthrwpos means means the man.the man. hehe indicates the feminine gender. indicates the feminine gender. he he

alh’theiaalh’theia means means the truth.the truth. Note: The Greek letter Note: The Greek letter etaeta, above, is , above, is

substituted here with substituted here with hh, and has a , and has a long long ee sound. sound.

toto is the neuter gender. is the neuter gender. toto hiero’nhiero’n means the temple.means the temple.

29. Two numbers of nouns29. Two numbers of nouns

There are two number, singular There are two number, singular and plural.and plural.

Verbs in the Greek, like in Verbs in the Greek, like in English, always agree with their English, always agree with their subject in number.subject in number.

30. The Cases of Nouns30. The Cases of Nouns

There are five cases:There are five cases: NominativeNominative – for nouns used as – for nouns used as

subject.subject. GenitiveGenitive – showing possession or – showing possession or

the motion of separation.the motion of separation. DativeDative – for the indirect object. – for the indirect object. AccusativeAccusative – for the direct object. – for the direct object. VocativeVocative – used in directly – used in directly

addressing the person before you.addressing the person before you.

31. Second Declension of ANTHROPOS, 31. Second Declension of ANTHROPOS, man. Note: Nominative and vocative have the man. Note: Nominative and vocative have the same forms or endings.same forms or endings.

SINGULARSINGULAR Nominative: Nominative:

‘ANTHRWPOS, ‘ANTHRWPOS, a mana man Genitive: Genitive:

ANTHRW’POU, ANTHRW’POU, of a of a manman

Dative: Dative: ‘ANTHRW’PW, ‘ANTHRW’PW, to or to or for a manfor a man

Accusative: Accusative: ‘ANTHRWPON, ‘ANTHRWPON, a a manman

Vocative: Vocative: ‘ANTHRWPE, ‘ANTHRWPE, manman

PLURALPLURAL Nominative – Nominative –

‘ANTHRWPOI, ‘ANTHRWPOI, menmen Genitive: Genitive:

ANTHRW’PWN, ANTHRW’PWN, of of menmen

Dative: Dative: ANTHRW’POIS, ANTHRW’POIS, to or to or for menfor men

Accusative: Accusative: ANTHRW’POUS, ANTHRW’POUS, menmen

Vocative: Vocative: ‘ANTHRWPOI, ‘ANTHRWPOI, menmen

Uses of the casesUses of the cases

34. The nominative case34. The nominative case is used for is used for the subject of the sentence. Thus the subject of the sentence. Thus APO’STOLOS GINW’SKEI means APO’STOLOS GINW’SKEI means “An apostle knows.”“An apostle knows.”

34. The accusative case34. The accusative case is for the is for the object of the transitive verb. Thus object of the transitive verb. Thus BLE’PW LOGON means “I see a BLE’PW LOGON means “I see a word.”word.”

35.35. The genitive caseThe genitive case shows shows possession. Thus LO’GOI possession. Thus LO’GOI APOSTO’LWN means “words of APOSTO’LWN means “words of apostles” or “apostles’ words.”apostles” or “apostles’ words.”

Uses of the casesUses of the cases

35. Genitive35. Genitive has also other uses which has also other uses which must be learned by observation.must be learned by observation.

36. The dative case36. The dative case is the case of the is the case of the indirect object. Thus LE’GW LO’GON indirect object. Thus LE’GW LO’GON APOSTO’LOIS means “I say a word to APOSTO’LOIS means “I say a word to apostles.” The dative, again, has other apostles.” The dative, again, has other uses which you can learn by observing.uses which you can learn by observing.

37. The vocative case37. The vocative case is the case of is the case of direct address. Thus ADELPHE’, direct address. Thus ADELPHE’, BLE’POMEN means “Brother, we see.”BLE’POMEN means “Brother, we see.”

Uses of the casesUses of the cases

37. In the plural, the vocative 37. In the plural, the vocative case in words of all declensions case in words of all declensions is in form like the nominative. is in form like the nominative. The vocative plural may The vocative plural may therefore be omitted in repeating therefore be omitted in repeating paradigms.paradigms.

39. The declension of HUIOS, son 39. The declension of HUIOS, son (please see Machen’s, p. 25).(please see Machen’s, p. 25).

SINGULARSINGULAR N. huio’s, N. huio’s, sonson G. huiou, G. huiou, of a of a

sonson D. huiw, D. huiw, toto or or

for a sonfor a son A. huio’n, A. huio’n, sonson V. huie’, V. huie’, sonson

PLURALPLURAL N. huioi’, N. huioi’, sonssons G. huiwn, G. huiwn, of of

sonssons D. huiois, D. huiois, toto or or

for sonsfor sons A. huiou’s, A. huiou’s, sonssons V. huioi’, V. huioi’, sonssons

41. Declension of DWRON, 41. Declension of DWRON, TO, a giftTO, a gift SINGULARSINGULAR N. dwron, N. dwron, a gifta gift G. dw’rou, G. dw’rou, of a giftof a gift D. dw’rw, D. dw’rw, to to or or for for

a gifta gift A. dwron, A. dwron, a gifta gift V. dwron, V. dwron, giftgift In neuter nouns, In neuter nouns,

the nominative, the nominative, accusative and accusative and vocative have vocative have same endings in same endings in singular number.singular number.

PLURALPLURAL N. dwra, giftsN. dwra, gifts G. dwrwn, of giftsG. dwrwn, of gifts D. dwrois, to or for D. dwrois, to or for

giftsgifts A. dwra, giftsA. dwra, gifts V. dwra, giftsV. dwra, gifts In neuter nouns, In neuter nouns,

the nominative, the nominative, accusative and accusative and vocative have vocative have same endings in same endings in plural number.plural number.

42. Notes about DWRON, TO42. Notes about DWRON, TO

to dwronto dwron is a neuter noun. is a neuter noun. In all neuter nouns, of all In all neuter nouns, of all

declensions, the vocative, accusative declensions, the vocative, accusative and nominative in the singular and nominative in the singular number are the same. They all end number are the same. They all end in in –on–on (See above slide). (See above slide).

The vocative, accusative and The vocative, accusative and nominative in the plural number are nominative in the plural number are also the same. They always end in also the same. They always end in short short –a.–a. (see above slide). (see above slide).

43. Order of words43. Order of words

43a. The normal order of the 43a. The normal order of the sentence in Greek is like that of sentence in Greek is like that of English: Subject, verb, object.English: Subject, verb, object.

43b. Unlike in Latin, there is no 43b. Unlike in Latin, there is no special tendency in Greek to put the special tendency in Greek to put the verb at the end.verb at the end.

43c. Greeks however can vary the 43c. Greeks however can vary the order for purposes of emphases or order for purposes of emphases or euphony much more freely than euphony much more freely than English (Machen, 27).English (Machen, 27).

45. Exercises (please refer to Machen’s, p. 45. Exercises (please refer to Machen’s, p. 27). In this instance we now substitute omega 27). In this instance we now substitute omega with w, and eta with h.with w, and eta with h.

1. adelphos ble’pei ‘anthrwpon.1. adelphos ble’pei ‘anthrwpon. 2. doulos gra’phei lo’gous.2. doulos gra’phei lo’gous. 3. apo’stoloi dida’skousin ‘anthrwpon.3. apo’stoloi dida’skousin ‘anthrwpon. 4. apo’stoloi lu’ousi dou’lous.4. apo’stoloi lu’ousi dou’lous. 5. doulos lamba’nei dwra.5. doulos lamba’nei dwra. 6. lamba’nousin huioi’ oi’kous.6. lamba’nousin huioi’ oi’kous. 7. dou’lous kai oi’kous lamba’nousin 7. dou’lous kai oi’kous lamba’nousin

adelphoi’.adelphoi’. 8. ble’pomen hiera’ kai aposto’lous.8. ble’pomen hiera’ kai aposto’lous. 9. dou’lous ble’pete kai adelphou’s.9. dou’lous ble’pete kai adelphou’s. 10. grapheis lo’gon aposto’lw.10. grapheis lo’gon aposto’lw. 11. dida’skei ‘anthrwpon.11. dida’skei ‘anthrwpon.

45. Exercises (please refer to Machen’s, p. 45. Exercises (please refer to Machen’s, p. 27). In this instance we now substitute omega 27). In this instance we now substitute omega with w. The sound of w is long o.with w. The sound of w is long o.

12. adelpho’s le’gei lo’gon aposto’lw.12. adelpho’s le’gei lo’gon aposto’lw. 13. adelpho’s aposto’lwn ginw’skei no’mon.13. adelpho’s aposto’lwn ginw’skei no’mon. 14. douloi ginw’skousi no’mon kai lamba’nousi 14. douloi ginw’skousi no’mon kai lamba’nousi

dwra.dwra. 15. ginw’skousin ‘anthrwpoi tha’naton.15. ginw’skousin ‘anthrwpoi tha’naton. 16. lamba’nomen dwra kai ‘echomen 16. lamba’nomen dwra kai ‘echomen

adelphou’s.adelphou’s. 17. apo’stolois kai dou’lois le’gomen lo’gous 17. apo’stolois kai dou’lois le’gomen lo’gous

thana’tou.thana’tou. 18. ‘adelphoi kai dou’loi ginw’skousin kai 18. ‘adelphoi kai dou’loi ginw’skousin kai

ble’pousin hiera’ kai dwra.ble’pousin hiera’ kai dwra. 19. gra’phei apo’stolos no’mon kai le’gei 19. gra’phei apo’stolos no’mon kai le’gei

lo’gous huiois dou’lou.lo’gous huiois dou’lou. 20. huioi’ aposto’lwn le’gousi lo’gous kai lu’ousi 20. huioi’ aposto’lwn le’gousi lo’gous kai lu’ousi

dou’lous.dou’lous.

Translate:Translate:

1. A servant is writing a law.1. A servant is writing a law. 2. A son sees words.2. A son sees words. 3. Brothers are loosing servants.3. Brothers are loosing servants. 4. Sons take gifts.4. Sons take gifts. 5. An apostle sees a servant and a gift.5. An apostle sees a servant and a gift. 6. Servants and sons are saying a word 6. Servants and sons are saying a word

to a brother.to a brother. 7. We see gifts and servants.7. We see gifts and servants. 8. Men see words and gifts of a brother 8. Men see words and gifts of a brother

and houses of apostles and sons.and houses of apostles and sons.

Translate:Translate:

9. Words and laws we write to brethren; a 9. Words and laws we write to brethren; a word of death we say to a servant.word of death we say to a servant.

10. A son is seeing temples and houses.10. A son is seeing temples and houses. 11. Ye know death.11. Ye know death. 12. Thou takest an apostle’s gift (= a gift of 12. Thou takest an apostle’s gift (= a gift of

an apostle).an apostle). 13. Thou art writing a brother’s word to a 13. Thou art writing a brother’s word to a

servant.servant. 14. I loose servants and say words to sons 14. I loose servants and say words to sons

and brothers.and brothers. 15. A son sees death.15. A son sees death. 16. They know laws and teach servants of 16. They know laws and teach servants of

an apostle.an apostle.