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Basics of Biblical Greek
Chapter 10
Third Declension
Exegetical Insight
A casual rst-century reader of the Fourth Gospel’s prologue (John 1:1–18)
would have little diculty understanding John’s description of the λόγος. As a
concept it was simple enough. Λόγος was the intelligible law of things. Ὁ λόγος
τοῦ θεοῦ was God’s transcendent rationality that gave the universe order and
purpose. A Hellenized Jew would quickly reach for a volume of wisdom litera-
ture explaining that God’s wisdom, his word (or λόγος), provided the universe
with its form and coherence. As such, ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ was foreign to human
ways, above us and distant from us, guiding us from afar.
John 1:14, on the other hand, would make any such reader pause in stunned
silence. “And the λόγος became esh (σάρξ) and dwelt among us.” Σάρξ is the
earthly sphere, the arena of human decisions and emotions, human history,
and human sinfulness (cf. John 1:13; 3:6; 17:2; etc.). John 1:14 contains the risk,
the scandal, and the gospel of the Christian faith: ὁ λόγος became σάρξ. The cen-
ter of God’s life and thought entered the depths of our world and took up its
form, its σάρξ, its esh, in order to be known by us and to save us.
This armation about λόγος and σάρξ is the very heart of our faith. God has
not abandoned us. No lowliness, no misery, no sinfulness is beyond God’s com-
prehension and reach. He came among us, embraced our world of σάρξ in his
incarnation, and loved us. It is easy enough to say that God loves the world
(John 3:16). But to say that God loves me, in my frailty and my faithlessness—
that he loves σάρξ—this is another matter. This is the mystery and the power of
what God has done for us in Jesus Christ.
Gary M. Burge
Overview
In this chapter you will learn:
the third (and nal) declension (stems ending in a consonant);
four hints for the third declension;
the full Master Case Ending Chart;
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95Chapter 10. Third Declension
Noun Rule 7, the “Square of Stops,” and the eect of σ on stops;
Noun Rule 8.
Introduction
10.1 Meaning. What is the dierence between the rst and second declen-
sion? Right. First declension words have stems ending in α or η. Sec-
ond declension nouns have stems ending in ο. And what declension
a noun falls into has no eect on its meaning. Regardless of whether
ἀπόστολος is rst or second declension, it still means “apostle.”
10.2 Function. Remember that all Greek nouns, regardless of their declen-
sion, function the same. Only their form may be somewhat dierent.
10.3 Nouns with stems ending in a consonant follow the third declension
pattern. This is part of the rst noun rule.
*σαρκ
+
ων → σαρκῶν
10.4 Final consonant and the case ending. When you rst look at a para-
digm of a third declension noun, you may think that it is totally dier-
ent from a rst or second declension paradigm. It is not! Because the
stem of a third declension noun ends in a consonant, that consonant
sometimes reacts to the rst letter of the case ending, especially if the
case ending begins with σ.
For example, the stem of the second declension noun λόγος is *λογο.
The nal ο joins with the nominative singular case ending σ to form
λόγος (*λογο
+
ς → λόγος). No problem. But the stem of the third declen-
sion word σάρξ is *σαρκ. The κ is united with the same nominative
singular case ending, and the combination of κσ forms ξ (*σαρκ
+
ς →
σάρξ).
While the ending of σάρξ may look dierent from that of λόγος, it really
isn’t.
10.5 Dierent case endings. The third declension uses three new case end-
ings, and two that are a little dierent. If you have been memorizing
the case ending with the nal stem vowel (e.g., ος and not ς for nomi-
native singular), you may want to go back and learn the true case
endings.
10.6 Four hints. If you can remember just four hints, these changes will not
be a problem. As you will see, the basic issue is what happens when a
σ follows a consonant.
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Basics of Biblical Greek
1. Because of the changes that take place in the nominative singular,
it is often dicult to determine the stem of a third declension noun
from the nominative singular form.
The solution is to always memorize the genitive singular form with the
lexical form. If you drop the genitive singular case ending (e.g., ος),
you will normally have the word’s stem.
The lexical entry σάρξ, σαρκός, ἡ shows that the stem is *σαρκ.
2. Whatever happens in the nominative singular (
ς
) also happens in the
dative plural. This is because the dative plural case ending (σι) also
begins with a σ.
*σαρκ
+
ς → σάρξ
*σαρκ
+
σι → σαρξί
3. A
ν
drops out when followed by a
σ.
*τιν
+
ς → τίς
*τιν
+
σι → τίσι
4. A
τ
drops out when followed by a
σ,
or if it is at the end of a word.
*ὀνοματ
+
σι → ὀνόμασι
*ὀνοματ
+ –
→ ὄνομα
In the case of ὄνομα (*ὀνοματ), it is neuter and does not use a case
ending in the nominative or accusative singular. That is why the τ
is at the end of the stem but then drops o because there is no case
ending.
This is a slight simplication of the situation, but if you can remember
these four hints, the rest of the third declension is easy to learn.
Since Greek has only three declensions, once you understand them you
will be familiar with all the basic noun paradigms in the New Testa-
ment. So work on these and you are well on your way toward success.
A Walk Through
10.7 Following is the paradigm of a third declension noun: σάρξ (*σαρκ). As
always, the case endings are in blue. Don’t be frightened; σάρξ has only
three case endings you have not seen, and two other endings similar to
those you already know. At this point, don’t try to memorize the case
endings; just see how they work. The paradigms of λόγος and γραφή are
given for comparison.
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nom sg *σαρκς → σάρξ λόγος γραφή
gen sg *σαρκος → σαρκός λόγου γραφῆς
dat sg *σαρκι → σαρκί λόγω/ γραφῆ/
acc sg *σαρκα → σάρκα λόγον γραφήν
nom pl *σαρκες → σάρκες λόγοι γραφαί
gen pl *σαρκων → σαρκῶν λόγων γραφῶν
dat pl *σαρκσι(ν) → σαρξί(ν) λόγοις γραφαῖς
acc pl *σαρκας → σάρκας λόγους γραφάς
Let’s walk through this paradigm so you can see how easy it is.
σάρξ. The normal nominative singular case ending is ς. When you add
it to this stem, the κσ combination is rewritten as ξ. σαρκ
+
ς → σάρξ.
σαρκός. ος is a new ending, but it is easy to remember. The genitive
singular case ending for rst declension nouns is σ (e.g., γραφῆς), and
for second declension nouns it actually is ο (which contracts with the
nal stem vowel to form ου, *λογο
+
ο → λόγου). Put ο and σ together,
and you have the case ending for the third declension: ος. σαρκ
+
ος →
σαρκός.
1
σαρκί. The dative singular case ending is the same as for the other
declensions: ι. But because a third declension stem ends in a consonant
and not a long vowel, the ι cannot subscript. σαρκ
+
ι → σαρκί.
σάρκα. The accusative singular case ending is dierent for the third
declension: α. σαρκ
+
α → σάρκα.
σάρκες. The nominative plural case ending is dierent for the third
declension: ες. σαρκ
+
ες → σάρκες.
σαρκῶν. As always, the genitive plural case ending is beautifully con-
sistent: ων. σαρκ
+
ων → σαρκῶν.
σαρξί. The dative plural case ending for a third declension noun is the
exact opposite of the rst and second declension (ις) and sometimes
includes the movable nu: σι(ν). Because it begins with a σ, whatever
change we see in the nominative singular also appears here. σαρκ
+
σι(ν) → σαρξί(ν).
σάρκας. The accusative plural case ending is dierent for the third
declension: ας. σαρκ
+
ας → σάρκας. Do not confuse this with a rst
declension word where the α is part of the stem (γραφάς), although the
similarity may help you remember the case ending.
1
How will you not become confused and think that σαρκός is a nominative singular
masculine from a second declension word, σαρκός? Vocabulary memorization! The lexi-
cal form is σάρξ, not σαρκός.
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Basics of Biblical Greek
10.8 There! That wasn’t very dicult, was it? There are only three new end-
ings (ος, α, ες), and two that are similar (σι[ν], ας). You now know all the
major case endings. Congratulations! Let’s work through the formal
presentation of the third declension.
Forms
10.9 Third declension words are categorized according to the last consonant
of the word’s stem. Below you will nd the σάρξ paradigm and then
two more paradigms of third declension words: stems ending in ματ
(149 words in the New Testament) and stems ending in ν (77 words).
Read through the paradigm and footnotes so you can see why the
forms do what they do. Don’t bother with memorizing until 10.14.
10.10 κ stem ματ stem ν stem
*σαρκ *ονοματ *τιν
nom sg σάρξ ὄνομα
2
τίς
3
gen sg σαρκός ὀνόματος τίνος
dat sg
4
σαρκί ὀνόματι τίνι
acc sg σάρκα ὄνομα
5
τίνα
nom pl σάρκες ὀνόματα
6
τίνες
gen pl σαρκῶν ὀνομάτων τίνων
dat pl
7
σαρξί(ν) ὀνόμασι(ν) τίσι(ν)
acc pl: σάρκας ὀνόματα τίνας
2
No ending is used and the nal consonant of the stem, which is a τ, drops out
because a τ cannot stand at the end of a word (hint #4, 10.6).
3
ν drops out before σ (hint #3, 10.6).
4
The ι does not subscript in the third declension as it does in the rst and second. This
is because ι can subscript only under a long vowel.
5
All nouns ending in μα are neuter. This is one of the few consistent patterns in the
third declension. Like all neuter nouns, the nominative and accusative endings are
identical.
6
The way to tell the dierence between this form and the nominative singular is to see
if the whole stem is present (e.g., *ονοματ). If it is (ὀνόματα), then you are in the plural; if
not (ὄνομα), then you are in the singular.
7
Whatever change you see in the nominative singular is also present in the dative
plural because both case endings begin with σ (hint #2,10.6). The case ending is σι, the
reverse of the rst and second declension ending. The ν in parentheses after every form
is a movable nu.
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99Chapter 10. Third Declension
10.11 The word τίς (with accent) is the interrogative pronoun (e.g., “who?”).
The word τις (without accent) is the indenite pronoun (e.g., “any-
one”). Both are formed from the same stem, *τιν. The masculine and
feminine are identical in form, and all genders are third declension.
The change in the nominative singular is explained by the fact that ν
drops out when followed by a σ. *τιν
+
ς → τίς (hint #3, 10.6).
masc & fem neut masc & fem neut
nom sg τίς τί τις τι
gen sg τίνος τίνος τινός τινός
dat sg τίνι τίνι τινί τινί
acc sg τίνα τί τινά τι
nom pl τίνες τίνα τινές τινά
gen pl τίνων τίνων τινῶν τινῶν
dat pl τίσι(ν) τίσι(ν) τισί(ν) τισί(ν)
acc pl τίνας τίνα τινάς τινά
τίς is always accented on its rst syllable. τις is either not accented or is
accented on its last syllable (the “ultima”).
10.12 The word εἷς is an adjective meaning “one.” The stem of the masculine
and neuter is *ἑν, and the feminine is the rst declension *μια. In the
nominative singular the ν drops out before the σ (hint #3, 10.6), and the
stem vowel ε lengthens to ει (*ἑν
+
ς → ες → εἷς).
masc fem neut
nom sg εἷς μία ἕν
gen sg ἑνός μιᾶς ἑνός
dat sg ἑνί μιᾶ/ ἑνί
acc sg ἕνα μίαν ἕν
Notice that this word has a rough breathing in the masculine and neu-
ter. This will help dierentiate it from the prepositions εἰς and ἐν.
8
10.13 In the rst and second declensions, the masculine and feminine are
often dierent in form. In the third declension, however, they are usu-
ally similar. In the nominative and accusative, the masculine and neu-
ter are usually dierent.
8
Why is there no plural to this word? I only ask this because I asked this question in
my rst-year Greek class and then felt silly when I heard the answer.
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Basics of Biblical Greek
Halftime Review
Third declension words have stems ending in a consonant. Always memo-
rize the genitive singular so you can see the stem.
When the nal consonant of the stem is joined with the case endings,
sometimes the consonant is changed. This generally aects nominative sin-
gular and dative plural.
The four hints:
Memorize the genitive singular form with the lexical form.
Whatever happens in the nominative singular (ς) also happens in
the dative plural (σι).
ν and τ drop out before a σ (hints #3 and #4).
Third declension words use three dierent case endings (ος, α, ες) and two
somewhat dierent (σι, ας).
Characteristics of Third Declension Nouns
10.14 Master Case Ending Chart. My recommendation is not to memorize
the previous paradigms, but to memorize the case endings in this chart
and see how the case endings appear when attached to a noun. Study
them carefully, note what they have in common, and especially what
they have in common with the rst and second declensions. There are
other subpatterns within the third declension; but if you know these,
the rest are relatively easy to recognize.
The rst chart shows the true case endings. The second shows what the
endings look like when attached to the nal stem vowel.
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101Chapter 10. Third Declension
rst/second declension third declension
masc fem neut masc/fem neut
nom sg
ς – ν ς
–
a
gen sg
υ
b
ς υ ος ος
dat sg
ι
c
ι ι
ι
d
ι
acc sg
ν ν ν
α / ν
e
–
nom pl
ι ι α ες
α
f
gen pl
ων ων ων ων ων
dat pl
ις ις ις
σι(ν)
g
σι(ν)
acc pl
υς
h
ς α
ας
i
α
masc fem neut masc/fem neut
nom sg
ος α η ον
ς –
–
gen sg
ου ας ης ου ος ος
dat sg
ῳ ᾳ ῃ ῳ ι ι
acc sg
ον αν ην ον α / ν –
nom pl
οι αι α ες α
gen pl
ων ων ων ων ων
dat pl
οις αις οις
σι(ν) σι(ν)
acc pl
ους ας α ας α
a
Be prepared for the nal stem letter to undergo changes (rule 8).
b
The ending is actually ο, which contracts with the nal stem vowel and forms ου (rule 5).
c
The vowel lengthens (rule 5) and the ι subscripts (rule 4).
d
Because third declension stems end in a consonant, the ι cannot subscript as it does in the rst
and second declensions; it remains on the line (“adscript”).
e
On some words the case ending alternates between α and ν.
f
As opposed to the rst and second declensions, this α is an actual case ending and not a
changed stem vowel. This is also true in the accusative plural.
g
The ν is a movable nu. Notice that the ending σι is a ipped version of ις found in the rst and
second declensions.
h
The actual case ending for the rst and second declension is νς, but the ν drops out because of
the following σ. In the rst declension the α simply joins with the σ (*ωρα + νς → ὥρας), but in the
second declension the nal stem ο lengthens to ου (rule 5; λογονς → λογος → λόγους).
i
As opposed to the rst declension (e.g., ὥρα), the α here is part of the case ending.
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Basics of Biblical Greek
10.15 Gender. The gender of third declension words can be dicult to deter-
mine because the inectional patterns are not as distinct as those in the
rst and second declensions. Therefore, you must memorize the gen-
der of every word.
There are, however, a few patterns. In this chapter you will meet stems
ending in ματ (e.g., ὄνομα, ματος, τό). All ματ stems are neuter.
10.16 The article. The article becomes especially important now. Even
though a noun itself changes its form, the article always remains the
same. τῷ will always be τῷ whether the noun it modies is rst, sec-
ond, or third declension. Most nouns are modied by the article, which
makes it easy to determine the noun’s gender.
Square of Stops
10.17 A stop is a consonant whose sound is formed by slowing down or
completely stopping the ow of air through the mouth.
10.18 “Stops” are broken down into three classications.
Labial. π, β, and φ are formed by using the lips to impede the air
ow momentarily. Try to say π without letting your lips touch.
Velar. κ, γ, and χ are formed by pushing up the middle of the
tongue against the soft part of the roof of the mouth.
9
Dental. τ, δ, and θ are formed by clicking the tongue against the
back of the teeth.
10
10.19 Rule 7. Square of Stops. The seventh of the eight noun rules is this chart.
Be sure to memorize it exactly. Not only should you be able to repeat it
left to right but also top to bottom.
stop unvoiced voiced aspirate
Labial π β φ
Velar κ γ χ
Dental τ δ θ
9
Some people use the term “palatals” to describe these three consonants because the
soft part of the mouth’s roof is the palate.
10
Actually, it is not the teeth but the alveolar ridge behind the teeth that is used, but the
word “teeth” is easier for most to associate with “dental.”
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103Chapter 10. Third Declension
π, κ, and τ are “unvoiced” because the voice box is not used in their
pronunciation.
β, γ, and δ are “voiced” because the voice box is used. (Place your
ngers on your voice box and pronounce these letters. You will feel
it vibrate when you say the voiced stops.)
The nal column of stops, φ, χ, and θ, technically are not stops but
“aspirates” because the air ow is only slowed down. However,
because they t into the pattern, it is easier to view them as stops.
The rough breathing is also an aspirate.
The chart is important because the stops behave in a consistent man-
ner. Whatever happens to a stem ending in τ also happens to a stem
ending in δ, because τ and δ are both dentals. If you learn the chart,
you will often be able to predict what is going to happen. This is much
easier than memorizing dierent paradigms. This same Square of
Stops will also be important when we study verbs, so a little time spent
here saves hours of frustration later.
10.20 Stops plus σ. Whenever a stop and a σ come into contact, the results
are predictable. Learn these changes well because you will encounter
them often.
Labial
+
σ → ψ
Velar
+
σ → ξ
Dental
+
σ → σ
*σαρκ
+
σ → σάρξ
*σκολοπ
+
σ → σκόλοψ
11
*ὀνοματ
+
σ → ὀνόμασι
12
10.21 Rule 8. A
τ
cannot stand at the end of a word and will drop o. For example,
the stem of the word for “name” is *ὀνοματ. No case ending is used in
the nominative singular and the nal τ drops o.
*ὀνοματ
+
– → ὄνομα
This is the nal rule for case endings. You know all eight. They are
listed in the appendix, page 422.
11
There are only seven nouns in the New Testament whose stems end in π, but many
stems end in κ or τ.
12
Technically, the dental forms a σ and the double σ simplies to a single σ (*ὀνοματ
+
σι → ὀνομασσι → ὀνόμασι).
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Basics of Biblical Greek
πᾶς
10.22 The word πᾶς is a 3-1-3
13
adjective and is often used as the paradig-
matic word for the third declension. The stem of the word is *παντ,
which in the feminine is altered to *πασα.
14
Armed with this knowledge
and the rules in this chapter, you should be able to write out the entire
paradigm for this word without looking below. Try it. If you can, you
are doing well.
3 1 3
masc fem neut
nom sg πᾶς
15
πᾶσα πᾶν
16
gen sg παντός πάσης
17
παντός
dat sg παντί πάση/ παντί
acc sg πάντα πᾶσαν πᾶν
nom pl πάντες πᾶσαι πάντα
gen pl πάντων πασῶν πάντων
dat pl πᾶσι(ν)
18
πάσαις πᾶσι(ν)
acc pl πάντας πάσας πάντα
If you like to memorize paradigms, this is the one! Not only does it
show the rst and third declension, but it is key for learning participles
(chapter 26).
10.23 Because πᾶς is an adjective, it can function substantivally. When it does,
it may require an additional word like “people” or “things.” But unlike
other adjectives, πᾶς usually is in the predicate position when modify-
ing a noun.
πᾶς ὁ ἄνθρωπος means “every man.”
13
“3-1-3” means the masculine and neuter follow the third declension, while the femi-
nine follows the rst declension. See 10.24.
14
For you who are interested in advanced morphology, it is altered because a conso-
nantal iota (20.24) was added to form the feminine stem, and ντ
+
consonantal iota form
σα (see MBG on πᾶς).
15
The ντ drops out before σ.
16
No case ending is used, and a τ cannot stand at the end of a word so it drops o.
17
Do you remember the rule governing the nal stem vowel in the genitive and dative
singular? If a rst declension word has a stem ending in α where the preceding letter is
ε, ι, or ρ, it will form the genitive and dative with α. Otherwise, the α shifts to η.
18
The ντ drops out before σ; also in the dative plural neuter.
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105Chapter 10. Third Declension
Categories
10.24 Adjectives fall into four categories, depending on which declension
they follow and whether the masculine and feminine forms are the
same or dierent. The masculine and neuter always follow the same
declension. You met the 2-1-2 and 2-2 patterns in chapter 9.
category masculine feminine neuter example
2-1-2 2 declension 1 declension 2 declension ἀγαθός, ή, όν
3-1-3 3 declension 1 declension 3 declension πᾶς, πᾶσα, πᾶν
2-2 2 declension 2 declension 2 declension αἰώνιος, αἰώνιον
3-3 3 declension 3 declension 3 declension τίς, τί
Article
10.25 There are two special situations concerning the translation of the
article.
The article in Greek is much more than just the word “the.” It is a
“weak demonstrative,” which means it can function as a demonstra-
tive (“that”), a relative (“who”), or even a personal pronoun (“he,”
“she,” “one”), depending upon the needs of the context. You will usu-
ally have to add a word to your translation to help, such as “who” or
“which.” Let the context determine which is appropriate.
When you nd the phrase ὁ δέ, the article is usually functioning as a
personal pronoun, “but he.”
ὁ δὲ ὀπίσω μου ἐρχόμενος ἰσχυρότερός μού ἐστιν (Matt 3:11).
But he who is coming after me is mightier than I.
10.26 Sometimes you will nd the article before a prepositional phrase. I
mentioned this at 9.15.
λαμπεῖ πᾶσιν τοῖς ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ (Matt 5:15).
It gives light to all who are in the house.
The article is showing that the following prepositional phrase (ἐν τῇ
οἰκίᾳ) is in an attributive relationship to πᾶσιν. It is the same type of
relationship that we have seen with adjectives: “article-noun-article-
modier,” only here the modier is a prepositional phrase.
In order to translate this construction, you will normally turn the prep-
ositional phrase into a relative clause and supply whatever words are
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Basics of Biblical Greek
necessary (“who are in the house” in the example above). The article
will be in the same case, number, and gender as the word it modies.
Summary
1. Words whose stems end in a consonant use third declension case endings.
2. The hints:
Memorize the genitive singular form with the lexical form; drop
the case ending from the genitive singular to nd the stem.
Whatever happens in the nominative singular (ς) also happens in
the dative plural (σι).
ν and τ drop out before a σ, and τ at the end of a word.
3. To remember the gender of a third declension noun, memorize its lexical
form with the article. To remember the stem of a third declension noun,
memorize its genitive form as well as the stem itself.
4. Memorize the Master Case Ending Chart perfectly.
5. Rule 7: The Square of Stops (including what happens when σ is added).
stop unvoiced voiced aspirate σ
Labial π β φ ψ
Velar κ γ χ ξ
Dental τ δ θ σ
6. Rule 8: A τ cannot stand at the end of a word and will drop o.
7. ὁ δέ can be translated “but he,” and the article before a prepositional
phrase is probably signaling that the prepositional phrase is an attributive
construction.
8. πᾶς is a paradigmatic word for grammar yet to come (participles), so learn
it well.
Be encouraged! You now know all three declensions and almost all noun forms.
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107Chapter 10. Third Declension
Vocabulary
Be sure to memorize the nominative, genitive (and hence the stem), and the
article for each third declension noun.
εἰ if (502)
This is not the same as εἶ, which means “you are.”
Watch the accents carefully, because εἰ does not
have its own accent. Like ἐάν, εἰ always introduces
a dependent clause, and therefore you will not
nd the main subject or verb of the sentence in the
εἰ clause.
εἰ μή except; if not (86)
These two words together can form an idiom (see
below) meaning “except.” Other times they are
best translated “if not.” εἰ μή often introduces a
dependent clause.
An “idiom” is a phrase that does not have the
same meaning as the sum of its parts. When
looking at the meaning of each word in the idiom,
you can seldom nd the meaning of the idiomatic
phrase.
εἷς, μία, ἕν *ἑν / *μια (345)
19
one
ἤδη now, already (61)
ὄνομα, –ατος, τό *ὀνοματ (230)
20
name; reputation
οὐδείς, οὐδεμία, οὐδέν οὐ(δε) + *ἑν / *μια (227)
no one, none, nothing
The second half of this word declines just like
εἷς.
πᾶς, πᾶσα, πᾶν *παντ / *πασα (1,243)
21
singular: each, every
plural: all
19
A hendiadys is a gure of speech in which two nouns describe one thing. It is from
the phrase ἓν διὰ δυοῖν, meaning “one thing by means of two.” Henotheism is the belief in
one God while allowing for the existence of other gods.
20
Onomatopoeia (ὀνοματοποιία) is when the name of a word sounds like its meaning,
such as “bang” and “whisper.”
21
Pantheism is the belief that God is in all things.
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108
Basics of Biblical Greek
περί gen: concerning, about (333)
22
acc: around
σάρξ, σαρκός, ἡ *σαρκ (147)
23
esh; body
σύν dat: with (128)
24
σῶμα, –ατος, τό *σωματ (142)
25
body
τέκνον, –ου, τό *τεκνο (99)
26
child; descendant
τίς, τί *τιν (555)
who? what? which? why?
When this word means “why?” it will be in the
neuter (τί).
τις, τι *τιν (525)
someone/thing; certain one/thing; anyone/thing
Total word count in the New Testament: 138,148
Number of words learned to date: 102
Number of word occurrences in this chapter: 4,623
Number of word occurrences to date: 78,667
Percent of total word count in the New Testament: 56.94%
It is common for students at this point to stop memorizing vocabulary because
there is so much grammar to learn. Even if you are struggling with grammar,
be sure to stay up with your vocabulary, and be sure you are reviewing. How
well you know the grammar serves little purpose (or has little value) if you do
not know what the words mean; you will not be able to translate a passage. So
hang in there; the remaining noun chapters are much easier from here on out.
22
The perimeter (περίμετρος) is the boundary around an object or area.
23
A sarcophagus (σαρκοφάγος) is a stone con. In Greece they were made of limestone,
which was believed would consume, or “eat” (φαγέω), the esh.
24
“Syn” is a common prex. A synagogue (συναγωγή) is a place where people come
together. Synaeresis (συναίρεσις) is the contraction of two sounds into one.
25
A psychosomatic disorder is a physical disorder caused by the psychic/emotional pro-
cesses. Somatology is the study of the body.
26
Teknonymy is the custom of naming the parent from the child. My software company
is named Teknia, because it was my intention to get out of commercial database pro-
gramming and help children learn, such as at KidsGreek.com.
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109
Previous Words
Memorize the genitive forms of these two words.
πνεῦμα, –ατος, τό spirit, Spirit
Σίμων, –ωνος, ὁ Simon
GA 106 is a 11th–12th century minuscule on parchment that contains the four Gospels.
The scribe used many dierent colors, mainly blue and red, around the title, and the
text is written with gold ink (gold powder mixed with other materials). The minuscule
is from the Chester Beatty Collection in Dublin and used with permission. Photo
provided by the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts (www.csntm.org,
Dr. Daniel B. Wallace, Executive Director). It has been slightly cropped and enhanced so
you can see the script more clearly.
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