Lesson XXI
35 exercises — none rated yet
The subjunctive mood occurs only in the present and aorist tenses (except for very rare occurrences of the even in the aorist (which, it will be remembered, is a throughout by a long variable vowel ω/η instead of the short variable vowel ο/ε which occurs in the present indicative.
The present active subjunctive of λύω is as follows:
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| Singular | |
| 1. | λύω |
| 2. | λύῃς |
| 3. | λύῃ |
| Plural | |
| 1. | λύωμεν |
| 2. | λύητε |
| 3. | λύωσι |
The present middle and passive subjunctive of λύω is as follows:
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| Singular | |
| 1. | λύωμαι |
| 2. | λύῃ |
| 3. | λύηται |
| Plural | |
| 1. | λυώμεθα |
| 2. | λύησθε |
| 3. | λύωνται |
It will be observed that these present subjunctive forms are like the present indicative forms except that a long vowel comes immediately after the stem, while in the indicative there is a short vowel—ω of the subjunctive standing instead of the ο of the indicative, and η of the subjunctive standing instead of the ε of the indicative. The only exceptions are (1) in the present active, third person plural, where ω in the subjunctive stands instead of ου in the indicative, and (2) in the present middle and passive, second person singular, where the indicative already has η (in λύῃ).
The -ωσι(ν) of the third person plural active may have the movable ν.
The aorist active subjunctive is as follows:
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| Singular | |
| 1. | λύσω |
| 2. | λύσῃς |
| 3. | λύσῃ |
| Plural | |
| 1. | λύσωμεν |
| 2. | λύσητε |
| 3. | λύσωσι |
The aorist middle subjunctive is as follows:
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| Singular | |
| 1. | λύσωμαι |
| 2. | λύσῃ |
| 3. | λύσηται |
| Plural | |
| 1. | λυσώμεθα |
| 2. | λύσησθε |
| 3. | λύσωνται |
It will be observed that the endings (with variable vowel) are exactly the same in the aorist active and middle subjunctive as they are in the present active and middle subjunctive. But these endings (with variable vowel) are in the aorist added to the aorist stem, whereas in the present they are added to the present stem. The σ makes all the difference.
There is in the aorist subjunctive of course no augment (see §245).
The second aorist active and middle subjunctive is conjugated exactly like the first aorist subjunctive. Of course, however, it is formed on the second aorist stem.
The aorist passive subjunctive is as follows:
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| Singular | |
| 1. | λυθῶ |
| 2. | λυθῇς |
| 3. | λυθῇ |
| Plural | |
| 1. | λυθῶμεν |
| 2. | λυθῆτε |
| 3. | λυθῶσι |
The aorist passive subjunctive, like the aorist passive indicative, has active personal endings. The endings (with the variable vowel) are exactly like those in the present active subjunctive. But the rule of verb accent seems to be violated—the accent does not seem to be recessive. This apparent irregularity is due to the fact that there has been contraction, the -θε of the aorist passive stem having been contracted with the following vowels in accordance with the rules which will be given in §316. But for present purposes the peculiarity of the accent may simply be learned without any further attention being given to the reason for it.
Before the aorist subjunctives can be formed from the principal parts given in the vocabulary, the augment must be dropped in the manner explained ‘in §§251, 252.
Learn the present subjunctive of εἰμί in §602.
In the subjunctive mood there is absolutely no distinction of time between the tenses; the aorist tense does not refer to past time and the present subjunctive does not necessarily refer to present time. The distinction between the present and the aorist concerns merely the manner in which the action is regarded. The aorist subjunctive refers to the action without saying anything about its continuance or repetition, while the present subjunctive refers to it as continuing or as being repeated. Thus iva λύσω means simple in order that I may loose, while ἵνα λύω means in order that I may be loosing, or the like. But ordinarily it is quite impossible to bring out the difference in an English translation. The present and the aorist subjunctive will usually have to be translated exactly alike. The student should use the aorist in the exercises unless he sees some reason for using the present, since the aorist presents the action in a simpler way, without any added thought of its duration.
The negative of the subjunctive is μή, in accordance with the rule given in §256.
The first person plural of the subjunctive is used in exhortations.
Example: πιστεύσωμεν εἰς τὸν κύριον, let us believe on the Lord.
Purpose is expressed by ἵνα with the subjunctive.
Examples: (1) ἐρχόμεθα ἵνα ἴδωμεν αὐτόν, we come in order that we may see him. (2) ἤλθομεν ἵνα ἴδωμεν αὐτόν, we came in order that we might see him.
ἵνα, in order that, with the subjunctive, must be distinguished sharply from ὅτι, that, with the indicative. The latter introduces indirect discourse.
Example: Compare λέγουσιν ὅτι γινώσκουσι τὸν κύριον, they say that they know the Lord, with τοῦτο λέγουσιν ἵνα ἀκούωσιν οἱ μαθηταί, they say this in order that the disciples may hear.
Future conditions are expressed by ἐάν with the subjunctive; other conditions by εἰ with the indicative.!
(1) ἐὰν εἰσέλθωμεν εἰς τὴν οἰκίαν ὀψόμεθα τὸν κύριον, if we go into the house, we shall see the Lord. Here ἐὰν εἰσἔλθωμεν clearly refers to the future. Compare εἰ μαθηταί ἐσμεν τοῦ κυρίου σωθησόμεθα, if we are disciples of the Lord, we shall be saved. Here the meaning is, if it is now a fact that we are disciples of the Lord, we shall be saved. Hence “ΣΕΥ ἐσμεν refers to present time.
(2) ἐὰν διδάσκητε τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς πιστοί ἐστε διδάσκαλοι, af you teach the brethren, you are faithful teachers. Here the meaning is, if at any time you shall be engaged in teaching the brethren, you are faithful teachers. ἐὰν διδάσκητε here refers to an indefinite future. Compare εἰ διδάσκετε τοὺς ἀδελφοὺς πιστοί ἐστε διδάσκαλοι, if you are teaching the brethren, you are faithful teachers. Here the meaning is, if the work in which you are now engaged 18 that of teaching the brethren, you are faithful teachers. It should be observed that in order to distinguish εἰ with the indicative from ἐάν with the subjunctive, it is often advisable to choose the periphrastic present in English to translate the present indicative after εἰ. Thus zf you are teaching is a present condition, while 7f you teach is usually a future condition.
The above examples will show that the difference between the two kinds of conditions here treated concerns only the protasis (the if-clause). Various moods and tenses can stand in the apodosis (the conclusion) after either kind of protasis. A hortatory subjunctive, for example, can stand after a simple present condition. For example, εἰ μαθηταί ἐσμεν τοῦ κυρίου διδάσκωμεν τοὺς ἀδελφούς, if we are disciples of the Lord [i.e., if that is now a fact], let us teach the brethren.
It should also be noticed that one cannot always tell from the mere form of the English sentence whether a condition is present or future. Thus in modern colloquial English we often use the present indicative to express a future condition. For example, in the sentence, if it rains to-morrow, we shall not go to the picnic, if it rains clearly refers to the future and would be ἐάν with the subjunctive in Greek. It is the meaning of the English sentence, then, and not the mere form, which should be noticed in determining what the Greek shall be.
This simple rule does not cover all of the facts. For example, it takes no account of ‘‘present general’ conditions, which are expressed, like future conditions, by ἐάν with the subjunctive. But present general conditions are closely allied to future conditions. In the sentence, if any one does wrong he suffers, which is a present general condition, the contemplated possibility of one’s doing wrong stretches out into the future; what is meant is that at any time when a man does wrong or shall do wrong he will suffer for it. It is perhaps unnecessary, therefore, to trouble the beginner with this additional category. In general, the simple rule given in the text will serve fairly well for New Testament Greek. The exceptions can be noted as they occur. Conditions contrary to fact will be treated in §551.
13 entries
| Greek | Part of speech | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ἁμαρτάνω | verb | I sin |
| δικαιοσύνη, ἡ | noun (f) | righteousness |
| ἐάν | particle | ifconditional particle, with the subjunctive |
| εἰ | particle | ifwith the indicative |
| εὐαγγελίζομαι | verb | I preach the gospel, I preach the gospel todeponent with middle forms; takes the accusative of the thing preached and either accusative or dative of the person |
| ἵνα | conjunction | in order thatwith the subjunctive |
| λαός, ὁ | noun (m) | a people |
| λοιπός | adjective | remainingλοιπός, ή, όν; οἱ λοιποί, the rest (the remaining persons) |
| μακάριος | adjective | blessedμακάριος, α, ον |
| μαρτυρία, ἡ | noun (f) | a witnessing, a testimony, a witness |
| μηδέ | conjunction | and not, nor, not evenwith moods other than the indicative; μηδέ … μηδέ, neither … nor |
| μηκέτι | adverb | no longerwith moods other than the indicative |
| ὄχλος, ὁ | noun (m) | a crowd, a multitude |
Machen's textbook has no answer key. These answers were written for this project, so treat the check as a second opinion rather than a mark: English to Greek it is close to reliable, Greek to English it measures how much of one good translation you accounted for. The rating is yours and you can always change it.
Storage is unavailable in this browser session, so your answers and ratings will be lost when you close the tab.
| a b g d e z | α β γ δ ε ζ |
|---|---|
| h q i k l m | η θ ι κ λ μ |
| n c o p r s | ν ξ ο π ρ σ/ς |
| t u f x y w | τ υ φ χ ψ ω |
| ) ( | smooth / rough breathing |
| / \ = | acute / grave / circumflex |
| | + | iota subscript / diaeresis |
Marks go after the vowel: type a)/ for ἄ, w| for ῳ. Sigma becomes ς at the end of a word.
| a b g d e z | α β γ δ ε ζ |
|---|---|
| h q i k l m | η θ ι κ λ μ |
| n c o p r s | ν ξ ο π ρ σ/ς |
| t u f x y w | τ υ φ χ ψ ω |
| ) ( | smooth / rough breathing |
| / \ = | acute / grave / circumflex |
| | + | iota subscript / diaeresis |
Marks go after the vowel: type a)/ for ἄ, w| for ῳ. Sigma becomes ς at the end of a word.
| a b g d e z | α β γ δ ε ζ |
|---|---|
| h q i k l m | η θ ι κ λ μ |
| n c o p r s | ν ξ ο π ρ σ/ς |
| t u f x y w | τ υ φ χ ψ ω |
| ) ( | smooth / rough breathing |
| / \ = | acute / grave / circumflex |
| | + | iota subscript / diaeresis |
Marks go after the vowel: type a)/ for ἄ, w| for ῳ. Sigma becomes ς at the end of a word.
| a b g d e z | α β γ δ ε ζ |
|---|---|
| h q i k l m | η θ ι κ λ μ |
| n c o p r s | ν ξ ο π ρ σ/ς |
| t u f x y w | τ υ φ χ ψ ω |
| ) ( | smooth / rough breathing |
| / \ = | acute / grave / circumflex |
| | + | iota subscript / diaeresis |
Marks go after the vowel: type a)/ for ἄ, w| for ῳ. Sigma becomes ς at the end of a word.
| a b g d e z | α β γ δ ε ζ |
|---|---|
| h q i k l m | η θ ι κ λ μ |
| n c o p r s | ν ξ ο π ρ σ/ς |
| t u f x y w | τ υ φ χ ψ ω |
| ) ( | smooth / rough breathing |
| / \ = | acute / grave / circumflex |
| | + | iota subscript / diaeresis |
Marks go after the vowel: type a)/ for ἄ, w| for ῳ. Sigma becomes ς at the end of a word.
| a b g d e z | α β γ δ ε ζ |
|---|---|
| h q i k l m | η θ ι κ λ μ |
| n c o p r s | ν ξ ο π ρ σ/ς |
| t u f x y w | τ υ φ χ ψ ω |
| ) ( | smooth / rough breathing |
| / \ = | acute / grave / circumflex |
| | + | iota subscript / diaeresis |
Marks go after the vowel: type a)/ for ἄ, w| for ῳ. Sigma becomes ς at the end of a word.
| a b g d e z | α β γ δ ε ζ |
|---|---|
| h q i k l m | η θ ι κ λ μ |
| n c o p r s | ν ξ ο π ρ σ/ς |
| t u f x y w | τ υ φ χ ψ ω |
| ) ( | smooth / rough breathing |
| / \ = | acute / grave / circumflex |
| | + | iota subscript / diaeresis |
Marks go after the vowel: type a)/ for ἄ, w| for ῳ. Sigma becomes ς at the end of a word.
| a b g d e z | α β γ δ ε ζ |
|---|---|
| h q i k l m | η θ ι κ λ μ |
| n c o p r s | ν ξ ο π ρ σ/ς |
| t u f x y w | τ υ φ χ ψ ω |
| ) ( | smooth / rough breathing |
| / \ = | acute / grave / circumflex |
| | + | iota subscript / diaeresis |
Marks go after the vowel: type a)/ for ἄ, w| for ῳ. Sigma becomes ς at the end of a word.
| a b g d e z | α β γ δ ε ζ |
|---|---|
| h q i k l m | η θ ι κ λ μ |
| n c o p r s | ν ξ ο π ρ σ/ς |
| t u f x y w | τ υ φ χ ψ ω |
| ) ( | smooth / rough breathing |
| / \ = | acute / grave / circumflex |
| | + | iota subscript / diaeresis |
Marks go after the vowel: type a)/ for ἄ, w| for ῳ. Sigma becomes ς at the end of a word.
| a b g d e z | α β γ δ ε ζ |
|---|---|
| h q i k l m | η θ ι κ λ μ |
| n c o p r s | ν ξ ο π ρ σ/ς |
| t u f x y w | τ υ φ χ ψ ω |
| ) ( | smooth / rough breathing |
| / \ = | acute / grave / circumflex |
| | + | iota subscript / diaeresis |
Marks go after the vowel: type a)/ for ἄ, w| for ῳ. Sigma becomes ς at the end of a word.
| a b g d e z | α β γ δ ε ζ |
|---|---|
| h q i k l m | η θ ι κ λ μ |
| n c o p r s | ν ξ ο π ρ σ/ς |
| t u f x y w | τ υ φ χ ψ ω |
| ) ( | smooth / rough breathing |
| / \ = | acute / grave / circumflex |
| | + | iota subscript / diaeresis |
Marks go after the vowel: type a)/ for ἄ, w| for ῳ. Sigma becomes ς at the end of a word.
| a b g d e z | α β γ δ ε ζ |
|---|---|
| h q i k l m | η θ ι κ λ μ |
| n c o p r s | ν ξ ο π ρ σ/ς |
| t u f x y w | τ υ φ χ ψ ω |
| ) ( | smooth / rough breathing |
| / \ = | acute / grave / circumflex |
| | + | iota subscript / diaeresis |
Marks go after the vowel: type a)/ for ἄ, w| for ῳ. Sigma becomes ς at the end of a word.
| a b g d e z | α β γ δ ε ζ |
|---|---|
| h q i k l m | η θ ι κ λ μ |
| n c o p r s | ν ξ ο π ρ σ/ς |
| t u f x y w | τ υ φ χ ψ ω |
| ) ( | smooth / rough breathing |
| / \ = | acute / grave / circumflex |
| | + | iota subscript / diaeresis |
Marks go after the vowel: type a)/ for ἄ, w| for ῳ. Sigma becomes ς at the end of a word.
| a b g d e z | α β γ δ ε ζ |
|---|---|
| h q i k l m | η θ ι κ λ μ |
| n c o p r s | ν ξ ο π ρ σ/ς |
| t u f x y w | τ υ φ χ ψ ω |
| ) ( | smooth / rough breathing |
| / \ = | acute / grave / circumflex |
| | + | iota subscript / diaeresis |
Marks go after the vowel: type a)/ for ἄ, w| for ῳ. Sigma becomes ς at the end of a word.
| a b g d e z | α β γ δ ε ζ |
|---|---|
| h q i k l m | η θ ι κ λ μ |
| n c o p r s | ν ξ ο π ρ σ/ς |
| t u f x y w | τ υ φ χ ψ ω |
| ) ( | smooth / rough breathing |
| / \ = | acute / grave / circumflex |
| | + | iota subscript / diaeresis |
Marks go after the vowel: type a)/ for ἄ, w| for ῳ. Sigma becomes ς at the end of a word.
