Adjectives

Biblical Greek Lesson 11

Adjectives are a part of speech that is used to describe or modify a noun or pronoun to provide additional information about the noun. Adjectives agree in case, number, and gender with the noun they amend. Adjectives play a critical role in adding depth to descriptions, making the text more vivid and specific. Masculine adjectives are declined using the second declension masculine forms. Feminine adjectives use the first declension η pattern. Neuter adjectives employ the neuter patterns of the second declension.

Masculine (ἀγαθός):

Singular:

Nominative: ἀγαθός

Genitive/Ablative: ἀγαθοῦ

Dative/Locative/Instrumental: ἀγαθῷ

Accusative: ἀγαθόν

Vocative: ἀγαθέ

Plural:

Nominative: ἀγαθοί

Genitive/Ablative: ἀγαθῶν

Dative/Locative/Instrumental: ἀγαθοῖς

Accusative: ἀγαθούς

Vocative: ἀγαθοί

Feminine (ἀγαθή):

Singular:

Nominative: ἀγαθή

Genitive/Ablative: ἀγαθῆς

Dative/Locative/Instrumental: ἀγαθῇ

Accusative: ἀγαθήν

Vocative: ἀγαθή

Plural:

Nominative: ἀγαθαί

Genitive/Ablative: ἀγαθῶν

Dative/Locative/Instrumental: ἀγαθαῖς

Accusative: ἀγαθάς

Vocative: ἀγαθαί

Neuter (ἀγαθόν):

Singular:

Nominative: ἀγαθόν

Genitive/Ablative: ἀγαθοῦ

Dative/Locative/Instrumental: ἀγαθῷ

Accusative: ἀγαθόν

Vocative: ἀγαθόν

Plural:

Nominative: ἀγαθά

Genitive/Ablative: ἀγαθῶν

Dative/Locative/Instrumental: ἀγαθοῖς

Accusative: ἀγαθά

Vocative: ἀγαθά

Adjectives are used to describe the noun in two ways. In the attributive position they indicate an inherent characteristic. In the predicate position they add additional information and open require a linking verb (“is”).

Attributive Use: In the attributive position, an adjective directly modifies a noun, describing a quality or characteristic of the noun it accompanies. The adjective typically appears between the article and the noun or directly follows the noun with its own article. This structure indicates that the adjective is an essential descriptor of the noun.

Example: ὁ ἀγαθός ἄνθρωπος ("the good man") – Here, "ἀγαθός" (good) is attributive, directly describing the man as good.

Alternate Example: ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ ἀγαθός ("the good man") – This construction is also attributive, with the adjective following the noun.

Predicative Use: In the predicative position, an adjective functions as part of a statement about the noun, often requiring a form of the verb "to be" (εἰμί) to complete the thought. Here, the adjective provides additional information about the noun but does not directly modify it as an inherent characteristic.

Example: ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἀγαθός ("the man is good") – In this case, "ἀγαθός" (good) is predicative, conveying that "the man is good" as a statement or assertion.

Alternate Example: ἀγαθός ὁ ἄνθρωπος ("the man is good") – The same predicative sense, with the adjective placed before the noun, but without the article on the adjective.

The Attributive adjective directly modifies the noun with an article, indicating an inherent characteristic (e.g., "the good man").

The Predicative adjective functions as part of a statement about the noun, often implying a linking verb (e.g., "the man is good").

When an article is not present, context determines the use of the adjective. πιστὸς δοῦλος can mean either faithful servant or [the] servant is faithful.

There are some adjectives that by their nature never serve in the attributive position. These adjectives do not directly modify a noun as an essential characteristic but instead make a statement about the noun when combined with a linking verb (often "to be").

Substantival Use of the Adjective.

The adjective can be used without an accompanying noun by functioning substantively. This means the adjective itself takes on the role of a noun, representing a person or group characterized by the adjective’s meaning. When used as the subject, the adjective typically appears with the definite article, though it can also occur without it. Gender is used to supply the ellipsis.

Masculine or Feminine Singular/Plural:

ὁ ἀγαθός – "the good man" or simply "the good one" (masculine singular)

οἱ ἀγαθοί – "the good people" or "the good ones" (masculine plural)

ἡ ἀγαθή – "the good woman" or "the good one" (feminine singular)

αἱ ἀγαθαί – "the good women" or "the good ones" (feminine plural)

In these cases, the adjective is used substantively, standing in for a person or group with the characteristic of "goodness." The gender and number indicate who or what is represented.

Neuter Singular/Plural:

τὸ ἀγαθόν – "the good thing" or simply "the good" (neuter singular)

τὰ ἀγαθά – "the good things" or "the good" (neuter plural)

Neuter substantival adjectives often refer to abstract concepts, qualities, or generalized objects.

Vocabulary

ἀρχή, beginning

λόγος, word

ζωή, life

φανερόω, to reveal

κοινωνία, fellowship

σκοτία, darkness

φῶς, light

ψεύδομαι, to lie

ἁμαρτία, sin

καθαρίζω, to cleanse

αἷμα, blood

ὁμολογέω, to confess (a verbal agreement)

ἀλήθεια, truth

δίκαιος, righteous

ἔχω, to have, hold

περιπατέω, to walk