Second Aorist Subjunctive Active and Middle
Biblical Greek Lesson 18
The Second Aorist Subjunctive is a verb form that expresses actions viewed as a single, undefined event in a context of possibility, condition, or command. Unlike the First Aorist Subjunctive, which uses a stem with an -σα- suffix, the Second Aorist is formed from an irregular or root-based stem.
Second Aorist Active Subjunctive Formation
Endings:
Person | Singular | Plural
1st | -ω | -ωμεν
2nd | -ῃς | -ητε
3rd | -ῃ | -ωσι(ν)
Example: λαμβάνω (I take, receive) → Second Aorist Stem: λαβ-
Person | Form
1st sg. | λάβω (I should take)
2nd sg. | λάβῃς (You should take)
3rd sg. | λάβῃ (He/she/it should take)
1st pl. | λάβωμεν (We should take)
2nd pl. | λάβητε (You all should take)
3rd pl. | λάβωσι(ν) (They should take)
Second Aorist Middle Subjunctive Formation
Endings:
Person | Singular | Plural
1st | -ωμαι | -ώμεθα
2nd | -ῃ | -ησθε
3rd | -ηται | -ωνται
Example: γίνομαι (I become) → Second Aorist Stem: γεν-
Person | Form
1st sg. | γένωμαι (I should become)
2nd sg. | γένῃ (You should become)
3rd sg. | γένῃται (He/she/it should become)
1st pl. | γενώμεθα (We should become)
2nd pl. | γένησθε (You all should become)
3rd pl. | γένωνται (They should become)
Morphology:
The Second Aorist stem is different from the present stem.
The subjunctive retains the primary endings (present subjunctive endings).
Employs primary middle/passive endings.
No augment (as in all subjunctives).
Lengthened thematic vowel (ω/η).
The only difference between the second aorist subjunctive (active and middle) from the Present tense is the stem.
The Aorist does not denote past time. The time is future in relation to the speaker or writer. This time element is not due to the tense.
The distinction in meaning between the Present Subjunctive and the Aorist Subjunctive is kind of action. The Present expresses durative action, where the Aorist expresses punctiliar.
The subjunctive is used in questions with doubt, which except a ‘no’ answer.
What man having a hundred sheep does not leave the ninety-nine to go after the one lost?
τίς ἄνθρωπος ἐξ ὑμῶν ἔχων ἑκατὸν πρόβατα καὶ ἀπολέσας ἐξ αὐτῶν ἓν οὐ καταλείπει τὰ ἐνενήκοντα ἐννέα ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ καὶ πορεύεται ἐπὶ τὸ ἀπολωλὸς ἕως εὕρῃ αὐτό; —Luke 15:4.
Should we remain in sin?
Τί οὖν ἐροῦμεν; ἐπιμένωμεν τῇ ἁμαρτίᾳ, ἵνα ἡ χάρις πλεονάσῃ;—Romans 6:1