New Testament Greek Syntax
 
The Dative Case

Expressing the idea of personal interest, accompaniment and means

 
1. The Pure Dative

The pure dative expresses personal interest in someone or something

 
i] Dative of Indirect Object

Identifying the one for whom, or in whose interest, an act is performed

The dative closest to the root idea - Common

Sometimes with a preposition: en, epi = "to"

I will repay all things TO YOU

panta apodwsw soi

 
ii] Dative of Advantage

Identifying the one for whose benefit something is done - "for"

Sometimes with a preposition: en, epi = "for", "to", ..

She has done a good thing FOR ME

kalon ergon hrgasato en emoi

 
iii] Dative of Disadvantage

Identifying the one who will be adversely affected by the action - "against"

Sometimes with a preposition: en, epi = "against"

Herodias had a grudge AGAINST HIM

hJ HJrw/diaV eneicen aurw/

 
iv] Dative of Reference (Respect)

Identifying a person or thing possessing little or no interest in, but mere reference to.

Translate "with reference to", "concerning", "about", "in regard to"

Sometimes with a preposition: en, epi = "about" .....

Be not anxious ABOUT your LIFE

mh merminate th/ yuch/ umwn

 
v] Dative of Direct Object

Verbs that have a dative sense prompt the direct object to take the dative case instead of the accusative case

Sometimes with a preposition: en

I serve God's LAW

douleuw nomw/ qeou

 
vi Dative of Possession

Identifying the person to whom something belongs

Often translated with a possessive pronoun, "his", "her"

the name TO HIM was John = HIS name was John

onoma autw/ IwannhV

 
vii] Dative of Feeling (Ethical)

Identifying the person whose feelings or viewpoint are linked to the action of the verb.

Translate: "as far as I am concerned", "in my opinion"

beautiful TO GOD = beautiful as far as God is concerned

asteioV tw/ qew/

 
2. The Local Dative (Locative)

Expressing the idea of location, place, position.

 
i] The Dative of Place

Identifying a spot or place

Note: Wallace includes this class under Dative of Sphere.

Sometimes with a preposition: en, epi, para, proV = "at", "by", "on", "with", "in", "beside", "among", "upon", ......

they put it UPON his HEAD

epeqhkan autou th/ kefalh/

 
ii] Dative of Time (Temporal)

Identifying a particular point in time "when" the action of the main verb is performed

Sometimes with a preposition: en, epi = "when", "while", "at", "during", "on", .....

ON THE FIRST [DAY] of the week

th/ mia/ twn sabbatwn

 
iii] Dative of Sphere

Identifying a metaphorical spacial idea

Sometimes with a preposition: en, epi, para "in the sphere of", "in the realm of" ......

having been found IN APPEARANCE as a man

schmati euJreqeiV wJV anqrwpoV

 
iv] Dative of Rule

iidentifying "in conformity with / in accordance with" a rule, code or standard of conduct

as many as will live TO THIS STANDARD (ACCORDING TO THIS STANDARD), peace upon them

oJsoi tw/ kanoni toutw/ stoichsousin, eirhnh ep autouV

 
3. The Instrumental Dative

Expressing the idea of means or instrument, indicating that by/with which the action of the verb was performed

 
i] Dative of Means

Identifying the impersonal means (instrument) by which an action is performed

Sometimes with a preposition: en = "by", "with", "by means of"

Note: personal agency is expressed by uJpo + gentitive

because he had often been bound BY FETTERS and CHAINS

dia to auton pollakiV pedaiV kai aJusesin dedesqai

 
ii] Dative of Cause

Identifying what caused the action to be performed

Sometimes with a preposition: en, epi = "because of", "on the basis of"

I am perishing here BECAUSE OF FAMINE

egw limw/ wde apollumai

 
iii] Dative of Manner

Identifying the manner (method) by which an action is performed

Sometimes with a preposition: en = "with", "in" = an adverb

Note: Manner is often expressed by meta + genitive

he speaks WITH BOLDNESS (= BOLDLY)

parrhsia/ lalei

 
iv] Dative of Association

Identifying those persons or things that acompany the action performed

Sometimes with a preposition: en, para, sun = "with"

he made us alive WITH CHRIST

sunezwopoihsn tw/ Cristw/

 
v] Dative of Measure

Identifying the intervening measure between two points, usually an interval of time

Sometimes with a preposition: en = Difference by - "during", "much", "in addition to", ...

FOR A LONG TIME he had worn no garment

gronw/ iJkanw/ oiuk ededusato iJmation

 
v] Dative of Agency

Identifying the personal agent by whom the action is performed

Translation: "by", "through"

has been tamed by humankind

dedamastai th/ fusei th/ anqrwpinh/

 
vii] Dative of Material

Identifying the material (rather than tool) used to perform the action

written not WITH INK

eggrammenh ou melani

 

*A less than common usage*

 

Syntax Index
[Pumpkin Cottage]
Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources
Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons
www.lectionarystudies.com