New Testament Greek Syntax

The Genitive Case

The genitive primarily functions adjectivally to limit (restrict, see Louw Linguistic Theory) a substantive by describing, defining or qualifying / modifying it. The genitive also sometimes functions to express the idea of separation, point of departure, source, origin (ie. the ablative use).

In the NT the adjectival use of the genitive is dominant since it is common to Hebrew construction.

A substantive genitive functioning as an emphatic adjective limiting a connecting substantive by describing, defining or qualifying it.

This is the primary, if not essential, function of the genitive in NT Greek

Here the genitive serves to describe and thus limit the substantive

A classification Descriptive is sometimes offered expressing characterized by, but is probably an example of over-classification

a) Attributive (Quality, Hebrew)

Functioning as an attributive adjective reflecting the Semitic use of the genitive)

The UNJUST steward

oJ oikonomoV thV adikiaV

b) Attributed

A reversal of the usual attributive function of the genitive - not so rare

The lead noun, rather than the genitive noun, functions as the attributive adjective

Often used for emphasis

we should walk in newness OF LIFE

we should walk in new LIFE

hJmeiV en kainothti zwhV peripathswmen

the promise OF THE SPIRIT (Not "the spiritual promise)

thn epaggelian tou pneumatoV

c) Relational

Describing some marital, genital or social relationship with the substantive

The person doing the relating must be supplied

Simon (son) OF JOHN

Simwn Iwannou

d) Movement Toward

Describing where the substantive is heading - destination, direction, purpose

Translate: supply (often) "destined for"

we were children OF WRATH (destined for wrath)

hmeqa tekna fusei orghV

e) Subordination

Describing subordination of the genitive to the substantive

Translate: replace "of" with "over"

the ruler OF [over] DEMONS

tw/ arconti twn damioniwn

f) Material

Describing the material out of which the substantive is made

a herd OF SWINE (consisting of swine)

agelh coirwn

g) Content

Describing the content of the substantive

Translate: "of" = full of / containing

to diktuon twn icquwn

The net of (full of) fish

Here the genitive serves to define or explain and thus limit the substantive

b) Appositional

Here the connecting substantive is limited by defining it.

Translation: = "namely"

The sign OF CIRCUMCISION

The sign namely OF CIRCUMCISION

shmeion peritomhV

c) Epexegetic

Here the connecting substantive is limited by making it more specific

Translation: = "consisting of / which is/are" in front of the genitive

This classification is often included under Appositional since the two functions are similar

he is the head of the body OF THE CHURCH

he is the head of the body which consists / consisting OF THE CHURCH

autoV estin hJ kefalh tou swmatoV, thV ekklhsiaV

Here the genitive serves to qualify / modify and thus limit the substantive

a) Possessive

Identifying ownership of a dependent or derivative status

all things are YOURS

panta uJmwn estin

b) Partitive (Wholative)

Identifying the whole of which the substantive is a part of

Often found after verbs "to taste / touch / partake" as only part of the object is acted on by the verb

ek + gen. produces a similar partitive translation

Often following tiV, ekastoV

the poor OF THE SAINTS

the poor forming a particular part of the saints

touV ptwcouV twn aJgiwn

c) Connective

Two words in a vague general genitive relationship

Best translated with a hyphen

from WORKS OF LAW = from LAW-WORKS

ex ergwn nomou

Indicating separation, either static or movement from, or comparison with

Koine Greek was in the process of replacing this use by the addition of a preposition + gen.

Identifying separation of the genitive substantive from a verb or noun

Translate: supply "out of, away from, from"

Koine replacement: apo, ek, pro + gen.

he has ceased FROM [doing] SIN

pepautai aJmartiaV

Identifying comparison, by drawing a comparison with something else

Usually after a comparative adjective

Translate: supply "than"

you are of more value THAN MANY SPARROWS

pollwn strouqiwn diaferete

Identifying the source from which the noun originates

Translate: supply "out of, derived from, dependent on"

Koine replacement: apo, ek, kata, para + gen.

you are a letter FROM CHRIST

este epistolh Cristou

The righteousness OF FAITH (that springs from faith?)

dikaiosunh pistewV

It is widely held that the genitive substantive may sometimes function as the subject or object of a noun of action (a verbal noun).

This construction now has its critics and so should only be considered if an adjectival / limiting use of the genitive is totally discounted.

Some important interpretations rest on this dubious classification, particularly when the classification is objective, eg.:

dia pistewV Ihsou Cristou, Gal.2:16

Objective genitive = a person is justified not by works of the law but through faith IN JESUS CHRIST

Adjectival genitive = a person is justified not by works of the law but by the faithfulness OF JESUS CHRIST

Examples of verbal nouns: orgh, agaph, dehsiV....

Where the genitive substantive produces the action implied by the verbal noun

Often best classified as an adjectival genitive, possessive.

[The faith OF YOU] YOUR faith has saved you

hJ pistiV sou seswken se

Where the genitive substantive receives the action implied by the verbal noun

Usually expressed by about / for / concerning / toward placed before the genitive

Consider attributed or source/origin instead

because of the fear OF THE JEWS

dia ton fobon twn Ioudaiwn

* Sometimes both ideas are present = Plenary or Full Genitive.

Moulton argues that the interpretation of these genitives is more a matter of exegesis than grammar, the final arbiter being the context

the love OF CHRIST constrains us

hJ gar agaph Cristou suecei hJmaV

Subjective: Christ produces the action of the verbal noun "love"

the love which Christ feels for us, cf. Gal.2:20

Objective: Christ receives the action of the verbal noun "love"

the love which we feel for Christ

An adjectival genitive, possessive / relational, may better explain the verse

The love which belongs to Christ constrains us

A genitive substantive that functions in the same way as an adverb, as such it modifies a verb rather than a substantive

Expressing the kind of time within which an action takes place, or one kind of time as opposed to another.

Translate: supply "during, at, within"

Ablative form, therefore being replaced by dia, epi, acri, eJwV + gen.

I fast twice DURING THE WEEK

nhsteuw diV tou sabbatou

Expressing how much or how far. Rare

Translate: supply "for"

you were bought FOR A PRICE

hgorasqhte timhV

Expressing the kind of place, one place as opposed to another place, rather than just locative (dative). Rare

Translate: supply "in, at, through"

Redundant, being replaced by dia, epi, kata + numerous adverbial prepositions

He was about to pass THROUGH THAT WAY

ekeinhV hmellen diercesqai

Expressing the means by which an action is accomplished. Rare

Translate: supply "by, by means of"

death BY [means of] A CROSS

qanatou de staurou

Identifying the person (agent) by whom the action is accomplished. Rare

Translate: supply "by"

they shall all be taught BY GOD

esontai panteV didaktoi qeou

Defining the frame of reference of an adjective or substantive

Translate: supply "with reference to, with respect to"

Prepositions replacing this form: peri, uJper

The dative of reference is a more common form

a heart of evil WITH REFERENCE TO UNBELIEF

kardia ponhra apistiaV

Identifying with whom the noun associates

Translate: supply "with"

Preposition replacing this form: meta

The Instrumental Dative is a more common form, esp. sun + dat.

you are fellow-citizens WITH THE SAINTS

este sumpolitai twn aJgiwn

cf. BDF 166.

Genitives that don't properly fit the above categories, known as "genitives after certain words"

Verbs that take a genitive direct object instead of an accusative:

a) Partitive, separation; where the object is viewed in part, or separate from: touch, share, seize, hold, take from, taste, eat ("partake") ...

he touched his TONGUE

hJyato thV glwsshV autou

b) Full, or filling, full of

c) Perception, sensation: hearing, smelling

hearing THE VOICE but seeing no one

akounteV men thV fwnhV mhdena de qewrounteV

d) Emotion, volition: desire, bear with, reach, attain, obtain

he desires A NOBLE WORK

kalou ergou epiqumei

e) Ruling, excelling, suppressing, accusing

the kings of the Gentiles lord it OVER THEM

oiJ basileiV twn eqnwn kurieuousin autwn

f) Remember, forget

Adjectives, sometimes nouns and adverbs, take a genitive:

a) Fullness or want, worthiness or unworthiness, participation

full OF GRACE and TRUTH

plyrhV caritoV kai alhqeiaV

b) Comparison

you will see greater things THAN THESE

meizw toutwn oyh/

Genitive noun or pronoun + anarthrous gen. part. standing by themselves at the beginning of a sentence

Usually translated as a temporal clause but sometimes other adverbial clauses will suit

Dative and accusative forms. Rare

WHILE THEY WERE SPEAKING these things

touta de autwn lalountwn
 

** Included under the 5 Case system where the case is defined by form rather than function, as in the 8 Case system

*A less than common usage*

A Syntax of New Testament Greek

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