Koine Greek: Verbs - Subjunctive

Synopsis: The subjunctive mood of a verb in Koine Greek is the form generally used to express potential or possibility.

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Lesson

The subjunctive mood of a verb in Koine Greek is the form generally used to express potential or possibility.

Translation

The subjunctive in English is typically translated using the qualifying word "might". For example, "they might destroy" (λυωσιν) is in the subjunctive mood.

More commonly than subjunctives standing on their own, are subjunctives standing in special-case scenarios. These include

• Purpose Clause
• Indefinite Clause
• Emphatic Negative Future
• Hortatory
• Deliberative
• Future Condition
• Prohibition

Purpose Clause

A purpose clause begins with either the word `ινα or `οπως and communicates an idea of purpose.

• `ινα + subjunctive = so that + subjunctive (e.g. `ινα λυωσιν = so that they might destroy)
• `οπως + subjunctive = so that + subjunctive

Indefinite Clause

An indefinite clause expresses a sense of an unspecified nature. It is formed generally using the indefinite particle αν with the subjunctive.

• `οπου αν + subjunctive = where-ever + subjunctive
• `οταν + subjunctive = whenever + subjunctive
• `οστις + subjunctive or `ος + subjunctive = whoever + subjunctive

Forms

Subjunctives may be in the Present or Aorist tense. The Present and the Aorist forms of the subjunctive are often translated identically into English.

Present Active

The forms for the Present Active Subjunctive are as follows:

• λυω - I might destroy
• λυης - you might destroy
• λυη - he / she / it might destroy
• λυωμεν - we might destroy
• λυητε - you might destroy (plural)
• λυωσιν - they might destroy

This paradigm is similar to the Present Active Indicative form, except that the vowel sounds have generally been lengthened

• ει becomes η (with a ι subscript)
• ε becomes η
• ο becomes ω

Aorist Active

The forms for the Aorist Active Subjunctive are as follows:

• λυσω - I might destroy
• λυσης - you might destroy
• λυση - he / she / it might destroy
• λυσωμεν - we might destroy
• λυσητε - you might destroy
• λυσωσιν - they might destroy

There is no augment for the Aorist Subjunctive form.

This paradigm has the same endings as the Present Active form, except the ending is preceded by the characteristic σ of the Aorist tense.

Aorist Passive

The forms for the Aorist Passive Subjunctive are as follows:

• λυθω - I might be destroyed
• λυθης - you might be destroyed
• λυθη - he / she / it might be destroyed
• λυθωμεν - we might be destroyed
• λυθητε - you might be destroyed
• λυθωσιν - they might be destroyed

Like the other Aorist Subjunctive forms, there is no augment for Aorist Passive Subjunctive verbs.

This paradigm has the same endings as the Present Active form, except the ending is preceded by the characteristic θ of Aorist Passive verbs.

Negating subjunctives

Subjunctives are negated by μη, and not by ου.

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