Verb – Imperfect/Eluon εἰμί plural

ObjectivesLearning objectives

• The morphology of pl εἰμί in Eluon
• More about the syntax and semantics of εἰμί

VocabularyVocabulary

MorphologyMorphology: Verb – Imperfect/Eluon εἰμί plural

• Remember: εἰμί imperfect forms start with a lengthened η stem (see 15.2.3.1).
• The 1s and 1p forms look very similar (ἤμην and ἦμεν), but sometimes the med-psv ending ‘-μεθα’ is used for the 1p.
• The 3p ending is -σαν like the 3p Elusa ending (see 14.1.3.1).

SyntaxSyntax: Verb – εἰμί (used initially)

All different kinds of word orders are possible in Greek, and sentences with the copula are no exception. What is different about the copula is that an initial copula is often interpreted differently from a copula found in other parts of the sentence:

SemanticsSemantics: Verb – εἰμί (existential use)

How do we interpret Luke 2:36 if there is no predicate in the sentence? Copulas at the beginning of the clause are often interpreted in Greek as existential sentences. These are sentences that assert the existence or location of something or someone. At this point in Luke’s story, Anna has not yet been introduced, so this cannot be saying that Anna is a prophetess. We don’t even know who Anna is yet. As a way to introduce someone in a story, the copula may be used in initial position to tell the reader that that person will now be part of the story (see 46.4.3.2 for various other uses and a more detailed discussion of existential sentences).