Preposition – παρά + Genitive, dative, accusative

ObjectivesLearning objectives

• The morphology and semantics of the verb φημί
• The morphology, syntax, and semantics of the preposition παρά

VocabularyVocabulary

Noteφημί

The verb φημί is essentially equivalent to λέγω, but it is a μι verb. It often introduces direct speech and is normally in third person. The most common forms are φησίν and ἔφη which are the present and Aorist forms. Like other verbs of speaking, φησίν is often found with a past tense interpretation, even though the form is present (see Semantics C).

MorphologyMorphology: Preposition - παρά + genitive, dative, accusative

• If the following word begins with a vowel, the final α drops out, e.g. παρ ’αὐτῶν

Noteπαρά + gen

In the genitive, παρά means ‘from’ and is similar to ἐκ and ἀπό. Whereas ἐκ is most often used with movement out of something and ἀπό with movement away from something, παρά is common with movement away from someone.

Not only is παρά used for movement away from a person, but it is also used for any sort of exchange that happens between people, whether that be asking for something from someone, receiving something from someone, or learning or hearing something from someone:

Noteπαρά + dat

With the dative case, παρά means ‘near’ or ‘in someone’s company,’ again usually referring to someone rather than something. When two of John’s disciples leave him and go to Jesus, we read:

In addition to this spatial use, παρά can also mean ‘in someone’s judgment’ or ‘from someone’s perspective’:

Noteπαρά + acc

With the accusative, παρά can refer to a location that is ‘by’ or ‘alongside’ of something: