Verb – Luso middle plural

ObjectivesLearning objectives

• The morphology of the Luso middle in its 3 classes
• The Luso morphology of εἰμί
• The semantics of the deontic use of Luso

VocabularyVocabulary

Noteσ-class of Luso middle

• Remember: one class of Luso mid forms adds a σ to the Luo med-psv endings (see 25.1.3.1)
• The σ may also contract with the following consonant: εὔχομαι → εὔξομαι

NoteThematic-class of Luso middle

• Another class adds med-psv endings to the Aorist stem

NoteMixed Luso middles

• One final class uses both the Aorist stem and a σ before the endings
• The stem may change slightly between Aorist and Future

Noteεἰμί Luso middles

• In the 3s, the ε of the ending drops out (ἔσ-εται → ἔσται)

SemanticsSemantics: Verb – Luso (3 – Deontic)

Verb – Luso: all 3 parts on one page →Also in Lesson 25.1, Lesson 27.3

We have described the future as referring to a time after the time of speaking, but this, however, is a bit simplistic. Sometimes, the Luso form is used to refer to a future time when someone is obligated to perform an action. In other words, it is used more like a command, or at least to describe an obligation. We call this the deontic use of the future (see Semantics D for further discussion):

• (240) Placing a future obligation οὐκ ἔσεσθε ὡς οἱ ὑποκριταί (Matt 6:5)
• You should not be like the hypocrites

Jesus is here placing an obligation on his audience, so it is similar to an imperative. However, the deontic use of Luso need not always create an obligation:

Jesus is describing what someone must do to be first. This is the distinction between the future being used for an obligation and the imperative’s function to create an obligation. The Luso form describes an obligation and may also coincide with putting someone under an obligation. The imperative form never merely describes an obligation; it creates one (see further Semantics D).