Conjunction – ὅταν

ObjectivesLearning objectives

• The phonology of consonants before μ
• Further syntax and semantics of the conjunction ὅταν

VocabularyVocabulary

PhonologyPhonology: Changes with μ

The letter μ may cause a change in the consonant that precedes it. For labial consonants, those like π, β, and φ that are produced with the lips, the addition of a μ creates a double μμ. For example, the stem καλυπ combines with the suffix -ματ to form the noun κάλυμμα where we see that the final π has changed to μ resulting in the double μμ. For the dental consonants τ, δ, and θ (those produced with the teeth), adding a μ results in σμ. The stem of θερισμός is θεριδ, and when the final μος is added, the δ changes to σ. Finally, a noun like διωγμός demonstrates the last class. The velar consonants, κ, γ, and χ, which are produced at the back of the throat, all become γμ. Hence, the stem of διωγμός is διωκ before combining with the μος ending, which is the same stem we see in the verb διώκω.

All languages have rules for how sounds combine, and you don’t need to know these rules to learn the language. However, they can be helpful as you are learning new words. For example, if you happen to come across the word δεῖγμα in the one place where it occurs in the New Testament, you can better guess the meaning if you can remember the rule we just learned. You can probably see that this stem looks similar to δείκνυμι ‘to show’, a verb which is quite common. If you know that δεικ would combine with μα to form δεῖγμα because of the μ rule with velar consonants, you can predict the meaning of the noun as having something to do with showing (and indeed, the word means ‘example’). Identifying the same root in these two words will also help you to remember them, since you can use the well-known word δείκνυμι to figure out the word δεῖγμα the next time you see it. Again, you do not need to memorize the phonological rules to learn the language and if you find it unhelpful or confusing, I encourage you to simply move on. However, if you can use them to help you learn and recognize more vocabulary words, rules like these can be of some value.

SyntaxSyntax: Conjunction - ὅταν

The syntactic difference between ὅτε (15.4.3) and ὅταν (from 30.2.2 Vocabulary) is that ὅταν normally takes the subjunctive mood after it. In Koine Greek, ὅταν is starting to be used with the indicative mood as well, especially with the future to describe eventualities that have not occurred yet or with verbs with imperfective aspect to describe habits. However, the general rule is that ὅταν takes subjunctive mood after it.

SemanticsSemantics: Conjunction - ὅταν

As we have seen (28.1.4.3), the subjunctive mood is often used for eventualities in the world which do not take place at a specific time. The word ὅταν ‘whenever’ refers to a nonspecific or unknown time, whereas ὅτε ‘when’ refers to a specific time when an eventuality occurs. Such a nonspecific time may refer to a repeated action or a habit: