Preposition – ἀντί + Genitive & definite article uses

ObjectivesLearning objectives

The semantics of the preposition ἀντί
The syntax of some extra uses of the article

VocabularyVocabulary

Greek	Gloss	Part of speech	Paradigm
τὸ λύτρον, -ου	the ransom	noun	B.a.β.ii
ἄπιστος, -ον	unbelieving	adjective	A.a.γ
νικᾷ σε	(he) is victorious over you (acc)	verb	C.a.γ
ἐπιτιμᾷ σοι	(he) rebukes you (dat)	verb	C.a.γ
κατὰ μέρος	in detail	phrase
ἔχω σε ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ	(I) have you on my mind	phrase

SemanticsSemantics: Preposition - ἀντί + genitive

The preposition ἀντί (which does not contract and only takes the genitive case) has several uses. It can mean that one thing comes in the place of another (when Archelaus ascends to the throne):

Example 350Replacement

ἀντὶ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ (Matt 2:22)

In the place of his father

Something may also be given in the place of something else:

Example 351Payment

Do not repay κακὸν ἀντὶ κακοῦ [evil in place of evil] to anyone (Rom 12:17)

When something is required to be given, ἀντί can also mean ‘for’ in the sense of something given that satisfies an obligation:

Example 352Satisfying an obligation

To give his life as a ransom ἀντὶ πολλῶν [for/in the place of many] (Matt 20:28)

The context makes clear that the ransom is also given on behalf of the many, that is ‘for them,’ since it is their debt being paid. Both the replacement and satisfaction interpretations seem possible here.

SyntaxSyntax: Article uses

The uses of the article discussed here are different from what you might find in other languages (such as English), so we highlight them here. The primary characteristic of these uses is the article’s ability to refer to entities on its own. In other words, the article does not always need an accompanying noun to refer to people or things. There is often an implicit noun associated with the article that is omitted:

Example 353Implicit noun

ὁ δὲ εἶπεν… (Matt 12:11)

But he said …

In the context, this construction refers to a known masculine character in the narrative. Another very common use is for the neuter article to refer to generic things:

Example 354Something generic with the neuter

ἐρωτᾷ τὰ πρὸς εἰρήνην (Luke 14:32)

He asks for things that lead to peace

At other times, the article is followed by a whole clause (rather than an explicit or implicit noun), such as an infinitive clause. In these instances, the best translation into English is often no translation:

Example 355Infinitive clause

καλὸν τὸ μὴ φαγεῖν… (Rom 14:21)

It is good not to eat …

End of Chapter 36Take the Chapter 36 exam10 questions covering all 4 lessons in this chapter

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