Verb – Luo optative

ObjectivesLearning objectives

• The meaning and forms of δεῦρο/δεῦτε
• The forms of the Luo optative paradigm
• The use of the optative in complement clauses

VocabularyVocabulary

Table 404 (continued)

Noteδεῦρο/δεῦτε

Both the sg δεῦρο and the pl δεῦτε are most often used as a command to ‘come’ towards whoever is speaking. Jesus, for example, tells all who labor to come δεῦτε to him (Matt 11:28), and he also tells the rich young ruler δεῦρο ἀκολούθει μοι ‘come follow me’ (Matt 19:21). However, in other cases δεῦρο is used to call on others to participate in a new event with no movement implied, similar to c’mon in English.

Finally, δεῦρο is used once as a noun in the phrase ἄχρι τοῦ δεῦρο ‘up to now’ (Rom 1:13). This use suggests that δεῦρο is not itself a verb, even though it normally functions as one.

GrammarGrammar Topic: Verb – Luo optative

Our final verbal mood to learn is the optative (abbreviated opt). There are only 70 verbs in the optative mood in the NT, and only 23 occurrences are the Luo optative. The optative used to be more common in Classical Greek, but it is being replaced by the subjunctive in the NT era. Like the subjunctive, it is used to refer to eventualities that the speaker deems uncertain of occurring. The usual distinction drawn between it and the subjunctive is that the optative refers to eventualities that are less certain (see Semantics D for further discussion). The closest approximations in English would be our modal forms might, may, and can, though these glosses won’t always work.

MorphologyMorphology: Verb – Luo optative

• The sign of the opt is οι
• The 1st and 2nd person endings look like μι verbs
• med-psv Luo opts are only found 4 times in the NT (forms: βούλοιτο, δυναίμην, and δύναιντο [notice the ο → α in δύναμαι; see 25.4.2])

• Most common verb is εἰμί (only the 3s εἴη is found in the NT)
• Endings follow the -βαίνω verbs attached to εἴ (see 18.1.3.1)

SyntaxSyntax-Semantics: Verb – Optative (complement clauses)

Like the subjunctive mood (see 28.1.4.2), the optative can be found in complement clauses after verbs expressing doubt or uncertainty. For example, the verb διαλογίζομαι ‘wonder’ takes a complement that gives what is being pondered or wondered:

Besides being used in the complement clauses of some verbs, the optative is sometimes introduced when any kind of uncertain content is spoken of. For example, the verb λέγω introduces content of any kind, but it too may occur with the optative:

The use of ἄν signals that there is uncertainty about whatever is being said (see 50.4.3.1). This uncertain content may also be introduced with the definite article in the neuter (see 36.4.4):

These data suggest that the optative can be used when either the verb refers to an eventuality where something is uncertain or when the verb refers to neutral content and the context makes it clear that the content is uncertain. This use is usually accompanied by ἄν.