Koine Greek: Periphrasis

Periphrasis in Koine Greek
RELATED TOPICS	Koine Greek: Participles
SERMONS, ESSAYS AND OPINIONS
CONTENTS

Lesson

Periphrasis is a grammatical term that, in Koine Greek is used to describe the use of the verb to be plus a participle, rather than use an inflected verb alone. For example ακουοντες ησαν in Galatians 1:23 is translated as they were hearing; the word ησαν (they were) is an unnecessary additional word that does not change the meaning.

There are 4 uses of periphrasis in Koine Greek

1. Imperfect Periphrastic
2. Future Periphrastic
3. Perfect Periphrastic
4. Pluperfect Periphrastic

Imperfect Periphrastic

An imperfect periphrastic is formed by

• Imperfect of Ειμι

Plus

• Present Participle

It is translated in the same way as an Imperfect verb

For example

• In Galatians 1:23, ακουοντες ησαν is translated as they were hearing
  • μονον δε ακουοντες ησαν οτι ο διωκων ημας ποτε νυν ευαγγελιζεται την πιστιν ην ποτε επορθει
  • but they only heard: "He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy."

Future Periphrastic

A future periphrastic is formed by

• Future of Ειμι

Plus

• Present Participle

In is translated in the same way as a Future verb.

For example

• In Luke 21:24, εσται πατουμενη is translated as will be trampled
  • και πεσουνται στοματι μαχαιρης και αιχμαλωτισθησονται εις τα εθνη παντα και ιερουσαλημ εσται πατουμενη υπο εθνων αχρις ου πληρωθωσιν καιροι εθνων
  • They will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

Perfect Periphrastic

A perfect periphrastic is formed by

• Present of Ειμι

Plus

• Perfect Participle

It is translated in the same way as a Perfect verb.

Pluperfect Periphrastic

A pluperfect periphrastic is formed by

• Imperfect of Ειμι

Plus

• Perfect Participle

It is translated in the same way as a Pluperfect verb.

For example

• In Luke 2:26, ην αυτω κεχρηματισμενον is translated as it had been revealed to him
  • και ην αυτω κεχρηματισμενον υπο του πνευματος του αγιου μη ιδειν θανατον πριν αν ιδη τον χριστον κυριου
  • It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.

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