WikiChristian - User contributions [en]

WikiChristian:Village pump

2009-02-04T01:29:40Z

Koinedoctor: /* Technical submissions */

{| class="infobox" width="315px"
|-
! align="center" | Archives
----
|-
|
# [[WikiChristian:Village pump/Archive 1|Beginning - September 2007]]
|}
{{shortcut|[[WC:VP]] [[WC:VILLAGE]] [[WC:PUMP]]}}
{{rtoc}}
{{box | text=<big>This page is the main '''discussion forum''' for {{SITENAME}}. Please bring up any technical or organizational topics here. See also: [[Help:Contents]] page.</big>}}

==Anonymous edits?==

Vandalism seems to be on the decrease at WikiChristian. I wonder if now is a good time to re-allow anonymous edits. Any opinions? Plus, if we decide to do that, how do we do it? --[[User:Graham grove|Graham]] 07:13, 17 October 2008 (PDT)
: It's a server-side. If it's the consensus, I can do it in two seconds. --[[User:Aquatiki|Aquatiki]] 23:00, 17 October 2008 (PDT)
:: Well, let's wait and see if anyone else comments. KW is the only other user who tends to work on WikiChristian daily. The users, India, PB Pilhet and Theologian seem to stop by on around a weekly basis. Prab of course drops in a sorts out problems from time to time. I reckon we wait a couple more days, and if no one else comments, and you're agreeable, go ahead and make the change. And if vandalism seems to rear its ugly head again, then we'll go back to the current system quick-smart. Thanks. --[[User:Graham grove|Graham]] 23:10, 17 October 2008 (PDT)
::: No one else has commented. I say let's change it so anonymous editors can edit again. If we run in to problems with vandalism then we can reassess and revert back to the current system. --[[User:Graham grove|Graham]] 16:38, 21 October 2008 (PDT)
:::: Done. --[[User:Aquatiki|Aquatiki]] 21:53, 21 October 2008 (PDT)

==Users Who Vandalize WikiChristian==
Around Christmas time 2008 we had a few registered users vandalize certain pages on WikiChristian and post inappropriate photos. Should we screen those who create logins and find out their intentions before we let them create a login? Some people create logins on wikis for the purpose of vandalizing the site. Wikipedia has a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Vandalism number of suggestions] to help deal with vandals.
--[[User:DavidSpencer.ca|DavidSpencer.ca]] 23:46, 28 December 2008 (PST)
: Some people want to be destructive and are willing to give their real name, email and more just to get at Christians. The more steps we put in ''their'' way, the more we're putting in the way of regular people who might want to contribute. Extra evil people will always exist and the steps we've taken preclude 99% of anonymous spam without inconveniencing human beings at all. I think we do almost enough as is. The guideline, however, which appear on the "block" page are ludicrously weak and don't take into account zombie computers or malicious sexual predators: they should be strengthened. --[[User:Aquatiki|Aquatiki]] 23:55, 28 December 2008 (PST)

==Technical submissions==
How does one upgrade constructive technical data? For example, at least the following should be placed in the Koine Greek section under 'diphthongs-ei : '''*''' '

: '''*''' Most introductory grammars of NT Greek incorrectly link ει to η. However, phonologists and historians of the Greek language are unanimous that ει was joined in sound to ι before the beginning of the NT era. This is also acknowledged by NT reference grammars like Moulton-Howard-Turner, AT Robertson, and Blass-Debrunner-Funk. This is visible everywhere in old documents, in papyri, in inscriptions, and in all manuscripts of the Greek New Testament. For example, the name Πιλατος was spelled Πειλατος in Westcott-Hort's Greek NT because it is most commonly spelled that way in ancient NT manuscripts. For a linguistically up-to-date survey of Greek sounds in the NT era, see http://www.biblicalulpan.org/pages/Common/Greek%20Pronunciation%20(2008).pdf

:: I can appreciate that there is ''some'' debate among scholars about the finer points of ancient Greek and Hebrew pronunciation. However, this is a general, Christian wiki and not a specific platform for linguistic scholarship. We are content to go with the majority of textbooks on this issue and are not looking to side with any minority in on-going debates. There is more than enough work to do here in terms of defining words and listing basic, grammatical details without quibbling over the minutiae of one camp over against another. Also, please wait for a response in this (or any other forum) before getting into a revert war with an administrator. --[[User:Aquatiki|Aquatiki]] 12:58, 1 February 2009 (PST)

::: Thank you for the clarification and at least leaving this note in the discussion. My notes were listed because I thought this wiki was to be a window to general reliability. My second attempt was trying to find a compromise that would at least provide an option for accurate information for visitors, even if only in a footnote. As mentioned, there isn't debate on the facts, only whether to expose students to them. No reputable Greek phonologist would argue that ει was pronounced like English 'ei'/'neighbour' in the first century, but they recognize its linkage to ι. See Teodorsson, Allen, Gignac, Horrocks, Bubenick, in addition to Moulton, Robertson, Funk listed above, et al. I can understand Koine pedagogues not following what is known, but to call a consensus a 'minority' is strange and confirms its need. And both Classical and Koine pedagogues agree on German '''ue''' for υ-ψιλον. On your Hebrew notes, likewise, `ayin is not a glottal stop, though it may be difficult for Europeans to pronounce. It is a preferred way of reading the Hebrew Bible in synagogues the world over and is featured on Israeli television and radio everyday. A Christian wiki would want to reconnect a coming generation to the languages of scripture as much as possible and open up paths for them to advance to what can be achieved. It would be nice to hear Christian students fluently reading Hebrew scriptures, with understanding, in a way that would be respected in Israel. At least to dream about it. The wiki can inform the audience that there are levels of aspiration far beyond the wiki.--[[User:Koinedoctor|Koinedoctor]] 20:31, 1 February 2009 (PST)

:::: Of the dozens of editors who have come (and gone) of this wiki, you are the second to have even studied Greek and Hebrew at any level beyond passing. I merely suggest that this wiki reflect the overwhelming majority of university level education in the English-speaking world. Someone who practiced what you preach would need to be educated not merely in the specific you list, but also in the scholarship to defend them. Since we are not primarily interested in creating a Phonetics-Apologetics site, I deem it wisest to maintain the status-quo, however sub-par-excellence that may be. --[[User:Aquatiki|Aquatiki]] 01:09, 2 February 2009 (PST)

::::: If the status-quo led to levels where the student could think and rapidly communicate in Hebrew and Greek I would be with you. מה היה קורה אם עשינו את דיוננו בעברית - η - τι αν συνεβη ει διελογιζομεθα εν Ελληνικη ?--[[User:Koinedoctor|Koinedoctor]] 08:36, 2 February 2009 (PST)

:::::: OK, your Greek and Hebrew are amazing. You win the award and we all owe you bragging rights and the place of honor. --End Sarcasm-- THIS IS NOT A SITE TO LEARN, let alone "rapidly communicate in Greek or Hebrew". No one is coming here to learn a language. People who already know Greek and/or Hebrew would be stupid to come here for a resource. It is quite possible that you know more than anybody else, but this is not the site for it. This is a general, Christian wiki. Please consider each of those terms carefully. Consider your audience and who traffics this site. THINK ABOUT IT for a minute. Ugh. --[[User:Aquatiki|Aquatiki]] 10:58, 2 February 2009 (PST)

Hello. I'm not much of Greek scholar, and unfortunately I don't know any Hebrew, so the argument above has been lost on me. Although I don't understand the argument I can see that there is too much emotion in the argument and I'd like to propose we add a little bit of grace into this discussion. If User:Koinedoctor feels that there are further notes about the alphabet that would be helpful, then why not create a page like [[Koine Greek: Alphabet - Further Details]] or something similar. How does that sound? Although I would probably be hard pressed to easily translate the words of Peter, luckily someone has already translated them into English for me - ''1 Peter 4:7-9 - The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.'' Cheers. --[[User:Graham grove|Graham]] 12:45, 3 February 2009 (PST)

: A nice verse, and I would hope that both Aquatiki and Koinedoctor are both appreciatively covered. Well, my primary purpose is to encourage Christian youth interested in biblical studies to go for gold. They are dedicating their lives to a Greek literature, yes God's Word, and a Hebrew literature, fully God's Word. They might only find out after a PhD that the language side of the 'gold' that they imagined needs a special track beyond what was in the status quo. (PS: I've only met a couple of Biblical Hebrew professors who became fluent in Hebrew after their PhD--out of more than a thousand.) - - For Hebrew, one could add a note that some of these sounds are different from any European language though they are still partially in use in Israel. If they wish to internalize the language and think in it, they will want to pick up those sounds, too. On Greek, one can note that historically speaking, the Greek language after Alexander the Great went through changes, including major changes in pronunciation, that are different 'from the above'. The changes affected the spelling of all of our manuscripts of the New Testament and presumably the writers. The Greek of New Testament times was already 75-80% along the way toward modern pronunciation. - Notes like these would be enough to plant a seed for whoever has the ears or calling from the Lord. It is what I would want of a Christian site and what I would hope to find if I were a teenager or young adult who landed here. --[[User:Koinedoctor|Koinedoctor]] 17:29, 3 February 2009 (PST)

WikiChristian:Village pump

2009-02-02T16:36:21Z

Koinedoctor: /* Technical submissions */

WikiChristian:Village pump

2009-02-02T04:31:23Z

Koinedoctor: /* Technical submissions */

Biblical Hebrew

2009-02-01T20:06:02Z

Koinedoctor: /* Alphabet */

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Biblical Hebrew |
subtopics = [[Biblical Hebrew: Dictionary|Dictionary]]
* Lessons
** [[Hebrew: Alphabet|Alphabet]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

Biblical Hebrew (Classical Hebrew) is an archaic form of the [[Hebrew]] language, in which the [[Old Testament]] was written, and which the ancient Israelites spoke. It is not spoken in its pure form today, although it is studied by religious Jews and Christian theologians, linguists and Israeli archaeologists. Biblical Hebrew is easily read by anyone familiar with modern Hebrew. The differences between Biblical Hebrew and modern Hebrew are mainly in grammar and Biblical Hebrew's distinct writing style.

From a linguistic point of view, the Classical Hebrew language is usually divided into two periods: Biblical Hebrew, and Roman Era Hebrew, having very distinct grammatical patterns.

{{clear}}
===Alphabet===

{|class="wikitable"
!Name
!Letter
!Transliteration
!IPA
!Notes
|-
|Aleph
|{{hebrew|א}}
| -
| -
|One of two silent letters. Usually appears at the start of a syllable to make the syllable start with a vowel sound.
|-
|Bet
|{{hebrew|בּ}}
|b
|b
|Sounds just like the English letter B.
|-
|Vet
|{{hebrew|ב}}
|v
|v
|Sounds just like the English letter V.
|-
|Gimel
|{{hebrew|ג}}
|g
|ɡ
|Sounds like a hard g as in give
|-
|Dalet
|{{hebrew|ד}}
|d
|d
|Sounds like d as in dog.
|-
|He
|{{hebrew|ה}}
|h
|h
|Sounds like the English letter H when it's in the beginning or middle of a word. At the end of a word, it is silent.
|-
|Vav
|{{hebrew|ו}}
|v
|v
|Sounds like v as in vacuum. Also used to make a couple of vowel sounds.
|-
|Zayin
|{{hebrew|ז}}
|z
|z
|Sounds like z as in zoo.
|-
|Het
|{{hebrew|ח}}
|kh
|[χ]
|This is a sound that European languages don't have. It is a pharyngeal fricative. As a substitute, many use the ch [χ] in the German name Bach or in the Scottish word loch.
|-
|Tet
|{{hebrew|ט}}
|t
|t
|This was a sound that European languages don't have. It was 't' pronounced with the neck muscles tightened (linguists call this 'retracted tongue root). Modern Israeli pronunciation simply uses 't'.
|-
|Yod
|{{hebrew|י}}
|y
|j
|Sounds like y as in yard. It can also change the sound of the vowel that precedes it.
|-
|Kaf
|{{hebrew|כּ}}
|k
|k
|Sounds like k as in kitten.
|-
|Kaf Final
|{{hebrew|ךּ}}
|k
|k
| Rarely used (almost no words end with Kaf).
|-
|Khaf
|{{hebrew|כ}}
|kh
|x
|Sounds just like Het, except that it isn't guttural.
|-
|Khaf Final
|{{hebrew|ך}}
|kh
|x
| -
|-
|Lamed
|{{hebrew|ל}}
|l
|l
|Sounds like l as in lamb.
|-
|Mem
|{{hebrew|מ}}
|m
|m
|Sounds like m as in mother
|-
|Mem final
|{{hebrew|ם}}
|m
|m
| -
|-
|Nun
|{{hebrew|נ}}
|n
|n
|Sounds like n as in name.
|-
|Nun final
|{{hebrew|ן}}
|n
|n
| -
|-
|Samech
|{{hebrew|ס}}
|s
|s
|Sounds like s as in safe.
|-
|Ayin
|{{hebrew|ע}}
| -
|
|This is a sound that European languages don't have. It is the voiced counterpart to ח. Most Israelis do not pronounce it though it is often used in the reading of the Bible.
|-
|Pe
|{{hebrew|פּ}}
|p
|p
|Sounds like p as in port
|-
|Pe final
|{{hebrew|ףּ}}
|p
|p
| -
|-
|Fe
|{{hebrew|פ}}
|f
|f
|Sounds like f as in fame
|-
|Fe final
|{{hebrew|ף}}
|f
|f
|-
|Tsadi
|{{hebrew|צ}}
|tz
|ʦ
|Sounds like the zz in pizza.
|-
|Tsadi final
|{{hebrew|ץ}}
|tz
|ʦ
| -
|-
|Qof
|{{hebrew|ק}}
|k
|k
|Sounds like Kaf in modern Hebrew, but was originally pronounced with pressure in the throat ([q]).
|-
|Resh
|{{hebrew|ר}}
|r
|ɾ
|Sounds like the letter R, but is not pronounced exactly the same as in English. At the beginning or in the middle of a word it is slightly rolled so that its sound is somewhere between the English "R" and the Spanish rolled "R". The tongue bounces off the roof of the mouth just once. (The Ashkenazi pronunciation is [ʁ].)
|-
|Shin
|{{hebrew|שׁ}} or {{hebrew|ש}}
|sh
|ʃ
|Sounds like sh as in ship
|-
|Sin
|{{hebrew|שׂ}}
|s
|s
|Sounds like s as in soon
|-
|Tav
|{{hebrew|ת}}
|t
|t
|Sounds like t as in tomato
|}

==Quotes==

==Links==

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Translating the Bible]]

[[Category:Biblical Hebrew]]
[[Category:Biblical languages]]

Koine Greek

2009-02-01T19:54:14Z

Koinedoctor: /* Alphabet */

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Koine Greek
[[Image:Codex Alexandrinus Luke.jpg|thumb|center|A copy of the [[Codex Alexandrinus]] opened to the [[Gospel of Luke]].]] |
subtopics = [[Koine Greek: Dictionary|Dictionary]]
* [[Greek]]
* Lessons
** [[Koine Greek: Alphabet|Alphabet]]
** [[Koine Greek: Nouns|Nouns]], [[Koine Greek: Definite Article|Definite Article]], [[Koine Greek: Prepositions|Prepositions]]
** [[Koine Greek: Adjectives|Adjectives]], [[Koine Greek: Comparison|Comparison]]
** [[Koine Greek: Verbs|Verbs]]
** [[Koine Greek: Participles|Participles]]
** [[Koine Greek: Adverbs|Adverbs]]
** Miscellaneous topics
*** [[Koine Greek: Crasis|Crasis]]
*** [[Koine Greek: Questions|Questions]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

{{greek_dictionary}}
Koine is the Greek word for "common." Koine Greek (also called New Testament Greek) was the form of the Greek language used from around 300 BC to AD 300. The books of the [[New Testament]] were originally written in Koine Greek. Koine Greek was the ''lingua franca'' (or the commonly used language of communication) in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern for hundreds of years following the conquests of Alexander the Great, including during the time of the early church.

For some time the Greek language of the New Testament confused many scholars. It was sufficiently different from Classical Greek that some hypothesized that it was a combination of Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. Others attempted to explain it as a "Holy Ghost language," assuming that perhaps God created a special language just for the [[Bible]]. But studies of [[Greek]] papyri found in [[Egypt]] over the past 120 years have shown that the Greek of the [[New Testament]] manuscripts was the "common" (koine) language of the everyday people - the same as that used in the writing of wills and private letters.

Koine Greek had spread throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East as a result of the conquests of the Greek armies of Alexander the Great. It served as a second language for many people and had become the language of communication throughout much of the Roman Empire and beyond by the time of Jesus. It retained its role as the lingua franca until the Middle Ages.

===Bible===

The Old Testament was translated into Koine Greek between the third and first centuries before Christ. This translation is known as the [[Septuagint]], or simply, the "LXX". The New Testament books were originally written in Koine Greek. Below is part of a passage from the New Testament - [[John 1:1]]
* {{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=Greek}}
* Translation: ''{{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=WEB}}''

{{clear}}
===Alphabet===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Letter name !! Lower Case !! Upper Case !! Transliteration in WikiChristian !! Pronunciation
|-
| alpha || α || Α || a || father
|-
| beta || β || Β || b || beta
|-
| gamma || γ || Γ || g || gamma
|-
| delta || δ || Δ || d || delta
|-
| epsilon || ε || Ε || e || epsilon
|-
| zêta || ζ || Ζ || ''z'' if first letter, otherwise ''dz'' || zêta ''or'' beds
|-
| êta || |η || Η || e || obey
|-
| thêta || θ || Θ || th || thêta
|-
| iota || ι || Ι || i || spaghetti
|-
| kappa || κ || Κ || k || kappa
|-
| lambda || |λ || Λ || l || lambda
|-
| mu || μ || Μ || m || mu
|-
| nu || ν || Ν || n || nu
|-
| xi || ξ || Ξ || x || axiom
|-
| omicron || ο || Ο || o || pond
|-
| pi || π || Π || p || pi
|-
| rho || ρ || Ρ || r || rho
|-
| sigma || σ / ς || Σ || s || sigma
|-
| tau || τ || Τ || t || tau
|-
| upsilon || υ || Υ || u || oops '''*'''
|-
| phi || φ || Φ || ph || father
|-
| chi || χ || Χ || ch || Bach
|-
| psi || ψ || Ψ || ps || oops
|-
| omega || ω || Ω || o || obey
|}

: '''*''' Greek scholars recognize that the Greeks pronounced this as "ι pronounced with rounded-lips", a sound that does not occur in English but is common in French "u" and German "ue". For a linguistically up-to-date description of New Testament Greek sounds see the link at the bottom of the section on diphthongs.

== Diphthongs and ι-subscripts ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Diphthong
! Pronunciation
|-
! ΑΙ
| 'ai' as in aisle
|-
! ΕΙ
| like ι '''*''' (not like 'Η')
|-
! ΟΙ
| 'oi' as in oil
|-
! ΑΥ
| 'ow' as in sow
|-
! ΟΥ
| 'oo' as in fool
|-
! ΥΙ
| 'ooe' as in gooey
|-
! ΕΥ
| '''**'''
|}

: '''*''' Most introductory grammars of NT Greek incorrrectly link ει to η. However, phonologists and historians of the Greek language are unanimous that ει was joined in sound to ι before the beginning of the NT era. This is also acknowledged by NT reference grammars like Moulton-Howard-Turner, AT Robertson, and Blass-Debrunner-Funk. This is visible everywhere in old documents, in papyri, in inscriptions, and in all manuscripts of the Greek New Testament. For example, the name Πιλατος was spelled Πειλατος in Westcott-Hort's Greek NT because it is most commonly spelled that way in ancient NT manuscripts. For a linguistically up-to-date survey of Greek sounds in the NT era, see http://www.biblicalulpan.org/pages/Common/Greek%20Pronunciation%20(2008).pdf

: '''**''' 'ευ' is both hard and controversial. There is some evidence to suggest that is was pronounced 'ew' (as in "Ew, that's gross!") or simply 'yu'. What has been taught for ages, however, is 'eh-oo', as sound not present in English.

There are also version of several vowels with a small iota underneath (or beside in the case of capitols): ᾼ ᾳ, ῌ ῃ, ῼ ῳ. It is believed that these represent ancient diphthongs, but the pronunciation is not altered in the time of any Greek writing we can know.
: ''We have chosen not to include ι-subscripts on '''WikiChristian''', partly because most browsers display them incorrectly.''

== Accents and Breathing ==
There are three possible accents that can be put on Greek vowels: the acute <big>´</big>, the grave (pronounces 'grahv') <big>`</big> and the circumflex. The circumflex should like an upside crescent over the vowel, but some fonts use the caron (<big>^</big>) or even the tilde (<big>~</big>). It is thought the these different symbols represented rising and falling pitch, like modern Chinese, but by the time of our literature, they only indicate accent or stress.

* ἀρχῇ - ar'''xē'''
* λόγος - '''lo'''gos

Over the initial syllable of word that begins with a vowel, there will always be either a rough (<big>‘</big>) or a smooth (<big>’</big>) breathing sign. Rough means a 'h' sound and smooth means a lack of extra sound. A 'Ρ' (Rho), in the initial position, also taking a breathing sign, typically the rough. How precisely this altered pronunciation is not known.

: ''We also do not include accents here on '''WikiChristian''', since it would make searches extremely difficult, and also, because most browsers don't render them correctly.''

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/~fisher/gnt/chapters.html Greek New Testament - Parsing of each word]
* [http://www.textkit.com/ Textkit - Learn Greek and Latin]
* [http://www.theopedia.com/Greek Theopedia - Greek]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koine_Greek Wikipedia - Koine Greek]
* [http://ntgateway.com/ NT Gateway]
* [http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Greek_Index.htm Online Interlineal Greek-English Bible New Testament]
* [http://scripturetext.com/ Scripturetext.com - Scripture versions and word-for-word Greek translation at Biblos.com]
* [http://www.zhubert.com Zhubert.com - Parsing of Greek New Testament]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Translating the Bible]]

[[Category:Koine Greek]]
[[Category:Biblical languages]]

Koine Greek

2009-02-01T19:39:24Z

Koinedoctor: /* Diphthongs and ι-subscripts */

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Koine Greek
[[Image:Codex Alexandrinus Luke.jpg|thumb|center|A copy of the [[Codex Alexandrinus]] opened to the [[Gospel of Luke]].]] |
subtopics = [[Koine Greek: Dictionary|Dictionary]]
* [[Greek]]
* Lessons
** [[Koine Greek: Alphabet|Alphabet]]
** [[Koine Greek: Nouns|Nouns]], [[Koine Greek: Definite Article|Definite Article]], [[Koine Greek: Prepositions|Prepositions]]
** [[Koine Greek: Adjectives|Adjectives]], [[Koine Greek: Comparison|Comparison]]
** [[Koine Greek: Verbs|Verbs]]
** [[Koine Greek: Participles|Participles]]
** [[Koine Greek: Adverbs|Adverbs]]
** Miscellaneous topics
*** [[Koine Greek: Crasis|Crasis]]
*** [[Koine Greek: Questions|Questions]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

{{greek_dictionary}}
Koine is the Greek word for "common." Koine Greek (also called New Testament Greek) was the form of the Greek language used from around 300 BC to AD 300. The books of the [[New Testament]] were originally written in Koine Greek. Koine Greek was the ''lingua franca'' (or the commonly used language of communication) in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern for hundreds of years following the conquests of Alexander the Great, including during the time of the early church.

For some time the Greek language of the New Testament confused many scholars. It was sufficiently different from Classical Greek that some hypothesized that it was a combination of Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. Others attempted to explain it as a "Holy Ghost language," assuming that perhaps God created a special language just for the [[Bible]]. But studies of [[Greek]] papyri found in [[Egypt]] over the past 120 years have shown that the Greek of the [[New Testament]] manuscripts was the "common" (koine) language of the everyday people - the same as that used in the writing of wills and private letters.

Koine Greek had spread throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East as a result of the conquests of the Greek armies of Alexander the Great. It served as a second language for many people and had become the language of communication throughout much of the Roman Empire and beyond by the time of Jesus. It retained its role as the lingua franca until the Middle Ages.

===Bible===

The Old Testament was translated into Koine Greek between the third and first centuries before Christ. This translation is known as the [[Septuagint]], or simply, the "LXX". The New Testament books were originally written in Koine Greek. Below is part of a passage from the New Testament - [[John 1:1]]
* {{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=Greek}}
* Translation: ''{{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=WEB}}''

{{clear}}
===Alphabet===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Letter name !! Lower Case !! Upper Case !! Transliteration in WikiChristian !! Pronunciation
|-
| alpha || α || Α || a || father
|-
| beta || β || Β || b || beta
|-
| gamma || γ || Γ || g || gamma
|-
| delta || δ || Δ || d || delta
|-
| epsilon || ε || Ε || e || epsilon
|-
| zêta || ζ || Ζ || ''z'' if first letter, otherwise ''dz'' || zêta ''or'' beds
|-
| êta || |η || Η || e || obey
|-
| thêta || θ || Θ || th || thêta
|-
| iota || ι || Ι || i || spaghetti
|-
| kappa || κ || Κ || k || kappa
|-
| lambda || |λ || Λ || l || lambda
|-
| mu || μ || Μ || m || mu
|-
| nu || ν || Ν || n || nu
|-
| xi || ξ || Ξ || x || axiom
|-
| omicron || ο || Ο || o || pond
|-
| pi || π || Π || p || pi
|-
| rho || ρ || Ρ || r || rho
|-
| sigma || σ / ς || Σ || s || sigma
|-
| tau || τ || Τ || t || tau
|-
| upsilon || υ || Υ || u || oops
|-
| phi || φ || Φ || ph || father
|-
| chi || χ || Χ || ch || Bach
|-
| psi || ψ || Ψ || ps || oops
|-
| omega || ω || Ω || o || obey
|}

== Diphthongs and ι-subscripts ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Diphthong
! Pronunciation
|-
! ΑΙ
| 'ai' as in aisle
|-
! ΕΙ
| like ι '''*''' (not like 'Η')
|-
! ΟΙ
| 'oi' as in oil
|-
! ΑΥ
| 'ow' as in sow
|-
! ΟΥ
| 'oo' as in fool
|-
! ΥΙ
| 'ooe' as in gooey
|-
! ΕΥ
| '''**'''
|}

: '''*''' Most introductory grammars of NT Greek incorrrectly link ει to η. However, phonologists and historians of the Greek language are unanimous that ει was joined in sound to ι before the beginning of the NT era. This is also acknowledged by NT reference grammars like Moulton-Howard-Turner, AT Robertson, and Blass-Debrunner-Funk. This is visible everywhere in old documents, in papyri, in inscriptions, and in all manuscripts of the Greek New Testament. For example, the name Πιλατος was spelled Πειλατος in Westcott-Hort's Greek NT because it is most commonly spelled that way in ancient NT manuscripts. For a linguistically up-to-date survey of Greek sounds in the NT era, see http://www.biblicalulpan.org/pages/Common/Greek%20Pronunciation%20(2008).pdf

: '''**''' 'ευ' is both hard and controversial. There is some evidence to suggest that is was pronounced 'ew' (as in "Ew, that's gross!") or simply 'yu'. What has been taught for ages, however, is 'eh-oo', as sound not present in English.

There are also version of several vowels with a small iota underneath (or beside in the case of capitols): ᾼ ᾳ, ῌ ῃ, ῼ ῳ. It is believed that these represent ancient diphthongs, but the pronunciation is not altered in the time of any Greek writing we can know.
: ''We have chosen not to include ι-subscripts on '''WikiChristian''', partly because most browsers display them incorrectly.''

== Accents and Breathing ==
There are three possible accents that can be put on Greek vowels: the acute <big>´</big>, the grave (pronounces 'grahv') <big>`</big> and the circumflex. The circumflex should like an upside crescent over the vowel, but some fonts use the caron (<big>^</big>) or even the tilde (<big>~</big>). It is thought the these different symbols represented rising and falling pitch, like modern Chinese, but by the time of our literature, they only indicate accent or stress.

* ἀρχῇ - ar'''xē'''
* λόγος - '''lo'''gos

Over the initial syllable of word that begins with a vowel, there will always be either a rough (<big>‘</big>) or a smooth (<big>’</big>) breathing sign. Rough means a 'h' sound and smooth means a lack of extra sound. A 'Ρ' (Rho), in the initial position, also taking a breathing sign, typically the rough. How precisely this altered pronunciation is not known.

: ''We also do not include accents here on '''WikiChristian''', since it would make searches extremely difficult, and also, because most browsers don't render them correctly.''

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/~fisher/gnt/chapters.html Greek New Testament - Parsing of each word]
* [http://www.textkit.com/ Textkit - Learn Greek and Latin]
* [http://www.theopedia.com/Greek Theopedia - Greek]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koine_Greek Wikipedia - Koine Greek]
* [http://ntgateway.com/ NT Gateway]
* [http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Greek_Index.htm Online Interlineal Greek-English Bible New Testament]
* [http://scripturetext.com/ Scripturetext.com - Scripture versions and word-for-word Greek translation at Biblos.com]
* [http://www.zhubert.com Zhubert.com - Parsing of Greek New Testament]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Translating the Bible]]

[[Category:Koine Greek]]
[[Category:Biblical languages]]

WikiChristian:Village pump

2009-02-01T19:37:00Z

Koinedoctor:

Biblical Hebrew

2009-02-01T01:20:34Z

Koinedoctor:

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Biblical Hebrew |
subtopics = [[Biblical Hebrew: Dictionary|Dictionary]]
* Lessons
** [[Hebrew: Alphabet|Alphabet]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

Biblical Hebrew (Classical Hebrew) is an archaic form of the [[Hebrew]] language, in which the [[Old Testament]] was written, and which the ancient Israelites spoke. It is not spoken in its pure form today, although it is studied by religious Jews and Christian theologians, linguists and Israeli archaeologists. Biblical Hebrew is easily read by anyone familiar with modern Hebrew. The differences between Biblical Hebrew and modern Hebrew are mainly in grammar and Biblical Hebrew's distinct writing style.

From a linguistic point of view, the Classical Hebrew language is usually divided into two periods and two registers: Biblical Hebrew of the First Temple Period is distinguished from biblical and literary Hebrew of the Second Temple Period, and Second Temple Period Hebrew itself is divided into literary Hebrew and colloquial Hebrew like that of the Mishna and in some documents from the Dead Sea area.

{{clear}}
===Alphabet===

{|class="wikitable"
!Name
!Letter
!Transliteration
!IPA
!Notes
|-
|Aleph
|{{hebrew|א}}
| -
| -
|One of two silent letters. Usually appears at the start of a syllable to make the syllable start with a vowel sound.
|-
|Bet
|{{hebrew|בּ}}
|b
|b
|Sounds just like the English letter B.
|-
|Vet
|{{hebrew|ב}}
|v
|v
|Sounds just like the English letter V.
|-
|Gimel
|{{hebrew|ג}}
|g
|ɡ
|Sounds like a hard g as in give
|-
|Dalet
|{{hebrew|ד}}
|d
|d
|Sounds like d as in dog.
|-
|He
|{{hebrew|ה}}
|h
|h
|Sounds like the English letter H when it's in the beginning or middle of a word. At the end of a word, it is silent.
|-
|Vav
|{{hebrew|ו}}
|v
|v
|Sounds like v as in vacuum. Also used to make a couple of vowel sounds.
|-
|Zayin
|{{hebrew|ז}}
|z
|z
|Sounds like z as in zoo.
|-
|Het
|{{hebrew|ח}}
|kh
|
|This is a sound that English doesn't have. It is a voiceless pharyngeal fricative. It is NOT like the ch in the German name Bach or in the Scottish word loch, but Europeans often use that sound as a substitute.
|-
|Tet
|{{hebrew|ט}}
|t
|
|It was a t pronounced with retracted tongue-root.
|-
|Yod
|{{hebrew|י}}
|y
|j
|Sounds like y as in yard. It can also change the sound of the vowel that precedes it.
|-
|Kaf
|{{hebrew|כּ}}
|k
|k
|Sounds like k as in kitten.
|-
|Kaf Final
|{{hebrew|ךּ}}
|k
|k
| Rarely used (almost no words end with Kaf).
|-
|Khaf
|{{hebrew|כ}}
|kh
|x
|Sounds just like German 'ch' in Bach, Scottish Loch. It is velar, not pharyngeal.
|-
|Khaf Final
|{{hebrew|ך}}
|kh
|x
| -
|-
|Lamed
|{{hebrew|ל}}
|l
|l
|Sounds like l as in lamb.
|-
|Mem
|{{hebrew|מ}}
|m
|m
|Sounds like m as in mother
|-
|Mem final
|{{hebrew|ם}}
|m
|m
| -
|-
|Nun
|{{hebrew|נ}}
|n
|n
|Sounds like n as in name.
|-
|Nun final
|{{hebrew|ן}}
|n
|n
| -
|-
|Samech
|{{hebrew|ס}}
|s
|s
|Sounds like s as in safe.
|-
|Ayin
|{{hebrew|ע}}
| -
|
|It is a voiced version of {{hebrew|ח}}. A voiced pharyngeal fricative. It is not a glottal stop.
|-
|Pe
|{{hebrew|פּ}}
|p
|p
|Sounds like p as in port
|-
|Pe final
|{{hebrew|ףּ}}
|p
|p
| -
|-
|Fe
|{{hebrew|פ}}
|f
|f
|Sounds like f as in fame
|-
|Fe final
|{{hebrew|ף}}
|f
|f
|-
|Tsadi
|{{hebrew|צ}}
|tz
|ʦ
|Sounds like the zz in pizza. In antiquity it was 's' pronounced with retracted tongue-root.
|-
|Tsadi final
|{{hebrew|ץ}}
|tz
|ʦ
| -
|-
|Qof
|{{hebrew|ק}}
|k
|
|Sounds like Kaf in modern Hebrew, but was originally pronounced with retracted tongue root.
|Resh
|{{hebrew|ר}}
|r
|ɾ
|Sounds like the letter R, but is not pronounced exactly the same as in English. At the beginning or in the middle of a word it is slightly rolled so that its sound is somewhere between the English "R" and the Spanish rolled "R". The tongue bounces off the roof of the mouth just once. (The Ashkenazi and Israeli pronunciation is [ʁ]. A uvular trill.)
|-
|Shin
|{{hebrew|שׁ}} or {{hebrew|ש}}
|sh
|ʃ
|Sounds like sh as in ship
|-
|Sin
|{{hebrew|שׂ}}
|s
|s
|Sounds like s as in soon
|-
|Tav
|{{hebrew|ת}}
|t
|t
|Sounds like t as in tomato
|}

==Quotes==

==Links==

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Translating the Bible]]

[[Category:Biblical Hebrew]]
[[Category:Biblical languages]]

Biblical Hebrew

2009-02-01T01:15:30Z

Koinedoctor: /* Alphabet */

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Biblical Hebrew |
subtopics = [[Biblical Hebrew: Dictionary|Dictionary]]
* Lessons
** [[Hebrew: Alphabet|Alphabet]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

Biblical Hebrew (Classical Hebrew) is an archaic form of the [[Hebrew]] language, in which the [[Old Testament]] was written, and which the ancient Israelites spoke. It is not spoken in its pure form today, although it is studied by religious Jews and Christian theologians, linguists and Israeli archaeologists. Biblical Hebrew is easily read by anyone familiar with modern Hebrew. The differences between Biblical Hebrew and modern Hebrew are mainly in grammar and Biblical Hebrew's distinct writing style.

From a linguistic point of view, the Classical Hebrew language is usually divided into two periods: Biblical Hebrew, and Roman Era Hebrew, having very distinct grammatical patterns.

{{clear}}
===Alphabet===

{|class="wikitable"
!Name
!Letter
!Transliteration
!IPA
!Notes
|-
|Aleph
|{{hebrew|א}}
| -
| -
|One of two silent letters. Usually appears at the start of a syllable to make the syllable start with a vowel sound.
|-
|Bet
|{{hebrew|בּ}}
|b
|b
|Sounds just like the English letter B.
|-
|Vet
|{{hebrew|ב}}
|v
|v
|Sounds just like the English letter V.
|-
|Gimel
|{{hebrew|ג}}
|g
|ɡ
|Sounds like a hard g as in give
|-
|Dalet
|{{hebrew|ד}}
|d
|d
|Sounds like d as in dog.
|-
|He
|{{hebrew|ה}}
|h
|h
|Sounds like the English letter H when it's in the beginning or middle of a word. At the end of a word, it is silent.
|-
|Vav
|{{hebrew|ו}}
|v
|v
|Sounds like v as in vacuum. Also used to make a couple of vowel sounds.
|-
|Zayin
|{{hebrew|ז}}
|z
|z
|Sounds like z as in zoo.
|-
|Het
|{{hebrew|ח}}
|kh
|
|This is a sound that English doesn't have. It is a voiceless pharyngeal fricative. It is NOT like the ch in the German name Bach or in the Scottish word loch, but Europeans often use that sound as a substitute.
|-
|Tet
|{{hebrew|ט}}
|t
|
|It was a t pronounced with retracted tongue-root.
|-
|Yod
|{{hebrew|י}}
|y
|j
|Sounds like y as in yard. It can also change the sound of the vowel that precedes it.
|-
|Kaf
|{{hebrew|כּ}}
|k
|k
|Sounds like k as in kitten.
|-
|Kaf Final
|{{hebrew|ךּ}}
|k
|k
| Rarely used (almost no words end with Kaf).
|-
|Khaf
|{{hebrew|כ}}
|kh
|x
|Sounds just like German 'ch' in Bach, Scottish Loch. It is velar, not pharyngeal.
|-
|Khaf Final
|{{hebrew|ך}}
|kh
|x
| -
|-
|Lamed
|{{hebrew|ל}}
|l
|l
|Sounds like l as in lamb.
|-
|Mem
|{{hebrew|מ}}
|m
|m
|Sounds like m as in mother
|-
|Mem final
|{{hebrew|ם}}
|m
|m
| -
|-
|Nun
|{{hebrew|נ}}
|n
|n
|Sounds like n as in name.
|-
|Nun final
|{{hebrew|ן}}
|n
|n
| -
|-
|Samech
|{{hebrew|ס}}
|s
|s
|Sounds like s as in safe.
|-
|Ayin
|{{hebrew|ע}}
| -
|
|It is a voiced version of {{hebrew|ח}}. A voiced pharyngeal fricative. It is not a glottal stop.
|-
|Pe
|{{hebrew|פּ}}
|p
|p
|Sounds like p as in port
|-
|Pe final
|{{hebrew|ףּ}}
|p
|p
| -
|-
|Fe
|{{hebrew|פ}}
|f
|f
|Sounds like f as in fame
|-
|Fe final
|{{hebrew|ף}}
|f
|f
|-
|Tsadi
|{{hebrew|צ}}
|tz
|ʦ
|Sounds like the zz in pizza. In antiquity it was 's' pronounced with retracted tongue-root.
|-
|Tsadi final
|{{hebrew|ץ}}
|tz
|ʦ
| -
|-
|Qof
|{{hebrew|ק}}
|k
|
|Sounds like Kaf in modern Hebrew, but was originally pronounced with retracted tongue root.
|Resh
|{{hebrew|ר}}
|r
|ɾ
|Sounds like the letter R, but is not pronounced exactly the same as in English. At the beginning or in the middle of a word it is slightly rolled so that its sound is somewhere between the English "R" and the Spanish rolled "R". The tongue bounces off the roof of the mouth just once. (The Ashkenazi and Israeli pronunciation is [ʁ]. A uvular trill.)
|-
|Shin
|{{hebrew|שׁ}} or {{hebrew|ש}}
|sh
|ʃ
|Sounds like sh as in ship
|-
|Sin
|{{hebrew|שׂ}}
|s
|s
|Sounds like s as in soon
|-
|Tav
|{{hebrew|ת}}
|t
|t
|Sounds like t as in tomato
|}

==Quotes==

==Links==

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Translating the Bible]]

[[Category:Biblical Hebrew]]
[[Category:Biblical languages]]

Koine Greek

2009-02-01T00:49:08Z

Koinedoctor: /* Accents and Breathing */

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Koine Greek
[[Image:Codex Alexandrinus Luke.jpg|thumb|center|A copy of the [[Codex Alexandrinus]] opened to the [[Gospel of Luke]].]] |
subtopics = [[Koine Greek: Dictionary|Dictionary]]
* [[Greek]]
* Lessons
** [[Koine Greek: Alphabet|Alphabet]]
** [[Koine Greek: Nouns|Nouns]], [[Koine Greek: Definite Article|Definite Article]], [[Koine Greek: Prepositions|Prepositions]]
** [[Koine Greek: Adjectives|Adjectives]], [[Koine Greek: Comparison|Comparison]]
** [[Koine Greek: Verbs|Verbs]]
** [[Koine Greek: Participles|Participles]]
** [[Koine Greek: Adverbs|Adverbs]]
** Miscellaneous topics
*** [[Koine Greek: Crasis|Crasis]]
*** [[Koine Greek: Questions|Questions]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

{{greek_dictionary}}
Koine is the Greek word for "common." Koine Greek (also called New Testament Greek) was the form of the Greek language used from around 300 BC to AD 300. The books of the [[New Testament]] were originally written in Koine Greek. Koine Greek was the ''lingua franca'' (or the commonly used language of communication) in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern for hundreds of years following the conquests of Alexander the Great, including during the time of the early church.

For some time the Greek language of the New Testament confused many scholars. It was sufficiently different from Classical Greek that some hypothesized that it was a combination of Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. Others attempted to explain it as a "Holy Ghost language," assuming that perhaps God created a special language just for the [[Bible]]. But studies of [[Greek]] papyri found in [[Egypt]] over the past 120 years have shown that the Greek of the [[New Testament]] manuscripts was the "common" (koine) language of the everyday people - the same as that used in the writing of wills and private letters.

Koine Greek had spread throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East as a result of the conquests of the Greek armies of Alexander the Great. It served as a second language for many people and had become the language of communication throughout much of the Roman Empire and beyond by the time of Jesus. It retained its role as the lingua franca until the Middle Ages.

===Bible===

The Old Testament was translated into Koine Greek between the third and first centuries before Christ. This translation is known as the [[Septuagint]], or simply, the "LXX". The New Testament books were originally written in Koine Greek. Below is part of a passage from the New Testament - [[John 1:1]]
* {{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=Greek}}
* Translation: ''{{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=WEB}}''

{{clear}}
===Alphabet===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Letter name !! Lower Case !! Upper Case !! Transliteration in WikiChristian !! Pronunciation
|-
| alpha || α || Α || a || father
|-
| beta || β || Β || b || spanish v/b Habana
|-
| gamma || γ || Γ || g || gamma, gh
|-
| delta || δ || Δ || d || delta, dh
|-
| epsilon || ε || Ε || e || epsilon
|-
| zêta || ζ || Ζ || z || zêta
|-
| êta || |η || Η || e || obey
|-
| thêta || θ || Θ || th || thêta
|-
| iota || ι || Ι || i || spaghetti
|-
| kappa || κ || Κ || k || kappa
|-
| lambda || |λ || Λ || l || lambda
|-
| mu || μ || Μ || m || mu
|-
| nu || ν || Ν || n || nu
|-
| xi || ξ || Ξ || x || axiom
|-
| omicron || ο || Ο || o || oh
|-
| pi || π || Π || p || pi
|-
| rho || ρ || Ρ || r || ro
|-
| sigma || σ / ς || Σ || s || sigma
|-
| tau || τ || Τ || t || tav
|-
| upsilon || υ || Υ || u || French u, German ue
|-
| phi || φ || Φ || ph || father
|-
| chi || χ || Χ || ch || Bach
|-
| psi || ψ || Ψ || ps || oops
|-
| omega || ω || Ω || o || oh
|}

== Diphthongs and ι-subscripts ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Diphthong
! Pronunciation
|-
! ΑΙ
| like ε, 'e' as in get
|-
! ΕΙ
| like ι, 'ee' as in tree (not identical to 'Η''''*''')
|-
! ΟΙ
| like Υ, French 'u' German 'ue', rounded 'i'
|-
! ΑΥ
| approximately 'av' '''**'''
|-
! ΟΥ
| 'oo' as in fool
|-
! ΥΙ
| as Υ or Υ + Ι
|-
! ΕΥ
| approximately 'ev' '''**'''
|}

: '''*''' There is abundant evidence to suggest that is was pronounced 'i' (as in "spaghetti"). This entered the language shortly after the time of Alexander the Great and is seen everywhere in papyri, inscriptions and in ALL NT manuscripts, even from the earliest papyri like p52. This is why Westcott and Hort spelled some famous names like Δαυειδ and Πειλατος, such were the spellings in the old manuscripts.

: '''**''' 'αυ' and 'ευ' are controversial. There is some evidence to suggest that is was pronounced 'ew' (as in "Ew, that's gross!") It was probably like α or ε + Spanish 'vh.

There are also version of several vowels with a small iota underneath (or beside in the case of capitols): ᾼ ᾳ, ῌ ῃ, ῼ ῳ. It is believed that these represent ancient diphthongs, but the pronunciation is not altered in the time of Greek writings after the 4th century BCE.
: ''We have chosen not to include ι-subscripts on '''WikiChristian''', partly because most browsers display them incorrectly.''

== Accents and Breathing ==
There are three possible accents that can be put on Greek vowels: the acute <big>´</big>, the grave (pronounces 'grahv') <big>`</big> and the circumflex. The circumflex should like an upside crescent over the vowel, but some fonts use the caron (<big>^</big>) or even the tilde (<big>~</big>). It is thought the these different symbols represented rising and falling pitch, like modern Chinese, but by the time of our literature, they only indicate accent or stress.

* ἀρχῇ - ar'''xē'''
* λόγος - '''lo'''gos

Over the initial syllable of word that begins with a vowel, there will always be either a rough (<big>‘</big>) or a smooth (<big>’</big>) breathing sign. Rough means a 'h' sound and smooth means a lack of extra sound. These were not written during Koine Greek times and there is evidence that many/most did not distinguish these in pronunciation.
A 'Ρ' (Rho), in the initial position, also taking a breathing sign, typically the rough. How precisely this altered pronunciation is not known.
: ''We also do not include accents here on '''WikiChristian''', since it would make searches extremely difficult, and also, because most browsers don't render them correctly.''

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/~fisher/gnt/chapters.html Greek New Testament - Parsing of each word]
* [http://www.textkit.com/ Textkit - Learn Greek and Latin]
* [http://www.theopedia.com/Greek Theopedia - Greek]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koine_Greek Wikipedia - Koine Greek]
* [http://ntgateway.com/ NT Gateway]
* [http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Greek_Index.htm Online Interlineal Greek-English Bible New Testament]
* [http://scripturetext.com/ Scripturetext.com - Scripture versions and word-for-word Greek translation at Biblos.com]
* [http://www.zhubert.com Zhubert.com - Parsing of Greek New Testament]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Translating the Bible]]

[[Category:Koine Greek]]
[[Category:Biblical languages]]

Koine Greek

2009-02-01T00:43:59Z

Koinedoctor: /* Diphthongs and ι-subscripts */

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Koine Greek
[[Image:Codex Alexandrinus Luke.jpg|thumb|center|A copy of the [[Codex Alexandrinus]] opened to the [[Gospel of Luke]].]] |
subtopics = [[Koine Greek: Dictionary|Dictionary]]
* [[Greek]]
* Lessons
** [[Koine Greek: Alphabet|Alphabet]]
** [[Koine Greek: Nouns|Nouns]], [[Koine Greek: Definite Article|Definite Article]], [[Koine Greek: Prepositions|Prepositions]]
** [[Koine Greek: Adjectives|Adjectives]], [[Koine Greek: Comparison|Comparison]]
** [[Koine Greek: Verbs|Verbs]]
** [[Koine Greek: Participles|Participles]]
** [[Koine Greek: Adverbs|Adverbs]]
** Miscellaneous topics
*** [[Koine Greek: Crasis|Crasis]]
*** [[Koine Greek: Questions|Questions]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

{{greek_dictionary}}
Koine is the Greek word for "common." Koine Greek (also called New Testament Greek) was the form of the Greek language used from around 300 BC to AD 300. The books of the [[New Testament]] were originally written in Koine Greek. Koine Greek was the ''lingua franca'' (or the commonly used language of communication) in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern for hundreds of years following the conquests of Alexander the Great, including during the time of the early church.

For some time the Greek language of the New Testament confused many scholars. It was sufficiently different from Classical Greek that some hypothesized that it was a combination of Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. Others attempted to explain it as a "Holy Ghost language," assuming that perhaps God created a special language just for the [[Bible]]. But studies of [[Greek]] papyri found in [[Egypt]] over the past 120 years have shown that the Greek of the [[New Testament]] manuscripts was the "common" (koine) language of the everyday people - the same as that used in the writing of wills and private letters.

Koine Greek had spread throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East as a result of the conquests of the Greek armies of Alexander the Great. It served as a second language for many people and had become the language of communication throughout much of the Roman Empire and beyond by the time of Jesus. It retained its role as the lingua franca until the Middle Ages.

===Bible===

The Old Testament was translated into Koine Greek between the third and first centuries before Christ. This translation is known as the [[Septuagint]], or simply, the "LXX". The New Testament books were originally written in Koine Greek. Below is part of a passage from the New Testament - [[John 1:1]]
* {{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=Greek}}
* Translation: ''{{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=WEB}}''

{{clear}}
===Alphabet===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Letter name !! Lower Case !! Upper Case !! Transliteration in WikiChristian !! Pronunciation
|-
| alpha || α || Α || a || father
|-
| beta || β || Β || b || spanish v/b Habana
|-
| gamma || γ || Γ || g || gamma, gh
|-
| delta || δ || Δ || d || delta, dh
|-
| epsilon || ε || Ε || e || epsilon
|-
| zêta || ζ || Ζ || z || zêta
|-
| êta || |η || Η || e || obey
|-
| thêta || θ || Θ || th || thêta
|-
| iota || ι || Ι || i || spaghetti
|-
| kappa || κ || Κ || k || kappa
|-
| lambda || |λ || Λ || l || lambda
|-
| mu || μ || Μ || m || mu
|-
| nu || ν || Ν || n || nu
|-
| xi || ξ || Ξ || x || axiom
|-
| omicron || ο || Ο || o || oh
|-
| pi || π || Π || p || pi
|-
| rho || ρ || Ρ || r || ro
|-
| sigma || σ / ς || Σ || s || sigma
|-
| tau || τ || Τ || t || tav
|-
| upsilon || υ || Υ || u || French u, German ue
|-
| phi || φ || Φ || ph || father
|-
| chi || χ || Χ || ch || Bach
|-
| psi || ψ || Ψ || ps || oops
|-
| omega || ω || Ω || o || oh
|}

== Diphthongs and ι-subscripts ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Diphthong
! Pronunciation
|-
! ΑΙ
| like ε, 'e' as in get
|-
! ΕΙ
| like ι, 'ee' as in tree (not identical to 'Η''''*''')
|-
! ΟΙ
| like Υ, French 'u' German 'ue', rounded 'i'
|-
! ΑΥ
| approximately 'av' '''**'''
|-
! ΟΥ
| 'oo' as in fool
|-
! ΥΙ
| as Υ or Υ + Ι
|-
! ΕΥ
| approximately 'ev' '''**'''
|}

: '''*''' There is abundant evidence to suggest that is was pronounced 'i' (as in "spaghetti"). This entered the language shortly after the time of Alexander the Great and is seen everywhere in papyri, inscriptions and in ALL NT manuscripts, even from the earliest papyri like p52. This is why Westcott and Hort spelled some famous names like Δαυειδ and Πειλατος, such were the spellings in the old manuscripts.

: '''**''' 'αυ' and 'ευ' are controversial. There is some evidence to suggest that is was pronounced 'ew' (as in "Ew, that's gross!") It was probably like α or ε + Spanish 'vh.

There are also version of several vowels with a small iota underneath (or beside in the case of capitols): ᾼ ᾳ, ῌ ῃ, ῼ ῳ. It is believed that these represent ancient diphthongs, but the pronunciation is not altered in the time of Greek writings after the 4th century BCE.
: ''We have chosen not to include ι-subscripts on '''WikiChristian''', partly because most browsers display them incorrectly.''

== Accents and Breathing ==
There are three possible accents that can be put on Greek vowels: the acute <big>´</big>, the grave (pronounces 'grahv') <big>`</big> and the circumflex. The circumflex should like an upside crescent over the vowel, but some fonts use the caron (<big>^</big>) or even the tilde (<big>~</big>). It is thought the these different symbols represented rising and falling pitch, like modern Chinese, but by the time of our literature, they only indicate accent or stress.

* ἀρχῇ - ar'''xē'''
* λόγος - '''lo'''gos

Over the initial syllable of word that begins with a vowel, there will always be either a rough (<big>‘</big>) or a smooth (<big>’</big>) breathing sign. Rough means a 'h' sound and smooth means a lack of extra sound. A 'Ρ' (Rho), in the initial position, also taking a breathing sign, typically the rough. How precisely this altered pronunciation is not known.

: ''We also do not include accents here on '''WikiChristian''', since it would make searches extremely difficult, and also, because most browsers don't render them correctly.''

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/~fisher/gnt/chapters.html Greek New Testament - Parsing of each word]
* [http://www.textkit.com/ Textkit - Learn Greek and Latin]
* [http://www.theopedia.com/Greek Theopedia - Greek]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koine_Greek Wikipedia - Koine Greek]
* [http://ntgateway.com/ NT Gateway]
* [http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Greek_Index.htm Online Interlineal Greek-English Bible New Testament]
* [http://scripturetext.com/ Scripturetext.com - Scripture versions and word-for-word Greek translation at Biblos.com]
* [http://www.zhubert.com Zhubert.com - Parsing of Greek New Testament]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Translating the Bible]]

[[Category:Koine Greek]]
[[Category:Biblical languages]]

Koine Greek

2009-02-01T00:42:38Z

Koinedoctor: /* Diphthongs and ι-subscripts */

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Koine Greek
[[Image:Codex Alexandrinus Luke.jpg|thumb|center|A copy of the [[Codex Alexandrinus]] opened to the [[Gospel of Luke]].]] |
subtopics = [[Koine Greek: Dictionary|Dictionary]]
* [[Greek]]
* Lessons
** [[Koine Greek: Alphabet|Alphabet]]
** [[Koine Greek: Nouns|Nouns]], [[Koine Greek: Definite Article|Definite Article]], [[Koine Greek: Prepositions|Prepositions]]
** [[Koine Greek: Adjectives|Adjectives]], [[Koine Greek: Comparison|Comparison]]
** [[Koine Greek: Verbs|Verbs]]
** [[Koine Greek: Participles|Participles]]
** [[Koine Greek: Adverbs|Adverbs]]
** Miscellaneous topics
*** [[Koine Greek: Crasis|Crasis]]
*** [[Koine Greek: Questions|Questions]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

{{greek_dictionary}}
Koine is the Greek word for "common." Koine Greek (also called New Testament Greek) was the form of the Greek language used from around 300 BC to AD 300. The books of the [[New Testament]] were originally written in Koine Greek. Koine Greek was the ''lingua franca'' (or the commonly used language of communication) in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern for hundreds of years following the conquests of Alexander the Great, including during the time of the early church.

For some time the Greek language of the New Testament confused many scholars. It was sufficiently different from Classical Greek that some hypothesized that it was a combination of Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. Others attempted to explain it as a "Holy Ghost language," assuming that perhaps God created a special language just for the [[Bible]]. But studies of [[Greek]] papyri found in [[Egypt]] over the past 120 years have shown that the Greek of the [[New Testament]] manuscripts was the "common" (koine) language of the everyday people - the same as that used in the writing of wills and private letters.

Koine Greek had spread throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East as a result of the conquests of the Greek armies of Alexander the Great. It served as a second language for many people and had become the language of communication throughout much of the Roman Empire and beyond by the time of Jesus. It retained its role as the lingua franca until the Middle Ages.

===Bible===

The Old Testament was translated into Koine Greek between the third and first centuries before Christ. This translation is known as the [[Septuagint]], or simply, the "LXX". The New Testament books were originally written in Koine Greek. Below is part of a passage from the New Testament - [[John 1:1]]
* {{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=Greek}}
* Translation: ''{{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=WEB}}''

{{clear}}
===Alphabet===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Letter name !! Lower Case !! Upper Case !! Transliteration in WikiChristian !! Pronunciation
|-
| alpha || α || Α || a || father
|-
| beta || β || Β || b || spanish v/b Habana
|-
| gamma || γ || Γ || g || gamma, gh
|-
| delta || δ || Δ || d || delta, dh
|-
| epsilon || ε || Ε || e || epsilon
|-
| zêta || ζ || Ζ || z || zêta
|-
| êta || |η || Η || e || obey
|-
| thêta || θ || Θ || th || thêta
|-
| iota || ι || Ι || i || spaghetti
|-
| kappa || κ || Κ || k || kappa
|-
| lambda || |λ || Λ || l || lambda
|-
| mu || μ || Μ || m || mu
|-
| nu || ν || Ν || n || nu
|-
| xi || ξ || Ξ || x || axiom
|-
| omicron || ο || Ο || o || oh
|-
| pi || π || Π || p || pi
|-
| rho || ρ || Ρ || r || ro
|-
| sigma || σ / ς || Σ || s || sigma
|-
| tau || τ || Τ || t || tav
|-
| upsilon || υ || Υ || u || French u, German ue
|-
| phi || φ || Φ || ph || father
|-
| chi || χ || Χ || ch || Bach
|-
| psi || ψ || Ψ || ps || oops
|-
| omega || ω || Ω || o || oh
|}

== Diphthongs and ι-subscripts ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Diphthong
! Pronunciation
|-
! ΑΙ
| like ε, 'e' as in get
|-
! ΕΙ
| like ι, 'ee' as in tree (not identical to 'Η''''*''')
|-
! ΟΙ
| like Υ, French 'u' German 'ue', rounded 'i'
|-
! ΑΥ
| approximately 'av' '''**'''
|-
! ΟΥ
| 'oo' as in fool
|-
! ΥΙ
| as Υ or Υ + Ι
|-
! ΕΥ
| approximately 'ev' '''**'''
|}

: '''*''' There is abundant evidence to suggest that is was pronounced 'i' (as in "spaghetti"). This entered the language shortly after the time of Alexander the Great and is seen everywhere in papyri, inscriptions and in ALL NT manuscripts, even from the earliest papyri like p52. This is why Westcott and Hort spelled some famous names like Δαυειδ and Πειλατος, such were the spellings in the old manuscripts.

: '''**''' 'αυ' and 'ευ' are controversial. There is some evidence to suggest that is was pronounced 'ew' (as in "Ew, that's gross!") It was probably like α or ε + Spanish 'vh.

There are also version of several vowels with a small iota underneath (or beside in the case of capitols): ᾼ ᾳ, ῌ ῃ, ῼ ῳ. It is believed that these represent ancient diphthongs, but the pronunciation is not altered in the time of any Greek writing after the 4th century BCE.
: ''We have chosen not to include ι-subscripts on '''WikiChristian''', partly because most browsers display them incorrectly.''

== Accents and Breathing ==
There are three possible accents that can be put on Greek vowels: the acute <big>´</big>, the grave (pronounces 'grahv') <big>`</big> and the circumflex. The circumflex should like an upside crescent over the vowel, but some fonts use the caron (<big>^</big>) or even the tilde (<big>~</big>). It is thought the these different symbols represented rising and falling pitch, like modern Chinese, but by the time of our literature, they only indicate accent or stress.

* ἀρχῇ - ar'''xē'''
* λόγος - '''lo'''gos

Over the initial syllable of word that begins with a vowel, there will always be either a rough (<big>‘</big>) or a smooth (<big>’</big>) breathing sign. Rough means a 'h' sound and smooth means a lack of extra sound. A 'Ρ' (Rho), in the initial position, also taking a breathing sign, typically the rough. How precisely this altered pronunciation is not known.

: ''We also do not include accents here on '''WikiChristian''', since it would make searches extremely difficult, and also, because most browsers don't render them correctly.''

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/~fisher/gnt/chapters.html Greek New Testament - Parsing of each word]
* [http://www.textkit.com/ Textkit - Learn Greek and Latin]
* [http://www.theopedia.com/Greek Theopedia - Greek]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koine_Greek Wikipedia - Koine Greek]
* [http://ntgateway.com/ NT Gateway]
* [http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Greek_Index.htm Online Interlineal Greek-English Bible New Testament]
* [http://scripturetext.com/ Scripturetext.com - Scripture versions and word-for-word Greek translation at Biblos.com]
* [http://www.zhubert.com Zhubert.com - Parsing of Greek New Testament]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Translating the Bible]]

[[Category:Koine Greek]]
[[Category:Biblical languages]]

Koine Greek

2009-02-01T00:29:41Z

Koinedoctor: /* Diphthongs and ι-subscripts */

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Koine Greek
[[Image:Codex Alexandrinus Luke.jpg|thumb|center|A copy of the [[Codex Alexandrinus]] opened to the [[Gospel of Luke]].]] |
subtopics = [[Koine Greek: Dictionary|Dictionary]]
* [[Greek]]
* Lessons
** [[Koine Greek: Alphabet|Alphabet]]
** [[Koine Greek: Nouns|Nouns]], [[Koine Greek: Definite Article|Definite Article]], [[Koine Greek: Prepositions|Prepositions]]
** [[Koine Greek: Adjectives|Adjectives]], [[Koine Greek: Comparison|Comparison]]
** [[Koine Greek: Verbs|Verbs]]
** [[Koine Greek: Participles|Participles]]
** [[Koine Greek: Adverbs|Adverbs]]
** Miscellaneous topics
*** [[Koine Greek: Crasis|Crasis]]
*** [[Koine Greek: Questions|Questions]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

{{greek_dictionary}}
Koine is the Greek word for "common." Koine Greek (also called New Testament Greek) was the form of the Greek language used from around 300 BC to AD 300. The books of the [[New Testament]] were originally written in Koine Greek. Koine Greek was the ''lingua franca'' (or the commonly used language of communication) in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern for hundreds of years following the conquests of Alexander the Great, including during the time of the early church.

For some time the Greek language of the New Testament confused many scholars. It was sufficiently different from Classical Greek that some hypothesized that it was a combination of Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. Others attempted to explain it as a "Holy Ghost language," assuming that perhaps God created a special language just for the [[Bible]]. But studies of [[Greek]] papyri found in [[Egypt]] over the past 120 years have shown that the Greek of the [[New Testament]] manuscripts was the "common" (koine) language of the everyday people - the same as that used in the writing of wills and private letters.

Koine Greek had spread throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East as a result of the conquests of the Greek armies of Alexander the Great. It served as a second language for many people and had become the language of communication throughout much of the Roman Empire and beyond by the time of Jesus. It retained its role as the lingua franca until the Middle Ages.

===Bible===

The Old Testament was translated into Koine Greek between the third and first centuries before Christ. This translation is known as the [[Septuagint]], or simply, the "LXX". The New Testament books were originally written in Koine Greek. Below is part of a passage from the New Testament - [[John 1:1]]
* {{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=Greek}}
* Translation: ''{{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=WEB}}''

{{clear}}
===Alphabet===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Letter name !! Lower Case !! Upper Case !! Transliteration in WikiChristian !! Pronunciation
|-
| alpha || α || Α || a || father
|-
| beta || β || Β || b || spanish v/b Habana
|-
| gamma || γ || Γ || g || gamma, gh
|-
| delta || δ || Δ || d || delta, dh
|-
| epsilon || ε || Ε || e || epsilon
|-
| zêta || ζ || Ζ || z || zêta
|-
| êta || |η || Η || e || obey
|-
| thêta || θ || Θ || th || thêta
|-
| iota || ι || Ι || i || spaghetti
|-
| kappa || κ || Κ || k || kappa
|-
| lambda || |λ || Λ || l || lambda
|-
| mu || μ || Μ || m || mu
|-
| nu || ν || Ν || n || nu
|-
| xi || ξ || Ξ || x || axiom
|-
| omicron || ο || Ο || o || oh
|-
| pi || π || Π || p || pi
|-
| rho || ρ || Ρ || r || ro
|-
| sigma || σ / ς || Σ || s || sigma
|-
| tau || τ || Τ || t || tav
|-
| upsilon || υ || Υ || u || French u, German ue
|-
| phi || φ || Φ || ph || father
|-
| chi || χ || Χ || ch || Bach
|-
| psi || ψ || Ψ || ps || oops
|-
| omega || ω || Ω || o || oh
|}

== Diphthongs and ι-subscripts ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Diphthong
! Pronunciation
|-
! ΑΙ
| 'e' as in get
|-
! ΕΙ
| 'ee' as in tree (not identical to 'Η')
|-
! ΟΙ
| French 'u' German 'ue', rounded 'i'
|-
! ΑΥ
| approximately 'av'
|-
! ΟΥ
| 'oo' as in fool
|-
! ΥΙ
| as Υ or Υ + Ι
|-
! ΕΥ
| '''*'''
|}

: '''*''' 'ευ' is both hard and controversial. There is some evidence to suggest that is was pronounced 'ew' (as in "Ew, that's gross!") It was ε + Spanish 'vh.

There are also version of several vowels with a small iota underneath (or beside in the case of capitols): ᾼ ᾳ, ῌ ῃ, ῼ ῳ. It is believed that these represent ancient diphthongs, but the pronunciation is not altered in the time of any Greek writing after the 4th century BCE.
: ''We have chosen not to include ι-subscripts on '''WikiChristian''', partly because most browsers display them incorrectly.''

== Accents and Breathing ==
There are three possible accents that can be put on Greek vowels: the acute <big>´</big>, the grave (pronounces 'grahv') <big>`</big> and the circumflex. The circumflex should like an upside crescent over the vowel, but some fonts use the caron (<big>^</big>) or even the tilde (<big>~</big>). It is thought the these different symbols represented rising and falling pitch, like modern Chinese, but by the time of our literature, they only indicate accent or stress.

* ἀρχῇ - ar'''xē'''
* λόγος - '''lo'''gos

Over the initial syllable of word that begins with a vowel, there will always be either a rough (<big>‘</big>) or a smooth (<big>’</big>) breathing sign. Rough means a 'h' sound and smooth means a lack of extra sound. A 'Ρ' (Rho), in the initial position, also taking a breathing sign, typically the rough. How precisely this altered pronunciation is not known.

: ''We also do not include accents here on '''WikiChristian''', since it would make searches extremely difficult, and also, because most browsers don't render them correctly.''

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/~fisher/gnt/chapters.html Greek New Testament - Parsing of each word]
* [http://www.textkit.com/ Textkit - Learn Greek and Latin]
* [http://www.theopedia.com/Greek Theopedia - Greek]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koine_Greek Wikipedia - Koine Greek]
* [http://ntgateway.com/ NT Gateway]
* [http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Greek_Index.htm Online Interlineal Greek-English Bible New Testament]
* [http://scripturetext.com/ Scripturetext.com - Scripture versions and word-for-word Greek translation at Biblos.com]
* [http://www.zhubert.com Zhubert.com - Parsing of Greek New Testament]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Translating the Bible]]

[[Category:Koine Greek]]
[[Category:Biblical languages]]

Koine Greek

2009-02-01T00:22:10Z

Koinedoctor: /* Alphabet */

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Koine Greek
[[Image:Codex Alexandrinus Luke.jpg|thumb|center|A copy of the [[Codex Alexandrinus]] opened to the [[Gospel of Luke]].]] |
subtopics = [[Koine Greek: Dictionary|Dictionary]]
* [[Greek]]
* Lessons
** [[Koine Greek: Alphabet|Alphabet]]
** [[Koine Greek: Nouns|Nouns]], [[Koine Greek: Definite Article|Definite Article]], [[Koine Greek: Prepositions|Prepositions]]
** [[Koine Greek: Adjectives|Adjectives]], [[Koine Greek: Comparison|Comparison]]
** [[Koine Greek: Verbs|Verbs]]
** [[Koine Greek: Participles|Participles]]
** [[Koine Greek: Adverbs|Adverbs]]
** Miscellaneous topics
*** [[Koine Greek: Crasis|Crasis]]
*** [[Koine Greek: Questions|Questions]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}

{{greek_dictionary}}
Koine is the Greek word for "common." Koine Greek (also called New Testament Greek) was the form of the Greek language used from around 300 BC to AD 300. The books of the [[New Testament]] were originally written in Koine Greek. Koine Greek was the ''lingua franca'' (or the commonly used language of communication) in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern for hundreds of years following the conquests of Alexander the Great, including during the time of the early church.

For some time the Greek language of the New Testament confused many scholars. It was sufficiently different from Classical Greek that some hypothesized that it was a combination of Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. Others attempted to explain it as a "Holy Ghost language," assuming that perhaps God created a special language just for the [[Bible]]. But studies of [[Greek]] papyri found in [[Egypt]] over the past 120 years have shown that the Greek of the [[New Testament]] manuscripts was the "common" (koine) language of the everyday people - the same as that used in the writing of wills and private letters.

Koine Greek had spread throughout the Mediterranean and Middle East as a result of the conquests of the Greek armies of Alexander the Great. It served as a second language for many people and had become the language of communication throughout much of the Roman Empire and beyond by the time of Jesus. It retained its role as the lingua franca until the Middle Ages.

===Bible===

The Old Testament was translated into Koine Greek between the third and first centuries before Christ. This translation is known as the [[Septuagint]], or simply, the "LXX". The New Testament books were originally written in Koine Greek. Below is part of a passage from the New Testament - [[John 1:1]]
* {{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=Greek}}
* Translation: ''{{Bible verse|John|1|1|lang=WEB}}''

{{clear}}
===Alphabet===

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Letter name !! Lower Case !! Upper Case !! Transliteration in WikiChristian !! Pronunciation
|-
| alpha || α || Α || a || father
|-
| beta || β || Β || b || spanish v/b Habana
|-
| gamma || γ || Γ || g || gamma, gh
|-
| delta || δ || Δ || d || delta, dh
|-
| epsilon || ε || Ε || e || epsilon
|-
| zêta || ζ || Ζ || z || zêta
|-
| êta || |η || Η || e || obey
|-
| thêta || θ || Θ || th || thêta
|-
| iota || ι || Ι || i || spaghetti
|-
| kappa || κ || Κ || k || kappa
|-
| lambda || |λ || Λ || l || lambda
|-
| mu || μ || Μ || m || mu
|-
| nu || ν || Ν || n || nu
|-
| xi || ξ || Ξ || x || axiom
|-
| omicron || ο || Ο || o || oh
|-
| pi || π || Π || p || pi
|-
| rho || ρ || Ρ || r || ro
|-
| sigma || σ / ς || Σ || s || sigma
|-
| tau || τ || Τ || t || tav
|-
| upsilon || υ || Υ || u || French u, German ue
|-
| phi || φ || Φ || ph || father
|-
| chi || χ || Χ || ch || Bach
|-
| psi || ψ || Ψ || ps || oops
|-
| omega || ω || Ω || o || oh
|}

== Diphthongs and ι-subscripts ==

{| class="wikitable"
! Diphthong
! Pronunciation
|-
! ΑΙ
| 'ai' as in aisle
|-
! ΕΙ
| 'ei' as in freight (identical to 'Η')
|-
! ΟΙ
| 'oi' as in oil
|-
! ΑΥ
| 'ow' as in sow
|-
! ΟΥ
| 'oo' as in fool
|-
! ΥΙ
| 'ooe' as in gooey
|-
! ΕΥ
| '''*'''
|}

: '''*''' 'ευ' is both hard and controversial. There is some evidence to suggest that is was pronounced 'ew' (as in "Ew, that's gross!") or simply 'yu'. What has been taught for ages, however, is 'eh-oo', as sound not present in English.

There are also version of several vowels with a small iota underneath (or beside in the case of capitols): ᾼ ᾳ, ῌ ῃ, ῼ ῳ. It is believed that these represent ancient diphthongs, but the pronunciation is not altered in the time of any Greek writing we can know.
: ''We have chosen not to include ι-subscripts on '''WikiChristian''', partly because most browsers display them incorrectly.''

== Accents and Breathing ==
There are three possible accents that can be put on Greek vowels: the acute <big>´</big>, the grave (pronounces 'grahv') <big>`</big> and the circumflex. The circumflex should like an upside crescent over the vowel, but some fonts use the caron (<big>^</big>) or even the tilde (<big>~</big>). It is thought the these different symbols represented rising and falling pitch, like modern Chinese, but by the time of our literature, they only indicate accent or stress.

* ἀρχῇ - ar'''xē'''
* λόγος - '''lo'''gos

Over the initial syllable of word that begins with a vowel, there will always be either a rough (<big>‘</big>) or a smooth (<big>’</big>) breathing sign. Rough means a 'h' sound and smooth means a lack of extra sound. A 'Ρ' (Rho), in the initial position, also taking a breathing sign, typically the rough. How precisely this altered pronunciation is not known.

: ''We also do not include accents here on '''WikiChristian''', since it would make searches extremely difficult, and also, because most browsers don't render them correctly.''

==Quotes==

==Links==
* [http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/~fisher/gnt/chapters.html Greek New Testament - Parsing of each word]
* [http://www.textkit.com/ Textkit - Learn Greek and Latin]
* [http://www.theopedia.com/Greek Theopedia - Greek]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koine_Greek Wikipedia - Koine Greek]
* [http://ntgateway.com/ NT Gateway]
* [http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/Greek_Index.htm Online Interlineal Greek-English Bible New Testament]
* [http://scripturetext.com/ Scripturetext.com - Scripture versions and word-for-word Greek translation at Biblos.com]
* [http://www.zhubert.com Zhubert.com - Parsing of Greek New Testament]

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Translating the Bible]]

[[Category:Koine Greek]]
[[Category:Biblical languages]]

Koine Greek: Alphabet

2009-02-01T00:10:55Z

Koinedoctor: /* Alphabet */

{{Infobox_Contents |
topic_name = Greek Alphabet |
subtopics = [[Hebrew: Alphabet]] |
opinion_pieces = {{short_opinions}} |
}}
The Koine Greek alphabet consists of 24 letters. All Greek was originally written in upper case, without spaces between words, and without added punctuation, but today, most texts are are written in lower case, with punctuation and spaces between words.

===Alphabet===

Below is a table showing the letters.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Letter name !! Lower Case !! Upper Case !! Transliteration !! Pronunciation
|-
| alpha || α || Α || a || father
|-
| beta || β || Β || b || beta, spanish b/v
|-
| gamma || γ || Γ || g || gamma, =gh
|-
| delta || δ || Δ || d || delta, =dh
|-
| epsilon || ε || Ε || e || epsilon
|-
| zêta || ζ || Ζ || z || zêta
|-
| êta || |η || Η || ê or ē || obey
|-
| thêta || θ || Θ || th || thêta
|-
| iota || ι || Ι || i ||
|-
| kappa || κ || Κ || k || kappa
|-
| lambda || |λ || Λ || l or L || lambda
|-
| mu || μ || Μ || m || mu
|-
| nu || ν || Ν || n || nu
|-
| xi || ξ || Ξ || ks || axiom
|-
| omicron || ο || Ο || o || omicron
|-
| pi || π || Π || p || pi
|-
| rho || ρ || Ρ || r || rho
|-
| sigma || σ / ς || Σ || s || sigma
|-
| tau || τ || Τ || t || tau
|-
| upsilon || υ || Υ || u sometimes y || French u
|-
| phi || φ || Φ || ph || father
|-
| chi || χ || Χ || ch ||
|-
| psi || ψ || Ψ || ps ||
|-
| omega || ω || Ω || ô or ō || obey
|}

===Diphthongs===

{| class="wikitable"
! Diphthong
! Pronunciation
|-
! ΑΙ
| 'ai' as in aisle
|-
! ΕΙ
| 'ei' as in freight (identical to 'Η')
|-
! ΟΙ
| 'oi' as in oil
|-
! ΑΥ
| 'ow' as in sow
|-
! ΟΥ
| 'oo' as in fool
|-
! ΥΙ
| 'ooe' as in gooey
|-
! ΕΥ
| '''*'''
|}

: '''*''' 'ευ' is both hard and controversial. There is some evidence to suggest that is was pronounced 'ew' (as in "Ew, that's gross!") or simply 'yu'. What has been taught for ages, however, is 'eh-oo', as sound not present in English.

There are also version of several vowels with a small iota underneath (or beside in the case of capitols): ᾼ ᾳ, ῌ ῃ, ῼ ῳ. It is believed that these represent ancient diphthongs, but the pronunciation is not altered in the time of any Greek writing we can know.
: ''We have chosen not to include ι-subscripts on '''WikiChristian''', partly because most browsers display them incorrectly.''

===Accents===

There are three possible accents that can be put on Greek vowels: the acute <big>´</big>, the grave (pronounces 'grahv') <big>`</big> and the circumflex. The circumflex should like an upside crescent over the vowel, but some fonts use the caron (<big>^</big>) or even the tilde (<big>~</big>). It is thought the these different symbols represented rising and falling pitch, like modern Chinese, but by the time of our literature, they only indicate accent or stress.

* ἀρχῇ - ar'''xē'''
* λόγος - '''lo'''gos

Over the initial syllable of word that begins with a vowel, there will always be either a rough (<big>‘</big>) or a smooth (<big>’</big>) breathing sign. Rough means a 'h' sound and smooth means a lack of extra sound. A 'Ρ' (Rho), in the initial position, also taking a breathing sign, typically the rough. How precisely this altered pronunciation is not known.

: ''We also do not include accents here on '''WikiChristian''', since it would make searches extremely difficult, and also, because most browsers don't render them correctly.''

===Punctuation===

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==Quotes==

==Links==

{{returnto}} [[Christianity]] -> [[Bible]] -> [[Koine Greek]]

[[Category:Koine Greek]]