Lesson 2 | Subjunctives
[4] Common Uses
Conjunctions Commonly Paired with Subjunctive Verbs
A handful of conjunctions signal the reader to expect a subjunctive verb:
- ἵνα (that, so that, in order that) – ἵνα most commonly marks purpose (or result). The potential or even probable action inherent in the subjunctive mood corresponds to ἵνα well. ἵνα should stand out like a flashing light, alerting you that a subjunctive verb will follow.
- ὅπως (how, so that, in order that) – much like ἵνα, but not as common.
- ἕως (until) – ἕως can function as a conjunction or a preposition. It can also pair with indicative or subjunctive verbs. A subjunctive verb adds to the contingency of ἕως.
- any word + ἀν (e.g., ὃς ἄν, ὅπου ἄν, and ἕως ἄν) – ἀν is an untranslatable particle that expresses contingency. For example, it can turn a relative pronoun (ὃς = who) into an indefinite relative pronoun (ὃς ἄν = whoever). When you see ἄν, a subjunctive verb will most often follow. In addition, when you see ἀν built into another word (e.g. the next two points), you likewise should expect a subjunctive to follow.
- ἐάν (if) – Koine Greek has several ways to express a conditional clause. Two words may be translated “if”: εἰ and ἐάν. We will cover conditional sentences in more detail in Lesson 8. For now, it is sufficient to know that ἐάν will always pair with a subjunctive verb.
- ὅταν (when, whenever) – the subjunctive mood complements the contingency of ὅταν with a potential action.
The Hortatory Subjunctive (The Subjunction of Exhortation)
Many times an author wants to exhort his audience to obedience without a direct command. One way he may do so is with a subjunctive verb—specifically, a first person, plural subjunctive verb. For example, the author of Hebrews writes,
προσερχώμεθα οὖν μετὰ παρρησίας τῷ θρόνῳ τῆς χάριτος Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace —Hebrews 4:16
By using the first person plural, he includes himself in the call, and so his exhortation carries both a sense of “ought to” as well as an invitation to take action.
The Deliberative Subjunctive
When a speaker or author wants to ask a thought-provoking question, he may use a subjunctive verb to highlight the potential nature of the issue or situation. The question may be real or rhetorical.
Real:
ἔξεστιν δοῦναι κῆνσον Καίσαρι ἢ οὔ; δῶμεν ἢ μὴ δῶμεν; “Is it lawful to pay (give) taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or not pay?” —Mark 12:14
Rhetorical:
τί γὰρ δοῖ ἄνθρωπος ἀντάλλαγμα τῆς ψυχῆς αὐτοῦ; For what can a man give in exchange for his soul? —Mark 8:37
Translating Present vs. Aorist Subjunctives
You have already discovered in Greek III that even in the indicative mood, it is sometimes difficult to bring out the nuance of verbal aspect. That is even more so the case with subjunctive verbs. In fact, when making a smooth translation in English, you will find it difficult to differentiate between the present (imperfective aspect) and aorist (perfective aspect) tenses.
present: ὃς ἐὰν θέλῃ, "whoever desires" (see Matthew 16:25) aorist: εἴ τις θελήσῃ, "if anyone desires" (see Revelation 11:5)
Nevertheless, it is important to note the difference in your exegesis. In the examples above, the imperfective aspect expresses ongoing action—"whoever goes on desiring," while the perfective aspect relates the action as a complete whole.
Examples from the Greek NT
Καὶ ὅταν ⸂προσεύχησθε, οὐκ ἔσεσθε⸃ ὡς οἱ ὑποκριταί And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites —Matthew 6:5
Let's focus on the verb προσεύχησθε.
προσευχ+ησθε
[Stem]
[Tense-Former]
[Ending]
The word ὅταν is a subordinating conjunction alerting us that a subjunctive verb is likely to follow. προσεύχησθε has a primary middle-passive ending. The lengthened connecting vowel confirms it is a subjunctive. Both the lexical form (προσεύχομαι) and the context indicate it is middle voice. Thus we can parse προσεύχησθε as a present, middle, subjunctive, second person, plural from προσεύχομαι. The clause can be translated "whenever you pray..." or simply "when you pray...."
τοῦτο δὲ ὅλον γέγονεν ἵνα πληρωθῇ τὸ ῥηθὲν ὑπὸ κυρίου διὰ τοῦ προφήτου... Now all this happened so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled... —Matthew 1:22
The word ἵνα is a red flag signaling us to expect a subjunctive verb. Let's examine πληρωθῇ.
πληρο+θ+ῇ
[Stem]
[Tense-Former]
[Ending]
πληρόω is a contract verb (a verb stem that ends with a vowel). You have become accustomed to seeing the stem vowel merge and sometimes lengthen. θῇ at the end looks similar to an aorist, passive, indicative, third person singular (θη). However, since there is no augment, πληρωθῇ cannot be an aorist indicative. We can conclude, therefore, that the θ is an aorist, passive, subjunctive tense former. The lengthened ending ῇ (with a circumflex accent) confirms that πληρωθῇ is an aorist, passive, subjunctive, third person, singular from πληρόω. Some English versions will frequently translate ἵνα + subjunctive as a simple infinitive. Thus the ESV translates Matt 1:22, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet."
κάθου ἐκ δεξιῶν μου, ἕως ἂν θῶ τοὺς ἐχθρούς σου, ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν σου "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet" —Hebrews 1:13
In this sentence, the conjunction ἕως signals a subjunctive may be coming. The particle ἂν almost assures the point. Did you recognize θῶ as a verb? Let's look closely.
θε+ῶ
[Stem]
[Tense-Former]
[Ending]
When you first saw θῶ, you might well have wondered what word that could possibly be. The lengthened ῶ ending looks like a first person, singular, active, subjunctive ending, but what then is θ? This is a good example of how important it is to stay sharp on your vocabulary—along with the roots for μι verbs—and to remember the rules for μι verbs. Rule #3 states, "the stem vowel of μι verbs can lengthen, shorten, or drop out." The root for τίθημι is {θε}. In this case, the stem vowel has dropped off and we are left with just the root consonant. Rule #1 states, "μι verbs use reduplication (with an iota) in the present tense." θῶ does not have reduplication, so it must be aorist. It is the aorist, active subjunctive, first person, singular from τίθημι, meaning "I should place." Notice in the context, that subjunctive communicates no uncertainty about the action. In fact, the speaker (the LORD) intends quite the opposite. God will most certainly place all Messiah's enemies under his feet. The subjunctive is used because of the contingency expressed by the conjunction + particle ἕως ἂν. "Sit at my right hand until I place all your enemies (as) a footstool under your feet."