Biblical Greek: How to tell an objective genitive from a subjective genitive (3 easy questions)

In Biblical Greek, it’s not hard to get confused about verbal genitives: is that an objective genitive or a subjective genitive? In this video we take a look at verbal genitives, and work out three simple questions you should ask to determine whether the genitive is subjective or objective. Along the way, I’ll try and simplify the genitive categories a little as well.
A good guide to the genitive can be found in Mathewson and Emig’s Intermediate Greek Grammar.
* Amazon: amzn.to/2xeKWrd
* Logos: mntg.me/mathewson
You can also get The Faith of Jesus Christ: The Narrative Substructure of Galatians 3:1-4:11 from Amazon at amzn.to/39SR7jV
Get your roadmap to Mastery from mntg.me/roadmap
Follow me:
Twitter: / darrylb
Facebook: / masterntgreek

[@brayfamily548]

Great explanation! Very clear. When I studied the genitive uses (100 years ago) I threw up my hands in despair. 1. There are a lot of them. 2. The distinction isn't always clear. 3. Often, it seems like splitting hairs or basing theological understanding too heavily on OUR categories. In spite of this, studying the genitives can also be very helpful . . . like your video! :-)

[@bma]

Thanks for your kind words, and thanks for watching!

[@diimpho]

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant! Love the Hays book at the end there as well. Really makes a huge motivational difference when the "greek grammar" is connected to hermeneutics/theology.

[@bma]

Thanks for watching!

[@neilellson]

I just watched this to add to the detail for the genitive in our current reading course in MNTG. Nicely explained, thanks.

[@bma]

Thanks Neil!

[@fooyukyee]

I always had trouble with these two categories of the genitive. Thank you Darryl for this very helpful video that simplifies it for me😀

[@bma]

You're very welcome!

[@BiblicalStudiesandReviews]

Best videos on Koine Greek on KZbin, right here on your channel! Nicely done! Need more music though. Totally kidding on the music :) Great stuff!

[@bma]

Thanks Stephen!

[@Ashmazingthe1st]

This video was great! I would love more videos like this one where you explain various aspects of Greek grammar.

[@adechalus]

Hello this is such a great explanation of such a difficult topic. Thank you!! Could you please explain the relationship of the genitive in Colossians 1:15 and revelation 1:5?

[@markmarkster]

Great video - I really enjoyed the part describing how the original author (like modern authors) did not refer to a grammar book when selecting a specific word - they simply used the language with which they were familiar

[@bma]

Thanks Mark! I appreciate your comments and watching!

[@deannataylor1411]

Thank you! I appreciated the video. It did help me with clarity.

[@bma]

Wonderful! Thanks for watching!

[@michelledesilva5046]

Would you be willing to share your thoughts on Romans 5:1. Is this my faith or Christ’s faithfulness?

[@kabalankay]

YES, this one would be a great text to discuss!

[@dannorris8478]

Thanks , this was helpful. But please try talking a little slower. I am now subscribed.

[@bma]

Thanks for your feedback and for watching! My later videos may be a little slower. Thanks for watching!

[@rinkevichjm]

Subjective genitives are used in negative statements.

[@agostinho_piano]

Thanks for the video, I have a doubt though, how can we understand what is said in Mark 2:27-28 [27]καὶ ἔλεγεν αὐτοῖς, τὸ σάββατον διὰ τὸν ἄνθρωπον ἐγένετο καὶ οὐχ ὁ ἄνθρωπος διὰ τὸ σάββατον· [28]ὥστε κύριός ἐστιν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ ἀνθρώπου καὶ τοῦ σαββάτου. I did not quite understand the use of the genitive in 'τοῦ σαββάτου' I would really appreciate if you could clarify me on this. Thank you

[@bma]

There are two (perhaps more) ways of understanding it. It could be a genitive of subordination (with κύριος) in the context, and it could be simply a genitive of description. If it is a genitive of subordination it could be rendered "lord even over the sabbath." The καί here makes it a little tricky, perhaps more than the genitive. Thanks for watching!

[@diedreb4611]

No, it didn't help..I need the answer to that book...smile