GREEK PRONUNCIATION 3 (First Epistle of John)

A Reading and Pronunciation exercise in Biblical Greek using the First Epistle of John. Reading is intentionally slow in the beginning, then progressively approximates conversational speed while allowing the reader to practice repeating the parts being read. The pronunciation used is that of Neohellenic (Modern Greek). Neohellenic preserves the historical sounds of Greek, so its pronunciation comes very close to the pronunciation of the Κοινή "koine" of the New Testament. For a discussion on the evidence of the historical Greek sounds, collectively referred to as the Historical Greek Pronunciation (HGP), you may visit www.Greeklinguistics.net, or contact the author, Phil Zachariou, at [e-mail].
For tips on pronunciation, please see a short video clip,
GREEK PRONUNCIATION 4 (Tips) at • GREEK PRONUNCIATION 4 ... .
Note:
The spelling errors we see in private classical inscriptions are repeated in the numerous Hellenistic and Byzantine papyrical records as well as in modern writings by the less literate private citizens. This unbroken 2,500-year-old record of misspellings, judged by the same standard-the same 24-letter alphabet and orthography-is the strongest evidence we have of the development of the historical sounds of Greek. This record helps us follow the phonemic pronunciation of mainstream Greek that prevailed through the centuries over all other peripheral pronunciations and evolved into what it is today. Neohellenic (aka "Modern" Greek) therefore preserves the living historical sounds with a pronunciation that is real, consistent, and euphonic. As the direct descendant of Κοινή, Neohellenic is naturally closer to the pronunciation of the first Greek-speaking Christians than any "reconstructed" or other artificial pronunciation of Greek. -PZ

[@speedstick77]

Finally, finally a real Greek speaks his tongue slowly and distinctly so students can learn. May God bless you for this gift, Sir!

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Immensely grateful for such a heart-felt expression, my friend. -PZ

[@CHILDRENOFLIGHTMINISTRY]

You are always a blessing. I have been learning Biblical Greek a lot from you. I hope that one day you will read to us the gospel of Matthew or John. May the Lord bless you, your family, and your ministry!

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Thank you cordially. Blessings on you! -PZ

[@AbelosAlithini]

​@PhilemonZachariou Σας ευχαριστούμε πολύ για την υπέροχη ανάγνωση-οδηγό σωστής προφοράς της κοινής. Θα ήθελα να ρωτήσω εάν υπάρχει κάποιο βίντεο που να μας διαφωτίζει σχετικά με την διαφορά μεταξύ ημείς και υμείς σε σχέση με την προφορά; Όπως σχετικα και με την προφορά των δύο ρρ με ψιλή και δασεία; Ευχαριστώ πολύ

[@issith7340]

Finally!! I hope the foreigners, will appreciate the real sound of the text, since it was written ( the pronunciation was already this one when the New Testament was written).

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Your comment is appreciated. -PZ

[@michellechung3060]

Sir Philemon, thank you! thank you! thank you! This is a amazing teaching of Greek pronunciation for the beginners for learning Greek like me. May God bless you! 🌸😀

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Thank you, Michelle! -PZ

[@taylorwilliams37]

Wonderful reading of the text in a clear and precise voice! Dr. Taylor Williams

[@PhilemonZachariou]

+Taylor Williams What a meaningful comment by a Greek scholar! Thank you! -PZ

[@Eagle1349]

Thank you very much for taking the time to teach. God bless you!

[@rainstormr7650]

Many thanks for posting this - its a great vocal reference for us who are learning - otherwise we are reading stuff and have no real-world idea of what it sounds like or what it should sound like

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Thank you! Your comments, like those of other unseen friends, make every effort to produce such videos worthwhile. -PZ

[@XA200]

Dr. Zachariou Thanks for the NT reading in modern Greek. Please continue to add more readings of the books of the NT. God bless your project. Sam

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Thank you, I will. -PZ

[@issith7340]

It’s not the pronunciation of modern Greek only. This is the pronunciation of koine Greek, since the time of Christ, with little difference.

[@sicarfield1642]

thank you so much for doing this! I've learned a lot from this clip.

[@bible4family]

Thank you for your work.

[@PhilemonZachariou]

My pleasure. Thanks for listening! -PZ

[@blisschris3050]

thank you for very psychological explanation about the previous video on pronunciation also.. you covered a lot in it. very helpful..

[@Gregori-mi2vy8nc6y]

Σας ευχαριστώ κ. Φιλήμονας Ζαχαρίου

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Κι᾽ εγώ σας ευχαριστώ. --ΦΖ

[@Gregori-mi2vy8nc6y]

@@PhilemonZachariou Παρακαλώ

[@MyBibleMyLife]

Thank you for your fantastic program. I am wondering you are not producing more readings from the 4 Gospels. We need your help because you are a precious and dependable resource for reading Biblical Greek. Please if You can produce a reading from the Gospel of John.

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Thank you for your kind and encouraging words, my friend. I do plan to produce more videos of the type you indicated as soon as my current writing project comes to an end-not too long from now. Appreciative! -PZ

[@jadeackroyd5750]

Thank you😊 being learning koine greek. Can pretty much read through this epistle😅 hard to learn. I am learning with this pronunciation so nice to find someone reading it in the same one. Thank you.

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Wonderful! -PZ

[@jacobgoering6068]

This is fantastic! I would love to see more such videos.

[@PhilemonZachariou]

More to come! -PZ

[@krishanuchatterjee1765]

Thanks for this great work!! Iiseou Christo bless you 😇😇

[@frankwang9356]

Dr. Z, do you plan to publish an audio NT CD? I will definitely buy it.

[@2cretan]

Good work!

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Thank you, sweetheart! -PZ

[@rainstormr7650]

Thanks a lot for posting this! and for reading slowly... ; )

[@PhilemonZachariou]

+Rainstorm R Meaningful comments. Thank you! -PZ

[@rajulalnathraju974]

Rainstorm R xx देसीदेसीनाबो

[@mrblackp5019]

Yeah, thank you

[@rowletdecidueye4740]

Thank you, sir. A bit offtopic, but as a native Greek speaker, how would you understand/translate John 1:1c? Does θεὸς mean God/deity in the ontological/truest sense?

[@COMIS26]

Ναι. Σημαίνει Θεός. Με οντολογική και αληθινή έννοια.

[@rowletdecidueye4740]

@@COMIS26 Thank you, good to hear this directly from a native Greek speaker. Seems my other reply is 'hidden', so I guess I leave it at that.

[@PhilemonZachariou]

See the new video on this very verse, GREEK PRONUNCIATION 15 (John 1:1)

[@eilermiraflor7714]

Thank you very much, Dr. Zachariou. You will never know how much God has used you so that now I love to read my Greek-English interlinear New Testament. I think am getting better at reading the Greek text after reading the entire New Testament and now in Ephesians the second time. God bless your ministry.

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Dear Eiler, I am humbled by your expression and encouragement. Thank you! -PZ

[@helenfrancois2375]

Thank you so much for your work. I was wandering if it would be possible to practice on my side the pronunciation and you could evaluate my work. I would send you a recording of 1 John. Roland

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Dear Helen, I would be glad to receive and evaluate your reading of 1 John. You may send the sound file to [e-mail]. -PZ

[@helenfrancois2375]

Thank you so much . I will work at it.

[@smurfmissus3846]

Hello, first of all thank you so much for putting this up. And reading it slowly! I am not an expert on Greek, but this to me sounds like you’re pronouncing it as it would be in modern Greek. On the other hand, there’s lots of resources out there saying that Koine Greek was pronounced differently- Especially some vowels and diphthongs. So which would be correct? Also, how is the word κοινή pronounced properly?

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Hello, Smurf Missus. You are correct in saying that the pronunciation used in this video is Modern Greek. You are also correct in saying that there are "...lots of resources out there saying that Koine was pronounced differently." In fact, there are probably as many resources out there as there are opinions about the pronunciation of Koine. So, whom are you going to follow? First, the pronunciation of the word Koine is not "coy-neigh" as Erasmians pronounce it, nor "kunay" as some other quasi-Erasmians pronounce it. It is pronounced Κοινή [Kini] as in "key-knee." Also, historical evidence leaves no doubt that (1) Modern Greek sounds are not "modern"-e.g., recently formed-but historical; and (2) today's Greek pronunciation is closer to the Κοινή of the New Testament than any artificial or "restored" Greek pronunciation system. If you are a lover of Greek and interested in finding out things for yourself regarding Κοινή, I recommend that you get a copy of Reading and Pronouncing Biblical Greek: Historical Pronunciation versus Erasmian (Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2020). No need to blindly accept one's opinion on the pronunciation of NT Greek by virtue of his or her credentials alone. Look for the evidence yourself. Cheers! -PZ

[@smurfmissus3846]

Philemon Zachariou Many thanks for your prompt reply. I was wondering if there are any resources you’d recommend on the grammar (I expect some things are a little different to Modern Greek) and of course- vocabulary building? I speak a degree of Greek, so a lot of Koine sounds fairly familiar, but not enough to be able to read New Testament.

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Please look up www.Greeklinguistics.net. The two books I would recommend are Vol. II and Vol. III. In your case, Vol. III (Grammar Essentials) would be helpful in terms of vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. It comes with a CD. I wish you the best. -PZ

[@smurfmissus3846]

Philemon Zachariou thank you, you’re a star

[@jackbenimble1373]

Remarkable.

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Thank you very much, friend! - PZ

[@mrblackp5019]

Please can you post more videos like that

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Yes, friend, that's my intent. Stay in touch. -PZ

[@JeffPryor]

Thanks for your Presentations OI HELLAS

[@PhilemonZachariou]

My pleasure! -PZ

[@AndronikosNikephoros]

Great Job my brother in Christ 🇬🇷☦️💒🇨🇾

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Thank you! -PZ

[@jacobgoering6068]

Would you be willing to make some videos like this for key moments from the gospels?

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Friend, I am always willing and open to suggestions, though time dictates what, when, and how much. But please email me at [e-mail]. -PZ

[@edreigustavoborgesviana7856]

Slowly. I liked all them.

[@johnnysantos3997]

Philemon Zachariou why in greek manuscripts theres umlauts and circumflexes like in our saviors name its ïHCÔYC? in the Codex Vaticanus for example

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Jonny, I am not sure that your question pertains to the umlaut (circumflex/tilde) or to all accent marks. My answer therefore addresses all accent marks since they include the use of the circumflex. Accent marks are credited to Aristophanes of Byzantium (257-180 BC), a grammarian and librarian at the Library of Alexandria. Aristophanes devised additional symbols (breathing marks, comma, period, apostrophe, hyphen) all of which were perceived as accentual marks. These symbols were devised primarily in an attempt to guide one’sreading and interpretation of the old classical works, mainly poetry. After scanty use for centuries, and following a reform of accent marks undertaken by Theodosios of Alexandria around AD 400, accents were resumed in the Middle Ages (13th c.), when diacritics became obligatory and used on every word. These polytonic accent marks were abolished in Modern Greek in 1982 since they were cumbersome and meaningless. The acute accent is now the only accent mark used over accented syllables. -PZ

[@johnnysantos3997]

Hello, Philemon Thank you so much for your well detailed answer. I appreciate the knowledge you are sharing. The accents are seen in the Koine greek manuscripts that were written around the 3rd or 4th century AD. These particular manuscripts have the diacritical marks that precisely have our savior's name written out as ïHCÔYC. The H as I presume was Heta before modernized eta was modified ? My most earnest question would be: How exactly do you pronounce the particular ï? in this case it's next to a vowel? So Would it break it down to EE / (aspired attic H' in Heta) then SOOS? with the pitch change on the circumflex?

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Johnny, diacritics (accent marks, breath marks) were invented in pre-NT Hellenistic times and did not reappear until around AD 400. Τheir use became obligatory from around the 13th century. In modern type, the name "Jesus" is IHΣΟΥΣ, Ἰησοῦς and pronounced [iisus], that is, three syllables, the first two being two distinct and unaccented syllabic "ee" sounds followed by the accented syllable "soos," e.g., "ee-ee-soos." I am not sure what you mean by "modernized" Hta. The letter H (along with Ω) entered the Attic Greek alphabet around the mid-5th c. BC, officially in 403 BC, as a vowel whose sound became associated with that of iota I, as Plato also informs us. The diaeresis symbol over iota ï is used to distinguish αι = ε (as in Ρωμαῖος "Roman") from αϊ = α-ι (two syllabic vowels as in Ρωμαϊστί "in [the] Roman [tongue]"). There is no aspiration in the name ΙΗΣΟΥΣ. H enter Attic as the vowel Hta and was ratified as such, meaning that aspiration was even by then a relic of antiquity. So, from Classical Greek (or earlier) to the present day, aspiration has not been a part of the Greek speech. (Compare that to French, Spanish, or Italian where H is written but not pronounced, or to English "honest, hour, heir," etc.) --PZ

[@galimir]

So is this the original pronnuncuation,as of the author Saint John would be?

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Friend, we will never know exactly how the Apostle John sounded in Greek, but we do know beyond doubt the phonetic value that was assigned to each Greek letter or cluster of letters in John's day. Thus we know with absolute certainty that (1) the reading in this video would have sounded to the apostle very familiar and natural, and (2) no other pronunciation system comes closer to John's pronunciation of Greek today than the pronunciation used in this video. -PZ

[@galimir]

@@PhilemonZachariou ok,thanx.So it responds to my question and I am going to learn it like that.I want to meditate every day with the first 14 verses from Johns Gospel and I want to do it in the original Greek.It actually sounds very different than the modern Greek,isnt it?

[@christopherskipp1525]

Is this Erasmian pronunciation?

[@PhilemonZachariou]

No, sir. This is real Greek. -PZ

[@christopherskipp1525]

@@PhilemonZachariou Thank you for your reply.

[@PhilemonZachariou]

You are welcome! -PZ

[@mavetse35]

"φῶς ἐστιν" προφέρεται φώσεστιν; θα ήθελα να το ξέρω γιατί το ''εστιν'' δεν παίρνει τόνους έχω κι άλλη αμφιβολία πώς προφέρεται "τὸ σῶμά μου; προφέρεται "το σώμα μου (τοσώμαμου)" όπως και στα νέα ελληνικά, ή προφέρεται "το σώμά μου (τοσώ μάμου)" με δύο τόνους; και "οὗτός ἐστιν"; προφέρεται "ούτος εστίν" ή "ούτός εστιν" (ουτόσεστιν);

[@PhilemonZachariou]

+Mautrus "τὸ σῶμά μου" καῖ "οὗτός ἐστιν" κανονικὰ προφέρονται ὅπως τονίζονται, ἀλλὰ αὐτὸ δὲν παρατηρεῖται στὴν καθομιλουμἐνη σήμερα, καὶ ἀμφιβάλλω ὅτι ἐπαρατηρεῖτο στήν καθομηλουμένη Κοινή. Μήν ξεχνᾶτε ὅτι ὁ τονισμός δέν ὕπῆρχε τότε, ἑπομένως ἡ προφορά τῆς Κοινῆς δὲν ἐπιρεαζόταν ἀπὸ λεπτομερεῖς (ὁρατοὺς) κανόνες τονισμοῦ. -PZ

[@mavetse35]

+Philemon Zachariou στο μονοτονικό σύστημα, πρέπει να γράψω "ούτός εστιν" ή "ούτος εστίν";

[@PhilemonZachariou]

+Mautrus Στὸ μονοτονικὸ σύστημα "οὗτός ἐστίν" γράφεται "ούτος εστίν" διότι "ἐστίν" κανονικὰ ἔχει δικὀ του τόνο. Στὴν ἀρχαία ἔκφράση "τοῦτ᾽ ἔστιν", ποὺ ἀκόμη χρησιμοποιεῖται σήμερα, γίνεται φθογγικὸ πάθος καὶ ὁ τονισμὸς τοῦ "ἐστὶν" μεταφέρεται στὸ ἔψιλον. -PZ (ΦZ)

[@mavetse35]

+Philemon Zachariou Όταν γράφουμε τα αρχαία ελληνικά με το μονοτονικό σύστημα "τὸ σῶμά μου" γράφεται "το σώμα μου"; Η λέξη σώμα χάνει τον δέυτερο τόνο; Γιατί;

[@PhilemonZachariou]

Mautrus Ἐγκλιτικαὶ λέξεις ἢ ἁπλῶς ἐγκλιτικὰ εἶναι τύποι ἀντωνυμιῶν (μοῦ, μοί, μέ, σοῦ, σοί, σέ), ἀόριστες ἀντωνυμίες (τίς, τί), καὶ μερικὲς λέξεις ἄλλων εἰδῶν. Τῶν ἐγκλιτικῶν, ὁ τόνος-- (α) μεταβιβάζεται εἰς τὴν λήγουσα τῆς προηγουμένης λέξεως (ὡς ὀξεῖα) ὅταν ἡ προηγουμένη λέξις εἶναι προπαροξύτονος (ἄνθρωπός τις), ἢ ὅταν ἡ λέξις εἶναι προπερισπωμένη (στρατιῶταί τινες). (β) διατηρεῖται ὅταν ἡ προηγουμένη λέξις εἶναι παροξύτονος καὶ τὸ ἐγκλιτικὸν δισύλλαβον (φίλοι τινες). Αὐτὲς εἶναι μερικὲς περιπτώσεις. Φιλήμων --PZ