In New Testament Greek grammar, there is a common construction where a definite article is followed by another definite article in the genitive case. This construction is used to indicate possession or association between two entities.
Structure:
The pattern typically follows this form:
Article + Noun (understood or implied) + Genitive Article + Genitive Noun
The first article is usually neuter plural (e.g., τὰ), and it implies “the things” or a general concept. The second article is in the genitive case and governs the genitive noun, indicating possession or belonging.
Example:
τὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ: “the things of God”
τὰ: Neuter plural article, implying “the things.”
τοῦ Θεοῦ: Genitive article and noun, meaning “of God.”
In this example, the first article (τὰ) refers to an implied “things” or “matters,” and the second article (τοῦ) introduces the possessor, “God.” This structure is known as a genitive of possession and is used to show that the “things” belong to or are associated with “God.”
Usage:
This construction is frequent in the New Testament to distinguish between different sets of concerns or attributes, such as “the things of God” versus “the things of men” (τὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων).
Grammatical Function:
The first definite article acts as a substantive, standing in for a noun or noun phrase.
The second definite article, along with its noun, provides the genitive modifier or possessor.
This construction emphasizes the relationship between the implied noun and the possessor, which is typical of possessive or descriptive genitive uses in Koine Greek.
Ὁ δὲ στραφεὶς εἶπεν τῷ Πέτρῳ· ὕπαγε ὀπίσω μου σατανᾶ, σκάνδαλον μου εἶ· ὅτι οὐ φρονεῖς τὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἀλλὰ τὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων. (Matthew 16:23)
In Matthew 16:23, the phrases τὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ (“the things of God”) and τὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων (“the things of men”) are examples of a grammatical structure known as the “Article-Noun-Genitive Article-Genitive Noun Construction” or sometimes referred to as “Genitive of Possession“.
The Use of the Definite Article with Possessive Genitives in Matthew 16:23.
Explanation:
τὰ τοῦ Θεοῦ = “the things of God”
τὰ: Neuter plural definite article, meaning “the things.”
τοῦ Θεοῦ: Genitive singular, meaning “of God.”
τὰ τῶν ἀνθρώπων = “the things of men”
τὰ: Neuter plural definite article, meaning “the things.”
τῶν ἀνθρώπων: Genitive plural, meaning “of men.”
This construction uses the definite article (τὰ) with a genitive noun phrase (τοῦ Θεοῦ, τῶν ἀνθρώπων) to indicate possession or association. The things referred to (implied by τὰ) belong to either God or men.
In this instance, Jesus contrasts “the things of God” with “the things of men,” implying a difference in perspective or focus. Peter’s mindset, according to Jesus, is not aligned with divine priorities but rather with human ones.
Καὶ δίκαιον Λὼτ καταπονούμενον ὑπὸ τῆς τῶν ἀθέσμων ἐν ἀσελγείᾳ ἀναστροφῆς ἐῤῥύσατο. (2 Peter 2:7)
In the Greek phrase “ὑπὸ τῆς τῶν ἀθέσμων,” we have two definite articles: “τῆς” and “τῶν.” Let’s break down their roles:
1. τῆς : This is the feminine singular genitive form of the definite article. It indicates that the noun it modifies is in the genitive case and is singular. The genitive case often shows possession or association, so “τῆς” would translate as “of the” in English.
2. τῶν : This is the genitive plural form of the definite article. It indicates that the noun it modifies is in the genitive case and is plural. Like “τῆς,” it can indicate possession or association, but for a plural noun. “τῶν” translates as “of the” in English as well.
Usage in the Phrase:
“ὑπὸ” means “by” or “under.”
“τῆς” (feminine singular genitive) modifies an implied or understood noun.
“τῶν” (genitive plural) modifies “ἀθέσμων“, which is a plural genitive noun meaning “lawless ones” or “wicked ones.”
Thus, the phrase “ὑπὸ τῆς τῶν ἀθέσμων” could be translated as “by the [power] of the wicked ones,” where “τῆς” might refer to an implied noun like “power” or “authority,” understood from the context.
So, the first article “τῆς” is singular and refers to a specific noun in the genitive case, while the second article “τῶν” is plural and refers to the “ἀθέσμων,” meaning “wicked ones.”
Let’s analyze the full sentence from 2 Peter 2:7:
Καὶ δίκαιον Λὼτ καταπονούμενον ὑπὸ τῆς τῶν ἀθέσμων ἐν ἀσελγείᾳ ἀναστροφῆς ἐῤῥύσατο.
Word-by-word breakdown:
1. Καὶ : “And.”
2. δίκαιον : “Righteous,” modifying Lot (Λὼτ).
3. Λὼτ : “Lot,” the person being referred to (direct object).
4. καταπονούμενον : A participle meaning “oppressed” or “tormented.”
5. ὑπὸ : A preposition meaning “by” or “under.”
6. τῆς : The feminine singular genitive definite article, modifying an implied noun like “conduct” or “lifestyle.”
7. τῶν : The genitive plural definite article, modifying “ἀθέσμων” (wicked/lawless ones).
8. ἀθέσμων : “Lawless” or “wicked ones,” in the genitive plural.
9. ἐν : A preposition meaning “in.”
10. ἀσελγείᾳ : “Licentiousness” or “sensuality.”
11. ἀναστροφῆς : “Conduct” or “way of life.”
12. ἐῤῥύσατο : Aorist middle indicative of “ῥύομαι” (rhýomai), meaning “rescued” or “delivered.”
Translation:
“And He rescued righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the sensual conduct of the lawless ones.”
Explanation of the Definite Articles:
1. τῆς : This is the feminine singular genitive article, modifying an implied noun like “conduct” or “way of life” (understood from the context). It connects to “ἀναστροφῆς” (conduct) later in the sentence.
2. τῶν : The genitive plural article that modifies “ἀθέσμων” (wicked/lawless ones). This indicates that the “conduct” in question belongs to “the lawless ones.”
Thus, the phrase “ὑπὸ τῆς τῶν ἀθέσμων ἐν ἀσελγείᾳ ἀναστροφῆς” translates as “by the [conduct] of the lawless ones in licentiousness.” The definite articles specify that we are referring to a specific type of conduct (“τῆς” implies an understood noun like “conduct”) and that this conduct belongs to the wicked people (“τῶν ἀθέσμων“).
Final Contextual Understanding:
God rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was tormented or oppressed by the wicked, sensual conduct (or way of life) of the lawless people in Sodom. The articles help structure the relationship between “the conduct” and “the lawless ones.”
The Double Definite Article in Mark 14:24: Grammatical Emphasis on the New Covenant
Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτοῖς· τοῦτό ἐστι τὸ αἷμά μου, τὸ τῆς καινῆς διαθήκης, τὸ περὶ πολλῶν ἐκχυνόμενον.
The phrase we’re focusing on, τοῦτό ἐστι τὸ αἷμά μου τὸ τῆς καινῆς διαθήκης, translates as ‘This is my blood of the new covenant.'”
In Greek, the double definite article (“τὸ… τὸ“) often serves to add specificity or emphasis. Here’s how it works in this phrase:
1. “τοῦτο” (“this”) – Refers to the subject, identifying what is being spoken about.
2. “τὸ αἷμά μου” (“the blood of mine” or “my blood”) – The first article “τὸ” specifies “blood” and links it directly to “this” (the blood Jesus is offering).
3. “τὸ τῆς καινῆς διαθήκης” (“the [one] of the new covenant”) – The second article “τὸ” introduces a descriptor or appositive that clarifies what “my blood” is associated with.
The double article construction emphasizes that this blood is uniquely defined by its covenantal significance, which is why we see “τὸ αἷμά” (the blood) and then another article “τὸ” (the blood of the new covenant). This construction helps underscore the importance of Jesus’ blood as directly tied to the new covenant, giving it a formal, solemn quality that underlines its role in salvation and the promise to believers.
In short, the double definite articles enhance the sense of identity and specificity in the phrase, linking “my blood” explicitly with “the new covenant.”
Explanation of τὸ τῆς in Mark 14:24
The phrase τὸ τῆς (translated as “the … of the”) is an example of a grammatical structure in Greek where an article (τὸ) is followed by a genitive phrase (τῆς καινῆς διαθήκης or “of the new covenant”). This construction specifies that “my blood” (τὸ αἷμά μου) is defined by or related to “the new covenant.”
In Mark 14:24, τὸ τῆς καινῆς διαθήκης can be understood as “the one of the new covenant” or “the blood of the new covenant.” Here’s a breakdown:
1. τὸ (the) – This article points back to “my blood” (τὸ αἷμά μου), indicating a specific kind or purpose.
2. τῆς καινῆς διαθήκης (of the new covenant) – This genitive phrase describes what type of blood it is, or what it’s associated with.
Thus, τὸ τῆς functions to specify “my blood” by adding a descriptive phrase—”of the new covenant.” The article τὸ followed by a genitive (τῆς καινῆς διαθήκης) makes the phrase more precise and adds emphasis, reinforcing that Jesus’ blood is not just any blood but specifically “the blood of the new covenant.”
This construction is common in Greek when authors want to clarify or highlight an important association or identity.