Third Declension

Greek 1 Chapter 10 Third Declension

Introduction

Meaning: First declension nouns have a stem ending with α or η. Second declension nouns have a stem ending with ο. What declension a word falls into has no effect on its meaning. If λογος was first declension rather than second, it would still mean “word.”

Function: All Greek nouns, regardless of their declension, function the same. What matters is what? The case ending.

Nouns with stems ending in a consonant follow the third declension patter (this is part of the first rule of noun rules).

Final Consonant and the Case Ending: Looking at the paradigm for the case endings for third declension nouns, you may be tempted to say that they are completely different; however, what you are observing is the consonant reacting to the first letter of the case ending, especially is the case ending begins with σ.

Ex. The stem of λογος is λογο with the case ending being σ. The stem for σαρξ is σαρκ. The κ combines with the same nominative singular case ending, and the combination of κς makes ξ. Even though they look different, they are actually the same.

Different Case Endings: There are only three new case endings in the third declension, and two are a little different.

Four Hints: The basic issue is what happens when a σ follows a consonant.

1. Memorize the genitive singular form with the lexical form. When you drop the case ending from the genitive singular, then you will normally have the word’s stem. (the issue with only memorizing the nominative singular is that the σ interacts with the consonant of the stem). Nom. σαρξ Gen. σαρκος.

2. Whatever happens in the nominative singular (ς) also happens in the dative plural. This is because the dative plural case ending (σι) also begins with a σ.

3. A ν drops out when followed by a σ.

a. τιν + ς  τις

b. τιν + σι  τισι

4. A τ drops out when followed by a σ, or if it is at the end of a word.

a. ὀνοματ + σι  ὀνομασι

b. ὀνοματ + --  ὀνομα

Note: In the case of ὀνομα (ὀνοματ), it is neuter and does not use a case ending in the nominative or accusative singular. That is why the τ is at the end of the stem but then drops off because there is no case ending.

Greek has only three declensions, so once you understand these, then you will be familiar with all the basic noun paradigms in the NT.

Paradigm for σαρξ, σαρκος

Nom sg. σαρκς  σαρξ

Gen sg. σαρκος  σαρκος

Dat sg. σαρκι  σαρκι

Acc sg. σαρκα  σαρκα

Nom pl. σαρκες  σαρκες

Gen pl. σαρκων  σαρκων

Dat pl. σαρκσι(ν)  σαρξι(ν)

Acc pl. σαρκας  σαρκας

σαρξ: The normal nominative singular case ending is ς. When you add it to this stem, the κς combination is rewritten as ξ. σαρκ + ς  σαρξ.

σαρκος: ος is a new ending, but it is easy to remember. The genitive singular case ending for first declension nouns is σ (γραφης), and for second declension nouns it actually is ο (which contracts with the final stem vowel to form ου, λογο + ο  λογου). Put ο and σ together, and you have the case ending for the third declension: ος. σαρκ + ος  σαρκος

σαρκι: The dative singular case ending is the same as for the other declensions: ι. But because a third declension stem ends in a consonant and not a long vowel, the ι cannot subscript. σαρκ + ι  σαρκι

σαρκα: The accusative singular case ending is different for the third declension: α. σαρκ + α  σαρκα.

σαρκες. The nominative plural case ending is different for the third declension: ες. σαρκ + ες, σαρκες.

σαρκων. The genitive plural is the same as the first and second declension.

σαρξι. The dative plural case ending for a third declension noun is the exact opposite of the first and second declension (ις) and sometimes includes the movable nu: σι(ν). Because it begins with a σ, whatever change happens in the nominative singular also appears here.

σαρκας. The accusative plural case ending is different for the third declension: ας. σαρκ + ας  σαρκας.

Forms:

Third Declension: Categorized according to the last consonant of the word’s stem. There are κ stem ματ stem and ν stem forms. (Note: all nouns ending with μα αre neuter).

The word τίς (with accent) is the interrogative pronoun (e.g., “who?”). The word τις (without accent) is the indefinite pronoun (e.g., “anyone”). Both are formed from the same stem, τιν. The masculine and feminine are identical in form, and all genders are third declension. The change in the nominative singular is explained by the fact that ν drops out when followed by a σ. τιν + ς  τίς

Masc. Fem Neut. Masc. Fem. Neut.

Nom sg τίς τί τις τι

Gen sg τίνος τίνος τινός τινός

Dat sg τίνι τίνι τινί τινί

Acc sg τίνα τί τινά τι

Nom pl τίνες τίνα τινές τινά

Gen pl τίνων τίνων τινῶν τινῶν

Dat pl τίσι(ν) τίσι(ν) τισί(ν) τισί(ν)

Acc pl τίνας τίνα τινάς τινά

τίς is always accented on its first syllable.

The word εἷς is an adjective meaning “one.” The stem of the masculine and neuter is ἑν, and the feminine is the first declension μια. In the nominative singular the ν drops out before the σ, and the stem vowel ε lengthens ει (ἑν + ς  ες  εἷς).

Masc. Fem. Neut.

Nom sg εἷς μια ἕν

Gen sg ἑνος μιας ἑνος

Dat sg ἑνι μιᾷ ἑνι

Acc sg ἕνα μιαν ἕν

This word has a rough breathing mark and this will help you differentiate it from the prepositions εἰς and ἐν.

In the third declension, the masculine and feminine are usually similar. In the nominative and accusative, the masculine and neuter are usually different.

Third Declension Paradigm:

Masc./Fem. Neut.

Nom sg ς __

Gen sg ος ος

Dat sg ι ι

Acc sg α/ν __

Nom pl ες α

Gen pl ων ων

Dat pl σι(ν) σι(ν)

Acc pl ας α

Neut. Nom. Sg. Be prepared for the final stem letter to change. Ex. ὀνοματ  ὀνομα

Gender: the gender of third declension words can be difficult to determine because the inflectional patterns are not as distinct as those in the first and second declensions. Therefore, you must memorize the gender of every word. There are, however, a few patterns. As mentioned previously, the stems ending in ματ are neuter.

The article: The article remains the same regardless of what declension the noun that it modifies is in, whether first, second, or third declension. So, if you are unsure about the gender of the noun, knowing the forms of the article will help you identify it.

Square of Stops

A Stop: a consonant whose sound is formed by slowing down or completely stopping the flow of air through the mouth.

“Stops” are broken down into three classifications.

Labial: