31
The Aorist Tense
So far, we have learned verbs in PRIMARY TENSES, meaning that the tenses refer to action in the present or future. We have also learned one of the SECONDARY TENSES (tenses that refer to past): the IMPERFECT tense. This unit introduces us to the most common secondary tense: the AORIST. Both the imperfect and aorist tenses describe actions of the PAST TENSE. They differ in what is called ASPECT. Before discussing how to form the aorist tense, it is important to understand what we mean by the grammatical term, aspect.
Aspect
TENSE locates the action of a verb in time, relative to the time of the speaker. The basic tenses are:
- Past
- Present
- Future
ASPECT is a grammatical term that expresses the relationship between the ACTION of a verb and the PASSAGE OF TIME. Aspect describes whether the action, regardless of its tense, is:
- Ongoing. This is an ongoing, or habitual action.
- Simple. This is a simple action, or an action not marked as to whether the results of the action are continuing.
- Completed. This is a past action that has permanent or lasting results. We discuss this aspect in a later lesson.
Greek verbs and infinitives can express all three aspects, but the most common are:
- Ongoing
- Simple
While both the IMPERFECT and AORIST tenses refer to past actions, and so are past tenses, they differ in ASPECT. The AORIST tense always conveys a single, discreet action (i.e. simple aspect). This is the most common tense for referring to action in the past. The IMPERFECT tense always conveys past activity that was more than a single action in some way (i.e. ongoing aspect).
- Aorist: I walked
- snapshot of a past action (simple aspect)
- Imperfect: I was walking/ used to walk
- video of past action (ongoing aspect)
Verb vs. Tense Stems
The AORIST and IMPERFECT are secondary tenses, so an AUGMENT precedes the stem in the indicative mood. They both also use SECONDARY ENDINGS. The two tenses differ, however, in the STEM they use. Therefore, it is essential to identify the stem correctly in order to tell if a particular verb form is imperfect or aorist.
Remember: there are two kinds of stems in Greek:
- The TENSE STEM, to which primary or secondary endings are added:
- δεικνυ (present tense stem)
- λυ (present tense stem)
- λαμβαν (present tense stem)
- The VERB STEM, from which all tense stems are derived. Verb stems are sometimes identical to a tense stem:
- δεικ
- λυ (same as present tense stem)
- λαβ
The IMPERFECT tense almost always uses the PRESENT TENSE STEM for any given verb. The AORIST almost always uses the VERB STEM.
First and Second Aorist
Some verbs add a MARKER to the verb stem when forming the AORIST, others do not.
- If the verb adds the aorist marker –σα– to the verb stem, it is called the FIRST AORIST.
- If the verb uses the verb stem without the marker, it is called the SECOND AORIST.
Forming the First Aorist
The first aorist adds the aorist marker –σα– to the stem of the verb, to which are added the secondary endings. Recall the secondary –μι verb endings:
|
–ν = I (1st person singular) |
–μεν = we (1st person plural) |
|
–ς = you (2nd person singular) |
–τε = y’all (2nd person plural) |
|
– = (s)he, it (3rd person sg) |
–σαν = they (3rd person pl) |
When the secondary endings for –μι verbs were added to the first aorist marker –σα-, the first aorist endings evolved to become:
|
(-σα– + –ν → ) –σα = I (1st person singular) |
(-σα– + –μεν → ) –σαμεν = we (1st person plural) |
|
(-σα– + –ς → ) –σας = you (2nd person singular) |
(-σα– + –τε → ) –σατε = y’all (2nd person plural) |
|
(-σα– + – → ) –σε = (s)he, it (3rd person sg) |
(-σα– + –σαν → ) –σαν = they (3rd person pl) |
The formula to form the first aorist indicative, then, is:
- augment + verb stem + first aorist (-σα) marker + secondary endings
Both athematic and thematic verbs in the present tense (-μι and –ω verbs) form their first aorists in the same way. Let us look at some examples.
We start with the verb stem:
- δεικ show
- λυ loosen, destroy
To the beginning of the verb stem we add an augment (ἐ):
- ἐδεικ show (secondary indicative)
- ἐλυ loosen, destroy (secondary indicative)
To this stem we now add our first aorist endings.
The Aorist, Indicative, Active of λύω (S 383; GPH p. 78)
|
ἔλυσα |
ἐλύσαμεν |
|
ἔλυσας |
ἐλύσατε |
|
ἔλυσε |
ἔλυσαν |
The Aorist, Indicative, Active of δείκνυμι (verb stem: δεικ)
|
ἔδειξα |
ἐδείξαμεν |
|
ἔδειξας |
ἐδείξατε |
|
ἔδειξε |
ἔδειξαν |
Remember: κ + σ = ξ
Liquid and Nasal First Aorists
For first aorists of liquid (λ, ρ) or nasal stems (μ, ν), the σ marker drops (S 544). This is the same phenomenon that we encountered with CONTRACT (also called LIQUID) FUTURES. For the first aorist, the loss of the σ often leads to compensatory lengthening. In such cases, ε often lengthens to ει.
For example:
- ἀγγέλλω (stem: ἀγγελ-)
- → ἤγγειλα (from ἤγγελσα)
- μένω (stem: μεν-)
- → ἔμεινα (from ἔμενσα)
- φαίνω (stem: φαν-)
- → ἔφηνα (from ἔφανσα)
Forming the Second Aorist
Second aorist verbs do not add the –σα marker to the verb stem. Just like the IMPERFECT tense, there are two types of second aorists:
- Thematic
- Athematic
Thematic Second Aorist
Thematic second aorists are the most common of this group. They use the same secondary endings as those used for the imperfect:
|
–ον = I (1st person singular) |
–ομεν = we (1st person plural) |
|
–ες = you (2nd person singular) |
–ετε = y’all (2nd person plural) |
|
–ε = (s)he, it (3rd person sg) |
–ον = they (3rd person pl) |
As always, we start with the verb stem:
- λαβ take
To the beginning of the verb stem we add an augment (ἐ):
- ἐλαβ take (secondary indicative)
To this stem we now add our thematic secondary endings.
The Aorist, Indicative, Active of λαμβάνω (verb stem: λαβ) (S 384; GPH p. 83)
|
ἔλαβον |
ἐλάβομεν |
|
ἔλαβες |
ἐλάβετε |
|
ἔλαβε |
ἔλαβον |
Athematic Second Aorist
There are not many athematic second aorists. Only two are commonly encountered:
- βαίνω, βήσομαι, ἔβην (verb stem: βη-) walk, come, go
- γιγνώσκω, γνώσομαι, ἔγνων (verb stem: γνω-) know, learn, think
Note that these verbs expand their stems in the present active forms, and are middle in the future tense.
The Aorist, Indicative, Active of βαίνω (S 682)
|
ἔβην |
ἔβημεν |
|
ἔβης |
ἔβητε |
|
ἔβη |
ἔβησαν |
The Aorist, Indicative, Active of γιγνώσκω (S 682; GPH p. 162)
|
ἔγνων |
ἔγνωμεν |
|
ἔγνως |
ἔγνωτε |
|
ἔγνω |
ἔγνωσαν |
Infinitives and Aspect
Like the present and future tenses, the AORIST occurs in the INFINITIVE mood. The augment to secondary tenses always means that the action actually took place in the past. Consequently, ONLY the INDICATIVE mood uses the AUGMENT, since it is the only mood that specifies actual historical action. The aorist infinitive, being a verbal noun, NEVER has the augment.
First Aorist Infinitive
The FIRST AORIST uses the ending –σαι for the infinitive.
The formula to form the first aorist infinitive is:
- verb stem + σαι
The persistent ACCENT on the first aorist infinitive falls on the PENULT.
- λῦσαι
- δεῖξαι
- πιστεῦσαι
Second Aorist Infinitive
The formula to form the thematic second aorist infinitive is:
- verb stem + ειν
Notice that the THEMATIC SECOND AORIST uses the SAME infinitive ending as the THEMATIC PRESENT tense. The differences between the two infinitives are the stem to which the ending is added, and accent.
- The PRESENT indicative active infinitive: ACCENT on the PENULT
- λαμβάνειν
- The SECOND AORIST indicative active infinitive: CIRCUMFLEX ACCENT on the ULTIMA
- λαβεῖν
Likewise, the formula to form the athematic second aorist infinitive is:
- verb stem + ναι
The ATHEMATIC SECOND AORIST uses the SAME infinitive ending as the ATHEMATIC PRESENT tense. As with the present tense, the accent falls on the PENULT.
- γνῶναι
- βῆναι
Infinitive and Aspect
If an infinitive is used as an ARTICULAR or a COMPLEMENTARY INFINITIVE, the present and aorist tenses of the infinitive are used to express ASPECT, not time (S 1865). In other words:
- The PRESENT infinitive expresses activity that is ONGOING in some way.
- The AORIST infinitive expresses a SIMPLE, single, momentary action.
For example:
- βαίνειν βούλομαι. I want to go walking/to be walking.
- Present infinitive.
- βῆναι βούλομαι. I want to walk.
- Aorist infinitive.
This nuance, while clear in the Greek, is often not expressed in formal written English.
The Imperative Mood and Aspect
As we saw with the infinitive, aspect is most apparent in moods other than the indicative. The IMPERATIVE mood, for instance, exists in all voices, but occurs in only TWO TENSES:
- present
- aorist
The tenses of the imperative mood indicate ASPECT, not TIME:
- present: ongoing aspect
- λάμβανε Hold on!
- aorist: simple/unmarked aspect
- λαβέ Get it!
The Aorist Imperative
In the 2nd PERSON PLURAL of both the PRESENT and AORIST, the IMPERATIVE uses the same personal endings as the INDICATIVE: –τε (active).
Just as with infinitives, the AORIST IMPERATIVE never receives an AUGMENT. The second person plural imperative ending is added to the aorist stem for both first and second aorists.
- λύσατε, ἄνδρες Ἀθηναῖοι, τοὺς ἵππους.
- Men of Athens, release the horses!
- λάβετε, ἄνδρες Ἀθηναῖοι, τοὺς ἵππους.
- Men of Athens, get the horses!
In the 2nd PERSON SINGULAR ACTIVE of both the PRESENT and SECOND AORIST verbs, the imperative regularly uses the personal ending –ε (S 466a). This is the most common ending, in fact, for 2nd person singular active imperatives.
- λίπε, ὦ βασιλεῦ, τὸν ἵππον.
- King, leave your horse!
A FIRST AORIST in the IMPERATIVE uses the personal ending –σον in the SECOND PERSON SINGULAR ACTIVE:
- λῦσον, ὦ βασιλεῦ, τοὺς ἵππους.
- King, release the horses!
3rd PERSON IMPERATIVE endings of both the PRESENT and FIRST/SECOND AORIST ACTIVE:
- singular: –τω
- plural: –ντων
3rd PERSON FIRST AORIST SINGULAR ACTIVE IMPERATIVE:
- λυσάτω τοὺς ἵππους.
- Let him/her release the horses.
- He/she is to release the horses.
3rd PERSON FIRST AORIST PLURAL ACTIVE IMPERATIVE:
- λυσάντων τοὺς ἵππους.
- Let them release the horses.
- They are to release the horses.
3rd PERSON SECOND AORIST SINGULAR ACTIVE IMPERATIVE:
- λαβέτω τοὺς ἵππους.
- Let him/her grab the horses.
- He/she is to grab the horses.
3rd PERSON SECOND AORIST PLURAL ACTIVE IMPERATIVE:
- λαβόντων τοὺς ἵππους.
- Let them grab the horses.
- They are to grab the horses.
Some Aorist Imperative Quirks
Note that in the singular, five thematic SECOND AORIST imperatives accent their ULTIMA, rather than following the rule of recessive accent (S 424b):
- εἰπέ Say!
- ἐλθέ Come!
- εὑρέ Find!
- ἰδέ See!
- λαβέ Take!
An archaic imperative ending for the 2nd person singular active was –θι, which by the Classical period survived in only a few instances (S 466a). This ending is used for ATHEMATIC AORISTS as well as for the 2nd person singular active imperative of φημί and εἰμί, which you learned back in Chapter 5:
- στῆθι (aorist < ἵστημι)
- Stand!
- γνῶθι σεαυτόν (aorist < γιγνώσκω)
- Know thyself!
Principal Parts
As we have seen, verbs are alphabetized by their 1st person, singular, present, indicative, active form, with a –μι or –ω ending. This is the FIRST PRINCIPAL PART.
The SECOND PRINCIPAL PART is the 1st person, singular, future, indicative, active. This form is necessary because adding –σ– to the verb stem can result in some unexpected forms.
The THIRD PRINCIPAL PART is the 1st person, singular, aorist, indicative, active. The third principal part of a verb shows whether it forms a first or second aorist, and if the latter, whether it is thematic or athematic. For example:
- βουλεύω, βουλεύσω, ἐβούλευσα (1st Aorist)
- λείπω, λείψω, ἔλιπον (2nd Aorist Thematic)
- βαίνω, βήσομαι, ἔβην (2nd Aorist Athematic)
– τὸ τέλος –
Paradigms, Key Terms and Concepts
- Chapter Paradigms
- ASPECT
- FIRST AORIST
- SECOND AORIST (THEMATIC)
- SECOND AORIST (ATHEMATIC)
- INFINITIVES AND ASPECT
- THIRD PRINCIPAL PART
Vocabulary
First Aorists
Stems in -υ
- βουλεύω, βουλεύσω, ἐβούλευσα deliberate, resolve
Stems in -ε (or forms aorist like stems in -ε)
- ἀδικέω, ἀδικήσω, ἠδίκησα commit injustice
- ἐθέλω, ἐθελήσω, ἠθέλησα want
- ὁμολογέω, ὁμολογήσω, ὡμολόγησα agree
- ποιέω, ποιήσω, ἐποίησα do, make
Stems in -α
- ζάω, ζήσω, ἔζησα live
Stems in –π/β/φ
- γράφω, γράψω, ἔγραψα write, draw
- πέμπω, πέμψω, ἔπεμψα send
- τρέπω, τρέψω, ἔτρεψα turn
Stems in –δ/ζ/θ
- νομίζω, νομιῶ, ἐνόμισα believe, think
Stems in -γ, -κ, -χ, and -ττ
- ἄρχω, ἄρξω, ἦρξα begin, lead, rule (+ gen.)
- δοκέω, δόξω, ἔδοξα think, suppose; seem
Stems in –λ/ν/ρ
- ἀγγέλλω, ἀγγελῶ, ἤγγειλα report, tell
- μένω, μενῶ, ἔμεινα remain, stay
Second Aorists: Thematic
- ἀποθνῄσκω, ἀποθανοῦμαι, ἀπέθανον die
- βάλλω, βαλῶ, ἔβαλον throw, hit
- εὑρίσκω, εὑρήσω, εὗρον/ηὗρον find
- λαμβάνω, λήψομαι, ἔλαβον take, grab; receive, get
- λείπω, λείψω, ἔλιπον leave, abandon
- φεύγω, φεύξομαι, ἔφυγον flee, run away
Second Aorists: Athematic
- βαίνω, βήσομαι, ἔβην walk, come, go
- γιγνώσκω, γνώσομαι, ἔγνων know, learn, think
Exercises
Ι. You have been given the first three principal parts of the following verbs. The third principal part provides us with the Aorist, Indicative, Active, 1st Person, Singular. Using the third principal part, conjugate (i.e., write out in all persons and numbers) each of the verbs in the Aorist Active Indicative, Infinitive, and Imperative:
- φεύγω, φεύξομαι, ἔφυγον flee, run away
- εὑρίσκω, εὑρήσω, εὗρον find
- γράφω, γράψω, ἔγραψα write, draw
- θύω, θύσω, ἔθυσα (note: υ is long) sacrifice
ΙΙ. Review and memorize the vocabulary. Note that all that is new is the addition of the third principal part.
ΙIΙ. For the following verbs, 1). Identify whether it is a first or second aorist, and if the latter, whether the second aorist is thematic or athematic, and 2). Change from the aorist tense to the present and imperfect tenses, in the same person and number.
e.g.: ἔλυσε: first aorist λύει ἔλυε
- ἠκούσατε
- ἔφυγε
- ἐκώλυσαν
- ἔβητε
- ἔτρεψας
- ἐλάβομεν
- ἐβούλευσα
- ἔγνω
- ἐνόμισε
- ἐπαύσαμεν