Lesson 30

30.1 The Injunctive⬆

The Injunctive (also called the Optative):

The Injunctive occurs only in the 1st and 3rd persons in standard Sahidic. The 1st person corresponds to the cohortative, the 3rd person to the jussive; theoretically, the Imperative may be said to occupy the 2nd person position. The negative of the Injunctive is expressed by using the negative Imperative prefix ⲙ̅ⲡⲣ̅- with the corresponding form of the Inflected Infinitive: ⲙ̅ⲡⲣ̅ⲧⲣⲉϥⲃⲱⲕ don't let him go, ⲙ̅ⲡⲣ̅ⲧⲣⲉⲩⲙⲟⲟⲩⲧϥ̅ don't let them kill him. The Injunctive is tripartite and is used only with the Infinitive. The free form of the 1st person, ⲙⲁⲣⲟⲛ, is used alone in the sense "Let's go.".

30.2 The Future Conjunctive of Result⬆

The Future Conjunctive of Result (also called the Finalis).

ⲛ̅ may occur optionally before all of these forms. For the 1st person sing. the simple Conjunctive ⲧⲁ- may be used.

The Future Conjunctive is basically a result clause; it is especially frequent after an Imperative, e.g.

Although the Conjunctive itself may occasionally have the value of a result/purpose clause after an Imperative, the Future Conjunctive always has this meaning. The nuance of the form can best be understood if it is viewed as the transformation of an underlying conditional sentence:

It may also occur after a question, e.g.

If the question is rhetorical, as in this example, negation is generally implied: "No one has seen him so as...". If the question is real, the implication is "Tell me the answer so that...", as in

30.3 The Clause Conjugations. A distinction is made between sentence conjugations (Bipartite and Tripartite) and clause conjugations. The latter are so named because they correspond to a conjunction plus a clause in normal translation. To this category belong the Temporal, the Conjunctive, the Conditional, the Future Conjunctive of Result, and most uses of the Inflected Infinitive (ⲉⲧⲣⲉϥⲥⲱⲧⲙ̅, ϩⲙ̅ ⲡⲧⲣⲉϥⲥⲱⲧⲙ̅, ⲙⲛ̅ⲛ̅ⲥⲁ ⲧⲣⲉϥⲥⲱⲧⲙ̅). Characteristic of this category is (1) negation with -ⲧⲙ̅-, and (2) the use of the Infinitive only.

A further clause conjugation is ϣⲁⲛⲧϥ̅ⲥⲱⲧⲙ̅ (until he hears):

Translation is regularly with "until", e.g.

Similar in appearance to a clause conjugation is the form ϫⲓⲛ(ⲛ̅)ⲧⲁϥⲥⲱⲧⲙ̅ (from the time that he heard). This consists, however, of the conjunction ϫⲓⲛ followed by the Second Perfect. Even more frequent are the compound expressions with ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲑⲉ and ⲛ̅ ⲑⲉ (as, according as, just as), both of which are followed by relative constructions, e.g.

The feminine resumptive -ⲥ in these constructions refers back to ⲑⲉ and should not be translated as a pronominal object. If a real pronominal object is required, the resumptive -ⲥ is omitted, e.g.

Other constructions with ⲑⲉ are treated similarly, e.g.

30.4 Causative Infinitive⬆

When the Inflected Infinitive is used instead of a simple Infinitive after a verbal prefix, it has the value of a causative (hence its alternate name, the Causative Infinitive):

30.5 Expected but not yet done: ⲙ̅ⲡⲁⲧϥ̅ⲥⲱⲧⲙ̅⬆

The form ⲙ̅ⲡⲁⲧϥ̅ⲥⲱⲧⲙ̅ describes an action as expected but not yet done. It is conveniently translated as "he has not yet heard". The form is fully inflected:

It may occur in circumstantial clauses with the circumstantial converter ⲉ-; the resultant form appears ambiguously as ⲉ-ⲙⲡⲁⲧⲉ- or simply ⲙ̅ⲡⲁⲧⲉ-. In this usage it is best translated as an affirmative clause with "before":

With the imperfect converter ⲛⲉ-ⲙⲡⲁⲧϥ̅ⲥⲱⲧⲙ̅ corresponds to the pluperfect: he had not yet heard.

30.6 Ethical dative⬆

An untranslatable dative with ⲛⲁ⸗ or ⲉⲣⲟ⸗ occurs optionally with many verbs, especially in the Imperative. This reflexive dative is called the ethical dative, following standard terminology. E.g.

Verbs with which this occurs with some frequency are noted in the Glossary.

30.7 Higher numbers, ordinals, and fractions.⬆

The tens combine with the forms of the units used in the 'teens (§24.3). The -ⲧ- of -ⲧⲏ (5) is not repeated after another -ⲧ-:

An intrusive -ⲧ- appears before -ⲁϥⲧⲉ (4) and -ⲁⲥⲉ (6):

The numbers ϣⲉ 100, ϣⲟ 1,000, and ⲧⲃⲁ 10,000 are masculine:

Proclitic forms of the units are frequent here, e.g.

Combinations of these higher numbers with tens and units vary in form, e.g.

Ordinal numbers are formed from the cardinals with the prefix ⲙⲉϩ-. The ordinals are treated as adjectives before the noun with linking ⲛ̅. Gender distinctions are maintained:

For "first" the adjectives ϣⲟⲣⲡ̅ (f. ϣⲟⲣⲡⲉ) and ϩⲟⲩⲉⲓⲧ (f. ϩⲟⲩⲉⲓⲧⲉ) are used.

Fractional numbers worth noting are ⲧ.ⲡⲁϣⲉ (half) and ϭⲟⲥ, ϭⲓⲥ- (half). Other fractions are expressed by ⲣⲉ- prefixed to the denominator, as in ⲣⲉ-ⲙⲏⲧ one-tenth, or with ⲟⲩⲱⲛ (ⲟⲩⲛ̅-), as in ⲟⲩⲛ̅-ⲛ̅-ϥⲧⲟⲟⲩ a fourth.

Remote demonstratives ⲡⲏ, ⲧⲏ, and ⲛⲏ⬆

30.8 The remote (or further) demonstrative pronouns (that) are m.s. ⲡⲏ, f.s. ⲧⲏ, and pl. ⲛⲏ. These occur much less frequently than ⲡⲁⲓ, ⲧⲁⲓ, ⲛⲁⲓ because of the preference for using phrases with ⲉⲧ ⲙ̅ⲙⲁⲩ, such as ⲡⲉⲧ ⲙ̅ⲙⲁⲩ.

The prefixal forms ⲡⲓ-, ϯ-, and ⲛⲓ- are usually described as the reduced forms of ⲡⲏ, ⲧⲏ, and ⲛⲏ, parallel in usage to ⲡⲉⲓ-, ⲧⲉⲓ-, and ⲛⲉⲓ-. While such a formal relationship may exist, the use of ⲡⲓ-, ϯ-, and ⲛⲓ- in standard Sahidic is quite restricted. The form ⲡⲓ- occurs mainly in a few temporal and local adverbial expressions, such as ⲙ̅ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓϣ (at that time) and ⲡⲓⲥⲁ (that side, as opposed to this side). The form ⲛⲓ- occurs most frequently in expressions involving comparison with ⲛ̅ ⲑⲉ ⲛ̅ (like) or ⲣ̅-ⲑⲉ ⲛ̅ (to become like); it sometimes corresponds more closely to an English generic noun, e.g. ⲛ̅ ⲑⲉ ⲛ̅ ⲛⲓϭⲣⲟⲟⲙⲡⲉ like doves, like a dove. It is also found in the expression ϣⲁ ⲛⲓⲉⲛⲉϩ. Elsewhere ⲡⲓ-, ϯ-, and ⲛⲓ- are frequent as scribal variants of ⲡⲉⲓ-, ⲧⲉⲓ-, ⲛⲉⲓ- or have the force of an emphatic article.

30.9 Continuous states in the future⬆

When it is necessary to express a durative or continuous process or state in the future, a periphrastic construction is employed using the Circumstantial. Contrast

The difference is sometimes slight, but not infrequently spelled out. The same construction occasionally appears with other tripartite conjugational forms. A full discussion of the aspectual problem involved here lies beyond the scope of this book.

30.10 Greek conjunctions, adverbs, and prepositions⬆

Greek conjunctions, adverbs, and prepositions that occur frequently in Coptic (for reference only). The term postpositive means that the word in question must follow immediately after the first element of the sentence, as in ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲁϥⲃⲱⲕ.

• ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ἀλλά but, rather.
• ⲁⲣⲁ ἄρα (introduces question).
• ⲅⲁⲣ γάρ for, because, since (postpositive).
• ⲇⲉ δέ but, however (postpositive).
• ⲉⲓⲙⲏⲧⲓ εἰ μή τι (1) if not, unless, except that (+ Conj.); (2) elliptically, e.g. ⲙ̅ⲡⲟⲩϫⲉⲩ-ϩⲏⲗⲓⲁⲥ ϣⲁ ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲙ̅ⲙⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲓⲙⲏⲧⲓ ⲉ ⲥⲁⲣⲉⲡⲧⲁ Elias was not sent to any of them except Sarepta. Note the independent pronoun in this usage: ⲙⲛ̅-ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲛ̅ ⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛⲁⲉⲓⲙⲉ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲉⲓⲙⲏⲧⲓ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ No one will understand it but me.
• ⲉⲓⲧⲉ ... ⲉⲓⲧⲉ εἴτε ... εἴτε either ... or.
• ⲉⲡⲉⲓ ἐπεί because, since.
• ⲉⲡⲉⲓⲇⲏ ἐπειδή because, since, when.
• ⲉⲡⲉⲓⲇⲏⲡⲉⲣ ἐπειδήπερ inasmuch as, since.
• ⲉⲧⲓ ἔτι yet, still, while yet (+ Circum.).
• ⲏ ἤ or.
• ⲕⲁⲓ ⲅⲁⲣ καὶ γάρ for truly.
• ⲕⲁⲓⲧⲟⲓ καίτοι although, albeit.
• ⲕⲁⲛ κἄν even if.
• ⲕⲁⲧⲁ κατά (prep.) in accordance with, according to; also in distributive sense, e.g. ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲥⲁⲃⲃⲁⲧⲟⲛ every sabbath. Note the absence of the article here.
• ⲙⲉⲛ ... ⲇⲉ μέν ... δέ balances two statements: on the one hand ... but on the other. Both postpositive.
• ⲙⲏ μή introduces a rhetorical question presuming a simple yes or no answer.
• ⲙⲏⲡⲟⲧⲉ μήποτε so that not, lest (+ Conj.).
• ⲙⲏⲡⲱⲥ μήπως so that not, lest (+ Conj.).
• ⲙⲏⲧⲓ μήτι like ⲙⲏ, but with strong element of surprise.
• ⲙⲟⲅⲓⲥ μόγις hardly, scarcely.
• ⲟⲩⲛ οὖν therefore (postpositive).
• ⲟⲩⲇⲉ οὐδέ and not, nor; the negation is often repeated in Coptic as well.
• ⲟⲩⲧⲉ ... ⲟⲩⲧⲉ οὔτε ... οὔτε neither ... nor.
• ⲡⲣⲟⲥ πρός (prep.) used like ⲕⲁⲧⲁ.
• ⲡⲱⲥ πῶς how? why?
• ⲧⲟⲧⲉ τότε then, thereupon, next.
• ϩⲟⲇⲁⲛ ὅταν when, whenever, if (+ Cond.).
• ϩⲟⲥⲟⲛ, ⲛ̅ϩⲟⲥⲟⲛ ὅσον as long as (+ Circum.).
• ϩⲱⲥ ὡς (1) as if; (2) although; (3) when, while as (all + Circum.).
• ϩⲱⲥⲧⲉ ὥστε so that (+ Conj. or Infl. Inf.).
• ⲭⲱⲣⲓⲥ χωρίς (prep.) without; a following noun has no indefinite article.

30.11 Final remarks on Coptic conjunctions and particles. ⬆

1. The main coordinating conjunctions are ⲁⲩⲱ and ⲙⲛ̅. ⲙⲛ̅ is used primarily to join nouns or nominalized expressions; ⲁⲩⲱ is used elsewhere. ⲁⲩⲱ is sometimes used for ⲙⲛ̅, but this poses no particular translation problem. ⲁⲩⲱ often appears redundantly before the Conjunctive or before the apodosis of a conditional sentence. When nouns have no article (for whatever reason), they may be joined with the preposition ϩⲓ instead of ⲙⲛ̅, as in ⲙⲛ̅-ⲙⲟⲟⲩ ϩⲓ ⲟⲉⲓⲕ ⲙ̅ⲙⲁⲩ There is neither water nor food. ϩⲓ is also used to form compound nominal expressions of a special type, e.g. ⲥⲁⲣⲝ ϩⲓ ⲥⲛⲟϥ flesh and blood. These expressions function as a unit: any article occurs only with the first word, as in ϩⲉⲛⲥⲁⲣⲝ ϩⲓ ⲥⲛⲟϥ ⲛⲉ They are flesh and blood.
2. The main uses of the conjunction ϫⲉ have already been introduced: (1) in naming-constructions (see Vocab. 17); (2) to introduce noun clauses (object clauses) after appropriate verbs of speaking, perception, and the like; (3) to introduce purpose/result clauses with the Second or Third Future. ϫⲉ is also frequent in the sense "for, since, because", which is less ambiguously expressed by ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϫⲉ and ⲉⲧⲃⲉ ϫⲉ. In many instances ϫⲉ is the equivalent of English "namely, i.e." in introducing explanatory appositions, e.g. ⲟⲩⲑⲩⲥⲓⲁ... ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲥⲟⲉⲓϣ ⲛ̅ ϭⲣⲙ̅ⲡϣⲁⲛ an offering... namely a pair of turtle-doves. ϫⲉ is also used in some compound conjunctions, such as ⲛ̅ⲥⲁⲃⲏⲗ ϫⲉ (if not, unless) and ⲛ̅ ⲑⲉ ϫⲉ (as if, as though).
3. ⲉϣϫⲉ and ⲉⲓⲉ, in addition to their role in conditional sentences, may be placed before any statement to mark it as a question.
4. ϭⲉ is a postpositive particle with very much the same function as Greek ⲇⲉ. It is especially frequent in the phrase ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ ϭⲉ and now, so now therefore.
5. ⲛ̅ⲧⲟⲟⲩⲛ: then, thereupon, next, forthwith.

6. ⲛ̅ⲥⲁ may mean "except" after a negative statement:

   ⲙ̅ⲡⲉ-ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲙ̅ⲙⲟⲟⲩ ⲧⲃ̅ⲃⲟ ⲛ̅ⲥⲁ ⲛⲁⲓⲙⲁⲛ ⲡⲥⲩⲣⲟⲥ.

   None of them became cleansed except Naiman the Syrian.

7. Certain temporal expressions may occur with a following relative clause without resumptive pronouns. These function virtually as compound conjunctions. E.g.

   ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲉⲣⲉ-ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲉ

   the day when this will happen

   ϩⲙ̅ ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̅ⲧⲁϥϭⲱϣⲧ̅

   on the day when he looked

8. The Conditional is frequently used in a temporal sense: when, whenever.