Lesson 27 The Imperative Mood Imperative Mood: A command. It expresses action which is to be realized by the exercise of the will of one person upon that of another. V-AAM-2S T-ASM N-ASM λυε τον ανθρωπον loose the man * The time of action is lost in the imperative mood. * The kind of action indicates the distinction between present and aorist in the imperative mood.
Present Imperative: linear/continuous - action in progress V-PAM-2S P-ASM λυε αυτον continue loosing him
Aorist Imperative: action not yet started V-AAM-2S P-ASM λυσαν αυτον loose him (start or begin loosing him)
It is the usual difference between the linear and punctiliar action with the slight change of emphasis due to the nature of the imperative. The following are the basic uses of imperative: 1.
Cohorative - positive command. Either the present or the aorist imperative may be used. Present • Active V-PAM-2S P-ASM λυε αυτον continue loosing him •
Passive V-PPM-2S Continue being loosed
Aorist • Active V-AAM-2S P-ASM λυσαν αυτον loose him (start or begin loosing him) •
Passive V-APM-2S Be loosed (start or begin being loosed)
2. Prohibitive - negative command. Only the present imperative is used in this construction, The negative particle “µη” is used, and the construction prohibits the continuance of an act which is in progress. It may well be translated, “Stop...” Present Active PRT-N V-PAM-2S P-ASM µη λυε αυτον Stop loosing him (continuous) PRT-N V-PAM-2S D-APN µη λεγετε ταυτα Stop saying these things Present Passive PRT-N V-PPM-2S Stop being loosed 3. Entreaty - This is the use of the imperative to express a request rather than a direct command. A good example is found in the prayer of Jesus in John 17:11. N-VSM A-VSM V-AAM-2S P-APM PREP T-DSM N-DSM P-2GS πατερ αγιε, τηρησον ατους εν τω ονοµατι σου. Literal: father holy, keep them in/on/by the name of/from you. Idiomatic: Holy Father, keep them in Your name. 4. Permissive - This is the use of the third person imperative and needs the English auxiliary verb “let” to make its meaning clear. Present • Active V-PAM-3S T-ASM N-ASM λυετε τον ανθωπον Let him/her/it continue loosing the man. •
Passive V-PPM-3S Let him/her/it continue being loosed
Aorist • Active V-AAM-3S T-ASM N-ASM λυσατω τον ανθωπον Let him/her/it loose (start or begin loosing) the man. •
Passive V-APM-3S Let him/her/it be loosed
Note: Participles used with Imperative verbs as the Main Verb of the sentence should be always treated as if the main verb is in the Present Tense. This is because Imperative verbs do not show time of action in their translation.
Imperative Mood Companion to Lesson Sheet Which type of imperative occurs in each of the following sentences? Underline the imperative word or phrase and identify it as: ♦ Cohorative (positive command) ♦ Prohibitive (negative command) ♦ Entreaty (request) ♦ Permissive 1)
1 Corinthians 7:15 “But if the unbeliever depart, let him depart.”
2)
Luke 17:5 “Increase our faith.”
3)
Matthew 6:6 “…go into your inner room…”
4)
Mark 9:22 “…take pity on us.”
5)
1 Thessalonians 5:17 “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
6)
1 Corinthians 6:9 “Do not be deceived…”
7)
1 Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice always.”
8)
John 6:20 “It is I, be not afraid.”
9)
Open the door to the classroom.
10)
Let her answer the question herself.
11)
Keep on praying for your family.