BBG Chapter 9 — Adjectives

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Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar, Mounce, 4th Edition

1. Introduction to Greek Adjectives

Greek adjectives agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case. The adjective does not need to match the noun in declension (1st, 2nd, 3rd), only in its GNC triad (gender–number–case). Most common Greek adjectives belong to the 2-1-2 pattern: masculine and neuter follow the 2nd declension, feminine follows the 1st declension.

2. The 2-1-2 Adjective — ἀγαθός Paradigm

The adjective ἀγαθός, -ή, -όν means "good." The three principal forms in the lexicon entry represent masculine, feminine, and neuter nominative singular.

Masculine (2nd declension)

Feminine (1st declension)

Neuter (2nd declension)

Note: The genitive plural -ῶν is the same across all three genders. The definite article (τοῦ, τῆς, τῶν) with the adjective will clarify gender when the noun ending is ambiguous.

3. Adjective Agreement

An adjective must agree with the noun it modifies in gender, number, and case — but it uses its own declension endings. The key phrase: the adjective "agrees" with the noun in GNC, but may look quite different from it.

ὁ πιστὸς δοῦλος — "the faithful slave" (Masc. Nom. Sg.)
ἡ καλὴ ὁδός — "the good/beautiful road" (Fem. Nom. Sg.)
τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἔργον — "the good work" (Neut. Nom. Sg.)

4. Attributive Position

An adjective in the attributive position directly modifies a noun. It is always preceded by the definite article. There are two common patterns:

First attributive position: article – adjective – noun

ὁ ἀγαθὸς δοῦλος — "the good slave"

Second attributive position: article – noun – article – adjective

ὁ δοῦλος ὁ ἀγαθός — "the good slave" (same meaning; emphatic)

Note: Both patterns mean the same thing. The second attributive position is slightly more emphatic or formal. Both require the article before the adjective.

5. Predicate Position

An adjective in the predicate position makes a statement about the noun. It does not have an article directly before it (though the noun may have one).

Predicate position — adjective before article-noun:

ἀγαθὸς ὁ δοῦλος — "The slave is good."

Predicate position — adjective after article-noun:

ὁ δοῦλος ἀγαθός — "The slave is good."

Key rule: If the adjective has no article directly before it but the noun does, the adjective is in predicate position and implies the verb "is/are." If the adjective follows the article, it is attributive.

6. Substantival Adjective

When a Greek adjective appears with the definite article but without a noun, it functions as a substantive (noun substitute). The gender of the article tells you what it refers to.

Note: The substantival adjective is extremely common in Greek. Neuter plural substantival adjectives often express abstracts: τὰ ἀληθῆ — "the true things" / "the truth."

7. Summary — Three Uses of the Adjective

Note: The definite article is the key diagnostic. Ask: (1) Is there an article directly before the adjective? If yes → attributive or substantival. (2) Is there a noun present? If yes → attributive; if no → substantival. If no article before adjective but noun has one → predicate.

8. Comparison of Adjectives (Overview)

Greek has three degrees of comparison:

Note: Greek comparative and superlative adjectives follow the 2-1-2 declension pattern. The comparative can also be expressed with μᾶλλον ("more") + positive. In Koine Greek, the superlative degree often functions as an elative ("very ___") rather than a strict superlative.