The Classification of Subjunctives: A Statistical Study -- By: James L. Boyer

Journal: Grace Theological Journal
Volume: GTJ 07:1 (Spring 1986)
Article: The Classification of Subjunctives: A Statistical Study
Author: James L. Boyer


The Classification of Subjunctives:
A Statistical Study

James L. Boyer

Besides providing statistical information not easily available elsewhere and offering supporting elements within each classified use, this study seeks to explore two related subjects which are clarified by this inductive study. They are (1) the parallel between the ἵνα + subjunctive construction and the infinitive, and (2) the occurrence of future indicatives in many instances where aorist subjunctives might have appeared. Both of these are significant to the exegete.

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Introduction

It is not within the intended scope of this article to deal with the theoretical question of the primary significance of the subjunctive mood or with the question of its historical origin and development. I begin with the basic understanding that the subjunctive mood expresses some doubtfulness, contingency, or uncertainty by reason of futurity. My purpose is to classify the various constructions in which

Informational materials and listings generated in the preparation of this study may be found in my “Supplemental Manual of Information: Subjunctive Verbs.” Those interested may secure this manual through their local library by interlibrary loan from the Morgan Library, Grace Theological Seminary, 200 Seminary Dr., Winona Lake, IN 46590. Also available is “Supplemental Manual of Information: Infinitive Verbs.” This augments my article “The Classification of Infinitives: A Statistical Study” GTJ 6 (1985) 3-27. I plan to prepare other supplemental manuals as time permits, beginning with one on participles.
This study is one of several published in GTJ on related aspects of the grammar of the Greek NT: (1) “Project Gramcord: A Report” (1 [1980] 97-99); (2) “First Class Conditions: What Do They Mean?” (2 [1981] 75-114); (3) “Second Class Conditions in New Testament Greek” (3 [1982] 81-88); (4) “Third (and Fourth) Class Conditions” (3 [1982] 163-75); (5) “Other Conditional Elements in New Testament Greek” (4 [1983] 173-88); (6) “The Classification of Participles: A Statistical Study” (5 [1984] 163-79); and (7) “The Classification of Infinitives: A Statistical Study” (6 [1985] 3-27).

the subjunctive appears in the Greek NT, providing statistical information about these structures in general, and about many of the elements which appear in them. The system of classification is the traditional one found in most grammars.

The Subjunctive in Independent Clauses

Hortatory Subjunctive

Usually named first of these independent or main verb uses of the subjunctive is the hortator...

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