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βλασφημείσθω

Posted: March 12th, 2014, 12:22 am
by Mike Burke
Does βλασφημείσθω mean blaspheme, blasphemed, or blasphemy?

Re: βλασφημείσθω

Posted: March 12th, 2014, 12:35 am
by Stephen Hughes
It is a 3rd person singular present imperative middle and passive. Meaning will have to be determined from context.

Re: βλασφημείσθω

Posted: March 12th, 2014, 1:33 am
by Mike Burke
So wouldn't passive (as opposed to active) be blasphemed (as in Moses was blasphemed Joe), as opposed to Joe blasphemes Moses?

(BTW: What does imperitive mean?)

Re: βλασφημείσθω

Posted: March 12th, 2014, 5:16 am
by Stephen Hughes
Mike Burke wrote:Moses was blasphemed Joe
This doesn't make sense in Australian English, could you rephrase it please?

This wiki article on the imperative mood might help you.

Re: βλασφημείσθω

Posted: March 12th, 2014, 5:31 pm
by Mike Burke
I meant Moses was blasphemed by Joe as opposed to Joe blasphemed Moses (wouldn't the first be passive, and the second active?)

Re: βλασφημείσθω

Posted: March 12th, 2014, 6:19 pm
by Stephen Carlson
Mike Burke wrote:I meant Moses was blasphemed by Joe as opposed to Joe blasphemed Moses (wouldn't the first be passive, and the second active?)
The forum rules and regulations request posters to cite and quote the Greek text at hand. The information of who did what to whom is not only found in the verb but also in the other words of the sentence. Your question simply cannot be answered with what you've provided.

English Grammar - passive and active voice

Posted: March 12th, 2014, 10:38 pm
by Stephen Hughes
Mike. Read this wiki article about voice.

Koine Greek (Wiki article about Koine Greek) is different from English. The Koine Greek active voice is like the English active voice in many ways. The Koine Greek middle/passive voice is something that you will have look into to understand well. (short Wiki article on Middle Voice in Koine Greek)
Mike Burke wrote:I meant Moses was blasphemed by Joe as opposed to Joe blasphemed Moses (wouldn't the first be passive, and the second active?)
Many Chinese speakers make the past tense by using "was" as a past tense marker. "Moses was blaspheme Joe" means "Moses blasphemed Joe", at a different stage of their learning, after the teacher insists that they add a -ed to the end of the word, many learners will say, "Moses was blasphemed Joe". In Australian English that doesn't make sense, but in Chinese English both forms are understandable.

To understand the concept, read this wiki article about collocation. We know that it is not usual for one man to blaspheme another man. "Blaspheme" is a verb that is usually directed towards God. In English, we can also say "Blaspheme against..." with no apparent difference in meaning.

Mike, what word do we use in English instead of "blaspheme" that would make your sentence, "Joe Blasphemed Moses." into a good English sentence? (Change the verb to a suitable one.)

Re: English Grammar - passive and active voice

Posted: March 13th, 2014, 7:57 pm
by Mike Burke
Stephen Hughes wrote:Mike. Read this wiki article about voice.

Koine Greek (Wiki article about Koine Greek) is different from English. The Koine Greek active voice is like the English active voice in many ways. The Koine Greek middle/passive voice is something that you will have look into to understand well. (short Wiki article on Middle Voice in Koine Greek)
Thank you.
Stephen Hughes wrote:
Mike Burke wrote:I meant Moses was blasphemed by Joe as opposed to Joe blasphemed Moses (wouldn't the first be passive, and the second active?)
Many Chinese speakers make the past tense by using "was" as a past tense marker. "Moses was blaspheme Joe" means "Moses blasphemed Joe", at a different stage of their learning, after the teacher insists that they add a -ed to the end of the word, many learners will say, "Moses was blasphemed Joe". In Australian English that doesn't make sense, but in Chinese English both forms are understandable.

To understand the concept, read this wiki article about collocation. We know that it is not usual for one man to blaspheme another man. "Blaspheme" is a verb that is usually directed towards God. In English, we can also say "Blaspheme against..." with no apparent difference in meaning.

Mike, what word do we use in English instead of "blaspheme" that would make your sentence, "Joe Blasphemed Moses." into a good English sentence? (Change the verb to a suitable one.)
"Slander," maybe?

Re: English Grammar - passive and active voice

Posted: March 13th, 2014, 8:09 pm
by Hefin J. Jones
Mike Burke wrote:"Slander," maybe?
Took the word right out of my mouth.

Re: βλασφημείσθω

Posted: March 13th, 2014, 8:14 pm
by Mike Burke
So in ancient Koin Greek, would βλασφημείσθω only be used of God (or gods)?