Accusative vs Dative in Koine Greek

by roderickbarnes Biblical Greek

In Koine Greek, the dative and accusative cases are both used to indicate relationships between words in a sentence. But the dative and the accusative serve different functions. In this very brief post I will compare these two cases with examples from the New Testament. If you are struggling to understand why the verb will be in one case accusative or in another dative or if you are having trouble falling asleep, read this post.

The Accusative Case

  1. Direct Object — The accusative is most commonly used to indicate the direct object of a verb, i.e., the noun that directly receives the action.
    • Example: ὁ ἄνθρωπος τὸν ἄρτον ἔφαγεν (The man ate the bread). Here, τὸν ἄρτον (the bread) is in the accusative case because it is the direct object of the verb ἔφαγεν (ate).
  2. Motion Toward — The accusative can also indicate motion toward a place or goal.
    • Example: εἰς τὴν πόλιν (into the city). Here, τὴν πόλιν (the city) is in the accusative because it indicates the destination of the motion.
  3. Extent of Time or Space: The accusative can express the extent of time or space.
    • Example: ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν (the whole day). Here, ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν (the whole day) is accusative, indicating the duration of time.

The Dative Case

  1. Indirect Object — The dative is commonly used to indicate the indirect object of a verb, i.e., the noun that benefits from or is affected by the action.
    • Example: ὁ ἄνθρωπος τῷ παιδίῳ βιβλίον δίδωσιν (The man gives the book to the child). Here, τῷ παιδίῳ (to the child) is in the dative case because it is the indirect object. The book is affected by the action of giving. In this case, the child is the direct object and is in the accusative case.
  2. Means or Instrument — The dative can express the means or instrument by which something is done.
    • Example: χειρὶ γράφει (he writes with his hand). Here, χειρὶ (with his hand) is in the dative case, indicating the instrument used.
  3. Location or Sphere — The dative can indicate the location where an action takes place or the sphere in which something occurs.
    • Example: ἐν τῇ οἰκίᾳ (in the house). Here, τῇ οἰκίᾳ (in the house) is in the dative case, indicating location.
  4. Reference or Respect — The dative can express respect or reference, showing in what respect something is true.
    • Example: τῷ νόμῳ δικαιόω (I am justified by the law). Here, τῷ νόμῳ (by the law) is in the dative case, indicating the respect or reference in which the justification takes place.

Summary

  • Accusative: Primarily indicates the direct object, motion toward, or extent of time/space.
  • Dative: Primarily indicates the indirect object, means/instrument, location, or respect.

In His grip by His grace,
Roderick L. Barnes, Sr.

References