What does the term 'Koine' signify in the context of the Greek language?

The term 'Koine' is derived from the Koine Greek phrase 'hē koinē diálektos', which literally translates to 'the common dialect'. This signifies that Koine Greek was a widely spoken and understood form of the Greek language across different regions.

During which historical periods was Koine Greek spoken and written?

Koine Greek was spoken and written during the Hellenistic period, the Roman Empire, and the early Byzantine Empire, generally spanning from approximately 300 BC to 600 AD. It continued to be used officially in the Byzantine Empire until 1453 AD.

What event led to the spread of Koine Greek and its establishment as a lingua franca?

The spread of Koine Greek began with the conquests of Alexander the Great in the fourth century BC. His military campaigns facilitated the dissemination of Greek language and culture across a vast area, making Koine Greek the lingua franca of much of the Mediterranean region and the Middle East.

What were the primary linguistic influences on the formation of Koine Greek?

Koine Greek was primarily based on Attic and related Ionic speech forms. However, it also incorporated elements from other Greek dialects due to a process known as dialect levelling, where regional variations merged into a common form.

How did Koine Greek evolve into later forms of the Greek language?

As the dominant language of the Byzantine Empire, Koine Greek gradually evolved into Medieval Greek. This Medieval Greek then further developed into Modern Greek.

What are some alternative names or descriptions used for Koine Greek?

Koine Greek is also referred to as Hellenistic Greek, common Attic, the Alexandrian dialect, Biblical Greek, Septuagint Greek, or New Testament Greek, reflecting its various uses and influences.

What range of styles did Koine Greek encompass?

Koine Greek included a spectrum of styles, from conservative literary forms used in scholarly writing to the everyday spoken vernaculars of the time.

What is the meaning of the Greek word 'koinē' itself?

The Greek word 'koinē' (κοινή) simply means 'common'.

How has the pronunciation of the word 'koine' changed over time?

The pronunciation of 'koine' has shifted from its Classical Attic pronunciation, which was closer to 'koy-NAY', to a Modern Greek pronunciation closer to 'kee-NEE'.

How is Koine Greek referred to in Modern Greek, and what does this term imply?

In Modern Greek, Koine Greek is called 'Hellenistic Koinē' (Ελληνιστική Κοινή), emphasizing its role as a supra-regional language during the Hellenistic period.

What were the differing views of ancient scholars regarding the linguistic origins of Koine Greek?

Some ancient scholars, like Apollonius Dyscolus, referred to Koine as the 'Proto-Greek language', while others used it to describe any vernacular Greek that differed from the literary standard. Some also identified it specifically with the 'Alexandrian dialect'.

What is the modern scholarly consensus on the primary linguistic basis of Koine Greek?

The prevailing view among modern scholars, supported by linguist Georgios Hatzidakis, is that Koine Greek's stable core is Attic Greek, augmented by elements from Ionic and other dialects.

How did Alexander the Great's conquests influence the development of Koine Greek?

Alexander the Great's military campaigns spread Greek speakers across a wide territory, leading to the development of a common dialect, Koine Greek, which facilitated communication among diverse populations.

How was Greek used within the Roman Empire's eastern provinces?

In its eastern provinces, the Roman Empire communicated extensively in Greek, with local elites and communities using it for inscriptions, documents, and official announcements, even in areas where Greek was not the primary spoken language.

What are considered the most significant primary sources for studying Koine Greek?

The most significant sources for studying Koine Greek are inscriptions from the post-Classical periods and papyri, as these texts offer direct and authentic content.

What is the significance of the Septuagint and the New Testament as sources for Koine Greek?

The Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) and the Greek New Testament are crucial sources because they were written for a broad audience, utilizing the most popular form of Greek spoken at the time.

What does 'Biblical Koine' refer to?

'Biblical Koine' refers to the specific varieties of Koine Greek found in Greek translations of the Bible, such as the Septuagint, and in the original Greek texts of the New Testament.

What debate exists regarding the linguistic features of the Septuagint?

There is a debate about whether the Greek of the Septuagint reflects mainstream spoken Koine or contains specific Semitic substratum features, possibly due to close translation from Hebrew or Aramaic, or the influence of Hellenized Jews who spoke Aramaic.

What did H. St. J. Thackeray consider to be 'good Koine' within the Septuagint?

In his 1909 work, H. St. J. Thackeray suggested that only the Pentateuch, parts of Joshua, and the Book of Isaiah in the Septuagint could be considered 'good Koine'.

What is the scholarly discussion surrounding the use of 'ekklesia' in the Septuagint?

Scholars debate whether the Greek word 'ekklesia' (ἐκκλησία), used to translate the Hebrew 'qahal', simply meant 'meeting' or 'gathering' or carried a deeper theological meaning of 'the community called by God', as argued by James Barr.

How did the authors of the New Testament utilize the Septuagint?

The authors of the New Testament quoted the Old Testament using the Septuagint translations for more than half of their citations.

What is the 'historical present' tense in New Testament Greek?

The 'historical present' is a grammatical feature where present tense verbs are used in narrative sections to describe past events, often to create a more immediate or dramatic effect. It is notably found in the Gospels of Mark and John.

What theories have been proposed to explain the use of the historical present in the Gospel of Mark?

Theories for the use of the historical present in Mark include influence from Aramaic and a literary device to heighten dramatic effect. Some scholars also linked its frequent use to vernacular Koine, comparing it to its usage in authors like Herodotus and Thucydides.

What does 'patristic Greek' refer to?

'Patristic Greek' refers to the Greek language used by the Greek Church Fathers in their theological writings during late antiquity, reflecting both simple registers close to the spoken language and more learned styles.

What are the main categories of differences between Attic and Koine Greek?

Koine Greek differed from Classical Attic Greek in grammar, word formation, vocabulary, and phonology (sound system).

What is 'psilosis' in the context of Koine Greek phonology?

Psilosis refers to the loss of 'rough breathing' (the /h/ sound) at the beginning of words, a feature already present in some Ionic dialects and later adopted into Koine Greek.

Explain the process of 'iotacism' in Koine Greek.

Iotacism is a phonological change where several distinct vowel sounds and diphthongs (like eta, iota, upsilon, and the diphthongs ei, oi, yi) merged into the sound /i/. This process occurred gradually during the Koine period and continued into later stages of Greek.

How did the pronunciation of the Greek consonants Beta (β), Gamma (γ), and Delta (δ) change in Koine Greek?

In Koine Greek, the plosive sounds /b/, /g/, and /d/ (represented by β, γ, δ) evolved into fricative sounds /v/, /ɣ/, and /ð/, respectively. However, they retained their plosive values when preceded by a nasal consonant.

What happened to the aspirated stops Phi (φ), Theta (θ), and Chi (χ) in Koine Greek?

The aspirated stops Phi (φ), Theta (θ), and Chi (χ), originally pronounced like 'p-h', 't-h', and 'k-h', evolved into fricative sounds /f/, /θ/, and /x/ in Koine Greek.

What specific phonological features are noted in Benjamin Kantor's reconstruction of New Testament Judeo-Palestinian Koine Greek?

Kantor's reconstruction suggests features such as the spirantization of Gamma (γ) and Beta (β), the preservation of aspirated values for Phi (φ), Theta (θ), and Chi (χ), and potentially more open pronunciations for certain mid-vowels like Epsilon (ε) and Eta (η).

How might the Aramaic language have influenced the pronunciation of vowels in Judean Koine Greek?

The Aramaic substrate may have influenced Judean Koine Greek by causing confusion between the vowels Alpha (α) and Omicron (ο), potentially leading to a back vowel pronunciation for Alpha (/ɑ/).

What phonological changes are illustrated in the reconstructed pronunciation of the Roman decree from Thisbae?

The reconstructed pronunciation of the decree shows the raising of Eta (η) to /e/, partial raising of upsilon (υ) and epsilon-iota (ει) to /i/, retention of pitch accent, and the preservation of initial rough breathing (/h/).

What modernizing phonological features are observed in the reconstructed pronunciation of the Gospel of John excerpt?

The reconstructed pronunciation includes the loss of vowel length distinction, monophthongization of diphthongs, a shift to stress accent, the raising of Eta (η) to /i/, and the loss of initial rough breathing (/h/).

What is the significance of the Rosetta Stone decree mentioned in the text?

The Rosetta Stone decree, issued in the Ptolemaic Kingdom in the 2nd century BC, is presented as a source of Koine Greek, illustrating the language used during that period.

What was the initial scholarly attitude towards Koine Greek, and how did it change?

Initially, classicists viewed Koine Greek as a 'decayed' form of Attic Greek and considered it unworthy of study. This perspective shifted in the early 19th century with renewed scholarly interest in the language's historical and linguistic importance.

What role did the 'common dialect' play in the Hellenistic and Roman periods?

Koine Greek served as a common, supra-regional form of Greek, acting as a lingua franca that facilitated communication and cultural exchange across the vast territories influenced by Hellenistic and Roman civilizations.

How did Koine Greek serve as a bridge between older and newer forms of Greek?

Koine Greek represented a transition from the older, more localized dialects of Ancient Greek to the more unified forms of Medieval and eventually Modern Greek, preserving elements of the past while evolving to meet new communicative needs.

What is the relationship between Koine Greek and the Greek Orthodox Church?

Koine Greek continues to be used today as the liturgical language in services of the Greek Orthodox Church and some Greek Catholic churches, maintaining its historical and religious significance.

What specific linguistic changes are associated with the term 'iotacism'?

Iotacism refers to the phenomenon where several different Greek vowels and diphthongs (such as η, ι, υ, ει, οι, υι) merged into the pronunciation of the vowel ι (/i/). This simplification occurred over time within Koine Greek.

How did the pronunciation of the diphthongs αυ (au) and ευ (eu) evolve in Koine Greek?

The diphthongs αυ and ευ in Koine Greek came to be pronounced as /av/ and /ev/ (or /af/ and /ef/ before voiceless consonants), a change that moved them closer to their Modern Greek pronunciations.

What does the term 'dialect levelling' mean in the context of Koine Greek's formation?

Dialect levelling refers to the process by which regional variations within Greek dialects diminished as they interacted and merged, contributing to the formation of the more uniform Koine Greek.

What was the linguistic situation in the Roman Empire's eastern provinces regarding Greek?

In the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire, Greek was the primary language of communication, used by local elites and communities for official purposes, inscriptions, and documents, even in regions where it wasn't the dominant spoken language.

What is the significance of the 'historical present' tense in biblical studies?

The 'historical present' tense in biblical texts, particularly the New Testament, is studied for its potential insights into the vernacular language of the time, its narrative function, and possible influences from other languages like Aramaic.

How did the phonological changes in Koine Greek bridge the gap between Ancient and Modern Greek?

The phonological shifts during the Koine period, such as the loss of vowel length distinction, the change to stress accent, and the monophthongization of diphthongs, represent key transitional features that link the sound systems of Ancient Greek to Modern Greek.

What specific examples of Koine Greek texts are provided in the article?

The article provides reconstructed pronunciations for an excerpt from a Roman decree issued to the town of Thisbae and the beginning of the Gospel of John, illustrating different stages and styles of Koine Greek.

What role did Attic Greek play in the development of Koine Greek?

Attic Greek, the dialect spoken in Athens during the Classical period, served as the primary foundation for Koine Greek, influencing its grammar, vocabulary, and overall structure.

What does the term 'supra-regional' mean when describing Koine Greek?

'Supra-regional' means that Koine Greek was used and understood across a wide geographical area, transcending the boundaries of individual regions or local dialects.

How did the Greek alphabet contribute to the standardization of Koine Greek?

The use of the Greek alphabet provided a consistent writing system for Koine Greek, facilitating its spread and use in written communication across diverse populations.

Koine Greek Wiki: Koine Greek: The Common Tongue of the Hellenistic Age

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What is Koine Greek?

A Supra-Regional Dialect

Koine Greek, also known as Hellenistic Greek or Common Greek, was the standardized supra-regional form of the Greek language spoken and written from approximately 300 BC to 600 AD. It emerged following the conquests of Alexander the Great, becoming the lingua franca across the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

Linguistic Evolution

Koine Greek evolved from Attic and related Ionic dialects, incorporating elements from other dialects through a process known as dialect levelling. It encompassed a range of styles, from conservative literary forms to the everyday vernaculars of the time. This linguistic continuum eventually developed into Medieval Greek and subsequently Modern Greek.

Historical Significance

Koine Greek served as the administrative and cultural language of the Hellenistic kingdoms and the Roman Empire in the East. Its widespread use facilitated communication and the dissemination of ideas, most notably becoming the language of the Septuagint, the Christian New Testament, and the writings of the Church Fathers.

Name and Pronunciation

Etymology

The term "Koine" derives from the Koine Greek phrase \u1f21 \u03ba\u03bf\u03b9\u03bd\u1f74 \u03b4\u03b9\u03ac\u03bb\u03b5\u03ba\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2 (hē koinē diálektos), meaning "the common dialect." The word \u03ba\u03bf\u03b9\u03bd\u03ae (koinē) itself signifies "common."

Pronunciation Shifts

The pronunciation of "Koine" evolved over time. Initially close to the Classical Attic pronunciation, it gradually shifted towards the Modern Greek pronunciation. Early scholars often used terms like "Alexandrian dialect" or "common dialect" to refer to it.

English pronunciations vary, including /ˈkɔɪni/ (KOY-nee) and /ˈkɔɪneɪ/ (KOY-nay). The Greek pronunciation shifted from [koi̯n\u025b\u030c] in Classical Attic to [i\u02c8ni] in Modern Greek.

Origins and History

Alexander's Legacy

Koine Greek emerged from the military campaigns of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BC. The common dialect spoken by his soldiers spread across his vast empire, replacing older dialects and establishing Greek as a dominant language from Egypt to Mesopotamia.

Roman Influence

During the Roman Empire, Greek remained the primary language of administration and culture in the eastern provinces. Communities across Asia Minor, Syria, and Egypt used Greek for inscriptions, official documents, and public announcements, solidifying its role as a lingua franca.

Transition to Medieval Greek

The Koine period extended through the early Byzantine Empire. The language continued to evolve, gradually transitioning into Medieval Greek, which laid the foundation for Modern Greek. This transition is often marked by the establishment of Constantinople or the end of late antiquity.

Key Varieties of Koine

Septuagint Greek

This refers to the Koine Greek used in the Septuagint, the 3rd century BC translation of the Hebrew Bible into Greek. Scholars debate the extent to which it reflects mainstream spoken Koine versus specific Jewish linguistic features or Semitic substratum influences.

New Testament Greek

The language of the Christian New Testament is a significant corpus of Koine Greek literature. Its style often follows the Septuagint model and exhibits features debated for their relationship to spoken vernaculars versus literary conventions.

Patristic Greek

This term denotes the Greek used by the Early Christian theologians, the Church Fathers. Early Christian writers often employed a simpler register of Koine, close to the spoken language, while later writers utilized more learned registers as Christianity became the state church of the Roman Empire.

Attic vs. Koine Greek

Grammatical Divergences

Koine Greek exhibits notable differences from Classical Attic Greek in grammar, morphology, and vocabulary. These changes reflect the natural evolution of language over centuries and the influence of various dialects.

Phonological Shifts

Significant phonological changes occurred during the Koine period. Key developments include the loss of vowel length distinction, the shift from a pitch accent to a stress accent system, and the monophthongization of several diphthongs, moving the language closer to Modern Greek pronunciation.

Psilosis: Loss of the initial rough breathing (/h/).
Monophthongization: Diphthongs like \u03b1\u03b9, \u03b5\u03b9, \u03bf\u03b9 merged into single vowel sounds.
Iotacism: Multiple vowels and diphthongs (\u03b7, \u03b5\u03b9, \u03bf\u03b9, \u03c5\u03b9) converged to sound like /i/.
Consonant Changes: Voiced stops (\u03b2, \u03b3, \u03b4) became fricatives (/v/, /ɣ/, /ð/), and aspirated stops (\u03c6, \u03b8, \u03c7) developed into fricatives (/f/, /θ/, /x/).

Detailed Phonology

Sound System Evolution

The phonology of Koine Greek underwent substantial transformation. Early Koine pronunciation closely resembled Classical Attic, while later stages showed developments leading towards Modern Greek phonetics. Key changes affected vowels, diphthongs, and consonants.

Vowel and Diphthong Changes

Vowel length distinctions were lost, and pitch accents were replaced by stress accents. Diphthongs simplified: \u03b1\u03b9, \u03b5\u03b9, \u03bf\u03b9 became monophthongs, and \u03b1\u03c5, \u03b5\u03c5 developed fricative pronunciations. The phenomenon of iotacism, where multiple vowel sounds merged into /i/, was particularly widespread.

Consonantal Developments

The stops \u03b2, \u03b3, \u03b4 transitioned to fricatives /v/, /ɣ/, /ð/. Aspirated stops \u03c6, \u03b8, \u03c7 also became fricatives /f/, /θ/, /x/. The consonant \u03b6, initially possibly /zd/ or /dz/, eventually settled into /z/.

Sample Texts

Roman Decree (Early Period)

This excerpt from a decree for Thisbae (c. 170 BC) reflects a conservative mainland Koine pronunciation, retaining some features closer to Classical Attic.

περὶ

peri

\u1f67\u03bd

ho\u02d0n

\u0398\u03b9\u03c3[\u03b2]\u03b5\u1fd6\u03c2

t\u02b0izb\u00ee\u02d0s

\u03bb\u03cc\u03b3\u03bf\u03c5\u03c2

l\u00f3\u0261u\u02d0s

\u1f10\u03c0\u03bf\u03b9\u03ae\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd\u03c4\u03bf;

epoj\u00e9\u02d0santo;

\u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u1f76

peri

\u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd

to\u02d0n

\u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u1fbf

kat\u02b0

\u03b1\u1f51[\u03c4]\u03bf\u1f7a\u03c2

haut\u00f9\u02d0s

\u03c0\u03c1\u03ac\u03b3\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03c9\u03bd,

pra\u02d0\u0261m\u00e1to\u02d0n,

\u03bf\u1f35\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd\u03b5\u03c2

ho\u00edtines

\u1f10\u03bd

en

\u03c4\u1fc7

ti\u02d0

\u03c6\u03b9\u03bb\u03af\u1fb3

p\u02b0il\u00eda\u02d0i

\u03c4\u1fc7

ti\u02d0

\u1f21\u03bc\u03b5\u03c4\u03ad\u03c1\u1fb3

he\u02d0met\u00e9ra\u02d0i

\u1f10\u03bd\u03ad\u03bc\u03b5\u03b9\u03bd\u03b1\u03bd,

en\u00e9mi\u02d0nan,

\u1f45\u03c0\u03c9\u03c2

h\u00f3po\u02d0s

\u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2

autois

\u03b4\u03bf\u03b8\u1ff6\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd

dot\u02b0\u00f4\u02d0sin

[\u03bf]\u1f37\u03c2

hois

\u03c4\u1f70

ta

\u03ba\u03b1\u03b8\u1fbf

kat\u02b0

\u03b1\u1f51\u03c4\u03bf\u1f7a\u03c2

haut\u00f9\u02d0s

\u03c0\u03c1\u03ac\u03b3\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03b1

pr\u00e1\u02d0\u0261mata

\u1f10\u03be\u03b7\u03b3\u03ae\u03c3\u03c9\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9,

ekse\u02d0\u0261\u00e9\u02d0so\u02d0ntai,

\u03c0\u03b5\u03c1\u1f76

peri

\u03c4\u03bf\u03cd\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5

t\u00fa\u02d0tu\u02d0

\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6

tu\u02d0

\u03c0\u03c1\u03ac\u03b3\u03bc\u03b1\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2

pr\u00e1\u02d0\u0261matos

\u03bf\u1f55\u03c4\u03c9\u03c2

h\u00fa\u02d0to\u02d0s

\u1f14\u03b4\u03bf\u03be\u03b5\u03bd;

\u00e9doksen;

\u1f45\u03c0\u03c9\u03c2

h\u00f3po\u02d0s

\u039a\u03cc\u03b9\u03bd\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2

\u02c8k\u02b7intos

\u039c\u03b1\u03af\u03bd\u03b9\u03bf\u03c2

\u02c8mainios

\u03c3\u03c4\u03c1\u03b1\u03c4\u03b7\u03b3\u1f78\u03c2

strate\u02d0\u0261\u00f2s

\u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd

to\u02d0n

\u1f10\u03ba

ek

\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2

te\u02d0s

\u03c3\u03c5\u03bd\u03ba\u03bb\u03ae\u03c4\u03bf\u03c5

sy\u014bkl\u00e9\u02d0tu\u02d0

[\u03c0]\u03ad\u03bd\u03c4\u03b5

p\u00e9nte

\u1f00\u03c0\u03bf\u03c4\u03ac\u03be\u1fc3

apot\u00e1ksi\u02d0,

\u03bf\u1f33

hoi

\u1f02\u03bd

an

\u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u0306i

auto\u02d0i

\u1f10\u03ba

ek

\u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd

to\u02d0n

\u03b4\u03b7\u03bc\u03bf\u03c3\u03af\u03c9\u03bd

de\u02d0mos\u00edo\u02d0n

\u03c0\u03c1\u03b1[\u03b3\u03bc]\u03ac\u03c4\u03c9\u03bd

pra\u02d0\u0261m\u00e1to\u02d0n

\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76

kai

\u03c4\u1fc6\u03c2

te\u02d0s

\u1f30\u03b4\u03af\u03b1\u03c2

id\u00eda\u02d0s

\u03c0\u03af\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2

p\u00edsteo\u02d0s

\u03c6\u03b1\u03af\u03bd\u03c9\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9.

p\u02b0a\u00edno\u02d0ntai

Translation: "Concerning those matters about which the citizens of Thisbae made representations. Concerning their own affairs: the following decision was taken concerning the proposal that those who remained true to our friendship should be given the facilities to conduct their own affairs; that our praetor/governor Quintus Maenius should delegate five members of the senate who seemed to him appropriate in the light of their public actions and individual good faith." [18]

New Testament (Early Christian Era)

This passage from the Gospel of John illustrates a more progressive Koine pronunciation, reflecting changes common in the early Christian era.

\u1f18\u03bd

\u02c8en

\u1f00\u03c1\u03c7\u1fc7

ar\u02c8k\u02b0i

\u1f26\u03bd

in

\u1f41

o

\u03bb\u03cc\u03b3\u03bf\u03c2,

\u02c8lo\u0263os,

\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76

ke

\u1f41

o

\u03bb\u03cc\u03b3\u03bf\u03c2

\u02c8lo\u0263os

\u1f26\u03bd

im

\u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c2

pros

\u03c4\u1f78\u03bd

to(n)

\u03b8\u03b5\u03cc\u03bd,

t\u02b0e\u02c8o(n),

\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76

ke

\u03b8\u03b5\u1f78\u03c2

t\u02b0e\u02c8os

\u1f26\u03bd

in

\u1f41

o

\u03bb\u03cc\u03b3\u03bf\u03c2.

\u02c8lo\u0263os.

\u03c5\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2

\u02c8utos

\u1f26\u03bd

in

\u1f10\u03bd

en

\u1f00\u03c1\u03c7\u1fc7

ar\u02c8k\u02b0i

\u03c0\u03c1\u1f78\u03c2

pros

\u03c4\u1f78\u03bd

to(n)

\u03b8\u03b5\u03cc\u03bd.

t\u02b0e\u02c8o(n).

\u03c0\u03ac\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1

\u02c8panda

\u03b4\u03b9\u1fbd

di

\u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6

a\u0278\u02c8tu

\u1f10\u03b3\u03ad\u03bd\u03b5\u03c4\u03bf,

e\u02c8\u029deneto,

\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76

ke

\u03c7\u03c9\u03c1\u1f76\u03c2

k\u02b0o\u02c8ris

\u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6

a\u0278\u02c8tu

\u1f10\u03b3\u03ad\u03bd\u03b5\u03c4\u03bf

e\u02c8\u029deneto

\u03bf\u1f50\u03b4\u1f72

ude

\u1f15\u03bd

\u02c8en

\u1f43

o

\u03b3\u03ad\u03b3\u03bf\u03bd\u03b5\u03bd.

\u02c8\u029de\u0263onen.

\u1f10\u03bd

en

\u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u1ff7

a\u0278\u02c8to

\u03b6\u03c9\u1f74

\u02c8zo\u0263i

\u1f26\u03bd,

in,

\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76

ke

\u1f21

i

\u03b6\u03c9\u1f74

\u02c8zo\u0263i

\u1f26\u03bd

in

\u03c4\u1f78

to

\u03c6\u1ff6\u03c2

p\u02b0os

\u03c4\u1ff6\u03bd

ton

\u1f00\u03bd\u03b8\u03c1\u03ce\u03c0\u03c9\u03bd.

an\u02c8t\u02b0ropon;

\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76

ke

\u03c4\u1f78

to

\u03c6\u1ff6\u03c2

p\u02b0os

\u1f10\u03bd

en

\u03c4\u1fc7

di

\u03c3\u03ba\u03bf\u03c4\u03af\u1fb3

\u02c8sko\u02c8tia

\u03c6\u03b1\u03af\u03bd\u03b5\u03b9,

\u02c8p\u02b0eni,

\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76

ke

\u1f21

i

\u03c3\u03ba\u03bf\u03c4\u03af\u03b1

\u02c8skoti(a)

\u03b1\u1f50\u03c4\u0370

a(\u0278)\u02c8to

\u03bf\u1f50

u

\u03ba\u03b1\u03c4\u03ad\u03bb\u03b1\u03b2\u03b5\u03bd.

ka\u02c8tela\u03b2en

Translation: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." [36]

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References

Demetrios J. Constantelos, The Greek Orthodox Church: faith, history, and practice, Seabury Press, 1967

Augsburg.

G. Horrocks (1997), Greek: A history of the language and its speakers, p. 87, cf. also pp. 105â109.

A full list of references for this article are available at the Koine Greek Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence, drawing upon publicly available data. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source material, the content is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It may not capture the full nuance or latest developments regarding Koine Greek.

This is not linguistic or historical advice. The information provided should not substitute consultation with academic experts or primary source analysis. Always consult authoritative linguistic resources and scholarly works for definitive study.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

Koine Greek

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

What is Koine Greek? ℹ️

🗣️ A Supra-Regional Dialect

🌐 Linguistic Evolution

🏛️ Historical Significance

Name and Pronunciation 🏷️

📜 Etymology

🔊 Pronunciation Shifts

Origins and History ⏳

⚔️ Alexander's Legacy

⚖️ Roman Influence

➡️ Transition to Medieval Greek

Key Varieties of Koine 📚

📜 Septuagint Greek

📖 New Testament Greek

⛪ Patristic Greek

Attic vs. Koine Greek ↔️

✍️ Grammatical Divergences

🔊 Phonological Shifts

Detailed Phonology 🎶

🔊 Sound System Evolution

🔠 Vowel and Diphthong Changes

🗣️ Consonantal Developments

Sample Texts 📜

🏛️ Roman Decree (Early Period)

📖 New Testament (Early Christian Era)

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

What is Koine Greek?

A Supra-Regional Dialect

Linguistic Evolution

Historical Significance

Name and Pronunciation

Etymology

Pronunciation Shifts

Origins and History

Alexander's Legacy

Roman Influence

Transition to Medieval Greek

Key Varieties of Koine

Septuagint Greek

New Testament Greek

Patristic Greek

Attic vs. Koine Greek

Grammatical Divergences

Phonological Shifts

Detailed Phonology

Sound System Evolution

Vowel and Diphthong Changes

Consonantal Developments

Sample Texts

Roman Decree (Early Period)

New Testament (Early Christian Era)

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice