Reading Biblical Greek Part 4: Prefixes, Suffixes, and Compound Words

Series Outline

• Part 1: The Greek Alphabet & Pronunciation Guide
• Part 2: Understanding Verb Conjugation
• Part 3: Part 3: Noun Declension Basics
• Part 4: Prefixes, Suffixes, and Compound Words
• Part 5: Prepositions & Articles in Greek
• Part 6: Basic Sentence Structure & Syntax
• Part 7: Vocabulary Building & Common Biblical Terms

Introduction

In this part of the series, we’ll dive into one of the most fascinating aspects of biblical Greek: prefixes, suffixes, and compound words. These elements can change the meaning and intensity of a word in significant ways. By understanding how Greek words are built from smaller components, you’ll be able to decode more complex words in the New Testament and deepen your understanding of Scripture.

Prefixes in Greek

Prefixes are added to the beginning of a root word to alter its meaning. In biblical Greek, prefixes often intensify or modify the basic meaning of a word. Here are a few common prefixes and how they affect the meaning of the root word.

Example: The Intensifying Power of “κατά” (kata)

The prefix κατά often has an intensifying effect on the root word. For example:

• βαίνω (bainō) means “I go” or “I walk.”
• καταβαίνω (katabainō) means “I go down” or “I descend,” with the prefix κατά adding a sense of direction and intensity to the movement.

Another example:

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• γράφω (graphō) means “I write.”
• καταγράφω (katagraphō) means “I write down,” with κατά intensifying the action to convey writing something with purpose or finality.

Suffixes in Greek

Suffixes are added to the end of a root word to change its grammatical role or sometimes its meaning. In Greek, suffixes often indicate the part of speech (verb, noun, adjective), as well as tense, voice, and person for verbs.

Here are some common suffixes:

Example: The Suffix “-της” (-tēs)

The suffix -της is often used to form nouns that describe a person who performs an action. For example:

• μαθητής (mathētēs) means “disciple,” or literally, “one who learns.”
• ποιητής (poiētēs) means “a doer” or “a maker.”

In both examples, the suffix -της describes a person actively engaged in an action.

Compound Words in Greek

In Greek, two or more words can be combined to form a compound word, which often carries a more specific or nuanced meaning. These compounds are very common in the New Testament and can reveal deep theological insights.

Example: ἀποκάλυψις (apokalypsis)

• ἀπό (apo) means “from.”
• καλύπτω (kalyptō) means “to cover” or “to hide.”

When combined, ἀποκάλυψις (apokalypsis) means “revelation” or “uncovering” (literally, “a removal of the cover”). This word is used in the title of the book of Revelation (the Apocalypse) and carries the sense of unveiling something hidden.

Another Example: συν + ἔργον = συνεργός (sunergos)

• συν (sun) means “with” or “together.”
• ἔργον (ergon) means “work.”

When combined, συνεργός (sunergos) means “co-worker” or “fellow worker,” which appears in several of Paul’s letters when he refers to those who share in his ministry.

Practice Section: Build Your Own Compound Words

Using the prefixes and suffixes from the tables above, try forming new Greek words and discovering how they modify or intensify the meaning of the root word. Here are a few examples to get you started:

1. ἔρχομαι (erchomai, “I come”) + ἀπό (apo, “from”) = ἀπέρχομαι (aperchomai, “I go away, depart”).
2. δέχομαι (dechomai, “I receive”) + συν (sun, “with”) = συνδέχομαι (sundechomai, “I receive together, welcome”).

Homework and Next Steps

• Study Common Prefixes: Make a list of 5-10 common prefixes in the New Testament and find examples of words that use them. Notice how the meaning of the word is altered.
• Build Compound Words: Practice forming your own compound words using a combination of prefixes, root words, and suffixes.
• Identify Compound Words in Scripture: Use an interlinear Bible or an online tool like Blue Letter Bible to search for compound words in the New Testament and break them down into their components.

Conclusion

By understanding prefixes, suffixes, and compound words, you can start to see how Greek builds meaning in layers. This knowledge will help you as you encounter more complex words in the New Testament. In Part 5, we’ll explore prepositions and articles, which play an essential role in connecting words and clarifying relationships between them.

Part 5: Prepositions & Articles in Greek