EAN and IF EVER

Before we start Chapter 18 time for another word study.

If you read the #gospels in #newtestamentgreek and also read #Classicalgreek you have probably noticed #koinegreek in the #newtestament uses #ean and #subjunctive a lot more than #ei and subjunctive or #optative.

So a note on #EAN

EAN is defined as a Conjunction used at the start of a clause that contains a #conditional statement expressed by the use of the #subjunctive #verb mode in GREEK. It is a fusion of EI - IF and AN a conditional marker and has an #adverbial function!

It does not just say if  but it shows you that some that might might happen a probable condition event or action is a topic. Probable NOT Actual.

Compare if you have a dictionary ei to ean,  ho (relative not article) to hotan and epeidan to epei etc.

IF A THEN B is possible

oR ean mee A = NOT IF B is NOT ? UNLESS EXCEPT

Then we have ean and av plus relatives changing who what or which to SO EVER or EVER
Who A does B then ... UNFILLED CONDITION

As far as I can make out from my VERY limited knowledge of Aramaic and some googling of Aramaic that language has several ways of saying IF or IF SO EVER IF THAT and one of them is Word the site transcribed as Aen OeAn or D'eaN ... mmm very similar to AN and EAN?

I can see Jesus picking that form cos the word had a very similar meaning in both Greek and Aramaic and as several of the disciples may have been bilingual ...?

However the important thing to remember is that if you see EAN you will see a SUBJUNCTIVE verb and the sentence that verb appears in will be what grammar texts call CONDITIONAL.

A statement about something that is probable hypothetical general ... uncertain not fixed or finished ...

This is perhaps more elegant logical and powerful  than the English language's can could shall should may might etc...etc ...?

If you are reading this because you can't read Greek but are intrigued by notes in your commentary YES SUBJUNCTIVE is VERY IMPORTANT in GREEK.

Keep an eye out for those subjunctives. Some translators and commentators tend to under stress or over simplify them!

And use the Conditional carefully and thoughtfully in English too ?