Welcome to Lesson 10 of the Coptic language course from the Latinum Institute. This lesson focuses on the third person singular pronoun "it" in Coptic. For more lessons and the complete course index, visit https://latinum.substack.com/p/index.
In Coptic, unlike English, "it" has two forms depending on the grammatical gender of the noun it refers to: -
ⲛⲧⲟϥ (ntof) - for masculine nouns -
ⲛⲧⲟⲥ (ntos) - for feminine nouns
Additionally, Coptic frequently uses pronominal suffixes attached to verbs and prepositions: -ϥ (f) for masculine and -ⲥ (s) for feminine.
Q: What does "it" mean in Coptic? A: In Coptic, "it" is expressed as ⲛⲧⲟϥ (ntof) for masculine nouns and ⲛⲧⲟⲥ (ntos) for feminine nouns. These forms can also mean "he" and "she" respectively. Coptic also uses the suffixes -ϥ (f) and -ⲥ (s) attached to verbs and prepositions.
Course: Coptic Language Learning Level: Beginner Lesson: 10 - The Pronoun "it" Language of Instruction: English Target Language: Coptic Material Type: Self-study reading lesson Prerequisites: Basic understanding of Coptic alphabet
Throughout this lesson, you will encounter "it" in various contexts - as independent pronouns, as suffixes attached to verbs, and in different sentence positions. The examples progress from simple to more complex constructions, helping you understand how Coptic handles this pronoun differently from English.
-
Coptic has gendered forms of "it" - masculine ⲛⲧⲟϥ and feminine ⲛⲧⲟⲥ -
The suffix forms -ϥ (m.) and -ⲥ (f.) are more common than the independent pronouns -
Every Coptic noun has grammatical gender that determines which form to use -
Context often determines whether ⲛⲧⲟϥ/ⲛⲧⲟⲥ means "it," "he," or "she" -
Word order in Coptic differs significantly from English
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
10.1 ⲡⲏⲓ (pēi) the-house ⲟⲩⲏϩ (ouēh) stands ϩⲛ̄ (hen) in ⲧⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ (t-polis) the-city · ⲛⲧⲟϥ (ntof) it ⲛⲁⲁ (naa) great ⲡⲉ (pe) is
10.2 ⲁⲓϫⲓ (ai-ji) I-took ⲙ̄ⲡϫⲱⲱⲙⲉ (m-p-jōōme) the-book ⲁⲩⲱ (auō) and ⲁⲓⲟϣϥ̄ (ai-ōsh-ef) I-read-it
10.3 ⲧⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ (t-ekklēsia) the-church ⲟⲩⲟⲛϩ̄ (ouonh) appears · ⲛⲧⲟⲥ (ntos) it ⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ (ouaab) holy ⲧⲉ (te) is
10.4 ⲡⲉⲓⲉⲣⲟ (p-eiero) the-river ϣⲱⲡⲉ (shōpe) exists · ϥⲛⲁⲩ (f-nau) it-good ⲡⲉ (pe) is
10.5 ⲁⲛⲛⲁⲩ (an-nau) we-saw ⲉⲣⲟⲥ (ero-s) to-it ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲟⲩ (m-poou) today
10.6 ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ (p-rōme) the-man ⲁϥⲧⲁⲁϥ (af-taa-f) he-gave-it ⲛⲁⲓ (nai) to-me
10.7 ⲧⲙⲁⲁⲩ (t-maau) the-mother ⲙⲉ (me) loves ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲥ (mmo-s) it ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ (emate) greatly
10.8 ⲛⲧⲟϥ (ntof) it ⲥⲟⲧⲡ̄ (sotp) chosen ⲡⲉ (pe) is ⲉⲃⲟⲗ (ebol) from ϩⲛ̄ (hen) among ⲛⲉϥⲥⲛⲏⲩ (nef-snēu) its-brothers
10.9 ⲁⲥⲉⲓ (as-ei) she-came ⲉⲣⲟϥ (ero-f) to-it ⲙ̄ⲡⲣⲁⲥⲧⲉ (m-p-raste) yesterday
10.10 ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ (peja-f) he-said ϫⲉ (je) that ⲛⲧⲟⲥ (ntos) it ⲛⲉⲥⲱⲥ (nesōs) beautiful ⲧⲉ (te) is
10.11 ϯⲛⲁϯ (ti-na-ti) I-will-give ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ (mmo-f) it ⲛⲏⲧⲛ̄ (nētn) to-you(pl)
10.12 ⲡⲙⲁ (p-ma) the-place ⲉⲧⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ (et-mmau) that-there · ⲛⲧⲟϥ (ntof) it ϩⲟⲩⲉⲓⲧ (houeit) first ⲡⲉ (pe) is
10.13 ⲧⲉⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ (t-es-hime) the-woman ⲁⲥⲛⲟϫϥ̄ (as-noj-ef) she-threw-it ⲉⲃⲟⲗ (ebol) away
10.14 ⲡⲕⲁϩ (p-kah) the-earth ϥⲟ (f-o) it-is ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲱⲧ (n-ouōt) green
10.15 ⲛⲧⲟⲥ (ntos) it ⲙⲛ̄ (men) with ⲛⲉⲥϣⲏⲣⲉ (nes-shēre) its-children ⲁⲩⲃⲱⲕ (au-bōk) they-went
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
10.1 ⲡⲏⲓ ⲟⲩⲏϩ ϩⲛ̄ ⲧⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ · ⲛⲧⲟϥ ⲛⲁⲁ ⲡⲉ The house stands in the city. It is great.
10.2 ⲁⲓϫⲓ ⲙ̄ⲡϫⲱⲱⲙⲉ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁⲓⲟϣϥ̄ I took the book and I read it.
10.3 ⲧⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲟⲩⲟⲛϩ̄ · ⲛⲧⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲧⲉ The church appears. It is holy.
10.4 ⲡⲉⲓⲉⲣⲟ ϣⲱⲡⲉ · ϥⲛⲁⲩ ⲡⲉ The river exists. It is good.
10.5 ⲁⲛⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟⲥ ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲟⲩ We saw it today.
10.6 ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲁϥⲧⲁⲁϥ ⲛⲁⲓ The man gave it to me.
10.7 ⲧⲙⲁⲁⲩ ⲙⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ The mother loves it greatly.
10.8 ⲛⲧⲟϥ ⲥⲟⲧⲡ̄ ⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ̄ ⲛⲉϥⲥⲛⲏⲩ It is chosen from among its brothers.
10.9 ⲁⲥⲉⲓ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲙ̄ⲡⲣⲁⲥⲧⲉ She came to it yesterday.
10.10 ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲥⲱⲥ ⲧⲉ He said that it is beautiful.
10.11 ϯⲛⲁϯ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲛⲏⲧⲛ̄ I will give it to you.
10.12 ⲡⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ · ⲛⲧⲟϥ ϩⲟⲩⲉⲓⲧ ⲡⲉ That place there - it is first.
10.13 ⲧⲉⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲁⲥⲛⲟϫϥ̄ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ The woman threw it away.
10.14 ⲡⲕⲁϩ ϥⲟ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲱⲧ The earth, it is green.
10.15 ⲛⲧⲟⲥ ⲙⲛ̄ ⲛⲉⲥϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲁⲩⲃⲱⲕ It with its children went.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
10.1 ⲡⲏⲓ ⲟⲩⲏϩ ϩⲛ̄ ⲧⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ · ⲛⲧⲟϥ ⲛⲁⲁ ⲡⲉ
10.2 ⲁⲓϫⲓ ⲙ̄ⲡϫⲱⲱⲙⲉ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁⲓⲟϣϥ̄
10.3 ⲧⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲟⲩⲟⲛϩ̄ · ⲛⲧⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲧⲉ
10.4 ⲡⲉⲓⲉⲣⲟ ϣⲱⲡⲉ · ϥⲛⲁⲩ ⲡⲉ
10.5 ⲁⲛⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟⲥ ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲟⲩ
10.6 ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲁϥⲧⲁⲁϥ ⲛⲁⲓ
10.7 ⲧⲙⲁⲁⲩ ⲙⲉ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ
10.8 ⲛⲧⲟϥ ⲥⲟⲧⲡ̄ ⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ̄ ⲛⲉϥⲥⲛⲏⲩ
10.9 ⲁⲥⲉⲓ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲙ̄ⲡⲣⲁⲥⲧⲉ
10.10 ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲥⲱⲥ ⲧⲉ
10.11 ϯⲛⲁϯ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲛⲏⲧⲛ̄
10.12 ⲡⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲩ · ⲛⲧⲟϥ ϩⲟⲩⲉⲓⲧ ⲡⲉ
10.13 ⲧⲉⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲁⲥⲛⲟϫϥ̄ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ
10.14 ⲡⲕⲁϩ ϥⲟ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲱⲧ
10.15 ⲛⲧⲟⲥ ⲙⲛ̄ ⲛⲉⲥϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲁⲩⲃⲱⲕ
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
The third person singular pronoun "it" in Coptic follows these essential rules:
1. Gender Agreement Unlike English, where "it" is neuter, Coptic requires gender agreement: -
Masculine nouns use ⲛⲧⲟϥ (ntof) or suffix -ϥ (f) -
Feminine nouns use ⲛⲧⲟⲥ (ntos) or suffix -ⲥ (s)
2. Forms and Usage Independent pronouns (ⲛⲧⲟϥ/ⲛⲧⲟⲥ): -
Used for emphasis -
Used as the subject of nominal sentences -
Can stand alone as a complete answer
Suffix pronouns (-ϥ/-ⲥ): -
Attached directly to verbs: ⲁⲓⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ "I saw it" (masculine) -
Attached to prepositions: ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲥ "it" (feminine object) -
More common than independent forms
3. Word Order Differences from English -
Coptic often places "it" after the verb as a suffix -
English: "I read it" → Coptic: "I-read-it" (one word) -
The independent pronoun can begin a sentence for emphasis
4. Common Mistakes -
Forgetting gender agreement (using masculine for feminine nouns) -
Using the independent pronoun where a suffix is required -
Translating English word order directly -
Not recognizing that ⲛⲧⲟϥ/ⲛⲧⲟⲥ can mean "he/she" as well as "it"
5. Step-by-Step Guide for Using "It" Step 1: Identify the gender of the noun "it" refers to Step 2: Decide if you need emphasis (use independent) or not (use suffix) Step 3: For suffixes, attach directly to the verb or preposition Step 4: Check that your gender agreement is consistent throughout
6. Comparison with English English has one form "it" for all uses. Coptic has: -
Two genders (m./f.) -
Two forms (independent/suffix) -
Different syntactic positions -
No true neuter gender
Grammatical Summary Independent forms: -
Masculine: ⲛⲧⲟϥ (ntof) -
Feminine: ⲛⲧⲟⲥ (ntos)
Suffix forms: -
Masculine: -ϥ (f) -
Feminine: -ⲥ (s)
Common prepositional forms: -
ⲉⲣⲟϥ/ⲉⲣⲟⲥ "to it" -
ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ/ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲥ "it" (object) -
ⲛⲁϥ/ⲛⲁⲥ "to it, for it"
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
For English speakers learning Coptic, understanding how "it" functions requires appreciating several cultural and linguistic factors:
Historical Context Coptic, the final stage of the Egyptian language, inherited its pronoun system from earlier Egyptian. The gender distinction for inanimate objects reflects an ancient worldview where all things possessed inherent masculine or feminine qualities. This differs fundamentally from English's three-way distinction (he/she/it).
Religious Significance In Coptic Christian texts, pronoun choice carries theological weight. Sacred objects often take pronouns that personify them - the church (ⲧⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ) is feminine and may be referred to as "she" rather than "it," reflecting the concept of the Church as the Bride of Christ.
Translation Challenges When Coptic speakers translated Greek texts, they had to assign gender to Greek neuter nouns. This process reveals cultural priorities - abstract concepts like "spirit" (ⲡⲛⲉⲩⲙⲁ) became masculine in Coptic, while "soul" (ⲧⲯⲩⲭⲏ) became feminine.
Modern Usage Contemporary Coptic liturgical use maintains these ancient patterns. Understanding pronoun usage helps modern students appreciate the poetic and theological nuances in hymns and prayers that would be lost in translation.
Practical Applications For English speakers, mastering Coptic pronouns requires thinking beyond literal translation. The choice between ⲛⲧⲟϥ and ⲛⲧⲟⲥ involves understanding the cultural gender of nouns, not their biological sex or animation status as in English.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
This excerpt comes from the Sahidic Coptic version of the Gospel of John 1:3-5, demonstrating the use of pronouns in biblical literature.
ⲡⲧⲏⲣϥ̄ (p-tērf) all-of-it ⲛ̄ⲧⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ (nta-f-shōpe) it-came-to-be ⲉⲃⲟⲗ (ebol) through ϩⲓⲧⲟⲟⲧϥ̄ (hitoot-f) by-means-of-him · ⲁⲩⲱ (auō) and ⲁϫⲛ̄ⲧϥ̄ (ajnt-f) without-him ⲙ̄ⲡⲉ (mpe) not ⲗⲁⲁⲩ (laau) anything ϣⲱⲡⲉ (shōpe) come-to-be · ⲡⲉⲛⲧⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ (p-enta-f-shōpe) that-which-came-to-be ϩⲣⲁⲓ (hrai) in ⲛ̄ϩⲏⲧϥ̄ (nhēt-f) in-him ⲡⲉ (pe) is ⲡⲱⲛϩ̄ (p-ōnh) the-life · ⲁⲩⲱ (auō) and ⲡⲱⲛϩ̄ (p-ōnh) the-life ⲡⲉ (pe) is ⲡⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ (p-ouoein) the-light ⲛ̄ⲛ̄ⲣⲱⲙⲉ (n-n-rōme) of-men · ⲁⲩⲱ (auō) and ⲡⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ (p-ouoein) the-light ϥⲣ̄ⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ (f-r-ouoein) it-gives-light ϩⲙ̄ (hm) in ⲡⲕⲁⲕⲉ (p-kake) the-darkness
ⲡⲧⲏⲣϥ̄ ⲛ̄ⲧⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲟⲟⲧϥ̄ · ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁϫⲛ̄ⲧϥ̄ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲗⲁⲁⲩ ϣⲱⲡⲉ · ⲡⲉⲛⲧⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲛ̄ϩⲏⲧϥ̄ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲱⲛϩ̄ · ⲁⲩⲱ ⲡⲱⲛϩ̄ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲛ̄ⲛ̄ⲣⲱⲙⲉ · ⲁⲩⲱ ⲡⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ϥⲣ̄ⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ϩⲙ̄ ⲡⲕⲁⲕⲉ
All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be in him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness.
This passage brilliantly demonstrates Coptic's pronoun system. The masculine suffix -ϥ appears repeatedly, referring back to the Word (ⲡϣⲁϫⲉ), which is masculine in Coptic. Notice how "it" in the English translation corresponds to various forms in Coptic: the suffix -ϥ attached to verbs and prepositions, and the masculine noun ⲡⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ (the light) taking masculine agreement. The passage shows how theological concepts maintain consistent gender throughout the discourse.
Key pronoun usage in this passage: -
ⲛ̄ⲧⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ: "it came to be" (lit. "that-it-happened") -
ϩⲓⲧⲟⲟⲧϥ̄: "through him/it" (preposition + suffix) -
ⲁϫⲛ̄ⲧϥ̄: "without him/it" (compound preposition + suffix) -
ⲛ̄ϩⲏⲧϥ̄: "in him/it" (preposition + suffix) -
ϥⲣ̄ⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ: "it gives light" (verb with prefixed pronoun)
The consistency of masculine forms throughout reflects the antecedent ⲡϣⲁϫⲉ (the Word), showing how Coptic maintains gender agreement across extended discourse.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
10.16 ⲡⲣⲁⲛ (p-ran) the-name ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ (et-ouaab) that-holy · ⲁⲓⲥϩⲁⲓ (ai-shai) I-wrote ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ (mmo-f) it ⲉϫⲙ̄ (ejm) upon ⲡϫⲱⲱⲙⲉ (p-jōōme) the-papyrus
10.17 ⲧⲥϣⲏ (t-sshē) the-fever · ⲁⲥⲗⲟ (as-lo) it-ceased ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲩⲛⲟⲩ (n-teunou) immediately ⲉⲧⲁⲓϫⲱ (e-tai-jō) when-I-spoke ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲥ (mmo-s) it
10.18 ⲡⲉⲫⲧⲟⲟⲩ (p-eftoou) the-four ⲛ̄ⲍⲱⲟⲛ (n-zōon) animals · ⲁⲩⲧⲓ (au-ti) they-gave ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ (mmo-f) it ⲛⲁⲓ (nai) to-me ⲉⲧⲣⲁⲁⲣⲉϩ (e-tra-areh) that-I-guard ⲉⲣⲟϥ (ero-f) it
10.19 ⲧϭⲟⲙ (t-tšom) the-power ⲉⲧϩⲏⲡ (et-hēp) that-hidden · ⲛⲧⲟⲥ (ntos) it ⲛⲁϣⲉ (nashe) great ⲧⲉ (te) is ⲉϩⲟⲩⲉ (ehoue) more-than ⲗⲁⲁⲩ (laau) anything
10.20 ⲡⲙⲁ (p-ma) the-place ⲛ̄ϩⲱⲡ (n-hōp) of-hiding · ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲩϭⲛ̄ⲧϥ̄ (m-pou-tšnt-f) not-they-found-it ϣⲁ (sha) until ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ (tenou) now
10.21 ⲡⲣⲏ (p-rē) the-sun ⲁϥϩⲱⲡ (af-hōp) it-set ⲁⲩⲱ (auō) and ⲁⲓⲙⲟⲩⲧⲉ (ai-moute) I-called ⲉⲣⲟϥ (ero-f) to-it ϩⲙ̄ (hm) in ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ (pef-ran) its-name
10.22 ⲧⲉⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ (t-es-hime) the-woman ⲛ̄ⲁⲥⲉⲃⲏⲥ (n-asebēs) impious · ⲁⲥⲛⲁⲩ (as-nau) she-saw ⲉⲣⲟⲥ (ero-s) to-it ⲁⲩⲱ (auō) and ⲁⲥⲣ̄ϩⲟⲧⲉ (as-r-hote) she-feared
10.23 ⲡⲙⲟⲩⲓ (p-moui) the-lion ⲉⲧⲟⲛϩ̄ (et-onh) that-lives · ⲛⲧⲟϥ (ntof) it ⲥⲟⲧⲡ̄ (sotp) chosen ⲡⲉ (pe) is ⲉⲧⲁⲣⲉϩ (e-t-areh) to-guard ⲉⲡⲙⲁ (e-p-ma) the-place
10.24 ⲧⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ (t-epistolē) the-letter ⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲅⲓⲁ (m-magia) of-magic · ⲁⲓⲕⲁⲁⲥ (ai-kaa-s) I-placed-it ϩⲁ (ha) under ⲡⲉⲓⲱⲛⲉ (p-eiōne) the-stone
10.25 ⲛⲧⲟϥ (ntof) it ⲡⲉⲧⲛⲁϯ (pet-na-ti) that-will-give ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ (m-p-oujai) salvation ⲛⲏⲧⲛ̄ (nētn) to-you
10.26 ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲱⲟⲩ (p-ekrōou) the-amulet ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲱⲧ (n-ouōt) green · ϥⲟⲩⲟⲛϩ̄ (f-ouonh) it-reveals ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ (mmo-f) itself ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲁⲩ (m-p-nau) at-the-hour ⲛ̄ϣⲱⲣⲡ̄ (n-shōrp) first
10.27 ⲧⲥⲫⲣⲁⲅⲓⲥ (t-sphragis) the-seal ⲉⲧⲧⲁϫⲣⲏⲩ (et-tajrēu) that-strong · ⲁⲥⲧⲱⲣⲉ (as-tōre) it-destroyed ⲙ̄ⲡⲇⲁⲓⲙⲱⲛ (m-p-daimōn) the-demon
10.28 ⲡⲕⲁϩ (p-kah) the-earth ⲛⲁⲁⲩⲱⲛ (na-auōn) will-open ⲛ̄ⲧⲟϥ (ntof) it ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉⲕϫⲱ (ntere-k-jō) when-you-say ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ (mmo-f) it
10.29 ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ (p-hoou) the-day ⲙ̄ⲙⲏⲛⲉ (m-mēne) eighth · ⲛⲧⲟϥ (ntof) it ⲥⲟⲧⲡ̄ (sotp) chosen ⲡⲉ (pe) is ⲉⲧⲁⲙⲓⲟ (e-tamio) to-create ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲥ (mmo-s) it
10.30 ⲧⲉⲩϣⲏ (t-eushē) the-prayer ⲛ̄ⲁⲣⲭⲁⲓⲟⲛ (n-arkhaion) ancient · ⲁⲓϫⲓⲧⲥ̄ (ai-jit-s) I-received-it ⲉⲃⲟⲗ (ebol) from ϩⲓⲧⲛ̄ (hitn) through ⲛⲁⲉⲓⲟⲧⲉ (na-eiote) my-fathers
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
10.16 ⲡⲣⲁⲛ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ · ⲁⲓⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲉϫⲙ̄ ⲡϫⲱⲱⲙⲉ The holy name - I wrote it upon the papyrus.
10.17 ⲧⲥϣⲏ · ⲁⲥⲗⲟ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲩⲛⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲁⲓϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲥ The fever - it ceased immediately when I spoke it.
10.18 ⲡⲉϥⲧⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲍⲱⲟⲛ · ⲁⲩⲧⲓ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲣⲁⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ The four animals - they gave it to me that I might guard it.
10.19 ⲧϭⲟⲙ ⲉⲧϩⲏⲡ · ⲛⲧⲟⲥ ⲛⲁϣⲉ ⲧⲉ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲉ ⲗⲁⲁⲩ The hidden power - it is greater than anything.
10.20 ⲡⲙⲁ ⲛ̄ϩⲱⲡ · ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲩϭⲛ̄ⲧϥ̄ ϣⲁ ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ The hiding place - they have not found it until now.
10.21 ⲡⲣⲏ ⲁϥϩⲱⲡ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁⲓⲙⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϩⲙ̄ ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ The sun set and I called to it in its name.
10.22 ⲧⲉⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲛ̄ⲁⲥⲉⲃⲏⲥ · ⲁⲥⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟⲥ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁⲥⲣ̄ϩⲟⲧⲉ The impious woman - she saw it and she feared.
10.23 ⲡⲙⲟⲩⲓ ⲉⲧⲟⲛϩ̄ · ⲛⲧⲟϥ ⲥⲟⲧⲡ̄ ⲡⲉ ⲉⲧⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲉⲡⲙⲁ The living lion - it is chosen to guard the place.
10.24 ⲧⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲅⲓⲁ · ⲁⲓⲕⲁⲁⲥ ϩⲁ ⲡⲉⲓⲱⲛⲉ The magical letter - I placed it under the stone.
10.25 ⲛⲧⲟϥ ⲡⲉⲧⲛⲁϯ ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ ⲛⲏⲧⲛ̄ It is that which will give you salvation.
10.26 ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲱⲧ · ϥⲟⲩⲟⲛϩ̄ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ϣⲱⲣⲡ̄ The green amulet - it reveals itself at the first hour.
10.27 ⲧⲥⲫⲣⲁⲅⲓⲥ ⲉⲧⲧⲁϫⲣⲏⲩ · ⲁⲥⲧⲱⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲇⲁⲓⲙⲱⲛ The strong seal - it destroyed the demon.
10.28 ⲡⲕⲁϩ ⲛⲁⲁⲩⲱⲛ ⲛ̄ⲧⲟϥ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉⲕϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ The earth will open it when you speak it.
10.29 ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲙ̄ⲙⲏⲛⲉ · ⲛⲧⲟϥ ⲥⲟⲧⲡ̄ ⲡⲉ ⲉⲧⲁⲙⲓⲟ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲥ The eighth day - it is chosen to create it.
10.30 ⲧⲉⲩϣⲏ ⲛ̄ⲁⲣⲭⲁⲓⲟⲛ · ⲁⲓϫⲓⲧⲥ̄ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲛ̄ ⲛⲁⲉⲓⲟⲧⲉ The ancient prayer - I received it from my fathers.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
10.16 ⲡⲣⲁⲛ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ · ⲁⲓⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲉϫⲙ̄ ⲡϫⲱⲱⲙⲉ
10.17 ⲧⲥϣⲏ · ⲁⲥⲗⲟ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲩⲛⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲁⲓϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲥ
10.18 ⲡⲉϥⲧⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲍⲱⲟⲛ · ⲁⲩⲧⲓ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲣⲁⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ
10.19 ⲧϭⲟⲙ ⲉⲧϩⲏⲡ · ⲛⲧⲟⲥ ⲛⲁϣⲉ ⲧⲉ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲉ ⲗⲁⲁⲩ
10.20 ⲡⲙⲁ ⲛ̄ϩⲱⲡ · ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲩϭⲛ̄ⲧϥ̄ ϣⲁ ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩ
10.21 ⲡⲣⲏ ⲁϥϩⲱⲡ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁⲓⲙⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϩⲙ̄ ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ
10.22 ⲧⲉⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲛ̄ⲁⲥⲉⲃⲏⲥ · ⲁⲥⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟⲥ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁⲥⲣ̄ϩⲟⲧⲉ
10.23 ⲡⲙⲟⲩⲓ ⲉⲧⲟⲛϩ̄ · ⲛⲧⲟϥ ⲥⲟⲧⲡ̄ ⲡⲉ ⲉⲧⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲉⲡⲙⲁ
10.24 ⲧⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲅⲓⲁ · ⲁⲓⲕⲁⲁⲥ ϩⲁ ⲡⲉⲓⲱⲛⲉ
10.25 ⲛⲧⲟϥ ⲡⲉⲧⲛⲁϯ ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ ⲛⲏⲧⲛ̄
10.26 ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲱⲧ · ϥⲟⲩⲟⲛϩ̄ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ϣⲱⲣⲡ̄
10.27 ⲧⲥⲫⲣⲁⲅⲓⲥ ⲉⲧⲧⲁϫⲣⲏⲩ · ⲁⲥⲧⲱⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲇⲁⲓⲙⲱⲛ
10.28 ⲡⲕⲁϩ ⲛⲁⲁⲩⲱⲛ ⲛ̄ⲧⲟϥ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲣⲉⲕϫⲱ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ
10.29 ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲙ̄ⲙⲏⲛⲉ · ⲛⲧⲟϥ ⲥⲟⲧⲡ̄ ⲡⲉ ⲉⲧⲁⲙⲓⲟ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟⲥ
10.30 ⲧⲉⲩϣⲏ ⲛ̄ⲁⲣⲭⲁⲓⲟⲛ · ⲁⲓϫⲓⲧⲥ̄ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲛ̄ ⲛⲁⲉⲓⲟⲧⲉ
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
Magical texts demonstrate unique patterns in pronoun usage that differ from standard literary Coptic:
1. Emphatic Independent Pronouns Magical texts frequently use ⲛⲧⲟϥ/ⲛⲧⲟⲥ for emphasis, especially when identifying powerful objects or entities. This creates a sense of specificity and power: "IT (and nothing else) is the chosen one."
2. Ritual Formula Patterns The pronoun often appears in fixed formulas: -
Object + ⲛⲧⲟϥ/ⲛⲧⲟⲥ + quality + copula -
This pattern emphasizes the magical properties of objects
3. Pronoun Chains in Spells Notice how magical texts create chains of reference: -
Name the object -
Perform action on "it" (suffix) -
Emphasize "it" (independent) -
This repetition was believed to increase magical efficacy
4. Gender and Magical Power The choice between masculine and feminine forms could carry magical significance: -
Masculine for active/solar/protective magic -
Feminine for receptive/lunar/healing magic -
Some texts deliberately switch gender for magical effect
5. Common Patterns in This Genre -
ⲁⲓⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ "I wrote it" - for inscribing magical words -
ⲁⲥⲗⲟ "it ceased" - for banishing illness/evil -
ϥⲟⲩⲟⲛϩ̄ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ "it reveals itself" - for divinatory objects -
ⲛⲁϯ...ⲛⲏⲧⲛ̄ "will give...to you" - for protective formulas
6. Specialized Vocabulary Magical texts use specific terms that frequently take pronoun reference: -
ⲡⲣⲁⲛ (the name) - always masculine -
ⲧϭⲟⲙ (the power) - always feminine -
ⲧⲥⲫⲣⲁⲅⲓⲥ (the seal) - always feminine -
ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲱⲟⲩ (the amulet) - always masculine
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
The Latinum Institute has been creating innovative online language learning materials since 2006, pioneering self-directed learning methods for ancient languages. These Coptic lessons follow the Institute's proven approach, which combines:
Structured Immersion: Each lesson immerses you in authentic Coptic texts from the beginning, with careful scaffolding to make ancient texts accessible to modern learners.
Interlinear Method: Following the method detailed at https://latinum.substack.com/p/method, these lessons present Coptic with detailed English glosses, allowing immediate comprehension while building familiarity with Coptic syntax.
Genre-Based Learning: By exposing students to various genres - biblical, magical, documentary, and literary texts - the course prepares learners to read the full range of Coptic literature.
Autodidact-Friendly Design: Every lesson is complete and self-contained, with cultural notes, grammar explanations, and progressive exercises that allow independent study without a teacher.
Historical Linguistics Approach: The lessons incorporate insights from the history of the Egyptian language, helping students understand Coptic as the final stage of a 4,000-year linguistic tradition.
The Latinum Institute's reputation for excellence in online language education is well-established. See reviews at https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/latinum.org.uk, where students consistently praise the clarity, depth, and accessibility of the materials.
These Coptic lessons join the Institute's offerings in Latin, Ancient Greek, and other classical languages, all available at https://latinum.org.uk. The consistent methodology across languages allows students to transfer learning strategies between ancient languages effectively.
For autodidacts, these lessons provide the structure and support traditionally found only in university classrooms, making the treasures of Coptic literature accessible to anyone with dedication and curiosity.
✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾ ✾ ❦ ✾ ❦ ✾
---