In this lesson, we will explore how to express the English word "that" in Coptic. The concept of "that" in Coptic is more complex than in English, as it involves different forms depending on grammatical function: demonstrative pronouns (ⲡⲁⲓ/ⲧⲁⲓ/ⲛⲁⲓ), relative pronouns (ⲉⲧ-), and conjunctions (ϫⲉ). Understanding these distinctions is crucial for reading Coptic texts accurately.
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Definition: In Coptic, "that" can function as: -
A demonstrative pronoun pointing to something specific (ⲡⲁⲓ/ⲧⲁⲓ/ⲛⲁⲓ) -
A relative pronoun introducing a descriptive clause (ⲉⲧ-) -
A conjunction introducing reported speech or a subordinate clause (ϫⲉ)
FAQ Schema Question: What does "that" mean in Coptic? Answer: In Coptic, "that" has multiple translations depending on its grammatical function. As a demonstrative pronoun, it is ⲡⲁⲓ (masculine), ⲧⲁⲓ (feminine), or ⲛⲁⲓ (plural). As a relative pronoun, it is ⲉⲧ-. As a conjunction introducing reported speech, it is ϫⲉ.
Educational Schema Type: Language Learning Material Subject: Coptic Language Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Demonstrative Pronouns, Relative Pronouns, and Conjunctions Target Audience: English speakers learning Coptic
How this topic word will be used: The lesson examples will demonstrate all three major uses of "that" in Coptic through varied sentence structures, showing how context determines which Coptic word to use.
Key Takeaways: -
Coptic has multiple words for "that" depending on grammatical function -
Demonstrative "that" agrees in gender and number with the noun -
Relative "that" is expressed with ⲉⲧ- prefix -
Conjunctive "that" uses ϫⲉ for reported speech -
Context is crucial for choosing the correct form
13.1 ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲟⲩⲥⲁϩ ⲡⲉ p-rōme (p-ro-me) the-man et-mmau (et-m-mav) that-there ou-sah (u-sah) a-teacher pe (pe) is
13.2 ⲁⲓⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲧⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲧⲁⲓ a-i-nau (a-ee-nav) past-I-see e-t-ekklēsia (e-tek-klee-see-a) to-the-church tai (tie) that
13.3 ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ϫⲉ ϥⲛⲁⲉⲓ pe-ja-f (pe-jaf) past-said-he je (je) that f-na-ei (f-na-ay) he-will-come
13.4 ⲡϫⲱⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲕⲱϣ ⲡⲱⲓ ⲡⲉ p-jōōme (p-jo-me) the-book et-kōš (et-kosh) that-you.seek pō-i (po-ee) mine-it pe (pe) is
13.5 ⲧⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲁⲓϫⲟⲟⲥ tai (tie) that te (te) is t-shime (t-shee-me) the-woman et-a-i-joos (et-a-ee-jos) that-past-I-say
13.6 ⲁϥⲥⲱⲧⲙ ϫⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲁϩⲙ a-f-sōtm (a-f-sotm) past-he-hear je (je) that p-noute (p-nu-te) the-God na-hm (na-hm) will-save
13.7 ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉ ⲛϣⲁϫⲉ ⲉⲧⲁⲓⲥⲟⲧⲙⲟⲩ nai (nai) those ne (ne) are n-šaje (n-sha-je) the-words et-a-i-sotm-ou (et-a-ee-sotm-u) that-past-I-hear-them
13.8 ⲡⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲟⲩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲛ ⲡⲉ p-ma (p-ma) the-place et-mmau (et-m-mav) that-there ou-hagion (u-ha-gee-on) a-holy pe (pe) is
13.9 ⲧⲛⲟⲩ ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ t-nou (t-nu) I-know je (je) that ntok (n-tok) you pe (pe) are pe-khristos (pe-khrees-tos) the-Christ
13.10 ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲛⲏⲩ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲡⲉ pe-hoou (pe-ho-u) the-day et-nēu (et-nee-u) that-coming ou-noch (u-notch) a-great pe (pe) is
13.11 ⲁⲓⲉⲓⲙⲉ ϫⲉ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲁⲁⲩ ⲟⲩⲁⲅⲁⲑⲏ ⲧⲉ a-i-eime (a-ee-ay-me) past-I-know je (je) that tek-maau (tek-ma-av) your-mother ou-agathē (u-a-ga-thee) a-good te (te) is
13.12 ⲡⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲏⲓ ⲉⲧⲁⲓϣⲱⲡ ⲛϩⲏⲧϥ pai (pie) that pe (pe) is p-ēi (p-ee-ee) the-house et-a-i-šōp (et-a-ee-shop) that-past-I-dwell n-hēt-f (n-heet-f) in-inside-it
13.13 ⲛⲉⲣⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ ϫⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϩⲙ ne-re-pisteue (ne-re-pees-tev-e) you-were-believing je (je) that p-noute (p-nu-te) the-God na-nouhm (na-nu-hm) will-save.us
13.14 ⲧⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲧⲁⲥⲱⲛⲉ ⲧⲉ t-shime (t-shee-me) the-woman et-mmau (et-m-mav) that-there ta-sōne (ta-so-ne) my-sister te (te) is
13.15 ⲁϥⲧⲁⲙⲟⲓ ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲟⲕ ⲟⲩⲇⲓⲕⲁⲓⲟⲥ a-f-tamo-i (a-f-ta-mo-ee) past-he-tell-me je (je) that ntok (n-tok) you ou-dikaios (u-dee-kai-os) a-righteous
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13.1 ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲟⲩⲥⲁϩ ⲡⲉ. That man is a teacher.
13.2 ⲁⲓⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲧⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲧⲁⲓ. I saw that church.
13.3 ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ϫⲉ ϥⲛⲁⲉⲓ. He said that he will come.
13.4 ⲡϫⲱⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲕⲱϣ ⲡⲱⲓ ⲡⲉ. The book that you seek is mine.
13.5 ⲧⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲁⲓϫⲟⲟⲥ. That is the woman that I mentioned.
13.6 ⲁϥⲥⲱⲧⲙ ϫⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲁϩⲙ. He heard that God will save.
13.7 ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉ ⲛϣⲁϫⲉ ⲉⲧⲁⲓⲥⲟⲧⲙⲟⲩ. Those are the words that I heard.
13.8 ⲡⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲟⲩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲛ ⲡⲉ. That place is holy.
13.9 ⲧⲛⲟⲩ ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ. I know that you are the Christ.
13.10 ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲛⲏⲩ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲡⲉ. The day that is coming is great.
13.11 ⲁⲓⲉⲓⲙⲉ ϫⲉ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲁⲁⲩ ⲟⲩⲁⲅⲁⲑⲏ ⲧⲉ. I knew that your mother is good.
13.12 ⲡⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲏⲓ ⲉⲧⲁⲓϣⲱⲡ ⲛϩⲏⲧϥ. That is the house that I dwelt in.
13.13 ⲛⲉⲣⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ ϫⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϩⲙ. You were believing that God will save us.
13.14 ⲧⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲧⲁⲥⲱⲛⲉ ⲧⲉ. That woman is my sister.
13.15 ⲁϥⲧⲁⲙⲟⲓ ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲟⲕ ⲟⲩⲇⲓⲕⲁⲓⲟⲥ. He told me that you are righteous.
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13.1 ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲟⲩⲥⲁϩ ⲡⲉ.
13.2 ⲁⲓⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲧⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲧⲁⲓ.
13.3 ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ϫⲉ ϥⲛⲁⲉⲓ.
13.4 ⲡϫⲱⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲕⲱϣ ⲡⲱⲓ ⲡⲉ.
13.5 ⲧⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲁⲓϫⲟⲟⲥ.
13.6 ⲁϥⲥⲱⲧⲙ ϫⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲁϩⲙ.
13.7 ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉ ⲛϣⲁϫⲉ ⲉⲧⲁⲓⲥⲟⲧⲙⲟⲩ.
13.8 ⲡⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲟⲩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲛ ⲡⲉ.
13.9 ⲧⲛⲟⲩ ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ.
13.10 ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲛⲏⲩ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲡⲉ.
13.11 ⲁⲓⲉⲓⲙⲉ ϫⲉ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲁⲁⲩ ⲟⲩⲁⲅⲁⲑⲏ ⲧⲉ.
13.12 ⲡⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲏⲓ ⲉⲧⲁⲓϣⲱⲡ ⲛϩⲏⲧϥ.
13.13 ⲛⲉⲣⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ ϫⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϩⲙ.
13.14 ⲧⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲧⲁⲥⲱⲛⲉ ⲧⲉ.
13.15 ⲁϥⲧⲁⲙⲟⲓ ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲟⲕ ⲟⲩⲇⲓⲕⲁⲓⲟⲥ.
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1. Demonstrative Pronouns -
ⲡⲁⲓ (pai) - "this/that" (masculine singular) -
ⲧⲁⲓ (tai) - "this/that" (feminine singular) -
ⲛⲁⲓ (nai) - "these/those" (plural)
These demonstratives can stand alone or modify a noun. When modifying, they typically follow the noun: ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ "that man" (literally "the man that-there").
2. Relative Pronoun ⲉⲧ- The prefix ⲉⲧ- means "who/which/that" and introduces relative clauses. It can combine with verbal forms: -
ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ "that is there" -
ⲉⲧⲛⲏⲩ "that is coming" -
ⲉⲧⲁⲓϫⲟⲟⲥ "that I said"
3. Conjunction ϫⲉ The word ϫⲉ introduces reported speech or subordinate clauses, equivalent to English "that" in sentences like "He said that..." or "I know that..."
Common Mistakes: -
Confusing demonstrative and relative uses - remember ⲡⲁⲓ/ⲧⲁⲓ point to things, while ⲉⲧ- describes them -
Forgetting gender agreement - demonstratives must match the gender of the noun -
Using ϫⲉ when ⲉⲧ- is needed - ϫⲉ is only for reported speech, not relative clauses -
Placing demonstratives before the noun - Coptic typically places them after
Step-by-Step Guide: -
Identify the function of "that" in your English sentence -
If pointing to something: use ⲡⲁⲓ/ⲧⲁⲓ/ⲛⲁⲓ -
If describing with a relative clause: use ⲉⲧ- -
If introducing speech or thought: use ϫⲉ -
Check gender/number agreement for demonstratives
Grammatical Summary: Demonstrative forms: Masculine: ⲡⲁⲓ "this/that" Feminine: ⲧⲁⲓ "this/that" Plural: ⲛⲁⲓ "these/those"
Relative: ⲉⲧ- (prefix attached to verbal forms) Conjunction: ϫⲉ (stands alone before clause)
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Understanding "that" in Coptic requires appreciating the Egyptian Christian context in which the language developed. Coptic, the final stage of the Egyptian language, was written using a modified Greek alphabet and flourished particularly in Christian communities from the 3rd century CE onward.
The demonstrative system (ⲡⲁⲓ/ⲧⲁⲓ/ⲛⲁⲓ) reflects ancient Egyptian's rich system of deixis - pointing to objects in physical or conceptual space. These words often appear in liturgical texts to emphasize sacred objects or concepts, such as ⲡⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲥⲱⲙⲁ "This is my body" in the Eucharistic liturgy.
The relative pronoun ⲉⲧ- is crucial in biblical and theological texts, where it frequently introduces attributes of God, Christ, or the saints. Understanding its use helps readers navigate the complex theological statements found in Coptic Christian literature.
The conjunction ϫⲉ appears extensively in biblical translations and homilies, introducing the words of prophets, apostles, and Christ himself. Its mastery is essential for reading Coptic scripture, where reported speech is common.
For English speakers, these distinctions may seem complex, but they provide precision in religious and philosophical discourse that was highly valued in the Coptic-speaking communities of Egypt.
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From the Sahidic Coptic New Testament, John 11:27:
ⲡⲉϫⲁⲥ she-said ⲛⲁϥ to-him ϫⲉ that ⲥⲉ yes ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ O-Lord ⲁⲛⲟⲕ I ⲁⲓⲡⲓⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ have-believed ϫⲉ that ⲛⲧⲟⲕ you ⲡⲉ are ⲡⲉⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ the-Christ ⲡϣⲏⲣⲉ the-son ⲙⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ of-God ⲡⲉⲧⲛⲏⲩ the-one-coming ⲉⲡⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ to-the-world
pe-ja-s (pe-jas) she-said na-f (naf) to-him je (je) that se (se) yes p-joeis (p-jo-ays) O-Lord anok (a-nok) I a-i-pisteue (a-ee-pees-tev-e) I-have-believed je (je) that ntok (n-tok) you pe (pe) are pe-khristos (pe-khrees-tos) the-Christ p-šēre (p-shee-re) the-son m-p-noute (m-p-nu-te) of-the-God pet-nēu (pet-nee-u) the-one-coming e-p-kosmos (e-p-kos-mos) to-the-world
ⲡⲉϫⲁⲥ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲥⲉ ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲁⲓⲡⲓⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ ⲡϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲙⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲧⲛⲏⲩ ⲉⲡⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ
She said to him, "Yes, Lord, I have believed that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."
ⲡⲉϫⲁⲥ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲥⲉ ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲁⲓⲡⲓⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ ⲡϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲙⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲧⲛⲏⲩ ⲉⲡⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ
This passage from John's Gospel shows Martha's confession of faith and demonstrates two uses of "that" in Coptic. The first ϫⲉ introduces her direct speech, while the second ϫⲉ introduces the content of her belief. The relative form ⲡⲉⲧⲛⲏⲩ "who is coming" shows how Coptic uses the relative prefix (here ⲡⲉⲧ-, a variant of ⲉⲧ-) to create participial phrases.
The double use of ϫⲉ is typical of Coptic biblical style, where layers of reported speech are carefully marked. This precision helps readers understand the structure of complex theological statements. The passage also shows the Coptic tendency to place titles and epithets (ⲡⲉⲭⲣⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ ⲡϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲙⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ) in apposition, building up a fuller picture of Christ's identity through accumulated phrases.
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13.16 ⲡⲉϫⲉ said ⲡⲁⲡⲁ father ⲁⲛⲧⲱⲛⲓⲟⲥ Antony ϫⲉ that ⲡⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ the-monk ⲉⲧϣⲙϣⲉ who-serves ⲙⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ God ϥⲛⲁϫⲓ will-receive ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ great ⲛⲥⲃⲱ teaching pe-je (pe-je) said papa (pa-pa) father Antōnios (an-to-nee-os) Antony je (je) that p-monakhos (p-mo-na-khos) the-monk et-šmše (et-shm-she) who-serves m-p-noute (m-p-nu-te) the-God f-na-ji (f-na-jee) he-will-receive ou-noch (u-notch) a-great n-sbō (n-s-bo) of-teaching
13.17 ⲙⲁⲣⲉϥⲉⲓⲙⲉ let-him-know ⲛϭⲓ by ⲡⲥⲟⲛ the-brother ϫⲉ that ⲧⲁⲓ this ⲧⲉ is ⲧⲉϩⲓⲏ the-way ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ holy mare-f-eime (ma-re-f-ay-me) let-him-know nchi (n-chee) by p-son (p-son) the-brother je (je) that tai (tie) this te (te) is te-hiē (te-hee-ee) the-way et-ouaab (et-u-ab) that-holy
13.18 ⲁⲡⲁ abba ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲟⲥ Makarios ϫⲱ said ⲙⲙⲟⲥ it ϫⲉ that ⲛⲉⲧⲛⲏⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ those-who-fast ⲉⲧⲃⲉ for ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ God ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲛⲁⲩ will-see ⲉⲡⲉϥⲉⲟⲟⲩ his-glory apa (a-pa) abba Makarios (ma-ka-ree-os) Makarios jō (jo) said m-mos (m-mos) it je (je) that net-nēsteue (net-nees-tev-e) those-who-fast etbe (et-be) for p-noute (p-nu-te) the-God se-na-nau (se-na-nav) they-will-see e-pef-eoou (e-pef-e-o-u) to-his-glory
13.19 ⲡⲏⲓ the-house ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ that-there ⲡⲙⲁ is-the-place ⲛϣⲱⲡⲉ of-dwelling ⲛⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ of-the-brothers p-ēi (p-ee-ee) the-house et-mmau (et-m-mav) that-there p-ma (p-ma) the-place n-šōpe (n-sho-pe) of-dwelling n-ne-snēu (n-ne-s-nee-u) of-the-brothers
13.20 ⲛⲁⲓ these ⲛⲉ are ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ the-commandments ⲉⲧⲁⲡⲉⲛⲉⲓⲱⲧ which-our-father ⲧⲁⲁⲩ gave ⲛⲁⲛ to-us nai (nai) these ne (ne) are ne-ntolē (ne-n-to-lee) the-commandments et-a-pen-eiōt (et-a-pen-ay-ot) which-our-father taa-u (ta-av) gave-them nan (nan) to-us
13.21 ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ said-he ⲛⲛⲉϥⲙⲁⲑⲏⲧⲏⲥ to-his-disciples ϫⲉ that ⲧⲉⲧⲛⲛⲁⲉⲓⲙⲉ you-will-know ⲉⲧⲙⲉ the-truth ⲉⲧⲟⲛϩ living pe-ja-f (pe-jaf) said-he n-nef-mathētēs (n-nef-ma-thee-tees) to-his-disciples je (je) that tetn-na-eime (tetn-na-ay-me) you-will-know e-t-me (e-t-me) to-the-truth et-onh (et-onkh) that-living
13.22 ⲡⲙⲟⲛⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ the-monastery ⲉⲧⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϥ that-good ⲟⲩⲛⲧⲁϥ has ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ great ⲛⲥⲙⲟⲩ blessing p-monastērion (p-mo-nas-tee-ree-on) the-monastery et-nanouf (et-na-nuf) that-good ounta-f (un-taf) has-it ou-noch (u-notch) a-great n-smou (n-s-mu) of-blessing
13.23 ⲁⲓⲥⲱⲧⲙ I-heard ϫⲉ that ⲡⲁⲓ this ⲡⲉ is ⲡⲙⲁ the-place ⲉⲧⲁⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ where-God ⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ revealed ⲉⲃⲟⲗ forth a-i-sōtm (a-ee-sotm) I-heard je (je) that pai (pie) this pe (pe) is p-ma (p-ma) the-place et-a-p-noute (et-a-p-nu-te) where-the-God ouōnh (u-onkh) revealed ebol (e-bol) forth
13.24 ϥⲥϩⲁⲓ it-is-written ϫⲉ that ⲛⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ the-holy-ones ⲉⲧϩⲛ who-in ⲧⲉⲣⲏⲙⲟⲥ the-desert ⲥⲉⲛⲁϫⲓⲥⲉ will-be-exalted f-shai (f-s-hai) it-is-written je (je) that net-ouaab (net-u-ab) the-holy-ones et-hn (et-hn) who-in te-rēmos (te-ree-mos) the-desert se-na-jise (se-na-jee-se) they-will-be-exalted
13.25 ⲧⲁⲓ this ⲧⲉ is ⲧⲥⲃⲱ the-teaching ⲉⲧⲁⲛϫⲟⲟⲥ which-we-say ⲙⲙⲏⲛⲉ daily tai (tie) this te (te) is t-sbō (t-s-bo) the-teaching et-an-joos (et-an-jos) which-we-say m-mēne (m-mee-ne) daily
13.26 ⲛⲉⲣⲉⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ the-saint ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ Paul ϫⲱ says ⲙⲙⲟⲥ it ϫⲉ that ⲛⲉⲧⲙⲟⲩⲧ the-dead ⲛⲁⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ will-rise ne-re-pet-ouaab (ne-re-pet-u-ab) was-the-saint Paulos (pav-los) Paul jō (jo) saying m-mos (m-mos) it je (je) that net-mout (net-mut) the-dead na-tōoun (na-to-un) will-rise
13.27 ⲡⲓⲙⲁ the-place ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ that-there ⲁⲩⲕⲟⲧϥ they-built-it ⲛⲛⲁϩⲣⲙ before ⲡⲁⲡⲁ father ⲡⲁⲭⲱⲙ Pachomius pi-ma (pee-ma) the-place et-mmau (et-m-mav) that-there au-kot-f (av-kot-f) they-built-it n-nahrm (n-nah-rm) before papa (pa-pa) father Pakhōm (pa-khom) Pachomius
13.28 ⲁⲛⲉⲓⲙⲉ we-knew ϫⲉ that ⲡⲉⲛϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ our-Lord ⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϩⲙ will-save-us ⲉⲃⲟⲗ from ⲛⲉⲓⲡⲉⲓⲣⲁⲥⲙⲟⲥ these-temptations an-eime (an-ay-me) we-knew je (je) that pen-joeis (pen-jo-ays) our-Lord na-nouhm (na-nu-hm) will-save-us ebol (e-bol) from nei-peirasmos (nay-pay-ras-mos) these-temptations
13.29 ⲛⲁⲓ those ⲉⲧⲥⲱⲧⲙ who-listen ⲉⲛⲉⲥⲃⲱ to-the-teachings ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲱⲛϩ will-live ϣⲁ unto ⲉⲛⲉϩ eternity nai (nai) those et-sōtm (et-sotm) who-listen e-ne-sbō (e-ne-s-bo) to-the-teachings se-na-ōnh (se-na-onkh) they-will-live ša (sha) unto eneh (e-neh) eternity
13.30 ⲡⲉϫⲉ said ⲡⲛⲟϭ the-great ⲛⲁⲃⲃⲁ abba ϫⲉ that ⲧⲁⲓ this ⲧⲉ is ⲧⲉϩⲓⲏ the-way ⲉⲧⲉⲛⲉⲥⲉ that-beautiful ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ into ⲉⲡⲱⲛϩ life pe-je (pe-je) said p-noch (p-notch) the-great n-abba (n-ab-ba) of-abba je (je) that tai (tie) this te (te) is te-hiē (te-hee-ee) the-way et-e-nese (et-e-ne-se) that-beautiful e-houn (e-hun) into e-p-ōnh (e-p-onkh) to-the-life
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13.16 ⲡⲉϫⲉⲡⲁⲡⲁ ⲁⲛⲧⲱⲛⲓⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲡⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ ⲉⲧϣⲙϣⲉ ⲙⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ϥⲛⲁϫⲓ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲥⲃⲱ. Father Antony said that the monk who serves God will receive great teaching.
13.17 ⲙⲁⲣⲉϥⲉⲓⲙⲉ ⲛϭⲓⲡⲥⲟⲛ ϫⲉ ⲧⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉϩⲓⲏ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ. Let the brother know that this is the holy way.
13.18 ⲁⲡⲁ ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲟⲥ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲛⲉⲧⲛⲏⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ ⲉⲧⲃⲉⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲡⲉϥⲉⲟⲟⲩ. Abba Makarios said that those who fast for God will see his glory.
13.19 ⲡⲏⲓ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲡⲙⲁ ⲛϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ. That house is the dwelling place of the brothers.
13.20 ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲡⲉⲛⲉⲓⲱⲧ ⲧⲁⲁⲩ ⲛⲁⲛ. These are the commandments that our father gave to us.
13.21 ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲛⲉϥⲙⲁⲑⲏⲧⲏⲥ ϫⲉ ⲧⲉⲧⲛⲛⲁⲉⲓⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲟⲛϩ. He said to his disciples that you will know the living truth.
13.22 ⲡⲙⲟⲛⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲉⲧⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϥ ⲟⲩⲛⲧⲁϥ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲥⲙⲟⲩ. The good monastery has great blessing.
13.23 ⲁⲓⲥⲱⲧⲙ ϫⲉ ⲡⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲁⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ. I heard that this is the place where God revealed himself.
13.24 ϥⲥϩⲁⲓ ϫⲉ ⲛⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲉⲧϩⲛⲧⲉⲣⲏⲙⲟⲥ ⲥⲉⲛⲁϫⲓⲥⲉ. It is written that the holy ones who are in the desert will be exalted.
13.25 ⲧⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲥⲃⲱ ⲉⲧⲁⲛϫⲟⲟⲥ ⲙⲙⲏⲛⲉ. This is the teaching that we say daily.
13.26 ⲛⲉⲣⲉⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲛⲉⲧⲙⲟⲩⲧ ⲛⲁⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ. Saint Paul was saying that the dead will rise.
13.27 ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲁⲩⲕⲟⲧϥ ⲛⲛⲁϩⲣⲙⲡⲁⲡⲁ ⲡⲁⲭⲱⲙ. That place, they built it before Father Pachomius.
13.28 ⲁⲛⲉⲓⲙⲉ ϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲛϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϩⲙ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲉⲓⲡⲉⲓⲣⲁⲥⲙⲟⲥ. We knew that our Lord will save us from these temptations.
13.29 ⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲉⲛⲉⲥⲃⲱ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲱⲛϩ ϣⲁⲉⲛⲉϩ. Those who listen to the teachings will live unto eternity.
13.30 ⲡⲉϫⲉⲡⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲁⲃⲃⲁ ϫⲉ ⲧⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉϩⲓⲏ ⲉⲧⲉⲛⲉⲥⲉ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲱⲛϩ. The great abba said that this is the beautiful way into life.
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13.16 ⲡⲉϫⲉⲡⲁⲡⲁ ⲁⲛⲧⲱⲛⲓⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲡⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ ⲉⲧϣⲙϣⲉ ⲙⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ϥⲛⲁϫⲓ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲥⲃⲱ.
13.17 ⲙⲁⲣⲉϥⲉⲓⲙⲉ ⲛϭⲓⲡⲥⲟⲛ ϫⲉ ⲧⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉϩⲓⲏ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ.
13.18 ⲁⲡⲁ ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲟⲥ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲛⲉⲧⲛⲏⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ ⲉⲧⲃⲉⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲡⲉϥⲉⲟⲟⲩ.
13.19 ⲡⲏⲓ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲡⲙⲁ ⲛϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ.
13.20 ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲡⲉⲛⲉⲓⲱⲧ ⲧⲁⲁⲩ ⲛⲁⲛ.
13.21 ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲛⲉϥⲙⲁⲑⲏⲧⲏⲥ ϫⲉ ⲧⲉⲧⲛⲛⲁⲉⲓⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲙⲉ ⲉⲧⲟⲛϩ.
13.22 ⲡⲙⲟⲛⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲉⲧⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϥ ⲟⲩⲛⲧⲁϥ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲥⲙⲟⲩ.
13.23 ⲁⲓⲥⲱⲧⲙ ϫⲉ ⲡⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲁⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ.
13.24 ϥⲥϩⲁⲓ ϫⲉ ⲛⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲉⲧϩⲛⲧⲉⲣⲏⲙⲟⲥ ⲥⲉⲛⲁϫⲓⲥⲉ.
13.25 ⲧⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲥⲃⲱ ⲉⲧⲁⲛϫⲟⲟⲥ ⲙⲙⲏⲛⲉ.
13.26 ⲛⲉⲣⲉⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ ϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲛⲉⲧⲙⲟⲩⲧ ⲛⲁⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ.
13.27 ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲁⲩⲕⲟⲧϥ ⲛⲛⲁϩⲣⲙⲡⲁⲡⲁ ⲡⲁⲭⲱⲙ.
13.28 ⲁⲛⲉⲓⲙⲉ ϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲛϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϩⲙ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲉⲓⲡⲉⲓⲣⲁⲥⲙⲟⲥ.
13.29 ⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲉⲛⲉⲥⲃⲱ ⲥⲉⲛⲁⲱⲛϩ ϣⲁⲉⲛⲉϩ.
13.30 ⲡⲉϫⲉⲡⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲁⲃⲃⲁ ϫⲉ ⲧⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉϩⲓⲏ ⲉⲧⲉⲛⲉⲥⲉ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲱⲛϩ.
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1. Reported Speech with ϫⲉ Monastic instructions frequently use ϫⲉ to introduce the teachings of the desert fathers. The pattern ⲡⲉϫⲉ + name + ϫⲉ ("X said that...") is standard in the Apophthegmata Patrum and similar texts.
2. Demonstratives in Spiritual Context -
ⲧⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉϩⲓⲏ "this is the way" - common formula for spiritual instruction -
ⲡⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲙⲁ "this is the place" - often refers to sacred locations -
ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉ "these are" - introduces lists of commandments or teachings
3. Relative Clauses with ⲉⲧ- Monastic texts use ⲉⲧ- extensively to describe: -
Spiritual qualities: ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ "that is holy" -
Actions: ⲉⲧϣⲙϣⲉ "who serves" -
Groups: ⲛⲉⲧⲛⲏⲥⲧⲉⲩⲉ "those who fast"
4. Common Formulas -
ϥⲥϩⲁⲓ ϫⲉ "it is written that" - introduces scriptural quotations -
ⲙⲁⲣⲉϥⲉⲓⲙⲉ ϫⲉ "let him know that" - imperative instruction -
ⲁⲛⲉⲓⲙⲉ ϫⲉ "we knew that" - communal understanding
5. Temporal and Spatial References -
ⲉⲧⲙⲙⲁⲩ "that is there" - often points to monasteries or holy sites -
ⲉⲧⲛⲏⲩ "that is coming" - eschatological references
Key Differences from General Coptic: -
Higher frequency of ϫⲉ for quotations -
More complex relative clause structures -
Specialized vocabulary requiring specific demonstrative patterns -
Formulaic expressions unique to monastic tradition
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Interlinear Reading: Each lesson presents texts with word-by-word glossing, allowing students to build vocabulary naturally while engaging with authentic content -
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