Welcome to Lesson 5 of the Latinum Institute's Coptic language course for English speakers. In this lesson, we will explore how to express the English word "of" in Coptic, a crucial concept for understanding possession, origin, and relationships between nouns. For a complete index of all lessons in this course, please visit https://latinum.substack.com/p/index.
In Coptic, the concept of "of" is primarily expressed through two methods: -
The construct state (direct connection of two nouns) -
The preposition ⲛ̄ (n) or ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ (nte)
The preposition ⲛ̄ (n) is used before words beginning with consonants, while ⲙ̄ (m) is used before labial consonants (ⲡ, ⲃ, ⲙ, ⲫ). The longer form ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ (nte) is often used to express possession more explicitly.
Question: What does "of" mean in Coptic? Answer: In Coptic, "of" is expressed primarily through the preposition ⲛ̄/ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ (n/nte) or through the construct state where two nouns are directly connected. The preposition ⲛ̄ indicates possession, origin, material, or relationship between nouns, similar to the English "of."
Course: Coptic Language Learning Level: Beginner Topic: Prepositions - The word "of" Language of Instruction: English Target Language: Coptic Learning Objective: Students will understand and use the Coptic equivalents of English "of" Prerequisites: Basic Coptic alphabet knowledge Duration: 60-90 minutes self-study
Throughout this lesson, you will encounter the Coptic preposition ⲛ̄/ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ in various contexts: -
Expressing possession (the book of the teacher) -
Indicating origin (a man of Egypt) -
Showing material composition (a vessel of clay) -
Denoting partitive relationships (some of the bread) -
Expressing relationships between concepts (the word of God)
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Coptic expresses "of" primarily through ⲛ̄/ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ (n/nte) -
The form changes based on the following sound: ⲛ̄ before consonants, ⲙ̄ before labials -
The construct state can also express "of" relationships without a preposition -
Understanding "of" is essential for reading Coptic religious and literary texts -
This preposition is one of the most frequently used in Coptic
5.1a ⲡϫⲱⲱⲙⲉ the-book ⲛ̄ of ⲡⲥⲁϩ the-teacher 5.1b p-jōme (p-JOH-meh) the-book n (en) of p-sah (p-SAH) the-teacher
5.2a ⲧϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ the-daughter ⲙ̄ of ⲡⲣ̄ⲣⲟ the-king 5.2b t-šeere (t-SHEH-reh) the-daughter m (em) of p-rro (p-er-ROH) the-king
5.3a ϩⲉⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ some-men ⲛ̄ of ⲧⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ the-city ⲁⲩⲉⲓ came 5.3b hen-rōme (hen-ROH-meh) some-men n (en) of t-polis (t-POH-lis) the-city au-ei (ow-AY) they-came
5.4a ⲡⲏⲓ the-house ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ of ⲡⲁⲉⲓⲱⲧ my-father ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ is-big ⲡⲉ it-is 5.4b p-ēi (p-AY-ee) the-house nte (en-TEH) of pa-eiōt (pah-ay-OHT) my-father ou-noch (oo-NOKH) is-big pe (peh) it-is
5.5a ⲡϣⲁϫⲉ the-word ⲙ̄ of ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ the-God ⲟⲩⲟⲛϩ appeared ⲉⲃⲟⲗ forth 5.5b p-šaje (p-SHAH-jeh) the-word m (em) of p-noute (p-NOO-teh) the-God ouonh (oo-ONH) appeared ebol (eh-BOL) forth
5.6a ⲧⲙⲁⲁⲩ the-mother ⲛ̄ of ⲓ̅ⲥ̅ Jesus ⲡⲉ is ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ Mary 5.6b t-maau (t-MAH-oo) the-mother n (en) of iēsous (ee-ay-SOOS) Jesus pe (peh) is maria (mah-REE-ah) Mary
5.7a ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ the-commandments ⲙ̄ of ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ the-Lord ϩⲉⲛⲟⲩⲟⲛ are-light ⲛⲉ they-are 5.7b n-entolē (nen-toh-LAY) the-commandments m (em) of p-joeis (p-JOH-ees) the-Lord hen-ouon (hen-oo-ON) are-light ne (neh) they-are
5.8a ⲟⲩϣⲏⲣⲉ a-child ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ of ⲡⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ the-light ⲁⲕϣⲱⲡⲉ you-became 5.8b ou-šēre (oo-SHAY-reh) a-child nte (en-TEH) of p-ouoein (p-oo-oh-AYN) the-light ak-šōpe (ahk-SHOH-peh) you-became
5.9a ⲡⲣⲁⲛ the-name ⲙ̄ of ⲡⲉⲕⲉⲓⲱⲧ your-father ⲥⲟⲩⲱⲛϥ̄ I-know-it 5.9b p-ran (p-RAHN) the-name m (em) of pek-eiōt (pek-ay-OHT) your-father s-ouōnf (soo-OHN-ef) I-know-it
5.10a ⲛⲉϣⲏⲣⲉ the-children ⲛ̄ of ⲡⲓⲥⲣⲁⲏⲗ the-Israel ⲁⲩⲉⲓ came ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ up 5.10b ne-šēre (neh-SHAY-reh) the-children n (en) of p-israēl (pis-rah-AYL) the-Israel au-ei (ow-AY) they-came ehrai (eh-RYE) up
5.11a ⲟⲩϫⲱ a-cup ⲛ̄ of ⲟⲩⲙⲟⲟⲩ water ϯⲛⲁⲧⲁⲁϥ I-will-give-it ⲛⲁⲕ to-you 5.11b ou-jō (oo-JOH) a-cup n (en) of ou-moou (oo-MOH-oo) water ti-na-taaf (tee-nah-TAHF) I-will-give-it nak (nahk) to-you
5.12a ⲧⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ the-church ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ of ⲡⲉⲭ̅ⲥ̅ the-Christ ⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ is-holy ⲧⲉ she-is 5.12b t-ekklēsia (tek-lay-SEE-ah) the-church nte (en-TEH) of pe-khristos (peh-khris-TOS) the-Christ ouaab (oo-AHB) is-holy te (teh) she-is
5.13a ⲛⲉⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ the-angels ⲛ̄ of ⲧⲡⲉ the-heaven ⲛⲁⲩϩⲱⲥ were-singing 5.13b nei-angelos (nay-ahn-geh-LOS) the-angels n (en) of t-pe (t-PEH) the-heaven nau-hōs (now-HOHS) they-were-singing
5.14a ⲡⲕⲁϩ the-land ⲛ̄ of ⲕⲏⲙⲉ Egypt ⲟⲩⲛⲟϥⲣⲉ is-good ⲡⲉ it-is 5.14b p-kah (p-KAH) the-land n (en) of kēme (KAY-meh) Egypt ou-nofre (oo-NOF-reh) is-good pe (peh) it-is
5.15a ⲡⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ the-gospel ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ of ⲡⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ the-salvation ⲥⲉⲧⲁϣⲉⲟⲉⲓϣ they-proclaim ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ it 5.15b p-euangelion (pev-ahn-GEH-lee-on) the-gospel nte (en-TEH) of p-oujai (p-oo-JYE) the-salvation se-tašeoeiš (seh-tah-sheh-oh-AYSH) they-proclaim mmof (em-MOF) it
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5.1 ⲡϫⲱⲱⲙⲉ ⲛ̄ⲡⲥⲁϩ The book of the teacher
5.2 ⲧϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲣⲟ The daughter of the king
5.3 ϩⲉⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ ⲁⲩⲉⲓ Some men of the city came
5.4 ⲡⲏⲓ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲁⲉⲓⲱⲧ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲡⲉ The house of my father is big
5.5 ⲡϣⲁϫⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲟⲩⲟⲛϩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ The word of God appeared
5.6 ⲧⲙⲁⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ⲓ̅ⲥ̅ ⲡⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ The mother of Jesus is Mary
5.7 ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ϩⲉⲛⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲉ The commandments of the Lord are light
5.8 ⲟⲩϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲁⲕϣⲱⲡⲉ You became a child of the light
5.9 ⲡⲣⲁⲛ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲕⲉⲓⲱⲧ ⲥⲟⲩⲱⲛϥ̄ I know the name of your father
5.10 ⲛⲉϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲡⲓⲥⲣⲁⲏⲗ ⲁⲩⲉⲓ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ The children of Israel came up
5.11 ⲟⲩϫⲱ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲙⲟⲟⲩ ϯⲛⲁⲧⲁⲁϥ ⲛⲁⲕ I will give you a cup of water
5.12 ⲧⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲭ̅ⲥ̅ ⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲧⲉ The church of Christ is holy
5.13 ⲛⲉⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲛ̄ⲧⲡⲉ ⲛⲁⲩϩⲱⲥ The angels of heaven were singing
5.14 ⲡⲕⲁϩ ⲛ̄ⲕⲏⲙⲉ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϥⲣⲉ ⲡⲉ The land of Egypt is good
5.15 ⲡⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ ⲥⲉⲧⲁϣⲉⲟⲉⲓϣ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ They proclaim the gospel of salvation
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5.1 ⲡϫⲱⲱⲙⲉ ⲛ̄ⲡⲥⲁϩ
5.2 ⲧϣⲉⲉⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲣⲟ
5.3 ϩⲉⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ ⲁⲩⲉⲓ
5.4 ⲡⲏⲓ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲁⲉⲓⲱⲧ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲡⲉ
5.5 ⲡϣⲁϫⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲟⲩⲟⲛϩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ
5.6 ⲧⲙⲁⲁⲩ ⲛ̄ⲓ̅ⲥ̅ ⲡⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ
5.7 ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ϩⲉⲛⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲉ
5.8 ⲟⲩϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲁⲕϣⲱⲡⲉ
5.9 ⲡⲣⲁⲛ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲕⲉⲓⲱⲧ ⲥⲟⲩⲱⲛϥ̄
5.10 ⲛⲉϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲡⲓⲥⲣⲁⲏⲗ ⲁⲩⲉⲓ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ
5.11 ⲟⲩϫⲱ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲙⲟⲟⲩ ϯⲛⲁⲧⲁⲁϥ ⲛⲁⲕ
5.12 ⲧⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲭ̅ⲥ̅ ⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲧⲉ
5.13 ⲛⲉⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲛ̄ⲧⲡⲉ ⲛⲁⲩϩⲱⲥ
5.14 ⲡⲕⲁϩ ⲛ̄ⲕⲏⲙⲉ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϥⲣⲉ ⲡⲉ
5.15 ⲡⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ ⲥⲉⲧⲁϣⲉⲟⲉⲓϣ ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ
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The Coptic language expresses the English preposition "of" through several grammatical constructions:
The most common way to express "of" is through the preposition ⲛ̄. This preposition undergoes phonetic changes based on the following sound: -
ⲛ̄ (n) before most consonants: ⲛ̄ⲧⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ "of the city" -
ⲙ̄ (m) before labial consonants (ⲡ, ⲃ, ⲙ, ⲫ): ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲣⲟ "of the king" -
ⲙ̄ⲙⲟ= (mmo=) when attached to pronoun suffixes: ⲙ̄ⲙⲟϥ "of him"
The form ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ is used specifically to express possession and is clearer in marking genitive relationships: -
ⲡⲏⲓ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲁⲉⲓⲱⲧ "the house of my father" -
ⲧⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲭ̅ⲥ̅ "the church of Christ"
Sometimes Coptic expresses "of" relationships by directly joining two nouns without any preposition. This is less common than using ⲛ̄/ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ but occurs in fixed expressions.
-
Forgetting the phonetic changes: English speakers often use ⲛ̄ before labial consonants instead of changing to ⲙ̄. -
Incorrect: ⲛ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲣⲟ -
Correct: ⲙ̄ⲡⲣ̄ⲣⲟ -
Confusing ⲛ̄ and ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ: While both mean "of," ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ is specifically possessive. -
General relationship: ϩⲉⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ "some men of the city" -
Clear possession: ⲡⲏⲓ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ "the house of the man" -
Word order confusion: Unlike English, Coptic always places the possessed before the possessor. -
English: the book of the teacher -
Coptic: ⲡϫⲱⲱⲙⲉ ⲛ̄ⲡⲥⲁϩ (literally: the-book of the-teacher)
To express "of" in Coptic: -
Identify what is possessed and what is the possessor -
Place the possessed item first (with its article) -
Choose between ⲛ̄ or ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ: -
Use ⲛ̄ for general relationships -
Use ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ for clear possession -
Check the first sound of the possessor: -
If it starts with ⲡ, ⲃ, ⲙ, or ⲫ, change ⲛ̄ to ⲙ̄ -
Add the possessor (with its article)
English speakers must adjust to several differences: -
Fixed word order: English can say "John's book" or "the book of John," but Coptic only allows the "book of John" order. -
No possessive 's: Coptic has no equivalent to the English possessive 's. Everything must use the "of" construction. -
Articles required: Both the possessed and possessor usually need their articles in Coptic, unlike English which often drops them. -
Sound changes: English "of" never changes form, but Coptic ⲛ̄ changes to ⲙ̄ based on phonetic context.
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The preposition expressing "of" in Coptic appears frequently in religious and everyday contexts of Christian Egypt (3rd-14th centuries CE). Understanding its use provides insight into how Coptic-speaking Christians expressed fundamental theological and social relationships.
In Coptic Christian texts, the "of" construction appears constantly in theological expressions: -
ⲡϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ "the Son of God" -
ⲧⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲣ̄ⲣⲟ ⲛ̄ⲧⲡⲉ "the Kingdom of Heaven" -
ⲡⲉⲩⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲟⲛ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ "the Gospel of salvation"
These constructions reflect how Egyptian Christians adapted their native language to express Greek theological concepts. The frequency of such phrases in liturgical texts made the genitive construction one of the most important grammatical features for religious literacy.
The genitive construction also reveals social structures in Coptic Egypt: -
Titles often used the genitive: ⲡϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ "son of the city" (citizen) -
Family relationships: ⲡϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲓⲱϩⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ "the son of John" -
Professional associations: ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ "man of the church" (clergyman)
Coptic papyri and ostraca (pottery shards with writing) from sites like Oxyrhynchus and the Monastery of Epiphanius show extensive use of the genitive in: -
Legal documents establishing ownership -
Letters identifying senders and recipients -
Commercial texts listing goods and their origins
The Coptic genitive shows interesting interactions with Greek and Arabic: -
Many Greek loanwords appear in genitive constructions with Coptic syntax -
Later Coptic texts show Arabic influence in genitive expressions -
Biblical translations often calque Hebrew and Greek genitive constructions
Understanding the cultural weight of "of" constructions helps modern learners appreciate why Coptic texts dedicate so much space to relationships of possession, origin, and association - these were fundamental to how Coptic speakers organized their understanding of both the divine and earthly realms.
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From the Coptic Gospel of Thomas, Saying 3 (Nag Hammadi Codex II, 2)
ⲡⲉϫⲉ said ⲓ̅ⲥ̅ Jesus ⲉⲧⲃⲉ concerning ⲧⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲣ̄ⲣⲟ the-kingdom ⲙ̄ of ⲡⲉⲓⲱⲧ the-Father peje (PEH-jeh) said iēsous (ee-ay-SOOS) Jesus etbe (et-BEH) concerning t-mntrrо (t-ment-er-ROH) the-kingdom m (em) of p-eiōt (pay-YOHT) the-Father
ⲉⲥϣⲟⲟⲡ it-exists ϩⲛ̄ in ⲧⲡⲉ the-heaven ⲛⲉⲓϩⲁⲗⲏⲧ the-birds ⲛ̄ of ⲧⲡⲉ the-heaven es-šoop (es-SHOHP) it-exists hn (hen) in t-pe (t-PEH) the-heaven nei-halēt (nay-hah-LAYT) the-birds n (en) of t-pe (t-PEH) the-heaven
ⲥⲉⲛⲁϣⲟⲣⲡ̄ they-will-precede ⲉⲣⲱⲧⲛ̄ you ⲉⲥϣⲟⲟⲡ it-exists ϩⲙ̄ in ⲡⲙⲟⲟⲩ the-water se-na-šorp (seh-nah-SHORP) they-will-precede erōtn (eh-ROHT-en) you es-šoop (es-SHOHP) it-exists hm (hem) in p-moou (p-MOH-oo) the-water
ⲛⲉⲧⲃⲧ̄ the-fish ⲛ̄ of ⲑⲁⲗⲁⲥⲥⲁ the-sea ⲥⲉⲛⲁϣⲟⲣⲡ̄ they-will-precede ⲉⲣⲱⲧⲛ̄ you ne-tbt (neh-TEBT) the-fish n (en) of thalassa (thah-LAHS-sah) the-sea se-na-šorp (seh-nah-SHORP) they-will-precede erōtn (eh-ROHT-en) you
ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲓ̅ⲥ̅ ⲉⲧⲃⲉ ⲧⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲣ̄ⲣⲟ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓⲱⲧ ⲉⲥϣⲟⲟⲡ ϩⲛ̄ ⲧⲡⲉ ⲛⲉⲓϩⲁⲗⲏⲧ ⲛ̄ⲧⲡⲉ ⲥⲉⲛⲁϣⲟⲣⲡ̄ ⲉⲣⲱⲧⲛ̄ ⲉⲥϣⲟⲟⲡ ϩⲙ̄ ⲡⲙⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲧⲃⲧ̄ ⲛ̄ⲑⲁⲗⲁⲥⲥⲁ ⲥⲉⲛⲁϣⲟⲣⲡ̄ ⲉⲣⲱⲧⲛ̄
Jesus said concerning the kingdom of the Father: "If it exists in heaven, the birds of heaven will precede you; if it exists in the water, the fish of the sea will precede you."
This passage from the Gospel of Thomas demonstrates the sophisticated use of the genitive construction in Coptic philosophical-religious discourse. The text employs "of" (ⲛ̄/ⲙ̄) four times, each serving a different function: -
ⲧⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲣ̄ⲣⲟ ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓⲱⲧ "the kingdom of the Father" - expressing possession/belonging -
ⲛⲉⲓϩⲁⲗⲏⲧ ⲛ̄ⲧⲡⲉ "the birds of heaven" - indicating location/domain -
ⲛⲉⲧⲃⲧ̄ ⲛ̄ⲑⲁⲗⲁⲥⲥⲁ "the fish of the sea" - showing habitat/origin
The passage uses parallelism typical of Coptic wisdom literature, contrasting heavenly and aquatic realms. This saying challenges literal interpretations of the kingdom's location, using the genitive to establish relationships between creatures and their domains. The Greek loanword ⲑⲁⲗⲁⲥⲥⲁ (sea) takes the Coptic genitive construction, showing how Coptic integrated foreign vocabulary into its native syntax.
The genitive constructions in this passage demonstrate several key features: -
Phonetic assimilation: ⲙ̄ⲡⲉⲓⲱⲧ shows the change from ⲛ̄ to ⲙ̄ before the labial ⲡ -
Domain relationships: ⲛ̄ⲧⲡⲉ and ⲛ̄ⲑⲁⲗⲁⲥⲥⲁ express "belonging to a realm" -
Article usage: Both possessed and possessor maintain their definite articles -
Greek integration: ⲑⲁⲗⲁⲥⲥⲁ (thalassa) follows Coptic genitive patterns despite being a Greek loanword
The repetition of parallel structures (ⲉⲥϣⲟⲟⲡ ϩⲛ̄... ⲥⲉⲛⲁϣⲟⲣⲡ̄ ⲉⲣⲱⲧⲛ̄) creates a rhetorical effect typical of Coptic homiletic style, where the genitive constructions provide the key distinguishing elements between the parallel statements.
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5.16a ⲡⲥⲟⲛ the-brother ⲛ̄ of ⲡⲙⲟⲛⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ the-monastery ⲁϥⲥϩⲁⲓ wrote ⲛⲁⲛ to-us 5.16b p-son (p-SOHN) the-brother n (en) of p-monastērion (p-moh-nahs-TAY-ree-on) the-monastery af-shai (ahf-s-HYE) he-wrote nan (nahn) to-us
5.17a ⲧⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ the-letter ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ of ⲡⲉⲛⲉⲓⲱⲧ our-father ⲁⲥⲉⲓ arrived ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲟⲩ today 5.17b t-epistolē (teh-pis-toh-LAY) the-letter nte (en-TEH) of pen-eiōt (pen-ay-YOHT) our-father as-ei (ahs-AY) it-arrived mpoou (em-POH-oo) today
5.18a ⲛⲉϣⲏⲣⲉ the-children ⲛ̄ of ⲡⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ the-light ⲙⲁⲣⲟⲩϩⲁⲣⲉϩ let-them-keep ⲉ to ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ the-commandments 5.18b ne-šēre (neh-SHAY-reh) the-children n (en) of p-ouoein (p-oo-oh-AYN) the-light marou-hareh (mah-roo-hah-REH) let-them-keep e (eh) to n-entolē (nen-toh-LAY) the-commandments
5.19a ⲡⲉⲕⲗⲟⲙ the-crown ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ of ⲡⲱⲛϩ the-life ⲕⲉ lies ⲛⲁⲕ for-you ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ up 5.19b p-eklom (pek-LOHM) the-crown nte (en-TEH) of p-ōnh (p-OHNH) the-life kei (kay) lies nak (nahk) for-you ehrai (eh-RYE) up
5.20a ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ the-brothers ⲙ̄ of ⲡⲧⲟⲟⲩ the-mountain ⲥⲉϣⲗⲏⲗ they-pray ϩⲁⲣⲟⲕ for-you 5.20b ne-snēu (nes-NAY-oo) the-brothers m (em) of p-toou (p-TOH-oo) the-mountain se-šlēl (seh-sh-LAYL) they-pray harok (hah-ROHK) for-you
5.21a ⲧⲁⲅⲁⲡⲏ the-love ⲙ̄ of ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ God ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲥϣⲱⲡⲉ let-it-be ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲕ with-you 5.21b t-agapē (tah-gah-PAY) the-love m (em) of p-noute (p-NOO-teh) God mares-šōpe (mah-res-SHOH-peh) let-it-be nmmak (nem-MAHK) with-you
5.22a ⲡϩⲱⲃ the-work ⲛ̄ of ⲛⲉⲕϭⲓϫ your-hands ⲁϥⲥⲙⲟⲩ blessed ⲉⲣⲟϥ it ⲛ̄ϭⲓ by ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ the-Lord 5.22b p-hōb (p-HOHB) the-work n (en) of nek-chij (nek-CHEEJ) your-hands af-smou (ahf-SMOO) he-blessed erof (eh-ROHF) it nchi (en-CHEE) by p-joeis (p-JOH-ees) the-Lord
5.23a ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ the-commandments ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ of ⲡⲉⲛⲉⲓⲱⲧ our-father ⲁⲃⲣⲁϩⲁⲙ Abraham ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϩⲁⲣⲉϩ let-us-keep ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ them 5.23b n-entolē (nen-toh-LAY) the-commandments nte (en-TEH) of pen-eiōt (pen-ay-YOHT) our-father abraam (ahb-rah-HAHM) Abraham maren-hareh (mah-ren-hah-REH) let-us-keep eroou (eh-ROH-oo) them
5.24a ⲧϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ the-peace ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ of ⲡⲉⲭ̅ⲥ̅ Christ ⲉⲥⲉϣⲱⲡⲉ it-will-be ⲙⲛ̄ with ⲧⲉⲕⲯⲩⲭⲏ your-soul 5.24b t-hirēnē (t-hee-RAY-nay) the-peace nte (en-TEH) of pe-khristos (peh-khris-TOS) Christ ese-šōpe (eh-seh-SHOH-peh) it-will-be mn (men) with tek-psukhē (tek-psoo-KHAY) your-soul
5.25a ⲡⲟⲩⲱϣ the-will ⲙ̄ of ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ God ⲙⲁⲣⲉϥϣⲱⲡⲉ let-it-happen ϩⲓϫⲛ̄ upon ⲡⲕⲁϩ the-earth 5.25b p-ouōš (p-oo-OHSH) the-will m (em) of p-noute (p-NOO-teh) God maref-šōpe (mah-ref-SHOH-peh) let-it-happen hijn (hee-JEN) upon p-kah (p-KAH) the-earth
5.26a ⲡⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲥ the-fruit ⲙ̄ of ⲡⲡ̅ⲛ̅ⲁ̅ the-spirit ⲟⲩⲁⲅⲁⲡⲏ is-love ⲡⲉ it-is 5.26b p-karpos (p-kahr-POHS) the-fruit m (em) of p-pneuma (p-PNEV-mah) the-spirit ou-agapē (oo-ah-gah-PAY) is-love pe (peh) it-is
5.27a ⲛⲉϣⲗⲏⲗ the-prayers ⲛ̄ of ⲛⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ the-saints ⲉⲩⲉϯ they-will-give ⲛⲁⲕ to-you ⲛ̄ of ⲟⲩϭⲟⲙ strength 5.27b ne-šlēl (nesh-LAYL) the-prayers n (en) of net-ouaab (net-oo-AHB) the-saints eue-ti (eh-weh-TEE) they-will-give nak (nahk) to-you n (en) of ou-chom (oo-CHOHM) strength
5.28a ⲧⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ the-church ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ of ⲣⲁⲕⲟⲧⲉ Alexandria ⲁⲥϫⲟⲟⲩ sent ⲛ̄ of ⲟⲩⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ a-letter 5.28b t-ekklēsia (tek-lay-SEE-ah) the-church nte (en-TEH) of rakote (rah-KOH-teh) Alexandria as-joou (ahs-JOH-oo) it-sent n (en) of ou-epistolē (oo-eh-pis-toh-LAY) a-letter
5.29a ⲛⲉⲛⲉⲣⲏⲩ the-vows ⲛ̄ of ⲧⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ the-monasticism ⲁⲕⲥⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲟⲩ you-established-them ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ in ⲉ to ⲡⲉⲕϩⲏⲧ your-heart 5.29b n-enerēu (nen-eh-RAY-oo) the-vows n (en) of t-mnt-monakhos (t-ment-moh-nah-KHOHS) the-monasticism ak-smntou (ahk-smen-TOO) you-established-them ehoun (eh-HOON) in e (eh) to pek-hēt (pek-HAYT) your-heart
5.30a ⲡⲣⲁⲛ the-name ⲙ̄ of ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ the-Lord ϥⲥⲙⲁⲙⲁⲁⲧ it-is-blessed ϣⲁ unto ⲉⲛⲉϩ eternity 5.30b p-ran (p-RAHN) the-name m (em) of p-joeis (p-JOH-ees) the-Lord f-smamaat (ef-smah-MAHT) it-is-blessed ša (shah) unto eneh (eh-NEH) eternity
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5.16 ⲡⲥⲟⲛ ⲛ̄ⲡⲙⲟⲛⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲁϥⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ The brother of the monastery wrote to us
5.17 ⲧⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲉⲓⲱⲧ ⲁⲥⲉⲓ ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲟⲩ The letter of our father arrived today
5.18 ⲛⲉϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲡⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲙⲁⲣⲟⲩϩⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲉⲛⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ Let the children of the light keep the commandments
5.19 ⲡⲉⲕⲗⲟⲙ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲛϩ ⲕⲉ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ The crown of life lies up for you
5.20 ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲙ̄ⲡⲧⲟⲟⲩ ⲥⲉϣⲗⲏⲗ ϩⲁⲣⲟⲕ The brothers of the mountain pray for you
5.21 ⲧⲁⲅⲁⲡⲏ ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲕ Let the love of God be with you
5.22 ⲡϩⲱⲃ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲕϭⲓϫ ⲁϥⲥⲙⲟⲩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲛ̄ϭⲓ ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ The Lord blessed the work of your hands
5.23 ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲉⲓⲱⲧ ⲁⲃⲣⲁϩⲁⲙ ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϩⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ Let us keep the commandments of our father Abraham
5.24 ⲧϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲭ̅ⲥ̅ ⲉⲥⲉϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲙⲛ̄ ⲧⲉⲕⲯⲩⲭⲏ The peace of Christ will be with your soul
5.25 ⲡⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲉϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ϩⲓϫⲛ̄ ⲡⲕⲁϩ Let the will of God happen upon the earth
5.26 ⲡⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲥ ⲙ̄ⲡⲡ̅ⲛ̅ⲁ̅ ⲟⲩⲁⲅⲁⲡⲏ ⲡⲉ The fruit of the spirit is love
5.27 ⲛⲉϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲉⲩⲉϯ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩϭⲟⲙ The prayers of the saints will give you strength
5.28 ⲧⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲣⲁⲕⲟⲧⲉ ⲁⲥϫⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ The church of Alexandria sent a letter
5.29 ⲛⲉⲛⲉⲣⲏⲩ ⲛ̄ⲧⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ ⲁⲕⲥⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲟⲩ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲉⲕϩⲏⲧ You established the vows of monasticism in your heart
5.30 ⲡⲣⲁⲛ ⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ϥⲥⲙⲁⲙⲁⲁⲧ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ The name of the Lord is blessed unto eternity
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5.16 ⲡⲥⲟⲛ ⲛ̄ⲡⲙⲟⲛⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲁϥⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ
5.17 ⲧⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲉⲓⲱⲧ ⲁⲥⲉⲓ ⲙ̄ⲡⲟⲟⲩ
5.18 ⲛⲉϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲡⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲙⲁⲣⲟⲩϩⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲉⲛⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ
5.19 ⲡⲉⲕⲗⲟⲙ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲛϩ ⲕⲉ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ
5.20 ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲙ̄ⲡⲧⲟⲟⲩ ⲥⲉϣⲗⲏⲗ ϩⲁⲣⲟⲕ
5.21 ⲧⲁⲅⲁⲡⲏ ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛⲙ̄ⲙⲁⲕ
5.22 ⲡϩⲱⲃ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲕϭⲓϫ ⲁϥⲥⲙⲟⲩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲛ̄ϭⲓ ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ
5.23 ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲉⲓⲱⲧ ⲁⲃⲣⲁϩⲁⲙ ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϩⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲉⲣⲟⲟⲩ
5.24 ⲧϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲭ̅ⲥ̅ ⲉⲥⲉϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲙⲛ̄ ⲧⲉⲕⲯⲩⲭⲏ
5.25 ⲡⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲉϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ϩⲓϫⲛ̄ ⲡⲕⲁϩ
5.26 ⲡⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲥ ⲙ̄ⲡⲡ̅ⲛ̅ⲁ̅ ⲟⲩⲁⲅⲁⲡⲏ ⲡⲉ
5.27 ⲛⲉϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲉⲩⲉϯ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩϭⲟⲙ
5.28 ⲧⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲣⲁⲕⲟⲧⲉ ⲁⲥϫⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̄ⲟⲩⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ
5.29 ⲛⲉⲛⲉⲣⲏⲩ ⲛ̄ⲧⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ ⲁⲕⲥⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲟⲩ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲉⲕϩⲏⲧ
5.30 ⲡⲣⲁⲛ ⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ϥⲥⲙⲁⲙⲁⲁⲧ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ
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Monastic letters demonstrate specific patterns in using the genitive construction:
Monastic writers frequently use ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ to express spiritual possession: -
ⲛⲉϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲛ̄ⲡⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ "children of light" (spiritual identity) -
ⲡⲉⲕⲗⲟⲙ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲛϩ "crown of life" (spiritual reward) -
ⲧⲁⲅⲁⲡⲏ ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ "love of God" (divine attribute)
Monks often identified themselves by their monastic location: -
ⲡⲥⲟⲛ ⲛ̄ⲡⲙⲟⲛⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ "brother of the monastery" -
ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲏⲩ ⲙ̄ⲡⲧⲟⲟⲩ "brothers of the mountain" -
ⲧⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲣⲁⲕⲟⲧⲉ "church of Alexandria"
Standard blessing formulas use the genitive extensively: -
ⲧϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲭ̅ⲥ̅ "the peace of Christ" -
ⲡⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲙ̄ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ "the will of God" -
ⲡⲣⲁⲛ ⲙ̄ⲡϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ "the name of the Lord"
Monastic theology uses genitive for abstract relationships: -
ⲡⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲥ ⲙ̄ⲡⲡ̅ⲛ̅ⲁ̅ "fruit of the spirit" -
ⲛⲉⲛⲉⲣⲏⲩ ⲛ̄ⲧⲙⲛ̄ⲧⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ "vows of monasticism" -
ⲡϩⲱⲃ ⲛ̄ⲛⲉⲕϭⲓϫ "work of your hands"
Specific to epistolary style: -
Opening identifications use genitive for sender/recipient -
Blessing formulas conclude with genitive constructions -
References to previous correspondence: ⲧⲉⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⲛ̄ⲧⲉ... "the letter of..."
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