Welcome to Lesson 22 of the Latinum Institute's Koine Greek course. Today we will explore the Greek word ὅτι (hoti), which corresponds to the English word "that" when used as a conjunction. Additionally, we will examine the demonstrative pronoun ἐκεῖνος (ekeinos) meaning "that" when pointing to something. These are fundamental words in Koine Greek that appear frequently in ancient texts, including the New Testament, papyri, and classical literature.
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The word ὅτι (hoti) functions as a conjunction meaning "that, because, for" and introduces indirect statements or causal clauses. The demonstrative pronoun ἐκεῖνος, ἐκείνη, ἐκεῖνο (ekeinos, ekeinē, ekeino) means "that" (as opposed to "this") and points to something more distant in space, time, or thought.
Question: What does "that" mean in Koine Greek? Answer: In Koine Greek, "that" has two main forms: ὅτι (hoti) is a conjunction meaning "that" or "because," used to introduce clauses. ἐκεῖνος (ekeinos) is a demonstrative pronoun meaning "that one" or "that person/thing," pointing to something distant or previously mentioned.
Course: Koine Greek Language Learning Level: Beginner to Intermediate Topic: Greek Conjunctions and Demonstratives Focus: The word "that" (ὅτι and ἐκεῖνος) Language of Instruction: English Target Language: Koine (Hellenistic) Greek Learning Method: Interlinear glossing with transliteration
In this lesson, you will encounter ὅτι introducing reported speech, explanations, and reasons. You will also see ἐκεῖνος and its forms used to point out specific people or things. The examples progress from simple constructions to more complex sentences, helping you recognize these words in various contexts you'll encounter in Greek texts.
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ὅτι (hoti) is the primary conjunction for "that" in indirect discourse -
ἐκεῖνος (ekeinos) is the demonstrative pronoun for "that" (distant) -
ὅτι often follows verbs of saying, thinking, knowing, or perceiving -
ἐκεῖνος declines like a regular adjective (ekeinos, ekeinē, ekeino) -
Both words are essential for reading Greek texts fluently
22.1a λέγει says ὅτι that ὁ the ἄνθρωπος man ἔρχεται comes 22.1b λέγει (le-gei) says ὅτι (ho-ti) that ὁ (ho) the ἄνθρωπος (an-thrō-pos) man ἔρχεται (er-khe-tai) comes
22.2a οἶδα I-know ὅτι that σὺ you εἶ are ὁ the διδάσκαλος teacher 22.2b οἶδα (oi-da) I-know ὅτι (ho-ti) that σὺ (sy) you εἶ (ei) are ὁ (ho) the διδάσκαλος (di-das-ka-los) teacher
22.3a ἐκεῖνος that-one ὁ the ἀνήρ man πιστεύει believes τῷ to-the θεῷ God 22.3b ἐκεῖνος (e-kei-nos) that-one ὁ (ho) the ἀνήρ (a-nēr) man πιστεύει (pi-steu-ei) believes τῷ (tō) to-the θεῷ (the-ō) God
22.4a ἤκουσαν they-heard ὅτι that ὁ the Ἰησοῦς Jesus ἦλθεν came εἰς into τὴν the πόλιν city 22.4b ἤκουσαν (ē-kou-san) they-heard ὅτι (ho-ti) that ὁ (ho) the Ἰησοῦς (I-ē-sous) Jesus ἦλθεν (ēl-then) came εἰς (eis) into τὴν (tēn) the πόλιν (po-lin) city
22.5a γινώσκομεν we-know ὅτι that ἡ the ἀλήθεια truth ἐλευθερώσει will-free ἡμᾶς us 22.5b γινώσκομεν (gi-nō-sko-men) we-know ὅτι (ho-ti) that ἡ (hē) the ἀλήθεια (a-lē-thei-a) truth ἐλευθερώσει (e-leu-the-rō-sei) will-free ἡμᾶς (hē-mas) us
22.6a ἐκείνη that-woman ἡ the γυνή woman ἐστιν is σοφή wise 22.6b ἐκείνη (e-kei-nē) that-woman ἡ (hē) the γυνή (gy-nē) woman ἐστιν (e-stin) is σοφή (so-phē) wise
22.7a βλέπω I-see ὅτι that τὸ the παιδίον child χαίρει rejoices 22.7b βλέπω (ble-pō) I-see ὅτι (ho-ti) that τὸ (to) the παιδίον (pai-di-on) child χαίρει (khai-rei) rejoices
22.8a ἐν in ἐκείνῃ that τῇ the ἡμέρᾳ day ἐγένετο happened θαῦμα miracle 22.8b ἐν (en) in ἐκείνῃ (e-kei-nē) that τῇ (tē) the ἡμέρᾳ (hē-me-ra) day ἐγένετο (e-ge-ne-to) happened θαῦμα (thau-ma) miracle
22.9a πιστεύομεν we-believe ὅτι that ὁ the θεὸς God ἀγάπη love ἐστίν is 22.9b πιστεύομεν (pi-steu-o-men) we-believe ὅτι (ho-ti) that ὁ (ho) the θεὸς (the-os) God ἀγάπη (a-ga-pē) love ἐστίν (e-stin) is
22.10a ἐκεῖνο that τὸ the βιβλίον book περιέχει contains σοφίαν wisdom 22.10b ἐκεῖνο (e-kei-no) that τὸ (to) the βιβλίον (bi-bli-on) book περιέχει (pe-ri-e-khei) contains σοφίαν (so-phi-an) wisdom
22.11a εἶπεν he-said αὐτῷ to-him ὅτι that δεῖ it-is-necessary προσεύχεσθαι to-pray 22.11b εἶπεν (ei-pen) he-said αὐτῷ (au-tō) to-him ὅτι (ho-ti) that δεῖ (dei) it-is-necessary προσεύχεσθαι (pro-seu-khe-sthai) to-pray
22.12a ἐκ from ἐκείνου that-time τοῦ the καιροῦ time ἤρξατο began διδάσκειν to-teach 22.12b ἐκ (ek) from ἐκείνου (e-kei-nou) that-time τοῦ (tou) the καιροῦ (kai-rou) time ἤρξατο (ēr-ksa-to) began διδάσκειν (di-da-skein) to-teach
22.13a νομίζουσιν they-think ὅτι that ὁ the βασιλεὺς king ἔρχεται comes αὔριον tomorrow 22.13b νομίζουσιν (no-mi-zou-sin) they-think ὅτι (ho-ti) that ὁ (ho) the βασιλεὺς (ba-si-leus) king ἔρχεται (er-khe-tai) comes αὔριον (au-ri-on) tomorrow
22.14a μαρτυρῶ I-testify ὅτι that οὗτος this-one ἐστιν is ὁ the υἱὸς son τοῦ of-the θεοῦ God 22.14b μαρτυρῶ (mar-ty-rō) I-testify ὅτι (ho-ti) that οὗτος (hou-tos) this-one ἐστιν (e-stin) is ὁ (ho) the υἱὸς (hui-os) son τοῦ (tou) of-the θεοῦ (the-ou) God
22.15a ὁ the ἄγγελος angel εἶπεν said ὅτι that ἐκεῖνοι those εὑρήσουσιν will-find εἰρήνην peace 22.15b ὁ (ho) the ἄγγελος (an-ge-los) angel εἶπεν (ei-pen) said ὅτι (ho-ti) that ἐκεῖνοι (e-kei-noi) those εὑρήσουσιν (heu-rē-sou-sin) will-find εἰρήνην (ei-rē-nēn) peace
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22.1 λέγει ὅτι ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἔρχεται. He says that the man is coming.
22.2 οἶδα ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ διδάσκαλος. I know that you are the teacher.
22.3 ἐκεῖνος ὁ ἀνὴρ πιστεύει τῷ θεῷ. That man believes in God.
22.4 ἤκουσαν ὅτι ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν πόλιν. They heard that Jesus came into the city.
22.5 γινώσκομεν ὅτι ἡ ἀλήθεια ἐλευθερώσει ἡμᾶς. We know that the truth will set us free.
22.6 ἐκείνη ἡ γυνή ἐστιν σοφή. That woman is wise.
22.7 βλέπω ὅτι τὸ παιδίον χαίρει. I see that the child rejoices.
22.8 ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐγένετο θαῦμα. On that day a miracle happened.
22.9 πιστεύομεν ὅτι ὁ θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν. We believe that God is love.
22.10 ἐκεῖνο τὸ βιβλίον περιέχει σοφίαν. That book contains wisdom.
22.11 εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὅτι δεῖ προσεύχεσθαι. He said to him that it is necessary to pray.
22.12 ἐκ ἐκείνου τοῦ καιροῦ ἤρξατο διδάσκειν. From that time he began to teach.
22.13 νομίζουσιν ὅτι ὁ βασιλεὺς ἔρχεται αὔριον. They think that the king is coming tomorrow.
22.14 μαρτυρῶ ὅτι οὗτος ἐστιν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ. I testify that this is the Son of God.
22.15 ὁ ἄγγελος εἶπεν ὅτι ἐκεῖνοι εὑρήσουσιν εἰρήνην. The angel said that those people will find peace.
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22.1 λέγει ὅτι ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἔρχεται.
22.2 οἶδα ὅτι σὺ εἶ ὁ διδάσκαλος.
22.3 ἐκεῖνος ὁ ἀνὴρ πιστεύει τῷ θεῷ.
22.4 ἤκουσαν ὅτι ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἦλθεν εἰς τὴν πόλιν.
22.5 γινώσκομεν ὅτι ἡ ἀλήθεια ἐλευθερώσει ἡμᾶς.
22.6 ἐκείνη ἡ γυνή ἐστιν σοφή.
22.7 βλέπω ὅτι τὸ παιδίον χαίρει.
22.8 ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ἐγένετο θαῦμα.
22.9 πιστεύομεν ὅτι ὁ θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν.
22.10 ἐκεῖνο τὸ βιβλίον περιέχει σοφίαν.
22.11 εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὅτι δεῖ προσεύχεσθαι.
22.12 ἐκ ἐκείνου τοῦ καιροῦ ἤρξατο διδάσκειν.
22.13 νομίζουσιν ὅτι ὁ βασιλεὺς ἔρχεται αὔριον.
22.14 μαρτυρῶ ὅτι οὗτος ἐστιν ὁ υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ.
22.15 ὁ ἄγγελος εἶπεν ὅτι ἐκεῖνοι εὑρήσουσιν εἰρήνην.
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The word ὅτι is an indeclinable conjunction that primarily means "that" or "because." It introduces: -
Indirect discourse - After verbs of saying, thinking, knowing: -
λέγω ὅτι... (I say that...) -
οἶδα ὅτι... (I know that...) -
νομίζω ὅτι... (I think that...) -
Causal clauses - Giving reasons: -
χαίρω ὅτι... (I rejoice because...) -
εὐχαριστῶ ὅτι... (I give thanks because...) -
Content clauses - After verbs of perception: -
βλέπω ὅτι... (I see that...) -
ἀκούω ὅτι... (I hear that...)
The demonstrative pronoun ἐκεῖνος means "that" (as opposed to "this") and declines as follows:
Masculine: -
Nominative: ἐκεῖνος (that) -
Genitive: ἐκείνου (of that) -
Dative: ἐκείνῳ (to that) -
Accusative: ἐκεῖνον (that)
Feminine: -
Nominative: ἐκείνη (that) -
Genitive: ἐκείνης (of that) -
Dative: ἐκείνῃ (to that) -
Accusative: ἐκείνην (that)
Neuter: -
Nominative: ἐκεῖνο (that) -
Genitive: ἐκείνου (of that) -
Dative: ἐκείνῳ (to that) -
Accusative: ἐκεῖνο (that)
Plural forms follow the same pattern with appropriate endings.
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Confusing ὅτι with ὅ,τι - The two-word form ὅ,τι means "whatever," while ὅτι means "that/because" -
Word order after ὅτι - Unlike English, Greek maintains normal word order after ὅτι. The verb doesn't move to the end as in some languages. -
Using ἐκεῖνος without the article - When used attributively, ἐκεῖνος requires the article: ἐκεῖνος ὁ ἄνθρωπος or ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖνος (that man) -
Forgetting agreement - ἐκεῖνος must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies -
Translating "that" automatically - Not every English "that" translates to ὅτι. Relative "that" (the book that I read) uses different constructions in Greek.
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Identify the main verb that introduces the clause -
Place ὅτι immediately after this verb (though other word order is possible) -
Continue with normal Greek word order in the subordinate clause -
The mood in the ὅτι clause is usually indicative for statements of fact
English: Word order often changes in subordinate clauses, and "that" can often be omitted -
"I know (that) he is coming"
Greek: ὅτι is usually not omitted, and word order remains flexible -
οἶδα ὅτι ἔρχεται (I know that he comes)
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ὅτι - indeclinable conjunction, introduces subordinate clauses -
ἐκεῖνος, -η, -ο - demonstrative adjective/pronoun, fully declinable -
Both words are essential for expressing "that" in different contexts -
ὅτι for conjunctive use, ἐκεῖνος for demonstrative use
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For English speakers learning Koine Greek, understanding how "that" functions reveals important aspects of ancient Mediterranean thought and communication. The distinction between ὅτι and ἐκεῖνος reflects the Greek mind's precision in distinguishing between logical connections (ὅτι) and spatial/temporal distance (ἐκεῖνος).
In the Hellenistic period, when Koine Greek served as the lingua franca of the eastern Mediterranean, ὅτι became increasingly important for translating direct speech from Semitic languages into Greek indirect discourse. This is particularly evident in the Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) and New Testament writings, where Hebrew and Aramaic speech patterns were rendered into Greek.
The demonstrative ἐκεῖνος carried special significance in philosophical and religious texts. It often pointed to transcendent realities or distant ideals. In Platonic thought, for instance, ἐκεῖνος might refer to the realm of forms, while in Christian texts, it frequently points to eschatological realities or heavenly things.
Greek papyri from Egypt show that in everyday correspondence, ὅτι was sometimes reduced to a simple quotation marker, much like quotation marks in modern English. Letter writers would use phrases like "γράφεις μοι ὅτι..." (you write to me that...) to report messages.
The precision required in using these words correctly marked one as educated. Proper use of subordinate clauses with ὅτι demonstrated rhetorical sophistication, while the careful deployment of ἐκεῖνος showed philosophical or theological nuance.
For modern students, appreciating these cultural dimensions helps in reading ancient texts with greater sensitivity to their original impact and meaning.
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From the Gospel of John 1:7-8 (Greek New Testament)
οὗτος this-one ἦλθεν came εἰς for μαρτυρίαν testimony ἵνα in-order-that μαρτυρήσῃ he-might-testify περὶ concerning τοῦ the φωτός light ἵνα in-order-that πάντες all πιστεύσωσιν might-believe δι' through αὐτοῦ him οὐκ not ἦν was ἐκεῖνος that-one τὸ the φῶς light ἀλλ' but ἵνα in-order-that μαρτυρήσῃ he-might-testify περὶ concerning τοῦ the φωτός light
οὗτος (hou-tos) this-one ἦλθεν (ēl-then) came εἰς (eis) for μαρτυρίαν (mar-ty-ri-an) testimony ἵνα (hi-na) in-order-that μαρτυρήσῃ (mar-ty-rē-sē) he-might-testify περὶ (pe-ri) concerning τοῦ (tou) the φωτός (phō-tos) light ἵνα (hi-na) in-order-that πάντες (pan-tes) all πιστεύσωσιν (pi-steu-sō-sin) might-believe δι' (di) through αὐτοῦ (au-tou) him οὐκ (ouk) not ἦν (ēn) was ἐκεῖνος (e-kei-nos) that-one τὸ (to) the φῶς (phōs) light ἀλλ' (all) but ἵνα (hi-na) in-order-that μαρτυρήσῃ (mar-ty-rē-sē) he-might-testify περὶ (pe-ri) concerning τοῦ (tou) the φωτός (phō-tos) light
οὗτος ἦλθεν εἰς μαρτυρίαν, ἵνα μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ φωτός, ἵνα πάντες πιστεύσωσιν δι' αὐτοῦ. οὐκ ἦν ἐκεῖνος τὸ φῶς, ἀλλ' ἵνα μαρτυρήσῃ περὶ τοῦ φωτός.
This one came for a testimony, that he might testify concerning the light, that all might believe through him. That one was not the light, but came that he might testify concerning the light.
This passage from John's Gospel demonstrates the careful distinction between οὗτος (this one, referring to John the Baptist, who is nearer in the narrative) and ἐκεῖνος (that one, creating distance). The evangelist uses ἐκεῖνος to emphasize that John the Baptist, despite his importance, stands at a remove from the true light. The demonstrative creates theological distance, subordinating the Baptist to Christ. This literary technique of using demonstratives to indicate spiritual hierarchy appears throughout John's Gospel.
Note the emphatic position of ἐκεῖνος in "οὐκ ἦν ἐκεῖνος τὸ φῶς" - the word order emphasizes the contrast. The pronoun could have been omitted entirely (since ἦν already contains the subject), but its inclusion with ἐκεῖνος rather than οὗτος creates deliberate distance. This demonstrates how Greek demonstratives carry semantic weight beyond mere reference, conveying the author's theological perspective through grammatical choices.
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22.16a ὁ the Σωκράτης Socrates ἔφη said ὅτι that ἡ the ἀρετὴ virtue διδακτόν teachable ἐστιν is 22.16b ὁ (ho) the Σωκράτης (Sō-kra-tēs) Socrates ἔφη (e-phē) said ὅτι (ho-ti) that ἡ (hē) the ἀρετὴ (a-re-tē) virtue διδακτόν (di-dak-ton) teachable ἐστιν (e-stin) is
22.17a ἀπεκρίνατο answered ὁ the Μένων Meno ὅτι that οὐ not πάντες all συμφωνοῦσιν agree περὶ concerning ἐκείνου that-matter 22.17b ἀπεκρίνατο (a-pe-kri-na-to) answered ὁ (ho) the Μένων (Me-nōn) Meno ὅτι (ho-ti) that οὐ (ou) not πάντες (pan-tes) all συμφωνοῦσιν (sym-phō-nou-sin) agree περὶ (pe-ri) concerning ἐκείνου (e-kei-nou) that-matter
22.18a δῆλον clear ἐστιν is ὅτι that ἡ the ψυχὴ soul ἀθάνατός immortal ἐστιν is εἰ if ἐκεῖνα those ἀληθῆ true 22.18b δῆλον (dē-lon) clear ἐστιν (e-stin) is ὅτι (ho-ti) that ἡ (hē) the ψυχὴ (psy-khē) soul ἀθάνατός (a-tha-na-tos) immortal ἐστιν (e-stin) is εἰ (ei) if ἐκεῖνα (e-kei-na) those ἀληθῆ (a-lē-thē) true
22.19a ὁ the φιλόσοφος philosopher εἶπεν said ὅτι that δεῖ it-is-necessary ζητεῖν to-seek τὴν the σοφίαν wisdom καθ' throughout ἐκείνην that τὴν the ὁδόν way 22.19b ὁ (ho) the φιλόσοφος (phi-lo-so-phos) philosopher εἶπεν (ei-pen) said ὅτι (ho-ti) that δεῖ (dei) it-is-necessary ζητεῖν (zē-tein) to-seek τὴν (tēn) the σοφίαν (so-phi-an) wisdom καθ' (kath) throughout ἐκείνην (e-kei-nēn) that τὴν (tēn) the ὁδόν (ho-don) way
22.20a γινώσκεις you-know ὅτι that ἐκεῖνος that-one ὁ the λόγος argument οὐκ not ἀρκεῖ suffices πρὸς for ἀπόδειξιν proof 22.20b γινώσκεις (gi-nō-skeis) you-know ὅτι (ho-ti) that ἐκεῖνος (e-kei-nos) that-one ὁ (ho) the λόγος (lo-gos) argument οὐκ (ouk) not ἀρκεῖ (ar-kei) suffices πρὸς (pros) for ἀπόδειξιν (a-po-dei-ksin) proof
22.21a ἐρωτᾷ he-asks εἰ whether οἴδαμεν we-know ὅτι that τὸ the ἀγαθὸν good ἐστιν is ἓν one ἢ or πολλά many 22.21b ἐρωτᾷ (e-rō-ta) he-asks εἰ (ei) whether οἴδαμεν (oi-da-men) we-know ὅτι (ho-ti) that τὸ (to) the ἀγαθὸν (a-ga-thon) good ἐστιν (e-stin) is ἓν (hen) one ἢ (ē) or πολλά (pol-la) many
22.22a ὁμολογῶ I-agree ὅτι that ἐκεῖναι those αἱ the ἀποδείξεις proofs ἰσχυραί strong εἰσιν are 22.22b ὁμολογῶ (ho-mo-lo-gō) I-agree ὅτι (ho-ti) that ἐκεῖναι (e-kei-nai) those αἱ (hai) the ἀποδείξεις (a-po-dei-kseis) proofs ἰσχυραί (i-skhy-rai) strong εἰσιν (ei-sin) are
22.23a φαίνεται it-appears ὅτι that ἡ the δικαιοσύνη justice καὶ and ἡ the εὐδαιμονία happiness συνδέονται are-connected 22.23b φαίνεται (phai-ne-tai) it-appears ὅτι (ho-ti) that ἡ (hē) the δικαιοσύνη (di-kai-o-sy-nē) justice καὶ (kai) and ἡ (hē) the εὐδαιμονία (eu-dai-mo-ni-a) happiness συνδέονται (syn-de-on-tai) are-connected
22.24a λέγουσιν they-say ὅτι that ἐν in ἐκείνῳ that τῷ the διαλόγῳ dialogue ὁ the Πλάτων Plato ἔγραψεν wrote περὶ about τῶν the ἰδεῶν forms 22.24b λέγουσιν (le-gou-sin) they-say ὅτι (ho-ti) that ἐν (en) in ἐκείνῳ (e-kei-nō) that τῷ (tō) the διαλόγῳ (di-a-lo-gō) dialogue ὁ (ho) the Πλάτων (Pla-tōn) Plato ἔγραψεν (e-gra-psen) wrote περὶ (pe-ri) about τῶν (tōn) the ἰδεῶν (i-de-ōn) forms
22.25a οὐ not νομίζω I-think ὅτι that ἐκεῖνο that τὸ the ἐπιχείρημα argument πείθει persuades τοὺς the ἀκροατάς listeners 22.25b οὐ (ou) not νομίζω (no-mi-zō) I-think ὅτι (ho-ti) that ἐκεῖνο (e-kei-no) that τὸ (to) the ἐπιχείρημα (e-pi-khei-rē-ma) argument πείθει (pei-thei) persuades τοὺς (tous) the ἀκροατάς (a-kro-a-tas) listeners
22.26a ἐπίστασαι you-understand ὅτι that πᾶσα every τέχνη art μιμεῖται imitates ἐκείνην that τὴν the φύσιν nature 22.26b ἐπίστασαι (e-pi-sta-sai) you-understand ὅτι (ho-ti) that πᾶσα (pa-sa) every τέχνη (tekh-nē) art μιμεῖται (mi-mei-tai) imitates ἐκείνην (e-kei-nēn) that τὴν (tēn) the φύσιν (phy-sin) nature
22.27a εὑρίσκομεν we-find ὅτι that ἐκεῖνοι those οἱ the ἄνθρωποι people ζητοῦσιν seek τὴν the ἀλήθειαν truth 22.27b εὑρίσκομεν (heu-ri-sko-men) we-find ὅτι (ho-ti) that ἐκεῖνοι (e-kei-noi) those οἱ (hoi) the ἄνθρωποι (an-thrō-poi) people ζητοῦσιν (zē-tou-sin) seek τὴν (tēn) the ἀλήθειαν (a-lē-thei-an) truth
22.28a συμβαίνει it-happens ὅτι that ἡ the γνῶσις knowledge ἔρχεται comes μετὰ after ἐκείνην that τὴν the ἐμπειρίαν experience 22.28b συμβαίνει (sym-bai-nei) it-happens ὅτι (ho-ti) that ἡ (hē) the γνῶσις (gnō-sis) knowledge ἔρχεται (er-khe-tai) comes μετὰ (me-ta) after ἐκείνην (e-kei-nēn) that τὴν (tēn) the ἐμπειρίαν (em-pei-ri-an) experience
22.29a διδάσκει he-teaches ὅτι that ἐκεῖνα those τὰ the μαθήματα lessons ὠφελοῦσιν benefit τὴν the ψυχήν soul 22.29b διδάσκει (di-da-skei) he-teaches ὅτι (ho-ti) that ἐκεῖνα (e-kei-na) those τὰ (ta) the μαθήματα (ma-thē-ma-ta) lessons ὠφελοῦσιν (ō-phe-lou-sin) benefit τὴν (tēn) the ψυχήν (psy-khēn) soul
22.30a καταλαμβάνω I-comprehend ὅτι that ἐκείνη that ἡ the θεωρία theory ἐξηγεῖ explains πολλά many 22.30b καταλαμβάνω (ka-ta-lam-ba-nō) I-comprehend ὅτι (ho-ti) that ἐκείνη (e-kei-nē) that ἡ (hē) the θεωρία (the-ō-ri-a) theory ἐξηγεῖ (e-ksē-gei) explains πολλά (pol-la) many
22.16 ὁ Σωκράτης ἔφη ὅτι ἡ ἀρετὴ διδακτόν ἐστιν. Socrates said that virtue is teachable.
22.17 ἀπεκρίνατο ὁ Μένων ὅτι οὐ πάντες συμφωνοῦσιν περὶ ἐκείνου. Meno answered that not everyone agrees about that matter.
22.18 δῆλον ἐστιν ὅτι ἡ ψυχὴ ἀθάνατός ἐστιν εἰ ἐκεῖνα ἀληθῆ. It is clear that the soul is immortal if those things are true.
22.19 ὁ φιλόσοφος εἶπεν ὅτι δεῖ ζητεῖν τὴν σοφίαν καθ' ἐκείνην τὴν ὁδόν. The philosopher said that it is necessary to seek wisdom along that path.
22.20 γινώσκεις ὅτι ἐκεῖνος ὁ λόγος οὐκ ἀρκεῖ πρὸς ἀπόδειξιν. You know that that argument does not suffice for proof.
22.21 ἐρωτᾷ εἰ οἴδαμεν ὅτι τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐστιν ἓν ἢ πολλά. He asks whether we know that the good is one or many.
22.22 ὁμολογῶ ὅτι ἐκεῖναι αἱ ἀποδείξεις ἰσχυραί εἰσιν. I agree that those proofs are strong.
22.23 φαίνεται ὅτι ἡ δικαιοσύνη καὶ ἡ εὐδαιμονία συνδέονται. It appears that justice and happiness are connected.
22.24 λέγουσιν ὅτι ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ διαλόγῳ ὁ Πλάτων ἔγραψεν περὶ τῶν ἰδεῶν. They say that in that dialogue Plato wrote about the forms.
22.25 οὐ νομίζω ὅτι ἐκεῖνο τὸ ἐπιχείρημα πείθει τοὺς ἀκροατάς. I do not think that that argument persuades the listeners.
22.26 ἐπίστασαι ὅτι πᾶσα τέχνη μιμεῖται ἐκείνην τὴν φύσιν. You understand that every art imitates that nature.
22.27 εὑρίσκομεν ὅτι ἐκεῖνοι οἱ ἄνθρωποι ζητοῦσιν τὴν ἀλήθειαν. We find that those people seek the truth.
22.28 συμβαίνει ὅτι ἡ γνῶσις ἔρχεται μετὰ ἐκείνην τὴν ἐμπειρίαν. It happens that knowledge comes after that experience.
22.29 διδάσκει ὅτι ἐκεῖνα τὰ μαθήματα ὠφελοῦσιν τὴν ψυχήν. He teaches that those lessons benefit the soul.
22.30 καταλαμβάνω ὅτι ἐκείνη ἡ θεωρία ἐξηγεῖ πολλά. I comprehend that that theory explains many things.
22.16 ὁ Σωκράτης ἔφη ὅτι ἡ ἀρετὴ διδακτόν ἐστιν.
22.17 ἀπεκρίνατο ὁ Μένων ὅτι οὐ πάντες συμφωνοῦσιν περὶ ἐκείνου.
22.18 δῆλον ἐστιν ὅτι ἡ ψυχὴ ἀθάνατός ἐστιν εἰ ἐκεῖνα ἀληθῆ.
22.19 ὁ φιλόσοφος εἶπεν ὅτι δεῖ ζητεῖν τὴν σοφίαν καθ' ἐκείνην τὴν ὁδόν.
22.20 γινώσκεις ὅτι ἐκεῖνος ὁ λόγος οὐκ ἀρκεῖ πρὸς ἀπόδειξιν.
22.21 ἐρωτᾷ εἰ οἴδαμεν ὅτι τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐστιν ἓν ἢ πολλά.
22.22 ὁμολογῶ ὅτι ἐκεῖναι αἱ ἀποδείξεις ἰσχυραί εἰσιν.
22.23 φαίνεται ὅτι ἡ δικαιοσύνη καὶ ἡ εὐδαιμονία συνδέονται.
22.24 λέγουσιν ὅτι ἐν ἐκείνῳ τῷ διαλόγῳ ὁ Πλάτων ἔγραψεν περὶ τῶν ἰδεῶν.
22.25 οὐ νομίζω ὅτι ἐκεῖνο τὸ ἐπιχείρημα πείθει τοὺς ἀκροατάς.
22.26 ἐπίστασαι ὅτι πᾶσα τέχνη μιμεῖται ἐκείνην τὴν φύσιν.
22.27 εὑρίσκομεν ὅτι ἐκεῖνοι οἱ ἄνθρωποι ζητοῦσιν τὴν ἀλήθειαν.
22.28 συμβαίνει ὅτι ἡ γνῶσις ἔρχεται μετὰ ἐκείνην τὴν ἐμπειρίαν.
22.29 διδάσκει ὅτι ἐκεῖνα τὰ μαθήματα ὠφελοῦσιν τὴν ψυχήν.
22.30 καταλαμβάνω ὅτι ἐκείνη ἡ θεωρία ἐξηγεῖ πολλά.
In philosophical dialogue, the use of ὅτι and ἐκεῖνος serves specific argumentative and rhetorical functions:
ὅτι in Philosophical Contexts: -
Introduces propositions for examination: "ὅτι ἡ ἀρετὴ διδακτόν ἐστιν" -
Reports philosophical positions: "λέγουσιν ὅτι..." -
States logical conclusions: "δῆλον ἐστιν ὅτι..." -
Presents hypotheses: "εἰ...ὅτι..."
ἐκεῖνος in Philosophical Usage: -
References previously discussed concepts with evaluative distance -
Points to abstract or transcendent realities (Platonic forms) -
Creates philosophical precision by distinguishing "that" from "this" -
Often appears in the neuter plural (ἐκεῖνα) for abstract principles
Special Philosophical Constructions: -
"περὶ ἐκείνου" - concerning that matter (creating topical distance) -
"καθ' ἐκείνην τὴν ὁδόν" - according to that method (methodological reference) -
"ἐκεῖνο τὸ ἐπιχείρημα" - that particular argument (isolating for analysis)
Verbs Commonly Used with ὅτι in Philosophy: -
Verbs of knowing: οἶδα, γινώσκω, ἐπίσταμαι -
Verbs of thinking: νομίζω, οἴομαι, ἡγέομαι -
Verbs of saying: λέγω, φημί, ἀποκρίνομαι -
Verbs of showing: δείκνυμι, ἀποδείκνυμι, φαίνεται
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