Welcome to Lesson 37 of the Latinum Institute's Koine Greek course. Today we explore the verb δύναμαι (dynamai), meaning "to be able, can, have power." This verb is fundamental to expressing capability, permission, and possibility in Koine Greek. For a complete index of lessons, visit https://latinum.substack.com/p/index.
The verb δύναμαι is a deponent verb, meaning it appears only in middle or passive forms but has an active meaning. It expresses physical ability, intellectual capability, permission, or possibility. From this Greek root, we derive English words like "dynamic," "dynamite," and "dynasty."
Question: What does δύναμαι mean in Koine Greek? Answer: δύναμαι (dynamai) means "to be able," "can," or "to have power/ability to do something." It is a deponent verb that expresses capability, possibility, or permission in various contexts.
Course: Koine Greek Language Learning Level: Intermediate Topic: Modal Verbs - δύναμαι (can/to be able) Language: Instruction in English for learning Koine Greek Format: Self-study lesson with interlinear glossing, grammar explanations, and cultural context
In this lesson, δύναμαι appears in various contexts showing: -
Physical ability ("I can walk") -
Intellectual capability ("He can understand") -
Permission ("You can enter") -
Possibility ("This can happen") -
Negated ability ("They cannot see")
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δύναμαι is a deponent verb (passive/middle forms with active meaning) -
It often takes an infinitive to complete its meaning -
The negative form (οὐ δύναμαι) expresses inability -
It can express both physical and mental capabilities -
Context determines whether it means ability, permission, or possibility
37.1a δύναμαι (dy-na-mai) I-can ἰδεῖν (i-dein) to-see τὸν (ton) the οὐρανόν (ou-ra-non) heaven
37.1b δύναμαι I-can ἰδεῖν to-see τὸν the οὐρανόν heaven
37.2a οὐ (ou) not δύνασαι (dy-na-sai) you-can ἐλθεῖν (el-thein) to-come μετ' (met) with ἐμοῦ (e-mou) me
37.2b οὐ not δύνασαι you-can ἐλθεῖν to-come μετ' with ἐμοῦ me
37.3a ὁ (ho) the παῖς (pais) child δύναται (dy-na-tai) he-can περιπατεῖν (pe-ri-pa-tein) to-walk ἤδη (ē-dē) already
37.3b ὁ the παῖς child δύναται he-can περιπατεῖν to-walk ἤδη already
37.4a δυνάμεθα (dy-na-me-tha) we-can ἀκούειν (a-kou-ein) to-hear τὴν (tēn) the φωνὴν (phō-nēn) voice αὐτοῦ (au-tou) his
37.4b δυνάμεθα we-can ἀκούειν to-hear τὴν the φωνὴν voice αὐτοῦ his
37.5a πῶς (pōs) how δύνανται (dy-nan-tai) they-can ταῦτα (tau-ta) these-things γενέσθαι (ge-nes-thai) to-happen
37.5b πῶς how δύνανται they-can ταῦτα these-things γενέσθαι to-happen
37.6a οὐδεὶς (ou-deis) no-one δύναται (dy-na-tai) he-can δυσὶ (dy-si) two κυρίοις (ky-ri-ois) lords δουλεύειν (dou-leu-ein) to-serve
37.6b οὐδεὶς no-one δύναται he-can δυσὶ two κυρίοις lords δουλεύειν to-serve
37.7a τίς (tis) who δύναται (dy-na-tai) he-can σῶσαι (sō-sai) to-save ἡμᾶς (hē-mas) us
37.7b τίς who δύναται he-can σῶσαι to-save ἡμᾶς us
37.8a ἐὰν (e-an) if δύνῃ (dy-nē) you-can πιστεῦσαι (pis-teu-sai) to-believe πάντα (pan-ta) all-things δυνατά (dy-na-ta) possible
37.8b ἐὰν if δύνῃ you-can πιστεῦσαι to-believe πάντα all-things δυνατά possible
37.9a οἱ (hoi) the μαθηταὶ (ma-thē-tai) disciples οὐκ (ouk) not ἐδύναντο (e-dy-nan-to) they-could αὐτὸ (au-to) it ἐκβαλεῖν (ek-ba-lein) to-cast-out
37.9b οἱ the μαθηταὶ disciples οὐκ not ἐδύναντο they-could αὐτὸ it ἐκβαλεῖν to-cast-out
37.10a δύνασθε (dy-nas-the) you-can πιεῖν (pi-ein) to-drink τὸ (to) the ποτήριον (po-tē-ri-on) cup ὃ (ho) which ἐγὼ (e-gō) I πίνω (pi-nō) drink
37.10b δύνασθε you-can πιεῖν to-drink τὸ the ποτήριον cup ὃ which ἐγὼ I πίνω drink
37.11a τυφλὸς (typh-los) blind τυφλὸν (typh-lon) blind οὐ (ou) not δύναται (dy-na-tai) he-can ὁδηγεῖν (ho-dē-gein) to-lead
37.11b τυφλὸς blind τυφλὸν blind οὐ not δύναται he-can ὁδηγεῖν to-lead
37.12a μὴ (mē) not δύναται (dy-na-tai) it-can ὁ (ho) the θεὸς (the-os) God λίθους (li-thous) stones ἐγεῖραι (e-gei-rai) to-raise
37.12b μὴ not δύναται it-can ὁ the θεὸς God λίθους stones ἐγεῖραι to-raise
37.13a εἰ (ei) if ἐδύνασθε (e-dy-nas-the) you-could γρηγορῆσαι (grē-go-rē-sai) to-watch μίαν (mi-an) one ὥραν (hō-ran) hour
37.13b εἰ if ἐδύνασθε you-could γρηγορῆσαι to-watch μίαν one ὥραν hour
37.14a παρὰ (pa-ra) with ἀνθρώποις (an-thrō-pois) men τοῦτο (tou-to) this ἀδύνατον (a-dy-na-ton) impossible ἐστιν (es-tin) is
37.14b παρὰ with ἀνθρώποις men τοῦτο this ἀδύνατον impossible ἐστιν is
37.15a δυνήσῃ (dy-nē-sē) you-will-be-able με (me) me καθαρίσαι (ka-tha-ri-sai) to-cleanse ἐὰν (e-an) if θέλῃς (the-lēs) you-wish
37.15b δυνήσῃ you-will-be-able με me καθαρίσαι to-cleanse ἐὰν if θέλῃς you-wish
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37.1 δύναμαι ἰδεῖν τὸν οὐρανόν. I can see the heaven.
37.2 οὐ δύνασαι ἐλθεῖν μετ' ἐμοῦ. You cannot come with me.
37.3 ὁ παῖς δύναται περιπατεῖν ἤδη. The child can walk already.
37.4 δυνάμεθα ἀκούειν τὴν φωνὴν αὐτοῦ. We can hear his voice.
37.5 πῶς δύνανται ταῦτα γενέσθαι; How can these things happen?
37.6 οὐδεὶς δύναται δυσὶ κυρίοις δουλεύειν. No one can serve two masters.
37.7 τίς δύναται σῶσαι ἡμᾶς; Who can save us?
37.8 ἐὰν δύνῃ πιστεῦσαι, πάντα δυνατά. If you can believe, all things are possible.
37.9 οἱ μαθηταὶ οὐκ ἐδύναντο αὐτὸ ἐκβαλεῖν. The disciples could not cast it out.
37.10 δύνασθε πιεῖν τὸ ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ πίνω; Can you drink the cup which I drink?
37.11 τυφλὸς τυφλὸν οὐ δύναται ὁδηγεῖν. A blind man cannot lead a blind man.
37.12 μὴ δύναται ὁ θεὸς λίθους ἐγεῖραι; Cannot God raise up stones?
37.13 εἰ ἐδύνασθε γρηγορῆσαι μίαν ὥραν. If you could watch one hour.
37.14 παρὰ ἀνθρώποις τοῦτο ἀδύνατον ἐστιν. With men this is impossible.
37.15 δυνήσῃ με καθαρίσαι ἐὰν θέλῃς. You will be able to cleanse me if you wish.
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37.1 δύναμαι ἰδεῖν τὸν οὐρανόν.
37.2 οὐ δύνασαι ἐλθεῖν μετ' ἐμοῦ.
37.3 ὁ παῖς δύναται περιπατεῖν ἤδη.
37.4 δυνάμεθα ἀκούειν τὴν φωνὴν αὐτοῦ.
37.5 πῶς δύνανται ταῦτα γενέσθαι;
37.6 οὐδεὶς δύναται δυσὶ κυρίοις δουλεύειν.
37.7 τίς δύναται σῶσαι ἡμᾶς;
37.8 ἐὰν δύνῃ πιστεῦσαι, πάντα δυνατά.
37.9 οἱ μαθηταὶ οὐκ ἐδύναντο αὐτὸ ἐκβαλεῖν.
37.10 δύνασθε πιεῖν τὸ ποτήριον ὃ ἐγὼ πίνω;
37.11 τυφλὸς τυφλὸν οὐ δύναται ὁδηγεῖν.
37.12 μὴ δύναται ὁ θεὸς λίθους ἐγεῖραι;
37.13 εἰ ἐδύνασθε γρηγορῆσαι μίαν ὥραν.
37.14 παρὰ ἀνθρώποις τοῦτο ἀδύνατον ἐστιν.
37.15 δυνήσῃ με καθαρίσαι ἐὰν θέλῃς.
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δύναμαι is a deponent verb, meaning it uses middle or passive endings but has an active meaning. This is a crucial concept that differs from English verb formation.
Singular: -
1st person: δύναμαι (I can) -
2nd person: δύνασαι (you can) -
3rd person: δύναται (he/she/it can)
Plural: -
1st person: δυνάμεθα (we can) -
2nd person: δύνασθε (you can) -
3rd person: δύνανται (they can)
Aorist (Past) Forms: -
ἐδυνήθην (I was able/could) -
ἐδυνήθης (you were able) -
ἐδυνήθη (he/she/it was able)
Future: -
δυνήσομαι (I will be able)
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Complementary Infinitive: δύναμαι typically takes an infinitive to complete its meaning: -
δύναμαι γράφειν = I can write -
δύναται ἐλθεῖν = he can come -
Negation: The negative form uses οὐ (ou) before the verb: -
οὐ δύναμαι = I cannot -
οὐκ ἐδύναντο = they could not -
Word Order: Unlike English, Greek word order is flexible. The verb can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a clause.
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Forgetting the Deponent Nature: Students often look for active forms that don't exist. Remember, δύναμαι only has middle/passive forms. -
Confusing with English Modal Verbs: English "can" doesn't change form (except "could"), but δύναμαι conjugates fully for person and number. -
Infinitive Construction: English speakers may forget that the complementary verb must be in the infinitive form in Greek. -
Negation Placement: In English, we say "cannot," but in Greek, the negative particle οὐ is a separate word placed before the verb.
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Identify the subject (who can/cannot) -
Choose the correct form of δύναμαι for that subject -
Add the infinitive of the action verb -
Include any objects or modifiers -
For negation, place οὐ before δύναμαι
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English uses the auxiliary "can" + base verb: "I can see" -
Greek uses conjugated δύναμαι + infinitive: "δύναμαι ἰδεῖν" -
English "can" is invariable; Greek δύναμαι changes with person and number -
English forms questions by inverting: "Can you?"; Greek uses the same form with question particles or intonation
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The concept of ability and power in the Greco-Roman world was deeply tied to social, religious, and philosophical ideas. Understanding δύναμαι requires appreciating these cultural dimensions.
In the Hellenistic period, δύναμαι and its related noun δύναμις (power) carried significant philosophical weight. The Stoics discussed what humans could and could not control, using forms of δύναμαι to express these concepts. The phrase "τὰ ἐφ' ἡμῖν" (things within our power) versus "τὰ οὐκ ἐφ' ἡμῖν" (things not within our power) was central to Stoic ethics.
In religious contexts, particularly in Jewish and early Christian texts, δύναμαι often appears in discussions of divine versus human ability. The contrast between what humans cannot do (οὐ δύνανται) and what God can do (δύναται ὁ θεός) is a recurring theme. This reflects the Hellenistic Jewish understanding of divine omnipotence expressed through Greek philosophical vocabulary.
The social dimension is also important. In a highly stratified society, what one "could" do was often determined by social status, citizenship, and economic resources. A slave could not (οὐ δύναται) do many things that a free citizen could do, not due to physical inability but legal and social constraints.
Medical writers like Galen used δύναμαι to describe the body's capacities and incapacities, contributing to our modern medical vocabulary (dysfunction, dynamic). The concept of δύναμις as potential or capacity influenced Aristotelian philosophy and subsequently medieval thought.
For English speakers, it's important to note that while we have one primary word "can," Greek speakers had a rich vocabulary for different types of ability: δύναμαι (general ability), ἰσχύω (physical strength to do), οἶδα (know how to), and ἔξεστιν (it is permitted).
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Source: Gospel of Matthew 26:42 (Greek New Testament)
πάλιν (pa-lin) again ἐκ (ek) from δευτέρου (deu-te-rou) second ἀπελθὼν (a-pel-thōn) having-gone-away προσηύξατο (pro-sēu-xa-to) he-prayed λέγων (le-gōn) saying πάτερ (pa-ter) father μου (mou) my εἰ (ei) if οὐ (ou) not δύναται (dy-na-tai) it-can τοῦτο (tou-to) this παρελθεῖν (pa-rel-thein) to-pass-away ἐὰν (e-an) unless μὴ (mē) not αὐτὸ (au-to) it πίω (pi-ō) I-drink γενηθήτω (ge-nē-thē-tō) let-happen τὸ (to) the θέλημά (the-lē-ma) will σου (sou) your
πάλιν ἐκ δευτέρου ἀπελθὼν προσηύξατο λέγων· πάτερ μου, εἰ οὐ δύναται τοῦτο παρελθεῖν ἐὰν μὴ αὐτὸ πίω, γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου.
Again, having gone away a second time, he prayed, saying: "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, let your will be done."
πάλιν ἐκ δευτέρου ἀπελθὼν προσηύξατο λέγων· πάτερ μου, εἰ οὐ δύναται τοῦτο παρελθεῖν ἐὰν μὴ αὐτὸ πίω, γενηθήτω τὸ θέλημά σου.
This passage from Jesus's prayer in Gethsemane showcases δύναται in a conditional construction. The grammar here is sophisticated: -
Conditional Structure: "εἰ οὐ δύναται" introduces a first-class condition (assumed true for argument) -
Subject: "τοῦτο" (this) refers to the cup of suffering -
Infinitive: "παρελθεῖν" (to pass away) completes the meaning of δύναται -
Double Condition: "ἐὰν μὴ...πίω" adds a second condition with subjunctive
The use of δύναται here is theologically significant. It doesn't question God's absolute power but explores divine will within the economy of salvation. The impersonal construction (with τοῦτο as subject rather than "you cannot make this pass") reflects Jewish reverence in speaking about God.
For English speakers, note how Greek can express complex theological ideas concisely. Where English might need "if it is not possible for this to pass away," Greek uses just "εἰ οὐ δύναται τοῦτο παρελθεῖν."
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37.16a ὁ (ho) the ἰατρὸς (i-a-tros) physician λέγει (le-gei) says ὅτι (ho-ti) that οὐ (ou) not δύναμαι (dy-na-mai) I-can θεραπεῦσαι (the-ra-peu-sai) to-heal τὴν (tēn) the νόσον (no-son) disease ταύτην (tau-tēn) this
37.16b ὁ the ἰατρὸς physician λέγει says ὅτι that οὐ not δύναμαι I-can θεραπεῦσαι to-heal τὴν the νόσον disease ταύτην this
37.17a εἰ (ei) if δύνασαι (dy-na-sai) you-can νηστεύειν (nēs-teu-ein) to-fast τρεῖς (treis) three ἡμέρας (hē-me-ras) days ἡ (hē) the ὑγίεια (hy-gi-ei-a) health ἐπιστρέψει (e-pi-strep-sei) will-return
37.17b εἰ if δύνασαι you-can νηστεύειν to-fast τρεῖς three ἡμέρας days ἡ the ὑγίεια health ἐπιστρέψει will-return
37.18a ὁ (ho) the ἄρρωστος (ar-rōs-tos) sick-man οὐκ (ouk) not ἐδύνατο (e-dy-na-to) he-could καταπιεῖν (ka-ta-pi-ein) to-swallow τὸ (to) the φάρμακον (phar-ma-kon) medicine
37.18b ὁ the ἄρρωστος sick-man οὐκ not ἐδύνατο he-could καταπιεῖν to-swallow τὸ the φάρμακον medicine
37.19a δύνανται (dy-nan-tai) they-can τὰ (ta) the βότανα (bo-ta-na) herbs ταῦτα (tau-ta) these παῦσαι (pau-sai) to-stop τὸν (ton) the πόνον (po-non) pain
37.19b δύνανται they-can τὰ the βότανα herbs ταῦτα these παῦσαι to-stop τὸν the πόνον pain
37.20a πῶς (pōs) how δυνήσομαι (dy-nē-so-mai) I-will-be-able γνῶναι (gnō-nai) to-know εἰ (ei) if ὑγιαίνω (hy-gi-ai-nō) I-am-healthy
37.20b πῶς how δυνήσομαι I-will-be-able γνῶναι to-know εἰ if ὑγιαίνω I-am-healthy
37.21a μόνος (mo-nos) only ὁ (ho) the ἔμπειρος (em-pei-ros) experienced ἰατρὸς (i-a-tros) physician δύναται (dy-na-tai) he-can διαγνῶναι (di-a-gnō-nai) to-diagnose τοῦτο (tou-to) this
37.21b μόνος only ὁ the ἔμπειρος experienced ἰατρὸς physician δύναται he-can διαγνῶναι to-diagnose τοῦτο this
37.22a οἱ (hoi) the πρεσβύτεροι (pres-by-te-roi) elderly οὐ (ou) not δύνανται (dy-nan-tai) they-can ἀνέχεσθαι (a-ne-khes-thai) to-endure τὸ (to) the ψῦχος (psy-khos) cold
37.22b οἱ the πρεσβύτεροι elderly οὐ not δύνανται they-can ἀνέχεσθαι to-endure τὸ the ψῦχος cold
37.23a δύναται (dy-na-tai) it-can τὸ (to) the ὕδωρ (hy-dōr) water τοῦτο (tou-to) this ποιῆσαι (poi-ē-sai) to-make σε (se) you ἀσθενῆ (as-the-nē) weak
37.23b δύναται it-can τὸ the ὕδωρ water τοῦτο this ποιῆσαι to-make σε you ἀσθενῆ weak
37.24a ἐὰν (e-an) if μὴ (mē) not δύνῃ (dy-nē) you-can κοιμᾶσθαι (koi-mas-thai) to-sleep ἔρχου (er-khou) come πρός (pros) to με (me) me
37.24b ἐὰν if μὴ not δύνῃ you-can κοιμᾶσθαι to-sleep ἔρχου come πρός to με me
37.25a τὰ (ta) the παιδία (pai-di-a) children δύνανται (dy-nan-tai) they-can ταχέως (ta-khe-ōs) quickly ἀναλαβεῖν (a-na-la-bein) to-recover ἐκ (ek) from τῆς (tēs) the νόσου (no-sou) disease
37.25b τὰ the παιδία children δύνανται they-can ταχέως quickly ἀναλαβεῖν to-recover ἐκ from τῆς the νόσου disease
37.26a οὐδεὶς (ou-deis) no-one δύναται (dy-na-tai) he-can ζῆν (zēn) to-live χωρὶς (khō-ris) without ἀέρος (a-e-ros) air πολὺν (po-lyn) much χρόνον (khro-non) time
37.26b οὐδεὶς no-one δύναται he-can ζῆν to-live χωρὶς without ἀέρος air πολὺν much χρόνον time
37.27a δυνάμεθα (dy-na-me-tha) we-can μανθάνειν (man-tha-nein) to-learn περὶ (pe-ri) about τοῦ (tou) the σώματος (sō-ma-tos) body διὰ (di-a) through τῆς (tēs) the ἀνατομῆς (a-na-to-mēs) dissection
37.27b δυνάμεθα we-can μανθάνειν to-learn περὶ about τοῦ the σώματος body διὰ through τῆς the ἀνατομῆς dissection
37.28a τίς (tis) who δύναται (dy-na-tai) he-can εἰπεῖν (ei-pein) to-say πότε (po-te) when ἡ (hē) the ψυχὴ (psy-khē) soul ἀπέρχεται (a-per-khe-tai) departs
37.28b τίς who δύναται he-can εἰπεῖν to-say πότε when ἡ the ψυχὴ soul ἀπέρχεται departs
37.29a εἰ (ei) if δύνασαι (dy-na-sai) you-can πίνειν (pi-nein) to-drink τὸ (to) the φάρμακον (phar-ma-kon) medicine τρὶς (tris) thrice τῆς (tēs) the ἡμέρας (hē-me-ras) day θεραπευθήσῃ (the-ra-peu-thē-sē) you-will-be-healed
37.29b εἰ if δύνασαι you-can πίνειν to-drink τὸ the φάρμακον medicine τρὶς thrice τῆς the ἡμέρας day θεραπευθήσῃ you-will-be-healed
37.30a ἡ (hē) the φύσις (phy-sis) nature δύναται (dy-na-tai) she-can πολλάκις (pol-la-kis) often θεραπεῦσαι (the-ra-peu-sai) to-heal ἄνευ (a-neu) without ἰατροῦ (i-a-trou) physician
37.30b ἡ the φύσις nature δύναται she-can πολλάκις often θεραπεῦσαι to-heal ἄνευ without ἰατροῦ physician
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37.16 ὁ ἰατρὸς λέγει ὅτι οὐ δύναμαι θεραπεῦσαι τὴν νόσον ταύτην. The physician says that I cannot heal this disease.
37.17 εἰ δύνασαι νηστεύειν τρεῖς ἡμέρας, ἡ ὑγίεια ἐπιστρέψει. If you can fast three days, health will return.
37.18 ὁ ἄρρωστος οὐκ ἐδύνατο καταπιεῖν τὸ φάρμακον. The sick man could not swallow the medicine.
37.19 δύνανται τὰ βότανα ταῦτα παῦσαι τὸν πόνον; Can these herbs stop the pain?
37.20 πῶς δυνήσομαι γνῶναι εἰ ὑγιαίνω; How will I be able to know if I am healthy?
37.21 μόνος ὁ ἔμπειρος ἰατρὸς δύναται διαγνῶναι τοῦτο. Only the experienced physician can diagnose this.
37.22 οἱ πρεσβύτεροι οὐ δύνανται ἀνέχεσθαι τὸ ψῦχος. The elderly cannot endure the cold.
37.23 δύναται τὸ ὕδωρ τοῦτο ποιῆσαί σε ἀσθενῆ. This water can make you weak.
37.24 ἐὰν μὴ δύνῃ κοιμᾶσθαι, ἔρχου πρός με. If you cannot sleep, come to me.
37.25 τὰ παιδία δύνανται ταχέως ἀναλαβεῖν ἐκ τῆς νόσου. Children can quickly recover from disease.
37.26 οὐδεὶς δύναται ζῆν χωρὶς ἀέρος πολὺν χρόνον. No one can live without air for a long time.
37.27 δυνάμεθα μανθάνειν περὶ τοῦ σώματος διὰ τῆς ἀνατομῆς. We can learn about the body through dissection.
37.28 τίς δύναται εἰπεῖν πότε ἡ ψυχὴ ἀπέρχεται; Who can say when the soul departs?
37.29 εἰ δύνασαι πίνειν τὸ φάρμακον τρὶς τῆς ἡμέρας, θεραπευθήσῃ. If you can drink the medicine thrice daily, you will be healed.
37.30 ἡ φύσις δύναται πολλάκις θεραπεῦσαι ἄνευ ἰατροῦ. Nature can often heal without a physician.
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37.16 ὁ ἰατρὸς λέγει ὅτι οὐ δύναμαι θεραπεῦσαι τὴν νόσον ταύτην.
37.17 εἰ δύνασαι νηστεύειν τρεῖς ἡμέρας, ἡ ὑγίεια ἐπιστρέψει.
37.18 ὁ ἄρρωστος οὐκ ἐδύνατο καταπιεῖν τὸ φάρμακον.
37.19 δύνανται τὰ βότανα ταῦτα παῦσαι τὸν πόνον;
37.20 πῶς δυνήσομαι γνῶναι εἰ ὑγιαίνω;
37.21 μόνος ὁ ἔμπειρος ἰατρὸς δύναται διαγνῶναι τοῦτο.
37.22 οἱ πρεσβύτεροι οὐ δύνανται ἀνέχεσθαι τὸ ψῦχος.
37.23 δύναται τὸ ὕδωρ τοῦτο ποιῆσαί σε ἀσθενῆ.
37.24 ἐὰν μὴ δύνῃ κοιμᾶσθαι, ἔρχου πρός με.
37.25 τὰ παιδία δύνανται ταχέως ἀναλαβεῖν ἐκ τῆς νόσου.
37.26 οὐδεὶς δύναται ζῆν χωρὶς ἀέρος πολὺν χρόνον.
37.27 δυνάμεθα μανθάνειν περὶ τοῦ σώματος διὰ τῆς ἀνατομῆς.
37.28 τίς δύναται εἰπεῖν πότε ἡ ψυχὴ ἀπέρχεται;
37.29 εἰ δύνασαι πίνειν τὸ φάρμακον τρὶς τῆς ἡμέρας, θεραπευθήσῃ.
37.30 ἡ φύσις δύναται πολλάκις θεραπεῦσαι ἄνευ ἰατροῦ.
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Medical Greek uses δύναμαι in specific ways that reflect ancient medical theory and practice:
1. Diagnostic Contexts Medical writers use δύναμαι to describe what symptoms can indicate: "τὰ σημεῖα ταῦτα δύναται δηλοῦν..." (these signs can indicate...). The verb expresses medical possibility rather than certainty.
2. Therapeutic Ability Physicians discuss what treatments can accomplish using δύναμαι + therapeutic infinitive: -
θεραπεῦσαι (to heal) -
παῦσαι (to stop/relieve) -
ὠφελῆσαι (to benefit)
3. Patient Capacity Medical texts assess what patients can or cannot do: -
Physical abilities: περιπατεῖν (walk), καταπιεῖν (swallow) -
Tolerances: ἀνέχεσθαι (endure), ὑπομένειν (withstand)
4. Natural Philosophy Hippocratic writers discuss what nature (φύσις) can do versus what art (τέχνη) can accomplish. This philosophical dimension uses δύναμαι to explore the limits of medical intervention.
Common Medical Constructions: -
εἰ δύνασαι + infinitive = conditional instructions -
οὐ δύναται + subject = expressing medical impossibility -
μόνος/μόνον...δύναται = only X can (expressing exclusive ability)
Vocabulary Note: Medical Greek often pairs δύναμαι with specialized medical infinitives that English speakers might not recognize from classical texts. These technical terms require careful attention.
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