Weeks 3–4: First and Second Declension Endings

Introduction

Now that you understand the five cases (nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, and vocative), the next step is to learn how those cases are expressed through declensions. A declension is simply a pattern of endings that nouns (and adjectives) follow.

Greek has three main declensions. In this course, we will begin with the first and second declensions—the most common and straightforward. By mastering these endings, you’ll gain the ability to recognize hundreds of words in the New Testament.

Step 1: The First Declension

The first declension is primarily feminine nouns (though a few are masculine).

Example: γραφή (graphē, “Scripture”).

Here’s the paradigm:

Feminine Singular (using γραφή)

• Nominative: γραφή (graphē) – subject → “Scripture”

• Genitive: γραφῆς (graphēs) – “of Scripture”

• Dative: γραφῇ (graphēi) – “to/for Scripture”

• Accusative: γραφήν (graphēn) – direct object → “Scripture”

• Vocative: γραφή (graphē) – “O Scripture”

Feminine Plural (using γραφαί)

• Nominative: γραφαί (graphai) – “Scriptures”

• Genitive: γραφῶν (graphōn) – “of Scriptures”

• Dative: γραφαῖς (graphais) – “to/for Scriptures”

• Accusative: γραφάς (graphas) – “Scriptures” (direct object)

• Vocative: γραφαί (graphai) – “O Scriptures”

👉 Notice the characteristic endings:

• -ης / -αι forms are strong markers of first declension.

Step 2: The Second Declension

The second declension is primarily masculine and neuter nouns.

Masculine Example: λόγος (logos, “word”).

Singular

• Nominative: λόγος (logos) – subject → “word”

• Genitive: λόγου (logou) – “of the word”

• Dative: λόγῳ (logōi) – “to/for the word”

• Accusative: λόγον (logon) – “word” (direct object)

• Vocative: λόγε (loge) – “O word”

Plural

• Nominative: λόγοι (logoi) – “words”

• Genitive: λόγων (logōn) – “of words”

• Dative: λόγοις (logois) – “to/for words”

• Accusative: λόγους (logous) – “words” (direct object)

• Vocative: λόγοι (logoi) – “O words”

Neuter Example: δῶρον (dōron, “gift”).

Singular

• Nominative: δῶρον (dōron) – “gift”

• Genitive: δώρου (dōrou) – “of a gift”

• Dative: δώρῳ (dōrōi) – “to/for a gift”

• Accusative: δῶρον (dōron) – “gift” (same as nominative!)

• Vocative: δῶρον (dōron) – “O gift”

Plural

• Nominative: δῶρα (dōra) – “gifts”

• Genitive: δώρων (dōrōn) – “of gifts”

• Dative: δώροις (dōrois) – “to/for gifts”

• Accusative: δῶρα (dōra) – “gifts” (same as nominative)

• Vocative: δῶρα (dōra) – “O gifts”

👉 Neuter nouns follow a simple rule: Nominative, Accusative, and Vocative are always identical.

Step 3: Why This Matters

If you learn these endings, you can:

• Instantly identify case and number.

• Distinguish between subject and object.

• Understand possession and indirect objects.

• Read New Testament sentences with much greater accuracy.

Example from John 1:1

• Ἐν ἀρχῇ ἦν ὁ λόγος (En archē ēn ho logos) → “In the beginning was the Word.”

  • ἀρχῇ = dative singular (“in the beginning”).

  • λόγος = nominative singular (subject: “the Word”).

Practice Assignments

1. Paradigm Writing

• Write out the full paradigms for:

  • γραφή (graphē) – feminine first declension

  • λόγος (logos) – masculine second declension

  • δῶρον (dōron) – neuter second declension

2. Case Identification
Identify case, number, and meaning for each bolded noun:

1. βλέπω λόγον.

2. αἱ γραφαί ἀληθείαι εἰσίν.

3. δίδωσιν τὸ δῶρον τῷ παιδίῳ.

4. ὁ λόγος τοῦ θεοῦ μένει εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα.

3. Translation Practice
Translate:

1. οἱ μαθηταὶ βλέπουσιν τὸν κύριον.

2. δίδωσιν δῶρα τοῖς ἀνθρώποις.

3. αἱ γραφαὶ τοῦ θεοῦ εἰσίν ἀληθεῖς.

4. Daily Practice

• Recite the endings of first and second declensions aloud until you can recall them without looking.

• Spend 10–15 minutes per day reviewing nouns in the Scripturial App and trying to identify their cases.

Encouragement

Declension charts may look intimidating, but remember: they are patterns. Once you learn the endings, you will be able to apply them to thousands of words in the New Testament.

Think of it like learning multiplication tables—slow at first, but once mastered, they unlock a whole new level of understanding. Stick with it, keep practicing daily, and you’ll soon see that these forms become second nature.

You are building the core skills of a true scholar of Scripture.