IMPERATIVES

The imperative is a mood of verb which gives an order. E.g. ‘Stop!’

Present Imperative:

ACTIVE:

Singular = παῦε (Stop!)

Plural = παύετε (Stop!)

Notice, the plural imperative is identical to the present active 2nd pl - the context will help differentiate.

Imperatives are often accompanied by ὠ (O…) and a noun in the vocative case.

• E.g. φευγε, ὠ δουλε = Run away, slaves.

MIDDLE/PASSIVE:

Singular = παύου (Cease!)

Plural = παύεσθε (Cease!)

First (Weak) Aorist Imperative:

ACTIVE:

Singular = παῦσον (Stop!)

Plural = παύσατε (Stop!)

Once again, notice how the plural form is the same as the Aorist active indicative 2nd pl form - with the augment removed. This is the same for the middle form and also the Second Aorist Imperative plurals!

MIDDLE:

Singular = παῦσαι (Cease!)

Plural = παύσασθε (Cease!)

Second (Strong) Aorist Imperative:

ACTIVE:

Singular = λαβέ (Take!)

Plural = λάβετε (Take!)

As expected, the second aorist imperative is formed with the second aorist stem and the present imperative endings - since the endings are the same, it is important to recognise the stem change.

MIDDLE:

Singular = λαβοῦ (Take for yourself!)

Plural = λάβεσθε (Take for yourselves!)

NEGATIVE IMPERATIVES:

Whilst indicative verbs are made negative with forms of οὐ,

• Present imperatives are made negative with μή.

  • E.g. μή διώκετε τὸν δοῦλον = Don’t chase the slave!

• However, if the reference is to one occasion, we don’t use μή with the Aorist imperative but instead μή with the Aorist Subjunctive (Go to the grammar section on Prohibitions for more detail!)

  • E.g. μή λάβητε τὰ χρήματα = Don’t take the money!