BBG Chapter 3 — The Alphabet and Pronunciation

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Exercises

Basics of Biblical Greek Grammar, Mounce, 4th Edition

1. The Greek Alphabet (BBG §3.1–3.2)

The Greek alphabet has 24 letters. Greek uses its own script — you must memorize both uppercase and lowercase forms, since manuscripts and modern editions use both.

Note on sigma: Sigma has two lowercase forms. The standard form σ is used at the beginning or in the middle of a word. The final sigma ς is used only at the end of a word. Example: in σάρξ, the σ is initial; in σώζω, both positions are medial.

Note on gamma nasal: When γ appears before γ, κ, χ, or ξ, it is pronounced like the nasal "ng" in "sing." So ἄγγελος (angel) = "ang-ge-los," not "ag-ge-los."

2. Vowels and Consonants (BBG §3.3)

Vowels

Greek has seven vowel letters: α, ε, η, ι, ο, υ, ω.

Consonants Classified

Why this matters: Labials, velars, and dentals each behave predictably when they encounter certain suffixes (especially σ). These patterns recur constantly in verb and noun morphology.

3. Diphthongs (BBG §3.4)

A diphthong is a combination of two vowels pronounced as a single syllable. Greek has several.

Proper Diphthongs

Note: The diphthong ου is the most common in the NT. It appears constantly in verb and noun endings — "ου" as a standalone genitive singular ending, in pronouns (οὗ, οὗτος), and in the vocabulary (οὐ = "not").

Improper Diphthongs (Iota Subscript)

When a long vowel (α, η, ω) combines historically with an iota that became silent, the iota is written below the long vowel. This is called the iota subscript.

The iota subscript is not pronounced separately in Erasmian pronunciation, but it is historically significant and changes grammatical form. Always write it — omitting it changes the word.

4. Breathing Marks (BBG §3.5)

Every Greek word beginning with a vowel carries a breathing mark over the first vowel (or over the second vowel of an initial diphthong).

Examples:

Rules:
- Rho (ρ) at the beginning of a word always takes a rough breathing: ῥήμα → "rhēma."
- Initial diphthongs carry the breathing over the second vowel of the pair: αἴρω, εὐλογέω.
- Uppercase initial vowels carry the breathing mark to the left: Ἀβραάμ, Ἕλλην.

5. Accents: Introduction (BBG §3.6)

Greek words carry one of three accent marks. Full accent rules are covered in Ch4; for now, recognize the three types and know that accented syllables carry stress.

For now: Pronounce accented syllables with a slight stress. The systematic accent rules (BBG Ch4) govern which accent appears and where.

6. The Moveable Nu (BBG §3.7)

Certain Greek words optionally add ν at the end when the next word begins with a vowel. This prevents an awkward vowel-vowel clash between adjacent words.

• Its presence or absence never changes meaning.
• It appears most often on 3rd person singular verb endings and certain dative plural forms.
• The most common carrier you will see: ἐστίν ("he/she/it is") before a vowel; ἐστί before a consonant.

7. Writing Practice Guide

When learning the alphabet, follow this sequence for each letter:

1. Trace the letter shape — attend to direction of strokes
2. Write the lowercase form 5× without looking
3. Write the uppercase form 5× without looking
4. Write the letter's name aloud
5. Say the sound aloud as you write

Letters Most Often Confused by New Students