What does the Coptic jussive/optative do?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

In Coptic grammar, the jussive (often termed the optative in Sahidic grammars, such as Thomas Lambdin’s Introduction to Sahidic Coptic, or categorized under the imperative/volitive moods) is a non-indicative verbal conjugation used to express commands, exhortations, wishes, desires, or requests, primarily translated into English as:

• "Let (him/her/them) do..."
• "May (he/she/you) do..."
• "Shall / Must..."

While the direct imperative in Coptic exists only for the second person (singular and plural), the jussive/optative fills the role of an imperative across other grammatical persons—most notably the third person ("let him/them...") and the first-person plural ("let us...")—and is frequently used in prayers, liturgical invocations, wishes, and legal or moral decrees.

1. Primary Functions

1. Third-Person Commands/Decrees ("Let him / May he"): Because the standard imperative directly addresses a second-person listener ("Go!", "Listen!"), the jussive provides indirect commands or wishes addressed to or concerning a third party.

• Example: "May God have mercy" or "Let him hear."

1. First-Person Plural Exhortations ("Let us"): Used in place of or alongside the hortative forms to urge collective action among believers or liturgical respondents.

• Example: "Let us pray", "Let us give thanks."

1. Optative/Benedictions and Prayers ("May..."): In liturgical texts, Scripture, and daily prayers (such as the Agpeya), this form is standard for blessings, petitions, and doxological wishes directed toward God or invoking God's grace upon the faithful.

2. Form and Structure

The jussive/optative prefix is built around the morpheme -* (mare-*) in both Bohairic and Sahidic:

• Before a nominal subject:
• -** + [Noun] + [Infinitive]
• Example (Bohairic):
• mare Phnouti nai nan — "May God have mercy on us."
• Example (Lord’s Prayer):
• mareftouvoi'njen pekran — "Hallowed be Your name" (literally: "May Your name be made holy").
• maresi'njen tekmetouro — "Thy kingdom come" (literally: "May Your kingdom come").
• marefshōpi'njen petehnak — "Thy will be done" (literally: "May Your desire/will come to be").

• Before pronominal suffixes:
• First-person singular: -* (mari-) — "Let me..."*
• Second-person singular masculine: -* (marek-) — "May you (m.)..."*
• Second-person singular feminine: -* (mare-) — "May you (f.)..."*
• Third-person singular masculine: -* (maref-) — "Let him / May he..."*
• Third-person singular feminine: -* (mares-) — "Let her / May she..."*
• First-person plural: -* (maren-) — "Let us..." (e.g., maren'ouōsht — "Let us worship"*)
• Second-person plural: -* (mareten-) — "May you (pl.)..."*
• Third-person plural: -* (marou-) — "Let them / May they..."*

3. Negative Form: The Negative Jussive/Prohibitive

To express a negative wish, prohibition, or indirect negative command ("Let him not...", "May it not happen"), Coptic employs the negative jussive base:

• -* (mpertre-*) in Bohairic (combining the negative imperative auxiliary - with the causative infinitive -):
• mpertreſsōtem — "Let him not hear."
• In Sahidic, the prefix -* (tm-*) is used following the standard jussive base:
• mareftmsōtm — "May he not hear / Let him not hear."

The jussive/optative in Coptic is the grammatical vehicle for expressing volition, petitions, wishes, and non-second-person commands, forming the backbone of liturgical and biblical supplications.