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You can usually handle a noun in the dative case simply by inserting the words to, in or with in the
English translation right before the noun itself. However, you may want a more precise understanding of the author's
idea. In that case, follow the steps below to discover the most likely possibilities.
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Step Two:
1. Dative of Indirect Object
The noun tells
"to whom" or "for whom" an action is performed.
Example: They gave him the money (another way to say "They gave the money to him.")
Example: And
they brought little children to him (Mark 10:13)
2. Dative of Advantage
The dative noun tells who receives the advantage (or disadvantage) of the action.
It might be paraphrased "for the benefit of [dative noun]."
Example: If we are beside ourselves, it is for God (2 Corinthians 5:13).
3. Dative of Possession
The dative noun describes the owner of something, the one to whom something
belongs.
Example: And there was
not to them a child [literally] (Luke 1:7). A smoother rendering would be "And they had no child."
4. Dative of Direct Object
Certain Greek verbs always
demand a direct object in the dative case, rather than the accusative case you would normally expect.
In
grammar books using an 8-case system for describing nouns, the next few meanings are called "Locative," because
they show where something is located.
5. Dative (Locative) of Place
It shows the location where something is found.
Example: He stayed at Caesarea.
Example: The disciples came in the boat (John 21:8).
6. Dative (Locative) of Time
It tells the point of time when something happened, almost like pointing to a particular date on the calendar.
Example: On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee (John 2:1)
7. Dative (Locative)
of Sphere
This specifies the sphere of thought which is being discussed,
the logical limits of the statement.
Example:
Blessed are the poor in spirit (Matthew 5:1) -- They are poor in the area of spirit, not necessarily in terms of finances
or other types of poverty.
Example: You
have become slow in hearing (Hebrews 5:11) -- They may not have been slow physically or mentally, but they are
sluggish in this particular area.
In the 8-case system, the following usages are described as instrumental,
because they show the instrument used to accomplish something.
8. Dative (Instrumental) of Means
The dative noun is used to specify the tool or instrument (seldom a person)
used to do something.
Example: He cast
out the spirits with a word (Matthew 8:16).
9. Dative (Instrumental) of Manner
The dative noun shows the manner in which something is done.
Example: In every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is being preached (Philippians 1:18)
10. Dative (Instrumental) of Association
This is a less
precise usage; it simply shows that something is placed in association with the dative noun.
You might paraphrase the idea as "in company with [dative noun]."
Example: A certain youth followed with him (Mark 14:51).
Example: The men who were traveling with him stood speechless (Acts 9:7).
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