reflexive pronoun

A reflexive action is any action we do to ourselves.  A reflexive pronoun is a pronoun whose antecedent is the subject of the sentence.  Note: not the same as an intensive.  In these sentences:

I see him.             “She sees you.

the DOs are not the same person as the subjects, and regular pronouns are used.  However, when the subject is the same as the DO, then the reflexive pronoun is used:

I see myself.              She sees herself.

Because of this, there is never a reflexive pronoun in the nominative case.

The following forms are found in the New Testament:

  • ἐμαυτόν – myself
  • σεαυτόν – yourself
  • ἑαυτόν – himself
  • ἑαυτήν (αὑτήν) herself
  • ἑαυτό – itself
  • ἑαυτού – ourselves, yourselves, themselves

“The first and second person reflexive pronouns have only singular forms. The plural forms of the third person ἑαυτοῦ also function as plurals for the first and second person. Context must determine if first and second person is intended. Decker, Reading Koine Greek, 179.  See Moulton’s comment on this as well.

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