Ch 11 · Lesson 15Latin · Chapter 11 · Lesson 15 · Grammar primer
Reading the Vulgate: Genesis 1:1-2
The easiest large body of real Latin there is, and why. In creavit , word by word: the endings do the work.
The short version
The Vulgate is the easiest real Latin there is
- and light was made
Why?Hide
Jerome wrote for ordinary people: short sentences, everyday vocabulary, relentless repetition. In creavit needs one glance at the endings and no dictionary. Start your real reading there, whatever you believe - the Renaissance humanists, measuring by Cicero, sniffed at the very plainness that makes it readable.
The Vulgate, Jerome's Latin Bible, is the easiest large body of real Latin there is: short sentences, few words, endless repetition, and a story you may already know. Here are Genesis 1:1-5 and John 1:1-5, word by word, with the grammar in colour.
| Form | In the text | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| perfect | creavit | God created: one act |
| imperfect | | the Word was: a state |
| - | Dixitque | and God said |
| subjunctive | . | let there be light |
| perfect passive | . | light was made |
| + subj. | | that it was good |
| case endings | creavit | the endings say who did what |
The text is the Clementine Vulgate (1592), the Church's standard edition and public domain; editions differ in small details (FAQ below). Printed editions write ; this page writes . Translations are deliberately literal.
Why the Vulgate is easy
Jerome revised the Latin gospels against the Greek around 383-4 and translated most of the Old Testament from the Hebrew by about 405. It was made to be read aloud to congregations, and it stays close to plain speech.
| What | Example |
|---|---|
| short sentences | . . |
| repetition | . (five times) |
| verb first | Dixitque . (and God said) |
| known story | you can guess the sense, so read for grammar |
The refrain comes back word for word at Genesis 1:10, 12, 18, 21 and 25. No textbook repeats anything that ruthlessly. And the verb so often comes first because the Hebrew narrative puts it first.
Genesis 1:1-2: the endings do the work
In
creavit.inanisvacua,abyssi:.In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. But the earth was formless and empty, and darkness was over the face of the deep, and the spirit of God was being carried over the waters. (Genesis 1:1-2)
| Latin | Case or form | Job |
|---|---|---|
| ablative after | in the beginning: when |
| nominative | the subject, after its verb |
| accusative | the objects |
| accusative after | over the face |
abyssi | genitive | of the deep |
| genitive | of God |
is uncoloured on purpose: it is neuter, and a neuter noun's accusative looks the same as its nominative, so only the sense makes it an object.
Four smaller points:
is postpositive. It means but and never stands first, so it sits second:Inanis vacuaagree with.Inanisis a third-declension adjective andvacuaa first-and-second, both feminine nominative: one phrase, both adjective families.is plural with a singular meaning, darkness. Latin hardly ever uses a singular for it, so the verb is plural:is imperfect passive: was being carried. English versions say moved or hovered, which hides the passive.
Two verses in, you have met four of the five declensions: (first), (second), (fourth) and (fifth).
Going further: Genesis 1:3: fiat lux and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.
Practice
Practise this lesson
10-question session
One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.
Latin · Free printables
Worksheets for this lesson
Worksheets with answer keys built in. Open any one to view, print or save.
Free for members
The printable worksheets, infographics and PDFs are free with an account. Start a free week and download as many as you like.
Start your free weekLesson 15 of 19 in this chapter