Memorizing Scripture in the original languages can aid in learning grammar because this practice forces us to think about every word. While memorizing Hebrews 9, I struggled to identify what noun the perfect passive participle περικεκαλυμμένην in Heb 9:4 might be modifying. I could not find an accusative feminine noun in the immediate context. The only noun was κιβωτὸν; surely an accusative masculine noun. But what about that definite article τὴν that precedes? It relates to περικεκαλυμμένην, but still, a noun was needed. When I looked up κιβωτός, I remembered that–just as some first declension nouns are masculine–some second declension nouns are feminine.
The rule is that first declension nouns are normally feminine and second declension are normally masculine and neuter. Students normally get this down after a few weeks of an elementary Greek course. But exceptions exist for both masculine and feminine words. A few first declension nouns (e.g., μαθητής, προφήτης) are masculine. These follow the first declension paradigm except in the genitive singular, where they take second declension endings. This is likely to avoid confusion with the genitive singular first declension form (see Mounce, BBG 4th Ed., p. 63, n. 18).
Even rarer are instances of a feminine second declension noun. These exceptions can prove troublesome in exegesis if students are not aware that a second declension noun can be feminine in gender. One such word is the second declension feminine noun κιβωτός. I have listed the New Testament examples below (exported from Logos Bible Software, 2:23 PM December 7, 2020). The instances of κιβωτός in Heb 9:4 and 1 Pet 3:20 are modified by attributive participles that rightly take first declension feminine endings. On the surface, these appear to be a mis-match with the second declension κιβωτός. But when it is remembered that κιβωτός is a feminine word, the gender match is identified.
This note reinforces the rule that attributive participles (and adjectives) modify nouns based on case, number, and gender, not necessarily declension. Here the definite article’s role of pointing rises to the surface as well. And memorizing the Greek text reinforces these rules of grammar.
Matt 24:38
NA28
ὡς γὰρ ἦσαν ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις [ἐκείναις] ταῖς πρὸ τοῦ κατακλυσμοῦ τρώγοντες καὶ πίνοντες, γαμοῦντες καὶ γαμίζοντες, ἄχρι ἧς ἡμέρας εἰσῆλθεν Νῶε εἰς τὴν κιβωτόν,
Christian Standard Bible
For in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah boarded the ark.
Luke 17:27
NA28
ἤσθιον, ἔπινον, ἐγάμουν, ἐγαμίζοντο, ἄχρι ἧς ἡμέρας εἰσῆλθεν Νῶε εἰς τὴν κιβωτὸν καὶ ἦλθεν ὁ κατακλυσμὸς καὶ ἀπώλεσεν πάντας.
Christian Standard Bible
People went on eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage until the day Noah boarded the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.
Heb 9:4
NA28
χρυσοῦν ἔχουσα θυμιατήριον καὶ τὴν κιβωτὸν τῆς διαθήκης περικεκαλυμμένην πάντοθεν χρυσίῳ, ἐν ᾗ στάμνος χρυσῆ ἔχουσα τὸ μάννα καὶ ἡ ῥάβδος Ἀαρὼν ἡ βλαστήσασα καὶ αἱ πλάκες τῆς διαθήκης,
Christian Standard Bible
It had the gold altar of incense and the ark of the covenant, covered with gold on all sides, in which was a gold jar containing the manna, Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant.
Heb 11:7
NA28
Πίστει χρηματισθεὶς Νῶε περὶ τῶν μηδέπω βλεπομένων, εὐλαβηθεὶς κατεσκεύασεν κιβωτὸν εἰς σωτηρίαν τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ διʼ ἧς κατέκρινεν τὸν κόσμον, καὶ τῆς κατὰ πίστιν δικαιοσύνης ἐγένετο κληρονόμος.
Christian Standard Bible
By faith Noah, after he was warned about what was not yet seen and motivated by godly fear, built an ark to deliver his family. By faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
1 Pet 3:20
NA28
ἀπειθήσασίν ποτε, ὅτε ἀπεξεδέχετο ἡ τοῦ θεοῦ μακροθυμία ἐν ἡμέραις Νῶε κατασκευαζομένης κιβωτοῦ εἰς ἣν ὀλίγοι, τοῦτʼ ἔστιν ὀκτὼ ψυχαί, διεσώθησαν διʼ ὕδατος
Christian Standard Bible
who in the past were disobedient, when God patiently waited in the days of Noah while the ark was being prepared. In it a few—that is, eight people—were saved through water.
Rev 11:19
NA28
καὶ ἠνοίγη ὁ ναὸς τοῦ θεοῦ ὁ ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ καὶ ὤφθη ἡ κιβωτὸς τῆς διαθήκης αὐτοῦ ἐν τῷ ναῷ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐγένοντο ἀστραπαὶ καὶ φωναὶ καὶ βρονταὶ καὶ σεισμὸς καὶ χάλαζα μεγάλη.
Christian Standard Bible
Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant appeared in his temple. There were flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder, an earthquake, and severe hail.