Re: THEORY: third-person imperatives

Padraic Brown wrote:
> I'm not entirely certain _why_ the subjunctive is used here (we are taught
> that the name _is_ holy, the plan _is_ in effect and the kingdom _is_ at
> hand); so I think it's basically up for argument and discussion what sort
> of forms these are.  Personally, I've always thought of them along the
> lines of a supplicatory "polite command", though not necessarily second
> person.
Basically.  In Lutheran theology, these are the "petitions", the Lord's
Prayer being broken up into seven petitions, plus the doxology (for
thine is the kingdom ...); it's parallel to "Give us this day our daily
bread", etc., except that the last four are second-person (you give us,
you forgive us, you lead us not, you deliver us), while the first three
are third-person (not *"hallow thy name", but "thy name be hallowed")
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