Analyzing the Greek-English Lexicons of the New Testament

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Analyzing the Greek-English Lexicons of the New
Testament

• BAG / BAGD / BDAG , Louw Nida , Abbott-Smith ,
  Liddell Scott
• by
• Wayne Slusser October, 2002
• NT-2, Seminar in Greek Studies

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What is a Greek-English Lexicon of the New
Testament?

• A volume of reference work that assists the
  student of the New Testament in obtaining an
  English definition and/or translation gloss, (one
  word equivalents in the target language that
  suggest how the particular Greek word might be
  translated.)
• It also provides other valuable information

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Information in a Greek-English Lexicon

• The Volume
• Foreword and/or introduction
• Bibliographic info.
• Abbreviation lists
• 100s to 1000s of entries of words
• Possible indices

• The Entry
• The word
• Part of speech
• Definition or English gloss
• Passage(s) where it is found
• Early Christian literature info.
• Modern author info.

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A Greek-English Lexicon compiled by Henry G.
Liddell Robert Scott

• Revised by Henry Stuart Jones and Roderick
  McKenzie.
• Oxford Clarendon Press, 1968

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1.) History and Development

• The Lexicon of Passow 1819, was the basis for the
  LS lexicon.
• Special studies of Early Epic Poetry, Ionic Prose
  of Herodotus and Hippocrates, Attic dramatists,
  and Attic Prose writers
• There was a second third edition (1825, 1827).
• His fourth and final edition (1831) is what LS
  used to start their run of 8 editions.

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• LS went through 8 editions (1843-1897)
• Delegates of the Clarendon Press were invited to
  consider the revision of the Lexicon (1903).
• This was to incorporate newly discovered texts on
  stone and papyrus.
• H. Stuart Jones took over the revision in 1911.
  He acquired several scholars in different areas
  of study to aid in the revision.

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• Areas of specialized study ranged from Medicine
  to Astronomy Astrology.
• Also included were large tracts of literature
• Papyri fragments
• Literature proper
• Vocabulary of Epicurus
• Vocabulary of the later Platonists
• Post-classical Greek literature

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• Procedure of revision
• notes in margin (alterations and additions)
• editing for publication
• Etymological information should be reduced to a
  minimum
• Exclusion of both Patristic and Byzantine
  literature

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2.) Usage and Importance

• Wallaces comments
• It is a crucial tool to rid us of our 20th
  century presuppositions about the usage of words
  in the NT. The student ought to beware, however,
  that LS does not cover only classical Greek. It
  actually covers the Greek language from c. 900 B.
  C. to c. A. D. 600.
• quote taken from NT Lexicography notes
  Grace Theological Seminary, Spring 1983.

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Sample Entry Liddell and Scott
Occurs in supplement in back
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• Abbreviation lists are quite extensive
• 30 pages of minute type
• Authors and Works
• Epigraphical Publications
• Papyrological Publications
• Periodicals
• General list and signs
• Supplement Incorporated new material from
  inscriptions and Papyri (found after printing).

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A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament

• G. Abbott-Smith
• Edinburgh T. T. Clark, 1937

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1.) History and Development

• Moulton and Milligans aim was not to provide a
  lexicon of NT Greek. Rather, they offer a select
  vocabulary of NT words illustrated from papyri.
• This is when Abbott-Smith came on the scene.

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• There has arisen a need for the collection and
  arrangement of words in a convenient form.
• Also a systematic revision of the vocabulary of
  the NT in light of more research.
• Abbotts caution is the possibility of
  exaggerating the influence of the Septuagint.

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2.) Usage and Importance

• The work is not comprehensive, although is far
  more accurate than Thayer.
• The book is a quick reference and introduces
  features not included in Bauer.
• Frequent etymologies
• Usage in the LXX with underlying Hebrew word
• Citation of synonyms

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Sample Entry Abbott-Smith
Word / Entry
Definition
All occurrences in the NT are cited.
Not found in the LXX
Not found in Gr. Writers of classical period
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• Other abbreviations could include
• Books of Bible, OT NT
• Ancient writers
• Modern writers

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Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based
on Semantic Domains

• Johannes P. Louw
• and
• Eugene A. Nida
• editors
• New York United Bible Societies, 1988

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1.) History and Development

• The first lexicon of the New Testament dedicated
  to a thorough expression of modern linguistic
  theory.
• It focuses on the related meanings of different
  words with the goal of finding appropriate
  translational equivalents.

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• Procedures employed in the development of this
  lexicon
• Semantic Domains The editors have organized the
  lexical entries in semantic domains, not in
  alphabetical order.
• Definitions Each lexical entry includes a
  definition. Before Louw Nida, it was common
  practice to provide English translations
  (glosses) for words.
• Final editing The editors used cross referencing
  and indexing, as well as proofreading in order to
  ensure its accuracy.

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• Significant features
• (1) It is based on semantic domains
• The editors have organized the Greek vocabulary
  into a hierarchy by grouping words into classes
  or semantic domains. The basis for this grouping
  is the related meaning (semantic features) which
  each of the words share. see example next slide
• A group of words that share related meaning.

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Louw Nida Semantic Domain
Semantic domain number
Sub-domains
First sub-domain
Note The top portion of the table is from page
288 the bottom from page 289.
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• (2) Irregular forms are noted if these are in any
  way connected with meaning.
• (3) Each distinct meaning is clearly marked by a
  superscript letter of the alphabet.
• (4) Meanings are indicated by definitions and not
  simply by glosses.
• (5) Contains suggestions which may be relevant
  for translators.

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• Significant reasons
• (1) The inadequacy of most existing dictionaries.
• (2) Some dictionaries have an unsystematic manner
  in which meanings are treated.
• (3) The necessity of bringing together meanings
  that are closely related (range of meanings tend
  to overlap)

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2.) Usage and Importance

• Because of the hierarchical organization of the
  lexical entries, accessing information in Louw
  Nida involves a different strategy from other
  lexicons or wordbooks.
• The first volume contains the lexical entries,
  while the second contains indices. To access
  lexical information, the interpreter must begin
  with volume two to find the semantic sub-domain
  number. The editors have cross-referenced the
  semantic sub-domain number with volume one.

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• How to use the Louw Nida lexicon
• Accessing Lexical Information
• Step One Begin with the indices to access the
  sub-domain number (vol. 2).
• Step Two Use the sub-domain number to access the
  lexical entry and its information (vol. 1).

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• Step One Accessing the sub-domain number.
• There are three indices in volume (2).
• Greek Word Index This index contains all of the
  Greek words that occur in the New Testament.
• English Word Index This index lists all possible
  English words.
• Scripture Index All references listed inside the
  lexical entries occur in the Scripture index.

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• Greek Word Index
• Each entry may contain grammatical information,
  meaning(s), and idiom(s).
• For example, some words like qeo/pneustoj
  (inspired by God) have one meaning. Other
  words, like qeo/j (God), have more than one
  meaning or idiom. It is necessary, therefore, for
  the interpreter to decide which meaning or idiom
  best corresponds with the passage under
  consideration.

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• Cautions with the Greek-word index
• It is a mistake when dealing with the meanings of
  Greek words to assume some kind of one-to-one
  correspondence in meaning in English.
• sa/rc has the following index
• flesh body people human nation human nature
  physical nature life
• These glosses should not be understood as
  definitions, they are only clues to various areas
  of meaning

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• Each meaning/idiom is associated with a
  sub-domain number. For example, the word qeo/j
  can mean God, referring to the true God, or
  god, referring to a false god. If the first
  meaning best corresponds with the passage under
  consideration, you will use the sub-domain number
  12.1 to access the lexical entry. However, if the
  second meaning best corresponds with the passage,
  you will use 12.22. see example next slide

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Louw Nida Greek Word Index
Number to be used later
Sub-domain number
Meanings of qeo/j
Idioms Units with the term qeo/j
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• English Word Index
• The English Word Index is different from the
  Greek Word Index. First, not all possible English
  words are listed. In addition, the editors may
  assign more than one sub-domain number to a given
  English word. Under such a circumstance, it is
  difficult to know which number is appropriate for
  the passage under consideration.

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• Because of these differences, it is best for one
  to use the Greek Word Index. It is possible,
  nonetheless, to use the English Word Index.
• Each entry contains an English word with its
  sub-domain number(s). Some words contain a single
  sub-domain number. Others have two or more. The
  index does not provide sufficient information for
  you to discriminate between sub-domains. It is
  necessary, therefore, for the interpreter to
  consult each sub-domain.

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• English words that are semantically related are
  listed as part of the same entry. For example,
  both insolent and insolence are in the same
  entry.
• see example next slide

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Louw Nida English Word Index
Sub-domain Number(s)
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• Scripture Index
• The Scripture Index is also different from the
  Greek Word Index. First, not all possible
  Scripture references are listed. In addition, the
  editors may assign more than one sub-domain
  number to a given reference. Under such a
  circumstance, it is difficult to know which word
  is referenced in the entry.
• Because of these differences, it is best for one
  to use the Scripture Index along with the Greek
  Word Index.

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• Each entry contains one or more sub-domain
  number(s). The editors have not listed specific
  words with the sub-domain numbers.
• At the same time, you should assume that any
  reference listed in the Index contains
  information that will facilitate your
  interpretation of that passage. It is
  recommended, therefore, that you consult all
  sub-domain numbers.
• see example next slide

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Louw Nida Scripture Index
References are from 2 Timothy.
Sub-domain number(s)
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• Step Two Using the sub-domain number.
• Linking volumes 2 and 1 The sub-domain numbers
  link volumes 2 and 1. Once you have identified
  the sub-domain number from the indices (vol. 2),
  you will use that number to access the lexical
  entry in volume 1. The editors have organized the
  lexical entries in numerical order, beginning
  with sub-domain 1.1.
• see example next slide

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Louw Nida Linking volumes 2 1
Step 2 Access lexical entry 33.261 in volume 1.
Step 1 Look up qeo/pneustoj in the Greek Word
Index. Identify corresponding semantic domain
number.
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• Content of lexical entry Each entry contains
  (1) grammatical information, (2) a definition,
  and (3) a discussion of specific passages. The
  entry may also include a discussion concerning
  how one might translate the word into a
  non-Indo-European language.
• see example next slide

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Louw Nida Lexical Entry
Grammatical Information
Definition
2 Timothy 316
Translation in non-Indo-European language
Note The lexical entry qeo/pneustoj (33.261) is
part of semantic sub-domain ltTgt.
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3.) The Value

• Very instructive for all students of the Bible
  because it delineates subtle differences between
  words related in meaning. . . The various
  features of definitions and illustrative
  translations counter the tendency to seek a
  one-to-one correspondence between words of
  different languages.
• 
  Gignac, Francis T., Catholic Biblical Quarterly
  53.2 (April 1991) 334-35.

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A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and
Other Early Christian Literature BAG

• From Walter Bauers
• fourth revised and augmented edition, 1952
• by
• William F. Arndt F. Wilbur Gingrich
• Chicago U. of Chicago Press, 1957.

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1.) History and Development

• Prior to Bauers work, Joseph H. Thayers
  Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, was
  considered the front runner in NT lexicography
  (1889).
• Thayers work was an excellent service to
  scholars of the NT. However, it was misfortunate
  to have come out just before the papyrus
  discoveries of 1890 and beyond.

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• The first dictionary to appear after the
  epoch-making discoveries of the papyri was Erwin
  Preuschens
• Greek-German lexicon of 1910.
• Upon his death in 1920, the revision of his
  lexicon became Walter Bauers privilege.
• When the revision appeared in 1928, it was
  described as the best in its field! Another rev.
  in 1937 also appeared, this time with Bauers
  name alone on the title-page.

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• Bauer completed a fourth edition in 1952. It was
  this edition that we are fortunate to have in
  English today.
• Bauer accomplished a systematic search in Greek
  literature down to Byzantine times for parallels
  to the language of the NT.
• F. Wilbur Gingrich comes on the scene to persuade
  the U. of Chicago Press to translate the German
  work to English.

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• A substantial amount of money came from the
  Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod to begin the
  project.
• The manuscript, about 24 thousand hand written
  slips of paper, was finally finished in January
  of 1955. Published in 1957.
• The title page included Bauers name because of
  his incredible contribution.

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2.) Usage and Importance

• Improvements and additions to the Bauers 4th
  edition took place.
• Inclusion of words not found in Bauer, fragments
  of Papias.
• Notations and references to M-M (Moulton
  Milligan) and B (CD Bucks Dict. Of Synonyms in
  the Indo-European Lang.).
• References to scholarly periodical literature
  have been brought up to the latter part of 1954.

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Sample Entry BAG
Writers of antiquity. Plutarch (I-II AD)
Word entry
Referenced in Moulton and Milligan
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• Other Abbreviations could include
• NT, the Apostolic Fathers, other Early Christian
  Lit.
• OT and Apocrypha
• Published collections of inscriptions and Papyri
• Periodicals, Collections, Modern authors, and
  literature

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3.) The Value

• Bauer, in both German and English dress,
  unquestionably presents the pastor and the
  student with the very latest, most comprehensive,
  and undeniably efficient aid to New Testament
  Bible study. . . The standard lexicon of its
  time.
• quote taken from Wallaces NT
  Lexicography notes Grace Theological
  Seminary, Spring 1983.

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A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and
Other Early Christian Literature BAGD

• A translation and adaptation of the
• fourth rev. and aug. edition, 1952
• 2nd edition by
• F. Wilbur Gingrich and Frederick W. Danker
• Chicago U. of Chicago Press, 1979.

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1.) History and Development

• William Danker was asked to serve as co-editor
  with Gingrich in this revision.
• Danker was a former student of Arndt.
• The primary purpose of this 2nd edition was to
  not lose touch with modern developments.

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2.) Usage and Importance/Value

• Many errors were corrected.
• 20 more information than BAG. (words never
  before entered in any NT lexicon, other parsed
  forms, ref. to new Papyri and Qumran documents,
  ref. to secondary literature, and more extensive
  bibliographic data.)

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• Many words also have undergone significant
  revisions.
• Additional ref. to classical and early Christian
  literature.
• Improved typography made this edition a more
  handy tool than the previous one.
• Quote taken from Blomqvist, Jerker. Journal
  of Biblical Literature 120.4 (Winter 2001)
  780-84.

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A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and
Other Early Christian Literature BDAG

• Revised and Edited by
• Frederick W. Danker. 3rd ed.
• Chicago U. of Chicago Press, 2000.

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1.) History and Development

• The 2nd edition, BAGD, was based on Bauers 5th
  ed. The 6th edition of the Worterbuch was edited
  by the Alands and Viktor Reichmann.
• This 3rd ed. builds on the preceding English
  editions, the 6th German edition, and Dankers
  own work.
• Information taken from paper written by
  Rodney J. Decker, Th.D., Prof. _at_ Baptist
  Bible Seminary, Fall 2001.

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2.) Usage and Importance

• 2 excellent changes for this new edition
• (a) The inclusion of actual definitions rather
  than English glosses.
• (b) The improvement of typography.

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• These extended definitions were a lot of extra
  work, but well worth it. This is an important
  improvement and the hope is that other authors of
  Greek lexicons will do the same.
• Another change is the increase in non-NT
  citations, and the abbreviations list has been
  reworked.
• The bibliographic info. has been updated.

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Sample Entry BDAG
Majority of what is new in this 3rd. edition,
quite significant!
Periodicals, Collections, and Modern Authors
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• Other abbreviations include
• NT, Apostolic Fathers, Selected Apocrypha
• OT and Intertestamental/Pseudepigraphical
  Literature
• Inscriptions
• Papyri/Parchments and Ostraca
• Writers and Writings of Antiquity
• Periodicals, Collections, Modern authors

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3.) The Value

• This 1-volume work is the standard New Testament
  lexicon. The editors organize the Greek words in
  alphabetical order.
• Each entry in BDAG includes (1) references from
  extra-biblical Greek literature, (2) definition
  of the Greek word, (3) discussion and translation
  of specific examples in the New Testament, and
  (4) bibliography.

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Concluding Thoughts

• 1.) Lexicon work is never over. The process
  continues and we must be aware of this.
• 2.) Our work is never over. This presentation
  proves that we are indebted to these men. Let us
  make our contributions.
• 3.) Gods work is never over. The continuation of
  the study of His word is a must. Let us not
  become lazy!

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Bibliographic Information
Abbott-Smith, G. A Manual Greek Lexicon of the
New Testament. Edinburgh T. T. Clark, 1937.
v-ix Bauer, Walter. A Greek-English Lexicon
of the New Testament and Other Early Christian
Literature. by William F. Arndt and F. Wilbur
Gingrich. Chicago U. of Chicago Press, 1957.
v-viii Bauer, Walter. A Greek-English Lexicon
of the New Testament and Other Early Christian
Literature. 2nd. ed. Revised and augmented by
F. Wilbur Gingrich and Frederick W.
Danker. Chicago U. of Chicago Press, 1979.
ix-xxviii Bauer, Walter. A Greek-English
Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early
Christian Literature. 3rd. ed. Revised and
edited by Frederick W. Danker. Chicago U. of
Chicago Press, 2000. v-xi
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Bibliographic Information, cont.
Blomqvist, Jerker. Book review of BDAG, Journal
of Biblical Literature 120.4 (Winter 2001)
780-84. Danker, Frederick W. Multipurpose Tools
for Bible Study. Revised Expanded edition,
Minneapolis Fortress Press, 1993. Decker,
Rodney J. Paper on BDAG, Baptist Bible Seminary,
Fall 2001. Gignac, Francis T. Book review of
Louw Nida, Catholic Biblical Quarterly 53.2
(April 1991) 334-35. Liddell, Henry George,
and Scott, Robert. A Greek-English Lexicon.
Revised by Henry Stuart Jones and Roderick
McKenzie. Oxford Clarendon Press, 1968.
iii-xiv Louw, Johannes P. and Nida, Eugene A.
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament
Based on Semantic Domains. 2nd. ed. New York
United Bible Societies, 1988. vi-xx Wallace,
Daniel B. Class notes from New Testament
Lexicography class, Grace Theological Seminary,
Spring 1983.