Word Studies. Word Studies: OT With so many linguistic helps available, why should anyone spend time learning to do Greek and Hebrew word studies? With

Word StudiesWord Studies

Word Studies: OTWord Studies: OT

With so many linguistic helps available, With so many linguistic helps available, why should anyone spend time learning why should anyone spend time learning to do Greek and Hebrew word studies?to do Greek and Hebrew word studies?

““Why can’t we just read up on this word Why can’t we just read up on this word in ‘Kittel’”? “Because Kittel (TDNT) does in ‘Kittel’”? “Because Kittel (TDNT) does not discuss this word.”not discuss this word.”

““I’m interested in people and they don’t I’m interested in people and they don’t care about Greek & Hebrew words.”care about Greek & Hebrew words.”

““That’s where you come in. It’s your That’s where you come in. It’s your responsibility to make the Bible come responsibility to make the Bible come alive, and word studies are one way of alive, and word studies are one way of doing this.”doing this.”


Hebrew Word StudiesHebrew Word Studies– EtymologyEtymology—tracing historically the —tracing historically the

origin and development of a word.origin and development of a word.– UsageUsage—analyzing the occurrences of —analyzing the occurrences of

the word in a given body of literature the word in a given body of literature (e.g., the OT) and seeking to lay bare (e.g., the OT) and seeking to lay bare the categories of meaning.the categories of meaning.

– VerificationVerification—checking findings against —checking findings against reference materials produced by reference materials produced by specialists in the field. (Verification is specialists in the field. (Verification is important even with the finest of important even with the finest of resources—e.g., resources—e.g., almahalmah..


Hebrew Word StudiesHebrew Word Studies In a Hebrew word study, is In a Hebrew word study, is

important to: important to: – Focus on the root form of the word.Focus on the root form of the word.– Then to consider the usage in the Then to consider the usage in the

Semitic family of languages of which Semitic family of languages of which Hebrew is a part.Hebrew is a part.

Broadly speaking, the Semitic family Broadly speaking, the Semitic family tree may be dived into East Semitic, tree may be dived into East Semitic, South Semitic and North Semitic.South Semitic and North Semitic.

Semitic Languages

Akkadian(Babylonian)

(Assyrian)

ArabicEthiopic

Canaanite (inc. Ugaritic)

SinaiticPhoenecian

Aramaic (Syriac)Hebrew

East Semitic

South Semitic

North Semitic


EtymologyEtymology– The etymology of a given word not only The etymology of a given word not only

considers the derivation and history of considers the derivation and history of that word but also its meaning in the that word but also its meaning in the cognate Semitic languages.cognate Semitic languages.

– To properly trace the historic To properly trace the historic development of a given Hebrew term, development of a given Hebrew term, you should have access to the Gesenius’ you should have access to the Gesenius’ Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old TestamentTestament, edited by F. Brown, S. R. , edited by F. Brown, S. R. Driver and C. A. Briggs, and…Driver and C. A. Briggs, and…


EtymologyEtymology– The The Lexicon in Veteris Testamenti Lexicon in Veteris Testamenti

libroslibros, by L. H. Koehler and W. , by L. H. Koehler and W. Baumgartner.Baumgartner.

– and, if possible, its revision, the and, if possible, its revision, the Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old TestamentOld Testament..


EtymologyEtymology Three other works are important:Three other works are important:

– Konkordanz zum hebraischen Alten Konkordanz zum hebraischen Alten TestamentTestament, by G. Lisowsky, by G. Lisowsky

– Veteris testamenti concordantiae Veteris testamenti concordantiae Habraicae atque ChaldaicaeHabraicae atque Chaldaicae, by S. , by S. MandelkernMandelkern

– Concordance to the Septuagint, Concordance to the Septuagint, by E. by E. Hatch and H. A. RedpathHatch and H. A. Redpath


EtymologyEtymology In a study of the word In a study of the word dabardabar (BDB, (BDB,

p. 180), you will see that the p. 180), you will see that the editors have gone to considerable editors have gone to considerable lengths to provide the equivalent lengths to provide the equivalent meaning of a given Hebrew word meaning of a given Hebrew word in related semitic languages.in related semitic languages.

Building on what they have Building on what they have supplied, you can write down their supplied, you can write down their dictionary definition of the word.dictionary definition of the word.

Word Studies: OTWord Studies: OT EtymologyEtymology This should then be compared with the This should then be compared with the

definition(s) given in Koehler and definition(s) given in Koehler and Baumgartner’s Baumgartner’s LexiconLexicon..

Differences of meaning should be noted Differences of meaning should be noted and reflection given as to the possible and reflection given as to the possible reasons for these changes.reasons for these changes.

In tracing the possible common origin of In tracing the possible common origin of a word, the lowest common a word, the lowest common denominator (or common idea behind denominator (or common idea behind the historic development and meaning) the historic development and meaning) of the word should be sought.of the word should be sought.


EtymologyEtymology Caution needs to be exercised to Caution needs to be exercised to

prevent the inexperienced prevent the inexperienced researcher from too readily researcher from too readily adopting opinions based upon adopting opinions based upon inadequate data.inadequate data.


EtymologyEtymology With With dabardabar as an illustration, we as an illustration, we

find at the beginning of the find at the beginning of the discussion there is a listing of the discussion there is a listing of the meanings of this word in Arabic meanings of this word in Arabic (Ar.), Aramaic (Aram.), and (Ar.), Aramaic (Aram.), and Alexandrine manuscript of the Alexandrine manuscript of the Septuagint (A), Assyrian (As.), and Septuagint (A), Assyrian (As.), and Syriac (Syr.), et cetera.Syriac (Syr.), et cetera.

BDBp. 180


EtymologyEtymology Because Ras Shamra (ancient Because Ras Shamra (ancient

Ugarit) has been discovered in Ugarit) has been discovered in more recent times, the important more recent times, the important contribution of Ugaritic studies to contribution of Ugaritic studies to the OT literature will the OT literature will notnot be found be found in BDB and will have to be in BDB and will have to be obtained from others sources (e.g., obtained from others sources (e.g., Cyrus Gordon’s Cyrus Gordon’s Ugaritic TextbookUgaritic Textbook..


EtymologyEtymology With some idea of the meaning, it With some idea of the meaning, it

will now be of value to:will now be of value to:– Take note of the derived terms which Take note of the derived terms which

may illustrate the basic idea.may illustrate the basic idea.– The occasions when the word is used.The occasions when the word is used.– The people involved.The people involved.– The synonyms, antonyms or The synonyms, antonyms or

homonyms employed in different homonyms employed in different forms of Hebrew parallelism.forms of Hebrew parallelism.

– The situations giving rise to its usage.The situations giving rise to its usage.


EtymologyEtymology– Then, having examined as thoroughly Then, having examined as thoroughly

as possible the dictionary definition of as possible the dictionary definition of the word and its meaning in cognate the word and its meaning in cognate Semitic languages, it is appropriate to Semitic languages, it is appropriate to consider in depth and detail its consider in depth and detail its usageusage in the canonical Scriptures of the OT.in the canonical Scriptures of the OT.


UsageUsage The The usageusage of a term is of the utmost of a term is of the utmost

importance in determining its meaning.importance in determining its meaning. To survey its usage, you will need to To survey its usage, you will need to

use one or more concordances.use one or more concordances. Students lacking a knowledge of Students lacking a knowledge of

Hebrew that permits them to use the Hebrew that permits them to use the more technical reference works will find more technical reference works will find Strong’s concordance especially if the Strong’s concordance especially if the number listed against each entry is number listed against each entry is checked with the brief definition in the checked with the brief definition in the index at the back.index at the back.


UsageUsage Likewise, many have found Young’s Likewise, many have found Young’s

Analytical ConcordanceAnalytical Concordance to be of to be of great value.great value.

However, because a study of a However, because a study of a word must be undertaken in word must be undertaken in accordance with its root, it may be accordance with its root, it may be necessary to resort to the necessary to resort to the Englishman’s Hebrew and Chaldee Englishman’s Hebrew and Chaldee Concordance of the Old TestamentConcordance of the Old Testament..


UsageUsage Indispensable tools for the student with Indispensable tools for the student with

a knowledge of Hebrew include:a knowledge of Hebrew include:– Lisowsky’s Lisowsky’s Konkordanz zum hebraischen Konkordanz zum hebraischen

Alten TestamentAlten Testament, with the meaning of , with the meaning of each word given in Latin, German and each word given in Latin, German and English.English.

The value of the work lies in its listing of every The value of the work lies in its listing of every Scripture verse in which a particular Hebrew Scripture verse in which a particular Hebrew word is found.word is found.

– Mandelkern’s Mandelkern’s Veteris testamenti Veteris testamenti concordantiae Habraicae atque concordantiae Habraicae atque ChaldaicaeChaldaicae..


UsageUsage Indispensable tools for the student Indispensable tools for the student

with a knowledge of Hebrew include:with a knowledge of Hebrew include:– Mandlekern lists each distinct form Mandlekern lists each distinct form

separately and provides the researcher separately and provides the researcher with references for each root of a word; with references for each root of a word; and for the Greek of the LXX.and for the Greek of the LXX.

– Hatch and Redpath’s Hatch and Redpath’s Concordance to Concordance to the Septuagintthe Septuagint, a work that makes , a work that makes available parallel references to the available parallel references to the Greek text of the LXX.Greek text of the LXX.


UsageUsage The procedure to be followed is to:The procedure to be followed is to:

– Look up each occurrence of the wordLook up each occurrence of the word– Evaluate its usage in the light of the Evaluate its usage in the light of the

contextcontext– And decide on its precise meaning.And decide on its precise meaning.– When this has been done, the When this has been done, the

different usages may be grouped different usages may be grouped together into semantic categories for together into semantic categories for further study.further study.


UsageUsage For e.g., the verb For e.g., the verb bahanbahan is found to is found to

mean “to examine, to try, to mean “to examine, to try, to prove.”prove.”

Its derivatives include “testing,” Its derivatives include “testing,” “watchtower,” “siege towers” and “watchtower,” “siege towers” and “assayer.”“assayer.”

The occurrence of The occurrence of bahanbahan is chiefly is chiefly in Job, Psalms and Jeremiah in Job, Psalms and Jeremiah (though not confined to these).(though not confined to these).


UsageUsage In addition, it occurs in parallelism In addition, it occurs in parallelism

with with nasanasa (“to put to the test, to (“to put to the test, to tempt”) and tempt”) and sarapsarap (“to smelt, to (“to smelt, to refine”).refine”).

What then is its basic meaning?What then is its basic meaning? It would seem to denote examination It would seem to denote examination

with a view to determining the with a view to determining the essential qualities or integrity of a essential qualities or integrity of a person, a group of people, a place or person, a group of people, a place or a thing.a thing.


UsageUsage On closer examination, the usage On closer examination, the usage bahanbahan

generally has God as the Subject, generally has God as the Subject, whereas whereas nasanasa almost always has man almost always has man as the subject; and as the subject; and sarapsarap is used is used exclusively in a religious sense with God exclusively in a religious sense with God as the Subject and man as the object.as the Subject and man as the object.

Three of the references to Three of the references to bahanbahan reverse the general order and have God reverse the general order and have God as the One being tested (Ps. 95:9; as the One being tested (Ps. 95:9; Malachi 3:10,15) by the attitude and Malachi 3:10,15) by the attitude and conduct of His people.conduct of His people.


UsageUsage A further observation of the usage A further observation of the usage

of of bahanbahan is that is that nasanasa and and sarapsarap seem to denote the attainment of seem to denote the attainment of knowledge through testing, knowledge through testing, whereas whereas bahanbahan seems to point to seems to point to the acquisition of knowledge the acquisition of knowledge through learning or intuition.through learning or intuition.


UsageUsage Similar studies may be done of key Similar studies may be done of key

Hebrew words like Hebrew words like hesedhesed, , “lovingkindness”; “lovingkindness”; qadoshqadosh, ”holy”; , ”holy”; tselemtselem “image”; “image”; tsedeqtsedeq “righteousness”; “righteousness”; gibborgibbor “[man or woman] of valor, mighty “[man or woman] of valor, mighty [warrior]”, and many others.[warrior]”, and many others.

Each word will have fascination all its Each word will have fascination all its own and the insights derived will lend own and the insights derived will lend themselves to homiletic sub-division, themselves to homiletic sub-division, sermonic illustration, and practical sermonic illustration, and practical application.application.

Word Studies: OTWord Studies: OT UsageUsage Of further interest is the comparison Of further interest is the comparison

of the Hebrew text with the OT in of the Hebrew text with the OT in Greek (LXX).Greek (LXX).

Hatch and Redpath’s Hatch and Redpath’s Concordance to Concordance to the Septuagintthe Septuagint will be needed for will be needed for this.this.

In this connection it is interest to In this connection it is interest to compare the Greek translation of compare the Greek translation of Isaiah 7:14 with the Hebrew original.Isaiah 7:14 with the Hebrew original.

The focus is on The focus is on almahalmah, “young , “young woman.”woman.”


UsageUsage Some lexicographers say that if Some lexicographers say that if

Isaiah had intended us to us to Isaiah had intended us to us to understand “virgin” he would have understand “virgin” he would have used the term used the term bethulahbethulah..

Most lexicons agree; are they Most lexicons agree; are they correct?correct?

Questions: How did Ahaz, and the Questions: How did Ahaz, and the Hebrews of the time of Isaiah, and Hebrews of the time of Isaiah, and the Jews of Jesus’ day, understand the Jews of Jesus’ day, understand Isaiah’s prophecy?Isaiah’s prophecy?


UsageUsage And how did the Jews who translated And how did the Jews who translated

their own Scriptures into Greek their own Scriptures into Greek understand the usage of understand the usage of almahalmah in this in this passage?passage?

Interestingly, the Greek text of Rahlfs’ Interestingly, the Greek text of Rahlfs’ Septuaginta: id est, Vetus Testamentum Septuaginta: id est, Vetus Testamentum graece iuxta LXX interpretesgraece iuxta LXX interpretes (2 vols.; 3 (2 vols.; 3rdrd ed.; 1965) uses the word ed.; 1965) uses the word parthenosparthenos as as the Hellenistic equivalent of the Hellenistic equivalent of almahalmah, and , and parthenosparthenos unequivocally means unequivocally means “virgin.”“virgin.”

Word Studies: OTWord Studies: OT UsageUsage Further corroboration of this comes Further corroboration of this comes

from another Jew named Levi from another Jew named Levi (Matthew).(Matthew).

When quoting Isaiah’s prophecy he When quoting Isaiah’s prophecy he used used parthenosparthenos to describe Christ’s to describe Christ’s miraculous conception by Mary (Mt. miraculous conception by Mary (Mt. 1:23).1:23).

Reference to the LXX provides many Reference to the LXX provides many such sidelight on the terms such sidelight on the terms employed by the writers of employed by the writers of Scripture.Scripture.

Word Studies: OTWord Studies: OT VerificationVerification Because the most valuable lexicons Because the most valuable lexicons

may, on occasion, be misleading, may, on occasion, be misleading, you will need to verify your findings.you will need to verify your findings.

In doing so, reference may be made In doing so, reference may be made to a variety of source materials to a variety of source materials alluded to in earlier chapters.alluded to in earlier chapters.

These include commentaries like These include commentaries like the NICOT and the NICNT, and the NICOT and the NICNT, and exegetical works like the exegetical works like the International Critical CommentaryInternational Critical Commentary..


VerificationVerification The ICC, while not conservative, The ICC, while not conservative,

may prove helpful to the researcher may prove helpful to the researcher in either broadening his/her in either broadening his/her perspective on the usage of a word perspective on the usage of a word or providing insights into the way or providing insights into the way the meanings of a word may be the meanings of a word may be analyzed.analyzed.

By regularly evaluating the material By regularly evaluating the material in lexicons as well as TDOT and in lexicons as well as TDOT and TWOT, you will be able to verify the TWOT, you will be able to verify the results of your own research.results of your own research.


VerificationVerification This will be evidence by:This will be evidence by:

– The assurance you bring to your The assurance you bring to your exposition of the text,exposition of the text,

– The interest that you are able to The interest that you are able to generate in the study of the OT,generate in the study of the OT,

– And the way in which seemingly And the way in which seemingly irrelevant issues suddenly take on irrelevant issues suddenly take on contemporary significance.contemporary significance.

Word Studies: NTWord Studies: NT A preacher cannot minister A preacher cannot minister

effectively without having an in-effectively without having an in-depth understanding of the meaning depth understanding of the meaning of words and terms used in the Bible.of words and terms used in the Bible.

A study of specific words used in the A study of specific words used in the NT may be expected to do the NT may be expected to do the following for us:following for us:– Aid in providing an enriched perspective Aid in providing an enriched perspective

and an in-depth understanding of the and an in-depth understanding of the theological and practical importance of theological and practical importance of the word in question.the word in question.

Word Studies: NTWord Studies: NT

A study of specific words used in A study of specific words used in the NT may be expected to do the the NT may be expected to do the following for us:following for us:– Serve as a check on the lexical aids Serve as a check on the lexical aids

that we all must use.that we all must use.– Reveal to us the many-faceted riches Reveal to us the many-faceted riches

of God’s word.of God’s word. Word studies do not take the place Word studies do not take the place

of exegesis, but are basic and of exegesis, but are basic and fundamental to an accurate fundamental to an accurate interpretation of the text.interpretation of the text.

Word Studies: NTWord Studies: NT Exegesis involves the comparison of Exegesis involves the comparison of

different documents, grammar, different documents, grammar, syntax, the theological background syntax, the theological background of each writer, the occasion of the of each writer, the occasion of the book, its purpose, the context of the book, its purpose, the context of the passage, and the characteristics of passage, and the characteristics of the writer.the writer.

The procedure for doing a NT word The procedure for doing a NT word study is essentially the same as for study is essentially the same as for the OT, only the resource tools are the OT, only the resource tools are different.different.


For e.g., a word study should be based For e.g., a word study should be based upon the upon the historicalhistorical development of the development of the usage of the word.usage of the word.– this involves an awareness of the phases this involves an awareness of the phases

in the development of the Greek in the development of the Greek language.language.

– Two distinct phases are of particular Two distinct phases are of particular interest: classical and Koine (or common interest: classical and Koine (or common Greek, with the latter embracing the Greek, with the latter embracing the translating of the OT into Gk, the writing translating of the OT into Gk, the writing of the NT, and the sermons and books of the NT, and the sermons and books written during the post-Apostolic age.written during the post-Apostolic age.


Also, a word study should be Also, a word study should be inductiveinductive..– Researcher must determine all Researcher must determine all

possible meanings of the word being possible meanings of the word being studied.studied.

– Then, categorize their meaning in Then, categorize their meaning in accordance with the time period and accordance with the time period and the situation that gave rise to its use.the situation that gave rise to its use.


Greek Word StudiesGreek Word Studies EtymologyEtymology

– The word must be studied in The word must be studied in accordance with its root form; only accordance with its root form; only then can it be studied historically.then can it be studied historically.

– Study of root forms is complex; is Study of root forms is complex; is complicated by the inclusion of complicated by the inclusion of prefixes, suffixes, and infixes.prefixes, suffixes, and infixes.

– There is always the danger that There is always the danger that inexperienced researchers will take inexperienced researchers will take the root form of a word and its the root form of a word and its meaning as the only meaning.meaning as the only meaning.



– The true meaning of a word can only The true meaning of a word can only be found in its usage. (Get help from be found in its usage. (Get help from F. Blass and A. Debrunner, F. Blass and A. Debrunner, A Greek A Greek Grammar of the New TestamentGrammar of the New Testament and and J. H. Moulton and W. F. Howard, J. H. Moulton and W. F. Howard, The The Grammar of New Testament GreekGrammar of New Testament Greek (esp. vol. 2, pp. 267-410).(esp. vol. 2, pp. 267-410).



– Once the root has been ascertained, Once the root has been ascertained, the process of tracing the usage of a the process of tracing the usage of a word through the historical stages of word through the historical stages of its development can begin.its development can begin.

– Use:Use:– Liddell/Scott, Liddell/Scott, Greek-English LexiconGreek-English Lexicon

for the classical period (note for the classical period (note references to Loeb Classical Library).references to Loeb Classical Library).



– Use:Use:– Hatch & Redpath, Hatch & Redpath, Concordance to the Concordance to the

Septuagint of the Old Testament in Septuagint of the Old Testament in GreekGreek..

– Moulton & Geden, Moulton & Geden, Concordance to the Concordance to the Greek Testament Greek Testament or the or the Computer Computer concordance to the Novum concordance to the Novum Testamentum Craece/Computer-Testamentum Craece/Computer-konkordanz zum Novum testamentum konkordanz zum Novum testamentum Graece Graece for word usage in the NT.for word usage in the NT.



– Use:Use:– Moulton and Milligan, Moulton and Milligan, Vocabulary of Vocabulary of

the Greek Testamentthe Greek Testament for the use of for the use of Koine words used in the papyri.Koine words used in the papyri.

– Lampe’s Lampe’s Patristic Greek LexiconPatristic Greek Lexicon for for illustrations of the meaning attached illustrations of the meaning attached to words after the period of the to words after the period of the Apostles. Apostles.



– Why is it necessary to trace the Why is it necessary to trace the meaning of a word through the meaning of a word through the different stages of history?different stages of history?

– Over time words change in meaning; Over time words change in meaning; a historical approach alerts us to a historical approach alerts us to these changes.these changes.

– E.g., in NT E.g., in NT eritheiaeritheia is the word for is the word for “strife” or “selfish ambition.”“strife” or “selfish ambition.”

– This was not always its meaning.This was not always its meaning.



– Its original meaning degenerated so that Its original meaning degenerated so that in each of 7 occurrences in the NT it is in each of 7 occurrences in the NT it is used of contention or abuse of ambition.used of contention or abuse of ambition.

– EritheiaEritheia originally came from the root originally came from the root eriseris meaning “day laborer” and meant meaning “day laborer” and meant “labor,” or more directly, “labor for “labor,” or more directly, “labor for wages.”wages.”

– It involved doing a day’s work for a It involved doing a day’s work for a day’s wages.day’s wages.



– The change in meaning seems to stem The change in meaning seems to stem from the motives of the laborers.from the motives of the laborers.

– Emphasis no longer placed on honest Emphasis no longer placed on honest labor.labor.

– This led to disputes between an This led to disputes between an employer and a united band of employer and a united band of employees.employees.

– Eventually it came to be applied to Eventually it came to be applied to one who would exploit a situation (by one who would exploit a situation (by causing strife) for his own advantage.causing strife) for his own advantage.


Greek Word StudiesGreek Word Studies ContextContext

– A word must be studied inductively in A word must be studied inductively in its varying contexts before its its varying contexts before its nuances or meaning during a nuances or meaning during a particular period of time, or use by a particular period of time, or use by a specific author, can be determined.specific author, can be determined.

– In other words, induction must In other words, induction must precede deduction.precede deduction.

– Barber does injustice to context while Barber does injustice to context while arguing for context, pp. 97-8.arguing for context, pp. 97-8.

Word Studies: NTWord Studies: NT Greek Word StudiesGreek Word Studies VerificationVerification

– Sometimes even the finest of lexicons Sometimes even the finest of lexicons can be misleading, it is wise to verify can be misleading, it is wise to verify the results of research by consulting the results of research by consulting several sources (e.g., Kittel’s TDNT or several sources (e.g., Kittel’s TDNT or Brown’s NIDNTT), as well as the best Brown’s NIDNTT), as well as the best of commentaries.of commentaries.

– By evaluating the critical data By evaluating the critical data contained in these reference works, contained in these reference works, or the comments by the author of a or the comments by the author of a technical commentary, you will be technical commentary, you will be able to verify your own research.able to verify your own research.

Word Studies: NTWord Studies: NT Greek Word StudiesGreek Word Studies VerificationVerification

– Only by following the process Only by following the process described above will one be able to described above will one be able to modify and advance the work of modify and advance the work of those who have gone before.those who have gone before.

Documents

Word Studies. Word Studies: OT With so many linguistic helps available, why should anyone spend time learning to do Greek and Hebrew word studies? With