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Analyzing the Greek-English Lexicons of the New Testament

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

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Analyzing the Greek-English Lexicons of the New Testament

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  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. The Volume: Foreword and/or introduction Bibliographic info. Abbreviation lists 100’s to 1000’s 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. Information in a Greek-English Lexicon

  4. A Greek-English Lexicon compiled by Henry G. Liddell & Robert Scott Revised by Henry Stuart Jones and Roderick McKenzie. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1968

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 2.) Usage and Importance • Wallace’s 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.

  10. Sample Entry: Liddell and Scott Occurs in supplement in back

  11. 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).

  12. A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament G. Abbott-Smith Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark, 1937

  13. 1.) History and Development • Moulton and Milligan’s 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.

  14. 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. • Abbott’s caution is the possibility of exaggerating the influence of the Septuagint.

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. Other abbreviations could include: • Books of Bible, OT & NT • Ancient writers • Modern writers

  18. 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

  19. 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.

  20. 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.

  21. 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.

  22. 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.

  23. (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.

  24. 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)

  25. 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.

  26. 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).

  27. 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.

  28. 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.

  29. 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

  30. 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]

  31. Louw & Nida: Greek Word Index Number to be used later Sub-domain number Meanings ofqeo/j Idioms: Units with the termqeo/j

  32. 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.

  33. 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.

  34. 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]

  35. Louw & Nida: English Word Index Sub-domain Number(s)

  36. 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.

  37. 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]

  38. Louw & Nida: Scripture Index References are from 2 Timothy. Sub-domain number(s)

  39. 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]

  40. Louw & Nida: Linking volumes 2 & 1 Step 1: Look up qeo/pneustoj in the Greek Word Index. Identify corresponding semantic domain number. Step 2: Access lexical entry 33.261 in volume 1.

  41. 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]

  42. Louw & Nida: Lexical Entry GrammaticalInformation Definition 2 Timothy 3:16 Translation in non-Indo-European language Note: The lexical entry qeo/pneustoj (33.261) is part of semantic sub-domain <T>.

  43. 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.

  44. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature [BAG] From Walter Bauer’s fourth revised and augmented edition, 1952 by William F. Arndt & F. Wilbur Gingrich Chicago: U. of Chicago Press, 1957.

  45. 1.) History and Development • Prior to Bauer’s work, Joseph H. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, was considered the front runner in NT lexicography (1889). • Thayer’s 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.

  46. The first dictionary to appear after the epoch-making discoveries of the papyri was Erwin Preuschen’s Greek-German lexicon of 1910. • Upon his death in 1920, the revision of his lexicon became Walter Bauer’s 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 Bauer’s name alone on the title-page.

  47. 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.

  48. 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 Bauer’s name because of his incredible contribution.

  49. 2.) Usage and Importance • Improvements and additions to the Bauer’s 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 Buck’s Dict. Of Synonyms in the Indo-European Lang.). • References to scholarly periodical literature have been brought up to the latter part of 1954.

  50. Sample Entry: BAG Writers of antiquity. Plutarch (I-II AD) Word entry Referenced in Moulton and Milligan

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