Customer Reviews

Pocket Dictionary for the Study of New Testament Greek (IVP Pocket Reference Series the IVP Pocket Reference Series)

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The publicity for this book says it is essential for students of NT Greek. I agree, but I also have found this to be an invaluable resource even though it is almost 30 years since I studied Greek in the classroom. When we read commentaries and other books in biblical studies we sometimes encounter words which we do not understand. When we are teaching or preaching we want to express something about the original text which we need to be sure about. For such purposes this book is ideal. It does not go into elaborate discussions, and the conciseness of its definitions suits the busy lifestyles of the present-day expositor of the Word. I recommend it highly for students and ministers of the Word.

I have recently purchased this book, and it has already paid for itself!

I am a 1st year seminary student that has been exposed to about 4 years of Greek. I attend the church where the seminary Professor's Pastor and teach. I have also known many seminary students and graduates for the same reason.

Over the last 4 years, despite the attempts of Professor's, students, and Summer's Beginning Grammar, I have been unable to fully comprehend certain terms or concepts dealing with Greek grammar. One such example, is the "distance from reality" of certain moods.

For the first time in close to 5 years, I have a grasp of several concepts that have eluded me. This is thanks solely to this awesome little book, "Pocket Dictionary For the Study of New Testament Greek." I have found the definitions to be crisp and clear, and highly illuminating. Its as though I finally have an author that writes on the same frequency that I learn on!

I also discovered today in class that the Greek Professor owns a copy as well. He has over two decades of experience teaching Greek. For the first time, he found a definition for a verb composition that has eluded him for years. He discovered it in this same book.

A brief perusal of "Pocket Dictionary For the Study of New Testament Greek" has already shown me that I am in for quite a treat. This book has virtually opened up a whole new world of terms to me, some of which go beyond Greek, into areas like "Textual Criticism."

I typically am not one for writing reviews. But there may be others reading this, that are like me. I am clear that it is God's will for me to master Greek. But while I appreciate Summer's, Mounce, Wallace, Dana & Mantey, and the plethora of other grammars out there... their definitions sometimes leave me in the dark.

Maybe I will one day join the ranks of "grammarians" that writes a grammar with the intent of simplifying the process of learning Greek from square one. But for now, I am happy to get any tool that will help me to climb this mountain.

"Pocket Dictionary For the Study of New Testament Greek" is obviously not a grammar, but I think that it can sure help to lighten the load for Seminarians, Bible College students, or anyone that is committed to learning New Testament Greek, and the requisite grammatical terms, definitions, etc.

I can also see how it would be a very helpful tool for Pastor's and Preachers that are presently tackling Greek, or for those that are not yet full-blown Scholars with photographic memories!

If you are entering for the first time the area, and you do not attend a bible college or the like, you just NEED such small, simple, cheap, but fundamental tools. Extremely useful and you will rapidly get acquainted with the technical jargon of the trade. Have it!

Based on so many good reviews, I brought this little book. Although it called pocket dictionary (it is 4.5x7 inches in size), it does not fit my pocket. In addition, it is not really a NT Greek-English dictionary. I think it is an English NT jargon dictionary for certain NT words in English. I was expecting a Greek dictionary helping reading original Greek NT. So my expectation based on its title is off. I am sure it will be useful for understanding English NT, since author did provide NT related information normal English dictionary may not have.

I am quoting the first entry and last entry of the total 1700 terms in this book to let you decide if that is the dictionary you wanted:

a fortiori. Lat. "from a stronger [reason or argument]." The term is similar to the expression "all the moew" and refers to a conclusion that can be drawn with greater necessaity than a previous ibe. See also qal wahomer.

zoomorphism. n. The literary device of ascribing to humans or to God actions or characteristics that naturally belong to animals.

I keep this pocket dictionary with my Greek studies for ready reference. Saves a lot of time when I need a quick glance looking up terminology and definitions related to NT Greek. If you are serious with NT Greek get this book! This can almost be a study book by itself.

Written in English with a few German words found in biblical studies. The last eight pages list abbreviations found in grammars, lexicons and other material - excellent work.

Quickly find and define hundreds of terms on Greek grammer and exegetical method that most textbooks assume are understood. It's inexpensive price makes it a must for anyone learning New Testament Greek, whether beginning or advanced.

I like this dictionary series. When I saw that the Kindle version was cheaper I thought it would be worth it to have the book always with me as I travel and study.

However, for some unfortunate reason, the main words are not searchable, only the definitions. So, a search for a definition of the word "Genitive" rendered all kinds of results (anywhere else the word was used) except the definition of "Genitive," which I expected would be the first entry in the resulting list. The same happens with every word that I'm looking for in the dictionary. Very frustrating. I thought having it digitally available would be a time saver, but alas, it was not to be.

I would recommend getting the paper version instead. Those I've used successfully in the past. Where can I "return" this purchase? It shows up in my list of Kindle purchases, but there's no option to complain or request a refund.

BTW, I have no problem with other books as I'm enjoying more and more reading books in my Kindle and Kindle for the iPad.