Customer Reviews

Syntax of New Testament Greek

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This book focuses on syntax, which the authors define as "that aspect of grammar which deals with the relationship and use of words and larger elements in a sentence". The companion volume by the same authors deals with morphology = word formation; that is ISBN 0819194913). (Each volume is independent and can be purchased and fully used alone; if someone wants the authors' views on both subjects, then they could purchase both books.)

This book does a good job of hitting the sweet spot between too wordy and too brief. In the first part of the book each usage of the substantive is given a succinct but complete & useful explanation, which is followed by several scriptural examples in both Greek and English.

For example, the "Adverbial Accusative of Measure" has a six sentence explanation followed by ten subcategories such as "The Substantive with the Preposition epi [Greek epi]" and a total of 25 examples from the New Testament.

Part II covers "The Verb" with the same type of information.

Part III of the book discussed "Aspects of Greek Sentences", including phrases and some diagramming.

The target audience is first or second year students of Greek and the purpose of the book is "to introduce the student to Greek syntax with maximum exposure to examples in the New Testament". In my opinion the authors have done a good job of achieving that goal.

This is not intended to be a student's one and only grammar. It is a great book to have on the shelf, a tool to easily understand the main grammatical categories. The old saying is true, that an example is worth a thousand words.

The work Syntax of New Testament Greek which is authored by James A. Brooks and Carlton L. Winbery is superb help for persons studying intermediate Greek. This book is over 204-pages in length. It discusses syntax or the order of words in relation to substantives, verbs, and Greek sentences. The customary examples of cases in Greek or verb "tense" are given along with examples illustrating how NT writers employ indirect discourse with hOTI or hINA clauses. Syntax of New Testament Greek is easy to use, practical and contains adequate explanations of Greek syntactical phenomena.

For instance, Brooks and Winbery define terms such as "substantive," "number," "gender" (as it pertains to grammar) and "case" before they explain Greek cases such as nominative or the accusative case. The genitive case is classified into such categories as "Genitive of description" (that is, the genitive attributes a quality or relationship to the substantive), "Genitive of relationship" (this category is actually an extension of the genitive of possession), and "adverbial genitive."

Examples that illustrate these types of genitives (along with helpful translations) are given. E.G. the words LOGOIS THS XARITOS (Luke 4:22) illustrate the "genitive of description." The authors render these words thus: "words of grace." And there are five other scriptural examples provided for the genitive of description.

The foregoing is only part of the helpful material contained in this work. I would highly recommend this book, although there are certain ideas presented that I would not accept uncritically. But this book serves a very useful purpose. It will remain a classic for students of Greek syntax.

Brooks and Winbery have produced an outstanding treatment of biblical Koine Greek which addresses a number of deficiencies typically found in other similar grammars. I have used this text for over a decade in both seminary and undergraduate courses with great success.

"Syntax of New Testament Greek" by James A. Brooks and Carlton L. Winbery is a revelation to the Greek grammar of the New Testament. The authors provide easy to understand examples in each category, and structure these examples in a duel language setup. The book is written in Greek however has English translation below each line allowing for a better understanding of the material. I recommend this book to all the Christians who want to learn Greek.

Vasile Giulea

I found that this book does a great job of summarizing grammer elements in a short but pithy fashion. Its treatment of participles was worth the price alone. Normal grammer texts provide a more detailed treatment, but in a less organized, less susinct, and less memorable fashion.

I am a Student at Louisisna College, and I am taking my first semester of Greek under Dr. Winbery. I must tell you that he is so awesome. He not only shows you the Koine greek language...but, he instills in you a passion for it. He has has to help he out after class a few times and he was more than willing to do anything to insure that I understood the language. I have taken years of spanish and french, and dreaded both languages. but after taking only 1 semester of greek under Dr. winbery I love this language.... he is so much more than a great writer, and teacher.