Recommended Bible Study Resources: Commentaries & Handbooks | Word Studies & Dictionaries | Software
And How to Use Them
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We often misinterpret the meaning of the scriptures or miss some of its depth by not being able to read it in it's original language. Most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek. Sometimes these languages will employ several words which are translated into one English word. Probably the most well-known example is the word "love" -- the Greek language uses four words with different shades of meaning which can only be translated as "love" in the English language. The following word study books enable those of us with limited or no background in Greek or Hebrew to study the meaning of biblical words in the original languages. Some offer more information than others.
How To Use Word Study Books: Each of the word study books listed below has its own unique method of use. Also refer to How to do a Word Study.
Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words
Over 5700 entries arranged alphabetically in English provide quick and easy access for all Bible students. There are several versions of Vine's; this one includes Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words and Unger and White's Expository Dictionary of the OT in one volume making it more comprehensive, since the original Vine's OT Word Studies was so brief. It also codes each word to Strong's [1], BDB Hebrew Lexicon[2], and BAGD Greek Lexicon[3]. Vine's is often included on Bible Software. I have given my printed copy to my oldest son, but the following is a screen shot from a Bible program which will give you some idea of what you can expect from the definitions. Click to enlarge.
The Wordbook is essentially a Hebrew lexicon [4] with special features. Forty evangelical scholars wrote essay definitions of the important theological terms in the OT. Unfortunately, for those of us unfamiliar with the Hebrew language, the words are arranged according to their Hebrew consonants! There is an index in the back of Vol. 2 which helps overcome this barrier. However, one must first identify the Strong's number [1] of the word, locate that number in the index, then note the corresponding number in the Wordbook and turn to it for a definition and discussion of its use if the word is theologically significant. In spite of the difficulty of using this reference, I do refer to it frequently. The essays are just too helpful to neglect. Click to enlarge the sample page:
Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume
The original TDNT, a ten-volume technical work, has been condensed into a one volume to facilitate its use among the average Bible student. The discussion of each NT word of religious or theological significance includes comments on the word's secular Greek Background; its role in the OT, both in the Hebrew and the Septuagint texts; its usage in such sources as Philo, Josephus, the pseudepigrapal and rabbinical literature; and finally its varied uses in the NT and, where pertinent, in the Apostolic Fathers. The words are grouped into families and arranged alphabetically as transliterated from the Greek. For those of us who don't know Greek, there is a Table of English Words at the front of the book. Click to enlarge the sample page:
Girdlestone's Synonyms of the Old Testament may not be one of the better-known Bible study resources, but I have found it invaluable in the ten or so years since I discovered it. It is topically arranged, covering 27 major categories and 300 subjects. It is a resource for studying Christian doctrine in the light of Old Testament terminology. For example, if you are studying "Sanctification" and you turn to Girdlestone's, you will find information on "sanctify, sacred, holy" in the Old Testament, teachings of the New Testament and information on a related word, anointing. The author's belief is that an accurate study of the Hebrew synonyms of important New Testament words leads to a wise and practical understanding of the truth, "both as it regards the character and work of God and the duty and hopes of man."
A Bible dictionary is an alphabetical list of definitions and short articles of people, places and technical terms connected with Bible study. One would think it wouldn't matter which Bible dictionary was used, but that is far from the case. The definitions and articles necessarily reflect the author's belief in the inspiration and accuracy of God's Word.
The New Bible Dictionary Third Edition (I use the Second Edition) makes no apology for their aim of producing "a work of reference, written in a spirit of unqualified loyalty to Holy Scripture, which will substantially further the understanding of God's Word to mankind" (vii). I have referred to mine so many times in my Bible study that the pages are pulling out!
[1] Strong's -- A monumental reference work containing the location of every word in the Bible, as well as noting the Greek and Hebrew words underlying the translation. More about how to use Strong's will be added at a later time.
[2] BDB Hebrew Lexicon -- Brown-Drivers-Brown Hebrew and English Lexicon. More about this book and how to use it will be added at a later time.
[3] BAGD Greek Lexicon -- Bauer, Arndt, Gingrich and Dankerd A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, considered the standard in New Testament lexicography. More about this book and how to use it will be added at a later time.
[4] a book containing an alphabetical arrangement of the words in a language and their definitions