Guide
Greek & Hebrew word study guide
A beginner-friendly guide to doing a careful word study without overstating what a word can mean.
Why word studies
Words carry meaning, and the original languages often clarify what a translation cannot. But words don't mean whatever we want them to mean — context controls.
A simple process
1) Identify the word in context. 2) Use a concordance or interlinear to find the original term. 3) See how the same word is used elsewhere in the same book and Testament. 4) Consult a reputable lexicon. 5) Land carefully on the meaning in this passage.
Common pitfalls
Don't read every nuance of a word into every occurrence. Don't build doctrines on etymology. Don't treat one English word as if it always translates one Greek or Hebrew word.
Helpful tools
Strong's concordance, Vine's Expository Dictionary, BDAG (Greek), HALOT (Hebrew), the Logos and Accordance apps.
Use this for
- Bible students
- Preachers
- Curious learners