Re: Greek Etymology

Jim Sauber (charis@why.net)
Sun, 26 May 1996 02:26:50 +0000

> Date: Sat, 25 May 1996 12:10:38 -0400 (EDT)
> To: "Ernest D. Long" <long4136@mail.ncn.com>
> From: "Kevin W. Woodruff" <cierpke@utc.campus.mci.net>
> Subject: Re: Greek Etymology
> Cc: b-greek@virginia.edu

> Dear Sir:
>
> Etymology is not a good way to learn the meaning of Greek words. What a word
> means in context is far more important. For example, if I say the English word
> "hose" without any context, you would be unsure whether I meant "stockings"
> water hose, garden hose. The same in any language, especially Greek. Context
> is the primary determiner of what a word means. For example in English
> "cute" now means attractive but it originally meant "bowlegged" so my
> girlfriend would not appreciate if we investigated what the etymology of the
> word "cute"
>
>
> At 12:53 AM 5/25/96 -0700, you wrote:
> >I am a student of scripture but have no formal education in
> >Greek, however, I've found the real value of studying comes
> >only when I dig in to the Greek and Hebrew via Strong's
> >Concordance. I am not adept at learning languages in fact
> >I'm pathetic.
> >
> >I've only been a b-greek subscriber for a few days but I've
> >gleaned quite a bit from the discussions. My question for
> >someone who is familiar with Greek and the Internet is:
> >
> >Is there a site which I can visit where I can find the etymology
> >of particular Greek words?
> >
> >Or perhaps there is some software somewhere that would
> >give me what I want?
> >
> >Failing that, what would be a good book on the subject?
> >
> >I would appreciate any help someone may offer.
> >
> >By the way, I've been studying eschatology and the more
> >I dig, the more confirmed I become in my prewrath rapture
> >position. Is there a Greek scholar among the subscribers that
> >maintains the same position? If not, then would a pre-tribber
> >among you be willing to answer some questions?
> >
> >Thanks.
> >
> >
> >
> Kevin W. Woodruff
> Reference Librarian
> Cierpke Memorial Library
> Temple Baptist Seminary
> Tennessee Temple University
> 1815 Union Ave.
> Chattanooga, TN 37404
> 423/493-4252
> Cierpke@utc.campus.mci.net
>
>

This is my first post (I have been lurking for some time). I, too,
am an amateur Greek student who is intensely interested in Greek
etymology. It seems to me that an interest in etymology does not
necessarily dictate a disinterest, or diminishing of, contextual
definition. I, too, would be very interested in the group's input
about etymological resources.

Respectfully,

Jim
charis@why.net
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