a good greek bible

Steven Craig Miller scmiller at www.plantnet.com
Tue Oct 19 09:28:44 EDT 1999


To: Esteban Otero,

<<  A small note concerning some differences between the NA27 and the UBS4 
corr. from a "little greek" (based upon my limited knowledge of the issue): 
1. Although the NA27 has more variant readings listed in its critical 
apparatus, the UBS4 is more exhaustive in its listing of witnesses for the
variant readings it does include. >>

IMO, that is NOT a real selling point for the UBS4. At least I reach a 
saturation point where all those extra witnesses in the UBS apparatus are 
merely numbers.

<<  2. I do know the UBS4 has a critical apparatus for punctuation (I'm not 
sure about the NA27) which is very handy at some points. >>

Actually, that is a nice feature of the UBS text. Although the Nestle-Aland 
text does occasionally mention punctuation in their apparatus, they don't 
have anything like the UBS punctuation apparatus.

<<  3. The UBS4 also comes with a concise Greek-English lexicon by Barclay 
M. Newman,Jr. in the back. It is a nice reminder lexicon for when 
"little  greeks" forget their vocabulary (though it is by NO MEANS a 
standard, or  essential in detailed lexicographic work!). >>

Does this mean you don't carry your Liddell & Scott's lexicon (my lexicon 
of choice) around wherever you go? (I don't either. <g>) But I would 
suggest that for most intermediate students, a lexicon is not always enough 
help. IMO the best lexical tool is: "A Grammatical Analysis of the Greek 
New Testament" by Max Zerwick and Mary Grosvenor (Biblical Institute 
Press). In the USA, one can obtain a copy from Loyola Press (800-621-1008). 
It gives help on understanding the vocabulary, forms, and syntax, verse by 
verse! It is a small handy volume which one can carry with one's Greek NT 
of choice.

<< In the end, the NA27 is considered the "scholar's bible" and is referred 
to most in scholarly publications, while the UBS4 is the "translator's 
bible".  >>

There are a number of smaller difference between the two, such as 
orthographical differences, and there are differences in their ways of 
identifying quotations from Hebrew scripture. The UBS text has section 
headings (in English). There are also an occasional versification 
difference between the two texts!

One helpful item in the UBS text is that the UBS text has a graded 
evaluation given for every passage where variants are cited. Of course, one 
can also find these graded evaluations in "A Textual Commentary on the 
Greek New Testament" by Bruce M. Metzger (2nd edition, 1994).

Of course, the real solution is to buy both! FWIW ... I have all six 
editions of the UBS texts (1, 2, 3, 3c, 4, & 4.2) as well as a dozen or 
more editions of the Nestle/Nestle-Aland texts sitting on my shelves next 
to my desk (that is not counting other editions). <g>

<< While on the topic of good greek bibles, could someone please help me to 
find a copy of Kurt Aland's Synopsis Quattuor Evangelorium in the latest 
edition (15 or 18?). I found it through the American Bible Society, but it 
seems like their has to be a way to get it for less. Thanks in advance. >>

Christian Book Distributors didn't even have Aland's SQE listed. You can 
try asking at Dove Booksellers (800-318-4537) or Eisenbrauns 
(219-269-2011), for example, but I seriously doubt that you will find it 
cheaper.

-Steven Craig Miller ("Hey, we got the same first name!")
Alton, Illinois (USA)
scmiller at www.plantnet.com

 From Luther's Large Catechism: "Why, do you think, is the world now so 
full of unfaithfulness, shame, misery, and murder? It is because everyone 
wishes to be his or her own master, be free from all authority, care 
nothing for anyone, and do whatever he or she pleases. So God punishes one 
knave by means of another" (BoC 386.154).



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