[B-Greek] Hebrews commentaries

Brent Hudson brent at riveroflifembchurch.com
Mon Jan 5 07:53:06 EST 2004


Hi David,

The least expensive commentary on the Greek text that intersects with your questions on the text would be this forum.  I would encourage you to ask here.  It would be helpful not only to you but many of our lurkers and even our seasoned readers can learn new things about the text from reading the discussions.

But to your actual question.  There are several fine commentaries available on Hebrews, but I don't know how helpful they will be for your task. Ellington's commentary in the NIGTC series is good but it is quite exhaustive and somewhat wordy which takes away from it usefulness for your purpose.  Attridge has written an excellent commentary in the Hermeneia series but it may not deal with all the grammatical matters you would like.  Wescott's commentary is great, but if you are struggling with Hebrews, this may not be the best since he tends to quote patristic evidence in Greek and Latin (some of which are substantially more difficult than the text of Hebrews itself!).  I also have enjoyed reading (several times) F. F. Bruce's commentary in the NICNT series.  It does not deal with every grammatical issue in the Greek text, but is good reading and Bruce, like Attridge, is a reliable guide for the Greek text.  

For what it is worth, if you just want to get the through the Greek text, grab lexicon, your Greek bible and a pad of paper and start reading.  Write down every word you do not know and make vocabulary lists with the help of your lexicon.  I would avoid a reader's lexicon only because I have found reading a larger article on a word and seeing it in other contexts often helps in memorizing it.  Also, these keys often give only the sense of the word for the passage under consideration and you really need to have a grasp of its entire range of meaning.  I always write out forms that are unfamiliar as well. You can review your list often and begin internalizing it.  Each time you read through Hebrews (yes you will read through it several times), you can use your list as a guide.  You will be encouraged to see how your need for the list decreases each time you read the letter.  

Brent Hudson



*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 1/5/2004 at 6:45 PM David McKay wrote:

>I am hoping to prepare myself for a class in the Greek text of Hebrews
>starting in August. What commentaries and other aids would be most helpful
>for helping me to understand the Greek text of Hebrews? 
>
>I am told it is scary stuff! 
>
>Twenty four years ago I completed a theological degree and majored in
>biblical languages, taking 4 years of each, and five years ago completed a
>course with the same lecturer [Peter O'Brien] in the Greek text of
>Ephesians.
>
>
>David McKay
>davidDOTmckayATozemailDOTcomDOTau
>http://members.ozemail.com.au/~musicke
>http://www.bathurstevangelical.org.au
> 
>
>
>
>
>---
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