Linguistics & Biblical Exegesis

Description

We rarely think about the way languages work because communicating in our native tongue comes so naturally to us. The Bible was written in ancient Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek-languages no modern reader can claim to have a native understanding of. A better understanding of how language works should help us understand the Bible better as we seek to discern the original intent and meaning of each biblical author. In this book, you will get a basic introduction to the field of linguistics-its history, its key concepts, its major schools of thought, and how its insights can shed light on various problems in biblical Hebrew and Greek. Numerous examples illustrate linguistic concepts, and technical terminology is clearly defined. Learn how the study of language can enhance your Bible study.

Sujets

• Lettres et linguistique
• Christianity

Informations

• Publié par: Lexham Press
• Date de parution: 01 novembre 2017
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781577997054
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 16 Mo

Extrait

Lexham Methods Series
Volume 2
Linguistics & Biblical Exegesis
Edited by
Douglas Mangum
and
Josh Westbury
Lexham Methods Series: Volume 2: Linguistics & Biblical Exegesis
Copyright 2016 Lexham Press
Lexham Press, 1313 Commercial St., Bellingham, WA 98225
http://www.lexhampress.com
You may use brief quotations from this content in presentations, books, or articles. For all other uses, email Lexham Press for permission: [e-mail] .
All Scripture quotations are from the Lexham English Bible ( LEB ) or are the authors’ own translation, unless otherwise indicated. Copyright 2013 Lexham Press.
Scripture quotations marked ( ESV ) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® (ESV ® ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked ( NIV ) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version ® , NIV ® . Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked ( NRSV ) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Table of Contents
Series Preface
Abbreviations
Wendy Widder
1 Introduction to Linguistics and the Bible
1.1 Understanding Language
1.2 Understanding Linguistics
1.3 Linguistic Analysis Explained
1.4 Studying the Biblical Languages
1.5 Overview
1.6 Resources for Further Study
Wendy Widder
2 Linguistic Fundamentals
2.1 Phonology
2.2 Morphology
2.3 Semantics
2.4 Syntax
Jeremy Thompson & Wendy Widder
3 Language in Use
3.1 Pragmatics
3.2 Sociolinguistics
3.3 Resources for Further Study
Daniel Wilson & Michael Aubrey
4 Language Universals, Typology, and Markedness
4.1 Language Universals and Typology
4.2 Markedness
4.3 Resources for Further Study
Jeremy Thompson & Wendy Widder
5 Major Approaches to Linguistics
5.1 Comparative Philology
5.2 Structural Linguistics
5.3 Functionalism
5.4 Generative Grammar
5.5 Discourse Analysis
5.6 Cognitive Linguistics
Wendy Widder
6 Linguistic Issues in Biblical Hebrew
6.1 Problems with the Data
6.2 Verbal System
6.3 Semantics and Lexicography
6.4 Word Order
6.5 The Chronology and Typology Debate
6.6 Resources for Further Study
Michael Aubrey
7 Linguistic Issues in Biblical Greek
7.1 Problems with the Data
7.2 Verbal System
7.3 Semantics and Lexicography
7.4 Word Order
7.5 Resources for Further Study
Michael Aubrey
8 The Value of Linguistically Informed Exegesis
8.1 Greater Precision and Explanatory Power
8.2 Discourse Features
8.3 Language Typology
8.4 Resources for Further Study
Bibliography
Series Preface
The Lexham Methods Series introduces a variety of approaches to biblical interpretation. Due to the field’s long history, however, the coverage is necessarily selective. This series focuses on the major areas of critical biblical scholarship and their development from the 19th century to the early 21st century . While we recognize that theological approaches to interpretation have played an important role in the life of the Church, this series does not engage the wide variety of hermeneutical approaches that arise from specific theological readings of the biblical text.
The methods discussed here include the broad movements in biblical criticism that have helped define how biblical scholars today approach the text. Understanding the basics of textual criticism, source criticism, form criticism, tradition history, redaction criticism, linguistics, social-scientific criticism, canonical criticism, and contemporary literary criticism (rhetorical, structural, narrative, reader-response, post-structural) will help illuminate the assumptions and conclusions found in many scholarly commentaries and articles.
Each approach to biblical interpretation—even those that are not explicitly theological—can be defined according to a guiding presupposition that informs the method.
• Textual criticism : Reading the text to identify errors in transmission and determine the best text
• Source criticism : Reading the text to find the written sources the author(s) used
• Form criticism : Reading the text to find the oral traditions the author(s) used
• Tradition-historical criticism : Reconstructing the historical development of the traditions identified by form criticism
• Redaction criticism : Reading the text to understand how it was put together and what message the text was meant to communicate
• Canonical criticism : Reading the final form of the text as Christian Scripture
• Rhetorical criticism : Analyzing the text for the rhetorical effect of the literary devices the writers used to communicate and persuade
• Structural criticism : Analyzing the text in terms of contrast and oppositions , recognizing that contrast is believed to be the essence of meaning within a cultural, linguistic, or literary system
• Narrative criticism : Reading the text as a narrative and paying attention to aspects including plot, theme, and characterization
• Linguistic approach : Analyzing the text using concepts and theories developed by linguistics
• Social-scientific approach : Analyzing the text using concepts and theories developed in the social sciences
The Lexham Methods Series defines these approaches to biblical interpretation, explains their development, outlines their goals and emphases, and identifies their leading proponents. Few interpreters align themselves strictly with any single approach. Contemporary Bible scholars tend to use an eclectic method that draws on the various aspects of biblical criticism outlined above. Many of these methods developed in parallel, mutually influenced each other, and share similar external influences from literary theory and philosophy. Similarly, ideas and questions arising from one approach often directly influenced the field as a whole and have become common currency in biblical studies, even though the method that generated the concepts has been radically reshaped and revised over the years.
In introducing a variety of methods, we will address each method as neutrally as possible, acknowledging both the advantages and limitations of each approach. Our discussion of a particular method or attempts to demonstrate the method should not be construed as an endorsement of that approach to the text. The Lexham Methods Series introduces you to the world of biblical scholarship.
Abbreviations

Reference Works
AEL
Ancient Egyptian Literature. M. Lichtheim. 3 vols. 1971–1980 .
ANET
Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament. J. B. Pritchard. 1954 .
AYBD
Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary (formerly Anchor Bible Dictionary ). D. N. Freedman. 1992 .
BDAG
W. Bauer, F. W. Danker, W. F. Arndt, and F. W. Gingrich. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3d ed. 1999 .
BDB
Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon
BEB
Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible. W. A. Elwell. 2 vols. 1988 .
BHRG
A Biblical Hebrew Reference Grammar . Christo van der Merwe, Jackie Naudé, and Jan Kroeze. 1999 .
COS
The Context of Scripture. W. W. Hallo and K. L. Younger. 3 vols. 1997–2003 .
DCH
Dictionary of Classical Hebrew . D. J. A. Clines. 1993 .
DDD
Dictionary of Deities and Demons in the Bible. K. van der Toorn, B. Becking, and P. W. van der Horst. 1995 .
DJG
Dictionary of Jesus and the Gospels . J. B. Green and S. McKnight. 1992 .
DLNT
Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments. R. P. Martin and P. H. Davids. 1997 .
DPL
Dictionary of Paul and His Letters. G. F. Hawthorne and R. P. Martin. 1993 .
DNTB
Dictionary of New Testament Background. S. E. Porter and C. A. Evans. 2000 .
EDB
Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible. D. N. Freedman. 2000 .
EDNT
Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament. H. Balz and G. Schneider. 1990–1993 .
GKC
Gesenius’ Hebrew Grammar. E. Kautzsch (ed.) and A. E. Cowley (trans.). 1910 .
HALOT
The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament. L. Koehler, W. Baumgartner, and J. J. Stamm. 1994–1999 .
IBHS
An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. B. K. Waltke and M. O’Connor. 1990 .
IGEL
An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon . 1888 .
ISBE
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia . Revised ed. G. W. Bromiley. 4 vols. 1979–1988 .
JM
A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew. P. Joüon and T. Muraoka. Rev. English ed. 2006 .
LBD
Lexham Bible Dictionary . John D. Barry. 2012 .
LEH
J. Lust, E. Eynikel, and K. Hauspie. A Greek-English Lexicon of the Septuagint . Revised ed. 2003 .
L&N
J. P. Louw and E. A. Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains . 1989 .
LSJ
H. G. Liddell, R. Scott, and H. S. Jones. A Greek-English Lexicon . 9th ed. with rev. supp. 1996 .
MM
J. H. Moulton and G. Milligan. The Vocabulary of the Greek Testament . 1930 .
NBD
New Bible Dictionary, 3rd ed. D. R. W. Wood. 1996 .
NIDNTT
New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology . C. Brown. 4 vols. 1975–1985 .
NIDOTTE
New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis . W. A. VanGemeren. 5 vols. 1997 .
OTP
Old Testament Pseudepigrapha . J. H. Charlesworth. 2 vols. 1983–85 .
ODCC
The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. F. L. Cross and E. A. Livingstone. 2nd ed. 1983 .
TDNT
Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. G. Kittel and G. Friedrich. 10 vols. 1964–1976 .
TLNT
Theological Lexicon of the New Testament. C. Spicq. 3 vols. 1994 .
TLOT
Theological Lexicon of the Old Testament. E. Jenni and C. Westermann. 3 vols. 1997 .
TWOT
Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament . R. L. Harris and G. L. Archer Jr. 2 vols. 1980 .
ZEB
The Zondervan Encyclopedia of