Task 1B. Determine the contextual meaning and contribution of key terms
Essence of the Task
By now you have spent enough time in your passage to have a good sense of what terms might require further investigation. Study these terms, taking note of their semantic range and settling on the one that best corresponds to the context of the passage. Try describing in a few sentences what that meaning contributes to the meaning of the sentence in which it appears. On the one hand, this will help clarify that meaning in your mind, and on the other hand, it will serve as a cross check: if you are not able to describe the contribution that the meaning makes to the passage, you may not have gotten it right yet.
Detailed Description
1. What meanings can this word have?
As we noted previously, decontextualized, most words have more than one possible meaning. However, in a given sentence, they usually have only one functional meaning.
For our native language, we almost never have to think deliberately, when hearing or reading a sentence, what specific meanings words have. The reason is that we have been immersed all our lives in what we might call a great living dictionary, where day after day and month after month, we have been constantly bombarded with usages that have been shaping both possible and contextual meanings for us.
However, when we switch to a second language, we automatically lose all that background. If we have managed to learn anything in that new language, we probably babble on, like a small child, trying to grope our way through the lexical options available. We usually manage to use the most basic expressions, with the easiest verb tenses. If we are lucky, we make ourselves understood. And if we are lucky enough to live in a second culture, we may, after many years, be able to distinguish the nuances between words and use them correctly.
Anyone who has truly learned a second language – for real – knows what I’m talking about. It is by no means easy, and acquiring a large vocabulary with an acceptable command of the semantic ranges included in that vocabulary is a life-long project.
None of us can count on these advantages when we approach the biblical languages: Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. And that’s okay. But at the very least – we must acknowledge this fact with brutal honesty. We are not conversant in these languages. In fact, compared to our knowledge of our mother tongue and perhaps some modern language, not even a tiny percentage of those of us who have studied biblical Greek or Hebrew (not to mention Aramaic) can boast of really «knowing» these languages.
2. What sense is most likely here?
Thus, acknowledging this deficit from the outset, our first step is to consult our best dictionaries to get a sense of a word’s possible range of meanings. Next, we seek to discover which of those is its likely use in the passage under study. Finally, we want to assess how that use functions in our text.
That is «word-study» at its simplest.
And while it goes without saying that the study of the words that make up a biblical passage is very important, the word of warning offered by David Alan Black, in Using New Testament Greek in Ministry, deserves careful reflection.
Although lexical analysis is important, it is a limited tool, a servant rather than the sovereign. As a professor of Greek, I have never worried much about my students’ ability to do word studies; I am always far more anxious that they will stop there. Too much New Testament preaching tends to be “word bound” and to ignore the broader context in which words are found. (p. 75)
These are strong and accurate statements. Black has more to say on the matter.
Often considered the “Open Sesame” to the original meaning of Scripture, lexical analysis is perhaps more open to abuse than any other method of interpretation. (pp. 73-74)
The study of biblical words is very important. But to exaggerate its importance is to make the mistake of thinking that the bricks are the house! Of course, the house requires bricks (unless, of course, it is a wooden house), but a house is not a few random bricks nor even the mere sum of all the bricks.
So, let’s do the best word studies we can, but never lose sight of the fact that it is the sentences, the paragraphs, and the whole book that contain the complete thought.
3. What does this meaning contribute?
After determining the probable contextual meaning of a word, it is time to think about the contribution that this meaning makes to the passage. What is intended to be conveyed in the passage by using this word with this meaning?
It is all very well to get some expert help from our lexicons to arrive at probable meanings of some of our most important words. But even the original readers, who grew up with that language in that culture at that time in history and had a broad background in the uses of the words with which the biblical books were written, needed to do what we intend to do in this task: ask what the author meant by those words. Part of what we have done so far is to get a little bit closer, at the level of language, to the place where the original readers were. But now we have to do the same thing they had to do: understand what those words with those meanings mean.
While this appears here as «another task to be done» in the exegetical process, it is actually part of a natural and brief process of reflection.
- What meanings can this word have?
- What is the most likely meaning in this context?
- How should I understand what this meaning contributes?
Seen in this light, we realize that in most cases, this final reflection will generally take no more than a few minutes per word, if that. It is a natural extension of the same mental effort of the first two questions above and – I repeat – usually done at the same moment for each word. I could have described these three tasks as one, composed of several parts. I have not done so, partly to highlight each aspect and partly because there are specific activities and tools to describe in each part of this sequence.
To Do
Fortunately, the activities to be performed for this task are relatively few and simple – thank goodness, too, because we will likely have to repeat them with a number of words! Answer all three of these questions for each key word that you identified in the previous task (Task 1A).
1. What meanings can this word have?
Look at the alternatives that exist in your various lexicons (dictionaries) of the corresponding biblical language. If you have more than one Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic dictionary, all the better, but one good one will do. Find the word you want to research and simply write down the primary meanings that appear for that word.
2. What sense is most likely here?
- Go back to your lexicons and ask which of the possible meanings you saw in the previous task is the most likely, in context. Several things will help us determine this:
- Given the fact that you know your passage relatively well because of your work thus far, what meaning stands out to you as the most natural meaning in your text?
- In some cases, the lexicographer offers a suggestion as to which meaning corresponds with a particular passage! That is, unless it is one of those words that appears hundreds or thousands of times, the biblical reference for each usage appears under the corresponding meaning. We will still have to weigh the lexicographer’s decision, but this can be a huge help, and it will probably be accurate 99% of the time.
- In other cases, only a few sample verses are provided. If that is the case, then we will have to go to those verses to see, in context, which usage is most similar to ours.
- Bible software offers us additional options. As it is not limited by how long a printed book can afford to be, the specific uses of all the specific instances of a word are indicated. Again, it must be emphasized that we must weigh what the software presents us, but it is almost certainly correct.
- Some lexicons offer expanded definitions to help us make our decisions. Whereas in the past many lexicons, including the best ones! were limited to offering equivalent «glosses», editions with real definitions are beginning to appear. (In this category, we would highlight works such as those by Louw and Nida and BDAG).
- Then there are other volumes in which the scholars in question follow part of the same path we are on and offer us comments and observations on the different contextual uses. That is, they are more like studies of biblical words than dictionaries of biblical words (for example, Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words).
- In a similar vein, but orbiting in another sphere, is the monumental Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (in 10 volumes), edited by Kittel, which is – so to speak – between a dictionary and an encyclopedia. It contains macro-articles on the words of the New Testament. Fortunately, there is a reduced version of this epic work that highlights the most important content of the previous work in a single volume: the Compendium of the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.
- Finally, do not underestimate the importance of considering which meaning of a word is the most likely one in a direct reading of the text.
- How do you see it? Read the text and think. Try one meaning and then another. You will be able to discard some meanings almost without having to think about it.
- Another valuable approach is comparing different English versions. Do they all translate the same or similarly? That would be a clear indication of probably meaning. Or are there significant differences? Even then, the translators’ selections will probably narrow down the options to consider.
When you have weighed the information and made your assessment, record that decision.
Again, except in rare cases, don’t let this task take too long. You have more words to study, so you can’t dwell too long on any particular word. Remember also that meaning is a team effort. All the words in a sentence and paragraph help you understand each other’s meaning. Then there is also grammar and the broader literary, historical, cultural, etc. context. In short, all those considerations that we have been working on and will continue to work on in the future.
3. What does this meaning contribute?
1-Description. As a minimum, this final question encourages you to add a sentence or two (in your notes for each important word) about what the contextual meaning of each word contributes to the meaning of the passage. This need not take long. A couple of ideas may help you draft your description.
- Are you able to describe the contribution it makes?
- Would the phrase or sentence you write down be enough to make it clear to someone else?
- Is it necessary to distinguish this meaning from other possible contextual meanings that are incorrect?
It is possible, however, that with some of the words you still want to refine your understanding, before contrasting it with that of the commentators. Perhaps, in trying to describe the contextual semantic contribution, you have realized that you still need to improve your understanding, not only of the specific contextual value that the author wanted to convey here with the use of the word, but also, perhaps, why he did not use other possible words.
Several additional resources may be helpful, if you have the time.
To dig deeper
2-Concordances. Traditionally, one of the indispensable tools for any serious exegesis has been the concordance. The reason is obvious and simple: if the best way to know the meanings that words can have is to see them in context, a concordance enables us to do that in a convenient way. It allows us to consult all the usages of a word and, depending on the characteristics of the concordance in question, perhaps see them all at once with enough of the context included so that we don’t have to open the Bible to the specific passage to see it in context.
Consulting a concordance can be of particular benefit in profiling a given biblical author’s use of a word. That is, to see, for example, how Paul usually uses a word or to better understand if Luke, in Luke and Acts has a distinctive use of a particular term.
There are concordances of different types. The least useful are those that present the information from a single translation of the Bible. The most useful are those that are organized according to the words of the original languages, whether they are presented in English or in the original languages themselves.
The truth is that at this point in history, any printed concordance has been far surpassed by the performance of any Bible software, both in speed and flexibility. It is not really worth investing time and money in a printed concordance.
It is important to emphasize that the proper use of a concordance is to see how words are used in context. That is, its primary function is to collate meanings. As Rob Haskell points out, «a concordance should not be used simply to do ‘concordance studies’ where one puts together a series of verses on a given word and organizes them to create one’s sermon or Bible study’ (Hermeneutics, p. 94).
3-Translations and Paraphrases. Another approach to the meaning of words is to compare how different translations have understood their function in context. The translators’ choices are a clear clue as to how they understand the contextual meaning of a word. Additionally, we can see how that understanding interacts with the other components of the context. Then, if some of the versions tend more towards paraphrase than translation, we will see an effort to explain that meaning. For purposes of exposition, this can be helpful.
For example, if in 1 John 2:2, a more literal translation renders, «He himself is the propitiation for our sins…» (NKJV), a paraphrase may offer us a more «digestible» access. Notice how these versions, in terms of our task, «describe the contextual semantic contribution» of the word propitiation. «Jesus Christ offered himself as a sacrifice so that our sins may be forgiven…» (DHH) or «He himself is the sacrifice that paid for our sins…» (NTV). Of course, a paraphrase is always more «interpretative», but for the purpose of clarifying the contribution of a word to a particular verse, it can be very suggestive. Moreover, due to the fact that many of the members of your congregation may have these versions or paraphrases, making contact with them has the added value of helping you to know what they are reading, especially if clarification is needed.
4-Comparative and Expository Lexicons
- Louw and Nida. This lexicon offers a couple of unique virtues to what we are discussing in this assignment. Since the main organizational structure of this lexicon is by semantic domains and sub-domains, it allows us to see a word in proximity to other semantically similar words. This helps to distinguish possible nuances, if there are any. Since it was prepared especially with New Testament translators in mind, in many cases, in addition to containing definitions (and not just glosses), lexicographers have incorporated suggestions intended to help translators find ways to express the concepts contained in the word where there are no easy equivalents. That is, this lexicon, in addition to defining, in many cases also explains.
- Kittel. Previously, I referred to Kittel’s monumental work and will point out some cautions to keep in mind in using Kittel below. Part of the usefulness of this work is its expository nature. Part of its difficulty for practical use is how extensive it is – even in the compendium version. (Another similar work, in English, is Colin Brown’s).
- Vine. As an expository lexicon, it addresses part of the task one is doing here. (Other similar works, in English, are those of Mounce and Zodhiates.)
- Special studies. Works such as Barclay’s, which sets out 100 important words of the Greek New Testament, are accessible. At a more scholarly level, you can find too many monographs and multi-volume works to comment on here.
To Keep in Mind
1. What meanings can this word have?
Another way to approach possible meanings would be to do the same kind of work that lexicographers do. That is, to examine the meaning of words in the very contexts in which they appear. Dictionary writers analyze dozens or hundreds of sentences to identify the meanings of the words in those sentences. Those who edit biblical lexicons have done exactly the same thing. They have collated every time a word appears in the Bible to identify its uses. Then, they put those uses together in the categories listed as meanings in the dictionary.
The exegete/preacher can do something similar, if he has the time. He can use a concordance to see how many times a word appears and based on his analysis of the contextual usage, draw conclusions about possible meanings. However, because of the time involved, it is not feasible for most preachers to do this kind of study. Moreover, since dictionaries already collect that kind of analysis, it is more efficient and probably more helpful to look there.
Another conclusion from all of the above is to cultivate a greater appreciation for biblical translations. It is true that one can debate what appears in the translations on one issue or another. However, if we know how to evaluate our own knowledge of the original languages in their proper measure, most of us will come to value much more highly the work of recognized experts. This is without granting all expert opinions an exaggerated value, nor undervaluing our own ability to evaluate the options presented.
NOTE: Possibly one of the reasons that the word lexicon is used more than dictionary for biblical languages is that, in the field of biblical studies, dictionary has come to be used also for a kind of resource that is closer to an encyclopedia. In any case, right here, we can also see that the same word «dictionary» has more than one meaning.
2. What sense is most likely here?
It is very good to take some time to get to know the peculiarities of the lexicons you find yourself using the most. They all have peculiarities. If you know what they are and, what impact they have, that will benefit your exegesis. For example…
- Have you read the introduction to the lexicon? That is where the parameters with which the lexicographer worked will be explained. It would be extremely helpful to know what those parameters are.
- Have you read one or more responsible reviews of the work? Reading the evaluations of a couple of reliable scholars could prevent you from promoting some or other shortcomings of the dictionary in question.
- For example, Kittel’s encyclopedic lexicon, although it is one of the most important reference works, does not believe in the inerrancy of the New Testament on which it is based! I quote two brief criticisms in this regard.
- The NT scholars of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School comment, «Although highly esteemed and very helpful, Kittel is not entirely free of deficiencies: the reader should be aware that the authors of the individual articles themselves have theological commitments that sometimes influence their analysis of the lexical data. Moreover, it should be kept in mind that a historical analysis of the use of a word may not accurately represent the development of the broader concept with which the word has to do» (An Annotated Bibliography on the Bible and the Church, Editor: Douglas Moo, p. 38, 1986).
- Black, comments, «New Testament scholars have come to realize painfully in recent years that even the very extensive analyses contained in the ten-volume work, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Kittel) do not always give full and sufficient recognition of the influence of a particular context on the meaning of a word» (p. 74).
Without detracting from Kittel’s deserved value, the responsible exegete should be aware of perspectives of this kind and take them very much into account.
In closing, I would recommend leisurely reading in two areas.
- Some good articles on the study of words. There are many, especially if they are rather recent and take into account the linguistic and rhetorical advances of the last decades. (A good first introduction is chapter 6: «What words mean» by Rob Haskell in his book Hermenéutica, if you understand Spanish).
- A complete step-by-step guide to help you really understand and use the best lexicons. (For example, for anyone who is proficient in English, there is no other lexicon that compares with the third edition of A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature – also known by the acronym of the publishers’ surnames, BDAG. For learning to use this work, the best guidance I know of is Appendix A: «Using BDAG» by Rodney Decker in his Koine Greek Reader).
3. What does this meaning contribute?
Much of what you do or don’t do at this point in the process depends on how much time you have. If you don’t have much time, don’t complicate your life or feel bad. Keep in mind that by checking your conclusions against your commentaries (in the next task) you will be consulting the opinions of scholars who have done this additional research – and much more! You will often find that the commentator gives you a general review of all of the above. He or she will…
- Summarize all the distinctive usages of a biblical author.
- Contrast and compare the most interesting translations.
- Evaluate the contributions and conclusions of the more extensive lexicons and specialized studies.
So, if you find yourself short of time, move on to the next task. Just keep in mind that the price to pay for this time savings is that you will have somewhat less direct contact with the material on the one hand, and on the other, you will be somewhat more dependent on someone else’s study. But in the face of the real demands of ministry, this is often precisely the most honorable decision. Hence, I even describe points 2, 3, and 4 above as «To Dig Deeper» and not «To Do». Moreover, if we have reliable commentaries, we should not think that relying on them more will greatly diminish our work.