Another study method you can use – especially if you are feeling particularly geeky – is a word study. A word study connects our English translation with the original language word to give a fuller, richer understanding of how the word is used in Scripture.
It can get tricky, though. For instance, several original language words get translated as the same English word. In the New Testament, "servant" could be one of seven different Greek words.
Or, one Greek or Hebrew word gets translated into a whole collection of English words. The Hebrew word kaphar usually gets translated "atonement", but it (or a form of kaphar) is also rendered purged, reconciliation, merciful, appeased, cleansed, forgave, pacified, pardoned and pitch. "Pitch" comes from the story of Noah and the ark.
Think about that- The same word that is used in Exodus to talk about covering the people's sins through blood sacrifice is used in Genesis for the ark covering that will ensure Noah and his family will pass through the waters of judgment. Fascinating!
Here's what you need:
- Your study Bible and notebook
- English dictionary
- Your other favorite translations (My study Bible is NKJV, so here I use NAS and NLT primarily, but I also occasionally check ESV, NIV, God's Word, CEV and NCV.)
- An exhaustive concordance
- A Hebrew and Greek Dictionary
How it works:
1. Choose your word. Let's say I read Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest." I'm going to choose "rest"
2. Look it up in the English dictionary. I found lots of definitions:
1. Stopping work or activity 2. Sleep 3. Absence of movement 4. Death 5. Freedom from anxiety 6. A place to stop and relax 7. Support 8. A pause in music.
(And that's just the noun! There are more for the verb.)
Hmm… Jesus could be talking about just stopping work, but I'd say it's more like freedom from anxiety or support.
3. Check your other translations. They also render it "rest".
4. Look up the verse in the exhaustive concordance. It lists the "Strong's number" for the word. (Yep Mr. Strong numbered all the Hebrew and Greek words in the Bible, making it easier for us to look them up and cross-reference them. See why it's called 'exhaustive'?)
Here's how Matthew 11:28 looks in Strong's NAS concordance.
“Come (G1250) to Me, all (G3956) who are weary (G2872) and heavy-laden,(G5412) and I will give (G373) you rest.(G373)
Notice "give" and "rest" are the same number. That's a tip-off that our English phrase "give you rest" is just one word in the Greek.
5. Check the Hebrew/Greek dictionary
Rest is G373 ἀναπαύω (the actual Greek word) anapauō (and the transliteration)
Then in my Thayer's Greek Dictionary, the entry reads:
1) to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labor in order to recover and collect his strength
2) to give rest, refresh, to give one’s self rest, take rest
3) to keep quiet, of calm and patient expectation
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G303 and G3973
Total KJV Occurrences: 12
Rest, 6, Matt 11:28, Matt 26:45, Mark 6:31, Mark 14:41, Rev 6:11, Rev 14:13
Refreshed, 3, 1 Cor 16:18, 2 Cor 7:13, Philem 1:7
Ease, 1, Luke 12:19
Refresh, 1,Philem 1:19-20 (2)
Resteth, 1, 1 Pet 4:14
(Notice how the Greek definitions match the English ones from step 2. Although I like that Greek definition #3, with the sense of expectation. I'll make a note of that.)
Most of the time, I stop after step 3, but I admit, I enjoy digging a little deeper, especially when I'm teaching (or writing blog posts).
Give word studies a try. No pressure. Do as many steps as you feel comfortable with or have resources for, and let me know what you learn!
Related articles
- STT: Topical Study (paulawiseman.com)
- STT: Character Profile (paulawiseman.com)
Lauren says
While I haven't tried a word study, I have been using multiple translations when I study (I alternate between NKJV and NLT, but sometimes I get the MSG out, too). I think it helps with the tricky verses and I like using them to see how a word is translated differently between them.
I may have to try word study. It sounds pretty cool! I'll just have to borrow a Hebrew and Greek dictionary… 😉