LEXICAL SEMANTICS OF THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT

A Supplement to the Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains

by

Eugene A. Nida

Johannes P. Louw

Scholars Press

Atlanta, Georgia

Lexical Semantics of the Greek New Testament

© 1992

Society of Biblical Literature

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Louw, J. P.

Lexical semantics of the Greek New Testament / Johannes

P. Louw, Eugene A. Nida.

p. cm. — (Resources for biblical study / Society of Biblical

Literature; no. 25)

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 1-55540-577-0. — ISBN 1-55540-578-9 (pbk.)

1. Greek language, Biblical—Semantics. 2. Greek language, Biblical—Lexicology. 3. Bible. N.T.—Language, style. I. Nida, Eugene Albert, 1914–. II. Title. III. Series: Resources for biblical study; no. 25.

PA875.L59 1992

487'.4—dc20

91-44994

CIP

SOCIETY OF BIBLICAL LITERATURE

Resources for Biblical Study

Edited by

David E. Aune

Number 25

Lexical Semantics of the Greek New Testament

by

Eugene A. Nida

Johannes P. Louw

CONTENTS

Preface

1. The Problems of Lexical Semantics

2. The Nature of Language

3. Analyzing the Different Meanings of the Same Lexeme

4. Analyzing the Related Meanings of Different Lexemes

5. Domain Classification

6. Scholarly Contributions to the Semantic Analysis of Lexemes

Problems

Bibliography

General Index

Greek Index

Index of New Testament Passages

Problem Index

PREFACE

The primary purpose of this analysis of lexical semantics in the Greek vocabulary of the New Testament is to provide scholars, translators, and students with a more complete statement about the principles and procedures employed in the preparation of the Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament Based on Semantic Domains (abbreviated as L and N). Although this lexicon contains an introduction which outlines the major principles and indicates the scientific basis for such a treatment of New Testament Greek vocabulary, it has become increasingly evident that most users would appreciate a more detailed analysis of the lexicological principles and their implications.

A secondary purpose is to provide readers with an introduction to lexicology as illustrated by a number of issues involved in treating the meanings of words and idioms in the New Testament. This has meant highlighting the methods used in analyzing similarities and contrasts in meaning and in classifying domains. This volume does presuppose a considerable knowledge of the Greek of the New Testament, but it is not designed merely for New Testament specialists. Anyone interested in the problems of lexical meaning and exegesis should find the contents helpful.

Two introductory chapters, one on “The Problems of Lexical Semantics” and another on “The Nature of Language,” provide the conceptual setting for the core chapters: “Analyzing the Different Meanings of the Same Lexeme” and “Analyzing the Related Meanings of Different Lexemes,” which focus on the syntagmatic and paradigmatic approaches respectively. The fifth chapter ...