Semper Reformanda

Purchase Biblical Greek: A Compact Guide

Few things are as frustrating as re-learning a language. I imagine most biblical college and seminary graduates find themselves losing most of all of their hard-earned competency with biblical languages. There are many resources these days for people who have lost must of their ability. Zondervan has recently published an excellent resource that I’m glad to feature today on the blog. William D. Mounce has become well-known in biblical languages circles for his Basics of Biblical Greek. It is one of the best Greek Grammar’s available, in my humble opinion. Now he has a follow-up companion for those who have complete Greek Grammar and need a handy guide. Biblical Greek: A Compact Guide is a tremendous blessing for people like me (who once had far more facility with Greek than I presently do) and for those still learning Greek for the first time.

The book is small (smaller than a Moleskine) but not so small the hard of seeing will strain to read it. It has a sleek design and comes with an excellent plastic cover (a feature I think is an excellent addition to this resource – it is designed to be taken everywhere and the cover ensures that you will have it for the long haul). Each page contains a wealth of information yet it rarely overwhelming. Those familiar with Mounce and his grammar will be pleased to know that his always helpful diagrams and charts make frequent appearance here.

This book is more than a “dictionary” of Greek syntax and grammar. Mounce includes – what I think is the most significant contribution this resources makes – short discussion of recent research and debate. For example, on page 52 in the section concerning syntax, Mounce adds a short, but very helpful, explanation of research on the use of prohibitive statements in the aorist and present tenses. Here, Mounce corrects an ever present error that needs to be avoided. He does so with clarity and precision – traits I have come to identity with Dr. Mounce.

In my opinion this is a must-have resource for any pastor, professor or lay-person with capabilities in Koine Greek. I will use this small text for the rest of my life. It is clear, well-organized and always helpful. Thanks Zondervan and William Mounce for another extremely helpful Greek resource!

Note: To comply with Federal Trade Regulations I would like to state that I received a complimentary copy of the aforementioned text for review as compensation.