1. Find the word in a concordance (it must correspond to the Bible translation/version you are using.)
To the right of the scripture citation will be a number. Depending on the version of the concordance, it will be either a Strong’s number or a G/K number. (NIV = G/K, Strong’s KJV=Strongs) Verify which number this is; do NOT just rely on the title of the book.
In the back of the concordance are two things:
- A Greek or Hebrew dictionary which corresponds with the number. There you will find the Greek or Hebrew word, the transliteration and the terms that word has been translated into.
- A chart which corresponds the Strong’s number to the G/K number and vice/versa.
2. Locate the appropriate dictionary of theology:
- OT – VanGemeren, Willem. New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan Pub. House, 1997. Available in Reference and Ready Reference – BS 440 .N438 1997
Entry is by G/K number to the Hebrew word and its transliteration as well as a theological definition.
- NT – Verbrugge, Verlyn, ed. The NIV Theological Dictionary of New Testament Words. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Pub. House, 2000. Available in Reference – PA 881 .N48 2000
Entry by G/K number to the Greek word and its transliteration as well as a theological definition. This is an abridgement of the Brown text which doesn’t have entry by G/K number but it doesn’t have an entry for every G/K number so you may have to use Brown by word.
- Brown, Colin. The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1986. Available in Reference – PA 881 .N49 1986
The index (v. 4) contains an index of transliterated Greek words so you can enter the other volumes that way or by English translation (for instance, v. 1 has the heading Book and under that headings, the Greek words which have something to do with Book and their theological definitions.)
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